Silindra remained silent as the knights promptly asked and received the promise of half of the merchant's gold. A pity for the merchant, but a boon for her as the merchant's current situation could be used to her advantage.
She move back to the counter and placed her basket on it once again. "Well now, looks like you can't afford to be choosy now. Losing half your gold can't be good for your business. Now you have a choice, you can give me that 75 gold I wanted for my herbs or you can say no. However if you say no, I'll just take my stock with me and find another. In the current situation, they really can't afford to be choosy since they need to invest as much time into their stores as possible. It will be a race to see who will recover from this loss the fastest and who will be the causalities. I am pretty sure in such an environment, some will be willing to put their prejudice aside if it means a chance to one up a competitor wouldn't you say? Yet here I am at your door, offering you first chance at fine quality herbs at a good price."
It was now his decision to make. He could buy her herbs which he could use to earn double what he spent on them which would be a very welcome profit when he needed it most, or he could refuse and she could go to his competitors who would likely be willing to trade with her in light of the current situation. She had to say that she liked her position quite well.
She move back to the counter and placed her basket on it once again. "Well now, looks like you can't afford to be choosy now. Losing half your gold can't be good for your business. Now you have a choice, you can give me that 75 gold I wanted for my herbs or you can say no. However if you say no, I'll just take my stock with me and find another. In the current situation, they really can't afford to be choosy since they need to invest as much time into their stores as possible. It will be a race to see who will recover from this loss the fastest and who will be the causalities. I am pretty sure in such an environment, some will be willing to put their prejudice aside if it means a chance to one up a competitor wouldn't you say? Yet here I am at your door, offering you first chance at fine quality herbs at a good price."
It was now his decision to make. He could buy her herbs which he could use to earn double what he spent on them which would be a very welcome profit when he needed it most, or he could refuse and she could go to his competitors who would likely be willing to trade with her in light of the current situation. She had to say that she liked her position quite well.
Vannah flicked an ear to the side and she glanced back over her shoulder at the red head. She didn't answer at first, appraising her silently, but eventually she smirked a bit and nodded. "Probably" she agreed with a shrug of her broad shoulders. "But I'm starting to get a little stir crazy just hanging around in here with nothing to do, waiting for some action." She nodded her head to the other woman and turned to scan the job board for something interesting. Indeed, there was something posted here in Dorter. Well that wasn't so bad then. Trap of the Bandits eh? Bandits usually put up a good fight. Memorising the location of the area, she returned to her bunk bed, plucking up her uniform and her had an a half sword, scabbarded already and began belting it on to her back. "Lucky me. Something close by."
The balding merchant's color returned, in the color of red, while his bristling sideburned face turned towards the horned girl. His right fist slammed into the counter-top, his voice raised and the veins around his neck pulsing, "I won't tolerate this!" The merchant digs underneath his counter-top and throws a bag of gold at the girl's face, pointing at the door with the same hand, "Now get! Get out of my shop and don't you ever return!" The balding merchant snags the basket of herbs off of the table and storms into the rest of the warehouse.
Silindra took the gold and calmly left the shop. She would have preferred to have kept her basket, but it could be easily replaced. Of course now she would have to find someone else to trade with, but that could likely be arranged considering what was going on. Maybe she would even find someone with less of a temper even. With any luck she might even build up enough of a trading relationship for it to continue once the situation with corpse brigade was over.
Of course she didn't intend to be a mere herb seller for too long. Once she earned enough to buy that book and the tools she needed, she would start selling potions at a little stand. Of course it might be wise to get a mask to hide her horn with once she was able to start selling potions.
Silindra then decided to treat herself and head to the shop where that book she desired was at. Just a little reminder of what she was selling herbs for.
Of course she didn't intend to be a mere herb seller for too long. Once she earned enough to buy that book and the tools she needed, she would start selling potions at a little stand. Of course it might be wise to get a mask to hide her horn with once she was able to start selling potions.
Silindra then decided to treat herself and head to the shop where that book she desired was at. Just a little reminder of what she was selling herbs for.
