Jolu nodded her assent and slipped out the door, waiting for Winter, Radiant, Rand, Alniyat, and Denemika to follow.
"We're the bait," She said quickly to Blayze and Ilsibin, "so it's time to make us a better target."
She raised the murderous, wispy thing in her hand and let its power and nature mingle with her energy. It wanted to fill her lungs, sweep over the town and suffocate all within, but Jolu whipped its spirit into submission with her will. Within moments smoke began to blanket the area around them, rising to cover the knees, and then waists, slwly forming into a dome. Before it covered their heads, Jolu made sure to catch everyone's eyes while covering her mouth with her cloak.
"Make for the trees and try not to breath the smoke in."
"We'll be too visible Jolu and I won't be able to sight any incoming attackers through the haze. They might not be able to snipe us, but smoke won't stop someone from charging into our midst."
Ilsibin had a point, but Jolu brushed off his concern as she felt her spirit's hunger grow.
"Then it's their funeral."
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WHERE ARE YOU PEOPLE!? D:Snow storm for me. I had to spend a night at a truck stop, then had to work super late for two days. I'm finally catching a break, so I'll post soon. I have to catch some real sleep here, so it'll be tomorrow for me, probably.
I'd say responding is less important than leading. Everyone's characters are geared or are gearing up for what comes next, so lead us out of the tavern. This is a bit of an action scene so doing instead of discussing would help get things running. Those would be my notes for your post.
An answer, but also not. This was something Ilsibin would have to go over with the knight-commander personally, when there was less going on. Both he and Jolu shot out of their seats when the glass shattered. No, know was not the time for detailed accounts.
Without a second thought he joined Blayze at the door. While the archer scanned the area, Ilsibin unslung his crossbow and locked a bolt into place. Trusting that Blayze had his direction covered, Ilsibin turned his back to him and kept watch over the opposite direction. Though the instinct was strong and his hand fingered one of the tanglefoot bags at his belt, Ilsibin knew such obstructions would only help to cut off possible escape routes.
---
Inside Jolu went to the queen's side with her scroll case in hand and clearly visible. No need to make the bishop jumpy. Anyone who could physically deal with rock wraiths was someone to step lightly about.
"Rhyshin, I believe Ilsibin and I will keep close to you. To tell the truth, we aren't the most adept at sneaking in advance of others."
A half truth, but no need to reveal the real reason the couldn't separate. While she waited to move, she removed the case's cap and exerted her will upon the contents. A wispy trait of smoke slid out and swirled around her hand. Every so often the faintest hint of a face would mar its perfect trails before fading away.
Jolu was shocked, to say the least. A bow. Honest to the blind, deaf, and dumb gods; a bow. That had never happened before. Usually it was just raving and chanting in rage and accusing her of wronging the spirits, but this Denemika was different. She warranted further investigation. It also meant that she nearly missed what Ryshin said. Inclining her head in acceptance she sat back down.
"Respect among peers truly is a terrible thing. Worthy of both caution and violence."
"Hush," she whispered and hissed in Ilsibin's direction.
Deciding that pressing the subject further was in poor taste, Ilsibin sat in silence as the parade of events played out. In his professional opinion none of these people were ready for a war. There was entirely too much stubbornness and pride in the air. Instead he chose to try and illuminate himself and everyone else on the dangers they were about to face.
Clearing his throat loudly over the din, Ilsibin asked his question, "Master Mawblack, If you would be so kind as to explain what you know of these generals and the types of battles we'll be facing."
What an awful weekend. I'll see about posting today or tomorrow. Have to catch up first.
Woot! Day off. Posted.
"Qiran..." Ilsibin whispered as they continued to watch and eat.
"A rare miss," Jolu quipped.
As the tavern gained more patrons in the form of an escaped guard and an amazonian warrior, it seemed their chance to introduce themselves would never come. Ilsibin could, however, appreciate how well the queen sorted through the rabble and reestablished some sore or order.
"Do you think a dragon will show up next?"
Ilsibin's joke went unheeded as Jolu froze in her seat, eyeing Denemika warily. Jolu had felt something when this woman had entered. The spirits, the ones Jolu could never sense unless she focused her complete attention on them, had roused when she made her introduction.
"Something wrong?"
"That woman,"Jolu waved in Denemika's direction, "She's a spiritualist of some sort. I'm sure of it."
Ilsibin noted Jolu's hand slipping to the scroll case by her side, before he leaned in conspiratorially, "Is she going to be a problem? Should we go?"
"Sprituallists are always a problem for me, but as long as she keeps things civil we should be fine. She said she was bidden to the queen, so I don't think she'll risk that command by causing a ruckus now. In either case we should make ourselves known."
Jolu decided to answer Thom's question once she was satisfied he was done listening to himself talk.
"The queen could, I suppose, have made her summons more secretive," Jolu's voice rose as she did, "but then what would she have gained but the allies she already knew she had. I doubt all of us are spies or assassins. But they do say that, 'He who crows the loudest has the most to hide.'"
"Your highness, Rhysin, I am Jolu Xoyr and my companion is Ilsibin Haeg. We've been graciously ivited to this gathering by Sir Rand. As fortune-hunters it is difficult at times to find gainful employment in a strange land. We would like to offer our services to you and your cause."
"As for our credentials, we have been in conflicts all over the continent. We even participated in Caradia's war against the Hill King and survived. While it would be imploite to discuss the finer details of our work here, I can promise you that if you accept our aid, you will not regret it."
Hello New, I'm reddy.
"Light's dead," Jolu chose to comment, even though they both could plainly see it. The torch and it's magic were used up, leaving just a plain stick in Ilsibin's hand. he sounds of a town and its people drifted to their ears, so at least they knew the torch had not led them astray. Neither was particularly thrilled to travel any further to reach it. But hunger and the comfort of a proper seat won out and they continued to trudge onward.
As the treeline broke they were greeted with a quaint village thick with soldiers from a small army. A small part of Ilsibin railed against the fact that such a great number of people could make it through that forest easily. That part was drowned out by the need for food. The tavern itself wasn't hard to find, luckily for them. They stepped into... A heated discussion.
Jolu and Ilsibin shared a glance and stepped around the group and made way for a side table. While Ilsibin motioned to the owner that they wanted food and drink, Jolu got a chance to study the gathering before them.
"At least we;re not the only foreigners here," she whispered.
"What do you mean?" Ilsibin whispered back.
"That girl with them. The dark-haired one. She looks a little out of place. If I'm right and that's the queen and possibly her sister; the blondes. If the raven-haired one gets a good deal for her services, then we'll know what to expect of our payout and whether this whole trip was in vain."
"That girl..." Ilsibin scratched at his stubble as a thought came to him. "She's Yeojin I think. A Yeo specifically, unless I'm wrong. What is a Yeo doing working for a queendom that stole her people's victory?"
"What are two of Caradia's finest doing here?" she joked with no small amount of irony, while completely missing what the loud thief announced, "And here comes Rand, strait from providence."
"He looks a little worse for wear," Ilsibin noted as their stew and drinks arrived.
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