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  1. #11
    Legend

    EXP: 127,650, Level: 15
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    Philomel's Avatar

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    14,025

    Name
    Philomel van der Aart (+ Veridian)
    Age
    30 (+10)
    Race
    Faun (+ Fox/Earth Spirit)
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    Female (+ Male)
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    Corone

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    Philomel stood at the helm of the Monique, wind blowing wild in her hair. Beside her stood the gentlemanly form of Captain Cain. Using her art of subtulty the faun assessed the man with several aside glances, at the same time as her awareness moved through the ship.

    The Monique positively thrummed with hard working life. Energy, made in the feet of the crew as they moved to go about their daily duties, was strict to a personal level, each one exerting himself with the most normal amount of effort it seemed, as she felt their feet stride over the wooden panels that made up the vessel. Philomel felt a great enthusiasm in them, for none faltered at taking on the rhythm of the work here, none made mistakes aside from the purely human errors. Overall she felt a good few dozen rooms with dust and small rats living in the true bottom. There was also around a crew of fifty people, all mighty it seemed and not likely to put up a weak fight.

    Cain was of similar build. His broad back spoke of years of experience, arms of strength. His whole stature spoke command and she could only imagine what an inspiration to these men he was, due to their willingness to keep working. He seemed the sort to respect honour, and though she was sure he now at least suspected part of the Feisty Fox's true identity, he did nothing about it. Perhaps he was planning on acting on it later, when her back was turned - but Philomel had already spoken to Maverik about this. As Philomel leant over the balcony of the ship she let herself be entirely at the captain's possible mercy, and an eagle-eyed Mav watched from the edge.

    Before them was a true tall cliff, closer now as the three ships closed in. It was not clear if there was a beach to successfully land in, but at least there was the clear sign of their destiny. White cliffs, with the scar of a dark, foreboding building atop - the castle spoken about in legends.

    "There," Philomel straightened and held up a hand, pointing at the castle. "Looks ruinous but there," a great smile slid across her face. "It exists, captain Cain."

    Between them a russet shape jumped, right up onto the balastrade. Great golden eyes belonging to the earth-spirit gazed out over the sea for a long second - and the faun and the human remained quiet, respectful.

    Eventually Veridian turned to her and nodded. The one, he said to her. I am sure.

    "Lovely," Philomel went on. "Now all we need is to find somewhere to land."

  2. #12
    Senior Member

    EXP: 31,310, Level: 7
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    jdd2035's Avatar

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    659

    Name
    Captain Cain Jodin
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    Corone

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    "Furl everything but coarses, and pass word through out the ship that we are to beat to quarters. Quietly, no drums, no calls, no whistles" ordered Cain to his crew. Only the lowest sails were spread and the Monique passed through the fog with a man on either side of the ship taking sounding as quick as they could. A messenger ran back and forth letting the helmsman and con know the depths of the water beneath the ships.

    The water was dark almost inky having an oily grey color to it, the fog made the creeks, idle talk, and footsteps of the ship muffled. Cain kept an eye, or ear as it were out for the other two ships in the makeshift squadron. The Fox was about two hundred yards behind the Monique, and the Peregrine about four hundred yards behind the fox. The messenger a squeaker not more than twelve years old announced softly "Four feet below drought."

    Cain nodded and ordered "Pass word to drop anchor, we'll stay at single anchor and proceed in jolly boats." The anchor splashed into the water and the Monique slowed to a halt. Followed by the Fox and Peregrine Cain complemented to the Faun "your crew is well trained" in a whisper.

    Above the ships sat the cliff a stark bone white, with large water cuts which were reminiscent of dragons teeth twisted in a hideous grin. Looking further along the cliffs was near impossible because of an ever thickening fog bank. "Ma'am the Peregrine has a shallow drought... I used her a lot during the Civil War. She can creep farther up into this fog and find a beach to land a party there."

