Fable - Ask Mountain of the Sages (Takes place a few days before the Great Ones event)

[Smiling One]

Willis Reede tossed and turned the bed sheets becoming cluttered and messy with every throes caused by his convulsion. Sweat became to form quickly around his brow as an unwanted dream, no memory came back to haunt Willis. For decades, the young man wanted nothing more than to purge it from his memory. If there was one thing that Willis hated it was his childhood, he tried desperately to escape it forming a new identity, making to never visit the place where he'd been abandoned. But the memory kept coming like a horde of Ants after a stray piece of food it kept digging at Willis' psyche forcing him to submit to its vices. The event was still vivid for Willis as he remembered nearly every word of it:

"I don't like the look of you!"

The scrawny, six year old boy stared at his mother teary eyed, what did mom mean by that? What did he do wrong? "Get the fuck out of here you little freak!" She shouted.

The boy was confused, his mother was very mean, but never to the point where she wanted to throw him out. "Why Mommy? What did I do?" He cried sounding weak and pathetic.

"You just a good for nothing snot nosed brat!" His mother spat, "You bought nothing but misery for me! You and your father!"

"Please.... don't lea..." the boy uttered before being slapped hard by his mother.

"SHUT UP! YOU LITTLE SHIT STAIN!" she shouted "You are nobody! You will bring nothing, but misery and pain to everyone!"

The boy was sobbing, was mother drunk? She was always like this when she's drunk. He looked up and saw nothing but hatred in her eyes. "I should've thrown your useless hide at the sea, the day you were born!" She ranted, "I would've been better off without you You're useless!"

"No! Mom I'm not useless!" the boy cried "Please! Whatever I did I'm sorry!"

All he received was a punch in the face

Willis screamed immediately standing bolt straight his heart beating rapidly. For a moment, Willis thought he was about to have heart attack based on his haggard breathing. The young man looked around taking account of his surroundings, he was in one of the dormitories of Elbion College. Wine bottles had been scattered all over the floor as Willis raked his hand over his wet head, he was half naked and sore from doing more Monster Hunting work by the College last night. A sudden chill went through Willis' spine as he smacked his dry lips. "Normally the drink can be it at bay," he mumbled to himself regarding the memory.

Willis put on his brown shirt and sighed heavily, "It's no longer enough," he said kicking an empty wine bottle towards the brick wall. The bottle smashed against it reducing it to pieces. For a brief moment, Willis thought that he was losing himself he spent the past few weeks taking on Monster Hunter contracts alone. Cali, Lazule all his friends he hadn't seen them in months. Willis had trouble connecting with them and their adventures but to no avail. He was elusive and they drifted away hoarding secrets that Willis was unaware of like Lazule identity even Phillipa Ebonheart the woman Willis he loved wasn't here lately.

Just then a knock on the door was heard snapping Willis out of his thoughts. "I'm coming!" He grumbled lumbering towards the door. "Yeah what's-" Willis opened the door but all he could see were the torches that lit up the hall way of the college. "Hello?" Willis called out.

"Down here,"

Willis looked down seeing a red toad with orange eyes with blue goggles wrapped around his neck there was an envelope wrapped around his fingers.

"A toad?" Willis said squinting at him. "Wait that means you're one of the Toad Sages from the expedition last year!" Willis remembered taking friends such as Maho 'Jerik' Sparhawk on an expedition which quickly turned into a disaster that ended up with Willis and the others killing an ancient Toad Sage bent on conquering the world. Such lovely times.

"My name is Etsu," the toad sage said. "I've come all this way to deliver an important message."

Kikwi

 

[Kikwi]

Kikwi hadn't slept much lately, but that was alright, because he had lots to do. After returning from the Seret mountains he had continued his research into desert fighting beetles. He had spent nearly all of his stipend on books and scrolls from the battledome... of course the majority had been used to purchase a beetle of his very own. It was a magnificent specimen: emerald green wing covers with a bright orange belly and a strong, sharp horn curving up from its head. It rested now in a decent-sized cage, munching on dried dung (which Kikwi had been told did not smell, not that he would have noticed anyway). Several candles burned away as he scribbled down notes and figures, comparing his writings with the new books and observations of his own creature. His feet swung contentedly from the stool.

His stomach made a tiny growl, and he clutched a yellow, scaly hand to it. Time for a midnight snack! He set down his quill and hopped down. The maesters had been kind enough to lower the doorknob to his room, and he latched it behind himself as he headed for the kitchens.

A small owl-like person in a white nightgown should have been odd, but most of the students and faculty of the college had grown quite used to Kikwi, and the few figurative night owls that also roamed the halls nodded politely as they passed.

Then his large eyes caught something in the light of a torch. At first he thought it was water, but there were more spots. Wet footprints. The pattern was odd though and it didn't look quite like water. He reached down to touch it and felt that it was thick and slimy. Extraordinarily curious, Kikwi followed the trail.

