By Word of Mouth (Aerif Recruitment)

[Andromeda]

(OoC: This is for Aerif and myself only. She has asked to join the TFF Royalty club and this is the recruitment test for her. You may read the RP, but that is all. Anyone that posts in here aside from Aerif and myself will be promptly deleted and warned for ignoring me.)
The sky was filled with stars as the twin moons overhead shared the blanket of night. There were quiet sounds at the edge of the city, most just animals in the trees. It was empty around the city, grasslands as far as the eye could see. If one walked far enough they might came across the mountains to the west, but that was a two-day trek at least. There was not even farming nearby as the commerce for the city was through trade with other towns.

Before the city was the gate and walls of the surround with the sentries posted, double at night. The walls were large stones that had been hauled a great distance and set in place. There were towers set around the city with fires lit to be signals for travelers. Then around at the main roads of trade there were large gates of wood and iron, heavy unmoving. The main gates were closed, but smaller doors were still available upon inspection of the person.

A figure was standing upon a mound of earth that was a raised up around by the tree nearby. The wind was blowing through the cloak of the figure revealing little of what was hidden behind. The hood of the cloak wore heavy over the face concealing it from view. After the momentary pause the figure had taken on the mound was finished they continued towards the city. They were stopped by guards under orders to inspect everyone that wished to enter the city. The guards however, did not hold them up long once they showed them something from inside their cloak.

The inside of the city was still busy enough that one had to avoid running into someone. Most of the shops were closed at this point though, but that was not where the figure was walking. They came to stop at a tavern, which was just beginning to show life. There were several windows along the tavern spreading light into the cobble streets. Inside there were all manner of men and women enjoying the evening hours of the city.

The door opened as man walked out of the tavern looking as though he was already drunk by the fact he was stumbling around. The cloaked figure walked into the tavern letting the door close in behind itself. It was noisy as usual in the tavern, but it was enough to keep things distracted. They walked over to an empty seat that had a leather and feather cushioned bench. It was a luxurious spot in the tavern, meant for those that planned to spend money. The bench was wide enough for two to match the table, which had seen better days. It was filled with dents and cracks from knives and all manner of wear.

The figure untied the string around their cloak and set it across the backside of the table against the wall. Now revealed, it was a man in his early thirties with a rough face from a long travel. He had smooth features with a couple wrinkles around the eyes to show his age and often tired appearance. His rough beard was in need of being shaved and lacking the proper tools during his travel. The man then unbuckled his sword from his hip and set it down on top of his cloak.

He then sat down unsnapping a couple leather straps from around his wrists that were bringing in his shirtsleeves. He continued by unbuttoning the top button of his collar to his heavy brown shirt, its material was smooth to the touch with a gentle fine nature to it. The man adjusted his shirt letting it sit a little more comfortably on him as he looked over at the bar. He pulled up his sleeves a little and raised his hand to signal the barkeep for service.

The man at the bar nodded and called one of the women that was serving someone else. She approached the bar speaking with the barkeep for a moment before walking over to the man. The man watched the woman approach him careful taking in the beauty without changing his features. She stopped at the edge of the table waiting on him to speak to her. The man looked up at her passing over her figure again with his eyes before coming to stop at her face. “You know I never grow tired of seeing your face,” he said to her.

“What’ll you have tonight?”

The man coughed slightly to himself before speaking again. “I’ll just take my usual.”

“Yes, sir.”

“So formal…” The woman walked away at an even pace making it difficult for him to tell if she was mad. He let out a small sigh and looked away at the table for a moment. ‘Wonder what is wrong, think she would be happy to see me.’ The man adjusted his shirt again feeling a little warm. After a few minutes he was greeted with a glass and bottle with some of it already poured into the glass. The woman placed it on the table and began to turn away.

The man reached out his hand grabbing her by the arm to stop her from leaving. “Hey, what’s wrong?”

