Soul Forge 1x1

"Aye. Much obliged." The barkeep thanked the young man and took the silver, and gave it a firm bite between his teeth to ensure that it was indeed real. When it came to miners, they knew all sorts of tricks with the ore they uncovered and it was best to check. When the blue haired man was gone, he was beckoned over to the tables where the trainees were all rolling about, three sheets to the wind, and the nobleman the worst of them all.

Lady leaned against the wall, keeping out of sight with her arms folded over each other to keep the chill away. The sun had set and the stars had come out, dotting the sky between the curling pillars of smoke rising up from the chimneys. It wasn't long before she heard foot steps down the alley and her blue-green eyes flicked up to see Grele emerging from between two of the ramshackle houses. A small smile graced her lips and she nodded. "You had no trouble I see," she said, "Hand me the bags and the gold is yours."
 
"Aye, no trouble at all" He said looking her in the eye "But before i give ya these lets look at what they're for?" He half asked half stated somewhat inquisitively looking at the bag on his hip.

His hand was placed on his sword and his pick was on his back. His stance was casual to those who looked at it, but to the expirienced his stance was screaming of danger ready to attack or defend at the sligthest sign of danger. His other hand went to the blacksmiths sack rumaging through it.
 
The sack contained, a light short blade, made plain with no markings, and a dagger of the same craft tucked into simple leather sheaths. A scowl swept over Lady's face at his prying. "It's rude to look through any woman's bag, you know," she snapped, making a grab for the bag. The more he saw, the more he knew and she couldn't have that.
 
Unlike his robust build Grele moved with uncanny speed to evade her grab causing the blades to throw up in the air he pulled out his short sword smacked the short blade away from falling into her grasp sending it flying little ways into the alley the Knife landing neatly in her hands.

"A little fast to be a normal noblewoman eh milady?" He said in a mocking tone He suddenly strapped the other two bags both infront of his chest and his back.

"Father always said the best armor was something the enemy considers precious" taking his pick axe on his left hand "So are we gonna get dirty or you gonna spill lass?" He said going into a stance.
 
Lady gripped the knife with a practiced grip in her thin hands, knees bent and ready to move, as her eyes looked over the man. Perhaps she had been wrong in surmising his interest in gold overriding his curiosity. Now, he had what she needed to leave. Was he intent on selling it? He would be terribly dissapointed. Of course, if that were the case, he probably would have tried to kill her already. Her eyes shifted over his form lit only by torch light paces away, and studied her opponent. The pickaxe had more reach than the dagger, but on the whole the axe would be more unweildly. He moved fast and had experience, which could make up for that.

"So, now I am an enemy? Last I checked, I was an employer," she said sharply, "My business is my own. You will give me my things." Not seeing any sign of backing down, Lady sighed, and relaxed some before taking a fast lunge. He blocked the blade quickly, but not before her other hand whipped around and snatched at the twine, spilling the contents of the third package from the tavern keep. A pair of women's leather pants and plain blue tunic with a black leather belt tumbled into the streets. "I told you," she challenged him.
 
"Well i quoted him word for word, Youd barely be considered one" Grele said in a snarky tone.

'I'm not gonna watch another noble lass go out to the Hearth(Forge) and die for a weapon'
Grele thought bitterly remembering how he had not stopped Katarina from trying to reach the Hearth.

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(Flashback)
' "Throat was slit and she wasn't defiled " said the Lord of Mist Mire Owain Umber.

Grele the secondary captain was had just been promoted to First Captain of the Mist Mire guard. Something he only expected to hear when Katarina was to be wed to some lordling and Fergus becoming Lord of Mist Mire.

"Is that so." His voice was hollow when he heard the news.
He had watched as she headed out of the mire with the few of their best guards he wouldve come with if not for the fact he was second in command.

"Damn bloody swamp!!!" He cursed before bursting out of his Lord's office.

(End)
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With quick steps he used the digging side of the pick and threw dirt at her making her wince and quickly using the oppurunity by cutting the clothing on her chest aswell as the brasiere
'Lets see if you can ignore a imodesty otherwise youd just die out there' He thought waiting for Lady's next move.
 
