Aerandir

Rebellion is Our Calling, and why we rise!(closed)

Meanwhile, during Fenros's Escape....

Well that went to shit... Verrick said to himself, standing over the body of Josie, apparently the meet didn't end well for him. He had lost track of him for a couple of hours after waking him back up with the bath. Something didn't feel right though. If he gave them the evidence...why didn't they let him live? There was no reason for it them to kill him if they've worked with him before.

Kneeling down next to the body he saw the cause of death, a slice to the throat. However he could see the beginnings of bruising over his face and chest. He also noted his little finger was missing, and bandaged up poorly. That didn't make sense at all, why would they bandage him if they were just going to kill him?

Grumbling to himself, he stood up turning and leaving the body there as he walked away. They must have not found it on him...or they realized he was compromised....or both? But still doesn't explain the bandages... He suddenly remembered Alexander taking the wallet. Was Josie that stupid to put the information inside that? Suddenly it clicked why he would have a bandaged missing finger, it looked all too similar...Eva.

From a a standing position, he went to a full sprint back to The Ale House. If she got the information out of him, and sent him still to the meeting knowing he didn't have the documents. She would send men to The Ale House. Cursing himself, he sprinted as fast as he could.

Anna was sleeping when she heard the sound of a loud crash and she was jolted awake immediately. Looking over she realized she was laying in bed with Alexander who was also fully dressed. She heard yelling and she scrambled to the end of the bed and grabbed her boots.

"Alex! Something is going on wake up!" Throwing the door open she practically fell down the stairs in her hurry to find out what was going on. Hearing men's voices and Chester's scared voice she stopped just short of the curtain.

A man's voice demanded, "Where is it? Where is the information?"

"I have no idea what you are talking about. Please mister we are just a friendly little tavern."

She shifted her weight and the floorboard creaked and Chester saw her through the curtain's opening and he shook his head ever so slightly. Reaching to her left she grabbed a sword off of the wall. She had a few in the back just in case. Her knives were under the counter but she had to get to them first. She heard another scream on the other side of the room and saw many men with their faces covered fighting with customers. She looked back to Chester but the man had stepped in front of him and Anna couldn't see him.

Alexander's eyes jolted open as Anna told him to wake up. He sat up and looked around just in time to see Anna shoot out the door and down the steps. He sat there somewhat confused for a second, mind still addled from sleep before coming to his senses. He immediately stood up and ran to the door after he heard a scream from downstairs. He ran out the door and turned sharply to go down the stairs. At least that is what he would have liked to happen. He turned the world seem to turn the other direction. He sat on the ground for a second thinking while the blood came back to his head and the adrenaline started to get rid of some of the effects of the alcohol.

Once his head cleared he looked down the stairs to see Anna standing behind the curtain watching what was happening through the curtain. As Alexander stood up he reached down to his boot and pulled out the dagger he kept hidden there. It couldn't hurt to carry a hidden weapon when a lot of people would like to see you dead. Alexander silently moved up behind Anna looking over her to see what was happening in the tavern.

Alexander was looking around the room and counting out the men he saw. He saw 4 from his point of view so he estimated somewhere between 8-12. As he was shifting around he felt something poke his back and looked behind him. Only an army rushing through the door would have made him happier; it was a sword. Alexander quickly grabbed the sword and tested its weight in his hands. He the leaned close to Anna, "So what were you thinking of doing?" Alexander felt the adrenaline start pumping through his veins. He was ready for a fight.

"Save Chester first, then the tavern." Anna watched as the man between her and Chester raised his arm with his weapon and she shoved her sword into him as she stepped through the curtain. His body was heavy on the sword as he started falling. On the other side of him was a gasping Chester. "NO!" Anna yelled as she kicked the man out of the way and bent down to see Chester.

Chester's wounds were fatal but he smiled at her and said, "You were always like a daughter to me." As the light left his eyes Anna's mind exploded and she grabbed her knives and stood up and started throwing them. She thought she felt Alex go past her so she kept her eyes open for him so she didn't slay him.

Alexander saw Anna rush out of the curtain and moved to follow her. All he saw was the man fall over and Anna bend down to check on Chester. Alexander quickly rushed past them, not wanting to lose the element of surprise. He rushed up to the closest man to Anna and stabbed his sword through the man's foot. As the man reacted by bending down to try to get the sword out of his foot, Alexander grabbed the man's left hand and impaled it to the table with the dagger he had in his left hand. The man screamed and Alexander pulled the sword out of the mans foot. He knew he had lost the element of surprise.

Alexander heard a dagger fly by his head and hit a man coming at him from behind. From the sudden silence behind him he knew it had been a killing throw. Alexander moved on to the next man in front him and stabbed for the man's stomach. His strike was blocked, but Alexander kept on moving forward with the momentum. He reversed his grip on the sword at the last second, nailing him in the ribs with the pommel, cracking a few. As he turned around he had to quickly block a strike to his face then began to duel with the man. He was much better than the other goons Alexander had fought. He was going to take a while.

Anna threw her last knife and started going towards one of the men and she pulled a dagger out of a man on the floor and stabbed it into the shoulder of one of the attackers. She grabbed his hood and pulled it off. He came round and she saw his face. He angrily swung at her and she was off balance enough that it caused her to lean too far back. She fell into a table and he ran out of the tavern.

Anna stood up and was grabbed around the waist and hoisted off of her feet. She began fighting with all of her might but she couldn't see who it was. She did however make contact with her boot and his shin.

Rebellion is Our Calling, and why we rise!(closed)

Belching, Josie stumbled up the street, his heavy stomach already warmed from the last bar he stepped into. Looking around he tried to find the Ale House, he needed the money to get some more ale!

Rounding the street, he saw the warm windows, and could hear the din of a busy Tavern from where he was. Excitedly he trotted up the street faster. Coming to a bit of a pause when he saw some small man exit the building. Shrugging he passed the man, noting his short beard and badly dyed cloak quickly, but not placing their importance flying past his brain from the drink.

