Closed [Various] Boxes and chains

[Fallon]

"Wise one keeping them out of sight. I would say it would be best to lay low for a while, but I don't think we really have that as an option right now," There was a pause as she continued to look into the darkness and towards the merchant, "So, you going to take that chain off?" Fallon continued to look down into the gap, eyes narrowing into a burn, "I mean, if you don't things will probably get messier. By which I mean, I'll probably cut your hand off or she'll," there was a cock of the thumb to Kaie, "Strangle you with the chain. Now, we haven't decided who of us are going to do what first yet... but I'm going to count to ten, and if that petching chain isn't off by the time I get to ten, we'll find out what's going to happen... Understand?" Leaning back, she gave a firm spit followed by a lick of her blooded lip. Fallon gave only a look to Kaie, the faint bubbling of annoyance beneath her skin as she listened to what was going on within the darkness. There was the occasional glance down to her side, willing it to halt in its aching and hissing of wounds whenever she seemed to move. Pinching her brow she begun to slowly count, "One. Two. Thre-"

"Alright! Alright! I'm taking it off!" she heard the merchant shout, followed by the clattering of metal. Fallon roughly exhaled, brow meeting in the middle as she listened to the faint mumblings of what was going on around them. The pressure was on, and they had little time in which to wait around and make decisions. Eyes turned to the mouth of the alleyway, eyes narrowing to a close as she worked her way through the fog of adrenal, "Definitely need to think outside of the direct methods. They're on the prowl for us, and probably will keep it up for a good few bells. Any of you see which way they lead off onto?"
"Well, after us of course!"

Fallon shot the speaker a glare between the gap, a look of pure disapproval, "Not what I meant. But let's work with that. So, means they're going to or already have come this way and are going to search beyond." Her finger gave a point to the bright exit of the alleyway, "So with that in mind... we could loop back roun-"
"You suggesting we take longer? Who's to say they aren't waiting back there for us! Could pounce us at any moment, you know that right?"
"Then what do you suggest then? We can't lay low, and splitting up will spread us too thin," Silence was the only answer she received. Shaking her head she continued, "Double back through the alleys, Loop round, follow the coast along to Baroque Bay and cover the shape of the chest in something to make it look not like a chest. Somehow. At least when we're there we'll probably look less like an opportunity, I think."
"How much blood have the pair of you lost again?" she heard the mercenary and caught the raising of an eyebrow at her. It was something she did not really want to think about - not whilst there was more pressing issues to contend with first. There was only a shrug in response, Let's not think about that right now, focus on getting the client to the docks and then about how much of us is left standing."

There was the grunt in agreement from the merchant, the brother remaining relatively quiet in all of this. Perhaps that was for the best, she really had little patience to suffer another who would argue with her at to the next course of action. She looked to Kaie for her thoughts on it, "You alright with that? Or do you have a better idea?"
If there was none, there would be a firm thump on the side of the building - a signal to move out before pushing onwards once more through the twists and turns. Upon objection however, Fallon would simply stop, pause and listen.

[Kaie]

There was an immediate nod when Bitzer's thumb jerked her way, a hardening of an expression of utter seriousness and frustration. Twice that day the four of them had almost lost their hides. One of those times had been a retreat, a thought that still plagued the proud Myrian despite the necessity of the decision. Call it a scapegoat for bad luck, but Kaie still attributed majority (if not all) of their misfortune to those gods-forsaken chains. It would be a blessing from the Goddess Queen herself if she didn't hear the rattling metal links in her sleep that night. The notion was enough to amplify the cruelty of her thoughts, and the longer she stared at the chainer, the more vividly she seemed to wonder just how tight she could wrap the damn things around his throat after all. Lucky for him, he did concede to their wishes and ditched the liability.

