as written by Script and Knosis
Naotora shook his head, "Nothing that I've heard of, but I have to assume something's acting as a catalyst for it. Whatever it is, it's stayed quiet enough that no word of it has reached us."
As they approached the Guild House, they passed by several groups of people who greeted Naotora with a wave and smile. Each of the groups appeared to be composed of warriors or people otherwise equipped for travel and combat. At a glance, some had the look of mercenaries, but there was an extra layer of... 'polish' to them that set them apart from your typical hired sword. Each individual looked like they had an interesting story to tell.
The front of the building itself was dominated by a pair of large double doors, embossed with a pattern of flames in a winged shape. The doors stood open at the top of a few small steps up from the street, and thankfully were tall enough to allow even Tugark's near ten-foot frame to enter without ducking.
Inside, the main hall was alive with activity. A multitude of tables were arrayed before them resembling a mess hall, as people sat around them laughing and drinking merrily. There was a bar to one side of the room, tended by several men and women, and it looked as though behind it there was a kitchen serving food. The back of the room played host to a raised dais with a large bulletin board, where various posters describing jobs were placed - most of the displayed jobs were things like bounties, or long-term 'for hire' ads, rather than time sensitive matters.
It looked as though those things were handled as they came in, and off to one side a group of people were talking with a woman with long blonde hair holding a clipboard and wearing a pointed hat and glasses, taking notes as they talked to her. After a brief exchange, they handed her a pouch of money and she turned to begin making her way around the room, approaching tables of people and showing them the clipboard.
"That's Shiori," Nao pointed a finger at her, "She handles new requests, and depending on their urgency either immediately hands them off to one or more of our members, or posts them on the board."
He led Tugark off to the side of the room, where there were a few empty tables, and took a seat atop one of them. He gestured for Tugark to do the same on the table across from him - the benches might have been too small for him to sit on, but the table could work as a substitute. "Alright. Nobody should bother us - my guildmates know better than to interrupt me when I'm talking to someone from outside the guild in case you're a client. But you needn't worry, they're all trustworthy."
Kurai led the group from Yosai Village into the Golden Phoenix Guild Hall only a minute or two after Nao had arrived with Tugark. He turned to them with a smile, "Wait here one moment, I'll get Shiori for you. She deals with incoming jobs."
He left them standing in the entrance-way to look over the bustling hall. Kyo's eyes widened at the sight - so many people of different creeds and talents in one place was astounding. "This place is amazing," she murmured, "It must be so exciting to be a member of a guild like this."
Tugark still seemed unwilling to talk, even with Nao's assurances that none with eavesdrop or interrupt. It would seem that he had no choice in the matter.
The beast would lean gently against one of the tables, his blue hues gazing around the Guild Hall once more before going on about his story. "I am missing something of importance to me." He said quietly. "Two things, actually, but only one really matters." He held up one massive finger. "The first and least important is an arm band made of a rare metal. It was given to me by a dear friend, and has some.. Properties to it that aid me during battles."
"The second and most important is a blade of which no other has been made.." He said quietly. "It has been blessed by my Goddess, and it is part of my very soul.. And with it, comes all the power I have been blessed with.." He whispered as quietly as he could. "I can feel it has fallen into someone's hands.. But they do not know how to use it. The last place I had tracked it down, a thief had sold it to a peddler that was said to have come this way.." Tugark murmured.
"I must find it before it falls into the wrong hands.. Unfortunately, it has the ability to change its shape to the need of its wielder, so even I do not know what it looks like right this moment.." He clenched his jaw. "There is a secret to finding it.. But I will not tell you unless you decide you are willing to help me."
"A weapon that is part of your soul?" Nao whistled, "I can see why you'd want to get that back."
He leaned back, frowning thoughtfully, "Okay, I'll help you. But first, tell me a bit about yourself, and your Goddess. Just to make sure I'm not being duped into helping some great evil acquire the relic they need to wreak havoc. Not that I think you're evil, but it never hurts to know the full story."
The beast closed his eyes and took in a long deep breath before letting it out in a sigh. "It is.. A long story." Tugark explained. "But if you're willing to listen it out, then I shall tell it."
