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 Posted: Sat Jun 21, 2008 10:10 am
The sun had yet to come up. Sarah Tanith had walked far to get here. She had collected all other bounties and had heard of one up at the castle. Days back, her horse had been killed in an ambush. After finding and killing them, she thought about what to do about the body of Polyxena, her horse. She found she had no choice but to cut her up for meat.
"I'm sorry, my friend. You will be dearly missed."
She kissed the forehead of her trusted steed before going to work. Much meat was taken off the body and Sarah camped there for the night.
Before the sun had even thought about rising, she continued on her way.
Now, she stood before the castle gates. It was a great sight to behold. The Brown Coat banged on the door 5 times with the hilt of her machete. She re-strapped it to her belt and waited.
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Posted: Sat Jun 21, 2008 10:20 am
Again, it had been the start to another day. Another long, tiring and probably stress filled day as always. Black wouldn't have been surprised if Alastor showed up again or someone else attacked the castle since it seemed like everyone hated them. As he headed out into the city, he was lost too much in thought to hear the knock as he just passed through. On his way out however, he did notice the young woman standing there.
"May I ask what you're doing here? If you're looking for the Queen I believe you'll find her... busy. Is there anything I can do for you?"
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Posted: Sat Jun 21, 2008 11:19 am
She eyed the man in front of her cautiously.
"I've heard in my travels that there is a bounty to be found. Didn't give any details, just said to come here."
Sarah shifted her stance as if expecting an attack. The bounty hunter found she could never be too careful these days. Not a lot of people like the idea of being hunted.
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Posted: Sat Jun 21, 2008 11:28 am
"Well, I can't tell you anything then. I doubt Katherine would put a bounty on something rather then send out one of her officers to do it. If it's what I'm thinking of, then you're quite a bit late and it has been taken care of." He informed her before moving forward. "Meanwhile, I'm heading out to the forest to gather some ingredients for my alchemy. I would be glad if I could have some protection from bandits if you're interested."
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Posted: Sat Jun 21, 2008 11:31 am
"I only offer protection to those that can pay for it."
Sarah turned her eyes away from him.
"These are hard times and if you don't have the money to live in them, well..." She trailed off. "Then you might as well not even be alive." Her hand fell to her belt, gripping the hilt of the machete.
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Posted: Sat Jun 21, 2008 11:39 am
Moving some of his coat away revealed a nice pouch full of gold. He only looked at her and grinned. "I wouldn't dare dream of asking for help without it." He said, also revealing on the other side a nicely decorated sheath. "Just in case." He told her before moving forward. "Care to tell me the name of the young woman, such as yourself,. I will be hiring?"
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Posted: Sat Jun 21, 2008 11:46 am
She smiled and bowed her head.
"Sarah Tanith, at your service," the bounty hunter replied. Out of habit, she did not release her weapon from her grip. Her other weapons were hidden inside her long, brown coat. "You may pay me after we get back." Her eyes ran over his body, looking at little details that might be important. "I don't want you to think that I'll just take the money and leave you to die. Spent too long getting up a good reputation to do a thing like that."
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Posted: Sat Jun 21, 2008 11:57 am
"Of course, if I fall in the forest then I shouldn't bother to be saved." He told her, leading her through the city now. Though he was interested. "Tell me a little about yourself Sarah. For starters, I am Black, I lead the Medical Wing to the castle and I am the Queen's adviser. Though I don't only want a job title. Tell me something a little... interesting about yourself." He said as they moved through the city. They were getting closer to the city gates.
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Posted: Sat Jun 21, 2008 12:08 pm
"Interesting about myself? How bout...My parents were murdered before my eyes when I was a little girl. Met the man that killed the murderers and trained with him to be a bounty hunter until I was 16. Fought in a rebel army until a year ago. Spent the rest of this time collecting bounties."
Sarah sniffed the air. It was heavier than what she was used to. Her boots against the ground also made a very sound. She felt safe enough, however, to relax a little, to let her guard down. A mistake given her profession, but she was comfortable enough to get a little cocky.
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Posted: Sat Jun 21, 2008 12:13 pm
"I never even knew my parents. I woke up in a pile of rubble when I was 7 years old. A regiment of guards found me. The king took pity upon me and brought me into court, adopting me. From there I studied magic and here we are now. Long story short, this place is more dangerous then it looks." Black told her as they started passing through the city gates on the trail into the forest. Though there was a quicker path that lead them in. There wasn't any thick brush, he had carved his own path through.
"Tell me Sarah, are you trained in wilderness survival?" He asked with a laugh. "Cause we might get lost."
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Posted: Sat Jun 21, 2008 12:19 pm
Sarah threw her head back and laughed.
"Survival? I know survival. Bush is the best place to get lost, easier to find food there. Water is an ok place to be lost, not for too long, though. You get tired real fast when you're stuck in the water." She caught herself rambling. "Pardon me. It's been a while since I've talked to anyone but myself. I'd talk to my horse, but she was killed a few days ago."
The trees looked different than what she remembered. Was everything different from this side of the castle?
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Posted: Sat Jun 21, 2008 12:28 pm
"Very well then. I haven't been stranded out at sea before though, so I wouldn't know. Either way, we should be heading a little deeper now." Black said, leading them further in. "Looks like we both have something in common Sarah. We were both left as orphans at a young age. At least your life up until now has been more... interesting. Nothing around here happens but tragedy, so I wouldn't stick around too long."
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Posted: Sat Jun 21, 2008 12:49 pm
"What isn't tragedy these days, m'Lord?"
A heavy weight seemed to be pressing down on her. The forest really did feel different going through it from the castle side. That may only have been so because she was an outsider, but still. Something didn't feel right.
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Posted: Sat Jun 21, 2008 3:14 pm
"No need to call me 'Lord'. I hate the title. Just call me by my name." Black told her as they moved further in. There was a bit of scurrying back forth around them, probably just animals following them, right? Nothing really to worry about. "Wow, it's like someone got here and gathered it all before me. That's extremely odd." He said to her.
An arrow whizzed by Sarah's ear, striking a tree off to the size. However, Black was still preoccupied studying the tracks made by whoever made off with his herbs.
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Posted: Sat Jun 21, 2008 3:19 pm
The whistle of the arrow took her by surprise. From inside her long coat, she pulled a small crossbow, loaded it, and aimed. Sarah didn't dare fire as she knew not where the attacker was.
"M'Lord," she whispered harshly to him. "I fear we are not alone. For your safety, it might be best if we went back."
She kept close to him. Protection of him was her goal now. At first, she thought that they would be alright. It seemed safe enough. But now she realized how unfamiliar this place was. Her enemy had her at a disadvantage and she was sure that he knew it.
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