Fantasy Setting Summer Dawn

[Zazz]

In response to Trileon's polite concern, the assassin answered, gaze flickering briefly towards Quinn, "Nay, I had the good fortune to not be swept away by a giant, flying beast after conspiring with a traitorous orc about how best to completely destroy Delan." She threw a winning smile Trileon's way, as if to remind her to be careful of the company she chose to keep. Azaria then rolled her eyes as she strode forward past the others, slipping into the shadow of the side of a building to better view the area. She did, however, slip a fruit, unnoticed, into one of her pockets along the way.

 

[LazyDaze]

Iolas was pleased that the group dynamic returned. Everyone seemed to be of high spirits despite the mission at hand. Iolas attributed this to Pyrrhus’s infectious passion. Even the relatively reserved Iolas almost became excited for no particular reason other than to match Pyrrhus’s enthusiasm. If Desrick and Ora were leaders among the group, Pyrrhus was definitely the emotional leader. Iolas merely shook his head and went along with everyone. How could he say no. “Pyrrhus definitely puts the rest of you to shame, I wonder if he is truly not Sumennan,” Iolas said playfully commenting on his new attire, purposely excluding himself out of those with a lack of fashion sense. He did not care much about appearances, at least not to the unhealthy extent of many, but he could not pass up chances to “bond” with everyone.


Strangely enough, once outside, one would have thought Iolas was Cyndaran because of how enthusiastic he was to walk through a Summenan city. When they entered, a lot was on his mind so he did not have time to actually take in the scenery, but now he was free to do so, now that the mental and emotional burdens were lifted as much as one could expect. There were several silent ooh’s and aah’s. Instead of slave and master, Pyrrhus and Iolas were probably more like man and spirit animal. Of course, Iolas would always make sure to remain a bit reserved. He would take a few glances at Ora, remembering the bit of information he had, but decided that they could relax for a bit more.


“I must say, this is the strangest vacation I have ever been on…I actually would not mind dying right now,” Iolas said slyly to no one in particular. No purpose other than to be that thorn in their side because that’s who he was.

Flutterby SilverFlight Anyone else who wants to interact.

 

[SilverFlight]

Pyrrhus glanced at Iolas with a smile. "Shameless flatterer! Even so, the little jaunt through this place has told me that all Sumennan beauty seems just to be different. Cyndarans can be very beautiful...if you know how to look."
They struck out as soon as the rest were ready. Ora explained her errands and Pyrrhus bent low at the waist so he could hear her properly.
"'Quick'?" Pyrrhus repeated with dejection. "I want the grand tour! I've never seen a Sumennan city before, it's beautiful!"
When she mentioned the place that might take his fancy the centaur couldn't help the grin spread across his face. "Oooh I love surprises!"

Despite his excitement and overwhelming enthusiasm, Pyrrhus, when walking down the streets still managed to keep the modest posture of a servant. He walked with calm purpose behind Ora, stealing glances up at his surroundings whenever he could. He saw Iolas seemed much more relaxed too and was happy for the fact.
He raised an eyebrow at Iolas' en passent comment. "Well that's a bit selfish don't you think? You would die, but leave behind those who might have started to care for you?"
He said nothing more on the subject, but walked on ahead to take in a particularly exotic fountain.

Ora's first stop was a modest little potion shop, but the way she spoke about the shells Pyrrhus couldn't help but be excited too, and matched her tone and smile.
"Ooh what do you use them for?"
Pyrrhus decided, in the end, that trying to fit into the shop was probably a bad idea, so he waited in the doorway for Ora, absorbing the oddities of the shop from there.
"He's a good friend this Gideon, seems to have taken on quite a bit of risk letting us stay at his home. I do hope we can make it worthwhile."
When Ora told him he'd be getting his surprise now he nearly squeaked, clapping a hand over his mouth to contain it.
"Oh what is it? Show me please!" He all but begged.
Flutterby LazyDaze


