[La Terasse de la Cuisine] Might And Magic [Duncan]

[Jade Alanon]

Third Cycle of Melora, Season of Winter

Jaedaxia was a beautiful city, especially in the winter time, but Jade couldn't see the beauty the city held, she couldn't see anything anymore but blood. Jade saw beauty in very little anymore, the life of a killer was hard on anyone and while Jade willingly walked the path thrust at her, she couldn't help but question it at times. She had sought answers once before and yet the answers given only created more questions. Nymira did what she could to help her older sister, but it seemed that Jade was becoming more withdrawn as they went on, Jade still killed and while she seemed emotionless, there was something close to joy on her face when she was in battle, Jade was a warrior that needed a reason to fight.

Ever since leaving Natura, Jade had slowly been losing the battle with her moral side, it was vanishing beneath all the bloodshed and soon, it would be completely gone. Jade would become the killer that she sometimes wished she was, a killer without a heart that could kill an infant in it's mother's arms. She wanted so badly to be able to become such a killer because then she wouldn't need to worry about having the nightmares, she wouldn't be feeling so guilty about the lives that she ripped apart because of her blood duty.

Jade was the Bloody Rose of the Sanguine, she was a warrior fashioned to return the knowledge back to the Krevion and undo the curse that had been placed upon her kin, she would have her human sister once again and she would no longer be tormented with a half soul. This was what kept Jade going, it's what kept her strong in the face of death so many times since finding out about her Sanguine past. So many faces haunted her dreams when she closed her eyes, so many voices cried out to her from the grave, condemning her for slaugthering the innocents of the war that seemed to be never ending.

Jade had only just arrived in the great city and she needed to find a place to stay, while Jade had excellent eyesight and could hunt in the darkness, she decided not to take the risk while in a city she hadn't been in before, a city that she didn't know. Nymira had been silent near the whole time they had been in Jaedaxia, it seemed that she was picking up on Jade's slightly brooding mood. Perhaps it was merely a stroke of luck that Jade and Nymira came upon the La Terasse de la Cuisine, it would give them a chance to get something to eat and drink and also let them gather their thoguhts for the darkening.

Jade entered the famous tavern, carrying her staff with her. Nymira looked around the establishment, making no snarky comment for the moment. Jade looked around, as though trying to see if she could sense a Rhasic before taking a seat in a more secluded area, not wishing to draw attention to herself. Jade's long dark green dress and dark cloak seemed to help her fade into the background, her emerald eyes on the patrons around her. Nymira took her usual place beneath the table, her massive pitch black bulk barely fitting.

[Duncan Sythe]

Third Cycle of Melora, Season of Winter

Simaila Rae was gone. Shed in an alleyway minutes on the other side of the gates. Now it was Lazarus Varshari who appeared, tough-bitten eastern mercenary, down on his luck and in search of more work.

Dressed in worn leathers and with a rusty sword at his hip the slate-grey eyed, roughly shaven and hard bitten Lazarus had close cropped blonde hair and a lantern-jawed face that spoke of hard years in the saddle and on the job. Wrapped in a ragged grey cloak at least unlike Simaila he did not smell too badly, just of dust and road and sweat rather than the unhealthy reek of someone that did not take care of themselves. For Lazarus, as for Duncan, a body was a weapon to be kept clean, unrusted and sharp.

Having stabled his horse he made his way into the tavern shortly after Jade, walking with calm and assured confidence and apparently unlike her, quite uncaring as to who paid attention to him. The Illusion of Lazarus had not only born the vision of a completely different man to the reality but also wove within it a shielding for the crystal sharpness he bore within his veins. Ever since the Zali'mau he had kept it as part of his layers of protection along with the ring upon his finger from Motito Gil'dae enchanted with a shield spell and teleportation and his own Absorb enchanted amulet around his neck.

With his saddlebags containing armour and spare swords over his shoulder he walked into the hubbub, glancing around at the patrons and, quite unexpectedly for him, stopped as his eyes passed over Jade and the large canine shape trying at that moment to find its way under the table. The moment was strange since he'd only seen her briefly at the Zali'mau, but there was no mistaking the large, wolf-like canine which was doing its level best to curl up out of the way and nearly too big for the space it was trying to occupy.

Well well. The mind beneath Lazarus considered as he smoothly stepped onward into the crowd. Whether Jade had noticed the glance was largely irrelevant at this stage, given where they were and the number of people around them. She was a pretty lady after all with a strange companion, out of the selection of high-class patrons in the tavern it was potentially just that the man had walked in and identified the threats, dressed as he was Duncan could quite easily fall under the category of watchful profession.

He was not however quite naïve enough to assume she would not read something more into a lone swordsman picking her out of the crowd as he entered, thus for now he would wait and see where things went. Ignoring Jade quite clearly now he headed to the bar and put his saddlebags down beside him, although positioned when he seated himself so that if he turned slightly to the left he could study Jade and her companion – and making no bones about the fact he did so.

