Open Chronicles Field of Blood, City of Bones

[Nikaia]

Nikaia, long ago was the captain of the city garrison, now nothing more than the lowly Dekyrion, a soldier who oversees a small unit of soldiers, men and women alike, and usually only on the small scale, ensuring that they upheld their duties and were up to standard readiness in all aspects. On the field she gave no orders, that was the Kentyrion’s job. She wore the usual Women’s uniform armor, a simple leather chestwrap laced up the front and reinforced with bronze plates, and with thick leather shoulder plates. At her waist was the standard belt on warskirt of leather strips. Her forearms were guarded by vambraces of bronze and bronze demigreaves protected her shins, everything else, her lower thighs, upper arms and midriff were completely unprotected. Which would be a problem if not for the huge hoplon shield strapped to her left arm. She carried a Doru spear with a bronze xiphos sword sheathed at her hip. On her head was a fully encasing bronze helmet (think Greek Corinthian style helmet).

She stood outside of the city, looking out at the surrounding fields. Behind her was a city that perfectly mirror those of ancient times, since her people had long remained in Antiquity to that day. Many small houses of limestone were filling the city, along with a number of far more impressive buildings. A huge bathhouse, an open pavilion of limestone and marble, supported by columns with a long, steamy tub running the length of it. Then there was the Council Buolding, a circular building that was deceptively small, and again, supported by columns. And then there were the Twelve huge temples arranged in a circle in the center of the city.

(This isn’t one temple.)

Nikaia watched for anyone’s coming to the city. Either an enemy or the mercenaries that the Council had called for, mostly close combat specialists to defend flanks and archers to be placed behind the line to shoot into enemy ranks. And one was coming up the road, it was difficult to make out the details, but he was definitely a mercenary.

 

[Traecon Maxwell]

Coin for his skills. Go kill someone and get paid.

How morbid.

But it was how he got to this place. And coin was what he needed to get a temporary roof and food in his gut. He would need more of those later on, if the prelude to battle was true. The road was stony, the audible sound of metal on rock drawing attention to the armored warrior making his way to a temple before them. Gazes were traded, his glowing eyes a warning to not have any... violent, ideas. The blade at his back may be considered more of a prize than a warning.

Let them try. Their loss, in life and pride.

The temple where he was to meet his contractors was quite large, now that he approached, a towering monument of marble and white, reflecting the afternoon sun on its surfaces. He had to focus on other things to not be blinded. A temple to whatever gods these people worshipped? Or a center of command for the elite and the leaders. He would find out soon enough, as he arrived at the base of the steps, two sentries guarding his passage.

Shields as large their bodies, emblazoned with a symbol that supposedly meant something to them, slammed down in warning, spears jutting out from the sides like a bristling boar. from either. He saw no trembling nor a twitch in the movements. Obviously trained, and quite diligently. They clearly seemed cumbersome for a guard, with that size.

"Halt." one commanded. "State your intentions and right of passage. Failure to present either will have our spears at your throat."

I am tempted to let you two try. He mused, staring them down. He may have been here to defend the city, but that did not mean he was subject to their rule. First and foremost, he was a mercenary, out for coin. His loyalty was subjective, at best. But he digressed. He had already been paid, and to nullify the terms of contract the moment he stepped inside city grounds was tantamount to idiocy. Of the suicidal kind.

Raising both hands, one clasping his contract, signed and stamped, he halted.

"I come in service to this city, paid and hired as my contract decreed. Look and judge, if you still deem me suspicious."

Nikaia, if I may?

 

[Tyrone Kystal]

Work for a Freelance Adventurer was slim pickings to begin with, what with the competition from the guilds. But these days pickings were scarce for practically everybody. The roads were a lot safer than they were a hundred years ago and many villages were protected by the reputation of the flaunted Adventurers Guild.
So that left people like Tyrone, loners, to go afar to find their fortune in the lesser known parts of the world where monsters abound and desperate men prey on other desperate men.

So it was when he heard the call for mercenaries to come to the aid of a city. It was hard to believe an established city was this far out and away from the main trade routs, but he wasn't a merchant, he was a soldier of fortune... or whatever he needed to be, really.

