Darkness Skies RP

[Akira Avelon]

Akira looked around for some time before Silencer came back for her. She had bought a nice Blue and white choker that was large enough to cover the mass of flesh now on her neck. After buying it she placed it on imediately.

She had also found a few various medicinal herbs for a very low price and hagled them to even lower, she had found an elven seller and she knew how to sweet talk him. She had even persauded him to give her a hand crafted elven flute that she had seen in his wares. Akira even gave a small test run with it and he had smiled to see how well she could play.

Akira asked about the elven tribe she was from and if any had come to this city? Sadly, none had and Akira's hopes were bashed.

When Scilencer came and got her, Akira followed him back to the Inn and went back in. She asked if he wanted her to look at his wounds... but didn't know if he'd let her. "I am a gifted healer and I could heal your wounds fully. It'd just take a few hours... three at max." Akira said as they both stood at their respective doors. They were staying in rooms side by side. She just didn't want to see Silencer hurt anymore than he already was.

[The Dude]

Gareth looked down at the girl. He smiled and took some of the medical herbs she had. "I'll be fine." Thank you though. Don't worry, I've been in worse situations. He patted her on the head. "Nice scarf by the way. Now get some rest." He remarked as he went back to his room and locked the door. It now night fall and a storm had come up from the west. It was raining and thundering hard. "No time to lose." He thought. He poored out the contents of his sachel which included his armor and hood. He took off his clothing and grabbed a long strip of gauze, placing several of the medical herbs in the gauze and wrapped it around his stomach. It stung coldly as he wrapped it tighter but it had to be done.

It took him longer to fasten all the strappings on the armor because of the wounds but he managed to do it without too much harm. He peered out the window and saw that the shift change was about to begin. He crept up the window and climbed up to the roof of the inn, stopping briefly to glance in Aki's window to see if she had gone to bed. He didn't see her but didn't think too much into it and began his roof top run.

Thunder roared in the city, hiding the sound of the footsteps of the late night rooftop runner. He peered to the side of the street and sure enough saw the merchant heading the same direction he was. He was able to get ahead of the merchant who had to duck behind a back alley every now and then to avoid detection from a guard going to or coming from their shift. Gareth looked on and saw the gate to the waterfront was unguarded but the merchant was nearing it quicker than he thought. "Only one thing to do then." He thought to himself rather grimly. He picked up speed and launched himself from the roof and over the guard wall, landing hard on the ground below. He heard a pop come from somewhere, he didn't know if he cracked another rib but he knew that if he didn't, he certainly made the cracked ones a lot worse than what medical herbs alone can treat.

He quietly made his way to the abandoned shack and looked back to see the merchant hadn't even made it past the gate yet. He entered the shack and pulled back his hood along with pulling out his overcoat he had brought with him in his bag. He put the overcoat on loosely, keeping his hands out of the sleeves and placed the bottles of skooma on a table and then placed his hand in the secret pocket where he kept his dagger.

Five minutes later the merchant stepped into the shack. "Well?!" The merchant asked as Gareth sat down in a chair. Gareth said nothing but motioned with his head to the two bottles on the table. The merchant smiled and made a move for them but stopped. "How much?" Gareth stood up. "Oh I don't want any money." The merchant smiled and took one of the bottles. "Thank you!" and started to drink from it.

"No, thank you." Gareth said. With one quick motion, he took his dagger from its hiding spot and sheathed it in the merchant's stomach. A bubble came from the merchant's mouth in the bottle. "I wanted you." Gareth started with a smile. the overcoat fell from when he moved and the merchant saw the shoulder plate and dropped the bottle as Gareth twisted the dagger. "The Dark... BrotherHoooo..." Was all he could manage from the mix of blood loss and the skooma taking effect. The merchant fell to the floor, his eyes permanently widened.

Gareth then proceeded to remove any valuables from the merchant's body. Including the signet ring the merchant wore that he would need for proof of the merchant's untimely end. After removing anything of worth, he then took the bottle that fell from the merchant's hand and poored the remaining contents all over the merchant. Then, he took the full bottle and opened it and with an out stretched hand, sloshed it about so part of the shack would reek of skooma. Once the bottle was half empty, he slammed it down onto the wooden table. Taking the impromptu glass dagger he made, he thrust it into the dagger wound on the merchant, ensuring that when the guards searched tomorrow, they would come to the conclusion he wanted them to come to. He then took his overcoat and left.

