Aiedail Announcements

[Wyrda]

Kerebos appeared above a large grassy field. Why are we stopping here? Vanguard is still a ways off from here. "Remember, you and Nithhogor can be seen or the place will be crawling with imperical soldiers." She waved at Puncieus, signaling to land. Once Kerebos landed, she jumped down, getting her stuff from the straps. "We'll have to hoof it from here. Kerebos and Nithhogor will have to hide out somewhere and wait until we leave Vanguard. Hopefully, we'll only be staying the night. You're okay with walking, right?" She asked as she threw on a dark cloak, making sure the hood covered her face.

[lupus_acerbus]

Nith followed Kerebos down to the field and Puniceus casually slid off of his back. Now, Stay Here. Oh, come on now. When have I ever let you down on something like this? Puniceus didn't even bother to respond to this, he just looked Nith straight in the face. Nith backed down first. Puniceus pulled on a light traveler's cloak, but didn't bother to do anything with the hood, no one would recognize him here. "I don't mind walking as long as the company is good." He walked up beside her and put his arm around her shoulders

[Wyrda]

Eve's cheeks flushed, hidden by the shadows of her hood. "You're such a flatterer. We better get going. Hopefully, it shouldn't be too hard to get in."

---

When they reached the gate, three guards emerged from the guard house. "Halt. State your buisness here in Vanguard." "Our buisness is our own. You will let us in." Eve answered. One of the guards came closer. "Sorry, didn't catch that." He sneered. "Would you prefer my blade in your gut or in your back?" She sneered back, lifting her head a little so he could catch a glimpse of her face. The guard's jaw dropped. "I-apologize. Open the gates." The other two shrugged and pushed open the heavy wooden gates leading into the city. Eve tossed the man a small pouch of coins. "Forget you ever saw us come here." The guard nodded silently and Eve led Puniceus into the city of Vanguard. A patrol of Imperical soldiers made Eve duck behind Puncieus until they passed.

"They've uped the patrols a bit since I was last here. No doubt there are wanted poster with my face on them." Eve commented, ducking into an alleyway. She pulled out a blonde wig from her pack and put it on, being sure to tuck her own hair underneath it so it was hidden. She then died a dark strip of cloth around her eyes. "You'll have to guide me. Head for the Serpent's Tongue Tavern on the east side and if anyone asks about me, I'm your blind sister and you're taking me to a healer. Unfortunately with this many soldiers here, I have to keep a disguise, too many people here may know what I look like. You'll do alright though."

[lupus_acerbus]

Puniceus was a city dweller at heart and led Eve confidantly through the streets of Vanguard. The patrols were no problem at all for him, after all, men on patrol look for things out of the ordinary and suspicious, and therefore were incrediblely easy to deal with. After all there was no reason for them to not blend in unless they made themselves stand out. It took longer than he liked but they got to the tavern safely. "Well, we're here now. What do we do next?"

[Wyrda]

"We need to go around to the back. There's another entrance we can use. Knock on the door twice, some should answer it... unless they've changed it on me." Eve instructed.

[lupus_acerbus]

Puniceus nodded and led her around to the back. He calmly leaned against the wall where he could be easily be seen when the door was opened, banged his hand against the door twice and waited.

[Wyrda]

A viewing window built into the door opened up and a pair of beady eyes peered out at them. "What the hell do you want? The entance to the tavern's on the other side. Get lost." Eve stepped towards the door, pulling off the wig and cloth covering her eyes. "It's me. Is Cervinon here?" The viewing window slammed shut and the door opened, a large, muscular bald man blocking the way. "Well well, if it isn't the Executioner! Never thought I'd see you again. What about this guy? You know Cervinon doesn't like 'guests'" "He's with me, I'll take full responsiblity." The burly man shrugged and stepped aside. "Hopefully he's in a good mood today." "Come on Puncieus."

Eve led him down a flight of stairs into the tavern's basement, which was noisy with din of several dozen voices. The stairs led to a large room set up with couches and tables, silken banners of rich colors hung from the ceiling. Several people turned to look at them. Eve pulled Puniceus into a side room before anyone could confront them, shutting the door tight. "Okay, you have to promise me you won't mention any of this to anyone else. I'm probably in enough trouble just bringing you here, but I'll see if I can't reason my way out of it was Cervinon. Just don't make a mention of this to anyone, not even the other Master Riders, okay?" Eve asked.

