"Captain, it's The Ketokar. And it's Captain is targeting you, now I know you don't need protection but please allow me to stay guard with you."

Irisara grinned before looking across to The Ketokar's helm. There Captain Neromar stood with his sword "Torvoksi", a legendary ancient renmer bastard sword that belonged to a commander in one of the Nalrokar armies during the war of the second era. The black blade was dirtied with dried blood along the face of the blade but its edge remained just as sharp as its first day out of the forge. "Tyr, can I trust you to hold my ship? Neromar apparently wishes or a second dance", Irisara slowly went down the steps of the helm deck, her swords slashing every so often to cut down a charging raider and leaving them with gaping wounds wherever the blade fell. "Draco, yes? I'll be going aboard the Ketokar, come along if you want but cover my rear. I don't want one of these dark elves cutting me down while my back's turned", with that the pirate queen sprinted towards the portside of The Amaranthia before lunging across the space between the two ships and landing on the Ketokar's deck. "I see you've accepted my invitation, my queen", Neromar mocked as he brought up his sword towards the sea elf. "A queen must attend to even the lowest of peasant", she retorted with a confident smile on her face. Neromar grit his teeth before casting an enchantment over Torvoksi, enveloping it in dark magic. "This time I've come prepared", Neromar took a step forward but stopped himself when Irisara made an unfamiliar motion with her blades. Bringing the points of the swords to her mouth she pressed the edges against her fangs, coating the ends of her swords in iridescent blue venom. "About time you actually tried", Iris was done with this banter, in an instant she bolted towards the dark elf with one sword wound around her waist and another ready to give a downward strike. Neromar held Tovoksi verticaly managed to block both blades but was staggered back a couple feet. Irisara didn't relent, she spun around with the following set of strikes breaking Neromar's guard. Neromar was about to fall back if I hadn't hit the hand rail. Taking the moment of respite he brought his bastard sword up for a powerful downward strike. Iris was done playing with her kill, she held up her left blade outward to deflect the blade but the moment the move connected she let her left arm go limp, throwing Neromar's swing down into the deck while her right blade came around and pierced his side. Blood spouted out of his mouth immediately before he fell to his knees, the poison was already working it's destructive traits on his body but the gaping hole in his side didn't help his situation. Neromar looked up to find Iris' twin blades resting on his shoulders, "Bitch!...we had a deal!" was the last thing the renmer captain said before his head was separated from his body. "No honor among thieves, right?", Irisara looked at the slumped over body of the captain as blood gushed out like a geyser.

Turning her attention back to the battle, she noticed the Ketokar's first mate had just witnessed his captain's death. Rather than do the smart thing and surrender, the pirate charged towards her to avenge his fallen captain, dark elf honor and all that. Iris simply sidestepped him and slashed his back, the poison would finish him off. "All hands storm the ship! I want this ship under our control now!", Iris turned to Draco as she blocked another pirates attack. "Cover the deck entrance, hold back any men below deck till we have a tighter grasp on the top deck!", Iris didn't wait for confirmation, intead she plunged her blades into another pirate, lifting him up over her and practically bathing herself in dark elf blodod.

Tyr in the meantime was jumping between ship masts, throwing her knives into the throats of their attackers with incredible accuracy. Her mind was so focused on battle that her attacks were monstrous, one sideways swipe to a dark elf atop the mast platform practically cut him in half from the waist. "Masts and crow's perch is ours! I'm coming down!", and with not another word she leaped down with her sword aimed towards a pirate directly below her. The poor bastard never knew what hit him as the weight of Tyr and her blade came crashing down into his chest cavity like a lightening bolt from the gods. Sheathing her longsword, Tyr pulled out two throwing knives and activated her invisibility spell. Silently she dashed past a few one on one battles, slitting the throats of the renmer pirates and pulling back an allied crew member if they were about to receive a deadly blow. "I knew this wouldn't be a peaceful trip", she said to herself as she grabbed a pirate from behind before throwing him overboard with a dagger in his spine.

@Snarfulblast

By the way the privateers scrambled about, preparing themselves and running up onto the deck, it seemed that they had found a more worthy vessel to fight than his dinghy. By the the time the sounds of battle cries and magical casts could be heard, most of them had already left the brig. Kaathe was calm, even in this situation. Compared to the events of the past, whatever battle was happening was like a soft dream. With the rocking of the ship, the battle seemed to have excavated. Still, Kaathe continued to sit. He was planning to leave, but knew that if he did, he'd still find difficulties. He was preparing himself for any unnecessary fights. After all, this wasn't his battle, and those who drag themselves into another's fight is likely to become a casualty or fatality.

As he sat, the battle above raged on, and none were left to watch over the 'prisoner.' Still, someone managed to arrive, as Kaathe heard a voice speaking to him. He was the only prisoner in the ship, so he knew he was the only person they were addressing. Mask and Cowl still on, Kaathe opened his eyes and looked to the new visitor. He looked familiar, but Kaathe didn't quite believe it. It had been years since last he saw him. There were some other similarities outside of appearance, as well. The voice, and its tone were very similar to a certain elf he had fought alongside.

Kaathe sighed. He wanted to focus a bit more of his magic, but it seems as if the newcomer would disrupt his concentration. The dark elf stood up, and enchanted one of his gloves with freezing magic.

"You remind me of an ally I once had. Fool wanted to be a white knight. But you can't be him. Why would he be here instead of protecting some poor family from bandits?"