The woman turned to look at him still with a flat expression across her face. He was left a little confused by her reaction and was left uncertain by her. However, her face suddenly changed to a grin with a giggle breaking through her lips. This left the man even more confused not sure what to believe anymore. “Your reaction is priceless.”

“Huh? What you talking about?”

“Had you going there for a while.”

“Playing hard to get, so cruel to someone who has been out in the wilderness for a week,” he said grinning back at her. The woman came close to him letting him put his arms around her waist. “If you have some time free there is plenty of room here still.”

“I always have time for you, dear.” The man drew her in on his lap letting her sit across him with her legs dangling out over the bench. She unbuttoned another of his collar buttons letting her hand massage his shoulders. He grabbed up the glass drinking in some of the liquid. He let his hand rub across her thigh through the overlapping of material that made up her dress.

“Anything happen while I was-“ he said before he was cut off by a rude drunk next to him at the table in the middle. The drunk seemed to have a problem with him being friendly with the woman. The drunken man had knocked over his chair against their table to get the man’s attention. The two stared at each other for a moment, though the drunkard was having a difficulty at such a task. “You have a problem?”

“Yeah, I’ve gotta problem. Get yer hands off’a the woman.” The drunk then grabbed at the woman by the wrist trying to pull her off of him. The woman refused to budge from her spot slapping the drunkard, which made him only angrier. “Woman!”

“Don’t you touch my wife again or I shall be returning your hand to you!” the man said placing his hand on the hilt of his sword as a threat. The drunkard was however, unfazed by this threat, no doubt because he could not see the sword. He grabbed at the woman again trying to get her off of the man. “All right, I was kind, but you do not touch her like that.”

The man grasped his hand tightly around the hilt starting to move it as he was motioning to get up. The woman however stopped him. “Let me. I have to deal with his type all night.”

“Very well.” The man let go of his sword and let her get up off of him. She grabbed the sword up from the table and pushed the drunkard back with the sheath end of the sword. The drunkard became enraged as well as confused charging at the woman. She jabbed the hard end of the sheath into the stomach of the drunkard again as he ran into it. The man collapsed to the ground coughing and breathing heavily. She dragged the man over to the door as it was being opened by a kind patron, which she politely bowed partially to them. The woman then raised her foot up letting the layers of the dress that overlap to fall to the side showing her bare leg. She then kicked him hard out of the tavern into the street where the drunk collapsed.

She walked back to the man smiling and setting his sword back down on the table. He grabbed her at the waist letting back on his lap. “I knew there was a reason I married you,” he said kissing her on the lips. “As I was saying before we were interrupted, anything happen while I was away?”

“Actually there was someone looking for you. They were asking for General Walter Thalin.”

“Hmm, I wish people would stop using that title. I left the military for a good reason. Where is this person?”

“They arrived about a half hour before you, I will go get them.”

[Aerif]

The character in question that had been looking for Walter was sitting over at one of the furthest tables from his would be engagement. It was quite the journey for anyone partially responsible for the happiness of the Tavern’s patrons due to the complaints of some of the more ‘whiny’ customers and of those who disapproved of the majority of their drinking colleagues. Unfortunately the tavern’s young waitress was to play referee in two expected fights which she only just managed to prevent from happening.

She could feel her husband’s eye’s on her back, and the eyes of the one who was expecting her husband on her face, they both seemed anxious making her eager to finish what would normally be a short journey. She knew that if she didn’t hurry then only have the invitation of clearing up a spillage of a drunk who would try to look up her dress.

“Sir? General Thalin has arrived, he’s over there at the table marked number 22,” she paused to point out her husband, “I’ll just lead you over to him.”

This time her traversing of the tavern was less of an ordeal, she could prove that she was busy now and didn’t have time for the petty spillage of an alcoholic drink or the confrontation between two men who where both determined to marry the same woman, who at the moment was flirting with a third man. When the two arrived at Walter’s table she had a rush of initiative, it wasn’t her nature to eavesdrop however this ‘client’ seemed to have something interesting about him. “Would you like anything to drink sir?”