[lupus_acerbus]

"We all have our little secrets, Eve. I'll keep yours and I doubt that anyone will press me for it. You have my promise." He reached out with one hand and gently brushed some of her hair behind her ear. "What are we doing here Eve?" he asked softly

[Wyrda]

"Tying up a couple of loose ends and... to gather information. It's been years since I've been home and I haven't kept any real communication with my family since I left. I need to know if they even still live in the same place." Eve replied. "Just... be careful around these people, they're all mainly theives anc cut throats out there. This a den for them to trade information and secrets." She led him back into the large room. It seemed alot of those gathered were playing a game of dice. She spotted someone she recognized and smiled a little. "Hey, Gobora you rat." The man sitting at the dice table with amousy face jumped, bolting for the door, but somone caught him. "Thanks. Gobora long time no see. " Eve mused. The man gulped, very frightened. "Why so scared?" "N-nothin'... it's... it's a surprise to... see you." "I want my Hurglian back you thief." Eve growled. "Or Cervinon will have your head." "Alright!!! Please don't get him involved in this. I'll give hum back!!"

Eve shrugged. "Not my call. As an interest payment, you'll also give me your best Hruglian. Think of it as a gesture of good faith and an incentive for me not to take your head off myself." Gobora gulped and nodded. "Let him go." The man holding him released him at the mousy man slipped away. "Didn't think I'd live to see Cervinon's Executioner in person." The man said. Eve glared at him. "I cast aside that title years ago. Can you get me and my friend something to drink, please?" The man nodded and vanished into a side door. Eve led Puniceus over to a quieter portion of the room so they could sit and wait. "I'm guessing you have alot of questions for me. I'll answer them as best I can."

[lupus_acerbus]

Puniceus sat down. "Not really 'a lot' exactly. Just a few things and that should be enough for me to understand what I need to know. Now, who is Cervinon and why were you his Executioner?" He didn't want to admit it to Eve, but he did know some things about places like this from the occasional contact he had with his brother. However, he didn't feel that the specifics of his brother's activities were his secret to tell. This specific setup was mostly unknown to him.

[Wyrda]

Eve sighed, "Cervinon is, what you could say, a very well respected and feared assassin and many answer to him. I use to, before I joined the Riders. Lia was the one who introduced me to Cervinon and he trained me as an assassin. I earned the mantle of 'Executioner' because I was his best, I carried out the assignments he would not entrust to anyone else, which involved alot of 'executing' other assassins that turned on Cervinon. I'm not sure if he'll hold an audience with us, if he's even here. He keeps to himself." Eve shrugged, "That's all I have to say for now about Cervinon, I really don't know that much about him."

[lupus_acerbus]

Puniceus nodded. It was a fairly simple setup. He wouldn't have been suprised if it was used in most places, but he couldn't ever get specific information about these places or any specific ways things work in these groups. Whenever he asked any questions about them Ausus waould just give him an exasperated look and tell him that he should know that there are some things you can't talk about. The fact that he knew and was close to another assassin, albeit one who had moved on to something else, didn't suprise him as much as it would another person. In fact, He almost found it amusing. "And if he does agree to meet us, will he have a problem with the fact that we are Riders?"

[Wyrda]

Eve shook her head. "He shouldn't." A servant, of a sorts, came up to them, bowing politely before speaking. "Cervinon welcomes you both. We is glad you are safe Eve. Rooms and fresh clothing have been prepared for you both and he'll take care of your provisions for the trip. You're steeds and supplies will be ready in the morning." Eve nodded, "Tell Cervinon thank you for his help." The servant bowed and excused himself. "I guess we should turn in for the night. Come on, I'll show you where the rooms are."

She got up and led Puniceus (assuming he's following) to another flight of steps. Here, there was a hallway with doors lining either side. Eve paused at one door, knocking. There was no response, so Eve opened the door. "I guess this room and... "She checked the one next door. "...and this room are ours to use. Which one do you want?"

[lupus_acerbus]

Puniceus didn't really care but glanced into both rooms quickly to find that they were exactly the same. Because he didn't care, making the decision was incredibly easy for him. "I'll take this one." He took off his cloak and casually tossed it t a hook on the wall. It caught on, not by the hood or any other logical way to hang up a cloak, but by the arm hole. Not exactly perfect but it worked. He turned back to Eve. "Are you going to be able to sleep tonight Eve?"

[Wyrda]

Eve shrugged, "Maybe. Can't be sure. If you need anything, don't hesitate to ask me." She kissed Puniceus on the cheek, then went into the other room, closing the door behind her.

---

When morning came, Eve was busy saddling up the two Hruglians they were going to use to continue the next leg of their travels. Spitfire, a huge black Hruglian stallion, nuzzled Eve affectionately. "Good to see you too, Spitfire." She turned to the steed Puniceus was going to ride, checking the saddle straps. Once she was finished, she looked around, but didn't see him in the stables. "Wonder what's taking him."