Author: Silver Star, Posted: Sun Mar 26, 2017 5:06 PM, Post Subject: Two Different Worlds [P]

Ernest resisted her urge to freeze, knowing that anyone who stopped moving immediately after a shout like that would be noticed. Still, she glanced about to see if anyone thought he might be talking to her. She spotted Noland, slipping through the crowd in her direction, and wandered a few feet to the left, still keeping her eyes open. 

She paused, suddenly. What was she hiding from? The man whom she'd healed was right. She ought to help people, if she could. But, if she was quite honest with herself, she was afraid. She was afraid that they would notice her, or remember her. At that, she almost laughed out loud. She had always wanted to be someone important, but now the thought scared her. People might talk. Stories would spread, if she let them.

It didn't matter. She realized it suddenly. One couldn't calculate the value of a man's life like that. If she could save someone, she had to. The next question, though, was if she could. Unconsciously, Ernest could do magic much more easily than if she had to consciously attempt it. She had to try, though.

Slipping through the crowd, she tried to summon her magic. She reached for it, hating the way she had to fight to control it. Power hummed through her body, and her hands glowed slightly brighter. She saw another man, unnoticed, but badly injured, and walked up next to him, resting a hand on his shoulder as she had to the last one. She felt the sudden decrease in her strength and moved on, hoping the man would be alright and knowing inwardly he would. She repeated this process two more times, trying to make sure no one saw her as she did so.

As she slid away from the last soldier, she knew she couldn't handle any more. Even a few healings had left her exhausted. But there were still so many people. One more, she told herself. You can save one more. There was a soldier kneeling, with his back to her, and she reached out and laid one hand on his back, healing the stab wound through his heart. 

The strength needed to push through the crowd was almost too much, but she knew she had to. In her foggy mind, she couldn't remember why, but she knew it was important. She rested against the side of one of the nearby buildings, watching the dark spots no one else seemed to see. That's nice, she thought. She glanced down and noticed that her hands were glowing like lamps. That's nice, too. Somewhere in her mind, she had the vague idea that was bad, but it didn't really strike her as noteworthy.

Author: Noland, Posted: Sun Mar 26, 2017 9:32 AM, Post Subject: Two Different Worlds [P]

The man who had just been healed winced as he propped himself up on an elbow. His fatal wound was gone, but it still hurt, and would likely be sore for a while. Tears welled up around his eyes. He could go home. He touched where his wound had been and the tears finally fell. He thought of his pregnant wife, and sobbed, but stopped suddenly. Who had done this? Who spared his life? He looked around and saw his dead and dying comrades. He knew some were too far gone to revive without the blessing of a god, but those that could needed help. Anger grew inside him. Who was this mysterious healer, and why weren't they healing! He stood as best he could and shouted.

"Healer!! Save them!"

Noland realized Ernest had left his side as the healed man's voice rang out. He looked for her and saw faint glow in the crowd. "What's this?" He murmured and approached the dimming light. 

Author: Silver Star, Posted: Thu Mar 23, 2017 9:02 PM, Post Subject: Two Different Worlds [P]

It rather surprised Ernest how fast Noland's mood changed to optimistic. Ah, well. There was no reason to be stuck in the past. She smiled and blushed slightly at his compliment, though. For all her confidence, she was still more used to people yelling at her in anger. 

She watched the thieves being paraded out. So few were left, she thought. So many must have died in that explosion. She sighed, trying to shrug it off. She had no love for these men, but death of any kind still made her insides crawl.  Watching the men who were still alive made her wonder how they did this every day. Killing people like this would destroy her.

A man was dragged out of the building screaming obscenities at the soldiers. "Tactless," she muttered. "Tactless and useless."  She knew it did little good to insult people once you were captured. They tended to just hate you more. 

Her focus drifted as Noland spoke to his men. She watched the soldiers, some of them barely alive, as they tried to remain brave and put up a good front. They must know that they were going to die, several of them. There was no way the healer would get here in time.

She watched one of the men crumple to the ground, and noticing that everyone was busy, walked over and stood next to him. She put a hand on his shoulder, and nearly jumped in fright as the ugly wound in his side closed with barely a sign. Pulling her hand away, she recognized the rune her magic teacher had drawn on there once to help her with a spell. She had just healed someone, she realized, without even noticing it. She slid back through the crowd, hoping no one would connect the man's sudden healing with her appearance. She glared at her hands, still glowing, and closed them into fists, hoping the glow would fade by night time. Maybe no one would notice until it got dark.

