Tales of Vengeance

A salty spray rose from the calm sea; the bow of the Vengeance breaking the once glass-like surface. The oddly shaped ship emerged from beneath the waves, and came to rest on the surface, as if it were just any other ship; riding on top of the ocean where ships belonged. But the Vengeance was anything but a typical craft. As water drained away from it's deck, cascading over the long steel tubes that ran nearly the length of the ship on either side, a hatch opened in the back. From this rose a dull yellow crystal the size of a child. It began to glow as the sun hit it; the longer it was exposed, the brighter it shined.

Then other hatches opened, and the crew of the strange craft spilled out to inspect their vessel for any damage, and to star raising the sails. Finally a man with a very wide brimmed hat, one side pinned up, and loose black pants strolled out to observe the work being done. Captain Eadol Ranodra surveyed his crew, and stroked his jet black goatee, silently impressed with their performance. The light wind pulled at his long hair.

They would sail toward the port of Dalelo; a small town that has minimal presence by the High Council. The mages in their jeweled towers had little interest in fishing communities, and merchants that sold the needed items of their mundane, non-magical, subjects. But Eadol had reasons to pay closer attention to the small town, though he hoped to arrive and be done with business in less then a day or two. But he had another two days under full sail before Dalelo would be a problem. For now he only had to worry about recharging that golden crystal, and avoid being seen by any of the council's ships.

Another typical day for Ardin. Walking the town taking what she needed and being on her way. Her life wasnt super exciting but it had an amazing sense of freedom that was always thrilling. She had been spending a little more time in Dalelo than she had in most ports. It was simple place that didnt give her to much crap for stealing what she needed.

She walked through the market down by the docks in a leather halter top and shorts that had once been pants and been cut to make shorts that shaped her ass nicely. This outfit was accomapnied by her boots, and small leather gloves that had the fingertips cut off. As she walked by a cart she grabbed an apple and kept walking as the man yelled at her and then gave up.

Chewing she looked out at the ships as the wind blew her long wavy blonde-brown hair. She sighed wishing something more exciting would come along. Maybe a nice fight, something nice she could steal and make some money. she finnished the apple and threw the core into the water and ran her fingers through her hair and sighed.

The Vengeance slipped through the sea, nearly as smoothly as any other craft, the sails the small crew had put in place propelling her through the water with far greater speed then she could ever hope for under the surface. But she was also far more noticeable.

They had encountered no ships from the High Council on their travels, only one other merchant vessel in the area, but they never got close enough to sight how odd the Vengeance was. As the port of Dalelo came closer, Eadol ordered the crew to get the ship ready. The large tanks near the bottom of her hull began to fill with water, until they lay submerged, and pulled the craft lower into the sea. It made her look more like a barge then a fishing, or merchant craft, but it was better then looking like what she really was. The glowing crystal had been lowered back into it's home long ago, so few things other then the odd shape and multiple cannons gave her away.

Harpoons were placed into each cannon that could not be hidden, as they drew into port. Heads turned to look at the sleek, strange craft, including the Dock Master, who in a port this small never needed ti hire others to collect the port fee. As he approached the vessel Captain Ranodra leaped from his ship to greet him. “Ahoy there, good man! The Serpent Hunter Vengeance humbly requests the services of your fine dock for a few nights.” He knew the fee, and place it, plus a little extra in the man's hand.

“Serpent hunters? This far north?” The squat man said with disbelief.

“Aye, of course! The nasty vermin swim near to the poles during the summer, and we mean to find a big one!” The cover of being hunters of sea serpents, the aquatic cousins of the flying dragons, was usually quite useful. It explained the rough, almost uncivilized crew, and strange ship with a heavy armament; plus it was legal. Even the High Council let the fools brave, or stupid, enough to hunt the creatures go as they will. They seldom lived long enough to become a problem, even if they broke the law.

With their cover established, and the book signed, Eadol began the routine in every port; looking for supplies, and asking around for a decent pub could be found. He would begin his actual work once the town was convinced they hosted a group of the only people more rowdy and insane then pirates. Not a bad cover at all....for pirates.

