Winds of Change : Opening Moves

[VO]

This is part one of the Winds of Change RPG. Please do not post anything apart from storyline posts in this thread. New players should refer to the other "WOC" titles posts in this forum. Please post OOC comments in itallics and clearly indicated. All characters currently posted are allowed to be played in this, although I may request some minor changes at a later date if they prove necessary.

The marketplace on Porys was full of people, swirling eddies of shoppers, delivery men, travellers, and men with loud voices advertising their goods by word of shout. It smelt of a mixture of hot food, rubbish, and people. Jerunn Sompone, aged twelve, liked places like this – the more crowded it was, the less likely someone was to recognise you. From his vantage point crouched under a large stall selling pottery, he could see the parts of people he liked best – their money pouches. By mid-morning, he had already slit three with his short knife, allowing their contents to trickle silently into a velvet-lined bag. It was a pity that, from the look of things, he only had copper coins today, although admittedly he did have a lot more time, and even the paltry amounts he’d earned today were enough to let him eat tonight.

Jerunn watched the crowd’s legs, waiting for someone who looked rich to stop at the stall – someone with fancy shoes and the kind of clothes that cost half a fortune to buy. It was hard to predict, due to the crowded nature of the market, but easy once someone got near enough.
A group of people passed the table, and several were close enough for Jerunn carefully remove his spoils. He took a look carefully, surveying their feet, and decided on one, obviously a woman, whose legs were clad in dark leather. Most likely it was someone who liked to play at looking dangerous – exactly the kind Jerunn liked as they were never careful with their money. He leaned out slowly, holding out his silent bag and neatly slicing along the bottom of a dangling pouch. Rewarded with the feeling of a weight in his bag, although it didn’t have the characteristic liquid fall of money, he caught at the strong, sugary perfume of one of the companions of his victim on the air, and coughed.
He froze, ready to run, dodging through legs and make his escape. However, the woman didn’t even look down, and Jerunn caught a vision of her shadowy, regal, yet somehow cold visage as she turned away, apparently having not noticed him. Heart beating, he retreated into his hiding place, and drew out his prize.

A long knife, inscribed on one side with a sign resembling a crudely drawn human ear, edge glimmering in a ray of light drifting down through a small gap in the table overhead, slid out of it’s simple scabbard. Jerunn looked on in fascination, turning it over in his hands in rapt approval.

Kell Anor, wandering back to the hidden but shimmering gateway, smiled to her companion. Vithessa grinned back, and spoke a simple sentence, each syllable perfectly formed in the expression of contempt and victory.

“Now, he is ours.”


***Three years later, Imperial Year 1236.***

It was a town, like any other. It smelt of it’s docks, like most seaports in the world, and the docks themselves were a hive of activity – sailors, merchants, wizards, wenches, travellers, Caius himself, boots wet with the water that inevitably inhabited the decks of ships. All in all, it was a very nondescript town, which only heightened Caius’s sense of having been here before. Only the cliffs, foreboding and hanging over Rueay Town like a cloak in the evening glare reminded him that this was one of the few islands in the south reach he had not set foot on in all his long lifetime. The fait tips of the blood-red sunset pervaded the sky at this time of day and this time of year pushed hesitantly at the edges of the blue expanse above, where daylight still ruled.

He made his way down the gangplank, nodding a goodbye to the captain of the ship. He’d been a good man, and Caius had been able to learn a lot about the current state of the world from him. Apparently there was trouble brewing in the southern archipelago – anti-imperial sentiment was growing down here, and there was talk of open rebellion in some of the more selective sailor’s taverns. That could be useful, as, as far as Caius had decided, the less nosy imperial customs posts and highway patrols the better, although a total loss of control in the south could be disasterous.
He stopped for a moment to admire the lapping sea, and the weatherworker, carrying a heavy-looking crate of books that were doubtlessly part of his cargo scowled at him, so Caius made his way down quickly, before standing to one side to let the disgruntled magician past.

Jarvis was standing under a large sign for a tavern called The Tame Hawk, trying to look inconspicuous, and failing. He looked the same as he always had – like a skeleton with rounded off corners, still wrapped in one of those black cloaks, as he had last seen him, far too long ago for Caius to worry about. He was holding what had obviously been a flaming torch the night before – Caius would have to talk to him about that, it made him noticeable. His scowl indicated that he had seen Caius, but to avoid any unwanted attention, Caius took his time making his way through the bustling crowd to the inn door. Catching the witch hunter’s gaze, the other man simply nodded. Caius had known Jarvis long enough not to bother with much in the form of greetings. Deep down, both men held a bizarre sort of respect for each other, but neither were willing to show it.

“How many?”, said Caius, keeping his voice low enough for other people to hear without actually understanding any specific words over the general hubbub of the port.
“All of them, save the Hunter” Jarvis muttered, his eyes scanning the street. “Most are here, but I’ve got Whispered Word keeping an eye on Hunter.”
“Good. Why not Hunter. What’s wrong with him?”
“Her. We should talk about this later – I know for a fact that that old bastard Bhugan’s here, and I suspect there’s more.”
“Well, go inside, sit down or something. I’ll come in with you later, after I’ve had a good look around. ‘ Pays to be informed, and if we know what this place is like, we’ll find it a lot easier to outsmart him if he tries anything.”

Caius nodded once in the direction of the inn doorway, and Jarvis turned, and pushed his way into the inn while Caius stood still, lazing against the wall indolently for a moment, and making saw no-one had been watching too intently, before sauntering off into the evening light, and the town of Rueay. Hopefully everything would go well this time.

OOC : That was the introductory post for Caius in WOC. If you wish to introduce your character, please post something describing their arrival in Rueay Town, culminating in their arrival at or in the vicinity of the Tame Hawk Inn. Alternatively your character can start inside the Inn already. (The Tame Hawk is a large inn catering for all kinds of patrons, from the upper classes to the peasantry, as long as they can pay.). Expect some more background on WOC over the coming few days, including a timeline of recent and important events..

[Artificial Idiot]

Jarvis pushed his way into the inn, scowling at everyone who even dared to give a look of protest. The fact that he was a Witch Hunter and had walked the lands for years beyond memory had given him a feeling of superiority over others. Not so much disregard, or a feeling that they are scum. Perhaps it was bitterness, perhaps Jarvis didn't feel superior at all. Maybe it was an act, whatever it was, like so many things in Jarvis' life, he wasn't saying.

The inn was the typical dark, dusty, barely lit pit you found on these small islands. In most places in fact, and Jarvis could say that from experience. The barman in the grubby, stained apron of the trade, the barmaids floating about, leaving little to the imagination. There was also the typical array of customers, street walkers starting early, various mercenaries and the odd noble, surrounded by body guards, looking in to see how the commoners lived.. or in it for a little adventure. It sickened him.

He shook his head, he would have said he had better places to be, important people to burn. But he could already see that some of them were here, and as soon as that useless dog Caius got back, they'd rally them! It was the day, the day Jarvis has waited for a long time ago. Yet, he felt a bit hollow. As if something wasn't quite right. This wasn't going to be as easy as it seemed.

Thoughts of that fat bastard Buhgan flowed into his mind, not to mention the Hunter. He remembered his last words to the "guardian" he had left there for her. They weren't pleasant, some may call them a threat.

"Can I get you something, Milord?" Said one of the barmaids, breaking the Witch Hunter's trail of thought. He said nothing, but stared her down. He saw the unease grow on her face, then she scuttled away. People knew better then to push their luck with a Witch Hunter.
Jarvis sighed, shaking his head. He sat down by one of the tables, waiting for Caius' return. He had a feeling the wait would be longer then he'd hope.

[MrHappyPants]

" Clack.... clack... clack...." Went Kilvox's wooden sandals against the cobble stone

"Clack... clack... clack" Kilvox walked slowly with much tact and dignity in his step slowly eyeing the town around him. Occaisonally pushing his white hair form in front of his eyes. He noticed a man on the street not to far away was staring at him. Kilvox walked up to were he was sitting on the ground leaning out against a building. He was holding a bottle in his hand. Thought for a moment about talking to the man but decided best against it and walked past.

It had been a long days talk... he could use a rest. But where the Inn was, was quite another question. Kilvox came to a stop and looked over his shoulder, and back at the man who was staring at him before... he was still staring. Kilvox turned and walked back to him. He stood no in front of the man not to not more the two feet in front of him.

"Do...." Kilvox started
"Not from around here are you?" The man interrupted
"No..." Kilvox said coldly
"Well let me be the first to welcome you to Rueay Town!" The man fell over and then proped himself upright again... obviously a drunk.
"....Thank you...."Again coldly
" Can I help you with anything lad?"
" Where is the Inn?"
"Oh the in... I go there all the time!" Very little surprise " Just go to the the next intersection go left and it on that street cant miss it!"
"...Thank you..." Kilvox then turned and walked off.
"Or was it to the right? Oh well" Said the man then he dran from his bottle.

Kilvox found out after walking down a very long street that it was infact to the right.

Finally the Inn. Kilvox walked in and noticed first off the noise. Drunkards singing and chattering like no one buissness.
He stood the for a minute... The barmaid came over to him.

"Can I get you something?"
Kilvox just stared at her.
She smirked and walked away after awhile. Kilvox found a corner and slipped off his Sandles and sat upright, full lotus postion on the floor. Maybe something interesting would happen.

[tagbert]

She sat briefly on the crowded docks, staying simply to ensure that her goods were handled carefully. She had promised her own crew a respite from their chores upon reaching this foreign island, but she didn’t quite trust the foreigners. No one who employed magic-users could be trusted. Alay scowled as a deckhand almost dropped a crate of spices, but a second helper caught it and they lowered it safely to the ground. Sickening. She felt like walking over to them and giving them what for, but she restrained herself to glaring in their direction. One of the hands must have noticed, however, as they quickened their pace. Alay rose fluidly from her perch and headed into town. She could always complain to their manager later if any of her goods were damaged. It was a small town, yet even small towns had nobles, and nobles always needed their expensive pleasures. Most, anyways. After an hour’s walk in town though, even Alay’s pragmatism began to waver, more depredation apparent than sumptuous villas. She scowled again, and headed for the common section of town.

“A small dagger Milady?” a meek voice murmured from the safety of a peddler’s wagon. Alay looked over to see a small man, though not as short as she, holding a bejeweled dagger in his palm, it’s gilded hilt reflecting the sunlight. “T’is quality work, it is, imported - made by some of the finest Imperial blacksmiths.” Glancing at it a second time just to satisfy the peddler, she gave it an appraising look.

“It is a fine blade, well balanced,” she said, testing it in her hand. Odd. Quality daggers were hard to find, she should not have thought to find one in this backwater village. Perhaps it was imported. “How much for it?” she inquired hesitantly, she hadn’t much gold with her, though if all went well during her stay, that would be remedied.

“T’is not but five gold pieces Milady, for such fine work, look at this work on the hilt, truly a masterpiece…” Alay pressed the coin into his hand, which closed greedily about it, disappearing into his tattered clothes, and placed the dagger within the folds of her cloak. She was aware that the peddler was listing off some of his other trinkets nasally, but she waved him off impatiently and headed into the streets again. The emblem on he dagger bothered her vaguely; the tiny tower carving almost identical to…

She became aware of a sign over her head, proclaiming that she stood at The Tame Hawk. Excellent. It was the first inn she had seen, and while far from the most reputable she could have wished for, it would be good enough. She suspected the crew would rather stay aboard the ship, but it was cramped at best and she imagined her absence would not be long regretted. She stepped into the musty inn into a scene possibly more chaotic than the streets had been. She glanced about the dank, crowded place a moment until she found a vacant seat near the door. She sat down leisurely and looked around the inn some more. An unsavoury group, the lot of them, but she would manage.

“May I get you anything Milady?” the barmaid said wearily, Alay supposed she had an unpleasant sort of job.

“Just a water please, and I’d like a room for the night.” Alay glanced about the room one more time as the maid bustled away. Yes. It would do. If nothing else, her stay would be interesting.

[LeFire]

Wheels.

Aspen Velacroix needed wheels.

It came to her in a dream a week ago when she was camping in the forest... a fabulous construction of wheels, pulley and her own beloved-and-much-tinkered-with long bow. Nearly falling out of hammock in excitment, she had hurriedly penned a few calculations and notes, drawing up plans for a "wheelbow".

She spent a couple of days seeking wheels from various unfortunate farmsfolk around the area, but the best that they could offer (in fact, ALL that they could offer) were wagon wheels the diameter of a man's outstretched arms. Hardly a convenient size to mount on her bow.

And then it came to her... boat rigging had wheels, pulleys and the like. And where did one find boats? Rueay Town of course! And so Aspen was soon treading on the streets of the place on her search for boat rigging.
It proved to be harder than she expected... the sailors were especially fond of their rigging, it seemed. And Aspen wasn't eager to 'try out a sailor's life' with any of them. Thus, no deal.

Finally, she decided to wait for night... when a little bit of ranger stealth might just yield a boat rigging wheel or two. That meant that she had to put up somewhere... and the town wasn't the best place for stringing a hammock and calling it a day. Pickpockets were all around, and she knew that using her whip on those kids was hardly ideal. So an inn it was.

Somehow, she ended up stepping into the Tame Raven.

A quick exchange with a barmaid yielded her a room for the night, but she wasn't yet ready to turn in. Absently thinking of various configurations for her bow, she found herself a seat at the bar, lost in a world of her own.

[Master Chris]

Jade, once known as Miriam Terrat, had watched the town of Rueay for a few days. Who or what she was tracking had ventured into the town a short time ago. Jade had never been comfortable surrounded by the suffocating walls that any large town or city had in abundance. However, Jade's quarry had taken refuge within the town and that meant that Jade had to follow.

As a mage in complete harmony with nature, it was Jade's duty to protect life in all shapes and forms. Whatever Jade was chasing had traced a path of death across the entire island for weeks. Partially eaten, now maggot infested creatures, slain without evidence of any struggle, lay upon brown and brittle grass. Jade had empathetically felt the anguish and pain of these victims ever since the elusive spectre had set foot upon the island. Jade had finally cornered her quarry, now she had to venture into the town and confront it.

***

Mortimer had spent a miserable few weeks upon the island, miserable weeks that had felt like a hundred years. Yet, his task was not yet complete, and until it was Mortimer had no choice but to continue onwards. As he had tracked his way around the island Mortimer had felt something chasing him, as if enraged by Mortimer's presence. It felt odd. Still, Mortimer had bought himself some respite by entering the town of Rueay. Whatever had been following him hadn't seen fit to venture inside of Rueay.

With a little more breathing space Mortimer had gotten back to business, and Mortimer's business was death. Cursed with a body infested with plague and disease, Mortimer had, for almost his entire life, a curious Mitus-esque touch. Except that instead of turning things to gold, he sapped the life from those who he touched. What was even more curious was that draining the life from his victims weakened Mortimer immensely, and the only way Mortimer could regain his strength was to consume something that was no longer alive. Though, the fresh, cooked and nutritious meat that other people ate were no use to Mortimer. His palate favoured only flesh that was rotten. It was a terrible existance, Mortimer had never been able to get used to the rank taste of rotten meat and he avoided eating as much as possible. This left him in a perpetually weak state.

Still, Mortimer had a lot of work to do before he could allow himself to starve to death and finally end his wretched life. Next on his agenda, the Tame Hawk, an elitist tavern that catered to those with money to spend on unnecessary pleasures. All the while children starved to death for want of basic vittles like bread that wasn't mouldy and clean water to drink. That was Mortimer's self-imposed mission, to punish mankind for its mistakes.

[Toxic10x]

Roh rolled over in his cot, mildly ill from the rocking of the boat. Through a small round window, he observed that the night was beginning to descend on the vast sea, and on the island growing in the distance. He opened his satchel and looked inside. There was not much to speak of, but then he was used to making due with minimums; it was a lifestyle that suited him. He reached down and felt his coin pouch, surprisingly full, he thought. He had never had much need of money before.

He turned again in the small cot so that he was no longer facing the window. It wasn’t helping his motion sickness. He thought perhaps he would try to sleep and escape his ailment, but his mind kept wandering back to the events of the last few days.

Roh was unsure exactly how long it had been, long enough for him to lose track, anyway. He was out in the fields away west of his home a few miles, watching the sheep graze. The night was cool, so he built a fire, and made himself a supper of some heavily salted mutton. He had enough left to last him another few days, at which point he figured he would return home for a day or two, and perhaps he and his step father would go in to town to sell some of the fatter sheep to the butcher.

As he thought of such things, the fire dwindled, and he fell into a light sleep. The night deepened, and so did his slumber. Through most of the night he did not dream, but just before dawn, a strange image entered his mind. He was standing on a beach (though he had never seen one in the waking world) with the surf washing over his ankles. It was night, and there were many stars in the sky, but the beach was shrouded by mist, and there was no moon to light it. From the mist, he began to discern the figure of a man. The man approached and soon Roh saw that he was a tall figure with a stern, sharp face. He had long flowing brown hair, and a smart brown beard that rimmed his mouth. He wore a deep green robe edged with golden threads, and held a heavy wood staff in his hand. He looked deeply into Roh’s eyes, and spoke.

“Rohgaphast!” he said. “You have long sought me, though I suspect you do not yet know who I am. However, I believe the answers shall begin to come ere you wake.” Then, the deepness left his voice, and almost rasply he said with urgency, “Seek me! Leave this life which is not your own!” And then, he began to drift out across the water, out to sea. Roh tried to follow, but he could not swim. He waded out into the water, pursuing the figure, who was now enveloped anew in mist. Roh felt the water stirring, and waves began to crash upon him, the figure was gone from all sight now, and the water closed around him, and he was blanketed in darkness. To his surprise, the water was not cold, but searingly hot!

He awoke from his dream with a start. All around him a low fire was burning. He leaped up, and beat at it with his blanket. With some effort, the blaze was extinguished. Panting, he sat down again, and considered the incident. He was fairly sure the fire was not a result of the smaller fire he had built the night before; that would have burned down long ago. Roh continued to sit and think until the sun rose.

At this point, he decided he had best climb to the top of a small rise so that he could take a count and make sure none of sheep had been scared off. When he reached the top, he was pleased to find all his sheep accounted for. He glanced down at the place where he had slept, and made an intriguing discovery. The fire that he had awoken to had burned almost a perfect circle in the grass. From the circle extended four lines; one pointing north, one east, one south, and one west. Inside the circle above the southern line, there was another smaller circle of charred straw. Though he did not recognize it, Roh was certain it was a rune of some sort.

“Clearly, there must be some meaning to this symbol.” He said aloud. He ran back down the small hill to the place of the fire, and grabbed his blanket and a short stick. He rubbed the stick over the dew laden grass, and then dipped it in to the ashes of his fire from the previous night to form a bit of makeshift ink. Then, taking his blanket, he carefully scribed the rune on to it. He waited a few moments for it to dry, then folded it and put it in his pouch. He quickly gathered his other belongings, took up his crook, and set out to collect his heard and return home. Surely his step father could answer his questions about the mysterious rune.

As he trekked across the open country of Plema, something occurred to him that he had not had time to consider before. The man in his dream had called him “Rohgaphast.” For all he could remember of his life, he had been called only “Roh.” He did not even take a last name, because he never knew who his real parents were. He had frequently asked his step parents about them, but they only responded by telling him that they would let him know when the time was right. The man in the dream had said that Roh would begin to realize who he was before he even awoke. Was the man Roh’s father? Who else might know to call him Rohgaphast instead of Roh? Roh quickened his pace, he had much to ask his step parents.

Finally, as he crested the last rise before his home, he saw the quaint cottage nestled at the edge of the forest. But something was not right. The door to the stable was open, and there was no sign of the horse, and the door to the chicken coop was also ajar, and there were blood and feathers about it. As he looked closer, Roh saw the glass in the houses windows was broken as well.

Forgetting his flock for a moment, Roh took off running toward the house. The scene became more grim the closer got. Finally, he reached the door- the lock had been broken off. He rushed inside, and panickedly shouted, “Mother!? Father!? I have come home, where are you!?” No answer came. The inside of the house appeared to have been ransacked; the furniture was overturned, broken dishes lay about, and the valuables were smashed on the floor or missing entirely. Finally, he stumbled into the bedroom, and there he found his step parents. They were both laid out on the floor, dead. They were clearly slain with swords. A great gash had been made in either of their throats. There was no sign that they had fought back; they were peaceful people.

Roh dropped to his knees, and for a long time he wept. His step father had never been able to get out of debt with the local lords, encroaching on Plema from the south, but Roh never thought it would come to this.

Finally, when all his tears had fallen, he dug a grave for each of them, and buried them solemnly. He weakly muttered a few words that he thought appropriate for a funeral to himself, and went back into the house.

He spent the night sleeping outside, unable to remain in the place where his family had been killed. As he lay under the sky, he made a decision. He decided to leave Plema, and the life he had known, before it was spoiled entirely by the dukes and lords and other nobles who stretched their greedy hands toward the land of Plema. He did not want to be there on the day they finally overtook it all. Perhaps his dream was the answer, perhaps he must seek something, out over the sea.

The next morning, he made the necessary arrangements. He went into town and exchanged his small flock of sheep for the largest pouch of coins he had ever owned. Then, he returned home, packed as many provisions as he could in to a leather satchel, and set out southwest across the plains, crook in hand.

He was making for the land of Mira. Though it was heavily populated with the dukes and lords for which his resentment continually grew, it was still the location of the nearest port…



Roh was stirred out of his reminiscing as the boat took a sudden dip. He sat up wearily and rubbed his eyes. Sleep did not come easily to those with such matters on the mind.

There were footsteps approaching form above, and the door to the small room opened gently. One of the ships crewmen stuck his head in, and said,

“We’ve arrived in Rueay, master shepherd.”

Roh thanked him, and gathered his things. He left the cabin, and stepped out on to the deck. He looked out at the town before him. All around, there were twinkling lights coming on in the village, but it was not exactly a quaint scene. There was motion everywhere. The docks were full of sailors and travelers bustling past each other, and the streets beyond were no less crowded by merchants and townsfolk. There was quite a general uproar emanating from the whole scene.

OOC : VOES : Sorry tox, I have to snip your post up (to get rid of the horrible white colour :p)

[VO]

OOC : VOES : This bit is by toxic, not me :)

Roh breathed deeply, and began to walk toward the gangplank. The captain was standing near it, and Roh paid him the required amount for the trip. The captain smiled with his remaining teeth and said,

“Good luck to ye lad! I hope you find what you seek ‘ere.”

Roh thanked him for his service, and proceeded down the on to the docks. He was suddenly aware that he had reached his destination, but that he was entirely unsure where to go next. As he contemplated this dilemma, he observed a small boy sneaking up behind someone, and cutting their money pouch from their waist. The boy covetously tucked the pouch under his arm and hurried off in the opposite direction. Roh determined that this was certainly not a safe place to sleep outside, and determined he would do well to find an inn.

He left the docks, and proceeded up a stone street that seemed to be the main road. Off to the side, he saw a building with a wooden sign hanging over the door. The sign read, “The Tame Hawk.” Roh considered that he had never met a tame hawk before, but it sounded like a safe place to spend the night anyway. He walked inside the door, and observed a rather eclectic crowd, some of whom looked up at him briefly, before returning to their drinking, uninterested. Roh was perfectly happy with the lack of attention he received, and asked a barmaid if he could be given a room.

She led him upstairs to a bedroom in the corner of the edifice, with windows overlooking the main street. He put his bag on the floor, and leaned his crook against the wall. He lay down on the bed to try to sleep, but his mind was far too busy for it.


Sorry it's so long, I actually had to split it in to two posts because I was over the "10000 character limit" :-p Ciracks half of the tale, coming soon.
edit: lol, it automatically consolidated my double post in to a single post anyway :-p

OOC : VOES : As an important note, your counterpart is not a PC and doesn't need to be introduced here - I can incorporate RD's into the story at this point, but not anyone else for now. When your counterpart turns up in the storyline you can feel free to use them :)

[Wesforce]

Aisha peered from the salt-encrusted porthole of the ship her dwindling gold had afforded her passage on. Leaving aside the humiliation of being forced to biy the way out of your own birthright like some withered old hag of a war refugee, the sight wasn't quite what she had expected.

The clutter and bustle of a port she had seen before, but the ships she saw where the unlovely, blocky yet sturdy designs of Imperial shipyards. The buildings here were grey and ornate, not the stark white sandstone of the towns and billages of her home.

People of many races pushed their way through the crowds, trading. Arguing with each other, fighting, shouting in their guttural tongues - There were natives of Galch, like her, Easterners, Northerners - But overall the populace carried the sickly-pale, slightly overweight look of the Empire's citizenry.

She was most intrigued, and looked forward to seeing what this new, alien land had to offer her. She'd only taken a glimpse of the port and already she'd overrode almost everything she'd learned from the Library of Neozeed.

Perhaps I will get around to writing for my own, one of these days. Natually, it will be a tale of my triumphant return...

A knock at the cabin door. She'd forbidden anyone to do so but her burly manservant, Al-Hazeeb.

She made herself decent, and opened the door to her faithful ally. He bowed, and crossed his arms in the posture of respect.

"My Lady. Leader of boat say now leave. We make to dry ground."

"Very good." She told him. "Bring my belongings up on deck, and instruct the Captain to bring the crew below deck while I depart."

She'd kept utmost secrecy on this voyage as yet - No telling what would happen if the agents of the treacherous usurper discovred her whereabouts.

***

An hour later, and Aisha had finally made her way from the Quayside - She wore her robes to conceal her rich clothes and jewellery. She sat side-saddle on her Desert Stallion - Noting with consternation the odd looks her horse got, due to its small size in relation to the native's animals. Al-Hazeeb led the noble animal, keeping anyone from coming too close, while the rest of Aisha's trappings rode witht he seond horse, lashed behind.

Aisha had her blade with her, under the travelling robes. She carried it everywhere, these troubled days.

A rather shambolic, grey establishment drew her dark eyes. But then every building hereabouts was shambolic to what she was used too. Nevertheless, it was bloody damp here, grey and miserable, and cold.

"We will rest here, and ask the locals where we can find a place to retire to."

Al-Hazeeb nodded, and grunted.

[VO]

Caius made his way through the twilight back to the inn. He’d let a fair hour pass, hopefully allowing Jarvis to become part of the scenery, and not be identified with him by anyone who may be inside. He’d also been around the small town as the evening drew close, tasting the cool sea breeze and keeping an eye out. The local population seemed fairly friendly, the merchants not overtly successful but surviving, and imperial presence limited, save for the customs offices, complete with visible guards and bald-headed clerks, and a legion galley moored on the south-east docks. All over the town, the scent of food pervaded even the salty sea air, and having worked up an appetite along with a knowledge of the surroundings. Caius made his way back to the Tame Hawk, past the emptying docks, intending to warm himself with a tankard of their strongest brew and a bowl of the standard “don’t ask stew” offered by most dockside inns, a mixture of fish, potatoes, and whatever other ingredients were at hand. It was something that over his long life he had learnt never changed, and was quite thankful for.

Opening the swing door, he entered the inn, picking his way through tables from which a variety of faces looked up at him – and he was pleased to see that he recognised some of them not from memory but from prophecy; the the prophecy that had been drilled into him as generations of people in the world outside passed by.

In one of the booths near the wall sat Deciever, a young woman of vaguely southern appearance, complete with a man who looked suspiciously less than a man. Forgotten, a young-middle aged woman was seemingly engaged in some kind of conversation with another bedecked in soldier’s uniform over a table, and one who could only be Honour Warrior inexplicably crouched on the floor in a serene position, while the Faithless One rolling a round piece of wood idly with one hand as she waited for something at the bar. He didn’t recognise any of the others, but didn’t expect to; most of the people in here would be simply a co-incidence, such a thing that would not exist for those Chosen for the task. Picking his way to the bar, he made his way to sit carefully near Jarvis, yet near enough to the ranger woman for her to hear their conversation. He caught the attention of the barman, who moved over, rubbing a cloth over a supposedly clean glass as barmen often do.

“What for you, stranger?”. The barman smiled, still rubbing his glass
“Something strong please. It’s been a long voyage” Caius flipped a coin across, the bench, which was picked up by the barman and replaced by a frothing tankard of ale. Caius took a sip of this, put it down again with a look of disgust, and found contentment in observing discreetly those who would hopefully fulfil the prophecy.

[Nyerguds]

"Get back here!"

Shyeah. As if. Jerunn thought, while running away. He didn't think the man had much to complain about... it would've been a lot more embarrassing to him if Jerunn had stolen the necklace before the man gave it to his girlfriend. Besides, there was always something... graceful about stealing a necklace from a woman's neck.

But the man kept chasing him.
Great! Jerunn thought, and grinned. That's instant profit.

He turned into one of the small streets, away from the crowds that filled the streets of Rueay.

He calmly walked on, until he came to a cross-section. Then, he turned around, and smiled as he watched the man run towards him.
"I know... seven different ways of escaping this place in such a way you're not able to follow me." Jerunn shouted at him. "So if I were you, I'd just stop and listen for a moment."

The man slowed down, and looked at the surroundings. A small corridor between two houses that weren't completely built against eachother, an open basement window, a pipe hanging down leading to the rooftops... the man immediately realized Jerunn was right.

The kid grinned. He had used this place many times. "Here's the deal... you pay me half of what you paid for it. I saw you buy it, so don't bother trying to mislead me."
"And you think I believe you'd give the necklace back then?"
Jerunn grinned. "Let's put this this way then..."
He grabbed the necklace and threw it away. The man wanted to yell, until he noticed the piece of jewelry hanging on a nail sticking out of a wall.
"Now... as you you see..." Jerunn grinned, "I can't immediately get there. But I'll tell you how to get there if you pay me. If not... well I'm a lot better than you in throwing rocks at it to get it down. But that might damage it."

The man got angry. "DAMN YOU, THIEF!"
"Hey now..." Jerunn laughed. "You can go back to your girl with a heroic story of how you got the thief to return her necklace!"
The man sighed, grabbed a few coins and threw them over to Jerunn.
"Won't do." Jerunn replied. "I said half of what you paid."
Jerunn's victim grumbled something incomprehensible that didn't sound too nice, took two gold coins, and threw them to him.

"Thank you, sir!" Jerunn said, while skillfully catching the coins in mid-air.
"Now, to get to that necklace, there are two ways. First one, as I said, is to throw stones at it."
Jerunn grinned as the man's face turned pale. "And... the second?"
"Look to your right and you'll see there are some holes in the wall. The trick is to hold on to that beam sticking out there while climbing up. That's all."

The man frowned, and looked at the place the necklace was hanging. Jerunn could see he was seriously considering the stone method after seeing the acrobatics needed to get to the necklace.
Jerunn would just have loved to keep watching, but not now. He had money, and quite a bit of it too.

Let's go find some kind of inn, shall we? Hmm.. Tame Hawk is the closest.
He quickly disappeared in one of the small alleys, leaving the man alone with his problem.

***

Jerunn walked into the shady inn, and looked around. Some weirdo was sitting in the middle of the room, on the ground. For a moment, Jerunn considered 'accidently' tripping over him and stealing his money... but he didn't want to make a show if he still had to do the 'drunk kid' act later.
He whistled to the barmaid. "Some stew, please. And a light ale!" he said, while grabbing some copper coins. The gold was for his stay for the night... probably in a different inn though, after what he was planning here.

[Artificial Idiot]

Jarvis tapped away on the table, gazing into the light of the lantern just to the right of the table. Nobody appreciated a well made fire these days, not even a torch. Nothing could light the way like a flaming torch, especially when it's as good a weapon as your sword. Better in some cases. Lanterns just didn't cut it, very poor lighting capability, not to mention the fact that they had no direction or controllablity. You want to use a lantern as a weapon? What do you do? Throw it on the floor or in the face of the enemy? Highly unstable, too unstable for even Javris' liking.

He shook his head and looked around. They were coming now, almost all of them were here. Jarvis blessed the Goddess under his breath, then noticed Caius, drinking away at the bar. Just like the immoral fool he is. Jarvis considered approaching him, after all, they didn't have all night.

"Excuse me sir..." Once again, that confounded barmaid had broken his trail of thought. "I'm afraid if you don't order something, I may have to ask you to leave."

Typical of any Inn. You can sit here as long as you like, as long as you keep buying the drink. He didn't want to draw attention to himself, but he didn't want to eat or drink whatever the local slop was here either. Only one thing for it.

"I'm on business." He muttered, not even turning to look at the woman.

"Oh..." The barmaid said, a little taken back. "Please... d-don't make a mess then."

"Not a word." Jarvis said in a sinister tone, hand on the hilt of his sword. The barmaid nodded sheepishly, walking away. Jarvis looked around the room, thankfully nobody had noticed, except Caius. Who was trying his best not to frown in the Witch Hunters direction.

Jarvis sat back in his chair again. He trusted Caius to come when he was ready. Well, it was more a case of having too then wanting too.

[Nyerguds]

Jerunn, having finished the meal, grabbed the pint and drank from it. He didn't particularly like beer, but it was cleaner than the water he'd get in most inns. Besides, he needed something to make his breath smell like alcohol, and wine was too expensive.

Jerunn wasn't the type to get drunk. He knew he needed about three pints of this stuff to feel a bit light-headed. Luckily, none of the people in the inn were aware of that fact.

He finished the pint, put his face to 'Drunk', and started walking through the customers like a zombie, occasionally bumping into them.

Most people he bumped into just laughed at the drunk kid. At that moment, none of them had any clue that their money had gone missing in the two seconds it had taken the kid to 'adjust his orientation' and walk on.

Jerunn 'accidently' tripped over the weirdo sitting in the middle of the Inn. The oddball was even kind enough to help Jerunn up... but even he didn't notice his purse was gone. In fact, Jerunn couldn't believe how careless the man was with storing the money; as if he didn't know he could be robbed.

Then, he bumped into someone that didn't laugh. Far from. Jerunn felt something hard under the cloak too. This was bad... very bad. This guy was wearing armor. Had to be a mercenary or something... and those guys knew when they were being robbed.
He looked up, and stared at the sour face of Caius.

[VO]

"Well," said Caius slowly, keeping his voice low under the babble of the inn, and making the single word carry the meaning of a thousand. "Thief". Jerunn gulped, and considered kicking out at him and running in the confusion, but he was far enough into the bar to know that someone else would manage to get in his way. One hand clamped as strongly as steel around his arm.
"Thief?" the boy's voice came out croakily, and Caius could see his mind racing through his eyes.
"Thief," said Caius, reaching down and pulling open the child's draw string bag. "And a skinny little one at that." He placed one hand into the loot bag, and drew it out, whistling softly, while still keeping the boy held still. "And quite a haul for one so young."

"I never did it you can't pin anythin' on me", said Jerunn, squirming slightly, and looking for something to distract the foul old man who had apprehended him. "Whatya have against a little honest thiein' anyhow, most of the people in here can afford it, stuffin' their faces with..."
"Shut up" said Caius, and Jerunn did. Caius smiled, and Jerunn thought he better should to, while the grizzled man hailed one of the barmaids.

"Lass, my friend here would like to buy a round for everyone in here... he's had a profitable day and would like to celebrate, right young'un?"
Jerunn gulped again. A round for everyone in here - would just about empty his pouch, even with the extra he'd just gained.
"Yes, maam"
"There's a good lad", said Caius, still grinning. He pulled up Jerunn's bag and tossed it onto the table. The maid eyed it glibly, then snatched it up and scuttled off to begin filling glasses frantically.

"Aw man, why'd ya do that," said Jerunn, realising the man had let him go. "You could'a least turned me into the guards, I gotta friend there who just takes a tenth and lets ya go..."
Caius turned away, looking across the bar.
"Lets just say there'll be a chance for you to earn alot more than that if you stick with me - and with no money, I'm probably your best bet to get out of here in a town that will have your face nailed to every wall by tommorrow morning if you so much as leave this building." Jerunn heard the words run together in the low, slightly threatening whisper, and watched as the old man smiled again, and reached out for his hand. "I'm Caius, by the way."

***

Caius waited for the hubbub to die down, as the tankards of frothing ale were passed around, and the now almost empty pouch was returned to his owner. His little extortion of Jerunn had had it’s desired effect – everyone in the inn was just a little loosened up now, and Caius knew he could spin them something they couldn’t resist. Taking up his half-drunk brew in one hand, he stood up, and stepped onto one of the low stools by the bar, placing him a good head above anyone else inside. Heads turned to see what he was doing, and, fixing an expression of drunken good-naturedness onto his face, lifted his tankard in the signal for a toast.

“Ladies and Gentlemen! I propose we honour this fine boy Jerunn with a toast!” Voices murmured in agreement, and he could feel the boy who had taken up a seat beside him cringe. “It is not often that we see such generosity in this cruel world!”

“To Jerunn!” Jarvis had obviously caught on, and stood up, knocking his stool backwards with a clatter. “For he is a fine boy and a credit to this fair isle!”

With this conformation of the toast, the inn broke out into talk, as others raised their glasses in salute. Caius noticed the bare-footed easterner scrabbling with one hand for his missing money, yet with the other holding his tankard aloft too.”

“FOR JERUNN!” The inn now exploded with sound, foamy froth sloshing from raised drinks, and a general call of approval for the boy, who’s face was turning to deeper shades of purple with each person joining the toast. Caius noticed that some of the entourage did not join in – including the ranger girl who was with some intention looking at some scratching she had made upon one of the cork mats at the bar. Nethertheless, Caius new he had caught the assembly’s attention, and capitalised on it.

“Alas,” he said, amplifying his voice but stepping down off his stool, so he no longer appeared above the others in the barroom. “’tis not such a benevolent world out there. This boy has shown me that generosity is sometimes at the heart of men, and I now have hope.” Caius spat inwardly, but knew that the overly dramatics was necessary for the theatrics and would work on this room full of slightly tipsy people. “For my inheritance is in question, and I am in need of some brave souls to assist me in it’s reclamation.” Caius looked at Jarvis, and on que the witch hunter stood up, and spoke in his booming voice, “What manner of trouble do you have, good sir?”

“One that mayhaps would grace the annals of history in it’s vile treachery, good sir. My late father who lived to well past a whole century recently passed away, leaving his large estate and business to myself, as his oldest and I hope wisest son. However, my villainous half brother has long sought to usurp me, and, since my good sire died while I was away, has laid claim to his land and all that is upon it.” Caius slipped into a more melancholy tone, suitable to a drunkard, and continued. “It is left to me, good sir, to journey to the lands of the reach in order to raise help, a few good soles, to help me reclaim my birthright – a few skilled with sword, bow or some other weapon, a few able to convince the minds of man, a few who are brave enough to fear no evil in the quest for justice.” Caius scowled to himself again, cursing his having to slip into this tone, that normally spouted from the empty minds of noble Mirans, and continued. “Is there any here who could help me, when the only proof of my word I have is this.” With a flourish, Caius drew from his own bag a blood-red stone, the size of a thimble, an shimmering with the colour of riches,and lifted it so the thin light from the lanterns inside shone through it. “This stone is all I have of my honoured father’s legacy, and all I can show you, in the promise that it is but a fraction of what reward will be available ere we reclaim my lands. IS ANYONE WITH ME?”

Caius exhaled deeply, and almost collapsed into his chair, emptied by the rousing oratory. Already Jarvis was standing, and calling out his support, and across the room he could see the chosen of prophecy already answering the call.

[Nyerguds]

"Nice stone... baaad story." Jerunn said dryly to Caius. No one else heard what he said anyway; the inn was too noisy. "Seriously, just the stone would've been enough. Don't rape the little storytelling talent you got with something like that."
Caius looked down to Jerunn. "You might do it just for the stone.... but I'm not so sure about the rest."
"Yeah right. I'm not that stupid. One stone proves nothing. You're a mercenary. The trip you talk about won't involve any dead father or other relative of yours, and it'll most likely end up killing us all."
"Us? So... you're coming?" Caius replied.
"Hell yeah. But don't you think it's because of what you just pulled. The people I stole from are drunk, and the inn keeper got all the money. He's happy, and he'll still be happy even if he knew I stole the money. Just a lil' redistribution, but in the end it ended up in his pockets anyway. No way I'll get my picture on the walls for something like this."
"Then, why?"
"I can't spend my entire life living on the streets of some dirty city. Besides, looks like you need me. There isn't a single decent guy in this whole inn."
Caius smiled. "Decent? You're a thief."
"And you're a liar. Tell me which is more decent."

[LeFire]

"No... it doesn't add up."

Aspen muttered to herself as she scratched more calculations onto the mat with an arrowhead, her tankard of free ale ignored. According to her mathematics, the wheelbow would require much thicker arms in order to accomodate the force unleashed by the pulley system.
It was bad... but Aspen had a fall back plan. The arms of her wheelbow could be strengthened by specially treated yew bracers, but they were expensive to obtain and fit, and she wasn't exactly a rich noble.

Her ears pricked up upon hearing the word 'reward'.

The equation was a lot simpler this time:
Help that old fellow = gold on hand = yew bracers = wheelbow.

Tucking the arrow back into her quiver, she approached the big man. Strangely enough, he didn't seem surprised as he turned to face her... as if he had expected her to come to him sooner or later. There was a scruffy kid at his side, but Aspen paid him no attention, until she noticed that the little guy was eyeing her money pouch. She brushed the pommel of her whip and gave him a quick warning look.

"Greetings... I'm Aspen Velacroix".

She tipped her head in greeting and extended a hand, brushing back the hood of her cloak in a gesture of friendliness. Caius noticed that she ddn't bother with removing her gloves, which were lined with a black crystal material that he couldn't recognise.

"Seems like you need some help... but we're all business people, so let's negotiate a price, shall we?"

[Nyerguds]

Jerunn looked back at the lady, completely unimpressed. He knew he could easily catch the whip if she'd use it... it wasn't any different from catching gold coins, except that it might hurt his hand if he wasn't careful.

But he felt there would be a boring conversation between the two, so he walked away.
Caius shot him a warning look. "Stay out of trouble." he whispered in his direction.


Jerunn sighed. Like I got any choice. A lot of people are still looking at me, despite his poor storytelling.
One of these people in particular intrigued him. It was the man that had stood up to reinforce Caius' story. He looked kinda scary, but Jerunn didn't really care. If Cauis wanted him so badly he'd blackmail him into staying in the Inn he couldn't imagine one of his accomplices being any danger to him.
He walked towards the man, and sat down on the ground, leaning against one of the table legs.
"So... you're with him, right?" he said, softly.

