Alliance

(OOC - kay guys here it is. Please have fun above all. If anyone wants to jump in, drop me a note or post in the OOC thread. Let's see what happens, shall we?)


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The barkeep had been ignoring the girl for the majority of the evening. She'd come in, rather damp, and had taken a seat on the far end of the bar. Not bothering to take her cloak off, she watched him intently. Waiting for him to acknowledge her.

His reluctance was inherent. His tavern was a local favorite - everyone knew everyone else. Newcomers were treated with suspicion, at best.

This lass was a stranger.

She held a parchment in her hands and waited patiently, hands clasped together, for him to offer her some service.

Finally, he sauntered over, wiping a mug dry with a soiled cloth.

"Ayuh," he grunted, uninterested.

"'Ayuh'?" She repeated, tilting her head curiously.

"Whatcha want, girl?"

"I want to hang this in your establishment, if I may," she said brightly, handing him the paper.

He made no move to take it, rather he scanned it briefly. After a moment, he issued a harsh sort of bark. The girl blinked then realized he'd laughed.

"What's so funny, please?" She asked.

"Yer fixin' to hire a group of mercenaries? You?"

"Yes, me. Why not?"

"Yer nothin' more than a child. Children have no business tryin' to meddle in what ye be tryin' to meddle in."

She lifted her brows slightly and widened her eyes just so, "I don't recall asking you to offer your opinion about my personal affairs. All I asked was if I could hang this advertisement in your tavern. I can offer you coin if need be."

With that, she reached into her cloaks and deftly flipped him a platinum coin.

Greade arched a brow in surprise. Platinum was more than enough for him and, without another word, shrugged. He snatched the parchment from her hands and spat a chewed wad of tobacco into his hand. He stuck this on the wall behind him and pressed the scroll against the bricks, securing it.

Although disgusting, the sign was now readable to the patrons:






Greade read it again and shook his head. He turned back to the girl, "how'd ye know I was gonna let ye put yer sign up here?"

She tossed him a withering look, "are you serious? Popular or no, this place has questionable merit. Everyone in town that I've spoken to knows what sort of customers you attract. And you, Mr. Greade, are not known for turning down cash."

His expression took on something that might have been called concern, "yer awfully young to be takin' somethin' like this on-"

"Again, you're being presumptuous. All I am interested in now concerning you is whether you'll indeed tell any prospects of my whereabouts, should they happen to come calling."

His brows knitted together, not caring for her haughty tone, and grunted.

She sighed, "was that a yes or a no?"

"Yeah, yeah. I'll tell em. Where you gonna be?"

"I think I'll just have a seat right over there," she said, pointing to a dim corner where a lone table stood apart.

Greade flicked his eyes in that direction and nodded, "if ye want to loiter, ye need to order somethin'."

"Of course," she said, standing. "Water please."

Greade's annoyed glower followed her as she took a seat.

Vallion’s green orbs stared down upon the weather beaten parchment. Its words written in common stated that assistance was required in apprehending a dangerous fugitive and interested parties were to acquire the name of the employer via the taverns keeper that in itself was a mystery for most employer placed their names as the contact unless they themselves were in some sort of trouble and this was a way of gaining help but remain invisible from the ones they were hiding from. Either way was fine with Vallion for his pocket was light and he needed a few coins so that he may return to his homeland.

The morning dampness was slowly beginning to seep through his traveling garment causing him to wrap the cloak tighter around his average elven frame. His long blond hair caked to his face and neck from the extreme dampness that has nestled upon him since the stroke of the midnight hands. His thoughts drifted to the comfort and warmth of a blazing hearth and the fine taste of elven ale, not to mention the splendid taste of some well seasoned honey ham.

His journey could have been much easier and less foreboding upon him if he wished it to be, but using the art of magic was a dangerous move in lands that was unknown, so he took the way of a traveler so there would be less attention paid to him. He cursed himself several times for not having the courage to cast teleportation but he has seen terrible events happen by numerous wizard by casting that spell and not having enough visual remembrance of the area they wished to go. A slight shiver ran down his spine as images of those failures rambled around his mind.

Finally in the horizon the shadows of buildings came to his view. A slight smile erupted across his lips as he hurried his steps. Wanting to find the warmth that his mind showed him earlier in this rancid morning travel. With his hardest breath he began to transverse over the small pot holed road and within moments his feet came to rest upon the wooden porch of the advertised establishment.

Ducking inside quickly Vallion made his way to the old, but sturdy looking bar. “Greetings my fellow.” his voice heavy with the Elven accent. “I’m in search of some good food and tasty elven ale. I was told that I could find this here.” A smile formed over his lips as the warmth began to reach his bones. He nodded his thanks to the keeper upon his nodding of receiving the order. Vallion head turned moved side to side taking in the commoners and patrons of the establishment.

“Excuse me good sir.” Vallion spoke when the food and ale was placed before him. “I was wondering if you could possibly tell me where I may find the owner of this keep? I do not look for employment from him, but merely wanting to be pointed to an individual that is hiring.” he pulled up the parchment and showed the keeper. The only response he received was a finger pointing to a figure that was sitting in the far corner. Vallion followed this gaze and nodded. “Thank thee friend.”

Vallion grabbed his food and ale and made his way toward the young female that occupied the table that was pointed to him. His gazed moved over the figure sizing the individual up just incase the meeting was not a friendly one. His mind prepared several of his spells that he had memorized the evening before.

“Excuse me milady. The keeper informed me that you were the one looking for help. I’m am Vallion and I wish to give you my services.” He lowered the items that occupied his hands upon the table and offered his hand to her.

She'd noticed the newcomer as soon as he entered. She watched as he spoke to Greade and tensed as the barkeep pointed at her.


Well, well, well, she thought. Seems I've a nibble.

She reached into a pocket and produced a single gold piece. Leaning back in the chair, she stretched her legs out and on the table, crossing them at the ankle. As he approached her table, she began rolling the gold coin over the tops of her fingers, back and forth, back and forth.

A bemused look crossed her features as the gentleman sat an assortment of food and drink before her before introducing himself.

"Vallion is it?" She asked, the gold piece suddenly vanishing from her hand. "Seems a fair enough name. So you wish to accompany me on my travels?"

