Springtime In The City 60.

The City-State Of Vexil. 

It isn't raining as hard this morning as it was yesterday. In fact it's slacking off already when Zam the ex mercenary makes his way from the Merchant's Rest inn. 

And by the looks of things, the drizzle will probably stop sometime later this morning. And things will start to clear as the wind has picked up, and the clouds above the city are breaking up and moving on. 

The youngest member of the group is following Lord Farque and a disgruntled looking Dorc da Orc, who really doesn't want to be out in the drizzling rain this morning. 

The teenager who is originally from The City Of Ruins is walking alongside Beldane the cleric. While Helbe the elven thief who exited the inn with them, has already disappeared. And has gone off. Where exactly. The ex mercenary isn't too sure. 

The four of them head east through the northern neighbourhoods of the city of Vexil. With the large heavily armoured deathlord leading the way with the ork warleader walking beside him. 

"I will" quietly says Zam the ex mercenary in the elven language in response to Beldane the cleric saying in the same language "Keep that hood of yours up" followed by "Don't want any of them to recognize you if we come across them this morning". 

The them the powerful cleric in the church of Glaine is referring to, is members of the order of the Knights of Saint Mar'che. 

Many of whom, well at least those still in the city. Want to see the end of both Zam and sir Percavelle Lé Dic. For the simple reason the former paladin who belongs to that particular knightly order, took out quite a lot of them during Le Grande Melee, on day two of the Spring Tourney of Vexil. 

As he and the fighting cleric follow the two large figures in front of them, the youngest member of the group nods at Lord Farque and Dorc da Orc, then quietly asks Beldane "Think they'll actually do it?". 

"Who knows?" is the quiet reply from the powerful practitioner of magic who hails from the kingdom of Nastell. 

Zam slightly nods his hooded head, when the member of the church of Glaine quietly adds "Anything's possible with those two". 

The ex mercenary is about to say something else, but he falls silent, as does Beldane when the deathlord of Farque glances back at them, and they see a brief flash of glowing blue light from his eye spot in his helm. 

The four of them cross the street they're on, and enter a lane on the other side. Small shops and businesses have opened, or are opening for the day. As the rain continues to get lighter and lighter this morning here in the north of the city of Vexil. 

At the end of the lane, Lord Farque turns left onto a street, as he does, he grabs Dorc da Orc by the left arm. 

Zam catches a glimpse of the large ork scowling as he glances sideways at the lord and ruler of the Lands Farque. 

Then the big burly ork who is from the southern polar region of the world, quickly looks away to the right, then growls before saying something in orkish. 

The ex mercenary who hails from The City Of Ruins nods, then shakes his hooded head when he sees the ork weaponsmith trying to break free of Lord Farque's hold. 

To no avail, as the ork general in the Armies of Farque is hauled down the street by the lord of the death realm. 

Zam faintly smiles as next to him, Beldane after snorting in amusement, quietly says in elvish "Dwarves". 

The teenager who is the youngest member of the group looks to where the powerful Nastellian spellcaster gestures to. 

And he spots a pair of dwarves, merchants by the looks of them. Heading down a lane on the other side of the street from them. 

In front of them, the large heavily armoured deathlord who has the name of Draugodrottin that the people of his lands also know him by. Keeps a firm hold of the left arm of the large ork, who is trying to look back to see where those two dwarven merchants have gone. 

The undead warlord only lets go of the warleader of the ork race until quite a few streets later. And then only after the lord of the death realm says something in the incomprehensible language of the orks to Dorc. 

That causes the weaponsmith from the wolf tribe of orks to sourly smile, then mutter something in reply in the same language, before sighing in frustration. 

Then after they cross a square, then wait for a horse drawn wagon to go by, they cross a street, and enter an alleyway between two sets of buildings. 

They come to a stop when Lord Farque quietly says "Hold up" followed by "Wait here". Before he leaps up to the roof of the three storey building to their right. 

With Dorc da Orc scowling as they stand in the lightly falling drizzle, both Zam and Beldane look up to where the undead warlord leapt up to. 

And after a few moments, they see the large heavily armoured deathlord come into view again, and gives a few hand signals. 

"Dorc stand close" says the fighting cleric in the church of Glaine, the big burly ork from the southern polar region of the world grunts. 

And though he wouldn't ordinarily do what's told to him by others in the group, the ork warleader grunts again and stands close to the cleric in the half plate armour, and the ex mercenary originally from The City Of Ruins. 

Beldane levitates the three of them up to the roof of the building that the undead warlord is standing on. 

And when they're on the roof, the lord and ruler of the Lands Farque nods his full helmed head for them to follow him across to the other side of the roof. 

"Is that it?" quietly asks Zam the ex mercenary, who continues on with "Across from that small park I guess". 

"That's it" replies Draugodrottin who has the elven name of Des'tier, which translates to The Destroyer. 

The four of them are looking across to the chapter house or headquarters of the order of the Knights of Saint Mar'che here in the city of Vexil.

"Not very busy" states the powerful practitioner of magic who hails from the north of his homeland, the kingdom of Nastell. 

"Only twenty or so in there at the moment" says the deathlord of Farque, who follows that with "Some of those are probably servants and the like". 

The undead warlord falls silent as the four of them stand in the lightly falling drizzle on top of a three storey building. 

While they watch the chapter house of the order of the Knights of Saint Mar'che on this spring morning here in the city of Vexil. 

While Dorc da Orc grows bored, the other three continue watching the chapter house of the knightly order that sir Percavelle Lé Dic is a member of. As they do, Helbe the elven thief suddenly appears alongside them on the rooftop. 

"How many exactly?" quietly asks Lord Farque, who follows on from that with "In the city all together". 

"Just under forty" is the reply from Helbe the elven thief, who continues with "Twenty one here in the chapter house, though six of those are servants". 

The highly talented elven magic user who is from the island principality of Laerel, then says "Three in the stables, and a trio who work in the kitchen and the main building itself". 

The elven masterthief who just happens to be a member of the royal family that rules the principality of Laerel falls silent. 

And they watch a pair of knights, or more likely knights apprentices, or even squires due to their age. 

Make their way from the chapter house, and head into the city proper. Not that you can tell they're members of the order of the Knights of Saint Mar'che. 

Due to the fact that they have normal looking clothes on beneath their cloaks. Which are also normal looking compared to what they usually wear. 

"They're after you Zam" quietly says the highly talented elven practitioner of magic with a gesture at the pair who have just left the knightly order's chapter house. 

"And Percy" adds the elven master assassin who is a member of Lord Farque's personal council, and is also his envoy. 

It's not long before another pair from the knightly order leave the chapter house, and head into the northern neighbourhoods of the capital city of Vexil. 

As they do, the grandson of the ruling prince of Laerel says "They're in a bit of a mess in there" the elven master archer continues with "With that trio Axe killed yesterday". 

The young elven noble from the island principality of Laerel explains how the disappearance of the three knights apprentices killed by the undead wardog Axe has put those remaining members of the order here in the city, into a state of confusion. 

With some believing they must of found some evidence of sir Percavelle Lé Dic and Zam, and are after them. While others think that the missing trio have been the victims of foul play. 

It doesn't help that Helbe the elven thief has been stirring the pot this morning. By casting spells here and there amongst the members in the chapter house. 

Effecting their decisions, and plans for the day. As evidence as another pair depart the chapter house, and head southeast into the city. 

"That big fucken doggy not arounds here, is he?" mutters Dorc da Orc as he scowls while peering around through the falling drizzle. 

The undead warlord slightly nods his full helmed head, and gestures away to their left. The ork warleader grunts when he looks in that direction. 

After a few moments, Zam who is looking the same way. Nods his head, when he briefly catches sight of the massive undead wardog Axe, on a rooftop about fifty yards away to their left. 

The youngest member of the group, who was scratching a living together, a meager one at that, as a mercenary in The City Of Ruins when the others found him, looks back towards the chapter house of the Knights of Saint Mar'che. 

"There's usually anywhere between two hundred and two hundred and fifty of them here in the city at one time" says prince Helbenthril Raendril who continues with "Most are out of the city, thinking Percy and Zam took off to the south right after the tourney finished". 

"That sir Olmard?" asks the lord and ruler of the Lands Farque, who follows that with "The one who knew Percy when he was younger" Des'tier adds "He still here in the city?". 

"He is" replies the highly talented and skilled elven magic user, who continues with "He's out and about in the city already" followed by "Left before dawn from what I've learnt". 

The elven masterthief then says "He's hell bent on finding Percy in particular" the elven princeling glances at Zam then quietly adds "He doesn't really care if you're found or not Zam". 

"Nice to be wanted so" dryly murmurs the teenager who is originally from The City Of Ruins, with a faux disappointed shake of the head. 

The elven master assassin who is a member of Lord Farque's personal council faintly smiles, then tells the lord of the death realm "Killing him might solve some of our problems". 

The son of the heir to the throne of Laerel, after a pause or two, continues with "Though keeping him alive, and feeding him a whole lot of bullshit might be an advantage to us too". 

The large heavily armoured deathlord nods his full helmed head, and they watch another pair exit the chapter house of the order of the Knights of Saint Mar'che. 

"Less than ten in there now" says Draugodrottin, who after a moments pause, continues with "That should be enough". 

"You going to go ahead then?" asks the young elven noble from the island principality of Laerel, who is answered with a nod from the lord and ruler of the Lands Farque. 

Zam slightly winces at hearing that, then he nods when Lord Farque gestures at him and Beldane, and says "You two wait here" followed by "We'll deal with it". 

