<span style="font-style: italic">“But  Cyrus...”<br/><br/>“Later Ardur, for now she must rest!” <br/><br/>“Can I just..” <br/><br/>“No you may not!”<br/><br/>“Cyrus, let up!  Let me be here when she wakes!”<br/><br/>“No!  Now leave this room, return downstairs and let Anora rest you fool!”</span><br/><br/>Selen sat motionless in the far side of the room as she watched her grandfather stand between an irate Ardur and a resting Anora.<br/><br/><span style="font-style: italic">“I must be here when she awakes!”</span>Ardur spoke with a quick tone, mindful to keep his voice down to not wake Anora.  His eyes moved from Cyrus to Anora's resting form.  His eyes moved up and down with each breath she drew in.<span style="font-style: italic">“She will want a familiar face when she wakes.”   </span><br/><br/><span style="font-style: italic">“Selen will get you when she wakes!” </span>Cyrus said as he began to push Ardur towards the door.  “<span style="font-style: italic">In the meantime I will make sure nothing wakes Anora from her sleep.”</span>As Ardur's body exited the door, Cyrus quickly grabbed the wodden frame, and with a quick '<span style="font-style: italic">Goody bye</span>' closed the door.<br/><br/>Ardur winched as the door was closed in his face, and his hand quickly rose to pound out his frustration but hesitated at the thought of waking Anora.  So with a look of anger draped across his face did he turn around and quickly make his way back down to the bar.<br/><br/><span style="font-style: italic">“Grandfather?”</span>Selen asked as a look of worry befell her face as she looked towards the door.<span style="font-style: italic">“Why is he acting this way?”</span><br/><br/>“He is worried”  Cyrus quickly responded.<br/><br/><span style="font-style: italic">"He <span style="font-weight: bold">always</span> worries" </span>The voice of Anora silently entered the room.  "<span style="font-style: italic">You fixed me up  good."</span>Her voice quickly went sharp as a quick cry of pain escaped her lips as her hand had placed itself firmly on the now stitched wound.<br/><br/>Selen quickly jumped from her bed and spoke in a quick tone “<span style="font-style: italic">I will go get Ardur..</span>”<br/><br/>“<span style="font-style: italic">Don't</span>” Cyrus quickly shot back.  His old body moved as fast as it could to the side of the bed.  He hovered over the bed in silence for a few seconds before his head sharply turned to Selen.  “<span style="font-style: italic">Keep Ardur busy for as long as possible.  Buy him drinks, strike a conversation or whatever you can think of.  I have some questions for our old friend.</span>”<br/><br/>Selen nodded as she quickly moved out the door, letting the sounds flood in from the tavern below.<br/><br/>"<span style="font-style: italic">It's evening.</span>"  Anora spoke in a hushed tone.  A look of concern fell on her face as her head darted to the door.  "<span style="font-style: italic">Any reason Ardur is not permitted by my side?</span>"  The sheepish voice of Anora asked as she lifted her body up.  Each movement brought about another look of pain to her face until her body was upright and her head was scanning for her weapons and armor.<br/><br/>Cyrus moved to the other side of the room and slowly he brought a chair over next to the bed.  As he sat down, he looked over to Anora and pointed at her stitched up side.  "<span style="font-style: italic">One of your arrows, if i'm not mistaken, had found a home in your side.</span>"  He said as his hand slowly moved through his beard.  "T<span style="font-style: italic">he damage was quite severe, i drained myself fixing what the arrow caused and could not fully heal the wound.  I had to revert to my surgical skills to do the rest.</span>"  A smile escaped him as a thought entered his mind.  "<span style="font-style: italic">It could be worse, Ardur offered to close the wound with his fire magic.</span>"<br/><br/>“<span style="font-style: italic">He always said he wanted to leave his mark on me.</span>”  Anora interrupted before a weak laugh escaped her lips.  Her eyes quickly darted over to Cyrus and she continued “<span style="font-style: italic">Why did you send Ardur away?</span>”  She asked in a sleepy voice, adamant to get an answer.<br/><br/>Cyrus's hand quickly ran threw his beard as he pondered his answer.  He looked at her with the look only a grandfather could give, and spoke "<span style="font-style: italic">Because our paths have crossed once before, and here we are now.</span>"<br/><br/>Anora's eyes grew one with surprise.  “<span style="font-style: italic">I do not remember</span>.”  She questioned.<br/><br/>“<span style="font-style: italic">Not directly of course</span>.”  