Mechant Trade, A Merchant's plea.

[Drayco]

Drayco arrived on Rionolaithnu not long before. The city amazed him. He couldn't walk more then a few steps before seeing a new merchant, some cloaked and hooded, some wearing bright colors with various items hanging off of them. Drayco gave a slightly bitter smile. "I know being a knight is a very fine position in life...but a merchant is what I'd rather be," the knight said to his steed. Jotay was looking better and his body was showing more power. Drayco looked around the city, his feet and the horses making an oddly soothing sound against the wooden planks over which they walked. He was looking for his friends, but he wasn't sure if he would find them.

The day before he'd stayed in an inn. It was well priced and he'd enjoyed the view he had of the ocean. It was like nothing he'd seen before, it was majestic blue filled with ships, some coming and others going. He'd have liked to spend some of his hard earned money, but if he spent what he had he could very well be stuck on this merchants paradise. Today he was headed for a bar, but first he'd stable his horse. He'd managed to haggle with stable master for a few days’ free lodging and service for his horse in return all he'd have to do it clean out the stable when the horse was finished with his stay. Drayco saw nothing wrong with that deal since it meant he was spending nothing and his horse was going to get a good night's sleep and food. The pair rounded the corner and the knight was face to face with the stable master. He was fit with a thickly muscled body. His head was bare, but he had an unruly beard that covered his lips and cheeks. Drayco handed over the reins to the man, who gave a smile and took them. "Mind yourself Jotay," he whispered with a pat on the horse’s neck.

Soon the stable-master and the horse vanished. The knight sighed and began his way to the tavern. He'd been there the night before to get a meal and had meet with someone that could put him in contact with an old friend. He'd paid the informant off with a meal of fish and ale. It wasn't a costly meal, but he didn't like spending the money anyways. Drayco was ready to see his old friend, but he wondered if the man would remember him. He entered the tavern after only a few minutes of travel on foot.

Inside was a man. He looked older then the last time the knight had seen him. He was wearing expensive garb and had two men with him. Drayco made his way quickly to the man and reached the out his hand. The merchant, named Marco, snatched the knight’s wrist and shook it vigorously. "It has been to long Sir Drayco!" the man said. His voice was rough and deep. "The last I saw you was when I helped you from your home. That was a real good story to tell for the first few months after I came here." Marco waved the two guards off. The moved quiet and quick to the bar, as if nothing more then shadows. Drayco lost sight of them when the reached the bar.

"Have you been back there?" Drayco said as he sat. The other man nodded, his smile lost all amusement and was replaced with bitterness. "Is it bad?"

"Not exactly bad. But not it's best years. It's gotten bigger and the Holy Guard isn't even seen anymore. The Black Guard are nothing more then crooks and thieves that the new proclaimed ruler has assembled as her own squad. She's slaughtered her entire family and cut most of the trading partners. But even worse...the town seems to prosper. People don't care that the Horm lady does any of the stuff. I guess it's good that they're safe, but leaving the city is just as hard as getting in. I won't go back because trade there is outrageous. Twenty percent of all trade is given to the 'royal family'. Two hundred just to enter the city. Thirty for the mandatory shop space and five hundred in protection costs. Just to break even last time I was there I had to sell all my wares, even some things of my own." The Merchant ranted. Drayco couldn't help but smile. It was good to hear that the city was growing. He always hoped it would, but he felt bitter that it was Horm that lead the town into the prosperity.

The two talked throughout the night and into the next day. Drayco never noticed anyone else enter the tavern as the pair talked. He smiled to himself, he was glad to catch up with his friend that the time didn't matter. When the knight left the next night he felt as if he was being watched and followed. Though he couldn't prove it. All he could do was be wary.

[Alkioth]

Alkioth awoke on his back. He was unsure of how long he'd been sleeping, but he was very groggy when he awoke. His eyes were sore, and his left arm was half-numb. He looked around, and noticed a few young stowaways near him. He had his ticket on him still, but he still didn't want a confrontation between himself and some unknowing ticketmaster.

He got up and walked onto the main deck. Most of the people had disembarked from the large wooden vessel. On the docks they were, mingling about with the typical crowds on docks: merchants. Merchants of all kinds, selling fish, onions, garlic, and breads.

