Quest Caravan Mishap

Organization specific roleplay for governments, guilds, adventure groups, or anything similar

Adonis Thedas

The Warrior Merchant
Member
Messages
9
Character Biography
Link
It was quite the bright day. Birds chirped while they were carried by the small gusts of wind that blew throughout the streets of Alliria. The city was, as always, bustling with commerce. Merchants were lined up on the streets, trying to sell their wares to the people who practically pranced throughout the Inner City of Alliria. For some reason, the Inner City had a brought out the spending nature of society. This left many citizens wanting to spend their coin oh so badly. It was days like this that Adonis found enjoyable. Today, however, was not such an enjoyable day.

The sounds of Ceriyah's pacing echoed into the air that filled the main office of Alliria's Finest Wares Trading Co. Adonis sat in a cushioned chair opposite of his sister. He used the arm that he had propped up on the wooden desk between them to hold his head up as he watched his sister walk from wall to wall. She always got like this when there were stressing matters pertaining to the company, no matter how small. Adonis learned early on to just let her do what she needed to before speaking, it would save him a pounding. It didn't matter to her that she was only older by ten minutes, she was still the older sister and acted as such.

Finally, Ceriyah stopped behind the desk and sat at the desk. With her hands folded upon the table, Adonis knew it was finally time for him to speak. "We've sent two scouts now, Ceri. Neither have returned. I think it's safe to say..." Ceriyah cut her brother off with a sharp wave of her hand. "I know this isn't just some case of the caravans running off with our goods and the other companies wouldn't dare try to ride our private trade route." A smile began to trickle across Adonis's face. "Then we can both agree that this is an issue that requires my set of skills." Ceriyah rolled her eyes at her brother's amusement. "I'm not saying I agree with you on anything, abaisd. I'm just saying there's an issue that needs to be tended to and that you didn't get a share of my husband's company for nothing."

That statement roused a laugh from Adonis. "That I did not, dear sister. Rest assured, I had intention to go from the start. As a matter of fact, I've started looking for a group worthy of the coin I've offered." Ceriyah raised an eyebrow to her brother. "How much?" Adonis lifted his head from his hand in case he had to dodge any oncoming attacks. Small as Ceriyah may be, her time spent in Vel Anir had left her more than capable of cracking some skulls. "If word got out that we couldn't protect one of our most important routes, it would be bad for business." His sister's glare became harder. "How much, Adonis?" Adonis looked to the side to avoid looking into her eyes. "Twenty docatto per hire."

Adonis swore he could see a vein bulging from Ceriyah's head as she tried to keep her composure. "Keep calm, Ceri. I'm only spending so much because I intend on bringing a small party. Men and women worthy of that amount of coin." As her anger began to settle, Ceriyah eyed her brother. "You have some in mind?" Adonis nodded. "A few. I've caught wind of a few people of interest in the city and have sent messengers to them. I've also spread word of the request through a couple of channels that I know. Rest assured Ceri, I'm not hiring just anyone. I've already refused quite a number of simple thugs. They weren't too happy about it, but I made them understand." Ceriyah shook her head and pinched the bridge of her nose with her thumb and forefinger.

Despite the anger Adonis knew she was experiencing, he also knew she was trying to suppress a smile. As Ceriyah was about to speak again, a knock sounded on the door that separated the main office from the warehouse. "You may enter", she called out to whoever knocked. A small male hireling walked through the door. "Sir, Madam, there's some people here that want to see you. Specifically you, sir." Adonis smiled back at Ceriyah. "Well if you'll excuse me, I have company to attend to." Ceriyah scoffed at her brother and dipped the tip of a quill in black ink. "Begone abaisd, I have documents to attend to." Adonis bowed in respect to his sister and opened the door into the warehouse to a strange sight.
 
Last edited:
  • Yay
Reactions: Tybalt the Grey
There he was in all of his weather worn steel plate, an armor appearing rough from travel and confrontation: Tybalt the Grey a Paladin of the Holy Order. Bearing no ornamentation or banners other than a sigil of Tychan and the Holy Order, the star printed scroll, imprinted into the breast plate. Standing close to seven feet tall the man was easily the most imposing figure any of the warehouse workers and Thedas family’s hand-servants had seen. Fortunately for them he wore his great helm which hid the grey skinned Half-Orc’s less than favorable features, only revealing his blue eyes that attentively peered out at the forming group from his position closer to the door.