He approached the city on foot because he had to sell his horse a couple miles back at the last inn for breakfast and bed, and also because he needed to prioritize stealth over speed due to the bands of scouts and soldiers he had to sneak by. He wore tough leather boots shod with steel plates and his tribal armor of the mountain people, this consisted of an iron stomach plate and a wide belt reinforced with iron studs that extended down into a plated warkilt, this left his chest, arms, shoulders and thighs visible to reveal an intimidating display of muscle, and his forearms were shod with thick steel gauntlets that were like miniature shields or bucklers that extended past his elbow with savage spikes. But this was all covered with a light robe clasped at the shoulder. And a large greatsword of ancient steel was sheathed at his back.

Appearing thus at the city gates he was impressed by its craft, he hadn't seen this type of architecture anywhere else in his travels around the interior of Arethil. The only guard he saw was just as impressive as the architecture in an example of the female sex, obviously tuned and toned for war and weapons, an amazon of old tales!
He looked her up and down appreciatively, not bothering to hide his admiration, but he made sure to not do so for an indecent amount of time.
He presented her with a charming smile and stepped forward, his hands open at his sides while his eyes met with hers.
"Hail, I hear this city's in need of aid. With the trouble it took to get here I'm inclined to believe it, I'm here to lend a sword. Who do I talk to about my fee?"

 

[Nikaia]

@Nikaia, if I may?

(You May, I have someone else’s already lined up but you may join us. It is open chronicles after all.)

 

[Nikaia]

The temple where he was to meet his contractors was quite large, now that he approached, a towering monument of marble and white, reflecting the afternoon sun on its surfaces. He had to focus on other things to not be blinded. A temple to whatever gods these people worshipped? Or a center of command for the elite and the leaders. He would find out soon enough, as he arrived at the base of the steps, two sentries guarding his passage.

The temple, one of twelve equally large temples, was the temple of Terros, their god of war, where mercenary contracts and soldier inductions were preformed to ask Terros for strength. This particular temple had two long, red banners emblazoned with a huge, tusked boar. A blatant and clear symbol of strength and prowess.

Raising both hands, one clasping his contract, signed and stamped, he halted.

"I come in service to this city, paid and hired as my contract decreed. Look and judge, if you still deem me suspicious."

One guard came forth to check the contract, which seemed to satisfy him. The guard nodded to the phalanx that’s blocked the mercenary’s way, which relaxed and pulled apart Tom let him past. “Proceed inside, you’ll meet the Council Administrator. He’ll make sure that the contract is put into the records.”

The inside of the temple was grand, decorated with carvings all along the columns and walls depicting many, many bloody and violent wars and battles as well as various stories of feats of strength and prowess. At the back was a massive statue of a nearly naked man wearing only a crested helm with a shield and xiphos. At its base was a red robed man on the elderly end of things.

He looked her up and down appreciatively, not bothering to hide his admiration, but he made sure to not do so for an indecent amount of time.
He presented her with a charming smile and stepped forward, his hands open at his sides while his eyes met with hers.
"Hail, I hear this city's in need of aid. With the trouble it took to get here I'm inclined to believe it, I'm here to lend a sword. Who do I talk to about my fee?"

By that point, she had gotten used to outsiders looking her over. She did much the same, he’d definitely be placed on the flanks of the battle line. She kept her face blank and businesslike. “Temple of Terros. I can take you there should you need a guide.”

 

[Traecon Maxwell]

He did not pay attention to the architecture, the tapestries and the paintings lining the walls. If he had been one for aesthetics, he would have been killed long ago trying to incorporate style into his combat. As if there was any need to look fancy while bloodying one's own hands. Soldiers and apparent citizens of the city glanced at him, at his height, at his armor, and quite more at the weapon on his shoulder. Again, he paid those people no mind. Let them look, he mused, as it would not serve any other purpose.

He approached the base of a giant statue, where he saw more groups in addition to lone individuals, handing in papers to a wizened old man, dressed in red and quite indifferent to his... guests.

If that wasn't the contractor, he'd turn tide and walk out where he came.

At his current speed, he approached just as the people in front of him cleared, leaving him alone with the old one, for the time being. His shadow loomed over the elder in a hilarious disparity of height, prompting him to look up at Traecon's glowing eyes, the only thing visible beneath his hood. He recoiled as if he'd seen a ravenous orc.

"What the - "

The swordsman held up his contract, unfurled from his examination at the gates. He had to hold it out further as the administrator propped up a pair of lenses to examine the writing. His eyes widened in recognition, looking to said contract then to his hooded visage. This continued for a couple minutes before the man seemingly connected the dots.

"Ah, Macbeth, was it?"

Crack!

"Maxwell, geezer."