A lone non-Rhasic interested in Jade Alanon. He did not know her name or anything about her save what the large Virkyn labelled her as and he had to admit as he looked again whilst waiting to order a mug of ale that he might be mistaken...but even in the brightenings when he had run with Darksoul and his panther there had not been canines the like of Virkyn around on a regular basis.

No, the form which now hid itself beneath the table was most likely a sign of the identity of the woman who sat next to it – and equally as dangerous.

“Ale please.”

Rough-voiced Lazarus inquired of the bartender, paying and receiving his mug, all the while with one eye on the corner table. Let her wonder, his mind considered. Let the girl and her Virkyn wonder about this man who had instantly picked them out. He could not hide the initial surprise that had marked him and so now worked it into his reaction to the chance encounter to put her off guard with this strange, non-Rhasic who seemed so intent on the pair.

[Jade Alanon]

Ever the paranoid sort, Jade was careful to watch any that chose to enter the tavern, she looked down at her large sister that seemed to be having trouble getting beneath the table, it was amusing to watch even though she could feel her bondmate's frustration. Jade had been to many different taverns, some more refined then others and she was used to the attention she and Nymira attracted. Jade accepted that she had looks that men found to be attractive and what eye wasn't drawn to Nymira, not only because she was such a large beast, but most couldn't tell what she really was, just guessing her to be a large wolf.

Jade took notice of the hard looking man that came in, taking quick notice of the sword he carried at his side, though it was a rusty looking thing. She studied the man for a moment, taking notice of his ragged appearance, he smelled of travel and sweat and while he had a hard look about him, he didn't appear too dangerous. Nymira looked out from beneath her hiding place as well, her dark eyes peering at the man that had Jade's eye, just as Jade thought, the man didn't look all that imposing, but appearances could be decieving.

Both sisters noticed that his gaze fell upon Jade, though neither could have either realized that it was a Rhasic that watched them, well aware of just what they were. Jade had come across a Rhasic that could mask his scent from her and Nymira once before and while they were aware that some Rhasic could do this, they weren't exactly sure how to combat such a defense, so they instead went after the unaware Rhasic.

It was quite ironic that Jade was in the presence of the Rhasic Nymira's human half had told her about and she had no clue, showed just how powerful he was, though Jade didn't have much to do with arcana. While the gaze caused Jade to be wary, she didn't feel all that threatened for the time being, choosing instead of focus on her thoughts rather then on those around her. She had her staff next to her, her left hand carressing the wood gently, keeping contact with her weapon of choice helped keep her calm and focused, her hidden dagger Aganadara lay asleep at her side and Nymira was beneath the table, Jade felt secure and safe.

"He is watching us closely, perhaps we should take care." The telepathic words caused Jade to nod her head softly, she could feel the gaze and noticed that the man didn't seem to even attempt to hide the fact that he watched the sisters so intently, it was unsettling and yet it peaked her curiousity. Who was he? Was he simply a patron that found Jade and Nymira to be an interesting sight or was there something more behind it?

Never being one to back down from anything nor cower in fear, Jade decided to inspect this further. Sliding out from her seat, Jade left her weapons there with Nymira, earning a glance from her sister. "Do you think that wise?" Her question was laughable, since when did Jade do anything wise anyway? "I'll be fine, I just want to get an ale." Not bothering to glance at "Lazarus", she made her way up to the bar and ordered herself an ale as well. Only when she received her ale did she look at the man. "Am I so entertaining that you must watch me?" She didn't move back to her seat just yet, she wanted to see his response first before returning to her seat and Nymira.

[Duncan Sythe]

Lazarus met her gaze with startling frankness. From glancing at his ale and around the room just before she turned to him in a manner that suggested he couldn't care less he turned to her and fixed her with a grey eyed stare that spoke volumes.

Before he had looked at her curiously, now it was deliberate and firm. Lazarus watching Jade in the corner could have been a man looking at a woman with a strange dog. The eyes that turned to her challenge now were far from the lazy eyes of a second rate mercenary down on his luck. Beneath the illusion Duncan was perfectly calm though, he had intended to draw her attention and had done so, they were in a crowded tavern and he doubted she would be stupid enough to try and kill him there, but the point was this:

To put the hunter off guard, you turned the hunter into the hunted. All he wanted to do for now was talk, even Sanguine could talk – as Albrae had confirmed. The question was merely convincing Jade that she had no choice in the matter.

As a result his mind floated in Meditation even as he watched her for a long moment, in control, not rushing to answer her query and not flustered at being discovered. He wanted Jade to know he knew she knew he had been watching. He wanted the Sanguine to know that he was not afraid.

