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Can the Wolf Catch the Hawk? [Aeyt]

Started by Scythe-Nova, July 22, 2013, 05:39:37 AM

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Scythe-Nova

It was a cold night and the moon hung high in the sky the forests was quiet and a lone man walked along the road towards a carriage that seemed to stop at the sight of the lone man.

-"Halt!"

The man on the large carriage said as the lone man he had seen walked towards the carriage, They had stopped since they saw someone further down the road. The cargo were valuable and they were very paranoid that it would be stolen, The lone man stopped an looked up at the carriage driver as he put a piece of bread in his mouth.

-"What's the problem?"
-"Why are you on this road so late at night?"

The Carriage driver looked at the lone man with his hand on the sword handle, The guards around the Carriage were also prepeared to attack at a moments notice.

-"Oh please i'm just getting home from my work in the forest"
-"Well then walk pa-"
-"But a Robbing couldn't go amiss eh?"

The lone man interupted the carriage driver and just a second later the sky darkened when a myriad of Hawks swarmed from the sky and Bandits began dropping down from the hawks, they entered battle with the suprised guards who tried to hold them off. The lone man grinned widely and pulled down his hood and looked at the carriage driver who tried to make a run for it with his carriage, but Seranth was having nothing of that and flinged his hand at the horses cutting the fasteners making the horses run away by themselves dragging the driver with them.

-" 'Ave a good one mate!"

He shouted after the man and laughed loudly disturbing the peace and quiet in the forest, He looked back to the fight to see that it was over. He sighed and shrugged his shoulders before stopping just barely avoiding a arrow aimed at his neck, He turned towards the forest and observed that there were a lot of people moving about there.

-"Hawks i think we have company git ready!"

Aeytrious

This group of Dun Wolves knew the area well enough. They were in north east Kia, near the Moonspear and Whitesands borders. Rufus had passed through just a day before on his way to Cerenis. The paths and tunnels they directed him to helped speed his journey, and in return he had given them the route of a merchant that was traveling away from the safety of the Ora. They didn't really plan much. The knew where the mark would be passing through, and they were the only organized group of bandits and highwaymen in the area, or so they thought. They weren't used encountering others in their trade. Especially not criminals of this caliber. The Dun Wolves didn't have the organization and training of the city dwelling Soot Wolves, they were Wolves only in name, and for convenience. Thanks to the information provided by paying dues to the Soots, they lived a pretty easy life for professionals of their kind. They always knew where to set up tolls and raids, and they were always a step ahead of the Serendipity soldiers that came to stamp them out. They weren't prepared to be facing truly skilled mercenaries, and their actions showed it.

They fired their bows and crossbows without any organization to who targeted who, wasting many arrows flying at the same targets and some of the Hawks not being fired on at all. They charged from the trees at random wielding their versatile array of weapons. The one truly skilled man among them, Gullius Dent, hung back. He  quickly climbed up into a tree and watched the fools blunder out into this obviously well trained group of soldier highwaymen. There were many Dun Wolves on this raid, they looked to outnumber the Hawks on the road by about fifty percent. But without real skill or quality weapons and armor, the Hawks would make short work of them. As Gully watched, five Dun Wolves charged at the man who appeared to lead these highwaymen, their swords ready for a fight.
Guild
The Soot Wolves

Characters
Ryk/Theodore/Rufus
ArjanDirkElijahGeldGulliusHiram
HerewardKheelanKurohanaLex
MalilaMelyndariaMowellesaQuinnlyn
SehrayanahTiberiusValencia
Ritousaey


Scythe-Nova

Seranth watched as his hawklings dodged most of the arrows and those who did not was only grazed them lightly, they recovered quickly and retaliated with great skill and precision to the intruding bandits. Seranth himself reacted instantly as five men charged him with a twist of his wrist and arm, in that motion he flung out five throwing knives at the five attackers hitting them in the throat.

-"Oy who are you to oppose The Glint Hawk Bandits!?"

He shouted an flung out his arm again and threw a larger throwing knife towards the individual hiding in the tree, the knife was not aimed to kill but to show that he knew where the other person was hiding. With a flair of his hand he suddenly held a fan of knives showing that he had much more where that Came from, most of the hawklings had finished the first wave and went after the second wave of bandits.

