Episode 30 – Here Kitty Kitty
| The Assassins |
Azareth - Wizard 2nd Level LE (PC) Creighton - Fighter 2nd Level LE (PC) Craven - Fighter / Rogue 1st / 2nd LE (CE emerging) (PC) Keldirk - Rogue 3rd level NE (PC) |
| Locale | The Green Dragon, a tavern in the River Quarter of Del Mord. |
| Date | 17th Coldeven 582 CY (Common Year) |
| Time | Evening. |
After spending the remainder of the day answering questions about Draggart's death in the River Quarter Watch-house, Craven needed some time alone to gather his thoughts. Time to come to terms with the changes beginning to surface in his thoughts and actions. On two separate occasions he had lost control during combat and he loved it. He relished the rush of blood and the surge of strength the anger brought; the rage gave him power. He had to admit he was a little worried by the lack of value he placed on his own life during these psychotic episodes but the feelings of euphoria - and the fact his wounds were healing at an accelerated rate - more than balanced his concerns.
Azareth was going to be a problem, thought Craven as he sat alone in the Green Dragon and took another mouthful of his raw steak. Azareth already suspected that something was amiss and Craven knew Azareth would keep a watchful eye on him - noting anything that could be called erratic behaviour. I'll just have to be careful around the skinny runt, mused Craven.
The young duelist wondered, not for the first time, why the man called Draggart had attacked them. Azareth claimed that Craven had provoked him and perhaps that was the case, but what sane man would venture into the room of four adventurers and start making demands without care or caution? Craven was sure the medallion was very important to Draggart and he hoped that Azareth had found something as to its relevance in the library this afternoon. He finished his meal and took a sip of red wine. He almost gagged and noted that all wine seemed bitter and dissatisfying of late. Something strange was happening to him, but the anticipation of the change far outweighed his concerns. Craven set aside the drink and left the tavern for The River Snag Hostel.
Azareth returned from his afternoon at the library and went immediately to check on Keldirk and Creighton. Their wounds were healing well but Keldirk would be very uncomfortable until his broken ribs healed. Azareth had just finished re-dressing Creighton's wound when Craven entered the room.
| Azareth | How did the questioning go at the Watch-house? |
| Craven | The sergeant asked us not to leave town for a few days but I don't think there is any reason for concern. They believe we acted in self-defence. |
| Azareth | (nods) Well that's a relief. The last thing we want is to come under the scrutiny of the authorities; that would be bad for our Family business. |
| Craven | Not to mention our association with Simpkin and friends. |
| Azareth | Indeed. Oh, you'll be glad to know I found out the importance of the medallion. |
| Craven | Well? |
| Azareth | (withdraws the metallic disk from his belt pouch and holds it up for Craven to see) It seems Draggart was a priest of the fell god Nerull and this medallion was his holy symbol. It is difficult to see in this light, but embedded in all this swirling mess of filigree is the distinct outline of a skull and scythe - Nerull's symbol. |
| Craven | So Draggart was a priest. No wonder he was willing to risk so much to get it back. |
| Azareth | (shrugs) I don't think he came here with the express decision to cause us harm. If you had not provoked him into attacking Keldirk, I would have simply handed it over and none of us would be any the wiser. |
| Craven | (defensive) Maybe he just wanted to clear up loose ends. Besides, he probably figured us for followers of Pelor after you and Creighton went so gallantly to his rescue. (snorts) I dare say slaying those of Pelorian faith would have been Draggart's favourite pastime. |
| Azareth | Perhaps, but it makes no difference now. Draggart is dead and in a few days this whole mess will be behind us. |
| Craven | How are they? (indicates Creighton and Keldirk) |
| Azareth | Creighton will be up and about in a day or so and the poison is almost completely out of Keldirk's system. He will, however, be terribly sore while his ribs heal. |
| Craven | (chuckles) And he will no doubt be in a foul mood. |
| Azareth | (smiles and looks to the slumbering Keldirk) He always is. |
| Craven | Well, I might turn in. It's been a long day. |
| Azareth | (places a hand on Craven's arm) I'm a little concerned about you, Craven. |
| Craven | I'm fine. (indicates the hole in the wall) My head is a little sore from the wall but apart from that I feel okay. |
| Azareth | Yes. You have been involved in two serious combats in the last three days, yet you feel fine. How do you explain that? |
| Craven | I might point out that you, too, were involved in these combats and no one is questioning your health. |
| Azareth | My involvement completely differs from your own, Craven. The comparison is hardly justified. |
| Craven | (waves Azareth aside and begins to undress) Perhaps I am better able to look after myself than the rest of you. It's nothing to be concerned about. |
| Azareth | (nods) Very well. Just try and control your anger in future and try and remember who your friends are. |
| Craven | I will, Azareth. |
| Azareth | Have you eaten? |
| Craven | Yes. |
| Azareth | I was planning on checking in with our Vesper tonight. It has been some time since my last meeting. Are you interested in joining me? |
| Craven | (shakes his head) You go. I'll stay here and keep an eye on these two. |
The young mage walked leisurely to his Vesper's abode and, before long, was sipping tea in Saradock's lounge.