Of course to Jade at the moment all that meant was that this mercenary was a little bit firmer than she'd previously judged and also that he thought her weak and useless. That was an assumption hopefully changed by his words.

“You are what you are, one of Niravia's girls I believe.” His head tilted to one side. “If I am not mistaken.”

The voice was quiet, conversational. He knew the questions going through her head; Rhasic, some strange Sanguine-relation or something else? But this was a crowded tavern not a street...and who knew what skills this man who knew she was Sanguine had? Control the the key, control of the conversation and making her aware of her position. His left hand shot out to grip her wrist next to the ale, eyes unmoving.

“So you are...let us say curious, entertaining is quite the wrong word for what you are, I think.”

Duncan pondered aloud in Lazarus dulcet tone.

“I haven't seen one of your kind for quite a while, I believe there is much we might wish to talk about, it is a busy place here after all and quite safe.”

Enough said then. Let her do the math. A busy tavern, a Sanguine and her Virkyn and some strange man who knew all too much about her. It was all she could do to talk...since he hoped it was clear to her that trying to leave might be a very dangerous idea until she knew more, after all she needed to be confident enough that this strange man would not be too much for her to handle if she left, and Duncan was fairly sure it was now clear that she didn't know enough to make that decision.

From what he knew Sanguine liked to do the hunting, yes, it was time to sit and let Jade do the math. Thus Lazarus's warning hand receded back next to his ale mug as he took a sip from it, his mind poised on the edge. One move, one hint and he would act, Clara to the planes, the planes to mana and mana into a Suggestion. What that would be would depend on how exactly she tried to kill him.

But something told him this mysterious woman had a few more brains than to try and do that off hand to someone she didn't know at all in the middle of a crowded tavern, after all Rhasic were more likely to try and stab a Sanguine first than stare at them and casually talk to them over ale if they knew one was around.

[Jade Alanon]

Jade wasn't too certain just what she would get from the man, he could be an arrogant ass that would try and hit on her now that he had caught her attention or he might be a dangerous man that would seek to harm her. She couldn't be sure if approaching him had been the right thing to do, but Jade could never be accused of being smart or too cautious. Whoever he was, he didn't seem too worried that Jade had approached him or she had spoken, his gaze seemed to show that he didn't care much about her. If that was the case, then why had he watched her so intently?

Nymira watched beneath the table, not able to trust this man, not for the way he watched her sister, there was something more to him, not that Nymira could bring herself to understand. Jade's emerald gaze met with his own grey eyes, there was a firmness in his eyes that caused her to figure there was more to him then she had originally thought. Behind his eyes was a challenge that she hadn't been expecting, she didn't move back to her seat just yet, she wasn't able to move at that moment, not for anything he did, but just the curiousity that was there.

She was on edge now, her muscles tensed as if anticipating a fight. The tavern was large enough but there was a good many people there and she wasn't foolish enough to attack there, not when it could be dangerous for her and Nymira. One thing that Lazarus' gaze proved was that he did not fear Jade and her Virkyn bondmate and that was intimidating.

Silence remained between them and Nymira was making small gestures for Jade to return to the table and ignore the imposing figure. Jade would have done as such, but his words kept her from doing so. He knew of Niravia and knew that Jade was Sanguine, but how was this possible? Was he a Rhasic that could mask himself or was he someone that had run into her kind once before? She stood frozen for a moment, she hated to show that she had been taken completely off guard by his words, it was unsettling enough that he knew her to be Sanguine, but to know of Niravia....He remark was more a statement then a guestion. Nymira growled beneath the table, but Jade motioned for Jade to remain where she was, her eyes still on Lazarus.

She felt panic surge as Duncan's hand shot out to grab hold of her wrist, she didn't like being handled in such a way and she immediately jerked her wrist back, trying to get it free. She now felt foolish about leaving her weapons back at the table. The sight of Lazarus holding her sister's wrist caused Nymira to ignore Jade's command and come out from under the table. She didn't dare actually attack Lazarus, but she growled low to show that she could if he tried to hurt Jade. “I haven't seen one of your kind for quite a while, I believe there is much we might wish to talk about, it is a busy place here after all and quite safe.” This halted both sisters for a moment, Jade's eyes searching Duncan's grey eyes a moment, trying to find the meaning there, did he know something she didn't? What would he want to talk about?

"Let me rip out his throat." Nymira growled violently through their connection, her dark brown eyes remaining on Duncan's disguise. After he spoke, he released her wrist and seemed to wait for Jade's reaction. She should just leave now, get out of there before she got herself into something she couldn't handle. But there was the thought that, as he said, they were in a crowded place, perhaps it was safe to talk, but why would she? Nymira remained just a few feet behind Jade, poised to attack if given the word, but the word never came. "You seem to think you know much about me. As wise as it would be to just walk away and ignore all this, I can't help but wonder just what you wish to speak about." Jade could be civilized when the situation called for it, Nymira was a different story. "What would you wish to speak about?" She didn't bother to ask who he was because it was doubtful he would explain that so quickly.

