[IC] When the Flames Die

[DrowsyPangolin]

Sophia took the menu from the man's hand with a cheerful smile. "Thank you, sir." She ran her finger down the list of foods. Various dishes lined the pamphlet, but her eyes were drawn to a particular item at the bottom of the page. Blueberry muffins. For a moment, she recalled eating a muffin at the midnight feast. For a split second, a frown crossed her face. Everything had been okay then. She shook off the negativity. "Oh, yes sir. I think I'll have a muffin...and ...hmm... some eggs I suppose." She handed the menu back towards her companions. "What about you two?"

Eva didn't even look at the menu. "Sausage, please." She hadn't eaten anything in what felt like days. She noticed Gareth smiling towards her and returned the gesture. She was glad the boy was with them. "What about you, Gareth?" They were fortunate to have met someone so trustworthy in a city that felt like it was built upon lies and secrets. The thought of lies and secrets led her eyes to the bar, where she was unsurprised to find Lily. She seemed to be talking to a dark haired woman that the Tauran didn't recognize.

Lily smirked. It was obvious Maria was exhausted, but she hadn't waited this long for nothing. "Aye, something like that." Her blue eyes glanced from the cloak to Maria as she pulled the garment away. The sly smile the blonde woman wore could've meant anything, but the Scout might recognize that the contents of her cloak weren't a secret at this point. "So what kinda story is it, Maria?" Lily's voice was warm, and she was fighting off the slur with astounding fortitude. "Being that you've had such a hard night, I might tell you one too, if you'd like."

[BingTheWing]

Rat didn't see it, but he felt the shadowmages' black fireballs and the cloak's automatic crossbow twitch a little. They were all itching for a good fight. It would be a shame if he let them down. Still, he had learned one too many times that any fight could be avoided. "Alright, milady. Since you have quite... convinced me to call off my men, I will start no fight. However, before we leave, there is one thing I would like to ask of you. We would require everything you know about this.. thing called the Taggerung - or as some people call it, Cain."

[Sightles]

As the trio of Eva, Sophia, and Gareth ordered their breakfast food, the door to the inn cracked open slightly. Into the inn came a small boy, perhaps no older than 12. The boy was fairly well dressed, but it was obvious he was not a noble. Perhaps from the merchant district of the town. The small boy glanced around the bar for a moment, taking in all the patrons. Eventually, he laid his eyes on the exotically clothed Sophia, and her companions. After a moment more of scanning, the young boy rushed over to the trio, taking a seat close to them, but not right next to them. The boy obviously was not old enough to purchase any type of alcohol, but he sat at the bar all the same, seemingly ignored by the bartenders. The boy spun idly on his stool, keeping his glance on the trio only a few seats away.

[ravenDivinity]

Gareth stared at the menu blankly as he tried to piece together an order. "Uh... Eggs and sausage." Harker pulled himself to sit at an empty table near the bar, and he drummed on the wooden surface while he waited for the food. He was grateful that Sophia would pay for it all without making a huge dent in the wealth of royalty. God knows where they'd be without money. He scratched his shoulder and recalled his typical outfit was in his quarters and that he couldn't don his cloak like he usually would. They'd in all likelihood have to return to the castle for the day.

[Epsir]

"Muffin and eggs, sausage, eggs and sausage," the man said, looking along to each of the three in time as he repeated their orders to make sure he was getting them correct, before disappearing with the menu back behind the bar to the kitchen. In short order, he returned with the staple breakfast items, setting the food down at the party's table and leaving them to their morning business. The inn's cooking was by no means sub-par, but it was easy to remember that their specialty was only alcohol. As he left, the morning wave of customers seemed to follow, with a handful of regulars entering the Crossroads, a younger group who seemed to be mostly green sailors, loud as they claimed a spot at the bar. Maybe they'd just gotten back.

