Deepwood city, in Rysallis, two weeks later. The group breaks camp at the shade of the great oaks in Rysallis. With the giant city within sight. After a few minutes of walking through the forest path, the group finally arrives at the actual deepwood. Through some harsh interrogation by Rei and some skilful information gathering by Amadea, the group learns of a man in Rysallis who might know of the activities of the Deck, someone known as Makayi Daren. The group has managed to send a decent amount of coin ahead to this Makayi person, who is supposed to meet them in the Boar's Tusk tavern, in exchange for information.

Time - 11:00 am

---

Tap tap tap tap... Rei's claw tapped impatiently against the wooden table he was resting on, waiting for the man known as Makayi Daren to arrive. What was odd about the whole thing was that the Ignean barely sat down for 30 seconds before his patience nearly reached his limit. All the while he constantly tapped against the table, Rei muttered a few choice expletives to himself about the whole ordeal and being forced to wait.

Liliah Stood close to her teacher, Rei. She was nervous, and in being nervous, began to chew on her lower lip. She also tapped her foot on the floor.

"You guys are too impatient" Saris said almost with a smile, watching Rei and Liliah. "We just arrived. The guy will come", she spoke quietly, observing the people in the tavern with attention. One part of her was glad they were in Rysallis, so she was in a good mood.

"Indeed," agreed Amadea longingly eyeing the mugs of beer on the bar.

Gaius came back from the bar carrying a tray with 6 mugs filled with fine rysallean beer. He had been inquiring as to why Makayi was late. "Drink up" he said simply as he placed the tray on the table. "No news of Makayi... they don't really get involved in his dealings, but the bartender says he's usually late anyways so..." said Gaius taking a sip of his beer, the bitterness was not exactly his thing, as he prefered Ravillan wine, but this was ok. "Where did Zarrel go now?..."he asked looking around, wondering if it would be better to just ask the Hauken to go take a fly around some Redclaw nests.

Chugging down a mug before slamming it on the table, Rei got up and stretched, yawning noisily as he did so. "Bah, the Lochmorians make this shit better", he complained, indicating the now empty glass, "Ain't bad, though." Looking around the bar with suspicion all over his face, the Ignean continued speaking, "Ah'right, how trustworthy is that Makayi bastard?"

Saris grabbed one mug and drinked some beer, making no comments about the flavor. "He's a xiadomian, so I think he should be trustworthy enough", she answered Rei's question with some of the little information she had about Makayi. "It would be pretty ugly for his honor and reputation if he kept our money and dissapeared" she added, and returned her attention to the beverage.

Zaalek grasped the mug and pulled it close to him. After examining it awhile he began to sniff it.

Liliah examaned her mug, and with a look of disgust, she pushed it aside. She wasnt sure why, but she has always disliked the taste of beer.

Amadea grabbed a mug and took a long, thirsty slug of his most favored brew.

"Meh, I'm tired uh' sitting." Standing up and heading for the bar entrance, Rei yelled out, "I won't be gone long! Just gon' look 'round town!" That said, he stepped outside and promptly eyed the city streets, looking for various shops and memorizing street names.

As he strode towards the exit, Rei carelessly bumped into a short xiadomian man wearing a traditional samurai garb and a rice worker's bamboo hat. The man had just bought a pint of beer and as Rei pushed him out of the way, he dropped it. "You beast!" cried out the little man as he turned towards Rei, clutching the hilt of his Katana.

Looking down at the Xiadomian, Rei grinned a razor sharp grin and waved him off with a claw and an insult, "I bet yur' mama's bigger than you are."

The short xiadomian stared a few minutes at Rei as if trying to figure out what he had to say in these kind of situations, finally, his face lit up as he remembered. "You... have insulted my honol sil! And fol that I will need youl head.. um.. well.. lemoved!" he muttered as he drew his Katana from its sheath.

"..." Rei's back was turned to the Xiadomian, but he turned his head to look at him for a few seconds, "My head removed, eh? Well that's too bad, chump, I like it where it is." Waving his weapon, the aptly named Claw, a little, the Ignean growled at the man, in an attempt to scare him off, "Yur' no warrior n' I'm feeling nice today, so go off n' do yur' own business, shrimp."

Gaius, watching the scene unfold, decided to stop Rei before a fight broke out and they were dragged out to the Deepwood prison, as that would be a serious setback. "Rei! stop that!" he said as the Ignean waved his claw on the Xiadomian's face.

As Rei turned towards Gaius to reply, he felt a draft of air in front of him, when he turned back to the xiadomian, he was sheathing his sword and all of the tips of Rei's claw had been cut as if they were butter and now lay on the floor. The only words Rei managed to mutter were "Crap on e' stick..." as the Xiadomian grabbed his wrist and with a half turn, catapulted him over to the group's table!

Walking to the now collapsed table on which Rei laid, the xiadomian placed both hands on his waist as he stood victorious and announced with a smug grin. "Considel youlself lucky that you ale still alive, as you have been defeated by gleat... uhh..." he stopped as if he had forgotten his own name for a second" Makayi Dalen! yeah, that's my name!, samulai of xiadom and bodyguald of Daimyo Jilo Li himself!"

"Aaah, ya' bastard, yuh' shoulda' told me earlier!" Rei roared out as he got up and looked at his claws in frustration, "Aaargh, it'll take months fur' these damn things to grow back again!" Looking over at Makayi, the Ignean growled a response, "Cheap shot, mothafucker'."