[Toxic10x]

ok folks, once again I apologize that this is so long, but this is the last of the background info, so subsequent entries should be shorter. thanks for puttin up w/ me :p



Once again, Roh found himself laying on a bed, but entirely unable to sleep. His subconscious and conscious were drifting gently in and out of each other, as he recalled the rest of his journey since he had left Plema.

After he had initially struck out, he walked for many days across the open rolling hills and wide fields of his homeland. Eventually, he reached territory he had never seen before, and he pressed on. Before long, he found a road heading southwest, which he followed for many miles.

For the first several days of his journey, he did not encounter anyone along his path, but now as he followed the road, there was an increasing number of strange folk passing by. Some were simple farmers on horses, carrying their goods about, others were old merchants pushing along carts and selling trinkets, and yet others were nobles, pulled along in horse drawn carriages.

In time, the increasing number of cottages led Roh to believe he must be in the land of Mira. Most of the buildings were run down, their thatched roofs barely thick enough o stop a stiff breeze, let alone a heavy rain. In front of many of them, sickly thin children were playing, but there was no light of joy in their eyes. Roh detested the thought that one day the dukes would do this to his home.

Finally, in time Roh came upon a city, though he did not know its name. He had never before seen an area so densely packed with buildings and people. As he walked the busy streets, he saw many of the same manner of people as he had seen on the road, only there were far more richly adorned nobles about, and far fewer peasants. It was clearly a city of some prestige.

Feeling weary, Roh sat himself down on a bench. He took a few sips of water from his flask, and let his mind wander back to the night of the fire in the field. He had taken the cloth on which he scribed the rune with him, and he took it out now to study it again. Suddenly, he felt oddly as if someone was watching him. He turned around, and behind him was a merchant selling various peculiar wares. The merchant wore a deep purple cloak, and had a long nose and thin lips. His eyes were veiled in shadow.

He did not appear to be watching Roh, as near as he could tell, so Roh resumed studying the rune. Almost immediately, however, the feeling of being watched returned. Suddenly, Roh was inexplicably panic stricken. He turned quickly and raised his hand. There was a small ceramic pot flying toward him, but it exploded in fragments and dust before him, and sailed about in all directions, but missed him entirely.

He looked around, perplexed for a moment. It appeared that the pot had come at him from the merchant’s booth, but why did it explode? Had someone thrown a stone at it? Had he hit it somehow when he raised his hand? He examined his knuckles, but as he had thought, there was no sign he had touched the pot.

“That,” came the voice of the merchant, “is an impressive trick you have!” Roh saw he was grinning a wiry grin, but he wasn’t exactly aware he had performed any kind of ‘trick.’

“Did- did you throw that at me?” asked Roh, shyly.

“It slipped from my hand, as I went to place it on a shelf,” replied the merchant, smoothly. That seemed unlikely to Roh. “Come boy, tell me what that is you are looking at?” he said, extending his hand toward the cloth with the rune. Roh retracted it defensively.

“It is nothing.” He replied.

“Indeed,” answered the merchant, his crooked grin stretching even further. “My name is Scho’Kah. Tell me, what is yours?”

“I am called Roh.” Came Roh’s answer. “But-,” he hesitated, “But my name is Rohgaphast.” At this, the merchant grin stretched fully from ear to ear, and he cackled deeply in his throat.

“Indeed! Indeed!” he said, stepping out from behind his booth. Roh wished he could see his eyes under his hood, it made him uneasy. “Please, Rohgaphast, won’t you join me? I know someone who I think you would very much like to meet.”

Roh did not know what to make of this Scho’Kah, but he saw no reason not to trust him, so he began to follow him down the road. They took many streets and turns, and Roh became quite lost, but finally, they reached the edge of the city, and indeed, a port. Roh had no idea he was so close to the ocean, and yet, there it was.

Scho’Kah led him along the street by the water until they reached the edge of town. They came to an iron gate, with an armed guard manning it. The guard seemed to know Scho’Kah, and let them pass. They walked up a long path, heading back away from the sea, which finally ended at a house of great size, indeed, a mansion. As they approached the door, Scho’Kah said to Roh,

“I will introduce you to the master of this house. He is a powerful noble, and he will have much to offer you.” Roh could not imagine why a noble would possibly want to meet him. Whoever it was, Roh was fairly certain he did not want to meet him. “Come!” urged Scho’Kah, opening the great door, “Lord Anglore awaits!”

Roh entered the building, and found himself in an impressive hall. Two large carpeted staircases rose up on either side, and there were several carved doors. The walls were decorated with the heads of various beasts. “Wait here.” Ordered Scho’Kah, and he hurried off to the door at the back of the room, and disappeared behind it. For some reason, Roh was compelled to follow even though he had been told to stay. Perhaps we would take just a peek, he thought. After all, the door was left slightly ajar.

Roh crept up, and peeked in. he could see a large table upon which sat more food than he had ever seen at one time. There were roasts, fowl, fruits, breads, and several different bottles of wine spread across a large table, lit with large dripping candles. At the far end of the table sat a tall broad man with bronze hair. He wore a well tailored fur covering, and several layers of rich blue robes. Scho’Kah appeared to be speaking excitedly to him. Roh tried to listen in.

“…Yes, he destroyed the pot without even touching it! But what’s more is that rune. I’m certain of its origin m’lord! Believe me, I have seen it before! And his name, he told me his name, and it was Rohgaphast. Surely you know its origin!”

“Perhaps,” answered the man. “And perhaps not. “A cheap parlor trick and ann old scrap of cloth are hardly proof of anything, though they often seem to be all that you are good for- Hedge wizard.” The man practically spat the last words. “Bring him here! I will judge his worth for myself.”

Scho’Kah began to make his way back to the door, and Roh hurried back to the center of the hall where he had been told to wait. Scho’kah poked his head through the door. “The Lord will see you now.” He said, and retracted himself. Roh proceeded through the door, and entered the great dining room. It was even more ornate than he had gathered from his glimpse before.

Scho’Kah was standing to the side, and he said.

“To the great Lord Cirack Anglore, I give you Rohgaphast, shepherd of Plema.”

Cirack eyed him, and smiled smugly. He took a bite of an apple he held, and then suddenly heaved the fruit at Roh. Roh put his arm in front of him to guard his face. The apple hit him on the elbow and split open, spraying mush about. Scho’Kah frowned for the first time, but Cirack laughed aloud.

“Yes!” he laughed, but his voice quickly became serious, almost hostile. “That was quite the impressive trick. Tell me boy, are you known for the quality of your apple sauce? I assure you my hall has had better.” He then rose from seat, and almost shouted, “I was told I would receive a good show! But instead, I have merely lost a fine bit of my meal!” He banged his hand on the table, and took up a tall candlestick with a candle burning on it. Scho’Kah made as if he was going to speak, but thought better of it. Cirack brushed past him, and began advancing quickly on Roh. “Let us have your trick, boy!” he shouted, and swung the candlestick at Roh.



Roh covered his eyes, but even as it was bearing down upon him, the flame on the candle went up in a great flash, and burned down the full length of the candle in an instant. Surprised at the flash, lord Cirack dropped the candle stick. For a moment, all was still and silent. Then, slowly, and inappropriately loudly, Cirack began to clap.

“Yes…” he said. “Yes! Haha! Perhaps you are of some worth after all. Guard! Give him a room or I shall have your head!” A guard jumped up with a start, and a look of genuine fear was on his face.

“Come along m’lad.” He said, and led Roh out of the room. From the dining hall, Roh faintly heard Cirack laughing, and saying, “His power- it will be mine!”

Roh was lead to a small bedroom. He was surprised that there was even such a small room in the house, but it was still well decorated. He sat down on the bed, and thought to himself that he was not at all comfortable in this place, and that he did not like this Lord Anglore at all. Still, he was very tired, so he lay down to sleep.

Almost immediately, he was deeply dreaming. He found himself in his old home with his step parents, but they did not appear to be aware of him. They were sitting at the table, enjoying some tea. Suddenly, the door burst open, and several armored men burst in. Last of all entered lord Anglore. Roh’s step parents rose up, and fled back in to the bedroom, but they were quickly grabbed by two of the men. Roh followed, and he shouted to his step parents, but it seemed no one in the dream could hear him, and all he could hear was a ringing in his ears, and the pounding of his heart. Cirack finally approached his parents, whowere being held fast, and he hissed a few words at them. Roh’s step father started saying something, begging it appeared, but Cirack hit him across the face, and shouted. Roh step mother began to cry. Cirack drew a dagger, and as his arm swooped down across their throats, Roh screamed, and the whole scene suddenly fled away from him, and became very distant. He found himself again on the beach, under the stars. He was crying. Suddenly before him appeared a weathered old man in rusted armor. He turned his head, and his eyes were warm and shining. He extended his hand toward Roh.

Suddenly, Roh shot upright in bed. It was a dream, but Roh was certain it was the truth- Cirack had killed his step parents! He quickly gathered his things, and headed for the door. He opened it a crack, and saw that Scho’kah was heading down the corridor toward his room. Thinking quickly, he opened the window and clambered out, half climbing down the ivy and half falling to the ground. He started sprinting toward the gate, which had fortunately been left open by the guard, who was busy talking to a merchant a few yards down the road. Roh charged through it, thanking the stars for his luck. Just then he heard Scho’Kah’s voice from the window shouting, “Seize him! Do not let the boy escape!” but Roh was already well on his way down the road, and the guard was unable to run very quickly in his armor. Roh felt relief sweep over him, he would soon be safely at the docks.

The relief was quickly washed away though, as he heard the sound of hooves in the distance behind him. Glancing back, he saw that riders indeed had issued from the mansion and were giving chase. He pounded his feet faster on the stone road, and finally entered the crowded docks. He searched frantically for a place to hide, and let his feet lead him up a boarding plank and on to a small ship. Still running, he bumped right in to the ships captain.

“Woah there lad,” said the old sailor. “Where might you be going in such a hurry?”

“wherever this ship is sailing too!” panted Roh. “I have enough to pay, but we must shove off at once!” he said, holding up his large coin pouch.

“Woah, calm now my boy. We are indeed ready to set sail, but…” replied the captain as he saw the horsemen approaching from down the road. “You didn’t steal that money, now did you?”

“No, I swear I did not! Please, we must be off at once!” Roh pleaded. He saw that Scho’Kah and even Lord Anglore himself were amongst the riders.

“I’m not sure why.” Said the captain, “but I trust you, lad.”

The captain gave the orders, and the boarding plank was pulled in, and the ship shoved off into the harbor. They were a good ways away from the dock before Cirack arrived at the waters edge. There was a great rage in his eyes.

“You have made a very foolish mistake boy!” he shouted over the water. “You have not yet escaped!” and then his words were drowned out in the sounds of the wind and the surf. Roh breathed a sigh of relief.

He later found out from the captain they were heading to a place called Rueay. Roh had never heard of it before, but it had to be safer than Mira. What a strange day he had had.

Roh suddenly snapped oout of his trance to a loud noise. He had wholly lost himself in reminiscence, and gradually came to remember that he had taken a room in The Tame Hawk. The noise appeared to be a chant in the tavern below. Everyone appeared to be repeating the name Jerunn. Shortly after that, a man began a speech. Roh could here it surprisingly well- his room must have been directly over the speaker. It was an intriguing story. He seemed to have lost his inheritance to a cruel sibling, and was seeking help in reclaiming it. Roh was feeling much refreshed, despite the fact that he hadn’t gotten any actual sleep. So he decided to go downstairs and enjoy a drink.

He exited his room, descended the stairs, and entered the tavern. The crowd was very jovial, and everyone was still raising their glasses and toasting this “jerunn.” Roh walked up to a friendly lloking man and said, “Excuse me, but would you mind telling me who gave that speech a moment ago?”

“Why Cer’ain’y, muh boy!” replied the man, who was a fair bit drunk. “T’was that fellah o’er there at tha bar!” he said, raising his drink in order to point. Roh was shocked at who he saw. It was an old man with a keen eye. He was wearing a cloak, but he had allowedit to open slightly, revealing rusted armor. The face was unmistakable, it was the man from the dream. He had almost forgotten the man, having been so troubled by the vision of Cirack killing his step parents, but it came back to him now- The man in rusted armor, extending his hand, standing on the same beach where he had seen his father. Roh took in a deep breath, and approached him.

[Artificial Idiot]

Jarvis had never even sat down again. He'd spent a moment putting on some more fake cheering in accordance to Caius' tale, he hated doing it. But reminded himself it was all for the good of the Goddess. He had to give Caius some credit, he'd always been good at starting a drunken riot. He noticed the boy, Jerunn coming towards him. Perfect, that was all he needed.

"So... you're with him, right?" The boy said softly. The Witch Hunter glared at him for a moment, before simply saying.

"By chance." Even though the Witch Hunter knew there was no chance involved, he didn't want to undo what Caius had done.

"Then you know the real story behind all this?" The boy asked, far to inquisitive for Jarvis' liking.

"He's a man out to reclaim his inheritance." Jarvis said simply. "Nothing more to it."

Jerunn just smirked. He was smarter then Jarvis had put him down for, or perhaps it was just that he was actually sober. Most of these men were so drunk they'd believe any sob story Caius could put on.

"I'm Jerunn." The boy said. "If you haven't already heard."

"You can call me the Cardinal." Jarvis said coldly.

[MrHappyPants]

Kilvox's ears perked up at Caius' story.
"An adventure..." He thought, "How intriging."
He stood up and walked to where Caius was standing.
"Sir...." He said.
Caius turned and grinned at him. The was silence the to just stared at one another.

After a long pause Caius' grin turned to a stern frown. Finally Caius broke the silence.

"Out with it lad!" He spoke.
"I will help on you cause. I am at your service.... Alert me when yo need me." Kilvox returned, and with that returned to where he was previously sitting, on someone had taken his sandals.

Kilvox looked through out the room. He saw a man sitting across the room trying on his sandals. He walked across the room to the man.

"I believe to have something at belongs to me." He spoke. The ma stood up, he was about two inches taller the Kilvox, and about the same build.
"What are you goinf to do about it?" Asked the man and then he poked Kilvox in the shoulder.
Then it happened... a punch was thrown, so fast that if you blinked you would have missed it. The man fell to a floor bleeding from his nose. The room went silent for a moment... as the man screamed in pain. A few seconds later the room went back to it normal hussle and bussle. Kilvox looked at the mans buddies who where staring in dismay. Unlike thier buddy the knew what the various black cloths around Kilvox meant, and they weren't in too much of a hurry to follow the lead of thier friend.

Kilvox picked up his sandals and took them to back to the corner where he was sitting and sat down again.

[VO]

TOX : Please please please post in a normal colour.

Caius quickly dealt with Aspen, and if he’d actually had been telling the truth would have been horrified at her honed bidding skills. They decided on a fraction of the total value of the fictitious estate, which would vary depending on how many other mercenaries were left to collect the reward at the end, and would be quite substantial even if they all were still after it. The strange easterling also had volunteer his service, and at no cost. So far so good.

A small young man was making his way across the barroom, dressed in a rough sheepskin tunic and bearing the features of a humble Pleman. He picked his way through the drinkers like a man who had never been in a bar before, and as he approached, Caius recognised something in his face.

The boy opened his mouth to speak.

Rohgaphast.

Caius watched as a thousand memories flashed before him, before finally settling on the one he knew. A girl’s voice screamed in grief, from the sands of forgotten Charlac, and the forbidden sounds of the gateways whistled in his ears.

Rohgaphast.

Caius extended his hand to greet the boy, and it was taken in return. They met eyes, and from the brown irises of the shepherd flooded the memories of a thousand years before.

“Roh. So glad you could join us.”
Caius’ voice was almost strangled, and came out in a harsh whisper. Tears rushed to his eyes, and were barely held back.

Rohgaphast simply nodded.

[Wesforce]

In her corner, Aisha had watched the happenings with interest. These people were very fond of the Water of Disoruientation, and less than fine wines. Aisha had ordered some forma plump, curious barmaind. She had Al-Hazeeb taste it, while the man in the centre of the room spoke. The Manservant neither keeled over or turned blue, so she took that as a good sign.

The unfamiliar ales tasted of hops, and heled warm her against the cold.

What warmed her even more was the tale the newcomer was spinning.

Tales of treachery and deception. Her ears prickled.
Reclaimation of rightful inheritance. Her heart fluttered. She and this stranger had something in common!

When Aisha saw the stone, she was sold! She forgot all about the story, which she didn't care much for anyway.

That would boost my wealth - and my cause - Immeasurably! And with all these fighters in one place, too... Too good an opportunity to miss!

She got up. Al-Hazeeb got up, too. She made him sit down again. No need for the brute's mindless intimidation right now.

Several of the Tavern patrons had approached the man on the stool already when Aisha introduced herself.

'Lady Aisha de Neozeed, kind sir. Oi'm skilled with sword and bow, but its me skills of the word that fell my enemies. '

[tagbert]

Alay eyed the mug of beer in front her suspiciously. The alcohol itself was not what intrigued her; the innkeeper's reputation would be ruined if he drugged, and no one else had been alone with it. No, it wasn't the beer. It was the boy. How did a boy so young come across so much money, and why would he spend it so freely on strangers? She pushed the mug back, in any case, she abstained from drinking anything but water and wine, and her pouch wouldn't support wine these days. She shoved the mug at a disgusting drunk stumbling about the end of her table and turned away as not to see the mess he made. Disgusting, these common folk. She eyed the boy again suspiciously, who was talking to the well armoured man and several new companions beginning to crowd around them. He seemed the wealthy sort, to be flashing gems around like that - some nobles were so stupid. Either wealthy or brave. Possibly lying, the story was hardly convincing. But she didn't know him well enough to judge him on that yet. Such fine gems were hard to come by though, even for the wealthy, the cut was exquisite.

Sighing resignedly, Alay stood, pushing aside her empty water glass, and headed for the gathering while pulling up her cloak. She doubted any in this God-forsaken, mage-ridden land would know her or her name, but a little caution never hurt. Much, she admitted to herself. They do look rather knowledgable... She stepped nimbly past the drunk at the end of the table and the several subsequent drunks beyond him. Beer turned even the mosr reputable men into idiots. She passed the odd, violent man wearing black as he returned to his spot on the floor from his conference with those she sought and spoke to the same man as he had.

"Hello," she spoke smoothly, failing to hide her Western accent. Alay grimaced inwardly and continued, no use attempting to hide it now. "My name be Alay." No need for a last name. None need know that. "If you would have me, I do be honoured to join your party." Alay mustered as much sincerity as she could into her voice and hoped to cover her doubts. She raised her face, still covered by the cowls of her cloak and waiting for a response. Waiting she could do. It was something she was quite adept at.

[CKW]

Music. The flute started to play once again. Revealing a sad tune. Radiating the suffering from the owner. The beauty of an impossible struggle...


Ray looked back at the hands. Stained with blood... The delicate built that once they had... now under strong, swordsman hands. When this pain started... Seven years ago. How many people she had killed, she didn´t know.

The flute continued to whistle its sad tune. The entire world seemed to understand this burden. Music was the language of the soul, and the world was answering.

The world. The world had been a cruel place. Father. He met an horrible death. Mother. She was forced to lose her honor, then bloody murdered.
The fire of the mansion. The same fire that was burning in her heart.

Ray continued to play. With the dirt-covered clothes of a soldier.
With the appearance of a soldier.

"Good tunes, mister."

A voice, among the crowds of the ones gathered for drink, food, or shelter.
Mister. A lady dressed as man. She had to do it. Despite how badly she wanted to, no one would train a lady to be a soldier. So she had to disguise.
It had started seven years ago...
She served the Empire. And she would do again.
After clearing a personal issue. With blood. The one from the murderer of her family.

And after three months wandering around, retired from the army, there were no clues.

And the flute switched its sadness to anger.

[LeFire]

The deal had gone off smoothly... Within ten minutes, Aspen had managed to weasel service pay, equipment insurance pay, hardship pay and separation of kin (not that she had any to speak of) pay from Caius. She thought about sticking a fake child support pay on him, then thought better of it.

He agreed to pay the whole thing in land. Which of course, could be resold.

[Nyerguds]

Jerunn laughed softly. "Pathetic." he said, while watching the people being bought with nonexisting land and a vague promise of gemstones.
Sure, Caius would have something to pay them with, in the end, but Jerunn knew it would be better not to set his hopes too high. He wondered what they were really going to do on the journey.

His thoughts were interrupted by a cold voice. "And what makes you any different?"
Jerunn turned his head to Jarvis and smiled. "The fact that I fully realize I'm pathetic."
He stood up and walked back to Caius to take a closer look at the other people in the party.

[Master Chris]

Miriam had ventured into the town against her own personal wishes. At first it wasn't so bad, the outskirts of the town weren't overly unpleasant. However, Miriam's breath suddenly caught in her throat when she got close to the market place. The stench of civilisation shocked Miriam, surely it wasn't this bad back when Miriam was younger!?

The people of the town looked upon Jade with disgust, they saw her as a primitive, uncultured and poor. At first their disapproving stares hurt Miriam but she eventually reminded herself that these people didn't know any better. Striding forth with her head held high, Jade continued her search for the creature that had brought death and disease to the island.

The mysterious spectre's trail ended at a tavern. Having spent many years away from her kinsfolk, Miriam spent some time deciphering the taverns name:

"Tim Hark? Teme Heck? T..tame...Hork? Hawk. Tame Hawk."

Immensely pleased with her achievement, Jade entered the tavern.

She was greeted by a flood of unnatural odours. Jade coughed and wretched, her eyes watered and she felt awful. Some patrons turned their attention to the newcomer. Jade shook off her discomfort and examined the tavern critically. Where could it be? The trail of death leads here, it must be here somewhere. She thought.

Her boarish garb, a simple weatherworn dress, emerald in colour, drew some unwanted attention to her. The tavern-keeper, interested only money, demanded:

"Wot'll yah 'ave?"

Jade recalled her time with society, a tavern was a place where one exchanged worthless chips of metal for foodstuffs or a room to sleep in. She remembered some circular pieces of shiny metal, imprinted with images, she had picked up once and had decided to keep out of curiosity. Jade reached into a pocket and fumbled around. Eventually her hand emerged again, gripping a handful of coins. Jade laid them onto the bar and replied;

"I need somewhere to sleep. Here is your payment."

The tavern-keeper examined the money critically, satisfied that there was enough money, only just, he nodded and spoke:

"Upstairs, room four. 'Ave a good night, eh?"

Jade was about to go up to her room when a massive paw rested upon her shoulder.

"Not so fast, madam. We need to talk to you."

[CKW]

The flute stopped playing, allowing its owner to consider what had happened around her.

That deal...could be interesting.

"A quest for justice."

She mumbled to herself. Stretching her neck, she eyed for the man.
And spotted the Empire sign.

"An Empire soldier..."

Placing the flute in the pocket, and tossing a few coins to the barmaid, she procceed to walk towards that guy.

"Damn you, Ray. You are getting soft."

She mumbled to herself,while getting the bundle with her weapons.

[Artificial Idiot]

(OOC: CKW, why would your character be playing the flute in an overcrowded bar where everybody is too busy paying attention to Caius to listen?)

As the woman turned around, Jarvis found himself looking into the eyes of the Forest Walker. He knew he had to be gentle with her, he could see that she was purely disgusted by everything. Including the Witch Hunter himself. The woman didn't say anything to him, instead giving him a questioning look.

"Why don't you come and sit down with me?" Jarvis asked as softly as he could. He'd offer her a drink, but he knew it was pointless.

"You said we. We is more then one... isn't it?" She asked, slightly confused. Jarvis cursed himself inwardly, he'd quite forgot Caius was too busy to do this one.

"Yes, there is another. But he is busy at the moment." Jarvis explained. "Please, come with me and I'll explain everything."

The woman reluctantly agreed. Jarvis led her towards the least crowded part of the inn, where he ordered her a mug of water. He'd asked for a clean mug, as he knew the tricks bar keepers liked to pull, and anybody who defied even the smallest wish of a Witch Hunter often found their ashes in the wind. Well, that was the myth. You did get these fanatics who believe their word is law, but that wasn't Jarvis. Although, it never hurt to have an aura of fear and mystery about you.

"What do you want?" Asked the woman, Jade Javris had learned she was called. He noticed the unlikely pair were getting very strange looks, and that didn't really surprise Jarvis. They were both somewhat out of the ordinary.

"I was wondering what brings a woman of the forest, as you obviously must be, into one of the largest settlements on Rueay." Jarvis replied.

"I was tracking something. Something, not right..." Jade began, he could see concern growing on her face. "It was almost, unnatural. It has been leaving a path of death and decay in it's wake, and from the tracks it has left, walks like a human."

Jarvis considered this for a moment. A thought flashed though his mind, but he soon dismissed it. Surely enemy would enter this area today.

"You tracked it to this inn?" Jarvis asked, he wasn't looking forward to the answer.

"His trail ended here." Not the answer Jarvis wanted. He'd have to take this up with Caius soon. But Jarvis could not see anyone who looked suspect, but then there was upstairs.

"Well in the case, I have an offer for you." Jarvis began. "Myself and my friend over by the bar" he paused to make a motion towards Caius. "Will help you track down this "thing", on the condition that you help us on our little quest."

Jarvis hoped that would be enough to sway the woman. He decided against boring her with Caius' inheritance story and promise of material wealth, he knew it was pointless.

[CKW]

(OOC: It´s for herself.Because it helps her to think and reconsider stuff...That enough?
Or do I need to explain further?)

[Master Chris]

Jade considered his proposal. Their assistance in exchange for her own services. Quid Pro Quo. It was odd though, everyone else here shunned Miriam, why would he not? Of course, he needed her help. All things considered, Jade thought that it was a fair agreement. She nodded and replied:

"As you wish, I accept. Although I'm afraid we've not been introduced, sir. My name is Jade."

[VO]

Caius spent the next few hours watching people drifting in and out of the bar, and, as the evening wore on, it became less and less crowded. There wasn’t much that he didn’t like about bars – they were generally somewhere where you could find out much about what the local mood was, and catch up on anything you might want to need to know, which for a man in such a unique situation as Caius was very useful. He didn’t mind the drink, and also knew that this was precisely the kind of place Jarvis didn’t like, which made it even better.

He’d watched Roh drift up the large flight of stairs to the rooms above a while ago, and soon there were very few remaining in the bar – Rai, Alay, Jade and Aisha had also disappeared, leaving only himself, Aspen, and Jarvis at the bar. Jerunn, who had spent his time moving between various other people, talking and occasionally attempting to pilfer something, eventually made his way back to Caius.

“So, what now?”
Caius looked at the boy, who’s pockets were stuffed with various objects. “First, you put that lot back, or if you can’t find their owners, leave it in the corner or something. Then go get a good night’s sleep – we’re leaving first thing.”
Jerunn looked downhearted.

“What about you?”

“Well, I’ve paid for a room too, I need the sleep as well as anyone else, so get moving.”
Jerunn did so, and Caius spent a few minutes, watched the barman shut the outside door the door, and followed the boy.

***

It was late enough in the night for the sounds of the evening to have drifted away, and the light of the morning not to have shown itself. The stars shone overhead in an unbroken crown over the sleeping reach, and from the cheap attic-room on the three-floored inn, Caius lay on the straw-stuffed bed, watching the moonbeams push their way through the badly slated roof. He had no intention of sleeping – over the years, he reckoned that he’d built up enough sleep to last anyone a lifetime, and just the silence was enough to refuel him for the coming day.

From here, he could hear the street below, and the occasional hurried footsteps of whoever would be passing the docks at this time of night, a brisk tap-tapping over the cobblestones washed clean by salty water. In a few hours, they would be busy again with workers, even before dawn, but for now you could actually hear the lapping of the waves over man-made sound.

There was the sound of sharp, soled footsteps outside, from a number of people, and the clank of heavy armour in the dark. Quiet voices rustled in the darkness, and Caius could hear a whimpering sound, and a clear voice with a harsh, mocking laugh. Then there was a loud rapping on the inn door far below. Caius sat up, kicking off a spider which had been spinning a web from his shoulder to the small, decrepit table.

“Open up in the name of the Empire!”

Caius leapt up, and grabbed the armour, which had been hanging over a dirty beam. He pushed open the small, grime-encrusted window in the attic wall, and craned his head outside into the cool sea air, illuminated by moonlight. Below him, in the half-light created by a lit torch, he could see the unmistakeable silhouettes of imperial legionnaires, and, in the luminous glow, the ugly grey uniform of an imperial taxmaster, concealing an equally ugly bloated and greedy form within it.

***

Buhgan Gollick was feeling successful – in all the district of Tannid, he had had a seizure for a long time, and, from the copious rumours that had spread rapidly around little, backwater Rueay that evening, it looked likely that he would get it now. Apparently some fool had been flashing about a ruby the size of a man’s fist in this tavern, and something that precious had definitely not been recorded by the Imperial Customs (and if it had, he would have had it impounded). It made him almost quiver with anticipation, that such a prize would be his, and he rubbed his greasy hands together in anticipation, spitting bits of grime from his teeth.

The scared-looking innkeeper, bleary eyed with sleep, opened the hatch in the door. Buhgan smiled menacingly and putridly, demanding entry once again. People learned not to argue with Buhgan after the second request.

***

It took Caius barely thirty seconds to grab his armour and his baggage (with almost everything contained in as small sack it was very easy). An Imperial raid right now could not be co-incidence, and was exactly the kind of low trick he’d seen played time and time before, the kind of low trick that had before now provided a severe hindrance to the forces of light. He buckled on his weapon, and opened the door with a bang, and, cursing, tried to remember which doorway was Jerunn’s – they boy could prove useful now in waking the others, and finding a way out. He ducked, and made his way down past rooms with barely hinged entrancess. - The corridor of the building’s top story was dirty and hung with large wooden beams, lined with rows of doors to the small, sloping-ceilinged rooms beyond. It smelt vaguely bad up here, but wasn’t exactly the most expensive rooms in the place either.

While voices of the soldiers in the barroom drifted upstairs through two levels of corridors and rented rooms, he quietly pushed open the doorway to the room he hoped the boy had taken, and to his bad luck came face to face with the wide-awake forest-woman, Jade.

[Artificial Idiot]

Jarvis stood awake in the corner of his room. He was gazing out of the dirt encrusted window, the moonlight catching in his eyes. He'd had much trouble sleeping tonight, something didn't seem right. Was it folly, or caution? He was about to creep back to his bed, when he heard a foot steps outside. He didn't make much of them, drunken beggars, wandering around looking for somebody to mug. But then he heard the knock on the door and the demanding voice.

"That Swine." Jarvis whispered. He'd heard that voice during his early scouting of the island, it was the local Tax Collector. A sinister fellow, no doubt out to cause trouble.
Jarvis draped his cloak around him, lighting a torch just in case. He considered putting on his boots, but knew that stealth would be the key. Hand on the hilt of his sword, he waited with his ear to the door of his room.

***

Buhgan sat down on one of the bar stools as his men lined up in front of him. They were finely built fellows, hand picked by Buhgan himself. He looked directly at the the largest man of the group, he watched the sweat roll down the man's forehead as the Taxman gazed at him.

"Right men, these are your orders. And listen well." Buhgan began. "I want you to go though this Inn with a fine toothed comb! Leave no room unchecked, no man, woman or child unquestioned, bring anything of value back to me!"

"What do we do if we encounter resistance, my lord?" Said one of the smaller men.

"Why it is quite simple my boy, you kill them!" Buhgan replied casually. Still quivering himself from the thought of how profitable this night could be.

"But my Lord, Could we not ask the barman to locate the one with the gem?" Said another, Buhgan smiled at him.

"Why, my dear fellow. This way we can take so much more profit, and yet still plead ignorance later." Buhgan smirked. "Besides, one gem would not cover your own percentages." That instantly turned the man to his thinking. Buhgan laughed at his own scheming, there would be no percentage. But what were they going to do about it?

"You won't get away with this!" The Bar keeper yelled defiantly. "I'll - I'll... I'll tell the authorities everything!"

Buhgan burst out laughing, nothing was more fun then an upstart peasant.

"Yes, I'm sure they will listen to a grizzled old coot like you!" He had one of his men stand over the man menacingly. "Now, unless you'd like to spend a night in the dungeons, get me the largest, greasiest piece of meat you have and a tankard of ale, On the double!"

The barkeeper shuffled off, muttering curse words. Buhgan would have to raise the man's taxes later, he was getting far too cocky for his own good. Needed a good kick. That done, he turned his attention to matters at hand.

"Well, what are you all standing around for? I've told you what to do haven't I? Hurry, hurry! The night is young!" He watched the men climb up the stairs of the inn, and then a though occurred to him. Something else that made him shiver with delight. "And if, perchance you find any young maidens, feel free to give them an "invitation" to my private chambers."

Buhgan found it hard not to feel pleased with himself. Tonight was going to be a profitable night. He could feel it.

[LeFire]

Aspen remained totally still, crouched in the shadow of a building. Her little trip down to the boats had yielded three wooden wheels of suitable diameter... Excited at the prospect of being able to modify her bow that night, Aspen had nearly blundered into the men on her way back to the inn. Only her keen senses had saved her.

But now she crouched there, silent and observant as an owl. She counted heads... At least ten of them. The occasional glint of coldness indicated armour, and their boss, a fat man who seemed to hold some form of power over the others, appeared to know what he was doing. It was a raid of some sort.

Aspen considered simply abandoning the others... but she was reluctant to give up the prospect of payday. That Caius fellow had seemed pretty convincing to her. From the lack of light in the inn, she reckoned that most of the people inside were most probably sleeping.

The fat guy moved into the building... ruining Aspen's chances for a shot at him. She eased her bow into firing position, aiming at the two men left behind at the door, but holding her fire until any of her employer or any of her new-found comrades appeared.

[Nyerguds]

"I'll - I'll... I'll tell the authorities everything!"

Jerunn's eyes shot open.
"Crap! They know!"

He jumped out of the bed, quickly put on his clothes and grabbed his backpack.
He looked at the small window. He knew the surroundings like the back of his hand... but this window looked out on the street. He needed the next one; he could get on the rooftops from there.

Who's in the next room? That odd lady I think. The wild one.

Damn.

He slowly opened his door, and saw a shady figure disappear into Jade's room.

Caius? What's he doing there? But.. then it isn't him having problems downstairs...

Without a sound, he ran after Caius, into the room.

[Master Chris]

Jade had heard the soldiers in the street and taken up a position just beside the door to her room. She had only waited a few moments before the door handle turned slowly and the door swung forward silently. Holding a jug over her head as an improvised weapon, Jade waited for the intruder to poke his or her head through the door. When Caius stepped forward Jade was somewhat surprised.

"I suppose they are here for you?"

She commented. Caiuse immediately replied;

"Possibly. Empire. A few soldiers and a taxmaster."

At that point the boy, Jerunn, entered Jade's room. He spoke:

"Caius! What do we do?"

[Toxic10x]

Earlier in the evening, shortly after he had met with Caius, Roh decided that he would rather be alone in his room for a while than spend time in the bar. The encounter with Caius had been strange; he felt it had changed him. As he looked into the old soldiers eyes, he felt for an instant as if he had lived a thousand lives, and in that instant he beheld a thousand memories. He felt strangely comfortable with Caius, almost as if he had known him in some past life. In the hours that followed, Roh could only recall bits and pieces of the images that ran through his mind, but the experience had left him feeling suddenly mature, wise even. He lay down on his bed contemplating this for a time, and eventually, he fell into the first restful sleep he had had in some nights. At first, the sleep was dreamless and peaceful. Eventually though, Roh's subconcious slowly faded back to the familiar beach, only this time, it was day. The sun was high in the sky, and the white sands shimmered beneath his feet. He looked out over the clear blue water, and it seemed to him a familiar sight. He turned around, away from the ocean, and there stood his father. He looked at Roh, and slowly a smile spread across his face. Roh smiled back.
Suddenly, the beach dissapeared, and Roh awakened to a dark night in Rueay. There was noise downstairs. Roh could here the words with surprising clarity, just as with Caius' speech earlier that evening.
"You won't get away with this! I'll - I'll... I'll tell the authorities everything!" came the voice of the inkeeper, struggling between defiance and reservation. The comment was met with thick, guttural laughter.
"Yes, I'm sure they will listen to a grizzled old coot like you! Now, unless you'd like to spend a night in the dungeons, get me the largest, greasiest piece of meat you have and a tankard of ale, On the double!"
Roh was not certain what to make of this, but he was sure it did not bide well for him or his new companions. He crept over to the door, and poked his head out into the hallway. There appeared to be some motion. A large figure who must have been Caius was entering a room down the way, and a small figure was creeping along toward them. It might have been the boy Jerunn.
Roh closed his door again, and quickly collected his things, then sat down on his bed to wait. If Caius didn't come for him in a minute, he would seek him out.

[CKW]

Footsteps. Metallic sounds, assumed as weapons.

Ray quickly putted the armor back on herself, concealing her attributes. It took a bit of effort. She grabbed the long sword.

No time to use the bow. Too narrow.

She said to herself, while checking with the fingertips her blade.Blood. The blade was sharpened enough.

"open in the name of the empire!"

The voice boomed.

"Get LOST! You have no business here."

Her voice answered. So, it was one of these cheap empire raids. It happened often, goons always wanted a little extra money...

"Oh, what a cute voice you have, milady! I am sure the boss will enjoy it too."

Great, just great. She had forgot to fake the tune. Now that goon would probably break past the door. Fine with it.

Ray sided the door, expecting the goon to tear it...
As soon as his face appeared, the long sword would land flat on his face. He wasn´t worth a kill.

[Wesforce]

"OPEN UP! IN THE NAME OF THE EMPIRE!"

Aisha whispered through the door.

"Allow a Lady to make herself ready for your eyes?"

She knew that wouldn;t hold them for long - If at all, these Barbarians... She added

"I'm making safe my belongings from the Jewel-Theif across the corridor!"

Murmured voices issued from outside the door,a nd the soldiers turne their attentions away. Grabbing her personal posessions into a silken satchel, she told Al-Hazeeb: "See that they do not enter this room."

He grunted and obeyed, while Aisha ran to her room's singlalr, mildewed window and spun the catch free.

See you later, faithful bodyguard she thought, ripping down a line from the curtain rail, tying it to the windowsill catch and slding down to the cobblestones below.

A rank smell - Manure, animals. She was in the stables.

Even ranker breath came from the soldier guarding them.

"WELL WELL WHAT HAVE WE HERE!" He grinned, envisaging the next addition to his boss' 'personal collection'.

"I am but a servant." Aisha breathed. "To the Lady of My realm. Allow me to introduce her..."

She fingered her robes - They fell to the ground. Then the midriff of her silken dress disappeared. The Goon loomed closer...

*FLASH*

The jewel-encrusted blade did it's job. Before he could make a sound, Aisha tipped the disembowelled guard into horse trough. Several of the animals bayed - Aisha grabbed her robes around her to protect her dress and hid behind her dark horse.

When Caius eventually arrived here - For surely he must be fleeing these troops too - Maybe she could persuade him to leave with her and her alone...

[Artificial Idiot]

"This is an Imperial Raid!" Said a voice from outside Jarvis' door. He backed away against the window. "Open up in the name of the Empire!"

Jarvis said nothing. He rested his hand on the hilt of his sword, the other holding the torch at a reasonable height and length away from his body. His thoughts flashed to Buhgan. That bastard, that utter bastard! The grip on his sword tightened.

"This is your last chance! Open up in the name of the Empire!" The soldier yelled again.

Again, Jarvis said nothing. He bend his knees slightly, ready to attack if he needed too. He watched the door creak as one of the man's boots slammed into it. It happened again, and again until the door was forced open.

The Witch Hunter left the two largely built men that entered no time to talk. He pounced on the first, sword first into a weak point in the armour. As the man recoiled in pain, Jarvis slammed the torch into the other man's face. The scream was ear piercing, but it wasn't the first time Jarvis had heard it. Nor would it be the last.
He swiftly slipped his feet into his boots and ran out into the corridor, pushing past the two injured men. The one had started to recover, the other never would.
He saw Ray down the corridor, fighting an armoured man.

"Ray!" He yelled, beckoning her. "Follow me. We need to get to the others."

Jarvis ran down the corridor, without having a clue where Caius had got off too. Although, his best bet was in some poor barmaid's bed.

[VO]

“Jade, go and wake Roh, he’s in the next room down I think. Then see if there’s another staircase down or something.”

Caius spat out the words, thinking fast. As far as he knew, Aisha, Jarvis and Ray were downstairs, and he was sure Aspen could take care of herself, although he hadn’t actually seen her come upstairs. He needed to get everyone out of here as soon as possible, and with as little bloodshed as possible. He beckoned to Jerunn, drew his sword, and made his way cautiously down the corridor in the opposite way he had sent Jade, towards the large, well-lit stairwell. Jerunn followed, with the silent footsteps of a seasoned pickpocket.

Below them, he could hear the sounds of a scuffle, and the indignant voices of guests on the lower floors being searched. He thought he heard Jarvis, but couldn’t be sure and really didn’t care about the bugger either. It wouldn’t be long before the guards made their way up here, and, if he knew the enemy, they’d have made sure every one of their lackeys could recognise him, even if they were barely grunt soldiers.

Caius flattened his back to the wall, edging past a bracketed torch at the top of the stairs. He motioned the Jerunn to put it out, and peered around the landing, taking in the heavy packing cases and bundles of straw on one side, and the otherwise empty stairs. That wasn’t good – nothing able to use as a club. Grudgingly, as this was really Jarvis’s forte, he took up the unburning torch, and checked as best he could that there was no-one within earshot on the stairs, and moved across to the wide, cobwebbed window looking out over the harbour. The moon was full, and cast long shadows outside, but also lit up the dockside to reveal to him that there were no reinforcements to this side of the building. As far as he could remember, the front of the inn was stone and pretentious against the harsh sea view. Hopefully it was good enough for the purpose.

Jerunn looked at him inquisitively, and Caius grinned. Jerunn’s heart sank.

“Well, boy, how well can you climb?”

***

[tagbert]

"Open in the name of the Empire!" Alay sighed as the voice commanded again; she had been hearing that phrase as it moved inexorably down the hall, stopping at every door, checking for wealth. As if they need keep up the pretense - everyone within several blocks of the inn knew of the gem and the soldiers fooled no one. Least of all Caius.

"Open in the name of the Empire!" The voice yelled again, closer, disturbing Alay's thoughts and sounds of soldiers looting the room were audible through the cheap walls of the inn. Sickening. What despicable sort of man needs that much money? she wondered, though she knew the answer. Imperials. Scum, with no respect or morals.

