Welcome to Gaia! ::

Aliana watched Darius march off. It was like he was a soldier again. She felt somewhat bad for him. Watching after her and the others must have been stressful, and he was always on edge. To some extent, she wished that he'd relax a bit more, perhaps sit down for a damn minute and let Jacob take care of his numerous cuts and bruises. The thought occurred to her to try to stop him and convince him to first get some medical treatment, but she figured he would laugh in her face and push her away. She sighed and shrugged, moving over to her bag and lifting it onto her shoulder.

In the moment before she moved to follow Darius, she stopped and looked down at the new dagger in her hand. When she had picked it up, the bandit boy had said something, but she hadn't listened too closely, assuming he was talking to someone else. "If you wan' to learn to use that...I'll teach ya..." She almost slapped her palm to her forehead, but stopped herself when the knife was a few inches from her face. She'd have to figure out somewhere to put it eventually instead of just carrying it around.... That was not what she should be most concerned about at the moment though.

She looked at the others. "I, ah, have something... See you all in Barro! Bye, for now." With that, she turned and dashed after Sebastian and Ragni. Although her bag was heavy and she was thin, it did not slow her down too terribly much. She reached the two in only a couple of moments, as they had stopped not too far from the camp. She slowed down and approached lightly, cautiously, and quietly. It seemed there was a bit of tension in the air, and she hoped she was not interrupting something unpleasant. "Ahh..." she murmured meekly, "I hope I'm not intruding. I apologize if I am, but..." She looked at Sebastian and held up the dagger. "I didn't quite realize you were talking to me before, but you said you'd teach me to use this?"

Aliana was hopeful. Sebastian was slender like she was and a bit nicer than Ragnvald. It seemed he may be able to be patient with her lack of physical strength, and if all went well she would be able to learn to defend herself as opposed to running all the time.

Lucrezia was still leaning against a tree as the group began to split up, she said nothing as it all happened, she was having a minor epiphany as Darius spoke to them.

Darius was right, they needed to take care of themselves; Lucrezia realized she had been operating under the hope that the mercs would be with them until the end, and she had been a damn fool for thinking that way. She needed to be stronger, and it meant going her own way, not relying on any man to coddle her. The more she thought of it, the more Lucrezia realized that she had been hiding behind men her whole life, believing herself weaker because of her sex; but Lucrezia had fought off and killed a man, she wouldn't be dominated again.

Lucrezia smirked and strode forward, grabbing some arrows from the pile of loot. She didn't look over at Talia and the two young men; the companionship she had felt recently had gone; despite the fact that she viewed Talia as a friend, maybe the only friend she ever had, Lucrezia wanted to be alone. She walked away but she stopped short and turned around, waving a silent goodbye to Talia, smiling as if to say good luck. Lucrezia never knew what to say to anyone, and goodbyes were no exception.

Lucrezia wasn't a fool, she knew there was a good chance she could die before she made it to Barro, but it was a risk she was willing to take. She had followed the same path as Darius, but he was far ahead of her and she made no attempt to catch up to him; she would go it alone from now on, perhaps until she died.

Lucrezia soon found herself far enough away from the camp. The only sounds she could hear was the rustling of trees, and she felt a calm spreading through her body, it was an odd feeling, being relaxed; but as soon as it happened, the whispers returned, like kisses. It was the same old song and dance, the shadows were always seductive and protective but she wouldn't let them draw her in.

"You don't own me," she said aloud, her voice hard; she hadn't forgotten the momentary hijacking of her body, and the enslavement of her mind in what felt a blackened cage. The whispers became contrite and filled with sorrow, she could feel their touch on her skin, like the softest cloth; they were touching her face and chest and she stopped, paralyzed, as their fingers began to graze the lower parts of her body, getting closer to her private area. Erotic touches had always been something of a horror to Lucrezia, they made her feel powerless and afraid.

