Elementals 3: The White Rose (IC, Sign-ups only)

[Hanafuridake]

"Forgive him", the nomad started, clearing his throat. "But was the giant in fact the god himself?", he asked Fumiko. "And what is it about this great spirit and her... 'master' you seem to know, fair lady."

“The red bearded man from earlier... ” Fumi replied, barely answering his question, mostly because she herself didn't know how to fully reply. It seemed strange that the Fire God of the Gallians would have much use for her, even stranger that he would claim to make her. But it seemed ridiculously blind to deny that the Gallian deity was real and that he had talked to her. “As for this one,” she looked at Belle Lame and said in her own language: “変態 (hentai = pervert).” who else would transform into a sword and allow themselves to be carried by that grotesque male?

"Ha ha ha. Unbelievable. I've been stranded in the mortal plane for almost 1000 years. And when Father sees fit to grace you flotsam with his presence, it's not to finally bring me home. No, it's to enforce the delusions of highborn mortal bitch. Ha. Ha. HAHAHA! AHHHHHHHHHHH!"

Fumiko covered her ears as the intense noise from the angelle's shrieking caused her to wince. Sun almighty, she was starting to understand why the swordsman seemed to be the only person who could hang around the spirit. As the angelle started to shout threats at her, she reached for her bow warily in case she would have to make a last stand. It didn't seem that Fire would be effective against a creature who seemed to be borne by a god of fire.

"Father. I doubt you know of me. I was...low in the hierarchy when they entrapped me. But I must ask. Are you here to take me home?"

Fortunately it seemed that the god from earlier, Pryastar, had stepped in before either of them escalated the situation further. Fumi would have knelt as well, but because the wind was still blown out of her, she failed. “I don't mean to be rude, kami-sama.” she said respectfully, intending to avoid making the powerful red giant angry at her. “But you instructed me to meet the rest of the group. As touching as this reunion is, I can't find them without this woman. You're going to have to let me keep her for awhile longer.”

[Reverend Norv]

Once the group of travelers reached the inn, Everard Mallow slipped away for a few minutes. He returned carrying a cavalryman's doglock carbine under his cloak, and lugging a soldier's rucksack, to which was strapped a battered lobster-tailed pot. He watched, silently, as Alexei knocked on Fumiko's door, then pushed it open to reveal an empty room, then left without explanation. Alexei walked down the corridor to the door of his own, larger room; Ev lingered by Fumiko's door, casting a last curious glance around the empty chamber, before gently pulling the door closed again.

Alexei held the door to his own room open until everyone had walked inside. Ev complied, grey-green eyes watchful on the larger man, and when Alexei stepped inside and bolted the door behind him, that same eerily relaxed stance creeped into the colonel's shoulders. But Alexei's respectful nod seemed to dispel at least some of Ev's wariness. The Northeman tossed his traveler's cloak onto the table - in this company, there was no longer any need to disguise his buff coat and harquebusier's armor - and he cradled his carbine in the crook of one arm, and took up a position alongside the window, so that he could see the street below without being seen.

Ev flashed a quick, wry smile when Alexei glanced at him and emphasized the importance of staying on the right side of the law. "I always try to stay on the right side of the gods' law," Ev replied simply. But save for that one interjection, the colonel simply listened attentively to the rest of Alexei's plan, and kept his gaze on the street outside the window. His expression was unreadable, except when Alexei said that Katya could push the ship out of the harbor; then Ev looked anew at the young noblewoman, and bowed his head in reverence, a gesture suffused with obvious sacred ritual.

Alexei finished explaining his plan, and coughed violently into the crook of his elbow. At the wet, wracking sound, Ev turned away from the window and looked at the big man with obvious recognition. He paused for a moment, gaze steady and thoughtful, and then shook his head once, as if deciding against a course of action.

"It's a decent plan," the colonel stated. "Eric, you will need to get out of the headquarters in a hurry once the shooting starts. And I don't think that we should just charge the ship." Ev shook his head and walked across the room until he faced Alexei. "Even with the watchtowers out of the scene, we don't know how many guards are left on board the Devil's Luck. That ship carries twenty-four pounders. If we charge down the dock in the open, and they see us coming, one blast of grapeshot from one gun will be the end of all of us." Ev's voice held the grim confidence of a man who had seen it happen. "I'd suggest we get a rowboat, muffle the oars, and approach from the seaward side, where the ship-guards won't be looking. Once the watchtower men are killed, Froenstia's chosen ones can freeze some stairs to get us from the rowboat onto the ship." The colonel nodded once. "An infiltration, not a charge. They won't know we're aboard until we cut their throats."

As he concluded his recommendation, Ev leaned toward Alexei and laid one hand on his arm, touching the flecks of blood on the inside of the larger man's elbow. "You have a tear in your lung," the colonel murmured grimly, too quietly for the rest of the room to hear. "It will heal on its own, in time, but not if you keep aggravating it. And unless it heals, you'll eventually start to drown in your own blood." Ev looked up at Alexei. "I can handle the assault team. You can meet us at the ship when we've taken it." Ev shook his head once. "You don't have to risk this if you don't want to. You should have that option."

[Serconas]

From the way Fumiko answered his first question Ke'Am took it that she didn´t quite knew herself who or indeed what the red giant was, the nomad simply nodded in response, acknowledging what she said. Though at the ladies answer to the the nature of the spirit in front of them he forrowed his brow, not only because Ke'Am didn´t understand what Fumiko said, but also because he couldn´t quite discern the meaning of it from her tone.
"He is afraid he doesn´t understand...", then the spirit spoke again:

"Ha ha ha. Unbelievable. I've been stranded in the mortal plane for almost 1000 years. And when Father sees fit to grace you flotsam with his presence, it's not to finally bring me home. No, it's to enforce the delusions of highborn mortal bitch. Ha. Ha. HAHAHA! AHHHHHHHHHHH!"

Before he could form a thought about the spirit adressing the giant as her father and the implication therein Ke'Ams mind was blanked by her piercing scream. Instead of covering his ears though, the nomad simply froze in place, hands and face contorted by the spirits cry. As it stopped his ears rang and Ke'Am cursed himself for his moment of inattentiveness.
Though his ears were still good enough for him to hear the spirit shout, that her master was in fact not that. Weird, was the first coherent thought that arose in Ke'Ams blasted mind.
The return of the red giant and his display of affection towards the spirit seemed to confirm her first words. The nomad now wondered if the supposed deity had woman with whom he had this child with. He did not dare to ask, not wanting upset someone whos presence alone emitted might.
As the spirit knelt Ke'Am wondered if he should emulate her, but chose not to as Fumiko didn´t repeat her earlier move either.

“I don't mean to be rude, kami-sama.” she said respectfully, intending to avoid making the powerful red giant angry at her. “But you instructed me to meet the rest of the group. As touching as this reunion is, I can't find them without this woman. You're going to have to let me keep her for awhile longer.”

"The fair lady is right, Ssa'Te", the nomad chimed in, respectfully calling the red giant 'Sun Man' in his native tongue. "As you decreed Ke'Am will follow her, but we are in need of guidance", while he was almost sure that the giant knew his name, he found it appropriate to mention it just in case. It would also let the other two become aware of it, though he was still wary of the kneeling woman. She seemed a bit... erratic. Fitting, as the nomad found, she was a spirit after all.
As for guidance, surely the group just mentioned had way to cross the ocean. Swimming was hardly an option and with the little money Ke'Am had taken from one of his captors he would have to seek work in the city to pay for the passage. Sneaking on one of the ships was something he had considered, but deemed to dangerous since his appearance was rather eye-catching so far away from the accursed realm hiding behind the great wall. Just thinking of it made him aware of the iron bind still choking his neck. At least the clothing he had acquired hid it fully, a very poor relief though.

