A wager between two killers
[14:19] Savir glanced over to Crow and asked him. “Got a melon handy?” he said, a sly grin crossing his lips.
[14:19] Crow didn’t see the woman respond and looked down on the girl. Not that he was bothered by being ignored, it happened all the time. He regarded Savir “I have something smaller.” he stated tonelessly “I dare you not to hit it though.” he said holding back that boyish grin.
[14:20] Alzbeta turns her head towards the voices, her attention caught by the pair in black. Some different sort of guard, maybe, could be useful to know about.
[14:20] Domu lifted her eyes up to look at Savir “would a girl not be foolish to not fear a Master that dresses all in black, Master?”. She eyed Him up and the tone in his voiced sensed He was mocking her. Oh great , She thought. Assassins that mock and talk about Melons. She lowered her eyes and swallowed the lump in her throat.
[14:22] Crow searched in his pockets and found some piece of fruit that held the size of a good apple. “You think you can get that from ….” he paused looking a bit further “From there ?” he pointed several steps from the position he was in now.
[14:24] Savir gauges the distance and licks his finger and holds it into the wind, as if he really cared which way it blew, he feigned pondering the question posed to him by Crow. “Perhaps….”he lied. “I might be able to, I wager you one silver that I can indeed hit the fruit without killing the slave. What say you?” he inquired
[14:24] Alzbeta takes an excuse to stay and eavesdrop, and kneels as if to check on the dropped cloak.
[14:25] Domu eyed the small piece of fruit and her jaw dropped. Her thoughts were-you have got to be kidding. But from her last experience with an assassin She knew keeping her mouth closed was the best option. They seemed to have no patience for talkative slaves. Tho the talk of one silver made her bristle and she glanced to Crow.
[14:26] Crow frowns while he seemed to wonder the odds he would win it. Since he didn’t like to loose “Hmmm..”he mused. He looks down on the slave “Who owns you beast ?” he asks wondering what the value of her might be as he might have to take care of the compensation if his captain failed and would injure or kill the girl. It wouldn’t be a first time the dagger landed in between their eyes.
[14:26] Savir glanced over to the other slave that had not yet greeted them and he barked at her “Slave! get over here!”
[14:28] Alzbeta looks up. “Oh, forgive me Master.” She walks dutifully to him, with a backwards glance at the cloak. “Forgive me.” She lowers her head and she falls into a practised nadu. “But did you drop a red cloak?”
[14:29] Savir arched a brow at the new arrival. “What about my appearance makes you think I would wear a red cloak girl?”
[14:30] Domu paused at saying Gwids name. And she wasn’t really owned personally by Him or Fe. “I’m a slave to the House of Ghost Master” She lifted her eyes and looked to his. She was more searching to see if He knew the name. That way she might know if He was here for any of her family. Tho they were probably trained so well that they gave nothing away. She glanced over to the girl that arrived and then grins wryly. “I would use her for the task Master- not so fidgety” she grinned in amusement
[14:30] Crow made a sound that might have sounded as a ‘o ho’ as red was one of the colours they had learned to despise.
[14:30] Alzbeta : You carry a sword and wear a helmet as the Warriors in this city do. They wear red always.
[14:30] Savir glanced back over to Crow, not waiting for her answer. “And once I take your coin, I will give you a chance to win it back on the head of this slave here” he nodded to her.
[14:31] Crow turns to Savir knowing the name of the house and measuring her value to be a few coppers. “Hmm…. all right I give you the benefit of the doubt .. You will get two chances to do it right.”
[14:32] Alzbeta smiles pleasantly, unsurprised. “I am of the House of the Knot, if compensation will be needed.”
[14:32] Savir nodded at Crow. “Only two? You know the last one took three, but that only because after she stopped shaking from blood loss I was able to pin it…. very well I accept your wager, take your girl to her mark while I make my preparations and pray” he mused.