She waited until he'd nodded before continuing, "I see. This isn't a journey for the faint of heart, you realize. I believe I made that clear in my add. There's a fair chance of death but also one for great adventure. Tell me, good sir, are you capable? Durable? Will you be able to perform the tasks I assign? I mean, it is my money on the line here," here, she paused and smirked a bit.

Looking amused for a brief moment, she continued, "I'm in need of not only a bounty hunter, but an experienced bodyguard. Are you able? If so, I shall make it very worth your while."

At this, the gold coin appeared in her hand once more, as if it had never left, and it began rippling over her fingers once more.

Carr Vallos

The bruise under Carr's right eye hurt like hell as he race through one back alley to another. He can feel the adrenalin pump through his veins as he hear the shouts of his pursuers fade away as his distance to them get get longer and longer.

It may have been a mistake to bed the beautiful Fiona. Carr had been totally oblivious of her jealous husband. He had spent a few hours in bed with her when the husband came home from his hunt. After that Carr was the prey.

Being sure that he had evaded the husband and his friends Carr try to collect his thoughts. For his own safety he may have to leave the city to try his luck in another one. He sigh at the prospect. He had made himself quite a good life. Better than he had in any other city at least. Still it was to dangerous to stay. Fiona had told him that her husband Viktor Gaston had many friends. A fact he know first hand now. If he remain there, one day he may find a arrow in his back.

With determination he straighten up. The first thing is getting his payment from Greade. With that thought he take the path toward the local tavern. He make sure that he ain't followed as he slip inside the tavern. Greade do not notice him until he stand right before him.

"Vallos!" Greade say with surprise. "Didn't expect ya here. Not now." He look toward the entrance with a nervous glance. "Yer sought after." Greade mutter.

Carr understand that Greade would like to see him disappear. He also understand why. Either Gaston or some of his friends had already been there looking for him. They worked faster than Carr had realised and hoped. Better to do this quick he decide.

"I'm here for my coin." Carr say with a thin smile. He keep his eyes on the patrons to see if anyone pay him any attention.

"Yer in bad luck. Ain't no coins fer ya 'ere." Greade mumble without sounding to upset about it. "If yer willing to work fer it there is a job fer ya though. Think she is good fer the coins." Greade nods toward a poster.

Carr read it and raise an eyebrow. "Very generous. Probably dangerous as well" He look back to Greade.

"Ask her." Greade reply and point a finger at a woman that sit in the corner with a glass of water on the table in front of her.

"Will do." Carr mumble and slowly walk over to the woman. He can feel Greade's eyes burn a hole in his back as he close in to her table. Before he reach it though a man address her.

“Excuse me milady. The keeper informed me that you were the one looking for help. I’m am Vallion and I wish to give you my services.” The man extend his hand to her in greeting.

Carr stand a little in the background and listen to the woman and watch the coins she produce. Looks like she was worth it.

Carr move to stand beside the man. "That make two of us. If the pay is what the poster promise, and it looks like it is" Carr only tilt his head slightly to the woman.

He had been here before and just like last time the people still ignored him completely or stayed out of his way. Many of them would even try to extort him of his money if given the chance, Well it also didn’t help that he had his face covered by black hooded cloak and a sword slung over his left shoulder.

What brought him back here was the task of an easy job , “ Easy job my ass” he whispered to himself. He was supposed to be a body guard for a local lord’s son. It was more like being a babysitter to that spoiled brat. After two days of the kid wanting this and wanting that he quite the job much to the displeasure of the boys father who was throwing money at him to make him stay.

Now the problem at hand, even though the heavy rain and turned into a light shower he still needed a place to dry off and have a drink. No better of a place than Greade place, it also allowed him to see if he could find a job to replace the one he lost. He quickly made his way through what little people who were out in this weather and arrived at the tavern. As he opened the door and stepped in side he could hear a hush fall over the patrons. He could feel eyes follow him as he walked to the counter. Seeing Greade behind the counter he walked towards the counter and placed an order for a pint of Mead. As he waited for his drink he saw on the wall behind Greade was note wanting people for a job. The job looked promising, the pay was decent. But advertising the pay like that could attracted some unwanted attention, As he took his mug he took a quick glance around the. Most of them looked like the common town folk but one seemed out of place. A lone female who was away from the others setting in a dimly lit corner. As he watched her he saw a two people talking with her

“ so who put up the notice/” he asked Greade after a moment of silence he nodded his head towards the lady in the corner and whispered something under his breath. Taking his drink he went to a lone table that was fairly lit but still it put him away from the others. It also allowed him to survey the area around him. He leaned the katana up against the table within reach if he needed it. He quickly removed the hood from his head. Much to the other patrons surprise, they were expecting to see his face but only saw he had a type of mask and hood covering his face. He quickly removed it and placed it on top of the table. He had a lot to think about if he should take the job or not. Finally making up his mind he decided to talk to the lady.

" sorry to interrupt the conversation but that man says you put up the job offer" He replied as he pointed at Greade

She had just gotten the questions out when two more individuals sauntered up and took a seat.

Dani shook her hood off, revealing rather pretty, impish features. She looked young, perhaps eighteen or nineteen at most, but held an air of authority about her.

Pretty or no, there was really nothing astonishing about her. She might've been just another peasant girl. The only noticeable feature were her eyes. Piercing and direct; one was green, the other, amber.

She tucked a strand of disheveled, black hair behind a slightly pointed ear before she continued.

"Well, seems I've picked the correct evening for hiring."

She turned her gaze on the two new men who'd joined her. Amusement danced in her eyes. "So, you all seek to join me on my quest then? What good fortune. Or perhaps it was the promise of platinum that you all wish to help a poor damsel in distress?"

Not waiting for an answer, she chuckled merrily. "Your reasoning is moot, really. But you all look sturdy enough. Tell me though, what assurance do I have that you shall come through on this deal and not just rob me and leave me high and dry?"

Dani placed her feet on the floor and leaned over the table, resting her odd-eyed stare on each of them. Her face was serious now, no hint of amusement remained. "Convince me that you'll be true to your word and help me to the end. Then maybe a bit of gold shall cross your palms."

She wiggled the fingers of her left hand and produced a handful of coins for them to see. A mischievous smirk flitted over her mouth briefly, and was gone.

"Also, any questions you have before we start should be asked now. As I've already told Vallion here," she swept her empty hand in his direction, "this trail will be a difficult one. Fraught with danger, life threatening even. You'll need to not only defend me, but yourselves as well. I don't need any liabilities tagging along."

