Chapter 1: Whispering Rumors

[Phiona Whitefire]

"Hi" greeted Severine, "Come to join the fun?"

Phiona knew he was addressing her, yet he kept his eyes on their many opponents.  She gave him a pointed look for ill-placed humor even though it was lost on him.  

"Ladies first." He said.

Phiona again nudged Tierria toward the opening she made, hoping the woman would hurry before the thug stood up.  "Go!"

Silently cursing at herself for leaving her weapons in her room, Phiona stepped up to the closest standing villain and grabbed his beard.  With a fistfull of thick hair to hold her target steady, she landed two quick punches to the man's head.  He swung at her and missed, but his other hand came up and gripped Phiona by the throat.  Another man moved forward to help his friend.  Still grappling with the first man, Phiona kicked out and managed to get the second one in the crotch... The latter doubling over with a sick-sounding groan.

At least he'll be outta the way for awhile! thought Phiona.  She couldn't see what was going on with Severine, but by the sound of it, he was doing fine.

Still holding the first man's beard, and fast losing her breathe from his throat-hold, Phiona hit him hard on the temple.  Stunned, he finally let go of her neck.  There would be a nasty bruise, she knew, but vanity was never a concern of her's.  Taking advantage of his daze, she yanked his head down toward her knee and took him out of the fight.  Letting him drop to the ground like so much meat, already forgotten, she took a moment to jump onto the back of the man she'd landed, once again knocking him down.  This time he didn't move.  

Someone dived at her and they both landed on a nearby table.  Plates of half eaten food, mugs and goblets went flying everywhere as the table tipped and they crashed noisily to the floor.  The man was half again her size and nearly weighed double.  Somehow, she ended up pinned to the floor.  In the background, the was a tummult of noise, cheering, shouts, cries and crashes.  The fallen table blocked her view of the rest of the room, and the man had now grabbed her hair, holding her head flat to the floor.  

"What now, wench?"  He breathed his foul questions at her.  He flashed a messy, yellow grin at her as his free hand groped for her breast.  

Phiona narrowed her eyes into a deadly stare, which only seemed to encourage the thug.  Her free hand found a heavy tankard, one of the casualties of the table.  This she brought up and slammed into his face, busting his nose sideways.  A fountain of red spurted out and the thug screamed, rolling off her and grabbing at his broken nose with both hands.

Splattered with the man's blood, Phiona quickly rolled up onto her feet, pausing only to spit once on the villain before vaulting over the tilted table to rejoin the fight.  

"Fear not that thy life shall come to an end, but rather fear that it shall never have a beginning."    -John Henry Cardinal Newman (1801 - 1890)

Edited by: Phiona Whitefire at: 7/24/03 22:51

[SeverineHalo]

After watching the woman take care of the first two guys, Severine turned his attention to a drunken bald man coming towards his fighting partner with a broken bottle. Seeing how the man wavered back and forth because of the liquor in his sustem, Severine had some time to spare.

Untying his hair, Severine handed a small band made from beads (that tied his hair back) to a middle-aged, wealthy-looking man sitting next to where Severine is standing.

"Watch this for me" Severine said, and walked up to the bald man.

Turning him around, Severine threw him on top of the table, and watched it break from the weight. Two more men ran at Severine, who grinned from behind his hair. A small feeling of battle lust was growing from inside of him. With one well-placed kick, Severine sent a chair flying into the arms of one of the men. The Shendar male ran up to him, and with his other foot, kicked him in the face. Once the chair fell to the floor, Severine smashed the other man's face against it. From the corner of his eye, he saw that some of the spectators decided to fight amongst themselves. he now had a few more opponents then he bargained for.

Hearing the sound of a drunken war cry from behind, Severine used his agility to jump to a table, and did a forward roll off of it.

That was close, Severine thought, feeling relieved.

He soon felt himself being tackled from behind. with a bit of wind being knocked out of him, Severine used all of his strength to elbow the man in the stomach, and threw him into another man coming towards him.

"Sometimes I think I fight better without weapons then I do with them" Severine said in a dry voice, while pushing back his hair.

He soon found himself squaring off with two men coming at him with chairs from either side. Severine casually ducked and watched them smash each other. They both soon fell unconscious. Before Severine could even think to laugh, he felt a fist collide with his face from the side. Falling to the floor, Severine looked up and saw a tall man grinning down at him.

"You like that one pretty boy?" the man's laughter was killing irratating Severine more than the punch did.

"No...but this is fine with me!"

The man soon was grabbing hios crotch from a quick kick, and fell over. If that woman coudld do it, why couldn't he?

"Did I mention that I hate being called 'pretty boy'?" Severine looked at the man with disguts, and a little bit of humor at how he beat his opponent.

