Cyean looks around as some of the others arrive he bows his head slightly to both Mikam and Raxus. He than listens to Thalia as she speaks and sings. He turns his head when the man who did not speak much the other night appears. He shakes his head at the man's sneer. Noticing now that Raxus had some large dogs with him he asks "Did you train them since they were puppies? Or did you buy them?"
"Nice music, miss. Does it always come with the show?" He sneers slightly, not at all charming.
"When the mood strikes," Thalia replies with a smile, "or for a price, whichever you find more... civil."
Toanga strolls in taking note that he is almost the last to arrive.
"Good morning," he says rather dispassionately. Noting that some have brought steeds he asks, "Were we supposed to bring horses? I don't own one."
Toanga looks oddly different out of his travelling clothes. His armor is simple yet functional as is his shield and morningstar. There is a crossbow across his back and he seems to be wearing an amulet with a srange design on the end; it's difficult to tell what it's supposed to represent.
"Fleet is no better suited a mount than the average Warden," Thalia jests, and laughs, recognizing that there is little entertainment to be gained teasing Felina when she is not present. "Fleet is my pack beast. I purchased her to carry supplies. My arms are made for passionate embraces, and my fingers for plucking these strings, not hauling trade into the wilds."
"Did you train them since they were puppies? Or did you buy them?"
"They are one half of a recent brood from the kennels i keep at my home."
And you certainly know enough of the current affairs of court to know that no one of any relevance wears anything like it.
Winterflower draws her lower lip between her teeth and chuckles softly, hazel eyes flashing. A challenge? Good my Lady, your blessings are as many as they are subtle.
Mikam sat, staring into the middle-distance, waiting for the arrival of the king, Thalia softly playing some music a few steps away, when he felt the caress of a breeze on his ear.
The words carried on the breeze caused his eyes to widen slightly for a moment as he measured their full import. He nodded once, as if agreeing with some internal discussion, and hoped that Thalia realized that he was indicating that he understood.
"You disappoint this lonely priestess, milord. I had such... hopes of hearing your sweet voice lifted in eager conversation."
You believe you hear some amount of soft laughter before the spell goes inert.
Toanga turns to Mikam, "Last night you said you wished to be a trader. It sems odd to me that one who would pursue a merchant's life would undertake a quest to deal with bandits. What benefit does this particular undertaking bring you?"
Mikam smiles a wry smile at Toanga's question. "I don't really have a choice. I have commitments to some in this city to honor, and it was this or worse. In the positive column, if by some god's miracle we survive, the money and contacts will make setting up a new trading house much easier."
Felina arrives at the gathering. She walks up looking very different than the night before. She has leather armor, a quarterstaff in hand, which she uses as walking stick. On her back are two shortspears tucked behind a backpack, and her Buster travels slightly behind her.
"Good morning to all of you. I hope we are all ready for the travels ahead. I myself am looking forward to it. I truly enjoy a nice jaunt in the woods.
A man dressed in well fitted but worn clothes approaches you... he looks around letting sighs several times and goes to Cyean. Well mate, you seem like the only half normal person here so I will give you your instructions, you have been assigned the area known as the Fringe it's surrounded by several city states so remember, you DON'T work for Pitax, this is important you are just financed by Irovetti... sorry by King Irovetti, but you must deny any loyalty to him... or Daggermark will be on your asses faster than a Calistrian b*tch on your c*ck, HA! he looks at Thalia looking for any reaction to his comment The area is right now ripe for taking, there are at least four bandit leaders fighting for it, they spend more time killing their own men than attacking merchants so you should be able to secure help from some of them he looks at Raxus with disgust in his face You should pay a visit to the hamlet of Rigueur it's a small place but they surely can give you more detailed information. Specially Desmond he winks He is our man on the field right now.
He stands with his hands on his hips and asks Any questions?
Thalia ceases strumming her lute and raises her hand. "Was that an invitation?" she inquires, her smile sultry and seductive. "What information have you be authorized to give?"
The man looks at you and laughs HA! I can get a hundred girls like you without risking my neck he calms down and continues I am allowed to give you any information I have, it's not as if that assh... our glorious king, sends his most trusted men to be debriefed by his monster's parades
"Pity," Thalia dismisses and carefully slides the lute back onto her back. "My Lady knows my particular preference for pain," she sighs almost mournfully.
"If you've no value to the king, join us," she suggests. "I fear the wilds will be lonely, and cold. Slay monsters, be a king among bandits. The girls you will have then..." Thalia hums. "Of much finer quality than myself."
