[RP]Obake Blade

[ForceFightWMe12]

"Well then...buisness seems to be slowing down a bit - I'll bet most of the customers are off getting lunch." Kyo said, stepping towards the two, "I'll be that Gabe can take things from here...Shall we be off, Aya?"

[JasraLantill]

"Off?" Aya shifted uncomfortably. "Erm... well, I still have to...erm..." She was trying desperately to think of something important to do, in order to put off going to the old woman's house with him. She suddenly brightened. Lunch, Kyo had mentioned. Perfect. "I have to feed Bob!" she said quickly. "I mean, he must be starving by now. All this work he's been doing and I haven't even given him so much as a feed bag yet? Poor animal. I'll be right back." She started to hurry past Kyo towards Bob, who seemed so unconcerned at the moment that he was dozing in the sun.

[ForceFightWMe12]

"Oho, no you don't." he said, sticking an arm out and catching her around the waist, pulling her back. "No. Morning has come and gone and so your time is up. Now, dear Aya, we can do this one of three ways. One: You give me the coin. Two: You come peacefully. Or three..."

 

He began to try and direct her to the street, but she refused to move. He sighed. "Or we could go with option three." With hardly more warning than that, he simply tossed Aya - gently - over his shoulder, as if she were just another bolt of cloth.

 

"Sorry about this." he said to Gabe, nodding at the woman over is shoulder, "But a promise is a promise, after all."

[Rogue Nine]

Carwyn watched from the shade of the wagon where he'd taken temporary residence as Kyo lifted Aya easily onto his shoulder and began to stalk off with her. Moving quickly, he hopped down from the wagon, patted Gabe on the shoulder, then jogged after Kyo.

 

Aya was hitting Kyo in the back with her fists, to no visible effect as the warrior just kept walking. The merchant was uttering something unintelligible, but from her indignant tone, Carwyn guessed she wasn't too happy with Kyo. Striding up alongside them, the ranger leaned in to whisper to Kyo. "Hey, I know you're determined to get this old lady to see Aya's trinket thingie, but there's no need to make a scene of it." He noticed Kyo frown at him. "And besides, this is no way to treat a lady."

 

Kyo slowed and looked at the ranger. "This doesn't concern you," he said gruffly.

 

"Ah, but it does," Carwyn replied. "Remember, I heard everything in the courtyard last night, so I know where you're taking her and why you're taking her there." He wagged a finger at Kyo. "I know she'd have gone with you eventually, so there's no need to cart her away like piece of meat." He leaned backwards to speak to the young merchant. "Isn't that right, Aya?"

 

It was hard for Aya to see Carwyn, being as she was pointed upside down, but she grudgingly nodded, and said, "Yes."

 

Carwyn brightened and moved to look at Kyo again. "See? So you can give her her dignity back now."

 

Kyo made a face, then gently but firmly swung Aya from his shoulder, steadying her as feet touched the ground. "Are you going to come quietly now?" he asked.

[JasraLantill]

“Quietly?” Aya glared at Kyo as she brushed wrinkles out of her dress. “That was uncalled for,” she chastised him. “You could have just… asked me to go with you!”

 

“I did!” Kyo said exasperatedly. “More than once! All morning, in fact! You kept putting me off!”

 

Aya’s mouth dropped. “Well… well… you could have asked me one more time!”

 

Kyo raised a doubtful brow.

 

“I would have gone,” Aya said to him, although with considerably less resolve. “Maybe,” she added under her breath. She sighed. “Tomorrow.”

 

“Uh-huh,” Kyo nodded, giving her a sceptical look. “Tomorrow. The day that never comes.”

 

Aya gave him a weak grin. “Oh, erm, you’ve heard that about tomorrow, have you? Figures,” she said disappointedly, barely loud enough for him to hear. “But, I don’t see why it’s so important that we have to go right now. I want to help you Kyo, I really do,” she said genuinely. “But I also really have to do well at this market. I know the market lasts for a week, but opening day is the most crucial sales day for merchants. My family is depending on me, and going to visit this old witch of a woman, isn’t going to help me help them. She’s not interested in any of my goods,” she added, casting her eyes downward to her chest where the coin was dangling on its cord. “Except one,” she said as she tucked the coin into her shirt.

 

"I think your goods are quite interesting, Aya," Carwyn volunteered, trying to break the tension between the two.

 

"Thanks,” she replied innocently. “I'll be sure to give you a special discount on anything you like." She looked up at him then, but when she noticed Carwyn’s face was reddening, her eyes flicked briefly down at her chest, then slowly closed as she realised what had just been said. “I- I- didn’t mean ‘anything’ anything,” she stuttered. “Well, I did, but not like…. What I meant was that anything I’m displaying… selling! I mean, selling! Not that I’m selling ….” She sighed deeply, knowing that her face was as red as a beet by now. “Oh… bother,” she said with defeat. “You know what I mean, right?” she asked, giving Carwyn a hopeful look.