[Duncan Sythe]

Duncan watched the Virkyn, aware of it, poised, but again seemed unconcerned. In reality he was gambling, not with his life – far from that, there were a half dozen things he could do before either of them could reach him that would prevent any harm coming to him. The issue however was that pretty much all of them would ruin any chance of having a quiet conversation...although there were one or two that might not.

Still, provided Jade continued to show the good sense she seemed to be exhibiting regarding his reasons behind being so blunt, they could continue to communicate. None the less his first words in reply were directed towards the Virkyn. It was blindingly clear from where his eyes were directed that he was speaking to the bondmate, well aware that Nymira could hear him and understand him, yet the words themselves were modulated for the ears of any overhearing them that were not Jade or Nymira, after all why would a man talk to a large canine?

“I would calm your companion.” He suggested quietly “If I wished you harm I would hardly have stared at you to get your attention and then blatantly announce my knowledge of your allegiance now, would I?”

There was a touch of scorn to the tone, put there intentionally. He of course could not hear what had passed between the two but the big canine's approach and demeanour was easy enough to read and having the great being trying to rip his boot off would certainly be inconvenient.

He locked eyes with the Virkyn, allowed himself to slip deep into them and then nodded slowly to himself, as if confirming something. Let them make of that what they would as he shifted in his stool to turn back to Jade.

“Nothing specific perhaps.” He admitted with a small smile in reply to her question, his eyes softening a little, as if he no longer needed to appear intimidating – the point had been made and her attention duly acquired. “As I said, I know of your allegiance and of Niravia, I know of your home in the countryside and of what occurs there every so often between your companions and yourselves. I also know of the history behind it all.”

He took a sip of ale.

“It's the history that concerns me really, the history and the result, if it wasn't for the necessity to relieve a significant proportion of young people of their lives, one might say I actually couldn't care less. But unfortunately it seems that is not the case, is it now?”

A hand rose from the cup, the eyes hardening again, forestalling her as his mind raced ahead, new avenues opening up as to where to take this. Keeping his identity in flux was perhaps the most important aspect, if the woman he was speaking to confirmed in her mind that he may very likely be Rhasic and was toying with her then he wasn't sure the crowded tavern would keep her from trying to defend herself any more.

She was young after all, the question lay unanswered as to how impetuous.

“To clarify the situation we find ourselves in let me introduce myself and apologise for my rough handling earlier.”

He extended his right hand in offering to shake, yet in the process moved his body around, releasing the mug and no longer wedged against the bar, right foot touching the ground and braced. Every move, every word had to be measured not to set the Virkyn off, although he was not fool enough to take the chance of offering his hand whilst locked against the bar, that was a sure route if she was trained anything like Albrae to finding himself in an arm lock with some fancy explanation on the girl's tongue about being a bounty hunter and he the wanted criminal; his illusionary persona would fit that story managably well.

But he hoped she was too off balance for that, the shift of weight was just to let her know she would find him ready for such a move. Equally so far he'd hardly been threatening, more...conciliatory perhaps? A man who knew how surprising the revelation would be, knew she would fear him for Rhasic and consequently trying his best to reassure her...after all he didn't smell Rhasic. Although admittedly the entire thing wasn't barside conversation. But fortunately it was busy enough to muffle their words from those around them.

“My name is Lazarus.” It was easy enough to use the name he'd created for the persona, even if the persona itself now had to change to accommodate the needs of the moment. “I am a traveller of sorts, a Mystic and.” His left hand touched the blade at his hip. “Swordsman by need. Might I have the honour of your name and that of your companion?”

Duncan held off from creating a tale about how he knew about the Sanguine just yet. One step at a time after all. He was pushing hard, throwing facts at her and trying to drown the woman in unexpected revelations that a Rhasic wouldn't dare. After all why admit he was a Mystic? Granted it could have been a lie. But it served plenty of purposes even as it revealed the potential for betrayal; whilst he suspected it would make Jade think twice as to the identity of the man before her it bound her double:

What had he done already to her mind? What could he do to her and her bondmate? What would he do if she tried to get away or harm him.

A pinch of truth and a sprinkling of deceit, enough hopefully for the stew to bubble merrily in Jade's head and send her reeling. He dare not touch yet on anything else and part of Duncan Sythe wasn't even sure where he was going with this, but then he hadn't known he would find a Sanguine until he walked through the door and saw her, this was the first time he'd had to deal with one that wasn't Albrae.

