NationStates Jolt Archive

OOC: Only those who signed up in the sign-up thread (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=558093) may join. You will receive one warning if you attempt to join without signing up before I report you to the mods.

The moon was at the waxing gibbous (visible on the right side) stage that night as the skeletal army of undead marched into the silent village. The lights were out, and in the distance at the top of a hill was a pile of rubble. The rubble was the castle of the late Count Travaski who's recent death has had Grand Count Alucard dispatch a battalion of his personal army to the fief that belonged to Count Travaski.

Alucard held no love for the young and brash Count. Alucard even scarred his face in the past when Travaski attempted to steal away a potential bride of Alucard for himself. However Alucard was fairly confident the people were under his rule and lived in a perpetual state of fear of his lackies and himself and the death of a Count meant one of two things. Either an outside force egged the peasants into rebellion, or they did so of their own mind. The first probability seemed more likely to him.

His soldiers split up and searched every house, barn, mill, and basement yet no peasants seemed to be found. This could only mean they moved on as an organized group to spread their rebellion elsewhere. However, he could not be more wrong.

Unbeknown to him the village were currently living in the catacombs of the castle after a local farmer, Nelaio, instigated the rebellion with his outside friend, Integral and ordered everyone to live there until he and Integral could kill the Grand Count and end his reign.

They were long gone on their journey to Castle Dracule, home of Alucard, and had left many hours before the army had finally arrived. With the entrance to the catacombs blocked by rubble placed by Nelaio the peasants had enough food, water, and supplies to last a few months. However they would be stretching it to their limit if he and Integral took any longer than a month and a half.


At the rear of the army was an elegant and royal looking horse drawn carriage. While the horses were as rotted and undead as the soldiers who guarded the carriage, there was someone relatively human inside.

The door opened and Alucard (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:AlucardSotNArtwork.jpg) stepped down onto the solid ground and was greeted by a saluting skeleton. He nodded and said, with a thick Romanian accent, "Any signs, commander?"

The skeleton opened its rotted maw and the voice the commander carried in life was projected from his mouth as if it were a speaker and, though much more weary and hoarse, the voice replied, "None, Master. It would seem that they have cleared out and moved on. Most of their food is missing and their livestock are freshly slaughtered. They knew we were coming and they were quick to gather what they could and leave."

Alucard scowled briefly and stepped past the commander and, with a loyal escort hot on his heels, rushed towards the castle while sniffing the air much like a bloodhound. He stopped at the rubble and looked down into the ashes from the blaze used to destroy the castle and sifted through it. He paused briefly before bringing his arm back but this time with a skull in his hand.

The skull was alien. While resembling a human's in every way the only difference that set them apart was the abnormally wife jaw and a pair of canines that could make a shark's razor teeth seem meager. With a face bearing no emotion he gently stroked the skull's head a few times before grasping it tightly and eventually shattering it. "Say hello to my father in Hell.." he whispered sharply into the air as he turned sharply on his heel, his cloak whipping around to follow him, and marching back to his carriage.

OOC: I'll post for my Mirkwood nation now, if you don't mind. My computer access was just cut off temporarily, and I can't activate my email as of now.

Mathae and Matos cuddled near the fire, trying to stave off the "cold". In reality, they just wanted an excuse to be under the same blanket and still stay at the fire with the other guys. Suddenly Matos's hand shot out as she sent a fireball streaking into the trees near the old farmhouse. Mathae and Hurin both drew their bows as the flaming skeleton illuminated two others- a patrol. By longstanding agreement, Hurin aimed for the closer target, smashing its pelvis and sending it kicking to the ground, while Mathae easily aimed for and destroyed the other with his powerful shot. Galad stepped forward with his sword to destroy the writhing first skeleton, but to his chagrin it chose that precise moment to have the flames finally crack its bones and eliminate it. Sau stepped out from behind the shadows and dragged Hurin's mark over to Mathae and Matos, the original founders of the band and its undisputed leaders.

Matos felt Mathae drape the blanket around her bare shoulders as she looked down at the target.

"Undead," she said tersely. "skeleton, not yet totally decomposed. Kind of shabby and not too hard for the experienced to take out, and none too smart, but very loyal, and i doubt they need rest and sleep. Seems more nocturnal" She rose, Mathae standing by her protectively. "I'm going to finish the camp enchantments. Rest up, we plan in he morning."

Five minutes later, their camp was completely stealthed and undetectable. it would remain that way until either the sun rose or one of them left. for now they were safe.

OOC: Shit, Mirktree, not Mirkwood, sorry. Anyway, I'm up.

The band rose as the sun began to pierce through the horizon. Mathae and mats rolled off the hayloft. Hurin pulled himself up from his place near the fire, and Galad did the same.

"Sau?" Matos called, pulling on her signature armor- some leather, some chain and plate armor, equipped with various enchantments and stealth charms and highly attractive, yet without the ridiculous uncover-everything attitude you saw in manga. Sau's tousled blond hair popped up from his place in a bale of hay near the ground. Matos started to say something, then ducked when she remembered that it would be a good idea to wear some pants. Mathae stepped in.

"We need you to scout the nearest town, village, or cit, and tell us what's happening," he said. "Report back to us soon. Use the tunnel method." The camp's protective charms constituted a half-sphere on sky and ground, and didn't affect the earth. Sau could leave under and not break the spell.

"Will do, boss," he replied grinning, grabbing his usual supplies, he went on his way.

Little did the band of outsider know that one of Alucard's experiments was stalking them. In the flurry of fighting that had killed one of Alucard's scouts the creature was able to sneak upon them without fear of being heard through the clatter of swords and armor.

The creature was Alucard's favored species of experiment. The Werewolf (http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/jj112/CB6802/screenshot_110.png). Bred from magic using the combined aspects of a human, and a wolf.

Wolves were rampant through Neo-Dracule and there were no shortages on humans Alucard's scientists could detain. Years of trial and error produced a dozen of these ultimate hunters.

With the sharp eyes, ears, and reflexes of a wolf and the human ability to walk on two legs gave the werewolf an advantage over most of its prey. They were Alucard's eyes and ears, amongst other creatures, and as this one silently stalked the band's campsite throughout the night and hid within the branches of trees by day.

They were silent, deadly, and always hungry. And this one had purposely been starved and unleashed by Alucard in order to track the supposed army of peasant rebels. While it did not find any peasants, it did find its current prey which was surely to earn it a fine meal from its master upon evaluating a full report on these people.

The werewolf watched silently as one of them broke away. Perfect.

The nearest village was ruled over by Count Ladimore who was a ferocious warrior and Alucard's favored Count. He ruled over his fief with militaristic discipline and authority. It was atleast 3 miles out from the camp...

Sau walked innocently along a small byroad with basic traveler's weapons: small shield, short sword, short spear. Before the king had sent them off, he had warned them of a large presence of creatures in these woods, which other, more patriotic Rangers had reported. Something like super-wargs or a cannibal cult, apparently. Thanks to that, he was carrying insurance, and more than it seemed. The weapons and his light suit of "cheap" mail were made of mithril, and one of the mages attached to the Rangers had done a special little something to his sword. There were some rather shabby-and ugly- carvings on it, and whenever an unnatural creature was near, they glowed. Normally this was a soft, steady glow, but right now it was very bright and shimmering urgently. This mean that either something was very near, was very large, or both. He quickly scaled a tree, took out his spear, and waited quietly.

The Werewolf, upon finding Sau in a spot where he would not escape easily without quite a fall, quickly leapt towards him from another tree and roared viciously as its arms were extended and ready to strike at him and open him up with its deadly claws.

Meanwhile...

Alucard's army was turning back to Castle Dracula as their master had left in advance out of frustration.

They would begin a two day march back to Castle Dracula, through night and day.

Sau quickly hurled his spear at the werewolf's open mouth and leaped to another tree, resolutely not pausing to see if he had hit it or wonder what the hell was attacking him. Time spent on such thoughts killed you before the thoughts could be of much use.

As soon as he landed, he reached into his pack and pulled out one of his signature weapons: a preloaded collapsible crossbow.

Meanwhile...

Matos woke from her meditation with a gasp. Mathae was at her side in an instant.

"Sau's in trouble,' she said. "I think he's been attacked."

Mathae made a snap decision. "Hurin, come with me, and take Jellyfish with you." Jellyfish was the name of Hurin's mount, a vicious black unicorn. "Sau's not dying on our time."

The Werewolf howled in agony and its leap came short as it was hit by the spear. After landing on a number of branches on the way down it landed in a small concentration of pine tress and all went silent.

Until the beast roared in pain as you could hear the wood of the spear snap harshly as the beast no doubt snapped off its extension and left the spearhead itself to mingle.

It leapt from the pine trees back up into the treetops, taking a moment to roar at Sau before leaping to another tree, roaring, and doing so again. It continued to do this as it circled Sau and made a clear, clean shot somewhat difficult from its constant movements.

OOC: I would like to note that I have posted in the required pre-requisite thread, and would like you to verify so, that I may be allowed to actually post in this thread.

Hearing the howl of agony, the siver-haired stranger turned her attention to the forest. Behind her smoked glasses, she narrowed her sight to pierce the veil of magic that had been cast to see a flicker of movement in the trees behind it. "Bingo," she said with a smirk, tracking the temporarily wounded werewolf's path. She also caught the movements and noticed it was going in circles...it had prey. With a burst of inhuman strength she leaped through the underbrush running with supirior speed and agility. Pulling out her massive M29 revolver, she dodged trees and bushes making her way to the encircled people. She barely had time to think as the werewolf prepared to jump. "Oh, damn." she said in shock as she aimed the M29 and fired, a deafening crack filled the air followed by a squeal.

In the clearing with the circling werewolf:

As the werewolf minutley paused to strike, a monstrous explosion, at least to those who have never heard an M29, filled the night sky as a tree brach splintered. Within miliseconds there was a gaping hole on the the left side of the waist and the ribcage of the creature exploded into a shower of blood and bone as the bullet exited, the force sent the beasty crshing into the base on the next tree. Realing from the event, there was a glint of metal and the werewolf's head tumbled to the ground. "You can thank me for saving your life later, we need to burn the body now," said the stranger in a air of authority, and began gathering wood to use.

OOC: this is the gun, it's custom made and does follow the requirements of being a revolver.

Hurin chose that exact moment to come charging out of the woods and bash the girl on the back of the head with his lance, sending her and her gun flying in separate directions. Sau picked up the gun. he had great knowledge of exotic weapons and knew basic revolver design, allowing him to successflly load the gun and aim it at the newcomer.

Mathae called from the shadows. He was for all practical intent invisible in his camouflage, and his powerful 120-pound-draw bow was aimed straight at the stranger. add to that the fact that Jellyfish was pawing and snorting viciously near the stunned figure on the ground, and she could not have escaped even if she wanted to.

"well, stranger, you attempted to kill my man, and with an obnoxiously loud weapon too. now tell us everything, or you join your hairy friend."

The stranger just stood up, rubbed the back of her head, then looked at the man who hit her. "You really aren't in a position to threaten me." she said, then pulled out a dagger before he could react and placed the blade between the trigger so it couldn't be fired, then give him a kick to the side of his head and twisded his arm so that his grip loosened and retrieved her gun. "Don't ever do that again." she said, also holding his lance in her hand, in a "It's not in your best interest" kind of way.

The stranger stepped ackwards slightly as an arrow streaked by her nose, and without looking toward the sourse, she pulled out another dagger and threw it so that it snapped the strig of the bow. "Anyone else I should know about?" said the stranger smugly.

Somewhere in Neo-Dracule...

A small airship slowly made its way over a vast forest, just a few feet above the highest tree. Its engines sounded a low drone which quietened as the engines died down letting the blimp hover over a clearing in the forest. The airship was painted black all over including its gasbags and the various gondolas which contained the bridge and the engines. Even the windows were blacked out making the aerial vessal almost invisible in the night sky.

There was a metallic squeal as one of the hatches was opened and a few almost hiss-like sounds as ropes were thrown out. A small squad of soldiers then slid down the ropes one-by-one, rolled to one side then took up defensive positions round the clearing to cover those still disembarking. The last man down flashed a series of lights from a shuttered lantern to which the rope was pulled up and the engines spluttered into life as the airship took to the skies once more leaving the soldiers alone.

The Morridane Deathwatch had arrived.

OOC: What the hell?! No RPing my people. And modern weaponry?

Matos saw what had happened from a distance and knew that serious disciplinary actions wold be needed later. For now, she contented herself by using magic to lift the attacker a good 30 feet in the air and hold her completely still except for the mouth. it was lucky the trees were tall here. Meanwhile, Mathae launched his arrow upward and the revolver flew out of her hands with a loud crack- there was a large break in the sides. The lance and dagger also dropped.

Sau took out his sword. the engravings were glowing steadily. Matos saw it too.

"Who are you?" she asked, a touch more politely than her people did. "What are you? We don't have to harm you if you cooperate with us. And stop hurting our people, it's rather annoying. I'd rather we left each other alone." She noticed something. "Oh, you're bleeding." She used her powers to lift a wet rag into the air and place it on he back o the woman's head.

The stranger's ear twitched slightly, "Um, thank you. And as per cooperation, I don't feel I need to do anything. Not after the treatment your men have deemed appropriate for rescuing them." and crossed her arms, refusing to say more.

OOC: Fix that. i posted already, and your person is hanging in the air right now, which is rather hard for a werewolf to deal with without serious godmodding.

OOC: I did fix it, you need to be a touch quicker with your posts :P

The night had fallen cooly across the city of Maktub, the ancient capital of the Turkic Chechens who lived within its large stone and mortar walls. A full moon hung above the clouds, casting its glow eerily upon the sand. The city had grown quiet, but not all of its citizens slept even at this late hour. In fact, there was much stirring inside the Mosque.

An Imam stared deeply and intently into a flame, looking deep into space. "Allahu akbar," he whispered quietly. "God is Great." A man at that moment walked through the Mosque doors. He hurriedly made his way through the aisleways and to where the Imam was resting.

"Is it so? Does evil indeed walk this earth?" He demanded, a look of terror upon him, his face ghastly. The Imam sighed.

"Yes, the Lord of Darkness walks."

"Allahu Akbar....Where?"

"In the land of Dracule he resides, and his armies bolster with each moment."

"Then what can we do? In the name of Allah we certainly can not allow such abominations to walk His earth!"

"No, we cannot. But acknowledging such evil would not be prudent. We cannot amass the Armies of Islam in Jihad, not now."

"Then perhaps I know somewhere we may turn to."

"Oh?" Inquired the Imam.

"Yes. The Hashishim Guild. We can assemble a team of assassins to eliminate this evil from Allah's earth, and make it Whole again."

"We will do what we must. We cannot fail, for all of Allah's works ride upon this mission." The man, who was in fact the Caliph of Shiistan, nodded.

"And it shall be so."

OOC: you shouldn't try posting 5 times in a row. That's tantamount to godmoddding, when you use it to affect everyone else's characters. now if you talked about how she enjoyed the scenery or something, that would be fine. And the magic bound her arms. i'll allow you to keep the ear twitch.

"What rescue?" Matos asked, suppressing a sneer. "All I saw was you giving hell to my people." She looked at the dead werewolf. "Are you referring to that carpet? We've dealt with those before, in some form or another- the idea has always been rather popular. And a spear through the mouth is a mortal wound- that creature was gone already."

OOC: Fix that. i posted already, and your person is hanging in the air right now, which is rather hard for a werewolf to deal with without serious godmodding.

OOC: It would be nice if posts updated in real-time, but they don't, so work with me here and please keep comments like that to yourself.

"Oh? Well, the way I understood it, as long as the werewolf's head was still attached to the body, it's regenerative abilities were unlimited." Puts hands up in surrender, "My mistake. I'm used to dealing with tougher things. And if you want any kind of coopearation, I'd like my things back and being on the ground would be nice."

"Well, we would," replied Matos slowly, "but we still aren't too thrilled with the idea of you being on the ground, ready to attack us. How about we start with your name, and your species- you definitely aren't human." She turned to Galad, who had just run up with supplies. "Galad, get the lady a beer, won't you?" She turned to the stranger. "You are a lady, right?"

The stranger smiled, "I am indeed a lady, though I have heard that it would be more appropriate given my prefference for other ladies, that I should be a man," accepting the drink she continued saying, "And as for my race, I honestly don't know if I should tell you, you don't like me as it is. So I'll need at least some kind of gurantee you won't try to kill me if I tell you."

