The guard watched the girl as she moved, suddenly picking up the clues that he hadn't noticed until now. As she felt for the bag of coins, he suddenly realized she was blind. He glanced back up at her face, surprised and rather impressed. Not only was she able to take down an ogre by herself, but she did it without sight. The man, a skilled swordsman and experienced guard, felt a tad intimidated. It was strange for a man of his stature, but a powerful woman could do that from time to time.

He straightened up in his seat as she showed him her name carved in the creature's head. He briefly glanced back to her before looking back to the ogre's head. 'What a passionate woman...' He cleared his throat and grasped for a quill and parchment again. "Oh yes. I'll take a note of it. I will post it on the notice board in the main square so everyone will know who killed the creature. So that's Irelia V...how do you spell your last name?"

He glanced back up at her, studying her features briefly. He found himself quite enamored by this woman. Her strength, cunning and skill not to mention the passion she spoke with. "Have you ever considered joining the royal guard? We could use a self-made woman,
such as yourself."

@Migyudon

Donnel smirked as Davos brought out the bear trap. He’s only ever seen those things in the market and often the price was far too steep for Donnel to justify buying over say, whores, but he’ll take advantage of this situation. The mysterious girl who had joined them also arrived with a vile of poison. ”Looks like we got a plan! Coat these teeth in that taint and we'll show that oversized guppy what for.” With their hell Donnel strapped the poisoned bear trap onto his shield. In the distance he heard a roar of gunfire followed by the screams of even more hunters-to-be. ”Heh! At least they’re doing their jobs! But it’s time to show em how it’s done.“

Rushing to the battle Donnel had his shield and hook out. As the beat was about to tear the face off a helpless minion, Donnel’s hook found its place wrapped around the beasts wrist, it’s talons just inches away from the hopel as hunter. ”Put yer backs into it ya gits! Even if ye a coward, you can still pull a rope!” Donnel struggled against the giant fish monster as it tried to free its arm. Donnel couldn't hope to actually over power the creature, but he could be steadfast and hardy enough to keep the monster from going anywhere else. He’d hoped that the others would he’ll pull the rope as Donnel got closer, and once he was close enough he wouldn’t need the hook anymore.

Once Donnel was close enough he stopped trying to stay his ground and let himself be pulled towards the beast instead. It readied It’s claw to pierce Donnel in half, this he was expecting this to happen. The beast lashed its claw towards Donnel, but he deflected the blow with his shield. At the same time the beast’s forearm struck the pressure plate near the center of the shield. This caused the teeth of the bear trap to close around the fishman’a arm with enough force to pierce its scales. If this was just a bear, this trap would’ve been liable to do more then trap a bear’s foot, but rip it clean off. Not only that but the poison coating the teeth also would infect the creature and cause its arm to go numb thanks to the paralysis poison.

Not that all went entirely according to plan. While Donnel’s block and counterattack worked, the fish man then slammed Donnel to the ground with his other arm. Because his shield was currently biting into the fishman’s arm, Donnel fell without a shield. He was stomped on and against anyone else this would’ve been a death blow. To Donnel it was a broken rib and very uncomfortable. But it wasn’t uncomfortable enough that he wasn’t able to roll away from the second stomp and get to his feet, putting his hand on his axe and readying a second hook. ”How’s that fishy?! Now so tough now are ya?” Donnel taunted the creature as he started to slowly spin his grappling hook around in a circle, ready to throw.

---

She was surprised that the usual flurry of questions didn't come after, questions meant to undermine her such as "How could a woman do this?", "by herself?", "You must have had someone else help you!"

"or worse! You just found a dead ogre and claimed it didn't you?" Lia had learned to shut those people off, the kind that couldn't afford their egos shattered.

She had no intention of upstaging anyone; if she ever was guilty of anything, it's to regain her rank as an honorable hunter.

"V Y N T R" Lia spoke clearly, but not slow enough to be an insult to the guard's intelligence. She would give respect to those who deserved it, and by asking no other question, the guard had earned her complete regard.

She almost smiled at him for being so gracious. Almost.

Her calm face would do for now as she explained the need for the name. "Daughter of Rhys Vyntr." She would hunt thrice as hard if it meant getting the family name back into the light. Honor such as theirs was never meant for whispers. Lia could go on to narrate, but the guard cut her off.

"Have you ever considered joining the royal guard? We could use a self-made woman, such as yourself." She blushed slightly, now needing to turn away and cover her face. Words such as self-made, and offers of basically the highest prestige known to hunters could do such a thing. Even then, she tried to keep her stern face behind her hand.

"I--I am not ready for that." She spoke with humility. Her ego could only go so high for the day.

Not wanting to get sidetracked into delusions, she steered their conversation to the immediate concern: "May I stay here to speak with your captain?" Lia's blush had then since subsided; she could face the guard once again without looking flustered.

"He must see this as proof." At this point, she didn't doubt the guard. She at least had a sense that he wasn't just pandering to her, yet a captain's word is much stronger than a guard's; she needed to be certain than there's no doubt to her deed.

Nodding her head Iva applied the poison to the teeth of the trap, just a few drops from the vial to each point. By the time she was done and the vial was used up, there was a thin layer of paralystic poison at the tip of each teeth. So as long as the tip could break through the Trieste’s armored hide, even just one of these teeth would render a part of its body paralyzed for a minute. That would give everyone a chance to take it down more easily. If it was an arm then the beast could fight as effectively, or if it was a leg then it couldn’t maneuver as easily. Iva would’ve used another vial ofnpoison but shenomly had two more left, and still had a few more of her Addle Arrows. But this monster’s armored hide made it impossible for those arrows to pierce, so she had to use the broadheads instead.

As Donnel lead the charge Iva moved in, intentionally approaching the Trieste by his new blindside. She was about a hundred feet away when she notched an arrow ink her bow string and released it, hitting the triestie square on the side of his head. But that damn armored hide protected even this sneak attack, causing the arrow to merely crack a few scales before falling down onto the sand. As the beast turned to Iva she noticed that her first two arrows had somehow been stabbed into the beast. She smiled knowing that at this point the Addle poison would also be weakening the Trieste’s ability to fight as it forced him to consume even more stamina than usual, as well as eating away at his existing stamina and halting any passive healing this beast had. He was as good as dead.

Iva would make sure if that.

Taking her third poisoned arrow Iva aimed carefully. In the midst of all of this chaos the mark was flailing about even as his movements would become more tiresome. She wanted to make sure this second arrow hit him where he least expected it. Taking a moment to take into account the wind, the projectiles launched by other hunters, and the beast’s movements, Iva fired her arrow with her target being the Trieste’s other eye.