"No!" she snarled suddenly, her anger surging forth like a wave, she would not bend again, not to anything or anyone. Her rage was almost suffocating, like it was when she killed the bandit and the touches and whispers stopped, leaving her in stark silence. Lucrezia folded her arms tightly around her chest, and gasped, she had forgotten the pain in her belly. It brought her back to reality, and her rage subsided slowly.

Lucrezia stood as still as a statue for a few moments and then collected herself. She would think of the shadows later, for now she had to get to Barro and plan her next move...

Sebastian smirked as Ragni said his bit about the talkative journey, and then said his terms about the girl. The terms were fine to him, it wouldn't be the first time he'd have to carry anyone if it actually came down to that. He then looked at the girl, he could tell she would be able to keep up. She seemed determined enough.

"Well, ya heard the boss. Gotta keep up. One thing, though. A little lesson before the lesson. Daggers are quick weapons, therefor while fighting with one is good enough, the best way would be to use two. Also, it's not like fightin' with a sword. To use a dagger is to understand that you'll have to trick and deceive your opponent, at least that's how I do it. 'Cause of this you may do things that are seen as "dirty" in a fight, but the most important thing to understand 'bout a fight is that the only objective is to live. There is no rules when it comes to that," he told the girl, his smirk developing into a smile. He never taught anybody anything before, the thought of having a pupil was nice change to him. With that said he turned around to look at Ragni, ready to begin leading the three of them out of the forest.

A day and a half later...

Sebastian was tired by the time they stepped out of the forest, not to tired, but his legs sure were sore. Of course he'd manage, and if he didn't he'd just hide the fact that he was sore. One of the few things he learned from living with bandits was to hide all signs of weakness. From fear to pain and sickness. During the run he taught the girl, but it wasn't much. Basics mostly, things that would keep her from cutting off her fingers, which was a good start. However, there was still more to teach, and now that they were at there destination there was time to do so. All thoughts were washed from his head, though, as he looked upon the city.

It was the first time Sebastian saw the city from outside the forest. Before this moment he would always view it from the edges of the trees, usually sitting upon a branch, mostly ignoring the bandits that watched him. His old boss was always strict about the "once together, always together" rule that that particular group had held. They let no one escape their grasp unless it was through death. Now that he was officially out, he was finally able to take that first step into Barro. The questions that were asked of them at the gate were easy enough to lie about. Sebastian was just a good friend traveling with them. Easy as that. He didn't even have to turn on his charm to get past them, which was different than most of the "guards" of the bandit camp.

As they walked through the city, Sebastian looked around in awe. It wasn't his preferred taste, to open for him. But the buildings. He's seen trees taller than this, but he had never seen a place where people slept that high. It was a mystery to him how it worked, but he didn't ask either of his companions. He didn't feel like being ridiculed or ignored. Another thing he awed at were the people. There were so many of them, and so many with unguarded coin purses. As they walked Sebastian would be sure to "be close" to the people around them. Anyone who seemed to well off, they'd find their purse would be in a hidden pocket of Sebastian's.

It was odd. People here were so careless about their possessions. The bandits would guard any coin they were actually allowed to have with their life. Usually beating, or sometimes killing, anyone who tried to steal it from them. Which was what made Sebastian the thief he is today. He had been caught a few times from the bandits, and he still had some scars on his body from the beatings and cuts he'd receive. These people were far easier to grab from than the bandits.

When they reached the bar, or was it a tavern or inn? Sebastian wasn't good with the names of buildings, and the fact that he could barely read didn't help. Anyways, when they reached the bar Sebastian had three large purses in his hidden pocket located inside his shirt. They weren't the heaviest in existence, but they should be enough for some things. He didn't entirely know, though, seeing as he never really "shopped" in his life. Only stole. Only thing the bandits bargained, and only rarely, was the ol' "Your coin or your life" routine.