Saris left her beer mug on the table and stood up alarmed as she watched the scene. Even though the xiadomian was small for the bodyguard reputation Makayi had, appearances could be deceiving. She approached a little to him. "Rysallean beer seems to be too much for him" she said, eyeing Rei and hoping he would stay quiet. "We were expecting you", she added looking at the xiadomian. "I'm sorry the welcome wasn't appropiate" she said.

Makayi bowed to Saris as he ignored Rei's insults. "Plased to meet you, I am soly for my taldiness." he said. "Well, then if you have been expecting me, lets get to business."

"Indeed..." replied Gaius as he helped Rei up and picked up the table. He sat down and with a hand gesture, asked the others to do so as well.

Saris returned to the table, helping Gaius to pick it up and sat down as well.

Rei sat on the floor and started thinking of a thousand ways to butcher Makayi, muttering curses as he did so.

Amadea nodding politely to Makayi, sat back down again and sipped his beer.

Liliah ran outside, to try and find Rei. She went passed him as he entered in, so she whirled around on her heels, and came back in. She knelt by him and said, "what happened to you?"

"Just a cheap shot, Millia, dun' worry too much." Rei replied with a razor sharp grin, giving the horribly cliche thumbs up in the process.

"Ok then..." said Makayi once they were all seated. "You paid good money, so what do you want to know?" he asked as he become suddenly became completely serious.

Gaius turned to Amadea, Saris and Rei before staring back at Makayi. "What do you know of the Deck?..." he muttered under his breath, knowing this was dangerous stuff he was inquiring about. "Anything you'd like to know?... " he asked the others, so Makayi could answer all of them at once.

"Yeah, I got a question fur' yuh'." Rei spoke up gruffly, "Just how in the hell did the Deck come back 'gain? Are those bastards workin' fur' somebody now?"

Makayi remained silent as Gaius and Rei questioned him, then he raised his eyes and began answering. "Indeed, the deck must be wolking fol someone powelful now, though I do not know the identity of such employel, someone who can spale the aces from death penalty in Lochmole is celtainly beyond all of my eyes and eals. Now as fol the Deck's objective hele, I have found out that they plan to stolm the ball that is taking place at the Deepwood palace tomolow night, and in palticulal, this lold Faulfuln, why they want to eliminate him, I do not know..." he said in all seriousness as he took a sip of Liliah's beer, which had somehow survived the fight.

"Storm a ball n' kill some random scrub with a dumbass name, eh? Those bastards haven't changed since I ditched 'em!" Rei growled, "Ah'right, chum, answer me this! Just how many of da' old crew is still there!?"

"I've heald the Ace of Healts has been leplaced, whatevel happened to the oliginal one, nobody knows. Then, many of the people in the lowel levels died, but the cole gloup is still thele, howevel, lumol has it Stefania Neis no longel luns the Deck, maybe in papel, at least not in plactice" replied Makayi finishing up the beer. "The Ace of Spades seems to be giving out the oldels now..."

Liliah listened to the conversation, yet she said nothing.

"What can you tell us about the Ace of Spades?" Saris asked. It seemed the group had managed to move fast enough if the Deck was in this very city and planning an attack the next day. They would need to get themselves into the ball it seemed, if they wanted to make their plans fail.

"Alas, I know nothing of him, a vely secletive fellow, I have not even been able to find out his name, all otherl deck members call him just Ace of Spades, I know he's hydlan though." replied Makayi with a shrug.

Amadea leaned toward Gaius and whispered, "Should we try contacting anyone to back us up on this affair, or are we better of staying quiet and handling it ourselves. Fifty is a lot of assassins to handle."

"Pfah!" Rei growled and crossed his arms as he listened to the new information, getting angrier by the second, "She ain't runnin' the crew no more, eh? Ah'right, I ain't got much t'ask now, what 'bout you guys?"

"I'm good too.. thank you Makayi" replied Gaius. "I believe... we should go speak with this Faulfurn fellow ourselves... if the deck wants him dead.. that means we want him alive.." added the acolyte.

Amadea nodded his assent. "Agreed," he said as he took a long swig to finish his beer.

"Ah,right, so it's settled then." Rei responded, getting up, "'Bout that ball, how duh' we get in?"

"Faulfurn is going isn't he?" replied Gaius with a smirk. "If we offer to become his bodyguards... we will be able to go into the ball with him."

"Har har, as if some rich bastard'll listen tuh' a bunch uh' strangers." Rei growled, though in a grinning fashion, "I like it." Gazing levelly at the rest of the party, the Ignean thought on something at random and spoke up again, "These're the Deck we're gon' be dealin' with. Those scrubs're tough and dun' let 'nyone tell yuh' otha'wise! We'ze needs tuh' prepare ourselves."

"Thats right." Liliah said, finally speaking.

Saris nodded. "Maybe we should go somewhere else" she said. She didn't have more questions for Mayaki now, and wanted to discuss with the rest of the group the steps to take next with a little more privacy. And besides, no one asured them the xiadomian wouldn't go and tell someone of the Deck what they were up to, now he had some information of them.

"Indeed, I shall take that as my cue, if you don't mind, I have othel business to attend to." replied Makayi as he stood up and bowed. Then, he turned to the group once more from the door. "Be caleful and don't doubt on using deadly folce, keep in mind these ale plofessional assasins, and won't hessitate to kill you all." he added before disappearing into the crowded streets of Decima.

"I suggest we go now and improve out equipment as much as we can, we will need the best we can afford if we are going to stand a chance against the deck..."said Gaius once Makayi was gone. "Just let us hope that it is not the whole deck we will be against. We'll go out and buy whatever we can now, and rendezvous here in three hours, from there we'll go over to see Faulfurn"

"I dun' have the money ta' buy anything, so I'll wait fur' yuh' bums 'ere." Rei said, still sitting on the floor.