That was from his knuckles popping as the paper crumpled in on itself, Traecon's fingers not moving an inch from their position. And yet the paper was being crumpled up as if his hand were closing into a fist. He was plenty ticked off. He was expecting competence, not -

"Aha, forgive me, young man." said the administrator, propping himself up on the seat proper, having jerked back at the sudden sound. "I was not expecting this form when I asked for your services. i have never met you in person, so forgive my ignorance."

He didn't. "Tell me where I may be assigned so I can get to work."

 

[Tyrone Kystal]

“Temple of Terros. I can take you there should you need a guide.”

He quirked a smirk at the thought. A guided tour through a beautiful city by a beautiful woman? Few men could ask for more!
Of course he was far from fooled by her feminine beauty, her exposed flesh was fair but the muscle beneath the skin was powerful and corded, like a lioness. It wasn't any mere woman soldier that could lift a shield of that size to any effect.

He bowed his head respectfully.
"I greatly appreciate the offer, I admit I'm not familiar with cities in any navigational capacity. I would be honored... Miss? Captain? How should I address you if we're going to be working together?"
He would follow her through the city to the temple, but he allowed himself to take in the sights, taking it and filing them away for future use. He didn't know the purpose of most of the buildings, it was hard to tell the residential from the recreational, and the recreational from the administrational.
But he was really getting the layout in his head, defensible positions inside the city, choke points, dead ends, blind alleys, sharp corners, high vantage points... And appreciating the guide as well.

The temple was as impressive as the rest of the city, which is to say, it was suddenly there before he realized what it was.
A whole squad of round shielded spear wielding men and women were arranged in formation before the entrance and Tyrone gave them all an approving look.
These were disciplined soldiers, not like the soldiers elsewhere who just stand in a group and call it a formation, these were soldiers that stood shoulder to shoulder in nice rows.
It sent a satisfying chill through his spine!

They were blocking the way and he was without an invitation so he would let his guide do the talking.

 

[Nikaia]

"Tell me where I may be assigned so I can get to work."

“The assignments is that of flank protection. You’ll be given a bunk in the barracks, and assigned to a unit to defend one of the flanks of the main line. You’ll see action when the invaders return. The job is a duration job, so you’ll receive regular payment until the invaders are destroyed.” The elderly man beckoned another man, this one younger, in his teens, over. “Bring Maxwell here to the barracks for the mercenaries.”

"I greatly appreciate the offer, I admit I'm not familiar with cities in any navigational capacity. I would be honored... Miss? Captain? How should I address you if we're going to be working together?"

“Nikaia. Just Nikaia.” She says beckoning a similarly equipped woman over to cover for her. Then she said, “come along and I’ll bring you to the Temple.”

She marched ahead of him and brought him through the straight, cobbled streets of the city. She wouldn’t start a conversation, but she wouldn’t avoid one. They approached the circular courtyard that was betwixt the twelve temples, then took the man, of whom she couldn’t deny the attractive appearance, up a flight of stairs leading to the temple, where the Temple Guard waited.

They let them through. And He was brought to the old man, who did as he did with Maxwell, before sending him off to the barracks with Nikaia as his guide.

 

[Tyrone Kystal]

They passed by a rather bulky and... unnatural looking man. Not taller than Tyrone, but definitely stockier.
Well, they must really need every extra hand they could get. Especially after they practically hired him right on without an invitation with very little question, he simply stated his fee and the old man agreed on the spot.
Though, in their position they could afford to agree upon extortive prices, you don't have to pay half a kings ransom to a dead man.

He followed his guide to the barracks. Nikaia? Well, at least she's informal, that will be more expedient if their going to relay information in the heat of battle. Of course the chances of them meeting on the battlefield were slim, and if their current army was as disciplined as these guards, she might be buried somewhere in a complex formation. He served as a soldier once in the Allirian military, he did well because the armies he served in were hardly as organized as these and he was free to move and perform to his fullest capacity.
At least, he hoped he wouldn't be forced into a formation, he needed his elbow space to swing his sword.

But the battle was guaranteed to be bloody, all battles were, but few were such that Tyrone could truly call them "Bloody". But there were a lot of variables since he wasn't privy to whatever battle plans were being drawn up.
"Oh, gods... I hope their plans consist of more than 'Defend the walls to the very last!'," he muttered under his breath as they made their way to the barracks. The way these soldiers were disciplined and equipped their shields would be poorly suited to defending a wall, they were better suited for sallying forth and creating a wall of their own, complete with deadly spears. Tyrone had to smile, he liked the idea of a good sallying raid just following a rain of arrows and trebuchet from behind the walls, waiting for his enemy only suited him in the middle of combat where their next move will be their last.

