[center][h3]Azai and Chozai, northwest Barcea[/h3][/center]

The cold had almost faded as the brothers crossed the Guratian borders, the green lands stretched as far as the eye can see. It was heaven for Chozai finally seeing life and colors, the warmth wrapped his body after so long in the cold of Gurata. He took a deep breath and exhaled it [B]"Brother at last, we gained enough fame to be hired somewhere outside Gurata, and it's rather the nice place too."[/B] Azai was observing the perimeter, his clock was hiding his equipment, he could only feel the breez upon his face [B]"Well brother, I have to agree even though I prefer the cold weather, but it's a nice change. Now let's continue onward, the client's house must be near now, and I do not want to kill bandits without getting paid for it."[/B] The brothers continued walking their black cloaks, allowed them to move without attracting much attention.

There was a nearby village, as mentioned in the letter by the client. His house was beyond it, not very far. They decided to head first to village to restock on food and water, yet the brothers decided to head for the village's tavern too. It was Azai's idea he wanted to know more about the situation of Barcea since Gurata always gets its news late. He felt that this political situation will turn to war, and will offer them more contracts, while his brother disagreed with him. Chozai thought that Barcea would never allow something as petty as bandits, to ruin their peaceful lives, but what Azai argued is that it's up to Barcea, but H'kela is the one to wage this war, because of their government brutal policies. Chozai would debate, that even though they might be brutal, but their not stuiped to wage a war that they might not win, and on they keep going with that debate...

Azai entered the tavern, lowered his hood reveling his white face, and his white long hair. The people in the tavern didn't give much attention to it, maybe they thought it was another magician passing by. He grabbed the nearest seat to the bar, and ordered a drink, and sat there just listening to people's conversations. The opinions were one about the matter of war, they all agreed that it was going to happen no matter what, the bandits attacks are more frequent, the borders are armed to the teeth. The question was who will win, and what other countries are going to do. Chozai entered the tavern, finished of restocking and whispered to Azai [B]"What have you discovered brother?"[/B] Azai smirked [B]"It seems I've won our debate, now we must debate who will win, like the rest of those people... More importantly lets head over to our client, we are already late because we are with no horses."[/B] 

It was a bit shocking when they arrived, they had to recheck their information but they were nor wrong. It was not house rather an estate, they couldn't believe it their employer this time was actually someone with money. They were greeted at the gate by the butler of the mansion [B]"You must be the mercenaries master Seraph asked for. Right this way please."[/B] the brothers followed inside ad noticed there were no guards around and figured why they were asked for, yet a man of this wealth must be important for Barcea, so why there weren't any sentinels? Seraph greeted them once they entered the main hall inside the mansion [B]"Welcome, friends please make yourselves at home, you can remove your cloaks Walter will take good care of them. And let's head for the dining room, you must be tired after that long journey from Gurata."[/B] The man was standing atop of the stairs leading to the upper floor. He was dressed in white silk robe, with what seemed like gold embroidery on the sleeves. The man himself looked like he's in his mid forties, with some grey hairs on the sides and he gave a strange feeling the brothers could feel, he seemed prideful but not anymore. And had distinguished accent with a base voice.

Dinner was delicious, something they've never had in a long time and not to mention the wine. [B]"So gentlemen, let's talk business after all you came a long way for this. As you know Barcea is suffering from rather increased attacks from bandits, and I'm sure you have noticed there is not any single guard outside. Unfortunately the last of them died last night from their injuries. Straight to the point I need protection until I relocate to the capitol with my wealth, of course you will be rewarded handsomely and I will put good word for you in high places. So when will the rest of your group arrive?"[/B] Chozai was the one to talk with the clients due to his charming personality, he smiled and with a calm reassuring voice said [B]"Well mister Seraph, it's only the two of us, and I assure you we are more than capable of handling lowly bandits. But can you answer me this, why would you hire us when the matter of bandits is being handled by the sentinels? And also do you think war is inevitable?"[/B] Seraph was a bit suspicious, yet from the rumors he heard about them and Chozai's speech he was assured. Seraph felt he would be asked that, he let out a sigh [B]"Well just understand I never meant for it to go this far. I may have had a hand in easing the bandits attacks, but I am one in many who did this, and repeat that I didn't know it would come this far. And there were rumors about me being involved but nothing was proven, but the sentinels will not help me if I asked, and now the bandits are just loose having their way."[/B] Chozai felt angered and could barely hold himself from lashing out at him, while Azai burst in laugh at the irony of the situation, he noticed Chozai shacking it was the kind of personality that gets on his nerves. So Azai took over the conversation [B]"Well mister Seraph, we will take the job..."[/B] he was interrupted by his brother who took him outside the room to have a talk with him [B]"What are you doing Azai?! This is not what we promised master to do, we do not help these kind of people"[/B] Azai placed his hands on Chozai's shoulders [B]"Brother look at this from another perspective. First, will you let a helpless man die? I don't think this is one of your traits, I would buy you won't, so our promise is not broken if we help him. Second do you know how much we will gain from this job? The fame alone will let us take more jobs, allowing us to help more people. Third you can force a condition upon him, that will make him amend for some of his sins. What say you brother? I don't believe this a debate that you have a rebuttal for."[/B] Chozai turned looked up and took a deep breath [B]"I believe you might be right, but that doesn't means you won that debate. Let's head back inside"[/B] the brothers went back and accepted the job, but with a condition that he would give this mansion to the people of the nearby village, Seraph had to agree...