[IC] Rubylust [Estylwen x Wrensthav]

[Estylwen]

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Song of Brotherhood - Adrian von Ziegler

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The midnight sky was a clear canopy of stars, twinkling peacefully o'er the town of Bastille, a major hub of information and trade. In the first Inn at the west entrance of the town, labeled with an engraved sign: "The Honeyden", occupants inside were having the night of their life. Live music drifted down from the second floor in the balcony over-viewing the dance floor. Elves and humans alike were in happy company, and everyone was talking about the new posters up in the Inn. Good money was hard to come by these days, people didn't have as much as they used to, and the taxes were expensive. 

It was the sum of money that drew them in at first, but then they read it. A lot of men and woman turned away, knowing they weren't adequate for what the poster asked. It read in elegant cursive with a large title:

WARRIORS NEEDED

There are problems that tie us all together. Most prominent of these is money, and I can solve that. Easily. But I have a problem too, and if you can't tie with this, then neither can you tie with the sum. At the request of my sponsor, Baronet DuReigh, I am looking for a few exceptionally talented individuals who have a taste for adventure.

They must be brave, they must be able to defend themselves against the great beasts outside our cities, and they must have a knack for navigating bobby-trapped crypts. Most importantly, they must be able to defeat me in battle. Which is most trying of them all since I have mastered certain classes of magic, have had experience in war, and am very proficient with a blade. I am serious when I say I only want the best of the best, and I'll settle for nothing less. 

We will be exploring the land in search of the Rubylust Relic. Its an ancient relic dating back 800 years, and is said to hold unique, powerful magic. I know the details of its possible location, but I will divulge that after you prove yourself.

Meet me at the mountain shrine outside Bastille, north of the western entrance. Be ready for an adventure filled with wealth and glory, and be ready to prove your mettle. 

To adventure!

-- Evelyn Keove
Battle Mage of Althaes, Ancient Forest of the Wood Elves.

Reward: 20,000 Gold Pieces.

_{PS. That could buy you four entire houses.}

A well-armored man with a chiselled face, loose blond locks and a mace strapped to his back finished reading the poster. He crossed his muscled arms over his steel chest, leaning to the man standing to his left. His voice was low and gruff. "Is it true what they say, that this is the same Mage who turned the tide in the battle between orcs and elves along the Reliene Coast half a year ago?"

The man nodded back. "Yes, I heard she woke a dragon from its lair and had it follow her to the battle field, and got it mad enough to start burning up the place. There were casualties on both sides from that, but using the dragon to their advantage allowed them to drive the Orcs into the ocean. The sands were said to have been soaked in dark crimson."

The blond-haired warrior took this information in, grinding his teeth. His eyebrows shot up when he tried imagining blood-soaked sands. After some careful deliberation, he turned back to the poster.

"This Evelyn sounds like a fine Mage. I will journey with her, in the name of gems and prizes!" He growled, downing the rest of his ale and slamming it on the counter. 

"What makes you think you're strong enough, Mattien Arior? You're a simple boy of a Breton farmer." A drunk stood up behind him, speaking in a slurred speech. "I've never seen you do anything impressive except all the girls in Bastille's slums!"

Mattien didn't bother giving the local a glance, even when he stood and shuffled toward him. The drunk was pissed.

"Hey! Boy!" He yanked the only thing that could give him a reaction — Mattien's hair. "I'm talking to you, you little s-"

A swift punch slammed into the drunk's open mouth, and he toppled back. Mattien looked disgusted, watching as the man struggled to stand. "No one touches the hair, Argorn. I don't know where your pissy hands have been."

Argorn picked up a half-empty mug of ale, tossed it back, and threw it at Mattien. As he dodged, Argorn charged him again with his fists raised. With a single side-sweep Mattien moved out of his reach, picked him up, and used Argorn's momentum to smash him into a table. Drinks and chairs went everywhere, and the table collapsed in a clatter of wood. 

Argorn moaned, finally laying still. Mattien shook his head, smiling at the Inn keeper. He tossed a couple extra coins on the counter. "Sorry about that."

Evelyn Keove

The young elf stood casually against the guard rail of the second floor in the Honeyden, adjacent to the live music of lutes and drums. She had silver hair, gold-pierced ears and was draped in fine Mage robes of black and red, edges embroidered in delicate gold symbols. A single hood casually hung on the back half of her head, exposing her face to the torchlight. She was enjoying watching the festivities of the night before retiring to bed. Not much for drinking anything but Elvish wine, she was simply sipping a glass of water. 

Her pointed ears picked up on the whispers going on a floor below her, and she curiously listened to the rumors going on about a certain Battle Mage. She only smiled, rumors never got the story completely right. 

The quick skirmish between two men was over before it begun, only because one of them was too drunk to stand. Evelyn chuckled, placing her cup on the railing as she continued to watch. Soon she would return to her rented room; tomorrow was a big day and she was quite excited to see who would turn up at the shrine. 

[WrensthavAviovus]

Wrensthav Aviovus
Two tall figures sitting in a darker corner of the inn nursed their drinks as they observed the brief brawl. A splintered leg of a smashed chair came flying their way only to be caught by a gloved hand of the male companion who slowly placed it on the table afterwards. His dark cloak and long spiked hair earned him a good number of curious glances during the early evening hours but generally died down by the time the other patrons where good and drunk. The female companion by his side leaned closer as she started up conversation. Her gown was a simple one piece dress of midnight blue that hung to mid-shin. Her bare feet got strange looks from the host and his staff at first, But after a few nights they stopped starring. Well the women did. The men toned down their gazes for the most part.

"What do you take of those two?" Polaris asked, her song-like voice pleasant to those lucky enough to hear a the mumblings of their conversations. she moved a stray lock of hair from tickling her cheek as she leaned closer.

"He has a strong hold on his temper until it involves his hair it seems." Wrensthav replied. He took a swig of the dark mead in his mug and continued."Plenty strong, from what I can tell, and he has good footwork. The qualifications tomorrow should be interesting if he decides to show up."

He caught the attention of one of the inn's staff to come over.

"Is everything to your liking , sir?" The young man asked.

"All is well with the service. I do wonder if you could help us in a different way?" Wrensthav tossed the boy a silver coin.

"What service do you require?"

"The lady overlooking the tables upstairs, what do you know of her?"

"Well, she did post the help wanted bulletin earlier this afternoon when sir and madam were out. She is quite famous in these parts both as a tactician and a fighter. Somewhat of a thrill seeker."

"She sounds very similar to a certain person." Polaris teased.