Tannis’s hands stopped their sharpening of her blade, her hazel gaze leaving the shine of her blade to the paper-holding gnoll. Tannis’s curved lips curl into a soft smile, “Tis’ not as bad as some may think. Tis’ better than having a sword at your neck.” Her hands held up the blade, lifting her left hand up to watch the light reflect. Pushing herself off of the bed with her right hand, Tannis stands up and sheathes her sword with her left hand, the scabbard at her side. “Mind if I come with? The streets of Dorter are best not walked alone.”
Just outside the barracks, in the front of the soldier’s office, a secretary was staring at a spot that a young lad was just at, but he suddenly vanished! Her mouth was agape, her mind trying to make sense of it all.
Just outside the barracks, in the front of the soldier’s office, a secretary was staring at a spot that a young lad was just at, but he suddenly vanished! Her mouth was agape, her mind trying to make sense of it all.
The bristled, balding merchant shook his fist at the departing impess, cursing her appearance and tying it to his recent bad luck. The streets of Dorter had a few members of the Hokuten knights about, entering shops and leaving with papers. A group of two knights, in white and blue, with the blue lion upon their mantle, just entered the book store that the apprentice neared. In the window, the fabled book of herbs was on display, and the merchant of the shop was talking to the two knights, moving his hands about, gesturing to his wares.
Outside the shop, near an alleyway, two men were talking among themselves, though, their voices neared a higher tone, obviously having an argument. A personal argument.
Outside the shop, near an alleyway, two men were talking among themselves, though, their voices neared a higher tone, obviously having an argument. A personal argument.
Tannis wrote:
Mr. Lambert gives the young lad a single nod, then turns to walk back into the kitchen/sleeping area, the smell of lunch soon fading as Max left the shop. The first person to give him directions was an elderly man, his face wrinkled, and his hands holding onto a lute. He pointed towards a barred-window building, which featured a sign that read in faded letters "Soldier's Office".
Just before Max entered the Soldier's Office, in the right corner of his vision, a knightly figure with short blonde hair, parted in the middle, his sleeves green, his metal gauntlets a rusted red, the same as his pants, and his armor white. A beige mantle sweeped along the dirtied streets, and his right hand was clasped around another man's throat. This man was wearing mostly green, his hands clasped around the knight's arm. The knight's mouth would move, his facial expression angry, but no sound would come out. He tossed the other man onto the ground, and drew his sword, pointing at the rump-set fellow, who was retreating away, his mouth moving, but uttering no sound.
The two males were soon gone, as if into thin air, and nobody around the scene seems to have noticed. When Max entered the soldier's office, the dirtied secretary looked up from her idle tapping pen, "Yes? What do you want?" Her facial features turned curious.
Just before Max entered the Soldier's Office, in the right corner of his vision, a knightly figure with short blonde hair, parted in the middle, his sleeves green, his metal gauntlets a rusted red, the same as his pants, and his armor white. A beige mantle sweeped along the dirtied streets, and his right hand was clasped around another man's throat. This man was wearing mostly green, his hands clasped around the knight's arm. The knight's mouth would move, his facial expression angry, but no sound would come out. He tossed the other man onto the ground, and drew his sword, pointing at the rump-set fellow, who was retreating away, his mouth moving, but uttering no sound.
The two males were soon gone, as if into thin air, and nobody around the scene seems to have noticed. When Max entered the soldier's office, the dirtied secretary looked up from her idle tapping pen, "Yes? What do you want?" Her facial features turned curious.
Max simply stared in awe at the two men before hurriedly entering the store. Once he walked in, he paused, slowed his breath, and rubbed his eyes before examining his surroundings. His eyes finally came to rest on the woman.
"Yes, erm... I'd like to hire two men to protect my store for the night?"
(Sorry for the late reply.)
Tannis wrote:
Tannis’s hands stopped their sharpening of her blade, her hazel gaze leaving the shine of her blade to the paper-holding gnoll. Tannis’s curved lips curl into a soft smile, “Tis’ not as bad as some may think. Tis’ better than having a sword at your neck.” Her hands held up the blade, lifting her left hand up to watch the light reflect. Pushing herself off of the bed with her right hand, Tannis stands up and sheathes her sword with her left hand, the scabbard at her side. “Mind if I come with? The streets of Dorter are best not walked alone.”
Just outside the barracks, in the front of the soldier’s office, a secretary was staring at a spot that a young lad was just at, but he suddenly vanished! Her mouth was agape, her mind trying to make sense of it all.