    The castle was something out of another era, old with stones that have been sculpted by the weather it self in contrast to the white stone of the cliff it loomed black and crimson.. Towers pierced the sky above the fog like spears, covered in old clay shingles. Flags and pennants flew over the towers from long ago and were tattered. Inside the castle walls was a large keep of grey cobblestones looking more modern but just as foreboding with large circular parapets on the corners. The entire image was reminiscent of a torture device, for a large and unkeepable beast.

    "This is your party Ma'am. How do you want to proceed?" Cain asked looking at the situation.

  3. #13
    Legend

    EXP: 127,650, Level: 15
    Level completed: 55%, EXP required for next Level: 7,350
    Level completed: 55%,
    EXP required for next Level: 7,350


    Philomel's Avatar

    GP
    14,025

    Name
    Philomel van der Aart (+ Veridian)
    Age
    30 (+10)
    Race
    Faun (+ Fox/Earth Spirit)
    Gender
    Female (+ Male)
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    Corone

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    Gazing up at the vast white cliffs before them Philomel pursed her lips and considered the options.

    One would be heading straight up the cliffs. As an earth-mage and summoner she knew automatically that there were ways to climb a cliff. As a faun such a thing was not beyong by pure nature - fauns shared their goat kin's ability to scale almost sheer walls. It was a mixture of raw strength plus the secret of softer underside on the hoof. Her eyes spied enough nooks and ledges to be able to heave her body up it, weapons and all. However, beyond hoisting herself and Veridian on her shoulders it would mean leaving any others behind, and Philomel had a very large feeling that Captain Cain wanted to be part of the group to explore the castle.

    What he offered also was for the Peregrin, his other, smaller ship, to take them into shallower waters. Indeed, it was a possibility but as the mist had settled around them it had been hard to see currently where even land began. The cliffs were clear themselves - they and their monolithic castle rose from the greying fog like a creature from hell - but actually where their feet were was somewhat difficult. Smaller boats, the ones that Cain had described as 'jolly' and Philomel preferred to simply say 'rowing', would certainly be their ally here to get them closer to it. It would indeed lead to the higher chance of finding a beach, but one that led to a path up to the castle itself was another question. Would the great vampire lord who had once lived here really provide such easy access to his domain? Would he even need a castle if he could fly, as the legends went. How many sailable beaches truly gave a steady and safe route back to the mountaintop that they rested by, if any at all?

    Philomel considered her options for a moment, then a small smile came to her face as she simply gave in, and decided to show off to the Captain. Such was her personality.

    "If neither you, nor I, Captain Cain, know these waters then finding a beach could take a fair while. Instead, I offer something that will be a little unusual for you, but will get us to the castle much quicker. All we would need to do is get to the edge of the cliff. The bottom of it, and I believe there your happy boats could help us," she smiled.

    And she perused her mind, heading deep into the recesses of her community. Skimming over the edge of Veridian's presence she let him know of her exact intentions. Curious, but excited, the fox swung his tail, his own eyes staring at the heavy, dark castle above them with intrigue. Truly, he wished to explore also. Onwards, Philomel went, ignoring the small rabbit who scurried around, somewhere, in the recesses of her ship, and sank into the belly of the earth. Once there she called out, waited - and she was answered by a mental roar.

    A roar which was then echoed over the mile of rock, water and wood that separated faun from her dragon, and who would be their key to climb the great white wall.

    "I hope you like dragons," she quietly said.

    As Delath the earth-beast began to rise from the foundation stones far beneath the cliffs themselves. Physically eating his way through the rock to come to the surface and to the aid of his mistress.
    Last edited by Philomel; 11-03-2017 at 07:04 AM.

  4. #14
    Senior Member

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    jdd2035's Avatar

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    659

    Name
    Captain Cain Jodin
    Location
    Corone

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    "Well, that's one way to do it." Cain said with a smile as he heard the distant roar. "But to be on the safe side. Mr. Grimhand please soak a sail and have it placed over the powder magazine." It was a small precaution, dragons had a reputation for breathing fire, and fire and powder did not mix at all. Cain could hear the rhythmic rumble, rumble, rumble of it's digging as it approached.

