Secret of Mana

[Lethe]

(OOC: if you want to join this thread, check the OOC thread


Times were hard for an honest thief.

Hawk ducked his head back into the tavern again, seeing another beastman patrol pass the door. The huge, grunting things didn't take kindly to mere humans eyeing them, especially if the mere humans might be studying their routines, with a mind to breaking out of the prison the whole bloody city of Jad had been turned into.

Hypothetically speaking, that is.

Hawk sighed. He'd landed in Jad just a few hours before the beastmen attacked, easily overwhelming the weak human resistance and declaring the city annexed by the Kingdom of the Beastmen.

The world seemed to be going crazy with war. Rumours from the north whispered the witch-kingdom of Altena had launched an invasion of Forcena. The beastmen here and... Hawk smiled unhappily, he knew all too well what his own compatriots of Navarre had taken into their heads to do.

Hawk shook his head. The world was going crazy.

He moved further back into the tavern, and caught a glimpse of himself in a full-length mirror. He adjusted his red headband irritably and pushed a hand through the blue hair.

He was of average height and slender, but deceptively muscular build, with warm brown eyes that were usually laughing but weren't today, dressed all in brown leather.

"Huh", he observed at length. "Beastmen".

There was a general murmur of vague agreement from the rest of the tavern. Hawk looked around

 

[KisstheSky]

Lise

She rode slowly and silently, the pace slowing tremendously since just hours before, as both the mount and the rider were exhasted from the day's journey.
Lise's muscles ached and her stomach rumbled it was time to settle in for the night.

She could make out the outline of a settlement just east of her. And decided to head there in search of a room and meal for the night. Her search would have to wait until morning. She could do her brother no good in her present condition.

Her horse grunted as she rode.
"Just a little longer Ayre" She murmmered softly in the mare's ear, "its not much further now."

She neared the village and halted just before the edge of the treeline, staying the shadows. There were Beastmen here. She could sense the unease of the villagers and wondered if this was the best idea or not.
She did not personally fear the Beastmen. Her mother had been allies with a group of them not long ago, she was just in no condition to put up much of a fight in her present condition.
But she'd take her chances. Perhaps someone in the village would have word on the group of Navarre that had taken her brother.
The thought of recovering him raised her spirits and she rode on into the village.

One of the first observations she made upon entering the hub of the settlement was how few people were out on the streets. The hour was not so late that they should be so completely deserted. But lights still burned in the window of the local tavern/inn so she tethered her horse and went inside.

She lowered the hood of her dirty grey green riding cloak and headed over to a table by the bar, that had a good view of the room as well as out the window.

She unfastened the cloak and put it aside as the green tunic she wore underneath was far cleaner, and not as warm.

She surveyed the room, waiting to be served, and she took notice of one young man in particular who seemed to be admiring himself in the mirror.

A server finally approached her,
"ale please-strong. And a loaf of fresh bread if you have it."
The young girl nodded and left.

 

[Lethe]

Hawk blinked. A newcomer? Here?

He strolled over casually to examine the traveller. A woman, in travel-stained green clothes. He frowned. She looked like one of the women fighters of Rolante. He had no quarrel with them, but his fellow thieves...

Hawk shrugged. He'd split with them. No responsibility of his. And maybe the traveller would have fresh news of conditions beyond Jad.

He strolled over, trying to look as casual as possible, his arrival at the table coinciding with that of the maid's, bearing a tray with a jug of dark ale and a loaf of fresh, warm white bread. Hawk sniffed at its clean smell appreciatively. He was suddenly reminded that he hadn't eaten all day. And his funds were running low.

Without asking permission, he drew up a chair and plopped himself down facing the newcomer. With an imperious gesture, he indicated for the maid to lay the tray down, and then feigned surprised irritation.

"What's this!? Only one mug? How'm I supposed to drink? Pour it straight from the jug into my mouth?"

" I don't think the lady mentioned another guest...", began the maid.

Out of the corner of his mouth, Hawk shot an imploring, half-desperate, half-conspiratorial smile at the traveller.

"Nonsense", he said with a confidence he didn't feel.