The undead warlord then tells his envoy "Send the servants on their way" he follows that with "And get rid of any sign of those who are about to meet their fate". 

"Huh?" says Dorc da Orc with a sideways glance at the large heavily armoured deathlord, who sighs before saying to the ork warleader who is a general in his Armies "Those we're going to fucking kill". 

As the large ork grunts in satisfaction, as he's suddenly interested in what they're doing this morning. 

Draugodrottin says to the powerful cleric in the church of Glaine as he points to a spot in the chapter house near the small park that's across the street "Beldane send me and Dorc there when I give the signal". 

The fighting cleric nods his head, and after Helbe the elven thief disappears, and a short while after that, the half a dozen servants in the nearby chapter house of the order of the Knights of Saint Mar'che can be seen quickly leaving it. 

The lord and ruler of the Lands Farque nods to Beldane, then the lord of the death realm, along with the large ork disappear from the rooftop. 

Then reappear down in a courtyard behind the main building of the nearby chapter house. Dorc da Orc or Dorkindle to give him his actual name, has already got a weapon in each hand, as he hurries after Lord Farque who is running into the main building of the chapter house. 

"If they were in turmoil about the disappearance of those three yesterday" says Beldane the cleric, who follows on from that with "They'll be in complete chaos with the disappearance of the nine left in that building over there". 

The powerful practitioner of magic who hails from the north the kingdom of Nastell, then adds "Especially since his highness will get rid of evidence of what's actually happening over there". 

What's happening over there, Zam knows. And he slightly winces at the thought of that. As he knows at least nine more members of the knightly order that sir Percavelle Lé Dic belongs to. 

Are meeting their demise at the hands of Lord Farque and Dorc da Orc. Both of whom have absolutely no qualms about what's essentially murder they're commiting at this time. On what's a drizzly morning, here in the northern neighbourhoods of the city of Vexil . . . . . .

Springtime In The City 59.

The City Of Vexil. 

"How did you know?" asks Zam the ex mercenary after Dalinvardèl Tanith the elven spy who has met them in the reception room of the Merchant's Rest and asked them what happened. 

"Lord Farque through Axe" says Dalinvardèl Tanith the elven spy who is speaking in his native language. 

As both Zam and Lisell Maera the scout take off their wet cloaks, the elven spy who is a commander in the Scouts and Rangers division of the Armies of Farque says "He felt Axe kill a few people who were close to you two". 

The ex mercenary slightly nods as he's been told by Helbe the elven thief that Lord Farque's wardogs, especially the undead ones, are essentially family to the lord and ruler of the Lands Farque and are closely linked to one another. Far more so than the undead people in the large heavily armoured deathlord's lands. 

"From Percy's order" quietly says Lisell Maera the scout in elvish, the attractive young woman who is originally from the coastal city-state of Brattonbury, continues with "Zam had a run in with one a little earlier in a scriviners". 

The scout Maera who everyone in the group tends to call Lis, then says "Then a trio of them attacked us as we coming back here". 

Lis who is a junior officer in the Armies of Farque then dryly adds "Axe got to them before they could do anything". 

Zam slightly winces at the memory of that. As he's pretty sure he'll have the image of that headless fellow standing there for a moment, before falling over. Stuck in his mind for the rest of his life. 

"I assume fairly violently?" says Dalinvardèl Tanith or Dalin as he's more commonly called by the others in the group. 

"That's one way of putting it" drolly says Lisell Maera as she and Zam hang up their cloaks on the rack for them in the reception room. 

"Considering who Axe's master is" says the spy Tanith, who follows that with "They like him, tend not to muck around when it comes to such things". 

"That's for sure" murmurs the ex mercenary who is originally from The City Of Ruins, who along with Lis follows Dalin from the reception room into the common room, when the elven spy quietly says to them "Best you tell him and the others what exactly happened" followed by "At both the Scriviners, and on your way back here". 

Zam who is carrying the wooden cylindrical tube, that contains the scroll he purchased from one of the Scriviners shops they visited earlier on this rainy spring day. 

Who is glad it wasn't damaged when he and Lis were attacked in an alleyway a little while ago, here in the north of the city of Vexil by a trio who were members of the order of The Knights of Saint Mar'che. 

Head over to the corner table where Lord Farque is sitting with Mira Reinholt the mage and the rotund woman named Malisse, who is really Zubutai the barbarian hordesman. 

As usual, the only people here in the common room of the small secluded inn, are members of the group. 

The spy Tanith who himself was out in the city a little earlier, sits down at the next table over with Tamric Drubine the field commander and Saanea the witch. 

While Zam and Lis sit down on a bench that's been pulled over to the table where the deathlord of Farque is sitting with members of his personal council. 

Once the two of them are seated, Helbe the elven thief suddenly appears out of thin air into the empty chair to the right of the undead warlord. 

After the lord of the death realm quietly says something in the royal elven language to his envoy prince Helbenthril Raendril. 

Lord Farque says to the ex mercenary and the scout leader in the regular elven language "Tell us everything that happened to you two since you left here this morning, until you got back to the inn". 

It's the attractive young woman originally from the coast of The Southlands, who is now a junior officer in the Scouts and Rangers division of the Armies of Farque who does most of the talking. 

And explains what she and Zam got up to since they left the Merchant's Rest inn earlier this morning. 

How they went south through the north of the city, as the youngest member of the group wanted to visit a number of scriviners shops, located just to the north of the Mage College of Vexil. 

Occasionally Zam will speak up and say what happened. Especially when they talk about the scriviners shop, that was actually two shops, side by side. 

Where the ex mercenary who hails from The City Of Ruins, was accosted by someone in the knightly order that sir Percavelle Lé Dic is a member of. 

"I'm certain" says Zam the ex mercenary in reply to Mira Reinholt the mage's question of "You sure he was from Percy's order?". 

The teenager who is the youngest member of the group, continues with "I identified him by his tabard he was wearing hidden beneath both his cloak and jacket". 

Zam who was scratching together a living as a mercenary in his homeland, The City Of Ruins when the group found him, then adds "Definitely a squire, maybe a knights apprentice, as he was even younger than me, maybe about fifteen years old, If that". 

The once powerful mage, who hails from here in the city of Vexil, nods his hooded head, then falls silent when Lord Farque says to Zam and Lis "Continue". 

The attractive young woman who is originally from the city-state of Brattonbury, whose mother was a street prostitute, and whose father was a sailor who plied his trade upon The Great Western Ocean. 

Then recounts what happened when she and Zam quickly left the scriviners shop where the ex mercenary was accosted, and made their way back through the city, to the Merchant's Rest on this rainy spring day here in the capital of the city-state of Vexil. 

After the lead scout and the ex mercenary describe the attack upon the two of them, and the intervention from the undead wardog Axe. 

The large heavily armoured deathlord holds up a gauntleted hand, and they fall silent, and the lord and ruler of the Lands Farque quietly says "Both of you weren't attacked". 

The lord of the death realm continues with "Zam was attacked, Lis you were just in the way" he then adds "That's what Axe says". 

The attractive young woman who is originally from the city-state of Brattonbury, and the ex mercenary who hails from The City Of Ruins, share a look, then they both nod at that from the undead warlord. 

Then after the deathlord of Farque tells them to continue. The scout Maera tells the others at the corner table how Axe got rid of the three dead members of the order of the Knights of Saint Mar'che in the alleyway, by biffing them up onto the roof of one of the buildings to the side of the alley. 

Then Lis tells them of the rest of the way back to the Merchant's Rest inn, which was uneventful compared to the rest of the morning that she and Zam had whilst out and about in the north of the city of Vexil. 

The others at the table are silent for a few moments, then Malisse aka Zubutai the barbarian hordesman says "And you saw those three make their way from a shop opposite where you were taking shelter?". 

The ex mercenary from The City Of Ruins nods his head, then he says "Caught a glimpse of them out of the corner of my eye" followed by "Didn't think much of it when it happened, as we were hurrying up the street through the rain". 

The rotund woman who is really a hordes outrider from the southern tundra by the name of Zubutai Timaginson, nods her head, then after sharing a glance with the mage Reinholt and Helbe the elven thief, she says "You know what shop they came out of?". 

"Not sure" replies Zam who continues on with "It's the one opposite that tavern with the deep set front door" he then adds "On the other side of that small park, and square at the end of the street from the main avenue heading down to the city center". 

Mira Reinholt who was once the most powerful mage of his generation to be found, not just here in Vexil, but across the entire Southlands, nods his hooded head, then says "The Broken Arms". 

The Vexillian born mage who is still technically in exile from his homeland, continues with "Think it's an armourer, or a weapon shop that's opposite it". 

The spellcaster who is also a highly skilled swordmaster, then says "Expensive one too from what I remember". 

"Wonder if they have any link to a certain order of knights?" says Helbe the elven thief, who glances at the large heavily armoured figure of the lord of the death realm, sitting next to him. 

The lord and ruler of the Lands Farque slightly nods his full helmed head, then he quietly says "Go and find out after we've finished here". 

Lord Farque or Draugodrottin as the people of his lands also know him by, continues with "And dispose of those bodies while you're at it" he then adds "Last thing we need is for someone to go up on that fucking roof once the rain has cleared and find three dead knights". 

"More like two and half after what Axe did to them" murmurs Lisell Maera the scout leader, which earns a slight snort of amusement from the undead warlord. 

Then the deathlord of Farque glances over to the table where sir Percavelle Lé Dic is sitting with Tovis the war engineer and Beldane the cleric. 

The lord and ruler of the Lands Farque then quietly says to those at the table with him "Seems a fair few of Percy's order are still in the city": followed by "And didn't fuck off down south like most of them did". 

