The small caravan reached Dragon Scale at sundown. They stopped at an inn and in the common room, the merchant handed out gold to his mercenaries, most of which would go to affording rooms. Joline had enoughmoney to pay for her room herself. When the merchant left to find the local mercenary guild where he could hire a replacement for Sandy, Joline ordered her dinner. Most of the mercenary men had already started ordering drinks. The ex-noblewoman sat far away from them at a table. Joline saw Kazh'e in the crowd and left her seat to catch the elf. "Kazh'e, would you like to eat your supper with me? I'm sitting at that table by the window." Joline pointed out the table. Kazh'e turned to Joline, somewhat taken back by her offer. No one, not even a human, had ever asked so much as to socialize, let alone allow her to sit at the same table with them. Maybe this would go well, she thought to herself. It wouldn't hurt to accept her offer, especially after seeing a sample of her ability and personality. "I tend to sit alone, but since most of the most quiet seats are taken, I'll take you up on your offer." Ise stood at Kazh'e's side, staying particularly close. The cat seemed annoyed by most of the noise in the room, particularly from the bar and gladly followed Kazh'e to her seat, sitting beside her. Joline smiled warmly. "That rowdy bunch isn't exactly my sort," she said and motioned to the bar where the mercenaries were laughing over cups of ale. When their meals were brought, Joline picked at her steak a little. "Pity about that one girl, Sandy was it? I would think a mercenary would be stronger." Perhaps not a good dinner time conversation, but Joline couldn't get the scene out of her head. Her appetite had already been spoiled. Kazh'e had first set a plate with a steak for Ise on the floor before touching her meal. "Lodoss has basically become a world where the strong can cling to what little life has to offer them- in their eyes at least.." She sighed, taking a small sip of her drink. "Those who are weak and not smart enough to keep their guard up or at least try to protect themselves will perish. The dark haired elf glanced over at those at the bar, her eyes slightly narrowed with disgust. "Those who are foolish taking care of themselves will also fall. It's been the law of nature and that will never change..." Kazh'e closed her eyes then and quietly ate her meal. Her long elven ears twitched slightly now and then, picking up smaller sounds inaudible to human ears that was overridden by the jumbled conversations within the building. It was visable Kazh'e hadn't let her guard down ever since the group had even began their journey. Even in this crowded space, she kept her sences alert to any trouble. Joline started with the green beans on her plate, then would work her way to the meat. By then her stomach should be feeling better. She nodded along with what the elf had to say. "It's true, though it sounds cruel, that's just how things are," she replied inbetween bites. "I've spent enough time in royal courts and nature to see that is the truth of all things. Believe me, it's not much different in so called 'high society' than in the real world. People scheme against each other, trying to manuever their way into a high position." Joline smiled slightly, then cut a piece of steak for herself. Kazh'e seemed to see things for what they were and held herself apart from them. Perhaps a little pessimistic as well. Joline noted everything she learned about the woman's personality without even realizing it. Fasz was more concentrated on his food than in the conversation, but he still heard what people said. Then he said, "If you do things correctly, your life will be good, if you do things the wrong way, they will get into problems, everything you do affects your life". Joline looked at Fasz who had joined them. "Perhaps, but what is truely the correct way? Sometimes mistakes are a good thing," she replied. "Yet the chaos in your life makes it richer. I would hate to live in a world where everyone did things the 'right' way." Fasz said, "You are right, but I don't mean we must do things the right way, I just said things happen depending in the way you solve problems," he took a moment to think and then said, "You use your power the way you want, doing good or not, I already know how to use power and where to use it, I always think before acting so I don't make errors, my goal is not being perfect, just doing well according to my judgement." Kazh'e finished her meal, simply