Springtime In The City 68.

Vexil. 

Walking across the small square again. Zam the ex mercenary looks down the lane to the right. Only seeing a couple of children hurrying down it. And a young woman, a serving maid by the looks of it, heading to the tavern at the far end of the lane. 

The ex mercenary originally from The City Of Ruins, heads back across the small square, and sits down upon the bench beneath one of the trees on that side of the square. 

"Yeah" quietly says Zam the ex mercenary in response to Lisell Maera the scout asking him "Still nothing?". 

The attractive young woman who hails from the city-state of Brattonbury who is also on the bench. 

Looks up through the branches of the tree they're under, then says "Getting pretty cloudy now" followed by "Might even rain later" she then adds "Probably tonight". 

"Which is probably when something is going to happen" says Zam in a slightly dry tone of voice as the two of them sit upon the bench seat, and continue to wait. 

"That's how things usually turn out" says Lisell Maera or Lis as she's more often than not called by the others in the group. 

The attractive young woman who is a junior officer in the Scouts and Rangers division of the Armies of Farque is about to say something else .

But falls silent when a man, along with a pair of goblins following behind him. 

Come from the lane opposite the one Zam looked down, cross the small square, and make their way into the other lane. 

The three of them didn't even glance in the direction of the two sitting on the bench seat beneath the tree. 

"Not many people around here" says the scout Maera, who follows on from that with "Quiet". The youngest member of the group nods his head in agreement with that. 

Then Zam lifts the hood of his cloak up onto his head, as it's getting colder this afternoon, here in the north of the city of Vexil. 

The two of them looked to the right, as out of the lane that the ex mercenary checked on early, walks Beldane the cleric, along with Tovis the war engineer. The two of them make their way to the tree where Zam and Lis are waiting. 

"Nothing so far" says Beldane the cleric in reply to the scout Maera's inquiry of "Anything?". The lead scout grunts, then does up her cloak tighter as she too starts to feel the afternoon chill. 

Leaning back against the tree, Tovis the war engineer says "Dalin will tell us if anything turns up". 

Then Beldane who has sat down on the bench, that has room for only three, notices the yourself member of the group looking across to the other side of the small square, and after looking that way, he asks Zam "What is it?". 

"Look up" replies the ex mercenary who hails from The City Of Ruins, who nods his hooded head to the rooftops on the other side of the small square they're in. 

The powerful cleric who is a member of the church of Glaine frowns, then quietly says "I don't see anything". 

The spellcaster who is originally from the kingdom of Nastell pauses, then he faintly smiles as he spots movement on top of one of the buildings across the small square. 

The undead wardog Axe has just got up and moved around, before sitting back down and dropping out of sight. 

"Has he been there long?" asks the cleric in the half plate armour "No idea" replies Zam with a shrug of his shoulders. 

Who then nods when the scout Maera says "He's probably followed us since we all left the inn earlier". 

The other three all nod their heads in agreement with the attractive young woman who is originally from the coastal city-state of Brattonbury. 

Still leaning back against the tree where he stands, Tovis yawns then quietly says "Whatever happens, it's going to be a shit show for sure". 

The war engineer who is originally from the south of the kingdom of Druvic, follows that with "He definitely doesn't take things like this lightly". 

Referring to Lord Farque, and the theft of one the shipments of gold in one of the nearby counting houses here in the north of the city of Vexil. 

"That's for sure" dryly says Lisell Maera who has been with the group the longest out of the four of them. 

The junior officer in the Armies of Farque who has seen a number of things in her time with the group, then adds "Stealing from him is about one of the dumbest things anyone can do". 

The attractive young woman whose mother was a prostitute on the streets of Brattonbury, and whose father was a sailor who plied his trade on The Great Western Ocean, continues with "He's definitely got a vindictive streak". 

The other three all nod in agreement with the lead scout, who then says "I know, I've seen it enough over the years". 

The scout Maera is just about to say something else when Dalinvardèl Tanith the elven spy enters the small quiet square from the lane to the right. 

And he makes way over to the tree where the four of them are waiting. 

"Right we've found both contacts of that Barju fellow" says Dalinvardèl Tanith the elven spy, who continues on with "His highness is going to check on some others, who we've found out had a hand in it also". 

Zam slightly nods when the spy Tanith who hails from the elven principality of Alinlae, continues with "The Lord Farque wants them dealt to all at once". 

Then switching to the elven language, even though there's only the five of them in the small square, Dalinvardèl Tanith or Dalin as he's more commonly called by those who know him well, quietly says "This might not just be a criminal gang, there could be a connection with the higher ups here in Vexil". 

"As in the councils?" quietly asks the scout Maera in the same language, referring to both The Mage Council and The City Council of Vexil. 

"Or businesses" adds the attractive young woman who is a junior officer in the Scouts and Rangers division of the Armies of Farque. 

The spy Tanith who is a commander in the same division as Lis, says "Could be both" he continues on from that with "That's what his highness is checking up on at the moment". 

"This could get ugly real quick" quietly says Beldane the cleric, who has also switched to the elven language. 

Zam nods his hooded head in agreement, when the fighting cleric in the church of Glaine continues with "Especially if someone from either council are involved". 

The youngest member of the group slightly winces when Tovis quietly says in elvish "Worse if someone from both councils are involved". 

The ex mercenary who hails from The City Of Ruins who is looking across the small square, sees Axe pop his back up from the roof he's on top of. 

And the massive undead wardog is looking away to the east, which is in the direction of the lane to the right from where the five are them are waiting beneath the tree. 

"I think he's coming back this way" quietly says Zam with a nod of his hooded head to across the square, where Axe can just be seen on top of one of the buildings there. 

The others look that way, and see the massive animal looking expectantly away to the east from the roof he's on. 

The spy Tanith slightly nods his hooded head, then after closing his eyes as he listens carefully, Dalin who previously served in one of the more prominent noble houses of his homeland of Alinlae, quietly says in elvish "Yeah they're heading this way". 

The elven spy who is a commander in the Armies of Farque then dryly adds "I can hear Dorc complaining about something". 

"Probably whining how's it going to rain soon" dryly says Lisell Maera as she gestures up at the increasingly cloudy sky above the city of Vexil. 

That gets a number of grins from the others, and a quiet chuckle from the war engineer who hails from the south of the kingdom of Druvic. 

A short time later and Lord Farque, along with Malisse aka Zubutai the barbarian hordesman, and a older looking man by the name of Barrix, who is really Mira Reinholt the mage, thanks to a spell created by Helbe the elven thief. Enter the square from the lane to the right, and make their way to where the others are waiting. 

A few moments later, a disgruntled looking Dorc da Orc enters the small square. The large ork is repeatedly looking up at the increasingly cloudy skies above the city. 

The big burly ork from the southern polar region of the world is scowling every time he looks up at the afternoon sky. 

"He'll be here shortly" says Lord Farque in response to Dalinvardèl Tanith the elven spy asking "His highness?". 

"Tam and Saanea?" asks Lisell Maera referring to the other two who left the Merchant's Rest inn early. Where Shur Kee the monk and sir Percavelle Lé Dic remain this afternoon. 

"Keeping an eye on one of the contacts" replies the undead warlord, who then adds "Dead". In reply to the attractive young woman originally from the city-state of Brattonbury then asking "And the other contact?". 

"He outlived his usefulness" says the lord and ruler of the Lands Farque in a cool tone of voice. Which causes more than a few of them, including Zam to wince. 

"The gold?" quietly asks the war engineer Tovis "We know of it's whereabouts" says Malisse aka Zubutai the barbarian hordesman supplying the answer to that particular question. 

"Best where it is" says the undead warlord, who follows on from that with "For it'll serve a purpose with our plans". 

What those plans are. No one's exactly sure. As the large heavily armoured deathlord hasn't shared them with anyone with the exception of Helbe the elven thief. 

Who is somewhere in the city, gathering more information to found out about those who stole one of the lord of the death realm's shipment of gold. 

Switching to the elven language, the lord and ruler of the Lands Farque goes over some of the plans he has once Helbe the elven thief returns. 

The deathlord of Farque doesn't go into detail about everything, as they've yet to find out everyone involved. 

But the undead warlord who also goes by the name of Draugodrottin that the people of his lands know him by. 

Does outline what he wants done later after the young elven noble from the island principality of Laerel shows up with all the information he's gathered. 

Hell, this is going to cause a bit of an upheaval, Zam the ex mercenary thinks to himself. The youngest member of the group who hails from The City Of Ruins, nods as he listens to Lord Farque explains things he wants done later on after the elven masterthief returns. 

The deathlord of Farque who has the elven name of Des'tier, then says "If some cunt higher up on one of the councils is involved, which we suspect". 

The undead warlord briefly pauses for a bit, before he continues on with "Then they'll be made a fucking example of". 

Draugodrottin points at the ground to the right of the tree, and says "Kårgl Gülk" to Dorc da Orc who was just about to wander away. 

The large ork sourly smiles as he looks sideways at the lord and ruler of the Lands Farque. Then the ork warleader sits down where the undead warlord pointed. 

The only good thing about it in the opinion of the weaponsmith from the wolf tribe of orks, is that he's sitting beneath the branches of the tree. 

For the big burly ork is pretty certain that it's going to rain sometime this afternoon, or early evening. 