[Andromeda]

(OoC: Aerif you do realize that the wife is simply a NPC, the way you wrote it out made it seem like you were playing the wife. The person wanting to see my character was intended to your character, whatever you chose that person to be.)

He did not like the title ‘General’, aside from it having bad memories attached to it there was more to it. He had been forced into the position during the war because they were lacking leaders for the military. At that time he was a simple Colonel with a lot of charisma as was as long family history with the military. While the idea of being a General was what his family desired as well as something he wanted, it was not the right time he felt. It was not manner that he had wanted to become a General and then the acts that he had to do only stained the name even further.

It was his past and he tried to leave it behind him, unfortunately the name still carried much weight. Not to mention it was far too well known for his liking. He knew that it was not as simple as leaving everything and expecting it all to go away, but it was something best left forgotten. This city was a different life for him and he meant to keep it that way.

Walter looked over watching his wife approach the man that was asking for him. He did not recognize who it was from the distance, but if they were not from the town then it was more than likely some stranger. It had him concerned that they were asking for him by his old name. They were either from the military or had heard his name in who knows what place. He had trouble quashing all of the rumors that surrounded him; it meant that someone could eventually find him with enough rumors put together. If a name was all they were going on, they must have been pretty resourceful to make it this far.

The man walked over to his table sitting down. Walter was still measuring the man up uncertain as to what he was going to expect from him. His wife walked back to the counter with the order from the man. The time between was silent as the two watched each other. She returned with another glass filled and set it down on the table looking at the two of them. “Want me to leave you two, dear?”

“No, that is alright. There are no secrets between us.” He pulled her in to sit on his lap again. This was more a move to see what sort of reaction he would get from the man. He needed to measure him up and get an idea of what the man was thinking. Someone going around asking for him by name was either looking for trouble or pretty dumb. Walter was aiming to find out which this man was. “What’s your name son?”

[Aerif]

The hooded cloak was pulled down to reveal a young face, one which was famous for Aryan legacy. A 21-year-old boy who had the face of one brought up accordingly. Definitely of upper class taste though perhaps not one used to the treatment as shown by his edginess around the several men travelling with him, who had remained stiffly at the table though with the air of being ready to spring upon those who posed threat to the boy.

“Are you General Thalin?”

“That is correct,”

“My name is Alexus Arshes. I come from across the river from the small town of Glowglass. Though, I can barely call it my home anymore… It seems that while I was out of town on a visit to my friend, Hilda, the town was pillaged by common thieves and bandits. I found my parents dead in their dinner things and the bulk of the population burnt or in hiding.”

The general looked rather unconcerned; a story such as the young boy’s was not uncommon in the area, immediate and otherwise. Many a town had been exterminated and its citizen’s fed to hell. Pentagrams drawn around ghost towns and villages where not uncommon either and was just a sign of the ruthlessness of the bandits who made it their business to take what was not rightfully theirs. Overall it just seemed to be one of the tales that you heard occasionally by traders and travellers who just so happened to pass through the towns. Alexus could see that the General was not showing any signs of giving an answer to Alexus’s story.

“I know it probably does not matter to you that another town has been pillaged and emptied of all life. However I have some rather interesting information concerning the bandits who seem to be behind the attacks,” Alexus lowered his voice, “I have heard rumours General Thalin, which say that you are the one to consult about happenings within this city and its surrounding area. Because of this I feel the need to tell you that Glowglass’ twin town and great ally, Kingsglass, has declared war on the bandits who attacked my town. Now incidentally they also said that they would take any action to make sure that the bandits where destroyed. Unfortunatly for you General, the bandits happen to reside within this city. And Kingsglass seem determined to make sure that the town is burned purely to punish the bandits who destroyed Glowglass…”

Alexus felt that he had gotten the message across, Kingsglass had been angered by the destruction of Glowglass, and had been angered enough to burn the city which contained the bandits. Incidently being on of the most heavily populated cities in the country, and the home of General Walter Thalin…

[Andromeda]

Walter took another drink from his glass, continuing to be disinterested. This was not completely news to him. While he had been returning there were rumors on the trade roads about something happening to the town. It was hardly much surprise to him that something happened, though he found it strange that bandits would be attacking an entire town. The easier targets were small villages or camps, where there were fewer people. This seemed a little out of character, but definitely enough to be stirring up tensions.

