Sorren nodded in agreement to Sparhawk's plan. Clearly he had this whole thing planned for a while and just needed the right sort of people to accompany him. He had certainly managed to find a rather motley crew in himself and Mira. Although, when he thought about it, it certainly made sense. They all had vastly different strengths and weaknesses, which would either mean that they would all balance each other out, or this whole expedition would be a train wreck. There was no in between. He looked over at Mira when the weasel spoke before nodding and looking to Sparhawk. "And on that note, what mode of transportation will we be taking? On foot, or could you manage to procure horses?" he asked.

Sparhawk gestured behind him, in the general direction of his shaggy animal. "I have my horse--He follows me around even I tell him not to. Rebellious beast. Even if I couldn't get two more for you, Mira would no doubt try to steal some." He shrugged. "I'm sure my Lord can spare a few horses. He only has a dozen or so." His tone had waxed sarcastic, as it often did.

"We can meet up at the tavern--over by main gate, called the Grand Vale. It won't be busy when we get there. I'll bring some horses for you both and some supplies. Just try to stay out of trouble at least until we leave the city, huh? Because I won't have to arrest you outside the city walls. So let's try to avoid that. I don't exactly enjoy throwing old friends in prison."

As the armored blind knight began answering Sorren's question regarding the How's of their plan, Sparhawk's words just went straight through one ear and right out the other about halfway through his monologue. Mira was listening, sure, but the woman stood rigid and uncomprehending. Her attention was currently acutely attuned onto the horse which her old acquaintance had spared a perfunctory mention while he briefly explained that it -along with two more for herself and Sorren- would be their main method of transportation for this quest. Some of the soldiers were leaving now which gave her an unwarranted and very clear view of said equine. A chill ran up the woman's spine just at the mention of such a heinous creature. Now, not many things could scare Mira but horses were their own thing and damn would she argue about that. Unfortunately, Mira had no idea why she was so terrified of these overall-harmless beings so it wasn't like she could just conquer that specific issue and get on with it. Horses are scary. Period. Mira scowled but didn't object just yet; the men didn't need to know about her irrational fear, at least not until she could find an alternative solution. There wasn't a lot of time but Mira was determined to keep her ever-shriveling dignity intact. "Tavern by the gate, got it. Don't you dare leave without me or I'll have your heads!" Ludwig chattered quickly as Mira signed her conclusion. With a mocking salute to the men she perched the rodent on her shoulder and spun on her heel, leaving them to their business.

Sorren nodded, albeit rather apprehensively. He was still a little unsure about all this, but the prospect of finding the Dragon's Crown was all too enticing to pass up. "Very well," the elf agreed, "I'll gather some supplies and meet you there," he informed Sparhawk, glancing over at Mira, who had just turned and marched away, proudly carrying her newfound pet. Half of him wondered if he should follow her, but he quickly decided against it. She had gotten him in enough trouble for one day. With a sigh and shake of his head, the tall mage turned and shouldered past the other guards in search of a trader. He was relieved to once again have his freedom and finally be out of immediate danger. While durable, he was more of a quiet sort who liked to have his peace rather than all this running around willy nilly stealing rodents and bargaining with the law to keep himself out of prison. He wasn't sure exactly what he was getting himself into, but his interest had been piqued, and his sense of adventure would not allow him to pass up this golden opportunity to gain knowledge of this fabled artifact.