Aeytrious

Gully wasn't like these Wolves he'd joined. He was only here to make easy money. He hadn't expected this, surely the Wolves had not either. As the dagger flew up at him, and struck the tree near his head, he did not flinch. His reaction wasn't hostile either. He was much too smart for that. Gully did what survivors do best. He ran. Down from the tree in a flash, he dropped his caltrops behind as he ran and flung out his bolas to create a trip line. With the mass of Dun Wolves throwing away their lives, there was little chance that he'd be pursued, but he wanted to be sure. He hadn't been with these Wolves long. But he had heard plenty about Canis Rufus, the Red Wolf. He'd passed through a few days before on his way to Cerenis. Perhaps Gullius could earn a few points with the Soot Wolves if he brought news of these Glint Hawks to Rufus himself. It was worth a try. And living was always a better option than death.
Guild
The Soot Wolves

Characters
Ryk/Theodore/Rufus
ArjanDirkElijahGeldGulliusHiram
HerewardKheelanKurohanaLex
MalilaMelyndariaMowellesaQuinnlyn
SehrayanahTiberiusValencia
Ritousaey


Scythe-Nova

Seranth looked after the man who escaped through the forest and raised an eyebrow before shrugging his shoulders and laughing a bit as the last wave of other bandits were killed by the Hawks, Seranth waltzed over to the carriage and hopping into it and starting to go through the stuff inside and in moments the sky darknened again as the giant hawks came back for their masters who in turn went into the carriage and taking as much as they could before going out again and hopping onto their Hawks and flying away.

-"Ah a good haul i'd say"

Seranth said with a laughter as he moved out of the carriage with a large Jeweled box that he handed to one of his underlings before hopping down from the carriage and moving up to his giant hawk Kafei. He smiled and petted Kafei making her coo happily before he hopped up on her back and looked out on his men who were almost done with cleaning out the carriage. A few of the hatchlings had fallen to the other bandits so some of the giant hawks were left alone untill they had taken their own kind of goodbyes of their masters and then they flew away to their nests.

-"Akay Hawks let's go home an have a party to celebrate an remember the fallen"

He said raising a fist to the sky and looking out over his underlings who screamed in approval  before taking to the sky and flying away towards the HQ, Seranth followed suit and took to the sky with Kafei and flew towards the Glint Hawks HQ.

Aeytrious

Once he was sure he wasn't being followed, Gully made his way to the horses. These idiots called Dun Wolves had each ridden a horse out here and many were packed with supplies. He rummaged through all the gear and supplies, picking out all the choice bits. Then he made thorough assessments of every beast there. Once he had found the four he wanted he started to sort the things he would take. He would not rush to Cerenis. It was best he make a safe journey rather than a fast one.

The first horse, the horse that he would ride into combat, a fine warhorse, he stripped of the low quality saddle, bit, and bridle. He brushed down the large horse, and set it with a good feed bag, setting aside the bit and bridle he would give it before riding. On the second of the horses he packed a small tent, bed roll, food, and other supplies. He packed enough for at least a week though it wouldn't take him that long to get there. On the third, and most sturdy of the horses, he packed horse barding that would fit his new warhorse that he pieced together from several horses, a sturdy war saddle, various weapons, some bits of armor, and supplies for setting traps and building hides. He also loaded it with all the loot he could find among the packs and supplies. On the last horse he put the most comfortable and luxurious saddle he could find. He would spend the most time on this horse, and he didn't want to get sore too fast.

Once everything was ready, he tethered the horses into a train and mounted up. It would take a few days to reach Cerenis. Gully would travel like he was moving through enemy territory, which in a way he was. Once there, he would have to find Rufus. Hopefully everything would go well. With the rearmost horse towing a wide drag, that started with nails and ended with a heavy cloth edged with branches, it would obscure signs of passage. He wasn't taking any chances, and he set out with his newly acquired long bow sitting across his lap.
Guild
The Soot Wolves

Characters
Ryk/Theodore/Rufus
ArjanDirkElijahGeldGulliusHiram
HerewardKheelanKurohanaLex
MalilaMelyndariaMowellesaQuinnlyn
SehrayanahTiberiusValencia
Ritousaey


Scythe-Nova

Some hours later Seranth arrived at the HQ he landed with Kafei at the meeting point of the HQ and hopped off the back of his trusty bird and patted her on the head making her coo happily. He took the loot that he had put into the satchel bag on Kafei and walked over to the center so that they all could pool together the loot and such.