It was still raining when he got back to the inn. It was even more difficult since the guards were fresh on their shift and getting back up to his room would prove harder than it was getting down. It agonized him with each pull upward he made. When he got to the window and stepped into his room, he heard a splash and looked down. A puddle had formed from the rainfall. "I'll get it later." he thought to himself. Not even bothering to take of his armor, he fell onto his bed and drifted off to sleep.

[Akira Avelon]

Akira was wide awake, the pain in her neck was worsening. She had taken off the choker and looked at her neck in the mirror. She could see the mass of flesh move, as the eye slowly opened and looked straight at her. It quickly closed as someone had brought her fresh hot water to bathe. She did so and got rid of the blood a grime that had accumulated over the last 24 hours.

She was saddened that Silencer didn't allow her to heal him, but she'd do it tomorrow morning. She felt a bad wind was brewing and knew that there was trouble afoot.

Finishing her bath and using some of the other herbs she had gotten to make a sweet smelling concoction. An old mixture taught to her by her surrigate mother, Akira rubbed it over her chest, shoulders and upper back. It was also something to relax and losen tence muscles. Plus, being an easy fall sleep remedy was a bonus.

Akira thought she heard footsteps in Silencer's room. She decided that he either had to use the bathroom, or he had to get a drink. She was still nieve that he was an assassin and in fact had just gotten back from a hit.

Akira simply laid down and listened to the storm, falling asleep to the sounds of nature that she was so used to. She'd dream of home tonight. Nightmares were sure to occur...

[darkeclipse21]

-darkeclipse had come to the inn. he had decided to stay in the lobby until he could steal some money from someone who didn't notice when he felt a demonic aura. it was coming from one of the rooms above so he ran up the stairs to go to where the aura was coming from. he was too far away to see but he thought he saw someone outside the room where the aura was. maybe it's just someone passing by he hoped, not wishing to have to fight from here, so he started running.-

[Raja]

Ami stayed in a room nearby Akira's at the inn. Ami rested in her bed and stared out at the rain peacefully falling. The sky was already dark, and the rain chimed against the windows preventing Ami from sleeping.

Ami sturred up from the bed and sighed. "I guess I shall have to continue my journey later on," Ami's thoughts raced through her mind as she walked over to her desk and pulled out a silver-purple journal. She whipped out a feather quill and began to write...

"Dear Diary,

My journey must come to a halt as of right now. I've yet to figure much of myself as well as my true parents. Are they both fairies as well? Was I born mutated? Was I an experiment in some laboratory? These questions are running through my mind everyday as I continue my journey for the truth. The truth about me and my family. And sadly, I may never know.

I'm currently staying in an inn right now to take a rest from my long journey. I set out nearly 3 months ago and success has been bitter. I have barely uncovered anything, but nonetheless, I have gathered a few things about myself. I've noted from experiences myself as well as what many people say is that I'm a very quiet person. I note that rarely, but still at times, when I get really angry a purple tattoo of a winding snake starts to appear on my arm. What could this mean? I certainly don't think a snake is a symbol of good but of evil instead! Could this be a clue as to what I am? Was I meant to be villanous or evil? Through my personality though, I am kind-hearted and gentle. Am I torn into two sides of life? The good or the bad? Or am I both?....."

Ami closed the journal and placed it in a drawer. "I guess it's time to try to take a nap," Ami thought to herself", "I just wish I could find some help on my journey." Ami's eyes began to close as the rain danced outside.

[darkeclipse21]

-darkeclipse tripped making a large thud on the ground, pulsing through the entire inn.- maybe i should've watched where i was going. -he said sprouting tears. he felt the aura of a -fairy? demon? he felt both. they were both near eachother. he decided to head toward the fairy. it was couriosity that got the better of him. he had never seen a fairy so he wanted to see one.-

[Raja]

Ami's eyes snapped open. Her hearing sense were sharp, and she had heard the thud. "What could that be?" Ami wandered as she arose from her slumber. As she rised, her glittering wings rised and shined. The mix of the purple,black, and silver gave a haunting but beautiful shine.

