|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Posted: Sat Feb 16, 2008 9:35 am
This is my latest story I'm working on. I've stopped working on the other one, because I just can't get into it anymore. This one is much more rich, and so I will be updating it semi-regularly. I work on it every day, so it will be finished. Please, don't post in here.
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Feb 16, 2008 9:37 am
Chapter One: The Cast Crew Nethsin grasped the balcony railing, and looked over the edge. The ground below was more than a fifty foot fall. With a pull on his muscles he swung himself onto the balcony. He looked back down and breathed a breath of relief. He’d made it, after a long climb. Nethsin checked the throwing knives strapped to his shoulder straps, and legs. Then he gripped the twin short swords sheathed at his left hip. The familiar grips were very reassuring. As he stood on the balcony, he began to get a feel for the lay of the area when his senses told him he was safe. The balcony was what one could call pretty. There were exotic flowers and ferns on both sides, and several helpful vines around the columns in the railing. The glass doors in front of him were so reflective, that one could not see the room inside. Nethsin walked towards the door, and then stopped to examine his reflection. His unruly red hair was held in check by a green headband. His thin eyebrows added exclamation to his expressive cyan eyes. His mouth and nose were covered by a very wide blue scarf, folded around his mouth, and nose, but allowed to flow freely after that. The scarf was about a foot and a half wide, and both ends fell around him for another three and a half feet from his neck. His brown shirt was cut off just beneath the ribs, exposing rippling muscle, and a few scars. The sleeves of the shirt tightly covered about half of his upper arm, and then ended. His blue gloves covered half of his forearms, and left the last knuckle of each finger exposed. Two black straps crossed his chest, each holding ten throwing knives. Another strap crossed twice around his left arm, with a total of five throwing knives there. A belt, made of the same material as the straps on his chest and arm, held the sheaths to his swords. Three more straps crossed his right and left leg, with a totally of twenty more throwing knives. To close off his equipment, brown pants covered his legs, and soft leather boots his feet.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Feb 16, 2008 9:39 am
After Nethsin finished his mental inventory, he slowly twisted the door knob, and pushed. The room inside was also filled with beauty. Pots, filled with more exotic flowers hung from the thirty foot ceiling, and the still left ten feet between floor and pots. Nethsin looked around the room and absorbed the information. The upholstery was all carved ebony, and velvet cushions. Four carved chest of drawers surrounded the room, each with mirrors, and elaborate handles. In the center of the room, a bed with curtains around its four posts.
Moving into the room slowly, he pulled the door shut behind him, and moved towards the magnificent bed. One hand on a sword, and the other extended, he pushed back the fabric around the bed. The blankets and the pillows were red, and covered in silk. Beneath the sheets lay a man, his eyes still closed with gentle repose.
The thief took a few steps backwards, closed the curtains, and then breathed a sigh of relief. This was the right place. Nethsin turned and went to the closest chest of drawers. It wouldn’t open when he pulled on it, so he reached behind one of his throwing knives, and pulled out a small, thin needle. Then he pushed it into the keyhole, and twisted it.
With a soft click, the lock released, and Nethsin pulled the drawer open. Inside laid several jewels of large size, and various colors. Nethsin grinned with delight at his find. He reached in and grabbed several of the large gems, and put them in a small bag on his belt.
Reluctantly, Nethsin left the drawer filled with jewels, and walked through the breathtaking room, to the balcony. He jumped onto the railings, and then he twisted around, and dropped, his arms gripping the railing. Then he pushed his legs out, and found a foot hold. Then he lowered his arm, to grab the bottom of the balcony, and let his left foot fall as did his right foot. His foot found another foot hold as his arms and right leg held his steady. Then he fell ten feet onto a small protrusion about ten feet beneath him, and repeated the same process, but now he was climbing down.
