Spirits of the Earth

Lilly had been hard at work for most of the day. Dirt smeared her face as she hammered away at the sheet of metal that would eventually become a breast plate. She could hear the comforting purr of her blood tiger Axel, which brought a smile to her face.

Her brother had been gone for most of the day, out riding his dragon and training she assumed. It was rare that he left her alone like this. He didn't like to leave her alone considering she was blind, but she disliked the way he sheltered her. She would have to experience the world, he couldn't protect her forever. He knew he couldn't protect her forever either, this fact he hated. His parents  had died he wouldn't be able to bare it if Lilly was to die as well.

Devin was flying high in the sky on the back of his large fierce dragon, its cool blue scales glimmering in the sun light. He could hear the dragons voice in his mind, they were forever connected, it was comforting. The dragon quickly pulled up, flying straight into the sun that hung above them before nose diving, its wings tucked in. Devin loved the feel of the wind through his air, the freedom, the fresh air.

The dragon let out a call, a loud, fierce cry. She was having just as much fun as him, he would tell, they could feel each other, as if they shared there heart and soul. Just before hitting the canopy she leveled out, spreading her sky blue wings.

Cauwyn hopped off the back of the small wagon loaded down with supplies as it rolled into the town. The wagon driver had seemed like a nice enough guy that Cauwyn had invited himself to a ride in the back. Covered in dirt and dust from the road he shifted his pack to get it settled comfortably on his back, brushed off a good cloud of the dust from his simple clothes, and started off into the town.

There was a whole list of things he needed to get done, not the least of which was find a new job, but also he needed to get the bindings on his shield repaired, a new pair of boots as his were pretty worn threw, and something to eat. What he really wanted though, was a drink, and the weight of coin in the pouch on his belt was enough that he was pretty confident he could accomplish all of his goals.

With a broad smile on his face he sauntered aimlessly down the street, taking in the sights and sounds as he searched for any of the things he might need. A vendor cart on the side of the street provided him with an apple that he took a healthy bite of. It'd been a long time since he'd had any fruit, and the sweet taste was delightful. Humming pleasantly to himself he continued his search for the local ale house when he heard the familiar clang of a blacksmiths hammer. A little disappointed he'd found the blacksmith first, Cauwyn shrugged it off and changed course.

As he approached the sound of a dragon's roar somewhere in the sky sent a cold spike of fear through him with a visible start, of which he noticed none of the other Adelans shared.

"Fuckin' dragons.." Cauwyn grumbled, shaking it off and approached the shop to a rather curious sight. A young girl pounding away on a forge. It caused him to smirk.

"Uh, 'ello.." He started in a somewhat bemused voice, obviously the blacksmiths daughter, "I'm lookin' for the blac..." Cauwyns words trailed off as he noticed the monster of a beast purring contentedly at the girls feet.

Lilly looked up and Axel stood, the large felines tail swishing back and forth. She looked in the voices general direction, she could tell that it was a mans voice. A man that she had never heard before, so she knew that he had to be new. She set the hammer down with a sigh, placing a hand on her hip.

"I'm the blacksmith, what do you need done?" She said shortly. She played no games when it came down to her craft. She knew most people especially men looked at like a joke, but she had never found that could do her quality of work any faster. She heard the tone in the mans voice, she frowned slightly.

"Why do you come to Adela and curse dragons, that is the most ignorant thing I have heard in a while, this is the land of the dragon riders. That dragon you heard, that was my brothers dragon, so unless you want a hammer thrown at your head, I'd suggest you not," She warned harshly. She turned back to the breast plate, not waiting for him to answer her original question.

Now if he was going to answer he would have to answer between the beats of her hammer. The breast plate had already started to form, the quality was already clear as it was beginning to form. She didn't looked down at her work, something that for the people who did know she was blind, was very odd. 

The feistiness of her tone only made the amused smirk grow, though he was taken off guard by the fact that the girl was the blacksmith. He eyed her over and though she was certainly pleasant to look at, he found it hard to believe she'd been blacksmithing long. Her work, however, seemed to tell a different story.

"Ah," He made a slightly embarrassed noise and his cheeks reddened slightly when she mentioned he'd heard what he had said. The Adelan's sure did love their sky-lizards. Cauwyn cleared his throat, raising his voice slightly as she started working again, "yeah, sorry about that. I've had a few.." he paused briefly, "bad experiences with dragons.. No offense to your brother.."

She didn't seem to be stopping her work and Cauwyn gave a frustrated sigh. Not even in town a night and he'd already managed to piss someone off. And to make it worse, it was someone who's help he needed! Cauwyn unsoldered his pack, which was really just a large bundle of cloth fixed to his shield with the pommel of his sword sticking out of one end and the tip of the blade coming from the opposite.

"Uh, anyways.." He tried to sound cheerful as he spoke between the hammer falls, "I, uh.. Need... a... my, shield... repaired.." He frowned with a bit of frustration, deciding to just try yelling rather than stumbling between the loud clangs, "I need my shield repaired!"

It was just after he yelled that he noticed the girl wasn't watching what she was doing. Cauwyn's brows furrowed with confusion and he looked around quickly to see if anyone else near by noticed the fact as well.

Lilly, laid the hammer down quickly turned, holding her hand out. "Give me your shield," She said sharply, her bright blue eyes looking in his general direction but not directly at his face. No one around even seemed to notice or care about anything she was doing.

With a rush of wind behind them Devin and his dragon landed behind her small blacksmith shop. Axel walked outside to rub against and play with Devin's dragon as Devin walked into the shop. He flashed the customer a bright smile, running a hand through his hair. He then turned and walked through a door that led into the house that was connected to the shop.

She used her sleeve to wipe her face slightly, knowing her brother would tell her to do so. Devin walked into the house and pulled off his gloves. He smiled with a sigh of contentment. This day was going well. He had been out doing a little training with his dragon and his sister was getting some business.

Something was off about the way the girl looked at him. His face twisted slightly in confusion, his eyes never leaving hers as he bent to unstrap his equipment from his shield. The large bundle, consisting of little more than his sword and sheath, baldric, leather armor, and a bearded axe all wrapped in his bedroll were pulled free and then slung back over his shoulder by a wide leather band made by his baldric.

He had heard the dragon land and straitened in time to see another kid walk by. He returned the smile with a broad and genuine one, watching the new man as he moved through the building with familiarity before disappearing into the house connected. A suitor or sibling? Cauwyn blinked and then returned his attention to the girl, still smiling. Something was off about her, or more precisely the way she stared near him but not at him.

"Not a problem.." Cauwyn said slowly as he started to look back over his shoulder, but stopped. A sudden idea hit him and he lifted his simple iron shield in both hands and held it out with the strike face facing her instead of an edge or even the torn bindings inside, "here you go.."

Lillyed reached out, she instantly recognized that it was the striking surface of the shield. She let her hand follow the round surface up to the edge where she grabbed it with an iron grip. She took the should from his grip, rubbing her hands over it, findings its faults. Over all it was a decent quality shield.

"So you need the bindings fixed?" She asked as she ran her hands over the slowly, feeling every rip  in the binding. "It will be five bronze," She stated simply, setting the shield on a table. She could hear the purr of Axel returning to inspect the new customer.

Devin walked back out, petting Axel as he passed by. He looked at the shield. He didn't know how Lilly did it. Even with his sight he doubted that he would be a even half decent blacksmith, and there she was, doing incredible work with out sight.

Devin patted Lilly on her back, his show of affection. "Brother go away, I have work to do," She said, her voice harsh yet holding a playful tone to it. It was clear she wasn't being hateful to him, and it was clear he knew this too. Devin laughed and walked to her forge, throwing in some dragon coal to keep it hot.

Cauwyn studied the girl as she studied the shield. It took a few moments before he realized what he was beginning to suspect. Her hands were out of sink with her eyes, as though she was feeling more than looking at the shield. The shield its self held quite a few dings, dents and cracks a long with a few puckmarks from burns, though her hand glided over all of it without a care. Really he wanted to be done with the thing, as sturdy as it was, but much like his sword and armor Cauwyn just wasn't ready to part with it yet.

"Yeah.." He agreed with a still slightly confused tone. When the other man came out, her brother it seemed, Cauwyns eyes instantly snapped to the man. He glanced between the two with a curious look even as he dug in the pouch that hung from the simple belt at his waist.

Pulling out a few coins he shifted throug them with his finger, picking out five bronze, and then returned the rest back. When he placed coins on the counter, his attention still drawn to the two siblings, he couldn't hold his tongue anymore.

"So... what's with your eyes?" He asked the girl directly. Some might consider it a rude question, but Cauwyn was a straightforward kind of guy and didn't consider it rude in the least, at least not since he was asking her, "Are they messed up or something?"

Devin was the only one that even remotely appeared offended by that abrupt question. He turned to Lilly, once he realized she wasn't offended his face softened slightly. If she had appeared offended there was no doubt that he would have challenged the man with out a second thought or hesitation.

A small smile spread across her face, "Took you long enough to ask, and yes they are, as you put it, messed up or something, I'm blind," she spoke with a smirk. She liked to brag. Once someone had seen her work most couldn't believe that she was blind, thinking that someone who was such a good blacksmith couldn't be able to work with it if they didn't have the ability to see.

She turned to her brother, she could just sense he didn't know how to react in the situation. This was in the awkward zone for him, the place between completely serious and completely care free.

"Brother go fetch me some ale," She spoke softly, giving him the okay to leave for a moment. Devin noted to thank her for that too. He quickly walked into the kitchen but took his time in getting the ale and returning outside.

"What?"  Cauwyn exclaimed rather incredulously at the statement. Her brothers awkwardness and obvious discomfort at his question was a rather moot point, by his standards. He hadn't just laid down five bronze for a service provided by a blind girl.

He forced himself then to remember the work she had been doing with the breast plate. It wasn't the worst he'd seen, in fact she had quite a talent. Though after a moment of thought he considered it and rearranged it as quite a whole lot of talent, considering she couldn't see what she was doing. He swallowed back some of his confused anger.

"So wait," He cleared his throat again, though this time it was less out of a need to break silence in an awkward situation and more along the lines he had just sacrificed his prized battle scared shield to a blind girl, before continuing, "you're blind? Like you can't see nothin'? How do I know you're not going to mess this up?"

He was glad her brother had disappeared inside to get the girl some ale. The boy had seemed offended, and rightly so had he considered to think about it which he didn't, and he would have hated to have to fight him. Cauwyn was through with fighting. He wanted a new life, one that didn't revolve around death. Still, he loved his shield. The blood red wolfs paw had all but been scoured away beneath he blows of axes and swords, but the sentimental value was still there.

"Trust my friend, just like you have to give every other blacksmith you allow to fix your equipment," She spoke looking back down. She ran her hand over the curved surfaces, letting her fingers fall over every dent and scratch.

"For a silver coin I'll restore what I can on this side, it will take a lot more work then just a simple binding," she said, running her hand over the surface once again, letting the feeling on it to set in. Memorizing the surface of the shield. She could tell that the shield meant a lot to him, she could just sense it.

Finally she looked up, answering the question about the level of vision she had. "Yes, like I can't see anything, nothing at all. I use sound in a way that give me information. Like from the direction of your voice I can tell your around six feet tall. Your accent sounds Connloathian... Well maybe not, no, no, you do sound connloathian, its the way you say your ohs," She said with a hand on her hip.

"Another silver?" He asked, though this time Cauwyn's voice was less incredulous and more... amused. Could this girl do it? Her work before was wonderful for someone so young, and to be blind? Who knew what sort of gifts the gods had bestowed upon this one, not that Cauwyn was a believer or anything. Still, she had done a pretty good job...

"Deal struck," He said with a hint of finality and a warm grin that, he realized, was lost on the girl, "I'll pay another silver if you can mend some of that damage... without ruinin' my shield."

He'd lost more money on worse bets than a blind girl blacksmith fixing his shield, which as he considered it didn't say much for him or his betting practices. Cauwyn frowned at the though, but forced a smile to return when the girl put her hand on her hip. It was a reflex..

"Really?" He said with slight exageration, adjusting his tone in what he though a Adelan sounded like. It was really more stereotypical than authentic and his tone adjusted back to normal, "Well, to be honest, I ain't so sure. Never knew my parents, born in the tundra.." He mentioned it casually, though he really had no idea. He didn't remember any of that whole experience afterall, "or so I was told.. Though, been told by plenty of people that I look pretty Connlothian.. Well, more handsome obviously," His grin spread wider, "but Connlothian the same.."

A small smile flashed across her face but quickly disappeared. "Well, as you have discovered, I can't tell if you are attractive or not. For all I know, you are some old wrinkly forty year old with liver spots and missing and arm, half a foot and your nose," She replied, a joking tone hinting its way into her tone.

"You must have been one heck of a fighter," She spoke as her fingers brushed over a deep scratch.

"You and my brother would probably get along as long as I wasn't the subject, as you could probably tell he's a bit protective," She said simply, trying to plan on how she was going to start to mend the shield.

"Is there any color on here that I should know about?" She asked looking up at him. It had been a long time since she had had a good conversation with someone, and she was finding that she liked it. Most of the locals just dropped off there stuff, they rarely stayed to talk.

Soon Devin walked back out, grabbing Lilly's wrist gently and guiding her hand to the cup he held in his. Once her fingers wrapped around the cup she took it from him, drinking slowly. She just hoped that her brother wouldn't run off the customer too soon. She was enjoying there conversation.

Cauwyn grinned at her good natured description of him. He was more than prepared to belt out a retort when her question changed to fighting. The smile faltered briefly, though he couldn't say why, before it was replaced with a broad grin as he leaned forward on the counter. He shrugged casually, his answer starting out nonchalant, "Guess I was good 'nough, still alive right?" It then turned to mimic her jesting earlier, "Not to mention I still got both feet an arms, plus my nose.. And not a liver spot on me.."

He had started to hold up his hands for her to see, but suddenly stopped as though it would be rude. For a brief moment he considered whether or not it would be, considering her condition, but in the end decided to keep his hands folded on the counter.

"Protective, eh?" He shrugged slightly, though maybe he didn't fully understand the bond between siblings, "I guess I could see that. Most brothers are pretty protective of their li'l sisters, ain't they? 'sides, for a girl like you? All blind and shit? Be a rough place without someone lookin' out for ya.." Cauwyn of course meant that as a compliment, though it wasn't until after he'd said it that it started to sink in how it sounded..

He cleared his throat, a noise heavy with embarrassment, and then shrugged, "Color?" He considered it, considered the option of having the paw removed. It wasn't like he was still the Wolf anymore, he'd given it up. And he certainly didn't want anyone to know that's who he was, maybe it was best he let it fade away. Still though, Aldarius had liked it enough to have it commissioned...

"Nah," He said with some finality, "nah there ain't no color on it.... Just an' old shield, nothin' more.."

Devin looked between the two, he started to stay but figured that Lilly could take care of her own, plus, if anything did happen there was always Axel. Most people wouldn't even think about attacking simply because of Axel's presences. So he turned and walked to his dragon.