Mathae was vaguely tempted to laugh. the sight of the stranger quasi-casually drinking beer while hovering in the air helpless was amusing. he had to admit, though, she was pretty brave.

"We promise not to kill you unless a true need arises. that's the best you're going to get. I had a mentor once who accidentally attacked an innocent man and when he released him promised never to harm him. Later, the man became a dark sorcerer and attacked him. bound by his promise, he could not fight, and he died. I act with sense, but I don't like such promises."

"Well, I don't like hanging here, but I'm doing my best, since at least some of you seem capable of a diplomatic solution. I didn't attack first, you did, so in all honesty, the wrong is yours. So the way I see it, the trust issue is mine, not yours."

This was very irratating. All she did was try to help, and she gets attacked for it, and when acting in deffense, she becomes the bad guy. Whoever came up with the phrase, "No good deed goes unpunished," deserves all the gold in the world for such a profoundly true saying.

"God, it would be so easy to kill them all, shame they haven't noticed that the runes in my armor prevent the magic from binding me...not that they'd care. I've faced worse." she thought. "Hopefully the lady will be reasonable...hopefully."

Matos and Mathae gave a tense nod to each other and the stranger was slowly let down and released.

"Nice runes," Mathae said, only mildly sarcastically. "Matos keeps a counterrune on a stone in her pocket." He walked up and held out her (ruined) weapon as an expression of trust. "Now, your name and race, please?" he thought he ought to invite her to lunch with them- compensation for a huge case of mistaken intentions.

Glances over her gun, the damage could be repaired, and the runes on her daggers were fine, apparently they had a low level counter-rune, but at least they had something. Not many even bother to use runes, since they were very difficult to set into items properly. Both without destroying the item in question or the rune.

"I don't appreciate you wrecking my gun, however..." looks at the ground,"..thank you for setting me down. And for my gun." the look she had on her face when she looked up was difficult to truely disern behind her smoked glasses.

"I can't tell you my name, but I can tell you what I am. I happen to be a werewolf myself." Holding up the ruined M29, "And my occupation is a professional vampire-hunter, among other things."

Matos looked at her. "Would you like to stay for lunch? I'm thinking that you and our group could use each other to stay alive in this land. it's highly hostile. Mathae, go out and get something won't you?" he paused to give her a quick kiss, then walked into the forest.

"Umm, sure. I'd love to stay for lunch?" She raised her eyebrow, a feeling of uneasyness swept over her after watching them kiss.

"Dang it, this is not a time to be jealous!" she mentally screamed at herself, "Get over it, she's taken, that's life. Find something to occupy your thoughts.

And she did, when the she remembered the rune that Mathae had. Low-level it was, and effective it might be, but she would need some stronger ones.

Sliding closer to Mathae, she quietly asked, "May I see that counter rune of yours?"

OOC: Matos is the girl/young woman/whatever. Mathae is her male counterpart.

Matos paused to throw a rock at the others who were watching aghast, not yet comprehending that a werewolf was dining with them, and not on them. they swiftly got to work erecting a temporary camp, complete with collapsible wall.

"here," she said, handing the rune to her.

OOC: Oops, sorry, I was confused.

She sniffed the air, though the disbelief and discomfort was already obvious. Noone but the group and a dead were was present, so she turned he attention to the counter rune. What she saw utterly shocked her. The fact that the rune even had any level of activity was, well, stunning. The rune was engraved into the stone, instead of being set into it, which drastically lowered it's effectiveness, although the item that had done the ingraving was of the proper nature of making a rune, so it left a bit of itself in the engraving, giving it the magical properties that it had.

"Umm, may I ask what you used to make this?" she said, looking into Matos's eyes.

"i didn't," she replied. "I bought it last minute before a mission one time, and i never got around to replacing it." She smiled. "Crappy, isn't it? Mathae went back to the old man a couple of months ago and got a serious refund for me. I plan to get a better one either on this trip or after it."

Mathae walked in, carrying a small deer over his shoulders. "get cooking," he called to Galad, and walked over and sat down next to Matos.

"So, how's life going for you now?" he asked her.

A look of wonder flushed over her, "Wow, he's relly putting it on thick. Good to know he's willing to make conversation." she thought to herself.

"Ok, actually, I mean it's not exactly rainbows and sunshine killing Head-master vampires, but it's decent living. I also moonlight as a werewolf hunter when they get out of hand, and ogres can be pretty bad in the fall seasons, but when a town needs help, and questions are minimal, then i'm glad to help."

Glancing at the rune she tossed it into the fire. "Do you know how to set runes? Or do you buy them from vendors?"

OOC: Me and Morrdh have discussed his tech level and his weapons he'll be utilizing don't cross any boundaries i've set.

Within the depths of Castle Dracula (http://features.cgsociety.org/stories/2005_03/castle_dracula/castleDracula1500.jpg)...

"Fenris!", Alucard shouted into the depths of the dungeon as he proceeded down the hall towards a door at the end of the hallway where many terrible noises were echoing from. When he reached the door he pulled it open and called again, "Fenris!"

The reply came immediately. "Master! How good of you to drop in on us at such a time as this!", said Fenris (http://skepticworld.com/cryptozoology/images/werewolf.jpg). His worlds were garbled with light growls and his voice was very deep and ferocious. He was Alucard's greatest achievement. The mind of a Human, the stature of a human, and all the abilities and benefits of a wolf in one intelligent and deadly package.

He was prodding one of his brethren, a lesser Werewolf than he, with his staff which sparked electricity from his abilities with magic. "Why do you torment that thing so?", he said almost with disgust. The wolf grinned and replied simply, "It's what I do."

He was the wolfmaster. He remained ever in contact with his brethren through communication and magic. The now eleven were, at the moment, in their cages and the one Fenris was toying with was young and easily annoyed.

Alucard chuckled at his pet's joke and stepped down the stairs and proceeded over to a table of potions. While inspecting one of fizzy green liquid he asked, "Any news from our Scout?" The question made Fenris cringe and his ears tucked against his head in fear for the coming anger of his master.

"He is...uh..dead..master. I lost contact with him sometime ago..." Alucard stood there for a moment with the elixir before shaking violently and crushing the vial in his hand. Fenris whimpered and leapt away in fear of his rage.

Alucard sighed and when it seemed he was growing calm grabbed the table's edge and hurled it into the wall infront of him. The werewolfs went quiet after the echoes of the shattering wood and glass had ended.

"Something is going on here! No mere peasants can defeat a Werewolf! Especially one not so hungry and desperate!", said Alucard harshly as he looked at Fenris who was cowering in the corner. "If you cannot complete such a simple task then I will find someone who will!", he shouted as he walked back up the stairs, opened the door, and slammed it behind him.

"to be honest, i don't," Matos replied, watching her mild protection burn. "Normally, however, i buy from a better vendor- usually a mage I've known for years."

"so you live by killing things," replied Mathae slowly. "I can't judge- so do we. We usually regard it as a side element, though- normally there's a larger mission that we're doing. this time is unusual. we came here to sack castles and manor an wipe out the vampire nobility, not only for personal but also for national gain." He paused. "You know, we would appreciate a name. We don't have anything to call you."

OOC: Nice place!

OOC: Prime real estate it is =P

OOC: I didn't mean to offend or cross any set boundaries. If you have a problem with the gun, then it stays broken. It's just a modified version of what I've heard reffered to as a "horse-pistol" and it is a revolver.

Looking affronted, she gave Mathae an indignant look, "If I had a name, then you'd have it." sighing, she responded, "Werewolves don't give eachother names, if you must know. The only ones that have names were given their names by their vampire masters. If you need a name, then start tossing around ideas, and I'll give you a yes or no. And as for the the runes..." reaches into her pocket and pulls out a gold coin. "Runes are only as effective as the item you're setting it into and the materials that the rune is made of. This is a protection rune, set in gold and set with onyx."

OOC: I will have to admit that the horse-pistol itself was a one-shot gun, NOT a revolver. Like I said, mine is modified. Let's just say that it's the .45 Magnum's bigger brother. If need be, i'll change it to a Magnum.

"i'll bear that in mind," Matos replied. "Thank you. Oh, and food's ready." Galad served everyone venison, bread, and some steamed vegetables.

As they sat down again, Mathae asked, "So where do you go from here?"

OOC: No, no, no. There's nothing wrong with the revolver. I stated in the OOC thread that they're alright.

OOC: Ok, I just wanted to be sure. If you do have a problem with my gun, just let me know.

The stranger's mouth started watering as the sent of cooked deer floated through the air. "Yum, I love deer. I have to say, I'm curious as to what you all do." She said, picking off a good portion of meat. Looking up at Mathae, "Well, I haven't really thought about it. But I have heard that there were vampires in a nation close by, probibly see if they need some help being liberated. I don't know." Shrugging, continues to eat.

'We're in that nation,' Mathae replied. 'We're on our way to find the nearest manor and destroy it and lift its valuables. We do that kind of stuff for a living, along with other quests. I actually used to be an active member of the Rangers, the Mirktree elite armed forces, but i lost interest. Matos was a former apprentice when i found her, and the others we're still not sure of."

"Do you want to come with us, for this trip at least?" Matos asked. "Survival requires a team eventually, and we could use the extra man- sorry, woman- power. There'd be plenty of stuff for you to seize, i that's what you want. you know, start a more prosperous living than what you said you're doing now. We- all of us, i mean- are actually thinking of settling down and taking nice, ordinary jobs some time soon, if things work out."

Thinks for a bit, then looks at Mathos and Mathae, "It's a tempting offer, but I can only agree with most of your offer. You see, I can't settle down and take an ordinary job, not with what I am. And the problem with settling down, is who I'd want to settle down with. You see, I already told you that I'm attracted to the same sex. Do you honestly know any woman who would do that?"

Removes smoked glasses to reveal a raw, x-shaped scar running right across her left eye, making it completly white while her right eye was a bright, luminesent yellow, "Can you think of any woman that would want to settle down with me, looking like this, or even for what I am?"

Matos replied, "I've met some mages who are pretty adventurous, actually."

The stranger looks puzzled and feels compelled to ask, "I don't understand what you mean. Could you clarify that?"

Matos rattled off "same-sex, groups, nonhumans, etc.".

Mathae casually finished his second serving and asked, "So,what do you think about traveling with us on this trip, at least?"

"I would like to join your group on this trip...and I'd like to hear more about this mage, if that's ok." Starts on her second serving.

OOC: The airship is based upon German WWI airships, which as stated has already been agreed on. Though the airship was only intended for transport for my men and nothing else, its a scout with a short range wireless set.

~ ~ ~ ~

Captain Stevens watched as the Deathwatch soldiers under his command advanced through the trees whilst covering and watching each other's back as they presumed they were now in hostile territory. Stevens muttered to himself, They maybe Penal Corps, least they still act like soldiers.

Though these troops were veterans having served repeatedly in clearing and reclaiming mines overrun by animates back in Morrdh. Despite whatever crimes they may have comitted, these men were probably equal to a regular Deathwatch veteran of Morrdh's Reclamaton.

A low whistle sounded ahead from the lead soldier signalling that he had spotted something...

(OOC: Feel free to respond, would be nice if the Morridane met up with one of the other groups.)

OOC: Bump

OOC: Another bump

OOC: you have 30 guys, right? What are they carrying? Invoking the stormtrooper effect, I hope you can judge their individual capacities in comparison to the others' characters.

"Well, there's a couple," replied Matos casually. "The ones I'm thinking of live in this city of ours called Morlor, it's basically our city of vice- you know, drugs, alcohol, women... I was staying with them temporarily when i met Mathae."

Mathae strung his bow suddenly. "I hear something. Wait up." he vanished into the woods quietly.

Matos turned back to the werewolf as the others armed themselves hastily. "So, if you're going to be traveling with us, is there any specific things we may need to know? You'll be following camp command structure, by the way, if you travel with us. That means listening to me and Mathae about things like camp and patrols and food and dividing the spoils- the other guys are all always fighting for dominance, but there's no clear winner aside from maybe Hurin. We don't want servitude, we just want the ability to get things done until you choose to leave."

OOC: Shiistan is the one with 30 guys. Morrdh's is a small group of soldiers.

ooc: my mistake

"Specific things?" muttered the bewildered werewolf. "Not that I can really think of. Although, if there are going to be any dominance fights, then you may want to at least tell me in what condition you want those men in when we're finished. And in the way of the rest of what you said, the spoils and the patrols, you may need to give me some specifics." Ear twitches at the sound of Mathae moving through the underbrush. The sound he was headed towards, was a familiar sound.

OOC: I'm letting you take care of whatever the sound is.

"well, it's mostly social, not physical," replied Matos. "having them stab each other doesn't exactly help us."
--------------
Mathae pulled out an arrow and knocked it.
"Who goes there?" he said, hiding against a tree.

Looking rather disappointed, the werewolf replies, "Well, I'm better at physical dominance disputes. I'll try not to tear anyone up, but I'll say this now. If any of them make any kind of advances toward me, they had it coming." puting her hands up at the last sentence as if to say 'don't blame me if I do.' and pulls out a dagger, preparing for whatever the sound may be. Looking at the sky, then to the ground, "Sooo, how long have you two been together?"

Mathae pulled out an arrow and knocked it.
"Who goes there?" he said, hiding against a tree.

Damn, Stevens cursed. We've barely got here and already we've been challanged!

Luckily none of his soldiers seemed to be trigger happy and were content in staying behind cover awaiting the order to open fire, sides they couldn't take any chances just yet. Stevens cleared this throat then shouted back, "I would say but I doubt that for the time being that I can trust you...perhaps a parlay would be in order?"

The werewolf slowly replaced her dagger with a M-1917, and looked at Matos, "I do believe that they are hostile. I can't say for sure. Whoever it is, they're masking their real intentions very well...unless he means for a parlay. Stay here please." and with that the werewolf soundlessly bounded off, stopping next to Mathae. tapping his knee at lightly as she could, and staying as low to the ground as possible, she silently mouthed, "What are their intentions?"

OOC: The M-1917 was a revolver made during WWI, so it should be ok.

OOC: Just for fun I decided to throw in a theme song for the story. I still have my doubts as to whether I like it or not as the theme song. Let me know what you think. Here it is (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HPVO4ICbWIA).

Jack was sitting by a fire it his pet Wolf Mojo laying next to him as he sharpens his knife

"well boy this a odd nation we in" he say to the wolf
"woof"
"well i hear some money could be made here and woman to be had,but it not going to be easy" Jack now say as he puts the knife away
"woof"

Meanwhile, not far down the road from all the commotion...

"Faster you sluts!", shrieked the the tiny green goblin (http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/jj112/CB6802/screenshot_111.png) from the seat of his wagon as he brought his leather whip against the back of a young girl of three others who were pulling his wagon along which also carried the load of three occupied cages in the back. Each one held a a young girl who all were dressed similar scraps of clothing as the others.

The Goblin laughed manically as he watched the girls futilely try to pull the wagon along which provided him more excuse to whip the poor girls as they tried their best. The girls were pretty. Dirtied and with signs of heavy abuse marring them but nothing a few months of healing and a good bath couldn't remedy.

However, as treasures for Alucard they would receive no such things until they reached Castle Dracula which was many, many miles away. They had traveled from many villages far behind them now where each one was taken as collateral from the ruling Count's peasants.

When a young redhead could take no more and collapsed the Goblin's green face turned red with rage and he hopped down. As the girl tried to get up the Goblin took advantage of having her on the ground and began smacking her across the face with the back of his hand. Even as she cried for him to stop and to forgive you he continued to beat her while the others watched silently.

Finally, when the Goblin had finished spitting his insults after her beating he climbed back into the wagon and forced the girls to continue to pull even as the red head quietly sobbed.

OOC: Let me know when you want to get our little thing started, ND.

A week after Count Travaski’s untimely death…

Integral yawned wide as she and Nelaio traveled down the road, wincing slightly at the pain her chest still caused her. The wound was healing quite well, but she doubted the scars Travaski left her would disappear anytime soon. I had so much trouble with just a minor Count…Alucard is ten times the vampire Travaski was. I hope I didn’t get into anything I can’t get out of…

The past week has been quite uneventful; nothing out of the ordinary had occurred. Integral assumed that Alucard had bought the charade; while he must have thought the entire village had left, the peasants were probably still safe underneath the ruins of the town castle. Otherwise, a whole army of undead would probably at her heels now. She smiled at Nelaio while he wasn’t looking. The mere peasant had raised an army to topple his seemingly invincible oppressors. How much more was this good man capable of?

