In search of a Treasure (Open)

[Justin Delex]

Justin watched the sky and clouds as he laid in the back of merchants wagon, listening to the old wooden wheels squeak as they traveled down the road. It was a slightly bumpy ride, but for the most part it didn't really bother him at all, though he couldn't really complain about the quality of the ride that much as he didn't pay a lot or really have to many options as far as getting a wagon to travel in. He also didn't really feel like walking all the way to Ligure anyways, to far and he needed to rest a bit, he had about enough walking for the time now. Justin twiddled the piece of dry hay in his mouth he a picked up a bit ago, before he sat up fully, pulled the piece of hay out and tossed it away on the ground.

"We are coming up to Ligure now." The trader said, man was in his forties at least, friendly and kind, though a bit gruff, but was happy to take the pay to get Justin back to Ligure once again. Justin would turn to see Ligure not to far from where they were now, he grinned a bit, it had been sometime since he had been back to Ligure, there where good reasons for that though. Bad memories wait him there, but he needed to face them before he headed off, that and Ligure seemed a good place to rest for the time.

As the wagon pulled into town Justin got out of the back, "Thanks for getting me here." He said to the trader before waving him off. He let out a heavy sigh, back in where he life started, well almost, Justin decided to head to the Tavern in hopes of maybe getting a bit of information on what's been going on around lately, and a chance to get a better look at the map he had found. Heading in he sat down and began to pour over the maps, unaware and not paying much attention to anyone else who maybe there at the time.

[Tamaya]

The Etrurian town of Ligure was quiet and relatively peaceful, with a pace of life that in some ways reminded Tamaya of her visits to the more sedentary tribes of Sacae or the small villages of Lycia’s Pherae area. Still, given the current situation, she was taking no unnecessary risks, even as an ambassador. Thus, her standard attire was covered with a long, heavy traveling cloak, and she made attempts not to speak too much for fear of arousing a fight due to her clear Sacaean accent. However, she still wore her tribal headband, and in that interesting juxtaposition of stealth and prominence sat, with Mphezi-Manja at her side, the bow crackling softly like a log on a fire as the nomad pored over some documents. She was trying to ascertain where the Etrurians were moving their forces, by means of analyzing supply caravans and other records, and was also sifting in the hopes of discovering a reason for the invasion.

So far the work was slow, and the woman sipped her tea absentmindedly, her finger tracing a route over a map even as her eyes scanned another page of written Common. When something struck her, she jotted a note in Cathecassa on the rapidly filling, cluttered page of a bound journal also occupying a space on the table.

Thus occupied, she passed a few hours, looking up briefly as patrons entered and moved around. Some nodded to her, perhaps not recognizing her heritage and nationality, and she politely nodded back.

It seemed to be a case of orders coming down from on high; it was as if the invasion of Sacae and the invasion of Ilia were coordinated, two prongs in an attack that looked to be expansionistic. If it was resources, Sacae was a poor choice, and for positioning, Ilia offered little that Etruria did not already possess, such as ports or stronghold cities. But if not for economic or clear political reasons, why, then, would Etruria invade? That question seemed critical to understanding why the Inquisition had attacked, and how to quell the growing flames of war and hate.

[Justin Delex]

The noise of the tavern hadn't bothered Justin from looking over the maps he had, he was able to block it out for the most part. Each map he looked over had carefully drawn marks, paths, and landmarks circled, it made it simple to find some of the areas on these scaled maps a bit easier on a larger map. Justin ran his hand through his hair and he made a few final checks, then taking a drink of the coffee he had. A bit bitter, but it was alright, better than what he could make at least while on the road. Justin nodded to himself and folded the maps up and put them into his bag with his other supplies.

He slowly rose from the table picking up his bag and sword, readjusting his cloak a bit before looking around, he now noticed the archer woman, carefully looking her over he decided to speak with her. He would walk over and speak "Hey there. You seem a capable Archer." He gave a nod and smile. "I'm looking for someone to help me in my travels. Roads aren't as safe as they used to be." He spoke a bit nervously, though it wasn't threating or rude, rather it was clear his social skills where, rough to say the least. "I'm in search of something and could use someone to watch my back." He would sit down, calmly setting his sword next to him. He would watch the Nomad carefully, trying to figure her action, or why she was here.

