[IC] Crossroads of Astas [High Fantasy]

[WitchChild]

Harvest season means alot to the people of Vekia. Tis the time when Vekia is most visisted by travelers and merchants, farmers and sailors come from nearly every corner of Astas to sell their wares for the coming winter. Food, wood, cloth and other material in abundance and plenty of people to buy these wares. Steel from the famed dwarven hold of Crimson Keep, silk webs from the Kuri people, leathers from Ryyz, ironoak from the elves and many more wares to browse in the markets. Though to some, the food is the thing that is worth the weeks of sailing. That was at least true for a newly arrived Rath'Kar. He arrived from Alderia, exploring the fowl swamps there for things to hunt as well as making sure that troublesome beasties would no longer be a problem. His mask was on as well, the only thing visible of his face being his eyes, his very bright indigo eyes. His weapons were clearly visible, including the famous Skara thorn whip at his hip. He smiled beneath the mask and took in a deep breath. He had been to Vekia a year before, nearly to the day, and it was a great place for work. Night Lurkers were usually big problems as they would tear apart farmers' lifestock so someone would hire a merc or two to deal with them. He enjoyed the cool breeze that blew from the ocean. He looked back at the ship he had come by and watched as his companion galloped down the ramp, nearly running over a crewmember. He snickered as his large black steed stopped beside him, striking the cobble ground. Thalen, the Rath'Kar spirit caller, ran his gloved fingers through the mane of the beast before approaching the captain. He had offered to be a sort of protection from pirates but the journey had been peaceful...and booooring. Thalen payed the man for the fare and mounted the unicorn named Moonstrider.

The first thing that Thalen did was to get to a stable to leave Moonstrider. As much as Thalen would've wanted, not every tavern enjoys horse dung in their establishments. Once at the stables he payed the master a few coins that would let Moonstrider stay or two days and keep him fed. He touched the mighty beast on the nose for a few moments, looking into his eyes before parting into the city proper.

Elves, Dwarves, Humans, some Kuri and a number of other Rath'Kar could be seen exploring the market booths and stores, a fair number of which were oh so subtly approaching the pleasure houses and smoking dens. It was the perfect spot to meet anyone from anywhere while getting foods from everywhere. Which reminded him that he was getting hungry. He headed straight to booths that were serving food. One of the booths was serving a roasted, four winged bird, the aroma hitting his nose and the sight of the juices dripping from the rotating spit making him actually start drooling. He payed the cook for an entire bird and a spit and took it off the rack, tearing it apart with his teeth when he had pushed his mask aside.

===

Haklo Harken Desol, son of Vallen Desol, watched over the city from the central meeting hall located literally in the center of the city. He was looking south, seeing the main market in the distance. He wore a black jacket and pants, a velvet shirt underneath the jacket. His long hair was pulled into a ponytail tied with a silver band. At his right breast was a brooch, the emblem of his house. At his hip was a longsword and dagger, the blade half the length of his forearm. He had a small cloak on, one that was draped over his left shoulder and would causally cover his arm. It was of leather, a matte brown so dark it was nearly black. Black was the color of House Desol it seemed. Black and velvet. That and the velvet shirt felt very good against Haklo's skin. Haklo looked back and at his retinue, his bodyguards that wore a finer made gear than that of the standard militia guard. They wore faced helments, plain and of steel. Both were armed with a sword and a kite shield, the former sheathed at their hips and instead they held 6 foot long spears.

"With me" He said to them and left the balcony and headed down and out of the building, leaving his father with the other two heads of the city, Skath and Vintair. Haklo had spoken with both. Vintair was a bit overly friendly. The first time he had met the man, when he was six years old, he had his hair ruffled by the man's big hand. To Haklo, he seemed like a gentle giant. Skath on the other hand was something that he preferred. Respectful and reserved. Skath and Desol were very much alike to a degree. Haklo wondered how things would turn out when he was the head of the Desol family. Though it seemed that it would be a decade or so before that would happen so instead of worrying about that, Haklo Desol took his retinue and headed to the market to observe the wears. Maybe he'd find something that would interest him.