Thalia approaches the man cautiously, and moves around him with grace stunted by her Lady's wrath, and whispers in his ear.
Oh, but I have value for myself, HA! he seems to think for a second and whispers back
HA!
Winterflower hums and steps back from the courier, and looks to her companions. "Approximately how many days travel to Rigueur? And can we trust that this Desmond as skilled as you?"
It's just two or three days, depends how fast you walk, HA! And Desmond surely thinks that he is as skilled as anyone he's ever met, HA! he looks around before going on He certainly will fit with your... group, HA!
Cyean nods as he listens to the man explain what is to happen. He shakes his head at the exchange between the man and Thalia before saying "If that is all shall we be off?" He than turns to the group "I hope everyone is ready and if anyone needs it you may ride my steed."
"Desmond fits well with our 'parade of monsters?'" Thalia inquires, ignoring Cyean's contribution to the interview. "In recent experience, surprises arranged by our illustrious monarch have been... unpleasant."
Thalia looks to Cyean finally. "I have no skill with animals. If you do not intend to ride, might we tether Fleet to yours? I've a length of rope to accomplish the task."
Cyean grins softly while patting Granite's neck before saying "Granite is a very well trained horse. You do not need much skill with him. That seems fine with me. I can tie them if you wish." When he is done speaking he dismounts while waiting for Thalia to give him the rope.
Thalia gestures to Cyean with a curl of her finger and smiles, then draws him over to Fleet. From the pack saddle she retrieves a length of hempen rope, pulling back two separate sets of plaits to expose the silken set as well.
"I have 100 feet of the hemp at your disposal, but the silk is for my personal use," she teases and laughs. "Thank you for your generous offer, but I prefer to walk the distance. I believe that I spend enough of my hours being led by beasts."
Ignoring the messenger's disgusted look, Raxus stands and rumbles a strange word in a savage tongue
His dogs stand and take up flanking positions on each side of him, following just behind. As he begins to walk out of the city he looks to Cyean's horse with wistful envy.
"I will take lead." he rumbles, making his way as the others sorted out their mounts.
Cyean takes the hemp rope from Thalia. He than removes the sword from his back and sticks it in the ground. He uses his sword to cut the rope before handing it back to Thalia. He goes over and tethers Fleet to Granite before bowing to Thalia and says
"Very well Lady Thalia."
He than re-sheaths his sword before nodding to Raxus and following along side him.
"Well...that went not at all like I expected. Probably about what we deserved, but not what I expected."
Mikam rummages in his pack for a few moments, pulling out a sling and small pouch, which he tucks into his belt. He then pulls a shortspear out of some loops on his pack. Then, in a practiced motion, Mikam swings the pack up on his shoulders, then follows after Raxus, the shortspear being used like a walking-stick.
I'll take the rear. I prefer to have Thalia in my sights at all time. If there is to be any backstabbing, it will not be mine that gets stabbed.
"I must question your motivations, Lady," Thalia purrs, and shifts her weight to accentuate the curve of her hips. "Although, if it is my bottom you intend to watch for the duration, I cannot blame you. I have trained it for years," Thalia jests and laughs.
Ignorant b¡tch. Cannot distinguish an ally from an enemy. If any here deserve to be stung in the backside it is her, for certain.
"Ha!" Sev barks a harsh laugh at the catfight to ensue. He shakes his head and moves to the back of the group, his eyes scanning the road and all around as he keeps an eye out for any enemies.
Cyean sighs before getting off his mount and turning to Thalia and Felina. "One of you I do not really mind which come and ride Granite. Really do not need you making quips at each other the whole way." He waits as one volunteer.
Thalia's tone is as cool as ice cracking. "And I told you, horse lord, that I will not be lead by a beast," she snaps, hazel eyes flashing ill intent.
Winterflower gestures idly to Felina. "If that b¡tch wishes to stray behind and be murdered by the first wyvern because she fears a performers more than hazards, I am inclined to allow her to persist in her ignorance and rid ourselves of dissent before it begins to effect our morale."
Cyean shakes his head before saying "I know you said but I would rather not have the group argue. Which seems to happen with the two of you. All I ask is one of you take my mount. As for leading I lead him if you think however I am a beast that is fine."
"There is no argument, horse lord. There is only her ignorant assumption that I would waste any amount of energy to attack a single one of you," Winterflower replies, and then raises her voice so she is certain to be heard.
