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Athas
Mar 19, 2006 18:35:11 GMT -5
Post by Thanqol on Mar 19, 2006 18:35:11 GMT -5
I looked carefuly at the two people, unfocusing my mind to send me slightly in tune with what the man had said, trying to divine if he was lying or not. It was better to be safe than sorry. Then I took a few seconds to refocus myself as Tory spoke, and only then did I respond "Information," I said strongly to get the pair's attention, "is welcome, but healing is unneeded at this moment in time. We come seeking the Templar of Tyr. Are you interested in aiding us, or would you prefer to find safer work within the city? I can pay reasonably for your services," If this was Urik, I would have spoken in a more demanding tone, but in this case I decided it was better not to antagonize the locals.
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Athas
Mar 19, 2006 23:33:37 GMT -5
Post by Jingzu Lunaria on Mar 19, 2006 23:33:37 GMT -5
"Healing is not needed," The man said, his tone cheerful and a touch sly. "yet many are Tyr's wonders, and many are its hazards. You might need her soothing touch in the future, and so I took the liberty of bringing her with me to introduce you, as a sign of my good intentions. You do profit by me already, Templar of the Lion, yet not a coin has passed between us.
We can help you with the Templar. We can give you information, a place to stay, a drink, a safehaven in times of dark. I know the city's every inn, street, and market. If you pay me five ceramic per gold you make in your venture, then I shall give you the aid you need."
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Athas
Mar 20, 2006 0:29:02 GMT -5
Post by Eludî Uineru on Mar 20, 2006 0:29:02 GMT -5
The woman does not reply to Tory. She watches Aephero, quietly, from between the wrappings of her veil. She crosses her arms, and waits.
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Athas
Mar 20, 2006 0:51:55 GMT -5
Post by Thanqol on Mar 20, 2006 0:51:55 GMT -5
"Hmm, five percent of my total income in exchange for your knowledge and expertise? I think, for now, it's a deal, for as long as your knowledge proves useful and I don't over expend." In Urik, the custom for a Templar taking an assistant like this, unless it was a covert mission, was for the hireling to take an arcane mark from the Templar's seal onto some part of his body or piece of gear so that, if apprehended, he could reveal that he was working for the Temple and override the authorities - at least temporarily. But then there were those who objected to this, and of course this wasn't Urik so my authority did not pass to here. I would raise the point if we came to Urik once more, but for now I would not suggest it unless it was requested. I noted the woman's gaze, but did not meet it. Instead I drew a silver piece that had been concealed within my glove, flicking it out and holding it up between two fingers. "I'll need your names," I said, and tossed the coin over to the cloaked man, "and a promise to think twice before selling us out."
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Athas
Mar 20, 2006 1:15:45 GMT -5
Post by Jingzu Lunaria on Mar 20, 2006 1:15:45 GMT -5
The Draqoman catches the coin between his middle and forefinger, expertly snatching the metallic fortune out of the dry air of Athas. His face was hard to see. In fact, the Urikites could only make out the outline of his face. "My name, Templar, is Makba. I also won't be keeping that promise. I won't betray you or sell you out in any way, so the thought won't come up a first time, much less a second. That just isn't the way of Draqoman. I'm not your friend, but I can and will help you Lion follower."
The Draqoman turned his gauze covered gaze to the darkening sky, then to the gate and the line. There were still a number of caravans before they would get in. "Where would you like to head first? Guthay and Ral are rising. We can head to Shadow Square and find you a nice place to rest. Tyr grows dangerous in the night, more so than in the day. We'll find you rest, we will. You should drink deep of Tyr before you think of doing much else in the city. Come, come, we start, yes?"
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Athas
Mar 20, 2006 1:26:51 GMT -5
Post by Eludî Uineru on Mar 20, 2006 1:26:51 GMT -5
The woman gives each of the travellers a hard stare before she nods.
"We start."
She shifts the bag on her shoulders again, and glances up at the sky.
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Athas
Mar 20, 2006 1:30:13 GMT -5
Post by Thanqol on Mar 20, 2006 1:30:13 GMT -5
I was not entirely assured by this, but I did not see it appropriate to press him on it. "I am Templar-Inquisitor Aephero," I said as I stepped forwards to follow him into the city. I did not introduce Ptelcar or Tory, as there was no real need to do so just yet. "Lead the way." I kept my hand on my sword and an eye on Makba. The fact that the healer had not introduced herself annoyed me little, but I did not mention it.