[Cen]

Yet another job turned bad, taking the tall rider deeper into the belly of the beast than he was comfortable with. Lycia and Etruria were not at war, so his presence did not throw a red flag into the face of any guards or soldiers, but he was without any writ or permissions to legally cross the border, and that held him in terror. The thought that at any moment in time, he could be trapped here, in this country ruled by a demagogue, and he might have to go to church. It was sickening.

For now, Cen simply hitched his horse Thunder's reins to a post outside a tavern, and patted the massive horse on the side as he passed him. With a slight neigh, the horse answered him, before going back to whatever it was horses thought about. Probably oats.

Cen left his quiver of Javelins with Thunder, as well as Sleipnir, but he kept his arming sword on his hip, and his massive shield Stoneoak slung over his back. Walking into the tavern, the tall Cornwellian drew the eyes of many. At his monstrous height, it was impossible to be inconspicuous. As he made his way forward towards the bar, he spied an odd sight for an Etrurian tavern, a Sacaen. Many in Etruria would verbally if not physically assault a Sacaen if they came across one, making it a bold statement for any Sacaen to remain in the land of Elimine. She poured over a map it seemed, hopefully she was looking for a way out.

He ordered an ale at the bar, then turned, and looked back to the Sacaen woman and her slight companion. He thought he heard the phrase, 'Watch my back.' His ears perked up, as his bodyguard senses began to tingle.

[Tamaya]

“Hey there. You seem a capable archer.”

Tamaya slowly raised her eyes to see a young man standing and then sitting, quite without invitation, at her table. He placed his sword leaning against his chair and continued, in a voice that held a slight shake to it. It reminded Tamaya of prey that had run into cover and was now nervously glancing about to see if the predator had lost interest yet.

“I’m in search of something and could use someone to watch my back.”

The Nomad sighed, rolling her map and closing her journal before stowing both with a pained expression on her face. What about her had made the boy think that she in any way was open to these advances, this unsolicited conversation from a probably wanted man?

“Your eyes see but my appearance. However, in this case you are correct. I am a capable archer. However, I am in no way a mercenary. If protection services are what you seek, I would highly recommend you take a look at the job board in any tavern like this, where sellswords advertise their blades, willing to protect you as you desire for coin. I am, at present, currently also looking for something. Unless your search leads you after a large group of men and a questionable cause, I am sure we will not be going in the same direction.”

The Nomad lifted her bow and set it gently upon the table, a small smile gracing her face as she looked at Mphezi-Manja, which quietly spewed tiny sparks.

“You seem a man hunted, a man harried, a man distraught. I do not wish to be involved in any business that will bring me into contact with the Etrurian state, its soldiers, or any sort of guards. Therefore, I think that I am most probably not the person you were looking for to ‘watch your back.’ In fact, you strike me as a slightly suspicious character. Back on the plains, we would call you a bandit, one who abused our hospitality and stole our food while we slept.”

Tamaya’s eyes were hard. She did not trust this man, and intended to leave as soon as it was polite to do so. He gave her a bad feeling, as did the large man who walked into the tavern and sat at the bar. He had stared at her when he entered, and now he was watching her again. This seemed like the beginning to something that could end quite badly. She needed to escape before conflict erupted. Perhaps this was about to be a mugging, or a xenophobic, frenzied attack on an outsider. There were many shudder-inducing possibilities.

[Justin Delex]

Justin would be taken back by the sharp words the women strung out, a bit insulted as well, he really hoped he could defuse this quickly. "H-hang on you got the wrong idea about me. A very wrong idea, I wouldn't never harm anyone innocent or take anything from them. Let me explain, I found some old maps in a ruined shrines cellar, was using it as shelter from a pretty bad storm. I am sure from some of these writings I found, it should lead to an old lost Treasure of some kind. That's where I need some help, traveling alone isn't safe and well I need some help. Of course anyone who helps gets a fair cut of whatever we find, and anything we find along the way of course. Its an very honest Treasure hunt, nothing more." As he said these he pulled out the maps he was pouring over before and showed them to her, they where a tattered mess, and there where several all with different places marked on a smaller map of the area. A small piece would be a section of Elibe.