After several minutes of nervous climbing, Nethsin had reached the ground. He looked around the garden that he was in. The flowers here were, if possible, more beautiful then the ones on the balcony and the ones in the man’s room. There were many trees as well. Tall and grand, the trees were stood like sentinels before the thief.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Feb 16, 2008 9:40 am
Nethsin walked forward into the garden, and on one of the paths. As he walked, he heard several footprints, a guard’s footprints. Without a moment’s hesitation, Nethsin jumped into one of the flowerbeds. The guard walked right by him, his chain mail armor, and helm making plenty of sound. As he walked by, Nethsin slipped out from the flowerbed, making no noise whatsoever, and he proceeded down the path.
Soon, he came to a wall, thirty feet tall. The thief looked up at it, before running over to the tree closest to the wall. He jumped up to the first branch, and then scrambled up the rest of them. As he neared the top of the tree, he realized that he would not be able to make the jump from the tree to the wall. So he grabbed a throwing knife on his shoulder, and then some mythril string coiled inside one of the three bags on his belt. He pulled it out, and then tied it around the throwing knives handle.
Nethsin measured the distance between him, and the wall, and then threw his knife. With a soft thud, he heard it connect with the wall. Instead of falling, like a normal knife would, it had buried itself in the wall, just beneath the top.
The thief ran off of the branch he was on, and jumped, the mythril cord in his hands. He let his feet out in front of him, to brace himself for the impact. He hit the wall about ten feet from the top of the wall, and then he climbed up the cord. When he reached the top, he pulled the knife out of the wall, and unwrapped the string from around the hilt. Stowing both of them away in their appropriate places, he looked down both ends of the wall. Guards were coming.
Quickly, Nethsin ran across the wall, and then jumped onto the branch of a tree. The same tree that he had used to get into the house. He swung down from that branch, and then climbed down the trunk. When he reached the bottom, he ran off into the dark night, leaving behind the mansion, walls, and guards.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Feb 16, 2008 9:41 am
His muscles tensed, and relaxed, as his blade sliced the morning fog. Sweat, as well as moisture from the morning’s evaporation, covered his body. His light, but muscular body danced in the soft light. Red hair covered his forehead, and a small amount of his neck.
With one quick motion, the young man practicing the dance of the blade stopped, and threw his blade into the soft ground, burying the four foot blade halfway to the hilt. The boy fell to his knees, and his bare chest rippled. He looked up at the blade, his bright blue eyes full of passion. He reached up to brush sweat away from his eyes, before standing once again.
The young man turned as he heard a slight noise, the source invisible in the shroud of the morning. Soon a young woman in a light dress appeared, her dress softly brushing the ground as she approached him. She eyed him speculatively, eyeing his hard muscles, as a slow blush crept across her face.
“Um… My lord Tristan requests your presence, my lord.”
The boy looked the girl up and down before turning around, bending over, and picking up a shirt. He turned away from the young woman and donned his shirt. “Well if it is at Tristan’s request, I suppose I should obey it, yes?” His blue eyes twinkling, he pulled his blade from the soft dirt, and whipped a towel off of his belt.
As he walked into the fog, he cleaned the blade with the towel, and then sheathed the blade at the scabbard on his hip. The young man groped around in the fog until he reached one of the walls. Then he followed the wall, cursing the shroud every step of the way. As he reached the doors, he opened them, and rushed in, so as to not let the fog through. Closing the door, he looked down the hallway, observing the portraits of his dead ancestors, and their families. The one closest to him happened to be a portrait of his family.
The young man slowly walked over to the portrait, looking into the eyes of each member of his family. They were still with him, but he felt that each time he got the chance to cross the path of this artists drawing, he needed to pay respects to the skill of the man who painted them.
With a sigh, he walked down the hall, feeling the eyes of his ancestors upon him, as if judging him. He shuddered as the morbid thought crossed his mind, and before he knew it, he was lost in though.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Feb 16, 2008 9:42 am
He shook his head, as he reached the end of the hall, and the door to another room. The young man took the handle, and twisted it slowly, making not a sound as he pushed the door open. The door opened into a well decorated room. It was warm, and filled with the cheery light of a fire. Three couches, each red, and covered in velvet, each large enough to seat four people. Two couches lay parallel, the other sat in the young man’s way, across from the fire. At each corner, a large black chair, also velvet. In the middle a table, covered in food, and other times covered in papers.
