(OOC: I got to post him after all! =D I didn't know if Lucian lived in Selevea or not...if so we can move it. :3)
The doors opened for him, pulled apart by a servant on either side, and Crow stepped from sunlight to the dim interior of the manor. A herald announced him, not by his true name, which he would always hold as Crow, but as his given name, Lian Keist. Sir Lian Keist, which he didn't care for either, but he was a knight—in title least ways—and when in the manor of one's lord, certain protocols must be observed. For harmony's sake.
His already thin dedication to decorum would only stretch so far though. He ignored everyone else in the entrance hall, servant and nobility alike, brushing through them without making eye contact. He was here for Lucian only, and would be gone again the moment their business was done.
He was travel worn. Dust from the roads clung to his hair, usually a pristine white bled of any color. The same dust coated his boots. He would avail himself of some inn's services after this. After he managed to track down his lord, wherever he was. Not here in the entrance hall apparently. Crow started up the stairs. No doubt the Lord of Moonspear already knew he was here. The man didn't miss much.
((He lives in the Capitol xD Rillaria))
Lucian hated paper work. It was dull, tedious and boring. But it was sadly necessary. Or so everyone insisted. He was expecting Crow soon though, and that would be quite amusing. He had a special treat for that one.
Taking a break from his work, the lord stood and stretched before walking over to the window. His special little knight had made quite the impression on his last client. The letter was still sitting on his desk. It was amazing how the Baron had managed to make simple pen and paper so angry with out a single curse word.
He watched the familiar white hair move across the courtyard. Ah good. He was here. Knowing Crow, he would head straight here. He was useful and a good knight, a great one even. And Lucian honestly liked the man, but sometimes his utter lack of decorum was irritating.
Smiling, Lucian turned to glance back at his desk. Oh, he was going to enjoy this.
It wasn't long before he was proved correct and a servant announced Sir Lian's arrival. Lucian really never cared what Crow wanted to call himself, but it made the servant's uncomfortable, so he just let them call the knight buy his given name.
Smiling, he moved forward, reaching his arm out and grasping wrists with the other man, "Crow. Good to see you alive. Though, really, tracking all that dirt through my home. Tisk." Releasing the other man, he gestured to a chair, "Please, sit. Would you like something to drink?"
He moved to sit behind his own desk, relaxed and the amused smile never leaving his face, "I got a letter. From Baron Laalian. Really Crow. He was a paying client you know."
Crow smiled at sight of Lucian. He never had to stand on ceremony for him, and for that he was grateful. They greeted each other simply, and Crow looked back at the trailing dusty footsteps behind him.
"That? That was there when I got here. Your servants are slacking, my lord. And no, thank you. I don't expect I'll be long." He rarely was, unless Lucian had some particular need to keep him around for a few days. "Though I've taken a liking to a particular spiced Adelan tea. Do you know the one? They only grow it in the south. It has some odd name."
He started to sit down and paused halfway to glance up at Lucian, face breaking out into a sudden grin. "He sent a letter? What a rat. You should have seen his face when we parted ways. What does the letter say?"
Lucian raised an eyebrow at Crow, his tone dry, "Mmmm. Was it? I must have just missed it. I'll make sure I speak to the servants." It was hardly a surprise that few people in the manor looked forward to Crow's arrival. Lucian was actually pretty sure that Miles, his head servant, was actively plotting Crow's demise and the plans only got more painful and elaborate every time the knight tracked mud, dirt and whatever else through his halls.
Taking a seat back behind his desk, Lucian rang for someone, then calmly laced his fingers together, watching the other man. Oh, this would be fun. He had no idea what was coming, "Ah, well, lots of very strong words regarding your utter lack of decorum. And demands for the return of his money and that I have just lot a client."
The High Lord gave Crow a bright smile, "A very wealthy, well paying client."
Lucian was...upset. More so than Crow had assumed. He could see it in the dazzling smile Lucian gave him. Oh yes, he'd seen that smile before. Usually when he managed to displease his lord in some way. He answered it with a wave of his hand.
