[Crown Tavern] Never Turn Down a Free Meal

[Kella Greeran]

Kella had been back in Prime from her recent foray into Paxia for about a cycle or so. She'd received her assignment, settled in a bit and promptly became restless. In a perverse way she missed the others in her Jade class. Heck, she missed seeing people in general. Real live people who looked you in the eye when you talked and sometimes managed to say interesting or witty things.
This bout of melancholy led to a scrawled note to one who she knew would show up, and if she behaved moderately well, would treat her to at least one drink. She recalled the note fondly. It was all eloquence:

"You owe me booze and maybe food. Crown, 17th candlemark, tomorrow night. -- Kella"

She could really turn a phrase when she had to, her inner voice observed dryly.
Kella just gave a smug smile in response to her thoughts. The note got the job done without giving the fellow too many ideas.

The Vagaran leaned back in her chair and ran her hand through her short flax colored hair, attempting to smooth out a tangle or two. Just because she was in the military didn't mean she had to look sloppy.

[Eyvind Redbeard]

The note Eyvind had received the day before had left him speechless for a few minutes. The guy who was delivering mail had to shake him to wake him up. She was back! She was back indeed! Eyvind even hugged the Legionnaire who had given him the note. The surprised man did nothing besides hugging back thinking the note was about the loss of some closer relative.

One hour before the meeting Eyvind was already on his way to the Crown Tavern. He was wearing a simple white shirt and his brown pants with leather boots. On his neck he wore his Torc. Eyvind was carrying no weapons. Something rare, his hair was completely washed and combed with a leather piece around his forehead to keep the long hair away from his face.

As he walked in the Crown he looked around, he was there on time, just like he hoped Kella would be. And there she was, sitting on a chair in the other side of the tavern. Eyvind could only see her from behind, but as she ran her hand through her hair he saw her face. That sight froze him where he stood. There she was, beautiful as he remembered, maybe more! Eyvind decided to wait a few moments before aproaching her, as if he was a hunter taking pleasure in watching a prey. Of course he knew that if anyone would be a prey that day that would be him, not her. But still Eyvind wanted to watch the woman some more.

[Kella Greeran]

Kella leaned back in her chair, teetering on its back legs for a moment, stretching her limbs. In that moment, she felt the weight of eyes on her accompanied by the eerie suspicion she was being watched. She subtly glanced left and right before tilting her head back. Her eyes barely caught a snatch of vibrant red hair, as Eyvind moved slowly towards her spot. His height always made Captain Alleria hard to miss in a crowd.

A familiar sight was comforting, Kella grinned despite herself and chastised,
"It's not polite to stare, Ginger."
Evidently Kella had settled on a new nickname for Eyvind, as it seemed against her principles to actually refer to him by his true title.
She winked and added, "Nice headband."
It was incredibly hard to discern whether she meant the phrase as a compliment or a lighthearted tease.

The front legs of her chair lowered with a gentle thud, and Kella turned her body to face the towering Vagaran. Her arms were folded across the back of the chair and her chin rested on top of them lightly as she looked up at her fellow Legionnaire's face.

In a brief betrayal of her principles, Kella allowed a moment of mild sincerity. Her ever-impish smile spread slowly across her face.
"'Rale, Eyvy, how are things?"

It was at least part of his true name, perhaps better than "Ginger", but that remained to be seen.
"I see you got my artful little letter."

[Eyvind Redbeard]

Kella got Eyvind on surprise with her statement. A hundred men could be staring at her and still she would only say such thing to him. She knew he was here. With a smile Eyvind aproached slowly. Kella's comment about his hairband was taken as a compliment, even if it wasn't one Eyvind wouldn't mind, that was the Kella Greeran he knew, the one he missed so dearly. As she turned on the chair and looked at him Eyvind listenned to her question. "Eyvy" that could be considered as a show of what was beneath her normal behaviour. Kella was one of the great mysteries of life, Eyvind was sure about it. The young woman was stronger than anyone the Vagaran had knew and resiliant as a tower in the midle of a storm. Still beneath all this she was a person that was worth knowing.

Leaning Eyvind kissed Kella's forehead and then kneeled in front of her after fondling her hair.

"Yes, I got your letter Kella." he smiled "It seems I owe you something. A good excuse to see me isn't it?" the red haired man winked "So, how was your journey? Tell me everything!"

