A Wolf Amongst Sheep...(Closed, GF)

[Fidelis Meridius]

Winter, Era I, XIII (pf)

Seasons had come and gone, and once again the Dark Knight had made his way back to one of Telath's greatest cities. But ill-fortune had returned to the souls of the city as Fidelis paced through the streets; the chilling breeze cutting through his platinum hair as the suns began to set upon the horizon. The darkening would be his, and in the shadows this unstoppable force would make his presence known again.

A piercing emerald gaze regarded the streets with a keen interest as he continued on his trek through the streets. He was a Wolve of Jorel, and it was his duty to punish the Aslanites for their foolishness. But he could no longer do it alone. Through the eras, he fought as a one man army; taking kill after kill, one by one, but their numbers continued to grow. He needed to find others like him, fellow Jorelites in hiding, other wolves yet to answer the call. But where would he find them in such a place.

Pacing over the cobbled street with a gentle patter, the warrior's black jacket bounced to the rythem of his steps as it brushed against his side. Occasionally the glint of metal could be seen in the fading light, as his mythril gladii revealed themselves at his waist from time to time. He would start by heading towards the Crown Inn. The tavern was always a good place to pick up a lead on virtually anything. Surely such a place was the a good start.

[Eyvind Redbeard]

Life was something Eyvind praised although he didn't use to think much about it. He didn't know if he had done the right thing. The piece of paper on his hand was troubling him. The description of the man he was hunting was impressive. Eyvind was sure that only through guile and cunning would he be able to hunt that man. Well, there was another way, he could try to convince him to let himself be arrested and then help the man escaping jail just to split the bounty's gold. He could think that and much more, but without knowing where the man was and how he looked like Eyvind would never get his hands on the gold, and he needed it dearly. "Fidelis Meridius..." he whispered "If I could find you I would be a happier man..." he continued in a calm and low tone.

Folding the piece of paper and placing it inside his clothes Eyvind continued walking, he needed a good drink, something to get him warm in this cold day. The Crown was the obvious choice, and the way there was still long, he would have time to thing.

And with this thoughts in his mind the young Legionnaire walked past a dark looking man without looking at him.

[Carly Jr'ana]

A small blue elf was currently staying at the Crown Inn and Tavern, when she wasn't off exploring the capital she was sitting at a table with a piece of parchment and a piece of small blue chalk in her small blue hand. She was in town to apply for a job, and she could do with all the help she could get. So she'd just finished casting a spell to that effect exactly, and as she rolled up the parchment a man walked in the door. She turned to look and saw a man with blonde hair walk in, a glint of metal flashed just before his jacket covered whatever was hidden there at his waist. Carly grinned, she had a darkening to kill and the man looked dangerous, and too a girl who had just entered her teenager phase, dangerous meant fun.

Slinking out of her chair, ripping the parchment up as she went and throwing over her shoulder she came to stand right infront of Fidelis. "Vedui sir, could I buy you a drink?"

[Cyrus Marius]

The chill winter breeze tugged at Cyrus' jade cloak as he walked the streets of Prime, causing the garment to flow and ripple in the wind behind him. He was otherwise garbed in the drab, almost colorless off duty woolen clothing of the legion. He was uncharacteristically bereft of his sword at the moment, carrying only his nondiscript plain dagger beneath his tunic. Cyrus' leather boots clacked down the cobblestone streets of the parish as he walked onward, tightening the cloak around his shoulders to ward off the elements.

The day had been a grueling one for the young soldier, and he wanted only to sink into one of the cushioned booths within the Crown and craddle a bottle of wine until it was time to stagger off back to the barracks. It was not often that Cyrus allowed himself purely recreational time, and so he looked forward to the idea of an evening free of the duties and pursuits that so often demanded his attention.

Turning down a familiar alley, Cyrus continued onward towards the Crown, led by the faint sounds of laughter and conversation that could already be heard in the early hours of the darkening.