"He'll calm down. He's got nothing to complain about. I did the job." That was the important thing, getting the job done. Not manners or pleasantries or feigning respect for a man he found useless and irritating. He wasn't the first noble idiot Crow had managed to infuriate and he would certainly not be the last.
"What's next for me?" It must have had something to to with whoever it was Lucian just rang for, and hopefully all this business with the Baron was put to rest. It never took much for him to get back into Lucian's good graces. And why should it? He was good at what he did and Lucian loved him!
"Yes. You did the job." That bright, brittle smile never left Lucian's face, "And you left his courtyard in ruins and insulted him and his heir. And it seems you may have made a mention of his mother? I am a little unclear there as it degraded into some incoherent raging at that point. It may have been a comment on your mother."
There was a knock at the door then, but Lucian ignored it for the moment, still smiling at Crow, "On a completely unrelated and uninvolved subject, one of my friends has asked me for a favor. He has a young son, a swordmage, that has gotten a taste for adventure. Apparently he ran away from home recently in an attempt to find adventure."
He paused then, letting it sink in, letting Crow start to wonder what that had to do with him. "So he asked if I would be willing to have one of my knights take him with them, take care of the kid and show them what it's like to go out into the world."
He shifted, looking behind Crow and called out for the person who knocked to enter. In came a slender, teenage boy, though he was delicate looking enough that he could have easily passed for a girl. He had a huge, foppish hat on his head and a slender blade at his side.
"Sebastian, this is Sir Lian Keist, he'll be taking care of you. Crow, this is Sebastian Delacroix."
The boy beamed, moving forward to bow, "It is an honor to meet you sir! I have heard stories about what you have done!" He straightened, staring wide-eyed and impressed at the white haired man, "Have you really killed that many monsters?"
"His heir? His heir belongs in a monastery, locked up in one of the tower rooms where they keep the mentally feeble. It was his mother by the way. And his father. I covered most of the immediate family actually. Are we done with this?"
A knock sounded at the door, but Lucian wasn't done. Finally, they were getting on to his next task. It didn't sound all that interesting. More nobility, just the thing Crow was hoping he wouldn't have to deal with this time.
And the lad got himself into trouble and I get to go find him, don't I? And escort the twit to safety I'm sure. Rescuing some noble pup who can't rescue himself...this is hardly worth my time. Must be punishment for—
His thoughts came to a stuttering halt. He couldn't have heard Lucian correctly just then. Couldn't have. That would be far too cruel, sending him out to play nursemaid to a lordling. Crow twisted in his seat to watch the kid enter, and couldn't find a single word to say. He even missed the kid's name, though he was sure Lucian had said it.
They were both silent, and waiting on him. Speech found him at last. He looked intently at Lucian. "I'm very, very sorry."
He leaned forward in his seat. "Very sorry."
Lucian just beamed at Crow, his smile never faltering as he took in the other man's panic, "I am sure you two will get along splendidly. I have complete faith that you'll keep the boy healthy and safe. Teach him a thing or two about fighting demons and all that."
Sebastian watched the two men, slightly puzzled as to what exactly was going on. Why was he sorry? He shifted his weight, feeling a little out of place with Lian ignoring him. His hand rested on the hilt of his sword, "Um....I've never fought a demon or anything, but I would love to learn how. I'm very good with my sword, best out of all the other boys!"
No no no no. This wasn't going to happen. Lucian was just bluffing, that was all, just trying to make a point about the baron. Fine then. Crow could run that game. He sure as hell wasn't leaving here with any nobleman's son attached to him.
Before Crow could think of exactly what to say to tame Lucian's ire, what's-his-face spoke up again. As if anyone would have mistaken him for a demon hunter. Gods. Best out of all the other boys? That must have been a real tough hurdle to leap. Crow just blinked at him. This could not be real. Maybe the kid was in on Lucian's bluff and was purposefully trying to horrify him.
