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Archives: A New Balance

Chapter 2: Mercenaries’ Guild of Blade

    The sun beat down on the desert city, but at least it was mostly a dry heat and it was still morning. Zira still resented the fact she had to cover herself in her cloak. Her dark skin was visible, though her face—red eyes and elven ears included—were hidden behind her hood. A few locks of her golden blonde hair hung from underneath her hood, but she had seen human women with skin as dark as hers and fair hair. All that was visible of her face was delicate nose and mouth. She drew the eyes of men, but she moved too fast for anyone to approach her. It was bad enough she had to sneak into the city all the time. More often then not, a fearful or racist guard would keep her out if she came through the gate. Thank the gods for invisibility spirits. Zira was bound for the Mercenaries’ Guild, one of the few places she had a home.

    Moving through the streets of Blade with a bow strapped over his shoulder, Edwin gazed around taking in everything even with the morning sun overhead. He had just arrived in the desert city a few days ago, and was already starting to run low on funds, soon he would have to find some work as mercenary or starve. “Well the Mercenaries’ Guild should be around here. Damn, I should have gotten directions before I left the inn,” shrugging to himself with his cloak flowing behind him, Edwin kept moving, hoping he was on the right path to the guild.

    As Zira passed another traveler on the street, she heard him murmur to himself about finding the Mercenaries’ Guild. She stopped and glanced back at him, her face still partially obscured by her hood. “Mercenaries’ Guild? I’m heading there myself,” she said, her voice melodic like all elves, with almost a sultry tone to it. “Follow me,” she said and continued walking, giving him a wave of her hand to follow.

    Turning his head, Edwin looked over at the hooded figure and bowed his head with a smile. “Well, I am glad to find someone that will be helpful enough to lead me to the guild,” he turned to follow behind her, taking note of her melodic voice enjoying it, having never heard a voice like hers before.

    Zira led her new companion through the streets of Blade until they reached a building with the universal flag of the Mercenaries’ Guild hanging above the door. “Here we are,” Zira said and led Edwin inside.

    Once in the safety the guild that knew her, Zira threw back her hood, revealing she was a dark elf to everyone. The guild’s clerk at a combination bar and desk against the back wall only nodded to her with familiarity. Zira glanced back at Edwin with an expectant look for some sort of surprise as she greeted him. “I’m Zira, by the way.”

    Ryna and Leaf sat at one of the tables in the guild playing cards with each other. They were hoping for a good job to turn up today and right now, they were just killing time. Ryna heard the door open and looked up from her cards, noticed the woman and man who entered, then looked back at her cards. As she looked back down, a sudden movement made her look back at the pair of newcomers. The woman had taken off her hood and she was a dark elf! Ryna’s hand went to her whip and she half-stood from her eat.

    Leaf’s ears perked up in surprise, then she glanced to the two and gasped. Neither she nor Ryna had much love for dark elves. Leaf’s father and probably her mother were killed by dark elves. Ryna’s old lover Randy was killed by them and she was nearly killed by one too. What the hell was one doing in Blade?

    “Should we...?” Leaf asked. She’d slowly stood from her seat and was reaching for her spear.

    “Dark scum like that doesn’t belong here,” Ryna snarled softly. She fully stood and had her whip in her hands. Cautiously, she and Leaf moved towards Zira and Edwin, ready to chase them out.

    Edwin was a little surprised to find out Zira was a dark elf, but to be honest, it didn’t bother him. He was not the type of person to judge someone by what their kin had done, and she had been willing to help him find the Mercenaries’ Guild. Bowing his head and smiling, he spoke “I am Edwin. Thank you again for showing me the way. I doubt I would have found it by myself.” He turned to look at the two ladies, Leaf and Ryna, standing up and touching weapons. This was not a good sign, but he shrugged it off, thinking they where only getting ready to leave. “So, Zira do you mind me asking if you know of jobs that have been posted of late?”

    Zira heard the movement of the two women, and glanced toward them. She was tempted to reach for her blade, but she stayed her hand. Before things got too far, the clerk spoke up.