 

[Zircon]

Kevin

He looked around furtively, stomach growling incessantly, that it almost sounded like a voice of it’s own, one that would not stop, and one that would reveal his position to the numerous patrols put out by his father. Now was not the time to get caught. The shadows were hiding him still, but Lady Luck and Lady Fate were known to be extremely fickle.

There was only one thing to do. That was to get some food and shut his stomach up for the minimum amount of time needed to get the hell out. The back door to the inn was perfect, which meant that he need not go directly into the dining room proper. The avoidance of the patrolling Beastmen was paramount. A few loaves of warm bread, and some meat would suffice. Kevin knew that he could trust the quickness of his hands to obtain fairly the food before the cooks can notice him doing so.

What he did not count on was a few patrolling Beastmen had the same idea as he did. Even through the same door which he had but moments ago stolen through. The only difference was that these brethren of his walked straight up to the kitchen table and started eating in front of the fuming cooks, who dared not say a word for the fear of Death eating at their tables.

So through the revolving door and into the inn, a human, who could smell and fight like a Beastman, and even become one of them in rage, calmly strode to the nearest table by the window. Jumping out of windows was considered amateurish, but times were hard, and dictated unconventional tactics.

The inn was half filled, with a lot of nervous folks gathered around, deep in their cups of ale, and steaming food, with cursory and nervous glances to the jackbooted sounds of Beastmen.

“Water please.” When a serving wench came by his table. The relatively few coppers that he had would suffice for that, and not much else.

Then his eyes and nose caught the scent of the two, a confidence man and a travel-stained girl, who looked liked she did not belong in this village, nor any near here. It was strange, but fear was the last thing that he had sense from her, albeit the foremost of the rest of the folks in the inn. Perhaps, she had not seen enough of the dungeons and torture methods that his father employed well enough.

His water arrived, and even that was enough to alleviate his hunger for a little longer, while his thoughts turned to strangers, and a way out of this town.

 

[KisstheSky]

Lise

Lise had turned her attention from the man to gaze out the window for a moment, sighing deeply as she could feel each of her sore, weary muscles begining to relax.

Her eyelids began to droop, but she shook her head fighting her exhastion. She would sleep soon enough.
The man she'd been watching before pulled up a chair across from her and settled in as if he'd known her for years, and she was immediately alert, and ready to draw her weapon.

The serving girl was right behind him, and she warily laid the warm loaf and ale on the table, she looked to Lise questioningly.

"What's this!? Only one mug? How'm I supposed to drink? Pour it straight from the jug into my mouth?" The man exclaimed. Quite forward for a stranger, she mused.
He was either very brave, very stupid, drunk or perhaps a bit of all three. Most knew the attire of an Amazon of Rolante, even in lands troubled by war and conquest she wore these symbols of her birth proudly without fear, she was suprised that he was so forward with her.

" I don't think the lady mentioned another guest...", the maid began, but the man quickly interrupted her.

"Nonsense", she could sense an aire of false confidence in his voice.
Ah, perhaps he knew what she was after all, she couldn't help but smirk.

"He may join me for now," she replied. Nodding at the girl and handing her a few silver coins. Far more than the meager meal was worth, but it would guarantee her privacy and even aide if she would require it. The girl's eyes widened for a moment but she snatched up the coins nonetheless and moved to leave.

"Wait one moment," she called out, "you may bring him some ale as well, as it is impolite to dine in front of those who have none." The girl simply nodded again and went to fetch another mug and pitcher.

"Now," she began, taking a sip of her ale, "who are you and what do you want?" She decided to put the formalities aside for a moment. She may be a princess but she was a warrior first. There were plenty of wenches in here he could have his way with if that was what he was after, there had to be something else on his mind if he would approach her in such a manner.

As she awaited his reply she noticed another man who had just entered the tavern. There was something different about him...and yet something vaguely familiar. He seemed a tad uncomfortable in this place as well. He intrigued her, perhaps she would invite him to join her...once she found out what this one's intentions were.....

