Stealing from Thieves

Beka was crouched behind a prickly thornbush, her staff in one hand. Her sparkling blue eyes were concentrated in front of her, watching a band of a dozen thieves crouching around a campfire. She had observed that they had two slaves tied up with their bags, a ten year old girl and boy that looked like they were related. It looked like the thieves had attacked a single family, judging by the size of their loot bags.

Beka ran the math through her head. A dozen thieves, my six older kids can take one each, and then I'd need a dozen of the littler ones to take down the rest. I wish I had more Grasshoppers. Looks like Lyle and I have some assasin work to do first, then I'll send in the six big kids. The little ones can cut the slaves loose and grab the loot. She nodded thoughtfully to herself, brushed her messy red hair out of her face, and whistled three times very softly, then once like a cricket. Hurry up Lyle...

Trap heard the whistle and knew what it meant. He cursed, because that meant that he got less action, and Lyle and Beka got to do the exciting work. Well, since he was itching for battle, he slowly crept to Beka, blending into the shadows. It wasnt really a spell he used then, more like an added protection, but he slowly dissapeared, and crept up behind Beka. This invisibility wasn't going to last forever, so he dropped into the bushes, dropping the spell. He would follow them. At least one of the other older kids could take down two people, and he wanted to watch. And, if things got to dangerous for the leader, he could help her, and she wouldnt even see him. This was going to be thrilling, he knew that.

Lyle had his arrow pulled back, he waited for Bekas signal, ‘hmm’ Lyle thought ‘which one, the big one, or the leader, they both look bad, I wish I knew how to fire two arrows at once.’ then there was the signal, “I guess that’s my cue” Lyle said under his breath.

He let the arrow go as it slammed into the largest thieves head, Lyle got another arrow out as fast as he could and looked for another target, they had tried to hide, but he could see one of there men’s feet, he fired and it must have hurt, seeing a grown man cry like that, Lyle chuckled a bit, ‘this was great fun.’

Beka was itching to go tearing into the clearing and raise hell with her staff, but she was too smart for that. She would Lyle take down one, two more of the thieves and then it would be her turn...

She brushed her short, scruffy red hair behind her ears and crawled forward a few paces in the bushes. She pulled out a handful of what she called her Flamin' Flies out of a pouch on her belt; they were wads of dry grass tied around a pebble. Beka picked one up in her hand carefully set it on fire with an easy spell, and then let it fly with her slingshot.

WHACK. Beka grinned when she heard one of the bandits yell. Now for a lethal hit... She picked up a fist-sized rock and shot it off with her slingshot at the squirming bandit she had just set on fire. He didn't even know what hit him.

Beka picked out two of her favorite, beat-up throwing knives out of her belt and started to weasel her way back through the bushes again. The bandits had finally realized that they were actually being attacked; several of them had jumped to their feet, and were fumbling for weapons. Lyle will make short work of those idiots.

The mischevious leader quickly squirmed through the bushes toward a rock she could duck behind, and nearly ran over one of her fellow Grasshoppers. Trap? What are you... Beka paused. Hey, this is TRAP, when is he ever not doing something? Nevermind. Nail those two over there, in the bushes by the sacks. Beka jerked her thumb over at a small group of bandits who had gotten smart and cowered in some of the bushes. You can have the best blanket from the loot if you get more of 'em. Such was Beka's way of ordering people around; she knew her Grasshoppers well, every one of them, and she knew how much they could handle in a scrap. She also knew a bribe never hurt.

Beka scrambled on top of the rock and let out a wild whoop. No point in stealth now, the bandits were screaming enough. She chucked her first throwing knife into a bush and was rewarded with a scream from another rogue.