Author: Noland, Posted: Thu Mar 23, 2017 11:39 AM, Post Subject: Two Different Worlds [P]

A genuine smile spread across Noland's face. "You're right. We can only learn from our mistakes now." He said with renewed confidence. "You really are the best. Fantastic." As he smiled another explosion echoed from within the building, and the rest of Noland's men walked out.

"we've cleared the area my lord" said the knight, "our captives are being brought out now." There weren't many thieves captured. The few bound men that were removed from the building was a grim hint towards what was waiting inside. Noland's men then brought out a man who was screaming curses at the knights. 

"This was the boss of this hideout." Reports the knight currently holding the screaming man, "do you want to interrogate him now or later."

"Later, let him simmer down first." Noland said dismissively, then he looked at his men and said, "we will take the dead to the abbey. Those who can be brought back will, and last rites given to our truly fallen brothers. You all did a fine job today! I will send for a healer straight away. You've done a fine service for your city and your country. The good people of this neighborhood will sleep easy and live well because of the Justice dispensed here today. We have learned more about how our enemy thinks and defends. We will learn from this and continue to push forward!"

Author: Silver Star, Posted: Mon Mar 13, 2017 1:03 PM, Post Subject: Two Different Worlds [P]

Ernest raised an eyebrow. It was something to be said for this man that he stuck to his ideals. Still, she didn't find things nearly as black and white as he did. "If the law is to decide justice," she said, "then whose law is the standard? Every place operates by its own laws, and many of them are very different from here." She wasn't trying to challenge him so much as simply wondering. 

She sighed. "It is true, things are never simple. People will call anyone cruel without knowing their motives, or why something must happen. It's the way of people in general, I think." She shook her head. "I don't think you deserve to die with them. I don't think anyone does. There's good in everyone, Noland. Even people who oppose you. It's hard to understand. I still can't sometimes." 

Remembering something, she added, "I've learned that dwelling on what could have happened isn't always the best. Remember this, and make it better next time. Otherwise, you'll be bogged down, and the world will sweep right past you." That was the only way she'd managed to live this long. She put everything behind her, and tried her best to forget.

Author: Noland, Posted: Mon Mar 13, 2017 10:59 AM, Post Subject: Two Different Worlds [P]

"Justice is a very objective word." Noland corrected, "the law decides what is just." He then ordered his men to tend to the wounded. Once they were alone. His facade faded slightly, but he didn't notice. Suddenly grim, he said "if we all got we deserved we'd all be right there with them. The law isn't concerned with morals, and I can't afford to be. If I am to be a beacon of order in this city. People will hate me, and call me cruel…" he looked to the dead and wounded, "and they may be right to do so, but things are never that simple." He continued. He had an altogether different demeanor now. He was no longer the proud noble from before, but a sad yet determined man. 

Author: Silver Star, Posted: Thu Mar 9, 2017 12:39 PM, Post Subject: Two Different Worlds [P]

"Justice is a funny word," Ernest said. "You may say this was just. I would not. It's not that I don't believe in your cause. It's just… did these men deserve to die? Any of them?" She didn't understand how people could shrug off deaths like this. It made no sense.

She stared back at what remained of the building, and the last few stragglers clambering out of there. It all seemed so pointless. Ernest understood what they were trying to do, but it wasn't worth this much. "Is this worth it to you, Noland?" she asked. "Is your goal really this important?" She wasn't angry now. She was sad, and confused. 

The men who died today will live on in the hearts of every Adelunan who craves freedom, he had said. She shook her head. Not all of them. Never all of them. Someone was the loser, and they would never be remembered. She knew enough about history to know that. 

Author: Noland, Posted: Wed Mar 8, 2017 11:48 PM, Post Subject: Two Different Worlds [P]

Noland's smiling face broke. He chose not to let his uneasiness about this situation, and his judgement of it, show. He had to appear in control. He couldn't get the funding he needed if he didn't act in control. There was no way the young thief in front of him could know that. He didn't blame her for her disgust at what was unfolding before her, there were far more deaths on his end that he initially planned for, but the law must be upheld and the land protected no matter the cost. His men knew that.

"Our plan is to uphold what is just and what is lawful. It is terrible that these men died in their service to Adeluna, but their deaths will not be in vain. I promise that. The men who died today will live on in the hearts of every Adelunian who craves freedom from a corrupt organization."