[Zarkenis Ultima]

As the party - which had now gained the presence of Catrin the Drider and Everard the colonel, as well as old friends Erosen and Flacht - filed into the Garmiccian soldier's large room, Tristan slipped inside and leaned against the wall next to Lisoette and not far from Everard, his glaive in his hand instead of strapped to his back not out of caution or paranoia, but a simple desire for comfort. He listened attentively as Alexei took the lead and detailed the plan they would follow to steal the Devil's Luck and secure passage out of Carogne. On one hand, he couldn't help but feel that the whole situation had turned far more complicated than necessary: if they couldn't find naval passage to the North, then they could simply head to Federation lands and make the journey to the North on foot, couldn't they? But on the other hand there was a certain thrill about being in an adventure once again, especially with so many members of the old guard around; he'd had his fair share of quests in Yuelkelu alongside his wife, but they hadn't been nearly as grand as their crusade against Watchtower and the demons three years ago.

In any case, the plan seemed fairly solid to him: have Erosen use his questionable darkness magic to dispatch the watchtowers - Heh, Watchtower - while Eric and Belle distracted the pirates, a task that fit the old man like a ring. After the lookouts were taken care of, Alexei would lead the rest of the party in a charge against the pirates, after which they'd board the ship and set sail, away from Carogne and to the Commonwealth of the North. He didn't have any objections to raise - his abilities were well-suited to dealing with crowds of enemies, and his only other role in the plan, to raise up a stairwell towards the ship alongside Aerion, was simple enough. He was confident he could accomplish such a task alone, but he wouldn't turn down the assistance of the other Elemental.

Having no issues to raise, the white-haired man held his silence and instead allowed his gaze to wander across the room, eventually settling on the bleach-haired woman that had approached them earlier, Flacht. He'd been happy enough to meet another friend from three years ago again, and was pleasantly surprised by how much more outgoing the Fire Elemental had become since then, but at the same time, he felt a certain unease. Given how close they had been, he'd hoped she would have some information about Trish's whereabouts - he'd worried plenty about the fate of his fellow islander after the Battle of Fair Hills - but instead she seemed just as clueless as he was.

No matter. I'm sure we'll meet again. Tristan told himself. After all, the fact that they had all met three years ago and gone on a grand adventure together couldn't be ascribed to anything but fate, and if it was fate that was bringing them together now, then surely they would run into each other soon.

The matter of securing passage out of Carogne was more pressing, in any case. And in that regard, their new ally Everard had raised an important point: if they charged blindly against the pirates and were spotted by the ship's skeleton crew, they would all be blown to pieces by cannon fire. He suggested a subtler approach instead, closer to the plan that Katya had originally suggested, albeit with a rowboat in the place of a path of ice. Hearing the older man's words, Tristan suddenly had an idea, and spoke up for the first time during the meeting.

"If that's what we'll be doing, Colonel, wouldn't it be simpler to send in a small crew on the rowboat to dispatch the crew of the Devil's Luck and seize the cannons? It occurs to me we'll have a much easier time dealing with the pirates on the ground if we can turn their biggest asset on them." The young man suggested before lightly waving his hand in front of him, an icy mist appearing in the air after the motion. "I can make it so that it will be very difficult to spot us while approaching from the water, and from there it'll be easy to take them by surprise. With the cannons sending the grounded pirates into disarray, everyone else should have an easier time dealing with them and making it to the ship."

[Woodstovia]

Aerion followed the rest of the group back to the inn, anticipating he'd be kicked out again as they went into a room upstairs. He listened to Alexei's plan in silence but was hardly respectful, the whole time he either looked irritated or bored, yawning loudly or staring out the window as the old man droned on and on. Aerion wondered how they'd gotten to the city before their teeth fell out from old age. Did they plan every step they took in the streets like this? Did they have to pull out a map before eating their soup? He let out a loud, impatient snort.

"We don't need any of this "planning" shit. Maybe mortals like you do." he said, shooting daggers at Alexei "But most of us here are your betters. Us Elementals or "Spellborn" as you like to call us don't exactly find your kind much of a challenge. Ask your 2 other bodyguards about it. Whether it's a rowboat or swimming or whatever doesn't matter. I say we just walk up and kill them all. It's not like it'd be hard for us. And don't tell me you're afraid of the Watchtower, I've watched us scatter them twice by now, they'll be cheering us on; they want us the fuck out of their city. They won't be a problem and neither will the pirates, now let's do this before they decide to leave town."

[Hanafuridake]

"Assuming Lady Fumiko returns and wishes to come along with us, her and Mistress Flacht will serve as defense against other ships. One fireball to sails of any pursuers and we'll be home free." he said confidently, before coughing violently into the crook of his elbow. In dismay, he saw flecks of blood covering his sleeve.

“Mistress Flacht, I like the sound of that...” the war veteran beamed, although she wondered why the name Fumiko sounded so familiar. “It seems that you are a good strategist, whats your name. I can respect that and will defer to your plan if it's acceptable to everybody else.” her rural Visalmarch accent broke through her normal facade, a bumpkin twang that would reveal her origins to anyone.

"We don't need any of this "planning" shit. Maybe mortals like you do." he said, shooting daggers at Alexei "But most of us here are your betters. Us Elementals or "Spellborn" as you like to call us don't exactly find your kind much of a challenge. Ask your 2 other bodyguards about it. Whether it's a rowboat or swimming or whatever doesn't matter. I say we just walk up and kill them all. It's not like it'd be hard at all. And don't tell me you're afraid of the Watchtower, I've watched us scatter them twice by now, they'll be cheering us on; they want us the fuck out of their city. They won't be a problem and neither will the pirates, now let's do this before they decide to leave town."

Wow, Flacht thought to herself. I really do not like this guy. Well, she used language much more unpleasant than guy.

“I'm not sure about your experience on the battlefield, sir.” Flacht said with faux cheerfulness. “But I have fought before, and if there's one thing I have realized, it's that preparation is key. Unexpected contingencies can and do arise. Running into danger like a chicken with its head cut off is not going to ensure we live to see another day, and I have every intention of doing so.” she crossed her arms and a part of her was undoubtedly agitated. In the old days, she was brave and foolhardy, but things weren't like the old days anymore. She had seen people die gruesomely, soldiers die in large numbers because their officers had the attitude of this stranger. “I didn't survive a war to die in something little better than a bar fight.” there was someone she had to find.

[Constaniana]

"...Oh...you were still here...well, now I feel silly."

Silly wasn't how the numerous home and shop owners felt over their now destroyed windows. No, that was annoyance. She quickly, if reluctantly, broke away from the hug and knelt before him.

"Father. I doubt you know of me. I was...low in the hierarchy when they entrapped me. But I must ask. Are you here to take me home?"

Fortunately it seemed that the god from earlier, Pryastar, had stepped in before either of them escalated the situation further. Fumi would have knelt as well, but because the wind was still blown out of her, she failed. “I don't mean to be rude, kami-sama.” she said respectfully, intending to avoid making the powerful red giant angry at her. “But you instructed me to meet the rest of the group. As touching as this reunion is, I can't find them without this woman. You're going to have to let me keep her for awhile longer.”

The fair lady is right, Ssa'Te", the nomad chimed in, respectfully calling the red giant 'Sun Man' in his native tongue. "As you decreed Ke'Am will follow her, but we are in need of guidance", while he was almost sure that the giant knew his name, he found it appropriate to mention it just in case. It would also let the other two become aware of it, though he was still wary of the kneeling woman. She seemed a bit... erratic. Fitting, as the nomad found, she was a spirit after all.
As for guidance, surely the group just mentioned had way to cross the ocean. Swimming was hardly an option and with the little money Ke'Am had taken from one of his captors he would have to seek work in the city to pay for the passage. Sneaking on one of the ships was something he had considered, but deemed to dangerous since his appearance was rather eye-catching so far away from the accursed realm hiding behind the great wall. Just thinking of it made him aware of the iron bind still choking his neck. At least the clothing he had acquired hid it fully, a very poor relief though.