He walked down several halls and over a few staircases before arriving in the very corridor that Willis stood in. He scurried over, completely focused on the red frog. "Oh my," he said as he got close. "Willis, isn't it extraordinary?"

The frog spoke, and Kikwi was surprised to hear it. "Hello Etsu!" he chirped, "It is a great pleasure to meet you. My name is Kikwi."

 

[Arisa Lovelace]

Arisa had no actual business in the dormitories. At least, none that anyone would consider legitimate. She hoped none knew why she was truly there. She'd gained access in the most untrustworthy of ways, faking a budding friendship with one of the students, a pretty woman that currently served as her escort into the college. There were things even the most novice of students at the College owned that were worthy a pretty penny, and she hadn't traveled all the way to Elbion for nothing.

Hired by a scorned lover to retrieve a family heirloom rumored to be enchanted, Arisa only had a vague description with which to find the woman that possessed the item. There were too many women that could be described as seductive, with long legs, flaxen hair, and eyes the color of ice.

"Did I tell you how much I love that dress?" the student slurred, the tell-tale signs of inebriation thickening her voice. Her arm was looped through one of the shorter woman's own. Dresses weren't Arisa's style, but her usual wear would only garner her more attention. She was a tomboy at heart, with no desire for frills. Her other hand raised, casually adjusting her short hair to better obscure the vacancy of numerous piercings from her ears.

"Half a dozen times now, Lucy," Arisa answered, forcing a smile across her lips. She'd been careful not to mention the ring, but she'd already noticed it on the woman's finger. Lucy promised her more drink though, and a little bit of sleeping powder tapped into a glass would be more than enough to knock the woman out cold. More than enough for her to slide the ring from her finger and vanish. It was easier leaving a place like this than it was getting in.

The pair rounded the corner, and Arisa stopped dead in her tracks. Lucy felt the pull of the shorter woman's momentum slowing and followed her gaze, not nearly as confused as the thief. She looked at the owl, the frog-like creature, Willis, and back--only the second glance at the toad was fleeting at best as her eyes returned to Willis. Thinking Arisa astounded by the strange creatures, Lucy broke into a cackling laughter and pulled on her arm suddenly.

"You're silly, and could definitely benefit from more drink! Come on," the student demanded of her new friend. "There's nothing to gawk at."

 

[Zarko]

"Behold fair folk of Elbion as I produce a live rabbit from this seemingly empty hat!"

"Simple prestidigitation," someone called out.

"Could be a pocket dimension," another voice ventured.

"Miniaturization spell?" one of the bar patrons retorted.

Zarko the Magnificent scowled. This is why he hated performing in Elbion. Everyone was a critic. He finished his magic act to a pathetic scattering of polite applause. Good thing he always made a point to collect his fee before the show started.

He ducked out into a back alley and kept to the shadows on his way towards College grounds. The gnome wizard was running low on alchemical reagents and the Elbion maesters were unlikely to notice right away if some of their stock went missing. Although he was banished from school grounds Zarko knew of a blind spot in the perimeter wards near the dormitories that students used to sneak off campus undetected.

With a flick of his wand he loosened the latch on a dormitory window and hoisted his little frame inside. The gnome tumbled into a very occupied hallway.

"I can explain."

He trailed off instead. There were three humans, a frog, and an owl. Maybe if he remained very still they would forget he was here? Zarko was pretty sure that humans could only see based on movement.

 

[Smiling One]

Willis never thought he would see the Toad Sages again not ever since what happened during the expedition. Most of the people who accompanied Professor Ekon Larkin to the dreaded Woodlands of Elbion sometimes known as the Wildlands due to the amount of powerful monsters and insane cultists that lurked within the area. Willis was of course skeptical of the whole ordeal and Larkin was excited to uncover a lost race that he seemed to ignore any safety measures. The trip as Willis predicted was a disaster with multiple monsters inflicting mass casualties towards the group but they at least found the Toad Sages who were surprisingly accommodating.

The Toad Sages were trying to stop an ancient Toad Sage from enacting vengeance upon the world having his home and people wiped out in a brutal and bloody civil war. Willis and his friends did learn a lot about the true nature of the Toad Sages in how they were once defenders of peace and seekers of balance but it decayed into petty infighting. It turned out the ancient Toad Sage: Yamato emerged from his slumber and used his sage abilities upon the group nearly killing them all. Willis would never forget that Maho 'Jerik' Sparhawk saved his life and dealt the killing blow to the sage.

The young man tried to erase that from his memory he and Maho were friends before he devolved into maniac willing to kill anyone in his path, before gave himself to the Empire. Willis was about to read the letter Etsu gave him until Kikwi appeared out of nowhere dressed in a white robe gawking at Etsu who looked really uncomfortable.