Pulling the door open, he fell into the warm inviting atmosphere, already searching for the fine little handful of an owner. Maybe a little coin could talk her into his bed tonight, those strange people paid him well enough to get most whores there. Coming up to the bar, he saw the woman talking to some handsome tanned man, and he became cross. He'd been looking to get her tonight and this man here thinks he can swoop out of nowhere and steal his lay?

That wouldn't work. "Bah' maid! I wanna drink Bah' maid. " calling out to her sloppily, he hoped to pull her attentions onto himself.

Anna heard the call of the newest patron and she left Alexander at the bar and walked over to the man. He seemed to be about thirty-ish, not a soldier but definitely an ale drinker by the gut on him. She smiled welcomingly as she stepped up to the table.

"What can I get for you tonight? Will it be whiskey or ale?" Anna appeared to be normal to those around her but she was wondering if this was the guy Verrick was looking for.

Seeing her smile caused a tightness to the man's core, one that would to a tightening of his trousers given half a chance. Leaning forward, he peered at her and said "I'm not looking for a drink yet. Why don't you come here so we can talk about that, eh?"

Reaching forward, he showed her some gold clutched in his callused hand, the glint of it drawing the eye." If this isn't enough, I'll be getting paid tonight" the confidence from the alcohol rolling through his system, had Josie sure of his success.

When Verrick left the place, he glanced to his left to see Josie walking passed him, drunk as hell. Why couldn't the prick come sooner? Grumbling once again, he turned back around and reached for his bow...only to realize he left it in the corner in his fit of anger. Cursing himself silently he moved back into the bar. As he did though, he unclasped the brooch that held his cloak on, quickly rolling it up in his arm. He did this, only because of the whispers of him earlier after that bout between him and the earl. Feeling awkward now, for two reasons, One being without his cloak, feeling much colder now without its warmth, the second being him walking back in just moments after an awkward confrontation between Anna and him...and this dillweed of a earl. Verrick moved passed Josie, and towards his old chair. Grabbing his bow he turned around and moved closer to the bar. Getting close enough to study Josie, and figure out where he was holding onto the paperwork. He looked at Anna, with a grumpy look. "I'm sorry miss. I just need to sit here for a minute or so...then I'll be out of your hair."

Anna was instantly aware of the way the older man was looking at her. "I'm sorry sir the only things on the menu are ale and whiskey. If you are looking for companionship there are a few brothels in the capital but there are no whores here. Could I interest you in some ale?"

She was so focussed on the man in front of her that she noticed Verrick coming back in but didn't take notice of what he said very well. She glanced up at him and nodded. She was more concerned about keeping the demanding man in check.

Hearing her turn him down brought red to the man's cheeks. How dare the bitch deny him. That's fine with him. He'll just come back tonight. She can say no as much as she wants then, it'd only make it more fun.

Pulling his hand back, he decided he'd make his current visit hell for the woman. What did it matter to him? He was getting his payout tonight. "I want ale, but this isn't over yet." Leaning back, he looked at her, his face showing his displeasure with her refusal. This was fine.

Tugging on his beard he waited for her to bring him his drink thinking about his plans that night.

Anna turned and went to the bar taking her time to get the ale for the obnoxious man. If he weren't the one that Verrick needed she would kick him out right now. She suspected that was the case when Verrick had spoken to her as if nothing had happened just mere moments before. Filling the glass up, she kept her eyes on the man as she walked back to him. She didn't trust him as far as she could spit. Upon arrival she set the glass down and turned to walk away.

Okay, Alexander was somewhat confused. Anna went to go deal with a patron like normal, but then the little runt of a woodsman walked right back in. Alexander just watched him as he got his bow and sat down at the bar saying something to Anna. Then after all that drama she just nodded at him and kept on talking with the patron. Seeing that she wasn't bothered by the woodsman being here Alexander shook his head and looked around him for his drink. There was something he didn't know about and he really didn't feel like learning right now.

Leaning forward when the woman went to get his drink, Josie watched the sway of her hips, eyes drawn to the muscles in her pants dipping down to her legs and back up to the curve of her backside. Licking his lips, he whistled lowly "I will get my hands on that ass." Shifting in his seat, he leaned further forward, propping his elbow on the table and resting his chin on his hand, his eyes planted on her lower half.

Seeing her come back up, his eyes drifted back up her body, drifting along the swell of her breast for a moment before settling on her face, before she walked away again, if she'd passed closer, he would have made a pass at her, one she couldn't have refused even if she wanted to.

Alexander had his head tilted back taking a long swig of the ale. He put the cup down and looked over at Anna. As he looked over his eyes panned over the room and glanced back at the woodsman. As he looked at the ranger he noticed the drooling creep staring at Anna. Alexander just glared at him for a second then looked over back at the ale. He then sighed then began walking over to the staring man. The man was so intent he didn't notice Alexander walk right up next to him. Alexander looked down at him for moment then whistled. As the man turned his head to look up all he would see is Alexander's fist swinging straight at him. Alexander's fist hit the man in the cheek bone, knocking him to the ground. Alexander then turned around and walked back to the bar to get back to his drink.

Verrick growled as he watched the josie eyed up Anna in a disgusting show of unbridled lust. He couldn't deck the man, he needed him still to lead him to the people he was selling information to. However he was about to forget about the mission and break the man's wrist for the way he looked. He glanced at Anna, but suddenly heard a whistle, then when he looked back Josie was sprawled out on the floor, knocked out cold.

Facepalming himself he grumbled a few choice curse words for the brute seafaring noble.

Anna turned around at the sound of something breaking. Her eyes widened as the somewhat drunk earl punched the man known as Josie in the face. She had no way of knowing that the man was staring at and making comments about her backside and his plans to have her later that night. She did know she was extremely uncomfortable around Josie. She felt she had to at least ask him if he was okay, but first she was going to give Alexander some grief.

Anna walked back over to Alexander and looked at him. She couldn't tell if he was annoyed because of the man or that his glass was empty again. It was very hard for her not to laugh at the expression on his face. "Why did you just hit one of my customers?" She asked calmly and Chester was staring at Josie like he might strangle the man. "What happened?" She asked the earl quietly.