Sitting on one of the chairs by the couches, was a man. His brown hair was short, and stiff. His blue robes, ornately adorned with gold, and silver draped primly around the man’s body. He looked up as the young man entered eyes clear and green. A brown goatee covered his chin, and his mouth was slightly open. The man’s most distinct features were three scars. One covered the bottom of the left side of his jaw. Another fell across his forehead, and the last one barely touched his lip. Each scar was even, and about two inches long.
“So, how did your practice go, young master Cerik?” The man asked.
“It went fine!” Cerik laughed. “Thank you for asking Tristan.” Cerik continued to laugh.
“Can you guess why I have called you down here?” Tristan asked Cerik, his eyes intent.
“No, not really, last I heard… Oh wait,” Cerik frowned. “This isn’t about that is it?”
“Yes it is, my lord.” Tristan stood up, and walked over to Cerik, honest concern in his voice. “It is time for you to consider who you will take for wife. You are of an eligible age, and the young women of the other noble families are looking at you in the manner that an eagle might stare at a mouse.”
Cerik winced. “You put it very bluntly, Tristan.”
“Yes, I know, but it is for you own good.” Tristan reached over, and laid his hand on Cerik’s shoulder. “You know that if you don’t choose somebody that you would be happy with then your father will be forced to choose a wife for you, despite his and your feelings on the matter.
Cerik sighed, turned, and walked over to stare into the fire. “Yes, but I don’t want to marry for the petty alliance to some fat lord, and his emaciated daughter. I swear those girls are either eating too much, or too little.” Cerik gave a hollow laugh. “I wouldn’t want to be concerned about my wife if she’s that way.”
Tristan laughed at Cerik’s well meaning jokes. “I know, young master, but you really do have to be married. You’ve been eighteen for over six months. If you were a commoner, then you would be allowed to wait for love, but as a noble, you must marry another noble, you know the rules.”
Cerik drew in his breath for a retort, but then he stifled it, and gave another sigh. “Yeah, I know…” Cerik was interrupted by the slight noise of the door on the right side of the room opening.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Feb 16, 2008 9:43 am
Tristan hadn’t heard it, couldn’t have heard it, and so he continued his monologue. “I know how you feel, but you must choose your wife soon.” Tristan’s voice was filled with concern.
“You should stop picking on people younger then you, Tristan,” Said a voice filled with mock anger. “Other wise people might think you are a coward.”
Cerik turned to look at his twin sister. As always, her radiant beauty surprised him, and the smile on her face made the darkness around his heart lift, and fade. Her red hair, the same color as his own, flew gracefully around her face, and down her neck and back with a dignified beauty. Her cyan eyes, again the same as his own, sought his, and with a look, they conveyed many different feelings, and thoughts.
She walked over to him, and gave him a hug, and then stood back to look at him, eye to eye. “It’s good to see you again, brother.” She said in her rich voice.
“You are the light of my days, sister dearest.” He said, voice filled with sarcasm.
Cerik’s sister laughed, and then turned to Tristan. “Do you really think that Cerik needs to get married so soon? I mean, my friend, Deran, is twenty, and he’s still not married.”
Tristan looked at the two of them gravely. “Yes.” He said simply. “You too, should be considering marriage, Celes.”
“But my choices for suitors are even worse then Cerik’s.” Celes protested.
“Nonetheless, you must consider it.” Tristan laughed suddenly as the twins glared at him with identical faces. “I can tell that I’m outmatched here, I’ll take my leave.” He walked over to the door that Celes came in through, turned to bow, and then left.
Cerik turned to his twin sister, a grin on his face. “Where have you been? It’s been at least three weeks since last I saw you.”
Celes grinned at her twin. “Oh, I’ve been out at town, consolidating our families control on the steel market.”