The banter between the other two sellswords might've been amusing had their lives not been so jeopardized. All the while Kaie remained in her place leaning against the building with her eyes darting from one alley end to the other. Despite the man making some valid points, Bitzer had the right idea. They needed to really switch it up. Trailing along the coast certainly had its advantages. Not only was it a clear marker of direction but it blocked off a flank an enemy might wish to exploit. Now how do we get that far without an ambush? She mused to herself with a thoughtful cross of her arms. The alley certainly didn't seem to yield any resources for the moment, but that wasn't their only place to look. "As good a plan as any. I vote yes," The Myrian affirmed with a passive shrug of her shoulders. The dull throb in her body remained but her mind was sound enough to actively contribute. "Let's look for something to conceal the chest then. Take another look around in there." The sellsword man blinked at her dumbly and glanced back into the innards of their hiding place.
"But it's dark as shyke. What do you expect me to find anyways?"
"I don't petching know something to put it in. Just look around will you?"
With a grumble and few curses, the man disappeared back into the hole and began to rummage through the abandoned building. About a chime later the cripple finally piped up about something inside but it was too muddled for the Myrian to decipher. Not long after the man popped his head out once more and waved an old sack out of the hole.
"Cripple found it matted under the dirt. Oh, and this too." He tossed the sack into the alley and disappeared for a tick. When he emerged again he presented the Myrian with a filthy, tattered winter coat. "Looks like your plan went to shyke, eh?" Kaie lifted the dirty fabrics from the ground with a scowl, but her disdain quickly dissipated.
"Or...maybe not."

She stared down at the sack and coat for a few moments, glanced into the hole, and then turned to offer Bitzer a wicked grin. "I think I have an idea, but he won't like it," She confessed and gestured past their fellow sellsword and into the depths of the building. As she was shaking the gravel from the sack, the chainer shoved the mercenary man away from the hole's entrance to peer up at the two women.
"The petch do you mean, Savage?"
"From what I've seen, Sunberth's denizens are an ambitious, greedy lot. A chest reminds one of wealth, so of course they'd fall upon us like hungry dogs fighting over scraps. But...if we were travelling as something more common and even less intriguing, why would they bother even giving us a sideways glance?" Kaie shrugged innocently, trying to hide the smug smile that threatened to break her thoughtful demeanor. Her gaze avoided their employers for the sake of her neutral facade.
"And what's that you were thinking then?" Oh, how hard it was then for her not to crack that grin right then.
"Well, no one gives two shykes about a slave carrying a bundle for his masters. We can put the chest in the sack and shove this coat in with it to break up its shape, have some of the old fabric sticking out the top to really sell the image. Have the cripple and one of you pose as master and common guard," She began steadily, gesturing toward Bitzer and the other mercenary man at the end. "The other two can fan out at the flanks in a more staggered formation. It thins us out some but it maintains the scene and still keeps eyes where we need them." Kaie paused then to look down at the ground, her shoulder shaking some when the small laugh she'd tried to restrain broke through. That's when her amber eyes darted back to their wide-eyed employer and the mirthful grin returned. "Bitzer? I think our friend here might be needing his chains back after all."

Let's try turning our vulnerabilities into our strengths.

[Fallon]

Fallon ruled herself to silence as the Myrian spoke, favouring to listen to the idea before leaping at it. Besides, she seemed to be having enough fun dealing with the sarcastic banter given back by the others. Fallon's eyes gave a turn, her lips pursing into a line as she considered what was going on. It was an interesting line of thought to say the least, and it proved Kaie had a mind that worked along that of tactics. Her eyes gave a flicker down as the materials were brought forth, the mind formulating and trying to think what they could work with. Everything had to be used, nothing could go to waste - and it was the eyes that looked away on occasion to the narrow surroundings. To get trapped now would be nothing but trouble for them.

She caught the resisting of a smirk, the subtle pull of flesh as it resisted to move into an expression of amusement. Her brow rose to the wicked grin, the deep look of pondering as the ideas fell and were exposed for what they were. At first, Fallon snorted, her foot toeing the once discarded chains as the men begun to create an uproar. It was amusing in itself, to see them left squirming underneath their whims and somewhat startled by what could possibly be coming. There was the nods in agreement, Sunberth was filled with a lot of gold hungry, money grabbing members - and that was the better of them. She only shuddered at the thought of who could exist among the worst and so promptly diverted away from the notion.