Marillene gave Trileon a worried look. "Here, let me help." She took Trileon's arm gently, almost having to hold it above her head to support the woman. Together they made it to the cart.
"What a fine young girl, helping your friend like that." The vendour smiled. He was a elderly human man, and from the look of his eyes, nearly blind.
"We'd like some fruit please!" Mari chimed, and she reached for a small coin purse. "Um..do you have honey melon?"
The old man smiled, "Oh, sorry love, I just sold my last one down the road, but, I do have these." He reached around his cart and took up the reddest, glossiest apple of the pile. It looked delicious. He set is carefully into Mari's hands.
"Good to eat it now, my granddaughter picked 'em fresh this morning."
Mari drew an herb knife from her belt and cut a large piece off the apple. She put it in her mouth before cutting another and offering it to Trileon.
The vendour looked on with a pleasant smile.
Zazz Yatasal mothspit

 

[Flutterby]

Ora smiled at Pyrrhus. "Mmm.. a good tradeswoman never reveals their secrets." She gave a laugh, and the relented.
"I use them for weapons- which is why they're important to Gideon, even though he doesn't know it. Right now, I use them to make a coating, but I think I might be able to use them with the metal itself to make better blades. I've been wanting to experiment more," Ora indicated her bags, "And now I can!" It didn't seem to cross her mind that she didn't currently have the time or safety to do so.
The dwarf was somewhat pointedly ignoring Iolas's presence, but with the happiness of her first prize, she even gave him a smile as she turned to lead the way onward.

As they walked, Ora now had her chin upturned to speak to Pyrrhus.
"If I remember correctly, the theatre is on the opposite side of the district from this, and I don't know if we have time to venture that far." She knew this might break his heart, so she quickly continued, "But, when I was a child- when I was still a part of the court, I mean." There was a small scowl as she realized she was speaking more freely than she meant to (especially in front of Iolas), but she pushed through it. "And my maid- well, my nursemaid, I suppose- she was my mother's maid. She would sneak me out of the castle to come down here. She said it was to have a dose of 'fresh air and sensibility.' Really, it was so I would have a break from the staring."
They turned, and the buildings began to grow taller and more ornate. Ora slowed for a heartbeat when a church caught her eye, the giant stained glass windows depicting the sun that shone on them. But it wasn't what they were looking for.
"I always loved it. I would always end up leaving with a stack as big as me for the week."
With a final turn, Ora stopped and her smile grew wide.
In front of them, across a small cobblestone square, stood a building arguably as grand as Gideon's estate. The sand-colored walls stretched two stories above the square, crowned at the top by three finely arched windows. The dwarf didn't give her companions much time to look at the outside, before darting forward saying, "Its even better inside, Pyrrhus!"

The massive wooden door refused to move for Ora at first, but she muscled it a few inches with a grunt. Embarrassed, she stepped back and gave a small motion, hoping one of the others would help her.
When the doors swung open, they stepped onto the third of four floors, with the library stretching out from behind the wrought iron railings. The walls seemed to be made of bookshelves, until they dissolved into wallpapered arches to hold up the ceiling. The ceiling was Ora's favorite part- sunlight burst through the curved skylight and bathed the space in gold.
Ora took a long inhale, parchment and ink filling her nostrils. The figure that stood near a shelf turned to peer at them- an older human man with graying hair and a slightly crooked nose. As he looked, Ora lowered her hood and gave him a nod, before turning to whisper to Pyrrhus.
"We can take the side stairs down, they're easier- I think the kind of books you would like are on the bottom floor." Her eyes went to Iolas, and she said, "Do you like to read?"

Spoiler: Library Interior Reference

SilverFlight LazyDaze

 

[Yatasal]

"Nay, I had the good fortune to not be swept away by a giant, flying beast after conspiring with a traitorous orc about how best to completely destroy Delan."

Quinn narrowed her eyes at the comment, and was about to throw back a comment that was not meant kindly when she watched Azaria slip a fruit into her pocket. It wasn't the fact that she had stolen--a skill that Quinn was jealous of, since brush passes or stealing anything wasn't her strong suit--but she did it smoothly, and moved into the shadow of a building. Shadow... No... She couldn't be the Shadowhand, could she?

Of course she was. Why not? Why not have the freaking SHADOWHAND, freaking IOLAS ORIXALIM, and some random scout from Evereach all in the same FREAKING place with some mission who's purpose Evereach had yet to reveal to any of them. Or maybe not, it was entirely possible that the Shadowhand knew exactly what was going on, hence her continued distrust of Quinn. She knew that Quinn hadn't been given any orders, that she had been flying by the seat of her pants, that--

No. Azaria may be the Shadowhand, but she wasn't omniscient. And Iolas hadn't been seen or used by Evereach in years, so he likely had little idea of what was going on. But Az could kill her at any moment and blame it on a number a things, a thought that wasn't at all comforting. And Quinn still intended to go home to her sisters after all this was over. And still have a job.

