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Parakarry267

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They looked saddened, worried, and some even hateful, as if to say, 'Why now? Why this stupid mage from the King? Why Straven?!'
Sevan immediately ran over to Straven, being cautious not to get too close to the ball of darkness as it still looked hostile. Irti*'* face was a little surprised, but she didn't seem nearly as shaken as the others about what had happened to Straven. She didn't like what he had said to her, both about the unwanted compliment and the comment about her having the aura of a thief.
One of Pa*uet's gray eyebrows raised in surprise, making wrinkles in his forehead, and he laughed to himself, although he knew he was like a co-leader since he had put together this whole thing.
Sevan touched the black, ugly skin on Straven's neck. A grossed look came over his face, as the skin felt like it was going to melt over the inky blood, like it was the crust over a jelly pizza. It smelled like tar, and seemed to soak up the scent of the burns. Despite the wounds in the side of his neck, he could feel the faintest of pulses.
"He's alive... He's alive. But how?" Sevan rubbed his finger on his Dragonhide, shaking his head at the thought of the feel of Straven's skin.
One of the Phoenix Gang members, the one closest to Sevan, turned around and said in an Al-Kharidian accent,
"He has been turned into a zombie, perhaps. Darkness is a mysterious thing, and it is the fuel for necromancy."
"What about the others, then? Are they going to turn into zombies as well?" Sevan looked at the man, and then looked at the other blackened Phoenix Gang members. They made no movement, and no sound as well.
"I would assume they are. If their skin is as black as our leader's, it might be a sign. Go check."
"No thanks! Errrggh!" Sevan shook his head again at the thought of the inky, black blood.
"If anything at all," Pa*uet spoke from across the field,
"Shouldn't we at least cremate them so that they don't go around terrorizing the locals?"

24-Nov-2007 08:51:27 - Last edited on 25-Nov-2007 07:48:26 by Parakarry267

Parakarry267

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The Phoenix Gang members nodded in reluctance. Sevan walked over and stood next to Irtia while Pa*uet walked across the field and stood in front of the lineup of bodies. He looked down and put his hands in a prayful stance while chanting some words of magic softly. Then, he looked into the heavens, his eyes wide with awe and his hands open and above his head, as a huge ball of flame suddenly appeared in his hands, making a torching sound as it came on. Everyone could hear the flame burning, and the heat radiated from it and made Pa*uet sweat incredibly, as with everyone who was closest to it.
"If you are not strong enough to bear the sight of the destruction of your comrades and leader, I suggest you look away. Now." Pa*uet turned his head to the Phoenix Gang members and scanned his eyes across them quickly. Only two looked away from the scene, while the others looked at the ball of flame, their faces saddened and ashamed at how easily their friends had died. The heat that radiated from the ball of flame made some of them sweat, and the moisture on their faces dripped down and stained their red clothes. As Pa*uet turned his head back to the fallen gang members and moved his hands back, ready to heave the large ball of fire that made him want to faint, the Al-Kharidian man added in silence,
"May you rest well in the afterlife, Straven. May you rest well."
From as far as Falador and the druid land of Taverley, and as far as Canifis over the Salve, a huge billow of black smoke could be seen, as if a volcano had just erupted there. Many wondered, including the Black Arms, what on earth had just occurred at that spot that the smoke was coming from. Yet only few knew the answer, as the tale was only spoken of in years later by the people of the underground.

---

"Must be a fire out there somewhere." Levantris remarked, as he saw the large, chimney-shaped cloud of black smoke that came from far across the land.

24-Nov-2007 08:51:34 - Last edited on 25-Nov-2007 07:50:17 by Parakarry267

Parakarry267

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"Definitely, boss. It's only a couple of paces farther to the portal, right boss?" Vinnin looked at the smoke, and then to Levantris, wiping some sweat off of his forehead. By now, it was the afternoon, the sun already past its highest point. The Black Arms were sweaty and a little worn from the long amount of walking, but they still trudged on in confidence.
"Right. We still have about a good four to five hours before our deadline, although I wouldn't slack off now. Don't want the Phoenix Gang members... Taking up all the loot, now." Levantris yawned, as if he was tired from leading the gang all this way. Vinnin raised an eyebrow in surprise, and said to him,
"Boss, is there something wrong with ya? That... Uh... Can't remember her name... Er, woman's body been weighing you down too much? I'll carry her for ya if that's what ya want, boss." Vinnin knew that Sonia didn't like him, but as long as she never found out, whom would care?
"It's nothing, Vinnin. Besides, she's bound to wake up in the next hour or so. Don't worry about it. However, I'd like to ask you something." Levantris kept looking straight; his hood perched over his head with many wrinkles in it.
"Yeah?"
"Do you think this will be an easy job?"
"Uhh... I dunno, boss. I s'pose it'd be a little easier what with all the deals you made, but... I honestly have *no idea*, boss." Vinnin looked around in the group of thieves, trying to spot Reitar. He was there, although even with his standout red hair, he was hard to see because he was in the front lines. Vinnin and Levantris were at the back of the group.
The two were silent after that, until about five minutes later, when the trees seemed to cluster in and fuse together at one spot, forming a strange, enormous, mutated tree that had gnarly, long brown roots sticking out in its middle and tiptops, and yellow leaves growing out at the very bottom of it.