Ardin's attention was grabbed by a rather awkward ship pulling up and docking. She walked pass the what was the captain talking to the Dock master and over heard that he was a "serpent hunter" and she rolled her eyes. They were all cocky bastards thinking they could conquer anything. But the ship looked kinda nice maybe they had money...or valueables or somehing.

But she followed the guy, but still keeping a large distance between them. He walked a pub she had been spending a lot of time in and was happy to follow him in. She saw him go to part of the bar and she went to a different part and looked up at the bartender.
"Lars, gimme a beer...put it on my tab."

He nodded to her and set one down in front of her. She smiled and then leaned forward against the bar sipping her beer and looking around the room. This new captain was the only attractive one in the room and she looked him over and kept drinking. Her tight little outfit clinging to her, and barely covering much. She adjusted the front of her top looking down at her clevage and then going back to her beer.

She wondered if this new guy would do anything, maybe hit on her, buy her a drink. He could do whatever as long as she could get close to his pockets and maybe get some cash.

A pleasantly dressed, meaning barely dressed, woman came into the bar, and she had his complete attention. He didn't let that fact show, except for a casual glance and smile of approval at her style, but not just the exposed flesh had drawn him. She had the grace of a predator, as dangerous as she was attractive.

He heard her order a beer, and from the reaction of the bar tender, he very much doubted she had a tab, or ever intended to pay it. That man seemed to think that should his establishment not burn down with 'serpent hunters' and this girl all inside, then he would count himself lucky.

But he joked with his crew, three very rough looking men, and two women that looked like crazed amazons; which was pretty much true. But after he saw the lone woman finish her beer he made his way over to her side. He kept her hands in view, a sensible sense of self preservation. He'd already counted at least two blades on her, and didn't figure she could conceal much more with that outfit, but he would hate to end up in a tough spot for having assumed too much.

“Hey there lass, might a sailor buy ya a drink?” He looked up at the barkeep, and motioned for two more ales to be brought out. He returned his entire attention to her, eager to know what an obviously dangerous woman wanted to do in a bar full of 'serpent hunters'. He doubted the answer would be a good one.

The beers came and he offer his mug up for a small toast, “To a pretty face in a nasty place,” obviously referencing the pub and it's run down town.

The captain she had watched finally took the bait she had set. She loved having the body that she did because she could get a lot of what she wanted. She felt his eyes on her and held back a smile as he continued to walk over and finally she looked up at him. Lass? She almost chuckled at her being called that but she'd go with it. He then ordered her a beer and she smiled at him.

So far she didnt need to say anything. But she set both hands on the counter, letting him see them and she took the beer that was set in front of her. She then raised her glass with his and nodded.
"cheers."
She touched her mug to his and took a nice drink and then set it down and looked at him.
"Thanks for the drink. So whats brings you to port?"

She then let her gaze drop down over him. She wasnt looking at his body for sexual reasons she was looking at him for shit that he had that she may want. But he did have a few weapons scattered and she took note of them. She was never intimidated by a man that could potenially try to kill her, since she had no reason to be. But it was time to get her flirt on and get close enough to him.

She took another drink and licked her lips, tossing her head back slightly to get her hair out of her face and looked up at him with that tempting little smile she had. She could either pull off the sweet little angel look or the saucy little devil. She was going with devil for this one, if all else failed she got a free beer and maybe a good fight.

Eadol grinned at how a woman that had no need at all to need to seduce a man. Her very presence could do that, but she seemed much more the type to take what she she wanted. The closer they moved though the few options each had, should matters turn violent.

“We need to resupply before headed out bring in a serpent. Goin' for a big one. Their teeth sell extremely well, as do the scales and various oils. Plus everyone loves a hero that brought in such a beast.” That much was pretty true, all the dragons were horribly misunderstood, and most cheered at any brave enough to slay one; be it of the land or sea variety. “How about you dear, you like such heroes?”

He had a theory about her, and advertising that he was in a profession that made a good deal of money, when successful, should be all the bait he needed to find out. But of course, there was always the icing on the cake. He pulled a tooth on a leather strand out of his shirt. “This is from a smaller one, my first kill.” He let it dangle, the long, curved tooth gleaming in the iridescent way only a dragon's could. In truth it had been given too him from by the parent of his closest friend. He had never killed a dragon in his life, nor would he. There was at least one he'd die defending.

