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 Posted: Tue Apr 30, 2013 8:11 pm
 Higher Sword pushed into the tavern door. He made no eye contact except a quick smirk at one of the bar mares. He took an empty table, his armor clanking as he sat on his haunches, ordering a mug of their cheapest apple cider. He was growing impatient, though. His client said she'd meet him here in her letter. When his ale arrived and she still had not, he was starting to wonder if this was trickery, a trap set the guards. His hooves were not very clean in this line of work. He was almost ready to get up when the door opened and a mare's visage appeared. He gave her a hard glance, a burlap hood drawn up over his head.
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Posted: Tue Apr 30, 2013 8:27 pm
 Due North did not take the same precautions as her soon to be employee did. The young mapmaker didn't see any reason to do so. She was young and perhaps still a bit naive, throwing caution to the wind in the face of adventure. She loved making maps, it was her passion, and she loved travelling just as much. She always went with her father, though, and this was the first time the young mare was going to be heading out on her own.
Due North was young, naive, and hardheaded, but she wasn't stupid. She knew going on her own was a folly in and of itself, but she wasn't sure who to take along, who she could trust. In the end, she began quietly asking around Canterlot and many of the smaller surrounding townships. The name she heard most often was "Higher Sword," so it was he that she arranged to meet with. The young earth pony assumed the stallion in the burlap hood must have been her soon to be guardian and made her way towards his table in the Laughing Crow. She'd never attended the tavern before, but that was fine. It had been his request, so there they were.
"Pardon my tardiness, sir. I'm afraid my carriage got caught up in a bit of mess - a bit of a collision ahead of us with a pair of unfortunate souls. I hope you haven't been waiting long?"
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Posted: Tue Apr 30, 2013 8:38 pm
Higher Sword gave her a small snort and gauged her with his eyes for a long moment. "Its not important anymore." He took a swig of his ale. Then, holding her in his deep purple gaze, he began to speak. His voice was soft and hollow but he spoke rather fast.
"I do not care where we are going, what stops we make or what route we take. I charge twenty bits a day. I am only an escort and I will not gather food, scout locations or remove obstacles. I do not enjoy singsongs or extensive conversation. I do not fight dragons or other large beasts but promise protection from bandits, other outlaws and wild animals." He did not change his grim facial expression as he spoke. "You may only hire me for 100 days at a time and I demand my payment upfront." He took another sip of his ale. "I am not accountable for stupidity or accidents, nor do I cover toll fees."
He took a final chug of cider. "Other than that, have you any questions?"
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Posted: Tue Apr 30, 2013 8:48 pm
She was a bit taken aback by his gruffness, given she was a bubbly creature by nature and was hoping her companion would be much the same. She had some prior knowledge to what he usually charged from those who reccomended him - one of the bests they had told her and she believed him. His rates sounded about right, though she was loathe to spend quite so much money on hiring a stick in the mud. Awell, maybe it wouldn't be so bad.
"You won't be the only one going - A foresting friend of mine will be attending as well. Your task is to keep us safe, nothing more and nothing less." Young or not, there was a sharpness to her voice that spoke of nobility to some extent and a stubbornness that had gotten her so far in her young life as she was now.
"Now - I have heard quite a good few things about you, sir. You sound like a stallion of your word, but you must understand that I can't possibly entrust my life and my bits to a complete stranger in the hopes that he will do as I say. It is not meant to be an insult, but you must understand precautions. I have half of your payment with me, should you agree to my terms. The other half, plus a bonus, will be given to you upon the safe return of myself and my companion. Should you refuse, I will take my business elsewhere." She knew she drove a hard bargain - but she wasn't asking to pay him any less, so she hoped he would take it. That worry didn't show in her friendly smile as she settled across the table from him, accepting a mug from one of the barmaids.
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Posted: Tue Apr 30, 2013 8:56 pm
"You did not mention two. But that is fair enough. I am usually only used to escorting one at a time, but two will be fine. No more than that, though. Parades of ponies attract the worst kind of attention. Two ponies aren't usually worth a highway robber's time." He blinked slowly at her and some of his harshness seemed to melt.
"That was a test. You're not entirely incompetent, nor are you unfair. You know how to keep two parties at ease. Yes, I will accept your offer." He still did not change his fixed gaze and his eyebrow cocked a bit. "When are we to leave?"
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Posted: Tue Apr 30, 2013 9:27 pm
"He won't be any problem - he can take care of himself and will generally aid us in finding our way and finding food. He's quite used to living out on his own, I assure you. A dear friend of mine, but not one I feel comfortable entrusting my safety to on his own." She seemed to relax now that he was speaking with her and not necessarily at her. It was good to know that he found her competent and there was some pride in her. This was her first venture of this nature and she was glad to know she was handling herself well thus far.
"I am glad to hear it, sir. Should it be alright with you, I'd like to leave first thing in the morning. We'll be headed north by north west, so that I can map out the area - as far as we can press on." Danger or no danger, she wouldn't turn back unless her new guardian forced her to turn back or she ran out of funds.
"We'll be ready with our cart right outside this tavern by first light."
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Posted: Wed May 01, 2013 1:13 am
Higher Sword didn't really care about her companion. As long as he didn't cause trouble or hinder his duty he didn't care if the pony had two heads and nine eyes. "I have a bag packed at all times." He said softly, lifting his cloak's side to show impressive armour and a small satchel.
The hiresword gave a short nod and got to his feet. "Alright then. It is settled. I will expect my payment when we depart." He walked from the table to the door, looking over his shoulder once more and walking outside. He did not go to his lodgings, but settled by the front of the tavern and rested under his cloak on the cobblestone, waiting for first light.
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