War on Two Fronts (Orcleous/Claira)

[Orcleous]

"Unfortunately yes", spoke Orcleous as he gave off a long sigh. Agis however took it like a grain of salt. Standing up he stretched out his arms before he turned and looked at Claira.

"As a side note go-", he spoke, but a death glare from Orcleous made him pause for a moment. "Claira", he spoke looking
back at Orcleous. "That iw what they all think", he spoke. "Sure she is swooning over the stick in the mud over there, but give her some time and I can work magic."

"Really", spoke Orcleous as he looked at him. "How has the last six months been treating you." Before Agis could say something else the guardsmen walked up and began to speak. He had a good point, but at the moment they all where having a moment on the poach. Well Agis was having his own moment and Orcleous and Claira where having theirs.

"Oh stop winning", spoke Agis as he turned toward the door of the house. "I was not looking at you, but rather both of you. It is the first time I seen Orcleous sit with a girl. For a while I thought he might be ..."

"Enough Agis", spoke Orcleous! His younger brother was really starting to get under his skin. Giving off another sly smile Agis walked back into the house. Letting off another sigh Orcleous turned toward Claira. "Sorry about that, not everybody in my family is the honorable sort. That being said he is not a thief or a murder. However he is a terrible flirt and sees women as more of a challenge than people. I could never understand why he was so popular in our youth. Anyway", spoke the Champion as he stood up and offered Claira his hand. "We both should be heading to bed. We have a long day tomorrow. The entire village is probably going to come by and ask what happened."

[Claira]

When Agis tried to say that Orcleous was into men, Claira would lay her head on Orcs legs looking at the younger brother. "I know he's not like that. But you on the other hand Aggy, I can see it. With how you act, Xeldine won't even let you lay with her. She loves him to much to sacrifice that chance with you Aggy." With Agis inside, Claira looked up at Orcleous and smiled. "We need to get him a female pirate. She'd whip him into line." Thinking of it made her laugh hard making her injuries hurt badly. "Owww...I need to stop laughing so hard...Im hurting now." From the darkness, a man's voice came from it. "I second the pirate notion!" Looking over, she would say. "Well...right then." Orcleous stood up making Claira unbalanced a bit. Seeing his Han offered to her, she would put hers into his and was helped up. When he mentioned about rest and then that the villagers coming over to see about the ordeal. Putting her face into his chest plate, she would then sigh.

"One thing I don't like to much. All that attention would be like a torch for them saying Come over here and see the injured girl...ugh...but your right. We need the rest. Lets go to bed." Walking ahead of him, the thief walked back into what she presumed was Orcleous's room. Sliding her boots off at the one wall, she would climb into it laying against the wall. Looking up at him, she would make a request. "Hun...could you...lay with me? Don't want to sleep alone anymore. If it's to soon, then I will understand." Her jaded eyes then looked down at her pillow that she her head was laying on. Claira began to turn red as she felt stupid to ask him that question. As guards went by the window, she'd look at the window. Orcleous now made her a bit jumpy. "I hope...Xeldine will open up to me...I don't want to be on her hatred list. I understand where she is coming from...but I guess it's the way of Sacae that we don't hold ill will against others..." A sigh escaped from her as she gripped the pillow a bit, then looked at him again. Thinking to herself, "Why am I feeling like this? I don't think he will...probably is to soon to ask him to share a bed...also since it's his families home." With her slender frame and how she laid on the bed, there was enough room for them both to lay together.

[Orcleous]

Taking Claira's hand orcleous escorted the maiden back to his room. It was a weird seen in Orcleous mind. Him bringing a girl back to his room. However fate had made its decision. The first one to bring a girl home and take her to there room was Orcleous. Not even Agis had the opportunity, thought that was due to Mars watching him like a hawk. Entering back into the room Orcleous pushed the dresser back in front of the door. He did not want any unnecessary surprises. If anyone wanted to sneak in they would have to go through the window, and that was easier said than done. Grabbing his sword off the side of the wall Orcleous prepared himself to go back to sleep on the wall. However Claira spoke up and made a request blood rushed up to Orcleous face. Several inappropriate images flooded Orcleous mind. However her words afterword cleared up the misunderstanding. Still it was not a easy pill to swallow. The last time Orcleous slept in the same bed as somebody else was when he was but a boy and that was with his oldest brother taking the top of the mattress and him the bottom. Never side by side or with a women for that.