"Coming or going?" someone asked quickly.

"Pardon me?" Alkioth asked.

"Coming or going?" he repeated.

"Coming."

"Then you'd better move. Looks like ye just woke up!"

"I did."

"Good thing, too! We're disembarking shortly."

"Oh, I apologize, sir. Thank you."

"No need! No need!" the man said. "Have a good stay!"

Alkioth nodded to him and disembarked the vessel. It was old, and the wood was stained dark from the years of soaking. He wondered what kind of upkeep was required on vessels of the seas. All that saltwater. He knew it wasn't good for his sword, which is why he wrapped it when he first got on the vessel.

He looked around. Surrounded by people, he was alone. He knew no one. Alkioth sighed. Should not be difficult to meet someone, at least, he thought.

There was a knight on horseback. There were people calling out their goods and their prices. There was a scuffle between a few men, undoubtedly about the price of some fish or poultry. There were women.

After some thought, Alkioth decided to follow the knight. He wanted someone of similar stature to speak with, maybe give him some advice. Maybe somewhere to stay, or perhaps -- better yet -- an adventure. Quiet time was good too. Somewhere to sit down and play cards, maybe have some mead.

He smiled to himself, and began to follow the mounted knight.

[Drayco]

Drayco moved silently, one of his hands going into his cloak. He felt the hilt of his gladius, and moved it from its sheath with silence. There was no way to know if the man that had followed him from the time he left his horse with the stable master was still there. He didn't even know if the man was friend or foe. Drayco turned a corner, into an alley. The sky was beginning to darken as the sun dipped into the sea. Drayco slipped into a shadow that was created in the ally. With a few movements he shifted into his cloak. To a passerby he looked like nothing more then a pile of discarded rags. He kept a small amount opened to him so he could see.

A figure appeared in the ally. It was a familiar form, some he'd seen before. He was a knight also, but because of the darkness and bits of clothing from his cloak he couldn't tell whom. The other knight looked around for a moment with what Drayco thought were slightly confused movements. It was a moment later that the figure vanished.

The knight glanced around to make sure nobody could see him. He stood, rearranging his cloak. He departed the ally with haste, following the other knight. "I guess a game of cat and mouse could be fun." Drayco sped up, making sure to stay near the created by the dimming light. He was close to the other knight, no more then a few feet away. The blue-cloaked knight kept his hand on the hilt of the gladius. He touched the tip of the blade to the other knights back, feeling it touch against armor. Drayco knew that a hard movement could push the blade through the armor and into the other man. "Turn around, slowly. I don't want to hurt you." Drayco said with a cold tone. He felt the knight move, and pushed the blade a little, it didn't part the armor but gave the other man a good indication of the blade against his back.

The other knight turned and Drayco took a step back. In a moment he was face to dimly lit face of the knight. "Alkioth?! It's truly been a time since I last saw you!" Drayconis said with a chuckle. He sheathed his blade. "It looks like you could use a nights rest. Or a good meal." Drayco gave a smile and walked off. "If you need either just follow me, because you do know how to do that," he chuckled. "You might even want to come with me tomorrow. I'm going to see a merchant about a job," the knight added. He didn't know if Alkioth was following him. But Drayco knew either way he needed a nights rest before he could be of any use to anyone.

He stepped into the inn, which was a multi-storied building with a staircase along the back wall. Drayco didn't bother stopping to talk to the keeper; he'd already paid for his room for a few more nights. When he reached his room he opened the door using the key he'd been given and went inside. It was dark but the knight knew where his bed was. He stripped off his armor and other items before lying down for the night. It wasn't five minutes after he touched the bed that he was asleep.

[Kahlan]

Kahlan enjoyed the boat ride over. It had been her first time on a boat and she enjoyed it. During most of the trip she leaned against a rail and watched small waves of the never steady sea.

When the boat finally came to their destination she was one of the first to get off. Eager to see what was here. Walking around she saw tons of merchants trying to sell stuff, and tons of people trying to make them bring the prices down. It was comical to see someone, their face all red and them waving their hands in the air over the price of a fruit.

