Springtime In The City 13.

Vexil. 

Zam the ex mercenary crosses the street, and enters the darkness of the short covered lane that leads to the Merchant's Rest inn. 

Making his way out of the lane, and into the small square, essentially a walled courtyard in front of the inn. 

The teenager originally from The City Of Ruins looks up at the night sky, and sees two of the three moons are already up, on what's a cold spring night here in the city of Vexil. 

As he makes his way to the front door to the inn, the youngest member of the group jumps in fight, and spins around with a hand on the hilt of his sword when he hears something behind him. 

"Axe" murmurs Zam the ex mercenary after swallowing in fright at seeing the massive canine in the courtyard with him. 

The teenager glances up at the nearby rooftops, and figures the Farqian wardog jumped down from one of them. No doubt after he's probably been following him. 

The youngest member of the group wryly smiles, as the massive animal walks by him with a sideways glance. 

Before he heads around the side of the inn, and heads to the empty stables around the back of the Merchant's Rest. 

Zam takes a deep breath to settle his racing heart, then he heads into the inn where the group are staying whilst here in the city of Vexil. 

This evening like all nights at the Merchant's Rest since the group have basically settled in here. A handful of locals are having dinner in the common room. 

Zam as he takes a seat at the table with Lisell Maera the scout leader and Dalinvardèl Tanith the elven spy. 

Recognizes the regulars who come in for the evening meal. Who are now accustomed to the group. 

Then the ex mercenary spots a pair of men sitting at the corner table where Tamric Drubine the field commander and Saanea the witch usually have their meals at. 

The teenager who hails from The City Of Ruins glances their way as the serving woman takes his order. 

When she's gone, Zam glances first at Lisell Maera then Dalinvardèl Tanith, both of whom slightly nod to him. 

Then the ex mercenary sees the spy Tanith give him a discreet hand signal, Zam slightly nods in response to that. As he knows to only speak in elven if he wants to discuss something of importance. 

After the serving woman drops off his drink, Zam the ex mercenary who has noticed something, quietly says in elvish "Where is he?". 

"Upstairs in his room" is the quiet reply from Dalinvardèl Tanith the elven spy referring to Mira Reinholt the mage. 

"They don't know" adds the elven spy who hails from the principality of Alinlae, referring to the two strangers in one of the corner tables. 

"Know who they are?" quietly asks the ex mercenary who is both the youngest, and newest member of the group. 

"No" is the reply from Dalinvardèl Tanith or Dalin as he's more commonly called by those who know him well. 

"But no doubt Beldane, Saanea and Helbe know who they are, and what they're up to" continues the elven spy who is a commander in the Armies of Farque. 

Zam nods, then falls silent as the serving woman brings him his meal, on this cold spring night here in the capital of the city-state of Vexil. 

The ex mercenary originally from The City Of Ruins takes his time eating his meal, both savouring it, as well as taking as long as possible to eat it. 

By the time he's eventually finished, the regulars have left the inn, and the only ones who remain apart from the group, are the pair of strangers at one of the corner tables. 

And once the serving woman has cleared away Zam's plate and trencher, and heads into the kitchen. 

One of the strangers goes to stand up, but he starts to fall. And the other goes to steady him. But he slumps forward onto the table. 

"Grab them and bring them upstairs" quietly and quickly says Lord Farque as Helbe the elven thief appears out of thin air behind the two strangers who are clearly unconscious. 

Zam along with Dalin hurry over the to the corner table, and pick up one of the men. While Tovis the war engineer grabs the other, shouldering him with ease. 

And the trio carry the two strangers upstairs, followed by Lord Farque, Helbe the elven thief and Malisse aka Zubutai the barbarian hordesman. 

They carry the strangers to the end suite which the lord and ruler of the Lands Farque is using. And Malisse aka Zubutai Timaginson stops at Mira Reinholt the mage's room, and tells him to join them in the undead warlord's suite. 

"Who are they?" asks Mira Reinholt the mage as he looks at two unconscious men on the floor in the middle of the main room in Lord Farque's suite. 

"Two more with an interest in you" is the reply from Helbe the elven thief, who then goes onto tell them what he's learnt from reading the minds of the pair he knocked out. 

Zam who hasn't been told to leave, stands with Dalinvardèl Tanith next to the closed door of the suite. 

Along with the others listens to what the young elven noble from the island principality of Laerel has learnt from the pair of strangers. 

After the highly talented elven magic user finishes, the mage Reinholt sourly smiles then says "What are we going to do with them?". 

The once powerful mage looks at the deathlord of Farque as he adds "If Helbe tampers with their minds, it could be noticed". 

"Highly unlikely" says the elf who is a member of the royal family that rules the principality of Laerel, who pauses for a moment before adding "Though a slight possibility". 

"If we kill them, they'll be missed for sure" says the spellcaster who was once the most powerful mage of his generation to be found anywhere in The Southlands. 

"And others will come looking for them" continues the Vexillian born mage who is in exile from his homeland. 

"All true" says Lord Farque, who looks over at Helbe the elven thief, then at Malisse aka Zubutai the barbarian hordesman, and finally Mira Reinholt the mage. 

The large heavily armoured deathlord is silent for a few moments, then he asks them all "Any ideas?". 

It's Zam the ex mercenary who speaks up first, who says "We could just send them off somewhere". 

The youngest member of the group follows that with "Say have them tell their superiors that they've got a lead on Mira, and have them go off somewhere elsewhere". 

"Good of a plan as any, since they already know Mira is here in the city" says Helbe the elven thief with a nod of his hooded head of approval with the suggestion from the youngest member of the group. Next to Zam, Dalinvardèl Tanith the elven spy nods in agreement too. 

"Good enough" says Lord Farque, who then tells the young elven noble from the island principality of Laerel "Whatever you do, don't send them north". 

The undead warlord who has the name of Draugodrottin that the people of his lands also know him by, continues with "I don't want anyone else of authority going up to the hill country than there already is". 

"Will do" says the elven masterthief who just happens to be the grandson of the ruling prince of Laerel. 

"See to it" orders the lord of the death realm, who follows on from that with "Now get them out of my suite". 

"Zam, Dalin, Tovis bring them" says Helbe the elven thief, the trio pick up the unconscious men. With the ex mercenary and the elven spy carrying the larger of the two. 

While the other is no burden for the war engineer, who is probably physically the strongest member of the group who isn't an undead warlord, or an ork warleader. 

They head out the back stairs of the inn, and in the darkness of the small yard between the inn itself, and the stables. 

From which Axe the undead wardog watches them from the open stable doors, the elven master assassin quietly tells the others what he'll do. 

After a moment Tovis and the unconscious man he's carrying disappear as the highly talented elven magic user shifts them away. 

Quickly after that, Zam and Dalin, along with the unconscious stranger they're carrying, vanish as well. 

The elven princeling from Laerel follows after them. Heading to a nearby rooftop he's shifted them to. 

A little while later, and a few shifts later. The four of them along with the two unconscious men are in an alleyway. 

The elven master archer glances out of the alley, and looks to the left down the street. He then steps back and joins the others. 

"Stand them up" quietly says Helbe the elven thief who follows on from that with "Keep them upright and steady". 

Zam the ex mercenary and Dalinvardèl Tanith the elven spy, as well as Tovis the war engineer do so. Having the unconscious men face towards the street. 

After a moment, the young elven noble from the island principality of Laerel quietly says "You can let them go". 

The strangers, though still unconscious, stand upright by themselves. And after a moment, they start moving. 

Walking out of the alleyway, and turning left down the street. After a few moments, their eyes open. Then quickly they wake, not knowing that they've been unconscious. As they head down the street to a watchtower of the city guard. 

The two of them are officers in the city guard of Vexil, who work discreetly, and out of uniform when they don't want to be noticed. 

And though they're city guardsmen, they infact operate on behalf of the Mage Council of Vexil. Who have a fair few city guard officers working for them. 

And these two have just found out the whereabouts of an individual that a certain member of the Mage Council is more than a little interested in. 

After they glance out of the alley and watch the pair of undercover city guardsmen head to a nearby tower of the city guard. 

Dalinvardèl Tanith quietly asks Helbe the elven thief "What did you do?" he continues with "Where did you send them?". 

Zam the ex mercenary slightly nods as he was thinking the same thing. So was Tovis the war engineer. 

As he walks back to the other end of the alley, and the others follow him, the highly talented elven spellcaster quietly says "They think they've found solid evidence that Mira has recently gone to a town in the southeast of the city-state". 

When they reach the other end of the alleyway, Helbe the elven thief or prince Helbenthril Raendril of Laerel to give him his full name and title, adds "They're just going to inform their superior, who will get in touch with the Mage Council, well the mage Garmen to be exact, and tell him of it". 

The elven masterthief continues with "While those two will leave the city as soon as possible, tonight to be exact" followed by "Because the information they've just gathered, is both recent, and accurate". 

Zam the ex mercenary can't help but grin, then he along with Dalinvardèl Tanith disappear after the elven master magic user shifts them away, just after he shifts Tovis the war engineer away. 

