As usual, the first slanting rays of dawn’s light woke Dilora, dark eyes blinking many times to clear the sleep from their corners. Every time she slept in a real bed, as opposed to the small trundle bed she occupied when she was out on the road in her wagon, she tended to sleep far too heavily and when the sun woke her, it took her far longer than usual to remember where she was. The pints of ale the night before had definitely not helped, but Dilora was confident she would not feel the oppressive pain of a morning head this time. Flickers of memories filtered back of the excellent company she had enjoyed, and her feet still held traces of the rhythm played in the music they had danced to the night before. Today, she’d collect Anton and her wagon, and set off towards Caemlyn to find more trinkets to trade.

 

Resisting the temptation to remain under the warmth of the blankets a little longer, Dilora rose and dressed quickly, the morning sun warm as she pulled on breeches and a faded purple blouse. She splashed water from the nightstand on to her face to brighten the skin slightly and gathered the scant belongings she had brought with her into a bundle before leaving the room and making her way down to the common room. She wondered if Anton had risen yet; men were apt to sleep late after a night of drunken revelry. A wide smile painted Dilora’s face as she passed the innkeeper, who winked at her as she strode past, headed for the carpenter she had left her pride and joy mobile home with. The valuable items well concealed within the walls had better still be in place when she got there, else she would give him a good talking to with a stout stick!

 

She pushed the gate open to the yard and was amazed to see the man who had helped to fix the broken axle in the first place waiting for her. So much for my thoughts about having to wait for him! I wonder if he’s been waiting long… She flicked a cheery wave at him, a breezy good morning and walked up to the front door to her little house and checked the lock on the door was still secure. Taking the tiny key from her pocket, Dilora undid the lock and went inside, checking the hidden compartments she knew would be invisible to the naked eye that held some of her more valuable treasures. Drawer after drawer she pulled out, making sure the contents were still in place against the mental inventory she kept of every trinket, every packet of spice, right down to the panels in the floorboards where she stored her weaponry in case of emergencies. Everything was right where she had left it, apart from the larger cases of the more tradable items that were in crates along the walls of the yard. Dilora poked her head out of the wagon and looked at Anton.

 

“Anton! Would you mind being a dear and giving me a hand to load the crates of food and whatnot so we can get on the road? I’m just going underneath to have a look at the state of the axle then we can be on our way.â€

 

OOC - Anyone who joins is heading towards Caemlyn, and to the Bubble of Evil RP.

Groaning, Aliana slowly rose from the straw. Light, her brain was pounding fit to burst from her skull. Shaking bits of straw from her hand and sleeve, she wiped the tears from her eyes.

 

Her coin was gone now, wasted away on drink. She knew the stupidity of trying to drown one's past in ale, but she couldn't bring herself to bear the full brunt of her memories. They were gone. Nothing could change that.

 

She stumbled down from the hayloft to where noise was beginning in the courtyard. She really had no idea where she was going. It didn't matter. She had lost everything. She was a woman without a purpose.

 

Leaning on her quarterstaff, she watched a woman and a man readying a wagon for departure. She wondered what they were doing? Perhaps she could hire herself out as a guard?

 

Glancing at her reflecting in the water trough though, she forgot to wonder why people had begun avoiding her. Her clothes were stained from travel and drink. Her once neatly braided hair was deshevled and bits of straw were caugh in it making it look nothing more than a bird's nest. Her eyes were red-rimmed and they showed every inch of the pain she felt throbbing in her head.

 

She was a mess. The sight of herself almost renewed the tears in her eyes. Had she sunk this low.

 

Deciding to at least clean herself, she unbraided her hair and then dunk her entire head in the trough. Resurfacing with a gasp, she scrubbed the dirt from her face and picked bits of straw from her hair. Rebraiding her long, dark tresses, she glanced back at the people preparing the wagon. They were about to leave.

 

Snatching up her quarterstaff, she moved to intercept them. Calling up to them, she once again felt very self conscious of her clothing. A clean face was one thing, but she could do nothing about the rags on her back.

 

"Excuse me, but could I travel with you?"

Malic sat on the wall just outside the tavern where he stayed the night, which went by the name of “The Deer’s Head Inn â€. The rooms were cramped and the beds were relics, probably going as far back as the times of the age of legends, and by the feel of them, only just made it in one piece. But still, he supposed it made a welcome change from the roadside hedges. Malic had enough money to see him a room from time to time, but often showed off his talents as a musician and storyteller as payment for his bed. It didn’t bother him a great deal that he was turned down this time around as it was cheap enough a place to stay.