After getting up, Severine knocked out a few more drunkards with punches, and decided to check his surroundings. With the exception of the inn employess, a few men, Tierria, and the woman, every man who fought was unconscious, or just lying on the ground. After a few minuetes of awe at how much people participated themselves in this free-for-all, Severine walked over to the man at the table to get his beads back.

"So," said Severine, addressing the woman. "What is your name?"

   

"Once again, the lone soldier walks off into the sunset..." -Anonymous

Edited by: SeverineHalo at: 7/25/03 18:30

[Tierria Selig]

"Go!"

Tierria ran over to the innkeeper who shook his head sadly.

"I told that boy not to start any trouble..." she heard him say.

Tierria looked back at Severine and Phiona, who both were fighting the men that surrounded them. She was amazed by how well both handled themselves with such a large amount of opponents. After all, this was the first time she saw either of them fight someone. Tierria was there during so many training sessions that Severine had with his uncle, but she never saw him in a real fight before.

While there was fights being started among the spectators- possibly because of the spirit of violence in the air- Tierria's focus was mostly on Phiona. The woman was pinned down by some lecher to tried to grope her, but he found himself knocked out. Tierria cheered when the womna handled the other thugs that tried to attack her. The innkeeper looked at Tierria as if she was crazy.

"Well," he said to himself. "At least this is not the first time."

Tierria looked at him. "This happened more than once?" she asked.

"Oh, at least twice a month. Maybe even three times. But this is the largest brawl I've ever saw."

The two turned their attention back to the fight. The waitresses had their backs against the wall, holding each other in fright. A wealthy-looking man was watching the brawl with great interest.  A few minutes later when it was all said and done, only a few men, Phiona, and Severine was the only ones standing.

Great way to start off a journey, Tierria thought to herself sarcastically.  

"How do you heal a man's heart when you always end up wounding it?"

[Phiona Whitefire]

After a few more punches and kicks, the fight was over.  

Phiona looked around and saw that Tierria had made it safely to the innkeeper's side, and that Severine had taken down the other bunch of men.  She would have preferred it if those men had ran from the fight instead, but obviously the drink had made them far too courageous for their own good.  

She walked over to her table which had miraculously escaped destruction.  She sat heavily in her chair and rubbed her bruised neck.  Looking down, she noticed the blood splatters all over her gray tunic.  She supposed she should be glad it wasn't her own, but still, she like this tunic.  

Phiona watched Severine talk to a man who'd stood by and watched the brawl.  With a sigh, she picked up her goblet of cold, mulled wine and drained it.  

"Fear not that thy life shall come to an end, but rather fear that it shall never have a beginning."    -John Henry Cardinal Newman (1801 - 1890)

[SeverineHalo]

((OOC: I was actually asking you that question Phiona.lol))


Seeing that he was getting no response from the woman, Severine sat down at the table where the wealthy man sat. He figured the two of them both needed some rest before talking to each other. As he tied his hair back, he heard the man in front of him clapping.

"Brilliant perfromance! Just wonderful!" he said. "That was terrific! I've seen many taverns fights in my life, but never did I see two people take down everyone! Let alone, a young man and a woman!"

"Yeah? So?" Severine was starting to feel a little irratated at the man's over excitement.

The black haired, bearded man stared at Severine for a moment, and started to laugh.

"Excuse me! Where's my manners? My name is Crestus Voltaire, merchant connoisseur! In case if you haven't noticed...I really liked your little performance."

Severine looked over at Tierria to see if she was okay. "I'll let you know if I take my act around Sarvonia..."

Crestus started laughing again. To Severine, this man seemed a bit too happy.

"A sense of humor too! I like that in a person. But let me get staright down to business. My shop specializes in selling many things. Weapons...clothes...food...you name it. I need to take a caravan to this small village just outside of the Sharadon forest called Sheren. Just take out the a's and put in the e's, huh?"

Judging by Severine's face, the young man wasn't amused.

"Well, I need a few people to gurad this caravan. I'm hoping that you and the woman would take me up on this offer. What do you say? I pay well."

Severine's first thought was to refuse the man's offer. There was something about him that seemed a little phony. But then, he figured that he would need the money later on. There was no question about that. He didn't know how the woman felt about this, but she would probably need it as well. She looked like a sword-for-hire.

"Well...sounds tempting. I guess I'll do it."

Crestus smiled. "That's great!" he exclaimed. He then turned to the woman. "What about you, fine lady?"

"Once again, the lone soldier walks off into the sunset..." -Anonymous

Edited by: SeverineHalo at: 7/31/03 16:52

[Tierria Selig]

Tierria walked from behind the counter. Slowly stepping over the unconscious bodies, Tierria began to hear a little of Severine's conversation with the wealthy-looking man. From what she heard, it sounded like the man was offering him a job. She was hoping that he would take it. Tierria sat down at Phiona's table, and looked at the woman's tunic, which was covered in blood.

"Oh my!" she cried. "That doesn't look good. If you want, I can buy you a new one. It's the least I can do for helping Sevy and I."  

"How do you heal a man's heart when you always end up wounding it?"

[Phiona Whitefire]

While resting at her table, Phiona couldn't help but overhear the negotiations between Severine and this merchant,  Crestus Voltaire.  She tilted her head to the right, felt the bones in there popping in a good way.  

Just then, Severine agreed to the task and the merchant turned to Phiona.  "What about you, fine lady?"

Phiona glanced at him as if measuring his worth.  Before she could reply, however, Tierria had returned to the table and sat down, "Oh my!" cried the young woman. "That doesn't look good. If you want, I can buy you a new one. It's the least I can do for helping Sevy and I."

Half holding up a hand toward Tierria, Phiona nodded to the merchant.  "I accept."  She didn't need to say more, figuring that Severine would arrange all.  Looking back to Tierria again Phiona shook her head at the woman's offer.  "There is no need.  I have others."  With a small smile, the tawny-haired fighter stood and began to gather her bundles.  She bent to pick up the bow which had fallen to the wooden floor.  "You'd best stick close to your friend while here, to avoid another fight."

Heading for the stairs, Phiona navigated around the uncouscious men who were only now beginning to rouse.  She paused only long enough to order a private bath from the innkeeper.

"Fear not that thy life shall come to an end, but rather fear that it shall never have a beginning."    -John Henry Cardinal Newman (1801 - 1890)

[SeverineHalo]

"I accept."

Severine smiled to himself  He hoped that the woman would accept the offer. He wanted to get to know her better. He always acknowledged great skill when he saw it. Also, she helped Tierria.

"Great!" said Crestus, now happy than ever. "The caravan leaves tomorrow morning. I'll comeback to pick the both of you up. You'll be paid when the trip is over."

Severine nodded. "Okay."

When Severine turned his head, he saw the woman leaving. He still haven't got her name yet. Maybe Tierria knows it. He would ask later. Right now, all he wanted was some rest. He knew that he was going to have a long day tomorrow. And since this man was a merchant, he would probably know something about The Ivory Fox. Seeing that the innkeeper was giving hima look, Severine picked up a pouch of coins from an unconscious drunkard.

"Here's for the trouble" he said, and walked towards the steps.  

"Once again, the lone soldier walks off into the sunset..." -Anonymous

Edited by: SeverineHalo at: 7/28/03 16:38

[Tierria Selig]

Feeling better that they were now going to be traveling together, Tierria thought about buying some souvenirs to take with her on this journey. But looking around the area, she began feeling bad about what happened. She knew she had to do soemthing about this..or at least help in some way.

Going up to the innkeeper, she asked "Can I help you clean this place up? Today must have been very unsettling for you, and I feel that part of this is my fault."

The innkeeper looked at her for a second, and laughed a little. "It's not your fault young lady," he replied. "But, if you want to help my employees and I, I would be grateful."

Tierria was going to ask Severine if he wanted to, but she saw that he went upstairs.

"Ohy well," she sighed. "He must be tired anyways."

"How do you heal a man's heart when you always end up wounding it?"

[SeverineHalo]

"How much longer do I have wait?"

"Not too long my little Sevy-rose."

"But mommy...I wanna go and play!"

"Heh. Always the restless one, huh my son? You'll like what I'm doing for you."

"Am I really mommy? I don't even like braids!"

"Aww, now don't say that. You'll like it. Trust me."

"I trust you mommy."

Severine's eyes opened after hearing those words. He just awakened from his recent flashback dream, involving his mother. He remembered like it was yesterday when he first got his hair braided by his mother. Even though she looked out of place, she acted the same way any other Shendar woman would act. And even then, theer was something in her personality that would separate her from the rest. Her kindness for others, and her sincerity was a little above most people in the tribe. Sometimes there were some that would even try to take advantage of that.

Staring up at the ceiling through his hair, Severine started to think about The Ivory Fox. They said that his mother was most likely Kasumarri, and the cloaked figures mentioned that The Ivory Fox was Kasumarri. Could it be that these two had some kind of past, and The Ivory Fox went after her? Did someone hire her to kill his mother, or his family? That is if the Ivory Fox did kill them of course.

"Mother...just what went on in your past?"  

"Once again, the lone soldier walks off into the sunset..." -Anonymous

[Phiona Whitefire]

It was the earliest hour of the morning.  Phiona placed her journal, the last of her few belongings into a leather pack, tied the leather straps to secure it.  Saddlebags, already full, were on the bed nearby.  She straightened up, stretched her back a bit, and looked around the plain room with an efficient and critical eye, not wanting to leave anything behind.  

This had been only her fourth night in the room.  Phiona had not been in town long enough to get comfortable.  This room was like any other, as was this town once the few, unique aspects were set aside.  Dasai was merely another stopover; a place to make plans for the future.  Her future.  

Ah, but I didn't make any plans, did I?  I put that off.  Puttered around the town, sight-seeing and shopping, but not accomplishing anything of importance.  No matter- Things have a nasty habit of falling into my lap.  The gods give and the gods take away, for those who believe in such beings...  but what chaos do the fates have in store for me now?

She grabbed her belt that carried her sword-in-sheath, and strapped it about her boyish hips while considered the young couple she met only last night: the woman Tierria, and her striking companion, Severine.  Luck being the double-edged sword that it is, she wondered by what stroke had she met these two?  They both seemed friendly enough to her but she wasn't one for dealing well with such overtness; this much she knew.  Time alone would witness the forging of alliances, the molding of friendships.  This line of thinking wasn't due to suspicion, but rather Phiona's inate inability to express herself to most people... a valid shortcoming that she readily accepted.  Still, she conceded, I have to work on that.  

Then there was the merchant, Crestus Voltaire.  Phiona took the work as a distraction, not because she needed the coin.  Recent events had nearly crushed her spirit for adventure.  The pain was still there, still too fresh.  It was a deep undercurrent in the seemingly placid river of her demeanor and if she let them, her memories would drown her soul in sorrow.  With a sudden shake of her head, she shut away the train of thought before it flooded her, forcing her thoughts instead to the day ahead- a day fraught with diversion.  

Phiona slung her saddlebags over one shoulder, wincing a little from the soreness gained in the brawl last night.  Then  she picked up her pack and the two, unstrung longbows.  With a last look at the room, she went out the door.

____

The common room was mostly empty but for a couple of all-night revelers and one or two early risers.  Phiona chose the barstool closest to the door and piled her gear on the floor next to it.  From the waitress, she ordered a hot breakfast and strong tea.  She leaned against the counter, not bothering to sit just yet.

"Fear not that thy life shall come to an end, but rather fear that it shall never have a beginning."    -John Henry Cardinal Newman (1801 - 1890)

[Tierria Selig]

Tierria awakened within the first hour of sunlight. The girl laid in her bed for about twenty minutes, deciding whether she should head to Severine's room. Knowing him, he was probably already eating breakfast. That boy never knew when to sleep.

Getting out of the bed, the girl changed from her nightgown, to her regular clothes. There was no use lying in bed all morning. The merchant would be here any hour to pick them up. It should be an easy mission, but she wasn't sure where the merchant said he was going. she guessed it didn't really matter too much, as long as nothing bad happened. But there was this odd feeling inside of her when she thought about that. Sje hated thinking bad thoughts, but sometimes she couldn't help it. This was one of those times.

"Calm yourself Tierria," she said to herself. "Everything is going to be alright..."

The girl then pakced her things, and left her room.

"How do you heal a man's heart when you always end up wounding it?"

[SeverineHalo]

Severine was in fact, awake. Actually, severine wasn't even in the tavern. He had went to the stables to tend to his Aj'Nuvic, Rosebud. His animal companion was feeling okay, and probably wanted to go out in the open. He didn't blame him. Severine wanted to leave himself. Not that he didn't like Dasai or anything, but he felt that he wanted to move on to another area. That's why he was happy to leave Uderza.

I guess once a nomad is always a nomad, huh? Severine thought to himself.

Severine entered the Sea Breeze tavern, where he saw the woman named Phiona (the innkeeper told him who she was earlier) at the counter. He figured that he could get soem conversation in before Crestus arrived. Going over to the woman, he decided to start with a simple greeting.

"Hello." Taking one look around the tavern (he saw that hardly any of the regulars were around), he then said. "Your name is Phiona right? What got you to agree to this trip?"  

"Once again, the lone soldier walks off into the sunset..." -Anonymous

[Zeadon]

As zeadon walked into the tavern only a few faces stared at him. Paying no attention to them Zeadon pulls a chair out and quietly sits and waits for the merchant.

Zeadon thinks to himself. "Maybe these people could be "the ones", maybe this is "the time", are they here for me? Or are they just normal creatures living their lives? Come on Zeadon snap out of it your always getting yourself all worked up for nothing."

Snapping back to reality Zeadon looks two tables down and notices a man introducing himself to a woman.

"who in the world are these two?"

Edited by: Zeadon at: 7/29/03 22:12

[Tierria Selig]

Finding Severine's room empty, Tierria arrived downstairs to find Severine with Phiona.

"Heh, figures" Tierria said to herself, smiling.

She then noticed a strange-looking man staring at the two of them. She secretly hoped that he was just someone looking...not someone who wanted trouble.

Seyella knows what trouble we've had yesterday, she thought to herself, and sighed.

"How do you heal a man's heart when you always end up wounding it?"

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