Then the young elven noble who is a member of Lord Farque's personal council shifts himself away, on this cold spring night here in the city of Vexil . . . . . .

Springtime In The City 12.

The City-State Of Vexil. 

Zam the ex mercenary looks back at the trees they've just come through, then he looks forward again and finds Helbe the elven thief has suddenly joined them. 

The teenager from The City Of Ruins looks at the krean scoutship that's just ahead, as Lord Farque tells them "Wait here". 

The undead warlord moves forward, and Zam who sees no one up on the deck, glances at Beldane the cleric who is beside him. 

The powerful cleric in the church of Glaine notices, and just shrugs his shoulders, and is about to say something. 

When something rather large and dark comes bounding off the flat, mast less deck of the small sleek looking airship, and crashes into Lord Farque. 

Zam hears an audible grunt from the large heavily armoured deathlord, who staggers back a step before steadying himself. 

The lord and ruler of the Lands Farque dryly says in the common language "Get off me you big idiot". Before he switches to a language that Zam doesn't understand. 

The massive dog the lord of the death is cradling, gets off him. Then proceeds to run tight circles around the lord of the death realm. 

The large canine that stands well over six and half foot tall at the shoulders, and weighs at least as twice as much as Dorc da Orc. 

Let's out contented growls and yips as the undead warlord walks forward to the krean scoutship in a small clearing amongst the woods they're in. 

The deathlord of Farque who has the name of Draugodrottin that the people of his lands also know him by, gives the massive dog a command. 

It barks, then sits down, while his master leaps up onto the deck of the small sleek, dark krean vessel. 

The undead warlord soon disappears from sight as he heads into the wheelhouse of the krean scoutship. 

As he does, Beldane the cleric looks at both Dorc da Orc and Helbe the elven thief, and with a nod of  his head at the massive dog, he asks the two of them "Which one's that?". 

The powerful practitioner of magic who hails from the kingdom of Nastell, follows that with "I can never tell which one's which". 

"Er?" says Dorc da Orc who has a wary eye upon the massive canine, for good reason. As he's been around the Farque wardogs quite a bit in the past. And even fought side by side with some of them in battle. 

And he knows they've got a mind of their own, and will do whatever they want, whenever they want. And that includes doing what they like to him. And there's nothing he can do to stop them. 

Especially the cold smelling ones. Which this one clearly is. 

"Ah?" says Helbe the elven thief, who then adds "That's". The young elven noble from the island principality of Laerel pauses for a moment as he tries to figure out which wardog of Farque this one is. 

The highly talented elven magic user immediately recognizes that it's one of the undead wardogs of Farque. So that narrows it down. 

He knows it isn't Lightning, as she's the smallest of the undead wardogs. Who Lord Farque has informed him, is also the most lethal of his undead pack. 

Nor is it either Javelin or Sword, both of whom are leaner than the undead wardog sitting close by. 

For a moment, the elven masterthief thinks it's either Anvil or Hammer due to the sheer bulk of the massive canine. Those two being the most destructive of the undead wardogs of Farque. 

The elven master assassin who is a member of Lord Farque's personal council nods his hooded head. 

Then he quietly says "That's Axe". Who is almost the same size as his larger siblings, Anvil and Hammer. Except his bulky head isn't as wide, and is more pointed than his litter mates. 

Helbe the elven thief, or prince Helbenthril Raendril of Laerel to give him his full name, also knows that Axe is the deadliest of the wardogs of Farque. 

The undead wardog turns his head to look at the elven master archer, who says to him "How's things with you Axe?" followed by "Keeping out of trouble there boy?". 

The undead wardog, who is over seven foot tall at the head, and weighs at least fifteen hundred pounds gives a series of barks and yips, as he answers the young elven princeling from the island principality of Laerel. 

"They can talk" Beldane the cleric murmurs to Zam the ex mercenary, who quietly follows that with "Kind of". 

The youngest and newest member of the group, who has never been to the Lands Farque. Nor seen one of the lord of the death realm's wardogs, especially the undead ones. 

Watches on as Helbe the elven thief says "I see" in response to the massive canine, who is sitting there, wagging his stubby tail as he looks at the four of them. 

Then Axe looks specifically at Dorc da Orc, and sneezes before giving a few barks, followed by a soft rumbling growl. 

With a grin upon his face, the grandson of the ruling prince of Laerel says "Pretty sure he said you need a bath Dorc". 

The highly talented elven practitioner of magic continues with "Right boy?" as he looks at the nearby wardog, who replies with a single bark. 

"See, he said yes" says the elven master assassin who is a member of Lord Farque's personal council. 

The large ork nervously chuckles, and watches the undead wardog closely. Hoping to hell and to his god Krom. That Axe doesn't get it in his head, to make him take a bath. 

As Dorc da Orc or Dorkindle which is his given name, knows there's nothing he can do to stop the massive canine. 

Who he's pretty sure has dunked him in pools, rivers, lakes, and the ocean in the past. Axe has indeed done that to him. 

The big burly ork from the southern polar region of the world, who is a general in the Armies of Farque. 

Then looks up at the deck, and to the wheelhouse of the krean scoutship. Hoping that Lord Farque returns pretty quickly. Before Axe decides that Dorc needs a bath immediately. As the deathlord of Farque is the only one who can truly control his pack of wardogs, both the living ones, and the small pack of undead ones. 

The ork warleader does sourly smile, as he figures the lord and ruler of the Lands Farque won't do anything to stop Axe if the undead wardog decides to take Dorc to the nearest stream or river, and throw him in it. 

The ork weaponsmith sighs, then grimaces and just hopes the massive wardog doesn't do anything untowards to him. 

Meanwhile Beldane along with Zam who have stepped closer to stand next to Helbe the elven thief, quietly asks the young elven noble from the island principality of Laerel "Wonder why they're here in Vexil". 

"We'll know soon enough I guess" quietly says the elven master archer who is a member of Lord Farque's personal council. 

The son of the heir of the elven principality of Laerel, would normally go and have a peek to see what's happening. But since the undead warlord told him to wait here, he thinks it's better he does so. 

Nor can he send Narladene the ground pixie. Who at the moment is clinging to his right shoulder, almost hugging his neck. 

The young elven noble from the island principality of Laerel faintly smiles, as he can see Axe looking his way. 

And the undead wardog is clearly watching the invisible ground pixie. Who is always cautious around the wardogs of Farque. Even the living ones. For the simple reason they can see her no matter what. And they're one of the few things on the world of Volunell that can kill her. 

Helbe knows they won't actually harm her. Though on occasion, they have chased after the tiny winged creature for fun. Especially the younger living wardogs. 

The elven masterthief moves forward to stand closer to Axe, and as the massive canine looks his way, the elven princeling gestures at the krean scoutship, and says "Know what's going on Axe?". 

The elven master assassin is pretty certain that the undead wardog shrugs, then Axe barks a few times, before he lies down flat, then onto his side. 

Resisting the urge to give the massive animal a scratch on his tummy. After all he doesn't want to lose something important, like an arm, or his head. As that's bound to happen if you touch them no matter who you are.

Prince Helbenthril Raendril nods his hooded head. For though he doesn't actually understand the wardogs of Farque, who speak to their master, and their handlers. The elven magic user definitely knows the barks for yes, no and maybe, that Farqian wardogs have. 

He's also pretty sure that Axe said he doesn't know, or he can't be bothered. One of those two is Helbe the elven thief's best guess. 

He looks back at Beldane the cleric, Zam the ex mercenary and Dorc da Orc, and tells them "I guess we keep waiting". 

Next to the elven master archer, the undead wardog Axe just huffs, before he yawns then closes his eyes. 

The elven princeling walks back to the others, and briefly thinks about going for a wander. But decides to stay, just in case he's needed for something. 

Seeing Zam watching Axe, the highly talented elven magic user says "He's not actually sleeping". 

After glancing at Dorc da Orc, Helbe switches to elvish and tells the ex mercenary "He's like his master, he's undead". 

"Ah" says the youngest member of the group, who in the elven language continues with "I see" who grins when the elf who is a member of Lord Farque's personal council, dryly adds "That doesn't mean he can't be totally lazy though". 

The elven master assassin then quietly says "And just like his master, he's all powerful" followed by "In fact he's has a couple of advantages over his master". "Oh?" says the teenager from The City Of Ruins, who then adds "What's that?". 

"He's immune to even the most powerful spells cast by cleric's" states Helbe the elven thief, he then adds "And holy or sacred ground has no effect on him, unlike his master". 

Zam looks at Beldane the cleric, who nods his head in agreement with the young elven noble from the island principality of Laerel. 

Gesturing at the nearby undead wardog, the elven masterthief quietly says "He and his litter mates all died in the battle when Lord Farque died over four and half centuries ago". 

The ex mercenary nods, as he knows the then battlelord Farque, died in the final battle against the Holy Norstran Empire, who had invaded The Southlands. In fact the young battlelord died when he killed the last emperor of Norstran. 

"I'm pretty certain Axe was the last of the siblings to fall as his master died" quietly says the elven princeling, who falls silent when the undead wardog, slightly lifts his head, opens an eyelid, looks their way and barks once, before putting his head back down, closing his eyelid. 