Alexander looked at her when she asked him the question. Alexander felt a grin come to his face and he knew he was pretty drunk. "He was staring at you wrong, and I didn't like the feeling he gave me." Alexander looked over her back at the man still crumpled on the ground. "I am pretty sure he isn't dead." He felt his stupid grin get larger at his own joke. He then leaned down, picking up the man's wallet. "Here, this is for the emotional distress."

Great... he's drunk. And he thinks he's funny. Verrick rubbed his face, Anna was about to buy into the whole knight in shining armor routine as well. He watched in pain as these two flirted back and forth, it was painful to watch for the reason it was cheesy. He had to say something.

"Wonderful. You knocked out a man who was about to fall over himself." He said while giving a sarcastic clap or two.

"Didn't see you doing much to stop his staring. Maybe you were afraid he would fall over and crush you?"

"Or maybe because this was the man I was waiting for so he could lead me to the people who was buying his information. Thank you for getting in my way once again." He grumbled.

"Hey just search his body, maybe he left some evidence. Or follow him when he wa-"

Cutting him off "I DON'T NEED THE EVIDENCE you fool I need him with his senses." Verrick snapped back at him.

"I really don't see how this is my problem. I was just defending the Anna's honor." Alexander was smirking when he said this. He knew how much the Woodsman hated all the pomp and show that went with "honor".

Verrick literally fell back against the bar in disbelief. "I'm sorry...Not a fool then. A complete and utter moron. Anna, can defend herself by herself, I've seen it many times." He growled as he moved over and slapped josie a few times hard on the other side of his face.

"Yes, but why should I bother her with that when I could just solve it in one punch?"

Anna looked over at Josie then to Chester who nodded to confirm what had happened. A shiver ran down her spine and she looked at Josie again. "I'm not moving him but we can't leave him there." She looked up at Verrick and frowned. For a fleeting moment her mind forgot about the pain between them and her eyes softened. It was gone so fast that no one would have seen it but him.

"I'll move him, but he might be a little too heavy for me. Maybe the woodsman can finally make himself useful and help me carry him. He will probably take the man to the king's torturers since he couldn't talk then kill him once the drunk's usefulness was over."

Verrick looked like he was about to knock the earl out himself. His lips a thin line and his eyes closed as he calmed himself. He glanced up to see Anna frowning at him.... That was too much for him to bare. Looking quickly away he grabbed his bow, slinging it over his shoulders and quickly putting on his cloak one more time, with out the hood before putting his arm in front of Alex and shoving him back against the bar rather roughly, and surprising strength for a man five inches shorter than the baron.

He held his hand on his chest and Growled. "I think you've done enough. I don't need your help with him. He reached down and with a hard pull, yanked the man up enough to hold him with his shoulder and by the collar Then dropping to his knees, he allowed the bigger man to fall over him, shoving himself up once more, catching him across his shoulders and holding him much like hunters did with deer. His years of pulling back a longbow has given him great upper body strength.

Alexander growled back at the man, but he was not speaking. It was a low guttural sound, more primal than anything.

Looking back to the Earl, He raised an eyebrow. As if mocking the fact the Earl needed a smaller mans help to carry this piece of garbage. "I don't need torturers to get my own information. he said coldly before glancing at Anna... it was clear he wanted to say something....anything... to her. Just pain she could see in his eyes though, after which he looked away before he started to walk out of the Tavern and over to the hitching post.

Anna looked at Chester and downed another shot and said "Take over." She walked outside behind Verrick and followed him.She stood there as he walked over to where the horses were, just next to the water trough.

"Verrick, we need to talk." Her voice shook and she waited for him to turn and say something awful to her.

He lowered his head as he heard her voice, stopping in his steps. He closed his eyes as he heard how her voice shook, and turned around. He looked at her long and hard, His eyes not angry, nor his body language. He just stood there...knocked out fat drunk just draped over his shoulders. "What is there to talk about...? he asked Genuinely. All signs of his sarcasm and anger gone.

Anna had expected him to put the fat bastard down first but she wanted to say this before she lost her nerve.

"I'm sorry...I never should have pushed you away. It was the grief talking and I....by the time I realized what I had done you were gone." Her eyes filled with long held in pain. She stood there in silence afraid he would walk away without saying anything to her.

Verrick looked away from Anna, seeing her eyes. Why now did she have to say this? Why did she make him feel like the asshole. Despite the fact he usually was one. He looked at his life, since then. He doubted she would even love him the same way. He was a different man now. More harsh, and rough around the edges. "I'm sorry I left. There isn't a day I don't wish I would have told you then and there why I did what I did. Leaving you to your grief alone was not right. But you were right about one thing... he choked... as he turned back around. I can't put you through anymore pain. It's better for me to just stay out of your life from now on. You deserve better than me. He said as his eyes welled up, close to tears breaking free. But he shoved them back in as he continued his walk to the hitching posts.

Anna looked as if she had been slapped. She didn't know she was crying until the tears blurred her vision. "Why did you leave? Tell me now. Why would you think that you aren't good enough?" She ran over to the horse and she could see the pain in his eyes. "Tell me. I waited eight years for you to come back."

He stopped with this fat bastard still on his back, It was a cruel tactic of her to use this man for her so he couldn't slip away fast enough. He sighed as he looked away from her. Deciding if he really should tell her... He growled, as he then said, "I wanted to find that guard. I didn't stop till I did, and could get close enough. The ONLY way I could was to be a Woodsman Anna. It took me a few years, But I finally was able to get him..." He said trailing off. Hoping it would be clear that he killed him. " I came back...but I was not the same man anymore Anna...Your father could sense this, he told me to stay away. You looked so happy I did. You don't need a killer like me in your life.

Anna was shocked that he actually killed the man who killed her mother. It had been what she wished for for so long that it should have brought her happiness to hear he did it, but somehow it didn't. When he mentioned her father she knew why he said what he did and it had nothing to do with that. Anna wasn't sure what to say. She hadn't been happy except for shortly after she realized she was pregnant and her father had been furious about it.

Anna looked even sadder. She needed to tell him but she didn't want to hurt him. "You aren't a killer. You forget how well I know you."

He growled. "Eight years ago Anna I wasn't. You don't know me anymore." He said as tried to move away, and towards the water trough.