 

She turned to Kyo. “That old witch scares me, Kyo. She’s creepy, and her house is creepy… even that ‘husband-come-cat’ of hers is creepy. I just don’t want to get ‘whammied’ by any of her spells or herbs or mystical magic powers or anything.”

 

“Oh, come on, Aya,” Carwyn said, obviously as amused as Kyo was by Aya’s fear of magic. “Nothing’s going to happen to you. Not with the two of us here.” He glanced down at his trousers. “Remember that throwing knife? These are my lucky pants. They’ve gotten me through some pretty tricky situations, even ones involving magic.”

 

Aya gave him a dubious look. “Well, if the old witch starts spouting off some kind of spell or something, you’d better watch your pants or I’ll be in them.” She rolled her eyes to the sky, wondering if her face could get any redder than it already was. “I mean… oh, I don’t know what I mean,” she said, flustered.

 

She looked at Kyo. “If we really have to go and see this old witch, Kyo, can we just go? Now? Before I put my other foot in my mouth?”

[Rogue Nine]

Carwyn grinned at Aya's unfailing knack for putting things in the wrong context. It was certainly one of her more endearing qualities. "All right gang, no use waiting around here," he said as he pushed both of them forward and into the crowd. "I dunno where this old lady is, but we need to get out of this crazy congested place."

 

Kyo nodded. Taking Aya's hand, he used his considerable size to push through the mass of people into the direction they needed to go. Aya reached out and grabbed Carwyn's hand and tugged him along, making a sort of train as they left the town square behind.

[Jason Skywalker]

As Carwyn, Kyo and Aya went out, Akira was lost in the crowd. Luckily, the stall was right at his side.

 

"Well Bob my friend, looks just like it's you and me," Akira sighed. The pony brushed him off, giving his back at him, surprising the swordsman as he lost Bob's reins.

 

"What, you're still mad at what happened last time?" The young swordsman asked.

 

Bob did nothing.

 

"Come on, it was just a joke! And Bob, i respect you. You have done a lot for Aya's and her father's protection, and i'm sure she likes you alot."

 

Bob turned at him, curious.

 

"What do you say, we leave this for behind?"

 

Bob left out a noise of agreement.

 

"Atta boy," He told him, then turning to Gabe.

 

"Say, what can you tell me about Aya?"

[JasraLantill]

