The Bounty

[Senion Boh]

Senion stepped quietly through the brush in the forrest. His eyes saw well in the dark yet it was still too dark for his liking. The candle he held illuminated the paper in his hand. On the paper was a picture of some hideous creature that was an owlbear.

"This shouldn't be too hard" he whispered to himself.

Blowing out the candle he put it away along with the paper. Senion stopped in his tracks as he heard the cry of the dreaded beast. Strangely it coam from behind him. That was the way he had just come.

Quickly he pulled out his bow and noched an arrow preparing for the monster. The cry sounded again, but this time it was dreadfully close. Senion cringed as the shriek rang through his head. He wanted to be done with this as soon as possible.

The owl bear stepped into his sight. It wasn't too much bigger than a human strangely enough. It's rust color feathers covered half of it's body, but it's beak was large and gnarly.

The over sized bird screeched again. This time it was cut short by the sting of several arrows lodging themselves into it's chest. By now it was thoroughly upset and bolted for Senion. Keeping his cool he let the bow drop and brandished his large axe. Senion barely had enough time to dodge the charge and was cut deeply on one arm by a talon. The axe came around and relieved the owlbear of about 20 pounds of leg.

Howling in pain as it lay twitching on the ground it futilely flapped it's wings to pull itself back up to standing. Too late for the monster to act further Senion hacked away at the monsters chest. Soon enough it was just a corpse on the ground.

Senion retrieved his bow and took a deep sigh. "How could that thing cause so much trouble?" he asked "It didn't take much to kill it"

Now that Senion was gloating he was caught unaware when an even louder cry sounded. He turned around to catch the stare of an owlbear that was three times the size of the one he killed.

[Py Davis]

Py's boots pounded on the grass and leaves, heading in the direction of the latest cry. His eyes were glowing an eerie yellow, making him appear as a moving outline with two glowing dots.

Py landed his right boot on an overgrown root, pushing off to gain a little height. He landed with his left foot in a foothold on the side of a large rock. A few more steps up the rock and he spotted his quarry: an owl bear. Without stopping, he launched himself off the rock, his right arm raised, holding his sword ready for the strike.

A sliver of moonlight reflected off the blade into the owl bear's eye, but this went unnoticed by Py.

With a mighty swing Py brought the blade down on the owl bear's neck. Or at least, where its neck would have been has the owl bear not dodged the blow. Py's knees buckled slightly from the fall, but he remained standing.

The owl bear struck out. Py turned just in time to catch the blow on his shield, though it sent him sprawling backwards, landing at the feet of Senion. He looked up at the bounty hunter, with the sudden realisation that he wasn't the only one attempting to collect the bounty.

"Bounty?" Py said simply, rushing to his feet.

[Senion Boh]

Senion smiled as the other person stumbled to his feet. He laughed at the fact that he had probably killed the child of this hulking creature. Well there was nothing left but to attempt to kill the thing. Or go down fighting was the other path.

Senion leapt over the new arrival bringing his axe to bare. The mighty axe came down in an amazing over hand chop, but the owlbear was ready for it. One arm or wing or whatever the things limbs were called took the full force of the attack. Feathers and blood flew everywhere, yet the axe did not cut all the way through.

The owlbear howled as the other arm came up to swat Senion back. Bones snapped on contact and were clearly heard. Senion rolled to a stop and was back on his feet. Blood ran from a spot on his leg where a stick had punctured the skin. The warm sensation of the blood on his bronze skin was enough to renew his fury.

"Well I think we might have to work together on this one" Senion said displeased that he had to share the glory.

[Luthien]

Luthien would have guessed that had been trapped in that great tree for nearly an hour. Owlbears were such a bother. She thought they were kind of cute when they were smaller but as they grew in size they became evil and crotchety. It was no fun at all. The large beast had been gone for quiet some time and only when she heard a screech from less than a mile away did Luthien decided it would be alright to abandon her hiding place. It wasn't that great to begin with.

She was on her way to meet some one for a job when she found him naked and with his skull crushed in. Not that that was an unusual happening... considering the people she tended to keep company. Just as she began to check the body for anything good to take she heard an awful howl. It was possibly the biggest owlbear she had ever seen. Luthien wasn't the type to fight when she could run... so she did. She weaved through the tightest trees she could find and finally climbed up a tall one for cover. It was times like that when she was glad to have they eyes of a moon elf.

Her boots landed on the earth with a quiet 'thud' and she ran toward the sound of the defeated owlbear. She didn't like to be inconvenienced and she wanted to see it dead and who killed it. After short run she could start to see things clearly. It wasn't dead at all. Two men fought the beast. Well, one man and one who was probably some manner of elf. Neither of the men had their swords to the creature. They were talking amongst themselves. Luthien would have had it dead already. She figured...