Wrensthav thanked the waiter who left after sneaking a glance at Polaris. She played with his hair and ears while he continued observing the room, nursing his drink. Half an hour passed by the time he grew tired of the atmosphere and of Polaris playing with the points of his ears. The lady upstairs was stating to yawn, he took that as a cue to actually talk with this potential relic hunter.

"Polaris, Would you be a dear and see how Abur and the others are faring upstairs?"

"Gahhh, fine I'll let you flirt with the elf lady. Don't stay up too late, it is already a pain rousing you in the morning."

He waved to her as she sulked upstairs. He turned his gaze towards where the elf was still standing and decided to introduce himself. The inn keeper gave him a strange look as he headed towards the stairwell opposite from the one Polaris took.

When he reached the second floor he finally got a good close look off the potential patron. her clothing definitely was that of a distinguished and wealthy character. But the gold accents where mainly there to catch the eye without making her outfit so gaudy that it was cumbersome.

"Pleasant evening miss. I do not believe we have crossed paths before."

[Estylwen]

Evelyn Keove

Caught up in the music from the live band playing to her left, Evelyn's thoughts drifted away from the tavern. For a strange moment, she contemplated the vast distance she was from her Elven home. It wasn't something she often thought of as magic brought a lack of interest in almost everything but her relic questing. But it hung at the back of her mind like a teething memory, chewing at her. Debating the 'why' was quickly dispelled as she was interrupted. 

"Pleasant evening miss. I do not believe we have crossed paths before."

Evelyn heard the stranger coming up the stairs before she glanced up. People often didn't impress her, but she found herself quite curious when a dark-cloaked figure joined her on the second floor. He looked nothing like the common rabble of Bastille, holding himself with a traveller's care. His eyes caught her off guard most, she swore they were hiding something marvelous. With a smile she replied, "No. No, I don't believe we have."

Taking her glass off the wood railing, the elf stole a sip before continuing. "My name is Evelyn Keove, a wood elf from the ancestral forests of Althaes. I'd tell you why I'm here but," She gestured to the floor below them, "I have a feeling everyone's been reading the new posters. I'm an adventurer looking for some hired help."

She chuckled, waving her hand in a joking manner. "Oh, but how rude of you, you didn't introduce yourself. What's a shadowy traveller like you doing at the cross roads of Ravenfell?"

Mattien Arior

Argorn's obscene snoring on the collapsed tables got him a swift boot out of the Inn, and there he would remain passed out in the street until morning. Mattien debated pulling the drunk's pants down on his way out, but thought better of it. All the tavern regulars knew Argorn was just a sour idiot, he was harassed enough for that.

Standing in front one of the Battle Mage's posters again, Mattien re-read it, frowned, and tore it off the wood pillar. The poster folded and tucked nicely into his belt pocket. After a few weeks off the road he was itching for action and coins; this would be the perfect opportunity for him. He'd blow the competition away too, ensuring there would be more gold for himself. He heard of kings paying outrageous sums for old swords with a proven link to their lineage. It sounded like easy money if one could defend themselves like he could. Dungeons were no match for him and Ra-Shin's bloodlust. And with his skill, he was very assured of his spot beside the Mage. 

Imagining his pockets overflowing with gold coins, Mattien chugged back one last mug of ale, slamming the cup on the counter. His speech was slightly slurred as he tossed a coin by his mug. "This Battle Mage is gonna make me a rich Breton, just you watch!"

With that drunk statement he staggered down the hall to his rented room on the first floor, closing the door. The bed heaved under his weight as he collapsed on top, quickly passing out. 

[WrensthavAviovus]

Polaris
Polaris let out a heavy sigh as she fell on the down mattress. She took off the cyan sash around her waist that helped keep her actual body on her person.
Welcome back Polaris. Did you find your target? a serene voice asked in her head as she put her sword amongst the rather large collection of weapons in the corner.
”Yeah. He is most likely flirting with her to get some information right now. Abur having fun?”

Drunken fools are easier to manipulate into stirring up some chaos. This is child’s play, but I’ll take what I can get.

”So that was partially your doing after all.” Polaris let out another sigh, She looked down at herself and saw some red stains on her skin. She walked over to the pile of weapons and unsheathed her sword and got out a few cloths and an oil rag. ”Looks like I need a bath. Hopefully Wrens will be done by the time I am done oiling down. Who else wants to get cleaned up for tomorrow?”

Wrensthav

“My apologies ma’am, I was known by a number of titles where I came from, but these days I am glad to be called by my given name. Wrensthav Aviovus, at your service.” He was trying his best to diminish the scent of tropical waters and magical power. Polaris often said it was very disorienting to walk into a wintertown inn room and have the feel and smell remind her of an island retreat.

“As to the reason I have come to Ravenfell; I am also a relic collector of sorts, mainly dealing with weapons rumored of holding miraculous powers. The more troubling ones I am burdened to travel with at all times. What they rarely mention is that they have a tendency to talk to you almost the entire time you have them on your person.”

[Estylwen]

"Wrensthav, mm? The pleasure's all mine." Evelyn said, surprised she was getting mental flashes of white sand overlaying where Wrensthav stood. Magic had taught her to discipline her thoughts so she noticed she couldn't recognize these as hers. She smirked; it was similar to the magic-lust written in the arcane symbols in her robes, though his was far more potent and seemed to emanate from within. That was all she could think to compare it to as they both affected the senses. 

As he spoke, Evelyn's attention was split in half. Part of her focused on his words, the other tuned into the whiff of magic she visualized earlier. The man in front of her kept unfolding into deeper levels of alien magic, Evelyn couldn't get close to the end of it. Amazement sparkled in her eyes, as well as a shred of alarm. Half-denying the possibility of... Whatever she just saw, she looked curiously into his eyes.

"These sound like some very interesting relics, I would so love to see them." Evelyn purred, gently swirling the remaining contents of her glass. "But Wrensthav, I do not believe you've let on all that you are. You are... Hm, quite a mystery." She frowned, looking almost terribly frustrated for a moment before she relaxed, that warm look back in her eyes. 

Amused, she hide a snicker behind three fingers. "But I have a feeling I'll be seeing you tomorrow. Or, later today, seeing as its late. You'll have to forgive me, I'm awful tired. Traveling all day will do that." Evelyn said, raising her glass to him. "Goodnight, relic collector."

She gently moved past him, walking down the balcony hallway before turning the corner, making her way to her room. The door quietly closed behind her. 

[WrensthavAviovus]

ignore

[WrensthavAviovus]

Wrensthav Aviovus
Wrensthav finally entered in his shared room with Polaris. Turning on the lights to a low setting he was greeted by a golden reflection on top of several oily rags. Polaris’ dress was also hanging on the door, her persona nowhere to be seen. Wrensthav let out a sigh before picking up Bergecrest and an oiled rag.

