Baxter
Diamond Dogs
High Templar Winter Wolf
"Wars are not won by the weak-willed."
Posts: 238
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Post by Baxter on Dec 4, 2012 2:17:07 GMT -5
Baxter nodded as he listened to Ice Fang's plan. It was daunting, but exciting at the same time. Once they were through with this they'd be practically home free. No more stupid invasion.
"Sounds solid to me," the archer said before taking the vial. "Do you want me to take this now or when we get there? I don't know if this supposed to be fast-acting with a short term effect or slow-acting or..." It may have been a dumb question, but the archer wanted to be sure. He didn't want to risk downing the stimulant if its effects were only meant to last a few minutes. Considering the gravity of what they were doing, everything had to go as perfectly as possible.
"Sharp's probably going to send dogs after us, isn't he? Especially if he's there when we arrive." It was another thing he hoped Ice Fang had accounted for, but knowing the other wolf, it was likely that he had. "And I guess it also matters how long they'd be after us, how soon he gives up the chase."
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Post by Red Charge on Dec 4, 2012 10:47:56 GMT -5
"Oh he's alone, if he does send dogs after us, it'll be long after we're gone." Ice Fang smiled toothily, "We'll be deep into Everfree by then, they won't be able to track us. Then all we have to do is head for the Griffon border.They won't dare cross it, lest they have the wrath of The Armada on their heads."
"You should drink that now by the way, it'll help you recover more that way." He gave Baxter a friendly nudge. "Never actually thought I'd be taking the sword by force. But if I'm honest, I don't really believe at this point Sharp was ever going to give it to me. He couldn't even honor the one thing I asked of him, to just leave you alone."
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Baxter
Diamond Dogs
High Templar Winter Wolf
"Wars are not won by the weak-willed."
Posts: 238
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Post by Baxter on Dec 4, 2012 16:34:54 GMT -5
"If your life or death doesn't matter to him, I don't see why he would," Baxter said as he opened the vial. "He's probably just planning on you dying once the ponies retaliate." The wolf downed the stimulant, recapping and tossing away the vial once he had finished.
"If this invasion actually resembled what it's supposed to, then yeah, he'd need you to keep fighting. But since all Sharp's doing is holding ground and making no effort towards taking the other cities, I can't imagine he's keeping you around for any other reason than to wait for you to get killed. Then he doesn't have to give you the sword."
"I don't even get the point of faking an invasion, but he's obviously got a reason for being here. To be honest, though, I'm not sure I really care what it is. All that matters is he's letting dogs die over nothing for some stupid scheme he's concocting. Not something I want to be a part of."
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Post by Red Charge on Dec 5, 2012 0:17:30 GMT -5
"Yeah I got it the first 20 times, thanks." Ice Fang rolled his eyes at Baxter, "Anyway, all that aside, you talked to that Justiciar, what did he tell you?" He asked, curious. The Justiciar was a dog of very little words, if any. During the whole invasion he had only heard him talk once and that was to provide a simple warning before throwing him and the rest of the generals about. Luckily Sharp was there to break up the fight, or it would have ended a lot worse... for the generals that is.
Ice Fang wondered if they could go into the employ of the Dragon Council, not as slaves, but as mercs. Surely having an arsenal of dragon enchanted items and flame powers would be worth it, no? Shaking such thoughts aside, he turned back to Baxter
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Baxter
Diamond Dogs
High Templar Winter Wolf
"Wars are not won by the weak-willed."
Posts: 238
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Post by Baxter on Dec 5, 2012 0:33:04 GMT -5
Baxter was a little dampened when Ice Fang told him to stop repeating himself about Sharp. Guess it was time to shut up about it. "He said the invasion didn't serve a purpose," the wolf answered. "That Sharp's just using everyone as pawns for something. Literally all the dogs could get killed and it wouldn't affect Sharp any."
"He wasn't very specific, and normally I wouldn't believe a word he says. But what he said lines up with Sharp's decisions." The wolf adjusted some of the supplies he was carrying before continuing. "That was it, really. Not even sure if that's anything you didn't already know."
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Post by Red Charge on Dec 5, 2012 0:54:44 GMT -5
"That's... almost nothing, for you to go by it... you must have REALLY wanted an excuse to get out of this..." Ice Fang said, pointedly looking down at the wolf. "You sure it wasn't mostly because you don't like the fact Sharp has a pet dragon?"
After that they continued in silence fo a long while, they were nearing Fillydelphia, going around it and proceeding to the forest behind it, the border with the Diamond Dog Tunnels, where Sharp's tent was.
"Are you ready for this?" Ice Fang asked, stretching himself and warming himself up as he prepared for the encounter that could just be the end of him.
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Baxter
Diamond Dogs
High Templar Winter Wolf
"Wars are not won by the weak-willed."