 

Lazily he ate his morning feast of dry bread and cured ham. Hunched over he ate slowly. His horse, aptly named Munch, nuzzled at his shoulder for bread. Straitening, he combed his shoulder length black hair back with his fingers and begun smiling. His row of gleaming teeth sparkled as the sun peeped up over the hills to the east. He felt well awake now and was almost ready to be off.

“Haha, you’ll get your chance to graze when we hit the road again, which won’t be long.â€

Munch whinnied in recognition of the word “Grazeâ€, that horse could eat my entire ration of food in a minute flat if I gave it the chance,

“You’re not having anyâ€

He said accompanied with his constant grin. Last time Malic had given that hungry stallion any of his food he just seemed to beg more often and with increasing zeal.

 

Malic has seen many places since leaving his home in Cairhien. But most recently came from Lugard in Murandy, making his way up north towards Saldaea. His intentions to satisfy his hunger of finding more stories to add to his collection was so far doing well. Along the way, he didn’t quite know what was happening to the world, it seemed to be going slightly mad to his opinion! He travelled here and there, travelled with the odd group from time to time, but met no real friends along the way. He never really cared either… but now he felt…. Lonely. The life of a lone traveller was beginning to show in his manor but was still too proud to admit it to anyone including himself. He only admitted to himself that he would like companions, rather then that he simply needed companions.

 

The streets became busier as the sky became lighter. Malic finished his breakfast and stroked Munch’s nose as he stood.

“Well faithful stead, you must be starving as usual, let’s take you somewhere to graze before we make headwayâ€.

 

OOC: I'll bump into you guys after your next posts.

Pulling himself out of bed was always a trial, but it was a habit he'd developed over many years and it wasn't about to be broken anytime soon. Getting ready didn't take all that long either, after years on the road Anton was well practiced at throwing his things together rather quickly and it wasn't long before he was outside by the wagon. Throwing his things in the back, it was only a few minutes later before Dilora came out to join him.

 

Dragooned int- well, not quite, but nevertheless he found himself helping to load the wagon when a woman armed with a worn quarterstaff that bespoke of use approached them. She looked quite shabby, like someone who had done alot of travelling and seen better days judging from her red eyes. Looking across to Dilora who nodded at his questioning look, Anton turned back to the woman with a smile. After all, he'd been in similar straits himself before. Putting his load in the wagon, he walked over and offered his hand.

 

"Anton Averdal." What was curious was that she clasped his arm rather than a simple handshake as she gave her name, a fighter then. Kandoran from the look of her and her accent as well. It wasn't often that one found Borderlanders to the south. "Well Alianna, help us get loaded and you can travel with us as far as you need to. The more of us there are, the less likely we are to get robbed along the way."

 

 

Anton Averdal

Traveller

 

OOC: Sorry I took so long

Another companion for the road - a woman who looked as if she could use a good nights sleep in a proper bed, with maybe a good meal thrown into the bargain. If things went smoothly, and the woman proved trustworthy Dilora thought she might give up the small trundle in her wagon for a night so the woman, Alianna, could have the rest she seemed to need.

 

“Dilora Fashelle. This is my wagon here, and you are more than welcome to travel with us, as far as our paths follow the same roads.†She winked to Anton with a chivvying expression on her face to get a move on and then smiled warmly at the other woman. It would be nice to have some female company out on the open road. Something to balance the loneliness… besides the occasional tankard of ale that seemed to be becoming rather more than regular of late. “And Anton is right, we will be safer the more of us there are.â€

 

Dilora shivered slightly in the early morning chill, wanting to be on the road with the sun warming her face as the broad disc wheeled it’s way across the sky, indicating the time passing as the countryside told of the miles travelled. Soon… She strode over to Alianna, making sure as she did that there were no items remaining around the yard that needed to be carefully stowed away in her mobile home ready for her to have a quick check through the inventory before they set off. She took the other woman’s hand and shook it, noting the rough skin, a sure sign of a hard life recently. Smiling once more encouragingly, Dilora ran through the final few checks and climbed into her wagon, ensuring everything was in it’s place and that none of her valuables were missing. Finding that everything was present and correct, she climbed down and handed over some silver to the man who had fixed her axle - a lovely repair job someone had done too, it was.

 

The gates opened to the small yard, and Dilora climbed up into the seat of the wagon. Altie pulled a little restively, wanting to be off, and with a smile for the owner of the yard and clucking the reins, the wagon moved off. Her passengers would probably prefer to walk, but getting out of a town it was easier to keep the party together. Dilora mentally ran through whatever food she had in the wagon and stopped by a stall proclaiming the best fruit and vegetables this side of Caemlyn and traded for some provisions to supplement what they could not hunt and forage from the wilderness. She knew all about how to survive on only her knife and her wits, but that did not mean that when she had the opportunity she would pass up a decent meal. The village was drawing to an end; more countryside was visible and soon the road would open up before them.