She waited patiently for them to think it over, tilting her head slightly.

"Well?" She finally asked, a hint of impatience coloring her tone.

Izanna stood outside in the growing dark looking at the brightly lit tavern. She was hungry, but this was no place to hunt. The animals here were claimed by the humans and the other kinds of people who came here. No, to get food here, you must have money, they'd told her. Money was the little pieces of metal they traded for things. That's what the two others had said to her. They said she could get money from this place, this Greade's Tavern place.

She had listened to them speak about someone who was going to hunt a dangerous foe. They said this person would give her money if she would help them hunt. She knew hunting. She could help. She could track any quarry, on four legs, or two. And they had said the person could be found here. Now she had to go inside this place. Too many bad smells came from inside. She didn't want to go in there, but the hunger in her belly finally made her ignore the smells.

Once inside, she tried to close off her senses, but it wasn't easy. She went to the very long table that took up most of one part of the room. When the man came over, she said, "I'm looking for a man called Greade. I was told he knows of the one who is going hunting for a dangerous quarry. I want to find that person."

Greade just pointed silently to the table in the corner. Another one for the fool's quest this would likely be. Well it wasn't his problem. He'd send them all to the girl, if that's what they wanted. And this one, a woman no less, though one of those tribal savages, by the looks of her. Probably couldn't even read the notice. He wondered how she even knew about the job. He watched her turn and head for the table, and shook his head again, going back to his work.

Izanna approached slowly, her spear in her hand, bow and quiver slung over her back, partially covered by the hide she wore as a cloak. She wondered which of the men was the hunter. They sat with a young woman and all seemed to be talking together. She opened her senses enough to try to detect their scents. One carried the flavor of pine and other forest smells, but also the smell of magic. He smelled like one of the forest folk, the pointed ears. Of the others, one had been running recently, and before that, had been with a woman, mating. The girl with them smelled pleasant, but mostly Izanna smelled the food at the table.

She stood, just a few feet away, until one of them noticed. Staring at the food, her belly rumbled low, and she turned her amber feral eyes on each of them in turn, asking, "Which one is the hunter? I track. I will help hunt, for the money. I need this money to buy food."

Vallion watched the coin come and go and was slightly impressed with the magicians skill of quick reflex of agility. He listened to her words questioning his durability and most of all his capabilities, but refrained from lashing out that he was a wizard of the ninth league. “Well, My good madam, It is hardly worth asking those questions for anyone can say yes to them. That is why it would be wise to say that the pay will be given after the journey and you get to evaluate our worth at that time.” he ignored the smirk that came from the Magician or as Vallion would say thief.

His gaze traveled to the newcomer that moved up beside him and spoke that he too was interested in taking up this adventure. He too was in need of the valuable coinage that the parchment promised. This brought his gaze back to the young lady. “ Now if I may be so bold is to ask, How do we know you have this coinage? We only see one coin flipping across your fingers and I have several in my pocket so in the terms of trust maybe we should trust each other just alittle. What do you say?”

Vallion’s eyebrow rose to the second newcomer that offered his service. Vallion looked over and sized this individual up. What he could get from his oversation of this man was that he was a warrior type due to the physical appearance and the strange style of weapon he was carrying.
Vallion’s eyebrow rose once more when the young lady removed her hood to revel her physical nature to those that stood around the table. She was quite unique in the odd way that her eyes were of different colors in which she could use in gaining a upper hand in a haggling situation. He rubbed over the top of his ale mug as she posed the question about their motives in joining. “I do need the coin and as I already pointed out about the skill question, I can handle myself and others quite well, if not out of action but by fear and unknowing.” he replied and became silent giving the others an opportunity to answer the young ones question.

Dani could barely contain her glee when another prospect approached her. This one was a woman who moved with an unconscious stealth. So far, all four seemed to be very promising.

She had an odd aura about her. Dani heard the woman's belly gurgle slightly and tipped her a cagey wink.

"If by hunter you mean employer, that would be me."

The woman's brightly colored eyes widened minutely, perhaps slightly surprised that a girl would be the one hiring. She also lifted her nose, seeming to scent the air. Dani had an idea of why she was interested.

"An empty belly is a loud one, you know. You'll need to keep your strength up if you want to follow me. Please, sit."

Dani held her hand out towards an empty chair and smiled. "I suppose we ought to order some food for everyone, hm? It'll be a regular business lunch, so to speak. You there! Wench!"

The shout was directed at the serving maid, wiping off a nearby table. The maid turned, curiously, and inclined her head, "yes'm?"

"Bring several servings of your best mutton for me and my associates. Also bread, cheese and a pitcher of drink to go along with it. If you keep the pitcher filled, you shall be tipped well."

Dani turned to the newcomer again and narrowed her eyes slightly, "now, now. Don't be shy. Sit with us. Eat," she gestured to the chair once more.

"Now then, gentlemen and lady, shall we palaver?"

Dani cocked her head at Vallion's question, and another sly smile crept across her lips. "Don't you worry, darling, money is hardly an issue for me. I'm rather gifted at obtaining it. As far as trust goes," here, she giggled freely, "trust is earned, not a privilege. Why, I hardly trust myself!"

Carr raises an eyebrow at the newly arrived woman. She looked like none he had ever seen before. With her himself and the other men, they seemed to gather a small army. He look back to his potential employer and is surprised by her youthful appearance.

"As you say, trust is earned. Talk is cheap. We can talk all day and night and it still do not tell if any of us are trustworthy." He look over at the other adventurers with a smile.

"Most of us are here for the coins you offer. At least i assume that." He nod to her hand that held the coin. "I do not know these people and therefore ain't working with them to rob you. If any of us have such ideas there are the others that will see to it that it do not happen."

He lean back in the chair and cast a glance at the entrance. Still no sign of danger and he relax a bit.

"As for my skill." He shrug. "I can use a sword." He simply say.

He divide his attention between the people around the table and the entrance. It would not look good if he had to flee the tavern in the middle of the conversation. That would not look very trustworthy of him.

Izanna sat in the chair that the young woman gestured to. Her eyes darted from one of the men to the others, each in turn, a little nervously, but their postures and scents did not indicate them as threatening, only curious.

