Welcome to Gaia! ::

Luke followed the trail of alleys back and back, following the steps to an old rhyme he'd created, securing Il Roche's hiding place. "Right, right, left, right, two more, six."

He looked up at the soot-stained entrance to the smithy and smiled faintly. "Oy, Rinaldi! I can't be waiting here all day! I've got my own matters to attend to!"

A few floorboards squeaked inside the house, and then an enormous man filled the doorway and glowered down at him. "You make so much noise, small Lucas. Amazing to me that you bellow so loudly for one so small."

His face broke into a more cheerful smile, then hardened back into it's familiar pose. "Come in, quickly. We have much to talk about now. Things are moving once more, yes? Even you know this."

Luke looked at him sideways.

"You know what I mean, boy. Sit down, now, sit!" Rinaldi himself flattened onto a nearby stool and brought it up toward the table. "Much has been happening, yes? The queen, the prince, the princess. Many things, many things."

Luke watched him evenly, and he broke into a smile. "But of course, you DO know this. Good. Your eyes and ears must be getting better, yes? What a good boy you are. We must drink, yes, it will help the news."

"No, I shouldn't," the boy waved a hand feebly.

"Drink with me," he repeated, bringing out a bottle of grappa and a pair of cleanish mugs.

"All right."

The day went on, the two drank and talked of many things, and the sun went along its way, ignorant of the masses below.

Dusk entered the merchants quarters looking for new mugs for the tavern, as well as some possible new silverware. Of course silver isn't cheap. So she immediately headed towards the shadiest vendor she knew of. He greated her and she told him what she needed. And in a matter of minutes she was again wandering around with her check list all filled out. But she didn't want to leave yet. There was too much to do, so little time. The air was electric with the incoming anticipation.

As he left the tavern Vabe looked for a place to obtain information about this city. He spotted a sign for the Merchant's Corner.
Well gotta be someone there who knows about this city
Much to his dismay, all that was in the merchant's corner were rows of merchants beckoning him to their shops. Vabe ignored these merchants and walked down the street. As he walked the street began to become narrower and shadier.
This was the type of place where bandits lingered. Rave began to become aware of his surroundings. he heard a curtain blow in the building on the right, a dog barked on the left. Vabe kept walking. He realized he may have come too far. He wasn't in his normal armor. No those were all in his Backpack. he did have his weapons, of course no one could tell.
He wasn't sure where he was he thought he was walking back the way he came. However, the father he walked the more he was sure he was lost.
Great, just great. I'm lost in an unfamiliar city and by the looks of it the poverty stricken quarter
He felt his inner demon starting to emerge. It began to tsl to vabe. well it was more of an uncontrollable thought exchange.
Well, well, look at you. Can't even find your way out of a little street. Some great assassin you are. the Demon's voice echoed in his head.
"Shut up you" Vabe said aloud
Why don't you let me take over kid, I bet I can get us out of here in about three seconds the demon said with a little chuckle.
"No not here I don't need attention drawn to myself. I can get out of here, just you watch."
whatever kid the demon sighed.
Vabe backtracked he wasn't sure where he had gone wrong. He hoped to find someone soon or else he would have to show his true self and risk becoming a target.

Vabe slowly but surely found his way back to the main street. however he noticed a new merchant had set up shop. He dicided that scine she was not shouting at him to look at her shop that he would try and ask her about the city.
Vabe aproached the merchant and asked "Where am I? What is this city?"

Vabe bobbed his head in understanding.
"The capital..." Vabe trailed off "Well at least I know where I am" Vabe chuckled. He was surprised that the merchant had told him his answer so soon. He expected that she wouldn't even give him the time without buying something first.
Vabe decided to try his luck again with another question.
"Ma'am I feel foolish asking but....would you happen to know the way out of here? You see I believe I traveled a little too far into this unfamiliar city and now I'm a little lost" He heard a little snicker in his mind and murmered under his breath " Be quiet you"

"Thank you very much" Vabe said, heading off to following the directions he had just received.
He walked quickly he had much to think about. For starters he had to know how long he was going to stay here and secondly if he was he needed to find away to get some money. He headed back to the tavern to book a room.

A few hours later, Tyane wrapped up her business for the day. A glance at the sky told her it would be dark soon. I'd better get back to my room soon. I don't want to be around when it gets dark. Slinging her pack onto her shoulder, she headed for the room she was renting, Siena close behind.