A particularly big and ugly thief suddenly leapt out of the grass and jumped at Beka, a rusty saber in one of his hands. His saber clanged off the rock where Beka had been a moment before. Beka sprang back - right into the face of another rogue that had snuck up behind her. AIEEEEAAA! Beka threw an elbow into Ugly number one, then threw her knife at Ugly number two. She missed. Beka was used to split-second timing, and she didn't have time to fumble for another blade in her belt. She grabbed a Flamin' Fly out of her belt and chucked it at Ugly number two. Actually, she panicked, chucking the flaming little wads everywhere...

Trap cursed himself for being caught and stood up, pulling out his large weapon. Brandishing like a club he ran forwards shouting something, but tripped over an already felled bandit. Getting up, he looked to see if Beka had seen him, hoping not. Last thing he needed was her telling people about it. When he spotted her, she was surrounded by bandits, and was setting everything on fire. He ran towards her, swinging his oddly shaped weapon, shouting at the bandits. He swung his weapon into the Back of the man she elbowed, and tried to pull it out, but it was logged to deep. Cursing, he pullled out one of his many knives, looking for the first guy. As he took a step forwards, he felt a searing pain in his leg, and looked to to see it alight with fire. Swearing like a bandit, he tried to kick it out, only to fall onto some more fire. His large baggy shirt was really alight now, along with his favourite leggings. Tearing off his shirt, he covered his leggings, but not before a bandit had spotted him, and began to throw his knives in Traps general Direction.

Rolling over, he pulled out fang, his favourite knife, and threw it. It didnt kill the bandit, but that was okay. A little kid probably would. He Quickly got up, looking again for Beka.

Beka sent another rogue reeling with a punch. She looked around, and blinked in surprise to see that she'd pretty much set the field on fire. Oops. She hurriedly muttered a spell under her breath and watched as the fires quickly died. She was feeling tired now; this little raid was going to have to end quickly or she was going to be in trouble. Where's Lyle? She heard a bowstring twang and knew Lyle was busy.

Beka scrambled onto the rock again to assess the raid. Her bigger kids had gotten their cues from Trap and Beka, and had gone tearing into the fray. The little kids were starting to work their way out of the bushes, finishing off any rogues that fell, and making off with some of the supplies.

She cupped her hands over her mouth and shouted OI! GRASSHOPPERS! Little 'uns for the barrels and boxes, big 'uns for the scrap! Move! It was a sort of kids' code Beka had developed; barrels referred to any slaves that needed to be freed, and boxes meant supplies or loot; and the scrap, well, that was fighting.

ooc: there is 4 rouges left that we didnt specifically say we killed. And the little kids probably took them out.

bic: Trap quickly started grabbing for the fallen theives weapons, his fang, and his club-like weapon. Turning over the biggest of the men, he gasped in shock. There, in its sheath, was a real sword. Not a theif rusted peice of garbage, but a real, top quality sword. Making sure nobody saw him, he took the sword, and shoved it down one of his pant legs. It was to long! Seeing a smallish theif sneaking of through the back, he grabbed a loaded cross bow from the theif he was looting from, and attempted to fire it. After two tries, he gave up, and took out a large knife, whipping it with all his might at the theif. It stopped him in his tracks, bringing him down. Taking the bow with him, he ran to the man, slitting his throat. Taking his shirt, Trap quickly hid his array of pre-looted weapons, looking for Lyle. Spotting him, he darted over there as fast has he could throwing down the crossbow, shouting "A Present!"

Of course it was then that the crossbow fired, sending the bolt straight towards Traps leg. Fortunetly for trap, it hit where the sword was being held, but it managed to tear right through the bottom of his pant leg, and the cheap leather sheath, revealing the mighty blade.

"Uh... I can explain," Trap began, talking to Lyle

OOC: Ooooh if Beka finds out Trap tried to nab something without dividing it at the Crate she's gonna have quite a bone to pick with him. ^^

BIC:
Beka strolled to the middle of the grassy clearing and scrambled on top of her rock again. The remaining bandits had been dealt with. Beka nodded to herself as she ran through a mental checklist.

