[Prison] Loyalty Departed

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Ryqet
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[Prison] Loyalty Departed

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90th Zi'da, 713

"Tell your wife I said hello."

"Fuck you, asshole. Get moving!" one of the guards ordered as Ryqet gave a confident, cocky smirk. Prison had changed the man in many ways, but the most prominent of those was the safety that he felt in here. Men and women worked for him, at his side. Not even the guards could touch him, and they knew it. Unless everyone was firmly locked in their cells, the prisoners would riot and break out if they touched the man that paid them. It had happened once when a guard tried to slam a club into Ryqet's gut. That same night his wife and son had sobbed at the news of what happened to him, torn apart by a mass of prisoners - literally.

Behind him, however, came only one chuckle. Most of the people he hired kept an interest in him, found what he said amusing. But not today. Something, it seemed, had all of them bar one on edge. Whatever it was, Ryqet had heard nothing of it. Admittedly, the man didn't care to hear of it either. People were bound to hear dark, unpleasant shit in this prison. Most people were going to live it too, Ryqet included. He had enough to worry about in here without asking everyone else what was eating them up. They'd get over it.

Entering the courtyard, the man moved to his usual position, a small wooden bench running along the wall. Each of the hired guards moved to their own locations, standing as they normally would. But one thing stood out to Ryqet as his gaze followed around. Not a single guard had entered the courtyard, and they had, in fact, locked the prisoners out of the building and left them out here. It was always uniform for at least two guards to be around, even if they did nothing when a fight broke out. Usually, the guards not showing up meant someone had been tipped off on a fight, and they wanted nothing to do with it. But with all the whispers Ryqet heard, none had spoke of any kind of fight. Perhaps this time, it was of the guard's choice. But for what?

His train of thought was stopped when a woman's hand brushed over his cheek, causing him to snap back to reality. in front of him was Samina, a young Naer that had entered the prison around an Arc prior. Immediately, Ryqet had taken a liking to her. She was fierce, brutal and flirty. While the man had sworn off love, lust played a part of his life - somewhat, at least. Brunette hair and tanned skin rest on his chest, her head leaning forward to rest. "You look tense, Ryqet" she whispered and lifted her head up, standing in front of him and bringing him to a stand too.

Before Ryqet could answer, her hands moved to rest on his chest. "My time in Augiery taught me two very valubale lessons. Want to hear them?" she asked, Ryqet nodding. Something about the girl fascinated him, and at least she was acting normal. "Well, the first is how to relieve tension. Certain joints just need some attention and love, and before you know it a person will fall in to a state of calm, gentle comfort" she whispered, letting her hand demonstrate on his shoulders, her other sliding off the man. But the comfort didn't last long as a sharp stabbing pain drove through his stomach, a small cry of pain leaving his mouth as he looked down to see a shank, in Samina's hand, deep in his gut.

"The other lesson is how deep a knife has to go to be fatal, and how to stab just enough that they can't die from it" she taunted in his ear, her tone suddenly darker as all of his guards but one began to circle him. All of the courtyard could see what had happened to him. "Yet it still hurts like a bitch."
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Lucas Nardovino
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Re: [Prison] Loyalty Departed

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Something wasn't right, there was a strange feeling about the prisoners as they were lead out to the yard for their free time. An air of nervousness and discomfort, after an arc in this place Lucas had started to sense when something dodgy was about to go down. However, when they were proceeded to be locked out there without any guards was the final nail in the coffin. There was no doubt in his mind, something was about to happen and it was something big. Unfortunately the only good man in the prison as he often seemed to be had no idea what it was.

At first everything seemed normal, people went to their usual spots, Ryqet and his band of not so merry men going about their usual business. He wondered if the man even remembered him, they hadn't really had any encounters since then but Lucas hadn't exactly been quiet he had been in more than enough fights and sometimes it felt like he had been locked in solitary longer than he was out of it. Fortunately that wasn't true.

Moving to his wall, the very same one from his first day, he leaned up and watched the going ons of the yard. It was uncomfortably stale and he couldn't blame Ryqet for not realising what was about to happen. Samina was one of the few women in the prison who's appearance was actually worth thinking about but her personality left a little something to be desired. Still there was no doubting how she managed to distract the delusional trader of contraband so easily.

Alas his enjoyment was short lived and while Lucas watched the man getting the massage with a twinge of jealousy all that left him as it happened. He could hardly make out the shiv from across the yard, but the blood that followed its insertion made it clear. Lucas thought about it for a moment, should he even help the fool it was his own fault to an extent and he arguably deserved it. He didn't even like Ryqet, the man had been a delusional big headed idiot when they met so it did not surprise him he was so oblivious to the betrayal afoot.

Fortunately Lucas was not a man that held grudges any more and neither did he just sit and watch a man's life be taken, even if they were men like Ryqet. Quickly he was surrounded where he sat and the Naer backed up, giving the men space to begin the beating all besides one. Whether he was remaining loyal or just refusing to take part Lucas didn't know, it didn't really matter to him either. Ryqet would owe him for this one, that much was for sure and while he refused to owe another he did not mind the man owing him.

