Two Paths Diverge: Toranoshi Alone - Chapter 8

[Vardaen]

The Mystic nods, and then tugs on Toranoshi's sleave, he inclines his head to the rooftop of a nearby building. Both men are able to see several dark clad men laying in wait on the rooftop. Toranoshi is being shadowed, watched, no doubt the men on the roof have been following him for a while now, seeking to see where he will go. The Mystic whispers, "<Ancient> I fear that they are waiting to see where we will go. If we continue on, we may place the others in grave danger." He pretends to adjust his robes, giving a reason for the pause as he looks away nonchalantly.

[JohnnyWeird]

"<Ancient>They seem to require discretion; perhaps we can finish this here and now." While seeming to await his companion's readiness, Toranoshi draws a smokestick with the greatest subtlety he can muster, passing it off as stretching or patting down his pockets should all else fail. "<Ancient>On my signal, make with the greatest speed for either the rooftops or the house of Vaashi. I would not demand you join me in this fight."

Action

Sleight of Hand, I suppose, to draw smokestick and be prepared to light it.

[Vardaen]

The Mystic shakes his head, "<Ancient> This is our fight together Harbinger, yet we will hurt you chances of dealing with the Brahmin later if they catch wind of his location. I will stay with you, we must be sure the enemy doesn't know where we are heading, or else we may face far greater trouble." He eyes the smoke stick, its unlikely those on the roof have seen it.

OOC

Just to help with story continuity, you can't go back to Vivec's house tonight, because of what happened in their thread. Sorry to sort of force things here, but the story has to make sense in both threads.

[JohnnyWeird]

Toranoshi nods. "<Ancient>I am grateful, in truth. Though my skills are considerable, a single man against many is always made difficult."

In the back of the dhuka's mind, a momentary amusement. Harbinger...after all my years of training not to be seen, I am become a herald and sign. How the Shadows savor their ironies!

A smile quirks his lips as he lights the smokestick and engulfs himself and the Mystic in a cloud of smoke. When he is sure he is obscured, he will make for the walls.

Action

Light the stick, move to the wall of the building these men hide on. Up the walls, if I can make it.

OOC

That makes sense. Taking out these guys may take some time anyway. Thanks for keeping me in the loop!

[Vardaen]

Smoke suddenly billows up from the location of Toranoshi and the Mystic. By the time the smoke clears the dhuka and his companion are gone. They are climbing up the wall of the building, Toranoshi has no trouble leaping from ledge to ledge, and the mystic, hovering off the ground all the time, seems to have no troubles scaling the walls as well. The two are three quarters of the way up the wall when they hear the men on the roof shouting, "They are gone! Saurama's Curse on them, where are they?"

The enemy doesn't see death only a few feet down the wall from them.

[JohnnyWeird]

Foolish little man. I've been cursed by better men than you. Kama in hand, Toranoshi springs onto the roof, slashes the nearest opponent with the cruel weapon, and wraps himself in the Shadows' embrace. Fear is a poor general, and such maneuvers have a way of putting him in command.

Action

Move up to roof, attack thug, ghost step to become invisible.

[Vardaen]

Toranoshi scales the last few feet of the building with ease. As he climbs he vanishes from sight, stepping into the ghost realm that he has learned to become one with. The sniper on the roof is unaware that Toranoshi has arrived, and he pays dearly for that. The dhuka slips the kama around the enemy's throat and with one smooth motion slits the man's throat from behind. The archer drops to the roof bleeding and gurggling out his life. Before the other man can react, the Mystic arrives and drives a fist, a fist that is a blaze with psionic fire, into his chest shattering ribs and collapsing lungs. The fire consumes the man's mind as he dies screaming in pain.

These two enemies are dead, but there may be more unseen foes about...

OOC

Sorry for the delay and the non-combat combat. I'm swamped.

[JohnnyWeird]

OOC

Don't worry; you know firsthand that I can get the same way. I'm happy to return your patience!

Toranoshi scans the other rooftops and the street below, looking for any sign of other pursuit. "<Ancient>What folly the Destroyer engages in; her agents are chaff ground beneath a millstone."

[Vardaen]

The Mystic nods to Toranoshi, "<Ancient> If her agents can find us, others may as well. I might suggest we do not return to the home of the Brahmin tonight. We are being followed, perhaps by more than one person, and if we do return, it may bring danger or harm to those you name friends." He hovers there on the rooftop arms neatly folded, his mind refocusing.

[JohnnyWeird]

"<Ancient>Agreed. My own methods of communication are limited, however; can you think of a way to inform them of our activities without risking exposure?" Toranoshi's voice is level and his actions unhurried as he pats down the men who lay in wait for them. He might be negotiating the price of a mango for all the urgency in his manner; at last he is doing what he does best.