When the half-breed returned there was one thing she noticed immediately. A distinct lack of mercenaries. Not that there weren't any crowding around the board, it was that there weren't any who she'd spoken with. The guards who were helping to orchestrate this little mission looked at her sheepishly, their nervous smiles saying everything that needed to be said. All of the mercenaries had dipped, cowardice winning out against courage. They didn't have a taste for glory or honor, they craved nels. That was obvious enough. And apparently, the mission didn't hold enough of a price for what they were being asked to risk. Honestly, the half-breed didn't entirely blame them. Missions like this usually demanded risk to life and limb if they had any chance of panning out, and they were far too altruistic for the tastes of most. A little reward for a high risk. Yes, there were other rewards that made it worthwhile to someone like Nightshade. There was the whole honor thing on top of making her name just a little sweeter on the tounges of city locals, pushing her a little closer to being a common household name for those who lacked hope.
At the end of the day, the half-breed didn't fight for money. She fought to protect those who were defenseless and to give hope to those who were hopeless, which were the reasons why Ethelynda and Qylios had chosen her to bear their marks and names. Lately, she'd found herself giving hope and prayer in the name of the two before fights. Hopes that it would turn out well and prayers that there would be little bloodshed. And while she dedicated a lot of her actions in their names, she couldn't actually say that out loud. She was certain neither one necessarily minded given the nature of the city she lived in. It was a cutthroat area without the praises of immortals slipping off the tongue, so lose ones needed to be bound.
"I suppose I'm going to be flying solo on this mission then," she mused allowed. One of the guards looked panicked like he was about to argue the decision before she quickly shushed him. "I'm not backing down when we've almost backed these bottom feeders into a corner! If it can't be helped it can't be helped, there's no one with the courage or honor to take the job. Now unless one of you would like to join me as a frontline scout, I don't believe I'm going to have any help. While I could use the practice working in a group, for a job like this I suppose it's better I work alone," she huffed with a quick shake of her head as her mind continued to race over various ideas of how to approach the situation. It was a dangerous one without a doubt, and a lack of caution could lead to issues.
Her mind found itself going back to her encounter with Rhonwen, one of Ethelynda's daughters. The Ithecal had been a stout comrade, though a little curt all things considered. Though that was to be expected given the situation. The half-breed had been a little frustrated and embarrassed by the end of it though. She felt like a child through the whole encounter, and it hadn't been done in the optimal fashion. This situation now, it was rather similar. Except she didn't have Rhonwen. Of course, back then she didn't have fancy talon boots or as much skill with a blade as she did now. She also didn't have the personal backing of a small group of guard members. She felt a little guilty tugging on her influence as much as she was. Then again, she did have a lot of personal connections within the guard and a certain degree of respect from them. It wasn't like she was working behind the back of the guard captain either. Segrille was well aware of her actions and likely would have had someone else leading this little mess if she herself didn't decide to poke her nose into the fray. After all, these were the lives of children, so there was little reason to be feeling guilty about asking for the guards to help her with a raid.
In spite of that she'd be scouting alone and if she could handle it she'd be working alone. The guards were there to offer back up if things started to get extremely hairy. Though hopefully, it wouldn't come down to that. If she could manage to take care of this situation on her own, all the better.
The woman wasn't the best of leaders, so honestly, this situation worked out in the best interest of herself and the guards. She understood well enough that eventually, she was going to have to learn how to lead. Especially as a marked of Qylios, it was quite possibly the one thing holding her back from getting higher into the Immortal's good graces. But her priorities were to her savior, a title she'd assigned to Ethelynda. A title that was pretty spot on to the truth of the situation. She owed her life to the snake Immortal and she'd do everything in her power to keep bringing about justice in the name of herself and the Immortal she praised.
Eventually, the woman left town on foot followed a good number of paces behind by a larger than expected group of guards. The woman had to admit, it was rather inevitable that she would need back up given the nature of the situation. And her first duty was to the children, so she appreciated the group. It didn't even really matter how much noise they made since the half-breed was having troubles being quiet herself. She was wearing her talon boots after all, which meant that her steel covered nails were clicking against everything from themselves to any rocks she happened to pass over. Which practically killed any idea of stealth she had to begin with. Being on foot made all of this harder as the half-breed though she'd been practicing still wasn't as accustomed to walking as she was to flying. Immortals knew with everything she was wearing currently she wouldn't be able to run for the life of her. Fly maybe, though it might take some serious effort.
As fortune would have it, the slaver group was fairly close to town. A little cocky perhaps. Of course, it would have had to make business easier to be that close, so the half-breed could understand that kind of distance. The half-breed came to a stop a good way away from the camp before her presence could be noted. In part to get a good read of the situation and in part so that she could wait for the guards to catch up. The guards quickly caught up to her form, pressed closer to the ground as she watched the slavers shuffle away, moving in and out of their camp. "I have an idea that should work. I want all of you to take the slavers head on. Try and distract them. If you can lead them out of the camp pick them off one at a time. I'll focus on trying to find the kids and get them out, remember that's the main priority of our job right now. If we try to attack without protecting the kids first they'll likely just get used as bargaining chips," the half-breed said as she continued to watch the movements of those inside of the camp. There was no wall, but each tent had crudely made spikes at the bottom in all directions but the entrance. If they were as travel prone as the half-breed could guess then it would make sense. Building a wall would imply they were more apt to stay in the same place and always camp there.
