Return of The Emblem Chapter One: The Artifact

[Mercakete]

Gytha could tell the girl didn't like the food. "If it's stale, ye shoulda eaten it last night. Still, ye don't have t' starve yerself and ye don't have t' pay me. Must be nice in Kigen. I've only heard of th' place once-in-a-while. An' please, don't call me 'lady.' I understand yer tryn' t' be polite, but ye can speak openly if ye want. Just call me Gytha. An ye can't be too picky with yer food; not with how scarce it might be," Gytha replied before standing up and stretching, then walking over to the door and turning around to face the girl again, "I'm not staying in Sergio fer much longer, even though I only pulled into port yesterday. I'll have to come back and explore again sometime, but I'm helping this lady find her father. He was taken by magic people after th' poor lass was attacked. Not sure where we're goin', but ye can come if ye like. Or, ye can stay here in Sergio and find passage back to Kigen, if anyone's goin that way."

Her smile wasn't as giant as it normally was. It was just a kind, thoughtful smile as she waited for the girl's answer with her hands on her hips. "Though either way, eating everything on yer plate would be a good idea."

[Dark Sage]

As the sun rose over the town, Domovoi awakened, stretching his arms and cursing his forgetting to take off his armor while he was sleeping. Now he was stiff and sore all over.

Grumbling as he rubbed his back as he stood up, Domovoi gently shook Miskavolv who merely gazed at him and snorted, closing his eyes again.

"Miskavolv, get up or I won't get you fish at all for awhile."

Upon this dreaded threat, Miskavolv immediately stood up and charged out of the stables into the streets, frightening a few people.

"Oh goddammit Miskavolv," Domovoi muttered, pulling Miskavolv in, putting his spear on his back.

"No Miskavolv, no. Keep still. We might as well look for our new employer yes?"

Miskavolv snorted, wondering if he'd find the other wyverns he met the previous day.

[Kanami]

Seina frowned as the woman got up, she didn't think she'd spoken out about how she truly felt, but Gytha was apparently more perceptive then she looked... or maybe it was animal instinct? Like a bears instinct maybe? Shaking her head, she had to mentally tell herself to be more careful. If Gytha had some sort of animal instinct which could read her mind, she'd have to be careful. Having been told to drop the *lady* Seina figured it would be safe to drop the formalities, judging from Gytha's attitude and appearance it seemed like formalities and the like weren't going to ever cross-paths with Gytha again.

Seina stared blankly at the sack of gold she offered as it lay on the floor infront of her. Was she finally free? the thought had only crossed her mind when Gytha spoke up from behind her, now standing at the door she started talking, her hopes of escape quickly died.

Seina figured the woman wasn't taking her money because it wasn't enough, and her invitation was another way of her telling her to pay her off her debt by working for Gytha. Closing her eyes in thought, she contemplated her options, if she handed over her bracelet it'd probably be enough, but then she'd have no way of getting home. If she ignored Gytha and tried to go home, her father would probably banish her for being so rude and dishonorable, and there was a chance the ship she boarded wouldn't take her to the right destination. She really didn't look forward to being kidnapped again anytime soon. There was also the footsteps she'd heard yesterday, and waiting around for an invisible enemy didn't sound too appealing either.

Deciding she really didn't have much of a choice, she nodded her head and scampered over to Gytha, "I'll come" she said without joy or resentment. She thought she saw the kitty, Maw? snicker at her out of the corner of her eye. She glared at the cat as it turned away and after it's owner. That kitty was really getting on her nerves.

[Mercakete]

Maw tilted her head at the girl. It was like she thought she was an enemy. Maw didn't particularly care. This human wasn't going to effect her much. So, she turned and bounded out the window: the same entrence she'd used the night before.

"Alright, then," Gytha cheerily accepted as she walked up to the food and water then wolfed it down herself, "If ye won't eat it, I will. But don't expect any food for a while from me." Leaving the plate and cup on the side table, she scooped the girl up and piggybacked her down the hall and stairs and hall again, passing up the innkep and tossing her fee and keys back to him, meeting up with Maw outside. "I don't know when Raquel will be leavn' but I can at least guess where t' meet 'er!" she laughed, only sending the ocean a glance as though to say "I'll miss you" as she sped through the streets with Maw hot on her heels.