[14:34] Savir placed his hand on the wall and brought his foot up in his hand and stretched his leg out… he then did the other one. Savir then leaned over to the side and brought his arm over the top of his head and stretched it, then leaning over and doing the other side, he folded back his cloak and begin taking his throwing quiva out, examining one, shaking his head and putting it away as he withdrew another one and looked it over. Finally selecting his winner he stood silently with it in hand, awaiting the signal from Crow.
[14:35] Crow nods slow while he stepped closer to Comu and tangled his hand in her hair to pull her up roughly. There seemed to be little care in his actions while he dragged her to the agreed spot. “Stand straight and try not to tremble.” he tells her dryly. He lowered his voice “As you have heard … he did have some practice.” he added as if to make her more comfortable. The grin was devious and merciless to the position the girl would be in. One wrong aim and she would indeed have a one time life experience.
[14:36] Domu raised a brow and she shuffled backwards, craning her head out towards the entrance to the Manor of her House residence “I think that’s my Owners calling Master” she swallowed and fibbed thru her teeth “would hate to keep them waiting” she mumbled the last part when Crow grabbed her by the hair and dragged her after him. “some practice” she muttered beneath her breath. oh she was planning on standing still thats for sure. So much her heart might even stop “I have heart issues Master” she said feeling the palpitations in her chest
[14:38] Crow slapped her harshly across the cheek “I don’t believe I have asked you to speak of matters that are unimportant. Just remain alive until this is done.” he stated coldly. He took the piece of fruit and pushed it in her hand “Above your head.” he ordered and in his voice there was no reason for a debate on this. He wanted to win his bet, but in an honourable way.
[14:38] Savir looked down to the girl besides him. “Take note girl, you’re next, study that girl there for any flaws in her technique that would cause a quiva to hit her in the face.” he said to her as if he were concerned.
[14:39] Alzbeta watches statue-still and holding the same neutral smile. She shifts her position when asked, replying, “Yes, Master.”
[14:40] Crow nods “Very well.” he tells her “Wait until I step back … wouldn’t get covered in blood.” he stated matter of factly.
[14:41] Crow stepped back and nods to SAvir “I am ready.” he stated … as if it was his life on the line.
[14:42] Domu yelped softly when his hand connected with her cheek and she rubbed it a little feeling the sting. If she died she was in so much trouble. No wait, THEY were she would be- dead. She took the fruit and nodded “Yes Master” and reluctantly placed the fruit on her head. She swallowed again and then took several deep breaths before staring back at Savir. Her movements now minimal as she turned herself into a statue -in her mind. She let out a slow breath and her eyes would stay open. If she was going to die she was going to face it without fear.
[14:42] Sparrow had approached rather slowly, walking or rather wandering about the avenue of the central cylinder…she saw then her Master and Savir and…two girls and what seemed to be a game of some sort occurring. She narrowed her eyes and stood rather still…she would not come any closer for she perhaps did not fancy being included in the sort of games killers, on their best mood, could play.
[14:44] Savir leaned forward, as if straining his eyes to see the fruit at all. He then took the quiva between his fingers and made an ordeal of getting into the right position, he then adjusted his stance again. Finally satisfied he took the quiva into proper throwing position. He then drew his arm back and slowly let it go forward again. He then drew his arm back slowly and again forward slowly, taking his practice swings.
[14:44] Crow noticed his girl and snapped his finger for her to heel left “Come mine … wouldn’t want to get you hurt or covered in blood.” he stated tonelessly. He turns to Savir and wondered if he would make a sound so he would loose focus and he would win his bet.
[14:45] Sparrow looked at Savir readying himself and meanwhile her Master spoke…she ran, fast, and found her place behind him.
[14:46] Alzbeta watches as told, her curiosity morbid. Her own life had been threatened so often during capture and in training, but this method was something she hadn’t seen before.
[14:46] Savir then winked at the girl before him as he drew his arm back and then in a flash of black he threw his arm forward and projected the quiva at lightning speed towards the girls face…. at least he thought it was aimed at the fruit. He then watched his aim was true and pierced the fruit cleanly and exited with much speed thru and as he heard it clattering along the stones as it impacted them, watching the fruit slice cleanly in two and fall off of her head and to her feet.