Liliah held out a hand to Rei to help him up.

"I dont really need any gear, i'll let you borrow some money if you want.." Zaalek said to Rei as he continued looking at his mug of beer.

"Well, the sooner, the better," said Amadea. "The Deck won't wait forever."

"Thank you" said Saris to Mayaki before he left. Then she turned to Rei and Liliah. "You worked with them once" she said, "Tell us if you remember any possible tactics they might use". After listening to Gaius suggestion, she stood up and headed to the entrance. "See you in three hours, then" she said and left for the market.

Amadea nodded to the rest of the group before following Saris.

"I am tired of just walking and sitting, I think i'll go out and stretch my wings, they are getting a little cramped." Zaalek stood up. "I hope this is'nt a no fly zone."

Rei looked over at Zaalek as the hauken spoke to him, "Borrow money from yuh', eh? Aaah, what the hell, sure."

Zaalek turned to Rei, "How much do ya need?"

Seeing Lilliah's hand, Rei took it and lifted himself up, giving a "Thanks, Hannah" before turning to Zaalek, "A hun'red'll suit me well, chum."

"Well, thats a new one.." Liliah muttered to herself after hearing the name.

Digging through his pocket, Zaalek gathered the hundred and handed it to Rei. "Just pay me back whenever you get the chance too."

Zaalek lost 100 GP
Rei received 100 GP!

Gaius gathered his stuff and counted his own money, he was mainly going to use it to buy potions and the sort. "Ok ok then, we'll meet back here in three hours, don't cause any trouble." he repeated before leaving after Saris and Amadea.

"Yeah, I'll do that." Rei said as he headed for the exit of the tavern. Upon reaching the door, the Ignean called out to his companion, "Yuh' comin' with me Mileena, or will yuh' do yur' own thing for the next few hours? I dun' care what yuh' do."

"Well, it seems i have nothing better to do..." Liliah said as she took swift steps to catch up to Rei.

---

About half an hour later, those who had decided to go stock up arrive at one of the many stores in Decima, to save up space, the city has decided to implement many different sorts of salesmen in just one building, which also saves a lot of time to costumers when trying to look for a particular item.

Entering the large building, Rei looked at all the wares, signs, and merchants before spotting a store he was particularly interested in. Walking up to the Armory, the Ignean yelled out, "Oi! Gimme' some service 'ere!"

A short, muscullar man looked up at Rei from the counter, as the man was barely taller than the counter itself, Rei had not noticed him at first. "Ejem..." coughed the man trying to get Rei's attention, "No need to yell sir... I'm RIGHT here... what can I do for you?"

"Oh there yuh' are." Rei said looking down at the man with a semi-glare, "I'm in'nerested in a Horned Helmet. I know the cost so don't gimme' any bullshit." Proving this, the Ignean dropped 70 coins on to the counter and waited for the man to give him his purchase.

The short man quickly took the money and took out a horned helmet, after looking at Rei'zel for a few seconds he put the helmet away and pulled out a different one, this one had two holes for Rei's horns.

Amadea entered the shop, hoping to sell his helmet. He waited patiently for Rei to finish with the clerk.

Grinning a typical razor-sharp grin as his horns fitted nicely enough in the helmet, Rei laughed, saying, "Har har, thanks chum!" before heading out for a store that sold accesories.

Stepping forward, Amadea produced his old leather helmet. "I'd like to sell this," he said to the shopkeeper.

"Good Day" said the shopkeep as Amadea entered the shop, after inspecting the helmet carefully, he looked up to the archer and replied, "I'll give ye 15 gold pieces for it, and it's a damn good price if you ask me"

"Deal," said Amadea. "It has given me good luck in the past, but I need better armor these days. Do you sell crossbow bolts?"

"Nay, I sell armor." replied the gruff little man looking up at Amadea.

"Fair enough," said Amadea as he took his money, left the helmet, and exited the shop.

Saris entered the shop. "I'm looking for a pair of braced gauntlets" she said plainly, eager to be done with the shopping.

"Two of'em, yer one of'em two weapon fighters aren't ya?" asked the little man eyeing Saris. "Aye, that'll be 150 gold pieces fer both."

"150?" Saris repeated, "I'm afraid I'll be able to afford only one, then" she said with a sigh. "I've got to make more money next time" she added with a smile.

"Aye, that'll be 75 gold then" replied the short man as he placed a brace gauntlet on the shop's counter.

"Alright, then" said Saris handing the man the money and taking the bracer. She putted it on her right arm right away and left the store to meet with the rest of the group.

---

Liliah was drawn to some wonderful daggers, and she soon drifted away from Rei, so interested in just looking.

Saris thought about selling her scimitars. She had fought with them for very long, but now she had Verholm's rapier with her and she wanted to get used to it. She headed to the weapons store.

Inadvertedly, Liliah and Saris has ended up in the very same store. "Oh my! what can I do for you lovely ladies today!" asked the store attendant, a dashing rysallean man, dessed in fine clothes and with clean cut blonde hair.

"I would like to sell these scimitars" Saris answered the blond man with a feline smile. "And... do you have any improved swords or something of the sort?" she asked, looking at the exposed weapons with some curiosity.

The store attendant took a look at Saris's scimitars and then looked up at the girl. "I'll give you 40 gold pieces for both, miss" he replied with a dashing smile. "Well, we have masterwork items, nothing magical though" he added, then, turning around, the man adressed Liliah. "What about you, miss?" he asked in an attentive manner.

Liliah thought for a moment, wondering what to get. She hardly ever bought anything. She glanced back to the daggers that she had previously been looking at, then, she said, "Oh, Im quite alright for now sir..."