"The kind I don't tell," Maria said, sighing. "But you've had this cloak and not started anything so I think you've got your guesses on it already." She chose her words carefully, figuring that after going through her swords the woman was either used to this or incredibly dull for not having any kind of comment or objection to being left in the care of someone else's weaponry. Last night, Lily had been more specific in requesting her story, and she simply didn't agree with ignoring her request over something so simple. "I'm from Lachne, moved away about four years ago in the middle of the war, and now I do my time as an investigator of sorts. That's why I came here, and that's why my nights are so rough. I'm not much of a storyteller, but that's the story." She wasn't much of a liar either, which was why for the most part it was all the truth.

[DrowsyPangolin]

Celeste nodded. "Good man. No sense in spilling blood for no reason." She stared curiously at Rat when he asked about Taggerung. "All we know is what we've been told, but we can surely oblige that information. Haeryn, come tell the man what you know." The man lowered his bow, replacing his arrow in it's quiver. He was thankful they wouldn't have to kill anyone today, not yet at least. He walked over to Rat, keeping an eye on the shadowmages. He glanced to Rat. "From what I was told, he isn't human. Other than that, he managed to kill a member of the Brass Hand, so I'd imagine he's quite dangerous. He also tried to kidnap our Princess, but we don't know why." Haeryn spoke in a gruff tone. Celeste nodded. "Now, if you'd be so kind, would you mind returning the favor and answering a few questions yourself?" She glanced toward the other members of Rat's party. "Who are you, and who sent you after us? Also, what is your interest in this 'Taggerung' ?"

Lily listened to Maria as she spoke, nodding when she mentioned the cloak. The woman went on to mention that she had come from Lachne, the land to the north of Keilaudrin. Lily had been briefed on the general history of the area, and from what she understood it had been reduced to little more than a barren waste. Interesting. Lily turned, putting her back against the bar. Bar stools weren't the most comfortable thing in the world. She wondered exactly what kind of investigator she was. Asking further questions seemed in poor taste. Perhaps she could get that answer somewhere else. "Hmm, sounds like you've had quite a rough time of it." The blonde woman gave a slight frown. "My story isn't nearly as interesting, but I suppose since you were so kind as to tell me yours..." She looked up towards the ceiling. "I'm from Esterl. My father was a silversmith. He died early on, and my mother was sick all the time, so my sister and I took up the practice. We actually became quite successful... but after a few years my mother died. We kept up the family business, but at some point my sister decided she didn't like splitting the profits anymore. We had our words, and I set out on my own. Been a traveler ever since." She smirked. "A bit boring, I'm sorry to say." The real story was much more interesting, but it wasn't something one wanted to discuss in public.

Sophia took a seat, smiling as the man brought them their food and taking a bite out of the muffin. It wasn't as good as the one she'd eaten at the feast, but it was great after having not eaten. She noticed Eva digging into her food as soon as it was on the table. The Princess placed a handful of coins on the table and took a look around the room. There were lots of patrons filing into the inn, going about their daily business. She took note of a young boy looking at her, and soon the boy took a seat near them. The Princess looked towards the boy, smiling brightly. "Hello there, what's your name?" Even after everything, she couldn't help but be friendly. She took another bite of the muffin.

[Epsir]

Maria nodded her head every now and then to affirm that she was listening to Lily, even though the girl had turned her back at some point. Slowly, her head dipped lower and lower on the one hand supporting it. She pulled her cloak in closer, scrunching it smaller on the bar top in lieu of taking the effort to actually fold it. The durable fabric felt luxurious under her hands even as she waited. Esterl, Lily had said. An island south of Estovet, large enough to get the strategic consideration that put it in the textbooks she'd first heard of the country in. "I'm sorry about your parents. It must have been hard running a storefront that young, but you know a trade that you can play anywhere," Maria said, looking up at Lily as she gave her sympathies. Silver wasn't her thing, but she knew that people with the talent for shaping silver well were rare enough that they tended to find steady employment. "You travel far from Estovet? I used to want to, still curious I guess."