-"Seems we god some nice goodies this time lads!"

He exclaimed with a great hearty laughter and placed down the loot on the still growing pile of treasure, Seranth truly loved to watch the pile grow and all that shimmering gold and those sparkling jewels. After a while the pile had gotten quite large and seranth was sitting upon it with a wide happy grin.

-"Well my Hawks take your pick the rest goes to the treasury!"

Seranth said with a great smile and then all the ones that had helped with the raid each took a handfull of the treasures but no one grabbed all they could carry cause they respected the creeds of the Hawks and would only take a hadfull each. Once everyone was done Seranth rose from his seating and grinned widely at his underlings and began clapping his hands and in turn his underlings did the same.

-"Great job everyone now lets get this treasure to the treasury!"

He said before picking up a jeweled chalice new to him and then a decorated weapon box before hopping off the pile as his underlings gathered up the treasure and began taking it to the treasury as Seranth walked off to his chambers that were high atop the mountain.

Aeytrious

Three days of uneventful riding through Arca and Whitesands was coming to an end when Cerenis finally came into view. Gullius Dent slowed his horses from a trot to a walk and began to scan the landscape for a good place to set up camp. He had warned any Dun Wolves he came across, which was few, of the events that had transpired. Now with his goal finally in view, Gully started to relax. After passing a farmstead, where he stole some fresh vegetables, Gully approached a small stand of trees, and tethered and hobbled the horses in the center. Away from the view of any passers by, it would minimize his chances of being taken by bandits while he slept. With a few snares set near what looked like rabbit and quail tracks, Gully climbed up into the trees to hang his hammock. Above his hanging bed, he hung a patchwork of oiled skins that would protect him from rain. The weather had not been pleasant lately, and Gully preferred to stay dry.

Moving back down to the ground, Gully went to tend to the horses. Each was unloaded, given a feed bag, and brushed in turn. He gave a bit of extra attention to the warhorse he had yet to ride, and then set about checking their shoes. Once the horses were seen to, Gully built a small fire to cook his meal. Dried beans and roots set in a pot of water over the flames, with the few fresh vegetables he had stolen added in, would make a fine base for his meal. As that cooked, he went to check his snares, and found that he had been lucky. The hare would add needed meat to his diet. Having seen the quail tracks earlier, Gully decided to root around and look for a nest. He was doubly lucky. He found a familial brood with three nests each containing close to ten eggs. A few angry birds and some pecks from protective parents was a small price to pay for gently absconding with an egg from each nest. He noted the location of the bush they were under for the next mornings breakfast. He held each one to the fading sun just to be sure they were fresh, and headed back to his cook fire.

Hare skinned and cleaned, he removed the pot and set it aside, then placed a spit he fashioned over the fire to cook his meat. Gully unpacked a piece of flat river slate he'd found and nestled it into the flames to heat. Once it began to change color he cracked the three quail eggs onto it, letting them fry and then flipping them with a cleaver. He took some dried bread from a satchel and dipped it into his bean stew, eating it while the hare and eggs cooked. The meal was enough for three men, but Gully ate it all himself. With a full stomach Gully went around and set a few tethers that would make noise if anyone wandered into his camp in the night. Then Gully climbed into the trees and nestled down into his hammock, tying himself in, just to be sure he didn't break his neck in the night. Bow and arrows hung for quick and easy access, the lone mercenary drifted off to sleep. Tomorrow would be a busy day.
Guild
The Soot Wolves

Characters
Ryk/Theodore/Rufus
ArjanDirkElijahGeldGulliusHiram
HerewardKheelanKurohanaLex
MalilaMelyndariaMowellesaQuinnlyn
SehrayanahTiberiusValencia
Ritousaey


Scythe-Nova

The recent days had been long and full of partying all night long, but this day was slow and peacefull nothing special happened and everyone was taking it easy. Seranth sat upon a large pile of pillows looking at the sky from the large balcony, He had some guests of course but no one important just some girls he had picked up for the parties and some had decided to stay for a while.

-"..."