Posts: 238
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Post by Baxter on Dec 5, 2012 1:23:56 GMT -5
The wolf frowned at what Ice Fang said, but otherwise remained silent. If the Justiciar had really talked him into leaving the invasion and pulling out Ice Fang as well, he was certainly going to end up with egg on his face. But no, that was too unlikely. The dogs words hadn't so much convinced Baxter as they had made him realize what he already knew. It was Ice Fang's suspicions as well as Sharp's behavior that had really led up to this. And it wasn't just the dragon either, though that was one of the reasons he didn't trust Sharp. And the sky pirates. And the changelings...
After a while they had reached Fillydelphia, not too far away from Sharp's tent. "Yeah. I'm ready," Baxter said, pulling out an arrow. How could he not be ready? Was he going to ask to postpone until morning so he could take a nap? "Good luck. I'll be aiming for his knee, like you said."
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Post by Red Charge on Dec 5, 2012 1:37:31 GMT -5
Ice Fang took a lamp from Baxter's pack and lit it a distance away from Baxter, making sure he was not caught in the light and approaching from an entirely different angle. Basically announcing his presence.
Sharp's lone tent stood solemnly in the small clearing, unguarded, seemingly empty, without a single sign that it was inhabited. But Ice Fang knew that Sharp was already expecting him, was already wondering what Ice Fang was doing so far from where he was supposed to be.
Then a loud sound penetrated the air, a pipe organ melody, tremendous and powerful, like a slow funeral marsh, the same notes repeated over and over. When Ice Fang got close to the tent the music picked up, adding another set of higher notes to the already existing sets, and then another on top of that. While the first set was dull and emotionless, the next two sets were extremely expressive, almost sounding like some sort of swansong. Ice Fang did not seem to let the music disturb him.
As he reached the entrance to Sharp's tent, the gigantic dog came out, seeming taller than ever now. The music grew fainter, but did not stop. This moment would be the one to determine what would happen.
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Baxter
Diamond Dogs
High Templar Winter Wolf
"Wars are not won by the weak-willed."
Posts: 238
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Post by Baxter on Dec 5, 2012 1:52:38 GMT -5
Baxter watched as Ice Fang approached the tent, aiming his bow at its side as the other wolf got nearer. But then something happened that Baxter wasn't expecting? ...music? Where the heck was it coming from? No, ignore it. He needed to focus on the shot.
And then Sharp stepped out of the tent, even bigger than Baxter had remember him. The wolf swore silently to himself. So much for that part of the plan. He quickly adjusted his aim, pointing his bow directly at Sharps knee. The only thing Baxter could do now was wait for Ice Fang to give him the signal. "C'mon, Ice Fang," Baxter thought, praying that the other wolf could pull this off. And that he could too.
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Post by Red Charge on Dec 5, 2012 2:04:41 GMT -5
"I would assume you have good reason to be here, but then again, I would assume you have good reason to kill several members of your own unit." Sharp said, his face neutral.
"I don't like Changelings." Sharp said, "Which is exactly why I'm here. You put changelings in my unit, as well as murdered a packmate of mine. I am beginning to doubt your word. All I ever saw of Winter's Breath was the hilt that's on your back. I am no longer content in waiting until the job is done for it. I want the sword."
Sharp grinned, "Your packmate tried to desert after speaking with the Justiciar, the same as many other Diamond Dogs. It was to serve an example. But your demands are sound, I suppose. You did help conquer Fillydelphia after all, and trained your dogs like I asked. The contract is technically fulfilled anyway." Sharp said, his voice loud enough to be heard clearly over the annoying music.
He drew Winter's breath from its sheathe, surprisngly enough it was nothing more than a hilt, except it had one property Baxter had never seen in a weapon before, as it was drawn it began to form a liquid mass of water at its base. It did not form into a blade, but remained liquid.
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Baxter
Diamond Dogs
High Templar Winter Wolf
"Wars are not won by the weak-willed."
Posts: 238
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Post by Baxter on Dec 5, 2012 2:22:26 GMT -5
Baxter kept his bow pointed at his target as the two spoke. What they had to say was interesting to say the least. Changelings? Sharp had put changelings in Ice Fang's unit? Without telling him? As if that wasn't reason enough to be suspicious of him.
The archer silently glared at the warlord as he casually dismissed Baxter's presumed death. He could have just been going to take a piss in the woods, but because he had been accidentally talking to the justiciar before hand, that automatically meant he was deserting. But at least Sharp was handing over the sword. Maybe they could get out of this cleanly.
At first Baxter was confused when all he saw Sharp remove was the hilt, but he soon caught sight of the liquid that had formed at the base. That had to be why it was so special, and why Ice Fang wanted it so badly. That didn't justify staying here to fight for it, but at least it wasn't just some ordinary blade.
The wolf realized he had been staring at the weapon before focusing back on Sharp's knee, keeping his bow aimed directly at it. Even if it seemed they might get to leave without Baxter having to fire, he wasn't going to goof up by not being ready if Ice Fang needed him to. It didn't matter how good the situation looked. Whether or not he fired was all dependent on if and when Ice Fang gave him the signal.