"So, Nikaia, What do you know of the enemy? Where they came from? their motive for declaring war?
I assume they declared war, or else your people saw them on their way geared up for a fight? You obviously had time to prepare and call for aid..."
He didn't know how she ranked in the military structure, but he hoped there was some information he could weasel out of her. Even the most obscure tidbit could change the tide of battle.

 

[Nikaia]

"Oh, gods... I hope their plans consist of more than 'Defend the walls to the very last!'," he muttered under his breath as they made their way to the barracks.

“No, it’s ‘defend the field to the very last.’” She corrected. Their warfare philosophy was win or die. So they’d fight to the last if they had to. But this rarely needed to be put into practice considering how well the soldiers were trained, and when in the last ditch effort when their weapons were broken, were known to kill enemy soldiers with their fists.

"So, Nikaia, What do you know of the enemy? Where they came from? their motive for declaring war?
I assume they declared war, or else your people saw them on their way geared up for a fight? You obviously had time to prepare and call for aid..."

“I know that they came from a northern region and started raiding farms. We went and slaughtered a great deal of them in retaliation, I would assume that it is a vengeance motivation. We’ve already been at war for a while and we only recently called for help defending the flanks that are typically ambushed by their more stealthy warriors.

 

[Tyrone Kystal]

“No, it’s ‘defend the field to the very last.’”

He laughed aloud at this.
"Truly, the tactical genius of those in authority are a wonder to behold! All who see the kingdoms these men protect shake their heads in awe!"
He grinned good naturedly at her and slapped the sword hilt on his back.
"If the flanks are vulnerable, I can handle it. I know how they move, and I can do it better. Get me in the tree line and I'm unstoppable."

As they arrived at the barracks he gave her another appraising look.
"Watch my back with that big shield, and I'll be a damn juggernaut."
Sure he runs his mouth a bit, but bragging's never been his style. Since the old man didn't question him much he felt like he still had to sell himself so they knew they were getting a good deal for the price he asked... Sure, they would know soon enough but he had to make a good impression.

 

[Nikaia]

He laughed aloud at this.
"Truly, the tactical genius of those in authority are a wonder to behold! All who see the kingdoms these men protect shake their heads in awe!"

She rolled her eyes, “it’s straightforward I’ll grant, but they actually have a strategy believe it or not. Don’t fear that our generals are idiots, they aren’t.”

He grinned good naturedly at her and slapped the sword hilt on his back.
"If the flanks are vulnerable, I can handle it. I know how they move, and I can do it better. Get me in the tree line and I'm unstoppable."

“That’s why we hired you.” She said calmly. They approached the long, low building that was the barracks. Inside there were two small subdivisions that were semi, empty. One had a number of mercenary archers, of varying size and sex, the other were close combat mercenaries, armed with a variety of swords, axes, maces and varying other close combat weapons, this was where he’d be staying.

“You’re free to explore the city, this is where you’ll be sleeping. If you hear a signal horn report to your assigned station, assignments will be given in the morning. I need to return to my post, I’ll see you on the field.

 

[Tyrone Kystal]

“You’re free to explore the city, this is where you’ll be sleeping. If you hear a signal horn report to your assigned station, assignments will be given in the morning. I need to return to my post, I’ll see you on the field."

"Yeah, maybe next time I'll see ya with blood on that spear!"
Bad war humor.
Well, that was that. He could find a bunk later, he was more interested in the city and what it had to offer. First things first was locating the nearest drinking establishment, next was locating the cheapest drinking establishment, and lastly was locating the finest drinking establishment.
Unfortunately he couldn't get all of those wrapped up into one when he found the closest establishment, would have saved time, but he apparently had that in surplus right now.

Opening tabs at various taverns wasn't the worst way he could be spending his evening, though certainly not his favorite past time it ranked in the top ten. He doubted he could bring company back to his bunk, and even if he could he didn't like performing with others watching... Although he glanced inside he couldn't quite determine how the sleeping areas were arranged.
It sure felt like he was being recruited into the army again instead of as hired help or a mercenary accomplice. It's been a while but he supposed he should brush up on his soldiers disciplines, but on a good show for the superiors, earn his pay, and then wreak havoc on the battlefield.