For a moment Orcleous sat there quietly. It was not that he did not want to say a word, but rather he could not. He was torn on the inside of his head and he was a bit embarrassed about the situation. The turning point came when he looked down and saw Claira's eyes. They where like jewels. Two green emeralds sparking in the darkness. "Fine", spoke Orcleous as he removed his breastplate. The champion knew better than to sleep in a bed with armor on. Looking at the bed Orcleous found himself a spot and laid down. Laying in the bed he could feel the maiden's skin touching his own. It was a new sensation and one that made going to sleep difficult. "Goodnight", he spoke as he closed his eyes and attempted to slumber. It took a while, but eventually sleep found him and Orcleous put the night behind him.

As the sun rose over the horizon it brought with it trouble. Orcleous awoke to the sound of the dressor being pushed as somebody attempted to get into the room. At first he thought it was somebody attempting to get into the room and do the duo harm. Grabbing his longsword off the ground Orcleous drew his blade. The sound however caused the person behind the door to speak up and announce who they where.

"Hey Orcleous don't stab me now", spoke a familiar voice, for Orcleous that is. The last of the four brothers Mars II was standing behind the door. "Hey Orc, mother told me to wake you and Claira up for breakfast."

"

[Claira]

When he agreed to sleep in bed with her, joy came across her face. Laying with his back to her, she snuggled up to him and laid her right arm over his waist. Sleep was hard for her. She had watched him sleep for a while. As her eyes started to get heavy, she whispered. "Good night my love." Then kissed the back of his head gently. Her eyes closed and she fell into a deep sleep. The nightmare never came to her, but a rather pleasant one. She was holding his hand, walking into her village. Greeted by familiar faces and ones she never met before. Her mother and father ran to her, holding and crying in joy. Claira broke away from the embrace and introduce Orcleous. Her father with bow over his shoulder first shook the Champion's hand then hugged him. Thanking Orcleous for returning his only child home. Claira's mother just bluntly hugged him and welcomed him to the family home which was near the school house in the center of the village. They all enjoyed a hot meal of deer, potatoes, carrots at the dinner table. They all were laughing and telling tales of adventure and how life was after the slavers.

Throughout the dream, The Thief kept her hand on his, and smiled. It was the best dream she's had in years. But when her mother asked about them marrying, Claira turned red in embarrassment, and her lover Orcleous was stumbling on his words. But the dream shattered as they were going to answer the question. Banging was heard as someone tried to enter the room. She withdrew her arm from his waist and laid there as Orcleous woke up as well and grabbed his sword. When it came out, a voice talked through the door. Saying the mom wanted them up for breakfast. From what she guest, it must be one of the other brothers she was yet to meet. Smiling a bit, she whispered. "Good morning. Hope I didn't wake you through the night." Then kissed his head again.

[Orcleous]

"Yeah fine enough", spoke Orcleous as he rubbed the back of his head. The Champion was a bit worried. He had slept through the entire night. It was not a bad thing as they both where perfectly unharmed, but it was not something he needed to make a habit of. A keen eye was the difference between life and death. Grabbing his shirt off the ground and pushing the dresser over Orcleous prepared to go to breakfast. He still needed to wash his face however, and for that he shuffled his way over to a small room near the kitchen. Inside of it was a bucket of water and next to it was a cabinet filled with rags. Taking out a rag and sticking it in the water Orcleous washed his face and made his way to the dinner table. To his not so great surprise there where several people sitting around the table who where not apart of the Isengaurd household. Several neighbors had came looking to get in on the juicy gossip and a few of the morning guardsmen where invited in to have a bite.