Luthien drew closer to the fight, in silence, but the animal sensed her. Its head took a sharp turn in her direction and he gave off a strange growl-hoot noise. She yelped and darted up the nearest tree like a cat that had just had pans slammed over its head. Her pale blue eyes gazed at the men and her palm rested on the hilt of her blade... just in case... They looked like a strong duo, once they had done their business perhaps she would join them.

[Senion Boh]

Senion frowned as another creature came into sight. Yet it was some kind of elf due to the pointy ears he did not know. The owlbear clearly sensed it's approach and was turning to see it.

"Oh no" He whispered getting his axe into a striking position.

The owlbear completely ignored him as it saw and easier meal. Senion took this opportunity to strike. Two strides brought him within range. He brought his axe down in a mighty over hand chop. The axe burrowed its way into the flesh between the shoulder of the beast.

In a fear inspiring rage the owlbear spun and screeched. This screech was different from the rest. It was a cry of pure horror foretelling its own death.

Still the hideous creature had some fight left and barreled into Senion. Senion was thrown back against a tree. The crush was hard enough to snap the tree that was still quite young. Only half as round as Senion.

Senion stood up no fight left in him, but something miraculous happened. The wound that Senion inflicted on the creature was enough to bring it down. Though it was still breathing it was not moving. Senion's axe was still lodged in the feather covered back of the owlbear. It was coated in a dark red blood that was oozing out of the monster.

"Well that's that" He said with a heavy sigh as he fell backwards. Senion was still conscious but had had enough of standing.

[Py Davis]

Py walked slowly up to the creature, his sword resting along his shoulder, pointing behind his head. He placed one of his boots on the side of the creature and gave it a hefty shove. The creature shifted slightly and then rolled back into place.

"Well that was thoroughly unsatisfying," he said, sheathing his sword. He turned and sat on the back of the creature, examining his shield. It had three giant claw marks, almost deep enough to have ripped the shield to splinters. He would have to get it replaced. "Another shield down," he muttered, disappointed. If only he could have collected this bounty, he would have had enough for a metal one, or at least one that was reinforced.

Py's brow lowered as he struggled to remember the event of the battle through the adrenaline. Could he - yes, he had seen a girl. Looking around briefly, he approached the base of the tree she had escaped into. Though he had no doubt a woman who could climb as fast as she could easily get down, Py stepped on to a rock for height and stretched out a hand, offering to help her down.

[Luthien]

The elf was quick, the moment when the beast had taken time to glance at Luthien, the elf had struck. He carried an ax which seemed unusual, but it wasn't any of her business. The gigantic owlbear had been slain and the human went to examine. It was indeed dead and he then he said something. Luthien wasn't really paying attention to his words, she gazed down at the injured man. He wasn't dead, maybe if it was a bigger tree, he'd have some bad damage. A hesitant smiled danced across her lips and an evil thought cross her mind. If he was dead, then maybe he didn't need his prize anymore...

But the half-elf's train of thought was thrown of track with the presence of the other man. He extended his hand toward her from a heightened rock. She chuckled and in it was a hint of arrogance. Luthien stood, he movements were graceful, she walked to the end of a branch and easily dropped to the ground. She landed with both hands and one knee touching the ground. She didn't make contact with either of the men. Instead she headed straight for the butchered brute. Luthien knelt and examined the owlbear. It was immobile, dark blood streamed from its wound. Luthien smiled and whispered to herself, "Bastard".

She rose and turned to the men. First to the broken elf, next to the human. She gave both of them a weak smile. "Good job," she said simply. Then, she didn't know what to say... should she just leave... Luthien glanced once more at elf... no. She didn't break eyesight and asked, "You need help?" Of course he needed help. It was a stupid question, but it seemed formal to ask.

Luthien walked over toward him and gave a closer look. He had broken the tree on the other side of him... well, more like he force of his body had. Luthien forced her hair behind a pointed ear and kept looking at him. He was probably a wood elf. She was only guessing from his build though. "Hmm," she remarked and turned to the human, "Your friend is pretty beat up".

[Senion Boh]

Senion opened his eyes and looked up to see the woman talking to him. Yet Senion didn't hear a word of what she said. All he did was concentrate on his breathing to steady his heart rate. This would in turn slow the bleeding and talk pain off of his broken ribs.

Realizing that this woman or the other man might just be enemies he was up in a flash. This thinking was rediculous, but it might be true. He looked for his axe, but it was still lodged into the owlbears muscled shoulders. Instead of a mighty axe a dagger flashed out into his hands.

Senion's ribs and his left leg hurt too much to fight let alone fight. Instead he dropped back down to a sitting position.

"Whats the point?" he muttered "I'm Senion Boh, bounty hunter extraordinaire, the unsung hero of his new home Avaren or call me what you will" He stated with a painful grimace. His dagger went back to it's sheath.