[Kella Greeran]

The quick kiss and mussing of her hair caught Kella off guard. At first, her expression was one of surprise, her mouth open and blue eyes a bit wider. This expression was quickly overcome by a pointed warning glance.
She quirked an eyebrow and said dryly,
"Lud, Ginger, look but do not touch."
She gave a sly smile, "And you haven't even bought me a drink yet."

She shrugged and turned towards the table, "I'll write it off to missing me terribly, and maybe allow it on this special occasion."

There was a pause as Kella situated herself at the table and contemplated what she wanted to order. She glanced down at the kneeling Eyvind, as if to say: "Oh you're still there?"
She gestured to the seat at the table.
"Diana knows what's been on that floor, Ginger. Have a seat and I'll regale you with stories of Paxia."

She waited a moment for Eyvind to get settled. Her elbows were planted on the table and her hands folded together under her chin.

"Ah Paxia. Firstly it's a pile of rubble and secondly, I didn't do very much save corral citizens and carry heavy things."
Her nose scrunched a little as she thought of her recent experiences.
"Wasn't terribly thrilling, but then it was nowhere near dull. I got called back earlier than some to accept my assignment here in Prime. Paxia was more a foray."

She raised a finger to make an especial point.
"I will say those Paxia boys have their work cut out for them. The city needs desperate rebuilding."

Kella folded her hands again and peered over them at Eyvind.
"But tell me, what have they concocted for you to do? How's officer training and the new batch of Legionnaires?"

[Eyvind Redbeard]

Eyvind smiled as he listened to Kella's harsh reaction to his kiss. "Oh...a drink!" he winked as he stood and called for a waitress "Bring us some red wine! We are celebrating!" with a wide smile Eyvind took a sit in Kella's table, not to close but not in the opposite side as well. He didn't want to scare her with lack of space nor look too distant.

Placing his arms on the table Eyvind leant forward as he heard Kella's tales. Knowing Kella didn't have risky assignments was a relief to the red haired Vagaran and he aknowledged with a whisper. From what Kella said Paxia was being rebuilt and the soldiers were helping out, interesting.

"Officer's training is quite interesting I'd say. Learning how to ride a horse, how to lead men, how to organize a unit to march and so on. The batch - Eyvind smiled - is where it belongs, in my armour. I am off duty now. I am here to meet you not to carry out some mission for the military."

Eyvind glanced at the bar. The waitress was getting the bottle of wine and two glasses.

"What about you Kella, why have you returned earlier?"

[Kella Greeran]

As Eyvind winked at her, Kella realized he would never break that habit. He winked despite getting in trouble with superiors and teased mercilessly for it. The man was set in his ways.

Red wine did sound a treat, though. Kella tried not to recall the experience last time she'd sampled the fruit of the vine. The incident was enough to sour her taste for the liquid if she allowed herself to dwell on it, but Kella would not indulge the memory. There were too few good things in life, and she would be a fool to corrupt one of them.

"Red wine, Ginger? Lovely choice," she purred, "Always stains my mouth a divine color."

Kella's commentary stopped at that, until Eyvind asked about her early return.
"You skirt by your own happenings so quickly, Eyvy, but I will try to respect the fact you're off duty. However, as it is me, I can make no promises, since it sounds a great deal more interesting than hoofing around Aelyria. Especially the bit about horses. Riding is such a gentlemanly pastime, much more glamorous than digging holes and hauling stone."

The waitress arrived with a bottle and two glasses in hand. She announced a bit ceremoniously,
"From the Larkson vineyard Era X post fractum."

Kella beamed warmly at the waitress as if they were dear friends, by bringing Kella a good vintage the girl was well on her way to acquiring Kella's favor. Tasting the wine was merely going through the motions so as to not be thought a rube, but Kella really just wanted the waitress to scurry away until they wanted to order food.

"Thank you, Miss. I'd appreciate it if you'd come back around in a little."

When the girl finally scampered off, Kella returned her attentions to Eyvind. She poured him a generous glass of the crimson liquid.

"I was in the middle of answering your question wasn't I?"
Kella took a sip of her wine. She was right, it did color her lips a pleasant berry hue.

"The higher ups didn’t mean for me to stay in Paxia long, just as support for a little. They called me back to arrange my final assignment, and set up my future training. Nothing prestigious for now, simply some Quartermaster duties. It suits my strategic nature and is a bit of a stepping stone for more exciting work."

The Vagaran gave a tiny sigh before continuing.
"To be honest, I'm glad for the break. I'll be shipped off again to learn more about what I'll be doing, but at least it doesn’t sound too dangerous."
A teasing smile danced on Kella's face, "So there you have it. I'm doing something dull and safe, you can sleep well at night knowing I'm not going to be killed anytime soon."