As she said so, her fingers were moving, ever so slightly and subtly, telling Cerik an entirely different story. “I’ve been with the crew. They found something that you might want to check out. But first you should get some rest.”
“I don’t need any rest.” Cerik’s fingers flicked back. Aloud he said. “That must have been exciting. I don’t imagine that you’ve been having fun.” He said so sarcastically.
“Of course it was fun.” Celes replied, her fingers twitching reproachfully. “You really should. I haven’t seen you sleep in a very long time. Have you slept since I left?”
“Of course, I’m not a god.” Cerik lied. “Oh well, I need to go check on something, it’s good to see you again, sister.” He moved up and gave Celes a hug before turning around and walking back through the door.
The mist had dissolved; he noticed when he reached the courtyard where he had been practicing. Walking over to the spot where he had dropped his outer clothing, he picked them up. A blue silk tunic trimmed with black designs, and inlaid with silver. Then he pulled on his black hose, and soft leather boots. He picked up his dark blue cloak and stared at it for a moment. It was such a deep blue, that it was almost black. Shrugging, he pulled it on, and then proceeded through the courtyard to the gates. A guard stood on duty at the large doors, and he saluted sharply when he saw Cerik.
“You are going out into the city, Master Cerik?” The guard asked.
“Yes. Would you be so kind as to open the door for me?” Cerik asked with a grin.
The guard grinned back, and pulled open the gate.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Feb 16, 2008 9:44 am
Cerik pulled open the ornate door quickly, moving inside with equal speed. Once he was inside he took a moment to examine the room. There were numerous tables and chairs scattered around the room with no apparent organization. The bar against the far wall was much neater. Fine wines and juice’s hung from a wine rack. The right wall was covered with names carved into the wood. The left wall was covered with trophies and plaques dedicated to the owner of the establishment.
“Nethsin!” A girl’s voice cried out as Cerik entered the room. “I haven’t seen you for so long! You’ve been pulling way too many single jobs this month.” The girl turned out to be a young woman. With semi-long brown hair around her heartbreaking face. She had beautiful brown eyes, which seemed to search Cerik’s soul as he looked at her. Her lips were played into a slight smile as she looked at him.
Cerik took a moment to consider the name that she had called out. The thieving crew that he worked with knew him by an alias, the name Nethsin. Cerik often felt a little guilt about lying to them, but he knew that as a nobleman, he had to keep his heritage to himself. He was still working up the courage to tell this young woman, but it still escaped him.
“You’re looking as nice as ever, Seleia.” Cerik said in a mild tone.
“Don’t try to compliment me right now. I’m to cross with you, remember?” Seleia replied, a grin pulling at her full red lips.
“Oh, I forgot.” Cerik answered blandly.
The young woman stared at him with a mixed expression on her face before she broke out laughing. She ran between the chairs and tables until she was able to fling her arms around Cerik’s neck. “I’ve missed you, Nethsin.” She whispered into his ear, her lips brushing the rim of his ear.
Cerik enfolded Seleia into his arms gently, laying his head on her shoulder. “I’ve missed you more then you can guess.” As he laid his head on her shoulder, Cerik breathed in the fragrance of Seleia’s hair. A mix of vanilla and rich flowers, the scent was so sweet his knees set to trembling.
Seleia pushed Cerik back to look him in his eyes. “How have you been?” She asked concern mirrored in her eyes.
“Do you mean other than the fact that I’ve been separated from you?” Cerik evaded her question with a grin.
Seleia flashed him a grin, and then stared him deep in his eyes. “No, really, how have you been, Nethsin?”
Cerik pulled her back into the circle of his arms, feeling her breathing against him; it seemed to make all the sorrow’s he felt go away. “It’s been… difficult.” He whispered into her ear.
“What’s the matter?” She didn’t pull back, feeling his need to keep her close.
“I’ve… discovered something rather difficult to get my mind around.” He told her, whispering in her ear.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Feb 16, 2008 9:46 am
“You know that you can always confide in me, right?” Seleia interrogated concern in her voice.