Axel purred deeply and walked around the counter between Lilly and Cauwyn. He started to rub against Cauwyn like you would expect a small house cat to do.

"He's not bad looking, and he's lying there is a insignia on the shield," The large cat informed Lilly. She heard him in her head, he had a rather deep voice, rough voice. His voice almost sounded like a purr.

Axel's comment made Lilly blush slightly, but it quickly faded. She ran her hand over the shield once again, she felt it, she ran both hands over the shield, to give her an idea of what was there. "Are you sure there isn't like a... dog paw or something?" She asked, feeling something there.

"There is more to him being protective then just me being female or blind," She stated simply, not wanting to go in the full detail of why he was so protective. She sighed sharply, her mind returning to the job ahead.

"Hold out your shield are, I have to know how big your arm and hand is so I know how tight to make the binding."

"Aah!" Cauwyn exclaimed the most masculine way a man can exclaim anything when nearly knocked over by a large red purring cat that juts its self unexpectedly into his legs. For his part, he recently recovered quickly enough with a quick if not nervous smile, reaching down to gently scratch the large cat behind the ears.

Scratching the cat distracted him enough that, when she asked, he answered without thinking, "Wolf paw actua..." Cauwyn caught himself, shaking it off, "It, uh, doesn't matter... really. And wait, how the hell did you even know?"

Cauwyn held out his left arm just as he was asked, still trying to figure out how she saw the wolf paw without eyes, "Course there's more too it.. Your 'is sister right? That's what brothers do, or so I'm told 'least.."

Lilly started her hands at his elbow. Her hands were surprisingly softly for being a blacksmith. She slowly pulled her hands over his arm towards his wrist, her fingers taking in every dip and curve of his muscled arm. "If it isn't important to you," She stated simply, chuckling slightly to herself.

"My secrets are for me to know and for you to never find out," She spoke, finally pulling her gentle hands away from his scared muscled arm.

"I am his sister, but there is more to it, but lets get off me and my brother's relationship, lets get back on the job at hand though," She said taking another big sip of ale.

"It's, uh.." Cauwyn watched curiously as she ran her hands over his arm. He wondered briefly if she was using magic, but then figured that it was impossible. Could she really be seeing with touch? He was mesmerized for a second, and it sounded in the distracted nature of his voice, "it is important. I just... it's, uh... complicated. I guess if you can fix it...then why not?"

When she quipped about her secrets Cauwyn blurted out with a quick strong chuckle, "Oh really? Well, guess I can't blame a a girl for keepin' her secrets..."

"Uh, yeah..." Cauwyn said with a bit of hesitation and confusion at her statement about the relationship between the siblings. It wasn't unheard of or anything, royalty did it didn't they? So why shouldn't some commoners? Not his business really, "lets..." Then he spied the girls ale and his tongue instantly darted out to moisten dry, weather cracked lips, "Say, there a good ale house around 'ere?"

Lilly chuckled, sounded like a soldier to her, her brother was the same way though he knew better to come home drunk, she would beat him with the first thing she got her hands on, which was usually something that was a blacksmith tool.

"Yeah there is a tavern just down the way," She said with a chuckle carrying the shield closer to her forge. She figured he would be off to the tavern. Devin hearing the word tavern came coming around the corner, a bright smile on his face. He slapped his sister on the back slightly, "See ya," She said before jogging around the corner.

Devin decided that he was going to have himself something a little stronger then his sisters ale. He always enjoyed having a nice drink and taking the edge off of things. Axel walked back to Lilly, starting to rub up against her. Lilly use to it, didn't seem fazed at all. She started to heat the metal, starting to fix scratches and dents first.

"Ah, sounds good. Maybe I'll wander on over n'see what they got.." Cauwyn watched the girls brother dart off at the mention of the tavern. It made him grin slightly. He was ready to head out and in mid turn when something popped into his mind.

"Huh," He frowned, contemplating it over for a moment to see if there was a way he could figure it out without asking. He wasn't exactly afraid to ask a dumb question, but it was usually better to keep your mouth shut and figure it out on your own. When you couldn't, well, then you just had to ask, "Hey, uh, girl.. How do you dress yourself in the mornin's?"

A dark crimson blush flashed across Lilly's face. "Just like anyone else, I simply know where and what my clothing are, I'm blind, not helpless. Plus, how else would I get dressed?" She was heating up his shield as she spoke, stunned by the question he had just asked.

"Do you think I would let Devin do it? That's gross and improper," She added, in a slight whisper like the thought its self was speaking it too loud. The thought made a chill run up her spine. True her and her brother were close, but that. She shook her head, trying to clear the thought away as she started to hammer the dents out.

"Well, I mean.." Cauwyn frowned briefly as he tried to consider the best way to word it so he didn't sound like an idiot, or more precisely sounding more like an idiot. After all, what she said made since. He could dress himself in the dark, even don his armor knowing where all the various buckles and straps went, "how do ya know if it's on the right way? Or, you know, where your stuff is 'round the forge?" He gestured vaguely with his hand at the various tools, not even considering that she couldn't see the gesture.

"What? No! No, that wasn't what I was tryin' to say.." He blinked, a little taken aback by her thought process. Though, to be fair, he had been considering the idea that that was what she had meant when she'd been talking about how close her and her brother were. It had seemed to make a lot more sense at the time, before the girl got upset, "Nothin' like that. Just, well... I don't know. Most blind folk I've met die off pretty quick s'all. Cause they can't really do much for them selves... uh, not to say that you can't. I mean... obviously," Again he gestured without thinking, this time toward his shield, "well, you know."

"My stuff is where I leave it, I live here so I have every square inch memorized by heart. I don't have to see to know where my flat hammer is, I always put it by the flat anvil and bucket of water," She said pointing to exactly where it way. "The same fro everything else. I know my cloths on right because I can feel them. Are you saying you can't dress yourself in the dark?" She asked as she got the last dent out. She poured water over the shield to make sure it was cool enough for her to touch. She turned the shield over so she could feel the striking surface, figuring out how exactly she would get all the scratches out.

"If I was stuck out in the middle of the woods I would be prey. I have good hearing so it would be hard to sneak up on me, but I wouldn't be able to run or protect myself like you would be able to. Though I would probably be better off then the daisies around here even with out my sight. Most blind folk drown in there own self pity, I refuse too, I can do nearly everything any one else can," She said crossing her arms and turning to him.

"That makes sense.." Cauwyn nodded his agreement. In fact, everything she said seemed to make perfect sense, so much so that he felt a little foolish asking about it now. He shifted his weight slightly, frowning at her accusation about being able to dress himself in the dark. It was a logical conclusion, he supposed, but still. It wasn't like he was blind..

"Well, yeah.." He said, somewhat begrudgingly, "course I can. I mean, even where there's no moon as long as you know where your stuff is.." And now he was just reiterating her point. Cauwyn flashed a small grin and chuckled softly, "But I guess you already figured that.."

"Hmm.." Cauwyn made a small noise of approval, accompanied by a quick nod. The girl had fire, he liked that. He'd seen more than a few men give up the sword for injuries much less severe than a blinding, that the girl was still dedicated to her craft was more than admirable.

"That's good to hear, lotta common folk tend to drown themselves when they start facin' a problem.." Cauwyn's tone was as lighthearted as the smile on his face, despite the fact he planned to do the very same thing once he got to the tavern, "Glad your not one of 'em. So, how'd your eyes get messed up in the first place? Some coals or somethin' get up in there?"

Cauwyn had seen what happened when hot coals got into a mans eye. A bit of cinder could be pretty painful, he knew from experience, but then he had also used coals when interrogating people. Usually you just did one eye first and they would start talking. Depending on what was said though, you might add another coal. Cauwyn had never been sparring when it came to getting information about any of the various enemies he'd faced with the Crows.

"I was born this way," She said looking down with a sigh. There was a hint of sadness that started to rise to the surface. She took a deep breath, she figured she would say the rest. No reason to hold anything back now.

She walked back to the front counter where Cauwyn stood. "They say I was probably blinded in the womb when my mother was interrogated while she was packing my," She said, trying to just shrug off the subject slightly like it didn't bother her.

What did you say to something like? How terrible would it be to be born never able to see a sunset in the Kilanthro mountains, or a snow covered forest, or a beautiful girl? Cauwyn frowned at the very thought, he liked seeing women naked, though maybe if you had to see with your hands like she did...

His thoughts snapped back before they had too much time to wander down that path when she mentioned the word interrogated. Cauwyn's face contorted into a confused frown as he tried to figure out just what it was she had said during that brief moment of fantasy. Cauwyn cleared his throat, deciding to play it safe and just ask neutral questions.

"Your mother was interrogated? Why? What did she do?" He asked with a small frown and a hint of suspicion.

"Both of my parents were high ranking warriors," She said returning to the shield with a sigh. She didn't like going into a lot of detail. "Both were killed soon after I was born. What exactly she knew that they were after, I honestly don't know, though there are many theories," She continued to speak as she started to run her hand over the shield, figuring out what exactly she was going to do.

"You can go on to the tavern, I might even have your shield done by the time you return, depending on how much you depend on drinking that is," She said. Having people watch over her wasn't her favorite way to work. It made her nervous.

"Or at least sit down on a piece of wood or something," She said. She hoped that he wouldn't continue with his questions about her parents. She didn't like talking about it and she didn't know much, only what she had heard. Her brother knew much more, but good luck on getting him to talk.

A part of him felt bad for asking the girl about her parents, it clearly upset her. He could understand, to an extent. Both his parents had been killed as well, though that was about the extent he knew about them. Whenever he had asked Bryn about them as a child the rather taciturn half-elf had simply told him that his parents had fought well, but in the end they weren't strong enough to keep him. Such was the way of life outside of the cities though and something Cauwyn had learned young. Nothing you had was truly yours, including your life, unless you had the strength to keep it.

"Uh, yeah," Cauwyn cleared his throat a little, cutting into the awkward tension he'd created, and gave the counter a nervous rap with his knuckle, "Yeah, I think I'll do that." His warm, charming smile returned again though it was a little forced, "And how much time you have depends on the quality of the ale, though my guess is it'll be plenty.."

With that Cauwyn adjusted his makeshift pack over his should and then turned slowly, heading for the door. "I'm, uh, leavin' now..." He didn't know if should say something or not, but it seemed the better option for the blind girl and with that Cauwyn walked out of the blacksmith shop and stopped in the street.

She'd said down the corner, right? He turned and headed opposite the way he'd come into the town seeing as how he didn't remember passing the tavern on his way to the shop and started walking. Once around the corner his lips spread into a broad cheerful grin  at the sight of the tavern and he pushed open the door sauntering in.

Lilly shook her head looking down. "Stupid guy, I heard him leave," She said to herself. Of course she was use to it by now, people always acted like that. Like they had to hold her hand through everything. Like she was completely helpless. She started working on the scratches, adding metal where it was needed.

Axel then helped Lilly carve at the shield slightly. Then Lilly added the copper mixture she made to that parts she had carved, making the wolf print more permanent, and more durable. With age the copper would dull out and darken until it looked back, but that would take time. She hoped he would like it.

She ran her hand over the shield, it was smooth, appearing almost new, and defiantly didn't look like it had been in battles. "Good as new," She spoke with a sigh while Axel brushed against her and purred in satisfaction.

Devin was in the tavern, being loud and joking with the other men. He was smiling brightly, before taking a deep drink. It seemed he was well known and liked, clearly the life of the party. He started to sing loudly, quickly other men started to join in.

Even as Cauwyn headed for the bar he took notice of his surroundings with a practiced eye for details. Things such as who was the biggest? The drunkest? Who all were carrying weapons? And of course, what girl was the prettiest... and then the easiest. All important things in a tavern. Not one to shy away from a good drunken brawl, or a bad one, Cauwyn had learned early in his youth that an unwatchful eye got your purse cut if you were lucky or found the blade in your back if you weren't. Not to mention that it was always better to do your sizing up before you started drinking.

Cauwyn handed off his makeshift pack to the bartender and plopped a few bronze coins on the counter in exchange for an ale. In all honesty Cauwyn was more of a mead man, but too many times had he ordered it and found that whoever brewed it had added something to it to make it unique or flavored differently. He wasn't a fan of berries by themselves, why in the hells would he want them put into his mead?

Tankard in hand Cauwyn turned around, returning his attention to the crowd at hand. He knew the Adelan were a rowdy bunch, something he liked about them, and couldn't help but crack a broad grin when he saw the blind girls brother. It hadn't been that long, but the boy and his friends seemed to already be enjoying the drink with their loud laughter. Cauwyn took a few gulps of his own ale, enjoying the taste actually, and watched with that broad grin as the boy, Devin, started up a song.

Devin slammed a empty cup of ale down on the bar as he walked up to on the the tavern girls. He took her by the hand and started to swing her around, dancing. Soon more followed. the girl smiled and laughed, her dark curls swinging around as they danced.

All the girls loved Devin, he was fun and most of all a gentleman. You could dance with him, drink with him, and he wouldn't expect anything. It seemed he didn't even think about getting into a girls undergarments. Of course this wasn't true, he was a young man and of course, it entered his mind frequently. After raising his sister though, he found he had gained a large amount of respect for all women.

The girl smiled and was passed off to a shorter man, and a curvaceous girl with golden skin and  long blonde hair took her place. Devin just like with the other girl swung her around dancing to the tavern. Most of the people in the tavern were now dancing, bright smiles on there face. The bartender looked and laughed, what did he expect. It was always like this when Devin was there, always the life of the tavern.

After a good ten more minutes Devin finally made it back to the bar, the bartender quickly passing him another ale. Many of the girl kept looking his way, hoping he would soon join them again.

Cauwyn finished his ale and ordered a second. While the ale by far wasn't the worst he'd had, it wasn't exactly a savoring kind of drink at the moment and so he proceeded to drink it down in rather healthy gulps. As the singing turned to dancing though Cauwyn was instantly caught up in the excitement clapping his hands and stomping his foot to the rhythm of the song. Though he didn't know it exactly he had heard it sang a few times before.

He couldn't help but notice the boy certainly had a way with the ladies, but then as Cauwyn inspected the others it wasn't hard to see why. A pang of jealousy coursed threw him as he watched the kid dance with the girls, though whenever any of them came over to him he waved them off with flourish of his hand and a kind smile. It wasn't that he couldn't dance per se, Cauwyn had spent plenty of time in taverns around the lands, but more so that he knew he wasn't very good at it. Put a weapon in his hand and he could dance all day, put a girl in his hands though and it was like he grew two left feet. Of course, when he was holding a girl it was hardly dancing that he was thinking about. At least not the vertical kind..

The second beer was drank down and his third ale poured when the young boy returned to the bar. Cauwyn raised his tankard to the kid, his smile broad and cheerful, "Hells kid, look's like ya got quite the ruckus goin' on in here!"