Looking up ahead on the road, Integral noticed what seemed to be a large wagon in the distance, with cries of pain and rage emanating from it. As the pair neared closer, she managed to make out what seemed to be a small, green figure laughing and beating a barely-clad woman. Slavers! Integral glanced at Nelaio, unsure if he realized what was happening. “Nelaio, I hope you remember those sword lessons I gave you. You might need them.”

Pushing her horse to a slight gallop, she pulled her cloak up and attached her mask, rounding the wagon quickly to view a short, ugly-looking goblin and a trio of young girl struggling with frail arms to push his cart. Trembling with fury at the sight of such lovely women forced to do the bidding of a hideous monster, she drew her saber and pointed it at the goblin. “I’d advise letting the girls go, Goblin, and going to find some women of your own foul race. Otherwise, things might get ugly.”

The Goblin was caught off guard and the sudden appearence of the stranger made the wagon stop instantly. As it happened the Goblin happened to be fumbeling for his dagger which slipped out of his grip when the wagon came to a sudden halt.

He smiled meekly and rubbed beads of sweat from his forehead as the woman kept her blade locked onto him. "No need to be so harsh, my lady! Simply doing my duty!"

His smile grew more nervous as a peasant hopped into the back of the wagon and began to hammer at the locks to the girl's cages. He turned his head in protest to say, "Hey what do you think you're--!" before his attentions were drew onto the blade at his throat once more and he was forced to forget the peasant.

"W...we...we can come to som..some sort of agreement, right? N...no..no reason to jump to conclusions. We're all friends here! Right?", he dared glance down at the sharpened blade and gulped awkwardly.

“Sorry, friend, but no, we can’t. I don’t tolerate slavers. You’re luck I didn’t kill you outright.” Integral nodded at Nelaio as he started to unlock the slave’s cages. She considered her options carefully; she knew her friend wasn’t too familiar with the land outside his village; it was only a matter of days before they didn’t know which way to turn. Perhaps…It would be a good punishment for the pathetic goblin who, perhaps out of pity, Integral didn’t really want to kill.

“Goblin, what do you know of the Vampire Alucard? Where can he be found?”

Jack was watching what was going on the road through his M84 telescope on his M1C (http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/d6/M1C.jpg)
" Goblins scum of the world" Jack said to Mojo before he started to move slowly closer on his belly

The Goblins smile widened, revealing rows of sharp teeth, as she mentioned the way to Alucard. "Oh yes! I know much of the infamous Grand Count! I was bringing these lovely young ladies to serve him, in fact."

He gestured towards the girls in the back who, when he glanced back at them, were being led out of the wagon and towards the man and woman's horses. He scowled briefly before turning back to his interrogator.

"I'll show you the way to him! Ways only I know of! As long as I get to go free in the end, of course."

Integral swiftly punched the goblin in the face with the hilt of her blade, flooring him; after taking a moment to pocket the creature’s dagger, she withdrew a line of cord from her cloak. Tying one end to her steed’s saddle and the other to the goblins hands, she gave him another blow, this time a crushing kick to the stomach. She motioned towards the girls. “You’re free now, ladies. You can either make your way back home or we can drop you off at the next village. Never again will you have to grovel to this…creature.”

Looking at the goblin hard, she smiled under her mask. “You’ll lead us to Alucard’s castle, and I promise I’ll at least spare your life. Perhaps you may even get freedom afterwards…if you behave, that is.” Sheathing her blade and mounting her horse, Integral led the goblin around quickly, watching him struggle to keep up. “Now you know what if feels like to be a slave, goblin. Better get used to it.”

The werewolf silently waited for a response from Mathae as she tried to listen for any sounds, individual footsteps, creaking of armor, anything trivial that she could pick up unnoticed by normal human hearing...and it was helping. As her ears twiched, she could at least ballpark the guess to about 20 armed soldiers. The small size would make them a quieter, more mobile group, but on the off-chance she was mis-guessing, then it would be about 45-50 men...give or take. She readied her M-1917, ready to start shooting, should that be the case.

OOC: Sorry, I was busy.

"They want a parlay," Mathae replied. he then called to them. "It's fine, just lower your weapons. We're a band of adventurers off adventuring for ourselves- and for the king, a bit- in this land. Gold and fame are our objectives. Who are you?"

Matos popped up. "In response to your question, about a year and a half," she said.

The Goblin grunted as he hit the ground and moaned in pain as he pinched his nostrils closed as they started to drip blood. He didn't notice until it was too late she had strung his wrist to her horse, groaning again as she took another shot at him.

He coughed a bit as he slowly got onto his feet and wiped his bleeding nose on his sleeve.

The girls, meanwhile, individually thanked and hugged Integral and Nelaio before accepting the few supplies he gave them and they began to wander back down the road.

The Goblin grumbled and nodded reluctantly as he was startled by the sudden tug of the horse on the rope and began to follow its lead as it led him away with Nelaio atop his horse behind him and his pack horse behind his own.

"Where to, Goblin?", he asked with some distaste when saying the word "goblin". "If we follow this road it'll lead us to a fork. We'll take the left which will take us through a mountain and to a river. From there, we follow it upstream to a secret entrance into Count Dracula.", he said in a-matter-of-factly tone.

The werewolf's heart practically stopped as she looked over to see Matos beside her. She points to the clearing where she had been, then to the, what should be a dilusion, person sitting beside her. She slowly puts a finger to Matos' lips, after regaining her composure. She'd have to figure out how she was able to sneak up on her like that, more than likely a low-level, yet highly effective, rune of sound-dampening. As for Mathae, rule one of handling situations like this, never throw out info like that, till you know what you're dealing with.

She getured to Mathae not to look at her, or even hint that she's present. The best thing to have, worst case senario, is the element of surprise...granting they haven't already heard Matos. "Go ahead," she mouthed to Mathae, while reminding him NOT to give away her position.

She didn't know how skilled they were at handling this kind of thing, so she was going it as she knew how...it's rather difficult working with a team...

One rule she invariably lived by, "Hope for the best, but prepare for the worst."

(OOC: Its a small squad of men that I have, no more than ten soldiers which look pretty much like *this* (http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y81/mad_ruskkie/Stuff/Nationstates/New_Zealand_trench_Flers_September_.jpg))

Captain Stevens gestured at his men to lower their rifles then led the way slowly out of the trees with. He stopped him in front of the adventurers and saluted. "Captain Stevens, Morridane Deathwatch."

Matos released a lazy grin. sneaking around had been Mathae's specialty, but she had gradually learned from him.

Mathae asked, "And what are you doing here? if it involves interfering with our business, I would invite you to take a ten minute head start. 10 Rangers in the trees can really cut an enemy down." he had always been excellent at bluffing, and since the Deathwatch couldn't even see him, there was no way they could tell he was lying.

Whoever these people were they were being very careless, though Stevens doubted that claim...he had heard similar claims made by bandits whilst on patrol in Morrdh and had yet to see it backed up even once. He gestured for his men to circle round and cover the strangers should they try anything. "We're here on a mission to gather as much information as we can about these so-called 'vampires' that supposedly inhabit this country."

Mathae glimpsed the leader get his men to try and circle hem. he merely ordered his people to do the same.

"Well, as of now, we're not exactly enemies," said Mathae. "why don't we step out into that clearing over there? I think we may have information that could be shared."

"Stay here and wait," Matos whispered to the werewolf, as she sidled over to Mathae's side.

Alucard sat quietly in his throne within the throne room (http://www.wow-europe.com/shared/wow-com/images/basics/cities/throneroom.jpg) (same basic idea as that) look rather bored or tired. It was hard to tell seeing as he rarely showed any facial emotions.

Suddenly the doors to the room opened and inside stepped an armor clad decaying looking man (http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/jj112/CB6802/DeathKnight_fIUEoVhbdW54.jpg) with a severed head of his recent victim in his hand. "You summoned me, sire?", it asked in a very deep and hollow voice.

"My mind is troubled over the recent disruptions of our work lately. You know what to do...", he said as-a-matter-of-factly.

The servant bowed its head respectfully and exited, the doors slamming themselves shut behind him.

....

The servant stepped up into the saddle of its equal dead and decaying horse and kicked it into motion. It responded quickly and set off at a run that was surprisingly fast for a dead horse.

They were called Death Knights. And after Werewolves they were his favored of servants.

(OOC: Btw because i'm a nerd i'm giving Dracula a theme song as well. This is it. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A9yQkfZynaE&feature=PlayList&p=729FDAED7B6782A7&index=27)

The werewolf gave Matos a thumbs-up as she shrunk closer to the ground, using the bushes and the tree for cover. Counting the steps of each person, both friendly and as of yet undetermined, and listening for patterens of step placement (Such as encircling a target) and the direction they were approching, she determined at least ten soldiers. She looked at Mathae and held up ten fingers, designating the number of troops. Hopefully he would see it out of the corner of his eye. After he caught the info, she would have to relocate. If he could see her to acknowlege the information, then the spot was too visible.

Mathae winked at her very slowly and started to quietly scan the woods with his eyes while waiting for a response.

Matos could already seen one. if they attacked, they could be beaten off. using magic to lit a man 20 to 50 feet in the air and then viciously hurling him was a very good demoralizer. so was shooting fireballs out o both palms at once.

Well, either way, it would have been best to relocate anyway. It's dangerous to move, but worse to stay in one spot. With a returning wink, she slowly slid around the base of the tree, scaning the area for any sounds (Sight was almost usless when staying low to the ground, especially with a damaged eye). Working her way through the underbrush and bushes as stealthy as possible, she managed to sneak past two soldiers, placing her behind the small group of soldiers, and found a spot to hide. No better way to drop a target than a shot to the head, and doing it from behind the enemy (If they turn hostile) can incite confusion and vulnerability. With a dagger drawn, for the stealth kills, and her M-1917 in hand, she awaited the newcomers' intentions.

As Integral and Nelaio traveled lazily down the road with their new prisoner in tow, they could hear shouting and much commotion some distance away in the woods. It sounded like at least a somewhat large group of people arguing and shouting at each other, though they couldn’t yet be seen through the thick foliage. Holding up a hand to Nelaio, she motioned for both of them to get on the side of the rode quickly. Raising her horse to a trot (Much to the resentment of the Goblin, no doubt) Integral tried hard to see what was going on. The trio continued down the road cautiously, ready for anything that might emerge. If they were lucky, perhaps they would slip past what seemed like a impending battle. Integral also had the strange feeling that they were being watched from afar…

Nelaio nodded and kept one hand on the horse's reins and the other on the handle of his sword while his horse followed Integral's lead upon Nelaio's command. The other, a younger horse, simply did as the others did.

The Goblin was mentally cursing at Integral for putting her horse into a pace that made it hard for him to keep up. He was considering screaming and seeing if those causing the commotion would be friends of Alucard and slaughter his captors. However if they weren't he risked getting himself killed by those up ahead.

A young blond man stepped out and intercepted them, holding a crossbow at his side. An infantryman stepped out beside him.

"Hi," he said. "where do you think you're sneaking off to? It would be polite to say hello. And who's your green friend?"

Nelaio put on a pleasant smile as the two men came out of the woods and onto the road, stopping them. "Hello there to you, good sir. Me and my daughter were simply returning to our village after a few months tracking some game across the countryside."

As the man asked him why he didn't say hello, he answered, "Well I figured best not to disturb the commotion in there. Its almost dusk and we need to find a prime camp site before we lose track of the road."

Nelaio mentally cursed to himself as the man questioned the presence of the Goblin and he cleared his throat as he got his thoughts straight. "Well you see we caught him trying to rob our camp site while we were sleeping some time back. We took him prisoner and seeing as we were so far out we decided to have him lead us home rather than spend more time with trial and error trying to get back."

OOC: Whoops wrong account. Sorry Roma V was me. My bad.

"firstly," Sau said dryly, "I was under the opinion that the goblins around here worked for the local nobility, whom i also heard are rather on the vengeful wavelength of things. Secondly, I've heard that hunting the game here is a crime punishable with rather gruesome penalties, unless, of course, you're nobility. Come now, you're not stupid, what were you really up to?"

Nelaio smiled. "You've done your homework. Goblins do indeed serve the Grand Count and the various Counts. However we caught this one. Just because they're servants doesn't mean they don't have hobbies, such as stealing, besides serving their masters."

"And secondly," he continued, "And hunting Wolves is illegal. Everything else is perfectly legal. We were tracking deer as I run a small butcher shop in my home village. I fail to see what else would "really" be up to."

Jack hand a Bear in sight of his Rilfe

"good i'll make some money off his fur"said Jack as he pulled the trigger firng two shoots at the head

"for several months?" Sau said. then: "Let me see the deer. perhaps I can buy some off you."

Integral glanced nervously from the two newcomers to Nelaio; her friend was giving good cover, but it didn’t look like the two men were buying it. She wrinkled her nose from under her mask; she really didn’t want to get in a fight right now. The healing process hadn’t quite finished from her last encounter, and even if the two men were as easy prey as she thought they might be, it would take a lot of effort to kill them. Her hand drifted slowly to her cloak, gripping the Goblin’s dagger tightly. If there was any trouble, Integral would no doubt have to protect Nelaio first; perhaps the goblin would make good cannon fodder, though…Integral was prepared to do whatever was necessary to save herself and her friend.

"So what are you really doing here?" Sau said. "Don't worry, we're not with Alucard, the old bastard."

Nelaio smiled at the stranger. "Feel free to check the boxs marked with red dots on them. Those are meats. You'll find i've already cleaved off the skin and fur."

That much Nelaio was not lying about. There were about four small boxes marked with red dots with fresh meats inside of them.

"Do you still doubt me?"

OOC: Ugh. Sorry that was me again.

It finally clicked to the werewolf that Matos told her to stay put. Thinking about it, she almost laughed.

"Sounded like she was giving me a command, like 'sit doggie, stay.' Well, I guess I'm a bad doggie. She might have to punish me lat---" she mentally smaked herself, "No, no, no, no. Stop, no. Bad thoughts, stick to the mission. Bad doggie, bad."

This was going to be rough. Hopefully things will work out here somehow, because this waiting was causing her mind to wonder. She gently smacked herself to get her mind focused. However, she couldn't help but catch the scent of meat, with the hint of birch. Obivously the meats were being transported in birch wood containers...seeing how these trees were clearly oak....or cedar...taxonomy never was a strong point.

"Oh? I thought this was a clearing that I was standing in, though it would be nice to see whom I am talking to."

Hurin trotted out and spoke to the commander. it would be best to keep some insurance in the trees.

"That one over there has more space, and there was just an altercation here. Two, actually. we need to move." Jellyfish would make quite an impression on them.
-----------
Sau took a look. He sighed.

"OK, move along," he said. Then: "wait. Where can we find Alucard?"

Maybe it would be a good idea to interrogate one of these soldiers at knife-point. A good dagger to someone's throat usually gets information quickly. And besides, noone told her not to...other than she usually does it any way. Grrr, it was difficult working as a team.

As her impatience grew, she started tracking soldiers close by that she could reach quickly and easily. She found one reletively close. One of the ones that she slipped past. She put away her gun, and weighing her options, she was stuck at an impass. If the other soldiers noticed the one out of place, it would put the others in danger, where as if she was by herself...well, it was probibly best that she didn't interrigate anyone right now. As much as she wanted to, and as much as it would help in the way of getting information, there were too many risks.

"Maybe I should scout the area for more people, or traps, or...stuff." she thought, then crushed it. Matos already asked her to stay put, and she ignored it. They both seemed to know what to do in situations like this, each with a different idea of how to go about doing it. The only difference was, the werewolf worked solo. "When this is over, we need to talk about the teamwork stuff."

Nelaio nodded his thanks to the man as he allowed them to continue. He stopped not too shortly after, however, as the man asked where Alucard was. "The Grand Count? Not too hard to find him. He doesn't leave Castle Dracula except in very rare cases. And as for the location of Castle Dracula no one has ever traveled there and came back alive. Rumors say its in the East however. I apologize for not knowing more. Good luck."

He waved goodbye to the two men before nudging his horse back into motion and nodding to Integral. The two continued down the path...

Only a few minutes after they left the strangers behind them, the sun could hold out no longer and passed beyond the mountains and darkness was upon them.

