((This thread serves as an entry thread for Artemis. The Brothers herein are therefore minor, and largely inconsequential. That doesn't mean he can't wind up wanted by them...))

The Brothers were mad. Really mad. Someone had come in the shadows of the evening, and one of their men had been knocked off. That kind of thing didn't happen without their notice. And they noticed the wick, Artemis, as he fled the scene. They were still chasing him. "Ya can't run forever, imp! We'll getcha soon enough! An' when we do..." the Brother let it hang. He could see Art ahead of him, but he was beginning to tire. The others around him, though, were still raring and ready to go

Artemis didn't stop to look back. He cursed himself for not having done a little more research before he went off to kill his employer's mark-the man had not said a thing about the man being a Bad Brother. It was only as he'd heard the man's gurgled, dying words that he'd realized his mistake. And at that point it was too late. To make matters worse, he'd also failed to exit the scene without notice- obviously. He would make his employer pay for this- with his life, and all the money on him. But that was if and only if he survived this.

As the one who'd yelled at him fell back, the others began to gain on him. He could hear their dozen-some footfalls as they hit the cobbled street behind him. Their belts and coats rang with clinks of metal, their weaponry swinging in the chase.

Artemis looked up at the rooftops that sped by as he ran- all too high for him to reach from where he was. If he could only find a way to get up there, he could pick a few of the men off with throwing stars before the rest reached him, thus evening the odds. For the moment, though, he had to stick with running. Panting, slowly wearing down, he decided to make a turn into an alleyway, hoping to shake them.

And in doing so, he managed to get trapped. It was a storage alley, with no doors, windows, or other exit. Three sheer walls all the way up to the two-story rooftop. There were plenty of boxes and barrels to hide among, but the men were gaining fast and had seen his turn.

Wrong way!. Artemis could hear that the men were close. He could feel his heart pounding all the way up in his throat. If he turned to leave, he would very likely be caught on his way out. Thinking fast, quickly taking in the scene, he dove into the first group of boxes he saw, ducking low. He calmed his ragged breathing, making each breath come more slowly, more quietly, until none could hear him even if they had their ear right up against his lips. From this point, he had more time to think. If the Brothers started a search for him, and somehow managed to pass him by... it was a long shot, but he might be able to kill one or two, then run out, his way being clear. It was a very long shot indeed...

The men slowed and entered the alley, drawing swords and guns as they went. They began making catcalls and telling the "little bugger" to "come out and play with the big boys." It didn't sound like they wanted to play house. Four of them passed by, knocking over boxes and stabbing into barrels as they went. They were rather intent on killing him. The last two stood near the entrance of the alley.

Artemis felt like screaming in frustration, but obviously knew that silence was key. As the four passed him by, he carefully peered over the edge of the boxes at the two men standing at the entrance- his exit- silently pulling out a few throwing stars. Calculating the distance, he aimed, throwing one in the direction of the first man, then two at the other, hoping to at least injure them enough to put them out of the equation. Then, as he watched his projectiles fly, he bunched his legs, preparing to run.

The first man was grazed... in the jugular. He went down in a fountain of blood. The second man was grazed across the skull and accepted a star full on in the gut. He was a big, sturdy man, though, and wouldn't go down that easily. He let out a rebel yell and began looking for the little whelp that struck him. His yell gained the attention of the others, who turned around and headed back to their injured comrades.

Five… Artemis hissed under his breath in annoyance as the four rushed back to the still-living man, holding back and ducking back into shadow. The way was now blocked by five men, one was injured, but he looked more ready to fight than any. Well this is just perfect… He stood very still, not wanting to draw any more attention to himself as he plotted his next move. If they come at me in a pack I’m screwed… He curled his lip, If they stay there, I’m screwed. Running past five Brothers without getting caught would be impossible… If I could just draw them toward me, one or two at a time… He knew that wouldn’t work, so he stopped himself right there. I guess there’s only one way, then… And he did not like that way.

They were quickly becoming angry-- as if they hadn't been before-- and lined up for a sweep down the alley, turning their heads back and forth in search of the assassin.

