[EVENT] Ambassador [Open]

[Orcleous]

"Hey where do you think you are going", spoke Orcleous as he was about to give chase. However his arm was grabbed before he could move. The mercenary turned around to see the old man that lead their small group.

"Old Man", spoke Orcleous in questioning tone.

"Leave it be youngin", spoke the old man. "I know how you feel. I have been there before in my life. However this is not the time, nor the place". The old man's eyes shifted to the crowd of wary people. A few of them had their hands on their hilts and a couple even had their weapons unsheathed.

"Fine", spoke Orcleous. "We need to get moving anyway." So I have to wait thought Orcleous as he began to walk toward Roin. Very well I will wait. When the right moment comes I will take his head and put everything to rest.

"..., youngins these days are so quick to use their blades", spoke the old man to another mercenary beside him.

"Psh,the kind kind of reminds me of you in the older days", spoke the man.

"True", spoke the Old man. "That is why I find it scary. We will let the boy talk to the man and then we will move out toward the city."

"Understood", spoke the mercenary.

[Rosa Blackthorn]

Rosa eagerly leaped from the cart as Roin beckoned her and Tamaya forward, her long, violet locks swaying in tune with her gallant, nimble stride. Her crimson eyes locked upon the beautiful blonde Sacaen woman adjacent to her, analyzing every detail about her that she possibly could. She was definitely intrigued by Tamaya's descriptions of the plains. It sounded quite lovely, really! Perhaps I'll take a break from sailing the seas. Maybe I'll take a trek across Sacae? "That's quite a riveting story you have there, Tamaya! You'll have to tell me more if we have the time!"

Despite an internal kneejerk reaction to the suggestion that Roin had also saved another, Rosa maintained her cool, trying her best to be friendly. She just had to keep reminding herself that being a jealous brat wouldn't exactly advance her new-found ambition. Things only got more awkward when attention was shifted to her. Admitting to a pirate wasn't exactly an option. What kind of lie could she tell though? Just sailing, perhaps? "My life's been fairly uneventful, I suppose. I've spent most of it doing sailing and merchant work for my father to the west." Was it smooth and believable enough? She certainly hoped so.

[Roin Valor]

While Tamaya and Rosa had their talk, Roin was also faced with a new approaching individual. The man was clearly a mercenary of some sort from the company he had been with, but as he drew near Roin came to a stop and raised a hand to greet him, his voice quick.

"If you have business with me over the recruitment of warriors for the Siege, I suggest you hold it for now. I must see to recruiting more of this clan and the many merchants that are near to see that funds and supplies reach us as well as other mercenaries."

It was not Roin attempting to be rude, but he was well aware of the large following he was gathering. It was good for the city, but troublesome for him. It meant that he'd need to tend to those with questions more-so than ever. He also had to ensure that Tamaya and Rosa weren't quick to start spouting things off. Tamaya knew the strange woman from before which was useful, but the truth was that they had bigger fish to fry in terms of recruiting.

Walking into the next camp, and leaving his father with the cart and their captive, Roin gained immediate eyes thanks to his followers and the large group of people waiting outside the town. In a similar fashion, he made his way toward the center of the camp, but this time the "main area" of the camp had been cleared of all save the clan leader, where he sat on a horse with his bow on the top of his saddle and his sword resting on his hip.

"So...you come to my village with quite a large following...what is your name, lad?"

Roin, for the love of him however, had no response. He knew his name, but it was customary to say his tribe's name. Roin had none.

"I am but only a humble Sacean seeking aid for-" He stopped, the leader looking to one of his nearby clansmen. The man approached, offering Roin a scroll before the clan leader spoke loudly for all to hear.

"It may be true that a city of Sacea is in danger...but we will not make a promise we may not be honored upon in our own time. I am certain some of my clan may go...but our roles in the plains cannot waiver, just as a merchant cannot avert a critical route without ruining his business."

Roin frowned at that, but he took the scroll and quietly lowered his head in a slight bow. Unlike Tamaya, Roin was treated far more like an outcast thanks to being a clan-less Sacean. Carefully, he turned to Tamaya and offered her the scroll, his voice soft.

"See that your clan holds onto it...someone will need to ensure we can return the aid one day to these people...and I cannot personally take such a task without my own clan."

It burned at him, but Roin didn't see a time where he would lead a clan or be part of one willing to undertake his debts. The only thing he could reason was to ask a favor of Tamaya. It would have to be enough, as this battle could very well shape Sacea if it were to go sour.

[Orcleous]

It seemed like the man in the cart was very busy, or very rude. However that told Orcleous enough he needed to know. Him and his group of mercenaries were better off going to the city directly than talking to him. Maybe there they could get a contract and get some information on their enemy.

"Great", spoke Orcleous as he walked away. First he had to endure the presence of the man that was practically his mortal enemy and now he was being treated rudely by a Sacean. It today was not a bad day then Orcleous did not know the meaning of bad. The mercenary walked back to his little unite greeted the old man and they left for the city. Hopefully he would have better luck there."

[Orcleous leaves thread]

[Tamaya]

"Roin, I will guard this well."

Giving a low bow to the clan leader, Tamaya accepted the scroll.

"On behalf of the Cathecassa, I accept your aid, and I shoulder this debt as my own. By the bow of my clan, I pledge my aid to your need when it arises. My clan will support yours in your hour of need."