He's also pretty certain that it'll be sooner rather than later, if his sense of smell is accurate about it. Which it usually is when it comes to the weather. 

"If it is someone from either council that's involved with it, or behind it" says Barrix, who in reality is Mira Reinholt the mage under a spell from his fellow practitioner of magic, Helbe the elven thief. 

"You going to get rid of them?" continues the man who appears to be around sixty years old, though he stands tall, and doesn't have too much grey in his hair. 

"Or make an example of them?" adds the once powerful mage who is in disguise thanks to the spell craft of the young elven noble from the island principality of Laerel. 

"Both" is the reply from Draugodrottin to those questions from the spellcaster who was once the most powerful mage of his generation to be found anywhere in The Southlands. 

Until he lost most of his powers a number of years ago when he accidentally cast a rift/void spell that sent him offworld. 

All of which, the Vexillian mage in exile does not remember apart from miss casting that particular spell. 

When the mage Reinholt goes to ask something else, the lord and ruler of the Lands Farque interrupts him by saying "Later mage". The undead warlord follows on from that with "I'll explain in detail later". 

The man of advancing years by the name of Barrix nods his head at that. And falls silent, as do the others when the large heavily armoured deathlord quietly says "The annoying thief is heading back this way". The lord of the death realm briefly pauses before adding "Shouldn't be too long now". 

They all wait in silence for the young elven noble who is the grandson of the ruling prince of Laerel to show up. 

It's not too long before the elven master assassin turns up, he walks from the lane to the right, and goes over to the tree where the others are waiting. 

The elven princeling from Laerel nods his hooded head to one side, and he and the undead warlord move away from the others, and stand beneath another tree on this side of the small square. Where the two of them have a brief conversation in the royal elven language. 

After their brief conversation, the undead warlord nods his full helmed head, then he and the highly talented elven magic user walk back to the tree where the others are waiting. 

"A member of The City Council is involved" explains Helbe the elven thief, who follows that with "This shipment isn't the only gold this group has stolen in recent months from various counting houses, not just here in the city, but right across the city-state". 

The young elven noble from the island principality of Laerel, continues with "This is definitely the most they've stolen though". 

There's a few nods at hearing that, then the mage Reinholt asks his fellow practitioner of magic "Who's this city councilor that's involved?". 

The elven masterthief glances at Lord Farque, who slightly nods his full helmed head. Then Helbe the elven thief, or prince Helbenthril Raendril to give him his full name and title, says the name of the city councilor that's involved. 

Mira Reinholt slightly frowns as he's sure he recognizes that particular name, then the Vexillian mage in exile remembers who that person is. 

"Oh shit" says the once powerful mage in a tone of surprise "Indeed" says young elven noble from the island principality of Laerel. 

Then the lord and ruler of the Lands Farque starts discussing the plans in detail about what they're going to do later in the afternoon, and this evening. 

Here in the city of Vexil, on an increasingly cloudy spring day, where rain looks like it could very well fall, sooner rather than later . . . . . .

Springtime In The City 67.

The City-State Of Vexil. 

"Don't think this will go well" Zam the ex mercenary murmurs to Lisell Maera the scout, who glances at him and gestures to him to be silent. 

They're in the common room of the Merchant's Rest inn, and are looking over at the corner table where Lord Farque is sitting with Mira Reinholt the mage and Malisse aka Zubutai the barbarian hordesman. 

Tamric Drubine the field commander and Saanea the witch have just sat down at that table, and are explaining something to the undead warlord. 

The youngest member of the group and the lead scout look over to where Dorc da Orc has just come back into the common room. And is now calling out to the innkeeper for beer and food. 

Zam and Lisell Maera or Lis as she's more commonly called, look back to the corner table where the heavily armoured deathlord is sitting. 

The ex mercenary originally from The City Of Ruins slightly winces, and the scout Maera who hails from the city-state of Brattonbury nods her head. 

When they both see the moment that field commander Drubine actually tells the lord and ruler of the Lands Farque what they've found out this morning, here in the city of Vexil. 

The lord of the death realm unclenches his right gauntleted fist, and let's go of the metal tankard he's just crushed. 

The undead warlord nods his full helmed head for Tamric Drubine to continue, and the young field commander resumes telling him what they found out from the man that the ex mercenary, the lead scout and the ork warleader captured earlier. 

After a little bit, Lord Farque holds up a hand, then says "Wait here". The large heavily armoured deathlord gets up, and makes his way across the common room, and out through the reception room, then outside. 

There he stamps on the brickwork outside on the ground a couple of times with his right steel boot. The undead warlord then heads back inside, and returns to the common room, and sits back down at the corner table. 

The deathlord of Farque looks around, then gestures for Lisell Maera or Lis as she's more commonly called by those who know her well, along with Zam to come over to the corner table. 

"Had you seen this man before?" quietly asks Lord Farque when the ex mercenary and the junior officer in the Armies of Farque stand before the table. 

"Never seen him before this morning when we spotted him following us" replies the scout Maera who is originally from the coastal city-state of Brattonbury. 

The youngest member of the group nods in agreement with the attractive young woman who is in the Scouts and Rangers division of the Armies of Farque. 

"Dorc?" asks the undead warlord who also has the name of Draugodrottin that the people of his lands know him by. 

"Nah" replies Dorc da Orc who has sat down on the floor next to the corner table, and is actually listening to the what the others are talking about. 

"Never seen the cunt before" adds the large ork who looks to the counter waiting to see what the innkeeper and the serving women bring him. 

The deathlord of Farque or Des'tier to give him his elven name, nods his full helmed head. Who then falls silent as he contemplates things. 

Mira Reinholt the mage who is actually himself at the moment, picks up the conversation, by saying "I thought the elven thief checked everyone working at those counting houses?". 

"He did" replies Malisse aka Zubutai the barbarian hordesman, who continues with "My guess this happened after he did all that". 

The rotund woman who is really a hordes outrider from the southern tundra, who just happens to inhabit the body that's Malisse, adds "And that particular counting house was the first one we went to after the one your family owns Mira". 

The once powerful mage nods, then he asks the noble born field commander sitting opposite him "What did you do with him?". 

After slightly wincing, Tamric Drubine the field commander replies with "Dorc killed him after Saanea got all the information we needed". 

The mage Reinholt who is also a highly skilled swordmaster, rolls his eyes, then dryly says "Why am I not surprised?". 

Tamric Drubine or Tam as more often than not he's called by the others in the group, says "We disposed of the body". 

In response to Malisse aka Zubutai Timaginson asking him and the others "What did you do with the body?". 

They fall silent again when the undead warlord slightly turns his head, and quietly says something in a language none of them understand. But they recognize as it as the language he speaks with Narladene the ground pixie. 

The lord and ruler of the Lands Farque slightly nods his full helmed head, then he looks back at the others, and tells them "He'll be back in a little bit". 

The lord of the death realm who is obviously referring to Helbe the elven thief, continues with "He's in the very east of the city at the moment, checking up on something else". 

The mage Reinholt then quietly says "You'd think the owner would know something's a miss in such a business". 

"Unless they've got a manager running things" says Draugodrottin who follows that with "Which I recall that particular counting house does". 

The lord and ruler of the Lands Farque continues with "Even then the manager might not know" followed by "Considering this fellow had just one contact in the counting house". 

The undead warlord nods his full helmed head when Malisse aka Zubutai the son of Timagin quietly says "And the workers move gold and the like in and out of there all the time, they probably don't even know which shipment goes to after it's gone". 

Once again the lord of the death realm nods his full helmed head in agreement. Then he and the others fall silent as the innkeeper, along with two of his helpers. Bring over a barrel of beer for Dorc da Orc, and a couple of wooden trenchers stacked with food for the big burly ork from the southern polar region of the world. 

Once the innkeeper returns to the counter on the other side of the common room, and the helpers head back into the kitchen. 

And Dorc da Orc or Dorkindle to give him his full name, is busy munching on racks of ribs, and slabs of bacon, and crusty bread covered in melted cheese. 

The undead warlord quietly says "He'll find out pretty quickly once he goes in and find out what's happening". 

The deathlord of Farque slightly grunts when the Vexillian mage in exile says "At least it's only one wagon full". 

"That we know of" say the rotund woman who is really an outrider from the pony archers horde from the southern tundra by the name of Zubutai Timaginson. 

"Whatever, or how many" says Des'tier, who looks over at the witch who hails from The Maldin Hills as he continues with "It's happened recently". 

"Yes my lord" says Saanea the witch who continues with "Just two days ago from what he knew". 

"That means it was the most recent shipment we brought into the city three days ago" says the mage Reinholt. 

The others all nod, then the young field commander who is the son and former heir of a previous Knight of Castle Drubine, which can be found in the forested north of the feudal kingdom of Sarcrin, says "Pretty much most of us have been to that counting house". 

Tam continues with "So they've got a description of most if not all of us" followed by "Wonder how many are actually involved in this?". 

He continues on with "That fellow, whose name was Barju by the way, only knew his contact at the counting house, and another outsider who hired the wagon that they moved it on". 

The lord and ruler of the Lands Farque nods, then quietly says "There's definitely others involved, including whoever set this all up". 

The large heavily armoured deathlord continues with "From what you said, the fuckhead wasn't the smartest individual". 

The attractive brunette witch nods her head, while Tamric Drubine says "He was determined in what he was trying to do". 