It wasn’t strange of the Thedas family inquire aid of the Holy Order. As followers of Tychan they honor their patron’s role as emissary and messenger, so it was not strange to see Priests take on tasks of cartography and take regular pilgrimages upon the major routes of trade to various chapter temples across Arethil. They saw the protection of travelers as a noble cause. Tybalt was no different and was addressed by Father Demarco of the Elbion Chapter of the matters of the Allirian Trading Company.

Now he here was answering the call for aide. From what he understood the benefactor Adonis Thedas was a respectable sort. From his queries with locals and associates he’d regarded the night before soon after arriving in the city, the man, was said to have been fair and quick of mind. There were some less favorable opinions but they sounded of rumor or hearsay. Nothing truly founded. But as always the Paladin saved his opinions for experience with others. Adonis may have been a man of the people or a shrewd businessman Tybalt would not know with certainty until they met.

In the moment of waiting Tybalt fixated on the arrangement of the warehouse. He had a strong sense of smell and could smell fine oak and lingering fragrance wine from somewhere. A vintage a servant of Tychan would not have known, and was most certainly worth more coin than they would spare. Eyes curiously fixated at a rack of barrels being stored to certain wagons. To which he’d thoughtfully questioned were they for trade, or merely sent with the goods as a means entertainment on a long journey? To be roughly honest the Half-Orc had no idea in what the Thedas family genuinely traded in only that their name and wealth stretched far into the east. It was enough to make their name a spoken thing outside of the boundaries of the Falwood.

Yet distraction was diverted immediately as the warehouse doors opened, and Tybalt casually turned to see the face of a bright young man. Finely clothed and of distinguished posture, unlike his own, which was slouched and informal. But Tybalt was quick to correct himself as his shoulders rolled back and chest pushed out. “Regards of the Holy Order.” He gruffly spoke with a gentle nod.
 
Alliria really was all they had said it would be, the vast city was a maze of streets and bridges, of stone and glass and it was so alive. The markets, the streets were bustling with people, people who were selling food, and clothes and jewellery and all manner of odds and ends. It was all so different from where she had grown up, so vibrant, Fal'Addas was much more well slow paced she guessed. A reflection of the longer lives of the Elves, there were no street markets selling all manner of goods everything was available but without the urgency. To be honest, she'd loved every minute, every second she had spent in the city but...well the very wanderlust that had driven her away from home in the first place started playing at the back of her mind. There was a huge world out there and she'd set off to find out more about her magic, the explore new and exciting places. Most importantly hunting down new elementals to contract with, while the elf might have spent her time in the city experiencing the wonders it had to offer, she hadn't let that distract her from her self appointed task. The waiflike elf had haunted archives and libraries looking for any information about elementals or their locations, their behavioural patterns. Mostly this research had led to dead-ends, fanciful stories, myth more than reality. Some of it though, some of it had led her to actual results, the trail of a Firebird that was seen nesting in the desert.

So that was the next target, her next goal, but making her way all the way across the land by herself, not an impossible task, although one that could prove difficult. It was a long way to travel for one person, a lot of resources to carry, a lot of danger of being caught out alone. So when the information came across, someone looking to put together a party headed in that direction it seemed like provenance had struck, a party could make the trip in safety, watching one another's back, supporting one another along the way. Luckily her training as an Elven Ranger gave her more than enough skill, enough of a name to make the team. So here she was, standing outside the merchant's warehouse, her fingers playing across the haft of her bow/ She could feel the steady weight of her quiver on her hip, the knives secured behind her back as the blonde elf took a deep breath before pushing the door open. She'd done her research, the Thedas family was well known, a true family of merchant factors, and any request with their name attached to it had an air of security to it, of honesty. It was unlikely to be a trap, or a false flag. She'd been burned by those before. Still judging from the size of the orc...not the features were slightly wrong, half-orc, in front of her it seemed like she wasn't the first to arrive. As wrapped up in her thoughts as she was Aithlin was only moments away from walking into Tybalt's back before she span on one foot, letting the motion carry her around and to the side. "I'm sorry, Umm..." one hand came up on a half wave, "I guess we're a little early?"
 