As he walked down the streets of Vekia, people respectfully stepped out of his way. Some even greeted him, offering polite wishes of a good day to him. He gave those people a nod of his head and made his way to the market.

[RumikoOhara]

Kwan sat grinding pestle into mortar as she reduces the ingredients she had added earlier into a fine paste. She was preparing a mixture to help alive stomach ailments which plagued an older customer of hers who's primary trouble was at his age he still used too much spices..
Her little shop was once a small Inn that could contain 12 guests which she purchased from the former owner after a fire had destroyed the roof. She'd spent a goodly amount of silver to see that the roof and Inn were restored to fine condition..
She was at first thought of as an odd woman of the Daigotsu people till it was noted that any who came from that faraway land dropped by and paid her great respect. This caused her neighbors to begin call her the Lady Kwan though no proof had ever come forth that she held such a title.
Her servants were the families of the poor who could not pay for her skills as a healer and they were released as soon as the ill were well enough to be released.
Though her methods were strange few could argue with her results and she never turned anyone in need away.

She finished her medicine an poured the contents from the mortar into a piece of fine rice paper which she wrote on in the strange script of the Daigotsu an handed to the son of the waiting patient who paid then bowed very low to her as her left her presence.
Kwan cleaned up her mess then after seeing her clothing in order before leaving her and heading off to inspect the new arrived spices and items of the market.

[Major Ursa]

Spinning around, faster and faster, her dark hair twirling in the wind...

THWACK THWACK THWACK THWACK THWACK

Stopping, and turning to check out her handiwork, Luka was pleased greatly by what she saw. The surface of the standing tree was carved in intricate manners. Some areas were lightly carved, while others were deep and dug down in special ways. All together, every wood chip removed by her bladed whip had added yet another detail to the tree's carving. A nymph of the wood, that is what she carved. A tall, with feminine curves and features, woman with long flowing hair...all detailed in wood carving, on the side of the tree. Most of this wasn't too deep, nor damaging. The tree would most certainly live, like many a carved tree before it, only living with this special carved detail.

Stretching out her body leisurely, like a wild cat, she plopped herself down to lay at the foot of the tree. Pondering for a moment whether anyone would find her carving in years to come, then whether any would paint the woman's features, she dozed off on the bare yellowing grass...Luka didn't think it cold just yet, despite the seasonal changes. There was still sun out, so it was a good day.

---

Skender was a bird of prey today. His favorite human, and his greatest hero, was spending much time with the heads of other houses...playing house? Earlier, he had been following the head like a loyal dog, but was shooed off to follow his own devices. Once he entered into a deserted garden, he took the form of a great big eagle. His bones made rather...spectacular snapping sounds as they rearranged, but he was much used to the pain, and was gone a few minutes before the investigating guard could find him. With a bird's eye view of the city, he spotting something that pleased him greatly; a small, lone goat! Swooping down low, he grabbed onto the animal carefully, before flying up again. A human woman ran out with a broom, waving it, but couldn't catch up. The goat pooped, dropping it's turd into a small garden, but Skender paid no mind to this.

Flying over, and slowing down near a stone building, the shapeshifter placed the frightened goat on a very slightly protruding stone block. The building itself was the old store house, one that was no longer put to use after a fire a few years back...many a stone were sticking out from the side of the building, due to lack of maintenance. This would be the fun part. Landing on the roof of a nearby building, he watched as the goat climbed down rather agile, as was the talent of the goat. Much climbing talent, much fun to watch.

[ShadowD]

