A bad Encounter (Wicked)

[Rexamus El]

It was the sun's rays that first welcomed Drogo into the new day. He had left his home a week ago and had entered the Draconi Forest late yesterday evening. Using an arm to prop himself up from his sleeping palate, Drogo was welcomed by the rest of nature: the wind gently brushing against his skin; and the songs of birds, chirping all around him.
     After relieving himself on a nearby tree, Drogo opened up his satchel.  We he had left his home, he had packed enough food to get him through a week and a half; while also packing a small pouch of coins, for any additional supplies needed. The previous night, Drogo had removed his armor along with his swords, and had placed them aside wrapped in cloth.  After drawing out a slice of salted beef, Drogo began to over look his equipment. Everything was in order; although one of the swords could use a good sharpening.  Taking out his wet stone, Drogo began honing his blade.

[Wicked Basket]

Anzio shook his head as he saw a lone traveler. People never learn. Don't they know that you should never travel alone through Draconi Forest? Anzio revealed himself and approached the man.

"Don't you know that it's unwise to travel through Draconi Forest alone," he said in a friendly tone. "There are all kinds of ne'er-do-wells in this forest waiting for an easy score. People like me. So, how about you hand over your valuables and we ain't got no worries."

[Rexamus El]

Drogo gave the stranger the briefest of glances before returning his eyes to the long sword resting in his lab. "Aye, i know of the dangers. Along with it's scum that call this place home. " At this Drogo looked up at the man. "And it would seem one of them would like me to hand over my things, is that right." It was plain to see what they were. His armor, food, coin, and both long sword were out, although one rested upon his lab.  Drogo's journey had been a peaceful one of late; if not down out boring for its lack of excitement. The muscles in his face began to rise at the thought that this encounter might be just what he was looking for. "My friend you have two choices presented to you. Flee or die."

[Wicked Basket]

"That's either a threat or a party invitation," Anzio replied. "Regardless of what it is, fleeing doesn't sound very fun, and neither does dying. Is there a third option?"

Anzio grinned beneath his mask. He loved to get his victims worked up. He noticed a long time ago the correlation between anger and combat. The angrier they were, the sloppier they fought. This guy clearly meant business, but Anzio liked to challenge himself.

[Rexamus El]

'This one is either a madman or a gutsy fool'. thought Drogo. His facial muscles now form into into a visible grin. One that read 'This will be fun'. Shifting his position just enough to spring upward, along with positioning his blade near his hip; Drogo gave one final warning. " i agree, Death is so boring while life, life is full of opportunity. But if you wish to cross blades with me friend than you had best prepare yourself.

[Wicked Basket]

"I am always prepared," Anzio declared. "Do you have to grin like that though? The whole creepy grin thing is kind of my trademark calling card sort of thing, so if you could just, like, frown or something...."

[Rexamus El]

At that drogo's grin only grew. He was beginning to somewhat like this fellow. That didn't mean he wouldn't hesitate to kill him. "alright," was the only thing that passed through Drogo's lips before he launched himself toward his now opponent. Clothed only in a cotton tunic and tight pants; Drogo's wings - folded in there usual leathery cape look- were billowing behind him. Although un-armored and armed with only one long sword Drogo was still prepared. He had a few surprises that he'd prepare to keep concealed.

[Wicked Basket]

The pierced Anzio's stomach, but he made no indication that he was just stabbed. He didn't even bleed. Instead, he scratched his head.

"This can't be right," he said. "Try that one."

Anzio pointed over Drogo's shoulder to a second Anzio that was waving at him. The moment Drogo turned around, the Anzio that he had just stabbed would vanish.

[Rexamus El]

The sight of the new man was strange, stranger still when the one impaled on his blade had disappeared without a blood trail. 'What the hell kind of magic was at play here?' he wondered. Turning to face his opponent, Drogo began to twirl his long sword in a small circular motion. Although this fight would indeed provide some excitement and a challenge; Drogo's dislike for this magic was evident. A swordsman such as himself was use to the more honorable duels. One's were it was straight steel versus steel, none of this deceitful magic.
No longer was there any grin apparent in his facial features; instead replacing it was the  face of someone balanced between a focused anger and a warrior's calm.  Brows slightly angled,  eye's focused on their target; Drogo positioned himself ready for an attack, both hand on a now raised blade.

