Red Sky

[BlackAngelYume]

Elysia stood at the wheel of her ship as it glided into the port. Another city, another group of annoying people, this may be an island she’d never visited before, but it seemed wherever you went you ran into annoying people.

The ship made port and her crew went about the rounds in securing the ship to the docks. She watched, her hands on her hips. Once the ship was secure, she headed down the steps, then down the plank and onto the dock.

She went up to the registry to register her ship and couldn’t help chuckling to herself when she saw them asking her ship class. Merchant seemed like the best thing to write. Once she was done with that, she returned to the ship, watching the dwarves go about the business for a moment before letting out a sharp whistle.

“Aight boys listen up, ‘ere! You all have leave for the next three days! We’ll stay in port until noon on the third day, then we leave! Anyone not aboard by that time gets left behind!”

The dwarves let out a cheer and she spun on her heel and headed back down the plank. She walked up the dock, fully armed as she usually was, a cutlass and hand crossbow hanging off each hip.

She needed to find a tavern, and preferably one that sailors tended to go to. This was supposedly the isle her father’s fleet sank off the coast of and she needed information, even if it was just sailor’s tales. Sailors weren’t known for getting their facts 100%, but if you heard enough rumors it was easy enough to piece together the closest thing to truth you could hope to get.

As she neared the end of the docks, she spied a tavern, “The Mariner.” Heh, no points for originality, but it was what she was looking for. She walked up to the entrance and stepped in, stopping in the doorway, a hand on her hip, as she looked around the place.

[royaleagleofthor]

Finally, after weeks out at sea dry land was in sight, Azzron didn’t particularly mind living on the ship as a matter of fact it had become the closest thing to a permanent home the Drow had ever known. Still for one acclimated to a nomadic lifestyle sometimes these long voyages took their toll on him.

Azzron leaned on the side of the ship watching the waters ripple as Elysia steered the ship into port.

“What troubles you Master Azzron,” inquired the voice of Tempest from his right shoulder.

“Yeah, you think you’d be happy to get off of the ship for a while and do what you do best,” added Ignis from the left.

“I am,” replied Azzron flatly, “however I am not looking forward to dealing with the people here. If you recall my kind is not exactly welcomed with open arms.”

More over this signified the start of yet another dangerous mission that would more than likely end in the ranger having to save the day and probably the lives of his comrades.

“At any rate I thought I told you two to give me some peace and quiet for a change,” scolded Azzron.

“I am sorry master,” offered Tempest, “we were silent for almost an hour.”

“That’s a new record by my count, besides even you need a friend every once in a while,” shot Ignis.

“That may be so Ignis, but sometimes you two give me a headache,” countered Azzron.

The ship had now dropped anchor and bustled to life as the Dwarven crew shuffled to receive their orders from the captain. Elysia could be heard barking out her brief to the crew and that meant it was time to go. Azzron stood upright now stretching a little before he began to move.

“Well we best get moving, Elysia is bound to get herself into some sort of trouble and I’d prefer to be there when she does,” stated the Drow.

“And why is it you keep coming to her rescue master,” inquired Tempest.

“Ignis said it best we all need friends,” replied Azzron.

“Oh is that all it is,” spat Ignis in a sarcastic tone.

“That is none of your business,” growled Azzron, “now shut the hell up for a while, we’ve got work to do.”
Already annoyed the seasoned warrior could already see that this was going to be a very long day. He stomped his way off the ship following the captain to a tavern called ‘The Mariner’ never alerting her to his presence until she walked through the doors.

Clearing his throat he called to Elysia, “Now I know your not planning on hogging all the fun for yourself are you?”

[luniis]

Luniis sat in the far back of the bar, leaning back on his chair his feet at the edge of the table his knees almost at his face as he pushed back. Amusing himself in anyway possibly while he waited for some ale. He had money to spare why not, right?
His hat on the table in front of him, his eye weak and half opened. His eye patch clearly visible, even through the lively hair that covers his face and his face in a childish smile that many were accustomed to seeing plastered on his face.
As the doors to the bar swung open revealing a silhouette of a customer, the light bright as it entered the murky tavern it made her face all but invisible.
With that his feet dropped respectfully as he saw the young women in full light now as the doors swung closed, his elbows slamming on the table as the chair fell to it’s normal position.
His head dropped slightly as she entered, being a merchant he had to keep a respectful look in case she had money she was willing to spend. He knew a lot of these sailors so it was fine to look like the child he was but he hadn’t seen this one before.
His fingers hit the table weakly as the barmaid placed his ale on the table. It took him a few seconds before he even noticed she was looming behind him, with that he dropped a few gold coins in her palm and continued staring into space. There was something familiar about her, a rumour going around about the daughter of a famous pirate taking over his fleet. Something like that the story’s all got messed up around here.
The thought pierced his mind as he watched her from the corner of his eye, which pierced through the gloom and half-light of the bar. Well if it was her she was searching for something, he could tell by the way her eyes scanned the room.
With that Luniis took his first drunk of the ale, restoring his smile slightly.