He let the necklace fall against his chest, remaining exposed. Two of his crew, both women had found men, and all but instructed them to take them someplace more private. The men were all drinking and laughing together at the last female who had scared off a male patron who was not up for her style of adventure. Still, they would be on hand if needed, but only if truly needed. He knew from the look in this girl's eye he was a marked man.

“So pretty face, you got a name? Or should I buy you more ale and think up more sweet nothings to call ya?”

She heard his little story about why they were there and it was slightly believeable, but not completely. Something didnt seem right. But when he asked her if she liked heros she laughed slightly.
"No heros for me, i prefer a good villain...one who can give me a run for my money."
It was completely true, she had seen so many "nice guys" come in and try to stop her "evil ways" as they called it. So many men she had been with always wanted to change her, make her a better woman, get her to stop the bad things that she did. She hated it, and one of them was just so bad that she had to kill him.

But when he pulled out the tooth she eyed it and made a mental note that she would need it, it would either look nice hanging around her neck or give her some good cash. She then let her eyes come off of it and meet his again. At his question of her name she thought for a minute and then looked at the bartender who brought over 2 more ales and she smiled.
"Well since you calling me pretty face is pretty annoying, i guess i'll give you my name. I'm Ardin. And you are Mr. Serpent Slayer?"
She put her hand out to shake his and moved her other hand to her hip just letting it rest there for a moment.

She then picked up the ale and drank some down keeping the one hand on her hip seeing how he'd react to it. But she didnt want to push things to far and moved her hand back to the counter and kept drinking. She then crossed her legs and flashed a bit more clevage at him and looked him in the eye and took another sip.

He chuckled at the thought of a villain, and entertained the idea of giving her a run for her money for a night. He was smart, and never let his lust get the better of him, but one could at least entertain the idea. She'd be fun, surely, before all hell broke loose.

He liked how she looked with a hand on her hip; appearing very capable. But that very capability was a bother, and he relaxed a bit when her hand returned to the bar, and away from the dagger.

“Eadol, A pleasure to meet you Ardin.” He took a swig from his own mug, and leaned back against the bar, his elbows appearing to support his weight, though in truth they did no such thing and remained ready. “You know what they say though, one man, or woman's hero, is another's scoundrel. Gotta say, I've been called both. I wonder which you'd label me as?”

He crew had drug another helpless man over for his remaining female crewmen. She was blushing, by far the most innocent of his crew, and the man looked scared. Apparently, he was being offered up to the girl and it didn't look like he had much say in it. He chuckled at that too, and returned his attention to the self proclaimed villainess beside him.

It was time for his rather characteristic move; the one that made him really bad at gambling with anything less then life at stake. It put it all out on the table. Pretending not to, but very carefully looking at her, he smiled. “Look Ardin, you're a pretty girl, and you know it. We both also know you're armed to the teeth, and a dangerous sort. I didn't really come here looking for a fight. So just let me know right now, we going to have any problems? If not, I'd love to continue our chat, but if you're here for even half the trouble you look like you enjoy, I'd like to bow out now.”

He never moved from his seemingly vulnerable position, but he had a knife up his sleeve, and hardened leather braces under his other sleeve, to absorb knife blows. Bar fights were almost expected on the first day into port; he just hadn't expected it to be with such a lovely opponent.

What did she label him as? She didnt say anything, mostly because she wasnt real sure. This whole serprent thing could be bullshit, and she was guessing it was. But she'd go along for the ride for now until she figured out more about him. He looked smooth, like he was predicting her next move. This she couldnt allow. She never wanted to let any man figure her out besides the basics.

But what he said next made her smile, because it was all so true. She wouldnt mind a fight, but she figured he wasnt going to just sit there and let her rob him. So she sighed and finnished off the last of the ale and wiped her mouth. She adjusted her gloves and stood up cracking her knuckles and looked at him.
"No trouble from me, let me just do the one thing i wanted to do though...and then i'll leave you be and all will be done. And you'll never have to see my pretty little face ever again."

