[Center][H1][color=orange]Darius[/color] & [color=fff79a]Dike[/color][/H1][/Center]

As the the setting sun was about halfway below the horizon and with MiddleSeed not having been visable behind them for a while now, Darius checked how his mount was doing before pulling up next to Dike. Waiting until the man noticed him, Darius said, [color=orange]"Do you think we should slow our pace and start looking for someplace to camp the night?"[/color]

Dike looked to the side, expecting the young man riding next to them. After that he looked from the moon that had come out and was shining brightly, to their surrounding area while considering Darius' question for some time. Involuntarily he looked back at where the town had disappeared behind the horizon as well. [color=fff79a]"Good call. Best look for some cover as well, in case some of those boys decide they fancy a nighttime chase."[/color] With those words, he slowed down his horse and started looking around for a sheltered position not too far from the road. After some time they rode past a group of trees, which Dike pointed out to Darius.

[color=orange]"Thanks"[/color] was the only thing he said as he nodded in agreement to Dike's idea of finding cover. Slowing his horse as well, he started looking around. When Dike pointed to group of trees, Darius took a moment to look at them before saying, [color=orange]"That will probably work."[/color] As soon as they had dismounted, Darius tied up his horse and took a moment to look for a good spot that couldn't be seen directly from the road. Upon finding it, he took a moment to check his travel pack and make sure he had everything on him. After showing the spot to Dike and setting up camp, he sat down and propped himself against a tree. Thinking of home a bit, he pulled out his throwing knives and started practicing with them on a nearby dead log.

The two had refrained from making a fire in case there were indeed people chasing them. Most of Dike's supplies had been left at the boat in Riverseed, as he and his companions hadn't expected a hurried departure. Something he should have known better about, being in this profession for such a long time. Had he started to become forgetful and lazy over the years? Dike made sure to unsaddle and wipe down his horse with some grass, it could catch a cold and become sick if just left out here covered in sweat. After that he set down his rucksack with woefully little supplies. Fortunately it was a warm summers night, and so the lack of a fire and blanket wasn't such a bad thing. He unsheathed his sword as soon as he had found a comfortable stone to sit on and started wetting the blade. Meanwhile he shot some looks at his newest companion, who was slowly turning the log in a Swiss Cheese lookalike. 

[color=fff79a]"Not bad. Might want to open your other eye too. It comes most natural to aim with one eye closed, but once you have enough skill it's better to use both your eyes. Seems like you have the skills alright, you'll see it helps."[/color] After this sudden piece of advise, he continued. [color=fff79a]"So, Darius. What brought you to Middleseed with such poor timing? And where you from?"[/color]

Noticing Dike sitting down to sharpen his blade out of the corner of his eye, Darius was bit startled by the man's sudden advice and stopped mid flick, keeping ahold of the knife to make sure it didn't go flying someplace else. [color=orange]"Thanks for the advice, I'll try it out."[/color]

Returning his gaze to the log and taking the advice, he started throwing his knives anew while listening to Dike's questions. As the first two thudded into the log a bit farther from his target then he wanted, he took a moment to think before replying. [color=orange]"Well, I actually came to see the music festival. I'd heard that it was going to be one of the best performances yet, and since I love music I decided to drop by. As for where I'm from, I guess you could say I'm from a not well known but definitely unique place. It's a small city where most stuff is powered by steam. You end up seeing more pipes then plants there, and luckily enough the place is situated right next to a huge vein of coal, so besides a bit of trade between nearby towns and farms, it's kind of self sufficient. What about you? What were you and your friends there?"[/color]

[color=fff79a]"Steam you say?"[/color] Obviously the thought of a whole town completely running on steam perplexed the man and he sat silently for some time, lost in thought. [color=fff79a]"I've seen a thing or two on my travels, but a steaming town... Must be quite the sight." [/color]Meanwhile he continued to wet his blade with strong, sure movements, which had become such a routine over the years that it didn't require his full attention.

[color=fff79a]"Officially I'm the leader of that sorry group."[/color] He broke the silence and smiled broadly at Darius. [color=fff79a]"Though I'm allowing the girl you met before, Ris to think she is. Think you two are 'round the same age. A little too keen on raising her voice and slow to admit her wrongs, but she's a fine gal. I have to admit though, as an old friend of her family I'm not really unbiased... A shame you're stuck with me then. The two girls in our group are musical ones, I can hardly hear the difference between a flute and a horn."[/color] He added the latter with a muffled laugh. 

[color=fff79a]"We're Magi bounty hunters. Were in town chasing a particularly dangerous one. A fire-Magi, nasty sort. Has been causing disturbances for the past few years, often ending in folks killed or towns burned to the ground... Sad to say today wasn't any different." [/color]His smile disappeared as he spoke, and instead his left eye started twitching slightly.

[color=orange]"Eh, it's interesting to say the least, but the air is very stuffy."[/color] Finally getting more used to using both of his eyes, Daruis got his last knife to sink in right next to another one. While listening to dike, he smiled as he heard him talk about the small group Darius had met earlier, a laughed with the man a little as he described his lack of musical inclination and of Ris, the one who Darius had thought was the leader. [color=orange]"Ahh well, I don't mind trading music for experiance, which I'm guessing you have a lot of."[/color]

Deciding he'd practiced enough, Darius put 6 of the throwing knives away into their respective slots on his travel pack and tucked the last on into a hidden sheath on the inside of his shirt while continuing to listen. His skin chilled a bit when he heard that they were Magi bounty hunters, but knowing that he himself didn't have a bounty on his head, he was able to keep himself calm. [color=orange]"That explains some things, considering all that's just happened,"[/color] he replied, looking up at the moonlit trees.

After a bit of time he said. [color=orange]"To be honest, my personal philosophy is to give everyone a chance, human or magi. But after seeing what he did today, and hearing what you said, it probably would be better if he didn't get another chance, wouldn't it?"[/color] by the end of his sentence, Darius's tone was, although serious, a bit sad.

Dike remained silent for some time again,testing the sharpness of his blade and deciding it was acceptable once again. He carefully sheathed it again and put it besides his rucksack.

Finally, he replied with a shrug.[color=fff79a]"There are some people who are better off kept away from society. Dangerous criminals. Honerable thinking that, giving everyone second chances. But at some point you have to stand up for what's right, instead of letting others walk over you. And in my experience, Magi are often the more dangerous kind of criminal, with their powers and whatnot. Rather than bounty hunter, I like to see myself as a freelance lawman."[/color] He added, smiling to make his words appear a little less serious.

[color=fff79a]"But enough of me rambling about my job, I think we should devide watches. I take the five, you the last?"[/color]

Laughing a little, Darius replied, [color=orange]"I think I may have worded my statement a bit oddly. I meant to say that I try not to judge anyone I meet and I'm polite to them until they give me a reason not to be. I fully understand that there are some sick people out there that probably get what they deserve and I'm glad there are those like yourself that put them away. I just try to give anyone I meet the benefit of the doubt, until they prove otherwise is all.[/color]

Setting his pack on the ground to act as a makeshift pillow, Darius layed back and said, [color=orange]"As for watch, sound perfect."[/color]