Author: Silver Star, Posted: Wed Mar 8, 2017 7:32 PM, Post Subject: Two Different Worlds [P]

This wasn't a victory, Ernest thought. This was a massacre. 

"What happened?" She didn't know why she was so concerned. She didn't even know these men. But, somehow, she was overwhelmed by everyone and everything that had suddenly happened. She heard the explosion echo in the building in front of her, and she tried to force her face into a mask of indifference. She failed. She managed not to tear up, though. That was something, at least.

Noland's calm demeanour bothered her, but it wasn't until he smiled - actually smiled - at her that she lost her control. "According to plan? According to plan? This is just how plans go?" She stared. "Look at how many people died here! Do you have that little sympathy for people?"

Calm down, a voice in her head said, and Ernest paused just long enough to realize who she'd just insulted. Not that that made her much less angry. She'd gotten mad at more important people before. Calm, she told herself, and she caught her breath, forcing her face into something that was supposed to be indifference. It was about as effective as the last time she'd tried it.

"Your people are dying, Noland," she said, more softly. "I thought you were trying to prevent that."

Author: Noland, Posted: Tue Mar 7, 2017 1:03 PM, Post Subject: Two Different Worlds [P]

"I sure am behind this. It's truly magnificent. A signal fire to the rotten underbelly of this kingdom!" No land said proudly. He puffed out his chest knowing he had done a great job. He thought to himself "why hasn't someone done this before?" he thought right up until he reached the on fire building, and received his answer. What he saw shocked him. He saw his men's bodies mixed with dead thugs being drug out of the building. There were so many. This isn't what he expected, but he couldn't give that away. He had just convinced Ernest he could do this. He quickly gathered himself never changing his facial expression. He approached one of his knights who was shouldering his wounded companion.

"What's the report Sir Wingston?" Asked Noland with a surprising lack of concern. Even to him. Sir Wingston reported that they were still fighting, but it should be over soon. As he said this an explosion could be heard within the building. The battered knight hanging on to Wingston's shoulder mentioned that the captives will be emerging shortly. Sadly there weren't many to speak of. 

"Well, how are our men?" Asked Noland. Wingston replied that they had sustained moderate losses, but nothing too heavy. He then reassured Noland that his men were still one hundred percent behind him, and that his cause was just. This succeeded and Noland's unease was once again put to rest. He looked to Ernest "all according to plan." He said with a smile.

Author: Silver Star, Posted: Mon Mar 6, 2017 4:44 PM, Post Subject: Two Different Worlds [P]

Ernest met his eyes. "I'm not low energy," she said. "I'm trying to be realistic. I trust that you can accomplish this, but I doubt it will be as easy as you say. The guilds can be pretty powerful." She raised an eyebrow slightly, but followed him anyway.

She noticed the building starting to burn, and turned somewhat to look at it. "Would you look at that," she said. "Part of the old city's going up. That hasn't happened in ages, from what I've heard." A thought suddenly occurred to her. "You're behind this, aren't you?" If he'd managed to take out one of the hideouts in the old city… Well, he must be better at this than she'd assumed. "I may have misjudged you. That's pretty impressive."

Author: Noland, Posted: Sun Mar 5, 2017 11:32 PM, Post Subject: Two Different Worlds [P]

Noland frowned at her "won't be as easy" statement. He couldn't believe what he was hearing. Well he could believe she was connected, and that she could do her part that wasn't what concerned him. What made him frown was her doubt in his ability to get the job done. 

He spoke a little more seriously, "I'll worry about how easy it will or won't be, but you can't be this low energy going in. You gotta believe that this is something we can accomplish, or it just won't work. You've gotta believe in yourself and you gotta believe in me and my fighting men. Follow me."

He respected that Ernest needed proof of his abilities. It only made sense. He stood and began strolling towards what he believed would be solid proof that he could do what he said he was going to. As he walked smoke rose from an old building, and Noland began to smile. 

Author: Silver Star, Posted: Sat Mar 4, 2017 5:20 PM, Post Subject: Two Different Worlds [P]

Noland's confidence surprised Ernest. Here he was, calmly planning to take down one of the guilds. As if this were some project he could get done before tea-time. "I'm not sure it'll be quite as easy as you think," she said. "They'll probably notice me posting strange signs around their guild."

She shrugged. "Finding the hideout won't be the problem. I know where to find people. It'll be getting out of there that'll be difficult. I hope your soldiers know what they're doing. The guild will have protections up. They have back doors and probably hidden places they can attack from. These people know how to evade the law."