She then took a step forward and showed him her palms and then she shoved her hand into his pocket grabbing the wad of money he had and then at the same time quickly ripped the necklace from his neck.
"Just doing my job..."
She then shoved the money in the small pocket she had left and started to walk our holding the tooth in her hand. She was ready for him to come after her. But she didnt hear his footsteps..not yet. But she kept walking and waited.

He didn't flinch as she robbed him, though is crew jumped to their feet. As she walked away he held up a hand, restraining his remaining crew. He watched her lovely ass walk right out of the bar, and smiled. His crew looked confused, but he just gave it a moment for her to be out of ear shot, and quietly chuckled. “I'm going to have fun getting that tooth back.”

He shrugged at the barkeep, apologizing for not having any money, and left out the back. He immediately crawled up a drain pipe to the roof; simple as could be for one used to climbing rigging and masts. From the roof he searched, and found the woman, and proceeded to clandestinely follow her from his higher vantage.

His journey led him to a stables, and he watched her eye the animals like a buyer would. He doubted she planned to purchase a thing, but maybe stealing a horse wasn't a risk she'd run. Maybe places still hung horse thieves without a trial. Either way, she was leaving, or so she thought. He made his way around, and let himself down form the roofs he'd been using.

Walking into the opposite side of the stables, he grinned as he walked confidently toward her. “I'd have preferred buying you dinner with that cash, but I think we can both agree you were taunted into action. But I'd like the necklace back.” He stood there, several paces from her; close enough to give chase, far enough away to react to an attack.

“So were you going to buy a ride, or take that too? They frown on that a good deal more then pick pockets here. Besides, why leave to fast, we were just getting to know each other.”

She started her walk towards the stables thinking it wouldnt be a bad idea to invest in a horse, and actually buy it this time. Hopefully she'd have enough, and if not then she'd steal the horse but for now she'd just try to be honest. As she walked she knew he was behind her. Periferal vision was deffinately a plus seeing him on the roof following her. She kept walking, putting the necklace around her neck and she got to the stables.

She looked up as he walked into the opposite side of the barn and said something about buying dinner. She just raised an eyebrow and smirked when he said he wanted the necklace back. She just shook her head and walked away from the horse she was looking to purchase and took a few steps closer to him.

"Well you're not getting it back, if you're willing to let me just take it from your neck it must not mean that much...but i bet it's worth a pretty penny. And as for stealing a horse, i wasnt planning on it, hence why i stole your money. Well i would have stolen your money anyways but i'm using it to buy myself a steed. I guess i should say thanks."
And she laughed slightly.
"And no offense, meeting you would be great n' all but i'm bored here. I need someplace new...something more....thrilling."

She wasnt sure what to do next. She wasnt going to fight him unless he started it. Well she really didnt mind initiating it but not in the stable. Last thing she needed was a handful of spooked horses.
"So..what happenns next? Since i'm guessing you arent going to just let me saddle up and leave..."
She then put her hands on her hips, licked her lips and waited for what he wanted to do.

Eadol chuckled, and stepped slowly closer toward her. “I let you take the necklace, as to not cause an incident in the bar. You were a bit outnumbered, and figured after my goading you, you didn't deserve to get hurt. But I will have it back, and until it is returned, you are correct in that I shall prevent your departure.” He was well within the danger zone, but then again, so was she.

They stood their, two predators dangerously close to each other, staring at the other looking for a sign of weakness. After a long, ominous silence, he spoke up again. “How about I let you buy be a drink, and we can see if there is a more polite way of resolving this issue. I'd hate to hit a nice lady over a tooth.” Their stare down continued, until Eadol 'heard' a small voice in his head, and he sighed, and took two steps back, waiting for the inevitable.

As if on cue, Ingens, a small blue dragon with iridescent blue/green wings flew into the barn behind his female foe. The horses in their stalls panicked, and pressed themselves back to the furthest corners they could reach. The small drake, body just over a foot long, with a tail a bit longer, gild down to rest on Eadol shoulder, folding it's wings up comfortably. The creature made no outward sounds, but told Eadol that the artifact they sought was indeed within the town.