He knew that there were already strained relationships with the nearby cities over trade routes and resources. The economy was beginning to hurt for some towns because so much of the trade was moving elsewhere. It did not help that the northern kingdoms were at war with each other at the moment. There was always the threat of their petty fighting spilling over into their lands or even dragging in other people.

However, he was not completely convinced that the kid was telling the truth. It was not so much that he doubted that the kid believed himself, but the kid may not have known all the facts. This was not typical activity for a group of bandits. Walter looked directly at the young man with flat eyes. “That is quite the tale you tell. Good thing I have my drink to keep me warm.”

“Do you plan to simply insult me?” the man said narrowly.

“Hardly. But I’m less inclined to believe rumor and the words of frighten townspeople who probably could not remember the meal they were having at the time. I find it difficult to believe that Kingsglass would want to destroy this town. They would find it difficult as well as destroy any relationships they have with the neighboring towns.”

“Then, you do nothing?”

He remained quiet for a while more taking a slow drink from his glass. There was impatience on the man’s tongue, though he tried to hide it. The kid definitely seemed to believe what he was saying, or at least was a good actor. There seemed little to be gained by spreading such rumors as this. It was not as though he had command over the troops in the city to send them to strike Kingsglass.

Walter moved his attention to his wife continuing to draw the time out. After a minute or two more of idle admiring, he directing his attention back. “And what would have me do? Alert the guard. Rally the troops? This is hardly the time for impatient rashness of youth. First, we need to see if you are telling the truth.”

“What do you mean?”

“Quite simple actually, we speak to the bandits that supposedly attacked your town.”

“Foolishness, you’d take the word of bandits over mine?”

“Talk is cheap and I take everything at face value. However, I’m less likely to be believe someone I met five minutes ago to someone I’ve known for several years.” Walter looked back at his wife letting her know that this would be over shortly. He would be visiting the bandits more than likely. “So if you have no objections, we will pay a visit to the bandits.” This was not the way he prefer to see an old acquaintance, accusations were hardly friendly conversation.

[Aerif]

“So if you have no objections, we will pay a visit to the bandits.”

“You have your doubts about my honesty? Sir, why would I lie when my town has been burned to the ground, when my parents have been slain, when my theatre has been pillaged?”

“Theatre?”

“Yes General, if you are unwilling to believe one who has directly heard of the Kingsglass attack then are you to believe one who is just a simple actor. I pose no threat to you, what would I have to gain? These travelling companions are merely just that. Travelling companions. They are bards and dancers and actors who had never touched a sword until they where stabbed by bandits… Please sir, I just want your trust…”

General Thalin still insisted that the words of a mere traveller could not compare to that of an old friend. Bandit or otherwise. So they left the tavern, the ex-General and the actors of Glowglass.

The General seemed to know a lot about the bandits, surprising Alexus. In his eyes, one did not usually befriend a bandit without first being affiliated with him. And it was severely doubted that General Thalin had once been pillaged and made friends with a bandit in the midst of a burning and robbed town. One who was affiliated with bandits would be one to look out for, especially if there was the mystery as too how Walter Thalin had become acquainted with them.

He directed them throughout the streets of the city, leading them up side alleys and down long lanes as if he did not want them to be able to retrace their steps without years of experience within the town. The General carried a heavy face, or that was what it looked like due to it being long and upset. If the bandits where friends of his then accusations where probably not the best things to enter the area in which they resided. Around another street and down a hill, then walking along a road and back up another hill, down an alley, up a lane, down a hill again. There was no end to the complicated route which lead to the bandit’s secret place.