"Don't worry about me not getting out of the way. I'm used to hiding. A side effect of being small. I'm not noticeable."

Author: Noland, Posted: Sat Mar 4, 2017 12:21 PM, Post Subject: Two Different Worlds [P]

He wiped his mouth on his handkerchief and smiled as he said, "I am Noland. Noland Prumt, and I need you to enter a guild hideout. Now, this won't be easy. These are bad guys. The worst, but I need you to find the biggest hideout you can and mark it with this." He held out two scrolls with a red 'x' on each of them.

"You will need to plant one on the outside and another where hideout leader is to make sure we get him." he then produced a third scroll with a green circle, "you will then need to find a hiding place. Put this where decide to hide yourself and my boys will rescue you." He paused a moment and kept going, "Now, you don't need to hide the whole time. I am giving you complete autonomy, you can do whatever, but once you hear them come crashing in, you need to find a place to be."

He believed this would work. How could it not? He thought of it. Who was better at getting rid of organized crime the he was? By now he probably already had one hideout under his belt. He wondered how his little task force was doing.

Author: Silver Star, Posted: Sat Mar 4, 2017 9:20 AM, Post Subject: Two Different Worlds [P]

Ernest nodded. She understood his frustration. She had little patience for the complex jobs and hits they planned. "I agree with you about the guilds," she said. "I may be a thief, but I don't steal for fun." She met his eyes. He certainly knew how to convince people. She just wondered if he had the skill to put a plan into action. Either way, she thought she could help him. 

"My name is Ernest," she said. "And I'm more than willing to help you as long as I'm in Adeluna." She paused. "What exactly do you want me to do?"

Author: Noland, Posted: Fri Mar 3, 2017 7:41 PM, Post Subject: Two Different Worlds [P]

Noland considered the young thief's words a moment. He then said, "I am a man of order, and as such I know the impact of order used maliciously." He took a bite of meat, chewed, swallowed, and continued. "No, I am only focused on organized crime. It's terrible. I can no longer stand by and watch as this fair city suffers in the hands of the corrupt." He looked at her for the first time, "I want to make Adeluna City a great place to live. For everyone." He pushed his purse towards Ernest. "I need the best, and I can see that you're one of them. What's your name?"

His eyes conveyed that he believed exactly what he was saying, "I've been putting together a team of people I feel can handle this problem. You're welcome on it."

Author: Silver Star, Posted: Fri Mar 3, 2017 6:42 PM, Post Subject: Two Different Worlds [P]

This nobleman was like nothing Ernest had ever heard before. He was actually using his power to try to improve life for ordinary Adelunans. She wondered exactly how much he knew about the thieves, though. "When you say 'the thieves' guild,' I'm assuming you mean the crews who run the big operations, correct? Or do you just mean all forms of thievery in general? Because the latter, I'm afraid, will be a lot harder." 

He certainly knew how to make a good offer. Although greed wasn't the main force driving her, she would rarely pass up a bit of extra cash. "So, you want me to be a spy?" she asked. She could probably pull that off. The guilds had approached her before; she thought she could recognize some of them. "Also, I don't think I can commit fully to your cause. I don't spend much time in one place, usually. But I could probably spare a week or two."

"There are others who might help you, you know," she said. "Not all of us are ruthless. You could get a lot of help for the amount of money you seem to be offering." She didn't tell him that most of them would help him for the chance at just a hot meal every day. Better to let them do their own bargaining.

Author: Noland, Posted: Thu Mar 2, 2017 3:56 PM, Post Subject: Two Different Worlds [P]

"Here's the deal" began the nobleman, "I'm looking to run the thieves' guild out of this city. A big task I know, but I'm a big man." As he talked his oddly small hands made wild gestures.

He continued, "I need information on locations within the guild so I can strike fast and deep within their ranks! All that money is yours if you help me." he had no idea that she didn't know the area. "Also, you can keep getting this much money if you join the cause fully."

Author: Silver Star, Posted: Thu Mar 2, 2017 2:30 PM, Post Subject: Two Different Worlds [P]

Ernest just stared at the man for an entire minute. She hadn't expected that he would see her, and even if he had, this was the last thing she would have known any nobleman to do. Her instincts screamed that this was a trap. She didn't trust this man, but she sat down anyway, knowing that she had no chance of escaping at this point. Either way, he was offering food.

She considered his offer. Honestly, she didn't know the city too well, and she hadn't meant to spend much time here. Still, the amount of money he was offering tempted her. 