He broke into a run and crossed the yard quickly in the direction of the men, he wouldn't be able to get there before the beating started but he might be able to stop it and save his life. Perhaps just get the shit beaten out of himself as well in his attempt to help, both were equally likely.
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Ryqet
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Re: [Prison] Loyalty Departed

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It was a strange feeling, the knife digging deep in to his stomach. Partially because of the pain, an overwhelming stab that drove up every fibre of his body despite the blade only being in his stomach. Yet the real pain he felt wasn't from the blade, not in his head at least. But knowing that the hand on the other side of the blade was an alleged friend of yours, someone you thought you could trust and let in. It was a mistake he had made once before, letting himself love a woman. Yet he made the mistake again of trusting the people in this hell hole of a prison, as if they wouldn't drive a knife through him for a high price.

As she stepped back, the others came forward, looking to Ryqet as he bled profusely. Yet they knew he wouldn't die. Samina knew what she was doing, knew how to drive a man to the brink of death yet let him recover. Augiery had taught her cruelty and power. Ryqet was starting to learn exactly what that meant, what she had learned. But he wouldn't go down, not without a fight. As the men came closer he swung, to no avail. His fist was caught easily and the man that caught it slammed a knee deep into his stomach, stars filling his eyes as he was held up by his hair so he couldn't fall.

None of the men, not even Ryqet, saw what was coming for them though. A man. No, two men. Tony, the man that had been watching from afar, saw Lucas running and attacked from the other side - praying it was Ryqet that the prisoner was trying to help. Either way, though, Tony knew loyalty. Both men had helped each other, be it with contraband or protection. That deserved some level of respect. Not everything in this hell hole was about the material things. One extra shank wasn't enough to save you if a group of men circled you. Then again, whoever bribed off all these men had money. Lot's of money.

As Ryqet took another hit to the gut, Tony swung his first hit, arriving almost at the same time as Lucas. He was a big man, meaning his fist knocked a faster but less durable murderer out cold. Before they knew what was happening, the man that was about to swing for Ryqet was grabbed, face slammed hard in to the stone wall, leaving Ryqet to fall down to the floor - blood pouring.
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Lucas Nardovino
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Re: [Prison] Loyalty Departed

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Lucas did not slow down as he came towards the group attacking Ryqet, no he used his momentum to his advantage. The man spread his arms wide and tackled as many as he could, pulling all four of them in the end to the ground. Immediately Lucas realised it wasn't the smartest move but it would give chance for the other man he had noticed to better help the fool on the bench. Scrambling to his knees Lucas raised his arm and jabbed a fist into the nose of one of the other men laying with him. He was still clearly stunned by the assault and so did nothing in defence of his face as the bone snapped and he howled.

Unfortunately for Lucas the other two were recovering quite quickly but not quick enough to stop his giving a kick to the side of one of their abdomens. The man growled and finished getting to his feet. Most of the men there were bigger than him, although he was used to that after all he was very average and criminals tended to follow a different trend to usual. Taking his first blow Lucas was bashed in his shoulder as he narrowly avoided the swing for his jaw. It hurt but it was better than being unable to move his mouth and so he took it as the second blow came in.

This blow landed on his stomach and sent Lucas in flashbacks to his fight with Viper. Roaring Lucas swung himself now, catching one of his opponents sides, unfortunately taking his own punch to the cheek from the other. He really hated fighting groups, attacks came left right and centre and there wasn't much you could do about it. Still Lucas fought on, shoving the one he had punched into the side and watching him trip over the man with the broken nose who was just getting to his feet.

This was the newly religious man's chance as he monopolised on the two men being on the floor and attacked his other assailant. His punch was blocked by the man's forearm and countered with a jab against his chin, stunning him but not stopping him from swinging wildly and catching his opponents own chin. They both staggered back and the already bruising Lucas looked at the other defender and growled through gritted teeth. "Get him inside, we can't take all of them." The two men were nearly up and his weak punch wasn't enough to fully daze the man before him still.

Lucas could already feel where this was heading as he kicked at the knee of the man coming out of his daze. The kick connected and the leg bent backward, knee buckling and the man screaming as he fell to the floor clutching at his leg. He was ready, expecting the pain that was about to take him as he attempted a jab at the man who he had toppled on the other.

His fist was caught and he began to take the beating, fists from both men finding his torso as he struggled for air and to stay up. This was a rough fight for Lucas and Tony, six versus two was never going to end well. Still Ilaren might like it, taking on a much larger force in the defence of someone without any way to fight back. It would be a brawl to remember if Lucas had anything to say about it as, ignoring the knuckles against him, he reached out pulling the man's head in and bringing his own forehead to meet it.
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Ryqet
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Re: [Prison] Loyalty Departed

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Much to his surprise, Ryqet was not alone.

Tony was the first man he saw, knocking someone out cold with a swing. Blurred vision meant that it was, initially, hard to make out who the second was. But quickly it became clear, and yet somehow the return of his vision made the situation all the more confusing. Lucas. Why on earth would that man, of all people, come to his aid? Sure, he liked to fight - everyone knew it. But liking to fight and jumping in a fray against six other men was a very different thing, and in this situation men and women could die - easily. It had happened before, and nothing was stopping it from happening now.