((Wow... long post warning. Sorry guys. Didn't plan on it being this long! Just trying to include some 'space' for Jonas and our mages, as well as our warrior fellows!))

~~~~~~~~

 

Gabe chuckled at the young warrior, grateful for the conversation and the company. “What can I tell you about Aya?” He patted the edge of the wagon wheel. “Have a seat, lad.”

 

Bob snorted a warning, but Akira didn’t seem to understand him. Bored, the pony turned away, and began to doze again--his weight balanced on three feet, eyes half-closed, and enjoying the heat of the sun on his back.

 

Akira leaned up against the wagon wheel, and Gabe cleared his throat. “I’ve known her since she was this high,” he said, holding out a gnarled hand at just above his kneecap. “Knew her father well, too.” He appraised Akira with a practiced eye. “Met him when he was a strappin’ young lad, like yerself. He was a good, strong man—kind, honourable, and always willing to step up in the face of injustice.” His eyes narrowed as he caught the sight of Wolf chatting with the Lord Mayor. “Not like that Wolf.”

 

Gabe looked around, then motioned for Akira to come closer. “Did Aya ever tell ‘ya how her father died?” Akira shook his head. “Attacked, he was. Killed, by masked bandits on their way back down South. They killed a lot of folks in the caravan that day. Aya was derned lucky she weren’t one of ‘em. If’n there hadn’t been a patrol of soldiers passing by there on their way home, those bandits pro’lly would have killed ‘em all.” He hunched even closer, and his voice dropped to a conspiratorial whisper. “Rumour is, that it was Wolf that paid those bandits to attack ‘ol Sam S’Ornaku’s caravan. He’s a bad seed, that one. Always conspiring and scheming to get more and more control over everyone.” He nodded to where the Lord Mayor stood, happily laughing at a joke Wolf must have just told. “Even gots the Lord Mayor and the Royal Guards in his back pocket now. But…,” he shrugged, “most folk here are too a’feard of him to do anythin’ ‘bout it.” With his hand poised at the small of his back, he audibly creaked as straightened himself. “And I’m just too old.” He sighed then. “Truth be told, lad, I’m supposin’ it’s better that Wolf’s in charge. One leader of the pack, so to speak, instead of a bunch of ruffians runnin’ loose on the streets all tryin’ to ‘prove’ themselves. And Wolf’s men do patrol the roads goin’ North. And, for people like me, paying a bit of protection money for the privilege of travellin’ back ‘n forth to the city without being accosted by gangs of fools, is worth it. I guess. Still.” He pulled at his greying whiskers. “I’d pay money to see someone give ‘im what for. And I ain’t one for pewgil… pulgil… pugell….” He grinned and winked. “Fightin’ matches.

 

“But here I am ramblin’ on about that, when you asked about Aya, din’t ‘ya?” He tapped his forehead, then grinned stupidly. “Forgive me. My ‘ol mind has a tendency to wander sometimes. And, my mouth, unfortunately, tends to go with it.”

 

A customer came up to the wagon, and Gabe handled the transaction before returning to his conversation with Akira.

 

“Let’s see,” he said thoughtfully, “Aya is… well, she’s derned nice, for one. Plain sort of girl, pretty, but not beautiful. She gots her beauty on the inside, though, where it counts. Aya’d give someone her last scrap of food, if’n she figured they needed it more than she did. Now, ‘ol Wolf over there would call that a fault. Not good bizness, if you knows what I mean. But if you ask me, and you are,” he added, with a wink, “we could do with more people in the world like that.

 

“Aya’s makes friends easy, too. Think that’s one reason ‘ol Sam started takin’ her along with ‘im on his trips,” he added. “She can take the sourest, grumpiest, ‘ol battleaxe of a wifey from scowl to smile faster than a horse’s tail can swat a fly.”

 

At this, Bob turned his head in Gabe’s direction, just as two old women passed in front of the wagon.

 

Gabe cleared his throat. “Afternoon, ladies,” Gabe smiled, and tipped an imaginary hat.

 

“Yup,” Gabe continued, oblivious to the pony’s glare, “definitely one of them people persons, our Aya. But,” Gabe held up a finger to make a point, “she don’t suffer fools or liars, and won’t stand for anyone bullying someone else. She gets that from her father. That’s why ‘ol Wolf didn’t like her ‘ol man. Sam, Gods rest his soul, was the type to rally people to stand up for themselves, and Aya’d help him, too. But, now that it’s only her… well.” He sighed sadly. “Folk just ain’t that brave anymore.”

 

Another customer interrupted him, and he again handled the transaction with ease.

 

Gabe shook his head. “Don’t know how she’s gonna make it on her own, though,” he said sadly. “The girl’s got heart and spirit, but travellin’ alone can be dangerous business, especially further North. But, she can be stubborn when she wants to. Hard dissuading her when she’s got an idea in her head. I’d advise her not to go any further North, but there’s no point even talkin’ to her ‘bout that. Not since I found this.”

 

He nudged an urn at his feet that had been hidden by Aya underneath Bob’s horseblanket. “Don’t tell her, lad, but I hads me a peek,” Gabe said quietly. “Ashes. I reckon it must be ‘ol Sam, Gods rest his soul. I’ll lay odds that she’ll be heading up North to scatter ‘im on that Dovetail peak up North. Her father loved that place.” He chuckled. “Talked some good stories about it, too. Giant Rock Snakes, Trolls, Griffin’s… he had a whole slew of ‘em kind of stories!”

 