"Morning", spoke Orcleous as he sat down at the end of the table. At the moment he was half asleep so he did not relize his error till his father walked over. The aged man gave Orcleous the look and like a cat scrambling from the steps he moved out of his father seat. "Sorry about that", spoke Orcleous as he swung around toward the long end of the table.

"You get one magical hammer and you think your the king of the mountain", spoke Mars as he took his seat at the end of the table. Everyone else began to fall into the table. Out of courtesy they left a spot next to Orcleous for the maiden. Xeldine however sat on the opposite end of Orcleous and to her right was Agis. At the opposite end of the table directly in front of Mars was Orcleous mother. With everyone at the table they said grace. The image of them all eating together burned into Orcleous mind. It was good to eat as a family. He could do without the extra freeloaders.

[Claira]

Claira stretched a bit. Thinking to herself, she saw how bright it was, "How long have we slept? I hope they aren't mad at us...some first impression I'm making. Oh great lords and ladies above help me." Skooting across the bed, she stood up slowly. Walking over the wall where her boots rested near. Putting them on, her eyes would look at her daggers on his small table. Picking them up, she put them in their sheath's that rested behind her. The Thief walked out of the room seeing Orcleous walking away from a bucket and rag. So she went over to it and picked up a rag and cleaned her face and neck. Heer wounds were a dull ache. But hearing Mr. Mars Isengard started to say something about Orcleous hammer Xigshaw. Quickly walking out to the dinner table, she saw all the boys, Mr. and Mrs. Isengard sitting at each end, Agis and Xeldine sitting in front of her. A few guards was eating with them. Next to Orcleous was an empty chair.

Walking over, and sitting down next to him she would say. "M-morning everyone." Everyone said Grace, but in her head she did the way she learned in Sacae. Once done, everyone began to eat their meals. Claira didn't say anything. She was as silent as a stone. The Thief was hoping for no arguments. The guards were the first to be done their meals taking the plates and cups to the kitchen. Thanking for the meal, they went outside for their shift to relieve the other two from last night. Guilt began to hit her as she felt some tension. When she was done, she would stand up and gather the other empty plates, taking them to the sink. To keep herself busy, Claira began to wash the dishes for Mrs. Isengard. Her mind was racing with ideas, but one stood out more then the rest. They needed to leave, or if Orcleous wanted to stay then she had to keep moving. Thinking to herself, "Who am I to split up this family?" While she was thinking, she didn't notice someone was now in the kitchen with her.

[Orcleous]

As the meal finished everyone went off to do there morning duties. Mars and Mars II went off to the fields. Xeldine went off to do some training, and Agis went back to his room to make some copies of books. Apparantly between the time Orcleous had left and now his younger brother had became the chief copier in town. So he spent most of his days in his room copying papers for other people. It must make a good bit of coin if his father was not making him help in the field anymore. His mother was going to take care of the dishes, but Claira decided to do it herself. For Orcleous this was a bit of a red flag. He never pictured her the dish washing type. Still with her handling it his mother walked off to do something else.

"Hey Claira are you alright", spoke Orcleous as he took a seat onto the long table. He knew something was off. She was completely quite during breakfast and barely said anything after she was done eating. It was like her entire demure changed after they woke up this morning. Orcleous had a idea of what he thought it was. She had been focus on Xeldine a lot of late. To be truthful Orcleous thought she should just leave it alone for a while. Xeldine was always slow to trust and probably even slower to forgive. She would not forgive Clara over night no matter how kind she was too her. It was just a straight up fact. Now that Orcleous was thinking about it Xeldine's lack of conversation during breakfast was just as weird. She did not say a word, but instead simply walked off to do her training. The same however could be said of Agis. Him of all people would usually say something to Xeldine, or he would throw a comment toward Claria. Shoot he did not even hit on the female guard joining them for breakfast. Something is up, but Orcleous was sure that Xeldine and Agis where not on the same side. If there was anybody she hated more than Claira it would be him.