"Just 40 for both?" Saris said a little dissapointed, but well, it was true her scimitars were a bit old now and she wouldn't get much money from them anywhere. "Oh well, alright" she said and handed him her swords. "Can you recomend me an affordable good sword?" she asked right after.

The yound man took Saris's scimitar's and handed her the money. "Well miss I could offer you a brand new master crafted, limited deluxe edition rapier +1, it's got three months guarantee and if you pay cash you get a store coupon for a free dinner at the Birch Tree restaurant." announced the man saying all the words as if he had memorized them for a speech or the sort. He pulled out a beautiful silver rapier as he spoke and showed it to Saris.

"A rapier" said Saris. "Another one. It could be interesting to try" she thought, not paying much attention to the rest of the merchants offer. "How much is it?" she asked, hoping it wasn't too expensive.

"A bargain of course, for a lady as beautiful as you, only 100 gold pieces!" replied the young rysallean man in a salesman tone.

"Alright, I'll take it" Saris said while calculating she now had 99 GP. "I think I'll sell you this short sword as well now" she added, handing him the sword she had been carring. "That would be all" she sentenced.

Liliah, seeing nothing that she liked, headed out of the store to look for Rei.

The store attendant took Saris's money and short sword and handed her back the rapier and 23 gold pieces. "A pleasure having you in our store miss"

Amadea entered the shop and approached the attendent. "Do you sell crossbow bolts?"

"Thank you very much" said Saris, grabbing her new rapier and the money. She waved at Amadea as he entered and then she headed to the old woman's store.

"Oh.. welcome sir! yes we carry crossbow bolts, we also carry poisoned bolts if you're interested, for only 2 gold pieces each." replied the young rysallean man giving Amadea one of his winning smiles.

"Good," said Amadea, returning the smile. "I'll take twelve poisoned bolts," he continued, glad he had sold his leather helmet for extra money.

The man took the 24 GP and handed Amadea the poisoned bolts.

"Thanks," said Amadea as he exited the shop and waited for the others to complete their business.

---

Amadea looked around for someone who might be selling potions and magical items. After looking around, Amadea headed to the person who looked like he sold potions. "Excuse me, do you sell health potions," he asked.

Gaius walked in after Amadea. "Hello, Amadea, found anything you like? you must feel great being home eh? are you going to visit your parents?" he asked, knowing from their time in the army together that Amadea's father was a ranger captain in the forest guard.

An old woman came from the back of the shop, attending Amadea's call. "Yes, good sir, what can I get you?" she asked.

"It is good to be home, though I wish it was under better circumstances," answered Amadea. "I'll probably visit my kin once our business here is concluded. No reason to cause them undue worry. As for finding anything," he turned back to the old lady. "How much are your health potions."

"That would be 60 gold for a healing potion, sir..." replied the old woman, taking out some healing potions.

"Indeed, I wish we could've come here under better circumstances..." replied Gaius obviously quite distressed by the strain of the situation. "I'll take 3 healing potions pleae." he said then to the old woman, dropping 180 gold pieces on the counter and taking some three magic potions himself.

"Two for me," said Amadea as he put down 120 gold pieces and took two potions. "Maybe after we finish what we came here to do I can take you all around to some of the nicer places in this area, meet my parents, those sorts of relaxing activities."

"That would be quite nice indeed, I wonder what they would think of the strange companions you've acquired." chuckled Gaius ass he bagged his potions. "I'll return to the tavern now and make sure Zaalek doesn't wander off somewhere... I'll see you later." added the acolyte as he left the shop.

"Until then," said Amadea. He nodded politely to the the old lady, and exited the store, heading for a place to sell his spare helmet.

Walking into the shop, Rei looked around with a disinterested eye, before going further in and looking at the wares, muttering to himself on what he can afford to buy.

"Can I help you?" asked the fragile old woman from behind the counter as Rei walked into the store.

"Yeah, gimme' a Blood Necklace, lady." Rei half-growled half-said as he dropped 60 coins on the counter, "N' make it snazzy."

After much searching, Liliah entered the store where Rei was. She came up behind Rei, and said, "Have you found anything yet?"

"There you go, hun" replied the old woman taking Rei's gold and handing him the blood necklace.

Taking the necklace and ignoring the old lady, Rei turned to Liliah as she spoke to him, grinning his usual sharp grin and pointing a claw toward his horned helmet, "This 'ere makes me look e'en more like a badass! Got muh'self a necklace too." Soon after saying this, the Ignean studied the girl briefly before piping a question, "Oi, Ovelia, yuh' ain't gon' buy 'nything?"

Saris entered the shop, looking around. "Excuse me, do you have braced gauntlets?" she asked the woman on the counter.

"I'm sorry Miss but you'll have to go to the armor shop for that." replied the old lady pointing toward the short man's store at the end of the hall.

"I haven't really seen anything of interest yet." Liliah replied.

Saris nodded and left for the armor shop.

"Keep lookin' 'round. Yuh' need more 'quipment (hint hint)." Rei'zel said, indicating Liliah's lack of accesories. "Hell, take all muh' gold n' buy yurself' somethin' nice, like bracers uh' archery (hint hint again)." As he said this, the Ignean gruffly passed over his 70 GP to Liliah, with a look on his face clearly saying not to turn down the generous offer.

"Thanks." Liliah replied. She nodded her head, and began to look for some archery bracers. After a while, she asked the store attendant, "Excuse me, ut do you have any archery bracers?"

"Sure thing Miss..." replied the kindly old woman "those are a hot item here in Rysallis." she added taking out a pair of dark green leather bracers with forest motifs carved into them. "Those'll be 175 gold pieces hun."