“Yes. I know that you will always be there for me.” Cerik said. “But right now, I’m still trying to work it out.” He pushed Seleia out to arm’s length, to stare into her brown eyes.
“I understand.” She replied, making as if to pull away.
“Please, I think I can tell you.” He grinned a wry grin. “Or ask you, I should say.”
“What?” Seleia responded to his prompt.
“Do you love me?” Cerik asked.
Seleia gave him a mysterious smile. “Give me some time to think about that one.” She laughed.
Cerik laughed as well, and then he walked over to one of the tables. “Sinara told me that there was something that the crew found that I should see. Where is this thing that you found?”
Seleia turned suddenly serious. “This might come as a shock to you, so you’d better brace yourself.”
“I think I can take it.” Cerik said with a straight face.
Seleia shook her head. “This is no laughing matter, Nethsin.”
Cerik nodded his head and sighed. “Alright, tell me what it is.”
In response, Seleia walked over to the bar, and was about to take something from one of the drawers, when the door was opened.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Feb 16, 2008 9:47 am
Framed in the doorway, a man dressed in complete black stood. His face was covered by a headband, and a small scarf, wrapped around his neck and the lower half of his face. His clothes were cloth, and stretched tight around the man’s tall and lean frame. The man carried a long spear in his left hand, and several javelins were held in a leather sheath strapped to his back. Soft cloth shoes covered his feet, which made no sound as he padded into the room, and closed the door behind him.
A harsh voice came from behind the scarf. “I was wondering when you’d be back, Nethsin.” The man said. “Seleia wouldn’t stop telling me to go find you and bring you here.”
Cerik laughed. “Doesn’t surprise me.” He looked closely at the man in black. “You seem a little thinner, Dailin.”
Dailin set his spear against the wall and walked over to look down at Cerik with his blue eyes. “That’s because I’ve had to cook for myself. Seleia was sick with worry, and refused to cook anything.”
“Come on Dailin, she’s only sixteen, and been with us for a year. She doesn’t fully know what I can do yet.” Cerik grinned at the man in black.
“That doesn’t give her excuses to get all teary eyed and depressed when you’re not around.” Dailin pulled down his scarf, revealing a smile. “How come you’re the one who the girls always get soft on? I swear, it took us a year to get Kelrin to do anything with you around, she was always too scared that you would think harshly of her.”
“Same with Ashina.” Cerik laughed. “Then Seleia’s father introduced me and her, and Seleia couldn’t take her eyes off me.”
“I could too!” Seleia rebuked Cerik. Then her eyes softened. “I just didn’t want to.”
“There you go.” Dailin said. “All the proof you need.”
Cerik nodded. “So, when are Kelrin, Ashina, Kain, Jax, and Rayin going to arrive?”
“I have no idea.” Dailin replied.
“Father said that he’d be bringing them back in after they finish their job over at the Eaglesong house.”
“So that’s where they are. How’s Jax been doing anyway?” Dailin asked.
“He’s nervous about me and Nethsin, as always.” Seleia replied. She looked over at him fondly. “I think his heart always skips a beat when he sees us together.”
Cerik laughed, and then motioned for Dailin to take a seat. “You were going to show me something, weren’t you Seleia?”
“Oh!” She squeaked. “I forgot.” She opened the drawer that she had about opened when Dailin came in, and pulled something out. Then Seleia walked around the bar, her hand tight around something, a silver chain falling out of her small hands. When she arrived at the table Cerik and Dailin were sitting at, she placed a small medallion on the table in front of Cerik. “Rayin found that.”
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Feb 16, 2008 9:48 am
The medallion was a work of art. A star was attached the silver chain, with a burst of light on its left side, and the crescent of a moon cradling the right. The star was detailed with intricate runes, as was the moon. The burst of light on the left was covered in spidery webs of raised lines. The medallion was the symbol of the royal house of Silverflame.