Picking up the chains now, she gave a glance to the merchant and felt the weight within her hand, contemplating almost what to exactly do with it, "Walking forward but hidden in plain sight, simply. They will notice you as little more than another mundane face in the crowd... which can prove as a serious advantage. More so if you have prowlers demobilising potential issues," her head turned to Kaie then, and then nodded, "It would work better than blindly following each other. Just need to make sure to keep each other in sight I think. Not sure, you seem to be the thinker this time round."

Cocking her head back the way they came she spoke, "Going to guess you're going to be a flanker then. Meaning you," she gave a point to the cripple then as the men begun their reluctant crawling out, "Get to be our esteemed employer. And you," Lips peeled back into a wolfish grin, "Get to be our lovely little slave. Aren't you a lucky one?" She could already see the colour draining from the man's face as took the chest and begun the wrapping up of it into the layers, "Kaie, please assist our chainer friend in playing the part." Clearing her throat she gave a test of the sack before roughly attaching the chains to the man once more, "Splendid! Now you really do fit the part. Which now leaves us to a final choic-"
"I want to be as far away from him as possible," snapped the male mercenary, his arms folding and his gaze burning down upon them. Fallon looked him up and down then, gave a blink and then shrugged. Releasing a mutter she made up her choice - she was in no mood to argue after all, "I'll be playing the close guard then. Lucky me."

Shoulders rolled, a glance to her present state as she considered her options. Pointing forwards an in the general direction to the coast, she took a step forwards, peering almost head and at what was to come. Her plan was in mind now, it was set and there was no longer any turning back from what she had to do, "Come on, no use beating about any more. Come on cripple. Lead the way. We all know it, so don't worry about getting lost now." The crippled hobbled, the merchant grumbled unenthusiastically as the group begun to split into its parts, "Make sure we don't get shanked now, will you?"

[Kaie]

The savage flashed a proud grin at the other mercenary woman. Never having the chance to join the military in Taloba before her departure, Kaie had been more of an obedient foot soldier than a leader thus far. Sure, a few times she led jobs into the midst of battle for the sake of coin and sometimes their lives; but when Razkar had stepped up to take the rein she hadn't a thought against it. He was a male but a proven warrior. Tried and tested. His confidence had left her with the impression he held a leadership position once back in the depths of the jungle, and like any good militant, her loyalty and will fell into the hands of her superiors. It was oddly relieving to find herself manning the helm for once. Unnerving when she considered the consequences of her choices, but encouraging all the same. Unsteadiness now would not do.

"Nothing would make me happier," She taunted with a smug smile, boots tapping methodically against the alley ground toward their slave-to-be. His hands balled to indignant fists at his sides. There was a trembling in them. The Myrian's eyes tightened with a predatory gleam, and once Bitzer had rightfully chained the man for his part, she slipped a kukri from its holster.
"Wha-what are you doing?" The man stammered, fists lifting as if meekly hoping to provide some sort of defense. Kaie paused and offered him an irritated look and roll of her eyes. Her free hand smacked his pathetic shield down and yanked at the shirt fabric on his shoulder. A single run of the blade left a nasty tear, leaving the fabric to hang miserably in its wake. The same was done to the middle of his back and to one of his sides, though these tears were more jagged. She even slit the pants fabric around one of his knee caps for good measure.
"Not such a bad look for you, Chainer. In fact, it might be an improvement." The man merely glared at her, arms crossed defiantly across his chest.
"Why don't you wear the chains, Savage? Not like your sort is good for much else." He spat at her feet and she watched the saliva coagulate into the dirt. She smiled to herself once more, twisting the kurki in her hand and eyeing its shine before turning her attention back to him.
"And leave you with the sword? Not petchin' likely." She sheathed the weapon and scooped a handful of gravel and dirt into her hands, then whipped it toward him, letting it hit him in a thick plume of grey and brown. His hands flashed to his face, and already at arm's length away, the Myrian make a point to rub the remnants from her hands across his cheeks.
"Besides, the role fits your wits."