She cupped her hands over her mouth and shouted further orders. Grasshoppers! Everybody grab whatever you can carry, we'll split the stuff at the Crate! Trap, Lyle, give me a hand with the slaves!

Beka walked over to the recently-freed slaves. The girl had a badly swollen ankle, and the boy was looking rather feverish, so both would need some help walking back to the Grasshopper's Campsite at an old storehouse. Beka carefully helped the girl up and beckoned for Lyle to give her a hand. Trap could help the boy, he could walk all right, but keeping his balance might be a different story if he was really sick.

Trap Quickly covered his leg, hoping Lyle wasnt paying attention. "Good thing fang was there, hey? He turned to run to Beka, waiting for orders. She would not have to see his new sword, its not like any other kid could wield it. Catching up to her, he asked a simple question. "Have you seen my Club? I lodged it in that mans back. Havent seen it since. Ah well, dont really need it..." He kept his sentences short, because he knew he was bad t outright lying to Beka. She was the leader, and even though she was younger and probably weaker, he feared her. She could use her magic, and control it, and just had the heir of authority. He just couldnt fork out a straight face as he walked with her, she had to know he was lying. Had To!

Beka gave Trap a weird glance. He's acting like he's got ants in his pants. I'll figure him out later. She pointed a few yards ahead. Your club is over there. You can pick it up as we go. Come on, let's get this girl back to camp. To the rescued girl she was helping to her feet Beka added You're safe now. Try to walk as well as you can, we're taking you to our campsite.

The girl nodded. Beka had rescued enough people to pick up on a sort of emotional timeline for her rescued slaves; at first, they usually wouldn't, or couldn't, talk, but once they had some food and a day or two of rest, then she would learn where they came from and who they were.

Beka turned around and twitched nervously. A few miles down the grassy wilderness that was the Ruins, she could see another band of rogues heading in the Grasshopper's general direction. Beka cupped one hand over her mouth and shouted OI, GRASSHOPPERS! Let's split, everybody, back to the camp! Might be some other thieves in the area, let's keep a low profile and hustle back!

Beka helped the girl limp through the grass, occasionally bending down to pick up some of her knives that she had dropped. The rogues had been stripped of anything of value; some of the bodies had been pilfered of shoes, belts, shirts, and of course any weapons they'd been carrying.

OOC: I'm gonna skip forward a touch so we can keep the plot moving.

BIC:

About an hour later, the band of Grasshoppers arrived back at the official headquarters of Beka's little clan.

The place was an old storehouse made of stone bricks. A giant hill with utterly destroyed buildings overshadowed the storehouse, making it difficult to find if you were simply scouring the area. The majority of the building was still intact; the back corner and roof had caved in, but Beka's clan had patched it up with mud bricks, and the entire roof she had reinforced with wooden timbers found among the Ruins. The building had four walls and a roof, and that was more than some of her clanmates could ever have wished for.

When you walked inside the storehouse, directly to your right were the Bunks, basically barrels cut in half piled with blankets, leaves, grass, anything comfortable that the kids used to make their beds. To the right was a long series of shelves piled with stuff that the Grasshoppers collected; they called this spot the Cupboards. In the far right corner, in the section of the building that had collapsed, the Grasshoppers kept two small ponies in a makeshift stall built out of saplings; this was profoundly named The Stalls. In the far left corner of the building was The Hooks; a flat wall covered with hooks where the kids hung up weapons and sometimes buckets. And in the very center of the storehouse stood the Big Crate. This was the center of the monarchy of the Grasshoppers; here was where Beka laid out plans, divided loot, gave out judgements, and ordered tasks to her clan.

(In a nutshell, The Bunks and The Hooks on the right side, the Cupboards and Stalls on the left side, Crate in the middle)

Beka had the two rescued slaves sit down against the Crate, and then she climbed up on top of it. Grasshoppers, assemble.

