[IC] Feathers and Ash

[kidjab]

Feathers and Ash

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Apoche Proper

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Apoche,free trade city on the southern most tip of the Fudime continent below the Withering Mount. A place like no other bustling with the fire of life, more so evident by the Shoal Festival. The celebration of the first day of summer marked by tides being at their absolute lowest expanding the cities borders much to sailors, and sea faring merchants chagrin. The beaches were seemingly alive as the market seemed to grow. Music rolling across the sands the invocations of bards and minstrels taking hold of the people as they sang an danced. The Festival being a nearly two week long event was not only a marker for summer but a memorial to the founding of the free city of Apoche.

It is during the last three days of the festival that the five great houses, Thornsey, Cargan, Elstai, Daindro, and Gillton come together to present themselves to the city. Ceremonies abound from weddings to opening of new trade deals. Each families power and wealth given back to the people in a way seemingly fitting. But it is on the last day that the Elstai Matriarch steps forward and delivers the passing.

Sun lowering over the ocean it's red and purple hues playing across the Deepstone walls of the inner city refracting their magically imbued light over the entire lower city and beaches. The warm oranges giving way to a teal giving the illusion of being beneath the surface of the sea. Just as the sun melted below the horizon The Elstai flagship came into view of the port and beaches of Apoche. Heading straight for the shoal water the large three hundred foot vessel lifted from the water. The music dying down a small woman stepped to the bow her hands raised she spoke. Her voice seemingly booming from every street and alley the magic for her to be heard by all evident. This was Vatren Elstai matriarch and long lived unofficial head of Apoche.

"We are gathered here in the great city of Apoche not as one people.
We are not gathered here not as a nation.
No!
We are much greater than such small minded ideals."

There was a pause before she spoke again letting the words sink in.

"We are gathered here as free men!"

Her voice boomed and the city erupted into roars and cheers. She allowed the din to die before she spoke again.

"I welcome you all to join me this night as we celebrate this last day of Shoal!
Drink, dance, eat, be merry. Let us be heard to Ost the other side of Withering Mount all the way to Efros in the deep north of the Vast!
We celebrate not only our founding, we celebrate or strength, our freedom!
Let us be heard by both Gods and men we are here. We are Apoche!"

The cacophony that rose from the city seemed to never end. The voices of the people nearly drowning out her magically enhanced voice. She raised her hands one last time seeming to dance and scribe in the air as she spoke. The magic of the Deepstone pulsing with each word she spoke.

"I thank each and everyone of you.
The Elstai thank you and hope this small token of our gratitude is received in kind."

As she spoke the last words the music seemed to rise upon the same magic she'd been using. The sky filling with an extravagant spectacle of light and fireworks. The last night of Shoal was officially underway.

---

Dhusa, took a long drag on her pipe she'd heard of Vatren Elstai many times while back on the other side of the Withering Mount. Rumor was her and her line were fiend touched, the women of the Elstai having a strong affinity for magic and an even stronger affinity for Whisper. Dhusa chuckled to herself blowing a large plume of smoke. It didn't matter she needed to find a place to stay for the night. Her day would start anew on the morrow. She began to walk deeper into the heart of the city trying to find a quieter less lively celebration. Occasionally looking towards the sky for her friend Shiv, who flew quietly above in wide spirals.

Dhusa, rounded the corner and saw a tattered sign hanging above an old rickety looking door the read, The Stormy Bow. The music and the sound of the people seemed to be muffled and somewhat distant. The street although it had the few celebrating fools and singing drunks traffic was much lighter. She entered the Tavern walking straight to the barkeep.

"Do you have a room for the night?"

The Barkeep looked up and paused the surprise evident on his face for a split second.

"Aye, there be rooms here but are you not going to enjoy the last day of Shoal?"

Dhusa, shook her head she knew exactly what gave him pause her Fetchling heritage marked her skin a deep dark grey. Her eyes pupil less and a haunting white a stark contrast against her skin and tribal tattoos. Her face was emotionless as she spoke.