She smiled at both the woman and man as she shook their hands. Whether they were bringing her along as a guard or as a companion she had yet to figure out, but it didn't matter either way. She needed someone to bring her out of her misery.

 

Alianna helped them finish loading and then thanked them both before tossing her quarterstaff on the wagon bed, then hopping on herself. "It's good to have some company for once. It's been a long time since I've had anyone to really talk to." She avoided the question of why she had been travelling, not wanted to dredge up cruel memories and darken the light spirits they set out with.

 

"I'm a former thiefcatcher from Chachin." she said as Dilora guided the wagon from the inn's courtyard.

Anton was happy to get the wagon packed with an extra set of hands, it meant they'd get underway sooner and less work for him. He had to admit seeing the woman with a stave made him long for his own. That one was lost in helping splint the axle to get to the village in the first place. He'd have to cut himself another one when he had the chance. That would become a more immediate need when he was walking though.

 

Sitting in the wagon with Alianna, he listened to her talk with an easy smile that he favoured when he was relaxed. It was nice to be favoured as good company, though what she said last stuck with him more.

 

"You're a thief catcher? Out here isn't the place to be then, pickings are slim and there isn't much coin to be made. I'm a thief catcher myself, on and off at least, for the past... Eleven years? I've always been hazy with such things. Much better business to be found in Caemlyn, you'll be staying with us that far perhaps?"

 

 

Anton Averdal

Traveller

 

OOC: We're just chatting away Malic, whenever you're ready jump in :D

She listened with interest to the man's words. She hadn't actually done any work, persay, since leaving Chachin, but eventually she would have to if she wished to survive. "Caemlyn would be good, I hear it's a nice city, akin to the Borderlands in that there are few who play the Great Game." What would happen to Kandor now that it her capital was gone? What would happen to the Southlands now that the Borderland no longer held back the Trolloc hordes as it had for years inumerable.

 

"Then, you're freelance?" she asked him. "Since leaving Chachin I've not found another employer-" not that she had been looking "and before meeting you I'd never heard of a freelance thiefcatcher. Most are employed by nobles in the Borderlands."

Munch trotted at a steady pace away from the tavern where he stayed the evening before. His bright yellow cloak flapped in the also steady wind that blew. It was hot for the time of day, and already sweat began blotching his forehead. He turned to reach for his leather water pouch that swayed by his packed belongings. Just as Malic got a good grip, the black stallion abruptly jolted into a sprint, flinging the pouch away and almost causing the most embarrassing excuse for whiplash he’d have ever logged, *caugh, splutter*

“Blood n bloody ashes…wooooh boy, if I was bent any further back, I’d hardly be walking let alone chasing after your hungry derriere!â€

He exclaimed, turning and only just righting himself before being flung into the garden right next to him.

 

Still at full sprint, it dawned upon Malic what it was that got his horse so excitable. It wasn’t the grass he could smell, but another horse leading a travelling wagon, the only other horse besides Munch in sight so it seemed. Aha…. here we go again. Munch stopped almost as abruptly as he had gathered speed, comically flinging Malic out of his saddle and began introducing himself to the mere he was so eager to meet.

 

After settling himself back onto his saddle, Malic pulled his cloak back from over his head and turned his attention to the head of the wagon. A shocked peddler halted her mere (like she had a choice), folded up her arms and frowned coldly at Munch and himself, looking to and from in rapid succession. Poking out from either the side of the wagon were 2 heads, both staring as coolly as the peddler. The air of awkardness present seemed to last for hours, when in actual fact it took Malic a heartbeat to make amends for his rude arrival. He dismounted and gave a flourish of his cloak as he bowed,

“Haha…it seems your mere is in season maam….errrrm, please excuse, he gets a little… excitable from time to time. Allow me to introduce myself, Malic Deriz, travelling gleeman at your serviceâ€

That seemed to have done the trick, a look of humour flashed over the drivers face, but it could only have been for an instant, as the frosty gaze came back. Perhaps it didn’t do the trick,

“Is that your idea of an apology for stopping us in our tracks Mr. Deriz, your horse needs a little training, wouldn’t you say?â€

Oh boy! trying not to show any sign of embarrassment,

â€Well, yes I think he does need a little training, but he does make excellent company. He has a unique character you see. You seem to travelling easterly, may I ride with you a little so I can properly introduce myself to you and your colleagues? I mean to ride north, but I can travel in this direction for a time. I hope I did not put you off enough for you to shrug me off completely?â€