She was surprised to find out the young woman was the one who wished to hunt. But it didn't matter, really. Izanna would help. The men must also be here to help. Izanna hoped there would be enough money for all to buy food with. The woman had called for food enough for everyone, so maybe she had enough money.

Izanna listened to the woman and the others continue to talk about the task, waiting for the food to be brought. She didn't know all of the words they used, but she knew enough to get the idea of what they said. What she couldn't understand was how anyone would want to stay in this closed in place for very long. Her amber eyes scanned the room, watching each new entrant and everyone who passed near. So many coming and going made her nervous. She tried to focus on these four.

They made a strange pack, and it was still unsettled as to where each member fit in. The girl seemed to be the leader, due to the situation, but she didn't seem like the alpha type. Izanna knew that packs without a strong leader were uncomfortable. Everyone needed to know where they fit in, needed to know their place. She hoped the challenges wouldn't be too fierce, before they settled in. She definitely felt like the omega in this group. She was unsure of their language, and their ways, and where she would fit in. All that would be determined, in time, she supposed.

Now when was that food getting here?

“ My name is Kris Amaya” He replied introducing himself as he took a seat,
“I‘ve done little bodyguard work my skills are more in tuned in another type of work” he added as
He slowly gave a nod to the other two men acknowledging them. Kris looked at the girl his eye’s near left her’s, she was pretty what got him were her eyes. They were piercing as if she was staring into his soul judging him for his worth.

“ What type of guarantee do you want” “ Would me giving my word be enough or would you like something more” Kris asked her. “ I wouldn’t rob you and leave you hire and dry it’s not good for business if I did that to my clients” he added as he looked at her when she produced a few coins in her left hand.

“ the only question I have is that what type of person are we going after’ He asked her his attention was soon taken to the approaching feet. Even though his sword was near his side he reached inside his cloak and gripped a handle.

When the girl asked which one was the hunter, she added she was a tracker and would hunt for money. He turned and looked at the newcomer from the way she looked she most likely she came from a tribal people.


He watched as Dani ordered a barmaid to bring food for everyone, he listen to her tell the other girl to sit and not be shy. He listen to her say trust is earned not a privilege she was right many of his own clients he didn’t really trust and a few times it almost done him in.

“ so what do you want to palaver about” he replied as he got into a more relaxed form but it still made him able to react to anything.

Dani settled back into a more comfortable position. As each man spoke, she gave him her full attention. Taking in each word and filing it away in her memory for later consideration.

After a few minutes, the serving wench returned, arms laden with trays of food and drink. Dani slammed some money down on the table as payment, and offered the maid a couple of extra silver pieces for herself. The woman smiled in surprise, not expecting Dani to keep her word on tipping her, and nodded in appreciation.

"Thank'ee lass!"

"Wonderful service!" She clapped her hands once for emphasis, and waved her hand. "You may go now," she said, dismissing the wench.

Having some slight privacy once again, the girl turned to her new acquaintances and peered at each one in turn.

"I suppose I ought to introduce myself, where are my manners? You may call me Dani. Please, eat, drink. It's on me. Call it a gesture of good faith. As you say 'talk is cheap'."

She grinned at Carr, "right?"

Not waiting for an answer, she continued on, "I hope you shall wield your sword with some skill, should it come to that. And it very well may. I've come to realize my quarry is somewhat well-known among this realm. Perhaps you've heard of the pirate, Captain Sway? Well, perhaps I ought to say Commodore Sway, as it were. I hear he's assembled a fancy little fleet for himself."

Her voice grew a bit thick and savage at this last bit and a darkly angry gleam sparked in her eyes before disappearing. The group shifted restlessly.

Aye. Sway was known far and wide and was somewhat notorious.

"It is him I seek. My reasons are my own." She finished seriously.

She glanced at the one who called himself Amaya, "I realize it wouldn't be good for prospective clients if you had a reputation as a scoundrel - that is, if you freely admitted to it. And you are correct. I require a bit more than just your word."

She rooted around in her cloak pockets again and produced a small scroll. "Should any of you agree to join me, you'll need to sign this. It's enchanted with a binding spell. Each signature on this paper will bind you to me - should anything happen to me, the same fate will befall you, even if you are the one who tries to cause me harm. Call it insurance. As we progress and if we come out triumphant, I will break the spell and you'll be freed."

She winked. "See how thorough I can be? And, trust me, I do not take well to betrayal. You'll find I can be very unforgiving."

She waved her hand and wiggled her fingers again and the scroll vanished. Dani put a finger to the corner of her mouth and smiled coyly.

"It took me quite awhile to track down his last whereabouts. As far as I can tell, he last made port at this village one moon ago. He's got quite the head start. As to where he's gone, my sources only told me south. I figure we start heading south at first light and start with the first town we come across."

Dani waved her hands over the surface and four small, velvet drawstring bags appeared on the table. "I believe I promised a small down payment for each who will come. You've one night to acquire any provisions you might need to bring with you."

She put both hands on the table, palms down, and regarded them seriously again. "So? Do we have an accord?"

Vallion Nodded to the young lady’s statement of trust being earned not given was somewhat of a commonly tossed out statement to those who dwell in the mist of billowing gray. He himself always gave a slither of trust but keep prepared for the potential of betrayal. Just like now he gave her the trust that he will be paid but he would not trust leaving his arcane book lay unattended next to her. “Well, Milady there is a mist of trust among us already.” his hand gesturing to all those that stood about, “We are trusting you for this pay that you are offering. That in itself is a small form of trust.” he replied swiftly and then gestured to moving on for the others may have questions themselves.

He looked upon each one as the Introduced themselves and what brings them forth to voluntary for the adventure. He nodded his approval to the statement that they were not previous grouped for the purpose to rob her, but was interested in the coinage that she was offering.

He noted the man’s skill for the warrior class was always the front line giving protection to the spell weavers, something that he himself was very appreciative about for if it wasn’t for them he would not be here this day.

He allowed his gaze to fall to the others as they introduced themselves and their skill and noted each one names so that when the time came to address them he could do so easily. His attention fell back to the young lady and debated if he should give his skill for there was many whom didn’t trust spell weavers and would rather cut them down themselves than to be anywhere near one. “I’m known as Vallion.” was all that he spoke before taking his seat, hoping that no one realized that he didn’t share his skill with them.

