Thick leather gloves held firm to the guard's arm, not wanting to let go.
*GRUNTING OF TWO MEN RIPPLE OUT.*
Still holding on with all his might, Feryn felt his body shift as he was being dragged around like a toy by the older man shifting his weight to the left, then right as the hardened feet of the young shieldsman clipped a table leg.
*JOSTLING OF A STOOL.*
In a comical show, the small stool atop the table danced and spun, rumbling like a coin, only for it to settle back down further from its original position.
The guard's voice grew in frustration, not being able to shake the adventurer free, calling to the man at the bar for assassistance.
Brynn: GET OFF OF ME. (Looking to the bar.) HEY, GONF A LITTLE HELP HERE! 'Angry.'
Trying to focus on the bar, Byrnn's arm was now aching from all of the exertion of trying to break free, and the night at the guard posting was now hitting him in full force, his body beginning to sap of strength.
The ageing fist tightened and a surge of adrenaline shot into his system, wanting to hit the person who was holding on for dear life, but every time he raised his hand, Feryn would squirrel away, pulling down and to the side.
Byrnn: You little shit. I am getting tired of this. 'Boiling anger.' You better let go, you little toe rag, or you will be in big trouble. (Pulling Feryn like a doll.) Do you know who I am? Who I work for!
Feryn, ignoring the guard's threats held on, his hands sweating from underneath the armour until a shout rang out, making his ears ring from the bellow, still keeping his eyes on the other free arm, anticipating a punch.
Byrnn: GET OFF! 'Anger growing.' I MEAN IT... THIS IS YOUR LAST CHANCE!
The man still sitting at the bar gave a blank expression as he returned to watch the madness spiralling out of control, shuffling on his stool and admiring the strength of the young shieldsman, impressed at the tenacity he held.
Gonf: Well, well. You're telling me you can't handle a lone whelp... (Watching on.) It looks like he is putting you to shame there, Brynn. 'Mocking tone.'
A growl came from the large man struggling to break free, not impressed at his fellow guardsmen's jests.
*AUDIBLE GRUMBLE.*
Gonf: You can look at me like that all you like; you got yourself into this mess; just answer the questions before it's too late... before. (Looking at someone on the move.)
*CLICK OF A SMALL DOOR BEGAN TO OPEN, THEN FOLLOWED BY A SOFT CLUNK.*
A small door opened up from the bar's wooden island; a hip pushing it wide open moved on, letting it swing back closed behind her.
Gonf: Too late now... 'Mocking.'
The bar lady, now making her way to the two still embroiled in a tussle, began to unfurl her faded white sleeves, rolling them up below her biceps. No longer concealing her arms, as her well-toned muscles that clenched and unclenched, rippling under the skin.
An aura of readying for a coming fight seeped off of the woman; the two hidden marks were now on display, laced with small and larger scars that faded with time, one on each arm.
Magio focusing mainly on the man who began to shout out, clenched her fist.
*SHOUTING FROM THE MAN IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROOM.*
Byrnn: I said, "GET OFF," What are you, a dog in heat. 'Frustrated.'
The grunting guard turned to the bar for a final time, not noticing the woman disappear from her post, ready to snap at Gonf, Byrnn tried to look back at the bar.
Byrnn: Hey, Gonf! 'Fuming.' If you are not going to help, then shut it; I will deal with this mutt myself. (Lifting his leg up, pulling Feryn into view.)
Feryn's eye went wide as his body spun around, his eyes locked on the man's, not seeing the foot raise up and aim for his chest.
Byrnn: Well, if I cant hit you... then I will do this! 'Annoyed.'
*LOUD SMACK.*
Feryn could feel his feet lift from the floor and into the air as a strong kick slammed into the young man's chest, winding him as he flew back into the direction of the bar and into a set of tables.