Devin raised his with a smile, turning his ale bottoms up and drinking most of it in one go. "This ain't nothing," He said with a smile. The blonde girl finally walked up to him, approaching on the opposite side that Cauwyn was on. She placed her hands gently on his are, moving her lips to his ears.

As the girl whispered one of Devin's eyebrows raised. What she was offering, well it was extremely tempting he had to admit. He placed his hand on hers gently, turning to whisper something to her quickly. She blushed with a chuckled bashfully.

"I think my friend will enjoy your company, but my beautiful lady I must go, you know my sister, I wouldn't want to get hit in the head with a hammer," She said standing and bowing to the lady with a charming smile. She moved over to Cauwyn, her rich chocolate brown eyes smiling.

"Hi, my name is Luna," She said with a soft blush, she was still slightly embarrassed, and felt slightly rejected by Devin. She could never get mad at Devin, the only person around that village that would raise a hand against him would be his sister.

Lilly had set the shield on the counter and was back at her forge, working on a piece of jewelry, testing her skill, trying to get better. 

Cauwyn shared the young mans drink, raising his own tankard and finishing off the rest of the beer within. He gestured to the barman with his fingers for two more, and why not? The kid seemed nice enough, plus he still felt a little bad about questioning his sister. Turning his attention out across the bar as the blond girl approached and the two began whispering, Cauwyn couldn't help but grin as he tried to give the two their privacy to work out what he was sure to be a grand time.

It was a little odd, Cauwyn thought, when the man obviously turned down the affections of the young curvaceous blond. He mentioned something about his sister to which Cauwyn found even more curious. He'd never had siblings, in fact he had rarely ever seen other children growing up except a few of the slaves, and so the idea of passing up a guaranteed romp with the girl in exchange for a pass from his sister seemed confusing.

The man at least had the decency to pass the girl of to him. Cauwyn started to say something, still a bit confused, when the girl introduced herself at the same time the bartender sat down two more ales. He glanced at the bartender, sat down some coin, and then looked back to the girl with a broad grin. The confusion and thoughts of before easily swayed now by the lovely tavern girl as he slid the tankard over to her.

"Well merry met, Luna. I am Cauwyn," He said with that beaming grin and a slight flourish of his hand as he bowed slightly at the waist. Girls, he'd found, almost always liked that high class sort of stuff.

Devin made his way to the house, his plan was to sneak into the house and not pass his sister. He hoped she was busy and wasn't paying attention, though he doubted it would ever be that easy. He walked slow, trying to be as quiet as possible.

Luna placed her hands on Cauwyn's arm affectionately. True. Devin was the one she was after, she had been after him since they were little. This guy Cauwyn though, he would due for now, he was rather attractive to start with. She flashed him a large smile, scooting closer. "It is nice to meet you, Cauwyn, how are you liking your stay here?"

Lilly sat at the counter, she had finished the bracelet and the shield. She sat there bored, she couldn't just get up and go places, not by herself, and she never really liked the tavern, it was too loud. She just hoped that one of the two would show up to entertain her for a while.

Cauwyn flashed a broad grin as the girl placed her hand on his arm, which as any man would he instinctively flexed, and scooted closer. He turned slightly to better face her instead of the crowd and took a healthy pull from his tankard. Setting the drink down on the bar he gave a small half shrug at the girls question.

"Well," He drawled slightly, his hazel eyes giving the girl a rather approving once over, "I can honestly say I'm doin' better now... This village just seems t'be full of pleasant surprises.."

"Well that is good, I'm glad you're finding this place suitable," Luna said as she leaded against him slightly, tracing her fingers up and down his arm lightly as she continued to smile. "So," She started, batting her lashes slightly, "tell me more about yourself," She said tracing a scar on his forearm.

"Devin, really, don't try to sneak past me," Lilly said crossing her arms, she could pick out his footsteps very quickly. "Come here, I'm done with this shield and I don't want to have to hold on to it forever, plus I would like him to see the work before he gets completely drunk or too busy with one of those easy girls at the tavern that seem to love you so much," She said raising an eyebrow.

"Nothing to tell really..." Cauwyn said with a somewhat coy shrug. It was hard, he realized, not just rattling off with his past. He was done with that past now, Cauwyn was ready to make a new one. And it was especially unfortunate in instances like this. Small village girls and farmers daughters always enjoyed his tales of far off places and grand palaces that he had seen. Now it was a struggle, especially through the ale that was starting to warm his mind, to come up with something vague enough, "I'm just a wanderer.. Travelin' place to place, just seein' what the world has to offer..."

Devin could tell what his sister was telling him to do, and he could also tell that she had pulled out a think of the strong potato alcohol she had gotten so good at making. He also figured that if she could drink she could he, and plus, drinking that, she would get drunk a lot faster then he would drinking ale.

He we walked back to the tavern, half to have his fun with Luna and half to tell the man about his shield. His sister after all, worked very quickly. He walked quickly, trying to avoid the puddles and ruts that the horses and carriages made the road.

Devin  walked into the tavern and Luna's attention was soon ripped away from Cauwyn. Devin took his seat back at the bar and Luna turned to Devin, her hand wrapped around his arm. "I'd suggest you get your shield, its done and sis is hitting the hard liquor," She said with a smile.

To say Cauwyn looked displeased was an understatement. His jaw set and his muscles tensed as the young man stole away the lass and then had the gall to tell him what to do. It was lucky then that Cauwyn hadn't been drinking as much as usual and that despite his instincts telling him to just start swinging, the ex-mercenary had a fresh resolve made not too long ago not to just return to his old ways. Growing up in mercenary camps as he had, everything the boy had done would be seen as a challenge worthy of having your throat slit.

Inhaling sharply through his nose, Cauwyn exhaled a calming breath between clenched too bared in a forced smile, "Yes," He managed pleasantly enough, though it was somewhat strained, "I think that'll be a good idea.."

He lifted his tankard and downed the rest of his ale in one long gulp. Setting down the tankard with enough force to catch the tavern keeps attention he signaled for his stuff and then quickly strode out of the door.

Even as he walked the streets he replayed the idea of pummeling the kid in his mind. It played over and over and eventually his muscles relaxed and a somewhat dark smirk formed. He idly considered just raping the boys sister and burning down their shop, but that idea was quickly shoved away as yet another throwback to a life he was trying to leave behind.

As he reached the shop his mind had turned to the idea of just wooing the boys sister and sleeping with her. Though she was about the right age for marriage, something Cauwyn had no intentions of ever, and he had certainly had younger in his days, something just didn't seem right about it. Such a conflict was new to Cauwyn, which he considered to be a good thing and proof he could change so that, as he entered the blacksmiths shop, his beaming smile had returned and his mood instantly improved.

" 'ello, girly!" He exclaimed with a bit of drunken cheer, "That brother of your says you already fixed m'shield?"

One of Lilly's eyebrows raised, she was a mean drunk and she had already downed quiet a bit of the strong potato liquor. She pointed quickly to the shield before holding out her hand, the man still owed her money.

Her light blue eyes were blood shot and most would assume if she would of tried to stand and walked, she would stumble and fall. Of course most would be wrong, she could hold her liquor better then her brother she just let people assume though. If you knew the two better, you would also find, that between the two, it would be her that you wouldn't want to mess with. She had no hesitations once she started to fight and she didn't mind fighting dirty.

Most of the guys around the village had already learned their lesson from Lilly as well. She was a fire cracker, and when you mess with fire you get burnt. There had been plenty of the boys try to take advantage of her, and leave it to say, they learnt there lesson quickly, and knew better to try it again. She had shoved a shovel full of hot dragon rock down one boys pants with out a second thought.

Devin was the lover and Lilly the fighter. Axel sat beside Lilly, looking at Cauwyn like he'd make a good lunch, of course Axel looked at most people like that. "A silver," She stated simply.

Cauwyn himself was quite a proficient at drinking, but then it was dangerous not to be when growing up surrounded by the most unsavory sort of people. Especially when a drink offered by those men turned down would mean a fight, often to the death. Unfortunately Cauwyn was also a mead drinker and the taverns ale wasn't settling well. He opened his mouth to speak, but the only thing that came out was a rather loud and rumbling belch.

"Oh." He covered his mouth and coughed, trying to cover the gesture. He had the common sense to know the difference between tavern or campfire manners, and business manners, "Sorry 'bout that.."

He sauntered forward, schooling his smile down to a merely pleased grin, and began his inspection of the shield. Much like her, Cauwyn ran calloused fingers over the face of the shield. Only it wasn't because he couldn't see, but because he could. The shield looked as if it had just been forged! While he didn't know every crack or scratch, Cauwyn knew the big ones. The pockmarks made by a mages lightning, a large didn't from an Adelan with a mace, even the gouges made by naga claws. All of which were gone! And the wolfs paw had even been replaced! Gone from a simple etching filled with red paint, it was now more prominently filled with bronze. He'd been opposed to the paw at first, even embarrassed by it, but steadily it had become a part of who he was. Even now as he was leaving his old life behind, he found himself loathe to part with it.

"By the hells, girly!" Cauwyn exclaimed with a broad grin, looking up at the blind blacksmith and her dangerous companion and not in the least put off by either, "Looks good as new!"

He dropped his things with a soft and partially muted metallic clank against the counter and opened the pouch on his belt. A single silver for this kind of work seemed like robbery and though Cauwyn had no problem resorting to banditry in the past when contracts were scarce, he also knew the value of good workmanship and keeping a solid relationship. Slaves, no matter how skilled they might be, tended to only work as hard as would keep them from the whip.

After a second of eyeing up the distance Cauwyn tossed the silver coin into the girls hand and then produced a second one from the pouch. He considered his question a moment, sifting through the gentle haze of the ale, before giving the coin a few raps against the shield announcing to the girl there could be more.

"I'm also in need of a new spear," Cauwyn said rather calmly, "an' judgin' by your work I think I'd like t' put you on..." And then he paused, trying to remember the word he'd heard others use. He fumbled around in his own mind, searching and stumbling and mumbling as he thought, "on uh... on uh... fuckin' hells.. On, shit!" And then it hit him and he blurted out with a bit more exuberance than necessary, "Retainer! Hells girly, I'd like at put ya on retainer!"

"Why do you think I'm the only blacksmith here? because I'm the best," She said simply. She stood, stretching then adjusting her top. Axel stood as well, yawning, showing off his sharp dangerous teeth.

"Did you try the bindings? make sure they were right?" She asked making her way to several sticks of varying lengths. She carried several of the longer towards Cauwyn. She leaned the sticks against the counter and adjusted her fur pants.

"Well, give me the specifics on what you want, metals? specific woods? A certain type of spear head?" She asked. Then Lilly stepped back away from Cauwyn abruptly, a look as if she smelt a foul odor filling her face. She could smell Luna on him, and she didn't like the tramp.

"Heh." Cauwyn smirked and chuckled slightly at her boast about being the best. Not because he doubted the girl, but more because he liked her confidence. He respected confidence, but only in people who could back it up. It was clear to him that this girl could certainly do that.

"Hmm, good point.." He mumbled at the mention of actually trying the shield on. He must have been drunker than he realized, considering he'd paid the girl without actually checking that she had done what he came in for in the first place. Pulling the heavy shield of the counter he grasped the handle inside and then set about adjusting the bindings. Cinched down nice and tight he took a few steps back and then gave the shield a few good swings making sure nothing felt loose. With a pleased smile Cauwyn returned to the counter, removing his shield, "Perfect. She fit's like a glove, girly."

He eyed the various shafts the girl brought to the counter, considering which length he wanted. Not to mention the metal. Steel was strong, but iron worked better against the fey, their descendents and generally most beings with magic. Considering that he'd lost his cold-iron dagger in a bet at a tavern a week or so back, he was heavily considering the options when he noticed the girl take a large step back and wrinkle her nose.

Cauwyn immediately raised his arm and sniffed himself. He couldn't blame the girl, he had been over a week on the road without a bath so far. Not to mention the ale and his earlier burp. His smile turned apologetic, and he sounded generally a little embarrassed as he spoke, "Yeah, sorry 'bout that. Been hard travelin' the past few weeks... Plus, ya know, the ale at that tavern don't seem to be sittin' so well.."

"I'd rather smell a man who has traveled a year with out a bath and drank five gallons of bad ale before smelling the gutter snipe Luna and that is what I smell," Lilly said trying to straighten her face to not be too rude.

"You shouldn't mess with that girl, just sitting an inch from her you risk catching some diseases that will take your life slowly, plus I swear that girl never takes a bath, just drowns herself in cheap perfume to try to hide her rotten smell," She said shaking her head, disgust in her voice.

Lilly picked up a small cup of the potato liquor and pushed it towards him, knowing it was pretty good at settling a stomach. "Here," She said as she turned to Axel, scratching the large feline behind the ears. "I can also do combination metals, or I can plate the spear," She continued to speak, the more work the spear required the more she could charge.

Cauwyn did his best to arch a brow as Lilly went into her tirade about the girl from the tavern, it wasn't something he was good at. His lips curled into a rather amused smirk and he had to fight back the urge not to laugh. Jealousy was such an ugly monster and Cauwyn could hardly keep the humor in the situation out of his tone.

"The girl from the tavern?" He asked, trying to seem nonchalant, "Pretty one, with the blond hair? Hangin' all over your brother when I left? Good t' know, but I think ya should be warnin' your brother girly. Not me."

He took the offered drink from the girl, and a hefty sip, before setting it onto the counter. It was good and stronger than the piss ale he'd had at the tavern. Cauwyn made a satisfied sigh before getting back down to business with the girl, "Plated, eh? What all metals do you 'ave in stalk, girly?"

"Calling her a girl is too much of a complement, you clearly don't know the girl, she's a tramp, sleep with anything that has a penis," She said with a shake of her head. Lilly wasn't jealous, there wasn't anything that girl had that she wanted.

"If Devin wants his manhood to rot off, well that is his business," She continued with a frown. Where Devin decided to place his manhood was up to him, she had no dealings or care about it, he would have to deal with anything he caught from the whore.

She took a deep breath, pulling her mind back to business, "I have bronze, silver, steel, and iron," She listed off. "If you want anything else though, I can get it," She spoke, knowing that he wouldn't need anything else, for a weapon at least.

Though Cauwyn was trying to be understand, like a little boy when the Lilly mentioned the word penis he couldn't stop the snicker that came out. He blamed the alcohol of course and shook it off with roll of his shoulders and a quiet grunt.

"Sound's like your not her biggest fan, girly." He said in a quiet voice, somewhat more somber than normal. The more lighthearted tone returned quickly though as his grin returned, "But I thank you for the advice. Saved me from some painful pissing to say the least.." Cauwyn was no stranger to occasional disease and had visited more than one apothecary and herbalist. He was mostly thankful that he had never contracted anything too serious that couldn't be cleared up with a few herbs or a tonic, considering his 'gift' seemed to work against healing magic too.

