A Mid-darkening stroll through Imperia [Recon]

[Lucian DiVilli]

Cycle Two of The Month of Immanis,
in the Season of Winter, Era I of the Celestine Mandate,
Era XV Post Fractum.

The suns set over the horizon of the dark city of Imperia, the the fog filled streets glowed as the lanterns were lit but the city employees. The young gang boss was in the rear alley of his small hovel, he waited for his partner for the darkening. His home had been gutted and cleaned in the last few brightenings, for a temporary base of operations. Lucian looked over 'yard behind his house, litter was strewn about, including the old targets he used to practice on when he lived her a lifetime ago. He thought he heard a noise so he fell back into the shadows, a feat he was proficient in. He wore his well used stealth suit, with a mask covering his face, a gift from an old comrade. His hands were clad with tight black gloves, and his often used padded boots were tightened on his feet. Then of course there was his good luck charm, the L'anima di Oscurità. A silver amulet that was under his clothing, and he could feel the strangely shifting vortex of the stone against his chest. It allowed him to become enshrouded in the shadows, almost impossible for even the trained eye to see. He was armed with only his throwing knives this darkening, the bandoleer crossed his chest holding six elven steel blades, two more were hidden in leather sheaths at his wrists.

A slight chill swept through the city, and the fog seemed to part as the rear door opened. He was prepared to his is partner in stealth appear so he waited. A skill the young man struggled to cultivate through the eras.

Note A small adventure for Lucian and Ly'san'a to check out the night life of Imperia. PM if you want to join can not assure your safety. : D

[Ly'san'a]

The young elf came around the side of the hovel. Lucian had told her to meet him in the back, but she could not see him. Maybe she was early. Maybe there was something afoot. She wore one of her new dresses, the clingy black one that allowed freedom of movement in the legs. She thought she should have worn pants, but she did not own any, and she could not see herself owning a pair in the near future. She was a woman, thus she wore dresses.

"Lucian," she called softly into the dark. "Lucian, dear, where are you?" She still felt a little off in a city environment, having spent her childhood chasing deer and river fish.

Her first darkening in Primus Gaudeo, she had been rescued from certain harm by a human and a dwarf. She saw them as her only ties to the good side of city life. Had it not been for them, she would be running back to her childhood farm to spend the rest of her brightenings with her family. She clung to Lucian as her only sanity in Imperia.

She would need to find him soon so that they may spend the darkening together searching the streets and probably getting lost in some dark alleyways.

[Lucian DiVilli]

The form of a man stepped from the shadows, behind the half mask that he wore his mouth was agasp. The lass had worn a faded and tattered dress teh brightening he met her, and through out the journey. But for the last cycle she had somehow pulled out much finer clothing. The other dresses seem to pale against this one. They were to take an unassuming stroll through the city, in that dress she was far from unassuming. She was breath taking...

Lucian found himself slowly drawn to her, her pale skin covered in a form fitting black sheath. For she was a weapon, a breath taker and heart breaker... he mused.

'You look... ravishing... absolutely... wow.' Stopping before her, his dark eyes sparkling in the darkening.

He tried to stop him self from staring as he began to speak of the event of the darkening. 'As we have talked about, I have yet to make contact with my former mentor and his organization. Not sure how much you want to know, or well should know...' he said pulling his spare cloak out, the hood was mended roughly by Lucian's own hand.

'But there are a few lines of business I would like to scope out. Businesses that could use our protection, or ones that need proof that they do.' He said hoping he would not scare the delecate blossom that was Ly'san'a. His plan was to check out a few local businesses, see thier security, and if it was lacking then test it. If they walked out a few items richer then Lucian knew he may have a prospective client in the future. It was a line that he crossed from being a respectible businessman, and a lawless theif. The young man had survived doing by crossing that line. He never stole from the needy, nor killed in cold blood.

After he wraped his old cloak around her shoulders, he pulled out his spare mask, one that he wore when he worked as a Claw Elite of the famed Jaded Claw. The stunning elf would be covered from the light of the moons, and the chill of the north sea winds.

[Ly'san'a]

Ly'san'a breathed a heavy sigh of relief when she saw that it was her human hero that stepped from the shadows. Her bosom rose and fell with the exacerbated breath. When he started to speak though, stumbling over his words, there was only a nervous laugh. Her cheeks turned a cherry red. She had never heard a man call her ravishing before and it caught her off guard.