Cyrus responded “I<span style="font-style: italic">met the ranger of the woods near your hometown a few months after</span>”  Pausing as he chose his words "<span style="font-style: italic">After your family was attacked.</span>"<br/><br/>Anora adopted a look of surprise on her tired face.  “<span style="font-style: italic">I had not been told of this</span>.”  She said as her eyes darted to the far side of the wall.  Thoughts of this man and his knowledge of her filled Anora's head as she more feverishly scanned the room for her bow.  An awkward silence fell over the room as Cyrus laughed a silent laugh.<br/><br/>“<span style="font-style: italic">Most likely because there were too many of these stories to tell, old man held up by a group of bandits only to be saved by a lone Ranger.  Tell me does this sound like one of many possible stories he might have told you?.</span>”  Cyrus joked.  His eyes fell upon the frame of Anora before continuing “<span style="font-style: italic">I wanted to talk to you alone because I know the gods also don't believe in coincidences.  We were always destined to meet and i want to know why.</span>”  He spoke as the humor drained from his voice.<br/><br/><br/>- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -<br/><br/><div style="text-align: center;">In the Tavern lobby</div><br/><br/>Ardur quickly found himself back on the ground floor of the tavern and was taken aback by how the scene had changed from just this morning.  Where there was drunkards spilling out of the bar, heading home to sleep off last nights drinking now the drunkards were pouring in, each telling a tall tale and each drinking down their current cup of grog faster than their last.  A slight smile escaped the tired lips of Ardur, he was back in his element.  He quickly noticed there was a few familiar faces in this crowd, Magnus was doing the work of a bard while looking the part of a soldier.  Eyes darting to the center of the room, he located Sheo looking and playing the drunk.<br/><br/>Quickly moving to the bar, Ardur sat down and looked at the new bartender.  "<span style="font-style: italic">I would like a cup of the strongest grog you have my friend.</span>"  Ardur said as began to reach for his coins.  A soft hand on his arm alerted him that Selen was by his side.<br/><br/>His eyes quickly darted to her face, and in a quick voice he asked<span style="font-style: italic">"What news have you of Anora?  Is she awake yet?"</span><br/><br/>Selen quickly shook her head no as she placed some coins down on the table.  "<span style="font-style: italic">I will pay for this man's drink, as well as a glass of wine for myself.</span>"  She said as she took the stool to Ardur's left.  "<span style="font-style: italic">I was instructed to keep you busy while we wait.</span>"  She said as she looked out into the crowd, eyes falling on one of the bards playing music.  "<span style="font-style: italic">That one is new.</span>"  She said pointing out Magnus.  "<span style="font-style: italic">Seems he is dressed for battle not a bar.</span>"  She joked.  The bartender returned quickly returned with the drinks, and upon examining the coin she provided before placing the money in a safe place, and returning to his other customers.<br/><br/>"<span style="font-style: italic">Thank you for this drink</span>."  Ardur said as he grabbed his grog and spun around to face the crowd.  "<span style="font-style: italic">Though you're likely to go broke long before i get drunk if you keep buying.</span>"  Ardur chuckled as he began to try and get Magnus's attention, waving his hand in the air like a wild man.<br/><br/>Taking notice of Ardur's wave, Magnus continued to play his flute for a few moments until he reached the end of his verse, turning to the other bards as the song ended. The group of four let out some wild cheers, apparently having had quite the time playing with him, and insisted on a few handshakes before they let him go. With the musical business done, Magnus wiped the mouthpiece of his instrument clean and approached the bar, giving a quick nod of greeting to Ardur before he spoke.<br/><br/>"How'd it go?" He asked, resting one of his hands on his hip. He was breathing with some fatigue for a few moments, catching his breath after the intense display he'd been putting on with the band. For now, he refrained from putting the flute away, not wanting to fiddle with the flaps of armour covering his pouches again just yet. He just placed it on the counter's top, letting it rest for the duration of the conversation.<br/><br/>Ardur quickly examined Magnus's new armor, he was impressed by the craftsmanship.  His finger began to scratch above his left eyebrow as he looked at Magnus with a slightly joking face as he spoke "<span style="font-style: italic">Would you believe me if i told you it was indeed Anora's own arrow that pierced her side?