And somehow she doubted that revealing her knowledge of the Shadowhand's identity would come in handy later, and if Az planned on killing Quinn then Quinn wanted a little heads up. She walked up to Az (and had to look up to her like everyone else) and said, "So... How soon do you plan on killing me? I wanna know if I have time to betray everyone first and you know, destroy the world in the process."

Not believing the words that had just left her mouth, Quinn mentally sighed and wished that she had slept before she had come up with this brilliant plan.

Zazz

 

[Zazz]

Azaria didn't bother to look at the scout approaching her, instead watching their surroundings for anyone out of place. Nay, but she did raise an eyebrow at Jilaina's words. So she was essentially admitting to the assassin that she in fact cared for her own life, and that she knew Azaria was quite capable of ending it at will. "As soon as you go running off into trouble," she answered quietly, watching the other two. The scout was no threat. She carried no real weapon, aside from perhaps her hook, and the rope attached to it. Azaria doubted the older woman would even know how to use it against a foe. "One mistake is one finger, two mistakes are two fingers... You get the idea, don't you?"

Finally setting her sharp gaze on the short scout, she licked a sharp canine in a subtle threat and nearly purred, "Run to Lassard and see what happens."

 

[Yatasal]

"Run to Lassard and see what happens."

Quinn raised her eyebrows and internally was like really. Fingers. Really. Clearly she's never met my boss. That was a weekly threat. "Right... Okay. Thanks for the vague threat, I'll really take that into consideration. Nice creepy vibe you got going on there. I do actually intend to help some of these people out, but glad to know you'll cut off my fingers if I happen to slip up."

Quinn left Azaria's side, and went to stand by Trileon and Mari. The two were purchasing fruit, and Quinn smiled at the fruit salesman, and scanned down the road. There were a few people, but the street was mostly deserted. What was the fruit salesman doing here? He couldn't get a lot of business here... Quinn narrowed her eyes, noting this as suspicious.

 

[mothspit]

Marillene gave Trileon a worried look. "Here, let me help." She took Trileon's arm gently, almost having to hold it above her head to support the woman. Together they made it to the cart.
"What a fine young girl, helping your friend like that." The vendour smiled. He was a elderly human man, and from the look of his eyes, nearly blind.
"We'd like some fruit please!" Mari chimed, and she reached for a small coin purse. "Um..do you have honey melon?"
The old man smiled, "Oh, sorry love, I just sold my last one down the road, but, I do have these." He reached around his cart and took up the reddest, glossiest apple of the pile. It looked delicious. He set is carefully into Mari's hands.
"Good to eat it now, my granddaughter picked 'em fresh this morning."
Mari drew an herb knife from her belt and cut a large piece off the apple. She put it in her mouth before cutting another and offering it to Trileon.
The vendour looked on with a pleasant smile.
Zazz Yatasal mothspit

"Thank you," She took the apple slice in hand, biting it in half. The flavor was rich and very juicy-- It brought a wide smile to her face, looking down at Mari with a cheek full of apple, "Delicious."

When the scout came to their side, Trileon nodded and gladly leaned against her side for support. Mari was sweet enough to help, but she was just a tad too short to fully keep her up. That remedy would be a blessing to all of them. "Your home is very beautiful," She mused, resting her head on Jilaina's shoulder, "The sun is, ah.. unforgiving.. but beautiful nonetheless. I wonder if this was how my mother felt when she first came to the forest.."

She slightly mumbled that last sentence, pursing her lips in thought. With her arms interlocked with Jilaina's, she gasped and shook her lightly with realization, "The Half-Sun Hills!" She exclaimed, "She was from there, you know! My mother."

She put on a wide, goofy grin, exposing two rows of pearly whites. It seemed the fatigue was setting in now.. or maybe whatever was in that apple, if anything.

"..Er, so I've heard.. I never actually knew her.."

