Caravan - Open Fantasy RP - Jump right in!

[Frundette]

As the hilt of Raven's dagger connected with the back of the bandit's head, the man stumbled a step forward, toward Pike. The one on the other side of Pike took advantage of distraction. Pike's figure was outlined just enough that he could tell the caravan guard was looking in Raven's direction, so he pulled the small knife from his belt. It wasn't even a combat knife, just one meant for skinning rabbits, but it would do the trick. He dropped the shield and lunged forward, getting one arm around Pike's shoulders, then using the other hand to press the tip of the knife against the caravan guard's jugular, positioning himself so he was using Pike as a human shield.

"You!" he said to Raven. "Get back! Else I'll tear open his throat," he threatened.

--

Terrick felt a bit light-headed, but the pain shooting through his leg was enough to make sure he stayed conscious. "That you Mavis?" he said, voice barely above a whisper. It sounded like things were not going so well in the tunnel as he heard the bandit bark an order at either Raven or Linden, so he didn't even wait for an answer before he grabbed Mavis's smaller hand in his own blood covered one. "Listen, get hidden again. If you can, get out. The caravan's a few miles up the road."

 

[ChickieBooBoo]

Looking towards Raven and the bandit she had struck, Pike was completely unprepared to defend himself against the second bandit as the man wrapped his arm around his shoulders and pressed the knife against his neck. He struggled initially, but froze as he felt the sharp metal object begin to just barely restrict his breathing. His eyes found the shape of Raven in the darkness, and he knew that the bandit holding him was the only thing stopping her now from escaping with Maple. "Go... now's your chance Raven... don't worry bout' me... I'll be fine." His voice was a tiny bit raspy because of the knife, but did not lack conviction.

Linden stopped his attack from slightly behind Raven. His blood ran cold when he seen Pike and the bandit and he was too speechless to even offer a suggestion.

--

Mavis squeezed Terrick's hand hard and looked to where he thought the guard's head would be, it was so dark that he couldn't see Terrick at all. A couple of hours ago he would have been slightly disgusted to be holding another man's bloody hand, but now it seemed all too normal.

His sore mind struggled to understand what his friend was saying, did Terrick not expect to make it out? What about Pike? And Linden? He didn't want to run, not when they had come there specifically to help him. It felt cowardly. Instead, he threw open his arms and wrapped them tightly around Terrick in a sort of awkward hug. "I'm sorry Terrick..." He sobbed. "I'm so sorry, I didn't mean for any of this to happen..."

 

[Frundette]

Terrick felt a lump rise in his throat at this unexpected hug and apologies from Mavis. "You're not to blame for the evils of others," the caravan guard said, squeezing Mavis back with the hand that was not clamped down on his wounded leg.

Unsure how much time they might have, Terrick broke the hug and felt around on the floor, locating his short sword. It was nothing particularly special, but was well made and sharp. "Mavis," he said quietly. "I've not given up yet, lad, but take this." He found the boy's hand again and pushed the hilt of the blade into his palm, hoping that the boy would never have a reason to need it. "Now go."

 

[ChickieBooBoo]

Mavis's fingers closed automatically around the handle of the sword that Terrick pushed into his hand. He had only used a blade a couple of time during his short career as a guard, and it still felt foreign and heavy in his grasp. "I won't leave you here, I promise..." He said sincerely to Terrick, although he wasn't exactly sure that it was in his power to decide the guard's fate. Either way, he did not wish the fate of being stuck in the cave on anyone.

Moving away from Terrick, he began to feel his way around the wall again. Due to the overwhelming darkness in the cave he was unwilling to leave the wall for fear of getting lost, or tripping over something. After passing by his previous hiding place, he made his way around to the entrance of the tunnel which was occupied by Raven, Maple, Linden, Pike and the bandit. Without stepping into the mouth of the opening, he stayed off the side just enough that someone looking back into the cage area would not see him. It was so dark that he doubted the precaution was necessary, but just to be safe. From listening within the crevice he was able to follow the battle along, and knew that there was likely only one bandit remaining. He was unaware, however, of Pike's current situation, and remained hidden near the tunnel to listen further.

 

[StarrNico]

Raven backed a step, then another. She watched the bandit as she moved Maple down the exit tunnel, disappearing into the darkness. When she judged she had gone far enough she stopped and looked around herself. She could keep going and get just the girl out, or she could rejoin the fight and possibly all of them be captured. She put her dagger away and pulled out her bow, stringing an arrow. " Use the stones" She called to Pike. She wanted him to turn the stones on bright and cause the bandit to be blinded from the light so he could get away

 

[Frundette]

(Star, was Raven headed back toward the area where Maple was being held (where Terrick is) or toward the exit?)

 

[StarrNico]

(Exit)

 

[Frundette]

As the elf moved toward the exit, ignoring his orders to move back into the cavern, the bandit made good on his threat. "She just killed you," he hissed in Pike's ear before drawing his blade across the caravan guard's throat...

 

[ChickieBooBoo]

Pike's blood already felt like ice when he heard the bandit whisper the last words he would ever hear into his ear. He could almost feel his blood thickening and freezing in his veins, despite his heartbeat increasing significantly. The pain was sharp, but brief, lasting only seconds before the blood had begun to flow enough to render him unconscious due to the lack of blood to his brain. He slumped lifeless to the floor, continuing to bleed out at the bandits feet...

 

[StarrNico]

Raven cursed in elvish and released her arrow, swiftly sending a second after the first