After a few more moments of silence as Zam and Beldane look at him, Helbe the elven thief quietly murmurs "He says yes". 

Both the ex mercenary from The City Of Ruins, and the fighting cleric from the kingdom of Nastell nod. 

Then the three of them, along with Dorc da Orc look at the small sleek dark krean scoutship, as an officer in the krean aircorp crosses the mast less deck. 

"Your highness" says the krean officer in common, who like all of his kind, resembles a dragon, who walks on two legs. Though the facial features of a krean aren't as pointed or pronounced as an actual dragon. 

Though they do have wings, which they keep tucked against their backs when they're not flying. 

"The Lord Farque along with our captain and navigator wish to speak with you" says the krean who is the ship's second officer. 

"Of course, I'll be right there" says Helbe the elven thief, who tells the others to remain here with Axe. Before he floats up to the deck of the krean scoutship. And along with the officer, heads to the wheelhouse of the small sleek looking airship. 

Zam the ex mercenary and Beldane the cleric share a look. Then the powerful practitioner of magic shrugs his shoulders. 

While nearby Dorc da Orc sighs, and sits down and leans back against a tree. As the three of them, along with the undead wardog Axe wait on this cool spring morning, here in some woodlands about fifteen miles south of the city of Vexil . . . . . .

Springtime In The City 11.

The City Of Vexil. 

Zam the ex mercenary grins when next to him Lisell Maera the scout says in a sarcastic tone of voice "Oh look it's mr popular himself". 

Which causes Mira Reinholt the mage to smile, then say "Hey, what can I say" the once powerful mage then adds "Everybody likes me". 

The spellcaster who is also a highly skilled swordmaster, continues on his way, and takes a seat at the table where Lord Farque is with Helbe the elven thief and Malisse aka Zubutai the barbarian hordesman. 

The ex mercenary originally from The City Of Ruins looks at the scout Maera, then at Dalinvardèl Tanith the elven spy, who is sitting at the table with him. 

As the three of them try to listen to the conversation taking place at the corner table, here in the common room of The Merchant's Rest. 

Shaking his head, Dalinvardèl Tanith the elven spy quietly says "Nothing" followed by "His highness must of cast a spell of some kind". 

Both Zam and the Lisell Maera nod in agreement with the elven spy, as they're unable to hear anything from the table in the corner. 

Then the young man who hails from The City Of Ruins, looks around the rest of the common room this morning, and sees that Tovis the war engineer is missing. Along with sir Percavelle Lé Dic. 

"Where's Tovis and Percy?" quietly asks Zam the ex mercenary who woke up later than usual this morning. 

"Out in the stables" is the reply from Dalinvardèl Tanith or Dalin as he's more commonly called by those who know him well. 

"Sparring" adds the spy who is originally from the elven principality of Alinlae, where he served in one of the more prominent noble houses of his homeland, who follows that with "Beldane is keeping an eye on them". 

Zam who spots Shur Kee the monk sitting on a chair reading a book of some kind, isn't all that far from Dorc da Orc, who is on the opposite side of the common room from the fireplace. 

Which the large ork is glaring at, while he drinks from an open barrel of ale. Even though the fire is low, and not generating all that much heat. While outside it's a sunny, but cool spring morning here in the city of Vexil. 

The ex mercenary who is the youngest member of the group, looks over at the other corner table, where Tamric Drubine the field commander is sitting with Saanea the witch. 

The lovers are quietly discussing something, as they do, the witch who hails from the Maldin Hills, which lies near the coast of The Southlands. 

Is patting a cat that's sleeping in her lap. It's her familiar, which is keeping close to her this morning. 

Zam then looks at Dalin and Lisell Maera, who are discussing the same thing, that no doubt those at Lord Farque's table are talking about in secret. 

"Well, we know they can't find him by magical means" says the scout Maera, who more often than not is called Lis by the others in the group. 

Both Zam and Dalin nod in agreement, as they know the mage Reinholt can't been sensed by other spellcasters due to an amulet that he wears, that hides his ability to spellcast. 

"Unless someone puts up one of  those viewing spell that spots him" says Zam the ex mercenary who doesn't know all that much about magic, but he does know of that type of spell that allows a practitioner of magic to see things. 

The spy Tanith, who has the hood of his cloak down off his head at the moment, shakes his head no, then says "They're not common". 

The elf who is a commander in the Scouts and Rangers division of the Armies of Farque continues with "Especially by mages" followed by "Who tend not to bother learning such spells". 

Lis nods in agreement with the elven spy, then the attractive young woman originally from the city-state of Brattonbury, then says "From what I understand, the type that Helbe uses, where he can see things as they're happening, is rare". 

The scout Maera continues with "The one used by other spellcasters, is where they have to actually physically check on the spell at the location they've set it". 

The elven spy who hails from the principality of Alinlae nods in agreement with the scout leader, then says "In the oft chance they spot him with such a spell, it could be quite a while before they actually know it". 

Dalinvardèl Tanith after a brief pause, then quietly says "No it's by mundane means they'll keep an eye out for him". 

The elf who is a senior officer in the Armies of Farque, continues on with "It's why we've found so many people from different walks of life, who have been hired to locate him, and keep an eye on him". 

Both the ex mercenary from The City Of Ruins and the scout leader originally from the coastal city-state of Brattonbury, nod in agreement with the elven spy who hails from the principality of Alinlae. 

Zam who was expecting to leave the capital city of Vexil either today or tomorrow, and head up north to one of the mines that Lord Farque has taken over. To help bring back a load of gold, along, most likely with Dorc da Orc. 

Can tell that plans have been changed due to the sudden interest by various people in Mira Reinholt the mage. 

Who though technically is still in exile from his homeland of Vexil, is allowed to visit because he helped stop a war before it actually got started a little over a decade ago, between Vexil and it's rival, the city-state of Tuledare. 

Interest that includes both private citizens, mostly rivals and competitors in business, to the Reinholt Trading Company. Which is owned by Mira's family. Though he has nothing to do with it. 

And by the city council of the city-state of Vexil. Which in reality is actually the Mage Council of Vexil, who everyone knows are the ones who actually rule the city-state, which is located in the central region of The Southlands. 

"Think they'll do anything?" asks Zam with a glance over at the corner table where the lord and ruler of the Lands Farque is sitting with members of his personal council. 

"Maybe" is the reply from Lisell Maera or Lis as she's more commonly called by those who know her well. 

"Who knows" continues the attractive young woman who is a leader of scouts in the Armies of Farque. 

After a brief pause, the scout Maera quietly adds "They're probably working out if any of this interrupts with what's going on up in the hill country". Lis follows that with "And the shipments coming down here to the city". 

Both Zam the ex mercenary and Dalinvardèl Tanith the elven spy nod in agreement with the young officer in the Scouts and Rangers division of the Armies of Farque. 

"I don't think he'll be happy if it does" says Lisell Maera, with the 'he' she's referring to being Lord Farque himself. 

The spy Tanith nods in agreement with Lis, and is just about to say something, when he pauses as he sees the deathlord of Farque raise a gauntleted hand for silence to those at the corner table with him. 

Zam and Lisell look over at the corner table, and they see the lord of the death realm say something to Helbe the elven thief, who after a moment, nods his hooded head, then disappears. 

The three of them, then hear the undead warlord tell Mira Reinholt and Malisse aka Zubutai Timaginson to remain here in the inn. 

Then he gets up and crosses the common room, saying something in orkish to Dorc da Orc. Who after a surprised grunt, gets up, and after picking up the half empty barrel of ale he's been drinking from, follows the large heavily armoured deathlord. 

The lord and ruler of the Lands Farque briefly stops near the table where Zam, Lis and Dalin are sitting at. 

Lord Farque is silent for a moment as he looks at the three of them, then he says "Zam with us" the undead warlord then tells the ex mercenary originally from The City Of Ruins "Go and get Beldane, he's in the stables". 

The undead warlord who has the name of Draugodrottin that the people of his lands also know him by, continues with "Meet us around the front of the inn". 

Zam quickly gets up, and hurries out of the common room of the inn, out the reception chamber, then outside. 

He makes his way around to the back of the inn to the stables, to get the fighting cleric in the church of Glaine. 

It's not too long before the ex mercenary, and the powerful practitioner of magic are back around to the front of inn, where Lord Farque is waiting with Dorc da Orc. 

In the small walled in square in front of the Merchant's Rest inn, the large heavily armoured deathlord of Farque, looks around then nods his full helmed head, and tells the cleric in the half plate armour "It's safe to cast".

The lord of the death realm then gives the powerful cleric directions, and after a moment Beldane the cleric says "How far away from the main road to the south?". 

"A few miles to the west" is the reply from Lord Farque, who ignores the muttered "Not north" from Dorc da Orc, as he adds "In some woodlands, behind a hill that way". 

The fighting cleric who hails from the kingdom of Nastell, nods his head, then says "Pretty sure I know which hill". 

Then the powerful practitioner of magic starts casting, and a gateway starts to quickly form, once it's complete, Dorc da Orc is quickly through it. 