    “Ryna, Leaf; Zira is a member of the guild. Stand down your arms or I will have you thrown out. We do not tolerate fighting within the Guild,” the clerk said sternly.

    Zira’s expression became one of surprise as she heard the names. Ryna and Leaf, two heroes of the last war. She kept her eyes fixed on the two while she replied to Edwin. “I haven’t checked the board yet this morning...” Zira said, a little distractedly. She wanted to hear a response from the two heroes.

    Ryna and Leaf backed off at the clerk’s reprimand. Leaf was becoming more curious about this Zira than anything, but her old prejudices were still the ruling emotions. Leaf and Ryna went back to their seats, but kept a wary eye on Zira. Leaf hoped Garrack would come back soon, she would never admit it aloud, but she felt safer with him.

    Edwin looked over to both Ryna and Leaf a little surprised. Could they be the same two heroes? Shrugging, he thought if it was them, then they were most likely looking for work as well. Hopefully they would not cause any trouble, since it appeared from how the clerk spoke that they had a problem with Zira. Edwin couldn’t blame them, many people had problems with dark elves, through he did not really have much of opinion. He let actions speak for themselves.

* * *

    Ashe unhooded himself once he was within the border of Blade. He bunched the cloth under his chin where it rested comfortably and covered his scar. As he walked over the streets his swords bounced with his step. Both were unsheathed and simply bound to his belt. In any other area of the city this may have set off some warning but near the Mercenary’s Guild there were much odder ilk.

    As he walked Ashe wiped his hand on his cloak then over his forehead, collecting a cache of sand and sweat. That was quickly wiped off on his cloak as well. Over the years he had grown accustomed to the fire of the days and the frost of the night but the sand was another matter.

    With a powerful shrug he dusted his cloak before entering into the Mercenary’s Guild. Despite his size and his equipment he was able to enter quietly. His golden eyes darted from each person than up to the bird resting overhead. Ashe did not recognize the black bird but moved on towards desk.

    “We kill... Sphinx.” Ashe took a short breath and brought up a piece of the creature in a cloth sack as proof while contemplating how to phrase what he wanted to say. “Darian not make it.”

    “Very well.” The clerk reached behind him where Ashe’s view was obscured and brought back a small bag. “Here’s both shares.”

    Ashe took the bag with a small jingle. He already decided to himself to give Darian’s to his family. In the battle with the creature the man fought valiantly. After getting his pay he made his way to the bar and motioned for water. The pay for the last job was enough for him to afford that luxury.

    Zira led Edwin to the bulletin board and her elven senses were automatically attracted on of the notices. She leaned in to look it over and read it aloud to Edwin. “Here’s one, ’The old wizard Kaladron seeks stout hearted adventurers for an urgent mission. Though it be a difficult and dangerous journey, so only the bravest should apply! Be assured the reward offered is a vast fortune to most, but the risk could be fatal. All such interested parties should seek out Kaladron, in his stone tower, just north of the Forest of Mirrors and east of the mountains. Apply soon, for wasted time will be an enemy to this quest.’ Hmm....what do you say?”

    Moving with Zira, Edwin studied the notice as Zira read it. “Hmm sounds like an interesting mission, one that will be full of adventure.” Looking back at the notice, Edwin studied it again wondering what it could be, guessing it was important or a foolish mission if this Kaladron was not going to say what it was until the people who will take it come to him. Either way, it was a chance to prove and make a name for himself.

    While Ashe finished his tall glass of water he overheard a woman’s voice. The words “dangerous journey” caught his attention and perked his curiosity. His ears focused on the woman’s voice until she finished reading the document. Ashe released the glass from his and walked next to the elven woman. He quickly read over her shoulder verifying the information.

    “The. Stone Tower. Kaladron,” Ashe repeated the key words aloud. “A challenge.” A quiet growl stirred in his chest. Though the wounded Sphinx he and his partner finally killed off was a challenge, Ashe had felt limited in the desert. The desert had been his boundary and Blade the only city he had truly seen. His wolven heart shouted to him to seek more in his life. To seek challenge, and ultimately his legacy. “A challenge,” Ashe repeated louder than before.