Yet the two fought, going on. Tony took down two while Lucas was in a fray with another three. All of it was a blur to Ryqet, the shapes hard to make out from one another. Yet all he knew was that two men had stepped up against six others to defend him. Two men had stood up to look after him and keep him safe, to protect him from what could have been his death, and what was certainly one of the most dangerous situations of his life. A blade in his gut, no guards to stop it and six men determined to beat him for whatever reason. Whoever had paid these men off, or persuaded them to go against resources, was powerful. Perhaps they had a grudge against Ryqet, or perhaps this was business, eliminating any competition.

"Lucas!" Tony called out as the sixth and last person made a swing for the other prisoner. Fortunately, Tony was quick enough to take him to the floor. It was evident that the man had ignored Lucas' warning, telling him to leave. Nothing would persuade him to leave someone that had helped him. With a heavy thrust, Tony grabbed Lucas' attacker and ran him to the wall, his back crashing into the solid stone with a cry of pain. But Tony was far from done. His fists rained on the man, pounding his torso with blow after blow until one final uppercut knocked him flat to the floor. Lucas clearly had the rest, for the time being at least, so Tony quickly grabbed Ryqet and dragged him over to a far wall away from the fray.

One the guards realised the men that had bribed them were losing, the key in the gate was turned quickly and the gate opened. Four guards came out quickly, giving Lucas ten trills before he was taken down, all of the men restrained - Ryqet included.
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Lucas Nardovino
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Re: [Prison] Loyalty Departed

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Lucas was protected from an unexpected attack from a fourth man by Ryqet's last loyal guard. Still there was no time to thank him, Lucas was presented with three clear opponents still, all on their feet and ready to fight again. The young Ilaren worshipper shook his head and gritted his teeth, this was where it went wrong for him. This was where he took the beating he had gotten all too used too.

They advanced and Lucas released a heavy exhale in preparation for the beating he was about to take. He swung forward defensively but his hit missed and he staggered forward after his over swung fist, feeling the hand on his back throw him to the ground with a groan. He tried to scramble getting to his knees as he felt the first foot hit his stomach. He dropped back down heavily on his chest, the air forced from his lungs as he wheezed. Lucas readied himself for the next but it did not come, no kick at all.

Instead he felt the hard edge of a wooden baton thwack across his back. Yelping Lucas struggled to turn himself over to look up at the guard, seemingly rather pissed off with him as he reached down and dragged the inmate up to his feet. Still struggling for air he wheezed and staggered in the man's grasps. "Looks like you'll be going back in the hole."

Lucas went ridged, like he had suddenly been frozen at the thought of going in that tiny dark cell. He hated that place, it was the only place he truly feared in the prison. Solitary confinement was the source of his nightmares these days, in the dark without access to alcohol to get him to pass out. No sleeping was near impossible in the place and the food was half rotten left overs. Worst though would always be what it did to his head and so he squirmed with renewed vigour. It was clear that the guards had been in on this as he was the only one being taken there as he was dragged inside.

He passed Lucas and Tony struggling and managing to stop himself before he was finally dragged through the door. "He owes me for this." It was clearly not a threat and the tone expressed how obvious the statement was. Everyone in here knew how it worked by now anyway, there was no doubt in Lucas' mind that Ryqet would pay his debt in full even if Lucas wasn't the type to force him.
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Rorom
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Re: [Prison] Loyalty Departed

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Name: Lucas Nardovino

Knowledge:

Brawling: Headbutts can be effective
Brawling: Tackling a group at speed
Brawling: Avoiding a punch
Detection: Noticing someone being stabbed from a distance
Detection: Feeling that something isn't quite right
Detection: Noticing unusual activity
Strength: Taking four men to the ground is hard
Strength: Pulling a man against his will


Loot: Nope
Injuries: Just some bad memories?
Renown: 5
Magic XP: Nope

Name: Ryqet

Knowledge:

Endurance: a knife in the gut
Leadership: Recognising loyalty
Leadership: Money can’t buy friends
Leadership: Owing a favour
Leadership: Keep your friends close
Leadership: Loyalty is a fickle thing

Loot: None
Injuries: A nasty abdominal scar, and a story to go with it.
Renown: 5
Magic XP: Nope


Points: 15
- - -
Comments:

Well, another heart-warming tale of caged men bonding over violence.

The line Samina dropped to Ryqet about knowing just how badly to wound a man makes me wonder why she would shank him only to let him live. Trying to teach him a lesson? Presenting herself to the rest in the yard as somebody that was to be feared/respected? A lot of questions crop up from this act, which makes the story much more interesting.

The action with Lucas is once more well-detailed, with good flow to the combat. The pacing you've set for Lucas' development of a past relation/partnership/friendship to Ryqet is spot on, in my opinion. I'm sure Ryqet is glad he helped Lucas with his courtyard issues earlier. I wonder if the score of favors will even out between them, and they'll develop a genuine trust/respect of one another.

I hope to catch more of these kinds of threads in the future. Well done, you two.

If you feel I've missed anything or if you have questions about your review, please don't hesitate to send me a quick PM. Thanks!

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