Xavier sat inside a small outcropping of stone from the cave he had near the city, his cloak's hood down but he had bandages wrapped around most of his face concealing it from the harshness of the sun. his piercing mis matched blue and red eyes overlooking the city of Vekia, from his vantage point he saw a lot of the goings on inside the city. However to truly get close to his quarry he needed to get into the city, he growled and grimaced at the idea. People were drawn to him despite himself looking like an untouchable vagabond, something about his walk he could never change, the gait of a leader one person had said long ago. He knew what the man meant, for all his acting the walk of shame that most peasants had would not come to him, he was too proud, too strong a man to let such weakness overtake him, even if it meant being unseen during times such as these. He sighed and smiled, his pointed canines glinting in the sunlight and he pulled his hood up and unwrapped the bandages, instead donning a mask covering his mouth and nose and decided to walk the rest of the way to town, for most it would have been a long hike, but for him it was a quick run to the town gate, the vampire obviously slowing and walking normally before getting within eyesight of the gate and the guards there. He pulled his mask down smiling and nodding to both the guards at the gate, they let him in easily enough, his fine features and strong build made it seem like he was either here for fun or looking to get hired, As he entered the city his mask was back onto his face and his hood pulled farther down to cover his eyes, he walked the streets, breathing slightly labored, and looked around for maybe a tavern or some other place to lay low in until night came. He stopped and decided he needed a rest, and sat at a bench under a tree, the shade was adequate but not enough for him to lower his hood, however he did pull the mask down and leaned forward, making sure he looked as natural as one could look with a heavy cloak and hood on, and layed his head in his hands, he took a sip from a hip flask, but the red liquid inside was not alcohol, but what sustained him, blood, and he was running low on it. He would have to feed. He did notice beggars and street urchins, they would be adequate as meals and potential resupplys he supposed, he had wished animals would've been enough but they never tasted as sweet as human blood, nor did it sustain his body as well, there was something about a sentient beings blood, could be the fear during a hunt, or even the capture, he did not know. All Xavier knew was he needed to either find what he needed fast, someone who no one would miss, and find some work that would lead him to finish his ages long promise. He looked up and wondered where to start, he started moving through the crowds again moving towards a likely area, the center of town seemed like the nest place to check first, there could be a crier or a job board there.

[chukklehed]

Grace stood at attention, the armor that served as her temporary uniform glinting in the sunlight. As she kept a watchful eye over the city square, she reflected on what had led her to taking a temporary guard job in the city. When she had set off to find the truth about her past, she had never expected it to be quite so expensive. Once she had gotten to Vekia, she was broke. Wandering around the city she had seen the guards chasing somebody, and ran after to help. She had dashed past the guards and tackled the man, who had stolen from a nearby store. After a couple of handshakes and questions the fact that she was out of money and without a home came up, and she was offered the guard job and a bed in the Barracks for as long as she was in the city. Suddenly she was brought out of her memories by a tug on her pants leg, and she looked down to see a small girl staring up at her. The girl's mother pulled her back, embarrassed, but Grace just smiled and knelt down. "What can I do for you, little one?"

---

Luna sat cross legged behind her rug, her hood covering her face in shadows. She had put what goods she had for sale out on the blanket, and now just waited. Since everyone else in the square was yelling, people didn't think twice about them, but by not actively drawing attention to herself she became an oddity, and was more likely to draw interest. She had already sold most of her stock, with only a few gold trinkets and a bag of gemstones left to get rid of. She waited patiently, calmly preparing herself to greet her next customer.

[Lucius Cypher]

"I BRING DEATH!"

Those were the Azure Knight's greeting to a group of men, huddled over a table. They were dressed in common clothes, but their skin still had the dirt and grime that identified them as the poor. Before they could even get out of their seats the Azure Knight had already charged in, impaling one man on the Azure Light. "MAY THE GODS GIVE MERCY TO YOUR WRETCHED SOUL!" She tore her sword out of the dead man and slashed at another, who barely managed to escape via falling out of his chair. The other three scattered, but only two left the room. The Azure Knight reached for one of the plates on the table and threw it at one of the fleeing men, nailing him in the leg that caused him to stumble. Before he could stand, the Azure Knight was already upon him, and skewered him before he could even cry for help.