Kaathe touched the entrance to his cell, freezing it, and a after a moment, he swung his arm through, shattering it to create an opening. Walking past the newcomer, Kaathe walked over to the wall, and reclaimed his items, some of the food was gone, but most his belonging were still there. He turned back to the newcomer, and said,

"I'm to going to leave this place. I don't intend to rot here. I'll accompany you to the deck. You've probably attracted some attention coming down here in the middle of a battle."

Kaathe loaded a bolt into his crossbow, and enchanted it with some illusory magic. Something he had learned to use when faced with crowds of killers and beasts. He looked past the newcomer and saw a privateer running towards them.

"Look, there's one now."

Kaathe raised his crossbow, and let the bolt loose. The bolt hit the enemy in the shoulder, and the enchantment worked its way through his body and into his mind. He howled as hallucinations plagued his minds and warped his reality. Soon after, another would arrive, and the now crazed privateer's attention was switched over to them.

As the maddened privateer savagely attacked his comrade, Kaathe looked to the newcomer.

"Let's get going."

@OtomostheCrazy

"I would say the same, but Im pretty sure I know who you are." A smile creeps across Karl's face, he knew of only one dark elf who used ice magic, could cause people to see things, and was more brooding than a storm front. "Kaathe Oolacile, Templar of the "Dawn Covenant", and "Hero of the Dawn". Let me put your suspicion to rest, I am Karl Shadowthorn. Former Templar of the "Dawn Covenant", "Hero of the Dawn", and for your information I did save villagers from bandits. And I have found a new cause to be the 'white knight' for." Karl walked past the two pirates and stood on the stairs leading up, turning his head to face Kaathe. "Well old friend, like you said it's time to go." Bounding up the stairs, Karl dispatches another pirate, with a brutal slash across his chest. Stopping to wait for Kaathe, Karl engages in combat with two more of the pirates.

At the captain's command, Aenwyn was at the portside. Some time has passed since she was actually in a combat situation. Five years to be exact. Aenwyn wondered if she was rusty but quickly pushed that thought away as the ships came closer and closer.

Once both ships were within firing range, all manner of projectile broke loose. With her specialty in protection magic and conjuring, Aenwyn summmoned forth a pair of water elementals to fight, augmenting them with magical barriers to resist physical damage. The water elementals were perhaps no more than a head taller than the average man yet their potential for destruction was high. With the sea around them, they summoned forth columns of water knocking away would be boarders and shot high pressured jets of water.

As the water elementals could be left to their own devices, Aenwyn had a brazen plan. Would it be too much to generate a whirpool and suck the enemy ship in? As she assessed the battle unfolding, throwing ice bolts at enemy fighters and mages, she realized that it was unnecessary. From what she could tell, the enemy was on the losing side. Creating a whirlpool would be overkill.

"These imperial privateers aren't really putting much of a fight," Aenwyn notes to herself as she destroys a boarding plank with fire

Both Aslatiel and Rakuyo had still been below deck when the alert was called, getting above deck just as the Ketokar pulled alongside their ship. They quickly joined with the defenders, Aslatiel fending off the boarders and Rakuyo returning fire with his spells, careful to avoid setting the parts of the enemy ship on fire that held members of the Amaranthia's crew that had boarded them.

At some point he found himself close to Aenwyn, close enough to hear her comment to herself, though as she burned one of the planks he used the water left behind by her elemental's attack to lash out at a boarder nearby, freezing it as it went to create a row of spikes that impaled the dark elf while he was still crossing his plank, giving a quick nod to Aenwyn before his focus returned to the other ship.

A little ways down another dark elf boarder was attempting to swing across on a rope, only to be caught midair by Aslatiel's scythe which cleaved him right off the rope, Aslatiel then brought his weapon down a pulled the blade off to use as a sword and folded the haft to place on his back as he defended against any further of the privateer's attempts to board.

Valion sat in the cargo hold, legs crossed and hands to either side. His bladed staff rested across his legs as the monk focused on his breathing. Though Tyr now led the expedition and the ship sailed smooth, it was always a matter of time before things went south. Events unfolding around him involving former heroes and a well known Reaver drew trouble to it. Dragons found sleep harder to find when a group like this was heard to be roaming the world. Valion hoped the trip would be uneventful.
The sound of screams, the drizzle of blood, and the song of steel against steel was his awakening from the trance. The passage of time was skewed in these moments, making time simply melt away until he was called back to the present. Needing neither food nor water meant Valion could focus on his body entirely, preserving himself only on what he had eaten since last he walked the waking world.

Pirates perhaps?

Rising to his feet, staff loosely in one hand, the monk made his way in eerie silence to the door leading away from where he slept. Before he could grasp the handle the door seemed to swing open of its own accord to reveal two men, both about to charge in. No survivors, check every corner, some such nonsense. Neither of them were of particularly noteworthy looks. Blades held in white knuckled grips, eyes focused but sweating from the brow. These two meant business but had lost their nerve somehow.