"The last day of Shoal is but a day. I have my own celebrations I will have in the privacy of a cold tankard of ale and the warmth of a bed tonight."

She blew another thick plume of smoke placing a five silver pieces on the counter. She turned to take in the people of the tavern. It wasn't exactly crowded but it wasn't empty either, clearly a staple of this part of the city The Stormy Bow was at one time ornate and grand. The tapestries on the wall although aged were made of a fine whale hide the embroidered borders silver silk that seemed to be imported from Kestwa'. The tables had some sort of enchantment on them or seemingly they did as there was no evidence of repairs made or wear and tear. The patrons varied from commoners to city guards and merchants. No sailors or riff raff from down near the docks, she did mark however the one Captain sitting slumped against the wall in the far left corner near the hearth. Turning back to the barkeep she pulled a pouch from her side and began to pack her pipe. He slid her a large tankard of ale.

"Your finest I hope."

She said face still unemotional.
The barkeep stammered.

"Y..y...ye only gave me five silver!"

She shrugged taking a swig it would get the job done, nothing to write home about for sure but that wasn't why she asked for ale. As she continued to pack her pipe she seemed to get lost in the process the herbs she'd laid out on the bar giving off a very distinct pungent smell. She could see her hands shaking ever so slightly and the prickling behind her eyes began. She took a long drink from her tankard nearly finishing it, she pushed it back towards the barkeep this time with three gold.

"Keep it coming."

[Kessir Tarkin]

Kaneda was in the crowd during the speech he had heard bits and pieces but kept thinking in his head yeah, yeah the rich keep getting richer and the poor just keep getting by, oh let's "give back" to those that are less wealthy, but when it comes to a little request for a bonus I'm the asshole.

As he was looking through the crowd he noticed that a woman was looking back and forth in the crowd, she looked worried, as if someone we after her. If she were to think that, she would be right. Kaneda looked at his sheet of paper that was folded into a small square. When unfolded it revealed a picture with a face much like hers, Alanna Tolvos, wanted for the murder and burglary of Axon the blacksmith and his family, wanted dead or alive. Bonus payment if she is brought in alive. Distinguishing figures are crimson red hair and a tattoo of an eye on her right palm.

He looked at the woman again and the red hair was a dead giveaway. He then saw her hand go up signalling to someone down an alley and began to walk there. There it was, the tattoo of the eye. That's my girl! As he made his way after her, not wanting to lose her.

He hid behind the wall and looked down the alleyway, the two people were discussing about getting out of the city at that moment. Kaneda wasn't about to let that happen, he began to focus and speak a few incantations and moved his hands down to his legs. He felt power rush through his legs, enough for one strong rush, as soon as he was done he turned the corner and in a flash was behind the man. He pushed his fingers into particular parts of his spine and neck, knocking the man unconscious.

"Alanna Tolvos, you are wanted for murder and burglary, if you come with me peacefully no harm will come to you and we can all be on our way." He said calmly, moving closer to the woman.

"You stay away from me! I'll never go back to prison!" She screamed, as she made a quick hand gesture and flames grew in between her hands. Kaneda noticed and moved back out of the way, but the woman took off. He thought of enhancing his speed again but thought against it, she could lose herself in the maze that is the alleyway system. So he took off running after her.

"Come on just give yourself up, I could have killed you they did have that in the wanted paper!" He yelled at her as she made a turn around a corner and threw some baskets on the ground, he jumped over them with ease and kept pace with her.

"Fuck you!" She yelled as she made another turn.

"That's your future cell mates job!" He quipped to her. They were now down a road again, [color=ed1c24]alright, funs over, oh perfect a tavern, The Stormy Bow, looks like I can kill two birds with one stone! He timed his steps perfectly, got beside her and body checked her, she lost her balance and fell into the door. Without losing momentum he turned and gave the girl a kick and the rear end, she fell through the door and landed on the bar. When he followed her in he didn't see many people there, which in his case was good, easier to explain to a small crowd than a mob.