Even the sky was calm today despite them being so high in the mountains, It made him think of the saying "The Calm before the Storm" which made him a bit wary of what the next day would have in store for him. Though when he felt pairs of hands travel along his chest he smiled and looked at the girls that had woken up and wanted to get some morning fun.

-"Rawr.."

He smiled as he pulled a rope above him making a large thick cloth fall down on the opening to the balcony making sure that the warmth of the room would not be wasted. Some hours later he went out of the room and headed towards the pantry to look for some wine and maybe something he could snack on.

-"Well lets see here..."

He found his wine and also some cheese and bread that he could snack on before he made his way to his private quarters. All in all the day passed without anything special happening and at the end of the day Seranth checked in on his sister to see if she needed anything but she was allready sleeping when he arrived and he decided to follow her example and crept up on the same bed and tucked himself in at the other end of the ridicilously large bed.

((Not much happening at the HQ XD))

Aeytrious

Gully was entering Cerenis to very interesting sights. His morning had been rather uneventful. A breakfast that rivaled the previous nights dinner, and the breaking of camp had passed without any signs of other people. He thought that this close to the city there would be more road traffic that he could spy on from his small copse, but there wasn't a soul in sight. His horses had finally become accustomed to him and gave no fuss as he removed the hobbles, and tethered them together in a train.

The wisps of smoke from some recently burning buildings, and debris in the roads made it evident that Cerenis had recently seen a battle. There was no sign of soldiers on the road and he soon realized that the fight had been completely contained in the city walls. Most peculiar was that the guards policing the streets were working with Soot Wolves. Soot Wolves, out in the open, not hiding their presence, and often the guards were differing to them. This was not at all like things were done in Arca. Something big must have happened. Likely the Wolves would slip back into the shadows again, but whatever had happened, they had defended the city and were helping to keep order until the local officials could get a hold on things.

Once he had picked up what information he could through observation and eavesdropping from horseback, he sought out a Shadow Wolf to get directions from. Using the tone of a soldier, he commanded attention with the confidence of experience.

"You there," he pointed to a dark clad figure who thought himself hidden in nook in an alley, "Shadow Wolf, I have urgent news for Canis Rufus, and this is the last location I have for him. I am Gullius Dent of the Dun Wolves." The young man, looking a bit miffed, stepped out from his dark alcove. Gully caught a bit of movement further back in the shadows, likely someone running to inform Rufus of this man claiming to be a Dun Wolf and asking for the Red Wolf.

"All people asking for the Rufus are directed to the Cat's Paw," the Shadow said in a stiff businesslike tone. He gave Gully quick directions to the place he was to go. It didn't take him long to get there, it seemed the route he'd been sent along had been cleared of debris. There were still a few blood stains about, though they seemed to have been at least partially washed away. When he arrived at the brothel turned command center, he was expected, but the Red Wolf was not there. Instead he met a wily looking Scavenger Wolf named Kiefer, and an alluring Shadow Wolf , Dina. The two of them took his name and his news. Shortly after they were joined by Cecil, a Blood Wolf that was familiar with Gully, and they sent him on to another location where he'd find the leader of the guild. At this new location, Dragon Bile Tavern, he was greeted by name by a large, thickly muscled Blood Wolf.

"Welcome to the tavern Gully," the huge man put forth his hand and gave Gully a crushing hand shake, "I'm Chuck, this is Tegan," he gestured to a female Blood Wolf standing behind a greeters podium. "You will leave your weapons with her and I will take you to see the Red Wolf."

Luckily he had stowed most of his gear on the horses, that were taken away by a stable boy, and he only had his sword to stow. After Gully removed his sword belt and handed it to the puffy eyed, Tegan, Chuck led him to a back room where Canis Rufus was eating at a table covered in a feast, and there were musicians playing a pleasant allegro. Rufus looked up at his entrance and gestured for him to have a seat. The man ate like a noble, with perfect posture and manners. Gully had heard interesting rumors about his secret identity, ranging from prince to guard captain to assassin. Whoever he was, the man was a genius, and by Gully's estimation, fearless.

"I've heard about your encounter with the highly trained highwaymen in our territory. Is it true they killed all the other Dun Wolves to the man, but spared the caravan driver and his guards?"

For some reason Rufus made Gully feel a bit nervous. He was sitting with a criminal mastermind who was quickly becoming legendary. He was known for being fair, but ruthless. How those two things combined, he was not sure, but he could believe it. The air of confidence the Red Wolf gave off was like nothing he'd experienced before. He'd known generals who weren't half as awe inspiring.