She slowed to a stop as she arrived at the carrage again. "So, I guessed right at those turns! Great!" she cheerfully said to herself as she set the girl back down on her own, two feet and Maw sat in the cart's shade, washing her face. "You here fer Raquel, too?" she asked the only other there: a wyvern rider.

OoC: She's asking John.

[Acacia Sgt]

John realized someone else had arrived, and appearantly brought a little girl with her.

''Ah yes.'' He answered. ''I just recently saw her go elsewhere with some others. I'm staying here to guard the wagon.'' At this point he left a small laugh. ''Even though they may not know it. So, you were also hired by her?''

[Mercakete]

"Hired? Not sure I'd say that, though she did mention something about...something..." Gytha replied, trying to remember what it was Raquel said yesterday, "Well... The important thing is t' get her father back. Also thought of a few more things I'd like to see if she has. In the meantime..." Gytha sat down and leaned against the cart, drawing her sword and taking out her polishing rag, sword polish and new whetstone. While she waited, she intended to get ready and that meant sword-sharpening. "If I just missed'er, that means it'll be a while before she comes back. So, I've time to get this done."

[Kanami]

She shook her head as she watched Gytha wolf down her meal, a woman who completely lacked elegance of manners it seemed. Ah well, she at least she wouldn't get in trouble for eating with her hands around Gytha. Though personally Seina was hoping she wouldn't have to stick around for long enough to find out. Either way Gytha had finished her meal and they were off to meet this merchants daughter that had been mentioned

She couldn't help but frown as she was hauled up onto the womans back. She wasn't some little kid that needed to be carried around everywhere.... though having moved around more then she was used to the day before, followed by her wooden bed she honestly didn't feel like walking. She cast the ocean one look, somewhere over that way was her comfy home. But going home would have to wait for now, Seina noticed Gytha looking over as well but decided not to inquire for the moment.

As they arrived, the first thing that caught her attention was the wagon, and after being set down, she couldn't help but groan.

These people again she thought to herself, she hadn't seen Gytha yesterday, but she should have been able to figure it out when Gytha had mentioned the man being abducted.

The second thing she noticed was a large black lizard, she thought she'd seen yesterday, but maybe it was her imagination, some parts of yesterday were awfully blurry. She entertained the thought of Gytha wrestling with it for a few seconds but stopped when her imagination started getting bloody. Intimidated by the scaly beast Seina wandered around to the back of the wagon, she hadn't gotten a chance to see what was inside yesterday and she was curious as to why so many people had been so desperate to protect it. Making sure that Gytha was focused on her sword, she started her investigation.

[ReformBlade]

His walking inevitably took him to the big wagon that his employer was talking to that one girl at. Fate? Destiny? Nah, it was just plain old inevitability that he'd find himself wandering over towards it again. What's this? There is no pink haired lady there! Just a man and a woman... and a wyvern. Clearly an every day occurrence. Either they're here under some orders, they're working for that pink haired chick... or they're just waiting around for her. Well, since they aren't grabbin and a goin with the goods, maybe they're guards? One way to find out, I guess...

"Mornin!" Nanahm yelled out as he approached the wagon, yawning. "You all uh... waiting for that pink haired chick? This is her wagon, right?"

[Acacia Sgt]

John saw another person approaching the wagon. 'Despite saying she lacked the gold, she seemed to have hired most of us from yesterday. She must be desperate then.'

''Yeah, this is the one.'' He answered. ''She went somewhere for the time being. You might as well wait for her to return.''

[Dark Sage]

Wandering a bit, Domovoi and Miskavolv searched for the Raquel, Domovoi swearing and grumbling at how stiff he was.

Upon a bit of walking, he came across an axefighter, a wyvern rider and a woman with a sword.