 

[amon_darknight]

Duran

He traveled the lands on his horse and he thought of his father and his promise to him that he was to become a knight. He looked down to his weapons and just rode off down the trail. He saw a town and decided it was time to go and seek bed and food, he rode in and tied his horse down and walked into the Tavern, he walked in and he sat down and let out a sigh of relief. He just sat back and relaxed, he had been on the road for almost 4 days straight and now he could sit in a chair and rest. He didn’t have to worry about watching his back, only to relax. He had heard things of beastmen in this town, but that didn’t bother him. He looked around and noticed many people in this tavern, he saw people drinking and talking with eachother. He just looked around and waited for the waitress.

 

[Lethe]

"I'm Hawk. I'm from the Navarre Thieves' Guild"

Hawk raised his hands in preemptive defence

"But we weren't, like, bad thieves. We only stole from rich, greedy merchants in the desert towns, and we redistributed to the poor. Well... most of it. We had to pay the bills too, you know"

He winked at his new companion hopefully

"But I've been using the past tense becuase lately, that's not what we've been doing it all. We've just been piling the wealth up in the treasury, while our oases dry up. At the time I left, they were planning to invade Rolante. Can you believe that? Rolante! Guarded by, like, thousands of those crazy Amazons"

Hawk upended his mug and drank the last sour dregs of the brown ale. He took the pause in the conversation to study his companion. Noticed the distinctive armour, the green clothes, the spear. Noticed, in fact, all the signs of a Rolante Amazon.

"Not that they're all that crazy", he added hastily, "In fact, they're not at all crazy. Very uncrazy, those Amazons. I respect that. Did I mention that I left the Guild before they attacked Rolante? 'Cos I did. Heh"

 

[KisstheSky]

Lise

"I'm Hawk. I'm from the Navarre Thieves' Guild" He replied rather slowly, as he raised his hands as if she would strike him.

Navarre....
She glared a bit and allowed him to continue, perhaps this strange boy would prove to be useful after all.

"But we weren't, like, bad thieves. We only stole from rich, greedy merchants in the desert towns, and we redistributed to the poor. Well... most of it. We had to pay the bills too, you know"
He winked at her and she couldn't help but chuckle softly for a moment before taking another sip of ale and regaining her cool composure.

"But I've been using the past tense becuase lately, that's not what we've been doing it all. We've just been piling the wealth up in the treasury, while our oases dry up. At the time I left, they were planning to invade Rolante. Can you believe that? Rolante! Guarded by, like, thousands of those crazy Amazons"

She arched a brow at him, perhaps he did not know who she was after all. How foolish of him to be so presumptuous...how did he ever survive in battle?...
She took another sip of ale, watching him over the rim of her mug as he studied her.

He joined her in the drink, but while she only sipped hers he tipped the mug all the way back and drained it.
She smirked, oh how she'd love for this boy to drink the spirits and ales of Rolante....some were rather good, and strong...but most were just rather unstable bits of moonshine.

She noticed his expression change as he took note of her attire and grinned.

"Not that they're all that crazy", he added hastily, "In fact, they're not at all crazy. Very uncrazy, those Amazons. I respect that. Did I mention that I left the Guild before they attacked Rolante? 'Cos I did. Heh"

At this she laughed.
"You're very amusing," she mused," perhaps the first Navarrine who's throat I didn't want to slit upon meeting."
She waved to the server, "please bring my companion another drink," she drained the last bits in her mug, "and I'll take another as well."

She took out a small dagger and cut the bread, taking a chunk for herself and offering him a slice.
"I am Lise from Rolante," she paused and smirked, "one of those 'crazy Amazons' you spoke of." She chuckled, "and perhaps it is the ale, or maybe it is just that I am weary...but you make me smile. No one has been able to do that in a long while...And a Navarrine would be the last person I would have expected to have that gift..." She took a bite of her bread.

 

[Sky Jade]

Angela shivered for a moment as she leaned against the railing of the ship she had boarded to escape from Altena. The thought that her own mother would try and sacrifice her scared her, but she hoped to change that soon. She stood at the bow of the ship as she watche the port of Jad approached closer, the wind blowing through her hair.