As Ragni paid for their rooms and got them their drinks, Sebastian settled in. Listening to the people around him. It was pleasant talk, not the kind he was used to.
"Ta makin' it through the woods," he said before he took the tumblers down, he did them a little slower than Ragni did, but he got them down fine enough, even chased it with some mead. That definitely hit his stomach wrong, but he kept it inside, even as he looked on the table and saw the blood. It was gone the second he blinked though. His third vision since he started this trip. With that he drank more of the mead, and got another tumbler of whiskey. He had a feeling he'd need more to drink.

The walk was rather long and mildly arduous. Darius would have caught up to Ragni and his current crew if only his head hadn’t felt like it was going to split in two about halfway there. The pain came across suddenly, starting in in his forehead, it felt like a beesting on his brain. He tried to ignore it, knowing that it was just a part of his momentary madness, knowing that if he could just get into town and wrap his arms around a nice soft wench and gulp down a good barrel or so of ale he would be fine. Then the pain started to grow, arcing back along his skull, and down his neck. Pounding with every step he realized that he was no longer walking in a straight line, that every step was a stumble along the road. He passed a caravan that all laughed at him gleefully, thinking he was just some drunken wanderer lost in the woods. He scowled at them, and swore he could feel his brain bleeding. When they were out of sight he decided that it was time to take a break and see if the pain subsided. It was getting dark anyway. He wanted to find himself a comfortable spot between some roots, but now his mind really did feel intoxicated and he just plopped down next to a tree, not sure if he was comfortable. He crossed his legs and set his blades down in front of him, then closed his eyes.

The pain was so overwhelming that all sounds from outside his head were not heard. All he could sense was the pain and his heart beating the blood through his body. He started drawing his breaths in slower and deeper. Letting the cold air fill his lungs, and chill his whole body. He let one hand fall beside him, and took his sword hand and put it to his forehead, the focal point of all the pain. He ran his fingers over the spot, it was tender to the touch and he couldn’t help but wonder if the tenderness was an extension of thought.

“Subside you c**t whoreson b***h!” he grumbled at the pain.

The pain refused to acknowledge his command. He sat, and continued breathing. He began trying to race through his mind, trying to find anything that he could think of that would cause such pain. Then began to wonder what had caused all of his problems lately. He was not a religious man. He did not believe there were god architects who constructed his life before he got there. He did not know why and began to wonder what made his beliefs, then began to wonder what made him who he was. Then fell into a lapse of what was anything at all. He thought about the universe, how could it have began. There were men who devoted their lives to gods built out of the words of other men, not out of historical fact, there were men who cast aside the idea of gods and said that there will come an age where everything will be understood. Then there are those who just don’t care. Darius did care, but he did not know any answers, and this in turn scared him. He thought of a story he had heard a long time ago of a wanderer who met death along the road a story told by a mercenary just visiting the country where Darius was born. A story that had helped shape Darius‘s entire outlook on life. Death had told the wanderer that his time had come. The wanderer laughed at the man before him and told him that death could have him only if he could catch him. The wandered ran through the woods, knowing every trail he moved with excellent speed. He heard the shouts of death behind him, and the wanderer just laughed knowing that he was getting away, that he was going to escape death. That was when he tripped over a tree that had freshly fallen across the trail, he went down and his skull was crushed against a rock. As death was dragging him to the next world the man asked death “Why didn’t you tell me that would happen?” death merely smirked. Then the man lamented “But there is so much more to know!” and death just kept on dragging.

