[center][h1]ZARIF & ETOR -- C RANK SUPPORT[/h1][/center]
[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/lYkurse.png[/img][/center] [indent][indent]Zarif sat upon Salador as the small band slowly made their way back from the ruins, coin purses a fair deal heavier than before. Two sat in the Ox-pulled wagon, the rest spread out around it, brandishing weapons. He inspected the walkers, wondering if they were jealous of him, up on his mount. He pulled up alongside one of them.
"You there! You are the one called Etor, truth? You had fighting well, newcomer" Zarif complimented in his still imperfect Akkadian dropping with his mysterious accent[/indent][/indent][center][img]https://imgur.com/kK8sfuH.png[/img][/center] [indent][indent]Etor surveys the land as the ruins are just a blip in the background. He perks up when Salador pulls up beside him. He squints to better understand Zarif as his ears always try to decipher unfamiliar words. It was an habit he was not aware of. The young spearman spoke slow and loud. Loud enough that practically everyone on the caravan heard him. Not because he assumed Zarif was deaf but because he was naive.

"Yes! Truth. I am Etor. I am still learning the ropes. This has been good for me."

He points at Salador. "Thank you for letting me ride. How did you two meet? Was Salador always a friend to you?"[/indent][/indent][center][img]https://i.imgur.com/lYkurse.png[/img][/center] [indent][indent]"Learning the..." Zarif muttered to himself, perplexed. Does he think himself a sailor?  Like those that sail to the ilse of giants for their tin? 
"Ahhh, Salador! Yes, good friend, he is. Of always he has been, since I was but a lad of two and ten. In my homeland, all who would travel the shifting sands has a friend such as this! It is not so, in this land of gold and gods. It is a sadness"[/indent][/indent][center][img]https://imgur.com/kK8sfuH.png[/img][/center] [indent][indent]Etor never realizes that the sayings in his common tongue perplex the mounted man. He continues the conversation moving past the perplexed look on Zarif's face. 

"2 and 10? The shifting sands sound like a great place. Is it close maybe we can take a mission there for a small homecoming celebration!"[/indent][/indent][center][img]https://i.imgur.com/lYkurse.png[/img][/center] [indent][indent]This boy is as dense as a rocks of the northern straights! Zarif got a frustrated look on his face as he eyed the smiling spearman. 
"Do you not know your numbers, boy? 2 and 10! Together." He dug around in one of Salador's saddlebags, and produced a little abacus, waving it around for emphasis. "Addition, my boy! Do I need to teach you maths after Siris teaches you to march?" The merchant sighed "And the shifting sands... To the west, past the kingdom of the Pharaohs, there is a desert that seems never to end. Those are the sands of my words. There is little and less there for anyone. Nothing to celebrate, I assure you. I come from a land across that endless sea of sand" 
Zarif bore a peculiarly forlorn look on his face as he finished, looking to the west, where the sun began to set[/indent][/indent][center][img]https://imgur.com/kK8sfuH.png[/img][/center] [indent][indent]"Oh 12! That won't happen again!" Error says with gusto as if addressing a superior. 

*"I haven't been taught much so if you would teach me I'd appreciate it." This time with responds with excitement at the possibility. 

He listens as Zarif speaks of his Homeland. He didn't say anything afterwards. He patted Salador softly and looked to the west with Zarif towards the sunset[/indent][/indent]
[hr]
[center][h1]IDDIN & SIRIS -- C RANK SUPPORT[/h1][/center]
[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/1g8UN9K.png[/img][/center][indent][indent]“Iddin, I wanted to give you a portion of my earnings. If it wasn’t for your aid I might not have been able to buy all my armor, thank you for your assistance but I can now luckily repay my debt.”[/indent][/indent][center][img]https://i.imgur.com/TMocGqd.png[/img][/center][indent][indent]Iddin counts the coins carefully. The amount is correct. The priest hides it away in his robes and sighs, looking Siris dead in the eyes.