"Watch out for the beastmen." The captain told her as she stepped off.

"They better watch out for me." She flashed a grin to the captain and then made her way off of the dock.

She thought everything went well in her escape, except for one thing. She had no money. In her haste to escape the castle, she had neglected to grab any money. That was the last thought on her mind as she pushed the tavern door open and stood in thje doorway.

She frowned at the way thje tavern looked. Her expression changed though as she noticed who she thought was an Amazonion, here. She didn't think that they left their kingdom very often. She shrugged and made her way over to the table where the girl and the boy, sitting down at the next table.

 

[Lethe]

"You're very amusing," said his new companion," perhaps the first Navarrine who's throat I didn't want to slit upon meeting."

Hawk heaved an exaggerated sigh of relief. As she ordered more ale, he studied her again. She was prettier than he'd have expected one of the legendarily tough warrior women of Rolante to be.

He took the slice of bread she offered, and chewed on it thoughtfully as she introduced herself.

"Well, an amazon of Rolante would be the last person I'd expect to have a sense of humour, so maybe it all evens out. Heh", said Hawk.

He cocked his head, and looked at Lise sidelong. Dark, restless thief's eyes moved across the tavern, noting the new arrivals; an armoured warrior, a rather scantily clad girl making her way to the next table and a tall, burly man eating by himself. He returned his gaze to Lise.

"We're not all that bad, though. Or at least, we weren't. Last few years, the Navarre Thieves' Guild has been taking in some fairly nasty new recruits. And like I said, they were planning to attack Rolante when I left"

He suddenly blinked.

"They didn't actually do that, did they?"

 

[Lethe]

Oops. Double post

 

[KisstheSky]

Lise

"We're not all that bad, though. Or at least, we weren't. Last few years, the Navarre Thieves' Guild has been taking in some fairly nasty new recruits. And like I said, they were planning to attack Rolante when I left"

He blinked and paused.

"They didn't actually do that, did they?"

Her face fell.
"Oh...but they did," she replied slowly, her voice filled with sorrow.
"They ransacked Rolante, theiving and burning. They killed my father and took my brother...they must've made quite a nice sum."

The serving girl arrived with more ale, and she realized that she needed it.
She took the fresh mug and downed most of it in one gulp.

"You wouldn't happen to have any contacts left in the Theives Guild would you? I've been searching far and wide for my brother....he's really all the family I have left."

 

[Lethe]

Oh, I'm so sorry, Lise", said Hawk. "I... I did my best to stop the Khan's plans to invade, but he wouldn't listen and... well, trouble started. Still, I didn't think they'd actually..."

His voice trailed off.

"Contacts in the Guild? Well, I didn't leave under the best of circumstances... half of them think I killed my best friend, the Khan's son Eagle, and the other half are under the mental control of this woman, Isabella, who..."

Hawk shivered.

"But there's Neko. He wouldn't believe any of her lies; he's the one who broke me out of prison. He might know what happened to your brother after he was captured. I could take you to meet him; it's the least I could do after the way my former guildbrothers acted.
But there's a problem. If the Guild caught word of me being back in Navarre, they'd kill me on sight. And even before we get that far, there's the problem of the beastmen here in Jad. They're letting 'em in, but they aren't letting anyone out. They're trying to surprise the city-state of Wendel. I suppose I might be able to sneak out, but I couldn't take you with me, and fighting our way out would be a little hard, there just being the two of us"

Hawk grinned weakly.

"Maybe we could find an army somewhere"

 

[Sky Jade]

Angela blinked as she listened to the conversation between the Amazon and the thief.

"I couldn't help but overhear, but did you really say Rolante get invaded? Did there happen to be a blonde-haired man who wore a red cape there as well?"

She shifted her shift to look at the two.

"My name is Angela and I am the princess of Altena. My mother wanted to sacrifce me so she could unlock the power of one of the Mana stones.."

 

[Lethe]

"Hey, Angela", said Hawk, turning his chair slightly, "I'm Hawk"

He winced sympathetically at Angela's brief story.

"Yeah, family's a bitch, especially when they try and sacrifice you to dark powers. Or so I'm told", he added, " I'm an orphan myself. Would you care to join us?"