"If you think my dress will be too distracting," she finally spoke. "I can go change." She started to turn and head back into the hovel. She thought that she might be too noticeable and might stick out against the rest of the citizens in the area. She did not want to hinder their mission.

She stopped dead in her tracks and turned back around when he spoke again. "I want to know," she turned her head down and looked up at him with her amethyst eyes. "I want to know everything you think I am worthy of hearing. But, if you think it is for the best, than I ought not know."

"How do we prove a place needs protec..." her voice trailed off. She knew what he was planning on doing. To prove a place needed protection, one needed to be able to break in their self.

She took a step back, not because she was appalled by the idea, but shocked that anyone would ever want her to accompany them on such a trip. It took a lot of trust in one's partner to ask them to break a law with them and know they should not get caught.

"Do you think I would be able to help? I have no training in this sort of thing," she looked directly into his eyes to try to get a reading from them. Ly'san'a took a few steps towards the human, and placed her hand on his arm. She felt him place his cloak around her and smiled, wrapping its warmth around her. She pulled the hood up over her head and tucked her hair into it so that the blaring white could not be seen.

One hand reached out and slowly took the mask from his hands. "You do know that by asking me to do this," her voice lowered as she whispered into his ear. "By trusting me with this, there is no way you are going to be rid of me easily." Her voice was almost a purr as she drug her hand across his arm and back as she circled around him.

[Lucian DiVilli]

As the Esh'lahier began to grasp the situation, Lucian secured his mask. They would not be strolling down the street, but down the alley ways of the city. To learn the lay out of the city, and to get a little fresh air into his lungs. Being inside his small hovel, though now clean, dampened his spirits no matter how excellent his company. Also for the last few months he was not able to practice his more duebious skills. This darkening he would see if he still had what it took.

For Ly'san'a he mused, she may be out of her element. But Lucian wanted to share with her the various elements of his life. The darkening was where the young man felt truely at ease. He had spent eras training to become one with the dark, and it's shadows. With his recent experiences in PG that was even more true now, in the Academy he had promised himself and his skills in return for knowledge. Lucian was still learning what that meant for him.

After the shadow elf's hair was placed up and the she took the spare mask to cover her fair skin they were ready to go. It was her words and the way she moved that seemed to be so natural that seemed strange. For he was not disturbed, but welcoming of her speach and movement, but comforted by it. That is what was strange for the young man. He had known other women, but this one was different and this darkening they would find out if she could fit in with his chosen life style.

'Dear Ly'san'a, you are the last person I would want to be rid of...' He said light-heartedly. But he then turned and pulled her close. Lucian's dark eyes now serious. With his face close to hers, his breath blew ligthly through his mask onto her face. 'But after this darkening be sure that this... that I am what you wish to be with...'

Then they were off, Lucian lead her to the sky. The flat roof tops were tightly packed in the city, and through the old original areas it was a simple leap that lead from one building to another. A habit that Lucian had picked up from his old mentor the kattain knife master, Jar'lan. Then also there was the Assassin Queen of Aelyria Prime that taught him the same mode of transport. The thieve's highway Lucian dubbed it. Pausing every so often to be sure that his partner was with him, and to point out the trickier paths. Soon they found themselves looking over a the edge of one larger building, it seemed to be a warehouse of sorts.

[Ly'san'a]

"I already know what we are going to do," she smiled at Lucian. "And, it only intrigues me, draws me closer. I want to learn more. The morals do not bother me, hero. You still have not met my family. See if you still want to be with me then." The prospect of invading another's property bothered her, but only a little bit. She knew that they must further their own cause by breaking into another's business, and she was okay with that.

Her lithe hands pulled the mask over her face and she tucked her white hair beneath it, making sure no strands showed. Now, she was covered head to toe in black, save for her hands. The dress seemed to help the shadows form around her as there were no hard lines of pants to break their lines.

She felt him pull her close and her breath stopped for just a moment and when he let go, she could feel a wave of almost unbearable heat rush over her. "How do I look," Ly'san'a giggled as she tried to push down some of the wrinkles in her dress.

Somehow, the young woman found herself on the rooftop. She was a little puzzled at first, but realized there were less people to spot them up here. The first couple small leaps she almost stumbled on, but after a few rooftops, she could feel herself getting the hang of it. She fell behind a little bit, trying to judge every jump that she took.