"Open in the name of the Empire!" the voice yelled, coming from directly outside her door. Alay opened the door swiftly, catching the soldier in mid-knock.

"How may I be of service to the Empire officer?" she asked, just as smoothly, though contempt tainted the title. If he heard the difference, he made no comment; and he most certainly would have.

"Just let us past so we may search yer room and we'll be happy 'nough." The gruff voice replied, the light from the hall outlining a bulky figure standing behind the bulkier man in the doorway.

"Certainly Officer, though I assure you I have nothing illegal hidden. And I lost most of my possessions before I could reach this fine establishment." Left at the ship, more like, but no need for him to know that. He eyed Alay suspiciously, he must have caught the contempt that time, and shoved past her into the interior of the room.

Miscreants, the lot of themThe second man procured her dagger from beneath the pillow while the first man searched her remaining possessions and found the pouch of money. "My, this dagger looks a bit costly now don't it? And why would a fine lady be carryin' around weapons of a sort anyhow?" he sounded rather triumphant, as though he had just won a great victory.

Well, they're smarter than I thought. Slightly.

"We do be faced with rough times Officer, and a lady do need some protection from bandits wandering the streets. A dagger of that likeness do be found in stalls across the town, it hardly be a treasure and I can hardly afford a bodyguard. Or do the cost of mercenaries be down now?" The man scowled and tossed the dagger down on the bed, though his fellow pocketed the money pouch.

"I don't know the price of much mercenaries," he scowled at the word, "but they have their honour. I doubt they be cheap." And the two stalked from the room, leaving Alay with but her clothes, dagger, and cloak sitting on the bed.

At least the scoundrels left me alone.

When the noises indicated the soldiers barging into another patron's room. She slipped out of her room, pulling her cowl firmly over her head and slid down the stairs slowly, though the only one who could have heard was too busy ordering about the innkeeper. She pulled the door shut behind her, feeding the same story and excuses to those guarding the entrance and walked down the street in the darkness. With any luck, Caius and his odd companions made it out as well. If not, there should still be trade in the town for her. But if they did...that gem intrigued her, even more so than she was intrigued by Caius himself. Perhaps he's lying dead on the floor right now. I could just walk away. Perhaps he's not, and the deal is still valid. She fought with herself for a moment longer in the alley before walking to a good vantage pont and observing the inn.

I'll wait. For a while anyways, he doesn't seem the type to be caught easily.

[MrHappyPants]

Kilvox Remained unseen still sitting in the corner of the bar... No one seemed to notice him for give a damn about him either. He stood up and walked up the stairs to the rooms. He was carrying his wooden sandals, so that he couldn't be heard walking. Immediately after walking up the stairs Jarvis came barralling into him.

Kilvox was knocked to the floor... and he rolled into a defensive stance like a cat ready to pounch. Jarvis readied his sword. Kilvox quickly got to his feet.
"You are the friend of the man who had the quest for us all. Tell me were I can find that man."

Jarvis lowered his sword. " I don't know where he is but if you want to find him you'll just have to follow me!"

Kilvox nodded.

((OOC sorry if this infringes on anyones plans but I had to get my charactor to join the others some how. ))

[Artificial Idiot]

Jarvis pushed Kilvox and Ray infront of him. He ordered them to run up the secondary staircase, He wasn't sure if the others were on the second level, but he couldn't afford to leave anyone behind.
He started to throw open the few remaining doors, the Imperial Soldiers not far behind now. Most of the rooms belonged to Mercenaries or thieves, who were busy gathering their things or making a quick escape though the window. A few belonged to scared families or nobles, who were too busy yelling "Don't hurt us! Take anything you want!" to do anything else.
Eventually, he found the room of somebody he did know. Roh was sat on the straw bed, his things packed and ready. It was the first time Jarvis had had a good look at him. Rohgaphast. So many memories... it all seemed so far away now. So distant.

"You! You're Caius' friend!" He said, standing up. Jarvis had no time to argue with the "friend" part.

"Roh, follow me, Now!" He sheathed his sword and grabbed the young man, pulling him up the second staircase to where he hoped he'd find Caius.

"What's happening?" Asked Roh as he tried to keep up with the Witch Hunter. Fit as he was, Jarvis had had much more practice at running away.

"Imperial Raid. Just keep running if you hold any value on your life." Jarvis replied. It must have been strange for the Shepherd, and not a very good impression of this new land.
They reached the top of the stairs, where Kilvox and Ray stood waiting. Ray was panting, the extra weight of the armour must have made it harder for her to run. And while the same could be said for their pursuers, Jarvis could hear from the foot steps that they were closing in fast.

"Don't just stand there! Go find the room that Caius is in, now!" He said to them. He figured that Caius had gathered the others on this level too him, so as much as it pained the Witch Hunter to even contemplate it, he was their best bet.

[LeFire]

Aspen waited until the woman (Alay) had gone well clear of her sights... she knew that the raiding party had been all male from their posture and voices. Any women she saw had to be friendly or innocent bystanders. The ranger wondered if she should go to her after the woman was well clear of the inn... but Aspen's primary concern was for Caius and his promise of reward. Anyone else had to be placed secondary to that goal.

And he still wasn't out of there yet.

The hiss of the arrow was the last thing one of the two soldiers guarding the front door heard. It punched into his face between his eyes, pinning his corpse to the wall like some macabre festive decoration.
His buddy beside him heard the sound and looked around. However, fooled by his comrade's still-upright posture, he failed to register just what was coming for him.

Another arrow pierced his throat, cutting away his voicebox and windpipe with its broad-headed cutting tip, especially designed for maximum destruction against unarmoured body parts by the hands of a technical expert. The Empire soldier fell to his knees, blood jetting into the night air. But deprived of his vocal cords, he could not make a single sound before everything went black and he collapsed face-first into the dirt.

Aspen eased her face off her longbow's customised crystal sights and loaded another arrow onto her bow, this time selecting one from her quiver of specials... a triple-shafted scatter version encased in a pre-etched wooden sabot meant to break apart upon clearing her bow, eitherwise called a "Splitter". It was bad news for close range work -with the potential of hitting up to three adjacent targets- which she was about to do.

Her bow ready to fire, she slipped over the exposed courtyard and into the stables where an unmistakable feminine form had rappelled down into. A friendly for sure... She recognised the woman somehow. With luck, she might have even spotted where Aspen's potential paymaster was.

[Toxic10x]

Roh's mind was whirling, but amidst his confusion he heard Jarvis' order.

"Don't just stand there! Go find the room that Caius is in, now!"

Roh quickly made his way down the hall with Jarvis, Ray, and Kilvox; an eclectic party to be sure. Roh wasn't sure whether he could trust the rest, but somehow he knew that he would be alright if he followed Jarvis- especially if they were heading to meet with Caius.
A short way down the hall, the forest woman Jade emerged from the shadow. She looked first at Roh, and then at the rest of the group, and then spoke.
"Caius is just at the end of this hall with the boy Jerunn. He sent me to find Roh, but it seems the shepherd has already found quite a few of you." She joined them as they moved to the end of the hall. As they reached the top of the stairs, they nearly fell on top of Caius and Jerrun, who were pulling open a small window.
"Is everyone here?" hissed Caius, in a barely audible whisper.
"No." replied Jarvis. "Three of the women are not accounted for, but they may have found another way out... I heard no sign of them struggling"
"Well, we cannot go back for them now," said Caius. "Let us hope we can find them outside." Suddenly, the sound of heavy boots downstairs seemed threateningly close, the empirial guards were ransacking the last room before the stair. A peasant woman's voice rose in a shrilll cry.
"Quickly!" ordered Caius. "Jerunn, Go!"

[Wesforce]

Aisha rose when she recognised the woman with the bow - She'd overheard her name. Aspen. Thinking of something to say, she looked up at a wordless shout - A scream. A scream that ended abrubtly with a dull thump not feet from where Aisha stood.

Aisha looked first at the fallen Imperial Soldier, then at the big half-a-man lunging from her window.

"My Lady! I am sorry! He got in!" Shouted Al-Hazeeb - Not mentioning the dozens of little cuts and lacerations that covered his bronzed shoulders.

Aisha said something, but Al-Hazeeb turned and lashded out. His fist hit something with a meaty thump inside the room. Aisha heard a strangled choking gurgle, then Al-Hazeeb reappeared.

"I said 'Find Caius!' And tell him we must escape!"

"Yes My Lady!" Al-Hazeeb nodded. Then he turned to stare at the door.

"You can leave the room, you know."[/i] Aisha addaed, trying not to roll her dark eyes.

Al-Hazeeb nodded affirmation and bounded off.

Aisha introduced her self to Aspen, briefly. Knowing she was part of the group, Aspen quickly filled Aisha in on the situation inside. Aspen was disappointed that Aisha didn't seem to know where Caius was either, but there was no helping that. Aisha pointed out that Caius would have to come here sooner or later, assuming he couldn't travel as fast as a horse on his two legs...

"We must be ready to leave at once." Aisha said, indicating the horses. Then her eyes went to Aspen's finely crafted weapon. Her eyes went wide... She could use that...

Maybe later.

Another Imperial soldier was nosing into the stables, no doubt looking for his friend.

He got transfixed to the wall next to his head by an arrow (Aspen had swicthed, not wasting her splitter) around the same time Aisha slashed the man';s bowel's all over the cobblestones with a swish of her blade.

"Half each?" She proffered.

[Nyerguds]

Jerunn sighed. Climbing off the wall hadn't been as easy as it looked, and the others were having trouble getting down. He looked up, and saw Caius point at the docks, further away.

Right... I gotta get a ship. Jerunn thought, and sighed, while running towards the docks. He knew no sailor would let him come aboard unless he had some proof he was serious... like money. That bastard Caius seemed pretty bent on getting the last bits of stolen money away from him.

But I'll get back on you for that, Caius. Oh yes.

He looked at the ships.
"Ah quck. Where can I find any sober sailor at this hour?"

Cheap tacked-on voes bit : Sorry I've been busy all week and haven't had time to update for a few days. I will do tomorrow.

[VO]

OOC : Sorry Tox, everyone climbing out seems a bit improbable :P

Caius looked around at the others, after Jerunn had dissapeared into the darkness. Both Jarvis and Kilvox needed a shave, he noticed, although Ray's face looked immaculately clean.

"We obviously can't all climb down there", he said, as Roh peered out into the night. "So I hope there's no-one on that back staircase." The dark air filling the upstairs corridor was cool and fresh, and the flames on the torches flickered, casting long shadows amoung the musty timbers.

Caius looked at Kilvox. "No weapon? Grab something, as we'll probably have to deal with someone on the way out." The strange easterner made to reply, but his voice was drowned out by the shout of a soldier on the stairs.

"HALT! YOU'RE UNDER ARREST!"

Instinctively, Caius leapt back to the heavy doorway to the stairwell, and saw Jarvis grab Roh back from the precipe of the windowledge. Already the Witch hunter had induced most of the others to run, and slammed the door, quickly hauling a heavy case across to tempoarily block it. He could hear bashing on the other side, and took off as well.

***

Jarvis reached the back stairway they had came up barely minutes before. Trust that fool Caius to pick a floor with only two exits. He shepherded the shepherd with him, trusting the others, more experianced to follow. Behind, there was a crash as Caius and Jade heaved a pile of large wooden boxes over, effectively blocking both their way back and their pursuers way foreward for a moment. He ducked into the small, dark back staircase, and hurried downwards for the first landing.

There, waiting, was a smirking Bhugan, and five soldiers.

[Artificial Idiot]

Buhgan attempted to brush the beef fat from his suit, before swigging the last of the ale from the tankard and throwing it down the stiars. A soldier yelled slightly as it hit him on the forehead. Buhgan cleared his throat and looked at the new arrivals.

"Good evening, This is a raid in the name of the Empire, please co-operate or face... deadly force." Buhgan smirked, he really did hope somebody would resist. He loved the smell of blood, especially the blood of rebellious peasents.

"Why don't you shove your tax book up your fat backside, you bastard!" Ray ranted. He saw the others give the man a worried glance, the man who was obviously a Witch Hunter shook his head sorrowfully.

"Well, if that is the way it is going to be..." Buhgan said slowly, trying to hide his anger. It wasn't working, his face was turning a shade of scarlet. "I'm afraid you forgot to pay your life insurance... You five, kill that man! I want his head on a platter!"

The five soldiers moved menacingly towards Ray.

[CKW]

"The torch!" Ray yelled to the old man, as she quickly snatched it. Lightning fast, the torch was flying towards one of the guys, ashes spreading towards.
It hit one of the fiends directly in the face. A disgusting burnt flesh stench spreaded, while the yells of the soldier filled the air. He took his hands to the face.

"MY face!!!"

Be quick Ray yelled to herself, while her hands made contact with the crippled soldier. The soldier walked two steps backwards before tripping, falling into the arms of his comrades. He had been pushed by Ray.

When the soldiers got rid of the situation, Ray had started to run...

[VO]

Caius grabbed Roh’s arm, and hauled him down the stairs – there was no going back, so they’d have to take their chances down below. Jade was ahead of them, but beyond that, the stairs folded back around on themselves, having engulfed both Jarvis and Ray, and only the muffled voices below could be heard, then the clash of metal on metal and a series of thuds.

He hoped that wasn’t one of his men who uttered the sudden cry. He dragged Roh after him, hoping he wasn't pulling his arm out, but knowing the necessity, leaping stairs two at a time, barely keeping his footing.

The landing was in chaos - a soldier down, the wall-hanging ripped off it's hangers, and the tax collector standing shocked, trapped behind two sprawling troopers in full imperial armour, the other two having taken off after the fleeing Ray and Jarvis. Luckily, Caius, Jade and Roh having been further behind had made the imperials think it was only the two who had run on the top floor, and allowed whatever had happened here to cause such an unlikely foul-up to occur. The three dashed down onto the landing below, where whatever had happened had occured.

Jade dodged past the sprawling limbs, fallen tapestry, and fingers of flame beginning to lick the floor, while Caius followed, stamping on outstretched fingers and barely noticing the details of the carnage. Roh followed, tripping over a leg or beam, and suddenly was jerked away from Caius.

Cauis spun, sweeping his torch through the flame so that it burst into life, and Bhugan stood opposite him, illuminated in flickering light, the his greasy fingers holding a dirty yet nonetheles sharp blade to Roh's throat, against the damaged wall and the half-danging hanging. The man had more agility and initiatitive than anyone had given him credit for.

A look of supreme terror flashed across Roh's face, and alot of things happened at once, most of them involving searing pain.

[Toxic10x]

the world spun around Roh. He was hanging on to Caius, then falling, and now he found himself in the greasy but strong hands of the taxman. He could feel the fat face grinning sadistically behind him. Caius had truned to see him, captured at knife point, and stood, usure what to do.
Without thinking, Roh's hands rose up and grabbed the thick arms the had held him. A white shock flashed from his hands, the fire in the room leapt up, and the taxman screamed hideously.
The arms released their hold on Roh, and the knife clattered to the floor. The immense girth of Buhgan was thrown back, and as it hit the side of the building, the damaged wall gave way, and stones fell in and piled up on Bhugan. Roh spun about, and looked down at the ugly, half buried figure. He was down, but he was not unconcious. He stirred as if trying to regain his senses and get up from the pile of rubble. Cold clean air issued from the newly made hole in the wall.
"Hurry!" came the voice of Caius. "Follow me!"

[VO]

Ok, I know this has been a mess. It's my fault, but bear with me, all will become less linear and easier to make choices with soon

The stars shone overhead. The sea lapped at the quays. Caius leapt into the cold embrace of the night.

Whatever Roh had done - it wasn't pretty - but he was going to make use of it. Outside smelt like animals, washing the scorched stench from his nose with something far worse, but Caius was pleased to see as shocked looking Aisha sitting, mouth agape on the floor of the small courtyard. Evidently the explosion had knocked her over, and even more evidently she hadn't landed somewhere pleasant - the rich southern noblewoman's dress was streaked with foul dirt and grime. The remains of a horse had saved her from incineration in the blast - Jade, emerging from the smoke, rushed across to it immediately.

"No time to talk", snapped Caius. "Roh, help her up, and follow me." He moved to the entrance to the stable courtyard, and spotted Aspen, face white with shock, having taken shelter behind a large pile of hay bales.

"What in the seven lands of the empire was that?" Aspen's voice, although seemingly under control, did little to control her shock.

"Just a little trick I had to use to get us out", Caius lied ; Caius didn't want to complicate the woman now with tales of magical ability. "We need to get moving, we've got a ship ready to get us off this rock now; something's riled the imperials up pretty good. Can I count on you to keep a level head?"

"Yes," Aspen added, recovering fast. She considered adding "sir", but thought better of it.

"Right. Hopefully everyone outside is now inside worrying about the explosion - all we need is the others, and get to the ship - find wherever in hell's name Kilvox and that Alay woman are, and hope Jarvis got Ray out ok. It looks like Roh might have to carry Aisha - I dunno if she's really that used to this kind of thing... keep an eye on him, and get ready to get moving"

Caius dissapeared into the darkness of the shadows at the front of the inn, leaving Aspen to think over what he'd just said. Not used to this kind of thing - wasn't he hiring professionals? She sighed, and turned to the boy, Roh, who didn't really seem that professional himself. Maybe she should help.

***

Alay had been suprised by the explosion - but nonetheless she'd somewhat expected the strange old man to try something. Now, as far as she could tell from the hushed voices in the stables, they were planning to move. Should she reveal herself now, or wait?

***

Jerunn had found his way to the keys - and, despite the vagueness of Caius's orders, was pretty sure of himself - at this hour, with the sun due to rise fairly soon, those who wished to set out early in the day and thus avoid their crew getting another hangover may be thinking about waking up and loading their ships now. He considered yelling something about "crazy old man wants to pay lots of gold for a leaky boat", but realised that might not attract the kind of Captain they wanted. He sat down on the cobblestones, and waited for a sign of life from one of the ships - hopefully someone decent hadn't taken a night off the ship on an inn, and thus would be able to be weighed by the promises of riches pretty soon.

Just then, heavy footsteps reached behind him, and a deep voice announced it's prescence.

Right, after AIES posts, everyone else should have some incentive for their character to do something :p

[LeFire]

Aspen was both confused and distracted... Confused because she didn't have any clue how to lead others, and distracted because she so desperately wanted to find out just what alchemical mixture had caused that explosion. She could rig the same sort of fireworks on her arrows herself, but it was tricky and dangerous work and left her smelling of saltpeter and charcoal for days.

But she decided to leave it for later, as she hesitated between following Caius and helping Roh.

Just then, a massive shape came out of the gloom, Aspen unshouldering her bow and almost firing before Aisha gave a short command. The shape materialised into a huge bronzed man, whom the ranger recognised as Al-Hazeeb... the noblewoman's bodyguard.

It was a simple matter for Aisha to climb onto the back of the big man as she recovered from her disorientation. Aspen was about to go running into the building to try and look for the rest of the party when a loud thump was followed by an Imperial soldier being catapulted onto the street. A trio of figures appeared, having escaped through the kitchen and out of the service door. Jarvis and Ray lead, followed by the strangely calm looking Kilvox.

The monk suddenly paused as if he had heard something, then flattened himself beside the wall of the tavern. A bedraggled Imperial appeared in the doorway that the trio had just escaped from, pulling a crossbow from his shoulder.

There were two distinct cracks followed by a thump... The first one the sound of Kilvox's sandaled foot hitting the man under the chin, the second one the sound of the man's head impacting the overhead crossbeam. The final thump was that of the unconscious Imperial hitting the floor.

The trio came running towards Aspen and the others, the ranger looking more anxious by the minute. She didn't trust that the Imperials would stay in the tavern for long before they started searching the area with a vengence... and she didn't want to be there when it happened.

[Wesforce]

The indignity of it all!

Trying to wipe spme of the muck, filth and blood from her dress and robes while being flapped about like a sack on Al-Hazeeb's bronzed shoulder wasn't Aisha's idea of fun, but it was batter than being caught in that explosion. She cast a dizzy look back at the inn and wondered what Al-Hazeeb ahd done with her personal belongings. Nothing good, no doubt, even if the maurading Imperials hadn't gotten their hands on them.
No matter she thought. I gave my whole life up before, I can handle a few trinkets and dresses.

She sobbed. Soon tears were streaming down Al-Hazeeb's back.

"The bastards..." Someone in the little group muttered. "What did they do to her?"

"Lady has been troubled." Al-Hazeeb grunted.

"Shut UP, Hazeeb." Aisha snapped. "And let me down at once!"

"I had an escape plan worked out that would have carried us all to safety, until you calamitous buffoons decided to try and blow me up with the horses!"

Aisha rounded on Caius, eyes blazing.

"And YOU, oh mysterious -" She called him a choice word in the language of home. It meant 'fellator-of-camels'. "Tell me where we are going!" So I can best think of a way to get us all going my way instead, she didn't add.

[VO]

Now everyone was here, it was time to move - but first Caius knew that, after the events in the inn, it would not be a good idea to leave Aisha's question hanging. He would have laughed at her choice of insult - she might not know it, but a couple of thousand years ago all languages in the west were just about the same - and insults like that didn't have often change much.

"We are going to get out of here, your highness", he said. "If you haven't noticed it yet, there just happen to be quite a few people who seem to want to kill us."
"So maybe you should be leading us away from here, oh great leader?" - Aisha rolled her eyes - "after all, you wouldn't want to lose your inheritance so easily, would you".

Caius was going to reply, but Jade, standing up from the corpse of the horse, spoke :
"The poor beast is dead."
"And so will we be, if we don't get moving..." Jarvis snapped. "Caius, you damned fool, what now? There are soldiers everywhere!"
"I can smash their fac..." Ray began, with appreciative looks from Kilvox, but Caius cut him short.

"We get moving - we aren't coming back to this rock in a hurry, I can tell you. Hopefully the boy has found us a ship." Following him, the group hurried out of the stable courtyard towards the docks - he was pretty sure he'd have to spin something other than the promise of inheritance to some of them if the empire managed to get in the way again; they shouldn't be bothered with such matters.

[Toxic10x]

Roh kept staring down at his hands. He couldn't understand just what had happened. He was being held, then a flash and an explosion, and suddenly the fat man was thrown half way across the room, and the wall knocked down. His finger tips were still tingling. "Did I cause all that?" he thought, and even more puzzling, "How?"
As he looked down at his hands, his crook (which was slung over his shoulder with a strap) began to slip off. He grabbed it, and something caught his eye. Amidst the carvings and design, a pattern emerged that he had never seen before, glowing with a dim blue-green light. He quickly pulled the old cloth out of his pouch- It was unmistakeable, the pattern on the crook was the same as the one formed by the fire many nights ago.
As he continued to study this strange coincidence, the glow faded from the crook, and it was once again a mass of carvings and designs- he couldn't quite distinguish where the glyph had been.
Without Roh noticing, jarvis had made his way over toward him.
"I would keep that out of sight," said he, motioning toward the cloth with the glyph, as he glanced over his shoulder. "The answers will come... Now we need to keep moving." He took off briskly toward the docks, passing down the cobbled street like a deep shadow.

[Artificial Idiot]

"I believe this is mine." Jarvis muttered, snatching the tourch from Ray's hand. "Pull anything like that again, and you'll meet my other little "friend."

He indicated to his sheathed sword, Ray went to reply, but Jarvis cut her off with a wave of his hand.

"I do not wish to speak of this again, move along." She walked away from him muttering. Another careless fool amoung the folk. And this, this destrucstion... while the flames were very pretty, the firey orange glow catching the whites of his eyes, it was still very wreckless, and uncalled for. But, what's done is done. All he could do now was curse that flaming fool Caius under his breath.

He sighed and shook his head, had a final glace of the area, to make sure they weren't being followed, then followed the others.

[MrHappyPants]

Kilvox stroked his chin. He did in fact need a shave, but there was not time for that know. He slipped his sandals on and followed the others. He watched Jarvis and Ray. Why was this man so uptight about something so inane as a torch? Kilvox dashed the thought It wasn't his place to judge.

Though he would like to know more about Caius, the man we pledge his allegience to. It wasn't for the reward either, Kilvox just had nothing better to do.

[CKW]

Damn you freaking pyro.
Ray cursed mentally, when reffering to Jarvis. Guess the idiot didn´t realize that staring at the torch, staring at it like if it were "hissss treasssure", would not saved him from the empire grunts. What was up with him, anyway?

She stared back at him. He was at the rear of the group.
Great, just great. He´s also squizophrenic. She sighed. It sounded like a woman´s sigh. In her thoughts, she had dropped off the guard.
Crap. Hope the others haven´t heard this.
She looked back at her appearance. It was dusty due to the explosion.
Then looked back.

"These are indeed dark times. Empire soldiers in the corrupted hands of taxmen."

She rejoined the others after a while.
Luckily, she had saved the flute. She took a look at it. It wasn´t cracked, or broken. It could be still used. Well, at least she would have a nice hobby wherever Mistery Man would lead.

[Nyerguds]

"Well I'll be damned if it ain't the Sompone kid!"
Jerunn brusquely turned around, but he didn't run... he knew that voice.
"Tarnioch! How ya doin' old pal!"
Jerunn grinned. Tarnioch Nefram was an old friend... a captain that had worked for his parents a long time ago.

"Soo... I heard ye got in a bit of trouble with yer parents eh? How's life been treatin' ya, kid?"
Jerunn smiled. "Ok, I guess... The streets aren't as hard as they seem, if ya know where to get stuff."
"Other people's pockets." Tarnioch sighed. "I heard, kid."
"Myeah... whatever. I need to get off this rock."
"Ye wanna leave this place? Where ye goin?"
"No idea. I met some guy that desperately wants a ship though... some Imperials seem to be hunting him 'cause he showed a pretty nice stone in the Tame Hawk."
"Heh. Stupid fellow, then."
"Hey Tarn... he could be stupid enough to give it to you, if you got a ship to get us outta here."
The old man grinned. "Really?"
"Yeah. But don't pull any tricks on us."
"You know I won't." the captain answered proudly. "I'm not that kind o' guy."
Jerunn smiled. "Yeah. I know." Tarnioch could be trusted. He was a great guy.
"Ye better not be playin' me kid. I don't have any assignments fer now, but I won't just get my ship ready fer nothin'."
"I'm not. Trust me on this, man."
"Look kid... it's not that I don't trust ye, but... it's been quite a while since we last met, an' you seem ta have a less-than-honest profession now... so..."
"So, simply put, you don't trust me." Jerunn smirked.
"Well, yeah. Ah mean, ah ain't stupid, ye know."

Jerunn took one of the gold coins out of his pockets.
"This is more than I'll ever be able to steal from an empty ship." He gave the coin to Tarnioch. "Consider it a downpayment."
The man looked at the coin. "Hmm... OK, lad." He put the coin in his pocket, and looked back to Jerunn. "You just stay outta me pockets, an' ah'll have a ship for ye. Meet me at dock 16, in about half an hour. I'll be ready."
"Thanks!"

Jerunn ran back towards the inn. He felt relieved he was able to get a ship that easily... he didn't want to see Caius angry. But he swore that, some way or another, he'd get that gold back from him.

[VO]

Buhgan sat up, seing stars. He attributed this to the knock on the head he had recieved by the falling timber, but then realised that he could actually see through the wreckage of the inn, to the clear summer's night. He shook his head, and looked around at the carnage - from here, it appeared that half the inn had collapsed, and he could see the scorched remains of one of his bodyguards who had been closest to the explosion - burnt almost to the bone, metallic armour blackened with soot. It took him a moment to comprehend this, and looked down at his hands, expecting to see them scorched beyond recognition.

They weren't ; instead they were the same slightly sickly pink flesh colour as usual. He flexed them - no pain. That was odd. He looked at the stars again, and realised that, as close as he had been to whatever in the seven hells that blast could have been, his eyes should have been fried.

He contemplated this miraculous turn of events for a moment, and watched a thin line flicker into existance before him, light shimmering through it like a crack in a doorway. Slowly, more and more light filtered through, and the gap in the air got wider and wider. A man in heavy furs and with imperialistic stature was opening the doorway, and Buhgan gasped, shrinking back. Behind the man an unearthly light flickered, as if some strange fire was burning in the air behind this bizzare apparition.

"This is him", said the man, his accent much heavier than that of the south reach.
Another voice answered, and a very attractive woman with raven hair and dressed in ornate armour moved behind the doorway. Buhgan's heart leapt - whatever this was, with a woman like that. She looked at him with distaste. Buhgan's heart sank.

"Really? I would have thought the last of our number would have been more imposing."
The man shrugged. "Oh well, at least you're not the one who has to touch him." He stepped through the gateway, and grabbed Buhgan's arm, tugging him to his feet. The woman sneered at him. "Don't argue. You're coming with us."

Buhgan nodded meekly, and stepped through the gateway, which the man in expensive furs closed behind him, leaving the island of Rueay far behind.

[Artificial Idiot]

(OOC: Seeing as voes is far too lazy to do it himself, I'm just letting you know that he is away for a week. I'll try to push on as best I can, but we may have to stop at the docks until voes gets back.)

It didn't take long for Jerunn to find the others. Try as they might to be stealthy, they were still quite a rag-tag bunch. Not your usual travellers at this time of night. Although, your usual travellers were usually drunks and beggers, so that wasn't all a bad thing. He ran up to meet Caius, he didn't look very happy. None of them did.

"You escaped!" Jerunn said slightly surprised, he'd expected somebody to get left behind.

"Barely." Put in Aisha, sarcastically.

"There will be plenty of time to explain later, assuming you actually got us a ship." Caius said sourly, he didn't have time to waste on the desert woman.

"No problem! Should be ready at dock 16 in half an hour." Jerunn grinned. "You can trust me, boss!"

"Half an hour..." Jarvis muttered from the back. "Just enough time for another Imperial roast."

"Come on, we can't afford to stand around too long." Caius ordered. "Jerunn, lead the way."

The thief gave a small sign of agreement and led them back towards the docks. Caius just continued to hope they could get away without interferance. The last thing he needed was for Buhgan to make a reapperance.

[VO]

"Move it, we need to get going", said Caius to the shiphand. "We can help if you need, but we have to leave as quickly as possible." The shiphand muttered something unintelligable, and gestured towards a pile of crates.
"Capt'n needs this lot on board 'fore we leave - you aint the only thing we're carrying remember".

Caius nodded. "Roh, Ray, Kilvox - you're all young and strong lads - give the man a hand." The sailor grunted, while the others made their way up onto deck, Jerunn leading Caius to Captain Nefram, and Caius shook his hand.
"Pleased to meet yer, sir - although if yeh don't mind me askin', it ain't exactly the av'rage kinda time for a rich merchant such as yerselfs obviously is to take to the sea. I'm Captain Nefram, of the Aremiad. Jerunn here says yer looking for passage to Astaria.
Caius nodded. "You could say that. Is it a fast ship?
"Fast ship? You've never heard of the Aremiad?"
Nefram, unphased by Caius's look of unrecognition, continued. "Arr, she's outrun imperial frigates - and ones alot faster than the local tradeships, mind you, I'm talking about the big Humbran vessels, with two decks of slaves and the meanest whips you ever seen this side of the Pheonix Kingdom. Even with half the number of men on the galley, and all of them freed on the Aremiad, aye."
"We'll talk about any extra payment when we see for ourselves. Do you have a cabin for the ladies in my party?"

Nefram looked up, seeming to only just notice the women who had followed Caius onto the deck, and the scowling Jarvis behind them. "That I do, although it may be wise for ye to keep themselves to themselves, if yer be knowing what I is saying. I'll show 'em to it now - although, you men may have to slum it with the sailors."
"While you relax in the captain's quarters?"
The seaman grinned. "Aye."

When he had left, Caius looked at Jerunn.
"Right you, go help Roh and the others. We need to get moving."

[CKW]

Crap. This is gonna hurt my hands. I guess tomorrow will have to ask Aisha to give me some hand lotion.I bet she has, too. I lost mine in the inn as we left.

"Damn it. This should make my hands itch." Ray finally shouted. Some people gave her an strange look.

"What!? I can´t play the flute well with swollen hands!"
Ray sighed. Well, hadn´t this happened a lot of times before?

"Flutes and music will don´t make this vessel go faster." One of the sailors replied."In fact, music is useless!"

"You..." Ray was about to chase the sailor, but that was not a wise idea, there were many of his comrades there. She shook her arms. And breathed.
"Ok...well...whatever...let's get on with this"
She grabbed the rope with anger.

[Nyerguds]

"WHAT?! You can't be serious!"
Caius turned to the boy. "Why not? You could use some exercise."
"Hah. Yeah right. I got all the exercise I need on the streets. I ain't exactly here to add some brute strength to your operation; you got Kilvox and Roh for that."

He walked away on the deck, and sat down. "Not like you're helping them. So why the heck would I?"

"Because I'm asking." Caius replied calmly.
"If that's asking, you're a pig." Jerunn stared intensely at Caius' face, as if he was studying every detail of it. "Although..."
"Save it, kid." Caius sighed, and walked away.

Jerunn grinned. He wasn't going to make it easy on Caius after what the guy pulled on him in that bar.

[Artificial Idiot]

Jarvis strided across the deck of the ship. He noticed the boy Jerunn was making a nuisence of himself again. Not that Jarvis' minded, he was bothering Caius. And as far as Jarvis was concerned, that was a good thing. He stood next to Caius. There was no way he was lifting boxes, there were enough men to do that anyway.

"I hope start as we mean to go on doesn't apply to this 'misson'." Jarvis said. "As you have made, to be slightly crude, a right pigs ear of this so far."

"Oh yes, and you were doing ever so much to help." Caius replied.

"I've done more then enough work while you were taking a nap." Jarvis said. "Besides, what is done is done. I just hope we get off this floating, rat-infested bucket soon."

"Not sea-sick, are you?" Jarvis had expected something like that.

"Of course not. I just find that being in such a confined space, over the deepest ocean very insercure." Jarvis knew he sounded like he was panicking, but he had a very bad feeling about this trip. "I feel that I should stay on deck to keep an eye out."

"You don't want to sleep with two dozen sweaty sailors you mean." Caius said mockingly. And Jarvis had to admit, that was a factor. "It's not like I can stop you anyway."

"The I am glad we agree." Jarvis said, slowly walking away. He decided to watch the boxes being off-loaded onto the ship. Supervising you could say. That was an advantage of looking frailer then you actually are, nobody expects you to do manual labour.

[Master Chris]

Watching the proceedings, Jade came to a decision. Better to cast aside inhibition than be caught by the imperials. She rolled her shoulders, stretched her neck and stepped forward:

"I may only be of the fairer gender but another pair of arms on the oars is nothing to be sneezed at..."

Jade felt eyes upon her, it was quite an event when a woman offered to help row. One crewman scoffed:

"'Tis an insult to the men that you offer your frail services. Madam, we are capable enough without you."

Jade calmly retorted:

"A life in nature's embrace has left me with no frailty, no weakness."

The captain snorted, amused by the woman:

"Give her an oar, her efforts could do us no harm!"

[LeFire]

Aspen, on the other hand, wasn't going to do work when she wasn't asked for it. Instead, she made her way to the cabin, checking out the place to make sure that it was secure enough for the women to sleep. A couple of suspicious holes were found in the walls to adjacent cabins, but she covered them by shifting around the meagre furniture in the room.

Finding herself without anything to do, she broke out her arrow-making gear and began making arrows, working her own brand of magic with wood and steel.

[CKW]

"Oh my, you are quite funny, miss nature girl."

Ray mocked up. It was obviously reffering to her.

"You want to help the poor sweaty sailors, don´t you? And you can´t stay with the others resting in the room? The way I see it, is that we don´t know how long this travel take nor how many trouble we will meet, so you better save your strenght to help the poorly others when is truly needed. You don´t need to demonstrate anything here"

And Ray continued with her work. Jade could not know why, but there was something odd in the young soldier, definitely.

[Nyerguds]

Jerunn laughed at the whole situation.

"What are you laughing at?!" Ray yelled at him. "You want to help too, huh?"
"I'm a kid. I don't have to help." Jerunn replied calmly. "You, on the other hand, are a man. You got no right to whine like a girl."

Ray's face turned red. Jerunn wasn't sure it was just because he made the guy angry. He didn't care either. It was just funny.

Jerunn looked at Jade. He kinda liked her. She had spirit, and wasn't afraid to stand up for herself.

"Anyway, if you're so eager not to let a woman get your job, you better get working again!" Jerunn grinned at Ray.

[CKW]

Ray redoubled the efforts, as she began to grumble
"Damn kid... I´ll teach you about shutting the mouth up..."

She mentioned a few things like "will taste the water" and else...while she was working faster than anyone else. While still working, her eyes became bright.

"I´ll talk to you later, boy."

She just said.

[Wesforce]

Aisha followed the other women down to the cabins that had been laid out for their own use, half pitiful, half enraged. The fact that she was expected to spend time on a woodworm-infested hulk like this was one thing (but she couldn't really complain, having only just gotten off one just like it), but these cabins were deemed to be fit for Ladies.

'Oh, some people just have no clue, no clue at all...'

'Yes, my Lady', said Al-Hazeeb, as if he knew what she was talking about.

'Leave this place at once, and help the pink-skinned camel-swabbers on deck. Once this task is done, you may come down and guard this place.'

'Yes my Lady' Droned the big half-a-man, banging his head as he tried to leave through the door.

'Well done,' Aisha told Aspen. 'These sea-dogs may very well try and rob us of dignity.'

Aspen was by now fiddling around with her arrows and weaponry, concentrating too hard to offer any reply but monosyllables.

Aisha took the opportunity to examine the belongings she'd saved. Some had lotion, multitude cosmetics (she re-touched her make up and hair automatically), her clothing (filthy - she'd have to get Al-Hazeeb to do something about that) and her weapons.

Her blade, covered in a good deal of drying blood, which she wiped clean with a patterned silek handkerchief, revealing glittering steal once more, a mirrored, engraved surface telling of the sword's blood-soaked history.

One more to add to that today... The first since I came to these lands, in fact, and for sure not the last! .

Deciding she needed some air, Aisha stepped outside the cabin awhile.

A scruffy, stubbled man in a jersey and woollen cap loitered there.

'You. Are you the Captain?' She demanded, witht he point of a manicured finger.

'Nope. I's de first mate I is. Ain't yoo a funny lookin' one?'

'I see.' She said, partially ignoring him. She retracted a little, half covering her face with her veil, becoming coy and shy.

'Why, you look very big and strong, mister first mate.'

The man reddened a little, then grinned.

'Want to see HOW big and strong?'

Aisha giggled.

'Not just yet. Maybe you can show me later... On the bridge?'

'Arr... not so sures about that. Cap'n don't like strangers there too much.'

Aisha looked downcast. The sailor changed his mind quickly.

'Alreet, oi'll see whats I kin do for ya... Maybe later.'

The sailor stumbled off and Aisha blew him a kiss, before withdrawing to her cabin.

I'll get up there and meet the navigator. If he's a man, he'll be easy to persuade we might need to...change course. As for that first mate... well, heh heh, I'm pretty sure he's mine for whatever I want him to do... Aisha pondered inwardly.

Then she changed her clothes, (in front of Aspen) and looked for a place to clean up.

[Artificial Idiot]

Jerunn soon had the grin wiped off his face. Jarvis placed a gloved hand on his shoulder, almost knocking him off the crate he was half sitting-half kneeling. He turned the boy to face him, and gave a sly smile.

"You seem to have a lot of excess energy boy, perhaps you can help me with a little errand." Jarvis said, dragging him reluctantly away from the workers.

"Hey, hey! This is abuse, Caius won't like this" Jerunn complained. Jarvis simply looked at him, he was young, but he wasn't as foolish as the Witch Hunter had first put him down for.

"He'll like it less if that noble endangers us in any way." Jarvis said to the now baffled Jerunn. He was observant, but he had been too busy trading insults with Ray to see the ladies little meeting with the first mate.

"What the...? You mean Aisha?" Jerunn asked.

"Yes, Lady Neozeed. Or whatever part of her name she goes by. Listen, and listen carefully. I want you to keep an eye on her, if she leaves her chambers , just follow her." Jarvis began. "Make sure nobody even catches a glimpse your shadow! If she is doing anything that may endanger us, report directly to Caius. Do you understand?"

"Why Caius? Why not you." Jerunn asked.

"That is where your reward comes in." Jarvis couldn't help but let a smile cross his lips, he'd become devious in his old age. "Choose your words correctly, do not speak of my intervention, make it look like it was you initiative that uncovered whatever plot may be going on behind our back, and Caius will surely be impressed."

"What if she's innocent?" The boy asked, but he could see the doubt lingering in his eyes.

"Now, now. Nobody is on trial here, this is just a precaution. If nothing is amiss, then you will have my gratitude. But for now..." Jarvis picked up a mop and wooden bucket from behind him. "I want this deck spotless. Just for cover you understand."

[Nyerguds]

"For cover?!" Jerunn said. "I know quite a few things about following people unnoticed, and I'm bloody sure none of them include a bucket and a freaking mop. It'll only limit my movements. Besides, if you want this deck clean, just ask Tarnioch t-"

Jarvis looked down at the boy, with a cold look that would shut anyone up immediately.
"Then you can consider this a test of your skills, boy." he said slowly.
Jerunn gulped. The Cardinal was a scary man when he wanted to be.
"Y-yes sir." Jerunn whispered. He quickly grabbed the bucket and the mop, and ran away to clean the deck, and to be closer to his target.

Anything to get away from that cold stare.

[Artificial Idiot]

Jerunn didn't have a long wait. As the last few creates were hauled onto the ship and the sails flung open to the wind's mercy, Aisha appeared. She was a lot cleaner then when Jerunn had last seen her, she seemed to be wearing less as well. A lot less. He continued to mop the decks, keeping one eye on the woman. She strode across the deck like she owned the place, but on second thoughts, she probably thought she did own the place. She walked right up to a scruffy looking man. This must have been the man Jarvis has seen her speaking too earlier. His eyes almost out of his sockets, he stuttered for words, but Aisha silenced him.
"The more we talk, the less time we'll get on the bridge." She said with a wink. Jerunn wanted to laugh, it seemed a lot like the actions of a sex starved woman. But Jerunn knew better then to take things on appearance, and there was also the fact he didn't want to face that cold stare again. So he dropped the mop, and crept quietly after the two.