Justin breathed out hoping those words would defuse this at least somewhat. He sat up looking across at her again. While her tongue was as sharp as a blade, it clear she wouldn't lie to anyone. He liked honest people not a lot of them around anymore. He could really use someone who was honest even if they where blunt or misjudged someone on first appearances. He couldn't blame her on that, his appearance wasn't the best, usually wasn't, and he also clearly made a bad first impression.

[Cen]

A burly man with thick arms and a massive forehead set a tankard on the bar in front of the tall Cornwellian rider, and the lime haired man mouthed thank you through his friendly smile. As he brought the frothy mug to his mouth, he became acutely aware of the fact that the hair on his lip had grown wild. It was still colorless, a fact he very much hated. His father had told him that both his older brothers had gotten color on their faces by the time they were fifteen. When Cen let his facial hair grow out, it just looked like he had some very whispy dirt gathering around his mouth. He'd need to shave sometime soon.

At the moment, froth gathered about his mouth, and the taste of juniper berries filled his mouth. The ale was exceptional, especially for a brew made by Etrurians. After his initial gulp, he made sure to keep his ears trained towards the conversation just behind him. Right when he began intensely paying attention, or as his mother had referred to it snooping, he heard the lithe swordsman defending himself from what must have been a serious verbal onslaught. He spoke of treasure, something that didn't interest Cen for anything more than keeping Thunder and he well fed and out of the rain.

Plus, the man seemed an honest sort, and Cen had no doubt that he was speaking the truth when he claimed there'd be no foul play. So Cen rolled his neck, and lifted himself from his stool, turning and approaching the Etrurian man and Sacaen woman. He took his pint with him, and as he went lifted the mug once more to his lips. Ale this good was worth spending a few too many hours in Etruria being utterly terrified.

He approached the two, and cleared his throat, "Hello, ah couldn't help but overhear you needed some protection? I'm a body guard for hire of sorts. They call me Cen." The tall rider extended his hand towards the swordsman, as a soft smile lit his face.

[Tamaya]

The shifty-looking man was quick to clarify – he meant a treasure hunt. Tamaya was still apprehensive, and the maps certainly did nothing to help make her feel more secure or confident in his trustworthiness. She examined them carefully, but they were far too much of a mess for her to make any definitive claims about their veracity, or lack thereof.

“A treasure hunt, you say. You want protection while you hunt for whatever this treasure is, wherever it may be. Do you have any idea how much this treasure is worth? It could be useless, or stolen, or perhaps much better left alone. And if we do not find anything, then I would have used my time for nothing.”

As she was about to continue, the man from the bar approached, giving an easy smile and introducing himself as Cen. A bodyguard of sorts, hmm? His accent sounded foreign – Lycian, perhaps, or maybe even Bernese. She could not exactly pinpoint it. But she continued her train of thought.

“While I do not doubt that my skills would help in protecting you as you search for treasure, I find it hard to abandon my duty and my tasks for such a gamble. There is a real possibility that this will end in failure, and even if we do find treasure, I do not know what I would do with treasure. Truly, I am more interested in deciphering the movements of Etruria’s Inquisition than hunting for tarnished spoils of a long-dead bandit. But I wonder – why would you offer so readily to help, bodyguard Cen? Would you risk your time and well-being so easily for what could be a fool’s errand, or an adventure that leads to death? I am cautious. I believe that is why I am so reticent to agree – nothing assures me that this will be more than a merry chase around the countryside. My people need me, and while the gold I might earn would certainly help support our cause, it seems a large gamble to take.”

The Nomad fell quiet, still obviously troubled. Mphezi-Manja crackled, a blue arc of electricity momentarily bursting into existence. She stroked the bow, her brow furrowed and her gray eyes dark and moody.

[Justin Delex]

Justin looked at the rider who had approached the table he sat at. Looking the man over a bit before giving a grin and then shaking the mans hand. "Nice to meet you Cen, I am Justin, you are welcome to join me, Don't know how much you over heard but, you get a fair cut of whatever is found at the end and along the way." Justin Nodded to Cen, the man seemed very capable and confident, both positives as far as Justin was concerned. He then turned back to the women across from him. "Well, I am no rush to find this. Perhaps I can help you with whatever you are trying to do. Given that it doesn't take us to far off our path, or at the very least we can travel until you need to part your own way. Even if you do that, I will do my damnedest to get a cut to you. Also you can gain quiet a bit from taking risk and gambles." Justin gave another grin.