Another customer came by, a wealthy-looking lady, who purchased a gilded idol from the few strange and unusual artefacts Aya had for sale. Gabe again handled the transaction, but smiled broadly when the woman paid for her purchase with a gold coin, instead of the usual bronze dinars he’d been seeing for most of the day. “Thank you, ma’am! Good day to ‘ya!”

 

He poked Akira in the shoulder, making sure he was still listening to him. “Monks live up near the Dovetail way, ‘ya know,” he continued his conversation. “Aya’ll buy up food here, then take it to the monestaries to trade for more of this artsy stuff. A few of the rich folks ‘round here buy these things, but down South, they pay a’plenty. Did ‘ya know Aya’s family got a shop in the town she’s from? Her ma and brother’s pro’lly watchin it while she’s away.” He nodded again at Wolf. “No doubt that’s what Wolf is wantin’ his hands on. He gets ‘imself a foothold down South, makes ‘imself more gold… he’ll be able to make a challenge to be the King himself one day.” Gabe coughed, the kind of wheezy, throaty cough that really told his age. “Fortunately, I doubt I’ll be around that long to see that happen.” He looked at the gold coin he held in his hand before depositing it in the strongbox at his feet. “Couldn’t bear to see Wolf’s ugly puss stamped on our coins anyway, could you?”

 

Gabe suddenly brightened. “Hey, one thing I knows Aya likes is yeller flares.” He frowned seeing Akira’s dumbfounded look. “Flares, flares!” Gabe repeated. “You know, like daffodils and roses and daisies and the like. But yeller ones.” He pointed out to Akira a lady walking by wearing a yellow hat. “Yeller, like that,” he said. “You git some yeller flairs to give to her, and she’ll like ‘em. I garronntee.”

 

Just then, one of the other merchants came up to the wagon. “Hey, Gabe,” the middle-aged man said. “Just heard that the fireworks display is off.”

 

“Huh?” Gabe blinked in disbelief. “But we always have ‘em!”

 

The merchant looked over at Wolf and the Lord Mayor. “Mayor says they’re a fire hazard and we need to pay for ‘fire protection’ if we want them.”

 

“Ah,” Gabe nodded as he guessed what Wolf had said to the Lord Mayor. “And I’m supposin’ that Wolf has offered to provide it, eh?” He shook his head. “Got the water mages in his pocket now, too, I reckon.” He looked back at the merchant. “So you’re out collectin’ for this ‘fire protection’ money, are ‘ya?”

 

The merchant shrugged sadly. “My kids wanna see them. The wife wants to see them. We don’t really have a choice, do we?”

 

Gabe shook his head in agreement. “No. Not unless we got a fire mage lurkin’ about to do some tricks for us free of charge.” He looked at the strongbox. “Cain’t exactly give ‘ya any coin now, ‘cause it ain’t mine,” he said to the merchant. “But I’ll tell Aya when she gets back. I’m sure she’ll contribute somethin’.”

 

The merchant nodded, and then headed for the next merchant stall.

 

“Yup,” Gabe said to Akira, “I’d certainly pay money to see that ‘ol Wolf given what for. Legal like, though. So no one would get jailed by the Guards or anythin’. But it sure would be a joy to see.”

[Jason Skywalker]

Akira had listened closely at his stories. It almost made a tear roll out of his eye. It seemed Aya's father was really protective and cared about his family. A true man...

 

"Say, i think i know a Fire Mage," Akira told ol' man Gabe, "And i'm guessing it'd be free of charge."

 

"But before i go, can you just tell me a little bit on the "relationship" between Wolf and Aya?"

[JasraLantill]

"Relationship?" Gabe let out a rebounding laugh. "I don't think you could call what they have between 'em a 'relationship'. Animos...Anonymos..." He grinned. "Mutual dislike," he ended up saying. "That's what they've got.

 

"Don't think Aya really cares a whit about 'im, but even so, she wouldn't want 'im kilt or anythin'. She's not like that. Wolf, on the other hand.... Well, he's been jealous of the way Aya and her father operated. Never came out to make a profit, but always went home with a fat purse. Not too fat, mind," he added. "But none too skimpy neither. 'Course, Sam, Gods rest his soul, wasn't one to hoard money. Gave it away more often than not. But he always made sure his familily was provided for. Good man, he was. Aya's the same. She'll take home her profits from here, and no doubt it'll end up in more pockets that her own.

 

"But Wolf, he's just out for 'imself, mostly. And that's why Aya don't like 'im, and he don't like her. Pure and simple."

[Jason Skywalker]

"Well, alright, i'll be right back!" Akira said, getting out of there and mixing with the crowd. Akira started looking for the 'mancers, Toa and Hoshiko, and eventually found them discussing over a food stall.

 

"Hey guys! Glad i found you," He panted.

[ForceFightWMe12]

After they had left the main square, the crowds began to filter out and disappear. Kyo led the way through the streets, recalling the route from the night before. Though things did look quite different in the daytime, he didn't dare ask Aya for direction, lest he give her a reason to 'accidentally' get them lost. Turns out that he didn't need the directions either. The threesome soon found themselves at the foot of the creaky stairs that led up to where the old woman resided.

 