The young field commander in the Armies of Farque briefly pauses before continuing in a slightly dry tone with "Until Dorc grabbed him"..

Which causes the large ork who has just taken a few big gulps from the barrel of beer to happily chuckle. 

"He dead" chortles the ork who was named warleader of his race a number of years ago by Lord Farque himself. 

"At what was he trying to do?" asks the spellcaster who was once the most powerful mage of his generation to be found anywhere in The Southlands. 

"Specifically?" adds the practitioner of magic who technically is still in exile from his homeland of Vexil. 

"Following Lis and Zam" is the reply from Tamric Drubine the field commander, his lover Saanea the witch nods her head in agreement, then she says "Seeing if they went to any of the other counting houses in that part of the city". 

The mage who is also a highly skilled swordmaster nods his head, then quietly says "This might be a bit more elaborate than we thought". 

The lord and ruler of the Lands Farque grunts in agreement with that, then after a few moments of silence, the large heavily armoured deathlord quietly says "He's heading back". 

The undead warlord who can sense Helbe the elven thief, along with Narladene the ground pixie. Who he summoned by stomping on the ground outside. And sent off to go and tell the elven masterthief to return to the inn as fast as possible. 

Moving quickly in this direction from the eastern quarter of the city. Where the young elven noble from the island principality of Laerel, was checking up on something for Lord Farque. 

"Won't be too long" adds Draugodrottin, who can sense the highly talented elven practitioner of magic is moving as quickly as he can. 

And it turns out it's not too long before the grandson of the ruling prince of Laerel appears in the middle of the common room of The Merchant's Rest inn. 

The elven master assassin who is a member of Lord Farque's personal council, walks over to the corner table, where a fair number of the group are either sitting at, or standing in front of. 

"I looked there, and couldn't find any of what you" says Helbe the elven thief to the undead warlord, who then pauses and adds "What?". When he notices everyone at and around the corner table are all staring at him. 

Gesturing first at Lisell Maera the scout where she stands next to Zam the ex mercenary. Then at Tamric Drubine the field commander, who is sitting next to Saanea the witch, Lord Farque says "Tell him". 

"Well, earlier this morning, Zam and I were" is all the scout Maera gets out, when the elven princeling slightly grimaces, then quietly says "Fuck". 

While Lis sourly smiles, and Tam wryly smiles as they both figure, correctly as it turns out. That the highly talented elven magic user just read their minds. 

"Hmmm" murmurs the young elven noble from the island principality of Laerel, who isn't just a member of Draugodrottin's personal council, but is also his envoy. 

"I better go and check that counting house" says Helbe the elven thief or prince Helbenthril Raendril to give him his full name and title. 

"And see about this Barju's contact there" adds the elven master archer, who is the son of the heir to Laerel. And the son of The Warder of Quinthain, the elven forest city that lies to the east of The Lands Farque. 

"And see what else I can find out" continues the elven master assassin, who then slightly grunts when Des'tier tells him "Wait a moment". 

Then the undead warlord switches to the royal elven language, and he and elven princeling have a conversation in it that others don't understand. 

Eventually the large heavily armoured deathlord switches back to the common language and says "Be as fucking quick about it as you can"..

Helbe the elven thief nods his hooded head, then he vanishes as he blurs himself. And only Lord Farque sees him quickly walk out of the common room of Merchant's Rest. 

Once the young elven noble from the island principality of is gone, the lord of the death realm quietly tells the others "Get ready to go out once he comes back". 

The lord and ruler of the Lands Farque briefly pauses for a moment, before continuing on with "When we find the cunts responsible for stealing that wagon of my gold" Draugodrottin pauses again, then adds "We're going to find them and make them fucking regret ever living, let alone stealing my fucking shit". 

"They dead" says Dorc da Orc from where he sits on the floor, the large ork chortles before gulping down a fair bit of the remaining beer in the barrel he's drinking from today, here in the Merchant's Rest inn . . . . . .

Springtime In The City 66.

"Dorc don't kill him" says Zam the ex mercenary after hurrying back around the corner where the large ork is waiting. 

"Remember we want to capture him" adds the youngest member of the group who is originally from The City Of Ruins. 

The ork warleader sourly smiles, and after snorting he grunts. Zam hopes that's a positive grunt that agrees with him. As you can never be too certain when it comes to the big burly ork who is from the southern polar region of the world. 

It's a partly cloudy morning today. Though it's still hasn't started raining again. This is definitely the longest stretch of fine weather this spring here in the city of Vexil. 

Zam glances up between the buildings where he and the ork weaponsmith are waiting. And sees the clouds are passing overhead fairly quickly now. A sure sign that the wind has picked up this morning. And tomorrow more than likely it'll start raining again. 

The ex mercenary is glad it's not raining today. For the simple reason the ork general in the Armies of Farque would be in more of a foul mood. 

He's already unhappy that they left the Merchant's Rest inn, where he was intending to spend the day drinking and eating. If it was raining, the large ork would be an absolute nightmare to be around. 

The teenager who hails from The City Of Ruins glances at the warleader of the ork race, who is scowling as he looks out of the alleyway the two of them are in. 

Then Zam briefly pops his head out from the side of the building he's up against, and he glances to the left down the street. 

He pops his head back and quietly says to Dorc da Orc or Dorkindle which is his given name "Person wearing a blue hoodless cloak" he then adds by "He's following Lis". 

Zam continues on with "He's basically right behind her" the ex mercenary then quietly says "Any moment now". 

The large ork grunts, with his enhanced hearing he can easily locate the two in question coming this way up the street. 

"Move cunt" grunts Dorc da Orc to the youngest member of the group, who steps back and out of the way of the ork warleader who steps forward. 

A moment later and they watch Lisell Maera the scout walk by the mouth of the alleyway the two of them are waiting in. 

Then the son of the former matriarch of the wolf tribe of orks grabs the man in the blue cloak who comes into view. 

Dorkindle with one hand clamped on the right arm of the man, puts his other hand across the face and mouth of the man as he pulls him into the alleyway. 

The large ork lifts the man up against the building to the left by the arm he's holding, whilst his other hand remains clamped across the man's face and mouth. 

Zam winces as the ork weaponsmith with one squeeze breaks the man's right arm, while holding him up off the ground by it. 

Even standing fairly closely, the ex mercenary can barely hear the man scream in pain as he's muffled by the massive frying pan sized hand clamped across his face. 

Lisell Maera hurries back into the alleyway, and quietly says "Quick, further back into the alley". While the teenager originally from The City Of Ruins quietly says "I think he pissed himself". 

Which causes Dorc da Orc to chuckle as he walks further back into the alley, continuing to hold the captured man up off the ground by the broken arm, while holding his other hand across his face and mouth. 

Lisell Maera or Lis as she's more commonly called by the others in the group, takes out a cloth when they get into the gloomy shadows at the other end of the alley, which only has one way out of it and one way into it. 

And she says to the man they've captured, who is softly groaning in pain, while he cries in pain "Say anything, and this big green fellow here will break your other arm, then your legs". 

The attractive young woman who hails from the city-state of Brattonbury pauses for a moment then adds "You understand?". 

The man in blue cloak nods, then Lis quietly says "Dorc". The large ork grunts, then after growling at the man they've captured and tells him "Better be quiets cunt". 

Then he takes his hand off the man's face, and the scout Maera stuffs the cloth into the mouth of the man. 

Dorc da Orc let's the man down to the ground, and let's go off his broken arm, and takes a hold of his other arm. 

Then Lis who is a junior officer in the Scouts and Rangers division of the Armies of Farque, quietly says to their prisoner "Now you're going to answer some questions". 

The lead scout continues with "Answer with a nod for yes, and shake of the head for no" she follows that with "You understand?". 

After a moment as the man breathes heavily through his nose, and him wincing in pain when Dorkindle applies a little bit of pressure on his left arm. A sure sign if he doesn't cooperate, the large ork will break that arm. The man in the blue cloak nods yes to Lis. 

Who after saying in elvish to Zam "This would be better if one of the spellcasters were with us". And the ex mercenary replying in the same language with "We had no time to find one" followed by "It was either take him or not". 

The attractive young woman from the coastal city-state of Brattonbury whose mother was a street prostitute, and whose father was a sailor. 

Starts questioning the man in the blue cloak who the trio have captured this spring morning here in the city of Vexil. 

"Now you were watching the counting house across from square where the farmers market is this morning" says the scout Maera, who follows that with "Correct?". 

The junior officer in the Armies of Farque gestures at herself and Zam after the man nods his head yes in answer to that first question. 

"Then you saw us two" says Lisell Maera who continues on with "And began following us" she then adds "Is that so?". 

Once again the man who was following her and the youngest member of the group for a bit, nods his head yes in reply to the attractive young woman who hails from the coast of The Southlands. 

After glancing at Zam, who slightly nods in reply to her look, the lead scout quietly says to their prisoner "I'm going to start naming names, as well as trading companies and other shall we say organizations here in the city". 

Lis pauses for a moment or two then says "Nod when I get to who you're working for" she continues with "We'll eventually find out if you lie to us or not" she follows that with "So you might as well be truthful". 

The junior officer in the Scouts and Rangers division of the Armies of Farque along with the ex mercenary. 

Are pretty certain that whoever it is from the group who is following them this morning. Most likely Narladene the ground pixie, or Saanea the witch's familiar. And maybe the undead wardog Axe. 

