The Desperate Rescue. [In Game]

[TheIrishOtaku]

Before he could use the horn, Valira rushed forward and covered his mouth with her hand, using the other to slit the Bugbears throat with her sword. She held his struggling form in place as he gurgled, blood dripping from the open wound as his suddenly lifeless body fell unceremoniously to the ground. Valira then moved the corpse behind a nearby set of bushes, concealing it as best as she could.

''Now that that is taken care of, we should get moving. Dirk will catch up to us once he loses or kills the other one and we don't want to dally in case more of them show up.''

Valira gave Akalfa a serious and determined look as they began moving forward. Inwardly, she wished Dirk both luck and safety, hoping that he wouldn't be separated from them for long.

 

[Ecnalab]

"Oh, they're the least of your problems." A sharp sting bloomed in Valira's thigh and she looked down to see tiny dart sticking out of her. Before she knew what was happening, her head hit the forest floor, as her body went limp.

A lithe form dropped from the trees above Akalfa. It was another dark elf, lean with short cropped hair, she wore little more than a set of black breats wraps, and a belt full of tiny poison darts. She smiled and spoke. "A fine catch, little one, she will fetch much gold at market." The elf poked Valira with her boot. "Or, shall we keep her for ourselves?"

Dirk found himself running through the woods, the bugbear right on his heels. He had certainly gotten its attention... now what?

The dark woman stepped back from Zwarr, and the shackles holding his hands released. "Good, now on your knees, if you please," she commanded.

 

[Negasonic100]

Zwarr fell to his knees and looked up to her, like a loyal puppy. There was a part of him in the back of his mind, waiting for an opening to break free... but for now he needed to bind his time.

 

[Kalnath]

HOW DOES IT MOVE SO DAMNED FAST!?

Dirk sprinted as quickly as he could manage, ducking under low branches and between close tree trunks as the monster crashed through the undergrowth behind him, while his mind raced for better escape routes.

Need somewhere he can't reach! Tunnel, or foxhole, or... big tree! There! That'll work!

Panting and sweating, and with the desperate energy that only comes from frantic terror, Dirk scrambled up the side of an old oak tree, and only then did he turn around to check on his pursuer.

 

[OmegaUmbra]

"I truly do hope he'll be alright, he seems quite crafty b-"

Before she could finish the words got caught in her throat as she watched Valira fall to the floor, eyes wide and mouth agape in shock and horror. Her body froze at the sight of the other Dark Elf. A myriad of emotions crossed her face, from utter rage to complete dread. She had imagined this moment many times, but never like this. Never with the woman she had grown so fond of fallen to her feet, her kin eagerly awaiting her compliance. This was a step beyond wrong. It was infuriating. Yet all she could do was stand in place looking at the ground.

No, no, no!
Gods be damned she would not stand for this, not any longer, they needed her! Regardless of the tremble in her step Akalfa wordlessly walked forward. A heat seared in her palms as she readied a spell of electricity. She didn't want to kill the other elf, she didn't have it in her. But if she could sneak up and incapacitate her...She just had to play pretend.

"Of course, we should keep her." Her voice wavered on the last word, a silent prayer she could be convincing enough to get close. A grim, emotionless look on her face. Come on, you're good at this.

Shooting a quick look towards Valira she hoped her face could convey her intentions were of no betrayal, if she was still awake after the fall.

 

[TheIrishOtaku]

As Valira lay there, conscious but immobile, she inwardly screamed at the fact that once again she had been caught unawares and laid low by an enemy blow dart. The fact that the offending projectile wasn't in her rear end this time was little comfort, the fact remained that she and Akalfa were now at the mercy of the Dark Elf. They had a small advantage in the fact that the other woman clearly believed Akalfa was still a loyal ally, an advantage that her friend was about to take advantage of judging by her tone of voice, stance, facial expression and the look she shot towards Valira. She only hoped that the sneak attack would work.

She knew that whatever they had shot her up with would remain in effect for quite a while longer, but that didn't stop her from struggling as much as possible to get her muscles working. Try as she might they refused to obey. Akalfa was on her own for the moment. Valira could at least move her eyes and she mustered all of her willpower to convey a look of understanding and solidarity.


You can do it Akalfa, I believe in you

This thought blared through her mind as she watched the scene unfold before her.

 

[Ecnalab]

The dark elf hunter crouched over Valira, and turned her over onto her back. She grinned down, "Yes, I think you're right. Just look at the rack on this-" she suddenly spasemd as her face twisted in a way that looked as if something important had just burst inside her brain. She then slumped forward, her face landing squarely in Valira's ceavage, while behind her Akalfa stood, hands smoking from her discharged spell.