Anna nodded. She knew what she needed to know and she could see it in his eyes. "Do you still love me?"

Verrick stopped just beside the water trough, looking back at her over his shoulder. "There will never be a day I stop." He said with a tiny hint of a smile....before dropping the man on his shoulders into the water trough suddenly.

Anna smiled through her tears. She put her arms around him and whispered into his ear. "I still love you too and I always will. So what do we do now?"

Verrick felt his heart jump with joy when she said those words and held him, but he couldn't...he just couldn't hurt her anymore...not right now... not during this time. He had to keep her safe. "Anna... You're not getting it... I won't stop loving you. My life as a Woodsman is extremely dangerous...more than I imagined... I don't want you to get hurt because of it.'

Anna read the determination in his eyes and realized that he wasn't backing down. He was really leaving her again. She shook her head in disbelief. "You know, I just heard you telling the earl that I can take care of myself. You know this to be true. We could be married and no one would bother me because of your job. So I'm not buying this."

It's not that simple An..." He looked at the man trying to get out of the trough and kicked him back into it. dealing with drunkards is one thing, dealing with my world is another. Especially now. With the rumors of rebellion starting up once again, and with what just happened to Fenros... He would have to leave her again anyways.

Anna just shook her head, leaned forward and kissed his cheek and walked back into the tavern. She wasn't going to listen to more excuses as to why he thought they couldn't be together. She wasn't going to wait for him either. She had already wasted eight years waiting on him

Rebellion is Our Calling, and why we rise!(closed)

Later that same day...

Anna was standing on top of the tavern bar shoving a crate into place. Chester was laughing at her and offered help if she needed it. Struggling with the weight of the crate she pushed it harder and literally pushed hard enough to throw her balance off.

"Whoa!" She said catching herself barely as she almost fell off of the bar. Turning she looked at Chester who had dropped his cigar in anticipation of having to jump up to help her. As he shrieked at the sudden heat on his pants she chuckled and dropped down to the floor safely.

"Chester you better watch out before you set yourself on fire."

Alexander's horse was plodding along the road in no significant haste. Alexander was taking the time to look around the capital and see how the people were faring. He had brought no one with him seeing how he was in the capital, perhaps the most heavily guarded place in the country. He turned a corner in the road and came upon the Ale House. It was a two story building with people constantly going through it's doors. Whether it was a drunk patron leaving or a customer coming in for a late meal the door seemed permanently open.

Alexander brought his horse into the stable and handed the stable boy a few gold coins. He then walked through the front door and looked around. There were many patrons scattered throughout the room. Somewhere gambling in the corner while others just sat and ate. Alexander saw someone standing on the bar trying to push a crate up, while a person next to them were laughing. The person on the bar nearly fell off which caused the other person jump in his seat. As he heard her laugh he recognized the voice of Anna. Alexander smiled and began heading towards the bar to buy a drink.

Alexander walked over to the bar and looked over at Anna.

"Hey I was wondering if I could get a drink of that Ale you got from my ship the other day?"

Anna turned towards the voice and her eyes lit up when she saw the earl. "Of course you can." Anna reached around and grabbed a glass and poured him some ale and slid it to him gently.

"So did you get everything loaded for your next trip?"

Alexander grabbed the drink and took a deep drink from it. "Thankfully we did, and were able to spend a few days in the north. It really had been too long since we had been up here. Sadly I wasn't able to take my ship up this time and had to ride."

"Is it always this busy in here, or is tonight something special?"

"Tonight is pretty much the regular state of things in here. It stays pretty busy. That is why I don't get to the dock to collect the ale that often, although I might have to make time for it more often." She said grabbing a cloth to wipe the bar down with a smile.

Verrick made his way on foot to the ale house. Where he was supposed to find this mole who tried to blackmail a servant to a local Lord. He was taken back of course when he heard the name of the tavern. Mixed feelings arose in his chest as memories flooded his mind. Returning there was going to be one of the hardest things he did.

When he did finally arrive, he paused, standing in the shadows of a nearby alley. He had heard rumors that the previous owners daughter had sold the place... but he didn't have the chance to really check out if that rumor was true. After taking a few breaths he shook his head. Here he was, a woodsman...put in deadly situations almost daily, and barely had enough courage to walk into a tavern owned by a girl he knew when he was a kid.

He finally pushed himself and strode into the building in false confidence. Making sure the cowl of his hood was covering his face as much as he could. Not that it would do him any good. She knew he was trying to become one. But the hope was there.

As soon as he walked in he looked to the bar, his heart skipped a few beats as sure enough...there she was, cleaning the bar...smile on her face and chatting up one of the customers. He didn't look at the customer but decided to find the darkest corner and put his back to it and do his job. After finding a spot, he sat down, placing his bow just right so it was an easy grab if something...anything happened.

"I hope you do make more time to come to the docks."

Alexander smiled at her and took another long drink of the ale. He honestly enjoyed her company and was glad she might come down to the docks more. "I was wondering if you sold rooms here, because I honestly don't want to spend my night at the castle." He felt there was a scheming noble there for every brick in the cities' walls.

Anna had an extra room but she rarely rented it out and she thought about it a moment. She knew some of the patrons told her that she needed to be more careful but she didn't see any harm in him. Whether or not it was there and she was choosing not to see it remained to be seen.

"I may have an extra room you could rent." She heard Chester cough hard and ignored the flagrant cry of attention for her she could hear in his strangled forced coughs."Drink some water Chester." She said.

Alexander smiled at her and had an idea. "How about a bet? Do you have a target board for knife throwing?"

Anna's eyes became suspicious and pointed to the left of the bar. Her eyes fell on someone sitting in the corner with a cowl covering his face. Her eyes took in the manner in which the man was sitting and how he looked relaxed to anyone just passing by but she had seen enough of them throughout the years. He was either a bounty hunter or possibly a woodsman.

Looking back at Alexander Anna grinned. "What's this bet?"

"We each get one throw with the knife, if I win I get the room normal price, but if you win I pay double price for everything I buy and I'll pay the Tavern's taxes for a year. How does that sound to you?"