"Until then," Sparhawk nodded by way of reply. After whistling at his brute of a horse, the two of them departed, and he rode his way back to his lord's manor.
"You know, Faran, I think this is probably the most insane idea I've ever had."
Faran snorted.
"Okay, so maybe it was his idea, but I still decided to act on it."
The manor was a fairly modest size - Sparhawk couldn't attest to its appearance; he was knighted sometime after he lost his sight, but it took him a good few years to memorize all of its rooms. He didn't live in the manor itself, his lord allowed him a small property to call his own, at which his wife and young daughter lived. What were the odds of meeting Mira again after all this time? They'd hardly been adults when they parted ways. But even more curiously was how she managed to lose her voice. He'd heard of pirates having a habit of cutting out tongues for various reasons - maybe they did it for all the talking she did. He smirked. She always did talk too much, but that weasel was going to grate on his nerves even more.
He shook his head.
"Sir?" He heard a voice to his left and down.
"Yes?"
"Your horse, sir?"
"What about him?"
"Did you want me to stable him, sir?"
Sparhawk had barely noticed that Faran had stopped moving.
"Right. He's all yours then - Faran, don't do something I'll regret later," he warned his animal as he dismounted.
He made his way indoors, leaving the poor stablehand to deal with his horse. He found his lord in his study.
"Come in, Sparhawk. So, you're taking me up on my suggestion, then?"
"Yes, my Lord."
"Excellent. I think it will do you some good!"
"Assuming I don't get killed in the process, my Lord," Sparhawk pointed out.
"Nonesense! Even as a blind man, you're still the best swordsman in the country!"
"I wouldn't know, my Lord, but I would ask a favor, if I may."
"Anything, my good man."
"I should like to borrow two extra horses."
"By all means, have your pick! The stablehands know I keep too many of them, anyway. Oh, and you shall have a pack horse, and supplies to boot. I'll see that you have everything you need to begin your journey. I'm not going to send my best man out with nothing!"
"You are generous, my Lord."
"I am, rather, aren't I? But, how does your family feel about this?"
"They are a little less than pleased, my Lord."
"A shame. But not to worry, Sparhawk, I'll make sure they are looked after."
"Thank you, my Lord."
"Are you off to see them now?"
"Yes, my Lord."
"Very good then, off you go!"
Sparhawk bowed. "My Lord."
He turned on his heel and left the manor. He'd always suspected perhaps that his lord had an unhealthy fancy for his wife - but he was proud to say that his wife was nearly as deadly with a frying pan as he himself was with a blade... and even if she angered him and he turned them out, she could easily take care of herself and their little girl.
Though, he had to admit, he was as loathe to leave them behind as they were for him to leave.
The moment he entered the little cottage, he was attacked with hugs from both sides.
"Father!" Came the excited voice of a child.
The taller woman said nothing, but he knew what she was thinking.
"Hello, little one."
When his wife released him, he bent down to pick up the little girl.
"How's my Vella?"
"Good. Are you really going away?"
He could hear the pout in her voice.
"Yes, little one."
"Can't I come?"
"Oh but I wish you could. I'll miss you terribly."
"I'll miss you too, father... I -" She trailed off, as if losing her thought.
He heard his wife's voice from beside him.
"Vella?"
"How come you're letting another little girl go with you, but not me?"
"What do you mean?"
"I saw a girl! She's going to try to steal something from you."
Sparhawk frowned, addressing his wife.
"How long has she been doing this?"
"Since a few weeks ago, but, it's been getting more frequent. She gets... distracted when she looks at certain people, and she keeps telling me things that she thinks they're going to do."
Sparhawk frowned.
"Vella, what do you see?"
"Oh simply lots of things, father. Mmmm, some people are boring to look at, they don't have any images. But some people have a whole cloud of images floating around them like a great big aura. You've got lots of images, father!"
His wife's voice sounded nervous.
"At first I thought she was making up a game, but she keeps insisting that whatever it is she's seeing is real."
Sparhawk nodded.
"I don't think you should be worried about this, Elena."
"What are you talking about?"
"Well, I didn't study the subject myself, but this sounds to me like she may be a Seer."
"A Seer? Gods, Sparhawk, I realize you studied a little bit of magic years ago, but how likely is that, really?"
"Not likely, I know, but she definitely believes in what she sees."
"Is there any way to find out?"
"Sure. I'd imagine you can just wait to see if anything she says actually happens."
"That's reassuring."
"I could take her to the chapterhouse. My old mentor could evaluate her. It wouldn't be any trouble, it's on the road I'll be taking. They can send her back with another of the knights."
There was a pause, then a shaky breath. "All right."
Sparhawk set Vella down.
"Let's pack your things."
There was a delighted squeak.
Several hours later found Sparhawk walking into the Grand Vale, with his little girl in tow, who was currently looking around with curious eyes.

Vella, to anyone with eyes to see, was a healthy little girl with round, rosy cheeks, wide, violet eyes, and black hair that bounced every time she moved her head. "Who are we looking for, father?"
"We're looking for a one-armed elf and a mute woman with a talking weasel."
"Mmm..." Vella looked around the tavern. After a moment, she tugged on her father's hand and led him towards a table near the back. "Well, I see a woman with a weasel, but I don't see a one-armed elf."
"Dark hair?"
"Mhm. Father, how did you know she has dark hair?"
"We're old... acquaintances."
"Oh."