Nelaio wrinkles his nose in irritation and grasped his sword once more as a howl echoed across he valley. "The werewolves are out...", he muttered to Integral.

Their Goblin friend was cowering closely to the leg of the horse as it attempted to distance itself from the tree line.

The werewolf's ears perked slightly as the deep, resonating howls echoed through the woods. Oh, great. Maybe someone is going to shoot or stab her out of confusion..."Think positive," she willed herself, "They don't know me, so they shouldn't be too hasty...maybe."

At that, she suddenly caught the sent of some strangers, and a few 'friends' at the tree-line of the forest. "Ack! Stay here and watch out for the others, or see if those other people need help? Decisions, decisions." Sniffing the air a few more times, she concluded that they were: The Sau fellow she attempted to rescue, someone else from the camp, a man (most likely a farmer), a woman and....joy of joys, a goblin. The goblin might recognize her for what she was, but the others might not.

Thinking back on it, "Mathos and Mathae didn't need my help against the other werewolf, so they should be fine." she reasoned, and pulling out her M-1917, she quickly moved toward the other group.

Nelaio suddenly head motion in the woods around them and the Goblin reached up and clung to the underbelly of the horse as its teeth clattered in fear.

He signaled for Integral to stop and when he tried to focus on the movement his attentions changed to another sound. Behind them there was the soft pounding of horse hooves. And they were coming fast.

"Run." He simply said to Integral and before she could ask again he yelled "Run!" and kicked his horse into fast motion as the Death Knight emerged from the fog behind them.

Behind the Death Knight two Werewolves were leaping amongst the tree branches. He turned around and nodded and the two broke off to find the other group.

Nelaio breathed heavily as he looked over to see the Death Knight hugging the horse to increase his speed. He was gaining and fast. "Hyah!" he shouted to the horse as he flicked the reins encouragingly and it increased its pace.

Meanwhile...

The two Werewolves, cloaked in the shadows of the canopies, crawled across the branches like spiders with expert balance and silence. They hovered over the clearing where the dozen or so people were talking.

As she approached the egde of the woods, the werewolf heard hoofs against the dirt. She continued into a running leap as she jumped through the bushes and twisted herslef mid-air to face the horseman. Narrowing her eye-sight, like a scope, she aimed her M-1917 at the horse's front, right leg and fired. The horse fell forward as it's leg-joint exploded, partialy flipping into a forward barrel-roll, throwing the Death Knight from the horse. The Death Knight, however, landed face-first, the rest of his body still maintaining it's momentum as, in a sickening slow-motion, his body passed over his head, feet first, with a gut-clenching snap.

The Death Knight and it's horse lay still in a twisted, mangled position as the werewolf rolled into a crouching stance, gun trained on the Death Knight's chest. With her target sighted, she backed up to where the others were and asked what anyone else would, "Is everyone alright?" and with a bit of quick thinking, she put her smoked glasses back on before they could see her eye.

Nelaio stopped his horse and turned to face the woman "I thank you for the aid, stranger, but i'm afraid he's already dead."

He pointed towards the Death Knight who was slowly rising from the ground. It grasped its head and forcefully snapped it back into forward position, its eyes red with anger as it rolled its neck a bit before drawing its blade.

"So you're the ones who've been causing my master all this aggravation? A farmer and a pair of mercenaries? I shall share a good laugh with him when I sit your heads at his feet!", he said in a deep and hollow tone as he charged the woman with the gun, sword poised to strike.

"Ummm, no." said the stranger as she lifted the gun to one of the Death Knight's eyes and fired. The impact of the bullet knocked the head clear off of the shoulders and as the body continued forwards she dodged the blade swipes, grabbing the Death Knight's wrist, twisted, slipped behind the body while catching the ankle with her foot and as the body hit the ground she put a foot on the shoulder and tore the arm out of socket.

"How 'bout them apples, ya walking worm buffet," she snidley remarked, wrenching the sword from the fleshless fingers. Upon removing the skull from the helmet, she could tell the Knight held much contempt, as per the hole in the back of the skull and being disarmed. "Seems like the only head your master will be getting, is yours...if I'm generous." She looked back at the body, and decided it would be best to remove the other arm, which she promtly did, along with the fingers of each hand. "There, " she said, looking into the skull's sockets, "Not so tough now, are ya?"

Jack after laoading his pack horse with 12 fur pelts ,was now heading for a small town that was two days away to sell them

"hopefully when get some good money from this lot Mojo"Jack said to him as he walks next Jack

Nelaio watched as the woman expertly dispatched the Death Knight. However he feared their situation was not over when green vein like lines began to form along the skull.

A haze like green mist filled the eye sockets and the skull came to life. It began to speak however this time the voice was much more suave, young, and Human. "Congratulations. I must admit I first thought ridding myself of you pests would be easy. Now that I know what I'm up against things should go smoother. Trust me when I say I have more tricks up my sleeve. Now, do me a favor and give me a moment to memorize your faces...", he chuckled lowly as the the green glow in the sockets intensified.

"Destroy it!", Nelaio shouted at the woman.

"Ok," said the werewolf, crushing the skull in her hand, and pulling out a vile of holy water, put a small amount in her mouth and spit in out in a fine mist into the remains. "Does that help?" But just to be sure, she placed a silver cross in the the broken pile of bone, doused with holy water, and used a banishment rune set in the inside of her right gauntlet. "How about now?"

The Hansian Rangers had been riding all night. The two person party had been moving swiftly toward the corruption of this new land. The Rangers names were Jorgen and Amelia brother and sister from the wild lands of northern provinces of Hansia.

These curious youths had at young age decided to journey to the lands north beyond the bounds of the Hansian Empire to see the world and interact with nature in other realms. This realm however was dark and not naturally so. It seemed a dark presence had cursed this land and the creatures did not share the empathic link with the Rangers that normally came naturally to Amelia and Jorgen.

The Rangers were followed by a falcon that scanned the sky above them and a white wolf that chased them from behind protecting them from possible predators that would seek to hunt his companions. These were the animal companions of the brother and sister adventuring duo that had just entered into the dark woods of Neo-Dracule.

Jorgen was the first to speak upon halting his steed near a small creek, “Amelia, I believe this land is cursed by a dark presence!”

Amelia the younger of the group replied, “I felt it as well dear brother. I believe we must find the source of this unnatural evil and destroy it..”

Jorgen smiled and replied, “That we shall my dear sister! Come we have work to do…”

The horses began to race from the ravine towards the nearest village with the goal of meeting the locals to find out what was wrong with this cursed land. The wolf and falcon followed watching for the undead and strange wolves that seemed to be eyeing their charges….

Integral looked curiously at the near-obliviated remains of the Death Knight. She had heard of such creatures, and was under the impression that they were remarkably hard to kill. She had a feeling that they were not done with this particular undead...but perhaps the other womans enchantments had actually done the trick.

Still, Integral was afraid. The Death Knight had looked straight into her eyes, and no doubt sent her image back to his vile master-Grand Count Alucard himself. Would the vampire recognize her face as the one he had killed years ago? She shivered at the thought of being a personal interest to the evil count. Shaking the fear off and adjusting her mask, she turned to all three newcomers and curtsied politely.

"Thank you for you help, strangers." She glanced at Nelaio before continuing. "My name is Integral Aspri; I am a professional assassin and vampire hunter. My companion and I are tracking Grand Duke Alucard himself, to see that he is brought to justice for the crimes he's committed against this nation...and against me." She hoped she appeared as non-threatening as possible. Probably should have taken the mask off... "This goblin is a cruel slaver who we found some ways down the road; after liberating his female cargo and sending them on their way, he offered himself as a guide to the Grand Count's castle."

Mathae saw the werewolf out of the corner of his eye and shot at it three times.

Hurin rode Jellyfish straight at the other werewolf, which had leaped out of the tree at Mathae. Matos prepared to use some serious spells to dispatch her adversaries. maybe it was time to leave the business.
---------------------
Sau and Galad stepped forward.

"if he has our faces, we had better leave," said Sau.

"If anyone wants to escape, we're still close to the border now," added Galad.

OOC: I'm going to have to ask you politely, Mirktree, not to play my characters.

Within the depths of Castle Dracula...

Alucard grinned as the large orb on the pedestal in the middle of the large chamber went gray as the skull was destroyed. "So these faces are not all that unfamiliar as I thought.

He walked over to a wall where three blank canvases within frames were hung upon the wall. He touched one and the werewolf's face appeared on it. "One of my experiments gone rogue. Seems only appropriate fate would send her my way ..."

He walked over to the middle canvas and touched it. The gray came alive as it painted a handsome portrait of Nelaio. "A renegade peasant who thinks he can change the ways of this land..."

And finally he stopped at the third one and touched it, Integral's portrait appearing on it. He smiled and softly and gently caressed her cheek with the back of his hand. "And you...I have waited a long time to meet you...I look forward to meeting you..."

He stepped back and smirked before moving for the exit of the room.

OOC: Sorry, my mistake

OOC: Its alright. You can sense they're there. Maybe fire an arrow or two. But as to whether they get hit or not and their movements is my choice.

ooc: fixed it

"I sure hope he didn't get my face. I really don't need to meet 'Daddy' after all this time. Well, I've been dodging this for well over...well it was a long time." thought the werewolf, and looking at the girl in the fox mask she said, "You're welcome for the help, and you're more than welcome to travel with us." snapping her attention to the others that were present, "All of you are welcome to travel with us."

She began looking Integral up and down, savoring every curve and detail...till a familiar sent caught her attention. It seemed to be coming from Integral, and she had to be sure. "We'll be going in a second, but first..." she pointed a finger at the fox-masked woman and beckoned her closer, "may I have a word with you in private?"

ooc fast forward the trip here

Ic
Jack enter the town with Mojo at his side

"well we here now guess best ask someone who i can sell the furs to" Jack say to mojo

"woof"

"here he'll do" Jack said befoer walking up to the man he stips

"greeting sir do you know someone i can sell my furs to?" Jack asked

Integral debated quietly with herself; extra help was always a godsend against vampires and undead, but she considered this a personal vendetta; she knew that the vast majority of warriors and assassins she had or would meet would not be up to the challenge of killing the Count. Still, she could always use the weaker ones as cannon fodder if the going ever got tough.

Integral turned as the other woman asked to speak with her. She eyed the woman’s gun. An interesting weapon…I hope this girl is more than just a good shot, though…Nodding to Nelaio, she beckoned the girl to walk and talk with her.

“Yes? What is it?”

Clearing her throat, she nodded towards the woods, "I know you don't exactly trust me, but we need a more...private space than this." looking at Integral's chest, then looking her in the fox-mask eyes, "trust me, I won't try anything." thinking about the implications of that last statement, she blushed.

Giving the woman a very quizzical look, Integral nodded and led the pair to just inside the treeline. Keeping her hands close to her weapons, she turned once more and stared the woman down, wondering what was coming. She was almost certain the girl was not dumb enough to attack her like this, although she didn’t think of her new acquaintance as anything close to an enemy either.

“Please hurry up, madam. I would like to continue my journey as soon as possible.

"Ok, please bare with me, but I have to ask you to remove your shirt." asked the werewolf, looking rather uncomfortable asking. "Depending on things, this shouldn't take too long." "So long as I can stifle my urges long enough to take a look at your wound." she thought. "Besides, it's been at least...umm...well, three months, but that's pretty good for a werewolf. That aside, it really is urgent that the wound is taken care of."

Then the thought hit her, "She doesn't know I know she has a wound. She never told me!" which was followed closely by, "Damn it! Now she probibly thinks I'm a sick person," which was replaced with, "Or I have informed her that I'm homosexual," but what scared her, was the one thought, "She probably thinks I'm one of the enemy."

Integral paused for a moment, unsure of herself; she wasn’t used to revealing her body to random women in the middle of forests. Still, it didn’t entirely disposition her. She had taken many lovers over the years, including several women, so the thought of such contact didn’t really bother her. Still keeping one hand on her saber hilt, she tugged at her jerkin, exposing her breasts and upper abdomen, as well as the slash marks from her previous fight; her body quivered slightly as a gust of wind blew around the pair. Just don’t take too long…

The werewolf's face flushed and desire hit her hard. It had only been three months, but it was too long for her. Taking one look at Integral's exposed upper body sent a ravenous pang through her body, heart-rate skyrocketed, breath quickened. She leaned on a tree to try and get her groundings, but the wolf wanted, and it was fighting the human retraints she was trying to place on it.

"Well, it seems that you...have been..." Oh god, this was going to be harder than she thought. She tried to fight it, but her hand ignored her brain, and gently stroked the wound. "It's only been three months! Please don't let this get out of control." she pleaded with herself. "Well," she tried to catch her breath, "Get it together, you flea-bitten mutt! she mentally screamed.

"Your wound...was inflicted by, damn it," gathering her composure, "When a vampire is...in a transformed state, their claws...produce an identification chemical. This allows them to track their targets," she said, slowing her pulse and breathing, "This can also be tracked by werewolves. I'll need to...take a closer...look, check how...deep the the wounds...are," she said, moving her face closer to the wound as her wolf broke loose, and she was helpless to stop it. She stuck out her tounge and licked the wound...

Mathae saw the werewolf out of the corner of his eye and shot at it three times.

Hurin rode Jellyfish straight at the other werewolf, which had leaped out of the tree at Mathae. Matos prepared to use some serious spells to dispatch her adversaries. maybe it was time to leave the business.

The Werewolf under arrow fire snarled in anger as two arrows got stuck in the many branches and the third pierced it lower abdomen. It ripped it out painlessly and chucked it aside carelessly. It leaped from branch to branch before diving towards Mathae.

Its companion, who was now faced with a foe on horse back, grinned something akin to a human's and charged the creature and leapt at its legs in an attempt to unhorse Hurin.

Meanwhile...

Nelaio watched as the stranger led Integral into the forest. While he was sure she could handel herself she was still wounded and the stranger seemed well versed in combat. A bit unnaturally so...

He hoped off the horse and looked down to see his Goblin companion scratching at his head. "You have good ears, right? Any idea what they're saying?"

The Goblin shrugged lazily. "Something about shirts and vampire scratches. Hell if I care..."

Nelaio, who considered thwacking the creature for being so rude, held back his urges as he instead approached the trees and listened closely for bits of their conversation if any.

Integral gave a squeak as the girl suddenly licked her naked flesh-out of surprise or pleasure, she wasn’t sure. Putting a hand on the woman’s head, she pulled her in closer, enveloping the werewolf in her body. Just don’t bite down…and there’s nothing to worry about. Glancing around the forest nervously, she smiled at the girl who was licking her wound, moving her hand to her stiletto. She would have to act fast if this went the wrong way.

“The vampire who gave me this is already dead…” Integral gave another muffled squeak as the girl’s tongue darted across her chest again. “I don’t know what you’re trying to do…”

ooc Neo-Dracule could you do the man or wise i'am just rping by myself here

OOC: Sorry about that. Forgot to add my reply for that.

The man who looked to be somewhere in his 50's looked over his shoulder at the man. "Furs you say? Let me be the first to congratulate you. Usually the Count would've taken them for himself by now. Do yourself a favor and keep them hidden."

He looked around for a moment, as if checking for watchers, and said, "I'll buy one off of you if you don't mind. The nights seem to get colder and colder these days. I'll need something beyond cotton and wool blankets. How much?", he asked with a pleasant smile.

The werewolf looked up from her licking and tore off her smoked glasses, tossing them aside. Looking into Integral's mask, her illuminated yellow werewolf eye set ablaze with unbridled desire, pure werewolf wanton lust and, as the human side realized her...actions were not being rejected, her wolf side eased into her human side, barely giving it conscious control, and in a voice both wolf and human, she uttered a low, sensual werewolf growl, "I want you," and pulled Integral into her, wrapping her arms around her and locking her lips onto Integral's left breast, slowly licking and kissing a path to the nape of her neck. The werewolf's fingers were softly stroking her bare back as she lowered Integral to the ground.

Damn... Integral tried to reach for her dagger, but felt her fingers weakening as the werewolf began to pleasure her body. She removed her mask quickly, pulling the girl into a tight kiss, grasping her new lover's body tightly, feeling every crevice and curve of smooth flesh...Suddenly she gained control of herself, despite the enormous amount of satisfaction she was getting from all this.

