Date: 5/31/1998 2:53 AM Central Daylight Time
From: JadedDeath
In the spirit of the first "After The Duels" of Rhydin's Duel of Swords' Arena, a retelling of a recent event here, starring: the one known in Rhydin as Slayer, Goon, Bane, Roland, and Janella, with special guest appearances by Matt, Drakewyn and Gnort, and featuring the weapons Vendetta and Terminus.April 1997.Part 1 of 2. The Battle...It was a late Rhydin evening. Matt had just finished a match against Raven, the Ace of Swords, in the Outback. The duel had been for the Team Dueling League, and Matt was on Janella's team. The warrioress was pleased that Matt had won. Goon, their team leader, was happy, too. "Way go!" he kept shouting. Janella began walking towards the bar, lifting a brow as she realized that Panther must have left before the end of the fight. As Janella contemplated looking outside for him, Roland, also known as 'Money Blade', sauntered up to her. "Brandy, luv."Janella paused, looking Roland up then down. "What?""Brandy." Roland said again, grinning. Janella was reminded of the expectant look of a puppy as it waits on its mistress. "I'm not tending tonight, " she responded, coolly. "I'm getting myself a bloody ale." Janella continued on to the bar counter. She would wait to see if Panther would return, and in the meantime, she'd have a drink or two.Matt was tired and he announced that he was heading out. Bane called out a goodnight from his seat, and Goon grinned and waved exuberantly. "Gold man bye! Way go!" As the Outback's door swung shut and Matt left, another, darker, presence entered. The tall, muscular outline of a man moved in the shadows to the rear of the room but no one seemed to take any immediate notice of him, including Janella."Canna' give yer favorite brawler a brandy?" Roland remained hopeful as Janella pointedly ignored him. She snatched up a mug, drawing some ale from a keg. Roland winked at her but the fighter only snorted in answer. "Get your own arse behind here and find it for yourself!" she growled. Roland reluctantly ducked down to look at the rows and shelves of bottles. "Mean fighter lady lot funny, " Goon grinned. Roland grabbed a bottle of outdated rum. "Bah, this'll do."There was a sudden growl, then grunt, from across the Outback. Janella's eyes flickered, seeing something which reminded her of a cross between a wart hog and a bull. Goon, still seated, followed Janella's gaze. Bane looked up. Roland fell silent, lost for words, as he too turned."Yer still alive, mortal, " the voice was a deep, harsh whisper. "I'd 'a thought someone would'a done ye in b'now."Janella's upper lip began to curl as the words reached her. "Somethin' wrong, sweetie pie?" Roland sounded drunk. Janella missed his wink, her eyes searching the dark shadows along the far wall."Speechless, mortal scum, fer the first time in thy life?" The unnatural voice was laughing. Janella set her mug down on the counter, drawing Vendetta with a smooth gesture. It, the thing in the shadows, was the one she remembered as having signed its name as 'Slayer', and she had marked him as an enemy a year ago.Goon jumped from his chair, flailing, as he saw Janella brandish her sword. Roland blinked. Bane looked on, stunned."Stinking yellow swine!" Janella roared. Roland dodged as she sprung past him. Slayer laughed maniacally, the sound echoing around the Outback. "Infernal half-breed, " Janella sneered. "I can't believe that you're still drawing breath!" Slayer stood still, his form a mere outline, barely distinguishable from the shadows. Janella took a firm grip on her amber-handled blade."I don't draw breath, ye worthless waste of flesh." Slayer retorted. "I'm dead, remember?""Oh, that's right. You're supposed to be six feet under, " Janella snapped. "If you've finally come to be measured for the coffin, you've got the wrong place!""Ohh, 'ave we lost our passion fer battle? Are you chickening out? All mortals do. Old age finally get'n ta ye?" Slayer laughed deeply."I don't think so." Janella growled.Roland moved over to Goon's side, whispering to him, "What's goin' on wit'em?" Goon blinked, then shrugged, "Goon not know. Money man think mean fighter lady going need help?" "Mayhaps, " Roland tapped his blade, "I may jus' give it for free, too, since she's got a pretty face." MoneyBlade winked, then grinned. Bane stood, walking over to them. "What started this?""Well... I had a few drinks... " Roland began, thinking Bane was referring to his present mental state. Bane smirked, then Goon chimed in, pointing to Slayer. "Goon not know.. . Come, poof! Mean fighter lady get lot mad...." "He once crossed me." Janella hissed, overhearing them. Her gaze was trained on the moving shadows. "Are you coming out of hiding, you cur, or are you going to sulk in the dust back there?" Janella baited the undead Slayer towards the light, her eyes flashing."We got yer back, Janella, " Roland cried, patting Goon rather hard on his back. Bane nodded, still somewhat speechless.With an animalistic growl, Slayer emerged from the darkness, showing his tall, muscled frame and pale, porcelain-like skin covered with scars. Roland downed his rum in loud gulps then offered Goon a swig, but Goon shook his head then pulled his own big bottle from his vest, cracking the top off. "Goon have lot good Demon Rum!" Janella hissed when she saw Slayer creep forward. She raised Vendetta high, the sunsteeled blade glinting, and shecharged, breaking into a run that suddenly took off into an astounding mid-air roll. Janella carved down into him as she spun into her landing, swinging Vendetta hard. "Aiyah!" she shrieked.Vendetta swept across Slayer's chest and he flew backwards through a table and into the near wall from the force of the blow. Wood broke and splintered around her, but Janella advanced. The warrioress watched in shock and disgust as Slayer grunted in anger and not pain, apparently, as his chest began to heal itself. Slayer reached at his hips for a dagger, fashioned out of bone, and leaped at Janella, grabbing her by the head and slicing the bladeagainst her abdomen. Bright, red blood splashed from her skin and Janella roared, extending her left leg into Slayer as she shoved him back, driving Vendetta's length for his side."C'mon Janella! Dunna' let 'em gut yas!""Mean fighter lady, no let hit! Like Team Fist fight, think good! Block, swing, punch face!""Yeah Janella, get him, " Bane urged, low."Hit 'em inna' nose!" Roland yelled. Goon was already bringing his arms up, holding them high to block his own vision of the strike.Slayer toppled, grabbing at Janella's arm even while her own blade was imbedded deep into his side. Blood from both enemies splattered; Janella's tanned, exposed midriff was painted crimson. Spurred by her own bloodlust, Janella fought on as Slayer hissed like a snake, baring long fangs at her. He lunged, sliding on the sword still. A sickening crunch sounded, that of breaking bone. He tried to bite into her neck, looking to tear her flesh open. Janella sneered and gagged. Vendetta still held in Slayer's own body, Janella reached for Terminus at her belt, loosened the dagger roughly, and forced it upwards for Slayer's ribs."Takhisis take your undead hide!" She gasped while she twisted, her muscles flexing. Slayer tried to block her hand with his arm again. He then attempted to lift her, perhaps hoping to slam her towards the floor, but his wounds were too great and the warrioress's body too slick for him to maintain any kind of grip. "So this is what you Team Fist'rs do fer fun?" Roland nudged Goon in the gut, and Goon's Demon Rum splattered out of the bottle. Bane clenched his fists. "Come on Janella! Show him what a mortal can do to him!" Bearing a blade in each gauntleted hand, Janella's decision to bite into Slayer's arm as he shoved it near below her chin came in haste. His skin was chill, colder than ice she thought; she felt an involuntary chill arc up her spine. Tucking in towards herself, Janella wrenched the longsword from her undead enemy's side and bashed Vendetta's pommel for Slayer's right eye. He twisted his face aside just in time to avoid the sword. "Damn you... " Janella's voice