"I didn't remain to check any vitals, but that is the truth to the best of my knowledge."

"Tomorrow we will set out to the location of this encounter," Rufus turned to Chuck and the big man stepped up to hear his leaders command. "Hansel, Derek, Geoff, and Ulrich will ride with us Chuck. Tegan?"

"She's still unstable sir," the Blood replied with a sad tone. Tegan had lost her sword sister only a few days before and was still mourning the loss. Sandra had died saving Rufus, and since she had no family, Tegan was given her death money.

"She will remain then. Have Cecil, Dina, and Kiefer, each choose one of theirs to accompany us," Chuck did not leave the room but sent a Shadow that had been standing by to issue the orders. "Master Dent," Rufus said, turning to Gully, "Welcome to the Soot Wolves. I think you'll do well in the Bloods with your history of soldiering and mercenary work. Now eat and relax today. Tomorrow you leave behind comfort for the road."
Guild
The Soot Wolves

Characters
Ryk/Theodore/Rufus
ArjanDirkElijahGeldGulliusHiram
HerewardKheelanKurohanaLex
MalilaMelyndariaMowellesaQuinnlyn
SehrayanahTiberiusValencia
Ritousaey


Scythe-Nova

Seranth could feel the suns rays dance across his face as he woke up, he rubbed his eyes as he tried to get up but he noticed that someone was clinging to him. He looked down and saw that his sister had moved over to him and snuggled against him during the night, He smiled and stroked her hair affectionately before removing himself from her and tucking her into bed careful not to wake her.

-"Sleep well sis..."

He whispered before exiting the room with a smile upon his face, It was quickly replaced by a troubled frown as he was greeted by a Hawkling that had reports to make. Oh well he thought as he began walking along the hallways with the hawkling at his side laying his reports on him, Nothing really new and no information about any new caravans to raid.

Hawkling:"And also there has come a report about the seaside town of Cerenis being attacked recently"

-"Oh? Any information about who or what attacked the town?"

Hawkling:"Some gang opposed to the one already there, the other one got help from the city guard and won that way.."

-"Huh... well that's interesting oh well send some scouts to keep watch on the situation"

Hawkling:"Sure i'll get to that right away"

The Hawkling nodded before running off to issue some orders to the other Hawks around the HQ, Seranth on the other hand decided to go off to the dining hall and getting some breakfast. As always the dining hall was full of bustle and hustle as people got their food and drinks, Seranth walked into the kitchen and was greeted by the lovely faces of his cooks that had allready prepared his meal.

-"Thanks lovelies"

He said with a smile as he went out of the kitchen with a tray full of food in one hand and holding a large jug of ale under his other arm, He eventually found his way to his food spot in the back of the room where he placed everything down before sitting down and sinking into the many pillows around him and then he started to dig in on his food. Seranth had a feeling that today was going to be a good day.

Aeytrious

The Soot Wolves did not ride as swiftly as Gullius expected them too. The ten riders moved at a much slower pace, than the one Gully had taken, and Rufus did not seem to be in much of a hurry. They had come across Dun Wolves in the area twice, and each time Rufus interviewed each man himself. He asked for details on the men that rode on giant birds, or any other groups of bandits or highwaymen that were known to the area. Along the way they came across a few wanderers and peddlers, and even a small group of traveling entertainers. Gully expected the Soot Wolves to raid them all, strip them of any belongings, and even kill them, but Rufus commanded no such actions. Instead, the Red Wolf offered kindness to the wanderers, shared rations, gave protection as long as they traveled with the Wolves. One of them, Terrance, he even hired on as a temporary sword arm. He made purchases from the peddlers, even gave one that had some quite exotic pieces a writ of passage and sent him on with Terrance to Arca to visit some Merchant Estate owned by the infamous Ryk Handelaar. The traveling entertainers gave the Soot Wolves an excellent little show the night that they met. Rufus was so pleased with them, that he also gave them a writ of passage and sent them to Arca. They were to stay as guests of Ryk Handelaar, and to perform for Samuel Swinden as often as possible, but at his mothers convenience and discretion. Rufus noticed Gully watching his interactions with the strangers they came across. He could tell that the soldier was confused by what he saw. Rufus was described as ruthless, cutthroat, vicious even. To see him first hand being warm and gentle was clearly not expected. But Gully finally got to see the dangerous side of Rufus when they came upon their first group on non-Wolf highwaymen. A felled tree in the road was an obvious trap, and the Soot Wolves spotted it long before they were caught, but rode in without fear. As they came to a halt at the timber, an unwashed man stepped out from the trees behind them. The Wolves parted for Rufus to approach the man and hear his demands.