Just outside the barracks, in the front of the soldier’s office, a secretary was staring at a spot that a young lad was just at, but he suddenly vanished! Her mouth was agape, her mind trying to make sense of it all.
Vannah flicked her eyes across the paper, looking or anymore details about the job. Nothing in particular sprang out at her. It looked like it would probably be easy money. Probably. How did that saying go? The one about never trusting a silver platter? Well money was money. If there was a catch she'd deal with that when she came to it.
Glancing at the red head, she arched an eyebrow a little at her. Her eye flicked to her sword, all clean and shiny and well sharpened, and grinned a little. "Heh. Sure. I could use the company." And someone to watch her back would be nice. Even if they wound up splitting the pay. Crossing the room back over to the bunk bed she stopped in front of the other woman and stuck out her hand. "I'm Vannah" she greeted her with a slight smile, curious about her reaction.
The secretary rubbed her eyes as well, as the young lad blinked back into existence. Clearing her throat, she reached for the pen and paper, nodding to herself. "Men are 1500 gold pieces each. Please place your gold here." The secretary taps the desk that she was sitting behind. Near where she pointed was a small note, with two words and some numbers across from the words. 1500, men. 1400 women.
However, Mr. Lambert didn't give 3000 gold pieces, only 2800 gold pieces...
However, Mr. Lambert didn't give 3000 gold pieces, only 2800 gold pieces...
The extra words were below the headline, and they read:
Tannis's arms were lifted high above, and behind her, stretching out. Closing her hazel eyes briefly, a soft humming sound escaped her lips, her words coming out in a small yawn, "Oh, good. I would love to see how well my blade is holding up with all this constant sharpening." Tannis's hazel gaze opens and drifts to the offered hand, Tannis's right hand moving to grasp the other's, "They call me Tannis, you may as well." Tannis's curved lips curl into a soft smile.
Assist the local militia in trapping bandits, on the outskirts of Dorter, near the slums. Any number of participants will be allowed. The pay is 600 gold pieces each.
Tannis's arms were lifted high above, and behind her, stretching out. Closing her hazel eyes briefly, a soft humming sound escaped her lips, her words coming out in a small yawn, "Oh, good. I would love to see how well my blade is holding up with all this constant sharpening." Tannis's hazel gaze opens and drifts to the offered hand, Tannis's right hand moving to grasp the other's, "They call me Tannis, you may as well." Tannis's curved lips curl into a soft smile.
"Tannis then." Vannah squeezed her hand lightly, just hard enough to get a good grip and shook her hand. "Watch my back and I'll watch yours" the gnoll woman said smirking. Pausing by the bunk bed to pluck up her protective leather coat, she drew it on and buttoned it up the front while she explained the job to her new partner. "Some bandits have been getting uppity in the slums district" she explained, offering the other woman the slip of paper with the details, letting her peruse. "Someone wants them trapped. I'm guessing that the client wants information that they have. Or there's a bounty for live capture and we're getting short ended, but whatever." She shrugged her shoulders and gestured to the door. "Ladies first?" he asked with a smirk.
Max paused for a moment.
"Mr. Lambert just sent me over here to hire the least expensive guards you had..." He did some quick math. Two girls were better than a guy, right? Or at least the same. They wouldn't be for hire if they weren't reliable...
"I'd like to hire two women to help protect my shop, please." Max said with a smile as he handed the pouch over.
"Mr. Lambert just sent me over here to hire the least expensive guards you had..." He did some quick math. Two girls were better than a guy, right? Or at least the same. They wouldn't be for hire if they weren't reliable...
"I'd like to hire two women to help protect my shop, please." Max said with a smile as he handed the pouch over.
The two knights finish talking to the shop owner of the bookstore, he being a thin man, and now, a displeased man, by the frown upon his face. He watched the Hokuten knights exit his shop, the bell above the door ringing once as the knights entered the streets of Dorter once more.
Before this, the argument between the two males could easily be overheard by anyone near.
One male had smooth, black hair, down to his shoulders, while the other male had short, red hair. Mr. Black was facing the horned girl's direction, however, he did not seem to see her, while Mr. Red's broad back was to the horned girl. Both of the males were dressed as merchants of the lower caste.
Mr. Black's hand moved upwards to scratch at his nose, "Did you see those Hokuten? How clean their armor is?"
