Rising to the Challenge (Sonneillon/Vincent, PM for entry)

[Sonneillon]

Sonneillon woke up with a start, his voice echoing as his words trailed off.

"Sciatis me nominatim
Ego sum, et tenebræ."

He'd been sleep-talking again. The usual. He recognized it as the mantra he'd adopted as his own, which he'd foudn scribbled in his Flux. Looking over to the other bed, Neil saw Vincent's form still there. Well, the guy must have been serious about teaming up. Neil had half expected him to get away once he told him about his past as a street urchin. Well, at least he'd made a new friend.

Getting up, Neil quietly left the room to clean up and get ready. When he returned, he sat down on his bed and started summoning small orbs of dark energy, trying to warm up and wake himself up. He had a feeling it would be a busy day.

[Vincent]

Vincent woke shortly after Neil's return to the room. Yawning and stretching he greeted with a "Good morning." It had been months since he'd slept in a bed. It was nothing compared to one at home but it did wonders here and now. He sat on the end of the bed watching Neil summoning orbs of energy. "Pretty cool. Anyway, looks like you got a head start on me so I'm going to clean up a bit and meet you down for breakfast? I'll pay."

[Sonneillon]

"Morning, Vincent!... Yeah, I guess it is a cool little skill to have."

Hearing Vincent's offer, Neil nodded and got up, stretching again and then moving to the door.

"All right, then. I'll settle the room and see if I can get any job listings. I'll meet you at the corner table."

A brief conversation with the owner later, Neil had a local job listing. There were a few pages of caravan escorts or bodyguards. Those jobs were out. Who would want a kid for a bodyguard? There were bandit extermination jobs... Those would be tough. But then, something caught his eye. A job listing from the local lawmen. They wanted some people to join a posse moving to apprehend three men wanted for robbery and fraud. Seems they were hiding out nearby. Maybe that one would work? He'd have to check with Vincent.

[Vincent]

Back at the table Neil proposed his idea. "Join a posse, huh? Sounds perfect. Does it say anything about the mens' capabilities? If there is one thing I learned it's to learn your enemies." Vincent had ordered them a hardy meal that would last them a long while, without leaving them sick.

[Sonneillon]

"It says to meet at the courthouse. That's all. I assume there will be more details there, hopefully."

Neil tucked into his meal, eating heartily and flagging the waiter to bring him a mug of hot water. Taking a small pouch out of his pocket, he took out a pinch of some herbal compounds and dropped them into the water, which began to fill the general area with a pungent aroma. Drinking his tea with great vigor, the pupil leaned back in his chair and enjoyed the invigorating beverage while he waited for Vincent. Once he was ready, they'd head over to the courthouse to meet this posse.

[Vincent]

Vincent crammed the rest of his food down his throat. He was eager to get things underway and meet the rest of the group he'd be working with. After nearly choking twice he was rid of the mean and ready to go.

"Alright let's head to the courthouse," Vincent said standing. Tying his cape he was curious about Neil's tea. Once on the road he decided to ask, "Is that a blend of your own?" It was a surprisingly warm day for Ilia. The lack of snowfall was refreshing and in the distance the courthouse stood proud and tall. He held an excited and brisk pace. His first official job was about to go underway.

[Sonneillon]

"Hmm? Oh, the tea? Yeah. I've always been a big tea drinker, and I finally think I've found the perfect combination. It's invigorating, satisfying, and good for the immune system. I'd swear by it. It'll get you through a tough night in the wilderness or soothe the aches of travel. It's great stuff."

The two exited the inn, Neil pulling his cloak tight and flipping his hood up. He didn't have a cape like Vincent, but he did have a heavy caster's cloak. It had some intricate runic designs sewn into it, and it was a nice gray color. He loved his cloak.

Slamming the door open to the courthouse, a hooded figure and a caped figure strode in purposefully.

"We're here for the posse."

A balding man with what appeared to be a giant pole was standing with his back to them, but turned as Neil spoke, allowing the pupil a clearer look at the now-revealed lance.

"You? What, you think you can help us? What're you gonna do? Drool on them?"

[Vincent]

"We're going to bring them to justice. I am a swordsman and he a mage. I'm certain our skills will come in handy," Vincent retorted. If he didn't talk them up there would be no way they would get chosen. "I fact I have never lost a fight," while true it was a stretch. He had only seen combat a number of times he could count it on one hand. "And Neil is even more impressive. Tell 'em Neil."

