[IC] Fire in the West (Freeroam)

[Epsir]

"Maria Trinan," she said, speeding over the name and watching Milo leave both with an air of discomfort, especially when he took the brandy along with him. "Goodnight Milo, Take care." She didn't want to leave it like that, especially not for one the few among her officers actually going away. Well, it saved her time, although time spent inside was much nicer. The rest of her officer staff was out there somewhere. She turned back to Alec to consider him a moment before answering. He had been armed, significantly. Hopefully no one would ever find out about that and Boyd clearly hadn't suspected anything. That sounded like Boyd. "The League is new, but the hate between everyone isn't. The people will fight you." She stood up, laying her jacket back on the couch and looking to the door. It was about time to get going. The fire was warm but that wasn't her preference. "It's a type of fighting you're familiar with, I'm sure, but the culture is different and it's something to learn. From one officer to another, you want the people on your side before this turns into a war." The people's opinion had previously lead to the loss of members of the 33rd. She swept her forehead with her hand, brushing away rain water, and looked once more about the room. Nobody else. The accommodations were suitable, but she wasn't so sure about the staffing. Her head still spun, and slowly she came to realize that she'd been ranting at Cross. "I've said too much. Be careful with my company." She stared back at his smile, frowning in reply.

[DrowsyPangolin]

Alec sttod across the woman, crossing his arms in front of him in silence. Her explanation of the situation provided more insight than Alec had gotten before. He listened silently, his pink eyes lifeless and cold for the moment. Her comment about the common people piqued Alec's interest. He wondered whether the rebellion was truly the work of the people or a machination of a few politicians. If it was the latter, he could work it to his advantage. He had learned quickly how to organize a rabble during his rebellion in the Reins. He'd look into the issue further. If he could turn the people against their leaders he'd have a distinct advantage. However, if the people were rebelling by their own free will, the mission would doubtlessly be far more difficult. As Maria finished, Alec spoke up. "I thank you for your advice, Miss Trinan. It has been most insightful. I assure you you have nothing to worry about. Your men will not be led astray." The lord's lips twisted into a smile, a gesture that again seemed to lack any emotion. He picked his cloak up from the chair. It was not entirely dry yet, but the fire had managed to evaporate a great deal of the water. "Are you leaving then, Miss Trinan? Or would you prefer to stay and discuss this matter further?"

[MicahTheRogue]

Adrian was surprised to see Crom joining Soah, as Soah turned around and started his way back down the alley. Adrian was once again slightly taken back by Crom's question, "When didn't have much trouble." Adrian piped up, filing in after the two older men. He assumed they were going to the tavern, which surprised Adrian even further. He wondered what had come over Soah to force this kind of behavior. Adrian righted himself slightly, as the group kept with their walk. Adrian watched their surroundings, making sure no one was around to overhear the conversation. "How's your injuries?" Adrian asked, as he tried to adjust his eyes to see the man's injuries, and if they were still as bad as they were before.

[Sightles]

Soah walked slightly ahead of the other two, sticking his hands into his coat pockets as he walked, preferring to opt out of answering Crom's question, and letting Adrian answer instead. Soah just wanted to get to the tavern, drink, and pass out for the night. As Adrian asked about Crom's injuries, Soah's ears perked up. Soah didn't turn to look to see how bad they still were, but he was interested in seeing how the old man got fixed up. The trio eventually made it to the entrance of the tavern, which Soah almost immediately entered, not waiting to hold the door open for anyone. Soah quickly found a empty table, and took a seat. As he sat, Soah rubbed his eyes and face, trying his best to relax in this situation, The tavern was fairly full of people, probably usual for the time of day it was. Soah was ready to drink himself to oblivion.

[DrowsyPangolin]

Crom walked along with the duo, his arms hanging by his sides. Adrian had said they managed to make it through the mountains without a hitch.. The soldier was a bit surprised they hadn't stumbled upon any obstacles, but was glad no harm had really befallen them. "Well, that's good. I was worried there may have been some bandits hiding out along that path." Adrian asked about his injuries. Crom took another swig from his wine bottle, which was by now about half empty. He replied in a gruff but friendly voice. "They were pretty deep. The folks on the wagon got me patched up though." The mercenary motioned to the white bandages that protruded out onto his shoulder. The wound had closed, as there didn't appear to be any blood seeping through the wrappings. He followed Soah into the tavern, taking a seat across from him at the table. The room was quite noisy, filled with people talking. Across the room one particularly drunk man was belting out a song that Crom had never heard before. He guessed it would sound a bit better if the performer was someone other than an inebriated old man bordering on tone deafness.

[Epsir]

Loenn

---

John had taken the opportunity of being left alone to catch up on resupplying, chiefly his lost scarf. It was easy to find a cheap bolt of cloth that matched the original, within the small amount of money he carried on his person and with plenty left over to make Crom's payment. He wondered, briefly, if the man even remembered. Whatever the case, he wasn't going to forget. After his business in the marketplace was concluded, he went back to wait by the fort for Griff's return. It was a blessing to be free of the market, the place was too loud to be with his own thoughts in and while the bustle around the fort wasn't much better he could at least hear himself think. The guards seemed to be minding their own business as well. As time dragged on, it became apparent that Griff seemed to have disappeared. Thinking that perhaps they were being recalled one by one to the caravan, he decided to make his own way back towards the tavern that the cart had stopped by. It seemed to him he'd be waiting out the night with their gracious hosts.

Lieda

---

Maria plucked her jacket off of the coach, throwing it over her shoulder despite what miniscule drying time it had had on the couch. In the dim light of the fire, it was a bit harder to appreciate the man's features but she still took a moment to study the face lifelessly smiling at her. No matter what she heard or did, it would never feel right simply entrusting a scout company, even her own, to the man she saw. That distrust was wasteful, a result of impassioned protectiveness for her comrades in arms, and a small part of her kept raising that point in her mind. She could trust Cross in the same capacity she trusted herself, as a killer. Or perhaps it was just wrong to base an estimation of a man off of only his reputation. For an instant, she wanted to know more, but Milo had already had spent a deal of time with the man and he hadn't seemed visibly upset. Only driven to drink. Besides, there were a few more notes rolled up in her pocket. Maria shook her head slowly. "I'm finished. If you have any questions, I have some things to deliver before I leave, I'll take them after," she said, nodding a slight goodbye and turning away. A few brisk steps, and she went up the inn's stairs. Only one of the few rooms had been closed, and if she was wrong there were only a few others to guess. She approached the door she figured for Milo's, and gently knocked at the door. Her frown deepened. Making stops around town to say goodbye was one thing but making direct room calls hadn't been her intention. Thankfully, the only officer to know would be leaving and her XO wasn't here to chide about it.

[DrowsyPangolin]

Alec gave a curt nod as Maria left. The woman had been helpful, at least. The lord pulled his cloak around him and fastened it at his neck. The long, bushy fur around his shoulders was still a bit damp, but he wasn't really concerned with it. He had decided to take a walk around the city. He never really slept all that much, and he thought he might try to familiarize himself with Arcartus as quickly as possible. He strode casually out the door, noticing that the two Scouts from earlier were now serving as guards. He waved a hand as he walked by them and spoke. "I will return shortly." He said the phrase quickly and without much emotion. He hoped the two guards wouldn't try to follow him. The lord walked away from the inn to the nearest street and began walking casually towards the heart of the city.