[Teig O'Maolain]

Teig's evening had taken him to the Crown, and there he sat upon the stage, singing an old tune to the various people who had joined him in the tavern. He noted the various faces of the people around him, and his eyes were weary. he was on the look out for someone in particular...

Eyvind would eventually come in, as would Cyrus, and he nodded to each of them as he spun the tale of a nightfall in a dark realm

Night/fall/ quietly it crept in and chained us all
Night/fall/immortal land lies down in agony...

[Tarfuss]

Tarfuss had promised himself a drink. He was pleased with how his training had gone thus far, and a short night out was in order. He banged open the door to the Crown and took a look about. I wonder if there's a soldiers tavern in the military district. There must be. Always the fancy folk in here. He shrugged to himself. They had ale and whiskey and that was his mission for this evening.

Seeing a familiar face he jostled his way over. It was Teig. Teig looking serious. He was singing. Tarfuss had no idea the man could sing. His voice wasn't bad."Serale there Legionnaire. You're singing morose songs, they're a danger to drink to, you know.'

[Fidelis Meridius]

With a gentle patter, the Dark Knight's boots carried him slowly towards his destination. The warrior mildly enjoyed the walk, for he depended on his Pegasus, Blackwind, all to often. This darkening his companion would remain in a warm stable; giving him some well deserved rest.

Without a second glance, Fidelis passed the many other pedestrians, including Eyvind. If the man only knew how close he was to his bounty, his fate would have forever been changed... ultimately brought upon him prematurely. The master swordsman was matched by none; pursuing the Wolf of Jorel meant only death.

Finally approaching the tavern, the human removed his black gloves, and stuffed them within his left pocket. Adjusting his jacket, the Champion of Hate stepped into a familiar place. Many Eras of his youth was spent drinking and gallavanting about the crown with his late Cousin Maximus. The fond memories of Brightenings past, reaffirmed the warrior's determination for vengeance, and fed his hate for Aslan. The hypocrite of a god would fall to his efforts; his betrayal would not go unpunished.

As the human's emerald eyes searched for a perferred booth, they the small elven figure of Carly. He was once quite the ladies man in his younger times, but it had been sometime since a woman had approached him so outright. Although, not exactly interested in the girl, Fidelis would humor her. "Serale... If you wish... I could use a good ale..." Fidelis spoke in a stoic tone his gaze pierced through her. "Come... I'm going to find a seat." As the human made his way to the table, he managed to take a mental note of several off duty soldiers. There was nothing like their kind, still young at heart, and they knew how to relax and cut loose, but often their fool-heartiness put them in a dangerous situation with many warriors such as the dual wielder.

Having a seat, Fidelis waited for the elf to join him. He would give her some company, while enjoying his ale before pursuing the Darkenings objective.

[Carly Jr'ana]

Followed Fidelis to the table, grabbing a waitress on the way and asking her for two ales. She might have asked Carly why such a young elf was drinking ale instead of milk, or some equally safe product, but Carly gave her a meaningful scowl so that she walked off to fetch two mugs. Carly took the opposite seat from the tall dark man, thats how she saw him at least, and grinned across the wooden expanse at him.

She stretched out her arms and yawned before grinning even more widely across that booth. A stick of chalk procured from somewhere in her dress, and she was rolling it across her fingers. "So, what brings you to Prime mister?" The man before her might have been from Prime, but he was obviously travelled, she could see it in the way he walked and dressed. Travellers had something about them.

[Teig O'Maolain]

Teig smiled at Tarfuss as he entered, and the minstrel struck up a new, more pleasant sounding tune.

Teig began to spin the words on a thread, and let himself relax in the joy of an upbeat tempo.

So I stood still/in front of the crowd/ excited faces/ what will be next?/
I still don't have a clue/ I still don't have a clue/

Let us join in/the hymn unending/the play that never ends
/I swear to you/ my true companion/ we are friends until the end/
finally when all is said and done/ we stand now as one/strike down now the dark men/ whom our country over run....