was gutteral. He laughed, and snatched at her hands, managing to disarm the dagger from her. It clattered to the wooden floor. Before she could lodge another attack, Slayer gripped her by the same wrist, pushed her a step forward, then shoved her down, head first into the nearest table.Janella collided with the table; Vendetta was thrown from her hand; she stumbled and whirled sideways, weaponless now. Her breath was gone, knocked out of her chest. She caught sight of him and fought for strength. Janella leaped, almost blindly, onto the broken table and into a jumpkick for Slayer's head. Her booted foot connected. The force of the blow sent him backwards into and over the Outback's bar where he crashed into a rack of bottles.Goon howled. "Lot good! Lot good kick in head!" Bane's voice rose in a shout. "Yeah! Get him Janella!"Terminus's polished length almost seemed to beckon to her; Vendetta wasn't far from its companion, either. An evil growl sounded as Slayer stood, though, and the beast pulled a rusted meathook from his belt. The remains of a severed, human ear was impaled at its tip. Roland blinked and Bane winced. Goon gulped at the sight of the big hook. Resisting the urge to double over from another wave of pain, Janella followed Slayer, snatching her weaponsalong the way. "Bastard, " she shouted. "Undead, vile scum! The Gods will be on my side in this one!" They met, Slayer's vampiric speed propelling the hook's thrust faster than any eye could follow. It ripped into Janella's body and she stiffened. Slayer hissed, a long, black tongue, forked in the center, slithering from his mouth to lick Janella's blood from the hook as he tore it free from her. She reeled, the world pulsing before her. Her body was seemingly breaking apart, her very life washing out of her as pain then numbness climbed towardsher chest.Janella's eyes were closing as she took another stumble, turned, then lurched for where she believed Slayer to be, leading with Vendetta.Slayer twirled to the side, purposefully allowing the blade to slide safely under his armpit. As he and Janella closed together, his hand moved to the warrioress's throat. A cold grip tightened around her neck and he lifted her high into the air, letting her fall for his knee. Janella felt the floor give way beneathe her. It was difficult to determine what was going on; she was losing awareness of everything. As she was brought down, she pulledTerminus to her chest, clutching the handle to herself and pointing the blade down for Slayer's thigh.He leaped backwards, letting Janella fall to the floor. A sudden suggestion in her mind caused Janella to roll. She rolled over just once, but far enough to land her out of the range of Slayer's descending boot. Slayer stomped with such force that his boot went straight through the floor and caught in the hole. He kicked savagely, growling, as he tried to free it. Looking out from half-closed eyes, her body painted in her own blood, Janellapressed herself along the floor, stabbing for Slayer's hamstring with Terminus. Vendetta was too unwieldy, too heavy, for her right now. She missed."Got help!" Goon yelled, running to a table, grabbing a chair in his free hand. Roland drew his blade.There was a terrible growl and Slayer's body began to liquify into a dark ooze, melting into a puddle on the floor. Goon froze. Slayer reformed into a massive wolf with black fur, snarling and gnashing his teeth as a white foam grew around his maw. Goon stumbled back.Janella was forcing herself to draw substantial breaths, only partially aware of her enemy. In her gauntleted hands, the weapons turned warm, unbeknownst to Janella. Slayer the wolf leaped for her body and Janella's lips were pale as she managed a tight sneer, feeling fetid breath baring down on her face. She stabbed with Terminus, the amber-handled dagger straining for the undead wolf's neck. The beast shook then bit into her wrist, above thegauntlet. Renewed, blazing pain arced through her. Janella's back rose from the floor, either from involuntary spasm or possibly her own will. She threw her other arm high, Vendetta's length waving into the air with a sudden swing. The wolf jumped away, licking her blood from his jowls. An unholy howl errupted from Slayer, his barks rising to a terrible pitch, shattering some glasses at the bar and shaking the floor with their resonance. He crouched low then leaped for her with his claws. Janella's hooded head moved side to side, and the warrioress stiffened, seeing a large blur above her. Gulping air, Janella pulled Terminus to her breast and plunged upwards. Much to her own horror, cold blood rained down.The wolf that was Slayer yelped and fell off, his tail between his hindquarters, a trail of red following him as he scurried away. As he slowed to a hobble on all fours, his body seemed to melt then reformed into a humanoid appearance. He was down upon one knee, doubled over, clutching his abdomen.Terminus's nearness to Janella was like a beacon urging her to rise. The dagger was burning hotly, though she knew it not, as she clutched it in her leathered hand. Slayer looked to her, his eyes black and sparkling then beginning to glow a demonic red."Kill... " It was a thought, almost voiced, barely breathed, from Janella.Slayer knelt to the floor, picking up a dagger of his own, made from a human's bone. Janella tried rolling to the left to rise, but impossible pain surged through her, fighting to bring her back down. Kill.... Slayer's bone dagger flared crimson as he threw it at her. It landed harmlessly between two floorboards to her right with a sharp thud. Worry, terror, fear for her life was wild in Janella's head but somewhere within Terminus the dagger smiled. The sound of the dagger hitting the wood brought Janella to a start, that serving as the ignition to force her upwards. Blood was running down along her side, soaking into the top of her trousers. "Bastard! Where is he!" she hissed breathlessly, then staggered.Slayer was grunting as the wound in his gut was healing before their very eyes, the blood disappearing, vanishing into the pores of his unliving skin. "Ai -- y a h!" Janella lunged ahead, believing Slayer to be there. Vendetta stuck into something. The smell, the familiar smell, was in her nostrils. It was him!She sent Slayer backwards and inadvertently into Goon. Goon smacked the undead creature away with a chair. Feeling the floorboards tremble under Slayer's feet, Janella followed the vibration, learning his direction. Blood, her own and his together, mixed on her bare skin.Slayer kickflipped to his feet and advanced towards her, an unnatural, chaotic look blazing in his eyes. Janella forced her mouth shut as her jaw threatened to hang open. Slayer snorted at her, blowing hot steam into her face. The familiar being, the smell, the sense, was there again before her. Slayer tried to bring his knee into her ribs, but the warrioress sidestepped and Slayer slipped. He moved to uppercut her in haste. Gritting her teeth,shuddering, Janella drove Terminus for Slayer's heart as his fist flew high and wide.He dodged to the side, then surprised her as he ripped Terminus from her gloved hand. His strength was something inhuman, something she couldn't hope to best as she struggled to keep it but was then forced to let go. "No!" she shrieked."It o.k.! Keep fight lot hard!" Goon was yelling. "Goon no let die!" Roland called, "Janella...finish this so I can get yas a healer!"Slayer smiled victoriously as he moved to bring Janella's own blade upon the warrioress's back, hoping to slice a gash open along her spine. It was not to be so easy, though. Terminus, like his brothers, did not take well to being handled by strangers. Their chosen wielder was Janella Vallonia, and woe to any that sought to break them apart."That's m i n e ... " Janella hissed.The amber-handled dagger that Slayer was clutching unexpectedly turned hotter than Hellfire in his hand; a sizzling began to sound as it burned, but Terminus was not finished yet. Slayer's cold, undead body might have been able to manage the scorching, searing pain, but it became too great a burden when the dagger suddenly grew