* * *
Aisha couldn't believe how easy this had been. As the man stumbled though the cabins of the ship, turning around on a regular basis to "see if she was alright". Although, it was quite obvious he was only trying to get another glance at her quite revealing silk dress, which she had worn specifically for this moment. Whenever he did this, she just flashed him a coy smile and he turned away, looking redder by the second. Finally they stopped in front of a large wooden door.
"Now yer jus' stay 'ere a minute miss, oi'll be back." The first mate whispered as he poked his head around the door. She just flashed him another smile and giggled softly. It wasn't long before he was back. He guided her though the door, and onto a table. It was filthy, and it horrified Aisha to think she had to sit on it, but she did. She'd need to make Al-Hazeeb do something about the stains it was going to leave.

"We're guna 'ave to be quiet 'bout this, dun't want to alert the Navvie do we?" The man said, with a proud grin. Aisha just giggled again, he seemed to like that. All too much.

"Where is the he?" Aisha asked innocently. She fluttered her eyelashes at him, it was probably unnecessary. She had him now.

"Why, 'e's though there." The first mate said, pulling off his jersey to reveal a stained, brownish-yellow vest. "Funny bloke 'e is. Ain't seen a woman in yeers, they say 'e gone orf 'em."

"Oh really?" Aisha thought, although, in her mind the words that formed were "Oh dear."

"Aye, but I ain't..." He said with a grin.

"Well, I suppose you won't mind waiting then." She said, standing up and giving him a slight peck on the cheek. It disgusted her to do it, but he may ask questions otherwise. "I'll be back soon."
"Uh... yer, alrite." He said in a daze, although he wasn't dazed enough to keep his hand from patting an inappropriate part of he body as she left gracefully though the door. She'd have to get Al-Hazeeb to teach him some manners later! But for now, she draped her veil across her face and exited.

* * *

Jerunn had seen enough. He didn't know what she was doing, although he knew she was doing something she shouldn't be doing. Just as Jarvis suspected. He turned around and started to sneak back the way he had came. He needed to find Caius, hopefully she'd still be here by the time they got back. As he guessed that if she got to the Navvie, he wasn't going to say a bad word against her.

* * *

"Why, hello there. I seem to have got lost, you look oh so big and strong... perhaps you could help me." Aisha said as she entered the cabin, playing coy and innocent like she had with the first mate.

"Dun't waste yer breath lass, ah git one like you on every trip. Some noble tart tryin' to make meh change course, predict storms that ain't there an' all kinds of other things! An fur sexual favors too! Whut do yer lot take me for, eh? Eh?" The Navvie began. She could tell just by the gruff sound in his voice that he was quite old, she also noticed he had grey specks in his hair. Obviously an experienced sailor. "Now dun't git meh wrong lass, ah usually take money bribes. But in this case, they say this Caius bloke got a jewel THIS BIG!" He made an exaggerated gesture with his hands. "An' that 'e got some far-off manor somewhere, stuffed to the rafters with gold! Now, unless yer wanta guided tour, git outta 'ere yer noble tart!"

Aisha's mouth dropped open. She hadn't expected that. She recomposed herself and recalculated her plans, everybody had a weakness. She just needed to find it.

[VO]

The sun had just begun to rise above the horizon when the ship sailed out of the harbour on Rueay - peeking above the high chalky cliffs and casting golden spears across the sea, while morning mist rolled in. Caius, standing with the captain, had little use for the rest of his compainions, who melted away into the various recesses of the ships - some to the cabin, Jade, interestingly, to the kitchen, and Ray volunteering to lend a hand in the galley, replacing a sailor who had contracted an acute sickness while on his short stay on the island. Everyone seemed fairly comfortable - save Kilvox, who obviously hadn't sailed often.

Then again, it would be barely a week's travel up past the Miran peninsula from the reach, and around the north coast of Astara, where Lyane's clan were known to inhabit. Hopefully they could all last the ocean for that long - without any bad weather, it should be, to put it in cliché, plain sailing. He’d eventually have to explain a little of why they were heading there to the others, although that could wait – for now.

***

As soon as they had left the harbour, the friendly captain, Nefram, approached Caius. He was able to trust the actual command of the ship to the first mate for a while, and definitely looked like he needed the rest – like most other sailors on their first evening on dry land, he had drank a lot the previous night, and it had only been the promise of ample reward that had got him to set sail again.
“I don’t suppose ye hav a good mage upon yer party, ser?” he spoke, in the heavy sailor’s brogue everyone on the ship seemed to use. “Ahr last weatherworker, a spineless man if ye ever saw one, ser, left us back at Rueay. I have not have time to look for a replacement, if I ever could have one, times being as they are…”
“Sorry,” said Caius. As far as he knew, only Jade had any proper magical training, Roh’s…. abilities nonewithstanding, and she didn’t seem the kind who would know about weather control, even if it was one of the most common disciplines of the schools of magic. This conversation, would, however, provide quite a good chance to gain a little information even Jarvis may not have picked up ; sailors were notorious gossips and travelled far enough to know more about the wider world than your average townsman.
“What did you mean about these being troubled times? Some strife in the mages colleges?”
“Aye, although not strife as you’d expect. The new Archchancellor, he’as mean as a reef shark and twice as tough. ‘ sayin’ he’s forbid all of the wizard order to even offer their services to ship captains, and has begun to call back all those who have passed through the halls of Veios.”
“Interesting…” said Caius, and turned back to the open sea, thinking over what he had just heard.

Nothing much is going to happen while on ship, so if you want to make a post, it is likely going to be the only one for the whole journey.

[Toxic10x]

When he had finished helping to load the supplies on to the ship, Roh had decided to take a brief nap. He was not sleepy per se, but a bit tired from the manual labor. He had a heartiness to him that anyone who spends so much of their life out of doors would, but he was not really strong. In any case, he found sleeping difficult since he had been qaurtered in a room with Kilvox. While the man tried to show no outward sign of his discomfort, it was clear that the sea was not agreeing with him. It made Roh uncomfortable, and he figured Kilvox would probably like to be alone.
He headed out to the deck. Caius was there, leaning against the rail and peering toward the sunrise. He appeared to be contemplating something. Roh considered him for a moment.
Despite his worn look, there was something imposing about him, something that caught the eye and demanded attention, and not in a condescending way. Roh felt he trusted him, even though for some reason he did not believe the story of the stolen inheritance. Considering this, Roh approached Caius at the rail, and looked at the rising sun.
"It's funny," said Roh. "It looks just the same here as it did at home."
"Eh?" said Caius, stirred from his thoughts. "Oh, the sun. Yes, it is the same wherever you travel- it always has been." The two of them stared out at it for a moment more.
"Tell me, Caius," said Roh. "Why have you really called this group together?"

[CKW]

Ray had not got a good day. First her hands had been swollen by the ropes friction. Then the idiotic kid teasing her. And what was more, she had left many of her possesions behind.

"I won´t be able to play the flute again. If only i had hand lotion to paliate my swollen fingers..."

Naturally, the bottle of wine didn´t answer. She was resolved to drink and wash away her troubles...

"We are heading adventure with mr. Mystery Man, hooray!"

She sipped again.

[Wesforce]

Aisha was back in her cabin, dejected... She had to think of a way to get close to Caius somehow, but she hadn't even seen him since getting into the cabin.

And if he was as rich as the Son of a Camel-whore on the bridge had said...

Her thoughts were interrupted by a large, armoured figure stumbling through the door. Ray, taking a swig of something alcoholic, something he appeared to have sipped a lot of quite recently.

He rounded on Aisha, laying on her hammock.

'I'm a man, I am!' He bellowed.

'Ah, yes...' Aisha gasped, astonished at the intrusion.

'No-one knows what kind of a man I am!' Ray said, looking downcast.

Aisha fell silent, wondering why Al-Hazeeb had let the drunk into the Ladies' quarters, when a thought occurred to her.

I can use this fool... but first I need to get a hold over him...

She cast her dusky eyes at him - of themselves her long eyelashes fluttered from behind her silken veil. She didn't take any particular pleasure in luring men, save the feeling of being in control.

And besides, she was bored.

She didn't move... She didn't want to antagonise the drunk. and she was scared. She still wore the revealing silken dress and had kicked off her shoes. She tried to cover her slender legs -or that was what she wanted it to look like. playing hard to get -, and shield her face, trying not to notice the way Ray's eyes almost popped out of his head. But it heartened her.

'Me do man things!' Ray cried, and lurched.

He hit the hammock - It overturned, dumping them both on the floor, dazed. Ray's armour fell off with a clatter.

Aisha gasped at what was revealed.

In the corner, still tinkering away and not paying much attention to the proceedings, Aspen shrugged.

[CKW]

"Hey my armor! NO!!"
The now drunk Ray realized some of what happened. "Some" because she hadn´t noticed she had entered the ladie's room.

Aisha gasped. She had been shocked but... she didn´t seem shocked after a while

"Cut it out!" Ray sobbed. She began to shed her tears.

"Now I will be fired out of the army..."
In the middle of the cries, with the swift mood change of a drunk, she yelled out loud.
"I AM NOT IN THE ARMY ANY LONGER! SILLY ME!"
And laughed. Aisha seemed to hold back a little more. Pherhaps it was the drunk breath, or the excessive noise.
Ray´s mood changed a bit more. And she cried again.
"I am sorry."
And then she fell asleep.

[Wesforce]

Lying there on the crushed remains of Aisha's hammock, there wasn't much she could do with the large, intoxicated woman-revealed on top of her. She would have called for Aspen, but wasn't sure she sould come. Besides, she wouldn't risk waking Ray.

In the end, she opted to just lay there. Ray's arms around her -like a comfort object - were quite warm and snug.

She smiled as she realised she had something to hold over Ray after all...

[Artificial Idiot]

Jarvis stood alone on the deck. He looked out onto the vast expanse of blue, letting the sea breeze blow though his hair. He was deep in thought and contemplation, something that was unusual for Jarvis. He had waited all this time, just for this moment. The moment that drew closer to his final reward, and it seemed that he would spend it surrounded by fools. He knew he should not be too harsh, nor should he question the wisdom of the Goddess.
However, he honestly didn't think these people were up to the job. Perhaps he was just growing bitter in his old age. He was about to fall into a deeper comtemplation of his life, his seemingly endless stream of memories, the legendary Cardinal and all kinds of other things, when he heard a clattering below deck. From the ladies qauters if he was not mistaken.

"Insufferable Wreches." He muttered. Turning his thoughts to more recent events.

He had not seen Jerunn since he had sent him away, although it was quite obvious where Lady Neozeed wasm unless Jarvis' ear's were deciving him. The boy was quite growing on Jarvis, did what he told as long as there was a mutral agreement involved. Which suited the Witch Hunter perfectly. But of course, he'd never let the boy know this. It didn't pay to grow close to people, they only ended up getting hurt.
Jarvis sighed, there were times he had wished he could live a normal life span, or one alike to Caius. But then, he hasn't been able to redeem himself in the eyes of the Godess in hundreads, if not thousands of life times of men. So what use would a normal lifespan be to him? How would countless cults, heretics, demoralised monks and other agents of evil be brought to justice without him?
He knew full well he was a pawn in the great game, however he was being played more tactically then others. It's what set him apart from the povety ridden begger on the street and the plump noble pigs in thier manor's. No, it was all worth it. Every single day. As long as the guiding light of the Goddess shone for him, he'd see out the dark days until his reward.
The clattering seemed to die down from below deck, and other then the mummerings of the sailor's, silence fell. It was a very rare thing slience, and very easily broken. Jarvis treasured his few moments of silence, then decided to go and find out where Jerunn had wandered off too. Hoping he had done as he was told.

[VO]

Caius continued to stare out into the sunrise. It took him a few moments to reply to Roh’s question, as if he was contemplating just what to say.
“Well, boy, what do Pleman shepherds know of ancient history? You obviously don’t believe the story about the money – so it looks like I’ll have to spin something even more unbelievable for you.”
Before Roh could reply, the old man continued, while the sea lapped at the wood of the boat.
“Long ago, there was a war in the archipelago – not a war like the ones the Astarans or Steppelanders periodically wage, a few towns burnt, gold and women stolen – but a war big enough to make even the emperor worry. What we’re doing has a lot to do with something that happened around then.”
“Back then? This is the Great War, right… that happened over a thousand years ago!”
“Yes boy? A thousand years haven’t changed changed much, have they? The Empire was held in check, although seemingly victorious, and everyone went back to what life had been like before – albeit with the majority of the mainland under imperial control. The reaches were always free, the Empire didn’t fall, and the world didn’t change.”
“Well,” said Roh, bemused. “I guess not.” As far as he knew , the Plemans had been largely untouched by the great war, and nothing much happened in Plema anyway. He listened to the lapping waves, and counted one, two, three, before Caius continued, his voice hushed.
“Well, Roh – and let this be between you and me – let’s just say that something important didn’t happen then in the Great War, something that would have brought about a massive shift in the control of the archipelago. The person I work for prevented this happening, and now she has to do it again. It’s my job to do the actual business for her, travel around, talk to people, get in a few fights, while she does the paperwork.”
Roh nodded. “So you’re a mercenary? Doing someone else’s dirty work so they don’t have to get blood on your hands?”
Caius looked at him suddenly, unsure whether this was a criticism. Then he replied :
“Yes, well, I suppose you could say that… in a way. Or kind of like a priest, doing their deity’s odd jobs in the world for them… although that’s probably not a very good description. He smiled that lopsided grin that Roh had already seen on several occasions. “Yeah, I like that, actually. If you’re really interested in who I am, and what we’re doing, let’s say I’m a priest and I’ve hired you to help me spread the faith or something. Happy now? We’re going to Astara to pick up another one of our converts, a girl called Lyane – and then we’re going to go and spread the joyous word of our lord god. Okay? You might just have a special job too, given the talent you’ve already so aptly demonstrated to us back on Rueay.”
Roh gulped, and they drifted into silence again. Caius had obviously been troubled by the questions, but the answers he’d given were of equal disturbance to Roh himself? If Caius were to be believed, his employer was at least a thousand years old, and some kind of ‘power behind the throne’ of something-or-other, evidently. But what? The old man hadn’t let that slip, and his hints to what had happened at the inn troubled the boy, especially in relevance to the dreams he had been having recently.

A seagull screamed overhead, strange this far from the coast, and Roh considered whether he should tell his whole tale to this strange old man. Maybe, just maybe, he could provide some answers, although as far as Roh could tell, these would inevitably be interwoven in a deluge of downright lies.

[Master Chris]

Jade inhaled the sea air. It was certainly different to the air she was used to after years of solitude in the forest, though, not different in a bad way. Caius and the young shepard, Roh, were on the other side of the deck. Seems that Caius has taken a liking to the boy. Jade thought. It was a lovely vision to behold, she watched them a few moments longer before returning her gaze to the sea. Caius had recruited her in exchange for his own help in Jade's own quest to hunt down her quarry, the mysterious walking death that had plagued her home so recently. Even though Caius had ushered Jade onboard a ship whose destination was far from Rueay, she felt that the trail was not yet lost...

***

Deep in the ships bowels he lay, hidden between a sack of flour and a barrel of ale. Mortimer had stolen aboard the craft before Caius and his cohorts had arrived. Some would call it coincidence, others, no doubt more informed, would call it destiny.

[Toxic10x]

Roh turned over the new information in his mind. Naturally it had spawned more questions for him than answers, but he figured he had better not push Caius for too much more information about their task just yet. Roh suspected the old man had left certain things out for a reason. Still, he felt compelled to ask more about what was rapidly becoming the greatest riddle of all: himself.
Caius had made reference to the "talent" Roh had displayed in Rueay. It wasn't so much of a talent as an involuntary reaction. All he new was he was in trouble, and he had to do something, and then it just happened. Was this (whatever it was) something he could learn to control? He thought about just what had happened.
The greasy hand had grabbed him, and he felt a knife pressed to his neck. He had though frantically for a few seconds, and then he raised his hands, and there was a flash. What happened after that was largely a blur. The next thing he rememebered clearly was being in the street waiting for the others to arrive.
Then he rememeber the rune again. It had appeared to glow faintly on his crook after the blast.
"Caius?" he said at last, as he removed the old blanket from his pouch. He recalled Jarvis' words that he should not let just anyone see the rune, so he looked over his shoulder. Jade was standing on the far side of the deck, but she didn't appear to be looking at them at the moment. Roh unfolded the blanket revealing the strange symbol. "Can you tell me what this is?"

note to voes: check PM

[VO]

Caius looked slightly shocked, lines creasing in his worn face. He took the staff from Roh silently, and ran his finger along the inset lines of the rune. He smiled slightly.

"Well," he said. "I haven't seen this in a long time - and it's good to finally see it again. This pretty much seals everything we think you're meant to do."

"What is it?" repeated Roh. "The rune - I think that's what it is - changes every now and again. It hasn't always glowed like that."

"I know," said Caius. "It's not meant to - it changes, and will change, as you do. It's the mark of the gatekeepers, Roh, and singles you, it's bearer, out for a very special destiny."

"But... what does it mean? Why me?"

"I'm sorry Roh, but I can't tell you now. You'll find out soon enough, but we need to sort out some things first, and you need to meet some other people before everything unfolds. The last gatekeeper - well, we don't want you to meet the same fate as her - so this crypticness is for your own good, believe me. I don't think we should really be talking about this any more."

***

Droughness crouched like a foul creature on the edge of it’s fetid, northern swamp. This place was near enough to the arctic circle to cause it’s dark waters to freeze in winter – and, although midsummer, it was still chilly here on the brink of the northern passage. From the bridge of the Aremiad, this didn’t look promising – and smelt even worse, although on Caius’s reflection, things had looked a lot worse last time he had been here in Astara. And for one, he couldn’t wait to get off this ship. His charges had spent a week getting to know each other, in the confines of the boat, and, although there had been several instances where Ray had threatened to smash someone’s face, or someone else had threatened to throw someone overboard, things seemed fairly civil.

That, of course, was more that could be said for Droughness. The place was a dump – full of drunken Astarans and sailors alike, and filled with the foul odour of the swamp nearby. Caius never been to this part of the coastline before, at least while this town was here, and it was far worse than he expected. Still, there was something important that would happen near here, and Lyane’s clan wasn’t that far away inland, so this was logically the best place to come ashore.

Caius made his way down the gangplank, followed by Alay and Aisha – the noble southlander’s Eunuch busy lugging what remained of her possessions after them. He’d have to convince her to get rid of most of them eventually, although now was probably not the time.

“What is this place?” Aisha’s nose crinkled in disgust.
“It’s called Droughness, dear,” smiled Alay. “It’s what the unkept savages here on the mainland might think’s a port, don’t you have them back home? Of course, proper ports like Tular or Far’Char aren’t quite as squalid, but it does qualify, you know…”
Aisha sighed, resigned to her fate, and muttered under her breath something about seven hundred curses. No-one paid much attention.

“Alay”, said Caius “– do you know this place yourself? It might be useful if you knew somewhere good to…”
“I apologise, noble employer”, cut in Alay. “While I have travelled some of these eastern lands, I have not had the…” she paused for a moment “good fortune to stumble across this Droughness. To be honest, I don’t even think the less picky trading families of the home islands would ever consider buying or selling in this dump.”
“Oh well,” said Caius, turning to the others. “We’ll only be here briefly, anyway, while I take care of some business. Are any of you any good at buying horses?”
“I have!” said Ray enthusiastically.
“Good,” replied Caius, not bothering to check this authenticity. “Get eleven – anything we can’t fit on a horse will have to stay here, we need to travel fast.”
“But there are only ten of us…” cut in someone.
“There won’t be when we leave” – replied Caius mysteriously. “Now I have to take care of something – we’ll meet at the town gates in three hours – I guess the quicker we leave here the better. Roh, Jade, Kilvox – I need you to come with me, but anyone else is welcome to enjoy the delights of this place in the meantime. Don’t get lost.”

***

Caius lead the three in silence out of the small town, through the main gates and into the surrounding swamp along a road that, although wide, looked as if it was rarely used - tendrils of plants grew across it at points, and quite often it dissolved into a bog only slightly shallower than that to either side. Frogs croaked in the shallows.

"Where are we going?" ventured Kilvox. His face bore an expression of vaguely bemused amicability, while Jade, and Roh to a lesser extent, were obviously glad to be out of the foul Droughness, despite the locale.

"To meet someone important." said Caius bluntly. "You'll all like her, and she's quite vital to us. Something has to happen here."

"Ok," replied Kilvox, looking quite confused. Ahead of them, the large stone remains of a house - timbers and thatch rotted away and the walls collapsed to about a foot high, reared out of the swamp on a small mound.

"This is where we turn off," continued Caius, and stepped out, up to knee deep in the fetid swamp, gesturing to the others to follow him. "It's not far now, and this stuff isn't quite as bad as it looks."

***

VO : I pushed the story on quite a bit there, and AI will hopefully provide something for the other characters while a few take this minor detour. If not, I have something I can do with them as well.

[Artificial Idiot]

Soon after Caius had left, Jarvis had put the other in order. He had told Ray to go get the horses, as ordered, but had told Aspen to go with him. He had told them there was a small farm on the edge of town, perhaps they could "persuade" him to part with them.
It had been quite obvious that he didn't trust the footman of the empire one bit, there was something very queer about him. And besides, the squabbling twit had probably never even brought a horse in his life. So it was best that Aspen accompany him.
He'd then sent Aisha and Alay to the nearest inn, supposedly where Caius had agreed to come back to. And even though Caius had seemed to have never been to this place before, even Aisha knew better then to argue with a Witch Hunter. Even if it was a male one.
So that is what they had done, with Al-Hazeeb lagging behind. It was a grotty, little place, much like the rest of the town. Aisha tried to read the sign, but the layers of dirt got the better of her, Although the fact that she feared the weight of the sign would snap it's weakened bindings and fall on top of her did not help one bit.
They moved inside the inn with great haste, finding themselves an empty table and sitting down. Alay took one look at the table and turned very pale, Aisha decided not to take that risk and just told Al-Hazeeb to go and order them some drinks. She didn't want to risk the food.
As soon as he was gone, she noticed some sailors eyeing them. After a few moments, one swaggered over.

"Cor blimey!" He exclaimed. "I ain't ever seen no stunnin' beauties in meh life! Ow's 'bout a kiss, eh? Fer good luck?"

* * *

Jerunn crept though the streets of Droughness. Jarvis had given him no orders, so he had taken the opportunity to regain some of his lost profits. His prospects were pretty bleak though, there was hardly anybody on the streets, let alone anybody of financial importance! But still, you never knew your luck.
And Jerunn's luck had just changed. There, a flash of expensive silk! A little on the dirty side, but it was still his best chance in this place. His hand found the pocket almost instinctively, and yet gracefully. pick-pocketing was truly an art Jerunn had mastered. He found what he assumed to be a money bag. He went to withdraw his hand, when another hand caught his wrist. He released the bag and put on his "Innocent, poor orphan face".

"You will find very little in there, my young friend." Came a well-spoken voice. The accent was typical of Dhebo. "Now, why don't you withdraw that hand before I call the guards."

"Ah'm sorry, guv." Jerunn said, putting on his best "pathetic little kid" voice. "Ah didn't mean it, 'onest. It's jus' that we're oh so poor an' oh so hun..."

"Please, if you are trying to pull the proverbial wool over my eyes, find something a little more original." The man turned his head, his long brown hair following a few seconds later. Instead of an accusing scowl, Jerunn found a warm smile. "Allow me to introduce myself, I am Delion Roussel. And you would be?"

[VO]

Roh and Kilvox followed Caius into the swamp, with Jade ahead of them and coping much better with the heavy mud underneath the murky waters than them. Away from the path, it seemed as if a thick sea fog coated everything, floating only inches above the surface of the bog, and both of the young men could barely see the other figures ahead of them. Roh hoped that Caius knew where he was going - although it seemed impossible in such dreadful visibility.

Suddenly, it seemed to the former shepherd that the croakings and rumblings of the marshland fell silent, and in the eerie emtpiness, broken only by the soft squish of their footfalls he could make out something moving in the mists. Lights floated like fireflies, dancing just outside of his vision, and in an instance, and something massive loomed out of the blur ahead of him, tall towers or trees rearing out of the swamp.

He stepped foreward, and suddenly the mists were gone, rolling back across a dewy grass mound, revealing a massive grove of trees that blossomed with impossiblely white flowers under dark green leaves, dark shadows playing under heavy boughs rich with foiliage. A woman stood, dressed in a deep blue that seemed to echo the unimaginable one hand on the crook of a branch, and watched the four travellers from the darkness of the shadows of the trees, the sweet scent of their blossom drifting down the hillside to them. As they approached, Roh thought he noticed Caius smile, as this strange forest spirit left the glen and made their way towards them - she seemed impossibly strange and beautiful, with hair the rich colours of autumn and sea-blue eyes as rich as the flowing waters over which they had sailed, but strangely completely unhuman to him. Looking again, he felt his body tense, hairs standing on end, heart pound in his chest.

The woman was the first to speak. "Well met, travellers - I sense some urgency about you, so lest I delay you in your quest, tell me whom you are andwhere you come from, and I shall see how I can assist you. Mayhaps if you please me you will learn something of whom I am, or what you may become."
Her eyes sparkled at Caius - it was clear to Roh that he had met this mysterious spirit before, and the older man turned and winked at Roh, looking down at the shepherd's crook he carried by his side.

Oh the origianality! Check your pms Tox, MHP and RD.

[Toxic10x]

Looking upon the strange but beautiful woman, Roh felt surprisingly unrestrained about stepping forward and speaking to her. He hestitated for just a moment to glance at Caius, but upon recieving his wink, he spoke to the woman.
"Lady, I am called Rohgaphast, and I come to you from the fields of Plema. There was my adoptive family murdered by a cruel lord, and there were my dreams stirred, compelling me to set for the sea. Ere I left, I was nearly captured by the lord of which I spoke, Cirack Anglore, and his devious mage, Scho'Kah. But for a bit of luck and a kindly sea captain I would have been caught, to what end I do not know.
But escape I did, and so did I find myself in Rueay, and finally at the service of this man (he motioned toward Caius). And now, after several days journey we have come to this strange place, and now I stand before you."
He bowed low. He had spoken in a manner far more formal than his normal speech, and as he bowed, he was unsure just where the words had come from. When he looked up again, the woman laughed, and said to him.
"So, Rohgaphast is your name? I suspect then that there are many thing about yourself you have not told me..." then a thin smile crossed her lips, "or perhaps you have yet to find them out yourself!"

[Master Chris]

Once Roh had finished Caius nodded at Jade, urging her to introduce herself to majestic woman. In what started as clumsy imitation of Roh's own fomality Jade found herself also using words she barely understood and bowing low:

"Madam, some know me as Jade, yet my true name, given to me by my mother, is Miriam Terrat. I am the guardian of a forest on the island of Rueay and have been chosen to follow this man, Caius, in his journey. It is with great pleasure that mine eyes do look upon you, for your beauty is without equal, that much I know. I also suspect thine wisdom surpasses the collected tomes of every library in the empire."

The woman soaked in Jade's story and subsequent flattery with a coy smile upon her radiant face, she replied:

"Well said, Miriam Terrat of Rueay."

[LeFire]

"So, you know anything about horses?"

Aspen asked as she peered skeptically at one of the beasts. Horse and human eyed each other over a battered wooden fence that served as the perimeter of the horse breeder's house. The place was situated on the outskirts of town and took a full hour's worth of walking to get there.

The ranger's question was directed at Ray, whose voice wasn't the typical gruff one Aspen expected of a soldier. He looked the part... but he sure as hell didn't sound like one.

"Enough. All of us Empire soldiers are trained in the art of horsemanship. I know a good horse when I see one. But aren't you a ranger? If I remember properly, you are supposed to be the people who can charm a wild horse right out of the herd." Ray replied.

"That's for the rest of them. Me, I'm not a typical ranger. Most I know about these beasts is how to ride. As you can tell, they don't like me much... Get nervous about the smell of my alchemical concoctions." Aspen said just as the horse that was sniffing her snorted and turned away, the smell of saltpetre not agreeing with it. The ranger pulled a jar of a yellowish substance out of a pouch and smeared it on the back of her hand.

"Horse calmer. A chemical preparation made from a few select plants. Works everytime."

Ray nodded absently as he counted out the gold coins that Ciaus had given him, waving to the horse breeder to come over so that he could discuss prices.

Soon, both Aspen and himself were mounted on two lead horses, with the others trailed out behind with rope. They began a canter towards the town gates... Aspen looking thoughtfully at the brush along the way back before nocking an arrow and resting her bow in readiness across her saddle.

Somehow, she didn't trust the look of the road ahead.

[CKW]

(i thought Aspen had noticed that Ray was a girl, too...)
Ray´s sword hissed as it went out of the case.

"So...you feel it too, Aspen..."

Ray stood for a while gazing at each direction.

"We are being watched..."

Apparently Aspen does not know I am a girl. Fair enough. I thought i would upset everyone when i appeared in the girls room.

[Wesforce]

"How about a kiss?" Asked Aisha. "How about I-"

She was about say 'Tore you a new anus so big you could throw a camel through it', but thought better.

"How about I tell you that the ship that brought me here carried me, a displaced noblewoman, as a prisoner," She said, loudly, before lowering her voice to a more seductive level to purr "and that if you free me and dispose of the unclean ship's filth-ridden crew, I may shower you with riches greater than your wildest dreams..."

Aisha would, of course, slip away and warn whoever was left at the ship of the attack, and personally slay the man she had told... If this went according to plan. If it didn't... Who cares? This filhty little stain-on-a-map could use a drop in population. By the seven hells, it stunk here!

She looked at the sailor, wondering if he might just try to cadge a 'kiss' off Aisha anyway. She waved the gold crescent pendant she wore under her robes as f casually, to try to keep his butchered mind on the wealth of metals, not of flesh.

Al-Hazeeb came trundling over, slopping a tray of drinks this way and that.

"I must cease talking." Aisha said, veling her face and walking to Al-Hazeeb's side. "My guard this way comes."

[VO]

The swampdragon watched the two travellers pensively, it's hairy bulk disguised by the bog into which it had sunk, awaiting prey to wander to it, in the way it's ancestors had for thousands of years. Not even a dragon by the proper standards of the word, infact more like an immense carnivorous sloth, fur matted with mud and gouging on flesh and the foul gases of the marsh, this particular creature had been forced miles out of it's territory by a group of humans with sharp stakes and a remarkable ability to dodge the lashings of the swampdragon's massive tail and snaps of it's fearsome jaws. It was tired, in a territory totally alien to it, preferring the saltier, deeper area nearer the immediate coast, and ravenously hungry.

The humans moved closer, leading a pack of horses, and the swamp dragon selected a straggler, lulling near the back of the group, and tensed itself for the kill.

***

"What's that?" whispered Aspen, drawing her horse up and nodding towards a strange mound in the water. The air here smelt of faintly of sulphur, it's odour prevailant over the other swamp gases. Ray followed suit, and peered into the marsh that lined one side of the road.
"Where? I don't see anything"

Aspen readied the bow, pulling an arrow back, and pointing it towards where she had gestured before. "Look. Something's moving."

As if the statement had somehow warned it that it had been noticed, the bog suddenly exploded outwards, a creature easily larger than their mounts, with heavy, waterlogged fur and a mouth full of sharp teeth scrabbing up the bank in a split second, and letting forth a belch of foul-smelling fire that scorched the ground where Aspen's horse had been only moments before. In her surpise the ranger let her arrow fly harmlessly away into the churning waters, and her mount barely managed to dodge the following snap of the thing from the swamp's powerful jaws. Ray was screaming something, and Aspen already had a new arrow in her hands. The swamp dragon was half on the path, half in the water, effectively between her and Ray, who had his sword drawn out of it's scabbard and was brandishing it at the beast.

details of the swamp dragon in the WOC main thread. :)
Ray = male here, as it's from Aspen's viewpoint

[CKW]

"Aim for the eyes. It´s clearly that this thing has thick skin"
Ray calmly pointed out.It was it or them.

"To hell with it. Step a bit more, foul beast, and i'll dice you to pieces!"

The beast lunged towards, but a well aimed thrust in the nose from Ray pulled it back. For a while- enough time for Aspen to aim- it stood still.

"NOW! DO IT!"

Ray yelled.The voice seemed so high pitched now...
And the thing hadn´t been pleased by the pointy blade that made a third nose hole in it...

[VO]

The swampdragon bellowed, blood spurting out of the incision Ray had made into it's face - this clearly wasn't a fatal wound, but was enough to whip the beast into a bloody, vengeful frenzy. It lunged, Aspen's second shot clattering off it's thick hide and skull, and Ray's bay horse reared up, throwing the soldier backwards into the marsh with a clattering of armour turning into a series of glugs as the weight of it carried her underwater.

Horses pulled at the line, it drawing taught and causing Aspen's horse, in the lead, to stumble. The beast was now intent on Ray, and spun around back towards the swamp, it's tail whacking across the flanks of several of their mounts, whipping them into an even greater neighing and struggling against the rope. Aspen's gear clattered off from the back of her horse, and she slid off onto the ground, as the swampdragon dissapeared back into the swamp, ripples from it's splash washing over where Ray had fallen only moments before.

***

Mortimer was lost - very lost. After some sort of morbid fascination, he had followed the wild-woman with her companions into this desolate swamp, and now, under the heavy mists, away from the path, was now totally at a loss as to which was he should go. There wasn't even anything to eat out here - anything that died in this foul place would sink under the foul-smelling, murky waters.

Suddenly it grew very quiet - even the shallow murmouring of the sea somewhere in the distance dissapearing from his ears. He felt the oily, thin hairs on the back of his neck rise, as the mists suddenly rolled back, revealing strangely parched, half-dead grass where he could have sworn only moments before was shadowy swamp. Ahead of him, a small, craggy hill rose up, atop it what may once have been a glade of trees, now horrificially withered and bare, the final leaves drifting from their crooked branches even as he watched. Upon a fallen treetrunk in this skeletal grove sat a woman, raven tresses flowing in the empty air, skin as pale as bone, in a dress as shadowy and fine as spiders-silk, and all at once both horrifically beautiful and amazingly reviling. Her jet-black eyes were fixed upon the shabby man who stood at the foot of the hill, and her piercing voice rang through his ears.

"Come to me stranger - I sense your furtiveness, but let you know - none of your enemies may enter this sacred place. I have all you desire - know all you may become, what futures may weave out before you, and will tell it all should you answer me one question. Who are you stranger? Who have you been, and what are you now? Tell me your past and, should I be pleased with you, will I divine your future."

[Nyerguds]

Jerunn frowned. He'd met some odd people, but never someone like this Delion Roussel. The man looked like someone that recently found himself without his usual riches; dropped on the street with nothing but what he was wearing at that moment. But judging from the way he intercepted his hand, Jerunn was sure of one thing: this man was a thief, like him.

"Jerunn." Jerunn replied without hesitation, and in a normal tone. "Won't tell you my last name; too many people recognise it. Especially if you're from Dhebo."
"That obvious, eh?"
"Oh yeah." Jerunn replied.
Delion smiled. "You're from the South Reach islands, right?"
"Yep. Some stain on the map called Rueay. You probably never heard of it."

Delion smiled. "Can't say I have. Well, it looks like we're both a quite a long way from home then." He looked at Jerunn. "So, what is someone from the South Reach doing here in Astara all by himself?"
"You assume too much." Jerunn grinned. "I'm just a bit of a loner, but I'm far from alone here."

[Artificial Idiot]

Loner. Nobody travelled to droughness alone, especially not a thief. There was nothing for anybody at Droughness, as Delion had soon learned, and very few places to go onwards, unless it's by sea.

"It's a very unprofitable place for a thief to travel alone." Said Delion casually, wanting to get as much information out of the boy as possible without sounding suspicious. "As you have probably noticed."

"Yeah, you're the first person worth stealing from I've seen all day." Jerunn replied. "And you are hardly what I'd call perfect."

"I'll take that as a compliment." Delion smiled. It was a warm smile, so unlike Jarvis' permenant frown or the sly grin of Caius. Jerunn felt, safe around this man. Although, he was still dressed like a noble, and Jerunn still didn't trust him. "So, where are you headed, young sire?"

"Back to the inn I suppose. I ain't getting anywhere out here, and it's not getting any warmer either.."

"Well, in that case. I feel I owe you something, if for nothing else but such plesent company!" Delion slipped his bag of gold back into place as he said this. "Allow me to buy you a drink!"

This could be a bit tricky, as he had implied that he was alone. Well, not really, but what if this man wanted in on the inheritance quest? He looked like he could use the money. And besides, he dreaded to think what Caius or Jarvis might say or do to him if he couldn't shake this man off.

"I couldn't really put you out like that, I think I'll just go alone."

"Nonsense! I refuse to hear of it!" Delion said calmy. "I wish to hear more of this "Rueay", it has been so long since I have heard any news from the South Reach islands."

"Well, ok." Jerunn reluctantly agreed. He had a vauge curiousity about this man, and besides, he could deal with the other later.

"Excellent!" Delion exclaimed. "It would honestly be a pleasure!"

* * *

Jarvis entered the inn, muttering a string of curses. Where was that confounded half noble when you needed him? Knowing him he'd probably left the town by now. Well, if he had, he'd regret it when Jarvis managed to grab hold of him. By the Goddess he'd regret it!
Upon entering, he was surprized to see that Miss Neozeed wasn't causing trouble, that didn't really bother him. He wasn't a baby sitter, and he'd be damned if he was going to start now. He also noticed that Aspen hadn't returned with the horses, he'd noted that Ray wasn't here either, but counted that as a blessing. He was't quite sure why Caius had sent him in the first place, that fool was probably holding up the whole process. But then, that wasn't his problem.
He also noticed Jerunn was nowhere to be seen, probably out robbing houses or searching for Nobles to pick-pocket. Ha! Any noble who came anywhere near this place would just turn around as soon as they got a wiff of the stench.
He let out a low sigh, and settled down at a small table. They'd all turn up eventually, and when Caius got here they could get on with it. While Jarvis had got used to the stench, he still disliked this place as much as the next man.

[LeFire]

Aspen managed to land on her two feet, her natural ranger balance preventing her from injuring herself from the fall. Rolling away, she barely missed getting brained by her wayward mount as it stomped the ground close to her head.

"Crap! Ray!"

She thought as she ran towards where the swampdragon had gone in. The soldier had saved her by drawing attention to himself, and Aspen wasn't going to leave him to drown or be eaten alive. There was a furious splash as the swampdragon reared up... Ray having braced himself against the bottom of the swamp and kicked out violently with his boots, catching the creature under its jaw.

Aspen's whip exploded into action, a sizzling line of razor-sharp crystal on a flexible metal cord. It hooked around the animal's muzzle, wrapping itself and anchoring with hundreds of sharp crystal points. The ranger stabbed her glove-insulated thumb down on a thumbpiece located on the handle of her weapon... completing an electrical circuit. The swampdragon bawled as a jolt of electrical force slammed through the whip into the muscles of its neck. It arched its back, giving Ray enough room to sit up and rip his sword across the sensitive underbelly. Ropey intestines fell out, but the swampdragon was still a lethal threat, Ray parrying a swipe from a claw with the blade.

Aspen dropped her whip, freeing both hands as she withdrew her bow from where it hung on her shoulder. Her fingers found what she was reaching for, recognising the shaft of the required arrow with experience.

She drew a Streak from her special quiver, at the same time screaming a warning for Ray to duck. Within the next instant, the arrow was nocked and the bowstring began transfering potential power into raw movement.

The Streak had a ripcord attached to it, held between the tips of her gloved right hand when she fired. Lined with friction crystals, Aspen's fingertips rasped across the ripcord as it whipped itself out of her bow, the chemically-treated string bursting into flame.
Bare moments later, the fire raced up the cord into two explosive bands hand-worked into the arrow's metal shaft. The first one blew off the stablising feathers that were only required for the first step of launch. The second one led to three specially-angled spiral grooves of explosive that was the heart of the Streak.

All three caught together... and from a bowstring propelled, feather stabilized projectile, the Streak became something else. Something which would be best described as a rocket-propelled, spin-stablised armour piercer... Which in another time and age, might be called a bullet.

The Streak ubruptly gained speed, trailing a sudden streamer of sparks and smoke towards its target.

Striking the swampdragon just over the armoured bump that was its head, the Streak punched straight through, bursting from the bottom of the animal and missing Ray's head by a whisker. The Streak continued on, finally embedding itself half a dozen meters under the mud of the swamp, its prodigous energies and velocity finally spent.

"I'll be damned..." Ray began just as the beast toppled over, bearing him under and stifling off the rest of his words with a gurgle.


A short while later, with some help from Aspen, Ray was back on dry ground, feeling the horrid squeltch of water in his boots. Aspen had hauled out her whip as well, though the spent Streak could not be found in the muck and had to be remade. The horses were skittish, and even Aspen's horse-calmer wasn't working as well. Not when the scent of the swampdragon's blood (and the scent of fear, Aspen thought) was all over them.

Hurriedly, the two humans gathered their horses.

Where one swampdragon lurked, more might reside. Neither Aspen nor Ray were keen to stay any longer.

[VO]

"Milady, I am Kilvox, monk of the silver hand. I have spent my life in the monastries of the east, and only in recent months journeyed to the west, on a path fortold to me in a dream. Although I have lead a sheltered life, I pledged my service to these travellers, and know that somehow I am doing the right thing." The young monk bowed his head, as if this uncharacteristicly long outburst had emptied him of energy.

"And what of you, Ancient Protector? Have you a tale for me, a whisper on the wind since our last meeting? How fares you after your long sleep? From whence have you come, which paths have you followed?"

Caius had none of the hesitance of the other travellers, and answered curtly.

"You know who I am and what my destiny holds, and are forbidden to divulge it. I have known you, mistress, for far too long to fall into your little games. Tell what you may and let us depart - we have a long journey to make before winter's fall this year."

Instead of anger, which Kilvox first expected from the brashness of the old man, the woman broke into a chiming, beautiful laughter. "Very well, Caius, bearer of far more in memories than faith, I shall let you be in innocence a while longer."

Kilvox thought he could detect the faintest hint of a blush from Caius, but thought better of it, and the spirit of the glade turned back to the other three travellers.

"Very well, you have pleased me with your tales, and in turn I shall relate to you some of which may come to pass in thy futures - there are many paths left to tread, and many challenges which you must face. Each of you may persevere, although there are those who would rather you not - in their turn they will be recieving guidance to help in their cause. Fear not, for I am watchful, and will tell you some of what may come to pass."

She turned to Kilvox.