Well, at least the horse’s reaction was understandable. It’s that time of year, it must be. Light! Dilora could not help but chuckle at the stranger’s reaction to how his horse had approached her Altie. Purely natural, and not a thing anyone could have done differently in the circumstances, even if he had trained his horse. It was something to chalk up to experience and move on, even if she had been a trifle sharp with her tongue. Poor man, Dilora wasn’t the kind of person to usually vent on strangers, but if any of the trinkets she was carrying for sale for a good price at Caemlyn had fallen off the shelf and broken, she vowed to have his hide for a floor rug. Still, she hadn’t heard anything that sounded expensive and that meant everything was all right. Just as well!

 

“You are more than welcome to travel with us, bound as we are to Caemlyn, and it will be a pleasure to have a Gleeman along for the ride. Indeed, the more the merrier!†The miles would pass quickly given the excellent company, and gleemen often knew of events that mere peddlers would not - associating as they did with a different circle of people from the nobility and commoners alike. Dilora thought it would be prudent to find out where this man had voyaged from, to sense the mood of the land and what items would be needed. If necessary, she could try to source them along the way: healing herbs in particular always sold well, and if she could find the right kinds along the way she would be certainly welcomed with open arms. Dangerous times meant people stocked up on healing items… just in case… and a shrewd trader as Dilora aspired to be carried items that people wanted. Oh, the trinkets were there to be sold for higher amounts of money, but there was also the popularity issue. If the masses loved you, you had a fair amount of power, and could get deals on trading items that other peddlers would be hard pushed to achieve. Besides, when peddlers were as pretty as Dilora, people were queuing up to buy her goods. Just as well!

 

“We are in no hurry, Master Deriz, I hope that is alright with you. I,†She gestured with a flourish, dark eyes sparkling in the sunlight like cat’s-eye. “I am Dilora Fashelle, peddler of renown and I believe you have already met my horse, Altie.†Dilora grinned at her fellow travellers. This was her wagon, so if she chose to have the Gleeman accompany them for a time then it would happen, but she wanted everyone to be happy with the decision. “Welcome to my wagon. I’ll let my friends here introduce themselves.†Twinkling eyes took in the man’s appearance. Maybe she could learn some songs on the way and perhaps even perform something… the idea was appealing.

The awkward spell passed quickly as Dilora formally introduced herself. Her now soft vocal tone came across as quite charming, which resulted in an even wider smile :D and an uncontrollable step forward toward the wagon. As Dilora took her eyes away from his to get a look at the rest of him, Malic saw this as an opportunity to look Dilora up and down also, which he believes she caught him doing. Non the less Malic liked what he saw. He ponders, Dilora being a peddler and all, perhaps they could do a little trading along the way, both informative and materialistic trading.

 

â€Oh no Miss Fashelle, I certainly am never in a hurry, I too prefer to take life in my strideâ€My my… what a delightful looking …â€it will be my pleasure to ride with you and your colleagues. Now, if you excuse me, I’ll go and make myself known to the rest of your teamâ€

With that, Malic made another flourish and made his around the side of the wagon.

Anton grinned "some nobles have their own thief catchers in the south as well. Depending on where you are, either the noble doesn't want to spend money retaining the services of a thief catcher, or there are enough criminals that those on retainer need assistance. Its of great help to me because I spend most of my time travelling, thief catching is more a way for me to earn coin as I go along. I even made it up to Shienar maybe four or so months ago, but I had to come back down south on personal business. Perhaps one day I'll be able to explore all the Borderland cities, and see the Blight. That and World's End, I'v-"

 

As the cart came to a sudden halt, and the noise of a commotion outside, Anton had his belt knife out and was peering out the cart to see what was going on. Managing to keep a straight face until he drew his head back, he sheathed his knife before giving way to a fit of muffled laughter. "Oh dear Creator, this is too much."

 

Listening to the conversation as it proceeded outside, it seemed they were going to be taking on another traveller. A good thing in his opinion, Gleeman tended to make the travelling go faster. As the man made it round to the back, Anton grinned and waved to him.

 

"Quite the performance Master Deriz, and we only just met! Anton Averdal, thief catcher and itinerant wanderer. As to the lady with me." Turning to her, Anton let her introduce herself.

 

 

Anton Averdal

Traveller

Nodding to Anton's words, the man suddenly cut off mid-sentence when the cart stopped suddenly, throwing her off her seat. Grabbing her quarterstaff, she leaped after Anton and hung out of the wagon beside the man too see what had happened.

