05. Crimson Mist and Jade Pawns by Rook

Crimson Mist and Jade Pawns
Tues, Aug 13th – 10:50PM

rook

The hot humid summer days within Ravnglade were no match for the incessant buzzing of the mammoth mosquitos that swarmed commoner and nobles alike. Insects the size of a baby’s fist descended upon the city in their yearly visit of the coastal town.

The tyrannical humidity weighted down the air; making even simple tasks like shopping sluggishly slow. Peasants, however, had to make their livings and so they trudged on after muttering only a few curses to their fellow peasants.

But the red mist didn’t care about the heat or the humidity, in fact it seemed to relish the oppressive climate, as if somehow it thrived longer without so much evaporation. Tendrils of crimson mist crept along the dark ally ways, winding into cracks and crevices. Potted plants crackled with energy and crumpled to dust. Vermin managed to let out a tiny yip before they fell over, dead. The only other sign of their passing was the crimson lightning that crackled along with the mist. Ashes were all that was left behind

Large black paws tread inside the mist this time, silent save for the light clicking of talons on stone. The creature’s fur was dark as pitch and its eyes as bright red as Rosha’s smallest moon, Illisade. His muscles rippled under a layer of sleek fur, glistening in the moist mist that enshrouded it. A black tiger prowled the streets, and behind it were three companions, a wolf and two panthers. All the creatures had the same dark coloring.

Prey was afoot and the cats soared toward it. Screams came from the young woman to late, as the trio of felines descended upon her. The wolf leapt upon a child nearby, cutting his life short. As soon as the two humans fell, the mist swarmed about their bodies, blood was denied to their predator’s jaws. The tiger roared out his annoyance. Another pair of bodies felled, and food was still taken from them by the greedy mist. The hunger within their bellies screamed for more. Further lives would have to be taken this day.

The wolf wuffed to the cats, letting them know that he had found another suitable prey. The group started off again, stalking toward a group of youthful friends. The small cluster had no idea what was about to happen when the red mist suddenly curled around their ankles. One of the girls screamed just as one of the panthers descended upon her arm. Within a blink of an eye, an unseen barrier rose between the teens and the rest of the vicious hunting party. Two cats and the wolf slammed into the force wall then slid down the side of it, landing in a pile of annoyed fur and claws.

The boys in the group cursed, one came forward and grabbed the jaws of the wolf, “Git offa ‘er!!” With a loud cry, his fist slammed into the wolf’s face in a feeble attempt to free his girl. The other lasses fled or clung to their boyfriends.

Just then Rook jumped out of a shadow near the young adults, his sword swished through the air and connected with the wolf’s skull. With a loud crack, the wolf crumpled, shredding the girl’s arm in the process. Typically, she passed out. Rook bellowed, “Get out of here!” And turned to face the three cats face on.

The tiger got to his feet first, eyes locked on the masked man, <> It taunted.

Rook held his weapons forward, a long sword in one hand, his wicked dagger in the other. “That’s right.”

The tiger padded along the barrier while the two panthers untangled themselves from each other. <>

Rook kept the cat in front, while he heard the sounds of the other kids getting away behind him. “Something like that.”

<>

Rook grumbled, “I don’t consider any of the scion a game. In fact, I am very serious about finding a way to get rid of you.”

<> The large cat’s eyes shifted toward an area behind Rook. He heard a scream and turned just in time to see the first panther leap at one of the young men that had stayed behind to watch.

Rook cast out with his mind, wrapping a mental band around the panther’s smooth neck and yanking it backwards. A great snap was heard as the creature’s neck broke.

This gave the cats just enough time to leap past the barrier. The massive tiger jumped upon Rook’s back, great claws tearing through his flesh. As Rook fell, the cat’s fangs dug deeply into his shoulder. The tiger was granted a reward of fresh blood, which he savored, drinking deeply from his foe. But soon enough, the tiger realized his mistake. His mouth and throat went numb, a second later, his whole body followed, slumping down atop of Rook, pinning the masked man to the ground.

Rook tried to shrug off the weight, but found he could not. The crimson vapors darkened around the fallen man, draining the blood out of him since the tiger could not.

He could hear some scuffling as the panther and wolf gathered up their prizes, and just as darkness started to overcome his mind he heard another voice. This one was soft and youthful, calming, <> Is all it said.