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 . . . . . . 

Springtime In The City 61.

Vexil. 

After the drizzling rain of yesterday. The morning has dawned clear and sunny, though a little cool here in the city of Vexil. 

And in the north of the city, Zam the ex mercenary and Lisell Maera the scout wait near a wine shop that's just opened. 

The two of them are waiting for Dalinvardèl Tanith the elven spy to show up. As the commander in the Scouts and Rangers division of the Armies of Farque has just gone to check up on something. 

It's not too long before the spy Tanith appears from around the corner at the end of the street. And the tall cloaked elf makes his way to where the ex mercenary and the scout leader are waiting for him. 

"Well?" quietly asks Zam the ex mercenary "They're on the move" is the quiet reply from Dalinvardèl Tanith the elven spy who like Zam is speaking in elvish. 

The spy Tanith who hails from the elven principality of Alinlae gestures in the direction he's come from, and he starts heading back that way. 

The youngest member of the group along with the attractive young woman who is originally from the city-state of Brattonbury follow the elven spy. 

"All of them who are still in the city" says Dalinvardèl Tanith or Dalin as he's more commonly called by those who know him well. 

"That sir Olmard is leading them" continues the spy Tanith who is a commander in the Armies of Farque. 

Both the ex mercenary and the lead scout nod when they hear that, then the elf in the grey hooded cloak quietly tells them "The only ones left in their chapter house are the servants". 

"They heading south?" asks Lisell Maera the scout or Lis as she's more often than not called by the others in the group. 

"Once they leave the city" is the reply from the elven spy as he leads them around the corner at the end of the street. 

Dalin who previously served in one of the more prominent noble houses of his homeland of Alinlae before joining the group, continues with "They're heading west through the city, and will be going out one of the gates over there". 

Zam slightly nods, then quietly says "No wonder they want to leave" followed by "What with the disappearance of nearly ten of them". 

The scout Maera snorts in derision, then dryly says "Disappearance" followed by "That's one way of putting it". 

The attractive young woman who hails from the coast of The Southlands, continues with "Butchered is how I would put it". 

The youngest member of the group who is originally from The City Of Ruins just shrugs his shoulders in reply to that, while Dalin says in response to Lis "They don't know that". 

The commander in the Scouts and Rangers division of the Armies of Farque continues with "They think that lot left the city without telling them". 

The spy Tanith briefly pauses before saying "The entire order here in the city think you Zam, along with Percy have left the city". 

Dalin follows on from that with "That can only be a good thing" the elven spy who hails from the principality of Alinlae, then adds "One less problem we have to deal with". 

Lisell Maera grunts in agreement with that as the three of them cross a square that's surrounded by trees. 

Once on another street, the elven spy tells his two human companions "His highness is following them" he continues with "We should be able to see them soon". 

Both Zam and Lis nod at that as the three of them head down the street, which is located in one of the more wealthy neighbourhoods, here in the north of the city of Vexil. 

After going through the streets here in the north of the city a little bit longer. They eventually arrive at a set of steps leading up to a stretch of ruins. Which was once the north wall of the city centuries ago. It's remained standing due to it running along the perimeter of one the estates where one of the wealthiest family's in the city-state resides. 

Up on top of the old abandoned wall, Zam says "Isn't that where Mira's family lives" as he points further to the south of the edge of the family estate where the old wall is located. 

"Yes" is the reply from Dalin, who continues on with "These estates here belong to one of their business rivals". 

Both the ex mercenary from The City Of Ruins and the lead scout who hails from the city-state of Brattonbury nod to that. 

Then the elven spy who is a commander in the Scouts and Rangers division of the Armies of Farque points to a wide street, almost an avenue here in the north of the city, and says "There they are". 

Both Zam and Lis easily spot the mounted riders heading west. All members of the order of the Knights of Saint Mar'che. At the front leading them is the knight captain sir Olmard. 

Who was one of the competitors towards the end of Le Grande Meleé, defeated by sir Percavelle Lé Dic who he recognized. 

"They don't look happy" quietly says the scout Maera who follows that with "Determined, but definitely not happy". 

The elven spy originally from the principality of Alinlae nods his hooded head in agreement with the attractive young woman who hails from the coast of The Southlands. 

Then he says to the two young humans standing beside him on the old wall "Come on, let's go and follow them". 

The trio head down the steps, and cross the tree lined street behind the section of the old north wall of Vexil. 

With Dalin leading the way, the three of them are soon on the wide street, that goes quite a way here in the north of the city. 

And they spot the mounted knights, knights apprentices and squires a few hundred feet in front of them, heading west. 

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

Follow after the members of the order of the Knights of Saint Mar'che who are heading to the west wall of the capital city of Vexil. 

Zam glances at Lis, who he knows isn't all together happy with what happened yesterday, causing the remaining members of the knightly order that sir Percavelle Lé Dic is a part of, to leave the city this morning. 

