Ah, that was what she was asking.  Perhaps he was so accustomed to it he had forgotten how little experience most people had with demons.  Still, passing his guest a sidelong glance he admitted, "There's actually remarkably little 'distinct' about demons beyond their mere existance."  Much of the magic associated with demons was nearly indestinguishable from what mortals could achieve; "Even this," he said holding up his palm for Ally to examine, "Is remarkably similar to Thanati Primal magic."

"Why do you ask?"  An antagonistic smirk crept to his lips as he seemed to wonder.  "You looking to dabble in the 'forbidden arts' yourself?"

Updated and modified...

It was far from an unreasonable subject to broach.  Glancing at his black palm as though it were some vague curiousity, Samuel shrugged.  "It's not something easy to explain," he remarked.  "I sought strength and was willing to trade away my right arm for it."

He was not ashamed about it.  To much was made of many punishing themselves for simply being who they were.  "I guess, unlike you, I knew what I was getting into, so it's not something worth worrying over."  A half-smirk crept to his lip.  "I admit, it was a bit off putting at first, but you'd be surprised by what you can get used to."

Joshua was unsure what to say.  It was very much clear that the Colonel's words had been a blow to the girl but as much as he wished to comfort her, the smith had no idea how.  Hell, she might have prefered he remain silent...Haltingly, he offered, "I'll...I can come with you?  If you like?"  It sounded lame to him.

---

Elsewhere in the camp, Wolfram donned some of his armor; despite Alexis' orders, he could not let this go.  He had a chance to right an old wrong and was in no mood to pass up the chance.  He had even managed to coax a dozen Jagers to join his foolish crusade, offering a tidy sum to convince his comrade to provide aid.  "What mother did not know wouldn't hurt her," he had quiped.  He only hoped it were true.

Now, all he needed was for Tara to join him...

So, I've been flipping through some of the old Auxiliary pages - Namely:
OFFICIAL CONNLAOTH CIVIL WAR REFERENCE PAGE
Connlaothian Duchy Information Pages


Based on the "Current as of 2017" information, both Ardal and Vythe are ruled by retired users.

I only mentioned this in passing a while back but I've since fallen in love with the idea, given their (likely) contested nature and my group's proximity to the area, I was thinking Alexis and the AshGuards' first big play would be to take control of one of these Duchy and ally outright with rebel forces...

(( @Rhindeer - Due to inactivity, I am forced to remove and retcon this topic from my character's ongoing canon.  If this topic still interests you when you have a less bloated schedule, please send me a PM before replying))

As Zahara led the pair's way toward the exit, Yasmin's words gave her pause.  Turning to her companion, the woman stuggled to find the right words to say.  "Uh...none...as far as I know," she admitted.  "I guess there's always the chance he's been hiding his goals but he seems to trust me with...certain things he hides from others."

It was the best answer she could offer for the time being and rather than linger on the uncertainty of her response, Zahara held the door, ushering her peer to join her.  They exited onto a landing, now overlooking a courtyard, a wide garden with area enough for longing and a centrally placed fountain to offer ambiant noise in the largely peaceful space, which was ringed in shadey arches built into the outer wall.  Parsa was visible, moving quickly toward the main building before vanishing into the dimly lit refuge.

"He's unusual," Zahara admitted.  "But...he has his reasons for what he believes in."

Samuel went a long while without speaking, pondering the girl's words.  The former scenario seemed like it could be written off outright.  Meanwhile, the latter seemed specific enough to be what she had done.  He had little use himself for such a project as far as he could imagine but still, he wondered at its potential value...

Beyond that, there was not much left to say anyway and the pair waited for the new potion to finish charging.

The Adhara either failed to register Tara's unconcious working or saw no threat in it as she steepled her fingers, leaning forward.  Still, she seemed to notice the bard's reaction and said, "I wish I could offer better, but my men and I..."  The Colonel sighed, explaining, "We are soldiers, and with the war ongoing...we're needed here.  We can't simply drop everything and send manpower into a foreign land on some, indefinite snipe hunt..."

Joshua could tell this was all a blow and thought to go to his companion, perhaps to comfort her.  Still, he felt what lay beneath those emotions and hesitated, fearing what power seemed to bubble just beyond sight.

"I wish you better fortune going forward and hope you find your closure someday, Miss Tara, Master Joshua," the mercenary said before offering a small bow, dismissing the pair of guests.  It took all his courage for the smith to take his friends arm, that he might guide her away before something went wrong...

...Well, more wrong...

Samuel stopped a moment to examine the young woman that had addressed him.  Despite the oppressive darkness of the cabin, the assassin's corrupted golden eye could see with shocking clarity; a Thanati girl, not much younger than him but much more innocent.