[Claira]

Claira snapped out of her mind set when Orcleous asked her if she was alright. Continuing cleaning, she replied to him. "Yeah, I'm alright. Just been thinking for a bit to myself." Finishing the dishes, the thief wiped her wet hands on her. shirt. Turning around and leaning against the counter. She looked at him. "I feel bad about having to be in your family home without asking to come in. But I don't want to stay here any longer Orcleous...I don't want to risk your family being attacked by the slavers. Or them doing to your village that they did to mine." Sighing a bit, she'd take a sip of water from her breakfast cup. There was something else that she wanted to say. Looking out the window, she saw Mars and his son working the field. Thinking to herself, "How can me and Orcleous ever settle down when we have different enemies after each other? I can see Orcleous being like his father later on down the road...but me? I'd be a horrible wife...or even mother."

The Thief would wrap her arms over her stitched wound gently. "Why can't I just settle down? Wish they just...disappeared. Such thoughts are childish." Pushing off the counter, she walked over to him and gently held his hand. "You don't have to come if you don't want to. But if you still do, then you might want to explain to your family. I'll talk to Xeldine. It'll be good for me to talk to her for a bit." Smiling faintly, Claira would watch Orc for a bit giving him time to say what he needed to say. Then breaking away, she went back to the bedroom to grab the rest of her things and seeing her black armor made her smile a bit. Putting on the light steel pauldrons, then her elbow guard. Then finally her chest and back plate. Moving her arms around a bit, she had to adjust to the armor again. Tying her red cloak on, Claira would leave the room and then the house. The Thief would go looking for Xeldine to have a chat with her. Shortly, she found her in a field practicing her sword play. Leaning against a fence post, Claira watched her.

[Orcleous]

Orcleous looked at Claira for a moment as she spoke. It seemed he was off a bit. She was worried about the slavers, but in truth Orlceous was not. He figured he could handle anything they threw at him. However on the other end could his family. Xeldine could handle herself a bit, but the rest of them where as green as there farmer's thumb. It could prove problematic down the road if they stayed too long. "I understand", spoke Orcleous as he looked at Claira. "You don't want to bring harm to them, I get it. I myself have also been selfish staying in the family home when trouble is at our back. By the way take note of the word our. It is just not you anymore Claira, it is awe. I will get my things and prepare to go", spoke the champion as he walked off back to his room.

As Orcleous gathered his stuff he began to think back on Claira's words. It was true that they did have a problem with these slavers, but so did other people. These slavers where going around kidnapping people and turning them into weapons. That man who came into town a few days ago was away from his master, but he still followed his orders without question. As a matter of facts all those slavers he killed last time seemed to have brands also. This was not simply grab snatch and force to work. It was something else, something more evil. Orcleous needed to put a stop to it. Sure Lycia needed his blade in stopping the monster threat, but the beast of darkness are not the only monsters walking this earth. After Claira healed up Orcleous decided that they where going to go hunting. He knew Claira wanted to train some more before they made the move on the big boss, but Orcleous wanted to take out a few of there operations first. With everyone they stop or kill somebody else gets to live there life in freedom.

"Hey Agis", spoke Orcleous as he walked into his brother's room. The young man was sitting by a desk and had just finished writing the last line of a book.

"Tell father I am leaving", spoke Orcleous. "Things are getting to hot around the village and I don't want to place a threat on anybody life."

"I figured as much", spoke Agis as he pulled out a piece of paper and began to write down a note. "Father may not have said it, but Mars sure did."

"I can pretty much guess what he said", spoke Orcleous as he rubbed the back of his head. Mars II was always a realist. He probably wanted to throw them out on the street, though he would never say that to there faces. He was the one who would build consensus behind your back first and then confront you when he had enough leverage. He had a good head on him to be honest though. That is why Theo said he would probably be the one to inherit the farm. That was saying something since Theo was the oldest.