I sing you a tale of a mortal man/ a hero through and through/ a common man from common stock/ born not far from you/ I sing of course of a champion/ a man of cunning and grace/ he chose to walk the path of light/ and erase the world of hate.

At this Teig stood up, and began to stomp his foot in a rhythmic pattern, so that those tavern inhabitants who wanted could clap along. His voice traveled across the Tavern, lively and even drawing a few of the customers into the song. Crowns were being thrown at him left and right as "tips" for the job well done.

He sidled up and saw the dark man, and instantly felt the danger. He had picked the right night to come here. He saw Cyrus mark the same man with his lone eye and instantly understood. He kept his dagger carefully concealed...

the night was bout to get quite quite interesting..

and in the end we'll all be singing/ when it all falls down/ I swear to you my friend/ I'll be there till the end/ when it all falls down EVERYONE!

The tavern as one responded

/when it all falls down

Teig sat down at the bar, and ordered a drink.

"Send a drink to the dark fellow over there, my compliments."

[Tarfuss]

Tarfuss grinned as Teig struck up a lively tune. He stomped along with it and clapped his had, letting out a hoot. In spite of the fact that he occasionally appeared to be a lumbering clumsy bear of a man, he had a good sense of rhythm. He was enjoying this. He noticed Teig looking at a dark man and a young blue elf. He seemed concerned. He followed Teig over to the bar, ostensibly to fetch himself an ale.

He ordered after Teig had sent one to the dark man. "He a friend of yours?"

[Teig O'Maolain]

Teig leaned in more closely to Tarfuss...

"no, but he seems to have a shadow. ... be on your guard, things could get very interesting, very very quickly.

He took up his drink, and returned to the stage.

the minstrel took his lute up, and began to strum.

Teig vocalized a tune, not really forming words, but letting the smooth timbre of his Tenor chords reach every inch of the bar. The conversation quieted down as if the people were entranced by his voice.

Then he began to once more tap his foot, and drum on the table in front of him with his fists.

the song that was soon to follow was a local favorite, and he let the people sing it to him.

His eyes never left the dark figure, though, and he watched for the reaction that figure might bring.

[Cyrus Marius]

The warmth and smells of the Crown flooded the young soldier's senses as he pressed through the front doors, and he took a brief moment to appreciate the simple pleasure of the warmth on his face after the chill of the winter evening. The smells of good food and better drink wafted through the establishment as waitresses carried orders back and forth across the common room, and Cyrus immediately recognized several of his fellow legionnaires likewise enjoying their evening off in the relative peace and comfort of the tavern. He nodded his greeting, but did not yet move to join them.

Instead, the soldier claimed a seat at an unoccupied table against the wall. He sat sideways in the booth, languidly extending one leg along the length of the bench as he leaned back against the wall behind him. He prefered to always keep his back to walls and corners, so that no one could sneak up behind him. Cyrus flagged down a waitress with a raised hand and a single gesture, and soon he had the bottle of Tiger's Blood wine that he had been craving all night and a wine glass on the table before him. Cyrus poured himself a drink and quaffed it down swiftly, barely even pausing for a breath. He lowered the empty glass and set it on the table, and immediately poured himself a second.

This time he leaned back casually against the wall, nursing this drink and looking at the people in the Crown with his single sapphire eye. His eye roamed over the dark figure of Fidelis seated at the table with the elven figure of Carly, and something about the man's demeanor drew Cyrus' attention back after his gaze had moved on. There had been another man in the Crown recently whom Cyrus also felt a strange but powerful vibe from, an elegant young Vysstichi noble, but the feeling the soldier recieved from this stranger was markedly different. He had the same formidable aura around him that bespoke of supreme confidence, yet it was combined with a menacing and hateful feeling that caused the hairs on the back of Cyrus' neck to rise slightly.