The demonologist was not known to socialize much; he had even made it a point not to involve himself in the fight about to break out in the galley.  Still, it would not do to be completely aloof, given the nature of the expedition so, offering a small smirk to avoid overselling his friendliness, he shrugged.  "It's no bother.  I hadn't staked any claim on any particular sling."  After all it was not as though anyone would be keeping there hammock in perpetuity.

Examining the other hanging beds, Samuel found one at similar height to the girl and without so much as a running start, vaulted up into it, being surprisingly careful not to crush his satchel.  Rolling over, he wondered aloud, "What brings you  all the way from a Thanatos to some Serenian ship in the middle of the Gods forsaken ocean?"

---

Leenane accompanied the freeloaders; the crew would take shifts to ensure there were enough sharp minds and sharp eyes on duty at all times.  Still, she found herself quickly frustrated by one of the passengers seeming to go out of his way to be a nuisance.  The atmosphere had suddenly grown tense and the sailor knew she had to act to dispel it.

Giving a click of her tongue advanced toward the Serenian, gripping his wrist and exploiting the opportunity to pull the spell slinger's hand aside.  "Ya know, when the Captain said 'quietly,' I'm pretty sure she meant that any poor fucker looking to start a fight would find himself on a long journey to the bottom of the ocean."  She offered a sickly-sweet smile, as lighting arced between her fingers.  It would not have been enough to be lethal, just enough to illustrate her menace.

Scanning the rest of the congregation, Leenane dropped her facade.  "That goes for the rest o' you sorry shits. Anyone looking to start somethin'?  They've overstayed their welcome and can walk home."

The officer slid back to her own stool but did not immediately respond to the bard's question.  Despite only being a few seconds at most, the silence seemed to drag before Alexis sighed and looked up.  "I understand you made a deal with my subordinate regarding hiring use to assist in what I can only assume is some kind of personal vandetta?"  Though they were framed as a question, the woman's posture suggested otherwise.

"I am afraid I must withdraw his offer."

The creaking cacophony of an approaching wagon signaled the arrival of another newcomer, though this time the familiar form of the tall swordsman - made to appear even taller by a trio of feathers pinned to his beret - was more apparent.  "That's Lieutenant Colonel to you dogs," the officer snapped as the vehicle rolled to a halt.  Whatever sat in the bed was hidden under a canvas tarp already, so it was impossible to tell what was there.

Wolfram quickly swung down from the bench as his drive set the break, the soldiers that had been waiting for his return clapped their shoulders in salute, to which the officer waited a moment to respond in kind, releasing them from their stance.

Professional obligations out of the way, Michael joined the famished waif by the fire, setting aside his ornate cap.  His men were already preparing for the journey south and besides, forcing them to skip breakfast would only hurt the party in the long run.  "Glad to see you made it," he admitted, taking a seat in the grass, making sure to adjust his scabbard so that it did not stab into the ground.  "Welcome to our camp.  Sorry I wasn't here to greet you; had some supplies to pick up before meeting with the main column."

The cook, having spooned out another plate of porridge, handed dish to the officer, which the man received with a nod before giving it a taste; it was less bland than someone might expect, sweetened with some wild herb...  Glancing toward his guest, he asked, "So, will you be accompanying us along the way?" 

The soldier led the back to the headquarters.  A handful of halberdiers stood guard, marking the groups passage but not impeding the trio.  As they neared the flap, raised voices could be heard through the canvas barrier though exact words could not be made out.

A Tara and Joshua's approach, one of the guards signalled to stop just as the argument ceased.  Within moments, the tall swordsman from the night before stormed out of the tent, almost bumping into the bard in his haste.  Forced to pause, Wolfram took a moment to glance over his shoulder before bending close to the girl's ear.  "Meet me by the stables later..."  Before she ask him to elaborate, the Lieutenant took his leave, clearly aggrevated by whatever had transpired.

Joshua knew this could not bode well but could not think of anything specific and could have only shrugged if his companion questioned him.  Before they would have had a chance to ponder things further, an authoritative voice from within demanded that they enter...

Within they found a woman, seated in a simple camp stool, appearing darkly pensive as her lips pressed against her clasped fists.  Her brooding demeanor was only amplified by the raised red scars radiating down from her temple.  Still, her pale eyes flickered up to her two guests and she quickly pushed herself to her feet.  "Joshua, its always good to see you," she said, clasping his shoulders and pecking him on each cheek.  "I'm sorry I could not welcome you back myself."

Oh...Uh, its fine," the smith replied awkwardly.  Despite being Connloathian himself, he rarely found himself in situations where he might be greeted so conventionally.  Or perhaps that was just an inward excuse to explain himself.  Glancing back to his companion, Joshua quickly sorted through his words.  "Colonel Mandel, this is Tara, a...friend."  It felt lame and noncommital to simply introduce her as his friend but it was all he really had to go with...