Dirk scurried up the tree like a cat being chased by a particularly large, rabid dog. The bugbear looked up, and scratched its head then winced as it touched the spit the rock had hit. Suddenly, a look of inspiration crossed its face, and it reached down to puck up a rock the size of a cannon ball. It looked up at Dirk and smiled before heaving it like a living catapult. The rock hit the tree just below Dirk's feet, and the bugbear picked up another.

The dark woman smiled down at Zwarr. "Good, now, my name is Ishtar, but you will call me Mistress. When I tell you to do something, you say 'yes Mistress.' Is that clear?" Her eyes seemed to shine again in the dim light.

 

[TheIrishOtaku]

If Valira could have rolled her eyes she would have. This wasn't exactly what she had in mind when she pictured having another woman with her head buried between her breasts. Still, she was immensely proud of Akalfa, both for what she had done and the strength that it took for her to do it. It must have been both frightening and painful for her to have to do this, against one of her own kind no less, yet she had stepped up and done what needed to be done. She was a lot stronger than even she knew. If Valira could have she would have expressed such sentiments verbally. For the moment, she struggled to give a small smile and shot as intense a look as she could at Akalfa given her condition, trying to get across her feelings. Valira inwardly sighed at the lump currently resting and drooling on top of her.

Whatever they are feeding these Dark Elves, its too much.

She hoped that Dirk was faring well, and that Zwarr could hold out just a bit longer for the trio to come save him.

 

[Kalnath]

Dirk grabbed tight to the branches as the entire tree shook with the impact.

“You missed!” he shouted down at his assailant.

From his position, Dirk thought he saw one branch that extended all the way out and directly over where the bugbear was throwing stones. It’d be one hell of a drop, and he’d probably break his legs on impact if he failed, but if he aimed it right it’d be about seven feet shorter. Perfectly survivable!

Yeah, I like these odds.

He climbed up, drew a knife in each hand and sprinted along the branches. Dirk was just about ready to get the literal drop on the bugbear when another impact rocked the tree to its tip.

He staggered, and then he slipped.

Time slowed down. Dirk’s heartbeat came to a stop as he stared wide-eyed at the ground that was approaching much faster than he was comfortable with. He desperately flailed about with his arms and legs, but found only empty air. So this was it. He was going to die, and it was going to hurt a lot. He closed his eyes and waited for inevitability to claim him...

And it was only then - by pure luck - that his daggers found purchase on something to slow his descent. Specifically: the bugbear’s shoulders.

 

[OmegaUmbra]

Akalfa winced as she watched the elven hunter collapse, a pang of guilt in her chest before attending to her fallen companion. Gently pulling aside the unconscious woman, she let out a sigh of relief at the sight of Valira safe and sound, still smiling despite everything too. For a moment she was terrified at the possibility of harm befalling her, unsure of what she would do if any of her comrades happen upon grievous injury.

"I'm so glad you're unharmed! I was so worried, that I may fail, that it'd all go terribly!"

Biting back the mix of emotions within her was difficult. Those scant seconds were ones of intense anxiety. Uncertainty at its highest. A deep-rooted feeling of inferiority was one she struggled with for many years. It was a normalcy to be downtrodden, familiar. Not to turn against your betters. Not to be a traitor. But the choice had been made, one she would not turn back on in any possibility.

Akalfa kneeled, delicately lifting Valira into her arms, nestling her soft skin as she moved aside the stray golden locks of hair obscuring her face. Giving her a weakened smile as she wiped away any dirt that may have sullied her armor on her tumble. For a moment she stayed silently peering into her emerald eyes, adoration as clear as day. There were so many things she wanted to say, so many praises, so many tributes.

That was before the loud thunk she heard some distance off snapped her out of her reverie, realizing a troubling predicament; she had no idea how long the dart's poison would last. Or the peril Dirk was facing, or Zwarr's current status. This was not good. A nervous look traversed her features as she peered around weighing her next move.

 

[TheIrishOtaku]

But I knew you wouldn't fail, I knew in my heart that you would succeed no matter what because you are amazing.

Valira thought this inwardly and wished she could convey that through what limited movement she had available to her. When she was capable of speech once more Valira would tell her just how grateful and proud she was, how even though she didn't realize it Akalfa was a hero through and through.