"I'm afraid these two Elementals are correct for now, Belle. Besides, old Eric still needs your help, and we all chuckle up there about him being so reliant on a literal servant of ours. When the time comes he can retire to his cottage by the sea, you can come back to Heaven, and you both will have helped save the world. I promise you that your strength will last until then, my child. Oh, and keep an eye out for Temujin and Aisha; they should bump into your group again sooner or later. Go forth; I will tidy this up here," the deity responded. He gently put his hands on the angelle's head, and Belle Lame would feel a mighty surge of magic rejuvenating her. He waved the group off and looked up at the sky, "TERESTARK! Glass falls under your Element, not mine!" The annoyed citizens of Carogne stopped paying attention to the funny folk in the street just in time for another eight-foot tall man with silver hair and a brown tweed suit to walk over from somewhere.

"I see that axe has served you well, Ke'Am U'Zhar. You are on the true path, my child. We can talk more later; you lot need to get going," the second giant said with a smile as he began snapped his fingers and began to put the windows back into place.

[Kassaran]

Erosen had been biting his tongue, holding himself to simply remain in reserve as the group had pressed into the tavern where the keep seemed to be too preoccupied to notice them, or simply pretended to be. It was highly unlikely that such a group could be ignored so directly though, which left his mind to wonder as to the circumstances of how he did not address the following that now had gathered behind the tall Garmiccian veteran. Beside him walked Catrin, who no doubt should have attracted the attentions of the bar keep, but as they wound their way up to the second floor of the inn, it became apparent to Erosen that something was off about the whole situation. His head turned to try and catch one of Catrin's eyes, gesturing softly towards two doors that lay only partially closed on either side of the hall as they passed along.

The tavern lobby had been one of standard design by the deductions of his trained eye had long taught him that a story oft lay in how the furniture was arranged in such a space. An alehouse rarely lacked as much furniture, or sported as many burn and score-marks, as the few pieces that did remain had. His mind slowly had pieced together the bar keep's almost willing oversight of the party entering the tavern as a consequence of some earlier scuffle. The traces of unease that had been in the tender's rigid form had however betrayed some underlying discomfort at such a party as this. If anything now, the soft breathing which could be heard only faintly through one of the gaps in the doors upon the right side of the hall set his mind to a level of overt caution he'd not felt since when he'd first entered the city only just yesterday.

It was as the group entered into the room, that Erosen stepped aside to allow Catrin a moment to enter, before passing into the space beyond himself. It was a small, decent sized parlor perhaps and one that comfortably allowed for a small company of guests to no doubt entertain visitors when the time allowed. The notable number of members to this group left the space feeling small and cramped and somewhere inside, there was a slight pang of panic that was quickly stifled in its early moments with a deep breath. It was a calming sensation to be near Catrin, someone he trusted immensely in spite of her odd appearance, but indeed he felt perhaps more interested in the conversation at hand.

It appeared his earlier plan to move into each watchtower and disable them would indeed work, and he knew he'd likely burn through most of his reserves he now retained to do so. His eyes flashed across each face in the room, engraving them into the backs of his eyelids and committing their appearances to memory as the discussions continued. Then, he felt himself stiffen as the man who most overtly had called for his death began to speak again. Plans, as he expressed, were for those who wasted time it seemed. His words were laced with some overt sense of misplaced superiority in Alexei as he spoke, a venom dripping from his tongue as he attempted to dismiss the cautious nature already fostered by most everyone else. Erosen felt the edge of his nose twist as his upper lip curled and twitched out of annoyance.

"It appears you've no idea what you are szörnyeteg. As Flacht says, plans are key to building success and as such they have been what has kept me alive for so long in spite of fools like yourself. You claim to know battle, but in the end you're no better than the demons and darklings you claim to hate and despise. Your motives are twisted and corrupted by the war you so proudly claim yourself key and instrumental to ending, but I'd bet there was no greater dread in your heart than the day the killing stopped and peace- no matter how fragile it may be- descended upon Gaiaca. Typical for such brutes as yourself though-"

He turned his head to the side, his ears having suddenly picked upon the sound of a floorboard squeaking slightly somewhere in the hall outside the room.

[Constaniana]

"The gods don't help the fool catch lionfish if he forgets to bring the harpoons," Lisoette added, quoting an expression from Yuelkelu, "And Aerion, I think Alexei was referring to the building sort of watchtower. A tower that people watch from. But if the Watchtower cult does get involved tonight I would think they would side with the pirates, ganging up on us to get the advantage in numbers, not to mention they would be properly prepared this time. They'll have swapped out the pamphlets for repeater bows, and I would think they'd bring out their pets, like a platoon of gorillachs or their poisoned, enhanced berserkers. But hopefully they'll be asleep or busy dying their hair ugly shades of green and whatever other degeneracy they like to get up to.

"Now then, back to the ship plans. Would we all be making our way aboard the Devil's Luck from rowboats? There would be ten of us here not making our way aboard by teleporting or being flown by their angelle friend. But would all of us manage to make it up to the ship from the boat using ice stairs? Tristan's ice would have no problem bearing us all up, but ice is inherently slippy. I may have packed ice skates for our honeymoon, but I don't know about the rest of you lot. Climbing up with a good rope grappled onto the taffrail works for me; I've got plenty of experience climbing. Then again, hearing the hook driving into the wood might alert the crew to our arrival..." Lisoette scrunched her brow for a few moments, tapping her foot as she thought. Inspiration struck, and the daemonness excitedly pointed to the drider, "Catrin! Would your web be strong enough for us to use as a rope to climb aboard?"

[Lazarian]

As he concluded his recommendation, Ev leaned toward Alexei and laid one hand on his arm, touching the flecks of blood on the inside of the larger man's elbow. "You have a tear in your lung," the colonel murmured grimly, too quietly for the rest of the room to hear. "It will heal on its own, in time, but not if you keep aggravating it. And unless it heals, you'll eventually start to drown in your own blood." Ev looked up at Alexei. "I can handle the assault team. You can meet us at the ship when we've taken it." Ev shook his head once. "You don't have to risk this if you don't want to. You should have that option."

Alexei shook his head in response, frowning.

"What kind of man would I be if I did not lead from front? Unacceptable. I must-" he replied quietly, before being interrupted by another coughing fit in the midst of the sentence. His side burned in agony, and he clenched his teeth, trying to ignore the pain.

Gods, Everard was right. The wound he had sustained earlier on his side was worse than he had originally thought. He was in no state to lead a crew of cooks right now, let alone a charge on a ship full of pirates. Despite his many years of service, he wasn't much of a field medic, and didn't know much other than bandaging and disinfecting wounds...but drowning in blood? That sounded like an unpleasant death, and he trusted Everard's knowledge on the subject. The Gallians were generally more educated than his people (as much as he hated to admit it), with their magic boats of iron and miraculous moving "trains". This carried on to their doctors and soldiers as well, apparently. Reluctantly, he took a deep breath and resumed speaking.

"...I hate to fail in my duty, but yes. I cannot participate in this battle." he said calmly, tinged with regret. Slowly, he walked over to the wall, and leaned against it with an arm to support himself. "Colonel Everard, if you lead, I trust you with my ward's life." he said, gesturing towards Katya, who was sitting on the other end of the large room. "Failure is not an option."

"We don't need any of this "planning" shit. Maybe mortals like you do." he said, shooting daggers at Alexei "But most of us here are your betters. Us Elementals or "Spellborn" as you like to call us don't exactly find your kind much of a challenge. Ask your 2 other bodyguards about it. Whether it's a rowboat or swimming or whatever doesn't matter. I say we just walk up and kill them all. It's not like it'd be hard at all. And don't tell me you're afraid of the Watchtower, I've watched us scatter them twice by now, they'll be cheering us on; they want us the fuck out of their city. They won't be a problem and neither will the pirates, now let's do this before they decide to leave town."

“I'm not sure about your experience on the battlefield, sir.” Flacht said with faux cheerfulness. “But I have fought before, and if there's one thing I have realized, it's that preparation is key. Unexpected contingencies can and do arise. Running into danger like a chicken with its head cut off is not going to ensure we live to see another day, and I have every intention of doing so.” she crossed her arms and a part of her was undoubtedly agitated.