"Hail travelers, thank you for traveling on our toll rode. The fee is—"

The mans words were cut off short as Rufus threw a dagger into his throat. The Wolves drew their blades, and waited in the moment of silence that followed. A battle cry soon rang out, and as arrows flew from the trees, Hansel was whipping a protective swirl of wind around the party. The brigands rushed forward to attack the Wolves, but as a perfectly trained unit they lifted heavy crossbows and fired. They were the fancy new crank style model and the nine Wolves, including Gully, were able to get off a second shot each before engaging the attackers with swords. Rufus did not use a crossbow at all, and he stayed away from Hansel's protective magics, fighting alone. He swung his new sickle, Carpere, at the men that got within range of the blade, while continuing a constant barrage of throwing knives at the approaching villains.

The fight was short lived and as the last few attackers ran off for their lives, Rufus rode in pursuit.  "Let none escape," he yelled, "I only need one survivor to carry my message."
Guild
The Soot Wolves

Characters
Ryk/Theodore/Rufus
ArjanDirkElijahGeldGulliusHiram
HerewardKheelanKurohanaLex
MalilaMelyndariaMowellesaQuinnlyn
SehrayanahTiberiusValencia
Ritousaey


Scythe-Nova

The Wind rustled Seranth's hair as he swooped down to land at the headquarters balcony, He loved the feeling of the wind tugging at his body and also the clear sun when flying at day and at night the moonlight felt like silk upon his skin. Seranth could feel the slight thud when Kafei landed upon the stone balcony and he instinctively swung off her before gently caressing her head making her coo joyfully, The moment was short lived though when a man came running over to Seranth.

Hawkling"Boss!"

-"What now?"

Seranth was a little peeved that the arfterglow of his flight was ruined but he was not angry at the man since he seemed to have something important to say, Seranth recognized the man as an underling to the Green Hawk due to the green sash he wore. The Hawkling breathed out heavily as if he had been running for a mile without stop, After a while he catched his breath and greeted Seranth properly by holding his fist over his heart and making a short bow.

Hawkling:"I was sent by Green Hawk to report that not too long ago a smaller group of people began taking out highwaymen near our base"

-"Someone we know?"

Hawkling:"No but Green Hawk suspects they are from the same group that you encountered some days ago"

Now that piqued Seranths interest making him walk away from Kafei and standing before the Hawkling with a puzzled look on his face, Why would that group go about and attacking regular highwaymen?

-"..."

Hawkling:"Boss?"

-"Oh nothin jus thinking ah little... Anyways go getcha some food an rest, i'll take care of the rest of this"

Seranth said and patted the Hawkling on the shoulder and grinned widely at him before turning around and going back to Kafei and stroking her head again. He looked out over the view from the large landing balcony, to the clouds above and the forest below and the setting sun in the middle.

-"... I have a feeling that some change is approaching..."

Aeytrious

A solid week of riding, and a solid week of killing bandits and highwaymen in Serendipity wilderness was taking its toll on his men so Rufus called for a halt. They were in Kia's Court, near the borders of Jadenshine and Moonspear. Examination of the area where the Dun Wolves had been slaughtered had revealed little. Scavengers had eaten the corpses, and a bit of rough weather had destroyed anything that might have told Rufus and his Wolves more. They sat now around a campfire, trading stories of adventures in Cerenis with Rufus. It was all for Gully's benefit of course. He was new to the group, and he had only heard rumors. These men had been with Rufus during the struggle to wrest control of the city from The Mountain Cats, and the subsequent rescue of the Swinden boy.