“You just had to come and tell me right away, didn't you?” The Captain responded to the mystical beast, though it had not made a peep. He was intensely aware of how odd a 'serpent hunter' would appear with a just such a serpent on his shoulder, conversing in a friendly manner.

Ingens then realized the situation, and made an amused sound; half chirp, half growl. He lifted off his human perch once again, and flew to hover in front of her. He made no actions threatening the girl in any way, but made sure that she 'knew' he expected her to hand him, not Eadol, the necklace in question.

It was at that point Captain Ranodra knew there would be no suitable explanation to keep his cover with this woman.

Their stare down continued and she didnt flinch or move a muscle. She didnt even react to what he said. Even if she was out numbered he was severely underestimating her skills. Like she hadnt been in a bar fight when it was seven aginst just her. She had won and made a significant ammount of money out of the whole thing. That had been a fun night,she walked a away with a few bruises but that was it.

His next words caused her to chuckle.
"Buy you a drink? Hun, i dont even pay for my own...and i guess we can talk and resolve this. Oh, please dont call me nice...i despise the wretched word, especially when it's used to describe me."

She then saw him take a few steps back and sigh as the horses freaked out and a small flying lizard like thing came into the barn scaring the living daylights out of the horses and landing on his shoulder. Eadol then spoke to the beast like it was no big deal. She raised and eyebrow and smirked as the thing flew over and addressed her wanting the necklace returned to him.

Ardin then looked at Eadol ignoring the animal for that moment.
"Serpent hunter my ass...and i'll tell both you and your flying weasel at the same time, that i'm not giving it back without you giving me something. I stole it fair and square...it belongs to me now, so if you want it back i better be getting something more out of this deal. I know you dont have cash since i have it, but i'm sure there is something else you can give me."

She grinned. The theif in her coming out. The small blue dragon did not look to pleased after being called a flying weasel and being denied the necklace he wanted. She then put her hands on her hips and looked at Eadol with a look that says 'so what are you going to do?' She deffinately didnt mind kicking his ass but the dragon would be harder to deal with and she didnt want to walk away with burn marks.

He groaned as she spoke about a 'fair trade' and Ingens obviously thought he had matters in hand. The little dragon flew over to the shall of one horse, which calmed down instantly, and the bolt was moved over letting the majestic black horse out. It was calm as could be, and stood beside the woman thief as if that were it's favorite thing to do.

Ingens 'giggled' again, and returned to Eadol, who rolled his eyes at his friends plan. “Apparently that horse thought highly of you, before my friend here arrived to scare them all half to death. Now that they had, eh, talked, the mare will follow you around and mysteriously escape to be with you, until its owner if forced to sell it to you for a greatly reduced price.”

Then he looked at the flying lizard and shook his head. “Also, should he not get the necklace back, no horse in town will allow you to ride.” He frowned at his friend, and looked back at her. “He can be a real pain in the ass when he doesn't get his way.” Eadol shrugged apologetically. He would have much rather worked this out with the woman himself, and not blown his cover. The price on her remaining silent on that issue no doubt would be higher then he liked to think.

He waited for her to accept the deal, or not, so he could send his friend away, and try to sooth over the other issue, as she would no doubt bring that up once his airborne back up was gone. He wanted to handle that himself on his own terms, not that of a playful dragon. “Is it a deal then Ardin?”

Ardin watched the whole thing with the dragon and Eadol. He was going to have to do a lot of explaining about this whole thing. But as the dragon calmed down a horse and let it out and it quickly walked over to her she nodded her head. The mare was rather majestic. She walked around the horse and rand her hands over her legs, buttocks neck and looked at her teeth.

It was very healthy, toned, and well built mare. She was a strong horse and noticed that the horse's tack was right next to the stall and figured if she could buy a quality mare for cheap it was worth the deal. Besides she could always sell the horse for more than the necklace if need be.
"We've got a deal...come here ya little blue thing and get your necklace."

