You continue to lie on your back, still. You hear a rhythmic pounding, the sound of someone struggling. Then you hear chopping. What is it? Sounds like steel cleaving through flesh and bone. You stay still, focused, only to find that you're aware of what's going on around you, your perception drastically improved. Why? Better not to question such things. It's almost like you can see.
Right. Swords. That's your first order of business. You search around, finding several in a pile. Most are crushed or bent, their tips broken off. What about your swords? You continue searching, but to your surprise find two of them lying next to you. The third's location still eludes you -- you can't even feel the slight tug of its tether. Now that you have a weapon, your attention changes to Simon. What's he doing?
He was the one responsible for the cleaving of flesh and the cutting of bone -- it's as if he's dismembering the bodies of his comrades and then...? A nauseating smell floods your nostrils and you hear the familiar sound of a crackling fire. Of course. He's burning them. 'Of course'? Why would you think that? What kind of bandit leader burns his followers? Is he trying to destroy evidence? That's ridiculous, he's probably wanted in half of the cities of this country.
The struggling earlier, what was it? Oh. Looks like he's piling the bodies on top of each other before chopping them up, to get the job done faster. Again, it seems like needless effort. He might have a reason, but whatever it is, you can't figure it out. Just from watching Simon, you wouldn't be able to tell that he's a telekinetic. He's doing the hacking and slashing with his own two hands. You wonder why. Your telekinetic powers are your greatest advantage over normal humans -- without them, you're little more than a blind girl who likes swords.
Half an hour later, he's done. The fires are still raging, the blood still covers the ground, soaking into the soil, but for the most part, the camp's been cleaned up. Might be a little harder to get the splatter out of the wood. Simon sits down on a bench, none the worse for wear. He stares up at the sky -- is it nighttime already? How long were you out?
With a sigh, he stands and walks over to you.
"I know you've been awake. How're my bandages holding up? It's been a while since I've left anyone alive."
His gruff voice is completely without compassion. You're fairly sure he's planning on using you for something.
"I don't buy your story about the bounty. You don't seem like the kind of girl who'd murder for pocket change."
It was hardly pocket change, you think, but remain silent. Besides, it's not murder if you're murdering a murderer.
"What brought you to this town? Don't tell me you were one of the pathetic fellows suckered in by the Decapathon. That disgusting event is sponsored by the merchants and backed by the city council. They're rounding up the undesirables -- petty thieves, beggars -- collecting them and caging them. Then they give them knives and dump them into the arena, and anyone with a sack of gold can have a go, see how long they can last against a horde of 100 ruffians."
Wait, beggars and petty thieves? You're fairly sure the pamphlet said that only the most violent of criminals were forced to partake in the event.
"It attracted a lot more attention than either group thought it would. Hundreds of adventurers surging into the town, buying weapons and armor. And if they happen to perish in the event? Their equipment's forfeit, sold back to the merchants who sell it to the adventurers who fight and die, the cycle repeats. The bourgeoisie's rolling in gold now. They ran out of violent criminals a few months ago and tried shipping some in from other cities. Too expensive, of course... so they started using citizens and villagers."
What's he still rambling on about? This exposition's really annoying you.
"They shifted the Decapathon from a weekly event to a monthly one, in the off weeks the town's almost completely empty," he says, nearly finished.
"But like I said, you don't seem like the kind of girl who'd kill a hundred innocents for a nice house and more gold than you could ever use. What brings you here?"
Status: Soaked again, coated in mud. And blind. Have a 'thing for swords'. Bandaged?
Abilities: Telekinetic. Can lift small objects and also swords. Swordsmage. Can hear the whispers of the blades and maybe cast some magic. You think you've forgotten most of the magic you learned, though. Telekinetic Sight level 2, you're always aware of what's going on around you.
Inventory: Two swords are next to you, on the ground. Your third is still missing.
Author
Topic: Raleigh Crane: Wandering Blind Telekinetic Female Swordsmage (Read 14659 times)