By now the entire building was alerted of the Azure Knight's presence. They began to arm themselves with what they could, but those who chose to face her could not get past her Aether Armor, if they could even land a single glancing blow on her. "Both thorn and thistles it should bring forth, for us." A group of three large men arrived to face in in a narrow corridor. If two of them could get a grip on her, she'd have to struggle to free herself from them, during which one of them might already have stabbed her in the eyes. She'd rather not let that happen. "For out of the ground we were taken for the dust we are, and to the dust we shall return." The Azure Knight readied her sword and charged at the trio in silence. The three back pedaled, trying to avoid her, but she was far faster than they could flee from. She used a low sweep of her blade, cutting just above the ankles of the tree men, This caused all three of them to stumble at the sudden agony of their feet, which allowed the Azure Knight to dispose of them individually. She kicked one away, smashed the pommel of the Azure Light into the skull of another, and after bringing her weapon to the ready, decapitated another with a strong, downward slash. The third man began whimpering, of which the Azure Knight quickly silenced with a kick to the face, and than a stomp. And another. And another. And another. And Another. And another. And finishing off with a kick to to make sure he was dead. There was still much to do.

---

The Azure knight returned to Vekia, her armor and weapon cleaned of most of the gore (Though it didn't quite get rid of the stench), but now with a bag of heads. She was looking for a guard barrack or some sort to turn in her bounty when she noticed an odd sight; a goat being precariously trapped on the side of a desolate building. The Azure Knight dropped her sack of heads and went to help the poor animal, scaling the walls herself to grab onto the creature. It was a bit heavy for it's size, but nothing that the Azure Knight wasn't capable of dealing with. After grabbing the goat she had only a little bit of time before she'd lose her balance herself, so she allowed herself to free one hand to grab a protruding stone. Than she dropped down, barely able to land on another protruding stone no larger than her foot. After that it almost looked like the Azure Knight skipped down to the ground, landing with a thud but unharmed, both her and the goat. "And what beseech you, little one, to astride to the top of this desolate hovel this day? Nonetheless, head home now, and bring no more trouble to three nor thou own."

[Torack]

Footsteps echoed throughout the lower deck as a large, husky man came running towards him with straw-like hair, a soft gruff on his face, and an altogether dirty appearance. He stopped his running when he drew near and went into a walk before stopping completely. "The captain requests your presence at the helm, master Emitt," the husky man said with a blank face. The man stood there awkwardly for a few seconds trying to figure out whether to accompany Eovaine or not, but it seemed that he decided that he would be better off doing something elsewhere as he turned and walked off.

Eovaine put down his pen and blew on the pages of his journal to dry the ink on them and closed it as he watched the man walk off. He stood and stretched his sore back for a few seconds and walked up on deck and made his way to the helm where he saw the captain standing next to his helmsman. The captain was a skinnier fellow with brown hair under a tricorne and a blue trench coat. "Good afternoon, captain," he greeted the man with a small smile, moving his white hair from his eyes.

"Indeed, master Emitt. The wind is good, the sky is clear, and land draws near at last."

"How long until we reach Vekia?"

"Not long at all. The seagulls are singing above us; perhaps another half hour or hour at most."

"Very well, I'll get my things ready."

"No need, my men are already attending to that."

"No disrespect, captain, but I'd like to keep an eye on them in any case."

"Alright, suit yourself," Eoviane heard the captain say as he walked down from the helm and got below the deck. It wasn't long until he found the men gathering his things and putting them into chests. Whatever wasn't already in a chest, anyway. By the time they finished, Eovaine felt the ship slow and eventually come to a stop. He payed the men extra coin to gather his belongings into the Anverstark Inn. "Tell the bar keep it's from me, he should show you the room to leave my things in," he told them and walked back on deck and looked upon Vekia's harbour.

He hadn't been to the place in several years, and to be back brought a sort of excitement to him. "Thank you for the ride," he said to the captain and got off the ship and began wondering the city, remembering the streets and various shops and buildings as he did so. After a while of walking he found himself in the midst of the marketplace and decided he could do with a bit of shopping and began browsing until he came upon a hooded figure sitting behind a rug. Curious, he crouched and cocked his head to try and get a better view behind the hood. "How much for the gold trinket?" He asked.