After a glance at the undead warlord, who nods his full helmed head, Zam the ex mercenary follows after the big burly ork from the southern polar region of the world. 

Once on the other side of the magical doorway, the youngest member of the group quickly steps to the side, and Lord Farque walks out of the gateway, followed by Beldane, who drops his spell, and the gateway vanishes. 

Seeing that they're on top of a hill, Zam turns to his right, and in the distance on this cool spring morning, he sees the city of Vexil about fifteen miles away to the north is his best guess. 

The ex mercenary who hails from The City Of Ruins, then looks to the west, and down the hill, to some nearby woods. 

The youngest member of the group blinks as he spots an odd looking airship down amongst the trees. It takes him a moment to realize that it's a krean vessel, a scoutship to be exact. 

"Zam, keep up" says Beldane the cleric, who along with Lord Farque and Dorc da Orc, are already walking down the side of the hill. 

The teenager who is the youngest member of the group, says "Right" and hurries to catch up to the fighting cleric, who is trailing behind the undead warlord and the ork warleader. 

Once he's alongside the powerful practitioner of magic, and they're almost down the side of the hill, the ex mercenary quietly asks the member of the church of Glaine "What's it doing here?". 

"No idea" is the quiet reply from the Nastellian born spellcaster, who follows that with "But we're about to find out I guess". 

Then the powerful cleric motions for Zam to fall silent after the lord and ruler of the Lands Farque briefly glances back at the two of them. 

Then the large heavily armoured deathlord leads the way into the woods, where amongst the trees is a krean scoutship. 

On this cool, clear and sunny spring morning, here to the south of the capital of the city-state of Vexil . . . . . .

Springtime In The City 10.

Vexil. 

The next day, and the morning has dawned clear and sunny. Though it's far more colder than it's been recently here in the city of Vexil. As if winter is trying to cling on, before spring fully takes over. 

Zam the ex mercenary, looks down a street from the third floor room that he's in. Then he looks behind him, to where Dorc da Orc is sitting on the floor, eating a leg of lamb he took from the inn earlier. 

The teenager from The City Of Ruins looks back out the open window, blinking from the cold wind that's blowing this fine spring morning. 

The youngest member of the group continues to watch down the street to his right, then he spots Lisell Maera the scout leader. Who has just walked out of a lane, and onto the street. The attractive young woman from the city-state of Brattonbury. Turns and heads this way. 

And it's not too long before the scout leader in the Armies of Farque, has made her way up to the third floor room of the building, that until recently housed a fabric merchant's business. 

Which was sold after a number of bad deals, along with shipments that went missing. Now the building stands empty, here in the north of the city of Vexil. 

"Out of the way Dorc" says Lisell Maera the scout leader as the large ork is blocking the doorway. The big burly ork from the southern polar region of the world grunts, then scoots out of the way as he crunches on the bone of the leg of lamb he's just eaten. 

"Anything?" quietly asks Lisell Maera when she joins Zam at the open window, which the two of them are looking out of. 

"Nothing yet" is the quiet reply from Zam the ex mercenary as behind them Dorc who has finished eating. Opens the top of the barrel of ale he brought along with him from the Merchant's Rest inn. 

The scout Maera or Lis as she's more commonly called by the others in the group, nods to a rooftop a few hundred feet away, directly to the north of them. 

The ex mercenary from The City Of Ruins looks there, and spots the hooded figure of Dalinvardèl Tanith the elven spy who has just made his way up onto that roof. 

The spy Tanith who is a commander in the Scouts and Rangers division of the Armies of Farque, is looking down at a street that's out of view from the building that Lis, Zam and Dorc are in. 

Shaking her head, the scout leader quietly says "Trust Mira to be the one that gets all the unwanted attention". 

Next to her, the ex mercenary nods his head in agreement as they continue to watch the street below them, and the surrounding area in this part of the city. 

Yesterday after finding out that certain people are after the mage Reinholt, who was spotted by a few people who recognized him. 

They released the trio they gathered that information from. With Helbe the elven thief erasing the part of the memory where that happened. 

Though the individual whose arm was broken by Dorc da Orc when he was captured. Has absolutely no idea how his arm was broken. 

The group found out various people are interested in the movement and whereabouts of Mira Reinholt. 

Some of whom have history with the once powerful mage. The most notable being the Mage Council of Vexil itself. 

In particular the mage Garmen. Who was part of the Mage Council when Mira was first appointed to it, then kicked off it, and exiled during the Battle of Vexil just over twenty five years ago. 

"If that mage Garmen finds out that Mira was involved in his son's death" quietly says Lis, who after a brief pause adds "There's going to be a shit show in the city for sure". 

The attractive young woman originally from the coastal city-state of Brattonbury continues in a dry tone with "Mages aren't exactly known for being cool and calm, and even tempered". 

Once again the teenager from The City Of Ruins who is the youngest member of the group, nods in agreement with the scout who is an officer in the Armies of Farque. 

Zam who finds standing next to Lisell can be more than a little awkward to say the least. For she's more than a little attractive. 

And the ex mercenary will be the first to admit that he's attracted to the young woman who is about five or six years older than him. 

Though Zam has learnt to keep that to himself. As he's learnt from the others then Lis isn't interested in any romantic involvement with anyone. 

In fact over drinks one night before this past winter, Dalinvardèl Tanith, Zam along with Tovis the war engineer were chatting about things. 

Which turned to the spy Tanith informing the ex mercenary how Tovis who at one time was more than a little smitten with the scout Maera. And his advances to Lis, to his embarrassment were rejected in no uncertain terms. 

Dalinvardèl Tanith or Dalin as more often than not he's called by those who know him well, suggested to Zam to keep the war engineer's ordeal in mind if he tried to approach Lisell with any romantic intentions. After all he's young, and she's an attractive young human woman. So they might arise, so to speak. 

Zam just shakes his head at that memory, then he looks across to where Dalinvardèl Tanith is, and he can no longer see the elven spy who is originally from the principality of Alinlae. 

"Where's Dalin?" quietly asks the teenager who hails from The City Of Ruins, the scout Maera looks over to the rooftop that the spy Tanith was on. And she too can't see him. 

Though a few moments later, the elven spy who formerly served in one of the more prominent noble houses in his homeland of Alinlae, before joining the group, and the Armies of Farque. Pops back up on the far side of the roof he's on. 

Dalinvardèl Tanith looks their way, and after the elven spy gives a number of hands signals. Lisell Maera quietly says "A pair heading this way". 

The scout leader who is originally from the largest city-state, by size, in The Southlands, Brattonbury. 

Continues with "That second lot" followed by a glance at the youngest member of the group, who she asks "You get that description?". 

"I did" is the reply from the ex mercenary, who continues with telling the attractive young woman in the Scouts and Rangers division of the Armies of Farque, what the spy Tanith just signaled to them. 

"Dorc get ready" says Lis who looks back at the warleader of the ork race who happens to be a general in the Armies of Farque. 

"We might need you" adds the scout Maera, who gestures to the large ork to hurry up and get up off the floor. 

As Dorc da Orc or Dorkindle which is his given name grunts, and mutters to himself in his own language, as he gets up off the floor. 

Zam is looking out the window of the empty room, down the street to the right, from the vantage point of three stories up. 

The ex mercenary looks to the end of the street, to the opposite side, as he and Lis make room for Dorc who joins them at the large open window. 

Trying not to gag as he stands so close to the weaponsmith from the wolf tribe of orks, the teenager originally from The City Of Ruins, tells the ork general "Two men". 

Zam follows on from that with "Both short, one wearing a dark half cloak, the other wearing a cape cloak, over a red jacket and leggings". 

The big burly ork from the southern polar region of the world just grunts at that as he looks down the street to their right. 

Then Dorc da Orc asks "Who the fuck are they?" then remembering some of what they're doing here this morning, the large ork adds "Something to do with fucken Killer?". 

Lisell Maera nods her head yes, and says "Yes, something to do with Mira" she continues on with "These are associates of business rivals of Mira's family's company". 

Dorkindle just grunts at that, as all three of them look out the open window, and down the street to their right. 

A street that's not empty, though it isn't particularly busy as well. With a handful of people on both sides of the street. While a donkey drawn cart heads down the street one way. 

And a horse drawn wagon, with crates of vegetables and fruit in the back. Head along the street in the other direction, heading towards a nearby street market. 

"There" quietly says Zam who is the first to spot them, Lis nods her head in agreement, then says "Nab them if they come this way". 

The pair, the ex mercenary who hails from The City Of Ruins, and the attractive young woman originally from the city-state of Brattonbury, look at the large ork standing next to them. 

Dorkindle grunts, then mutters "Fucken fine" in response to the scout Maera telling him "Dorc don't kill them, just grab them". 

As the warleader of the ork race heads out of the room, and starts making his way downstairs. Zam and Lisell share a look, and the ex mercenary says "He might not kill them" followed by "That doesn't mean they'll be in one piece when he's got them". 

The scout leader in the Armies of Farque winces, then says "True" she continues from that with "Come on". 

The two of them hurry out of the third floor room, down the hallway, then down the stairs to the ground floor. 

