Wylie
Troubadour
The Wrestler
Posts: 172
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Post by Wylie on Nov 9, 2007 20:23:42 GMT -6
They'd been riding for a few days now, and had finally crossed the border into Etruria. Wylie began to notice the changing vegetation as they rode further into the country, there were even a few new plants he hadn't seen before and wished he could stop and gather some.
"We must be about halfway there now," Wylie said to Crowley. "I hope we see a village somewhere along the way. I could go for a bed right now."
"Have you been to Etruria before?" asked Wylie.
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Crowley
Mercenary
The Magnificent Renowned Drunk
Posts: 212
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Post by Crowley on Nov 11, 2007 9:15:29 GMT -6
"Oh yeah, not so long ago. I was supposed to be hired by some noble here, but we didn't find the place we were supposed to meet. Then some guy killed our leader, we joined him, killed a hero and here I am. Stuck in the middle with you." He grinned. He was going to enjoy telling this story?
"Oh? I didn't mention? Ha, I killed Roland -you've heard of him- the legendary hero. Myes, all by myself. Yeah, I don't want to brag, he was strong but no match for my skill. Oh, and I got a little help from an archer. And a dragon." Crowley recalled the story and half an hour later he told the story again, but this time more epic and with him killing hunderd minions of Roland before finishing the man off. He concluded his story:
"...and that's why I'm the greatest man alive and everybody should do whatever I want."
He laughed. It was getting darker as well. He was feeling sleepy and above all, thirsty.
"Okay, last stop, and then we're going for the capitol."
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Wylie
Troubadour
The Wrestler
Posts: 172
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Post by Wylie on Nov 11, 2007 19:08:15 GMT -6
Wylie instantly had greater respect for Crowley. One didn't have to be a genius to realise he was embellishing but every story has a grain of truth. Wylie was sure Crow was at least AT the killing of Roland and that in itself was worthy of veneration.
"So you saw a dragon?" Wylie asked, amazed. "I've always wanted to see one since hearing about them as a child."
After checking his horse was tied securely, he got out the last of his dried meat and chewed on that while he talked.
"This mages' academy assassination. Can you think of any reason why they'd want to kill Santaruz? I mean, Bern would profit but that would give them an opportunity to take over Lycia. Etruria would have no hope of standing against Bern once that happens, and I can't imagine Bern being satisfied with just Lycia. I can't conceivably think how Etruria could profit from this."
"Something doesn't add up," he added, shaking his head.
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Crowley
Mercenary
The Magnificent Renowned Drunk
Posts: 212
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Post by Crowley on Nov 12, 2007 10:44:57 GMT -6
"Heh, don't aks me, I don't know that much 'bout politics, I just know that I'm getting paid to fight. And yes, I saw a dragon. I wanted to kill him but the other guy was too sissy to do it. And then the dragon fled. Seriously. Weird day. But I survived, as you can see."
Crowley then did try to give Wylie's comments a thought. Thinking was painful. But he did manage to find a fact in that wrecked brain of his.
"Yeh, I mentioned I was hired here earlier on? Maybe Etruria and Bern are allies, no? Dunno. Just a guess." Crowley opened a bottle. Tasty.
"We should be going to the academy."
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Wylie
Troubadour
The Wrestler
Posts: 172
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Post by Wylie on Nov 12, 2007 23:00:06 GMT -6
The next morning, they woke early and headed towards their destination, which appeared on the horizon early in the afternoon.
Wylie was expecting a castle or, at the very least, a converted cathedral but this was something else. It was a village. A school that had taken the form of a community. He could see an inn, a marketplace, a church. Everything a small town possessed but it was all part of the academy.
Wylie whistled. "This is something," he said to Crowley.
Wylie intercepted a black robed man on the street and asked, "Excuse me, sir. Is this the mages' academy?"
"Why yes it is," the man replied in a friendly manner. "I'm Sotel, the librarian here. Are you new?"
"Yes we are. My name is Wylie and this is my good friend Crowley. I was wondering who I should see about enrolling here. I'm an apprentice healer, looking for a master."