She took the necklace off and watched as it flew over and she handed it to him and pat her new horse on the neck and scrached her cheek.
"So...Eadol..since you are no serpant hunter and by the looks of you, you arent some nice business man i'm sure...what the hell are ya. Lemme guess...Pirate?"

She grinned and let the horse rest her head on her shoulder. The horse obviously knew that Ardin's strength as a rider/master was greater than it's current owner and must appreciate that. She liked this mare and scratched it's white stripe on it's face and looked back at Eadol. The deal was basically done except for that Ardin was still very curious about this man and his flying lizard. It wasnt everyday she met a man whose first instinct was to fight. But she then thought of a question to ask the dragon. She looked over at the little blue thing and gave him a half smile.
"Do you mind asking her if she has a name? I'd hate to give her a new one if she already has one she is fond of. Thank you."
She then turned to Eadol.
"So now that i know you dont hunt serpents, i guess it would suck for you if i told everyone you were a liar..."

Ingens collected the necklace, and admonished Eadol again for loosing it, and was ready to depart, when the woman asked him a question. The small dragon chirped a bit, and looked at the large horse. The flying creature then did an areal flip, and 'danced' around in the air waiting for Eadol to answer her question for him.

“The horse's name, apparently, is Qwin. At least it's first name was, and the best it ever liked.”

Satisfied with Eadol's response Ingens danced some more, and did his odd 'laugh' as he examined both their minds more closely.

Meanwhile, Captain Ranodra tried to dig himself out of a very deep hole. “Yeah, pirates, and as it turns out pirates aren't all that welcome in port. So yeah, it would be mighty inconvenient for you to even accuse such a thing. However, I would bet money that you yourself have a reputation here that might hurt your credibility. So how about we both keep hushed up about how you are going to get that horse for a steal of a price, and live and let live, eh?”

Ingens watched the banter, then departed, flying off as swiftly as he'd come. Eadol watching him go, and sighed, knowing his friend had thought it hilarious to cause such trouble, and left the captain in it, after having retrieved the necklace. Still, being a pirate here was better then the deep down core of truth. They would only pirate what they needed to convince the world they were pirates, and take the artifact they needed, once it was located. But he wondered just how much of a mess this dangerous woman with the pretty face would end up causing him.

The dragon looked so happy to have the necklace back and Ardin just stood there. She nodded her head at the horses name and looked back at the mare and smiled at her. She then raised her eyebrow at what he said next. Yes, it would suck just as much if people found out she stole more than they thought she did. Most knew her as a theif and just didnt much since it was small things that she took...for the most part.

She sighed and then watched the dragon leave looking like it was having a right jolly time. She shrugged and looked back at Eadol and crossed her arms.
"Well i'll keep my trap shut if you do the same...i guess thats a fair deal."
She'd keep her mouth shut unless an offer for it to open came to be. If someone wanted to know who he was; for the right price she would tell them. She was a criminal, what more could you expect.

"So...why are you truely here? Since i know what you told me earlier is now a load of bullshit. C'mon... Spill it."
She laughed slightly and walked closer towards him with her hands open so he could see them. And surprisingly Qwin walked behind her and she looked over her shoulder and giggled.
"Remember that beer we talked about? And continuing the lovely chat we were having...lets go..."

She stood and started to walk back out of the stables, the loyal mare following her still. She looked back over at him and paused, waiting.

“Sounds fair enough to me as well.” He agreed about mutually keeping hushed up about each other.

The rest though sounded good, about the drink and the idle chat about why each was really here. He followed her, shrugging, as if he had nothing better to do. Truth be told, a drink with such a interesting character, and pleasant looking one, sounded fun.

As they walked, trailed closely by a devoted horse, he explained himself, mostly. “I've found that if you're invited into port, and spend a day or two, you can scout the area pretty well, and then when you do attack, you know where all the good loot is. Sometimes we leave first, then come in attacking, pretending to be another ship. Other times just a quick strike at night, and use their own dock to load up the take. Either way, we do what ever maximizes our gin for the minimum effort.” It sounded almost like a business, which to him it was. He failed to mention that he took almost exclusively from the High Council and their cronies. No sense in making the poor poorer.