He waved at an empty chair opposite him. "You did hear right, by the way. Rolante's been invaded, by my own former compatriots. Didn't hear tell of any wizard, but I wasn't actually there at the time. Lise here could tell you more"

 

[KisstheSky]

Lise

She half smiled at the woman who joined them.
She was quite bold to announce her noble birthright so openly especially in an area under seige by beastmen who would love the chance at such a prize to hold for ransom or worse...
She would keep her own bloodlines to herself until it suited her.

"You did hear right, by the way. Rolante's been invaded, by my own former compatriots. Didn't hear tell of any wizard, but I wasn't actually there at the time. Lise here could tell you more"

She shook her head slowly..."there was so much chaos during the siege...I can't remem-" she paused. Images flashing before her eyes she vaguely remembered a stranger in a red cloak. At first glance she'd thought he was one of Rolante's attackers, but he'd protected a little boy from the theives....so he couldn't have been...perhaps this was the man, this woman sought?

"I think I did see such a man," she replied, "but I only caught sight of him for a moment helping one of my people before he vanished into the masses. But I do not recall him being among the dead or injured, so perhaps he escaped...or was taken with my brother Eliot?"

She sipped her ale.

"As for your contact within the Guild, Hawk. It seems as though he may be helpful to Angela as well. I am not afraid of battle, my only concern is to find my brother and return him to our homeland safely."

 

[Sky Jade]

Angela tilted her head at hearing about the man in the red cloak helping.

"If you say the man in red was helping someone, then I am not not sure what he was trying to do. It was the man in the red cloak who suggested to my mother to take conrol of the mana stones herself, and suggested me as the vessel of power to use. He thought it would be fitting of an Altenan who couldn't yet use magic."

She shook her head for a moment.

"Anyways, I would lend my staff to get back at him and my mother."

She grabbed her money-pouch and made a show of rummaging through it, though it was very noticably empty.

 

[Lethe]

" I have an idea", said Hawk. "Hey, it's not that unusual", he added sardonically.

"The reason I'm in this beastman-infested town right now is because I was on my way to the Holy City of Wendel to ask guidance from the high priest there. I thought he could give me a way of breaking the spell Isabella has my friends under. He's famed for his wisdom... perhaps he could tell you where your brother Elliot is', he said, glancing at Lise, 'Or how to gain enough power to get your mother and the man in the red cloak back
"So why don't we pool our resources into getting out of here and into Wendel? The city is just a few days to the south of here, beyond the great lake. It won't take you far out of your way, and if it's a no-show, we can always go to Navarre and track Elliot the old-fashioned way, huh?"

 

[amon_darknight]

Duran

He scanned the room and could have sworn that he saw a Amazonian woman, she even wore the symbols of being from Rolante, he had heard that some thief guild invaded and destroyed the place, but it seems as if one escaped. She was now talking with two others now and he thought, “Where there goes the knight in shining armor helping the beautiful woman in distress.” He finally got to order and he got his ale, he started to slowly sip it as he thought of his plans to become a knight. He had to train; he had to avenge his father. His swordsmanship was good now, he didn’t hold back like he had used to, now he fought with skill and power, instead of no confidence. He looked down to his blue tank top and blue pants all dirty, but he didn’t mind cause he was out to impress no one, he only had one goal, and that was to become a knight like he promised his father. He looked down to his pack, his shield attached to it, he shook his head, he decided it was time to find a nice room and rest before he set back out for the road, even though this place was on the verge of war, it didn’t bother Duran, he was always ready for a fight. He strapped on his pack and paid his tab and looked back to the three sitting at the table, he still wondered why there was a Amazon here, but he shook his head again and walked for the door.

 

[Zircon]

Kevin

For one who has sharp ears as a natural-born gift, the conversation on that particular table was interesting, to say the least. The thief was full of all sorts of good ideas, especially the one about asking the priest for “guidance”. He knew that it was more than guidance that he needed. He needed “power”, lots of it, to bring Karl back to life. Perhaps, each of them can be of some help to each other. He knew not of Wendel, or the extent of the powers of the Wendelian priests, but it was a chance that he could not forgo.