"Ah I see. Well Numera, the master healer here is away until late tonight so you'll have to wait for him. Would you like me to show you the town in the meantime?"
Wow, the people here are friendly, Wylie thought. This man seems to genuinely want to make us feel welcome.
"That would be extremely kind of you," Wylie responded.
"Well," began the Sotel. "This is the town of Delfia, home of the Etrurian Mages' Academy. Originally, it was just an academy but as more and more families began camping and living here to be with their children, a town slowly formed around it. Now, most of the people living here have either graduated or have family members currently studying here."
"Why don't you come into the inn and we'll talk some more," he offered.
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Crowley
Mercenary
The Magnificent Renowned Drunk
Posts: 212
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Post by Crowley on Nov 13, 2007 10:18:31 GMT -6
Crowley whistled as well.
"Don't tell me. Nice place. Niiice. I like it." He paused and listened to the man.
"Did you say inn? I like that. I definitely like that." Crowley smiled and followed the man to the inn. He'll show them how a drinking god looks like.
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Wylie
Troubadour
The Wrestler
Posts: 172
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Post by Wylie on Nov 13, 2007 18:32:50 GMT -6
"...and so that's how I came to be here," continued Sotel.
He and Wylie had been talking for several hours now about the school and it's members and staff and Wylie was fascinated. Both their drinks remained untouched in front of them.
"Where's your friend gone?" asked Sotel.
"Ah I think he's somewhere over there," said Wylie, pointing in the direction of a huge laughing crowd. "He's a king in places like this."
"Well, I think Numera might be back now. Would you like to see him?"
"Yes thank you, I'll just go ask Crow what he wants to do."
Heading over the the crowd, he found Crowley with two beautiful women in his arms and several large men handing him drinks. "Crowley!" he shouted above the roar. "We're going to see the master healer! Do you want to come?!"
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Crowley
Mercenary
The Magnificent Renowned Drunk
Posts: 212
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Post by Crowley on Nov 14, 2007 6:33:04 GMT -6
"...And thatsh how I killed Roland!" Crowley concluded when he heared Wylie asking for him.
"Y-yeah, w-wait up! Haha! I'll be rigsht there." He finished his drink, threw some money on the table and yelled: "Anothersh round for everysone!" The people started laughing and raised their pints to Crowley who bowed. His legs felt like rubber but he was okay. He wasn't too drunk, he just had some trouble talking. And thinking. And walking.
He staggered towards Wylie and leaned heavily on him. "Sjust give me a minute. Mkay?"
Crowley was thankful he had a companion that didn't critise him for being a... well, low-life. He wasn't too good with 'normal' people, but thugs, wenches and regular pub goers, tend to be his 'friends'. This was his world.
"Okays, I'll go freshen up, and t-then we're off."
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Wylie
Troubadour
The Wrestler
Posts: 172
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Post by Wylie on Nov 14, 2007 23:30:29 GMT -6
Sotel led Wylie and Crowley to a stone house on the northern edge of town and knocked twice.
A voice from inside answered, "Come in!" They made their way into the room and saw a green-robed man who looked to be in his thirties, at a bookshelf replacing a book to its home. The room was fairly well lit with candles and a soft breeze blew through the window, causing them to flicker.
"Numera," began Sotel. "This is a young healer looking to train under you." He gestured for Wylie to speak.
"Sir, my name is Wylie. I've come seeking a master to continue my education in the healing arts. Are you able to train me?"
"Certainly I am able, this is a school after all, but you seem comfortable holding your staff. It is clear you already possess some skill."
"That is true sir, but not nearly enough to make a difference in the world."
"Ha!" he laughed. "It is never enough to truly make a difference, but I like that you are willing to try anyway. I will train you. Be here at sunrise tomorrow."
"Thankyou Sir," Wylie said. "We'll be leaving now."
Sotel had stayed to talk to Numera, leaving Wylie and Crowley alone outside.
"Well that's it. We're in. Now how are we going to figure out who's behind the attempt on Santaruz?"