"I think I'll take iron, pro'lly be the most useful to me." Cauwyn nodded, returning to the business at hand, "And an ash stave will be fine, fire treated 'course. Uhh.." He paused for a moment to think, holding his hand at the height of the top of his head, " 'bout this tall for the stave it's self, make the spear tip hand length with a neck 'bout this.." Cauwyn was in the middle of holding out his hands to show the length he wanted the neck of the spear head when it dawned on him the girl couldn't see what he was doing. He muttered quietly, "Shit..."

Lilly didn't really even notice his snicker, she was on too much of a rant to care how he reacted to her words. She really didn't like Luna, she completely despised the whore. She could hit her in the head with a hammer and not feel a thing.

"My name is Lilly, I'd appreciate it if you called me by my name unless you want me to call you boy," She started her hand on her hip. "Your welcome for the advice though, I figure a new comer should get it before they get something soap can't wash off," She added. Axel was rubbing up against her leg, purring slightly, Axel's way of trying to calm Lilly down, though it rarely worked.

"If your going to use your hands I have to be touching them," She stated before pointing at him and squinted slightly. Though she was blind her eyes were still very expressive. "And don't take that pervertedly little boy. I'm not a prostitute and we're talking about business so keep your mind out of the gutter," Lilly add. Lilly walked up to him, following his voice. "Now don't act like you ain't never touched a girls hands before," She said holding out her hands. "Now move my hand to how tall you want the staff."

Cauwyn frowned, through it was lost on her, at the insinuation that he would have any perverted ideas. Even if it was a good insinuation, he didn't much like being called on the matter. With a small grumble he stepped closer to the counter, practically leaning over it, and took hold of her hands. His fingers were rough with calluses and he was unsurprised to find that hers were the same.

"The height," He said with a small smirk despite the fact he was trying to keep his voice businesslike, "should be about to here.." He held her hand just above his head, at just over six feet for a moment before moving down to show the length of the spearhead at just over a foot, "and this should be the length of the whole spear head, from tip to base. The blade of the spear should be about this big.." And with that he turned his hand flat, pressing her palm against his larger one so that she could feel the size of his hand.

After that Lilly took back her hand. Though her hand might have a few calluses from work, her skin was still extremely sensitive. Luna might not have the calluses, but Lilly didn't had the diseases that Luna had. Lilly sighed, "that's doable," She said placing her hand back on her hip. She grabbed the tallest of the staves. It was the one closets to the height he required. "So you want a solid iron spear head?" She questioned again.

She didn't like working with solid iron. Iron, compared to other metals was much heavier and much weaker. She would recommend a steal spear head plated in iron. It would be much stronger while still holding the magical property that iron held.

"Do you want any charms placed on it?" She added looking back at Cauwyn.

"Charms?" Cauwyn blinked a little in surprise, and it sounded in his voice, when she mentioned charms. Was this blacksmith a mage as well? The hairs on the back of his neck stood up ever so slightly. It wasn't that he was exactly afraid of magic, he just didn't much care for it. Or the people who wielded it. Such tended to happen when spells meant to kill only caused some minor pain. Mages could be pretty quick with there spells sometimes.., "What do you mean charms? Can you enchant a weapon as well?"

"I can't, no, but there is a mage in town who will enchant the weapons. A charm like to help keep it sharp, nothing too fancy, simply stuff," Lilly continued, hearing the change in his voice.
"You sound even more like a Connloathian now," She added with a giggle, reaching underneath the counter and pulling out some more of the strong liquor.

Unlike her brother she liked it, she liked it a lot. Then her mind started to wonder, her brother damn well knew that she didn't like Luna, yet he wouldn't suit any other girl. He hated when she even talked to men when it wasn't to do with black smithing. A broad smile started to form across her face.

"Oh, well.." He mulled the idea over briefly, though it was pretty strait forward. He didn't have much of a qualm against enchanting, especially something like that, more his issue lied in elemental magics. Being directed at his face, "Now that does sound pretty useful.. How much is that gonna run me?"

When she made a comment about sounding Connloathian, Cauwyn simply grunted and shrugged it off. Like most people born on the tundra, Cauwyn had no real idea where his family came from. He did smile when she pulled out more of her potato liquor, taking that as a queue to pick up the glass she had offered him earlier and take another long pull. As he went to set the glass back down on the counter, he caught the girls grin and it made his lip curl in a curious smirk, "What's so funny gir...Lilly?"

"Well," She started, thinking about how much the mage would charge her and how much she should charge him. "I'm thinking, for the charm," She continued taking another drink of the liquor. "Maybe three silver," She said, turning her eyes towards him.

The smile on her face spread even more as he questioned her.

"Oh, nothing, nothing at all, I'm not laughing am I? Is there something so wrong with a girl smiling?" She asked leaning over the counter slightly. Cauwyn would give her a chance, a chance to make her brother angry. Devin hung around with people Lilly didn't like or approve of and now she would do the same. Lilly could tell he was the soldier type, he wasn't worried about settling down, he would get his piece, have his fun and move on. Lilly also knew if she could tell that, so would Devin.

"Three silver?" Cauwyn kept the strain out of his voice. While he could certainly afford it, freely spending so much so rapidly would probably come back to bite him in the end he knew. Then again, an iron spear that never dulls, "Alright, bargain struck." He said with finality and a single heavy nod, reaching out his hand to shake.

When she leaned in closer though, Cauwyn's smile warmed into a playful smirk. He rested an elbow lightly on the counter and leaned closer to the girl. He had to chuckle slightly at what she said, "In my experience, Lilly, if a girl starts smiling at you there usually is somethin' wrong. 'course, it's also my experience that not to many a man cares about anything like that, once a girl s'pretty as you starts smilin'.."

"Well there isn't anything wrong here, if there was something wrong I wouldn't be smiling, and probably threatening to hit you in the head with a hammer," Lilly started. Axel walked around the counter, starting to rub against Cauwyn's legs affectionately. If Lilly liked the guy, so did he. A deep purr resonated from Axel's chest as he rubbed his face against Cauwyn's leg.

"It seems Axel likes you already," Lilly said hearing the deep purr. "Am I as pretty as Luna?" She asked raising an eyebrow. Lilly reached her hand forward. "Well this isn't fair, you can see me but I have no idea of what you look like," She added with another smirk.

"Well then, I'm glad I ain't about to get with a hammer.." He said with a warm, broad grin. His attention turned to the massive cat as it came around the counter. The sheer size of it almost knocked him over when it began to rub against him, but he caught himself. Cauwyn reached down, scratching behind the large cats ear which came up to just above his knees. While Cauwyn was certainly a meat eater, most animals did hold a special place in his heart. He cooed in a soft voice to the cat, "Aww, course he likes me. He's a good boy-cat, idn't he.."

He was so busy with the cat, he almost hadn't heard Lillys question. He blinked and then looked up with a start giving her a slightly confused look that turned into a rather wry grin. The cat left to rub his leg Cauwyn turned to lean against the counter again, his eyes roaming over the girl before he spoke, "Much prettier than that wench I'd say.. An' I guess you're right, I do have you at a bit of a disadvantage.."

Cauwyn took her wrist gently in his large calloused hand and leaned a bit closer, guiding her hand to his face. He couldn't help the wry smirk that stated firmly planted on his lips as the jaded blind blacksmith started to turn into the part of a flirtatious girl, though it did falter somewhat when she reached the large scar on his jaw. He wasn't exactly self-conscious about his scars, he was actually pretty proud of them, but that was because most women liked a man with scars. At least, the ones in the circles he traveled in. To someone who hadn't seen them before, he suddenly wondered if she would find them unattractive..

Lilly laughed at his comment, he was lucky, there were few people she would stand to flirt with her, and even fewer she would return the favor. She smiled as she heard him talk to Axel, she found it rather, cute.

'Why is this man baby talking me? Do I look like a seven pound helpless baby?'Axel asked Lilly. The question almost made her lose her composer, it was his tone that really got her, Axel, even as a feline, had the perfect sense of sarcasm.

Lilly let Cauwyn move her hands to his face, she slowly let her hands move. She could feel the smirk on his face, which brought a smirk to her own. When her fingers ran over his scar though, she could feel his face change. "Is there something wrong?" She asked pulling her hand back. "Its just a scar, I mean, I have plenty of them," She said, almost like she was reassuring a child.

"Hmm? No! Wait... what?" Cauwyn frowned when she pulled away, calling him on his scar. He was rather pleased at least that she couldn't see his cheeks turn red, because blushing wasn't really his thing. Cauwyn recovered quickly, laughing it off with a quiet chuckle.

"No, no.. it's just, well.." He shrugged, "I didn't know if ya ever felt a scar before. Ya know, on a face.." Even as he spoke he realized how idiotic that sounded. He groaned inwardly and rolled his eyes, annoyed at himself, before continuing, "An' yes, I realize how dumb that might sound.. Look, I got plenty a scars. They don't really bother me, scept in the mornin's sometimes. An' when it rains, but ya know.. If they don't bother you.."

Again Cauwyn shrugged, that wry smirk returning, "I could certainly show ya more of 'em.. Got plenty.."

Lilly laughed at him, she tried to stop herself, but she couldn't. The way he seemed to stumble over himself, it was kinda cute, almost boyish.

"I have my fair share of scars," She shared with a chuckle. "So we can have show and tell some other time, though I'm sure you have more then me, your older and I'm assume a soldier or something," She said with a shrug.

"What color is your hair?" She started, trying to put a picture of him together in her head. He was clearly not an unattractive man. She could already see her brother and his over protective ways. He would be fuming if Devin saw her flirting with this man. Devin doubled as her brother and father since her parents had died when she was younger, so he thought he had the right to tell her who and who she couldn't talk to. She would show him.

"Mmm, show and tell?" Cauwyns grin grew as he considered that one. As it played out in his mind he became a little disappointed in the 'later' part, but that didn't mean later couldn't be in a few hours. That idea hardened his resolve at least, amongst other things. He cleared his throat, and his mind, before answering her without commenting on his own past, "Well, I think that sound's like a great idea. Any scars a good one, specially if they mean somethin' ya know?"

"My hair? Well it's brown.." Cauwyn thought about it a moment, the idea of describing colors to a blind girl. He frowned in consideration for only a brief second, as an idea then struck him, "It's kinda the same color as wood.. Like a tree or the shaft of a spear.." He rubbed at his chin, "or leather. Yours is much prettier though. It's red, though I'm sure someone told ya that.." He smiled as he reached out and took a bit of her hair between his fingers, rubbing it gently, "Like the fire of your forge, or a good mountain sunset.."

Lilly smiled as she felt him touched her hair. She knew what different colors were, though she was sure she pictured them differently. She didn't have to be told the color of general things. She had already asked and knew, but she wouldn't tell Cauwyn that.

Lilly liked the way he described her hair, making it sounds beautiful and vibrant though she was sure it was dirty and smudged with ash. "I always wished I could see a sun set, I've been told it is one of the most beautiful things in the world," She spoke looking down, batting her lashes.

Cauwyns smile grew at the girls rather demure look. He was a sucker for a pretty girl batting her lashes. His hand moved from her hair slowly, he didn't want to scare her, until a single calloused finger touched her jaw below her ear. He traced the finger slowly down her jaw and at the same time brushed his thumb over her cheek. It only served to smear some of the soot that rested there, but he didn't care. His words were quiet and gentle, "A sunset's is only one of the most beautiful things in the world, but there are definitely things of much greater beauty.."

Inwardly Cauwyn beamed at himself. He remembered the old Skald Heron who had traveled with the Crows for a while. The man had been a decent fighter, but Alderius had really kept the man around for his poetry. His stories and songs of battles inspired people, especially the young boy Cauwyn who had sat around listening with rapt attention when ever he could manage it. He'd been beat for it a couple times, but once he had grown older that time spent had proven a boon when it came to speaking with women...most of the time at least.

Lilly let herself enjoy the touch. Her sensitive skin tingling as she leaned into his touch. She couldn't say she didn't like it, she did. It gave her a feeling of belonging, made her feel like she was worth something. She closed her eyes eyes, letting the tingling sensation dull a bit before she began to speak.

"What is more beautiful than a sunset?" She asked before opening her eyes, looking up towards the man. Lilly knew his words were empty, so she took them with a grain of salt. Enjoying them but never taking them to heart. She wouldn't let herself become attached to someone because they would talk pretty to her.

"You, for one.." Cauwyn stated simply, quietly. His eyes bore into hers, though he didn't think it mattered. It wasn't as if she could see his and he didn't know if a blind girls eyes would show the same emotion, give the same read, as a normal girls. It was fun though, he thought to himself, engaging a girl like this. Usually the women he went for didn't need flowery words or kindness, just a few coin or a couple drinks.

And then, his hand cupping her cheek, he continued, "Or a sunset on the tundra, where it reflects off the snow and ice making it look like the whole of the world burns before you. The stars in the sky in the woods, twinkling like little diamonds in the skies above.." His smile only burned hotter as he looked at her, "Much the way the fires burn in your eyes..."

Lilly looked down, her eye lashes batting again and a soft pink hue filling her cheeks. She was finding that having this man around was nice. "You're sweet," She spoke, her voice soft. Lilly could feel him looking into her eyes, she didn't have to have eyes to tell that he was looking at her. She found this to be like a game, how far she would take it she hadn't decided yet. Though she did hope it would go long enough for her brother to walk by.

Lilly lifted her hand, placing it on his. His hands were rough, much rougher than hers. It was clear that he had had a hard life. His hands were also warm, which she liked, she felt that men's hands should be warm. She looked back up at him as he mentioned her eyes. His words were sweet, and most women would have swooned into his arms without a second thought.

He liked the feeling of her hands on his. They were soft, but still held the calluses of hard work. He turned his hands slightly so that he could take hers in his. His life had been a hard one, but the simple soft pleasure of a woman had always been a comfort. His smile softened and became wistful as he ran his thumbs in gentle circles over the backs of her hands.

Her words registered and slowly he rolled a single shoulder in a half shrug, his smile turning more into a wry smirk, "I can be, I 'spose. But, bein' sweet isn't always the most fun, ya know? Sometimes ya gotta let loose, let your inner animal out, ya know?"

Lilly laughed slightly as he spoke, "I'm sure you would know," She spoke raising an eyebrow. She had to admit that she liked the feeling of her hand in his. She didn't enjoy it enough to let herself fall for his words, she was sure plenty of women had fallen for his lines, for his touch.

"But no, I wouldn't know what you're talking about, but I'm sure you could inform me in one fashion or another," She spoke flashing him a big smile. Looking up at him from under her lashes.

The girl was playing a dangerous game and she didn't even know it. Cauwyns hands tightened, gently, when she asked him to explain what he meant. The best way to explain, he considered, was to simply show her, but Cauwyn at least had the sense to know this girl was different. She acted tough, but she still held enough innocence that he knew not to push too hard too fast..

As the thought passed of burying his fist in her hair, of pulling her in hard for a rough kiss, his hands relaxed a little until hers simply sat in his with his thumbs atop Lillys hands. He kept his voice coy, though perhaps a bit wry as well, "Explain it too you? It's much easier to show, but I think I can at least try. You simply stop caring for it all, the world and the people. Live life, just to live it. T'feel the pleasure of another, no matter the cost.." He smiled, maybe a bit wickedly, and shrugged, "Its good fun. The best.."