[DrowsyPangolin]

Lily smiled vaguely. Yes, her trade had given her a source of income no matter where she went. She glanced towards Maria when she asked about her travels. She had traveled quite a lot, and had learned that not every corner of the world was all that hospitable. She nodded. "Aye, I've been around a bit. Let's see..." She was unsure of where to begin. "Well, when I first left Esterl I visited Castil, to the far south. Nice place, but there were far too many established merchants, I didn't have much of a chance." She brought her hand to her chin. "Then I went to Gris once, in the frozen North. There were a few places that were hospitable enough, but it's bloody cold and most of it isn't what you'd call 'civilized'." She yawned. "Then there's Lyok, to the East. It's not bad, if you can deal with the snakes. I can't speak for the colonies." She sighed. "Lately I've been traveling around Estovet, though."

[BingTheWing]

"That is not of your business, woman. Your orders are to protect the Princess only, am I correct? But anyways, thank you for your time." Rat subtly nodded in respect, covered himself in his black cloak, and was gone in the fleeting shadows of the night. The Shadowmages realized they were no longer needed, and dematerialized. The cloak sheathed his crossbow, and also quickly made use of the disappearing dark. The duo were now left alone. However, if one was adept at the arcane, they would sense a slight dip in the air, as if they were still being watched.

[Epsir]

"Lyok, huh? I heard one of their royals is in town. Part of why I'm here. Foreign royals need to be kept safe while we bicker amongst ourselves." Maria laid her head down on her cloak, longing to walk away and find her room but loathe to give up the only friendly company she'd found since arriving in Keilaudrin. Her other Company was supposed to have returned to the ship which had been carrying them, with the people aboard the list. If the lack of a signal was any indication, Princess Sophia was still outside of their custody and roaming free somewhere far out of her reach in Mullen. If she was hurt, it was on them. If anyone was hurt, it was on them. So far all she had was proof that Lexine Tristan existed and that a double of her had been prepared for some purpose and intercepted. Or, perhaps, sacrificed. That thought was aggravating, it meant that the suspicion she'd felt in the tower was correct, and that both parties had been manipulated. It meant no one was safe. Trinan chuckled to herself atop her cloak, she was worrying about a company of hardened soldiers safely offshore while she was chased by knights, thieves, and madmen in the depths of Mullen. Thinking of herself, she sat up slowly, miming Lily and turning around in her seat. The woman was a merchant, which meant one of her more pressing issues was close to solution. "Know anybody who sells clothes?" Among other things, she still had to worry about reprisal from the group no doubt hunting her. They seemed under the impression that the Scouts were in cooperation with the government, which would have been great if it were true, but it made her a target to them.

[Sightles]

The boy smiled a wide grin, revealing that he had not yet grown a full set of teeth quite yet, "Mentha." The boy replied, somewhat shyly as he did so, "You look like a princess!" The boy pointed out, with a slight bit of excitement on his voice. The boy admired Sophia's disposition for a moment, as if he hadn't seen anything like it before in his life, "What's your name, ma'am?" The boy asked politely, returning his gaze back to Sophia's. The boy still held the same toothy grin as he spoke, and now that Sophia and Mentha held eye contact, it was apparent that the boy was heterochromatic. One of his eyes was a rich hazel color, while the other was a piercing violet color.

[DrowsyPangolin]

Lily's eyebrows raised at the mention of Lyoki royals. Whatever group Maria was a part of evidently knew Sophia was in town. At least their intentions seemed benevolent. Lily's eyes glanced quickly to Sophia before returning to Maria. "You don't say?" She drummed her fingers against the back of her hand. The situation was definitely a great deal more complicated than they'd thought it would be. What a situation to be in. Sent off to a foreign land to deal with foreign problems, all the while knowing that if your identity is discovered you could end up dead. On top of that, her companions were a grizzled old war dog and a woman she was fairly certain could cut her in half in the blink of an eye. At least she'd found someone to talk to. "I've seen several places in town selling clothes, I believe there was a shop just down the street. I'd offer you some of my own, but I don't know how well they'd fit. Such is my curse." She laughed and motioned to her feet, kicking them about slightly. Because of her small height, they couldn't even reach the floor.