Gully was amazed. He figured that most of what he'd heard had been exaggerations, and surely some was. His own observations however, and the first hand accounts of these other Wolves, had him wondering if Rufus was human. Only the tale of his near death, and the sacrifice of one brave Blood Wolf to protect her leader made him doubt that Rufus was more than a man. When the time came to sleep, and the Wolves split watch duty, Rufus took the first shift. He sat under a tree in the darkness, playing softly an ebony flute that sang with low tones. The melody put the men to sleep, and Rufus was left to his solitude. He watched for movement in the shadows, and listened for even the slightest of sounds. You could never be sure of what was out there in the darkness.
Guild
The Soot Wolves

Characters
Ryk/Theodore/Rufus
ArjanDirkElijahGeldGulliusHiram
HerewardKheelanKurohanaLex
MalilaMelyndariaMowellesaQuinnlyn
SehrayanahTiberiusValencia
Ritousaey


Scythe-Nova

Not even a minute had passed after the wolves had gone to sleep another tone could be heard from the shadows the sound was also from a flute but not as finely made as Rufus flute, if one had good hearing one could hear that the flute was a makeshift one made of some mundane material such as bone or wood. But the tones of the flute came from all directions as if the wolves were surrounded, and as the moon went behind the clouds a faint tapping sound was heard as if someone stepped on a stone.

-"I get the feeling you have been seeking my attention for a while now..."

Said Seranth who now stood not far from Rufus in a relaxed pose still concealed by the darkness, and as the moon peered out from behind the clouds his form was revealed as the lone king hawk stood in the clearing in front of Rufus with a wide grin on his face and a very curious glint in his eyes that laid upon Rufus.

-"Well now you have it."

He said as he looked into Rufus eyes and projected feeling of respect from his eyes towards Rufus, Seranth was clothed same as always and held a very casual and relaxed pose as he observed Rufus. In his right hand he held a simple flute made of bone and feathers, carved into the flute was many runes and symbols that held little meaning at all but still a slight amount of magic none the less.

Aeytrious

Rufus hoped the meeting would be something like this. Calm, silent severity. He hadn't wanted to come across them on the road. They were predators, just as he, forged in blood and tempered through violence. Recently he had discovered that he had a heart buried beneath the barbed and sharpened steel of his exterior. That didn't mean he wasn't still as fierce as ever, and he had proved it by slaughtering the highwaymen he'd come across on this journey. Now that this man was here, obviously the leader of the trained men that rode giant hawks, he could get this over with and head home to his future wife.

"I've been hoping you'd find me, as I know not where you're located," Rufus placed his flute beside himself and reached for a loaf of bread that was sitting next to him. "I am Canis Rufus, The Red Wolf, leader of the Soot Wolves." He broke the loaf and offered half to Seranth. "Won't you sit and share bread with me? I think we have some things to discuss."
Guild
The Soot Wolves

Characters
Ryk/Theodore/Rufus
ArjanDirkElijahGeldGulliusHiram
HerewardKheelanKurohanaLex
MalilaMelyndariaMowellesaQuinnlyn
SehrayanahTiberiusValencia
Ritousaey


Scythe-Nova

-"Breakin bread eh? Sure but i'd like something to drink as well"

Seranth said with a smile as he looked up into the sky as a large shadow passed them both above, Seranth held out his hand an caught a bottle of vine that had been dropped by his Hawk Kafei. Once he had gotten the bottle he sat down in front of Rufus and accepted the pice of bread that he had offered him, He also popped open the bottle he had and took a big gulp before taking a bite of the bread.

-"Well Introductions are in order i see, Well i am Seranth Hawk, King Hawk of the Glint Hawk Bandits... Want some?"

He introduced himself with an elegant nod of his head while sitting down, He offered to bottle to Rufus with a slight amused smirk on his face. Ettiquette was not one of Seranth's good subjects but he knew how to introduce himself as it was something he enjoyed very much, Kafei landed in the clearing not to far from them both and looked at them both with a curious gaze but stayed quietly where she had landed.