He folded his massive arms over his chest, his eyes remaining closed as he recalled his memories. "Hrmmm.. My people, the Avand, are creatures known for our warriors. We are usually trained for the hopes that one day we are called upon to protect those who we serve. The biggest honor is to serve as Guardian to the Goddess." He murmured. "When I was just a pup, our Goddess Ivon lost her Guardian due to an attempt on her life." He explained. "And thus, the search for a suitable replacement was needed. The Avand had suffered a great loss of our kind, and our numbers were dwindling.. And so when the Goddess searched for her new Guardian, I was the one chosen to take on the burden." He murmured.
He took another deep breath. "Of course, I was too young. I was 10 years of age, and although I had begun to train.. I was no where ready to protect the most important thing of our land, and the only person keeping us from war. So, my training was expedited. I was sent away from my family to train with masters relentlessly for 10 more years while Ivon remained secluded to her castle. When I had returned, I was deemed fit for the title and was blessed with a weapon that is literally an extension of myself.." He paused for a moment. "Once I returned, though, there was no peace. Enemies of our Ivon had spread lies and hatred against her over the 10 years I had been away. There had been many attempts on her life to remove her from the mortal realm. All seemed at a loss.."
"Until the treaty with neighboring kingdom. It came to us as a shock, but Ivon did not wish to cause strife between us and them. And thus the the treaty with Ivon and Lerti, A war god. But as we were at the signing.." His voice grew grave, and eyes eyes opened, nearly glowing at this point with a mixture of pain and rage. "We were betrayed with a promise of a gift. Ivon accepted, and when she opened the box, a poisoned arrow pierced her heart and killed our beloved Goddess' mortal form.. With our goddess lost, there was nothing to stop her people in an outcry of revenge and I was one who also fell victim to hatred for our enemies."
"I was trapped soon after, by the Sages of the Temples.. My blade and arm band taken away and I was placed into a deep sleep until it is time for Ivon to be reborn. As a Guardian, I failed to protect her life. And I will remain a Guardian, trapped in a cursed existence, until my life is given in the service of Ivon. Now I have been awakened, so the time must be near.. But I must find my other half before I can face my Goddess again."
Tugark paused and looked down, the light in his eyes fading. "I have slept over two hundred years, and the world has changed so much. The Sages last gift to me was the ability to gain knowledge of language. But I know nothing of this world. I am the last of my kind. My friends, my family, all gone. And the only thing I have left, is my duty to the Goddess."
Nao listened in silence for the duration of the tale, his expression solemn. "A long story... and a sad one." he said after a long pause when Tugark had finished speaking. "I can't imagine the pain you have endured."
He contemplated for a moment, running a hand through his fringe. "I will help you, but on one condition." He looked up to smile at the large being, "That you try to find happiness in this new world, not just in your Goddess. No man should live solely for another. It may be that you're searching for yourself in more than one way."
Nao held up a hand, "But, I won't press. You have my help. So how do we find this weapon?"
The beast gave a gruff laugh that vibrated the air around him. "I had warned you from the beginning that it was a long tale.." He said, his eyes meeting his companion's. "But the tale is mine to bare. I would not wish it upon another soul." He said quietly.
"Mmm.. In time I find I might be able to enjoy this world. Much has changed over the years, and there are so many things to see and learn about.. Of things I have missed." A bright light twinkled in the Avand's eyes, something of excitement. "And I do believe that over centuries, Ivon will return to this world forgotten. It will be my duty to seek her out and protect her from dangers, but it will be a far less problem than it was in my time." He admitted. "Yes.. I do believe our time this time will be different.."
"But to ensure this, I must find my blade. The blade can change shape to the need of the wielder, so we cannot go by what it looks like. However, it has the same symbol etched into it no matter what shape it takes. It also glows blue to the eyes of those who know its true name, and will answer to its call." He said quietly. "That, I will not name allowed. I trust you, but even with your assurance that none will bother us.. I am still hesitant." He said. "If you can read, I can write it down as well show you the symbol that is displayed upon it and then we can burn it."
