Welcome to Gaia! ::

Jade nodded slightly at what the other said and smiled again. "Alright then, if you say so. Just don't go dying cause I don't have a way of bringing you back from the dead." He let out a slight giggle at what he said and started to head off toward the inn once again.

Slowly he came to a stop and looked back. "You should at least wash up a little bit. There is an inn over there." He said while pointing toward the inn which he had come from earlier. "That's where I'm headed now, that's where Aron and Alexis are staying, so that's where I'm going if you wanna follow. They're the reason why that demon was destroyed. Anyways, bye for now."

Jade started to walk back toward the inn and eventually made it to the doorway and stepped inside the building.

Renee had enough for one day, she took a deep breath and let it out slowly, walking along the street she would help people to the side of the road to allow others to start cleaning up the town. By the time she made it to the inn she was frowning and wracking herself with guilt. If she hadn't of taken that crystal none of this would have happened, with a sigh she pushed the inn doors open, dirt had caked itself onto her face mixed with blood. She leaned over the counter to talk to the old man, "Can you tell me if a man carried in a younger girl?" the man nodded, "Thank you." she saw the young man who had protected the girl and she smiled, "Nice work out there." she leaned against the desk, "Is there any way I can get you to ask if I can see her." she paused for a moment, "I need... I need to explain some stuff." she bit her lower lip with a frown.

Just as she said that the man walked out who had carried the girl in, "I would like to talk in private if I may..." she glanced around the lobby, "I have had a part to play in this bloody ordeal. I want to talk to the girl that ended it all." she looked up at Aron.

She could feel Aron's anger ripple off of him, his protection for the girl was strong, "I they are not the words you want to hear." she frowned and was solum, she didn't blame him for getting into a fighting stance, she held up her hands, "I'm not here to fight," she sighed and shook her head, "I've had a long enough day as it is." she lowered her hands.

"I'm almost like you." she began, she wasn't sure if he'd like the idea of comparing each others professions, "I had just finished a job, a man that was wanted here in Dea," she was silent for a moment hoping she didn't have to spell out what exactly she does. Looking away from Aron she said, "I was paid handsomely," she began, "Other contributors had offered other things," she frowned, "One contributor, I'm not sure whom it was, gave me a black velvet pouch, with the dark crystal inside." she hung her head. "If I hadn't of accepted this none of this would have happened." Renee looked up at Aron, "I didn't bring that thing into the city, it was given to me. Even if I had brought that damn crystal into the city would I have fought for the people?" she arched a brow and placed her hands on her hips.

"I'm sorry for my words." Renee began, "I'm not a soothsayer or anything." she smiled and shook her head. "I am, I guess a bounty hunter of sorts, my profession has many names." Renee smiled as he offered her a chair to sit in, she looked his way and tried to study what type of person he was. She tilted her head and thought, 'It'll take more time.' When Aron mentioned there were more her interest was perked, "There have been others?" she frowned, "Do you think there is any significance to whom this other person was? Or this man that has them, he could have more somewhere, just waiting to dole them out to random people." Renee wasn't paying attention to Aron anymore, she was going off on her own little tangent, frowning she asked, "I wonder if he'll strike again?" the questioned wasn't directed towards Aron, but it could have been. Renee frowned, "I can't believe I was a fool to accept something so evil." she shook her head and leaned back in her chair.

Looking at Aron she smiled slightly, "I find it interesting, and I assume you as well, find it never boring watching and working with that girl, this Alexis." she paused for a moment, "Please don't take this the wrong way," she began, "But when you're talking about a client you shouldn't use their name right out." she let that fact hang in the air for a moment, "Unless the client is there to actually state their name." she looked at the ground between them, she sat up straighter in her chair, "I wasn't the only one to see her powers," she frowned, "Dea holds not just the good here." she shook her head as the words left her mouth, she felt that she may have pegged herself as one of those bad people. Holding up her hands she explained, "I do a lot of... customer service." she smiled, "Talking to even the nicest people you must be weary of the information you give out." she shook her head and placed her hands in her lap.

Renee laughed, "I'm sure with all that I'm saying you've got more suspicions than trust with me." she waved her hand a little, "I know it's a rough start," she bit her lower lip. "I do appreciate that you'll allow me to see her and give my apologies, heck I wouldn't mind if you were there with me." she nodded her head.