Ami slowly crept to the door and laid her ear against it to hear what was going on.

[The Dude]

Gareth stirred in his bed as the rays of the morning sun crept in the room. He felt like he was slowly chocking. His breathing was rasping and his joints were stiff. A sharp pain streaked across his chest as he tried to stretch. He forgot he had left his armor on last night. It had taken him longer to put it on last night and it felt like an eternity to undo all the fastenings. The last fastening that held the locked the pieces of the armor together snapped back and hit him in one of his sore areas, causing him to yell. He stopped himself. He didn't know if he had woken any of the other travelers and didn't want to. After the last fastening came undone, he removed the chest piece of the armor and examined himself. The wound that had been red yesterday was now a dark shade of purple. He knew that he would need serious treatment immediately. One thing he also knew was that his Speaker wasn't going to happy about this. The wound alone would put him out of commision for any major contracts for a few days at the least and what good was a Silencer who could only lie in bed? Even with the armor piece off he felt it hard to breath and could only take small shallow breaths.

After getting dressed in his normal clothes, he limped down the hall and knocked on Aki's door. He guessed that his ribs weren't the only thing he worsened when he jumped over the wall and landed hard on the ground. "We're going to the market again." He told her. "I'm also going to need your help. I need a healer. I... slipped... In some water and injured some old wounds."

It was morning and again they would have to traverse through the waterfront to get to the market. This time though there was hardly anyone around. Though it was morning there was no one out performing their duties. The entire area was devoid of life, except for a squadron of soldiers and guards and a boy watching them but not getting to close.

"This place has been quarentined." One guard had walked up to them and stopped them. "There's been a murder." Gareth recognized the guard as one of the merchant's escorts.

"Murder?" Gareth asked. "Yes." The guard answered. "Most likely a drug deal went bad between a dealer and an addict but we can't rule anything out so until then this area is closed."

"Drug deal my ass!" another guard shouted and marched up to them. "You know as damn well as I do this was the work of the Dark Brotherhood!"

"The Dark Brotherhood?" A small voice asked. It was the boy who was watching the guards. The soldier peered down at him. "Assassins my boy. Murderers for hire. They care nothing for innocence and decency. They do not value human life like decent folk. They only value how much it would be to end it. They care for none but their own. They use and userp until you've run out of usefulness and leave you bleeding in a ditch. They would end your life for the right amount of gold and they would show no sympathy or mercy even if you are a child. For them murder is just business!"

The little boy became frightened and ran off. "I've told you before not to scare the residents twice now." the first guard told the second. "Better they know and not be ignorant. Better they know that someone could have just payed for their death sentence." The second one replied then marched back.

"I'm sorry..." the first guard told them. "We're all under alot of stress and he may be right. The victim was a witness to a very important case and now, we just lost any chance of tracking down the Brotherhood. In any case why are you two here?"

"We're just passing through to the market district. I slipped on some water and tore open an old wound." Gareth replied. "Please don't make us take the long way around." The guard sighed then huffed, "Move along."

They arrived back at the inn around mid afternoon. Gareth walked into Aki's room and showed her the wound. "Well... If you would be so kind..."

[Akira Avelon]

Akira was puzzled and had many questions. Expecially about what the soldier had said about Assassins. She would ask Silencer after treating him, when they got back from buying more herbs and other healing essentials in the market place and back to the inn.

When They returned, She asked Silencer to take a seat on her bed as she went over to all her wares and began to mix and crush them with a mortar and pestle, grinding all the ingredients to a fine powder and mixing some water and other things to it. MAking a paste and moving back towards Silencer after fiftenn minutes of preparations. SHe had also gotten a few cloth bandages made up and saoked in a diluted mixture of the same concoction with a few other ingredients. It smelled horrid.. but most healing agents weren't used because they smelled good.

Akira kneeled before him and put down all the things she needed and touched the areas that were discoloured. She found a few lumps and there were cracked ribs and one or two that were actually broken. She could tell, however, that none hade punctured anything vital.

Akira got to work and started applying the poultice mixture of medicinal herbs and rung out the bandages, Wrapping them around Silencer's Waist and lower chest. SHe could imagine the pain and stinging he must be feeling right now.

