[center][h2] The Marketplace [/h2][/center]
[center][h3]Ryker of the Barrows and Alexandra "Siren" Flores[/h3][/center]
[center][sub] Collaboration post between [@TimeMaster] and [@Nymeria] [/sub][/center]





Alexandra smiled at Ryker and watched him closely. He kept looking behind as if someone would decide to attack them in broad day light. Even with the rain, the guards wouldn't let a fight break out here in the common places.

"[color=gold] Keep calm Ryker. It's not as if someone will attack us here. [/color]" she made a small pause and proceed to answer his questions.
"[color=gold] It's my second time here in the capital but there is a popular saying in some parts of the world that goes something like this "see one marketplace and you've seen them all". I'm sure you can agree to that. Lute strings are hard to find usually but we're in the capital, there are bound to be some in the marketplace. My former slave usually did the shopping when I was a bard but if she could find them then we can too. [/color]"

Ryker nodded, scanning the shops. [color=#9ec9cf]"Sorry, I'm always on edge. It's a result of my chosen occupation."[/color] He spotted what looked to be a blacksmith's stall and nodded towards it. [color=#9ec9cf]"Let's head there first."[/color]

He walked towards the stall and glanced at the wares. [color=Antiquewhite]"Welcome!"[/color] the man bellowed. [color=Antiquewhite]"Finest swords in all the land. What're you looking for?"[/color]

Ryker lifted a whet stone from the table. [color=#9ec9cf]"This."[/color] He paid the man his coin and turned to Alexandra. [color=#9ec9cf]"Where to now?"[/color]

Alexandra nodded at his words. It was a normal thing for sell-swords then. She will have to probably pick us this habit if she wished to live long enough to become a legend. 
She watched and said nothing as Ryker went to buy his whet stone.

"[color=gold] Now, let's search for some lute strings. They are hard to come by in villages outside of cities. I usually have two packs of strings with me but I didn't expect to leave so far yet. I figured out I would take a few, local jobs first but that is how it is with destiny. [/color]"

They moved through the market stalls until Alexandra spot someone that had what she looked for. She simply took 1 bell from her pocket, put in on the stall and took the lute strings without bothering to talk with the merchant. Quickly inspecting them she nodded and said:
"[color=gold] This are not the best I've seen but they will do. Now, unless you need to buy anything else, let's go to my room. I need to pack and I guess you have some questions. But before we go, let's buy that book that captain said. [/color]"
They found someone that sold the book and they both payed for it. 

[color=#9ec9cf]"Certainly I do but let me grab a few provisions first."[/color] He looked around briefly before finding a stall selling dried meats and other such goods. He glanced at the different foods, grabbing a few pieces to inspect before changing his mind. Finally decided on some dried beef slices, he reached into his coin purse and paid th merchant, stuffing the food into his pocket.

[color=#9ec9cf]"Alright. Lead the way."[/color]
[h2] The Rugged Fish, the docks [/h2]
Alexandra lead the way back to the inn at the docks. Looking at Ryker, she gave him a small key and said: 
"[color=gold] Second room on the left. Wait for me there while I talk with the innkeeper. [/color]" 
She went to the innkeeper and talked with him for what seemed to be 15 minutes then eventually she relented and nodded. Moving up the stairs she took off her robe that was drenched in water and entered her room. With one hand she threw the robe on the floor.

Looking at the key in his hand, Ryker raised an eyebrow. This seemed like a far cry from most situations that start with getting a key to a woman's room. Unless he was in for a surprise, he assumed that this would not be one of those situations.

He walked down the hall and unlocked the door, stepping into the room. He pulled his gloves off, causing a small pile of dirt to fall to the floor. [color=#9ec9cf]"Hmph....probably shouldn't have done that..."[/color] he mumbled to himself. Shrugging it off, he placed his gloves on a nearby table and began kneading his palms. He took a seat in a chair that was next to the table.

When the door opened again, he looked up at Alexandra. [color=#9ec9cf]"Soo...."[/color] he trailed off, waiting for her to explain herself.