He walked over to the woman, grabbed her and sat her down in a seat and tied her up and made sure she wasn't able to move her hands or get up from the seat he then gagged her before sitting down in the chair beside her. It was then he noticed the grey skinned figure with tribal tattoos and eyes as white as snow on the left hand side of the woman, the contents that was in front of her scattered from the woman hitting the bar.

"Ladies and gentlemen I am Kaneda Darkstar and I...am a bounty hunter, this woman here is wanted for murder of a local blacksmith and his family, then desiccated their bodies for their contents and was attempting to leave the city. I have no quarrel with any of you and am presenting to you now the paperwork for her death or arrest." He explained as he stood up to revealed the paperwork to all the people in the tavern, as soon as he felt that he had done his job he sat back down. "Now bartender, I would like a drink and maybe one for the lady and if she's staying here I'll pay for the night for the inconvenience, it appears my capture has made a fine mess of her belongings." He said as he put a number of gold coins on the table.

[kidjab]

Dhusa's hands shook almost uncontrollably as she watched her Whisper scatter across the other side of the bar. There was an ever so slight groan that escaped her lips. Her vision was beginning to get fuzzy the room seeming to haze over a bit the needles behind her eyeballs catching what felt like fire. She could feel tears in her eyes but her face was like marble when she turned to look at the figures who'd bursted into the Tavern next to her.

The firey red haired woman was struggling against her bonds looking at her with muffled pleads through the gag. The fellow beside her was a slender figure, his skin a bit lighter than hers but still a smoky grey of sorts, she noted the large blade on his back and the way he carried himself. This one had some skill, and he was quick having tied the red head down in a few swift moments of lost balance. Dhusa looked back at her pipe she breathed out slowly trying to get her shaking under control she blinked hard a few times and reached for another pouch of Whisper she had on her hip. She began to pack her pipe again this time with a bit more haste. She hadn't been paying attention to anything the man had been saying till she heard the slap of coin on the counter. She raised an eyebrow as she heard him say he'd pay for her.

"Barkeep, I'll have a glass of Thundervast Ale if you have it."

The Barkeep raised an eyebrow. Thundervast was the most exspensive and hardest to procure Ale in all of Apoche. Thundervast was fermented from the fat of Firebolt Whale, brackish water, and Honey of the Asp. It was strong and tasted like it sounded a sweet salt that burned like the crack of thunder. The barkeep nodded walking to the back. Dhusa finally turned having lit her pipe. She took a long drag on it, a bit perturbed that the Black Vein Whisper she'd set aside for the night was now a waste. As she exhaled a thick plume of smoke sinking down around her feet, her fingers moving playfully across the long ridge of her pipe. A sleight of hand she'd mastered over the course of her years studying to hide her magic she passed the smoke around the man's legs and the young woman's ropes. This Red Vein Whisper she was smoking, wasn't as great but it'd do she let out another thick plume of smoke removing the spear from her back and resting it against the bar between her and the two on her right.

"Thank you for the offer. You should try the Thundervast rather strong drink that.
You seemed to have caught me at the most inopportune time. Happy Shoal!"

She said giving a curt nod giving him another once over the feigned celebratory exuberance disappearing from her nearly as soon as it had arrived. This time she noticed the mark of Kestwa' in his clothes and the large sword on his back. The embroidered patterns ever so slightly off. His hair was pulled back and she noted the pointed ears, marking him Half-elf. She studied him as she spoke trying to spot openings in his seemingly relaxed stance.

"I see you're from Kestwa' fairly far away from home.
I don't mean to pry being that you did pay for my drink and my room for the night.
I am a woman and it seems you've 'apprehended' a criminal one which happens to be a woman.
How exactly can I trust that?"

The barkeep, came back with two large tankards about three to four servings of ale in each. The room was starting to seem far more clear as the Whisper began to take hold of Dhusa's body. The pain behind her eyes becoming a dull throb and the shaking became nonexistent. She felt lighter as if time was slowing and the languid smoke began to play across her figure and pipe almost as if dancing to an unheard rhythm.