Draugodrottin or his elven name, which is Des'tier, which translates to The Destroyer, looks at Zam as he continues with "Seems you and Percy are still targets". 

The deathlord of Farque then glances at the mage Reinholt, then adds in a dry tone of voice "As are you, with all those you've fucked off over the years". 

Mira Reinholt who is part of one of the most prominent families in the city-state of Vexil, just shrugs his shoulders, then says "What can I say?". 

The spellcaster who just also happens to be a highly skilled swordmaster, continues with "I'm a popular guy". 

Which illicits a shake of the head from the rotund woman named Malisse, and a quiet chuckle from the elven masterthief, who happens to be a member of the royal family that rules the island principality of Laerel. 

After rolling his eyes at that from the once powerful mage, the lord and ruler of the Lands Farque quietly says "We might have to take, shall we say, permanent steps to curtail these threats to you Zam, and Percy". 

The large heavily armoured deathlord then looks at the Vexillian mage in exile who is a member of his personal council, and continues with "And the ones to you mage". 

The lord of the death realm follows that with "Considering we're staying in the city all spring" he then adds "And maybe into the summer, depending how things continue to go in those mines up in the hill country". 

Zam the ex mercenary and Lisell Maera the scout share a look as this is the first they've heard that they're staying in the city of Vexil, until at least the end of spring, and maybe into the upcoming summer. 

"Permanent steps, as in how?" asks Malisse aka Zubutai the son of Timagin, who follows on from that with "Kill everyone from Percy's order here in the city?". 

"If need be" is the cold sounding reply from the lord and ruler of the Lands Farque, who then looks at the mage Reinholt then add "Same for all of those after you Mira, and that includes that fucking prick from The Mage Council who is hell bent on finding you and killing you for what happened to his son back in winter up in the hill country". 

The once powerful mage looks at his fellow council member Helbe the elven thief and sourly smiles. 

For infact it was the young elven noble from the island principality of Laerel who actually killed the mage Garmen the younger, and not the spellcaster who is also a highly skilled swordmaster. 

"Could make things worse doing that" quietly says Mira Reinholt, who continues on with "Especially if we kill the mage Garmen". 

The Vexillian mage in exile follows that with "Even though he's not all that popular with the other members of the Mage Council" he then adds "They'll all band together to hunt down those who are responsible for killing one of their own, even one as well unliked as Garmen". 

Draugodrottin slightly nods his full helmed head, then he quietly says "That might be a risk we'll have to take". 

The large heavily armoured deathlord briefly pauses before continuing on with "Considering all these attacks, potential or otherwise, against Zam and Percy" followed by "And anything that could potentially happen to you Mira". 

The undead warlord then says "Are starting to get in the way in what's important, and what we're actually doing here in the city of Vexil this spring". 

All of them at the table with Lord Farque nod their heads, as they all know the sole reason they're here in Vexil during the springtime. 

And that's to bring in as much gold as possible from the recently reopened mines in the hill country up in the north of the city-state of Vexil. 

Mines that are under control of the deathlord of Farque . . . . . .

Springtime In The City 58.

Vexil. 

With a gloved hand holding up the front of his cloak's hood so he can see where he's going in the pouring rain. 

Zam the ex mercenary follows Lisell Maera the scout across the street they're on as they head back north through the city to the Merchant's Rest inn. 

Through the pouring rain the youngest member of the group hears the scout Maera say something, he's not exactly sure what. 

He just nods as he continues to follow the attractive young woman who is originally from the city-state of Brattonbury. 

"What was that?" asks Zam the ex mercenary when they turn into the entrance of a lane, and stop there. As it's a wall with an archway, that's a few feet thick, and offers some cover from the pouring rain they find themselves in this morning, here in the city of Vexil. 

"I said it's fucking pissing down now" is the reply from Lisell Maera the scout, who gestures out to the street, and continues with "If it wasn't for the extensive sewer system they've got here in the city, a lot of the streets would be flooded". 

The ex mercenary who hails from The City Of Ruins nods his hooded head in agreement, as he once again wipes his wet face. 

"At least it's not that windy" says the scout Maera, who is a junior officer in the Scouts and Rangers division of the Armies of Farque. 

"That's something I guess" dryly adds Lisell Maera or Lis as she's more commonly called by those who know her well. 

Zam just grunts in reply to that, then he glances out onto the street, and to their left, the way they're going as they make their way back to the inn, where the group is staying whilst here in the city of Vexil. 

"There's that tavern up ahead, at the end of the street, on this side" says the youngest member of the group, who was scratching a living, a meager one at that, in The City Of Ruins before he was found by the group. 

"You know" continues the ex mercenary, who follows on from that with "The one with that deep doorway" he then adds "We can stop there next". 

Zam then says "It offers a hell of a lot more shelter than this archway" the attractive young woman who hails from the coast of The Southlands, grunts in agreement with that, then says "True". 

Then Lis ducks out from beneath the archway that's the entrance to a lane, and starts hurrying up the street, followed by the youngest member of the group. 

At the end of the street, the junior officer in the Armies of Farque, followed by the ex mercenary, hurry into the deep recessed doorway. 

Which offers them the most shelter from the pouring rain they've come across as they head back to the secluded inn they and the rest of the group are staying at, while here in the capital of the city-state of Vexil. 

Unless they enter a shop or business, which they're both reluctant to do. As they want to get back to the Merchant's Rest inn fairly quickly. To inform the others what happened at the Scriviners they were in a little earlier this morning. 

After wiping his face yet again, Zam sourly says to the lead scout in the Armies of Farque "Prefer it to be freezing cold and sunny, than all this rain". 

Lis who is originally from the coastal city-state of Brattonbury, where her mother was a street prostitute, and her father, a man she never met, was a sailor, grunts in agreement with the youngest member of the group. 

Then the attractive young woman who is a junior officer in the Armies of Farque says "Same". Before she pops her head out, to look in the direction they're going. 

"Might be my imagination" says Lisell Maera, who continues on with "I think it's getting lighter" after a brief pause, she adds "Maybe". 

Zam nods his hooded head in agreement as he looks across the street from them, then he says "You might be right". 

The ex mercenary from The City Of Ruins wryly smiles when the scout Maera says to him "You can lead the way this time". 

The youngest member of the group refrains from sighing, for they're about to turn a corner onto another street. 

And that they'll be walking directly into the wind, what little there is today. Even so, it'll be unpleasant for whoever is leading the way .

Zam nods to Lis, and asks the junior officer in the Armies of Farque "Ready?". The scout Maera replies with a nod of her hooded head. 

Then the ex mercenary leads the way out of the entrance way to a tavern they've been taking shelter in. He's quickly followed by the attractive young woman who hails from the city-state of Brattonbury. 

As they do, they both notice a doorway across the street open up, and a few people exit that particular business. 

Though they don't see it as they hurry up the street they're on, but the trio who just made their way from that shop. 

All look closely at Zam and Lis, though they're paying all of their attention upon the teenager who is originally from The City Of Ruins. 

Then the trio break out into a run, when the ex mercenary and the scout leader hurry around the corner onto the next street. 

"Fucking hell" mutters the ex mercenary as both wind and rain now hits him in the face as he leads the way back through the streets, here in the north of the city of Vexil. 

Zam who is regretting that he's leading the way now, is just about to glance back at Lis and tell her that. When he's suddenly shoved sideways by the scout Maera into an alleyway they're passing. 

While the attractive young woman who is originally from coastal city-state of Brattonbury, says to him in elvish "Zam watch out". 

The youngest member of the group goes stumbling into the alleyway, he goes to turn around, drawing his sword as he does so. 

And he sees someone go careening by him, deeper into the alley that the ex mercenary finds himself in. 

The teenager originally from The City Of Ruins, sees Lis ducking down, doing a spin kick as she does so. 

Taking out the legs of the figure swinging a sword at her, which passes harmlessly over the attractive young woman who is a junior officer in the Armies of Farque. 

As that person drops to the ground with a grunt of pain that Zam clearly hears over the falling rain. 

The ex mercenary turns quickly back around, to see whoever it is that went stumbling by him to deeper in the alleyway. 

As he does, the youngest member of the group is hit by something, that knocks him down to the ground in the alley. 

It's forceful, but not forceful enough that it damages Zam in anyway. Still he's momentarily stunned as he lies there on the ground in the middle of the alleyway in the pouring rain. 

The teenager originally from The City Of Ruins looks up, then blinks in surprise at what he sees. As he sees a cloaked figure standing there, not that far from Zam, holding a sword. A figure that has no head, while something dark and massive looms over it. The ex mercenary blinks again to realize what he's actually looking at. 

He slightly grimaces as the headless figure continues to stand there for another moment, before the sword drops from it's right hand, then the body minus it's head, follows it to the ground. 

"Zam you okay?" says Lisell Maera the scout, who hurries over, and helps the youngest member of the group up off the ground. 

"Huh?" says the ex mercenary, who after a moments pause, adds "I'm fine" as the junior officer in the Scouts and Rangers division of the Armies of Farque helps him up. 

Zam grimaces again, while next to him, Lis winces as the massive form of Axe the undead wardog, turns and looks at the two of them, before he spits out the head that's between his jaws. 

"Hell" mutters the scout Maera, the teenager who is the youngest member of the group, just nods his hooded head in agreement with that muttered oath from the attractive young woman who is originally from the coast of The Southlands. 

The two of them turn around when they hear a groan. And Zam sees it's the fellow who Lis kicked in the legs. Who is looking dazed as he lies upon the ground. 