Secrecy had been demanded from Kella and she had sworn up and down to uphold the façade, but even still, she felt a little bad fibbing to Eyvind about where she was heading. Her face didn't reveal the slightest qualm, though. The woman could play a part excessively well, she'd had a lifetime of practice.

[Eyvind Redbeard]

Eyvind nodded to the waitress as she left him and Kella alone again. The Vagaran looked to the woman in front of him. He nodded as she offered him the glass with the precious drink. He also smiled as he saw her lips being coloured red as she drank her wine.

"Quartermaster you say?" Eyvind smiled "I never thought you would end up with a boring position such as that one. And someone like you, with capabilities beyond those of common soldiers should be used with wisdom and not placed behind a common desk. You should be in some headquarters planning future campaigns." Eyvind took a sip "With your intelligence and speech ability you would bring new provinces to the Empire just by moving a few hundred men from a position to another."

Eyvind paused and looked to the woman in front of him. She could look like a normal person but she would be great one day. She would outrank him and probably achieve a better life than his. Then Eyvind remembered something.

"Kella...can you tell me when will you have a break from your training? I ask you this because I will be heading for the mountains in search for a lost place and I may need help, and your help is perhaps the best I will ever find. Would you like to help me in this Kella?" he ask shyly

[Kella Greeran]

Kella looked at the Vagaran over the rim of her glass. At Eyvind's summation of her abilities and position, Kella almost sputtered into her wine.

"Lud, Ginger, I appreciate the praise of my abilities, but we need not put down my new post! I'm a tactical creature, you know that. I have no thirst to spill blood, and they aren't going to hand me the powers of a master tactician due to my charm."

She shrugged, "Trust me, I tried. The higher ups just looked at me funny."

The girl took another short sip after observing, "Big things take time."

Kella occupied herself a moment with trying to flag down a server in a courteous way that eloquently expressed: I know I'm beckoning for you like a servant, but please don't spit in my food anyway.

Eyvind's request caught her unaware. Her glance fluttered between him and her search for a server.

"A break in training? I don't know, Ginger. I am merely a pawn in the Empire's grubby fingers. Or a free bird unable to be pinned into one time or place."

Kella looked directly at him for a moment.
"I prefer the bird analogy for obvious reasons."

After attracting a longsuffering tavern girl, Kella focussed on her fellow Vagaran's request. Her casual posture shifted to one of mild suspicion. She leaned back in her chair and folded her arms skeptically.

"What's this thing or place you want to find, Ginger? If it can maul you or set you on fire I don't think I'm up for it. Just because I joined the military it doesn't mean I want to die."

[Eyvind Redbeard]

"Nor would I want you to die, Kella..." he replied "I am heading to a Temple of the Thorns of Jorel in the mountains to visit an Oracle. It may seem strange but I am going there because Aslan gaved me this mission..." he paused "The Lion God wants me to somehow gather informations about this Oracle and to recover a pair of weapons...Sai's...which are being held by the Oracle herself."

Eyvind paused and took a sip in his wine. He shook his head to get his mind a bit clearer and continued.

"You see...I am taking a group with me. If they ever decide to show up I'll be taking eager recruits, country people and even a young man who wants to join the circus. Some I know well, some I don't. I have been warned by...my father." a shadow seemed to cover his eyes as he remembered his father's ghost "That some of those who will come with me harbor darkness within themselves. And that is why I need you Kella, because you have no darkness within, I need you because I trust you and your help will be priceless if you join me." the red haired Vagaran had become a bit motioned and his eyes were shinnying.

"I trust you Kella Greeran."

[Kella Greeran]

Kella's body slumped a little as she sighed heavily.

"By Diana, Ginger, what a speech. Jorel and oracles, weapons and inner darkness... I'd trust me more to help you pick out a new pair of pants than to take on all that."

The woman looked at the wine in her hand a little glumly, swishing the liquid around. She had already comitted herself to a decision, but was sulking. Her sense of honor and loyalty was rather chafing at the moment and she wanted to voice her malcontent with them loud and clear.
If only she could be as flighty as her brother, he would never let himself be roped into half brained quests. Especially from Eyvind, who's track record was less than pristine in regards to Kella.

"You're going to get me squashed by some Oracle or scarred by a git with murky 'inner darkness', Ginger. And I bet you will come out cleaner than a royal's gems. The only draining thing you'll have to do is shed a maudlin tear for poor smothered Kella."