She moved with a grace and ease that was only enhanced by her current euphoric state of being. Her Fetchling heritage becoming far more evident as she reached for the tankard of Thundervast, shadows and darkness seeming to seep from her pores and melding with the layers of smoke that began to encompass her and everything around her from her knee down in about a three to five foot radius. She took a sip the sweet flavor slamming into the back of her throat and the fire shooting down her spine. It had been some time since she'd savored this the Weave mother had a few skins full of the stuff she kept hidden and only broke out for very special occasions. She remembered the first time she'd ever got a hold of this wonderous elixir, not one of her shining moments having never tasted the fire of ale in belly, she relished in it now. Dhusa looked back to the couple this time her hand on her spear she spoke in a languid calm voice her white eyes all the more unsettling by the haze of Whisper behind them.

"What was your name again?"

She asked the swordsman as she pulled the gag from the red heads mouth another thick plum of smoke rolling across the woman's neck. Better to be prepared than to have to worry about something going wrong. She held the gag half way out of the woman's mouth in one hand, spear casually in the other and she looked up expectantly at the swordsman.

[Kessir Tarkin]

Kaneda watched as her hands shook as she grabbed to her side and produced another, similar looking herb and placed it in her pipe. The way she reacted told him that she was somehow addicted to the plant that she was now inhaling. Afterwards it seemed that she had calmed down, it was then that he noticed the woman's markings clearly now. Her faded eyes were curiously interesting. The woman shows the qualities of a Fetchling, but her height tells me that she is only a half-blood. He thought to himself as he processed his surroundings. He then noticed smoke coming from her pipe and moving in ways that were not normal. Hmmm intresting, she's a whisper user, what a double edged sword type of herb you use. Rubbing his chin underneath his mask. He then heard the girl comment on where he was from, he pulled his mask off to reveal his face.

Kaneda's Face

OOC

Using characteristics from this for his face but with thick long jet black beard. @kidjab

"Yes I am from Kestwa', as beautiful place as it was, it just wasn't for me... And as for this woman." He said rattling the chair with her in it, then reaching for the wanted paper and produced it to the Fetchling "I'm sorry if you didn't hear me before, you seemed a little preoccupied. This woman is Alanna Tolvos and she is wanted for the murder of a local blacksmith and his family. She then proceeded to take everything she could and sell it before trying to leave the city. Lucky for me to catch her speaking to her accomplice and our chase brought us here, isn't that right Alanna." He explained as he messed up her hair. The woman let out a groan in frustration as he messed up her once perfectly combed hair.

He then saw the bartender bring her the drinks. "Ah, Thundervast, that is quite the particular drink, unfortunately for me I have to take this woman in before I can have any of that, just pint of ale please." He said as he put more coin on the table and pushed the other pint of the same drink over to her. 

He noticed that her spear was now out of it's resting place and in the hands of the Fetchling. The bartender then produced his pint of ale and he raised it, "happy Shoal to you as well," as he took a drink. It was just what he needed. Then the mood seemed to change, smoke was filling the room, he damned himself for not paying closer attention. He didnt want to have to fight if he absolutely didn't have to. The fetchling suddenly grabbed the womans gag and asked what his name was. The smoke was around her neck and he hoped that she would keep her mouth shut.

"Hey, hey calm down, she's worth less to me dead." he said as he raised his hands showing that he meant no harm. The smoke was getting thick around him. Something clicked in his brain seeing the fetchling so closely, That face, those eyes, the markings, the smoke, I have seen this all before... he thought of the card. This meeting was not by chance. He had to find a way to let her see the card clearly and hopefully explain himself without seeming crazy, a plan formed in his mind. His voice became calm, and low toned for what he was about to say, "Listen, I know your a fetchling, not a fullblood but your features scream fetchling, your markings tell me you are of Ost and I now know that what you were smoking was whisper." His words soon started to come out without him even being able to think about it. "I ask you, do you believe in fate? I believe that most things in life are decided by choice, we make the choices that define our path. But every now and again we hit a major point in our lives that we can't avoid, you may not have paid attention to the signs before, meeting a friend, finding a mentor, invoking your first spell. These are things that are fate, and you and I have just come to a pass." He spoke as a card shot up from his left hand and he put his right hand to his mouth with two fingers upright and said, "Release."