*CRASH OF TABLES BEING KNOCKED OVER.*
Feryn, now being hurled backwards into a set of tables that he clipped his feet off of, cried out, not in pain but in shock. The comical show finally came to an abrupt end for the rattling chair and Feryn's game of hold on for as long as you can, as they joined each other.
The top of the stool cracked under the weight of the young man as he landed on top of it, sending the table toppling down to its side.
*FRANTIC GRUNTING FROM THE GUARD.*
Byrnn: Thank fuck! 'Elated.' I thought I'd never get him off me.
After freeing his arm from the human bonds that ensnared him, Byrnn reached for something at his waist, his hand grasping at thin air, large fingers rubbed against the leather feel all around.
Byrnn: Now to deal with the rest of you little shits. 'Confused.' What the?
Frantic eyes scanned along the floor and around the bar, not finding the item that was on his belt.
*SINGLE SHARP WHISTLE.*
Byrnn heard the call and turned to the direction of the sound; it was coming from a red-haired scout standing alone just to the side of the bar; she was holding something in her hands; it was a sheathed dagger, and the black sheath and a worn handle popped out of her hands.
Rache was smiling back at the man with a mocking grin as Byrnn's scowling hateful eyes stared at the young woman and the guard shuffled forward with an open hand, wanting to retrieve what was rightfully his.
Byrnn: You thieving little WHORE! 'Fuming.' I am a guard of the Lord; you are all...
A blur entered into Byrnn's peripheral vision; no longer standing behind the bar, the same fist that hit him square in the face was now deep into his stomach, twisting as it went.
*DEEP SLAP OF SKIN AND KNUCKLES HITTING LEATHER.*
Magio's fist hit below the hardened chest plate, pushing under then up, forcing Byrnn to crumple downwards, no longer being able to stand on his feet
The guard, being pulled back to his knees with a loud thump by gravity's will, fell, fighting to catch his breath as his face went wide, a light red stream of spit falling from his mouth.
A mocking voice called out to the man.
Magio: It was a nice show, but let's see how you will fair against someone your own size! 'Mocking.' A bit hard to kick people when you are on your knees!
The landlady looked to Rache, who was still holding onto the dagger.
Magio: Nice work, their missy; you'd make a great thief. 'Complimenting tone.' Just chuck it behind the bar for safekeeping... Better safe than sorry.
A small smile appeared on the face of the scout. Without hesitation, Rache slid the blade over the bar's short depth as it landed on the other side, now out of the way, falling to the floor below.
*SOFT THUNK OF METAL HITTING WOOD.*
Magio: Now... (Looking back to Byrnn.)
Magio lowered herself down, her curved ass floating above the floor as their faces and eyes locked, just allowing the guard to have enough time to get his breath. Glaring brown and yellow eyes peered into the guard's gasping face and bloodshot eyes, wanting to know the answer as the necklace swung.
Magio: That's rich coming from the likes of you; aren't you the one who stole first? 'Cold tone.'
Byrnn's defeated look stared back at him from the reflection of the onyx stone, once more trading places.
Magio: Now, where did you get this and where is Ayrell? (Holding the dangling necklace.) The sooner you tell me, the sooner I stop doing this... 'Cold.'
Magio stood, immediately moving her hips as another balled-up fist clenched tightly, preparing to be swung back, building up momentum for another blow to the man's upper chest this time, hoping it would make the answer's she wanted spill out.
Before it could land, a hand shot up, begging for the woman to stop.
Byrnn: (Shaking his hands.) ALLRIGHT, ALLRIGHT! 'Pleading.'
Magio's hand lowered, still ready and waiting for it to be used.
Now waiting on her answer from the man who lowered his own, no longer pleading for mercy, he stumbled in his words as he spoke.
Byrnn: I don't know anyone by that name, as for the one I took this from... 'Pausing.' He's as good as dead anyway. 'Gasping.' No point in wondering for a dead man...
Magio's hand furled backwards, not hearing everything that she wanted.
Byrnn: Wait... I told you everything I know! 'Frightened.'