”How is she taking this job so far?” Wrens asked the sword as he started the tedious task of whipping the dust and dirt from the many curbed ribs of the blade.

Huh? What? Oh, you are finally back. Polaris is none too thrilled that you took so long with “the pretty elf lady”. Also, something about waking your stupid sad ass up in a few hours. I think she may hit you with a bucket of ice water this time.

Wrensthav shivered when he heard just how she was planning on waking him. The only time that she dissolved her persona was when she was either extremely tired or very upset with him. He was hoping that this time it was the former since it looked as if she polished all the weapons that could be polished.

Something else on your mind, Ancient Sleeper?

”’The pretty elf lady’ tried to appraise my magical prowess. Thankfully she didn’t go far enough for ‘Him’ to take notice.”

It would not be good if ‘he’ put our mission in jeopardy. What else did you learn?

” She knows when to back off and that I still smell too strong for those who are sensitive to auras.”

From what I remember none of the other guardians could fully disguise their auras… and Terra didn’t even bother. Who will you be using tomorrow?

”Most likely you and possibly Featherblade” Wrensthav answered. He finished cleaning up the last serration and sheathed Bergecrest. Dawn would be breaking in a handful of hours. Hopefully he wouldn’t be swimming by that time.

” Rest well my thirteen. The mornings trail will only be the beginning.”

[Estylwen]

Evelyn Keove

The night was consumed in a flurry of paper. Evelyn tore through her old books, surrounding herself with text and arcane symbols atop the desk in her rented room. She had to get to the bottom of this. Oh, she would simply not rest until she knew what he was. Yes, this Wrensthav individual called himself a relic collector, but there was more to it. All her life she had never come across such strange, potent magic. It behaved differently, it's make-up was alien. 

Her books came up with the wrong answers. No, it couldn't be dragon magic. She knew that magic inside and out, and it was far more transparent than anything she saw within Wrensthav. The next answer was deadric magic, which implied Wrensthav was something purely evil to torment mortals. That didn't seem right, and Eveyn discarded that idea too. 

"White sand... White sand... His scent, the ambrosia. What does it mean?" She asked herself in building frustration. "What is he? No mortal could possess that infinite-like magic, no matter how alien."

She snarled, throwing the book on dragons across the room. It hit the wall with a satisfying thud, sliding down in a heap on the floor. Her feet paced in perfect circles while she brewed, the grace of an elf not lost despite her fits of anger. For a long time she thought, but she couldn't come up with anything conclusive as the first rays of dawn began peeking over the hills. 

Evelyn let out a sigh, retiring to her bed for a short time. Elves naturally didn't need much sleep, not that they actually did. Evelyn remained aware of her surroundings, but her head began to swim with dream-like hallucinations. She watched with mild interest, focused mainly on relaxing. After three quarters of an hour, Evelyn got up and splashed some water on her face.

With the sun fully embracing the sky, Evelyn raised the hood of her robes back to the top-back of her head where it would snugly remain. She clipped a leather belt around her hips that holstered her sword. The sheath hid its actual design, but just the shape of it gave away its elvish origins. She also took a small satchel, filled it with the few books and things she brought, and slung it over her shoulder. With a quick glance about her room, Evelyn walked out the door with a nod. Leaving the Honeyden behind, she made her way out of Bastille and up the mountain trail to the shrine. 

Mattien Arior

His mace urged him awake in the dead of night, scarcely before dawn showed its face on the sky. It glowed vehemently from across the room, pulsing in veins of orange-red. Mattien struggled awake, instantly recognizing Ra-Shin's direct influence. 

"I will be on my way, Master." He said sleepily, rising from his sheets even though all he wanted to do was roll over and sleep off the rest of his hangover. Unfortunately, he'd simply have to power through his building headache. 

Wringing out a wet cloth, the colossal warrior wiped down his naked body and dragged a comb through his long hair. He donned his clothes and armor quickly, strapping his (still impatiently glowing) mace to his back. With a satisfied huff, Mattien left his room and made his way out of Bastille. 

The morning light crept into the sky as the warrior, bitterly rubbing his temples, came upon the mountain shrine. It was a long path to almost nothing, the shine being no less than a circular stone in the earth, about 14 feet in diameter. Three stone statues of a curious nature were at the far end facing the entrance, tall enough to tower over Mattien's head. The entire shrine was encircled by large elm trees. 

As he took in the scenery, quiet footsteps came up from the path behind him. He turned to see the Battle Mage herself, geared up and positively stunning in the sunlight. He was speechless. 

"Finish your prayers and be on your way. I have business here." The elf said, her voice smooth as silk. 

Mattien broke into a grin. "You misunderstand my intentions, mi'lady. You're the one I've been waiting for." He pulled his black mace from off his back, brandishing it proudly as he fell back in a defensive stance. "I am Mattien Arior, and I wish to travel with you, Battle Mage!" 

The elf simply scoffed, conjuring an elegant, semi-translucent blade in her hand. It glowed a light purple, and she flipped it around in her hands expertly before pointing the tip at Mattien's chest. "Your eyes will not see this, just forewarning you." 

Mattien opened his mouth to disagree, but a gust of wind stopped him. He blinked, and watched with horror as one of his golden locks fell from his hair. His hand reached for it in vain as it dispersed on the breeze. "My... Hair..."

Evelyn twirled her blade again, having closed the distance and sliced him in the time he closed his eyes. She had no time for playing around. 

The elf turned her back to him. "You're dismissed."

Mattien's fury rose sky high. No one, and he meant, no one touched his hair. Tapping into his god's power, Mattien slammed his mace into the circular stone, cracking it. A dark, pungent aura encircled him as he glowered at Evelyn. "Again. Come at me again."

The orange-red magic Evelyn could see rippling off the warrior seemed to pique her curiosity. She faced him, conjured sword raised. "Hm... You're not all you seem either." 

[WrensthavAviovus]

Polaris
”I remember Bergecrest saying that you would throw a bucket of ice water on me if I didn’t get up in a timely matter. I never thought you would follow through with that.” Wrensthav said, while wringing out his still dripping trenchcoat. It took him thirty minutes just to get dry enough to take on a physical form. Polaris was glad that she took that into consideration. Things were simpler when she was unable to create a Persona. Nemarsis usually made sure there was some other female companion to keep Wrensthav from creating gratuitous amount of collateral damage.