First things first; Mira needed coin. Or at the very least some valuable goods they could barter along their journey. Since Sparhawk would be taking care of transportation and Sorren the supplies, Mira figured her contribution would be more useful later on in the long run once their inventory ran low and their horses (she shuddered at the thought) grew weary. Mira might be able to steal some stuff they'd be needing during the adventure but things like a place to stay or a bathhouse to get cleaned up at required actual payment. With Ludwig cozily draped across her neck, Mira strolled towards the marketplace in confidence. Some of the town's locals gave her funny looks -was it the weasel or her newfound fame from today's chase?- but she paid them no mind. She snatched an apple and began perusing from a distance.


Hours later, Mira had managed to red-paperclip her way up until she found herself in the possession of a pair of gold bangles. It wasn't easy but completely worthwhile. However, saying she had accomplished such a feat through pure skill and persistence alone would be a lie for the pirate woman had tipped the scales in her favor by 'borrowing' some items along the way. A silk scarf here, an earring there... Thank the gods at least some wealthier-than-average folks lived in this town or Mira would have never been able to get this far. If this had been Lorebeaux, that last port she and her crew visited, at best she'd have ended up with a fancy cow. The sky was getting dark by the time Mira was done, and Ludwig had gone to sleep in one of her pockets. Hoping Sparhawk and Sorren hadn't left (in her defense, Sparhawk said that they would be leaving 'tonight' but he had not gotten anymore specific than that), she headed for the rendezvous point where the trio was supposed to be meeting up. The Grand Vale tavern stood unassuming in the distance and Mira quietly entered it. Mira spared a perfunctory glance around and took a seat.

Shortly after, Sparhawk appeared and, approaching Mira's table, one could see that he was holding the hand of a little girl.
"So we're just waiting on the elf, then," he commented, taking a seat. The little girl climbed up into his lap and unabashedly stared at Mira with a stern expression.

Mira couldn't consider herself the type of person who was great with kids, nor did she actually have an interest in them. Except... this was Sparhawk's kid. Or was it? But more importantly, she wanted to know why he'd brought the little girl here and why did this kid look so damn displeased with her? Mira waved awkwardly at the child and reached into her pocket to wake her furry translator.

"Are you being serious right now, Sparky?"

"Well, we are waiting on the elf, aren't we?"

"No, I meant the kid. What did you tell her? She looks mad at me."

"Who, Vella? Oh, she's probably just looking into your soul. It's her new favorite pastime."

Mira blinked at that and turned her attention to Vella. Magic was uncommon yet not unheard of; although she wasn't sure if Sparhawk was joking or not. "See anything interesting?"

Vella tilted her head. "They're going to make you ride the horse," she replied decidedly.

Mira had to laugh there. An odd, breathy, wheezing noise escaping her tongue-less mouth but a laugh nonetheless. "No." Mira didn't even need to sign that response out, just vigorously shake her head as she attempted to compose herself. She would walk or sail all the way if that's what it took to get to the bloody dragon but she would rather stab herself in the leg than go horseback.

Vella shrugged. "It's what the image shows." She looked up at her father.
"You were friends when you were my age?"
"Something like that."
"You braided her hair like you braid mine."
"I suppose I did."
"So you had lots of practice. You must make the best braids," she decided.

Years after Sparhawk had left, when Mira reached the conclusion that he was never coming back, she had let go of those memories in order to be free to move on. She'd still missed her friend, yes, but she didn't think back much on it. Vella was bringing many of those fond memories back and the mute pirate couldn't help but smile warmly. Sparhawk being a noble knight was going to make him a royal pain in the butt of course but now she was realizing that she was looking forward to catching up with him. Speaking of which, that brought Mira back to the matter at hand. "As cute as your daughter is, why did you bring her?" Annoyed with having been rudely awakened for this conversation, Ludwig freed himself from Mira and sat atop the table to groom himself.

"You can see for yourself, she's got this uncanny knack for reading people. The chapterhouse where I trained for knighthood is on the way, so we'll be dropping her off to get evaluated by my mentor in the arcane arts," Sparhawk explained.
"Can I learn magic too, father?"
"I wouldn't mind, but your mother wouldn't have it."
A small sigh. "I should like to learn magic. Then I could go with you!"
"You're far too young to be going on adventures, little lady."
"I think I could be useful. I'm already seeing so much! I'd more than make up for your eyes, father. Can't I go?"
"Not this time, Vella."
She wore a slight pout.

