Continued from Diverging Roads.
May, 122PW
Jerial's determined step never slowed as he approached Marn's gates. He let out a disapproving growl when a Guardsman stopped him before he entered the threshold of the wall. Jerial could tell immediately that he was a recruit, likely under his first post; under normal circumstances, the elf might have pitied his monotonous position. But he was not in a light mood, nor was he willing to play cradle games with human whelps when he had business to attend to, on top of the monstrously aggravating events leading up to this point.
"I have no patience for semantics at the present moment, guardsman. I do not doubt that you have amicable intentions in inquiring as to why I am carrying a nondescript bundle of cloak and nothing else of your business. That being so, you may even wish to see the contents of my bundle. That is fine, I do not wish you harm for your occupational curiosity, but I swear, we will have no peace if you try to approach me. Now bugger off and have a nice day." And with that, he shouldered the sputtering novice to the side and continued into the city. Cerion and Kado followed wordlessly, the former with a glance of half-apology at the neophyte guard, the other with an amused smirk.
Diverged Roads: The Common Path
Diverged Roads: The Common Path
Last edited by Jerial on Mon Dec 02, 2013 11:15 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Re: Diverging Roads
They were moving, of that much she was sure. Jerial wasn't the most gentle or graceful of mounts, and as such, Fay had been woken briefly a handful of times during their short jaunt. She didn't appreciate it, as she was quite comfortable, nestled in her little burrow of blankets. Her mind, once so crammed, stressed and full of jumble, now so empty and blank. Only animal-like thoughts surfaced; in other words, Fay's frontal lobe had temporarily shut down in an attempt to avoid further stress. As such her more base thoughts and instincts rose in place of complex thoughts whenever she was bumped, jostled or accidentally shook awake.
As such, when she heard Jerial ramble something whilst sounding rather ignorant, the vague notion of biting him came to mind. The jostle when he shouldered by the man who smelled of new leathers and metal didn't improve her disposition much either. She just wanted to sleep, why couldn't she be allowed to just sleep? Another jostle had her yapping and giving up. The city smells were far more interesting anyways. She popped her head up and shook the material-that-smelled-like-her off her head before looking up at the man-that-smelled-of-fire that she quickly recognized as her mate. He looked angry. Oh well. She looked down, noting she couldn't jump safely from the height (she could smell fish and wanted some!) and so looked up at him and the other two-leggers. Funny things, two leggers.
The-one-who-smelled-of-metal leaned around her Mate as they moved and frowned. "Hey, Fay's awake... but she's acting... out of sorts." The harsh syllables of the human language made sense, if only dimly and in the back of her mind. She understood, but she didn't at the same time. As a result, the silver vixen tilted her head and yapped. Cerion jogged to match Jerial's long stride, also frowning at the vixen. "Indeed... I'd have assumed she would have taken her human form upon re-awakening." Silver-blue eyes turned to the odd-one. What nonsense was he spouting? She wasn't a two legger! She's thought the two-leggers were smarter than that! She had for legs, like any sensible being would. Silly two-legger and not being able to count...
As such, when she heard Jerial ramble something whilst sounding rather ignorant, the vague notion of biting him came to mind. The jostle when he shouldered by the man who smelled of new leathers and metal didn't improve her disposition much either. She just wanted to sleep, why couldn't she be allowed to just sleep? Another jostle had her yapping and giving up. The city smells were far more interesting anyways. She popped her head up and shook the material-that-smelled-like-her off her head before looking up at the man-that-smelled-of-fire that she quickly recognized as her mate. He looked angry. Oh well. She looked down, noting she couldn't jump safely from the height (she could smell fish and wanted some!) and so looked up at him and the other two-leggers. Funny things, two leggers.
The-one-who-smelled-of-metal leaned around her Mate as they moved and frowned. "Hey, Fay's awake... but she's acting... out of sorts." The harsh syllables of the human language made sense, if only dimly and in the back of her mind. She understood, but she didn't at the same time. As a result, the silver vixen tilted her head and yapped. Cerion jogged to match Jerial's long stride, also frowning at the vixen. "Indeed... I'd have assumed she would have taken her human form upon re-awakening." Silver-blue eyes turned to the odd-one. What nonsense was he spouting? She wasn't a two legger! She's thought the two-leggers were smarter than that! She had for legs, like any sensible being would. Silly two-legger and not being able to count...