[Peyote]

Two bright red eyes opened lazily to the late morning sun, bright channels of the light streaming through the elf's curtained inn window irreverent to his attempts to sleep in. He sighed as he sat up, rubbing sleep from his eyes and swinging his legs over the side of his bed. His room in the inn was one of the nicer ones - he had been staying here for quite a bit, and had gained a pleasant relationship to the innkeeper downstairs. It was sizable, which was apparent as he strode to his bureau, pulling a long sleeved white top from one of the drawers and pulling it over his head. He donned a green vest and brown trousers, and adorned himself with his bow and quiver, and then slipped into his leather boots on his way out, locking his door as he did so.

Bounding down the inn stairs and into the common room, the elf pulled his reflective white hair into a ponytail at the base of his skull, tying it with a small thong. He greeted the handful of serving maids doing various tasks around the hall to prepare it for this night. A few lookd up at his departure, one polishing a candelabra flashing him a smile and another dusting saying a polite greeting. He answered each in turn, nodding happily as he ducked out of the inn's door.

Seralis smiled as he stretched his arms above his head, sighing leisurely as he felt the sun's rays bake into his dark skin. The marketplace was agog with the coming harvest, and people from all walks of the world congregated in the city lively with bright smiles and full pockets. The dark-skinned elf stepped lightly onto the cobbled street, leaving The Weeping Phoenix n behind as he mingled in with the eager crowd. There were myriad merchants hoping about excitedly, promising the best product and prices with booming voices, all manner of accents coloring their speech. Seralis ducked and weaved his way through the traffic deftly, making much small talk and exchanging many handshakes.

There wasn't much on his mind today; his pockets were fully lined from a batch of specifically benevolent salves he sold to a shop on this very street, and he held no pressing responsibilities at this moment. He walked on without a destination, passing several stalls and storefronts of interesting sundry specialties, his eyes rolling over them without need for pause. It wasn't until he made it to the food section of the market, the lingering scents of food wafting gently on the slight breeze caused by so many feet, did he realize there was a faint, but incessant gnawing in his stomach. He slipped away into the maze a stalls, coming across one bearing familiar fruit of the south. He bought some eager, even without haggle over the exorbitant prices put in place for the tourists, biting into the citrus fruit with vigor. He wiped the juices from his chin as he chewed, finding a small perch to sit on, and looking around with wide eyes.

[RumikoOhara]

La'Shara

La'Shara walks through the city gates enjoying the way in which her appearance is affecting those around her. Some gawk as she shows more skin outside of an exotic tavern dancer their expressions ranging from lustful to severely disapproving. Then there are those that try to look at her while seeming to not look at all and those are to her the most informative glances.
Why shouldn't any look at her for she is a young elven woman who's very nearly nude in public. It is not vain of La'Shara to think herself as beautiful for were she not then she would have been released from service to her goddess as were others she had attended training with 150 years ago.
Her soft knee high brown Werie leather boots made not a sound on the stones of the street. Her golden hair caught the sunlight in a manner that made her face seem to be shrouded in a warm glow so like that precious metal. Her skin was as smooth as any noble woman's and glowed a a honey brown. Her scent to those that neared her was like the green leaves of spring mingled with the soft aroma of a field of wild flowers.
Ahead of her in the street there seemed to be an altercation between the opposing wagons of several teamsters which the guard was doing it's best to clear away.
La'Shara tried to see what was going on but her diminutive height made it difficult till she began climbing invisible stairs into the sky. Once at a sufficient height she saw that all this trouble had been caused when two of the wagons passing in opposition had moved too closely together and locked rear wheels.
Giggling that so much trouble held so simple a solution an none willing to render La'Shara walked over the crowd's heads an down the street till all had thinned an came back to earth.
She walked farther down the street till her nose told her of the presence of a fine breakfast in a tavern named the "Farmer's Daughter"
La'Shara smiled thinking this hostel must have an interesting tale or two and entered.
Soon she was sitting among those there gathered and stunned that they be joined at the long table's trencher by a creature such as she. She farther surprised them when she displayed a skill seldom seen outside of an experienced mule skinner as she dug in without hesitation and downed two pints of stout then worked a third.

