It had been a long, long travel to get to Stone-brook tavern of Westhelm. There wasn't any significance to this place, other than their first rest stop, of three on their way back to see her.  The three of them, had been four, no more than two hours ago. Before the thing they were carrying demolished  Ecksori with no more than a stare. Ashes falling all around them, smell of burning flesh and bone covering them from head to toe. It was then that they realized this was no small task.  They had begun to understand why she was so insistent on not letting the one that hired them for the job, to get this creature. Merlin of Blackstaff was very convinced that their town of Lindam needed this power for itself. to continue its work.<br/><br/>Though the three of them were discussing their loyalty at the table, making shifted eyes to make sure no one could actually hear them. Do they give Her even more power? Or should they stick to the bond of money that they had already accepted? What was the greater danger? crossing The Merlin, or this Mage that paid them upfront for a job, that was much more dangerous than he described? These were troubling discussions and the new leader wasn't certain as to if he was ready to decide just yet. So he sent the other two off to check on their package. Staying at the table and finishing his drink as they walked up the stairs.<br/>---------------<br/><b>"</b><i><b>Excuse me, friends! Hello? Greetings! I do apologize for the interruption, but i think you're forgetting something...One of you dropped this, I thought you might want it back."  </b></i>A piece of gold flipped twice, before hitting the floor and rolling toward Alisa, who immediately began to pick it up. Fire erupted through the hall,<b><i>"Where is the Salamander, you thieves!?" <br/>
</i></b><br/>The male stepped in front of Alisa, and through his hand up in a quick motion of fingers, water crashing through the hall, and meeting her fire at a stand still, veiling protection over the both of them. It  was then that the girl would realize she wasn't dealing with ordinary people. If not, a moment later.<br/><br/><b>"Dakuras! What did i say about magic..." </b>A voice came from behind the little girl who was throwing fire,... The leader. His hand flew up in an instant, and two fingers clocked the back of the girls neck.<b>" Mind your manners girl. This doesn't concern you. If you wanted to be involved, you should have talked to the Merlin like everyone else." </b>And with that, he pushed her back against the halls, as the fire began to fade away. but before, did she hear...<b>"Grab the beast, Socrot inn, in Tridia." </b><br/>----------------<br/><br/>Two days later, they found themselves in yet another city, little did they know, their treasure was leaving a small trail of sprites behind them<b>"So, Milxar. Have you decided yet? Who we're taking this... thing to?" </b>Dakuras sat, drinking much like several nights ago. There was a small silence at the table. The silence itself was only interrupted by the waitress sitting down more drinks It was an unsteady topic, and one they had discussed previously with no answer.<br/><br/><b>"I have. As bad karma as it is to break a deal, and take the money. I'm more concerned with what She will do if we cross her. I'm more scared of The Merlin, than i am of a random Mage." </b>He answered tapping his fingers on the table, as if it had been a long internal debate to come up with such a decision.<b>"Is alisa okay Dakuras? Where is she?" </b>He honestly knew, but wanted to know if Dakuras was taking notice to the fact that she hadn't been very social since she fell for the gold..<br/><br/><b>"Sulking i believe, and uncertain as if we can trust her to do the right thing. So she watches the beast, just in case another clever little thief thinks it can get the drop on us." </b>Dakuras answered, finishing his drink.<b>"Where to next boss? Its nearly cover time, the darkness of travel will provide an easy route." <br/>
</b><br/>Milxar nodded, and set coin down on the table, his drink having been gone long before, having finally made the decision to by pass the Mage. He stood up slowly,<b>"You're right, let us get the creature, and Alisa, and start moving. Maybe it will put her troubled mind at ease, to be moving once again. We must reach Lindam, and Taelcha is only a night and a half's travel from here. Let us get the path going." </b>Again they left, carrying the Salamander with them, and again the sprites littered the ground here and there, but never too close together.<br/>-----------<br/><br/>Two days later, they found themselves in the same situation, waiting to move once again, this time days out from Lindam, from Her. But who was She? that was always the question that plagued everyone in Lindam. She was always there, The leader of the Blackstaff, of the white city. What was she doing now? Were they being watched? Was the thief a test? That was what was being discussed in this tavern, for quite some time, till once again they began their move, to get this job over with, and erase it from their memories for good. Again they moved, this time in silent agreement, in case there were ears now that they were within three days travel to Lindam.<br/>--------------<br/><br/>A rather extravagantly cloaked figure walked into the tavern. The Dragon Whiskey Pub. and walked with such grace, that one could argue if it was  even moving at all. Its cloak was long, and of the deepest shade of midnight purple, sitting at the bar next to someone that no one had paid notice to in weeks of being here. The figure pushed a small book, nearly a journal looking thing, to a man at the bar. it held two words on it<i><b>"Fair Trade."</b></i>The cloaked figure slid it over in front of him, and   stood up, starting to walk away, before the voice of the man spoke up.<b>"Fair trade for what,...Friend?" </b>he asked turning around on the seat.<br/><br/>The man was not one of any small stature physically. He didn't dare stand yet, but you could see he was tall as he put the book in his hand. as he turned the figure stopped. but dared not turn around, just held its stance. What came, was a surprise. a voice so smooth and sweet, you could think itself was a seductive Caramel.<b>"That is something you want. I'm taking something from you that you thought you wanted...Needed." </b>It continued to walk out of the tavern, before disappearing into the night.<br/><br/>The man was left sitting there, dumbfounded for a moment, before opening the book. another note.<i><b>"When you're ready to see what you've been missing. Dare to read me." </b></i>Signed, Admirer.<br/><br/>Tag:<a class="username" data-user-id="91" data-username="@Wren" data-xf-init="member-tooltip" href="https://blackdahliaroleplaying.com/members/91/">@Wren</a>