His tactics were more suited for a much more mobile unit. Perhaps if he showed up some of the upper ranks he could convince them to give him his own troops to lead... Heck, if their armies are sorely outmatched (Which he doubted) then he might have cause to lead a coup, overthrow the reigning powers that be, and turn this war right around.
Eh, he doubted things could go THAT badly, not with disciplined troops like these. Their used to warfare and know their stuff, but then again, if they were truly confident then why call for mercenary help?

He shrugged to himself as he made his way back to the barracks as evening fell and climbed into his bunk shirtless with his sword beside him. He'll cross whatever bridge presented itself when he got there.

 

[Nikaia]

If he were to stay out late enough, not quite sundown but getting close to it, he would run into Nikaia, her shield and spear absent but her sword still at her hip. She was walking toward the center of the city where the temples were located, and seeing him she’d say, “what are you up to out here? Nothing untrustworthy I hope.”

She herself was a bit less business now that she was missing her shield and spear, and her helmet was also gone, her greaves and vambraces were still there. She was of fun duty, and it wasn’t difficult to figure that out. She seemed slightly more willing to talk than before, as she was actually a sociable person so long as she was off duty. Perhaps she might join him for a drink even,

 

[Tyrone Kystal]

Thoughts of sleep vanished when he ran into Nikaia on his way back to the barracks.

“what are you up to out here? Nothing untrustworthy I hope.”

He chuckled, he liked this more relaxed version of her.
"Lady, I'm the definition of untrustworthy when I've had a few drinks, and I'm already a bottle ahead and a silver behind."
He took a few lazy steps in her direction to meet her half way, a relaxed smile on his face, he'd obviously been "sampling" some of the local taverns liquor already.
"Don't tell me your nights only just started? That wont do at all, you gotta catch up! maybe my pretty guide can take me to her favorite place to get a drink?"

 

[Nikaia]

He chuckled, he liked this more relaxed version of her.
"Lady, I'm the definition of untrustworthy when I've had a few drinks, and I'm already a bottle ahead and a silver behind."

She chuckled, “so you’re just going to drink your money away? That’s not a very wise strategy. So your the honest type of stoned, good to know. So which of the local alcohols have you tried? Most of it is technically wine, but it is strong enough to need watering down before it’s consumed.”

He took a few lazy steps in her direction to meet her half way, a relaxed smile on his face, he'd obviously been "sampling" some of the local taverns liquor already.
"Don't tell me your nights only just started? That wont do at all, you gotta catch up! maybe my pretty guide can take me to her favorite place to get a drink?"

“Oh it has only just started, I was on my way to the Temple though. But perhaps I can skip it tonight, the goddess has yet to answer my prayers, so I doubt that it will change anything even if I do go, so why not. Come on, I’ll take you.” She said turning around, rolling her eyes at the ‘pretty guide’ comment. Was He stoned already?

 

[Tyrone Kystal]

“so you’re just going to drink your money away? That’s not a very wise strategy. So your the honest type of stoned, good to know. So which of the local alcohols have you tried? Most of it is technically wine, but it is strong enough to need watering down before it’s consumed.”

He whined good humoredly, "Whaaat? But it's a debt I can pay off after tomorrow when I earn my first due. Though I tell you what's criminal is the taverns that don't offer free samples, make you pay for a whole bottle instead and it's not even very good. Anyways the tavern had a name I couldn't even pronounce when I was completely sober, so I'm no help there."

“Oh it has only just started, I was on my way to the Temple though. But perhaps I can skip it tonight, the goddess has yet to answer my prayers, so I doubt that it will change anything even if I do go, so why not. Come on, I’ll take you.”

"Eh, gods and goddesses have always left me alone, so I left them alone. But hey, I suppose I could be thanking them for the good fortune to run into you in a drinking mood. Lead the way, fair Nikeia of the amazons!"
He wasn't as drunk as he sounded, but he liked to act like he would when he was stupidly drunk. You end up learning a lot more about the people who take advantage of you when they think you won't remember them the next morning.

 

[Nikaia]

He whined good humoredly, "Whaaat? But it's a debt I can pay off after tomorrow when I earn my first due. Though I tell you what's criminal is the taverns that don't offer free samples, make you pay for a whole bottle instead and it's not even very good. Anyways the tavern had a name I couldn't even pronounce when I was completely sober, so I'm no help there."