Through the rest of the day Kahlan walked around looking at all the different things and trying to stay out of the way of horses and angry men. When it came close to nightfall Kahlan found an Inn and got a room for the night.

Taking all her armor and sword off was a chore because of the long day spent walking, but she wasn't one to complain. As she lied there on the bed, she thought of the adventures she had awhile ago, and some of the friends that she made. Slowly she drifted off to sleep.

[Alkioth]

Alkioth knew the other had been hiding in the alleyway. He wasn't sure why, other than that perhaps the knight was paranoid of someone following him. It was understandable, but Alkioth assumed most people would have been sneakier with their prey.

He paused, looking around. The knight was more than likely watching him, but he didn't mind so much. There was a reason for it, so he kept walking. It was soon after that Alkioth had started being followed. Alkioth didn't hear the knight's footsteps, and there was no shadow to be seen. It was the look on the face of a derelict laying near another alleyway: he wasn't watching Alkioth, but the knight behind him. In fact, the blade the knight was holding to his back.

As Alkioth was about to dive ahead to distance himself from the blade, the knight spoke. "Turn around slowly." It was a familiar voice. "I don't want to hurt you."

"That makes two of us," Alkioth said as he turned.

Drayco had been caught off-guard, and was very surprised. Without speaking, Alkioth forgave the offense. Most knights weren't as his father had been. In those days, the honor of the knighthood was fading. The whole world, in fact, was fading. It was a minor offense in today's world, and an understandable one. In all truth, Alkioth did not mind so much.

"Thank you for the offer, Drayco; indeed, I could use both very much."

Alkioth followed Drayco back to the inn where he was staying, all the way paying attention to the streets. These streets were a little more developed and intricate than the last town he'd been to. Then again, however, it was just a small village. One street, really.

The inn was larger than the last inn he'd been in, as well. Instead of just two stories, this one reached up even higher. Alkioth was impressed. He had not seen such architecture in awhile. The Orcs made sure of that. Towers seemed to attract the beasts, and they came from all around just to topple them.

Alkioth found the innkeeper and laid some gold pieces on the table. The innkeeper nodded, quietly saying, "Enjoy your one night's stay," without looking up from whatever it was he was doing. Alkioth frowned -- apparently the prices in this town were elevated.

"Pardon me, but which room-"

"The one that's not taken."

Alkioth was going to probe further, but he decided not too. The man already had his gold, and the deal was done. Apparently no further discussion was needed. Sighing, Alkioth made his way upstairs, trying to find the empty room. He longed for a decent conversation with someone.

When he found his room, he fell asleep almost immediately. However, his sleep was not undisturbed.

[Drayco]

Drayco woke late at night. His room was silent and nearly black as pitch. A light shown through the window, created by an outside lamp. Drayco slipped on his leggings with laziness. It had been some time since he'd been able to treat himself well. He belted his leggings on and with the same ease put his tunic on. The midnight blue fabric was slightly rough against him and the feel of it brought the knight from his half-sleep. There was no need to retrieve his blades from their resting place. On the way from the room Drayco pulled his room key off a table near the door.

The inn was silent and dimmed. A few travelers moved back and forth through the furnished room. Drayco grinned as he saw one man, fast asleep in a chair near the fireplace. "A decent place to rest," he said with a whisper. The knight moved with a silence across the lobby. A few slept like the man, unable to find a room, and some just sat and talked in whispers. He found a decent place to sit, a stool that positioned near the window. The view through the window was of the ocean, darkened and forbidding at night. "Don't worry, I'll travel again soon," he spoke to himself. He wondered if anyone had heard him but a quick glance around showed that those that were awake were still occupied with their activities.

Drayco watched the darkness and the ocean. Ships moved slowly away from port, and some even came in. He didn't know how long he'd sat there, but it was long enough to make him begin to drift. First the sea and the sky seemed to blend to him. He tried to shake it out of his mind and vision, but nothing happened. He refused to move from his perch, something about the darkness mesmerized him. His thoughts melded together and drifted from his grasp. It wasn't a moment longer that the knight was lost to sleep.