[Wicked Basket]

This Anzio was more animated than the last one. He twirled his  staff around to show Drogo that he knew how to use it. Then, he attacked. Anzio unleashed a flurry of blows from different heights and from different in angles in rapid succession. It as though the fight was on.

[Rexamus El]

The initial first couple of blows had Drogo had a disadvantage. Rarely had he fought an oppouent armed with a staff before. Nor was Drogo one for playing the part of defensive. As he was more of a offensive fighting style. That's not to say his blocks were bad but they could have been better than the times were he either barley brought up his blade or where he would ise the wrong part of his sword and risk damaging it.                                                                                                                           Becoming agriavated, Drogo took a chance and putting a good deal of his weight behind it, swung his long sword in a heavy downward stoke.

[Wicked Basket]

The long sword came down and cleaved Anzio in two, but something really odd happened afterward. The halves formed their missing halves, making two separate Anzio's. The two looked at each other.

"Who's this handsome devil," they asked simultaneously as they examined each other.

The two turned to Drogo.

"Funny how things work out this way."

[Rexamus El]

"What are you?" snarled Drogo. Nostrals flaring and his more dragon-like fangs now bared. This trickery had more than invoked Drogo's fury. "Only a coward hides behind such cowardly magic!" Had he remained in his previous calm(er) state of mind, Drogo might have thought his opponent like that of a hydra. Cut off one head and two more grow back; only in this case it being a new body. Or that if this was an illusion, the caster had to be nearby and that he should focus on him. Instead almost blinded by his fury for this trickery Drogo persisted on his attempts to cut down every enemy he saw.

[Wicked Basket]

The two Anzio's were just as good of fighters as the first. The blocked and parried every blow that came their way, but did not strike back. Cheering could soon be heard as five more images of Anzio appeared and starting rooting for himselves(?). This was turning out to be better than he anticipated.

[Rexamus El]

The cheering was the final straw. There was no longer any calm, nor the aggravation of a man. Instead the full fury of the dragon was unleashed. Jumping back from the copies, Drogo revealed his wings. Like the snap of a leather belt, Drogo's cape split and unfolded out into his 12 ft long wingspan. Sheathing his long sword to his side scabbard, Drogo took flight. Hovering above the ground at 20 ft, Drogo appeared almost more dragon than human. With his leathery wings, scaled skin, fangs, and claws. A beast like growl was at the sound that came from him, before letting lose a stream of fire.

[Wicked Basket]

The Anzio's scrambled to avoid the fire, each one screaming in mock panic. Meanwhile, another Anzio was grabbing Drogo's stuff while he was distracted.

[Rexamus El]

It gave the beast pleasure to see foes run in fear. Closing off the stream of flames, Drogo scanned the charred area beneath him. The copies were scattered about..wait was that one trying to steal his things?! Like any stereotypical dragon, this beast had a great greed for his things. Eye's locked, Drogo dove straight toward the theif. Both fangs and claws barred.

[Wicked Basket]

The one stealing Drogo's things looked up and saw Drogo charging straight at him, but this one didn't run. He dropped everything and pole-vaulted with his staff, foot first, toward Drogo's face.

[Rexamus El]

There was no time to react. Drogo had been going at such a descent that by the time the foot appeared they hadn't been any chance to avoid it. The force of the attack left Drogo sprawled on the ground. Pulling himself up into a somewhat keeled position, one hand placed on his face rubbing the spot where contact had been made.  Looking back over, the only thing separating him and his things was the one lone enemy. Raising himself up, Drogo drew out his blade. With wings tucked back in, he prepared to charge. All he needed to do was get past him, grab his bag, and he would be able to take flight. There were two possibilities after that. One, he could equip himself and fight, or take flight and continue on his way to the dragonriders.  He chose the first.

[Wicked Basket]

"Was that real enough for ya," Anzio taunted.

It wasn't often that he actually got the opportunity to get his own hands dirty, but he figured he'd make a special exception for this guy due to the amount of fun he was having. Anzio dropped his staff and drew his daggers. This could be fun.