He slowly took hold of his ale and took a small sip as the employer began her telling of why she needed their help and whom they were to go after. Upon her producing the parchement of their signatures, he grew somewhat reluctant for many bad things could happen when you play with magical binding spells. He waited to see if anyone else grew reluctant upon signing this..

There was a lot of talk about trust, but Izanna only listened. She learned the names of the others, associating their name-words with her impressions of them. Carr was the one who mated and then ran, probably coupled with a female already claimed. He also seemed nervous now, like.....prey being hunted. She noticed that he looked at the people coming and going as much as she did. Then there was the forest folk male, called Vallion. His kind usually shared many of the same forests with her people, the Cheysuli packs. The one called Kris Amaya introduced himself, and she listened to him also speak of trust. But she sensed something different about him, not a smell, but a feeling. He was dangerous, deadly. He was like the hidden ones who struck silently. She scooted a little farther from him, watching him closely.

The food was brought and she waited to see who would eat first. That would tell her who was alpha, and thereby the leader. The young woman gestured for the others to eat first, a telling sign. But none of the others jumped right in either. Izanna's belly clenched at the smell of that meat, and she couldn't help it, she reached out for it, moving slowly until she could snatch it suddenly without getting punished for her transgression.

She listened to the young woman explain who she was after. The name meant little to Izanna, but if this woman wanted him, Izanna would help her find him for her. She would even kill him, if the female wanted her to.

Suddenly the hairs on the back of Izanna's neck stood up. A creepy feeling nearly made her snarl when the scroll that the young female was showing them suddenly disappeared. But she stopped herself, remembering just in time that these people didn't react that way. They wouldn't understand and maybe they would think she was offering a challenge. Then the little pouches were just there, one in front of each of them. Izanna wanted to back away, but the others stayed. There must not be any real danger. She went back to the meat, holding it tightly to make sure none of the others would take it from her.

"So? Do we have an accord?" the girl asked, looking at each of them in turn. Izanna nodded, a little cautious about trusting this one, who made things come and go from no-where. She remembered that the others had all given their names. Maybe that was what they needed for this trust. So she touched her vest lightly, saying, "I'm called Izanna Red Wolf. I track and hunt. I will go with you to find this person." It was all that needed to be said, as far as she was concerned.

" I'm not considered a scoundrel but some may say that about me” Kris replied as he looked at Dani. “ Many clients of mine call me an assassin I get the job done quickly and effectively.” He added. Kris knew many people didn’t like assassins as they view then as honor less and would kill for just about any amount of money. But yet people still hired them.

“ If you need more proof there is an old man a blacksmith that stills lives here he can vouch for me” Kris replied as he took a drink from a mug. He watched as she produced a contract that would bind them to the contractor. She also said that she would release the spell once the job was over with. If she should happen to die they too would share the same fate. He had seen these contracts before he had heard assassins used them on each other if more than one worked together.

He heard the name from somewhere but at the time he didn’t remember where he heard about him. He listen to the elf give his name as Vallion and the other girl said her name was Izanna red wolf. He noticed that she moved a little ways away from him as if she was vary of him. He also noted that she was nervous around them from the way she acted he figured people might have treated her badly or grew up away from any villages.

“ I‘ll sign it” Kris replied as he took a slice of meat and a slice of bread. He watched as the contracted vanished after each of them signed it. In its place bags of money appeared in front of them. He listen to what she said on getting provisions for the journey. Kris figured getting a horse would be good and maybe getting his weapons sharpened.

“ where should we meet at first light” Kris asked wanting to make sure he would be on time. “ In this tavern or at the edge of town” He added with a friendly smile.

Franko Broga

The Lionhead Tavern is a smokey place. Lighting is poor and noise is continuous. All types of customers rambled on about this and that. A few arguements took place with a chair being broken over a patron's head or back was not rare.

The big and the tall the short and the small had a place here. Franko is a little on the short side for his kind. A scout by trade, had seen combat in three differernt fronts. He fought for the one that payed. He spied for the one who payed. He is a mercenary's mercenary. Kings, princes, lords and ladies. He cared very little who he worked for.

Now he sat a rude table with a rather drunk woman on his lap. They were sharing a tankard of mead. she laid back on Franko and wetly kisses his face. "Take me to bed Franko!" she grunts wiggling her butt against his crotch.
Franko pulls his face away from the tougue bath his face is getting. Besides the mead is leaving a a sour taste in his mouth and the woman's breath is growing worst by the second. "No Rosilla, I have to find work, I'm down to a few coppers and that is it."

As Franko tries to half heartedly get Rosilla off his lap a friend of his stumbles to the table. Hablin plops down on the chair. Franko looks around Rosilla at Hablin. "Habbie what are you doing here? " he askes. "There's a witch in the tavern across town and she is raising an army to fight the dragon people!" Hablin slured. Franko sat back in his chair as Rosilla lays her head against his shoulder and starts to snore. Franko frowns. "Dragon people? what dragon people?" Hablin starts to nod "Thats the story, she is raising an army to march against the dragon poeple to the east. A large army a thousand men in platinum uniforms. She giving 100 pieces each to every man."

Franko sat up a little shifting Rosilla some. "Are we going to bed now?" she askes. Franko ignores her and focuses on Hablin. "Habbie you are not making any sence. A hundred pieces of what, gold, silver,copper?" Hablin shakes his head" Platinum!" Franko finds himself very awake now. "Platinum, 100 peices of platinum?" he askes. Hablin nods his head. "And Greade is going to lead them!" Franko frowns. "Greade is going to lead the army for the witch?" Hablin nods. "Yup!" Franko puts his head in his hand and rubs it."This is insane a bar tender is leading an army against people I never heard of." Franko shakes his head. "This I got to see!" He gathers Rosilla up and gently places her in the chair allowing her head to rest on her arms on the table. He walks over and gathers up his weapons that are stacked against a wall. The two short swords he slides into his waist belt. His long sword is in its traveling sheath is slung over his back. His quiver with six arrows in it rests on his left shoulder and his short bow he carrries. He walks over to a rack and picks out his tan cape and a floppy beige hat with a black and white snake skin hat band. And walks out of the bar.

After a few minutes he is across the village and walks into the tavern. The crowd is a lot smaller then he exspected. He makes his way to the end of the bar and finds Greade. Before he can say anything Greade points to the scoll. Franko reads the sign. "A 1000?" Greade points to a youngish looking woman at a table with a woman sitting next to her and several men all talking. Franko looks at Greade"She is raising an army?" Greade shrugs his shoulders. Franko turns and looks at her again.

