Wendie
Ludmilla Monette
Town Square, Azariya-Amaranth

After Ludmilla dismounted and tied up her horse at the edge of town, she shouldered her large bag of textiles and started walking to the market in town. Every time she came, it all seemed so busy, the loudness of the city was shocking and, sometimes, nice. Her home was so quiet all the time, except for the noises of the animals and the wind through the trees. Being around so many other people, it was what she had yearned for since she left her family. Although she no longer stayed in the city, she loved to be in the atmosphere when she could. You never knew who you may meet, what may happen within the bounds of the city. 

As Ludmilla got to the town market, she spread out the large blanket from her bag, and began llaying her wares out top of it. Many of the other sellers had tables, but, well, it was quite difficult to try and lug and table from her home to market. And besides, her blanket worked just fine. It gave her a nice, comfy place to sit, as well. 

As the day went on, Ludmilla sold most of the textiles she had brought to market. She had a few special orders she had woven, sold today as well. One was a light blue family crest embroidered onto a black background, another a beautiful picture of a landscape of Azarya. Ludmilla had based it on the view from her own home, in the forest glade. Truthfully, she was a little sad to see that one go. However, it did make her a big profit.

A little after the sun reached the top of the sky, Ludmilla packed up the rest of her things, and tossed the much lighter now pack over her shoulder. She decided she would head to the tavern and have an ale before she left to-day, she deserved it from the hard work, and she wanted to stay in the city as long as she would dare. As she walked by the town square, however, she noticed some commotion brewing, a large crowd of people. Normally, Ludmilla wouldn't bother with such a fuss, but today she was feeling curious. And, like sheep, she followed the crowd. As Ludmilla tried to push through to the front of the crowd, she was surprised and what she saw, everyone was gathered around the stocks, where a prisoner was awaiting execution. She gasped, but couldn't help herself, and stayed around to watch.
Nicholas
Mozi'ach Blutgerinnsel
Town Square Azariya-Amaranth

A Guard strode to the deck, shoving the person along. Kicking the back of their legs, the prisoner fell onto their knees infront of a stone block. The guard kicked the man onto the stone, neck and head resting on top and made sure the person was stay put. Then another man came walking up, wearing a dirtied cloak in front of his waist like a butcher, and brandished an axe. Another one came, standing in line for death.

"People of Azariya-Amaranth, these prisoners have been put on charge for the murder of one of the well known merchants, Azoreth! And BURNED his shop down, risking others as well. The public execution will begin!"

The first person begged, pleaded for forgiveness, but the only response they received was cold metal cleaving their head off. It rolls off of the deck and into the crowd. The next man was followed in suit, guards began moving people away to clean the bodies, by dumping them in a carriage to be sent into a mass grave. Mozi'ach was holding one of the executed's head, talking to it. Then he threw it back into the carriage and let them on their merry way.
Wendie
Ludmilla Monette
Town Square Azariya-Amaranth

Ludmilla watched with wide eyes as the execution took place. It was, frankly, shocking, though she supposed that was how it was meant to be. A fear-mongering tactic, it sure made her afraid. She would never think of murdering a merchant, she sold wares along with the merchants, after all, but the execution made her afraid that she would be next, nonetheless. The woman was sad to hear of the death of Azoreth, she had known him well, and he ran a good business. She had bought several of his wares in the past, and they were always of good quality. 

After the execution, Ludmilla was surprised at the boldness of the executioner. He held the head like a doll, instead of a real person's flesh and bone. He seemed almost calm about the whole affair, unperturbed, really. In her constant yearning to meet new people, after the execution when the crowd began to disperse to get on with their daily business, she scurried over to intercept the executioner in his path away. Ludmilla stood unapologetically in front of where he was walking, her bag over her shoulder, and asked, "Sir; I wonder if I may ask, how many executions have you committed in your work? You do seem quite skilled at it," She went with a bit of flattery, it always seemed to make people more keen to converse with her, the strange forest woman.
Nicholas
Mozi'ach Blutgerinnsel
Town Square Azariya-Amaranth

He turns, hands behind his back and posture straight. He smiles at the flattery, which seems to work. "Oh, why thank you for asking. Let me see." He opens a small booklet and flips through some pages. "Execution number... 62, a nice even number, I have to say." He was currently wiping the axe down with a cloth, the blood was washed away and the metal gleamed in the natural sunlight. 

Guards muttered to each other, giving Mozi'ach a look of distaste and repugnance. They begin walking away, the executioner's deck was mopped clean and ready for use for another crime.
Wendie
Ludmilla Monette
Azariya-Amaranth Town Square

Ludmilla nods at the number, her facial expression makes it clear she is impressed. She is also impressed that he keeps a log for all his executions. She wonders if it is part of the job, or his own bookkeeping hobby. How can one live a life where they kill people all the time? She is sure to be just fine as a simple weaver. "How did you decide to become an executioner?" She asks, a calculating look on her face. "It seems such a dirty task," She had surmised from the blood he had to clean off his axe. 

Now, most of the people had dispersed around the square, leaving them standing by the deck, talking. Ludmilla was impressed by the professional-ness of this executioner. It may have been because she had never seen an execution before, she had lived quite a sheltered life until she moved to the city, but it never seemed a spectacle she wanted to see when she heard of one. It was simply by chance that she saw it today. Ludmilla was interested in learning about all kinds of people, even ones that confused her. Those were the most fascinating stories, she found.
Nicholas
Mozi'ach Blutgerinnsel
Town Square Azariya-Amaranth

"I became the town's executioner when my father passed. I'm from the Witherlands, so it was expected for his age. Then I just began travelling! So many bodies to meet, many interesting things to see, to hear and to taste!" He claps his booklet close and tucked it under his breastplate. He examines his work on the axe.