Almost like a gentle breeze whistling past them he struck. His open palm slapped at one assailants neck, almost a weak blow, but the result was immediate as the resounding crack echoed out the dead pirates body, neck snapped clean and windpipe crushed. The next attack took the remaining privateer as he stared at his companion in confusion. Index and middle finger extended, Valion jabbed the mans chest to bury both fingers deep into the flesh and bone below. Through his gloves he felt the final beat on this poor souls heart before he withdrew his hand. Not a drop of blood spilled on his pristine robes.
Advancing through the underbelly of the ship was almost too easy. Only 3 opponents tried to stop his approach to the main stairway leading to the upper deck, from the sounds of it where the fighting was thickest. One mans boarding axe had failed to be swung even once before the monks palm crushed his forehead like rotten wood, another was kicked in the chest and crumbled to the floor in a heap of shattered bone. The last man brandished a makeshift shield and a long sword and had tried to hold off Valions approach by using a doorway to bottleneck him.
The wind whistled through this unfortunate soul. Almost peacefully the mans grip on sword and shield faltered with a clatter as they fell from his limp hands, followed closely by the rest of this would be assailant. Valion had torn out this mans energy and cast it to the stale air around them. There was no pain. Only the sensation of drowsiness.

@Snarfulblast

Kaathe gently shook his head when he heard Karl's upbeat voice and undeterred confidence. It was him alright. There were none that could possibly mimic that person so well. Besides, there'd be no actual point. He had no knowledge of his former companions over the years, after all. When he heard Karl mention that he was a 'Hero of the Dawn', Kaathe raised a brow.

"My name was included in that list? I'm honestly surprised. I thought I told them to leave me out of it" sighed Kaathe.

Kaathe didn't like that title. 'Hero' would have meant that he had done something heroic. He did nothing of the sort. He simply followed orders and killed enemies. If that title had been around all these years, then people probably pictured him as something like the others. Cheerful, righteous, or some other description that would make him more than what he is. It would certainly become a headache for him if someone found out he was one of the heroes.

"Oh well. There's nothing to be done about it. The battle sounds like it's starting to lean towards one side. I'm sure you'd like to find out which side that is.

As they ascended towards the deck, others had been encountered. Some followed Karl in, but others came back to retrieve potions to aid their comrades. They wouldn't receive that chance. Kaathe, feeling the smallest bit of sympathy for his kin, had simply rendered some of their encounters unconscious, rather than kill them outright.

When they reached the top, it seemed as though the privateers were losing. Hell, Kaathe even spotted some of them retreating on his Dinghy, leaving him with no vessel to traverse the waters of the world. Kaathe rolled his eyes and walked over to the opposing ship.

"This fight will be over soon. If you need me, I'll be on your ship. Try not to die here, Karl. Loathe as I am to say this, dying by the hand of my disgraced brethren is not something that would suit you."

With that, Kaathe ran to the edge of the ship, and leapt over to the deck of the opposing vessel. He expected for them to attack him, of course. In a battle against Renmer, an unknown dark elf hopping from the other ship would be more than just suspicious. It didn't matter to Kaathe. All he'd need to do is avoid them until he found a vessel. A tricky task in some cases, but easy all the same.

Kaathe hopped up to the mast, and sat on the cross-beam. It seemed that he focused his magic for no reason this time.

The fighting at this point was beginning to die down as the privateers realized they'd lost their captain as well as the first mate. Those who didn't return to their ship were quickly cut down by the crew of The Amaranthia. Despite their retreat the privateers would find no safety aboard their own vessel as the fighting resulted in a severe breach in The Ketokar's hull. The crew of The Amaranthia no longer fought attacking privateers but Renmer sailors hoping to flee the sinking ship. Those who attempted to board back onto The Amaranthia were either knocked back by its crew or cut down with no remorse. Irisara, now back aboard her own vessel, stood at the helm and watched the desperate attempts of the Ketokar's sailors before ordering the helmsman to pull away. Even as they began to put some distance between themselves and the forsaken renmer, their cries for help could still be heard. Some of Irisara's crewmen even began to show pity for the men who had just attacked them. "Dashiil!", Iris called out for her first mate who was at the moment tending to a cut across his arm. "Yes, captain!", the sireni called back as he limped towards his captain.

"How many did we lose?", Irisara asked as she looked to her first mate's wound. She waved a hand for him to come closer so she could have a closer look at his arm. "The cut is deep but thankfully the bone is untouched. You're losing a lot of blood so you know we'll have to..."

"I know, captain, I'm ready", Dashiil replied without hesitation. Irisara gave a sympathetic nod before waving to one of her crewmen. A young deckhand came running over with a branding rod, handing it to Iris who looked to Dashiil once more for confirmation. Dashiil gave a silent nod before the sireni woman pressed the hot iron against the wound. Dashiil groaned in pain but managed to keep his voice down until the deed was done, leaving him with a nasty looking scar across his arm. "Damn proud of you, my friend. Get some rest now, we'll stop in Stormacre and get you proper attention"

"We lost four of our own and six more are wounded. Two of the six might not-"

"That's enough out of you, head to your quarters, that's an order. I'll see to the crew"

Dashiil winced as he reluctantly headed back to his cabin, "Aye, Captain"


The Amaranthia docked in the port city of Stormacre, a haven for all manner of seafaring folk. When the battle worn brig came into port, dock workers took pause to examine the tears and scorch marks in the sails as well as the chips in the wood frame and the breaches in the hull. The Amaranthia took a harder beating than her crew but at the end of the day she was a fine vessel that could take a beating. Dashiil had his wound looked at and in no time he was back to his old self. The lost crew members were replaced, mostly with other sireni, and the wounded were seen to as well.

On their final day in the city, Tyr spoke with Irisara aboard The Amaranthia in the captain's quarters. "I assume you are aware of my mission?", Tyr asked as she removed her hood, taking a seat before the war table. "As much as you know I'd assume, your boss has a fondness for secrecy. I guess that's to be expected from a group such as you lot", Irisara smirked before looking to the map of Miras. After The Convergence, the world was basically remade, a new landmass south of Talmaria and reaching into Farendar along with an underwater city and mountain clans created a world of new opportunities and dangers.