"It sounds like you are about to get ripped off. The laughter in her eyes was obvious. Now why would you only want to pay normal charges? You should at least demand the room for free for the night."

"Hey I am a earl and-" in between the sentence he took a long drink of the ale again,"I will soon be too drunk to care how much money I lose. At least that's the plan anyways." He grinned again.

Anna grinned at him and slid another drink in front of him. Grabbing another one she said. "I'll be right back."

Walking with the ale towards the man in the corner she set the glass down in front of him and she could see part of his beard. There was something familiar about him but she couldn't pinpoint it. Not one to mince words she asked him, "Evening, I brought you a glass of ale. Who are you? You seem familiar somehow."

Despite the distance between the bar and the corner, Verrick could hear what was said, with the help of watching their mouths. This little bout between the two made him sick personally... It seemed like a two bit act with the male action trying way too hard. It was painful to watch, the man was clearly trying to impress her with the fact he was a earl, throwing his money around, trying to get into her pants. It was so disgusting he had to look away for a moment, and realized how quickly his emotions were effecting his judgement. Closing his eyes for a moment to readjust himself mentally he looked back as he heard the bet between them. No way this guy was going to win....not with her aim.

She made her way over to him, just as a good hostess would do. He tried to shrink back into his cloak as much as he could without moving when she stood in front of him. At her question he was silent for a moment, daring not to move as he wondered if she recognized him immediately and was just playing it off. No, he didn't have a beard last time they talked...well fought. He was also confident his cowl was indeed covering the rest of his face.

For what seemed like ages he finally spoke, "Thank you..." his voice rough and low, as if he didn't speak much at all. " I don't know why...you only see my beard I'm sure. Unless you remember beards....which would be a little odd."

The instant she heard his voice she knew who it was. Her eyes flashed in pain first then in anger and she put the glass on the table harder than she had anticipated and it splashed over the top and onto the table. Her voice shook a little for a second. Getting a hold of herself she remembered why he was there. Obviously he was spying on someone and it would put his life in jeopardy if he got caught.

She kept her voice low but it was angry. "Don't worry, Verrick. I'll not tell anyone it's you."

Rebellion is Our Calling, and why we rise!(closed)

Fenros groaned as he woke up in the corner of his tiny cell. The pain of his most recent wounds flaring up again. His left eye was swollen shut and black as night. He winced as a he moved, he felt at least one of his ribs were broken. His face was hard as if there was dried blood all over it. Grunting he pushed himself up and moved to the old rusty bars of his prison. Leaning his head against the ice cold iron he looked down the the dark musty dungeon hall, a few old torches flicking, nearing the end of their life. So it was with him. He already lost track of the days he spent down here… he didn’t know if his execution was today or three days from now.

It was probably close to time for his daily beating though, that was for sure. He closed his eyes and turned his back to the bars, sliding down them as he thought of better days. His days with El… He envisioned her smile and laughter, and longed to see her one last time.

His thoughts turned to Ritza as well… he hoped a fate similar to his was not befalling her as well. He honestly didn’t know what his charges were. He felt perhaps it was somehow revealed of his close relationship with Eleanor. But he still hoped that Ritza would be safe. He was heartbroken that they didn’t at least come to see him...but he was also glad. No way he would want to have them see him in this state.

Liram wasn’t use to stone structures. Every building in his life was bound by twine and cloth or mud and limestone, nothing like these gargantuan rocks collected together to form the prison. It had been a challenge to sneak past the gates, but nightfall aided him in his mission. While any normal Cordathian might be easily spotted under the faint glow of the guards’ torches, Liram’s skin was dark enough to remain unseen. He crept through the silent corridors on silent feet.

The Veiled One wasn’t exactly sure where he was going; the whole kingdom of Cordath was foreign enough, yet the Ouroboros had only given him vague instructions. Liram knew how to bullshit his way through bad situations, but that was in the desert, his home landscape. Out there, there were no brick walls to confine prisoners and kings to dominate the people. There was only the sands and the gods.

After what felt like hours of tumbling through endless hallways, Liram came across a door with a padlock on it. Guards of heavy stature and broad width were stationed outside, spiked spears in their hands. How more obvious can they get? the boy asked himself.For fuck’s sake, none of the other doors had guards with them. Staring at the two men and their bulk of armor, Liram almost regretted agreeing to take the job. Yeah, he wanted to meet the legendary General Fenros, but damn, if he was so legendary, couldn’t he make it out himself?

Liram continued to grumble to himself as he looked around. ”Fucking Cordathians,” he murmured to himself in his mother tongue. Slipping a throwing knife from his robes, Liram took aim at the weaker looking guard. Knife-throwing was definitely not his specialty, but fuck, it would have to do. Lucky for him, the guards wore no helmets.

The boy held his breath as the knife soared through the air. If not for the dimly lit torches hanging nearby, he wouldn’t have been able to see it clatter to the floor right next to the guard. Both men stared at the crudely-made weapon before grumbling loudly, “Who goes there? Step out in the name of the king!”

Fenros glanced over at the door when he heard the guards call out. That wasn’t normal obviously. A surge of adrenaline rushed through him. Whatever it was he was going to jump on it. Perhaps it was one of his men...Actually he saw Ritza doing this more likely. He quickly got to his feet, ignoring the pain in his side as he looked around for anything useful. Finding nothing he moved to the bars and squished his face against it so he could get a clear shout towards the door.

“HEY! I’M TRYING TO SLEEP IN HERE SHUT THE HELL UP!”Fenros roared. If he knew anything about prison guards...they didn’t like their prisoners to be comfortable. “BUT WHILE I’M AWAKE I COULD USE ANOTHER PILLOW! PREFERABLY A FEATHER FILLED ONE!”

Liram held back a grin at the sound of General Fenros’ voice echoing from the chamber.

“How about you shut the fuck up in there, huh? Puny fucking general,” one guard spat.

“What’s that? I couldn’t hear ya over how pathetic your life is guarding a ‘puny’ general!” Fenros spat back.

Liram could only imagine how red the guards’ faces were. “I’m gonna fucking kill him,” one growled as he flipped through his keys, trying to find the right one for the door.