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Athas
Mar 20, 2006 1:32:11 GMT -5
Post by Nyu Bomber on Mar 20, 2006 1:32:11 GMT -5
*Tory was aware enough to notice that two people now had looked upwards. At what? Tory joined in, straining her neck to try to see what was so interesting about the sky.*
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Athas
Mar 20, 2006 1:34:15 GMT -5
Post by Ptelcar on Mar 20, 2006 1:34:15 GMT -5
Ptelcar watches the two new arrivals and is content to let Aephero do the talking. They seem alright, nothing out of the ordinerary. Still no use taking chances. After the woman declares its time to go Ptelcar takes the time to manifest a power. Making sure both are in front of him, he focuses the Will, shaping it. When it is done, he releases it. Those close by who follow the Way will hear in their minds what sounds like the earth shifting. This is the result of Ptelcar's use of Read Mind, attempting to find out if the two are thinking anything that might be alarming or of use to him and his friends.
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Athas
Mar 20, 2006 1:37:08 GMT -5
Post by Nyu Bomber on Mar 20, 2006 1:37:08 GMT -5
*Tory finishes examining the clouds just in time to catch everyone leaving her behind. She caught up easily and fell in stride, totally oblivious to if these two new guys were trust-worthy. If she hadn't been ordered to smash them, they were O.K. in her book.*
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Athas
Mar 20, 2006 1:49:19 GMT -5
Post by Ptelcar on Mar 20, 2006 1:49:19 GMT -5
Ptelcar's mind skittered along the edges of the minds of the man and the woman. He felt along the edges, feeling for an opening. But depite his best efforts, he couldn't penetrate. Every time he thought he was close to penetrating the first layers of their minds it became a snarl; he became hoplessly lost and unable to continue.
Impressed, Ptelcar decided it best just to follow for now. Not many who had not walked the Way had the mental willpower to block psionic intrusion. It would be fascinating to find out more about these two.
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Athas
Mar 20, 2006 1:51:15 GMT -5
Post by Jingzu Lunaria on Mar 20, 2006 1:51:15 GMT -5
The Draqoman Makba nodded to Aephero, turning on his heels and walking past the Templar guarding the city. He waved to them, and they nodded back, not even giving the Lion markings a second glance as Aephero and the others stepped into the busy streets of Tyr. Night was a more active time on Athas, save in Urik where curfew reigned.
The caravans trundled through the paved streets, and buildings rested to both the left and right of them. The path was only just wide enough to fit the large caravans, so people often had to duck out of the way as those moved along. Several small openings rested here and there, some large enough to be alleys, others more along the lines of gaps. The first alley was right along the wall, between the buildings and the defensive barrier. The second one was on the left, while the third was just a foot further and on the right.
Many different people wandered the streets, all of them still wrapped against the day. Some were begining to remove some of the protective clothing, but the wise ones didn't bother. The overall fashion seemed to include sturdy loincloths, along with whatever other clothing had been chosen, which generally included loose fitting top portions, boots, the like, with thin, often see through threads covering the arms and legs.
Makba's mind was like a ring of steel, one that would not allow Ptelcar to intrude.
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Athas
Mar 20, 2006 1:57:36 GMT -5
Post by Eludî Uineru on Mar 20, 2006 1:57:36 GMT -5
The healer walks with the group, but not with them. She keeps a small distance from them, as from everybody else. There is a tenseness to her, especially once they enter the city. Her feather skirt rustles as she walks, seemingly on her toes rather than her heels.
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Athas
Mar 20, 2006 2:04:59 GMT -5
Post by Thanqol on Mar 20, 2006 2:04:59 GMT -5
Ah, a city-state. A wretched hive of villainy and heretics. I had almost grown fond of tightly packed urban enviroments like this. There was always something for me to do, be it sit subtly in the bar, occasionaly prodding for answers, searching for clues, hearing about ignorant people who use defiler items without understanding what they were. Of course, this was a lawless hell, and would look entirely different once Lord Hamanu took it over. But everything comes in time.
For now I simply followed, but stayed alert.
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Athas
Mar 20, 2006 5:16:43 GMT -5
Post by Eludî Uineru on Mar 20, 2006 5:16:43 GMT -5
The woman's eye flash all over the place, but mostly to the Templar's back and aside to the lizard-man. Her hands twitch a little, restlessly and nervously. She walks with a deliberateness, slowing down her normal pace for the slow-limbed lot. Again she shifts the bag, as if uncomfortable or restless. She remains quiet and adjusts the scarf on her face a little- not to reveal more of it, however.
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