"Kik!" Willis hissed. "Don't stare at him like that! You realize that he's uncomfortable."

Kikwi was always curious for his own good, Willis recounted of the many adventures that he's been thrusted in due to Kikwi's inquisitive nature. It was the Owl's greatest strength and sadly greatest weakness. "It's okay Willis," Etsu said. "Just never seen a talking Owl before."

Etsu sized Kikwi up even though he was smaller than the toads Willis met a year ago he still was bigger than Kikwi. "How's the good Professor Willis?" Etsu asked. "Has he sought fame and fortune?"

"Last I heard," Willis said noticing ANOTHER familiar face. "Wait a minute Arisa?!"

Arisa was Willis' old childhood friend and ex-flame, she was the person who taught him the art of thieving back when he lived in Alliria. "What the fuck are you doing in the College?!" Willis dropped the letter much to Etsu's shock and disappointment. "Hey the message is important!" he shouted but Willis ignored him and approached the young woman who was being accompanied by a friend.

"Don't tell me you've infiltrated the College to steal shit?" Willis sighed. "Who's the friend?"

Kikwi

 

[Kikwi]

Kikwi was at a loss as more and more people entered the hall. Maybe they had come to see the toad? No, how could they have known?

“Yes, not many people around here have seen kenku,” he replied to Etsu, “but I’ve never seen a... well I do apologize but I’m not sure I’ve ever seen someone quite like you.

Willis seemed to recognize one of the female students that rounded the corner, and Kikwi leaned over to peer at Zarko from around the toad.

At the mention of the letter that Willis dropped, Kikwi moved forwards to pick it up, if the toad would allow.

 

[Arisa Lovelace]

Lucy was wrong. As far as Arisa was concerned, there was everything to gawk at in front of her. When the gnome tumbled through the window, it temporarily distracted her. Now, gnomes she'd seen plenty of. Aside from Willis and Lucy, Zarko was perhaps the only other one present whose didn't seem to illicit a reaction from her; she'd tumbled in through plenty of windows in her own life time--more so now that she'd lost weight.

"Do you know him Ari?" Lucy asked, still holding onto Arisa's arm. Ari. It was the nickname Willis gave her years ago, one she'd professed to have hated at one point, and yet now clearly used with comfort.

"Yeah," Arisa answered, pulling her arm free. "Why don't you go on ahead? Which room is it?"

"The last door on the left," the student replied, gesturing to the end opposite of them now. If she'd heard what Willis said about stealing, she showed no signs. "Don't take too long, 'cause I'm not waiting for you!"

"Promise," she said, a forced smile dancing across her lips. Lucy departed, leaving the thief in a rather odd situation with her ex, that gnome, and the two smaller, stranger creatures. "Her name is Lucy, and I gave up that life. I'm an actress now."

It was only a partial lie; Arisa could never give up her true trade, but she had taken up theatre. Where else would she have acquired a dress as nice as the one she wore? Well, from theft of course, but this dress was earned honestly, and she could say that truthfully. Her gaze fell back to the owl and toad, perhaps more to avoid meeting Willis's eyes.

 

[Zarko]

Zarko's tactic appeared to be working. He was now invisible! It slowly dawned on the gnome that he was intruding on some other kind of unexpected encounter. Now this was interesting. What was in the letter? A treasure map to great riches? A chance at fame and glory? He was already counting gold in his mind.

"Alright, I confess," he interrupted, "It really is me. The Magnificent Zarko, greatest wizard on Arethil. Truly it is a burden to be so gifted for I sensed a disturbance in the weave that has led me to your aid."

He took a few confident strides to tower over Kikwi. This was new. He liked being tall.

"I understand meeting one of your idols must be a humbling experience for you," he gently patted the kenku on his head, "But please open this 'important message'. I can sign it for you later if you want."

 

[Smiling One]

It was quite unusual to see Arisa in a dress, especially one that was rather..... revealing. As a matter of fact, Willis never recalled a time that Arisa wore a dress. His childhood friend wore a teal, form fitting dress with a plunging neck and back line. The dress scaly and glittery in a way that reminded Willis of a Mermaid and how they dressed provocatively to lure sailors to their deaths. The young man definitely recalled many pirates being enthralled by their beauty only to be die a painful death. It was why many Pirates caution in saving a damsel who was in the middle of the sea. One can never if it's a mermaid or not.

"So Lucy is your target eh Ari?" Willis crossed his arms bemused at the fact that she let herself be allowed to be called Ari. Arisa was the one who taught Willis how to steal growing up in the docks. Aside from Archates, Arisa was another person who helped Willis through his trying times when he was that boy again. Willis shook his head trying to not to remember those harsh memories and instead looked at his old flame.