| Azareth | Ah, superb. Tea is the one beverage I truly enjoy. The others drink so much ale I swear they are practicing alcoholics. |
| Saradock | (chuckles) I'm glad you like it. I had several bushels of this blend imported from Nyrond a week ago and plan to launch it into the social circles of Del Mord some time next week. (places his cup on the table and crosses his hands in his lap) But you're not here for small talk, let's get down to the real business. Your timing couldn't have been better, Azareth - if you hadn't arrived tonight you would've received my summons tomorrow. |
| Azareth | I take it you have a new job for us? |
| Saradock | Yes. Arriving in town some time tomorrow is a singer-songwriter by the name of Angelle Kurios. She has been taking the Chathold social set by storm, playing to packed venues all over the city. So great was her success in the nation's capital that she has decided to tour each major city in the Prelacy and make her name. She is scheduled for seven performances here in Del Mord, the first of which is tomorrow night at the Silver Dragon. |
| Azareth | And it is to be her last performance? |
| Saradock | It doesn't have to be, no. But you are correct in that we have been hired to kill her. As long as she dies before she leaves Del Mord the contract will be considered fulfilled. |
| Azareth | Who would want a singer dead? Surely it's not a political assassination? |
| Saradock | No, this is a matter of jealousy. Before Angelle appeared on the scene another singer, Deelia, was considered the finest vocalist in Almor. Angelle's rise to prominence has since drawn the interest and accolades away from Deelia and she wants her competition silenced. Deelia has been at the top for so long that I guess she can't contemplate a life anywhere else. |
| Azareth | Does Angelle's death have to appear accidental? |
| Saradock | Not necessarily. As long as she doesn't leave Del Mord alive the contract will be considered fulfilled. Deelia and her retinue are still in Chathold so they all have legitimate alibis. |
| Azareth | Do you know where Angelle is planning to stay? |
| Saradock | No, but it shouldn't be too difficult for you to find out. I suggest you attend tomorrow's performance at the Silver Dragon and follow her home. By all accounts it will be the only show she'll do outside the High Quarter. |
| Azareth | The High Quarter! If she gets accommodation in there it could get tricky. |
| Saradock | Yes, I imagine it would. |
| Azareth | Can you tell me anything else about her? |
| Saradock | Only that until two months ago, she was a relative unknown. By all accounts she used to sing in small establishments to small crowds. I'm not really sure of the circumstances but virtually overnight she was drawing larger crowds and, before long, she was singing before the Arch Prelate at a charity ball in the Chathold Opera house. Since then her popularity has soared at the expense of Deelia's. |
| Azareth | It seems a straightforward contract. |
| Saradock | That's my estimation also. I'll expect to hear from you in no more than seven days. Oh, one more thing, The Inquisition is currently at Ring Roads and will be entering Del Mord sometime around the twenty-fifth. |
| Azareth | What effect will their arrival have on our operations. |
| Saradock | It's business as usual for The Family, Azareth. |
| Azareth | What about our training? The others and I feel ready to further our skills. |
| Saradock | Very well, I'll set something up for you upon completion of this contract. |
| Azareth | Thank you. I shall speak to you soon. (leaves) |
The following evening the Silver Dragon was filled to overflowing, people jostled each other as bar staff and waitresses negotiated paths through the excited crowd. Music was the topic of conversation and everyone in the common room had an opinion to express to their neighbour. Voices were raised in argument and in jest and the feeling in the tavern was good. People from all walks of life agreed that tonight they were in for a great treat. Angelle Kurios, Almor's rising star, was here to sing.