He lifts it up and swung it down into the dirt, he pulls it out and took out his whetstone. He leaned on the deck, beginning to sharpen the axe. He's humming an old fair maid's song.
Wendie
Ludmilla Monette
Town Square, Azariya-Amaranth

Ludmilla watched his face as he told her of his father, and his apparent fervor for executions. 'Bodies to meet,' seemed a strange expression to Ludmilla, but she supposed it made sense, considering his employment. "I've always wanted to visit the Witherlands, see the scenery there, but I haven't gotten the chance yet. Your job, it involves a lot of traveling, then? Do you suppose you might tell me of some of your travels over an ale in the tavern?" She asked. 

She wasn't sure whether he would agree or not, whether he was trying to leave soon, or willing to stay a while. She had, after all, come up to him just as he was walking away. She tried not to look too excited, although she did think it all sounded quite impressive. The song, she recognized the tune, and couldn't help but smile. Her father used to sing it sometimes.
Ruby
As Ludmilla and Mozi'ach spoke the remains of the crowd left over from the execution scattered as gasps and hushed whispers could be heard. Like Moses parting the red sea the people cleared out creating an eerily perfect path and from the split came Eramis alongside her horse. The woman was a strange looking... Thing, her appearance almost looking inhuman. Anyone with a keen eye could tell Eramis had been around for quite some time, her degraded Stone Order armour was a dead give away to anyone who knew it.

As Eramis walked she paid almost no attention to the murmurs and strange looks the people gave her, simply leading her horse to a nearby water trough so that the ghastly creature may drink. As her horse drank Eramis moved to inspect a nearby stall, it's owner looking mortified as she picked up an apple and tossed down a few silver coins in it's place.

The old knight stuck out like a sore thumb, the old degraded armour she wore alongside her ghaunt and sullen looks made her look more akin to a ghost rather than any living being... And the horse didn't look any better.
Nicholas
Mozi'ach Blutgerinnsel
Town Square Azariya-Amaranth

He turns, rolling his eyes. "Another one." He hushes Ludmilla towards a tavern called **Ye Olde Green Eye**. The name was peculiar and unnecessary. Mozi'ach ignored Eramis and tried to urge Ludmilla into the tavern itself. Giving one look at the woman and then going inside. 

Both sat at the corner of the lively place, drinking ale and mead. "This one prisoner, thought he was a priest and cursed me to damnation as his last words. His god didn't save him when his head rolled." Some more stories, such as when he encountered a former noble being executed and tried to bribe him with gold, and another story about a woman trying to bribe him with her body, he ignored her and executed her with fire.
Wendie
Ludmilla Monette
Ye Olde Green Eye - Azariya- Amaranth

Ludmilla was a little surprised at how quickly the man pushed her into the tavern after the woman with the horse showed up. She wondered what that was about, but shrugged and supposed it must be something personal. 

As the executioner shared his stories, Ludmilla listened intently, laughing at the right points, if a little boisterously. She wasn't exactly known for being lady-like. The man had really entertaining tales to tell. Occasionally, she interrupted with a question or two, asking; "Do you always chop their heads off, to execute them?" And, "So, do you enjoy the job?" That one she really did wonder about. She hoped the man was enjoying this conversation as she was. She drank the ale, it was nice to relax after a long day in the market. 

From the stories, she took that people can become desperate when they were about to be killed, though she suspected that came with being such an awful criminal as to be punished in such a way. At one point near the end of his stories, she realized, and asked, "I never got your name, I'm Ludmilla," She held out a hand to introduce herself.
Ruby
As the two hurried into the tavern Eramis didn't react in any way other than giving Mozi'ach a brief glance. Eramis was used to people trying to avoid her and for the most part was never bothered by it, so long as she was left to do her thing Eramis didn't have a problem. Soon enough Eramis would finish up her shopping and would begin the search for a place to stay the night.

It would take a good bit of asking around to find someone who would simply answer her question, the knight's searching leading her to the same tavern Ludmilla and Mozi'ach had entered. Eramis would tie Opal outside before entering herself.

Once inside Eramis had a rather different reaction to the one she recieved outside. Rather than people moving to get away from her as fast as they could Eramis only faced little more than an uneasy look and a few people moving seats as she passed by. Eramis would be quick to pay for a room and a drink for herself before finding a small table to sit at by herself.
Nicholas
Mozi'ach Blutgerinnsel
Ye Olde Green Eye Azariya-Amaranth

Mozi'ach once more, frowned at Eramis. But focused on the questions. "No, I vary with executions. Hangings, burnings, burning them while they hang. It varies." He finished his ale. Then he writes down something.
Wendie
Ludmilla Monette
Ye Olde Green Eye, Azariya-Amaranth

Ludmilla thought it interesting, the different ways he chose to execute his victims. It almost sounded like an art, the way he described it all. She smiled. It seemed sick, but also strangely cool.

Ludmilla whispered, then, leaning close, "What is it about that woman?" She asked, glancing over to Eramis sitting in the tavern. She hoped he knew what he meant, she didn't exactly, but it sounded like a way to get some information about the mysterious knight. 

She tried to take a glance at what he was writing, but couldn't get her eye on it without being obvious.