With everyone on the offensive now Libe lowered her blade just a moment to observe everyone fighting. Firstly there was Anastasia and her crew. It was obvious to Libe who among her retinue were fodder picked off the streets and who were actual warriors if some caliber. It only sickened Libe more to see how heartlessly Anastasia three said fodder into the front line while letting herself and her own circle skirt around the beast. Libe wanted to shout, to command them to fall back and let the other hunters deal with the beast. Libe couldn’t stand the idea of sending in men and women knowing that they would die, no matter how practical it’d be.

Another who caught Libe’s eye was the brigand who called himself Maruader. From his name alone Libe figured he was a bandit who joined the guild either for fortune or amnesty, something Libe feared would happen. That the guild would be filled not with righteous hunters of beasts and defenders of the innocent, but lowly bandits and vile men who seek the guild as a means to escape justice. No doubt Marauder’s skills in battle and hunting were earned by fighting guards along the road and chasing down fleeing civilians. However that trick with the shield was… Cunning. Libe couldn’t say that was a bad idea but she didn’t particularly care for him when he got stomped on.

At this point the beast was being overwhelmed by the sheer numbers assaulting him. One of his arms went limp and his movements seem to get sluggish, though no less powerful. This was the perfect opportunity for Libe to strike. She dashed forward as the monster was about to slash at a few hunters, knocking them back before they lost their life. Libe armed her blade to slice between each talon right where the knuckles of the beast stopped. Even if this was a monster, it took the shape of a man, and Libe knew how to hurt them. How to kill them. Using the beast’s own strength Libe sliced her sword into the fishman’s fingers, dragging the blade down while letting the momentum of the monster’s attack slice itself against Libe’s reinforced blade. With the same deft motion she used to decapitated a lesser fishman, Libe sliced off three of the bigger monster’s claws, leaving him nothing but his little finger and thumb.

One Libe finished her attack she was quick to move again even should the beast be too weak to retaliate. At this point she knew that the monster was dead, but she was making sure that she didn’t get caught in the crossfire from Anastasia's minions. Even if they failed to do much harm without their buckshot barrage, Libe wasn’t going to risk the chance of getting brained because some fool missed his mark.

Jericho spent his time trying to keep the creature distracted. He may not be a great fighter, but he knew how to get on someone or something’s nerves. He would constantly taunt the creature, just staying out it’s reach. He turned to taunt the beast, only to discover it was gone.

Jericho stopped and looked around. “Er, yeah! You better run. You don’t want anymore of my...taunting...who am I talking too?” He said, walking backwards, till he tripped over a stone, sending him rolling back to the beach. “Damnit damnit damnit...” he repeated as he rolled until he finally stopped. “Stupid land!” He yelled. “Screw you, and your things with legs, and your trees, and your oh hey a coin.” He stopped as he picked up the gold coin, putting it in his pocket. “Nevermind, we’re good.” He said, walking back towards the group.

He found his trident and picked it up, then looked at everyone. “Hey, did I miss any...” he stopped seeing them play pin the arrow in the sea beast, “ah. So this is what we are doing today. You know, pretty sure he has no clue where the rebels are hiding.” He said.

Anastasia's eyes widened as, last in the line of fire, she watched the creature recognise their weaponery and dodge most of the last volley. As her hammer set off the gunpowder, in the split second before the explosion, she tilted her aim ahead of it's movement, Boris and Irinna beside her having the same idea, the three shots hitting their mark.

She hadn't realized that firearms had gotten so prolific, to the point where even such a creature recognized the danger of a barrel pointed at it. She clenched her teeth as she joined her hunters in circling the beast with polearm in hand, watching in frustration as her plan fell to shambles and her initiates charged at it, five of her soldiers cut down in a few seconds.

She had hoped the volley to blast the weakened creature's scale armor. Though she had little sympathy for the common folk dying in her stead, as this was the intended purpose, weeding the extrodinary from the common, and getting rid of old equipment, she did still feel a pang of shame and guilt at the tactical fallout.

As she was about to order a retreat and have her hunters fire a second volley, she spotted a movement in the distance,

Rushing to the battle Donnel had his shield and hook out. As the beat was about to tear the face off a helpless minion, Donnel’s hook found its place wrapped around the beasts wrist, it’s talons just inches away from the hopel as hunter. ”Put yer backs into it ya gits! Even if ye a coward, you can still pull a rope!” Donnel struggled against the giant fish monster as it tried to free its arm. Donnel couldn't hope to actually over power the creature, but he could be steadfast and hardy enough to keep the monster from going anywhere else. He’d hoped that the others would he’ll pull the rope as Donnel got closer, and once he was close enough he wouldn’t need the hook anymore.

Anastasia blinked rapidly, trying to figure out the strange contraption attached to the Marauder's shield. The general idea flashed through her mind as most of the brigands scattered before the beast, some of her soldiers included, Donnel struggling with the rope.

"HELP THAT MAN DRAG THAT BLOODY THING!" She barked, her and her hunters rushing to his aid, their united 'enchanced' strength steadying him and giving him an iron hold, pulling the damnable monster in in little time. As the monster got close enough, she let go. "SCATTER!"

They ducked out of the way as Donnel's plan came to fruition, bear trap snapping, scuffle ensuing, Donnel miraculously escaping the beast's stomping. She whistled softly, smirking. Another to take note of. A picture of potential recruits forming in her mind... and potential threats.

Taking her third poisoned arrow Iva aimed carefully. In the midst of all of this chaos the mark was flailing about even as his movements would become more tiresome. She wanted to make sure this second arrow hit him where he least expected it. Taking a moment to take into account the wind, the projectiles launched by other hunters, and the beast’s movements, Iva fired her arrow with her target being the Trieste’s other eye.

As some brigands returned with renewed courage after Donnel's glorious act, firing upon the beast and prodding it with spear and sword, taunting the wretched thing, she noticed it's increasingly sluggish movements, unnatural.

This was not just of bloodloss and fatigue, no, this was far too fast, even an animal nearly bled out fought with the rage of adrenaline. This was the cleverness of the bear trap, and likely the effect of those strange arrowheads Libe had jammed into it's wounds.

She caught the faint movement through the air, an arrow puncturing the beast's remaining eye. It belowed out another razor cry of pain and anger, but it barely recovered as it did the last time, even missing a clumsy man as he stumbled back from an obvious claw swipe.

It's breaths were deeply heavy, puffs of hot air escaping it's gills, blood running down it's face and body in torrents as it's movements became more pathetic, no longer trying to fight them but actively seeking escape, pushing and roaring, stumbling.