SilverFlight Yatasal

 

[SilverFlight]

Pyrrhus certainly looked brokenhearted when Ora told him they might not see the theater, yet he listened carefully as she unfolded the details of her early life.
"Were people truly that cruel?" Pyrrhus asked, brow creased in an uncomprehending frown. However when they rounded the corner Pyrrhus's jaw dropped.
"Is that the library? It's massive!" He quickly felt Ora's excitement ignite his own and he pranced after her.
The doors she opened without any trouble, and the doorway was tall enough that he would walk straight in. Upon passing the reception desk (Coming to level just above his knees) the librarian looked up with an outraged scowl. "See here! you can't bring your hor--hoh..." but then he looked up and fumbled his words. "That's not a horse..."
Pyrrhus flashed him a winning smile, walking brisquly after the dwarf.
He listened to her instruction and examined the side stairs. They were broad and carpeted, offering no chance for him to slip.
"Last one to the bottom is a rotten egg!" He sang cheerfully before picking his way gingerly down.

He did attract a few stares, but the grace and agility with which he navigated through narrow shelves and delicate artifacts prevented anyone from becoming alarmed at his presence.
The first section that caught his eyes was for plays and poetry. Pyrrhus drew a gentle finger across the spines, glancing at the titles with a giddy admiration. Not far off there was a young woman struggling on a foot stool, trying to reach a book on the very top shelf. She nearly toppled once and Pyrrhus caught her shoulders to steady her before reaching up and plucking the book for her with ease. She did a double take when she realized what had just obtained her prize.
"Th-thank you." Was all she managed, not wanting to make her shock too obvious. By chance Pyrrhus caught the title of the book in her hands and gasped.
"That's Honour for Love! By Giovella Akiamore!"
The girl brightened. "Akiamore is my favourite playwright!"
"Mine too!" Pyrrhus nearly bounced with glee. "But how on earth did a copy manage to get all the way here?"
The girl cocked her head, confused. "Akiamore is one of Sumenna's oldest playwrights. There are copies of his major works in the libraries of all three major cities."
"'A Sumennan playwright'?...how fascinating."
"Actually, Honour for love is being performed tomorrow, a special extension of a two week tour stop by Tantalus, one of the most prominent traveling theater troupes."
Pyrrhus' jaw dropped again, for the second time in ten minutes.
Flutterby LazyDaze

~*~*~

The vendour's expression remained placid and pleasant, even when Mari staggered back from the cart, collapsing onto the ground. He looked on as Trileon began to falter too, then his gaze shifted to the two women who hand't taken any fruit.
"Never taken four before...first time for everything." Then the man's pleasant smile twisted into something menacing. He gave one short whistle and there was a creak behind them, the blind falling away from an open window. A dart flew from it, aimed straight at Azaria. From the alley they had just come from, stepped two more figures, drawing blades coated in a sticky, green substance. Without warning, they attacked.
Zazz Yatasal mothspit
((Feel free to pilot the baddies))

 

[LazyDaze]

Iolas could literally feel the disappointment eminating from Pyrrhus when it was said that they would have to skip the trip to the theatre, but what came next was a great consolation prize. Nevertheless, for some reason, Iolas began to feel like a jar trying to contain all of the excitement running rampant across Brynson. It was infectious to say the least, and Iolas did his best to remain somewhat level headed. You never knew who was watching; however, Iolas could not help but smile as even Ora's passion grew with every word. It was about as natural and relaxed as he had seen her since their first encounter. When she moved toward the doors Iolas took one arm and lent her his strength. Not enough to push it on his own, but just enough to make it an easy task for Ora. Who was it that said chivalry was dead?

The situation resolved itself at the reception desk, but Iolas shot the man who mistaken Pyrrhus as a horse a glare that held contempt, superiority, and pity. He had seen several elite have this look and he thought it would be a great time to practice his I am so much better than you, look. Plus, it would be funny seeing his reaction. The library was beautiful. It was an odd word to describe a library, but it was the only one that fit. The floor they were on was particularly gorgeous, and you could say this was the moment that Iolas truly embraced his return home. He took a brief pause from basking in the sunlight to notice the elderly man who returned the gaze; however, he had little time to relax as Pyrrhus was already up and away running through the library. Iolas was resigned to being a rotten egg and was going to go after him when he heard Ora ask him a question. He was uncharacteristically taken off guard. Ora usually went out of her way to avoid even the thought of him, but here she was speaking to him casually. Rewarding her willingness to talk, Iolas avoided any sarcastic remark and answered normally with a genuine smile unlike his empty ones he usually wore.