A tornado flashed from the card and a large gust of wind hurled through it, it blew the smoke around and out the windows. Before she could act any further he pulled another card from a hidden pocket, and showed it to her. The card showed a tall mixed blood fetchling woman with dark hair that had signs of red with feathers, bones and beads in it, her eyes were white, dark grey skin with tribal markings all along her face and down the rest of her body. She was back to back with a half-elf that resembled him, around them was a mix of a bright gold light and dark smoke swirling around them.

"You and I are bound somehow. This card, is a wild card of fate, it shows me things, fragments of a future not yet known, it only activates when someone or something is going to intersect with my fate. He explained, then couldn't help himself but continued on, "My name...is Kaneda Darkstar and I have been searching for someone like you for years. What is your name?!" He proclaimed finally, it was then that he was able to stop and looked around for a moment. The room was a mess bottles laid everywhere, only the tables remained unharmed. He then made eye contact with the bartender. "Uh not sure what happened there I've never got that carried away before. I meant to tell you that privately half-blood..." Was all he could muster turning his gaze to the fetchling while putting his hands behind his head, before joining the silence that filled the room. Don't sound crazy I told myself, hah! It appears I have gone completely insane!

[kidjab]

Dhusa began to laugh it was a cold laugh one that was completely mirthless. She slung her spear back onto her back this half elf, Kaneda, he was funny 'fate' he had said. She turned away from him the smoke that lingered at the edges of the tavern walls having been dispersed by his wind came creeping slowly back towards her. She emptied the first tankard of Thundervast and began on the second before she spoke.

"You, talk of fate Kaneda what if she was worth more to me than she was to you? What if our crossing paths was not to become comrades or some star crossed Duo. What if I am to be your end or you mine?"

She raised an eyebrow, she'd seen cards like the one he'd shown before they showed glimpses of things. They showed you deaths, births, wars. Cards like his were dangerous and not to be trifled with, as fumbling with the weave well that was frowned upon. The Gods have taboos even unto their own kind and the great weave was one of them. Only the privileged and blessed were allowed vision of it's patterns and design.

"You wave a card like that around and the Gods themselves might strike you down."

She took another long drag on her pipe the Whisper sinking her further into calm. He face became more unreadable as the smoke and shadows gathered playfully around her ankles. She seemed to stare off into space for a time the world having seemed to stop for a second. She finally turned back to the half elf staring him deep in the eyes as he tried to act casual.

"My name is Dhusa Jan'ipa of Clan Ja. You mentioned she is worth more to you alive than she is dead. I happen to agree."

She paused for a second thinking about what she was going to say.

"You have a very dangerous kind of magic on you hands there half elf. I am not one to pry in terms of how you gained access to it nor am I one to try and twist the Grand Weave. I do know one thing though, this girl isn't just any old thief or murderer. She has some talent for the arcane, and that mark on her hand well,"

She trailed off

"Let's just say you may have a problem much bigger than her on your hands if you take her away mister bounty hunter."

She finished her second Tankard looking over at his untouched ale and grabbing it she began to sip on that as well. She began to hum a small tune under her breath as she puffed on her Pipe and continued to drink his ale.

"Barkeep, don't worry about anything for the night you're shut down the rest of the evening and until further notice. I am going to need this place for a while."

Before he could protest four clones of Dhusa materialized from the smoke and began ushering the of patrons out. She unhooked a bag of coin from her hip and shuffled through it for a second, slapping down three platinum pieces on the counter she continued.

"I'll need that barrel of Thundervast for the night as well."

"Ma'am I am appreciating this and all but this is my establishment and my livelihood."

He stuttered a bit but his eyes were determined and set.

"What was your name?"

"Hector, Hector Helmsbow."
He said proudly puffing his chest out a bit.

"Well, Hector this woman this man has brought into your fine establishment unbeknownst to him has connections in some rather unsightly corners of this city and Efros."

She looked at him pointedly.

"I am in need of your humble establishment for no more than a few nights. That is all and we will be on our way."