Away to the side of him, is someone else. The ex mercenary who hails from The City Of Ruins blinks as he sees it's actually half of someone else. The top half. Where the bottom half is. The youngest member of the group has absolutely no idea. 

"Bloody hell" murmurs Zam who looks at Lis, then asks the junior officer in the Scouts and Rangers division of the Armies of Farque "Now what?". 

The scout Maera shrugs her shoulders in reply, then she walks back to the attacker who though dazed, is still alive. The teenager originally from The City Of Ruins follows her. 

"Let me guess" quietly says Zam in elvish, who follows that with "From Percy's order?". As the attractive young woman who hails from the coast of The Southlands pulls open the dazed fellow's cloak, then jacket. 

"He is" says Lisell Maera in the same language, who then steps back and out of the way after seeing the tabard beneath the jacket of the man who attacked her. 

Looking around, the ex mercenary says "What are we going to do about him?" as he gestures at the dazed fellow on the ground in the middle of the alleyway. 

Axe fixes that. For the massive canine moves forward, causing Zam and Lis to quickly step out of the way. 

Then the undead wardog nudges the half unconscious fellow on the ground, rolling the man over. Axe then steps on the man's back. Snapping his spine and killing him. 

"Shit" murmurs the scout Maera with a grimace, while next to her, the ex mercenary originally from The City Of Ruins winces. 

Then Zam after looking through the rain and out of the alleyway, says in the elven language "What about them?" as he gestures at the three bodies. Well, two and half bodies to be exact. 

"If we're seen leaving the alley, and those bodies are found" says Zam who follows that with "That's trouble we don't want". 

Once again, Axe comes up with a solution to that problem. The massive canine, who is well over six and half feet tall at the shoulders, and over seven foot in overall height. Not to mention he weighs  over fifteen hundred pounds. 

Grabs the fellow whose spine he just snapped by the right leg. And flings him up onto the top of two storey building to the right. 

The undead wardog does the same for the half of the body, and the headless body further in the alleyway. 

Lis and Zam share a look, then they look at Axe who softly barks at them a few times. Who then stamps on the head in the alley a few times. Turning it into a pulpy mess, which the rain will soon wash away. Then he leaps up to the roof of the building on the left side of the alleyway. 

"Pretty sure I think he wants us to get moving" quietly says the scout leader in the Armies of Farque. 

The youngest member of the group nods his hooded head in agreement as the two of them look up to the left, and find the massive animal on the roof of the building on that side of the alley, looking down watching the two of them. 

The attractive young woman who hails from the coastal city-state of Brattonbury, and the ex mercenary originally from The City Of Ruins share a look .

Then Zam quietly says "Best we get going again". The scout Maera nods her hooded head in agreement with him. 

At the mouth of the alleyway, the two of them look out on the street. And apart from a few people taking cover beneath an awning at the front of a shop, further down the street, and on the other side as well. The street is empty on this rainy morning. 

Both Zam and Lis exit the alleyway, and continue on their way. With the ex mercenary glancing up at the top of the buildings next to them. Knowing that Axe is up there keeping pace with the two of them as they head back to Merchant's Rest inn. 

After a little while as they walk side by side in the rain, the youngest member of the group asks the scout Maera "What happened to that third one?". 

The teenager who hails from The City Of Ruins follows that with "The one who was ripped in half?". 

"One moment I saw him entering the alley behind the one I took down" says Lis who continues on with "The next I was shoved to the side by Axe, then he took out that fellow who was in half on the ground" followed by "I think Axe flung the other half up onto the roof of the building on the right, before he knocked you down and out of the way and attacked the one who stumbled by you". 

"Hell, that was quick" quietly says Zam, the scout Maera nods in agreement then she admits to the ex mercenary "I didn't exactly see much, what with the rain and him moving so fast". 

The youngest member of the group nods at that, then he falls silent as the two of them hurry through the heavy rain, on their way back to the Merchant's Rest inn on this spring day. 

Whilst silently keeping watch over them, on the rooftops of the nearby buildings as he keeps pace with them. Is the undead Farqian wardog Axe . . . . . .

 

Springtime In The City 57.

The City-State Of Vexil. 

He doesn't leave the Merchant's Rest the next day as well. But the morning after that, Zam the ex mercenary makes his way from the secluded inn, that's tucked away in a walled off square between buildings. 

Though the teenager originally from The City Of Ruins is questioning his decision to leave the inn after Lord Farque gave him permission to do so. 

Because it's pouring with rain this morning, and not the usual light steady rain that falls across the city of Vexil during the springtime. 

The rain this morning is torrential, and has been even since it started up again earlier, in the lead up to dawn. 

With the hood of his cloak down low over his forehead, Zam hurries to the left down the street, following behind Lisell Maera the scout. 

The ex mercenary who is the youngest member of the group nods to a couple of the kitchen hands he recognizes from the Merchant's Rest, who are hurrying back to the inn after purchasing various foodstuffs from the nearby covered marketplace. 

Zam follows the scout Maera into that very same marketplace after they turn onto another street. The ex mercenary blows rain drops off his face and is glad to be out of the downpour for at least a little while. 

With a shrug of his shoulders, Zam the ex mercenary says "Ah well, that's how it goes" followed by "Besides I was getting bored stuck in the inn". 

In response to Lisell Maera the scout saying to him "Can't believe you wanted to go out this morning" dryly followed by "In such delightful weather". 

The attractive young woman who hails from the coastal city-state of Brattonbury, who is a junior officer in the Scouts and Rangers division of the Armies of Farque gestures away to their left to the stalls in the covered marketplace, which would be called a bazaar where she's from in Brattonbury, and says "Unless you want to buy some turnips or carrots, no use staying here". 

Lisell Maera or Lis as she's more commonly called by the others in the group, then asks the teenager originally from The City Of Ruins "Anywhere in particular you want to go?". 

"Mira said there's some excellent scriviners here in the north of the city" is the reply from the ex mercenary, who continues with "Been to a couple of them already in this part of the city". 

The youngest member of the group then adds "But he said the best ones are further down near the city center" Zam follows that with "On this side of the Mage College". 

The lead scout Maera grunts, then says "Figures" she looks out the arched opening to the covered marketplace, which is fairly busy even with this morning's weather. 

"Might as well head out" continues the attractive young woman who is from the West Coast of The Southlands, who then adds in a droll tone of voice "We're going to get wet no matter what". 

The teenager originally from The City Of Ruins nods his hooded head in agreement with the scout Maera, who he follows out onto the street and into the pouring rain, as they head south through the north of the city. 

Heading towards the city center, and the Mage College of Vexil, the massive grounds of which are located just north of the center of the capital city. 

After going down a few streets, then entering a lane, which is fairly sheltered as many of the shop fronts on both sides of the lane, have awnings above the doors. 

Lisell Maera stops beneath one, that's quite wide and long, as the shop where it's located is a Coopers, that has a barn like front door, which is wide open at the moment. 

After looking into the open shop front, which is a workshop more than anything else, as you can see the Cooper, and two of his apprentices, along with a journeyman Cooper, shaping and making barrels. 

Zam wipes drops of water from his face, then quietly says in elvish to Lis "Wonder who's watching us today?". 

The ex mercenary who hails from The City Of Ruins follows that with "His highness?" followed by "Or his pixie?". 

The youngest member of the group continues with "Or Dalin?" he then adds "I saw him leave the Merchant's Rest just before us". 

The attractive young woman originally from the city-state of Brattonbury whose mother was a street prostitute, and whose father was a sailor, slightly nods her hooded head, then quietly says in the same language "Could be anyone of them". 

The scout Maera briefly pauses, before she continues with "But I think it might be Axe" the junior officer in the Armies of Farque follows that with "I briefly caught a glimpse of something through the rain a bit earlier out of the corner of my eye". 

Lisell tells Zam "Massive, and up on the rooftops to our left a few streets back from here" she continues on with "Pretty sure it was him". 

The teenager who was scratching together a meager living as a mercenary in The City Of Ruins before the group found him, nods his hooded head, then he quietly and dryly says in the elven language "Feel sorry for anyone dumb enough to try and rob or attack us". 

The junior officer in the Scouts and Rangers division of the Armies of Farque snorts, then grins as she nods in agreement with the youngest member of the group. 

As they both know that Axe will thoroughly destroy anyone who would attempt such a thing against Zam and Lis. 

The attractive young woman from the coastal city-state of Brattonbury then gestures away to the right down the street, and quietly says "Come on" followed by "The Mage College isn't all that far now". 

And she leads the way from under the awning along the front of the Cooper's shop, and into the pouring rain that's falling on the city of Vexil this spring morning. 

A little bit later and near the city center, they can see the grounds of the massive institution that's the Mage College of Vexil. 

Where spellcasters, not just mages. From right across The Southlands, and beyond in some cases. Come to learn their magic and spell craft. 

"To the right up here" says Zam the ex mercenary to the junior officer in the Armies of Farque who is leading the way. 

Lisell turns right into a street, and the two of them are soon in front of a number of scriveners shops found along this street. 

After shaking their wet cloaks as they stand beneath the awning in front of the shop, they enter. 

Over the next little while they browse the shelves in the shop, after speaking with the shopkeeper, and having a look in the backroom, where the scribes are busy at work copying various scrolls and documents. 

There's no magical scrolls and the like here in this particular shop, so the prices aren't overly expensive. 

And Zam purchases a couple of things, which he'll pick up on a fine day. As he doesn't want to risk them getting wet today. 

The youngest member of the group and the attractive young woman originally from the city-state of Brattonbury. 