A sigh came from the stupidity of the man's pleading words not answering the simple ask in entirety. Gonf went to speak, feeling bad for the man on his knees, hoping what he knew might stop the onslaught on the defenceless animal.
*THUMPING ON WOOD, THEN A LOUD SMASH OF WOOD SPLITTING AND CRACKING.*
Just as he was about to speak, a loud crash came from the main door of the inn, and one eyebrow shot up as Gonf remained quiet, waiting to see what was about to unfold.
Bent nails fell from the hinges; top and bottom fell out of there homes driven in long ago as the door to the inn flung open and down to the side. In an instant, the sound of the outside and light of the day leaked around the archway to the bar.
*HURRIED FEET MOVED INTO THE ROOM, FORCING THE WOOD CREAK.*
Before anyone could react, four bodies covered in armour rushed in with their swords partially drawn; the light from the day glistened on the wooden floor as the captain of the group that led the other three men spoke out.
Royal Guard Captain Hion: There they are. (Pointing to the four young adventurers peering back at them.) Amanda, Feryn, Rache, and Yervel!
Determined eyes locked onto the four young adventurers by the bar, Feryn now on his feet glanced back at the men looking their way and the pointed finger aimed at all four of them. A chill ran down all of their spines when, one by one, they all heard their names spoken aloud.
Hion: You four are under arrest for your part... (Looking at the kneeling man in front of Magio.) In the...
The scene in front of them had hit all of the newcomers to the bar as it sank in, the tables strewn about, the worn bodies, and the guard on his knees in front of a tall woman. The only one who didn't in was the man with grey hair smiling back at them.
Hion looked at the woman's arms for a moment before speaking out.
Hion: Just what in the blue blazes of the holy one is going on in here? 'Confused.'
Byrnn began to call for help at the welcoming sight by the door, realising who they were and believing they could free him from his predicament.
Byrnn: Oh, thank god! 'Frantic.' You've got to save me from these people, especially this wom...
A hand grasped the top of Byrnn's head, cutting him off from speaking any further, forcing him to look back at the towering form over him. Byrnn's head turned as it was twisted away from his so-called saviours,
Byrnn could see the marks up close on Magio's arm begin to shimmer.
Byrnn: No, WAIT! 'Pleading.'
Another fist slammed into the man's chest, higher this time, making the bile hit upwards to his throat from the force as the landlady ignored the commotion at the door; her attention was solely focused on the man on his knees, watching him holding his chest in pain. The chest plate doing little to nothing to absorb the blow.
Magio: Oh, I haven't even started on you yet, THIEF. (Cracking her fists.) Now, where is Ayrell! This belongs to him and him alone.
The stone returned, rocking in the face of Byrnn taunting him. No longer seeing his reflection in the stone as he comforted his chest in pain.
The shouting continued on.
Magio: 'Fuming.' WHERE IS HE? YOU BETTER ANSWER THIS TIME OR ELSE!
The four newcomers seeing the dramatic theatre in front of them paused in blatant shock, not scrutinising the tattoo on Magio's left arm, the blackened scythe that spiralled up and around; then, to her right, but they all saw the marking of an emblem, not immediately recognising it as the shouting grew.
Lost on what to do. Hion the leader in front, biting his tongue and watching the commotion unfold, knowing he had just walked into a shitstorm.
Magio: WHERE IS AYRELL! 'Violent.' I'M NOT ASKING AGAIN!
Gonf smirked at the sight of the men clad in armour who had now joined the fun, trapped between a rock and a difficult situation, knowing what emblem held and Byrnn's sealed fate, listening to the name that was being thrown around so casually interested Gonf and the men by the door knew it all too well.
Gonf/Hion: Ayrell... 'Muttering.'
As the four young adventurers huddled by the bar next to the ageing guard, wondering why the royal guards called them all by name, they all stood in fear, waiting to hear Byrnn's coming answer.