"Eavesdropping is not what I call an admirable trait to have kid." Aron grunted as he thought about what Renee had to say. "I don't bother with a lot of that hush hush stuff, Alexis just ignores it anyway... good but foolish kid in my opinion." Aron leaned against the wall, he was far more relaxed now. "As I said, it wouldn't matter if I were there or not, Alexis doesn't seem to think anyone can be bad... and kid, you might want to hear her side of the story first... This ain't some happy adventure here, this is serious business which could get ya killed!" Aron did make a valid point, this was not something everyday people did. "Don't throw your life away, it's never worth it half the time, take it from an experienced warrior."

Aron looked at Renee. "Not much point apologizing to her, she won't accept it because she won't believe it is your fault, she is odd that way. Bottom line is you should both wait till she is awake. Specially you kid! I don't want a dead weight slowing me down... this isn't fun and games." Aron turned away and went up the stairs to check on Alexis. "Damn, these people are all freaks, that kid doesn't have a clue what dangers are going on, cares more about Alexis, and that girl thinks that this is all her fault when Alexis is just going to blame herself..." Aron stopped for a moment and punched the wall to his right with his left hand causing a rather loud thud and crack. "Jackass, If I ever meet this guy she sees I will personally kick his a**!" Shaking his hand and shrugging off the pain he unlocked the door and carefully peered in. "You awake? Wha? Alexis?" Her bed was empty and just as he was about to panic he looked to his left and came face to face with Alexis who was standing near the door. "Whoa!" Aron nearly jumped out of his skin as he stumbled backwards into the wall behind him. "God damn it girl, don't do that!"

Alexis, although still looking weak, pale as a ghost, she smiled brightly and laughed a little. "Sorry Sir Aron, I was pacing around when you came in... " Alexis didn't mean to scare Aron, she felt rather bad and went to help him up. "I am sorry"

Aron grumbled. "I am fine.... j.. just don't let it happen again ok." Aron said trying to keep a cool face. "This girl really is some kind of demon, standing after going through that, I put her in there only a little while ago..." Aron thought to himself. "You shouldn't always push yourself, it's not healthy.... Jade is downstairs with another woman.... she says she wants to apologize for causing this mess, seems she was the one who ended up with the crystal...."

"It is not her fault, it is mine, I was unable to find it fast enough and prevent this from happening, I know where we must go next, Dryter said that we must depart for the Herban Empire, I will talk to them both." Alexis said without thinking to much about the situation and started down the stairs.

Nursing his back a little, Aron shook his head. "Damn girl, I knew she'd do this!" He followed after her, she really was going to get him killed!

Alexis carefully made it down the stairs and onto the landing. She saw Jade and the woman Aron was talking about. "Hello again sir Jade, and madam." Alexis bowed. Given her pale appearance, it was amazing she didn't fall over and pass out on the spot. Aron came down behind her and went back to leaning on the wall. "I am sorry.... I have caused so much trouble for you Sir Jade, I am so useless...." Alexis said as she was literally abusing herself with her own harsh words. "Aron said you were the cause of this... but you should know it is my fault and Sir Jade, I don't want you getting hurt all because of me..." It was a wonder if she was ever going to stop. She went on almost saying the same stuff over again, not letting Jade or Renee get a word in edge wise until Aron got up and put a hand on Alexis' head to get her to stop for a moment.

"Calm down Alexis, you can't talk to someone if you keep going on about the same stuff, let them talk to you first!" Aron although trying to sound nice was in his mind anoyed. "Doesn't she ever shut up! God she is talkative! It's far worse today then it has been!" He thought to himself.

Alexis suddenly froze and went bright red. "Sorry..." She squeeked a little. She felt really bad now, she had been blabbering and not thinking about anyone else, her biggest flaw, althought she thought it was because she never thought of anyone else enough, it was in fact the other way around, she never thought about herself enough. She always beat herself, and punished herself when it wasn't her fault. She bowed and sobbed a little. "Please forgive my rudeness, I did not mean to be so rude, I am sorry!" There she goes again, a broken record of I'm sorry, I'm sorry over and over again. This girl was so timid, yet given what she did, and probably could do, it was a dangerous combination to say the least.

Jade knew that he wasn't exactly eavesdropping considering he was standing in plain sight the entire time. Maybe wording it the way he didn't wasn't the best. Either way, he knew the dangers of what he was wanting to do. It would be very tough to just stay alive let alone help Alexis with what she needed to do. Even though Aron was saying such things, it sure let him see where he stood on the idea of him coming along. Jade knew all of what Aron was saying already but, throwing away his life wasn't something he planned on doing. In order to save people, obviously the path would be long and dangerous.