    Zira glanced behind her as she heard someone’s jarred voice. Behind her was a reasonably handsome young man. Something about him didn’t seem human, Zira was getting a rather feral feeling from him. He seemed harmless enough though, just another mercenary looking for work. “I think I might just take this one,” Zira said, looking back at the posting. “What about you Edwin?”

    Ashe caught a glimpse of Zira’s eyes before he broke away and walked towards the counter again. He raised his finger in question and spoke. “Where is. Stone Tower. Forest. Of Mirrors? Give me. A map.” Though Ashe was prepared to go to lengths for this adventure, to see the world there was so little he knew. What did a forest really look like? Let alone a forest made of mirrors. After a moment and a small fee, Ashe obtained his map and unfurled it right there on the counter. “There,” The man behind the counter pointed out. “is the Forest of Mirrors.”

    Ryna and Leaf listened to the conversation about the new mission from the dark elf and the two men. Maybe they could tag along? Ryna wasn’t too fond of hanging out with dark elves, but no one else but her and Leaf seemed to have a problem with her. Where was Garrack though? Before they made any plans, they’d have to talk it over with him.

* * *

    Garrack’s lungs burned from the smoke of a pipe offered to him by a friend. The mercenary held his breath for as long as he could until his chest could no longer contain the acid air, he then sighed deeply as the smoke rolled out of his mouth and danced around the room.

    “This is good weed, hard to come by these days.” said Garrack as his head began to float under the intoxicating effect of the herb.

    The man sitting across from him was Bhagshi, a former sword brother of his tribe. “The good stuff is best saved for when in the company of an old friend.” Bhagshi replied. “A pity you wait so long to visit, it would have been even better were it fresh.”

    “I don’t get many chances to return home.” Garrack replied “Besides, you’d get sick of me quickly.”

    “Ah, and were I traveling with two such lovely temptress I wouldn’t want to leave their company either,” said Bhagshi.

    Garrack smiled, knowing he was only joking. “Don’t get any ideas old man, either of those two could take you head off before you could reach for your sword. Speaking of which, my companions are waiting for me, they don’t like it when I disappear too long without telling them. Give that wife of yours a hug and a grope for me.” With that, Garrack picked himself up and headed out the door.

    “I will Blue Meteor.” Bhagshi replied with a laugh “Ride with the honor of the tribe, wear you enemy’s blood on your hands or make them choke on your own.”

* * *

    Shortly after his visit, Garrack arrived at the Mercenaries’ Guild to find Leaf and Ryna sitting a table. Both were holding cards but neither seemed to be playing, instead it looked like they were eavesdropping on a conversation from a group of people. With their backs to him Garrack didn’t realize one was a dark elf, if he did he wouldn’t have reacted much better than Leaf or Ryna. He almost lost Ryna to one, and to this day his shoulder still got sore from being stabbed by a dark elf. He then sat down at the table. “Still no job posts? I think I almost liked it better when there was a war to get caught in. Never much money in it but at least we never got bored.”

    Ryna put her hand on Garrack’s arm affectionately. “I’m sure we’re bound to have one soon,” Ryna replied. Though these days she was entertaining the thought of settling down, with Garrack if it were possible. She was thirty now after all, but maybe they could wait a few more years.

    Nodding his head before moving his gaze away from the notice to look to Zira. “I was thinking the same thought, it should be worthy of the risk.” Taking a quick look back at the notice, he shook his head, “Zira, do you know how to reach the tower from here? This is really bad, but my travels have yet to bring me around the Forest of Mirrors.”

    Zira had watched the other young man go and find a map as Edwin looked over the bulletin board. Returning her attention to her new companion, she replied, “Yes, I do. I think we should take him along then,” she said, gesturing to Ashe. “Hey, you wanna join us?”

    Edwin nodded, turning to study Ashe. “I think you are right.”

    Ashe rolled up the map and placed it in one of the pouches sown into his cloak. He ran his eyes over the woman from toe to eyes. An Elf, Ashe had seen one of them before, only once in this very building. The man he had met was strong, not just with muscle but with his speed and cunning. Were they call this way?