"You look good," Willis said. "You lost some of that weight." Arisa was a bit chunky but definitely wasn't fat when the two of them worked for the thieves guild, despite it the weight Arisa was fast and agile and was capable of eluding anyone. Willis had learned a lot from her but he can never surpass Arisa when it came to theft.

"A Kenku eh?" Estu tilted his head to examine Kikwi. "Your kind is pretty rare in the Woodlands then again your kind was food for the monsters."

"Don't scare Kikwi like that," Willis growled motioning Arisa to come over. Whatever this was, he'll likely need her help. "Kenku reside in the forest near Fal'adas, they're under protection by the Elves."

As soon as he said that, Willis spotted Gnome appeared conversing with the two. He called himself Mako or Zarko or some shit. "Hey pardon me for not blowing sunshine up your ass Marko" Willis grumbled. "But we got some important business to take care of."

Gnomes were fairly rare in Arethril during the Age of Wonders there were plenty of Gnomes whose technology rivaled that of the Dwarves which lead to a series of wars between them. Now and days Gnomes are more of merchants and travelers who love trickery.

"I was just fucking with him," Estu chuckled. "So are you done with all these reunions? Because this letter is rather important."

"You can just tell me your damn self," Willis rolled his eyes. "You came all this way you might as well."

Estu shook his head. "It's for your years only."

Willis raised an eyebrow taking the letter from Kikwi with a smile and a nod of thanks. He noticed that the envelope's edges were burning. Turning to Estu, Willis opened the letter and a booming voice was heard echoing through the hallway.

"The Toad Sages were defeated ages ago!" The voice deep sounding like stone breaking against one another. Willis felt multiple shivers go down his spine when he heard it.

"Slaughtered by their own hand while destroyed the stragglers." The voice continued. "For generations we have hunted you down to the last. Destroying every hidden sanctuary that you have constructed for yourselves! And now I have taken upon myself to sail across the sea and kill the Toad Sages of Elbion."

A chuckle was heard before the voice continued.

"I've heard of the Great Toad Sage Yamato," The voice said. "How he wanted revenge but was dispatched by a bunch of humans and other species. I wish I could be there to kill him myself but alas I settled with killing the Toad Sages from the east. I would say it was difficult but It wasn't."

"WE ARE ALWAYS A STEP AHEAD! WE ARE COMING AFTER YOU! Soon your people will be wiped out and put to the torch. It'll be as you have never existed!"

Willis grimaced and stared at Estu. "Yeah....." The Toad said. "The Great One has requested your presence Willis. I tried to contact your other companions but I couldn't find them."

The young man shook his head. "Well this is going to be lovely," he said looking around at his companions.

Kikwi

 

[Kikwi]

Kikwi's mind worked quickly, but it worked best when it had something actually, well, work with. The current situation had a whole lot of moving parts but none of them fit together very well. Willis and "Ari" knew each other, that much was clear, and they must have known each other for some time.

He was drawn from this investigation by the announcement of the Gnome. The Magnificent Zarko! It was very exciting to be around someone so important... or at least someone who appeared to be very important. Kikwi actually hadn't heard of him before, and that was very strange if he was indeed the greatest wizard on Arethil. He made a mental note to look him up later, it was rather embarrassing to be caught off guard like this.

"Oh, uh, y-yes..." was all he could say as he was patted on the head and a few feathers were moved out of place. It seemed rude to replace them.

Kikwi was pleased to hear that Etsu had heard of his people, although the monsters bit was a little much. He nodded in agreement as Willis pointed out their safety, and while he didn't know of any protection arrangements, he was sure the elves would have been more than happy to step in. Kenku were good folk, after all.

The booming message sent him reeling back a few steps, eyes wide at the magical explosion of sound. When it stopped, he was quiet at first, trying to understand what he'd heard. The toad sages... that must be what Etsu was. And someone... was coming to kill them? His feathers stood up a bit at this thought.

"I am sorry to hear about the other sages," he said quietly to the toad. "But I'm sure Willis can help you! He's fought off lots and lots of monsters! And you're so lucky that Zembo the Magnificent is here, too! Why, a great wizard could defeat an army!"

 

[Arisa Lovelace]

Arisa wasn't entirely sober. She never was anymore. In fact, the man that stood before her now was likely one of the few still breathing that could recall a time that thief was sober. And though she didn't reek of alcohol now, and there wasn't any outward sign that the thief was intoxicated, Willis would know. The subtle changes in her posture, the overt boisterousness of her actions which was common when drunk, the faintest blush of red on the apples of her cheeks. To most, she simply looked as if she'd walked a long ways.

"I knew it bothered you!" she exclaimed, as if the poor toad hadn't just delivered a missive declaring genocide against all remaining creatures of his kind. A fire flickered in her eyes. but whether it was anger at his choice of compliment or if she blamed his thoughts of her body for his lack of contact (for which she was equally as guilty). Her jaw clenched as she went to speak again, briefly silenced by Kikwi's words.