When he awoke the next morning a familiar woman wasn't far away. The grogginess that loomed over him kept him from figuring out why she was familiar. "Kahlan..." he whispered, still mostly asleep. Drayco rubbed his eyes and stood. He didn't bother calling to the woman. He made his way back to his room and retrieved a rag. There was little he could do now and he needed to wash himself off.

It wasn't more then half an hour later that he'd scrubbed himself clean. He emerged from his room, fully armored and cloaked. His hood was down and the cloth was drawn tight around his body. He had shaved and pulled his long hair back. It was time for him to walk with the poise that was expected of a knight.

He waited in the lobby, wondering if Alkioth would join him.

[Kahlan]

Kahlan woke up early and was hungry. Strapping all her armor on and sword, she left her room and went downstairs. She flipped the key to the innkeeper and said thanks with a smirk.

Briskly Kahlan walked out of the inn and found a vendor where she brought an apple. For awhile she walked around watching people start coming out of different places and vendors setting up for the day.

She had no clue what she was going to do all day. Maybe a walk in the woods if there is any... Looking around she had come back to the inn.

'Maybe I'll ask the innkeeper if there's any woods nearby' She thought and stepped inside. She stopped and stared at the familiar shape and clothing standing in the lobby.

"Drayco?" she said loudly enough for the man to hear. "Is that you?"

[Alkioth]

Alkioth had been awake off and on all night. The first few hours of his sleep were very deep, and his nightmares incredibly vivid. Flashes from his childhood intermingled with the massacre in the town. Children cried. Women screamed as their husbands were slaughtered.

"Can you make it?" the voice called.

His eyes opened -- but he was still in the dream. He could smell fire and flesh, but he saw the ceiling of his room. He could hear screams, but the cold night wind blew gently across his skin. He sensed the flames licking at him, and the warm ash beneath his body, although he knew he was in an old bed.

His sleep was light for the rest of the night. He didn't have another nightmare that badly that night, but he did not sleep well. He fell in and out of a paranoid catnap. It went like that all night long.

At sunrise he got up. From his window he could see part of the bay. The waters shimmered gold, and he saw a few frigate ships upon the waters. They were about a quarter mile away from the long jetti that extended outward. The other jetti was about two miles to the east, if not more. Alkioth wasn't sure. He was just glad to be there to see the sunrise. It was beautiful, and a welcome retreat from the bleak skies of Avalon.

But the clouds weren't far off.

Alkioth went downstairs. He was hungry and needed a meal. Each step he took slowly, as he was still very tired. Some of the stairs moaned in protest to the weight of his body. He carried his armor with him -- he did not trust leaving it in his room. He had no key -- no key had been given, and no lock was present. He'd checked.

He wasn't sure where he could get some food. He knew people would be selling various items, although he also knew the prices were elevated. He wasn't sure was to expect when he stepped outside the inn -- it was still early.

But the streets were full. The morning market had begun. Men and women were shouting about their goods and their prices. Almost immediately, Alkioth was approached by various people selling various things. Shell necklaces, fish, jerkey, skinned poultry.

Alkioth didn't want to spend too much money, and he had no way to cook his food, so he settled on an onion and a peppermint stick to refresh his breath. The onion was very strong and juicy -- it had a lot of flavor. Alkioth's eyes watered as he ate half, and gave the other half to a small peasant boy. The boy's eyes grew excited as he ran off, undoubtedly to share the rest with other orphans -- or his family, of which there was possibly no difference. The peppermint stick was very strong, and it took only a bite to do the trick. He saved the rest.

Alkioth walked around for a little while, declining offers to purchase goods, before returning to the inn. He felt very odd there. He felt out of place. He was out of place, in truth. He was a very long way from home, and he knew only Drayco. Alkioth had found himself in a similar situation long ago, slowly wandering his way to his uncle's. It had been a long time ago -- but it still affected him. It was a place he didn't want to go back to, and yet there he was. About twenty years later, there he was again.

When he returned to the inn, he found Drayco in conversation with -- what was her name? Katan? Kanan? Canaan? No. Kahlan? Something like that. He couldn't quite remember, but it was amazing. She just disappeared one day, and he never saw her again.

