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Zaibatsu 0

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After I was cleared to leave the Duel Arena hospital, a thought had occurred to me. We all had to sleep somewhere. Justin and Lydia were like myself, no real place to call home, living off the land and spending the occasional night in an inn. Kzahar had spent the last six months inside the barracks, Yamabushi also had no permanent place to stay. Rose often stayed with her brother, who used to live in Ardougne. Unfortunately, due to him disappearing and joining Veritus Vos Liberit, the Ardougne authorities seized his house. Not that we could of stopped there anyway, Rose did not want to go back.
The only solution I could think of was ask Ned. He runs a shop in Draynor where he makes rope for adventurers, and since our trip to Crandor he has been making a bit of money navigating and ferrying people around Runescape. His house was just north of the shop, which was where we were all stopping right now.
I was surprised that Ned let us use it, but seeing as he is mostly out at sea anyway he was willing to let us stop.
I looked to the east, where the sun was setting. It had been a long day, this seemed to be a thought shared by the farmers and stall owners of the market, they were packing up their wares and setting off home.
I headed to Ned’s house, fully prepared for a nice meal and an evening in conversation with my friends.
I approached the front door and opened it. Jess the cat came screeching out with a half-eaten piece of cod in her mouth. Jess was Justin’s cat. He had recently helped find a Varrock woman’s cat that had gotten itself lost. Turned out the cat was pregnant, and the woman - Gertrude I believe her name was, gave Justin Jess the kitten as a reward.
Justin quickly followed her, "oh man, I’m never gonna catch her now!” he said in an irritated tone as he ran past me.
“You could do with the exercise,” I replied, closing the door behind him.

08-Feb-2007 14:55:45 - Last edited on 08-Feb-2007 14:58:52 by Zaibatsu 0

Zaibatsu 0

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I took off my armour and hung it up, along with my quiver and Magic Bow. I was in the central point of the house, a medium sized dining room that doubled up as meeting room. The right hand side of the room had a staircase that led upstairs to the bedrooms, and the rear of the room held the door that led into the kitchen. The door was opened about halfway, and I could see Rose keeping herself busy cooking.
I silently approached, trying to sneak up on her. It was a game we played, and was one I’d never actually beaten her at.
“Don’t even try it,” she said as I reached the door. Darn, caught again. I swung the door open and she turned and smiled at me.
“Hi,” she said happily, putting a knife down and opening her arms. I returned the gesture and gave her a hug.
“Hi,” I replied, and let her go.
“You managed to get into the Guild yet?” she asked, returning her attention to cutting vegetables.
“Yeah, I’m an official Hero now.”
“I knew that anyway. What’s the Guild like? Is it posh looking?”
“Very. I charged that amulet I brought, it works fine. I didn’t see the whole place though, I was getting tired.”
“Well, you go and see Kzahar and Lydia, they are in the garden. I’ll give you a shout when the food is ready.”
“Okay.”
I made my way out of the back door into the garden. Lydia was sitting on the stone wall watching the sun set, and Kzahar was polishing Drakthor.
“Hey, how are you?” he asked.
“I’m okay. I’m in the Guild now, finally.”
Lydia had turned around. “Good, I’m glad wasting all those arrows on those Ice morons wasn’t in vain.”
I smiled and shook my head. “Nope, not in vain. What have you two been up to today?”
“A little research.”
“Oh, on what?”
“The Veritus Vos Liberit.”
I knew Lydia was going to say that. Yamabushi had told us everything he knew before he left, but even that was limited information. The Protagonist had kept him in the dark about a lot of things, to protect his organization I supposed.