This particular group of sentences tickled Nikaia’s funny bone, and she had a brief fit of light laughing. “So you have no talent for language, I suppose I knew that already from meeting you Andy hearing your vocabulary. Don’t worry, it’s not even written in common so you shouldn’t worry about pronouncing it properly. Besides, if you die tomorrow, you die drunk, happy and you won’t have too pay anyone.”

"Eh, gods and goddesses have always left me alone, so I left them alone. But hey, I suppose I could be thanking them for the good fortune to run into you in a drinking mood. Lead the way, fair Nikeia of the amazons!"
He wasn't as drunk as he sounded, but he liked to act like he would when he was stupidly drunk. You end up learning a lot more about the people who take advantage of you when they think you won't remember them the next morning.

That brought a light tint to her cheeks as she tried to suppress a smile. She spoke again, “we aren’t Amazons, they haven’t existed for millennia and we hated them. It was actually us who went in, killed a lot of them and enslaved the rest, so when you call me Amazon you’re technically calling me a slave.” She gave him a joking glare, pretending to be mad but unable to suppress the smile completely. “But I suppose it doesn’t bother me so much, and since you didn’t know I can forgive you more easily.”

So they continued their conversation, hopping from topic to topic until they reached a wine house of limestone walls and wine red curtains on the windows and a doorframe, without a door in it, most buildings had no doors. So they sat down, and Nikaia placed a couple of orders, one for each of them. “Keep it under wraps muscles, you are supposed to show up sober tomorrow or you risk them docking your pay.”

 

[Tyrone Kystal]

“So you have no talent for language, I suppose I knew that already from meeting you Andy hearing your vocabulary. Don’t worry, it’s not even written in common so you shouldn’t worry about pronouncing it properly. Besides, if you die tomorrow, you die drunk, happy and you won’t have too pay anyone.”

"Eh? I wouldn't say I have a talent for languages, but when I put my mind to it I learn pretty quick. I picked up Elvish on the job and didn't even have a tutor!
But I don't intend to die tomorrow, I always pay my debts... Sooner or later."
He left it at that, falling halfway serious but then falling back into his moderately tipsy relaxed state.

“we aren’t Amazons, they haven’t existed for millennia and we hated them. It was actually us who went in, killed a lot of them and enslaved the rest, so when you call me Amazon you’re technically calling me a slave.”

He gave her a smirking smile.
"I say "beautiful warrior woman" and you say "slave", if the shoe fits have it shinned. Or do you find the idea of being a slave unappealing?"
The banter went on like this, with Tyrone usually flirting the whole time and pretending to be more drunk than he was.

They arrived at Nikaia's special watering hole and she ordered the drinks. It was a nice place, though the curtains made him wonder if they were in a red light district.

“Keep it under wraps muscles, you are supposed to show up sober tomorrow or you risk them docking your pay.”

He gave her a sly grin.
"I'm a mercenary, Nikaia. If they doc my pay heads start rolling till I'm paid in full, then I'm outta here. We're different from soldiers in the fact that we're private contractors, we get to decide our pay and if the client doesn't deliver we pull our business and go somewhere else."
He leaned over on the table with his elbows under him.
"Besides, once they see me tomorrow they won't dare doc my pay!"
He had to get in some bravado, and that was it.
"A soldier's life is wrapped up in pride and loyalty to ones country, their all but owned by the kingdom they serve and are subject to the resources or lack thereof of their faction. I don't know if it's like that here, but that's my experience for ya. You're better off being a badass amazon warrior on your own if you want to make the real money."
He propped his head up with his fist under his chin while his eyes drank her in.
She was certainly the stiff backed soldier while on duty, even if that back had a nice shape, but once the helmet's off she could let loose a bit, and he really liked her dark hair.

"Blame the drink for the question, but you're not committed to anyone are you?"
Actually, since he wasn't even close to his limit, all the blame was on him.

 

[Nikaia]

He gave her a smirking smile.
"I say "beautiful warrior woman" and you say "slave", if the shoe fits have it shinned. Or do you find the idea of being a slave unappealing?"
The banter went on like this, with Tyrone usually flirting the whole time and pretending to be more drunk than he was.

This actually managed to fluster her. Her cheeks burned a bright red, but it wasn’t long lasting and she eventually regained her voice. “And if I do? What does it mean to you?”

His flirtation was a little bit of a surprise to her, and thanks Tom it catching her off guard she was oftentimes uncertain of how to respond, and thanks to him being less drunk than he appeared to be, he’d easily recognize that he hadn’t her on the defensive in this particular banter. She did write it off as drunkenness though, not genuine interest, so she didn’t allow her hopes to get up.