She felt... pity.

She dashed forward as the monster was about to slash at a few hunters, knocking them back before they lost their life. Libe armed her blade to slice between each talon right where the knuckles of the beast stopped. Even if this was a monster, it took the shape of a man, and Libe knew how to hurt them. How to kill them. Using the beast’s own strength Libe sliced her sword into the fishman’s fingers, dragging the blade down while letting the momentum of the monster’s attack slice itself against Libe’s reinforced blade. With the same deft motion she used to decapitated a lesser fishman, Libe sliced off three of the bigger monster’s claws, leaving him nothing but his little finger and thumb.

As the monster largely lost the function of one arm and the danger of it's other hand, three claws missing, she rushed in with her final assault.

Carrying her poleaxe over her head, she brought down the spike behind the axe-head upon the center of it's spine in the upper back, the weapon designed to break the plate armor of men. Combined with her strength, it easily lodged through the monster's remaining armor and hooked on it's flesh.

Without command, her hunters took her example and did the same, burying their hooks into it's arms and legs from behind, keeping unsteady ground with the beast's last, desperate struggles, practically impairing it in place and bringing it to it's knees as it grunted and tried to break free, roaring... possibly crying, if such a thing could.

"Would someone finish this bastard already?!"

The creature was visibly weak now, a bear trap clamped on it's arm, various poisons coursing through it's veins and now it was completely blind. If Drystan was capable of feeling pity, he would have felt it for the creature. But despite all of these setbacks, the thing was still fighting back. That much was admirable but it had to be finished off none the less.

Gripping his recently recovered blade, Drystan went in for a strike. He approached the beast from behind and brought his sword down on the hunch that was it's neck. His sword broke through the scales, slicing into the flesh underneath, but it was swiftly stopped by the creatures spine. It screamed and unlodged it's arm from the poleaxe that was holding it, knocking him back. The monster swung and smashed the poleaxe holding it's other arm and then did the same to the ones holding it's legs. As Drystan began to get back up, the creature took a deep breath in, clenched what was left of it's claws and charged. Unable to get to his feet in time, Drystan suddenly found himself pinned to the ground, the creatures gaping maw just inches from his face. The stench of death overwhelmed him as he grabbed it's shoulders, trying to keep it off of him. The thing was more than twice his weight but he was able to hold it off for the time being. His eyebrows furrowed as he pushed hard against it's tough scales.

This was the closest he had gotten to the creature, so he used this opportunity to study it for weak spots. He studied it's head and chest, trying to find out were it's throat was hidden. He began working his hands towards it's throat as it haphazardly swung it's good arm at him. It's remaining claws caught his cheek and tore two large gashes across before swinging over his breastplate uselessly. He blinked blood out of his eye as his hands found what they were looking for. He pushed his thumbs between the creatures chin and chest until he found a soft spot. Fingers curling around it's neck, he squeezed with all his strength. The creature gasped, suddenly loosing air as the Captain closed off it's airway. Drystan pushed against it's chin, scales cracking and breaking, until it's neck was exposed. He shoved it hard enough to shift it's weight so he could let go. In one swift movement, he grabbed his dagger once more and sliced hard.

The creature fell backwards, gurgling and choking as blood spurted from it's neck. It gasped for air one last time before falling limp, blood seeping into the ground around it.

Drystan got to his feet and wiped more blood off of his face, some his, some the creatures. Without a word, he walked to the now lifeless body and began sawing through it's thick neck with his dagger. When he got to the spine, he put his dagger away and grabbed ahold of it's head and jerked it to the side. With an audible CRACK the head broke away from the body and Drystan got to his feet. Covered in dirt and blood, he looked at the hunters, both alive and dead, around him. "And so it ends."

He wiped the blood off of his dagger and sword before replacing them in their sheaths. He took a few short steps towards the shore before remember their ship had gone down. "Well damn..." He stood thoughtfully for a moment before turning to the others. "That thing is sure to have a nest around here somewhere. We need to find it and destroy any offspring that may be left."

"Did you say nest?"

Abigail dropped from a tree, rubbing the back of her neck awkwardly. She grinned a little. She looked fairly sheepish, standing in front of the myriad of blood-soaked, battleworn hunters in her little tunic, trousers and knitted socks. Were it not for the fact they had recently felled a great seamonster, the arrival of some waif of a girl would have come as a bit of a shock for a few. " 'Cause, uh, I've been stuck here all day and I know where it lives. And I can show you, too, provided you get me back to the main-..." she paused, staring over at the wreckage of the ship and the bloodied corpses bobbing in the ocean. "...Ah. Uhm. Okay. I can work with this. Now we're all in the same boat - figuratively, of course. I'm Abigail! Hunter's apprentice." She made as if she was going to put a hand out to shake, took one look at Drystan's gore-soaked gauntlet and rather tentatively pulled back again. The smile that was plastered on her face was one that barely concealed the abject horror that this runt must be feeling, standing in front of a horde of warriors and having the balls to negotiate with them.

And yet...there was something about her; something that seemed odd. She was staring at these hunters hopefully, even taking the moment to look them all in the face, trying to peer through the visors and the helmets of each and every bandit, brigand and professional stood before her as she spoke (and it was evident that she was putting a considerable amount of effort in keeping her voice calm and even): "Yeah, of course. I take you to the nest, and you clear out all the stuff inside, right? And in return you don't kill me? I mean, I don't see any reason why you should - I didn't do nothing to you guys 'cept for watch you all fight - but uhm, you know, you're not the most...welcoming bunch of rescuers I've met." She went for a jovial laugh and a nervous titter escaped from her lips instead. "So, have we-...got a deal?"

The scene this new girl walked into must have been something to behold. Countless bodies lay strewn about the ground, the rocks and hunters all covered in a mixture of blood and dirt. Drystan stood there, a giant fish creature's head in his hand. He stared at the newcomer, looked her up and down briefly. Something about this girl intrigued him. She didn't participate in the fight but she got on this island somehow. And she had the guts to talk to them while they looked, well, less than approachable. He shrugged and nodded slowly. "Aye, we won't kill you," Drystan agreed. "Now where is this cave?"

---

The guard shrugged and glanced outside. "You're free to stay here. I can't tell you when he will be back, though. Could be soon, could be days." He turned back to look at Irelia and smiled. "But I'm sure I can find a bed for you to sleep in if he's not back by tonight."

It screamed and unlodged it's arm from the poleaxe that was holding it, knocking him back. The monster swung and smashed the poleaxe holding it's other arm and then did the same to the ones holding it's legs. As Drystan began to get back up, the creature took a deep breath in, clenched what was left of it's claws and charged.