heavy, over seven ten pounds heavy, in his hand. Terminus fell to the floor, dropped from the enemy's grip.Janella sneered, not fully aware of what had transpired. She realized that Slayer was vulnerable at the moment, however, for he was obviously in pain from something, probably his hand, which appeared burned or worse... skinned? In fury, Slayer tried to take Janella by the neck but missed. Growling, he backed away, too slowly. Janella stumbled, having lost a great deal of blood. She could barely see. Her heartbeat pounded in her ears and she was dizzy, in pain, and about to fall. She reached forward, desperately trying to advance, wanting Vendetta but unable to find the sword. Slayer's dark laugh gave her a hint of where he was. Janella imagined that she could hearhis thoughts; she believed he was laughing because he knew, Slayer knew, that her wounds were fatal. He was hurt, severely wounded, but Slayer was not mortal. He would go on, but Janella felt that she would surely die from this battle. There was no victory here, only ruin. Damn this undead beast.She had Terminus in her leathered grip again. The feeling of having her trusted dagger in her own hand brought some small, miniscule sense of satisfaction to Janella, and then she tensed. Someone was stomping, and someone else was running towards her. The fighter turned, her nostrils wide, unsure of who was coming. She thrusted Terminus ahead, stabbing again and again. She lunged forward in what she thought was Slayer's direction. "A i y a h!"Goon dove out of the way, Roland jumping far and Bane ducking low. The dagger penetrated into Slayer's gut. He cringed and shrank away in pain, falling to his knees finally, his blood dripping through his fingers to the floor."Ugh, that was close!" Bane's voice was muffled. Goon was under a table, but blinked, seeing a long, shiny object in front of him. It was Vendetta. Goon stood, hit himself on the table, then wobbled to his feet and took up the sunsteeled longsword. He looked rather impressive with the blade in his hand, much like a mighty warrior from some heroic epic."S i c ... sick ... si ck en ing .. scum... " Janella spat as Slayer fell over on the floor. Her grey-blue eyes narrowed to slits, she lurched right then left, barely able to hold herself. Slayer's latest wound was already beginning to heal. His voice was a weak, toneless whisper. "W-... Well fought ... " he started to rise, very, very slowly. "Well fought.. for a mortal."Janella's world was rocking. Slayer's eyes became black. The warrioress fought for her breath."I ... " she began, turning with difficulty. Goon went to her. She was bleeding from her side, from the hook wound, and her booted feet were slipping along the floorboards. Bane joined them, Roland alongside. Slayer came towards them and the floor reverberated at his footsteps. Janella's mouth opened as if she were to speak, but nothing, no words nor sound, flowed. Slayer brought his own dagger to his wrist and slit it across the undead skin. Blood spurted from the gash. In horror, Goon leveled Vendetta on him but Janella suddenly tripped, her own blood having made the wooden floor slick. She fell. Roland put his hands out, rushing to her side. With blinding speed, Slayer pushed into Goon and shoved his wrist down towards Janella's mouth and to her lips. Bane moved to block him and Goon shouted, "Gotstop!" Goon swung the longsword for Slayer's upper arm. Slayer quickly pulled away and fled for the shadows, licking his wrist like a wounded animal."Consider yerself lucky... . Tis nae every day that I allow a mortal the taste of my blood in order to heal!" Slayer paused, somewhere in the darkness of the Outback. "Ye should be well... in a matter of moments...." The sound of something being chewed on was heard.Gagging, Janella drew her gloved hands to her face. Her lips, pale but moments before, were now red with fresh blood, her chin painted as well. Terminus's blade seemed to hold a red, a burning red hue, but as Janella slid into unconsciousness, her hands fell away to her sides and the dagger came to rest next to her prone body. Her eyelids fluttered shut.Roland looked up to Goon. "Do you know where she lives, pal?" Goon scratched his head. "Goon think stay big Inn." He handed Vendetta to Roland. "Got hold... "Slayer's voice reached them. "She may have broken bones... " he rasped, ominously."Hey, leave her there for a minute!" Bane cried. "Don't move her yet." Roland glanced down at the sword, Janella's sword, in his hands, looking it over. "Iffin' we cannae find her place, I've got a place over at GIT... could drop her off there." "No can leave!" Goon exclaimed. Bane pointed to the shadows, where Slayer was, somewhere. "If that is telling the truth, she should heal. Then you can move her." Goon nodded quickly. "Say beO.K. lot fast! Be O.K. now!"Before they could say another word, Goon slid a hand under Janella's knees and another beneathe her back then lifted her limp figure. "I don't suppose both of you just walked here?" Roland asked. A hole, and it was a hole, on Janella's side began to seal shut, the cut flesh healing together seemingly in and of its own self (or, from the blood that had reached her lips and had traveled down her throat). Goon tossed Janella's body over his shoulderand moved towards the Outback's staircase. "Goon! Be careful!" Bane reminded him. Janella uttered no sound but a gasp of breath as she fell against his steady arm."Goon be lot careful... " Goon blinked. "Drake lady!" Roland nearly smacked right into Goon as Goon suddenly drew to a halt.Drakewyn appeared in her traditional cloud of golden rosepetals. Gnort was apparently on her heels, for he too suddenly appeared."G man? What Drake lady, G man do in fistfight place?"Drakewyn nodded to Goon, wondering what was going on as he greeted her. Gnort grinned. "What, we're not allowed in here?"Goon grinned back at Gnort. "Goon sorry, Goon lot surprise see! Goon lot sorry, no can stay.. got go!" "See ya, big guy, " Gnort said. "I was following something, " Drakewyn looked to each face. "What's wrong with Janella?" "Got take mean fighter lady back Inn, make fix!" Goon answered. "Be in lot big fight, get lot ow..." Slayer threw a bottle of smelling salts at Roland. "Use those and wake her up." But, it did not seem that Janella would be roused with mere salts. Janella remained silent on Goon's shoulder, her arms draped across his large body. Goon shook his head wildly, seeing the bottle from Slayer in Roland's hands. "Goon no trust!""And she'll be very angry if I were to heal her, too, " Drakewyn observed. Gnort glanced to Drakewyn. "Who says she has to know?" Roland seemed alarmed. "Let's jus' get her home, okay?""It O.K., Goon have lot good idea!""Just heal her and say that she did it herself, " Gnort continued his argument. "Not too honest there, G -- " Roland eyed Gnort. "Who says anything about being honest?" Gnort contended. Roland shrugged slightly, not answering Gnort."Pig-headed warrioress, " Drakewyn murmered, then paused. "Goon... " she began. Goon was already heading up the stairs and out to the Red Dragon, but he stopped, listening. Janella's back was rising and falling, slightly; she was still breathing. "I can heal her using my magick, but she won't like me for it... " Drakewyn called to Goon. "It's up to you." She gave a quick glance to Gnort. "I won't lie about this, " she told him. "Okay, Drake. You let me do the lying then, " Gnort grinned.Goon looked down, shaking his head. Janella was silent, not offering him any advice. Her midnight-blue trousers were dark, very dark with blood. Her abdomen and sides were painted similarly. "Goon think know way make fix, no use magic thing." "Alright, " Drakewyn said, "Sounds like the best idea." "You just heal her and keep quiet, " Gnort winked at Drakewyn, but Goon had already gone. Drakewyn smirked. "Since when have you known me to keep quiet?" Gnort chuckled, but then winced, thinking of how Janella looked. "Really lot ow, " Gnort said, softly. "Really lot ow."
After The Duels II. The Outback Edition.
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Re: After The Duels II. The Outback Edition.
