[IC] The Rise of the Guardian

[MegaraFoxfire]

Ash nodded and said “happening more and more lately...gets worse when I’m in big crowds or after a huge fight with one of those monsters...which I’m still tryin to figure out what is causing them to mutant like that...” she paused when the maid stopped by then nodded and smiled at her.

Ash looked at Carth as the gal walked away and muttered “Your seven o’clock...red head at the table alone...she’s been watching us since we came in. Her eyes haven’t moved. She looks like a forest ranger...or a hired tracker or guide by the looks...”

[Jazz]

Taking a glance to Ash's directions, he indeed saw the red-headed woman that was indeed watching them from the other side of the room with some of of interest to them that even he didnt understand. As much as he wanted to walk up to her and demand answers, he didnt want to cause a scene. "Or all the above. Either way, we might need to keep an eye kn her too. See what she wants and how shes trying to get it. Though confusing her sounds like a good option." He purposed, a glint of mischief clearly present for only Ash to see. He seemed to already thinking about how to go about it, except was distracted by the barmaid who came to give them their drinks. Though in doing so handed them one more and it was a mug of what seemed to be tea. The barmaid winked to Ash as she scooted it in front of her encouragingly.

"Herbal tea sweety. It'll help unwind the mind. Good for headaches too. No buts either you hear me? I want to see it downed before i get back with your meals." Having that mother like tone before leaving without any words to be exchanged. Carth was indeed surprised about what just happened. But it seemed that this inn knew how to help those who seemed to need it. He leaned over to take a sniff of the mug only to hum with content. "Yep. Smells nice too." He confirms too before taking a drink of his ale.

[MegaraFoxfire]

Ash blinked after the maid and muttered “do i look that much in pain...” she looked at the tea and frowned a little, then she picked it up and sniffed it. “Well...if anything off happens I trust you know what to do...”

She took a sip and sighed. Then she said “what is your plan then, Carth? She could just be able to sense our magic and is wondering about us...ranger and trackers are nosy by nature. Let’s see if she does anything first then we can reply in kind...”.

Ash took another sip of the tea and said “it is very nice tea though...”

[Jazz]

Carth smiles as he sees her concede to the barmaids orders as he continues to take drinks on the ale. He had to admit that rubbing the temples were the universal language for having a headache. It was nice of the barmaid though and one that would definitely get a tip from him. Mainly for showing attention to their guests. The flame user glanced to the red haired woman before even thinking about what his thoughts were.

"And thats their downside. Their nosey. Let her be nosey. I want her bored off her ass or frustrated. We can either confuse her or be boring. Either way it will bring me great pleasure in making this woman's gears turn." A smirk passing across his lips. "Though i like the mischief route so much better." He admits as the smirk morphs into a goofy grin. Yes. This young man could be quite the goof ball. It was who he showed this side to would get the chance to see what he was really like then the brave and serious mask he always put on.

[MegaraFoxfire]

Ash smirked and said “it’s their job to wonder about those around them...it’s how they see what doesn’t belong...but if you want to be a trickster go right ahead...I won’t...” then she stopped as the woman got up and went to the bar, saying something softly to the bartender.

Ash watched the woman’s lips and said “she’s asking him if there have been any monster attacks in town lately...and where she can find any info on the attacks...his telling her to hit the solider base at the north end of town...and that no one goes into the south wood after dark now...”

Ash paused again and added “his warning her about two figures in white robes that have been seen around as well...that’s interesting” she drank from the tea again.

[Jazz]

Carth seemed to debate this more but then seemed to pout when Ash didnt seem to want to participate in the slight of fun he had planned. Why did she have to ruin it like that, he will never know.

The brunette seemed to stop pouting when Ash seemed to get serious and seeing the red haired woman at the bar. He listned to what Ash could seem to listen to only to wonder if she could read lips. He waant fluent but he would be able to catch bits and pieces. He wondered what could be so bad about this white robed figures. What could be so bad about them. "Well. Sounds like we have some leads that might lead somewhere. Wanna check out one of those?" He asked her, wanting her opinion.

[MegaraFoxfire]

Ash waited til the woman was done talking and went back to her table and said “after we eat we should should check out the base...they will have more info then most will. But it seems our friend here is after the monsters as well...” she looked back at Carth and sipped more of the tea before saying “looks like you’ll get to play the game after all...we might be tailing her for a bit”

She paused then added “white robed figures could be a few things...I know of the white order of magic users...or it could be the assassins I’ve been hearing about that have been seen about lately...”

[Jazz]

The brunette seemed to beam with delight at the sudden news. He would finally get to let out some steam by confusing this woman that we would be soon following. He hoped they'd still get to sleep because he knew they both needed it. Carth wondered what information the base would have. If it was anything near what help them solve this than it amazing.

What also had Carth curious about was the White order of magic users and the White robed assassins. He wondered if they were from around here or if they came from somewhere far off. He guessed that the creatures were a place to start first before seeing about these white robed figures. "Base first, robed figures second? Both sound interesting in their own rights." Carth declared with a shrug.

[MegaraFoxfire]

Ash nodded as the maid walked over with their plates and she said “I’ve never been so happy to see food...I’ve been on dried supplies for weeks...” she was watching the red head as she walked back to her table and went back to her drink.