 

Soon enough a low chuckle escaped her lips. It felt like she had never laughed before, it had been so long. There had been no reson for it since leaving the crater that had swallowed Chachin and her family.

 

A gleeman! Well, perhaps laughing would become a well needed habit on this trip. She wondered if he had heard of the disaster in Chachin. Somehow she doubted it, for all she knew she was the only surviver to spread rumours of the city's demise.

 

"Hello, Master Deriz." she said stretching out her hand in welcome and gripping his wrist. "I'm Aliana Karalev, a traveller like all here."

Having got to the back of the wagon, Malic was met by the man that went by the name of Anton, who was already awaiting his arrival. As Malic ducked into the wagon, the first thing he noticed was the equal number of male and female travellers. He saw this as a good advantage for societal reasons in a group.

 

The man in front took Malic’s hand with a good handshake, “you can learn a lot just from a man’s handshake†was only one of the wise teachings of his friend Cyric, back in Cairhien, which he found this to be quite true.

“Quite the performance Master Deriz, and we only just met! Anton Averdal, thief catcher and itinerant wanderer.â€

“Anton, well met, it seems you heard my earlier introduction, that will simplify a few things then. I seemed to have evened the team out in numbers somewhat. I myself am a gleeman, young and relatively inexperienced, still I trust I will make good company and help raise spirits for you in these dark days.†Anton came across as one of the decent sort, but mentioned himself as being a thief catcher. Malic was no criminal, but to his experience it was far better to be very much on the good side of such in that line of business. He knew a thief catcher once that would do anything to get his filthy mitts on royal gold, including purposely arresting the wrong suspect, just to close a fast deal. Yes, Malic will be watching what he says for a time, until he feels can really trust Anton.

 

Anton motioned towards the second lady of the team; Malic extended his hand with the impulse of kissing her hand. That idea was unexpectedly interrupted with a firm grip of the wrist, which did catch him by surprise. Hmm, how rather, um… masculine!

â€Hello, Master Deriz. I'm Aliana Karalev, a traveller like all hereâ€

I think I better watch myself with this one too.

After a bow, Malic attempted to straighten himself a little too much, bumping his head on the roof of the wagon, :x causing him to frown…which wasn’t all too often seen.

"Ahum, I suppose that’s what you get for being such a bean pole. A pleasure it is to make your acquaintance miss Aliana, also well met. Please excuse my curiosity; I didn’t quite catch your line of business?"

Another grin split the woman's face. "Also a thiefcatcher good gleeman." Light, but it felt good to forget her trouble in these, the hardest days of her life. Perhaps thing would be better from now on, after all they couldn't get much worse.

 

"Any company is good company." she said smiling, the faint wrinkles on her face which were only beginning to form in this her thirty-fifth year of life. "And you are already raising my spirits Malic."

†I am pleased I can help Aliana. I cannot see we will have any trouble with brigands along the way, but one never knows. I am not as frail as I might look, I do have a few tricks up my sleeve if we do encounter trouble of that sort, along with my powers of persuasion! Once again it is good to meet you both, but if you excuse me, I’d better tend to my horse before he gets too friendly with Altie.â€

 

With that Malic stalked out and around the wagon. He was having second thoughts about joining the group now, he was beginning to get nervous knowing he will be travelling with one thief catcher, but now there were two? He didn’t like this at all. This confrontation in his mind was already beginning to get to him. They both seemed genuine and good people. I suppose there’s no problem with just being a little cautious, he thought as he took hold of the objecting Munch’s reins.

 

Pulling the stallion to one side, he mounted with great agility. After that sprint from Munch, he needed to Re-adjust the placment of his harp that was clipped not very neatly around the pommal. He then spun around to talk with Dilora. Forgetting for now about the earlier anxiety, his smile grew once again.

â€I will not hold you up any longer Dilora, I am ready to make head way when you areâ€

“I will not hold you up any longer Dilora, I am ready to make headway when you are.†Dilora smiled broadly. This was going to prove interesting, particularly if the gleeman’s horse was going to keep trying his attentions on her mare. In addition, the gleeman, Malic, was handsome and charming with a glib tongue, so the journey would pass well for all the companions, with maybe some stories and songs to pass the time. The villages were well spaced between Baerlon and Caemlyn, so they would not venture into the civilisation of village life very often and would rely on whoever ‘volunteered’ to cook and whatever supplies they all had. Who knew? Maybe one of the party would turn out to be an excellent cook and they would eat well, potentially better than in some inns!