Lyle contemplated what he should do, 'hmm, should i tell Beka about the sword, or not, i wonder if Trap knows if i even saw it, i also what to know how this crossbow works.' when Beka called the assembly, Lyle came over rather quickly, still contemplating what he should do, he couldnt keep from fidgeting, even a blind man could see he had something to hide.

OOC; ill be gone tommarow but you guys seem to have this down witout me ^^ be back next saturday.

Trap Shuffled over to the Crate, dropping his newfound blades, and his club.

"Here is my loot. Someone can keep the club, its unreliable. I have daggers..." he shuffled his feet, and took a step back, waiting for Beka to talk. He kept on shooting Lyle nervous looks, and had his burnt shirt wrapped around one leg, hoping that any child would just think it was a cut or something. It was impossible to keep something hidded from the children for long, so he was hoping Beka would keep to her word about the warmest blanket, and maby try to trade it for a sword. As long as he kept his hidden one in the sheath, he was good to go. So far he hadnt pulled the sword from the hilt, since he had no time. He couldnt wait to swing it around...

OOC: I will be here all sunday, and the gone till next saturday. And we need Lyle, danno!

OOC: Yeah, I was planning on having Beka chat with Lyle as soon as the weird blade is discovered. It's a good thing you'll BOTH be gone all week...

BIC:

Beka watched while all the kids dropped what they found at the foot of the crate. Blankets, belts, shirts, weapons of varying useability, food, water bottles, even a few weird knick-knacks like a monocle, a bottle of ink, a small tattered book, and a ring made of bad-quality silver.

All right, first things first. I promised Trap the best blanket. This one has the least holes. Beka picked up the blanket in question and chucked it at Trap. Lyle gets whatever arrows he wants, since he's the best shot. Beka scooped up an armful of intact arrows and handed them to him. Meggs, since you can read, you can have the book. A nine year old girl accepted the battered book with wide eyes.

Beka looked at the pile thoughtfully. Second, we need to give our new members here First Week Supplies. Beka worked her way through the stack, and made two piles, each containing a blanket, water bottle, a week's worth of food, two rusty knives for each, and a shirt and belt for each. There. Each of you get one of these. Welcome to the Grasshopper Clan. Beka handed one pile to each of the rescued slaves.

Beka clambered on top of the Crate again. Now, third. I claim this. Beka picked up the ring and slid it on her finger. Usual pick, youngest ones first today. The clan's third process of dividing spoils was the playground-style pick; one person picked something, then another chose something else, etc. They ordered it from youngest to oldest or oldest to youngest, or sometimes Beka made everyone line up in a random order that she chose. Today she was too busy admiring her cheap ring to bother lining everyone up, so today the youngest kids got to take their picks first.

Trap took the blanket, and threw it at a girl he knew constantly had colds and whatnot. "I dont want this blanket." he snarled, feeling mad at Beka for no apparent reason. Shoving the little kids back, he stood in front of the hoard, shooting Beka a dark look. "I want a sword. Not some blanket." he stood defiantly infront of the pile, preventing anyone from taking anything from it. "Now," He said impatiently.

For some reason, something in Traps mind was urging him to strike at the girl, for he was much bigger then her. Shocked, he stopped himself from doing anything rash. He didnt really want to get in trouble...

Lyle stood up, Trap looked like he was going to try something. Lyle was fingering his new crossbow, 'why would he want s sword? cant he see we havent got one, secpt for his.'

"why wold you want a sword Trap, i doubt you could hold one." Lyle was hopeing he could get Trap to confess, Lyle dident like telling on people, 'better to ask permission then beg forgivness' Lyle thought to himself

Trap felt himself spin around, and aim a fist at Lyles face. At impact, Trap felt terrible, but he felt he couldnt stop his body. "Sorry..." he managed to whisper, beforehe lost control again. "Shutup welp." he heard himself say. "I could kill your sorry self if I wanted to. Don't make me prove it." he pulled out Fang, his favourite dagger, pointing it at the pile. There was a large rusty sword. I saw it. Where is it?" he heard himself ask.