Mr. Red shrugs, "What about it?"
Mr. Black grimaces, "It's only clean because they don't spill our blood, but their emptying our life just the same."
Mr. Red lifts an eyebrow, "Really? What do you mean by that?"
Mr. Black points off towards a distance group of knights, and Mr. Red follows his finger, "Their just waltzing on in here, claiming what we earn for themselves. It's emptying our coffers, just to fuel their army!"
Mr. Red frowns and looks to Mr. Black, "Would you rather have the Corpse Brigade doing the same? Though I hear their into kidnappings. Could you keep your son safe, if the Brigade's troops patrolled these streets?"
Mr. Black closes his mouth, then looks down, tightening his hand into a fist, "We were once a free city...what happend.."
Mr. Red crosses his arms across his broad chest, "Poachers and other illegal folk came in, messed everything u--"
Mr. Black spreads his arms out wide, his gaze back upon Mr. Red, "We still made money, then! People didn't have to eat stale bread everyday!"
Mr. Red becomes silent.
Mr. Black continues, "They way I see it, we should take our chances and save our coffers from this slow
death, because it is a death, and I won't stand by why my family dies!"
Then the Hokuten knights exited the bookstore, and Mr. Black tried to yell at him, but Mr. Red's hands held him back, as well as muffling his words, "Wait! They'll kill you, then where would your family be, huh?"
The Hokuten knights look at the horned girl, who was likely admiring the book on display, then towards the commotion to their side, "Is everything alright?"
Mr. Red looks behind him and gives a nod, his arms struggling to keep Mr. Black still, "Yes, sir, everything is fine."
The Hokuten knight gives a nod and they march off towards more stores.
Mr. Black breaks free, after they departed, wiping spit off of his mouth with the back of his sleeve, "If you're not going to help Dorter, then I will. I'll drive those Hokuten bastards out of here, one way or another.." He storms off, towards the slums, and Mr. Red is left there, his arms crossed.
Before this, the argument between the two males could easily be overheard by anyone near.
One male had smooth, black hair, down to his shoulders, while the other male had short, red hair. Mr. Black was facing the horned girl's direction, however, he did not seem to see her, while Mr. Red's broad back was to the horned girl. Both of the males were dressed as merchants of the lower caste.
Mr. Black's hand moved upwards to scratch at his nose, "Did you see those Hokuten? How clean their armor is?"
Mr. Red shrugs, "What about it?"
Mr. Black grimaces, "It's only clean because they don't spill our blood, but their emptying our life just the same."
Mr. Red lifts an eyebrow, "Really? What do you mean by that?"
Mr. Black points off towards a distance group of knights, and Mr. Red follows his finger, "Their just waltzing on in here, claiming what we earn for themselves. It's emptying our coffers, just to fuel their army!"
Mr. Red frowns and looks to Mr. Black, "Would you rather have the Corpse Brigade doing the same? Though I hear their into kidnappings. Could you keep your son safe, if the Brigade's troops patrolled these streets?"
Mr. Black closes his mouth, then looks down, tightening his hand into a fist, "We were once a free city...what happend.."
Mr. Red crosses his arms across his broad chest, "Poachers and other illegal folk came in, messed everything u--"
Mr. Black spreads his arms out wide, his gaze back upon Mr. Red, "We still made money, then! People didn't have to eat stale bread everyday!"
Mr. Red becomes silent.
Mr. Black continues, "They way I see it, we should take our chances and save our coffers from this slow
death, because it is a death, and I won't stand by why my family dies!"
Then the Hokuten knights exited the bookstore, and Mr. Black tried to yell at him, but Mr. Red's hands held him back, as well as muffling his words, "Wait! They'll kill you, then where would your family be, huh?"
The Hokuten knights look at the horned girl, who was likely admiring the book on display, then towards the commotion to their side, "Is everything alright?"
Mr. Red looks behind him and gives a nod, his arms struggling to keep Mr. Black still, "Yes, sir, everything is fine."
The Hokuten knight gives a nod and they march off towards more stores.
Mr. Black breaks free, after they departed, wiping spit off of his mouth with the back of his sleeve, "If you're not going to help Dorter, then I will. I'll drive those Hokuten bastards out of here, one way or another.." He storms off, towards the slums, and Mr. Red is left there, his arms crossed.
