DrowsyPangolin

Fire in the West (Freeroam)

Crom smirked when the man asked if a mountain lion had caused the wounds. "No mate, it was something a bit larger..." He trailed off as the man worked on his injuries. "I don't know if you'd believe me if I told you." He laughed a bit. It felt good to get his wounds cleaned, and he had no doubt that he'd heal much faster now. As the man finished up on his shoulder he asked about Crom's other injury. Crom nodded, pulling his tunic off carefully so as not to irritate his newly wrapped shoulder. The wounds to his side were long closed, but likely still needed dressing. The mercenary shuddered as he looked down at his chest. The place where the werewolf's fist had connected was covered with a large blue-black bruise. He grimaced at the injury, seeing it was probably worse than he'd initially thought. "Can you do anything for this?" He said, motioning to the bruise. If the man could treat his shoulder wound, he almost certainly could handle his side, but the bruise was another matter entirely.

Alec listened intently as Boyd spoke. He was a bit surprised that they were entrusting him with a contingent of soldiers. Very rarely had any of his clients given him men to use. He'd have to inspect the force to know just what he was working with. He knew very little of the Arcartis, so their combat prowess was a complete mystery. He hoped they took orders well, at least. As the Marshal moved on to just what they would be doing a faint smile crossed Alec's lips. His gold canines protruded slightly from the corners of his mouth. So, it seemed Arcartus had some sort of unrest. He could handle that. The lord understood the mindset of a rebel, after all, he had taken the Reins nearly entirely in open rebellion himself. The lack of guidance regarding how he was supposed to deal with the threat was a definite plus. To often his clients would be very particular on the methodology that had to be used. He was glad the Arcartis seemed to be giving him free rein over the situation. The lord nodded. "You will not be disappointed, Marshal." The black clad man rose to his feet. "When will I be setting out?"

Fire in the West (Freeroam)

Alec nodded along with Boyd's words. 300,000 was a decent down payment. He'd received more, on at least one occasion that he could remember, but it was certainly a respectable amount. The talk of continuing payment after the initial sum made the offer much more appealing. Alec sat in silence for a moment, running over the idea in his head before finally speaking. His eyes glanced up towards Boyd's, the dim light from the window shining against his face. "That seems like quite a respectable sum Marshal, I could work for that much." He glanced back towards the door, where he had heard footsteps and hushed conversation a few moments before. It seemed someone had joined Milo, a woman from the sound of things. Alec doubted the Arcartis would try anything, after all, they had no real reason to. The lord leaned forward in his chair, looking Boyd directly in the face. "Well then Marshal, tell me, what exactly shall I be doing for the fine kingdom of Arcartus?" There was a touch of excitement in Alec's voice as he asked the question, and his eyes lit up with a certain fervor. For the amount they were offering, he was certain his work would be entertaining.

Fire in the West (Freeroam)

Alec followed the Marshal to his office and took a seat in a well-made wooden chair when it was offered to him. He sat back in the chair and listened as Boyd began his speech. It was not the first time he had heard such a speech. When serious internal problems arose, it was much easier to have an outside force quell them than dealing with the backlash of butchering your own citizens. Alec nodded along as Boyd spoke. It seemed his reputation had spread in Arcartus, as the Marshal mentioned that a number of officers seemed to know about him. As Boyd finished, Alec spoke up. "I could certainly help you eliminate your... problem. From the sound of things such a task would fall under my area of expertise, to be sure." The lord paused for a moment. "However, I do not work for free, dear Marshal." Alec locked eyes with the man. "I assume the details of my payment will be part of these specifics?" Alec seemed incredibly calm.

Fire in the West (Freeroam)

Alec observed the stately-looking man strolling across the marble floor. Before he opened his mouth Alec had determined who he was. He accepted the man's handshake, a gesture that would likely lead to the same realization Milo had about the spiked knuckles. Boyd ran through the pleasantries of welcoming him to Arcartus. "I appreciate your warm welcome, Marshal Boyd. Your men have treated me just fine." Alec still had the same tone of voice he had with Milo earlier. Though not a rude tone by any means, there was no added reverence for being in the company of such a high-ranking officer. Alec considered the Marshal's question for a moment before deciding it would likely be easier to conduct business away from the bustling workers. "I think your office would be far more appropriate, Marshal." He said, motioning to the crowd of workers running around them.

Fire in the West (Freeroam)

Before Milo could answer the question the carriage came to a stop. They had evidently reached their destination. Alec followed Milo out of the vehicle and out into the rain. He followed the Scout through the large iron gates of the office and up soaked gravel path. Milo opened the door for him to enter. Alec walked straight through the doors of the Branch Office at a brisk pace. The interior of the building was a good representation of the wealth of Arcartus. The floor was made of fine marble, and a number of columns made of a similar material lined the walls. A large golden chandelier hung above the center of the foyer. Alec took a few steps in, glancing around the large room for his host.

Fire in the West (Freeroam)

Alec listened intently, his pink eyes locking with Milo's as he spoke. The way Boyd was described, he seemed more of a politician than a soldier. Alec had worked with the type before. They usually didn't like getting their hands dirty, and so had to search for someone that was. He was all too willing to oblige. He drummed his fingers against the side of his seat in the carriage. He would hopefully see just what kind of man Boyd was for himself fairly soon. He certainly hoped whatever they required of him would be at least a bit challenging. He hadn't left the Reins to be bored by trivial execution duty. "Have you any word of what it is Marshal Boyd wants me for?" Alec's cold, silky voice floated across the carriage. He hesitated for a moment before continuing. "I wasn't told much, only that he sought my...services. A ship was sent for me not long after that." He watched as the city passed them by out the window.