Anastasia and her hunters grunted with effort keeping the beast down as one last surge of rage fueled it's brief recovery. Clara cried out as her poleaxe was broken and the massive arm swung and knocked her away, sending her bouncing and rolling across the beach with a few audible cracks.

They scattered quickly, unhooking their weapons before more damage could be done and escaping the creature's charge, Anastasia sprinting to Clara's groaning form as the other hunters circled around the creature and hacked at it's back as it sought to tear up the Captain.

Anastasia knew Clara was probably fine, but her maternal instincts possessed her all the same and she knelt by her side, hoisting her up against her knee as she listened to new cracks, the sounds of painful bone regeneration, Clara hissing with the movement.

"Shit, Mom, I'm fine. Argh, let me go, that asshole broke my weapon!" She begun to get up and Anastasia held her back in place with an iron grip, a faint smile, and a hard pinch. "Clara, hun, what did we -talk- about earlier?"

"Ow! Um... uh.. Boss, can I go shove my broken pole up the fish's ass?"

Anastasia sighed softly and looked back at the battle, smirking as the blood soaked Captain strangled the fish and dealt the final blow. "Too late". "Cyka blyat!" Antasia gave her another painful pinch to the side then heaved her to her feet "Language, now go and help the others clean up, tell them they can have a drink."

Clara muttered to herself as she rejoined her fellow hunters, picking up the broken pieces of her poleaxe along the way.

Anastasia sighed, taking out a 'water' flask and carfully sipping from it, quickly wiping away any droplets.

He took a few short steps towards the shore before remember their ship had gone down. "Well damn..." He stood thoughtfully for a moment before turning to the others. "That thing is sure to have a nest around here somewhere. We need to find it and destroy any offspring that may be left"

Anastasia wiped at her face and released another tired sigh, approaching the Captain, placing a hand on his shoulder, "Fear not my Captain, we still have our rowing boats and I'm sure the sellswords can pull their weight in that field of labor well. The docks are not far.

I'll have my hunters scout and finish the job after a brief rest."

"Did you say nest?"

Abigail dropped from a tree, rubbing the back of her neck awkwardly. She grinned a little. She looked fairly sheepish, standing in front of the myriad of blood-soaked, battleworn hunters in her little tunic, trousers and knitted socks

Anastasia turned quickly as her senses picked up the faint movement of the girl dropping from her tree, watching the strange female approach and nervously offer a trade of intel for safe passage.

She frowned, examining her closely, then briskly approaching her, calling out, "Of course we would not harm you. We are royally sanctioned hunters, any and all citizens of the crown are under our protection... assuming of course you are a citizen..."

She stopped right in front of her, quickly leaning down and prodding at her face, staring at her with intense eyes, sniffing, even pushing up her lips to examine her teeth, assuming she allowed. Finishing her examination, she slipped off her silver poleaxe and held the edge close to her, watching her reaction.

"Abigail, was it? How did you get on this island? Who are you an apprentice of? Where is he?"

Dirty and battle-worn, the Captain lead the hunters, following along with Abigail, to where the creature made it's home. They had to trudge through water to get inside the narrow mouth of the cave, both a blessing and a curse. It helped wash off some of the grime and blood accumulated during the battle but also drenched their clothing in murky water filled with Lord-knows-what. The stench of death only grew stronger the farther they waded, some having to hold back vomit, others simply covering their faces to try to block out some of the smell.

After some time, they came to where the cave opened up. Looking around, they saw countless bodies peppered in eggs of various sizes and colors. The smell hit them in a wave, a mixture of the previous stench with a new, sickly sweet scent. Drystan wrinkled his nose and brought his hand to his face in disgust. He had smelled his share of death and rot in his time but this was a new smell entirely. "Let's get this over with..." he said, pulling his sword out. He began stomping the eggs nearest him, each egg exploding in a mixture of puss and various other gooey substances. He slashed at the dead bodies they were attached to, making sure to completely destroy every possible egg, spawn, body or anything else that came from the creature. The other hunters joined in and, together, they were able to clear the cave within an hour.

Emerging from the cave, they were greeted by a large ship anchored just off the coast. Row boats has just landed and Drystan recognized Commander Grux among his guards. Stepping onto the land out of the water Drystan greeted the Commander. "Commander Grux. I wasn't expecting you."

The Commander paused and looked him up and down. "Oh. Captain....I saw the ship go down off the coast. I assumed the worst. Although this is....definitely not favorable. What are you covered in?"

"Who knows?" Drystan replied. "Despite that, we have killed the creature we were sent here for. You might want to send a troupe into the caves. We destroyed everything we found but a second sweep never hurts. Now, can we be on our way?"

The Commander nodded and beckoned the others to bring more rowboats. The hunters boarded the ship and made their way back to the docks. Upon their arrival, Drystan addressed the group. "Anyone interested can meet me at the The Screaming Siren in a few hours for drinks on me." With that, the Captain took the creatures head and was off.

---

Drystan, still dirty and quite pungent, walked into the guard barracks. He dropped the creatures head at the door and started to make his way towards the back when the working guard captain got to his feet quickly.

"Sir! You've returned!" he exclaimed walking towards Drystan. He stopped when he got close enough to smell him. "Oh....ah. This brave young woman has come to claim the reward for the ogre.
She slayed the thing herself."

Drystan paused and looked towards the woman he had pointed out. "Aye, is that true?"

"You're gonna help me? Great!" Abigail's enthusiasm made her anxiety melt away, but again - there was something really weird about the way she carried herself. Her body language was open, friendly and completely oblivious but some sort of instinct made her seem like she was on edge all of the time. "It's just down on the east side, I can show you the way." She made to leave, but Anastasia called for her. It seemed impossible for Abigail to perk up any more; she was practically glowing with excitement now. She got so fidgety that she seemed to almost vibrate. "You're hunters?!" she gasped breathlessly. "I thought you were pirates! No offence, but I didn't think hunting was such a big thing these days. Kind of outdated profession. I still took it, because my mentor said I have 'potential'. Not sure what he meant about that, but I trust him."

She turned her attention to Anastasia and seemed completely unfazed by her sniffing and squishing her cheeks. "So you probably know where my mentor went? Hish name ish Braa-h ma aaah ah-" she paused, only briefly, in her stream of excited ramblings when Anastasia hooked a bloody finger under her lip and pulled back her mouth. Only then did she look slightly perplexed. "That's silver, right? You think I'm a changeling or something, don't you? Happens all the time - I'm not a monster, I'm just used to it. 'It' being...y'know, all this." She gestured vaguely at the decapitated corpse, the bloodsoaked bandits, the carnage in the water. "I'm a farmgirl. Can't get far without seeing a couple corpses - everyone wants bacon and chicken drumsticks these days." Nevertheless, it wasn't as if this was a simple slaughterhouse. There were dead people floating in the water - people with lives. Abigail seemed unfettered by that particular concern...and it was no wonder that Anastasia would be checking her teeth because of it. Unfortunately, they were completely normal.