They walked back into the bar they had met in, being the only decent sort in town. And by decent, meant that it served the likes of them. Eadol pulled out a bar stool for her, and gestured to it, as if he were a gentleman.

Two ales were brought out, with long looks from the barkeep, as if to say he was watching them. He offered up his glass, as if to toast, but had no words. It was just a polite gesture between two thieves, one of the sea, and one of the dirt.

As he sat in the pub, he wondered where exactly the relic they sought was, and how fast they could get to it. He figure the more time she spent around him, the more things might get needlessly complicated. He'd hate to have competition on this one.

As he walked with her and explained how his little 'job' worked she nodded her head. He was a smart man...methodical. He thought things out well. But it still made no sense as to why he was at a crappy little port like this one with just about notihng to offer. The same could be said to her but it was just a stop on her way to another place. That was her life, some called her a traveler, some called her a thief or a combination of both.

She never settled anywhere, nor did she ever have a home to return to that she is aware of. So wherever she has to be, is her home. It got depressing sometimes and rathter lonely. But she never let it get to her, and if it did, you'd never notice. They walked back into the bar they were in earlier, and she deffinately didnt get the most pleasant of looks from the people around her especially the bartender.

As the ale was set in front of them she said nothing and took hers and clinked it against him and nodded taking a sip and then setting it back down. She tucked her dirty blonde hair behind her ears and licked her lips looking at him. She then spoke, but softly, so only him and her could ear the conversation.
"So why this port...this place has nothing to offer you. It's just poor fisherman. Why are you truely here?"

She then smiled and drank more looking at him. She didnt appreciate liars so if he tryed to make up some bullshit story she didnt know what she'd do. She was sick and tired of liars. She had no trust for most people because of the things that had happened to her in her younger years. But she sat there and looked at him hoping he'd be honest. Not that he had a reason too since he just met her, and she just stole all his money. But it was worth a shot to get to know this man, maybe get some more of his stuff off of him.

He drank his ale, and smiled over the mug. “Somehow, one thief telling another a reason to visit this humble town, seems ill advised, despite the notion of honor amongst thieves.” He took another swing, and set the mug down, half empty. Looking into her eyes, he enjoyed finding the mechanical mind working away at figuring him out. She was no dumb thief, as she tried to appear. The closest thing to her he'd ever seen was one of the Council's assassins; cold, calculating, and unpredictable. Still, he almost completely had ruled out that. The incident in the barn with a dragon would have forced the hand of any assassin; one of them would be dead.

He raised his mug again, as if saluting her, and set the empty vessel down. “Order another round? I'll be just a moment, if you'll excuse me.” He smiled for all he was worth, and went over to one of his crew, to tell them Ingens had verified that the artifact was in town. They all knew what that meant; each had to casually find a way to leave, and begin their search. He returned to Ardin, and decided she might be of some use to him, having been in town far longer, and doing things she shouldn't.

Wrapping his arm around her waist, he smiled, and flirted, “So my dear, I could ask what such a woman like yourself might be doing in a town of poor fishermen, but that wouldn't be very fair, given I didn't answer the same. I wonder if showing a man, such as myself, around the port might not prove excitement enough for you to stick around a day or two more?” He had been careful not to label himself a pirate here in public.

She continued to drink and chuckled slightly at what he had to say about 'honor amongst theives'. She looked back into his eyes and desperately wanted to figure him the hell out. It was really bothering her. He was a pirate, in a crappy little fishing town, with a dragon...it was hard to put the pieces together. But she did want to find out more, she wasnt going to let him pull anything past her.

As he left her with the two empty mugs she ordered more to drink and watched him walk over to a group of people, she now realized it was his crew. This made her feel more on edge. Was he saying something about her? She wasnt sure, but it made her feel a little awkward and even more curious. She wasnt going to ask him about it because chances are he wasnt going to tell her. Hell, she didnt blame him, if she were him she wouldnt tell herself anything.

When he put his arm around her she wanted to slug him across the face. It was almost a natural reaction to want to punch a man when he touched her. Since most were sleazy scum bags. At his next proposistion she raised an eyebrow. Her first reaction was to ask him why. And she didnt think she needed to be waisting her time showing some pirate around the town.
"Well, i guess i could...i've got nothing better to do. Whats in it for me?"