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Post by Red Charge on Dec 5, 2012 11:41:46 GMT -5
"However," Sharp said, withholding the sword from Ice Fang, "There's the addendum of me saving your little friend from those chess soldiers..." The massive dog said with a skullish grin. "Which means... you still owe me, until the war ends... as we've agreed."
"You had him killed the very next day." Ice Fang said coldly, glaring at the Diamond Dog Warlord, Baxter could tell how much disappointment and disdain that last statement by Sharp brought on.
"The deal was to save him from the chess soldier, not to keep him alive. As an expert on contractual work, you would know." Sharp smirked smugly. Holding the hilt with the liquid mass in front of Ice Fang teasingly.
"At least let me hold it."
"Sorry, but no." Sharp said, "No touchie."
Ice Fang growled, "Look I..."
"Is that what you came here for? Best make your way back to Hoofington. What a shame." Baxter could barely hear him above that cursed music, it just kept repeating itself over and over again. It was mind blowing. Then Ice Fang tapped his foot on the ground angrily, that was Baxter's signal.
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Baxter
Diamond Dogs
High Templar Winter Wolf
"Wars are not won by the weak-willed."
Posts: 238
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Post by Baxter on Dec 5, 2012 11:58:05 GMT -5
Of course. At the last minute Sharp had come up with an excuse not to give Ice Fang the sword. What a load of garbage. Now it was obvious he was waiting for Ice Fang to die in battle, so he could keep the sword and Ice Fang's services.
He kept his aim locked onto that knee, not daring to let it out of his focus. It was going to quickly come down to this, especially since Sharp wouldn't even let Ice Fang hold the sword. He had just taken it out to taunt him. At least that made it easier to grab.
And now that music, that stupid music was growing louder and louder and repeating and repeating. It was really starting to grate on him, as well as not knowing where it was coming from. He could barely even hear what Sharp was saying now, his words being drowned out by the immense thumming of the notes. He swore that-
There was the signal. Without a moment of hesitation, Baxter fired his arrow, aiming directly for Sharp's knee. Time felt like it was slowing down once it had propelled itself forward. All the wolf could do now was pray, pray that the arrow would make contact, that Ice Fang could grab the sword, and that they could both get out of there before Sharp knew what hit him.
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Post by Red Charge on Dec 5, 2012 13:35:27 GMT -5
Baxter missed by an inch or two, that Dang music! But unfortunately, due to how close Ice Fang and Sharp were standing in front of each other, his arrow scraped Ice Fang's leg as it shot past. Sharp, seeing the arrow quickly turned to face the source, only to feel a jab in his side, where Icingdeath was now stuck. Even more surprised that Winter's Breath was no longer in his hand, instead it was now in Ice Fang's, who was now running far away from him.
Sharp turned to run after, but the dagger lodged in his side restricted his movement, even with his bulk, Icingdeath's magic frost effect was taking its toll. Using the power of his gems, Sharp launched fiery balls of fire and lightning after Ice Fang and the fleeing Baxter, but to no avail, they were already in the woods. He snarled twice as loudly, when Icingdeath disappeared from the wound, causing it to gape and bleed out.
But Sharp was not completely unhappy. A deed was done today, and Winter's Breath was not needed anyway. After all, Sharp had another, far more deadly weapon in store.
"Let them run." Sharp said, to no one in particular, "Let them think they've won." He ran his hand over his wound, healing it instantly. "They don't know what waits in store." Sharp went back to his tent, with one final, scolding look at the woods. "You have made a terrible mistake." He muttered.
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Baxter
Diamond Dogs
High Templar Winter Wolf
"Wars are not won by the weak-willed."
Posts: 238
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Post by Baxter on Dec 5, 2012 13:57:34 GMT -5
Baxter watched in horror as the arrow veered, just an inch or so away, from Sharp's knee. Instead, it had scraped Ice Fang's leg. The wolf was almost in a state of dumb shock, almost completely disbelieving that his luck could turn so bad. This was the one thing he had needed to do. The one thing. Then they would have been home free. No longer having to worry about Ice Fang getting killed, about Sharp and his stupid invasion. But no, he blew it. Baxter didn't think he could feel any lower than he did right now.
It was only Ice Fang's quick reacting that managed to save them both. He had managed to stab Sharp and take the sword, and now the two were running away into the forest. Baxter didn't even get to think about what had just happened. All he did was run, mindlessly. Just trying to get away before he somehow made things worse, Sharp's snarl and a ferocious attack of fire and lightning hitting the trees behind them.
It wasn't until they were a safe distance away that Baxter finally turned to look at Ice Fang. "I-I'm sorry. I-I... I messed up." All he was supposed to do was hit one freaking still target, but intsead he ended up hitting Ice Fang. 'How bad is it? Did I do anything serious? I can't do freaking anything right, and this time I ended up hitting you. Please, if there's anything, just let me know. I'm sorry, I... I just..." The wolf's nervous rambling had trailed off, and he looked incredibly terrified and desperate for his friend's forgiveness.
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