    As the rumbling through the earth grew louder Cain proceeded with what needed to be done. "Ready a jolly-boat, Ma'am" Cain indicated a little four oared boat that could accommodate a shore party that was being hefted over the rail of the Monique. It was painted in the same chequer pattern as both of Cain's ships. "If you wish to be lowered away with the boat that can be accomplished." The boat sat there waiting until the faun picked her half of the shore party and made the decision as to rather she would be lowered with the boat or would rather wait till the jolly-boat touched the water.

    Rather the faun rode the boat down or waited Cain, and his part of the shore party waited until the jolly-boat was lowered and then over the side Cain and company went lowering them selves on the same ropes as the jolly-boat was lowered with. It wasn't a fast paced, streaking drop into the boat but a more easy paced, and gentle landing. As Cain's part of the shore party landed they found their posts at the oars, with Cain taking the spot of one of the rowers. There was one simple command coming from the Captains lips "Stretch it out."

    The rowers including Cain worked in unison each one pulling in tandem, years of service with one another had made the quartet act as a well oiled machine. The only sound from the group was the sound of the oars dipping into the water and occasional grunt. Eventually the jolly-boat's side scraped against the white rocks of the cliff. "Ship your oars" Cain ordered and rested against his as they awaited the dragon.
    Last edited by jdd2035; 11-03-2017 at 06:54 PM.

  5. #15
    Legend

    EXP: 127,650, Level: 15
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    Level completed: 55%,
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    Philomel's Avatar

    GP
    14,025

    Name
    Philomel van der Aart (+ Veridian)
    Age
    30 (+10)
    Race
    Faun (+ Fox/Earth Spirit)
    Gender
    Female (+ Male)
    Location
    Corone

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    Her eyes closed as she pressed her hand gently against the white rock at the feet of the mighty cliffs. Into it, through the flesh of her palm she threw her concentration, letting awareness flow into the firmness of the earth and wholly matter. That which was earthly in her, her magic and of Drys, was thrown into the stone that supported these waters and spiralled outwards, rapidly, feeling each weakness, each pore, each tiny flicker of lichen aching to survive.

    Down into the depths she delved, as deep as she could go. And onwards further she reached with her mind, once more for that reptilian connection. Humming, gnawing at the very rocks around him and moving towards her as a worm does, digging, eating, crushing. She saw his glittering eyes gleam in the darkness, seeking out her in all of that gloom. His mind expanded, urging to be joined to hers once more, with long mental tendrils that only wanted the faun that had taken the place of his mother.

    Softly, he breathed through the earth, focusing entirely on her. And intently and powerfully, in a deep, echoing voice he said, for the first time, a single word.

    Philomel.

    Her eyes fluttered open. Quickly, surprised, she removed her hand from the wall and looked down, staring at. Seconds passed and she furrowed her brow as she felt the general connection to the intense presence of the plants and rocks directly nearby ebb away. Yet - her connection to Delath did not. Instead she continued to see him at the back of her mind, chewing at the granite and limestone around him, heading up right towards them.

    Philomel.

    "Drys' illustratious gown!" she gasped and looked right past the confused Cain, to Veridian.

    The golden eyes blinked as the fox being sat poised amongst the sailors as calm as can be. It was just him and Philomel in this little boat with Cain and his men. Maverik had found there no room on this boat and was feverishly following behind, eyes intent on watching theirs through the fog.

    He knows your name, Veridian commented, tail twitching.

    "Erm ...?" came the question.

