PM to join Once a dog...(Kreig)

[Wrenmae]

Fall 57, 513 AV

Often, the best opportunities in life are those presented to you on a whim. It is as if the skies open wide and Lhex casually grins a moment of serendipity into existence. Wren had not been long for the gated city of Syliras. In truth, his purpose here was two-fold. He came to see his sister, should she exist, and then...if time allowed, he would do Vayt's work here and weed the strong from the weak yet again...as he had done in Zeltiva. As he would do again and again wherever he traveled.

Now, in the shadows beyond guttering barlight, he kept his eyes moving to the various who sat here. Among those who supped, some held the posture of knights and quite a few still clung to weapons along their belt. Those not already in groups kept to themselves, drinking in the quiet sort of way afforded to those who had much on their mind.

But of all of them, his gaze kept returning to one young man with a scarred face . There was something familiar about him, something that pushed against the wave of memories he had. Had he seen this man before? Perhaps?

Perhaps they were comrades at one point or...

No.

Kreig...Ana's overprotective friend, Sunberth...that shyke had STRANGLED him.

Wren gingerly touched his neck, half expecting sympathetic bruises to appear. None had, and he sat back in the shadows, his face already shifting and morphing, reoganizing itself to a beard with haggard lines and intense green eyes. Holding up one of his hands, he forced color into the shape of a dagger and stood, crossing the bar and sliding into a seat across from Kreig.

At first, the old creature only looked at him, tapping his chin with the Daggerhand's favored mark of identification.

"Boy," he said, smacking a hand down on the table, "I know you. You're one of us, aintcha? Born of street and mud. Whatcher doin here?"

[Kreig Messer]

It was a rare sunny day in Syliras this season and Kreig was quite glad for it 'A chance to enjoy different uroundings and get the petch out of the training yards and dorm rooms' Kreig thought as he enjoyed a good drink in his hand, sipping it slowly as to enjoy the taste longer. It also allowed him to think of things other than training or the recent incidents that struck the city 'Two squires missing, a murder and people losing..what was it called? Djed?' He sighed, he promised himself to not think of them and enjoy what he had at the moment, a few sunny days spent at a city.


Still, with these incidents the brawler had to take precautions as he at least wore the armor he had purchased for himself , a breastplate, grieves, gauntlets and the recent addition of Vambraces to protect his forearms. He didn't need a blade or a shield...because quite honestly he was horrid with them and as such could do more damage with his fists and legs but in Syliras he didn't quite expect a bar brawl to break out 'though there was that one in summer that I somehow missed' He sighed, he looked around the tavern and noted the people around him. There were those on their breaks from whatever job they were in, this included the knights who's bearing were a dead giveaway, the mercenaries and merchants who were passing through. There were bar maids who's allure encouraged the customers to purchase more in exchange for giving a hapless fool even the hope that he could woo the fair maiden and then there was the sort who looked like the type to come from Sunbirth....

'Oh bugger'

Now, as much as Kreig loved his hometown, even he knew that meeting one of them outside the city was an odd, and often enough, a bad sign. The bearded man sat across from him, tapping his chin with the mark Kreig was quite familiar with
'...Daggerhand' Why would one of them be here? In Syliras of all places? If one was here than the knights would have picked up on him the moment he walked the gates, they'd have to know! 'Primarily because they hate the city's guts and they'd spent some time there before they went to that bloody island' Was he a deserter? He'd have to applaud the man for having the stones to leave it, or was he working for their outside interests? Did they have any to speak off?


"Boy," he said, smacking a hand down on the table, "I know you. You're one of us, aintcha? Born of street and mud. Whatcher doin here?"



Kreig pondered whether he should respond, the man before him knew he was Sunberthian, it was hard to know another of their elk, and the day Kreig fought this man's elk...or rather the ones who serve beneath, them was nothing too easy to forget. Would he attempt revenge? No, he wouldn't be stupid enough unless he's confident '...but lets hope he's not dumb'

Still, Kreig contemplated whether should he answer him? This man who represented a piece of his past, was it dark? only one aspect...other than that he was clean, he was simply a fighter there... not a thief, not a man hired to murderers and not a tool.

