The War for the Rose: Book One Complete

[DWeird]

That's what we're supposed to be doing, yes.

But!

A spy's job is often to seem to be doing one thing and do another, however... So why don't we have Hiding Spire start doing that early?

[Whimbrel]

Because he is an HONEST SERVANT of our BELOVED FATHER and we don't want to kill him! >:[

[DWeird]

Of course not! "Mild poison of paralysis." Won't kill him, but will render him helpless for a bit.

Unless you were worried we'd stab him to death with a needle? We are not awesome enough to do it in a stab and not deprived enough to do it with a thousand, so no worries.

[Whimbrel]

I still like the dagger and throwing axe idea. We can put a mild paralytic on the wood that is absorbed through the skin, though~

[Airedar]

>Dirk

Thiiiis.

[alexthewhite]

>Dirk

The short, pointed piece of wood is light in your hand. It's so tiny you were able to get away with sharpening it, as there's almost no chance of you penetrating the set of chainmail Whispering Dune is wearing. You twirl the blade a few times. Not quite as good as true steel, but it's still unpleasant to be hit with it.

What you're really concerned about is that log Dune is hefting around. A hit might knock you out, or at the very least discombobulate* you. It would be a good idea not to take this practice match too lightly.

But then, you don't really feel like going all-out against Dune, who is doing his best to stop his leg from quivering. Exactly how badly should you beat him, you wonder.

You could also always throw the fight...

*: A fascinating book on assassination you read used this word a lot. You rather like it.

[Whimbrel]

Don't overwhelm him; this is practice. Instead, make a few tags on his weak spots to try and get him to improve his form.

[Iyestorm]

Wait until he swings, dodge, then get close and mess with his head, psyche him out. It should be clear to anyone watching that you could stab him in six different weak spots before he even hits the ground.

[Neopie]

Use your ditzyness to confuse him (You have to appear to be one of the court. Sadly, you got a bit over used to it...) and while he is distracted, duck in and stab him in 8 different places. 6? 6 is such an under representation.

[Airedar]

Use your ditzyness to confuse him (You have to appear to be one of the court. Sadly, you got a bit over used to it...) and while he is distracted, duck in and stab him in 8 different places. 6? 6 is such an under representation.

Yes.

[alexthewhite]

Use your ditzyness to confuse him (You have to appear to be one of the court. Sadly, you got a bit over used to it...) and while he is distracted, duck in and stab him in 8 different places. 6? 6 is such an under representation.

You giggle and lurch forward. Dune cocks his head in confusion. "What are you doing..." he murmurs.

You inch forward, your dirk held loosely in your right hand. Whispering Dune keeps his sword up, but he's getting anxious. He just wants the fight to be over, that's clear, and you're stalling tactic is driving him insane. When you finally get into range, he swings. A bit too hard, you note, as you sidestep and Dune lurches forward. He's lost his balance but not his wits, as he tries to drive his elbow into your face. You duck under his arm and strike him in the armpit (1).

Dune howls in pain, and is helpless to stop you as you drive the wooden knife into his right kidney (2). Dune doubles over in pain, leaving his left kidney open for a strike as well (3). He falls over, his sword discarded. As he tries to stand up, you climb onto his back. You mock slash the back of both of his knees (4,5), then strike him for real on the long nerve running down his thigh(6). Dune cries out again, and doesn't resist as you drive the flat of your sword into his nose(7). You see a flash of crimson before you bring the blade up and run the blade across his throat(8). The blade, stained red from the strike to his nose, leaves no cut but only a red line across Dune's throat. You climb off of your limp opponent.

The other dozen or so pupils are staring, stunned. You glance at Setting Sun, and even he's impressed.

No. He's not impressed. He's afraid. Everyone in this courtyard is afraid of you. Except for Whispering Dune. He's unconscious.

You should probably say something...

(I would also like to note that you never have to say anything. You could do something, or do and say something. Or you could simply leave.)

[Whimbrel]

Don't speak, pick Whispering Dune up and take him to get medical attention. You probably broke his nose.

[Iyestorm]

See, this is why I said six and not eight. We were supposed to be going easy on him, I thought. If Setting Sun's afraid of us, he's not gonna wanna teach us anymore.

"I guess I should help him train for next time, or else he'll be hopeless. Don't worry, Dune. You'll improve your skills eventually. I'll help. Speaking of which, you. Stop staring and help me get him medical attention. This chainmail's heavy, you know."