Akira stopped and looked at him. Getting up, akira grabbed a small crystal pendant and placed it around Silencer's next. "I need you to lay down now. I'll start the actual healing process. I hope you don't mind me sitting beside you when you lay down. As well as placing pressure to your wounds." Akira said as she waited for Silencer to lay down. She had grabbed a small bowl and placed a few other herbs in it and started then on fire. Snuffing out the flame and letting them smolder. The smell would calm Silencer's nerves as well as dull the pain he'd feel.

[The Dude]

Gareth hesitated at first but decided it was best to get it over with. He sat on the bed and lied back. He winced when he felt her hands press against the wounds, but the pain was brief. He soon felt the effect of the healing magic. It felt warm as it healed his wounds, much different than the healing spell he knew that felt like a cold chill. The spell made him slightly drowsy and gave him a warm feeling in his head. He closed his eyes for a second until the warmth subsided.

After the spell had was over, he sat back up and stretched and worked the kinks out of his joints. He didn't say thank you to her but he did nod and smile. After putting his shirt back on, he started to walk toward the door.

[Akira Avelon]

Akira got up and sat on the bed, she didn't know how to ask Silencer. But it seemed to just slip out. "Why were they calling the murder that happened was done by assassins? I've never heard of them. But was what that Solder said true? Are assassins really that bad and ruthless? I'm not sure the outside world is any safer than the Forest of Talaim with the goblins and orcs now roaming around..." Akira said as she held herself closely around her chest.

The realisation was frightening indeed. She was lucky not to be dead already. But her intutition was getting the better of her and she'd soon figure out what Silencer really was soon enough, with or without his help to uncover the truth.

Akira looked outside and saw alot of soldiers patroling around. No one was allowed to leave the city, so it seemed. Akira was getting scared. She wanted to keep moving, or at least something inside her did. The pain in her neck came back and she remembered that her healing magic did take it's toll on her spiritual self. Clasping her neck, Akira swooned to the floor and sat there, huffing heavily.

[The Dude]

Gareth went to Aki's aid and picked her up off the floor and placed her in her bed. An hour passed until she eventually stirred.

"Yes." he said as she came to. "Yes they are ruthless. What the soldier said was truth. Given the right amount of gold, they would murder anyone, even an innocent child, without mercy. For them, murder is an enterprise. But only if you're in the proper crowd are they truly dangerous. Only under extreme circumstances do you hear of regular people calling on their services. From what I've heard, they only take on jobs if there's enough to be gained and most of the time, the victims were merchants or members of high society. So you have no need to fret. So long as you haven't offended the wrong person..."

He smiled again. "Now let's end this talk about assassins and murder. Already people are in an uproar. No reason for you to be. Maybe a walk into town would do you some good." and once again they left the inn and headed out into town.

As they walked, Gareth looked down at Akira and smiled. "See? Nothing like an afternoon stroll." Yet Aki's health and mental state were far from Gareth's mind. The stroll was just an excuse. What he had in mind was a steak out. Though his physical wounds had since healed. The wound his pride had been dealt the previous day still needed to be avenged. A couple of yards ahead of them were the two guards who accosted him in the back alley. He had originally planned on leaving the night before but what they had done to him made him decide to stay an extra day for "personal business." Now that his main mission was over, it was time to remedy the situation.

He casually strolled and watched the guards as they headed into their barracks, the sun was coming down and he casually continued to stroll, his mind clear on what he would soon do. He didn't notice Akira wandering into the city library. His entire mind was focused on salvaging his pride. "Tonight." He thought to himself. "They will learn just what a street rat can do!"

[Akira Avelon]

Akira had curriously walked into the city's libary. She was in awe at how much it had. But she could guess that there really wasn't alot than one of the more larger cities had in their libaries.

Akira walked around for a little while before a book caught her attention near the back of the libary, she was in an area that was in no one's train of sight. Looking at the book, It was covered in dust and seemed to be an old history book. Akira took it down and read the title. 'Brothers of Darkness' It was in a black binding with silver and crimson writing. There was also an insignia that she had sworn she had seen before. A black hand...