Really he didn't mind having to go off his main path a bit, he already had planned to do so a bit before they left Ligure anyways. It shouldn't take them to long off the path he thought of, he could explain a bit more as they readied to leave Ligure. This is something he needed to do before traveling off. He closed is eyes and began to think to himself, regardless of if the Archer girl decided to accept or not didn't really matter to him at this point.

[Fargus]

Fargus looked up at the blue skies and sighed. He took out his bow and looked ahead at his target in front of him. "Distractions gone, target is steady...this should be an easy shot he said with a smile across his face. He looked around with his good eye to take in his surroundings. He saw to his left was a tavern with a horse outside, and to his right...the exit of the town. He fired only for it to hit the second inner circle. "...DAMMIT! he yelled, clearly upset at his performance. "Why can't I do this? If I can't even hit a target dead on with an arrow, then how the bloody hell am I going to be able to defend myself, nevertheless someone else that I'm with? he yelled at himself, clearly pissed off.

Fargus flung his bow to his back and sighed. He look back at the tavern, eyeing the entrance to see if anyone came out. He went up to the tavern and went inside. He saw a burly looking man talking to a Sacaen woman and a slight looking man at a table, but nothing much going on. He found his own table and sat down, clearly looking pissed off. "My bow is all I have left of them...after that, I've got nothing to show but living a parent less life and living with only one eye..." He mumbled to himself. Fargus then smiled slightly. "But hey, if I succeed, I might be the first one eyed bowman to succeed in these lands...right?" He then sits at his table quietly. He looks back at the group of people gathered, wondering what they might be doing. He decided to stay at his table, but carefully listened in to what they were talking about.

[Cen]

Extending one of his long legs, Cen pulled a chair to the table, and let himself drop into its seat. He listened as the lithe man introduced himself as Justin, and gave Cen a short run down of what he had going for him. Sounded straight forward, if Cen kept the man alive, he got his cut. A smile returned to his resting face when the Sacaen woman set in o the other man once more. However, it slipped when she turned her inquisition on him.

Cen shrugged and tilted his head, leaning back in his chair. "Ah'm a bodyguard, some people need protection, some need food. I'm the latter, he's," Cen threw a pointed thumb at Justin, "the former." Bringing his hand back, Cen scratched his cheek, and found that he could feel the same wisps of hair along his jaw as had been above his lips. He let another smile light his face as his hand fell to rest on the table, "'Sides, I was brought up trusting. My pa told me a man's word is what's most important, I don't like assuming dishonesty."

The tall rider lifted his ale to his lips once more, and let the sweet taste overtake his tastebuds. Why should such a hate filled country have the ability to produce a taste that could only be described as joyous? The ale put Cen in mind to the times he'd tried Strawberries at the markets, and it felt like he was a child once more. A few more ales and he'd be drunk, it was odd to feel like a child with that expectation.

He set the ale down on the table, and let his hand fall and drape over the arm of the chair. Turning his head slightly, he surveyed the tavern, in an attempt to find any men who might have an unsavory look about them. There was no one who looked too dangerous, but there was another Sacaen it seemed. It was eary that two would have delved into a land that actively fought against their people. Of course, Cen was here, but his blood was mostly Lycian, and he could pass. Still the other man looked young, he was at high risk surrounded by the zealots of the land of Elimine.

[Tamaya]

The man named Cen had a short and simple response. She liked the man named Cen; he seemed a truly honorable man. The one named Justin was still a bit unnerving, and she was not completely comfortable with him yet. But this did provide an interesting opportunity for her; with the protection of the man named Cen and whatever skills the man named Justin could provide, she might be able to safely travel further into the nation of religious fanatics and there get a clearer picture into their true stance.

“I will lend my bow to your cause.”

It was short and abrupt; Tamaya did not mince her words and simply gave her support to the small, slippery man. There was a brief moment of silence, and then she spoke once more, quietly, her eyes burning with a strange fire.

“I came to this land to help my people. If the Sky and the Earth intend for me to aid you in your hunt for treasure, I will do as they will. And perhaps by doing so, I will find what I seek… and bring peace to my people once more.”