"Wait up," Lyssa whispered ahead to Lucian. She was trying her hardest to keep up and not get hurt. She was pushing herself, trying to impress her human hero.

[Lucian DiVilli]

The edge of the building was old, the clay bricks were begining to crumble. The short wall of dark red dust rubbed off on Lucian's hand as he crouched behind for cover as he gazed over the edge. He saw some movement, and it looked to be the work of some thugs. Perhaps he would be able to let Ly'san'a see first hand the work of those who made thier business in the dark. He turned and ducked down, to check on the progress of his companion. She seemed to be keeping up with him fairly well. The sound of her voice waifed across the roofs, and Lucian lifted a finger to where his lips would be behind his mask.

He motioned for her to come beside him, and winked to show that he was pleased with how she was progressing. She was picking it up quicker than Lucian did those eras ago when he first learned the Rogue's Highway.

'It looks like those two down there are up to no good, lets watch and shee what they are doing.' He said in a hushed whisper that would not carry over the small wall and down from the roof. Looking down there were two figures huddled near each other, a taller stoutly built one held a long metal bar while the much shorter one urged him on. It looked as if Ly'san'a would witness her first larceny, and it was not even Lucian perpertrating it. For the young Imperian this was the real world, not the uppity life of the rich. But those struggling to survive, to get what you could when you could. Many frowned upon it, but they never knew the bite of hunger... nor saw the true injustises that the merchants played on the common folk.

As they were in an alley Lucian was not sure what business was housed behind the door that was getting forced open. There was a click and then a the door swung open, and in a flash the two were inside. The door was left open, a rookie mistake Lucian whispered under his breath. Then he heard the two inside making a terrible racket that made him cringe at each sharp bang and clash.

There was certainly going to be trouble of they continued on. It would be a wasted effort if they recklessness brought the attention of the city guard. That would be a lesson for them to practice before they attempted a burglary. But then the goods would fill the pockets of the guards, and maybe the merchant would get some back. That was the unjust cycle that filtered through Imperia.

Soon after the two buggling burglers rushed out, two bags full of some sort of merchandise. They stopped once more and whispered in conspirital tones that Lucian could not hear being that far above. Then from the other end of the alley there was some motion, and some voices. Just as Lucian had feared the two novice burglers were going to be busted, and they were still muttering to themselves not aware of the danger that had befallen them. It was quite a situation, and Lucian and Ly'san'a were there to witness it just one story higher.

[Lucian DiVilli]

As the situation unfolded for the two thieves Lucian was rivited to his roost. He had a slight tender spot inside him for the young thieves, but as he learned in the past. Sometimes you have to learn the hard way, sometimes it came with the price of your life. A moment passed where the two stood there, in some sort of important conversation. He thought of tossing a stone to bring thier attention to the situation at hand. But he did not need to as from further down the alley stumbled two figures.

The two thieves finally took in the situation, one grabbed the other and they began to rush to the opposite way. An item dropped from one of the bags with a loud clank, and roll, immediately drawing the attention of the new figures. The two thieves had began to scramble off, while the two figures looked ahead hand having to the swords at thier sides.

As they came into view Lucian noticed the dress and figured the two were sailors out on shore leave. Probably had one too many drinks and were kicked out of the tavern. Now they were trying to find a quite alley to sleep off a bit of thier drunkeness. The idea of sport was one that Lucian had to admit, was too inviting.

As the two sailors came upon the scene they saw the door ajar and a tube container left alone. A smile crossed each of thier faces, Lucian now felt the two thieves had gotten away. If the authorities showed up the sailors would take the fall. A grin crossed his face as he watched the drama unfold before him. Then just as he was about to turn and lead Ly'san'a out further into the darkening he saw the next scene start.

As the two sailor disappered into the shop a form crept back using the shadows of the alley as cover. A sailor stumbled out of the door with the tube tucked in his shoulder and a wooden box held in both hands. It looked like one of the thieves decided to return. The sailor had a blade under his throat before he knew what was happening. The movements and adeptness of the returned shadow was impressive. The young Imperian felt there was something familiar about the cloaked shadow, but he could not place it.

The thief was demanding the items that were dropped and the sailor was hastily following through. Hands trembled as the merchandise passed from one hand to the other, once it was placed in a bag there was a cough. The dull dry cough that told him immediately whom he was watching. It was his old master and friend, Jar'lan.