Re: Diverging Roads
Jerial was sick of not having a plan. He swerved into the Rat and seized a table, setting the bundle next to him but resting a reassuring hand on the warm mass in the middle.
Kado wasted no time in grabbing a chair and motioning over a young barmaid. Cerion followed suit with a sigh, albeit in a much more patrician manner. "An ale," Kado threw out, relaxing back in his chair. The chair protested in a creak just loud enough to be audible over the bustle of the tavern.
Jerial caught himself glaring at the zealot. He admired his fighting aptitude, and his wit, but his flippancy annoyed him. "Very well, if you've sated your stomach's desires, let us speak of our plan of action for the time being, and potentially beyond."
Cerion spoke more quickly than Jerial expected. Obviously, he had been mulling it over previously. "Our employer was very indefinite as to what to do after you and your companion were saved. Something that I'm relatively sure of, however, is we are supposed to remain with you. I assume our employer will send further instruction, maybe even a dismissal, in the near future."
"He'd better pay up if that's the case," Kado, who had seemed to be half-listening, added as he received his stein. "That is, assuming he knows of our success in intercepting our lovely clients." He took a sip, staring at Jerial across from him from over the lip of the stein.
"If my impressions are correct, there is not much that this man is not aware of. To return to my previous line of reasoning, I suggest we, to speak colloquially, 'hole up' here in Marn. I think you spoke of unrest among the people of the city. Or perhaps it was Fayane. In either case, it is of interest to us, for more personal reasons. I'm sure you understand."
Jerial grunted his agreement and leaned forward. "I do agree, but I also think it would be wise to await Fayane. She is the most familiar of us with this city, after all, and I value her opinion. Until then, we can rest here."
The creaking of chairs holding settling bodies testified to their agreement.
Kado wasted no time in grabbing a chair and motioning over a young barmaid. Cerion followed suit with a sigh, albeit in a much more patrician manner. "An ale," Kado threw out, relaxing back in his chair. The chair protested in a creak just loud enough to be audible over the bustle of the tavern.
Jerial caught himself glaring at the zealot. He admired his fighting aptitude, and his wit, but his flippancy annoyed him. "Very well, if you've sated your stomach's desires, let us speak of our plan of action for the time being, and potentially beyond."
Cerion spoke more quickly than Jerial expected. Obviously, he had been mulling it over previously. "Our employer was very indefinite as to what to do after you and your companion were saved. Something that I'm relatively sure of, however, is we are supposed to remain with you. I assume our employer will send further instruction, maybe even a dismissal, in the near future."
"He'd better pay up if that's the case," Kado, who had seemed to be half-listening, added as he received his stein. "That is, assuming he knows of our success in intercepting our lovely clients." He took a sip, staring at Jerial across from him from over the lip of the stein.
"If my impressions are correct, there is not much that this man is not aware of. To return to my previous line of reasoning, I suggest we, to speak colloquially, 'hole up' here in Marn. I think you spoke of unrest among the people of the city. Or perhaps it was Fayane. In either case, it is of interest to us, for more personal reasons. I'm sure you understand."
Jerial grunted his agreement and leaned forward. "I do agree, but I also think it would be wise to await Fayane. She is the most familiar of us with this city, after all, and I value her opinion. Until then, we can rest here."
The creaking of chairs holding settling bodies testified to their agreement.
Re: Diverging Roads
She'd just re-drifted off to sleep when she was set on the wood-ground. She didn't bother moving, especially since a warm hand patted her soothingly, though the words rumbling through the air caught her attention. The vixen popped her head out from her cloak sleepily and yapped. The two companions looked to her and she gave them a very-not-impressed look before looking at her mate and yapping. She had heard her name.
She disentangled herself from the cloak and shook herself so her fur settled before proceeding to wash herself, her rough tongue pulling dirt and debris from her silver fur. Her mate said something, his voice catching her ear, resulting in them swiveling towards him. His finger tapped the wood in front of her nose, forcing her attention to it, both ears perked at the noise. Prey? Instantly she crouched and watched the fingers, tail wagging back and forth as she concentrated on the moving digits. She heard voices but ignored them and the concerned tones found in them. She pounced on her mates hand and gently nibbled the fingers, all four of her claws digging gently into skin. He moved his hand and she mewled in delight as she was slid across the wooden surface - this was fun!