“Next time you pull a stunt like that, you won’t be able to pay me back. Understand? Now I hope you have a good reason.”[/indent][/indent][center][img]https://i.imgur.com/1g8UN9K.png[/img][/center][indent][indent]“Well next time ill be sure to have killed the enemies before you notice then” Siris says with a wink[/indent][/indent][center][img]https://i.imgur.com/TMocGqd.png[/img][/center][indent][indent]Iddin pauses for a moment. He speaks in measured anger.

“Are you this recklessly stupid by birth, or by a lack of consequences in life?”[/indent][/indent][center][img]https://i.imgur.com/1g8UN9K.png[/img][/center][indent][indent]With a small chuckle, Siris gives a big smile to Iddin
“Lack of consequences, but if I continue growing stronger then maybe those consequences will never come…. However, I will be more careful not to put the team in danger so recklessly again.”

Thinking back to the healing Iddin gave him earlier, Siris cringes his face a bit.

“Just next time, maybe be a bit more gentle with the healing hahahaha”[/indent][/indent]
[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/TMocGqd.png[/img][/center][indent][indent]Iddin scowls. Clearly, this child wasn’t getting the point.

“There won’t be healing next time. And certainly no more lending. I don’t give money to dead men walking.”[/indent][/indent][center][img]https://i.imgur.com/1g8UN9K.png[/img][/center][indent][indent]Feeling a little annoyed at his companions continued remarks, Siris decided to strike back. Taking a small step closer to his Iddin, he slightly lowers his voice

“Don’t think that I didn’t notice you on death’s door, if anyone was the closest to dying then it’d be you. I’m a warrior Iddin, I can survive on my own in combat need be; but you? Unless you intend to pick up a sword, I wouldn’t threaten me knowing I’m what’s standing between you and judgement.”

Siris turns around before any more words can be said, although as he walks away he realized that he might get in trouble or even kicked out of the group for what he told Iddin. Pretending as if he hadn’t realized, Siris raises his right hand and waves it as he keeps walking away

“Of course, you protect me and I swear I’ll protect you.”

Hurriedly getting out of Iddin’s sight he lets out a sigh, wondering if he was about to get kicked out of yet another group. [/indent][/indent]
[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/TMocGqd.png[/img][/center][indent][indent]Iddin clenched his fist, takes a few deep breaths, and lets his anger simmer. This idiot endangered the entire band, and lords over with the injuries Iddin got has a result of those very actions? And threatening to kill not only his fellow mercenary, but a superior officer? Iddin mutters as he formulates a report to Captain Doan.

“The idiot couldn’t even hold formation… a complete feral mutt… hardly suitable for human gruel, much less wages… next time he runs off to commit suicide, let him… damn kid…”[/indent][/indent]
[hr]

[center][h1]ZARIF & SIRIS -- C RANK SUPPORT[/h1][/center]
[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/lYkurse.png[/img][/center][indent][indent]Having made camp, the mercenaries were spread out around their campfire, some in tents, others warming their hands against the cold desert night. The foreign quartermaster approached one such, whom was sitting off to the side, about to begin first watch. 
"Oh poor, poor Siris. Woah is he, Siris the blind! Siris the..." He hesitated, trying to think of the word, "Unlistening! Poor, poor Siris, who cannot be of listening to his quartermaster. No rations for poor Siris the Unlistening unseeing rudesoldierwhoignoreshisquartermaster" The merchant mocked as he turned on his to walk away, snickering at his own wit 
[/indent][/indent][center][img]https://i.imgur.com/1g8UN9K.png[/img][/center][indent][indent]“Hello to you too Zarif. You know if you gave me some food I might be able to keep a better watch instead of focusing on my hunger” he says loudly, trying to get Zarif’s attention before he walks too far away[/indent][/indent][center][img]https://i.imgur.com/lYkurse.png[/img][/center][indent][indent]"Poor rude Siris, poor poor unsorrowful Siris. Too proud to ask forgiveness, for ignoring his friend deep within the blue devil's dungeon. Such a tragic figure is the pride-blinded one" Sings Zarif mockingly[/indent][/indent][center][img]https://i.imgur.com/1g8UN9K.png[/img][/center][indent][indent]“Let me get this straight, you’re more mad that I ignored you rather than the fact I rushed towards the enemies?” Siris says with a laugh.

