Aldin stared out the window of the carriage he rode on. The rain had cleared away, but it didn't do much to wipe away the dreary mood left with the weather. Further, the knight was out of his element, a city of magi being a farcry from the countryside where he'd lived his life to this point. Truth be told, were it not for the others who rode along with him, a nursemage and a sickly, presently resting, middle aged woman, doubtless he would not have accepted the invitation given. Still, three invitations, two of which were rejected out of hand, and a third to which Aldin Rei finally acquiesced, and he was finally on his way, riding in the carriage for a week. He'd made his demands of the association mostly to make them leave him alone. A salary that would make any tenured researcher blush as well as cozy passage to their base in a gilded caravan for himself and his mother, who was to be put up with the finest of care. Aldin was no mage, merely a swordsman with some peculiar talents, and if not a mage, then he definitely was no Reaver. Besides, he knew this as the same association that had snubbed himself and his mother in his youth. So, he mocked them, asked the impossible, expecting them to give up, only to find all his requests not only met, but exceeded. A slight scowl crossed his face. His bluff called, Aldin had no choice but to accept, especially with his mother's own health at stake. While he'd not meant it, he truly would get everything he wanted out of his gamble. The carriage rocked on the cobblestone street as it continued along towards the giant tower. The thing was ominous in his mind, something of a point of dread. In his experience, magi were nothing more than troublemakers, either through malice or hubris, and their creations were what had allowed him to make a living cutting down, yet now it seemed that they were to be his hope. It felt like a farce. As they approached the front face of the Eon Tower, the carriage pulled steadily to a stop, and the conductor stepped out to open the door. [color=8882be]"What, just dropping your new Reaver and a sick lady out on the streets?"[/color] Aldin asked, shaking his head. The nursemage couldn't help but chuckle at his remark. "Relax, your mother will be staying aboard to be transported to the medical ward. You have a meeting to make." [color=8882be]"Wh- Hold on. The agreement was that I would see her there. You can't just expect me to-"[/color] Aldin was cut off by the door opening. Much as he wanted to argue further, in the end this was another client, and baseless petty squabble wouldn't do anything to help make sure he was paid enough for his work. [color=8882be]"... Very well,"[/color] Aldin growled, before stepping out of the carriage onto the rain-slicked stone. Those who were there might have been surprised. To step out of such a luxurious vehicle was a young man who looked more or less like a hick. His clothing somewhat ratty and damaged from previous combat, armor plates showing where the material came apart. While he was a rugged looking fellow, his face wore a scowl that seemed more of discomfort of his current situation rather than that of a dour personality. [color=8882be]"Reaver, Aldin Rey, at your service,"[/color] Aldin spoke, a disingenuous note to his voice. He looked at the three women who had already gathered, raising a brow. They certainly did seem to be a varied bunch already, and indeed, were it not for the familiar standing on one of their shoulders, he would easily have taken her for a barbarian chieftain. His hand rest on the blade at his hip as he stood there, not expecting any action, but ever ready, quite positive there could be a nasty hazing just waiting to be released.