Return of The Emblem Chapter Two: The Trail

[-Cynthia-]

"Yes, this is the person we're looking for," Veronika replied to Amon, surveying the scene. "We can't let him get to the harbor, but we don't want to cause a scene like the pirate woman did..." she said, not taking any actions for the moment.

[Phoenix]

"It may be too late not to cause a scene." Amon commented. "We can't catch them on foot either. What can we do?"

Rodrigo quickly hopped into the drivers seat and took the reins Gytha offered. "Much obliged." Once he got a good look forward, he could tell they were heading east again. "This suit's not getting wet. Not today." he commented with a bit of agitation in his voice. As the edge of the road came up several people dove out of the way and Rodrigo brought the carriage to a stop just meters away from the edges of the dock. He'd timed the breaking so it would appear like more of a close call. As the other man opened the door, he subsequently fell out and landed on his face with a loud flop. Barely reacting to his pain, he simply groaned.

Leaning a bit closer to Gytha, Rodrigo answered a question that may have seemed forgotten. "Welcome to Urquium, Gytha." After a brief grin he noticed that some crowds were beginning to gather around. There goes my escape route. Better make a show out of this so they don't try to rush me.

Standing up and walking onto the roof of the carriage, he held out his arms and waved to the people gathering around. "No need to worry, ladies and gentlemen. I've taken care of the situation and everything's under control now."

A guard nearby in the crowd chirped up. "Hey! Mister Vasquez! Are you alright?"

"... new guy. Of course I'm alright. When do I ever get in over my head, folks?"

"NEVER!" dozens of people from the crowd cried out in unison.

"That's right."

Meanwhile on the ground, the other passenger crawled to his feet trying to hold six aching spots on his body with only two hands. "I know the vacation is over but ... I could really use another ..."

[-Cynthia-]

"Well he's not moving very quickly in this crowd thankfully, but I also feel it would be...unwise to discuss such matters in front of such an audience. Perhaps if we wait for him at the harbor, the crowd will be thinner. Then again, there's the issue of getting through the crowd and Raquel has the list of names we need as well," Veronika said to Amon. "I hardly see what makes this man so special as to attract such a crowd myself.'

[Phoenix]

"We need the list? Should I go and get Raquel or just the list then? I can get back here quick enough I'm sure." he inquired, while shooting the scene in front of them a quick glance. She has a point; he doesn't seem to warrant all this attention unless ... is he a hero of the people or something? In Sanctuary only people like high ranking officers in the military or maidens get this sort of attention. "Maybe he's someone important or highly praised." Amon muttered.

Raquel had heard a gunshot in the distance but did no more than look up and off in the general direction. Whoever fired the shot wasn't on the same street and buildings obscured everything. It couldn't be one of ours, could it? ... neh, no way. She went back to reading the book again.

[-Cynthia-]

Veronika puzzled for a moment and shrugged before responding to Amon. "Raquel merely said he was a famous noble, perhaps this is customary here. We certainly don't treat our nobles like this in Neviskotia, thank the gods. If I got mobbed like this every time I entered civilization I would probably opt for a life of seclusion. Anyway, perhaps it is best if you bring Raquel here, she knows more about Ursian customs than I do. I will try and keep Rodrigo from leaving the harbor while you fetch her."

[Mercakete]

What a welcome! I wonder who this is? Gytha puzzled as she jumped down from the carriage, somewhat impressed by the man's carisma. However, her attention was quickly redirected to the sea. Hearing the familliar sounds of the docks was calming and the mariner was much more serene now that she was by the water. She'd pay attention to Mr. Spectacular later.

[Snowy_One]

"When I left from the city of Sergio, I was headed north. In order to find it once again, we should head south. Alas, however, for it does not matter. South or east, either side is flanked by rivers. If we travel for long enough, we will eventually run in to one or the other. When we find that one, we need to simply follow it's banks downstream and we will find the city. So we are safe. However, to be more precise, I believe that that-" he pointed to a small road heading a bit to the southwest. "is the correct path. My evidence for it being that." he pointed just a short ways down the road. A tad off to the side was a small stone marker. A mile marker plainly telling them that Sergio was only a certain amount of miles away.

"Lady Seliah, if you don't mind my asking, but why are you searching for the emblem? I have heard of it in stories and tales, but actual fact about it is sparse enough to suggest that most of it is false. Tales of it summoning demons, wooing women, wooing men, causing crops to grow, causing crops to wilt, killing the owner, granting the owner immortality. Not all of them could be true. Why do you seek it?"

[Phoenix]

She's a Neviskotian noble? Did she see fit to tell me that or is it nothing important? Well ... no. She didn't explicitly state she's a Neviskotian noble. "Okay I'll be back with Raquel then." he said before dashing off.

While atop the carriage, Rodrigo thought to himself. Okay, now what? Think, dammit. As soon as they think the show's over you're going to get swamped. Wait. I've got it. "Alright folks, please stand back while I get the carriage back onto the road. No use having it sit idle this close to the water after all." Not bad, that was innocent and convincing. He hopped back into the driver's seat and moved the carriage as he said he would while the other man staggered about eventually falling into the arms of a couple of concerned guards.