Swearing under his breath in Garmiccian, Alexei cursed out Aerion. Accursed iceborn bastards. Worthless, the lot of them. What he'd do for a good earthborn right now. Those spellborn had good heads on their shoulders.

"A son of the gods is just as vulnerable to cannon fire as any man!" Alexei snarled at Aerion, crossing his arms, as he felt his temper flare up. "I was a part of a spellborn hunting battalion once. A couple of bastards who thought they were too good to sign up for the Emperor's Registry. We mortals," he hissed, resentment coursing through the word, "can take on the sons of the gods with enough pike and crossbows. If you think the two men you dispatched are as much of a threat as experienced corsairs, you do not think at all!"

Gods. He had struggled all of his life to get to where he was now, but in a way, Aerion was right. The spellborn were technically his "betters" - how could an average man contend with men who could shape the earth or shoot lightning from their fingers? A single earthborn could create battlements in an hour that would take an entire battalion a day to make. A single ironborn could create weapons that would make an experienced blacksmith envious. And they weren't particularly better than plenty of the men they ruled over - just blessed by the gods. But regardless of powers, every man would die with a well placed crossbow shot or a cleaving strike from a halberd.

"It appears you've no idea what you are szörnyeteg. As Flacht says, plans are key to building success and as such they have been what has kept me alive for so long in spite of fools like yourself. You claim to know battle, but in the end you're no better than the demons and darklings you claim to hate and despise. Your motives are twisted and corrupted by the war you so proudly claim yourself key and instrumental to ending, but I'd bet there was no greater dread in your heart than the day the killing stopped and peace- no matter how fragile it may be- descended upon Gaiaca. Typical for such brutes as yourself though-"

Alexei scowled, irritated. He agreed with Erosen, of course. Planning was incredibly important for any venture - even if no plan survived first contact with the enemy. But, inwardly, he hated the fact that he agreed with the devil's son. He had no right to talk with such disdain about Aerion when he was cut from the same mold, if not a worse one. Suddenly, Erosen stopped, mid-sentence, turning his head. Alexei raised an eyebrow, curious as to the cause of Erosen's newfound hesitation.

"You have no right to talk, darkling. Servants of the devil should not preach about virtue." he hissed at Erosen, taking advantage of the interruption.

[Woodstovia]

Aerion looked a little overwhelmed as the tide of opposition washed over him. He hadn't expected his fellow children of the gods to try and stab him in the back just to win the favour of some normal mortal, never mind arguing against him as forcefully as this. He'd thought they were all essentially half-brothers and sisters and knew he'd never do the same to them. His shock turned quickly to annoyance and then to smugness as he realized how much he must be annoying them all. Aerion pretended to be looking over the dirt under his fingernails (naturally there was no dirt) as they screamed at him, eventually looking up and surveying the room when they were done before standing up straight again.

Wow, Flacht thought to herself. I really do not like this guy. Well, she used language much more unpleasant than guy.

“I'm not sure about your experience on the battlefield, sir.” Flacht said with faux cheerfulness. “But I have fought before, and if there's one thing I have realized, it's that preparation is key. Unexpected contingencies can and do arise. Running into danger like a chicken with its head cut off is not going to ensure we live to see another day, and I have every intention of doing so.” she crossed her arms and a part of her was undoubtedly agitated. In the old days, she was brave and foolhardy, but things weren't like the old days anymore. She had seen people die gruesomely, soldiers die in large numbers because their officers had the attitude of this stranger. “I didn't survive a war to die in something little better than a bar fight.”.

"Oh I've seen plenty of combat, much more than some little girl but I'm sure your duties as a nurse were very well respected, it takes incredible strength to wrap up the real warriors. I know things can change on a battlefield, I just don't believe these pirates or the grey-cloaks can do anything unexpectedly that'll hurt us. If you're scared you can hide behind me and I'll protect you." he cooed patronizingly.

"It appears you've no idea what you are szörnyeteg. As Flacht says, plans are key to building success and as such they have been what has kept me alive for so long in spite of fools like yourself. You claim to know battle, but in the end you're no better than the demons and darklings you claim to hate and despise. Your motives are twisted and corrupted by the war you so proudly claim yourself key and instrumental to ending, but I'd bet there was no greater dread in your heart than the day the killing stopped and peace- no matter how fragile it may be- descended upon Gaiaca. Typical for such brutes as yourself though-"

"No idea what I'm what? Did you just have a stroke? Is the darkness trying to take over again? Maybe if you're this unstable we need to deal with you sooner than later." he said with a sharp, unfriendly laugh. "I'm not sure what I've done to make you this angry but you should really co-ordinate your insults better. She claims I've never seen combat, you claim I'm a bloodthirsty brute who's somehow just the same as you? I'm sure it feels good to flatter yourself but I'm nothing like you."

"The gods don't help the fool catch lionfish if he forgets to bring the harpoons," Lisoette added, quoting an expression from Yuelkelu, "And Aerion, I think Alexei was referring to the building sort of watchtower. A tower that people watch from. But if the Watchtower cult does get involved tonight I would think they would side with the pirates, ganging up on us to get the advantage in numbers, not to mention they would be properly prepared this time. They'll have swapped out the pamphlets for repeater bows, and I would think they'd bring out their pets, like a platoon of gorillachs or their poisoned, enhanced berserkers. But hopefully they'll be asleep or busy dying their hair ugly shades of green and whatever other degeneracy they like to get up to.

"Oh no, the towers will sound an alarm and send some more hapless grunts for us to cut through! Froestania I'm so sorry! I'm too stupid to be your son!" he cried sarcastically, clasping his hands together. "Come on get real, I've fought their pets, I'll protect you all." his voice got a little more serious and shaky at the end, this wasn't real confidence. For once he was forcing himself to put it on and quickly changed the subject.

Swearing under his breath in Garmiccian, Alexei cursed out Aerion. Accursed iceborn bastards. Worthless, the lot of them. What he'd do for a good earthborn right now. Those spellborn had good heads on their shoulders.

"A son of the gods is just as vulnerable to cannon fire as any man!" Alexei snarled at Aerion, crossing his arms, as he felt his temper flare up. "I was a part of a spellborn hunting battalion once. A couple of bastards who thought they were too good to sign up for the Emperor's Registry. We mortals," he hissed, resentment coursing through the word, "can take on the sons of the gods with enough pike and crossbows. If you think the two men you dispatched are as much of a threat as experienced corsairs, you do not think at all!"

"Are we?" he asked with a wry smirk. "I watched the new guy pull his guns out of their scabbards without touching them. Now let's play a little game! Who could do such a thing Is he a really skilled magician or is he a son of Ferruoston?" Aerion began tapping his chin in an exaggerated thinking motion "Hmmm... Well since every fucking body else here is an Elemental I'm going to say he's one too! That means that if a big metal cannonball comes us and it's life or death. Hmm.... Can metal ones stop metal? Hmm... Really makes you think huh? Help me out Alexei if his life depended on it could he stop one? Oh and when you're done answering tell me again if you think we're just as vulnerable to canon fire as you are."

[Lazarian]

Swearing under his breath in Garmiccian, Alexei cursed out Aerion. Accursed iceborn bastards. Worthless, the lot of them. What he'd do for a good earthborn right now. Those spellborn had good heads on their shoulders.

"A son of the gods is just as vulnerable to cannon fire as any man!" Alexei snarled at Aerion, crossing his arms, as he felt his temper flare up. "I was a part of a spellborn hunting battalion once. A couple of bastards who thought they were too good to sign up for the Emperor's Registry. We mortals," he hissed, resentment coursing through the word, "can take on the sons of the gods with enough pike and crossbows. If you think the two men you dispatched are as much of a threat as experienced corsairs, you do not think at all!"

"Are we?" he asked with a wry smirk. I watched the new guy pull his guns out of their scabbards without touching them. Now let's play a little game! Who could do such a thing? Is he a really skilled magician or is he a son of Ferruoston?" Aerion began tapping his chin in an exaggerated thinking motion. "Hmmm... Well, since every fucking body else here is an Elemental, I'm going to say he's one too! That means that if a big metal cannonball comes us and it's life or death...Hmm.... Can metal ones stop metal? Hmm... Really makes you think huh? Help me out, Alexei - if his life depended on it, could he stop one? Oh, and when you're done answering - tell me again if you think we're just as vulnerable to cannon fire as you are."