Franko moves around till he is next to the table and looks at the two women at the table one is eating. He waits for the chatter to end and looks straight at the woman who appears to be in charge.

"Word in the village is your raising an army to attack the dragon people and your paying in platinum , is any of this true?"

((OOC- welcome BRIGHTWELL, glad to have ya! Love the intro with the drunken facts all mixed about. lol ))

Dani eyed the tribal woman with some interest. A musing look fell over her features for a moment before another sly smirk settled on her lips. The woman behaved strangely. Curiosity peaked she pushed a plate of bread and cheese closer to her.

"Eat. None shall take what's yours here. I won't stand for discord in my fellowship."

She turned to Kris and tilted her head thoughtfully, "an assassin you say? Well now, aren't you special. Perhaps I ought to go call on this blacksmith you speak of. Will he tell me true or have you paid him off to say what you wish?"

She tittered a bit and then waved the statement off, "just a bit of teasing, good sir. I'll need as much help as I can get on this mission. Sway's goons are everywhere and he usually gets wind of someone on his trail long before said person actually reaches him. He's not a stupid foe, we must be careful."

When Amaya told her he'd sign, a huge grin took over. The scroll appeared in front of the assassin, complete with a feather quill resting next to it. "Keep in mind, once signed you are bound to me. If I die, you die."

Dani rubbed a hand across her nose and took a sip of water, going quiet for a moment. Her food remained untouched. "I believe we all should meet up at the front gates. That way, we can just be off. Yes, we'll meet there."

"Wizard," she said with a knowing wink. She lifted her chin towards Vallion. "You seem to be reluctant to sign. I am afraid I must insist, though, if you want your pay."

The velvet bag in front of Vallion disappeared, and Dani shot him an almost apologetic look when another gentleman approached the table.

"Word in the village is your raising an army to attack the dragon people and your paying in platinum , is any of this true?"

Dani blinked at him, widening her eyes a bit. She thought quickly, then gestured that he should also pull up a chair and sit with them. "I am paying in platinum, yes. But I've no clue about any 'Dragon People'. Does it really matter if it isn't the dragon people? Platinum has the same value, regardless of how it's acquired. I seek to hunt down the Pirate Sway. Are you interested?"

She sat back with the same sneaky little smile and glanced at him expectantly.

The Pirate Sway?

Franko pulled up a chair." I seek to hunt down the Pirate Sway. Are you interested?" she askes. Franko narrowes his eyes and looks at her intently. He starts to grin then stops. He turns slightly and looks at the others around the table. "Do you know what your asking? Do you know anything about the Pirate Sway? It was long ago, bout two years now I went hunting Sir Arthur Mc Donald Sway, could it be the same one? I was in the service of Sir Morris Elms fourth earl of Misty Valley. Then Sir Arthur had 400 men. Sir Arthur and Sir Morris met at the river Trix. Sir Arthur came away with 250 men. Sir Morris lays dead on the banks of the very same River Trix. All his men dead save one, a scout,me. If this is the same man, then yes, if not I need to know more, cause if there are more then one Sway running loose we are all in danger. And no amount of coin will matter. Now I put the question to you...Is Sir Arthur Mc Donald Sway the man you seek or not?"

Izanna watched the actions of the dangerous man intently, and listened as he spoke to the young woman, Dani, who smelled nice, but made things come and go from the air. She watched him put his portion of meat on a piece of bread and then take a bite. Dani pushed the platter of bread and cheese over to her and urged her to eat. Izanna reached for a slice of bread, sniffed it, and then copied what she'd seen the dangerous one do with his meat. She took one bite and made a face, her chewing slowly coming to a halt before she swallowed the whole bite hard. She dropped the remainder of the bread slice on the table, and pushed it away with her finger, as if unwilling to touch it, before going back to eating the mutton plain.

She watched as Kris signed his name to the contract, tilting her head to one side, quizzically. She noted how he picked up that feather and scratched it against the parchment as she stopped chewing for a moment and leaned over closer to see the mark he had made with it. When he finished and pushed the parchment towards her next. She swallowed the bite of meat she had been chewing, and looked down at the portion she had left in her hands, now both dripping with mutton grease.

She looked up at the dangerous man, and then at Dani on the other side of her. Dani was talking to Vallion, the pointy eared one, and hadn't even begun to eat her food yet. The dangerous man still was eating his with the bread. Neither Dani nor the dangerous one looked like they would steal her meat, so she hesitantly put it down, watching the dangerous man suspiciously, in case he finished his and wanted to swipe hers too. Her upper lip flexed, almost in a warning snarl, but she remembered in time not to challenge him.

She picked up the feather, holding it gripped tightly in her greasy clenched fist and started scratching with it on the parchment, her tongue protruding from the side of her mouth as she concentrated on making the mark. It was awkward, a little like stabbing the parchment with her knife, but as she labored over it, she glanced up at the dangerous one, seeing he was almost finished with his food. She hurried to finish making the mark and finally peered closely at it, comparing it to the one the dangerous man had made. It looked as close as she could make it, holding the feather like that. It was about a 90% accurate copy of his signature.

She hurriedly tossed the now grease smeared feather and scooted the greasy fingerprinted parchment back across the table as she grabbed up her mutton again, guarding it jealously as another man came up to the table and began talking to Dani. She chewed pieces off of it with her teeth, tearing and gnawing on tougher parts, sometimes swallowing large chunks relatively unchewed by her strong white teeth. As she ate, she began to become curious about the little velvet pouch in front of her. Reaching for it, she opened it and spilled out the little metal pieces on the table before her. Her eyes narrowed and she picked one up and sniffed it carefully, then repeated the process with a few others until satisfied that they all smelled the same. She found the pouch, thrusting her fingers deeply inside, exploring it, studying it carefully before growing bored with it and beginning to play with the coins again. Now and then, her ears almost visibly twitched as she listened to the conversation, although it looked like she was preoccupied with the coins to any casual observer.

Carr had heard of Sway. A very dangerous man. He ponder his options as he go through Dani's words in his mind. Was he willing to sign away his chance to leave the mission? Was he willing to let his life and freedom be hers? Was the coins she offered enough for him to even consider it? Yes they were.