“This is young Gallen’s amulet, isn’t it? The one who’s gone missing.” Cerik said.
“That’s what we thought.” Dailin answered. “Can you guess where we found it?”
“I could guess, but I doubt I’d get it right.” Cerik replied ruefully.
Dailin grinned. “I doubt you would too.” The smile drained off his face. “We found it at the old execution grounds. You know, the one’s where the king took practitioners of Dark Magic, and killed them there.”
“Somebody must be trying to make a statement.” Cerik said quietly. “Any notes or signs of a body around. Was this medallion bloody when you found it?”
“No, it wasn’t.” Seleia filled in. “Nor was there any sign of a struggle, body, or note. We think that it might just be a warning sign, meant for the Silverflames’ from some rival house, local or foreign.”
“That’s what it would hint at, yes.” Cerik said, leaning back. “You should give the medallion to me. I can get into to see the king, and give it to him.” Turning to Seleia, he asked. “How soon do you think your father will be done with his job over at the Eaglesongs’?”
“Not too much longer. Why?” She replied
“I think that we might want to have a general meeting. My sister is coming around in about ten minutes, or at least that’s the time she usually comes to these meetings.” Leaning back in his chair, Cerik took on a pensive look. “This just might be the most important thing that’s happened in the last century or so.” He muttered quietly. “Maybe we should hire ourselves out to the king, and try to locate the lost Gallen.”
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Feb 16, 2008 9:49 am
Nethsin held Seleia close, as the two of them sat on a single chair, waiting for the other’s to arrive. Cerik had gone to the back of the tavern, and changed his clothes. No longer was he Cerik the nobleman, he was now Nethsin the thief.
Seleia was asleep in his arms, her rythmatic breathing comforting him. His thought’s drifted to what his steward Tristan had said. He knew that in the standards of the world, he should have been married on his eighteenth birthday, but he had felt no attraction any of the noblewomen his rank, higher, or lower. Seleia was still to young too be marrying and he knew that the distinction between class and wealth would be too much for his parents to take.
With a sigh, he shifted Seleia in his arms. With a happy sigh, Seleia opened her eyes, and looked up at Nethsin.
“What’s wrong?”
Nethsin smiled down at Seleia. “I’m just waiting for you to wake up.”
Seleia smiled at him. “That’s not it, is it?”
“No, it’s not.” Nethsin replied honestly. “But I don’t want to worry you about it. It’s nothing that can’t be solved with time. It’s just the waiting that’s getting to me.”
Seleia looked at Nethsin with a confused expression on her face. “If you say so.” She could feel the individual muscles in his arms, and how tense they were.
“Really, you shouldn’t concern yourself with it.” Nethsin brushed his hand across Seleia’s face. Slowly, she reached up, and took his hand, placing it against her check.
Seleia then moved his hand to her lips, and gently she brushed them against his hand. Nethsin ran his free hand through her flowing hair, and then he kissed her on the crown of her head. Seleia sighed, and cuddled closer to him, her lithe and slightly muscular body pressed against his strong and firm muscles. Her eyes closed, her breathing slowed, and once again she slept.
Nethsin kissed her crown again, and then got himself ready to wait. He didn’t have to wait very long, however.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Feb 16, 2008 9:50 am
The door opened, making not a sound, but to the trained ears of a thief. He looked over at the door to see Dailin entering the room, his spear strapped to his back.
Following Dailin a small girl, dressed in brown leather riding armor. Blue black hair cascaded down her shoulders, to the middle of her back. A bow was slung around her shoulders and a quiver hung at her hip. Two knife hilts stuck out of the top of her long boots. Her green eyes furtively searched the room as she entered.
Behind her came another girl, clad in soft, dark, blue silk. Her stunning face was marred by a scar, running across her forehead and down her check. Black eyes searched the room, as she nervously patted a black book in her hands.
