<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="font-size: 200%; line-height: 116%;"><span style="color: #FF8000"><span style="text-decoration: underline">Gabriel</span></span></span></span></div><br/><br/>Gabriel sat sprawled out on the edge of the open window sill of his bedroom within one of the towers of the King's castle. An empty bottle of Maghrebian wine at his side as he looked out at the large city that rested within the castles outermost walls. He wore only a pair of pants and an undershirt, the fireplace and alcohol being the only thing keeping him from shivering in the cold winds. '<span style="font-style: italic">What a beautiful city, almost reminds me of the grand bazaars within the major cities of the deserts,</span>' a smile graced his face as the thought ran through his mind. After a few moments he got up and closed the window slowly as to not make a sound as he turned to get ready for the day.<br/><br/>His room was heavily decorated with various tapestries and treasures he had acquired during his time as a mercenary commander in the desert. The normally grey stones of the rooms walls had been replaced with sandstone by Gabriel to remind him of his true home. With a yawn he moved over to his dresser to put on his armor and strap his sword to his waist with a dagger resting on his lower back. Once dress he made his way to the door, giving a brief glance to his bed were a squire boy lay fast asleep in tangled in the sheets a small smile returning to his face, and exited his room as quiet as he could. As he walked out he looked to the two Iron Wolves on guard and spoke, "I have some errands to run if he wakes up before I get back you know the drill." The two merely nodded in acknowledgment as he walk away.<br/><br/><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="font-size: 200%; line-height: 116%;"><span style="color: #FF8040"><span style="text-decoration: underline">Rafiq</span></span></span></span></div><br/><br/>Rafiq's day was going going rather well, a patrol had just taken out a group of bandits that had attempted to set up shop in the kingdom, the next batch of recruits were on their way to join their new units, and he was told that Saladin had agreed to a meeting in person. The fact that his happy mood would soon turn sour was displayed by to him by the smile on Gabriel's face as he walked toward the old general. "Old man," Gabriel spoke with great enthusiasm as he approached, "what are the odds I was just thinking about how I needed company for a trip down to the market for some supplies."<br/><br/>Rafiq looked at the chipper young man with a stoic expression as he spoke, "If by supplies you mean alcohol I have better things to do besides facilitate your drunk escapades. I hear you have moved on to corrupting promising squire now."<br/><br/>"Come on old man its not like I am hurting anyone its all in good fun," the care free expression on Gabriel's face only reinforcing Rafiq's growing annoyance.<br/><br/>"I will go with you if you will refrain from talking about your personal activities, I have something I need to talk to you about anyway." a sigh escaped Rafiq as he turned to walk toward the gate to the city.