</span>"  He said as he chuckled a little "But according to Cyrus, she will be fine."  He quickly drank from his mug before continuing.  "<span style="font-style: italic">He was adamant on me not staying in the room any longer, however.  But all she needs is some rest and she should return to us back the way she normally is</span>."   He quickly downed the rest of his grog, placing the mug behind him on the counter.<span style="font-style: italic"> "I see you've been busy.  Craft that yourself?"</span><br/><br/>"I can't say I've ever heard of someone shooting themselves with a bow before. A pistol, sure, but an arrow?" Magnus wasn't entirely sure how Anora would have managed to injure herself in such a way, given how much force was needed to keep an arrow steady in the first place. "But it's good that she's doing alright. I still feel a bit bad about what happened earlier." Miraculous healing was sort of a family tradition, and his only making the situation worse was a bit discouraging.<br/><br/>The subject changed quickly enough, and at the mention of the armour, Magnus smiled. "Oh, yes! This took a good chunk of the day to put together. Sheoldred did most of the work, but I think we make a good team when it comes to putting things together." He flexed his arm in a way to show off the flexibility of the armour's joints, the sleek black metal shining slightly in the bar's atmospheric light. "Cold iron. It should keep me quite safe from any fae we bump into out in the wilds."<br/><br/><span style="font-style: italic">"I'll be sure to ask her how she managed it." </span>Ardur said as he reached behind him and grabbed a new mug that managed to appear like magic.  Quickly taking a drink, he looked back into the crowd. He was delighted to see this place was alive.  Out of any place, he was happiest waiting for Cyrus here. Looking back to Magnus, Ardur looked once more at the craftsmanship of the armor before speaking.<span style="font-style: italic">"If i ever need new armor, i know where my coin shall be spent."</span>He said pointing towards Magnus.  Quickly moving his hand towards Selen, he spoke.<span style="font-style: italic"> "I'm sure you remember her from earlier."</span><br/><br/><span style="font-style: italic">"Selen, a pleasure to make your acquaintance."</span>Selen said as she bowed her head slightly.<span style="font-style: italic">"You are quite the bard!"  </span><br/><br/>Ardur let out a soft laugh, he was indeed as surprised as Selen was at the quality music.  As he returned to drinking, a voice cut into the conversation from a seat nearby.<br/><br/><span style="font-style: italic">"I see you have recovered from our fight earlier, swordsman."</span>Lason spoke in a flat tone.  He sat closest to Magnus, his eyes never moving from the bar top in front of him.<span style="font-style: italic">"You are a well matched fighter."</span>He said as he took a drink from his own mug.<br/><br/>Ardur shot up from his seat, and the look of amusement quickly was replaced by that of anger.<span style="font-style: italic"><span style="font-weight: bold"> "You."</span></span><br/><br/>In response to the greeting from Selen, Magnus bowed his own head. "Magnus, and likewise. Apologies for any complications my intervention might have caused." He offered a warm smile, but at the sudden interjection of another voice, his face dropped. Ardur's reaction was proof enough that something was very wrong, and while he was currently unarmed, Magnus still took a step back and entered a defensive stance. A white-gold aura enveloped both of his hands, and his gaze locked on Lason.<br/><br/><span style="font-style: italic">"Keep your wits about you, blacksmith."</span>Lason said as he eyed up the magic flowing from Magnus's hands.<span style="font-style: italic">"I have come unarmed."</span>He said as he stood up, a gave the trio a little spin to show he was indeed being honest.<span style="font-style: italic">"Ardur was more than a match for me earlier, and if i came to fight i would not come into a place where i am <span style="font-weight: bold">both</span> undermanned and without any weapons."</span>He said as he sat back down in his seat.<span style="font-style: italic">"I come to offer you your lives."</span><br/><br/>Ardur could barley contain the rage inside of him.  His hands shook with anger, and a firey look fell into his eyes.  He felt the fire inside him wanting to come out, but he contained it. Yet he could not help but adopt a look of suprise at the his offer.  "<span style="font-style: italic"><span style="font-weight: bold">My</span> life.</span>"  Ardur chuckled<span style="font-style: italic">"What have you over me that you can bargin with it?"  </span><br/><br/><span style="font-style: italic">"I have enough."