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Talin was out searching the villages and areas about tale and Jauhur for recruits. He was looking for specific ones; not any old bandits but something different. He needed a cover, people that were honest and gullible but also strong warriors and useful. Someone he could trick into joining and fool into believing his 'purpose' for the gang. That they were striking back at the Obans who were sending in their merchants. That they were taking from those who could afford it to give to those who could't, to give what they stole (some at least) to those hurt in the war. Orphans, widowers, and widows struggling to live.

He knew many would love that.. but he needed people who could fight, people who could keep their mouths shut and actually know how to hide and slip across the wilderness without giving their presence away....

He had the ruthless bandits who would kill and take everything of value... now he needed those that the populace would believe were doing good.. He wanted to avoid being hunted down like last time!

So he was combing the areas looking for potential recruits and today he thought he'd found one... He smiled as he looked at the wind boy training nearby. He had snuck up and was watching the youngster; this one might be worth the effort...

Talin was a bit bored when the boy just meditated.... but maybe that helped? He shrugged; no real battle would allow one time to focus and clear one's mind. Let's see how the lad does against surprises, he thought with a grin as he picked up a rock and threw it with pin point accuracy at the boy's left shoulder.

Then he slid away to a new position, stealthily creeping about to pick a new spot to start throwing more stones and sticks at the lad. All the while he crept closer and closer, doing his best to stay in the shadows or lurking in the tall grass if there wasn't a tree to hide behind or in. At each new spot he'd throw a stone at the boy's shoulders, head, or a**. He didn't pull out his knives just yet... no need to kill someone he was potentially going to recruit...

Talin was having fun sneaking around and throwing stuff. The lad had good reflexes... but had yet to spot him. Which was fine; Talin was good at sneaking and would have been offended if caught! But he would have preferred if the boy had spotted him... that would have made him slightly more valuable.

He rolled his eyes when the boy spoke. Kids! Honor and fair fights and flowers and sparkles, he thought with some disgust. As if sneaking was some horrible thing.....

His eyes narrowed as he grinned. Perhaps this boy was due for a scare, hmm?
He stopped throwing and crouched low int he grass, slinking closer slowly as possible to not give away his position with sound or the movement of grass. When he was finally close, he pounced! Swinging one leg, he hooked the boys ankle with his own as he shoved at the shoulders to knock the boy to the ground.

"Stealth is the way of the predator." He purred as he smirked at the boy. "The Sermal creeps about without a sound.... and yet none call it a coward. If I had been a sermal you would be dead now." Or if he'd been bored....

He gave a nod of satisfaction at the boy's reflexes. Kinda blind but still; good roll and came up ready to fight. That was a good sign of his usefulness! Talin simply took a step back to dodge the blind kick as he chuckled.
"Not much of a sound.. and counting on any warning is going to get a person killed. If those stones had been knives and you'd still be dead." He flicked a hand and threw one of his throwing knives between the boys feet.
He laughed at the lads confusion. Might simple was he?

"Yeah.. tale.. you know, land of flat grasslands and forests. No mountains. Witu's instead of sermals." He said wryly. "You haven't been out of the homelands very long have you boy?"

That sort of attitude was what he needed; innocent youngsters to hide the darker truths of his gang.

"Not long at all." Talin said with a laugh, "I am Talin. Though really, you ought to introduce yourself first before asking another's name." He chided teasingly as he walked over to stand toe to toe with the younger boy... and had to look up. Which irked him, but then Talin never had liked tall things that loomed over him.

On the plus side; that height meant the boy had a nice long reach.. useful in fights! I hope he's better at hiding than some of my other tall broad minions, Talin thought wryly. Can't there be a tall stealthy person for once! I seem to be one of the few who's not too small but can still hide! One more reason for my epicness.

Talin snorted; "Well... I suppose that can be considered a compliment.... though you might want to rethink that in these lands boy. Giving your name first extends an offer of peace while demanding to know anthers with out giving yours is a sign of aggression." He chuckled when he saw some signs of panic.

He relaxed and took a step back; was he being too aggressive? Perhaps.. but he was testing to see if this boy was good material for the group since he did want a few more actual trained warriors since they would be targeting Obans... who were good soldiers and more used to combat and tactics than all the lone leaf hunters he had.

"Not that I'm going to harm you or take offense." For now that is.. "If I wanted to I would have already. I was just seeing how well you defended against surprise attacks. Hence why I started with rocks and didn't use the knife until you could see me.. and even then it was aimed at the ground and not you."
Did he want someone who panicked? He didn't panic till after we started talking.. delayed reaction?

Talin snorted and shook his head. Well.. this was not going to work! Over protective did not sit well with Talin. It meant someone who had, he buried a sneer, morals. Ethics; someone who would not obey an order if it went against their honor.

"Paranoia is good. It keeps you alive." Like him! Talin just knew someone was hunting him; it made him more aware, more alert....and kept him alive. Now how to pass this off? He had been going to approach the boy about joining.. but not if he was so attached to protecting others. His gang was in the business to steal and kill others... not protect them!

Which lie to go with today?

He bent and picked up his knife to sheath it. "Well. You've got good reflexes. Though you could work on noticing your surroundings. Be more alert." Traveler deciding to play a prank cause he was bored would work for this probably..

Talin thought for a moment..... hiding his smirk. 'Helping another?' Well that meant the boy wasn't thinking of him as a suspicious person.
"I can spend a few moments now if you want.... though if you really want to spar there's someone I wouldn't mind you meeting and sparring with. He's about your age and needs more practice... especially since he's going to go in fighting with his fists..."

Talin, since the boy wanted to spar, lashed out with a foot, hooking his foot about the others ankle as he shoved with his arm at the shoulder. Surprise attacks were his favorite! And the boy had asked.... let us see if he's paying attention....