It appeared to be the people he fought alongside with yesterday.

"Excuse me," he called out. "I'm working for the merchant to whom this wagon belongs with and I was wondering if you knew where she was." He had not heard John's response to a similar question asked before.

[Snowy_One]

Daloth bowed slightly before he went back for the pillow. "Thank you mistress. Your kindness is indeed great." he said simply. Pulling the pillow out, he proceeded to lie down upon it and was soon fast asleep. As his eyes cracked open, he tenderly felt where his fingers were, ensuring that they had not come upon the small child as he slept. Satisfied that he had not made himself into a criminal during the night, he sat upright. "Good morning madame!"

OOC: I'm sorry, both for post shortness and my absence last night. I was watching Deadliest Warrior with my father.

[RPG]

Jeanne couldn't say that she regretted her decision to save money; her pegasus had turned out to be a surprisingly comfortable pillow. Deciding to avoid the inns, she found a tall rooftop with the right shape so that it would be hard to see her up there, and rode Megaera to the top of it. Her pegasus slept standing up, but Megaera's impressive wingspan had given her a soft, feathery wing to lean against as she slept. She'd probably slept a little longer than she should have; peeking over the edge of the roof, there was a fair amount of people hustling about. Jeanne returned to her mount. "Alright girl," she said, stroking Megaera's mane. She hopped atop the pegasus, and rode her down off the rooftop; to the back, where she didn't think anyone could see her. After pulling a decent enough landing, she dismounted. Time to find Veronika, I guess...

---

Still sitting up, Seliah's eyes opened quickly as she was awoken. "Indeed..." she responded to Daloth's cheery greeting. She glanced over to her guards to see that they were awake already. "Now then Daloth," Seliah began, seeing her knights return to their horses, ready to pull the carriage. "You mentioned some intriguing tales last night. Something about guards and a...man without pants I believe," she recalled. "And that tome fascinates me. I've only ever seen fire magic in action, and what a force it is. I'm curious as to the abilities within that ice tome. It seems like there could be a strong power within it." It also looks extremely flammable. Seliah found herself thinking, unaware that she licked her lips as the idea crossed her mind. "Please, go into as much detail as necessary. It's not as if anything interesting happens in this useless land."

[ReformBlade]

Nanahm looked at the newcome- OH WOW! Another wyvern rider! I-I mean, I'm not easily amus- HE'S not easily amused by things at all... *ahem* Lemme restart.

Nanahm looked at the newcomer and gave a curious glance. Another wyvern rider, huh?

"She's gone away for something, friend. What, I don't know, I just got here and I get the feeling they might not know either, though I've been wrong before. Either way, may as well take a breather if needed."

[NTNP]

"Well it seems like your not unemployed anymore, although that girl really doesn't pay very well does she? I suppose its the downside to working for the merchant class... they just know how to get money but never on how to spend it effectively. Oh well, it really shouldn't matter. You should have more than enough to keep yourself well fed and paid for. I suppose this is when we part ways isn't it miss Synthia? In the morning you'll probably be on a boat to somewhere, chasing after what girl's father." Edwin smiled, he had been listening in on everything that had been happening for a while now, and quietly following behind. Some could reasonably blame it on his injuries but he really didn't have much to add before.

[roymbrog]

Her business finished with Raquel, Synthia had started to walk away when she ran into Edwin. What he said kind of made her feel guilty and she really didn’t know how to reply, so she settled for mumbling something along the lines of “oh.. well.. yes, I suppose so.”

That wouldn’t do for a farewell at all, she eventually decided. She sighed, and gave him an honest smile. “It was nice meeting you, regardless of the circumstances, and I hope we meet again. Goodbye, Edwin.” She turned and walked away.

The next morning found Synthia walking on the way to find Raquel. She had stayed at a different inn that night since she could afford it, and was now trying to find the fastest way back to the wagon. That involved cutting through alleyways and in between buildings, which were usually places nobody went, so she was a bit surprised when a Pegasus landed right in front of her.