"I've been in your world for five years and I still find myself taken back each time I look at this map"

"You still haven't told me about your life back home"

Iris glanced up at Tyr with silence, she knew the girl was curious but still, "I haven't spoken with good reason. That's a life I'd rather leave behind"

"One day I'll find out"

"And on that day, I'll be taking my last breath", Iris sighed before speaking again. "Getting back to business, I've about as much knowledge of this task as you or any of your comrades. I was to sail you to the southeast coast then you'd be on your way to Dustorne. Thing is, yesterday I received a raven with word to accompany you lot to Dustorne"

"What about the ship? What's a pirate queen with no throne?""

"I've entrusted The Amaranthia to Dashiil, he'll take care of her till I return. While I'm away the crew will probably be taking escort jobs for smugglers or transporting more Watchers into the mainland"

"Are you okay with leaving your men behind"

"I want to see more of this world other than the eastern coast. This "Sand Sea" the Qartashi have is something we sireni never experienced back home. Plus a lady can only take so much time looking after a band of violent men"

Tyr held back a laugh before getting up, "Very well then, welcome to the team". The two women exited the captain's quarters to find the crew of The Amaranthia standing in waiting outside. Dashiil stood at the front of the group with a pleasant but somewhat sad look upon his face. "So you're off now, eh captain?", the sireni asked as his captain came out to the top deck. "It appears I am, old friend. Take of the old girl till I get back, alright?", Iris held out a hand for an arm hug but instead received a bear hug by her first mate. Dashiil was big, big for a Sireni whose race was rivaling the height of the Talmer. Add to that the man was built like some sort of monster meant that his bear hug was like being crushed under a pile of dead horses. When the sea elf colossus released his grasp, Iris took a desperate gasp for air before shooting a look at her first mate, "Any longer and I'd have given you the fangs". At the conclusion of their warm goodbye, Tyr and Irisara mounted her horses along with the rest of rhe group and began their journey to Dustorne.

For weeks the group rode towards the home of Lady Sunderland, stopping at the occasional village to rest but under the guise of traveling mercenaries bringing the pirate queen to face Dustorne court. When on the path, they ran into the occasional beast, slaying them with little to no difficulty although at one point they had faced off with a summoned Sanguinaren. The conjured demon was thought to be the origin of vampirism in Miras and it's powers were vast despite being vulnerable to fire. Despite the threat it presented, with effort the watchers managed to slay the creature. After another couple days of riding, the group arrived at the city of Dustorne, a city still rebuilding from the siege during the Third Great War. Even with the extensive damage, the people seemed well off despite the current state of the once great city. Once inside the city, the group met with an operative at a tavern who gave them clothes to help them blend in better amongst the people as watchers were hunted even in the city of the Templar who worked with them. Once they'd been disguised, the band headed for the keep where they presented their passes to the guards. While it was somewhat strange to see a Sireni this far west, Iris's presence didn't seem to hinder the group but instead gave them the attention of the people as they passed through the city streets and halls of the keep. "This place is quite different from Stormacre", she said softly amongst the group.

Once inside the keep, the group was free to explore as they pleased till night when they were called to Lady Evelyn's court. There the group was faced with the war weary eyes of High Commander Lady Evelyn Sunderland, Wardeness of The South and Leader of The Knights of Dawn Covenant. "It's been far too long, Tyr. I was beginning to think you were afraid I'd lock you up like all those years ago. Nevertheless, it is good to see you, my friend", Evelyn looked over the group of watchers at Tyr's command before letting out a slight chuckle, "It looks like we've both come a long way, care to introduce me to your new comrades?"

The boat trip went back to normal after the naval battle had finally finished, albeit with wounded that needed treating now, but about as normal as it can be all the same. It was also uneventful from there on until they reached Stormacre, where they found out that Captain Irisara would be joining them the rest of the way.

The ride to Dustorne was similarly uneventful, only a few encounters along the way, the only real trouble was the Sanguinaren. Between the various members of the group they had brought it down, the pair had actually finished it off, Rakuyo's flames pushed it into a corner and then lightning struck at a weak point for Aslatiel to target with his scythe, easily piercing the demon at that point.

From there it was again rather uneventful to the city, the met with a contact, received disguises, and made their way to the keep to meet with Sunderland. When Sunderland asked for introductions Rakuyo and Aslatiel were among the first to introduce themeselves.

"Lady Sunderland, I am Rakuyo, A Scholar with the order"

"And I am Aslatiel, A Watcher"

Each one gave a slight bow of their heads as they did so.

The last time Aenwyn saw Dustorne, the city appeared ready to crumble down to its very foundations. Now, Dustorne had changed for the better. The city still bore the scars of strife but the reconstruction appeared to be proceeding smoothly.

Before the meeting at with Evelyn Sunderland, Aenwyn spent her time trying to ascertain the state of Talmaria. Five years should have been enough time for some hopeful but all that she learned was that no one had contact with the Wood Elves. This turn of events surprised Aenwyn. Thinking back now, she spent the last 5 years isolated on some island training to be a scholar. For the Wood Elves to not communicate with the other races since the end of the war was very concerning.