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The dirt spattering her face and eyes was an annoyance enough to stop her for a moment out of instinct. A quick lash and a tug at the front of her dress, made a gaping rip almost down to her navel, and sent what little chest she had springing out. Lady yelped, mostly from the sudden cold and sent a hard wipe at her face clearing the dirt. What remained was a spark of rage in her blue eyes. If he wanted the good, fine. But to expose her? With a ferocious growl she dove for the man, tackling him in the middle in a flurry of skirts, propriety be damned.

They tumbled to the dirt, and she straddled him with the dagger at his throat. The bread was getting squished, but she didn't care. "Grele Riv-"

Her words were cut short when the sounds of voices and a lamp light appeared around the corner. The watch was making their rounds. In a near panic, she glared down at Grele. "Don't move."

Shadow appeared around the corner as two guards came closer with their lamp. Lady closed her eyes, gathering her concentration as she whispered under her breath. The two men walked into the alley and noticed the dropped clothing, kicking at it with their toes more out of boredom, and then passed by as if they didnt see the noblewoman or the stranger at all.
 
"You know when i said dirty i didn't mean this?" Grele said before pushing her off. Headed for his bag that he discarded and "Anyway here" said throwing the bag of bakers bread at her feet.

"Seems like you can take care of yourself atleast, although you won't get far." Grele said dusting himself off of the mud "You'll die before goingto the Hearth seen it happen once." he continued on before grabbing her adventuring clothes and handing them to her. "Word of advice never go to the Hearth lass you have it good, wont want to see ya cut up out there." He said as a jingle can be heard as he was walking away. "I'll be taking my fee and some extra." he said jingling her coin puch and continuing walking away as he ate the squsihed bread from his back dissapearing into the night.

'Okay missy lets see what'll do now' Grele said to himself as he continued his walk before stopping at the corner wall and peaking over waiting for how shell deal with the situation.
 
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Lady let out a soft ood as he flipped her off and walked away with her purse, taken right of her dress. Watching him walk away...eating the bread...and daring to comment like she had come on to him...it made another arch of anger jolt her into action. What an arrogant man.

Whispering again, she cast the spell and dissapeared from sight. Magic took its toll on one's energy. Using it came with the equal price of exchanging ones focus and strength to cast it into the world. She had already used it twice tonight and the subsequent energy drain was starting to slow her. Still, she had enough energy for this.

Slipping ahead of him, she waited for him to shovel another piece of the bread into his mouth and then reared back, smacking him hard against the face before snatching back her coin purse. The moment she did, the spell dropped, revealing her standing there Still half dressed, but she didn't rightly care. The stunned look was worth it. "Word of advice," she hissed, "Couriers who steal from their clients do not get paid."

With that, she crossed her arms and covered herself, but kept her stance firmly in his path. "How do you know I intend to go to the Forge and join the Guardians?" She had told no one of her plan, and she had to know if this man was a spy sent by her father or just a lucky guesser.
 
Nursing his head one thought went through Grele's head. 'Magic! Damn how could i be so careless.' Quickly getting up from his feet a smile grazed his lips. "Well Lady ya really wanna know?" He said standing up. "Lemme introduce myself again Brother Ben Alaran, Cleric of House Umber aswell as Former Captain of Mist Mire Rangers at your sevice." He said before showing the pendant given by the order.

It was a pendant made from pure silver and a pattern of a golden cross and on its center was a small green sphere a specialized stone that was made the rocks that grew near the Forge being able to glow when it sensed you were near the Forge.

Looking up at the lady feeling she was doubtful, he grabbed the leather like rope around his waist and ripped out the leather a chain with a small ball on the end aswell as a leather grip with the symbol of his altar.

The chain whip was the standard issue weapons of clerics more used for subduction and incapacitation aswell as repenting of criminals.
 
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Lady backed away, her face a mask of calm despite how hard her heart was beating. This man was a cleric, a worshipper of the Forge...and a bit of a scoundrel. I should have hit him harder.

She used one hand to the her coin purse back on her belt while holding her top together with the other. "My name is Lady."

He seemed to expect more than that, and Lady sighed some. Lady, first daughter of the Minor Guardian House Frasier. Forgive me for not giving a courtsey, but my hands are otherwise occupied."

With that, she went about picking up the strewn clothes. The first was the tunic, which she slipped around he shoulders and buttoned up the front to the collar. It looked odd with the skirts, but it was better than running naked in the cold. Next, she retrieved the small sword and began trying it to her belt. "Why is the Umber House Cleric here in the plains, and why lie about your name?"
 