"Ah huh." He cleared his throat and situated himself facing Lucian again, quite prepared to give in and toss his pride away. "Very well. Um. I apologize for what happened, my lord. Uh, it was wrong of me, I'll never do it again, I have reflected poorly on the Order and on your House, and I will personally apologize to the baron at the first given opportunity."
Or make sure the baron understood that if he felt the need to express any further opinions to Lucian, Crow would have to go ahead and wrap his neck around a pole. But back to his apology.
"I will conduct myself more...appropriately in the future. Again: very very sorry."
There. That had to be enough.
"Good good. I am so glad you have seen the light." The smile never left Lucian's face. Ah, he should have thought of this years ago. "I'm sure the baron will be pleased to have an apology from you."
He gestured to the boy, "Make sure you take Sebastian with you when you go. I don't believe the boy has really been out of the cities much, so you'll need to show him the ropes about setting up camp and so on."
"Never been out of the ci—!" Crow choked back his words. Gods, he'd sounded almost shrill. He'd never questioned Lucian's orders, nor balked at a job no matter the difficulty of it. His purpose in the Order, in life, was to serve his master. That was it. That was all he needed to know. And if anxiety ever gripped him—as it did every time he side glanced over at the eager young lord standing at his side—then that was the guiding star to which he must look.
Crow took a deep breath and pasted a too-wide smile on his face to match Lucian's own. Though he'd regained his composure, it was only by clamping his hands together that he kept them from rubbing at the growing throb in his temples. "Why, what a...thoroughly unique opportunity, my lord. Upon what quest might I have the considerable honor of accompanying our young lord Sebastian?"
He was smiling so hard he thought his teeth would crack. If the gods favored him at all Lucian would give him one simple, quick task on which to escort Sebastian, something that would only take him a couple of weeks to see through. Then he could dump the little lord back off in Moonspear and be on his way in a world that had resumed its proper order.
Ahhh. Sweet, sweet revenge. The panic in Crow's voice made up for some of the issues the man's behavior had caused him in the past. Not that Lucian really liked the nobles much more than Crow did, he thought the Baron was a pompous, inbreed moron, but he was a client.
"Zantaric has had some sightings of a powerful vampire in the area. It has been feeding on surfs in the area. And rumor says it's been making itself a nest, with a number of new vampires." Normally this mission wouldn't have come Crow's way, reports didn't say the vampire was abnormally difficult, but smart enough to handle people not used to it's abilities. But the warrior was going to have the kid with him and Lucian didn't want anything happening to the boy.
"A vampire." Crow sagged in his chair. He'd been bracing himself for some impossible task that would take months to complete but a vampire was simple enough. It had been many a year since a vampire had given him a challenge. He should be able to destroy the thing—and its brood—while still keeping the boy safe. If he had to he'd stuff the kid in an inn somewhere and return after taking care of the beasts.
Still, this was amateur's work. A waste of his time, and more than a little irritating. It would take them weeks to get all the way to Zantaric and back again, all the while he could be putting his talents to more important matters.
"Shall I eradicate them?" Occasionally Lucian had a need for these creatures, to question them or bring them back to Moonspear for a ritual.
"No please." He could see the relief on Crow's face and it was perfect. He knew Crow, knew how his mind worked. He was thinking that he got the vampire, he was done with the kid. That was fine, he could keep thinking that.
"I want him brought back. I have heard interesting rumors about his powers. If possible, I would like him whole." Though it was fine if he wasn't fully intact. Lucian could worry about that later.
"Wow! We're going to fight a vampire? That's so cool! I've never seen a vampire before!" Sebastian had a healthy dislike of them like many Serenians. He stared at the two men, eyes shinning with excitement.
Normally Crow's mind would be racing right about now, hitting upon the number of ways he might approach the mission. But every time his thoughts turned in that direction they hit a wall. He had this...this parasite, this leech latched on to him this time. What was he supposed to do with this kid? He couldn't work like this. It through him all off balance.