She was then lifted, Jerial's concerned eyes looking into her own blatantly animal-like ones. She held his eyes, tilting her head in confusion, why did he look upset? "Home, Fayane can you lead us home?" Her mate wanted to go home? A vague memory of her mother and father flit across her mind, but she felt that wasn't what he was looking for. Another memory - slightly stronger - of her small house by the guard house. She yapped and squirmed free of his grasp before jumping off the table and sat by the door, waiting. She would lead him!
When he opened the door she trotted out, nose to the ground a moment before she moved in the correct direction. She was distracted a couple times by fish, raw meats and other nice-smelling goodies, but with her little followers coaxing her back on the trail, Fay finally lead them home. Jerial, having a two-legger brain-wave, dug her key out of her cloak and unlocked the door, allowing them inside the worn but tidy place. Sparse, wooden furniture adorned the place, and the floor was clearly worn. A large sack lay against the wall, slightly spattered with blood and filled with sawdust - her punching bag. She recognized the place and remembered it well - along with her human side. Thoughts screamed through her only to be brutally shoved away. Not now - she would deal with those later. For now... for now she moved into one of the side rooms and jumped on the bed, curled on the pillow and dozed off back to sleep.
She disentangled herself from the cloak and shook herself so her fur settled before proceeding to wash herself, her rough tongue pulling dirt and debris from her silver fur. Her mate said something, his voice catching her ear, resulting in them swiveling towards him. His finger tapped the wood in front of her nose, forcing her attention to it, both ears perked at the noise. Prey? Instantly she crouched and watched the fingers, tail wagging back and forth as she concentrated on the moving digits. She heard voices but ignored them and the concerned tones found in them. She pounced on her mates hand and gently nibbled the fingers, all four of her claws digging gently into skin. He moved his hand and she mewled in delight as she was slid across the wooden surface - this was fun!
She was then lifted, Jerial's concerned eyes looking into her own blatantly animal-like ones. She held his eyes, tilting her head in confusion, why did he look upset? "Home, Fayane can you lead us home?" Her mate wanted to go home? A vague memory of her mother and father flit across her mind, but she felt that wasn't what he was looking for. Another memory - slightly stronger - of her small house by the guard house. She yapped and squirmed free of his grasp before jumping off the table and sat by the door, waiting. She would lead him!
When he opened the door she trotted out, nose to the ground a moment before she moved in the correct direction. She was distracted a couple times by fish, raw meats and other nice-smelling goodies, but with her little followers coaxing her back on the trail, Fay finally lead them home. Jerial, having a two-legger brain-wave, dug her key out of her cloak and unlocked the door, allowing them inside the worn but tidy place. Sparse, wooden furniture adorned the place, and the floor was clearly worn. A large sack lay against the wall, slightly spattered with blood and filled with sawdust - her punching bag. She recognized the place and remembered it well - along with her human side. Thoughts screamed through her only to be brutally shoved away. Not now - she would deal with those later. For now... for now she moved into one of the side rooms and jumped on the bed, curled on the pillow and dozed off back to sleep.
Diverged Roads: The Common Path
It was late when Jerial was awoken by a worried Cerion. "I have been contacted," the elf said blandly without preamble. "We are officially to await further instruction by staying in your company. Beyond that, we are free to make our own decisions." Jerial was not yet awake enough to make out everything he was saying, much less comprehend it.
"Apologies," he said, rising. "Explain yourself once more."
"Our employer has stated his wishes. We are to remain with you." Cerion paused. "I must confess, I have little idea as to who this man must be that he has the money to waste on whatever endeavor he is accomplishing through this."
I foresee this as working out very badly for you.
Potentially. However, for the time being, we have little choice.
You may not be pleased to find who this phantom protector is. In fact, he may not be a protector at all.
This is my choice. We won't rid ourselves of them without a fight, and Fayane is in to shape for conflict. Furthermore, I've come to be fond of them in an odd way.
Suit yourself, my logically impaired host.
Jerial shook his head to return himself to reality. "Yes, that is indeed strange. One cannot argue with he who holds your coin, however." Jerial accepted the inevitability that he was not going back to sleep. He rose and began pacing to wake his body up. Timbers creaking heralded the arrival of Kado. Wonderful. If there were any one thing Fayane didn't need, it was sleep. Neither did he. Let's just have a wild tavern party in their room; that would be perfect.