"We must save this for later, dear..." Integral suddenly was pushing the werewolf off her, buttoning her clothes back up. "Nelaio will be looking for me, and I can't stray from my mission. Perhaps at another time..." She breathed heavily, nearly gasping. Integral fixed her mask back on and swirled around, walking back to the road...

OOC: Sorry about that. Forgot to add my reply for that.

The man who looked to be somewhere in his 50's looked over his shoulder at the man. "Furs you say? Let me be the first to congratulate you. Usually the Count would've taken them for himself by now. Do yourself a favor and keep them hidden."

He looked around for a moment, as if checking for watchers, and said, "I'll buy one off of you if you don't mind. The nights seem to get colder and colder these days. I'll need something beyond cotton and wool blankets. How much?", he asked with a pleasant smile.

"what who are you talking about,oh how much you want to pay"said Jack who not heard of the count as he was living out it woods from the time he entered the nation

The wolf refused to back off, she wanted more, but the promise of a continuation later gave the human the strength to pull back, however, it was a tight match, and her body began to shake violently with the internal struggle. "She promised that it would be saved for later," she reasoned with the wolf. "It's been so long since I've felt a woman's touch!" screamed the wolf, "I want more! Now!" the human side softley spoke to the wolf, "And she promised to continue later, now didn't she?"

The wolf cooled down a little, and after some time she responded, "She did." The human brightened, "And she's worth the wait, yes?" and the wolf also perked up with excitement, "Yes, yes, yes. She is indeed worth it." "Then--"

The human never got to complete the thought, as the smell of werewolf blood caught her nose, and a primal, territorial instinct jumped into place...and it was close...two of them, both were male. She turned to Integral and stroked her beautiful red hair, "Darling," she growled in the same, sensual voice, "There are a few werewolves nearby that need to be...eliminated. I'll be right back," and kissing Integral with the remaining sexual fire she had, the werewolf pulled away with bloodlust in her eyes.

The werewolves had invaded her territory...and they had to die...she didn't want Integral to see what she was about to do. She turned, and lept into the forest, the combined human and wolf aspects gave her a strength, agility, speed and ferocity that Alucard's experiment was meant to achieve, however, with a draw-back that even he didn't expect...

With an animalistic roar, she jumped, kicked off of a tree and silently perched in the branches, where she found her first werewolf victim. Teeth bared and muscles tensed, she lept at him, mouth open to rip out his throat.

(OOC: Apologies for the late reply...been busy)

The Morridane soldiers were cuaght off guard by the werewolf, causing them to give up their hiding places and forming a small formation in order to create something akin to a wall of gunfire at anything that came for them.

The Werewolves halted their assaults and grinned as they sensed their kinswoman near.

They were not aware she was so close and one of them grunted as the she-wolf came into contact with him. Before she could finish him, his brother leapt at her and tackled her off of him, claws poised to strike.

With the ability to stand the other Werewolf let out a loud howl that echoed across the valley. It was not long before low growls could be heard all around the clearing and a large packs of wolves emerged from the forest.

"Fire at will!" Was shouted and a hail of gunfire from the Morridanes greeted the wolves.

This was an odd situation that she was in. Not that she hadn't expected it, but nearly counted on it, and the way he was positioned when the second werewolf tackled her was too good to be true. With his arms around her waist and his head right below her chest, she put her right hand in a firm grip around his upper jaw and her left hand around his lower jaw, a viscious smile curving her features with rage and anger as she pulled them apart with relative ease, blood splattering her face and armor.

Mathae shot again, sending the arrow right through the other werewolf and pinning it to the ground. Jellyfish trotted over and stomped on it a few times. If that hadn't killed it, maybe they would be leaving sooner than expected. As it was, though, repeated strikes from diamond-shod unicorn hooves...

Matos decided to settle the matter by setting the werewolf's fur on fire.

The Werewolf whose jaw had been ripped open whimpered in agony and fled into the forest. The gun shots and the quick deaths of their pack mates forced the primitive wolves back into the shadows.

The other Werewolf died a slow and painful death as the Unicorn stamped it to death.

"what who are you talking about,oh how much you want to pay"said Jack who not heard of the count as he was living out it woods from the time he entered the nation

"Ontop of a daily sacrifice of two of our fellows Count Balthazar takes anything he wishes from us. Usually valuables such as furs and metals. This is to prevent us from getting too wealthy.", explained the man to the stranger.

He knew he was risking his life by telling the man this, but he felt much better telling the man what he should know rather than find out the hard way.

"I have only a little money in our own currency. I'm a lumberjack so you can imagine I don't have much."

Hurin picked up his recurve bow and rode alongside the pack of wolves. he could sense them starting to panic- no wild animal with any trace of brain left would attack a unicorn, unless they were rabid and dying of starvation. these specimens looked rather healthy to him. it was a pity, he thought, as he began systematically killing those nearest to him. He liked wolves. Jellyfish shared no such thoughts, kicking and goring with glee.

Sau and Galad wandered back into the clearing.

"well, that was interesting," Galad began.
Sau added, "we need to find a way to deal with the goblin prisoner. Now."

Mathae walked over to the deathwatch.

"Don't waste your bullets, they're going," he said. Wolf carcasses littered the ground. they could be used for a lot of things, such as fur and magic. Matos apparently thought the same thing.

"We get the ones we killed," she called.

Her kill was not going to escape, so she charged after him and tackled him to the ground, sinking her theeth into the soft flesh of his neck. As soon as he hit the ground under the assault, she tore into him with rage and after prying open the werewolf's rib-cage and devouring the heart, she stood up, silver hair nearly matted with blood, dripping from her chin and finger-tips. She returned to the clearing and faced the others, the bright illumination fading from her yellow eye, "Is everyone ok?" she asked, returning to a state of normalcy.

Sau quietly started to retch. although Galad had never seen worse behavior in his life, he had seen worse injuries, so he was able to control himself. Hurin thankfully had not seen that, as he was delivering the coup de grace to the wounded wolves. Mathae had shut his eyes and was whispering a prayer to every deity he could imagine.

Matos was clinging to Mathae, but she at least had the ability to respond.

"Well, nobody's wounded, so i suppose so," she responded. "But we are all seeking shelter, and we are seeking it NOW. And bring the goblin,we need to decide his fate,' she added. She also needed to have a group discussion of what to do about Fenra- cannibalism was not acceptable behavior.

"Ok, let's have a talk with some of our newest friends," and she stopped. Integral would freak if she returned looking like this. "Is there a stream or river near by? I need to make a short...errr...I need to clean up." looking down at herself, she began wiping the blood off, to no success, and collapsing to her knees, she started cryinging, still trying to wipe the blood off.

"three miles that way,' said Mathae, flicking his finger to point behind his back. He was actually being honest here, that was the only one available. he briefl considered sending Sau to wash up with her- vomit did not make for a good taste in the mouth- but he felt that would be too cruel, so he loaned him a waterskin instead.

"Everybody listen up," he called out louder. "We have a safe cavern, with some divisions for rooms, which our king created before we came for our shelter. You are all welcome to come with me there. guys in the band, you have to come with us there." that elicited a faint chuckle from his men. "Remember, Matos and i get the main sleeping room, and everyone else gets to argue it out. now grab what you need, and move out!" He started to lead his band, jellyfish, carrying several dead wolves, along in the opposite direction as the water.

Nelaio stepped into the clearing and quirked a brow at the carnage all around, his attentions then focusing on the array of strangers gathered. He pulled on the rope and the awkward Goblin stumbled forward out of the brush, snarling at Nelaio with contempt.

He went silent though as he too noticed the many strangers, especially those with firearms. "No wonder Alucard's forces came in such large forces. So many people in one spot might as well be a star in the middle of the forest...", Nelaio muttered under his breath.

"So...who might you all be?", he asked.

"Well, you know who Galad and Sau are," said Matos, as they walked along. "I'm in charge of this little band- sharing the job anyway- and while we would love to say and chat, we're moving to a safehouse right now. Come with us if you want, and take th goblin. We can't have it running around."

"Oh, god," thought the werewolf, "It's that farmer, wich means Integral must be close behind!" She quickly uncapped the water-skin and poured it on herself, desperatly trying to remove the blood before Integral had a chance to look at her.

Sau quickly washed up with his own waterskin before it could be snatched away too.

"You've still got a bit- everywhere," Matos said to the werewolf.

"I'll ask my companion what she thinks of staying the night. And thank you for sharing your names. My own is Nelaio. Don't worry about the Goblin. I've got him held in my strongest hand", he said as he smiled and gestured to his left hand.

She started crying, putting her face in her hands, "I didn't want to...I just couldn't stop myself. Please, don't let her see me like this." she begged, grabbing onto Mathos' hands. "Please." tears streaming down her face, "I'm not a monster." she looked to Nelaio, eyes pleading.

"Run off, and wash up," said Matos, as soothingly as was possible for the situation. "then get to the," she leaned closer, so no one could hear who wasn't supposed to, "windmill near the field a mile and a half that way. we'll see you." she then spoke louder. "OK, guys, let's go. Deathwatch! are you coming?"

The werewolf's eyes brightened a little and she nodded slightly. With a final tightening on Mathos' hands, she released them and headed towards the river. She gave a final look of gratitude to Mathos, and disappeared into the woods. "I am not a monster. I can't help what i am." she thought to herself, "But I can do better."

Hurin could not stop Jellyfish from trotting several feet after the werewolf, snorting furiously. Finally he calmed down and turned back. the band started off, hoping the others would follow.

Mathae walked over to Matos and discreetly bent his head.
"Does she stay?" he asked.
"I don't know," she replied worriedly. "the group needs to talk."
---------------------------
A short time later- they were moving fast- they and those who had chosen to follow them were securely in the safehouse, packed with supplies.

OOC: sorry if it's too fast, thought we should move the pace along

Stevens frowned when the ranger asked the Deathwatch to come with him and his group to which the Captain responsed. "I'm afraid my dear sir that we have to take our leave of you and your band, I have my orders and we've scarely two days to complete them before we get picked up."

In ten minutes time, she had made it to the river...and saw what had disgusted them so. She was covered with blood, bits of gore in her hair, on her cheeks, and her nails had flesh under them. Flesh, bone and fur was splayed about her armor...she really was a monster, and throwing herself into the river, she floated face-down for some time before flipping to face the night sky.

"They saw what was done." she thought bitterly, "They think I'm disgusting, I could smell it from Sau, as he could not retain his food. The looks they gave me." she scolded herself. "You are a monster, and the windmill is probably to be your death." she concluded, but the wolf's pride would not be with-held, "Then they will know the fury of a werewolf, and shall not walk away without knowing what we can do. If We go to our death, then a glorious death it shall be!"

She let her feet touch the bottom, and she walked to the shore, and removing her armor, she cleand the last bit of blood and gore from her body and armor. Picking up a small tool kit, she set to fixing her M29. Taking all of six minutes repairing it, she reloaded both guns, readied her daggers, put her armor back on, and had her saber straped to her back. Taking a few moments to prepare herself mentally for a possible fight, she set off for the windmill. She hoped she was wrong, for Integral's sake. But she was no stranger to betrayal, 'hope for the best, prepare for the worst.'

"of course," said mathae. "Good luck, stay alive."
------------------
The band of five huddled in one room. they were discussing the werewolf problem.

"so what the fuck do we do?" asked Mathae.
"Why did we take her along again?" asked Sau dourly.
"My own bleeding heart," answered Matos sadly. Mathae wrapped an arm around her.
"That's over now," he said. "What do we do now that we know?"
"this can't go on, that's for sure," said Hurin. "jellyfish can't stand here, i could barely keep him from killing her too after the fight."
"well, it seems that either she's to be ostracized or completely driven out," said Galad. "or killed."
"too dangerous," said Matos. "Fenra can fight very well." Nobody asked for any clarification- they all understood the Fenrir reference.
"I think we'll have to push her out of the group somehow," mathae said. Nobody disagreed. "we'll leave her with some supplies and directions to Alucard's place and send her off eventually, but it seems like she'll have to stay the night."
"All in favor?" asked matos.
A collective "Aye," was released.

The werewolf stopped right outside the windmill. "What's the point? They don't need me. And they're more than likely going to leave me behind or something...or kill me, in which case, I'll be forced to kill them all...wonderful. Integral probably knows, so whatever relationship we might have had is gone. Well, I'll never know unless I hear it from them." and with that, she knocked on the door to the windmill. Tears welling up in her eyes.

A trapdoor opened up in the ground nearby.

"Come in," whispered Matos.

She walked over to Mathos and stopped at the entrance, "You know, I've given it some thought, and I'd like you to call me Kate. It's was what my father...err, Alucard named me." looking nervous. Then stepped through, hands prepared to start shooting or stabbing if the need arose.

OOC: She posted already, she's at the windmill.

"Ok then, Kate," said Matos. She led her in, closing, locking, and enchanting the door behind her. She pointed her to a small room at the end and went off for a serious brainstorming session with Mathae- one which required a locked bedroom door apparently.

OOC: Er..shit...missed it by a few posts. Want to ignore it or...?

ooc: yeah, let's ignore the post (yours, i mean). Sorry about that, if I hadn't chosen to let her in just a few seconds before you noticed...

OOC: Its fine.

"Ontop of a daily sacrifice of two of our fellows Count Balthazar takes anything he wishes from us. Usually valuables such as furs and metals. This is to prevent us from getting too wealthy.", explained the man to the stranger.

He knew he was risking his life by telling the man this, but he felt much better telling the man what he should know rather than find out the hard way.

"I have only a little money in our own currency. I'm a lumberjack so you can imagine I don't have much."

"sound like a SOB and yur you don't really get much for cutting down trees just give me 20 and tell me a place i can get food that i don't need to hunt down for, warm bed and drink" Jack asid as he pats Mojo

ooc: sorry wrong thread

The man reached into his pocket and pulled out a dozen or so golden coins. Each side had a rather unnerving eye on it. He counted them out and handed them to the man. "There's fifty in our currency. Not sure how much its worth to you." He shrugged and then smiled as the man asked for a place to stay.

"See that big building down the road?", he asked as he pointed down the road dirt road. "That's a friend of mine's bar. But he runs a small living space in the back room for travelers such as yourself. Tell him Mathias sent you and he'll rent it out to you free of charge. Take care of yourself", he said with a smile as patted the man on the shoulder, took the fur, and headed back to his original route.

ooc: are the 2 others in the shelter?

The Deathwatch soldiers parted from the party of rangers and set off following signposts and dirt track roads until they reached some nameless village.

Of course the sight of armed soldiers entering town stirred up a bit of a response, chiefly in the form of the villagers eyeing down the newcomers from the safety of their windows and doorways. The Morridane troops held their rifles close half expecting trouble, something which Stevens felt would happen soon thanks to the rising atomsphere present round the village. He gestured for his men to halt when they reached a village square of sorts, then he walked calmly into the middle of the sqaure before saying out loud. "You have nothing to fear from us, I merely wish to speak with your mayor or whoever is in charge of this fair village?"

The people cowered further as the man began shouting for their leader. They shrunk back further at the mention of this and the voice of suave man answered: "I am", from behind them.

As the troops turned to face him he had a wide frame yet still towered over most normal men at 6'2". His face was short, round, and strong. And his hair was pale white much like the pale color of his skin, with eyes of deep blue.

He smirked and bowed slowly. "Allow me to introduce myself. I am Count Balthazar. Servant to the immortal Grand Count Alucard and Lord over these people. How may I help you?"

OOC: Posting Ravea's postas he requested I do so.

Integral shook her head sadly as the werewolf plunged into battle. I hate to break her heart…She doesn’t even know I’m using her yet…at least she’ll be useful for a few good lays before her father kills her. Which should give me the opening I need...for a clean kill.

Integral was not a cold-hearted person by nature, but wasn’t going to let the opportunity slip her by. She wasn’t above manipulation of any sort to achieve her goals, or in this case, her only goal: The destruction of Vampire Alucard. Even if it meant killing all of her companions in the process-except perhaps Nelaio-Alucard would lay dead at her feet, and not anyone else. Of course, she knew that the girl was a werewolf from the start-the eye gave it away. Waiting a few minutes for the battle to draw to a close, she calmly walked around the forest, listening intently. Her new lover fought ferociously, as did nearly everyone else in the area. Perhaps she had underestimated the group…

She heard the sounds of battle die quickly, and arrived at the kill zone just a tad too late. Following the numerous tracks leading away from the brawl, she came to a windmill and knocked on the door. I wonder where Nelaio is…

Stevens turned round to face Balthazar and saluted. "Captain Stevens, Morridane Deathwatch. I am here on a task to find out certain persons that inhabit this fair realm, chiefly the vampire counts that lord over these...fair people."