They can hear the big burly ork from the southern polar region of the world already down on the ground floor. 

And by the time the ex mercenary and the attractive young woman who is an officer in the Armies of Farque make it downstairs, and out the side door of the building, into the alleyway next to it. 

They see Dorc da Orc walking back this way down the alley, and over the large ork's right shoulder is an unconscious man. 

While the ork weaponsmith drags the other one behind him, by the right leg. And that fellow is delirious, and has a look of confusion upon his face as he's dragged along the ground. 

"Hell" mutters Lisell Maera who then says "Hurry up Dorc" quickly followed by "Before someone sees you". 

The ork who is a general in the Armies of Farque just grunts, though he does walk a little bit quicker as he makes his way to the open side door. 

Lis and Zam get out of his way, and the big burly ork from the southern polar region of the world heads up the stairs, followed by the scout leader and the ex mercenary. 

Dorc da Orc who has picked up the second fellow, the one in the red jacket and leggings, and slung him over his left shoulder. 

Says "Nah, me just fucken slap 'em" followed "The cunt is out of it" in response to the scout Maera asking him "You didn't kill him, did you Dorc?". 

In no time, they're back up in the third floor room of the otherwise empty building, here in a neighbourhood in the north of the city of Vexil. 

And Lis and Zam look at the two men that the ork warleader has dropped on the floor, before he's goes back to drinking from the barrel of ale he's got. 

"Not very impressive looking are they" says the attractive young woman who hails from the coastal city-state of Brattonbury. 

The teenager from The City Of Ruins who is the youngest member of the group nods in agreement with the officer in the Scouts and Rangers division of the Armies of Farque. 

"Wonder how they know Mira?" quietly says Zam, who points at the delirious, and confused looking individual, and adds "He's too young to know the mage". As that fellow is in his mid twenties at the oldest. While the other is older, probably in his forties. 

"I doubt knowing him personally is the problem" says Lisell Maera, who dryly adds "That's difficult enough for us lot". 

The ex mercenary grins at that, then he nods in reply to the scout leader saying "We'll find out soon enough I guess".

A short time later and they're joined by Dalinvardèl Tanith the elven spy, who says "His highness is on his way". 

The elf who hails from the principality of Alinlae, who is a commander in the Scouts and Rangers division of the Armies of Farque, has searched the two men they've captured, finding nothing of importance, and just a couple of coin bags. 

Dryly says "That's if that one is able to be woken properly" the spy Tanith follows that "His brains are probably scrambled by the looks of it". 

The elven spy looks over at Dorc and asks the ork general "What did you hit that fellow with Dorc?" he then adds "Your fist?". 

"Nah, me just slapped the bitch" is the reply from Dorkindle who is sitting against a wall after finishing the barrel of ale he brought along with him. 

"Not Dorc's fault he such a fucken pussy" adds the large ork who was named warleader of his race a number of years ago by Lord Farque. 

It's not too long before Helbe the elven thief joins them, when he suddenly appears out of nowhere in the third floor room. 

"Hell Dorc" dryly says Helbe the elven thief after one look at the two men lying on the floor in the middle. 

"That fellow is a total basket case" adds the elven masterthief, who continues with "You didn't drop him on his head did you?". 

"Me just slapped the cunt" mutters Dorc da Orc, who follows that with "Not me fault he turned into a fucken tard". 

The young elven noble from the island principality of Laerel just shakes his head, then he casts a healing spell upon the fellow in the red jacket and leggings, who has basically had his brain rewired thanks to the slap from the large ork. 

Once that fellow is completely unconscious and mentally back to normal, the highly talented elven magic user says to the others "Let's see what they know". 

The elven spellcaster then proceeds to read the minds of the pair who have been captured, to find out what they're up to, and why they're so interested in another member of the group. Mira Reinholt the mage . . . . . .

Springtime In The City 9.

The City-State Of Vexil. 

They walk up to the counting house that they've been using. And out the front stands Helbe the elven thief. 

Zam the ex mercenary who is at the back with Dorc da Orc, sees the elven magic user hand Lord Farque a rolled up leather satchel. 

"Three of them" says Helbe the elven thief, who then switches from the elven language to the royal elven language to tell the undead warlord something. 

The teenager originally from The City Of Ruins glances at the ork warleader next to him, who looks absolutely disgusted that they're outside in the constant drizzle. 

The lord and ruler of the Lands Farque says something in the royal elven language that only he and Helbe the elven thief understand. 

Then the young elven noble who hails from the island principality of Laerel says in the regular elven language "You want to me to take you there?". 

"We'll walk" says Lord Farque in elvish, who follows that with "Mira probably knows the way there". 

"Where?" asks Mira Reinholt the mage as he looks at the large heavily armoured deathlord, and his fellow spellcaster the elven masterthief. 

"Salman's counting house" is the reply from the grandson of the ruling prince of Laerel. 

"On Victory Lane?" asks the once powerful mage, which gets a nod of the head from the highly talented elven magic user. 

"Yeah I know where it is" says the practitioner of magic who is also a highly skilled swordmaster, who then adds "It's not all that far". 

"Let's go" says the lord and ruler of the Lands Farque who has switched to the common language. 

They set off, with the lord of the death realm leading the way along side the Vexillian born spellcaster. 

Followed by the big burly ork from the southern polar region of the world, and the ex mercenary who hails from The City Of Ruins. 

Zam looks around and finds no sign of Helbe the elven thief, who has disappeared which he often does. 

The teenager who is the youngest member of the group shrugs his shoulders as he walks along side the grumpy looking ork weaponsmith as it continues to drizzle on this early spring morning here in the city of Vexil. 

"Take it you're having some of the gold from the mines go to Salman's instead" quietly says the mage Reinholt in the elven language after they turn onto another street, this one busy as it leads to one of the market squares here in the north of the city. 

"Probably best" is the reply from Lord Farque in the same language, who follows that with "Don't want to have the one, mainly owned by your family's business, coming under too much scrutiny". 

The spellcaster who was once the most powerful mage of his generation to be found anywhere in The Southlands nods his hooded head in agreement with the lord of the death realm. 

They bypass the market, going through a series of lanes that the mage Reinholt leads them through. And end up in a quiet neighbourhood, here in the north of the capital city. 

The north of the city, well north of the Mage College, as well as the main airdocks of the city. Is the more affluent part of the city of Vexil. 

With many of the city-state's wealthy living and doing business here in this part of the city. In fact the Reinholt Family Manor. The park like grounds that Mira's family owns, on which are a number of houses. Isn't all that far away, further to the east, here in this part of the city. 

"Leave it Dorc" suddenly says Lord Farque to the large ork, who was about to wander off when a hobbit walks down a lane on the other side of the street they've walked out onto. 

A sour sounding grunt comes from the large ork who is a general in the Armies of Farque as he eyes the hobbit walking down the lane. 

Zam just shakes his head, as the ork warleader is willing to kill anyone, or anything that annoys him on a day like today, where a constant drizzle of rain falls upon the city of Vexil. 

"Not far" says Mira Reinholt when he gestures to the street to their right, which they head down. This one a tree lined street, like many in this part of the city. 

"What's that me smell?" says Dorc da Orc who is suddenly interested in something as he looks around for whatever that's got his attention. 

"Food most likely" dryly says the Vexillian mage in exile who is leading the way along side Lord Farque. That gets a chuckle from the weaponsmith from the wolf tribe of orks. 

"It's animals" says the lord and ruler of the Lands Farque, who follows on from that with "Lot's of different ones too". 

"Ah" says the mage Reinholt in understanding, who continues with "The city menagerie" he then adds "That's not that far from here". 

Dorc da Orc or Dorkindle which is his given name, knows that word, even though he doesn't know how to say it, so instead he says "One of them fucken animal parks?". 

"Yep" is the reply of the practitioner of magic who is also a highly skilled swordmaster, who continues with "It's the main public one". 

"Can we go?" demands the large ork who is the warleader of his race, who leans forward to look at the deathlord of Farque as they stop to allow a pair of wagons to go by, before they cross the street. 

"No" is the reply from the large heavily armoured deathlord as they get underway again when the wagons have gone by. 

"Why the fuck not?" asks a disappointed sounding Dorkindle who is repeatedly sniffing to catch the scents from the nearby public menagerie. 

"Because you'll try to eat or fuck the animals there" is the dry sounding response from Lord Farque who has the name of Draugodrottin that the people of his lands also know him by. 

"Both" dryly adds the practitioner of magic who is also a highly skilled swordmaster, who glances back at the big burly ork walking behind him. 

Dorkindle chuckles then says "Yeah" followed by "Me probably would". Next to the large ork, Zam the ex mercenary just shakes his head at the thought of that. 

Though the teenager from The City Of Ruins would of liked to of gone to the public menagerie, as he's never seen one before. 

As they turn onto another street, and the mage Reinholt tells them how a wealthy businessman had his own private menagerie in the city. Which he heard closed a decade ago when the animals suddenly escaped one day. 

And Lord Farque informs them that Helbe the elven thief did that, when the group as a whole was last in Vexil after a flare up in tension between the city-state and it's rival, the city-state of Tuledare. 