Her arms folded, a little cross over being taken in. She had planned to get a free dinner and some drinks, not pledge her services on a perilous escapade through Aelyria.

"I'll go. You owe me even more now. At this rate, I'll have claim on your firstborn."

As she noticed the waitress approaching their table, Kella leaned in and confided.

"But, I'm going to order the most expensive thing on the menu plus dessert, and you're going to pay for it."

Her expression suddenly shifted to a friendly grin as the waitress asked what she wanted to eat.

Kella's reply was alarmingly chipper for her, and halfway through her request she looked pointedly at Eyvind.

"I'll have your finest thing stuffed with your second finest thing. And if that would be a crime against my palate, just half of each on a big plate."

[Eyvind Redbeard]

Eyvind wasn't able of doing nothing but smile after Kella spoke. The red haired man would understand if Kella rejected the "invitation" due to the fact of their misunderstanding in Old Prime. He had been rude to her in order to accomplish his duty, or what he thought as his duty. After all he wasn't that wrong, never leave a brother behind was one of Aslan's Tenets and as His acolyte Eyvind had some added duties besides that of the Legion.

Anyway he was surprised and happy for Kella's decision. When she said she would order the most expensive foods in the menu Eyvind done nothing but keep smiling and nodding. The blonde and beautiful woman was coming with him, she was being part of his destiny. And her claim for his Firstborn made him grin a little and made a rogue thought appear in his mind. "Who said the Firstborn would be only mine?" but he didn't say it loud.

Now Eyvind had to try and save some of his precious gold or he would have to abandon any dreams of ever marrying with someone as he wouldn't be able to offer that person, perhaps the one in front of him (no one knew where this could end), a pleasant life.

"And have the other half in another big plate to me." He smiled to the waitress. Then he realized Kella could understand. "And bring some more wine."

After the waitress was gone Eyvind returned his attention to the blonde Vagaran.

"Thank you very much for joining Kella. I certainly owe you one more thing now and don't you ever hesitate in asking me anything." he paused "Now about the expedition. The meeting point for is outside the city gates in the Dawn of 26th Ponutis. We will be given supplies and equipment to travel in the mountains by Commander De'Bali but I suggest you take some extra food and warm clothes with you. Bring a backpack with whatever you think necessary for the journey and bring at least a weapon. I will be taking my usual weapons, spear, sword and longbow. But that is me." he smiled "I am sure the lads will like to have you around." he paused "Cyrus is coming too..."

[Kella Greeran]

At all the chatter of halves and other halves the waitress looked mildly perplexed, but gave a mental shrug and figured she'd come up with something.

Kella didn't quite understand what Eyvind was up to, but her expression warned him to not get cheap on her if he knew what was good for him. The request for more wine was met with a quick caveat for the server.

"Oh it was the Larkson vintage. Marvelous stuff."

When the server left the strange pair alone again, Evyind launched into a more detailed description of the logistics of their upcoming escapade. His reminder to bring a weapon was met with a flat and mildly peevish look. Her voice was amazingly bereft of all emotion, unless a monotone display of sarcasm counted as emotion.

"Thanks Eyvind. As a new quartermaster and decent legionnaire I'm sure I'd be ignorant about bringing weapon. I was kinda hoping to fend off other's 'inner darkness' with naught but quips and charming air kisses."

The girl's expression livened up again after her most potent scoffing was done.

"Lud, Evyind it's a wonder I remembered to wear pants today without guidance if I'm the sort that has to be told to arm myself for an adventure," she added in a mutter.

At the mention of Cyrus's name, Kella's face took on a quick glow about the eyes and brow. Her mouth even dared to threaten a crooked smile.

"He's coming? I'll be glad for his company."
She rapidly ammended her statement to avoid any questions, "He's a good man to have in a pinch."

With a quick half smile she asked, "How did you rope him into this as well? Play him at cards and win?"

[Eyvind Redbeard]

As usual Kella's comment didn't catch Eyvind by surprise. He knew she would comment about his advice of taking weapons with her. She would never change, he was sure of that and also glad. He liked her the way she was.

Then he saw it, a strange glow in Kella as he said Cyrus name, but it was quickly gone. Then her comment. Things were getting weird, Eyvind didn't understand what strange pain was that in his chest. Then Kella rapidly spoke again and the red haired Vagaran felt his inner calm returning.

"I didn't need such non-honorable ways to have him coming with me. He is a companion, a friend and as such he has come. I would do the same for him, he knows that. Like you are doing Kella, companions help each other whenever they can. I would do the same for you as well Kella."

He tried a smile.