Date: 6/22/1998 12:21 AM Central Daylight Time
From: JadedDeath
Part 2 of 2. Rest, And What Remains.Goon lumbered into the Red Dragon Inn, carrying Janella, followed by Roland and Bane. Slayer had silently followed their scent and was watching from the shadows. "Any idea which room she's in?" Roland wondered. Goon shook his head, bouncing Janella on his shoulder. The warrioress's weapons belt was around her well-muscled waist but the blades weren't sheathed there at the moment. "Ah well. Let's jus' book her a new room for the night, " Roland said. He stepped up to the clerk's desk, looking to speak with the midnight keeper. Roland grabbed a key from the old woman, after haggling with her, handing her a gold piece in return.A small metal item fell to the floor from Janella's belt as Goon shifted her on his shoulder. He was looking up to the rooms on the second floor, scratching his head. Bane glanced at the floor, seeing the fallen object; it appeared to be either brass or bronze. Just as Goon was ready to despair, not knowing where he could take Janella to, he saw the same item glinting to him from the carpet below.Goon reached down and lifted it from the floor. At that same moment Roland turned back to the group happily, showing them the key he had just bargained for, but Bane grinned, pointing to Goon's hand. "Roland, looks like you'd better get a refund, " Bane chuckled.Goon stared at the little piece of metal for a long moment before recognizing it. "Key thing!" he proclaimed.Roland muttered in disgust. "Looks like I'll be staying the night." He wasn't about to beg the old woman clerk for his coin back.A small symbol was engraved on the key's surface. Goon held the key 'teeth-up'. "Say six!" he announced. "Careful, Goon!" Bane cried, seeing Goon get excited about the key and not wanting him to accidentally drop Janella. "Got find six!" Goon called to the second floor then shifted Janella to a better position. "Don't let her fall." Bane groaned. Goon tromped up the Inn's stairs, ambling down the hallway, his free arm flailing. Bane andRoland followed him, Roland still complaining about having bought an extra room. Slayer, seeing the group disappear above, vanished through the shadows, unseen.In the hall, Goon suddenly turned and moved in the opposite direction, stopping near the stairs, grinning. "Six!" Bane walked over to him. Goon pointed at a door with a large "6" on it and pushed the key into the lock. Janella's hooded head swayed back and forth against Goon's back. Roland stepped up beside them, watching the door.Goon pushed again with the key but it refused to go past half-way into the lock no matter how he tried. "Want me to open it, Goon?" Bane asked. Goon blinked and pushed even harder. "Don't break it!" Bane cried. "Goon do!" Goon yelled in determination. He rattled the door in his attempts to unlock it."Hey!" A voice from inside shouted. "What the Hell's goin' on out there!?""Umm... " Bane walked away quickly as Roland chuckled and Goon blinked, snatching the key out of the lock and scrambling away. "Goon not do, Goon not do..."Bane started laughing, despite their predicament. "Sorry, Miss! Pest control! Go back to sleep!" Roland cried."No evil man do!" Goon held the key out towards Bane, teeth forward. Bane took the key. "Okay, " he said, then looked at it. Of course, teeth down, the head of the key read, "9.""Goon! You Goon!" Roland shouted. Bane grinned, gazing at the key then glancing to the door, laughing. "Goon Goon! What Goon do?" Goon cried, jumping up and down as well as he could with Janella on his shoulder. "Nevermind, " Roland told him. "Let's get her home."Bane walked a few doors down to Nine, putting the key into the lock and turning it, opening the door. Goon blinked as Room Nine opened up. He didn't question it, he just took Janella inside, the other two falling in behind him before they pulled the door shut. The room had a sumptuously appointed bed which contrasted with a rather Spartan-like desk and two chairs. There was a bath off the main room, and a large, darkly draped window which looked out over town. Goon saw a dresser and a small closet, the doors only half open to it, as he dropped Janella down on the bed, on her back. Janella's eyes were closed, her mouth parted slightly as her breath came in soft puffs. The bed rose then fell comfortably,accepting the warrioress's figure.Roland took a moment to glance about. Bane noticed the room smelled pleasant. Janella had also placed rich rugs on what would have been a plain floor. "Nice place," Roland observed. "Could get used to it, " he mused quietly. "Never thought I would be here, " Bane murmered, grinning, "If she knew I were here, she would probably kill me." Goon looked at Roland and Bane and grinned too. "Lot nice!" He nodded quickly. "Yep, " Bane agreed. Roland took a seat on the corner of Janella's bed, looking to her with bright, green eyes."Time for fix, " Goon bit his lip, studying Janella as well, mainly her bloodied clothes. A large mirror, hanging on the door of the closet on the far wall, reflected the scene of the four of them together. Bane sat down in one of the chairs just as Roland jerked a thumb at the dresser, saying, "See what ya can find." Goon scratched his head. "Lot bad thing say mean fighter lady be fix lot good... . Should be wake if lot fix." Goon glanced atthe hook wound, now closed. He shrugged. "No more lot bleed."Roland dug a bottle out from his pocket; it was the one that Slayer had tossed to him. "Dunna' trust this, eh?" He asked. Goon frowned. "What say do?" Roland answered, "Well, someone could find an alchemist.... Get us some smelling salts." He grinned as he teased. Goon blinked, not knowing what those were, and shook his head at Roland. Goon reached into his own vest, drawing out some type of small herb.As Bane leaned back in his chair, he suddenly felt something at the back of his belt. Reaching, he found Janella's dagger. "What the -- ?" Bane stammered. He didn't remember having taken the weapon with him when they had left the Outback, but it was somehow there. Goon leaned over towards Janella, then froze, looking to Bane. "Mean fighter lady be lot, lot mad if no have sword thing, knife thing!" Goon started to flail."I didn't have this a second ago, " Bane swore, regarding Terminus uneasily, "But I have it now." Just then, a telepathic voice, sounding dark and synical, purred in Bane's mind, causing him to jump in surprise. "Good of you to find me, " it remarked. Bane had the distinct impression that the weapon in his hand was very pleased. Bane twitched, feeling quite unnerved, but didn't say anything and passed the blade to Goon, lookingsomewhat pale.Roland had Vendetta. He drew the sword and set it alongside the bed, then reached up to brush a strand of hair from Janella's cheek, admiring her face. The window's drapes were parted and Vendetta caught the moonlight along its sunsteeled surface. Roland blinked, starting, as he heard a smooth voice in his head. He sat up bolt-straight and listened to what it had to say. "Do seek a stained floorboard before the window. It will becomeloose if you test it. Administer one of the bottles you find there to my wielder." Roland stood slowly from the bed as if in a trance. He walked over to the window and looked down at the floor as if searching for something. With an odd expression, Bane watched from his chair.Janella's chest rose and fell steadily, her head resting slightly to the left as her eyes remained closed. Goon grasped his herb tightly in his hand, squeezing it with all his might. He then relaxed, opening it to reveal the now grainy plant. Meanwhile, Roland had found his prize, kneeling down before a stained floorboard by the window. Roland wrinkled his nose. "Hmm... " he said, thinking. Roland flicked his wrist, sending a small dagger intohis hand from its hidden confines.Goon reached almost gently across Janella's body, dropping a little bit of the herb onto her wrist with great care. Next, he held his hand up to her mouth, but hesitated, remembering how Jen had reacted when he had needed to treat her similarly. He shook his head, firming his resolve. "Got do, got do." Cautiously, he pressed her chin with a finger, opening her mouth carefully as though afraid she would bite him. He poured the remaining crushedherb into her mouth then anxiously jumped back.Roland wedged his dagger between a crack in the floorboard and pulled it up with a grunt. "Uhh.. . hope she doesn't hate me for that." Roland blinked, looking into the revealed compartment. He saw a collection of same-size, color and shape bottles. They were all blue and each one was stoppered and sealed with a dwarven-like rune. He reached down and retrieved a single blue vile.Goon and Bane were staring at Janella, awaiting