“Hey, watch where you land that thing, idiot!” Synthia said, nursing the growing bump its wing had left on her forehead. It was an understatement to say she was pissed, really. You could almost see the steam coming out of her ears.

[EchoingPewter]

"Good, that makes everyone." Wolfgang said once Raquel and Karene joined him and the rest of the group, including Veronika amongst them. He turned back to Wallace and Ariost.

"I know Janaff's message was likely important, Wallace, but I would like to hear what Ariost has found first." Wolfgang requested. Wallace nodded, and everyone turned their attention toward the druid as he took a step forward.

"I picked up sources saying that the robed men that retreated have escaped to a bandit fortress about twenty miles north of here. I would...suggest, we follow quickly. Agreed?" Those around Ariost gave a nod in confirmation.

"Yes, Raquel can decide what to do after Wallace's report is given. Wallace." Wolfgang stated. Wallace stepped forward as Ariost returned to his position.

"Wolfgang, it is unfortunate for me to tell you that Ursium and Neviskotia have declared war once again. Janaff made it here most hasteful, I am glad he did not rely on the networks to reach you." Wallace reported.

"What?" Wolfgang responded with shock.

"Yes, I'm afraid it's true. He's sent an order out to the other mercenaries already to regroup in Okha. Excluding your unit and Kain's, of course." Wallace continued.

"Then I'm giving all of you dismissal orders. Karene, you are to return home immediately. Descan's a good leader, but your diplomacy skills will be much more useful if we are attempted to be contracted by a Neviskotian noble or the military. Understood?" Wolfgang asked. Karene nodded in acknowledgement.

"Ariost, I would actually request you go to Kigen and keep record on Kain's progress. I have yet to send a real observer there with him, and I feel his performance will improve in the company of one of my most trusted advisors." Wolfgang said once he turned back to the druid.

"Of...course, Wolf-gang." Ariost responded.

"Wallace, I would order you back to Okha with Karene, but I want you to be a direct investigator for me. See what details you can find about this robed group, and report back to me every week. Also, keep me detailed on the war's progression as well. Alright?" Wolfgang asked.

"Yes, sir." Wolfgang saluted.

"Great. And Hans, you will be-"

"Staying with you, chief." Hans demanded.

"Absolutely not. I need you to escort Karene back to the headquar-"

"Seriously chief, you're underestimating your own wife. Seriously, her axe is as deadly as her body is voluptuous! You may wish she were well watched over, but trust me chief, if anyone would be protected, it'd be me. And exceptionally, if I might add!" Hans insisted. Karene couldn't help but smile at Hans' compliments.

"...Fine. Hans, you are staying here with me under Raquel's employment." Wolfgang stated.

"Sweet!" Hans shouted exuberantly.

"You all have your orders. Are they perfectly clear?" Wolfgang questioned.

"Sir! Yes, sir!" All the mercenaries proceeded to salute. Wolfgang thrust his fist into the air.

"Who are we!?"

"We are the Grandzenschtraum! And forever will our name remain in history!" They all chanted.