As Akalfa lifted her into her waiting arms, Valira felt a weight lifted, both literally and figuratively. It was a simple gesture but the fact that she had taken the time to clean her armor tad meant the world to her, she always liked to see it as spick and span as possible. She wished more than anything that she could return Akalfa's smile, that she could repay that look of adoration with one of her own equally as effusive, that she could say all of the wonderful things that she had in her heart. For the moment however, she could barely manage a small yet pained smirk, if you could even call it that. There would be time to do all of those things and more later.

The sound in the distance filled her with worry, as did the fact that she was now a burden to Akalfa until she healed from the poison. She cursed inwardly at the Dark Elves who had put them in this situation in the first place. She just prayed that Dirk and Zwarr were alright and could hold out a little while longer. Valira saw the nervous look on Akalfa's face and did her best to give her a determined look, one meant to fill her with confidence, but which looked more pained and bug eyed. Damn poison!

 

[Negasonic100]

"Yes... Mistress..." The Ensnared side of Zwar's Mind just going along for the ride, The other side still holding on but letting the ensnared side just drive for now as he formulates a plan of escape... or waits for an opening to fight back.

 

[Ecnalab]

Ishtar smiled to herself. "Very good. Now, there are some guests outside that my sister is collecting. Go and help her, would you?" she asked sweetly.

Valira was still being cradled in Akalfa's arms, when her heart sank. Behind her companion, another dark elf appeared, this one literally appearing from nowhere. She was taller that the hunter who had darted her, and dressed much more modestly, being wrapped in a flowing purple robe that covered all but her head and hands. She smiled, held out her hand, and spoke a single word, and both she, and Akalfa fell into a deep slumber.

Dirk clambered to his feet. It had been a close call, but when all was said and done, he had turned out to be the better knife fighter, and the bugbear lay dead at his feet. That was one problem taken care of, so he crept back to see how his friends were doing... and his heat sank.
He saw both Valira and Akalfa being carried into the cave. The big elf was being manhandled by a trio of goblins, while Akalfa was being carried by... Zwarr?! He had her slung over his shoulder, and was following the commands of another dark elf in purple robes. The whole lot of then soon dissapeared into the darkness.

 

[Kalnath]

Dirk swore under his breath. How had things gone so wrong so quickly!?

What was he supposed to do now? He could go and get help, but the only folks around that he knew of were the villagers - and he doubted that many of them would be willing or able to help them. And that was assuming he could find the way back on his own.

But on the other hand: to go in after them? Alone? With no knowledge, no plan, and no backup? That was insane! Even on his most ambitious break-ins, he at least had an idea of what the interior was like!

He hid in the bushes, grappling with the choice of whether to follow or flee, as the dark elves took their prizes inside. If he left now, Valira and Akalfa would have to endure whatever it was their new captors did. Now, Dirk was no stranger to "corrective discipline" himself, so he had a vague idea of what they were in for, but considering how quickly Zwarr had broken...

No, there was really only one logical course of action.

When he was sure that the elves and their lackeys were far out of earshot, Dirk followed them into the depths.

If there was any consolation to be had, it was this: once you were past the door, everything else was just a matter of not getting caught.

 

[Ecnalab]

[Are people waiting for me to proceed?]

 

[OmegaUmbra]

[I was waiting, I'm definitely still around! I wasn't sure of the type of restraints or captivity Alfie is or isn't in and whether she was placed together with Valira and was unsure if I were supposed to write her waking up yet.]

 

[Ecnalab]

[Sorry, wasn't sure if people wanted to chime in one last time before moving things forward.]

 

[OmegaUmbra]

[Understandable, no worries! Been having a blast with everyone thus far so I'm excited to see it continue!]

 

[Ecnalab]

As Dirk prepared to head in after them, half a dozen goblins came out to replace the bugbears that they had dispatched as guards, forcing him to lay low and wait for an opportunity to slip by. It would take hours, but as the sun was setting, the group would be relieved by only two fresh goblin guards; leaving the entrance far less secure.

Valira and Akalfa would both be brought back to consciousness by the shock of cold water hitting their face. In an instant, they took in their surroundings, and both shuddered. They were in what Akalfa recognized as a breaking chamber; a room where new slaves were subjected to whatever debauched methods were needed to make them accept their new place in life. Valira was laid out on a long wooden table, her wrists and ankles secured to the corners by thick silk ropes, holding her spread eagle, and she was entirely naked. Akalfa, meanwhile was sat in a stout wooden chair with a hole in the seat, her arms and legs secured in place by thick leather straps. Her captors had spared her some modesty, leaving her in her underwear.

Zwarr had dropped his former friends off in the breaking room, as instructed, and was now standing watch outside the door. He had been given specific instructions to be a good boy, and not to let anyone in or out before Mistress Ishtar got back.