nodding to the man's comment. Ise had been quietly sitting up as he had finished his meal long before Kazh'e. The dark haired elf then stood up, now annoyed with the crowd at the bar. "I'm going up to my room...It was nice talking to you.." With that, Kazh'e turned to go up the stairs of the inn and the wild cat followed close behind. It was like her to leave with little word and normally she wouldn't say anything reguarding where she was headed. But that was all, she wanted quiet now to gather her thoughts. Joline hadn't been given the chance to say goodnight to Kazh'e as she walked off. She turned to Fasz and favored him with a smile. "I think turning in is a good idea," she spared a glance for the drunks. "I don't desire to deal with drunken men." She finished the last of her supper and curtsied to Fasz, gracing him with a better farewell than the elf had. "Good night, Master Fasz. It was nice talking with you," she said and retreated as well. Hopefully the crowd downstairs wouldn't be too loud to keep her from sleeping. Fasz said "Farewell," and continued eating, then he thought. Ummm, master Fasz, funny. * * * Joline hadn't been able to get much sleep during the night, the drunks downstairs had been rather loud. She only hoped their mercenaries wouldn't be hung over on the road. Men! Always getting drunk at the worst times! she grumbled to herself. Alric rarely did that, but when he did, she'd always give him a harsh word and some other sort of punishment. She sighed sadly for his memory. Downstairs, maids scurried about cleaning up after last night. Two men still lay passed out on the floor, Joline recognized the one being prodded awake as one of the mercenaries. With a groan, she strode over to the maid trying to wake him with her broom handle. She knelt down beside the barely conscious and very hung over man, grabbed him by the collar and slapped him. "WAKE UP!" she yelled in his face. The man's eyes opened and he flung a hand up defensivly. Joline let go of his collar and his head hit the floor uncermoniously. "I'm sorry m'lady," he croaked as he shielded his eyes with one hand and held his head with the other. "Bring a bucket of cold water," she ordered the maid. The woman dropped a curtsy and scampered off into the kitchen. When she returned with a slopping bucket of water fresh from the well, cold with the morning, the man had curled into a fetal position murmuring about how bad his head hurt and why she had to make it worse. The maid was more than happy to upturn the bucket over him. He yelped as freezing cold water poured over his head and shoulders, then sat bolt upright. Joline and the maid couldn't help giggling at his reaction. The mercenary glared up at Joline, but held his tongue. All traces of mirth disappeared form Joline's face and her stare was cold enough to make it snow. "THAT is for keeping me and the rest of the inn awake last night," she said icily. "You would do well to bathe and change into dry clothes before we leave. I'm certain Master Mathwin will want to have a few words with you when he finds you." He scrambled awkwardly to his feet and stumbled upstairs to his room. In his grumblings, Joline was certain she heard a few choice insults toward her and womankind in general. Kazh'e calmly let the man pass her as he bolted up the stairway and came down afterwards. She picked up the harsh words thrown at Joline and gave those who spewed the phrases a glare that would send shivers up people's spines. Though she made eye contact, Kazh'e's head still faced straight ahead of her. Ise walked beside the elf as Kazh'e stopped by Joline. She spoke no words, just motioned for the door. "That fool may be the next to fall," Joline said softly to Kazh'e. "And I doubt there will be a second thought about him." She turned to follow the elf outside. "Do you know if Master Mathwin has hired anyone else to replace that one girl?" Arturo walked to the inn that the merchant, Jonas Mathwin, had told him to come to in the morning. He was hired the night before to guard the merchant's caravan on the way to Raiden. Jonas had said there were eight other mercenaries he would be working with, though one was killed on the road here. As he walked up to the inn, he saw two women leaving, one, a very tall elf and the other, an attractive human. Arturo gave them a wry grin and bowed slightly. "Good morning ladies," he said with his smirk. "Would you know where I could find Jonas Mathwin?" Joline looked the man up and down. He was just as tall as Kazh'e and very