Which the group stopped, which garnered part of the mage Reinholt's exile to be rescinded. Allowing him to visit Vexil, like he's doing at this time. 

The once powerful mage then says "The lane to the right at the end of the street there" followed by "To the right". 

The undead warlord nods his full helmed head, who continues waking, before suddenly coming to a stop. 

After a moments pause, the deathlord of Farque says "Dorc". Zam sees the lord of the death realm make a series of quick gestures with his gauntleted left hand off to one side. 

The ex mercenary from The City Of Ruins sees the large ork, suddenly come alert, then grunt and walk away, crossing the street. He nods when Draugodrottin says a few words in orkish. 

As the ork warleader makes his way into an alleyway on the other side of the street. Zam sees the lord and ruler of the Lands Farque who quietly says "Mira" make a series of quick gestures with his other hand. 

The teenager who is the youngest member of the group, has been taught the hand gestures used by the group. Can't keep up with whatever the undead warlord just signaled. 

"Take Zam with you" quietly says the large heavily armoured deathlord who has the elven name of Des'tier, which translates to The Destroyer. 

Draugodrottin starts walking again, and the mage Reinholt and Zam the ex mercenary follow him. Until the exiled Vexillian mage turns into a narrow lane to the right, taking the youngest member of the group with him. 

Zam hurries to catch up to the once powerful mage who is quickly walking down the lane, looking at the doorways as he passes them. 

"In here" quietly says Mira Reinholt, who steps into a deep alcove, which has a doorway at the end of it. 

The teenager from The City Of Ruins follows him, and as the two of them look back out into the narrow lane. 

The Vexillian mage in exile briefly touches Zam on the shoulder, then quietly tells him "We're invisible". 

The practitioner of magic who is also a highly skilled swordmaster then says "We were being followed". Before Zam can ask him why they're invisible as they stand in the dark alcove. 

Looking out into the lane, and to the left. They see a pair of fairly nondescript looking men stop at the entrance of the lane. 

And though they briefly look in the direction that Lord Farque continued down the street, they turn into the narrow lane that Zam and Mira entered. 

The two men walk quickly, each stopping at a closed doorway, to see if they're open. As they get closer to the alcove they're in. 

The ex mercenary from The City Of Ruins glances at the mage who is a member of Lord Farque's personal council. 

And he sees the practitioner of magic close his eyes, and figures the exiled Vexillian mage is going to cast. 

Then as one of the men stops and looks into the seemingly empty alcove, Mira Reinholt quickly says "Grab him". 

As the man's eyes roll back, and he starts to fall over. While the second man, across the narrow lane, checking a door to see if it opens, faints as well. 

Zam grabs the first man, while Mira hurries out into the lane, and picks up the other fellow, and drags him into the deep alcove. 

"It's open" says councilor Reinholt with a nod of his hooded head at the doorway in the deep alcove. 

The ex mercenary, struggling to hold the first unconscious man, who is a lot larger than the second one. 

Gets the door open, and hauls the man he's holding inside. He's followed by the mage Reinholt, carrying the other unconscious fellow. 

They're inside a storage room at the rear of a shop. The exiled Vexillian mage, who has laid the unconscious man he was holding onto the floor, next to the first one where Zam has put him. 

Uses a spell to lock the interior door that leads to the shop out front after he drops the invisibility spell he had cast upon himself and the youngest member of the group. 

After wiping his forehead, and taking a deep breath, Mira Reinholt mutters "Pain in the ass casting multiple spells". 

"Who are they?" quietly asks Zam the ex mercenary, and the once powerful mage replies with "No idea" as they look at the two unconscious men lying on the floor. 

The outer door to the alcove opens up, and Lord Farque steps into the storage room, and he says "Dorc's got him". In response to Mira Reinholt saying "I thought there was three of them you noticed?". 

A few moments later, and the ork warleader ducks inside, and after Zam closes the door to the alcove. 

The large ork opens up one of his large sacks, and tips it up, and a third fellow drops to the floor with a groan, from an obviously broken right arm. 

Draugodrottin rolls his eyes, as he told the ork warleader not to harm whoever it was that was following them. It's the easiest way to get him not to kill whoever it was. 

The lord and ruler of the Lands Farque says "No need" in reply to the mage Reinholt saying "I guess I could try and read their minds, to see who they are, and what they're up to" followed by "Even though I'm not particularly good at that". 

"Helbe's heading back this way" says the undead warlord, whose nation is far to the south of this region of The Southlands. 

A short time later, and Helbe the elven thief slips inside from the narrow lane, and looks at the trio who have been captured. 

"Who's this lot?" asks the young elven noble, shrugs are the reply from the others, then Lord Farque says "They were following us". 

The large heavily armoured deathlord of Farque gestures at Mira and Zam, then continues with "Following after them in particular". 

The young elven noble from the island principality of Laerel nods his hooded head, then he quickly and efficiently reads the minds of the three captured men. All of whom are unconscious, as the third one has passed out from the pain of his badly broken right arm. 

"Well" says Helbe the elven thief, who turns and looks at his fellow practitioner of magic, and member of Lord Farque's personal council, and add "Aren't you the popular one then". 

"Huh?" says the spellcaster who was once the most powerful mage of his generation to be found anywhere in The Southlands. 

"They've been hired to find and follow you" says the highly talented elven magic user, who after a pause, continues with "They're not the only ones either". 

The elven master assassin then says "Seems you're pretty popular, and a fair few people are after you". 

"Why?" asks the lord and ruler of the Lands Farque, who looks at the three captured men on the floor, then over at the mage who is a member of his personal council. 

"Because he's Mira" is the dry sounding reply from the young elven noble, who is a member of the royal family that rules the principality of Laerel. 

Who then looks at his fellow spellcaster, and grins before he starts explaining things from what he's found from reading the minds of the three unconscious men who they've captured, on this drizzly spring day here in the city of Vexil . . . . . . 

Springtime In The City 8.

The City Of Vexil. 

It's drizzling the next morning, and Zam the ex mercenary finds himself in the stables at the rear of the Merchant's Rest inn. 

The stables are empty as none of the group have horses, and there's no other customers staying at the inn at this time. 

The poor stableboy with nothing to do, has been roped into working in the inn itself. He's the one who has been sent to the nearby bakery at least a few times a day, to help feed Dorc da Orc. 

And the large ork is the reason the teenager originally from The City Of Ruins finds himself in the stables this morning. 

For the simple reason sir Percavelle Lé Dic and Tovis the war engineer arrived in the city yesterday afternoon. 

And ever since, the ork warleader and the noble born knight from the kingdom of Druvic, have been constantly arguing. 

And this morning during breakfast, the two of them were arguing so much, that Zam had to get out of the common room, and come out to the stables. 

The ex mercenary isn't the only one with the same idea. As Mira Reinholt the mage also decided to get away from the arguing rivals. 

So now the youngest member of the group finds himself practicing his sword work with the spellcaster who also happens to be a highly skilled swordmaster. 

Zam, in the middle of the stables, stands with sword in hand, keeping the blade in a low guard, with the point to the ground. 

Standing opposite him is the once powerful mage, who lifts an eyebrow as he looks at the latest stance and guard of the teenager who is originally from The City Of Ruins. 

After clearing his throat, Mira Reinholt the mage says "Yeah, you probably don't want to do that" followed in a slightly dry tone of voice with "You're not Lord Farque". 

Slightly wincing in embarrassment, Zam the ex mercenary says "Why not?" then he changes his guard to a more traditional one, instead of imitating the one that the lord and ruler of the Lands Farque favours. 

"Because you have to be a fucking exceptional master of the sword to use that guard" says the mage Reinholt who follows that with "If not, you'll get killed pretty damn quick trying to do that". 

The spellcaster who was once the most powerful mage of his generation to be found anywhere in The Southlands, then says "Hell even I rarely use that, and only with both of my blades". 

Zam nods his head, as the Vexillian mage in exile opposite him, has split his unique looking weapon, and holds just one of the blades, which resembles a short sword. 

While the other blade of the twin bladed staff like weapon, lies on a nearby hay bale, in one of the empty stalls. 

"Left foot further forward, and turn it slightly inwards" says the mage who finds himself, along with the rest of the group at this time, in his homeland of Vexil, here in the early spring. 

"This time, just try to defend" adds the spellcaster who was once a member of the Mage Council of Vexil, younger than Zam at the time. 

The ex mercenary nods his head yes in response to the highly skilled swordmaster, then the mage Reinholt says "Begin". 

The teenager from The City Of Ruins, defends if his life depends on it. For the once powerful mage doesn't go easy on him. 

Mira Reinholt might be in his early forties, but Zam knows he's far quicker with a blade than he is. 

Not to mention, a hell of a lot more talented, let alone having way more experience than the young ex mercenary. 

Though the teenager who over the nearly two years since the group found him in The City Of Ruins. 

Has developed with the sword at an ever increasing rate. Taught to him by pretty much all the members of the group. Including Dorc da Orc and Lord Farque himself. 