"I say to you it would be,"  Lilly spoke with a wry smile. Of course for a man who could walk away once he got bored would find it completely fun. But she had seen it enough to know that it wasn't always hunky-dory for the girl left behind.

It seems the man always disappeared about the time the girl ended up knocked up. Leaving the girl with nothing more than poverty. Lilly pulled her hand away slowly, moving her hands to undo her two braids, letting her curly hair free to fall in a messy red wave over her shoulders. She then took a drink of the potato alcohol, the burning liquid soothing.

She then returned her attention to the man that stood before her, she wondered why he kept the counter between then, she smirked slightly as a thought passed through her mind, was he scared of little ol'her.

As she stepped back to let her hair fall, Cauwyn watched and grinned. She really was a very pretty girl, and the way her hair fell only added to that beauty. When she took another drink though, Cauwyn couldn't help but smile. Drinking was good, drinking helped women let go of that whole unhealthy inhibition this whole 'civilized society' put upon them. In the camps it was different, the women there didn't need to drink for courage, at least not the ones there by choice. They had plenty enough just coming into such a rough place. As for the pregnancy, there were herbs for that as far as Cauwyn was concerned. In his mind, like many other men, it wasn't his fault a woman chose to get pregnant.

"For me?" He smirked with a small shrug, "Not just for me, I can tell you that. I've never 'ad any complaints.." From willing women, he considered but didn't add. No reason to bring that up, though it did make his smirk grow a bit more bold. Cauwyn chanced a glance over his shoulder, at the door, and then returned his attention back to her. It didn't seem there were too many coming to bother the poor blacksmith girl.

With both hands planted firmly on the counter Cauwyn pushed himself up and swung his legs to the side bringing himself to rest sitting upon the counter. Adjusting slightly to get comfortable, he reached out again with his hands, taking her wrists in his and pulling her closer, "Course, like I said. It'd be a lot easier t' show ya..."

Lilly stepped close to him, closing the gap between them. A broad smile crossing her face. She let her eyes slowly move up to where his face would be, "Who said I'd want you to show me," She remarked with an eyebrow raised. She found this game rather fun, only because she didn't allow herself to get caught up into it. She figured if she was like most girls around that village she would have already let herself fall into temptation with the strong rugged man.

Lilly ran her hands slowly up his arms until her hands rested on his shoulders. She could tell he was a man used to getting his way, and didn't like it when he didn't and she figured at some point he was going to throw a fit which only brought another smile to her face.

"But of course, if you hadn't had any complaints up till now it can't be too bad," She teased.

She was absolutely right about him being used to getting his way, at least with women. It didn't go well for them when he didn't, or at least it didn't used too. Part of this, of what he was enjoying about this, was that he was trying to get away from all of that. It wasn't as if he'd never been with a woman who he hadn't paid or hadn't been crying, plenty of young maidens had been wooed by tales of adventure or his simple rugged charm. Just, not the vast majority. And he had always known that, if being charming or having coin hadn't worked, well, no one could stop him from just taking it. But that was all part of the life he was leaving behind now, and he forced himself to remember that.

"Ahh, ya see," He said with a grin as she ran her hands up his arms, "it's in your eyes. They're the ones betrayin' ya, tellin' me ya'd like me to show ya.." As her hands went up, his went down. Down until they found her waist. With a broad grin he slid down off the counter, pulling her in even closer until their foreheads met, "And s'much as I'd like t' show ya, I'd hate for ya to be my first complaint an' I feel like you're a picky lass to please.."

"That should make ya try'n work harder," She replied copying his accent. She had to admit to herself she liked this, she liked it a lot. She had never been this close to anyone. Partly because she wouldn't allow it and partly because all the boys who she would consider her brother scared  off. This guy though, she doubted her brother would scare off though she knew if he were to see them now, would try his damndest.


Lilly wrapped her arms loosely around Cauwyn's neck. She liked how their bodies seemed to fit together so perfectly, but she quickly bit her tongue. She couldn't let herself fall into liking this too much. She couldn't lose her head, this was a game, cat and mouse. He didn't care for her, it was all about his self, what felt good to him, no emotions. She couldn't let her self like this and get all sintamental, it would only get her hurt so her brother could say 'told ya so'.

"Ah, yer makin' me plenty hard lass.." Cauwyn said without thinking about it as she closed in tighter too him. He wasn't sure if she was mocking him when she took his accent, but he wasn't too concerned with it either. He could speak proper if he wanted, he had dealt with dukes and minor barons in his time, but for this he felt the accent suited him well enough. Her as well.

The feel of the girls body against him was very pleasant indeed and his hands pulled her waist closer to his. Cauwyn chuckled off whatever embarrassment he felt at his words, recovering quickly enough as he leaned in to whisper against Lillys ear, "But you're right 'bout that, ya do certainly make me wanna work harder for ya. I like a challenge.."

"Good," Lilly stated, her fingers starting to gently play with the hair at the nape of Cauwyn's neck, "I'll be the hardest challenge you have ever had," she whispered in his ear. She had to admit his whispering in her ear made a chill run up her spine. She would also have to admit to herself that she liked it.


Lilly was really starting to like the feel of the man's strong muscular body against her own. She couldn't tell who was winning this game, her heart was racing at this point. I guess it was hard being the mouse in the game of chase but it was her role, she just couldn't let herself be caught.   

The feeling of the girls fingers on the back of his neck made a shiver run up him spine. Cauwyn sighed contentedly before letting his lips move that fraction of an inch closer to her ear. He started soft, not wanting to scare her, as he gently sucked her earlobe between his lips for a kiss. And then his wind chapped lips moved down slowly, pressing against her neck to leave little wet spots against her skin until he reached the point her neck met her shoulder. His teeth raked lightly against the exposed flesh.

Cauwyn had to admit he liked the girl. Her scent was somehow intoxicating. She smelled of fire and steel, it reminded him of battle drove him a little crazy. He could feel his heart starting to race and his blood was already pumping hot and fast, though most of it seemed tied up south of the boarder.

Lilly's head was tilted slightly to the side, her eyes closed. Her body relaxing against his as goose bumps began to rise over her skin. She began to bite her lip slightly, her sensitive skin tingling all over, her mind bombarded with the gentle pleasure he was giving her.

She was so lost in the little moment that she didn't hear her brother's footsteps. His voice didn't even register as he began to speak, "What in the hell do you think you two are doing?" Devin nearly screamed. His disheveled appearance made it clear that he was doing the same thing not too long ago, though he and Luna went a bit further than necking.

Not good! Cauwyn's eyes blasted open as the moment of passion between the two was interrupted by what sounded like a very displeased sibling. He pulled his lips away from Lillys neck and looked back over his shoulder, flashing the kid an apologetic grin as he slowly began turning around being careful not to jostle Lilly and to keep her behind him. He knew how some siblings could be and that a woman could find the back of her hand from family as easily as a husband.

"Uhh, it's not what it looks like?" He offered rather lamely, even though he knew it wouldn't fly. While he did though he eyed the brother with a small smirk. It was obvious him and the tavern girl had been at it as well.

Axel came around the corner and sat between Lilly and Devin, the large feline's tale rhythmically swishing one way then another. He was eyeing Devin like he was a large steak. Lilly didn't have to worry about Devin. If Devin even thought about striking her Axel would quickly retaliate for her.

Lilly did like the way Cauwyn seemed to be protecting her. She also found it hard to not laugh when he said that it wasn't what it looked like. Lilly let herself lean gently against Cauwyn's back, he was nice and warm. She wondered how exactly with would turn out.

"The hell it isn't, my sister might be blind but I am not!" He yelled, looking between Axel and Cauwyn. Lilly stuck her head out from behind Cauwyn quickly after that.

"Damn you," She stated. What he said caught a nerve. She stepped from behind Cauwyn, her heart racing still but for a different reason,

"Uhh, hey now.." Cauwyn said, a bit nervously as Lilly stepped out from behind him. Fighting was something he was comfortable with, hell it was as natural as breathing, but even he was smart enough to know not to get between a sibling argument. "I don't think he meant it like that.." Cauwyn said in a rather loud whisper over his shoulder to the girl, then his attention turned back to the boy and his voice grew louder, "And watch how ya talk 'bout her, yeah?"

A real issue, he realized, was that his weapons and equipment were on the other side of the counter. If this turned ugly he was going to be going at it with this kid without his weapons. It didn't really bother him though, in fact he kind of liked the idea of the challenge causing a small smirk to form at the corner of his lips.

Devin looked at Axel, "Even you turn against ?" He asked the beast. He felt betrayed, his sister being promiscuous with a man she had only known for a few hours, Axel taking her side. Devin crossed his arms and shook his head.

"For hating Luna so much you're acting just like her," He spoke, a smirk crossing his face and his eyebrow rising in victory.

Lilly stopped in her tracks, her head slowly turning, "Excuse me?" She asked, her voice low, surprisingly calm. Her muscles were tensed, like a cat ready to pounce. She didn't need Cauwyn to protect her, she had fought her brother her entire life, no reason to have someone else do it for her now.

Axel let out a fierce roar as the intesity of the situation started to grow, he didn't like it when the two fought.

Lilly grabbed a hammer, her knuckle growing white. "I dare you to get close enough for me to use this you son of a bitch," She spoke, her voice a low growl as she glared at Devin, her body literally shaking with rage.

At this point Devin knew he had over steped his bounds and was in for it. His face of victory quickly faded as he took a step back, he knew his sister would bash him with that hammer with out a second thought.

"Now come on Lilly, you know I was joking," he said putting his hands up as if surrendering.

"Oh yeah, like it wasn't what it looked like earlier? I suggest that you you go hope of your little dragon and take a long trip, preferably to hell," She spoke, her voice full of venom.

Cauwyn stood quietly as the two began their back and forth. The confident smirk of earlier had slipped away into a look of awkward embarrassment. He looked somewhat chagrinned at the idea of being in the middle of this fight. When the large cat roared his attention turned to it briefly, but quickly went back to scanning the room. Half of surviving on a battlefield was situational awareness and right now Cauwyn knew he was on a battle field. When Lilly began thrusting around her hammer, Cauwyn knew it was probably time to leave these two.

As he started to slip away, sliding along the counters edge, he found himself cut off. Lilly had advanced around him, effectively flanking him in her assault on Devin, and cut off his escape. He could, of course, hop the counter again but the last thing he wanted to do was bring attention to himself.

Devin shook his head in defeat, "Fine, I'll leave you two to your fun," He said simply before turning to leave. Soon after he was out of sight you could listen to the beating of wings and the roar of a dragon.

Lilly took a deep breath, she could tell Cauwyn wanted to leave. She had effectively driven away everyone. She sat the hammer down gently and stepped out of the way so Cauwyn could leave if he wished. The rage had left her leaving her feeling rather empty and alone. She knew Devin would leave for a few days maybe even a week before he would return.

Lilly wished that he wouldn't be so overbearing, he would eventually have to let her make her own mistakes, he wouldn't be able to protect her forever. Lilly looked down at the counter, "I'll have your spear done in three days," she spoke, her voice rather defeated.

Her brother thought she was no better then a tavern whore, yet he was the one who chased away all the men who would have married her and treated her right because he was always convinced better would come along.

Cauwyn slipped around Lilly and the counter when the route was cleared. He had every intention of bee-lining it to the door and back to the tavern when he heard the defeated sound of her voice. He struck something in him and he sighed, heavily and then stopped his gathering of his things. He leaned his hands upon the counter and looked at the woman for a brief moment. He really didn't do empathy or grief well..

"Hey, don't worry..." He said in a somewhat nervous, yet oddly unreassuringly reassuring voice, "It's uh, not that bad right? At least... ya know, he'll be back.. He just, uh, loves ya... that's all. Yeah." Yeah, that made sense. Siblings loved each other right?

A forced smile flashed across her face as she shook her head.

"You don't have to stay to try to make me feel better, I sure Luna is already back in the tavern ready for a second round if any lingering effects from before he showed up are present," She spoke,  before finishing off the last of the potato alcohol.

She turned her back to him before pulling up her top slightly, revealing the end of a rather nasty scar that went up her back. Lilly then went to her forge, throwing in some dragon rocks to start getting it up to temperature so she could start on the spear.

"I want to stay.." Cauwyn lied with a forced smile of his own. When she mentioned the tavern and Luna though, the forced smile turned it's self into a much more genuine smirk, "After what I know, an' where my lips 'ave been this night I don't think a bar wench like that is really the company I would want, yeah?"

His eyes flickered to the large scar and his brows drew down. He knew a thing or two about scars, and that one looked like it had been painful, "How did ya get that? The scar there, on your back.."

Lilly shrugged to his question, she didn't know how to respond though she did know that in a way it was a compliment. She took a deep breath as he asked about the scar on her back, she had all but forgotten about it being there.

"From a lashing," She said softly. It was during one of the few wars that had made it to the village. The memory out it made her take a deep breath, she could remember the pain with almost perfect accuracy but she did not regret the scar.

"A lashing?" Cauwyn frowned at the idea, but was curious as well. He leaned his weight forward on the counter, resting on his elbows, "An' for what did ya receive a lashing, girly?" His lips turned into a wry grin, "I don't suppose you hit someone with that hammer of yours.."

"What did I tell you about calling me girly?" She asked casting him a quick look. "My brother is a dragon rider and well, during a dispute between some lords they were looking for him," She took a deep breath.

"I wouldn't tell them what they thought I knew so, well, they tried to whip it out of me," she said looking down. She had helped to protect her brother, she wore the proof on her flesh, yet he still thought she deserved to be treated like a child.

"Sorry..." Cauwyn held up a quick hand, "Lilly.."

When she mentioned her story though Cauwyn's frown turned into a grin. He respected her strength, it took a lot to withstand the whip. He'd used it before to get information, and even had it used against him. And that she had done so for her brother? That took courage few people had in them.

"Sounds like yer brother owes ya a lot.." He mentioned it idly, though he was starting to see why they might argue so much, "Maybe ya should remind 'im of that next time goes tellin' ya who ya can and can't fuck.."

Lilly shook her head, before turning to look at Cauwyn, she then walked to the counter slowly.

"I doubt it would do any good," She said hopping up to sit on the counter. "My parents died when I was two, so he has been my brother and my parents. He does it because he thinks he is protecting me. He has noble intentions," She tried to explain to him while running her fingers through her hair.

Lilly started re-braid her curly hair with skilled hands. She didn't know what to say now. She had already been so close to the man that she could all but make a sculpture of his front half but yet she knew so little about him.

"That may be so," He countered with a rather wry grin, "but I was man once told me that just 'cause you make a road with good intentions, don't mead it won't lead ya to gettin' fucked over.." He considered the proverb for a second, wondering if that was how it went or not. In his own mind he shrugged it off, "Or somethin' like that.. Point is, just 'cause he thinks he's lookin' out for ya don't mean he is.. Ya should pro'lly tell him that.."