The workers who were once staring at the new guests inside their warehouse quickly resumed working once they saw the office door working. "You lot aren't paid to gawk at our guests", Adonis yelled out to the workers with a smile on his face. He wasn't used to being the one who ordered them around, that was his brother-in-law's job. His job was to travel around Alliria, ordering around the merchants they had throughout the city. Yet with the man gone, Adonis and his sister had to hold a presence in the warehouse.

He scratched at his chin with ring-laden fingers as he scanned the two figures in front of him. One was a massive metal mountain, imposing enough shatter any morale. Or person, for that matter. The other, was an exact opposite. One small and with a lithe frame, most would've considered her a healer. Adonis, however, could tell from her stance that she was no such thing. Two beings from two very different backgrounds, yet both deadly in their own way. Adonis thought to himself that this trip could turn into a song the bards would sing. Alas, it was only a trip to recover lost goods.

Adonis walked a few paces closer and turned toward the massive figure. Assuming from his stature, Adonis guessed the iron-clad giant was an orc. He heard the orc bark out, "Regards of the Holy Order" which made things clearer for himself. "An orc working for the Holy Order? You must be Tybalt the Grey! Yes, I've listened to many tales of your ventures. I'm honored that the Holy Order would select such a delegate as yourself." Everything he said was true indeed. There were plenty of tales about a massive orc tearing through foes of the Holy Order. That fact that there was an orc in the Holy Order was enough to gather attention, but an orc that had mettle? Well that was enough potential to be written down in history someday, a fact Adonis was sure the Holy Order knew of.

Turning to look at the elf beside the orc, Adonis checked the weapons on her person. Adonis had hear talk that there was an Elven Ranger located somewhere within the city, but more than that he didn't know. He didn't know if the ranger was male or female, blonde or brunette. Adonis had many connections throughout the city and then some, but the ranger had managed to keep themselves aloof for whatever reason. The prospect of having both Tybalt the Grey and an Elven Ranger join his party seemed, well a little too good to be true. He understood the coin he had offered drew attention, but to what degree? "Tell me, Miss. Word has been passing through certain... channels that there was an Elven Ranger traipsing through Allirian streets. Are you the very same elf?"
 
Not one to bring focus to his Orcish heritage Tybalt calmly cringed at the well intending comment. It was indeed a surprise, for not many of his kind found themselves apart of human dominated groups, let alone civilizations. It was the reason he hid his face. He tried to hide the obvious fact so as to not further frighten commoners and other less educated individuals. “All are equal under Great Emissary’s guidance.” Was all Tybalt could say with a slight nod as adjusted himself and slowly lifted away his Great Helm, tucking it beneath his arm. Grey skinned yet oddly fair in the face the Half-Orc was still very imposing. His sudden reveal gave a few workers a sudden stir whilst rolling large oak barrels onto the back of a wagon.

“But the Holy Order understands the value of commerce, it is the trade companies who pioneer routes, and provide the opportunity for safe passage. This has ever been one of the Priesthoods most pertinent tasks.” He spoke again with gruff elocution. Versed in the common tongue he spoke with respectful vocabulary and gave his regards to Adonis.

Addressing the elf, Tybalt would be honest that he’d not noticed her at first. Tiny things comparatively their nimble grace always disarmed him. More aether than people in his mind. At one point the Half-Orc believed the fair folk to be mystical lords of the woods. A host of fairytales would convince him it was so, but truth was much like he they were simply different. Such disparities were often misunderstood and formed many stereotypes difficult to avoid. Making momentary eye contact Aithlin Kitansyr the paladin simply nodded with the friendliest smile his brutish face could muster letting her address Adonis.
 