While Dani is talking to the newcomer Carr sign his name on the contract. That done it was to late for regrets so he just lean back in the chair with a smile. He watch the tribal woman with interest. He could understand hunger. He had been hungry more times than he would like to remember.

Izanna Red Wolf. A very exotic name indeed. Perfect match to how she looked. A tracker and hunter. Carr's eyes wander over the small group. They all look competent in their field of expertise. He just hope that he won't regret this.

"I am Carr Vallos." He introduce himself.

He look back to Izanna before taking a bite of a the bread that had been placed in front of him. When she look back at him he feel a little uneasy. It is as if she know something about him. Something dirty and very private. He do not like that feeling one bit.

He look down at the food and try to ignore it. He take another bite and chew the bread slow and carefully before swallowing it. It do not take long before he is full. Carr have never been a big eater. Being hunted by a jealous husband and signing away his freedom with a possibility of dying, was not great for building a appetite.

First post - Introduction

In a nearby corner, a woman sat. More a girl of maybe nineteen, with long red hair kept hidden underneath a dark hood. It shadowed her face, apart from the bright red lips that were occasionally licked by the tip of her tongue. She sat alone. Her figure hidden in the shadows where the lamps couldn't reach. A single stool and upturned wine barrel her table and chair. On the barrel lay an empty plate of well prepared venison, raised bread and vegetables from the gardens. It was served with a goblet of wine to polish it off. For the entire conversation about who was who, why they were there, and what skills they brought to the table she had her back turned. Simply listening. This was just one stop on her long journey and the reason for coming to rest in this tavern was merely to feed. Pushing the plate away, after hearing enough of the conversation for her interest to be peaked she rode from her stool and turned around. Walking the few feet to stand behind everyone else and peer over the table.

The light now showed the details of her face. Her lips, hair and eyes were of the same colour. And if her eyes had not seemed so dark, empty and disturbing then her face may have seemed innocent, beautiful and childish still. Her cheek bones were high and there didn't seem to be much roundness to her face. Her eyes had hollows, not dramatic ones but they gave her a thin and ill appearance. Sleep deprived maybe. Clearing her throat she looked around at each of the people before casting her eyes on the woman who seemed to be rallying the group together.

"I shall join with blood pact signed...my life to save your life, or to die beside you. Whatever the outcome. If it is true you ask such a price, I am more than happy to defend you. I feel this is of greater danger than any 'commoners' quest."

Removing her hood, she opened the front of her cloak enough to show off the sword she carried. It didn't seem to suit her size, but it did look impressive. How she got it would seem a mystery, considering her physical appearance. "I am Yurioni, no last name. I wield the sword, and the power of fire. I am a mistake and a creation. I am human in form, and elemental in soul. Trapped, contained...and unstable. "

Instead of taking a seat at the table, she made use of a wall to lean against. Bringing her leg up to rest on the wall, bent at the knee.

"If you can afford, I will serve."

Her entire personality seemed structured around her feeling of being trapped, forced to walk the earth for however long she lived in the body of this young girl. She was a true Fire Elemental, originally meant to have been a devoted servant of a young female magic user. In the end, both had been trapped, combined. She won out over the young maiden, and possessed her body. But deep down there were still the cries and the morality of a human. It was the ying and yang.

She was unable to partake in relationships of pure love, many a man had been burned alive in the midst of pure ecstasy on her part. So unable to partake in human wants and long term desires, what makes a human a human, she journeys simply enjoying what makes her happy.

Danger, fighting, indulgence. She enjoys lust, gluttony, pride. And the human side tries to stop her from acting out the more deadly sins. It was over three hundred years ago that the young maiden had tried summoning, and controlling the elemental. And three hundred years had seen Yurioni age less than a human year. Her age was unknown...and so was the eternity she would be made to walk this earth in the form of this young woman.

http://www.rjmwhittaker.com/indent.gifThe crackle of a flame flashed in the air for a moment signaling the long, slow drag from a stick of pipeweed that this woman had been known to smoke from time to time, opting out of using a pipe in favor of this easier yet less elegant form of pleasure. Her frowning lips holding the stick firmly in place, she gazed out upon the tavern's patrons with her arms crossed in front of her chest and one leg resting tightly above the other, keeping her senses sharp as she took in every sight and sound that fell before her, silently keeping watch like an old dog that had sought to protect its master's home, even when it had long over stayed its welcome. Indeed, Greade would have held no quarrels with ridding himself of this woman at his earliest opportunity, were it not for her uses. As one who stalked the woods of the surrounding lands, it had nearly become expectant of her to bring back some novelty or trinket, be it the hide of some simple creature or a piece of treasure belonging to a caravan lost long ago; most importantly, she payed her tab well and on time, something Greade could not easily overlook. Still, he could not deny the unsavory nature that seemed to radiate from her, something that left a foul taste in his mouth every time he looked at her. Something about her wasn't right. Certainly not in appearance; in another life, she might have passed herself off as a beauty of noble lineage, perhaps married into a rich family and baring a number of healthy offspring.

http://www.rjmwhittaker.com/indent.gifInstead she dressed in the simple garb of a vagabond, a traveler from place to place that sought out neither riches nor fame, merely existing instead of living. Her hair, rich with dirt, would have shone like golden wheat in the sunrise were it to be ever cleaned, yet was tragically cut short around the shape of her head, save for two long, thick strands that protruded down over her face originating from the base of her hairline. The harrowed and aged crimson eyes seemed experienced enough if one were to stare into them for a length, a dark mole beneath the left a further mark to blemish a face that should have shown with a young maiden's innocence, betraying her hardened visage. Binding snugly upon her upper body was a short top that fully exposed her fit abdomen and held her well-rounded bosom in place, while a thick, red scarf rested around her neck and old, tattered bandages wrapped around her forearms and biceps. Her black pants were baggy, bunching up at the knees where a pair of thick, well-worn, mud-stained leather boots covered her tired feet. Several belts were slung around her body; one against her chest with a quiver of arrows slung over her back, another hugging her waist and holding several small bags and pouches, while two others crisscrossed her hips and ass, each with a steely dagger hanging off it.