Head to the next scriveners on the street. This one in two separate shops, with the copying is done in one. While the actual shop where things are sold, right next to it. 

Lisell goes into the copying shop. Zam is pretty certain she does because one the scribes who looked their way, when they glanced in, caught the eye of the lead scout in the Armies of Farque. 

The ex mercenary enters the other shop, and after speaking with the shopkeeper, and his assistant. The teenager from The City Of Ruins heads to the back of the shop as he's looking for history texts, specifically about the invasion of The Southlands by the Holy Norstran Empire. 

Zam passes shelves holding magical scrolls, which no doubt cost a fortune. And when he gets to the back shelves with the history books and scrolls. 

He hears the front door to the shop open, and somebody enter. He figures it's Lis as he starts searching the shelves at the back of the shop. 

"Not that one" the ex mercenary murmurs to himself as he looks at what looks like a bundle of paper pages tied up with string, written by a historian whose name is familiar to him. 

The youngest member of the group is just about to pull a rolled up scroll from the shelf to his right, when he hears someone approaching him from behind. 

"Hey you" says someone who puts a hand on Zam's left shoulder to spin him around. The ex mercenary acts instinctively, and indeed spins that way. 

He's already throwing a punch as he spins. It's an uppercut, and it hits directly under the chin of the person who put their hands on him. 

The fellow is unconscious before he drops to the floor with a thud. And the teenager looks down at him, and slightly frowns. 

For he looks to be younger than Zam himself. Maybe fifteen years old or so. Wearing a sky blue cloak .

The ex mercenary who hails from The City Of Ruins quickly opens the cloak, and finds the youngster is wearing a jacket underneath it. 

Zam opens the top of the jacket to check something, then he mutters "Shit" before quickly closing the jacket, and pulling the cloak together over it. 

Just after he does the shopkeeper walks into the aisle at the back of the shop, and the teenager who is the youngest member of the group says to the scrivener who blinks in surprise at what he sees "Think he might be a cut purse". 

Zam continues with "Or something worse" followed by "He put his hands on me, and attempted to attack me" the ex mercenary shrugs then says "I got in a lucky punch that did him in". 

The shopkeeper grunts, then says "There's always thieves about targeting the students from the Mage College" he continues with "It's highly dangerous to do so, though profitable if they can get away with it". 

The youngest member of the group nods at that, and the scrivener tells him "I'll just get my assistant, then throw him into the alley" as he gestures at the unconscious youngster on the floor. 

"Since he didn't actually steal anything from you, or did you any harm" continues the shopkeeper, who then adds "The city guard won't be interested, the most they'll do is hold him for the day, before releasing him". 

Once again Zam nods, then the scrivener asks him "Did you find anything you'd like?". And the ex mercenary replies with "I did actually" followed by "This one here" as he takes the rolled up scroll he was just about to take from the shelf to the right before he was grabbed by the young fellow he ended up knocking out. 

The teenager originally from The City Of Ruins then follows the shopkeeper to the front counter, and purchases the scroll on some of the history of the Holy Norstran Empire's invasion of The Southlands four and half centuries ago. 

After the scroll is wrapped in linen, then placed into a wooden tube that's corked at either end. Zam places it into the long hidden pocket on the inside of his cloak, before he steps outside after thanking the shopkeeper. 

Who then with his assistant, goes to get the unconscious figure on the floor at the back of the shop. Who they toss out into the rain in the alleyway behind the shops. 

Whilst Zam looks into the copying shop next door, and gets the attention of the scout Maera, who is chatting with the young man that the ex mercenary is pretty certain she's attracted to. 

Once Lis comes over to the front door, the teenager who is the youngest member of the group quietly tells her in elvish "We better head back to the inn" he briefly pauses before adding "Right now". 

The lead scout in the Armies of Farque lifts her eyebrows, then slightly nods, before she quickly goes and says goodbye to the scribe she was chatting up. 

In the pouring rain as they head back north through the city streets, Zam quietly tells Lis what happened in the scriveners shop he was just in. 

And how the young teenager he knocked out, was actually a squire in the order of the Knights of Saint Mar'che. 

As the ex mercenary recognized the tabard the youngster had on, hidden beneath the jacket he was wearing. 

"Guess not all of them after you and Percy left the city" quietly says Lisell Maera the scout in elvish as they walk quickly through the pouring rain. 

"Looks like it" says Zam in the same language, as they head back to the Merchant's Rest inn on this cold and rainy spring day here in the city of Vexil . . . . . . 

Springtime In The City 56.

The City Of Vexil. 

"What did he do?" asks Zam the ex mercenary as he stands at the stable doors looking at the rain that's falling this morning. 

"They think you and Percy left the city yesterday after celebrating how things went in the tourney" replies Dalinvardèl Tanith the elven spy. 

"He put into the heads of a few of them looking for you two yesterday in the south of the city" adds the elf who is originally from the principality of Alinlae. 

"Pretty much the rest of the order here in the city know it now" continues the elven spy who is a commander in the Scouts and Rangers division of the Armies of Farque. 

"A whole bunch of them left the city last night, heading south looking for you and Percy" says Dalinvardèl Tanith or Dalin as he's more commonly called by those who know him well. 

The ex mercenary who hails from The City Of Ruins grunts when he hears that. And hopes that he doesn't run into any members of the order of the Knights of Saint Mar'che who remain in the city. 

The youngest member of the group who has come into the stables to check up on sir Percavelle Lé Dic's warhorse this morning, and to train knife fighting with the spy Tanith. 

Turns back around to look at the warhorse in it's stall one more time, then at Dalin who is sitting on a hay bale inspecting a number of his knives and daggers, now that they've finished the training session. 

"Any problems yesterday with that latest shipment?" asks Zam who is speaking in elvish to the commander in the Armies of Farque. 

"Went smoothly" is the reply from Dalinvardèl Tanith, who follows that with "The krean are expecting to bring down another one in about four or five days time". 

The spy who previously served in one of the more prominent noble houses of his homeland of Alinlae before joining the group, says "Production is all go in a couple of those mines now, and they're smelting it as fast as they can find it". 

The spy Tanith continues with "And they've just found a new seam in another of the mines, so once they dig all that out, even more will be shipped down here". 

The youngest member of the group nods his head, and wonders how much gold Lord Farque will eventually get out of those mines in the hill country up in northern Vexil. 

A damn lot, Zam thinks to himself, who looks back outside through the rain that started just before dawn this morning. 

And he faintly smiles when he spots Dorc da Orc sticking his out of the window of his room up on the second floor of the Merchant's Rest. 

The big burly ork from the southern polar region the world quickly pops his head back inside after scowling in disgust, before closing the window to his room. 

The ex mercenary who knows the ork warleader was looking at the stables. As he's made it no secret that he's interested in sir Percavelle Lé Dic's warhorse. 

And that interest, would be to either fuck the horse or eat it. Though Zam is of the opinion the large ork would probably want to do both. 

The youngest member of the group who was earning a living, a meager one at that, as a mercenary in The City Of Ruins before the others found him. 

Turns back around when the spy Tanith says "Mira being wanted by a fair few people" followed by "Now you and Percy by those in Percy's order". 

The commander in the Scouts and Rangers division of the Armies of Farque continues on with "Wonder who else will end up being wanted by whoever by the time we actually leave the city". 

The ex mercenary grunts, then says in a slightly dry tone of voice "I'm surprised Dorc hasn't been sought out by someone or another". 

Zam pauses for a moment before adding "He's bound to of pissed off a whole lot of people over the years here in Vexil". 

"Him and Lord Farque both" says Dalinvardèl Tanith, who after a brief pause, continues in a dry tone with "They tend to eliminate en masse those who hold a grudge against them". 

The youngest member of the group snorts at that, then nods his head in agreement with the spy who hails from the elven principality of Alinlae. 

Dalin gets up off the hay bale he's been sitting on, and after slipping the last of his daggers he's been inspecting into a hidden sheath beneath his tunic and cloak. 

He makes his way over to the ex mercenary who is standing near the open doors to the stables, on this cool and rainy morning here in the city of Vexil. 

"Might as well head back in" says the spy Tanith with a nod of his hooded head at the inn across the small square that separates it from the stables. 

Zam nods his head in agreement, then lifting up the hood of his own cloak, and placing it upon his head. 

The teenager who is originally from The City Of Ruins looks back into the stables and says in the common language "Make sure to keep an eye on the knight's mount". 

The stable boy up in the loft, who was wide eyed as he was watching Zam and Dalin knife fight, vigorously nods his head that he will. 

Then the ex mercenary and the elven spy exit the stables and hurry across to the Merchant's Rest which they quickly enter as it continues to rain across the city of Vexil. 

Once inside and through the reception room, they enter the common room, where they find the rest of the group. With the exception of Helbe the elven thief. Who no doubt is up to something, somewhere in the city. 

Zam faintly smiles as he sees that Dorc da Orc has come down from upstairs, and he's sitting on the floor near the table where Lord Farque is sitting. 

And though the large ork is scowling, which isn't surprising, as he scowls pretty much most of the time anyway. 

He's got a number of wine bottles, and other liquor bottles on the floor next to him, and he's drinking from them. 

While he looks towards the kitchen, as no doubt he's waiting for some food that he's ordered for breakfast this morning. 

"Raining out there I see" says Lisell Maera the scout when Zam and Dalin sit down at the table where she is, and she notices their damp cloaks. 

"Pretty steady out there" says the ex mercenary who is the youngest member of the group, who then nods over to the next table over from them as he continues with "Saanea says it will do so for the next three days". 