”Who’s fault is it that you stayed past darkest hour talking with pretty elf lady? I have tried waking you up other ways before, this is the most consistent and effective means. So, either learn to wake-up by normal means, or start loving your surprise cold shower.” Polaris retorted back. She let out a sigh. ”I don’t want to see you become the ‘Grim Taker’ in this place like all the others where we are simply returning items that are overdue for a rest. When was the last time you were here anyhow?”
Wrensthav wrung his gloves through his hood one last time before hitting it with a stream of warm air. He continued to heat dry the fabric on the way to the meeting ground. It always smelled strongly of tropics whenever he used vapor powers. She honestly loved the smell but reminded herself that she would have to warn him about that later. When he was satisfied with the state of the cloak he answered her question.

”Several centuries back from what I gathered. I don’t remember if there was a depiction of me that time around. Hopefully any records have rotted away or are buried somewhere...”

A rippling of power washed over them shortly after. Power with malicious intent. Much like a God of War’s.

”Shit, I’d rather our sponsor be part of the living when we start our journey. Ready to actually get moving?” Wrenthav turned to me a wide grin on his face for a change. Grabbing my hand we whisked off to the source of the power ripple.

A few leaps and bounds later and we arrived at the scene. we landed with a clatter of a dozen metal and leather sheaths. Sadly this is one of the few things that keep Wrensthav from being a more stealthy character. Normally I would hand the ten or so items that he would not be needing, but since we must both be evaluated we had to bring everyone with us. much to our surprise we saw that The elven lady and the loud blond barbarian where currently dueling.

" Which one is the aura coming from? Its hard to tell since they are so close." I whispered to Wrensthav.

"I believe the mace is the source and the fellow is acting as the medium for the power. Much like when Grindnotomb is in the hands of the Luminos kin. I must say she is holding out well for someone fighting a character that has a gods' blessing backing them up. There is little refinement in the berserkers' movement sadly."

We decided to stand and watch the spectacle until a winner was decided.

[Estylwen]

Their clash of weapons was frantic. Slices of purple and orange ricocheted off the stone shrine as they parried each other's blows, stirring the dust below their feet. Mattien retained his anger and ferocity the entire time, channelling electrical strength through his mace. Organge discharges escaped its spiked tips, crawling along the ground before disintegrating. 

"Have at you, Mage!" He roared, slashing at her again. 

Lithe on her feet, Evelyn sidestepped his attack as her sword grinded in a sliding block on his, releasing sparks. She spun, coming down in a quick 360 degree arc with her blade. Mattien met her with an equally powerful strike, shattering her conjured sword into pieces with a pulse of orange magic. He swept at her again, leveling the mace at her chest with a defiant look. 

The elf chuckled, raising her palms in surrender. "Surprisingly I am defeated. What, pray tell, is your name, warrior?"

Mattien grinned, returning his mace to the sheath on his back. "Mattien Arior, mi'lady Keove."

She narrowed her gray eyes. "Just Evelyn will do, thank you."

The mage brushed the dust off her sleeves, glancing at the two new individuals at the shrine. Evelyn was quite sure they traveled here by magical means, she could see the afterimage in the air. One was dressed in white with a blue sash, dark hair perfectly styled. Several swords hung on her belt, the same as her partner who Evelyn quickly recognized. Wasn't he the traveller who approached her at the inn? Yes... Wrensthav,  the mysterious enigma...

Oh, how he frustrated her.

"Are you two here to be tested as well?" Evelyn asked, gaze flickering between Wrensthav and Polaris. "I believe I only had the pleasure of being introduced to one of you..."

[WrensthavAviovus]

Wrensthav
Polaris glared furiously in my direction.

"Oh? You didn't think to mention your long time companion to our potential employer?" She landed a sharp jab to my side. I forget that she can still inflict damage in her persona form that falls under the" legendary weapon" category.

"I shall do my best to include that information next time." I replied, still feeling the sharp sting in my side.

"This my companion and navigator, Polaris. She was lent to me by a high ranking official from our home country."

Evelyn and the blonde-haired brute eyed me suspiciously. I wondered if they where doubting my claim due to the contrast of our skin tones or perhaps thought that we were in a slave and master contract.

"I could leave him at any time if I desired so."[\b] Polaris let out a heavy sigh. [b]"If not for the fact that he couldn't find his way out of an empty bazaar."

I cleared my throat loudly.
"Well that should be enough for introductions." I removed my cloak that hid the eleven weapons on my back. I hung the cloak on a low tree branch. I drew a large ribbed sword from the cluster on my back. It's brass colored blade shining brightly in the crisp morning air. Being the second heaviest and broadest weapon in my collection; very few things could withstand its cleaving properties. I wonder how the wood elf would work around a weapon designed to take down dragons.

"Please excuse me for my rudeness." I forgot how few times I required Bergecrest's magic-nullifying abilities.

"Normally I would let Polaris go first, but I have been itching to see how different this places swordplay is." I let the blade rest on the ground behind me as I readied myself into a crouch.

"Hope you caught a second wind, I'll be taking it away soon."

[WrensthavAviovus]

double post re-edited due to site error.

[WrensthavAviovus]

Polaris It had been a while since she had seen a warrior that would hopefully give Wrensthav more than a little trouble. Tendrils of orange started to swirl around him as he prepared for his first attack. In an instant, He was already in front of the Pretty Elf-lady. His blade, an arced blur of gold slicing upward. Somehow, the fearsome attack was parried away and the silver-haired woman moved but a step to the side. But she does look annoyed for some reason. Polaris though to herself. Maybe she poured some magic power into her blade for the parry. Magic nullifying items and techniques must be a rarity in this world. Wrensthav rarely used Bergecrest for this reason as it greatly lessened the magical advantage of himself and his opponent. We did hear something of this character taking down dragons or controlling them. Hopefully she doesn't learn the true weakness of Wrensthav's fighting mentality. Several more clashes chimed out from the beautiful blades every time they kissed. No doubt the higher bell-like notes came from the crystal sword, the golden sword sounding more like a gong. Surprisingly the two notes harmonized quite well. Several moments passed before Wrensthav embedded the sword into the ground. The two of them clashing was quite a sight. More like glimpsing two ancient specters fighting over the outcome of this holy ground than a friendly sparring match. Taking a second to pour magical power into some hand signs, Wrensthav’s gloves visibly glowed orange from the interweaving lines that swam across the surface. “I ask for the aid of that which answers to the void archive, come forth and heed my call, nine knives!” He casually touched the ground before grasping the golden blade once more. Nine small, dark portals manifested from the ground on the outskirt of a summoning circle made of runes. Coming from these portals, were nine small throwing knives that soon orbited around their caster. “About time you stopped playing around!” I yelled at Wrensthav. I did not enjoy seeing how much fun he was having with this evaluation. “Thanks for the warm-up, but it seems my companion is getting impatient. Hopefully our next few exchanges will determine the outcome of this sparring match.”