24-Nov-2007 08:51:40 - Last edited on 25-Nov-2007 07:51:16 by Parakarry267

Parakarry267

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Branches sprouted in random places, and tree trunks were held together by their barks as a giant had glued them together. At the front, the tree curved inwards, making a little open circle right in front of the heart (or one of the hearts) of the tree.
"Creepy tree." One of the thieves remarked, and some of the others murmured, while others just stayed silent. Reitar ran off to meet Vinnin, who stayed at the back of the pack while Levantris moved forward, still with Sonia on his shoulder.
"Hey, buddy!" Reitar called happily as he stopped in front of Vinnin, the usual smile on his face.
"Well, Rei, I think we're halfway through this. This is probably where the portal is gonna appear and stuff." Vinnin said as he watched Levantris put Sonia down on the green-yellow grass that lined the ground.
"Yeah, I thought so. Can't wait to get into Jipalar! Imagine what could be in there, man! I've heard there are ancient treasures from like, the 3rd Age in there!" Reitar'* smile turned into a grin, and Vinnin grinned in return at the thought of what could lay inside Jipalar Warehouse.
At the front, Levantris took out the notes that Veronica had given him. They were written in a strange, wavy language, that wouldn't have been readable to most, but Levantris knew exactly what it meant. He began to murmur some incoherent words in a low, deep voice, and traced a circle with a decagon inside and outside of the circle. He then murmured some more words, took out a knife, and then planted it in the middle of the figure, which caused a dim purple light to shimmer next to Sonia.
The dim purple light barely flickered, and it looked like it might've shut off, but then it flickered strongly and it took its true form, in the shape of a square with a dim twilight radiating from it. Everyone who saw it felt very calm at that moment, like whatever conflicts they may have had within their hearts were suddenly halted.

24-Nov-2007 08:51:47 - Last edited on 25-Nov-2007 07:54:32 by Parakarry267

Parakarry267

Posts: 9,830 Rune Posts by user Forum Profile RuneMetrics Profile

"Well... Don't just stand there! Come on!" Levantris shouted to the gang, who looked like they'd just seen the treasure of the gods themselves right before their eyes. Then, they all shook their heads and ran into the portal, one by one. Some even dived into the portal, and it made no sound as everyone phased through it. Reitar ran towards the portal, Vinnin following him closely behind. They were two of the last ones, and Vinnin got too close and tripped Reitar, and then they both fell through the portal together, tumbling as they went.
"Ha. Not bad, Veronica. Not bad." Levantris scoffed as he picked up Sonia and jumped through the portal, which then reverted back to its dim, purplish, flickering state.

--

The Phoenix Gang trudged on, sneaking around the Barbarian Village with ease. Pa*uet looked behind him and saw the faces of the remaining members, who still had that stern look on their faces, but he could tell they didn't have as much heart in it as they used to. Sevan and Irtia were next to him, and he spoke softly to them,
"I hope this incident doesn't affect their thieving ability when we get in range for Jipalar." Sevan answered,
"I doubt it. As... Being who they are, they are still professionals of their trade. Like us, they wouldn't let emotions get in the way of their sworn duties."
"Just make sure they stay away from me, and we'll be fine." Irtia said bitterly. What Straven said still lingered in her mind, even if he wasn't alive anymore. It was like an itch that she couldn't scratch, and it tormented her constantly as they moved on. She decided, however, that it would be best to keep it a secret for now.
"...Pa*uet. May I have a word with you?" the Al-Kharidian man said to Paquet, and he held back to talk to him.
"What's on your mind, Nali?"
"What are your reasons for hating King Roald? I'm sure that there are many things, but what is most maddening about that man?"