Ironically above it all though he didn't want to hurt her. In his mind the Sanguine were largely victims of their own making and did not deserve death; they deserved salvation from the whole sordid affair as much as his own people did, but first he had to calm the pair of them down and convince them he really wasn't going to try and hurt them.

[Jade Alanon]

Jade was impressed at how Lazarus reacted to her sister, Nymira may have been young, but she was no small pup, she was the alpha female of her brood and was quite large. Nymira was surprised as well, she was imposing to most yet Lazarus seemed unphased by Nymira's angry growl nor her poise to attack. This caused Jade to suspect that the man had an ace up his sleeve in regards to the two sisters. Whether he had planned on finding Jade and Nymira here or if it was coincidence, it mattered little now. Lazarus didn't seem to fear for his own well-being, didn't seem to see the two Sanguine as threats, which was insulting on some level.

Jade couldn't understand why the man had waited for her to approach, would he have said anything to her if she wouldn't have spoken to him? Gods, so many questions Lazarus brought to her mind and it was irritating. She had enough questions plaguing her already, she didn't need some unknown man bringing about even more.

Nymira looked up at him, unwillingly or perhaps unable to back down at the moment. She couldn't allow him to see that he unnerved her, Jade had foolishly allowed Lazarus to know that he had gotten to her. His next words were directed right at Nymira, showing that he knew full well just how intelligent she was and that she could understand what was going on. Well that was nice to know, most people believed her to be some dumb animal, which was irritating to say the least. Jade looked on with slight interest, though she was still reeling that Lazarus knew just what Jade and Nymira were.

He had a definite point, had he wanted them dead, he wouldn't have called attention to himself and then told them just what he knew. "He has a point Nymira, calm yourself and let us hear him out." Nymira seemed to back down at her sister's words, nodding her large head towards her sister, though her dark eyes remaining on Lazarus. Both noticed the slight scorn in his voice yet couldn't be bothered to be insulted by it, it only brought more questions to the surface of Jade's mind.

Nymira noticed just how deeply Lazarus looked into her eyes and felt uncomfortable, it was as though he was seeing through her and she didn't like it. She pulled her gaze downwards to escape the feeling it gave her. Thankfully Lazarus turned his gaze back to Jade, who had noticed the slight exchange but said nothing.

Jade felt her body relax slightly as the small smile touched his lips, she didn't fully relax because the tide could turn at an instance and she could be fighting for her life. She couldn't allow him to see her off guard again, she needed to be careful around this man, whoever and whatever he happened to be. His eyes softened a bit, no longer so firm but still just as piercing. She wasn't sure if what she had with the Sanguine could be called an allegiance, but who was she to really argue with a perfect stranger? She listened as he surprised her with just how much he did know, drawing her interest even more so as he mentioned the history.

Just as he mentioned, it was the history of her clan that interested her as well, she was a brute that believed her purpose to be lifting the curse, but surely there was more to it then that. Jade wasn't exactly sure just how to access all the memories from the collective mind and even if she did, it would be one sided. She didn't wish to side with the Rhasic because she believed them to be wrong, but really, there was two sides to every story. She nodded as he asked his question, hoping he would continue. There was a certain curious light in her eyes, she hoped that this didn't give him any sort of advantage, though he already had an advantage, one she knew nothing about.

There was definitely a possibility that this could be a Rhasic before her, one that could mask his scent, but perhaps she could learn what he knew before she killed him. Jade and Nymira couldn't close off any possibilities, especially in regards to the continuous war between the Rhasic and the Sanguine. Lazarus apologized for his earlier handling and Jade shrugged, it hadn't been anything she couldn't handle anyway, it had caused her panic, but she was fine after all. She waited for his introduction, hoping it helped her figure out who he was and what his intentions were.

His hand was held out for her to shake, though she noticed he seemed to take precautions so that he wasn't trapped. Considering all that had occurred and the current circumstances, she chose not to shake his hand. "You understand my hesitation I'm sure." She remarked as she took a drink of her ale, she didn't much care if she was being rude, she already had seen that he didn't hesitate in grabbing her if it meant he was getting his point across and she had no desire for that to occur again.

Lazarus was the name given to her, it didn't matter to her if it was really his name or not, just so long as she had something to call him. Given his current appearance, she would believe him on his supposed trades. Distaste could be seen on her face when he mentioned that he was a mystic, Rhasic or not, she abhored arcana and always had. Nymira was the one that greatly enjoyed arcana, even though it had destroyed their lives and that of the Krevion as well. Mysticism might explain his piercing gaze, but it also helped the sisters to be more careful in just what they thought. He asked for their names as well and Jade saw no reason to hide who she really was. "I'm Jade and this is Nymira." Jade was one that usually got to the point of things, something Lazarus didn't seem to do as he beat around the bush of why he wanted to speak with them.