Senion pulled out a bottle of an almost clear liquid that was also very pungeant. He guzzled down most of the content but left more than enough for later. "I sure hope you two aren't enemies" Senion said trying to laugh, but his broken ribs made it hard. Senion held up the bottle in offering to the others.

[Luthien]

The man had ignored her, which wasn't expected, he didn't look so good. Then he pulled out a dagger. Luthien couldn't help but laugh. What could he do, it didn't even look like he had the strength to use it. It was ridiculous. The sat back down with some effort. His voice didn't sound very strong as he introduced himself, and he ended with a painful noise. Senion was a bounty hunter which seemed logical. Luthien sat in front of the man, not to close but just so she could be at eyes level. He returned the blade to it's rightful home.

The man retrieved a bottle and took a hefty drink. He states his peaceful hopes and gave a weak laugh. The way he moved and how his laughing a breathing hurt... she assumed his ribs might have been broken. She didn't know which side though. He offered his bottle and Luthien took it. She brought her pale eyes up to the elf again and coolly answered his question, "I wouldn't think so." Pressing the rim against her lips she hesitated before a taking a drink. She held a breath and took a large, but short drink. She swallowed hard and held the bottle toward the other man.

She gave a sheepish grin and noted, "That was awful". She hated alcohol, but figured she should be friendly. He hadn't done anything to her and she might've even thanked him... but she wasn't that good. "Anyone one here a healer by chance? Hmm". She didn't really think that was likely. Maybe she could temporarily patch him up until they got to town. It wasn't that far away. She couldn't lift him... not by herself anyway. "Your injuries... maybe we could give you a quick fix until you got into town?", this was of course assuming that the human would help. But she hadn't considered the possibility of his healing capabilities.

She was only a half and healed only slightly faster than a human... so she wasn't sure.... but if Senion's ribs were broken... Luthien just didn't know. She would have to wait for a reply. And maybe if she helped him... she could also convince him to shared his bounty on the owlbear a bit. Luthien didn't work for free.

[Py Davis]

Py looked at his hand, telling himself that it wasn't that dirty. The woman had refused to take it. He was sure it wasn't to spite him - and that maybe an encounter of bounty hunters would result in some sort of ability show. Turning around, he hopped down from his height advantage jauntily, taking the few steps to where the man and woman were.

He waved the bottle away when it was offered to him. He did enjoy a good drink, but not when he needed his wits about him - this forest was still full of owlbears, and it was still night. His eyes still aglow from his Dark Vision spell, he cast a glance in the direction of town. The bounty was done - the reward could be collected. And who there would know who had done the deed? Nobody.

He looked back at the wounded man and then back towards town once again. It wouldn't be very sporting, he said to himself, and certainly not very personally rewarding. He let out a sharp sigh, sheathed his sword and offered a gloved hand to Senion.

"My name's Py," he said to both of them, "And though I do need the money, the kill was yours, sir." To the woman, he said: "I'll take his left side if you'll take his right."

[Senion Boh]

Senion's vision started to flicker between fovused and blurry. Not a good sign of his injuries. His breth was hard and labored an obvious sign that his ribs were broken and pushing in on his lungs. He desperately needed to get back to the city and find a healer.

Senion's flask went back into his pouch. He struggled to his feet, but that was the hard part. "Help me if you will, but we..... or at least I need to get out of these woods." Senion said in a low rhaspy voice. Senion shuffled his way over to the fell owlbear to retrieve his axe.

His scarred arms reached out slowly and shaking. They gripped the handle of his axe and in one pull brought the head of it out with a spurt of blood. Senion barely held onto the axe as his entire body fell back to the ground.

Again out came his flask full of the liquid. This time Senion finished the liqour completely without regard.

"I think I may need some assistance" he said with what sounded like either a laugh or a cough

[Kina]

Kina pulled out several daggers and waited behind a tree. "I'm sure that cry came from around here..." he muttered softly to himself. Suddenly, he heard a rustle in a bush. Quickly, he scaled the tree, and waited for the thing to come out. Swiftly, an arm appeared, and he threw a dagger at the bush. THWACK! Something was hit. He quickly parted the bushes to find his dagger stuck to the tree, and tracks all around the bush.

[Luthien]

The elf introduced himself, and Luthien nodded. Py needed money... who didn't these days. Then he offered the help the man. Lu would help as well, if only to pay their her efforts to inadvertently save her life. She slid arm arm under the small of Senion's back, and lifted at the same time as Py. Sen has said that he needed help, and so she acted.

With help she began to carry Senion in the direction of town. She had a... nice feeling. It was... nice to help him. They passed a large cluster of trees only to find a knife stuck in the trunk. It gave Luthien an uneasy feeling as she passed. "Let's pick p the pace, Py" she noted and went off on a full jog.

It wasn't long until they reached safety... blah, blah, blah.


{weak... i know. i just hate to leave things unfinished}

<3 end thread!