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"I already know about you noble lasses and your want to go to the Hearth or Forge as you say in your parts." Ben replied to lady's question "I was actually here to investigate some stolen pendants from our clerics that were attacked near the plains according to my sources Priest Mikael was residing here and wanted to ask him to accompany me. Sadly it seems he was preparing for a pilgrimage to the forge and i don't have the authority to post pone such a holy duty."

"I spent 3 weeks undercover here trying to gather information about some likely suspects and haven't had any leads....well until you came along, I could see that fire in your eyes.....something I've seen in my years as a cleric you want to join the guardians?"He continued "Well let me tell ya something miss even if wasn't hindering you, you'd be hard pressed to join since no one can enter there without a cleric or a pendant....unless your the one whose has gotten now? Ben walked to her side suddenly his soothe covered form was replaced by a blue robe with glowing patchwork patterns having only 2 lines of it on his back symbolizing he held the rank Adept, and with a chest guard arm guards and leg guards. "Well that disperses my illusion" he said hiding what seemed to be a miniature wand before putting it in his robe. Before looking at her. "Now I'm not saying you were the one who harmed Master Cleric Johan and his Acolytes which would be impossible if i might add, but it's not impossible the perpetrator sold the pendants in your markets and you are in possession of one." He then pulled off his robe and covered her with it.
 
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Lady listened to the man spout off about knowing all about noble women, and a few very thoughts comments passed over in her head. This man had many assumptions. Resisting the urge to roll her eyes, she kept her face neutral as ever, and pulled the robe tighter over her shoulders until he mentioned her having something to do with the missing relics.

"I am a first daughter of a guardian house, and a willing cleric would let me pass, I have no need for stolen pendants," she replied firmly. He looked as though he didn't believe her and she flicked her fingers over her torn dress. "I was intending to leave tonight and I clearly have no place unexposed to hide trinkets anyways."

There was the problem that someone had attacked the clerics though and that if trouble was starting in her city, she did need to know of it. "Someone who sought entry who was neither a first child or of a Guardian family is the more likely suspect. If you seek the stolen items perhaps you should check the markets in the night, or perhaps with the trade guilds. They are always seeking powers and wealth. I still intend on taking my jorueny to the Forge, but the missing relics should be recovered before I go. It is a Guardians duty."
 
"Wait you still think were letting guardian families pass without confirmation?" Ben was dumbfounded 'Did news not reach this city?'

"A month ago our monastery was attacked, atleast 1/10th of our members were either killed or injured when we let a group of you firstborn nobles in.....we have sent word to all clerics to escort candidates or give them their pendant to prove them to be allowed otherwise we would eliminate you....Did Priest Mikael not tell you?" Ben said suspiciously.

"Listen i might have made the wrong assumptions but there is something deeper going on here and i need to speak with Mikael right now....Tell you what you want to go to the Hearth fine I'll take you there or if dont want my company Ill give you my pendant....but you have to help me get to the bottom of this deal? Ben heald out his hand waiting for it to be either shaken or slapped away.
 
Hearing this put a damper on her plans, but perhaps it was fortune that she had come across Ben. Simply because she was next in line to take her father's position someday didn't mean she was in the know of all information at all times.

"Mikale has been preoccupied with the Lord's son Doriane, who will also be leaving for the Forge with him as an escort. If it was a group of first born lordlings, then they will be headed to the Forge as well. First. If something larger is going on, you should meet with him first, though I doubt he'll have the time."

Grabbing his hand, she shook it firmly and then tugged him closer to look him in the eye. " I am sorry to hear of your loss and I will help.....but if you get any funny ideas about ruining this tunic, I'll take a page of advice from your captain's book."

Her warning delivered with the sincerest of smiles, Lady pointed to the alley. "Let us see if he is still at the temple."
 
"I truly expected you to break down like all those lasses that had to face the Trials and cried because their parts were showing" Ben defended. "Not everyone is as brave to show off as you milady " He said teasingly. as he started following her to the temple.

"In any case your good....I doubt you were taught though your skilled but ineexpierience If i had fought seriously you wouldve lasted...5 to 7 minutes which is particularly long, word of advice though don't suddenly use your free hand to hide your breasts in a fight won't do you much good I can tell ya that much" Ben continued the praising and admodishued.

