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Pieces in Motion; The Nemesis Chronicles Part I
Topic Started: 23rd May 2007 - 01:00 PM (286 Views)
SneakyRodent
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Claws of the Horned One founder member

Previous Chapters:

Journey's Beginning

_____________________________________________________________


The wind howled across the bleak landscape that was the Draken Downs. Blustery showers drenched the tree tops and the patches of ground that stood clear of the surrounding forest canopy.

From high up one of the pines that formed the majority of trees in this part of the Great Forest a solitary, cloaked figure kept watch. Seemingly unperturbed by the occasional buffeting from the high winds, the Eshin assassin’s gleaming eyes took in the sparse cover afforded by the shrubs around this small clearing.

The triad had decided to make camp here, in a glade where the trees thinned out enough to prevent any creature being able to sneak up unannounced. The chance of any thing being able to successfully creep up on an Eshin triad was remote indeed of course, but that did not prevent the Skaven assassins taking every precaution. It was a matter of personal pride after all.

The Eshin’s eyes flicked briefly to where his two companions were engaged in a training duel. Even though this was officially a rest from their day’s travel, a true assassin never passed up the opportunity to hone his skills.

The trio had travelled hard. Striking out from Middenheim a few days ago, they had successfully entered the Great Forest and only encountered a single Wood Elf sentry on the way. The start to their mission had been relatively easy indeed.

Their mission……T’wikch Blacktail grinned behind the cover of his face mask. His very first as part of a triad. Despite trying to remain professionally calm, the young Eshin rat was burning with excitement. His employer had stressed the importance of the task they were despatched upon, and a mighty endeavour it was too. But T’wikch was confident. He was one of the most talented rats to have ever picked up a throwing star, his innate accuracy impressing his Sensei right from the start of his apprenticeship. Although his Eshin master had been quick to point out (during many painful paw-to-paw training sessions) that good throwing skills were only part of an assassin’s repertoire, T’wikch still firmly believed it was better to strike silently and lethally from afar.

Blacktail was honest enough to admit that his hand-to-hand skills were well below those of the fabled Deathmasters; Sknitch, Sleekit, Mik……rats whose artistry with the blade was the stuff of legend (and jealousy) within the Under Empire. But nevertheless, his own talent was impressive indeed, and with the skills of his companions they were a formidable team.

His companions….T’wikch once more glanced at the duel below. Pasque Grinkill was the shorter of the two and was fencing with a pair of daggers – obsessed with poisons, this rat was prone to bouts of chittering to himself as he mentally concocted new and improved ways of killing enemies. At times he reminded T’wikch more of a mad Skryre Warlock than an assassin. But some of the toxins he carried with him were rumoured to be so lethal to specific races that even the Council of Thirteen were reportedly interested in what this rat could accomplish.

The other cloaked figure was that of Venin Slink, the unquestioned blade master of the triad. He wielded a katana in his right paw and a long knife in his left. Pasque was as fluid in his movements as all Eshin, but Venin made him appear a doddering old timer. Each movement was graceful and seamless, like a human ballet that T’wikch had once spied upon. Even now Pasque tried to catch the combat master off guard; with a sweep, his tail flicked out from beneath his cloak, wrapped around a dagger. This whipped around towards Venin’s torso, and as Slink was forced to parry with his own dagger Pasque pressed home his advantage. Lunging forward with both paw held daggers, he drove down in a double blow that must surely connect with either side of Venin’s neck. But somehow the katana flew up as Venin dropped into a crouch, blocking both daggers and locking them in place, mere inches from fur.

Venin allowed the pose to remain for a second before whipping his own tail around and wrapping it around Pasque’s right leg. The tail tugged as Venin jumped upwards, and Pasque discovered too late that his opponent’s momentum, coupled with the fact his leg was being pulled from underneath him, was a force he could not adequately counter. He lost his balance, tried to roll away; but Venin’s katana sliced downward, point resting over Pasque’s heart.

T’wikch grinned from his vantage point. Not bad he acknowledged. But if it had been him down there, he’d have been victorious. It would be difficult for Venin Slink to stab an enemy with a throwing star in each of his eyes after all. But once more T’wikch considered the strength of the triad. Each of them excelled in a certain aspect, and the fees they commanded were not cheap. But for their employer it seemed, currency was not a problem.

The Eshin’s mind went back to the meeting with their patron. Shrouded in secrecy and danger this mission was to be, he had explained, but the rewards were huge. Not just in warp tokens, but prestige too. The scope of the endeavour! If it could be pulled off then the names of this triad and their employer would live forever in the history of the Old World. He had told them of the history of what the other races called the Nemesis Crown, and of its recent unearthing. The potential of this artefact was something that only a few wise beings (such as himself) could fully understand. Forged by a manipulated Master Runesmith, corrupted by the Skaven, just as the Fellblade was rumoured to have been created; the Crown was an item of incredible power to those who knew how to wield it. The sheer scope of the Horned One’s design as their (then would-be) employer had explained it to them was staggering in its cunning, and T’wikch for one was immensely proud to be deemed skilled enough to take part in it.