[mysterious]

The doors of a bar came open once more, but not to offer the presence of a single lone sailor. But instead a large mass of people. More women then anything. Females ranged from the higher classes down to the poorer. All fixated on the one in the center.

The person couldn't be seen through the small crowd but the voice said there was a male in there some where.

"Barkeep around for everyone including my lovely companions." A charming voice called out as some of the females moved aside to a table in the corner. A youthful looking man taking a seat in the back with the ladies crowding around him. Not disrespectful so but enough to make most of them in the tavern jealous.

Draven loved the city it was the best place for business and to pick some spending money. With the crowd it always made it that much easier to work about the room. Indulging the laddies as if his interest was only on them by the end of the night when everyone was drunk. They would return to where ever they came from broke and robbed.

Draven's soft sparkling green eyes scanned the room to take in a note of everyone present as the barmaids hand out the drinks he would be paying for.

[BlackAngelYume]

Elysia was about to walk to the bar when she heard Azzron’s voice behind her. She glanced back to him and smirked.

“Course not,” she replied, looking back to the tavern, “I was beginning to wonder what was taking you so long.”

She had started to head towards the bar she was originally going to when she had to stop for fear of being run over by a group of babbling women. Her eye twitched in annoyance as she watched the group disperse into the back of the bar. Just as she thought, they were crowding around a single man. She watched the man; he wouldn’t be any use to her. Didn’t look like he’d set foot on a boat before let alone would know what to do on one as a crewman.

She needed sailors, and she needed their rumors. There was a nice healthy bunch seated at the counter, so that’s where she headed, just as she’d been trying to do for the past five minutes.

“C’mon,” she said to Azzron before walking over and taking a seat on the barstool. She ordered the strongest drink they had, which wasn’t much compared to what she was used to and waited for the drink to come.

She glanced to the man next to her. He was leering. In fact, most of the men around her were. She’d grown used to it; ever since she blossomed into a woman she’d gotten the stares of dirty men. It wasn’t her fault her chest was bigger than most women and her body all curves… but of course, she had no problem making these “flaws” more prominent and using them to her advantage.

And that’s precisely what she did.

Leaning in a little closer to the man next to her than she’d usually like to, she layered seduction into her voice. It was gross, but it did the trick, plus if these guys did so much as touch her, they’d loose a hand… and something else if she had it her way.

“I’m looking for information on the sunken fleet of Captain Redriver…”

The bar hushed and she sighed, rolling her eyes. Just what see needed, that topic to be taboo. Never could understand why people got all nervous and whispery when a taboo topic was mentioned.

“Dunno ‘bout that one, missy,” the sailor replied in the usually nervous whisper.

“Look,” she said, all the seduction and acting gone, her voice back to its demanding pitch, “I want information, now. And you’ll tell me what I want to know or so help me I’ll cut off something very important to you.”

The sailor gulped and shook his head, “I… I don’t know much… only rumors y’see…”

“Tell me them, then.”

He nodded, telling her all he knew. Just as she expected his buddies joined in to muddle all the facts around. When she let them know she was satisfied with what they told her, they all left and quickly. She just turned to stare into her mug, slouched over, obviously annoyed.

[royaleagleofthor]

“Well I would have been along sooner but I couldn’t get these two to stop yapping,” responded Azzron gesturing to Ignis and Tempest.

“Hello Captain,” chirped Tempest warmly.

“You look lovely today,” offered Ignis.

Azzron merely shook his head in disgust. If a Drow walking through a city weren’t enough to draw attention two swords that never stopped talking would certainly do the trick. Azzron couldn’t help but chuckle at Elysia’s reaction to the crowd of babbling women, as he followed her into the tavern. Azzron merely nodded and followed Elysia over to the bar. After Elysia ordered her drink Azzron began to do the same.

“We don’t serve your kind here,” barked the balding obese greasy pig of a barkeep.

“Oh, that’s not going to be a problem,” the Drow growled through clenched teeth, “I’ll just serve myself!”

Before the barkeep could even blink in response Azzron’s fist slammed into his head his body collapsing with a thud against the wooden floor, the man was out cold. Azzron flashed a grin to Elysia before hoping over the bar.

“Looks like our drinks are on the house now,” laughed the ranger as he fixed himself a drink.

“Nice shot boss, that loser didn’t even see it coming,” shouted Ignis excitedly.

Azzron banged on the bar in front of him attempting to get the crowds attention. Still aggravated he began to yell.

“Now if anyone else here has a problem, I’m right here,” bellowed the Drow angrily.

“Please relax Master Azzron we’ve already caused enough trouble for one day,” Tempest pleaded.

Azzron chugged his ale slamming the mug on the bar, “You know what your right Tempest. No one here would even be a challenge.”

Pouring himself a new drink Azzron leaned against the bar in front of Elysia, “So, any luck?”

[mysterious]

As much as he had seemed distracted Draven's attention was very much on the two that had come in before him. Watching as the bar seemed to hush. Very interesting bunch to him. But that was just like him. His curiosity always got the better of him.

Throughout the night Draven had been wandering around as if half drunk. More and more men he was picking clean as he passed them until he finally made his way to the bar. His flock of women left to roam around freely. He was blending now and the noise had seemed to get quieter.