Naotora nodded, "As you wish - let me get you some paper and a pen." he said, swinging his legs off of the table and making his way over to near the bulletin board. After a moment he returned with a blank piece of paper and a marker pen, "They may be a bit small for you, but hopefully you can manage."
He leaned back on the table thoughtfully, frowning. "I'll have to try and pull in some contacts in the marketplace. Plenty of people there owe me favours. If it's reached the black market, that'll be more difficult. But definitely not impossible. Storming a black market den to retrieve something is exactly the sort of thing you come to a guild for instead of the police." he said, grinning.
A throaty chuckle escaped the beast as he took the pen in between two fingers and the paper in the other hand. "One thing you learn how to do with living with a smaller race.. Is to learn to use small things." He grinned, though with his fangs it looked more like he was about to bite Naotora's head off.
Tugark went to work at drawing the symbol on the paper first. The beast snorted. "Imagine having looked in two smaller cities before landing in this one, alone.." Tugark explained. "And I'm not even sure it is here.. But it feels right.. Hrrrmmm.." He then blinked. "What is a 'black market'..?" He asked. "We only had one type of market in Ishador.. There was this one stall that always had the most amazing sweet rolls.. She'd bake a batch for me every other Lun.." He smiled again at the fond memory.
"A market run by criminals," Nao explained, "Called the black market because it runs in the shadows, out of the public eye. It deals in stolen goods, and illegal goods like drugs, weapons and the like."
The black market in Losenji was filled with smugglers and wielders of forbidden magics, but it was purportedly kept in check by the hand of the secretive Yin Wei, whose agents perforated it thoroughly and kept it in line. Why they chose not to wipe it out - if, indeed, those rumours were true - was another unknown, but people suggested it was for the very reason that it was so well infiltrated. Wiping it out would only lead to a new one sprouting up. Others simply said it was because it profited them.
"Hrrrm.." Tugark hummed, his brows furrowed. "Sounds like something Shayla would have started up.." He muttered darkly.
He finished up the drawing and quickly scribbled the name down the best he could translate it for Naotora. He then held it out to the man. "Memorize it.. And after, throw it into the fire." He said quietly.
The symbol was simple. He had drawn a perfect circle, and within the separate but connecting lines that stopped at the ring of the circle. A mountain.
The name was more complicated. It looked like Tugark had difficulties trying to translate it and a few times had crossed out the word he thought of and decided that wasn't it. Finally, he decided on one word scribbled at the bottom that loosely sounded like 'Eibhir'. (EYEb-hEER)
The beast scratched behind his ear again sheepishly. "Sorry if that is not good.. Even though the sages had the wisdom to give me knowledge of language.. They did not make me smart enough to write names down in your tongue." He explained slowly.
Naotora laughed, "It's alright. Most westerners find it difficult to pick up Losenyu verbally, and writing is even harder - since we use an entirely different alphabet. The inverse is true of course, though I've been exposed to plenty of Terran common, since there are a lot of those hailing from Aslund and the rest of the TNG in Golden Phoenix. Our leader, Devona, was born there herself."
After a moment, he nodded. "Alright. I've memorised it. So, the next step is starting to look, I suppose. What do you know about this peddler? Anything?"
To that, Tugark snorted. "From what I have heard, he is a quela.." Tugark flinched. "A cheat." He explained. "He goes about buying off of folk who have very little and need money, paying them low prices for their goods, and sells them off at absurd prices." He scratched his snout then.
"Shady man. They called him Jack, and they said he had a wagon of sorts of goods and was heading this way." Tugark winced again. "But he could be gone by now I guess.."
"A cheat and a conman, eh? I think I know just the guy to talk to."
Nao turned to face the room, casting his eyes around for a minute before spotting who he was looking for. "Hey!" he yelled, "Blink! Get over here!"
Across the room, a blonde boy in a white cap with a distinctive pair of curled horns looked up from a conversation with a pair of other guild members, giving Nao a questioning look.
Nao folded his arms. "Did I stutter?" he called.
The boy visibly rolled his eyes, before with a rush of displaced air and a brief shimmer of light, he disappeared, then reappeared not a split second later right next to their table. "What is it, Nao?"