The girl lead the hunting party to the cave ("It's in there. Mind you don't cut yourselves, you'll get sickness!") and when the party eventually climbed out, she had vanished. She re-appeared by the beach with her big backpack and an even bigger smile. Then she slipped quietly onto one of the boats and started to write in her journal:

Th ey WERE hunters! I hope that they can find you with me, they k I llled the fishbeast from earlier so I ThinK the y are good enough to be able to track you down. I am very very hungry but I am too Scared to ask for food. Coman Commander GRUX has rescued us from the island. I hope that I can talk to someone ab out sticking with their party, a t least until I fINd you.

Back soon,
Abi

Once they reached the mainland, Abigail put her diary away and looked over at the captain. He immediately stomped off after mentioning some sort of seedy establishment to meet up with in a few hours, and left the little blonde runt looking a bit lost and confused, standing in the midst of a rapidly thinning crowd of mercenaries and hunters alike. She played with her backpack strap, she opened and shut her mouth a few times and then she clutched onto her diary tightly and looked around once more.

It didn't look like she had a place to go to until their next meeting.

Dromeus stood in front of his only daughter as she stood waiting near the main gate of their manor. He lightly brushed her dark hair with his fingers. Eudeline was the only thing in the world that was ever able to break his tough demeanor.
"Those filthy Filtiarns best treat you with nothing but respect, you hear me?" His words were gruff with a hint of anger. As he spoke he glanced up at the two family guards that stood at her side.
"I'm entrusting you to see to that."
"Don't worry, daddy. I'll be fine." Eudeline spoke with an air of confidence, but her eyes betrayed her fear. She tried to push it aside and forced a smile. "Luther is to be my husband soon. His family will be my family. I'm sure they will be kind."
"Oh my naive girl..." Dromeus sighed.
"Take care of yourself." He leaned down and kissed her on her forehead. She seemed so small standing next to her father, a giant of a man. He stood upwards of six feet tall with broad shoulders from years of hard work. Eudeline was very delicate in comparison. Only a teenager, she had always been a small girl but had recently began to develop her woman's body. The way her waist curved below her small bust made it look like she could easily be snapped in two. Her soft spoken voice and girlish demeanor only strengthened that idea. But she was determined to do anything to please her beloved family, even if that meant marrying a man who was a known drunk, drug addict and man-whore.

She hugged her father briefly before walking through the manor gates, the two Ballanger guards following close behind. It was a very short walk to the Filtiarn residences as their manors were positioned right next to each other. She entered the gates warily, unsure of what to expect. The Filtiarn guards greeted her with a curt nod and shot quick glances at the Ballanger guards. Five together now, they approached the home of the Filtiarn family. As they approached the doors, one of the Filtiarn guards stopped them.
"Lord Lucian requests my lady's presence alone." Eudeline was taken aback briefly, looking at her two guards.
"Oh, I..." she began before she was interrupted.
"Lord Dromeus placed her under our protection." The larger of the two Ballanger guards spoke up.
"We are only here to ensure that no harm..."
"No harm will come to the lady, I assure you," the Filtiarn guard interrupted.
"You may wait at the doors, if it pleases you. The young lady has nothing to fear. The Filtiarn house prides itself on it's nobility. They would never do anything to put an invited guest in any danger. Now please, I would hate to keep Lord Lucian waiting." With a curt nod, the two Filtiarn guards escorted the small lady into their manor, the Ballanger's reluctantly staying behind.
Luther entered the room with an enchanting grin and dazzling look in his eyes, he hoped to prove not only his father and the kingdom wrong, but also to himself that he could have a real relationship with a woman. Luther’s poorly held facade of happiness and contentment failed to fool Eudeline as she examined his rather handsome face. She could not deny his good looks, which were only enhanced with his intriguing eyes. She could see the broken boy inside the shell of the man before her, kissing her hand with the most inviting hello she’d ever heard. Despite everything she knew about the man, she could not help but somewhat give into his obvious appeals. After a rather long greeting, Luther and Eudeline, accompanied by guards, made their way down the eastern corridor to the dining room.

The long table sat at the center of the room, capable of seating up to eight on either side, and two at each end. Lucian sat at the head of the table, on the opposite side of where Luther and Eudeline entered. On his right,sat Luter’s sister Elaine, with her new husband, Prince Hugo sitting on her left. Walking down the opposite side of the table, Luther sat across from Hugo, after politely gesturing for Eudeline to sit next to his father, across from his sister.
“May I just say Lady Eudeline, you look rather marvelous tonight.” Hugo addressed the lady as she sat down.
“Oh, please, you can call me Eudeline. My mother is still he Lady of our family.” Eudeline replied.
“Easy Hugo, my sister’s jealousy is more well known than my fiance’s beauty.” Luther joked, sipping his wine.
“How’s Dromeus? Has he managed to remove that pole from his ass yet?” Lucian spoke up, handing his pipe off to a servant as the trays of food began to be brought into the room. On the largest of the platters, sat an entire boar, roasted and seasoned, stuffed with herbs and aromatics, the meat cooked to melt in your mouth perfection. For sides, the house chefs had prepared a massive garden salad, containing all fresh ingredients, as well as a cheese and potato casserole, fresh baked bread, and for dessert, cream filled pastries.