Word had been passing through certain channels? About her, really? Aithlin couldn't help herself, that little smile of satisfaction that danced across her lips. She'd done her best not to broadcast her presence in the city, wanting to be able to take her time and find the job that would take her where she wanted to go. Still, the idea that people had noticed her was a pleasant one that sent a thrill of pleasure down her spine as she turned a smile on Adonis, nodding her head. "Yeah, I guess that would be me, can't say too many rangers end up leaving Fal'Addas or make their way to Alliria." There had actually been more elves present in the city than she'd thought there would be in the city, enough to provide her with an element of comfort as she'd made her way around the city exploring. "I honestly thought I'd been a little more discrete than that," she'd even left her bow at home part of the time...though maybe the whole entry with a bow might have given the game away, and the elves themselves were as open to gossip as anyone else.

Nodding back at Tybalt, the blonde dipped into a small courtesy, a soft, amused, grin curling up her lips as she nodded at Tybalt. "Aithlin Kitansyr, recently of the forests of Fal'Addas at your service. Pleased to meet both of you." Straightening the young elf reached down, smoothing out her tunic, the green fabric flattening and settling under her hands. Tybalt looked more than capable, reassuring almost. It was just, most caravan's made do with just a handful of guards, maybe with one veteran. For their employer to be looking for so much more capability in his guards. It didn't seem like they were running into your run of the mill situation, and that had piqued her curiosity.
 
Hugi was not certain the meeting this party in Southill was such a good idea without knowing who they were. There would have been little to be done about it being a large group of assassins if it was as he feared. He had taken initiative and ran back to check out who all was being gathered for this group, rather than going into this completely blind. They would at least have one axed in the back before the fight began if Hugi didn't explode and deal with them all in that moment.

It was an alarming sight for most for sure, seeing a large man with twin axes go barreling through the woods at high speed. Never mind when he wore a helm with tusks on it to obscure his features. Not that it made a difference with how large and prominent he was as there were seldom few that could be mistaken for him.

He had made it back to town and luckily found the warehouse that he was told about. The large blond man came slowly into the door frame. Noting the large person in armor, it took him a moment to recognize the heraldry of the church the summer-lander's gave themselves to. The elf and human didn't seem much of a threat, but the other man with weird ears. It was always best to watch the ones in the most armor, because either they had received enough training to know what to do with it. Or they were noble children, little more than sniveling brats that thought they knew best how to deal with trouble.

But life wasn't about competition duels, and armor wasn't always everything as far as axes and blunt objects were concerned.

"This the company needing some extra muscle then?" Hugi called, his tone carrying a hint of laughter to it as he looked at the elf and human. He didn't figure they would be after Maude, but he was still cautious of the armored one, wait. It was an orc.

A hand carefully went to his hip, but did not draw a weapon as he eyed the grey skinned beast. It was rare to see one in armor that matched, so this one couldn't be entirely bad if the church had a brand on it. Or it may have been their attempt at trying to bring that race under the yoke also. Either way, a hand stayed at the hip, lazily resting on the axe handle as the man stood away from the orc. The helm's gaze was plainly pointed passed the human, and directly at the equally tall fellow in the room.
 
Adonis nodded to the elf. "Well Aithlin Kitansyr, I'm pleased to have you aboard this little trip of ours." Adonis had many ears throughout Alliria and then some; it was a necessity for the merchant business. When people of note arrived to the city, he was one of the first to know. It had its rewards, along with its challenges. The fact that he only had as much information on Aithlin as he did was quite surprising. "Trust me when I say knowing that bit of information was more luck from the gods than anything else. If you intend on keeping your presence a secret, however, I'm more than happy to oblige. Hopefully you are too, Tybalt?

Turning back towards Tybalt, Adonis smiled. "My my Tybalt, you're much too flattering to my merchant kind. Trust me when I say most of us care less about the pioneering and more about the profiting. A nasty bunch, the lot of us are." This resulted in a couple of chuckles from the hired hands moving barrels and crates onto different caravans. True, merchants were usually the on the frontier of exploration. If you trace back into the beginnings of civilization, merchants were some of the first to discover and conquer the lands of Liadain. Adonis hadn't quite been in the business long enough to feel that merchant pride, but gods did his brother-in-law. That was about all the man spoke of.

His attention cut from Tybalt and drew towards the large door frame where an equally large man stood. Adonis inspected the leather padding the man had on and took note of the helm that adorned his head. This wasn't some random straggler. "That's odd, I was under the impression we weren't meeting until Southill. Does that mean Maude is here as well?" Adonis had contacted the great warrior Maude about the trip earlier, requesting her help. While he didn't know her personally, you didn't need a network of people to know who Maude was. Getting into contact with her was the harder part, but just about anything can be achieved with the right amount of coin.