    “Are you. Strong?” Ashe stepped towards her. “Are all. Elves strong?”

    “I’m a little stronger than most, I suppose, from what I do,” Zira replied. “So, what’s your name? I’m Zira.”

    Ashe believed her words. “I am. Ashe.” The man-wolf stepped forward and offered her his open palm. Among his people it was a sign that he held no secret weapons, that he has decided to try and trust her. A similar custom thrived throughout Lodoss but to Ashe it was more important than a common hand-shake.

    Zira took Ashe’s hand and shook it. “It’s nice to meet you. This is Edwin, by the way,” she introduced her new companion. “I guess we’ll all be heading to the Mirror Forest then. Maybe we should wait and see if anyone else wants to come, before we go though. Have a drink maybe?”

    “Let me. Finish business. Then we. Can go.” Ashe pointed across the street to a building similar to the Mercenaries’ Guild. “I will. Meet you. There.”

    Edwin bowed his head in respect and extended his hand to Ashe. “Well, if anyone else wants to come it would be good. Who knows what could be waiting for us on the way to the Mirror Forest? Anyway, a drink before setting out would be good,” Edwin laughed slightly. It would be a while to Mirror Forest and getting something to drink other then water would be hard, so one should enjoy it while he could.

    After taking Edwin’s hand in a firm handshake Ashe memorized those he would accompany then slipped out of the building. Once outside, Ashe took out the two bags of coin and emptied half of one into another before putting them away again.

    “I need to get my horse before we leave,” Zira replied to Ashe. “Edwin, would you accompany me?” Zira asked. She felt a bit more at easy if she had a human with her as she walked the streets. If they could see him, they might be less suspicious of her. The dark elf tossed up her hood again, adjusting it so it would shadow her ruby-red eyes.

    Nodding his head, Edwin looked to Zira. “Sure no problem. Just lead the way. I need to pick up a horse as well, since it would be quicker to travel on horseback then on foot.”

    “They found a job,” Leaf said and motioned to Zira and the others. “I overheard what they read, it sounds interesting.”

    “I don’t like the idea of traveling with a dark elf, even if she’s a member of the guild,” Ryna replied.

    “Maybe she’s not all that bad, those guys don’t seem to mind her,” Leaf suggested.

    As Ryna put her hand on his arm Garrack instantly felt the comfort the woman had always brought to him. Lately Garrack had sensed Ryna was thinking of settling down, starting a family even, something he hadn’t really thought of much. He had to admit that he was getting older, new wounds were taking longer to heal and old ones were felt more in the morning. But to retire? That was something he was far from ready for just yet.

    “I suppose...” Garrack said to Leaf’s statement, he wasn’t about to change his opinion of dark elves on the spot, but it wouldn’t be the first time he’s had to put personal quarrel aside for a job. “It couldn’t hurt to see if they’ll have us.”

    Ryna gave a nod when Garrack agreed. Now all she had to do was swallow her pride and ask the dark elf if she could join them. It looked like she and her friend were about to leave, so it was now or never. With a sigh, Ryna got up and walked over to Zira.

    “Hey, sorry about earlier,” Ryna said. “But uh...my friends and I are interested in that job you were reading. Would you mind if we joined you?”

    Zira was going for the door when Ryna stopped her again, this time, she wanted to travel with them. Zira was torn between being honored that famous heroes of Lodoss wanted to accompany her, and disdain at being almost discriminated against. “Um...sure, we’ll be leaving in an hour or so. Get everything you need and meet us at the tavern across the street,” Zira replied. She gave Ryna a nod, then continued out the door.

    Edwin was surprised to hear that Ryna and her company wanted to travel with them. He was not sure what this mean, but he would need to keep an eye on them since he remembered their reaction to Zira. Even with that, Edwin was going to believe them, they were heroes after all.

    Bowing his head to Ryna, he moved out of the guild following Zira. “An interesting group that has been gathered for this mission, what do you think?”

    Zira shrugged. “I suppose it is,” she replied.