    "Ah yes sorry," Philomel looked over at Cain and smiled. "Sorry, my dragon just ... Spoke. Clearly for the first time. He's almost here. He-"

    And at that point, on queue, the cliff-side just to the left of them began to crumble. Small rocks fell off at first, tiny flakes that built to pebbles. Then minute cracks, shaking earth that built to a rumble and entire rocks began to pop out until -

    Until a hole appeared. And in that hole, right in the wall of the limestone formation, appeared the turtle-skin, mottled green and brown, hugely horned and fanged head of Delath.

    He grinned, massive canines showing.

    Philomel, he told.

  6. #16
    Senior Member

    EXP: 31,310, Level: 7
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    jdd2035's Avatar

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    659

    Name
    Captain Cain Jodin
    Location
    Corone

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    Up, up, they climbed with the help of the stone dragon, Cain's eyes were creased in amusement as the shore party was assisted up by such a mighty beast. Grinning at the top of the cliffs he mentioned to the Faun, "no wonder you didn't take a shore party" it was a compliment.

    The gargoyles guarding the castle, faces twisted in an ugly snarl took away the Captain's grin. Before even thinking of continuing on Cain double checked his gear, making sure his pistols were already loaded. The torches inside the parapets glowed with a dim cold light, and there were strange shadows playing on the walls. The wonder of rather or not it was an entity causing the shadows or just the strange flickering of the lights. With in the bailey the breeze cause flute like noises to echo and hiss around the castle as a whole.

    There was movement but even Cain's sharp eyes couldn't catch what was making it. He pointed out where he noticed the movement, "I don't think they appreciate us being here." The timbers across the draw bridge were old and creaked as the group crossed over it and passed the gate houses with gate and bridge rusted open. There were whispers just passed the ability to hear them something just beyond what one could touch almost. Doors creaked, chains rattled and there was a distinct feeling of being watched. Cain scratched a near by door seal. It wasn't the ships rail but it was close enough, he smiled and turned to his shore party "Monique's, stay by the cliff for now" much to the chagrin of the shore party "we may need a hasty retreat. Shore party receives an extra ration of grog." He encouraged before turning towards the faun "Ma'am may I suggest your dragon friend supplement the shore party?"

    Indicating the keep it self Cain suggested "If I were to hide a treasure it would be in that big building there, it seems to be the hardest part to get to." He stepped back, he was of the sea, not of the earth after all, and now being on shore he was merely a follower.

  7. #17
    Legend

    EXP: 127,650, Level: 15
    Level completed: 55%, EXP required for next Level: 7,350
    Level completed: 55%,
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    Philomel's Avatar

    GP
    14,025

    Name
    Philomel van der Aart (+ Veridian)
    Age
    30 (+10)
    Race
    Faun (+ Fox/Earth Spirit)
    Gender
    Female (+ Male)
    Location
    Corone

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    The plan that formulated between them was an ambush. A small, eager party of them would head straight to the castle and ascend the towers with a single purpose of finding the treasure room. What sort of glittering and shiny things waited inside was a mystery but with something this old and mostly intact it was highly likely they were still there. Hidden, secret, treasured.

    Philomel glanced back to the few comrades that they now had. Maverik had been forced to stay behind in the boat. With only enough room on Delath's back to carry Philomel, the captain and Veridian, there was no possibility of her coming on the first trip. And as the faun, human and fox-form earth-spirit discussed it did not look likely that the warrior woman would. Thus, she was left by herself, amongst men who might betray her, but with the resources to act if this all fell foul.

    I just hope she remembers that we are still one ship to two, Philomel thought with a sigh. Despite that we have their captain we are ultimately still under their watch. And I will give them no reason to take my crew into custody.

    Raising herself slowly onto her feet she surveyed the vast wall beyond them, just a few feet from the edge of the cliff. Indeed, the wall was built partly into the cliff-side, making the sheer face simply taller. They had come up to the closest side possible, where grass began and a path was visible in the darkening light. Luckily they had a certain dragon who could scale straight walls of rock.