The story had always flowed through Darius’s subconscious. To him it had always been a simple lesson, you cannot escape death. Now he was feeling the man’s other lamentation. There was so much more to know about life, and Darius lead a life that handed every man to the grip of death. How could he expect to live long enough to find all of his answers in so little time? His luck would run out eventually, especially if this pain kept popping back up. He drew in another deep breath then heard a loud thump. He opened his eyes and glanced around at his surroundings. The night had crept up on him, he thought he must have dosed off. He realized that the pain had completely subsided. Now it was replaced with a feeling of dreamlike quality. The world did not seem real, and the night had grown too silent. There were no chirping grasshoppers, there were nothing. Darius grabbed his swords and shield and made his way in the darkness to the road. He took a few steps then heard a sound like someone sharpening a long blade, only much louder, a ringing hiss. He looked off into the darkness beside the road, and saw two huge eyes staring back at him. The eyes shown a brilliant redish-yellow glow of the darkness, and stood taller than Darius. He felt his body lock up with fear at the gaze before him. The thing moved foreward with feline grace and it’s body shone out in the moonlight. Scale, horn, tooth, claw and wings. Darius shouted in horror. The thing was just bigger than a horse, it’s eyes snakelike making it impossible to look away. It reared up on its muscular legs and let out a roar that smelled like rotting flesh. The creature fell onto all fours again and ran at him. The excessive movement made Darius leap into action and dive out of the way. The creature skid along the walkway as it tried to correct itself and turn around. Darius bolted down the road as fast as his legs could carry him away from the hissing monstrosity. He laughed as a thought passed through his mind thanking the fates that he hadn’t pissed himself, then considered that it really didn’t matter. He heard a rush of wind and the flapping of massive wings behind him. Obscenities flew from his mouth with excessive fervor. I feel like I am prey, he thought, then <******** that! I am prey!

There was a sudden intake of air and then the world was suddenly bright. Darius glanced over his shoulder and felt his eyes widen as a stream of liquid flame arched in his direction. He jumped off the trail as the streaming inferno collided with the ground behind him and engulfed a tree. Darius darted through the woods. The thought of the wanderer tripping over the fallen tree ever present in his mind. This beast would not be his death he swore to himself. Even though his side ached with the exertion. He dared not stop not for anything…..

Some time later.

The rolling hills gave way onto the valley that the city of Barro had sprouted itself upon several centuries ago. The main city was nice and walled, the outlying farms stretched out to the mountains in the west. Darius choked back a laugh, letting his breath catch up with his aching body. It was CIVILIZATION! He started limping his way down the road to the city. He was all ready to tell the gate guard that he encountered something in the woods and travelers should be warned, when he saw the destruction. Buildings were burnt to the ground, others were knocked to pieces. Even sections of the wall were broken down. The realization that should have come already suddenly popped into Darius’s head. These were the beasts that killed worm catcher Eddie. His vision was real, it was not a hallucination. This realization hit him pretty hard and he almost buckled from all his aches from sprinting from so long. He knew the origin of the monsters. Never the less he thought he should ask someone what they knew. He made his way over to the gate guard and after answering the obvious questions he inquired to what had happened to the city. The guard looked at him dolefully with tired eyes. Eyes that had not rested in days.
“It was terrible!”……….

A few minutes later.

Darius came to the alley that lead to the Hanged Dog. The men standing out as bouncers held up a hand to him telling him that he had better not cause any trouble.

“There will be no trouble from me, Today is a joyous day!”

The men merely shook their heads at him. He walked to the wooden door and swung it outward, the place was rather full. People probably needing a place to stay in the wake of the destruction and the less seedy establishments full already. Darius made his way to the counter and asked for a mighty flagon of ale. Then glanced around the room and spotted a cute little serving wench with blonde hair and soft pale skin. He wandered over to her and grabbed her and slung her over his shoulder at first she shouted in protest, then when she saw who he was simply laughed.
“Hello, Darius, it’s been a while!” she said.
“Aye, Iris it has, and I just couldn’t keep myself away.” Darius grunted.
He made his way to where Ragni and his traveling companions sat. Took a big gulp of his ale then pulled a piece of paper out of his pocket and slammed it down onto the table. In big bold letters it proclaimed “ATTENTION WARRIORS. WANTED DRAGON HEADS. 10,000 GOLD A HEAD FROM THE ALLIANCE OF SICA VINUS” on the bottom of the writing was the Sica Vinus Seal.
“We are going to be rich my friend. I will talk to you about it in a few hours. The night it still young and I have business to attend to!”
Iris giggled as Darius made his way to the stairs and wandered up them, gulping ale as he went.