attractive. She shook her head with that thought. Men were something she didn't want to think about. Given more time, perhaps, but she just wanted to be on her own for awhile. "Master Mathwin should be inside," she replied. "I don't know what room he's in. You may want to ask the maids or innkeeper." Kazh'e quickly scanned the man; as always she was very suspicious of new acquaintances. She pondered over the possibilities in which Arturo would want to see the merchant about. For all she knew he could either be wanting to make trade, be the replacement for Sandy or kill him. Kazh'e held no care for the human merchant and if he wasn't paying her- she wouldn't be doing her job and asking the next quesion. "What would be your purpose with Master Mathwin?" she said in a harsh tone. Kazh'e looked Arturo in the eyes, with her own icey stare. She knew if he ment no harm that this was a bad first impression--but that's what she instinctively did when there was yet a new face wanting to make conversation with her and this is what she wanted to avoid in the long run. Ise didn't seem to mind the man. Infact, the wild cat nudged against Arturo's boot in recognition, yet it also served as a warning Kazh'e was in no mood for further questions or talk for that matter. After hearing what the elven woman had to say, Arturo turned toward the human and said, "Thank you ma'am." Arturo then looked toward the elven woman again with a harsh look, "I am here because Jonas hired me to help you, but if you do not wish for my expertise, I will gladly leave," Arturo replied as he bent down to scratch the cat behind its ears. Joline looked back and forth between Kazh'e and the new mercenary. Kazh'e was a very cold woman, but she seemed to have warmed up to Joline after their dinner. If that could be considered warm. But Joline wouldn't refuse a potential friend. Kazh'e's cat obviously had no problem with the new man. "Well, if you are to join us, you should know who we are," Joline said to Arturo. "I am Joline da'Korv, who are you?" She didn't introduce Kazh'e, the elf probably wouldn't appreciate it. If she cared to let the man know who she was, she'd do it on her own. Joline smiled after Arturo and watched him walk into the inn. "Interesting seeming fellow, wouldn't you say?" she looked up at Kazh'e. "I'm going to get ready, perhaps Master Mathwin could use some help waking any other mercenaries," she said with a wink and followed Arturo in. After meeting with Jonas, he had given her the room numbers of the mercenaries and asked her to rouse them. So, Joline went down the halls of the inn, banging on the appropriate doors. She came to Fasz's door and pounded on his too. "Fasz, time to get moving! we leave within the hour." Fasz opened the door, then he said, "Thanks for telling me, I'm ready to leave. Is Mathwin there?" Joline was a little surprised by his fast response, but of course, kept her composure. She looked up at Fasz with a small smile. "Good to see you're ready. Half the men are still recovering from last night," she told him. "Master Mathwin is in his room, we have a new member to our party to replace Sandy. His name is Arturo if you want to know. Well, I must continue on, I'll talk to you later." Joline glided away down the hall to a room a few doors down and continued to pound on doors. If that many of their mercenaries were hung over, they deserved the rude awakening. Fasz walked to Mathwin's door and waited there for something to happen. Kazh'e shook her head and went to wait inside for everyone. She found her space by the door, leaning against the wall and crossed her arms. Ise sat purring next to her. "I do not know why you take so well to that man, you sence different abou him?" ,she said quietly to the cat. Ise just continued purring and held his head high as if to grin. "Maybe you adjust so easily to one who seems to have good means, but I do not..." ,she said once more in a quiet tone while she brushed some of her dark brown hair behind one of her long ears. "Yes sir," Arturo said as he closed the door behind him. "Whoa, who are you?" Arturo cried after looking around and spying a man standing right beside him. The man was of approximately the same hight as Arturo, he had red hair and a prominent scar down his face. He moved his hand to the hilt of his sword, ready for a fight. Fasz looked at the guy and said, "What's your problem? I'm just waitin for Mathwin to go out, anyway my name is Fasz." "Sorry about that," Arturo replied, "I'm just a little jumpy this morning." Arturo