"Honour Warrior, bearer of no arms yet master of battle - I see many enemies bested, yet one that will not be by force of war alone. I have no gift for you, only the warning that there will come a time where you must use guile and deception to achieve your goal, rather than speed and courage."

He bowed his head. "As you say, lady."

"It is thy destiny, Forest Walker, to face thine enemy in a land far from here - and some say that thy treatment of him, or his of you, may be in some way the most cruel of all, although on your part necessary. Grant him no mercy, although much may be unlikely in your heart - only one of you will remain in the Grey Lands. To aid you I have but this one vial - in it are distilled the liquid nectar of these flowers of the grove - may it sustain you in a time where you are so far cast from this world, so far removed from your sustaining wilds that you grow weak."

"Thank you," whispered Jade, taking the vial gingerly from the woman's outstretched hand. It glowed faintly with the frail, ethereal light of the glade, and inside the dark-green liquid swirled.

Finally she turned to Roh, making a point of ignoring Caius who stood between Jade and the shepherd. She had in her hands now a rune made of some kind of woven fibre, which to the young man's suprise was an exact cast of that which was burnt into his staff.

"Rohgaphast, Truth Seeker and Gatekeeper, bearer of the mark, I give you this rune - and all that comes with it." She took his staff from his idle hands, and casually slotted it into the space which had been carved out, it fitting snugly in. "Although it may seem like a mere trinket now, in time one who is but is not here will teach you it's usage, and in that may assist you and your companions into prevaling over the darkness that seeks to enslave all lands. In thy future I see much strife - although with faith and the assistance of your powers and friends there is no reason why you should not overcome it."

With these words, the glade began to fade, become insubstantial in the mists that rolled in. The woman was suddenly gone, and, as all three turned to Caius, they found themselves standing back in the edge of the swamp, the ruins of the abandoned house rising over them.

"Well," said Caius. "There we are then, I'm sure that was all very educational for you. Shall we get back to the others?"

[CKW]

Ray breathed deep in relief. It had been somewhat of dangerous, but she was on a piece. Both were.

As soon as she took air, something sharp punctured the chest, not making injurie, but making Ray exhale the air.

"What the!?"

Ray paid a closer attention to her armor. It had been a bit chewed up, and had resisted the monster´s strong jaws, even now one of its teeth was jammed into it. She sighed.It was no longer useable.
Guess it´s time to explain everyone this.
The metallic sound of the broken armor hit the ground.
"Aspen, I have something to tell about me, actually."

[MrHappyPants]

Kilvox nodded at Caius. He crossed his arms, Thinking about what the lady had said. Kilvox had never told a lie in his entire life. Deception was they was of Shadow, who is an enemy of Order, you by blood pact Kilvox pledged alliance to.

He had also mad a pledge to Caius.
Kilvox's mind swirled, he was begining to think this might not have been a good idea, but it would be dishonorable to break a pledge. Kilvox would have to disobey the ways of Order.

[Nyerguds]

Jerunn entered the Inn, Delion following right behind him.
"So... are any of your friends here?" Delion asked.
Jerun looked around. His eyes met Jarvis' for a split second, and then quickly moved on.
"Only one." Jerunn said, looking in a completely different direction than where Jarvis was. "But I doubt he wants to meet you. Don't think you'd like him, either."
"Hey, I'm not one to judge people on sight, you know." Delion replied smoothly.
"Hah!" Jerunn laughed, as he walked to an empty table and sat down. "That'd only make it worse, believe me."
He looked at the inn keeper behind the bar. "You don't happen to have wine, do you?" He turned to Delion. "...since you're paying anyway."
Delion frowned. "Hey, wait..."
"What?" Jerunn grinned. He dropped his voice to a whisper. "You honestly didn't expected anything else from a thief, did you?"
Delion started laughing. "You're right. I promised you a drink, after all."

[Wesforce]

Aisha's little plan had failed miserably - The sailors had insisted on 'jus' one more lil' drink' before going anywhere. Now they lay at various angles in pools of blood and vomit and pils of wood from the broken tables; the Result of a monor disagreement over who had been the greatest Baron of droughness.

Aisha isghed theatrically and got out from under her table...

Just as Jerunn walked in, with Delion.

The eyes she laid on Jerunn may as well have been the cross hairs of one of Aspen's bows.

'Hello gentlemen' She breathed. 'Is there room for a woman to sit here?'

'Why th' Delion had started to say, standing up. Before he could finish, Aisha had stolen his place.

Aisha then fixed them both in simpering small talk about what had just happened, making pretty faces and pretending to be impressed.

Then she got up, shocked.

'Whats the matter?'

'The crest of AL-Zubayr! It's gone!' She shrieked, patting herself down. She hadn't been carrying any valuables she'd cared for when sitting next to the youngster - And noticed most of them still seemed to be there on her person.

She became hysterical, then angry, as others tried to calm her down.

'The crest of Al-Zubayr is a priceless heirloom! I carried it on my person a few moments ago! Before... Before I sat down with...'

Her eyes fixed on Delion and Jerunn.

'You sir' She said of Delion 'I take to be as gentlemanly as my own noble house.'

She turned to Jerunn.

'Now you, bitch-whore of the camel of three humps! The devil's grandmother take you, and what did you do with my crest?'

Al-Hazeeb came over to stand threateningly over Jerunn. Aisha made innocent eyes at Delion, but not so obviously that he might get some inkling of her scheme.

Get out of that one, you little squirt, She thought at the little Jerunn, having placed him on the spot, as it were.

As for the crest of Al-Zubayr... It had of course never existed.

[Artificial Idiot]

"Now miss, Please, settle down." Delion said gently to Aisha. "Take a seat and do not jump to conclusions. It has been the undoing of many and the making of tyrants."

Aisha didn't take kindly to Delion's calm aspect, but he was no fool. He sensed the tension, and needed to break though it to find the root of the problem.

"Nonsense! This son of a Camel-whore is a theif!" She said, almost throwing herself at Delion. "You must understand, good sire, My family would disgrace me forever if I do not claim vengance upon thouse that have wronged me."

"Well, my dear lady, I must protest..." But Delion was cut off by a voice from one of the other tables. It was cold and commanding.

"Miss Neozeed, cease making a fool of yourself or else I will have youand that useless half-wit of a body guard of yours char-grilled!" It was jarvis. He'd been quietly observing from his table for awhile now, but he'd honestly had enough. "If you inisist on it, I will search the boy myself. But for now, sit down and stop this nonsense!"
"As for you master jerunn." He continued. "You do not leave this building until your person, and all your belongings have been searched. If nothing is found, then I want to hear no more on the matter. If it is, well, I'll personally hang you by your ears. As for you, Master Delion. You better have a damned good excuse for being so elusive."

"I will not hand this rat-spit in to that oaf Caius! He will treat him like a son of sons!" Aisha protested. "He will be dealt with by me, as I see fit!"

"Fine, fine. You children just play nice until Uncle Caius gets home."

[VO]

***

The evening sun was sinking towards the highlands of inland Astara, casting golden rays of light across the landscape. The travellers, freshly mounted and pleased to be leaving foul Droughness behind, had made good progress in the last half hour, and were already beginning to climb to higher altitudes, although the land in this wide river valley was barely sloping upwards. Hardy sheep grazed these areas, and they seemed to Roh to be quite different than his own flocks back in Plema. Everything in Astara seemed, well, dirty, or at least reasonably damaged from the frequent minor wars that took place here. The road wound past numerous farmhouses, about half of them either gutted from fire or so far run down that the young shepherd couldn't tell how they had met their fate - although the whole landscape had an overbearing aura of hostility.

The party had settled into several riding groups - Caius, Aspen and Roh at the front, followed closely by Alay, who was holding a lively conversation with Delion - clearly the secretive worlds-ender thought it good that there was someone reasonably talkative and worthy of her conversation in the group. Behind them trailed Kilvox, Jade, Jarvis and Jerunn, the young thief entertaining them with the conversation he had kept up almost non-stop for the journey. Finally came Aisha and her servant, along with Ray who had somehow been roped into helping the hauty noblewoman carry the vast amount of baggage she demanded be brought with them - his horse was visibly already tiring under the weight of the many bags slung behind the rider, while the small grey colt Aisha had aquired, obviously the prettiest and probably fittest horse in the bunch, had little more than the pouting young woman to carry. Caius knew he'd have to remember to sort something out with that once they stopped from the night, which he was determined would only happen once the sun was well below the horizon. After his brief talk with Delion, it was obvious that they'd have to reach Aufghar as soon as possible. Even the incident with the swamp dragon that Aspen had previously reported seemed to hint to him that there was alot afoot here - those beasts, the men in the tavern had said, hadn't been seen in the area for almost a hundred years.

The silence, broken only by the clip-clopping of horses hooves and the voices of the others drifting over the front riders was shattered by a question.

Anyone who wants to ask anything about what's happening can do so now, just have your character ride foreward and catch up with Caius. Alternatively carry on with whatever's going on :)

[LeFire]

(Sorry... couldn't afford time to post, assume that Aspen has been told of Ray's gender)

[CKW]

(everyone should know Ray's gender from now on.)

The horse couldn't handle so more luggage. And that darn Aisha was still blackmailing her. Despite the swamp dragon. It was just too much.

"Lady Aisha. Look. We must not tire the horses too much. You should carry less luggage."
"How do you dar...?!!"
Aisha's luggage was already falling to the floor... Ray impulsed herself into a galloping possition.
"Ha!"
The horse, though still tired, galloped for a while, before catching up with Caius. Ray stopped the horse so fast that it stood in two legs for a while...
but its rider didn't seem to worry. In fact, it looked like it had always knew how to ride the horse so fiercely.

"Lord Caius.We have something to sort out. We both have been hiding information from the other. And I have a bad feeling worse things are going to happen, so it's better know who is your allie, and who is your foe."
CAius nodded.
"First of all, I am not a young guy. My name is Lady Rainiera Abbey!"

[Wesforce]

Ray's speech was suddenly cut short by an amazing transfixing pain in the back of her neck.

'Oh, fu-'

Her eyes rolled back and it all went dark. She collapsed off her horse, falling heavily to the ground.

Aisha lowered her bow, and trotted her horse over to the unconsious warrior - The arrowhead stuck deep in the back of her neck into bone and cartillage, the shaft broken off. Ray was near death.

'That was your last mistake. We of the desert do not take kindly to those who would offend our sense of honour.'

To do that and turn her back, then run like a coward... Death is a blessing to such a wretch.i thought Aisha.

'Al-Hazeeb, finish her off!'

'It will be done, Ma'am.' The manservant got ready to administer the coup-de-grace with his massive fists.

[Artificial Idiot]

Jarvis stopped his jet black horse, obviously the most meancing beast of them all. He noticed Aspen already had her bow near by, obviously in preperation for another attack. He motioned to her, barely catching her attention she was so alert. He pointed towards Aisha. He pulled his own crossbow from within his cloak, although he didn't aim it. The rest was obvious.

"You have pushed your luck far enough Lady Neozeed." Muttered Jarvis, making her alret to both his and Aspen's postion. "And let me make myself crystal clear. I have waited my whole life for this moment, and your simple mind can not even start to imagion how long that has been. I will not stand petty in-fighting from some stuck up, arrogant princess who thinks far too much of herself. Let me tell you, Lady Neozeed, my only concern in doing this will be if hit that fine stallion you ride."

He waited for her responce. He wasn't too sure Caius would approve of this course of action, but people like lady Neozeed, educated as they may be, can be very ignorant of peaceful words. And to be honest, jarvis was getting very tired of her. Deep down, if they were not both needed, he'd have just hoped that the combined effort of Aspen, himself and the man servant would finish them both off. But either way, this couldn't go on. And he'd have to speak to Caius about this, if the team cannot work togeather, then the enemy will rip them apart.

[CKW]

(Eh, Wes, cut it off. Killing someone for dropping some stuff is definitely NOT for good guys, AFAIK).
A ring rolled off from Ray's hand. It had her noble crest on it. A raven.

It had been not the first time that crest had been seen. But before this, such crest had been associated with blood and awe. With the man know as
Lucian.

[VO]

"Goddess!" swore Caius, leapt off his mount, stumbling as he touched the floor - he wasn't quite as young as he thought he was. Ray lay on the ground, with blood trickling from the wound on the back of her neck, mingling with the dirty track, and running through her cropped hair.

This shouldn't be happening - he must have seriously done something wrong if his charges were killing each other!

The other travellers stood transfixed, eyes slowly swivelled to Aisha. Kilvox had also dismounted, a look of absolute betrayal written across his face. Aisha, at the rear of the group, sat utterly noble and but still sheepish on her horse, bow half-raised, rich cloak flapping in the wind, and her Eunuch manservant halfway between her and the others.

"Jerunn! Cut some strips of my cloak!"
Caius shouted to the mounted youth, and quickly examined Ray's neck - the wound was reasonably deep, and had only been stopped by some fluke of luck from shearing deep into the nerves that ran through down her back. If anything, the young man - or was she a woman? - would be incapacitated for days, even if they could get this thing out. Warm blood dripped onto Caius's fingers.

Jade stepped up behind him. She whispered something - "I think I can help" - but Caius was too preoccupied to notice by what was going on, and the forest woman carefully levered him out of the way, laying a piece of moss she had picked up from the rocky roadside on the wound.

Kilvox had just completely flattened Al-Hazeeb in a single punch, and was advancing menacingly on the noblewoman. Aspen had drawn her bow, and had it in an instant focused on the same target.
"Just give me the word and she's as good as dead"

Alay had also drawn a sickle-shaped dagger out, which dripped with poison - most of the rest of the group seemed to have, as one, rounded on the Sulturnate noblewoman, who knew that if she ran, she would be shot of her horse instantly. The sinking sun over the mountains ahead of them cast long shadows, and metal glinted from drawn weapons, making staying an equally bad proposition. Jarvis, Jade and Roh appeared to be the only ones who hadn’t made a move towards her, Roh’s face criss-crossed in concentration, Jarvis casting a steely gaze across the group, as if willing them to dare touch their companion, and the last at Caius’s side.

Thunder cracked across the mountainside.

"Right," said Caius. "Someone help me get Ray off the roadside. We're going to have to camp here tonight." He added, almost as an afterthought : "and everyone, put those weapons down. We're going to have to have a little talk."

He nodded to Jarvis. "Lady Neozeed's horse won't try to run, and you know full well she won't shoot at you. Tell the arrogant little cow why she shouldn't be shooting her friends, I'll deal with the others. I think now's the time we better explain what's going on."

[Wesforce]

Aisha put down her weapons, and held her hands up.

'Honour has been avenged. Do with me what you will.'

She was about to order Al-Hazeeb to abate, but he'd already been floored. Aisha felt a twinge of guilt: He'd just been caught up in the arrogant actions of a foolish woman who now lay close to death.

[Artificial Idiot]

Jarvis nodded in agreement and put away his crossbow. He'd have had every intention of using it, as everything would have fallen apart if Ray had been killed anyway. So he might as well have taken the noble and her servant with her, if only to make it dramatic.

"Lady Neozeed, let it be known that no harm shall come to you as long as the man, or woman as the case may be, lives." Jarvis stated. he cast an ice glare around the others. "Anybody who wishes to have their own little vengance upon her will answer to me." He lay his focus on Aisha. "As for what will happen to you, well first of all, you will make your camp away from the others and be under constant observation. Come tomorrow morn, you and I are going to have a little talk. Any attional punishment will be decided by Caius, do you understand?"

"Yes, you are most merciful!" She said, her voice dripping with false flattery.

"Oh yes, and the matter of your luggage." Jarvis began. "Some of it will have to be left behind."

"What!" Aisha shouted in a sudden outburst, but then remembered her circumstances. "Yes, of course."

"Very good." Jarvis was pleased, guilt must have sank into that thick skull of hers at last. "One last thing, I feel it only correct for you to turn over your bow and arrows to me for tonight. I do not want that in your pocession until we have had our talk."

[VO]

“Right everyone, I’m going to have to be frank here – there’s a perfectly good reason why we shouldn’t let that bitch-whore Aisha swing from the nearest coppice. We need her for what we’re doing, just as we don't need Ray being so stupid again, and it goes far deeper than a simple quest to recover an old liar’s fortunes.”

The firelight flickered around them, and the stars glimmered about overhead. Jarvis was having a similar talk with Aisha, at the tent the recovered Al-Hazeeb had pitched for her, apart from the others. Ray lay in another tent, tossing and turning in tortured sleep, her neck bandaged up with the mosses and plants Jade had selected. Even with the druid’s help, it would be weeks before she would be fully recovered. All the others sat around this small hollow in the rock face, the scent of their pitched horses drifting across to them, around a small built by Aspen, and eating the dried meats and breds they had brought with them from Droughness. (except Jade, who had refused to eat the flesh of animals.) Jerunn playing with his – obviously he had never had to eat like this before, and overall the company was sullen and vengefully-minded, and their mood wasn’t warmed by the freezing mountain air. They drew cloaks and blankets around themselves, occasionally glancing to Aisha's outlandish tent seethingly.

“Basically, people, you may wish to close your minds to what I’m about to say – you’re still going to get paid for this, and I have the money here to prove it anyway” – Caius bounced the bag of gemstones in his hand – “What might shock some of you is we’re actually fulfilling an ancient prophecy, and it determines the fate of the world – and everyone in it, including all of us - I’m sure you’ve heard it all before in your children’s stories, so I’m not going to bother you with it. What I’m saying is that each of you is absolutely integral to the fulfilment of this, so NO-ONE will sneak into Lady Aisha’s tent and stick a rusty dagger in her heart tonight – although I expect most of you won’t make it past her half-man servant – but if you did, you can honestly expect fire and demons to be raining from the sky come tomorrow morning – and I wake up late, so I won’t be able to save you from them. She’s going to get her own punishment, but it won’t be anything any of you inflict - if you actually want her to get her just desserts, just leave things be.
Now, if you actually want to hear about my goddess or whatever, feel free to stick around by the fire. If not, I’m sure you can all amuse yourself, or get a good night’s sleep. I’m going to try and fix up something for Ray so we can move again in the morning. Goddess, even if the enemies were here after us, I doubt any of them could mess things up quite as well as Aisha has. We’re going to need Ray badly in Aufghar, so we have quite a problem on our hands. Now begone with you or stay and laugh at my blind faith.”

[Artificial Idiot]

"Awfully cold tonight, isn't it?" Said Jarvis, entering Aisha's tent. The man servant hadn't bothered with him, he was still sore from his earlier beating, licking his wounds you could say. And he wasn't quite so sure of himself when Jarvis' had lay his stare on him.

"What do you want?" Aisha demanded. She was angry at him, and probably with good reason. He'd threatened to kill her out right, confined her to a small tent away from the others and took away part of her weaponry all in the same day.

"To talk." He said simply, unfastening his cloak and laying it on the ground. Aisha was obviously surprised at how thin the man actually was. He had always seemed so imposing in the cloak. "I want you to understand why what you did was wrong, and explain to you the meaning of this mission."

"Because killing is wrong and old man Caius wants his inhertance." Aisha answered in a dry manner.

"Allow me to ask you a question." Said Jarvis, unravelling his long, grey scarf from around his face. "How old do you think I am?"

"What does this have to do with anything!" Aisha demanded, but the look on Jarvis' face forced her to answer. As jarvis unraveled the scarf, Aisha began to see a change in the man. As his mouth and nose was revealed, she realised he did not actually look as old as he had with all the wrappings. "I'd be willing to guess about forty, if you insist on me answering." Jarvis just nodded solemnly.

"Aisha, you have forced Caius and myself into a very akward postion. Because of your actions, the true nature of this mission has to be revealed, as Caius is doing to the others now, I will reveal it to you." Jarvis sat on the floor, getting ready for the long speech that was about to follow. "Thousands of years ago, there was a great war that split the very Earth and tore apart the sky. It is now known as the great war, but seeing as you are of noble heritage, I take it you have read all about it. Now, do you want to see another great war happen, Aisha?"

"Well, um, no of course not!" She answered, a little taken aback by the man using her real name.

"Well, that is what we are trying to prevent. We are fulfilling an ancient prophecy, set in motion many thousands of years ago, before even my lifetime. But do not panic, with the amount of money you will be paid, and no doubt the experiance you will gain, you can buy a small army and travel back to your homeland." He paused to let it all sink in, then continued. "We are on a mission from the Goddess herself to rmaintain the balence of good and evil to the land. The actions of ourselves, and others, will dictate the fate of the world it's self! It is important that we do not let ourselves become enthralled in petty evils, and it is even more important that we do not try to bring harm to each other..."

"It was in self-defence! The camel-whore dropped my lugg..."

"Silence!" Jarvis demanded. "Look, I realise that you may not have meant to kill the woman. However, you still could have! And let me tell you, if she would have died I would have killed you outright. I make no secret of that. And you should thank me for it, for you would not have seen the dark times that would have come ahead! Let me make it clear, if any harm comes to any of us, we will have another Great war on our hands. By the Goddess, we may even have worse! So if you had a very good reason for shooting the woman, say it now. The punishment you recive may be slackened."

[Wesforce]

'I had a very good reason for shooting that woman. Where I come from, honour is everything. Honour distingushes the noble rulers from the wretched peasants, as surely as it distinguishes men from the rabid dogs of the wilderness... As surely as the noble camel from the dung beetles that follow in his wake. Now I would have been willing to lose some of my luggage for the good of the party...'

Aisha winced a bit, inwardly. Having to lose that crate of cheap plaster trinkets Al-Hazeeb had snatched from some idiot of a trader from a passing ship hurt. Bravely, she kept on, tears welling in her dark eyes.

'But no, we cannot allow honour to break down like that. If that slight had been ignored, Ray would have done it again, and worse, and to others. Already the upstart had sought he ear of Caius, no doubt to spread her own wretched, dishonest ways. Did you not see how she appeared to have started out as a man, and become female?'

Jarvis knew she had something there.

'Maybe I should thank you.' Said Aisha, lowering her gaze. 'But in a way, I do not think myself arrogant to say you should, in a small way, be thankful to me.'

'How so?' Jarvis raised an eyebrow. The eye widened when he saw the flute... With a viscous fluid dripping from one end that stank acrdily, like venom. He couldn't help but notice how sharp the end away from the mouthpiece looked.

'Noble Al-Hazeeb found this on the ground. I noticed it on Ray while she was interfering with my baggage. When she rode up next to Caius... Al-Hazeeb didn't tell anyone for fear if reprisal. But you did that anyway.'

Aisha's face clouded... But she suppressed her anger at the brutal treatment of her poor man-servant.

'My advice... Keep an eye on me, but also on Ray.'

[Artificial Idiot]

"Very well, Lady Neozeed. I shall take this to Caius and we shall discuss the matter." Jarvis motioned for her to give him the flute. She did so willingly. "In light of this, your fate shall be decided and delivered to you tomorrow 'morn, or tomorrow noon time pending. But for now, you shall keep this to yourself. And shall do as you have been asked, understood?"

"Yes, perfectly." Aisha replied.

"Good." Said Jarvis, as he fastened his cloak and started to twist his scarf back into place. "I will leave you now, but be sure to think about all I have told you."

With that, he gave one last ice stare at her, and left.

[LeFire]

Aspen had been little more than a spectator in the day's events. Sure, she had drawn her bow. But it was more for self-defence than to defend Ray, whom she felt that she owed no favours to, woman or not. Aspen was mercenary, pure and simple, and it would take more than a single fight to earn her trust and favour. The same thing went for Aisha... had the noblewoman attempted to fire at her, Aspen would have fired back.

And unlike Aisha, Aspen's arrows were nearly always fatal.

And now Caius was going on about his 'faith'. Aspen laughed out loud at his foolishness, shaking her head with slight amusement. To the surprise of the rest of the party, Caius didn't seem to mind... as if he expected that behaviour of hers.

Intrigued by the prospect of what she regarded as no more than a campfire fairy-tale, the Faithless One settled down to listen.

[Toxic10x]

Roh shot a hard glance toward Aspen, but said nothing. How could someone show such open disregard for another's beliefs? Roh began to wonder if Aspen could be trusted, in fact, he began to wonder if just about anyone in the group could be trusted. He was amidst the company of a thief, a back-stabber, a liar, and a mercenary with no clear allegiance short of wealth, to name a few.
Roh was actually surprised at himself for thinking so cynically. Certainly everyone was under some strain in these strange circumstances. Besides, Ciaus and Jarvis seemed to believe strongly that they were all needed for some great purpose, and they seemed trustworthy - or at least dedicated to their cause.
Roh decided that he would not let any suspicion get the better of him. If there were difficult times ahead, and it sounded like that would indeed be the case, the party would need someone to be a positive force; to hold them all together.
He glanced over at Aspen again, who was presently shaking her head and smirking at Caius' tale.
"You don't have to believe him," Roh whispered to her, "but you should at least respect that he believes what he's saying."
Aspen looked up, irritated. However, when she saw in his eyes that Roh had not spoken to condemn her, but rather that he had spoken frankly and genuinly, her expression softened.
They both resumed listening to Caius, and whether or not Aspen's opinions of Caius had changed or not Roh could not tell, but she did remain quite and seemingly attentive for the time being. Kilvox, who was sitting cross legged a few feet away, had heard the exchange, and a slight small crossed his lips as he sensed a bit of the tension in the party fade away.

[CKW]

"YARGGG!!!!"
Ray winked. She had regained consciusness.
What the hell!? Uh... Where am I?
The hand stirred. It grabbed soft soil. The sky was covered...
Oh, wait. I am in a tent. That must mean...
Instinctively, Ray probed her neck, softly. It was bandaged.
Damn, that wimpy bitch caught me off guard. I need to remember most nobles like their asses licked good.
Gathering forces, Ray stumbled a few times before getting up. But her feet were unstable, so she grabbed the sword as walking stick. When she noticed something else. The familiar ring was in her hand.
Hmmm... I don't usually wear this ring. Someone has placed it. Hence, someone knows i have a noble lineage.
There were voices outside.
Crap, my neck hurts.
She walked the way she could towards the fire.

[VO]

"Very well," said Caius, as no-one stood up to leave. "Looks like I'll have to go over the whole thing to you, and you might as well get comfy." He paused for a moment, as the gatherers around the fire shifted their positions in the half-light.

"Long ago, the world was young. My religion, that is, who I work for, says that in this time the continents were formed by her brother - a god. He has alot of names, just about ten in every language of the world, so I won't bother. He filled the world with animals, plants, and people, and it's his sister - the one I refer to as The Godess, purely as most of the names given to her by mortals do absolutely nothing to describe her - who is tasked with maintaining this balance. Their other brother, The Nameless, was at that time content with his job - being the god of the dead. Overall, the gods were content with heaven, and left the race of man alone in the world, and slowly he spread out of the southlands, colonised the reaches, and began to move into the northern wastes. This all happened many thousands of years after the creation, so I'm told, but time runs quite differently in heaven, so it could be anything in the minds of the gods - an eternity, a heartbeat."

"I was born at this time, in an area now known as Khadland, at the very edge of civilisation. Back then, it was even more wild than it is now, and I grew up in the company of brigands and outlaws - even then, mankind had that kind of person, yes, and I suppose some of it rubbed off on me. I made my way down into what was then the Eblan provinciates on the northern shores when I was about sixteen, and from where we are now, Astara, my first trip on a boat, and finally down the coast through Plema and Mira, to the fledgling Empire. At this time, the balance of power across the world was quite different - there was no Empire, so to speak, just a loose alliance of primitive city-states scattered across the world as the basic nations we have, in general now, and the Eblans. Back then they actually came out of their island, and were the greatest sailors of the seas (although that's not saying much, it was the Empire who really got the idea of ships going), and had several small dominions on the mainland and the south reach, trading furs and gemstones and fresh-caught seafood with the inhabitants of the coasts."

"This, of course, was when the war in heaven boiled over. According to my Godess, the Nameless had long been incontent with his lot, and struck out at his brother and sister, and as a result, was cast out of heaven into the mortal world. The remaining two immortals figured this would give him a chance to think things over, who knows how long they intended to leave him there, I don't know, but what is true is that it didn't work. Within a hundred years, the Nameless had twisted things about the Empire, recruited a handful of elite followers, acquired the guise of a man I know as "the Adversary", for lack of any solid title or name he's ever had, and had set about forging a new destiny for the world. The Empire started the great war, forcing the Eblans off the continent, subjugating the other peoples, and generally creating the best environment possible for his plans. In this time of war, he hoped to acquire the alliance of the various spirits of the land - creatures neither god nor mortal - and make war on heaven. I was told to stop it."

"I don't know why it was me, or even how these kind of things are chosen, but the Goddess appeared to me, and told me what to do. I assembled a group of people much like you, chosen by prophecy, and we tried to stop the Adversary's plans. We succeeded, in a way, managing to set him back for a long time, but the Empire rolled over everything else, and set everything up so no-one could win. It's very complicated, but suffice to say that with the Empire here in it's current state - dominating two thirds of the entire world, the Nameless can't have his war, and we couldn't stop him without destroying everything here in the process - so, in a sort of standoff, the Goddess disbanded her followers, allowing all but two to return to their old lives as best they could. She left me, for apparently I was needed to assemble a new group in some time far in the future, and a young zealot called Jarvis who had done little but get in the way to watch over the world with me, sleeping for hundred-year turns, while the other roamed the realms of man, making sure that certain marriages happened, so the descendants of certain people were born, culminating in all of you. Of course, I didn't know precisely who you would be at this time, just who you'd be born to, so family lines were maintained across the centuries, waiting for a chance that's now here. The world is changing, the Empire slowly fracturing now as there is no heir to the Imperial throne, and even the most blind attendant in the Imperial palace can spot a civil war brewing. These are the exact conditions the Nameless and his followers - who he didn't disband so long ago - need to fulfil the prophecy, so now both myself and Jarvis are awake, and we need to stop them. Which is what your job is, infact, what I'm paying each of you for is to be in a certain place at a certain time, and set the balance to our side. There will always be someone who opposes you, a servant of the other prophecy for the dark forces of the Nameless, and you may have already met them. It's your job to defeat them, be it in combat or by guile or words, when the time is right, making sure the rightful order of things succeeds."

He paused, coughing after his long speech. The rest of the companions, who had fallen silent during the talk, now murmured around the firelight.

"So thats why you're here, and why we need Aisha. Any questions?"

***

Ray, half-blinded by the firelight using a sword for a walking stick, (for no apparent reason seeing as her neck was injured) and weak from her injuries, lurched out of her tent, and towards the fire. She was groggy and unstable from the treatments applied to reduce the pain, and really shouldn’t have tried to get up at all - she tripped over a discarded pack from one of the other travellers, sprawling over Kilvox, and crashed into the ground in the middle of the startled congregation who had been unaware of her approach ungainly, one hand plunging into the searing flames.

[CKW]

(there's something called blood loss, VO)
Reflexes were still working. The hand quickly retracted.
"YARG!"
She looked upon the faces.
"Uh, hi...did i miss something?"

[Artificial Idiot]

The companions stared at Ray open mouthed for awhile, seemingly in shock. Ray was about to ask what they were looking at, when Alay finally regained her senses and had a sudden outburst.

"RAY! Your shirt! It's on fire!"

Ray had still been too disorintated to notice, but when she looked down at her burnt hand, she saw the flames flickering. Suddenly, almost as if the sight had been a trigger, the pain rushed though her arm like water though a raging river. She started screaming madly and waving her arm widly.

"Stay still!" Caius told her. "You're only fanning the flames!"

The camp were now in a blind panic, with people shouting for water, blankets and several other ways to put the fire out. But noboy had yet acted, and the flames were creeping higher.

[CKW]

"Stay still? Anything but still!" Ray shouted, and instantly dived to the ground that was in the opposite direction than the fire place.She rolled forwards and backwards, until the fire was put off.
She panted on the ground, exhausted of the effort.
"Well... people, how are you?" Ray mocked up. Her neck ached.

My little angel, if you are on fire sometime, just stop, drop and roll.
She remembered those words... But who had said them...It had happened many years ago in the past...

[LeFire]

"Hold still."

Aspen had come up to Ray, who was still smoking from the flame. Grabbing her scorched hand, the ranger proceeded to pour cold mountain stream water from her pouch over it, quelling what she knew would be fire damage to the flesh inside the arm. Aspen then manhandled the soldier's back towards the fire and examined her wound. Finally stepping in front of her, Aspen peered into the other woman's eyes, looking for signs of pupil dilation.

"Tsk... You shouldn't be doing so much activity so soon after the injury. Did you know how close that shot to your neck went to your spine? You are still under the effect of the drowsy-plants, I can tell by your eyes and movements. You may be moving fine now, but if you keep doing so, you're either going to injure yourself or someone else and hurt even worse when the effects of the plants wear off."

"Well, I'm not going to lie around and miss something." Ray replied, blinking her eyes in an unsuccessful attempt to clear the hazy fog from her head.

"You don't need to know the full reason for now. Suffice to say that all of us need to be alive at some point in the future... which means that you can't kill Aisha yet. And which also means that killing yourself by tripping over a sword or something isn't the way to go. I'll update you in future. Now get a proper night's rest."

[Wesforce]

Aisha had sat at the front of her tent, listening intently to Caius' speech. It matched what she'd heard from Jarvis earlier. They were all seeingly here for a purpose. Misled, led on to be used, rather callously, it seemed to her.

She apreciated the Irony. Had she not done enough of that back home? Would she not have to do a lot more of that to regain her rightful position?

Heh. Fair enough. I'll let Caius and Jarvis have their fun... And maybe get some of my own on the way. The Goddess' will must be obeyed, but surely it can be... stretched?

Her thoughts were interrupted when the arrogant fool, Ray, stumbled out with a sword in her hand, using it as a walking stick. Aisha could barely watch...

No way to mistreat a finely-crafted weapon... No way at all.

The disbelief contined as Ray stumbled into the fire. Much commotion occurred as many of the others fell over themselves trying to put out the fire. Only Aspen seemed to remain calm and collected, giving the groggy Ray a tongue-lashing. From the sidelines, Aisha had a great view of the spectacle.

Seems I needn't have bothered with the arrow... She'll do for herself before long. But by the Goddess, it had felt good!

Aisha went back to her tent. Al-Hazeeb sat outside, dejected.

'Al'Hazeeb... You are unhappy?'

'Hit by son-of-camel's-rectum. Angry. Want TEACH LESSON!'

He thudded a fist into his meaty palm with considerable force.

'Noble Al-Hazeeb. You have done so much, and come so far...' Aisha laid a caring hand on the giant's bare shoulder. 'The Goddess will see to all, in the end. But for now, I'd like you to deliver this note...' She gave him a wink before retiring. He smiled, for the first time in months.

Aisha laid down in silk pyjamas, in her stylised tent.

[Artificial Idiot]

"Thank the Goddess that is over..." muttered Jarvis, as he found a quiet spot away from the camp. He'd had enough in his life of people just like her. Burned a good many of them too. Thought they were on top, but were really being played like a harp. He wondered what was playing Aisha, or at least, what woul be.
But it didn't matter, things had been settled. He'd talk to Caius about Aisha's little tale after he had finished weaving tales around the campfire. He had already made up his mind, he had to reason to trust either of them. Aisha's family had a long history of backstabbing and betrayal, and as for the other, "Ray" as she called herself. Well, she has already put a major dent in her trust.
But, it mattered not. He cast all thoughts of the party out of his mind, and pulled a leather bound book from his cloak. It was one of Delion's. Jarvis had left him here quite a while ago. A year? Two? Jarvis could not remember, he must be getting old. He'd made some notes about the land, kept an eye over things, kept an eye on the most vunrable of the party. And he'd did very well. His notes were most interesting, if not occasionally split by poetry and creative writings that he had obviously put in the wrong book.
In the back was a map of the known world. Jarvis traced his fingers along the trade routes, caosts, major cities, dots of villages and townships... he'd walked it all, and yet, put into perspective, he felt that he hadn't walked much of the land at all. So much change, so many mistakes. No stabilty.
He closed the book, he'd take it to Caius with the flute later, and he could upgrade any plans he has based on Delion's notes. Although, the old fool would probably be more interested in the poetry.

* * *

Delion had heard Caius' tale before. Jarvis had told him pretty much the same thing when he was "recruited". However, he'd been alone for most of the time he had been in droughness, and did not feel like retiring to his tent just yet. Besides, he found the Lady Alay to be most charming.
The one they all called "Ray" was being led away be Aspen and Jade, back to a tent. Most likely to be patched up. Foolish woman. She was already in a bad state from what Delion had seen from the wound, and that hand looked quite nasty. Not to mention the minor burns she now had on her arm.

"If I am not out of my way asking, My lord." Delion said to Caius. "What do you intend to do with the injured party? Surely she can not walk by her own accord, and is obviously in no condition to ride her own horse. Even more so with those new wounds inflicted."

[VO]

"Well," said Caius. "It looks like we're going to have to try to put her on a horse, at least. If Jarvis has filled you in as much as he thinks he has, and if you've had the incentive to get hold of The Book and read it for yourself, you've probably figured out that Ray's EVENT has to happen within a week, in the town of Aufghar. If I remember the lay of the land, that means we have about five day's ride to get there, considering the amount of baggage we have. Maybe we can tie her to the saddle or something, and have someone else lead it from their horse. She seems to have developed a habit of getting herself hurt and falling off things anyway, so I don't want to put her in any more danger."

Delion nodded. "Mayhaps I will lead her first - if several of us take turns it will be less tiring."

"Good idea. Can I trust you to prepare her mount in the morning? - borrow the most docile horse we have, and, hopefully she'll be so groggy from the medicine Jade prepared she won't have time to make a fuss and stab herself with her sword or something."

"That's no discomfort at all," replied Delion. "I've had many early rises in Jarvis's service, and a few more shouldn't rack up any more of a toll on me."

"Good." murmoured Caius, and turned to the others. "I suppose we should all go to sleep now - we'll be moving as soon as possible after sunrise." The others agreed, some reluctantly, and drifted off to their respective tents, leaving the old man staring into the flickering firelight.

[Artificial Idiot]

Delion had done as he had promised. He was up long before dawn had broken, preparing the horses and rope that would be needed for Ray's transport. After having a quick drink and wash, with his own personal supplies of water he had brought with him from Droughness (there would be places to refill it upon the way, he had started the task of uploading Ray onto the horse). He could have done it alone, but the young man Kilvox had came and offred his assitance.
Luckily, Ray was still drowsy from the medicine and virtually limp, so it was an easy task to tie her to the horse. They checked the stabily, made sure that the bonds would not break or brush against her injury. It was found that any sudden jolts on the voyge may make her neck injury worse, so between them they devised a way to keep her upright, but there was very little they could do about head movement.
Soon after they were done, Caius had got up, or at least, risen from his tent. Delion wasn't sure if Jarvis or Caius actually slept. Caius roused the rest of the camp, and soon all but Aisha, her man servant and Al-Hazzeb were ready to go. Caius and Delion took the lead, as they knew where they were going. Followed closely by Roh, Alay, Jade and Jerunn. With Aspen and Kilvox lagging behind. Aspen obviously had other things on her mind.
Aisha emerged from her tent soon after, after having another word with Jarvis. She now lacked a lot of her luggage, which Jarvis had persauded her to leave behind, but he had returned her bow and arrow now that the tension had died down somewhat. And the flute situation had also been sorted out. Jarvis and Caius had decided that there was no suitable course of action at this present time for either. Jus close observation. Which is why it had been decided that Aisha would stay at the back of the lines, under the close supervision of Jarvis, until they reached their destination.

"May the Goddess protect us." Muttered Jarvis, as the group set off.

VO : and protect us from your spelling, too :p

AI: Give me a break, I DID write that at about 1am, and have Wesforce as my witness :p

[CKW]

Under the drug's effect, nightmares started to show up in Ray's mind. Nightmares long forgotten, that had been brought by the physical trauma and the unconsciusness. Of what had happened seven years ago.


"Get the Astarian Whore!," The voice yelled.
Heat. The smell of blood. Ray could do nothing but to stay frozen in her hideout, beneath the bed.

"NOOOOO!"
A woman's voice yelled in a wild scream, then nothing, but a wet sound, like a sword trespassing flesh.
"Mom..." Ray whispered.
"...hey! there's someone else! Must be the little bitch!" A voice exclaimed.
Suddenly, a face appeared from the bed... A sadistic, bloody face of an assassin thug. Ray qualied, but suddenly its expression turned into sheer pain, when a blade passed clean through his chest.
"RUN! RUN!"
It was dad. Armed with an sword, injured, and outnumbered, but still willing to battle the goons. His strong arm pulled Ray out, and threw her outside the room. Ray stumbled, hearing the sounds of the terrifying battle behind her, then felt like she had wings on her feet, judging on how fast she went outside the mansion.
The stench of fire filled the air. Ray coughed. The shadows through the window showed that the people that were still inside, fought. One against the others. Her father fell in a flurry of blades.

Ray whispered something, yet no one could understand it, as it was in Astarian dialect, the same dialect her mother taught to her.
She was remembering the past.

The goons, their work finished, proceed to run outside. They were coming, fast, towards Ray. But only two of them, the others had been vanquished by her now deceased father.

Ray blinked. Memories flew past.

The goons lunged at Ray, swords slashing at her. But she dodged, tripping and rolling in the dirt as blades swooshed past her.
Once. Twice. It didn't matter. She had been not hit. The third threw up dust as she slid out of it’s way, struggling to her feet, hearing the clatter of it coming out of the assailant’s hand and bounce off the courtyard stones. Ray leapt for it, catching it with both hands and rolling upwards to luckily block the remaining blade. They rang with the clash of metal on metal, and Ray gritted her teeth, staring into the bloodshot eyes of her would-be murderer.

It was the first time she had ever held a sword, and she remembered the sharp pang of adrenaline rushing through her system, taking over her senses.

They didn't know what to do. – the little girl they had intended to snuff out like a candle was grinning, and, fired by desperation, was now armed and seemed a much greater target than before, although nothing like a trained professional. The unarmed man picked up a broken beam from the window, and smiled menacingly at the defiant victim. There was no way she could block this with the sword, and one blow of it could crush her fragile skull. Both of the men circled, like vultures over a dying beast.

The one with the improvised wooden weapon lunged, but Ray was too fast, dodging, twisting, and avoiding the blows. She came up, and her sword tore at the throat of the bearer, spraying Ray's face with blood.

Too late, she turned, and saw the point of the other sword come down directly towards her, she leapt back, but it just caught her, ripping through previously pale and unblemished cheek. Pain shot through her like a thousand splinters, sapping her of the sudden, unexpected strength that had sustained her for so long, she collapsed foreward onto her knees, and, panting, looked up into the eyes of her killer, before drifting into dark oblivion.