</span>He said as he downed the rest of his drink.  "<span style="font-style: italic">For starters i have a small army at my disposal, and they are very good at what they do."</span>He paused as he looked over the blacksmith.  "What have your group?"  Looking back to the Swordsmen, he continued<span style="font-style: italic">"A blacksmith, a battlemage, a giant woman and what else?" </span>His eyes darted into the crowd and looked at the female warrior.<span style="font-style: italic">"When we find your groups outside this city, and we will find you, who will protect the Blacksmiths  parents?</span><span style="font-style: italic">The boy with the <span style="font-weight: bold">dragon</span></span>?<span style="font-style: italic">The girl who fancies herself a <span style="font-weight: bold">hero?</span></span>Who?"  He said as he looked back to Magnus.  His voice rose over the course of his words.  Leaving no doubt about the future.<br/><br/>Magnus remained quiet at first, listening to the exchange between Ardur and Lason. His fists balled and his teeth grit, fury welling up deep in his chest. The glow on his arms began to brighten, spreading up his limbs and across his torso. It moved like liquid fire, flowing in a slow motion throughout him, ready to be used at a moment's notice. "Our lives are<span style="font-style: italic">not</span>yours to offer," He angrily answered, pointing at Lason's chest in a hostile motion. "Whatever armies you claim to have will not sway us. Here, you have nothing. What right do you think you have to threaten us? My friends? My<span style="font-style: italic">family?"</span><br/><br/>The glowing aura, now drawing the attention of damn near everyone within the lobby, intensified in its movements along his right arm. A crackling like lightning leapt between the holy glow, gathering towards his palm. "I will not stand for your threats. Whatever it is you want from us, you won't get it. I refuse to let anyone else be hurt by your troops, whoever they might be." His voice was one of absolute rage, but his tone did not shake or falter at all. A threat to merely him, he may have taken in stride. But the moment the others were brought into the equation, especially his parents, he was no longer going to sit idly by.<br/><br/>"I have my wits about me, you bastard. You're the one whose guard has been lost." While he refrained from attacking, the almost electric motion of the energy on his arm remained, the power spurred by the magical metal that covered it.<br/><br/><span style="font-style: italic">"You think me an idiot, blacksmith?"</span>Lason spoke in a comical tone.<span style="font-style: italic">"Would you expect me to come here with no defense what so ever?"</span>Lason's eyes darted into the crowd before allowing a smile to break across his face.  "Even now i have a few soldiers with me."  He spoke as his head turned ever so slow towards Magnus once more.<span style="font-style: italic">"Penny to the man who can tell me where they are?  Rather, who are they closest to?"</span>He said as he let out a small laugh, before returning to the angry look that dominated his face prior.  "<span style="font-style: italic"><span style="font-weight: bold">I</span></span><span style="font-style: italic">offer you once more, and this time i will be clear."</span>He said as he pointed above him, to the rooms above the tavern.<span style="font-style: italic"> "Give me the one who claims to be Anora and in promise you</span><span style="font-style: italic"><span style="font-weight: bold">I</span></span><span style="font-style: italic"> will spare your family and friends."  </span><br/><br/>Ardur nearly lost control at his request.  A vibrant flame replaced his eyes, as cracks of fire split across the skin of his left arm.<span style="font-style: italic">"What crime has she committed agianst you?"<br/></span><br/>Lason, losing his temper as well, quickly replied<span style="font-style: italic">"She has taken the name of my dead sister, slaughtered years before only for that harlot to take her innocent name!"</span>He said as his fist slammed into the bar top, sending his mug flying off and crashing to the floor below.<br/><br/>The explanation as to what Lason's motivation was nearly sent Magnus into a seething fury. All this, for what essentially boiled down to a family squabble? This man came to him with the audacity to threaten his life and the lives of those around him for the sake of nothing more than a name? The light in his hand glowed even brighter, his opposite arm taking on an equally furious glow.<br/><br/>"You think you can threaten my family because<span style="font-style: italic">you</span>have issues with your own? No. I don't<span style="font-style: italic">think</span>you an idiot. I<span style="font-style: italic">know."