relaxed a little after he realized he was in no danger. "I really must be going," Arturo said with a serious face, "Oh, and uh, by the way, my name is Arturo." He held out his hand gesturing for Fasz to shake. Fasz shook his hand and said, "Well, have a nice day". Arturo looked at Fasz with a raised eyebrow, then continued down the hall. "You too," he replied. Down in the stable, he waited as was instructed by Jonas for them to leave. He talked to a few of the other men and learned about the mission so far, a little about Joline and Kazh'e--well, VERY little about her--and so on. Jonas Mathwin stepped out of his room to find his mercenary, Fasz waiting. "May I help you?" he asked. It seemed like the tall Mossian had been waiting while Mathwin gave Arturo his orders. Fasz said, "I was waiting for you, are we leaving?" and then he said "I think everyone is ready." Jonas nodded. "Yes, we're leaving. Do me a favor my good man, carry that suitcase for me," the merchant pointed to a suitcase right next to his bed. With that, he headed down stairs carrying only a satchel. Fasz said, "As you wish," and he took the suitcase from the bed, he looked like satisfied when he knew they were leaving, then he followed the merchant. * * * Joline wandered down the stables with her packs slung over her shoulder. Arturo and some of the other mercs were there, waiting. She caught herself staring at Arturo and blushed as she drew her eyes away. Well, what woman could blame her? He seemed to stand out among the other men, even if he wasn't dressed too differently. Tall and slender, yet still solid and nicely muscled, his wavy blond hair was pulled back into ponytail at the nape of his neck and seemed to perfectly frame his handsome face. Grr...I don't need to waste my time on pretty boys, she thought and tossed her pack under the seat of the wagon. The horses weren't hitched yet, and no stable-boys were in sight. With a sigh, she headed over to the group, and their conversations stopped dead. The hung-over man she found on the floor that morning was there, still looking miserable, plus two red prints on his face from her slapping him. He tried glaring coldly at her, but it was no match for her regal return glare. "Would you men please hitch the wagon? I don't see any stable-boys to do it," she asked sweetly. Two of the men immediantly went to it, happy to please a lovely young lady. The hung-over merc and his drinking buddies grumbled about her instead. Arturo noticed that Joline was looking at him and began to smile and wave hello, but she quikly turned away before he could. About a minute later he realized Joline was walking toward the group of men and motioned for them to shut up. She asked for the mercs to hitch up the horse since there was no stable boy. After two men walked over to the wagon to hitch the horse, Arturo gave Joline a slight bow and said, "I would be happy to help my lady." with this he walked over to the other two and helped to hitch the horse to the wagon in no time at all. Jonas entered the stable to find his wagon hitched, the mercenaries packed and their horses saddled. He nodded in satisfaction and placed his satchel under the wagon seat. He then ordered Fasz to put the suitcase in the back of the wagon. "Well men, it seems we are ready, mount up," he ordered and hauled himself into his seat. As he settled in, he added, "Wait, where is Kazh'e?" Joline couldn't hide her blush from Arturo. Marfa, why did you have to make him so handsome? "Thank you, Arturo," she replied and took her seat beside Jonas. Ohh...this must look bad! What if Arturo thinks I'm his wife? she though anxiously, looking at Jonas. He was a good thirty years older than her, balding, and not at all the type of man she would marry, but she had seen men like him with pretty young wives. She supressed a shudder at the thought. Kazh'e approached the doorway of the stable, not bothering to enter. She had her black cloak wrapped around her, concealing her figure underneith. Ise soon padded up to her side, comming from a different direction in which the elf had come. Her hand emerged from under the large cloak and pet the wild cat's head and she nodded as if the animal had been talking to her. Kazh'e was going to say something, but then decided not to and looked over to Jonas on the wagon, waiting for him to say something first. It really got on her nerves to have to start conversation more than it did when all she did was have to answer. Jonas nodded slowly to himself when he saw the elven