Tannis's head nods softly, though her grip was steady. Her curved lips curled into a soft smile, "Sounds fair." Tannis's hands reach upwards to guide her fiery locks backwards, "They have, have they?" Tannis's right hand plucked the paper up and her hazel gaze scans over the job listing, "Likely deserters of some army." Tannis's hand offers the piece of paper back towards the gnoll, "We should be prepared, in any case." Tannis's curved curl into a tight-lipped smile, a sound of amusement escaping her thoat, her form soon leaving the barracks, to stand inside the front room, her hazel gaze drifting to the secretary and then to the young lad.
The secretary's hand starts to tap her pen on the desk, her gaze drifting away from the lad until he speaks up, "Yeah? Well what'll it be, you gonna pay up or what?" The secretary writes into the ledger, crossing out a section. "That'll be 2800 gold pieces. Thanks." The secretary pushes his seat away from the desk and stands up, "I'll see who we still have."
The secretary stops as Tannis enters the room, the gnoll lady behind her. The secretary claps her hands together, "Great, there's a job for you two. She walks back to her desk and sits down, her hand twiddling her pen, "Protect this kid's shop." She points towards Max with her pen, her free hand plucking out coins from the pouch offered. "700 gold pieces to you both. Have fun." The secretary slides two smaller pouches towards the two squires.
The secretary stops as Tannis enters the room, the gnoll lady behind her. The secretary claps her hands together, "Great, there's a job for you two. She walks back to her desk and sits down, her hand twiddling her pen, "Protect this kid's shop." She points towards Max with her pen, her free hand plucking out coins from the pouch offered. "700 gold pieces to you both. Have fun." The secretary slides two smaller pouches towards the two squires.
[Sorry, memorial days festivities and then visiting family yesterday.]
Silindra hadn't been able to look at the book for long before the Hokuten appeared again. Shewatched as they claimed a portion of the bookstore's money like they had to the merchant from earlier. She felt more pity for him then she had for the earlier merchant, but there was nothing she could do. At the moment she felt a tad uncomfortable about the slight attention the Hokuten had shown her, she knew it was almost certainly because of her horn and therefore hoped that they only considered her to be nothing more then a simple curiosity. Anything more then that would likely not be good for her.
She waited until the soldiers left before approaching the owner of the book store. She had an idea, one that would likely fail, but she might as well try it anyway.
"I am sorry for the loss of your hard won gains, I have already seen it happen to another merchant today. Now if I may propose a bit of business?" Silindra took out the pounch that contained the gold she had earned earlier and counted out seventy of them. "I wish to buy your copy of 'Chemistry, Brewing and Herbs'. Now I know that the price is 200 gold pieces so I wanted to know if you would be willing to take my 70 coins as partial payment and permit me to read it while in the store. I wouldn't dream of asking to take it out of the shop until it is fully paid for and I be perfectly willing to remain in a spot of your choosing so you can watch me. I understand if the answer is no, of course."
Silindra hadn't been able to look at the book for long before the Hokuten appeared again. Shewatched as they claimed a portion of the bookstore's money like they had to the merchant from earlier. She felt more pity for him then she had for the earlier merchant, but there was nothing she could do. At the moment she felt a tad uncomfortable about the slight attention the Hokuten had shown her, she knew it was almost certainly because of her horn and therefore hoped that they only considered her to be nothing more then a simple curiosity. Anything more then that would likely not be good for her.
She waited until the soldiers left before approaching the owner of the book store. She had an idea, one that would likely fail, but she might as well try it anyway.
"I am sorry for the loss of your hard won gains, I have already seen it happen to another merchant today. Now if I may propose a bit of business?" Silindra took out the pounch that contained the gold she had earned earlier and counted out seventy of them. "I wish to buy your copy of 'Chemistry, Brewing and Herbs'. Now I know that the price is 200 gold pieces so I wanted to know if you would be willing to take my 70 coins as partial payment and permit me to read it while in the store. I wouldn't dream of asking to take it out of the shop until it is fully paid for and I be perfectly willing to remain in a spot of your choosing so you can watch me. I understand if the answer is no, of course."