There was also something strangely familiar about him, something that nagged at the back of the soldier's mind. He knew he had never met the man before, he would remember him for certain, but where had he seen him before? The platinum hair suddenly sparked Cyrus' memory, and he appraised the man again carefully, masking his surprise behind a countence of stoicism. By the Gods, that was the man whom had the monumental bounty on his head. Cyrus had seen the posted card in the Bounty Office, and here the man was in the flesh, boldly cavorting around the Crown as if being a wanted man was the last concern on his mind. Cyrus took another sip of his wine as his gaze lingered on the dark figure, but he did not want to attract attention to himself by staring too openly at the man. He glanced around at his fellow soldiers, noting their positions in the room, and he silently waited to see if anyone else would recognize the figure of death that sat calmly in the tavern this darkening.

[Fidelis Meridius]

Fidelis was anything but unaware of the many men eyeing him curiously, as his warrior's sense gripped the entire room. He had sized up every man or being in the room with hardly a glance. Such was part of the life of such a man; as a fallen aslanite, mercenary, warrior of darkness, and revolutionary, the human had learned that danger always lurked. Though he hardly feared anyone, for life under such extremes had forced him to grow stronger or die. And he was certainly not dead.

Glancing back to the young elf, Fidelis offered up a small smirk. His mind still thinking of his journey into the Great Mountains with Faust, and the brotherhood they had fostered through such an adventure. The warrior had shut everyone out of his life, and he had become a shell of a man, but through the trust that they built through action of arms, Fidelis was learning it was a road that he didn't walk alone. "I have spent many eras of my life here... it is one of the few places I can call home..." The human spoke nearly emotionlessly, "Figured it was time for a little break from the road." Just as the Dark Knight had finished, his next drink arrived. Obviously this darkening was headed down a familiar path; one littered with bodies, and surrounded by death.

"Excuse me for a moment..." Fidelis glanced at Carly before standing from his seat. Taking drink in hand, the warrior approached the soldier; making no effort conceal the masterful gladii about his waist. With a piercing gaze, the Jorelite cut straight through the man, and into his soul. There was no need for anyone to die, but the Wolf was trully apathetical on the matter.

"Serale... Name's Fidelis... to whom do I owe for the drink?" Fidelis took a small drink from his ale, as probed Tieg. If it was the bounty he sought, then he would find only unnecessary pain. But, if it was money that he sought, then perhaps there was a use for the man.

[Tarfuss]

Tarfuss sat down with his ale To the side of the Tavern not far from the stage and slid into a booth, much in the manner Cyrus. He could see Teig and Cyrus and the man that Teig had taken an interest in from where he sat. Tarfuss nodded at Cyrus in greeting, but didn't approach him. He didn't look like he wanted company. Tarfuss picked up the cool mug and tossed half of it back and briefly realized he should have ordered himself a pitcher of the ale. It was the Crown Inn's Stout and it wasn't bad. It wasn't as good as what his Ma and Da brewed, but that would be an accomplishment.

He saw the man that Teig had sent the ale to approach him, and had to wonder what Teig was up to, sending a drink to a man he didn't know. A man who looked fairly unsavory, at that. The man was armed too, he saw. Tarfuss didn't like the way this was unfolding.

[Carly Jr'ana]

Carly nodded as she sipped happily from her mug of mead, it was her favourite drink she could get her hands on in human taverns, and she listened to the traveller talk. He'd been on the road for quite a while had he? That either meant he was restless, a merchant, a mercenary, or running from something. Soon he had another drink, and she knew exactly where it had come from, she scowled at her mug as she watched Fidelis and Teig with her sixth sense. Echolocation was such a wonderful ability in noisy areas such as the Crown, and all these soldierly types kept looking at Fidelis and then at each other. She thought he was perhaps the sort of man who was running from something.

She sat and waited, thinking of various sigils she could quickly cast if things got ugly, she started to scrawl a few out on her mug with the chalk, just in case.