Amazing. Alkioth, Drayco, and -- whatever her name was -- all in one spot. Alkioth couldn't count it as anything but providence. So he began walking toward them quietly but deliberately, not wanting to disturb their conversation.

[Drayco]

Drayco stood in the lobby, amazed. He couldn't begin to fathom the chances of three knights, each from Avalon, and each in the same inn. It was an encounter that Drayco could only chalk up to fate. He spun around on one heel, bringing himself face to face with Kahlan. "Well, isn't this a surprise. I don't know whether I should be angry you never visited after we last departed, or glad to see you again." The knight said with a broad smile. He quickly wiped it from his face, trying to retain a knightly poise. He failed when it came to washing all emotion from his face. He was glad to see the woman. But he already was beginning to wonder what had brought her to this merchant's paradise.

He straightened, regaining the height he lost when he bent to speak to the woman. Drayco patted Kahlan's shoulder. "I am sorry though, I've to depart soon. I have to go see a merchant of a job. You may join though. An extra hand is always a good thing to have around. So two extra hands will make things easier then they were before." The blue-cloaked knight said. He glanced quickly around the lobby, seeing if he could spy Alkioth. "Come Sir Knight if you want a job." Drayco called to the knight upon seeing him. When Alkioth reached them Drayco found himself at a loss. He wasn't sure if the two knights had met each other before. He cleared his throat, which was a harsh sound even to him. "Sir Alkioth this is Lady Kahlan." The speaking knight said. "I'm sure you too will want to talk and get to know each other.

Drayco spun again, this time towards the door. "Follow if you'd like." His voice had returned to stone. His cloak flowed behind him as he departed. The door opened to the outside world. Clouds spotted the sky, but unlike Avalon, blue was the prevalent color. He moved with a slowness that closely resembled marching. Drayco kept his knightly stance as he walked, head held high, but at a friendly level. Smiles came to him from different merchants and street vendors. Townspeople were little this morning, and Drayco wondered if it was some sort of holiday for them. He couldn't be sure though, because nothing was said of any religious event that might be happening.

Even with a racing mind Drayco kept his pace. He did this more for show to the few townsfolk and vendors he saw. The first day he arrived he learned that many had never seen a knight, but many had come across lancers and merchant/soldiers. The knight’s first stop was at the stable where he'd left Jotay. The stable master handed the horse over to the knight without hesitation. Drayconis couldn't tell if the man was happy to get rid of the steed, or just happy.

He walked his horse to the tavern which he'd seen Marco, and tied the steed to a pole outside. Drayco patted Jotay on the neck and handed him an apple, which he produced from his cloak. The horse took it and the knight went into the tavern. "I'm here for a merchant named Kelvin. He has a job for me." The bartender nodded to a man. "Thank you." Drayco went to the man, his mind now wandering to what this job could be.

[Alkioth]

Alkioth smiled -- he remembered Kahlan. Although the memory of her name and face had somewhat abandoned him, the rest of the memories were there. He missed their uneasy friendship they had formed on the trail in the woods outside the now-gone town. He doubted she knew of the disaster, and he did not want to tell her.

"We have met before, although I know not whether you remember me, Kahlan," Alkioth said, bowing. It was rare for a knight to bow to a woman where he came from. His father bowed to his mother, his uncle to his aunt, and his brother to his sister. But that was it. The farmers, the peasants, and the rest of the nobility never showed such equality. "It is an honor to meet you again, Kahlan."

Drayconis spun around and informed them they were welcome on his journey. Alkioth looked to Kahlan to see what she wanted to do -- he desired an adventure, another journey, but he also desired to speak with Kahlan. He did not know her very well, as their time in the woods was short. It had been a long time since he had spoken to a woman, especially a woman knight.

Kahlan and Alkioth followed Drayconis. Drayconis walked through the streets slowly, and Alkioth was unsure how to take his demeanor. He did not know if Drayconis was ostentatious and prideful, or simply proud of his accomplishments and confident. Alkioth hoped his pride -- the same pride Alkioth had -- was honorable. Alkioth kept himself humble, even though he was still excited by his past exploits. He was even proud of his disturbed childhood. He had made it. He survived.