"You insolent lout!" roared Alexei, finally losing his temper. The man's arrogance had set him off immensely. He wasn't sure if Everard was an elemental, but it was interesting to see that Aerion had made some of the same observations that he had made about the colonel. And yet again, his inferiority to the goddamn spellborn was brought front and center. Perhaps the spellborn could stop cannons. But he had had enough of Aerion's mocking. He angrily strode towards Aerion, hands making their way to his axe. "I've had enough of you and your attitude, soldier! You shut your damned mouth before I go over there and shut it for you!" he continued, whipping his axe out and brandishing it aggressively. Pain shot through his side again, and he breathed heavily, black spots entering his vision. It didn't matter. He'd still take on this goddamned pretty boy.

"Alexei, wait!" cried Katya, leaping to her feet, standing in between the enraged giant and the handsome iceborn. "Don't do anything rash! Stop it! This isn't the time or the place!" she continued, in her home language.

He stopped mid-stride. She had a point. It wouldn't be good to cause their meeting to degenerate into a brawl. He sighed, taking a deep breath, and hung the axe on his belt again.

"You're lucky that she thinks you're worth keeping around." he snarled, pointing at Aerion. "If it was up to me, we'd throw you out of here and into the gutter where you belong! Now listen up - we're not going to charge the boat like a bunch of untrained commoners! That's going to get us all killed, spellborn or not. If Everard was a spellborn, he'd tell us. And even if he was, he couldn't stop an entire blast of grapeshot." he grumbled, nodding his head towards the colonel.

[Rupudska]

"Catrin! Would your web be strong enough for us to use as a rope to climb aboard?"

"Easily," Catrin said, nodding a little. "Problem is, structural webbing is,well, shiny. Very shiny. So they'll be able to see it reflecting the moon."

[Aerion says some really dumbass shit B]

Without moving her head (which wasn't much more movement than Catrin had done so far besides shooting an acid glare at the one time she had almost been called a beast, not that she needed to as she could see Aerion's face clearly from the reflection on the window), Catrin locked all six of her eyes with Aerion. He was afraid of her, thinking her some horrible monster. Normally she would be anywhere from annoyed to offended at such thought, but at least here she could use it to her advantage.

"Did you know I can shoot shut-the-fuck-up fluid from my wrists, Aerion?"

Before the pompous oaf could ask what the bloody hells she meant by that, Catrin snapped her forearm backwards and landed a perfect shot of cementing silk on Aerion's mouth, sealing it shut. That'd hold for a good while, and freezing it would just as likely result in it pulling skin off as doing anything at all. Giving him a truly smug smirk, she turned to the rest of the group.

"Now if anyone else has any stupid things to say, say them now so I can save the rest of my cementing silk for later. Tristan, was it? The rowboat idea is nice, but it has the same problem as Katya's old idea - if we get caught, even a stronger Elemental would be pretty defenseless."

[Serconas]

The corner of Ke'Ams mouth twitched a little as the giant revealed that the nomad was a so called 'Elemental'. He would´ve prefered to keep this secret for at least a little while since he had barly anything to show for in this regard. Now theres was no helping it as the red man thundered about.
Though the fog on the spirits nature lifted , she seemed to be the companion of this Eric-person, sent as aid by the gods. The part about saving the world seemed rather farfetched, though.

As the 'Sun Man' commanded them Ke'Am turned to go as he caught eye of the other tall man that just arrived as the red one called out a name, most likely his. The nomad had never seen him before, the name brought up nothing in his mind, but something deep inside Ke'Am told him that he was connected to the man in the strange clothing. Something just seemed so familiar.
When Terestark spoke the nomads name, told him that he was on the right path, Ke'Ams intuition got the better of him and without further thought the young man got on to his right knee, folding both hands over the left.
"Oh Great Lord of the Sands, Ever-shifting One who is our home", he started a prayer in the tongue he grow up. "This child of the dunes begs your forgiveness, having never seen a manifestation like this before", the nomad continued, the coarse language speedily flowing from his throat. "Ke'Am thanks you for the lead he has been given to arrive here. He will continue to follow it, even beyond the great water that lie ahead", though he hoped there would be a bridge over it.
He quickly got up when Terestark told him they´d talk later and that the nomad, the spirit - named Belle - and Fumiko had to go, fast apparently.
First his eyes followed the impressive display of power over the glas shards as they floated up were put back together, then Ke'Am turned to his... companions? Well that was what the were now.

[Hanafuridake]

"Oh I've seen plenty of combat, much more than some little girl but I'm sure your duties as a nurse were very well respected, it takes incredible strength to wrap up the real warriors. I know things can change on a battlefield, I just don't believe these pirates or the grey-cloaks can do anything unexpectedly that'll hurt us. If you're scared you can hide behind me and I'll protect you." he cooed patronizingly.

Yep, I'm definitely going to kill him at some point.

The blonde haired veteran simply smiled and bore the insults, realizing that it was not the time to start fights at the present time. There was some serious business afoot and -

"You have no right to talk, darkling. Servants of the devil should not preach about virtue." he hissed at Erosen, taking advantage of the interruption.

The snarky Aerion making jabs at her, Flacht could handle. He may have been an annoying bastard if she ever saw one, but it wasn't the worst that she had heard, especially in the military camps. But this was something she could not handle. “Oi, leave Erosen alone, you dolt.” she told him, breaking into her accent again. “He's been with us longer than you have, if anything, we should trust him more than you. If you insult him again, I won't be kindly enough like Mrs. Spider over there and glue webs around your mouth. I'll sock it with fire.” she curled her hand into a balled fist and grinned to show that she was more than happy to do so.

[Reverend Norv]

Ev's grey-green eyes were steady on Alexei as the other man protested and coughed, and then finally walked over to the wall and leaned against it, leaving Ev alone in the center of the room. Alexei gestured toward Katya. "Colonel Everard, if you lead, I trust you with my ward's life. Failure is not an option."

Ev paused, and then nodded. His normal expression of grim determination turned subtly strained with repressed emotion. "I will see you at the ship, soldier," Ev said simply. "We all will."

Then Ev turned back to face the other travelers. "Master Tristan, I think that it would be better for all of us, less Erosen and Eric, to board the ship together. We can all fit into two boats, and with any luck, Eric will distract the pirate headquarters so that there will be no need for us to turn the ship's guns against anyone." Ev shrugged. "We should be out of the harbor before the pirates realize the ship has even been boarded. But I greatly appreciate your offer to screen our advance with mist." The colonel offered a reverent nod. "Froenstia's gifts are many and holy."

Next, Ev faced Lisoette. He nodded again. "You have a point about a potential bottleneck in boarding, madam. We'll take some ropes as a backup, and those that can will use Tristan's stairs, and the - creature - can create a rope of her own for the rest of us, if she so desires." Ev pursed his lips as if forcing himself to taste something bitter, and turned to face Catrin directly. "You. If you so desire."

Then, of course, Aerion sparked a confrontation that ended with Catrin fusing the mercenary's mouth shut with webbing, while Flacht and Alexei faced off over Erosen. Ev simply watched events unfold with an expression of undisguised, incredulous scorn. Only a few actions brought a more specific response from the Northeman: he flinched in disgust when Catrin silenced Aerion, and he turned oddly poker-faced at Erosen's bit of impromptu psychoanalysis - his scorn suddenly replaced by an expression that could have been chiseled out of stone.

But then the conversation turned to Ev himself, and the colonel sighed quietly. "I am fast on the draw," he admitted. "And I don't miss. I've never been sure whether that's Ferruoston's gift or just hard work. But it certainly doesn't mean that I can stop twenty-four pounds of grapeshot in midair." Ev turned to Flacht, and pointed at Erosen. "And for you, reverend Elect of Pryastar: this man draws his power from Tenaembra. It is no insult to say that he is in covenant with Hell. Whatever else he may be, however long you've known him, that is nothing but a fact."