The teenager originally from The City Of Ruins who spoke to the witch Saanea earlier, then says "Fourth day it'll just shower, then clear up later that day". 

Lisell Maera or Lis as she's more commonly called by the others in the group grunts, then quietly says "That's probably for the best". 

Looking at Zam, then over to where sir Percavelle Lé Dic is at a table with Tovis the war engineer and Shur Kee the monk, the scout leader in the Armies of Farque continues with "Unlikely you and Percy will be found out in this weather, with whoever from his order are still left in the city". 

Both Zam and Dalin nod their heads in agreement with the attractive young woman who is originally from the coastal city-state of Brattonbury, and is now a junior officer in the Scouts and Rangers division of the Armies of Farque. 

Lis with her elbows on the table, leans forward and quietly says "With you and Percy, as well as Mira being wanted by who knows who". 

The scout Maera briefly pauses before continuing with "I wouldn't be surprised if more of us don't end up being wanted by someone for something by the time we eventually leave the city". 

Both the ex mercenary and the elven spy faintly smile, then the youngest member of the group says to Lis "Dalin basically said the same thing when we were out in the stables". 

Looking around at the others in the common room of the inn, the attractive young woman who hails from the city-state of Brattonbury quietly says "I wonder who else?". 

Then after a brief moment of silence, the junior officer in the Armies of Farque dryly says "Well apart from Dorc and Lord Farque himself". Which causes both Zam and the spy Tanith to grin. 

The teenager originally from The City Of Ruins knows that the undead warlord, and the ork warleader, along with Beldane the cleric. 

Have been keeping well clear of the western side of the city, specifically away from just southwest of the city center. Where many of the churches and temples in Vexil can be found. 

Due to what the three of them got up to whilst here in the city back in the winter that's just gone by. 

"Who knows how many of us will end up having to be disguised by one of Helbe's spells whenever we go out, before we finally end up leaving the city" says the attractive young woman who is a lead scout in the Armies of Farque. 

Nodding his head, Zam as he looks around, quietly says "Speaking of his highness" the teenager who is the youngest in the group, then asks the scout Maera "Where is he this morning?". 

"Probably stealing something somewhere" is the dry sounding reply from Lis, who shrugs her shoulders, then says "Who knows?". 

The attractive young woman who is from the coast of The Southlands, slightly nods over to the table where Lord Farque is sitting with Mira Reinholt the mage and the woman named Malisse, who is really Zubutai the barbarian hordesman. 

"He was talking with Lord Farque about something earlier when I came down from upstairs" quietly says the junior officer in the Scouts and Rangers division of the Armies of Farque. 

"By the time I sat down, and looked over again, he was gone" quietly adds Lis who then drinks the last of her tea in the mug she's been holding. 

"Nothing new there" states the spy Tanith who follows that with "He's probably doing something for Lord Farque". "More than likely" says the scout Maera with a nod of her head. 

"Or stealing something" quietly adds the elf who is a commander in the Scouts and Rangers division of the Armies of Farque. 

"Definitely likely" dryly says the junior officer who is the same division of the Armies of the lord and ruler of the Lands Farque as the elven spy. 

Zam quietly chuckles, and after the serving woman and one of her helpers bring over a lot of food for Dorc da Orc. 

The teenager originally from The City Of Ruins orders some breakfast, even though he ate earlier before heading out to the stables with Dalinvardèl Tanith. 

"Hungry I gather?" dryly says commander Tanith to the youngest member of the group, followed by "You broke your fast before we trained". 

"What can I say, I'm still growing I guess" says the ex mercenary, which illicits a snort from both the elven spy and the lead scout. 

Dalin is just about to say something else, until he spots a discreet hand signal from the lord and ruler of the Lands Farque. 

"Be back in a moment" quietly says the spy Tanith to Zam and Lis, before he gets up, and heads over to the corner table the deathlord of Farque is sitting at with two of the members of his personal council. 

"Wonder what's up?" quietly says the ex mercenary to the attractive young woman who is originally from the city-state of Brattonbury. 

"We'll find out I guess" quietly says Lisell Maera, who after a slight pause, continues on with "Or not". 

The teenager who is originally from The City Of Ruins grunts in response to that, as he's learnt since joining the group. He's only told what he needs to be told. 

And though he's gathered that he's told in detail of certain things, after the fact. It's slightly frustrating not knowing exactly what's going on. 

The ex mercenary has been told by a number of others in the group that this is done on purpose. To prepare him for battle. For during combat in wartime, you often don't know what's going on. Definitely not the larger picture, unless you're part of the command group. 

Zam who has yet to decide if he's going to join the Armies of Farque, or remain separate to it. Like Beldane the cleric, Shur Kee the monk, Mira Reinholt the mage and sir Percavelle Lé Dic are. Though both the once powerful mage and the short statured monk are members of Lord Farque's personal council. With Shur Kee being an honorary member. 

The serving woman brings over a small plate of food, and the ex mercenary gets stuck into it. And he's almost finished it by the time Dalinvardèl Tanith returns to the table after quietly speaking with the lord and ruler of the Lands Farque. 

"Zam you're to remain here at the inn today" says the spy who previously served in one of the more prominent noble houses of his homeland, the principality of Alinlae. 

"That goes for Percy as well" adds the spy Tanith with a nod of his hooded head to the table where the noble born knight from the kingdom of Druvic is sitting. 

The youngest member of the group shrugs his shoulders, then says to the spy Tanith "Doesn't bother me". 

The teenager who hails from The City Of Ruins was expecting something like this after what he and Lis found out yesterday when they were exploring the neighbourhoods in the south of the city of Vexil. 

"Besides it's raining today " continues Zam, who follows that with "Don't really want to go out in it anyway". 

Both the scout Maera and the spy Tanith nod to that, then the commander in the Scouts and Rangers division of the Armies of Farque, says "I better go over and tell Percy". 

"Wonder how he'll take it?" asks the ex mercenary referring to the nobleman who hails from the kingdom of Druvic. 

"Badly no doubt" is the reply from Lisell Maera, who then dryly adds "See". After an indignant sounding sir Percavelle Lé Dic demands to know why he has to stay here at the inn today when Dalin tells him so. Even though the large heavily armoured knight had no plans to go out and about in the city today. 

"Yes er, very well" states sir Percavelle Lé Dic when the spy Tanith tells him exactly who told the former paladin he has to remain here in the Merchant's Rest today. 

"I shall stay here today, wot" declares the noble born knight who is a member of the order of the Knights of Saint Mar'che. Zam softly chuckles, while Lis rolls her eyes at that from the former earl of Lé Dic. 

Then the teenager who is the youngest member of the group and who has finished his second breakfast, says to the attractive young woman who hails from the coastal city-state of Brattonbury "Cards?". 

"Sure" says the scout Maera, who after a moments pause gestures to upstairs, then adds "Though after we go over your map reading skills". 

Which earns a sigh from Zam, before he gets up as a grinning Lis watches on. And he heads up stairs to his room to get the various maps of all types he's been studying and using, which a number of the group have been teaching him to use correctly. 

Whilst they stay in the secluded inn, that's the Merchant's Rest, during their time here in the city of Vexil this spring . . . . . .

Springtime In The City 55.

Vexil. 

"Think there's more over there" quietly says Zam the ex mercenary, who follows on from that with "Yeah, definitely more" he then adds "Across that square". 

Next to him, Lisell Maera the scout nods her head in agreement, then she quietly says "Across a fair bit of this part of the city by the looks of things". 

The youngest member of the group who is originally from The City Of Ruins nods his head in agreement with the attractive young woman who hails from the city-state of Brattonbury. 

The scout leader in the Armies of Farque is silent for a few moments, then she asks the ex mercenary "Where's their chapter house in the city?". 

"Over on the east side of the city" replies Zam who like the scout Maera is speaking in elvish, the teenager who hails from The City Of Ruins pauses for a moment, before continuing with "Think they're down here because of the amount of inns and boarding houses?". 

"Could be" says Lisell Maera or Lis as more often than not she's called by those who know her well "And the fact it's busier here in this part of the city" adds the junior officer in the Scouts and Rangers division of the Armies of Farque. 

The two of them have been making their way across rooftops here in the south of the city of Vexil. 

Following members of the order of the Knights of Saint Mar'che, who are going around searching for sir Percy of Druvic, and his squire. 

That squire would be Zam, who squired for the former earl of Lé Dic during the Spring Tourney of Vexil, which was held over the previous two days on a tourney field just outside the north wall of the city. 

Zam and Lis who are on the roof of a four storey residential building here in the south of the capital city of Vexil. 

Glance up as an airship passes by overhead on it's way to the nearby main airdocks of the city on this fine and sunny spring day. 

Though the wind has picked up from earlier in the morning, with an occasional gust coming in every so often. 

The ex mercenary originally from The City Of Ruins has learnt that when the wind picks up, it's usually a sign that it's going to rain again the following day. 

Which is the usual weather pattern for this time of the year in this part of the city-state of Vexil. Clear and sunny for a few days, followed by four or five days of rainfall. 

The scout Maera who has taken out her small, leather wrapped, brass cylindrical eyepiece, and is looking through it. 

Quietly tells the youngest member of the group "There's another one, with a couple of knights apprentices with him, down in that main street that heads to the airdocks". 

The attractive young woman who is originally from the city-state of Brattonbury, whose mother was a street prostitute, and whose father was a sailor who plied his trade on The Great Western Ocean, continues on with "Going from shop to shop like this lot over here". 

Zam grunts, then quietly says in the elven language "They're hell bent on finding me and Percy". 

"Looks like it" quietly says the lead scout in the Armies of Farque, who then gestures away to their left, then adds "Next building". 