"I have told him," She said with a sigh as she finished the first braid. "He won't listen, he thinks he knows best," She said starting on the second braid. There was no reason to have her hair out of there braid now, so she quickly finished.

As she started at her kiln her mind returned to what happened before her brother interrupted them, his lips on her neck. She could recall the sensation on her neck, causing another chill to run up her spine.

Lilly slid off the counter walking to the kiln, using an air pump to start getting the kiln hotter. "You don't have to stay behind the counter."

"Hmm, really?" Cauwyn saw a chance to maybe rekindle something, though he was understandably a bit weary. Not just because of her brothers interruption, but because of what it could do to the girl. He liked Lilly, but as he sauntered around the counter and came up behind her, he knew he didn't like her enough to stay after. He would bed the girl, but a family he would not make and for the first time in a long time, he considered what that might mean to her even as he wrapped his hands around her waist, pulling her back against him. It was a hard decision to make.. "I wouldn't want t' interrupt ya though, or get in yer way.."

"Well it will be a little while before I actually start to work, it takes the kiln a while before it gets hot enough," She said letting herself be pulled back against the man. She turned in his arms to face him, looking up at him.

At least if he was here she would be able to distract herself from everything. She wouldn't have to think about what her brother said, or what he thought, or even what she had said to her brother. Nor would she have to think or worry about her brother and where he was and what might happen to him.

"Oh I think we can get it plenty hot enough, lass.." Cauwyn said with a wolfish grin as he turned her in his arms to pin her against a workbench and away from the hot fire. He leaned his head in again, nuzzling at the side of her neck before he continued where he had been so rudely interrupted. Teeth and tongue and lips scraped gently over the soft flesh of her neck, working their way up this time to her ear, but even as he began to suckle upon the tender flesh of her earlobe, his thoughts got the better of him and grudgingly Cauwyn pulled his head back to look down at the girl.

"Lilly..." He said, unsure of exactly how to word what he would say. He'd never said it before, in fact most of the women he'd been with knew things wouldn't usually go past one night or two. Those that thought it would? Well, they were usually left with a broken heart the next morning, but he didn't want that for Lilly. She was a good kid, he liked her and even respected her too much for that, "You know... this? Us? It's uh...heh, hmm.. It's not really..."

"I know you're the leaving type," She said simply, "I have no illusion that if I let this get to that point that you will be there in the morning," She continued. She was a logical person and she knew his type, she wasn't planning on letting him bed her honestly. She had too much of a soft heart for the disappointment that that would lead to.

Lilly reached up and wrapped her arms around his neck, her fingers playing with his hair gently. She wasn't looking for a prince charming to sweep her off her feet and get married.

Lilly moved her lips to Cauwyn's neck and started to mimic what he had been doing to her.

He gave her a small, apologetic grin as she spilled what he had been thinking. It still hurt a little, to know that was what he was doing to her. Maybe it was selfish to think that way, but he couldn't help it. It was the truth of the matter. When her lips moved to his neck though, those thoughts began to drift away..

"Hmmm.." Cauwyn let out a small groan of pleasure, his head tilting back to give her all the room she needed. His hands tightened around her waist and he pulled the girl closer still, pushing himself against her. She might not have had thoughts of letting it go that far, but it was clear that to Cauwyn that was exactly what he was thinking.

Lilly nipped his shoulder a bit rougher then he had nipped her. Her heart began to race again, any negative thoughts nearly instantaneously left her. She was letting herself get lost in this and she found that she was liking it. Maybe Cauwyn was correct after all.

Lilly stood on her tip toes so she could more easily kiss back up his neck, finally pulling away to look up at him. She had cleared his mind as well as her own.   

Cauwyn was most certainly lost in the moment, though not as lost as he could have been. It took some measure of mental control on his part to control himself, the urges that the girls mouth were giving him. He didn't think he could forgive himself if he lost control with this girl, let his hands and mouth do as they pleased the girl be damned. That wasn't him anymore and he wouldn't let that mind frame return.

And then her lips left him and a small displeased grunt released him. Cauwyn turned his head down to look at the girl, gently brushing back red hair that had escaped her braid away from useless eyes. He smiled softly, sadly, still pressed against her. It was taking more will than he thought to not simply take her on the table where they stood.

Lilly leaned against his touch as he brushed the hair away, his touch warm and gentle despite his rough hands. She could feel the tension in his body, she could tell he was holding himself back. Was she that much of a temptation for him? She greatly enjoyed what he had been doing to her, but it relaxed her more than anything.

Lilly used one of her hands to brush over his chest, she could feel his heart racing. A small smirk crossed her face. "A little tense?" She asked softly as her other hand began to play with the hair at the nape of Cauwyn's neck.

He stared down at her for a while, his hand lightly cupping her cheek. It wasn't easy to explain. Or, more to the point, it was very easy to explain but a bit hard to hear. Especially when he would hear himself tell it. So instead, he savored the moment for as long as he could, enjoying the feeling of her hand upon his chest and the shivers sent down his spine as she brushed those little hairs on the back of his neck.

"Lilly," He started, clearing his throat a bit before continuing, "I'm not what ya might think of as a good person. An' yes, ya make me a bit tense.." He inhaled sharply, enjoying her scent. His hand traveled down from her face and over her body until it joined the other at her waist, "I can tell ya think of this as a game, an' maybe it is..." He nodded to Axel with a jerk of his head, "but it's a dangerous one t' be playin'. If we'd played less than a season ago, it wouldn't of turned out well for ya.."

Lilly leaned into his touch as he cupped her face closing her eyes for a moment. "If I think of this as anything other than a game I would be too tempted to get attached to you. I can't let myself get attached to you for known reasons," Lilly explained looking down. She took a deep breath slowly feeling the pull in her chest once her lungs had completely filled with air.

"But if this is your way of saying you would like to stop now, I understand," She added looking back towards his face. Lilly slid her hand from the back of his neck to his face, her thumb gently rubbing over his cheek. "I know your type, how you are, how you act when you don't get what you want, I deal with your kind on a regular basis, I am a blacksmith after all. You're on a guilt trip right now, I can hear it in your voice, you're trying to be different, that is why you are warning me now, in case you lose your resolve."

"Ahh, I'm not sayin' we should stop.." Cauwyn's brooding moment seemed to have passed as his wolfish smile returned. Again his hand trailed her body, though this time it came to stop on her chin which he took between his thumb and forefinger, "I'm just sayin' I'd like t' know how far ya wanna go.."

He gave a small nod at her assessment of him, it was quite right and he was pleased she at least saw that. It made it much easier now that he didn't have to explain it, "And yer right, I'm used t' gettin' what I want. An' I ain't lookin' t' settle down.. But, 's far as I'm concerned, we could still have a lotta fun.."

"I don't know how far I want to go," She stated softly with a sheepish grin and a slight blush. She hadn't made up her mind, didn't know if the amount of pleasure he could give her would be worth the possible regret she would have afterwards.

"Why do you have so much guilt?" She asked raising her eyebrow. He wasn't overwhelming her brain with pleasure so she was growing curious. What was his past that he would warn her about himself. Could he be that dangerous? Or maybe he was underestimating her, she wasn't your typical girl and he was in her domain.

Cauwyn brushed off the question with a wave of his hand. As far as he was concerned, it was in the past now and besides, he had what information he wanted. She didn't know how far she was willing to go, well then, he would just have to help her decide. Kindly, he reminded himself. Kindly help her decide, "We're all guilty of stuff we wish we hadn't done. I'm no different s'all.."

And with that out of the way Cauwyn was sure there was only one way to shut the girl up. He closed his mouth down over hers. The kiss was hard and desperate with passion and promise. His hand wound it's self up into her hair taking a hold of one of her braids.

Lilly let her arms wrap back around Cauwyn's neck, pressing her body closer to his. Her mind was slowly slipping further and further away as she got lost in the kiss. Her lips melding with his, growing nearly just as desperate.

Finally she pulled away to breath. "Maybe we should go inside the house," She suggested, she didn't want to put up a big show for the whole village.

"I don't know.." Cauwyn said with a grin as she pulled away, casting a daring look out toward the village, "Seem's like they could do with some entertainment.." His grin remained as his attention returned to her. He released her hair but not her waist, his hand instead slipping down to settle nicely on her very lovely rump as he turned to give her space to move to the door. It would, afterall, be better to go into the house.

Lilly laughed before leading the way into the house. Through the door, up some stairs and then there they were. It was a simple room, but a nice room none the less. A rugged but well build bed dominated the room standing against the furthest wall. A large wardrobe stood against the wall to the left and a chest was at the foot of the bed. A small table was against the wall to the right.

Once in the room Lilly turned to face Cauwyn with a smile on her face.

Cauwyn whistled appreciatively as he followed the girl into her room. It was big, bigger than he thought it would be at least. Maybe not as big as a few inn rooms he had stayed in, but certainly much larger than the tent he was used to calling home. He looked down at the girl with a wide smile, "This is a nice place. An' it's your room? All on yer own?" His grin turned a bit wolfish then as he glanced between the bed and then her, "The bed looks nice.."

And with that he wrapped his arms around her again, pulling the girl close and pressing his lips to hers. The kiss was as before, though for not as long. His mouth traveled hungrily then from hers to her ear and then down to her neck.

Lilly smiled, her head leaning back as his lips traveled down his neck. She was starting to really like this, her mind lost in the barrage of messages her nerve endings were sending. She couldn't think of a coherent sentence if she wanted to. Her mind was scattered, she thought about thanking him for commenting on her bed or even stating how good he was at this, but when she tried to form the thoughts and the words, it simply didn't work.

Lilly slid her fingers into Cauwyns hair rather roughly. She didn't care if it hurt him at all, the thought didn't even grace her mind, she just didn't want him mouth to leave that area, she was enjoying it too much.

OOC: **Caution, TV-MA ahead!**

IC:

When her fingers seized into his hair cawing knew he had found his spot. His lips and tongue worked in unison as he nipped and dragged his teeth across the sensitive skin. His hands, holding her hips, had begun to move now. Again one hand found it's way to her hair and the loose braid. He took hold of it somewhat roughly, ensuring that his access to the soft flesh of her neck wouldn't be taken from him.

His other hand moved down to her rear once more. Gripping it firmly he used it to pull her against him. She was already close, but he wanted her closer as his hips began a slow, gentle grinding motion against her.

A fear rose up in the pit of Lilly's stomach, making this conflicting. Her body loved it, craved it, almost needed it in a way. Her heart though, it was warning her, nearly screaming for her to stop. She was past thought at this point, only feeling and instinct.

One of her hands ran down Cauwyn's back, her nails dragging against his shirt. Her heart was racing, hormones pumping through her veins in a way that she had never experienced before. Her hands were clutching at him, she didn't want him to stop, she would be completely satisfied with this. She wondered if this is what he felt when she was kissing his neck.

There was no longer in conflict in Cauwyns thoughts at least. The feel of her body against him, the smell of her hair and skin, had all done a number on his mind. It was,  like most guys in this situation, running on autopilot. Now there was a new leader and it didn't care much for things like guilt or consciences, no there was only one thing it needed and it was right there against him.

His hands were freed to roam and roam they did. Dipping and diving into every nook and cranny, always craving more. Together they undressed each other breaking kisses only when they absolutely needed too. And while it may not have started on the bed, their sweet night certainly ended there.


_____


Two days later, Cauwyn had every intention of being true to his word. He sat on a long pine bench with his back to the wall in the local tavern, his booted feet kicked up on the table and a content smile on his face. One hand held a tall flagon half empty of ale (his third one) and the other a piece of bread he had dunked into the rather thin vegetal soup that sat cooling on the table. Life was good for Cauwyn it seemed, and he almost regretted leaving the little village, but he knew he would not find his life here. Even if he was still unsure what that would be..

Devin busted in the tavern door, desperation and anger on his face. The moment Devin spotted Cauwyn, all his muscles seemed to tense, his jaw clenched tight. He marched over to Cauwyn grabbing the man by the front of his shirt and jerking him up with surprising strength.

"Where in the hell is my sister," He started, his body shaking with rage.

"Bah! Shit!" Cauwyn hadn't been paying much attention to anything aside from the barmaids ass when Devin stormed in. When the young kid hauled him to his feet Cauwyn was taken completely by surprise. His ale fell to the floor along with his biscut and the soup teetered near the brink of falling as well.

The surprise didn't last long however and though his sword and axe were still on the floor with his armor and shield, Cauwyn wrapped a strong hand around the boys wrists, narrowing his eyes even as he was forced to look down into Devin's. His words a growl, "How in the nine hells should I know, boy? I'm supposed t' be pickin' up my spear from her at mid-day!"

"Well she isn't there, she isn't anywhere, I've already been all over the village, no one has seen her," Devin growled back. He let his hand drop, releasing Cauwyn, he turned his back to Cauwyn before taking a few steps and turning back to Cauwyn.

Hints of tears in Devin's eyes now as he looked at the man. He lifted his hand to his forehead. He was panicked. He didn't know where his sister was. He was sorry and had come back to apologize to find the house and her forge a complete wreck. Something that wasn't a normal thing for her.

"Please, just help me find her, did you two leave everything messed up? That's how I found the place. Something has to happen to her... Please.. Help me," He said, the desperation in his voice clear.

Cauwyn growled even as the kid released him. He smoothed out the neck of his shirt as he glared at the boy, listening to his tale. Slowly it started to sink in and the glare faded. The kid was scared for his sister and he couldn't blame him.

"Now, a'right just hold on.." Cauwyn raised a cautioning hand, even as he bent to gather his things, "Maybe she just went for a walk or somethin'?"

When he asked about the state the place was left in Cauwyn froze with a 'hand in the cookie jar' type of look. He glanced around quickly and then, back to Lillys brother with as much of an innocent, casual look he could muster.. "Uh, no... I don't think we, uh, messed the place up too bad.."

Devin walked to the tavern wall, punching it dark, "Not again Lilly, not again,' He began to whisper, tears rising, nearly falling down his face. He had heard the rumors but didn't head to them, he couldn't take his sister being tortured again, no, not again.

"They.. They must have her," He spoke to Cauwyn as he began to pace. He didn't care how many of the people in the tavern were staring at him. He knew they wouldn't say anything, at least to his face.

"You've got to help me Cauwyn, none of the other son of a bitches in this town are spineless cowards. I mean, they watched an eight year old girl get whipped and tortured in the middle of the town and didn't say a word. Now that she has been taken, they wont do anything either," Devin spoke, his voice breaking.

"They? Who's they kid?" Cauwyn's things in hand he walked over to Devin with a frown. What was this kid talking about and who had a grudge like this against his family? When he started talking about the town though, Cauwyn had to agree. Lilly had spoken about her time being tortured, albeit briefly, so he had to agree with the boy there.

"Yeah kid, I'll help ya. I promise I will. First though, take me back t' yer home an' I'll see if I can find a trail.." He started immediately for the door, jostling his equipment into place, "An I'm gonna need t' change.."