Has gone off to inform someone in the group that Lis and Zam were followed this morning. And that they along with Dorc da Orc have captured that particular person. 

And that one of spellcasters in the group will show up eventually, to find out everything about the man in the blue cloak they've captured on this partly cloudy, and windy spring morning here in the capital of the city-state of Vexil. 

As the scout Maera starts naming names, not to mention trading companies, both The Mage Council and City Council of Vexil. As well as the order of the Knights of Saint Mar'che. 

Zam glances up when he hears a sqwauk, and he spots a raven on the edge of the roof to the left, looking down at them in the alleyway. 

"Above us" quietly says the ex mercenary in the elven language to the scout Maera, who briefly stops in her questioning of the man they've captured, and she glances up. 

"Think it's Saanea's familiar" quietly adds the youngest member of the group, which gets a slight nod from the attractive young woman who hails from the city-state of Brattonbury. 

"Dorc" says the scout Maera in common, and gestures up at the raven watching them from the edge of the roof to the building on the left. 

The large ork looks up, and after spotting the black coloured bird, and sniffing. The ork warleader who is a general in the Armies of Farque sourly smiles, then mutters "Magicky". 

"Saanea's?" asks the junior officer in the Scouts and Rangers division of the Armies of Farque, which gets a positive sounding grunt from the big burly ork from the southern polar region of the world. 

"She should be here fairly soon I guess" quietly says Lisell Maera in elvish to the ex mercenary who is originally from The City Of Ruins. 

"Or one of the others" continues the attractive young woman who hails from the coastal city-state of Brattonbury. 

Zam nods in agreement to that, then pointing at their prisoner, the ex mercenary says in elvish "Keep questioning him anyway". 

Lis nods, then ignoring the sour look directed at her and Zam by Dorc da Orc, who is more than a little annoyed at not understanding what they were just talking about. 

The lead scout continues her questioning of the man in the blue cloak, who stands there in piss drenched breeches. 

While Dorkindle keeps a firm grip upon his left arm. Which the large ork is ready to break, just like he broke his right arm. 

When the scout Maera runs out of names, Zam says to her in elvish "Maybe it's someone else he's working for?" followed by "Definitely not one of ones we know about". 

"Looks like it" says Lis in the same language, as she contemplates removing the prisoner's gag, so he answer more than just yes and no head movements. 

Just as the lead scout is thinking about that. A pair of familiar figures appear just inside the alleyway, and make their way down it, where amongst the shadows is Zam the ex mercenary, Lisell Maera the scout and Dorc da Orc, along with a man they've captured. 

"What's this then?" asks Tamric Drubine the field commander who is with his lover, Saanea the witch. 

"Bads man" is the reply from the ork weaponsmith who gives the prisoner a little shake, causing him to whimper in fear and pain. 

"Went to one of the nearby counting houses" says Lis when they're joined by the young field commander, and the attractive spellcaster who hails from the Maldin Hills. 

The junior officer in the Armies of Farque who is speaking in elvish, continues with "Zam had to get some coins after sending most of his yesterday when he went shopping with Mira". 

Tamric Drubine or Tam as he's more commonly called by the rest of the group, nods at that. Then the scout Maera says "This fellow was watching the counting house, and started following us around when we left". 

The attractive young woman originally from the coast of The Southlands continues on with "Doesn't seem to be with or working for any of those who are after Mira" followed by "Or those knights after Percy and Zam". 

Not knowing exactly what the others are talking about, but figuring it's something to do with the man he's holding. 

Dorc da Orc takes out his wicked looking curved knife, and says to Tamric Drubine "You wants me to fucken cut him up some?". 

With tears in eyes, the man in the blue cloak groans as he looks at what's a knife for Dorc, but it's the size of a short sword for anyone else. 

"Hold up a bit Dorc" says the young field commander in the common language to the large ork who essentially raised Tam from childhood. 

As the senior officer in the Armies of Farque was only seven years old when he was found by the group at the time. 

The noble born field commander originally from the feudal kingdom of Sarcrin, continues with "We have to find out what's he actually up to first". 

The son and former heir of a previous Knight of Castle Drubine, which can be found in the forested north of Sarcrin, follows that with "Then you can slice him apart depending on who he is". 

The man almost faints hearing that, while the warleader of the ork race chuckles in delight at the prospect of cutting up the prisoner. 

Field commander Drubine glances at his lover, the witch Saanea, who slightly nods her head, before she casts a mind reading spell upon the man that's been captured by Zam the ex mercenary, Lisell Maera the scout and Dorc da Orc on this increasingly cloudy, not to mention windy, spring morning here in the city of Vexil. 

After a few moments, as she frowns as she goes through the mind of the man in the blue cloak while the others watch on expectedly. 

Saanea the witch blinks in surprise, then after a few more moments of silence, she eventually says "Shit" . . . . . .

Springtime In The City 65.

The City Of Vexil. 

"What am I supposed to do with it?" asks Zam the ex mercenary "Use it when you have to" replies Mira Reinholt the mage who today is an ugly young man by the name of Parvin. 

"What does it do?" asks the youngest member of the group, who knows what it is, but doesn't know what it'll do. 

The frumpy looking young man that's really the mage Reinholt shrugs his shoulders, then says "Who knows?" followed by "Something fairly destructive that's for sure". 

Then the once powerful mage quietly says in elvish "You'll have to ask Farque or that thieving prince what it'll do". 

The Vexillian mage in exile continues in elvish with "It's impossible to know what they do when the original markings have worn away". 

The spellcaster who is also a highly skilled swordmaster then says "It's the only reason you can still buy the old ones, because they're cheaper". 

Then in a dry tone, the ugly young man adds "Cheaper being a fairly relative term here" he follows that with "They're still an absolute fortune to buy". 

The Vexillian practitioner of magic then says "It's near impossible to buy a newer one, for the simple reason they're rare and they cost a kings ransom". 

The ex mercenary who is originally from The City Of Ruins nods his head as he and the once powerful mage head to the counter in the large magical curio shop, where Dalinvardèl Tanith the elven spy is waiting for them. 

Zam looks down at the mage canister he's holding, making sure not to hold the end that twists. 

He glances at the spellcaster who was once the most powerful mage of his generation to be found anywhere in The Southlands, who quietly tells him "Best to use it when things are really fucking bad". 

The youngest member of the group nods, then slightly winces when the mage Reinholt quietly tells him "And whatever you do, don't let that big fucking idiot Dorc take it off you". 

The spellcaster who is technically still in exile from his homeland of Vexil, then dryly adds "He's likely to blow himself up and anyone close to him if he gets his hands on it". 

The teenager who was scratching a meager living together as a mercenary in The City Of Ruins when the group found him, nods his head. 

Then he and the once powerful mage fall silent when they get to the counter where the elven spy who hails from the principality of Alinlae is waiting for them. 

"Is that everything?" asks the shop worker behind the long counter, where three people are working this morning. 

"It is" replies Dalinvardèl Tanith the elven spy after he sees the ugly young man named Parvin slightly nod his head. 

"Interesting purchases" quietly says the shop worker as he takes stock of all the items they're buying and figures out how much they'll cost. 

"Our benefactor is rather, shall we say" says the spy Tanith who after a slight pause continues with "Eccentric". 

And with the mage Reinholt telling him earlier how much they're likely to pay for it what they're buying here in one of main magical curio shops in the city. 

Dalinvardèl Tanith or Dalin as he's more commonly called by those who know him well, tells the shop worker "And rich". 

The worker nods at that, then nods to the nearby front window of the shop, where you can see who's standing just outside, next to the front door, then he says "I'm guessing that's why you lot have those guards?". 

The spy Tanith nods his hooded head, and replies with "Indeed" he follows that with "Those two tend to deter any trouble we might come across". 

The shop worker nods himself, then says "That's the oddest looking pair I've ever seen" he continues with "Especially that short troll, who looks far bulkier than any troll I've ever seen before". 

Zam bites the inside of his mouth to stop himself from laughing at that description of Dorc da Orc who is standing outside the front of the large shop with Lord Farque. 

Next to him he sees the ugly young man named Parvin rub a hand over his mouth to stop himself from laughing, though it doesn't stop himself from grinning. 

While the spy Tanith who is a commander in the Scouts and Rangers division of the Armies of Farque clears his throat so he doesn't chuckle. 

Then the elf who previously served in one of the more prominent noble houses of his homeland of Alinlae before joining the group, says "He is, isn't he?". 

The elven spy follows that with "He is a little stunted" the mage Reinholt can't refrain from snorting at that. While Zam stares at a nearby shelf so he doesn't burst out laughing. 

Then when Dalin says to the shop keeper "We refer to him as a dwarf troll". The two things in life along with water, that the ork warleader absolutely hates. 

Mira Reinholt the mage has to turn away, and has a fit of coughing to stop himself from laughing out loud. 

While the ex mercenary originally from The City Of Ruins rubs a hand over his face, and can't help but grin as he can't believe what the spy Tanith just said about Dorc da Orc. 

"Ha dwarf troll, that's a good one" says the shop keeper with a chuckle, which gets a "I thought so myself" from the elven spy who is a commander in the Armies of Farque. 

Then after the shop worker checks on a ledger he gets out from a draw from under the counter, and he tells Dalin how much the cost of their purchases will be. 