The two of them, who have been lying flat on their stomachs, get up and hurry to the edge of the roof, and leap across to the next building along, which is a three storey building, another residential one at that. 

The ex mercenary and the junior officer in the Scouts and Rangers division of the Armies of Farque go from rooftop to rooftop. 

Following after some of the members of the order of the Knights of Saint Mar'che who are searching for sir Percavelle Lé Dic and Zam the ex mercenary. 

It's a little while later, and as they lie upon the roof of a two storey building that houses a number of shops. 

And after a wyvern passes by overhead, on it's way to the Vexillian aircorps docks. As they keep track of a number of knights, knights apprentices, and squires in the knightly order that sir Percavelle Lé Dic is a member of. 

A familiar voice suddenly and quietly says in the elven language to them "What are you two up to?". Zam and Lis barely refrain from flinching as they look to their left. And find Helbe the elven thief lying on his stomach beside the two of them. 

"Narladene said you were skulking about like incompetent burglars" continues the elven masterthief with a grin upon his youthful looking face. 

The scout Maera sourly smiles, then asks the highly talented elven magic user "Did you have her keep an eye on us?". 

"Of course" replies the young elven noble from the island principality of Laerel, who briefly pauses before continuing on with "Well, to be honest I didn't". 

The grandson of the ruling prince of Laerel, pauses once more before adding "Lord Farque did". 

The elven master assassin follows that with "Someone's always keeping an eye on the others in the group if they go wandering off through the city". 

Helbe the elven thief or prince Helbenthril Raendril to give him his full name and title gestures away to the north, beyond the main airdocks and the city center, and he quietly says "You probably can't see him from here" followed by "But up on top of one of the towers in the north of the city, is Axe". 

The elven princeling who is a member of Lord Farque's personal council, and is the undead warlord's envoy, continues with "He's watching us right now". 

Both Zam and Lis nod at that, then the elven master archer asks the two of them "So what have you been up to?". 

The young elven noble could easily read their minds and find out what they've been doing. But he prefers to let members of the group explain themselves. 

Though if he's after something, either information or goods, that someone is keeping quiet about in the group. He has no qualms about reading their minds. 

"There, coming out of that shop down the street" says the ex mercenary who is originally from The City Of Ruins. 

The highly talented elven practitioner of magic who is a member of royal family that rules the elven principality of Laerel sees a knight and squire from Percy's order exit the shop. 

Then he nods his hooded head when the youngest member of the group tells him "They're looking for me and Percy". 

The teenager who was previously scratching together a living, a meager one at that, as a mercenary in The City Of Ruins, before the group found him, then adds "We're pretty sure they've got some bad intentions towards me and Percy". 

The elven masterthief grunts, then he casts a spell upon the knight and squire on the other side of the street, who are heading to the next shop along from one they were just in. 

"Well" murmurs the elven envoy, who follows that with "Looks like we've got some sore losers" the elven master assassin then adds "They want to teach you and Percy a lesson". 

Helbe the elven thief who has just read the minds of the knight and squire in the order of the Knights of Saint Mar'che who have just entered a shop on the other side of the street, says "More so for the melee than the lists". 

The elven princeling who is a member of Lord Farque's personal council pauses for a moment or two, before he quietly says "Think some of them might know who Percy actually is". 

The highly talented elven spellcaster looks around, then as he stands up, he tells Zam and Lis "Let's go". 

The scout leader and the ex mercenary stand up as well, and the next moment the three of them disappear from the roof they're on. 

They reappear upon the roof of another building about a hundred yards away from the one they were just on. 

"Don't have to drop down, no one can see you" quietly says the young elven noble who is the grandson of Prince Reandril of Laerel as he walks to the front of the roof. 

As he's joined by the youngest member of the group and the junior officer in the Armies of Farque, the elven master assassin nods his hooded head then says "Yeah some of them have figured out who Percy is". 

The elven master archer who is watching a pair of knights and their squires heading down the street they're overlooking, says "Seems one of those knights Percy defeated towards the end of the melee yesterday is Druvician". 

Prince Helbenthril Raendril continues with "Worked it out after the tourney was finished who Percy really is". 

The elven masterthief then adds "Some don't just want to teach him a lesson, they want to get rid of him, permanently". 

Both Zam and Lis wince at hearing that, then nod when the elven master assassin tells him "Many in their order have not forgiven Percy for what he did". 

"Steal their precious shield?" asks the attractive young woman originally from the coastal city-state of Brattonbury, who is now a junior officer in the Scouts and Rangers division of the Armies of Farque. 

Helbe the elven thief nods his hooded head, then says "That isn't just a powerful magical item" he follows that with "That's an extremely important holy artifact to them as well". 

The highly talented elven magic user then dryly adds "In fact it's pretty much the most important holy artifact in their order, and Percy nicked it from the keeper of it who was dying at the time". 

"Never knew that" quietly says Lis, who continues on with "No wonder he does his utmost to avoid them". 

The young elven noble from the island principality of Laerel nods his hooded head in agreement, then as he continues to search the area of the city they're in. He finds a few more members of the knightly order that sir Percavelle Lé Dic is a member of. 

The highly talented and skilled elven practitioner of magic, who has the ability to cast multiple spells at once, when most magic users can barely cast two spells at once. 

Reads the minds of the members of the order of the Knights of Saint Mar'che he's just located, here to the south of the city center. 

"Interesting" murmurs the elven masterthief, who then explains to Zam and Lis "A certain sir Olmard is the one who wants Percy dead". 

The elven master assassin continues with "A knight captain, he was amongst that last group Percy took down, just before you brought him off the field Zam". 

The youngest member of the group nods his head in understanding, then the young elven noble who is a member of Lord Farque's personal council says "He was a young squire when Percy stole their shield". 

"That was like, nearly twenty years ago wasn't it?" asks the scout Maera, she's answered with a nod of the head from the elven master archer who then says "More or less". 

The elven envoy for the lord and ruler of the Lands Farque continues with "He didn't see it, pretty sure no one saw it" followed by "But he was thereabouts, and knew of it happening". 

"Was that during a war or something?" asks Zam the ex mercenary who only has a rough idea of that time from what he's overheard from some of the others in the group. 

"Basically" is the reply from the elven princeling from Laerel, who then shifts the three of them to the rooftop of another building. 

"An invasion of The Sunreach Mountains, and it's aftermath" continues the highly talented elven spellcaster as the three of them, who are blurred, look down at the street in front of the building they're standing on top of. 

"Was that when Mira was on the other side?" asks the scout Maera who has much more knowledge of the group and it's history than Zam does. 

"Yep" says the elven masterthief with a slight grin upon his face, who continues with "He teamed up with the wrong mage" he briefly pauses before adding "And dragon". 

The eyebrows of the youngest member of the group shoot up when he hears that, then the ex mercenary from The City Of Ruins asks the elven master archer "What happened to them?". 

"They ran into Lord Farque" dryly replies Helbe the elven thief, who follows that with "And the inevitable happened". 

The ex mercenary nods, then after a moment he asks "Is that where Dorc got his breastplate?" followed by "That plate of actual dragon scale he wears?". 

"The very one" replies the highly talented elven magic user, who doesn't mention that he along with the elemental Sephiryn Vaitrelle helped to defeat that particular dragon in the city of Leeabra, the capital of the kingdom of Druvic. 

The grandson of the ruling prince of Laerel gestures at a pair of knights apprentices from Percy's order down on the street below them, then says "They're also searching over in the east of the city". 

The elven masterthief continues with "Once they find no sign of Percy and you Zam, over there, and down here in the south of the city" followed by "They'll start searching elsewhere, like in the north of the city". 

Prince Helbenthril Raendril then says "When they do, they'll definitely find signs of you and Percy there" he continues on from that with "Although we're secluded at the Merchant's Rest, we and I mean the rest of you haven't been hiding away as you've got about in the city's north". 

The highly talented elven practitioner of magic follows that with "Someone's bound to remember you Zam, and Percy" he then adds "And tell that lot" as he gestures at the pair of knights apprentices who have just come out of a wine shop on the street below them. 

The ex mercenary from The City Of Ruins winces at that, then he grunts when Helbe the elven thief tells him "Not to worry, I'll make sure you and Percy aren't found". 

The youngest member of the group sighs in relief at hearing that. Then he slightly winces when he thinks of what the elven masterthief could mean..

I hope to hell he doesn't turn me into a goblin, or a woman so that they can't find me, Zam the ex mercenary thinks to himself. 

The teenager originally from The City Of Ruins thinks about that, all the way back to the Merchant's Rest inn as Helbe the elven thief takes all three of them back there without anyone seeing or noticing them. 

On this fine and sunny, and not to mention, now windy spring day here in the capital city of Vexil . . . . . .

Springtime In The City 54.

The City-State Of Vexil. 

The next morning and a number of the group are up early, and are having breakfast in the common room of the Merchant's Rest inn. 

Including Dorc da Orc who didn't go to sleep, as he spent all night celebrating Shur Kee the monk's win in Le Grande Meleé. Not to mention celebrating the fortune he made in betting on the short statured monk winning day two of the Spring Tourney of Vexil. 

The large ork isn't the only one to make a small fortune yesterday. As pretty much all the group who placed bets, placed them on the physical adept who hails from beyond The Southlands winning Le Grande Meleé. 

Nodding his head, Zam the ex mercenary after yawning says "Thanks" to Tamric Drubine the field commander who has come over to his table, and told him "You don't have to go this morning" followed by "Beldane is taking Dalin with him". 