“My father is well. In fact, he wishes you well Lord Lucian.” Eudeline answered, concealing her laughter as she too thought her father could loosen up a little.
“Darling, didn’t your father teach you that lying is wrong? We both know your father did not and does not wish ME well.” Lucian explained in an distasteful tone, motioning for his challice to be filled for a third time since he had sat down.
“Eudeline, please tell me how you get your hair to look so damned beautiful?” Elaine said, inserting herself into the conversation, hoping to change the subject quickly.
The small talk lasted for a while, as everyone filled their plates and began to dig into their small feast. If only for a few minutes, Luther was enjoying himself, without the help of inebriation or intoxication of any kind. Unfortunately, while most everyone was eating and talking, Lucian only sat, brooding and drinking. Her presence had offput him. He could see Felicia in this girl, her presence brought an air of joy that reminded him of her mother. Chugging down the last of his chalices’ contents, Lucian order for his sixth refill, taking a nibble of the mostly untouched food on his plate.
"Don't you think you've had enough wine tonight, Father? You really should fill your stomach with something more substantial." Elaine interjected as the servant began to pour the wine.
"It is rude to talk about such things in front of company," Lucian barked back, bringing his chalice to his lips before the servant was even done pouring, spilling a bit on the table.
Luther eyed his father briefly, a bit of uneasiness settling in. Trying to break the tension, he said the first thing that came to mind.
"So how is your mother, Eudeline? We haven't heard from her in some time."
"YES!" Lucian practically yelled, clearly losing control of his volume. "How is the lovely Felicia?"
Eudeline had jumped at Lucian's sudden and loud outburst, but she did her best to compose herself. "Oh. She is still in mourning after the loss of her last child." She spoke a bit quietly, only looking at Luther as she spoke and avoiding eye contact with Lucian at all costs.
"Pity," Lucian spat. "She is such a lovely woman. It's a shame she must hide that glorious body of her's away..." he loudly grumbled into his cup as he downed the wine in a few quick gulps.
"Father!" Luther stood, knocking his chair back.
"Luther!" Lucian mocked. "I only speak the truth. The lady's mother is a beauty. She will be lucky if she can grow to become half the woman her mother is."
"You've crossed a line," Luther retorted.
"I will not have you speak of such things around my betrothed."
"Your betrothed!" Lucian threw his hands in the air dramatically. "Tell me, son, will she care for your bastards as if they are her own children? How long before she finds you in bed with another woman? We all know this marriage is doomed, stop pretending you have any chance of happiness!"
“That’s an awfully high horse there father, when we both know you were never faithful to my mother! You act as though you are this great man of honor when in reality you are the biggest fraud of the entire kingdom! One day the earth will take you and all that will be left is the memory of your wretched attitude and rampant hypocrisy!”

Luther pushed his chair out of the way, sending it toppling to the floor. He stormed out of the room in anger, slamming the main doors behind him. Elaine, clearly distressed, rushed after her brother. Hugo sat, glancing at the two remaining at the table before slowly standing. "I, uh...I should check on Elaine," he said, heading after them. Eudeline had never felt so uncomfortable. She sat, staring down at her plate. Her palms sweat as she clenched her fists together in her lap. From the end of the table she could hear Lucian slump back down into his chair with a loud sigh. After a few moments of awkward silence, followed by Lucian loudly gulping down the challice’s contents yet again, following it up with a satisfying belch he spoke up again.
"It's true, you know," he said quietly.
"Your mother is beautiful. The only woman I ever loved after my dear Essenia."
Eudeline froze. She dared not look up at the man but..."F...Felicia?" she stuttered, her voice barely audible.
"Yes, Felicia. She was a great comfort after Essenia's passing. I didn't think I would be able to love again but she proved me wrong..." he trailed off, his eyes glossy as he stared at the bottom of his challice, contemplating another refill.
Frozen, shocked by the information just told to her, Eudeline sat in her chair staring at her food. Her mind was racing but her body was a statue... Lady essenia had died years ago and... her mother had lost the baby only just a few months ago…
The moment’s following Lucian’s comments, the tension in the room was so palpable it could’ve been cut with a knife. Elaine’s reentry into the room was a welcome break to the tension, quickly escorting Edueline out of the room, the look of discomfort on her face apparent.
Luther stood in the entryway in front of the double doors, waiting to see her. He looked much more relaxed and calm, with a blank expression in his eyes. The two approached each other, both obviously attracted to one another, but both hesitant and scared to let the other one in.
“I’m sorry for my father's behavior, it was inexcusable!” Luther began to explain, before being cut off by Eudeline, placing one of her fingers to his lips to silence him.The two stared deeply into eachothers eyes, Luther finding comfort and warmth in her embrace, the two only hugged, going no further. He felt safe with her, and she saw a beautiful man, more with more father issues than her, and still grieving the loss of his mother. After a rather long embrace, Eudeline exited the double doors to her awaiting guard, who escorted back down the path out of the walls surrounding the Filtiarn Manor, to her father’s waiting carriage outside. Entering the candle lit cab, Eudeline smiled and hugged her father, still thinking about what Lucian had told her.
“How was dinner sweetheart?” Dromeus asked through a thin smile.
“It was fine, just like I told you it would be you worry wort.” she exclaimed with a cheap smile of her own.
As the carriage took the two home, only one though rang in her mind, Does father know?

---

@Nymeria

---

Lia had no qualms with this arrangement. She nodded at the guard's general direction and held out a hand. "Guide me." Her senses were dulled in this small enclosure; the thick walls reverberated sounds that told long-past messages. Each clinking, tread and talk were grating to hear over and over and over. She could smell a slight whiff of alcohol in the air; perhaps some of these guards frequented taverns. It was strong enough to pick up, and just right to annoy the nose.

Every one of these sensations buzzed around her, which only made Lia rely much more on her touch. She propped herself up and touched the wall with her hand to familiarize, and navigate around the complex-- if she was to stay in this barracks.

Above it all, she was prepared for the night/s to come. In times like these, men had still dominated the ranks, and the few women who were able to enlist definitely shared this strife. No amount of glory and achievement could ever veer a pigheaded gaze. A dangerous place to be, when one would sleep among men, and monsters. Throughout the whispers and chiding of these monsters, Lia kept on. To think they wouldn't care if their object of gossip was right in front of their eyes. The hunter was blind, not deaf.

---

The day had come, sensed only by the sudden quiet of the crowd. She could hear the silence much clearer than the noise. Clinking of the armor she started having a disdain for, and then the stop. Maybe to stand at attention to this figure?

Lia had been outside carving more arrows for her quiver; she would focus on smoothing the shafts. Her rough hands ran the length of each arrow, then rubbed a smooth stone over those that caught her fingers. She would do this for hours upon end until she was satisfied.

She follows this silence inside the barracks, to which a nasty smell started to permeate-- nastier than any breath some of these drunkard guards could ever muster. This nastiness was more alluring to her: a kind-of raw stench that only the wild could offer. Lia found some comfort in it, oddly enough.

--She slayed the thing herself." was what she came to upon entering. This only meant that who she was looking for was in the room. Lia stood firmer and tried to straighten her tunic. It had been folded, roughly--more like scrunched, an inch below her elbow. She was still wearing the same pants during the hunt, albeit washed slightly to get rid of some of the smell.

"Aye, is that true?"

Lia nodded once. "Yes." Curtly, she spoke. "I needed you to see this, so there is no denying my feat."