Smart man, Liram thought. He knows how to goad.

The Veiled One began to creep up on the guards as both faced the door, ready to pummel the general’s skull in. His footfalls were silently and deadly, but even if they barely echoed, he doubted the men would be able to hear it over their own anger. The key slipped into the lock and the door clicked open, but before either could storm in, Liram shoved a thin dagger through the smaller one’s neck. The guard sputtered and expelled soft blood from his lips before thudding to the floor. The other man gazed at Liram, his mouth idiotically hanging open. “A fucking misto?” the guard said to himself. Liram was beyond familiar with the slur; he practically slept with it every night.

Before the guard could react, Liram unsheathed his Khopesh and slashed it across the man’s throat. Deep bright red erupted from the jagged wound and splashed into little droplets onto Liram’s clothes. The last guard crumpled as the Veiled One tried to smear the blood off his face.

”Of course it would get in my fucking beard,” Liram mumbled in Shrikanti. He looked up to find General Fenros cornered in his cell, bruised and bloody. “I thought you’d be bigger,” Liram said in the common tongue.

Fenros gazed at the man with a queer look. He didn’t even recognize him from his vanguard...and in all actuality he expected Ritza. ”I thought you’d be a woman.” He retorted gruffly.

Liram frowned at the general, beyond perplexed. “Fair enough,” he noted. Searching the guards’ bodies for the keys, the Veiled One thought of how to introduce himself. “My name is Liram Najaho, the warlock clan of the Ouroboros sent me to get you and bring you back to the city of Caella for further instruction.” He opened the cell door and held a hand out. “You coming or what?”

As the vision ended, Marcaeus knew where he needed to be, jumping from his desk he ran for the door, his soft muttering flowing through the room “Let these doors know the path I seek. From here to those who reek.” As his hand closed around the handle, light flashed around the edges of the door, opening it to the sight of General Fenros exiting his cell. His battered body made guilt twist in Marcaeus’ stomach, and for just a moment he froze. Should he help them? Or destroy them now?

Stepping over the threshold of the door, brought him into the room so that they could see him now. Carefully he told the General “I can only give you but a moment. You are a hero to my family, a hero to the throne. But my loyalty is to that throne and they’ll hang me if I don’t stop. Go now, before I kill you and your friend.” Raising his hand, he summoned pure energy to it, he stepped to the side and prepared to either defend himself, or kill them if they did not begin moving.

Fenros took Liram’s hand in thanks as he stepped out of his cell. “Of course… even if the help is coming from Ouroboros.” He said quickly as he leaned down, wincing and pulled one of the guards swords from the sheath. It was then a door opened with light. As the man stepped through. He was prepared for a fight till the man spoke, honestly he rather not fight someone with magic at this very moment and nodded. He looked to Liram and tossed his head to the door. ”I thank you, but you should know.” He said as he looked back at the man in front of him as he sidestepped towards the door. ”I was loyal to the throne as well, and still I am being hanged. “ Which was sort of true, he was loyal to Eleanor.

He looked to the other door that lead to the castle...to Eleanor and Ritza. He was torn to actually try and get the princess away from the madman king. But in his condition now… it would be a miracle. He nodded once more to the magic user and stepped through the door he provided.

Liram warily glanced between both of the men, somehow feeling in the background of the whole conversation. There was a lot going on he didn’t understand, and he knew that. But he trusted the general’s judgement and followed him through the archway. Blinding light flooded his vision, searing through his whole body before fading, leaving behind an empty sensation. Liram blinked and blinked and blinked until his eyes finally cleared. At first, he thought they were still in Cordath, but the thick forestry proved his assumptions wrong. [color=chocolate]”Any idea where the fuck we are?”[/i] Liram asked his new companion.

Fenros followed him through the door, and after blinking a few times himself, hearing Liram’s question he looked around the forest till he then turned to see the university behind them. “We are about a mile or so outside the capital.” He pointed to the university. “This building is west of where we were.”

He then looked around some more. “You don’t happen to have horses in your pouch?” he asked.

Liram frowned at the general. “Would be nice, wouldn’t it?” Instead of fulfilling Fenros’ wishes, the boy pulled out a compass. “We’ll have to travel on foot to the desert. If we’re lucky, we might run into someone with a horse or camel, maybe.” Starting west, Liram glanced over his shoulder at his companion. He finally got a good look at him in the somewhat proper lighting of the street lamps nearby. “Macea, they really banged you up, didn’t they? I thought the people of Cordath adored you.” At least that’s what he had been told. Liram had been listening to stories of the great General Fenros since he was a teenager. “Maybe we should rest for a bit. Shrikant doesn’t like foreigners in his land; he will be much more harsh on you crossing through the desert than me.”

Fenros looked to his new companion as he mentioned how he looked. “The people of Cordath have a much different outlook than the king himself, as he was the one who put me in there.” He glanced back towards the castle even though he couldn’t see it. When Liram mentioned rest he liked the thought of it but they need some more space between them and the capital.

“There’s a small town long our way we can rest in. I know a few people that can shelter us for a day or two and provide provisions for the journey.”

Liram nodded in agreement. “Lead the way, general.”

…

A few days rest had done Fenros some good. He looked less colored and more of that pale complexion of the kingdom, the kind Liram’s father had. The two trekked through the last small hills separating the greenery from the desert sands and arrived at the tongue to Cealla. It wasn’t a hard city to find, if you knew how to get there. Thankfully, Liram knew his land well.

It was only just starting to set in that Liram had saved the general Fenros, the man he had grown to look up to and to admire. Part of him even hoped they might run into bandits so he may see his fighting skill.

The desert sun was harsh and unforgiving, but Liram’s misto skin was used to the abuse. He pulled a spare colorful cloth from his person and handed it to Fenros. “Wrap this around your head; the sun will surely burn your frail skin otherwise. We should reach the remains of my old encampment soon enough. We can restock and rest there before reaching Cealla.”

Fenros nodded in thanks as he took the scarf, and wrapped it around his head in a similar manner to Liram. He looked to the odd man, He didn’t speak much during those last few days due to him resting and hiding in the cellar when the king's soldiers came looking, they could not dare to whisper. “Thank you.”