Adonis took note of how the man watched Tybalt. He guessed that the man wasn't used to being in the company of an equally imposing figure. It was like a mountain of leather taking note of a mountain of metal.
 
It would seem that Adonis was an honest man in his profession, where Tybalt was simply being amicable the merchant made no bones. An almost endearing quality the giant Half-Orc thought to himself. Too often was the case that men and women basked in their own glory. The Grey one hated to lean into stereotypes, but many if not all of his experiences with Elvish aristocrats had been exhausting. Their “Greatness” if it could be called that was overstated. Especially compared to himself many of their kind looked at a Paladin trained Orc as a novelty, yet it would be their mistake to assume him simple, for Tybalt was not a dim weapon of aggression.

“A Merchants reputation may be such but with proper influence you would be surprised of what good a man may be asked to do.” Tybalt spoke with diplomatic cantor allowing emphasis to only hint at another implication. He wasn’t blind to ill nature of men. So it was his belief only the shadow of possible violence needed representation, for it was better to wield your sword in sheathe than out in the open. Something that seemed pertinent as another large man wielding not one axe, but two, came through. It was clear from the moment Adonis spoke the pair were familiar with eachother.

Then there was no doubt he was partnered with this group as well, yet a suspicious, or was it judgmental gaze? Either sight was directed at the Half-Orc with similar unspoken implications. The priests of the Holy Order had taught him it was better to merely let men stare, for with his size he would always appear to be a challenge. It was easy for Tybalt to provoke even when the intent was often the other. He knew better. He was taught better. And still he met Hugi eye to eye with a tired expression on his face.

With a small sigh the Half-Orc addressed the Nordengaard directly, “Good sir.” An odd turn of phrase to be pointed at Hugi but Tybalt continued politely, “If you expect violence from me, then you will only be mistaken.” With large steps that caused his plate clink and rattle the Paladin approached the axe wielding man, no weapon in hand, only a helm tucked under one arm, and his other pressed out with an open hand.
 
Aithlin glanced back and forth between Tybalt and the large man who had just entered the room, stepping between the two of them quickly to stand next to Adonis as Tybalt approached their new companion? The young elf twisted ever so slightly, perching in the edge of a nearby table, one foot resting against the ground, the other swinging back and forth in the air as she turned a pair of questioning blue orbs onto the merchant. "So...another of our companions then? Just how big is the party you've put together?" From everything the man had said, this was...if not expected then a meeting that he had planned to happen further down the road. Once again the elf found herself wondering just what she'd managed to get herself into. There was no question in her mind about walking out of the door and leaving, they'd linked her to the elven rangers already and that meant that her fate was bound to the mission, to not letting down the noble heritage and tradition of that name. Still, it never hurt to have just a little more information before they got started, a little more of an idea about what they would be facing.

Taking a breath Aithlin reached up to tuck an errant strand of hair behind her ear as she gave the two, well she wasn't exactly short but she was happy to call them, giants a cautious look. There was a certain tension about the situation, an electric undercurrent that seemed to fill the entire room, swirling around the two men waiting for a gesture, a crack that would bring a resolution to the scene. "Just shake his hand already, please." Or a voice it seemed. Aithlin pulled herself further up onto the table so that both of her legs could swing in the air beneath her. "No-one wants to fight, at least not here, not when there's going to be so much more interesting stuff to deal with later. Am I right?" Her head turned to rest her gaze on Adonis, "You wouldn't have brought together such an impressive party if you weren't afraid that we were looking at facing something serious right? So why don't we get back to the introductions? He," she raised one delicate finger into the air before letting it fall to point at Adonis, "Is the boss, the one who hired all of us. I'm Aithlin, I'm a ranger," she offered the merchant a smile, "It was never going to stay secret for long...but thank you for your offer. If we could maybe not shout it from the rooftops that will do. On the other hand, if you want an ace up your sleeve?" She fell silent for a moment before the finger swung to bounce back and forth between the two men. "Now, I don't believe I know either of your names yet?"
 