"I decided to make a dirty bastard myself useful after getting an invite, what brings you here?" Kreig simply asked as he took a deep drink from his tankard "Your presence here is like a cat amongst dogs"

x

[Wrenmae]

The daggerhand chuckled, sitting back in the chair and pulling his hands away from the table. He was not subtle about giving Kreig a look at the sheathed weapons on his waist when he did so.

Offering him a toothy grin, the criminal put a hand over the one tattooed with the dagger and coughed lightly, clearing his throat.

"Ya did, dinnya? Got yourself all fancied up an' pranced outta Sunberth, wot, thought you could git away from it all." The Daggerhand shook his head thickly, and it bounced on his corded neck, "Nah, boyo, nah. Yous has debts to be paid up in the city. Coupla things ya done did ya didn't answer fer properly."

A barmaid passed by and the daggerhand almost reached out to grab at her ass as it swung by, but held up short, turned back to look at Kreig, shrugged, and returned his hands to the table.

"Yore a murderer, sure'nuff, like meself. Well, Robern has some words for ya...what bout, I don't right know, only that I been lookin for ya. Who to know the dog done rolled in such fancy shyke as 'ere." Another grin.

"Aint no need ta make a big stink of it, jis come wif me to Sunberth and we'll sort thissere mess out. Aint no one needs ta get hurt, boyo. Got some dangerous men here in Syliras." Although he said the word like 'Sillyrus', "An' we can roff up the joint, least cause some trouble 'fore we go. Now, aint lookin for none, nay, nay, jist a little cooperation from yous. Wot yer say, boy? Got enough hona' ta step away an' follow?"

[Kreig Messer]

Kreig looked at the man blankly... he owed Robern no debt 'If he considers his offer back there after impressing him a way to clean a debt, no way....I won't forget how they wanted my to 'atone' by trying to kill those Dragoon's when they bloody well knew I hadn't the strength during a bloody all out war' He wanted to chuckle, he really did.... but the man just rubbed him the wrong way. That toothy grin was annoying as shyke.

"Hmph...a debt you say? There are no debts, all of it repaid...." Kreig shrugged his shoulders then emptied his tankard of all its contents and continued staring blankly at the man "I won't deny...I've murdered, but there is only one I feel guilty about and that one didn't involve men like you and me I can safely say' He looked around the tavern, again glancing at the various patrons.... and glared at the man for trying to cop a feel from the barmaid. He rested his arms on the table and his chin on the palms of his hands and listened to his 'offer'

Going back to Sunberth was a tempting offer, but going back there would mean his death or worse ' 'sides, I've nothing to go back too' Save for his mother's grave, he had new responsibilities he'd prefer to deal with here rather than go back to a city that ultimately rejected him, it forced his hand when he showed it nothing but love.... it caused him to murder a child for which dreams forever haunt him and fate caused him to end up in a battle that ultimately forced him to leave. He knew he could've, but why risk it? he had another option and he chose it, did he regret? a little, but it was a choice and he took it because... he was tired.

"And...who are these dangerous fold you speak of?" Kreig asked, did he mean the knights? he'd be quite surprised to know he was a squire, not too surprised since it wasn't quite uncommon, but surprise nonetheless "What, there more of you here? rather suicidal that, or are there bigger forces in play? Either way, I am here now... I'm not going anywhere anytime soon" Kreig shrugged as he leaned back on the chair "So tell me, what trouble could you cause for someone who has nothing? Kill me? torture me till I beg for death? Or take away my ability to die? I'm sure you'd enjoy all that, but not when you know I'm not really caring" Kreig grinned "Or do you really not care either way and are that willing to make a long trip that would take us a season back to Sunbirth? I mean, really? what would Robern want with me other than my head on a pike?"

x

[Wrenmae]

The Sunberthian laughed, a deep sonorous chuckle that almost reverberated with the fluid in his throat.

"Aye, but ya speak like a Sunberthian, threatening'n seekin information in the same breath."

He shook his head again, clacking his long nails against the table. The dagger on his hand blazed a sooty, angry red, and he slapped it on the table again, briefly drawing the attention of the patrons.

But after a moment or two, they returned to their own drinks.

"Wot dyer take from a man who has nothin?" The criminal tapped a finger on the side of his chin, "Why, yer take his peace, dontcha? Fine fella, you, probably a tassle of friends already...maybe a...lady friend?" He winked at Kreig and sat back again.

"Ta torture ya boyo, to make yer wish fer death. That's the Rotter's way, ain'it? Now, now, aint n'call fer doin anythin now. nah, nah. Way I sees it, yer got a few days ta get yerself prepared ta journey out. Aint ta be speakin my forces or mah men, only that we have the stuff ta hurt yer stuff, dya ken?"

The daggerhand seemed thoughtful, scratching the side of his head, "Aint fer nothin 'ere, boyo. Sunberth's yer home, this place is a damned insult. Sunberth makes 'er own law...aint no bowin and scrapin ta the shiny lords and ladies in armor, ay? Come home, Kreig, all's fergiven if ya do."

He crossed his arms. "An' if not, well, we're ta tear ya down bit by bit and piece by piece till yer got nothin left, dya ken?"

Another wide smile crossed his face and he sat far back against his chair, away from Kreig, "Wot, if yer got nothin, tell me ta petch off, aye? Aint no need ta care fer anyone gettin hurt if yer don care, aye?"

[Kreig Messer]

Kreig grinned slightly, without humor, a threatening gleam in his eys 'My loved ones, eh? Kreig lifted his Tankard and looked at the empty cup "Perhaps, I won't lie... but you see....I don't have a a lover, I have friends but none are in Sunberth anymore. In fact most can take care of themselves, the ones outside the old city I mean....and do you even know what my 'stuff' is? You just saw me, approached me....a smart man would make sure to know how long his quarrie had been here. I've been here since the begining of spring, the begining you see? The begining of a year, season, day bell and chime. I've new... 'stuff', things I value far more. And most of these things can hurt you" Kreig shrugged as he slammed the Tankard on the table.

"For all that season...how do you think a man like me, a wild dog, made his living? A mercenary? no that would require I travel? some Fighter in a gambling establishment? Do I look like I have the bruises to have earned the coin to afford living here and be as healthy physically as I am?" He asked the man, he doubted the man was dumb. so he at least hoped he knew what Kreig was insinuating "Any case, I can back my words up....but before I tell you how. I'll tell you this...even if you had the numbers, even if you caused the trouble and if I had none of the 'stuff' "He glared at the man maliciously "Better know I can cripple you and your boys before you subdue me dead or alive"

Without turning, wihtout looking away but quickly backing if the man tried anything Kreig shouted "In the name of the SYLIRAN KNIGHTS and my DUTY as a squire of the order. I ask THAT you SURRENDER or be struck down where you stand" Kreig announced, some of the knights who were off duty immediately stood up, quickly drawing there weapons. They were obviously confused, but they knew the call of duty and if there was any mistake, they'd clear it up later.

That didn't prevent one of them asking "Squire Kreig, what is the meaning of this?"

"This man has threatened me, Ser. He promised to hurt my brothers and sisters in the knights if I don't follow him to Sunberth" Kreig spoke with obvious sincerity, because he wasn't technically lying, the man promised to hurt his loved ones, none of them were in sunberth and the ones he had currently were all mostly part of the knighthood. And one things the Knight hated was to have one of their own threatened.

"Is that so? Then if its true, you, knave... surrender your weapons and come with us for interrogation, or lethal force shall be applied!" The knight announced as he looked at the Daggerhand with a threatening gaze " If what the squire says its true, than you shall come with us quietly for confirmation....now do you submit or will you force our hand and prove the squire's words right?"

x

[Wrenmae]

Wren sat back, hand still on the mark he'd conjured for the dagger. His mind spun and his body was already working on a backup. A squire, that was unexpected. When he removed his hand, the mark was smeared, somewhat like a dagger but more a strange angry birthmark, easily mistakable but up close, almost certainly not a dagger.

"Oy, wot's this then?" he asked, his face a mask of confusion, almost comical. The Knight did not repeat himself, only reached down roughly to take Wren by the arm. The wizard gave no struggle, allowing himself to be taken up from the table, wobbling drunkenly, and marched toward the door.

"Wait! wait!"

Another voice to break the commotion of the Knights and their progress out of the tavern. A thin man pushed out of the bathroom, brushing hair away from his face which blanched at the sight of the knights.

"Oh gods, what has my brother done now?"

Caught in the grasp of the leading knight, Wren pushed the thought,

He knows this man, better ask him for information.

"You." the Knight pointed at the thin man, "Come here." Shivering, the thin man complied, standing beside the transformed man and clasping his fingers together nervously. "I'm tempted to take you both with us for interrogation. This squire has accused this man of threatening him and our own."

"Gods, gods," the thin man muttered, "Traver, I told you to sit still. Gods...I'm so sorry sers, my brother has been a bit delusional since..." He paused, looking to Kreig and his face brightened up.

"Kreig! Kreig! Gods, is that you?" he almost crossed to shake his hand but paused, looking back at the Knights and then to Kreig. "I'm so sorry, did my brother say something to you?" He shook his head again and took a deep breath, "My name is Tolt, Tolt Kando, and my brother is Traver Kando...I assure you those weapons are not for use, He's only supposed to look intimidating. Kreig, please, let me explain. I'm a friend of Ana, please, my brother suffered a blow to his head before we left Sunberth, he hasn't been acting himself."

Another pulse of hypnotic suggestion. Pity, followed by disgust. Wren had withered his form a little in the knight's grasp, hardly appearing frightening or offensive in the least. Paired with his wide frightened eyes and the steady hypnotic suggestion, alarm was assuaged to annoyance.

"Squire," the Knight said wearily, it was obvious much of him wished to return to his friends and drink, and certainly that was the suggestion in his own mind, "Can you corroborate any of these mens' stories?"

The thin man, Tolt, wrung his hands together, looking much like he wanted to throw up...while his brother hung loosely from the Knight's grip, blinking widely and chuckling to himself, staring off at nothing.

"I swear, my brother meant no offense...whatever he ended up saying. There's no healing in Sunberth, I brought my brother to Syliras for treatment. I should have removed his weapons or put him somewhere safely, gods, I didn't think a drink or two would cause any problems."

Pity pulsed briefly in Kreig's mind.

I think he's telling the truth, came the next thought.

[Kreig Messer]

Kreig's mouth twisted into a frown, the mark changed...., did he think he wouldn't notice? Kreig's eyes weren't horrid 'They see just fine' Kreig thought. He had seen this magic before, whatever it was...but the problem was he could have just been easily mistaken despite his assuredness of what he saw. Looking at it closer made look less like a dagger and more like a smudge that resembled it. Then this mans 'brother 'came.....a thin looking man. An old hatred emerged, he hated magic and he had no doubt it was in play..

He spoke so sincerly, like he knew Kreig, a voice in the back of Kreig's head told him he was sincere... but at the same time he had that nagging doubt but the thought, He knew Ana, there was no reason to doubt that...was there? 'He knew Ana' Kreig thought.... but Ana was horrid in her choices of friends...she did choose he and that petcher known as Wren after all. Than came the thought, Wrenmae Sek....that petcher, Ana spoke of him enough to tell him everything.

He remembered that time he nearly killed him, and him responding in kind. The memory of the morphed hand, Ana knew morphing when she visited during the previous season, this mans mark changed. Kreig than looked back at the two men with a look of surprise.... 'the crazy petcher, he had hurt and was now here' Kreig looked at the bearded man. He may have changed his look....but now he knew who was most likely beneath that skin. The thin man...he didn't know who he was, but he was his accomplice.

Almost every fiber of Kreig's being told him what he must do, his flaring hatred and his morals, but there was one small part that spoke over all the rest... an old friend 'Ana' Kreig had to curse mentally, he knew that he shouldn't let such an old friendship get in the way of his judgement.... but she was friends with this petcher even though he knew that this fool likely only saw her as a tool 'He did hurt het' But he had to recall her wishes.


Kreig sighed and looked at the knight "Yes ser, they knew a friend of mine from my old days and I seem to recall her speaking of them. Though the bearded used to be a lot smarter as I recall" The knight hesistated slightly, but sighed contently as he let go of the man and signaled for the others to sheath their weapons.

' I see' He then turned to the 'brother' with a tired gaze " If your brother causes any more trouble, I am afraid I will throw him in the tank. And I daresay if he does indeed threaten anyone else, there will be an interrogation, you don't want that....so for the peace of the city put a leash on him"
Kreig envisioned the thought of Wren wearing a collar and being led around like a dog, it seemed fitting. But as the knights returned to enjoy their leisurely breaks and some keeping an eye out for anything that could lead to a bar brawl. Kreig Face turned into a deep scowl.

"I should have known it was you" He said quietly, Kreig looked at the thin man " And i don't know who you are, but I do hope you lot don't try that trick on me again. This bastard's heres morals make Sunberth look like a beacon of justice which is saying something" He looked back at Wren, his arms crossed.

"I've no doubt your precense will bring us trouble here, don't know what you've been doing since I haven't seen the lot of you ever since you left sunberth while the rest went to that,,,,what was it? a Jamoura city, leaving me to gaurd a patch of land in the grim hope one of you returning?" Kreig shook his as he leant against the table.

"Listen Wrenmae....and don't pretend it isn't you, Ana blabbed enough...so I know your tricks well enough especially since you slipped a little. Against my foolish judgment and for the sake of an old friend you and I both share...and I do hope you treat her better as a friend should, honestly...I like the people here, but I know well enough you'll cause trouble. So I do hope, even if you care for little of what I say, to leave these people alone....I may have let you walk, but any trouble sticks out like a red thumb on a blue Akalak, if I don't get you...the knights will" With that, Kreig sat down on the table and looked back at the two men "Then again...you are resourceful and I could threaten you all I want....so I'll just ask nicely; Please please please please please.." he spoke in an exasperated voice " If you must cause trouble, leave me and my friends well enough alone...please? I don't want any part of your games" He asked, then sighed... he didn't expect him to listen, his simply grabbed the tankard and raised, shaking it to signal he needed another 'There goes my sleep for the evening'

x

[Wrenmae]

The first man slumped in his seat when the knights returned to their drinking. For the time it took for them to turn their attention away, he said nothing, looking down at the table. Was he lamenting? Reconsidering? It was hard to tell, but when he did look up there was an earnest smile cutting through his bearded face and he reached across the table, as if to clap Kreig on the shoulder.

There was nothing hostile in the action, but he got no farther than midway before the thin man beside him drove his own hand into the older mans arm, forcing it down on the table with a thump.

Wren turned in a soundless snarl on Zan, but the familiar wasn't looking at him.

"You're mistaken," he said quietly, pulling up a seat and pushing Wren's hand back across the table, "The Wrenmae you knew is dead. You might consider us what's left of his instruction. Ana, myself, and him-" He nodded at the other, "A master takes many students, does he not?"

The Knights had looked over again and Wren forced his head to loll stupidly, but his eyes remained narrowed points of emerald spears. Zan continued without paying Wren any heed.

"We're not here to cause trouble, not really. Did you defend the Crimson Edge's land? Wren did as well, back then...before he was forced out, but that's neither here nor there. We're here looking for someone." Wren glanced up at Zan, saying nothing but communicating silently.

If Zan knew what Wren was saying, and he did, he gave no indication.

"Her name is Fallon Skylar and we mean her no harm." To this, Wren nodded his head thoughtfully, much of the hate leaving it. "Before Wren passed," Zan pseudo-lied, "He came into some information about her parentage...if you've seen her, you'll know her by this amulet," Reaching into Wren's shirt, Zan pulled out a wing medallion on an old chain, "We have information concerning only her...so please, put aside your ferocity on a man who no longer is and help us find her. Any information you can provide will go a long way to helping us complete this last task...after which we can be gone from your city as if never here."

Wren only answered in expression, scowling and avoiding eye contact now, crossing his arms and sitting back in the chair. Zan, in his earnestness, was a convincing liar...but then and again, there wasn't much falsehood in what the Sarawanki said.

[Kreig Messer]

Kreig was glad that the saner of the duo pushed the others hand away, Becaus quite frankly he doubted the man would have touched him in a friendly manner 'Nor would I help breaking the man's arm' Kreig thought as the bar maid approached with a fresh tankard then taking the empty one away 'Wrenmae dead? I'll believe that when....well I don't know what but perhaps when something unbelievable happens' They were shape shifters and liars, the moment the bearded one, whom he silently maintained was Wren, changed that mark and the fact they were trying to use their magic on him... whatever they did before abolished any credibility of honesty from them

He to give the thin the man the benefit of the doubt, Kreig listened him as took bring sips from his Tankard. Then spluttered in his drink, quickly placing his tankard on the table and wiped away the ale from his lips. He looked at them with a wide look of surprise, he had already given himself away the moment he spluttered into his drink 'Fallon?! They KNEW Fallon?! And they had knowledge of her Parentage " Kreig's quickly turned to , he was forever going to maintain was wren, the bearded man and he simply noded in confirmation. Kreig's jaw dropped 'Oh by the gods...such a thing and Wren... or his so called apprentices...had it?!'' A moment of recollection struck Kreig as he remembered the last situation that involved Kreig, Wren and a woman they both knew and shuddered as he glared and rubbed the side of his neck where Wren had stabbed him with the tip of a morphed 'finger' so long ago

"Aye, I know her" Kreig said as he took the tankard and gulped its contents entirely in one of the longest moments of his life, then gently, almost calmly, placed it back on the table. A blank look on his face as looked at the two "She's a friend" If the bearded man had any sense of Irony in his bone, he certainly didn't show it "A close friend whom I owe something to..." Kreig said as he turned his gaze from the bearded one to the thin one "I'd rather not see you lot talking to her, I'd rather not say anything at all.... but I am no fool, if I don't you'll likely cause more trouble the longer you stay untill you get a clue" He turned back to the bearded man, placing his hand back on his neck "....if you are whom I think you are, it won't be hard to figure out the manner..."

" ...then again I don't know how long you've been here either, could have already caused enough trouble " Kreig sighed as he rubbed his temples, he'd need a couple of more drinks before the alcohol made its effects known " Before I tell you anything.... and yes i know you said you can leave as if you weren't here.... but there is many ways that can be interpreted" Kreig said as he gave a knowing glance "Words can be twisted... I've lived in Sunberth and survived it by knowing that much other than my fists" He rested his cheek against the palm of his hands.

"I am willing to give you one bit of info, nothing more and nothing less" Kreig said as with his left he picked up the tankard and looked at it " You will forgive me for wanting to protect a good friend, fact of the matter is.... no matter how sincere you are, the stunts you tried to pull damages your credibility, only Ana saved you from your possible deaths or a life of hard labor"

He sat straight as he placed the empty tankard back on the table " If I tell you this one piece of information that would limit your search considerably, I want a promise.... an absolute one. That after I tell you this, you will cause absolute no harm during you days in this city and begone by the end of the season... , understand? You do not return anytime soon within this year, after these the season passes if there is even a sign that you are here than I will tell the knights all that I know of you, will I likely lose my squirehood if I revealed the knowledge I withheld? yes..... but it would have been worth it." He sighed deeply as his gaze turned into something akin to uncontrollable rage " Another promise....no harm comes to Fallon, if word reaches me that she had been harmed.... I can simply hunt you down and will do my hardest to give you both pain no matter your magical capabilities." His gaze then softened considerably as turned his head to the thin man "I want to hear it from both of you, especially you, thin man. You seem to be this bloke's keeper....and I must admit, I like you far more than this guy, I realize you could probably continue searching, perhaps use other means.....but why risk it when you want as little trouble as I do? I still have my suspicions after all, so what do you say? do you accept my conditions? "

x