The fact that he was a mystic and a swordsman meant that it would be harder to guard themselves against him, Jade had no defenses against arcana, something she wished to remedy soon enough. She didn't ask him what Sanguine he had met, perhaps it had been Niravia, seeing as how he named her. "You said you knew about Sa...my people's history, care to enlighten me as to how much you know or is that not what you wanted to talk about?" She didn't wish to just sit there and be left waiting nor did she want to give him too much time in reading her, especially if he could reach into her mind so easily. "I'm sure you're aware that you control the conversation since you brought these things up. You've got me curious, that is for sure."

[Duncan Sythe]

Duncan withdrew the offered hand slowly, although his eyes weren't offended. He understood quite well enough. Yet despite that it might be extremely hard to tell if there was any kind of disappointment in the slate grey orbs that watched her. Truthfully it mattered little, the move had been designed to relax her a little, as it was she was off balance enough that it made no difference.

“Jade.” He said simply in acknowledgement, then glancing down at the Virkyn. “Nymira.” Again he looked the Virkyn in the eyes, seeking intelligence within that canine face, not bestial cunning. Now those eyes rose to Jade again and he inclined his head slowly to her words; control, he knew he had it, that had been the point of everything up until now.

He now appeared to hesitate though. After all the initial confidence he had to pause to gather his words and decide what approach to take. Whilst luring Jade over had been along the lines of numerous other occasions of manipulation he now had to change tact and treat her equally if he was to have any hope of eliciting a reaction other than scorn and Sanguine pride.

“To assure you that I know enough to have thought carefully about what I wish to ask you Jade, let me tell you a brief story.”

A sip of ale to wet the mouth, eyes never wavering from hers.

“There was once a library known as the Krevion and a dire threat to those who kept it. I am not about to go back and try and debate the ethics of what happened, the past is done with and I speak from more than just turn of phrase when I say it cannot be altered.”

The ale mug clicked back down and he casually wiped his mouth with the back of a hand, his left coming to rest on his thigh as his right remained on the bar.

“So when I say that those you hunt thought they knew better at the time I do not take sides, although perhaps it would be worth asking yourself whether they would have done what they did unless they thought everyone was in danger, even your people.”

Fingers rose from the hand at the bar and he swayed his head, eyes closing but a moment as he carried on to keep her from retorting about the hated enemy.

“Conversely I am sure the Keepers thought they were doing the best at the time, up to and including when they killed themselves for an audience with a being with the mortality of a mountain lion.” A wry smile. Duncan could not avoid his prejudice sneaking in and did not seek to, it served his purpose and was precisely how he thought of any divine being...something whose mind operated on a level comparable to a wild animal, completely incomprehensible yet incredibly dangerous. “I speak of the God that gifted you with your split souls of course, a very nasty piece of handiwork.”

Fingers rapped on the bar top in thought, Lazarus shaking his head after offering yet more titbits of truth to cement his position, hints that he didn't feel he needed to offer more. Duncan himself conversely finding it morbidly amusing and not for the first time, just how much everyone had suffered from this affair.

“I've seen every moment of it from the eyes of one of your people.” He offered with something that surely could not be genuine sadness. “I saw the mages enter the Krevion and kill those who could not defend themselves yet none the less stood against them for what they believed in.”

Those slate grey eyes flicked back up to hers.

“And I saw what happened at the Sundering.” Something flickered through his mind, nothing more than a thought and he wove lies more tightly. “For generations I have watched your people fight for what they believe in and watch the Rhasic grow thinner and thinner, yet every so often; as now, there rises a few who are missed.”

A shrug, a sad shrug. Hints of a Mystic with a thousand lives comparable to the Sanguine themselves, yet who knew the entire story. Truth and fiction was strange but equally Jade would make of it what she wished.

“And the Sanguine are the ones failing now it seems, so few of you and so young. Now resorting to killing babies in their cribs to fulfil your bloody quest. At times I don't know what to think.”

Contempt flickered in the eyes then, for a definite moment there was contempt; a very generalised sort of contempt at the type of people who would stoop to killing babies, yet equally mixed in was understanding of why and a tightening of the eyes that could suggest...anything. In reality the real fear Duncan held within himself of what he would do if it ever came to that.

“But that is all told so that you know I am not fooling around with half-stories, lady.” Lazarus finished finally, the hand on his thigh tightly clasped now, fingers digging in the palm as he came to the crux.

“My question is this. With those you seek so spread out and the blood at times so thin, do you really think you will ever find them all? If so then why not seek alternatives, among them only the ones you have tried to kill and failed even know of your existence and then, even fewer anything about why you want them dead...but there are enough who do to cause you problems. Powerful men of this age. Duncan Sythe and Odyleon, are those names at all familiar?”