 

[TheIrishOtaku]

Valira took in the situation with a mix of concern and fury. Being shot full of a paralytic and captured was bad enough but this humiliation was just rubbing salt in the wound. She shivered slightly due to the cold, feeling exposed without her armour and weapons, not to mention her undergarments. She struggled against the restraints but to no avail, they were just too tight. Giving up on that for the moment, she turned to Akalfa, worry etched onto her face.

''Akalfa! Are you alright? They didn't hurt you did they?''

She sounded a bit groggy as she was still waking up.

Valira wondered internally where Zwarr and Dirk were. The former had to be around here somewhere and she only hoped that despite their botched rescue he was safe and unbroken. The latter was a bit more up in the air, the High Elf praying that he had avoided capture and may possibly be on his way to help them. Still, they couldn't rely on that, they had to make their own way out of that hell.

 

[OmegaUmbra]

As the frigid water hit her body Akalfa awoke with a shocked gasp. Her eyes flicked frightfully across the room as she trembled, both in trepidation and cold, a look of panic-stricken as she realized just where they were. 'Breaking' was a practice she never partook in. Not only because she wasn't trusted to, but because of her deep disdain for such a thing, to forcefully bend one to her will. Many stories had crossed her ears about what went on in such enclosures as her superiors always liked to gloat; it seemed like such an irrational fate to fear as a fellow Dark Elf.

For once she wished it was simply paranoia.

But how? The last thing she remembered did not add up to their present predicament. She flailed with all her might against her binds to no avail. She was stuck as a mouse in a trap. Laying her head low, her ears perked up upon hearing Valira's voice. Melancholy overcame her as she realized she too was captured. If they were already placed in the Breaking Chambers she couldn't imagine what they could have done to Zwarr. He was strong, that much she could tell, but gods only know how much time had passed. At that moment she could not feel more low. The cold draft of the air served as no comfort.

"I'm alright, are you okay? Did they hurt you?" Her voice quiet, timid. She was almost afraid to ask.

A future in chains was the very fate she left home to avoid. Fortune was ever still cruel. Though Dirk's status was unknown to her. She could only hope his proficiency in subterfuge had prevented his confinement. Rescue seemed unlikely given the current circumstance yet irregardless a bit of faith remained in his ability. Faith and willpower were all she had at this point and one was not guaranteed for long.

 

[TheIrishOtaku]

Valira sighed in relief at Akalfa's words, at least physically she was fine. She could hear the fear in the other woman's voice and she put as much strength and kindness into her own when she responded to help put her at ease.

''I am fine, the only thing that has been hurt is my pride. Once I am free from these wretched bindings I will ensure that the same will not be said for our captors. Have no fear Akalfa, we will get out of this, find our friends and make these miscreants pay. Our group has been in tougher scrapes than this before and I've always pulled through.''

Valira said this with a smile, although internally she was struggling to recall a situation more dire than this one. She supposed the mess with Zira could count, although at least there they had all been together. She shook her head at that, dispelling such negative thoughts. Getting out of here would require both a positive attitude, unity and cunning.

''Akalfa, do you know any magic that could help our current predicament? A spell to remove or destroy your bindings perhaps?''


Valira doubted it would be that simple, they wouldn't have left Akalfa like that if it was, but she figured it was worth a try.

 

[OmegaUmbra]

Valira's response had helped to soothe Akalfa's worries, at least to an extent. She indeed did admire the High Elf's strength and confidence, something she wished to have someday herself. Showing that much bravery to say what she said, despite their grim situation was astonishing to Akalfa, inspiring the slightest bit of hope in the bound Dark Elf. To her, Valira was ever like a ray of light in the dark. Hell, hearing that the entire party had faced worse treachery than this before her arrival took a weight off of her shoulders. They were still in a bad situation, yes, but it meant if things were not at their worst they could get better. That they must have been incredibly skilled adventurers to escape a fate worse than this. Despite everything, she felt lucky to travel with them considering her lack of achievements or experience. A mental note was quickly made to ask for anecdotes at some point.

Though they would have to escape for her to hear those tales.

Hearing Valira's query, Akalfa looked at her hands and attempted to conjure. Nothing, the bounds were far too tight. Destruction was her specialty, and with enough hand room free, she certainly could burn their restraints to a crisp. If given that opportunity.

Before answering she stopped. Naive as she tended to be she knew her own people well, realizing their captors could and most likely were listening. It was best not to show a potential trump card.