Fire in the West (Freeroam)

Alec eyed the brandy as Milo poured it an offered it to him. He had never been one to drink much. He felt it dulled the senses and slowed him down. He waved his hand before him and shook his head. "No thank you. I'm not much of a drinker." He looked from the glass to Milo for a moment before speaking again. "You're welcome to it. You seem to have been out in the rain for quite some time." What would've been a friendly comment from anyone else felt strange coming from Alec. He spoke in a distant, detached manner, and his voice had an eerie calm to it. He looked out the window of the carriage at the falling rain. After a few moments he spoke. "So, Lieutenant, what do you know about Marshal Boyd?" He was curious as to just what kind of man he'd be meeting with.

Fire in the West (Freeroam)

Alec was unsurprised to be meeting a military higher-up. Milo motioned for him to follow him to the carriage. "Certainly." the lord replied, following the lieutenant down the rain-soaked pier to the carriage. He didn't mind the rain so much, but a carriage would certainly be more comfortable than walking all the way through the city in the quickly-intensifying weather. Alec followed Milo to the carriage, scanning it from top to bottom. It was well constructed; a fitting vehicle for a lord. It was drawn by a pair of large bay horses. The animals looked well-fed and muscular, appearing to have been quite well looked after. Alec stood for a moment at the carriage before one of Milo's men opened the door. Alec motioned towards the carriage and looked towards Milo. "Shall we?" The lord climbed up the steps leading into the vehicle and sat down. The interior of the carriage was quite comfortable.

Fire in the West (Freeroam)

The leader of the trio introduced himself as a lieutenant, Alec had been right in his assumption that they were wearing military uniforms. The young man appeared to be getting quickly soaked by the rain, though his facial expression showed no sign that this was bothering him. He extended a hand to the lord, who looked down at it for a few moments before eventually returning the gesture. He gripped the young man's hand tightly and shook it before returning his arm to the folds of his cloak. The brief gesture had made his hand, and thus the spikes on his knuckles, quite visible, giving perhaps a faint hint as to just what kind of man Milo was dealing with. He nodded to the man as he mentioned his name before replying in the same smooth voice. "That I am, lieutenant." He looked behind Milo briefly, looking from one of his two companions to the other before turning towards the city. "Well then. Where are we headed?" The rain was beginning to come down harder, and the wind seemed to be getting stronger by the second.

Fire in the West (Freeroam)

Crom looked at the unfinished image of a werewolf on the patch as Johnathon explained his art form. The embroidery was quite well done, and seemed to be an interesting hobby. In Esterl, at least, people with artistic talents were generally valued quite highly. The artisans and painters of the island nation made a considerable amount of money by catering to the elite. Many times during his time as a knight Crom had marveled at the works of art constructed for his lord. A felt a faint pang of sadness. He would likely never look upon those works of art again. Crom nodded as Johnathon finished his explanation. "Ah, so you're an artist then. It's quite good. I'd much rather see him on a patch than coming for my throat." Crom laughed, motioning towards the image of the werewolf. He looked around him as they entered Loenn. It was a quaint town, but seemed nice. As the cart pulled up to the inn, a man with a bag of medical instruments offered to treat his wounds. Crom nodded, hoping the doctor knew what he was doing. He looked like he had caused more injuries than he had treated, but it wasn't the soldier's place to judge. "Aye mate, where to?" He said, rising to dismount the wagon. He waved to Griff and John. "I guess I'll see the two of you after this fellow patches me up."

Alec stood at the bow of the ship, his eyes scanning the capitol city that stood before him. The ship had set sail from the Reins a few days earlier, and though it had been a relatively calm voyage, Alec had grown tired of being at sea. The rain fell softly against his face and was forming droplets in the fur of his cloak's collar. He had been told very little of what exactly awaited him in Lieda. It had only been a few weeks since he had received word that Arcartus was looking into his 'services'. He wondered exactly what the Arcartis had in mind; not that it mattered. Numerous clients had sought him out throughout the years, and not one had ever been disappointed. That was, as long as the other party had kept up their end of the bargain. The city looked quite wealthy, and the black-clad noble had no doubt they would reward him quite handsomely for his assistance.

The ship came to a stop, and the sailors quickly set to work in lowering the gangplank. Alec turned towards the lowering bridge as it flopped down against the stone of the pier. Alec strode across the deck of the ship silently and walked down the gangplank, his boots clacking against the creaking wood. As he made his exit, he noticed a trio waiting for him on the pier. They appeared to be some sort of welcoming party, an escort to take him into the city no doubt. As his boots clacked down against the wet stone of the dock, he looked up towards the welcoming party. They all wore military uniforms. Alec stopped a few steps in front of the group and looked towards who he supposed was it's leader: a rather small young man, who unlike his company wore no cloak despite the rain. The Lord of the Reins stood silently for a moment, his long cloak swaying in the quickly-strengthening breeze. He looked to the young man who stood before him and spoke deliberately. "So, you'll be my escort I take it?" The man's voice was strong, but not loud. It had a certain smoothness to it. The lord's light pink eyes looked briefly towards the city before coming back to Milo as he awaited a response.