Alexandra entered the room and saw Ryker sitting on her chair. 
"[color=gold] First of all. I didn't called you here for sex or whatever you could have in mind. Second of all, thank you for your support. I think I owe you an explanation, right? [/color]" she took a small break, moved towards her bed, stretched  and lied down on the bed.
"[color=gold] Sorry if I won't look you in the eye while we talk but I'm kinda tired and this bed is good. Anyway. If you didn't get it 'till now, I'm new to this adventuring business. I don't have a real chance against real dangers and so, I am looking for someone to train me while in the same time, do things that will give me what I seek. 
What I am about to tell you, will put your life in danger and believe me, I'll kill you before you have the chance to use it against me [/color]" her voice was no longer pleasant but steel-like and she made a small pause for the threat to sink in and then continued :
"[color=gold] I know the location of a great treasure. It is considered a myth but I know for sure that it's true. I cannot jorney there alone, nor I can do so with the limited combat training I have. I'm not interested in the treasure per se. I'm looking for a tome that's hidden there and the fame that comes from finding a treasure that most believe it's simply a story and those that do not, well, they'll kill anyone that knows anything about the treasure. [/color]" she waited for Ryker to answer. 

Ryker furrowed his eyebrows listening to her speak. This would definitely be a new situation for him. [color=#9ec9cf]"Well I've never trained anyone before...but there's a first time for everything."[/color] He undid the belts wrapped around his chest and pulled Oblivion off of his back, setting it in his lap. [color=#9ec9cf]"You'll need a sword, for starters. A pair of wooden training swords would be ideal, but not necessarily required. We can always use sticks or small branches for practice....although those don't have the same weight as true swords."[/color]

He glanced over at her laying on the bed. Many questions ran through his mind but he decided to first ask the most important one, as far as he was concerned. [color=#9ec9cf]"How do you propose splitting the treasure, if we do find it?"[/color]


Alexandra nodded and pulled in one quick motion, her short-sword hidden in her leather armor and pointed it at Ryker. 
"[color=gold] I've got a sword. I never said I don't know how to fight but I'm not good at it. That sword of yours means that you've seen a lot of combat. I didn't need to fight much in my life, usually my lute and my voice is enough to...make people stand down. As you've seen at the inn, people tend to listen when I talk. [/color]".
She rose up from the bed and looked Ryker in the eye.
"[color=gold] As I said. I have no interest in money. I only need the tome. Whatever else is there, it's yours to sell or keep. If I was for the money, I would've kept singing for the nobles of the lands and I would've had the money but when I heard of the treasure I took more and more jobs at inns and taverns to listen for rumors about it. 
How does that sound to you? Do we have an agreement? Oh' and before you agree or disagree, you have to know that there are some people looking for it too and we are bound to meet them somewhere. [/color]" she then took a deep breath and waited for Ryker to speak.

[color=#9ec9cf]"So you're only in it for the fame? ....fair enough."[/color] Ryker shifted in his seat and seemed to think a moment before speaking again. [color=#9ec9cf]"Alright. I suppose I can help you. I can't guarantee your safety, however. You have to understand that before we start anything. I'm a skilled swordsman. I have years of practice against numerous foes. But I was born in the far east. I know what kind of monsters make their homes there. Chances are, we'll run into something far more fierce than any treasure hunters."[/color] He sat and thought silently for a moment. [color=#9ec9cf]"What about the Band of the Blue? We'll be traveling with other mercenaries. If we end up finding something, they're bound to want a cut."[/color]

Alexandra nodded.
"[color=gold] I'm in it for the tome, the fame is just a bonus for me. [/color]" again she nodded "[color=gold] You should guarantee my safety. I'm the only one that knows where the treasure is and I won't tell you or anyone the location even under torture or whatever but I understand that it combat a lot of things can happen and that's why I need you to teach me how to fight, better than I do now. [/color]" 
When he said that he was born in the far east, Alexandra smiled. 
"[color=gold] Where exactly in the far east? I am from the east as well. As for the Band of the Blue? There are multiple ways to do this. They can be used as cannon fodder. In other words, let them trigger any traps or fight with the other treasure hunters instead of us or we could ditch them when we get to Aester. They will give us protection until there and then, I'll have to pull a favour from an old friend and we shall be free of any...obligations. [/color]

[color=#9ec9cf]"A small town known as the Barrows. Last I was there, it was a shell of a town. I left when famine struck and it never seemed to recover."[/color] Ryker briefly reminisced on his old home before standing up and shifting his focus back to Alexandra. [color=#9ec9cf]"I'll do what I can. For now, I need to clean my gear and myself. Unless there is something else you need tonight, I should be off."[/color]


"[color=gold] Never heard of the Barrows but then again, I left the east some time ago and I never sang there. 
No. It's all good. Thank you for agreeing. If this works, we will both be rich at the end of the jorney, my new friend. I hope you'll do me the pleasure to meet me here in the morning. 
Good night ! [/color]"