laneys.info Beware of Yankees, drunks, and loose women.

The warmth of the bath that night was inviting. He couldn't imagine how much dirt could be collected from the saddle sometimes but, the film from the soap that rose to cloud the once clear water told volumes. Allowing himself to relax for a moment within the darker room lit dimly by a single candle resting on the small table near his head, Alex felt his body ease and drift away, resting within it's embrace.
A flicker from the candle didn't alert him until a hand atop his head shoved him into the water. Wrestling, he spun from the inhuman grip and tried to rise up and away from his attacker to find his body knocked back within the murky bath. Still gripped, the fingers pushed as fear began to fill his mind. Spinning sideways, he curled into the bottom of the wooden tub and shoved with all his might in hopes of busting the encased container - to no avail. Muscles aching, his lungs began to scream for air. Looking upward, the milky form disappeared as the candlelight snuffed and he braced for one final push. Grabbing the wrist with both hands, he crouched and prepared to explode upward and counter the assassin's attempt.
Suddenly, they yanked and Alex felt the sensation of flying as he somersaulted from the water and slapped the stone floor on his back. Stunned, he felt their body straddle his stomach while pushing his arms down.

A flow of incoherent voices filled his mind and he found that he couldn't cry for help as he also felt the warm breeze from the ghoulish face that neared him. Their glowing eyes tore at his very soul and he felt his heartbeat accelerate out of control as he gasped for breath. Soon, the mental chaos floated away into darkness.

* * *

"...should be fine in a day or two," the elder male voice stated from his right as he slowly awoke.

"Any idea what did this," Sir Stephen asked as Alexander's eyes fluttered open.

"Only he can answer that."

The wooden beams overhead disected the high ceiling and came into focus as pain all over his body announced his awakening to life. "Ow," he stated, wincing.

"That relieves the first question," the priest said as he stood. Blue robes over the maroon surcoat denoted a cleric of Arhus as did the leather pouch which he cradled in his right hand.

"Who did this, Alexander," Stephen asked as his squire tried not to move for fear of insulting aching muscles and a throbbing headache.

"I never saw them," he pushed out. "They attacked from behind and tried to drown me in the tub."

"Alright then. Father, thank you for your help."

"Of course," the elder glanced to the paladin, then back down to Alexander. "I'll be back in the morning to check on your wounds. Get your rest," he grinned, then walked towards the door as Stephen sat on the stool beside the bed. Exiting, the heavy oaken door's collision with the stone frame sent another pounding through his already swollen brain.

Alex winced again, then sighed as he gingerly raised both hands to carress his wrapped skull.

"Be careful, we don't want the stitches coming out."

"What," Alex turned his attention to the news as his hands fell back and away.

"Your head had damage as if from long claws and you lost a lot of blood before we found you. An attendant walked in thinking that you had already left. With the candle out, he nearly tripped over you on the floor, then called for assistance. You've been asleep for the whole day."

"No clues?"

He shook his head as he leaned forward, resting his arms on his thighs. "Kenneth and I searched the room and hallway for any sign but, found nothing. We have a ranger from the church of Elminoir here now that's been trying to get anything he can on the intruder. They didn't even trip the wards on the building, which was odd. Normally any evil creature would be repulsed at the outer walls."

"How do we know they were evil," he asked, then remembered the glowing yellow eyes staring at him.

"We're awesoming, because of the nature of your wounds. Unless, you're suggesting that the perpetrator was a large bear or something," he smiled.

Alex pushed out a weak grin, then closed his eyes. What did they want him for? "Maybe those two girls didn't escape the city after all."

"I thought of that too. If they're still here, that means they've found some way to overcome the nature of this city where no personal magic works. However, the nature of some creatures could be immune to this mountain's protection. If that's true, we're going to need stronger locks on the doors."