It was also a burden he could not escape. His entire family died -- first his brothers. His parents were next. Then his sister was slaughtered, followed by the inhuman rape and razing of the monastery where Alkioth lived with his uncle. Alkioth was proud to have survived without selling his soul to the darkness; but it was an accomplishment that cut him to the bone. Perhaps the wound would never heal. It did not matter -- it was a bittersweet wound. Painful and prideful, it would last for a long time.

They came to a tavern, and Alkioth suddenly became unsure of the proper etiquette. He did not want to be rude to neither Drayconis nor his contact. Alkioth did not know if he should enter the tavern with Drayconis -- uninvited -- or if he should wait outside, and risk looking pompous.

Alkioth chose to enter the tavern, but sat at the bar -- away from Drayconis and his contact, but not out of earshot. He looked over his shoulder to Kahlan, who was not far behind, as an invitation for her to join him.

[Drayco]

Drayconis sat across from Marco. The merchant hadn't lost the joyful look of the past day, but something seemed to cloud it. Drayco had seen from the corner of his eye the two other knights come into the tavern. The merchant had noticed also and motioned for his guards. The knight noticed movements of two people. It took him a moment more to see that the figures each held a weapon. "Don't worry Marco. Those two are with me. I think they want to help with the troubles. Though I'm not overly sure." Marco nodded and made another slight movement. The weapons disappeared a second later. "Now, what are these troubles your having? Demons? Roving bandits? A sea monster maybe?" There was no disguising the anticipation in Drayco's voice. He'd dropped the act of the revered knight and was acting as he normally would.

Marco cleared his throat and gave a nearly hidden smile. "I hope you didn't act like that when you came here. Knowing you, you'd probably swing your blade around just for the shear joy of it." The knight couldn't help but laugh. He pulled on his cloak and removed it, hanging it over the chair. "Yes, just get comfortable for now." Marco waved his hand, and a server appeared, placing a glass and a plate of meat, bread and cheese in front of each of the knights. He then looked straight at the Alkioth and Kahlan and smiled. "Enjoy the food, it's free." Drayco shook his head at the merchant.

"Always as generous as ever." Drayconis said while putting a small amount of bread and cheese in his mouth. After he'd swallowed it he looked back the merchant. "Now, I think it is time for us to discuss business. We've already discussed the past and how you've come into your vast wealth." Marco nodded in agreement. "Yes, you see I'm right." Marco made a face at the cloaked knight.

The merchant cleared his throat again. Something he did before most statements. "I've not been having to much trouble lately, but I need someone to protect a shipment of weapons and bows. Along with that I'm shipping some pieces of a ballista and catapult. I don't want weapons like that in the wrong hands so I want you to help protect. I already have six others signed to protect it, but one can never have to many when shipping heavy weapons." Drayco nodded. He could picture what a bandit or anyone would do if they had a portable ballista and catapult on hand. They could be very deadly for if taken against normal towns, walled cities could fall as well with enough hits from a catapult. "Well knight, can I expect you're help?"

Drayco wondered just how many people knew that these weapons were being shipped. He hoped it wasn't many because if word got out, he might be in for more then just a few bandit raiders. "I'll do it." The knight said and stood.

"The shipment moved tomorrow in the morning and it will take about a day, maybe two to get to the port city that ordered it." Marco said, this time not clearing his throat. "I'll have everything you need ready before you go...are they going to help?" Drayco shrugged he didn't know the answer and he wasn't about to answer for them.

"Ask them yourself." Drayco chuckled as he finished his plate and ale.

"Are you two going to help?" Marco said with some hope in his voice.

[Kahlan]

Kahlan folded her arms as Drayco said. "Well isn't this a surprise. I don't know wheter I should be angry you never visited after we last departed, or glad to see you again."

"umm I kinda went off on my own for a little bit after we last departed. My apologies for not visiting, but honestly I wouldn't know where to find you."

She saw the smile leave his face, and wanted to laugh but supressed it. As he stood up taller she realised that he was trying to be all knightly and such. It was comical to see someone try hard at it.

When Drayco mentioned that two extra hands would be good Kahlan was puzzled and close to asking who else, when she noticed a man walking up to them.

