The sound of metal against metal clashed throughout the pit as two tireless warriors of exceptional skill and power crashed blades, honing their already formidable skills in personal combat. Crossing sword against scythe Ranma and the Reaper pushed each other as far as they could within the limits of safety. Of course though, they did have different opinions to what was safe...
“Damn it!” Ranma exclaimed as he was smashed into the wall, almost hard enough to crater the rock. “That hurt.”
“Thats because,” the Reaper all but cooed with a snarky grin that showed every one of his blade like teeth. “Combat hurts.”
Ranma grunted and came to his feet, putting his blade back at the ready. Swordsmanship was never really his thing he'd always specialized in hand to hand, but even with his relative disdain for weapons, it was still a martial his old man wouldn't have been satisfied with anything less than highly competent. Still, if he was going to be forced to use the sword regularly then he'd have to get a lot better, and Horny just happened to be the best weapons user around, though his teaching techniques left a lot to be desired.
Ranma smiled and he leveled his weapon. That wasn't to say he wasn't picking it up, its just that he had never been much a fan of the 'hammer it into you until you get it or it kills you' school of teaching. It tended to hurt. A lot.
With a laugh, the Reaper charged forward and came down with an overhead swing forcing Ranma to roll to the side, a task that was easier said than done when you were clad in plate mail. Ranma couldn't blame the reaper for that one, though. It had been his own bright idea to spar in plate mail, one he was already regretting as he was not nearly as used to the sword as he though he'd be and the armor slowed him down more than he'd thought it would.
Oh sure, it was excellent as full body carapaces went. It was lighter than it looked, and the fact that he still could roll to the side, even though he was clad from collar to toe in articulated metal plate displayed a truly superior workmanship. He could see using this in battle if he thought that he'd be in a situation where protection was better than speed, but in all honesty, he should have had better judgment of when to acclimate himself it it. Like maybe when he wasn't locked in combat with a psychopathic 7ft tall demonic killing machine...
“Quit rolling around on the ground and face me,” Horny sneered with that insufferable grin still plastered to his ugly mug.
“And let you kill me?” Ranma snorted. “I don't think so.”
“I'm not going to kill you,” Horny sneered, “Just hurt you very badly.”
“Yeah,” Ranma snorted, “You really need to work on your teaching methods.”
The Reaper laughed darkly in response and lowered his weapon.
Ranma blinked. “What?”
Horny cocked his head motioning for Ranma to look behind himself.
“Ah, Keeper,” stated the Mentor from behind the budding young evil overlord, “ I see you are up early and ready to face the day.”
“Actually,” Ranma replied, “I'm just getting in some early training before I have breakfast.”
“I see. Ever the warrior.” The Mentor chuckled, “Though before you dine there are a few issues that I feel are worthy of your attention.”
“I'll let you to do whatever,” Horny snorted.
“Okay, then lets call it a day,” Ranma replied.
The Reaper nodded and left the pit, leaving only Ranma and his spiritual advisor.
Ranma nodded. “Alright, whats up?”
“The Dark Mistress I hired, last night has proven to be quite capable. She has already successfully broken and secured the loyalties of all three of your would be assassins and the Maiden of the Nest that Horny over here defeated last night.”
Ranma nodded. “Thats good.”
“Its better than good,” the mentor relied, “For you have not only gained four new minions, but also knowledge that may prove useful in he near future.”
Ranma nodded. “Keep goin'.”
“It seems that your assailants were among your rivals elites,” the mentor began. “They not only know the hidden location of their primary Dungeon Hearts but they also know the location and layout of their traps and defenses as well as the locations of their secondary dungeons.”
“What are you thinking?” Ranma asked.
“Usually, locating a Keepers primary Dungeon Heart is a long and tiresome process involving much carnage as the better of the two smashes his enemies defenses and hunts for his hidden Dungeon Heart...”
Ranma nodded. “While we could just waltz in just about and take 'em out before they even knew we were coming...”