[Estylwen]

"Come forth and heed my call, nine knives!" Wrensthav said. Evelyn watched with narrowed eyes as nine small blades swirled about their master. It was done almost subconsciously as her other hand reached out for another blade. Purple magic curled around her fingers as a Conjured sword materialized in her empty palm. It mustn't touch the ribbed blade, no. Evelyn smirked contemptuously. His technique almost made her envious. With how Wrensthav absorbed the magic in my other attacks, even just a touch would shatter my Conjuration. He's playing to disadvantages he shouldn't know... Wrenthav was right when he suggested their next exchanges would determine things. She had seen a great display of skill thus far, it wouldn't break her heart if Wrenthav managed to turn the tide on her. He was exactly what she needed for her epic quest; elegant warriors were a rare thing indeed! The asthetics were just as important to an elf, and she did enjoy reveling in superior company. But on every other level he frustrates me. She thought defiantly, refusing to forgive him for being so enigmatic. She twirled her blades loosely in her hands, leaving streaks of glitter in the air. "I do believe you're quite right, Wrensthav. Let's finish this and break for tea." The stone scraped under the ball of her foot as Evelyn sprang forward, snapping her blades against Bergecrest. The knives hovering about the billionblade swordsman attempted to pin a weakpoint in her barrage. Alas, Evelyn's combo-hit managed to swipe her swords in a way that several knives became sandwiched between the two blades as she parried Bergecrest's strikes. Evelyn grinned, ready to knock Wrenthav off his feet with one final hit. Out of her peripherals flashed two unaccounted knives, hooking about her blades in a way that the hilts tore free of her grasp. The force knocked her back; she had just enough time to realize she was falling with no way to catch herself. Two small blades stopped her fall with their hilts, hovering against her shoulder blades. Confusion crossed her delicate features as she hung there, apprasing the seven knives floating in a row inches from her throat. Wrenthav held Bergecrest's point at her head, savoring the final stance of their match. It was a flawless checkmate. "Damn. I'm impressed." Evelyn grinned, unabashed. "I formally welcome you to my fellowship, Wrensthav." Minutes later they paused for a brief tea break. Joining Mattien at the treeline, Evelyn sat the group in a circle as she summoned four chalices and a floating tea kettle. Steam rose from its spout as the kettle poured a dark, glittering liquid into each of the cups. Evelyn reached for one of them, blowing on the tea before raising it to her lips. Mattien stared at Wrenthav over his chalice. His eyes were a mix of awe and aprehension. "Where did you say you're from, traveller?" It was around that time another group made their way up the mountain to the shrine. They paused as they got within eyeshot, a single individual breaking off to apprach them. He was middle-aged, dressed in light armour, two shortswords strapped at his side. "Excuse us, we're looking for the battle mage who issued the 20,000 gold reward." "That would be me," Evelyn stood, gracefully stepping out to meet him. "I issued the poster. But alas, you and your kin are too late. I don't do well in large groups, you see." Upon receiving a dumb stare from the man, Evelyn continued. "Tell the innkeeper to take down the poster. I have all I need." Her pale eyes glanced back. "These three will do perfect."

[WrensthavAviovus]

I waved as the group left more than a little disheartened.  One turned around for a final glance; for which I rewarded him by blowing a kiss with a wink.  His face turned red and he jumped when his companions called him. I fell into a brief fit of giggling when we were alone again.  It was always fun to tease the young men and sometimes women adventurers from time to time. "To answer your question.  We both herald from a place once called 'the City of Starlight'."  I answered. "For whom I am greatful that they let me leave with one of their most prescious star!" Wrensthav interrupted before placing a kiss on my forehead which caused me to become flustered.  I collected myself and continued. "I am greatful that you have accepted me into your fellowship, Pretty Elf-lady, but I would very much like to prove my worth to both you and the strongman." The hot drink warmed my being as I sipped from the ornate tea cup the Pretty Elf-lady summoned.  I laid my hair across my lap to keestrongrom being soiled as we sat and rested. The flavor was very much like the person that summoned it.  Strong, but not overpoweringly so, with light hints of other exotic spices which gave it a bit of bite.  To bad Wrensthav wouldnt be able to enjoy it as much without it being triple strength.  Though he did sip absentmindedly when the Elf-lady spoke.  The blonde strongman seemed a bit out of place in our newly formed party of comparitively lithe figures.  Wrens and the Pretty Elf-lady were deep in lighthearted conversation, hardly a word from a third party could be squeezed in. I admitted my defeat with a sigh, turning my attention to the strongman. "Strong man, what so piqued your interest in this venture?"

[Estylwen]

Mattien glanced up from his tea. "I figured this was a good way to make money. Plus, I needed a real adventure. This... thing we're looking for, it sounds like a true Prize. The kind of Prize hidden behind a thousand traps and devilish magic. Just what I enjoy. A reason to fight."

Evelyn chimed in. "Not just traps and magic, I'm hoping an army of the dead resides with the stone. There are ways of directing that kind of power to your desires. But!" She paused a moment. "Don't let that scare you. I wanted the best of the best for a reason."

Polaris suddenly appeared between Evelyn and Wrensthav, her brilliant blue eyes beaming with excitement towards the elf. "Really! Guardians of dead hoarding an object must mean we are really dealing with a serious dungeon architect! Oh, I hope we don't have to travel too long on safe roads before we get to our destination!"

Wrensthav pushed his overly eager companion aside. "I was under the impression that you were more interested in your duel with Evelyn than our quest."

"Well, that was until she mentioned an army of animated corpses, Wrens. Animated! Corpses!"

Polaris could hardly contain herself, several small pillars of jumbled pieces of iron sand from the dirt around them started to form around her into a compass rose formation. The last time Wrensthav had seen her this excited was when he came back to retrieve her after being gone for several centuries. Except she raised an entirely new world wonder from that burst of emotion and power.

Evelyn blinked, a slight smile playing at her lips. Polaris was something she didn't quite understand. Maybe she'd ask Wrensthav later. "Now, now. It's merely a rumour. To see it ourselves might be an entirely differently picture. But whatever it is, it's going to be otherworldly, I promise you."

Having finished with tea, Evelyn disbanded the magic within the cups and had it blink out of existence. Her silver eyes appraised Polaris.

"I wonder if you're as enthusiastic with your actions. Ready to face me?"

Mattien ruefully grinned, fidgeting with an edge of his mace. "This should be good."

Polaris gleefully hopped up to the open area bouncing on the balls of her feet while holding her still sheathed sword behind her back. Like Wrensthav the environment seemed very attuned to her but this time it was the ground instead of the air. A strange pressure ebbed and flowed from her through the ground. Making the ground feel as if it had its own faint heartbeat. She waited until Evelyn got situated.