The four assassins arrived too late to secure a table but Creighton's sharp elbows had earned them a prime vantage point near the stage stairs. The crowd hushed when Angelle stepped onto the stage, resplendent in a maroon velvet dress trimmed with gold. Her long red hair cascaded over her shoulders and framed her delicate features as she bowed before the audience. Without the backing of her band Angelle began to sing, her lyrical voice drifted over the crowd, the silken phrases caressed each person making them feel as if she were singing only to them.
| Angelle | (singing) ... |
| Keldirk | (whispers to Creighton) I hope this isn't a long performance, I've heard cats fuck with more harmony. |
| Creighton | (chuckles) |
| Azareth | (to Keldirk) Shhh! |
Angelle, and her band, performed for a little over two hours and left the stage to rapturous applause. Even Keldirk had to admit that the lady had talent. Her band comprised three men and a female flautist, each superb musicians in their own right. The blend of voice and music was perfectly orchestrated; so much so that most listeners had difficulty separating one from the other. When the band left the stage, most of the crowd dispersed. The four assassins took a seat at an empty table and quietly discussed their plans.
| Craven | An excellent performance by a talented woman. (sighs) |
| Creighton | She was even better than Auntie Adai back in Three-Trees, now that woman could belt out a tune! |
| Keldirk | I'll see you boys later, I'll pick up her trail once she leaves the building. |
| Craven | Are you sure you can handle this on your own? |
| Keldirk | (sneers) Positive, you three would just get in my way. |
| Azareth | (nods) We'll meet you back at the River Snag Hostel. (looks critically at Keldirk) You probably could have purchased a new cloak; if she is staying in the High Quarter you will have difficulty getting by the guards wearing that rag. Here, take mine. |
| Keldirk | (grudgingly takes Azareth's robe and exits the tavern) |
| Craven | (waves over a barmaid) I'll have two steaks, very rare, no vegetables and a mug of mead. |
| Creighton | Um, a steak and a jug of mead. And I'll have his vegetables? (indicates Craven) |
| Barmaid | (nods then looks to Azareth) And you? |
| Azareth | The roast of the day and a glass of red wine. (waits for the barmaid to leave) With a bit of luck Angelle will have her own lodgings; I'd rather not have to come up against the cello player. Now, he was a meaty fellow. |
| Creighton | Don't worry Az. I'll protect you. |
Keldirk followed Angelle to her place of residence, a town house less than one hundred feet from the High Quarter gates. She was accompanied along the way by her band and five Nightowls; bodyguards to the rich. Once Angelle and the four musicians entered the building the bodyguards departed for the High Quarter. Keldirk waited until all the lights in the townhouse were extinguished before returning to the River Snag Hostel.
| Keldirk | (enters the room) I've got good news and bad news. She doesn't live in the High Quarter but she does live with the band. |
| Azareth | Where is she staying? |
| Keldirk | In one of a row of townhouses not far from the High Quarter gates. From what I could tell they were all asleep by midnight. Picking the lock could be tricky since the street is well lit and door is easy view of the High Quarter gatehouse. |
| Craven | Is there a back door? |
| Keldirk | (shakes his head) No, it backs onto another townhouse. I'll follow them again over the next few nights and see if their routine changes. At this stage let's plan our attack for day four or five. |
| Azareth | I'm surprised she didn't have a social engagement planned after her performance. |
| Keldirk | Maybe she will once she does her High Quarter shows. We know where she's staying so we should plan to strike there. |
| Azareth | How are your ribs, Keldirk? |
| Keldirk | Don't worry about me, skinny boy, I'll be 'right. |
Keldirk spent the next few nights exploring the area surrounding Angelle's rented townhouse. He traversed every alley and backstreet, committed the guards' patrol schedule to memory and even learned the names of one or two local beggars. By the time the assassins planned to strike, Keldirk was as familiar with this part of town as a resident of many years. Craven's skill with locks meant that he would be required to open the front door, which left Azareth to provide cover through his magic. Keldirk suggested several possible vantage points to Azareth and provided Craven a time to approach the house with a minimum chance of being seen by the guards.
Azareth completed the complex gestures and released the magic. He visualized the doorway of Angelle's rented home and created an exact duplicate of the image before gradually bringing the illusionary entryway a little closer to the street. The illusion would provide Craven with the room he required to pick the lock to the house without being seen by the guards less than one block away. To the guards the doorway would appear as normal although - if they were to look closely - the distance from the street to the door would be slightly shorter than the last time they glanced at the house.
Craven bent and concentrated on the lock. The faint light offered by the hand lamp was scarcely able to illuminate the area surrounding the keyhole but he felt confident that he would be able to open the door. As he worked he silently hoped that Azareth had been able to provide sufficient illusionary cover. If the guards saw through the mage's phantasm their opportunity to kill Angelle here would be lost.