And in those last words the suggestion that if this neutral figure could so easily trap her in a tavern with innuendos and suggestions, would she not have been dead without knowing if he had truly been Rhasic and hated her blood? One of those two? What could stop the hunters from becoming the hunted? Nothing as far as he was concerned and in those eyes lay the danger, although not for the reasons he suspected Jade would be considering.

For Duncan Sythe, beneath those slate grey eyes, he was considering whether he would have to do just what he was hinting at if the likes of Jade all over Telath did not come to their senses. What that thought put into his eyes? Well, it was not a pretty expression, although given the tone he had been taking with her the entire package was something only Jade could decide upon.

[Jade Alanon]

It was perhaps rude to not take the offered hand, but Jade didn't want to take anymore chances then she already was at this point. It was bad enough that she didn't have her weapons with her, though thankfully Nymira remained close by, this put her a bit more at ease. He withdrew his hand, though he didn't seem angry or offended that she had refused it. She turned to her ale for the moment, though she drank very little, wishing to keep her senses clear and sharp.

Jade nodded her head when he spoke her name, he didn't make any other comment, his simple words were that of acknowledgement. It was unnerving just how much he seemed to know, he knew that Nymira was an intelligent creature and he was right. Nymira was different then other Virkyn, she was more connected to her human self on the other side of the mirror, which was a blessing and a curse at the same time. It meant she wasn't as beastial as the other Virkyn's but it also tortured her because she just remembered how it was to be human, it made the need for completion all the more greater.

Despite their need to remain in control of their emotions and such, both sisters knew full well who was in control of the situation and it certaintly wasn't them. this fact caused Jade and Nymira to really hesitate around Lazarus, he was an unknown factor, someone that they couldn't anticipate. There was still a possibility that he was a Rhasic, but why would a Rhasic approach them and not try anything? He had grabbed her wrist, but that had been the only aggressive action towards her.

Jade barely blinked as she kept her emerald eyes on the gray eyes before her, was it coincidence that she had been seeking answers and he came? Or was this a clever trap? She merely nodded as he spoke, mentioning a "brief" story that he wished to tell. She of course wondered just what he might wish to ask her, but those thoughts could wait.

Jade did what she could to hide the surprise as Duncan mentioned the Krevion, just showing how much he truly knew about the Sanguine. The past is done with and I speak from more than just turn of phrase when I say it cannot be altered. There was truth in his words and yet he couldn't possibly understand that for the Sanguine, the past couldn't be placed behind them because half of their souls were still in that past. She shrugged and allowed him to continue, not wishing to debate who was right and wrong at that point, besides, she was biased.

Nymira listened as well, though her look wasn't as intent. She knew that her sister sought more answers whilst Nymira sought the blood of the Rhasic. Jade hadn't witnessed her own sister being cut down by the Rhasic nor had she been tortured by the Rhasic for several eras before she was able to escape. Nymira rested her chin on Jade's leg for the time being, causing Jade to instincively run her hand gently over Nymira's fur, as though to assure her.

Just who was Lazarus to act as though he knew what had happened between the Rhasic and Sanguine? Jade didn't know the Rhasic's point of view and she wasn't sure if she ever would, not many Rhasic knew of their past like the Sanguine did. It would be hypocritical of Jade to say that the Rhasic had no reason to attack and kill her people without their knowledge of just why, because that was what she did now and it was all for the same thing, the knowledge of the Krevion. "I..." She was cut off, as though he was sure she was about to rant about her hatred for her enemy and didn't wish to hear it.

The Sundering was one thing that Jade couldn't remember no matter how hard she tried, there were times Nymira seemed to remember, a sad far off look in her dark eyes from time to time. Jade had heard of it of course, but she hadn't heard it versed quite like the way Lazarus did. Nymira seemed to take slight offense and growled, had she the wish, she would have spoken and defended the Sanguine for their decisions. "I know what God you speak of Lazarus. Yes he cursed us but he also brought the Sanguine back to reclaim what we had once protected. I had no choice in being brought back for I had died in battle during the attack on the Krevion." It was strange at times to speak of her first death, but Lazarus already knew a great deal. "I remember my death, remember how cold heartedly the Rhasic killed. Whether they thought themselves right or not, it matters like to me."

It was interesting and surprising to know that Lazarus had seen the destruction of the Krevion through the eyes of another Sanguine. Had the Sanguine been willing or had he used his mysticism on them? That was one reason she didn't trust arcana, that and she had been killed by it. "Not all of us were unable to defend, I took as many Rhasic down with me as I could." There was such cold bitterness behind her voice as well as a hard look in her emerald eyes.

Generations of watching them and yet he hadn't been discovered, how was this possible? Something didn't quite add up, but Jade wasn't too sure just what it was just yet. "So do you approach random Sanguine about these things often or am I just special?" Jade's sarcasm was meant to cover up her frustration and fear of this man. She only hoped that he was right about the Rhasic thinning out, it didn't seem that way to Jade. One thing Jade had to wonder in regards to Lazarus was, just how much did he know and how much was truth?