Liliah smiled and gave the woman the moeny for the bracers. "Thank you very much."

---

Finally, after having completed their buying, and escaped the cheerful crowds throughout the city, seeking people to get drunk and party with. The group managed to return to the the Boar's Tusk tavern.

---

Gaius entered the tavern and began looking around for Zaalek, who was supposed to have been waiting for them here. Not being able to find him at first, he sat down on a nearby table and began thinking on how exactly they were going to earn Faulfurn's trust.

Amadea entered the Boar's Tusk and sat beside Gaius. "So, what is our next move?"

Re-entering the tavern, Rei sat on the floor near the rest of the party and said nothing. After a short amount of time, the Ignean got bored and began to work on strength training, doing push ups on the floor.

"What the hell are you doing?" asked Gaius staring at Rei in disbelief as the ignean did push ups in the middle of the tavern, almost causing two waitresses to trip and spill a platter filled with drinks on a neaby table. Gaius sighed and covered his face with his hand. "We're doomed..." he mumbled thinking that Zarrel was probably trying to fly into a bright light somewhere and Liliah might be having a conversation with a rock.

Liliah leaned against a wall near the others. She rolled her eyes as Rei started to do push-ups.

"I'm tired uh' planning, yuh' bastard! When're we leavin'!?" Rei growled, before laughing as one of the waitresses tripped over him, "Shoulda' watched yur' step, wench!"

Amadea sighed and shook his head.

Saris entered the tavern a minute after. She watched Rei on the floor and saw the trouble he was causing, shooking her head. This guy really got onto her nerves. She walked besides him and putted one foot on his back, pushing him against the floor. "Alright you smart ass, what's your idea of what are we gonna do once we leave?" she asked him bowing little, so he could hear. She sighed and turned to Gaius and Amadea. "We need a way to get into that ball first. Maybe not necesarily as guests", she said.

"Indeed... we should use the information Makayi gave us, I asked around for this Faulfurn, he was transfered to a small province a few months ago, he doesn't seem to be a very important or well liked person, however he was sent here from Decima, that might give us a hint as to why the deck wants him out." said Gaius trying to get the other's attention. "All nobles going to the ball are allowed a small escort... bodyguards, if you prefer. We could ask Faulfurn to help him, Amadea and I have our letters identifying us as agents of the Empress, that might be enough to earn his trust."

Rei growled at Saris from the floor and yelled out some expletives before calming down, simply resorting to glaring at her. As Gaius spoke, the Ignean listened for a little while before speaking out, grumbling, "If the chump's a small fry noble, won' it look too suspicious tuh' have SIX bodyguards followin' 'em around?"

"Don't know really... it might, but then again if you can come up with a better idea to get us in, we'd all be happy to hear it." grunted back Gaius leaning back on his chair. "He might just be regarded as paranoid if we all go, besides, some of the higher ups have up to 30 armed guards with them when they travel."

"Aaah I'll never un'nerstand nobles." Rei grumbled, shaking his head at the numbers, "I'm all fur' charging in, kicking ass, n' doing business as usual, but if yur' plan'll work, shoot."

"We should move quickly to contact Faulfurn," said Amadea. "The Deck has had the advantage of arriving here before us. No sense in letting that advantage grow through inaction."

Saris took her foot away from Rei's back when he finished complaining, hoping he would like to stand on his feet now. She offered him a hand. "I agree with Amadea. We should hurry and go take a look at that mansion, too. I doubt the Deck acts like our ignean friend here. They must have some kind of plan for the murder" she said.

Flying through the clouds Zaalek's stomach begins to growl loudly. Grasping his gut he goes in for a dive. Falling towards the ground with increasing speeds, about 200 feet from the ground finally pulls up from the dive and glides into a small grassy area with low population. On his feet he takes a deep breath to combat the hunger and heads to the tavern to meet up with the others.

Liliah listened to the others.

"Indeed" replied Gaius standing up. He turned to the others and gathered his stuff. "Let us go, we cannot wait for Zaalek any longer. You guys better let Amadea and I speak" he said turning towards Rei. "It might not be wise for Faulfurn to know you are former deck members." he added before walking out of the tavern.

Looking at Saris's hand untrustingly, Rei growled in response and swatted it away before lifting himself up, still glaring at her. Turning to Gaius, who seemed to be the brains behind the party, the Ignean replied, "Meh' un' Cecilia 'ere would be too rec'nizable. Even I dun' know who the current members uh' the Deck are, but they'll recognize us. We beh' needin' some sort uh' disguise."

Saris growled back as a complain, looking fiercely at Rei with her yellow eyes. She thought he behaived like a child, really, and it was hard for her to imagine him as one of the Deck's leaders. She placed her hands on her hips as she changed her attention to listened to Gaius. "That's a complication" she said after listening what Rei had said, while thinking about a solution. "We'll have to find you a costume" she said with a giggle as she followed Gaius outside. "Come on, we'll think of something" she added before exiting the tavern.

"...she's a weird one, that cat." Rei said to no one in particular as he heard Saris's response. Giving out a "Pfah!", the Ignean followed Saris and Gaius shortly afterward.

Amadea stretch his legs as he stood up and follow the others outside.

Finally walking within sight range of the tavern, Zaalek sees the group gathering and heads towards the group. He then suddenly starts vibrating and explodes.

Liliah followed Rei, and grumbled at the thought of wearing a costume.