The elven spy from the principality of Alinlae, along with the ex mercenary who hails from The City Of Ruins and the Vexillian mage in exile all wince at how much things will cost. 

Refraining from sighing, Dalin takes out a large coin pouch, then he looks at both the youngest member of the group, and the swordmaster Reinholt who today appears to be an ugly young man thanks to an elaborate illusion spell cast by Helbe the elven thief. 

Mira Reinholt who is a member of Lord Farque's personal council does sigh before he hands over a fairly large coin pouch. 

While Zam sourly smiles before handing over his main coin pouch to Dalin, and like the Vexillian born mage, tells the elven spy how much gold coins he has. 

Who knew potions and scrolls cost so much, the ex mercenary originally from The City Of Ruins thinks to himself, who then silently adds, and those two things. 

As he looks at the pair of mage canisters they've brought, one of which is his. Those two items cost more than all the other things combined, and then some. 

The youngest member of the group slightly shakes his head at paying nearly two hundred gold coins for what the mage Reinholt wanted. 

And figures this magical curio shop must make an absolute fortune every day. Especially considering the amount of customers it gets. 

Many of whom are students and others from the nearby Mage College of Vexil. Though Mira did tell Zam as they were browsing the shelves earlier that the students from the Mage College get discounted prices for items. And that most of them tend to buy the cheaper items, unless they come from wealthy families like the mage Reinholt is from. 

After the once powerful mage puts all of the purchases into a pack he's brought along with him. All of them except the two mage canisters, one of which Zam carries, the other the highly skilled swordmaster carries in his hands. 

The trio make their way out of the front door of the large shop that's a magical curio. And find the undead warlord and the ork warleader standing off to one side. 

Looking at the pack on the back of the ugly young man named Parvin, and the mage canisters he and the youngest member of the group hold. 

Lord Farque quietly asks the exiled Vexillian mage Mira Reinholt "I see you got most of what you were after". 

The once powerful mage nods, then hands the mage canister he's holding, to the lord and ruler of the Lands Farque. 

The undead warlord slightly nods his full helmed head, and then he looks at the teenager who hails from The City Of Ruins. 

"Ah my lord" quietly says Zam the ex mercenary in the elven language, he follows that with "You wouldn't happen to know what this, do you?". As he holds up the mage canister Mira Reinholt bought for him. 

The large heavily armoured deathlord looks at it for a moment, then he says to the youngest member of the group "Here I'll take that". 

And he takes the mage canister out of the hands of the youngest member of the group, and tells him "You have this one". And gives the teenager originally from The City Of Ruins the other mage canister. 

"Er?" says Zam, who follows that up with "So what does this one do then?" as he holds up the two foot long metal canister, which one end can be twisted. 

"Vortex" replies Lord Farque, who has the alternate name of Draugodrottin that the people of his lands also know him by. 

"Fucking powerful at that" adds the undead warlord, who continues on from that in a slightly dry tone of voice as he tells Zam "Get away from it as quickly as possible once you activate it". 

The ex mercenary who hails from The City Of Ruins who was going to go that anyway whenever he uses the mage canister, nods then says "I will my lord". 

Then gesturing at the one he originally had, that's now in the gauntleted hands of the lord of the death realm, the youngest member of the group asks "And that one?". 

"You don't want to know" dryly says the lord and ruler of the Lands Farque who has the elven name of Des'tier, which translates to The Destroyer. 

The undead warlord then hands that particular mage canister to the ork warleader standing beside him and says "Here". 

Then the large ork, who knows exactly what he's now holding, and how to use it, goes to twist the end that activates it. 

"Not now" sourly says Draugodrottin to the big burly ork from the southern polar region of the world, who is a general in his Armies. 

The weaponsmith from the wolf tribe of orks grunts, then listens to the lord and ruler of the Lands Farque who tells him something in the ork language. 

After whatever the deathlord of Farque has told him, the ork general grunts again, then he attaches the mage canister to his weapon harness. 

Then the group look across the street, as Malisse aka Zubutai the barbarian hordesman exits a shop from that side of the street, and makes her way over to where they're standing. 

"Get everything?" asks the rotund woman named Malisse who is really Zubutai Timaginson, who just happens to inhabit her body. 

"More or less" is the reply from the ugly frumpy looking young man, who like the slightly overweight woman, is a member of Lord Farque's personal council. 

Malisse aka Zubutai the son of Timagin grunts, then she along with the Vexillian mage in exile and the ex mercenary from The City Of Ruins. 

Follow after the other three, who have set off. And have started making their way back to the Merchant's Rest inn. Which they hope to get back to before the midday meal on this fine and sunny, but cool spring day here in the city of Vexil. 

As Dalinvardèl Tanith leads the way back north through the city streets, the rotund woman who isn't what she appears to be, quietly asks the mage Reinholt "How much did that all cost?". 

As he has noticed that the pack the mage Reinholt brought along with him, looks to be fairly packed with items. 

"Near on two hundred gold coins" is the reply from the practitioner of magic who was once the most powerful mage of his generation. Until he lost most of his powers when he accidentally cast a rift/void spell that sent him offworld. 

The eyebrows of Malisse aka Zubutai Timaginson shoot up when she hears that, then she quietly says "I hope soon so" in reply to her fellow counselor quietly saying to her "It'll be worth it". 

The rotund woman who is really a hordes outrider from the southern tundra of the world, who has spotted the mage canisters. One that Zam the ex mercenary has, and the other that Dorc da Orc has tied to his weapon harness. 

"I hope so" repeats Malisse aka Zubutai the barbarian hordesman, after slightly wincing at the prospect of something going horribly wrong now that there's two mage canisters in the group. One of which is in the possession of the big burly ork who is a general in the Armies of Farque . . . . . .

Springtime In The City 64.

Vexil. 

Not wanting to answer the question asked by Mira Reinholt the mage. Zam the ex mercenary just shrugs and says "Ah". 

"A bitch" says Dorc da Orc as he walks by "You look like a fucken bitch" adds the large ork who then laughs as he moves forward to catch up to Lord Farque. 

The teenager originally from The City Of Ruins winces, then glances at the once powerful mage standing beside him. 

Who today is a young man, apparently. Who Zam is pretty sure could pass for an ugly young woman. He's definitely an ugly young man for sure. As his lumpy appearance under his cloak is pretty much an eye sore. 

"Fucking elf" mutters Mira Reinholt the mage who then sighs, and grunts, which does nothing to reaffirm how ugly he looks today thanks to the detailed illusion spell he's under that was cast by Helbe the elven thief. 

"Ah we best get going" says the ex mercenary who is the youngest member of the group, the mage Reinholt nods, and the two of them set off after Lord Farque and Dorc da Orc. 

While Dalinvardèl Tanith the elven spy, and the woman named Malisse, who is really Zubutai the barbarian hordesman, lead the way from the Merchant's Rest inn this morning. 

The day has dawned clear and sunny again, the fourth such day in a row. Zam who was expecting it to be at least cloudy today. Is glad that it's a fine spring morning, though much cooler than it was yesterday morning here in the city of Vexil. 

The teenager who was scratching a living together as a mercenary in The City Of Ruins when the group found him. 

Clears his throat, then asks the Vexillian born spellcaster "Come up with a name yet?" he then quietly adds "Can't very well go around calling you Mira". 

Before the mage, who is also a highly skilled swordmaster can answer the youngest member of the group. 

Dorc da Orc who can hear the two behind him and Lord Farque, glances back at the ex mercenary and the once powerful mage, and says "Ugly bitch" followed by "That your fucken name today Killer". 

The big burly ork from the southern polar region of the world continues with "Dorc seen lots of ugly peoples" the ork weaponsmith then adds "You 'bout the mostest ugly lookin' cunt Dorc ever seen". 

"Takes one to know one" dryly says the practitioner of magic who was once the most powerful mage of his generation, until he lost most of his powers when he miscast a spell that accidentally sent him offworld. 

"What that s'pose to fucken mean?" says the ork warleader with a scowl upon his broad green brutish looking face when he looks back at the two following him and Lord Farque. 

With an innocent look upon his face, the mage Reinholt just looks ahead at the warleader of the ork race. 

Dorc da Orc or Dorkindle to give him his actual name goes to say something else, but he shuts up when the undead warlord walking next to him quietly says something in the language of the orks. 

The weaponsmith from the wolf tribe of orks just grunts and looks ahead. And for the meantime doesn't pay anymore attention to the pair following him and the large heavily armoured deathlord. 

"Parvin" quietly says Mira Reinholt after Malisse aka Zubutai the barbarian hordesman drops back to walk with the teenager from The City Of Ruins and the Vexillian swordmaster, and asks the once powerful mage what they should call him today. 

"I guess" adds the practitioner of magic who today looks to be around Zam's age, when in actual fact he's in his fourties. 

The frumpy looking young man just shrugs his shoulders, when Malisse aka Zubutai the barbarian hordesman quietly says "And I thought I looked bad". 

The hordes outrider from the southern tundra, who is a slightly overweight woman somewhere in her thirties, continues with "Well at least you only have to look like that today". 

Malisse aka Zubutai Timaginson briefly pauses before adding "Well, unless the royal thief continues to keep you under that spell for longer". 

The Vexillian born mage who like Malisse, is a member of Lord Farque's personal council. Grimaces at the thought of that. As he only wants to be under this particular spell while they're out and about this morning here in the city of Vexil. 