    Curiously, Philomel glanced back over to Delath and asked in a quiet voice, eager to know more about his new discoveries.

    "Do you know any other words?

    Philomel, the dragon grinned at her, bright eyes shining. Philomel! Philomel!

    It seems that is all he can say ... Lacey. Veridian snorted, sitting nearby.

    Cringing slightly on the reminder that she was using her dead mother's name, Philomel leaned over to rub the dragon's nose.

    I think you're too big for an ambush sweetheart, she told the beast as he was poised on the edge of the cliff, bunched up beside the castle wall. His tail dangled over the side like a washing line trail. Why don't you hide for a bit?

    Delath let out a huff, losing his grin. Philomel ... he mumbled in his mental, deep and thunderous voice. Phi ... Lo ... Mel.

    She kissed his nose gently and gestured away. With much reluctance the huge animal huffed, but then twisted away and began to thunder his way back down the cliff, using his massive jaw to make ledgeways for his feet ... And making a hell of a noise.

    A distraction. Perfect time to start. Philomel suddenly grabbed Cain's wrist and began to run, flat out and far to the east, where a small gap in the walls could be seen and where they could begin their quest. All while any ghostly guards concentrated their effort on Delath, in the corner they were running far away from.

  8. #18
    Senior Member

    EXP: 31,310, Level: 7
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    jdd2035's Avatar

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    Name
    Captain Cain Jodin
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    Cain, may not have been as fast as the faun, but he was not slouch neither, he sprinted through the gap in the wall along side his cloven hooved companion. Inside he saw, something much more tangible than ghosts. The creatures were hunched over and moved around on their hands in a similar fashion as a great ape. But they were not apes, they were at one time human, or at the very least humanoid, their skin was a grotesque, and mottled, bruised purple color. They had fangs of a sickly yellow color in place of what used to be teeth, and their hands were bent into gnarled claws. They were the guard dogs of what ever, host had taken this castle for its own.

    While most had concentrated their efforts on attacking the wall closest to the noise, the Fauns pet was making, there were enough to still take notice of the trio. Just like real guard dogs, these creatures began growling, and snarling before charging straight for the trio. Cain grinned, "This is more like it" he said drawing his pistol, and firing at the nearest creature. The cast iron shot hissed through the air preceded by a light pop, the ball hit the creature in it's arm causing it to stumble in it's lope, and roll to a halt. The injured creature was set upon by its pack mate. Others still closed in on the three interlopers, and the good Captain fired another ball from his second pistol. Again it hissed through the air and there was a slight plop sound as it found purchase in another one of the creatures.

    The second creature was struck in its shoulder and reared back and screeched in pain, grabbed its shoulder and writhed in the ground kicking up dust. Still the creatures kept on coming. Cain looked at the faun as he fiddled with a second, much more exotic looking kind of gun "Think you can funnel them towards us in a line?" What ever weapon the captain had been fiddling with began to hum with two cylinders beginning to spin in opposite directions along the barrel.

  9. #19
    Legend

    EXP: 127,650, Level: 15
    Level completed: 55%, EXP required for next Level: 7,350
    Level completed: 55%,
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    Philomel's Avatar

    GP
    14,025

    Name
    Philomel van der Aart (+ Veridian)
    Age
    30 (+10)
    Race
    Faun (+ Fox/Earth Spirit)
    Gender
    Female (+ Male)
    Location
    Corone

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    "Naturally," Philomel said, carving the head clean off a beast.

    Softly, she landed on the earth, the corpse of the creature slumping down beside her and oozing thick red blood over the grass and dirt. Somewhere close by Veridian was wrestling with a younger beast, his jaws clamped around the throat of it and severely growling as he was tossed side to side. Bodies of the ape's comrades lay around them like the remains of a storm, or the contents of a midden heap. Flames ran up the fox-form earth-spirit's back, threatening to break free and set his form alight - however he was holding back for some reason, denying the fire-spirit within him the right to take control. Instead it seemed that Veridian wanted to prove his worth as just a fox with embers and nothing more, no mark of the enraged dire fox coming as yet.

