Eyes set on his drink, Dane had not neglected Ace of his attention for the moment. He knew that his 'type' was the kind that would wait for you to turn your back and then-<br/><br/>The crack of the brittle wood and jarring motion was abruptly counterbalanced. One foot slammed to the ground for stability, elbow resting on the bar coming forward. A little liquid jostled and slapped up against his lips and barely onto his cheek. Those amber eyes didn't budge, however, and the man continued taking his much needed swim in his mug until the interruption of their rather gaudy mannered friend. Dane had been, to all those who had bothered him before, a frustrating conundrum. Normally a noble didn't have reflexes fitting of a three-footed pregnant yak. His quick reaction and the skill it meant was normally the salt in the wound that pushed combatants over the edge.<br/><br/>Thankfully, they were distracted enough with Caine who could summon a crowd with that pearly smile. Ace's reaction to him just made the raven-haired rogue chuckle as he folded his arms across his chest. Ace's question came with a skeptical sort of look.<br/><br/>"Quite on the contrary. I was hoping that one of you would be able to shed a bit more light on our endeavor. While I'm guessing, by the looks of this motley crew, that our employer was going after able swords, that's all I know. There was a man in Chyshire who was the contract for the job. I met with him, he gave an approval and the letter and, well, here I am. Do you," he looked to Dane, "know more?"<br/><br/>He shook his head. "No. Same with me, but from Lancist to the north. Saw the job, met a man tasked with fielding candidates and took the letter when offered. Instructions were to wait here for the other two then head onto King's Road to clear it. Seemed simple enough."<br/><br/>"Straightforward," Caine confirmed with a nod. "What I liked about the job. The vetting process was a plus. Can't say I like stumbling over the corpses of idiots on my way to a job. Though it does make the trail easier to follow," came the smirk that he turned, hoping to share with Dane. Finding the straight line of the solemn man's lips, his own faltered before he took in a deep breath and looked back toward Ace. "Well, I'll assume it was the same for you. Either way," his arms came uncrossed as he clapped his hands together, rubbing them over each other, "let's start with introductions shall-"<br/><br/>"-I'm in favor of starting with actually starting," Dane interjected again and, this time, Caine's eyes cut to him with a look of mild annoyance. It was bit back, but it was still there. Caine was not a man who took kindly to those who thought they were better but, for him, he'd allow these small transgressions. Up until the  moment he decided he didn't need them anymore.<br/><br/>Playing it off with a grin, he gave a grateful and mocking bow of his head. Icy eyes locked on him, the smile widened across his face as he made the gesture.<br/><br/>"Oh, of course. As you'd like it, ser. And I suppose you'd like to be our self appointed leader? Seeing as how you're so....so..."<br/><br/>Dane had stood up and was reading himself to leave, gathering himself and pushing his empty mug forward. A man of action, he minced no words with those around him other than what was needed. This, of course, was a rather odd way of handling things when working in a team but Caine<br/><br/>"Set on doing what you want to do." Looking to Ace, he just raised his brows and shook his head. "Admirable? I think that's what that is. Not to worry," he stepped toward him, "I'm sure he'll warm up when we shed a little blood. Still, let's not be savages, hmm? Introductions are, after all, the civil way of beginning work together." Summoning his breath, he took another slight bow of his head. "Caine Niall Wolvengard at your service, Ser." The bow turned deep, arm over his side as he lowered, a formal bow.<br/><br/>Those icy eyes came up toward him as he lifted, looking amused as ever. "Tactician, dabbler in short blades and daggers. Master of poisons and, from time to time, negotiator for financial matters of all sizes. It is, in fact, my specialty. Normally I don't soil my hands in such paltry matters but, for this price, who could pass? Now, who do I have the honor of addressing? By the looks of you, a solid fighter but, well, I shy from assumptions. They've cost me a great deal before."<br/><br/><br/><br/><br/>Dane had made his way outside, hitting the fresh air with a grateful heart. He'd just come and yet he was so happy to leave. The quick departure had been for the need of space, for time to think. Names would be exchanged, and he had to think of a new one. He'd used so many now that it was becoming hard to remember what one he'd given the man in Lancist. What had it been? Ivan. That's right. He'd gone simple. Ivan sounded good enough. The surname had been Loc'Tier, a name he'd remembered from his text. It meant, in the old tongue of the north, No Lord. Ivan of No Lord. Fitting to him now.<br/><br/>He shook off the small snarl that had started, muttering something soft under his breath. An affirmation that this treachery would one day end. That one day, he'd have a name he was proud to have as his own. Stopping a few feet from the base of the steps, he took in a deep breath and closed his eyes.<br/><br/>"When the path I walk is dark, remind me that there is light."<br/><br/>It was a simple mantra from the church he'd been reared in, a soldier's prayer meant to remind them that their actions were for a purpose. Some would argue that this was merely the excuse of a killer, a passage written to overlook the atrocities done by man. To Dane, it was the truth. The one and only way to remind himself that he was better than the world had made him. Better than the dirty blood in his veins. In the end, it was the only veil that remained between man and beast.