"I hope to not disappoint you, but I fight in a very different manner than the men or you do. So Pretty-Elf Lady, shall we have this dance?"

_{Written in collaboration with @WrensthavAviovus}

[Estylwen]

---

Polar - Spring

---

"Dance?" Evelyn turned her head slightly, hand resting on her undrawn sword as she stepped onto the circular stone slab. "For that we need music, don't we?"

She waved her fingers dramatically, creating sparks in the air. "Music, maestro!"

Ghostly violins and cellos Conjured out of thin air, setting their bows against the string. The air crackled with tension. They appraised each other, Evelyn staring with blank, focused eyes. The moment held for an eternity. Then, Evelyn released her blade with a click.

With the first clash, the music began. It sang in time with the strike of steel, complimenting furious swords with staccato notes. Evelyn drew back, coating her ornate weapon in fractal ice. Spinning 360 degrees, she swung at the ground, creating a wave of frost to spike the stone. Her aim was to trap Polaris' feet in ice just a moment.

Now! Evelyn bared her teeth, moving with as quick of momentum as she could as she leapt up for an aerial strike directly over Polaris's head.

Polaris was glad that the pretty elf-lady was playing along. The frost attack did surprise her, but it would just make her particular fighting style. What got her really smiling was how her opponent chose to land her first melee range attack.

Polaris jumped from the ice to grab the backside of the elf's sword as it came down. she pulled herself up along the length of the blade to bring herself close to the shocked face of her opponent. Her other arm lightly grasped the elf's shoulder. By the time they both landed on the now icy ground and twisted her hips to fling the elf using the area of the blade she was still grasping as the pivot point to slide across the ice.

"You need something a tiny bit more clever to really bring me out," Polaris said returning to her beginning pose.

Evelyn twisted through the air, landing gracefully on all fours and immediately launching herself back at Polaris as she quipped about clever-ness. A burst of flame erupted from her elvish sword, melting away the ice and breathing a ring of fire around the two. This limited the available space considerably.

With a glowing hot blade, Evelyn struck Polaris so hard the swords created a shockwave before reeling from each other. A quick twist and spin -- Evelyn struck cross-wise with a ferocity. She continued combining her moves in faster and faster chains, trying to push Polaris in a corner if she could just pin her down...

Polaris neared the flame's edge. Finally. Evelyn hooked her opponent's ankle with a well-placed leg and yanked, aiming to lurch Polaris off-balance backwards toward the flame wall. She also swung out with hot steel, diagonally swiping.

Seeing herself put in this much of a bind made her wonder why the elf didn't fight this fierce with the men. Maybe the two losses left the elf with something more to prove against the only other female of the group. But that was all the more reason the Polaris was enjoying this exchange of blows. Sadly with her opponents blades on fire, she was unable to grapple an arm between the onslaught of swings that caused her to bring out her own weapon.

She finally saw her chance when she felt her leg get hooked from behind. it was very rare for her to fight an opponent who would also use their legs as a set up for an attack. But for her, this was a welcoming opportunity.

Polaris twisted along with the low swipe. she used the momentum of her fall to hit the back of the elf's striking knee. A pillar of iron rose from the ground so she could use her free hand to push off of so as not to land into the flaming ring. The end result was Polaris landing on her side and rolled enough to have her opponents shin and thigh hinged shut. Her legs locked on a face-down Evelyn and her breathing heavy.

"That's one way. To sweep each other. Off our feet. I do compliment you. On keeping up with me."

"I told you you should have worn a different dress!" Wrensthav shouted from the sidelines.

The wind whistled through her silver hair, blowing off her hood as Polaris launched them over the flame wall. I'm stuck. She grimaced, eyeing the joint where she was hooked.

They landed with a thud, fire dispersing to wisps behind them. Evelyn landed rather abruptly on her nose, which she rubbed tenderly while propped on elbows. Polaris sat atop her, probably feeling a little smug.

She coughed, signalling Polaris to get off. Rolling to her feet, her sword was sheathed rather quick. "Well, that was dashing. You managed to get me covered in dust." Despite herself, she had to smirk. Again, defeated. But that meant everyone here was skilled enough.

Brushing dust out of her hair and off her shoulders, Evelyn shook out her mage hood and placed it atop her head. There, that felt normal.

"Now then... Are we ready to begin?" She looked up at the sun right above their heads. "We want to start travelling east. It will be dark by the time we reach the next town."

"East?" Mattien said.

"Yes. The Rubylust is in uncharted ruins lying far in the east. I did mention on that poster somewhere this was going to be an epic journey. People don't throw around the word 'epic' for no reason." Evelyn said smoothly, tapping the hilt of her sword.

_{Written in collaboration with @WrensthavAviovus}

[Estylwen]

"Did you enjoy yourself?" Wrensthav asked Polaris after Evelyn straightened her clothes out.

"That was more enjoyable than I was expecting," Polaris replied cheerfully. "She shan't be slowing us down at all; that is for certain. But are we leaving right now, right now?"

"Seems so, I take it you didn't bring your sack of clothes with you then?" Wrensthav replied in kind. Polaris grumbled a bit before mumbling the inorganic summon that wrens used in his fight earlier to retrieve her change of clothes.

"All done and ready to go," Polaris replied after slinging the strap around her shoulder.

Mattien snorted. "Forget your other dress, shorty?" He eyed Polaris.

Evelyn gave him a look. Taking a deep breath, she looked down the mountain path. It circled the rock a while before levelling out. It was down there the road split four ways.

Her eyes passed over each of them one more time. She wondered if there was anything left to do, anything she missed... I managed to find the strangest band of warriors, to be sure. She thought. Her eyes hovered over Wrensthav the longest. Her magic still couldn`t read him. Polaris felt strange too. Two strange elements, a normal Breton with a magical artefact, and an elf.

It was hard not to laugh at the absurdity.

"May we be blessed in our travels. Let's go." She said, leaving the shrine.

They travelled for a solid few hours, coming across nothing much of note down the dirt path. Trees, blue sky and large plains of rolling grass. It wasn't until they came across a river that they were forced to stop. The river was lengthy, deep and wide across. Rapids left the surface white and frothing. All that remained to get across was a broken, fractured wood bridge. Entire pieces were missing, making the bridge useless.

Polaris noticed that Wrensthav was doing his best no to seem nervous the closer they came to the river. Sadly for his nerves, it was a fast moving river of massive girth. The damaged bridge didn't look promising either with its gaping holes that looked as if someone or something tore them out.

"Evelyn," Wrensthav said, trying to keep his voice steady as he eyed the current prospects. "Is there a way for us to ford this river at a more calm area? or are there any other structures that would allow us to pass in a relatively dry manner?"