With little else to do, Aenwyn returned back to her quarters to gather her thoughts.
What were her kin up to? With the discovery of new lands, it wouldn’t be surprising if there was another new continent that sprung up near Talmaria. Perhaps there was conflict in the land? If not conflict, then perhaps the Wood Elves simply wanted to isolate themselves. For what reason then? And what of Tabetha Lockwell? She had returned back to Talmaria. What happened to her?

At night, she and the other members of the Watchers gathered in front of Lady Sunderland.

"It looks like we've both come a long way, care to introduce me to your new comrades?"

"Lady Sunderland, I am Aenwyn Loradi, scholar, at your service."

Draco simply followed the Captain to her battle. Draco did what he was told and followed her, cutting down one, two and three people who tried to attack her from behind. While the sound of two Captains sang across the open air, Draco was occupied with a skilled attacker. This dark-elf didn't charge into death like his comrades, but was rather skilled and was most likely an assassin. Draco smiled dashing towards the dark-elf, both of their blades clanged together with a follow up spin attack, but the dark-elf jumped over it, bring the blade right down towards Draco's head. Draco smiled, flicking his open hand toward the elf, "Temporal Distortion!" The dark-elf fell out of the sky and came crushing down to the deck, screaming in pain. Draco sat on his chest and the screaming stopped, confused was the elf. "Temporal Distortion. I can make you see you're own worst fear, immobilizing you." He lowered himself to the dark-elf, a gasp entered Draco's ears and a smile stretched across his face as he pulled the blade out. Draco stood up as his Captain returned ship, Draco saw the first mate left to die, but Draco didn't like that. He picked up the dark-elf's dagger at his feet and threw it, hitting the first mate in the back of his neck, severing his spine and piercing his windpipe. Draco jumped across to his ship, and returned to a lower room, he sat, slowly getting his magic together before smiling.


Xamar entered the giant hole he made in the ship and slowly walked through it. It was, all things considered, quiet. The sound of wood stretching, creaking, expanding at the waters surface seeped into the room. Xamar turned, his face of worry now and a sense of evil was amidst. "Now... what do we have here?" Xamar's eyes widened, he turned around and was frozen with shock. Standing across the room was a man with flowing white hair, his eyes glowed with the passion of evil. "J- Jarg?" Was all he could get out, shocked and stunned at Jarg standing here. "Xamar, my old friend. Tell me what are you doing here?" Jarg moved as he spoke, sitting up on a closed wooden barrel, kicking his feet up. Xamar took his time to asses the situation, and confidently took the tone, "Enough. I don't know why you're here, but I'll have to kill you all over again." Xamar got into a fighting pose, his face staring at Jarg with both anger and confidence, his body was tensed up, his legs sturdy. Jarg laughed as he hoped down, "[color-fff200]You couldn't even land a hit on me even if you tried, but if you wish.[/color]" Xamar dashed towards Jarg with force, throwing a spin kick to which Jarg ducked under and jumped over the next punch. Xamar continued to throw hits and kicks with force and speed, but Jarg was dodging everything, and never hitting anything. Xamar grew tired of this game and stopped, giving himself time to draw forth his magic, he started shooting beams of fire around the room. Jarg ran across the walls, the beam following him quickly behind. The beam diminished and Jarg stood on the creaky woods, the room that held this ship together was now falling apart quickly, within minutes this ship will be underwater. Xamar looked at Jarg before losing his stance. "I'm a fool. You're not here." He said, throwing a small piece of timber, it hurled towards Jarg but phased through him, disturbing the image before fading back to normal. "Took you longer then I expected. No, I'm not here, but I am alive. Projecting my image to you, Xamar, I'm coming for you." The Captain yelled, returning everyone back. Xamar smiled at Jarg, "Im glad you're alive friend, because now I have another chance to save you. Xamar turned to the wall where his ship would be, and flew through it, engulfed in fire like a meteorite. He landed back on The Amaranthia as it broke off from the drowning ship. Xamar turned to see the ship start dive into the depths, no sign of the Projection of Jarg. "Where so far from any land, how did you project it so far...?"




Draco followed the group through the city. He kept to himself mostly, however, Draco walked up close behind Xamar. "Xamar..." He spoke, awaiting for his response. Xamar turned his head towards Draco and slowed down to his pace,
"Draco. What is it? We'll be meeting soon." He said, giving him his full attention.
"If you don't mind me asking, what happened on the ship? Everyone was gone from the ship yet you remained behind to... what, sink it?"
Xamar stopped and turned to Draco, the rest of the group continued walking. "Look Draco, I destroyed that brig because it attacked our ship, killing our crew and contained a prisoner. We know nothing of this mission meaning it's pretty secretive, even to leader Tyr. So sinking that ship was the best course of action to keeping it a secret." He lied, if anyone knew about Jarg, he would not be impressed. "And what about you Draco, some of the crew spoke you know, yeah, they said you killed the first made even though Captain had poisoned him?" Draco simply smiled, "You can never be to careful Xamar, people who we think we've killed, can come back to haunt us..." Draco added before re-joining the group, Xamar followed, regrouping.

"It looks like we've both come a long way, care to introduce me to your new comrades?"

After a few introduced themselves Draco took a step closer, "My name is Draco Kalsea, Operative." Giving a slight nod before stepping back. Xamar hesitated, fixated on Draco. He snapped back to reality and took a step forward, "Xamar, just Xamar. Watcher of The Overseers. Pleasure to meet you."