Following through with an expereinced ease the katta began to backpeddle away from the sailors. This must have been a test for some of Jar'lan's newest recuits. Having failed to complete the mission in full the old katta was forced to finish it on his own. He had made it a yard away and another few steps and he would be gone into the shadows. That was until his body jumped with another coughing spell, which the sailor used to rush the old katta. Within a moment the katta was on the ground still recovering from his episode, and the sailor was flailing at him with drunken fists.

The commotion brought the other sailor out, arms filled with trinkets that were dropped as he saw the fight. Being the more sober one, and knowing the dangers attacking a thief, he drew his slightly curved rapier.

Not realizing his body was in motion, Lucian had found a few footholds that he was able to use. He was crouched, hidden by the shadows, with a pair of his throwing knives out. His fingers finding the correct positions as he eyed the armed sailor. He was the biggest danger, his former mentor should beable to hold his own with the sloven form of the other sailor. Using the skills that the old katta had engrained in him all those eras ago he took aim at the armed sailor, knowing that standing would take away his cover. One, the two he threw the blades that glistened from the lone light source of the alley. That lantern at the end of the alley served to provide a silhouette of the young mans form.

ooc Dont know the status of Ly'san'a, but needed to further along this storyline.

[Ly'san'a]

Ly'san'a tried to stay as close to Lucian as she could, while she leaned over to get a closer look at the scene before them. She hoped they would not be spotted. She was not prepared for that just yet. At least, if they were caught spying, she would have her hero there to protect her. She bent her knees and tucked her arms around her legs, letting her dress envelop her in a sea of black cloth. It was a beautiful darkening.

"We are just going to watch, right," the young elf whispered softly, a hint of worry in her voice. She was not the type to fight anyone, but she seemed to find it when ever Lucian and Korgar were around. Granted, she got them into their first fight, but it was not entirely her fault. Vyssies were just like that. Underground demons.

Her light eyes watched as close as they could to the people below them. She started to shake a little bit, thinking she was going to fall from her perch, but she caught herself. She was not the most coordinated elf out there. Her race was known for their grace, but she could stumble over her own feet into a burning flame if a pebble got in her way.

She saw the sailors stumble their way through the alley, obviously drunk. She stifled a laugh. She saw a katta appear from outu of the shadows unnoticed. Oh, how she wished she could meld with the darkness like he could. But, suddenly, he was caught off guard by the sailor, which made Ly'san'a jump. Again, she almost lost her footing.

Before she knew it, Lucian was sliding down and hidden in the shadows. She could feel another fight coming on. "Just do not scar his face," she whispered low enough so that only she and the gods could hear her. The elf tried to push herself further back onto the roof, but her foot slipped and she hoped she was not going down, but it certainly felt like it.

[Lucian DiVilli]

The second blade was readied before the first even found it's mark. And soon that one was free of his finger tips, the precise throw technique that Jar'lan had taught him. With the light behind him and his cover gone he began to sprint, drawing the longsword from his side. He may still be a bit of surprise, or that was his hope as he once again found himself 'playing' the hero.

The sailor caught the first blade in the meaty portion of his shoulder, being sideways to Lucian had saved him from an immediate killing blow. He spun from the impact and caught the second on the front side of his chest, inches from the first. Lucky for him the blades did not hit any major arteries, nor his sword arm. The sailor had quickly sobered up as the action began, and he found the lithe shadowed form rush towards him. In that moment he found himself in the simple basic stance, and prepared to ward off the incoming attacks.

The young Imperian rogue moved quickly through the alley, his black clothing, and mask had served him well in the shadows. He was now in the open and using the skills of the sword that he had practiced against similar foes in the past. He raised his blade up, prepared to met the man head one with a quick powerful overhead strike. The sailor was able to raise his own weapon, a smaller more nimble rapier. With Lucian's blades still embedded in his shoulder, and the power of his blow he stepped back pressing the young man away after the missed hack.

Not to relent Lucian slashed once more, with his weapon raised over his right shoulder it moved down at a 45* angle. It was blocked, with his basic knowledge Lucian found himself attacking once more the able side of his opponent. Though his strikes were strong, the more nimble man was able to ward of the blows. The sailor had probably seen more action using his blade than Lucian, fighting off raiders and pirates. But unfortunately he grimaced after a successful block to his wounded side.