Alexus was not worried about entering the place where the bandits where waiting. It was just the question of his return out of the hideaway that scared him…

[Andromeda]

Walter was not pleased with being accompanied by a troupe. There were too many of them and this was something better done with fewer, especially those not emotional. He led them around for a while going more in a circle than in the correct direction. However, he arrived at the place that most of the bandit group visited when they were not doing something. It was a fairly up scale part of the city leading to the deceiving notion that there bandits in the establishment.

However, the title bandit was also deceiving when speaking about them. While it was true that they stole and killed people for whatever their reasons. They had more of a code of honor than most bandits. For them they would not so openly attack innocents, unless they believed that to not be the case. They would call themselves noble thieves, stealing from the rich to balance out the wealth. It was not as though they gave what they stole out to the poor though, that was all kept for themselves. But the individuals could do with their share as they wish, which sometimes did go to the poor. Most of them came from the poorer areas of the city anyway.

He did not agree with what they did, since they generally did not actually kill anyone unless attacked themselves. There was not much he was going to do to stand in their way. For Walter, he stopped carrying the law of the city as a soldier years ago. He would still carry out its will from time to time, when he accidentally ran across something. But he was more jaded in his age; the naivety that the world could be peaceful and perfect was gone. There was no justice that could keep everyone safe or happy, he was fit making the one person that cared to him the safest. It was no doubt selfish, but his priorities were different now.

“A few of them should be in here.”

“You must be joking, is just saw a nobleman walk in there.”

“Just because it doesn’t have ‘Bandit’s Lair’ above doesn’t mean they can’t be inside. The world is not as simple or black and white as you might think. It time you learned that you can’t judge everyone by title or appearance.” Walter looked over at the building. In simple terms it was just another tavern, though it was much more than just that. It was a social center where many of the nobles and wealthy associated with each other. “The rest of you stay out here or go back to the Siren’s Melody.”

“No, they will stay.”

“Fine, but I’m not paying for their drinks. They only seat those willing to pay, I hope you have the money.”

Alexus looked around at his troupe and then back at Walter. “Very well.”

“Now that is settled.” Walter patted Alexus on the back a little roughly, and walked on to the building. When they entered, the entire room was filled with soft music and endless chatter. The entire room was filled as it spread out across the entire street block. The interior was massive, with a full ceiling taking up the second floor and chandeliers hanging evenly spaced.

There was every manner of nobleman and high born throughout talking between each other. Waiters went around to the groups bringing drinks or food. At the entrance was a man well dressed keeping watch on those that entered. The man approached the two of them having them stop.

“Sir, I’m afraid I’m going to have to ask you to leave.”

“New hire huh? Well I don’t frequent as much as I used to, name’s Thalin.”

“General Thalin?!” the man said with surprise, his controlled composure cracking.

Walter sighed looking away. ‘Always the same reaction…’

“I didn’t know, pardon me General.”

“This one is a guest of mine. And my sword…” he said handing over his sword to the man. This was a place of peace, even though some of the darkest secrets lie within these walls. He walked into the main hall and looked around the room. After a moment he walked down the stairs entering the hall completely and went in a specific direction. Most of the people in the room would no doubt know who he was if they looked in his direction. There were a few that would not be pleased to see him as well. If his cloaked appearance had been too suspicious he would have kept himself hooded in the room. He kept Alexus on his left side as he walked through the room to put someone between him. It would be worse dealing with the nobles than bandits.

“Why are bandits in a place like this?” Alexus asked.

“Because they are not really bandits. People just mistake them as bandits. Most of them are poor, but those in charge of them see themselves more of social reformists, or balancers. They believe it is their job to correct the corrupt and make things better. It is just naïve ideals.”

The two made their way to the corner of the hall where there was a crowd of people gathered discussing politics. He did not take interest in the topic, but there was the man that he was looking for. Walter approached to the opposite side making his appearance known, but nothing more. He then walked away to an empty area of the room where he was going to wait.