This idea didn't sit too well with him. He wasn't an assassin and this felt like only one step removed. Still, he had to admit that there was nothing unfair about testing an enemies weaknesses, and while he was used to personal combat, looking for openings and exploiting weaknesses and the like, to a Keeper, maybe getting intelligence from the enemy was just another way of doing just that.
“Exactly, but not only that,” the Mentor added, breaking Ranma's train of thought, “But as we know the location of their secondary dungeons, we could easily set ourselves in a position to consolidate their positions, claiming their newly abandoned dungeons as our own.”
“Wasn't too bright of them to send their elite along, was it.” Ranma replied. “I mean, if they knew where they'd hidden most of their stuff then shouldn't they have been worried about me finding that stuff out.”
“They were arrogant and thought that you would not be able to handle a combined assault by their most skillful minions.” The Mentor smiled thinly. “Arrogance begets hubris.”
He paused. He really didn't know how to do this leader stuff. He was used to doing everything himself. He guessed the best idea would be to think of how they always did this stuff on TV, or hell, what would Nabiki do? It was then that his mind traveled back to the time he'd spent training with the US Marines in Okinawa. Those guys had this stuff down pat.
“Alright.” Ranma replied after a moments consideration. “I want someone to make me up some reports. I wanna know the layout of their bases, what kind of minions they got, and anything that could be useful or bite me in the ass. Oh, and I want 'em done ASAP.”
The Mentor's smile grew. “Excellent idea, Keeper. You are adapting to command rather quickly. I am impressed... though I must ask. What is ASAP?”
Ranma paused for a moment. What did it mean again? Oh yeah...
“A.S.A.P,” Ranma replied, “As Soon As Possible.”
“Amusing term,” The Mentor thought out loud.
“So,” Ranma drawled, “Anything else that we can cover quick or I gotta know before I get washed up?”
“Well,” the Mentor began, “It would behoove you to build your primary Library so your warlock may begin researching spells...”
Ranma nodded, and using his Dungeon sense ordered the construction of a Library attached to his Inner Sanctum. Almost immediately, he could sense his imps jumping into action, randomly placing books onto the shelves.
He made a mental note to get a librarian.
“Done.”
The Mentor smiled. “Very good. Now, there is the issue of expansion.”
Ranma scowled. “I'm not even done this Dungeon yet and you're saying I should build another one?”
“Yes,” the Mentor replied curtly. “From what the Maiden of the Nest has told us, the cave system she lived would make for a superb secondary dungeon.”
“Why?” Ranma asked.
“First,” the mentor began ”The area is large and well suited for large scale habitation. Second, it also still has a very large population of Giant Spiders, despite Horny's little killing spree. If we can successfully recruit them, then we would bolster our ranks very quickly. Lastly, and most importantly, it covers the river. Anyone attempting to assail your primary dungeon would most likely be requited to travel down the river to reach you. By claiming this cavern you would not only gain additional living space, but you would reinforce your defenses greatly.”
“This mean I have to create another Dungeon Heart?” Ranma paused. “Because I don't know how to do that yet.”
“No,” the Mentor replied, “It is still close enough to your primary Dungeon Heart.
“Oh, okay. Sounds good then,” Ranma replied.
The Mentor nodded proudly. “Very good, now I would recommend that you order your imps to being tunneling immediately so you can begin construction...” he paused for a moment “ASAP.”
“I should have the River scouted out more, shouldn't I.” Ranma thought to himself.
“That you should,” the Mentor replied. “Though most of your current dungeon minions are not skilled scouts.”
“So what should I do?” Ranma asked.
“Hire Firefly,” the mentor replied. “They are very effective scouts. Their ability to fly means that nether lava nor water are a hindrance, and because they generate their own light, darkness is never a problem... though be warned, as fighters they are fragile and intep.”
Ranma nodded again. “Okay, send somebody to Skid Row to hire a couple who seem to be reliable.”
The Mentor nodded. “Very well.”
“So, are we done?”
“Yes, Keeper,” the Mentor replied, “There are no more... pressing issues.”
“Great,” Ranma replied, “Then I guess we'll talk after breakfast.”
“After breakfast.”
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(Posted Sun, 08 Apr 2007 19:57)
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