After the two girls walked into the room, three men walked in behind them, the last once closing the door. The first man who entered walked quickly towards the bar, grey eyes searching the wine rack. Two long swords strapped two his back bumped into chairs as he walked, and the crossbow at his hip swayed wildly. Blonde locks covered his head, each one distinctive. The man walked with a casual strut, as if he didn’t even know he was doing it.
The second man was dressed in nondescript clothing. Grey tunic, and brown hose. His face was average, as was his height and brown hair. The thing that stood out about this man was the way he stood. Complete balance, control and precision. He stared at Nethsin with cautious hazel eyes.
The man who closed the door was the most unique of the group who entered. A huge sword was sheathed in a scabbard attached to his back. Red metal armor, gilded with gold covered his massive seven foot frame. His face was hard, and yet it had an open quality too it. The man winked at Nethsin as he turned back to the party.
“You are late.” Nethsin said when the men had completed their act of entering.
“Not my fault.” The man who had walked over to the bar protested. “You can blame Jax for not being able to get us out of that house before being spotted.”
“Yeah, well at least I did something.” Jax, the man who looked none descript retorted. “You were the one who got us into that mess.” Jax shook his head. “The first time any of our members have been seen in over ten years, all for nothing, thanks to that idiot taking a drink.”
“Hey!” The man protested. “I did what I could. We didn’t know that there would still be guards there. We were informed that at that specific time, we would be able to just sneak in and grab whatever we wanted.”
“Drop it, Kain.” Nethsin barked. “Kelrin, Ashina,” He said, and the two girls looked at him. “Take a seat.” He motioned to the chairs at the table. “Kain, Jax, Rayin, you too.” Once everybody was seated, he shook Seleia awake. “They’re here.”
She opened her eyes and looked calmly at the others, not in the slightest embarrassed by the being found in Nethsin’s lap. “Hello, Kelrin,” Seleia looked to the small girl with the bow. “Ashina,” She looked at the women with the book, who nodded in reply. “Kain,” The man with the long swords nodded back. “Father,” Jax shook his head, looking at her on Nethsin’s lap. “And dear Rayin.” The huge man grinned and smiled.
“Why have you gathered us?” Jax asked a slight hostility apparent in his voice.
Before Nethsin could answer, the door opened once again. This time, framed by the doorway stood a woman, dressed in clothes very similar to Nethsin’s, her clothes just cut for her form. Her eyes were the same color, and had the same intensity.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Feb 16, 2008 9:51 am
“Brother,” She said, looking at Nethsin. “What have I told you about taking advantage of moments alone with Seleia?”
Nethsin laughed. “You never said anything about them, Sinara.”
“Oh, in that case it’s alright.” Sinara laughed and walked over to the table. Before she could sit down, Dailin jumped from his seat, walked around the table, and pulled a chair out for her.
“Thank you, Dailin.” She said.
“Think nothing of it, sister dearest.” Dailin said mockingly, before walking back around the table to sit down again.
“I think you have an admirer, my twin.” Nethsin laughed at Sinara, also known as Celes.
“I think he might be more than an admirer.” Kain laughed. “You sure you want to be in the same room as him?” Kain asked Sinara, his tone dripping with mock concern.
“Shut up, Kain.” Dailin muttered.
“I’m fine, friend.” Sinara laughed. She then turned to Nethsin. “So, what’s going on?”
“Yes, that was the question I was asking, before you rudely interrupted us.” Jax said angrily.
“I’m sorry.” Sinara apologized.
“I don’t need your sympathy.” Jax replied quickly. “Just continue your story, Nethsin.”
“As milord commands.” Nethsin said ironically. Jax glared at him but did nothing. “As we all know, we have found the medallion of the young prince Gallen.” He stared each member of the crew in the eye. “We all have our various reasons for being in this crew, but the goal is to get money.”