08-Feb-2007 14:55:45 - Last edited on 08-Feb-2007 14:59:03 by Zaibatsu 0

Zaibatsu 0

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The Veritus Vos Liberit was, as you probably already know, was an incredibly secret sect that had seemingly been around for centuries. They had a complex system of barracks throughout the kingdoms, which all systematically carried out culls, as ordered by The Protagonist. These orders are handed down to ‘The Listeners’ who each in turn pass these orders onto ‘The Generals’.
However, a type of mind control magic affected anyone below the rank of Listener. This magic worked by making the victim think that The Listener was actually The Protagonist, which in turn meant that The Protagonist was always safe, should any Barracks be infiltrated. The magic also weakened the link between the victims and his family and friends. This was why Jonathon was so callous towards Rose on the island. The only mystery left was how Jonathon knew of the magic, as he spoke of it in his dying breaths.
The only exception in all of this was Yamabushi. He was the only person to see The Protagonist on a regular basis, and he received personal orders, like culls and hunting down rogue members. He did this because his daughter was being held captive.
“Find anything out?” I asked Lydia, and sat down on the wall next to her.
“Nothing much. I done some rooting about in Varrock Library and I have a few books with me. Not much in there though. A few mentions about ‘A mysterious cult’, the usual. There must be some sort of history behind them, I just need to find it.”
“A great man once said that history is a bunch of lies that have been agreed upon.” I replied.
“You’re probably right, but a lie is better than nothing.”
Justin appeared with Jess in his arms. She was purring and seemed quite content.
“Got her!” Justin said with a grin.
Rose came outside and sat on the wall next to me.
“Dinner will be ready soon. You lot go and wash up.” She ordered, giving Jess a stroke.
“Yes mom,” Justin replied sarcastically, and went inside.

08-Feb-2007 14:55:47 - Last edited on 08-Feb-2007 14:59:20 by Zaibatsu 0

Zaibatsu 0

Posts: 2,895 Adamant Posts by user Forum Profile RuneMetrics Profile

The others followed, and I sat watched the sun finally set.

I ate the last of my lobster and pushed my plate away.
“Enjoy?” Rose asked with a smile.
“As ever,” I replied with a wink.
The meal was delicious, as it always was. I was completely full, and a feeling of being content crept over me. I could have done with a nice nap, but I decided to wait until bedtime. Justin had finished earlier, and had taken Jess out for a walk. Lydia had her nose into one of the books she had taken from Varrock library, and Kzahar was dozing in his chair in the corner.
The fire was burning brightly, the hot embers keeping us warm and comfortable. Rose got up from her seat and took my plate. She walked into the kitchen and began washing up. I felt a pang of guilt, she had prepared such a lovely meal, and now was washing up after us lot. It was something she insisted upon though, she liked to be kept busy.
“Take a look at this,” Lydia suddenly said to me, and handed me the book she was leafing through. I skimmed over the pages, looking for what sparked her interest. I then found a passage that read:

‘They call themselves Veritus Vos Liberit. They are as corrupt as the people that fund them, and more dangerous than the monsters they report to hate. I know they receive funding from a power that no one would fathom, and a desire to kill that goes beyond monsters. The leader, or rather the Protagonist (as he likes to be called. I’m guessing he has an ego that is second only to desire to kill.) is rumoured to have been alive for much longer than he should have been.. Some people I have asked think that the cult has been around for eons, and has only ever had one leader. How can this be? Any mortal man very rarely lives longer than 100. I have decided to put my research into this cult on hold for a while. I am sure nosing about will get me into trouble, and I’m not willing to risk my life on research that will never surface.”

08-Feb-2007 14:55:49 - Last edited on 08-Feb-2007 14:59:46 by Zaibatsu 0

Zaibatsu 0

Posts: 2,895 Adamant Posts by user Forum Profile RuneMetrics Profile

I glanced at Lydia, who was watching me intently. I looked at the title of the book, ‘Mystic Cults'.

There was no mention of an author.
“What you make of this?” I asked Lydia, handing the book back to her.
“Don’t know. I’m gonna keep looking, I’m hoping that whoever wrote this continued their research.”
“Okay, keep it up.” I got up and stretched. “Only vampires can live that long.”
Lydia looked up and nodded. “I hate vampires.”
“I hope that is not what we are up against,” I had slain a vampire before, in Draynor Manor. It was a most unpleasant experience.
“I doubt it, a vampire would have no reason to slay other monsters.”
“I suppose so.”
Lydia returned her attention to the book. I don’t believe I gave a description of Lydia in my last entry, allow me to do so now. She is a slender woman, who stands at about 5’ 6”. She has long blonde hair, and a serious expression. I had learnt that she likes a good practical joke, normally at the expense of her brother. Her twin brother Justin stands at around 5’ 11”, has a shaved head and a cheeky grin. Although he appears gullible and sometimes brash, he can be lethally efficient when he wants to be.

The front door opened, and Justin walked in, with Jess in hot pursuit. A most unusual kitten, I don’t know of any other that likes to go on walks, like a dog would.
"Oh man, I’m beat,” Justin yawned. “I’m gonna hit the hay. Later!”
He trotted upstairs, leaving Jess to look about for scraps of lobster.
“G’night.” Lydia said without looking up from her book.
Kzahar suddenly stirred, “there’s someone outside,” he quickly got up and grabbed Drakthor from the floor.