[chukklehed]

Luna grinned under her hood, an interesting effect to the onlooker, and brought her hands out of her sleeves. Gesturing to the rug in front of her with it's trinkets, she spoke in a soft voice. "Name a price, and I shall tell you if it is satisfactory." Her voice was light, pleasant but not melodic, and her hands showed none of the pampering that often accompanied gold merchants, though they couldn't be considered 'rough'. There was a small twitch under her hood, at the top of her head, but it might have just been a trick of the shadows. "Looking for a souvenir to bring back overseas?" She asked, smelling the ship on him along with the faint smell of Alderia.

[Esailia]

Esailia was fiddling with a chunk of wood, rubbing it with a thumb or etching on it with a claw. She was a hunter, a warrior of her people, yet this person had her doing chores fit for a kitten. The girl had been sent out on various little errands, such as getting drinks or checking on their room at the inn. When she accepted a ride, she was expecting something more...exciting.

She glanced at the current customer of Luna's, examining the person intently for a few moments before returning to her carving. Her own hood was sitting just over her forehead, hiding herself away from prying eyes that may question the seemingly normal merchant and bodyguard pair.

[ShadowD]

Xavier looked over the job board, nothing interested him, the jobs were small time to say the least. He sighed disappointed, this was odd for Vekia, normally decent jobs could be found. He turned around and a large man bumped into him.

"Hey you stupid hooded bastard, at least say your sorry, you stepped on my foot." Xavier couldn't be bothered with this loud, obnoxious oaf so he continues walking back towards the stalls. "Hey I'm talking to ya." The man grabs the back of Xavier's cloak stopping him, the man's paw on Xavier's shoulder made him angry. Xavier lifted his hands up slowly pulling the mask down and then the hood, he didn't like being in the sunlight but it wasn't the same as when he had been a blooded fledgling. The man growls again "Ya think your some important person or something mate? He chuckles as three more men walk out to assist him. Xavier smiles his eyes almost glowing with feral pleasure. He says in a very calm voice "You four are going to be easy." He chuckles and the man spins him around and tries to land a hit on the vampire, Xavier sidesteps brushing the blow away and pushes the leader away flowing around him and at the two coming behind him. Xavier disarms one, breaking his arm as he does so and flips him onto the ground, kicking the side of his head. The mercenary then grabs the other by the throat and picks him up onto his shoulders and throws him against a wall, the man's back slamming hard against the stone surface. Xavier turns around and chuckles "Now there was only two." He says walking towards them, the other henchman goes after Xavier, a knife in his hands, Xavier easily smacks the man's wrist knocking the blow harmlessly away and grabs the man by his shirt collar, headbutting him, and then just letting the man drop unconscious. The large man, full of bluster just a moment ago, falls back as he tries turning and running from the vampire, Xavier's hands grab him up, an amazing feat of strength even for one as big as Xavier, and he slams the oaf into a wall, the man's head coming down onto a step, no doubt breaking the buffoons skull. Onlookers were saddened that it was over so fast, Xavier simply pulled up his mask, and hood and ran off to a nearby alleyway, hoping to get lost within the crowds before the guards showed up, he did not need to stay in a jail cell without his own amenities.

[chukklehed]

Grace glanced up from the girl when she heard the commotion. There was a fight breaking out on the other side of the square. With a quick apology, she started pushing through the crowd. By the time she got there the fight was over, and she knelt down to check one of the men's pulses, finding him already dead. She hurriedly took off after the culprit, almost losing him down the ally. "HALT!" she shouted, slowly gaining ground. She was joined by a couple other guards, but they trailed off and had to stop before they collapsed, while Grace kept going without an issue. "I said HALT! You have violated the law of Vekia and must face judgment!" She kept after the man, running nonstop until she caught him.