OOC: XD I KNEW DANNO COULD DO LYLE WELL!!!! "Better ask permission than beg for forgiveness!" WOHAHAHAHA AWESOMENESS!!!

BIC:

Beka twitched. He can't just go around threatening the little kids, and especially not Lyle...that's my job...

Beka decided not to give Trap a second chance to annoy her. She jumped, yes jumped, off the crate and tackled him. She pinned his arms behind his back and growled Trap, what's the matter with you?!?! She paused and glanced down at Trap's leg and particularly at the burnt shirt wrapped around it. You didn't get hurt during the scrap. Beka ripped the shirt off and snarled in surprise as a beautiful sword in its sheath clattered to the ground.

Mad was an understatement. Beka was ready to shred Trap with her bare hands. The big kids of the clan were supposed to set an example for the little ones of the clan, so that everyone followed the rules, everything was fair, and there weren't any fights. Now...?

You rotten little liar!!! What is that?! Beka released her hold on Trap's arms and stood next to the sword, pointing at it accusingly. Beka was already running through a list of punishments; maybe she'd crack her staff over his back a few times, or whip him, or confiscate all of his stuff and deny him food for a week. But, Beka did not want to be unfair; she could pretty easily guess what had happened, but in the name of justice she would at least give Trap a say before she clobbered him. She might even ease his sentence if he was honest, but she doubted she'd squeeze much honesty out of Trap.

Trap shook with anger, and shoved Beka as hard as he could. "How dare you," he shouted at her, making afew kids cry. "How dare you touch me!" pulling out his largest axe he threw it down at her feet. "This is what i owe you. I am gone." he said, but not before his rat bit his arm. Throwing it down he stepped on its tail, causing it to squeak loudly. Shoving a kid out of his way, he began to go to his supplies, face dark red.

Trap couldnt control his anger. He couldn't get a grip on his own conciousness. He felt like he was going insane.

Lyle stood there flabbergasted, 'I saw that going... differently in my mind.’ he thought, he debated over going to talk to Beka or trap first, both options seemed like a bad idea, and both seemed to involve pain. ’hmm, do I risk the butcher or the burner.’ he didn’t fancy getting burned or butchered at all today. Well, Beka was his friend and he probably did need to explain what happened to try and spare trap some punishment. He decided to risk the flame rather then the knife. He walked over and asked quietly “Beka, now I know the rules, but don’t you think tat was a little, well,… mean?”

OOC: I'm kind of lost, where do you want to go with this Blade?

Beka was seething. Mean? Did you LIKE tasting Trap's fist, Lyle? He's being an idiot, I'm giving what he deserves. She forcibly unclenched her fists and tried to keep herself from grinding her teeth.

Beka snapped in Trap's general direction And where do you think you're going, rat-brain?

lyle could only think, 'at times like this, i wish i could be invisible.'

occ: well, since he cant control his anger and his inner thoughts since he has weak magic and self control, the weapon is using him as an rc really. He is going to leave, just because he is being forced to. he does not WANT to.

Trap lifted his bed up, pulling out five leather straps. Two he slung over his shoulder, two on his forearms and one on his waist. Mounted on the leather straps were a dozen daggers on the chest ones, and two large ones on his waist. On his arm straps there was four long daggers with little hilts. These were his only possesions other then his already equipped daggers and his blanket. These were all stolen from theives, or pre-plundered loot.

Trap, not even looking at Beka, began walking out the door. "I am leaving girly. Try and stop me, and things wont turn out so well for you. At all." he stopped infront of the door. "I may just accidently tell someone about this place if you really bug me."

As he was talking the rat quickly snuck onto his blanket, angry. As soon as it could tap into Traps Magic, it would dispose of that sword, and maby smack Trap up abit as well. Stupid boy.