Kaie turned on her heel and let her fingers fall back against her gladius, fanning out back toward the alleyway. She paused behind Bitzer and gave her a nod. The entourage would lead out and the two prowlers would fan out soon after. It wouldn't be long now. They just needed to play their parts.
"Bastard has a point. Best a Myrian keeps her distance to avoid attention. I'll have your backs on the crowd side. Don't let the little shykes try anything funny," She muttered to Bitzer with a hardened expression, shifting amber eyes still distrustful of the world outside their temporary hideout. To the cripple she offered a momentary grin, though.
"Now that...That all depends on you two." And once they'd succumbed to the brighter world ahead toward the rolling sea, the Myrian would give pause for but a few ticks before darting toward the crowd.

[Fallon]

Exhaling, Fallon begun to make her move. The firm push forward of the chainer, her eyes looking ahead and then occasionally around to her surroundings. A glance to the men, working on keeping equal pace next to them as she stepped, her hands remained on the tulwars, her orbs staring on ahead as she worked her way forth. She did not look back to Kaie when the Myrian gave her mumble, she had to focus on what was ahead of her and the potential mishaps that could happen along the way. They had their direction, they just had to get there now in one piece.

Exiting the alleyway the defensive was taken, it was her job to really - deal with those who strayed in too close, to harm, to hurt. It would be others, the looking opportunity to strike that the rest would have to deal with. The pulse gave the smallest flicker, the cripple leading the way onwards. She knew the route vaguely; hit the street, turn east towards the coast and follow it along. Easy, if not a slightly daunting ideal. Lips twisted and pursed into a line, her brow knitting as she tried to gather her thoughts into something more useful. Lips gave a purse, her lids narrowing down as she considered her next move. The gentle clink, she tuned out the mumbling complaints of the merchant as they pressed on.

Shadows in the openings moved and shifted, her back straightening as she stared into the gloom of them. Her lips pursed into a line, her chin lifting as she looked upon the shapes that decided if this little group was worth the time. Nostrils flared, a burn down before her head turned forward once more. Behind she could hear the steps of others, of passersby in the street, the common crowd watching but hardly paying attention to the individuals. The street greeted them, a turn to the right and back along the old path that had been taken during their flight. A glance back over her shoulder, she looked upon the chainer, the sheepish glances he was giving as he seemed to fall into a state of being almost timid. She mumbled "Playing the part well aren't you?"

The eyes blinked back, confused almost by what she said before he scowled, "What you mean?"
"You, all mouse like. Amusing really. Don't snap now, you'll ruin the image," she sighed. Her head turned back on ahead a catching of the shape as it pushed off and slipped into one of the other alleyways. Fingers tightened around the hilts, a step and another turn as they turned eastward, another flicker forward, her eyes caught another shape a man looking and weighing himself up against the group. Eyes locked, the low rumblings of a growl crawling up her throat - she shook her head, teeth flashing their warning - I will hurt you - as the small gathering group went on past.

Ticks turned into chimes, and the time stretched onwards with the steps that moved ever closer. The group fell into its silence guarded against the world and watching all for the tell tale signs of danger. The crippled was the one that spoke up first, "How do you think the others are doing?"
"Don't know," she murmured, the gentle clink filling her momentary silence, "Good with a blade. Both are skilled, else why would you hire them. Probably fine." She cocked her head forward, spying the break between the buildings and the shimmering waves that were off in the distance, "Come on, not long now. Just a bit further. Final push."