"Just don't tell mother", spoke Agis. "If she found out you where trying to leave she would pull your ear and make you stay.

"Roger that", spoke Orcleous as he walked out the room.
---------

"Why are you here", spoke Xeldine as she swung her practice sword. She did not even turn around to look at the golden hair maiden. Xeldine had a good idea what it was about though. She was not a idiot. Even she could see the threat that her being in the village posed. "Are you going to be leaving soon? If so does Orcleous knows?"

[Claira]

"Not just me Xeldine. Orcleous choose to come with on his own. We know how he can be." Seeing a spare wooden sword, Claira would pick it up and swing it to get the hang of it since it wasn't a dagger. Walking in front of Xeldine, Claira would smack the training swords together. "I know you still hate me and training by yourself isn't anything without a sparring partner. So spar with me and show me what you got." Xeldine would oblige to the thirds request. The training swords smacked and cracked against each other.The battle would start to heat up Sounds of the battle gotten louder while Xeldine pressed Claira back a bit trying to make the thief lose her footing. Shortly after Xeldine gained four steps of ground, she tried for a straight down slash. The Thief slid to the left barely missing the strike. Tapping the Mercenary in the right leg, the red haired maiden was now fully in rage. Spinning herself, her wooden sword struck Claira across the face making the thief step back a few steps. Where Xeldine hit, a line of blood trickled down her right cheek. "See Thief? You aren't suited to be with Orcleous. -Sighs- Are you ok?"

Claira would slowly looked back at Xeldine with a blank look. Expressionless as the thief lifted up her training sword again. Xeldine was a bit surprised. "If you want more then co-" Xeldine was cut off as Claira pressed the attack with a series of random attacks, but never once does she do the same attack twice. Forcing Xeldine to move back and lose ground. The Thief would fall to the ground doing a leg sweep. Making Xeldine fall backwards, Claira quickly rose over the fallen Mercenary smacking the wrist that she wielded her sword. Falling on top of with dagger out, Claira was now straddled over Xeldine's waist and dagger at her throat. Leaning down a bit, Claira whispered. "You aren't ready. I was trained to kill for most of my life. Remember how I stalled the rat when he was pressing on you. Now remember this moment." Standing up, Claira sheathed her dagger and impaled the ground next to Xeldine's head. The Thief would leave Xeldine laying there in the field. She was heading for the Inn with her cloak flicking behind her. Stepping inside, she would go to the counter and order a tanker of ale.

[Orcleous]

"D!#% Vixen", shouted Xeldine as she slammed her fist into the ground. The maiden did not take losing lightly. Getting off the ground Xeldine marched off back toward the house. In her mind she knew what she had to do. At the rate she was going she was never going to beat the blonde bimbo, but if she trained harder. Between Claira and Orcleous she was sure the Champion was the stronger of the two. Orcleosu however did not learn how to fight till about three years ago. Before that he was a dirt farmer. Taking that in mind she knew she could cross that gap, though skill wise she would probably never match up. However she could make up for that by being stronger. Strength was the chief element that made Orcleous powerful, she was his apprentice after all. If she was just stronger.
-----

Grabbing his stuff Orcleous was ready to leave. He was sure that Agis would relay the message to his father and at the moment he only had to sneak past his mother. It was not hard, since she was in the back fixing some of the quilts. It seemed that he came at the right time. With Xigshaw on his back, Luxcalbur at his side, his war axe oh his left hip and a lance for good measure Orcleous was ready to leave. In his bit double bag he had a bow and a bowstring. The Champion wanted to be ready for anything that came his way and as a result he made sure he had every weapon he could think of.

"Alright, I am out", spoke the champion as he walked out the door. His words where to nobody, but himself. However he felt as if he was saying goodbye to his home in general. He was sure he would not be coming back here for a while. He prayed that they all would remain safe and in good health. Walking out into the yard orcleous used a shovel to dig up the earth. There was something he left here last time in case of emergency. He would have hid it in the house, but he was sure Agis would have found it and spent it on some girl. He always had a skill for finding stuff Orlcoeus hid in the house. Pulling out a small old chest Orlceous took out a good bit of gold, but left the rest in the box. "Never know when I will need coin", he spoke.