Even though the mage Reinholt is an atheist. He'll gladly pray to any or all of the deities of Volunell. If it means he doesn't have to be under this particular illusion spell cast by his highness, prince Helbenthril Raendril for longer than necessary. 

The rather ugly young man or woman depending on what light you see them in, mutters "I know" dryly followed by "Tell me about it". 

In response to the rotund woman named Malisse who says "You're the one who wanted to get out of the inn today" then adds "So what did you expect?". 

"To not look this repulsive for starters" is what Zam hears the once powerful mage mutter as the six of them, with Dalinvardèl Tanith out in front. Turn onto one of the main avenues here in the north of the city of Vexil this fine, but cool spring morning. 

The ex mercenary who hails from The City Of Ruins glances again at the slovenly looking young man walking beside him, who could also pass for a young woman, an ugly one at that too. 

Then the youngest member of the group quietly asks in elvish "Can't you cast such a spell on yourself?" followed by "One that makes you look ah" he briefly pauses before continuing with "Normal looking". 

The Vexillian mage in exile, who is a member of the family that owns the largest and most successful trading company, not just here in the city-state of Vexil, but probably right across The Southlands too. 

Quietly says in elvish to the teenager who is the youngest member of the group "Not really" followed by "Definitely not one as good as the one cast by our thieving prince". 

The highly skilled swordmaster pauses for a moment or two, before continuing with "And one that will last no matter what" he then adds "Mine would unravel fairly quickly if I was to do a lot of things". 

Zam nods, as does Malisse aka Zubutai the son of Timagin as the three of them follow behind Dorc da Orc and Lord Farque down one of the main avenues here in the north of the city of Vexil. 

"So what exactly are we doing today?" asks the ex mercenary who is originally from The City Of Ruins. 

The slightly overweight woman by the name of Malisse, is about to reply to the youngest member of the group, when Lord Farque glances back at them, and slightly shakes his full helmed head. 

"Later" quietly says Malisse aka Zubutai the barbarian hordesman to the ex mercenary walking to the left of her. 

While to the right of Malisse, is the disheveled looking young man going by the name of Parvin this morning, here on the streets of the city of Vexil. 

Up ahead, the lord and ruler of the Lands Farque says something in elvish, which the spy Tanith who is about fifty feet further along the avenue, easily hears. 

The elf who is originally from the principality of Alinlae, and is now a commander in the Scouts and Rangers division of the Armies of Farque. 

Nods his gray hooded head. 

Dalinvardèl Tanith or Dalin as more often than not he's called by those who know him well, especially the others in the group. 

Turns left onto another street, this one far quieter, and less busy that the avenue they make their way from. 

The undead warlord who also has the name of Draugodrottin that the people of his lands know him by. 

Briefly takes ahold of the left arm of the ork warleader walking beside him. Dorkindle scowls at the large heavily armoured deathlord next to him. 

Then the son of the former matriarch of the wolf tribe of orks spots a hobbit come out of a lane on the opposite side of the street. 

The large ork who is a general in the Armies of Farque scowls then snorts in disgust at the sight of the halfling on the other side of the street. 

But for all that, he doesn't try to break away from the lord of the death realm. Who eventually let's go of Dorkindle's left arm after the hobbit enters a shop on the other side of the street. And the warleader of the ork race shows no interest in running after the lone halfling. 

The large heavily armoured deathlord glances back at the trio behind him and Dorc da Orc, and looking at the rather ugly young man in what looks like a home spun cloak, and asks him "Fucking where?". 

"Couple of streets further to the right" is the reply from the young man named Parvin, who really just a magical disguise for Mira Reinholt the mage, thanks to some creative spellcasting from Helbe the elven thief. 

The lord and ruler of the Lands Farque nods his full helmed head as he looks forward once again, and he quietly calls out directions for the spy Tanith who is leading the way this morning. 

"Quite a few things of interest there by the feel of it" quietly says Lord Farque a short while later as they stand at the corner of a street, to the right of which, is the lane they'll be heading down. 

The spy Tanith is already at the entrance to the lane, and is looking down it, whilst keeping an eye on the others who are close by. 

Looking at the once powerful mage who is a member of his personal council, the deathlord of Farque quietly says in a slightly dry tone of voice "Plenty of your favourites in there". 

The mage who technically is still in exile from his homeland, and is really only allowed to visit for short periods of time. Which undoubtedly he's well over, as the group have been here in the city of Vexil for a number of weeks already this spring. Nods his head yes in response to the lord and ruler of the Lands Farque. 

"You used to frequent it back when you were a student at the Mage College?" asks Malisse aka Zubutai the son of Timagin as they set off and head to the lane that Dalinvardèl Tanith the elven spy has just entered. 

"I did" replies the unruly looking youngster by the name of Parvin who is really Mira Reinholt the mage. 

"As did a lot of the students" continues the spellcaster who is also a highly skilled swordmaster. 

"And teachers" adds the practitioner of magic who was once the most powerful mage of generation to be found, not just here in the city-state of Vexil, but also right across The Southlands. 

As Zam follows Lord Farque and Dorc da Orc into the lane, and is just wondering were they're heading to. 

The undead warlord quietly says in the elven language "Seems like there's a number of students and teachers there already this morning". 

The large heavily armoured deathlord who has the elven name of Des'tier, which translates to The Destroyer, continues on with "Not to mention a bunch of other fucking spellcasters".

Up ahead, just a bit further on from where Dalinvardèl Tanith has just stopped. The ex mercenary spots the shop he assumes they've been making their way to this morning here in the city of Vexil. 

It's a magical curio shop which no doubt sells various magical items and other things. Most likely potions and weapons. 

Where they stop next to the spy Tanith, the lord and ruler of the Lands Farque quietly says "Dalin you and Zam go in with Mira, or Parvin or whatever the fuck his name is today". 

The large heavily armoured deathlord continues with "We'll wait out here" referring to himself, along with Dorc da Orc and Malisse aka Zubutai the barbarian hordesman. 

The Vexillian mage in exile in the appearance of a rather ugly looking young man nods, then he heads into the large shop, which is a favourite for the magic using community here in the city of Vexil. 

The mage Reinholt is followed by Dalinvardèl Tanith the elven spy, then Zam the ex mercenary who both enter the shop after the local spellcaster who is in disguise thanks to a spell cast by Helbe the elven thief . . . . . . 

Springtime In The City 63.

The City-State Of Vexil. 

Not knowing what was done with the man he took captive. Zam the ex mercenary the next morning goes in search for answers. 

He finds them fairly quickly early in the morning, when he asks Dalinvardèl Tanith the elven spy about him, when he sits down for breakfast in the common room of The Merchant's Rest. 

"They get rid of him?" quietly asks Zam the ex mercenary after the commander in the Scouts and Rangers division of the Armies of Farque explains to him what happened. 

With a slight wince upon his face, Dalinvardèl Tanith the elven spy quietly says "They did" he then dryly adds "Through no fault of my own". 

The spy who hails from the elven principality of Alinlae continues with "I probably shouldn't of killed those three other mercs he was working with". 

The teenager who is originally from The City Of Ruins nods when he hears that, then quietly says "So that mage is still hiring people to find Mira?". 

"He is" replies Dalinvardèl Tanith or Dalin as he's more commonly called by the others in the group, who continues with "That mage Garmen wants Mira found and dealt to, with what happened to his son up in the hill country during the winter". 

The youngest member of the group slightly grunts at hearing that, then he quietly says "Even though it was his highness who killed the younger Garmen". 

The spy Tanith nods his head, then after slightly shrugging his shoulders, he says in a quiet voice "Tough luck for Mira" followed by "It doesn't help things that Garmen senior has hated Mira for the last twenty five years or so". 

The elf who previously served in one of the more prominent noble houses of his homeland, the principality of Alinlae continues with "That tends to happen when you betray your homeland like Mira did". 

Zam nods his head at that, then he falls silent when the serving woman delivers his and Dalin's breakfast to the table they're sitting at. 

The two of them eat in silence for the most part, with the spy Tanith briefly telling the youngest member of the group "You and I will be going with Shur Kee this morning". 

"Oh" says the ex mercenary who hails from The City Of Ruins, who looks around and spots the short statured monk sitting at a table with Lisell Maera the scout and Beldane the cleric, before asking the elven spy "Where to?". 

"He'll explain it" is the response from the commander in the Armies of Farque with a nod of his head to the corner table where Lord Farque is sitting with Mira Reinholt the mage and Malisse aka Zubutai the barbarian hordesman. On the floor next to that table, sits the large figure of Dorc da Orc. 

Who is busy munching on a rack of ribs, while slurping from a small barrel of dark ale. A larger barrel of pale ale is beside the ork warleader who has yet to open it. 

After finishing their breakfast, and their plates and mugs are cleared away. Zam the ex mercenary and Dalinvardèl Tanith the elven spy get up and make their way over to the corner table where the lord and ruler of the Lands Farque is sitting. They're followed by Shur Kee the monk when he sees they've finished their breakfast. 

Once the trio stands before the corner table here in the common room of The Merchant's Rest, Lord Farque gestures at Zam and Dalin and tells them "You two are to accompany Shur Kee" followed by "Make sure nothing happens to him" followed by "And stop anyone who might try to harm him". 