Listening intently as the men drew nearer, Artemis' mind raced. They were being rather thorough. Taking them all on at once- what he had been trying to avoid- would be tough, but it was now his only option. Bending down, he flipped a switch on each of his boots, whereupon a small blade shot from the toe of both. Locking them into place, he then gripped the hilts of his twin daggers, ready to slip them from their sheaths on a moment's notice. Like a cat waiting for the precise moment to pounce, he tensed, waiting for the men to get closer. Come on, then…. Come on! Didn’t you want to play?

The lead man leveled with him and passed by without noticing him. Moments later the man following him, rather closer to Artemis, turned his head at just the right moment, catching the gleam off his blades. His eyes widened, seeming to momentarily freeze as he caught sight of their quarry.

Artemis watched the first man pass him by, holding his attack in the hopes that they would all miss him, but was ready when the second did catch his eye. Quick as a flash, Artemis struck, leaping out with both blades drawn. He sent a kick to the closest man's stomach, then prepared to sink one of his daggers into the man's heart as he would inevitably bow forward or recoil with pain. He had to be quick- the others would doubtless be ready to kill him as soon as this man fell dead.

The kick connected, and the man's eyes widened further in surprise as the second blade sank into his chest. He let out a mangled cry. The others took quick notice, and the lead man, closest now of the four still standing men, charged at him with his sword.

Four..Artemis watched as the man charged him, reacting instinctually. This was one of those moments where he was glad he could wield two blades instead of just one. He raised his right dagger, hoping to block the lead man's sword. If he was successful, his left blade would then make a slash at the man's throat.

The man was quick, while Art managed to block the Brother’s blade, the slash at his throat was reduced to a mere nick. But it surprised him, and he recoiled, touching a hand to the scratch and withdrawing his bloodied hand in disbelief. The man with the star in his gut pulled up his gun and leveled it with Art, yelling for his comrades to move out of the way.

Artemis took the man's surprise as the perfect opportunity to make another strike, his right dagger- having diverted his opponent’s sword- was now in the perfect position to make a precision strike at the man's heart. Just as he heard the gunner's shout to his comrades, he made his move, his blade shooting toward the man's chest.

He was struck, and collapsed to the ground as a bullet grazed Artemis's shoulder. There was a curse as the man made to reload. The other two advanced quickly, swords in hand.

Three- "Gh-ah-ah!" Artemis cried out in shock as the pain seared through his shoulder just milliseconds after the bullet tore through his flesh. Turning quickly, he glanced around for his next target. He first took note of the swords. Swords were bad. But then he noticed the gun- the source of his new wound. Guns were far worse. Slinging his daggers into a more advantageous position, Artemis ducked past the two men with swords, running at the one who was busy reloading his gun, ready to strike out with both blades at once.

The two men were caught off-guard by the quick man, though the second recovered and managed a slash at his thigh. It slowed him enough that the gunner dropped his gun and was midway through drawing a dagger when Art got to him. His first strike was deflected to his shoulder, and the man managed to fully deflect the second. He was still on the defensive, though the other two were coming after him.

He barely registered the pain that burned in his leg, or the slightly older pain tingling in his shoulder- the mass influx of adrenaline acting as an anesthetic, however temporarily, and Artemis managed to recover, shooting his leg up in a high kick, attempting a hit to the man's jaw. If it succeeded in downing his opponent, he would then turn to the two remaining foes and attempt to block their attacks- though at the moment his only focus was the man in front of him.

The powerful kick connected solidly, fracturing his jaw and sending him to the ground unconscious. The first of the two men reached him and roared as he heaved his sword overhead. But the entrance was clear, and his attackers came from within the alley.

Two… Catching sight of the oncoming blade out of the corner of his eye, Artemis quickly deducted that it would be wiser to run and avoid the blow altogether, than to attempt blocking it and possibly fail- paying with his life. So he ran, his injured leg slowing him only but a little, toward the entrance. Two. Just two more… Though he would avoid fighting them if he could- if fighting them in his current state could get him killed.

The men gave chase. They were unwounded and would quickly catch up. As Art rounded the corner he would see, two blocks away, the hustle and bustle of the marketplace, where he might manage to lose them if he could make it in time.