“I might’ve misjudged you Zarif, and I’ve still got to thank you for that ride at the beginning of our attack. Allow me to make amends” he says as he stands up. Siris walks up to Zarif and extends his hand.

“I apologize for ignoring you, as well as thank you for the ride. I’d love to ride that strong horse of yours again one day”[/indent][/indent][center][img]https://i.imgur.com/lYkurse.png[/img][/center][indent][indent]"With your life's water, you may do as you will. You swore your sword not to me, friend. But do not ignoring those who name you friend, else you may see soon you have none" The merchant took the soldier's hand and nodded, but soon raised an eyebrow
"Horse? Bah! Salador, Siris names you a Horse!" Howling with laughter, the foreigner looked over at his lifelong animal companion. In my home, we have no such beast as "Horse" Nay, no such eastern creature trods the long sands so tirelessly, with so little water."[/indent][/indent][center][img]https://i.imgur.com/1g8UN9K.png[/img][/center][indent][indent]”Zarif you talk in an… interesting way!” Siris says, laughing once more

”So his name is Salvador is it? That’s great, a fine companion for a mighty warrior.”

Letting go of Zarif’s hand, Siris hits his closed hand on his chest.

”Do not worry friend, I don’t usually ignore anyone normally. The tense situation had me a little on edge, next time we will have a merry chat while slaying our enemies!”[/indent][/indent]

[hr]
[center][h1]CHAPTER II: OF LOYALTY & SILVER[/h1][/center]
[hr]

[indent][indent]More than a week's travel through the sparse greenery of the Zagros mountains, following the snake-like river Karkeh the Hellions ford their way through territory unsavory to the common Akkadian, wanting nothing more than to put the thought of that strange archaeologist behind them. It was neither the harsh sun, nor the small game, nor the roving bears that brought their ire down upon the unsuspecting travelers, but the Kassites. Tribal peoples in and beyond the shield-wall of Zagros, practically unassailable by the Akkadians who deem them little more than barbarous and uncivilized. No doubt the great Šar Kiššati would rather see their kind smote from the mountainsides like that of the Yeeks that share their home. 

Luck, the greatest asset to a soldier of fortune, as the lady of luck would have it, their very own Lyun had been bourne and molded in the the dry heat of these hills. Not merely versed in their tongue, but their culture as well, the beast of a man found them safe passage to the foothills, just as he'd done before. Through the rocky landscape tread they, seven men and one beast of the desert, their formation reflected that of the stars they marched beneath. A constellation foretelling the tragedies of their future, the tragedy of any mercenary.[/indent][/indent][center][img]https://i.imgur.com/MouTqPS.png[/img][/center] [indent][indent]ASHÜR: "There. Just cresting the hill. What haste we've made." Unwearied by the long march through rough terrain, the bandit bears some light affectation in his voice, uncharacteristic of his normal pessimism. No doubt all due to the ancient ashen Vital Powder offered to him by Lyun. He'll be back to his old self before the morrow' no doubt.

Regardless, indeed as the band ascended a hidden path up a stony escarpment, they're greeted by their still, familiar banner. Three wild dogs wreathed in flame, the Hellions of Gyr. The temporary campsite is a quiet one, none are disturbed by their arrival save one, from the small palisade surrounding the camp, a hushed voice calls down.[/indent][/indent][center][img]https://i.imgur.com/4X45KXL.png[/img][/center] [indent][indent]NINIL: "Etor, Lyun, Makeen. . ." The young whatchman's voice trails off amidst the soft crackle of torchflame. They can make out the girl counting across her fingers and quickly darting her emerald eyes back down toward them. "Well look'at that!" She exclaims. "You're all still alive. The captain can't sleep as usual, guess you lot better pop in and say hello!" She chuckles, waving the gang in as they make their little greetings with Ninil more formally, similarly put at ease to see her in just as good health as always.