"Not one, but four bandit lords," Winterflower continues in a normal tone of voice. "And the only indication we may discern that they are not Irovetti's creature is whether or not they will indulge in my ministry."
Thalia gives Cyean one last glare. "Surrounded by fools, and not one decent f*ck. And now, not even a courier will touch me." Winterflower sighs, shakes her head, and begins walking.
Cyean shakes his head and thinks to himself "This is going to be a long trip." He than moves to walk next to Granite shaking his head as he goes.
Sev laughs at the exchange. "Peace, Priestess! The road's long and tempers have plenty o' time to flare. Death warrant or not, it's our fate to make. Now, are we set to hit the road?"
Humans... At least ogres just hit each other and are done with it.
Ragnar widens his steps a bit, hoping to put a little more distance between himself and the rest of the group.
The less of this I have to hear, the better.
Mikam listens to the argument begin to fade behind him as he and Raxus continue up the road. Raxus' hounds range through the grass and brush of the margins, as they walk, occasionally darting after something small and unseen in the tall grass. Mikam trails Raxus for a few minutes before picking up the pace and walking along side the warrior and matching his strides.
"Raxus, I know that you don't talk much, but I am wondering if you have been this way before? And if you have, is there anything in particular that I should be aware of?" Mikam asks hesitantly.
"We are returning on the road I took to get here. There are many things along it that prey on travelers, including the bandits we seek."
The man looks at Raxus and Felina's companion before answering Desmond fits with people more useful far than near.
Toanga has watched the entire affair in silence. This could make the trip very intersting or very dull...I wonder which it will be?
He stares at Thalia for some time trying to figure out the nature of, in his mind, her contradictory moods.
He does not care what order the party travels in and will insert himself at some random point but will not take the lead.
Winterflower walks in the middle of the group. Her mind is constantly rolling, considering the reaction of the courier and his assessment of Desmond, but she keeps her eyes alert and ears alert.
Desmond fits with people more useful far than near. A spellcaster? An archer, or simply a coward. Son of a b¡tch! If that idiot knight had not made an issue of nothing, I might have had more information!
Ah... my Lady's wrath, Winterflower recognizes, and exhales completely, though does not sigh. Like as not it were as good as a blessing that she not rely upon her wiles to seduce men for information. The wilds were not the cathedral, she would have to adapt her tactics...
Winterflower will remain silent unless actively engaged in dialog.
"Hmmm. You know, I almost feel sorry for any bandits that mistakenly decide to attack us. The folks walking behind us seem so angry that I think they are just looking for the chance to cut loose on the first target that they can."
"The damen are sorting out their social status. It happens. Best to avoid them until they finish."
Winterflower groans, the pain in her breast more than a minor annoyance before Raxus's words reached her hearing. "This damen is secure in her status," she growls, "in the dark, with a mattress strapped to her back."
Thalia will spend her evenings practicing at her lute, playing her fingers across the frets, but not picking or strumming at all. Her eyes will be closed for these sessions, and her lips will move but she does not speak.
Cyean shakes his head more at the comments before thinking to himself "Well my mission might be pointless if they just start to attack each other. I might have to step in if that happens." He than starts to think of the different animals he had heard of that could serve as a fine mount. He than goes back to the white lion of Taldor wondering after the nights conversation if it was real or just a symbol.
As the party arrives at Rigueur they see that calling it a hamlet was a very optimistic wording. It's six building surround a square while barely standing up. The biggest of them, a two floors house, seems the only one well maintained. A couple of filthy dogs rest in the square. An old woman moves the dirt away from the door but as soon a she sees you she runs inside her house and bolts the door.
The air smells of fear and desperation.
"Enchanted to meet you as well, Mistress," Thalia sighs when the old woman retreats upon their arrival. She taps her lips with a callused fingertip as she assess the situation. "Five filthy hovels and one stately manor. Which might it be assumed that our contact dwells in?" Thalia hums, the amber in her hazel eyes catching the light.
Cyean looks around coldly wondering to himself "What have they done to these people to make them like this." He listens as Thalia speak before moving Granite towards the square. Thinking on her words "I wonder where our contact might be. We were told we had not connection to the King so our contact might be someone we do not expect. Well that may be answered sooner than later." When in the square he asks the others "Do you wish to ask around or wait?"
"Waiting might get us a death of old age, if that woman was any measure of the hospitality of this town. Well, pretty lady, you seem to be a talker. Why don't we go knock on the Big House and you can talk us in, eh?"