"Dis-missed!" Wolfgang said. Without warning, Ariost vanished into the darkness yet again, Wallace sprinted and leapt onto Gromit while it was already lifting off. And Karene made her way back to the port in a sprint of her own.

~~~~

"Raquel. I believe its time we gather the others. That fortress isn't far from here. We should get moving while the trail is hot." Wolfgang stated without turning to her, his gaze fixated on Wallace and Karene heading off.

"This is gonna be great!" Hans shouted again, even jumping into the air. His bow almost fell off his back.

"Hans, do me a favor. Go find out new recruit, Jack. I don't know why he missed the meeting, he must not be used to early wake-up calls yet." Wolfgang said.

"You got it, chief!" Hans said, busting through the door of the inn to find Jack's room to awaken him.

OOC: I am to inform everyone that the bandit fortress is where the next stat combat shall take place.

Edited January 16, 2011 by EchoingPewter

[RPG]

"Huh? Oh, didn't see you there kid." Jeanne said to Synthia, not sounding interested in the slightest. Megaera trotted in place after stopping, and snorted. Jeanne dismounted and took her spear off of the pegasus's saddle. I should have known this thing could mess up her landing. Jeanne thought, not considering the possibility that she should have just bothered to look. "Sorry. You should probably put some ice on that bump or something."

She gave the girl a quick look over, noticing her staff. Huh, I feel like I'm forgetting something. Jeanne thought, thinking back to yesterday's events. Something the boss lady said...oh, that's right. She said we needed a healer. She looked over the girl once again. But...she's a kid. Probably has a family or a job or something. I'm sure that we could find someone else. Besides, Veronika's probably about ready to go, I shouldn't waste any time. Jeanne yanked Megaera's reigns. "Well, I'm off...wait! I know you!" she said, recalling the day before. "I saw you at the docks, talking to that pink haired girl." If this healer was talking to her, maybe she would already be involved.

[roymbrog]

“Uh huh. Of course you didn’t. Don’t worry, I can do better than ice,” Synthia muttered angrily. Was this girl really so oblivious to not see someone walking round the corner? Well, whatever, she needed to heal the injury and did so, cringing a bit at the stinging sensation left behind because she had used the staff on herself.

And… shit. She had almost gotten away when the idiot recognized her from yesterday. Hopefully, she wasn’t one of Raquel’s mercenaries, but that girl did say she was low on funds and the person in front of her indeed appeared to be a pretty cheap mercenary. “Yes, I was there. What of it?” She returned her staff to her side as she replied and walked on past the woman and Pegasus.

[Snowy_One]

"I am a traveling storyteller, madame, whom came unto the port town of Serim recently. Of open fields and long winding roads I am used to, not the close and congested streets of the city. Yet, as I entered into Serim, it became clear unto me that the streets were horribly packed tight! Hundreds of people crowded into the streets, each bustling about with sacks of money in their hand as they passed between stalls manned by many merchants, each full of wares. Here, one man would sell exotic lamps stuffed full of sweet-smelling oil and carved of fine bone, while beside him another merchant would sell rare and carefully crafted baubles from far-off lands; and beside him another would sell fine fish!

As I strode through this tightly packed marketplace, thirteen men ran against me. Twelve of them were clad in dark robes, while the thirteenth, and leader, was dressed in naught but a shirt and his underpants! I was knocked aside and treated to a scowl by the man as his group headed deeper into the market. I was about to shrug it off as another quirk of the city when the shrill cry of a woman pierced the many sounds of the busy market. Unseen by me, there had been a fourteenth man, riding a wyvern, and he had snatched up a maiden from a travelers cart!

The thirteen men had surrounded another, the girls traveling companion most likely. The man without pants bent in close, obscenities streaming forth from his mouth like a sailor before he punched the companion. I could not let this stand! I readied my tome and sent a hailstorm of ice, striking down two of the men. The remaining eleven men turned to face me when a giant monkey wielding a gun burst forth from the traveling cart that the girl was from and shot the man without pants dead before retreating inside! The guards came, but they would not believe my story when I told them! So I was cast out from the city." he sighed. "I only told them what I saw."

[Phoenix]

Raquel was a bit startled by the mercenaries all sounding off together but quickly calmed down again once Wolfgang mentioned meeting up with the others again. "We should get back to the wagon then. It's big and easy to spot, plus it didn't move from yesterday so I'm sure no one will have trouble finding us." Oh no, I'll need to tend to the horses soon too. Great. she thought not looking forward to the task one bit.