"You're coming on a job with me. You know the underside of this city better than anyone else here - I need to track down a shady character by the name of Jack. He's a guy that cheats people of their valuables when they're desperate for money, then sells them on at ridiculous prices."
Blink raised an eyebrow, "You're going after Mad Ol' Jack? What's the crazy asshole done now?"
"That's on a need-to-know basis. Can you find him for us?" Nao replied.
"If I can't do that, what am I here for?" Blink smirked, before turning to Tugark, "Pleasure to make your acquaintance, big guy. I don't know what Mad Jack's done to get you mad at him, but I don't envy him one bit. 'Course, Jack has a lot of friends, you don't last long conning people out of their livelihoods without the connections to back it up." The boy grimaced, "But, if you think you can handle making a few enemies, I can get you to him pretty easily."
Blink glanced at Nao, "We going now, then? I have things to do later in the day, so I don't want to be doing your dirty work too long, much as you know I love dragging my old dirt up for the benefit of others."
Nao looked across at Tugark questioningly, "Are you ready to set off?"
Blink's sudden appearance startled the Avand, causing him to stand up in start. After a moment the beast calmed down, realizing the horned boy was no threat to him. It would seem that Tugark reacted only in instinct from some bygone age. He visibly relaxed, but sheepishly touched his snout in greeting as he had done for Nao before. "Well met, friend Blink." He said. "I am Tugark of the mountains."
His face fell into a frown. "I do not wish to make enemies. But no matter where you come from, you are bound to have one enemy and one friend." He then smiled slightly. "And I do believe I can take care of anything that is thrown at me."
Tugark repositioned his wings against his back and nodded to Nao. "I am ready whenever you two are."
"Then let's get moving," Blink said, turning towards the door, "We'll want to head to the outer city, that's where Jack operates from. More people in abject poverty there to take advantage of with his thugs. Real swell guy, he is."
Naotora shook his head, "I don't think I'm going to have any qualms with taking him out."
"Just try not to start a war with the criminal underworld... again..." Blink rolled his eyes and laughed as they moved towards the door.
Naotora shook his head, "Nothing that I've heard of, but I have to assume something's acting as a catalyst for it. Whatever it is, it's stayed quiet enough that no word of it has reached us."
As they approached the Guild House, they passed by several groups of people who greeted Naotora with a wave and smile. Each of the groups appeared to be composed of warriors or people otherwise equipped for travel and combat. At a glance, some had the look of mercenaries, but there was an extra layer of... 'polish' to them that set them apart from your typical hired sword. Each individual looked like they had an interesting story to tell.
The front of the building itself was dominated by a pair of large double doors, embossed with a pattern of flames in a winged shape. The doors stood open at the top of a few small steps up from the street, and thankfully were tall enough to allow even Tugark's near ten-foot frame to enter without ducking.
Inside, the main hall was alive with activity. A multitude of tables were arrayed before them resembling a mess hall, as people sat around them laughing and drinking merrily. There was a bar to one side of the room, tended by several men and women, and it looked as though behind it there was a kitchen serving food. The back of the room played host to a raised dais with a large bulletin board, where various posters describing jobs were placed - most of the displayed jobs were things like bounties, or long-term 'for hire' ads, rather than time sensitive matters.
It looked as though those things were handled as they came in, and off to one side a group of people were talking with a woman with long blonde hair holding a clipboard and wearing a pointed hat and glasses, taking notes as they talked to her. After a brief exchange, they handed her a pouch of money and she turned to begin making her way around the room, approaching tables of people and showing them the clipboard.
"That's Shiori," Nao pointed a finger at her, "She handles new requests, and depending on their urgency either immediately hands them off to one or more of our members, or posts them on the board."
He led Tugark off to the side of the room, where there were a few empty tables, and took a seat atop one of them. He gestured for Tugark to do the same on the table across from him - the benches might have been too small for him to sit on, but the table could work as a substitute. "Alright. Nobody should bother us - my guildmates know better than to interrupt me when I'm talking to someone from outside the guild in case you're a client. But you needn't worry, they're all trustworthy."