The youngest member of the group noticing the look upon the face of the attractive young woman who hails from the coastal city-state of Brattonbury, quietly says to her "Still pissed at what they did yesterday?". 

The scout Maera glares at the ex mercenary, then she softens her look, before quietly replying with "A little". Zam nods, then Lis adds "That was straight up murder they did yesterday". 

The ex mercenary gestures ahead to the mounted knights and says "They don't know that" followed by "In fact, they have no idea what actually happened". 

The teenager who was scratching a meager living together as a mercenary in The City Of Ruins when the group found him, then says "If it makes you feel any better, they were going to kill me for just being associated with Percy, because I squired for him during the tourney". 

He continues on with "And by the sounds of things they were going to make him pay for stealing that shield of theirs, before they killed him too". 

The lead scout grunts, then quietly says "And that justifies killing a bunch of them in cold blood?" followed by "Because of what they might of done to you and Percy?" she then adds "That sounds pretty tenuous to me". 

The ex mercenary just shrugs his shoulders, then with a nod ahead to where the mounted members of the order of the Knights of Saint Mar'che are, he says "It's worked though" followed by "The last of them here in the city are leaving". 

With a sour looking expression upon her face, Lis says "That could of easily been done anyway" she continues with "A few spells here and there by his highness would of done the exact same thing". 

Dalinvardèl Tanith who is in front of the two humans, and leading the way, and who has been listening to their conversation, glances back at them, then says "True enough". 

The commander in the Armies of Farque continues with "But this accomplished a number of other things too". 

The elven spy who previously served in one of the more prominent noble houses of his homeland the principality of Alinlae, adds "There's less of them to deal with if we ever run into them in the future, and they're still hell bent on killing Percy over that shield of theirs". 

The spy Tanith then says "But more importantly, the lord got Dorc out of the inn, to release some of his pent up aggression". 

Dalin then adds in a slightly dry tone of voice "If you haven't noticed, the big green psycho was getting crazier than usual just loafing around in the inn eating and drinking everything" he continues with "Best to have him partake in some, shall we say controlled violence, than have him go off by himself in the middle of the night and kill a bunch of dwarves or trolls in the city because he hates them". 

The scout Maera sourly smiles once again, and shakes her head, and before she can say something else, Zam quietly tells her "Best not to complain, after all you're in his Armies" followed by "And Dorc is one of your generals". 

Lis pointedly looks at the youngest member of the group, who shrugs his shoulders, then says "If anyone should be complaining about what they did, it should be me". 

The ex mercenary who is originally from The City Of Ruins pauses for a moment, before continuing on with "I'm not in his Armies, I'm just part of the group". 

Dalin who has been looking ahead at the mounted group they've been following at a distance, nods his hooded head, then glances back at the two humans following behind him, and says "Zam's got a point". 

The spy Tanith looks ahead once more, then says "Lis, you and I, along with Tam and Tovis, and to a certain extent, his highness and Zubutai have to accept decisions that we don't necessarily agree with because we're in his Lord's Armies". 

The commander in the Scouts and Rangers division of the Armies of Farque continues with "The rest of the group are not" he then adds "There is that distinction, and we have to deal with it". 

The elven spy then says "Even Mira, who along with Dorc has been traveling with him longer than anyone else, isn't in his Armies, even though the mage is on his personal council". 

Dalin momentarily pauses before continuing with "And that's something we all agreed upon, when we decided to join his Armies". 

After a moment, the attractive young woman who hails from the city-state of Brattonbury nods her head, then quietly says "Yes, you're right". 

The spy Tanith nods, then as up ahead, the mounted knights turn left at the end of the wide street, he tells the two young humans behind him "Oh you can still moan and bitch about what decisions are made, especially now that your an officer Lis". 

He follows that with "But never openly question his decisions and orders outright, especially in front of him, or you'll face the consequences". 

The commander in the Armies of Farque then adds "If you haven't noticed, it's why he let's the others in position of command, like Tam, his highness, and the hordesman, or even myself and Tovis make most of the decisions". 

Dalin briefly pauses before continuing with "That's unless with what we're doing right now here in Vexil" he then dryly adds "Making a fortune for him taking over those old mines up in the hill country near the border with Oaklynn" the elven spy follows that with "He's definitely giving all the orders at the moment". 

Both Zam and Lis nod in agreement with the commander in the Armies of Farque as the three of them turn to the left at the end of the street. 

As they continue to follow at a distance, a group of mounted knights, knights apprentices and squires from the order of the Knights of Saint Mar'che who are heading to one of the gates in the west wall of the city. 

On this cool, but clear and sunny spring morning here in the northern neighbourhoods of the capital of the city-state of Vexil . . . . . .

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 . . . . . .