woman in the doorway. "Good, now we're all here," he said. "Mount up men. Time to go." With a cluck and snap of the reins, he drove his wagon out, followed by a procession of mount mercenaries. Joline smiled and gave Kazh'e a little wave when she saw the woman waiting in the doorway. Of course, as they headed out, Joline glanced back at Arturo, hoping he didn't see her watching. Arturo mounted his horse and watched Joline climb onto the wagon next to Jonas. "Is there something going on between thse two?" He asked Fasz. Fasz, with a funny face, answered, "I don't think so; why do you ask?" then Fasz thought. Funny, it's a strange question comming from a mercenary. Cloud walks up to a groups of people who were planning to depart. He pulled back the hood on his cloak. "Which one of you goes by the name of Jonas Mathwin? I am looking for a bit of coin. I'm just a wandering bard who can lend his bow if need be.'tis fooling to travel with undead about without some sort of silver or magick weapon." Cloud revealed the tip of his arrow. The balding merchant looked down from his wagon seat at the half-elf beside them. "I'm Jonas," he replied. "You want a ride?" Joline peered past Jonas at who she thought was an elf. She studied the young man, then Kazh'e nearby, noting this man's ears were obviously shorter. He must be a half-elf... she thought excitedly. She'd never met one before. Meeting an elf was exciting enough! Well, Kazh'e wasn't the most open person in the world, but she'd taken a liking to Joline it seemed. Now, Joline didn't see the other woman as an elf as much as she saw her as a regular person--only with pointy ears. "I am looking for someone to travel with, that I am, preferably a decent sized group." Cloud ran his hand through his hair. "So what will it be? may I join your group? If so I just need to hitch a ride on a cart. My horse died en route here, got killed in a goblin ambush. A few goblins tried ambushing me when I was taking a quick break to eat. And I have no spare money to spend. So I am willing to lend my bow for a small fee if battle should occur." Jonas nodded and smirked a little. "Aye, hop up here and talk to the lovely lady Joline and I," he replied the half-elf. Joline moved aside to make space between herself and Mathwin for the bard to sit. She certainly did not want to be pressed against Jonas for the trip today. It may give Arturo the wrong idea. Oh! Stop thinking about him! Joline chatised herself. Kazh'e wasn't exactly thrilled about the addition to the group, not like she ever was, even if it was an elf- or half of one for that case. Never the less, she shrugged it off and went over to mount her horse. She then followed the group outside, taking a place up by the wagon on Joline's side. "We should get going. The quicker we move, the faster we'll get to the next town. Hopefully our speed will reduce the risk of another encounter with the undead." Ise was occupied with a moth that was flying about in the barn, but when Kazh'e spoke, the wild cat padded out to her side, loosing interest in the insect. Yes! Arturo thought, "I was just curious," Arturo replied, "I thought she would have her own horse, and ride IT instead of riding with him." As they headed out of the stables, Arturo noticed a half-elf run up to the wagon practically pleading to accompany them. As the half-elf climbed onto the wagon, Arturo realized Joline had moved away from Jonas. Cloud bowed, "Thank you kind sir. I will play for you all tonight as my thanks." He climbs in as Kazh'e came up he took a glance at her. Hmmm...this one...I got to keep an eye on this one...she appears to be a lonely one. for now I've got to figure out my plan... Fasz replied, "Right, I think it's because she is not living as a mercenary, she is just traveling with us." Then Fasz noticed the half-elf, he thought, A new guy, we don't need more mercenaries. Jonas chuckled, "Good to hear. Now if only we can make it to a decent place to sleep!" Jonas clucked to the horses and cracked the reins. They headed out of the city at a quick canter. Joline smiled at the half-elf. "Who might you be?" she asked warmly. "You needn't concern yourself with my name, just that I'm a wandering bard. Those that I'll probably never see again needn't be concern with such a trivial thing as my name. Only time will tell if I think you should know. I'm only a wandering bard who wishes to rectify the mistakes of a certain person. Sorry about it, miss." Cloud's grip tightend on his bow. His other hand rested near his quiver.