After a couple of minutes the man in question approached him. He was wearing fine silk and dressed in another wise simple formal suit. The materials were anything but simple though. The man had a bit of a smirk across his face. “The old General Thalin, what do I owe this honor to?”

“Not that old yet, Richard.”

“It’s been a while. So what do you want, you stopped coming to this place when you left the military.”

“Well it seems that according to this young man here, someone attack his town. And now because of that Kingsglass believes it to be your group and wants to destroy the city completely for it.”

Richard laughed for a moment. “Sounds like Kingsglass, always jumping to conclusions.” The man looked away for a moment. “Well I can assure you that we had nothing to do with it. Attacking an entire town is dishonorable and cowardly. Besides, we were doing something the night that Glowglass was attacked.”

“You knew already?”

“Yeah, there is a lot of talk going around about it.”

“What have you heard?”

“It’s a lot of rumors right now. There was a party dispatched to the town to investigate, but nothing has been hurried from them. The rumors are that bandits did it, but I have trouble believing that. There are some vicious groups in the area, but none of them could pull it off in a single night.”

“Then who do you think did it?”

“Not really sure myself, could be Kingsglass just trying to make an excuse. They have been in bad times with the droughts and looking to find better lands.”

“How dare you-“ Alexus said before Walter cut him off.

“Quiet, you are just here to listen. Anything solid?”

“Just all speculation at this point, but it keeps the bloated upper class occupied.”

“Thanks, I best be getting the young one out of here before he is intoxicated by the fine drink in the room.”

Richard laughed and walked away from them. Walter pulled Alexus by the arm out of the hall quickly. He had been fortunate not to have to deal with anyone else in the room. There were too many things that he needed to avoid. However, he was not pleased by what he had heard from Richard. If Kingsglass did attack it would throw the two cities into a war that neither of them needed at the moment. However, there seemed to be something more to this than just a simple bandit attack. ‘There is not going to be much choice other than investigate this myself, I can’t allow a war to begin.’

[Aerif]

Alexus folded his arms and turned away from the General, he was sulky about having been contradicted in so many ways, after all, he had been rather spoiled as a child. Upper class parents where always ones who wanted their son to do as well at all aspects of life, which usually meant changing a law or two or too convince someone that they didn’t actually mean that the world was round and that it could be square if their little Alexus wanted it to be.

“Surely you’re not sulking?”

“Of course not! I’m just a little tired that’s all…”

The travelling companions had seemed to disappear, Alexus really had not option but to discuss the latest discovery of their trial with Thalin. Something that he really didn’t want to do, but yet, he had no excuse but to, apart from the fact that he had not yet gone over the facts within his mind yet. It hadn’t really seemed, Alexus thought, that a single group of thieves could possibly destroy a whole town, and now that Alexus had seen their place of residence it seemed even more unlikely. All this group where were a bunch of communists, they had no intrest in destroying towns for the wealth, it seemed like they where already wealthy enough…

“Why can’t they just make do with what they have?”

“Eh?”

“These people, why do they pillage, they’re wealthy enough”

“Everyone wants money, and they all want the most…”

“Surely it would be easier if they just went solo then?”

“…You ask far too many questions for someone your age…”

“I have a talent…”

[Andromeda]

“…for finding trouble.” Walter walked back through the city to get back to the Siren’s Melody along with Alexus. He left the young man at the entrance while he went to speak to his wife for a few minutes. It was not something that he enjoyed doing to her, leaving before he had time to rest. However, there was an unsettling feeling that he had about the whole matter that put him on edge. The two went in the back room where the drink was kept.

He closed the door behind her as she entered and looked at her with a serious face. “You aren’t going to like this.”

“I had a feeling this was going to happen. How long this time?”

“Should just be a quick trip out to Glowglass,” he said with a false grin.