[ShadowD]

Xavier slowed and stopped turning, his blue and red mis matched eyes peeking out from under his hood, he tilted his head to one side. "I just defended myself, they attacked and ganged up on me." He growls, then turns around, his voice however was like silk as he smiled under his mask. " Now it's funny how you guards show up now rather than when someone was about to be accosted by four armed men." He says then looks away, he heard the other guards coming again and looks back at Grace. He decided against a brawl with the guards and instead took out his flask and drank again, he decides to instead, jump up grabbing onto a ledge on a wall and pulls himself up. "I don't need to stay at one of your lovely accommodations m'lady, I must be off though, I may see you again, and hopefully you'll realize that vekia was just done a favor, that man was a notorious bandit and rapist. I was tracking him for months. Needed it to look like an accident that we crossed paths, thankfully he was to stupid to realize that I was the person chasing him here. Anyway I need to collect my bounty on him." He flicks his head to oneside, playful giving a short wave and jumps up to the rooftop and decides to run along them, his breathing was laboring however, the sun was weakening him. *damn it I just need to find some shelter from the sun...and the guard woman, no doubt she'll still be coming after me.* He thought to himself.

[chukklehed]

Grace scowled at the man's jibe. "Whatever you think us capable of, we are not omnipresent. By the time I made it across the square the man you left back there was dead. If you're as innocent as you say you are, you should explain yourself. Pursuing a bounty is a legal action, provided you have proof." Just then her fellow guards caught up, and the man started climbing. Cursing, she started stripping off her heavy armor as she spoke to the other guards. "Get the word around. If anyone sees that man detain him, but gently. We need to figure out his story before we decide what to do with him." Now out of the encumbering metal, Grace ran towards the wall and jumped, following the man onto the rooftops. "You won't escape me that easily." She growled, running after him again.

[Lucius Cypher]

After ensuring the goat would be able to make it back to it's home, the Azure Knight spotted something odd. Two figures, seemingly chasing each other across the rooftops. This screamed adventure to the knight, and forgetting all other businesses she had that day, she leap into action. With speed and acrobatics unheard of from such an armored individual, the Azure Knight was on the rooftops and running towards the two figures. One she could immediately identify as one of the guards of this town (She's been well antiquated with most) but the other one was a very shady looking fellow. Surely he was the evildoer of today. "Stop right there, criminal scum! Nobody breaks the law on my watch!" The Azure Knight moved with frightful speed, as though she was not even wearing armor at all; her footsteps glided over the roof tiles, not even making so much as a scratch. She was still too far away to really do much, but she was certain if she worked in tandem with the guard chasing the hooded person, they could corner him. The Azure Knight tried to cut off the man's path by running ahead of him. There was only so many places he could go, and unless he could fly, there was no where he could go they couldn't.

[RumikoOhara]

La'Shara Stands atop the bar a pint in her hand as she sings for the patrons of the "Farmer's Daughter"
"I'll hang my hat, on the crescent moon
and we'll dance, dance, dance
while the heavens play our tune
Upon the stars, I'll count your charms
And we'll dance, dance, dance
Till we are snuggling in each others arms

Let's dance, and sing
Effected by the altitude of our nocturnal fling
It's, a magic thing
And I am growing dizzy knowing what the night will bring
We are high above the rooftops as we dance and twirl
And far below we see the lights upon the world"
She sings as the teamsters around her feet join in and enjoy her impromptu minstrel show
The Bar keep grins as her singing seems to have increased his customer's need for Ale & Stout which they order in a steady stream.
La'Shara dances back and forth along the bar top never even so much as trembling a tankarde as she passes by.
"We'll waltz, and sway
Acting out out parts, in our midnight play
You sweep me, away
Gliding on the starlight or each newborn moonlight ray
I could only wish the night would last forevermore
As we grow ever closer to Heaven's door

Let's enjoy, this precious time
Having you here with me must be Nature's own design
Having you, as mine
Heaven's intervention, truly was divine
Your the only reason in the world that I would say
I wish it could, be night each day"
she sings encouraging the powerful an heavyset men around her to join their baritone to her own voice.
The street outside displays how unusual it is to hear such cheerful song come from the Teamster's pub as people pause with confused and curious expressions.
Some of the brave or foolish curious enter to better understand what is happening within the normally somber Inn
La'Shara motions the brave an the foolish to join in and soon she has filled the little pub to it's limit.
Her musical voice is now accompanied by a flute and mandolin as two wandering bards join her.
"Oh, well, who wouldn't be a sailor lad, a sailin'on the main, To gain the goodwill of his captain's good name A He came ashore, one evening for to be, And that was the beginning of my own true love and me, for it's
Home, boys, home, home I'd like to be, Home for a while in the old Country Where the oak and the ash and the bonny rowan tree Are all a growing greener in the north Country
Well I asked her for a candle for to light me up to bed, And likewise for a handkerchief to tie around me head, She tended to me needs like a young maid ought to do, So then I says to her, now won't you leap in with me too and it's
Well she jumped into bed, making no alarm, Thinking a young sailor lad could do to her no harm. Well I hugged her and I kissed her the whole night long, Till she wished the short night had been nine years long,"
Sings La'Shara as she flirts with all the men present and thinks how much she believes she loves this town

