[img]https://fontmeme.com/permalink/260116/60685569.png[/img][hr][color=gray][h3][sup][sup]CAST:[/sup][/sup][/h3][/color][@Yankee][@Theyra][@13org][@xAlter]


[table=bordered][row][cell][img]https://images-wixmp-ed30a86b8c4ca887773594c2.wixmp.com/f/d297121a-919b-4f18-9163-78f08879b333/d5313im-100b08cc-30d2-4bc3-ae90-cf6e9c04bd9c.jpg?token=eyJ0eXAiOiJKV1QiLCJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJzdWIiOiJ1cm46YXBwOjdlMGQxODg5ODIyNjQzNzNhNWYwZDQxNWVhMGQyNmUwIiwiaXNzIjoidXJuOmFwcDo3ZTBkMTg4OTgyMjY0MzczYTVmMGQ0MTVlYTBkMjZlMCIsIm9iaiI6W1t7InBhdGgiOiIvZi9kMjk3MTIxYS05MTliLTRmMTgtOTE2My03OGYwODg3OWIzMzMvZDUzMTNpbS0xMDBiMDhjYy0zMGQyLTRiYzMtYWU5MC1jZjZlOWMwNGJkOWMuanBnIn1dXSwiYXVkIjpbInVybjpzZXJ2aWNlOmZpbGUuZG93bmxvYWQiXX0.o1Kfd2xMkgfgCEJTj0baASk5JcuzotmqoIyrCY_G72Y[/img][/cell][/row][row][cell][sub]The gathering of strangers in the back of the Stone’s Throw was cramped to say the least. The kitchen was mostly a setup of stone countertops with a mortar icebox and a number of stoves and brick ovens. Pots and pans were hung up from small iron hooks above them, and a large  reservoir sink held dirtied dishes and cups that piled up likely to be washed by the staff at a later time in the evening. [color=brown]”Let’s not go biting heads off ‘fore we even know what’s goin on ‘eh?”[/color] Maeki barked out as he pulled out a wooden stool for himself and then pointed to Brig before pulling out a second for her.

The lady of Fenris clocked the offered seat and grumbled to herself before stepping through the clumped up group of people and plopping herself down onto the not-so-comfortable seat. Her dark irises set first upon Nika before looking back to Maeki with a frown. [color=#C3BDFF][b]”I’m unsure ‘f how much I should say before I know that th’ individuals here can be trusted old friend.”[/b][/color] There was tension in Brigitte’s words, palpable in the air and so thick that you could taste the salt dripping from the exhausted woman’s brow permeating the air. 

[color=brown]”Mercenaries ‘re plentiful here in Blackpebble, but I’d ‘ve not let them back ‘ere if I thought they ‘d be a danger to Fenris, Lady Pup.”[/color] Maeki’s words are spoken with confidence and his eyes glance upon each of the trusted sellswords sharing the room alongside them.

[color=#C3BDFF][b]”Aye, then I’ll be short with it—“[/b][/color] Brig then draws her rimeglass seax and brandishes it, displaying the proof of her lineage to each of the mercenaries before looking back to Maeki, the one she knew, the one she trusted. [color=#C3BDFF][b]”Our keep has been ousted, my father’s fate unknown, likely by traitors in the north ‘nd most assuredly by mageblood infidels. I have coin and men that ‘ll support me once they know of my survival. But for now.. I need folk whose trust that can be paid for with coin, with hatred for the King’s men.”[/b][/color] She then looked to Niko with a stern look upon her face, her eyes creased above her cheeks as she squinted before looking away to make eye contact with each of the strangers that followed them into the room.

[color=#C3BDFF][b]”This is Nika, my pact-knight, trained by many of th’ greatest warriors of Fenris— born not of iron and snow but forged by it. He is kin, his hate for th’ West runs thick like mud and slush!”[/b][/color] Just then she stood from her seat and propped her leg up onto the chair, raising her posture and puffing out her chest. There was no hiding the wear and tear riddled through this woman’s hair, the dark-circles around her eyes, the scabs along her lips, but there was something dark and twisted in her eyes.. a mighty flame of swirling shadow that could consume and destroy whatever what was thrown their way. They were the eyes of the wolf, the eyes of Fenris.

[color=#C3BDFF][b]”And on m’ name Brigitte Fenris— Daughter of Kurt the Black Wolf, I swear that sanguine snow will cover th’ north till justice comes to whoever dared strike at our clan! Snake or spider, drake or gryphon, Fenris always finds its prey!”[/b][/color] She was by no means, of the right mind. Her and Niko had just gone through hell after all, fleeing with little supplies in the night after narrowly surviving an attack on their keep. Perhaps the adrenaline still pumped freshly through her veins? Something was visibly ratting her still to this moment, and Brig’s mind raced to match that.

There was this strange expectation. Brig knew that some of the Northmen who lived along the borders of their land didn’t have much familiarity with her family. But surely in Blackpebble, a place where she and her father had traveled to before? Doubt was fought back as those words she spoke escaped her lips, perhaps in her naïveté the support of the people slipped away through their fingertips without them knowing? Her father often left the security of his own city to break bread with the people, dispatched knights that could’ve remained behind mortar walls out to the dangers of their lands to defend the people. But she believed everything her father told her, and although she was often met with warm arms where she traveled— she could not rule out that maybe it was all a ruse.

Thankfully for her, Maeki would break her silence to stifle the flames of doubt that began to spark.

[color=brown]”Ye’r father was a great man, ‘nd I wouldn’t rule that old hound out of tha’ fight just yet, pup. He was meeting with th’ dwarves ‘nd the whimsies, even some folk who ‘re shying ‘way from being noticed for centuries. But even ‘f these’ere people don’t want ta’ put ‘emselves at risk. Blackpebble ‘s been a haven for my folk thanks ya’ your father, and ye’re grandfather. So no fretting t’day, Lady Fenris!”[/color] Maeki’s words were spoken with confidence, but his expression burned holes into the small table he sat at. His fingers interlocked and a low grumble followed his words; there wasn’t doubt, not necessarily worry, but perhaps some knowledge that he was keeping for himself that stirred in the man’s gullet.


[color=orange]”I’d gather some supplies while you’re here, Lady Fenris. But after that, you’ll need to head east.. mayor’s not here, he headed t’ the border a week ago to meet with the dwarvish rebels. I can’t speak more on for what exactly, but I know that it might have something t’ do with why your home might’ve been attacked now.”[/color] Bet had entered the back room so silently that not even Maeki recognized her entrance, and the woman moved through the pack of strangers with a stack of plates held in a single hand— with ease! She was skilled, exceptional, and by no means gave off the aura of a meager tavern chef. But not even Maeki knew what she might’ve done before getting a job at the Stone’s Throw, but her character earned his respect and trust so much so that he never needed ask.

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