Even Shur Kee the monk has taught him things about the sword. Even though the physical adept doesn't use a sword himself. 

Though with the staff he uses, the short statured monk who is originally from beyond The Southlands. Has taught the teenage ex mercenary how to defend and attack those who wield weapons with a long reach. 

Zam barely ducks out of the way of a back hand swing by the swordmaster Reinholt. The youngest member of the group who has already been hit by the flat of Mira's blade this morning. 

Doesn't fancy getting hit by it again. As he's already got a few bruises from their sparring session this morning. 

The once powerful mage holds up his weapon to indicate a halt, and the ex mercenary steps back and lowers his sword. 

"You're getting better" says the exiled Vexillian mage, who follows that with "Even from during the winter time". 

The practitioner of magic gestures to some of the nearby hay bales, and the two of them take a seat, with Zam taking a drink from his water bottle. 

"I know" says the teenager from The City Of Ruins in response to Mira telling him "Remember sparring is all well in good to learn how to fight against a single opponent, maybe two or even three if you're skilled". 

The spellcaster who is a member of Lord Farque's personal council, who is checking his blade, continues with "When it comes to battle against multiple opponents, just hit hard and fast, because technique pretty much becomes irrelevant when you go up against larger numbers". 

"Unless you get really good" says Zam, who has heard this from Mira before, as well as from others in the group. 

"Unless you get really good" says the mage Reinholt who nods in agreement with the teenager from The City Of Ruins, who is the youngest member of the group. 

After a moments pause when he looks out of the open front doors of the stables, Zam asks the once powerful mage "Blademaster yet?". 

"Not quite" is the dry sounding reply from the Vexillian born swordmaster, who suspects the young ex mercenary, could possibly be already ranked a blademaster if he attended one of the public training halls in the city. 

But he, Mira Reinholt. Not to mention Lord Farque himself. Expects a higher standard for one to be ranked a blademaster, compared to Zam's ability at the moment. 

"Though we'll ask Farque in the summer if you're able to attain the rank of blademaster" says the mage who is also a highly skilled swordmaster. 

Which gets a genuine grin of appreciation from the teenager who is originally from The City Of Ruins. 

Looking out of the stable doors again, to the back of the inn across the small courtyard, Zam wryly says "Wonder if those two have stopped arguing?". 

"Doubt it" dryly says Mira Reinholt, who continues in the same dry tone with "The only time they've stopped since Percy turned up yesterday, is whenever that fat greedy slob of an ork stuffs his face with food" followed by "Or to take a swig of booze". 

The ex mercenary nods in agreement with the practitioner of magic who is also a highly skilled swordmaster. 

The Vexillian mage in exile who is also looking to their left out of the open stable doors, then quietly says "They might of stopped if he's come down from upstairs". 

Once again Zam nods in agreement with the mage Reinholt. For the he the once powerful mage is referring to, is Lord Farque himself. Who will quickly bring an end to the arguing ork warleader and former paladin. 

After a few moments, the two of them resume their training. With the highly skilled swordmaster teaches the teenager from The City Of Ruins, a couple of techniques he's yet to learn. 

After a while, as the exiled Vexillian mage stands to one side, to watch the ex mercenary who is the youngest member of the group go through a number of forms. 

Zam sees Mira glance out the stable doors, which the ex mercenary has behind his back. The once powerful mage who has put his black hooded cloak on again, nods his head in greeting. 

The teenager from The City Of Ruins guesses he's being watched. And when a breeze comes in through the open stable doors. Zam realizes from the slight stench he catches a whiff of, that it's Dorc da Orc who is watching him. 

And when the swordmaster Reinholt eventually calls him to halt. And the ex mercenary turns around, he sees the large heavily armoured figure of Lord Farque just outside the stables with the warleader of the ork race. 

"You're improving" says Lord Farque to Zam once the ex mercenary and the once powerful mage make their way out of the stables. 

"Dorc?" says the spellcaster who is also a highly skilled swordmaster, who looks at the large ork, then nods at the youngest member of the group. 

"Better cunt" grunts Dorc da Orc, which Zam will take as a compliment. For that's pretty much high praise from the ork weaponsmith, who rarely if ever compliments anyone else in the group, about anything they do. 

The ex mercenary grins and nods to the big burly ork from the southern polar region of the world, who stands there scowling in disgust as it continues to drizzle on this spring morning, here in the city of Vexil. 

"Come on you two" says Lord Farque or Draugodrottin which is the name he's also known by to the people of his lands. 

"We're are we off to?" asks Mira Reinholt who lifts a questioning eyebrow as he looks at the lord of the death realm. 

"To diversify" is the dry sounding reply from the large heavily armoured deathlord of Farque, which causes Dorc da Orc to mutter "To fucken what?". 

The undead warlord leads the way across the small courtyard, and around the secluded inn, here in the north of the capital city. 

And though the lord of the death realm doesn't reply to that from the ork who is a general in his Armies. 

He does reply to the large ork, when Dorc da Orc or Dorkindle which is his given name, asks the lord and ruler of the Lands Farque "Why me gotta fucken go?". 

As the weaponsmith from the wolf tribe of orks definitely does not want to be out this morning. For the simple reason there's a constant drizzle falling upon the city of Vexil. 

"Because you and the fucking annoying knight's constant bickering is getting on everyone's nerves" replies Lord Farque who has the elven name of Des'tier, which means The Destroyer. 

"That's fucking why" adds the undead being, whose lands are far to the south of Vexil, which is a city-state located in the central region of The Southlands. 

The ork warleader opens his mouth to argue with the large heavily armoured deathlord, who switches to the ork language, and says something to the big burly ork from the southern polar region of the world. 

Zam sees Dorc go silent and scowl after hearing that from Lord Farque, which the ex mercenary is pretty certain contained a hell of a lot of swearing. 

As he's figured out, and been told by the other members of the group, that the ork language is pretty much all swearing. 

The teenager who hails from The City Of Ruins, refrains from grinning as the large ork, who is silent, continues to scowl as they head out through the covered lane that leads to the nearby street from the secluded inn. 

Once on the street, Lord Farque turns right, and leads the three of them on this spring morning, where it continues to drizzle with rain. 

Where they're going, Zam the ex mercenary has absolutely no idea, he's just glad to be out and about, and doing something today, here in the city of Vexil, the capital of the city-state with the same name . . . . . .

Springtime In The City 7.

Vexil. 

Like yesterday, it's raining again in the morning. And after having breakfast, Zam the ex mercenary walks into the reception chamber, and looks out the glass window next to the closed front door. 

The teenager from The City Of Ruins, turns to the innkeeper who tells him "Probably rain for a few more days yet". 

The innkeeper, an affable fellow by the name of Krishin, who is sitting on a high stool behind the front counter, continues with "Tends to be that way during the early spring here in the city". 

The proprietor of the Merchant's Rest, follows that with "It'll rain for four or five days in a row, maybe even a seven day" he then adds "Then the weather will be clear and sunny for a few days, then the rain will return". 

Zam nods at that, as he's heard from both Mira Reinholt the mage, and Helbe the elven thief, that seems to be the pattern of the weather here in the city of Vexil during the early spring. 

The innkeeper who is going over a ledger, as he's probably never made so much revenue in his entire career. 

For the simple fact of how much Dorc da Orc is eating and drinking whilst the group is staying here in the Merchant's Rest inn. 

So much so, that the owner of the inn has had to get more daily deliveries of both alcohol and food, which the large ork goes through with ease. 

A nearby bakery is doing a roaring trade too. For the innkeeper has one of the staff go over there a few times a day to buy whatever the bakery is selling. Just to keep the big burly ork from the southern polar region of the world fed. 

Business has been booming so much, even though the group are the only customers at the moment. 

That the innkeeper has had to hire on another kitchen hand, to help his wife. Who is the head cook for the inn. 

Zam nods to the owner of the Merchant's Rest, and wishes the man a good day, then the ex mercenary who is the youngest member of the group. 

Makes his way back into the common room of the inn, where most of the group are, after having breakfast this morning. 

The ex mercenary looks around and sees that Helbe the elven thief isn't present. Which isn't surprising, considering he's gone most of the time. 

Apart from that, the rest of the group, who are here in the city of Vexil at this time, are in the common room of the inn, including Lord Farque himself. 

Who is at one of the corner tables with Mira Reinholt the mage and Malisse aka Zubutai the barbarian hordesman. 

Dorc da Orc who is drinking from a small wooden cask of some kind of strong liquor, whilst sharpening a set of his daggers. 

Sits on the floor next to the table where the lord and ruler of the Lands Farque is sitting with two of the members of his personal council. 

Zam is just wondering who he should sit with, as he tends to gravitate towards Lisell Maera the scout leader and Dalinvardèl Tanith the elven spy. 

When the undead warlord waves over Beldane the cleric and has a quiet word with him. Then Lord Farque calls over the ex mercenary who is originally from The City Of Ruins. 

"Go with Beldane" says Lord Farque once Zam makes his way over to the table where the undead warlord is sitting with the once powerful mage, and the rotund woman who isn't what she appears to be. 