There were a few more and they all had the same insignia of a hand on them somewhere or other. She took all three that she had found to be the most informative after first skimming the books. SHe did keep the first one she found and went and sat down in a small nook, not being seen by anyone else in the libary. Akira started to read and she was becomming more and more into the information. She couldn't beleive what she was finding...

(( All information that is written next in orange is refrenced from Wikipedia and The Elder scrolls games. Thanks goes to Rob for giving the links for this information to further the background story of his character to come into the light of the rp's storyline.))

The Dark Brotherhood was infact a group of 'assassins' and 'dark wizards', composed primarily of sociopaths and sadists. now a days called a death cult. As the order began to expand, its expenses began to increase, and soon the Dark Brothers took a page from their almost unrecognizable past; they turned to enterprise. Instead of randomly selected victims, the Brotherhood began to conduct secret interviews and make its services available to those with money; before long, a thriving business had sprung up, and the profits allowed the order to afford more manpower and to employ more elaborate schemes.

Worshiping Sithis, the Serpent God of Death. The actual, literal truth surrounding Sithis is very difficult to interpret, as virtually everything said about Sithis is allegorical. He has been defined as definitely not a god, but rather, something "else". He has been compared to an extremely cold, cloudless midnight, as well as the state of mind involved in the act of cold-blooded murder.

One of the Dark Brotherhood's recruitment methods is; When a person commits murder in cold blood it is likely that the Dark Brotherhood have been watching from the shadows. The next time the murderer sleeps in a location deemed to be secure, a 'Speaker' will approach the murderer and ask him/her to join the Brotherhood.

Akira shook her head as her neck started to heat up, she could feel and uneasiness in her. This was becomming something she wished she had never found out about. But at the same time, she felt like she was understanding the world a bit better. She needed to become much stronger to stay alive in this world. If she hoped to survive.

Akira started to read again as she put down the one book and took up another. Before hiding the book with one about dragons, she had pulled down with the other three, and looked at a page with a large black dragon. Waiting for whom ever it was that had passed her to leave the area she was in.

[The Dude]

Gareth wandered the city streets a bit one last time to make sure this is where the two guards were stationed. Several minutes passed and eventually he decided this would be the place. He took out the coin the guard had tossed at him and flipped it in the air caught it. He clenched it as the guards voices came back into his ears. The words street rat and beggar again shouted at him in his mind, causing an inner anger to rise up again.

"Use it." He heard the words of his speaker. "Use the anger. Focus and use it. Let it guide you. Let it guide your daggers and your arrows. Use it." Gareth clenched the coin tight as those words burned into his mind. He unclenched the coin and noticed that it had left an imprint on his palm. He put it back in his pocket, looked up at the guard house. "Tonight." he said. "You will know exactly what a street rat can do."

He walked back through the street. He had noticed that Akira was missing. "It's not my business anymore." He told himself. He was happy now. Soon he would be back in his sanctuary, doing what he did best. But first he had to go back to the inn to prepare for unfinished business.

[Akira Avelon]

Akira could finally read once more as the man left, seeing nothing that had interested him. She began reading where she had left off at a place where there seemed to be five main rules to the guild...

A member of the Dark Brotherhood must follow 5 rules known as 'the five tenets' if they break one they will need to defeat 'The Wrath of Sithis' (Whenever a member breaks one of the five tenets of the Dark Brotherhood, a spirit called the Wrath of Sithis will attack that person in his or her sleep. The Dark Brother or Sister must defeat this ghost in order to gain readmission into the Dark Brotherhood. It is unknown whether this spirit is actually from or related to Sithis, or if it is merely a tool used by the Brotherhood to keep members in line). The five tenets are:

1. Never dishonour the Night Mother. To do so is to invoke the wrath of Sithis.

2. Never betray the Dark Brotherhood or its secrets. To do so is to invoke the wrath of Sithis.

3. Never disobey or refuse to carry out an order from a Dark Brotherhood superior. To do so is to invoke the wrath of Sithis.

4. Never steal the possession of a Dark Brother or Dark Sister. To do so is to invoke the wrath of Sithis.

5. Never kill a Dark Brother or a Dark Sister. To do so is to invoke the wrath of Sithis.

A member undertaking the Ritual of Purification is not beholden to any of the Five Tenets, and may violate any of the Tenets without invoking the Wrath of Sithis. This may apply to members holding the ranks of Silencer or above.