He then decided to ask him about his name...it sounded oddly familiar. “Your name sounds a lot more Cordathian than Shrikanti. Is there a reasoning behind it?”

Liram bit his tongue in disdain. He should’ve expected that question. ”Once we encounter more people from my tribe, you may notice that many of them have much darker complexions than my own.” The wind whipped through his black curls, sending a gust of sand through his nose. Resisting the urge to sneeze, Liram lifted a hand to fight off the oncoming desert gale. The wind split between his fingers and an invisible dome seemed to form around them, the sands coasting over their heads and to their sides. “My mother was born a Veiled One but my father is Cordathian. Not sure who, but he insisted I have an old family name of his before leaving.” It was hard to hide the bitterness and resentment in his voice.

Fenros nodded, he did indeed know that the Shrikanti were a far darker skin than Liram, and his explanation was so obvious he should have realized it. He looked at little evidence of the dome they were in. He then added, “I only ask, because the name sounded familiar… I can’t place it.” To be honest he actually looked similar to someone he knew a long time ago...but who the person was he couldn’t place it just yet.

Liram nodded. “I have been told it is a rather common name.” The two trudged on in silence. The sand storm ceased, allowing Liram to rest his arm and recharge his essence.

They soon reached the old remains of Liram’s tribe. Limestone and burnt cloth lay scattered on the ground, but it was nothing he didn’t expect. Ever since this stirring of rebellion, many of the dispersed tribes had migrated back to Cealla or Tychan or even Yabella. The Shrikanti needed unity in times like this, so they gathered together.

The community well was still fruitful, with some good amounts of water in it. Liram summoned the water from the dark depths and deposited it into a few separate buckets. ”Drink,” he told the general. The two sat in the shade, their backs pressed against a broken fragment of a wall. ”Just so you know, you are a guest in Cealla, one of the only Cordathians allowed inside our walls in centuries. They barely let men like myself in there, so do not disrespect our culture or people, or you will be thrown to the desert hounds, do you understand me?” He wasn’t telling Fenros these things to intimidate him or scare him. Liram believed that the general was a smart man and do as he was told. “You shall wear a veil, similar to the ones my people wear when in your kingdom. The elder witches will want to parade you around a bit, so be prepared for that.”

Fenros glanced at Liram as he warned him about not offending his people or culture. ”You don’t have to worry about that. I’m just grateful for the hospitality.” He took a sip of the water, ”I hope they don’t parade me around too much, I have to get back to the castle and see to it that Princess Eleanor is safe.”

He then asked, after thinking for it for a bit. “Why would they parade me around?” He asked.

Liram let his eyes slide over the general, pursuing his pale yet strong figure. [color=chocolate]”Many little mistos have never seen a man like you.” The Shrikanti boy laughed heartily at the thought of the faces of his people as a man as white as the hot sands would be strut around the city. Children would stare in awe, women shriek in horror, men quick to defend their families. ”Shrikanti use to believe Cordathians were demons of the forests, but things have changed. You’re more like a freak show now.”

We’re more like a freak show now, a voice in the back of Liram’s head corrected himself. So caught up in calling them ”his people” but nobody was his people. Not the mistos or the milk faces, but he would always be a Cordathian to the desert.

♦ A New Era ♦ - A My Hero Academia RP

---

Jett did just what she asked, thinking back to their earlier conversation it didn’t take long to come up with something she said or he said that would make sense for her quirk. He smirked at it, as she went on bickering at Ezra, explaining what it meant to have the costume. While it was partially true, His was mostly for practicality and protection, the only part of the costume that was really a costume was the hood.

Suddenly Roy went off on him for attacking him that morning, he shrugged “ I wanted to see how you would react.” He said simply as he stormed off, threatening him as he walked away. He kinda hoped they did. He sighed and then said, ”My ‘costume’ is purely for practicality and protection...well except for the hood. Looking to Kasuke, mine doesn’t compliment my hero name either unlike hers.Radiant? Not bad. He added as he leaned against a railing.

She then went on to explain about tomoe, He knew only that she made a clone of herself sometimes when she slept, nothing more than that. He raised an eyebrow as he noticed how quickly she had warmed up to Ezra, she must of really liked him. ”Hey Tomoe…” remembering she didn’t even recognize him from before in villion studies, he didn’t say anything else
@pkken@liferusher@Silver Carrot@Artymis

Rebellion is Our Calling, and why we rise!(closed)

@AtomicNutUm I am not sure, if we have any real magical creatures in the lore. Ill shoot Onepiece a message though see what she says. Perhaps also think of a character that is more guild that could be more realistic as well? I don't want to get your hopes up.

♦ A New Era ♦ - A My Hero Academia RP

Kasuke Mina

---

Jett was slightly annoyed that she didn’t take his comment seriously, the small smile she gave was one that of a ‘yeah right’ kinda thing. He was completely honest. He pushed back onto the back two legs of his as she moved on telling Ezra not to freak out like he did at lunch. Honestly they could do with some tables being thrown around. But he wasn’t interested right now getting in between them. Though when she brought up them being raised by heros, he closed his eyes. He didn’t want that pedigree just thrown about like just because of that they seemed better somehow, He knew that wasn’t what she...fully ment but he understood what she really meant. But it could be taken in such the wrong way.

He still didn’t say anything mostly because suddenly Toni came up behind him and rested her arm around his shoulders, getting WAY too close for his comfort. Especially when memories of what happened on C caused him to redden like a cherry. She then asked him if he liked Grapes… immediately he looked her right in the face and said, I..I uh prefer melons... With a straight face. Cause...he did. In many ways.

She went on to explain more behind grapes...it was clear what she was hinting at. The only reason he was embarrassed was because of Mina and Kaida next to them. Hell half the things she was saying could be taken wrong. Mina did indeed take them wrong, or rather, did not take the wrong at all. She knew that Toni knew exactly what she was doing and saying. Mina had a problem with girls with Toni’s attitude in general but right now, for reasons she could not fully figure out, Toni was number one on Mina’s hit list come the exercise.