    Ryna went back to Garrack and Leaf after talking to Zira. “Well, looks like we’re in. They want us to meet them across the street after we’re ready to go. There was some talk about getting horses, but I don’t know if we have the coin for it.”

    Garrack frowned, but saw it as only a minor set back. He was more concerned about traveling with dark elves, for all he knew they were honorable beings, he didn’t know. But he was equally uncertain that they wouldn’t stab Garrack and his companions in the back, since it wouldn’t be the first time.

    “I have a bit of money saved up if worse comes to worse.” Garrack said to Ryna “And I’m sure we could borrow a few from my friend, Bhagshi, I hear he’s doing well these days. That is, if you don’t mind him staring at your chest the entire time again.”

    “Oh well, I’m used to it,” Ryna said. With the way she dressed, she was pretty much asking for it.

    “As long as his eyes stay on her!” Leaf added. Of course, Ryna knew Leaf would most likely be ignored in her shadow.

    Garrack chuckled at Leaf’s comment. He had to admit that it bothered him a little when other men drooled over Ryna’s clothing. But all he had to do is remind himself that they never saw it come off. “Don’t worry Leaf, you’ll find your pervert some day,” he said with residual laughter.

* * *

    Zira continued walking at a fast pace, but never straying too far from the safety of her human companion. The pace didn’t leave much room for talk, and it didn’t take long to reach the inn where her horse was stabled. Zira went in through the front door the inn, paid for stabling, then led Edwin out the back into the stable yard.

    She found her horse and let him out of his stall. He was a tall gray gelding, not quite big enough to be a warhorse, but he definitely had some warhorse blood in him. He pranced out of his stall, obviously happy to be out, then gave his coat a shake. Zira started brushing hay and dust off his back before she began saddling him. Now she and Edwin had a chance to talk again.

    “This is Thunder,” she introduced her mount. “If you want to get a horse, we can head down to the markets and find you something.”

    “Well, Thunder here is amazing horse, and it is clear he is happy to be able to get out. It would be best for me to get a horse, it would make travel much quicker.” Edwin only had a little knowledge of horses, hopefully it would be enough for him to make a good choice, since a bad choice could slow the group down. “Well, lets get to the market.”

    “Let me just finish saddling Thunder,” Zira said. Once he was reasonably clean, she did a quick check of his hooves to make sure his shoes weren’t loose or that they needed to be cleaned. They were satisfactory, so she went back into the stall and brought out his tack. Within a few minutes, he was saddled and bridled and Zira led him out of the stable yard.

    They made their way across town, Zira leading Thunder and walking alongside Edwin. With the pace Zira was setting, they made it to the horse market in record time. As they entered the maze of pens, Zira turned to Edwin, “I can help you if you want. I’m no expert, but I can tell you want you’ll want for traveling.”

    Edwin walked along side Zira and Thunder gazing around getting use to the pace that Zira was setting now. Reaching the horse market it was harder for him then he thought before as many of the horses looked great but appearances can be fooling as he turns his head slightly as he standing in front of a black and white stallion “I will take all the help I can get, I am not sure what i am looking for in a horse.”

    “Well, you’ll probably want a mare, or a gelding like Thunder,” Zira started. “Complete stallions are too temperamental and hard to control. Just look around, if you see one you like, I’ll tell you what I think.”

    Edwin nodded his head as he moved down the pens gazing over the different horses taking a measure of each one, trying to find the one that felt the best to him. Stopping to glance over a black mare, tilting his head over to Zira “What do you think of this one, she appears to be in good shape?”

    Zira gracefully hopped over the pen’s fence, which was no simple feat, were she human. The horse shied a little at the sudden movement, but it wasn’t too upset. A good sign. Zira approached the mare, holding out a friendly hand. The horse was a little shy, understandable when one was penned up and surrounded by people and other animals. Zira was able to pet her though. She checked over the mare’s body for any ailments and found nothing of concern.

    Edwin was impressed with how gracefully Zira hopped over the fence, knowing far to well that if he had tried the same thing he would have ended up on his face. Edwin watched what Zira check the horse, just in case he had to one day pick out a horse by himself.

