Sewage
Ack! Hmph.
Diane looked up from the map of the sewer system, raising an eyebrow as her shorter companion, Kat, pulled at something. She lowered the map further, watching the frantic attempts to get what was probably some sticky sludge off with a bemused smile. Of course, she probably would have panicked too if something had latched onto her. Diane smirked as her dear companion straightened. Now that they were facing each other, she could see the crablike creature that had decided that the other womans face would be a good home.
Kat, stop playing with the local wildlife.
The red-headed girl waved her arms as another muffled scream escaped her. Diane just rolled her eyes, stepping forward, her black dress sliding along the pavement sidewalk, before she pointed two fingers at the shellfishs back. A small, black pulse ran over the crab and it became still, just before two lines bisected it. It then split into fourths as the force cracked its hard exterior, and sent the pieces flying against the walls.
For Kat, the spell felt like a wall was slamming into her face. Her arms flailed desperately, an ill fated attempt to get her balance back before falling off of the walkway. Where this led was the place all sewers led, the shallow, disgusting green water below. She gasped for air as she resurfaced, and then stood in the shallow muck, twitching a few times before barfing.
Are you okay?
Kat looked up at Dianes small smirk with a furious glare. I have other peoples crap where nothing is supposed to go!
So youre fine?
Kat gritted her teeth and grabbed ahold of her companions leg, before pulling her down. A muffled curse escaped Diane before she was forced all the way off, and even past the knight with how much force was put behind what should have just been a playful tug. As she forced her way out of the gunk, her black robe drenched in the same sludge that her companion was, she hissed, Do you know how long it will take to get the stench out of this? You have spares!
Kat rolled her eyes as she pulled herself back up to the walkway and helped the other woman back to dry land. I told you you should have put on my old barbarian stuff. This kind of place just isnt right for silk.
Diane huffed, before focusing for a moment. A ripple ran through her clothes, and while it was still freezing cold water, at least now it was clean and could get rid of some of the gunk on herself. Look, can we just go now? We still have a job to get done.
Kat groaned and began to walk as she took a rag from Dianes shoulder bag and wet it with her canteen. While her chainmail wouldnt be a problem with the crud on it, the straps and buckles on her breastplate would start to chafe if she didnt clean them out. I hate doing stuff like this. I mean, were big, tough adventurers, so why are we doing city maintenance?
A light sigh came from Diane as the sound of their steps bounced off the walls. I have told you many times before that while our expeditions are fun, they require capital, and these are the best types of jobs to get that capital with.
Kat turned back to the taller woman with a scowl on. Dont you mean the most degrading?
Diane took in a deep breath as she forced herself to stay calm. Even after almost three years of adventuring together, Kat still couldnt help but complain unless they were actually dungeoneering. She turned back, her hands on her hips. Look, Ive been planning this next expedition for almost two months. You were the one who broke their weapon, so stop complai-
Time almost seemed to slow for Kat as the sound of a loud slam echoed through the large, sewer tunnels. She watched as Diane just barely began to turn towards the sound before a short, wooden shaft slammed into her shoulder. The drops of blood hadnt even hit the cement before the short warrior reached for her broadsword, before cursing at the empty scabbard, and instead pulling out her knife. As another bolt scratched the stones beside her, she slammed her shoulder onto the wall beside the open intersection. Her breath was coming in short, raspy gasps as she could feel a howl echo through her bones. She shut her eyes for a moment and stopped them from dilating before looking past the corner. Her concentration almost shattered though as the other crossbowmen fired a bolt at the stone next to her head.
Fucking bandit! Okay, lets see how well you can track through this. She reached into her belt. While Diane held onto most of their dungeoneering tools, the sorceress had made Kat a few things to help her with ranged opponents. Just in case. Two silver balls rolled around in her hands, slowly getting warmer as they gained friction. She clenched them tight as they almost began to burn, before rolling them around the corner.
Diane smiled from knee deep in the sewage as she saw the harsh light come from the corridor. It would take her almost an hour to recharge them at camp, but it was better then whenever Kat thought she could dodge arrows. She sat up before stiffening and gritting her teeth, the pain of the crossbow bolt being very real. She knew she should just ignore it, instead of trying to pull it out like most adventurers might. Treating a wound in combat usually just led to more being made, and it had been her folly for not checking around the corner before scolding Kat, so she now needed to make sure neither paid for that further.
The bandits were only just getting their sight back when the first felt cold steel being thrust into him. Kat slammed her left fist into his cheek to free her blade and saw the two crossbowmen almost jump at seeing her. A small smirk crossed her face as she crouched and charged at the one on her level. The other was on top of the makeshift barricade that they had been instructed to get rid of, along with two other meatheads, but she knew better than to worry about them. The panic in the archers eyes had guaranteed the miss that he now made while the other took a deep breath so he could actually make his shot. The last two were slower to recover..
It was too late though, as Kat rolled forward, making the misfire all the more certain, before she sprang up, her knife making its way across his broad chest, before sinking between his ribs. She could hear the other two bandits fall onto the concrete, screaming at her to stop, but that only made her chuckle. She had a job, and theyd already made a fatal mistake.
Diane had watched all of this from the cover of the sewer way, even if it meant getting coated in the shallow filth, and saw her companion freeze. She held her good arm out, aimed straight for the remaining crossbowmen. Her magic flowed from her chest, into her arm, before down onto her fingertips to crackle outwards with yellow energy. The bandit had just reloaded, but she knew she was faster.
The crack of thunder rang through the sewers as the spells sound bounced off the stone walls. The bandit it was aimed at heard nothing as his weapon was splintered by pure electricity. Electricity that then shot through him. He looked down at his smoking chest, his head twitching as his breathing stopped, and he fell back onto the other side of the barrier with a splash.
Kat blinked a few times to try to get her world to stop spinning as she made her way towards the last two. She could tell that one had two knives in his hands, while the other wielded a short sword and a shield. Childs play to her, especially when the sword was swung at her. She stepped back and let it hit the wood before grabbing the shield, pushing it out of the way, and thrusting forward into the bandits chest.