Ray closed her eyes again. She had never needed to seek revenge for the assasins of her family! She had already killed them! But of course, someone had sent them, and whoever that was still deserved to be punished.
Why!?
"...Why!?"
Ray exclaimed.

(PS:Is this OK, VO?)

VO : I edited this somewhat to make it a bit more realistic - I don't see how a younger Ray could have suddenly bested two men in a swordfight, without incredible luck considering she had had no training at this point. Also, I think it's rather weird that this memory was blocked, seing as it's the most important thing in Ray's personal storyline, giving her her motivations and such - her remembering this suddenly changes her personality dramatically. I changed the ending of the post too, but I saved the full origianal, so we can talk about anything you don't like in this edit, and reach a compromise.

[VO]

***

Finally, almost a week later, the party made it to Aufghar. They had been slowed down considerably since Ray’s injury, and Aisha had seemed to be fairly quickly let back into the group as a whole, although there was a slight air of tenseness whenever she raised her voice. The other young woman’s amazingly fast recovery had allowed her to ride on her own, although with one hand, as the other was badly burnt and swollen, and bandaged with another one of Jade’s remedies. Once in the town, they would have to check it and probably see if there was a dedicated medicine-man or woman available. On the journey, Caius had explained the complexities of inland, rural Astara, telling Jerunn not to make fun of the ‘skirts’ the burly warriors wore, and also warning the women of their status in a country where ladies were roughly equated to property. There had been some talk of some of them – probably Aspen, Jade or Ray – disguising themselves as men, as this would probably make much of their task easier, allowing them to move about the town with far less suspicion.

The home of clan Aufghar lay in the middle of a fertile but narrow glacial valley, on an island where the river which flowed down from the high Astarian mountains parted for about half a mile. At the travellers first glance, it seemed almost idyllic, smoke curling up from the many houses in the isolated but prosperous town, reasonably rich from the spoils of war, and built around the Chieftain’s Hall in the middle, in the style of most of the clan-towns of Astara. From their high vantage point, small and tidy fields of crops also grew along the banks of the river, and on the steeper slopes scraggly sheep and goats could be seen, and a small but busy main street lined with small shops could be seen. Civilisation, it seemed to Caius, had finally began to seep into this highland wilderness in the many years since he had last been here.

However, the shadow of a decidedly chequered past hung across the valley, and it wasn’t good news. About two miles from the edge of the town, camped across the entire pass, waited an army composed Astarian clansmen with the tartan banners of several different clans, armed in their usual manner with very limited siege equipment and a lot of woad paint. Caius swore. It seemed the clan wars had broken out, and spilled over directly to where the enemy would want them. On closer inspection, a small encampment of other warriors was camped just outside the city walls, and, on their side of the valley lay another, smaller army, obviously equally intent on laying siege to the town.

Caius pulled his horse up, turned to the others. It looks like we’ve got a bit of a problem here. We need to get into Aufghar, and that will mean getting through the blockade, and of course, that will need a reason. Does anyone have any ideas of a good disguise for all of us?”

[VO]

VO : Time for a quick switch of perspective - if you want to, the next post you make can be a short introduction to your character's counterpart, who will be somewhere in the vicinity of the Astarian army. Don't expect to continue this yet, though, we'll be jumping straight back in with the 'good' guys as well.

Azat stood up from where he had been sitting, on a stone ledge overlooking the pass. Around him, the numerous ravens that inhabited the precipe croaked, and hopped about their business. Sometimes these days, he preferred the company of animals to people – the complexities of this thing called civilisation still eluded him occasionally, and it always felt good to resort to the wilds, although right now he still had to keep a close eye on his charges – bickering and infighting as they inevitably did. He closed the Book of Khashdar upon one knee – sometimes, through the long darkness, he felt as if it was his only companion, a thing he knew completely from end to end, yet still revealed hidden depths each time he read it – it provided some kind of strange calm in the twisting future.

Azat could not read. He had learnt the book by heart.

Far below him, hundreds of Astarians massed for war – milling about in tents and wooden blockades and shallow ditches spanning the entire pass – and he could pick out the burly form of at least one of the chosen far below, a speck detectable only by his heavy metal armour. Grok, ‘Honour Warrior’, hadn’t seemed very honourable to Azat. Down there as well was everyone else, including the simpering taxman they’d collected from Rueay, and the half-dead man that even Zanis wouldn’t touch.

Footsteps made their way up towards him, through the tangled undergrowth. Azat could already tell it was Zanis – the decrepit old corpse had a knack of being everywhere at once, Azat had noticed, despite the incredibly slow speed at which he walked. The smell kind of gave it away, as well.

“What is it, old friend?” Azat did not look back towards the other man, but continued staring out across the abyss. Zanis wheezed before replying.

“The Soldier himself wants to move out again. He’d committed another speech to the troops, and now they’re all whipped up into frenzy over the coming battle. I don’t know how long we can keep them in check here, but I hope you don’t expect it to be much longer. They all know the battle’s as good as won with the miniscule forces Aufghar has pulled together.” Metal claws clicked as he spoke, as if he was drumming out each word on them, to some kind of perverse and tuneless melody.

Azat nodded – as good these half-tame clansmen were at battle itself, he knew from experience that trying to control one, let alone the resources of three entire clans, was a task of impossible proportions.
“Tell Lucian to stop giving those bloody speeches, then. I don’t care how good a general he is, but he is NOT to disobey my orders.” Azat smashed one huge hand down, shattering splinters of rock and scattering the ravens in all directions over the abyss. “The siege MUST take place in three days – no more, no less – I haven’t waited a thousand years for this EVENT to let it be ruined by some stupid highlanders and an even stupider imperial with a big shadow that he thinks it counts for the whole of him.”

He paused for a second. “I’m sorry old friend, but this is the way it has to be done – I’m sure you’ve read the book almost as well as I have, but there is NO other way around this. I’ve felt Caius’s presence, his charges are here now, so he needs time to prepare for this. We aren’t going to try and break any more of the rules.”

Zanis agreed, and turned to make his way back down the steep pathway, leaving Azat alone with the sky, the wind, and the book.

***

Aloden Telbort wandered listlessly through the tents of the army, here and there pausing for a moment, as if sniffing the air. In the weeks they'd been camped here, he'd developed a complex mental map of the camp, and, when he wasn't being annoyed by another one of "the chosen", he'd heard Azat call them, Lucian was busy yelling at the troops. He didn't like to be around when that happened.

Potatoes. He sniffed again. Yes, definately potatoes. Thank the Gods, these idiot clanswomen, locked away in the mess tent, actually seemed to be finally cooking something edible. Quickly made his way through the maze of fabrics, stiff sniffing, and pushed away the canvas doorway into where the food was prepared. For Astarians, this was an odd custom in war, but they also had another odd custom saying that women should stay inside at all times, which took precidence.

"Potatoes!" said Aloden, snatching one up off the fire and stuffing it into his famished mouth.

[Artificial Idiot]

Zanis crept his way down to where Lucian was stood. High upon a rock, acting like Khashdar almighty! Making another speech! The fool, the great oaf! How dare he blatently disobay such direct orders! This had to stop, and it was going to stop! It was going to stop NOW!
Zanis crept up onto Lucian's rock, the tribesmen too busy with their dreams of bloodlust, glory and battle, inspired by Lucian's vivid picture's as he wove his words of pure gold. Blood stained, mayhaps, but still poor. He should have smelt Zanis a mile away, however he was so high on power, like a cart horse on too much sugar, nothing coul penetrate his thick skull. Well, perhaps something.
Zanis removed his dagger from within his robes, readied his claw for any resistance he may encounter, not like he expected any. He timed his moment right, at the point when Lucian was at the high of his speech, the part where you yelled "ARE YOU WITH ME!" or something else, typically medicore.
And then, he struck. His claw caught it's self in Lucian's upraised sword, making it clatter to the ground and bringing his arm down into a controlable postion. While his other hand wrapped it's self around his neck, dagger pointing straight at the weak point in his armour.

"Lo and behold!" Zanis yelled in a rasp voice. "Your champion, your so called leader, brought to be as defenceless as a furless Swampdragon in a bitter winter! He promises you glory, and yet, he falls at the flash of a dagger. Away with you, and listen not to the promises of this one, for he weaves you lies!"

With that, he let Lucian go and tripped him from the rock. He fell the the floor, but caught himself before he hit the ground and raised expertly.

"You listen to me, you upstart! You follow orders like the rest of us! I want no more of this, or else it will be Azat himself on the rock next time!" With that, Zanis left the Imperial to lick his wounds. Even though they were only to his pride, those were the greatest to people like him.

* * *

Buhgan trembled as more wild barbarian men trampled across his path, axes with blades the size of his head! Actually, he had been trembling since he had arrived in this... place. Or perhaps he had gone past trembling, and had just gone into a state of panic so blind he just thought he was trembling. Yes, that was it! It was the only possible way to describe Buhgan's feelings at the moment. He'd been mocked, had his clothes stolen by barbarians, and was now walking around in the same basic garb as them. And it was very, very, cold.
He'd tried telling them he was no warrior, and offered them all the riches of the coffers in Rueay just to let him go! A promise he never actually intended on keeping, but they had still refused. That Azat had just looked at him sourly, and the Zanis fellow clicked his claws.
It was terrible, it was like some nightmare come true! Far away from home, from riches, gods forbid! He thought he might have been losing weight as well! He just wanted to crawl into a hole and die, but apperently, he wasn't even allowed to do that!

"Could my life get any worse?" He whimpered.

[CKW]

"You know i had heard your angry breath for over a mile?"
Lucian taunted. He had left soon after Zanis did, cleaning the dust.
"You KNOW your orders. We are not going to attack."
The man harsly replied.
"Well. I cannot agree more. But, seriously, do you have an idea of how much can you encourage soldiers? It was one of my keys during Petrovast. Encourage the guys, then have another to quit the diversion. It gives you the sensation that you smell victory like troops."
Zanis stared Lucian.
"But do you realized what do you have done? You have shattered a dream. Soldiers chase dreams in fight, they chase idealized figures of their leaders.
If the figure is shattered, soldiers think. And soldiers aren't expected to do that. So dangerous. If you just went shouting and arguing, rather than wanting to "give" me a lesson, like always, it would have been ok.A slight miscalculation of mine."
Zanis turned his face away.
"There are many ways to skin a cat. Tell Azat that."
Lucian finally said, before leaving,and mumbling.
"Damn fool. What is worth living more than average human if you don't fully expand your potential?"

[Artificial Idiot]

"Leaving so soon?" Zanis mused. Lucian stopped in his tracks. Zanis couldn't see him, but he could hear him turn to face the old man's back.

"You have something you want to say, old man?" Lucian taunted.

"As a matter of fact, I do." Before Lucian could batter an eyelid, Zanis in a threating postion. Claw and dagger ready to leave their mark on Lucian's face. He dare not bring a sword upon him, for fear of another display of speed.. He'd moved like a wraith, and had strength that far supassed his feeble form. He was taking heavy, rasping breaths, but Lucian could see from the fire in his eyes that itwas anger, and not tiredness that had overtook him.

"And what do you know of potential? You, a man devoured in his own arrogant shadow!" Zanis calmed himself, but made a mental note of this upstart's disrespect. He would have vengance for this, he'd make a better sacrifice then one of the Chosen anyway! "Do not seek to lecture me, Lucian, about the ways of war! I have seen entire armies, empires crushed! I've seen the tactics of some of the greatest general's of the last thousand years! You may think you know it ll, but what do you know? This attack happens in THREE days! And not before! The soldiors will stand for three days, but inspired men will grow impatient, they will want to go now! And we cannot have that. Your time will be at hand Lucian, but not now! So just keep your mouth firmly closed and get out of my sight!"

Lucian turned to walk away, but Zanis felt he had to add one last parting remark.

"I will not pass your "suggestion onto Azat. Trust me, it would be the end oh you!" Lucian grumbled something inaudiable, then walked off.

[CKW]

(i know this is more than a post... but...)
When Zanis walked away Lucian smiled.
"So many years you have lived, yet you let your ego fill your thoughts. Excellent. Ego leads to rush. And rush leads to failure. Whenever I start playing my dance again, you will follow it in a blind rage. My end?
No. Azat does know that there are ways to force people to cooperate."
He looked at the old, trembling hand.
"It was a nice play. If only i were younger... Unfortunately, Zanis has a point. I am just a shadow of something powerful..."
He began to think ahead once again.
If Zanis had truly witnessed all of those things, he should have realized that lecturing a potential ally it's always good. In the case he has kept his lectures, he is willing to make me trip first.Gotta be aware. Sigh. If only Vithessa was here... She seemed to be the only nuthead willing to talk about these matters.Plus, she was cute, too. Wonder where she went?

[Artificial Idiot]

"Ego? Rush? Ha! Am I the one on top of rocks, chanting like a war hero and a national icon as my leigions of fans stand in awe? Am I the one, getting the men all wound up and into a frenzied, uncontrollable state before the battle is at hand? No It is yourself who is comsumed by go and rush, so hold your tounge. Unless you wish to lose it in your sleep!" Zanis meant it this time. He was more then ready to cut the unfaithful pig a new mouth! He just needed an excuse. "We have wisdom far beyond your own, Master Lucian. So cease this nonsense and do as you have been told! You are not in command here, get used to it!"
He spat out a curse in a language that was far too old for Lucian to fathom, and awaiting another hopeless reply. He'd give up this pathetic tomfoolery sooner or later. Azat would make sure of that.

[Toxic10x]

Savages! Mongrels! The thick stench of the Astarian's camp rose to meet Cirack as he rode toward it. He sneered at its repugnance- unclean. He had had to travel light to keep up with the boy and the gang of odd folk he had joined. He rode now on his horse, with Scho'Kah behind and a single guardsmen in the rear. He'd had to leave many of his supplies in Rueay in order to get a boat in time to keep up the chase, but he still had his heavy sword at his side and a fair bit of money.
A few nights ago he had sent his guardsmen ahead, and when he returned he reported that they were indeed closing the distance. As Cirack rode now along the perimeter of the warrior's camp, he began to consider that the boys party was too great for Scho'Kah the guardsmen and himself to overtake. He would need to ally himself with someone, even if it meant "befriending" one of these warrior clans.
Presently, there was a speech going on. Some man was speaking boldly atop an outcropping of stone, as the crowd below roared with excitment. To Ciracks amusement, an old bent figure appeared behind the speaker, held him at knife point, and then threw him to the ground. The speech was over it seemed, and it was clear who was really in charge around here. Cirack rode off toward the outcropping.
Finally he apppraoched the old man. He appeared to be in the midst of an argument with the man who was giving the speech.
"You!" said Cirack, with his normal auora of superiority. "I have a proposition for you."
Zanis turned, and as he saw Cirack, a wry smile slowly crept across his evil face.

**Cirack is about to offer his services to Zanis, if you hadn't gathered :p You can write that part however you'd like AI**

*************************

"Does anyone have any ideas of a good disguise for all of us?”

Roh considered the question. Simple stealth seemed almost impossible; there were too many of the Astarians about. He took a look at the party, at their gear and apparel- there was almost no way to pass themselves off as anything but warriors. Perhaps that was all there was to it, they could claim to be clansmen coming up from the south to help with the siege. But what about the women? They held a rather poor place in society here from what Roh understood- they certainly weren't clan warriors. The answer suddenly occured to Roh.
"I have a suggestion." he said. "Perhaps we can array ourselves as much like these clansmen as possible, and say we've come to help besiege the town." The others were listening, but not convinced yet.
"I don't think there are many women amongst the warriors here." Said Aisha, somewhat sarcastically.
"I had thought of that," said Roh. "Perhaps the women could be our..." he hesitated, not sure how well this would go over, "perhaps you could be our... spoils of war. You know, kill the men, burn the village, take the women..." Aisha and the other women seemed skeptical. "We could say we've just come from attackimg some farms away south or something. Well, it's just a suggestion anyway."
Everyone seemed to consider it for a moment. They had sufficient weapons to make themselves appear to be a war party, and they could probably come up with a makeshift banner if needed.
"Well, I don't like it," said Caius. "But unless someone has a beter idea...?"

[LeFire]

Aspen looked pained at the idea and spoke up.

"I think I'll rather disguise myself as a young male teenager rather than a prisoner. I state the truth when I say that only I pack the longest-ranged and most accurate weapon in our little troupe. Make me a 'spoil of war', and you can kiss goodbye to any form of long-ranged fire support. Besides, none of you know how to use this bow even if I decide to trust one of you with it. Its what I call a prototype, customised to myself alone."

She left unsaid the truth that she didn't trust to be without her weapons one bit... even among her party. She was a mercenary, and preferred to retain control over her own life at all costs.

[Artificial Idiot]

"Ah, Good day..." Zanis paused, as if he was remembering something. "Cirack. Holding up well, are you?"

"As well as I ca around these Astarian dogs!" Cirack replied, ignoring the fact that Zanis had known his name before he had even said it. "You seem to be the one in charge here, and I wish to offer my services."

"Some loyalty? My, what a... plesent change." He rasped, claw clicking to every word out of habit. "However, your "services" have been destined to be on offer to us since the day you were born. And I, am destined to accept them. So fear nothing from me, Cirack. But beware of others."

"What others do you speak of?" Cirack asked, intrigued.

"Alas, Infighting has become a common occurance of late. And if you are really and ally of mine, you will not fall to the evils of your own self-gain. Khashdar is watching, and he doesn't take kindly to betrayal!" He watched the retreating form of Lucian creeping away, he'd seen many fool's in this world, and it was a good job Lucian was only a petty, arrogant one. As an afterthought, he muttered. "And niether do I."

[CKW]

(AI, Zanis WASN't supposed to hear what lucian had said in the last bit).

Lucian continued to write in his desk.
Certainly, i wonder how Zanis heard me back there. Well, whatever, he still think i am tomfool. He seemed to not read between the lines. The ego is fine... but as a mean, not as a purpose. Fooling people of your great ego makes them you will be foolish, while you are not. But for now, I must not drop such disguise. I am not the one in charge... and that's certainly true. But the way Zanis yells shows how little self control he has. And how little Zanis knows me.Now that I know where to put the dagger, Zanis has no chances. But, patience is the key.
There was a knock on the door.
"Come in!" Lucian kindly replied.

***
"I am fine with the spoils of War stuff." Ray nodded. "As long as you can keep an angry and scary look. Astarians do have little appreciation for women, but they appreciate the possesion. Technically, if the owner looks intimidating enough, they should behave."

"How is that you think you know the Astarians so much?"
Aisha replied.

"My mother was Astarian." Ray cutted. "So i won't have many trouble into showing myself as Astarian, if i can get someone to act as my husband."

(Edited the post VO. Well. No raven then.:p)

[VO]

CKW - You cannot have a talking Raven called 'Mr Flicky'. I told you that before over msn (it also seems to be making sense, even gonig against the profile I said you couldn't have) :| Just having a pet Raven is a concession enough.

Vithessa pushed her way into the tent. It smelt of woody smoke from the brazier, which was good compared to the smells outside. Gods, how she hated this place.

Lucian - an idiot, but a useful idiot at that - was talking to his raven inside. On reflection, this habit of his was quite disturbing - he managed to somehow throw his voice so that he could hold both sides of a conversation with the bird.

She sidled up him, running both hands slowly down his back as he began to notice her (although, to her dissapointment, he continued to talk with the bird). She slung both arms, bare to the elbow, around his neck, and pressed her leather-clad and shapely form close to his body. She nuzzled her face close to his neck, skin still bronzed and virile despite the man's old age.

"Lucian", she whispered seductively, "my Lucian... why are the armies not moving? I must have Aufghar as soon as possible." Hands began to unstrap his metal breastplate, expertly popping away buckles one by one.

"Azat does not want it so, my dear", said Lucian. "He says that we must wait until the third day, and his putrid enforcer Zanis makes it so. The troops are ready, and I am as any to make war on Aufghar, but we are held back by the idiot giant and the foolish cripple who-" his sentance was interrupted by Vithessa kissing his cheek -"follows him".

Vithessa let out a long sigh, and began to massage the muscles in Lucian's now bare and somewhat bony back. "He must not be obeyed, my lover, his words are just there to hold you back - I must be in Aufghar to deal with the other one, the little, pathetic girl, and I need you to make it so! Oh!" she gasped breathlessly - "I cannot bear to wait any longer!" she locked the lips of his tilted-back head with hers.

***

"No Ray", said Caius. "You look nothing like an Astarian, despite your lineage - your bone structure betrays much more of your Imperial forebears than whoever may have lived in this nation. Any attempt to pass yourself off as an Astarian would be frankly farcical." Before she could reply, Caius had moved on to Ray and Aspen.

"Disguising ourselves as soldiers might work - Aspen, if I dare offend your feminine pride, we might be able to pass you off as a man - quite a few of the soldiers down there seem to be wearing cloaks over their armour, and that would probably conceal you quite well, as long as you don't say much and don't let anyone have much time to imagine you - we only have to find a way to slip through the blockade, and make a dash for Aufghar - unless anyone has any better ideas, I'd be inclined to go with this. Ray - you still make a pretty convincing man, so we only have three 'women'. Roh - you stay with Aspen at the back - you look a little young and frail for a soldier coming back from war, and we'll claim Jerunn is a mascot or something from the lowlands where we've been fighting as mercenaries - most Astarians used to do it periodically, so I expect it's still the same here. We're the last soldiers of a larger group from - he squinted out across at the banners of the clans assembled at the foot of the valley - "Landew, I guess, seing as I can't see any of them here - and have come to join in the spoils of war at Aufghar. Astarians normally don't have much of a reason to deny another a good fight."

Jarvis, at the back of the group, agreed with Caius, and they made good at appearing like soldiers - putting on armour that had previously lain in packs (in Kilvox's case giving him a cloak like Aspen), dirtying that which they wore, and Caius was glad that most of the men had a 'travellers beard' of stubble, unwilling to waste time shaving with a blade every day. Soon, they were ready to make their way down the mountainside, towards a group of rear sentries to the enemy army. Someone would have to talk their way past them.

[Wesforce]

Jezebella was getting impatient. All this time waiting, sitting around in camp, rotting in anxiousness. Jezebella had been promised fighting, victory, riches, amongst other things upon joining Azat's host.

Her personal band - The Desert Dogs - Weren't getting on well with the Astarans that outnumbered them thousands to one. Petty crime and insults were taking their toll. Al-Shabaan, one of Jezebella's best riders had been found slit from neck to abdomen after he had his way with one of the clanswomen, and boasted about it, the stupid fool. In return Jezebella had called out the leader of the particular offending group, and had slain him - Incorporating the clansmen into her own band.

Her influence was growing, slowly. But she wanted more. More. Always more. She hadn't been noticed by any of the higher-ups in Azat's cadre yet, but was determined to make herself known, gain influence, and power and...

Well, she had a pretty good idea of what she'd do then.

She spotted a rancid worm eating a potato.

'Hold, trespasser of a camel's rectum!' She snarled. 'Where is Zanis? I demand to speak with him!'

[Artificial Idiot]

"But I..." Began the rancid worm, but he stopped dead when Jezebella stroked her weapon. Almost lovingly. "Ok, ok! I saw him up near the top of that mountainous reigon longer. It is a long walk bu..."

"Then we will walk it!" Jezebella cut in. "Just take me there and quit snivelling!"

* * *

Zanis had finished his business with Cirack, it had gone rather well. He was out for his own self-gain, but he also respected those in power. And knew the difference between those who just thought they had power, which was always a good think. He had currently found a grassy knoll to sit and think. He had caught a rat for a sacrifice earlier, which was now running up and down his arm. Although, this one would not die. Not yet at least. It even had a name, it was called Lucian.

"Ah, my filthy, sneak Lucian. What a little rat you are." He whispered in hush tones to himself. "So rash, so reckless, so unloyal... we can't let that go unpunished, can we Lucian? No, we must have vengance. Vengance for the unruly disrespect with which you prance around this camp, as if you are more then a pawn to the God's will! But your judgement will come, my little Lucian... quick and fast, slow and painful. I have not yet decided. But it will come."

Zanis slipped the rat back into the arm of his robe as he heard footsteps coming. Two were fully armoured, heavy set men. Body guards no doubt. The other two were of a lighter frame and one was retreated after some harsh words in a female tone. He turned his head slightly to catch a glimpse of "Persuader of Men", and then turned back to look across the land again.

"You are Zanis?" She asked his back.

"That I am." Rasped Zanis, still seemingly iggnorant to her pressence. His claws clicked as if to the rythm of a song, or a chant. A tune she definatly would not know.

"I wish to speak with you!" She demanded. Zanis turned to face her and then waited for her to explain herself.

[Wesforce]

'I am surrounded by liars, cheats and murderers. Unfortunately most of them are also fools. I and my men demand to know what is going on here.'

Zanis had met a few arrogant people in his time, but few of them spoke vehemenly in such cultured, well-defined tones. Even fewer of them were tall, powerful women, quite beautiful (he wasn;t sure about the nose though) and fierce leaders as well.

'Use your own eyes.' He rasped. 'We wait for Azat's order. Some do not wish to wait...'

Zanis turned back to his pet rat, calling the name 'Lucian' softly.

'Wait... Lucian. I have heard that name. Was he not the old man who made a fool of himself while giving the speech earlier?'

[Artificial Idiot]

(Note: Wes, if you want any detail of this changed. Just ask :p)

"My lady..." Zanis rasped. "He is a man of such blind arrogance he would make a fool of himself tying up his boot laces."

"You disapprove of him?" The woman asked, it was a petty question. But she knew ones like these were the ones that got the information.

"I often feel that I have disgraced the rat by naming him so." Zanis muttered. Then he caught the glint in the woman's eyes. Something that could be played to both thier advantages. "You are a woman looking for a little action, correct? Well, I may have some for you... and a just reward."

"I'm listening." Jezebella stated coldly.

"This Lucian, he has a tent down at the foot of this very mountain. Or at least, near it. You have the gait of a woman who commands men, I want you to take a handful of these men, disguise them as barbarians and attack Lucian's tent. I want it burned, to the ground." Zanis took a deep breath, scooping up Lucian, who was trying to make a run for it. "He also keep's a raven. I want this Raven, alive. It is a minor matter, one that I am not too bothered about. Ruff him, and anyone with him who offers reistance up, if you like. But I want him to suffer."

"And what's in it for me?" Asked Jezebella, eye's alight with interest. Although, she was still ready to pull out at a heartbeat.

"There may be a place for you at the frontline of this battle. In three days, you will be one of the select few who lead us to glory." Zanis gave her a few minutes to think it over. "One last thing I ask of you, be discreet. Leave no evidence of outside involvement. Especially mine."

[Wesforce]

The whoremonger obviously intends to use me for his own petty gain. Let him think he is - And I'll still get my 'reward'.

Jezebella made her way rapidly to her small sub-encampment, whereupon she collared three of her inherited Astarans.

'I have a chore for you honourless pink-skinned dogs... And maybe there'll be a reward at the end of it...' She said, staring each of the young men in the eyes. She licked her lips. The man looked at each other...

***

Several minutes later there were outside Lucian's tent, following Zanis' directions.

'There it is.' She whispered. She grinned fiercely. 'The fool seems to have some company this evening. Should make it easier for us...'

The Astarans chortled to each other. Jezebella shushed them.

'Now remember. The Raven, alive, preferably. The tent is to be cremated. Remain unseen, and the most steadfast of you will be justly rewarded...' As she said the last she ran a hand down the form-fitting curve of her armour.

'Now GO!'

The three expendable warriors made their way stealthily towards Lucian's tent, lighting their torches on a nreaby brazier, while Jezebella made herself unseen...

From the tent emanated the sounds of passion. She was sure the woman would make it out once the flames caught hold. Not so the old man...

[LeFire]

They called him Darkchain.

He was the one who would stand in the background whenever Azat had a "conference" with whatever god he worshipped. Utterly silent, totally motionless save for the swaying of the darkly gleaming chain that he carried in a coil in a gaunlet-clad fist. Seven feet of black armoured steel made him look more like a sculptured golem than a living human. Those who had spotted him in his tent never saw him sleep... except for long periods of standing totally still in the center of the room.

Darkchain spoke to no-one, answered to no-one, save for maybe Azat, who wasn't speaking about it. His intentions and motives were unknown, but apparently he wasn't keen on the gods. The Faithless One moved and lived only with one purpose, and one could only guess at what that purpose was... Though Azat had seen his objective, and what he intended to do then. That was enough for the barbarian to recruit the dark one on the spot.

In fact, no one had ever truly known if 'he' was human or not. And no one was willing to find out.

[CKW]

(hope i am not abusing)
"Hold on. I heard something."
Lucian stood up, in a jump.His heartrate was increasing. Adrenaline was bumping through his bloodstream.
"You sense it too, Blackfeather." He looked at the raven, that was flying from one direction to another.
A word came to his mind.
Zanis.
"WHO DARES TO ENTER HERE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT!" His voice boomed. He expected no response, as he already assumed that it had been someone hostile. Lucian knew of it. Never, never drop the guard off.
His arm firmly seized an sword.

[Artificial Idiot]

(GM NOTE: CKW, yes that is abusing. Lucian wouldn't know what you know. He isn't a God, and he isn't all seeing. Please, knock it off and think from the characters point of view, not your own. :|)
(NM, t'was edited.)

Lucian stepped out of the tent into the cool, evenings breeze. He looked around, straining his eyes. But he saw nothing. Not even a shadow. He looked around the area again, but he was getting old, and his eyes weren't what they used to be.

"Vithessa, Do you see anything?" Lucian asked in a hushed tone. But got no reply. "Vithessa!" He repeated, nothing.

He was about to return to the tent, when he caught the flicker of flame in the corner of his eye. Scondrals! They planned to set fire to his tent! He approached them, and he soon saw three faces illuminated by torch light. Three Astarians, Lucian couldn't see any clan markings on them though. He was about the draw his sword and slay the dogs, when one say him.

"Lowly coward!" The barbarian grunted. "No strength! No honour! Say lead us to glory! Beat by old man! You suffer!"

They had obviously saw Lucian's little speech get inturpted by Zanis, and took it as a sign of weakness. And Astarians didn't not take kindly to weakness. Or was that what Zanis wanted him to think? Didn't matter. He drew his sword.

"Come get it, you pig-dogs!" Lucian mocked up. The Barbarians yelled something that sounded like a battle cry, threw their torchs onto the tent and charged. Lucian slayed one offhand, slitting his throat, but was unable to block the club of the other, which connected with his forehead, which sent him sprawling to the floor.

* * *

Gulack sneaked around the back of the tent when Lucian had left the tent. The woman he was with had sneaked off before he had entered. It was obvious his older kin wouldn't get the Raven, and Zanis had sent him to make it so. He was a young boy, but very nimble. And a famed horse tamer.
He creeped catiously around the tent, lighting his own torch on a nearby candle. He held the torch up, straining his eyes in the dim light. A ruffle of feathers. There, there was the raven! He dived to grab it, but it bit him, making him drop his torch onto one of Lucian's fine rugs. He yelled in pain while the raven flew for the tent door. Gulack was about the follow, but he was surronded by flames.
He went to dive out the back, and that was when he heard the warcry. His kin disguarded their torch's onto the tents side. The flames spread quickly, the intense heat burning Gulack's skin. He tried to scream for help, but he found himself paralyzed. Unable to move. The tent collapsed on top of him, putting his short, misrable life to an end.

[VO]

VO note : it's not the middle of the night, either... :|

Azat had made his way down the less steep face, picking his way through gorse and scree, realising that there probably would be more trouble. On reflection, Zanis, although a good friend, didn't quite hold the authority with Lucian - so a demonstration of brute force might be needed.

The book of Khashdar clacked at his side in the heavy pouch he carried - this was where it remained at all times, as he knew quite well not to trust anyone else with it. Forged thousands of years before, he knew quite well that it would not easily be destroyed, but it was not worth the risk at all. If it fell into the wrong hands, terrible damage could be wrought to the prophecy.

Down below, he could see flames flickering. He increased his pace.

[Nyerguds]

Kell Anor watched the tent burn from a nearby hilltop.

"Fools." she sighed.
The whole petty conflict about Lucian was beginning to annoy her. Sure, Lucian was a fool. But so was Zanis, for taking the whole deal to a personal level.
She looked around in the encampment. This was no place for a someone like her. She was an assassin, not a warrior, and didn't like this place one bit.

Why did we have to come here anyway? she wondered. From what she'd gathered, it wasn't this Great Battle that would make them win this. It was the destruction of the Chosen Ones... the other side.

Not that she regretted keeping the boy alive after their first meeting. Zanis said the Dagger had given them a lot of information on the movements of the others. And frankly, she wanted the boy to be more of a challenge when they'd finally meet. Like Vithessa, she was slightly annoyed by the fact her counterpart was a kid.

She decided to just stop thinking about the whole deal, and enjoy watching the action over at Lucian's tent.

[CKW]

"Goodies can be replaced."
He watched at the flames creeping at his tent.
Lucian mumbled. He rose to his feet, and looked upon the hand that had rubbed on his forehead. It was bloody.
"But loyalty and men cannot.You say i was beaten by an old man. Think you can beat me,Astarian?"
Lucian mumbled something. In the Astarian dialect. The few words he had learned from Astarians long time ago.
"Your end is in my hands."ç
The sword lined up with his arm, and it stood upright. When something happened.
The sword suddenly was in Lucian's left hand. Lucian knew most people couldn't handle left-handed swordfighters... And he was skilled with both arms.
A fast blow ripped off the club from the astarian hand. The blow was so fast the Astarian could do nothing but retreat a step or two. Lucian's arm firmly held the sword behind him.
"And now. Say good night!"
Lucian seized the sword with both hands, and a downright blow was felt like a jolt. The two pieces of the goon fell aside, gurgling. He had been cut in half.

Lucian breathed deeply. He was too old for this.

[VO]

Azat forced his way through the chaos of the camp - crowds of Astarains jostling towards the flaming tent, smoke rolling across them with the prevaling wind, bits of potato crushed underfoot.

Around the area which had been reserved for the commander's tent, the soldiers stayed back, as if it was sacred ground they could not enter. Before the ruins of his tent stood Lucian, blood running in rivulets down his face, sword held awkwardly in his left hand. Facing him was an Astarian soldier, still holding a flaming torch. Neither seemed to notice Azat approach, eyes locked together, looking for an opening.

Azat seized the Astarian from the back of his tunic and roughly shoved him out of the way ; the young man tripped over the body of one of his comrades, and sprawled in a heap. Azat rounded on Lucian.

"ZANIS!" Azat bellowed, and took another breath. "WHAT IS THE MEANING OF THIS!" The hubbub of the soldiers around the commander's tent subsided into nothing. He noticed a dark-skinned southerner trying to slink away, and added. "JEZEBELLA!" to his roaring. Lucian, standing before him, looked quite shocked, in a kind of 'ruthless but pampered imperial nobleman" kind of way, and Azat also noticed that his trousers were on back-to-front, and his breastplate was buckled up incorrectly. The colour or whatever Vithessa put on her lips was fresh on his cheeks.

As the other two failed to appear, Azat made good of his time by rounding on the Imperial General, who almost cowered before his mighty bulk. Lucian was still panting, unrecovered from his previous excursions.


"WHAT IN THE NAME OF SEVEN AGES HAS HAPPENED HERE?" Azat seized Lucian by the throat and hoisted him off his feet. "FIRST YOU DIRECTLY DISOBEY YOUR ORDERS, NOW YOU BURN DOWN YOUR TENT AND KILL TWO OF YOUR MEN! YOU CALL YOURSELF A GENERAL!" Hot, ancient, and angry breath swept over Lucian, who gagged at Azat's iron grip.

[CKW]

Lucian blinked two times before replying. He was shocked, but who wouldn't, being seized by an angry barbarian seemed akward enough. However, Lucian took very little to regain self control.
"If you were so kind to drop me in the floor so i could explain it without needing to whisper... SIR..."
He hissed. The raven flew towards his owner, and was going to attack the aggresor, but a sight of Lucian was enough to make the raven friendly land on Azat's shoulder.

[Wesforce]

Jezebella heard the shouting, and smiled softly to herself. She was pretty sure all the witnesses had been killed by that Ancient fragging Giant. She did imagine she heard her own name shouted, but thought she'd be quite safe. Besides, she was a pretty small fish in this pond, a relative unknown. A few people might recognise 'the Dark-skinned southern woman', but that couldn't be helped.

She strolled back to her sub-camp as if she had every right to do so - Striding tall, not sneaking like a rat, and answered the questioning glances of her own men when they didn't see her Astarans come back.

'They'll be tired awhile.' She winked, swaying her hips.

The Desert Dogs looked at each other, wide-eyed and in wonder, some of them making the sign of the Goddess.

Now she had to wait until things calmed down a little before claiming her reward from that shifty little man...

[VO]

Azat tugged Lucian closer to his face. "Very well," he growled. He thrust Lucian away, making him tumble backwards onto his back in the dirt of the encampment. The raven, startled, leapt up from his shoulder and dissapeared into the sky - loyal as it was to Lucian, it wasn't going to put it's life on the line.

"Explain yourself, dog", boomed Azat, and instintively his hand went to one of the esoteric and serrated blades hanging by his side. "If not for your importance I would slit your throat this instant for the insubordination you just showed."

[CKW]

"As my lord may know, the astarians are usually good mercenaries. They were paid for torching my tent, and hell knows what more. I just defended myself.However it is up to my lord to say the last word about this. Just take a good look, my lord. I am in no way decently arranged. If i wanted to kill some soldiers,and heavens no, i like my troops, would i just wander like this?"
He pointed at his aspect.
"And what would be the purpose of spreading fire in fine goodies... other than revenge? But i cannot revenge against myself, so it must have been other. My point is, that someone wanted to take a punishment on me. So he sent these men to burn my tent. I surprised them. They attacked me, and I fought back. That's all."

[Artificial Idiot]

Jezebella heard the sound of soft clapping behind her, with a slight metalic sound. She turned around to see the form of Zanis, a slight smile spread across his face. He looked very pleased with her work.

"You have done very well, my dear." He mused. Very well indeed."

"And my reward?" Jezebella asked, licking her lips slightly.

"Ah, well, I am afraid that Azat's interferance may have complicated my promise to you." Zanis admited. "Although, I have a more, material award if you so desire it."

"A jewel in the desert is worth ten thousand promises in the snow." She quoted an old proverb of her country.

"And a jewel you will get. Three, to be presise." Zanis' hands disappeared into his robes, and returned with a ruby the size of an eyeball and two smaller emeralds. "Your payment, Now I want nothing ever spoken of this. I will make your case to Azat, and it will all tide over in our favour."

Zanis gave her one last nod of approval and then seemingly vanished. Jezebella examined her reward, and then pocketed them smugly.

* * *

It wasn't long before Azat came into Zanis' view. Lucian was flat on the ground, grovelling like the worm he was. Little Lucian, as the rat had been called, crawled onto Zanis' shoulder. He scratched the creature behind the ear softly, before forcing it back into his robes. It was time to clear up.

"You called, my friend?" Zanis said innocently as he approached. Azat turned to him, his face like a furance. Zanis would have been intimidated, but he had seen his old friend like this many a time. He just put on a shocked, wide eyed face as he surveyed the carnage.

"ZANIS!" Azat growled. Kicking Lucian down as he tried to crawl away, knocking the wind out of the old, unblessed man's body. "Where have you been! I told you not let this fool do anything foolish! And I arrive to find his tent burned and two soldier dead! Explain why you didn't stop this!"

"I do apologise for my absence. But when I heard you call for Lady Neozeed, I felt compelled to find her. Alas, she and most of her men were asleep, and I thought it improper to wake them."

"Then how do you explain this?" Azat lifted the desert man above his own head.

"A curious bystander like the rest of us I assume." Zanis said, off hand. "I apologise for letting this happen, and feel that it is partly my own fault."

"Explain!" Azat demanded.

"Earlier today I made a fool out of Lucian during one of his speeches. Looking at the men you claimed Lucian attacked, they are Astarians." Zanis paused for a deep rasping breath. "They must have seen it as a sign of weakness, and you know how these people feel about weakness, my friend."

The remaining man, who had barely recovered from Azat's blow and was bleeding from the nose and mouth moaned something out in agreement with Zanis' tale.

"Then I regret this, and take full responsibility for it." Zanis said, with a slight bow. "I apologise from the bottom of my heart, Master Lucian."

It was a mock apology of course, and he knew Azat wasn't quite finished with him yet. But he had covered his tracks quite well. All that needed to be done was to have the remaining bararian die in an "accident" and Lady Neozeed to keep her mouth firmly shut.

* * *

Grok sat in his tent, chewing a potato that he had "aquired". Azat had promised they would find the angel-boy soon, but instead they had just sat here! And rumour had it they were going to sit here three more days! He wasn't sure how long he could wait, it was eating him from the inside.
He knew Vithessa was planning to go sooner, and had already pleaged his alligance to her in making it so, but even her plan seemed to have been delayed. Lucian was meant to have riled the troops up by now, what was taking him so long? Maybe he would ditch the pathetic general and come to man who could really get the job done... namely, him.
He continued to munch on his potato, when he heard comotion outside. Sounded as though it was coming from Lucian's tent. Grok just grunted and ignored it, The man talked to a Raven, so he was likely to have some other abnormalities.

[VO]

I think that's enough of the counterparts for now - they'll be back soon. :) (btw, CKW, Lucian will get his revenge)



The soldiers had spotted them, and two moved onto the roadway to block it. The other pair began to approach them uphill. Jerunn had to stifle a giggle at their skirts.

"Halt! Where are you going?", called one soldier. "This land is under the control of Clan Mocaw now, so your goods will be summarily seized unless you have a good reason to be here, travellers."

"I'll deal with them," said Ray, and set her horse trotting down the hill. The rest of the group followed her, with Jerunn and Delion at the front, both eager to find civilisation again.

"Be ready to cover her, but don't draw your bow", Caius whispered to Aspen. Jarvis moved his horse so he was nearer the younger members of the party, and on Caius's command Jade, Aisha and Roh moved back to them to avoid the searching eyes of the sentries.

[LeFire]

Aspen gave a barely detectable nod, much of her face hidden by her raised hood. Her bow was casually laid over the pommel of her saddle, but her mind was already calculating distances and wind velocity with practised precision, mentally running through the most efficient arm movements needed to send two arrows hurtling towards their targets at the first sign of hostility towards Ray.