Sophia smiled back at the boy. "Why thank you Mentha, it's a pleasure to meet you." She looked at the boy, guessing his age to be around twelve, but she couldn't be sure. She noticed, with a bit of interest, that his eyes were different colors. "My name is Sophia." She took a bite of the muffin again. "Are you from around here?" Her voice was cheerful and soothing. Eva glanced over at the boy before returning to her food. She was a bit paranoid at this point, but a curious child was nothing to get worked up about.

Celeste watched as the men disappeared again, doubtful that all of them had truly left. "Tsk... That was rather pointless." She turned back towards Haeryn. "If an attempt has already been made on the princess then things are worse than we feared. I need you to send word of what you've heard back down the chain." The grizzled man looked uncertain. "Do you think you can handle this alone if something happens? I'm not doubting your abilities, but even you have your limits, Celeste." The hooded woman shook her head. "The information needs to get back to Veranthium as soon as possible. I'll be fine, plus, I have Tosli if I need her." Haeryn looked even less sure. "Tosli's little more than a child with a sharp tongue and a knack for putting holes in things." Celeste smirked. "Haeryn, you're getting bitter in your old age." The bowman shook his head. "I'll do as you say, milady, just watch yourself." Celeste nodded. Seconds later, Haeryn was gone.

[Sightles]

Taggerung had been hidden behind a tree for most off the talks. Hundred of years hunting things down gave him an increased penchant for remaining silent. Not even his chest moved from breathing. He was in an almost trance like state, seemingly part of the tree, as he listened to the events transpire. It seemed things had died down, and his colleagues guess were correct. Whoever the Celeste woman was, she was the leader of the Lyoki forces in Mullen. While not important to the capture of the princess, it would no doubt prove fruitful to remove them from the equation, something Taggerung had silently protested. Moments after everything had died down, Taggerung slipped out of his cover, walking into the opening where Celeste stood. Taggerung wore his customary black tattered robes, his hands hidden deep in their folds, "I need you to leave Keilaudrin." The voice was rough, rocks grinding against sandpaper. It was grating to hear as he spoke. Taggerung's hood remained up, still hiding his face fairly well as he confront the woman in front of him.

[DrowsyPangolin]

Celeste froze in place as the black hooded figure appeared before her. Damn it all, after everything someone had found them out. Oddly enough though, this man didn't look like anyone from the palace, at least as far as she could tell. The voice he spoke with was almost painful to listen to. The woman turned towards Taggerung, her white hood casting a bit of a shadow over the top of her face. Her green eyes still pierced through the shadow, however. Something told her this situation would not be resolved as calmly as the last one. "And why precisely is that, sir?" Her voice was cool and glassy, seemingly unfazed by the fact that her plans may have just went up in flames. "Who exactly are you, by the way?" Celeste's body was completely hidden beneath her cloak. Her eyes stayed locked on the shadow beneath the man's hood.

[Sightles]

Taggerung paused for a few moments, as if he was weighing the situation. During these moments, his body remained stonelike in it's stillness, not even swaying slightly as he stood. After another moment of deliberation, Taggerung reached up with both of his hands, and pulled down his hood, revealing the face and head of Jezin. The head was completely shaven, and scars decorated the cheeks and throat of the revealed face. The most striking feature of the face was the sewn together mouth, which stuck out like a sore thumb on the already disturbing image of the face. Taggerung's head twitched slightly, and jerked, as if being bitten by a fly. The jerk was fast, and sudden, ending as soon as it begun, "You need to leave Keilaudrin." The lips did not move as Taggerung spoke, and nor did it seem like the voice was coming from the throat, as no movement in the throat indicated a person was using their vocals to speak.

[DrowsyPangolin]

Celeste's eyes widened as the hood dropped. She knew that face. It belonged to Jezin Tremora, but this was not that man. Quickly, her mind put the pieces together. If Taggerung was not human, and he had killed Jezin, then those two facts together might suggest that the person standing before her was, in fact, Taggerung. She took a step forward, her green eyes seeming to glow with a faint spark. "That doesn't belong to you. Taggerung, right?" She took another step forward, her eyes glued to his. "No, I don't believe I'll be leaving quite yet." Her eyes narrowed as she took another step forward. A faint sliding sound could be heard beneath her cloak. "Do you intend to make me leave, then?" Her voice was still oddly calm, though there was a bit of force behind it now.

