Sightles

Beyond the Boundary

Ashley glanced down at the girl with uninterested eyes as the girl's mood swing came in full force. Unimpressed, Ashley opened his mouth to utter a sentence, and to cut the girl off from her tangent, but Lord Cross had beaten him to it. As Ashley changed his gaze to Cross, he once more opened his mouth, to speak out to Cross about keeping control of his ill-willed child, but was once more interrupted by the opening of the Great Hall doors. Looking up and down the newcomers, Ashley did not greet them, nor did he show much more interest in them once they took their own seats, despite the exotic appearances of the individuals.

Anxiety racked Ira as he watched the girl's outburst, hoping once more that Ashley wouldn't do anything rash. As quickly as it begun, it had ended, however. Lord Cross managed to soothe his daughter's impolite outburst, without agitating Ashley further. About to speak, Ira turned his attention to the opening doors, and two new, slightly different looking, guests. As they took their seats and quickly picked up conversation, Ira decided now would be the best time to grab the free meal. Filling his plate, Ira looked back at his brother, who had turned his attention away from the group once more, "Are you going to eat, Ash?" Ira spoke up. However, Ashley did not warrant his brother a response, leaving Ira to turn back to his food and to continue his feast.

Beyond the Boundary

Ashley turned his head slowly to the child, meeting her gaze with his own. After a moment of silence between the two, the man spoke up for the first time since he had been with the group, "No. Not yet. He wouldn't until we raided the temple for him." Ashley responded, in his gravelly voice, monotonous in tone. Ashley knew more cruel men then he could count, and most of them preferred having others, unsuspecting individuals, do the dirty work for them, before tying up the loose ends. Why would the man who just clearly stated that the temple was technically his allow strangers to leave his land with his treasures? Ashley gave a quick glance to the giants, before returning to his scanning of the Great Hall, committing every inch of the place to his memory, almost as if his life depended on it, ignoring the girl's presence, for now.

Ira tensed as the girl made his way over to Ashley, wondering how his brother would react to the girl approaching him. Much to his surprise, Ashley responded to the girl before going back to his dutiful scanning of the castle. Gulping down the wine he drank from the toast with a strained groan, Ira tore his gaze away from Ashley and back towards Lord Cross, hoping he ignored Ashley's words, "Perhaps we'll sample everything Vulture's Roost has to offer before setting out." Ira said, with a polite smile aimed at Lord Cross, "Being the most beautiful gem of Gris, I'm sure there's more than a few ends and odds here that travelers like us can be well to taste." Ira nodded, taking another gulp from his wine, this one much smoother than the last.

Beyond the Boundary

Ira took his seat, and listened intently to what Lord Cross had to say, showing respect as much respect as a listener can. Ira smiled slightly, as Cross correctly identified him and Ashley as professionals, along with Lexine. It seemed that Lord Cross wasn't as dim as he was violent, which was good news. Ira, nodding his head to confirm he agreed to the terms Cross posed to them, let out a chuckle as Al interjected, along with his stomach. Ira hoped that Cross wouldn't overreact to Four Swords, whom seemed was raised in the wild, and by the wild. Speaking up, before Al's words hung in the air too long, Ira intended to put Cross in a good, or better, mood, "I appreciate you receiving us, Lord Cross, into your formidable home. We, as a group, would deeply appreciate all the help you're willing to give to us." Ira, reached and picked up a cup from the table, along with a pitcher of what appeared to be wine, and poured himself a glass. Gingerly raising it, and tentatively raised the cup, looking over his companions and giving them a chance to also pour a cup in order to conduct a kind of toast to Cross. After a moment, Ira turned his head towards Lord Cross and nodded, "To the generous Lord Cross."

Once Ashley entered the Great Hall, his eyes immediately fixated on the pair of mountainous guardians that were ready to act on Cross's command at any second. Ashley listened absentmindedly, but did not take a seat with the rest of the group. Standing slightly away from the group, Ashley gazed around the castle, waiting for Cross and his group to finish indulging themselves before heading North, while also periodically turning his gaze back to the giants. It was unlikely Ashley could even take one of them, considering the quickness that they seemed to react with, and the obvious strength they had. It probably wouldn't be difficult to avoid them, but Ashley didn't necessarily want to do that song and dance. He had fought big men before, some taller than 7 feet, but none that boomed with muscle as much as the giants did. Turning his gaze back around to look around the castle, Ashley was still on high alert. To the man, he was in the lion's den, and would treat it as such. Even though Ashley hid any type of worry from his face, it would be somewhat clear to a studious observer that Ashley was scanning the Great Hall for possible dangers, points of exit, and other items of interest.