“There’s more to it, isn’t there? This isn’t some simple trip,” she said to him grabbing his hand looking into his eyes.

Walter let his eyes wander away for a moment. “You read me too well.”

“You never could lie to me.”

“Heh. Yes, it probably won’t be so simple. It also requires convincing Kingsglass to hold off their attack. I wish this had not happened.”

“Can’t choose what life hands you.” Walter nodded to her and began walking to the door. “Be safe.”

“I will,” he said as he opened the door and exited the room leaving her behind with a worried expression. Walter walked back to the entrance of the tavern where he had left Alexus. He looked over at him and motioned him outside. It was quieter in the street with less distraction around them. The kid was still very young and innocent about the way the world worked, Walter did not know how he would do on the path least traveled. He would have liked to leave him behind and travel faster, but he knew that the kid would no doubt insist. It was just a feeling that he had. ‘I’ll give him a way out anyway…’

Walter pulled up his cloak around his shoulders before addressing the kid. “Well I’m going to see Glowglass with my own eyes and see what is going on. I’m going to need some facts if I’m going to talk to Kingsglass. Now you don’t have to come along with me any further than this point. You can go back to your comfortable life-”

“I’m coming.”

“Figured as much. Well you better be able to defend yourself, you got a weapon of some sort on you?”

“A weapon, you want me to fight?”

“I want you to pull your weight. This is not a pleasure trip. So you got a weapon, if not I can probably find you a spare?”

[Aerif]

“You, wait here.”

“Why?”

“Aren’t I entitled to a private conversation with my wife once in a while?”

“…Yes…”

General Thalin entered the Siren’s Melody alone, leaving Alexus on the street with nothing to do but wait, unless he recollected, however he never did like doing those sort of things on a busy street. But it was night time and no one would see him…

“My love for you is like a pool of undying lovingness.”

“I love you to with the lovingness of an undying love, my love”

“I don’t think this script is going to work Alexus…”

“Who exactly wrote this script Anita?”

“I’m not sure but I think it was… Oh, look Alexus, there’s your father!”

“Alexus? Are you using your free time to do that drama club I told you not to start?”

“I couldn’t resist father… The thrill of taking to the stage is impossible to describe to any non-actor!”

“Hmph… You are becoming rather like the plays that you often put on… Like this one, ‘I love you’, hmm… my love for you is like a pool of undying lovingness… Oh come on, that is a pretty crappy script!”

“Father, that script was written by a 7 year old…”

“Huh! And that’s what your going to put on tonight? It’s a good thing your mother and I have a dinner to attend too!”

“What? Your not coming to the theatre tonight?”

“Of course not! You know I don’t appreciate having a dramatist for a son. You are of noble blood, you need to start acting like it!”

“FINE! YOU DON’T NEED TO COME TO THE FIRST SHOW I EVER DIRECT! I KNOW YOU DON’T APPRECIATE MY TALENTS ANYWAY, SO WHAT DIFFERENCE DOES IT MAKE! WHY DON’T YOU PISS OFF TO YOUR STUPID DINNER, SEE IF I CARE!”

It was not nice for Alexus to remember his last sentence with his father as having the word ‘piss’ in it. But he wished now that it had not been such an aggressive conversation that had been the last shared conversation within the relationship of the person he had known the longest, bar his mother. He regretted doing such a thing and was filled with pain to think about the cruel words that had escaped his mouth.

General Thalin returned from his conversation with his wife baring the look which told Alexus that he had been successful in persuading her to let him go, but at the same time he seemed rather upset, as though she had not quite put effort into stopping him from leaving.

“Well I’m going to see Glowglass with my own eyes and see what is going on. I’m going to need some facts if I’m going to talk to Kingsglass. Now you don’t have to come along with me any further than this point. You can go back to your comfortable life-”

Comfortable life? It had been comfortable, but that was before the town was actually destroyed. How could there be any way of resurrecting a town that had passed on? He had no options but:

“I’m coming.”

