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Valor at a Price; Prologue
Topic Started: Jun 28 2012, 06:09 AM (247 Views)
Chairslayer
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"Can I get you anything, sir?"

The serving girl stood impatiently, bouncing on the tips of her feet. She couldn't have been more than ten, fifteen years of age. Barely a woman. Long blonde hair, wide brown eyes... She would grow into a fine woman.

Her parents would have much to be proud of, assuming she were able to escape the life of a tavern wench.

"Another ale would be appreciated, m'lady," the older man said, a kind smile on his face, his voice gruff, yet soft.

Being addressed as "m'lady" seemed to catch her off guard, though. She blushed slightly, nodding.

"I'll be right back with your drink!" she said, turning and running back to the bar. So full of energy.

Deep down, Kendrel missed that youth. He was by no means a brittle old man yet, but he knew he wasn't exactly filled with youth anymore.

He turned his head, crossing his arms as he sat straight in his seat. He felt obligated to have proper posture, especially in the presence of so much... Rabble. The Daring Blade tavern of Lily was a relatively nice building; Stone and timber construction, rather expensively built. The people came from all walks, from the wealthy merchant to the lowly peasant. It wasn't the commoners he referred to with his prior thought, though. It was the mercenaries who were answering his call for work.

He had no qualms with a man who chose to live by the sword. But the typical mercenary in these parts were low born thugs who barely knew how to swing a sword, let alone do anything else. Kendrel watched them, spilling their ale all over themselves, devouring the meals brought out to them... It was disgraceful.

But, it was a necessary evil.

Every once in a while, the southern lands became less than hospitable because of the war. There were creatures of all sorts, anything one could imagine. Some that couldn't be imagined, either. Some docile, but most dangerous. Most people would never think to do anything about this, but the fact was they were a blight on the good people of the land, and it was Kendrel's knightly duty to protect the people from these evils.

So, once every few months, he would put out a call to arms. It didn't do anything to profit his personal coffers, but it was necessary. As he felt the need to keep justifying to himself. Sometimes he would get a private benefactor who would aid his efforts, but those were few and far between.

It didn't matter, he thought. Now all that mattered was that he waited for the rest of the mercenaries to show face. Or at least enough to make sure this wasn't a suicide mission. He had heard word that some known mercenaries were taking him up, which gladdened him. For now, though, he was stuck with his present company. Thugs and brigands, content to drink themselves stupid before they even set out.

The girl came back, placing Kendrel's drink before him.

"Can I get you anything else, m'lord?" she asked cheerfully, seeming to have fun with the formality.

"That will be all for now," he said with a smile, handing her a coin as a tip before muttering under his breath, "... Though I may need more drinks in a moment's time..."

"What was that?" the girl asked, going wide eyed at the coin.

"Nothing," he said, shaking his head and fully smiling, "Enjoy your day."

"Thank you, m'lord!" she said, bouncing off.

Kendrel sank back into his seat, raising the tankard to his lips and taking a sip of the still-foamy drink. Formality really didn't suit her, he decided.
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Leorrei
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Lena had been in the city for a few days and since she had a better understanding of the city she had set out on her own in an attempt to gather information, leaving her travel partner to rest up or do whatever. It was getting late though and the lack of success drove her to the tavern in hopes of hearing drunken tales and etc, plus a drink wouldn't hurt either.

As she walked in she was greated by the loud sounds of drunken chatter and the smell of alcohol, it took her a moment to find an empty seat, and she had some trouble getting to it due to a drinking game that seemed to had just started as she was about to pass a bystander to the event the man shouted and shot his arms up, his drink flew into the air and was about to land on Lenas head dousing her, but instead it bounced off of her and splashed on the floor.

Lena glared at the man but he had noticed nothing, instead he was focused on the game and so Lena continued to her seat.