After leaving his home Orcleous went to the Inn. He figured Claira would be here. After seeing the maiden get a tanker Orcleous raised his own hand and ordered one himself. Sitting on the bench next to her a bright idea came to the Champions mind. "Hey you want to go to Sacae", he spoke as he took his tanker and began to drink.

[Claira]

Downing her tanker, she gently set it down. Her eyes looked at him from the corners. "We can go if you can answer one of my questions. What would your apprentice do if she lost a heavy spar match against someone she hated?" Having her tanker filled again, she was about to drink when she said. "I think I hurt her pride more then she hurt my face...hahaha." Taking a heavy gulp, she'd face him showing the bleeding wound. Facing back to the wall, Claira would laugh again then drink the rest of her Tanker. But her mind began to think about Sacae. "Why does he want to go there now? I don't think I'm ready to face my past head out..." She thought. Looking at him, she would say. "Taking me home are we? Your sweet hun. If we are lucky, maybe we will run into my parents." The Thief would let that idea stew with Orcleous for a while, while smiled and drank her ale slowly. A male patron walked up to the two, more to Orcleous side then hers. The man said.

"Excuse me miss, but are you the one who beaten Xekdine? Besides Orcleous here and the Guard Captain, you are the only one to best her. I saw her marching back to the Isengard farm house with a fire in her eyes. You might want to watch your back. Losing isn't something she takes to lightly. Have good day, got to tend to my own field." The old man left the Inn. Smiling still, she would laugh a bit. "So I guess she's planning something for me Orcleous? I think we should go soon. Don't want to stay long enough to see what her surprise is, agreed?" Now looking at the Champion waiting for his response. The Inn went quiet after everyone heard of Xeldine being bested by the blonde hair maiden. The door then opened and came in was Xeldine with even more anger in her eyes. Claira shifted a bit and faced her. The Thief prepared herself. "How can I help you this time Xeldine? Hope your not mad about me beating you in that supposed Friendly spar we just had." The smile stayed as her eyes were locked onto the Mercenary.

[Orcleous]

For a moment all Orcleous could do was look at Claira. What in the world had gotten into her, the thought as he discovered that she had defeated Xeldine. "You must really love the attention", spoke Orcleous. The Champion took a gulp from the tanker. "Well the last time I soundly defeated her in a sparing mach, she challenged me again. Then again, and again. If I had to guess", spoke Orcleous. He was interrupted by a man talking abut the victory. The champion let off a long sigh as he allowed his head to hit the counter. There was never a break between the two of them. If Xeldine was not picking a fight then Claira was. Then if those two where not growling at each other the slavers would show up. To be honest though Orcleous kind of wish they would show up at the moment. He could put this entire mess aside for a moment and simply kill something. It was a horrible thing to say, but killing was one heck of a stress reliever.

As Orcleous face meet the counter the door to the inn flew open. In walked Xeldine with a greatsword covered by a leather sheath and a bag slung over her shoulder. "I will have satisfaction", spoke the maiden to Claira. "However that will be at a later date." The maiden then turned back toward Orcleous. "I don't know where you are going and to be honest I don't care. All that matters is that I am coming along", she spoke as she let her bag hit the ground to emphasize the point.

"Oh come on", spoke Orlcoeus as he sat up from the bar. He turned and looked at Claira. "This is all your fault", spoke the Champion.

"Hey don't ignore me", spoke Xeldine. "Clearly my training has suffered since I have been working by myself. So I shall join you on your journey. Not only can I improve my swordsmanship, but I can also make sure that you don't get yourself killed." The maiden then looked toward Claira and gave her the stink eye.

"Sorry, but", spoke Orcleous as he attempted to deny the maiden.