The captain's word was, if not equal to, high authority. He was a vanguard, trusted by many by his acts of merit. It would certainly mean so much more if her actions were backed by this man. "If you check the monster's forehead, there is my name: Irelia Vyntr. Daughter of Rhys Vyntr." She had to say it. Maybe the captain was still familiar with this hunter's merit? Barely a legend, yet the hunters that graduated under Rhys would far surpass those of a regular.

Among those hunters was Irelia, who would definitely try to live up to the name.

Looking the woman up and down, Drystan stood silent a moment. Unlike the guard who stood before him, Drystan picked up on Irelia's blindness right away. His eyebrows furrowed just slightly in thought. She seemed capable, despite her lack of vision, but slaying an ogre was difficult for someone with all of their senses in tact. She must be very clever, then. Glancing over at the ogre, he confirmed what she had claimed, that her name had been carved into the creature's forehead. A hint of a smile tugged at the corner's of his lips before he returned his attention back to the girl.

"Impressive," he spoke sincerely. "I don't think I've met a blind hunter who was able to take down an ogre before. If you're interested, there are many creatures that need slaying. The King has tasked me with creating a guild of the best hunters in the Kingdom to take them down. I could use someone with your prowess on my team."

"Even if you refuse my offer, I would still like to hear more about how you managed to fell an ogre. I will be at The Screaming Siren after I clean myself off. It's a tavern near the Gardens, where the south eastern road enters the city. If you care to wait, I will escort you there myself."

Before she had a chance to answer, his attention quickly turned to the guard eagerly standing to his side. He pointed over at the fish creature's head laying near the doorway. "Find a pike to place the head upon. I want you to plant it outside of the guild hall for everyone to see." He glanced back at Irelia. "And the ogre's head as well, granted that it is okay with huntress."

[Written on mobile]

@Stitches

Anastasia frowned, eyeing over the particular, hyperactive girl. So far her examination proved her normal, which... didn't mean much. She and her hunters knew how to hide well, and many a witch or even changling wouldn't need much to cover their tracks, nerves of steel at the very least.

Still, they had a nest to take care of and she let her go with a sigh and a soft smile, patting her head. "She's safe!" She called out to the others, and off they went to finish the hunt. Clearing the nest was easy but disgusting work, many of her hunters audibly complaining, the traumatised recruits and brigands staying out of the cave from the horrible smell and their fear.

Returning to the beach, she helped the recruits and brigands and any others who sought to line up the dead. She gave a small speech commending their bravery and sacrifice for God and King, reassuring that she would return for the bodies and give them a proper, and public, funeral service, of her own expense, their names and deeds memorialized on a collective gravestone.

They rested on the sail home, relieved and resting, Clara in particular sipping deeply from her flask and stumbling in weariness, voice weak.

They landed on the docks and departed the ship, a mixed group of brigands and her soldiers approaching her and the Captain.

"My Lady, I am so sorry, but... I do not think this line of work is for us. Forgive our weakness." One of the soldiers said softly, not meeting her eyes. Eight others of her remaining ten recruits expressed similar sentiments. Some brigands muttered the same.

She gave them a gentle smile, nodding, her voice warm and forgiving, "Do not cast your eyes, you fought well and desurve to be commended, all of you. This profession is full of peril. That you had the valor to even dare joining us into the lair of the beast is a testement to your character, and your rewards are justly earned."

One of the foul breathed, rougher brigands approached her, cursing in a borderline growl, jabbing his finger at the Captain in particular, "Aye and speaking of, where the fuck is our pay?! And don't you dare give us another fucking 'holier than thou' bullshit speech, 'cause me and some of the boys have had enough of your skinny pious cun-""

The brigand was cut off as his front teeth were shattered inward and his jaw cracked and twisted sharply to the side, falling unconscious in his own blood. Anastasia wiped her gloved fist with a cloth and clenched her teeth in a vicious grin, "The next person to speak in such degeneracy before my person will be MUTILATED BY ME PERSONALLY." The crowd shut up promptly then and the knocked out sellsword's friends dragged him away.

"Payment will be made at the location of the Captain's announcement or sometime thereafter, records must be written up and organised beforehand. Now, those of you of my guard, resigning or not, you may return to your personal homes and keep your assigned equipment for now. Show up clean and matters shall be handled then."

As the crowd dispersed she sighed and turned to her own hunters. Clara leaned against Boris, arm wrapped around him, groaning. The rest of them seemed tired, though still spry, and unhappy about the fish muck that still coated them. She brushed Clara gently then looked to address them, "The rest of you, return home and get something to eat. I believe we're done for the day. Daniel, Irina, begin drafting notices for the bards and town criers and gossip establishments as soon as you can. We've got a public momentum going and I wish to keep it."

They nodded and began eagerly drifting off to the Ballanger compound, Irina bitching and moaning, "Blein, pachimu me dajni eta choosh delit!" "Patamoschta me tak nadzhni! Heh." Anastasia stayed back, sighing softly and calling out, "Quit whining, you sound like a horse!" Irina growled back in return like petulant teen.

She chuckled and turned around, watching the Captain leave as the group thinned out, and then caught the sight of that strange girl once more.

Once they reached the mainland, Abigail put her diary away and looked over at the captain. He immediately stomped off after mentioning some sort of seedy establishment to meet up with in a few hours, and left the little blonde runt looking a bit lost and confused, standing in the midst of a rapidly thinning crowd of mercenaries and hunters alike. She played with her backpack strap, she opened and shut her mouth a few times and then she clutched onto her diary tightly and looked around once more.

It didn't look like she had a place to go to until their next meeting.

Approaching the lost girl, hands tucked behind her back, she smiled at her, clearing your throat "Apologies for my earlier suspicions, but I'm sure you understand. I believe a formal introduction is in order."

She took off her signature pilgrim hat, letting her raven hair flow down around her shoulders, holding out a hand in greeting, "Anastasia Velcroth, Lady of the Blessed Ballanger Guard.

I think I can help you find your master, if you like. Walk with me back to the compound? A personal guest, my treat. You intrigue me and that's not a compliment I give lightly."

"How come you're blessed in particular?" Abigail inquired. "Is there some sort of un-blessed guard? What did they do to deserve that?" She peered down at the bloodied gauntlet held out towards her, tentatively pinched one of the fingers and wiggled it a bit before quickly wiping her hands on her tunic. In fact, taking in Abigail's appearance...she looked altogether grimy and unwashed herself, even though there was a distinct lack of blood and fish guys on her person.