After almost an hour of walking through the city, partly trying to enjoy a bit of the carnival, the group comes to a large, luxurious residence, a house rented for the week by Lord Faulfurn. In front of the house stood two guards, bearing Faulfurn's crest on their shields, probably part of Faulfurn's personal guard. As the party approached, Amadea noticed in horror a horse pulled, very fancy and expensive cart parked in front of the house, a sleeping driver sat on the front, and on the side the Tor family shield had been wood carved.

Amadea gasped. What stupid, blind luck was this? He nudged Gaius and pointed. "My family," he said in a strained whisper.

Saris looked around at the people having fun in the carnival. She felt good about being in Rysallis, specially at this time of the year, and her good mood seemed to be unable to change. As they approached the mansion, she left the talking to Gaius and Amadea, since so had it been agreed. She turned to Rei and Liliah. "With all this people dressed for the carnival it can't be too difficult to get a costume for you" she said with a grin.

"Yeah, maybe, just so long as I dun' look too stupid in it." Rei responded, not knowing whether to still be mad at Saris or not. Being naturally paranoid, the Ignean kept a constant look-out for suspicious looking characters, hoping that no one in the area would recognize him and ruin everything.

"I hate dressing up...." Liliah mumbled.

Gaius grinned as Amadea pointed towards the cart, "It seems you'll be getting a taste of home before time eh?" he replied as they approached the gate.

One of Faulfurn's guards cam out and challenged the party. "This is the state of Lord Amoui, currently rented out to Lord Faulfurn. It is private property, state your names and your business here!" he called out, holding his spear in front of him.

"Might as well take advantage where we can. Here goes nothing," muttered Amadea. Raising his voice, he spoke strong and clear. "I am Amadea, son of Thadeus, of the House of Tor." Motioning to the others, he continued. "And these are my retainers. I come to meet with my father and his Lordship, Faulfurn."

The guard's looked at each other in puzzlement and then towards the driver of the coach. The sleeping man yawned and looked at Amadea for a second or two. "Oh! Young master! We had no idea you were back in the city! your sisters will be delighted, its been more than a year! Your dear mother will be so happy, she's been so sick of late, young master... a pity, really." he said startled as he tried to straighten his hat. Faulfurn's guard then turned towards Amadea. "Welcome, then, Lord Tor, you might find Lord Faulfurn in the back, by the Gazebo, he's having tea with Lord Thadeus."

Amadea frowned at the news of his mother's illness, but nodded to the coachman and the guard. "Let us enter," he said to the party, stepping towards the estate.

Still keeping a vigilant eye for any suspicious figures, Rei cautiously followed behind Amadea, not liking this whole 'nobles and lords' ordeal.

Keeping her head down, Liliah followed after Rei.

Saris followed the group inside.

Inside the estate, the group could tell this was indeed the house of a very wealthy man. The mansion was oddly similar to Verholm's surrounded by lush gardens and beautiful trees and structures. A large fountain of Ravillan design greeted the party as they entered the grounds. The marched through the side of the mansion, being led by a servant, until they came to the gazebo. Sitting on the Gazebo was a tall man, probably an ex-soldier due to his estoic stance, he was thin and had a long scar running down his forehead and nose. The man's greyish black hair and small beard were carefully and precisely trimmed, his nose was straight and his eyebrows bushy, and his eyes were a greyish blue tone. Next to him sat two young ladies in obviously in her teens. The smallest one had bright blue eyes and long, flowing sandy blonde hair and was wearing an elaborate dress with a laced top. Older one, sitting on the next seat was slimmer, taller and had a profile very similar to the old man, her eyes were green and her hair very straight, short and jet black, she was wearing a light, very simple summer dress. On the opposite side of the table sat a couple, the man was wearing a very elaborate and fancy garb, he was tall and thin, had short hair in a very clean cut, a small stubble and a large-ish bird-like nose, the woman had tan ravillan skin, brown eyes and long bushy brown hair.

Amadea took one step forward, unsure of what to say due to his long absence and sudden appearance before his family and their host. "Father," he murmured, bowing his head slightly.

The older noble, the one sitting next to the two girls turned to Amadea and his eyes widened. The two girls's faces lit up and immediately ran towards him. "Brother!" they called out. "So you've finally showed your face, Amadea. You were supposed to have been serving in Decima, I sent a letter weeks ago, your poor mother's dying and you are parading around, adventuring with... these..." he said in a firm voice as he glanced towards the group. "these... people.." he finished, his face as stern and serious as ever. Thaddeus turned towards the man across the table and made a small bow with his head. "I apologize for the outburst, Lord Faulfurn, this is my eldest son, Amadea, I am sorry you could not meet him under different conditions"

"Oh, do not worry, I understand your distress..." replied Faulfurn in a gentle tone.

Amadea was torn between the joy at seeing his sisters and the embarassment of his father's public reprimand. "I am sorry, too, Lord Faulfurn, Father," he said, still hugging his sisters. "I promise you, though, that is not without good cause."

Saris watched the scene some steps away. It was obvious Lord Tor didn't like to see his son with unnoble and low people as they were. She acted like she didn't care, even though that superiority kind of attitude maddened her always. She just observed the hall and the decorations, crossing her arms over her chest.

"I certainly hope so, son, come by the house tomorrow to see your mother, Lorian is also home and he will want to see you." replied Lord Thaddeus as he stood up. "Girls, let us go." he said then, motioning the girls to go towards the carriage, Amadea's sisters said goodbye and grudgingly left towards the exit of the estate. "It has been a pleasure, Lord Faulfurn, Lady Nethea, I hope to see you again soon." with that, Thaddeus and the other Tor's left, leaving Faulfurn and his wife, Nethea, alone with the party.