Matos saw her through a magical keyhole. She had devoted her life to practical spells like this.

"the girl- Integral- is late. And she chose to come right as we were getting started. Do we let her in?"

'Not right now," Mathae replied comfortably. Let's just watch her overnight and see if anything suspicious happens. This guy Alucard is good. She may be a mole."

Count Balthazar laughed heartily at something he found amusing. "My good man there's not been a vampire in Neo-Dracule since the death of the last Dracula. What makes you think there are any now?"

OOC: And here's my response for Ravea.

Nelaio had returned to their convoy to find Integral missing. The Goblin was equally puzzled. "Integral!", he shouted into the forest. "Integral where are you?", he followed up with.

He decided to wander back to the site where the battle was fought. Most of the bodies were missing and he couldn't find any sign of the band or Integral.

He sighed and looked around. He spotted a trail of blood from the dead bodies being dragged and began to follow it. However, he was oblivious to the world around him as he focused hard not to lose track of the trail.

His attentions broke when he heard the distant tune of a violin. Curious, he began to close on it as it got louder and louder.

He had finally got within visual range of the source and found a young woman with red hair much like Integral's sitting on a stump carved into the shape of a seat. She didn't seem to notice his approach.

Finally, mustering the courage, he stepped forward and touched her shoulder softly. "Excuse me...", he began. But he was quickly cut off when the woman turned around and screeched loudly at him. Her maw opened unnaturally wide and she revealed her accentuated canines. His eyes widened with terror and he grabbed the Goblin into his arms and broke off into a furious run. "Integral!", he shouted. "Integral!!", he shouted again with more panic.

The vampire female had gone airborne now in her form and was catching up to Nelaio with relative ease as she spun and dodged branches and trees.

Nelaio repeatedly cussed under his breath as his legs burned and his heart thumped wildly. His hopes began to rise as he spotted a windmill in the distance. Encouraged, he pushed himself harder and faster.

"Our Intelligance Service were quite certain and you did just say the immortal Grand Count Alucard. Which I have been informed that inmortally can only be obtained of one of two ways, I very much doubt that anyone has discovered the Elixar Vitae, I believe I've said that right, and you can pretty much guess the other..." Stevens let the last sentance hang in the air whilst a small smirk spread across his face.

Mathae saw Nalaio running towards them first. He and Matos both cursed loudly. then their soft sides prevailed and they decided to rescue him. Matos quickly pulled on her pants and wrapped a sheet around herself and knotted it. Mathae slipped on pants and cloak in a few seconds. then they ran out and alerted everyone else in the safehouse.

Mathae turned to the werewolf.
"You," he said.
"Kate," interjected Matos.
"Now is not the time. Anyway, I've noticed you have this remarkable tendency to live. Now do you remember the terms upon which you chose to travel with us? get out there and kill that flying bitch. We'll step in if necessary. Actually, Hurin? Get on Jellyfish and use your bow too"

Integral looked behind her, alarmed as she saw her good friend and the pathetic goblin slaver running from a high-flying vampire. Damn…I’m not fully healed yet either…guess I’ll have to do my best. Withdrawing her sword and pick, she rushed to the aid of Nelaio. In one swift motion, she tossed the pick up in the air, withdrew the spare Goblin dagger she had taken from the slaver, and threw it as accurately as she could at her foe, catching the pick in the next instant.

“Get DOWN, Nelaio! Hide as quickly as you can!” She looked curiously at the vampire…she looked familiar, somehow…

Hurin acted quickly and was outside as fast as he could be. He fired three arrows very accurately at the vampire- you had to be accurate and be able to factor in motion to do horseback archery.

Jellyfish was prancing and snorting viciously. The sign of the cross had been drawn on his chest a few seconds ago, and that combined with a general fear a unicorn struck into wicked creatures would keep Hurin safe. he waited for the werewolf to cover him- he hoped.

The man reached into his pocket and pulled out a dozen or so golden coins. Each side had a rather unnerving eye on it. He counted them out and handed them to the man. "There's fifty in our currency. Not sure how much its worth to you." He shrugged and then smiled as the man asked for a place to stay.

"See that big building down the road?", he asked as he pointed down the road dirt road. "That's a friend of mine's bar. But he runs a small living space in the back room for travelers such as yourself. Tell him Mathias sent you and he'll rent it out to you free of charge. Take care of yourself", he said with a smile as patted the man on the shoulder, took the fur, and headed back to his original route.

Jack head off to the building an heads in to the bar

"here i was seny here by Mathias" jacksait to the person at the Bay as Mojo sits down next to him

The vampiress cackled as she spun and dove and ducked as she avoided the arrow fire. She paused briefly to get a good look at those below her and her gaze drifted to Integral. Her eyes widened and she was distracted long enough for Two airs to pierce her right wing and the dagger to cut her heel.

She plummeted into the trees below with a shriek of pain. Nelaio, who had sprinted all the way behind the windmill, peeked out behind a crate, The Goblin following suit.

...

Jack head off to the building an heads in to the bar

"here i was seny here by Mathias" jacksait to the person at the Bay as Mojo sits down next to him

The bald and portly man nodded and quietly motioned the stranger behind the bar. They took a brief walk through the kitchen and he stopped at a door. He pulled a ring of keys off of his belt and flipped through a few before picking a copper one.

He stuffed it into the lock on the door and forced it open. The inside was small but quaint. A simple bed of straw, a pillow, and a blnket on a bed frame was the bed, a large wooden tub sat in a corner, a small nightstand made of rickety wood nailed together one too many times sat next to the bed with an overused candle on it.

"If you need to eat, help yourself from the kitchen. If you need to drink, the cellar where I keep all the casks and kegs. If you need anything else come up front and let me know. But be subtle about it. There's some suck-ups to the Count that make regular trips to my bar", he said before walking back to the front.

"Ok, I'll do what I can," replied Kate, and she lept into the forest to track the vampiress. "This is most awkward. How can I get around to admitting to them I'm not really a werewolf, per-say? I mean there really isn't a name for what I am to be honest. And father, Alucard, I hope that I can help him. He really isn't bad, I guess. He just has a narrow point of view about people, especially after what they did to mom."

While sifting through her thoughts, there she was. The vampiress had reverted back to a red-haired human for and the first thing that came to mind was shock. "Viridiana?" inquired Kate as she looked into the visage of her former lover. The vampiress was also stunned to see Kate, staring at her with bright green eyes, "It is you." whispered Viridiana in surprise, "I thought they had taken you prisoner. I came to rescue you." and with that, she ran to embrace Kate, pulling her into a passionate kiss.

"Oh my god, Kate. I missed you so much. I had heard that your father's Nobles put a...well, they're out for your head." said Viridiana with a mournful face. "I know," replied Kate, "I know that one of them has been killed so far, so I need to find the others. I think Balthazar is the closest." Viridiana looked taken aback, "The humans you travel with, they weren't holding you against your will?" and then preceaded to cover her mouth, "Oh, no." Kate put her hands on the young, well relatively young, vampiress' shoulders, "Don't worry, we may be able to work things out with them, however, I'm on thin ice as it is. I get the feeling they're going to send me on my way come dawn."

Viridiana was affronted, "Why? Are they being their typical stupid human selves?" said Viridiana. "In a way, they are. I can't blame them. It's in their nature to be fearful." "And it's in their nature to kill what they are afraid of. I swear, if they harm you, I'll..." Viridiana clenched her fists to finish her statement.

Both of them heard the shifting of the diamond-hooved unicorn, and Kate turned towards the sound, "Hurin, I ask that you hold your fire. Please, we can work this out. She is good, and she will not harm anyone so long as you don't attempt to hurt her or me. Let the others know that we need to talk, please."

OOC: I was actually intending it be someone else, Black Kat. Sorry ^^". But I suppose we can weave her into the storyline eventually. Just not at the moment. Is that alright?

The bald and portly man nodded and quietly motioned the stranger behind the bar. They took a brief walk through the kitchen and he stopped at a door. He pulled a ring of keys off of his belt and flipped through a few before picking a copper one.

He stuffed it into the lock on the door and forced it open. The inside was small but quaint. A simple bed of straw, a pillow, and a blnket on a bed frame was the bed, a large wooden tub sat in a corner, a small nightstand made of rickety wood nailed together one too many times sat next to the bed with an overused candle on it.

"If you need to eat, help yourself from the kitchen. If you need to drink, the cellar where I keep all the casks and kegs. If you need anything else come up front and let me know. But be subtle about it. There's some suck-ups to the Count that make regular trips to my bar", he said before walking back to the front.

"yer fine just want some soup and beer"said Jack as he drop the furs on to the floor
"an meat for the wolf" he added

OOC: alright. btw Neo-Dracula, this is in response to your OOC. It's ok.

Then, something occured to her, not something she could directly point out, but, Kate didn't remember Viridiana having red hair. She was brunette, making this one...She turned to the imposter, "Who are you? You're not my Viridiana." and with that a hand gripped Kate's throat as she was slammed into the nearest tree. Stars and flashes burst in front of her eyes as a fist connected with the side of her face.

Jellyfish rushed up and smashed his hooves at the vampire's face. Hurin had swapped out his bow for his lance- emblazoned with little crucifixes for this trip- and thrust at her.

OOC: Please no godmoding, Mirktree. Atleast give my character a chance to be able to dodge your attacks.

OOC: I wasn't. I said they smashed and thrust "at" her, i never said they hit or anything.

Falling to her knees, Kate choughed and sputtered, rubbing her sore neck. "Thanks Jellyfish," she wheezed. Taking up her saber, she prepared to attack, but fell to her knees again as her vision when black, fading to outlines traced in a deep red color, then speckles of bright blue, white and yellow danced through the darkness.

"Shit," thought Kate, "My vision is all screwed up." Taking a few deep breaths, color started to flow back into her sight, doubling her vision horribly. Meanwhile, the diamond-hooved unicorn and it's rider, Hurin, distracted the vampiress. Smacking herself to set her vision as close to straight as possible, she pulled out her M-1917, and shot the vampiress in the right shoulder, quite a way away from her heart.

"Damn it," muttered Kate, putting her gun away. Her vision wasn't good enough right now to use a gun. So she pulled out her runed, silver dagger and took a swipe at her.

OOC: My bad. Was reading in a rush and mistook the smashing hoof parts for actually smashing them on her rather than at her. I apologize.

"Our Intelligance Service were quite certain and you did just say the immortal Grand Count Alucard. Which I have been informed that inmortally can only be obtained of one of two ways, I very much doubt that anyone has discovered the Elixar Vitae, I believe I've said that right, and you can pretty much guess the other..." Stevens let the last sentance hang in the air whilst a small smirk spread across his face.

Count Balthazar smirked and answered back in retort, "Ah but many refer to glorious kings as "Immortal" to emphasize their greatness. How do you know I was not referring to him in that manner?" He wasn't about to let the Human win this charade until he was done and ready to strike.

...

The vampiress hissed and shrieked at the Horse in an attempt to force it to rear up and dismount its rider, leaving him vulnerable.

She repeatedly lurched forward and swung at the air before the Unicorn threateningly as it fought back with kicks that usually came short.

OOC: Does sunlight kill your vampires? Can any force w/ enough damage do it, or does it absolutely have to be a stake through the heart of decapitation or something?

Jellyfish grew angrier and fought even more aggressively. Meanwhile, Hurin remembered one thing that Matos had once mentioned in passing. vampires had an irresistible compulsion for counting small objects along with being "polite" and only entering a private building when they were invited in. he happened to have acquired some rice from a foreign trader before coming. It would be nice to sell it for a lot of money back home, but it would be even nicer to live, so he sliced the small pouch open and spilled hundreds of rains all over the ground.

The Vampiress shrieked in pain as the bullet hit her square in the shoulder. She leapt backwards into the safety of a nearby tree as Kate attempted to close in with her daggers she looked at the hole in her shoulder which slowly began to seal as if it were water filling a hole.

She stood upright and smirked devilishly. "Greetings mortals. I bear word from my master Alucard. He welcomes all of you to his land and congratulates you on dispatching his agents with such ease. He is most impressed.But he would like to remind you that if you are attempting to usurp his rule then you are in for quite a fight..."

As she took the swipe, her distance jugement was off-set, and before she was even aware of it, Jellyfish struck her in the ribs with a solid kick, sending her breathless into a tree, her back conforming to it's rugged shape. As she fell to the ground half-paralyzed, she noticed small objects of some sort falling to the ground, and Hurin holding a knife in his hand.

"Whatever the hell you're up to," Kate thought, ribs aching,"Please don't have Jellyfish kick me again." and struggled to get feeling back into her legs.

Hurin tossed the last bits of rice in full view of the vampire.

OOC: Sunlight damages them and prolonged exposure will eventually kill them. If they were to come into contact with a ray of light it would burn the skin to a certain degree of burn depending on the intensity. If they stood right in the middle of sunlight they would slowly burn to death or, in cases of intense sunlight, completely turn to dust. The stake trough the heart/decapitation is the safest and permanent method. Also, I personally don't think the myth that the vampire will count all small objects as a relevant one for the time. I believe the counting small objects myth is one designed to keep the vampire from rising before day break and not to distract it while fully animated. Sorry. >.<

"Rice?" wondered Kate, "What in the HELL are you up to?" as she lined up her sight with her M29, she tried to adjust for her targeting difference and aimed at her left shoulder figuring it would strike her in the heart.

It did not, however, do as she had wished, and grazed her left bicep. "Gods! The the fuck is wrong with my aiming?!?" she screamed at herself, and just barely noticed a slight trickle of blood on her neck. "Neuro-toxins? It had to be. Maybe just a little, but enough to screw with my aiming and movement."

ooc: does the invitation thing still count? and not crossing running water? and burning them?

Hurin cursed- he must have missed something Matos said- and thrust his lance at her heart. jellyfish did the same with his horn.

OOC: The invitation thing still counts and the burning as well however I picture Ne-Dracule having a lot of rivers and running water ways so i've rendered the inability to cross water only on the Counts and not Alucard himself.

Te vampiress hissed at Kate as she looked down to see a light trial of blood from the bullet graze along her left bicep. Her attentions shifted as she heard the charging Unicorn approach and leapt into the air quickly enough for the lance to lodge itself into the tree trunk. However, Jellyfish caught her with its forehead as she attempted to swoop down on Hurin.

She went flying back into a small grouping of pine trees as she shrieked.

She stepped out and trees and looked at her chest which had a long cut running up it from the tip of the Unicorn's horn scratching it. She shrieked an ear splitting, mind numbing scream and launched herself into the air and began to fly away.

Matos finally chose to enter the fray. Stepping out, she started shouting various words in a very commanding voice. She started spewing multiple fireballs which got much bigger as they traveled farther out of her hands at the vampire.

The vampiress cackled in her high pitched voice as she dodged the fireballs by leading them into the trees as she would dip down then back up.

OOC: I had to make her survive as she's an essential part of the story in the future. Hope you don't mind.

Gaining a little more feeling in her legs, standing up became a struggle in itself as the neuro-toxin was affecting her muscular movement and stability, otherwise, that vampire would have been puppy chow...umm not that Kate was planning on eating her or anything.

She weakly looked at Mathos and Hurin, "Hey, how are you doing. Sorry I can't stand up right now, my muscles refuse to cooperate with me." trying to push herself up, her elbows weakened and she fell to the ground, "As embarrassing as this is for me, I need some assistance."

ooc:@$^. just kidding, it's fine. You know, originally I wasn't planning for them to be homing fireballs, but now that you upgraded them for me, I'll keep it.

There was a large amount of loud swearing as the party let Nelaio, Integral, and Kate in for the night.

Turning her head to look around the inside of the windmill, all over the distainful looks that the people were giving her...yeah, she was getting kicked out of the group. "Don't worry your pretty little...hearts," she said, to intentionally make them feel either really sick or disguted, "as soon as I feel a little better, or can walk without help, I'll no longer be a burden to you all."

"What the hell do they know. All of them dare judge me for being what I am? I could just as easily do the same. Maybe Alucard has every right to treat them the way he does." Kate thought bitterly. "To hell with all of them. Now I know why I work solo. It's better than dealing with this bullshit critisism."