She hoped, however, that such a drastic and irreversible course of action be left to the last resort. It wouldn't do to get the entire Astarian army after them... Ray had better be convincing.

[CKW]

The harsh tongue sounds of the astarian dialect came out from Ray's mouth.
"Greetings, Astarian Brother. We are but farland travelling mercenaries who seek to spend some cash on local goodies. I heard there were good sausages down there."
Hope this works...
The guard nodded.
"Hmm... I see you are Astarian...WICH CLAN?" he boomed.
"BloodLance clan."Ray answered. This was partly true, as her mother had been Elmekie Bloodlance.
"BloodLance... Yeah. I know. They have always stood neutral in this..."
The guard was taking a long time,pondering whether the travellers could be let in...

[VO]

"It's a pity," said the guard slowly, "that we're just about starving Aufghar out of house and home now. There wouldn't be any sausages down there if you dug a pit down into hell and made some out of Khasdar's demons."

He drew his sword half out of it's hilt. "I'm afraid you'll have to come with me, good sir - the commander will probably want to have a chat with you, we wouldn't normally get travellers like you in times of war like this." He smiled a wary grin. "I'm sure they'll let you go, maybe you can even join in the looting with us, we're not that bothered about anyone who wants to join our alliance here against the Aufghar dogs."

He wheeled his horse around, and gestured to the travellers to make their way down the slope. Caius whispered something else to Aspen and Jarvis, and trotted to the front of the party, almost level with the guard. In one motion, his short sword was drawn, and it's pommel connected with the guard's head with a clunk. The unconcious body slumped in it's saddle, and at that same moment, Jarvis had his crossbow out. Strings snapped into position, and a bolt sent the second guardsman sprawling off his horse, blood spurting from Jarvis's point-blank shot across his neck.

"Ride!" Caius yelled, and kicked his heels into horse, urging it onwards - the road sloped downwards for about five hundred yards and out onto the valley floor, away from the beseiging army across a grassy spur and towards Aufghar lying serenely in the fork of the river - if they could take out the remaining two soldiers on the roadway quickly, and the troops were not ready to pursue (which he expected, seing as these were Astarians), they could make it that haven, without being dragged into the camp of their enemies.

[LeFire]

Aspen had ridden ahead of the rest, pulling her horse aside and sliding off the saddle at two hundred yards from the soldiers. She braced and raised her scoped longbow, the crystal sights lining up on the roadblock below where the two Astarians waited with crossbows readied, having seen their comrades felled by Caius and Jarvis.

They were waiting for the party to come into range of their crossbows... but obviously did not take into account Aspen's teched-up long range longbow into the equation.

Aspen fired, the shot sailing in a beautiful arc for two hundred meters before punching into the chest one of the guardsmen blocking the road. The other panicked and fired... the bolt sailing past wide of Aspen. Then instead of doing the wise thing, retreating and calling for help, the gung-ho Astarian proceeded to reload. Aspen simply nocked and fired another arrow, sniping the Astarian before he could load his bolt.

Leaping back into the saddle, the ranger spurred her horse to rejoin the others.

[Master Chris]

(Ultimate apologies for not posting more often.)

Caius had bade them "Ride!" and ride they did.

Jade urged her steed forwards, unwilling to strike the beast, her soft words accomplished the same outcome as the biting touch of a whip.

Clods of dirt were kicked high into the air, tracing graceful brown arcs as the group thundered towards Aufghar.

As they approached Aufghar Jade felt an odd sensation, as if decay had taken up residence in Aufghar. It wasn't surprising, seeing as there had been a siege in place.

[VO]

The horses streamed down the hillside, towards open ground - but there was something wrong. As they passed the Astarian camp, sentries along the wall raised a roar, and from the area where they had paddocked their own horses, twenty-odd Astarians on stubborn but experianced warhorses charged out behind the party.

Caius willed his horse to move faster, as arrows began to sing out - obviously some of the Astarians were skilled at archery while on horseback -he turned to look back over his shoulder, and some of the party, including Ray who was still stiff from her wound, were falling dangerously behind.

[Wesforce]

Aisha spurred on her small but sturdy horse, the dark breed bringing on a surprsing turn of haste, despite it's size. She drew up just behind Caius - With Al-Hazeeb inbetween her and the arrows. He'd been hit once or twice - Aisha grimaced when she saw the broken-off stub of an arrow in his bronzed upper-ar, and the steady trickle of crimson.

The sight of the Astarian Wildmen on their maybe even wilder horses did not fill her with glee. Such open fighting was not her style - Something better left for the common filth.

But if it came to a fight, then so be it! No-one of the noble house of Neozeed would come to an end this day!

She unslung her bow and fought to knock an arrow - She'd had a small bit of horse-archery practice against the Arrogant fool known as Ray, and now she'd get some more. She had her curved blade if it would come to that - And so did Al-Hazeeb.

[VO]

The horses clattered across the thin and unpaved road that wound through the valley - as they neared the camp of Aufghar's allies that sprawled outside the walls of Aufghar, there came a point where the ferociously chasing enemies could follow no further - and risk being slaughtered by the encamped soldiers.

A guard hailed them - to everyone in the party this man looked indistinguishable to the ones for the other army - aside from the pattern and colours of his kilt.

"Ho! Outrun those lazy bastards, did ye?"
Caius shouted a reply, and rode over to the guard.
"It didn't take much friend - when we were on the ridge over their camp, I could swear they were rolling in the mud like pigs!".
This was met with laughter from the soldier, who slapped Caius on the back so hard he almost fell off his horse.

"What are ye here for, anyway, given the state of war an' all? I'd imagine a merchant like what you appear to be would stay well away from Aufghar in times like this."

"We came only to deliver an urgent message to the clan-chief", Caius replied - "could your men let us through to the town? As you saw from the way the swines dashed out of their sty, we do have something rather important for him"

"Of course friend", bellowed the sentry - "you need only follow me! The Clan-chief will be pleased to hear your witty tongue in this time of strife, I am sure!" Caius nodded, and the party made their way through the dirty Astarian encampment, across the bridge, and into Aufghar.

***


They stood at the base of the main street of the town, leading upwards to the clan-chief's hall on a small rise over the river. Various shops, reasonably well stocked ran down it, with haggard-faced Astarian women in some of them, and even a few men. Somewhere in the distance a smith's hammer rang out, and a priest of whatever local deity the Aufghars worshipped was standing outside of his run-down stone church, bellowing the news that he was holding a sermon. No-one seemed to be very interested.

"I'm going to go and speak with the clan-chief," said Caius. "It's best that you amuse yourselves here for now, unless a few of you want to come with me - too many of us might intimidate him. I'll come and find you later - just don't leave the town." He dropped down off his horse, and handed the reigns to Ray. "Put them to stable, ok", he said, not as a question but a statement. Ray nodded.

[Nyerguds]

Jerunn seriously considered going with Caius... after all, this was a small village. Everyone knew eachother, and he didn't really wanted to be known by all these people here all that soon, and for being a thief and a troublemaker. Right now he didn't want Caius to get in trouble; for some reason the stop in Aufghar seemed important for the mission.

Heh. The 'mission'... Jerunn thought. My Amazing Destiny! What a joke.
That's one thing he liked about Lady Neozeed... the fact she at least tried to control her own destiny. Well, Jerunn was no sheep either, but by now he was really enjoying the whole adventure. He hoped they'd go to real cities too sometime later... he'd have to be very careful here.

Jerunn thoughts went back to his original dilemma.
"Then again, Caius is a boring fart, and he's gonna discuss politics with the head pig." Jerunn said to himself. "No way I wanna be there when that happens."

With that, he decided to follow the sounds of the Blacksmith. He had always liked watching that, and there hadn't been many blacksmiths in Rueay. Besides, with the clan war, this one could be working on weaponry... and Jerunn had never seen a blacksmith making weapons before.

[Artificial Idiot]

"You heard the man, amuse yourselve's as you will. When you are done, meet around the campfire in the centre of town. To find it, simply follow the smoke." Jarvis turned to Delion and began to whisper. "You know the local Smith, correct?"

"Yes, of course." Delion answered. "I had several drinks with him before this seige began."

"Very good, go with young Jerunn. Make sure he doesn't get into trouble."

"It will be a hard task, but I strive to please. What of you? I assume you will be going with Caius?"

"No. I'm going to talk to the common people. The ruling class hide behind too many veils and half truths for my liking."

"Very well, until we meet again, farewell."

Delion and Jarvis both handed over their horses to Ray. Delion began to trace the steps of Jerunn, and Jarvis slipped off into Aufghar.

* * *

"Oi! What yer doin' in ma Smithy, yer runt?" A large man loomed over Jerunn. He was bald, had many teeth missing and his black apron seemed to domiate Jerunn's vision. "There's a war on, yer know!"

"I was just wondering..." Jerunn began, but the bellowing voice of the man cut him off.

"Ah dun't care what yer were wunderin', or weren't wunderin' the fact is..."

"Meldor! It has been far too long." Jerunn recognised the rich voice instantly. It was the man they had picked up in Droughness, Delion.

"Ah! 'lo there Master Delion! Couldn't resist the ol' Aufghar ale any longer, eh?" Meldor, as Delion had called him, gave him a big, toothless grin, and then turned back to Jerunn. "Ah was jus' showin' this runt the door..."

"He is my travelling companion. He will not be any trouble." Delion thought better of adding 'I hope' on the end of the sentance.

"Yeah, I only wanted to watch, sir! Honest!" Said Jerunn, putting on the innocent little kid routine. "I've never seen how weapons are made before, you see..."

"In tha' case, yer can go watch meh apprentice at work. 'e's better with horseshoes really, but with the war an' all..." Meldor shook his head solemnly. "Not 'nuff iron an' bronze to go around. All o' it has to go in the weapons see? An' weapons are ugly no matter 'ow many fancy decoration's yer put on 'em."

"Is it really that bad?" Delion asked.

"Yep. Been penned in like rats in a trap fer weeks, possibly months. Jus' lost count an' all. But we get along... Aufghar is strong!" Meldor's face brightened. "But yer can't grumble really! It's good fer business. Anyway, what yer been doin' with yerself?"

"I have been in Droughness for the most part. But I have travelled here with some companions. We managed to get past the soldiors outside, mostly though speed."

"Aye, people just dun't value speed an' tactic's much as they used to. It's all muscle these days. All muscle."

"And what of yourself?"

"I've been jus' perfect! Got meself a new wife an' everythin'! Business is good, life is good, weren't for this ruddy war, be jus' perfect."

"A new partner, Certaintly something to drink to."

"Indeed, 'as the most beautiful daughter an' all! Clever too, might be able to understand that poetic nonsense yer always comin' out with." Meldor looked over at the furance. "But no time fer drink's or yatterin' now. Got meself some work to do an' all. Give yer young friend a real sight to behold, a master at work!"

"I am sure he will be astonded."

"Yer, 'e better be!" Said Meldor, not entirly sure of what Delion had just said. Then he got to work. The Blacksmith had indeed changed since Delion had last been in here. Meldor had always made swords and armour, but there had used to be other things here. Bronze plates, horse shoes, a little bronze figure his apprentice had made with scrap metal one night. Now it had all gone, replaced by swords, axes, armour, shields and all other devices of war. In his oddly poetic way, Meldor was quite correct. They are always ugly, assuming you know the purpose. Delion's trail of thought was broken by Jerunn tapping him lightly on the shoulder.

"What you doing here?" He asked.

"Jarvis sent me."

"I'm not a baby you know, I don't need a minder!"

"I'll just tell Meldor to propell you onto the street then, shall I?" Delion gave the boy a sly smile.

"I'd have got back in somehow."

"And got into seven kinds of trouble. Which is exactly why I was sent."

"Ok, ok. Fair enough. At least you didn't call me your son, or kid brother or something like that!"

[CKW]

Under the secure hand of Ray, the horses followed her at the desired pace, cautionously. The stable was itself nearly empty, since no travellers had gone through the blockade.
"Fresh food and water for them, if possible." said Ray, facing the stable keeper, while she gave him a few coins.
She looked back at the animals. They were still on feet, but Ray knew the horses were tired of the effort.
The man waved his hand, and two stablemaids poured both water and food in the stables. Being women barely more than a property, it was common to see women develop these kind of low-level handwork, while the men oversee the situation.
Ray took the reigns of her horse, and closed the head of the animal towards her. She gently rubbed the neck of the animal.
"You have done well, considering you weren't prepared to run for your life in an arrow rain..."
She nodded once again, before placing the horses in the stables, and going outside...
It had been so many years since she had last visited an Astarian settlement...

[VO]

Jerunn watched sparks strike off that axe blade being forged by Meldor - this really was quite a sight, despite the man's warn and weathered appearance, gruff manner, and claims that he wasn't a poet, he really was quite an artist nethertheless - with each blow of the hammer, the delicate curved blade became more and more evident, it's shape almost perfect - infact, looking around the room, Jerunn wouldn't have really expected weapons made in a time like this to have such finished prescision to them. This man was a master at work, even if he'd only been joking about it before. It was almost as if he lived in this place, he seemed to fit it so perfectly - and indeed he did, for like many of the Astarian craftsmen, he lived in the rooms above his smithy.

From the stairs leading to these upstairs appartment came a clattering of footsteps, and a young girl emerged, blonde hair tied back in a plait, and wearing the traditional white linen dress and wooden clogs of the women of Aufghar. She was obviously younger than Jerunn, although she appeared to be the kind of child who it would be difficult to judge an age for - experianced, almost adult eyes sparkled out from a child's face. She almost dropped the knitting needles she had been holding as she saw the visitors, a long scarf made of sheeps wool unravelling down the last few stairs.

Jerunn realised there was something about this girl that was special, and when he glanced up at Delion, he recieved a wink.

"Papa, who are these people? They aren't from Aufghar..."

Meldor looked up from the axe blade at the girl. "Yer manners, Lyane! You don' expect a woman to act like that, do ye?"

The girl looked at the the floor, and murmoured something that sounded like "No, Father", and Jerunn realised who she was. Meldor continued speaking :

"This be my daughter by adoption, Lyane - an what a great one she is, although sometimes not quite mindful of her place." He then turned to her :
"These be travellers, ma dear - one of them an ol' friend o' mine, the other a young friend of his"

Lyane nodded, and indicated that she was going to speak. "Where are they from father? I do so like to hear of the outside!"

Meldor chuckled, and, speaking to Delion : "Inquisitive one, ain't she, 'though some in the town don't quite approve of that." He put down his hammer. "Why don' we go an catch up in the tavern, while Lyane shows your boy around? Not many children her age in this town - the only others are boys who're down with Khargal's regiment in the lowlands, gettin' their first taste of war - tho' why they ain't up here I don't know."

[VO]

Ray wandered down the street feeling lost. Although she was of half Astarian descent, nethertheless she had never been in a proper Astarian Clan-town. About her, women hurried past, heads cowed, and occasionally a burly Astarian man also strode down the busy highstreet, cocking his head in greeting. Ray rememberered that she had put on her armour, in order to appear male, and not have to stick close to Jarvis with those women who had not disguised themselves - they were, as far as any of the Astarians here were concerned, his property.

Ray whistled a tune she had heard once somewhere in the deep south on her travels with the army - without her pipes, she felt like she had nothing to do - in previous town leave, she had found a corner of a tavern or inn, and played her mournful tunes to the delight of the occupants, who probably didn't have much of an ear for music anyway but were too drunk to care.

Overall, this place didn't look bad - it just wasn't great either. A pig snuffled in the waste from a house, while a pair of your children dashed past, waving wooden swords at each other. The shops seemed reasonably well stocked - armourer, general store, tanner, several craftsmen - even a cabinet maker! (although the stacks of furniture outside his shop were conspicuosly bare of the customary metal trimmings) but Ray was amazed at the gender difference in this society - if any of the clansmen around here knew she was a woman, she's probably be clamped in irons for even whistling.

She considered going into one of the shops, and finding out if anyone in town might make musical instruments. At least that would give her something to do - maybe she could even try her hand at playing that strange instrument made from sheeps stomachs - what was it - bagpipes?, that her mother had once told her about.

Ray was about to do this, when he heard a coughing sound. A fair-haired young woman had just came out of the shop that Ray had been idly standing infront of, and was trying to make herself noticed. She wasn't much younger than Ray, and had was wearing the traditonal garb of Astarian women, although this young lady had sewn, or had sewn, a pattern of twisting bird-icons and knots along it's edges, making it appear very different than that of the other women Ray had seen.

"Excuse me stranger," the young woman said "But you aren't from Aufghar, I can tell that - did you just get in from the blockade?" She blushed. "I'm sorry if this seems very up-front and, well unladylike of me, but I'm dying for news of outside". She fluttered her eyelashes at Ray, and lent down from the wooden porch of the shop so that Ray could see her better. Ray noticed that the top few buttons on the woman's top were not done up.

[CKW]

Ray raised an eyebrown in disbelief. She was willing to laugh to death. She could almost feel falling to the floor. But that would spoil the disguise.
Ray stared at the young woman.

"You know you can be punished if someone finds out? Don't do it again."
The woman stood frozen. Not only the stranger knew the rules of the astarian people, he also knew how to spoke the astarian dialect. In her desbelief, her lips quivered, and she blushed even more.
"P...please... sir...don't"
Oh, great... MR Ray, you are making this woman pee in her dress.
"I saw nothing." she added with a wink, letting her true intentions come out.
"I am half-blood myself. I know how bad the punishment can be. As for the information, yes, we broke through the blockade, and if you tell me where can find a good flute, i will tell you news from outside."

[VO]

A flute! Was this some kind of sexual connotation of the lowlands? This man had insulted her honour, spoke the ancient tongue of Astara even though he was a bastard half-born, and didn't even have a beard!

She screamed, at the top of her lungs. Two burly men who had been lounging outside the tavern opposite got up, and, picking up their heavy weapons, hurried across the street to her. Ray visibly blanched.

"This man," swooned the woman breathlessly, "Has insulted my honour!" she swept her hand back to her forehead, and collapsed against the wooden banister. The men turned steely gazes to Ray.

[CKW]

Ray took a look at the soldiers. It wasn't worth to defend her honour stubbornly. She lowered her head.
"My apologies, for troubling you, but i didn't know talking about flutes was so embarrasing. I just wanted to see good flutes! I should have expected that Astarian people like the bagpipes!"
It's better this way. If they find out who i am, they would kill me

[VO]

"Bagpipes, eh?" One of the clansmen suddenly grinned. "Well, if that's all this trouble's about, I could show you to old Haldorn - he used to be a mean whittler when I was in his regiment down near Ceruhn, I can tell you. He probably still has some old sets of pipes in his house, though mind you, he's getting old and a bit senile."

"That would be great", said Ray, while inside she thanked the gods for her lucky escape.

"As for you, Meyanna," the man continued. "I'll have a word with your father - you shouldn't prey on newcomers like that - we're going to need as much help as we can in the fight, when that army in the pass comes rolling down here." Meyanna made a small disapproving noise, and dissapeared inside, the other man wandering off down the street.

"It's just down here," said Ray's guide, pointing down one of the side streets. "I'll come and introduce you - by the way, I'm Ehian, who might you be?"

[CKW]

"Ray Abbey...of clan Bl..."
Damn it! If this is an antihalf-blood guy, he'll get mad at me. Still the damage is done
"Ray Abbey..." He gasped. She hoped the soldier wouldn't realize what was about to say.
"So, sir, does this whittler make flutes?" He asked.

[VO]

Sorry Wes, but that voice is too funny :P

"Aye, and he was good at it too - after all, that is what a whittler does", said Ehian. "He made me some pipes when I was a kid serving under him - though gods have mercy on whoever heard me play them". Both he and Ray laughed.

"Anyway, this is his house." He gestured at a slgihtly run-down looking abode on the left hand side of the narrow street. "Don't worry, I'll introduce you." He rapped on the wooden door for a moment, with no reply, then pushed it open. Ray thought the air from inside smelt stagnant and old.

"Gurat? You in?" There was no reply, and the clansman turned to Ray. "He's going deaf in his old age, 'tis a pity?", and leant back into the door.

"GURAT?" he bellowed. A rustling noise came from upstairs, and a door was thrown open, throwing light across the interior from some hidden window - the walls were hung with old instruments - fiddles, bagpipes, even a metal horn. A figure, half obscured by the darkness, but clad in a rusted chainmail shirt, stood at the top of the stairs.

"HEE HEE HAR HAR", came the old man's voice. "And who, HEE HEE HO HUM, might this be?"

***

[Nyerguds]

"Your place, eh?" Jerunn said to Lyane as they walked out of the smithy. He smiled. "Don't worry too much about that crap around me. The only one that could ever show me my place seemed to be Caius."
"Who's Caius?" Lyane asked.
"Oh, just a friend of that 'friend' that accompanied me." Jerunn said, throwing a look back at the smithy. "Caius is pretty much the leader of our group. He's currently discussing some stuff with the head pi- err... the clan chief."
Much to his surprise, Lyane seemed to be surpressing a grin.
"They'd cut your tongue out if they heard that!" she said, still smiling.
Jerunn smiled back. "Oh, I know. I just make sure they don't hear it."

Jerunn looked around. "Where are we going anyway? It seems we just left the most exciting place in this entire village, beside the tavern, maybe. And Delion and your 'father' went there."
He sighed. "Well, at least I'm rid of him."
"Where are you from?" Lyane asked.
"Eh, just some city called Rueay. Not much to say about the place, really."
"Can you tell me about it anyway?" Lyane asked. "I've hardly seen anything outside this village... and I probably won't see much else for the rest of my life." She sounded pretty depressed about that last part. Jerunn could easily understand why.
"They warned me about how they treat women here. "Jerunn said softly, as they walked on. "It's just crazy..."
"Is it that different where you live?"
Jerunn looked at the girl, and lowered his voice even more. "They keep their heads low or hidden here... but we got female warriors in our group."

[VO]

"What!" Lyane clapped both hands to her mouth and her eyes went wide. "Gods above, that's crazy! Why haven't your friends been struck down by lightning yet?"

"Relax," said Jerunn, grinning at the girl's shock. "You don't honestly think that that would happen, do you?" He leant back against the wall. "Some people, if I do say so myself, take too much notice of this whole religion thing. If you ask me, most priests are into religion just because the communion dish pays well."

Lyane giggled. "Old Mochi at the chapel does seem to spend most of his time in the inn, now you mention it, making his nose red from the drinking."

"See, nothing bad's going to fall down from heaven on you if you were to put on armour and hit someone with a sword." Jerunn pulled his sheathed knife out of his belt. "Here, try this." He tossed it in the air, and Lyane caught it just before it spun into the muck of the alleyway.

"Of course I can use this, silly," she said, "women can use knives, you need them to gut sheep and cut bread. But if I was to go and fight that army over in the high pass, say, lords, it would be better if I died in battle than vanquished them all in the eyes of everyone in this place." She handed the knife back to back to Jerunn. "That's a good blade."

"Yeah", he grinned. "Say, what's that smell? Something good's cooking."

Lyane sniffed the air. "That's the bakery - we can go and get something to eat if you want", she pulled two bronze coins out of the pocket in the front of her dress. "I can buy food in this place, but that's about it."

"Believe me," said Jerunn mischievously. "You won't need to buy it."

[Nyerguds]

"You can't be serious..." Lyane said.
"Why not? There's nothing exciting in this village anyway, and you'll get into trouble leaving it." Jerunn grinned.
The two snuck to the side of the bakery.
"And this won't get me into trouble?" Lyane asked.
"Nah. And you'll keep your money." Jerunn looked at the wooden fence around the baker's back yard. "Come on, just gimme a hand."
"How are you going to come back?"
Jerunn smiled at her. "Oh, I'll find a way."

Lyane sighed, and helped Jerunn to climb over the fence. From the monent Jerunn could look over it, he quickly examined the baker's back yard. As he suspected, he could get to the freshly baked bread from here. Looking around a bit more he noticed a stack of wood, to fuel the bakery's ovens. "...and a way to get back. Perfect." he whispered by himself. "Lyane, can you catch bread as well as knives?" he asked, just before he disappeared over the fence.

***

The baker, an long, skinny man, came to the back yard to get some more wood for the ovens. He wished he could afford some more help, but all the boys were out to fight now, including his own sons. He grumbled, grabbed a few logs and went back inside.
Jerunn snuck in behind him, making sure he never lost sight of the baker so he couldn't get surprised by him.

"Laerdis?" he heard a woman's voice from the front. A customer Jerunn thought, and grinned.
"Yes, I'm coming." the baker grumbled. He wasn't in a good mood. Nothing Jerunn would do could improve that though...
From the moment the baker was gone, Jerunn grabbed two of the loaves that were cooled down enough to touch them, and snuck out to the back again.

"I'm back!" he said, not wanting to call Lyane by name, in case someone else would hear. "All clear?"
"Yeah." Lyane replied.
"OK, catch." Jerunn said, and threw one of the loaves over the fence.
"Got it!" he heard Lyane's voice from the other side.
"Another one!" Jerunn said, and threw the second loaf.
"Okay. Now get back, before Laerdis gets here!" Lyane said.

Jerunn went to the wood pile, grabbed two logs, and put them upright against the fence, right beside the pile. He put one foot on the logs, and climbed over it, knocking the logs down as he pulled himself up. No one would notice.
Jerunn looked around. He was in someone else's garden, but that didn't matter, since it didn't have a fence. He quickly ran around the baker's fence and met Lyane back in the alley.

"Two loaves? What were you thinking?" Lyane asked. "It's way too much!"
"Oh, it'll be OK. After all, these are harsh times. Now let's just get out of here."
The two ran through some alleys. Not many people were on the streets, besides some older women, who just sighed and shook their heads at seeing Lyane run through the streets, Jerunn following closely behind her. The bread was safely hidden in his backpack.

[Artificial Idiot]

"Ah, Afternoon Mr..." The baker, didn't know his name, said as he came to the counter. He was much like the other people here, greif stricken. And probably full to the brim with fear and anticipation. Not many people wore all black around here, not many hunted witches either. He wished that charming young woman who just walked out would come back in, at least she didn't have that glare...

"Not important." Said Jarvis, who was exploring the town. He'd already recived a note for "Mr. Delion" from a charming young girl he had met outside the tanners, he dared not read it.

"Ah.. what can I do for you?" The baker asked timidly.

"I was wondering if you had any freshly cooked cakes, or perhaps some current buns?" Jarvis asked. The Baker's mouth hung open, Jarvis didn't look like the cake type of person.

"Sorry, fresh outta currents, I'm afraid. Do have some nice cream cakes though."

"And they would be?" Asked Jarvis, who hadn't exactly kept up with the bakery world as closely as he should.

"Two layers of bread with goats cream inbetween them, a bit of jam too if you like."

"I'll take two." Jarvis said, laying a few coins on the counter.

"Good, I'll just go an...." Mummbled the baker as he went into the back room. Jarvis heard him scream a female sounding name and curse whatever God these people worshiped. "SOME DAMNED THIEVES HAVE BEEN IN MY STORE ROOM!"

Jarvis sighed. He'd have Delion's head for this. As for Jerunn, Perhaps he could take the Caius approach and make him share the wealth, although at the moment, his head on a spike had a rather nice ring to it. But for now, he'd have to make amens.

"Don't worry about it, I can cover the cost of stolen goods." Muttered Jarvis, he was feeling in a "good" mood today. His mind even bordered on not jumping to conclusions and not blaming Jerunn, but that might be pushing it a little too far.

"Really?" Said the baker delighted, then he came to his senses. "You don't have too..."

"Times are harsh." Stated Jarvis, as he took his two cakes and paid.

"That's the spirt! Don't be a stranger now!"

"Don't worry, I will be." Jarvis muttered as he swooped out of the door.

* * *

The attitude in the taven was jovial. It was the heart of the town, and a heart that had accepted Delion almost instantly. He knew most of the people here by name, the young people who he wouldn't recognise were off to war, or preparing for it. But still, he was happy to be back. Delion's "unique" brand of entertainment was legend around here, and he had just finished another verse of less then tasteful poetry to the roaring approval of the others.

"Ah, yer 'aven't lost yer wit lad!" Meldor bellowed as he slapped him on the back. "'ERE! Another drink fur young master Delion 'ere, eh?"

"FOR YOUNG MASTER DELION!" Roared the others in the background, probably too drunk to realise that Meldor wasn't even toasting him. But still, it was nice. Although, Delion had to admit, he was feeling a little hoarse.
As two more mugs of "Aufghar's finest" slammed onto the bar, spilling drops of froth and beer onto the bar. Delion looked seriously at Meldor.

"Jest aside, how bad is the situation?"

"Very bad, me lad." Meldor replied. "But let s'not talk 'bout it 'ere, eh? 'round to the back room would probably be best fer such matter's."

Delion nodded in agreement, as Meldor had a quick word with the barman and they were led into the back room, behind the bar. Delion and Meldor settled into two wooden chairs, a small wooden table between them.

"Look, Delion, ah know yer ain't back here for no reason... yer tell meh everthin', ah tell yer everythin'."

"Very well." Delion replied calmly. "I came here with others under a man who is under the belief that he is the chosen of a Goddess. I wish not to bore you with the details, but believe me when I say, we are here to help you." Delion gave the man a few minutes to take it all in, and then spoke. "And now, my friend, it is your turn to talk. What is the state of defence in Aufghar?"

[VO]

"Mmm". Lyane bit into the crust of half of one of the loaves Jerunn had swiped, it was warm, fresh from the oven, and tasted delicious - maybe the fact that it had been stolen made it taste that bit better.

"So," Jerunn said, tearing a huge chunk of bread off the other half of the first loaf (the other being stowed away safely in his backpack). "What else is there to do in Aufghar anyway?"

Lyane paused, holding the bread before her, and swallowing the last of her previous bite. "Not much, really. The little kids play around in the streets, the married girls fuss over their husbands, young men go to war." She looked up. "That's all that really happens in Aufghar, anyway, aside from the few with enough sense to till the fields, everyone's normally at war in the lowlands, or too pompous, old, or airheaded to talk to. Everyone here seems to think that some old scar they have slashed through one eye, or some old scar their husband has gives them a right to strut around like a cockrel. No-one actually does much else."

Jerunn laughed half-sympathetically. "You don't have one of your eyes put out or a broken nose, and it don't look like you're married, are you?" He almost added 'You're obviously too young' , but then again, most of the girls he had seen in the main street hadn't looked much older than Lyane, and several of them had limp-legged, battle-scarred husbads.

"Yeah," she said, and suddenly raised the half-loaf to her mouth, and bit down into it deeply, as if to give her something to concentrate on. Jerunn could see tears welling in her eyes.

"Hey," he said... "what's wrong?"

Lyane said nothing. Jerunn, who had been leaning against a wall in the deserted backstreet, stood up, and reached out. "Whoa, are you ok? Lyane? Lyane?"

The girl pushed away from him, and Jerunn grabbed at her sleeve. "Leave me alone!" she said, and the load fell from her hands into the mud. Tears were streaming from her eyes now, and she strugged out of his grasp and began to run down the alley, sobbing.

"Hey!" called Jerunn, not sure what to do. He bent down to grab his backpack, which he'd left on the ground, when he saw the unmistakeable black-clad form of Jarvis coming from the other direction.

"Jerunn!" Jarvis's voice was filled with wrath. "Stay right there!"

[CKW]

"Hello Mister, My name's Ray Abbey. I have been told you craft fine flutes, and that's why I am here."
Ray carefully spoke. She rubbed her right hand. The ring she was wearing could not be seen.
"WHAT!?"
Ray took breath.
"I SAID THAT MY NAME IS RAY ABBEY, AND I WAS TOLD YOU CRAFT FLUTES!"
The voice vibrated, in such high tone, she couldn't disguishe her true voice tune.
"HEE HOO, keep it cool son, I am not, HAR HUM, deaf. HEE HOO HUM! YOU SCREAM LIKE A GIRL!"

[Nyerguds]

"Forget it!" Jerunn yelled back, and ran after Lyane. What was wrong? What did he say that could've...
Married. Crap. She's probably stuck in some kind of arranged engagement.

Lyane might've been bigger than him, but Jerunn was experienced in running, albeit mostly running away instead of chasing. Lyane went into some small alleys to make sure no one would follow her, but after a while, Jerunn caught up with her, and managed to grab her wrist.
"Lyane!" he said, pulling the wrist to the ground. It was an effective method to stop people from running, especially if they were bigger than you.
The girl fell to her knees, sobbing.
"Look, Lyane... you don't have to stay here. I- I can get you out."
Lyane looked up, tears streaming down her cheeks. "No you can't. Even if you got me out somehow... where would I go? This is Astaria... not your land. We don't have stuff like female warriors here! I'd just be an outcast!"
Jerunn sighed. "But... what if you came with us?"
"You think your people would want to risk stealing a girl from a town?!"
"Shh... don't yell. People might hear." Jerunn said, helping the girl on her feet. "Don't worry, I'll find a way. Somehow."

[Wesforce]

Aisha walked the dirt streets of Aufghar, carefully keeping close to Al-Hazeeb, Aspen and the others - Just from the guarded looks she got from the locals she knew she wasn;t going to like it here. The filth, the comparative poverty... The way all the women moped around, haggard-faced, miserable, resigned, hardly more human than the sheep in the fields.

Sheep! Thats what you are! Aisha wanted to shout it at them. She wanted to jerk their heads up and slap them until they came around. But no, they wouldn't - Too ingrained in their system, too beaten down by their men.

Luckily some of us are made of sterner stuff She thought smugly, not considering her privilidged upbringing in this moment of clarity. Maybe some day I'll come back here and teach these savages the lessons only a modern civilisation can teach. She didn't consider then that her homeland was much the same - But then again, from the Palaces she hadn't seen much of that anyway, so it didnlt matter.

Aisha spotted the young girl - She thought she'd overheard the name. Lyane? Something told her it should mean something to her. But what meant more was that little sneak running after her.

Interesting.

She thought about following, but didn't want to get lost in the alleys in such a place.

Aisha's stomach rumbled - She couldn't remember the last time she'd eaten. The flight from the clansmen especially had made her hungry.

'Fellow travellers,' She said, keeping her voice down. 'What say we find a fairly decent eatery among this pathetic clump of hovels and see what the locals have to offer?'

'Can we afford that?' Asked Aspen.

'We shall see.' Thought Aisha, who was sure she had a certain way of escaping having to pay for anything.

[Toxic10x]

Not particularaly caring for the look of the cities interior, Roh began to make his way around the outermost streets nearest the wall. Most of them seemed to have been abandoned or at least borded up- their occupants having fled deeper in to the city as to not be the first struck if the wall was overtaken. As he continued he noticed a faint wisp of smoke coming from the chimney of a small building. The windows were blacked out, but once he was near enough he could see a yellow glow from under the door.
Roh stopped in front of the house and listened. Faint noises permeated the door. Forgetting to knock, he took hold of the knob and opened the door. He sepped into a bright room, illuminated buy a hanging basin of fire suspended from the ceiling. An old man in strange dress stood behind a counter lined with glass jars. The jars (viles, really) shimmered, and their many colored contents seemed to stir in the firelight.
"'ello my lad!" offered the old man in a queer accent- not entirely native to aufghar it seemed. "What might you be looking for?"
"Oh," responded Roh, not even sure what this place was. "I don't know I guess. Just wandering through... Everyone else has left this area you know."
"Aye..." said the old man, looking off at nothing in particular and stroking his beard. "Aye," he said again.
Roh began to browse the shelves of the strange place. Medicines and potions of all sorts were stacked to the ceiling, as well as unrecognizable odds and ends of even more unrecgnizable animals. The old man's eyes followed Roh about the room. Roh wasn't actually interested in buying anything, but he felt a bit obliged to browse, seeing as the old man wasn't likely to have an other customers in this remote shop.
As he made his way to another corner, the old mans eyes followed him more intently. Roh's attention was caught by a brown pouch, which was partly opened, and had granuals of coarse blue powder spilling from it. The old man grinned as Roh reached out and picked it up.
"Aye, I thought so!" said the old man, widening his crooked grin. "i'll let you 'ave that whole pouch, free of charge!"
Roh was about to insist on paying (not wanting to drain the man's business, which didnt exactly appear to be thriving) until he realised that the man had not so much suggested Roh take it, as he had commanded him to.
Roh took the pouch and put it in his bag, much to the old man's delight. "Oh, thank you..." he said. "But what's it for?"
"You will see!" said the old man giddily. "You will see!" At that, he threw a handful of sand on the fire (extinguishing it), and quickly dissapeared into the back of the store. A heavy darkness and an even heavier silence fell on the buildiing, and it felt suddenly as though it had been abandoned for years. Puzzling over the situation, Roh stepped back outside.

[VO]

Lyane sat up, sniffing slightly. "You know I don't want to believe you, Jerunn". She smiled. "But you don't seem like you do things the way everyone else does here..."

"Heh," said Jerunn, smiling lopsidedly. "Trust me?"

"Trust you? Why would anyone do that?" Lyane wiped at her eyes, smiling. "You seem just about the least trustworthy person I've ever met, but I don't know, they say that people outside Astaria do things differently sometimes."

"Yeah," Jerunn continued. "You don't say." He let go of Lyane's arm. "Are you sure you're okay?"

Just then, a bellowing, panting sound rumbled down the alleyway, and Jerunn span around to see Jarvis, red-faced from running, exhaling deeply at the end of the alleyway. He was momentarily looking at the ground, recovering his breath.

"Oh crap, Jarvis" whispered Jerunn. "You'd think that all those crazy black robes would slow him down alot more than that". He looked around - there was no cover in the alleyway, only a few wooden doorways. There would be no hiding here. It was time to run, or give in.

***

Ray felt the blood rush to her cheeks. She had to be more careful in future, anything could give her away! Trying to sound as manly as possible, she intoned in a baritone voice : "I was wondering if, seing as you're the best whittler in Aufghar, you had a set of pipes I could buy?"

"HEE HUM!" The old man wobbled down the stairs, and Ray could see, despite the thin light, that we was wearing nothing but a sleeveless chainmail vest and a kilt. His skin hung loose and old on his body, but his eyes burned with a strange fire, sparks of sprightly life. He hobbled down the staircase, and with one swing of an arm wrenched open the encrusted window. Ray looked around and saw the instruments, although old and in some cases slightly damaged, that lined the entire shack, seemed of suprisingly good quality.

"Pipes you say, HOO HUM?", said Gurat, picking up a fiddle with two strings missing. "This be the greatest set of pipes I've ever had, HEE, mark me words!"

***

"Well," said Alay, stepping through the door of the eatery. "Let's try it, at least." She pulled a bag of coins from her baggage, and looked up at what was probably a menu, propped up on a board next to a bench from behind which was propped over a wooden counter. The reasonably well-off woman didn't need Aisha's plan, whatever it was. The noble Kilvox, having finally tired of attempting to make conversation with the mute Al-Hazeeb, followed her in, along with Jade, while the others milled about outside.

Hmmm.

The chalked dishes on the menu mainly included oats and mutton, neither of which she had had much experiance of, at home on the world's edge.

[CKW]

Oh, Great! Now this is a madman...
Ray licked her lips, carefully choosing the way to approach the man.
"Excuse me... but it looks like a fiddle to me..."
Ray readied herself, for the worst...

[VO]

"FIDDLE?" Garut looked down, screwing up his eyes. "HEE HUM, so it is." He carefully hung it back on it's hook and looked around, blearily. "I suppose you'd be wanting some pipes, then, HO HEE?"

"Well, yes.." began Ray, but the old man had grabbed a set of pipes off the wall, and thrust them into her hands. "TAKE THEM! TAKE THEM AND BE GONE WITH THEM YOU INSOLENT YOUNG UPSTART" He bawled at Ray, and she could smell his bad breath, taking a step backwards out of the doorway.

[Nyerguds]

Jerunn sighed. He'd have to come back to Jarvis in the end anyway, so he could as well get it over with.
He looked at Lyane. "Don't worry... He isn't as bad as he looks... I think. Anyway, you got nothing to do with this, and I know I'm quite safe from any serious threats from him."

He stepped forward. "Yeah, what?" he said to Jarvis, making his voice sound very annoyed.

[VO]

***

"Commander?" A thin, gangly messenger pushed through the tent flaps, and Lucian looked up from the leather-bound book he was studying - On Infantry Tactics, by an Imperial General, long dead from the Great Wars. It didn't really teach him anything he didn't know - nothing did - but sometimes the insights of others did help him in his own plans. He made certain to conceal the thinner, shabbier book he hid beneath it.

"What is it?" Lucian's voice was crisp and calm, and his face, lit up by the firelight, clearly showed the bruises he had recieved from Zanis. "I'm busy." He had been reading for hours since his showdown with the old cultmaster, and it had now grown dark outside - the scent of the soldier's broth being served from huge cauldrons made his mouth water, and he wondered why his own servants hadn't brought in his meal yet.

"Master, the men you ordered detained have broken the blockade" - all of them, including the slight man in medium infantry armour, and the one who dresses in black." They forced their way through our sentries, and made a break across the valley floor to the city - our horsemen couldn't stop them."

Lucian paled, but his eyes seemed to flare up with fire. "Why wasn't I told of this before?"

"Commander," it was not my duty, I am but a messenger boy for the regiment who were - "

"Silence," said Lucian crisply, shutting the book. He looked up at the young man. "You will find for me Jezebella, of the Desert Dog Irregulars, Zanis, the old man with the metal hand, Aloden Telbort and Mortimer Ort, the intinerant wizards we have with us and Duhan of Clan Aderod. You will also find my personal cook, and inform her that I will have her beheaded if I do not have a suitable meal for five here in my tent within fifteen minutes. Is that clear?"

"Yes," squeaked the boy, and scuttled off into the night.

CKW - talk to me on msn before posting about Lucian

[Artificial Idiot]

"What in the name of the Goddess do you think you are going?" Jarvis didn't yell, he only yelled to get attenton. But his voice was cold, as if lined with ice.

"I don't know what you're talking about." Jerunn insisted.

"Oh, then what's this?" Jarvis threw a half eaten loaf to the ground.

Jerunn thought about saying he brought it. However he knew the old Witch Hunter better then that. "Yeah, alright, alight! I stole it. I'm a thief!"

"Not here your not." Jarvis said darkly. "Do you have any IDEA the attention that could be brought about by this? We need these people's trust! And they won't trust us if you get caught stealing."

"Fine, I won't do it again, I promise." Muttered Jerunn.

"You'd better tell Caius about this, he can see to you properly. And if you don't tell him, I will. Now... Where is Delion?"

