[center][color=7ea7d8][h2][u]Jeanne Christina Roussin[/u][/h2][/color][/center]

The taproom of the Dancing Duck, Middleseed’s finest (and only) pub was extraordinary hot and somewhat musty that evening. Small wonder, filled to the brim as it was with sweating bodies and how hot a summer’s day it had been. The scent of food and coffee fought the sour smells of sweat and beer, and the air was brimming with loud voices and laughter. Most of these customers had taken a day off, just to be sure not to miss the festival. Bets were being placed on who would be the evening’s best performer, and some were already discussing the pieces that would be performed. Beer and wine had been flowing since early afternoon and everyone seemed to be in a good mood. A festive mood.

One of the obvious exceptions to that rule came walking into the pub just then. A tall, stern-looking fellow with a crossbow strapped to his back. His hair as dark as his expression, brows pushing deep lines into his forehead and lips pressed together firmly. His two companions entered after him, one man broad-shouldered with a weathered face, the other a more refined sort of muscular with blonde hair falling to his shoulders. The two laughed about something and shoved their stern companion into the crowd of people. Hardly anyone bothered with the three newcomers, strangers were expected during a day like today. The only one really giving any reaction of significance was a young chestnut-haired woman sitting next to a teenage boy and blonde woman who were enjoying some drinks. She smiled, waved and called out to the trio. With much effort, elbow work and muffled apologies, the three made their way to the table and somehow managed to find space to sit down.

	[color=7ea7d8]“Glad you guys could make it, what on earth kept you so long? We took the liberty to order some food, which I hope the budget allows, Dike.”[/color] Ris said smiling, gesturing to a stack of three empty- and three full plates that were crammed together on their table. She looked up at the broad-shouldered man, waiting patiently for an explanation for his tardiness. While the other two started eating, Dike nodded appreciative at the food and started rubbing his beard as he recalled the afternoon’s events.
	
	[color=fff79a]“Guards. More than I’d expect in a lil’ town like this, even if it’s a festival day. Seems like some Thalburn units are involved. Asked us to get rid of our weapons, looked suspicious they said.”[/color] Dike shrugged as he pulled a plate towards him. [color=fff79a]“One did remember seeing our guy, an hour or two before us. Seems you were right about his head start. Thanks to Rich we'd almost stayed there and spent the night in jail instead.”[/color] He added scuffing, earning a muffled cry of protest from Rich who had already started eating. Ris nodded thoughtfully. 

	[color=7ea7d8]“That adds up to our side, a serving girl remembers seeing him here. Presumably he ate his dinner  and went about his business an hour ago. Judging from his display of arrogance in that last town I doubt he has gone into hiding. Which would be an impressive feat in itself in a town as small as this. He’ll be at the festival, probably planning to cause some sort of ruckus. I’ll explain our next steps as soon as you three finish up.”[/color] The others nodded and mumbled some approving words. Ris put her elbows on the table, interlaced her fingers and letting her head rest on top as she stared intently at Rich. [color=7ea7d8]“So tell us, how on earth did you manage find trouble this time Rich?” [/color]

Rich dabbed his mouth with a handkerchief and smirked slightly as he began his story. [color=fff79a]“As you all know I respect the law as much as the next person, as I was sure to inform our dear friend Guard. ‘I’ll happily leave my knives with you.’ I even told him.”[/color] He lowered his voice for a dramatic effect, whispering only loud enough for the five others at his table to hear.  With a swift movement he took out a knife to illustrate his story, a bemused tone in his voice and a sly grin adorning his face. [color=fff79a]“This one’ll fit nicely between your guts, don’t you agree? Maybe it’d look better a little lower, around.. Here.”[/color] Both Dike and Levi started laughing loudly as Rich demonstrated on a startled Hilde how he had pricked the guard in places where decent folks shouldn’t be pricked. After being punched in the stomach by Hilde, Rich continued his story slightly out of breath: [color=fff79a]“Or…. Here’s another proposition. I can simply take them with me, eh? Save you.. The trouble of looking after them.' He paled like a ghost and changed his mind about confiscating my daggers fast enough... But how was I to know that pathetic excuse of a guard is the son of some union's leader?"[/color]
	
	[color=7ea7d8]“Thank Lemä for the miracle of galleons in the right hands then.”[/color] Ris chuckled, leaning back and smiling broadly. [color=fff79a]“You and your damned sense of theatre will get us all killed some day.”[/color] Hilde sighed, disapproving lines stretched into her forehead, but a grin made its way to her face as well. [color=fff79a]“Shame it’s a music festival. If it’d be a competition for the best actor we’d have the winner in our midst.”[/color] Dike added with a big smile. They all laughed heartily at, Rich made a mocking bow and even Romeo seemed a little less stern than usual.