The youngest member of the group who wasn't looking forward to leaving the city early this morning after the hectic last two days he's endured. 

Watches as Beldane the cleric and Dalinvardèl Tanith the elven spy exit the common room of the inn. 

And make their way outside, as they head out to escort another wagon full of gold that arrived in the middle of the night via the krean scoutship. Which has come down from the hill country in the north of the city-state, and is now in some woodlands about ten miles to the north of the city of Vexil. 

"You've got the day free today" says the young field commander in the Armies of Farque to the ex mercenary who is originally from The City Of Ruins. 

Zam once again nods, then Tamric Drubine who is of the nobility of the feudal kingdom of Sarcrin, makes his way back to the table where he's been sitting with his lover Saanea the witch. 

The ex mercenary after downing the last of the tea in his mug, turns to his right and asks "Up to anything today?". 

With a shrug of her shoulders, Lisell Maera the scout replies to him with "Not much" the attractive young woman who hails from the city-state of Brattonbury follows that with "You want to wander the city a bit?". 

The teenager who was scratching a meager living together as a mercenary in The City Of Ruins before the group found him, responds with a nod of his head. 

Then Zam quietly says "Suppose one of us better inform him what we're up to" as he nods his head towards the corner table, where Lord Farque is sitting with Mira Reinholt the mage, Helbe the elven thief and the rotund woman named Malisse, who is really Zubutai the barbarian hordesman. 

"Dibs not me" quickly adds the ex mercenary who is the youngest member of the group, who gives the scout Maera a sideways look as he refrains from grinning. 

The attractive young woman who is a junior officer in the Scouts and Rangers division of the Armies of Farque sourly smiles, then mutters to the ex mercenary from The City Of Ruins "Coward". 

Zam just grins as Lisell Maera or Lis as she's more commonly called by the rest of the group, sighs. Before she gets up and makes her way over to the corner table where the undead warlord is sitting with members of his personal council. 

As she does, the ex mercenary glances over to the table where Shur Kee the monk is sitting along with sir Percavelle Lé Dic. 

The two of them are chatting about their experiences in Le Grande Meleé, which was held yesterday, on a tourney field just outside the north wall of the city of Vexil. 

Well, sir Percavelle Lé Dic or Percy as he's more commonly called by the others in the group. Is doing most of the chatting, in his usual boisterous manner. 

While the acolyte in the philosophical order of Bru Li is sitting there quietly listening to the large heavily armoured knight who was amongst the last of the participants on day two of the Spring Tourney of Vexil. And that was after he won day one, when The Lists, or Joust was held. Which the noble born knight from the kingdom of Druvic won. 

As Lisell Maera interrupts the conversation at the corner table to inform Lord Farque that she and Zam will explore the city a bit this morning. 

The youngest member of the group just shakes his head as he remembers the end of yesterday as a blur. 

As they, he and Dalinvardèl Tanith to be exact. Had to hustle Shur Kee away before he got swamped by the crowd who wanted to congratulate him for winning Le Grande Meleé. 

After the short statured monk received his winnings. Which wasn't that much, considering the amount of people who entered the tourney on day two. 

Though Shur Kee won a hundred gold coins, which Zam didn't think was all that much. Until both Dalinvardèl Tanith and Helbe the elven thief informed him that's much more than what most winners of Le Grande Meleé win elsewhere during a tourney. 

The youngest member of the group is still at a loss at how the short statured monk ended up winning day two of the Spring Tourney of Vexil. And winning fairly easily too. As the physical adept who is the living incarnation of The Jade Warrior Bru Li, was hardly touched throughout the day yesterday. 

Zam looks back up as Lisell Maera walks back to the table, and informs him "We're free to do whatever today". 

The attractive young woman who is originally from the coastal city-state of Brattonbury, and is now a lead scout in The Armies of Farque quietly follows that with "We're to keep out of trouble". 

As the teenager who hails from The City Of Ruins gets up out of the chair he's been sitting on, the scout Maera quietly adds "And to keep an eye out for anything to do with you know who". 

Zam knows exactly who Lis is referring to. And that's Mira Reinholt the mage, who a number of people here in the city of Vexil, are keen to know of his whereabouts. 

The pair of them head across the common room, walking around the innkeeper and one of his helpers, who are rolling another large barrel of ale to Dorc da Orc, who is sitting near the corner table where Lord Farque and members of his personal council are sitting. 

Zam and Lis exit the common room, and say good morning to the innkeeper's wife, who is behind the counter in the reception room. 

The ex mercenary and the lead scout make their way outside, where it's another clear and sunny spring morning. Though not as cool as it was yesterday morning. 

"Where to?" asks the teenager who is the youngest member of the group once they've made their way from the small, secluded inn, and onto the nearby street. 

The attractive young woman whose mother was a street prostitute in Brattonbury, and whose father was a sailor, a man she never knew or met. 

Slightly shrugs her shoulders, then says "Haven't really explored the south of the city" Lisell Maera then asks "Have you?". 

Zam replies with a shake of the head, then says "Just the neighbourhoods to the south of the city center" followed by "Not the actual south of the city, apart from when we've passed through it". 

The scout Maera nods her head, then she says "Might as well have a look around down there then" the junior officer in the Scouts and Rangers division of the Armies of Farque, continues with "Come on then". 

The attractive young woman from the city-state of Brattonbury leads the way, going right down the street they're on. Before turning left onto a street that goes south in this part of the northern neighbourhoods of Vexil. 

As they head south through the city, the scout and the ex mercenary keep clear of the main airdocks of Vexil. 

And for that matter, the city center itself. As they want to avoid the Mage Tower, where the Mage Council of Vexil convenes. 

Zam and Lis take their time as they head south, and once they're beyond somewhat familiar neighbourhoods. The two of them start wandering through the southern quarter of the capital city. 

The teenager originally from The City Of Ruins finds this part of the city more lively than much of the northern half of Vexil. 

Especially where they're staying, which is near the wealthiest areas of Vexil. And the fact the Merchant's Rest inn is close to many of the counting houses to be found in the city. 

After crossing a busy square, Zam gestures at some shops down a nearby street. Then quietly says to the scout Maera "Let's check out those places". 

The attractive young woman who hails from the city-state of Brattonbury nods her head, and the. two of them make their way to the street that the ex mercenary pointed out.

Zam nods his head to a passerby who calls out "Squire" followed by "Well done". He's been recognized a few times so far this morning. 

And he's been congratulated by people who were in the crowd during the Spring Tourney of Vexil. Congratulated for squiring to sir Percy of Druvic, who was victorious on day one of the tourney, winning The Lists or The Joust as most people know it by. 

The ex mercenary points at one of the shops, and the scout leader in the Armies of Farque nods her head, then quietly says "I'll be next door for a bit". 

The youngest member of the group enters the tailors, while Lis makes her way into the shop of a seamstress next door. 

The two of them for much of the rest of the morning, go into many of the shops in this part of the city. 

Mainly looking at goods, and occasionally purchasing something that takes either of their interest. 

Zam after exiting a curio and chandlery, where he brought a couple of small items for his travel pack. 

Is greeted by the scout Maera who was waiting for him outside. And she grabs him by the arm and quietly says "Quickly". 

And hustles him around the side of the shop he was just in, and into an alleyway "What?" says the ex mercenary, who then frowns and adds "Huh?". 

When the attractive young Brattonburian quickly says "Climb" as she gestures to the building across the alley from the curio and chandlery. 

Though Zam frowns, he follows Lis who climbs the side of the building, with the wall giving them plenty of handholds to make the accent of the two storey building fairly easy for those who are as skilled as they are. 

And though the teenager originally from The City Of Ruins needs the scout Maera to grab him by the arm, to help him up and over the eaves of the roof. 

The two of them are on the rooftop in mere moments, without anyone seeing them climb up here. 

"What is it?" quietly asks Zam as they walk in a crouch across the roof to the front of the building, where they lie down flat once they reach it. 

Looking down the street in either direction, the junior officer in the Armies of Farque, gestures away to their right, and quietly says in the elven language "That way". 

The ex mercenary continues to frown as he looks that way, as Lis quietly tells him in elvish "They're looking for sir Percy of Druvic, or his squire". 

The attractive young woman originally from the coastal city-state of Brattonbury continues in that language with "They're definitely not happy with what happened during the tourney" Lis briefly pauses before adding "During both The Joust and Le Grande Meleé". 

Still looking away to the right down the street from the vantage point of the roof they're on, Zam still with a frown upon his face, is just about to ask Lis "Who?". 

When he sees who the scout Maera is referring to, as they come out of one of the shops further down the street. 

"Shit" murmurs the teenager who is the youngest member of the group, who follows that with "That's not good" in the elven language. 

Lisell Maera grunts in agreement as they watch a trio of knights, along with an equal number of squires, and a couple of knights apprentices head down the street. 

"There's more of them too" quietly says the lead scout, who follows that with "Around the corner" she then adds "I spotted them, and got close to find out what they're up to". 

Glancing sideways at Zam, Lis tells him "Overhead them going on about Percy and his squire" she pauses for a moment or two, before she quietly adds "I think they want to exact some revenge upon you and Percy". 

The ex mercenary grimaces at hearing that, though he's in agreement with what the attractive young woman from the city-state of Brattonbury just said. 

"This could get" quietly says Zam, who after pausing for a moment, continues with "Awkward" followed by "Especially for Percy". 

"You think?" dryly says Lis as the two of them watch the group of knights, squires and knights apprentices from the order of the Knights of Saint Mar'che make their way down the street the two of them are looking down at. On this fine and sunny spring day here in the city of Vexil . . . . . .