Eventually the man noticed he had no more drink and so he got another, but as he went to take a drink, the liqour seemed to be as solid as ice, when he set it down to check, it returned to a liquid, finally after some frustration the man tilted his drink and his head back, but to no avail. The man had just about given up when finally the drink poured all over his face causing everyone who saw to laugh their asses off, including Lena who was the cause of it all.

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Eyeofnight

"....Then this mountain of a man comes running at me wearing almost nothing. He's got a big ugly blade in one hand and a broken spear in the other. He starts swing away before he's even close enough yelling the whole time, it's a wonder he didn't pass out by the time he got to me."

An older man across the table from the young mercenary cut in,

"Oh sure, and by mountain I'm sure you mean he was slightly thinner than most eh? With a couple scratches from a stumble?"

The three other men around the table laughed, the storyteller frowned,

"He was a mountain, at least two of Aurel here!"

That brought on even more laughter, especially from Aurel who was the shortest man at the table. The young man's frown deepened.

"Let's let the lad finish his story,"

Aurel said as he finished laughing, a look of amusement on his face.

"I for one am quite interested in how our great warrior friend here defeated what must truly have been a demon of legend!"

The younger man smiles, clearly not noticing the sarcasm.

"Thank you Aurel, anyway, the man finally makes it to me. At first I thought he was going to take my head off. I managed to get my sword up-"

"My how thrilled the ladies'll be!"

The young man glared but continued on.

"In time, I realized I couldn't block these for long so I dodged a few, waiting for an opening. After a few more savage attacks I stepped in and ran him through. My first of many kills that day."

The men looked somewhat underwhelmed at the ending, all save Aurel who was smiling slightly.

"I seem to remember it differently, boy."

His face loses its look of pride.

"Shit, you were there?"

The others all laugh, and they look to Aurel expectantly.

"Aye I was there, and that man was a mountain. He did roar and swing around half a spear and a big ugly sword. What he did make up was himself. He squealed like a little girl after he first blocked, would've had his fool head taken off a second later if he hadn't tripped. The big man ended up falling with him and impaled himself on his own spear."

The younger man stared intently at the ground, his face red as the others laughed. The oldest man started another story but Aurel's attention drifted to a woman who was just doused in someone's drink.

Wait...

He noticed she was still dry,

That's interesting.

After a moment he passed it off as luck or a trick of light until he watched the man have trouble with his drink. Aurel roared in laughter as the man's drink poured on him. Aurel did not know much about magic, but drinks did not stop moving without cold or magic and the room was rather warm.

Could it be...

He looked back to the woman, who was laughing along with half the tavern.

Her eh?

He wasn't certain it was her, or even if she could see or not but he smiled and nodded to her.

"Now that's an amusing woman."

The others at the table looked at him, not noticing where he was looking. Before they could ask he waved away their questions and rejoined the conversation.
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Chairslayer
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Mid day... Kendrel thought to himself after a while of watching the men drink themselves daft and idle their time away with their stories. While some were interesting to hear, the rest was rubbish.

He did have a soft spot for tales of battle and glory, though. He was a warrior at heart after all.

He watched the last faces pour in. There was Treian Baer, the reputed mercenary captain who served as an Orinese commander until the breaking of Derved's Pass and the subsequent injuries he received put him into retirement and forced him out of the military life. There was Ancu Yan, the wandering warrior from the north who brought along his pole blade with which he was famed for using. There was Ineon of Dawningbloom, a well known face in the mercenary profession traveling with a girl which he couldn't place a name to. There was Thenedran Andael, the magically talented young man who was rumored not to be drafted into the military because of his mental instabilities. There was Aurel Blazeborn, the battle scarred dwarf of a man who was rumored to have no peer in single combat. And the last face he recognized belonged to Eledrel Foralest, a man of supernatural heritage who made a name for himself slaying a necromancer's army single handed with his dual weapons.

It brightened his heart indeed to see such people taking on the call he had put out. Even if he didn't agree with their backgrounds and rumored moral character, he was gladdened that the odds of the job going successfully went up that much more.