Gaius came forth, pulling his letter of recommendation from Claudia Orator. "Lord Phaer Faulfurn, I am Gaius Varro and this is Amadea Tor, we are agents of Claudia Orator and we've come to ask for your collaboration with a matter of Imperial security." he said firmly, holding his letter out so Faulfurn could see it.

Faulfurn took the letter and read it carefully, then passed it to his wife, who also skimmed through the thing. Finally, he looked up to the group. "Humph... that Child now sends her agents so I can serve them?... very well then, what will you have me do?" he asked as he frowned.

Insulted and furious toward Amadea's father, Thaddeus, Rei nevertheless knew that now was not the time to make a scene. He, instead, decided to stand in place and fume visibly.

Amadea looked over at Gaius, before speaking. "It is not so much what we would have you do, but you would have us do. We have strong reason to believe your life is in danger by the enemies of the Empress."

Liliah too didn't really like Amadea's father, yet she said nothing, but her face did show hints of annoyment.

"A...an attempt on my life?!" gasped Faulfurn "Who..why.. when.. m.my bodyguards are not nearly strong enough for this!" continued to whine the noble as his wife frowned at his weakness and looked away, sipping some tea.

"Indeed, that is why we are to protect you, I am sure you can see we are fully qualified, we've been sent here to protect you. The assasination attempt will take place during the ball, nevertheless, you understand that in the position you are in right now, you cannot afford to lose the opportunity to establish relations with other nobles. The empress has made sure nothing happens to you by sending us." bluffed Gaius confidently, then turned towards the others and gave them a subtle grin.

"O.. of course...I truly appreciate this peace offering from the empress..." replied Faulfurn calming down a bit, the group, after all, did seem strong. "Darius! come here!" he then called, looking for his new head bodyguard.

Liliah couldn't help but brighten up a bit. She couldn't believe this man, how easily fooled he was.

Darius walks up to the man's side, "Yes Sir?" He says as he surveys the visitors to his new "master's" manor.

Faulfurn asked Darius to approach, and as the Lynx did, he pointed him towards the group. "These people will be working as body guards during the ball, I want you to aid them (and watch them)" he said, adding the last part in a whisper. "Have this money and go into town, buy some decent equipment for the whole group. Nethea and I will be getting ready for the ball." he continued, handing Darius a large bag containing 500 GP for each party member.

Amadea bowed his head slightly to Faulfurn. "I thank you, Lord Faulfurn, for your assistance and understanding in this matter."

"Aye sir," Darius says, looking at his master, he then turns towards the rest of the party, "aye, so you are now going to be working with me? Well, we best be going to equip ourselves."

Rei, uncharacterstically restrained during the whole ordeal, smirked a toothy smirk before turning to Darius and responding, "Ah'right, let's go ya' lynx."

"Then let's do," Darius says to Rei, waiting for the rest of the group to respond before he actually does leave.

Saris found herself a little surprised with Gaius bluff. She didn't imagine an acolyte would be able to say a lie with such a confident attitude. She smiled back faintly at him as he grinned. As Darius appeared with the money she thought maybe it wouldn't be that bad to work for this weak noble. She liked the idea of having another cat in the group. "Where are we going then? Back to the market?" she asked before leaving after Rei.

"I imagine so," answered Amadea as he followed her.

"Well, lets go." Liliah said quietly as she clapped her hands together.

After leaving the Faulfurn state, the group returned to the large store where they had been before, now each of them with an extra 500 gold pieces in their pocket.

5:30 PM

"We should hurry..." said Gaius taking his share of the money. "The ball starts at 7, by the way, Darius is it, how well do you know Lord Faulfurn?" he asked as he bagged the money.

"Yeah, yeah." Rei growled back as he left in search of an Accessories shop, "I'll meet up with yuh' bastards 'afore then."

"I'll be heading out as well." Liliah said as she gathered her money.

Liliah and Rei, after walking for a few minutes around the large building, find a conveniently large all-purpose store, manned by several young humans all dressed alike.

"I've just been transfered to the old man's manor to serve as his body guard," Darius said to Gaius, and took off after Rei and Liliah towards the accecory store.

Amadea watched as Darius walked away. "Just transferred," he whispered in Gaius' ear.

"I know... something's off..." whispered back Gaius, just before going after the others.

"Look at these scumbags..." Rei muttered as he looked at the various vendors stationed about, "Unoriginal bastards. Pfah! I bet they all shared the same mother." Cracking his neck, the Ignean then walked up to one of the said shopkeepers and yelled out, "Oi, human! I want a pair uh' Rockbreaker Gloves and a Cestus! Make 'em snazzy!" Dropping 400 coins on to the counter, Rei'zel crossed his powerful arms and waited impatiently.

Taking Rei's money, one of the store attendants swiftly came left and came back a few minutes later with Rei's order.

Liliah rolled her eyes. Rei was so impatient.

Noticing Amadea lean over to Gaius, Darius perked up his ears, trying to hear what he had to say (Listen), then he followed Rei up to the merchant, "Good Sirrah, Would you mind helping us and in a haste, we are in need to return to our humble abode shortly. I will personally be in need of a wicker shield, a green cloak, an emerald ring and a jeweled belt, as well as a pair of gauntlets."

Darius's accute Lynx ears might've picked up on Amadea's and Gaius's conversation, if not for the fact Darius had already left the area, following Rei, when Amadea leant in towards Gaius. How he noticed this happening in the first place, only Nesha knows. As he spoke to the attendant, the man noted the man's Caerhamian expression, very out of place for a Lynx Catfolk in Rysallis. Finally, the man gathered the items Darius picked, handing him his bill in a small piece of paper, 530 gold pieces.