But all he said was, "It will be done." Because that was the only response he accepted from himself when given a task by his master. If a thing were beyond him, he would find someone for whom it was possible and make them help him. Or if he had gleaned some wisdom or knowledge unknown to Lucian that affected the feasibility of a job, he would voice it. But he would not make excuses for himself.
He'd managed to mostly ignore Sebastian thus far, but damn the kid wasn't making it easy. He winced, and bit back a reply. It took an effort of will to keep his mouth shut. He wasn't used to holding his tongue when he had something to say. Mouthing off to noblemen, though, was getting him into trouble lately. Maybe when they were out of Lucian's earshot he would let Sebastian know how stupid and silly his misplaced enthusiasm was. This wasn't a bloody game.
"Awww. Don't sulk Crow." Lucian had utter faith in Crow. In fact, he really rarely gave much thought to what might happen if Crow didn't succeed. Because he just took it for granted that he would.
He gave a small wave with his hand, "I would like to see you for dinner, unless you plan on leaving tonight?" He liked Crow's company, he honestly did. Though he did have work that he needed to finish, "Why don't you see about getting to know each other?"
Sebastian fidgeted, watching them. Crow didn't seem to like him much, but Lord Lucian had explained to him that Crow was always meanest to those he liked. So not to take him yelling at him to heart, it just showed he cared.
I am not sulking. Was he? He wasn't sure—he'd never had occasion to sulk before—but he was nearly glowering at Lucian and schooled his face back into a more respectful expression. He surely had good reason to sulk, he knew that much. Having an excuse to do a thing never justified doing it though.
Joining Lucian for dinner would give him time to think. Usually he would be on his way as soon as possible, but he could use a day to collect his thoughts. He had to figure out how to go about this job with Sebastian tailing after him.
"Yes," he said. "Let us prolong this joyous partnership for as long as possible. We'll return this evening." He yet remained seated, not so angry at Lucian that he would turn his back on his lord without a dismissal.
Watching Crow sulk was highly amusing. He really should find ways to tease him more often. It was just too adorable. Lucian wanted to just reach over and ruffle his hair. Or poke his cheek. The man was normally just so arrogant and unflappable.
And a mere, blond boy was able to totally ruffle his best warrior. Oh, this would be fun. He was going to enjoy this. "Now now, don't be bitter. You may go. I suggest you go outfit the boy. I doubt he's got traveling supplies." With a wave, Lucian dismissed Crow, eyes going back to the papers on his desk.
Sebastian stepped forward again, feeling somewhat nervous. Hopefully this would go well. He perked up a little as he remembered that sometimes mentors that seemed all angry and harsh at first always turned out to really love their disciples. And trained the very best heroes! Yeah! This would be great!
"Shall we go sir? Lord Lucian is correct, I don't um...have supplies for the woods or anything. I've only camped once." His dark skin paled slightly as he recalled the rabbit. That had been awful.
Crow let out a sigh. It was part relief and part resignation. He wanted this meeting to end so he could stop being such a source of amusement for Lucian, but at the same time he didn't want to have to deal with...this.
"Right. Well...let's be off, then." He bowed to Lucian, tight-lipped, and brushed past Sebastian without looking at him.
Camping, the boy said. Camping! Like this was a bloody holiday, like they'd be sharing stories around a fire and taking in the sights of the countryside!
Now he was out of Lucian's view, Crow let his scowl come out in full force. He couldn't believe he was stuck with this! "Let's...let's go get you outfitted I suppose. Do you have any gear worth taking?"
"Ummm....I have my sword?" Sebastian patted the sword at his hip. It was thin, delicate and made for speed. And for practice fights. It wasn't a weapon made to hold up to a real fight. But Sebastian hadn't figured that out yet.
He smiled, though it was a little weak, not sure how to take Crow's obvious dislike of him. Sure, Lucian had said that meant he liked him, but it was still a little disheartening to have happen so quickly, "I don't have many supplies though. But I have plenty of money to purchase some. Father gave it to me."