That was Lucian's lesson this darkening. With any opponent, attack the weak area. Months ago he had shown Ly'son'a and Korgar the some tricks along with the basic principles of unarmed combat. This darkening would be his test to use similar tricks to survive. He pressed forward once more, used the same overhead slash from right to left. Only this time he turned more to the left with the follow through. From there his right elbow was ready to catch the man in the injured shoulder. Which he did and the result was a howl of pain, and the further injured sailor took several steps back in retreat.

Moving forward his weapon still held in his left hand, his right had retrieved one more blade. With one last step he slashed at the man's throat.

In an instant the sailor's eyes rolled back, and a slight gurgle wheezed through his severed windpipe as blood was pumped through the open wounds. The sailor slumped to the ground, and was limp and motionless where he came to rest. The rapier clinked to the ground and then all was quite.

Turning quickly the young Imperian found that the old katta had indeed taken the opportunity to dispatch his own opponent. The sailor laid limp on the ground, seemingly unconscious as his back rose and fell slowly with each breath. The katta moved with a master's skill and had his long blades out as Lucian turned to him.

'I warn you, I still have a few tricks up my sleeves...' he warned with a his. It had been many eras since Lucian had last seen his mentor, and they had obviously been rough for him. He looked older and more tired... His eyes lacked a luster they once had.

With his longsword in his off hand, Lucian lift his other. 'Is that the way an old Katta greets his children?' Lucian spoke. His hand continued up to lower the mask that hid his face.

"LUCIAN!!" Jar'lan gasped. His blades sheathed and he grabbed the young man in a quick embrace.

'Quickly, we must leave this place. Too much time has spent already... come with me.' He turned to head off further into the alley.

With nod Lucian covered his face once more, and bent to retrieve his two throwing knives. After a quick wipe, he sheathed them along with his longsword. The young rogue's eyes went to the roof. He then realized that it must have been quit a shock for the pale elf that hid above. He hoped to catch her eyes, and signaled for her to come down. They had to disappear and Jar'lan was the one to help.

He looked over the scene before hims, and thought it best to stage it as a robbery on top of a robbery. He cut the sailor's coin purses, and removed any further sign of wealth from them. By the time he finished he looked to be sure Ly'san'a had made her way down and was ready to leave once more.

[Ly'san'a]

Ly'san'a had caught her balance and she watched the smooth dance play out before her. It seemed like a waltz where only one person knew their part. She watched the blades tear at the sailor's flesh. At first she felt disgusted, but after a few moments of watching her hero fight, she was thirsty for more. She liked watching the way his body danced in the darkness.

Before she knew it, it was all over and Lucian seemed to have faired well. She saw the katta step from the shadows and looked back at Lucian. She put one foot in front of her, pointed to the ground, and lifted her hands slightly, letting herself slide slowly down the roof. She did not want to hit the ground hard or look awkward doing it. She felt her feet leave the safety of the rooftop and felt herself falling.

She kept her knees slightly bent when she fell to the ground to have them take most of the blow. Her feet hit the ground first like she planned, but then she felt herself falling forward and her face and hands soon met the ground also. She stood up and brushed herself off. She straightened her dress and the cloak around her. Ly'san'a realized she still had the mask on and went to pull it off.

She felt her face and it seemed like the mask had gotten the fall, and nothing had scratched her face. She was getting better at this grace thing that all elves are supposed to be born with.

She dropped the mask and ran straight to Lucian without even realizing it and threw her arms around his waist, burying her head in his chest.

"Lucian, thank you," she giggled like a maniacal schola girl. "I do not know what I would have done if you did not take care of those sailors. Lucian to the rescue, again."

Then, Ly'san'a looked around and saw the katta standing there and she immediately dropped her arms and went to straighten her dress again. She was composed and ready to follow them anywhere.

[Lucian DiVilli]

The small pouches of crowns were soon secreted to Lucian's own. The weight of the pouch did not seem to validate the actions of the darkening, but it was not a robbery. It was to a degree self defense, for Lucian would react in the same way to defend any of his friends. The young man retrieved his silver blades then wiped them clean on the dead sailor before sheathing them and his sword. He picked up the rapier and was about to toss the small weapon towards the elven companion. She may not be comfortable with death, but Death some how always found it's way to the man from Imperia's dark streets.