[14:48] Sparrow stood behind him, perhaps her hand clung at his cloak, almost in consciously as she anxiously looked at what was about to occur…may he be well trained she found herself thinking as she looked at the girl who stood, alone, and very very still and then, swiftly, Savir…Savir the Killer had made his hit and before one would realise the fruit had dropped in dead silence, split, over the pavement…she breathed out.
[14:49] Crow nodded “Impressive.” he stated cooly while he noticed the fruit cut in half. “Seems the slave remains alive.” he than pointed to the other “All right one to go hmm.”
[14:49] Domu didn’t even dare move when she heard the familiar tinkle of bells. But her eyes only shifted slightly to regonise the running form of a girl she knew. they moved back to where Savir was and while she was terrified she refused to close her eyes. It all happened so quickly and the apple split in half and fell from her head. her face was white as a ghost and she looked back at the Master with a look of shock and thankfulness. She was alive! At the realisation she ran over to the Master still excited and dropped to his feet pressing her lips on his boot. She didn’t care if she was kicked in the face. She was alive
[14:50] Crow was slightly surprised seeing the girl rush to Savis boot. The killer that just as easy would have killed her.
[14:51] Alzbeta stood when she was pointed at, assuming that was what she was supposed to do. She stood still and waited to be directed. It would be an odd way to go after all of this, but maybe better than getting eaten by something.
[14:51] Sparrow smiled, she was indeed revealed for domu had been her friend, they had met in Turia, only briefly, but had been very fond of each other. She whispered to her from a distance “I am happy you lived Domu!”
[14:51] Savir looked over to Crow, “fair is fair, I think the same distance should be sufficient, as he shook his foot loose of the girl at his boot, he reached over and grabbed the other girl by her hair, dragging her to the spot marked with the fallen fruit and dropped her in place. He took from the pocket on his belt and handed it to her. “Just like the other girl” he stated to her coldy.
[14:53] Domu grinned and jumped up suddenly feeling like she was on top of the worled and she grinned turning to sparrow finally being able to see her properly . She rushed over and the smile on her face was vivid tho her face was still pale from shock “Me to and its so good to see you!”
[14:53] Crow nods slow. While he measured the distance skilfully. He made the steps back to where the other girl marked the position of Savir previously. His hand had in one swift move the dagger he would use for this. He balanced it in his hand while he grinned. “Hmmm… a though one to beat.” he stated tonelessly.
[14:53] Alzbeta follows as she’s pulled, fast enough to stop her hair being tugged. She assumes the position and stares straight ahead, her blank smile becoming unattractively frozen in place.
[14:54] Sparrow spun about as Domu approached and engaged with her, seeing how pale she was and as she felt the cloak of her Master brushing her as he went to attend the destiny of the other slave, she hugged Domu tightly and mused “You are shaken”
[14:56] Crow narrows his eyes while he again took time to measure the distance and closed his eyes as to level with his breathing. There was nothing that indicated he was excited or thrilled. His emotions were well in check. He than as had done Savir moistens one finger to feel the wind that would clearly make all the difference in his aim. He shook his shoulders a bit to loosen up the muscles while he again looked at the dagger and back to the girl “Stand very still girl … it has been a while since I did this.” he said matter of factly. It was of course not the true, but Crow enjoyed the challenge of a trembling slave.
[14:56] Savir watched the killer prepare for his throw, he hadn’t thought question the slave on her worth further other than nothing she was from the house of Knot, but seeing how they treated 47 he decided not to chance it and interfere in his throw.
[14:57] Domu wrinkled her nose and shook a little nodding at sparrow. “yes that was almost as bad as when one hung me from a large tower” she said “maybe in future I shouldn’t greet them” she whispered to Sparrow “are you still called Kanwal” she said trying to think back to what the girl was called. Her eyes moving over to the other girl and she hoped she was as still as what domu had just been
[14:58] Savir snapped his fingers at the slaves, as one of their owns life stood in the balance.
[14:59] Alzbeta is already standing still, watching the man silently. She imagines someone explaining to the Slavers what happened, and is surprised at how amusing the thought is. The idea that she’s becoming suicidal is probably more worrying than the situation, and she frowns briefly.