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Crowley
Mercenary
The Magnificent Renowned Drunk
Posts: 212
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Post by Crowley on Nov 15, 2007 9:26:13 GMT -6
Crowley had sobered up a bit so he managed to think... a little.
"I vote for beating up every last one of this pesky kids who train to be a healer or mage. It's easy AND fun." He joked of course and made it clear by laughing really loud and slapping Wylie's back, as usual.
"Mmm, we should've discussed this earlier. We'll talk about it in our room. First, we eat!"
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Wylie
Troubadour
The Wrestler
Posts: 172
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Post by Wylie on Nov 15, 2007 23:29:11 GMT -6
"From what I could gather from Sotel, there are 4 elders in the place, one for each school of magic, and it could be any one of them," Wylie said, back in the room. "The problem is, how can we find out who? We can't just flat out ask them, it would ruin our cover. The only way I can see us finding out is either getting physical evidence from their office or through capturing and interrogating them."
"If we went through and questioned them one at a time and then hid them in a cupboard or something, we'd have to be fast, because if just one of them is found, the whole place would erupt. Do you think we can do it?"
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Crowley
Mercenary
The Magnificent Renowned Drunk
Posts: 212
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Post by Crowley on Nov 17, 2007 3:08:45 GMT -6
"You are talkin' to the magnificent Crowley, Wylie, of course we can handle it. Ha! The only problem is indeed keeping them silent and hidden. But we'll just have to blitz through. When people start to notice stuff, we'll be off, heading back to Santaruz. So, what are waiting for?"
Crowley was pumping himself up, he needed a dose of adrenalin before he could manage to do such things. Then he nodded at Wylie and asked him to lead the way.
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Wylie
Troubadour
The Wrestler
Posts: 172
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Post by Wylie on Nov 17, 2007 4:02:30 GMT -6
"Ok, well we'll start with the non-lethal Numera," said Wylie, before leaving the room, heading back for Numera's house. On the way, he passed Sotel and nodded. That's good. he thought. Numera's alone then.
Outside Numera's house, Wylie spoke to Crowley. "Ok, I'll ask if we can come in to talk about something and then once you we're in, have your sword at his throat." Seeing Crow nod and grin, Wylie knocked.
"Sir!" he called, "Can I ask a few more questions about the school and your class tomorrow?"
"Certainly!" came the reply, and the door opened. Wylie stepped in with Crowley behind him and turned to face the smiling healer. He felt a moment of remorse and nodded to Crowley.
Geez I hope the other masters are cold-hearted scoundrels.
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Crowley
Mercenary
The Magnificent Renowned Drunk
Posts: 212
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Post by Crowley on Nov 17, 2007 10:23:54 GMT -6
Crowley took the nod as a sign and moved incredibly fast to the man, he put a hand on the man's mouth and a sword against his neck.
"The door!" He hissed to Wylie. He enjoyed feeling superior and this man was a wussy. The prey he loved. "Okay tw*t, start talkin', what's up with you and Bern? Tell me now." He looked the man right in the eyes and did his best to look mental and dangerous and very very very intimidating.
It seemed to be working, the man was quite shocked.
"Find something to bind him up, will ya?" Crowley said. He didn't let go of the man and kept staring in his eyes.
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Wylie
Troubadour
The Wrestler
Posts: 172
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Post by Wylie on Nov 17, 2007 22:54:05 GMT -6
Wylie quickly shut the door and looked in Numera's wardrobe. He found some coloured rope that looked like the kind a mage would tie his robe together with. He passed that to Crowley who quickly had the healer's hands tied securely.
"What's Bern offered you?" Wylie said softly.
"What are you talking about?!" the healer questioned, looking around quickly. Wylie gestured to Crow who tightened his grip and even drew some blood. Wylie then raised his staff and healed the wound.
"That's a sample of what we'll do if you dont talk," said Wylie, trying to add intensity to his voice. "We can hurt you over and over until you co-operate."
The man was gasping now. "I don't know anything!" he pleaded. "Please believe me!" He seemed honest enough, like a gentle old man who knew nothing of real violence, but for all Wylie knew, he could just act well.
"Crowley?" Wylie asked. "You think he's telling the truth?"
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