He looked up as he saw Alexis make her way down the stairs and come to a stop nearby. She went into a really talkative mood which really wasn't all that bad to him. Sometimes he did the same thing and talked a whole lot without letting anyone else speak. "Don't worry about it Alexis, things have been a little hectic lately. Anyways, I don't think that you're useless, not with that kind of power to defeat that demon. Also, I'm rather resilient, I wouldn't let myself get hurt, and really, it wouldn't be getting hurt all for you, I'd do it to help save all the people that are potentially in danger as well." Jade smiled a bit hoping that she would see that he just wanted to save others from such a terrible fate.

"Anyways, before you came down here, I was trying to discus something with Aron. I wanted to know his oppinion about what he thought about me joining you in order to help with your mission. He seems to think that I'd be throwing my life away if I did something like that. However, I don't see it the same way, I know that this is quite the serious business. Saving people is also serious business. I can't just sit around and let innocent people die. So, what do you say to my request to join you on your mission as more than just a guide in Cheries."

Draqx had taken the time after the incident to clean up and bandage his wounds. When he had finished with that he walked into the main room of the inn and adjusted the bandage on his head and tried to brush out some wrinkles from his backup labcoat, as there had not been time to hot iron out the fold wrinkles from its storage. Draqx looked around to try and spot anyone that he reconized from the aftermath and decided to get some water instead and listen in. Plus his chest still hurt and he thought taking it easy would be the best choice for the moment.

Aron laughed a little. "Perhaps your right lass.... maybe I do need some air... or..." Aron suddenly turned and drew his blade in the same motion and was quick to have it pointed at Renee's neck. "Perhaps you are just trying to trick me so you can kill her! Most people do, if you are a bounty hunter, then I'm quite sure we're on your list of targets!" Aron was clearly getting emotional. "This girl is killing herself all because that man... that guy Dryter saved her life when she was younger! She says she owes a life debt and that she must repay it, I've already gotten in too deep and I am already mad at myself for accepting payment from her." Aron growled and pulled away his sword. "You wouldn't understand the military code of a mercenary, I am from the Burren Empire, I left because I didn't like what I was going through, regardless of my feelings about my past, I am still bound by my nations codes, to break them would go against everything I stand and believe! We all have a right to make our own choices, once we have made our choice, we must not stray! My choice is that of a mercenary and my choice is to defend this girl with my life."

"This is not a professionals job you know, these things are dangerous, you've seen what they can do! She suffers like this because of the strange powers she controls! I've taken her a few times to have her checked out, no magics work on her, least not normal magics, as far as I have seen...." Aron still holding his sword began to lower it more. "Whats the point in talking to you people, your all crazy, throw your lives away if you want, I don't give a damn anymore!" Aron put his sword away and turned for the stairs. "I'm going to be in a room, Don't bother me! Knowing her, she will let you come along if you want, I'm just a mercenary, she's the patron I do as she asks!" Aron stormed up the stairs and it was but a few moments with a loud thud echoed through the in, the sound of a door slamming.

Inside of the room, or rather through the whole inn the sounds of yelling and thumbs of something were going on. Aron clearly had a temper on him. Least he was taking it out on inanimate objects then on people. Although given what just happened it was a wonder.

While Aron brooded and let out his anger, and Alexis for once in a blue moon peacefully got rest even with the noise. At the castle in Dea a large number of wounded soldiers and other people were gathered in the main chambers talking to the regent of Dea Count Ferradle. "My lord regent, we do not lie of what we speak! There is a dark magic user inside the city! It defeated the beast which attacked.... we do not know where the user went...."

Ferrable pulled on his beard a little. He was a tall proud man of 6'0 and probably in his late 40's, early 50's. He had pepper hair and beard, his eyes were brown and he usually wore a simple robe of black and had a longsword at his left hip. He sat in his thrown with a soldier on each side, his mistress was in her chambers at this time. "These are dark words in deed, dark users here in Cheries, Aulster was being dreadfully serious when they sent that messenger to us I prayed that they were wrong. Get these men to the priests and have them treated, Gerard, I want you to gather up men, double the guards, and search the city! I want no one leaving until we have captured and executed this monster!"

A tall, young man brought his left arm to his breast and bowed in response. "By your will my lord!" Gerard wasw 5'10 and had short blonde hair and green eyes. Encased in a Cheries breastplate and wearing leg and arm protection plates, a longsword to his right hip. He was in charge of most of the guard in Dea. At 27, he was a lucky man, he was a good fighter although he was a bit cocky. He knew from the stories his parents had told him that dark magic was not to be messed with. Although killing the user may prove difficult, it had to be done, or they might all die! He would not fail. "You come with me, send messages to the guard and form up for house to house search!" It would take a while to get everything prepared, but if they got the gates and the wall guards first, they might catch the person before they left.