"Hello, Kado," Jerial said with the greatest degree of self-control he could muster. "What brings you here?"
"I awoke to see Cerion's cot empty and assumed he had come to see you. What's the matter?" Cerion's explanation of the message he received prompted Kado to shake his head and don a smirk. "Easiest job in a long time. Not that I'm complaining. Well, back to sleep for me."
Upon hearing this story the second time, I cannot help but wonder: how was this message received? And how does this aloof spectre know of the deeds of his hired men?
"Apologies," he said, rising. "Explain yourself once more."
"Our employer has stated his wishes. We are to remain with you." Cerion paused. "I must confess, I have little idea as to who this man must be that he has the money to waste on whatever endeavor he is accomplishing through this."
I foresee this as working out very badly for you.
Potentially. However, for the time being, we have little choice.
You may not be pleased to find who this phantom protector is. In fact, he may not be a protector at all.
This is my choice. We won't rid ourselves of them without a fight, and Fayane is in to shape for conflict. Furthermore, I've come to be fond of them in an odd way.
Suit yourself, my logically impaired host.
Jerial shook his head to return himself to reality. "Yes, that is indeed strange. One cannot argue with he who holds your coin, however." Jerial accepted the inevitability that he was not going back to sleep. He rose and began pacing to wake his body up. Timbers creaking heralded the arrival of Kado. Wonderful. If there were any one thing Fayane didn't need, it was sleep. Neither did he. Let's just have a wild tavern party in their room; that would be perfect.
"Hello, Kado," Jerial said with the greatest degree of self-control he could muster. "What brings you here?"
"I awoke to see Cerion's cot empty and assumed he had come to see you. What's the matter?" Cerion's explanation of the message he received prompted Kado to shake his head and don a smirk. "Easiest job in a long time. Not that I'm complaining. Well, back to sleep for me."
Upon hearing this story the second time, I cannot help but wonder: how was this message received? And how does this aloof spectre know of the deeds of his hired men?
Re: Diverged Roads: The Common Path
She woke when Jerial did, her conscious mind already reeling with the changes. The internal battle that had occurred in the woods had long since been silenced by the tranquility of her own home, and reflecting on it now, she realized there was very little she could do in her condition either way. Blue eyes hazed up to listen to Cerion as he re-explained the message to Kado and immediately she was uneasy. No one knew where they were... how did this man- he was a mage. Perhaps a communication spell was used? Such handy things...
Fay shifted to human, careful to make sure she slid under the covers as she did so, and drew the sheet further up her chest before looking up at Cerion. "Perhaps you do not know, but magic use is strictly forbidden here. I would assume you would receive a message from your employer by magic as no one knows where I live... exempting the three of you, now." Her voice was hoarse and ill-used, but there, along with her frontal-lobe thinking. Her hair shimmered as she lay back down, her eyes hooded. "Now please kindly fuck off you two, Jerial and I still have not recovered from the trip, myself especially, and would like to go back to sleep." Normally she wasn't that blunt, however, she was exhausted. Politeness came when she had energy to spare.
Fay shifted to human, careful to make sure she slid under the covers as she did so, and drew the sheet further up her chest before looking up at Cerion. "Perhaps you do not know, but magic use is strictly forbidden here. I would assume you would receive a message from your employer by magic as no one knows where I live... exempting the three of you, now." Her voice was hoarse and ill-used, but there, along with her frontal-lobe thinking. Her hair shimmered as she lay back down, her eyes hooded. "Now please kindly fuck off you two, Jerial and I still have not recovered from the trip, myself especially, and would like to go back to sleep." Normally she wasn't that blunt, however, she was exhausted. Politeness came when she had energy to spare.
Re: Diverged Roads: The Common Path
"Though I agree with the fact that your illness makes you rather touchy and therefore in no mood for company, I would advise you to treat our newfound companions with a degree of kindness. They have helped us already, and are sure to continue doing so in the future if we refrain from driving them off." Jerial didn't want to anger Fayane, but neither did he want to leave her without a cautionary word.