[Sonneillon]

"It's not even a question of impressing you, egghead. Fact is, there was an ad. Fact is, I don't see anyone else around for your posse. Fact is, one guy's not gonna catch three crooks. You may want to actually think before you insult your crew."

The big man was at a loss for words.

"No, I, uh, there's plenty of people, they just, erm, are late."

"How many of us are there?"

"...Four."

"Great. If you men can each handle one guy, that's two. Vincent and I will take care of the last one. What's the dirt on these fellows?"

"Well, there's four of us here. I fight with the lance, and Frank fights with the axe. You guys said you were a swordsman and a mage. The guys we're after are all swordsmen. They thought they could get away with faking their way into a vault and robbing it dry. They will, too, if we don't get them before they skip town. They're gonna be holed up near the gate, waiting for it to open for the day. So we've gotta move quick."

[Vincent]

Vincent watched in awed silence as Neil talked down the man. It was so easy and so simple. Now he felt a bit silly if nothing else. How did he think of all that on the spot? He saw everything he needed to and talked their way in no problem. It was impressive to say the least. "Good job," Vincent whispered.

"What level of skill do they all bear? Are they regular criminals or is this their first attempt?" If it was possible he didn't want to kill anyone. The last time was horrible.

[Sonneillon]

"Skills? They're crooks. I don't know what kinda skill they got. I'm just a soldier, kid. If you're some sort of genius tactician or something, I can't help ye there. I just do the pokin'."

"I believe I would be the tactician you require. We will set out immediately. Grab your partner. The plan is simple. We will move to the gate, which is currently closed. You will go into the gatehouse, and your partner will wait on the other side, looking like a bum. No one will pay attention to two kids, so we'll stand around ready. When we see three men, with bags or a wagon, we'll all converge. Hopefully we can avoid any injuries to ourselves."

"Oh, ey, wait. I's got pictures."

Scanning the three pictures and committing the faces to memory, Sonneillon nodded and passed them to his partner. Vincent was his only trusted friend, and he wanted to make sure they were both as prepped as possible.

"Ready?"

[Vincent]

"They really look like your typical civilians." Granted they obviously weren't but just an observation. "Hey, this one has a large scar over his eye all the way down to his neck. Even if they are fairly disguised that will be a good telltale sign it's them."

"Hey Neil, how do you think of these plans or general conversations so quickly. I have to say I give you props for it." The soldier said it best though. Neil may have the makings of a superior tactician. "I'm ready to go whenever."

[Sonneillon]

"Good catch. That's a dead giveaway. Okay, men. Let's go. Places, everyone, and remember... Set your weapons for stun, not kill. We want these guys alive, and preferably without engaging them too much. We don't want to risk casualties, both our team and civilian. Ready? Then let's move out."

Moving out the door, Sonneillon made his way to a bench near the gate, watching the egghead and his compatriot move into the guardhouses. The gate guard then exited and began to open the gate.

"Go time. Watch for 'em, Vincent.

How do I think of plans? Well, I read a lot of books back on Valor when I was still young, and there were all of these tales of strategy. Plus, I'm not exceptionally strong, so I have to use the environment and strategy to my advantage. I'll elaborate later. For now, we wait."

[Vincent]

There it is again, the secrets of the universe were hidden away in books. Vincent didn't show it but he envied Neil for the ability to read. After what felt to be an hour or so of waiting Vincent changed the bandage on his head. There was still no sign of the culprits. As Vincent was preparing to say more a group of people began to approach the gate.

"Think it's them?" Vincent already had one hand on his Iron sword. He was ready to spring to action the moment Neil said to move.

[Sonneillon]

"...
...
...
Yep. It's them."

But the pupil sat still, motionless except for some lip movements from nearly inaudible muttering, waiting as the men looked around with shifty glances. Definitely their targets. Suddenly, all three men were sent sprawling on the ground as tendrils of darkness erupted from the ground and swiped at their legs.

The passersby broke into a panic, screaming and beginning to run and clamor as Neil finally arose.

"Damn, I didn't intend for a riot... Anyway, let's get them quickly! Close the gate!!!"

The pupil charged forward, stopping abruptly as the men jumped to their feet, swords drawn. Steel, they seemed, except for one that was vaguely familiar... A lancereaver. Hmm. An interesting scenario.