Aeytrious

Rufus took a bite of his bread, chewed, and swallowed. He paused for a moment then before putting it down so he could address Seranth seriously.
        "Arca, and it's surrounding area, are mine. Cerenis, has recently fallen under the control of the Soot Wolves as well," he delivered his words as fact, there was no room for debate. The cities were his, and he would keep it that way at any cost. There were other things to consider however. "I have heard tales of Mercenary Highwaymen in Adela, that fly on giant hawks and leave few witnesses. When I heard that these men were encroaching on my territory, I was at first dismayed," Rufus paused for just a moment, scanning the area to make sure nobody had awakened. "Then, the witness you left alive told me about your precision, your organized maneuvers. It was then I had an idea. The Dun Wolves are not really part of the Soot Wolves, they are bandits, highwaymen, and raiders, that I keep loose control over by allowing them to ply their trade in my territory, with the added bonus of caravan movements, as long as they do not take unnecessary lives." Rufus broke off another small piece of bread from the loaf and popped it in his mouth. "Killing is not good for business you see," Rufus said as he chewed. "You can only rob a dead man once. You leave 'em alive and there's a chance you get to rob them a second or a third time." He spread his hands as if to acquiesce an unspoken statement, "of course, sometimes killing is necessary," he continued, "but I'd like it kept to a minimum as to not draw the unwanted attention of the Queen."
        "So, my point is," Rufus said, "that if you'd like to continue your activities in Kia's Court, and perhaps the rest of Serendipity, I am inclined to make no move against you. As long as you try not to kill those who will give up easily, don't hurt unarmed women and children, and if you come across other bandits, that you slaughter them to the man. In exchange, I'll give you information on caravan's to hit, and let you know what caravan's to leave unharmed."
        Rufus waited a moment, looking Seranth over now that he'd given his proposal. "So what do you think?"
Guild
The Soot Wolves

Characters
Ryk/Theodore/Rufus
ArjanDirkElijahGeldGulliusHiram
HerewardKheelanKurohanaLex
MalilaMelyndariaMowellesaQuinnlyn
SehrayanahTiberiusValencia
Ritousaey


Scythe-Nova

-"Well you don't give me much of an opportunity to be sassy i see"

Seranth said with a smile as he took another gulp of the wine before putting it down on the ground between them, Seranth looked around at the people sleeping in the camp scanning them quickly before returning his gaze to Rufus.

-"To make it clear i have no intentions of even touching any cities in Serendipity, the only thing i'm interested in is magical artifacts an items."

He said with a calm voice before taking a bite of the bread he had and glanced over to Kafei who was preening her wings, He returned his gaze towards Rufus again and grinned wide in a amused fashion.

-"Also i don't kill the merchants only the guards they hire, Women and children? well not them either really, i mean it has happened once or twice... okay maybe more women now that i think about it but hey females in Adela are kinda hardcore."

He said with a chuckle before leaning back on his arms while looking at rufus with a mischievous grin, Looking up towards the moon he smiled calmly before looking back to Rufus again.

-"So what i think is... well that this could be really fun. Things have been a bit dull lately, maybe this would be a good opportunity to spice thing up a bit"

Aeytrious

        "That pleases me," Rufus said with a serious tone and expression. He offered his hand to Seranth to shake in agreement. The meeting had been short, but it had been everything Rufus had hoped for. He would no longer have to worry about the roads and stretches of wilderness in Serendipity. His bid for conquest would go much smoother now. Sure it was only the underworld of crime, but even that would have it's challenges.
        The far west, with it's small population, and mostly rancher towns, would fall to him easily when the Glint Hawk Bandits cut off all trade except that which came from Ryk Handelaar, wealthy merchant. He'd be able to buy the Novastone out from under its ruling family, and the rest of Falllial would come easy. With Fallial his, Tirial would not be much harder. He was the richest man in Arca, his marriage to Dylanna would make him the most powerful man in Kia's Court, save for perhaps the King. That power really all belonged to Queen Di'Veera though. With a noble title and such wealth and power as he'd have, Ryk would have little difficulty buying his way into power in Tirial. Already he had a couple Soot Wolves there, trying to weasel out the song of history used in succession. With Alko to help him study it, Ryk would memorize it. He wouldn't bid for control of Tirial that way, but knowing the secret lines and verses could prove useful. Regardless of any of that, this alliance with the Glint Hawk Bandits would prove to be mutually profitable.
        "I believe we will have a long and fruitful relationship," Rufus said to Seranth.
Guild
The Soot Wolves

Characters
Ryk/Theodore/Rufus
ArjanDirkElijahGeldGulliusHiram
HerewardKheelanKurohanaLex
MalilaMelyndariaMowellesaQuinnlyn
SehrayanahTiberiusValencia
Ritousaey


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