Knowing that the Sanguine were failing in number was hard to accept, hearing it from another was even harder. "You couldn't possibly understand what the Sanguine go through. You can't judge us so easily Lazarus."

Jade took full notice of the contempt in his eyes and did what she could to ignore it, breaking eye contact to look down at Nymira, as though searching for reassurance. She hated murdering infants and children, she was proud of none of those kills and didn't pretend to be. She did what she was told was right, she was a soldier that was doing all she could to keep her half of her soul and her mind from falling into permanent darkness and insanity.

Listening intently to his questions, Jade chose to remain looking down at Nymira as she searched for an answer. They weren't easy answers to find and for a few moments, Jade was left speechless. Then the names Duncan and Odyleon were brought us, she had heard of both but the name Duncan stood out more because her mirror sister Nymira had told her about him. "I continue to hunt those I can find, I don't fool myself into thinking I'll find them all, but I'll hunt those I can and will take back the knowledge in their blood. As for Duncan and Odyleon, they are familiar names." She didn't want to say more on them because she didn't know much about them.

"Who was the Sanguine you met before?"

[Duncan Sythe]

Lazarus let the retort about lack of understanding slide over him. He had learnt that such things could produce an entire argument of self-justification if allowed to hit home that completely destroyed the point at hand. Up until then however he'd merely smiled softly at her sarcasm, allowing her it. She would get her answers soon enough, but the woman was rambling enough for five in her need to reel through her thoughts – he thought that if he interrupted she might fall off her chair.

When she said the names were familiar though his eyebrows raised and he allowed surprise to filter through onto the face of the illusion. They did know then, he considered to himself. He had believed and Albrae had suspected but now he had proof – it had been well that he had not been more obvious about his identity, even though he could not tell from her expression and words how little information she really possessed about either of them.

The girl had looked at the Virkyn though, so he knew she was still off guard. The pair of them were; acting like the comforting siblings Sanguine seemed to embody after their long eras of bonding. It was poignant to watch and a look of understanding crossed his face that might put to question how little he misunderstood the two he was speaking to.

It wasn't placed there either. Duncan had seen Albrae and her Virkyn together too often to think that the relationship between bond mates was anything less than life and death – and knew it was precisely that. Consequently when her last question washed over him he was looking down at the Virkyn with a sympathy that may well be very unexpected. Seeing her like that made him think of Albrae – and thinking of Albrae for that brief moment was both surprising and a cause for carelessness.

“Albrae Nordmar.” He said with a dangerously close softness before he could stop himself. Those two words delivered enough in their tone and the way he looked at Nymira for the Virkyn to know precisely what the relationship was between Lazarus and the Sanguine – the omens of such a thing aside. The moment they left his mouth though he grimaced and glanced away, it was equally obvious that he hadn't intended to say the name – or at least say it in such a fashion.

Biting his lower lip Duncan cursed the entire Sanguine/Rhasic issue and his foolery to get mixed up in a relationship during the middle of the thing for putting him so off guard and out of sorts. The mistake was by his standards an unforgivable one, but what was done...was done. He was looking out across the tavern now and gathering himself, for the first time suggesting that he might not be fully in control – it was a possibility he moved quickly to quash as he looked back and the calm returned to his eyes, placed there atop his own consternation by force of will.

“We met a long time again. We both had our reasons for keeping our contact a secret, separate reasons. I learnt all that I have from my own investigations into little-read histories and watching a few of your people. She kept her word”

His hand twitched on the table as the lies came to him, the explanations to steer away from the dangerous topic he was on, contracting into a fist and then relaxing again. She had done nothing of the sort, but to say that was to say worse than he already had.

“But I have not seen her in a long time. Many Cycles, perhaps even a generation I suppose... So no, I do not approach every Sanguine but I have approached a few others over my life – although never so directly as this.” The idea came, flickered through his mind, was realised. “What do you know of her, is she well?”

He asked, allowing the hunger of curiosity into his eyes as he looked into hers. A way to find out what the Sanguine thought of their sister – although he knew Niravia would not have shared everything with them and suspected the woman knew more than most. But more than that; a way to cover why Lazarus would feel such for a Sanguine and why he was speaking to Jade now. It was far from the real root reason but it served and was serviceable as truth, in a manner of speaking. A long lost lover or partner who he had not seen for a long time and who he now searched for news of.

It would also he hoped lead on to what he wanted to really talk about, resolving the Sanguine curse...although ironically the created lie of Lazarus wanting to spend his life with Albrae Nordmar was hardly a lie in the least, just a drastic twisting of the truth and a selective assortment of vital omissions.

First though, what the other Sanguine thought of his lover.