The mention of Maude's name had the man's gaze going back to Adonis. He was glad that he had come ahead of them in order to avoid trouble later down the road. His hand came off the handle of the ax and removed his helm, placing it on his hip. The face beneath it was surprisingly handsome for someone that was in a rough business. His green eyes were sharply pointed to the man before he spoke again.

"You mean, Dea'roh? No, she isn't here, she is still waiting in Southill. I came here to see who we are travelling with." The name he dropped was emphasized heavily but the rest of his words were spoken plainly. The orc came to him after the elf slipped between them, not squaring off by any means which drew his attention once more as he stayed his hand. The words surprised him since they were well spoken, both brows rising a bit in surprise. A smirk appeared as the arm came towards him with a small snort from him.

"Glad to hear, but I can't wait to see what you do in a fight. Well met then." Hugi replied, taking the hand with a firm grip. The elf had spoken, but his attention hadn't peeled away from the orc or Adonis to catch it. The part about fighting things later on caught his attention though. She spoke well for someone so lithe, and he had to give her a nod of admiration for her thinking. Always good to have an idea of what one was facing if someone gathered people like this for a trip. When the introductions were brought up, the elf introduced herself as Aithlin, and as well a ranger.

He couldn't say he was surprised, since the orc was wearing armor branded by the church that Adonis would find someone as skilled as she was to accompany them. Her finger pointed back and forth at the two giants in the room, earning her a smile as he pointed a thumb to himself.

"Hugi, nord mercenary. And Dea'roh is going to join us later with another like myself." He explained plainly enough. He looked to the orc now.
 
The influence held within a merchant's reputation? Tybalt was starting to sound more like his brother-in-law now. Adonis never really thought of how much weight had been put onto his name since travelling to Alliria. Before he was just one of the last two surviving Thedas members. Now, he was Adonis Thedas; tragedy-stricken yet widely successful merchant. He was more than just his family name now, yet the name still carried much weight upon him. A duty of vengeance that he was sworn to. "Well if what you say is true, let's hope a good influence comes my way."

Adonis nodded his head to the nord. It was actually good tactic to send a representative for herself. "Well I hope you're pleased with what you've found." Dread filled Adonis as he watched Tybalt approach the large nord. He had no qualms about the two fighting, in fact he wanted to watch such a spectacle. Alas, a brawl of such magnitude inside the warehouse would only earn him destroyed goods and a beating from his sister for not attempting to intervene. As luck would have it though, Tybalt merely approached the man in good faith, to which the man replied back in proper manner. Who said mercenaries couldn't have manners?

Aithlin had caught Adonis's attention with her inquisitive gaze. "In terms of the amount of people, I wouldn't say it was that large. In terms of sheer size though, well you see those two." A smile rested on his face as he spoke. He could sense that she was curious about a lot of things concerning the trip ahead of them, a curiosity that was starting to spread to everyone else. "Yes there should be much more fun on the road. I would ask of you to hold your excitement until then", Adonis answered. She was right. Usually the protocol for problems like this was to hire a mercenary group, about ten strong, and point them in the right direction. But Adonis had a feeling that this was different for a number of reasons, so he decided that he would only hire mercenaries that he was sure could handle the job. He would even be accompanying them.

Adonis raised a brow accompanied by a curious smile towards Aithlin . "Hmm, an elven ranger up my sleeve? I bet my competitors wouldn't have that one. We'll talk more about the subject some other time." He watched as the nord introduced himself. "Well met, Hugi. Now that all the introductions have been made, I would like to invite you all to the room over there" Adonis pointed towards a closed door that was a few paces down from the main office he had originally appeared from. With his back straight and his shoulders squared, Adonis made even strides to the door, opening and holding it for the rest of them. Once they were inside, he shut the door behind him and waved his hand towards the large, rectangular, polished oak desk placed in the middle of the extravagant room. Tapestries and paintings adorned the walls while a red rug laid beneath their feet. This room was usually only used for meetings with foreign dignitaries. The gaudiness of the room didn't really sit well with Adonis, but just like the garments he wore the room was supposed to exude wealth.