Crow had met a good deal of noblemen who carried swords at their hips, and those men came in two flavors. The one kind carried swords better suited for hanging on a wall, brittle things with no balance that would fall apart if called to meet good steel. The other kind, not so easy to find as the other but far from rare, carried well-forged swords and knew how to use them. The nobility had coin enough to pay the best swordsmen in the land for instruction if they took a fancy to do so.
"Let's see it then." He held a hand out. He would judge Sebastian's sword for himself.
The task before him seemed reasonable—well, less impossible—now he had a task to see to. It was easier to ignore the bigger questions with the particulars of getting them both outfitted crowding his mind. "Aye, and we'll be using those funds, don't you worry. They'll find good use."
They'd find excellent use in paying off a decent whore or two along the way, and for any delays Crow took to at his favored taverns.
Sebastian's sword was high quality and well made. It was a killing weapon, but it was made more for duels between nobles than it was for a fight against demons or vampires. Drawing the blade, Sebastian passed it over to Crow, beaming, "I'm really quite good with it! I am almost undefeated."
Reaching down, Sebastian tugged his money pouch free and handed that over to Crow as well, utterly trusting that Crow would take care of it for him. That Crow was planning on stealing from him didn't even occur to him, "Thank you sir! If it helps, I did spend one night outside. It was quite thrilling."
"Undefeated against who?" he asked, for the answer would be most important. They would be fighting a manner of foe Sebastian would have only read about, or merely knew of through rumor. If his only opponents had been other noble-blooded boys, then they both had considerable work to do before Sebastian was ready to face real danger on his own.
The sword itself took his fancy. Well-balanced, obviously crafted by an expert. It no doubt had its uses, but they would have to see about finding Sebastian a more practical weapon.
Crow had never had to teach before. This would be an adventure for both of them.
One night outside. The gods help us both. Sebastian would need their grace to survive, and Crow would need their grace not to kill him himself. He had not been blessed with a considerable patience for others. What had Lucian been thinking? A consequence for his lack of foresight with the baron would have been acceptable. This was not a consequence. This was a torment.
One good thing had come out of this. He had the coin now, and said a little prayer of thanks to the gods that the boy was so simple.
"The other noblesons I was being trained with. And I beat most of the older boys." Sebastian puffed his thin chest out. He was very good at dueling, "A few of them were even real battles."
Still watching Crow, he deflated a little. The other man just seemed so angry. He didn't know what to do to impress him. "Um...It was a very educational night out. Vulcan showed me how to camp a little bit. And I'm a quick learner. I've studied lots of books."
Crow barked out a short, sudden laugh. Real battles! This kid was better than a jester.
He led the way to the ground floor and then into the offices of Lord Talii's steward where, after some thought, he simply request double everything he usually required for a journey. The rest...the rest he would have to figure out as he went.
"I hope you enjoyed it. We'll be sleeping on the ground often. Do you have a horse good for hard travel?" That the lad owned horses he had little doubt. The question in his mind was if any of them were suitable for the journey.
"It was exciting. And I suppose I'll get used to it quickly then. It's important for heroes to be able to travel well." Sebastian didn't really like sleeping on the ground, but he was going to learn. It was all part of the adventure.
"Well, I have some horses. I'm not sure the best. I...uh...am not the best horsemen." He looked a little sheepish, wanting so badly to impress Crow.
"Yes well, neither am I. But I'll know a suitable animal if I see one." A course of action was forming itself in his mind. Now the initial shock was over, he had a job to do, and that job was inclusive with Sebastian. It was uncalled for, it was aggravating, and it was—inescapably—his responsibility.
Crow led the way downstairs to the knight's quartermaster, silent on just where he was going and what he was doing. He wasn't used to explaining things to people. That Sebastian might want to know their next task or might benefit from knowing it did not occur to him.