The water had disappeared in a blink of an eye. So he boldly stood up and strode towards the table, careful of watchful eyes, trying to be as innocuous as possible. And keeping his back to the wall at all times.

“Hello. My name is Kevin. I’m apologize for overhearing your conversation. It would be very wise if you all lower down your voices, or find another, shall I say, less conspicuous place, to speak? If I can hear you all the way from there, you can be sure that some snatches will reach the patrolling Beastmen.”

Kevin pulled up a chair and sat down, without being asked to. It was a bit impolite. The Amazonian was sharp, as he could sense her non-surprise at his intrusion. The Athenian on the other hand was less so, but her bearing marked her as royalty as did her admission of an introduction. Nevertheless, her grip on her staff suggested a trained person, not a wench who could be easily subdued.

“You mentioned something about the Wendelian priests, and their power. I for one, am really interested to find out for sure, for some personal reasons, of course. Perhaps, I might be of some use on the way, if you’ll be the guide.”

He was deliberately vague on his personal reasons. There was no need to frighten them on the account of the numerous pursuits set forth by his father. The sooner they all leave this small village, the better the chance of escape, and answers to all his riddles.

 

[Lethe]

"Sure", said Hawk, "We can use all the help we can get. Unless either of you two have any objections?"

He glanced at Angela and Lise, and then continued.

"If we're all agreed that we should be heading to Wendel, I've an idea for getting us out of here..."

 

[KisstheSky]

Lise

She listened intently to Hawk's plan and nodded, it sounded promising, and was about to reply when a man she'd noticed enter not too long ago approached their table.

“Hello. My name is Kevin. I’m apologize for overhearing your conversation. It would be very wise if you all lower down your voices, or find another, shall I say, less conspicuous place, to speak? If I can hear you all the way from there, you can be sure that some snatches will reach the patrolling Beastmen.”

He pulled up a chair and joined them to her lack of suprise, and she couldn't help but smile faintly at him.

“You mentioned something about the Wendelian priests, and their power. I for one, am really interested to find out for sure, for some personal reasons, of course. Perhaps, I might be of some use on the way, if you’ll be the guide.”

She nodded and glanced at Hawk, seeing the approval in his eyes as well.
There was something vaguely familiar about this Kevin....but she shook it off for now as Hawk began to speak.

"Sure, we can use all the help we can get. Unless either of you two have any objections?"

She shook her head and glanced from Angela to Kevin.

"If we're all agreed that we should be heading to Wendel, I've an idea for getting us out of here..."

"I am anxious to hear what you have planned, but perhaps we should do as Kevin said and retreat to a more private location before we discuss things further. I've been amongst the Beastmen before and their hearing is quite excellent." She glanced at the barkeep. "I was planning on getting a room, perhaps we could finish our discussion there perhaps?"

 

[Sky Jade]

Angela looked at Kevin as he approached and sat down. She tilted her head as she listened to him talk.

"Sure, we can use all the help we can get. Unless either of you two have any objections?" ]

She shook her head softly as she glanced back to Lise and Hawk.

"I was planning on getting a room, perhaps we could finish our discussion there perhaps?"

She looked down at her moneybag and then lifted it up turning it upside down.

"Think it would be too much to share a room or borrow money to rent one?"

 

[amon_darknight]

Duran

He walked from the bar and to the Inn, after talking with the bartender and finding out that it was the only place with vacancy, he walked in and patiently waited for the help to come out. He looked around and thought of those people with the Amazon, for some reason it would not leave his mind, especially the Amazon. He shook his head and still he waited. He wondered who else would be waiting for a room.

 

[Lethe]

Hawk laughed.

"Maybe we should pool our resources"

He plucked a leather pouch from his jacket and upended it. A couple of copper coins made a pathetic tinkling noise as they fell to the table.

"Of course, when I say 'pool our resources', I use the traditional sense, meaning 'pool your resources'", he said. "Do you guys have any more than me or Angela?", he asked, looking at Kevin and Lise.