An Outsider

~ Cinders ~

@ZAVAZggg Lunearo did end his last speech with a maniacal laugh. Have Einarr politely but resolutely excuse himself, then board a ship out of Haev with all due haste. Whatever the sacred flame is peddling, it can't be worth spending time with a necro so unhinged he 'muahhahas' unironically.

~ Cinders ~

Falistia 34th, 0600

The Mercenary Lord woke violently, starting at the early morning light creeping through the flaps of his flimsy canvas tent. It took him a moment to realise that he’d drawn his knife.

Bad dreams, he admonished himself, you’ve had one little nightmare and look, it’s reduced you to acting like a child, startled by shadows. He forced a dry chuckle through clenched teeth and sheathed his knife, though his hand moved more reluctantly than he would have liked.

The sun was still weak in the sky when he exited his tent, the shadows weighing heavy upon his party’s small camp. The desire to relight the campfire was strong in him, something, anything, to drive off the dark. Only his anger stayed his hand. He was Stravi Kuznetzov, Captain of the Blackshield Brothers dammit. He wasn’t going to let one bad night’s rest unman him.

But what if those were no mere dreams? The question came unbidden and unwelcome to his mind, along with it mostly-forgotten stories of wood spirits and Will-O-Wisps. What if the source of his dreams had been a visitation from some denizen of the dark? His neck prickled at the thought, his hackles rising. Wars he could fight. Monsters and demons? Those were new to him. That skulking desire to light the fire returned, but this time he banished it with an annoyed grunt. If there was something in those woods, he was damned if he was going to hide from it. No, he was going to find it. Fucking kill it too, if he had to.

He searched the trees for the next hour, purposely striding through the rough as if he had not a fear in the world, daring any and all to challenge him. Demons? Let them come. Despite his searching though he found no sign of an intruder. More the pity, because by the time he was finished looking he was sore, tired, and irritable, and could have done with nothing better than an unwilling target to swing his sword at.

By the time he made it back to the camp Georgia was already up and kneeling by the fire. He hadn’t had much occasion to speak to the young woman yet, and wasn’t quite in the mood now, but he forced himself to approach the fire and sit by her. Any commander worth his salt knew that they had to foster good relationships with the men and woman serving under them, and one of the simplest ways to do that was to talk to them.

He held his hands to the flames for a moment, enjoy the feeling as the warmth slowly seeped into his aching limbs. Age doesn’t come alone. The day has barely begun and you ache already.

“Morning to you, goody Chandler. Tell me, how did you sleep? I had some trouble myself. Can’t quite shake the feeling that we share this mountain with some unknown presence.” He fixed his eyes upon Georgia, watching for any flicker. He had considered keeping his misgiving to himself, but had quickly discarded that feeling as folly. Better to share his fears, and risk looking like a fool if they were naught but shadows and mist, than keep them to himself and risk ruin if there was some substance to his nightmares.

~ Cinders ~

Did that thing just steal my Netflix password!?!

~ Cinders ~

Imagine Lunearo being your grandpa. Birthday parties would be horrific.

~ Cinders ~

Head's burst, so that's about all I can muster up today.

~ Cinders ~

Stravi couldn’t help but let voice to a grunt laced with derisive humour. There’s an issue with the dwarves, and so the Order sends their dwarf to deal with it. There was a racist joke in there somewhere, though Stravi didn’t spend much time trying to figure it out, as he had a suspicion that he would end up being the punchline.

Still, at least Vaughn recognised his worth, setting him a task to deal with immediately. The former mercenary much preferred to have a solid goal to deal with, rather than be forced to stumble through the muddy streets and fields, looking for some odd-job to complete just to win the hearts and minds of the cabbage-boiling locals. The only issue was that the captain had been rather light with the details of just what was going on up at that mine. Information, some ancient and infinitely quotable intellect had once posited, was power, and Stravi hated doing anything without first having the proper information. It was like an army that tried to march without throwing up a proper screen of scouts: doomed to failure.

One that note, he would also need allies. What he wouldn’t have given to have just one of the Blackshields here with him. Sturdy Gentle, at his shoulder and guarding his back, or Cat Eye Jack, the meanest bastard with a knife that the Ashe Imperium had ever spat out. But his Band wasn’t here, they were a whole sea away, dealing with their own tasks. He’d have to make do with what he had here.

He cast an eye over his fellow recruits, summoning what he had learnt of them during the long sea voyage here. He would attempt to conscript a few of them before they left on their own agendas, then lobby the Captain for more information. A quick catalogue of his fellow’s skills and talents, and he made his decisions.

“Lady T’Aldanai. Goodwoman Chandler. Master Nazan. I request that you join me in my mission to the mines.” He made the petition with all the grace of a born nobleman, and all the tact of a man who was used to giving orders, rather than making appeals. He folded his arms behind his back and watched the three expectantly, eyes flicking from face to face.

~ Cinders ~

I'll be looking into getting a post out tomorrow afternoon. Going out tonight to see Rival Sons in concert, so chances are I'll be rough and it'll be far from my finest work, but I'll get it posted nonetheless.

~ Cinders ~

@Serendipity It would be great to have Vel along. Considering it's not just a dwarven problem, but also one of nobility, it would make sense having her along considering her expertise in manipulating the nobility. I'll leave the decision up to you, but in my next post I'll have Stravi ask Georgia, Nazan and Vel if they would consider joining him.

~ Cinders ~

@Lucky Sweet, I'd love to interact with Georgia. She and Stravi seem like polar opposites.

@Aristo I'm sure thag regardless of what those dwarves are up to, we can resolve the issue with violence.

~ Cinders ~

Is anyone interested in joining Stravi and dealing with those pesky dwarves?