"Come sir knight if you want a job." Drayco said to the knight.

Kahlan smiled slightly to the man as Drayco introduced them.

"we have met before, although I know not whether you remember me, Kahlan" Alkioth said as he bowed. "It is an honor to meet you again, Kahlan

"Yes I remember you Alkioth, from the one job we did together and the tournament." She nodded her head down to him with a smile. "It is also nice to see you again Alkioth."

Kahlan followed Drayco along with Alkioth. No one talked and that was odd, but she wasn't going to be the one that broke the silence. Instead she followed in her thoughts, sometime getting so caught up in them she started walking to the side, but caught herself before the guys noticed.

Not long after they had left the inn they came upon a tavern. Drayco tied his horse to a pole and walked inside. Kahlan didn't know whether to follow or She saw Alkioth look over his shoulder at her and she smiled and sat down next to him. Glancing to the side she saw Drayco not far away talking to a man and could catch most of what was being said. Kahlan also saw two guards with weapons staring at her and Alkioth and she waved sarcastically to them and turned away.

"I wonder what adventure we'll go on now." She ran her finger along the edge of the cup looking at it. "It's been awhile since I had company to anywhere I went, let alone something to do." She laughed slightly and looked up at the bottles of different drinks sitting across from them at the bar, as usual hiding any presence of emotion.

Glancing at her bar companion for a moment, Kahlan turned slightly in her chair to face him. "So what've you been up to since our last travels?"

Silently she watched and listened until the man Drayco was sitting with spoke to them. "Are you two going to help?" Kahlan already facing that way look at the man in the eye and raised her hand to her chin jokingly as if in thought.

"Well I don't know good fellow, seeing as I have soo much to do with my time and all...hmm...well... I believe I could take time out of my horribly busy schedule to help out, might even be fun." She said this all as a joke and somewhat sarcastically, but meaning nothing by it. At the end she smiled and stood up waiting to see what her friend Alkioth would say to the proposition.

[Alkioth]

Alkioth noticed the two men motioning for their weapons. His left hand snaked to the hilt of his broadsword, and his right was on a glass of mead. His intentions were to blind the men by getting mead in their eyes before striking -- but it was not necessary. The man Drayconis was talking to -- apparently named Marco -- waved them off.

He smiled at Kahlan's bravery. She didn't seem worried about anything; it impressed him.

"So what have you been up to since our last travels?" she asked him.

He turned a bit to her and said, "Nothing much." He dropped his eyes a bit, thinking of the town for a moment. The fires. The screams. The Orcs and the townspeople's blood on their demon blades. He pushed the thoughts out, and met her eyes again. "Just wandering about. And yourself?"

As Kahlan was telling him about her time, they were interrupted by Marco. The name was vaguely familiar to Alkioth, but it was probably nothing. Marco wished to know if they were coming along. In her typical fashion, Kahlan rambled off to the man. She had a sly grin on her face -- he didn't know if she knew she had it, or if anyone else noticed, but he did. Her voice changed a bit whenever she had it, as well. It made Alkioth want to laugh -- not in a disrespectful way, either. It was her bravery. Her humor.

Alkioth took a drink of the mug of mead and looked to his right, where Kahlan stood and where Drayconis sat with Marco. They were waiting for his answer. Alkioth took his time, letting the bittersweet taste linger in his mouth for a moment longer before answering.

"I will assist with whatever is needed," he spoke, and took another drink of mead, finishing the glass. He didn't want to take care of business quite yet -- he wanted to continue talking to Kahlan. It was one of the few geniune conversations he'd had recently. He didn't want it to end. Mais, c'est la vie.

[Drayco]

Drayco grinned. He was plotting something. It wasn't fitting for a knight to be plotting something the same way he was, but he didn't care. "Take care of them for awhile, keep them busy and keep them together." Drayco whispered with a light chortle. Marco returned the grin with a smirk of his own. Marco waved two fingers at the barkeep and the man just nodded. He put a small plate of fruits in front of Kahlan and Alkioth. A moment later a bottle of fruited ale was placed between them. Drayco gave a whistle. Fruited ale was a costly item and it was hard to come by. "Marco when you do something wrong, you do it right." Drayco chuckled. He didn't bother keeping his voice low for the comment. It was a moment later that the blue-clad knight was standing. "Well drink up you two, can't let something so great go to waste. Besides, it would be impolite, and it's not fitting for a knight to be impolite." Drayco couldn't help but smirk at the faces the pair made at him. "I'll be at the inn if needed."