"At the taven, drinking with the armourer."

"Typical. Run along you thrice damned moungrel. I want no more trouble from you today."

* * *

"Well, Delion me lad, that be a long story, aye. Maybe we be better off gettin' in some drinks first, eh?" Meldor suggested. They didn't have the time though

"I think we have had enough drinks to fill a fat noble man thrice over, Meldor."

"Well, if yer be sayin' so, young master Delion. Ye wanted to know about the defenses, eh?"

"When exactly did the attack start?"

"Well, first ah heard o' it was last year, a month or so afore the snows set in. We jus' assumed the boys were comin' back an' all, yer know, fer Midwinter?" Meldor explained. "But it seems some Imperial devil's been leadin' the clans 'gainst us an' all, over a war that we thought was long forgott'n"

"Imperial devil?" Delion gasped, wide eyed with shock. "There is an imperial involved in this?
:
"Aye. as far as we can tell? Yer weren't even a wee pup then, but some lowlander by the name o' Acola was makin' a big fuss around down there when ah was a lad, and they say he's come to Astaria now"

"Acola... Lucian Acola?" Delion mused. "I've heard tales about him. Although, I was under the impression that thses tales under went great exageration"

"Aye, well, it's jus' a rumour, lad. Gods only know how 'e's in command of 'alf the clans of Astaria Anyhow, 'e's out there camped in the pass, and 'e's got some cronies on the other side. How yer got in ah dunno."

"We managed. It's not important. Now, about the defences, are there any weak points they could break though?"

"Well, yer know the situation 'ere, no doubt. We're on an island in the middle of the river Ghar, so they gotta get their feet wet to get us, that, an' we can jus' burn or break the bridges." he paused to sip the last drop from his glass. "Ain;t as simple as that though. The real problem is if they get into 'ere, 'nd breach the walls - we jus' don't 'ave enough men to fight a proper battle. Jus' us an' three clans against the rest o' 'em."

"It is a grim situation then?"

"Aye, Even a good sword don't 'elp yer when yer outnumbered fifteen to one".

"We can probably survive under seige for a couple o' months - we 'ave stockpiled food and such - but we really need to break their army. There ain't no-one who'll help us out there anyhow"

"You are not as hopeless as you think Meldor, trust me."

"Aye, well, yer have about five extra men, an two of them are jus boys delion! What goods that gonna do? Gunna 'ave the pups spit on 'em or sommut?"

"Just trust me Meldor. Powers are at work beyond both you and I. Even beyond the clan chief himself. The armies are holding off for a reason." He put down his empty glass. "Now, I think it is about time we ordered a few more drinks.

"Now yer talkin'." Meldor smiled.

* * *

Zanis sat on his high vantage point, looking over the camps. Things were going well, very well. Even on a personal scale. That desert dog had kept her mouth shut, Zanis had even managed to save her skin. And Lucian? Lucian, the worm, the rat... Lucian that traitor scum waiting to happen? He'd got what was coming to him. Speaking of Lucian, Lucian the rat was cupped firmly in his hands. Zanis had tamed him now, he no longer had urges to run off, to betray. He had tamed the rat like he would eventually tame the man. What was once a filthy creature, will become a model pet. And if not, the other path would lead to death. Hopefully Lucian the man would be as smart as Lucian the rat.

"A-are you... Zanis?" Asked a voice behind him. A messenger boy.

"Yes, yes, what is it?" Zanis snarled.

"Master Lucian..." The boy paused under Zanis' ice cold glare. "Lucian requests your pressence for dinner."

"Plans to eat me now, does he?"

"No.. no! Not at a..." The boy began, but Zanis cut him off.

"Inform master Lucian that I will be there. Also tell him that I will be bringing company. Now get out of my sights before I take a disliking to you!" The boy nodded and scattered. Zanis turned his attention back to the rat in his hands. "My dear, Lucian. Are you ready to meet the filthy animal that gave you your name sake? Perhaps he will be flattered, perhaps... but we don't trust him do we? No, not at all. But don't worry, my dear Lucian, don't worry. I'll not liet him take advantage of you... advantage of us!"

[VO]

Caius made his way out of the clan-cheifitan's hut under the dying sun. He'd had a long talk with Uthan all evening, and the situation appeared quite bleak for Aufghar. There, as far as Uthan, a grossly fat man who didn't seem to be able to leave his hut, knew, were at least fifteen men against Aufghar for every man who would stand before it - and even with the advantage of the fortifications the town had, that advantage would be hard to negate.

Nethertheless, if the worst came to the worst, they travellers would be force to let Aufghar die. Much as Caius did not want to waste the simple lives of the inhabitants, there would be no way that, if the inevitable battle went badly, they would be able to salvage anything but making sure Ray's EVENT went well, and then grabbing the girl they had come here to complete their party with and making good their escape.

He recalled the passage from the book that had lead them to this place. Like everything else the mysterious prophecies that were guiding this whole business contained, it was suitably cryptic, and could be applied to many situations. It was only years of experiance at cross-referencing the various sections of the book, that skipped around eratically, that taught him this was the moment they had been waiting for.

… and the Ancient Protector shall lead his people to the valley of the Hunter’s city, and there he shall wait three days while the Ancient Protector watches from on high, and the Dark Sentinel prowls below. And they shall wait three days while the moon wanes, and the powers of the enemies of the Hunter wax, and on the third day, shall the armies who stand against the clan of the Hunter under the will of the Imperial Blade shall be unleashed, and shall the valley of the Hunter run red with blood. And in that battle, shall each come upon his own – but only the Imperial Blade shall vanquish his foe…

He could recally each word by memory, yet there was little to go on. In two days time now - assuming this was the first day - the enemies of Aufghar wuold attack, and somewhere in their lines would be the majority of the servants of darkness. Caius fully expected to see Azat again - goddess, how long was it - and knew that each of his charges would run across their own counterpart - although the book was cryptic in places each shall come upon his own was a dead giveaway. Only Ray, the Imperial Blade, it seemed, would actually win or lose their confrontation - and for the good of the entire world, he hoped she would perservere.

Caius yawned. It was getting late, and they had a full day at least to prepare. Maybe he should get an early night - or maybe he'd spend almost all of the dark hours awake, like he had for what seemed like all eternity.

[Master Chris]

Jade had eaten her fill, knowing full well that the good lady Neozeed intended to charm their way out paying for the meal. It felt wrong, yet Jade was past the point of caring. Hunger had a way of doing that to a person.

Oats and mutton, not a particulary varied selection, especially for one who had forsaken consuming the flesh of any beast. However, a pale, watery soup of oats and weak herbs was all Jade needed to satisfy her hunger.

The others were talking of the siege, fifteen to one were the odds they quoted.

Jade looked at the reflection that was in the foggy soup in front of her. A face, framed by long emerald hair, looked back at her. There was sorrow in that visage. A great slaughter of both men and creatures was upon the horizon. Aufghar would be attacked, Jade didn't know when, but it was obvious to all that it was coming.

A small part of her wished to flee the conflict. The very thought of such a pointless massacre horrified Jade, who had dedicated herself to preserving life. A significantly larger part of her was prepared for the coming battle.

From Reuay she had felt it, sometimes it was following and sometimes she followed it but always was that presence near. The death and decay that had tormented her on Reuay was here as well. While she had agreed to follow Caius, she felt that it was perhaps time to confront her foe.

While the others continued their prattle, discussing tactics, possibilities, and such, Jade let her hand creep up to her throat. Wrapping her fingers around the vial she had been given by the mysterious and prophetic lady, Jade felt the warm and reassuring essence within. It was decided. She stood without a word, and waited for the others to notice and, in turn, fall silent themselves:

"Tell Caius that my purpose lies with these people. If he is to gather you up and ride away, tell him I can no longer keep him company. There is something I must attend to..."

She paused, it was always hard parting ways with people you had come to like. Still, there was the matter of her quarry, friends or not, she would stay as long as it did regardless of Caius' wishes.

"It was wonderful getting to know you all...Goodbye."

Jade departed, leaving a table of confused people in her wake.

The tavern behind her, Jade made for the battlements, intending to leave the settlement of Aufghar. The guards on duty questioned her thoroughly, leaving the safety of the town? A woman? A stranger to their parts though, it was no great loss if she was taken. However, mayhaps she was a spy? Lacking the charms of Lady Neozeed, Miriam Terrat found herself having trouble convincing the guards she was not their foe. The truth, it seemed, proved less useful than Jade had previously thought.

"I tell you, good sirs, I am your ally. I have business to attend to away from the unnatural town. I need peace of mind-"

"Och! Yer think our Aufghar aint clean enuf for yer, aye? Sounds like de words of a traitor!"

At that point, it appeared that Jade would either be killed on the spot or, if they were merciful, taken to authority for more intrusive interrogation. Either result was unfavourable. Jade was desperate, she needed to get out if she was to gather her strengths for her conflict.

It was at that point Caius on one of his nighttime strolls, unable to sleep as always, came over to investigate the commotion. The guards at first did not notice him but once his presence was known they filled him in. He took in their accusations without speaking, looking right at Jade all the while, his face impassive. Jade returned his gaze with a look that spoke volumes. Once the guards fell silent Caius spoke:

"Are you sure this is your path?"

Jade nodded.

"Let her pass."

As the gate was opened and Jade wandered off into the night, Caius thought to himself: She assumes that I intend to leave this place before Aufghar is swallowed by her foes. Yet, still she seeks her quarry, even at such impossible odds. Hopefully, this is how it is supposed to be.


(Note: Just making it clear. Jade does think that Caius intends to take his party elsewhere before Aurfghar falls and she has decided to take on Mortimer bt herself. Why sacrifice oneself needlessly defending a lost cause? Of course, we all know better. Eh? Also, if this development is incompatible with VOs own plan, do feel free to edit to taste.)

[Wesforce]

Aisha had resigned herself to sitting down and eating with the others. They weren't up for her plan, and subsequently the already meagre food was made to taste like ashes in her mouth by disappointment. Reluctantly she paid the Aufgharians their dues - through Al-Hazeeb.

The discussion on tactics bored her - She looked at Aspen for conformation that their little deal was still on, and that was enough for her. she wasn't too bothered about the odds Aufghar was facing - She would just shrug nonchalantly and imagine scything the Astarians down like farmers did their crops in this part of the world's verdant golden fields.

And she was just as surprised when Jade got up and left.

Awhile later, Aisha went after her. Out of curiosity, mostly. Taking Al-Hazeeb as her ward against the Aufgharians, she arrived at the gates in time to see Jade wandering off, windswept and lonely, apparently at Caius' permission.

She hurried back to the others, aghast.

***

Jezebella sat, typically cleaning her swords, while the rest of the Desert Dogs busied their time sparring or training.

'Is this perhaps an ant before me? Some ignorant insect doing its duty for its Queen, blissfully unaware of its own insignificance in the scheme of things...' She glowered, before looking up and spearing the messenger boy with an Iron stare.

'Or perhaps it is a Scorpion, come to challenge the might of the Desert Jackal...'

She whisked her sword up and had the tip at the boy's throat in an instant. He almost wet himself. Jezebella laughed - She so enjoyed tormenting these ignorant, pink-skinned people.

'M-m-m-master Lucian requests...'

Jezebella refocused her stare on him. He broke and fled.

'So... The Old doddering fool requests me does he? We'll see that he gets what he wants, and much more besides!'

Leaving her one trusted Lieutenant to keep order, she made herself ready and headed on through the camp, staring down anyone in her way.

Near Lucians pompous, grand tent, scantily clad dancing clanswomen were getting ready in their tents, while a cook sweated feverishly over a boiling pot - A black-hooded overweight, bare-chested man behind her blunted his axe on a tree-stump.

[Artificial Idiot]

"Azat, my friend. I bring tidings from the camp." Zanis wheezed as he made his way up to the towering hulk that is Azat.

"What now?" The giant rumbled.

"I have been invitied to a meal. With that block-headed Imperial Lucian. I believe he is up to something, friend." A sly smile flickered and faded across the old mans face all at once. "I was wondering if you would like to join me."

* * *

"So then, the clanchief walked in, an' 'e said "That ain't me daughter, that's a Sinikan barbarian!"" There was a roar of laugher in the inn as Meldor finished his joke. Delion sat back in his chair, he'd eaten, drank (probably too much) and was considering getting a good nights sleep when suddenly the floor caught up with him.
His head hit the floor as his chair collapsed from underneath him and he was thrown across the floor of the inn.

"Didn't your mother ever tell you never to lean back on chairs?" Said the dark cloaked figure who was leaning over him.

"Jarvis?" Delion asked, both drunk and dazed.

"Yes. And you and me need to have a little chat." He picked Delion up off the floor. "But first, seeing as you like this place so much, go get everybody beds."

Delion nodded and stumbled off to the bar. Jarvis sat down in his place when Aisha burst in though the doors.

* * *

[CKW]

Ray walked outside the door.
What a madman. At least i got a flute from him

She looked at the pipe. It was truly a good example on how a flute should be, if a bit dusty. She proceed to clean the piece with her own clothes. A whisper came from the other place as the dust was dissapearing from the inside.

"BFFF....FUIIITTT!"
Done.

She placed the flute carefully in her mouth, and began playing a tune, while she was walking down the street.
That flute was indeed good.

As she was walking,she stepped by another house. An store.
Hmm.. that dress is nice
No sooner she had entered, and using the excuse "it's for my sister" she bought the dress for herself, and placed it over her shoulder, carefully enveloped.

She made her way towards the tavern.
Wait the others see my new flute. It was about time, i had lost my last flute in the ship.

[VO]

Aloden Telbort made his way towards Lucian's tent, projecting an image of confidence, while trembling inside.

Gods above, an audiance with the commander? Why? Why oh why? Could it have been to do with the potatoes I stole earlier...?

The clansman who had told him of his summons had only just found him, and Aloden had been forced to quickly prepare, replacing the dirty robes he had been wearing with a clean pair, and his pointed hat - most wizards didn't bother with them, but the young man thought that sometimes it helped to make an impression. He'd placed a small charm on it to keep it safe from dirt and dust, and gosh, did it look good. He tried to put on a jaunty grin, and winked at a couple of the wenches who had been brought along in the baggage train of the army, but they just scurried away.

Then again, the young man thought, maybe this was just his big break? After all, after a lifetime of screwing up, it had to happen sometime.

He approached the large and impressive tent - and, shivering, was let into the compound by the guard. Aloden almost tripped on one of the support ropes, and his hat sailed off into a puddle of muddy water.

"Curses," the wizard muttered, picking it up and shaking off the brown liquid. "Must my habitual bad luck follow he everywhere?"

Of course, that was right when he ran into Zanis.

[Artificial Idiot]

"You there, boy. What in khashdar's name do you think you are doing?" Zanis commanded. Telbort seemed to fall to pieces.

"N-n-nothing?" Upon being met by that demented gaze, he decided to change his story fast. "Just... washing m-my hat?" He shook his hat in the air a few times, just to prove his point. Zanis decided to let it pass... for now. Everybody had their oddites after all.

"Hello boys." Said the familer voice of Jezebella as she approached. "You all been invited to the party too?"

"Yes?" Telbort ventured, and then realised what a fool he was making out of himself. "I mean, Yes! Yes I have. Special orders from Commander Lucian."

"Commander Lucian." Zanis scowled.

"Well, you must be very important then." Jezebella smiled. Telbort wasn't sure if she was coming on to him, or simply mocking him.

"Enough. Let us just see what the absent minded fool wants. The sooner I am rid of this place, the better!" Said Zanis, as he slipped into the tent like a wraith. Jezebella followed afterwards, with a nerveous Telbort at her heels.

* * *

"I am retiring until morning." Jarvis informed Delion after he had payed for the rooms. "Don't think this business is finished Delion, and you can pass that message on to Jerunn as well."

"Retiring? So soon?" Delion was mildly concerned. He didn't think Jarvis even slept. He was always last to bed and first to rise. "But the evening is young Jarvis. I was was hoping, mayhaps I could share the information I have learned over a drink?"

"Tomorrow." Jarvis said bluntly.

"Very well." Delion fished into his pocket for a key. "Fairwell."

Jarvis took the key, vanishing up the wooden stairs almost like the shadows that flickered in the lamp light. He found his room. Rather small, like most Taven accomidation. But then, the idea was to fit as many people into the space as possible, not comfort. The distant echos of joyful, drunken laughter could still be heard even up here, but it was much more peaceful here. He could think, he could remember.
He took his own copy of the book of the Goddess, like Caius he knew the passage like the back of his very own hand. "Each will meet their own". No disputing it... he'd meet him.
Zanis, an evil cult master. Jarvis' counterpart. Jarvis wasn't sure how, but he'd lived for much longer then even Jarvis. He'd spawned cults up and down the world, killed many a Witch Hunter. Too many. Witch Hunter's weren't a brotherhood, they never co-operated. But they did hear tales. Including the death of many a Cardinal at the hands of a red robed demon.
Jarvis literally shuddered at the thought of facing Zanis again. he scared him... scared him to the bone. Jarvis knew it was irrational, but ever since the last time... the last time they had met. He could hear his voice voice ringing though his head now.

What's the matter, boy... Did the Goddess neglect to give you a kiss on the cheek before you left the chapel? He'd mocked.

Jarvis was young then, very young. He was only a lowly preacher in the temple of the Goddess. Zanis was, and still is, the scariest thing he had ever seen. He shook him to the bone. Jarvis' hand moved tawards his stomach. The claws, that was where they had sank into his flesh. First time Jarvis had seen himself bleed. Even as he thought of it, he could feel the wound. As if it was fresh, cutting into his skin.

"I'll be ready for you this time..." Jarvis muttered. Gripping the pommel of his sword until his hands were white. It was a lie, he doubted he'd ever be ready for Zanis. But he wasn't a boy anymore, he'd finish him. Once and for all.

[VO]

It's back!

Lucian's tent was lit by the myriad of candles, sending flickering shadows to play across the faces of both old men sitting at the long table. For Aloden, sandwiched between the foul-smelling Mortimer Ort, and the brash clansman Duhan, the food laid out before him held little promise. He made up the time by glancing furtively at the Desert Princess opposite, full-bodied and skin bronzed from the sun-baked climes from which she came from. As far as Aloden knew, she was also bred with the firey temperament of those climes, although he'd never actually met anyone else from the Sulturnates (and in truth hadn't really met many women at all.)

Lucian was talking about something, probably important due to the huge amounts of Imperial rhetoric being put in. Aloden wasn't interested. It was hard for him to concentrate, when he had the unpleasant knowledge that he'd probably be required to fight in a battle in a few days, and undoubtedly get gutted and hung out to dry by a hairy Astarian clansman. Sometimes he wished he was back at the Academy - at least there, all he'd had to put up with was the rigour of petty bullying and lessons in the schools of magic ; in all his time there, he hadn't had to worry about petty things of the outside world, like "Oi! Stop eating my potatoes!" or "Are you going to pay for that?!".

Eventually, Lucian stopped talking, various people (including Aloden, muttering with house mouth full of veal,) agreed. It was at about this point that Aloden thought he better find out just what he had agreed too – but soon enough, the rest of the company left, leaving the itinerant mage to follow them out into the cold night air.

Mortimer was scraping at a piece of uncooked meat he’d pulled out of a long pocket with serrated teeth, and, trying to ignore the smell, Aloden approached him.

“Erm,” he said. “What’s going on?”

Ort looked up from his meal of bloodied flesh, and grinned, half the teeth missing from his mouth. He rasped something, and went back to the feast.

“Sorry,” said Aloden. “I didn’t quite, um, catch that…”

“Distraction… we…. Blessed ones… bearers of the magik arts… create distraction…”

“Distraction!” Aloden was quite shocked – this might mean he actually had to do some work. “What distraction?!”

“Distraction so Desert Dogs can go to valley… sow disquiet before big attack… we use magiks… scare silly Astarians in town… then attack, lots dead… more meat for me!” Drool dripped from the corners of Mortimer Ort’s facial orifice.

“I see…” Aloden was very worried now. “So we just make a big noise or something, to stop them seeing Jezebella?”

“No!” Mortimer snapped back, and pointed up to the cliffs. “Come… come with Mortimer… many things to do… many many things…”

***

Jerunn watched Lyane disappear though her father’s forge to her home. It had been an enjoyable day – far better than the seeming weeks of travel he’d had to endure to get here. Lyane herself wasn’t that bad either – although she’d been quite taciturn about the whole arranged-marriage thing since he’d talked to Jarvis. Maybe she just wanted to forget about it, and that was ok with Jerunn – he had complete intentions of getting her to escape with them when they left Aufghar.

He yawned. Despite the fact that it was only getting dark, Jerunn was tired – perhaps the mountain air didn’t agree with him, he thought. Oh well. It wouldn’t be right to go to the Inn right now - Jarvis might think he’d gone soft or something. Jerunn had every intention of staying out as long as possible.

The young man got up, and made his way to the ramparts, choosing a section with no Aufgharian soldiers on lookout, and climbed up by the ladder. He sat down on the wooden decking, under the gaze of thousands of stars, and looked down over the sleeping city. Slowly, he pulled his knife out of the sheath, and gazed into it’s intricately wrought blade.

***

Jezebella, with her band of rapscallions behind her, left the barricade the besieging army had constructed in the dead of the night. This was the kind of warfare her charges excelled in – silent ambushes, rushing in and doing as much damage as possible without a scratch, and leaving the majority of the actual fighting to someone else – and preferably letting them do the dying, too. The Desert Dogs were clad in robes dyed black to disguise them against the night, faces blackened with charcoal and mud – in Jezebella’s case, the finest silks from the eastern Pheonix Kingdom covered both her body and her face.

Zanis, the unfrocked priest, half dead but as full of bile and spite as she suspected he’d ever been, moved like a corpse beside her, metal claws clicking. He hadn’t bothered changing into anything, but the way he moved, the way he looked, the man seemed as old and as obviously inconspicuous as the ancient glacial-carved walls of the valley. She had no idea why he was here, but he’d come, and perhaps in some bizarre way, he’d be useful to her scions.

Before them, the walls of Aufghar loomed up from it’s location in the parting of the river, plumes of smoke rising both from within it’s compound and from the army camped outside. The way they were approaching, the chieftain’s hall on it’s raised mound was closest, a bridge on either side, and the rest of the town drifing back, as if in it’s wake behind it.

“Perhaps, my dear”, rasped Zanis, again clicking his false hand, “it would be beneficial to the forces of out master if we, in some way, made sure that they cannot raise those bridges… I suspect that in the tower overlooking each of them there is some kind of winch to allow them to be lifted out of the water…”

Jezebella nodded. “Are you suggesting I neglect my glorious charges their pillage of the vile northlander’s camp?”

“No, no”, replied Zanis. “Simply pick a few, your finest, able to think independently and not vital to the leading of your army – with a few, we will be less conspicuous inside the walls of Aufghar than those without, and with luck, they will ignore our presence completely.”

***

Aspen liked the nighttime – this was when, quite often, she could get close enough to inspect the various mechanisms that worked clock towers, toll-gates and other relative marvels, and quite often when she had her best ideas. In the sweet, cold air of the Astarian highlands, with most of the town asleep, a sense of serenity and peace descended across the bustling town – although the sounds of the camp outside had not yet died away, they were detached in a way only night could bring.

Looking up, she saw the moon though rolling clouds. The moon was quite a mystery to Aspen – as she had been brought up, and as most of the other people in this world thought, it was some kind of embodiment of whichever deity you believed in, with a complex and entirely implausible creation myth. Aspen had other ideas. As far as she could tell, and as the Pheonixian scholars postulated, the moon was like a giant mirror, reflecting sunlight back down to earth. Aspen figured that if the moon went round the earth at a different speed than the sun, you could probably get only parts of the mirror reflecting sunlight, so you’d see the phases of the moon. Of course, Aspen also had other ideas about the sun going round the earth, and thought the earth was probably round as well, but these didn’t necessarily cast doubt on her theory. One day, she might have to write all this down.

She wandered through the city streets, looking up at the sky and the battlements of Aufghar, and considered having a look at the mechanism that raised the bridges. From when they had entered, it looked pretty interesting – here, in the wildest regions of the world, the natives might have devised a way of doing it in a totally different way than the south – and possibly a better way at that. It was probably worth a look.

***

Ray yawned. It had been a long night, playing for the rowdy Aufghar tavern on her flute, and collecting a fair amount of change from the patrons, as well as a couple of free drinks. Jarvis, silent as ever, watched from the shadows, while above her, she suspected that most of the other chosen were trying to sleep.

She should really get to bed now, she thought, and decided that this tune would be her last. The patrons groaned when she stopped, but cheered her as she made her way upstairs – it would be an hour or so before the tavern actually closed – if it did, knowing the habits of Astarians. Oh well. She trod her way up the worn wooden stairs, towards her room for the night.

[LeFire]

Aspen pulled herself up into the the bridge tower's topmost room, slipping quietly through a window. Climbing up the five-story tower had been easy... in fact, the ranger had quite a bit of fun evading the Aufgharian guards posted at the base of the tower simply by using her whip to snag overhead projections and shimmying up the line before anyone noticed. There were two bridges on either side of the town, but Aspen had simply decided to check only the one closer to her.

Aspen stopped for a full minute and listened... memorising the number of sounds around her and their sequence. It told her of the patrol patterns of the Aufgharian guards downstairs, their weapons and armour. Any deviation from the memorised sequence indicated trouble. Nothing seemed to be going on at the moment. She popped her head out of a window and took a quick glance at the bridge below and in front of her... Since she was on the town-side of the crossing, any enemies seeking to penetrate the town would have to come over the lowered bridge. There was no one on the structure.

Looks like no one wants to start a fight tonight. Figures... Bit too chilly anyway. Aspen thought as she slipped back into the room and started examining the rope and pulley system, occasionally scribbling notes into a pad of parchment binded with a number of metal tacks - what she liked to call her 'notepad'.

She kept her ears open, unconsciously keeping track of the steady and unchanging sequence of guard footsteps at the base of the bridge tower.

[VO]

Mortimer Ort slouched up the mountainside, Aloden stumbling in his wake over rocks and boulders. Quite how the bundle of rags and rotting flesh ahead of him managed to stay moving in a straight line thought the boulders, gorse, scree and patches of rough grass was a mystery to Aloden, and he drew his cloak about him, imbued with flecks of blood from his rough passage.

Suddenly, Mortimer stopped, and Aloden, head turned down, almost knocked him off the mountainside, jabbering apologies as he caught the arm of the other mage (although this, seemingly only held on by gaunt strips of flesh, seemed to tear ominously as he pulled his companion back). Mortimer hardly noticed, and peered down into the shadows, and the hazy flickering lights of Aufghar.

The city slumbered in the cool night air, and Aloden could pick out the small shadows of men, spread out across the valley floor, approaching the city. This must be the party Lucian had ordered sent out, and that they were here to provide cover for.

"Uh... what are we meant to be doing?", said Aloden, but Mortimer did not reply. Instead, he pulled a bag of scraps of bone and rotting offal from a dark pocket, pulling a string of intestine out and putting it into his mouth, biting down with a pop. He scattered the rest about him, and, summoned by this grusome offering, the ravens which inhabited this rocky crag began to converge.

"Ravenss,..." said Mortimer, "...are inherantly magical beasts. We shall need their help in our task... to cover our comrade's escape."

He smiled a crooked grin, full out half-broken teeth and a cavernous, rotting interior. Aloden Telbort smiled back sheepishly.

"We are to summon a wind...." began Mortimer "...all born under the sigil of the mage can weatherwork... this wind will sway the arrows of our foe, and provide cover for those in the valley."

Aloden nodded, and gulped. It seemed years since he had previously done any real magic.

***

Jade trod through the night, taking great care with skills honed from years in the wild to avoid the men she saw, sneaking to her eyes inconspicuously across the landscape. About her, the eyes and ears of the many small creatures that dwelt in the valley of the river Ghar aided her, and drove away any that stole too close.

Mortimer Ort was out there, she could smell his foul scent on the wind. Now, even more than before, it was pervasive across the valley, that corpse-odour clearer than the clear night air. Surely something must be afoot, something that she must prevent, if all this talk of destiny was to be believed. Jade knew that Mortimer, prophecy or no prophecy, must be stopped - such a foul being must not be allowed to propogate one minute in the rich soil of the world.

Sniffing furtively, she continued to follow his trail.


***

Zanis, a fool of an old man, although nonetheless a lethal one. Jezebella, complete barely a score of her Desert Dog brigands, watched as he waded into the river Ghar, tall walls of the city looming above him. It was interesting, the displaced princess noticed, that the way Zanis moved, how he drifted through the shadows, made him completely unnoticeable unless you knew he was there. Only the vial of congealed animal blood he had pulled from deep within his robe glistened in the darkness, alerting her that where to any other onlooker shadows would have pooled, instead the ancient priest was moving.

In one movement, Zanis, with surprising efficiency, tossed the vial over the wall, and Jezebella's hand-picked minions watched the guards on the wooden walls scramble to discover the cause of the clattering in the streets below. Astarians, she smiled. So unprofessional. Luckily for them, those who had been incapacitated by the unholy fumes of whatever Zanis had seen fit to use, would be ripped to shreds by her finest warriors.

Jezebella's Desert Dogs surged forwards silently, moving with long-practiced grace through the waters, and with a variety of esoteric equipment, began to scale the walls of Aufghar.

Aspen listened to the clatter of glass on the streets, and the disruption to the guard’s scheduled patrolling. Something was wrong.

She stood up, making sure that she was stooped enough to remain below the neck-high walls of the gatehouse, and picked up her bow, making sure she kept her eyes on the rungs below. Her grapping hook still hung over the wall, inconspicuous to anyone below due to the pooling darkness, but she heard the unmistakable clang of another below it, somewhere on the lower levels of the gatehouse tower.

Something was very wrong.

[CKW]

Lucian carefully moved the fingertip along the sharp edge, his eyes reflecting in the polished surface, his stare being bounced back at himself.

It was the night before battle. And as such, Lucian began to revive his memories. Like it had happened before, in many other times, in many other places. He could still smell it. The sickening stench of warm blood, how his stomach churned as the body of his adversary collapsed. And how he felt like there was an "after", and a "before". He remembered his first kill. There was nobody. The world had stopped to be felt by Lucian, his mind erased all other useless things.

He remembered well the words of his father. And the words of the father of his father. The words that had been tied from the primal lights of time, to the present. He carefully whispered the words.

"He who kills by sword, dies by it. Shall it be today, shall it be tomorrow.War is men's destiny. Confrontation is in the human nature. Only by watering the soil with blood, the future will grow up."

He paused for a second. His hand trembled, as the fires of pain made blood sprout from a thin cut on the finger.

"There is no future. Destiny has stolen it from me."

And,just then, a tear sprouted from his eye.

"My dear son...my dear angel..."

BlackFeather crowed. Someone was coming.

******

Ray dazzled and turned in her bed, letting the woods of the matress squeak like wild mouses. Partly being by the pain, who was still present, and the recent situation, her mind couldn't hold longer the grasp of it, and in her sleep, she felt like in a hazy environment. The prelude of a vivid dream. The prelude of a deep hidden memory, now sprouting as an oniric manifestation.
Of what had happened long time ago, in her home.

Ray was panting. What little willpower she had gathered, it had been washed away by the reality,that turned out to be filled with pain. She was a little girl. She couldn't do anything more, but wait, while a black fog was covering her eyes, her arms feeling numb.

But then, a wet sound shook her senses back to live. Something had happened. The mist dissapeared, to show a mess of blood and erratically moving muscles. The head had been cut off with a single blow, and the little blood it still had, allowed the goon's head to gesticulate a bit. She instinctively pulled herself back in awe, now aiming at the flaming background of the flaming house, who was only interrupted by a shadow.
His father was standing there, with an sword in his hands. Ray coudn't believe it. That figure, breathing heavily, his muscles in tension, his factions sharp with pain, stenching to his own blood and the others... so different from the paternal and caring figure of her childhood...

And then, he dropped flat. It took a while for Ray to react, a while that seemed an eternity. Time flow seemed to delight on suffering, and it had slowed down such tragedy. But Ray reacted, and overcoming her fears, came closer to the laying warrior.

"Father!!"
The warrior blinked, and with his hand, red with blood, quivering with the shock,softly combed her hair, revealing the cheek's wound.

"...you... are...injuried."
Ray panicked.She didn't know what to do. She wished someone was there. She tried to run, but her father held her arm. She knew what was going to happen. Deep in her heart, she began to assume she would be alone from now on.
"Silly girl... don't...cry"
His father's voice was a whisper now. The hard,tight warrior frame that he showed before was banishing, quickly.
"Father...I..."
His hand touched Ray's lips.
"Ray. Listen to me..."
His voice seemed so clear now...
"...You will have to live by yourself. I'm sorry i can't assist... you more than this."
Ray began to cry again. Her desperate yell felt like if her lungs were about to come off from her mouth.
"Don't leave me!"
"Listen up. You are not... a girl anymore. Now it's the time you have to face the world alone. Now it's the time for me to leave the gate open for... the next generations."
His father held Ray's hand firmly, that it almost hurted. He tried to incorporate himself.
"There's one more thing you must know. Words that have been over our family. From generation to generation. From cradle... to grave."
Ray closed to his father.
"Father, stay!"
Ray never knew if his father's hear had begun to fail, or if he simply ignored her words.
"He who kills by sword, dies by it. Shall it be today, shall it be tomorrow.War is men's destiny. Confrontation is in the human nature. Only by watering the soil with blood, the future will grow up."
And with this, the pressure finished. And his body became numb, lifeless.
Ray tried to get up. She felt her clothes were made of stone. She felt like if her stomach had been squished by a horse.And she left the place, giving a last look at the flames. That looked like the flames of hell.


Ray regained a bit of consciusness, while still half touched by the memory dream. She thought about petty matters, like it had been a miracle that his father was able to speak for so long being in the gates of Death. Such thoughts were replaced by the last words of his father. Words that were sure to don't leave her for a long time...
(if it troubles you, VO, let me know it)

[LeFire]

Oh dear... Looks like tonight isn't going to be as quiet as I supposed.

Aspen pointed her bow out of the window and pulled an arrow from her quiver of specials. The blunt-headed arrow wasn't equipped with the sharp, noxious, explosive or prefragmented heads of the others, but it was perfectly suited to her current need.

Pointing the weapon towards walls of Aufghar, she located the target that she was searching for. The dim shape sat still and steady in her sights as she pulled back for a max power draw, the arms of her longbow straining against her muscles. She fired and turned away sharply, closing her eyes.

The arrow puffed out with a soft whisper, crossing the void between the gatehouse tower and the walls in an instant before it struck its target... the massive but inert alarm bell that the now unconscious guards had rigged to inform the rest of the town if they came under attack. Upon striking the curved glacis of the bell, the arrow deflected up and over the walls as Aspen predicted... where its specialised chemicals ignited.
Magnesium exploded into harsh white light as the Flare discharged its warhead. Streamers of white burning metal arched out of the burst of flame, highlighting the bell in glorious incandescence. A moment later, the brassy ring of the alarm bell came to Aspen. If anyone had not been awoken by the false dawn of the flare, the sound of the bell would soon take care of that.

I guess that proves my theory about light travelling faster than sound right. A little part of her said as she hurriedly shouldered her bow. Below her, the ranger could hear harsh curses as everyone who had been climbing the tower were highlighted like hapless black bugs ascending a whitewashed wall.

She didn't know if they had seen where the arrow had come from... She just knew that she wasn't going up against unknown odds in a bridge tower with no clear way down. Instead, she reached up and grabbed the inclined cables that led off the bridge tower down towards the ground on the Aufghar side. Her hands were gloved and her boots lined with the metallic compound which she used to insulate herself from her whip, Aspen putting them to good use as she slipped over the window parapet and whooshed down towards the streets below, zipping down the cable and using her boots to good effect to slow her fall. Several crossbow bolts sailed past, but missed the dark figure flashing down the cable.

Aspen hit the ground at a roll inside the walls of Aughar and pulled out her bow as the light from her Flare faded away, nocking a normal arrow as she melted into the shadows, ready to snipe anyone who popped up over the walls of Aughar, highlighting themselves against the sky.

[Master Chris]

Mortimer's offering had drawn the nearby ravens to his person. He whispered to them in soft, almost loving tones that Aloden could barely hear.

"Pretty..pretty ravenssss.....Mortimer hasss work for you...eat eat, isss good isn't it?...All dead and rotten....good......"

Aloden nervously shifted his weight from one foot to the other, was he capable of the magic they were about to perform?

Mortimer suddenly stiffened, with excruciating caution he drew his face up and looked over the rocky crag into the valley below. His eyes narrowed as he sniffed the air.

"I smellsss it again!"

Aloden quietly coughed and inquired:

"Smell what?"

Mortimer hissed and drew his mouth into a snarl before spitting his answer at Aloden:

"IT! I smellsss it....Always chasing Mortimer....smells so.....fresh...bad..bad....not good food at all."

Aloden didn't quite follow Mortimer, the old man was obvious less than sane.

"Quick quick, we make magic now before it getsss usss..."

******

Jade was making some progress towards her foe. Who, if the prophecy was correct, her equal and opposite. A faint warmth tingled across her breast, Jade looked down and remembered the glass vial The Lady in the swamp had given her. It's amber contents radiated softly as she plucked the vial from the crude necklace she had fixed it to and inspected it closely. What had the mysterious woman said?

To light your darkest hour, the seedling of hope and faith.

[VO: Do feel free to edit that to the actual phrase uttered, I can't remember it right at this moment.]

The faint caw of a raven in the distance brought Jade back to the present:

"Equal and opposite? If I am to rid nature of this abomination I shall have to gather my allies, for my opponent will have his own vanguard to protect him."

Jade sat down in the grass and started to listen to the eternal rhythm of the wilderness. Soon, she would call upon nature to grant her an ally to fight alongside her. The final act in this grand play was approaching and Jade had to be ready.

[VO: Your call on whatever animal chooses to answer Jade's call, if any at all. :D]

[Artificial Idiot]

"RAY!" Jarvis yelled, banging on the door. She must have been having one hell of a deep sleep, he'd been outside her room ever since the alarm bells went off. "RAY! Open up! NOW!"

"Ugh... What is it, What's going on? What's with all the noise?" She said groggily, opening the door a crack to squint at the dark form of the witch hunter.

"Get up, NOW! I want you up, and ready to fight, on the double!" Jarvis didn't wait for a responce, he turned swiftly, cape following a few moments later, and ran down to the bar.
Delion and Meldor were already down at the bar, no doubt the others were either still asleep or getting ready to move. He hoped it was the latter. And where the bloody hell was Caius? You'd think that oaf would have had enough beauty sleep over the decades!

"Delion, gather the others." He said, in what was the closest thing Jarvis ever came to panic.

"Do you wish them to attend the "party" at the gatehouse?" Delion asked, with just a subtle hint of sarcasm.

"No. I'll go to the gatehouse, I get the feeling that is just the tip of the iceberg."

"Are you sure that is wise...." Delion began.

"Of course I'm bloody not!" Jarvis snapped. "But I am no lapdog to Caius, nor am I in any postion to tell you what to do. Just gather everybody here Delion, Caius will do the rest."

With that, Jarvis vanished out of the doorway.

[VO]

Caius pulled his cloak about him, and melted into the shadows as Jarvis, flaming torch in hand, dashed out into the night. Ray and Delion followed, and then the common room of the inn was silent again.

Caius stood up, and stretched his arms. It had been a long wait, but it was inevitable that someone would try something this night, and he knew Jarvis could cope with it. What he needed to do now was prepare Roh for what he would have to face.

Of all his charges, Roh was arguably the most vital and most likely to fall. Physically outmatched by his counterpart, a vile nobleman that Caius had no doubt was within the camp of the beseiging army, and also, Caius suspected, with little hope in a direct magical duel, Roh would have to make sure he avoided Cirack Angalore when confronted tomorrow. He would need some magical tuition before he faced him in their inevitable duel.

"Roh!" Caius banged forcefully on the door Roh had taken, a room that he was meant to share with Jerunn, but predicatably the younger boy would not be in. "Roh!" he knocked again. They had important matters to discuss.

***

Sitting up as something large and heavy thudded against the wall behind him, Jerunn was rapidly pulled back to his senses. He dropped the knife with a clatter, but quickly picked it up again from the wooden flooring, stuffing it back into it's sheath. Another dull clang rang out, as something connected with the metal shields hung over the Aufgharian walls.

A street urchin by nature, Jerunn's first instinct was to get away from the scene of the crime as fast as possible, so he wouldn't be implicated with whatever was going on. But from the sounds of it, if he didn't stay here, things could go horribly wrong.

He looked around, and noticed the grapples hooked over the wall of the fortress.

***

Jarvis pounded down the muddy streets of Aufghar, churning dirt up into his long coat. Ahead of him, one of the three gatehouses loomed imposingly out of the darkness, and something wrong was afoot.

Holding his flaming torch high, he called a challenge to the milling figures on the platform.

***

The wind whistled, and flecks of rain spat out of the cold night sky, with clouds racing across the sea of stars. About Jade, in the empty wilderness, the world was it's own kind of serene, caressed by the harsh elements.

A wolf howled.

[CKW]

Ray grasped his sword. She was ready for the combat. Hell, she could even sniff out the fear from Jarvis, and she could swear that metallic noises were heard outside. Her mind was also focusing, razoring her thoughts towards one thing: battle. There was a battle to come.

And that supposedly attack squad was a distraction. She could feel it. Hours ago, Ray had overlooked the city walls,and now, under her pre-battle mind, they showed up the most weak and probably point in wich the forces would attack.

"It's only a distraction" she repeated, while beginning to run, leaving everyone else behind, towards the watchtower. She climbed up like hell, sweat dropping from her forehead. And panting. She squeezed her eyes, trying to vislumbrate lights, lumps, moving shadows, anything. But her eyes didn't work.

There HAD to be a way. She tapped the wall, anxiously. The half rotten wood stand creaked, and fell off, with a bow and several arrows. That gave her an idea. Make the enemies think they were attacked, therefore answering back, and discovering them.

So, she aimed at the middle of the most suspicious area, and fired. The wind carried away an scream. She had hit someone. And if it was the enemy, the confirmation would be soon.

A swarn of arrows clattered the guard tower. It was the confirmation. And if it wasn't by Ray being ready for this,she would look like an urchin.

"HELL;HELL, I hate when this happens" She repeated, when sliding down, and rushing back to sound the alarms.

**

VO : CKW: I got rid of the Lucian bit because it made no fragging sense.