"Speaking of your infirmity, how are you faring?" It was time for this period of wait to be over. Jerial did not mind it, but he knew Fayane and her acquaintances did not have the luxury of staying around, and it had been too long since she had become ill.
"Speaking of your infirmity, how are you faring?" It was time for this period of wait to be over. Jerial did not mind it, but he knew Fayane and her acquaintances did not have the luxury of staying around, and it had been too long since she had become ill.
Re: Diverged Roads: The Common Path
She looked to Jerial, exasperation all but rolling off of her in waves. She'd overtaxed herself to the point of collapse, twice; been poisoned, sliced to ribbons and bruised. It was a miracle she was alive, never mind conscious, and he was asking how she felt, and requesting she be polite to the people who tagged after them like two noisy and frustrating pups!? She closed her eyes and counted slowly, dredging up what little of her patience remained. Her mate was right, but that didn't mean he couldn't chastise her like a kit. Knowing why he had, however, she spared him the scalding reply that had been on the tip of her tongue.
"Exhausted. I need rest, and rest I shall have. You are more than welcome to make yourselves comfortable in my home." She told the two dolt- the two men... that had followed them. Nodding, they moved away, Kado still chuckling at her cussing. With them gone, Fay flopped back into her bed, though had the presence of mind to shimmy to the side to make room for Jerial, sighing quietly when he joined her. She rolled into him and closed her eyes, wanting her mind to simply shut off, and to allow her to sleep. But worries of Saruna, Breda, Tanobi and the demon-children rose the the surface. She buried her face in Jerial's chest, and breathed in his scent. He might have said something, but she didn't hear over her own musings as his scent brought memories forward.
She had started her journey with him by chance, had fallen in love with him in such a short time, and had allowed herself to trust him far too quickly. She couldn't make herself regret her decisions, even as she wanted to berate him for leaving her friends behind. She had sworn to protect them, and he had forced her to leave them. That would have to change, if they were to remain mates.
"You took me from the one I was protecting." She heard herself accuse roughly, her voice pained. She just wanted to sleep, the pain of that evident, but her morals refused to allow her. "I know why, you were trying to protect me. But you cannot do that again. I must protect the ones who are dear to me, and now I cannot do that because I do not know of Lady Saruna's location." She hissed out, choking on tears of frustration.
"I know I am too weak to do anything right now; and I know I would have only gotten myself killed, but I must protect those whom I care about. It is my purpose, my being. I am a protector, and an assassin. You cannot take me away again Jerial, not ever." The swat to his chest was half hearted and weak, and she doubted he'd much feel it, but it served to make her point in her mind. The tears though, were unexpected and startled her into sobbing into him, her already strained emotions gone haywire once again.
"Exhausted. I need rest, and rest I shall have. You are more than welcome to make yourselves comfortable in my home." She told the two dolt- the two men... that had followed them. Nodding, they moved away, Kado still chuckling at her cussing. With them gone, Fay flopped back into her bed, though had the presence of mind to shimmy to the side to make room for Jerial, sighing quietly when he joined her. She rolled into him and closed her eyes, wanting her mind to simply shut off, and to allow her to sleep. But worries of Saruna, Breda, Tanobi and the demon-children rose the the surface. She buried her face in Jerial's chest, and breathed in his scent. He might have said something, but she didn't hear over her own musings as his scent brought memories forward.
She had started her journey with him by chance, had fallen in love with him in such a short time, and had allowed herself to trust him far too quickly. She couldn't make herself regret her decisions, even as she wanted to berate him for leaving her friends behind. She had sworn to protect them, and he had forced her to leave them. That would have to change, if they were to remain mates.
"You took me from the one I was protecting." She heard herself accuse roughly, her voice pained. She just wanted to sleep, the pain of that evident, but her morals refused to allow her. "I know why, you were trying to protect me. But you cannot do that again. I must protect the ones who are dear to me, and now I cannot do that because I do not know of Lady Saruna's location." She hissed out, choking on tears of frustration.
"I know I am too weak to do anything right now; and I know I would have only gotten myself killed, but I must protect those whom I care about. It is my purpose, my being. I am a protector, and an assassin. You cannot take me away again Jerial, not ever." The swat to his chest was half hearted and weak, and she doubted he'd much feel it, but it served to make her point in her mind. The tears though, were unexpected and startled her into sobbing into him, her already strained emotions gone haywire once again.