His chain whip held at his side and the sword was strapped to his back and the pick axe was discarded in the alley he looked more dignified in his actual attire instead of the illusion of a miner.
 
For whatever reason he felt the need to praise and yet condesecend to her all at once, and considering he looked no older than she at the level of adept, he hardly had room for talk. It almost felt worth mentioning that she had in fact not covered herself and done what had to be done, but it looked as though arguing with him would be a moot point. He was offering her a way to what she needed and that was what mattered.

"We'll, I'll just keep that in mind for the next time," she replied with a small sigh.

Lady lead the cleric through the streets, careful to avoid crowds and whispering herself invisible when needed, until they came upon the small stone temple and sleeping quarters of the town cleric. She could see Mikel's whyte light was on, fluttering about in his open window. Damn. They hadn't left yet. "I'll wait out here while you speak with him."
 
Going to the temple Ben kicked open the door.
*THWACK*
The sound echoed through out the halls announcing his presence. light steps began as light appeared from the top of the stairs a scraggly long haired blonde man appeared wearing a similar robe but had 3 patchwork lines indicating he was a priest a longsword was strapped to his back and his chain whip hanged from his left hip.
"Well if it isn't Ben how have you been?" Mikael said as he approached his old friend. "And what brings you here you should know im preparing for a pilgrimage."

"Master Johan and his Acolytes were attacked near here ive been investigating." was Ben's reply has he hugged his rival.

(One lengthy conversation)

"YOU MORONIC IDIOT!!!!, Why didn't you inform me immidiately i couldve helped you." Mikael was fuming at Ben's rash actions
"But you know they would say if I didn't do this by myself then id never get a promotion" Ben replied meekly.

"You would have your promotion if you actually followed procedure your combat skill is easily High-Priest(Not High Priest) level even if you can barely use magic you can compensate it with artifacts since you have a higher constitution" Mikael admonished. "But still if does nobles could take down Master Johan they must be pretty dangerous...I'll have to pull you off this case Ben" Mikael said in a commanding tone. "Ive already finished preparation for the pilgrimage so I'll have you go in my stead while i investigate this with the local lord....I'll also recommend you for promotion if you manage my request" Mikael then took a sip from his cup.

Ben looked down before nodding his head he didn't have the necessary resources to investigate such a task fully and the trail was already cold since he wasted time.

"Very well we shall depart in 2 days" Ben said before getting up "Forgive me but i have a little bussiness to take care of" Bowing he then went out of the temple.
 
Lady stood the door listening and grimaced when she heard that Ben was off the case and now escorting Doriane. Slipping off his robe, she left it folded neatly in the bench nearby before slipping into the darkness. Traveling with Doriane wasn't possible for her and she would have to find her own way to the Forge.

*******
( 2 days later)
Doriane sat astride a large palamino stallion as people waived him down the street. Where was that replacement cleric? He was late and about to ruin the grandest of exits from the city gates.
 
Ben was lying on a branch of the tree near the stables he wore his cloak now and actually looked like a cleric although his position quickly ruined the imagery, spotting Lady from the stairs heading down the gates, he jumped the branch and saddled up his horse a chestnut mare before riding near lady. "Hey a promise is a promise!" Ben yelled before throwing a bag at her, before rushing to the gates.

(Gates)
Coming through the crowded people he spotted the Lady's brother pompous as always waving to the people. "Hey Doriane enough with the hand waving if we don't get there by 2 weeks you'll be hard pressed to do the trials when its cleaning day!" Ben yelled before dashing past Doriane and out of the gates.

(Bag Contents)
Cleric Pendant
Detailed Map to an fishing hut near the Hearth.
3x Healing Potion
3x Stamina Potion
Telesia Dagger-a dagger made specifically from the reactive ores near the forge it is a great conduit for spells and magic. (Spell:Razor Wind-project air/wind in a way that allows them to cut through matter from a distance.)
Note-Well I might not be able to join you on the way but heres a secret path for cleric only use you'll probably get there by 1 week and 3 days using the pendant and map I say use the 4 to train up I'll retrieve after escorting your brother be sure to train hard also use it well you don't know how hard to get one of these from the temple.
 
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