Talia watched with irritation, as Darius ignored her and kept on marching.
His simple act made her blood boil. "How dare he ignore me, when i wish to only help him!"

Shaking her head and only giving his back a slight glare, she turned towards the others only to see Aliana rushing off to meet up with Ragni and that bandit.

"A..ALIANA!" Talia tried to call to her to make her reconsider, but it was too late the girl had dashed off like the wind!

"If i didn't know any better id say she looked like a bird about to fly..."
Talia shook her head in mild exasperation and was about to walk over to Tamaro and Jacob when she saw a dark figure walking off to the edge of the trees.
Talias eyes widened as she saw the glimpse of shadows around Lu and shook her head violently as if willing the images away.

"Damn it all...i am going mad i say!!!"
The silvery blond dared to look at Lu again and saw nothing, Her heart then settled.

"Where...is she going?" Talia asked herself as Lu just gave her a smile.
She was about to stop the raven haired woman, but then again she understood that in these circumstances people needed their space.
"Be safe by the moonlight Lu"

She whispered these words to the woman as she stepped into the darkness of the forest, something in Talias heart clenched at the knowing of the dangers Lu could face.

Yet in the end, everyone had their choices.

The silver haired woman let out a huge sigh and turned to watch Knox's worried look and Tamaro and jacob side by side.
She then walked to Knox and placed a hand on his shoulder.

"I find it hard to believe, you have not run after Aliana...but it is of no matter, she is with Ragnvald...Unless you wish to abandon us eh?" Talia gave the boy a questioning look before chuckling and shaking her head.
"Should you run after her...do it now before their too far away....should you stay, i shall ask a favor"

A grin spreed across her lips.
"Follow that foolish b*****d of a merc...i am up for no running and out of all of us you are the fastest...i don't wish for him to faint and get buried in snow"

Talia knew this statement could be disputed between tamaro and him, since Tamaro was actually really fast.

Yet she had noticed the boy grow attached to Darius, and although this caused her worry, Talia knew it would be better for the boy to enjoy momments like these.

Without letting Knox answer, Talia turned to watch Tamaro and Jacob.
"Hmm, i don't remember if i introduced you guys..but Tamaro, this is jacob! Talia gestured towards the youth and smiled not knowing they had figured things out.

"He is the doctors son and my savior twice by his medical expertise!"
She laughed and turned to the other.

"And Jacob, this is Tamaro...A childhood friend, he is a mute..though it was not like this till a few years ago..." Talia smiled at Tamaro.
"Right Taro?" She chuckled as she used the name she used to call him as children and then sighed.

"We should all get going no?..I don't want that merc getting too far ahead since my sense of direction is very..well lost!"

The silver haired woman turned towards the direction Darius had left, and called out too what was left of her group.

"You guys better not leave me!, for if you do and i die!..well my death will be on your heads!"

Talia walked at a very manageable pace, not too fast yet not too slow.
She never really lost sight of Darius for too long as their journey went on.

It took her at least half a day more than Darius to get to the city of Barro.
A squeal of joy slipped passed her lips, as she jumped around.
"I HAVE MADE IT! I'm in this God dammed city and I'm ALIVE!!!"

She had fits of giggles as a feeling of empowerment overcame her, She then turned to watch the others from the expedition and grinned.
"WE HAVE MADE IT!!!"

Talia felt her wound a tad sore, but it was no matter, She would have Jacob dress it for her with new bandages and physics.
Her mind then wandered to the others not with her.
"I hope Lu and Aliana are fine..."

She closed her eyes for a second, giving God a silent prayer, opening them and feeling slightly sad in her moment of joy, as she remembered the friends lost in the attack.

"Child..do not feel sadness for the fallen, for all in life dies. Feel joy for the power and will you have obtained in this journey...and live"

Talia closed her eyes as she felt warm hands touch her body, a tremble escaping her limbs before she opened her deep pools they call eyes.