Abigail giggled when Anastasia mentioned her mentor, but whilst laughing she shot the huntress a dark look and firmly said "he's not my master. And uh, I'm...not sure I'm allowed to go along with strangers. Then again, I'm hungry. You're not gonna bless me if I go in, right?" She looked nervous again. "Goes against my religion. Beliefs. Or, no, wait - is it only the guard that's blessed? Is that some sort of requirement?"

Abigail kept going like this all the way to the compound. Upon entering, her topic of conversation switched to pointing out all the things she thought were pretty and going on about how she had never been somewhere so fancy before. She gave a cheery thanks once Anastasia dropped her off in the quarters and, upon spying a quill, immediately set to work on her diary.

hi again! I met a huntress called anesthesia Anastasia. She stuck her fingers in my mouth then brought me to her room, and I get to sleep and wash up and hopefully eat here if I'm lucky. In a few hours we're going to the... screaming siren? I think? For some sort of meeting.

I miss you. I'm being very brave until you come find me.

Abigail set the quill down shakily. She took a deep breath, then stripped off and started jumping on the bed gleefully to cheer herself up.

On the east side of Rothenburg, in the upper class shopping district, a bar called Ogres Teat is lively with off shift guards. Its central location makes it the nearest bar from any guard barracks, Royal, Filtiarn, Weyenberg, and Ballanger guards alike find solace and comfort in the bottom of a few bottles. It is pretty often that fights break out, as the feud between Ballanger and Filtiarn has extended far beyond the two old lords. The day began as usual, the barkeep, Barnaby Vickers, opened for business as the sun began to set as that was when the first day shift of royal guards would be relieved of their duty for the night shift. From there only more would trickle as the Lords guard rotations swapped as well later in the evening. Before midnight, the bar was filled to the brim with men and women off guard-duty, and looking for a pint.

The first and only fight of the night started just after midnight. A large bearded man had shoved a smaller younger lad, causing his mates to start a ruckus. Without hesitation, the bearded man sucker punched of the young lad’s nearby friend, knocking him out cold. This caused both The bearded man’s party and other man’s group to jump from their seats to action, starting an all out brawl between a dozen men and women. With the help of uninvolved bystanders, Barnaby was able to end the unsanctioned battle royale, and proceeded to cut off and kick out all those involved. It was all and all, a standard night for the barkeep. He simply swept up the broken glass and wood, and had the spare tables and chairs from the back pulled out and the reserve mugs and shot glasses. This was not the first or last time a fight would break out in his bar.

In the the early morning hours of the day, the upper class shopping district is often only peppered with foot traffic, as most who can afford to shop in the district, can afford to sleep in. At the intersection in front of the tailor, across from the bakery and bank, there lies a small fountain often filled with coins and wishes. As the elderly woman who worked as a teller walked to the Rothenburg bank walked past the fountain, she unleashed an unholy wail that woke everyone in the near vicinity. The water in the fountain was a deep crimson with three floating bodies in their own viscera. The large bearded man lay floating in the fountain, with two very distinguishable holes in his neck.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Gustavo woke in an icy sweat, tightly gripping the sheets of his bed, his wife only lightly stirring at the disturbance. The night terrors had been plaguing his sleep for months, and they were starting to feel more and more real as time went on. He saw his kingdom fall to the dust, destroyed by a volcano beneath the earth’s surface. The night before a giant wave had washed it all away, destroying everything he and his dynasty had built. It was almost always the same thing, his kingdom or his castle or his family, everything he worked so hard to build and protect, would all crumble before him and he would only be able to watch helplessly. Looking out the window, he could see the full moon from his side of the bed, a luxury he had come to appreciate with his unwavering insomnia. He watched the moon rise and fall, and the stars fade into the morning sky, until he heard the knocking of the servants assigned to wake him. Commander Grux stood outside of the King’s quarters waiting for Gus to finally emerge from his Quarters, as he had the luxury briefing the king on what was found in the fountain earlier in the morning.
“Gus! I mean, your highness! My King!” grux spoke, feigning a salute at his longtime friend.
“Get on with it Kristof.” Gustavo replied with a sigh and a smirk.
“There was another incident last night. Three bodies were found in the eastern shopping district in the fountain by the bank. My guard’s are gathering the bodies for Matilda to examine. It looks like another vampire attack from what I saw.” The commander said bluntly.
“I thought we doubled our rotations last month. Why in gods name does it never end.” The king shaking his head in his hand.
“Alert Haalard, tell him that him and his guild have their new mission. Now please excuse me, I would like to enjoy my breakfast before I have anymore bad news ruin today.” The king spoke in a semi-serious tone causing Grux to back off a little.
“Yes sir. I’ll update you when I know more.” Grus spoke, heading down the hall as a quick pace.
“Grux. One thing before you go. Isn’t that bar that your guards like to go by the bank?”
“Yes sir. Why?”
“Well did you double check to make sure the bodies laying in the fountain dont work for you?” Gus answered, his tone becoming slightly agitated.
“No sir, my subordinates all know each other very well, and they were not recognized by anyone working for me.” Grux replied firmly.
Gus only nodded at his commander, who replied a quick bow and then darted off to find Drystan. Making his way to the dining hall within his castle, Gustavo sat with his family to enjoy breakfast. He maintained his cool, calm, and collected composure as he always did with his family, despite already having a gut feeling he knew where the problems lie. Motioning to one of his guards surrounding the table, he whispered orders into the guard's ear for him to fetch Lords Filtiarn and Ballanger and have them come to the small council room. The royal guardsmen promptly left the room in a rush. Leaning back, Gus sipped his juice blankly staring past his family, as his mind ran kept running at a hundred miles a minute.

---

@Nymeria

---

"I'll do it." She spoke, as soon as the offer came. Lia had built herself up for this task: simply to do her job: the role that was destined for her.

Disability or not, she will be a hunter. Now, she had done her dues. The guards could do whatever they wish with her proof and offering; her name was now at the rung. She couldn't help but feel a tinge of pride, a rare fluttering in her heart that almost brought a tear to her hollow eyes.

"I would also like to hear how you came upon the ocean, and what creatures you have slew." There was no denying the scent of brine in the room, the blood that of a creature that lived near the sea. What her eyes would never pick up, her other senses compensated. "--Later." Lia quickly added.

Both of them had some business to attend to. She had been in the same clothes since the hunt, and so was he.

"I will meet you in front of the gate after I have made my preparations." Lia found no reason to speak vaguely. Since he offered, then it was assumed that it would also include her terms. The woman had to freshen up, after all. Maybe thoroughly rid herself of all grime and dirt by the river that ran by a nearby forest? It brought out a more natural Irelia, the one that only went to civilization on occasion or necessity.

A story of adventure fit perfectly as occasion, and personal whim.