She began heading back toward the wagon but on the way asked a simple question to Wolfgang. "Do you think we have enough people to take them out? I'm also wondering if they're taking refuge there or just taking the whole place for themselves. I'm kind of hoping for the latter so we have less potential enemies to deal with, but organized bandits could probably deal with the robed guys we fought yesterday ... in a fair fight at least ... so maybe they're cooperating? I'm not sure what to make of all of this just yet." I know that bandits love taking over abandoned forts and operating from them. The military sweeps in and wipes them out every once in awhile according to father. I didn't know there was a fort so close by Sergio though. It's probably kind of small ... so there shouldn't be very many? she speculated in thought.

Meanwhile while Seina investigated the wagon, Chip sat on a crate inside somewhat in the dark listening to the people outside.

Edited January 16, 2011 by Phoenix

[RPG]

"I don't really know what you were doing," Jeanne began. "But it's not early any more. Sorry if I'm making assumptions kid, but are you supposed to be going with her?" she asked Synthia. "If you're not, sorry for wasting your time, but she's probably set out by now along with my...boss." She couldn't get used to calling someone that. "Me and Megaera here could give you a lift to the action. She's never carried two people before, but you look light enough."

---

"Amazing," Seliah remarked to Daloth's story. Was this what she had been missing of the real world? Half dressed men and monkey snipers...stuck inside the walls of a large estate, had she been missing out on such amusing chaos? "You clearly are a seasoned storyteller, and an accomplished mage as well." she added. "I would love to have a duel of some sorts later..." Seliah found herself saying. "Now...remind me where you would like to go again?" Seliah knew that her guards wouldn't mind a detour. It was their job to make sure that she was away as long as possible after all.

[roymbrog]

Synthia stopped dead in her tracks. “B-but… that’s… Dammit.” As much as she didn’t want to admit it, the girl had a point. The whole reason she went through the alley in the first place was to save time she didn’t have, and her short stop there almost guaranteed her being late.

“F-Fine. Consider this repayment for hitting me earlier,” she said, walking back to the Pegasus. She eyed the creature warily and was careful to avoid its wings. The saddle looked a little different, she thought, but it appeared to just be a flying horse. No problem here, hopefully.

[RPG]

Making sure that Synthia had safely climed atop Megaera, Jeanne took her seat in front of her, clasping the reigns. "Alright; we're gonna launch pretty fast, so hopefully you don't get airsick," Without giving her time to respond, she whipped the reigns. Megaera shot upwards.

In mere minutes, the two had arrived. Megaera was going so quickly that she skidded as she landed. Yeesh. Jeanne dismounted, and reached into a sack she carried. "Well, here we are." she said to Synthia as she gave Megaera a roll, which was quickly devoured. "Right. I'm Jeanne by the way, your average cheap sellsword." Jeanne petted her mount's mane. You really do work hard, don't you? "Poor girl's tired. Even if the lack of air resistance meant more speed, she pushed herself to go much faster than she usually does. Your stomach feel okay kid?"

[roymbrog]

Though the takeoff and landing had been pretty rough, they had covered in two minutes what it would have taken her twenty minutes to walk. She felt a little woozy and had to keep hold of the Pegasus to balance properly, but she didn’t feel nauseous. She was pretty happy her bad situation turned into a good one, and calmed down considerably.

“Um, I’m fine. Just a little dizzy.” While waiting for her head to stop spinning she observed the group by the wagon, probably the mercenaries the girl hired, she thought. “I’m Synthia, and I guess I’m that group’s healer… Thanks for the ride, Jeanne, and.. I'm sorry for yelling at you earlier,” she said, leaving Magaera’s side, and walked over to wait for Raquel at the wagon.

[EchoingPewter]

"It's impossible to determine right now. Co-operation, tools, enemies, I can't give you a straight answer based off of Ariost's report. I would need a better scout, like Wallace. But he wasn't available at the time, so I just tried to get a lead for us." Wolfgang said as the two continued the trek back to the wagon.

"I'm more concerned if they've got a commander there. If that's the case, I might need to get more thoroughly involved when we get there." Wolfgang added, the last part of his sentence sounded like he got excited from the thought, but calmed by the end.

"Of course, I worked a contract for your protection. Quite honestly, I couldn't give less of a damn about the other lives with us. I hope you don't expect me to give them the charity I do you. You, Hans, Lady Rusayev to repay her, and that...strange monkey I'm hearing about." Wolfgang stated with a slight twitch of his scarred eye.