24-Nov-2007 08:51:52 - Last edited on 25-Nov-2007 07:55:39 by Parakarry267

Parakarry267

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Nali took out a waterskin and drank from it, and then sighed in relief at the cool liquid going down his throat.
"He is a blind fool. Don't know what's worse, a blind fool, or a fool that knows he's a fool and chooses to stay that way." Pa*uet's face seemed to grow angry, as if he had just remembered certain moments with Roald that gave him just cause to hate him.
"Both are quite idiotic indeed. But are you saying he is ignorant to what could possibly thrash his reputation?"
"Forget his reputation. He could care less. As long as he's alive to the next day and as long as he's still sitting on the throne by next morning, he's fine. I swear, Reldo would make a better king if he would just stop being so harsh on himself. His wife, Queen Ellamaria, is a decent ruler, although she is much too concerned with keeping her precious garden and husband in check rather than ruling the kingdom."
"So why not just revolt? You seem of high enough strength to be able to overthrow the castle all by yourself." Nali looked at Pa*uet questioningly. It seemed so simple, and obviously a man as intelligent as Pa*uet would've thought of something as easy as that in less than half a second... But he awaited Pa*uet's response none-the-less.
"Ah, indeed. But it is one thing to overthrow the castle, and another thing to take control of it. You see, my Al-Kharidian acquaintance, I am not without a heart. I want to teach Roald a lesson; however, he must be shown the hard way, as every other method has failed." Pa*uet stroked his beard, and stared at the sky, pondering.
"I see. Do you think being with us will show the King how ignorant he truly is? Is that it?"
"Yes. Well, I am not doing this *just* to get the King's attention. That is a large part of it, but I have another reason for teaming up with you." Pa*uet looked towards the south, and then back to the west. His face seemed to be troubled, and angry at something.

24-Nov-2007 08:51:59 - Last edited on 25-Nov-2007 08:01:14 by Parakarry267

Parakarry267

Posts: 9,830 Rune Posts by user Forum Profile RuneMetrics Profile

"Hm? Is there... Ah. I see. You have a grudge against the Black Arms, am I right?" Nali's eyes turned to lines in his face, and a smile crept across his face.
"You have good perception skills, my friend. Hehehe." Pa*uet's laugh was half-heartened, but he looked on towards the sun with a satisfied look.
"What have they done to you, Pa*uet? What is your reason for taking revenge on them?"
"It's not what they've done. It's what they haven't done, Nali." Pa*uet closed his eyes, as the group began to approach Ice Mountain, where Dwarves lived and where the strange Oracle was supposed to roam, high on the peaks.
"What?" Nali questioned, a surprised look on his face.
"It was forty years ago, when I was around 22. King Benjamin the Third was monarch of Misthalin, and this was before Catherby was ever discovered. White Wolf Mountain was the end of the world, and the sea was the adventurers' haven. I was one of those adventurers, eager to find a treasure in the depths. Now, I was walking through Varrock, looking for the old Port Farde that used to exist where the Lumbridge Swamps were."
"I see, but where does--" Nali started, but Pa*uet kept going with,
"Don't be impatient. Now, on my way, this strange, black-clothed guy comes up to me and says in a shady voice,
'Hey, guy. You lookin' for treasure?'
So I say to him, 'Yeah... What's it to you, rat boy?'. Next, he snickers and tells me about the Black Arms, which, apparently had been around only a few months. I hadn't heard of them, but I *had* heard of the Phoenix Gang, which had been around for decades. I tell him that if I ever wanted to join a thieving gang, I'd rather join the solid Phoenix Gang."