"Wrensthav can't swim." Polaris said quite bluntly. "and has a fear of being in small vessels on bodies of wa-- ow!" Wrensthav flicked the jewel on Polaris' swords crossguard.

"What? It's true." Polaris said rubbing her shoulder.

"Ahem." Wrensthav re-settled the collection of blades on his back with a shrug. "Again are there other options to cross nearby?"

"Hm," Evelyn betrayed no emotion except for her lips being slightly pursed. "I wasn't counting on the river's bridge to be... torn away."

She turned to the group. "I'd suggest we swim across, but Wrensthav..." Evelyn played grey eyes over him before gazing across the river.

She raised a sparkling hand, lights glinting in her palm. The magic shot off in a couple direction. Evelyn paused before speaking. "It would be an extra four hours of walking, but there is another bridge down the way. I'd rather not set us back, so unless there are any other ideas?"

Mattien tossed his blonde hair back, ho-humming. "It looks like there are parts of the bridge still intact. If we had some solid material we could plank our way across. But we risk toppling the whole structure with our weight. And who knows what's in the water."

"Aren't you forgetting something, my dear Wrens?" Polaris asked. Her arms were crossed and an annoyed pout was currently occupying her face.

"You know she is longsighted. Short jumps are almost suicidal." Wrensthav replied back.

"Well with the both of us I think we can grant our party a reasonable amount of safety if things go south." Polaris retorted back getting fed up with Wrensthav's arguments.

"Fine! We'll use Silvi." Wrensthav mumbled a bit while digging through the inner pocket of his cloak. A minute passed and a silver disc with a mother-of-pearl finish attached to a chain was in his grasp. A slight glow emanated from the item before the surface swirled about and a melodic voice permeated the air.

"Good morrow Evelyn party, Multi organic transportation service requested. Please choose your approximate destination from the areas provided. Be advised, all spacial jumps have up to a mile radius of error."

"Whoa, whoa-- hang on a second." Mattien pushed his way to the centre of the group, leering at the device in Wrensthav's hand. "What did I hear about 'suicidal'? Just hold on--"

Evelyn blinked, eyes distant. Her thoughts hung onto the fact that Silvi somehow knew her name. Would Wrensthav notice if she scryed it with magic? Well, probably, but would he care? As a mage, magical items were not a thing to pass up documenting and studying...

Mattien was still talking. "--And I've never seen anything like it before, and I for one, don't trust black magic whatever-it-is. There's no way you're convincing me to trust that... that thing with my life," He tossed his hair with a 'humph'.

"I'd rather swim." He said.

Evelyn scryed the item called Silvi. Its innards were dimensionally voluminous compared to its outside appearance. Having plunged in, Evelyn felt a little lost. It was a totally alien artifact, but she could detect a few thing. It shaped space from within, moving it in a way that massive distances (she couldn't see the end of its reach) were somehow nullified, essentially making it a teleporting thing.

Evelyn snapped back, having lost the scry. "..." She felt a little woozy. All that space. "What was that?"

"Evelyn?" Mattien said, moving to support her. He followed her stare to Silvi. "What... What did you do to her?"

Polaris knew that look. She saw it often when appraisers took a glimpse into Wrensthav's more potent items such as Silvi and the Cloak of Nemarsis. it would often fry machines and bewilder magical scryers.

"She looked into something that she could not comprehend," Polaris answered.

"I would strongly advise against any further attempts to look into my inner workings. This universe is large and I hold a record of several others." Silvi added.

"Well, it looks like our only other choice is to head straight into bandits. Mattien may take the lead." Wrensthav said putting the disc back into the confines of his cloak. "Evelyn, would you need some assistance for a while?"

"I may consider that advice," Evelyn said to Silvi, standing upright and brushing Mattien's hand off. "Thank you, Mattien. I'm fine."

Mattien shrugged. After Wrensthav mentioned bandits he raised an eyebrow. "Bandits? This is a safe area. Bandits wouldn't think to lurk around here."

At Wrensthav's offer Evelyn narrowed grey eyes. "I'm fine." Her knees felt weak, but she wasn't about to admit that.

"I wasn't looking for people down at the other bridge. Did you sense bandits?" Evelyn said. Her thin brows furrowed as she weighed her options.

"No. I don't want to risk it." The elf said, touching Mattien with two fingers. His eyes glazed over and he went slack-jaw. Evelyn waved a hand in front of his face with no respond from the colossal Breton.

"Let's use your disk, Wrensthav. Quick, while this oaf is still bewitched."

"All Parties please touch my perimeter for teleportation sequencing!"

Wrens held onto the chain as Evelyn touched the disc. Polaris held up Mattien's hand to the item while touching it with the pommel of the sword.

"All parties accounted for? Teleportation initiating. Have a nice flight!"

In a flash of brilliant blue, the group vanished from the riverside and appeared ten minutes walk from the town but also a hundred feet above the tree line. Wrensthav quickly grabbed ahold of Evelyn's waist with his left hand whilst letting a torrent of wind flow from his other hand helping to slow the fall. The trees below them parted and swayed from the force of the breeze.

Polaris had mattien slumped over her shoulder and her sword was drawn and pointed towards the ground as well. she made a flurry of sweeping motions pulling the iron out of the ground and created a spiralling slide to help ease her descent with mattien in tow.

When they landed, Polaris let go of her grip on her partner and glared at Wrensthav and Evelyn as they touched down a couple seconds after with a clatter.

"At least she gives us a bit of a hint these days as to how far in the air we are. You can let go of the elf-lady now Wrens."

_{Written in collaboration with @WrensthavAviovus}

[Estylwen]

Evelyn closed her eyes, not wishing to see the in-between of teleporting. It was the rush of wind and that slow, drawing-momentum drop that caused her eyes to flash open, and she beheld a land splayed out with tiny trees, glistening river, a town in the distance and a shroud of mist.

We're high up... Raced through Evelyn's mind. Really high. I have no magic for heights. No magic...

Her mind calculated, but adrenaline and panic began to set in despite her inner self trying to stay calm enough for a solution to hit her.

Nothing.

They were really starting to fall at this point. The wind whipped past them as she saw the team in her peripherals, all with anxious looks. Well, except for Mattien. His bewitchment still held.

So much for staying calculative. Adrenaline and panic set her heart racing. Her body took over and a shrill cry escaped her lips. She wouldn't survive this fall, not like this. Shit.

A hand wrapped around her waist and their momentum slowed as Wrensthav waved his other hand about. The wind rushed below them. The ground was coming in a bit quick; Evelyn stumbled as they landed.

She was breathless, silver hair rustled and pointed ears exposed. "...Wow... I didn't quite expect that." Her gaze focused on Wrensthav with narrowed eyes. "That was some quick thinking. I guess... I should thank you."