http://www.rjmwhittaker.com/indent.gifHad this attire been worn by a veteran warrior or a stylish rogue, the wearer might have succeeded in blending into the shadows that darkened the corners of Greade's tavern; instead, it contrasted against the pale skin of her petite form which, although possessing what should have been a voluptuous figure, was instead well muscled. Combined with her golden hair and youthful looks, it made her look more like an out-of-place commoner than a seasoned ranger. Fortunately, the woman had been slowly garnering a reputation for herself in the tavern as the strong, silent type, one to be wary of judging by the greatsword she kept by her side that matched her in height, or the gnarled longbow that had ended the life of many a beast. She never started a fight, but she always finished it as quickly and efficiently as possible, holding no quarter for any who crossed her. It allowed her to put most into a feeling of uneasiness with but a stare, but when allowed to keep to herself she maintained an air of peace allowing others to freely ignore her; actually, it was becoming quite routine as she would sit down, consume her food and drink, glance at the patrons quietly, and leave when the night was done.. and most would never realize she had ever been there. It still felt odd to Greade, though. Sure, she was harmless enough when left to her own devices, but why did she return with such regularity to his tavern when she did so little in the end?

http://www.rjmwhittaker.com/indent.gifThis night seemed different, however, and it threw the tavern owner off more so than usual. While he was used to seeing her watch the others with a calm gaze, she had been glaring intently at Dani ever since he had put up that scroll of her's, and it only grew ever more intenser as one after another adventurers flocked around the stranger, locked inside a moment that seemed as immediately bizarre as the woman's own appearance. Focusing her eyes and ears, she tried her best to read the lips of the group and hear whatever words would carry across the room; skills that she had been honing night after night of sitting there, but not as yet perfected. Sadly for her her cold stare could do nothing but try and feel the emotions of the party before her, leading her to suspect that what was about to occur was something not only of importance, but apparently greater than some present have had experienced, let alone herself. Letting out the smoke in her lungs, she quenched her thirst with the mug of ale that sat on the table aside her seat, before breathing in the choking stick once more and tensing the muscles in her body. A restless feeling began to overcome the young woman, fighting back the itch that hadn't driven her spirit since she first stepped out onto her path years before. Although creeping closer would assuredly lend herself an appearance of unneeded suspicious, she couldn't help but hunger to know just what that little party was going on about. This night was different, and a pane in her heart whispered to her that it might change her forever; for good or for ill.

No proper drawing completed yet, although I do possess a YouTube video showcasing how she appears thanks to SoulCalibur IV's character creation mode (I tend to ignore the circlet upon her brow.. also remind me not to write these kind of posts so late at night; I can't wait to see what sort of spelling or grammatical errors I've created come morning).

Kris looked at the new man he was interesting even though he got some of the facts wrong he looked like he was a able man. He never heard of the dragon people, but who ever told him must have been drunk. Kris listen to the man talk about a man called Sir Arthur Mc Donald Sway. He listen to talk about a battle between Sir Arthur and Sir Morris and how he was the only one left.

His attention was soon taken to another female who approached the table, he saw that she was covered in a cloak which made it hard to tell what she looked like. He watched as she opened the cloak to show the sword she carried and she knew how to use it. She also said she was able to use the element fire.

He listen to her say her name was Yurioni, she didn’t have a last name what caught his interest was that she said she was a mistake and a creation. He didn’t know what she meant by it.

((OOC - Oooooh! More players! Yay! Glad to have you both aboard! ))

Dani appeared rather satisfied as she glanced around. The party was growing with each passing minute.

This is going to be too easy, she thought smugly, smiling.

As Amaya, Izanna and Carr signed the document a faint golden glow surrounded their signatures. As it faded, the ink seemed to vanish and the names appeared to be scorched into the paper now, rather than merely written on it.

Dani reached over to snatch the scroll and the quill. She observed, with some amusement, Izanna smelling each and every coin as if she was unsure of their use.

"Darling," she began, nodding at Izanna, "it's your pittance for signing. With those you may buy your own supplies for this journey."

However, when Franko began his tale, Dani's eyes widened and she jerked her head to the side to concentrate on him. His account with this Arthur fellow had a very familiar ring to it.

"Aye, Sir," she began, feeling the familiar rage building up in her chest. Her face remained neutral, though, as she nodded.

"That certainly sounds like his doings. He's not known to leave many survivors, though. It sounds as if you were very lucky to live. I can relate, believe me. Unfortunately, I cannot say for certain if that fellow and the one I wish to hunt are one in the same. If there are two Sway's milling about, we have another problem on our hands. The man I seek has a scar on his face. A large one. I gave it to him myself."

She stood and tipped her head up, revealing a long scar that stretched from ear to ear, "this is how he thanked me. I was fortunate to have survived. I believe he thinks me dead, though, lucky for us. I imagine it'll be rather easy to surprise him."

I hope, she thought.

She took her seat again, putting one finger to her lips. She was silent for a moment, lost in her thoughts when another woman approached the table.

Dani eyed this newcomer with an arched brow, unsure.

"I shall join with blood pact signed...my life to save your life, or to die beside you. Whatever the outcome. If it is true you ask such a price, I am more than happy to defend you. I feel this is of greater danger than any 'commoners' quest."

"You'd be correct, darling," Dani replied, evenly, leaning back in the chair once more. She kicked her legs up on the table and crossed them at the ankle again, waiting for the woman to continue.

"I am Yurioni, no last name. I wield the sword, and the power of fire. I am a mistake and a creation. I am human in form, and elemental in soul. Trapped, contained...and unstable. "

"Are you now? That's very interesting, indeed," Dani's eyes took on a subtle gleam as she scrutinized this stranger.

"If you can afford, I will serve."

She snickered a bit, "oh, I can afford. Oh, yes." Dani rippled her fingers and a platinum coin appeared. She began rolling it back and forth over the backs of her fingers once again, teasingly.

"Elemental or no, once you sign the contract you are bound to me. Your human body cannot resist my magic, I'm afraid, and if I die so shall you." Dani produced the parchment again and flattened it on the table, sliding it over the the woman leaning against the wall.

"Coin for blood. What say you, Yuri? Franko? Will you sign as well?"

Dani waited patiently, seeming not to notice another patron, who was showing more than a little interest in the small party Dani had managed to gather this evening.

Dani waited a moment and then glanced over at an unassuming figure, smoking a pipe. Her eyes gleamed again, and she waved politely and tipped the woman a cagey wink.