I suppose it's time, then, Kendrel thought to himself, standing from his seat.

"Gentlemen, your attention!" Kendrel called out to the tavern in his commanding voice, deep and booming. He scanned the room, waiting for all eyes to be upon him before continuing.

"First of all, I would very much like to thank all of you for lending your arm to this task, regardless of whatever reason you might find yourself in present company today," he said sincerely, standing straight, "Not only I, but the entirety of Lily, nay, Orinel thanks you for helping to fight this threat. You gain not only my thanks, but the thanks of a nation, and the honor that comes with what I ask of you."

He stepped past the table, knowing that for some those words would be nothing but hot air from some knight's lips. Those weren't the people he spoke to, though.

"It is a dangerous job every time it comes about, and if the honor you gain is not enough to sate you, I assure you all you will be compensated for your skills accordingly. That said," Kendrel says, a smirk on his face, "The time has come for us to start our hunt. I would like you all to gather your weapons and equipment and meet me outside of the city's southwestern gate, that we may discuss our strategies and set off. We leave within the hour, good people! That is all!"

With that, Kendrel finished the rest of his tankard, walking with dignity out of the tavern to meet with his squire. He would meet with everyone as soon as his armor was donned.

Meanwhile, back at the tavern, Ineon stood with Lena, about to say something about the drink incident before being cut off by Kendrel. It was lucky the knight didn't notice Lena's trickery, or she would have had quite a bit in the way of questions to answer. After Kendrel had left, Ineon simply sighed. He was already at the ready, having worn his armor along the journey here.

"Guess it'll be a few hours before we actually get going though, with all the damned things that the nobles tend to need for a five minute walk..." he said under his breath with a chuckle, gaining a small laugh out of the people in his immediate vicinity. He watched his words though, knowing that the wrong word at the wrong time could land him in a world of trouble. "Though I suppose we should get to the gate. Sooner we get this done, sooner we get paid. And I'd like some coin in my pocket, I think."

He shot a glance at Lena, as if to inspire guilt about the empty state of his coin pouch.

"I'll meet you there," Ineon said, stretching and heading towards the door, passing by many tables, including the one belonging to Aurel. He didn't mean to, but he could feel that his face made a less-than-savory reaction to the short man's appearance. So many scars... He felt compelled to ask, but manners dictated otherwise.

Instead, he stopped and stared for a few minutes while these thoughts went through his head before realizing what he was doing. Instantly a surprised look came to his face and he shook his head apologetically.

"Sorry, um... I'll see you at the gate," Ineon said, not even bothering to cover up what he had done. Instead he quickened his pace out of the room, heading off the the southwest gate to Lily.
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Leorrei
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Lena smirked at Ineons comment regarding payment, she was the reason for Ineon's lack of coin and what made things worse was that he was somewhat interested in her. At least when they first met, she wasn't too sure about that now though. However she didn't feel guilty about it, even with his glance towards her, since she had offered to repay him as quickly as possible.

Lena was about to pry into something she had somewhat forced Ineon to do, but he had taken off. She frowned a little, she was really interested to know what had happened.


Meanwhile...


Avaleine had been running late since she started her trip to Lily, the night prior she had been obsessed with getting practice smithing on a blade design that was new to her, which she was interested to try out. Sadly due to the cheap materials she used for prototypes she was unable to create a working example of the blade she wanted and had thus wasted a night of work, which left her frustrated and unable to sleep till early morning. When she finally woke up it was nearly mid-day instead of dawn like she would have preferred.

Avaleine finally had arrived in Lily, and although she would have loved to relax a bit, she instead was forced to head straight to the tavern. Which was fine since she would have gone their first after unloading her armor to one of the local armor-smith for an inspection. However she instead arrived at the tavern late fully dressed for battle, with armor that probably needed a few minor repairs and or adjustments, and ready but not to eager to go kick some ass.