With that, Everard walked over to Aerion. He drew a dirk from his belt: a blade more than a foot long, with a diamond cross-section that made it ideal for parrying when carried in a swordsman's off-hand. This particular weapon held an edge so impossibly icicle-fine that it was almost transparent. Without preamble, in a single lightning motion, Ev slashed the blade across the webbing that sealed Aerion's mouth - and the dirk cut with the inexorable precision of a scalpel, parting the sticky silk like a razor-blade slicing through a sheet of paper.

Ev held Aerion's gaze. "We are going to take that ship," he said. "We are going to take it according to the plan. If you don't like the plan, you can walk out that door and try to take the ship all by yourself. If you stay, then you agree to play your part." The colonel raised his eyebrows. "I don't care what you choose. But that is the choice, and you have to make it now. Where we are going, we cannot carry any free-riders."

"Now." Ev turned back to face the rest of the room, and nodded at Catrin, though his gaze still shied away from looking at her directly. "We will be exposed coming by boat. We will also be exposed running down the dock. That ship is a floating fortress. We are going to be exposed however we approach it. Our only hope is stealth. That's why the boat is still our safest bet, especially since Master Tristan can screen us with his mist."

"So here is the plan." Ev was every bit the officer now, laying out a pre-battle briefing as if he stood before his regiment's sergeants. "When the city clocks strike ten o'-the-night, Erosen will begin to neutralize the watchtowers. At the same time, Eric will begin his distraction at the pirate headquarters." Ev looked at the two men. "Erosen, you will need to have killed all the watchmen in about five minutes or less. Eric, we need you to buy us fifteen minutes, twenty if you can manage it. After that, get out. At that point, we'll either have taken the ship or not - and in either case, we won't need you any more."

"The rest of us will be in two rowboats. We'll wait five minutes after the bells toll, for Erosen to kill the watchmen. Then we'll approach the Devil's Luck from the seaward side. We'll use muffled oars, the night, and Master Tristan's mist to avoid detection. When we get to the ship, we'll use grappling ropes, Master Tristan's stairs, and" - Ev grimaced at Catrin - "that...sticky rope of yours to get up onto the deck. Then we kill everyone we find. No musketry, no fireballs. No loud noises or bright lights. Cold and quiet."

Ev settled back onto his heels. "Fifteen minutes after the bells strike ten, we should control the ship. Erosen and Alexei, you will join us at that time: it will be safe to approach from the dock. Master Eric, you and the angelle" - the word was suffused with sacred awe - "will fly back to meet us as we weigh anchor. Then I take the helm, and Lady Katya gives us a stiff breeze, and we away north in the night before the pirates know their ship is gone."

"That is the plan." Ev nodded once. "It is as good a plan as we are likely to get under these circumstances. Every man and woman must know his part before we begin, or most of us won't see tomorrow's dawn. Are we in accord?"

[Hanafuridake]

While watching the reunion between Belle Lame and Pryastar, Fumiko suddenly felt a weight in the satchel on her back. She turned around and set the bag down, confused about the sudden shift in weight. “What's this,” she murmured, and reaching in and pulling out a sword which must have been older than most of the hills and mountains.

The sword 『』 given to Sïki nō ömi of the Fire Lineage. From time immemorial, we have served the Tübaki imperial court as sword bearers, this sword conferred to recognize the service rendered by our clan to the imperial court. When Pänafurïdake no Fïmeko fought the barbarians of the Northern plains, we made a great onslaught and conquered them.

Fumi held the weapon in her hand with awe, never realizing that she would witness a miracle in this lifetime. She swung the weapon around a few times, surprised that it felt right for her hands. This must be what warriors felt like, she thought to herself. The writing on the sword was near indecipherable to her, it must've been an extremely old form of Saharajian she had not been instructed in. The girl-shōgun turned around, realizing that Pryastar must've had something to do with her receiving the weapon. What did it mean? For some reason, she felt that the riddle was going to remain with her for quite some time.

But then the conversation turned to Ev himself, and the colonel sighed quietly. "I am fast on the draw," he admitted. "And I don't miss. I've never been sure whether that's Ferruoston's gift or just hard work. But it certainly doesn't mean that I can stop twenty-four pounds of grapeshot in midair." Ev turned to Flacht, and pointed at Erosen. "And for you, reverend Elect of Pryastar: this man draws his power from Tenaembra. It is no insult to say that he is in covenant with Hell. Whatever else he may be, however long you've known him, that is nothing but a fact."

Flacht eyed the strange new fellow with bemusement, not entirely sure how she felt about him yet. He wore the sash of the enemy forces, ha, that made no difference to her. She had served in the army to be paid and to discover intel on the rest of the party, she didn't care about what cause the Northerners bled themselves for, so long as she didn't have to spill Visalmarch blood. “Maybe for you,” she replied calmly, a quality quite unlike her. “But as for me, all of you are demon worshipers, with your Froenstia's, Ferruoston's, and so on. Keep Pryastar to yourself, I don't care which of your demons is the darkest. All I know is that he's been my comrade, and a Visalmarcher who would betray her comrades is a no good dog not fit for corralling sheep.” she let him be when he moved on to another subject.

[Ameriganastan]

"...Oh...you were still here...well, now I feel silly."

Silly wasn't how the numerous home and shop owners felt over their now destroyed windows. No, that was annoyance. She quickly, if reluctantly, broke away from the hug and knelt before him.

"Father. I doubt you know of me. I was...low in the hierarchy when they entrapped me. But I must ask. Are you here to take me home?"

Fortunately it seemed that the god from earlier, Pryastar, had stepped in before either of them escalated the situation further. Fumi would have knelt as well, but because the wind was still blown out of her, she failed. “I don't mean to be rude, kami-sama.” she said respectfully, intending to avoid making the powerful red giant angry at her. “But you instructed me to meet the rest of the group. As touching as this reunion is, I can't find them without this woman. You're going to have to let me keep her for awhile longer.”

The fair lady is right, Ssa'Te", the nomad chimed in, respectfully calling the red giant 'Sun Man' in his native tongue. "As you decreed Ke'Am will follow her, but we are in need of guidance", while he was almost sure that the giant knew his name, he found it appropriate to mention it just in case. It would also let the other two become aware of it, though he was still wary of the kneeling woman. She seemed a bit... erratic. Fitting, as the nomad found, she was a spirit after all.
As for guidance, surely the group just mentioned had way to cross the ocean. Swimming was hardly an option and with the little money Ke'Am had taken from one of his captors he would have to seek work in the city to pay for the passage. Sneaking on one of the ships was something he had considered, but deemed to dangerous since his appearance was rather eye-catching so far away from the accursed realm hiding behind the great wall. Just thinking of it made him aware of the iron bind still choking his neck. At least the clothing he had acquired hid it fully, a very poor relief though.

"I'm afraid these two Elementals are correct for now, Belle. Besides, old Eric still needs your help, and we all chuckle up there about him being so reliant on a literal servant of ours. When the time comes he can retire to his cottage by the sea, you can come back to Heaven, and you both will have helped save the world. I promise you that your strength will last until then, my child. Oh, and keep an eye out for Temujin and Aisha; they should bump into your group again sooner or later. Go forth; I will tidy this up here," the deity responded. He gently put his hands on the angelle's head, and Belle Lame would feel a mighty surge of magic rejuvenating her. He waved the group off and looked up at the sky, "TERESTARK! Glass falls under your Element, not mine!" The annoyed citizens of Carogne stopped paying attention to the funny folk in the street just in time for another eight-foot tall man with silver hair and a brown tweed suit to walk over from somewhere.

"I see that axe has served you well, Ke'Am U'Zhar. You are on the true path, my child. We can talk more later; you lot need to get going," the second giant said with a smile as he began snapped his fingers and began to put the windows back into place.

"Thank you, Father. I can't wait to rub this in Eric's smug...oh my...you, I left Eric alone. While they were planning a ship heist! What was I thinking!?"