Glodin was given his assignment by raven, and it was simple enough. Just give the crew disguises when they arrive and to accompany them until his services were no longer needed. So the dwarf just sat in the tavern and waited. He was pleasantly surprised to see Tyr walk through the door and ge couldn't help but crack a smile. Seems little Red was going to be his boss for a while. He waved to get her attention then motioned her over. "Didn't think you'd be the one bossing me around after you gave me that offer a year ago, Red." Glodin said with a smirk. "It's good to see you again. Also I have your things." He lifted the bag that was hidden under the table and handed it to Tyr.

The attacks came like a blur, the slender blade of the rapier in a double thrust before a backpedal slash that deflected the expected attempt to get an upper hand and force the veteran back on defensive. Sparks flew from the cross of blades as the Marcus lunged forward with another straight thrust, side stepping the retaliatory swipe of the longsword from his opponent. The flat of the rapier struck the mans rump as he tried to reposition for an overhead attack at the seemingly overextended Marcus.
One more clash and the duel was over as the agile Marcus slapped the longsword away with a brutal backhand slash before another lightning thrust, the tip of his sword resting at his opponents throat.

"Fair win, as usual." Said Templar Augustus Lorne. A senior of the order himself, the man was largely built and favored powerful swings as opposed to Marcus' swift stabs and slashes.

Marcus lowered the rapier and tossed it aside to shake the mans hand, offering a hearty pat on the shoulder.

"One day you'll swing that sword right. Till then, you're stuck at the bottom rung." Marcus offered a rare laugh as the big man playfully punched him in the shoulder, both had wry grins on their face.

Another Templar waiting off to the side cleared his throat to get Marcus' attention. When Marcus turned to view the messenger he had a good idea what it was about.

"Are they here, then?"

"Yes sir. Led by a red haired woman escorting a sea elf. She's at the head of a large group of rather unsavory looking fellows. Shall I send word ahead of your arrival?"

"No need. Return to your duties, thank you."

The Templar offered a bow and strode off as Marcus hooked his foot below the rapier he had thrown aside, deftly kicking it up into his waiting hand and into the sheathe at his hip. Right beside it was his recreated artifact weapon, fury. Despite only being a few years old the handle showed a lot of wear from its use. A larger barreled version of this same weapon was waiting just off to the side, a long leather strap had been attached to make it easier to carry across his back. Slinging the weapon over his shoulder he offered one final salute to his sparring partner and left the training halls.

The corridors to Sunderlands audience hall were bustling with activity as usual, the machinations of the city were all run through this building, the cogs of civilization turning at the command of one powerful woman. To work by her side was a pleasure he would not have enjoyed 5 years ago, but the war had been hard won. The watchers now outlaws. The Ocular enforcing his strange commands with an iron hand. Things had changed so much over so little time that it all seemed like one big dream of some sort.
Still, there was no time to rest. If Tyr was in the city then something big was happening.

------------

Marcus arrived at the audience hall just as Evelyn Sunderland addressed the gathering. Interestingly, there were a few faces he recognized and others he did not. A hooded figure with a slender staff was one of them. Like himself, a watcher. One who had been loyal to Theodore Doubleblade in the past. Karl Shadowthorn was in attendance as well, a fact that brought a small smile to his face. The heroes of the dawn were still looking for a fight apparently.

Marcus silently treaded up to the back of Evelyns chair and took his regular position at her right side. Marcus caught Tyrs eye and slowly brought his hand over the holster of his pistol, casually unsealing the harness before moving both hands behind his back. A silent nod was all he offered to his comrade.

After the pirate attack Karl, tended to the wounded as best as he could until they reached land. After landing they left for Dustorne, upon the way they where set upon by a daemon which the brothers, or at least he thought they where brothers, Rakuyo and Aslatiel claimed the final blow. But it was Karl who did the most damage to the evil spawn, his blades of wreathed in holy fire sent the creature reeling where it was then finished of by the pair. Upon reaching Dustorne, they made their way to a tavern, where upon entering their contact waved for them.@ShaggyDoo0 When Karl noticed who their contact was he rushed up and lifted the dwarf from his seat, a bright beaming smile on his face, "Glodin! You old forge dog! What good it does me to see you again! And look who I dragged in with me."@OtomostheCrazy Karl points at Kaathe who he and Tyr vouched for when he was discovered aboard the ship. "Now before we go to meet whoever it is we are meeting time for a drink eh!?", Karl puts his friend down and orders a drink, "You as well Kaathe.", for himself and his friends.

@Snarfulblast@ShaggyDoo0

"'Dragged' is fitting. Somehow you managed to pull me into whatever mission you were on."

Kaathe walked over to the two former comrades, and sighed.

"It seems you two haven't changed much over the years. Still guzzling down piss water and ale before something important happens."

It was no secret that Kaathe used to berate people. He just didn't care of what others thought of him. This, however, wasn't scolding, but rather thinking out loud. Again, he didn't care if he voiced it instead of kept it in his head. Either way, he spoke again. This time, it was something he meant to speak.

"As much as I'd like to just let you two drink your internal sorrows away, even I care enough to make sure you two don't get in trouble."

Kaathe may have kept his distance from Karl's group, and kept interactions to a minimum (most interactions being with and lead by Karl himself), He had an inkling as to what their leader, Tyr, had been tasked. The moment he found out that they were heading to Dustorne, it was clear that they were meant to speak with someone of import over there. The only problem was finding out who. Of course, during their stays at one of the villages, Kaathe found out. He was surprised to hear that his captain was still alive and well. Even more so to find out where she resided.

Perhaps that was the reason he stuck with them, instead of running off somewhere.

In any case...