"Actually, I do love to read. Diving into another universe that can fit in the palm of your hands is quite fascinating; however, I must say, I would have never guessed you would be this passionate about libraries. It is strange, but I believe people are the most beautiful when they talk about something they love. I can tell you love this place." Oblivious to any embarrassing thing that might have escaped his lips, Iolas spoke honestly and freely. In the back of his mind he was worried about Pyrrhus who was like a kid in the candy store. He had to be watched before he infected everyone in the library with his sunny outlook on everything. "I believe I have misplaced our horse," Iolas said jokingly, playing off the receptionists mistake, as he pointed down the stairs.

Flutterby SilverFlight

 

[Zazz]

Azaria rolled her eyes at Quinn's back as they parted. She noticed the way the scout glanced up and down the street, and then it dawned on her, just as things began to fall apart; this was a trap.

Her training kicked in, her senses honing in on the danger that surrounded them. A dart flew at her just as she drew and launched a throwing knife at its source, and she caught the tiny weapon just before it pierced her skin. A quick glance at its tip told her all she needed to know in that moment. A sedative, not a poison. She was familiar with the substance.

With two of her group on the ground, they were outnumbered. Making a split second decision based solely on the fact that they were not aiming to kill just yet, Azaria let her body crumple loosely to the ground, praying to whatever deity was listening that Quinn would have the good sense to either surrender awake, or run to the rest. On the way down, the dart was slipped into a pocket.

 

[mothspit]

Trileon had little time to react, her sense slurred and dulled from whatever she had been drugged with. But the moment she saw Mari collapse, she made an effort to cut through it's mind-numbing effects as her body overflowed with newfound adrenaline. She quickly separated herself from Jilaina, pushing the scout back to avoid the swing of a knife that would have sliced them both in half. The action caused the beastwoman to stumble, her foot firmly planting into a small wooden bucket nearby, "For Queen's sake.." She slurred, attempting to shake the blasted thing off before falling flat on her behind.

The attacker turned back to her there on the ground and thinking quickly, Trileon threw up the cloak she had been using to protect herself from the sun, completely enveloping the would-be kidnapper. These must be the 'snatchers' Gideon warned them about. As the unknown man flailed in the cloak, Trileon carefully stood, her vision starting to become blurry. She couldn't fight them like this-- Not to mention her bow and arrows were left back at Gideon's home. With her last ounce of strength, she rushed forward, her arms outstretched. Bucket still stuck on the foot, she tackled the attacker into the fruit stand. Apples and wood scattered all about the area..

..And that was it. Trileon fell unconscious, and luckily, so did the person she mollywhopped. There came a loud snore from the pile of crushed apples..

Yatasal SilverFlight

 

[Flutterby]

When Pyrrhus questioned the cruelty of Sumennans, Ora gave a vague shrug, not wanting to spoil the surprise by dwelling on the less pleasant aspects of her past. The library here was the only place she remembered in Brynson that had never been spoiled- and she didn't want to ruin it now.

She watched with a smile as Pyrrhus's mood soared. It warmed her heart to see him so happy, after several days of watching him be morose. She knew it was temporary, but it was worth whatever delay they had in their next steps.
Iolas actually answered her, which was something of a surprise. She studied him as he did, almost glared at him. But, for the first time, he seemed to actually mean what he was saying, so she offered a small explanation for her love of books.
"I'm probably too inconsequential, or too bothersome to Dwerstand, for someone like you from Evereach to have heard of me. But I was born a noble, and they didn't take kindly to my appearance, as you can imagine." Ora reached up, tapped one of her horns with a finger. Her tail twitched, as it came to the forefront of her mind. "I was somewhat protected in Dwerstand. But when we came to Brynson and Evereach for parties.. it was harder. Stories were an escape for me, just like they are for most that love them so much." The tips of her ears pinked a little. "I have a favorite bookshop in Evereach, even though I haven't been in a decade or two."

She lead the way down the stairs, with a half-smile, and simply said, "Don't let Pyrrhus hear that, I believe he would be rightfully offended."
As they approached, Pyrrhus was helping a young woman reach a book. Ora caught the tail-end of the conversation, and glanced at Iolas.
"A shared favorite playwright between nations.. You know, since I started on this adventure, I really have begun to wonder how different we all actually are." She said it very softly, mostly musing to herself.
Seeming to shake herself from thought, she looked at Pyrrhus's face, and said to him, "Perhaps if we get our.. real work done, we could convince some others to attend." She doubted it, but wanted to centaur's happiness to last just a little longer.
LazyDaze SilverFlight

 

[Yatasal]

"Your home is very beautiful," She mused, resting her head on Jilaina's shoulder, "The sun is, ah.. unforgiving.. but beautiful nonetheless.