"So?" he asked, looking at the other two. "Are you ready?"

 

"No," Aya said quickly. The three were still holding hands, and Kyo thought his fingers were about to snap from the pressure that she was applying to his hand. For the moment, he ignored her answer.

 

"Carwyn?"

 

Carwyn looked up at the rickety old residence. Rubbing his nose, he said, "I hope she has cookies, because I'm hungry."

 

The swordsman smirked. "Let's go then."

 

With a gentle tug to Aya's hand, he began leading the way up the stairs.

 

"I wouldn't eat anything she offers you," she whispered to Carwyn. "You never know what she might have put in it." But a tug on her arm made her face forward and continue up the stairs behind Kyo.

[JasraLantill]

As Aya entered the hallway that led to the old lady’s house, she felt something dart across her boot. “Ack!” she screeched. “Rats!” She tugged on Kyo’s arm. “Let’s go back!” she pleaded. “I-i-it’s not… not… not sanitary here!”

 

"That looked a little too big to be a rat, Aya," Carwyn commented.

 

“Oh…,” she whimpered as she cringed, squeezing the two hands she was holding as tight as she could.

 

The swordsman rolled his eyes. "Don't tell her that, Carwyn..." he muttered. "Besides, it's not like they're going to eat you, Aya. Now c'mon, the sooner we get this over with, the sooner we can leave." He found the right door and knocked on it.

 

There was a muffled thump, what sounded like a cat's screech, and then something scratching against the door. A moment later, a lock clicked, and the door pulled open to reveal a very old, very small woman, wearing the same bright pink frock and jade green shawl as when Kyo, and indeed even Aya, had last seen her in, and peering at them with large distorted eyes behind glass lenses as thick as the beads that hung around her neck.

 

"What do ye want, huh huh??" she asked, getting up in Kyo's face again. Or, at least trying to. "Ye better not be here to… ahh…. You’ve returned.” She adjusted her glasses and squinted at Aya and Carwyn.

 

“You!” She jabbed a pointed finger in Aya’s chest. “Know you. Seen you.” She pushed Aya aside and eyed Carwyn. Then she snorted. “You? Hmph! Seen you only in dreams.”

 

"Well, women do call me dreamy," Carwyn replied dryly, trying to keep his voice level.

 

"Told you she was 'creepy'," Aya whispered quietly to him over her shoulder.

 

"Heard that! Heard that!" Her eyes loomed in front of Aya. "Creepy, am I?" And then, cackling, she turned around and went inside.

 

"Old bird's got good ears," Carwyn whispered back, a little spooked.

 

"Creepy, but not deaf. Great combination." Aya cringed. "Oh, do we really have to go in there, Kyo?" she pleaded.

 

"Yes, we do." Kyo answered quietly, "Now both of you relax. And Aya, she's going to need to see your coin."

 

“Great. Just as long as she gives it back.”

 

“Heard that! Heard that!” came the crackling voice of the woman from inside her house. “Come in! Come in! I have words you must hear! Must hear!”

 

Aya nudged Kyo with her arm. "Well? You're closer to the door. You go first."

[Rogue Nine]

Carwyn felt Aya squeeze his hand a little tighter. He looked up and saw her face ashen, but with a grimly determined expression. He couldn't help but feel a bit of admiration for her.

 

Leaning in close, he whispered into her ear, "Don't worry, me and my magic pants will be right here, so feel free to jump into them if you need."

[ForceFightWMe12]

"That is so damn wrong." Kyo muttered with a sigh. He moved into the room, guiding the other two with him. "C'mon."

 

"Both halves are here, both halves are here! Oh-hohohohohohohoho!" the woman cackled as she sat on the sofa, stroking the puzzle cylinder as if it were a pet. "Ah, my dear husband...the peices are falling into place!"

 

The swordsman moved slowly into the room, having shut the door behind the three of them. He gave Carwyn and Aya a cautionary look before turning to look at the old woman.

 

"You have what I'm looking for, hm, hm?" she asked, looking at him with a cocked head. Kyo nodded slowly.

 

"She does." he held his hand out to Aya, looking at her expectantly...almost hopefully.

[Jason Skywalker]

"So, Toa, Hosh, see, there was supposed to be fireworks tonight, but Wolfie here probably bribed the Mayor and now the merchants have to pay "fire protection" money or something of the like. How would you like to put up a fire show? You two could help each other on it, seeing how as you're both 'mancers," He told them.

[Grace]

Takara awoke and sat up with a start to find Katsuro already awake... and staring at her while eating a slice of bread.

 

"You had the nightmare again," he said quietly. "Whenever you sleep..."

 

"It's why I don't sleep," Takara answered, cutting him short. She frowned at him. "How do you know about it?"

 

"I see things sometimes..." he replied cautiously. "What's in your head. Keeps me awake sometimes."

 

"At least in meditation I can gather full strength without..." Takara murmured, trailing off and shuddering slightly. She looked around the room. "Xan left, did he?"

 

Katsuro grinned. "Yup... used magic to clear up his eyesight and see you better too."

 

Takara blushed. "You really shouldn't do that," she muttered.

 

"What," the boy challenged, "eavesdrop inside someone's head? It's not like it's anything they keep secret..."

 

"But the mind is a private place, Katsuro," Takara scolded. "Most of them wouldn't even begin to know how to hide things from you."

 