Sebastian trailed after Crow. While the other man might be quiet, Sebastian hadn't learned the fine art of shutting up, "I'm sure we can get me a good horse though. I mean, the ones I have at home are good, but I'll need a proper heroes steed I imagine. Do you think there are still ones around that have like, fae blood in them? Like in the stories? Oh! I wonder if I could get a unicorn. That would make a really cool mount. Do you know where one gets a golden bridle?"
Crow stopped and rounded on Sebastian. "Yes, I do know where you can get a golden bridle. And I know who has use for a golden bridle. Parade riders and first sons who will never see a dirt trail in their life." He stepped closer as he spoke, until he had Sebastian backed against a wall.
"Goldwork is used in ceremony, and on altars, and for bloody weddings, because it's flashy and extravagant. We will be traveling through mud and rain down forest paths where ticks and fleas will feast on us. We will be using the most nondescript shit-brown colored tack we can find to avoid drawing attention. The only fucking good a golden bridle will do us is bring in some coin, which we don't need. So now you tell me. What use do you think we have for golden bridles? It had better be a damn good one, because otherwise you are just that stupid."
Sebastian pressed back up against the wall, wide eyed and rather startled by Crow's sudden anger, "W-well, yes, of course. I meant a gold bridle. Like, a real one. You know, the kind you need to catch unicorns and flying horses..."
"Let's follow this thought all the way through and see if you're worth something or if I'm going to have to treat you like an infant the entire time. Given that I just said we want to avoid attention, how does riding about on unicorns help us do that?"
"Oh. Um. I'm sorry, I kind of forgot about that part." Sebastian flushed darker, shrinking back a little. He had really wanted to impress Crow, bond with the other man. He rather looked up to him, as a Knight in the Order of the Moon. But he seemed to be messing everything up, "I was just excited and I talk to much when I'm excited. I'm sorry. I'll do better! I promise!"
"Oh you promise!" Crow clapped his hands together. "Splendid, then there's nothing to worry about! Let's go."
He had to stop and rub at his temple for a moment. He'd completely forgotten where they were headed next and why.
The quartermaster! Right. To set themselves up with supplies for the journey. Then after preparations in the city they'd be back here in the evening to join the lord for supper.
Sebastian brightened up now that Crow seemed in a much better mood. Sarcasm was lost on the painfully honest boy, "What kind of supplies are we going to get?"
"We'll have the quartermaster set us up with food and water. Bedrolls, any extra weapons we might be needing, clothing. We'll get my tack repaired, get you some that's fit for travel. Then I want to see if you have a horse worth taking."
After arguing with himself over how much to request and of what, Crow ended up asking for double of what he would be taking if he was alone. Outside of the manor, it was later in the day than he would have liked.
"Take me to your estate. Let's see your horses."
"Yes sir!" Sebastian was in high spirits, excited about all the new gear. He was bouncing in place, "It's just this way! Oh how exciting! When do you think we can leave? Tonight? Can we leave tonight? What's it like on the road?"
His families estate in the city wasn't far. It was modest, with larger ones through out the countryside. Sebastian didn't bother going to the manner, he just led Crow around to the stables, where a number of fine horses were kept.
"I'd like to leave tonight after we pay our respects to the lord's family." Crow didn't bother with cycles of night and day. He slept when he was tired and worked when he was not.
The horses proved better than he'd expected. Some of them would actually be worth something on the road. "Which of these are yours to take?"
Sebastian pointed to a horse that was actually pink. It was a pale white color, but it shimmered pink and gold when the light hit it. It's main was a pale, creamy golden color as well. Sebastian beamed at Crow, "That on is mine!"
Crow shuddered at sight of that horse. He didn't even go near it. "No."
It wasn't bad, but it would stand out too much, and he doubted it would hold up with the kind of travel they'd be doing. And he'd kill the thing if he had to stare at it day after day.
There were others in the stable, more suitable. Crow wandered between them and stopped at a dusty brown bay. "What about this one? Can you take this one?"
"What's wrong with Golden Rose?" Sebastian pouted slightly. He adored his horse and was loath to leave it behind, "I mean, yes. I can take that one, but I would much rather have Golden Rose."