Keldirk and Creighton stood in the alleyway beside Azareth and waited for Craven to unlock the door. Keldirk kept an eye on the guards at the gate while Creighton watched the rear of the alley. They knew that if Azareth's concentration was broken the illusion would fail and Craven would be in clear sight of the guards. Creighton figured that the illusion must be working, for even though Craven was picking the lock in plain view, no guards had raised the alarm. After several anxious minutes of waiting Craven gave the signal that all was okay. Creighton nudged Azareth and the trio made their across the street and inside the house, careful to avoid the attention of the guards.
| Craven | (closes the door after Azareth steps inside then whispers) Well done Azareth. |
| Azareth | (nods) |
| Craven | Keldirk and I will make sure that we are alone. You two (indicates Azareth and Creighton) wait here and don't move. |
| Keldirk | (points to the roof) I'll check upstairs. |
| Craven | (nods) Here, take this with you. (gives Keldirk the hand lamp) |
Keldirk silently moved upstairs while Craven checked the rooms of the lower level. Azareth and Creighton waited in silence, their ears straining to pick out the smallest sounds which might indicate trouble. Several minutes later Craven returned and indicated that he had found no signs of life and the three of them waited for Keldirk to return.
Keldirk cautiously climbed the stairs. Knowing that a misstep or creaky floorboard could give him away he took careful note of each step and committed the noisy ones to memory. Once he reached the landing at top of the stairs he paused and listened intently for a few minutes before proceeding down the carpeted corridor to the first room. The streetlight from the windows was rapidly fading and Keldirk had to rely on the poor light of the hand lamp to see. As he approached the first door Keldirk noticed that it was ajar, he lowered one hand to the hilt of his sword and listened. Having heard nothing he continued towards the door and peered inside. The room contained a bed, a large chest of drawers and two side-tables; the open curtains allowed sufficient light for Keldirk to determine the room was unoccupied. Without wasting any time he methodically checked the remaining three rooms identifying them all as bedrooms and discovering them all to be empty. Satisfied he returned to the entryway and his three companions.
| Keldirk | All clear. |
| Craven | Same on the lower level. (turns and locks the front door) Now we find a place to hide and wait. Any idea which bedroom is Angelle's? |
| Keldirk | (shakes his head) No, but a quick check in the wardrobes should tell us that; she always wears dresses trimmed with gold. |
| Craven | (nods) We are all agreed, none of us is to move until they are all asleep. Keldirk has determined that they don't stay up for long after the performance so we shouldn't have to wait too long. |
| Azareth | Did you find a good place to hide? |
| Craven | There is a larder off the kitchen, it should do for a hiding place. |
| Creighton | Unless they are feeling hungry, of course. |
| Keldirk | Good point. There's an attic upstairs, we could hide up there. |
| Azareth | I don't like our chances of getting out of the attic in silence. (looks to Creighton) I believe the larder would be a safer choice. No doubt they would have eaten during the performance. |
| Creighton | (nods) |
| Keldirk | I'll go back upstairs and find her room. You guys go and hide. |
| Craven | If they get back before you manage to get down here then hide up there, I'll find you. |
| Keldirk | (nods) |
Azareth, Craven and Creighton made their way to the larder while Keldirk went back upstairs and determined which room was Angelle's. After a quick look through the wardrobes he discovered that Angelle slept in the largest bedroom towards the front of the house. He carefully went back down and joined the other three assassins in the larder.
| Keldirk | Angelle sleeps in the front bedroom on the right as you face the street. |
| Creighton | Now let's hope we don't have to wait too long. |
| Keldirk | We wait as long as we have to. (smiles and begins to look around the well stocked larder) But there's no reason we have to do nothing. |
| Azareth | Try not to make too much noise. |
| Keldirk | (shakes his head and begins to hunt through the travel bags stored around them) |
After almost an hour of searching through the many bags and boxes Keldirk had managed to find only a few items of value and, of those, only a select few were small enough to fit in his backpack. A gold necklace set with amber, an ornate set of crystal salt-and-pepper shakers, a small velvet covered snuff box, a set of engraved silver steak knives with matching napkin holders and a pair of pearl earings. He was about to begin a second search through the baggage when Azareth interrupted him.