Suddenly, Toni used her quirk to steal his belt and used the metal to in the zipper to rip it down, revealing his boxer briefs. His face turned even more beat red but he he was calm enough to quickly reach down and pulled them back up after Roy said he was wrecked again. I got pantsed not wrecked Flowerpower!”. He caught the cloak and threw it right back, he didn’t need a belt to keep his pants up, it was more for style as he had his pants tailored to him.

He did not look at either Mina and Kaida for the rest of the instructions, before moving towards the locker rooms. Mina, red in the face, didn’t look at Jett either. She wondered if she should say anything but if the same thing had happened to her, she would not want anybody talking to her until she’d calmed down. She gave Jett the same courtesy.

---

After Jett got his costume on, he quickly made his way over to the armory to stock up. Grabbing flashbangs, tear gas, flares, smoke bombs, making sure they were fastly secure under velcro pouches, so that Toni could not get a chance to pull the pins on some of them while in it. He also decided to change out his metal batons for a wooden staff, same reason. There wasn't much more he could change if he came acrossed her on the battlefield. He double checked to make sure he had his grappling hook, extra paracord incase he had to help the others onto the roof.

He stopped as he looked at the weapons, seeing the guns. He was trained by his mother, who was a gun fanatic, and wanted to make sure he understood them. He never really thought he would use them himself, but seeing how he was quirkless still at the moment… He walked over to Arsenal and asked if he was allowed to use one for the exercise. After being explained he would have to take a quick test, he nodded in understanding.

After choosing a .40, he moved over to the range and plunged his ears. After a moment of breathing, he shifted his stance to one foot forward and on back slightly. He leaned forward just a hair Pushing his gun forward while pulling back as well with his steadying hand. He unloaded the magazine after a few controlled shots, as knowing how many he fired he released the magazine as soon as it was empty and caught it as it fell out. Placing it on the table before him and picking up the second magazine, and reloading effortlessly. Pulling the slide back as the first bullet entered the barrel. He then took his time with these next shots, firing once, a moment pause, firing again, then suddenly back to quick succession. Till he was empty and then released the magazine once more before checking the barrel once again to be sure it was unloaded before dismantling it completely within a few seconds, laying the grip, slide, barrel, and spring on the table neatly as he did. Then after getting the approval to reassemble it, he did it once again in a few seconds, placing it, slide locked back on the table down range. When the target was brought back, Arsenal would see a solid grouping from his first magazine within the first two center targets, then a smilie face with his two shots at the beginning if his second magazine, and the smile with the rest . Of course it wasn’t perfect, but it was clear what he did.

Once approved he only took that gun, with ten magazines of rubber bullets, plus one in the gun. He then holstered the gun on his right thigh and made his way to the starting point. He had left his helmet off, having it locked into place on his upper back, just under the nape of his neck, so it was easy to slip in and out of and put on his head. His costume, though same as the one he wore that morning when he fought Roy, was black now, instead of white. Breaking the staff into two parts he slipped it over his back and slipped them under some straps that ran acrossed his back.

It was about then when he came upon Kauske and Roy talking. He was taken back really at Kauske’s outfit. While he might have expected something like that, it was still really ‘flashy’. But seeing her with her hair out long, she looked even more attractive than before...more like a woman than a girl. Needless to say, he liked seeing her in it very much, though he didn’t think it was very tactical to be wearing a dress while fighting. But to each their own. As he came up he heard Roy say essentially the exact same thing he did to her back in class. He didn’t think Roy would even like her like that.

Mina, though she had been looking at Roy as he spoke to her, didn’t really show any outward reaction until Roy challenged her, promising to settle the score. At this, Mina smiled and raised her fist in challenge. ”You’re on, Roy,” she answered before she saw Jett, and flushed again, though the memories of what happened in the classroom the more she studied his costume. Also from a family with a lot of pedigree and money behind it, his costume was possibly even more professional looking that hers.

”Wow,” she remarked, clearly impressed, and in a manner that might bring back faint memories of a little girl in a karate gi telling a shy little boy that his quirk was ‘really cool’, ”You costume looks impressive, and dare I say it, badass!”

Not knowing how to bring up either the Toni incident or his sudden gloominess upon her choice to ignore him without making things awkward, she instead tried to remedy the latter with a different approach. ”Guess what my Hero name is,” she asked him, smiling in an unusually warm, chilled out way. She was no longer standing on ceremony but talking to him in a similar way to how she talked to Donny yesterday.

Jett was somewhat glad she didn’t react to Roy's attempt at calling her beautiful. But when she looked at him and complimented his own costume was that a hint of a flush on her cheeks? He clearly didn’t know what the flush was about..was it her seeing him? Or him seeing her in her outfit? Whatever it was he smiled at her complaint. It was probably the first real one she gave him. He scratched the base of his head as he smiled.

'That quirk’s really cool!' a flash of a distant memory of another girl in pigtails came to mind. A tint of red came upon his cheeks. That girl...he couldn't remember her name at all...but thanks to her and being his friend...just for that day.

“Thank you Kasuke…I appreciate that.” He motioned to her dress. ”I honestly thought you were the most beautiful girl I saw, I didn’t think you would get even more so. Your costume is amazing as well! Fits you perfectly. He said giving her a genuine smile. When she she then asked what her hero name would be. He shrugged. ”Uh… Aphrodite? Athena? He was taken back at her sudden warmness...what happened between class and now? Whatever it was he was glad to see this part of her.

Mina shook her head, and put her hand to her chin. ”No, though Athena wouldn’t actually be a bad one. No, think back to our earlier conversation. I think you’ll like it when you guess it.” As she was talking, she’d noticed something. The pain was gone. It was clear ignoring Jett wasn’t the answer. She just had to relax when she talked to him and stop dwelling on other things. Besides, she can’t afford to dwell on other things anyways, if they wanted to win this exercise.

♦ A New Era ♦ - A My Hero Academia RP

@ZerothHEY glad to see you popped into the guild! we were worried about you

Rebellion is Our Calling, and why we rise!(closed)

@Nymeriaforgot to tell you, that is Feasable to me, depends on what One story really.