[15:00] Sparrow blanched as domu called her by the name she had been given by the Kattai Ubara and quickly she pressed an index over domu’s mouth and shook her head almost imperceptively. He would possibly not notice all busy that he was focussing on his hit and perhaps enjoying the fear of the girl stood there. He had known nothing of what had happened and how she had been…transferred to the plains, they had simply not talked about what had happened between her “freedom” and her rough and harsh arrival on Issus’s decks.
[15:01] Sparrow then took her hand away and was quiet, Savir had made it clear for them to become quiet and effaced.
[15:03] Domu watches the girl and hushes when Savir snaps His fingers. She chewed her lip watching the Assassin and his target then nodded back at Sparrow getting the jist to keep all of that quiet. She smiled to her briefly and would ask her later of her name. for now she just watched the poor slave under the apple, knowing exactly how she felt
[15:03] Crow used a dagger that had this odd inscription in it. “Two makes a murder.” which perhaps indicated there was one matching it. The dagger had been slicing throats as long as Crow could remember. He pointed the dagger at the girl while he lifted it slightly as to see where it should be aimed to make the curve so it wouldn’t slice the girl but only the piece of fruit she was holding. He focusses on his breathing and counted slow in his head … knowing that with the slightest error he could put the dagger between her eyes or cut of a few fingers. Than as if a briefest of whispers had just cut the air before them Crow had made his aim and throw. The dagger finds the piece and slices it exactly in the middle not even cutting one hair of the girl. He was after all a very trained and skilled killer. Still if the wind would have slightly grow in force it was still in the odds that the dagger would come in a place he hadn’t desired. But causalities during his work weren’t unthinkable.
[15:05] Savir watched the killer’s skilled and metecilous throw find its target directly and sever the fruit as well. He nodded to the killer. “A fine throw Killer” he said tonelessly. “It appears you may keep your coin this day” he said flatly. Savir then walked down the road a bit and recovered both his quiva and Crow’s dagger.
[15:06] Savir approached Crow, slipping his own quiva back into its sheath as he flips the dagger over and hands it to Crow handle first. “Your dagger Killer” he offered.
[15:07] Crow nods slow “Hmmm it wasn’t only us Savir … I guess the friend the wind had mercy on their souls.” he said while he kept out his hand to get his dagger “Hmmm might have this taken to the smithy … it did cut the stones.”
[15:07] Alzbeta watches the man throw as if it’s got nothing to do with her, detached. It’s all very fast, and she’s still thinking about it when she heads a dull thud. She blinks, and kees the position, looking about wide-eyed.
[15:08] Savir nodded. “The wind favoured both of them indeed, I thought my throw went a bit low, but you know all the guesswork that goes into one of those throws” he jested.
[15:08] Domu let out a breath of air when the dagger shot skilfully thru the apple and sliced it as easy as the last one did to her apple, she eyed the four pieces of apple on the ground and licked her lips hungrily. All in a days work. She grinned to herself. Tho not ever planning on having a days work like that. She snorted a little hearing Savirs jest but looked away pretending she didn’t hear
[15:08] Crow pointed to the fruit “You two.” he stated to the girls “You can eat those …” he said generously. The fruit was fresh he thought and perhaps delicious.
[15:09] Crow nods to Savir “Hmm perhaps we should practice more and perhaps next time with something bigger ?” he suggested.
[15:10] Savir arched a brow at Crow. “Axes you think?” he inquired.
[15:10] Domu gives a small woot! and runs over to pick up her- well earned fruit. She assumed he was talking to her but she was quick and wouldn’t give him time to change His mind “Thank you Master” she grinned
[15:10] Alzbeta realises she’s been addressed and relaxes into a natural stance. Looking at the fruit behind her, she really doesn’t feel that hungry.
[15:11] Crow smiled to his girl which might not be noticed by his helmet “Mine are you hungry ?” he asks taking another piece out of his pocket and held it out to her.
Crows Murder 
Leave a comment