    “Can I help you miss?” someone asked. Zira glanced toward the speaker, who appeared to be the dealer.

    “My friend is interested in this horse,” she replied. “How old would you say she is?”

    “She’s five,” the dealer quickly replied. To confirm, Zira coaxed the mare to open her mouth and checked her teeth.

    “I’d say closer to eight or nine,” Zira replied. “How much?”

    The dealer frowned only slightly. “Eight Raidens,” he replied.

    “Hmph, I’ll give you four,” Zira replied.

    “Six Raidens, fifty gold.”

    “Five Raidens.”

    “Six fifty.”

    “Five and twenty-five gold, and no more.”

    “Ah, deal,” he finally agreed.

    “Edwin?” Zira asked, hopefully it was a good price for him.

    Edwin was glad he was not the one dealing with price. He waited until Zira was done, he was glad that she got the price lower, though he wished it was even lower. Nodding his head and taking out of his pouch the last of his funds for the most part but it was worth it to have a steed since it would speed everything up. Counting out five Raidens and twenty-five gold, keeping his face emotionless so not to show that this was last of his funds expect for about fifty. gold. “Here you go Sir.”

    “Thanks for the business,” the dealer grumbled, then gave Edwin the lead of the mare’s halter.

    “So, what are you going to call her?” Zira asked as they led Edwin’s new horse out of the pen.

    Walking out of the pen leading the mare, Edwin turned his head to look over to Zira. “Hmm good question.” He turned to study the mare for a moment, gently patting her neck nodding his head. “Night Raven, it is simple but it is the only thing that jumps out at me.”

    Zira walked along with Edwin, leading Thunder along behind her. “Night Raven. Hmm...just as good as Thunder at any rate,” Zira said with a chuckle. “Here, let me give you my saddle, I don’t really need it,” Zira offered, then motioned toward the wall of the building where they could pause to saddle the horses.

    Setting up the saddle, Edwin was glad that Zira offered it otherwise it might have been a hard trip for him since he didn’t want to spend more money on a saddle. “Well, a name is as good if it is fitting for the one that gets it. I think Thunder is a very fitting name for him and I hope Night Raven will be fitting for her.”

    “So how long do we have before we should be meeting up with the others?” Edwin looks up at the sky for a moment. “I seemed to have lost track of time while looking for Night Raven.”

    “Hmm...well, I think it might take at least an hour for everyone to prepare, and if they’re not all there, then we can take lunch while we wait,” Zira replied. Once Edwin had finished saddling Raven, Zira headed out of the alley they’d paused at. Thunder followed behind her of his own free will, now that he was completely unharnessed.

    Leading Raven behind him, Edwin nodded slightly. “Lunch would be good if we can have the time. Since I am not sure how long the journey will be and catching a hot meal might be a little hard,” he laughs slightly as he moves toward the tavern, matching Zira’s pace.

    Zira nodded. “Travel will seem much longer while we’re passing through the desert,” Zira replied, “but there are a few towns along our path. But by time we reach the mountains, we can hunt and find food much easier. Then we’ll have hot meals. Until then, its delicious rations,” Zira sarcastically finished.

* * *

    It took several minutes of brisk walking brought Ashe to his destination. A humble home, one he had seen earlier in the week when his partner Darian invited him in. With a heavy sigh he knocked on the door. It took less than a moment for the door to open and a small face to peep up at him.

    “Darian?”

    “No.” Ashe crouched so his face was level with hers. “Remember me? Ashe. I need. Your mother.”

    The young girl remembered this friend of her brother’s. She made no effort to stifle her giggle as Ashe spoke. She disappeared leaving the door open behind her.

    It took a half hour of speaking and an awkward embrace Ashe told the heroics of Darian’s last day against the wounded Sphinx, and how the young man saved Ashe’s life. Ashe gave her the larger of the two bags before giving the child a hug when she asked for it.

    Ashe made his way back towards the Mercenaries’ Guild, stopping by a stable. If the others were using mounts he would need one to keep up with them. And it would take some time for him to find a beast that would tolerate his scent.