a sign from her. Her head suddenly started to turn back and forth upon the pillow. Roland stood before the window, walking out from the moonlight towards the bed, looking from the blue bottle to Janella. Goon realized that Janella was starting to regain consciousness. He stepped back even farther, fearful of her initial reaction. She started coughing and her eyelids began to flutter. Bane lookedbetween Goon and Janella worriedly, almost making a run for the door but finding himself rooted to his chair. He hoped, nervously, that she wouldn't be angry. Goon gulped. "Mean... fighter lady?"There was more coughing. Violent coughing. Janella felt a great pain in her head, in her side and in her hand.Roland rushed to her. "Janella? You okay, sweetie?" Bane cowered in his chair and Goon stared wide-eyed."W h a t i n ... " Janella blanched, licking her lips over and over, making horrible faces.Goon suddenly grinned. "Goon think O.K."Bane stood and neared the bed, looking at Janella in genuine relief. Goon sidled closer too, hoping Janella wouldn't break his neck.The warrioress reached forward, rolling onto her side. She grabbed for the nearest person, that person being Bane. Goon jumped into retreat, but Bane couldn't get away in time. He was trapped beside the bed in Janella's vice-like grip.Janella wretched, shuddering, as one, then two, then three waves moved her stomach, Goon's herb, and the blood of the undead vampire, Slayer, having made her terribly ill. Undaunted at the scene, Roland stepped up hastily beside the bed, turning Janella's head so she could see him, holding the blue vile before her. "Janella, sweetie, can ya's hear me?"Clenching the side of the bed, Janella willed herself up on her elbows, feeling weak and dizzy. Goon blinked, carefully keeping a safe distance away from her and poor Bane. Bane shuddered, sliding down to sit on the floor. Roland merely wrinkled his nose, but then, to his horror, Janella coughed unexepectedly and expelled a bloody, mucous-like form from her mouth. It hit Roland on the pants."Oh, nuts!" Roland cried, looking down at his pants. Goon blinked and guffawed. "What in the Hell was that!" Roland turned on Goon. Choking, catching her breath, Janella finally responded to Roland. "A y e ... I hear ... you.""Haw haw haw!" Goon found the sight utterly hilarious. He was pointing, laughing loudly."U g h ..."Roland looked back to Janella with a softened expression. Bane stood up. "You okay, Janella?" He himself was almost gagging because of the vomit running down his bare skin. Wincing, Janella licked her lips. Her chest, arms and body were covered. Bane fought to keep his composure and the contents of his stomach intact. He was certain that it was a miracle that he was holding it back."Okies, tell me how to apply this, luv, and we'll get ya back as good as new." Roland gushed, holding out the blue bottle. "Mean fighter lady lot tough! Goon lot sure be o.k.!" Goon grinned. Janella hung her head but saw what Roland held in his hand. "G i v e me th at." She stuck out a wavering, gloved hand. Roland extended the bottle to her, cupping her hand in his to brace the bottle, worried she would drop it. Janella clasped it in shaking fingers, pulling it, trembling, to her lips, the taste of the bitter herb still on her tongue. Even in her dizziness, Janella still recognized her own, familiar blue flask, the graceful curvature of the bottle's neck and that soothing, cool taste.Bane shuddered again as the vomit continued to run down his arms. "Bane, man, go wash up, " Roland told him, grinning, despite the stench. Goon looked at Bane. "No evil man got make lot clean... smell lot funny!" Hoping Janella wouldn't realize he was going into her bath, Bane quickly headed inside. Janella sucked the flask's contents down. "That's me girl, drink up, " Roland said. Goon looked on, wondering what the blue drink would do.Janella's grey-blue eyes widened, suddenly seeing Roland's body directly in line before her. He was still following her grip on the bottle with his own hands. Roland blinked, looking down at Janella, seeing recognition lighting her gaze. Roland. Bottle. Bottle.. Roland. Her bottle. Roland.. . Bottle. The warrioress swallowed, blinking, and paused, Roland watching her closely, intently even. Goon stepped further away. Bane was washing up in the bath when he suddenly heard Janella's angry voice ring out. He wisely decided to not re-enter the bedroom right then."Th i .. my .. .. H -- Wh-- H O W d id y ou g et TH i S!!!""Dun' worry 'bout tha' luv.. jus' lay back and relax... " Roland, blinking, tried to calm her. Pulling her head up violently, her hair whipping around her neck as her hood fell loose, Janella was overtaken by another round of harsh coughing."Mean fighter lady! It O.K.! No be lot mad!" Janella's body was racked by the coughing. Bane peeked into the bedroom. Goon quickly moved to Janella, guessing she was about to have at it with Roland. "Please, no more fights tonight!" Bane cried.Janella pressed her left hand to her chest. The arm above the gauntlet was pink and wounded but Goon's herb was still lying on the skin. "U g h... ." She had that sickened, post-wretch feeling rather strong. Roland slid an arm around Janella, resting his hand on her back. "Doin' okies?" he crooned, "Quite a show...!" Janella stiffened at the feel of his fingers.Goon was nodding vigorously. "Lot good fight! Mean fighter lady kick lot butt!" Bane emerged into the bedroom. "Yeah, kick lot butt.""Mmmhmm... but ya's need 'te rest." Roland continued in the same voice as before. Janella blinked, and blinked again, seeing Bane and Goon and Roland around her bed and up against her. "How are you feeling now?" Bane asked with sincere concern. Janella continued to roll her eyes, looking between them. "T - T - T i red." Bane nodded at the same time along with Goon. "Got sleep, " Goon advised her. "Jus' lay back, luv, " Janella heard Roland say. "Yep, you need sleep, " Bane agreed, then grinned and muttered, "And I need abath."The room was dancing. Roland's voice was thick in Janella's ears, Goon's body impossibly large before her eyes, and there was Bane's amiable grin. Janella was aware of only some parts of her body. The rest was either numb, in blinding pain, or swollen and pulsing. Janella cast about on the bed. "Whe re'sss..." she began, pushing Roland on his chest, then touching the bed, the coverlet, then reaching for the pillows, under one, then the other. "Ven.. Ven de tta... " "Jus' lay back, " Roland forced her to lay back down with a firm but gentle hand."Goon think got go... " Goon said to Roland and Bane then paused, hearing Janella. "Sword thing?" he asked. "It's right here, luv, " Roland drawled, "Right here with me." Roland glanced over the side of the bed. Goon nodded up and down. "Money man have!" he exclaimed, meaning Roland.Janella lowered herself sideways along the bed, stretching her arm out below her head, feeling along the floor, regarding Bane at a strange angle as she did so. The warrioress let out a groan, too weary to speak, though she was quite intent on what she wanted to do. "Jus' rest, " Roland's voice attacked her ear again softly, "We'll be here iffin' you need us...." Goon kept nodding. "Got go, " he announced again. He wandered over to the bed again, tugging on Roland's arm. Janella was watching Goon as if he were miles away, her mind, though delirious, already bent on carving....Bane walked over to the chair to retrieve the dagger Terminus from where he had placed it earlier. Roland slipped free of Goon's grip for a moment, stealing a gentle kiss on Janella's forehead before standing. Janella's lips puckered into a twisted, sour expression, reminding Goon of what curdled milk looks like, as Roland's kiss registered. Her own blood was wiped along her sheets as she laid back down against them."Look, ya'll... " Bane tried to speak, working his mouth, hearing his own voice crack at the attempt. The others weren't listening. He felt a shiver go through him and he quickly brought Janella's dagger to the bed."I've got a room a few doors down, " Roland was saying, "Not going to let it go to waste."Janella was too tired to raise an objection, though inwardly she screamed horrible, bloody murder. "Where do you want this, Janella?" Bane held out the dagger. Janella raised her eyes.Goon flailed, seeing the glint in the warrioress's eye. "No give!" He suddenly burst out, shouting at Bane. Bane pulled the dagger back quickly as if snapping out of a spell. Goon pointed at the desk. A look of missed opportunity flickered across Janella's face, and she sunk back towards the pillows. Bane walked over to the desk and placed Terminus down. "Mean fighter lady lot hurt, no tell what do if get knife thing, " Goon warned them. Bane chewed his