[Roin Valor]

Roin gave a small nod, though it was clear he disliked making such a dishonorable deal. However, it would be even more scarring to his honor to not gain whatever allies he could for the coming siege. The clan leader simply nodded, turning his horse and starting back off as he began addressing his tribesman. Mercenaries and merchants in the camp shared looks as well, a few making their way over to the wagon as others moved and started off back toward Lycia. It was clear they had every intention to bring news and no doubt discuss it. With luck, more mercenaries and soldiers would come. It was all Roin could hope for with this exchange. Turning toward the wagon, he sighed before smiling to Tamaya briefly.

"I suppose you no longer owe me any such favor, if you chose to hold such a thing."

With that comment, he started back for the wagon, calling out to all who could hear.

"We march north toward the city...with luck, we'll find one more clan to ally with us...and perhaps more along the way to join the march."

Moving to the wagon, he climbed up and gave a sigh, once more looking back to Rosa, his recently saved companion. He'd need to see that she had a tent, which meant his own sleep would be under the stars...

---

A few days later...

The wagon and small group had turned into a small army easily by the time they neared a clan camp not too far from the city. Ronin rode on his own horse near the wagon, which now carried many supplies, the older Sacean looking to where Roin's own steed walked. The wagon had been joined by two others, each stuffed to the brim with supplies given to them or too heavy to lug around for the entire army. They had gained plenty of aid on the way out here, but the city of Heroes was but a few hours of marching to reach. It made this last location a pivotal stop.

Roin carefully moved a hand to check over his bow and swords, the last night having been a quick one. It had barely given him time to check his gear as most would, but the entire force had good morale and was somewhat eager. Many Saceans spotted the numbers, but so did spearmen, swordsmen, horsemen, and mages from Lycia. It had a rather large spotted number in that regard, one or two mercenaries of Ilia with them as well. It would do well to bolster the siege force, but it also made one thing clear. The bandits could very well have an army of good strength as well.

"So, how do you think your plan will work out, boy?"

Roin's gaze fell upon his father, frowning as he no doubt implied Ronin was in over his head.

"I have no plan but to see we bolster the city's numbers, Father. There are far more men of greater tact than I to organize defenses."

Ronin chuckled at that, moving a hand to his sword as he turned his gaze away toward the camp they neared. It was larger than the ones near the border, the people visiting of a different sort. They were visiting from Bern seeking supplies and work, the fighting in that country forcing some to leave for a way to earn a living.

"You may yet have to lead, Roin...prepare yourself for such a thing. I will lead the majority of the group onward toward the city...ride fast once you finish your business here."

The younger Sacean blinked, but nodded as Ronin moved out to the front of the formation and whistled out. The man was from a different age now, losing his flirty attitude into a more serious one that Roin hadn't seen in a long time. It made him actually respect his father once more. As most of the group broke off to follow Ronin around the camp, no doubt a few would stay with Roin as he made his way into it still on horseback. There was more work to be done, after all.


[OOC: As the thread never moved past the first day, I figure this would be a reasonable "push" to get the thread refreshed for the last day or two of part 1]

[Rosa Blackthorn]

Sheepishly, much in stark contrast to her outward front the days prior, Rosa made her way through the crowd of gathering troops. A few heads turned to her as she passed, and hurried whispers were exchanged, though what of, she couldn't quite make out. Was it that she'd forsaken her trademark headband and eye-patch for the incoming battle? Some were likely confused to see that both of her crimson eyes were intact. She'd not have been surprised if a fair number assumed her right to be missing. Forsaking it today was part of a vow the Myrmidon had made to a certain person. No longer would she be a pirate, fighting for personal gain- no, her blade would carve a greater purpose for her and the one to whom she'd sworn it.

As the crowd began to disperse and then reorganize, Rosa quickly found her mark, and began to stride towards him with mixed sentiments. Hesitation was written all over her face, but the violet-haired woman couldn't deny that she was more than eager to lay eyes upon Roin. The Sacaen stood out in the bunch, fortunately, what with his tall, muscled build and radiant green hair. "Roin!"[/color] she called, taking up stride alongside him, her hand proudly upon the hilt of her blade. Though she kept little distance between the two of them, the Myrmidon awkwardly gazed away, poorly suppressing a vibrant, blood-red blush. "I... I'm keeping my word, you know. Just... don't get any stupid ideas, alright?" she scoffed, punching him harshly but playfully on the shoulder before averting her gaze again.

[Aethan]

Aethan didn't exactly see fit to travel close to the main group initially. He preferred the company of other like-minded individuals. The men and women who realized that, while ideals and morality were well and good, they didn't always pay the expenses. He was no saint. Sure, it was nice to play for the team everyone supported, but he couldn't claim it was out of the goodness of his heart. And he knew he wasn't the only one filling the same shoes. It was with these grey fighters he shared his company. And that was the way he preferred it. At least, that's what he convinced himself. It helped him sleep better, if nothing else.

However, the numbers dwindled and changed once the older swordsman took his leave. Many started to follow, leaving only he and the faces he had met the prior night. Funny thing, that. It was a shame he didn't get more names. Oh well. He casually strode up beside the Sacaen and Rosa, as well as anyone else who decided to linger nearby.

"I think by 'don't get any stupid ideas' she's meaning 'come by my tent tonight,' eh?" Aethan chimed in with a joking tone, smirk on his face as he kept his eye to the camp ahead of them. He didn't take his comment seriously, but he figured it might be seriously amusing to get a rise out of the two. He walked with his lance held on his shoulders, clattering with each step, keeping up well enough because of his conditioning. A few moments after the comment he turned his head to the two, still smirking. It was different to see Rosa with both eyes. Shame he didn't have the same luxury.

These were the people he was going to be stuck with, he figured. Might as well make friendly with them.