    Ashe came trotting to the tavern after making a stop from Darian’s home. After some searching Ashe found a horse that wasn’t scared to let him ride. The gray horse was aptly named Patience. At the stables she had been the last one he came across. Perhaps she was like her name or too dull to realize but she had allowed Ashe to climb on her back with little ceremony.

    From there it was a short ride to the tavern. Ashe tied his new partner by the entrance and slipped into the establishment, finding a large table to seat their party.

    Once they reached the tavern, Zira used the rope halter Raven originally had to tie Thunder outside. She gave him a pat on the withers, then headed in. Ashe was already waiting there, but no sign of Ryna, Leaf and Garrack yet. Zira sat near Ashe and waved over one of the maids and ordered a small meal. “Have Ryna and Leaf been here yet?” she asked Ashe.

    Ashe looked up from his plate covered with bones as Zira approached him. He gave quiet thought to the question placing names to faces he just remembered today. “No. No one yet.” He wiped his mouth clean with a cloth before a maid came by to take the plate away. “But. I haven’t. Waited. Long.”

    Zira couldn’t help but wonder about Ashe’s voice, and now that they seated and had time to kill, she figured now would be the time to ask. “I hope you don’t mind me asking...but why do you talk that way? Your voice sounds forced,” Zira asked.

    “Hm?” Ashe looked at her, slightly confused with her question. After years of growing used to it he barely noticed his speech impediment. To answer her he raised his hand to his throat and pushed down a part of his cloak revealing a scar, the remains of a puncture wound. “It hurts to speak normally.” Ashe swallowed hard after the unbroken sentence. “So I. Speak. Like this.”

    Having tied Raven outside, Edwin moved into the tavern to join Zira and Ashe. Bowing his head to Ashe, he took a seat, not really sure what the two were talking about at the moment, so he would just listen. Waving over one of the maids, he ordered a meal for himself and gazed around, wondering when the others will appear.

    “Oh...” Zira expressed her surprise with a pair of raised brows. “Well, all us mercenaries have our battle scars,” she replied. Her curiosity was only partially satisfied, but she didn’t want to make him talk any more than was necessary, if it caused him pain. Zira went silent, sipping on her drink while waiting for the rest of their party to come.

    “It’s. Not. That bad.” Ashe pushed the cloak up again. “Many other. With worse.” He placed both elbows on the table and used them to lean forward. “I am. Curious. Why do. You adventure?”

    “Freedom,” Zira replied, after taking a long draught of her drink. “I developed a case of wanderlust thanks to a friend of mine. I don’t want to be tied down to one place, or person,” she explained.

    Ryna, Leaf, and Garrack came to the tavern that was to be the meeting point with new horses. Leaving their horses tied up front with everyone else’s, they entered the inn and saw their companions. Ryna took a seat between Ashe and Edwin, still uncomfortable being close to the dark elf. Leaf squeezed in next to her, having to pull over a chair from another table.

    “I guess there’s no changing that old man.” Garrack said to Ryna and Leaf as he sat down. “But at least his wife was there to keep him behaved and we did get the horses.”

    Edwin was sure Ashe was speaking to Zira through it made him think for a moment, why was he adventuring? This answer seem to be clear at the moment, he wanted to learn more about his family and make a name for himself. He turned his head to as Ryna, Leaf, and Garrack joined them in the tavern as he bowed his head. “It is good to see you all again have you finished getting everything ready.” What was Edwin to say to these heroes? He was not sure how to act around them, hopefully he wouldn’t do anything wrong until he got use to being around them.

    “We are, thank you for waiting.” Garrack replied as he gave a nod to Edwin. “We haven’t traded introductions have we? I am Garrack.” he then gestured to his companions “And this is Ryna and Leaf.”

    When their companions arrived, Zira wasn’t surprised when Ryna and Leaf took seats as far from her as possible at the table. “I’m Zira,” she replied offhandedly to Garrack before tipping her wooden goblet up again. She was sick of having to hide herself from people, sick of people thinking she was evil and corrupt, sick of having to try and prove herself to people.