lip nervously, praying he wouldn't hear the voice inside his head again. Janella's grey-blue eyes shifted slowly to Roland then back, taking careful note of where the dagger was deposited. Roland tucked a strand of hair behind his elven ear. Bane, watching him, chuckled. "Want me to hide it, Roland, " Bane asked, indicating Janella's blade. "Hmm?" Roland responded, clueless. "Just kidding, " Bane added. "When she finds it, she'll come after me with it --- ""Oh, bless your dear soul, " Terminus chuckled amusedly inside Bane's mind, interrupting his speech."ARGH!" Bane cried in alarm. Janella blinked, sleepily. Roland just looked at him as if to ask, "What in the world is wrong with you?" but instead he stepped away from the bed, motioning Bane and Goon over to him. The blue liquid, an old dwarven concotion, flowed through Janella's body, being processed, lilting her to a healing sleep. Bane and Goon wandered over to Roland, Bane appearing a bit pale again. Roland dropped his voice low enough so that Janella couldn't possibly hear him. He glanced over to her, just to make sure. Janella was stretched out in true fighter-fashion style across her bed. There was blood smeared across the pillows and sweat andmucous on the coverlet. Roland turned back to Goon and Bane. Bane was suppressing shudders as he thought about the voice inside his head. "Like I said, I'll be staying over in tha' blasted room, " Roland was telling them, "Leave me with her key and I'll check on her in the morning."Goon shook his head wildly. "Lot, lot, lot, lot bad idea!" Bane whispered so Janella wouldn't hear him. "Yeah, Goon's right. She wouldn't like that too much." "Money man do, Money man no live, " Goon nodded up and down, warning Roland. Roland chuckled lightly. "I'll take my chances, pal." He was oblivious to the danger. "Umm, you better not." Bane said, pointing to the room. "Chance zero!" Goon cried. "Besides, I can always jus' jump out the window, " Roland actually seemed half serious. "No evil man, where put key thing?" Goon asked Bane. Bane reached into his pocket. "Uhm, I think I put it here, " he answered slowly, taking it out and handing it to him. "Goon know what do, " Goon said.Janella let out a slow, relieved breath as it escaped her lips. She pulled a pillow closer, drifting off to pained, numb, and lessening hurt slumber. Goon took the key from Bane and wandered over to the warrioress. As Goon headed towards the bed, Bane told Roland in a frightened whisper, "I wouldn't take my chances. Her weapons talk!" Bane was met with a blank look, then Roland shrugged and grinned thoughtfully. Bane clenched his fists and saidin exasperation, "I don't think the wielder or the weapons would like you back here --- ""Oh, but what's a little blood letting among friends?" A low cackle went off inside Bane's head."Aaaaauuuuugh!" Bane moaned. "STOP IT!!!" He shrieked, madly, cringing. Roland blinked, absolutely stunned, and stepped back. Goon whirled from the bed. "No evil man O.K.?" Bane's eyes darted about the room in a panic. Panting, he finally nodded a little, and stammered, "Um, yeah, don't worry, I'm alright." Janella turned slightly on the bed, still asleep, Bane's exclamation barely stirring her. "Bane.... are you sniffin' spice?" Roland teased."Umm, I must be, " Bane stuttered. Roland flashed him a knowing grin before turning to Goon. Bane, shaking his head, muttered, "Is it even possible for a weapon to talk?" Roland nodded, but Goon shook his head at Bane. "Sword thing no have mouth, no talk! Time for go, got let mean fighter lady get lot sleep." The blades, Terminus and Vendetta, lay still where they were, appearing quite unobtrusive."Yeah, we had better go, " Bane said quickly, carefully avoiding the desk where Terminus was, thinking, "Before the weapons talk again." Goon shuffled over to a door, noting the one to the bath and the one to the closet and the original door they had entered and selecting the proper one out of the three. He popped it open, barely turning the doorknob enough and walked out into the hallway. Bane fell into step behind him, wondering if Janella wouldremember that he had been there. Roland stuck around for a moment more just to gaze at Janella on the bed before he, too, turned and followed Goon, pulling the door closed as quietly as he could.Inside, Jaded Death slept off what was one of her bloodiest fights, but it certainly would not be her last.
From: JadedDeath
Part 2 of 2. Rest, And What Remains.Goon lumbered into the Red Dragon Inn, carrying Janella, followed by Roland and Bane. Slayer had silently followed their scent and was watching from the shadows. "Any idea which room she's in?" Roland wondered. Goon shook his head, bouncing Janella on his shoulder. The warrioress's weapons belt was around her well-muscled waist but the blades weren't sheathed there at the moment. "Ah well. Let's jus' book her a new room for the night, " Roland said. He stepped up to the clerk's desk, looking to speak with the midnight keeper. Roland grabbed a key from the old woman, after haggling with her, handing her a gold piece in return.A small metal item fell to the floor from Janella's belt as Goon shifted her on his shoulder. He was looking up to the rooms on the second floor, scratching his head. Bane glanced at the floor, seeing the fallen object; it appeared to be either brass or bronze. Just as Goon was ready to despair, not knowing where he could take Janella to, he saw the same item glinting to him from the carpet below.Goon reached down and lifted it from the floor. At that same moment Roland turned back to the group happily, showing them the key he had just bargained for, but Bane grinned, pointing to Goon's hand. "Roland, looks like you'd better get a refund, " Bane chuckled.Goon stared at the little piece of metal for a long moment before recognizing it. "Key thing!" he proclaimed.Roland muttered in disgust. "Looks like I'll be staying the night." He wasn't about to beg the old woman clerk for his coin back.A small symbol was engraved on the key's surface. Goon held the key 'teeth-up'. "Say six!" he announced. "Careful, Goon!" Bane cried, seeing Goon get excited about the key and not wanting him to accidentally drop Janella. "Got find six!" Goon called to the second floor then shifted Janella to a better position. "Don't let her fall." Bane groaned. Goon tromped up the Inn's stairs, ambling down the hallway, his free arm flailing. Bane andRoland followed him, Roland still complaining about having bought an extra room. Slayer, seeing the group disappear above, vanished through the shadows, unseen.In the hall, Goon suddenly turned and moved in the opposite direction, stopping near the stairs, grinning. "Six!" Bane walked over to him. Goon pointed at a door with a large "6" on it and pushed the key into the lock. Janella's hooded head swayed back and forth against Goon's back. Roland stepped up beside them, watching the door.Goon pushed again with the key but it refused to go past half-way into the lock no matter how he tried. "Want me to open it, Goon?" Bane asked. Goon blinked and pushed even harder. "Don't break it!" Bane cried. "Goon do!" Goon yelled in determination. He rattled the door in his attempts to unlock it."Hey!" A voice from inside shouted. "What the Hell's goin' on out there!?""Umm... " Bane walked away quickly as Roland chuckled and Goon blinked, snatching the key out of the lock and scrambling away. "Goon not do, Goon not do..."Bane started laughing, despite their predicament. "Sorry, Miss! Pest control! Go back to sleep!" Roland cried."No evil man do!" Goon held the key out towards Bane, teeth forward. Bane took the key. "Okay, " he said, then looked at it. Of course, teeth down, the head of the key read, "9.""Goon! You Goon!" Roland shouted. Bane grinned, gazing at the key then glancing to the door, laughing. "Goon Goon! What Goon do?" Goon cried, jumping up and down as well as he could with Janella on his shoulder. "Nevermind, " Roland told him. "Let's get her home."Bane walked a few doors down to Nine, putting the key into the lock and turning it, opening the door. Goon blinked as Room Nine opened up. He didn't question it, he just took Janella inside, the other two falling in behind him before they pulled the door shut. The room had a sumptuously appointed bed which contrasted with a rather Spartan-like desk and two chairs. There was a bath off the main room, and a large, darkly draped window which looked out over town. Goon saw a dresser and a small closet, the doors only half open to it, as he dropped Janella down on the bed, on her back. Janella's eyes were closed, her mouth parted slightly as her breath came in soft puffs. The bed rose then fell comfortably,accepting the warrioress's figure.Roland took a moment to glance about. Bane