"You can change in her room, you know where it is," Devin spoke in a solemn whisper as they left the tavern. Almost as if he was already mourning her loss. He could feel in his bone that if they didn't find her quick she would die. They wouldn't have any mercy on her.

"Yes they," Devin continued as they walked in the streets. "Several years ago during a dispute between the lord of this village and one to the north a group of soldiers from the northern lord were sent here to end it. One of the soldiers was the lord's son. When they lost the Lord disowned his son and exiled the rest in shame. They hold the fault on my head, and they know she is my weakness. I-I shouldn't have left," He spoke, his voice weak towards the end of his speech.

As Devin rounded the corner into Lilly's blacksmith shop he heard a low purr. He instantly reconized it, and he knew Axel was hurt. Under a pile of ruble was the large cat, a rather gruesome looking spear wound to its side.

"Not you too," He whispered softly. "Go Change," He spoke to Cauwyn before sprinting to go get the healer. Lilly and Axel had a connection much like he and his dragon had. Axel couldn't live in Lilly died, but she could live with out Axel though she would feel the creatures death. A feeling he had heard other dragon riders describe, something he didn't want his sister to have to feel. Plus, if they knew Axel was alive, that meant that Lilly was alive as well.

By the time cauwyn had returned from changing the healer was wtih Axel, clearly working magic to heal the large beast. Devin had his outer armor strapped into place and his face set with determination. A large roar could be heard. Devin's dragon could tell they were headed off to battle.

"How do you feel about riding a dragon?" Devin quickly asked Cauwyn.

Cauwyn rushed along with Devin as he listened to the boys tail. He was still a bit confused at some parts, but he understood the gist of the story. It was a common tactic and one the Crows hadn't been above stooping to. Never for something so petty as revenge, at least not their own revenge, but usually for some kind of ransom. People paid well for children.

As soon as they got to the shop he noticed the dire situation. It looked ransacked and Lillys large cat was injured too. The fact she was bonded to it both intrigued him and concerned him, sounded like magic to him, but he said nothing. Instead he darted strait up to Lillys room to change.

A few minutes later Cauwyn came back down in his full battle gear. A quilted suede jerkin and pants covered with hardened plates of molden black leather cinched down tight with a variety of straps and buckles. The black leather was clean and freshly oiled, but obviously worn from strenuous use. His bastard sword hung at his left hip with the help of his baldric and at his right hip was a bearded axe. There were two daggers tucked into sheaths on his belt, one on the front and one on his back, and his newly repaired shield was cinched down tight to his left arm.

Cauwyn shot a glance at the healer, another mage he noted, watching him work briefly until Devin approached. The mans question though certainly got a surprised response from the veteran as he blinked at the kid, but then he responded with a somewhat cautious look, "Can't say I've ever tried it before..."

"Well, I hope you're ready to try," Devin said before running his hand through his dark red hair. He could only pray they made it in time. Devin motioned for Cauwyn to follow him as he walked behind the house and forge.

"The other reason they hate me so much is because the Lord's son was a dragon rider as well, and in battle I killed his dragon," Devin said looking down, he wasn't proud of the fact. "I didn't want to, but he pushed until I had no choice."

The dragon bowed down as they approached, Devin climbed up with practiced ease and then quickly offered Cauwyn a hand up.

"That fucks with the rider, don't it? Killin' their dragon?" Cauwyn asked rather casually. He'd killed a dragon before, well him and about four others together though he usually left that part of the story out, and he had seen the pain it had caused the rider. It had been enough for them to get the advantage though and bring the man down. It had also been a turning point in the battle, when a dragon rider went down people tended to panic.

He took the boys hand, he wasn't above accepting help, and clambered up onto the back of the dragon. He settled in behind Devin, wiggling until he found a somewhat comfortable position. Cauwyn wasn't all that big a fan of riding horses, he didn't imagine he would be much more a fan of riding a dragon, "'ey, kid! How 'n the nine hells do ya keep from fallin' off this thing while it's flyin'?"

"Yes, it does. It is said to feel like you yourself are dying, and you are never whole again," Devin spoke as he patted the dragon with a smile. The dragon spread its wings and jumped up taking into the air quickly.

Devin laughed at Cauwyn's question. "Hold on for ya life," He answered as he laughed. The dragon flapping its wings getting them higher and higher until the village was now rather small. He looked over his shoulder, smirking at the man's face.

"The more you just relax and let your body flow with the dragon's movements the easier it is to hang on and the more enjoyable the ride will be!"

Cauwyn didn't much care for his instruction, he had hoped there would have been more too it. Some trick or secret, but it seemed he had been naturally born into dragon riding without one because Cauwyn did indeed hang on for dear life! As the beast got higher and higher in the air, and the village smaller and smaller below, Cauwyn suddenly felt a bit nauseous and forced his eyes shut, clenching his teeth.

Perhaps on the back of a dragon wasn't the best place to discover your fear of heights.

He grunted his answers to Devin mostly, still clinging on for dear life as he repeated back rather mildly, "Right. Relax enjoyable, got it! Just, uh how far are we goin'? And what exactly are we lookin' for up here?"

Devin smiled, "You're doing a half decent for your first time on a dragon, most people have hurled by now," He said closing his eye for the moment. Relaxing letting the air help relax him, helping clear his mind.

"This is the only way we will be able to find them, and we will be relying on Lilth's eye sight. He'll be able to spot them before we ever would, so just relax, he won't do any crazy maneuvers."

"I can see why!" Cauwyn exclaimed into the rushing wind. He wanted to hurl himself and could feel his stomach churning over and over. He tried breathing slowly, focusing on the rushing wind, the feel of the animal beneath him. It was, in its own right, exhilarating. Though every time he opened his eyes to take a peek he immediately closed them again.

"So, Lilth? That's the dragons name I take it?" He tried for small talk, something to distract him from the flight, "Do you, uh, pick the name or do they have their own?"

The dragon was making lazy circles high in the sky, looking over everything, inspecting every detail below them. Devin could feel the dragon's focus nearly as if it were his own. Devin could almost even see what the dragon was seeing.

"Lilth was the closet name in common to his dragon name, so that's what I call him when I'm speaking common. Not very many people can speak dragon, and most wouldn't be able to pronounce his name. So it's basically so no one offends him trying to pronounce his name."

"Ah," Cauwyn said with mild interest. He had never really considered that dragons had their own language. He supposed it made sense, they were suppose to be smart and all, "guess that makes sense. I ain't to fond of people fuckin' up my name, an I can't breathe fire or shred shields with my hands.."

After a few moment Cauwyn had finally decided to open his eyes. He looked down from the dragons back and immediately regretted it. Damn they were high! He had a sudden, sickening feeling that if men were meant t' fly they'd have wings..

"Yeah, Lilth takes it rather personal," Devin spoke with a chuckle as Lilth let out a small click as if agreeing with Devin. Devin looked back over his shoulder at Cauwyn and shook his head.

"Just relax, trust Lilth, he wont let you die, he knows you are here to help me get Lilly back. He's pretty fond of her, most animals are," Devin spoke as he felt Lilth change directions slightly, shifting as if he saw something.

As they circled the ground Cauwyn began to settle some in their flight. He was still far from comfortable in being so high up, but he was able to suppress his fear at least until it was little more than a tight knot in the base of his stomach. He focused on keeping his breathing even and the task at hand.

"Can you see anything from up here?" Cauwyn called to Devin. He had both seen dragon riders in battle and even had battled one, so he knew that they could hunt their prey high from the sky. How they managed it however he didn't understand. Everything looked so much smaller from so high up, "Cause I can't see shit!"

"I can't see anything either, none really can, though some elvin dragon riders are the exception to that rule. It's the dragon who can see, but with our strong connection we can see what they see in a way. It's something rather hard to describe, it's something you can't completely understand unless you have experienced it yourself. Lilly and Axel have a connection much similar to me and Lilth, where she can communicate and see images through Axel's eyes. She is a lot better at explaining things though," Devin spoke quickly as they seemed to hover in the air.

It was clear now that the dragon and Devin were checking out a certain spot. Devin's body became tense with focus. He prayed his sister was okay and that they hadn't done anything too terrible.

Cauwyn nodded along as Devin explained, not really understanding but at least understanding that he couldn't understand. He didn't really know what to say, so far up on the back of a dragon Cauwyn was pretty much out of his element. He wasn't even good fighting from horseback, let alone a dragon. He honed in on the one thing he somewhat understood out of it all, making a rude nose before speaking with a sneer, "Yeah, well, it don't surprise me the bit about the fuckin' knife-ears.. Eyes like fuckin' hawks the lot of 'em.."

When he noticed they were circling a spot Cauwyn strained to see, though it was of little help, "Why are we circling? Did he find somethin'?"

"Whoah," Devin said looking over his shoulder, "Some of the best soldiers I have ever met were elves. Just because you have clearly had a bad experience or something doesn't mean you should be like that," He said before turning back around and closing his own eyes.

"Yes he sees something, he sees Lilly," Devin's voice broke as the image settled into his mind. He took a deep breath as if taking a hold of himself. A deep breath to calm his anger and ease his fears. Still his heart pumped hard in his chest

"Meet a lot of soldiers, have ya boy?" Cauwyn asked back with a slight sneer, mostly defensive about the boy calling him on his comment. It wasn't the right call though, and that's what upset Cauwyn the most. He gave a little snort, but rained in the venom in his voice, "An' you're right, they make great soldiers, great archers an' great assassins.. An' that's why, boy, if you're smart you'll learn t' be weary of the knife-ears.."

He let the dark thoughts and previous memories fade away when he heard Devin mention Lilly. Cauwyn finally took one hand off of the dragon so that it could come across to grin the handle of his sword. His lips pulled back into a feral, almost snarling grin at the idea of coming down on the enemy from the sky. It was a new experience for him, "He found her? Excellent! Let's get down there an' make some fuckin' introductions.."

Devin ignored Cauwyn's comments about elves. He had been around many elves and was rather good friends with an elf dragon rider. He knew that she was an outstanding warrior, but he had never met one that he didn't that he would be able to beat in a fight. That was a big thing about fighting, if you ever over estimated an opponent you would hesitate and end up dead. Something that Devin didn't want to end up happening to him. Or his sister.

"Shut up. She is too exposed so this is clearly a trap, we all would be dead as soon as we landed," Devin warned. He was starting to doubt why he brought the man that sat behind him. This would be a game of tactics and wits, not just skill with a blade.

"We'll have to land somewhere else and do a night attack, if not they will be expecting us. When we decide to attack I'll have Lilth rain down some fire for good measure."

"Hey, don't fucking snap at me kid!" Cauwyn growled back at Devin, "I don't know what th' fuck ya think your doin', how many those assholes are down there, or if'n we still have the fuckin' advantage! So, either spit out what you an' your dragon fuckin' see, or don't expect shit outta me, got it!?" Cauwyn was fuming with anger. He could feel it burning hot in him as he took another look over the side of the dragon at the small blotches of things below. Who the hell did this kid think he was? Cauwyn had been killing and fighting since a child, that some spoiled dragon rider who was pissed at him for sleeping with his sister would question him was infuriating.

"You wanna do a night-fight, fine." His voice was still heated, though less of a growl now, "Set us down so we can start scoutin' an' we'll get this shit over with.."

"What I see is a trap. The only thing in the opening is my sister, she is in a cage, and it appears the only thing that is covering her form is a dirty blanket," Devin said his voice almost a whisper, the rage clear in his voice.

"That is what I see, they probably have a trap sitting right where we would of landed, that is what I see," Devin continued his body literally shaking with rage.' He could push the son of a bitch off, kill him, yet he still runs his mouth,' Devin thought, the dragon taking a sharp turn to the right to land away from the camp so they could do the night fight.

As soon as the dragon landed Cauwyn practically threw himself to the ground. He stomped a few feet away taking time to breathe and calm himself before he did something stupid. Despite what most people thought, a calm head was key when dealing with mercenaries. Most of them would blow up in a second and killing a man would put you down in numbers, so Cauwyn had learned early from Aldarius that it was best to finish with words than steel. Not that you should ever show weakness, but that something like mercy was the greatest form of power you could wield. Not taking a life when you could.

"Look, kid, we need t' get some things strait.." Cauwyn started in a reasonably calm voice as he turned on his heel and started back toward him, "One, if you value your tongue then you'll learn t' control it better. Two, if'n you're so sure it's a trap 'cause they were expectin' you an' your dragon, then what in th' hells are the chances they're gonna track that things landin' to here? You know these people, yeah? How bad you think they're gonna want ya?"

Devin had his head against a tree, taking slow deep  breaths. He was trying to get the image of his sister and the possible things that she had endured out of his head. The thoughts enraged him, made his blood boil.

'It's not just me that they want, they want to kill Lilth, they want to torture Lilly then they want to kill me," Devin started to explain. He took a deep breath before turning to Cauwyn. "They aren't going to try to track us because then they won't get Lilth, they know that. They also know that as long as they have my sister I will be trying to get her back," He said looking down, his voice a mixture of rage and near defeat. Of course his sister would be the one that would do the deed with someone who wouldn't give a shit about her later. Who would be more concerned about a few words then saving an innocent girl.

Cauwyn listened intently, staring at the man in what looked like his darkest hour. Everything Devin said, Cauwyn absorbed and began putting to use. He had seen a bit of the terrain on the flight over and he looked around a bit, though he still listened to the pained words of Lillys brother. Once he was done talking Cauwyn looked back to him.

"Alright," He said with an almost cheerful grin, smacking Devin on the shoulder with his hand, "now we're talkin'. I'm startin' to get a feel for these cocks, an' what they want. How much danger is Lilly in right now? If'n we stay here an' wait for nightfall I mean? I get they want yer dragon and they want you, but what 'bout Lilly?"

His smile faded away as his face became a hardened mask of hard edges and intense eyes, "I know what people like that would do with a pretty girl like her.. I don't plan on lettin' that happen if'n we can stop it. Now, fightin' them at night is the best plan for us, an' I ain't tryin' to get killed rescuin' someone 'cause that ain't me, but I don't plan on lettin' that girl suffer none either.."

"They have already tortured her and used her as they wished to just for the hell of it, they would save the rest for when they got their hands on me," He revealed, his voice rough with rage and pain. He knew he would have to calm down before going into battle or he would let emotion cloud his instincts.

"She didn't look good Cauwyn, from what I had seen she had been beaten pretty bad, she looked like she had been tortured that bastards probably used magic to torture her, to dehydrate her. Plus it looked like all she had was a blanket to cover herself," He spoke, quickly cutting himself off, not even wanting to continue with what that last part probably meant that they had done to his sister.

Cauwyn ground his teeth as he listened. He started pacing, like a cornered wolf, and his hand fell to his sword tightening around the leather wrapped handle. He had to force himself to even out his breathing, trying to concentrate on what they could do now. His attention flicked briefly to their surroundings again before he spoke to Devin.