“Figured as much. Well you better be able to defend yourself, you got a weapon of some sort on you?”

Alexus was surprised at the mentioning of a weapon. Why would he need a weapon, was it going to be dangerous? Still, General Thalin probably knew best.

“A weapon, you want me to fight?”

Surely however, General Thalin had enough strength for the both of them?

“I want you to pull your weight. This is not a pleasure trip. So you got a weapon, if not I can probably find you a spare?”

He couldn’t think of any weapons that he had ever used to defend himself. Come to think of it, he had never needed to defend himself, that’s what bodyguards where for. Though, obviously bodyguards who where 6 feet under where no use to anyone.

The only time he had ever really held a weapon was in the progress of drama and plays, it was not uncommon for him to use a fencing sword in acts, but he had no idea what it would be like to be actually within a real fight. Still, he had to live up to the name of the founding fathers.

“I’ll take a fencing sword, providing you have access to one…”

[Andromeda]

“A fencing sword…just remember that this is not a sport, it’s for real,” he said as he started to walk down the street. “Follow me, I know someone.” Walter walked down the street as the city was slowly becoming darker with few lights still on. It was late and everyone was already closed, but fortunately the man he knew enjoyed the late hours of the day. They followed a short path down the main street until coming to an alley way between two homes.

Walter quickly went into the side street with Alexus behind him. The alley ran for quite a long distance, mostly with the backs or sides of houses or stores. However, there were a few places that had their fronts inward. At the crossing of the alley there was one such stop, it did not look like much from the outside. It just had a simple door nothing more, not even a window, as though it was just the backside of a building rather than the entrance. There were no other markings to indicate that it was actually a store.

He opened the door and stepped into a crowded room of an assortment of items, most for combat. However, there were not just weapons or armor, but furniture and jewelry as well. There was a surprising variety items laying around in a mess. It seemed almost intentional as though there was something valuable being hidden underneath that only the most curious and persistence buyers would find. However, Walter did not pause at the selection and continued inside to the counter in the back.

Behind the counter was a large man of rough appearance that dwarfed Walter. The man at the counter was turned away looking through something that was on the back wall. Walter banged his fist on the counter to get the man’s attention while Alexus stood back at a distance. The shopkeeper did not seem to care about Walter though. “You goin’ to give me some service or just stand there all night looking at your reflection in the metals?”

“I don’t deal with impatient loudmouths, go away,” the man said without turning.

“Stubborn and thickheaded as always. Then how ‘bout old comrades?”

“Eh?” The man turned around from the back wall to look down at Walter. “That you Thalin? Getting older I see.”

“Yeah, though I’m not that old yet.”

“How long has it been, sir?”

“Two years.”

“You should visit more often. So what can I do for you?”

“I need to borrow a sword from you.”

The man laughed out loud to the ceiling as Walter looked away with his eyes. The man’s hands came slamming down on the counter making the entire counter shake. It was an unsettling feeling the presence. “That’s a good one. You go and break yours or something?”

“Actually the kid behind me needs it,” Walter said pointing over his shoulder.

“Scrawny thing, didn’t notice ya kid hiding behind Ol’ Thalin here.” The man laughed again and walked over to the back wall into the corner. Walter looked at Alexus to tell him to calm down; the annoyance was blanketed across his face. “So what be the weapon for the little one?”

“He fancies himself a fencer.”

The man laughed again and began making loud noises for an unseen corner of the store. After a minute of strange, and at times worrisome, noises he reappeared with a simple sword in his hands. It was not quite a fencer’s sword; the blade was thin, but with a double edge more like a traditional sword. “Here you go, should be easy to handle for his soft hands.” He handed it over to Walter who took it in hand to look at its condition.

“Thanks, this will do. See you again.”

“Don’t wait two years this time.”

Walter walked out of the shop and handed the sword over to Alexus. He then turned and walked away to make for the gate of the city. It was going to be a long couple of days to the town of Glowglass by foot. Once they reached the g