"Yes my lord" the elven spy and the ex mercenary reply in unison. Though Zam is of the opinion that only a damn idiot would be foolish enough to attack the short statured monk. 

Especially after the acolyte in the order of Bru Li won Le Grande Meleé during the Spring Tourney of Vexil just last week. 

Then looking at the physical adept who is an honorary member of his personal council, the large heavily armoured deathlord tells him "None of the ones in and around the temple square". 

The undead warlord follows that with "One of smaller ones further south and west" he then adds "In the poorer neighbourhoods". 

"Yes Lord Farque" says Shur Kee the monk who continues on with "That was my intention" he then adds "I know which one". 

With a nod of his head to the mage Reinholt, the short statured monk says "Friend Mira has suggested some there". 

The physical adept who is originally from beyond The Southlands, the far east coast of the continent to be exact, specifically the kingdom of Wah Lee, then says "I have seen them during our past visits to Vexil" he then adds "I have already decided on which one". 

The lord of the death realm nods his full helmed head, then with a slight wave of his right gauntleted hand, he dismisses the short statured monk, the ex mercenary and the elven spy. 

The three of them make their way across the common room floor, and into the reception room of the inn. 

They greet the innkeeper who is behind the front desk this morning, then the trio of Shur Kee the monk, Zam the ex mercenary and Dalinvardèl Tanith the elven spy make their way outside. 

On what's another fine and sunny spring morning, here in city of Vexil, the capital of the city-state that shares the same name. 

After the short statured monk pops on his odd conical shaped hat, the spy Tanith who has lifted the hood of his grey cloak upon his own head, says "I'll lead". 

The teenager originally from The City Of Ruins and the physical adept from the far east coast of continent follow after the commander in the Scouts and Rangers division of the Armies of Farque. 

As they head south and west through the streets of the city of Vexil on this fine and sunny spring morning, which again isn't cool. 

The youngest member of the group who was scratching together a living as a mercenary in The City Of Ruins when the others found him. 

Wonders where they're off to this morning. Or to be exact, where Shur Kee the monk wants to go to this morning. 

Glancing down at the acolyte in the philosophical order of Bru Li, the teenager quietly asks the short statured monk "Where exactly are we going to?". 

"To one of the smaller temples here in the city" replies the honorary member of Lord Farque's personal council. 

What for? Zam thinks to himself, but the ex mercenary just nods his head to that from the monk who is the living incarnation, or to be exact, the conduit for the Jade Warrior Bru Li. 

As the three of them continue south through the city, the teenager who hails from The City Of Ruins wonders who it is from the group that's discreetly following them. 

The ex mercenary doesn't think it's Axe this morning. As the massive undead wardog prefers to move about on the rooftops of the city's buildings on the rainy days. As it's harder for people to spot him on such days. 

Zam suspects it's Narladene the ground pixie who is following them and keeping eye on him, the elven spy and the short statured monk. 

Even though the youngest member of the group saw Helbe the elven thief leaving The Merchant's Rest when Zam made his way down to the common room for breakfast. 

The trio avoid the center of the city, going around both the Mage College, the city's main airdocks, as well as the Tower of the Mage Council of Vexil. 

Though they stop in a warehouse district just south of the main airdocks of Vexil. Where Shur Kee hires a couple of porters from one of the businesses where they can be found. 

The two men, along with their push carts. Closely follow the trio of the short statured monk, the elven spy and the ex mercenary. 

Keeping well clear of the main temple square, just to the south west of the city center. Zam, Shur Kee and Dalin, along with the pair of porters the physical adept has hired. 

Stop at a number of shops, here in the south of the city, on this rather pleasant spring morning here in the capital of the city-state of Vexil. 

After stopping at a few shops, the youngest member of the group, refrains from sighing as he finds himself carrying an armful of goods, primarily bolts of cloth. 

As both the hand carts used by the porters are stuffed with goods that the honorary member of Lord Farque's personal council has purchased. 

The spy Tanith who has got away with carrying very little of what Shur Kee the monk has purchased, asks the acolyte in the order of Bru Li "Which way?". 

The short statured monk gives the commander in the Armies of Farque further directions, and the trio along with the two porters set off. 

As they head south, then southwest through some of the busiest neighbourhoods in the entire city. 

Zam who hasn't been in this part of the city all that much since the group arrived. Notices the mark difference to this area of the city, compared to elsewhere in the capital city. 

First and foremost being poverty, for this is clearly the poor quarter of Vexil. Especially the further they walk towards the southwest corner of the city. 

Many of the streets are narrower in this part of the city, giving the illusion that many of the buildings either loom over the street they're on. 

Or that they're so hard up against one another, as if they've over crowd the particular street that they're on. 

They don't reach the very southwest corner of the city of Vexil, but they end up not all that far from the poorest area of the capital city. 

They stop in what's an oasis of calm in an otherwise hectic and very busy part of the city of Vexil. 

It's a small square, around which are a few places of worship, including a single storey temple that Shur Kee the monk points to, and quietly tells the others "That one". 

Following behind the porters who are pushing their hand carts stuffed full of goods, Zam the ex mercenary enters the grounds of the temple. 

Which he sees has a couple of other buildings upon the grounds. Here on one side of the quiet square. 

The youngest member of the group who hails from The City Of Ruins realizes that this temple belongs to an order of monks and nuns, who worship one of the gods of Volunell. 

Which one, the ex mercenary isn't too sure. What he is sure of is that these particular grounds, and the buildings on it, along with the temple itself. Is actually an orphanage run by the monks and nuns. 

As evidence of the number of children Zam sees. And that the monk who greets them, informs them of the work his order does here in the poor quarter of the city of Vexil. 

The monk, along with a pair of nuns who have come to see what the new arrivals are about. Are pleased to accept the donations brought to the temple by Shur Kee. 

Who purchased for the most part, bolts of fabric cloth for clothes to be made. As well as number of shoes and sandals, all smaller sizes for children. 

The other purchases the physical adept made, was some blankets. As he knows that all temples and churches that offer services like orphanages, are always short of blankets. 

Zam who thought they'd just be dropping off the goods that the short statured monk purchased, then head back to the Merchant's Rest inn located in the north of the city. 

Finds out that he, along with Dalinvardèl Tanith will be helping out Shur Kee, who has offered their services to the temple for the day. 

For after the ex mercenary helps the porters unload their hand carts, and he watches them depart. 

The ex mercenary is soon helping out with some of the children here in the orphanage. Though only after he and Dalin, along with Shur Kee show their respects in the temple itself. 

Where after the short statured monk silently prays in the temple, a temple that Zam leans is dedicated to the god, Faunau. One of the gods of learning and reason. As one would expect of a deity of such things. Isn't exactly one of the more popular or wealthier temples or churches to be found, not just here in the city of Vexil, but right across the world of Volunell. 

And Shur Kee places a bunch of coins in the offering box on a plinth in a corner of the temple itself. 

An offering box that Zam drops a bunch of gold and silver coins into as well when Dalin nudges him with an elbow to do the same thing. 

The ex mercenary refrains from sighing after he follows the spy Tanith in making a donation. It's not as though they can't afford to. After all, everyone in the group is fairly wealthy. Including Zam who is the youngest, and has been with the group the least amount of time compared to the others. 

The ex mercenary who is originally from The City Of Ruins then spends the rest of the day, and into the evening alongside Shur Kee the monk and Dalinvardèl Tanith the elven spy. 

Helping the monks and nuns of Faunau, to teach, feed, and play with the orphan children who call this temple their home. Here in the city of Vexil . . . . . .

Springtime In The City 62.

The City Of Vexil. 

Standing within a rooftop garden. Zam the ex mercenary yawns as he looks towards the nearby counting house, here in this part of the northern quarter of the city of Vexil. 

The youngest member of the group who is originally from The City Of Ruins watches as the wagon that Beldane the cleric and Lisell Maera the scout are with. 

Is pushed in through the barn like doors on one side of the building by members of the staff who work in the counting house. 

The ex mercenary glances up into clear morning sky as a large trimasted airship passes overhead, then he looks back down at the surrounding buildings. In particular at the rooftops that offer a view of the nearby counting house. 

The teenager who hails from The City Of Ruins who is amongst some head high plants that are on wooden trellises. Plants that Zam eventually identify as bean stalks. Slightly frowns as he spots movement upon a roof a couple of streets away. 

The youngest member of the group who has seen a few people on the nearby roofs this morning. All of whom paid no attention towards the counting house in this particular neighbourhood here in the north of the city. 

Sees that the person he's just spotted, is crouched down behind the low crenellation that runs along the top of that particular building. 

And that they're definitely looking towards the counting house, that's a couple of streets away to the right of where Zam is at the moment.

The ex mercenary quickly glances towards the counting house, and sees that the wagon, along with Beldane the cleric and Lisell Maera the scout. As well as the driver and the hired guard with it. Along with the staff who were with them. Are all inside the building that houses the counting house. 

Zam then looks back to the rooftop with the low crenellation around the top of it. And he sees that the figure he's spotted. Who is cloaked, has sat down. And is still looking towards the nearby counting house. 

The teenager originally from The City Of Ruins watches that figure closely. And determines that they're armoured beneath their cloak. And he also spots the hilt of a sword, when that person, who he's certain is male, briefly moves to a more comfortable position. 