"I know, but..." the boy began to object.

 

"But nothing," his mother cut in. "Now gather your weapons, we're going out."

 

"No breakfast for you mom?" he asked curiously. Takara shook her head.

 

"I've lost my appetite," she answered, her voice barely even a whisper. Strapping her sword and knife to her waist, the cloak about her neck, and her new bow and quiver of arrows to her back, Takara straightened herself a little and headed out the door. In only a matter of a minute or so, mother and son were exploring the market.

[Quanon]

The market was loud and busteling with activity , Bora Cho had never seen so much crowd at one place .

 

Many stands sold food , pottery , jewels , the list seemed endless . Bora Cho looked for the smaller books and scroll stands , but none of them had serieus works . Most merchants claimed there books where antique and of great value , but fairy tales and mythes where not Bora Cho's main interest .

 

Istengard walked beside him and it was a pleasant morning , but Bora Cho's companion looked like he was in his own world .

 

" What had happened the previous night ? "

 

Just as Bora Cho turned around the corner , he saw a glimp of figure jumoing over the roofs . It was hard to believe , but it looked like a monk ... a female monk ?

 

As far Bora Cho remembered there where few monastarys where women and girls where trained as monks . He had seen them once , long ago on a Spring Festival , Bora Cho's group was invited to give a great show , to there suprise another school-monastary was there as well .

 

The masters from both sides where not pleased , boys and girls where kept appart , most monastarys where men- or women only . And so the masters feared that the meeting with the other "kind" would destract the student from their true cause .

 

Bora Cho remembered it vividly , it was a great day . The festival alone was something to never forget , it was one of the rare ocations that the student would leave the monastary and spend the day amongst the people .

 

Bora Cho enjoyed the sparring matches , the fireworks , the dancing and lots of laughter .

 

Bora Cho sighed , he overlook the market , a man surround by a big group entered the square , everyone turned his head . A sudden tension changed the atmosphere . There was a storm coming .

[steven]

After an hour of resting, the old soldier felt like it was time to get up. Jonas first objective was to get himself a bite to eat, and there was no better place than the market place.

[Rexraptor2000]

"So, Toa, Hosh, see, there was supposed to be fireworks tonight, but Wolfie here probably bribed the Mayor and now the merchants have to pay "fire protection" money or something of the like. How would you like to put up a fire show? You two could help each other on it, seeing how as you're both 'mancers," He told them.

 

Toa smiled and said "Why not? A corrupt official isn't my idea of a proper mayor. And maybe this Wolf could use a bit of a proper introduction of the uses of fire and, if decide to join in Hosh, air."

[Master_Archon]

Xan had been walking through the market that was going on, it was one of the best days to buy things, seeing as the prices were reduced due to so much buying and selling, and other such activity.

 

Xan was still toying with his Pu Dao, he loved it, and he never got tired of looking at it's beautiful design, and flawless make.

 

Xan had stopped in on a stall where they sold good, cheap produce. Xan browsed the contingent of vegitables and fruits, he needed food that wouldn't spoil after long periods of time, and hard travel. He bought some hard apples and some potatoes and other hard, tough food products.

 

Leaving the tent covered stall he moved into the crowd, barely seeing the man he collided into.

 

"Oomf, sorry about that sir, didn't see...." Xan was cut off.

 

"You blithering dunder 'ead, watch where you're going, or I'll knock your block off," the man shouted.

 

"Please, no need for such..." yet again, Xan was cut off by the man's rants.

 

"No need for such what? Riff-raff like you shouldn't be runnin' round here no ways, Wolf must've missed killin' you," he mouthed off to Xan, indicating that there had been others that some, 'Wolf' fellow had, had killed. The man scowled at Xan, looking him over, Xan only weilded his Pu Dao, he had dropped the rest of his weapons and gear off at the 'Smoking Dragon Inn'.

 

The man was short, only around five and a half feet tall, that was short to Xan. The man wore leather armor, Xan wore his ancient northern full body armor, made of the finest steel in some places, and the rest, well, Xan had no idea what metal it was. But this man looked like a feisty little firecracker though, and didnt seem to care whether Xan outsized, or outarmored him.

 

"I think I'll get a hefty rize if I finish the job Wolf started, the boss'll love me," the man said, snickering to himself at the last part of his comment.

 

At this, the man licked his lips greedily, pulling his sword from it's scabard, but before he could get it any further than outside of the scabard, Xan had used the end of his Pu Dao that had the ring, to disarm the man. The red-headed man turned red, his cheeks puffing out in anger as he looked over at his sword which was now on th ground some distance away.

 