"Don't be such a spoilsport, Sparky. You and I were younger than her when were were off doing our own crazy things. She can tag with us for a little ways, can't she?"

"A little ways, Mira? And drop her off where, in some town with no means for her to get back home? Absolutely not. At least she's safe at the chapterhouse and one of the knights can take her back."

It had started as a joke but now she was going to finish this. "Then you can bring her back while Sorren and I collect our bounty." Mira grinned like she'd just told the greatest joke. But really though, what was wrong with Vella coming? If it was the dragon part then the solution was simple -leave her somewhere safe until they can get the damn crown. Then everybody can go home all happily ever after. How long was that supposed to take? Assuming there was even a dragon. Probably dead by now. Or maybe just some scary legend people passed around to make things more interesting. She wouldn't be surprised if that was the case.

Sparhawk either didn't hear her, or was purposefully ignoring Mira as his attention veered back to Vella, who was climbing down from his lap.
"Where are you going?"
"I'm hungry."
Without waiting for a reply, the little girl ran up to the tavernmaster to acquire some food.

It didn't take long for Sorren to locate a trader a block or two down the road from where his altercation with the law had occurred. What did take forever was bartering with the merchant to get a decent price on supplies and having them delivered to the tavern where the elf was to meet his newfound companions. Thankfully, Mira had restored the belongings that had been confiscated from him when he was abducted by the pirate crew, so he would be able to cover the cost of the supplies and their delivery to the tavern. He wouldn't be able to carry it all himself. He invested mostly in non-perishable foods and first aid, as well as tents and blankets. Sparhawk said that they would have horses, so being able to tote it all wouldn't be an issue.

There was still a part of him that was debating on whether or not this venture was a good idea, if it was in his best interest to join two people, neither of whom he had too much trust in, on a dangerous errand to find an artifact that may not even exist. Hadn't he had enough excitement to last another hundred years? He was never really one for wild escapades, being a more scholarly type. However, the other half of him was all to enticed by the thought of not only being able to study the Dragon's Crown, but also to restore his missing limb after decades of learning to live without it. If such an object could possess such power, imagine all the good it could do for the rest of the world too. Or destruction, depending on whose hands it feel into. Maybe it was better that they were going to find it before anyone else did, to keep it from those who would use it for ill. At this point, he was pretty committed to accompanying the knight and the pirate. For better of for worse.

The mage thanked the shop owner after instructing him on the delivery of the supplies, then made his way back outside. There was some time to kill before he had to meet the other two at the tavern, so he decided he would use this time to write a letter to his superiors to alert them of his new mission. It was rare that any mail correspondence was exchanged between elves, but he thought it necessary that the others know his whereabouts, should something happen. Thankfully his writing materials had not been touched by the pirates when the had confiscated his belongings upon his capture, so all that was left was to find the messenger ravens. A busy port like this surely had an aviary. He chose a shaded bench against a stone wall to write his brief note stating his whereabouts and intentions before rolling it up neatly and tucking it into his worn knapsack. He asked a passerby about an aviary and was directed back toward the docks. He would have to be careful to avoid any of the pirate crew involved in his capture, considering Mira technically shouldn't have busted him out to begin with.

Thankfully, his short walk was unhindered and void of any trouble, and he reached his destination in a timely manner. He noticed that he was receiving a few stares from people he passed, though considering he hadn't seen a single elf since he had been here, he warranted that his kind was uncommon around here, and missing limb aside, he must be an unusual sight. Being well over six feet tall and wearing strange blue robes, he didn't exactly blend in. The woman in charge of the aviary accepted his letter and payment without comment, their exchange brief, then he was on his way to the tavern to meet with Mira and Sparhawk. Hopefully the supplies were already delivered and they could be on their way promptly. He didn't want to hang out here any longer than they had to.

Upon entering the tavern, it only took a brief survey of the room to spot the knight and the pirate seat at on of the tables. Sorren moved to join them, taking one of the empty seats. "Sorry I'm late," he apologized, "The supplies should be delivered shortly, I believe." He hoped that the other two had been successful in their errands as well. A smooth start would be nice, considering everything that could go wrong on this quest.