She unfurled her wings again, turning to Fumi and the others.

"I have to get back. We're all gathered at a seedy tavern down by the docks. Meet us there."

She took off again...sailing about 50 feet higher than planned.

"Wow. He really juiced me. Nice."

BACK AT THE DOCKS

"Kids. Always talking and planning. Taking forever. Time to show them how Eric Lumen does a plan..."

Eric had slipped out of the tavern unnoticed, getting rather fed up with all the talking. The stick of dynamite in his hand seemed to indicate he had his own, less complicated plan.

"Now who is the lucky winner..."

Before he could pick one, Belle slammed down in front of him. Yanking the stick from his hand and chucking it out into the sea.

"I. SAID. NO. BLOWING. UP. SHIPS. I leave you alone for five minutes..."

[Lazarian]

Ev's grey-green eyes were steady on Alexei as the other man protested and coughed, and then finally walked over to the wall and leaned against it, leaving Ev alone in the center of the room. Alexei gestured toward Katya. "Colonel Everard, if you lead, I trust you with my ward's life. Failure is not an option."

Ev paused, and then nodded. His normal expression of grim determination turned subtly strained with repressed emotion. "I will see you at the ship, soldier," Ev said simply. "We all will."

Alexei nodded in response.

"Very well, Everard." he muttered, taking a deep breath. That was all that need to be said. Katya didn't seem to grasp the gravity of the situation, but stealing an entire ship from some of the most notorious pirates in the Gallian world was hardly a fun adventure. If they messed up, they could very well find a quick and bloody end to their lives. And though he had just met Colonel Mallow, he seemed trustworthy enough. "I'll see, I suppose." he thought to himself, trying to ignore the pain that shot through his side yet again. He'd have to sit this one out. Walking over to the bed, he sat down, listening as Everard went through the plan in all of it's totality.

---

"That is the plan." Ev nodded once. "It is as good a plan as we are likely to get under these circumstances. Every man and woman must know his part before we begin, or most of us won't see tomorrow's dawn. Are we in accord?"

"Yes!" said Katya enthusiastically, pumping her fist in the air. "Sounds like a great plan, sir Mallow! Let's do this. I'm ready!" she continued, her heart beating rapidly in excitement. They were actually going to do it. After several months of no progress on her mission whatsoever, they were about to finally leave this damned port! She was so excited. While the confrontation between Aerion and the others was frightening, it had seemed to have burnt out for the most part.

One thing that had stood out to her was Alexei and Colonel Mallow's treatment of Erosen. He hadn't seemed malicious from what she had heard from him. And his powers were extraordinary. He couldn't have been that bad, as Caitrin (she shuddered slightly, looking at the enormous spider woman), Eric (now where the devil had he gone?) and Flacht all stood up for him. But Alexei seemed to hate him. She'd have to ask him about it later. Beyond that, Colonel Mallow spoke in much of the same ways. What was so wrong with him? And what was wrong with Alexei? Something wasn't right. She had traveled with him for over a year now, and judging by the way he stood and spoke, something was surely off. She'd have to ask him that later, when she had the chance.

Flacht eyed the strange new fellow with bemusement, not entirely sure how she felt about him yet. He wore the sash of the enemy forces, ha, that made no difference to her. She had served in the army to be paid and to discover intel on the rest of the party, she didn't care about what cause the Northerners bled themselves for, so long as she didn't have to spill Visalmarch blood. “Maybe for you,” she replied calmly, a quality quite unlike her. “But as for me, all of you are demon worshipers, with your Froenstia's, Ferruoston's, and so on. Keep Pryastar to yourself, I don't care which of your demons is the darkest. All I know is that he's been my comrade, and a Visalmarcher who would betray her comrades is a no good dog not fit for corralling sheep.” she let him be when he moved on to another subject.

"Comrade or not, he is a beast in the skin of a man. While I respect your loyalty to your comrade, those powers will surely corrupt him in time." muttered Alexei, shaking his head, glaring at Erosen. "And you speak heresy, Mistress Flacht. I'm not the most religious of men, but do not profane the Great Fire's name. He was the one who blessed you with such powers, after all."

[Lazarian]

"Kids. Always talking and planning. Taking forever. Time to show them how Eric Lumen does a plan..."

Eric had slipped out of the tavern unnoticed, getting rather fed up with all the talking. The stick of dynamite in his hand seemed to indicate he had his own, less complicated plan.

"Now who is the lucky winner..."

Before he could pick one, Belle slammed down in front of him. Yanking the stick from his hand and chucking it out into the sea.

"I. SAID. NO. BLOWING. UP. SHIPS. I leave you alone for five minutes..."

As the dynamite flew into the sea, Timur walked up, his scarred face smirking in amusement. He had changed from the morning, from his regular clothes and back into his dark blue military uniform. His red hair was tousled and unkempt, tossed by the wind and rather greasy. He ravenously took a bite out of the fish he was chewing on, before addressing the strange couple that stood before him.

_{"Afternoon, Lumen."} he muttered through the food, with an extremely thick accent and a quiet voice. He stared forward, looking over the old man and Belle in curiosity.

_{"I'm with Katya. Gonna cut right to the chase, old man. The hell you goin' on this journey for? What's your real motive here? She's not even paying you, right? I never trust a man who don't even want to get paid. You workin' with the Yelhenniens?"} the Garmiccian soldier continued, raising an eyebrow.

[Ameriganastan]

"Kids. Always talking and planning. Taking forever. Time to show them how Eric Lumen does a plan..."

Eric had slipped out of the tavern unnoticed, getting rather fed up with all the talking. The stick of dynamite in his hand seemed to indicate he had his own, less complicated plan.

"Now who is the lucky winner..."

Before he could pick one, Belle slammed down in front of him. Yanking the stick from his hand and chucking it out into the sea.

"I. SAID. NO. BLOWING. UP. SHIPS. I leave you alone for five minutes..."

As the dynamite flew into the sea, Timur walked up, his scarred face smirking in amusement. He had changed from the morning, from his regular clothes and back into his dark blue military uniform. His red hair was tousled and unkempt, tossed by the wind and rather greasy. He ravenously took a bite out of the fish he was chewing on, before addressing the strange couple that stood before him.

_{"Afternoon, Lumen."} he muttered through the food, with an extremely thick accent and a quiet voice. He stared forward, looking over the old man and Belle in curiosity.

_{"I'm with Katya. Gonna cut right to the chase, old man. The hell you goin' on this journey for? What's your real motive here? She's not even paying you, right? I never trust a man who don't even want to get paid. You workin' with the Yelhenniens?"} the Garmiccian soldier continued, raising an eyebrow.

"...Wait, what's this about not getting paid? Oh, we're gonna have a talk later. As for why...why not?"

He took a step back. This guys face was giving him the willies.

"If money was my reason for traveling the world, I'd still be in the army. I journey for journeys sake. And it's worked out for me so far. Found myself a magic Angelle sword, had sex with the best whores in the land, met some fantasy type creatures some people don't believe it, been dubbed Thunder Scrotum, etc. Ain't no money gonna get you any of that...well, maybe the whore part. You gotta have money for that...seriously though, what's wrong with your face? Like, damn..."

[Lazarian]

As the dynamite flew into the sea, Timur walked up, his scarred face smirking in amusement. He had changed from the morning, from his regular clothes and back into his dark blue military uniform. His red hair was tousled and unkempt, tossed by the wind and rather greasy. He ravenously took a bite out of the fish he was chewing on, before addressing the strange couple that stood before him.

_{"Afternoon, Lumen."} he muttered through the food, with an extremely thick accent and a quiet voice. He stared forward, looking over the old man and Belle in curiosity.

_{"I'm with Katya. Gonna cut right to the chase, old man. The hell you goin' on this journey for? What's your real motive here? She's not even paying you, right? I never trust a man who don't even want to get paid. You workin' with the Yelhenniens?"} the Garmiccian soldier continued, raising an eyebrow.