Quinn smiled, and allowed Trileon to rest on her head. She was definitely taller than the troll, but not by much. She noted Trileon's muttered comments, and determined to ask her about them later. She glanced back down the road, and muttered, "Something's not right... Maybe we should head back..."

"Never taken four before...first time for everything."

Quinn's head snapped to the vendor's blank smile, and time seemed to slow as she noted others stepping out from their hiding spots. A few darts were spat in their direction, and the troll crashed to the ground. Trileon shoved Quinn back, and her cloak caught the darts intended for Quinn. It took a split second before Quinn realized that they were under attack, and another second before Quinn's hook and rope were in her hands. She saw Azaria fall to the ground, and thought, Oh sun's mercy, of course. The only competent warriors in our pack are hit and I, the entirely incompetent warrior, is left holding the bag.

The snatchers--whom Quinn guessed they were--readied their darts for a second volley. Quinn dropped her hook, quickly guessing that they would love to put a dart in her, rendering her useless. She lifted her hands in defeat, and decided to take a risk. "Now now boys, you wouldn't harm employees of Evereach, would you? The price on your heads would be twice what you would get for all of us combined."

Sun above, let this work...

 

[SilverFlight]

There was an audible yelp from the window where Azaria had thrown the knife, but with Trileon and Marillene down, and the assassin mimicking sleep, Quinn was out-numbered. The attackers revealed themselves, three of them, four including the vendour, who was swearing under his breath as he dragged the unconscious Trileon off his cart to right it. The man that had been knocked into the cart finally managed to free himself from the cloak and glared with a foul temper at the last victim standing. What she said however took him aback.
All three men were dark haired, one with slightly pointed ears. The older man however, seemed to be the one in charge.
"Hmm, Evereach you say?" He looked down at the sleeping troll. "We know this one is of Huxley's house." His words were laced with feigned confidence, but reading his body language would tell Quinn he was unsure, he did not know who she was.
As the three thugs stood by the old man narrowed his eyes. "Prove it."
Yatasal

 

[Yatasal]

"Hmm, Evereach you say?" He looked down at the sleeping troll. "We know this one is of Huxley's house. Prove it."

Quinn folded her arms. "Then your information is clearly outdated. House Evereach has given us a mission to infiltrate House Huxley. She is of Huxley, as is the cloaked woman, or will be until they turn into informants for us. We were going to establish a cover with them until you unceremoniously interrupted us. I don't know how I'll explain this to them or my superiors..." She heaved a dramatic sigh. She wondered if she should take this opportunity to contact Lassard, but she didn't know if Lassard would even remember her. She had never met the man, after all. But still, Quinn had to try. "But one thing at a time. Leave now, and I'll be sure to tell my superiors that you didn't intend to bother us today. Or, if you want this meeting to go unnoticed, you'll deliver a message to General Lassard from the scout he requested to Cyndara. Tell him that the House Huxley mission is going well."

She narrowed her eyes at the leader. "Well?"

 

[Zazz]

From where she lay, Azaria listened carefully to what went on around her. There were five pairs of feet, one belonging to Jilaina. She could tell exactly where the rest were by the sound of their breathing, the scuffle of shoes on cobblestone, and the scratching of one's butt. At first, she had to hold back a smirk at Quinn's quick thinking. Yes, make them second-guess themselves. However, if they bought it, that meant they would not be taken hostage and therefore would miss the opportunity to find the troll's father.

But then, the scout said more, suggesting they pass on a message to a certain elf. Lassard. Tricky sneak, thought the assassin. Giving out her whereabouts while the rest were supposedly knocked out. Little did she know... Azaria tensed, ready to pounce and slit all the men's throats, but remained still, awaiting further talk.

 

[SilverFlight]

The older man glared, but Quinn's confidence in her delivery had obviously spooked him. He weighed his choices carefully. Finally he raised his hands, a faint smile playing on cracked lips. "Very well. You, administer the antidote." He turned from Quinn and barked an order at one of his lackeys. As they scrambled to do his bidding he turned back to the young Sumennan. "What name shall I attach to this message to Lassard?" He asked, the smile never fading.