noticed the room smelled pleasant. Janella had also placed rich rugs on what would have been a plain floor. "Nice place," Roland observed. "Could get used to it, " he mused quietly. "Never thought I would be here, " Bane murmered, grinning, "If she knew I were here, she would probably kill me." Goon looked at Roland and Bane and grinned too. "Lot nice!" He nodded quickly. "Yep, " Bane agreed. Roland took a seat on the corner of Janella's bed, looking to her with bright, green eyes."Time for fix, " Goon bit his lip, studying Janella as well, mainly her bloodied clothes. A large mirror, hanging on the door of the closet on the far wall, reflected the scene of the four of them together. Bane sat down in one of the chairs just as Roland jerked a thumb at the dresser, saying, "See what ya can find." Goon scratched his head. "Lot bad thing say mean fighter lady be fix lot good... . Should be wake if lot fix." Goon glanced atthe hook wound, now closed. He shrugged. "No more lot bleed."Roland dug a bottle out from his pocket; it was the one that Slayer had tossed to him. "Dunna' trust this, eh?" He asked. Goon frowned. "What say do?" Roland answered, "Well, someone could find an alchemist.... Get us some smelling salts." He grinned as he teased. Goon blinked, not knowing what those were, and shook his head at Roland. Goon reached into his own vest, drawing out some type of small herb.As Bane leaned back in his chair, he suddenly felt something at the back of his belt. Reaching, he found Janella's dagger. "What the -- ?" Bane stammered. He didn't remember having taken the weapon with him when they had left the Outback, but it was somehow there. Goon leaned over towards Janella, then froze, looking to Bane. "Mean fighter lady be lot, lot mad if no have sword thing, knife thing!" Goon started to flail."I didn't have this a second ago, " Bane swore, regarding Terminus uneasily, "But I have it now." Just then, a telepathic voice, sounding dark and synical, purred in Bane's mind, causing him to jump in surprise. "Good of you to find me, " it remarked. Bane had the distinct impression that the weapon in his hand was very pleased. Bane twitched, feeling quite unnerved, but didn't say anything and passed the blade to Goon, lookingsomewhat pale.Roland had Vendetta. He drew the sword and set it alongside the bed, then reached up to brush a strand of hair from Janella's cheek, admiring her face. The window's drapes were parted and Vendetta caught the moonlight along its sunsteeled surface. Roland blinked, starting, as he heard a smooth voice in his head. He sat up bolt-straight and listened to what it had to say. "Do seek a stained floorboard before the window. It will becomeloose if you test it. Administer one of the bottles you find there to my wielder." Roland stood slowly from the bed as if in a trance. He walked over to the window and looked down at the floor as if searching for something. With an odd expression, Bane watched from his chair.Janella's chest rose and fell steadily, her head resting slightly to the left as her eyes remained closed. Goon grasped his herb tightly in his hand, squeezing it with all his might. He then relaxed, opening it to reveal the now grainy plant. Meanwhile, Roland had found his prize, kneeling down before a stained floorboard by the window. Roland wrinkled his nose. "Hmm... " he said, thinking. Roland flicked his wrist, sending a small dagger intohis hand from its hidden confines.Goon reached almost gently across Janella's body, dropping a little bit of the herb onto her wrist with great care. Next, he held his hand up to her mouth, but hesitated, remembering how Jen had reacted when he had needed to treat her similarly. He shook his head, firming his resolve. "Got do, got do." Cautiously, he pressed her chin with a finger, opening her mouth carefully as though afraid she would bite him. He poured the remaining crushedherb into her mouth then anxiously jumped back.Roland wedged his dagger between a crack in the floorboard and pulled it up with a grunt. "Uhh.. . hope she doesn't hate me for that." Roland blinked, looking into the revealed compartment. He saw a collection of same-size, color and shape bottles. They were all blue and each one was stoppered and sealed with a dwarven-like rune. He reached down and retrieved a single blue vile.Goon and Bane were staring at Janella, awaiting a sign from her. Her head suddenly started to turn back and forth upon the pillow. Roland stood before the window, walking out from the moonlight towards the bed, looking from the blue bottle to Janella. Goon realized that Janella was starting to regain consciousness. He stepped back even farther, fearful of her initial reaction. She started coughing and her eyelids began to flutter. Bane lookedbetween Goon and Janella worriedly, almost making a run for the door but finding himself rooted to his chair. He hoped, nervously, that she wouldn't be angry. Goon gulped. "Mean... fighter lady?"There was more coughing. Violent coughing. Janella felt a great pain in her head, in her side and in her hand.Roland rushed to her. "Janella? You okay, sweetie?" Bane cowered in his chair and Goon stared wide-eyed."W h a t i n ... " Janella blanched, licking her lips over and over, making horrible faces.Goon suddenly grinned. "Goon think O.K."Bane stood and neared the bed, looking at Janella in genuine relief. Goon sidled closer too, hoping Janella wouldn't break his neck.The warrioress reached forward, rolling onto her side. She grabbed for the nearest person, that person being Bane. Goon jumped into retreat, but Bane couldn't get away in time. He was trapped beside the bed in Janella's vice-like grip.Janella wretched, shuddering, as one, then two, then three waves moved her stomach, Goon's herb, and the blood of the undead vampire, Slayer, having made her terribly ill. Undaunted at the scene, Roland stepped up hastily beside the bed, turning Janella's head so she could see him, holding the blue vile before her. "Janella, sweetie, can ya's hear me?"Clenching the side of the bed, Janella willed herself up on her elbows, feeling weak and dizzy. Goon blinked, carefully keeping a safe distance away from her and poor Bane. Bane shuddered, sliding down to sit on the floor. Roland merely wrinkled his nose, but then, to his horror, Janella coughed unexepectedly and expelled a bloody, mucous-like form from her mouth. It hit Roland on the pants."Oh, nuts!" Roland cried, looking down at his pants. Goon blinked and guffawed. "What in the Hell was that!" Roland turned on Goon. Choking, catching her breath, Janella finally responded to Roland. "A y e ... I hear ... you.""Haw haw haw!" Goon found the sight utterly hilarious. He was pointing, laughing loudly."U g h ..."Roland looked back to Janella with a softened expression. Bane stood up. "You okay, Janella?" He himself was almost gagging because of the vomit running down his bare skin. Wincing, Janella licked her lips. Her chest, arms and body were covered. Bane fought to keep his composure and the contents of his stomach intact. He was certain that it was a miracle that he was holding it back."Okies, tell me how to apply this, luv, and we'll get ya back as good as new." Roland gushed, holding out the blue bottle. "Mean fighter lady lot tough! Goon lot sure be o.k.!" Goon grinned. Janella hung her head but saw what Roland held in his hand. "G i v e me th at." She stuck out a wavering, gloved hand. Roland extended the bottle to her, cupping her hand in his to brace the bottle, worried she would drop it. Janella clasped it in shaking fingers, pulling it, trembling, to her lips, the taste of the bitter herb still on her tongue. Even in her dizziness, Janella still recognized her own, familiar blue flask, the graceful curvature of the bottle's neck and that soothing, cool taste.Bane shuddered again as the vomit continued to run down his arms. "Bane, man, go wash up, " Roland told him, grinning, despite the stench. Goon looked at Bane. "No evil man got make lot clean... smell lot funny!" Hoping Janella wouldn't realize he was going into her bath, Bane quickly headed inside. Janella sucked the flask's contents down. "That's me girl, drink up, " Roland said. Goon looked on, wondering what the blue drink would do.Janella's grey-blue eyes widened, suddenly seeing Roland's body directly in line before her. He was still following her grip on the bottle with his own hands. Roland blinked, looking down at Janella, seeing recognition lighting her gaze. Roland. Bottle. Bottle.. Roland. Her bottle. Roland.. . Bottle. The warrioress swallowed, blinking, and paused, Roland watching her closely, intently even. Goon stepped further away. Bane was washing up in the bath when he suddenly heard Janella's angry voice ring out. He wisely decided to not