It was almost a relief when they got to the wine house, and the conversation ended, almost.

He gave her a sly grin.
"I'm a mercenary, Nikaia. If they doc my pay heads start rolling till I'm paid in full, then I'm outta here. We're different from soldiers in the fact that we're private contractors, we get to decide our pay and if the client doesn't deliver we pull our business and go somewhere else."
He leaned over on the table with his elbows under him.
"Besides, once they see me tomorrow they won't dare doc my pay!"
He had to get in some bravado, and that was it.
"A soldier's life is wrapped up in pride and loyalty to ones country, their all but owned by the kingdom they serve and are subject to the resources or lack thereof of their faction. I don't know if it's like that here, but that's my experience for ya. You're better off being a badass amazon warrior on your own if you want to make the real money."

“I advise caution muscles,” She said, seeming to have given him a new nickname. “I’m not threatening you in any way, but attacking a city full of people who’s entire way of life is nothing but war on your own is not the best idea. You’ll be free to leave if it comes down to such a confrontation, and they wouldn’t pay you. But I have no doubt that you’ll prove useful on the field.”

Then he suggested she leave the city and be a mercenary herself. She looked up, some of her wanted to be angry at such an insult to her honor, but she also knew that she had thought of doing just not long ago, to her infinite shame. So she put it from her mind and changed the subject, kind of. “I thought I said not to call me an amazon. Again, for the past several thousand years, Amazon’s are, and will continue to be, slaves. You might as well just be calling me one outright.”

The minute the words left her mouth she realized that she hadn’t blundered, and she now half expected him to take that as a request and oblige. Why was she so dumb!

"Blame the drink for the question, but you're not committed to anyone are you?"
Actually, since he wasn't even close to his limit, all the blame was on him.

She cocked an eyebrow. “No, why?”

 

[Tyrone Kystal]

“And if I do? What does it mean to you?”

He waved it off. She was getting pretty adorable. "Eh, just tells me a bit more about you. That's all."

“I’m not threatening you in any way, but attacking a city full of people who’s entire way of life is nothing but war on your own is not the best idea. You’ll be free to leave if it comes down to such a confrontation, and they wouldn’t pay you. But I have no doubt that you’ll prove useful on the field.”

He had to chuckle at that.
"Nah, I'd just give the old man a broken nose or something, and maybe a couple other broken somethings to get him to pay me what I'm owed. I'm not foolish enough to try and get through an entire army, at least not by myself. But that's neither here or there."

After his comments about mercenaries it looked like she was trying to be angry about something he said, but couldn't quite do it. He was actually kinda surprised how easy she was to fluster for a soldier. But since she couldn't be mad at that she decided to get mad at being called an amazon again.

“I thought I said not to call me an amazon. Again, for the past several thousand years, Amazon’s are, and will continue to be, slaves. You might as well just be calling me one outright.”

Evidently being called a slave is a pretty sever insult here, even though they were using two different definitions for "amazon".
Still he couldn't help but laugh.
"Nooo, you said that amazons were slaves and told me their history and that when I call you an amazon I'm basically calling you a slave, you never told me not to do it.
But this is interesting, what I issue as a compliment is taken as an insult. To me an amazon is the definition of a powerful woman, but to you it means "slave". Language certainly is complicated but wasn't I supposed to be the one without a talent for it?"
Anyway he decided to back off a little on the amazon business.

“No, why?”

He couldn't lean in closer since he was already against the table, so he just held his position.
"Because I'm not the kind of guy that takes another mans woman from him. And think I would love to see you like this again, off duty. When we both survive tomorrow let me buy you a round."
The drinks arrived on que, so he took a healthy swig.

 

[Nikaia]

He waved it off. She was getting pretty adorable. "Eh, just tells me a bit more about you. That's all."

“Mmmhmm. Sure. You can lie to me all you want but don’t take me for a fool.” She says to him in response.

He had to chuckle at that.
"Nah, I'd just give the old man a broken nose or something, and maybe a couple other broken somethings to get him to pay me what I'm owed. I'm not foolish enough to try and get through an entire army, at least not by myself. But that's neither here or there."

“Did you not hear me say that everyone here who isn’t an Amazon slave is trained as a soldier, him included, he may be too old to fight well but he won’t break under punches. And that would just see you surrounded by the Temple Guard.” She says looking him dead in the eyes with a smirk, “you’re quite the headstrong one muscles. How many authorities have you pissed off?”