Fortune seemed to be on the side of the half-breed and the guards as men and women were rushing around packing things up. They looked as though they were trying to quickly pack up and leave, their movements just a touch to fast to be calm. Unnatural in a way that implied a kind of panic. "It looks like they might be expecting us boys," she smirked as spoke her hand moving towards the hilt of the blade and gripping it tighter.
the group of guards began to advance after the plan was created. The half-breed wanted to go with them and make sure they would all be okay, but the important thing was the children. They had their leader and the half-breed had her own job to deal with. Hopefully, their leader would be able to deal with his. After the guard's attacked, managing to stir the attention of the slavers, the half-breed herself advanced into the sky, sweeping overhead for a moment before locating one of the larger tents. She swooped down on it, cutting open the roof with her talons in order to get a look inside. The whimpering cries of children and shivering masses were the first thing she took note of. With another, longer slash she carved open the roof, only for an arrow to barely shoot past her head. Damn, the guards couldn't keep the attention of everyone. Luckily the gap was already cut into the roof of the tent so she ducked inside quickly.
Children looked up at her with a multitude of expressions. Fear, shock, and absolute terror were the most present. But there were some looks of curiosity. Others still just the tiniest hint of hope as though they were seeing a superhero for the first time. But those expressions were rarer than the mass which whimpered as tears started to gather in their eyes. "Please, have no worries children. I'm here to help save you," the half-breed cooed in a gentle voice. It was consoling to some while not so much to others. Of course not. She looked like an avriel and she wouldn't be shocked if parents told horror stories to their children about the avian menaces who practically ruled over slavery. She was grateful that she hadn't actually seen any avriel outside.
It didn't take long for many of the defenders to realize what exactly was going on and to try and make their way into the tent with the intent of attacking the half-breed. She was quick to activate her Iron Scales. The stronger ability was something of an upgrade to Enduring Scales though the two weren't exactly linked. She made sure to push all of the children behind her. Two people came into the tent, looking a little too well prepared for the fight to be comforting. One was large and held a giant tower shield in his left hand, while a deadly looking short sword rested in the other. The second man as mostly there for backup as it looked like he was holding little more than a dagger. She could see the quiver hanging loosely from his back, implying that he was an archer who'd run in on a whim to help the man who looked and seemed to be a tank.
The man with the shield roared. Well, two could most certainly play at this game. The half-breed was quick to use Noble's Shield, trying to have it take the most of the damage. In in a pinch back-up shield wasn't as good as a real shield would have been, and after taking the brunt of the attack shattered into dust in the hands of the half-breed, allowing her body to take whatever force was left. Lucky Iron Scales had yet to time out, she now hardened skin absorbing all the rest of the impact. Pulling out her sword she lashed upward with the intent of striking the head. She needed to get the fight out of the tent. The children were at least smart enough to all scurry to the very back of the tent to try and avoid injury or harm. She wished she could tell them to cover their eyes, but this man needed all her focuses and her breath if she was to win.
Then she saw it. The tiniest little crack in the shield from perhaps where he'd performed one too many shield bashes on something just a little too hard. It was inwardly dented with the slightest hint of cracking because of it being pushed to its extremes. The man lashed out at her with his short sword, managing to catch her on her upper forearm. Her left arm too. Really? She hissed slightly as she felt the fiery sensation of steel slipping inside of her skin. It wasn't unfamiliar but it never became pleasant, let alone easier to deal with. With the first blood being drawn, and that blood being her own, she saw the faintest hint of a confident smirk playing across the features of the ruffian. By no means though was this fight near over. The man swiped at her a second time but this time she caught his sword using her own. Pushing herself flush against his shield she trapped his sword and left him unable to move unless he dropped the sword or the shield.
The man favored dropping the blade and he did so. She could see him moving to try and throw her off of his shield, focusing all of his strength on his movements, so the half-breed jumped away at that last moment. Effectively allowing the big buy to smash his own ally who had been rushing in to try and stab the woman while she had the titan in a deadlock. Battlefield awareness children, it always pays to have it. Enough time had passed so the half-breed summoned up another Noble's Shield before the titan's shield collided with her once more. Again, her own shield shattered against the force of the impact but this time she didn't have Iron Scales activated.
The shield connected fully with her body and she felt the wind sweep from her lungs. Barely holding herself upright she panicked as she tried to catch the breath and force it back into her body. The titan once again smashed her with his shield. She at the very least had the sensibility to try and shield herself. Eventually, the woman was forced to the ground. At the very least she'd protected her face, but she was certain that there were tons of bruises covering her. At least no cuts, so no new scars.
Falling to her knees she watched as the man turned around to pick up his sword, intending to try and kill the woman supposedly. One last trick. Feeling the effects of Second Wind kick in, she hopped back to her feet high on the feeling of her last resort.
With a quick swipe, she brought her own sword down on the back of the man, her steel connecting with the back of his neck. The titan went down in a large thump. The archer was still on the ground, out cold from getting shield bashed himself. Just as the big guy finished going down on of the Etzori guards rushed into the tent and sighed in relief, coming to the sight of the half-breed quietly sheathing her blade. There was less blood all over than there really should have been. The cut to the neck was more so a cut to the spine, clean and quick, and while there was blood there was little enough that it could be hidden from the children who had all taken to the corner to cover their eyes. "If everything out there is cleaned up, then start taking care of the children," she said with a curt nod.
"And you?" The guard asked with a tilt of his head. That order was an odd one coming from the half-breed whose first action typically would have been to go to and try to attempt to console the children.
"I'll be... down for a little while. I'd appreciate if you made sure nothing too terrible happened to me," the half-breed simply said before her form went crashing towards the ground.
To the credit of the Etzori, she woke up in a doctor's office with her fees paid for using whatever money would have been used to buy the mercs.