[Sightles]

Despite the increasing chance the situation could turn violent, Taggerung stood his ground, unphased by Celeste's words as he she spoke. Another jerking motion as Taggerung stood in front of her. His gaze shot up into the sky, before looking back down at her, his eyes now fixed intently on her face. Celeste Redmoon, Sword of the Empress and member of the Brass Hand. The thoughts shot through Taggerung's head as he examined her face closely. She was skilled, that much was for sure, enough to handedly beat the man he now 'wore', "No one has to get hurt." Taggerung replied, simply, still remaining stoic in disposition. A sword being pulled from it's sheath could be heard, and out from the folds of his robes, Taggerung produced a long sword. After a moment of weighing the object in his hands, he tossed the long sword onto the ground in front of him, hilt facing him.

[DrowsyPangolin]

Celeste lowered her head, her eyes barely visible below the top of the hood. The man had drawn a sword, and then tossed it to the ground moments later. That, combined with the jolting spasms that seemed to run through him regularly, made him quite confusing, and more importantly, unpredictable. Again, the voice emanated from Taggerung. Celeste noted that he himself didn't appear to be saying the words. She shook her head. "But you're wrong. Someone already has been hurt, several someones, from what I've been told. You killed three Lyoki nationals, no? And now here you are, demanding I leave. I'm afraid I must decline that request." She eyed the sword on the ground. It was a bizarre tactic, if he intended on using the weapon. "I'm not leaving Keilaudrin, not with you roaming around."

[Sightles]

Taggerung stood silent as Celeste delivered her threat, watching her carefully. It was obvious that taking the way of no violence was not going to be an option. Taggerung reached slowly up to his head, gripping himself around his neck. He learned that whoever the woman was, she might be one of the more skilled and dangerous fighters he would ever confront. Taggerung was lucky, however. As long as he lived, he had been in far worse situations than this one. As he gripped the neck, he dug his fingers into the neck, and pulled down. The skin on his head seemed to sag, and the head started to lose it's form, the head sinking into the neck. Ripping. The sound of ripping tendons and muscles. Tendons creaking under a hidden stress. The snapping came next. Short and sharp. The sound of muscle fibers breaking under the immense force that was coming within the body. Soon the whole body started to lose it's own shape. In a burst, the stitches on Taggerung's face burst open, the mouth coming to nearly 2 feet wide, and 2 feet long. A pale white head, with saucer pan eyes that moved without conjunction with each other could be seen in the whole of the mouth, each eye scanning in different directions as the pale white head emerged from the gaping hole. With a sudden thrust, and a magnificent ripping of tendons and muscles alike, the white head shot forward out of the body, with it's pale scrawny body following it soon after. Covered in patchy skin, some parts rotten, and some parts fresh, a creature crouched on it's legs, no higher than three feet tall in it's crouching position, leading to one to believe it'd be no taller than 5 feet when fully standing. The creature was completely naked, with long stringy arms. The skin of the creature resembled tanned leather covering a skeleton, more than actual skin. It appeared only the thinnest layer of skin covered the bones underneath. The creature slowly rose itself up, coming to a standing position in a slightly slouched position. The eyes scanned all over the area the two of them were in, until finally focusing on Celeste.

[DrowsyPangolin]

A look of disgust crossed Celeste's face as the monstrosity tore it's way out of the corpse. It came to a standing position in front of her. She felt her teeth clench behind her lips, and her right foot slid forward ever so slightly. There was no turning back now. She had to deal with this thing, one way or another. If it had killed Jezin, it was skilled, for certain, but everything had some kind of weakness. Surely even such an abomination was no different. In a single movement, the woman opened the folds of her white cloak, her left hand visible for a moment as it pushed the cloth out of the way. At the same time, her right hand drew a blade. There was a flash of golden light as Celeste struck, directly out of the sheath. She made a quick diagonal slash towards the creature's chest, darting forward as she did so.