The Nomad took up her bow, holding it in her hand above the table, feeling the familiar warmth and the surge of power that filled her as her bow arced once, its blue electricity crackling and fizzling through the air as the energy zigzagged its way up Tamaya’s arm and neck, briefly illuminating her steel-grey eyes in a bright blue glow.

“Lead onward when you are ready, and the power of the sky will protect you. My arrows are blessed by Father Sky, and I will use them to deal out the wrath of the great spirits upon any who would stand in our way.”

[Justin Delex]

Justin would give a solid smile and nod to Tamaya. "Alright then, I knew we could end up having something work out." He opened the maps again so the two would be able to look them over. "Now I found these pretty tattered and a mess. I also believe that there are more parts to this." Justin would motion over the small scrap that only show a small portion of Elibe. Looking it over would give his words a lot of proof. "This map here, shows a location of what I assume is something, I did a bit of digging and it seems to be an old shrine of sorts. My guess is that its a lot like the one I had found these others in and we will likely find more maps." Justin laid out the maps organizing them so they could all be looked over.

Justin would look over the maps a bit, before looking at a complete map of Elibe he had. "I suspect that this may take some time to complete. Also thus far, I don't have any clues as to what's at the end of this chase. But hey that's half the fun sometimes." Justin said with a grin looking at the two. An Archer and what seemed a well trained bodyguard. While it would get them through the lands for the most part the lack of a healer brought some concern to Justin. Though there wasn't much he could do about that for now. Maybe they would meet one along the way.

[Fargus]

"I suspect that this may take some time to complete. Also thus far, I don't have any clues as to what's at the end of this chase. But hey that's half the fun sometimes."

Fargus couldn't help but listen to what they said. A treasure huh? I'm not one for a treasure hunt, but maybe I could lend some help to them...he thought. He then sighed and mumbled to himself "But they already have a great archer with them...wouldn't hurt to ask, right?" He then jumped down from his seat and eyed the theif. He sighed and attempted to muster up his courage to ask. Then again, if he's like most of the people here, they'll likely just turn me in for some extra gold under their belt since Elimine has something against Sacaens...And I can't afford to put up a fight here if they do try to turn me in... he thought to himself.

Fargus sighed again and then spoke up. "Excuse me, but I couldn't help but overhear your conversation. Your searching for treasure, right? Perhaps you'd allow me to join your little company here? I happen to be a bowman myself. Granted I'm nowhere in league with your friend there-" he said mentioning toward the woman that was with them. "-But I can still handle myself in battle if you'd let me. So what do you say? Will you let me join you guys? Besides, it's better to travel in a large group because...well you know...bandits and the such"he said. He hasn't forgotten what happened to him years ago from bandits. He then shuddered at the thought of facing them alone.

[Cen]

The blonde Sacaen woman lent her support to the trim fellow, and then took up her bow. As she did, something miraculous happened. He'd never seen a person of Martial Weapons bend the arcane to their will, and yet the woman's weapon erupted with an electricity like that conjured by a Wizard that then ran around her arm and upper body. Cen's eyes widened and his jaw dropped, as a bit of awe gripped him along with a twinge of fear. She showed no signs of pain or surprise, as if she'd willed such a thing to happen. When it did happen, nearly every head in the bar turned toward their little table, one that had one man who fit in, then a man and woman who stuck out like a pair of clumsy carpenter's thumbs. Cen leaned over the table, and said softly. "Now, ah'm not the kind to go telling people what to do, but that sort of thing can draw a lot of attention. 'Specially in a place like Etruria."

From what Cen had gathered on his brief trips into the zealot gripped nation, most Etrurians felt that if you used magic you should be lending aid to the prophet and the army. At least that's what they'd say out loud. Quickly however, Cen's attention was drawn to Justin producing their route, or at least parts of it. Little of what the other young man detailed filled him with confidence. "Do you have some idea on if someone else mahght be lookin' for the shrine? Any reason we should expect there to be issue along the way?"

Just then, a boy approached their table, and offered his services. He was only a boy, and already his weapon was up for hire. Cen was immediately put in the mind that they should bring him on. His request rang more out of a need for companionship, and to bring him along would mean more protection for the boy, the other Sacaen, than it would for them. "I don't have any objections." The former Squire kept his voice cheerful, but he looked at Justin in earnest.