| Azareth | (places a hand on Keldirk's shoulder) I doubt a second examination will reveal any further bounty. I suggest you be satisfied with what you have found so far and remain quiet; they could be home any minute. |
| Keldirk | (brushes Azareth's hand aside) Listen, mage - |
| Craven | (raises his hand) Shh! I think I hear someone at the front door. |
The four assassins stopped and listened. They all heard the front door being opened and a feminine laugh followed by a masculine voice. The sounds were too muffled to make out actual words but it was clear that there were only two people entering the house. The door was then closed and the two new arrivals could be heard climbing the stairs. The minutes that followed were spent in absolute silence as each assassin waited for the others to arrive. After an indeterminate period of time Keldirk broke the silence.
| Keldirk | (in a whisper) I'll go out to the front door and see if there's anyone else coming. |
| Craven | (nods) If Angelle is one of the two who came home then this would be an ideal time to kill her. |
| Keldirk | First let's make sure that the road is clear. |
Without a sound, Keldirk stepped out of the larder and moved quickly to the front door. He stopped, listened and quietly made his way to the nearest ground floor window. Once in position he looked out onto the street. He stared for several seconds, scanning the road in both directions. Satisfied that the streets were empty he returned to his hidden companions and waved them out.
| Keldirk | (to Creighton) You and the mage wait in the sitting room near the entrance and keep an eye on the street. Craven and I will go upstairs and identify the occupants. |
| Creighton | (nods) We'll give you a few minutes to get upstairs before we move out. |
| Keldirk | (softly to Craven) Avoid the fourth, seventh and twelfth steps and stick to the left. |
| Craven | (nods) |
Together, Craven and Keldirk climbed the stairs. Keldirk lead the way and Craven followed close behind, careful to place his feet exactly where Keldirk stepped. Once at the top, they could see light shining from beneath one door and both heard the unmistakable sounds of lovemaking.
| Keldirk | (points toward the door) That's Angelle's room. It looks like she might be a little distracted, this is a perfect opportunity to strike. |
| Craven | No. Let's wait until they are asleep. If he's any good then they'll both be exhausted. (smiles) |
| Keldirk | You go back to the stairs and I'll keep vigil here. If there's trouble I'll wave like this. (waves his hand in a wide circle) That's your signal to go down stairs to the others, I'll hide in the room over there. |
| Craven | (nods and creeps back to the stairs) |
| Keldirk | (moves back to the door and listens) |
After half an hour, Keldirk was sure they had finished their exertions. The sounds of passion had long since died and now only the sounds of slumber could be discerned.
| Keldirk | (casts a quick glance into the room, then returns to Craven at the staircase and whispers in his ear) They've finished foolin' around and are both fast asleep. There is a candle stub burning on the dresser which offers some light. |
| Craven | (nods) |
| Keldirk | (removes his backpack and places it behind a pot plant near the stairs, indicating for Craven to do the same) |
| Craven | (removes his backpack, and draws his stiletto) |
| Keldirk | (whispering) Okay, here's the deal. I think the man she's with is the big cello player. He is sleeping on the near side. Give me a few heartbeats then approach the bedroom door. When I'm in place near the female I'll give you a nod - that's your signal to approach the bed. Understand? |
| Craven | (nods) |
| Keldirk | Do you think you'll be able to move silently? |
| Craven | (wryly) I'll manage. |
| Keldirk | You better. Be careful of the tangle of clothes near the doorway. |
| Craven | (nods) |
| Keldirk | And Craven, deliver your strike to kill, we don't want to have to fight him toe-to-toe. We want this to be quick and quiet. |
| Craven | Keldirk, I know the score. |
| Keldirk | Well, let's do it. (tiptoes back to Angelle's room, peers around the corner then creeps inside) |
| Craven | (waits a few moments then approaches the bedroom door, and peers inside) |
| Keldirk | (paying careful attention to his technique, creeps around the bed to stand beside the sleeping form of Angelle, a knife in each hand) |
| Cellist | (fast asleep, rolls over in bed, one arm falling out from under the covers) |
| Craven | (nervously fingers his stiletto and examines the cellist's face for any sign of consciousness) |