[Kaie]

It was a strangely deceptive thing she was doing, this prowling in the shadows of the surrounding crowd. Somehow it came natural to her. Instinctive. Back in the thick jungles of the Motherland, Kaie came from a clan whose very nature was almost nocturnal and equally stealth-driven. Unlucky barbarians had spread a reputation for the Cutthroat Shadows, the Myrian tribe that stalked them in the dead of night like a pack of Akila Hounds. They'd linger in the foliage, merely watching and positioning their fangs right before the ignorant, blind eyes they were targeting. Then all at once the jungle would come alive with their whoops and animal howling, and the night would rush in upon the invaders with blades and arrows. Nostalgia momentarily crept into the mind of the stubborn Myrian traveler. With a shake of her weary head the thoughts of faraway histories and home disappeared. Her eyes and her head could only afford to focus on the reality in which she lived. The one where danger lurked and the rest of her group relied on her to remain steadfast in her vigilance. She set her jaw and weaved onward.

Few paid her much mind. With the occasional call of a wayward merchant from his shoddy stall or the shriek of an infuriated victim racing after a pickpocket, there were more pressing matters for them to attend to. Besides, a Myrian unwilling to be caught unawares was not something most wished to trifle with. Those born in Sunberth searching to hassle an outsider would get her when they always did: drunk off liquid courage with a rally of buddies to have their backs. Nonetheless, Kaie knew enough to keep her head low.

The little convoy seemed to be fairing well enough. The cripple continued to hobble on, the chainer rattled his chains, and Bitzer held authority with a clever grip. So far so good, She dared to decide after catching a glimpse of her prowling counterpart across the way. She dared to edge a bit out of the crowd. Now walking just behind the group, always at least two bodies' width away, her accuracy at observing more immediate threats seemed to improve. Amber eyes now met with the shiftier ones just ahead. She could see the way certain walkers slowed at the sound of the chains, the way their hands slipped to their belts where a weapon surely hid. But when was it the right time to engage? How can I wedge myself between thieves and manage not to get jumped by the crowd? There was hardly any time to deliberate. One of those shifty eyes seemed to have grown curious.

A bald man in his mid-thirties clutched at a knife on his belt, shoved his way from an alley wall and made his way through the sea of bodies. His beady black eyes settled on the group, and the knife slowly began to slide into his hand. His movement was almost pragmatic enough to fool the Myrian. The glint of the small blade in the sunlight, however, was not. Her pace quickened and soon enough she was practically shoving her way past those ahead of her, earning some queer looks and curses. Just before he broke from the safety of the crowd, Kaie knocked her shoulder into his. He stumbled back with a growl, prompting a similar reaction from those he back-pedalled into. He wheeled back toward her with a snarl, flashing blackening teeth with his advance. The Myrian fixed her eyes on the blade once more, and took her hand off hers.

"Fixin' for a figh', whore?" He hissed, the knife gesturing along with his hands.
"No, but he is. Caught the little bastard picking at your pocket! That one there!" She lied, jerking a finger over his shoulder where a young man had already started running from gods-know what. He hooked a corner and the man whipped around to steal a glance at him just in time. He hesitated between the Myrian and the alleged thief before he self-consciously patted his pockets, and took off after the run-away. A few bystanders had turned to watch the short-lived scene before boredly returning to their business. Kaie let out the breath she had been holding. Her hand jerked back to the safety of her weapon hilt. Then she was back on the prowl, hiding the relief on her face when she noticed the group steadily moving ahead of her. It wouldn't take more than a few ticks to catch up.

[Fallon]

Fallon's skin prickled, the momentary of raising hairs almost in anticipation for an attack. Internally she cursed herself, the low hiss escaping from her lips as she forced her gaze to slip forward once more. To look tense, wary and watching every move made was a signal - at least that was what she felt - for those to take the opportunity. An aura of nervousness detectable and seen as a weakness, and with the docks so close to hand it was not a risk she could take. Her features steeled, eyes boring into whoever was in front of her at the time. Still, somewhere behind the others were shadowing the group, deterring others from attacks.

At least, that was the theory. She did not want to look behind to see if it was true or not, let alone it would ruin the illusion so carefully made. Fingers tightened and loosened around the hilt of her blades, her eyes came down into a narrow as she gave a flicker. There was a small persuasive nudge along to the brothers in encouragement to hurry their steps. Eyes were closing in around them and it would only be a matter of time before once more they were set upon. Unless of course, they got to their destination first. Then it would not matter, the contract would be complete and everything could finally, be laid to rest.