"I'll accept your offer, after you and your group have met with Captain Evelynn. It wouldn't be right for either of you to be drunk when you meet with her again."

@Snarfulblast@OtomostheCrazy


Glodin pushed Karl's arms away to escape the lifting hug and drop back to the ground. He nodded to both Karl and Kaathe. "Its good to see both of you again after so long, and I see your arm is holding up well Karl. And Kaathe I agree with you, it would be nice to see the captain when sober. We can drink when we finish there." Glodin pats Karl's prosthetic arm before motioning to get moving. "Y'all get suited up, I'll meet up with all of you at the keep. Oh and please don't draw any unneeded attention."



Glodin followed Tyr and the rest of the group to meet with Lady Evelyn with a smile on his face. It had felt like a lifetime since he had last seen his Captain. After everyone else had exchanged niceties he walked up past the group and up to Lady Evelyn before bowing before her. "High Commander Lady Evelyn Sunderland, it is a pleasure to see your lovely face once again."

Upon entering Dustorne, Tyr split from the group to let them explore till they'd meet again in Sunderland's court. Arriving in the specified tavern, Tyr noticed the smile Glodin gave off upon seeing her. "Didn't think you'd be the one bossing me around after you gave me that offer a year ago, Red.", Tyr shrugged her shoulders with an amused smirk on her face. "Funny how things turn out, eh? We'll be heading up to the keep later tonight, Evelyn has some information for us before we make way for Kings Gate", Tyr took the outfits from Glodin, stepping aside for Karl and Kaathe to come towards the table. She knew where things would turn for those three and she'd prefer to get these clothes to the group before they'd be ruined by spilt ale. "Typical sellsword attire, doesn't reveal us as watchers nor does it tie us to Farendar. Clever as always, Sunderland", Tyr commented to herself as she made her way to the keep, thankfully she knew her way around the city so she avoided the busy streets that remained intact after the seige.


As everyone gave their introductions, Irisara stood a short distance from the group, closer to the painted glass windows of the hall. The sireni gazed at the images portrayed in the large windows, wondering what tales of this world they told. It was only at the last possible second was her attention brought back to the assembly, just in time to notice Marcus unlock the holster of his weapon and Tyr unsheathe her dagger halfway. Her eyes squinted out of curiosity but her attention was brought when she heard Evelyn ask her for her name. "I-Irisara Silean, serah", Iris hurried to answer as she hoped not to anger the noblewoman, unaware of her character outside of legends. "I've heard your name before, my Templars along the coast refer to you as 'The Pirate Queen of The Amaranthia', nevertheless I welcome you to Dustorne. Indeed, I welcome all of you to my city though I wish you'd view it in its days of old"

"High Commander Lady Evelyn Sunderland, it is a pleasure to see your lovely face once again.", Glodin's words were met with a smile and a bow as Evelyn replied, "It is good to see you as well, Glodin. I see you and Karl have made it here without destroying a tavern on your way". Evelyn let out a slight chuckle before returning to address the group as a whole. "I assume none of you know much as to your mission other than where you're headed, the new Ocular has a habit of leaving his men in the dark. What I can tell you is that as of a month ago, a Templar scouting party was sent into Talmaria by way of Kings' Gate to try and locate the Talmer people. The expected status report never arrived within the designated time. A second team was then sent in but found those missing Templars sacking a village within our realm. Our men had no choice but to cut down the traitors, only to find they were corrupted into vampires. The second team explored further into the realm of Talmaria when reports say they stumbled upon a man raving about vampires and something about a prophecy. Tyr, I have the full report should you or your team wish to read it yourselves. Shortly after finding the man, the group decided to return to their base. Before they re-entered the realm, the group was picked off one by one until only two remained. One succumbed to his wounds and the other yet lives. Whatever their purpose for bringing attention to themselves, the issue is clear that a group of vampires has established a presence near Kings' Gate. The Ocular and myself wish for you to go there and record whatever information you can gather about this menace. I ask out of concern for you all not to directly confront them unless you believe yourselves capable of handling them. If that's not the case, send a raven and I will personally march an entire company of Templars to your aid. One hundred and fifty of the best knights I can offer will rush to your aid, you have my word of this"

Tyr bowed low, thankful that finally her group wasn't flying blind. "Thank you, Evelyn, we will make our way there as soon as possible", Tyr was about to turn to head for the exit when she was stopped by Evelyn. "I can't in good conscience let you all leave after you've traveled so far. Stay till morning, rooms have been prepared for each of you and you have free reign of the keep and city", Tyr turned back to face Evelyn and thanked her once more before heading towards her room, signalling Marcus to follow.

Marcus caught the look of the sea elf as he rebuckled the holster on his sidearm, giving her a stern stare but otherwise showing no outward sign of reaction. Sunderland ran over details to the group that Marcus was already aware of, having been the receiver of the instructions to pass along to her Majesty. The rest of it was just formality. The watcher stood silent and motionless the entire time as he simply absorbed the odd sensation of adventure creeping up once more. A nagging doubt at the back of his mind warned that this time wasn't going to end in a new queen and a strange new home to go with it.
How he missed the old days when the stars were his roof.