The man quickly bent down, pulling a sizable dagger from his boot, and coming up quickly at Xan. Xan had little time to react, but he positioned his weapon just right so the blade would be stopped; but the man had put so much force behind it, that Xan too, had become disarmed.

 

The man didn't stop for a moment though, he came at Xan, swinging, slashing, stabbing at Xan, aiming for what little openings in Xan's armor he could find, all the time Xan had his hands behind his back, stepping backwards, avoiding the weapon strikes by a small margin.

 

Then the man slipped forward, he kept his balance, but his hand was out towards Xan, and so Xan twisted the man's arm enough to have the man let go of the weapon. The man regained his balance, nursing his hurting arm.

 

"You're a good fighter for such a common looking street thug, why are you in such a crowd?" Xan asked admirably.

 

The man winced, and looked up at Xan, his face red, his ever present scowl growing bigger. "Aye, I'm street scum now, but I'm one oh the best fighters Wolf's got; used to be in the western army I did, was a hinterland fighter, fierce, brave fighters we are, but when waring happened in the east, I couldnt resist. Came here, lost all I had, then out of dire straights I became one oh Wolf's lackies...but I'm better than most of 'em, smarter too...which even surprises me," the man retorted.

 

But before Xan could carry the conversation further, a man followed by an ontourage of the same dressed lackies approached Xan. The Royal Guard weren't far behind.

 

"What's this about," the one that was dressed all fancily asked with a sneer. Xan could almost instantly assume that this was Wolf.

 

"He's one oh them warriors we killed from earlier that were from the guild," answered the 'red-man'.

 

"You ijit, he's not from the guild, he bares no etchings on his armor...except those runes...." Wolf cut off in a murmur, looking Xan, or more properly, Xan's armor, over like a prized piece of meat. "Take him anyway," said Wolf with a hiss, the Royal Guard coming around behind Xan while Wolf's men approched in a big conglomerate at him head on.

 

But there came a shout out of the crowd, a short pudgy man came out, he wore greasy blacksmith's clothing, and a leathery smock. "Wait, wait!" The man shouted, the Guard and cronies halting.

 

Wolf scowled, "what is it?" He asked indignantly.

 

"Forgive my ol' friends mishap here, sir Wolf, er...I mean Wolfgang, sir. But he's terribly foolhardy my friend is," the blacksmith blundered on calmly. The blacksmith leaned towards Wolf so only he could hear, "terribly near sighted he is, can't see a daft thing, it 'twer an accident, take mine, and his humble apologies."

 

Wolf smiled a sickly grin, "of course...not, he's attacked one of my men, and for that, he must be punished." Came the sickly answer.

 

Xan's eyebrows furrowed under his helmet, "I guess you couldn't take me down yourself then, huh? 'Wolf's' never can without their sickly pack," Xan retorted venomously.

 

At this the man grew visibly angry, his eyes stared deeply at Xan, bulging from their sockets in his fit of anger. "Pfft, puh, I could take you, but it's a mighty unfair advantage with your armor on," Wolf sputtered angrily.

 

"Glass alibies!" Xan spat back.

 

The blacksmith only grinned, "seems we have disagreement my good sir." He stated to the Lord Mayor, who was standing worriedly to the side. The Mayor only nodded, the blacksmith continued, "I say, we have a...match, a boxing match, ever since are old boxer Pete, rest his soul, passed away, we haven't had any matches...what do ya say...Sir Wolfgang?"

 

Wolf only sneered, he was concocting something in his mind. "Absolutely," he agreed, a sinister glint in his eye.

 

"We need a ring, like last year!" Shouted an old man behind a wagon made into a makeshift selling stall.

 

The blacksmith cocked an ear in his direction, "we know Gabe, so shut yore gob, and get to findin' one," he shouted back.

 

"No need," said the Lord Myor, liking the idea of another boxing match. "We can use the stage, where I anounced the parade, it's perfectly square, elevated, and all it needs is four posts, andsome rope to go 'round it, and we've got a ring," he said, smiling in admiration at his idea.

 

"Good," said the blacksmith. "Then it's settled, let's get the posts, the rope, and get over to the stage, and we'll have our boxing match," said the blacksmith cheerily, turning to lead the way to the stage.

 

"Wait, we need conditions," said Wolf slyly. "First, you can't fight in your armor...second, if I win...I get the armor," said Wolf, his ugly face contorting into a big grin.

 

"Fine, but you can't fight with any of your lackies, only me, and you, and if I win...I get....well, I'll leave the answer pending," Xan also said slyly.

 

Wolf paused for a moment, his grin fading a bit, to lose, and to have to give the man something that he had no clue what the man wanted, was a risky ordeal, he could ask for all his gold, or worse. But the man's armor was more than worth it...he could tell!

 

"Deal," he said menacingly, shaking Xan's hand. "But...heheh, our matches are tag-team...you need a partner, and our second boxer is...away," Wolf said cunningly. "I have my son...which is no lacky," he said, motioning to a gresy little rat of a man...boy, next to him.

 

"Hey!" Xan shouted. Wolf tut-tutted him, "sorry, rules are rules, and if you don't have a partner, then you automatically forfit, and lose," Wolf said, his grin returning, only bigger.

 