"...Wait, what's this about not getting paid? Oh, we're gonna have a talk later. As for why...why not?"

He took a step back. This guys face was giving him the willies.

"If money was my reason for traveling the world, I'd still be in the army. I journey for journeys sake. And it's worked out for me so far. Found myself a magic Angelle sword, had sex with the best whores in the land, met some fantasy type creatures some people don't believe it, been dubbed Thunder Scrotum, etc. Ain't no money gonna get you any of that...well, maybe the whore part. You gotta have money for that...seriously though, what's wrong with your face? Like, damn..."

_{"That's between me and the gods, old man."} he retorted hastily in reply, his permanently bloodshot eyes bulging nastily. His reddish pupils stared guilty towards the setting sun for a few moments, before he self-consciously looked away, trying to obscure his scarred face with a raised hand. Seconds later, he threw his pack down on the ground, rummaged through it, pulled out a helmet, and unceremoniously shoved it on top of his head, obscuring his face (except for his nasty, yellowing teeth).

_{"Is that better?"} he asked angrily, crossing his arms. _{"Damn, I knew I was ugly, but you didn't have to be so rude about it.}" he griped through a mouthful of fish, shaking his head. He sighed dramatically, taking a seat on top of the pack, chewing nastily on the fish bits through the mouth slot in the helmet. _{"Well, sounds like that adventuring has worked out for you. More to life than money, huh? You used to be a soldier? And you used to know that Erosen fellow and a few others? Tell me more about 'em."} he asked, offering half of the greasy, dripping fish to Eric.

[Ameriganastan]

"...Wait, what's this about not getting paid? Oh, we're gonna have a talk later. As for why...why not?"

He took a step back. This guys face was giving him the willies.

"If money was my reason for traveling the world, I'd still be in the army. I journey for journeys sake. And it's worked out for me so far. Found myself a magic Angelle sword, had sex with the best whores in the land, met some fantasy type creatures some people don't believe it, been dubbed Thunder Scrotum, etc. Ain't no money gonna get you any of that...well, maybe the whore part. You gotta have money for that...seriously though, what's wrong with your face? Like, damn..."

_{"That's between me and the gods, old man."} he retorted hastily in reply, his permanently bloodshot eyes bulging nastily. His reddish pupils stared guilty towards the setting sun for a few moments, before he self-consciously looked away, trying to obscure his scarred face with a raised hand. Seconds later, he threw his pack down on the ground, rummaged through it, pulled out a helmet, and unceremoniously shoved it on top of his head, obscuring his face (except for his nasty, yellowing teeth).

_{"Is that better?"} he asked angrily, crossing his arms. _{"Damn, I knew I was ugly, but you didn't have to be so rude about it.}" he griped through a mouthful of fish, shaking his head. He sighed dramatically, taking a seat on top of the pack, chewing nastily on the fish bits through the mouth slot in the helmet. _{"Well, sounds like that adventuring has worked out for you. More to life than money, huh? You used to be a soldier? And you used to know that Erosen fellow and a few others? Tell me more about 'em."} he asked, offering half of the greasy, dripping fish to Eric.

He waved the fish off.

"No thanks. Eric Lumen eats no fish he doesn't cook himself. You should try my Great Fanged Tuna sushi. Boy, it kicks your taste buds in the balls. But in a good way. As for that lot, we traveled together for a time. Was led to them by a gypsy fortune teller. Good times. All pleasant fellows. And sure, Ero occasionally goes crazy...well, went crazy once. But other than that, he's okay..."

He reached back to adjust his sword, forgetting Belle was standing next to him.

"...Damn reflex...hey, wanna hear about this wad of living goo? That's a fun story..."

[Hanafuridake]

"You should try my Great Fanged Tuna sushi. "

“Did someone say 'sushi?'” Fumiko asked hopefully, standing behind the frantic Belle Lame who was promptly scolding him for a harebrained scheme while she away. This was probably going to take awhile, she thought to herself, remembering all the times she had scolded her own underlings for their incompetent schemes. It filled her with a sense of sadness to know that she would never do that again.

Heading toward the tavern, she made sure her new sword was carefully sheathed and concealed inside her hakama to avoid being spotted. For some reason, she didn't want the others to know about the artifact, at least not yet. As she entered, she noticed the party had grown slightly larger than before. There was a new man, with a green sash, she didn't recognize him. A blonde girl who she had never seen before, but was looking at her oddly. Her least favorite people (Lisoette, Katya, and Aerion) remained inside the tense association, she noted.

"Comrade or not, he is a beast in the skin of a man. While I respect your loyalty to your comrade, those powers will surely corrupt him in time." muttered Alexei, shaking his head, glaring at Erosen. "And you speak heresy, Mistress Flacht. I'm not the most religious of men, but do not profane the Great Fire's name. He was the one who blessed you with such powers, after all."

The Great Fire, that was another name for the red haired giant who she had recently become acquaintances with. Fumi decided that she was not going to mention the encounter, she expected the Angelle would do the same. While she thought to herself, she noticed the sword seemed to constantly be warm, as though it were generating its own heat.

“The Beggar Princess.” the blonde girl's voice rang out, disturbing her inner sanctum of contemplation.

“I beg your pardon?”

“You're the Beggar Princess, I heard all about you.” Flacht told her, eyeing the Tsubaki-jin with curiosity. “You went from port to port asking for men to reclaim your kingdom. You were in Visalmarch one year and I was able to see you.” at the aristocrat's pained stare, Flacht deduced that it was a sore subject at the present moment, although that did little to sate her curiosity about being able to meet a folkloric figure.

[Lazarian]

_{"That's between me and the gods, old man."} he retorted hastily in reply, his permanently bloodshot eyes bulging nastily. His reddish pupils stared guilty towards the setting sun for a few moments, before he self-consciously looked away, trying to obscure his scarred face with a raised hand. Seconds later, he threw his pack down on the ground, rummaged through it, pulled out a helmet, and unceremoniously shoved it on top of his head, obscuring his face (except for his nasty, yellowing teeth).

_{"Is that better?"} he asked angrily, crossing his arms. _{"Damn, I knew I was ugly, but you didn't have to be so rude about it.}" he griped through a mouthful of fish, shaking his head. He sighed dramatically, taking a seat on top of the pack, chewing nastily on the fish bits through the mouth slot in the helmet. _{"Well, sounds like that adventuring has worked out for you. More to life than money, huh? You used to be a soldier? And you used to know that Erosen fellow and a few others? Tell me more about 'em."} he asked, offering half of the greasy, dripping fish to Eric.

He waved the fish off.

"No thanks. Eric Lumen eats no fish he doesn't cook himself. You should try my Great Fanged Tuna sushi. Boy, it kicks your taste buds in the balls. But in a good way. As for that lot, we traveled together for a time. Was led to them by a gypsy fortune teller. Good times. All pleasant fellows. And sure, Ero occasionally goes crazy...well, went crazy once. But other than that, he's okay..."

He reached back to adjust his sword, forgetting Belle was standing next to him.

"...Damn reflex...hey, wanna hear about this wad of living goo? That's a fun story..."

_{"Heh, those aren't real."} Timur chuckled, leaning against a nearby pier of the dock. _{"But I'm certainly interested in hearing the tale another time. We'll have plenty of time on the ship, assuming we both survive."} he joked rather morbidly, spitting out the bones of the fish onto the cobblestones, before grinding them to dust with his boot.

_{"I'd like to hear some more about this Ero fellow. Heard he consorts with the devil. You don't even think the devil's real, do you?"} he inquired, sounding more excited than before. He stopped for a moment, realizing that this was a rather rude way to deliver a question.

_{"Sorry, I'm a bit of a...hobbyist."} he muttered, his dirty grin visible through the helmet. _{"Always been a lil' fascinated with the occult. Shamans, draugrs, demons, that kind of thing. And you seem like the sort not to accuse me of heresy for it. Hmm, you've been around quite a while, yes? I'll bet a pretty penny that you were kicking around when Kayarost attacked, eh. You ever seen a demon? Tell me about 'em."}