After their dinner the group split up, Dike and Romeo would stay behind to keep an eye on the swiftly emptying pub and the main street to make sure their target wouldn’t slip back into town unnoticed while the others were at the festival. Rich protested against the idea of leaveing his comfortable seat [i]"With beautiful view"[/i] he had added, winking at one of the serving girls, but he gave up soon enough as he caught eye of Ris her expression. The time for jokes and laughter was over. It was time to hunt. 

A shame that she hadn’t been able to bring her violin, Ris pondered as they crossed to the northern side of the nearly abandoned town. Then again, she wouldn’t be allowed to take part in the concert since she wasn’t a union member and besides, the violin case would only get in her way when chasing their mark. She silently promised herself to perform in the next edition of the Concert of the Talof, a nice thought which wouldn’t be likely to become reality. 

It was only a short walk but the sun had already set before they found the town’s inhabitants, scattered across the grass and on some rough walnut benches. A collection of seemingly important people -or at the very least very rich ones judging by their clothes- had been seated in a colourfully decorated gallery closest to the stage. Despite the enormous crowd, it was fairly silent on the meadow and a beautiful melody could be heard. A drum, several flutes and some instruments Ris couldn’t quite distinguish. Without even noticing it she adjusted her tempo to the music as she walked around, clenching and unclenching her fists. Searching the crowd for a familiar face. There were so many people here… An applause signified the end of this performance and a jovial man entered the stage, announcing that the next troop would be the sixth act. He said a lot of other things that Ris hardly payed attention to. 

Walking around, waiting, checking if the others had noticed their target, watching, listening, checking for anything out of the ordinary. Act seven, eight and nine had slipped by without any progress.

	[color=7ea7d8][i]Come on Faran, I don’t have all night… I need to get a better look at this crowd...[/i] [/color]Ris thought to herself. The stage had been erected a fair end out of town and she didn’t trust her acrobatic skills enough to try and climb the gallery, which was the tallest structure on the field. [b][i]The gallery... That might be it![/i][/b] Hurrying her pace, Ris rushed forward as fast as she could without bumping into too many spectators. If Faran was planning something, he would doubtless do so near the stage, drama-queen that he was. And if she was lucky, Ris might just know one of the high-ranking invites and get access to the gallery itself, from which she could observe the crowd more easily. Why hadn’t she thought of that earlier?

Just as the eleventh act was starting, everyone was startled by a loud scream. Within seconds flaming tongues started licking the left side of the gallery and both musicians and spectators began scattering. Panicked screams and shouts filled the air with a horrific new tune. The flames joined in, roaring, devouring the dry grass and gallery not far from where Ris was standing. The bright light made it easy to spot several fighting figures of whom one was unmistakably Hilde with her spear and shield. Rich quickly fell in beside her, fighting none other than Faran, who was setting fire on any who came too close. Ris took out her bow, but in all of the confusion and with the panicking spectators running around it would be impossible to get a clear shot without any innocent bystanders getting hurt. A group of guards appeared under the impression that Hilde and Rich were the culprits, moving in to fight them. Giving up on her bow, Ris took out her knives and darted forward, coming to Hilde and Rich’ aid who were now busy keeping the guards off' them, shouting how they weren't the ones the guards should be after.

As soon as she spotted Ris, Hilde pointed behind her at the village and boomed over the roaring flames, shouts and colliding metal: [color=fff79a]"He went that way, I think Levi is on his track. Go Ris, we'll manage here."[/color] It took Ris a moment to assess the situation but she soon realised Hilde was right. With a nodd Ris turned around, quickly running along with the crowd in search of Levi.

It took her surprising little time to find the boy, bent over with his hands on his knees, catching his breath in an alleyway. Luckily for them Middleseed wasn't a large town. "[color=fff79a]Lady Roussin, he went.. Into that house, m'am.[/color]" The boy said huffing and puffing. Ris lay her hand on his shoulder and nodded respectfully. [color=7ea7d8]"Good job Levi, go and find Romeo and Dike as fast as you can and bring them here. I'll need them to break open the door. Understood?"[/color] All fatigue seemed forgotten within moments and after some sort of salute the boy darted off. A big smile on his face.

Ris took her time stringing her bow now, watching the house Levi had pointed out for any suspicious movement. It seemed like an ordinary enough house, large enough for a small family like most houses in thise town. But now that she payed close attention she noticed a faint but obviously recent burnmark on the front door. I was clear that this was the house she needed. Ris was tempted to burst in by herself, but the thought that she'd decorate Faran's face with some of her feathers if he would be kind enough to show his face outside that door was satisfying enough for now.