With a glance over at Dorc da Orc, who he then gestures to, Zam the ex mercenary says to the lord of the death realm "Are we going back up to the border region?". 

The large heavily armoured deathlord shakes his full helmed head no, then says to the teenager who hails from The City Of Ruins "Beldane will explain". 

The ex mercenary nods after the lord and ruler of the Lands Farque turns back to Mira Reinholt and Malisse aka Zubutai Timaginson, and resumes their conversation. 

"Come on" says Beldane the cleric who points to the nearby stairs that heads up to the second floor of the inn. 

Zam follows the powerful practitioner of magic in the church of Glaine up the stairs, and to the fighting cleric's room. 

After closing the door behind him, the ex mercenary looks at the spellcaster who hails from the kingdom of Nastell, who tells him "We're going to check up on something". 

The teen ex mercenary nods, then he watches as Beldane starts casting a spell, and quickly a gateway starts to form in the middle of the room. 

After it forms, Zam pauses for a moment, before he realizes he's to go through the magical doorway first. 

He nods at Beldane who is looking at him, then the ex mercenary originally from The City Of Ruins goes through the gateway, with a hand on the hilt of his sword, ready to draw it if necessary. 

Once through the gateway, Zam steps forward then to one side, a moment later and the fighting cleric walks out of this side of the gateway. Which then disappears after the powerful cleric in the church of Glaine drops the spell. 

The first thing that Zam notices is that it's not raining here, wherever here is. Though the skies above them are overcast. 

The ex mercenary who is on a hilltop, a hill dotted with trees of various sizes. Overlooks a road, and town about a quarter mile to the west. 

Zam slightly frowns, and before he can ask Beldane where they are. The fighting cleric names a town about thirty five miles to the north of the city of Vexil. 

The youngest member of the group nods, as he recognizes the name of the town, and as he looks more closely at the nearby town. 

He recalls passing through it earlier in the week, when he and Dorc da Orc escorted the wagon packed with gold, down from the hill country in northern Vexil, to the capital of the city-state. 

Before Zam can ask the cleric in the church of Glaine what they're doing here, the powerful spellcaster from the north of the kingdom of Nastell, which is where his god Glaine is predominantly worshipped. 

Tells the ex mercenary "Trying to locate Tovis and Percy" the fighting cleric in the half plate armour continues with "We were expecting them in the city yesterday, or at least early in the morning today". 

Beldane follows on from that with "They might of ran into trouble with the weather, which has probably slowed them down". 

The powerful practitioner of magic is silent for a moment or two, then he quietly says "Also Lord Farque can't sense them". 

Zam slightly nods, as he's worked out since joining the group, that the undead warlord can sense anyone and anything up to about thirty miles from him. Especially those that he knows well. 

The ex mercenary looks at the fighting cleric in the church of Glaine, and sees that Beldane stands there with his eyes closed. And he figures the Nastellian practitioner of magic is casting. 

After a few moments, the cleric wearing half plate armour, grunts then opens his eyes, and he says in a slightly dry tone "Percy's there". As he gestures at the nearby town. 

Zam is just wondering how Beldane can locate the large heavily armoured knight, considering sir Percavelle Lé Dic isn't a spellcaster. 

When he remembers that the former paladin, who is member of the order of The Knights of Saint Mar'che, carries a couple of magical items on himself. 

Infact they're extremely powerful, though you have to know what they are to identify them, as well as locate them. 

"Let's go down there" says the powerful fighting cleric who is a member of the church of Glaine as he points at the nearby town. 

Zam stands close to Beldane, who then teleports the two of them down to the town, that lies next to the main road that comes down from the northern hill country, up in the border region with the kingdom of Girdane. 

They enter the town from the east, with the fighting cleric in the half plate armour leading the way. 

Zam sees that the town is fairly busy for the time in the morning that it is, similar to when he and Dorc da Orc passed through here. 

The ex mercenary who hails from The City Of Ruins, looks up as an airship passes by overhead, it's a Vexillian aircorp warship, and it's heading north. 

Beldane who has glanced up at too, quietly says to Zam "They've stepped up their patrols up near the border with Girdane". 

The youngest member of the group nods in agreement with the powerful practitioner of magic, then slightly grins when the fighting cleric in the church of Glaine quietly and dryly adds "I wonder why" 

Then the spellcaster from northern Nastell, points to a street coming up to their right, and says "They're that way" he briefly pauses before continuing with "Well, Percy is at least". 

They turn the corner, and head down the street, like nearly all of the streets in the fairly large and busy town, is paved. 

"Pretty sure this place was rebuilt after the war" explains Beldane the cleric referring to the Battle of Vexil, which took place just over a quarter of a century ago. 

He gestures at the buildings they pass by, and adds "Nearly all of these are new, as in since the end of the war". 

The powerful practitioner of magic continues with "And the roads are paved with the larger square slabs" he follows that with "Unlike older places that have cobblestone streets". 

Zam nods in agreement as he looks at their surroundings now with that information, something he didn't notice when he passed through here nearly a week ago. 

Then the ex mercenary originally from The City Of Ruins looks to where Beldane points and says "There". 

And he sees a horse drawn wagon come out of the side of a building, it's a turner and wheelwright's business. 

And watching the wagon is Tovis the war engineer, and while the driver is accompanied by a pair of hired guards, one sitting on the wagon bench with him. And the other sitting on what's covered in the wagon bed. 

Sir Percavelle Lé Dic follows behind the wagon as it makes it's way out of the wheelwright's business. 

Tovis the war engineer, who hails from the kingdom of Druvic, spots the approaching fighting cleric and ex mercenary, and waves to them in greeting. 

"I gather something happened?" asks Beldane the cleric as they walk alongside the wagon which is heading south through the town. 

"Wheel broke a couple miles north of town the day before yesterday" says Tovis the war engineer, who continues with "The wheelwright is busy at the moment, a lot of repairs as the surrounding farms get ready for the planting season". 

The strong muscular war engineer, who wears a long leather smock, that Zam knows is armoured, then adds "We had to wait our turn". 

Beldane nods at that, then quietly says "We were wondering why you were late" then the fighting cleric glances back at sir Percavelle Lé Dic, who has a sour look upon his face as he follows behind the wagon. 

"What's up with Percy?" asks the powerful Nastellian born spellcaster who has switched to the elven language. 

Zam glances back at the large heavily armoured knight, who barely acknowledged them when they turned up. 

In fact the usually boisterous, some would say pompous, nobleman from the kingdom of Druvic. Is much quieter than he normally is. 

Which in the opinion of the ex mercenary is a blessing from the gods. And Zam isn't a particularly religious individual. So that's basically a miracle all things considered. 

With a faint smile upon his face as they make their way out of town, Tovis the war engineer, also in elvish, says "We had to push the wagon those couple of miles to town". 

Tovis who previously served a prominent noble in southern Druvic, before joining the group, and the Armies of Farque, and becoming a commanding officer in Lord Farque's Armies. 

Explains that the horses couldn't pull the wagon, as that would completely break the damaged wheel, which still could roll, if it was pushed. 

And the former paladin in the order of The Knights of Saint Mar'che, along with Tovis and the pair of hired guards had to push the gold laden wagon to town. 

"He's been pissed with it since" adds the war engineer with a chuckle, which causes both Zam and Beldane to grin. 

The fighting cleric points to a road that goes off the main road that goes south towards the capital city. 

And after Tovis tells the driver to head that way, Beldane tells the commander in the engineering division of the Armies of Farque "Well I can get you closer to the city". 

The powerful practitioner of magic follows that with "Can't take you directly to the capital" he continues with "The City Council, and more importantly the Mage Council, aren't fond of that". 

The member of the church of Glaine then says "They don't care about personal gateways and rifts" followed by "But anything bigger, like something wagon sized, or airship sized, they come down on hard". 

Once they round a bend, and a small hill, so that the town is out of view from the side road they're on. 

Beldane the cleric calls for a stop, and he starts casting, a few moments later, and a gateway, large enough for a wagon to go through forms. 

Zam the ex mercenary goes through right behind sir Percavelle Lé Dic who hurried through the gateway after it formed. 

After the others come through, and the fighting cleric drops his spell, and the gateway vanishes. Zam who is looking around, and sees that they're on a wagon track, between fields on a farm. And that is raining once again. 

Looks at Beldane who points to a nearby road, and tells Tovis "We're about a dozen miles northeast of the city" he continues with "That road leads directly to one of the gates in the north wall". 

The powerful practitioner of magic who hails from the kingdom of Nastell adds "You should get there later in the afternoon". 

The war engineer from the kingdom of Druvic, nods in agreement, then says to Beldane and Zam "We'll see you there". 

The fighting cleric and the ex mercenary watch as the others head to the nearby road, knowing that even a dozen miles from the city of Vexil. 

Things are more than settled on the roads, which are patrolled from both the ground and the air, by the army and aircorp of the city-state. 

After a few moments, Beldane the cleric says to Zam the ex mercenary "Come on, let's head back". 

Then the powerful spellcaster who hails from the kingdom of Nastell casts a gateway that will take them back to the city of Vexil, on this rainy spring day in this part of the city-state . . . . . .