Zam barely even moves as he stands amongst the bean stalks in the rooftop garden he's in. The ex mercenary continues to watch the person upon the nearby rooftop. Who is closely watching the neighbourhood counting house. 

Until Beldane the cleric and Lisell Maera the scout, along with the wagon and it's driver, and hired guard. Make their way from the counting house.

The youngest member of the group watches the cloaked figure get up, and move in a crouch upon the roof they're on. Heading to a set of steps at the back of the roof. 

Zam quickly looks and sees the fighting cleric from the kingdom of Nastell, along with the attractive young woman who hails from the city-state of Brattonbury are heading one way. 

While the now empty wagon, and it's driver, along with the hired guard head the other way down the street they're on .

The ex mercenary spots the hooded figure going down the steps at the back of the building they're on, then disappear from view. 

Zam then moves quickly back through the bean stalks, and through the rooftop garden to the side of the building he's on. 

There the teenager who is originally from The City Of Ruins hurries down the steps on the side of the building he's been watching things from. 

Once down in the alleyway next to the two storey building, he moves quickly to the end of the alley. And glances around the corner there, and looks away to his left. 

The ex mercenary then walks out of the alley, heading left down the street he's on. Zam knows this is also the direction Beldane and Lisell are going, but two streets over from here. 

The youngest member of the group hopes he's picked correctly. And that the hooded figure he spotted. Is following after the powerful cleric in the church of Glaine and the scout leader who is a junior officer in the Armies of Farque. And not the wagon, it's driver, and the hired guard with it, who are going in the other direction. 

He's proven correct a short while later, when he's looking away to his right, down a lane on the opposite side of the street he's on. 

And he's spots the hooded figure passing by the far end of that lane, on the next street over from him. 

The teenager who hails from The City Of Ruins faintly smiles to himself as he's sees the person he's following, is doing exactly the same thing he is. 

Looking towards the lanes and alleys on the other side of the street he's on. Towards the street that the youngest member of the group knows that Beldane and Lisell are on. 

"Now who are you?" Zam the ex mercenary murmurs to himself, followed by "And that are you up to?". 

He quickly crosses the street he's on, as he knows both the fighting cleric and the lead scout, will soon turn right onto another street as they're heading back to the Merchant's Rest inn. 

Zam who is glad that even though it's a fine and sunny spring morning here in the city of Vexil. This area in the city, isn't particular busy. And never really is, as it's amongst the most wealthy neighbourhoods to be found in the capital of the city-state. 

So it's fairly easy for him to keep track of the fellow in the hooded cloak who he knows is following Beldane the cleric and Lisell Maera the scout. 

"Shit" mutters the teenager who is the youngest member of the group when for a brief moment he thinks he's lost the person he's following after he enters a lane and hurries through it. 

Zam who before the group found him, was scratching together a living, a meager one at that, as a mercenary in The City Of Ruins. 

Slightly nods to himself, in relief more than anything. When he spots the hooded figure he's following, on the next street over after he looks down an alleyway. 

The ex mercenary as he makes his way around a cart that's being unloaded in front of a bakery. Is just wondering if he should risk it, and head over to the street that he knows the individual he's following is on at the moment. 

When the decision is made for him. When he spots a trio of mercenaries up ahead, turning towards that particular street. 

And when Zam gets to the corner and looks away to the right, he spots the cloaked individual at the corner of the next street over. Who has stopped and is talking to the three mercenaries. 

Not wanting to garner attention, the teenager originally from The City Of Ruins continues on his way .

And across the street, he turns into the first alleyway to the right. Which he runs down, then stops just before he gets to the end of it. 

There Zam, leaning back against the building he's next to, waits. Looking out to the street at this end of the alleyway. 

"Come on" the ex mercenary who is the youngest member of the group murmurs to himself as he waits. 

Then a few moments later, the cloaked figure he's been following, walks by the mouth of the alleyway. 

Zam faintly smiles to himself as the cloaked figure is looking away to their right, to the other side of the street, and the lanes and alleys that way. 

The ex mercenary who hails from The City Of Ruins quickly looks back in the direction the cloaked figure has come from. 

And he spots the trio of mercenaries heading along the cross street, that connects this particular street with the adjoining one that Zam knows Beldane and Lisell are on at the moment..

The teen who is the youngest member of the group steps out from the alleyway, and heads along the street. 

Zam flips the hood of his own cloak off of his head, as there's really no reason to wear it on a fine and sunny spring morning, which isn't particular cold. 

The ex mercenary doesn't want to draw attention to himself as he heads down the street, that only has a handful of people on it at the moment. 

Not including Zam himself, and the hooded figure the youngest member of the group is discreetly following. 

The teenager originally from The City Of Ruins nods to a merchant who is sitting on a chair in front of his shop, enjoying the morning sunshine. 

The ex mercenary sees up ahead, the fellow he's been following, is crossing the street. Zam figures he's heading towards one of the lanes or alleyways on the other side of the street. 

The youngest member of the group stays on this side of the street until the fellow in the hooded cloak, enters one of the alleyways on the other side. 

Zam takes off at a run, and hurries across the street, and heads for the alleyway the hooded individual went into. 

The ex mercenary who hails from The City Of Ruins slows as he enters the alleyway, where he spots the hooded figure slowly walking towards the other end. 

"Fuck it" murmurs the youngest member of the group, who continues murmuring with "Might as well". 

Zam moves quickly down through the alleyway, hoping the fellow near the other end doesn't hear him and turn around. 

The teenager originally from The City Of Ruins is in luck, for the hooded figure doesn't realize there's someone else in the alley until too late. 

For the ex mercenary does a running jump, and drop kicks the cloaked figure square in the back .

Propelling him forward with momentum, before hitting the ground with a thud just before the mouth of the alleyway. 

Zam quickly gets up, and hurries forward to the downed individual. Who is softly groaning as he lies face down on the ground. 

The youngest member of the group grabs him beneath the armpits, and drags him back into the alleyway. 

The ex mercenary spotted a broken gate into a yard between two buildings, here in the alley. And he hauls the cloaked figure into it before anyone out on the street spots them. 

Zam who is breathing heavily from the exertion, gets a good look at the face of the fellow, who is clearly dazed after what happened. 

The teen from The City Of Ruins doesn't recognize him, the best guess is that he's a mercenary of some kind. 

Who is a little too interested in Beldane the cleric and Lisell Maera the scout, and most likely what they were doing at one of the counting houses here in the north of the city of Vexil. 

"What's this then?" says a familiar voice in elvish, which causes Zam to look up. And he sees Dalinvardèl Tanith the elven spy opening the waist high broken gate to enter the small yard between two buildings. 

"Someone with a keen interest in Beldane and Lis" replies Zam the ex mercenary in same language, followed by "And what they were doing at the counting house this morning". 

The elven spy who hails from the principality of Alinlae, and who is now a commander in the Scouts and Rangers division of the Armies of Farque grunts when he hears that. 

He does so again when the youngest member of the group quietly tells him "There's three mercenaries with this one". 

The ex mercenary continues on with "Pretty sure they're following the cleric and the lead scout right now". Then he gives a quick description of the trio who he's certain are following Beldane and Lisell. 

"Shit" mutters Dalinvardèl Tanith or Dalin as he's more commonly called by those who know him well. 

Pointing at the dazed fellow who is still being held up by Zam, the spy Tanith quietly says "Bring him back to the inn". 

The elven spy who previously served in one of the more prominent noble houses of Alinlae before joining the group, then quietly adds "I'll deal with those other three". 

Then he hurries out of the yard, then alley. Gone before Zam is able to say to the dazed individual he's holding "Come along fella, let's get you out of here". 

The teenager originally from The City Of Ruins then punches the cloaked figure between the eyes. 

"Huh look at that" murmurs a slightly stunned Zam, who continues on with "It worked". As he's punched out the fellow, knocking him out cold. 

The ex mercenary grunts with exertion as he hefts the unconscious fellow up and onto his right shoulder. 

Before he exits the small yard, followed by the alleyway. And makes his way out onto the street with the unconscious fellow across his right  shoulder. 

Zam already has an excuse for what he's doing if anyone is to ask him about the fellow he's carrying around. 

The teenager who is originally from The City Of Ruins will just tell them that the unconscious fellow is his friend and that he drank too much last night, and into the morning. 

And that the ex mercenary is taking him back to their accommodation, which is in the west of the city of Vexil. 

Though he gets a few looks directed his way as he goes through the streets here in the north of the city, on his way back to the Merchant's Rest inn. 

The youngest member of the group eventually breathes a sigh of relief when he finally makes it back to the small secluded square between four buildings, where the small two storey inn where the group are staying in whilst here in the city of Vexil, is located. 

"Trouble?" asks Beldane the cleric who along with Lisell Maera the scout made it back to the inn just before the teenager from The City Of Ruins does, and are just about to enter it when the ex mercenary shows up. 

"You could say that" replies Zam, who then adds "Could you help me with him?" followed by "He's bloody heavy". 

The teen who is the youngest member of the group takes a deep breath in relief when the fighting cleric helps take the unconscious fellow off the shoulder of the ex mercenary. 

"He was a little too nosey for his own good" says Zam who along with Beldane carry the unconscious fellow inside. The ex mercenary is just glad to be back in the Merchant's Rest inn on this fine and sunny spring morning, here in the city of Vexil . . . . . .