    The faun merely smiled, and then turned her back to her beloved fox, instead focusing on Captain Cain. She watched as he swung around a 'gun' of intriguing dimensions and form, that seemed to gleam with something other - an ability beyond what was normal for those bang-sticks. Personally, as a servant of nature, she despised the machinations of Alerar, finding them unsightly, untoward and an abhorrance of what the world desired. Yet, in these times of battle Philomel would not argue against those who preferred the use of such a thing. After all, she had once had a cousin, Blodwen, who used a 'pistol' bang-stick, and the two fauns had ended up agreeing to have a difference of opinion.

    If Cain could use it well, as it seemed he was capable of doing, then that suited her fine. Thus, when he asked her to form the beasts into an orderly queue she did not proceed to educate him on the proper use of machines, but rather did as suggested. Her hoof came down into the earth and a fine, solid crack appeared, savagely ripping up stone and earth as she sent a quake before her and past the wall. It ran through the gap in the wall, and onwards towards the castle where the few beasts that were theirs came from. Those that headed screeched in a horrible way and skittered together, forming a single long line in the wake of the directed earthquake.

    Somewhere else Delath teased creatures by ducking his head over and in through the wall. Every so often he would snatch a beast in his maw and throw them to their doom in the waters below. Veridian also was doing well, finally felling the monster he was determined to kill in his normal, smaller form. Philomel focused on these two in her mind, then set herself the task of keeping the beasts before her in line.

    As her quake fell back to silence she summoned up the dirt around her and sent it as a solid pelt forwards, once more causing an obstacle in which to keep them in check.
    Last edited by Philomel; 11-08-2017 at 10:59 PM.

  10. #20
    Senior Member

    EXP: 31,310, Level: 7
    Level completed: 54%, EXP required for next Level: 3,690
    Level completed: 54%,
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    jdd2035's Avatar

    GP
    659

    Name
    Captain Cain Jodin
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    Corone

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    If Cain knew just how powerful his companion was, he would have just let her mop the floor with these creatures. But he asked if she could line the creatures up for him, the caster gun was armed and Cain took aim and squeezed the trigger. The two cylinders began to flare out of their vents, the high pitched hum grew in volume, and pitch; and out of the barrel came a beam of concentrated, raw tap energy which pulsated as it erupted forth. The beam cut through the nearest creature like butter, dissipating with every consecutive creature that it cut through. Before finally hitting the wall behind the creatures spreading across, and scorching the stone.

    Smoke hissed from the spent round that was ejected from the caster gun, "I took this as a prize, some time ago. The rounds are hard to come by, but it's worth it in a situation like that." He holstered the weapon, and could be described as quite happy, Cain was at his heart a fighting captain and was within his element in a grand sea action, an assault on a shore battery, or boarding, and taking another ship. His cheeks were flushed with blood to a point where they were almost crimson, which contrasted heavily with his emerald green eyes, and sea blue of his sea coat. He had a bright smile which creased the corners of his eyes into crows feet.

    "Shall we, repair to the keep Ma'am?" he asked with a mild jocularity.

    The keep was easily the oldest building of the castle, its walls were crumbling here and there, the gargoyles that had not fallen into the ground were in danger of doing so in the next rain storm. The windows were shutter-less, most were smashed open by time, as was the front gate house which had a heavy iron gate closed and rusted shut. The lattice work was luckily broken on the side with the various slats splayed apart violently. From the look the gate seemed to used to try to keep something inside the keep instead of trying to keep people out.

    Cain grabbed the one of the slats with both hands, pressed his foot against the gate and pulled. The iron snapped like a dry twig and sent the good Captain back pedaling till he tripped and landed on his duff. "Hahahaha! This is warm work." he said starting to enjoy this assault.

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