</span>Magnus' voice was low and full of anger, and he was moments away from unleashing the power he was building up. "An idiot and a coward with no power over either of us. You don't realize something. Anora is my friend as well, and I will not allow you to threaten her any more than the rest."<br/><br/>His left arm rose, a hand coming to rest on Ardur's shoulder. "Your soldiers will accompany you out of this building, or the two of us will escort you away. If you leave, and never show your face again, then we will live our lives as we did before. But if you ever dare to threaten us again, I<span style="font-style: italic">will</span>retaliate." As a threat, he allowed some of his power to flow into Ardur, who would feel a boost in his strength due to the holy aura. While Magnus had less offensive options at the time, he made it quite clear he could support the one of them who did.<br/><br/>Ardur felt his strength increase as Magnus poured some power into his body.  He was also surprised by the camaraderie shown in the wake of the man's threat. The group was still young in terms of knowing each other, and in his experience this time was often dominated by fear of others and not wanting to become close to others as they might be dead by the time you reached your next destination.  This group was already different regard, and Ardur felt a surge of the fire within him as he thought of the man's threats towards the young girl named Atisha.  Though he did not notice it, his fire magic changed.  Where was once a fire of light coming from his eyes there was now a a sapphire light, burning even more intense then the former.  His arm erupted in the same light as his eyes, causing the area around them to become even more hot than before.<br/><br/>Ardur pointed his now sapphire clad arm towards the man.<span style="font-style: italic"> "I hope to meet you in combat once more.</span>"  His eyes quickly were filled with the new light, and a momentary look of surprise filled his face only to vanish a second later.<span style="font-style: italic">"Then we will see who the real Divinio is."</span><br/><br/><span style="font-style: italic">"I tried to be civil."</span>Lason spat out.  He quickly stood up and tossed some coins on the bar.  The Bartender had since taken notice of their conversation and stood at the ready, as did three other employees, if a fight did break out.  Lason motioned with his hand towards the crowd.  A soldier appeared from near Magnus's parents, dagger at the ready.  Another from where Sheo was making a drunken fool of herself, and a third from the chair next to Selen.  "Y<span style="font-style: italic">ou see, blacksmith.  I held all the cards tonight.  I am Lason Divinio and i always hold all the cards."</span>He quickly made his way to the door, before stopping.  His head turned every so slightly back to the group, enough for a smile to be seen on his face.<br/><br/>In a voice for most to hear, he spoke.  His voice cut through the bar's voice like a sword into the exposed flesh of an enemy"<span style="font-style: italic">I hope i get to you before those assassins do.  When i kill your parents in front of you, might you realize why a dead name might mean so much to someone.</span>"  Before darting out into the night.<br/><br/>Turning to keep watch on Lason as he got up and walked away, Magnus kept a raised arm aimed at him, palm now open and holding a ball of angrily flowing power. He very nearly let it loose at the threat towards his parents, but before he could take a proper aim, Lason vanished into the dark outside. With bared teeth, Magnus balled his fist and lowered both arms, removing his other hand from Ardur's shoulder.<br/><br/>"Next time we see him, we're taking his head." A deep breath was taken and released, and slowly, the glowing aura surrounding Magnus' arms and torso began to fade. He closed his eyes and breathed steadily to calm himself down, and when he reopened them, he met the sight of the entire lobby, band of bards included, staring at Ardur and him. "Apologies," He commented, bowing his head ever-so-slightly. "I won't be a disturbance again."<br/><br/>As Magnus said his apology, and the crowd returned to it's normal drunken state, Ardur looked back at Selen and spoke in a fast voice<span style="font-style: italic">"Go tell Cyrus what happened."</span>The girl quickly darted, fear was clear across her face,<span style="font-style: italic">"Magnus, thank you." </span>He paused as he examined his arm.<span style="font-style: italic">"But i think tonight brings more questions then answers."</span>He said as he pointed out the very hot blue cracks in his skin.<span style="font-style: italic">"And what do you think he means about Anora taking a dead name?"  </span><br/><br/>The bartender quickly moved over to them and spoke quickly.  "Your next round in on the house.  My staff will make sure they are never welcome back."<br/><br/>His attention shifting to Ardur once more, Magnus nodded. At his arm, he furrowed his brows, unsure of what exactly had caused the change in colour of his magic. Magnus was no mage, but a look over his own hand gave him some vague idea of what may have happened. A strengthening miracle meant to enhance physical power had evidently had a further reach than he anticipated.<br/><br/>"I don't know what he meant. Frankly, I couldn't give less of a damn either. What matters is keeping him away from anyone he might try to hurt." He could at least answer the second part of the question with confidence. When the bartender spoke up, Magnus nodded. "Thank you, but I doubt you'll be seeing them again. You have my word on that. I'd like some mead, if you would." He hadn't planned on drinking anything alcoholic that night, but now, anything to help him relax was a welcome commodity.<br/><br/><span style="font-style: italic">"Bartender, have one of your men escort this man's parents to their room." </span>No reason to be cautious so early after a threat.  Ardur pulled the magic back once more, allowing his skin and his eyes to return to their normal state.  Ardur placed a hand on Magnus's shoulder.<span style="font-style: italic">"I know one thing is for sure, once Anora learns of this he may not have a head left to take."</span>He chuckled<span style="font-style: italic">"But thank you, i will do what i can to protect this group.  Once i learn what happened with my magic."</span>He paused as the man's words dawned on him.<span style="font-style: italic"> "He seems to know something about those robe wearing cowards, at least he know of their attempt on them.  What do you think?  He's working with them or are they working for him?"</span><br/><br/>"The one we interrogated in Goldenburgh spoke of a 'father.' If that coward is what passes for a religious leader these days, then the Gods may well have abandoned us." Magnus sneered, firmly believing that this Lason fellow was no more than an accomplice to their enemies. "Whoever he is, I doubt he's in charge of much else than a handful of men. And if we run into them, he'll be running out of company."<br/><br/>Raising his mug towards Magnus, Ardur spoke simply.  "<span style="font-style: italic">Here's to whatever we have gotten ourselves into.</span>"<br/><br/>A loud voice from behind alerted them that Anora had arrived in her full armor once more.  "<span style="font-style: italic">What trouble have you found us tonight, Ardur?</span>"  She said as she quickly grabbed a hold of Ardur's mug.  Though pain was clearly evident on her face, she did not voice any concern.  She quickly drank the grog inside, and with a look of disgust on her face did she eye up the bartender.  "<span style="font-style: italic">Bartender, another if you could."  <br/></span><br/>Cyrus was fast behind her, a look of protest was clear on his face.  "<span style="font-style: italic">You need to rest!"</span>He spoke loudly as he placed a heavy hand on her shoulder.  "You could tear out the stitches by just moving!"  He pleaded as Selen and Thedas appeared from the stairs.<span style="font-style: italic">"If those tear then you will be no better than when we started."</span><br/><br/><span style="font-style: italic">"Cyrus, i thank you for the job you did and i will repay you back."</span>She said as she began to reach for her coin purse.<span style="font-style: italic">"But that man threatened us, <span style="font-weight: bold">threatened</span> the parents of Magnus." </span>She said as she grabbed a few gold coins out.<span style="font-style: italic">"Here is your payment for your services." </span>She said as her arm extended out with the coins in hand.<br/><br/><span style="font-style: italic">"The only payment i accept is your rest!"</span>He protested.  Once it was made clear that Anora would not take any more rest, he ran his fingers through his beard once more.<span style="font-style: italic">"If this is how you plan to recover, than Selen and I will be by your side until you have completely healed."</span>He pushed away Anora's hand before continuing.<span style="font-style: italic">"<span style="font-weight: bold">That</span> is your payment." <br/></span><br/>Sheo's loud voice quickly became evident.  "<span style="font-style: italic">Hey! Never thought I'd see you all here!</span>"<br/><br/>Ardur let loose a wild laugh as she approached.<span style="font-style: italic">"Never been happier to see you among us, come!  Sit!  Sheo we have some strange news."</span>The bartender was sure to get his coffers filled tonight.