Ysalwen Surana, Warden-Commander of Ferelden (
freedom_is_grey) wrote2017-06-23 03:37 pm
Mission: Impossible -- with mercenaries and Tal-Vashoth
They've scoped out the three target merc companies over many long nights going over documentation and word-of-mouth. They've come up with a backstory for James, she's brought him what was essentially a bucket full of daggers from which to pick those that fit his purposes best, and they've gone through packing materials, bedrolls, waterskins, maps -- all of it.
They're as prepared as they can be, which is why Ysalwen, bundled up in her cloak and with a travel pack (and her sword) slung over her shoulders, is waiting by the front door for James to arrive. Liranan -- fitted out in his spiked collar and Lady of the Skies kaddith -- is there, too, tongue lolling out with excitement.
Travel!
They're as prepared as they can be, which is why Ysalwen, bundled up in her cloak and with a travel pack (and her sword) slung over her shoulders, is waiting by the front door for James to arrive. Liranan -- fitted out in his spiked collar and Lady of the Skies kaddith -- is there, too, tongue lolling out with excitement.
Travel!

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"Who goes there?"
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He manages to make it succinct and laconic both as he looks them over.
"Heard you were camped here, and came by to see if you were hiring."
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The other punches him in the shoulder. Hard.
"You the upright kind, pretty-boy?" the woman asks.
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He knows what he needs to know for Meraad's sake already, but he suspects there's more here to find than that.
"I'm the kind that gets things done."
He lets the cold inside him rise and slip through as he meets her gaze - as a predator, not as prey.
"Whatever it takes."
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"Well, then. You can come along inside, pretty-boy, see if we can get the chief to talk to you."
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It doesn't matter. He's been called worse.
Without saying another word, he scans over the little group one last time, and then steps up beside the woman.
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There's a lot of malice to go around, really, as no one here seems to like anyone else, let alone trust them.
The walk through the camp toward the command tent reveals a lot of noise, a lot of mess, and a hell of a lot of suspicion in the ranks.
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His back itches slightly between his shoulderblades as he catches a furtive motion out of the corner of his eye.
As the knife comes flying at him, he spins and blocks it with the armor of his left arm, letting the dull practice blade drop into his right hand. With a single swift motion, he sends it flying back toward the sullen man who'd thrown it, hard enough that the blade buries itself halfway into the surface of a wooden practice shield hanging from a tree nearby.
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Apparently he really wanted to hurt the newbie.
Someone standing next to him smacks the back of his head, almost pitching him into a nearby post.
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Terse and flat. He doesn't sound as though it matters to him either way.
"One warning. Your only warning."
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"You heard him, Skarn. Save the rest for when he washes out."
She looks at James sidelong, assessing.
"Or not."
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"Let's do this, and find out."
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"Hmm? Fallaril, if there's more trouble -- "
His voice is smooth, and laden with a threat of violence.
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He shrugs his right shoulder slightly, coolly assessing the man in front of him.
"Heard you were camped here. I'm looking for work that pays."
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"Why should we pay you?"
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"Because I'm the best at what I do."
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"Really? You'll have to prove it, then."
He turns toward the woman who led James to him.
"Who's weakest in the ranks? Have this one take him out tonight, see how he does. If he does it, eh?"
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"But whatever."
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"If you've got a problem with that, the edge of the camp is right over there."
Now, they'll probably send some of their members to hunt him as an exercise, if he chooses to leave, but --
That's their business, now isn't it?
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"Seeing as I'm not weak, it's no problem of mine."
It's going to be a problem for someone, that's for sure. He's already decided that.
The question is for whom, and how many of them?
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"Get to it, then."
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Confidence is key.
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"Shaggy, long beard, kind of gangly. He goes by Wart."
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He slants a sideways look at her (and also at the area around them).
"What do you go by?"
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"You'll find out after you finish the job."
Or, you know. Not.
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