Somewhere behind she heard the rise of movement, the barging of the way forward and through the crowd. Above she heard the hollering shout of the Myrian, though barely, the direct away of a potential danger. She did not look or think too much upon it, just the process of ever moving forwards. There was a sidestep as a lad ran past her, and the disgruntled grumble of annoyance as she looked back to watch a bald man move on past. An entire section of pause as she considered her next move. Her head gave an incline forward to the men, "Come on. Next turn right?"

There was barely a flicker around back to Kaie, but glazing almost as she checked the positions of others as she moved. Around her the people continued to press in, the once moving crowd slowing as people begun to condense inwards at them. Near shoulder to shoulder, it would take little more than a small nudge to tap the person next to her. Her hand shifted then, reaching around to the kukri and resting there - held and ready to draw should a sudden knife flash. Rocking up onto her toes she managed to peer over the shoulders to the docks. A suck in of air, the nagging feeling and pressure rising up within.

A heavier force, more of a push through with her free hand to get her way out. Pulse quickened, the breaths growing shorter as she continued to keep pushing herself on through. Somewhere above the ship whistles pierced out, the scent of salt lingering in the air. Her eyes gave a dart to the left, catching the hungry look of another as they glanced back. Her lip twitched in annoyance, another gentle push of movement as she wriggled on through. The merchant received a guiding gesture onwards, the cripple following behind as it became compressed. Tighter, struggling, her jaw clenching as she used a bit more force to get through. Until, at last, there was freedom.

With the docks opening before her she sucked in the air, freedom from the press of bodies that seemed to crush in around her with every step. Shoulders gave a slump, a moment of reprised needed from the closed in space that consumed suddenly. Her eyes gave a glance back to the men, their look onwards to one of the moored ships upon the water. The final destination of this journey. Stepping the merchant took the lead this time, the chain still gently rattling around his wrist as he seemed to cautiously make his way over. Fallon released a mumble, "Petching... crowds. The vessel right? Going to guess that's the drop off point for you."
"Got that right," he muttered back, "Can have your pay soon mercenary. But I expect compensation for your bad handling."
"Yeah, fine. Whatever makes you sleep at night."

[Kaie]

Her hands worked smoothly before her, gently pressing past bodies that walked in her path back to the small convoy. The people she wedged herself between hardly seemed bothered. One or two turned their heads to glance at the foreign woman, but then their focus had wandered elsewhere. Soon enough the Myrian was back in the position she needed to be, within range of the group but not close enough to be obviously associated with it. From then on she tried to remain more relaxed. A tense savage flitting about the streets was bound to draw stares, and thus she did her best to keep her gaze lowered and muscles relaxed. It was a strange balance between alertness and forced casualness. When they finally reached the openness of the docks, Kaie led the breath she had been holding free.

Salvation came in the form of salty air and disgruntled sailors. Calls from captains and first mates alike willed their crews aboard for maintenance and cargo handling. One of the ships reminded the Falyndar native of the one she had taken from her homeland to Riverfall. It had been manned by Svefra, a people that both captured her curiosity and suspicion. They'd let her climb the ratlines and once man the helm, she remembered. That was of course before she found her bone knife wedged in the belt of one of the sailors. It took bells before the young Kaie could win it back from him.

Amber eyes spied the merchant leading the way just then toward one of the ships. A nod was offered to the mercenary across the way, and the two rallied in several paces from the group.
"Not such a bad idea after all, Myrian," He offered with a gleam of yellowed teeth. A dirtied hand tugged through his hair. "Thought they had us for a minute though." They strode up to finally meet with their counterparts. The mercenary squinted up at the sails of the vessel. His body seemed to almost sag under the weight of their experience despite his refusal to show such weakness. Human and foreigner looks between the cripple and Bitzer, then to the ringleader.

"Let's see the coin."