Sure enough, communal yurts of goat-hide were set-up around the confines of the camp, lit by the dull smoldering flames of a still-living fire. Enough to house all twenty-two of the Hellions, optimistic as it was, it was a note that they'd make sure of with any camp of theirs. Better to take one down in memoriam than the quiet sadness of having never accounted for the dead in the first place. The seven take their time, casting aside their worn gear and the burdens of their travel. Before too long, some of the band part the folds of their commander's tent.[/indent][/indent][center][img]https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/695501837029212202/696901830604619846/Captain_Doan_Nasir.png[/img][/center] [indent][indent]DOAN-NASIR: "Hale and whole, I presume?" The man's gruff voice reaches his underlings from where he sits upon earth, cross-legged. His eyes are mostly shut in a simple contemplation with a few fingers in his beard. Before him, a longspear of bronzed metal is stuck into the soil, a skullcap thereon. "The Hellions are twenty-one now in flesh, sixty-two in spirit. La'um has passed." The scent of olibanum slowly embered is thick in the air. The band pays their respects to their fallen comrade, yet they do not allow their death to linger on the mind. The ever-bandanna-ed bandit is the first to speak.[/indent][/indent][center][img]https://i.imgur.com/MouTqPS.png[/img][/center] [indent][indent]ASHÜR: "Doan. About our task. . ." He begins, though is quickly cut off by the captain raising a hand.[/indent][/indent][center][img]https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/695501837029212202/696901830604619846/Captain_Doan_Nasir.png[/img][/center] [indent][indent]DOAN-NASIR: "You'll have to debrief on it later, for now I've a matter I'd like your thoughts on." He produces a clay tablet thereupon which orders are enscribed. "This job comes directly from Akkad. . . And it strikes me more like a commandment than an offering. 'for the sum of 10,000 Aurum, The Hellions of Gyr [b]will[/b] subdue the dissident ensi Yasub-Yahad of Der and quell rebellious elements. . .' Dissidents." He mulls over that word, lets it percolate in the band's heads. "The pay is amenable, but still I am conflicted. Let your cooler heads prevail over mine -- Akkad is aware of our position to no surprise, and since we're at the doorstep of Der, they don't simply want us to investigate and capture, they're telling us to sack the city. A difficult job to be sure."[/indent][/indent][center][img]https://i.imgur.com/MouTqPS.png[/img][/center] [indent][indent]ASHÜR: "Der. . . The city bears a long history of integration with the Kassites, they say Yasub-Yahad is descendant of them as well. Our Šar Kiššati must fear the idea of so-called barbarians encroaching upon his pristine empire." The bandit muses aloud, mostly for the benefit of the younger Hellions more than anyone else.[/indent][/indent][center][img]https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/695501837029212202/696901830604619846/Captain_Doan_Nasir.png[/img][/center] [indent][indent]DOAN-NASIR: "Precisely. Spilling blood like this leaves a poor taste in my mouth, but 'tis a choice between that or let it be dryer than the sands." Doan replies, his half-shut eyes open wide to gaze past the desperado and towards the brute of a man. "Lyun. I would not ask you to come along for this task, should we accept. But I must ask for your perspective -- your kinsfolk have always held firm to their mountain pastures, if our orders are to be believed, what would make them deign to seize Der and incite Šar Kiššati's wrath?" 

Finally, Captain Doan poses the question to the rest among them, each of the mercenaries with their own set of scruples, moral codes, and lust for battle. . . "We've no longer than half a day to send correspondence and commence the operation. Should we accept?"[/indent][/indent]