Nethsin looked at Kain, then Kelrin. “Between Kain, and Kelrin, there is no secret that cannot be found.” Nethsin supplied. “The best intelligence service in the world, I’ve said.” Next Nethsin turned to Ashina. “Our finder of divine, and arcane mysteries. I’ve seen you cast your spells, and discover secrets of magic that we need to know when we pull a job.” He turned to Dailin. “You are the seeker of items, the discoverer of traps.” Nethsin turned to Jax. “The ultimate organizer, and disciplinary. The brains of our operations and the voice of reason.” Finally he turned to Rayin. “You, my friend, are the tank. Nothing I know of has the power to stop you, and yet you move with the grace and silence of a cat.”
Nethsin stopped to look down at the table. He looked back up, quickly looking at everybody’s eyes. “We are the Final Find.” He said. “There is nothing we can’t do, even if it is difficult, we can still do it. It is on that note that I make a suggestion.” He paused for dramatic effect. “We must find Gallen.”
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Feb 16, 2008 9:52 am
“You suggest foolishness!” Jax burst out. “Anybody who kidnaps a royal prince must be well connected, as well as very powerful. It’s probably one of those revolting noble families. We don’t have the funds, resources, or skills to go against what a noble house could raise against us if we try to find out what happened.” Jax supplied. “Besides, the royal family is doing all it can to bring an end to this, and find their prince, its best not to get involved.”
“You are forgetting what type of money we could make from this expedition.” Kain retorted quickly, his normally lethargic voice filled with energy. “I’m with Nethsin.”
“As am I.” Dailin said in his harsh voice.
“Me too.” Kelrin piped in her tiny voice.
The rest of the crew quickly supplied their answers. A unanimous yes, except for from Jax.
“Have you all lost your minds?” Jax asked after the vote was tallied. “This is sheer folly! It’s a fallacy!”
“A human life is at stake here, father.” Seleia rebuked her father. “A young child, which is even worse. He has his whole life to look forward too, and that is more than enough reason to save his life.”
“What’s to say that Gallen is still alive?” Jax asked. “It’s been months since he disappeared, and we only barely found his necklace. Who’s saying that it wasn’t planted there to give the people false hope.”
“Here I was, thinking you were smart.” Ashina said. “The people don’t know about this yet. How could it be there to give them false hope?”
“We might not have found that necklace, and maybe somebody else did.” Jax answered quickly. “For all we know, somebody else might have found it, had we not taken that cursed medallion.”
“Now you are mocking my searching abilities.” Dailin snapped. “It took a very thorough search to find that amulet. Who’s to say that anybody but us even goes there anyway?”
Jax spluttered for a moment, and then fell silent. “Alright, let’s say we do this thing. How exactly would we find where he is, when we don’t have the slightest clue about what happened to Gallen?”
“What did you think that me and Kain are doing here?” Kelrin asked. “We can find out what happened that is if Dailin can find us a trail.”
“I could find a trail on rock during the darkest night of the year.” Dailin said with insincere humility.
Jax stared him, and then buried his head in his hands.
“It’s alright.” Rayin said, surprising all of them when he spoke. Rayin preferred to remain silent, but when he felt the need to speak, he got to the point. “We’ll get more than enough money from this job, and you might even be able to retire to just this tavern.”
“I’ll do it.” Jax said. “Just as long as you understand that I will back down if it gets to dangerous. I’m not patriotic enough to risk my life for some spoiled brat.”
“That’s all we wanted from you.” Seleia said. “Thank you, father, for helping.”
“Alright, now that that’s settled, let’s keep moving.” Nethsin said, shifting Seleia in his lap. “Dailin, go back to the old execution grounds tomorrow, and see what you can find.” He looked at Kain and Kelrin. “We’ll need information on the kidnapping, and all of the information that the guards have found so far.”
“I don’t know, Nethsin, that’s a pretty tall order.” Kain said, once again lethargically.
“I know. If you’re not up to the task, then we can let you go find something else to entertain you.” Nethsin said jokingly.
“I’m fine.” Kain replied, waving his hand, and then yawning.
“No you’re not, you’re tired.” Kelrin said, laughing.
“What’s the difference?” Kain asked a puzzled expression on his face.
The whole crew burst out laughing.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