This time she stood up the clones coming around the bar and grabbing the tankard began pouring regular ale into her cup.

"I am sure your wife would love to have you home Hector. I really don't want to have to pull rank or try and scare you into this please, I promise you I will undo any mess this one here makes or myself."

She nodded at Kaneda. and slapped down another two platinum pieces.

"I do hope that covers this coming weeks expenses and more?"

Hector smiled scooping up the coin he walked to the back briskly coming out with a large barrel of Thundervast He set it on the counter behind the bar and slapped a key in front of Dhusa.

"Thank you kindly Ma'am.
No one has stayed in the rooms for some time so only two of them is fully furnished and functional."
Hector eyed Kaneda and the red head.

"I want my tavern back in one piece!"
with that final display he walked out the door locking behind him.

The Tavern was deathly quiet as Dhusa kept drinking the smoke clones having vanished. She finished another tankard this time she let out a sigh.

"If you believe that there card holds weight. You believe me to be apart of your weave then you are going to have to do me a favor, Half-Elf." She puffed a cloud of smoke shaping it into what vaguely looked like a mountain range. "I am going to need you to trust me. You want her alive, fine. I want her information, which I promise you is far more rewarding than just the money you would get from her contract. If I know even a bit about her and her people."

She spit as she spoke the name.

"The Flock, has power in this corner of the world that is far more viable than a measly bounty."

She paused and eye balled the Red head whose eye kept darting back and forth nervously drool seeping from the rag in her mouth. Dhusa, wanted those ties better to make friends in ever place possible than enemies now was not the time. She had been given a task and she would see it through, no matter the cost. Sometimes that meant walking into the murky waters.

"What say you?"

[Kessir Tarkin]

When Dhusa laughed he could only join in and rub the back of his head, but his head was scrambling on the inside. What is happening? This had not happened before, whenever I saw the card it would show an image and quickly flash away when I would turn it. This time when I saw the woman and showed her the card, it was as if something had taken over my mind temporarily I will have to make a mental note about this. He then came back to reality hearing the words of warning from her.

”Eh we might be fated to work together or we may in fact be destined to kill each other, but in the meantime I feel no hostility from you or your whisper. And the gods may not bother me because I do not pay much heed to the card, it was the first time it actually did something which is interesting.” He explained putting the cards back into his pocket. “If the Gods have decided that now is the time they take issue with my ownership of it they are more than welcome to try to take it from me.” He boasted as he made eye contact with her as they seemed to fall deep into space.

“It is a pleasure to meet you Dhusa Jan’ipa of Clan Ja, I am happy that you agree that she is not worth killing and yes, she does have a talent for the arcane, tried to burn my face off earlier today.” He then listened closely for Dhusa words were trailing off. “There’s always a problem with these kind of folks, nothing that I haven’t had to deal with before or will have to again. It’s part of the trade, maybe if her friends come I will be able to collect on some more, now that would be a nice bonus.” He joked taking his pint and raising it to drink only to find it empty, his face made a gruff look for a second, putting the pint down as it had been drank by Dhusa.

He then watched and observed as the Fetchling proceeded to pay the owner out of his own tavern, using a cloning technique or spell to make the other patrons leave. He chuckled how the man puffed out his chest as if he was able to do anything about what was going to take place. After shining some platinum that the man took in kind and brining out a barrel of Thundervast and dropping his key, he then took his leave.

“Buh-bye now don’t go spending that all in one place.” He commented and waved as the man threatened them wanting his tavern back in one piece.

He then got more serious and listened to Dhusa speak of trust and that she wanted to speak his bounty and get some information from her. The promise of reward intrigued him and he paid closer attention. He then chuckled as she spit when the name The Flock, but took note that she might have issue with this group and as she continued he became more interested.

He then took it all in, the card, the chance meeting, the intrigue of more information and potentially more power and money and took it as a sign to be apart of this. So he took the barrel of Thundervast and opened it pouring her a pint, then bringing it up to his mouth and taking two large gulps, then making a sigh of relief, the fire burned in him and it felt long overdue.