He was out of the tavern a few seconds later. He wasn't sure if the two other knights could hear his laughter, but if they could, all the better. He was untying Jotay when he when a group of merchants passed by. Behind them was a cart, full of heavily tanned and worn faces. Drayco knew just by a quick glance that these people were farmers and laborers. He had a respect for anyone that toiled away the day in the fields. He was somewhat proud of the fact that he'd not grown up in privilege. His father had him work fields when he was young, only so he would develop a respect for the workers. For two years he ate only what he grew and breed. Food had never tasted better to him.

As the cart passed him he stood tall and drew his blade. It was a showy move that he'd been working on. The blade appeared from his cloak in a wide sweep that sent his cloak flowing. The cloak ended up behind him like a cape, resting lightly again him. He spun the blade quickly and jammed it downwards into the ground. The workers smiled at him. "Glory to the farms and the tenders of the land!" Drayco said in a deep voice. It was his best to sound knightly and he had paid off. The peasant’s faces seemed to lighten with the show. Drayco couldn't help but smile back at them.

He untied his steed quickly and mounted. His blade was sheathed by the time he was trotting along. He would dedicate the rest of the day to site seeing and meeting the many merchants.
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When he returned to the inn that night after stabling his horse he was greeted with two faces. Both the other knights looked somewhat happy and Drayco couldn't keep the amusement off his face. "Have a nice meal?" Drayconis said in passing. He spent some times listening to the pair before going off to bed and to a nights rest. The next day would bring trials and travels anew, which Drayco looked forward too.

[Drayco]

Drayco awoke the next day. In the lobby he found none of his friends. The innkeeper explained that the two had left some time the night before. Drayco just nodded. He was saddened that he couldn’t see them off, but he understood that at times things just don't work out. It didn't matter if they were going to be there, the job must get done. He couldn't help but feel a little off because of the callous approach that his mind was taking. "Well friends, I bid you farewell and hope that good fates find you." The blue clad knight whispered to himself.

He left the inn after a light meal and a good scrub. He was clean and so were his clothes. It was time for him report to duty of protecting the shipment. He walked, his head hung today, rather then held high for all to see. He wasn't in the mood to smile and act as if nothing was wrong. Two of his friends had left, and he knew he'd miss them. Kahlan had been good company for as long as Drayco could remember. He had gone with her to the western gate and to Helinith. He had fought beside her against orc and Norris. It was hard to think of her as gone. But he could do nothing about it.

Then there was Alkioth. He'd barely known the man. They had fought against each other in tournament. Alkioth was strong and a very skilled opponent. But he was also a knight. Drayco felt him as a brother in arms, but it was hard to feel him as anything more. They had barely known each other. Drayco wished that that wasn't the truth, but he could do nothing about it.

"Times are changing...It's...it's been to long." Drayco whispered to himself as he was retrieving his horse. Jotay was a constant in his life. Though he was a recent development, Drayco knew that steed would stand beside him.

He rode on horseback to the meeting point. The large boxes and carts were already ready to move. The other protectors, five men and one woman, stood near them. Marco was nowhere to be seen. Probably assisting to more pressing issues. Drayco gave each of them a nod. The look of the group pinned the woman as the leader, and the heavy axe on her back and worn clothing added to her fearsome look. "We leave now. I hope everybody is ready. This will be a simple trip and a short one at that." One of the men who sat on the cart said. He wore the same style as Marco and Drayco guessed he was a business partner.

The carts began moving at a slow pace. Drayco came last in the line of defenders, neither blade drawn nor shield, which was stowed across his back. He would fight to his last breath if it came to that. But the journey had just begun. "And now we part fair merchant city." he whispered as his horse trotted through the gate, a few steps behind the two carts he would help to protect.