After another ten mins of skimming through and not having the word Silencer regester fully at that time. Akira came to a ranking system. It had the clasifications of all the ranks within the normal ranks and then a special section for the elite ranks.

There are five known ranks outside of the Black Hand: Murderer, Slayer, Eliminator, Assassin and Executioner.

Upon entering the Dark Brotherhood, the new recruit has the rank of "Murderer", the lowest of the Brotherhood ranks and the rank of "Executioner" is when a said person is asked to perform a 'Purification' ritual.

Akira looked up and wondered what an actual purificatio ritual was? But decided toput that notion to the back of her mind. She was having enough trouble stomaching all the information as it is.

Comming onto the five main ranks. Akir astarted from the highest and worked her way down the ranks.

The Night Mother: At the real 'head' of the Dark Brotherhood hierarchy is the Night Mother, an immortal spirit who is revered and worshipped by the Brotherhood. She is only ever met face-to-face in very exceptional circumstances. When a person prays for the death of another, the Night Mother hears, and passes on the details of the prayer to her Listener. At this point, the Listener informs a Speaker, who then goes to meet the hiring party in order to draw up a contract. It is said that the Night Mother and her children were the first sacrifices to Sithis many years ago.

The Black Hand: Beneath the Night Mother are five elite members of the Brotherhood, known as the Black Hand. The Black Hand is made up of four Speakers and one Listener, representing the four fingers and the thumb of the Black Hand. Each of the Speakers gets his/her personal assassin.

Listener: The Listener is the highest ranked member of the Dark Brotherhood, second only to the Night Mother herself. The Night Mother speaks directly to the Listener, informing him/her of the names and locations of those who have prayed to the Night Mother for a killing to be carried out. The Listener then gives these names to a Speaker.

Speaker: When a Speaker has received a name from the Listener, the Speaker must then seek out that individual to work out the details of the assassination. It is also the responsibility of the Speakers to recruit new members into the Dark Brotherhood.

Silencer....

SILENCER!!! Instantly, Akira dropped the book... She couldn't believe it.... looking wide eyed and tried not to cry out. SHe quickly picked up the book and refound her page...

Silencer: Outside of the Black Hand itself, the rank of Silencer is virtually unknown. Each Speaker has his or her Silencer, a personal elite assassin employed to carry out the Speaker's personal 'business'. The Silencers represent the talon/nail of each finger of the Black Hand.

Akira gulped as she felt very sick. She had been traveling and saved for that matter by an assassin.. a muderer for fire.. She couldn't believe Silencer... what else could she call him? She couldn't fathom how many times he thought about killing her... His intentions on the night she first met him were valid. If the orc snipper and goblins hadden't come. She wouldn't be here now. How many times has he tried to kill her or leave her? Surprisingly.. he kept comming back. She didn't know whether this was a good thing or a bad thing? SHe couldn't tell anyone.. she'd end up just .... like...

Akira hung her head. The man that had died last night... Silencer was really the one who had done it... She couldn't believe that she had been with him and even considered traveling with him for a while longer... She wondered if he'd kill her for figuring it all out... and she also knew where one of his places were... How else could he have found out adn had gotten all his things from that house? She was now a liability to him.. a hinderence.. She remembered the rules.. She wondered if she was next?

Turning, grabing the books and placing them under her cloak, Akira walked out of the libary and went back to the Inn.. she had to get her things and face Silencer. She just didn't know how to do it. She never noticed that she was now being followed by the same men from the last day. Without Silencer there, she was now easy pickings for the men to grab...

[darkeclipse21]

(why do u ignore every time i try to get darkeclipse involved?)

-darkeclipse walked to the library. he decided seeing a fairy when he had just fallen on his face so he had gone on a stroll and had seen the library.- the dark brotherhood? how do i know them i've never heard of them, so why do i know them? -as confused as he was a book on them might help him remember more. when he got to the library he noticed the book on the brotherhood was gone. then he saw a girl with the 3 of the books.-
"what do you know of the brotherhood?" -he asked-

[Akira Avelon]

Akira didn't even hear him. She was too worried about the men, that she now saw, behind her and said "Sorry, I'm in a hurry... can't talk. Bye." As she picked up speed and begain to run from the men that now took chase.