[Sputnik]

Say nothing, but bow to the unconscious fool and stride off!

[Neopie]

"Hehe, whoops! Overdid it a little!"

[Tam Lin]

Why are there 6 nations... THere were only 5 original drinkers...

[alexthewhite]

Why are there 6 nations... THere were only 5 original drinkers...

The Ornegian Empire conquered a loosely held desert on the west coast. The people are foreigners. They are not magical. At least, as far as we know.

[Mirdan]

>Make sure Whispering Dune gets medical attention. Remind yourself to teach him how to lie.

[Whimbrel]

Get it

[alexthewhite]

Don't speak, pick Whispering Dune up and take him to get medical attention. You probably broke his nose.

>Make sure Whispering Dune gets medical attention. Remind yourself to teach him how to lie.

(I'd like to note these are essentially the same thing. For future reference, I will usually take the first suggestion that is seconded.)

Wordlessly, you walk over to Whispering Dune's prone form. You lift his arm and try to sling him over your shoulder, but you can't. You're too small, and he's too big. You struggle in silence for nearly a minute before you feel Dune being lifted off the ground by someone much stronger than yourself. You look up.

Setting Sun has lifted Whispering Dune by his right shoulder, so you tuck yourself under Dune's left arm. The two of you start heading for the exit of the courtyard. You hear Setting Sun yell "Jumping Divot, you're in charge. Run them through the drills." Divot, a tall, older boy nods and pulls out his wooden longsword.

You and Setting Sun walk without conversation or even acknowledgment of the other. You walk around the courtyard to the Den of Healers. All in all, the walk takes about ten minutes.

Three men are lying on beds, and another four men, the healers, are standing around them, talking. One of them spies you come in, and rushes over.

"Setting Sun, what happened?" Asks the healer. He's a stooped, elderly fellow, his face lined and weary. On his white robe is a dove, but unlike the doves on the other three's robes, his has it's wings outstretched. This man is the head healer, you realize.

"Yes, Hiding Spire," says Setting Sun coldly. "What happened?"

[Whimbrel]

Give a list of his injuries.

[Sputnik]

Give a list of his injuries.

This, but bemoan his noble yet infuriatingly naive modus operandi.

[Mirdan]

Give a list of his injuries.

This, but bemoan his noble yet infuriatingly naive modus operandi.

Do so teasingly.

[Sputnik]

Nah, she should be honestly worried for him, but inject some sarcasm into her voice.

"If I, a weakling girl, could beat him, what if he faced a real opponent?"

[alexthewhite]

Give a list of his injuries.

This, but bemoan his noble yet infuriatingly naive modus operandi.

Do so teasingly.

"Had I hit him with a real knife, his right arm would be nearly off, he'd have copious bleeding from his kidneys, the ligaments in his legs would slashed, the complete death of his left leg would occur, he'd have a knife buried to the hilt into his face, and, if he somehow lived through all that, a slit throat." You smile sheepishly. "As it stands, a couple bruises and a bloody nose. Possibly broken."

The chief healer looks at you as if you had just slapped him. "How did you..."

You smile sweetly. "He fought with honor. I did not. Now think about this. If I, a weakling girl, could beat him, what if he faced a real opponent?"

You don't get an answer to your question. Instead, a blinding pain strikes the side of your head. For a moment, everything goes white, and you fall to the ground, stunned.

Setting Sun is towering over you, breathing angrily. When he speaks, he speaks calmly, but slowly as well. "We are training. If I wanted you to maim your opponent, I would give you steel. Instead, you use wood. And you will continue to use wood until you understand the difference between a real fight and practice." Setting Sun turns around and straightens his robe.

"Walking Pyramid, tend to the boys wounds." The healer, whose name is now apparent to you, bends over Whispering Dune's semi-conscious form.

"His nose is not broken, luckily. He'll be fine with some rest and a salve on his bruises." Walking Pyramid prods Whispering Dune. "Boy. Can you hear me?"

Whispering Dune moans groggily. "Ugh...where am I?"

"Healer's tent, boy. You lost a sparring match."

Setting Sun growls in your direction without looking at you. "Unless you have something to say to the boy whose nose you almost broke just now, you are done practicing for the day. I will be informing your father of what happened."