Suddenly a sharp, loud bark of laughter that was anything but ladylike tore itself from her throat. She chose not to answer Willis's query about her intended victim, hoping that the subject would be dropped and go unnoticed entirely because of the gravity of the toad sage's situation. The owl's words though? That didn't sound like her ex-lover to her at all.

"Willis? Fighting off monsters?" the thief chirped, Willis's gesture seen. She made no move to step nearer to him. There was already a lot on Arisa's mind lately. She'd run low on funds quickly when she gave up full time thievery in exchange for pursuing an acting career. That was why she was here now, taking on a risky job and sliding back into her old habits. It hadn't been as glorious of a lifestyle change as she'd hoped, and having to actually be sober was an inconvenience.

"I can't recall ever pegging you as a prince charming," Arisa smirked, her gaze fixed on the mercenary.

 

[Zarko]

"I forgive you," he smiled at Willis, not seeming to know or care that the human's remark was intended as a scathing rebuke, "There will be plenty of time to sing my praise when the bards compose another epic of my heroic deeds."

Zarko also ignored the fact that none of these people seemed to recognize him at all. He even stood a little straighter when Kikwi volunteered his services.

"You must be a very bright student," the gnome again ruffled his feathers, "Stick with me kid and you may have a future as my assistant!"

While he maintained an arrogant facade inside Zarko was terrified of whoever had written that letter. He was no match against an army. He weighed that terror against news of these mysterious Toad Sages. What kind of precious artifacts did they have just waiting to be plundered? He could worry about the army later.

"Very well, you have persuaded me. You can tell the sages there is nothing to fear for Zarko, wizard extraordinaire, is on the case!"

As if noticing her for the first time, the little scoundrel's lips curled slowly into a smile.

"What have we here?" he swept into a debonair bow, holding out his stubby hand for Arisa Lovelace to take, "Zarko the Magnificent, charmed I'm sure."

 

[Smiling One]

The last time Arisa and Willis saw each other was a few years ago when Willis was just finished in undergoing his trials to become a monster hunter. He saw no need in telling Arisa about it since it was just another job to him and even today it still is. "And I don't recall you dressing like a princess at a bar but then again it's said that when two people haven't seen each other in a long time, they'll surprised how much they've changed."

Willis was a bit embarrassed that Kikwi said that held off against hoards of Monsters in a tone that made look like a hero. "I'm hardly a prince charming," Willis grinned crossing his arms. "I hunt monsters for coin and nothing more," though he was pretty sure that Kikwi can tell that he was lying.

"Don't worry Willis," Etsu said shaking his head. "The toad sages will pay you handsomely, we know how you were a year ago. We tried to reach the other people in your group but..... we've had difficulties locating them."

Willis frowned sighing. "I don't know where they are," he said bitterly. "I don't interfere with other people's business."

Which was a lie, Willis knew the whereabouts of at least one of his companions, Maho 'Jerik' Sparhawk or Jerik as he liked to call himself now and days. Ever since the Empire sprang up in the Savannah, Maho for whatever reason, pledged his allegiance to the Emperor and became his lapdog. His most atrocious act was when he destroyed part of the College of Elbion last year and killed a number of students some of them children. Willis dueled Maho in the middle of the flaming solder that was the school.

Maho was wearing a mask but Willis can already tell that he was twisted and corrupt. The good man who saved Willis' life against the Toad Sage: Yamato was long gone and replaced by..... a monster. While dodging fire balls and slashes against Jerik, Willis did his absolute best to let go of the memory of Maho and focus on what he did best.

Killing monsters.

"So we have a monster hunting contract eh?" Willis asked. "I guess accept but It sounds like he's bringing an army according to Jardio the Wizard cunt. I don't think I can take on an army."

And Willis was a man who fought a Djinn.

"Which is why you need to see the Great Sage," Etsu. "The old toad has been having visions lately and he needs to see you immediately."

"Very well," Willis said sighing before turning to Kikwi, Zargo and Ari. "This isn't some weekend excursion," he announced. "But If you guys wanna come then stay here for a bit because we're going to leave in three minutes."

It was enough time for him to put on his red vest, gather his weapons and drink a cup of wine.

Kikwi

 

[Kikwi]

"Three minutes!!" Kikwi exclaimed. His head swiveled around one way and then the other, and he looked rather more panicked now than he had when the letter had yelled down the hall. Could he even go on such an adventure? He had work to do, things to write, and who would look after his beetle?

It was too much... he couldn't possibly... but the idea of meeting toad sages was very appealing. He had never even heard of them before, so there must not be much written about them. Maybe he could be one of the first! It would be dangerous, but he had dealt with danger before, and he would have at least two powerful allies.