Beyond the Boundary

Ira followed along with the group, giving a amused smile with Four Swords gave away that he had not heard of Lord Cross, doing his best to fit in with the group. Ira kept close to Noah and Elizabeth, the only two in the group he could consider to be potential friends. After the guard gave his warning to be respectful, Ira glanced down at Noah and gave a reassuring smile, "Don't let those harsh words affect you, Noah. It's all just face." Ira whispered, hoping that his words would calm the child. In truth, Ira had done enough research on Cross to know what the man would do. He probably knew more about Cross than his own guards, possessing knowledge even as far back as when Cross was nothing more than a prisoner of the Castle of Tears. Ira would be careful to keep this secret knowledge to himself, however. Cross likely didn't take kindly to strangers knowing so much about him, and if one man in the world that Ira would prefer not to be alone with -- Cross was that man. However, it wasn't Cross that put a hole in the bottom of Ira's stomach. It was whom Lord Cross chose as personal bodyguards.

Ashley walked idly behind most the group, keeping a distance of a few yards. His eyes darted and flick through the scenery, watching for anything out of place. So caught up in his constant scanning, Ashley forgo listening to whatever the others had caught themselves up in. It wasn't until the guard had stopped to speak to them that Ashley stopped his 360 awareness. Listening to the guard, Ashley wondered just how trained he was. While the army of Vulture's Roost looked far larger than it should for a region as small as it was, it also was largely diverse. Ashley wasn't as lucky as Ira, forfeiting his chance to learn about Gris and Vulture's Roost, but it was no doubt a slave force, although they didn't quite appear to be a normal slave force. Narrowing his eyes to squint up at the highest spire of Vulture's Roost, Ashley could not help but think that the entire meeting was a farce. Keeping himself alert, Ashley continued to scan around, waiting for the unexpected knife or arrow to sling from nothingness to start Ashley's expected ambush.

Beyond the Boundary

Sorry, I work most days. 2pm to 12am. Posting soon.

Beyond the Boundary

Ira watched with a smile, as a the group of people waiting for the inevitable opening of the gates slowly started to become friendlier with each other, with each person now willingly opening their mouths to interject their own opinion of a window of who they were, and why they were here. Ira's eyes lingered on the the scholarly man. Despite, what Ira would call, fragile look, his attitude was definitely the type Ira had come to expect in Gris. Having seen magic used before, as part of the danger of his job, the man's appearance struck a mage-like chord with Ira. However, Ira only knew of magic on his home continent, and had no idea what kind of magic would be available to be learned on Gris. With the newcomer arriving, along with his impressive arsenal, Ira felt confident that the group could handle most of the challenges on their way north. Everyone here, minus Elizabeth and Noah, seemed like they could hold their own in a decent fight.

Ashley eyed the newcomer, as he approached with his four great swords. Ashley had seen people carry multiple weapons into battle, for versatility and for emergencies, but never had he seen four great swords. Ashley pondered if it was for an intimidation factor, or if the man had actually trouble with malfunctioning weaponry. From what he could see, the great swords quality was at least average, if not above average. Pondering, Ashley could not help but place a mental note to stay away from the man.

Ira's heart jumped as the guard called out, alerting them of what they were to do. Ira let way a small smirk as he waited to file in behind the rest of the adventurers who were no doubt going to head dutifully in. Ira had heard much about Lord Cross, a person of interest that Ira's employer had insisted he studied vigorously before the trip. ~ A vicious land breeds vicious men, and vicious men rule the world. ~ Ira mused to himself, allowing the anecdote to remain in his thoughts, instead of voicing his opinion aloud.

Ashley filed in right behind his brother, switching his gaze between the soldiers still manning the wall, and they others on the ground that were leading them. Ashley didn't like the idea of meeting Cross, or entering the town in a such a way that it was armed escort. It seemed like a ploy in order to get all the adventurers in one room, in order to imprison them or kill them. Ashley had heard tidbits of information from his brother, leading Ashley to assume the kind of character Lord Cross was. To Ashley, Cross seemed like the kind of character that did not appreciate foreigners in his land, trespassing along his grounds, in order to find treasure.