She walked to Mattien, touching him. He snapped to, shaking his head.

"What the, where's the river? What happened?" Mattien grunted.

"You don't remember? We walked for four hours to the other bridge. Polaris was kind enough to carry you when that blond head of yours caught too much sun." Evelyn said straight-faced, winking to Wrensthav and Polaris.

"...What?" Mattien squinted. "Polaris is too tiny to carry me. "

"It seems his vision has yet to fully return to him." Polaris held the back of her hand to Mattien's forehead. A concerned look was followed by her shaking her head, her shoulders up and her arms forming a 'w' shape. "Yep, he still has a bit of heat fever it seems. What do you think, Pretty-elf? Should I shoulder him till the town's gate when we can find a respectable apothecary?"

She loved seeing the various expressions of the strongman's face as her conversation continued.

"Either way, we are in dire need of supplies if our host is in the same category of healing practices as we are," Wrensthav interjected shuffling his load.

"A sleeping rag, lavender incense, and laughing phials are not cure-alls, Wrens."

"I always found that death was the final answer to all ailments. It's not my fault that people are opposed to that option."

"The entire point is to keep them alive."

"Bahh, minor complication."

Mattien grumbled, batting Polaris' hand away. "I'm fine, I'm fine. Just a little..." His brows furrowed. "We've reached the next town?"

Evelyn nodded. As Wrenthav and Polaris spoke of supplies, she shouldered her travel bag. "Well, I'm not even going to as what a 'sleeping rag' is. I'm well-versed in the arts of arcane healing, but just one look at Mattien tells me he'll clear up real soon."

Mattien snorted, turning a bit to hide himself checking his forehead. His face betrayed confusion.

"... Shall we head to town, then?" Evelyn said eventually, blowing a gust of air through her lips. Flipping her hood up over her head, she Conjured a translucent walking stick and began the final trek of the day. Town was only ten minutes away.

And it was a fine town. Old and homey with homes and businesses made of wood and stone. By their time of arrival, it was nearing evening. The sun was setting, colouring the sky and underbelly of clouds. Lanterns were lit in buildings and along the heavy-trodden dirt streets.

Evelyn made way for an Inn, pushing aside a heavy door.

The Inn was a decent sized establishment boasting of a dozen small rooms and a long dining table big enough to seat about 20 people. There were a few patrons there; starting their evening meals. The majority of the staff bustling about with wooden dishes and mugs of ale, beer, and local wine. The hostess nodded to Evelyn as she entered and started walking their way. Her smile brightened when she heard the jangle that followed Wrensthav's every step.

"Is that the wandering armoury, Wrensthav I hear? Good evening, good evening, my you all smell of pine! Did he trick you all into believing he knew where he was going?"

She gasped excitedly as Polaris walked in behind Mattien. "Lady Polaris! I wouldn't have guessed that you were an acquaintance of the bumbling storm cloud."

Polaris returned the innkeeper hostess enthusiasm and gave her a quick embrace.

"Someone had to make sure we got here before the darkest hour, Roselyn. What is for supper tonight?"

"Fish stew, and sourdough rolls. So, party of four and how many rooms?"

"Wandering armoury, eh?" Evelyn said, giving Wrensthav a sideways look. "Seems it's a small world after all."

At the mention of stew Mattien's stomach growled audibly. He put a hand on his leather chest armour, looking around. "Uhm. I think my stomach would like fish stew." On cue, it gurgled again.

Evelyn cracked a smile, elbowing Polaris playfully. "Heh, must be all that sun Mattien got, right?"

At the mention of rooms, Evelyn stopped, taking in their group. Her brows furrowed a moment before she spoke. "Three rooms, I believe. That and the bill is on me, seeing as it's my expedition." She rolled her eyes, pulling out a small pouch.

Idly picking at a few coins, Evelyn lowered her voice a tone to the hostess. "So, I'm curious... How do you know Wrensthav?"

Polaris giggled a bit and led the men to the tables. The other staff greeted Polaris with great enthusiasm and were noticeably weary of Wrensthav more than Mattien. Roselyn sighed a bit at the cowish side her staff was still showing to Wrensthav.

"He visited our town a moon or so back and subjugated a band of highway bandits that have been raiding our eastern route for years. He said they attacked him and he dealt with them appropriately." She laughed audibly. "Apparently his idea of appropriate was breaking their gear and armour and marching all fifty them into the lords front yard. Nothing but a large stone-sheathed blade across his shoulders as he walked behind them and made them issue an apology as well as offer their services to compensate for the trouble they gave the people."

Roselyn gave a sympathetic glance towards the rest of Evelyn's party before continuing. "It seems like the bandit leader had a powerful item that helped him evade our searches for them. When the lord of our town asked for it in return Wrensthav said that it was the reason he was here to begin with, and that he would be taking it as his payment. Sadly it was an heirloom of the lord; he didn't take too kindly to that. So, with the townsfolk afraid of him and the inns pressured by the lord we were the only place that would let him in."

Evelyn listened quietly, picturing the story in her head. From what she imagined, Wrensthav was more of an enigma with a strong sense of justice. Very powerful persuasion tactics as well. Most bandits wouldn't have the capacity for such generosity. They must have been scared for their lives.

Her curiosity piqued at the heirloom. "Wrensthav took only a magical trinket? Nothing else, like gold or a title? I know he doesn't have that on him now. I wonder what he did with it..."

She gave Roselyn payment for the night, plus a few extra coins. "Keep this conversation between you and me, mm?"

The group sat together at a table close to the stage. Musicians played on their wood and string instruments, creating a peaceful ambience to the evening. Mattien eyed his meal, tossing aside the spoon. He picked up his bowl of fish stew and tipped it down his throat, downing the entire thing in 20 seconds.

"Another bowl, *burp*, please." He said, waving one of the staff over.

Evelyn wrinkled her nose at the Breton. "Were you never taught table manners?"

"What can I say, I'm hungry. I could eat at least two more of these." Mattien said casually, picking his teeth.

The elf made a noise of disgust, looking away from Mattien to inspect her own bowl. She meticulously began removing chunks of fish meat out of her stew, placing them in Mattien's empty bowl. When the staff member brought more fish stew, she asked if they had any salad in house. The answer was no.

Evelyn sipped her mug of ale, displeasure evident on her face.

As the musicians finished their last song and walked off the stage, Roselyn got onto the elevated platform. "I want to thank the travellers' band for their music this evening. We're going to give them a break and open the stage to the audience.

"We love karaoke at Stone Hedge Inn, so for the next hour, if you come play or sing, you'll receive a whole pitcher of ale for free!"

_{Written in collaboration with @WrensthavAviovus}