“I say I am in, it has been long overdue for a change of pace and things were getting quite boring with my work lately, let’s find out what this little red headed one has to say.” He said as he poured himself another drink and sat down with the other two raising his pint as if it were the signing of a contract.

[kidjab]

Dhusa nodded her replenishing her own drink. She turned the young woman around to face out towards the door. She took a long swig of her drink and sighed puffing a cloud of smoke into the young woman's face it lingering around her throat.

"I'll make this as clear as I can. You scream, I hurt you. You start casting magic, I hurt you. You don't talk or give me any sort of information, I hurt you. You even so much as blink the wrong way,"
She paused taking another drink and puffing on her pipe again. He voice calm her movements casual. She looked very pointedly at the red head.

"I hurt you. Nod if you understand."

Her eyes were wide and she looked back and forth from Dhusa to Kaneda and nodded curtly. Nodding herself Dhusa pulled the gag from her mouth.

"What's your name girl?"

Coughing and spitting as the gag was pulled from her mouth.

"Thank the Fucking Gods. Tastes like sh-"

As she spoke the smoke around her neck thicker and tightened. Her lungs seemed to expand with an icey coolness that hardened slowly choking the words from her throat in a gasp. Dhusa looked at her intently her face expressionless eyes dull she understood the feeling well. She knew that cold feeling in the girl's lungs was starting to burn as it became a slow fire. Tears started to stream down her face. Dhusa's lip twitched ever so slightly as she waved her hand memories of her own initiation into the Weave Mother's brood boiling under the surface. She shook her head slowly as much for herself as it was to give the girl time to catch her breathe.

"Let's try this again. If you don't answer my-"

"Alanna Tolvos! It's my name. Alanna fucking Tolvos!" She gasped out between breathes her eyes glaring daggers at Dhusa.
Dhusa smiled a small smile that didn't touch her eyes in the slightest.

"And I get it you'll hurt me. So what do you want?"

If she only knew Dhusa thought that was a basic simple use for her smoke the horror's she could inflict on this poor child were infinite. Whisper was as much a healing herb as it was a weapon. She took another long drag on her pipe exhaling the room although having no external change seemed to grow brighter the lanterns around the bar seeming to have more than just their dancing flames among them. Dhusa raised her own tankard offering a bit of ale to the girl. Alanna drank greedily still eyeballing Dhusa over the mug edge.

"The Flock, you work for them and they wanted you to kill a blacksmith? Seems rather lowly for them. What were they after?"

Alanna looked back and forth nervously. Her eyes were fearful it was a fear that Dhusa knew well. The Flock wasn't a simple dark guild or some small time band of thieves and cut throats. No The Flock was more like an underground nation. There were tribes within Ost that her own people of Ja steered clear of for the simple fact that dealings with them meant death or worst. The Eye of the Shepard was as much a warning sign as it was a brand. She knew what she was asking this girl, she was asking her to end her own life this night. She raised an eyebrow as the silence continues.

"If you know who you're dealing with you know I'm more afraid of them than you." Alanna finally said her face firm and serious. "You can hurt me, kill me even. But they...they have punishments worst than death."

Dhusa nodded in agreement as she flipped her spear from her back. She wasn't going to enjoy this. She blew a thick plume of smoke into the girl's chest. A large wraith spider forming in the smoke it's large dripping fangs and beady eyes dull.

"Now, I know what I'm asking you. And I also know you have at least heard rumors of my pet. That be a wraith spider dear, there are few things worst than a long night of horror's. So I'll ask one more time what were they really after?"

The spider began to slowly solidify its form gaining a brown color the life in its eyes beginning to form as it twitched. Alanna tried to move her face away and scoot back.

"Ah ah, I wouldn't move too much. Wraith spider's are attracted to movement."
With that she stopped.

"Speak up."

"I don't fucking know! I was sent a letter get the old blacksmiths wares. His family and his life weren't apart of the contract."

Dhusa waved a hand and the spider stopped its movement it was darker and seemed to be in a state of flux. The eyes moving back and forth but the form motionless. Turning to Kaneda she raised and eyebrow.

