Claire walked into the metal shop. The vendor saw her and grinned. "Well? How'd the new iron work?"<br/><br/>Claire shook her head. "Was even worse than the previous one. Anything else that could be interesting?"<br/><br/>He pulled one of the ignot bars off the shelf and showed it to her. "Here. Its new on the scene, they call it Blister Steel. Wrought Iron is cremated with charcoal. The result is a stronger metal."<br/><br/>Claire raised her eyebrows. "Charcoal? Are you sure this works? Isn't charcoal so... flimsy and everything?"<br/><br/>"Positive."<br/><br/>She sighed. "Well... you're the expert. I'll try it out. How much?"<br/><br/>"5 golden sovereigns per bar. I'm sorry girl that's the cheapest I can sell it for."<br/><br/>"I can't afford that! That's way more than I can pay!" She sighed. She always came here because the materials were cheap, yet of good quality. However the legality of the creation of the metals here could be questionable. "I guess I'll have to scrounge up a bit more money huh? Will it still be here in a month or so?"<br/><br/>"Sorry kiddo, can't promise that. Oh by the way... you know how you were talking about finding a sponsor?"<br/><br/>Claire blinked "You found one??? Are you sure its reliable?"<br/><br/>The metal vendor nodded. "Especially considering the restrictions they wish to impose. I'd call it an audition and prerequisite. Although I wouldn't wander there in those clothes... a pretty lass like you could get hurt over at that Tavern. Its quite the unsavory place."<br/><br/>Claire blinked again. "Prerequisite? Tavern?"<br/><br/>~CJWrites~<br/><br/>And that is how she found herself at the bar, dressed as a newspaper boy, bow and muskets leaning against the table, and sitting across from a rather short man, even for her. She looked over him. Plump, obviously quite wealth even if he tried not to look it. His hands were too smooth to be someone who worked his way up to wealth and his age didn't work in that notion either.<br/><br/>"Well then Madamoiselle Dennis." So they knew she was from Gaspe then. How would they know that? Her spine chilled at the thought. "Let us explain our situation."<br/><br/>"You're simply a messenger. The situation is obvious." The messenger looked confused. "The way you carry yourself, your boots are worn. You're someone with means yet are reduced to travelling on foot a lot, therefore a royal messenger. However you either carry no official seal or this is so discrete you did not want to identify yourself in case I declined; probably both. Therefore I'd say assassination and given the little conflict over thrones in the vicinity as well as the lack of legitimate heirs from most which occurred , I'd wager a guess the King of Agathor wants his position back. I'm sorry but I don't do high-level assassinations. Don't like to deceive and get my hands that dirty." She started to get up and walk away.<br/><br/>The man chuckled "Impressive, but slightly off."<br/><br/>Claire raised her eyebrows. "Wrong?? I can't be<span style="font-style: italic">wrong</span>."<br/><br/>"My employer does not benifit that obviously from the conflict and the job is nowhere that specific. But then again... if you say you're not competent enough for the job... after my employer is willing to sponsor you afterwards and unfortunately turning this down will mean that you are not eligible for that"<br/><br/>"I am plenty eligible. What do you wish me to do." A third party? There was a third party in that conflict? Who else would benefit?<br/><br/>"Start a civil war. Should you choose to accept the task, here's your initial payment." He pushed a small bag towards Claire. "Its less than what your comrades are receiving but consider your situation after the war."<br/><br/>She opened the bag. Around 600 golden sovereigns. It was enough by itself but the aftermath was what really motivated her. Besides. This peaked her interest. "Wait comrades?" That was enough to almost make her reconsider the job. Almost.<br/><br/>"There are two right now over there. Probably more will come. Some might even join you while you're well into your journey. Can't say for certain with this business. Also... I think it would be more interesting if you introduced yourself as Clarence or Clement, Mademoiselle."<br/><br/>She was about to protest that she did not masquerade as a man but her getup spoke against the untold statement. Then she remembered she wanted to make a good impression on the employer and kept her mouth shut. She slung her bow over her shoulder and carried the bag in which she would keep the musket and some of its designs. She stored all the prototypes in a safe place.<br/><br/>She walked up to the couple, one dark skinned, the other one lighter, at the introduction of the light skinned... man? woman? Now she saw why it would be interesting. The other was just as ambiguous.<br/><br/>"Nice to meet you Pete. My name is Clement Dennis and I'm going to join you on your journey"