She looked around, all the eyes on her, judging her, and she had a twisted thought that she couldn't keep to herself, the wolf was demanding that they be afraid, "Do you mind if I have a room to myself? I might get hungry in the middle of the night." Damn straight she was pissed, and had every reason to be. Yes, she was, in a way, a werewolf of sorts, but they don't bother understanding her; they just judge her and think her an animal, a...a monster. Just like all the other humans...

OOC: Neo-Dracule I know symbols of faith harms vampires, also I've word that sliver bullets supposedly hurt vamps as well as werewolves. You letting 'em both fit in here?

~

Tricky bugger this so-called Count, though I wonder... Stevens thought to himself as he spoke out loud. "Perhaps, though I'll have to say that your leader's 'greatness' is questionable. Why else would these villagers shy away even AFTER you mysteriously appeared almost out of thin air?"

"Though you don't mind, I'd like to remove my coat since it appears to be quite warm despite the overcast." Stevens then lent forwards slightly as he began to pull his coat off letting the holy symbol of the Morridane Faith hang loosely round his neck in full view.

"That's an interesting symbol you have there, sir," came a feminine voice from behind him, "I personally like to use this." and coming around to his side, the woman pulled out a silver cross, adorned with gold and inscribed with Latin, from under her black cape, a hint of red showing on the inside lining. She let the crucifix dangle in front of the man's eyes by a silver chain.

She glanced him over with her brilliant green eyes, an unnatural haunting glow about them, her curly brunette hair tied into a pony-tail with a white lace ribbon, matched only by her almost as pale skin from which her crimson lips were prominent. Her cape was held in place with a blood-red ruby brooch just below her throat.

"Works on almost every vampire, and a few other things that go bump in the night," turning her gaze to Balthazar, "Isn't that right." From beneath her cape, she produced a 12-guage pump action shotgun with her other hand and pointed it at the vampire Noble. her entire body, minus her head and the hint of a white-silk Victorian shirt, was clad in rune-covered leather armor, the cross held out in front of her.

OOC: What kind of shotgun, Black Kat? I need to make sure it doesn't break the tech level rule. Silver bullets, crosses, silver stakes, etc. still wrong

"Perhaps, though I'll have to say that your leader's 'greatness' is questionable. Why else would these villagers shy away even AFTER you mysteriously appeared almost out of thin air?"

Balthazar grinned and asked, "Why not? They are obviously more afraid of you but still they remain indoors for their safety." He narrowed his eyes at Stevens as Stevens pulled off his coat and revealed to him a holy symbol.

He scowled angrily at the object and his eyes burned with contempt for it.

His attentions suddenly turned to the mysterious woman and his eyes seethed with hatred as she too produced a Catholic holy crucifix and he took a step backward, attempting to put on his best calm appearance as he held his arms up in the air at the sight of the shotgun as if he didn't feel too threatened.

"I'm going to have to ask you all disarm. I'd hate to have to force you too..."

OOC: Trust me, it doesn't break the tech rule. It's a Winchester model 1912, Check here for more info:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Winchester_Model_1912

~

"I'll have to decline your most gracious offer to hand over my weapons. I can, however, warn you that you really are in no position to threaten us. Numbers may be usless, but everyone knows...it's what's in your shells, or bullets, that makes the difference."

She turned so that only Balthazar could see her face, "And I wouldn't try using any vampiric speed or strength," she smiled, showing him her fangs, "You really should just give up now. Your skills at this point, are rather moot and pointless." thinking a little bit, she gave Balthazar a crafty look, "You know..." said the vampiress, holding the crucifix up to her eyes, "you can have this."

With that, she tossed the holy symbol into a puddle of water at his feet, "I have plenty more." and reaching into her cape, she pulled three more off of her belt, displaying them in her hand like throwing knives. Laughing, she said, "You wanna know something?" looking at Bathazar, "A properly made crucifix can sanctify water."

Ah...maybe onto something here, Stevens thought then smiled as he pulled out a pistol calmly. "So it appears my hunch was right, though I have one question which has our boffins back in Morrdh stumped...just how effective are rifles fully loaded with silver bullets against vampires? I guess theres only one way to find out..."

A couple of the Morridane soldiers grinned menacily and locked the bolts on their rifles with a resoundingly loud click as if to drive home the point.

"Well, Count," said the vampiress with her fanged smile, "it really would seem that surrender really is your best option." and to the Morridane soldiers, "Make sure to aim for his heart if he tries anything." and to Balthazar again, "Of course, a shell has more spread, so between them...and me," her eyes glowing slightly brighter with the last part of the sentence, "Do you feel lucky?"

What she was also hiding, was that the ends of the crucifixes she had in her hand were sharpened to a fine, blade-like point. So for all intents and purposes, they were throwing knives...but Balthazar didn't know that. Did he? The real question was...did these soldiers know what they were dealing with? If she had to, she'd kill Balthazar on her own. It would be a very tough fight if it ever came to that. The only real reason she chose to challenge the Count now, was she really had the advantage of numbers.

Balthazar stared at the crucifix in the water, then at the line of guns facing him, and laughed. "Come now my friends! You think i'm that easy?! You're on my turf now!", he cackled and threw his head back as horns and wings burst from his form until he stood before them, much larger than before, He grinned wickedly, now in his true form (http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/jj112/CB6802/ss181-thumb.jpg).

He yelled: "Seize them!" and suddenly from out of the ground they stood on boney hands wrapped their dead fingers around the ankles of the soldiers and the woman and used them as leverage to yank their skeletal bodies out of the Earth. Armed with daggers some of them attempted to slash the legs of their targets.

A squadron of armed undead soldiers (http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/jj112/CB6802/screenshot_101.png) charged the group in the square.

Balthazar cackled and took flight as his men began to ambush the troops.

"Oh wonderful, deadites. Just when I thought this fight wouldn't be irritating." and with that, she crushed the skull of the skeleton that had grabbed her ankles. The only real way to kill a skeletal soldier is to destroy the skull, since it was where the basic essence of control was...the 'brain' as it were.

Sure Balthazar could animate the dead, but in order for them to act and fight and think, while under control, was to house a bit of 'essence', or whatever, in the skull of the soldier, otherwise they would have to be controlled (every action and movement) individually."Why is it the Dracula heritage can control these things? They're gross!"

"Destroy the skulls!" she yelled to the Morridane, but she was uncertain if they heard her. So she pulled out a grenade and threw it into the crowd of undead soldiers. "If you can't destroy the skulls of all of them, or there are too many..." the grenade exploded, shattering many of the skeletal soldiers, "blow them into tiny pieces. God I love crowd control."

It was apparent from Balthazar's reaction, that he didn't exactly get the hint that she was a vampire too, so aiming her gun at his air-bourne form she fired a shot, then shattered the skull of a deadite with the handle of her shotgun.

OOC: Grenade info found here.

http://grenadelauncher.com/

Balthazar watched in amusement as the heroes put bullets in his minions, crushed their skills, and even blew them to bits. But when one was destroyed another was animated and took its place.

More squadrons of soldiers arrived and there were a few who had climbed the roofs and taken to firing crossbows at their foes.

So distratced was Balthazar he was unaware the woman had her gun pointed at him. It only occured toi him too late that she had fired her gun as the pellets, some deflecting off his armor, pierced some of his exposed skin.

He shrieked in pain and glanced at his wounds which dripped black blood. He scoweled. It was becoming dangerous for him to saty at the scene. He could only stay awhile longer before he would have to retreat. But while his soldiers would hold them off he would contact Alucard and let him know what was happening. He flew a few feet farther away in hopes of avoiding anymore shots.

He watched as squadrons slowly began to surround the square...

The vampiress saw him begin to retreat, "Don't tell me I have to show my wings too," she thought with dismay, "I can't reveal myself now. They'd start shooting at me too!" Then she saw it. Not one of the...most effective answers, but it might work.

Picking up a large piece of wood, she pulled the pin from another grenade and tossed it into the air, hitting it in the general area that Balthazar was in. It may not work...hell, it's not like it was a bullet or a shell, so she was very prepared to be disapointed.

Worst case scenario, she would have to go toe-to-toe with him in the air. That was not going to be fun. But neither was the idea of an entire squadron of deadites surrounding her...and the Morridane soldiers.

Again, so distracted with the battle before him, Balthazar didn't notice the grenade flying towards him. It was already too late when the grenade hit him and exploded, sending him flying into the roof of a small farm house and crashing through it.

He snarled and kicked the door out, his burns and blown away flesh slowly healing and rebuilding. "That girl is starting to get on my nerves..."

He scoweled and took flight, this time heading for the town square...

"Yeah!" she screamed out as the grenade hit. He landed with a thud against a roof of a farm house, then as the roof collapsed under the impact, dissaperared from sight. She barely had time to notice the deadites that was aproaching her when she pulled the pin from another grenade. As she tossed away the active grenade into a group of deadites, she saw Balthazar stand up from the debris and soar into the sky. As the grenade exploded, she decided that there really was no other alternative. Pumping her shotgun, her cape transformed into a set of bat-like wings and she took to the skies.

She flew hard to catch up with Balthazar, and she decided to try again with another grenade. As she pulled the pin, she counted till the last second, throwing the grenade and curving her wings so the blast would push her away.

OOC: Sorry about the misunderstanding. Post has been fixed.

The Morridane fought their way free from the skeletons, who seemingly emerged from the ground, and sought some higher ground. A couple of the soldiers split off from the squad in order to take on the crossbow armed foes whilst the others focused on the main body of enemies. The fearsome swing of a rifle butt awaited any of the undead who managed to get close enough.

One of the archers lit the tip of his arrow aflame and fired the arrow at a Morridane soldier he spotted moving towards him. The arrow missed and instead began to set the highly flammable thatched roof of a cottage aflame. The occupants were quick to rush out however they were soon followed by others as the fire quickly spread across the closely packed village and soon enough the village was in flames.

Using the smoke as cover Balthazar attempted swoop down and snatch a Morridane soldier off of his feet as he moved for cover.

The Morridane doesn't spot Balthazar and is snatched off his feet, though he quickly resorts to foul language and a lot of kicking. The soldier also tries his best to pull out a knife which he intends to use all of his strength to impile it in Balthazar's eye.

ooc: my people were actually cursing about the fact that their location had been discovered more than anything else, but anyway...

They all ignored Kate's first comment. Then Matos pointed her to a room off by the side, and the band gradually fell asleep, switching out the watch every once in a while.

Matos lay awake thinking. Although she was entirely disgusted by Kate's behavior and definitely wasn't keeping her in the group, she knew it wasn't entirely her fault. If Kate were to walk out into the world, someone would walk out and kill her- or worse- eventually, and allowing that just didn't feel right.

She thought of an idea of a suitable job for Kate and began writing a letter.

To the king of Mirktree:

I, the bearer of this letter, am here because I was referred to you by Matos Alliya for work in the clandestine service of the palace due to my skills at such activities as this would require.

the palace's clandestine service was kept even more under wraps than the official national one. rather than serving the interests of the country, it merely promoted those of the royal family and its head- in this case the king. they were here, in fact, due to a palace mission. The king believed that his grandmother may have disappeared thanks to Alucard, and now he wanted revenge. however, he had no way to prove this, so he couldn't even get the national clandestine service to take care of the destruction of the vampire order, let alone openly declare war on Neo-Dracule. so he had heard of, contacted, and sent them instead.

At the very crack of dawn, the band silently packed up and assembled, eating a cold and tasteless but calorie-packed breakfast. Matos slipped the sealed letter under Kate's door. then they exited, traveling to a friend's house in a nearby town. As they closed the door, though, Mathae left a written note: No vampires are invited in.

bump

Through the night, Kate was fighting the weak neuro-toxins out of her system. Meanwhile, she was thinking of what she should do. It would only be fair if she told Mathe and Matos a few things about herself...of course that would have to wait till the morning.

During her sleep, troubling dreams plauged her. Her lover, Viridiana was in a fight with a count, not sure who, but his face was familiar. She also could not help but hear the soft whisper of the secret door opening, and a slight scraping as paper was pushed under her door. Kate opened her eyes and looked to the door. There she spotted a note, or what could only conceivably be a note.

Pulling the sheets from her sweat soaked body, she walked over to the door and picked it up. Reading it over groggily, she began to laugh. "She honestly expects me to take this to their King?" she folded the note and tucked it into her shirt pocket, "I hate to disapoint you, but I'm not doing this. I have my own issues to work out." With that, she put on her armor and slowly made her way the secret entrance, when a thought came to her. On another piece of paper, she wrote what she found on the other side of the note, and nailed it to the inside of the door.

~

OOC: Post reguarding the grenade is fixed

~

Meanwhile...

Balthazar ducked low into a cloud of smoke as the grenade exploded, completly missing him, however she wasn't so lucky. Her wings did as they were supposed to and pushed her away from the detonation using the explosion itself, however, while trying to correct herself so that she could continue on after Balthazar, her wings buckled and she spiraled into the roof of a large tavern.

"This was going to be rough." she muttered to herself. From the roof of the inn she saw that Balthazar had picked up one of those Morridane soldiers. Preparing to take flight, she preped her shotgun for close-range fire and tried her best to guess how much the soldier weighed, then took flight. She tailed Balthazar through clouds of suffocating smoke and ash, till she was as close as she dared get, and carefully aiming her shot, she fired.

Balthazar grins, enjoying the futile struggle of the soldier. He comes to a stop and hover sin the air as he forces the soldier's head to the side and attempts to hold him still as his maw opens abnormally wide, his canines displayed, and moves to take a bite out of the soldier's neck.

However he is denied his meal as the shotgun tears his wing apart and he shrieks in agony, tossing the extra weight of the soldier aside as he attempted to continue flight with his limping leg. However, it would not cooperate and collapsed along with him into the roof of a cottage.

The band walked on. Matos strongly doubted that Kate would listen to the note (which she had told no one about). however, she was glad she had left it.

They gradually came upon the start of a small village- or rather, the burning wreck of one, with bodies lying about.

ooc: tel me if that's a problem,, i just thought it fitting for the current regime

OOC: The village would still be burning it wouldn't be completely rubble yet.

Viridiana, the vampiress, shot through the air and caught the Morridane soldier. He was a little heavier than she had anticipated, but she managed to land him safely into one of the buildings Balthazar had crashed into. "Stay here or return to the rest of your group, whichever, but leave Balthazar to me."

Taking to the air once again, she preceded to pull a pin from one more grenade out of her dwindling supply and tossed it into the hole of the cottage roof. She then began circling the cottage for any movment from Balthazar, her shotgun on standby.

Meanwhile...

With her nose basically to the ground, Kate began tacking the groups movement. The note was basically implying the she, Kate, was to take the note to Matos' and Mathae's king, from which point, she would be inducted into the service of their king...she didn't like that idea. They could be serviceful and stuff for him if they wanted, but she liked the idea of freedom better.

Upon closing the distance between herself and the others, she notced they had reached a small town that was burning. "Well, I wonder what this is." she thought, looking on as hordes of undead scoured the town, attacking the Morridane no less. Pulling out her M-1917 and M29, she prepared for the fight, looking for a good vantage point.

The building caved in as the grenade exploded and bits of wood and shrapnel flew everywhere.

A few moments after a piece of flaming wood cleared the smoke and hurtled towards Viridiana. As the projectile took flight Balthazar stepped out of the smoke, now in his human form and quite on fire with most of his skin burnt far beyond 3rd degree.

However this didn't seem to scathe him as he casually dusted the flame off him and tucked some hair away from his face as his skin began to heal.

He looked up at Viridiana and grinned as he pulled a sword (http://www.the9thgate.com/WINGED%20SKULL.jpg) from its scabbard and yelled: "Come now, youngling! Let us see if you deserve to be called a 'vampire'!"

Viridiana barrel-rolled to her right as the piece of wood nearly impaled her. She saw him brush away the fisre and pull out his sword, and she also heard his challenge. She took a steep nose-dive towards the ground, pulling up at the last second, but not before picking up a deadite.

Thrashing and hissing, the skeleton writhed in her hands. She stayed partially below the roof, trying to keep the element of surprise. Circling the cottage once more she raised up, tossing the skeleton at Balthazar. "Happy Birthday, you piece of trash!"

"I may be a youngling, but at least I haver some tactical thinking." Pumping her shotgun, she few closer to Balthazar's postion.