    Ryna nodded to Zira, though it was a wary nod. The other two men had been silent, though the brown haired one appeared to be at a loss for words. Ryna leaned toward him with a warm and friendly smile, and with as small of a top as she wore, that only displayed more cleavage to Edwin. “So, what’s you’re name?”

    Edwin snapped out of his state of awe and coughed, noticing Ryna was looking at him. “I am Edwin, it is a pleasure to meet all of you.” Shaking his head, Edwin was cursing himself silently, knowing he must look the fool at the moment, asking them a question and then getting so quiet after words. It was all he could do not to stare at any of them, especially Ryna and Leaf, since he still could believe he was in their company.

    Ryna smiled to herself. He seemed like just a simple country boy. Hopefully he could handle himself, but judging by his weapons, he probably could. Ryna turned toward Ashe, “And what about you? What’s your name again?”

    “I am. Ashe.” Ashe had been studying them quietly while they talked. Their names had been passed around over tavern tables after their exploits. At times their descriptions were exaggerated, to his relief some were untrue.

    Zira raised her eyebrow at Ryna’s flaunted cleavage. Zira certainly had nothing to be jealous of, since they were about the same size, but her noble dark elven pride didn’t like competition, especially from a human. “Well, unless there’s anything else...shall we be going?” she asked the group.

    Edwin stood and nodded his head slightly, looking over to Zira. “Yes, we should be heading out, it would be best to make as much distance we can while we can.”

    Zira nodded to Edwin and took one final bite of her meal. The dark elf stood and adjusted her cloak before tossing a couple silvers on the table for a tip. “Shall we go?” she asked the group, pausing for only a moment before she slowly strode out to the front of the building.

    Ryna and Leaf followed Zira’s example and got up to leave. “Let’s go boys!” Ryna said, patting Edwin on the shoulder as she walked by, just to see what sort of reaction he’d have.

    Following Zira, Edwin was surprised to feel Ryna’s hand against his shoulder. This time Edwin was more relaxed since the awe of traveling with heroes had finally faded away after seeing how each of them acted. Nodding his head politely to Ryna, “Ladies first,” as she walked passed him as he made his way outside.

    Zira wanted to tell Ryna to back off Edwin, but she kept her mouth shut. She knew now that she and Ryna would probably be competing the entire journey, Zira’s pride was just too strong. But not here, she wanted to get out of the city before she was identified as a dark elf. Since she was a Mercenary Guild member, the guards would let her travel through Blade freely as anyone, but that didn’t stop them from wasting her time.

    The dark elf hopped up on her gray gelding bareback gracefully. With barely a gesture from Zira, Thunder backed away from the other horses and turned toward the street, waiting for the others to join him and Zira. Meanwhile, Zira adjusted her hood once more to hide her identity.

    Ashe was unaware of the battle of pride going on between Zira and Ryna. He stood and took care of his own tab before readjusting his cloak. He couldn’t help a small curl of his lip as he thought about the journey ahead. Though a seasoned hunter and warrior he had done little adventuring, he had never left the desert for his jobs. Excitement rattled his usually monotone heart rate.

    Edwin seemed not to pick up on the little tension between Zira and Ryna as he made his way out of the tavern last. Making his way over to Night Raven, got onto her and nodded to the other as he backed her up slowly. Turning Night Raven, he made his way over to join Ashe and Zira’s steeds. Edwin was ready for this adventure and wondered what he would see on the way. He was quiet at the moment as he waited for Ryna and the others to join them.

    Ryna and Leaf mounted their own horses. Garrack’s friend had been “kind” enough to give them three, though Ryna wouldn’t have minded sharing a horse with Garrack. It was more practical to have three, Garrack’s horse would be tired enough after carrying that much muscle.

    Once they were all mounted, they caught up to the other three and let them take the lead out of town.

    Garrack made note that it was a strong horse Bhagshi lent him, though it seemed he was a little heavier than than what it was used to. The seasoned mercenary gave his horse a gratified rub on the neck before setting off with the others.

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