He looked up at Arisa, he had not really said much to her. That was rude, he realized, and he felt rather sheepish. He must make a point to introduce himself when they were on their adventure.

"Can't we wait just a bit longer?" he asked, "Just so I can gather the right things, and find a caretaker for Frederick."

 

[Arisa Lovelace]

Arisa was more the sort of woman to raise a glass in cheer than she would grasp a hand and shake, so when Zarko held at his hand for the thief to shake, she stared at his palm with the sort of absent-mindedness of an inebriated woman of a far lower class than she appeared presently. She opened her mouth to answer, but Willis spoke again and she appeared to miss the implications of his words entirely.

It wasn't until Kikwi looked at her and spoke that Arisa appeared to grasp that he was inviting her along for the trip, and when the brevity of three minutes settled on her, her eyes widened slightly and she lifted her hands, taking an unsure step farther from the crew as her gaze moved down the hall toward where Lucy had disappeared.

"I'm not so sure that's a good idea for me," Arisa admitted. "I've got a job to do, and a life to get back to back in Alliria. Besides. I can't wear heels and a dress on a journey like that."

 

[Azulian]

Azulian stretches as she walks in on the group, "There you are Willis. Half of me was worried you were eaten by a rabid rat or a werewolf finally hunted you down!" She pauses as she looks at the others.

"OH! Hi Kikwi," The elf smiles and waves then look at the other two then bows her head, "Nice to meet you I am Azulian." The healer smiles, "I'm one of the healers for the Monster Hunters back at the Guilded Vale! So all you guys should be safe and healed when I am around!" The red-headed healer chuckles, "Albit with some scolding if you do something stupid but it's my job to take care of you!"

She holds up her staff happily, "Otherwise I'm just mostly supportive but I can handle myself in combat." She chuckles. And looks towards Willis, "Yah ready to go?"

 

[Zarko]

"Zarko the Magnificent, greatest wizard on Arethil," he swept into another pretentious bow, "At your service."

The gnome did not seem remotely phased when Arisa Lovelace gave him the brush off, instead focusing his attention on the next female human to enter his sight. Unfortunately for Azulian it just so happened to be her.

"I see you've already met my new intern Kikwi," Zarko fixed the kenku with an admonishing glare, "Stand up straight, lad!"

He rolled his eyes and gave both women a look that conveyed almost fatherly condescension towards the little owl. Of course they had discussed nothing about an internship, but the eccentric wizard moved through life making wild assumptions about his surroundings that on occasion somewhat aligned with reality.

"Of course you're familiar with my bodyguard," he gestured at Willis, "And that's toad guy."

"My name is Etsu!"

"Yeah, sure. Whatever. She's right, we really should get moving. I charge by the hour."

 

[Smiling One]

Closing the door behind him, Willis sighed placing his hand over his forehead. His heart began to beat a bit faster as memories of Claire became resurfaced again. "Here we go again," a half emptied wine bottle stood on the desk. Willis lumbered towards the alcoholic beverage feeling nauseated as he reached for it for months only the wine was able purge the memories that plagued Willis. The young man took a big swig of the remaining while Claire's voice rang through his head

"Let go! Let go...you bastard!" She yelled as Willis trying to calm her down, Claire was about to punch him out of protest and then.......

Willis' sword pierced through her abdomen ending Claire's life. Since then, Willis had trouble sleeping often thinking about what he'd done. In addition to drinking, Willis had buried himself in Monster Hunting contracts to keep busy while also doing work for the College. It had some success, Willis didn't drink as much as Ari but not being sober helped hold off what he didn't want to see.

Closing his eyes, Willis dropped the bottle in the thrash, threw over his red vest and equipped his Cutlass. He looked over at the mess he made last night frowning. He was normally neat person but he allowed his room to fall in such disarray. He didn't have time to worry about cleanliness now, he had a job to do even if cleanliness is what a Monster Hunter should frequently maintain. The moment Willis exited he saw Azulian waiting for him.

"Azulian?" Willis raised an eyebrow towards the Elf she would often worry about the people she was close to an almost nauseating level. Of all the people, Kikwi was the only person who didn't seem to mind her smothering gaze. "You realize that I was in the College for a few days?" he said shaking his head. "I even wrote to you and you never wrote back. Very strange considering that you worry a lot." he smiled

In honesty, there has been an increase in theft of letters around Elbion lately. It was likely that Willis letter was stolen amongst the most valuable jewels for thieves but he liked teasing Azulian for worrying her head off. "I'm off to Wildlands," he said. "Truth be told we're gonna need another Monster Hunter and of course how can I forget the lovely Ari."