"What do you know of that blacksmith?"

[Kessir Tarkin]

Kaneda drank some more as he listened to the interrogation take place, the burn perked him up a bit as he watched all that was taking place. Whisper was quite fascinating when you paid attention to it. How Dhusa was able to manipulate the smoke around her with such ease and with so much control. Poor Alanna never stood a chance of making it out of here.

Too bad for her, if she just would have gone easily with me she wouldn't be here right now. Serves her right after trying to light my face on fire. he chuckled a little bit.

"Alanna, I would stop playing around she's starting to look serious and she just bought a couple nights, how about giving us all a break and just tell us what we want to know." He commented walking behind her while taking another drink and letting out a big sigh of relief. Trying to confuse her and making her slip during questioning.

He watched as a spider formed on her chest and made its way slowly up as Dhusa continued to question the woman. She seemed to be starting to crack.

"We are talking about the Flock here, there is always a reason for their motives and movements. Your as good as dead anyway, that man that we left behind earlier for sure will have told them of what happened, let that sink in." He said as he put her hands on her shoulders, he thought of shaking the woman but didn't know for sure what the spider would do if that were to happen. The last thing he wanted was to be responsible for an accidental death. He then listened that she was sent to clean the place up and found those people dead, this was intriguing and he put his hand to his chin and started rubbing his beard. He reached into his picked and took out a notebook and flipped through the pages reading the information he jotted down earlier.

"The blacksmith was skilled that was for sure, people all around where his shop is speak of his great creations, weapons armour, accessories, you had the money he could do almost anything..." Kaneda flipped through more of his pages as he paced back and forth. "Now, the last thing I heard was that he was working very late for the last few weeks and would be visited by a hooded figure, no real discription due to the time of night. But the did say that they saw rare materials steel, silver, other raw materials and from what best I can describe is a large rock that of which no one has seen before, about it coming from the sky in a ball of flame..." Something popped into his head, the materials that were mentioned, he had heard it before but didn't think of it until now, a rumour he had heard.

He came close to Dhusa, "Have you ever heard of a-" his head snapped to a window as his ears perked from a sound that sounded like flint strikes. "Get down!" He yelled as he grabbed Dhusa and jumped over the bar. The door disintegrated into dust as the explosion burst through, as soon as the doorway was open bolt shots from crossbows could be heard releasing and hitting the bar, followed by the sounds of Alanna being hit multiple times. "We've been setup! Whoever sent these men have deep connections and even deeper pockets, those tactics are used by a mercenary group called The Rising Sun, not cheap-" a bolt hit just above them and he now could see that the bolt carried the emblem of the city guard, "and they seem to have the backing of the city guards." He continued as he pulled out another card.

"Come on out you are surrounded! You two are wanted for the murder of Alanna Tolvos as well as the blacksmith and his family. If you make any sudden movements you will be killed!" Shouted one of the men, possibly the ranking officer his voice was low and gritty, but Kaneda knew that if they did they were as good as dead.

"Ah lets just burn piece of shit place to the ground, let my boys have some fun, the boss wants them dead, he didn't say how they had to die." Said another voice, this one was rugged and slurred as if his mouth was incapable of full movement.

"We have to make it look like we had no choice you fucking idiot... Goddamn mercenaries." Shouted the voice from before.

"Dhusa, if we want to see where this path takes us we need to get the fuck out of here. Luckily I have the perfect distraction, when it's activated jump through the window in the back of the bar. I think I know what that blacksmith was putting together and whoever it is has a lot of power and influence in this city in order to make it. I fill you in when we have created enough space from these assholes." He said as he put his mask back on, he then threw the card up in the air, put his right hand to his lips and said, "release". The room lit up like the sun had appeared in the building. The guards all raised their hands to cover their eyes and shouted in confusion.

Kaneda then made a run for the window smashing the glass as he jumped feet first through the window and landed on his feet. "We need to go underground, know anyone that can help us out?" He asked Dhusa as he prepared to run in which ever direction she chose for them.