08-Feb-2007 14:55:49 - Last edited on 08-Feb-2007 15:00:00 by Zaibatsu 0

Zaibatsu 0

Posts: 2,895 Adamant Posts by user Forum Profile RuneMetrics Profile

I heard the sound of glass smash in the kitchen, and Rose yell out. I didn’t hear what she said though, it was muffled by the sound of a spell being cast. Yet another sound, this time from upstairs! I looked around for my sword as Rose quickly appeared from the kitchen, her hand still glowing from the spell she had cast. Lydia was on her feet, she quickly grabbed my blade from the rack next to her and threw it to me. I caught it in time to witness the front door being kicked in by a group of men, all dressed in black. There were three in front of us, and two had entered through the back door. I could not see their faces as they wore masks. Apparently there was someone upstairs too, as the sound of fighting was getting quite loud up there.
Rose released another spell, this time favouring a fire attack aimed at the people in the kitchen. I launched myself at the group by the front door, taking one down with a kick to the gut. He doubled over clutching his stomach. Lydia quickly followed me, choosing her new skills in using blades. The fight spilled out onto the outside of the house, with Kzahar and Rose taking care of whoever was in the kitchen. The two remaining assailants were left to Lydia and myself. They had drawn weapons, an adamantine short sword and a runite battle axe. The enemy closest to me swung his axe at me with both hands. I had no armour on, so evasive action was my only choice. I ducked out of the way and swung back, aiming to take his arms out. My blade struck well at the elbow, and he yelled out. I had used the blunt edge of my sword, I didn’* want to kill whoever this was. I had questions for him. His arm flopped down to his side, broken; I then quickly smashed the hilt of my blade into his face, knocking him out. Whoever these guys were, they were woefully unprepared. He fell onto his back as Lydia grabbed the arm of her opponent with her left hand, and brought her foot to meet with his face.

08-Feb-2007 14:55:50 - Last edited on 08-Feb-2007 15:00:10 by Zaibatsu 0

Zaibatsu 0

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The sound of a nose being broken rang out through the night. She followed the kick through so her leg remained behind her opponent’s head, in a pincer movement. She then brought her weight down onto his shoulder, allowing herself to fall to the floor. Her backside cushioned the fall, but her hapless victim did not have that luxury, it was his face that broke his quick descent. She still had hold of his arm, and quickly turned it skyward, snapping the bone.
I wondered how Kzahar and Rose were getting on, as well as Justin. My thoughts were quickly answered though, I caught sight of one of the intruders running away from the rear of the house in flames, he had obviously got on the wrong end of one of Rose’s spells. His friend quickly followed, clutching the stump that used to be his left arm. I quickly returned to the front doorway as Lydia knocked out her opponent. The guy I originally kicked in the gut was still there, on his knees. Using his neck, I brought his head level with mine and gave him a quick, sharp forearm smash. He crumpled to the floor as Justin threw his intruder down the stairs. He fell awkwardly down, with bones snapping and ligaments being stretched. He finally came to rest at the bottom of the staircase, where Lydia placed her foot on his throat. He limply grasped at her, struggling to breathe. She released her foot after he lost consciousness.
Both Rose and Kzahar entered the room as Justin descended the stairs, and we stood to survey the carnage. This was some kind of attempt on our lives, though whoever had instigated it had deeply underestimated our abilities.
“I wonder what all that was about,” Rose said.
Lydia was shaking her head, “we’re in too deep now. We should expect more of this.”
I heard a grumble from outside, and went to see which of our moronic assassins was stirring.
It was the one I had dealt with. I crouched down and grabbed hold of his mask, and in one quick motion I removed it.