Once they had all taken a seat, Adonis moved to the head of the table to address them. "I would like to first thank you all for joining me today, it is well appreciated. Now, I know you lot must be wondering about why I've brought you all together and why I'm offering so much coin today. As Aithlin brought up earlier, I do have a reason for requesting such a fearsome bunch. For a while now, one of our trade routes to Elbion has been getting hit. As you may or may not know, gaining the opportunity to sell wares in Elbion is an extremely difficult thing to do. It takes years to establish, not to mention the amount of coin that goes into it. If this were any other route, I wouldn't be looking for such.. talented guests. The fact that they're even able to hit the route is astonishing, considering how well Elbion protects it's incoming caravans." Adonis scanned the three of them before continuing.

"I've also sent two more-than capable people to discover what's going on; they've yet to return to me and it was weeks ago. Now it's an issue that I, myself, can't ignore. I've lost too many good men to this, so instead of placing their lives in danger I'd rather risk mine."
Adonis looked at the three of them, trying to gauge what they were thinking. "Before I continue, I wanted to ask if you all were still up for the task ahead of us. You lot seem like fine people and I'm really not quite sure what lies ahead. If you wish to leave, now's the chance to do so." He awaited their responses.



 
  • Yay
Reactions: Hugi
"So what you're saying is somewhere between here and Elbion is someone, or something, that has been killing your men and you want to ride right upto it?" Aithlin honestly didn't know if she should be appalled or impressed by the merchant, shed heard about jobs like this before, about merchants who had put together parties of adventurers, sending them off to face all sorts of odds. It had been a staple of the storybooks she'd read as a child, only she'd never thought to be actually living in one of those stories, or anyone would go so far as to turn it on its head like this. A pair of soft blue eyes examined the man once more as the elf leaned back in her chair, her white teeth biting into the soft flesh of her lower lip. "And you're going to come with us too? If things out there are as bad as they seem...no offence, you're the boss and I guess you get to do whatever you want to do, but we need to know what we're dealing with."

The woman raised a hand, indicating the two large men filling the room, "it's pretty obvious what the two of them do, and what they bring to the party, and myself." She offered Adonis a small smile as her hand came up to gesture at him, "I'm not exactly sure it's a good idea for you to be risking yourself in the field, not if the men you sent are as capable as you make out. Something that can knock them out, well if it gets past us, a hunter always looks for the weakest link in a chain." It wasn't even concern about money talking, the woman had more than enough of that, she just didn't want any more blood on her hands than there needed to be, and taking an untrained merchant with them into a fight was begging for trouble. Even with a big party, she didn't want to see anyone get hurt any more than they had too, from the look of the other fighters present they were more than capable of handling this themselves, and while she applauded the idea, the courage implicit in it, she had to raise the thought. A wry smile tugged up her lips as she gave a small shrug, "I guess that's all my roundabout way of saying...I'm in. If they're hitting caravans then someone needs to step in, before even more people get hurt.
 
  • Yay
Reactions: Hugi
"So far I am." Hugi nodded to the man organizing this show. The mention of the the elf being a ranger made him look her over once more. Magic and actual skill, likely worth keeping an eye on. Or at least in her case, an ear. They were ushered to another room, and Hugi ducked into the room and cast a glance about the place. Expensive things, likely a good show for those that cared about showing off. For the nord, it just assured him that there was some credence to the coin being offered. The large man did not take a seat, instead standing close to the table and crossing his arms to listen. He had faith that the furniture could handle his weight, but he wasn't going to chance having to replace anything this nice if an ax scratched or damaged it.

The words Adonis spoke boiled down to someone being sneaky enough, or having enough coin to ruin another merchant. That or someone that just got damned lucky with who they had targeted. Luck was never something to rely on in the nord's opinion, so it was likely the first options. The mention of his joining them on the trip had the man's head cocked with a small grin.

"You'll be putting your neck on the line? Curious to see what you've got up your sleeve." Hugi chuckled. His words were excited rather than demeaning, having spent enough time in these lands to know not everyone showed what they where at first meeting. If the man felt confident about heading into danger, he must have thought himself capable in some measure.

"I'm not backing out now. When do we leave?" Hugi clapped his hands together before rubbing his hands together. The smile he wore and his whole form showing cheer and energy.