re-enter the bedroom right then."Th i .. my .. .. H -- Wh-- H O W d id y ou g et TH i S!!!""Dun' worry 'bout tha' luv.. jus' lay back and relax... " Roland, blinking, tried to calm her. Pulling her head up violently, her hair whipping around her neck as her hood fell loose, Janella was overtaken by another round of harsh coughing."Mean fighter lady! It O.K.! No be lot mad!" Janella's body was racked by the coughing. Bane peeked into the bedroom. Goon quickly moved to Janella, guessing she was about to have at it with Roland. "Please, no more fights tonight!" Bane cried.Janella pressed her left hand to her chest. The arm above the gauntlet was pink and wounded but Goon's herb was still lying on the skin. "U g h... ." She had that sickened, post-wretch feeling rather strong. Roland slid an arm around Janella, resting his hand on her back. "Doin' okies?" he crooned, "Quite a show...!" Janella stiffened at the feel of his fingers.Goon was nodding vigorously. "Lot good fight! Mean fighter lady kick lot butt!" Bane emerged into the bedroom. "Yeah, kick lot butt.""Mmmhmm... but ya's need 'te rest." Roland continued in the same voice as before. Janella blinked, and blinked again, seeing Bane and Goon and Roland around her bed and up against her. "How are you feeling now?" Bane asked with sincere concern. Janella continued to roll her eyes, looking between them. "T - T - T i red." Bane nodded at the same time along with Goon. "Got sleep, " Goon advised her. "Jus' lay back, luv, " Janella heard Roland say. "Yep, you need sleep, " Bane agreed, then grinned and muttered, "And I need abath."The room was dancing. Roland's voice was thick in Janella's ears, Goon's body impossibly large before her eyes, and there was Bane's amiable grin. Janella was aware of only some parts of her body. The rest was either numb, in blinding pain, or swollen and pulsing. Janella cast about on the bed. "Whe re'sss..." she began, pushing Roland on his chest, then touching the bed, the coverlet, then reaching for the pillows, under one, then the other. "Ven.. Ven de tta... " "Jus' lay back, " Roland forced her to lay back down with a firm but gentle hand."Goon think got go... " Goon said to Roland and Bane then paused, hearing Janella. "Sword thing?" he asked. "It's right here, luv, " Roland drawled, "Right here with me." Roland glanced over the side of the bed. Goon nodded up and down. "Money man have!" he exclaimed, meaning Roland.Janella lowered herself sideways along the bed, stretching her arm out below her head, feeling along the floor, regarding Bane at a strange angle as she did so. The warrioress let out a groan, too weary to speak, though she was quite intent on what she wanted to do. "Jus' rest, " Roland's voice attacked her ear again softly, "We'll be here iffin' you need us...." Goon kept nodding. "Got go, " he announced again. He wandered over to the bed again, tugging on Roland's arm. Janella was watching Goon as if he were miles away, her mind, though delirious, already bent on carving....Bane walked over to the chair to retrieve the dagger Terminus from where he had placed it earlier. Roland slipped free of Goon's grip for a moment, stealing a gentle kiss on Janella's forehead before standing. Janella's lips puckered into a twisted, sour expression, reminding Goon of what curdled milk looks like, as Roland's kiss registered. Her own blood was wiped along her sheets as she laid back down against them."Look, ya'll... " Bane tried to speak, working his mouth, hearing his own voice crack at the attempt. The others weren't listening. He felt a shiver go through him and he quickly brought Janella's dagger to the bed."I've got a room a few doors down, " Roland was saying, "Not going to let it go to waste."Janella was too tired to raise an objection, though inwardly she screamed horrible, bloody murder. "Where do you want this, Janella?" Bane held out the dagger. Janella raised her eyes.Goon flailed, seeing the glint in the warrioress's eye. "No give!" He suddenly burst out, shouting at Bane. Bane pulled the dagger back quickly as if snapping out of a spell. Goon pointed at the desk. A look of missed opportunity flickered across Janella's face, and she sunk back towards the pillows. Bane walked over to the desk and placed Terminus down. "Mean fighter lady lot hurt, no tell what do if get knife thing, " Goon warned them. Bane chewed his lip nervously, praying he wouldn't hear the voice inside his head again. Janella's grey-blue eyes shifted slowly to Roland then back, taking careful note of where the dagger was deposited. Roland tucked a strand of hair behind his elven ear. Bane, watching him, chuckled. "Want me to hide it, Roland, " Bane asked, indicating Janella's blade. "Hmm?" Roland responded, clueless. "Just kidding, " Bane added. "When she finds it, she'll come after me with it --- ""Oh, bless your dear soul, " Terminus chuckled amusedly inside Bane's mind, interrupting his speech."ARGH!" Bane cried in alarm. Janella blinked, sleepily. Roland just looked at him as if to ask, "What in the world is wrong with you?" but instead he stepped away from the bed, motioning Bane and Goon over to him. The blue liquid, an old dwarven concotion, flowed through Janella's body, being processed, lilting her to a healing sleep. Bane and Goon wandered over to Roland, Bane appearing a bit pale again. Roland dropped his voice low enough so that Janella couldn't possibly hear him. He glanced over to her, just to make sure. Janella was stretched out in true fighter-fashion style across her bed. There was blood smeared across the pillows and sweat andmucous on the coverlet. Roland turned back to Goon and Bane. Bane was suppressing shudders as he thought about the voice inside his head. "Like I said, I'll be staying over in tha' blasted room, " Roland was telling them, "Leave me with her key and I'll check on her in the morning."Goon shook his head wildly. "Lot, lot, lot, lot bad idea!" Bane whispered so Janella wouldn't hear him. "Yeah, Goon's right. She wouldn't like that too much." "Money man do, Money man no live, " Goon nodded up and down, warning Roland. Roland chuckled lightly. "I'll take my chances, pal." He was oblivious to the danger. "Umm, you better not." Bane said, pointing to the room. "Chance zero!" Goon cried. "Besides, I can always jus' jump out the window, " Roland actually seemed half serious. "No evil man, where put key thing?" Goon asked Bane. Bane reached into his pocket. "Uhm, I think I put it here, " he answered slowly, taking it out and handing it to him. "Goon know what do, " Goon said.Janella let out a slow, relieved breath as it escaped her lips. She pulled a pillow closer, drifting off to pained, numb, and lessening hurt slumber. Goon took the key from Bane and wandered over to the warrioress. As Goon headed towards the bed, Bane told Roland in a frightened whisper, "I wouldn't take my chances. Her weapons talk!" Bane was met with a blank look, then Roland shrugged and grinned thoughtfully. Bane clenched his fists and saidin exasperation, "I don't think the wielder or the weapons would like you back here --- ""Oh, but what's a little blood letting among friends?" A low cackle went off inside Bane's head."Aaaaauuuuugh!" Bane moaned. "STOP IT!!!" He shrieked, madly, cringing. Roland blinked, absolutely stunned, and stepped back. Goon whirled from the bed. "No evil man O.K.?" Bane's eyes darted about the room in a panic. Panting, he finally nodded a little, and stammered, "Um, yeah, don't worry, I'm alright." Janella turned slightly on the bed, still asleep, Bane's exclamation barely stirring her. "Bane.... are you sniffin' spice?" Roland teased."Umm, I must be, " Bane stuttered. Roland flashed him a knowing grin before turning to Goon. Bane, shaking his head, muttered, "Is it even possible for a weapon to talk?" Roland nodded, but Goon shook his head at Bane. "Sword thing no have mouth, no talk! Time for go, got let mean fighter lady get lot sleep." The blades, Terminus and Vendetta, lay still where they were, appearing quite unobtrusive."Yeah, we had better go, " Bane said quickly, carefully avoiding the desk where Terminus was, thinking, "Before the weapons talk again." Goon shuffled over to a door, noting the one to the bath and the one to the closet and the original door they had entered and selecting the proper one out of the three. He popped it open, barely turning the doorknob enough and walked out into the hallway. Bane fell into step behind him, wondering if Janella wouldremember that he had been there. Roland stuck around for a moment more just to gaze at Janella on the bed before he, too, turned and followed Goon, pulling the door closed as quietly as he could.Inside, Jaded Death slept off what was one of her bloodiest fights, but it certainly would not be her last.