"HURRY UP!" She called to her companions.
"We need to meet up with the others at the hanged dog!...Hurry i wish to take a bath and eat! don't you?"

The womans never ending smile shone bright as she turned and kept on walking into the city, marvelling at the structures and the people, only thoughts in her head were of, food a bath and how she "lived"

The city opened up before Jacob and those whom had entered the city with him. Details popped out, making themselves prevalent to him. The sharp angles of the structures jutting out against the horizon. Sounds of melodies and speech intertwined, floating like leaves on a gentle breeze. Light from the windows of taverns and shops cascading against his moving feet. He tried to take everything in as they made their way to the 'Hanged Dog,' as Talia had instructed. As he had never been to this city, he had no clue where this place might be and he didn't know if anyone else did either. Jacob spotted a nice looking gentleman and approached him seeking directions. The man gave Jacob a once over and cocked his eyebrow.
When the man didn't answer right away Jacob tried again, "Sir? Do you know where the Hanged Dog is?"

The man made a strange coughing sound and pointed out which way to go as well as the following twists and turns he should make. Jacob nodded in thanks, pushed his hands into his pockets and moved down the street with the gentleman's directions in his mind. The snow was soft and crunched underneath his feet, behind him were footprints but they were quickly muddled by other foot traffic. Every so often Jacob would turn to make sure that anyone who had chosen to join him was still there.

It wasn't long before he saw the sign swinging with a rhythmatic squeaking. He silently agreed with Talia; he was hungry and filthy and needed to tend to both. He pushed the door in slowly and the noise from inside wrapped him in a warm blanket dragging him in. He felt a bit nervous, looking around trying to find a familiar face, and at first glance finding none. Maybe he had walked into the wrong place all together; he leaned back to look at the sign once more, sure enough it still read 'The Hanged Dog.'

This time he stepped all of the way in, letting the door close behind him. Jacob searched more intently; watching a man obviously filled with alcohol drape his arm around a beautiful lass, no one he knew. Next he spotted a women who seemed to be working, moving quickly between tables and answering harsh commands. He followed her motion and that's when his eyes fell on three, sitting at the table towards the back.

There were many people standing and guzzling, he squeezed through were ever he spotted a gap and finally made it to the others. He lifted his hand in hello. "It's good to see you all again." Feeling a bit awkward he sat in an empty chair.

Despite the introduction already having come, following much delay, Tamaro acted as if this were his first introduction to Jacob and bowed amusedly for Talia's sake. He too smiled a broad, toothy grin when Talia referred to him as "Taro". He hadn't heard this name in many, many years and was actually quite surprised she remembered it at all.

Though he might have been able to go a little faster, Tamaro kept with the pace of the others and stayed near them. He jumped at most noises, and sometimes even found that the clash of metal he'd heard nearby was the blades at his waist banging together. Toward the end of the journey he also thought he heard something strange. He could almost hear footsteps in the distance, heavy breathing, and growls as of some wild animal. He put these things out of his mind though as, if there were something out there and it was not just his imagination, it was far enough away to pose no immediate threat, and so there was no need to alarm the others.

He smelled the smoke before he saw it, emerging from the trees and seeing the city below and the plumes rising over it. It was a startling sight, but only because Tamaro imagined it was more bandits that had come and ransacked the town. He never would have guessed what the real culprit was.

Tamaro was glad for Jacob being there, as he probably wouldn't have been able to get into the city without Jacob doing the talking. Tamaro followed him through the streets along the path the gentleman had outlined but was stopped at the door as the bouncers looked him over. A few weapons was one thing for a soldier, but Tamaro still had a small armory carried openly on his person, and for this reason they would not allow him enty. If he stood at his full height, though, he could just see the others. He offered a wave, then departed to find his own way to a merchant who dealt in arms.

Tamaro returned with barely half what the lot was worth, a curse of his non-speech, but he showed no sign of grief as he was finally able to enter unmolested and make his way to that back table.