"Don't bother", spoke Xeldine as she cut him off. "Remember Orcleous I am a not a child. I can make my own decisions and go where I please. You may not let me make camp with you, but that won't stop me from following. I have the right to chose where I am going and if that just so happens to be the same place you two are going then it is fine by me." With that Xeldine picked up her bag and stared at the champion. At this point she pretty much said she was goign to be a nuisance no matter what happened.

"Aren't you a guard", spoke Orcleous.

"I just quit".

"Yeah, but ..."

"I am a fee women I can do what I want", spoke Xeldine as she tighten her grip on her bag.

"Excellent choice of words", spoke a familiar voice as Agis walked into the room. Leaning on the side of the door frame Agis simply watched the group of three like any bystander. "Actually I think I like the sound of that", spoke Agis as he walked up to Orcleous. He did not say a single word to the Champion, but rather grabbed the lance sitting next to the bar. Holding the lance across his shoulders Agis took a few steps back to get a good look at Xeldine. The look in his eyes where that of a hawk search the grass for a snake. "I think I am going to come as well. It sounds like a good bit of fun and I could use a break from copying."

"What", spoke both Orcleous and Xeldine at the same time. It was clear to everybody that he was just following alone to keep close to Xeldine. Agis was not a hard man to read, but he was a hard man to stop.

"No way, I refuse", she shouted.

"Well that is nice, but", spoke Agis as he walked around the maiden and back toward his brother. "That is not a decision for you to make. If I remember correctly", he spoke as he put the lance down and a evil smile crossed his face. "You picked a very good choice of words that describe this situation clearly. I am a not a child. I can make my own decisions and go where I please. I have the right to chose where I am going and if that just so happens to be the same place you are going then it is fine by me."

"Why", spoke Orcleus as he put his head back onto the counter top. So that was what he was planning, thought the Champion. He noted that the two of them where both up to something. Xeldine probably decided she was going to follow them and Agis decided that he was going to follow her. All of this makes for one every annoying situation on Orcleous part.

"Claira never have brothers", spoke Orcleous as he turned toward the blonde maiden.

[Claira]

Watching the scene made by both Xeldine,then by Agis. Lifting her tanker, the bar keep filled it. As she was about to take a swag, she said to Orcleous. "I don't know if my parents had anymore children after me. Remember, I haven't been back to my village since I was Twelve years old. If that is they're still alive. I just hope they are...and this is going to be an interesting journey." After the swag of ale, she then said. "You can still stay...not to late." Looking back at Xeldine, Claira would begin. "If you choose to come, there is a high chance that the slavers will swarm you and either kill you or strip you of your gear and make you a slave. IF they do take you, are you willing to lose your tongue? This journey maybe a one way trip." Her gaze would now fall upon Agis. "As for you Aggy. If your only coming to show off or to help her get rid of me, then don't come. You are right. Your not a child, but I don't want a liability coming with us that may not have any fighting experience. Xeldine shown me she's worth her weight in combat. The only thing I've noticed from you is your ability to annoy others by you thinking your better then others and the fact that you've been trying to be with Xeldine for..how long you said Orcleous? Six months?" Downing the rest of her tanker, she'd turn it over and have it standing upside down. Turning fully to face Agis, she stood up facing him nearly a foot away.

"So please tell me. What weapon or weapons are you able to use? Whatever it is, prove it." Undoing the cloak, the strips of fabric hung down as the cloak stayed on her resting on the thiefs shoulders. Her hands stayed by her side. "How many people have you killed and had their blood on your hands Aggy? If you haven't at all, then your going to have to be prepared to do so. We are going to Sacae to hunt and Kill the slavers that hunt me.Are you prepared to fight and kill? Have you made peace with your god knowing you might die outside these villages walls?" When he didn't say anything or move, she would shake her head and made her way to the door passing Xeldine. "Do your brother a great favor. Stay home. You'll only worry Orcleous when the heat of battle begins. Do you think your parents grievance if you fell in battle is worth doing a foolish choice you are about to make? Think about what I've said. And before you say I'm whining or crying, don't. I've killed people and unholy creatures. I've seen things that still gives me nightmares." With that said, she walked outside with the door closing behind her. The Thief would step off to the side and leaned against a wall, waiting for Orcleous and maybe Xeldine.