The thugs applied a few drops of a bitter liquid to the lips of their sleeping victims and to Azaria, who feigned sleep. The antidote would be harmless in any case. Then they stepped back and prepared to leave.
Yatasal Zazz mothspit

 

[mothspit]

Trileon groggily opened her eyes, having been laid in a pile of hay. She sat up, rubbed her face, and shook off a pair of apples that had been stuck to the tips of her horns. After prying off the bucket from her foot, she stood, plucking the cloak from the ground. Man, she had an awful headache..

"..Did we win?" She asked. After draping the cloak over her shoulders, she looked around to find Jilaina still awake, and the Snatchers all standing around as if they were waiting for something. She knelt back to the ground next to Mari, shielding her from them. "..What's going on?"

Confused, she shared a look with both Jilaina, the Snatchers, and Azaria.

Zazz Yatasal SilverFlight

 

[Yatasal]

"What name shall I attach to this message to Lassard?"

Quinn eyes hardened as she weighed her options. Her real name might be known to Lassard, but again, she doubted it. And she didn't want to give it out to anyone who might hear it. Especially not some Evereach brutes who weren't trustworthy in any degree. But, she realized, she didn't have to give her name, but one Lassard would recognize. Such as the orc that had been sent out to meet her originally. That was until she couldn't remember what the orc's blasted name actually was...

Quinn lifted her chin. "If you're asking that, you clearly don't know whom you serve. Names are purposeless. Give him that message, exactly, and I won't tell my superiors you almost cost my colleague and I House Huxley."

This is dumb this is dumb this is dumb, Quinn repeated in her head. She noted that the antidote worked fast, and Quinn took a deep breath, making her face appear annoyed. "Leave, please."

She bent down, checking on Trileon and Mari. She noted that Az was also coming to, and Quinn had no doubt that if the assassin found out, Quinn's days in the sun were numbered. One problem at a time. She had at least cast suspicion on House Huxley, and would hopefully mean that Lassard would turn his attention to it.

"..Did we win? What's going on?"

Quinn glanced over Trileon, then Mari. She then straightened. "Hush. These... men... were just on their way. Right, boys?"


Zazz SilverFlight mothspit

 

[LazyDaze]

Iolas listened, hanging on to every word Ora said. He surely heard of some cases like hers, although they were either few, or just rumors without any substance. He doubted that she was born while he was still working for Everreach. Nevertheless, it just reaffirmed that everyone had their own burdens as well; it was just that hers were visible. Personally, Iolas thought she was as beautiful as any other Summenan, perhaps, her differences made her even exceed Sumennan standards. He could not deny that he might have looked down upon people like her when he was young, so he involuntary cleared his throat at that thought. “It may not matter coming from someone like me, but I think you’re beautiful. People are afraid of anything uncommon. It’s a natural defense mechanism to keep us away from poisonous mushrooms.” Iolas said straight faced. "However, it is only through exploring the unknown that any real progress is made. After all, someone had to take a chance on the non-poisonous mushrooms. I am glad you had that escape, something that you could look back on and smile. Maybe we will even get to visit that library in Everreach if we don’t end up running for our lives,” Iolas said as he shrugged his shoulders with a smirk.


When they finally reached their destination, Pyrrhus had indeed spread his infectious disease of passion, glee, and curiosity. "Alas, I think we have arrived too late," Iolas said dryly. Iolas smiled without turning to Ora after he heard her mumble a question that was actually quite philosophical. Healso pondered the differences between races, and countries. Was it really all made up, or were they just easy to overlook when it really came down to it. Iolas gazed at the jubiliant centaur. He wanted Pyrrhus, who had endured more than anyone on this trip, to enjoy himself a bit longer. Actually, Iolas wanted to see the play too, so much in fact that he turned to Ora and gave her the best puppy eyes he could muster. “Pleeaaaassssssseeeeeee,” Iolas said almost a bit to sweet. He was actually glad he went on this journey with them, it had been awhile since he was able to focus on something other than his inner demons.