Xan looked over pleadingly to the blacksmith, who only shrugged, it was true, for once Wolf wasn't lieing, only scheming.

 

"Fine, give me ten minutes, and I'll meet you at the ring," Xan said angrily.

 

Wolf never faultered, "fine, only person you'll probably find is a bumpkin anyways," he said with a sneer and a laugh. At this, Wolf turned and headed towards the stage, his ontourage following, the crowd as well. Xan was left with the blacksmith alone.

 

"Don't worry lad, I know you'll find someone ta' help you, you'll see. But as for me, I'm gonna talk to ol' Gabe over there, see if he has any ideas on how to get some money out of this ordeal, cause you know a fight like this just can't go on for free...and don't worry Xan, if we do get money, you'll get a big share, I know you need it...friend," the blacksmith said kindly, patting Xan's shoulder, then heading off towards the old farmer.

 

"Thank you...friend," Xan said after him, disturbed that he might lose by a fluke. So, as it dictated, Xan began walking, scoping any potential boxers in the crowds of people still shopping.

[JasraLantill]

"You have what I'm looking for, hm, hm?" she asked, looking at him with a cocked head. Kyo nodded slowly.

 

"She does." he held his hand out to Aya, looking at her expectantly...almost hopefully.

Aya gulped. She looked at Kyo, then Carwyn, and then, without making eye contact with the old woman's oversized eyes, she slowly reached into her shirt, pulled out the coin, and lifted the cord it hung on up and over her head.

 

She looked at it longlingly for a moment, then, pressing her lips together as if it pained her, she held it out gingerly by the cord for Kyo to take.

[Dark_Lady]

Toa smiled and said "Why not? A corrupt official isn't my idea of a proper mayor. And maybe this Wolf could use a bit of a proper introduction of the uses of fire and, if decide to join in Hosh, air."

And a corrupt official wasn't Hoshiko's idea of a proper mayor, either. She scowled slightly at the thought of both both Wolf and the mayor, then nodded.

 

"Sure," she said. She wasn't exactly sure what the plan was, but whatever it was, she was in.

[Grace]

As Takara and Katsuro wandered the marketplace, she suddenly caught sight of Xan. After a moment of staring in his direction, she heard her son chuckling softly and turned to frown down at him.

 

"What's so funny?" she demanded.

 

"Your eyes light up even at the thought of him," the boy answered, still grinning. "So? Are you gonna talk to him or not?"

 

Takara blushed slightly and turned away to look into a stall nearby. After a moment, Katsuro took her hand.

 

"Mom, let's go this way," he urged. Then, he darted off through the crowd, nimbly dodging and weaving around the people. Startled at his sudden flight, Takara hurried after him dodging the people as successfully as her son had, but a little slower. When she finally caught up with him, she realized what he'd done; he'd led her directly to Xan.

 

"Hey, Xan!" the boy greeted cheerfully. Then, he darted away again, leaving his mother and the guard staring at each other. Clearing her throat a little, Takara took a step forward.

 

"You, uh..." she began, her words faltering a little. "How... how has your morning been?"

 

Oh, that's nice, she thought... though it was Katsuro's voice in her head saying it. He left the room early this morning and all you want to know is how his morning's been?

 

Watching from a distance, Katsuro grinned, wondering how the guard would respond.

[3yks]

Kai's body was strange, his arms and legs were fairly long, but his midsection was a bit on the short side, this made him look rather gangly, but he pulled it togethor well somehow, at the moment his knees bent and his bottom lowered as he squatted watching the market crowds. He cocked his ear, listening to the exchange between this newcomer, and The Wolf.

 

Kai had arrived her a few days ago now, not really sure where 'here' was or anything, he'd been run out of town a few weeks ago, somewhere to the east, and had headed off. Nothing major for being run out of town, just offending some people when he had taken off his patch and pulled coins out of his eye socket to pay for dinner. Best place to hide stuff in his opinion.

 

Kai dropped down off the ledge he's been squatting on and approached this new man, looking around ... he stopped when just as he getting to Xan some woman came up and asked the boxer how his morning was. Kai, being who he was simply butted in.

 

"Oh, Kai think's this man's morning was quite well, until he had a run in with the wolf. Now Kai is pretty sure that this man is in need of a boxing partner, or this man is going to lose this man's armor. Hmmmm, Kai is right is he not, this man?" He pointed to Xan, and then looked at the woman a moment.

 

"Kai think's that perhaps this woman would make a good boxing partner for this man, no? Would this woman like to get her fisticuff's out and show the wolf and the wolf's son a thing or two about fighting? Hmm, perhaps this woman is the greatest fighter that this city has ever had? Hmmm, probably not, I think that perhaps this man would instead accept Kai's offer to join this man in the ring. Kai is good with his fist's, and Kai has had a squabble with the wolf's son over a pleasant young lady who Kai has taken a fancy too. What does this man say? Would he like Kai to pummel the wolf and the wolf's son with him? Hmmm?"