She of course needed a damn good reason to do this and not just 'because'. And why would he want to be shown around the port...unless there was something he was specifically trying to find. Then things clicked in her mind, there was something this town possessed that held value that he wanted. Atleast, that was the theory that made most sense to her. She then smirked at him and nodded her head.
"I've made up my mind..i'll show you around...things could get fun."

And she meant fun in the sense that their might be some wild flirting which could escalate or a good fight and she could get more from him than originally planned. But she also had to remain warry of his crew, since they knew her face and that she was with him. She was sure that they wouldnt hesitate to kill her if she did anything to their captain. She calculated this all in her mind and looked at him, and constined drinking.

He grinned, as she decided to show him the town. She might show him someplace interesting, but overall it left one thief occupied, and not look for magical artifacts. Odds were that she wouldn't tough it even if she knew exactly what and where it was; few meddled so openly in the matters of the Council. Besides, the less she knew, if she was asked later, the better for her.

“Good.” he said simply, as if expecting no other answer. He leaned in closer to her, pulling her in with the arm around her waist, “I'll make it worth your while, should things go smoothly due to your help.” He hoped that was enough to entice her further.

Eadol felt the tension in the woman now so close beside him. She was restraining herself from reacting, violently, to his touch. An interesting twist, a woman, free of any moral obligation to follow societies accepted standards, and yet he could almost tangibly feel her instinct to fight him over this casual gesture.

So he backed off, returning both his hands to the bar, and taking a nice long swig. “You can relax you know. If i were going to harm you, or force your hand in anything, I'd have done so over the necklace and money, long ago. I really have no desire to reason to make trouble for you.” He turned to look at her, after his comment of the mug of ale. He let out a laugh, “Wish I could say I could relax around you though. Somehow I figure I still have a target on my head.”

She smiled when he said he would make it 'worth her while' hoping that whatever it was it was worth a pretty penny. And of course things would go smoothly unless there was something she wanted and he was going to get in her way about it. But for the most part things should go fine, she saw no other reason for why they shouldnt. He pulled her closer and she looked away from him not wanting to be touched at the moment.

He quickly backed off obviously feeling her tensed body and she was relieved. She had good reason for her being so tense about things. In her life growing up wasnt the most pleasant experiences and she had been forced against her will by men to do things she never wanted and had been cautious around people ever since. Yes she had blades everywhere but killing this man would get her know where and maybe killed herself. When he told her she could relax she turned back to the bar as well and drank more finnishing off the ale.

"I dont relax...thanks though."
His next comment was slightly true. She was always on edge which usually made people around her the same way. No she wasnt going to like snap any minute but she had very very quick reactions and almost cat-like refelxes when it came to things. But about him having a target on his head she shook her head no and then looked at him.
"I at the moment have no reason to want to harm you...unless you think there is a reason i should put that target back on your head?"
She looked over at him and raised an eyebrow. She wasnt going to hurt him...not yet anyways. If she didnt have to she didnt want too.

"Well since my Ale is gone and i really dont want anymore...am i to show you around the port today? Or when would you like to see everything?"
She didnt even look at the bartender as she turned her whole body to face Eadol and await his answer.

Between her admitted not relaxing, and the way she reacted a moment before, he stopped to look at her again, analyzing the woman before him. Cold, calculating, sure, but something deeper ran her life. If he'd been a betting man, he'd have put money on someone hurting her in the past. The idea of someone being able to hurt this creature, at least now, seemed ridiculous. Most thieves were free spirited, adventurous, and loved various acts of debauchery. He knew, seeing as he was one, and met many others. Birds of a Feather and all.

He finished his beverage, setting it down for the final time, and also ignored the barkeep, his eyes never leaving her. “Sure, now is as good a time as any.” He swept his arm out as if to invite her to lead the way. He wondered if she'd trust him so far as to walk in front of him. Things could be difficult if they could not develop some level of understanding; after all, you could not trust someone more then they trusted you.