LazyDaze Flutterby

 

[Zazz]

Azaria snatched the vial of antidote before it reached her lips and promptly shoved a red-jewelled dagger clean through the thug's throat. With a twist of the blade, blood spurted, and she released the man, getting to her feet as he bled to death, choking. Dagger dripping blood, she attacked a second man, this one having his throat slashed and his chest stabbed. The third grabbed her hand she struggled with the larger man, having let go of her dagger in the second man's back. The old man tried to get away while Azaria was held up. Remembering the dart, Azaria managed to get ger fingers into the right pocket and stabbed the man holding her in the thigh.

As his grip went slack and his body crumpled to the ground, the assassin pulled two throwing knives from her belt and hurled them, one after the other, into the old man's spine.

Face spattered in blood, Azaria yanked her blade from the second man's torso and wiped it off on his clothes. "Scum," she spat. Slavers were the lowliest of scum. She wiped the blood off of her face and took what coin and valuables were on the dead bodies, along with the sleeping one, tucking the rest of the antidote into a small pocket for later. She retrieved her knives. To Trileon, she said, "If you have your flowers, we should head back." Azaria took hold of the men, one by one, and dragged them into a pile in an alleyway. "May rats feed on your insides," she muttered. The sleeping man, she took hold of his arms and jerked her head at Jilaina. "Help me take this one back to the estate. Perhapshe can help us find her father."

 

[mothspit]

Quinn glanced over Trileon, then Mari. She then straightened. "Hush. These... men... were just on their way. Right, boys?"

Trileon furrowed her brow. What was Jilaina talking about? Did she miss something while passed out? She must have.

"I--"

Before she could even speak, the other woman in their company had begun slaughtering the snatchers.

It was as if Trileon had witnessed Azaria's actions take place in slow motion. It wasn't like she hadn't seen someone die before, moreso she hadn't seen someone kill. Not like that. So ruthlessly and without question. It.. kinda scared her. She shielded Mari's eyes from the carnage with one hand, and held the girl close to her body. Once the woman was finished taking her victims, the words she shot in Trileon's direction sounded more like a series of random, garbled noises, her mind clouded with what she had just witnessed. She didn't make eye contact, and instead stood, holding Mari's hand.

"Let's go, little one," She mumbled to herself, walking back the way they came without so much as a glance at the other two. It was definitely going to take some time to get that image out of her head. She only hoped the troll didn't see it, too..

Zazz SilverFlight Yatasal

 

[Yatasal]

"Help me take this one back to the estate. Perhapshe can help us find her father."

Well, so much for getting a message to Lassard. Quinn nodded and got her arm under the man's shoulder, hoisting him up by his waist band. "This is where size would come in handy, I suppose."

Inwardly, Quinn's mind spun. Azaria had acted fast, too fast for Quinn to be comfortable. Had she heard Quinn's earlier conversation? Or was killing her first instinct upon waking up? Whatever the case, Az had killed Quinn's opportunity to get in touch with Evereach, and the old man was likely to give Quinn away if she wasn't able to talk her way out of it. Either way, Quinn didn't see this going well for her. Stupid, asking him to pass a message to Lassard. That's my problem, always taking the next risk when one risk is plenty. Taking chances gets you killed faster than a dagger ever will...

She took a long blink, and calmed her mind. Whatever happens, I'll be able to talk my way out of it. I always have, and I always will. Won't hurt to look for a back door to escape out of though...

 

[Flutterby]

Oralia let Iolas's comments on her appearance go unanswered- they were significantly less welcome from him than from Lohr, who didn't seem able to help himself. But, the elf was surprisingly sincere, so at the end of his longer statements, she simply gave him a small smile and a nod. It was clear from her expression that she was thinking deeply, and her eyes watched him sharply, but she didn't offer any hint as to what she thought of what he said.

When he in turn expressed enthusiasm at the thought of a play, she raised an eyebrow.
"Oh come on, like I actually have any authority over what we do." She snorted softly, and then looked between the elf and the centaur. "Really, I wouldn't be surprised if we got back and there was already a plan established. But-" She hesitated, and then said, "I'm sure we could ask our host what he thinks, see if he'll help us go.. I'll offer him some swords or something." Ora gave a dismissive wave, and then glanced toward the stranger whose browsing they had interrupted. "Thank you, for letting us know."
She looked at her companions, and then said, "I'll be upstairs, when you two are ready to go."
The dwarf turned quickly, and all but darted up the smaller spiral staircase. She had her own books to browse.
SilverFlight LazyDaze