He turned and saw her gliding across thee small alley, and allowed himself to be wrapped up by her slender arms. He enjoyed the tender embrace, but the darkening was a dangerous place in Imperia. He moved back, smiling under his mask, and handed her the sheathed small weapon before tying back her mask. A flash of sadness in his eyes as he did, at the action of covering such a gift.

Lucian then turned to look up the alley, thinking he may see movement he hurried his companion. Then took off in the direction that Jar'lan had left. The ally turned right then left, the haphazard way that was the Docks Warehouse district. He paused with Ly'san'a looking around, feeling a bit lost as Jar'lan seemed to have disappeared. Looking around he tried to gain some sense of where his old master would have went when he hear the grating of stone on stone. To his right he saw a crack appear in the wall, a secret door. He signaled for Ly'san'a to go and they dated into the secret path, the door closing behind them.

The darkness was complete for the human, though his elven companion could probably pick up a few more details. Lucian felt a tug, and let himself be lead a few yards through what felt like a tight corridor. 'Careful take the ladder down' a harsh whisper that was not Jar'lan's spoke.

The archaic instructions spoke up a few more times, but by then Lucian was lost. They had moved through tight corridors, down a ladder through more twisting places, all fairly blindly. Then he saw down an stretch was a light source. Brushing the heavy linen cloth to the side he squinted in brightness to get used to the light in the room. He was underground, in an arched room held up by ages old stonework. The walls were covered with various tapestry, some swaying telling of other entrances to the room. A few tables were filled with objects, that also littered the floor. Then there were the people, first was Jar'lan. The grizzled old thief was sitting in an out of place chair that was too opulent for a room such as this. He sat there sipping a mug that Lucina knew by the strong smell was his medicine for his cough.

He moved forward, with his shoulder pulled back. Lucian was a new man, not the child who left the katta's tutelage. He looked around the room meeting the eyes of the men who eyed him back. This could be a touchy situation, Lucian had to be sure to play his cards right. He turned his head and gave a nod to Ly'san'a, to signal for her to be calm as his eyes were stone serious. The elven lady seemed to be seeing all the facets that was the man called Lucian DiVilli.

'Serale Jar'lan, this I suppose is the gang of thieves you always told me of...' The young man spoke the obvious, what once was a premier guild was now a rag-tag outfit. He needed to speak with his former teacher, for he first fingering of a plan were beginning to enter his mind.

[Ly'san'a]

Ly'san'a followed close behind Lucian, trying to keep up with him. It was hard to see through the mask, but her eyes strained so that she could. At least the darkness was not as hindering to her as it was the human. She could feel the burning steel of the rapier in her hand and she hardly knew what to do with the sensation it caused her. It was both powerful and frightening. Exciting and tiring.

They wound around and around through the alleyways of Imperia. If she did not have the human with her, she knew she would get lost in its great and wondrous maze. She hastily made her way through the hidden door and heard it shut behind her. If something were to happen, there would be no escaping it and she let out a sigh at that thought. She wasn't scared, for she had her hero there with her.

She went with Lucian through the passages and down the ladder, twisting and turning. When they emerged into the lighted room, she squinted her eyes as they adjusted. She saw Lucian motion to her from the corner of her eye and she stood there stoically trying to keep the feeling of calm sweeping through her.

This was the amazing world Lucian lived in and she was both surprised and ecstatic. Her life would now be interesting and she could almost feel a surprise creep onto her tender face, but let it fall back into a nonchalant expression.

[Lucian DiVilli]

The katta signaled for Lucian to sit, and he did. His face was covered, just a sliver of his eyes visible from the cloth mask. He was too excited, and nervous to think of removing it. The dark eyes of the Imperian turned to watch his companion. Under the mask he grinned. She had taken in everything this darkening much better than Lucian had thought. Any other female would be searching for a reason to leave, yet she awkwardly attempted to fit in.

Soon she would be a strong and confidant companion for the up and coming man. With Lucian to support her, she just had to reach out and find her own way. The slurping of tea turned Lucian's eye back to the old katta.

'My boy, what are you doing here... You could have found yourself on the wrong end of my long knife had I not recognized you.' He said with a serious and stern tone. Momentarily surprised, Lucian let the old master continue with his line of reasoning. The katta skipped Lucian's questions, and presented one where he was the more in charge.

In the corner of the room the two figures that had bungled the burglary whispered in conspiratorial tones. Their eyes glancing back to Lucian, as the source of their conversation.