 

Dilora clucked Altie’s reins to get her moving, the mare looking around mildly surprised before starting forward with the wagon creaking slightly as it moved off. The beginnings of a faintly remembered song tugged at Dilora’s memory and she started singing, as she usually did when she began on a journey feeling full of promise and excitement. Ignoring the startled looks from some of her fellow travellers, Dilora sang, her heart light and in her clear, bright voice.

 

“We roll; we ride, all in our stride,

The miles behind forgotten.

What lies beyond the mountainside?

The path I've not yet trodden.â€

 

She was dimly aware of a lilting melodic accompaniment – Malic – had taken out his harp and was plucking it lightly from his saddle. The chording was strange and she didn’t recognise the tune that went with it, but it fit how she sang it perfectly.

 

“ Our pace is quick; our steps are light,

The Wheels turn, as they will.

We’ll travel well by day or night,

Heedless to joy or ill.â€

 

A rich voice had taken up where Dilora had paused, continuing with the verses she had forgotten, and was usually rendered to humming quietly.

 

“Oh, the best can be said, as we go in our stead,

Singing as we go all the day

Not knowing what’s ahead, as Altie be led

Let no one stand in our way.

 

“The birds fly high in the bright summer sky.

Swooping down here and there.

Strum along on my harp to the song of the lark.

Bliss be our thoughts, not a care.â€

 

Dilora looked at Malic with a large grin on her face, grateful for his finishing the song for her. Next time she’d know the lyrics for definite and would be able to sing it all the way through without looking a fool. She only liked looking a fool if it was her intent, or she could see some sort of gain to it for business.

Clapping from the wagon as the song was finished, Anton gave himself over to small talk as they travelled. Since Dilora was more focused on Malic as she was up the front, and Malic was out of his sight, most of that small talk was directed at Alianna. She was friendly enough, though it quickly became clear that there were things she didn't wish to talk when she didn't take opportunities to tell more of herself.

 

By comparison, Anton was rather open, though he didn't quite explain why he had come to the region. As he didn't press her, she didn't press him for information in turn. The talk soon went over to staves, and being his favoured weapon, and apparently hers, they spoke about it for sometime.

 

"Lunch break."

 

The wagon at a stop, they helped unload what food was needed and soon enough they were enjoying a decent lunch. Taking the last of his with him, he excused himself and went for a bit of a wander. It took a good five minutes before he found what he was looking for, though he was happy it took only five. His belt knife proved to be of assistance and before long, he had a serviceable stave to call his own.

 

Returning to the wagon, he grinned as he leant on his stave lazily as he looked over at Alianna challening. "So, you know how to use that twig there? Care to go a pass or two?"

 

 

Anton Averdal

Traveller

Since the Gleeman rode up with Dilora, it was Anton who kept her company as they sat on the wagon bed. While they talked of many things, she avoided the topic of her past and why she was now travelling. Anton, too, seemed in no hurry to talk about his own past either. The so much better for her.

 

When they stopped for lunch, she sat and watched as Anton carved himself a stave, and couldn't help grinning when he offered to spar with her. "It would be an honour, my fellow thief catcher." she said, still smiling.

 

Squaring off, she held her quarterstaff over her head and began to spin it. Being a woman she had to be quick in her attacks as she would never be as strong as any of the men she faced, and she stepped towards him, wieght equally distributed on her foot and brought the stave down at his head.

 

She was blocked easily and forced on the defensive. Quick on her feet, the steady thwunk of the two staves kept a rhythm for her dancing feet as she and Anton circled.

 

Finally spotting on opening, she swung again, this time aiming to take his legs out from under him.

It was with an easy smile that Anton received the first blow from Alianna as they danced. Deciding to stand his ground for the most part, he tested his opponent, giving little ground nor taking much either. The result was that Alianna had the initiative, but Anton managed to hold it together. He was even beginning to get a little confident, and unfortunately, a side effect of that confidence was sloppiness. Overextending himself, he found himself on his back all of a sudden and Alianna's stave hovering above his chest.

 

"Ow. Another round?"

 

Getting a grin for an answer and helped to his feet, Anton, adopted a low guard even as Alianna went high again. The high guard was better for attacking, but the low guard threatened more. Catching the first blows, high and low, Anton was alot more mobile than he had been before. Circling constantly to either side as he attacked and defended, he deliberately made sure that Alianna could never get too comfortable, and that she always had to move to match him.

 

The effect was immediate, there was definitely a shift in the balance of the spar. It was clear that she wasn't used to an opponent that was so mobile, and with the range of threat that a stave had, it was enough to well and truly keep her on her toes. He was definitely thankful she wasn't aiming for his knuckles though, as he kept clear of hers as well. The last thing they needed were broken fingers, and he'd had them often enough, none of his fingers were straight.