| Cellist | (mumbles something incoherent, and sniffs) |
| Keldirk | (nods) |
| Craven | (holds up his hand to Keldirk as if to wait, and continues to study the cellist) |
| Keldirk | (wipes a bead of sweat from his brow) |
| Cellist | (snorts and splutters, before settling into a rhythmic snore) |
| Craven | (flashes Keldirk an 'okay' symbol) |
| Keldirk | (nods at Craven, and waves him forward) |
| Craven | (takes a deep breath and pads carefully towards the bed) |
| Keldirk | (examines Angelle's outline, and slowly lowers his blades to within an inch of her throat) |
| Craven | (reaches the bed and holds his stiletto a hair's breadth from the cellist's eye) |
| Keldirk | (nods once then slices at Angelle's throat, his blades moving in opposite directions) |
| Craven | (thrusts forward, his blade entering the cellist's brain - killing him instantly) |
| Keldirk | (looks on with stunned amazement as his blades slide harmlessly across Angelle's exposed flesh) Holy shit! |
| Angelle | (wakes up and pushes Keldirk aside with surprising strength and speed) |
| Keldirk | (off-balance, strikes again but finds his blades turned aside by Angelle's seemingly impervious skin) |
| Craven | (leaves his stiletto embedded in the man's skull and tears his swords from their sheaths) What's going on? |
| Angelle | (leaps at Keldirk, heedless of his blades, and wraps herself around him) |
| Keldirk | Get her off me! (strikes again and again into Angelle's back, tearing holes in her negligee but not piercing skin) |
| Craven | (runs around the bed - but manages to catch his foot on the covers and falls) Oomph! |
| Angelle | (sinks her teeth into Keldirk's shoulder - getting only a mouthful of leather armour) |
| Keldirk | (twirls in circles and tries to dislodge Angelle, to no avail) Get off me, bitch! |
| Craven | (regains his footing and approaches Keldirk and Angelle - his swords held high, waiting for an opportunity to strike) |
| Angelle | (suddenly lets go of Keldirk and falls to the floor, curling herself into a tight ball) |
| Craven | Aha! (slashes at Angelle's back - opening long gashes in her gown but not causing any harm) What the? (looks at his blades in bewilderment) |
| Keldirk | (kicks Angelle in the ribs, moving her a little but causing no real harm) She's got enchanted skin! |
| Craven | (looks around the room and spies the candle) Let's burn her! Wrap her up in the bedclothes! |
| Angelle | (still wrapped up in a tight ball, begins to convulse oblivious to the events around her) |
| Keldirk | (begins to wrap Angelle in the bed covers) Get my backpack! I've got some Naptha Oil in there. |
| Craven | (rushes from the room) |
| Angelle | (fully covered in bedclothes begins to thrash wildly) |
| Keldirk | (tries to hold her down at wrap her at the same time) Hurry! |
| Angelle | (continues to thrash) |
| Keldirk | (senses Angelle about to struggle free, jumps on top) Craven! |
| Craven | (sweeps up Keldirk's backpack and sprints back to the room) I've got it! |
| Keldirk | (riding around on the moving hump of bedclothes) Whoa! I can't hold her. |
| Craven | (searching through the backpack) Hold her a minute longer - I can't find the oil. |
| Keldirk | She's too strong. |
| Angelle | ROARRRR!! |
| Keldirk | (gets flung off the bedclothes - landing heavily against the wall) Erghh. |
| Craven | (stops searching through the backpack, and looks at the figure emerging from the pile of bedclothes) |
| Angelle | (now fully transformed, rips the bedclothes away) |
| Craven | (horrified, stares in stunned silence as Angelle - now a giant panther - emerges from the shredded cloth) Oh Shit! |
| Were-Panther | (swings it's massive head in Craven's direction and leaps - its claws and five-inch fangs promising swift death) |
Downstairs Creighton and Azareth sat in the entryway, guarding the exit and watching for the return of the remainder of the band.
| Azareth | (hears a loud thump upstairs) Creighton, did you hear that? |
| Creighton | (stands up and loosens his sword) How could I miss it. |
| Azareth | (listens intently) |
| Creighton | (starts to walk up the stairs) |
| Azareth | (hears a loud feline roar just as the front door swings open) Creighton - the door! |
Creighton turned, leapt to the base of the stairs and quickly ducked into the sitting room before the front door opened. The remaining three band members entered the house, laughing amongst themselves. They had just removed their cloaks and were hanging them on the coat rack when the sounds of the struggle upstairs reached their ears. One of them, the female flautist, turned and began to go back outside to alert the guards.