24-Nov-2007 08:52:05 - Last edited on 25-Nov-2007 08:02:27 by Parakarry267

Parakarry267

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"And then he tosses me a bag of gold, a particularly heavy one, I remember. I nearly fell over as he threw it to me, and back then, a bag of gold *that heavy* was only held by royalty or a really proficient merchant. So I'm very surprised, and I think about it for a second. Now, you may be wondering where my morals went. You don't know what gold can do to a man, Nali. Well, I suppose you might, but that's not relevant.
'Indeed, this is what we picked up *last week*. You want a share in this? Then join us.'
Suddenly, he rushed up to me and took the bag back. I think I would've held on to it stronger, but the shock of the amount probably numbed my senses there.
'Yeah, I saw that. I know you want it. So just come along.'
Then, the shady guy winked at me and darted off. I immediately took off after him, eager to get that bag of gold back. However, he got in the door and closed it before I could get in, so I slammed my fist on the door to try to call the shady guy.
He opened the small box-like sliding mechanism on the door, and looked at me.
'Ah, guy, you want to join us?'
I nodded, and then he shoved a piece of parchment through the hole and a pen for me to write with. I immediately filled out the application, and then shoved it back in his face. He read it for a minute, and then he just closed the mechanism without saying anything. I'd supposed he was going to his superior to verify the application, so I waited in Varrock a few more days. Every day, I would stop by the entrance to the hideout and knock on the door, but no one answered.
About a week later, I was starting to lose my patience. When I knocked on the door, a different pair of eyes looked at me through the hole.
'What? What do you want? Are you the idiot who's been knocking on our door for a whole week?'
I disregarded the insult, but I agreed to what the person had said. Then, that person snickered and closed the mechanism on me again. Arrgh, how I *hated* that!"

24-Nov-2007 08:52:11 - Last edited on 25-Nov-2007 08:02:49 by Parakarry267

Parakarry267

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"I screamed at the guy in anger, and then kicked the door in fury. It didn't do anything, and I just spat on the rusty door and left to stay in the Blue Moon Inn, where I had been staying for the past week. Not only were they annoying me with their suspicions, but they were also costing me money because I had to rent a room for an entire week!
I considered just forgetting about it and moving on to Farde, but the next morning, the first thing I wake up to is this annoying teenage girl thrusting a stupid paper in my face. Apparently, it was the latest issue of the Varrock Herald, and the first thing I see is my face, painted with a very decent technique. I wondered why on Gielinor I'd been featured, but then I read the first line of the article that was under it...
'Stupid Pa*uet of Lumbridge tried to get into the Black Arms for an entire week!'
Immediately I turned to the girl and yelled at her,
'Who's responsible for this travesty?!'
She just giggled at me and said that some anonymous source got to the editor and paid her a *huge sum* of money to put that *demeaning* article in the paper! At once, I punched her out cold, a wildfire burning in my eyes. I ran down the stairs, and immediately went to where the Varrock Herald was published.
I could've cared less, as I just hopped over the receptionist's desk, took out my Adamant Longsword, and began to destroy all of the tables, papers, and left some of the employees with very serious cuts. When I came to the editor's room, she was already screaming for the Varrock Guard, but all I had to worry about was that idiocy she did.
'Why? Why? Why, you moron? What do you have against me, huh?' I shouted, my teeth clenched as I was ready to cleave her head right off her shoulders. She dived under her desk and whimpered pathetically,
'I-I'm sorry! But you know how much money that was? We could've expanded our paper to everyone in the world!'"

24-Nov-2007 08:55:05 - Last edited on 25-Nov-2007 08:03:15 by Parakarry267

Parakarry267

Posts: 9,830 Rune Posts by user Forum Profile RuneMetrics Profile

"For a moment, I thought about what she had said. I was tempted by that same money a while ago, and it occurred to me that I might just be doing this in vain. Indeed, I lowered my sword and looked down. Was I really going to *do* such a thing over what I wanted?
I couldn't decide, and the thought made my head want to explode. So, I shouted in confuse***t and anger and frustration, and then I tore a hole in the window behind the editor with my sword and dived out, running as fast as I could to White Wolf Mountain. That was to be my home for what I felt was going to be the rest of my life."
Nali was silent for a moment, and the other Phoenix Gang members who had heard had their necks craned out in surprise to try and hear what Pa*uet was saying.
"...So how is that you came to work for the King after what you had *done* so long ago?" Nali stared at Pa*uet, wide-eyed.
"Well, now... After I had exiled myself to White Wolf Mountain for ten years, living by eating wolf meat and considering my sword the only friend I had, I was courageous enough to head down to Taverley, the druids' land. The years had changed my face, and made me look older than I really did. So they did not recognize me when I came seeking shelter and more than raw wolf meat. In fact, they welcomed me like I was a beggar, which was what sort of what I had become.
After about a month or so, I was becoming a druid myself, learning the ways of Guthix and herblore and all that stuff you think druids do, and a lot of stuff that you'd be surprised to know. I had liked the peaceful life that the druids had, but after another year, I felt something calling me back to Varrock.
I never told the druids about what I had done in Varrock, but rather, I explained to them that I felt Guthix was calling me to lead a life in the urban area of the city. It wasn't a lie, I assure you. I really did feel a calling to Varrock, to go back there for some strange reason."

24-Nov-2007 08:55:13 - Last edited on 25-Nov-2007 08:03:43 by Parakarry267

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