"I'm afraid not. Despite everything I know." She said with a compelled whimper a touch dramatic, attempting to sound crestfallen. While she was excellent at conveying her intent through expression she did not want to make it too obvious by giving away any telling glances to Valira, assured she would pick up on her ploy steadfastly. The sooner they believe they'd broken the more chances could present themselves. Perhaps even stall.

 

[Negasonic100]

Zwarr stood at attention at the door, waiting for his mistress. Marching back and forth as his cloven feet made a loud clicking outside the door, he was waiting like a good boy and would keep anyone from going in.

 

[TheIrishOtaku]

Valira sighed, unsurprised but still a tad disappointed. Of course it wouldn't be that easy, nothing in life rarely was, especially in a situation as dark as this one. For the briefest of moments she was concerned at the tone of Akalfa's voice, before then recognising what she was trying to do. It would take a bit of acting but perhaps they could convince their captors their wills had already been broken, creating more opportunities for escape. Just as she was pondering that thought, she heard the distinctive sound of feet coming from outside the door. Not just any feet in fact but cloven feet. Only one person she knew had feet like that....

''Akalfa do you hear that? I think its Zwarr! Zwarr we're in here, we're being held captive, please help us!''

Valira's heart filled with hope and joy at the sound of those hoof beats, thankful that Zwarr was at least alive.

 

[Negasonic100]

Zwarr heard Valira calling out for him, but at first did not respond. The 'compartmentalized' part of him that was waiting for his chance to break the spell realized it had come, but couldn't do anything but slightly influence his brainwashed self into speaking. "Good Boys do not speak to captives, Good boys don't let anyone in or out." He said loud enough for Valira to hear, his words 'droned' out like a 'zombie'... like he was under a spell. Zwarr's inner resistance hoped Valira would catch this, he didn't know how much longer he could keep the spell from washing away all resistance... he needed a spark... something to help him burn away the spell from his mind.

 

[TheIrishOtaku]

Valira felt herself deflate at both Zwarr's words and the tone in which they were spoken. They were too late, he was clearly brainwashed, a puppet of the malevolent Dark Elves who currently had them all at their mercy. Still, she wouldn't give up hope. There had to be a way to get through to Zwarr, something that could break the spell. Racking her brain, she suddenly hit upon an idea. What did Zwarr love more than anything? Music!

Suddenly, she started to whistle, aimlessly at first before doing her best to emulate the strange music she had heard Zwarr playing. She gave up on that however as it was too difficult and instead chose an Elven song she remembered from her childhood. She hoped that Akalfa could glean the meaning behind her actions as she couldn't stop to explain. She hoped and prayed it would work, this was a hail mary at best.

 

[OmegaUmbra]

Akalfa could not say she did not expect this but felt defeated all the same upon listening to his words. What horrible methods, to take away someone's free will like that. He was alive, but to live one's life as a puppet seemed worse than death. It was more like magic than discipline. Different from what she's heard. Whoever pulled the strings within their cavernous prison was not to be trifled with.

At first Valira's actions confused her, until acknowledgment struck. One does not start a tune without purpose, not where they were. She was unfamiliar with the melody but tried hard to carefully match the cadence, whistling along suite.

 

[Negasonic100]

As the girls whistled on the other side of the door, the resisting part of Zwarr's brain heard it.... that was it. In that moment... there was a war inside his head, Good Boy Zwarr vs True Zwarr. The internal battle was 'brutal', but Good Boy Zwarr on the losing end. During the internal fight, Zwarr's body tossed it's self against the door in a rhythmic pattern. The door acting kinda like a drum as Zwarr was using it as a 'make-shift' instrument like a metal drum. The spell cast was crude but... effective. Zwarr had used his bardic magic to clear his mind.


As Zwarr snapped free he glanced around the hall, making sure that the coast was clear. He'd keep up the 'brainwashed' look for now, just to pretend he was still under Ishtar's spell.

 

[Ecnalab]

The steady clacking of heels down the stone hall alerted Zwarr to his Mistress' approach. He turned to see that she was not alone, the robed dark elf was with her, this one's steps as quiet as a mouse. Ishtar patted his head as she passed, "Good boy," she said, as she opened the door to the cell.

Valira and Akalfa were interrupted as the door opened, and a pair of shadowy figures entered. The first was dark mirror of Valira, tall statuesque, and curvy as all hell, clad in a skin tight black leather body suite. The other was slightly shorter, and covered in a voluminous deep purple robe that hid everything but her head, which sported deep red eyes, and shoulder-length silvery hair . "Ah, so these are the ones who caused all that ruckus outside, and put poor Shryke in the sick bed?" asked the taller one.
"Yes, Ishtar," relied the robed one.