But first she needed to vent some frustration and that came with a simple "Feck!" as she turned her ass around and followed some of the other Merc's that were eager, ready and waiting.
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Chairslayer
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The sun was beating down now on the people of this land. There was not so much as a single cloud in the sky from the morning; All that remained were shades of blue. There was a gentle breeze to make the day a pleasant one, however, and there wasn't a complaint from any of the people standing.

As people marched, it was clear what groups people had formed. Everyone seemed to fall into a clique of some sort. The sounds of clanking and clattering of metal armor could be heard, but was almost drowned out by the roaring conversations that were taking place.

Ineon was on his own, seeming to want some time to himself. People would occasionally exchange words with him, but he didn't make any effort to keep the conversation going and would find himself alone rather quickly after. He disappeared into the crowd soon after, walking at a quick pace to the gate, looking back to Lena every once in a while.

The group got a good deal of looks from the townsfolk and passers by. It was clear who knew what was going on, by who was cheering the group on. The people who didn't gave curious looks, wondering what army was passing by now, or what was going on. Some people would encourage the cheering people, playing into the hype as they walked by.

It was a lighthearted moment for people heading out on a dangerous mission.

Sir Kendrel waited at the gate, clad in polished steel armor and symbols of his station. He rode no horse, instead choosing to walk with the men he led on equal footing. It was a known philosophy of his, that he never took any luxuries that his men weren't expected to receive unless absolutely necessary. His squires stood beside him, waiting with the same proud posture he bore.

"That it then?" Kendrel says, looking the group over, his voice barely audible over the many people still talking, "Alright! Let's get moving then! To arms! Let's earn our kills and end this day well!"

As a man of action more than words, Kendrel was more than happy to get things underway. He turned and started his march out of the city. The time for inspirational speeches already happened, and it seemed everyone formed into their own groups as it was. Tactical planning would be wasted on this group, he decided a while back. He would change things as the situation changed.

It wouldn't be more than a quarter of a day's walk to get where they were going. The more eager mercenaries followed behind Kendrel as soon as he left. Ineon waited, presumably for Lena. They would have a little bit of a walk ahead of them, and he didn't seem to favor any company over hers.
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Eyeofnight

Aurel waited patiently as the man stammered his apology, it wasn't a rare occurrence with his appearance. The younger man at the table was halfway standing before realizing the others hadn't moved to follow the crowd.

"No sense wasting ale lad, with this many... soldiers, the column won't be moving fast unless our leader intends to arrive in small groups."

After a few minutes of quieter, more serious discussion revolving around tactics, the group stood and walked out together. Their discussions continued as they walked a short distance behind the main group.

"I've been in some poor fight'n groups before, but this is embarrassing. Look at these fools, wearing all that armor isn't going to do them any good if they can't walk in it."

The older man indicated a small group of heavily armored men just in front of them.

"Thirty minutes march and thy're at the back, it's pathetic."

The younger man laughed at that,

"You're one to talk, I don't know why I stick around you guys back here."

Aurel glanced towards him,

"Because we're the ones who survive lad, besides there's a big difference between taking our time and being exhausted."

"So we look like the dregs but survive? Where's the glory?"

Aurel stopped and the others stopped with him, He walked close to the younger man.

"Glory? You fancy yourself a knight lad? Going to be the first one in the charge? You go ahead and join the other boys begging to charge the enemy, but remember, all you end up with is a this,"

He gestured to his own scar covered body,

"Or a shallow grave if any of your friends are still alive."

Aurel turned and started walking again, the others followed, some grim faced. The young one looked angry as his step quickened to reach Aurel the eldest put a hand on his shoulder and shook his head.

"No sense getting angry with that one boy, he just doesn't want you to get yourself killed like all the other young ones. Think of it, how many heroes are still alive boy?"

With that he gave the shoulder a shake and walked beside Aurel, the group falling easily into a mix of stories and jokes as they walked, slowly moving up the column as other mercenaries took breaks or simply slowed.
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Leorrei
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Although a bit uncharacteristic of herself, Lena kept to herself. On her own world, such a scene was very uncommon and yet here she was, traveling with a bunch of warriors, on her way to fight unknown creatures who were in the same shoe's she was in. She pondered for a moment on how morally just the situation was.