 

He'd passed over a few opportunities presented, mainly because those opportunities if taken would have been quite painful for Alianna. Instead he waited for an opportunity to present itself that was safer to take.

 

Sweeping from low to high, Anton pulled his stave back as he swung even as Alianna held her stave horizontal and low to catch the blow. Thrusting the tip of his stave between her arm and torso. Using his leading hand to pull, his back hand pushed even as he stepped forward and to the side. The result of the lever action being that Alianna's stave was forced from her hands from the shock and her arm trapped on the stave.

 

Pulling the stave free before he really hurt her, Anton bent down and picked up her stave. Holding it out to her with a friendly grin on his face, he doubted they were done yet. "Decider?"

 

 

Anton Averdal

Traveller

Malic, breaking in with his little addition to the song that was so beautifully sung by Dilora, hoped it might impress her. The look that she gave him looked more on the lines of irritation, but as he went on, flipped upside into a more delighted and admiring look. This was more as he hoped. On his harp, Malic strummed a tune unknown by most people, one of his own compositions. All of major notes, a light tune that seemed to go well both with the cheery mood of the song and the life the flourished around wagon, the notes filled the air getting a few inquisitive looks from the birds in the trees.

 

When the song finished, claps could be heard from two in the back. Resting his harp, Malic joined in the clapping and exchanged a bow with Dilora; still grinning he winked when he was sure she had locked back onto his eyes.

â€A most delightful start to our journey Dilora, I hope you didn’t mind awfully when I butted in, you could say it was my natural reaction as a gleeman. I sense you enjoyed singing as much as I, we could make it quite a routine?â€

 

Travelling perhaps another hour down the straight road, the two at the head both exchanged a number of tales and other tunes they had heard along the open road, Dilora told Malic a few that he hadn’t heard and vice-versa. I’m impressed, she has an extensive collection indeed, my trip up to Saldaea does not seem quite so important anymore. I’ll have to think more on this. Mutters and the occasional cry of laughter were heard back from the wagon, showing that the two thief catchers were making light of the journey with their own forms of entertainment… whatever that may be! After the hour passed, a break to eat was decided. The words “eat†and “food†prompted a swift spin on the spot and a wide-eyed look of excitement by Munch.

 

As he dismounted, Malic un-strapped his food pack and allowed Munch to converse with his new female friend, being Altie of course! Watching Anton disappearing into the trees, and Alianna busying with something elsewhere, Malic looked thoughtful as he picked out a chunk of cheese. He found an opportunity to question, but quietly,

“So Dilora, what do you make of the two thief catchers? I have a few issues of trust when it comes to folk of that career path. Have you known them long? I mean, they come across as ok but I need your opinion.â€

“I trust them, Malic. I trust them until they do something to disprove that trust in me. As a peddler you have to take people at face value and just watch for the signs when they act in stressful situations to try and stay one step ahead of the game.†She smiled, her dark eyes creasing at the corners with the emphasis of the gesture. “For example, you seem to trust me, but you’ve only just met me too… The smile widened and turned into something feral, no trace of the smile reached her eyes, and she watched the Gleeman shrink back a little, his smile turning nervous for a second before he realised she was playing. “I am teasing you, friend. I like you.â€

 

She turned her attention to the pair as she broke off a little bit of her own food, a heel of bread and some dried meat she was trying to use up so the fresh stuff she had bought would last longer, washing it down as she chewed with a little water. Studying them, she watched Anton first as she felt she knew him better after the night before. Alianna was something of a mystery as she had not had much time to talk to the enigmatic woman yet, a thief-catcher who seemed weary of the world and it showed in her eyes, shrouded as they were with hidden depths. Time, and the chance to talk might prove useful, as it was always handy to know someone who knew the right end of a weapon in a fight. Sighing, Dilora turned her attention back to the idly strumming Malic.

 

“I think the woman has seen a lot in her life, and not much of it good. Anton is all right; he’s a lot like me in some respects. She had kept her voice quiet so as not to disturb the pair of them and concentrated on chewing the strip of tough dried beef, flavourless even though she had dried it with herbs to give it some flavour. Age had taken the aroma, so she was definitely doing the right thing by eating it now. Her teeth were going to be sore tonight from eating it, but it had to be done. Arching a questioning brow at Malic, Dilora asked him what his first impressions of the pair were. Sometimes a fresh perspective helped to make things clearer in the mind and if she was missing something for whatever reason, a keen pair of eyes and an instinct might pick it up.