Evidently being called a slave is a pretty sever insult here, even though they were using two different definitions for "amazon".
Still he couldn't help but laugh.
"Nooo, you said that amazons were slaves and told me their history and that when I call you an amazon I'm basically calling you a slave, you never told me not to do it.
But this is interesting, what I issue as a compliment is taken as an insult. To me an amazon is the definition of a powerful woman, but to you it means "slave". Language certainly is complicated but wasn't I supposed to be the one without a talent for it?"
Anyway he decided to back off a little on the amazon business.

She sighed, he wasn’t wrong. “Alright, I didn’t tell you not to call me an amazon, but it was implied! I suppose you people from further out in the continents don’t have the full history and go off of what the last memory of them was. I’m sorry for getting bent out of shape over it.”

He couldn't lean in closer since he was already against the table, so he just held his position.
"Because I'm not the kind of guy that takes another mans woman from him. And think I would love to see you like this again, off duty. When we both survive tomorrow let me buy you a round."
The drinks arrived on que, so he took a healthy swig.

She looked at him with a cocked eyebrow. “That explains a lot. Sure, I see no reason why not, but I don’t know if the alcohol will let you remember. So I’ll avoid being offended if you do.”

Of course he just took a swig. He had no idea that their wine needed watering down first. Yeah, he was not making it back to the barracks very easily that night.

 

[Tyrone Kystal]

“you’re quite the headstrong one muscles. How many authorities have you pissed off?”

"The better question is, "How many authorities HAVEN'T I pissed off?", That's a far easier number to count."
He began ticking them off on his fingers, "Elbion, Belgrath, Fal'Addas, Molthal, and here... So far. And probably some other minor kingdoms and settlements I've never been to"

“Alright, I didn’t tell you not to call me an amazon, but it was implied! I suppose you people from further out in the continents don’t have the full history and go off of what the last memory of them was. I’m sorry for getting bent out of shape over it.”

"Don't worry about it, I'm teasing and I'm not ruffled either way. I grew up in The Spine, so very little lowland history ever applied to me or my people."

“That explains a lot. Sure, I see no reason why not, but I don’t know if the alcohol will let you remember. So I’ll avoid being offended if you do.”

"Heh, I'll have you know I'm no lightweight. I'll hold you to it!"
That wine was certainly strong stuff, it burned all the way down and he coughed at first, but on the third gulp he had adjusted. His face was really warm, he was quite a bit more than tipsy now.
"Whew! that's quality wine! You people know your grapes! Most places don't bring out wine when you ask for the hard stuff, but not here!"
He set it down and blinked away the burning in his eyes.

 

[Nikaia]

"The better question is, "How many authorities HAVEN'T I pissed off?", That's a far easier number to count."
He began ticking them off on his fingers, "Elbion, Belgrath, Fal'Addas, Molthal, and here... So far. And probably some other minor kingdoms and settlements I've never been to"

This made her laugh. “We’ll you certainly try to make as much of an impression as possible. I’m surprised that you aren’t dead.”

"Don't worry about it, I'm teasing and I'm not ruffled either way. I grew up in The Spine, so very little lowland history ever applied to me or my people."

“Oh so you calling me property was intentional?” She teased, folding her arms under her chest. “I caught on that you like women but I didn’t think you to be a pervert.”

"Heh, I'll have you know I'm no lightweight. I'll hold you to it!"
That wine was certainly strong stuff, it burned all the way down and he coughed at first, but on the third gulp he had adjusted. His face was really warm, he was quite a bit more than tipsy now.
"Whew! that's quality wine! You people know your grapes! Most places don't bring out wine when you ask for the hard stuff, but not here!"
He set it down and blinked away the burning in his eyes.

“Oh come on Muscles, you can handle a bit of alcohol can’t you? Or are you all bark and no bite?”

 

[Tyrone Kystal]

“I caught on that you like women but I didn’t think you to be a pervert.”

He shrugged apologetically.
"Trust me, I've been called worse than that! But like I said, I do have some standards."

“Oh come on Muscles, you can handle a bit of alcohol can’t you? Or are you all bark and no bite?”

He laughed out loud.
"Says the lady who hasn't touched a drop yet! This is your favorite place isn't it? I've yet to see proof!"
He took another deep gulp, this time without coughing, and set down the bottle with a sigh.