The door to the bookshop opened and the bell above dinged. Inside the shop, a cluttering of books stacked in shelves, most of them old and worn. Behind a small desk, a tall, gaunt man stood still, staring down at his ledger with the blankest of faces. When he looks up, his eyes show rings underneath them, his smile forced. His voice is quiet, and he looks outside the window when he speaks, "You're not the only of late. What do you have in mind?" He looks to the horned girl, his face turning into a sorrowful expression, "Such a sweet child.."
The merchant moves slowly around his desk and passes the horned girl, folding his hands behind his back as he watches those crossing the street, including a broad shouldered male with red hair, pass by his window in the direction away from the slums. He blinks, but not in surprise. A long pause before he speaks again, "You'll be my last customer." He looks over at the gold pouch and pushes it away, gently. "You can have it for free. I won't need it."
The merchant moves slowly around his desk and passes the horned girl, folding his hands behind his back as he watches those crossing the street, including a broad shouldered male with red hair, pass by his window in the direction away from the slums. He blinks, but not in surprise. A long pause before he speaks again, "You'll be my last customer." He looks over at the gold pouch and pushes it away, gently. "You can have it for free. I won't need it."
Deserters eh? That was certainly something to mull over. And kind of annoying. "Deserters. They usually fight tooth and nail" Vannah mused, partially to herself and partially to Tannis as she followed the other woman into the front office. And why not? Deserters usually got strung up after all. It never ended well for them...
Her rather morbid thoughts were interrupted as Tannis came to a stop right in front of her and she ploughed into the other woman's back. She grunted in annoyed surprise and flicked her eyes to those in the room, catching up on what was going on, and arching an eyebrow as she realised she'd just been drafted. She looked down to the job flier in her hands and smiled wryly. Well it didn't say anything about an expiration date... The gnoll woman rolled it up and stuck it into her belt, grinning to herself and throwing a casual salute. "Yahssa!" she declared and reached for one of the smaller pouches, hefting it in one hand to get the weight of it. It felt accurate.
Her rather morbid thoughts were interrupted as Tannis came to a stop right in front of her and she ploughed into the other woman's back. She grunted in annoyed surprise and flicked her eyes to those in the room, catching up on what was going on, and arching an eyebrow as she realised she'd just been drafted. She looked down to the job flier in her hands and smiled wryly. Well it didn't say anything about an expiration date... The gnoll woman rolled it up and stuck it into her belt, grinning to herself and throwing a casual salute. "Yahssa!" she declared and reached for one of the smaller pouches, hefting it in one hand to get the weight of it. It felt accurate.
Silindra felt a great deal of sincere sorrow for the bookkeeper, she could tell that the Hokuten had taken their toll on the poor man. What he said to her however contained something she had never expected....kindness. She had been shown very little kindness since the loss of her family as she had faced discrimination because of her horn. What the merchant had unexpectedly given her was a gift that was far greater then even the coveted book of chemistry.
A single tear made it's way down her left cheek and her expression was that of pure gratitude. She then moved a bit closer to the bookkeeper and gave him a warm hug. "Thank you." She whispered to him with unquestionable sincerity before moving away.
She then moved to the book, reverently picked it up and clasped it to her chest. Silindra then smiled for the first time since that devastating night. "I'll never forget your kindness for as long as I live." She then exited the store, feeling at peace for a rare moment.
[Kind of sappy, but that was really a big deal for her and I didn't want to downplay it.]
A single tear made it's way down her left cheek and her expression was that of pure gratitude. She then moved a bit closer to the bookkeeper and gave him a warm hug. "Thank you." She whispered to him with unquestionable sincerity before moving away.
She then moved to the book, reverently picked it up and clasped it to her chest. Silindra then smiled for the first time since that devastating night. "I'll never forget your kindness for as long as I live." She then exited the store, feeling at peace for a rare moment.
[Kind of sappy, but that was really a big deal for her and I didn't want to downplay it.]
Max smiled at the secretary as she checked to see who was available.
"Alright, cool." He prepared for a short wait when suddenly two women entered the shop. They obviously weren't human, but Max overlooked that by now. That was probably among the least weird things he'd been through.
"Okay guys, follow me."
"Alright, cool." He prepared for a short wait when suddenly two women entered the shop. They obviously weren't human, but Max overlooked that by now. That was probably among the least weird things he'd been through.
"Okay guys, follow me."
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