"How many are there an' did ya see where they were? We need t' get Lilly outta there, an' the best way is t' start now. Start bleedin' them a little.." Cauwyn stopped his pacing, his eyes had become cold hard daggers, "Start pickin' them off an' given them a bit to fear.."

"There has to be at least fifteen and no more than twenty five," Devin spoke, leaning heavily against a tree. His body seemed to relax. He was releasing the anger, he had too. He would get it out of his system when he was killing the guys.

"If you want to start picking them off we should get going," Devin said walking back to Lilth. He grabbed a bow and arrow out of a pouch that was wrapped around the large lizard. He then pulled out quiver full of arrows, he was ready to start killing, he was ready to get his sister home.

"Good." Cauwyn said with some finality in his voice. He didn't flinch at the numbers that had been mentioned, only started to work at the strap for his shield as Devin went to fetch his bow. Cauwyn pulled the shield from his back and his pack with it, setting both down against a rock near a bush. Then he reached behind his back and pulled out a long dagger with one hand and took the ax from his belt with his off-hand. His sword was to big to use in an operation like this.

"Alright, stay low an' quiet." He started to turn toward the direction they needed to go, but stopped then looking back over at Devin and then his dragon. He looked back to the man, "Is that," He corrected himself, "is he going t' be staying here? We don't want t' give away our hand. 'course, if they know he's here already an' if you guys talk in your mind, maybe he could hit to the sky an' keep a lookout for us, yeah?"

Devin turned to Lilth, closing his eyes. He took a deep breath, deepening his connection for the time being. Devin turned back to Cauwyn, his eyes looking almost like Lilth's. Lilth leapt into the air, taking to the skies. "Okay, if he spots anything I'll be the first to know," Devin spoke as he walked along side Cauwyn.

"Lets go kill these bastards once and for all," He spoke softly.

With a firm nod Cauwyn took off at a light jog. He moved smoothly over rocks and through the underbrush, not so much graceful as simply well practiced. Every so often he would stop and look at the position of the sun and then search the ground for prints. This went on for a while until he heard the soft rumbling of laughter in the distance. Cauwyn stopped, holding up a hand for Devin to do the same, and then started a slow crouched walk forward.

Two men were leaning against a tree swapping stories with a third man who stood in front of them. They were passing around a wineskin and each boasting about everything from their prowess in battle to prowess with the ladies. Cauwyns lip curled up into a sneer and he looked over at Devin, signaling with a jut of his head that he should go right to get around behind them.

Though Devin was a few years younger than Cauwyn, it seemed that he too was rather well practiced and probably would have had a good mercenary if he hadn't become a dragon rider. His footsteps were almost completely silent. He looked at the men, they were vaguely familiar from battles past.

Devin nodded at Cauwyns signals, moving the the right silently, pulling an arrow, ready to notch it. The elf he had befriended was the one that had taught him archery, and he quickly found out that he had an uncanny natural ability for it.

Devin looked towards Cauwyn, letting him direct the assault. He didn't do this just because Cauwyn was older and possibly more experience, but because he knew he was too emotionally distraught to lead the assault.

Once Devin was in position Cauwyn gave him a quick nod. Then, schooling the hard lines of his face back into an easy smile Cauwyn put both the weapons behind his back and sauntered into the little clearing as if he didn't have a care in the world.

"'ello gents!" Cauwyn said with a wide smirk as the three men, all taken off guard, turned to face him. They all placed their hands on their weapons, but it didn't even slow Cauwyns waddling strut toward them, "How goes the day? See ya have a wineskin there.. Suppose ya wouldn't mind letting' a fellow get a drink?"

"Fuck off!" Growled one man as he pulled out a rather squat broadsword. Cauwyn just continued to make his way closer.

"Oi, you 'eard 'im!" A second man shouted, this one tightening his hold on the sword handle peaking over the top of his shoulder, "an just who the 'ell do you think you are, commin' 'ere demandin' our wine? You know who the fuck we are, boyo?"

Both men stepped forward, closer to Cauwyn, leaving just the one man holding a spear and standing behind and in between the other two. Cauwyn stopped as they both came in range of him and he gave them a rather patronizing shrug and smile, "Sure don't fellas. How 'bout you enlighten me, yeah?"

Devin notched and arrow and drew back. At the slightest hint that Cauwyn was about to start fighting the men. He didn't know Cauwyn's fighting style so he didn't know how quickly he would be able to kill the men, but he knew he would be able to pick at least one of the men off.

Lilly felt like a caged animal. She laid on a raised wooden floor, which she figured was better than laying in dirt. She laid on her side, a blanket wrapped tightly around her hips waist and legs, and a part pulled up to cover up her front upper half, leaving her back exposed. Her back was littered with raw nasty looking marks lefts from a fresh lashing.

"Ah, you about to be enlightened, boyo!" Said the man with the sword behind his back, just before he drew the blade. He started to step forward, a deadly hunger in his eyes when the other man stopped him with the flat of his blade across his chest.

"How 'bout you show us your hands, fella." He said cautiously to Cauwyn, suddenly realizing for the first time Cauwyn's hands were behind his back.

"Ah, where m' manners? Not a pro'lem gents.." Cauwyn said with a two sweet smile and a small bow of his head. When he straitened, Cauwyn moved. The dagger and the ax both came into view only a split second before his body twisted at the waist. He swung the dagger across his body driving it up and deep into the throat and up into the skull of the man who had just drawn his sword. Just as the tip of the dagger broke the flesh of the mans neck to start it's journey Cauwyn stepped one foot over the other and let the thrust of the dagger carry his momentum as he swung his ax wide in the same instant, it burying its self into the face of the other man with a sickening thunk.

This of course left him exposed to the man who had been behind the two, but Cauwyn held onto both his weapons hoping Devin really did have his back. Maybe sleeping with the mans sister wasn't the best of ideas before such a daring raid, but then he probably wouldn't be in this mess if he hadn't..

Devin released the arrow and it hit its target with a sickening sound. The arrow was left sticking out of the man's neck as he fell to the ground. Devin walked to catch up with Cauwyn, another arrow notched and ready to be drawn.

"Nice," Devin spoke softly. He looked over their surroundings and was glad that it seemed no one noticed.

Lilly's head was pounding and the high pitched clink or metal hitting metal was making it worse. A man drug a dagger across the bars of her cage as he laughed darkly. "It's starting to look like your brother won't be coming, well won't that be a shame. He'll just have to miss all the fun we're going to have with you," The man spoke darkly.

Cauwyn pulled his weapons free of the two men with out a care in the world, blood dripping from both blades as he turned to Devin. A small, humorless grin drifted onto his face as he looked down at the arrow in the mans neck and reveled in the fact he was still alive. Cauwyn turned that same look on Devin.

"Nice shot," He chuckled softly, though there was no humor in it. He then looked up toward the direction they were heading and gave a small nod of his head. As they both started moving, it was only a matter of moments before they found the next group of three. Cauwyn paused, looking at Devin with a much more somber, stoic face.

"How fast can ya shoot that bow?" He looked out at the men who were cooking a small bird over a fire, " 'cause I figure, if you can take down two we can ask the third where his friends are an' what their plan is, yeah?"

"I can shoot all three before any one of them could make it a yard," Devin said reaching back and pulling out two more arrows. "I'll shoot the first two then maim the third," Devin spoke before taking a deep breath.

He notched the first arrow drawing back and letting it go, striking a man in the spine. He almost instantaneously had the second arrow notched and drew back before letting it go and hitting the second man in the chest. Just as before he notched the third arrow and after drawing it back let it go, watching it hit the thrid man in the thigh.

"Nice job, kid." Cauwyn hissed with a dangerous grin before he darted out from cover and to the little makeshift campsite. The man who had been screaming in pain began attempting to crawl towards his weapons when Cauwyn came running up. Of course, he wasn't given the chance as Cauwyn stomped his boot down on the mans outstretched hand with a sickeningly friendly smile.

"Hello mate, me an' you are gonna have a little talk.." He tucked away his ax as he crouched down and, without a single question asked sliced off the mans ear. The screaming grew louder as Cauwyn dangled it in front of him, "You keep screamin' like that, I take your balls. You stop yer bellyaching an' tell me what I know... well, you'll get t' keep more of yourself, yeah?"

"Please, please, I'll tell you anything!" The man screamed, his face pleading.

Devin just watched, he had been in war before and he had been hardened towards pleas and torture. Plus these men had done god knows what to his sister. So he saw it as only fair, they were getting what they deserved.

"Good.." cawing said in a calm, placating voice, "Good, that's what I like t' hear. Now, who's runnin' this piss-pour ambush an' where do I find 'em?" To help make his point, Cauwy placed his heavy soled boot down on the mans arm, pinning it to the ground. Still crouched low he took his dagger and placed the tip of it against the mans middle finger.

"Oh, an' if I think your lying t' me I start takin' off fingers an' shit.." He flashed broad smile that never held any humor, "Think of it this way though, ya get ten tries.."

"I, I don't know his name I swear, I didn't want to get that girl, I joined the group after all the mess over the dragon!" He spoke pleading. "I just call him captain, and take orders, he will be where the girl is, please.... Please Sir, don't take my fingers," He continued to plead, tears filling his pitiful eyes.

Devin leaned against a tree and watched with little to no interest in what was going on. For all he cared Cauwyn could chop all of the mans fingers off. Devin just wanted to get to his sister.

"Well," He said in that overly pleasant tone, "you've been real helpful. We 'preciate it, an' I'm sorry ya got mixed up in this mess.." Cauwyn gave him a small, sympathetic smile as he pulled his dagger away from the mans fingers. He then immediately buried it in the mans throat. He twisted the blade savagely a couple of times and stood, walking over to Devin at the tree.

"Seem's like your friends over by your sister.. Do we still wait it out for night? Maybe your friend," He tilted his head in a slight upward nod toward Lilth, "can keep an eye on Lilly? We wait, s'long as she's safe? An' if they move t' hurt her, well, we go in hard an' fast?"

Devin closed his eyes and took a deep breath. He could see his sister, and he could see him. Devin's blood ran cold. He would save this man for last, if you could call him a man. He started plotting the things he was going to do once his sister was safe. Devin also wondered how Lilly would take having Cauwyn there, he hoped that she didn't have a bad reaction.

"That sounds like a plan. We need to have a plan on who is going to take care of what. I would say you go for and protect Lilly and I get the bastard, but I don't know how Lilly will respond to you and she is in no condition to be getting upset. Still though, I want that bastard for myself."

"Nah, she's your sister bud.." Cauwyn shook his head as he made a face, "an' I don't think seein' me is gonna go well. Not at first, as least.." He paused for a moment, bring his hand to his chin as he thought. His calloused fingers, exposed by the fingerless leather gauntlets he wore, stroked against the stubble of his five o'clock shadow he was developing.

"How 'bout this? You go to Lilly, get her free yeah?" His hand slipped away as he turned back to Devin. He chanced a look from him, to the sky, and then back to him, "I'll stay back, kill who I can. Once ya got Lilly, you high-tail it toward that clearin' we came from with her usin' your dragon t' clear you a path while I watch yer back? Then, once we get t' the clearin' you load her up on your dragon an' send her home." His lips curled into a grim smile.

"An' we stay back t' kill anyone who comes after, yeah?"

"No, I don't want to send you home, too much of a chance that one of them could have stayed behind to finish her off if she returned. She is a fighter, they would have left one behind just in case she managed to escape, she is rather crafty," Devin spoke as he started to pace.

"Lilth could stay in the air away from the fighting, just, I don't know," He stated before turning on his heel. He didn't want Lily to get upset while she was this weak, but her reactions were rather unpredictable to things.

Lily could hear the man, his laugh was obnoxious, "Doesn't look like pretty boy is going to show up, I might just get to keep ya for a while," He spat out, continuing to run a dagger along the bars knowing it hurt her ears.

"Okay, okay.." Cauwyn frowned at the thought. If someone had been left behind, why hadn't they tried to attack either of them when they were back at their house. Of course, then, he considered the idea of attacking a blind girl versus two armed men and it made a bit more sense. He began to pace in a short line as he considered their options.

"Alright!" He stopped, spinning in mid stride to face Devin, "How 'bout this? Same plan, but instead of your dragon takin' the girl home, how 'bout he just takes back to the air? Circles 'round above us an' firin' down on some soddin' assholes as they approach?"

Devin looked at Cauwyn like he was stupid. He couldn't help his reaction, it just kind a happened. She took a deep breath, his nose flaring slightly as he let the air out with a great sigh.

"That is what I just said Cauwyn," He spoke, his voice rather edgy. He appreciated Cauwyn's help, but this wasn't his first time on the battlefield and he wasn't a boy. Cauwyn was only a few years older than himself. Cauwyn didn't have to talk to him like he was three nor did he have to repeat what he had just said. Devin was on edge, and his usual fun loving attitude disappeared.

Cauwyn blinked, a little surprised by Devin's attitude. He thought about what the man had said, then what he said and nodded, "Yeah, yeah I suppose it is isn't it? Sorry 'bout that.."

He sighed heavily, reaching up to rub at his head. Experienced though he may have been, his life having been spent on the battlefield well before his childhood ended, he was still just a young man. In many ways, Devin was better prepared than he was. Cauwyn had never had childhood. It made him a little less well adjusted than others. Especially when it came to paying attention to people about matters of war. He had the cocky bravado of youth and solid experience to back it up. Taking advice from someone else, no matter how good it may be, was hard for him.

"Well then, sounds like we got ourselves a plan.." He pointed in the direction of where they were keeping Lilly with his ax, "Shall we then?"

Devin shook his head, "There is not need for an apology," He spoke, his voice low. He looked tired, worry zapping him of his appearance of youth, at least until he could get his sister safe. He looked around, scanning the area before turning to look at Cauwyn.

"Thank you, for helping me. Though Lilly might not thank you right when we save her, she will later on. If she hadn't slept with you, I probably would have been on a near suicide mission," He spoke in a soft whisper, just in case something happened and he wouldn't be able to say it later.

His hands fidgeted, a nervous habit he had right before every battle. "Are we going now, or at night?" He asked just to be clear.

Cauwyn sighed heavily, giving a small shake of his head. He turned sad, somewhat haunted eyes on Devin as he spoke in somber tones, "Look, I uh... I know what happens when somethin' like this happens to a girl.. I've seen it. I don't expect her t' thank me, or even want t' see me. And ya should know, she may not wanna see you either, but... well.." Cauwyn just shrugged it off. There was nothing he could say that would make any of this better for anyone.

When Devin mentioned them having sex, Cauwyn gave a small shrug. He tried a half smile, but it was forced, "Well, at least her first time wasn't with them.." He shook his head with another heavy sigh.

"I say we just get closer, in case these jack-wagons try somethin'.. We'll be in a better position t' stop 'em.." He frowned at the thought. It was only a minor consolation that they could keep anything else from happening to her, but that they hadn't kept it from happening in the first place, "But I still say, if we can, we wait for the cover of night 'fore we strike.."