[Major Ursa]

Luka returned to the town, a little bit confused about why the guards on this side were running round, making a ruckus about something that seemed to have happened recently. Well, shrugging this sort of thing off, she went over to a building with a wooden sign hanging down...the sign had an anvil painted on it. The smithy's. Taking a moment, she opened the door and stalked inside, "I got a spare sword that needs fixing up!"

---

With his bird's eye view...and, in general, an eagle's sense of sight...and also, being only another building away...Skender was disappointed when he saw armour take the goat down, when it was almost half way down. Feeling, well, cheated, the shape shifter lay on his back and kicked his talons up into the air childishly, letting out strange angry eagle noises...before quickly recovering and looking around. It seems the meddler was racing off over rooftops to...elsewhere. Taking flight, and circling overhead, he stared down at what looked to be a chase. Watching for a few minutes, considering what to do next, it was a decidingly non-human saturated sort of situation. Skender was going to have non of it, and instead flew off in the opposite direction...wasn't house D-de-des-House Desu's heir riding along this way?

Circling around in the sky, and eventually spotting the house's entourage...making his talons less sharp, he dove quickly towards his target. Before anyone could properly get out a word to say, Skender caught himself last minute, and perched on the man's shoulder. Yes, a proud and powerful looking bird, regarding the people calmly with intelligent eyes...surely this majestic winged creature must belong to the heir of the Desol house, right...? That was the collective thought of the people of the street, while the retainers at least knew the bird didn't belong to Haklo. The bird puffed out it's chest, readying itself to let out a bird of prey's bold cry...

CHIRP CHIRP, SQUAW~!

...

[RumikoOhara]

KWAN

Kwan always enjoyed her strolls through the market because she saw so many new and interesting wares presented.
She stopped from time to time asking where such things had traded and had the merchant themselves been there. It was the easiest way to discover the next leg of her journey around the world.
She stopped by the guild of Captains and asked at the desk were there any new rudders (Sailing maps) being placed on auction and was informed that there were none yet. Her next question did though bare fruit when she found that there were Three ships up for inspection and auction later that week.
She was pleased to find that one was a two Masted Brigantine in fair condition who's owner could be found at the "Lusty Sea Stallion"
She was soon on a mission to seek out the owner of the Otter which was the name of the Brigantine she might soon own. She gave little and no thought to her surroundings as the area where the Lusty Sea Stallion was seemed a bit rough for a Lady of her means and bearing.

[ShadowD]

Xavier was stunned to say the least, now another was running after him, someone in armor, and the guardswoman was still after him, for the sake of self preservation he stopped and pulled his hood off, leaving his mask on for now. He stood there waiting for the other two to catch up, which with how fast they were would not take long. "Hmmph, normally people tend to not follow me onto rooftops." He says pacing now, he squints against the light, "I have the wanted poster from Alderia here." He yells to her, pulling it out of his pack and laying it down on the rooftop, the likeness of the man will be visible when she get's here. He sighs and leans against the wall, breathing even more labored, he could feel his limbs getting heavier, so he instead pulled the hood back up and took his mask off. At least staying hooded they might think it a simple curse rather than him just being some masked murderer, it also kept him shaded better than just having the mask around his face and neck.. He sighed again,* I had to get his damnedable attention in the market square, no the bastard couldn't wait till we got into an alley to start the fight...fucking idiot bandits.* He mused waiting for his pursuers....if it had been night they would never had caught up with him.