Kurai led the group from Yosai Village into the Golden Phoenix Guild Hall only a minute or two after Nao had arrived with Tugark. He turned to them with a smile, "Wait here one moment, I'll get Shiori for you. She deals with incoming jobs."
He left them standing in the entrance-way to look over the bustling hall. Kyo's eyes widened at the sight - so many people of different creeds and talents in one place was astounding. "This place is amazing," she murmured, "It must be so exciting to be a member of a guild like this."
Tugark still seemed unwilling to talk, even with Nao's assurances that none with eavesdrop or interrupt. It would seem that he had no choice in the matter.
The beast would lean gently against one of the tables, his blue hues gazing around the Guild Hall once more before going on about his story. "I am missing something of importance to me." He said quietly. "Two things, actually, but only one really matters." He held up one massive finger. "The first and least important is an arm band made of a rare metal. It was given to me by a dear friend, and has some.. Properties to it that aid me during battles."
"The second and most important is a blade of which no other has been made.." He said quietly. "It has been blessed by my Goddess, and it is part of my very soul.. And with it, comes all the power I have been blessed with.." He whispered as quietly as he could. "I can feel it has fallen into someone's hands.. But they do not know how to use it. The last place I had tracked it down, a thief had sold it to a peddler that was said to have come this way.." Tugark murmured.
"I must find it before it falls into the wrong hands.. Unfortunately, it has the ability to change its shape to the need of its wielder, so even I do not know what it looks like right this moment.." He clenched his jaw. "There is a secret to finding it.. But I will not tell you unless you decide you are willing to help me."
"A weapon that is part of your soul?" Nao whistled, "I can see why you'd want to get that back."
He leaned back, frowning thoughtfully, "Okay, I'll help you. But first, tell me a bit about yourself, and your Goddess. Just to make sure I'm not being duped into helping some great evil acquire the relic they need to wreak havoc. Not that I think you're evil, but it never hurts to know the full story."
The beast closed his eyes and took in a long deep breath before letting it out in a sigh. "It is.. A long story." Tugark explained. "But if you're willing to listen it out, then I shall tell it."
He folded his massive arms over his chest, his eyes remaining closed as he recalled his memories. "Hrmmm.. My people, the Avand, are creatures known for our warriors. We are usually trained for the hopes that one day we are called upon to protect those who we serve. The biggest honor is to serve as Guardian to the Goddess." He murmured. "When I was just a pup, our Goddess Ivon lost her Guardian due to an attempt on her life." He explained. "And thus, the search for a suitable replacement was needed. The Avand had suffered a great loss of our kind, and our numbers were dwindling.. And so when the Goddess searched for her new Guardian, I was the one chosen to take on the burden." He murmured.
He took another deep breath. "Of course, I was too young. I was 10 years of age, and although I had begun to train.. I was no where ready to protect the most important thing of our land, and the only person keeping us from war. So, my training was expedited. I was sent away from my family to train with masters relentlessly for 10 more years while Ivon remained secluded to her castle. When I had returned, I was deemed fit for the title and was blessed with a weapon that is literally an extension of myself.." He paused for a moment. "Once I returned, though, there was no peace. Enemies of our Ivon had spread lies and hatred against her over the 10 years I had been away. There had been many attempts on her life to remove her from the mortal realm. All seemed at a loss.."
"Until the treaty with neighboring kingdom. It came to us as a shock, but Ivon did not wish to cause strife between us and them. And thus the the treaty with Ivon and Lerti, A war god. But as we were at the signing.." His voice grew grave, and eyes eyes opened, nearly glowing at this point with a mixture of pain and rage. "We were betrayed with a promise of a gift. Ivon accepted, and when she opened the box, a poisoned arrow pierced her heart and killed our beloved Goddess' mortal form.. With our goddess lost, there was nothing to stop her people in an outcry of revenge and I was one who also fell victim to hatred for our enemies."
"I was trapped soon after, by the Sages of the Temples.. My blade and arm band taken away and I was placed into a deep sleep until it is time for Ivon to be reborn. As a Guardian, I failed to protect her life. And I will remain a Guardian, trapped in a cursed existence, until my life is given in the service of Ivon. Now I have been awakened, so the time must be near.. But I must find my other half before I can face my Goddess again."