'Master, I was attempting to get a little more settled before I sought you out. I was about to go to your shop, to replace a few blades.' Lucian talked in a serious voice, not speaking of the father/son role they had shared before he was sent away to receive training.

'So these are the Shadow Ravens?' He asked. Knowing that several eras ago he was in the place of the other to young cut purses. Wanting to learn to walk the shadows, and defend himself while earning crowns galore.

'As you have asked I have trained, and practiced all teh skills that you sent me forth to gain. I believe even you would be proud of some of my new found talents.' Lucian spoke of the hedgemage skills he had learned in Primus Gaudeo's famed Academy of Shadows. Though he was only an initiate, the Art along with his training put him leap above others.

'I have returned home to accept what was promised me. Many eras I have trained for this moment, from Aelyria Prime, to the slums of Paxia. The best have trained me, and in turn I have become the person you see before you. What is the task you wish for me to complete, so I can prove my place within the guild.' He said with a growing confidence. He did not need achieve Clara, and weave the spell of Reveal to show that his master was losing grips with the guild. Lucian was not even sure if it could still be called a guild.

A brief string of coughs was remedied by the sip of peppermint tea. The katta's eyes stare hard at his student, as Lucian still had much to learn from Jar'lan.

'My boy, you had a place here before you left. It was my intent for you to become more than a street thug, or back alley robber...' He said his eye cast down into his mug of cooling tea.

'I had always hoped that you would return to take my spot, as I took my own fathers. You may not have Krrithit blood in you, but you have the heart of a true Jagara. The closest thing to a son I have.' His words low enough for Lucian and Ly'san'a to hear. His voice grew a bit louder as he continued.

'To redeem your spot as master of this guild you have to prove your self to us all. There is a quest you must accomplish to prove you are the man for the job.' The whispers in the room had quieted down, and the members of the guild we focused on the conversation. It seemed they felt a power shift coming, and not all seemed to confident that a stranger should walk into the guild.

'Within the Noble's District is a home of a man whom had an item of interest of ours. To retrieve it you must utilize the skills needed to prove that you are the best of us. I have held off on this task to allow one of my students complete it. It seems that you are the one for the job.' He said then lowered his voice once more. He gave Lucian a break down of the where the house was located, and a briefing of the interior. It seemed that Jar'lan had been there before, but was unsuccessful.

Jar'lan informed the young man that this particular mark ravaged the area that once belonged to Calb-Soth. The owner of Imperia's famed shoppe of wonders, whom had his lively hood and perhaps his life snuffed out by the Starfall that destroyed much of the city. The building was under the protection of the Shadow Ravens, who were also almost destroyed in the storm. The building held several items that Calb was holding for the gang, and this man retrieved them without giving proper payment. And when he was confronted he turned the guilds messengers back with their tails between their legs.

With this new information Lucian leaned back. This may be a task that he had trained for, but it could be out of his league. There were many unanswered questions, that he dwelled on. If he accepted and was successful he would gain the position he coveted, and prove that he was worthy to the rest of the members. If he failed he could be awakening in the umblat, face to face with Jalat. He turned to his companion, to get her take on the situation.

[Ly'san'a]

Lucian had sat at the man's beckoning, but Ly'san'a knew in the back of her mind that this was a conversation between men. With that thought, she stood behind his chair, placing one hand on the back of it. It had been a long night so far, but she seemed to be enjoying herself. She was feeling a niche in Lucian's work of the darkening.

She listened intently as the pair spoke and made sure she was looking around the room periodically for anything out of the ordinary. So far she had not seen anything that she would consider dangerous, not that she would be able to handle dangerous.

He turned to look at her, probably to get her opinion on the situation. She shrugged her slender shoulders and wrinkled her brow, not that he would see it through the hindering mask that she still wore. She reached up and peeled the mask off of her face. Ly'san'a shook her head to loosen up the curls that flowed wildly down her back. She smiled because she was finally able to express emotion the way she liked to- through facial expressions.

"You make the decisions," the melodic sound of her voice flitted quietly. "I go where you go. I will follow whatever you say." It was the truth. She did not yet trust herself to make decisions in the cities. If Lucian wanted to complete the task set before him, she would let him. She would even follow him to the bowels of umblat if that was what he was planning on doing. Lyssa would even happily agree if he wanted to sit it out.

"If your mentor thinks you are capable, take that into consideration," she continued.