"What kind of job are you meaning?" she asked. She wondered what this nobleman was up to. No one acted like this unless they had an agenda.

Author: Noland, Posted: Wed Mar 1, 2017 11:06 PM, Post Subject: Two Different Worlds [P]

"There is more where that came from" he said still eating. He then lifted his basket revealing a second basket. He slid it over and plopped some meat down on it. "Have a seat" he added. 

Noland took out a pen and paper, "How would you like to make an honest living?" He asked, "Well, honest enough. I have a need for someone with your talents. Someone who knows their way around the city. You can have that whole purse." 

Noland needed more information if he was going to continue his mission he needed to know more about where thieves hid. Where else than from a thief? 

Author: Silver Star, Posted: Wed Mar 1, 2017 5:27 PM, Post Subject: Two Different Worlds [P]

Ernest wandered casually through the crowd, her orange finished and the other two in her book bag. She had no real plans for the day. To be honest, she had actually gotten somewhat lost, and didn't really know how to get out of the city. Not that she had anywhere to go. It just bothered her, being unaware of where she was.

Her eyes widened as she spotted, among the people, a nobleman who apparently didn't give much care to where his purse was. It sat there, not on his person or even touching him, but a few inches away, tempting her. It would be so easy to grab it, but she had already stolen enough today. On the other hand, noblemen rarely left their purses unguarded, and she would love to be able to pay the fruit vendor back for what she had taken. But it could be a trap. 

She stood there, watching him for a few minutes, but he seemed blissfully ignorant. Still, one could never be too sure. She wanted a distraction. Grabbing one of the stones she had in her bag, she tossed it a few times, then sidearmed it across the plaza. It wasn't very far to the other side, and she had a good throw when she needed to. It knocked a post, bumping it just far enough that a nearby horse reared in fear. Just by luck, it happened to be one that wasn't tied properly, and the rope flew off the post as the horse went running.

Perfect. While everyone was distracted, she reached out and snatched up the nobleman's purse, emptying a few silver coins into her hand. Not enough to be suspicious, or that he would tell they were missing, but it could buy her a good meal or two. She slid the purse back, and turned to leave, hoping everyone was still distracted by the horse.

Author: Noland, Posted: Tue Feb 28, 2017 9:32 PM, Post Subject: Two Different Worlds [P]

Noland strolled down the street. Confident that his men were doing well in the thieves' den he had found for them. Now he was on to more pressing matters. Breakfast. He was surprised he hadn't eaten before starting such a monumental day. He tended to ignore basic human needs as he worked, though you wouldn't think so by looking at him. His stomach growled audibly. He patted his belly and made his way to the nearest marketplace.

Once there a watermelon rolled past him and a fruit vendor chased after it. He merely chuckled and continued on his way. He stopped at a meat cart and began inspecting the cuts of meat that had been pilled on top of each other on a large vertical spit on top of which sat a skinned pineapple. The vendor began shaving meat off of the spit and gave it to a paying customer in an easy to carry wicker basket lined with cloth. Noland was filled with awe at the hard working people of Adeluna. He was proud of them, and would gladly buy from them to promote their local business. He purchased a basket of assorted meats and payed the man well. After that he visited a baker and bought a loaf of bread. 

He then went to an open seating area to eat his breakfast of meat and bread. This day couldn't get any better. Unbeknownst to him, he didn't secure his coin purse as safely as he thought he had. It sat next to him unwatched and out of mind. 

Author: Silver Star, Posted: Tue Feb 28, 2017 7:42 PM, Post Subject: Two Different Worlds [P]

Ernest glanced from the top of the roof and jumped. She slid into a window frame on the opposite building. Now, this was time sensitive. She only had a few minutes. Looking briefly left and right, she crouched and threw a rock. It hit firmly, knocking a watermelon to the ground from one of the fruit stands. 

"My precious melon!" shouted the fruit stand's owner, and he was off, running through the middle of the road to retrieve the watermelon. Now was the hardest part. She jumped from the window sill to the awning of the stand and slid backward, ducking behind it. A second later, a close observer might have noticed her reach out and snatch a few oranges from the stand. She scanned the area again. There was no such thing as being to cautious.

She slid casually into the crowd, stopping only to grab a few fallen coins, and got past the fruit seller just as he was returning to his stand. She hoped no one had noticed, but you could never be too sure. She slid quietly into an alleyway and pulled out an orange. Breakfast was served.