08-Feb-2007 14:55:51 - Last edited on 08-Feb-2007 15:00:21 by Zaibatsu 0

Zaibatsu 0

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A pair of startled eyes met mine, he was clearly afraid.
“Please, don’t kill me! I’ve got kids, don’t kill me!*
*Shut up,” I shouted angrily. An aggressive attitude would make this idiot even more submissive, soon he’ll tell me everything, “who are you?”
“M-m-m-my name is *****-Kariov!”
“Why did you attack…well, why did you TRY to attack us?”
“We were hired by someone to kill you. I don’t know why, I don’t care, I’m only in it for the money.”
“What did your employer look like?”
“I d-d-d-don’t know, it was all done real mysterious like, letters, and promises of gold. There was 25k in my bank, with a note promising more if I killed you. I got some friends together, and here I am…”
“Yeah, here you are. With a broken arm, and a smashed face. I want to see this note.”
“It’s not on me, it’s in the bank.”
“Fine by me,” I replied, and grabbed Kariov by his hair. I dragged him to the bank with the toerag kicking and screaming all the way. We reached the bank and I pulled him up, some of his hair being torn out by the roots. I smashed his head into the teller’s window and pressed firmly.
“I’m waiting,” I said with impatience.
“I-I-I-I-I'd like to access my bank account please,” He cried, tears rolling down his face. They just don’t make assassins like they used to. He withdrew the note and handed it to me.
“Why, thank you. Now, let me make one thing very clear to you, Kariov. You have been fortunate. If you or your cronies ever try to attack my friends or me again, I will not hesitate to end your life. Is that clear?”
“Yeah, it’s clear.”
I yanked his head back and smashed it off the counter. Blood splattered up the glass screens, and a female teller screamed. Still holding his hair, I pulled him up to make eye contact with me.
“I ASKED IS THAT CLEAR?”
“Yes, yes, please, let me go, you won’t see me again, ever, I swear! Please, let me go!”

08-Feb-2007 14:55:53 - Last edited on 08-Feb-2007 15:00:32 by Zaibatsu 0

Zaibatsu 0

Posts: 2,895 Adamant Posts by user Forum Profile RuneMetrics Profile

I released the wretch of a man and let him crumple to the floor in a whimpering mess. I exited the bank with the note in hand. I’m normally a patient man, I prefer to solve my problems with words first, sword second. However, if anyone tries to mess with my friends, things change quite drastically, I become extremely aggressive and short-tempered, as Kariov had found out.
I tried to calm my nerves before I returned to the house, I didn’* want the others to see like this. I held my hand out, it was shaking, my anger evident.
I closed my eyes and relaxed. I allowed my thoughts to drift back to my days during training. My master had taught me many things, mostly about sword fighting, some things about controlling emotions. His words came to me, they were faded, yet audible.
"Anger is your worst enemy, give in to anger and you are as good as admitting defeat."
He made it very clear to me that it is the control, not suppression of anger that is important.
"Take out your anger on something that cannot destroy you."
I had a hand to hand training dummy during my time with my master. It often bore the brunt of my aggression.
"Suppressing anger is simply storing it for later."
I opened my eyes, and my hand was still. I had control of my anger, and it dissipated into the night. Years of punching a wooden dummy also taught me how to simply discard aggression. After decades of control, suppression and following distribution was no longer an issue. I often wondered how much of what I learnt was true. Anger sometimes seeped through, even after I thought I had rid myself of it. That was something I had to deal with when the time came however, I no longer had the luxury of a master, he died years ago.

08-Feb-2007 14:55:53 - Last edited on 08-Feb-2007 15:00:42 by Zaibatsu 0

Zaibatsu 0

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He was a great man, patient yet firm, strict yet fair. He died around a year after my training, defending a town against invading trolls. He had laid to waste hundreds of the beasts, but the numbers were too great, eventually he was killed. It was a warrior's death, and I know he is in Valhalla, awaiting my arrival. I know one day I will spar with him again, but first I must serve my purpose.
I made my way back to the house.

The walk back to the house was hindered by many thoughts now rushing through my head. We had a problem, if the Protagonist sent these assassins, that means he knows we are alive. If he knows we are alive, we are all in greater danger than before, and Yamabushi and his daughter may also be in jeopardy.
I looked at the note. It was a small tattered piece of paper, nothing too special. Some of Kariov's blood was on it, and made the note appear even more messy. It read:

'There are a group of adventurers residing in Draynor. Should you kill them for me, I will deposit 100k within your bank account. The 25k is mearly a taster, something to whet your appetite. Do this for me, and I shall make you a very rich man.'

The writing was hastily scrawled, and there were blotches of dirt and mud on the paper. It was written with a quill and some standard ink, this was unbefitting of The Veritus Vos Liberit, everything they done was a powerful statement towards how rich they were. I was also sure that they would have been able to afford much greater assassins than the hapless morons we had encountered. I stopped walking and looked towards the east. The lair of Human Against Monsters was in that direction. The 'offspring' if you will, of it's much greater counterpart, Veritus Vos Liberit.
I had dealt with them before, not exactly the smartest of people, the garish pink hoods and gowns seem a massively ironic contradiction towards their secrecy.

08-Feb-2007 14:56:06 - Last edited on 08-Feb-2007 15:01:31 by Zaibatsu 0

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