| Creighton | (leaps to intercept the flautist, a longsword in each hand, he kicks the front door shut and faces the terrified band) |
| Azareth | (clears his mind and begins to cast) |
| Creighton | (lowers his sword in a flash and cleaves into the unprotected body of the flautist) |
| Flautist | (barely manages a gasp before falling dead to the floor) |
| Azareth | (points at one of the two remaining band members, sending the magic missile unerringly into the surprised man's chest - killing him instantly) |
| Violinist | (screams) |
| Craven | (manages to drop to the floor as the massive cat pounces) |
| Were-Panther | (sails over Craven and lands near the doorway, baring its fangs) Hisss. |
| Keldirk | (gets to his feet and flings his knives at the giant cat) |
| Were-Panther | (flinches reflexively as the two knives bounce of its inky fur) Hisss. (unhurt, it lowers itself into a crouch) . |
| Craven | (rises to his feet and holds his two swords defensively before him) Angelle's a bloody lycanthrope! |
| Keldirk | Watch out! It's about to- |
| Were-Panther | (springs at Craven, knocking him to the floor - its fangs sinking deep into the young assassin's shoulder) |
| Craven | Argh!! (feels the immediate onset of rage and kicks out with all his might - managing to somehow dislodge the panther) |
| Were-Panther | (spins in mid-air and lands on its feet, ready to pounce) |
| Keldirk | Silver! We need silver. |
| Craven | (rises to his feet, a mad stare in his eyes) Here kitty, kitty, kitty. |
| Keldirk | (dives for his backpack, spills the contents onto the bed and begins to hurriedly search through the pile) |
| Were-Panther | (leaps at Craven) |
| Craven | (sidesteps the giant cat, and lashes out with both his blades harmlessly striking the panther's flank) |
| Were-Panther | (lands, spins and leaps again - all in one fluid motion) |
| Craven | (barely able to recover, dodges again - but feels a claw open a six inch gash in his back) |
| Were-Panther | (turns and closes slowly, deliberately on Craven - a low growl emerging from deep within) |
| Craven | (immersed in blood-lust - lunges at the cat, his blades striking the feline's head) |
| Were-Panther | (not harmed, but slightly disorientated from the blow) Roar! (slashes with its front claws, catching Craven's cloak) |
| Craven | (manages to keep his footing) Arghh. |
| Were-Panther | (drags Craven forward, its mouth salivating) |
| Craven | Keldirk - help me you useless pile of shit! (strikes again, his swords bouncing harmlessly off the creature's hide) |
| Keldirk | Got 'em! (holds up two silver steak knives triumphantly) Now we've got you, bitch. |
| Craven | (flashes a glance at Keldirk and the tiny knives even as the cat sinks its fangs into his thigh) I'm doomed. |
The remaining band member had managed to get his hands onto a walking stick and now stood facing the huge warrior, careful not to slip on the growing pool of blood. Creighton calmly stepped in to engage his obviously outclassed opponent.
| Creighton | (strides in and swings his sword in a wide arc, the blade slicing harmlessly through the air above the man's head) |
| Violinist | (swings his cudgel wildly hoping to land a blow) |
| Creighton | (easily dodges the clumsy attack and stabs forward with his other blade - skewering the man through his stomach) |
| Violinist | Erghhh. |
| Creighton | (steps forward and slides his blade, up to the hilt, through the man's torso) |
| Violinist | (dies) |
| Creighton | (glances back to Azareth) That was easy. (lowers the corpse to the floor and recovers his blade) |
| Azareth | Go help the others, I'll keep an eye out for the city watch. |
Creighton sprinted up the stairs, taking them three at a time. Despite the recent combat, the road seemed clear and Azareth fervently hoped that it would remain that way.
| Craven | (screams in pain as the panther's teeth crush bone and sinew) Aghhhh! (bashes the panther harmlessly on the skull with the hilt of his swords) |
| Keldirk | (leaps across the room and buries two silver steak knives into the cat's neck) |
| Were-Panther | (releases Craven and howls in pain) |
| Keldirk | (manages to keep hold of one knife, strikes - again drawing blood) |
| Were-Panther | (slashes Keldirk across the stomach with a claw - doubling the young assassin over in pain) |
| Craven | (now fully immersed in rage - leaps onto the back of the panther and grips the handle of the steak knife still lodged in the cat's massive neck) |
| Were-Panther | (jumps into the air, smashing Craven against the roof) |
| Craven | (his legs clenched around the panther's midriff in a vice like grip - manages to hold on) |
| Keldirk | (one hand on his grievous wound, slashes out with the steak knife as the great cat lands. His strike is ill timed and the blade bends at right angles) Shit! |
| Craven | (wraps his left arm under the panther's jaw, and withdraws the steak knife with his free hand) |
| Keldirk | (tries to straighten the knife, but only succeeds in snapping it in two) Shit, shit. (turns to run back to the pile of his equipment on the bed) |
| Were-Panther | (hooks Keldirk's calf with a claw and drags him towards its maw) |
| Keldirk | Aghhhh! |
| Craven | (plunges the knife again and again into the panther's throat, droplets of blood streaming in the air) Die! Die! |
| Were-Panther | (bites Keldirk painfully on the rump before howling in pain) Reowww! (leaps for the door) |
| Craven | (closes his eyes as the cat smashes him into the wall above the doorway - falls to the floor disorientated) Wha? |
| Keldirk | (grabs the four remaining knives from the pile, tosses two to Craven, and limps downstairs after the cat) |
Creighton had almost made it to the top of the stairs when a large black form crashed into him, sending both he - and it - tumbling down the stairs. Somehow Creighton managed to keep hold of his swords during the fall, but he was bleeding from a viscous cut to the forehead. Dazed, he got to his feet at the foot of the stairs and moved his blades before him in a defensive arc.