Unluckily for them, Akira knew some elven tricks and started to get considerably away from them. She also went through some alleys and strode towards the inn. She got back there without getting jumped and ramed into a soldier when looking back.

Panting wildly, Akira said she was sorry and was still holding her books tightly and still concealed. The Soldier looked at her suspiciously and then heard the men in the alleyway yelling at eachother for where the girl went. The soldier smiled and let her go on her way. Striding towards the group of men instead. The group of men fled and the soldier went back to his rounds.

Akira got back into the inn and went straight to her room. She closed the door, locked it and laid down, her neck hurt and she tried to catch her breath. She knew full well that the hardest part was about to begin.

[darkeclipse21]

-darkeclipse slouched, there was no way he could get the book now.- why do i have mental problems with my luck. i need that book. -sighing he pickpocketed someone and used their money to pay for a room at the inn.- i want to know who this is. -he took out a picture of someone and flashed it at the bartender.-

no clue. - the bartender replied.- there have been mysterious people around recently so maybe they know who that is.-

why does luck hate me. -darkeclipse whined as he went back to his room.-

[Raja]

Ami pulled open the door and walked out of the room. She strolled around the lobby in search for someone who worked at the inn. Suddenly, she spotted one behind the reception desk and approached him. "Sir," Ami asked polietly,"have you seen a couple around here lately that could possibly be my parents?"

The person laughed and replied,"I don't know."

Ami sighed and went for the door leading outside into the rain...

[Shakan'Dar]

Shakan'Dar peered through the rain, the sound of it drumming rhythmically on his breastplate the only noise. His feet were cold and sore, and so they should be, for he had made quite a journey. For 6 months, he had endured scorching heat, pouring rain, and even mist so thick that he could barely see to put one foot in front of the other. He had been chased out of villages, called "bandit" and "vagabond" because of his travel-stained appearance. He had been turned away from inns, and had to sleep under bushes. He'd gone days at a time without food, and the only water, puddles on the floor that made him wretch at drinking from them. He had been accosted by bandits, waylaid three times on his route. His armor had been the source of even more trouble. It was burnished black, but with a symbol in the center that was the source of all his trouble. A black sun on a white circle, next to a white sun on the black, the ancient symbol of the Land of the Twin Suns, Yhai Mal Kin. That had gotten him arrested, and he'd had to make up a story that he had once been a soldier who had fought against them, and had been allowed to keep the armor to commemorate a victory over one of their chiefs. That story was looked over with skepticism, and he had eventually been allowed to walk free, and given a signed paper from the Captain who had detained him, stating that he was "in lawful accordance" and that his wearing of the armor was "under strict supervision, with restriction of all arms within inhabited areas". That meant that he had to surrender his sword at every town he arrived in that had even a single legion guardsman posted there.

This town had been no different. He had shown the papers, although he had nearly gotten a spear in the ribs for his trouble. Because of the rain, the gate guard had not seen him until he had practically stepped into the city limits, and he had had to swiftly produce the paper while shouting that he was not a foe. Now, the only thing that he felt like doing was getting a room at an inn. He didn't think that he'd be able to take it if he was turned away. He spotted an inn through the rain, and of all things, a fairy was coming out of it. If the inn let a fairy stay, he hoped that he would be allowed to stay too.

He entered, his black cloak dripping water onto the floorboards. He walked up to the counter. The innkeeper looked him up and down, giving the symbol on his armor a scowl.
"It's a trophy from the wars," said Shakan'Dar. The innkeeper seemed to consider this, and then gave a slow nod.
"Most of us keep such things hanging safely up on walls. People could get the wrong idea." he said.

"I'll bear it until I retire. I haven't hung my belt up just yet," he said.

The innkeeper gave a small chuckle. "Fair enough. What can I do for you?"

"A room for starters, and a hot meal and a fire wouldn't be amiss."

"Well, a room is easy enough. If you'll let me take your cloak, I can put it by the fire to dry while you settle yourself in your room. I'll have some hot water sent up, you look like you could use a warm bath."

Shakan'Dar handed over some gold coins and smiled. "Yes...that would be very nice."