[Fallon]

There was a disgruntled noise from the merchant, the low almost angry grumble as he adjusted himself and his load. Hands brushed the dirt off and pulled his clothes into some semblance of order, an attempt to put on an air of presence that he otherwise sorely lacked. And they had seen it firsthand themselves, the whining tones, the snappy nerves as he quivered in fear and made his demands with the empty threat of less coin. So for now Fallon had bide her time, slowly watching and analysing his methods of working around things to get his way - something that had mostly backfired thus far. Blinking, she moved her gaze onwards and let it flicker to the brother. The mostly silent one, obedient because of his injury, though still nowhere near as timid. He just took things in his stride, and did as he was told for now.

The arrival of the other mercenaries caught her attention, her gaze lifting to look upon them as the talk of pay came to the fore. Of course, coin, payment for service - though by this point Fallon would have just been happy to be rid of the man. He was hard and tiring work, and she had enough. Fingers gave a click, and she watched the man begin his rummaging through his pockets.

"Greedy little..." She could hear the attempted burn in his voice, "Fifty gold a head." He held the coins out and snatched his hand back, refusing at first to hand it over. The cripple gave only a sigh and the shake of the head, "Subtracting five gold for the rough handling and letting us almost get set upon. Twice!" She watched him pocket the amount away, "Taking another five for making me look like a petching fo-"
"Why you little-" The other mercenary began, fists balling up. Fallon only raised her hand to silence him and shook her head to watch the chainer continue.
"Another five for openly threatening your employer!" He raised his voice in angry tones. There was a blink as the values swirled around in her head and the coin was thrust at them. Thirty five each, a definite percentage hack from what it was before.

"You expect us to just take this shyke? Son of a-"
"Shut up," Fallon hissed, feeling the limited weight of the gold in her hand, "If it's such a problem to you both, here." She split her own coin and passed it to them, and shook her head at them, "Make no complaints, I have no time for this. Just glad to get rid of him. Besides, plenty of other opportunities out there for more." Her thoughts were voiced, her brow setting into a line as she pushed past and away - grateful she no longer had to deal with the damned man, "See you around."

[Kaie]

The exchange was not an uncommon one. Often she had completed assignments and haggled with her comrades and employer to avoid being stiffed. More often than not it was her voice that cut the deepest, fearlessly protesting against any unsatisfying weight of coin in her hands. This time was rather different. Her expression was almost placid. Shoulders rolled in fatigue and eyes wandered elsewhere. She stared at the sail hanging high above them, listened to the way it fluttered in the sea breeze. Part of her wished to once more feel the rock of the ocean beneath her bare feet, and watch the bold, opened sail swell against the wind. Far more peaceful would such an excursion be when compared to the gnawing irritation that bubbled within her whenever the chainer spoke.

Oh, for petch's sake, Her thoughts grinded as copper fingers came to pinch the bridge of her nose. It was bullshyke, she knew it. They'd had quite the plight since they signed up with the merchant and his crippled sibling. Blood had been spilled and pride rocked. They had battled with tooth and nail and fled through the alleyways like rats. Sunberth had made them their prey today, and the jungle predator was glad to be out of the city's jaws for the time being. Thus, when the coin fell into her open palm, fingers snapped shut. Thirty-five it was, but there was a blink of utter shock that came when Bitzer forfeited her own cut to please the other two. A furrowed brow cast a shadow over Kaie's tanned face as she tried to work it out in her head. Hadn't they been through enough that day? Didn't she want something to show for the abuse she had endured? A curl of disdain came across the Myrian's lips when her gaze found that of the merchant.


"Perhaps it will be me that leads the ambush when I hear the rattle of your chains," She growled in spite, her eyes carrying naught but conviction to go with her threat. He stilled just then, gritting his teeth in anger and raising a finger as if to curse her. The savage silenced that thought when she spat viciously at his feet and pocketed the coin. And as she turned on her heels like the woman before her and vanished into the crowds past the docks, the merchant's face had paled. The importance of paying an employed mercenary was not just about their satisfaction or fairness for their labor. It was insurance. An insurance three swords now knew he was unwilling to pay them for, whether or not they truly deserved it.