Saris followed the group into the large store, thinking what would she buy with the money. First of all, she needed the gauntlet she was missing. She approached one of the humans attending the store. "I need a braced gauntlet, a tribal necklace and... a hunter hat please" she said. "Oh, and also give me 2 healing potions", she added.

As the store employee attending Darius has done, the one attending Saris gathered the items on a small counter in front of her and respectfully handed her the bill, ascending to 525 gold pieces.

Glaring at the attendant all the while he put on his new equipment, Rei looked at the 100 GP still on him and thought about buying something else. After a second of thought, the Ignean decided, "Screw it." and pocketed the remaining gold, figuring he'll find a better use for it in the future. Turning around, he ruffled Liliah's hair with his knuckle for a few seconds, laughed mockingly, and headed back to the mansion, at this point thinking he had already been recognized by unknown Deck members, "Pfah. I'll beat 'um all one by one, 'nyway. Hiding's fur' wusses."

Saris looked at the stuff she had. "I'll take 5 packs of gunpowder too" she said then, remembering she had a gun and that maybe she would get a chance to use it. She handed the attendant 535 gold pieces and grabbed her new items.

Amadea entered the store and waited patiently behind Saris.

"I'm sorry ma'am but we don't carry ... g.. gumpowder was it? you might havek better luck looking for that down in Lochmore, they're into guns and that sort of thing, the little brutes..." replied the store attendant quickly covering his mouth after calling Lochmorians brutes. "Oh my! excuse me, please forget I said that!"

Saris smiled to the attendant. "I should have thought about that" she said, recalculating and paying the 525 gold pieces. "That would be all, then" she said and left the store, heading back to the mansion with all her new stuff.

Amadea approached the employee. "I'd like a viper ring, a blood necklace, 1 clear sight potion, 1 de-paralize potion, and 1 restoration potion."

Darius dropped a bag of coins onto the counter, "Thanks," he said as he stepped away from the counter to make space for the others.

Another one of the store attendants quickly ran to Amadea, bringing him the items he had asked for. "That would come up to 385 gold pieces, sir."

Amadea produced the requisite gold. "Now that I think about it some more, I would also like 10 serrated arrows and 10 sheer arrows too."

"Indeed sir, that would come up to an extra 80 gold pieces." replied the store attendant handing Amadea the items he has already asked for.

Amadea handed over the gold and took the arrows. "My thanks," he said to the attendant before exiting the store and returning to Gaius.

Darius follows close at Amadea's heels out the door.

Liliah looked around, but she didn't see anything that she wanted. So, she to headed out the door. I wonder where Rei is? She thought to herself as she walked down the streets.

---

As Rei made his way through the crowded streets, he heard a familiar voice behind him, "Ello' Bozz... how'f yuu bin?"

"Uh?" Rei'zel slowed his walking to a halt and angrily stared at nothing. After a moment of silence, the Ignean's mouth broke into a fanged grin and his eyes narrowed, revealing a look of near madness, "Now there's a voice of a true bastard, a voice I ne'er dun' missed." Turning his head to look behind him, he spoke up dryly toward the source, "Ain't that right?"

Quickly turning, Rei saw nothing but the empty street, everyone had vacated as soon as the sun went down and had moved into bars and pubs to continue the party. A man in a black cloak was lying on the floor, several small darts with red and green feather sticking out of his back. The man was clearly rysallean and had a dagger on his hand, marked with a forest guard seal. "Dat zhado'cat almoz' got ya bozz... khekhekhekhe..." said a voice coming from above. Rei finally found his stalker perched upon a nearby streetlight. "I'm not here to kill ya Bozz..It iz I Khaza (former 10 of hearts, now Jack of Hearts) I come'ere in Lady Aime'z (Ace of Hearts) requezt, zhe dun want ya' killed bozz, Lord Blizzard (Ace of Spades) knowz yer here, Mizz Aime zez, back off, Flame Tiger, flee. If ya azk me bozz, I would take de warnin' to heart." said the dark figure.

"Hmm.. so yur' the Jack uh' Hearts now, eh?" Rei grinned a little as he stared up above at Khaza, actually quite impressed with the lizard, "Guess I oughta' thank yuh' fur' killin' this small fry 'ere." He said, pointing toward the dead Shadowcat, "I must be gettin' rusty." Taking off his Claw and slowly replacing it with the Cestus, the Ignean continued speaking, "I 'preciate yuh' guys still love meh' so much as tuh' give meh' a warning, but... damn, yuh' bastard, we'ze wuz' just s'posed to be a merry group uh' thieves! Now yur' going 'round tryin' tuh' kill nobles and doing all dis' needless bullshit! Wut' happened to de' old days, uh!? Why d'yuh now go off killin' random people fur'?"

"D'old dayz are gone Bozz, t'waz a nize fairytale but it didn't provide to zurvive... stealing from the rich, givin' to de poor, we figured that it we were to zurvive we had'ta chooze a zide bozz, we've gotten stronger now, more than you can imagine, ztay away bozz, nexzt time ya zee me, I'll hafta kill you." replied simply Khaza with a shrug as he jumped to a nearby rooftop and disappeared into the night.

"....Yuh bastard." Rei quietly growled as he stared up at Khaza's disappearing form for a moment, before looking back down and making sure no one in his current party were around to see what was going on. Seeing no one, the Ignean was satisfied and turned back to the mansion up ahead, all the while smirking to himself, "As if I'll listen tuh' a shitty lizard like yuh'." His mind made up, Rei continued walking toward the manor.

---

Back to Realms of Lemire
Saris Asdar
Darius Kontar
Gaius Varro
Amadea Tor
Liliah Moorine
Rei'zel Armada