The young man approached his old lover, she was in many the same person he knew and loved but carried herself differently. "Gonna need you," he said. "Could your thieving skills to good use besides that lovely dress is captivating." the young man winked at her though a pang of guilt rang through his body as he also thought about Claire.

"Okay Zarbo the good," Willis said. "We can split the pay around us."

Etsu snorted eager to get back to the Mountain. "So can we go?" he asked.

Willis nodded. "Let's do this."

 

[Kikwi]

Kikwi waved at Azulian's greeting, still looking a bit worried about the sudden timeline. "I'm not-" he began at Zarko's erroneous labeling of him but decided there were more important things to deal with at the moment.

"I'll meet you outside the front gates!" Kikwi said to Willis and turned to scurry back to this room. It would take more than three minutes, of course, but he knew the group would wait for him. Besides, he would be quick.

He wound his way back around the corridors to his small room where he hastily changed into more proper robes and gathered up some supplies. Notebook, ink, quills, specimen jars, and snacks. He looked at Frederick. The shiny beetle wouldn't need much care... but he didn't know how long they'd be gone. It was too late to find anyone to care for him now, so he picked up the sizable arthropod and placed it in a large inner pocket. He could feel it rummage around for a few seconds, and then settle in to rest.

That was it. He would have preferred to bring more things if he was going to a far away land, but that would require a wagon and he didn't think he had time for all that. He snuffed the candles and went to meet the group in front of the college.

 

[Arisa Lovelace]

Arisa appeared completely and utterly dumbfounded by the time Wilis emerged once more, her gaze moving to the latest arrival suspiciously. Her gaze moved beyond her, to the room where her target lay. She wanted to swipe the ring and head back to Alliria, and yet once again, her path crossed with Willis.

"Damn you, Willy," she growled under her breath, carefully stepping around the shorter creatures and her ex-lover. She barged into his room, briefly taken aback by the litter of wine bottles and its general sense of disarray. Her jaw fell open as she uttered a genuinely concerned, "Oh..."

The thief glanced over her shoulder, at Willis's back as she pressed her lips together into a thin line. They needed to talk, and they would, she was sure, but right now? Right now, the thief reached for a bottle that wasn't entirely empty, drained it, and began digging through his clothes for something that she could make do with. Three minutes wasn't enough time to get all the way back to her room.

When Arisa emerged a couple minutes later, it was with her hand around the necks of a bottle she'd swiped from his room. Her dark gaze turned upward, looking at his profile thoughtfully before she actually truly regarded Azulian. She'd managed, with rolled up sleeves, pant legs, a belt, and tightly laced boots, to dress herself in Willis's clothes. Given how quickly she'd changed, she was likely a bit too familiar with the way his clothes fit her.

"Nice to meet you," she said, tugging the cork out of the bottle of wine with her teeth. She spat it out, having clearly lost any pretense of lady-like behavior the moment she'd changed out of the dress. Arisa made a mental note to perhaps question the healer and Kikwi another time about what was wrong with Willis; she knew him well enough to know that the mess she'd just seen was more her style than his.

"If you thought I was going to wear that dress to only the gods know where, you're sorely mistaken," she said to Willis, upending the bottle into her mouth.

 

[Zarko]

"I too must beg your leave," Zarko dipped into another lavish bow, "I will need to consult with the maesters on this most important quest!"

The gnome disappeared in a cloud of conjured doves.

Smash!

He obliterated the supply closet's mundane security measures with his trusty 'lockpick', a heavy stone he'd grabbed from the College grounds. Zarko smirked at the result with a gleam in his eyes. He stuffed his cloak's pockets with reagents and minor arcane implements. If nothing else this frog quest had given him the perfect alibi for his presence here.

"Merlyn's Beard!" the gnome stammered at Kikwi, quickly closing the broken closet door behind him, "Taking a break before the big adventure, eh intern?"

They had nearly bumped into one another while he was clearing out. Zarko fixed the kenku with a condescending look like somehow he had been caught doing something wrong.

"Come along then!" he shouted over Kikwi's response, "Its not like lives are at stake or anything."

 

[Azulian]

Azulian smiles and nods to Arisa, "Unfortunately Willis I never got your letter. Or letters if you sent more." She sighs shaking her head, "I'm either off with another group keeping them going or healing traumas back home."

The elf looks at Zarko and didn't seem phased by his snipity snapity attitude, she was used to it after working with the healers in the Gilded Vale. She would hear Arisa's response to wearing a dress, "To be fair its kind of rough wearing a dress if we don't know where we are going, more importantly, what dangers and trials there might be." She comments heading out to follow the others.

Taking a mental note of who was coming along with them and how much magic she would have to keep in reserves in the case something big does happen. She shutters as she remembers Cali's heart being impaled by a spear. That took a lot of magic from her and she was lucky enough that she had thought ahead.