Next, I just need to get Mister Blue over there back into the carriage.

Amon arrived at the wagon within a minute or two and tapped Raquel's shoulder lightly hoping not to startle her. He startled her. Jumping up a bit she quickly blurted out "Gah! What the heck do you want?! Oh, Amon ... whew."

"I ... I'm sorry." he said backing off with a grimace.

"It's not you, I just don't like it when people interrupt my reading. Oh and I'm learning a lot about profession specific skills too."

"Huh? Hold on. Can this wait? Veronika ... or Gytha, I'm not sure which. They found this Rodrigo person we're looking for." Amon explained. "I need to bring you over to meet him since we suspect he's going to be leaving soon."

"Isn't he supposed to be in Ursaea? Oh well, saves us a trip potentially. Alright, let's go meet him." She quickly grabbed the reins preparing to move the wagon.

"Wait. We're taking the wagon? I thought we would be going on foot." he said stomping on the urge to tilt his head.

"Neh. I trust Chip to guard the wagon ... but I trust him to guard it a little too well ... 'bang bang', etctera. Also it's not like I could make it there any faster on foot. I'm a lousy runner." she explained.

"Very well." Amon said before hopping up onto the wagon himself.

"By the way ... that gunshot from earlier ..." she began.

"Gytha." Amon said closing his eyes.

"Ah okay."

The they were off with whoever was following along and headed over to the unfolding scene.

[Mercakete]

He certainly is showy. His shouts are disturbing the peace of the pier... It almost sounds like he's acting... Maybe he needs more help getting away from all these people. "'Scuse me, sir, but where's yer haven?" Gytha asked the celebrity. It was rather apparent he was trying to go somewhere where he could have some peace. Then a thought struck Gytha: she somehow hadn't caught his name. "And if ye don't mind me asking, who are ye that yer so overcrowded everywhere ye go?"

[roymbrog]

Awesome, she could take the book with no problems. With that off her mind, she began backtracking their way into town, she was sure she’d seen a restaurant on the way in. As she walked she read, so she didn’t notice Nanahm until he called out to her. She looked up startled for a moment, then carefully closed the old tome as she turned to listen.

“Um… yes, you’re welcome, Nanahm. You’re not really interrupting, I suppose, I was only reading…” Even if she was a bit annoyed at the interruption, all the people thanking her were making her mildly confused and uncomfortable; she had only done what she was hired for. Since when were people thanked for their jobs? As she listened, spoke, and thought she continued walking, because, well, she did happen to be going somewhere. There was one thing, however...

"...Was that just me, or did you just hear a gunshot?"

[Phoenix]

Looking back down toward Gytha, Rodrigo leaned over a bit and replied saying "Back from vacation on business. I need to stop by home in Ursaea before I head up to Weyland's big military meeting." Then her other question came up and had the man looking a bit ... disturbed. "Wait ... you really don't know who I am?" What is the world coming to? Don't tell me people at sea haven't heard of me yet. Well that settles that. I'd better schedule some oceanic performances or something like that. Spread the word and such. "Well, Miss Gytha whether you grasp the significance or not, you've been spending time with me, Rodrigo Vasquez. Also known as The Phoenix." he ended by brushing the beak of his hood with his thumb lightly and cracking a cocky smile at the mariner.

Just then Raquel had driven the wagon into the area and had to stop. "Croooooooowds." she groaned grimacing. Amon quickly stood up and waved over to Veronika hoping she would spot them in the distance.

[Mercakete]

"Phoenix, is it? And yer headed for Ursaea? A'right, guess yer a skilled performer or something to get this much attention. Ye firebreathe or something?" she further inquired, still not quite understanding the gravity of her position.

[Phoenix]

"The Phoenix. Don't forget that part, Miss. But no, I don't breathe fire or anything ... unless it's one of those pyro shows. ... I hate those. Anyway, feel free to help me get back on the road if whatever you were trying to get to earlier is less important." Hard to imagine that.

[Mercakete]

"Oh, I was just coming to the pier while Raquel and the others did whatever they're doing," Gytha replied, "Though I might have to head inland again at any time, so I want to stay by the ocean." Her relaxed experession shifted to one of some disappointment as she continued. "Though... If ye really need the help, I'm more than able t'be yer escort." She didn't want to leave the sea but this man seemed to be in a bit of a mess and Gytha was able to help. She couldn't just turn away.

[Phoenix]

"Hmm. You not going to be sticking around in Urquium for long?" he asked wondering why she seemed down at the prospect of helping him instead of sticking by the docks. Meanwhile the man Rodrigo called 'Mister Blue' finally got his footing and came staggering over.

"You!" he rose his aching arm to point at Gytha.

"Calm down, calm down. She didn't mean any harm by it."

Get your eyes off her breasts, sir! She's walking trouble! I mean running trouble! "Gah! I c- I can't believe this! I ... what the ... ... bah!" He simply couldn't find the words he was looking for.

Rodrigo sighed. "Just relax. We'll get you fixed up in no time at all and we'll put all of this behind us." To be perfectly honest I hate the idea of long boring trips. This little fiasco is a welcome improvement. Sure we'll be slightly behind schedule but that's better than a safe and uneventful trip. As long as the fans don't rip me apart I'm fine with a little excitement. Heheh.

[Mercakete]

"I don't know how long we'll be staying, but in case it's a short stay, I'd like to stay near the ocean. I'm a mariner, so the sea's familliar," she explained, before looking to the staggering man and raising an eyebrow in confusion, "How'd he manage to hurt himself that much?"

Edited February 3, 2011 by Mercakete

[-Cynthia-]

Veronika scanned the crowd and saw Amon waving, but Raquel seemed to have her wagon stuck in the crowd. There was nothing they could really do at the moment except wait for the crowd to thin. She looked over and the pirate woman seemed to be talking with Rodrigo in a non-hostile manner. She may have more social graces than I originally gave her credit for. Hopefully she can keep him there while I try and get through all these people.

[RPG]

Seliah took note of the marker Daloth had indicated. Indeed...need to keep a closer watch on my surroundings. Satisfied that they were moving at a reasonable pace, she ceased her worrying. "Well Daloth, I'm seeking the Emblem for rather simple reasons. I care not for its powers, nor its worth, nor its legacy. I will seize it because I can't let it get away from me. That's all." She felt satisfied enough with her answer. She just hoped that she wouldn't need to provide any small talk. Seliah despised pointless chatter, and was thinking that Daloth was beginning to bore her. She felt a strong urge to burn something to make this trek more amusing. "So much to do to attain a single ancient trinket." she muttered.

[Phoenix]

While Rodrigo, the passenger, and Gytha spoke, the guards looked around noticing that the crowd was blocking any potential traffic. The lead one nodded at the others giving an obvious signal. It was time to work. They began shooing the people and herding them away from the area. At first it only served to scatter them but, after awhile the distance between the carriage and the people on any given side was at least a hundred feet. As more and more guards arrived the crowd wound up out of any range that would make standing around sensible. They eventually began to disperse, though some only did this to catch the man on his way out.

"From one problem to another. The guards won't let us get near Rodrigo now. They'll think we're fans or something." Raquel said hanging her head with a sigh.

"Gytha's over there. Maybe she can tell Rodrigo that we're friends of hers? ... using the broadest possible definition of 'friends'." Amon realized that having just met a couple of days ago, hardly any of them could really call each other friends. At least in his mind.

"Sure."

[Dark Sage]

Having risen above the carriage to make sure he didn't crash, he cursed Gytha a fool, particularly when she fired a shot in the air and made a ruckus. Then again, the man in the carriage, named Rodrigo, was not much better than Gytha when it came to volume or flamboyancy. Also a very popular and attractive man apparently, because a crowd flocked towards him. Guards did push people out of the way, Gytha nearby. He and Miskavolv flew into the air, searching out Raquel and the others, landing nearby, hearing the thief ally of theirs say perhaps Gytha could tell Rodrigo that they were friends of hers.

He gritted his teeth. He'd have to talk to her about her actions later. It could get her hurt or killed.

"My apologies milady for running off half-cocked. I was aiming to get Gytha back after she immediately ran off but it ended up into something like this."

Edited February 5, 2011 by Dark Sage

[Phoenix]

"Well she's not someone any of us hired. We really don't have a say in what she does." That's rather clever when you think about it. She's not getting paid, but she's not bound by any rules either. "Don't worry about Gytha. I'll have a talk with her ... once this Rodrigo thing is over." she replied.

[Acacia Sgt]

John watched as the carriage stopped close to falling into the water, and people started to gather at the place.

'That was close...' He thought. Taking another look around, he spotted Raquel's wagon approaching the area as well. 'Must've heard the gunshot as well, figures.' He decided it was enough flight time and began to descend near the wagon.

[Phoenix]

Not only did the guards notice that there were still a few people still loitering nearby, but, so did Rodrigo. Amon's waving was meant to get Veronika's attention alone, but Rodrigo kept an eye on him and the others with him for a short while afterward. The guards began moving in to shoo them away too as the captain came over to check on the carriage. "Hey, Miss Gytha, are those friends of yours by any chance? Why are they still here?" he inquired.

"Mister Vasquez, are you alright?" he asked.

Shrugging a bit, he replied "Of course."

"Don't worry, we'll have these people out of the way in no time."

"Hold on that for a minute ... just for a minute."

[Mercakete]

"Hm?" Gytha looked over to the supposed friends in question. Maw was still seated politely on top of the cart. "Ah! Aye, those be some of me associates," she replied before bellowing to those at the cart "Ahoy!" and waving.

[Phoenix]

"Wait, are those people with you?" the captain of the guard asked.

"Yeah sure, let'em through. I can handle things from here." Rodrigo replied. Time to see what this is all about. The guard captain quickly signaled the others and the ones keeping the others back stood aside.

"Finally!" Raquel blurted out before driving the wagon closer, noticeably startling Amon.