"what the fuck is it an the undead never letting us have a good night rest"said Jack to mojoas he fired his rifle

"now stay dead you ssob"


ooc frist S is for skeleton

Balthazar blinked and looked up too late to see the skeleton fall on him as the vampiress gloated. He roared and grabbed the skeleton off of himself, tossing it aside like a rag doll with his superhuman strength.

He grinned up at Viridiana and beckoned her closer. "Don't be afraid love! I don't bite hard!", he yelled as he laughed at his own joke.

"What is it with people and monologing or something during fights?" she asked herself, while lining up her shot, she flew into a thick, black cloud of smoke and fired. Hopefully, her shot would be true.

Meanwhile...

Kate bolted through the city crushing the skull of any skeleton that got in her way, when from an Inn closeby, a rifle-shot called out. She immediatly tore through the crowd of undead to come face to face with a man holding a rifle and his dog. "Run, get out of here. it's not safe." turning, she cleared the path again as more skeletons closed in.

He grinned sadistically and suddenly a swift breeze whipped the smoke of dozens of buildings before him. There was no sound to signify he had been hit. But there was something in the distance...

Something like...drums?

Alucard's great host had been summoned and was approaching the town. Legions of undead and monstrosities marched in perfect union to the drum beats. Catapults that were decorated with sheets of iron that had obscenely long spikes on them and ballistas with large projectile's that had things such as dragon heads with the arrow head coming from its mouth were readily loaded.

However, their entry was not welcomed warmly. The peasants, upset over the lose of their homes, had taken up tables as shields and basic farm tools as weapons. And from the south, opposite Alucard's army, arrived the peasants of Nelaio's freed village who had ignored his instructions and instead marched to this very village.

They, however, numbered only in the hundreds and Alucard's host was atleast over 2,000 strong.

When the smoke over Balthazar's position cleared there was no sign he had even been there.

"Run, get out of here. it's not safe." turning, she cleared the path again as more skeletons closed in.

"they just skeletons"said Jack as his keeps firing a rifle which should have ran out of bullets at eight shoots but didn't

"Ok, so they are skeletons..." said Kate in a matter of factly tone, "How many bullets do you have? And long do you relly think you can keep this up? So either stay here or leave. I'm leaving..." And turning to leave, she added, "I have more important things to deal with." Then she left the Inn, in serch of the winged beasts.

Meanwhile...

As Viridiana emerged from the smoke, she saw an empty place where Balthazar once stood. "Oh, shit!" she thought, "I lost him. He could be anywhere." Looking above her in the sky, to the ground, left and right, then behind her...he was gone, but what she saw gave her reason to believe that it wasn't without reason. "Alucard just came a-knockin." she said to herself, seeing the army approach the small town...and the peasant rebels that were approaching from the other direction.

The host stopped their advance and took up a formation outside the village. the middle split in half as Alucard rode his (surprisingly still alive) horse in front of them and faced the flaming village and the line of villagers.

His voice did not strain as he spoke in a very simple tone which was somehow amplified and carried farther by the wind. "Citizens, I urge you to cease this rebellion and lay down your arms. Only certain death awaits you, and those who instigated this rebellion. You are not an army. You are a rabble and a poorly armed one. If you surrender you will be taken in as refugees at my fief and given a second chance. If not, certain death awaits you."

He ended his speech and stood their, only the sound of the wind and the burning fires were present. When no reply came, he turned back and and headed for the back of the formation. As if on queue to his return, archers readied their bows and catapults were being lowered to load their projectiles.

"Ok, so they are skeletons..." said Kate in a matter of factly tone, "How many bullets do you have? And long do you relly think you can keep this up? So either stay here or leave. I'm leaving..." And turning to leave, she added, "I have more important things to deal with." Then she left the Inn, in serch of the winged beasts.

"infinite" Jack said as he looked at her as she leave

"mojo did you get a look at her" Jack added when Kate left as he lit the fuse on some TNT he had before leaving by the back

As the peasant militia turned to see the explosion of the inn, Alucard's forces took advantage of this and hundreds of arrows rained down on the peasant line. Many fell to the black feathered arrows. The second assault consisted of a bombardment of the city and their line. The catapults released pots of oil that had been lit which exploded into almost inextinguishable fire once it impacted. The ballistas fired next to finish the bombardment as their massive arrows flung into the peasant lines.

Finally, the skeletons broke into a massive wave as they swarmed the enemy position in a disorganized fashion. Many peasants threw down their arms and fled back into the village. Rusty spears of black steel and iron were flung at many who fled and hit home as they skewered their targets.

ooc i never said he left the TNT at the Inn , just he lit the fuse,as i was planing him throwing it at a large group undead which was out the back of the Inn

The Morridane used the distraction of the approaching army to quickly leave the now doomed village and head for the nearest treeline.

Mathae was the first to notice that Kate had tracked them.

"fuck," he swore. "You know what, she is not rejoining the group. Even if hell's legions are banging on our very door.."

And apparently know they were. thankfully, none of the fighters had noticed them yet. Although the peasantry militia was retreating, this gave them a small advantage. As they had discovered earlier, these skeletons were rather fragile and clumsy, and a well trained band like them could easily defend themselves. then...

"god above," Sau moaned, clutching at a crucifix on a chain around his neck. ""My reports..I recognize.. on the horse... that's Alucard."

"Well, this isn't a chance we can afford to give up," said Matos. "Someone will have to be heroic."

"Galad?" Hurin asked. Galad nodded. "OK," Hurin continued. "Galad and i are the ones here who are really fit to charge in heroically. I have never heard of a creature who could fight a unicorn w/ ease, and Galad could decimate any skeletal attackers easily."

"Matos and I could provide cover and take convenient shots," said Mathae. "And Sau can do what he does best- namely, skulking around and doing what's convenient."

They got into position. Everyone put on all of their armor- considerable for Galad and hurin, less so for Mathae and Matos, almost nonexistent for Sau. Matos then started shooting huge amounts of homing fireballs at the ranks of archers and catapults. Mathae began disabling catapults by shooting their vulnerable parts w/ very tough shots. then:

"Death!" screamed Hurin, charging into the fray and shooting multiple arrows at Alucard before switching to his lance. "Down w/ the tyrant! All resistance, to me! Now is our chance!" Galad trailed him closely, ridding Hurin of any pursuers. jellyfish angrily and proudly rid the vicinity of any enemies, and was now dead-set on killing Alucard.

Sau slipped into the village w/ his crossbow.

OOC: Sorry about that Isa. I don't need to edit my post though as the peasants would've been attacked the same way anyway so no worries.

Alucard watched as a small band of people, one apparently gifted in magic, began to foolishly attack his formations. He smirked and nodded to the skeleton next to him who pulled the string of his book back and fired an arrow into the air. It wasn't aimed at anyone, and it was particularly far above the canopies of the trees before it finally began to plummet.

Then, more legions of skeletons began to emerge from the trees behind Alucard and marched with orderly discipline like Roman Legionnaires to face the small group.

He almost laughed as the arrows flew to him yet somehow curved away from him at the last seconds as if afraid of him. "Thank you, Gualigear", he said to a strange creature (http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/jj112/CB6802/CncArt0907_36.jpg) which seemingly appeared out of thin air at his side to protect him.

Viridiana landed on a roof closeby to get a better look at the armada that was attaking the town. She could use what she had left of her grenades to destroy the catapults and ballistas, but the rest was just a little beyond her reach. "I'll just have to pray for the best," she said to herself, taking to the air once more, throwing what was left of her grenades at the designated targets.

Meanwhile...

Kate noticed the large group of undead that were approaching the town from the forest. She then set to tracking down some materials with which she could use to make some explosives. Upon locating what she needed, she quickly crafted her bombs and carried them out of the town, around to the forest, and dropped them in various places amongst the undead group without so much as a whisper of noise. She was better at stealth when it was dark.

Alucard watched emotionlessly as bits and pieces of his army were blown apart in explosions. He nodded once again to the skeleton at his side which fired another fire arrow into the air.

Upon queue the section of the army that had chased the peasant militia away turned around and began to head back towards the village to flank the heroes from behind.

He watched as catapults and their crews were engulfed in explosions yet this didn't seem to bother him. He nodded to the skeleton at his side one again and the army that was approaching the heroes from the front broke into a wave of undeath as they broke their lines in favor of a disorganized and overwhelming force.

Matos and Mathae realized that they were likely to be overwhelmed. Alucard had summoned a strange but apparently tough creature to defend him. Mathae blew his horn to sound for a retreat. The band regrouped. Matos took the pleasure of shooting several fireballs at both Alucard and Balthazar with the others but Galad accompanying this with arrows or bolts. A phyric victory was not worth it. After this quick parting attack, the band slipped off. Chances are they would have killed at least one vampire, and ruined Alucard's field artillery. They could sneak back to the shelter.

The strange creature at Alucard's side hissed and light blue shield of magic materialized before the trio and the fireballs harmlessly impacted against the shield, only causing it to shudder partially in the spots they impacted.

When the band had retreated the shield disappeared and Alucard grinned. "Do we pursue my lord?", asked the creature with a light hiss in its voice as its forked tongue would slither out ever now and then.

He shook his head. "No..let them have their fun. We will return to Castle Dracula and the Counts will be placed on high alert. I want regular patrols day and night through the countryside and the villages. Outsiders will be executed on sight."

Balthazar and Gualigear bowed their heads in agreement and the army began packing up and marching back to Castle Dracula...

As the battle raged the Morridane soldiers took up positions in a handy cluster of trees to watch the progress of the battle. Stevens took to noting down some of the equipment and tactics that the undead host used whilst his soldiers sorted themselves out and tended to wounds until one of them shouted out. "'Ey up, looks like one of their generals is 'ere!"

"Show me," Stevens replied as he pulled out a field glass.

"Over there cap'n...just back a bit from th'main body of troops on 'orse back sur." The corporal pointed out.

"Right, I see him...best guess at range?"

"I say a a good few hundred meters sur!"

"Hm, bit of a extreme pot shot corporal."

"Ya could say that sur, though I would stake a week's sodka rations on it!"

"If you say so..."

"Thank ye sur!" The corporal grinned as he readied his rifle and squinted through its sights towards the vampire general.

The band made i back to the windmill in a hurry. The requisite enchantments wee cast for total strength, and they fell back to a restful state, although a watch was set and acted upon.

ooc: what happened to Nelaio and Integral?

OOC: I guess the were left behind at the windmill. They didn't leave with the group and they didn't leave with Kate.

Watching the others retreat, Viridiana had no choice but to follow suite, however, one thing did catch her eye. Swooping low to the ground, she glided to a hover then let her wings change back into a cape. "Well, fancy meeting such a sexy werewolf this time of night," said Viridiana, casually leaning against a half-burned building. Kate took one look at the owner of the voice and aimed her M29 at her face, "Give me a good damn reason why I should believe it's you." Kate's eye was a furious luminescent yellow as low threatening growls emanated from her throat.

Viridiana simply smiled, reached under Kate's left arm and tickled a place just below her second rib, "How about your ticklish spot?" asked the vampiress as a smile flickered on Kate's face. Kate pulled Viridiana into an embrace as Viridiana pulled Kate’s lips closer to her own. gently pushing away, Viridiana looked Kate in the eyes, "We need to leave here. They've already won." Kate thought for a moment, "I know where we can go. There is a windmill just a ways back that way," said Kate, pointing the way she had come.

"Then we can get there faster by air," Viridiana's cape changed back into her wings and with Kate held close to her, she took to the air. "Point me in the direction." said Viridiana, and both of them flew high into the sky, out of view by even a vampire's eyes.

The band had completely locked the place down. nobody could enter without their go-ahead.

As the two made their way to the windmill, Kate was worried how the others would react. Not that she was too bothered with stifling any quarrels if need be, but any violence would best be avoided. Viridiana flapped her wings to slow her descent and came to a gentle landing, "Is this the place?" she asked Kate, her wings changing into it's cape form. "Yes ma'am," replied Kate, "Welcome to the super secret hidout. Shhhhh!" she said, putting a finger to her lips, "Noone is supposed to know." And with a bright smile, she kissed Viridiana.

"Well then," said Viridiana, with an equally bright smile, "Let's say hello." Walking up to the front door of the windmill, she knocked three times upon the door and silently awaited a response. Meanwhile, Kate kept a lookout for anything that might have followed them.

As the army marched away from their village Alucard stopped and slowly turned to face the treeline.

His eyes met the soldier's who was taking aim at him but from anyone else's point of view it would only seem like he was looking in their direction.

As their eyes met Alucard's narrowed and the soldier's mind was suddenly wracked with violent high pitched noises however Alucard's echoing voice was strong enough to be recognized and heard through them.

"You would dare attempt to fight me?" The soldier's mind was suddenly wracked with terrible images of people's deaths. "I know you, soldier of Morrdh..." there was a brief flash of Morrdh's capital on fire. "I know your past...", the soldier saw memories of himself as a child "I know your present..." the soldier saw a flashback of him and his squad crossing into Neo-Dracule "And I know your future", he said as he saw a gravestone with his name, date of birth and death, and a quote to commemorate him.

"You face something you cannot possibly hope to defeat."

After a few minutes, Viridiana turned her head towards Kate, "Should there be someone here? It's quite rude to leave someone waiting." and started to tap her foot impatiently. kate looked at the ground where the secret entrance was supposed to be, then sniffed the air. There was the fait scent from where the group had left from here earlier, as the scent of them before that had already dissapated.

Now there was a stronger scent. "Yes, they're here to be sure." walking over to the hidden door, Kate tapped lightly with her foot. "Please open, we request shelter for the moment." asked Kate as nicely as she could manage. With the extra time on hand, Viridiana asked Kate a few questions. "So, are these friends of yours?" asked Viridiana. Kate looked at the ground, "Not exactly. More like...acquaintances." Viridiana studied her expresion, "What exactly happened?" she asked, sniffing the air, "You have the smell of werewolf blood on you. Is it anything relating to that?"

Kate shifted uncomfortably, "Yes. I suppose it is." she stuck her hands into her shirt pocket and began to fumble with the note Matos had left. She wondered if she should tell Viridiana about it; however, contrary to her knowledge, Viridiana already knew about the letter, though not of it's contents.

Jack had got away by changing in his demon a part of him from his mother

"hack Mojo wonder if she got away from the mess" Jack say as he sits down next to Wolf

Galad was on guard duty at the time. After the first knock, he had seen who it was and had run back for advice. Now Mathae sat with him, and he was allowed to reply.

"Who is it?" he asked, sword drawn and armor on, in preparation for any attack. Meanwhile, Matos cast the remaining charms. All smells in and of the shelter vanished outside of it, and all noises not coming through their special speaking device did too. they were undetectable for anyone who did not know where to look, and impossible to overwhelm for anyone who did.

Viridiana lowered herself to hear clearly where the voice was coming from. Closing her eyes, her ears picked up the extra vibrations it carried, giving her an idea at who and how many were in there. Three were on guard, two were armed. Opening her brilliant green eyes, she looked into the area where the magic keyhole was and replied, "We are...friends?" looking to Kate with a measure of uncertainty to which Kate mearly shrugged, "They kicked me out of their group. I'm pretty sure they may not exactly call me a friend," said Kate.

"Do they know your name?" inquired Viridiana, raising an eyebrow. Kate simply nodded, "It's better than being reffered to as 'werewolf' to be sure." Viridiana had a puzzled look on her face, and holding her cape to hide her face she mouthed, "But you are not a werewolf."

Moving in close to Viridiana, Kate whispered to her, "They don't know about the third part of my genetics, and the less they know about it, the better." Viridiana had a far-off look in her eyes as she nodded in understanding. Lowering her cape, Viridiana looked into the keyhole, "We are friends, we assure you. I am a friend of the one named Kate. May we have permission to enter?"

OOC: Morrdun in flames? Thats kinda already happened (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=554572), but either way meh. Thank god I'm using convicts that are battle hardened veterans from 'mine clearance' missions.)

There was a battle of wills between the Morridane soldier and Alucard as the Morridane tried to pull the trigger. Death was something he didn't fear admittedly, a decade in the Penal Corps and a great many mine clearances does that to a man. It wasn't as if he was a Morridane loyalist either, he had been part of an anarchist cell before he was arrested and sentanced to military service.

But still he was disturbed from the images that flashed through his mind as he struggled to make the shot. Blood began to drip from his nose as a single thought emerged in his tormented mind. Great Maker...