Tugark paused and looked down, the light in his eyes fading. "I have slept over two hundred years, and the world has changed so much. The Sages last gift to me was the ability to gain knowledge of language. But I know nothing of this world. I am the last of my kind. My friends, my family, all gone. And the only thing I have left, is my duty to the Goddess."
Nao listened in silence for the duration of the tale, his expression solemn. "A long story... and a sad one." he said after a long pause when Tugark had finished speaking. "I can't imagine the pain you have endured."
He contemplated for a moment, running a hand through his fringe. "I will help you, but on one condition." He looked up to smile at the large being, "That you try to find happiness in this new world, not just in your Goddess. No man should live solely for another. It may be that you're searching for yourself in more than one way."
Nao held up a hand, "But, I won't press. You have my help. So how do we find this weapon?"
The beast gave a gruff laugh that vibrated the air around him. "I had warned you from the beginning that it was a long tale.." He said, his eyes meeting his companion's. "But the tale is mine to bare. I would not wish it upon another soul." He said quietly.
"Mmm.. In time I find I might be able to enjoy this world. Much has changed over the years, and there are so many things to see and learn about.. Of things I have missed." A bright light twinkled in the Avand's eyes, something of excitement. "And I do believe that over centuries, Ivon will return to this world forgotten. It will be my duty to seek her out and protect her from dangers, but it will be a far less problem than it was in my time." He admitted. "Yes.. I do believe our time this time will be different.."
"But to ensure this, I must find my blade. The blade can change shape to the need of the wielder, so we cannot go by what it looks like. However, it has the same symbol etched into it no matter what shape it takes. It also glows blue to the eyes of those who know its true name, and will answer to its call." He said quietly. "That, I will not name allowed. I trust you, but even with your assurance that none will bother us.. I am still hesitant." He said. "If you can read, I can write it down as well show you the symbol that is displayed upon it and then we can burn it."
Naotora nodded, "As you wish - let me get you some paper and a pen." he said, swinging his legs off of the table and making his way over to near the bulletin board. After a moment he returned with a blank piece of paper and a marker pen, "They may be a bit small for you, but hopefully you can manage."
He leaned back on the table thoughtfully, frowning. "I'll have to try and pull in some contacts in the marketplace. Plenty of people there owe me favours. If it's reached the black market, that'll be more difficult. But definitely not impossible. Storming a black market den to retrieve something is exactly the sort of thing you come to a guild for instead of the police." he said, grinning.
A throaty chuckle escaped the beast as he took the pen in between two fingers and the paper in the other hand. "One thing you learn how to do with living with a smaller race.. Is to learn to use small things." He grinned, though with his fangs it looked more like he was about to bite Naotora's head off.
Tugark went to work at drawing the symbol on the paper first. The beast snorted. "Imagine having looked in two smaller cities before landing in this one, alone.." Tugark explained. "And I'm not even sure it is here.. But it feels right.. Hrrrmmm.." He then blinked. "What is a 'black market'..?" He asked. "We only had one type of market in Ishador.. There was this one stall that always had the most amazing sweet rolls.. She'd bake a batch for me every other Lun.." He smiled again at the fond memory.
"A market run by criminals," Nao explained, "Called the black market because it runs in the shadows, out of the public eye. It deals in stolen goods, and illegal goods like drugs, weapons and the like."
The black market in Losenji was filled with smugglers and wielders of forbidden magics, but it was purportedly kept in check by the hand of the secretive Yin Wei, whose agents perforated it thoroughly and kept it in line. Why they chose not to wipe it out - if, indeed, those rumours were true - was another unknown, but people suggested it was for the very reason that it was so well infiltrated. Wiping it out would only lead to a new one sprouting up. Others simply said it was because it profited them.
"Hrrrm.." Tugark hummed, his brows furrowed. "Sounds like something Shayla would have started up.." He muttered darkly.
He finished up the drawing and quickly scribbled the name down the best he could translate it for Naotora. He then held it out to the man. "Memorize it.. And after, throw it into the fire." He said quietly.
