[b][/b][center][img]https://images-geeknative-com.exactdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/24233248/the_bard_s_tavern_by_inoxdesign_ddeo9bi-fullview-1536x865.jpg?strip=all&lossy=1&sharp=1&ssl=1[/img][img]https://images-wixmp-ed30a86b8c4ca887773594c2.wixmp.com/f/d297121a-919b-4f18-9163-78f08879b333/d5313im-100b08cc-30d2-4bc3-ae90-cf6e9c04bd9c.jpg/v1/fill/w_1200,h_589,q_75,strp/fantasy_tavern_interior_by_whatyoumaydo_d5313im-fullview.jpg?token=eyJ0eXAiOiJKV1QiLCJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJzdWIiOiJ1cm46YXBwOjdlMGQxODg5ODIyNjQzNzNhNWYwZDQxNWVhMGQyNmUwIiwiaXNzIjoidXJuOmFwcDo3ZTBkMTg4OTgyMjY0MzczYTVmMGQ0MTVlYTBkMjZlMCIsIm9iaiI6W1t7ImhlaWdodCI6Ijw9NTg5IiwicGF0aCI6IlwvZlwvZDI5NzEyMWEtOTE5Yi00ZjE4LTkxNjMtNzhmMDg4NzliMzMzXC9kNTMxM2ltLTEwMGIwOGNjLTMwZDItNGJjMy1hZTkwLWNmNmU5YzA0YmQ5Yy5qcGciLCJ3aWR0aCI6Ijw9MTIwMCJ9XV0sImF1ZCI6WyJ1cm46c2VydmljZTppbWFnZS5vcGVyYXRpb25zIl19.7l_MHLe9pqbu0yyrMkccQy4n0au_rZIrUuWWBkSyaaw[/img][/center]

The misty rain seemed endless on nights like these, or so the young woman with long, fiery locks thought. The moon was full in the starry sky, it was almost beautiful. Faline took a moment to gaze up at the sky. Her dark gray, wool-hooded cloak concealed her features at the moment. It kept the light leather armor underneath dry as well as the daggers that were stashed in her boots. One couldn't be too careful when scouting potential lands. She was all the happier to scout ahead, this way she knew the information firsthand. Posing as a simple mercenary, Faline gained favors and weaved a tight web all without many of her employers not realizing that she was of the Nightingale family.

The water collected within the cobbled streets as Faline made her way to the [i]Lock And Key Tavern[/i] within the town of Somerset, one of the trade hubs of the Ellezag Plains. Her uncle, Nikolai, had all up and disappeared a few months ago after his last letter on his supposed business trip. Faline had spent those last few months tracking his whereabouts and following a handful of clues. She had heard of rumors of the Plague out here. The royal guardsmen took anyone that showed signs of sickness to an outpost but every village she passed through acted as if they had no clue of such things. Even more, rumors had it that the Governor of the Ellezag Plains was on the brink of madness. Common folk were struggling to keep themselves alive whether it was food or shelter. Taxes were incredibly high to the point that commoners were beginning to sell their children to workhouses just so the children had consistent food and a bed to sleep on. 

Faline opened the door to the tavern and the place was alive with laughter, chatter, and banter with card games. She lowered her hood and her vibrant green eyes scanned the room. She wasn't the only female mercenary here, just probably one of the few most competent if she was being honest. Faline meandered through the lively bar scene as she turned to request a drink from the bartender, only for her eyes to catch the sight of whom she assumed was the tavern owner or a man that fit his description anyway. 

This young man was tall, athletic stature with light hair so fair that it resembled that of fresh snow and silver eyes to match. He was handsome with all things considered minus the patch that covered his right eye. He was also dressed in steel armor with his sword at his hip but Faline couldn't begin to think of such things right now. Sir Dorian was the fifth son of the Governor, he was neglecting his duty to turn in his adoptive father, or so it seemed. Stories told that he was planning a revolt against his adopted father and turning him into the Emperor. Faline watched for a while as he seemed to drink and play card games with others. Wasting precious money that the people of his kingdom worked so hard for. 

Once the game was finished, Faline stood up from the bar and made her way over to the table. [color=f49ac2]"Rumor has it that you are looking for help?"[/color]She asked as she tossed down a token that had the symbol of a bard on one side and a rogue on the other that she received from finding her uncle's pack about a week ago. The engraving was that of a blacksmith from Somerset. The young man just smirked and nodded as he took the token and led Faline to a back room.

[color=0072bc]"Once the others are here, I will explain,"[/color] he said as Faline rose an eyebrow. 

[color=f49ac2]"Others? How big is this job?"[/color] Faline asked as she crossed her arms. [color=f49ac2]"I work alone."[/color]

[color=0072bc]"I think you will find this job will need multiple hands in the fire, so to speak,"[/color] Dorian replied with a knowing look in his eye as he left the room to sit back at his post. Faline rolled her eyes as she looked around the room, it wasn't anything fancy but there was a fireplace with a seating set and then a few bunkbeds on the other side of the room. She sat on the sofa in front of the fire, she put her pack on the ground by her feet as she pulled out her journal which was packed full of clues left behind from her uncle.