[Orcleous]

Orcleous decided to simply let Claira handle it. If he said no, then that would just make Agis want to go even more. However if Claira said it then maybe some sense might be placed into his head. Still she would first have to deal with Xeldine though. The maiden was like fire and it really did not matter what Claira would say. However he was not so sure about Agis. To be honest Orcleous figured Agis simply wanted to come along because Xeldine was coming. He was never one to back down form a challenge and for him Xeldine was the ultimate challenge. Still having him around when they where trying to fight would be greatly annoying. Especially if he got himself captured, or injured during the fight.

"Never going to happen", spoke Xeldine toward Agis before she took her stuff and walked out the door. Her choice of words only made Agis smile as he gave back his own retort.

"Never say never", he spoke as Xeldine walked out the door.

"Hey Claira", spoke Xeldine as she stepped out the shop and began to talk to the maiden first. "Don't get high and mighty just because you won, one fight. The next time we fight I will be victorious. Second your slavers sound no different than bandits. If you loss you die or get sold into slavery. That is pretty much the standard for battle. Besides I am pretty sure that they can not be as scary as some of the stuff I have seen in Lycia. Demon dogs, Giant Spiders, and a walking suit of armor followed by a legion of undead. So don't think you can get rid of me just because you mention the fact that I might die."

Inside of the bar Orcleous sat down with his brother. "Look Agis", spoke Orcleous. "I understand that you like Xeldine in all and don't want to be the loser. However we are going to be going into combat situation. If you are careless or stupid you will die or you will be kidnapped. I can't be looking over my shoulder the entire trip trying to make sure you are alright just because you want to tag along and try to make kissy faces at Xeldine. Go back home, find another target, get married and have kids."

"Get married and have kids", spoke Agis as he leaned back onto the bar and looked at Orcleous. The expression on his face could only be aliened with the fraze, really.

"Hey I am just saying", spoke Orcleous. "You won't last a minute out there", spoke the Champion in a low somber tone.

"You did", spoke Agis.

"I was lucky".

"And I am not."

"You should never depend on luck. She will turn on you in a heartbeat. I can tell you that from experience."

"Noted", spoke Agis. "However that is not going to turn me around. I can handle myself you know. Your not the only one who can fight."

"Really", spoke Orlceous as he turned toward his brother. The moment he looked at him Orcleous skin began to prickle. A cold sweat began to run down his spine as his brother began to give off a unearthly aura. In the young man's right hand there was a small book. The pages had words Orcleous did not recognize. A black aura appeared around Orcleous brother and then seeped into the ground. The site was supernatural, but Orcleous understood what it meant. "You didn't", spoke Orcleous as he looked at his brother.

"Sorry, but I had to get out of the arrangement somehow", he spoke with a sly smile. As he and Orcleous talked the neither energy that was released from his spell went though the ground and formed into a ball outside of the inn. Its appearance caught Xeldine off guard as it flew above her can Claira and popped like a balloon.

"What the hell", shouted Xeldine. Her voice could be heard by the brothers .

"As you can see I can handle myself", spoke Agis as he grabbed his own bag and walked out the door. "Sorry babe, but you are not getting rid of me that quickly", spoke Agis as he walked outside and past Xeldine. "Talk all you want goldy, but I am coming. As Xeldine said before you can make all the decision in the world, but what I do is up to me."

Walking outside the inn Orcleous looked at Claira. "I failed", he spoke as he began to make his way toward the gate. Orcleous needed to pick up one last thing before they left. Measuring the coins in his bag Orcleous figured he had enough to buy himself another horse. The other two would have to pay for there own or get left behind.