Beyond the Boundary

Sorry for being gone so long. Posting now

Beyond the Boundary

Ira chuckled as Noah questioned him about his own presence here. Noah appeared to be nothing more than a fun-loving lad, albeit a little over-zealous in his friendliness, "My brother and I," Ira started, gesturing over to Ashley, "were asked by our bosses to come see what the hub bub was about. And when a boss asks you to do something, you do it." Ira ended his explanation of his being in Gris with a nice smile. Glancing up to Elizabeth, Ira held his smile, "You two don't look at much the same. Are you simply traveling companions, or are you some how related?" Ira asked, with apparent sincerity. Reaching over with a free hand and slightly ruffling Noah's hair, Ira spoke again, "Not that a brave spirit such as Noah would require a traveling companion." Ira gave out another chuckle, laughing at his own jokes.

Ashley gave the slightest flinch as Ira openly allowed Noah, and whomever else was listening, that they were here on orders. Ashley wondered why Ira would give up that information so willingly, as it was apparent that just about everyone here were more in the freelance and adventurers column. Letting a slight frown manifest on his face, Ashley turned his head back towards the rest of the group, eyeing of them once more. Momentarily, Ashley wondered how many would buy into the whole 'moving as a group' idea, and how many would split off by themselves. They had to know that by the end of the journey, if some great treasure or artifact lies within the temple, that it'd only end in conflict with multiple agendas collide.

Beyond the Boundary

Ira smiled as the innocent boy shook his hand, obviously infatuated by the idea of adventure so much so that he seemed to ignore all the small things that would make the trip uncomfortable. Ira watched as one by one, more people started to show up, each being turned away by the guards, and then keeping to themselves. Turning back to Noah, Ira gave him a bright smile, "So, what brings a dashing and daring adventurer such as yourself to this forsaken land? Surely just not for some mythical temple that was in some book." Ira asked, giving in a chuckle to allow a air of informality.

Ashley watched with careful eyes as more vermin scurried up to the gate, intent on scavenging after whatever Ashley and Ira were after to recover. Careful not to let his stares be too long or too noticeable, Ashley did not feel threatened by any of the group whom had walked up, minus the woman shucked in her coat from the cold. While bland looking on the outside, Ashley knew that it was often the ones that did the best at being plain looking, were the ones that were the most dangerous. Tearing his attention from checking on every member of the now growing line, Ashley crossed his arms and stared up at the walls in front of him, eyeing the guards from atop their fortified nests.

Beyond the Boundary

Ira and Ashley had been on a long trek at this point, traveling through wind and snow to reach the destination of Vulture's Roost. Ashley had handled the journey far much better than the slightly shivering Ira, who was wrapped tightly in his thick fur cloak. As the duo made their trek, it was not too long before Vulture Roost was within sight, giving Ira some relief.

The pair continued on the road, able to hear shouting as it appeared a guard was addressing two people outside the formidable gate. Looking upon the structure, Ira marveled at the architect, wondering how many tidal waves of men had crashed upon this wall -- only to be turned back by those chosen to defend the great wall.

Ashley was less than interested in some wall, keen on continuing his trek, keeping a slightly faster pace than his brother. As they approached, Ashley could already make out the two visitors that had been issued challenge at the gate, both appearing child-like in stature from a distance. Ashley glanced down at his twin brother, to see his reaction to the two potential strangers they'd have to meet, as it appeared the guards were turning people away.

Ira watched at one of the people at the gate took rest on a nearby boulder, content to wait out whatever they had to. Barely able to catch the movement from his current distance, Ira noticed the person turned to look in their direction, and that it was a woman. Uplifted by the sight of the more gentle sex, Ira's pace picked up slightly, to match his brothers.

It was not long before the pair were yards away from the other two strangers. Knowing that dealing with people was more Ira's hand, Ashley stopped about 5 yards away from the duo, who consisted of a young boy that had an air of innocence that exuded from him, without needing auditory aid, and a woman that looked as broken as a fell tree.

Ira raised his hand in greeting, approaching closer than his brother had opted to, "Hello! Are you two from around here? My brother and I are heading northwards, but we seemed to of gotten turned around. Is this Vulture's Roost?" Ira said, outstretching his hand towards the woman, and then to the boy. Taking on the role of a naive traveler, Ira wondered how generous and friendly the duo would be in return. Given, it was a child, and what appeared to be his caretaker, Ira did not expect harsh words or cold treatment.