It was time to move on. Blacktail noiselessly slid down the tree after one last cursory look at the surroundings. Night was falling, and the triad were eager to press the advantage of lack of light. For now, secrecy was all. For that reason they were eschewing the Skaven tunnel network and travelling above ground where possible. Their employer had already warned them that other Eshin would be within the Old Forest, and their numbers would only increase as the word of the recently resurfaced Crown spread. Although Beastmen and other less identifiable creatures infested this part of the forest it was a lot more secure than travelling the tunnels shared with their rat kin.

Their first priority was to cross the river Delb. That meant traversing the sewer system of the man-thing city at Delberz. It would be a challenge, but T’wikch could not foresee any major problems. It would be past Delberz, when they reached the Howling Heights that things would get interesting. Their employer had provided them with the location that they must reach, and the time that they must do it. It was from there he would hear their first progress report.

T’wikch approached his comrats as they picked up their packs and equipment. It was Pasque’s turn to carry the heavy metal casket that has accompanied them from the Ulricsberg; a hugely cumbersome and annoying thing to have to lug around, but essential to the mission. ‘Blasted thing-thing,’ grunted Pasque as he hoisted the casket onto his back. ‘Why-why the client could not have-have found some other way of transporting this thing, I-I don’t know.’

T’wikch grinned. ‘At least it is you-you who are carrying it for now. Means we-we can dispose of any more Elf-things without trouble if we come-come across them. Save your nose more-more punishment.’

In their previous engagement it had been Venin who had been carrying the casket when the Wood Elf sentry had been detected. Pasque had scampered up the tree confident of an easy kill, but had received a bow across the face for his trouble. It irked him greatly, and T’wikch never wasted an opportunity to needle him about it.

Pasque scowled. If looks could kill…thought T’wikch – mind, Pasque was probably already theorising how such a feat may be accomplished.

Erasing all evidence of their brief stay, the three Skaven headed once more into the thick forest.
Grey Seer Skritchit
Lord of the Ulricsberg
Clan Virulus
Holder of 'Best Post' Award 2007 here
Took part in the glorious Lords of Decay Revolution of April 1st 2012

The complete works of SneakyRodent can be found here

.:WarWolt The Mad Engineer:.
 
Sneaky is Sneaky, why is the sky blue?
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We've got a psychic creeper, a tactical master, and a liar who talked himself out of an execution.

(Scrivener on the Scum And Villainy2 characters of me, DamnedPrince and himself)
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Morgoth
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The Ancient Evil

Very good read. I look forward to see more.
:ph43r: :ph43r: :ph43r:
Greetings from MorgothPosted Image Mostly Clan Eshin, occasionally Clan Husk.
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SingTheScreams:   "....we ain't no chaos-worshipping freaks. We be ratmen, and we do as we please......"

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Scarfester
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Scaaarrrrghhh

Very nice Sneaky.
Great character development and an interesting start to an interesting story, no doubt. :)
Your characters remind me of a sort of samurai triad for some reason. I keep thinking of the three samurai of death (or whatever their called) from an old Japanese film. ^_^ - Baby cart over the river stix or something. :unsure:

I'll be trying to read your stuff as much as possible.
Can't wait to start my own fluff now. :D I've already put up 4 of my main characters in Matt's characters thread in the Nemesis Crown forum.

*Goes back to formulating plot ideas and twists*

PS - I see you got a mention of Mik in there! :ph43r: :lol:
Dema in a PM about my fluff
 
Wish I could plot like you can, you must have a mind like a corkscrew to turn all those scheming corners

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scrivener
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*toot*

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Baby cart over the river stix or something


That would have sounded like an awful name for a samurai flick if you've never watched a Lone Wolf and Cub movie...

Nice work Sneaky! Haven't lost your touch. One of those guys sure sounds familiar... :D
hannanibal
 
*Angry mob assembles*

"WHAT DO WE WANT!!??"
"A THINNISH, WATERY PAINT WITH A GREENER TINGE THAN AGRAX EARTHSHADE!!"
"WHEN DO WE WANT IT!?"
"QUITE SOON PLEASE AS MY LAST POT IS RUNNING OUT!"
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SneakyRodent
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Claws of the Horned One founder member

Thanks guys!

Was wondering who would be first to

1. Spot Mik's mention
2. Recognise T'wikch Blacktail from another part of the UE

Now I know! :D
Grey Seer Skritchit
Lord of the Ulricsberg
Clan Virulus
Holder of 'Best Post' Award 2007 here
Took part in the glorious Lords of Decay Revolution of April 1st 2012

The complete works of SneakyRodent can be found here

.:WarWolt The Mad Engineer:.
 
Sneaky is Sneaky, why is the sky blue?
[/size]
Quote:
 
We've got a psychic creeper, a tactical master, and a liar who talked himself out of an execution.

(Scrivener on the Scum And Villainy2 characters of me, DamnedPrince and himself)
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
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