Malic leaned up against the head of the wagon, fingering his harp with his left hand whilst lifting a crusty piece of bread to his mouth with his right. The fact that Dilora hadn’t known the pair for very long was now obvious from the way she observed them in their friendly duel. Malic thought to admit, as he observed them himself; they are both pretty handy with those lengths of wood they possess. These thoughts made him grip the bread with his teeth and check his dagger pouch that he concealed behind his back…they were all present, it has been quite some days since I practiced myself. Malic took hold of his bread again and began looking round for a good tree.

 

His thoughts of practice faded away as Dilora turned back and asked him about his first impressions of the duelling pair. Malic lent his harp up and put finished off the last bits of his bread as he looked up and wore his thoughtful face for a few seconds before answering.

 

â€When me and you met just hours ago, it felt like it was already woven into the wheel of fate that it was meant for us to meet, for reasons I’m yet to figure out. I'm sure you know of what I speak Dilora. I felt a connection with you, one that I didn’t feel with Anton and Alianna I’m sorry to say…â€

Malic paused, he knew he had to be careful the way he worded his next statement,

â€I don’t think it’s so much them as people, but it’s what they stand for that I just don’t trust. My first impressions of them were…well, mixed up. I had a problem in the past with a thief catcher, one that was very unpleasant indeed. Therefore forcing me to be a little cautious around others in future, that is all.â€

That is all? You just gave away weakness…are you getting soft?

Said the little voice on his shoulder, as he palmed his forehead. :?

Allowing him to help her up- when was the last time someone had held her hand out of kindness and friendship? not since she had left Kandor for sure- she began again. Though she had won the first, it was apparant that he could easily dominate the match. He was better than she.

 

This time, rather than taking a high guard, she mimicked his lower guard, playing the defensive rather than the offensive.

 

She spun the staff, her sure hands sending the stave twirling in what could have been a deadly weapon but was now turned into a friendly competition. At the first opportunity, she struck out at him, aiming first for his knees to knock them out from under him and then spinning her entire body to try and crack him on the back of the head. Neither move was successful and she was forced on the defensive.

 

The clattering of the staves filled the clearing with noise, drowing out the whispers of their other two companions. Lost as she was in the spar though, Alianna did not notice.

 

Blocking a swing aimed at her torso, she took the opportunity to lash out with her own staff in an attempt to crack his shoulder. Again not successful and the other end of her stave swung around, blocking Anton's attack.

 

Sweat dripper from her forehead and stung her eyes. Wisps of hair which escaped her braid hung in her eyes and without the use of her hands, she had to attempt to shake them out of her eyes. Her muscles protested in an almost pleasant way- it felt good to be doing something fun again rather than brooding on the past.

Alianna was now more alert now that she'd lost a round as well, and quick, yet Anton was able to keep up with her and take her attacks. Sliding his stave from side to side, he caught her attacks even as he whirled about her, trying to find an exposed hole in her defence or weakness even as she moved constantly to deny him any opportunity. Footwork was just as important as stavework, and both had plenty as they clashed.

 

Sliding underneath a swing of hers, he responded with a low swing of his own at her legs yet she stepped just out of reach, forcing him to hop back as she unleashed an uppercut with her stave. Diving in again, he spun to the side even as she went to parry the blow that didn't come. Sweeping low with his stave, drawing the power from his spin, he proved to have little luck as Alianna had grounded the butt of her stave just infront of her legs in time.

 

Barely catching her own countersweep to the otherside, Anton walked back into her back, shoving her forward and away from him. Turning about, he knocked her high blow to one side and ducked as she used the force of his parry to slash with the other end of the stave. Sliding his stave between her legs even as the stave passed over his head, he stepped to one side and pulled.

 

Levelling his stave over her chest before she could get her guard up, Anton held it for but a moment to indicate victory before helping her up again with an easy smile on his face. "You fight well, but you seem afraid to get in close. Its dangerous if the other person is stronger than you, I know, but at the same time it can be off putting. People prefer to strike from a distance, but if you get in close, invade their space, you can force mistakes from them, limit their movements. Give it a go."

 

Twirling his stave about, Anton settled in a simple cross guard, the stave balanced diagonally infront of him to receive any attacks. He'd use his strength to try and put her off balance as she got close, but it was something to get used to rather than something to fear as she'd find. Stronger didn't always mean better, especially with a stave.

 

"Remember, keep in close to me, even if I try to move away."

 

 

Anton Averdal

Traveller

 

OOC: Sooner or later force a mistake or just be quicker than him. He isn't going to really attack too much, more an opportunity for her to practice getting in close and staying close.