Ash said “the white robes could be the assassins clan I’ve been hearing about...”

[Jazz]

Carth snorted a laugh to try from escaping his lips, but understood where she was coming from since he was happy to see such good food. Carth started in on his plate after thanking the maid, keeping an eye on the red haired woman himself as well. He shrugged again when Ash mentioned the white robed figures being a clan of Assassin's. "Wonder where they came from if rumors are starting to flutter around like a migration of butterflies. Think they heard news of what's going on and investigating too?" He asked, looking thoughtful of the idea and maybe seeing they could get their help. It was more like hopeful thinking at this point.

[MegaraFoxfire]

Ash nodded as she started eating and after swallowing added “I don’t know much about them but they could be here to find answers or just wipe out the problem...I’ve heard different things about these guys...now it seems our red head is waiting for something...any ideas what?”

The red head was waiting, she checked her watch a few times but didn’t seem in a hurry at all. She was waiting for the night to get darker.

[Jazz]

Carth could only shrug as his answer to Ash's question. He wondered just as much as she did as to what the redhead woman was waiting on. "Maybe waiting for us? I do not have a clue. For now, food is on my mind, and then some good night sleep." He told her with a small smile to his lips as he continued to eat. It was when he was done that he felt satisfied and ready to hit the hay for the night. He hadn't forgotten that the redhead was there, just wondered what she was waiting on. "Feeling any better?" He asks Ash, genuinely curious.

[MegaraFoxfire]

Ash had just finished eating and drank the last of the tea. “Yes...that stuff works wonders...now I just want sleep in a real bed...it seems our redhead is also turning in...”

The woman had gotten up and was heading to the inn part of the building, heading up the stairs. Ash frowned and muttered “what could she be waiting for so long to just give up?”

[Jazz]

Carth glanced to the red-head that looked to be turning in for the night. He looked to Ash then stood up and stretched. "Not a clue but I'm going to get some rest. You following suit?" He asks while stiffling a a yawn.

Respecting any answer Ash makes, Carthage would go on ahead and go to his room for the night. However this wasn't without setting up traps to help defend and alert him. Having them set at the window and door. Much not to harm but to disorient than anything. This was a habit he picked up when it came to inns and or even the wilderness sometimes. Soon, Carthage turned in for the night where Carth knew Ash's room was next door.

[MegaraFoxfire]

Ash nodded and got up saying “I’ll be trying to sleep…we will see how that goes for us” she followed him up and headed into her room after saying good night. She was laying in bed, the normal night time headache starting as she rubbed her head. Every night was like this when the moon came up. It was like some thing inside her was screaming to be set free. But what could it be?

She sighed and rolled over, then sat up as she heard her window open. She reached for her blade just as she was tackled off the bed and pinned to the floor. She tried to throw them off but somehow the attacker was stronger then her. She cursed and kicked the side table, making the lamp fall off and shattered. She knew Carth would hear that.

The attacker cursed snd covered Ash’s mouth with a rag dipped in something that smelled terrible. Ash fought to get it off as she felt she was being dragged to the window. Her head swam as the smell got worse and she thought “carth…anyone…”

[Jazz]

Carth had just dozed off when he heard the sound of something breaking. His eyes snapped open as his body moved into action. He grabbed his sword, forgoing his boots and shirt, since he had his pants on. If Carth recalled, the crash came next door which was.....

His thoughts stopped dead as he went straight for Ash's room having braced his body to burst through the door, locked or not. When into the room, he scanned the room before him. "ASH!"

[MegaraFoxfire]

Ash was by the window, a hooded figure trying to force her thru the window. Ash saw Carth then elbowed the man hard in the chest before falling to the floor. She tried to move away but the guy grabbed at her again. “Your coming with me! Stop fighting the will of the Lady of Dark” Ash turned and kicked the guy away, her mind fussy from the scent on the cloth still in her mouth.

[Jazz]

Carth watched the scene before him in shock. His body moved, automatic to respond to Ash's aide. As Ash went to kick the attacker, Carth went to grab him and shove him to the floor going for pointing his sword at the strangers throat, getting between Ash and her attacker. "Who are you and what do you want with Ash?!" Anger seeping into his words.

[MegaraFoxfire]

Ash finally got her hands free and pulled the rag from her mouth, her head swimming. The man cursed and said “she is being summoned by the lady of the dark…I must serve her…no…wait no!” He suddenly burst into black flames, rolling on the floor and then was gone. Ash was trying to get up snd muttered “Carth…I think…I’ve been poisoned…we have to…” she fell forward, her skin on fire.

There was a knock on the door and it opened to show the red head from the bar. “You guys alright? I heard the fighting down the hall…”

[Jazz]

Carth took a step back when the stranger burst into black flames and rolling around on the floor. He was quite unsure and weary of what just happened he quickly turned around when he heard Ash and went to her. He set down his sword and gently pulled Ash into his arms. He had to admit that while he could feel warm because of his Elemental ability, he was surprised how warm Ash felt alone as he cradled her. But he had no idea how to cure poisons. This made him panic and scared.

His head moved to look to the source of the knock and was surprised to see the red head from the bar. But then again no one else to turn to in order to save Ash's life. "Please. Please, can you help her? She's been poisoned and I don't know what to do!" Carth asked, almost pleading as his blue eyes searched her person for answers.