 

[Celestia]

Celestia normally operated alone, but she began to learn that wasn’t always the best way of getting things done. Nevertheless, she still abstained from huddling into the group and instead waited by the gates after Willis alerted her. Willis was someone she had met a year prior, and he was one of the few humans that didn’t treat her any differently due to her race. He was one of the reasons she began to change her normally suspicious outlook on humans.

The Avariel was late to the party, but she knew they would come this way. Unlike normally, she didn’t bother to hide her wings this time. Willis had taught her to embrace who she was, and she began to slowly get comfortable with that idea.

She was adorned in her armor, blade at her hip as she stood like a sentry by the gate. A shock of red hair hung to her shoulders and she gazed off elsewhere. Her thoughts were far away from this place, drifting towards her home in the skies and also in wonder of where they were going.

The first beings she saw emerge were a gnome and a kenku. At 6’2 and with her massive folded wings, the Avariel towered over them, but she gave them a warm smile as they approached.

“Are you part of Willis’s expedition party?” She asked softly, “I’m Celestia,” Not one to be proud, she dropped down to one knee to politely shake the hands of both the gnome and the Kenku.

Zarko Kikwi

 

[Smiling One]

Willis sighed and looked down realizing that he forgot his little black bag. "Shit," this wasn't like Willis to forget something so important especially during a job. The young man sighed heavily looking at his shaking hands. He couldn't quite recover ever since he killed Claire, a few weeks after Willis returned to Elbion Kikwi wondered why Willis kept washing his hands. The young man could still see specks of blood caked on them.

"Hang on Etsu," Willis muttered. "I forgot my bag."

Etsu shook his head. "Hurry up will ya!" He said impatiently hopping up and down. "My people will be massacred with the rate you're going!"

Willis opened the door, nearly tripping on an empty wine bottle in the process. Eyebrows forming into a frown, Willis kicked the bottle he nearly tripped on. The bottle rolled under the bed colliding with the stone with a small crunch. He was a mess, physically and emotionally for the first time in his life, Willis wasn't even sure that he was ready for a mission especially something involving an unknown enemy who is possibly bringing an army. Were the Toad Sages sure to get someone like Willis rather than appeal to the Elbion merchant council. Then again, the Toads like their secrecy.

The young man found his bag dangling around the doorknob and immediately took it realizing he stepped on another thing: Ari's dress. "Huh," Willis picked the dress up along with her heels and realized the open dressers and crumpled clothing.

He had to smile since Ari was not a dress person and she just flat told him that she wasn't going to wear during the journey. "Damn it Ari," Willis mumbled. "Can you not make contribute to the mess I've made?!" Alongside Ari's dress was her bag as well, Willis placed the dress and heels inside her bag and placed his around his shoulders.

"NOW I'm ready," Willis said to Etsu and Ari as he kicked open the door. "Let's get the hell out of here and meet Kikwi and Fandango."

"About damn time," Etsu said. "You're like the Tortoise in that story you humans like to tell."

"Then you should know," Willis said breaking into a half jog. "That Tortoise is a patient creature who persevered through the race." The young man then tossed Ari's bag to her. "You forgot this sweetheart," Willis said hoarsely as he continued to jog.

The young man arrived near the gate where he saw the Sun barely coming towards the horizon. "Fucking too early for that shit," he muttered as he saw Kikwi and Zarbo along with Celestia?

"Celestia!" Willis smiled hugging the Winged Elf. "Been some time since we last saw each other! Came here just in time to save a endangered species!"

Estu came near Willis and rolled his eyes. "The more the merrier I guess," he said. "Let's go."

 

[Kikwi]

Kikwi was stopped by Zarko, who had just shut a door rather hastily and noisily. They were in a hurry though, it made sense he'd be moving quickly.

"Taking a break before the big adventure, eh intern?"

"Oh, no, I just had to get my things. And, um, well I'm not really your-" But he was cut off by Zarko's next words and hurrying ons. Someone so important sure wasn't very good at listening, but Kikwi attributed this to the dire circumstances more than anything. It was nice to be working with someone a little closer to his own height, he thought. He didn't have to crane his neck so much.

They arrived at the gates in good time, considering the length of their legs. Kikwi was puzzled by the statue at the gates, he hadn't seen that one before. It was much prettier than the usual gargoyles and it was odd that it was off to one side.

It was with great surprise that he realized Celestia was a person and not a marble sculpture. He was stunned by the tall and winged woman, and took her hand in his own little claws with his beak hanging open just a smidge.

"Um, uh yes! Yes, we are with the expedition." He spoke up, collecting himself. "I am Kikwi. What are you?" He stood up straighter, remembering that that was actually considered a rude question. He hadn't meant anything by it, he was just very curious. He was always curious. "I mean, um, it's very nice to meet you, Celestia."

Frederick had barely stirred the entire time.