The were-panther took stock of her surroundings; her excellent night vision provided a clear view of entry way and sitting room. She spied the slight form of Azareth as he stood, dagger in hand, by the ground floor window. The window - freedom. Her target chosen, she prepared to strike.
Creighton sensed that Azareth was in danger. Even in the poor light he managed to see the muscles of the panther tense as it prepared to leap at Azareth. Without hesitation he stepped forward, placing himself between Azareth and the black panther.
| Were-Panther | (slashes with its front paws, the claws raking Creighton's chest, tearing steel bands from his mail) |
| Creighton | (ignores the pain of the panther's attack and brings both his blades down on the cats exposed back) |
| Were-Panther | (not wounded by the blow, but flattened by the sheer force of Creighton's awesome attack) |
| Creighton | (somewhat surprised by the lack of apparent damage caused by his attack steps forward to keep the panther on a defensive posture) |
| Keldirk | (limping from the room to the landing, he sees Creighton in combat with the lycanthrope half way down the stairs. His two steak knives held aloft, he begins to creeps down) |
| Creighton | (sees Keldirk approaching the cat from behind, continues to thrust futilely with his swords) |
| Craven | (arrives at the landing, looks down the stairs, and waits) |
| Were-Panther | (heedless of Creighton's steel, rears up and attacks with front and hind legs, opening up wounds on Creighton's arms and legs) |
| Creighton | (unable to keep from crying out) Aarrgh!! |
| Keldirk | (seizes his opportunity and buries both knives deep into the creature's hind quarters) |
| Were-Panther | (howls in pain and surprise, spins in the air and lashes out at Keldirk) |
| Keldirk | (sliced across the forearm, yells in pain) |
| Craven | (strides quickly down the stairs and engages the Were-panther, the silver knives held firmly in his hands) |
| Were-Panther | (hemmed in by three opponents, lunges at Keldirk, hoping to break free of the circle of steel and escape through the window) |
| Creighton | (slashes down in a heavy overhand strike, the blade of his longsword cannoning into the panther's side) |
| Keldirk | (steps back, barely avoiding the razor-like claws before slashing with the knife, opening a shallow cut on the creature's left foreleg) |
| Craven | (pushes Keldirk aside and steps forward, the strength and fearlessness of pure rage fueling him, and stabs with one blade then brings the second slicing diagonally across the panther's chest) |
| Were-Panther | (her strength subsiding as the myriad of small cuts continue to bleed focuses her fury at Creighton, her front legs slash and her fangs lock onto the big warrior's wrist) |
| Creighton | (drops one of his swords) Urrgh! (brings his remaining sword hilt first onto the panther's skull) |
| Craven | (drives one knife deep into the panther's stomach and pierces its side with the second) |
| Keldirk | (simultaneously with Craven, buries one knife in the creature's back and slashes the other across the rear leg) |
| Were-Panther | (finally succumbs to the pain and loss of blood - dies) |
Craven and Keldirk stepped back as Creighton dislodged his arm from the giant cats jaws. They watched with horror as the creature reverted to her natural form. Before their eyes the panther changed from cat to the lovely, yet mortally injured, form of Angelle Kurios.
| Azareth | Come on, let's get out of here. You've made enough noise to awaken the dead. |
| Creighton | (looks at Angelle Kurios and shudders) I hope not. |
| Normal Text | Character's words or descriptive text if part of a paragraph |
| Italic Text | Character's thoughts or actions if surrounded by parenthesis |
| Bold Text | Character is shouting. |