On one hand these creatures where forced from family and home into a new world, on the other hand these creatures were terrorizing the locals... Lena sighed and looked around briefly, she noticed that few women were in the group and of all the people there it seemed as if she was the only one without a weapon, Lena tilted her head slightly in confusion. Surely someone would have noticed her lack of weapon and would have asked her on how she planned on fighting... she shrugged, it was probably for the best that no one knew right away.


Meanwhile..

Avaleine was getting bored, this journey from Lily to Derved's Pass was proving to be... well boring. She saw a lot of new faces and some old ones, mostly of men she never got along with. Surprisingly though she saw another female who had obviously never seen battle before, the girl's armor looked brand new and it seemed as if the girl had no weapon with her.

Avaleine's interest and concern grew, what in the world was the girl up to? Did she lose a loved one and was planning on getting revenge with her fists? Wanting to find out, but not wanting to get too attached to the girl, Avaleine decided to ask some of the other mercenaries.

After asking a few other's and having no luck she came up on Sir Kendrel's group " 'ey lad's" although it sounded as if Avaleine was being rude, she was not. She quickly adjusted her war-picks which had twisted from all the walking and was poking her legs "Sorry for bargin' in on yer chat, but do ya' know anything 'bout the lass over there?" Avaleine said as she looked over to Lena.
Edited by Leorrei, Nov 1 2012, 11:59 PM.
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Chairslayer
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Kendrel let out an audible sigh. He was going to give her the benefit of the doubt. Sure, she was a mercenary, and probably should have known who her employer was, and sure, she should have had more respect for people she addressed, but she didn't mean ill by it from what he could tell. And he wasn't in a particularly mean mood.

"When speaking to a man of a station above your own, it's customary to at least use their proper titles," Kendrel said, all while keeping his eyes ahead of him, "Be it a noble, a baron, a count, the king himself, or in this case, a knight of our kingdom. From now on, it would do you well to remember me as 'Sir', rather than 'Lad'."

He didn't want to sound snobbish, but he needed to make sure his image was upheld in front of the other mercenaries, and he needed to be stern to get his point across. He wasn't normally one for such formality, but in this setting...

"And to answer your question, no, I know nothing of her. I know nothing of many of these people, nor have I known many of them in years prior. Sellswords come and go as quickly as the days pass. I cannot be bothered to keep track of every single one of them," he said plainly, finally looking in her direction. She definitely had the look of the soldier.

"If you wish to know more of her, simply ask her yourself. She doesn't seem occupied at the moment, and we've a long walk ahead of us," he said, turning his head forward once more, "I'm sure you'd both do well with the company."

It wouldn't be a very long trip, but it would be a wait nonetheless. Kendrel wasn't one for socializing with soldiers until after the battles were fought. It was better to talk with the survivors, rather than counting the odds. Maybe afterward he'd see her again, but for now, it wasn't a conversation he intended to take much further.
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Leorrei
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"Well excuse me SIR" Avaleine said putting emphasis and sarcasm on the title "But the methods I was raised, titles are only given ta those tha' have earned respect from the crew. I'm not sayin' I dun respect you, I'm just sayin that you dun have my full respect..." Avaleine adjusted her hair briefly, she was taunting a lion of a man and if he was anything like some of her old crew she wanted to be ready for a sudden attempt to put her in her place. After putting her hair up in a pony-tail she continued "As for tha girl, shouldn't ye know what ya have ta fight with? I mean its clear as day tha I like to fight all up close, but her? I dun fecking know"

Avaleine looked back at Lena " 'side's I dun wanna get ta know 'er if she's gonna get killed cause she's dumber than a barnacle"
Edited by Leorrei, Nov 11 2012, 05:00 AM.
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