Of course there was the problem with roaming Ghouls, giant insect monsters, corrupt Templars, bandits, even a former collegue of his wielding similar pistols as him was likely wandering around still. Some people had no talent for staying dead. Given the impressive list of things wanting to taste his sweet meat and drink his flowing blood, the simpler job of being a steward seemed fittingly simple. It also allowed him the advantage of seeing everyone coming and going, to better keep track of who was where.
A motion from Tyr caught his attention as she indicated him to follow. Stepping to the side, he offered a deep bow to Sunderland before walking off with his fellow Watcher.
The large silent Watcher in the back, whom Marcus remembered was called Valion, offered a simple nod to his superior before taking up a simple position off to the side away from the throne. There was nothing in the city that interested the man so guard duty was apparently the answer. Marcus turned his attention from the monk to the lithe figure of Tyr. Time had done nothing to her, it seemed. Fitting for them both really.

The turning had many strange effects.

"Mine?" She piped up as they walked through the halls.

"Mine." He replied calmly, turning a corner and leading them both away from the guest quarters.

The going was silent as the pair strode side by side along the less active hallways and corridors of the castle. Private quarters had been setup for Marcus, a spacious area reserved for his use alone. Preferring a large amount of privacy he had installed wards and locks at great cost to ensure that only he could enter. Similar contraptions had been painstakingly worked into Miss Sunderlands own quarters after a great time discussing the matter of her privacy and protection. Only those that Marcus trusted were allowed to even monitor the hallways outside her private rooms. Hells, he didn't even have the clearance to enter her private quarters.

If someone took his place with a disguise or somehow found a way to get the phrases right for entrance it could spell disaster for the order. A watcher slaying someone as powerful as Evelyn Sunderland would be a monumental step away from the goal the organization had strived for.. Atleast until recently.

Marcus unholstered his firearm and shot 5 quick bursts of multicolored light in a predetermined manner at his own door, a series of glyphs and runes stole the energy from each shot and used it to power itself, deactivating the volatile network of traps that would trigger if fired incorrectly. Destroying everything inside the room as well as the assailant.
To prevent that being used against him, even if they got his own weapon somehow, a second system was activated when the door was finally closed behind the two, disarming only the traps inside. The wards on the door were still very much active.

The room itself was lit by soft glowing lamps, enchanted with a weak [Create Light] spell, illuminating the single worn out cot in the corner and his massive desk. polished oak and branded with steel in the pattern of creeping vines, the top of this masterfully crafted piece of furniture was piled with various reports and papers. Bookshelves lined every wall with everything he had come to know of the order, the Watchers, the workers, Dustorne, anything he could use.

Marcus waved at the only chair in the room, located at the desk, and waited for Tyr to get comfortable before he spoke.

"We are protected against scrying, eavesdropping, psionic intrusions, even the more mundane ways of spying such as sneaking in through a window or pressing your ear against the door. Two ways in; Front door or window." Marcus pointed to a bookshelf that had been placed across the window and bolted to the wall. "Speak your business."

@ShaggyDoo0@Snarfulblast

Having no business of his own to meddle in the affairs of another, Kaathe had no intention on joining Karl, Glodin, and their group on whatever deathly mission it was they were on this time. The only reason he went with them was to say hello to his former captain. Unfortunately, that was what dragged him into their mess. In waiting for their formal business to come to an end, Kaathe had overheard what their mission was. He overheard the details of an OVERSEER mission. That left him with two choices. The first was to leave and deal with the annoyance of the Overseers as a whole, hunting him down for simply knowing about an investigation on a bunch of vampires. No amount of vouching would keep their higher ups from sending people to kill him, which would be welcome if not for the fact that Kaathe didn't want to bother with the constant attacks throughout the rest of his life. The other choice, as much as Kaathe loathed to even think on it, was to go with the Overseers and find a way to get them to keep quiet about him. Another bothersome choice, and one Kaathe was sure he had no control over this time.

The dark elf looked toward Captain Evelynn as she and Marcus left. He wondered if she and Fate had cut a deal, for every time he saw her, he was dragged into another annoyingly dangerous situation that would escalate into even more annoyingly dangerous situations. He respected Evelynn more than most others he had respected, but it was as if Fate used her as an omen for Kaathe's future.

Kaathe sighed once the meeting had been dismissed. He went up to Glodin and Karl.

"Let's get going. I'm sure you two want to see who can outdrink who after all this time."

Kaathe had a feeling that his presence wasn't all that accepted by the people around the place. Ever since his kind had gone over to piracy to help their people, the masses have painted them as evil ones. If he even got a drink from the tavern, he was sure they'd have him pay more.

@TheDarkTemplar

As the Watchers left the court room, Aenwyn was disturbed by the news that vampires were sighted in Talmaria. The Wood Elves were devastated during the war, there was no questioning that. But for vampires to be sighted within, something must have went very wrong in the past 5 years. What happened to the Wood Elves after the war? When did communication cease with other nations? How much of a footing did these creatures of the dark have in Talmaria?

Surely Tabetha Lockwell, a former captain of the Order, would send for aid even if she did "retire" unless there were circumstances preventing them. Aenwyn frowned. She did not expect her return to her homeland to be rather dire. Aenwyn needed to know. This mission just became personal for her.

She walked towards Evelyn Sunderland and gave a small bow. "Lady Sunderland, you've mentioned that you have a report. I would like to see its contents. I've talked with many people since my arrival and all of them say the same thing. Talmaria has gone silent and no one knows where the Wood Elves went. For an entire nation to vanish, it is unbelievable. 5 years ago it would be unthinkable for those creatures of the night to even set foot in our domain. Have you heard anything from Tabetha Lockwell? She is a close friend friend of mine and was once under your command. Last I spoke with her was 5 years ago before she went back with the Wood Elves to our lands."