OOC: Edited this post!!! BIG TIME!!!

BIC:

Beka picked up her staff and scowled. Trap! Get back here! He was walking. Walking out the door. There was only one way kids got out of Beka's Clan, and that was when they turned fifteen and, if they wanted to leave, took a solemn oath never to reveal the location of the Grasshopper Camp.

Trap was....acting weird. Even for him. And Beka's prescription for everthing was a good clobbering.

I didn't say you could go anywhere, kiddo. Beka picked up her staff and slapped it across his back. A particularly painful sort of strike, but not meant to do any real, long-lasting harm.

occ: hmmm..... I am thinking Trap will sneak back in the night to steal something like food or weapons or a blanket or something he forgot. I dunno, maby even something important to the clan. He has to some how get beka or Lyle to fight him, so he is forced to use his magic. Just cause noone else really can RP with him now....

Trap turn around and whipped a knife at Beka, making it land between her feet. "Dont threaten me child," he said in a different voice. "Even now I could destroy you..." Traps clenched a fist. "I should kill you..." He swung as hard as he could, smaking Bekas nose with a good clean blow. His hand stung as he turned around in shock.

Trap stumbled forwards and out of the door. Running like mad, he fought with himself all the way to the temple area, and before he realized what he was doing, he had a foot inside the main gate. Shouting in complete fear, he threw himself backwards, landing in a heap of rubble, which was once a wall.

"Whats... happening to me..." he gasped, as his body forced him to stand up. "No!" He sat back down, but in a second he stood up. "Your not goi-" his hand shot to his throat.
"Listen... Soon I will have killed your body, and then I will have full control. Now stop stuggling and -"
Trap punched his hand, and let go. "NO! I dont know what kinda evil thing you are, but I will NOT die!"
Traps hand shot up and hit him square in the chin. "I said STOP struggling!"
Trap grabbed a Large stone and threw it at his leg, sending large amounts of pain throught it. "How can you kill me if I cant walk, huh?" Trap gloated.
With a loud roar of anger, Traps hand grabbed his throat, the other one beating his face. "YOU WILL SUBMIT TO ME!"
Trap struggled and flailed his other leg. When he hit the ground with the sword bit, he hands stoped. Not taking the obvious clue, Trap grabbed for the sword as it slid out of the hilt.

Beka hit the ground with a THUMP. She blacked out for a moment. The last thing she remembered was thinking That guy is toast...

She came to again when one of the little kids splashed a bowl of water over her. Probably Lyle's idea, but I haven't got the time to thank him right now.

Beka sprang to her feet and swayed a moment. She could feel blood trickling down her face. She held her hand up to her nose and growled. At least it isn't broken...just bleeding badly.

Beka picked up her staff and shouted Lyle, come with me! The rest of you, board up, and if anyone sees Trap slinking around, shoot him!

She took off at a dead run out of the storehouse, her staff in one hand and with a glowing ball of fire in her other hand. She wouldn't kill someone for hurting her... it was just that Trap had broken the most basic code of the Grasshopper Clan. Nobody left without permission, since they could give away the location of their secret camp and endanger the lives of the little ones Beka had sworn to protect. Trap was dead if she could catch up with him.

Beka traced Trap's footprints along the dirt path to...the temple? Why is he going there? Beka crouched behind a fallen pillar and stared thoughtfully at the gate in the wall that surrounded the temple doors. Wait...is Trap trying to kill himself?

~~~

Forgive us Danno, we put your newly edited post here.

Lyle was running after Trap with Beka. This was weird, even for Trap, to simply go storming off like that, and to punch Beka off all things... He followed the footsteps, being a great tracker as well as archer.

He found Trap, and certainly not the way he had expected. It looked like Trap was trying to kill himself!

Lyle ran past Beka and stopped at Trap's side, flinging himself over him and pinning Trap's hands behind his back. Trap, calm down, what's gotten into you?!