Leaning against the bar next to Elysia he nodded to her friend behind the bar raising his glass in acknowledgment to him.

Taking a drink he placed it on the counter not even looking to her but talking low and serious. Not like he had before which made him seem like and idiot man.

"You seek sailor rumors, your in the wrong place." Was all he simply said.

"I have only been in town for a week, but i know a few people that could offer more solid information if you are interested." He said again this time turning his back to the bar and leaning against it.

"And since your such a beauty I will even help you out for free." He said with a smirk.

[luniis]

Luniis looked at all of the worried faces as the name "Redriver" was mentioned. The name was taboo, and look what happens next. The bar tender gets punched out by a drow.
Actually these newcomers's were pretty funny.
Luniis moved his hand from the glass of ale and back to the edge of the table. His hat placed back on his head as he looked at the two.
Now the womanizer big appearance, he chose to sit next to the angry lady, he spoke but not directly to her. He was half hoping that he'd get punched out a second person would more then likely start a bar fight and those were so fun to watch.
No such luck, she seemed interested? It was hard to tell with her.
He felt like a spy watching his enemies in silence completely noticeable but unsuspected. Or was that his imagination again?
Oh well he wanted to see what was going on, his curiosity getting the better of his judgement as he drank the remaining of his ale.
Luniis stood up his eyes lifting with him they quickly fell to the ground as he walked to the bar. His head lifted as he looked at the drow with a smile on his face placing the empty glass in front of him.
"Can I get a refill please?"
His voice high for a man, it was still sort of deep but compared to the big tuff guys surrounding them he sounded like a pre-teen. Sort of like his voice would crack any minute. A smile on his face as he looked at the drow with his soft eyes.
He seemed like less of a threat then a bee! Oh well it worked well in the world of merchants.

[BlackAngelYume]

“Hey you two,” Elysia responded to the swords. She’s grown accustomed to their constant chatter, and she didn’t really mind it… so long as they didn’t talk when they had to be quiet while in a matter of life and death.

She didn’t budge once during Azzron’s whole altercation with the barkeep, except for when the man lay unconscious on the floor. She leaned on the counter and stretched out her neck to look over at him lying on the floor.

“Guess you’re right about that… while you’re back there, get me a refill,” she sat back and held out her mug.

She looked up to him at his next question; “Same luck as I usually get... woulda prolly had better luck had I not threatened to cut off his genitals, though. Men are such cowards when it comes to that particular body part.”

She’d taken the mug Azzron had so politely refilled for her and was taking another large gulp of ale from it when Draven began talking. She hadn’t noticed him come over, mostly because she hadn’t cared to notice him coming over. As far as she was concerned, he was a drunk womanizer and if she paid him any kind of attention it would just add badly… namely in the form of him bleeding on the floor and she having a headache. What he said perked her interest, however.

“I kinda gathered the being in the wrong place part already,” she said, the annoyance still in her voice, “And I’ll take any kind of offers of better information.”

It was the last thing he said that made her smirk, her voice changing to what she referred to as “dumb woman”, “Oh! Why thank you so much for your generosity!”

Frankly, she wouldn’t have paid him anyway. No use wasting her hard earned gold on someone like this.

She was about to tell Azzron to stop messing around and get out from behind the bar when yet another man walked up to the bar. This one, however, had no apparent interest in her or her companion; he just wanted a refill. Elysia looked up to Azzron, giving him the “you better charge him for that, it’s easy money” look, then looking back to Draven.

“Well, then, if you can wait, I got a mug of ale here to finish, then we’ll be ready to go wherever it is you’re taking us.”

[mysterious]

"Me? in a hurry? Never been in my life take your time My Lady." He replied with a laugh as the other asked for a refill. In all truth Draven was far from drunk having only one glass all night. He never much liked to drink in less it was wine. A fine wine was more his undoing then anything.

Glancing at Elysia then to the man that had asked for another Draven laid down a pouch filled with gold.

"Its on me." He laughed looking back over the bar just as a few newcomers entered. Three men the middle one very small in height but very large in the stomach. The other two large all around. The middle one apparently the brains of whatever operation this was and the other two just merely the muscles.

Draven turned quickly as he saw them. His back to the crowd now as he hide his face toward the drow behind the bar. A smirk plastered on his face.

"I have a feeling things are about to get out of hand... I take my leave." Draven said still with the smirk upon his face. "There is an alley three blocks down I will meet you there when you are ready." He said as the three men spotted him.

He could tell their eyes were upon him. By the time he finished talking the men were behind him the smaller one tapping his shoulder.

"I know it be you." The smaller one spoke all smarts he seemed to posses gone at this moment simply by his speech.

Giving one last small smirkish laugh to himself Draven turned with a straight face.

"Gentlemen and what business can I do for you?" Draven asked smoothly only to revice a rude reply.

"Don't play with mes Shade wes know you took it." The man said making a motion with his hand as the other two men picked him up by the collar of his shirt. Before Draven could even talk his way out of it they had tossed him out the nearest window.

Draven rolled in the glass the smirk returning to his face as the men used the door.