The symbol was simple. He had drawn a perfect circle, and within the separate but connecting lines that stopped at the ring of the circle. A mountain.
The name was more complicated. It looked like Tugark had difficulties trying to translate it and a few times had crossed out the word he thought of and decided that wasn't it. Finally, he decided on one word scribbled at the bottom that loosely sounded like 'Eibhir'. (EYEb-hEER)
The beast scratched behind his ear again sheepishly. "Sorry if that is not good.. Even though the sages had the wisdom to give me knowledge of language.. They did not make me smart enough to write names down in your tongue." He explained slowly.
Naotora laughed, "It's alright. Most westerners find it difficult to pick up Losenyu verbally, and writing is even harder - since we use an entirely different alphabet. The inverse is true of course, though I've been exposed to plenty of Terran common, since there are a lot of those hailing from Aslund and the rest of the TNG in Golden Phoenix. Our leader, Devona, was born there herself."
After a moment, he nodded. "Alright. I've memorised it. So, the next step is starting to look, I suppose. What do you know about this peddler? Anything?"
To that, Tugark snorted. "From what I have heard, he is a quela.." Tugark flinched. "A cheat." He explained. "He goes about buying off of folk who have very little and need money, paying them low prices for their goods, and sells them off at absurd prices." He scratched his snout then.
"Shady man. They called him Jack, and they said he had a wagon of sorts of goods and was heading this way." Tugark winced again. "But he could be gone by now I guess.."
"A cheat and a conman, eh? I think I know just the guy to talk to."
Nao turned to face the room, casting his eyes around for a minute before spotting who he was looking for. "Hey!" he yelled, "Blink! Get over here!"
Across the room, a blonde boy in a white cap with a distinctive pair of curled horns looked up from a conversation with a pair of other guild members, giving Nao a questioning look.
Nao folded his arms. "Did I stutter?" he called.
The boy visibly rolled his eyes, before with a rush of displaced air and a brief shimmer of light, he disappeared, then reappeared not a split second later right next to their table. "What is it, Nao?"
"You're coming on a job with me. You know the underside of this city better than anyone else here - I need to track down a shady character by the name of Jack. He's a guy that cheats people of their valuables when they're desperate for money, then sells them on at ridiculous prices."
Blink raised an eyebrow, "You're going after Mad Ol' Jack? What's the crazy asshole done now?"
"That's on a need-to-know basis. Can you find him for us?" Nao replied.
"If I can't do that, what am I here for?" Blink smirked, before turning to Tugark, "Pleasure to make your acquaintance, big guy. I don't know what Mad Jack's done to get you mad at him, but I don't envy him one bit. 'Course, Jack has a lot of friends, you don't last long conning people out of their livelihoods without the connections to back it up." The boy grimaced, "But, if you think you can handle making a few enemies, I can get you to him pretty easily."
Blink glanced at Nao, "We going now, then? I have things to do later in the day, so I don't want to be doing your dirty work too long, much as you know I love dragging my old dirt up for the benefit of others."
Nao looked across at Tugark questioningly, "Are you ready to set off?"
Blink's sudden appearance startled the Avand, causing him to stand up in start. After a moment the beast calmed down, realizing the horned boy was no threat to him. It would seem that Tugark reacted only in instinct from some bygone age. He visibly relaxed, but sheepishly touched his snout in greeting as he had done for Nao before. "Well met, friend Blink." He said. "I am Tugark of the mountains."
His face fell into a frown. "I do not wish to make enemies. But no matter where you come from, you are bound to have one enemy and one friend." He then smiled slightly. "And I do believe I can take care of anything that is thrown at me."
Tugark repositioned his wings against his back and nodded to Nao. "I am ready whenever you two are."
"Then let's get moving," Blink said, turning towards the door, "We'll want to head to the outer city, that's where Jack operates from. More people in abject poverty there to take advantage of with his thugs. Real swell guy, he is."
Naotora shook his head, "I don't think I'm going to have any qualms with taking him out."
"Just try not to start a war with the criminal underworld... again..." Blink rolled his eyes and laughed as they moved towards the door.
Last edited by a moderator:
