Chapter 1: Whispering Rumors

[SeverineHalo]

"Actually, that sounds like a good idea Tierria."

Severine turned around, and saw Crestus coming out of the tavern. "Excuse me Mr.Voltaire" he said. "I need to ask you something."

"Sure thing young man. It's Severine, right? I got your names from the innkeeper."

"Yes." Severine's voice became a little low before he asked his question. Looking around, he moved to his right as a local was headed into the tavern. "Do...you know anything about an assassin by the name of Ivory Fox?"

Voltaire stared at Severine for a long time before answering. His eyes looked like they wanted to answer, but his mouth told a different story. "Dangerous woman..." he began to say. "Very deadly. Nobody has ever saw her face. Her hair was once seen...long and white...like ivory. Hence, her name. They say that she never failed a mission. I just hope I'm not one of her targets..." Crestus looked around for a moment, as if someone was watching him. "Unlike most assassins, she can attack in the day just as well she can attack in the night..."

"Ah. And she usually attacks up north, right?"

"Usually. Sometimes around here too. Most of the victims are business men like myself. That's why I must be careful..."

Voltaire started walking away. "Get your things ready, and meet me at my weapons shop on the eastern end of the city."

"Ok" said Severine, and went towards the stables with Tierria.

He didn't learn too much from Crestus either.

Someone must know something...

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

[Tierria Selig]

Tierria was over hearing the conversation between Severine and Crestus. She stood a few feet away, but Crestus did a bad job of talking low. She knew deep inside of her, that Severine wanted to find out about this Ivory Fox character. She didn't blame him...avenging his family and all. But if she was as dangerous as everyone said...could he will hope to win? Severine was good. But there was much he still had to learn...

Leaning on her long staff, Tierria began thinking some things over in her head. Since Sevy was in a rush, they would probably buy some food to take with them. She heard those spicy fish wraps tasted good...

She also thought about Phiona. It seemed like the woman was smiling at Severine. Maybe she just think he's cute. Hopefully, she didn't take anything farther though. Tierria kenw she had to be the one to get through Severine's emotional walls. He would let no girl through...not even her. After the trip, she'll just go her own way. Hopefully. She didn't seem like the type to talk much, but Tierria was grateful for what she done for her. It was just that she didn't want her to get too involved with Seevrine.

Why in the name of Seyella am I thinking about all of this crap that hasn't happened yet!? Tierria thought in frustration.

Growling to herself, Tierria saw Severine going towards the stables. Quickly taking her things, she followed.

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

[SeverineHalo]

Severine arrived at the stables, where he went over to his aj, Rosebud.

"Hey there pal" he said, smiling when the creature turned its eyes to him. "Sorry I had you cramped up in here. If i had it my way, you would've stayed in the room with me."

Rosebud said nothing, but he creature seemed to feel better when its master started to pat its head. Severine walked Rosebud towards the entrance, wheer he paid the owner.

"Thanks" he said. "I know you're not used to taking care of an aj..."

"Oh nonsense!" said the owner smiling. "Every so often an aj and its owner comes by. I may not be the best aj caretaker, but I like these creatures. I mean no regular can even keep up with these things!"

"True" said Severine, and smiled at Rosebud "You hear that? You're ten times better than a horse!" Severine then hoped on Rosebud, and waited for Tierria outside. The young man loved Rosebud just as much as he loved his own family...the same was with Rosebud. The bond between a Shendar and their aj was priceless and invincible. Severine always felt lucky that he was able to save his aj...but unfortunately...he couldn't do the same with his family.

Sighing at this thought, Severine watched as Tierria got Alchemy.

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

[Tierria Selig]

Tierria took her white horse Alchemy from the stall, and went over to pay the owner. She looked at Severine for a moment, and saw a bit of depression in his eyes. It has been awhile since he had that look...the look he always shown when they was younger. It always pained her deep inside to see him that way...away that she wanted to end for him.

"That's a beautiful horse you have there miss" said the owner.

"Thank you" said Tierria with a small smile, and mounted her steed. She then went over to Severine.

"You okay?" she asked, playing his his braids a little. She was the only person he would let do that.

The smile he gave her try to assure her that he was, but she knew he was faking it.

Sevy, Sevy, Sevy...my dear Defender Of Roses...

Tierria smiled back, and went in the direction towards Crestus' shop with Severine.

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

[Phiona Whitefire]

Mulling over what the innkeeper told her, Phiona arrived in the stables to see Tierria on a horse next to Severine who was riding an Aj.  more unexpected than Severine's choice of mount was their behavior- the young woman was leaning to Severine and playing with his black braids and they were smiling at each other; it was a very tender moment.  Phiona hadn't realized that the two were quite so close.  

Phiona ducked her head a little and nodded a greeting to them, even though they'd just parted a few minutes before.  She then quickly turned away and strode toward the stall which held her mare.  With practiced speed and skill, she had her mount saddled up in short order.  She fixed the saddlebags on evenly over the mare's flanks,  centering the pack on top, between the full bags.  Pulling her own bastard sword from its sheath, she placed it into the one that was attached to the saddle.  Both longbows went to the javelin holster.  She made a mental note to stop and by a quiver of arrows before the caravan left town.  Climbing into the saddle, she rode toward the stable entrance.  

She took care of her bill, then rode out after Severine and Tierria who were both, by now, far down the rode... yet easily seen by their snowwhite-colored mounts.  

Phiona soon caught up with them since they weren't in a hurry, lagging behind them so she wouldn't intrude on their conversations but still close enough so she couldn't lose them.  Phiona had no idea where this merchant's caravan was located.    

[SeverineHalo]

((OOC: This might be shorter than expected...very busy today   ))

Severine turned his head from Tierria, and saw Phiona staring at them. He then looked forward, and continued on his way with Tierria beside him. In the distance, he could see the caravan and Voltaire standing around it.  

[Zeadon]

(occ: sorry guys i was gone for awhile it was unexpected  so ill try to catch up. lol  but by tommorow ill be back and be posting everyday.)

As Zeadon walked to the stable to get upon he thought to himself.
"Follow the halo, it will bring you to your destiny. What I dont get it?" Confused, Zeadon reached behind his belt into a small napsack he removed a letter. Reading it to himself...
Dearest Zeadon,
       My son my pride and joy, I was supposed to give these to you by you 16 birthday, but if your reading these somthing must have happened to me to take my life. Here beside the lettter I left you are two swords that used to belong your grandfather. I pass these swords on to you to help your journey in life.
       My father told me to pass these down to you on your 16th birthday. I'm not certain why, but to remember these words: Follow the halo for it will bring you to your destiny.....
After reading the letter Zeadon folded it up and put it away.Leaped upon his horse and met up with Severine.
                                       

[SeverineHalo]

Severine drew closer and closer to the caravan. From the corner of his eye, he saw Zeadon riding next to him.

I thought he would be with Voltaire right now, he thought to himself.

Within the few days he was here, the Shendar had mad two allies. At least that's what he thought. And hopefully, they will be valuble ones. Valuble as in helping him on his quest? Maybe. The choice was theirs. Valuble in information? Well the two of them do seem like they travel a lot, so he'll ask them about The Ivory Fox later.

All of this thinking was making Severine's eyes slant a bit, which was a sign of him zoning out. He barely even heard Crestus calling out to him.

"Severine!"

Severine's eyes snapped open, and he saw that Rosebud was right in front of the man, who was standing next to several other men. To Severine, they looked like they were hired help as well.

"This is the people I was telling you about" said Crestus to the men. "They survived a tavern brawl without even using weapons. And we're talking about fighting nearly every drunkard in that place!"

One of them looked at Severine up and down. After a moment of silence, he said "Well any decent fighter could beat any lazy drunkard. They all don't look like much to me..."

"Yeah," added another guard. He then looked at Tierria, showing a toothless grin. "But I sure like to see her skills!"

Without hesitation, Severine glared at him and said "Touch her, and you die."

The coldness from the young man's voice made the guard grab his sword handle, and growl.

"Watch who you're talking to runt!"

Crestus immediately went inbetween the two. "People! People! Calm down! We have a mission to attend to! We're all on the same side here! Sir Halo, you're not killing anybody, and Gromelson, you better keep your hands off of that young lady! I saw what happened to the last pervert that tried that, and boy the results wasn't good..." the merchant then turned to Severine and winked.

Severine nodded at the merchant. "Fine by me. But I won't be responsible for my actions if he tries anything. And if it comes to that, I expected to be paid as well, for dealing with a lecher like himself..." Severine moved away with his aj. "Let's get going."

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

[Tierria Selig]

"Touch her, and you die."

Tierria's eyes widened at Severine, who was glaring daggers at this Gromelson character. Ddid he just say what she think he just say!?

Never before have she ever heard Severine say that to another man when he was defending her. there were words that came close, but nor the exact words or the amount of coldness was the same. She knew she had probelms only just yesterday with a lecher, but Severine was really angry this time!

Maybe he really does care for me more ways than one, Tierria thought to herself.

Tierria begin to see something in Severine's eyes...something that didn't seem right. Every once in a blue moon she would see his eyes like this, but it always made her nervous when she looked. There were also times where Severine would have a similar look when he was a little too close to her body...coming from situations where she would fall into his arms from tripping or losing balance, times where he would carry her, or times where she would where something that was more stunning than the clothes she wore now. She wanted to know just what was going on in that head of his...she needed to know that answer. Maybe that was to key to saving this boy's soul.

After things calmed down, she saw Severine moving away with his aj.

"Let's get going" he said.

Tierria slowly shook her head, sadness slowly coming over her.

"Sevy..."

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

Edited by: Tierria Selig at: 8/5/03 19:52

[Zeadon]

"Touch her you die"

Zeadon's attention drifted to Severine. He saw a bulky man grabbing his sword handle. Zeadon thought to himself.

"uh oh, here we go..."

Then crestus stepped imbetween Serverine and the other man.

"lets get going" said Severine

Relaxing Zeadon approached Severine and asked him

"Do you think were are going to make a journey with out fighting with these things!?"

Edited by: Zeadon at: 8/4/03 18:23

[SeverineHalo]

"Do you think we are going to make a journey without fighting with these things!?"

Severine gave Zeadon a side glance. "Perhaps" was all he said, and continued to move with his aj as the caravan got started behind him.

Severine knew he was too harsh, but deep down inside, he didn't trust anyone that was around him at this moment, with the exception of Tierria. Even though Phiona and Zeadon seemed alright, they looked a little too interested in his sword. His uncle always said that when going out in the world, be careful of who to trust. Your closest allies were usually the ones who doesn't talk too much or talk too little. Only at the right time. Both Phiona and Zeadon seemed like they were in that area, so his trust with them might go up.

Turning to take a glance at Phiona, he ended up taking a longer look than expected. The light from the sun seem to give her a sort of glow...a similar glow that a full moon at night seems to give Tierria.

Hoping that she didn't see him staring at her, Severine turned his head back to the road before them.

His journey was just starting.

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

[Tierria Selig]

Tierria drifted back from Severine a bit. She knew that he wanted some time to himself...she could see it all over his face. She hated it when he would push her away and go back into moping about the past...or anything else that bothered him. She wanted to be there for him...to protect him from anything that is harming him...to ease his pian. He would only just stay away from her. Only a few times he would tell her things...and once he even cried in her arms. A few years ago...on the anniversary of the family's death.

Doesn't he see that he's not alone? she wondered. I'm here with you 'till the end sevy...that's why I'm here!

Tierria sighed, and moved her mount over to a stand where a man was selling fish wraps. She would buy a few of those for her and Severine. The caravan wasn't moving too fast, so she would be able to catch up with them. Once she got off Alchemy, she saw Gromelson showing a toothless grin at her. Tierria shuddered, and turned her attention to getting her money. There were a few other guards that Voltaire hired. One of them was Gromelson. the others were named Jacques, Iilas, Ducsil, and a young man by the name of Ren who seemed pretty nice compared to the other four.

After buying the wraps, Tierria got on her horse, and hurried back over to the caravan.

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

[SeverineHalo]

The caravan made its way out of Dasai, and went north towards Sharadon forest. For the first few hours, nobody said much to one another, except for the other hired soldiers and Crestus. Severine was mostly in the front with his aj, in deep thought. His black braids were hanging down infront of his face, hiding his eyes. Tierria had given him some fish wraps, and he thanked her as best as he could.

Mostly, The Ivory Fox was running through Severine's mind. He thought about just how deadly she could be. His father was a great swordsman, the best in the clan, and a good one compared to other Shendar men. The Halo name was a popular one among the Shendar tribe, and so was the sword. When Steelwind would practice with the sword, it was like watching poetry in motion. Everything he did seem like he was a true master of the sword. The blade would have a faint blue glow to it from time to time as well. Severine always wondered what that was...

Taking the sword out of its sheath, Severine raised the sword to the sun, looking at his reflection from the blade. His eyes squinted a bit in concetration...looking into the eyes that were part of his reflection on the sword...

Severine

Severine stopped dead in his tracks with Rosebud.

"What in the name of Baveras..."

Did he just hear his father's voice?

Shaking his head, Severine continued moving along.
 

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

[Tierria Selig]

Tierria stared at the area that was around the caravan in silence. For hours nobody had said a thing. Crestus estimated within the next day they should be near the middle of Sharadon forest if they kept moving.

Tierria looked at Phiona, who was at the end of the caravan. The woman as mostly to herself, as well as Zeadon, who was closer to the dark skinned girl.

Getting sick of all this silence, Tierria moved her steed closer to Crestus to try and talk to him.

"Hello" said Tierria.

"Hello there young lady" said Crestus from one of the wagons. "Are you feeling okay?"

"I'm feeling fine. This scenery is great! A great substitue for the desert..."

"Heh. Well I've been past this area many of times. With going back and forth to Sheren village and all."

"Really? So you had other people guard your caravans?"

"Why yes. But some usually don't end up coming back. Instead, they stay with the mercenaries and help out. Hopefully you all could do the same..."

There was something in Crestus' voice at the end of the setence that worried Tierria a bit, but she didn't let it bother her much.

"Maybe we will...maybe we will..."

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

[Phiona Whitefire]

Phiona took a sip of cool water from her canteen, all the while keeping a wary eye on the passing terrain.  Capping the leather wrapped container, she hung the strap over the pommel of her saddle within easy reach.  The casual motion of her horse as it obediently followed along behind the caravan left her hands free for such an activity, although she kept the reins handy just is case.  Brushing a strand of hair off her forehead, she brought her scrutiny back to the wagon-train ahead of her.

Phiona had kept to the rearguard thus far in the first leg of travel.  There were several reasons for this, but the main one was she wanted to keep watch on everyone in the caravan and keeping all of them in front of her was the easiest way to accomplish this feat without drawing too much attention to herself.  She'd guarded other caravans in the past, but this one had a different feel to it.  Her gut instinct told her not to trust what she saw before her.... that all was not as it seemed.  She had no clue what was wrong, other than the behaviour of the other guards.  

This impression creeped up on Phiona shortly after the start of the journey, right after she met the other caravan guards- Gromelson was the most obvious, it wasn't his unfortunate appearance that bothered her, but his dubious manner that was so disconcerting.  Jacques, Lilas and Ducsil seemed nothing less than pirate-like in their demeanor although as the youngest, Ren seemed to have more redeeming mannerisms than the others.  Phiona didn't like the way they leered at Tierria and, yes, even herself.  She'd brandished her own weapon more than a few times at the most lecherous two- Jacques and Ducsil.  Zeadon did not appear to be in that group and, in a way, Phiona was glad someone else in the guard wasn't.  At least she hoped he wasn't.    

Gromelson was obvious the leader of that crude bunch, another point that bothered Phiona since the man had outright challenged Severine before they'd even started out.  That pack was borderline nefarious and she wondered why Voltaire, as an experienced merchant, hadn't noticed.  Phionia then wondered how much they would listen to Voltaire should a critical issue arise.  She had no doubt that such an instance would happen... and when it did, she'd be ready.

Her thoughts turned to Severine: How he stood up for Tierria!  There was no doubt he loved the exotic beauty, and she, him.  Phiona sighed, remembering that once several years back, she too had loved someone with the same intensity... but that love had turned sour.  She forced her thoughts away from the bad memories and back to the handsome and noble Severine-  Phiona hadn't seen him since he rode to the head of the caravan several hours ago.  Tierria, too, had rode past shortly after the caravan had set out.  Phiona had nodded another greeting to the young woman as she went by, but Phiona hadn't seen much of Tierria since, presumably she was sticking toward the front of the caravan, close to her champion.  Phiona couldn't blame her for that.  For the most part, Phiona had not talked directly to anyone so it wasn't like she would be excellent company anyway.

All this pondering was making her thirsty, so Phiona reached for her canteen again.

"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)

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