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XIV. Because I'm uber.

Prontera city, a sprawling urban fort, bordered all around by high stone walls. Literally a small citadel with Castle Prontera at its head, the military and the church its right and left arms, it is fitting to be the capital of the Kingdom of Rune-Midgard.

The wind was slightly blowing, the flowers were blooming. Sometime ago, it had looked like trouble was about to set in, but somehow it was managed. The people were both curious and worried. What was really happening and what would it do to them?

The days dragged on routinely, everyone still slightly unnerved at the unusual calm from the castle. Though they knew that the King had fallen ill, they had no idea at what had caused it, and what would happen should he pass away. The old veterans have musings of another war, one very much like the same that wrecked the land over 1500 years ago. Their weapons and armor sat on their shelves, some rusting, some well-kept, waiting to be used once again.

In a small portion in the middle of a town lay an inn where this story would begin anew once again . . .


((Everyone should start in Prontera, as if regularly going on with their lives.))

...and it was towards the inn Talaris dragged his heavy-laden cart. His black hair and beard, carelessly tossed over one shoulder, whipped around in the breeze. A large clump fell over his eyes and Talaris grunted angrily, stopping his tireless dragging to reach inside the wooden box-on-wheels and pull out a strip of dirty cloth.

"Mummy wrappings," the shaggy man spat, "could have fetched a fair price at the Apothecary's. The strip was tied around Talaris' hair, and his beard was caught as well. Swearing under his breath, Talaris pulled his beard free and patted it down in front.

Upon reaching the Inn's main doors, Talaris sighed with relief. The merchant proceeded to unroll a silk sheet, draping it over the table-like extension facing the streets. Next he retrieved several items and put them down - assorted fruits, a handful of jewelry, and a pair of patterned leather gloves.

"Hurt yourself, hmm?" the merchant asked slyly, having overheard, "I have some bandages and other medicinal items." Talaris stroked his beard, considering charging something outlandish. He hadn't made much Zeny in the past couple of days.

"For you...." He paused, looked over the younger woman's form, and promptly changed his mind. The girl was pretty enough, he supposed, and he didn't want to make a pauper out of her with one of his "special deals". Talaris realized he had probably been looking a few moments too long and snapped back to reality. "Let's see. For you, fifty zeny. That gets you a packet of silk bandages and some ointment. For another ten I can apply it myself."

It was the merchant's token speech for this type of thing. He'd made many Zeny in the past selling the same stuff and the speech always seemed to help. If she refused, Talaris could always try and hawk something else to her. Those gloves back on his cart...HIS CART!

"Please, follow me outside a moment." Talaris jolted outside without checking to make certain Alisia had complied.

"Blood and bloody ashes!" Talaris cursed, "I forgot one of the most basic rules of Mercantile! ~Never leave your cart alone.~" Just his luck, there were three thieves scrounging the as-of-now unattended vehicle. One, who was wearing a bandanna over his nose and mouth, looked over at nearly the exact moment Talaris exited the Inn.

"Oh ho ho. You fools dare steal from Talaris Tellamon Shuran?" He laughed heartily, readying his axe, "No one's ever dared to steal from me before. Guess I finally get to use this grand ol' weapon of mine." All three thieves glared at Talaris now.

"This is our haul now." the bandanna-wearing leader sneered, "Get it back if you can, beard face!" The lackeys slung a sack each over their shoulders and ran off.

"THAT'S IT!" Talaris roared. He would have used Element Axeman, but his scroll case was in the cart and might have been stolen. The merchant settled for throwing his axe un-enchanted. Heaving his weapon with another, greater roar, Talaris let it fly.

The thief leader, having realized only moments ago that there was no chance of victory through combat, sprinted down the crowded street after his minions. Talaris' axe was faster, unfortunately for the intended target, and the double-blade sliced cleanly through one leg, then the other, and arced back for Talaris to catch. Panting, the merchant staggered to his cart, falling over exhausted into it. He'd just have to get his things back later that night. Maybe that girl would help him...

Along Legend road walked a solitary figure. Each step was a resounding thundercrash upon the earth to his ears. A tattered cloak rustled softly in the wind, allowing sunlight to glance off his neckline where the beginning of chain mail shirt could be seen.

The loner's head was low, as though interested in the plain dirt that he walked upon. His wild black hair covered his features and gave his persona the perception of a beast. A single katana was belted to his waist. The sheath lightly clacked against his leg as he walked, proof that chain mail pants were underneath the thick linen.

Dagon was tired...he had been walking for almost a week now. When he heard there was better work toward the capitol city, he had begrudingly set out for it. The travel was monotuous and uneventful...a time void of anything even remotely interesting. Lately however, he had felt that he was getting closer.

Hearing voices ahead of him, he looked up. Eyes wild and grey as a tempest stared down the road at the two embracing women. Behind them loomed the great Capitol city and Dagon alowed himself a wolfish smile. If he was to enter this city...he would not do so with his head low like some defeated dog. Dagon straightened his stride, angular eyes staring ahead and his wild hair thrown back in the irregular gusts of wind that hit it. His pace increased as he approached the women. He was perhaps aware he did not look much better then a bandit...but if it bothered him he didn't show it. His pace did not falter as a fierce grin began growing on his weathered face.

(Short. Rushed. Pardon. sweatdrop )

"Why, yes, I have..." As Alisia turned around to make another snide comment along the lines of, 'But I wouldn't want to inconvenience a merchant such as yourself. I'm sure you have other potential customers to price gouge, thank you,' she was immediately shocked out of her caustic tongue as her eyes fell on his sheer size. The man was an utter behemoth, and she found herself almost ready to loose an arrow into the massive mane of his dark beard.

She'd seen bears that were smaller than him, and that shocked her.

Of course, quite frankly, his relatively low prices shocked her even more than his intimidating size had. Granted, she'd expected store prices to hover a few zeny less than that, but the fact that the pharmacy and general store were across town from one another seemed to cast a more favorable light on his stock's prices. Though she knew already that she wouldn't let the man's bear-sized paws apply the ointment and bandages for fear of losing her hand with a misplaced squeeze, she found the notion to be considerate, at the very least.

"Why, thank--" Seeing his face with a look akin to being chased by a Nightmare, she paused, arching an orchid brow before crying out once when he stood up, surprising her yet again with his large mass as he made his way out the door with speed that belied his frame. Desperation seemed to fuel his sprint, and, spurred by curiosity, she followed at his command. The man seemed decent enough, however intimidating, and she didn't believe he was the type to lure women out to mug them for cash once out of sight of the innkeeper.

Pausing as she saw the pilfering thieves, she quickly drew her bow, wincing as her poorly poulticed hand reached back to grab an arrow from her quiver. Aiming once, Alisia paused, feeling her left hand ignite in pain as she strove to keep the fletching from catching the blood from her palms. Waiting a few moments as she steadied her aim, she carefully homed in on her intended target, feeling her muscles of her left hand scream as she released the arrow. She launched the speeding missile at one of the lackeys' legs, making sure to aim for the area where the gastrocnemius muscle of the calf joined with the back of the knee. Assured that it would leave him screaming and disabled on the ground, she hissed, feeling the effects of firing an arrow from a wounded hand.

Looking at Talaris apologetically, she paused.

"Sorry I can't get the other... Hand's a bit bloodied up, methinks."