"Of course, Tara.  A pleasure to meet you."  The officer offered the bard the same greeting as the young man, a light kiss on each cheek before stepping back.  "Again, welcome to the Ash Guard."  Gesturing to the other stools arranged around the room, Mandel continued: "Have a seat.  We have something to discuss..."  Joshua could not help but find those last words ominous.

Samuel offered only a sideways glance toward the shifter.  "I'll have to take your word for that..."  Only his arm could shift and it had no foundational architecture to become strained.

Still, given how unaccustomed she was to her ability, it was clear it was no natural part of her.  "How does one attain the form of a dragon?" he asked.  "It is not something most would take for granted so readily..."

((@DragonSong - Sorry for the slow reply.  Heads been elsewhere...))

As much as she hated it, Alexis had to admit the sheer scale of the polished devices was impressive, especially as they glowed in the light of the setting sun.  Such works were still beyond the capabilities of most craftsmen and would have taken years if she had to guess; entire workshops monopolized on the Grand Duke's whim...unless the had been made by the aid of magic...

Of greater concern to the mercenary at the moment was the tension between the templar and vampire.  The scarred woman noticed her moderating effect and as much as she wanted to be away from the pair, seeking out prospective clients but if hostility broke out, she would quickly lose her chance anyway as the crowd was forced to disperse.

So, Alexis lingered, tagging behind the duo by a small measure.  When again the painted man spoke of his time on the snow, she gave him a perplexed look.  "You've never bothered to use a basin of water of a piece of ice?"  It was, after all, how most would make do.

The camp, made up of around two dozen soldiers, did not originally react to the stranger from town, remaining focused on their various tasks.  Many were saddling their chargers, while a pair took turns monitoring a pot of porridge that boiled over the campfire.  Rook's contact from the night before was nowhere to be seen but one of the cooks gave the boiling mess a final stir before giving a sniff and turning to the urchin.  "Well, you're a right mess," he accused, giving a somewhat mocking sneer, a shallow scar on his lip made more apparent by the expression.

"Must be the kid the Colonel mention," came the voice of another of the riders, this one still fastening his stockings.  His interest in the newcomer waned in moments as his focus shifted toward breakfast, taking up a nearby plate and haphazardly piled it with his own pewter spoon.

"Right," acknowledged the cook as more of the Guards came over for their own portions.

The assistant seemed to be far more attentive than the cook himself, grabbing up his own plate and offering it to the urchin.  "The Colonel isn't here yet but you're free to have eat with use until he and the wagon get here..."

Alexis, like all adhara, could not see the true effect of her ability but she noticed the revenant backing away from her.  This told her more than the creature had likely intended but she chose to actively ignore it.  Despite the type of creature he was, she doubted he would pick a fight.

"You know," she admitted, addressing the vampire, "Few of your kind would advertise their immortality in public around here."  She gave a subtle nod to the zealot as she said, "Connloathians can be quite unreasonable on the subject of the unnatural..."

Of much greater concern was the tension clear in the templar's stance.  The white-eye'd monster had him on edge in a way that warned of potential conflict.  Her right hand slipped into the slit in her skirt, carressing the handle of her concealed pistol, instinctively running conflict scenarios through the back of her mind.  Still, she remained outwardly civil, even ignoring the growing bruise where the man's armor had struck her.

The rough collision drew the mercenary's attention away from the "Big Leader's" self aggrandizement and she found herself looking at an apologetic Templar.  His attention seemed to be directed elsewhere but the Heretical woman found herself growing somewhat tense around him; White Lily deserters were not their usual quarry but zealots were always dangerous...

Before she could even accept the boys apology, another man seemed to appear out of the crowd, standing at the templar's elbow and shorter than either Connlaothian; she was unsure why this was the first aspect of the odd man to strike her, given he was clearly Thanati and not fully human, judging by the long canines tucked behind his lips.

Still, despite being a cannibal (though she might question the applicability of the term later), Alexis found his presence a small comfort.  "'Weirdos' indeed," she remarked, offering slight smirk.  "But what can you expect at an event open to the public..."  She quickly ammended her comment, admitting, "I suppose I have little room to complain," with a shrug.

Though perhaps the templar noticed another of the social oddities amid the throng.  Alexis Mandel was no great beauty by the standards of those around her, marred as she was by the knotted scars about her temple.  She did what she could to conceal the damage with makeup as well as a somewhat lop-sided hat.

It had taken her some time to decide in what capacity she would be attending the occassion.  She was, after all, a soldier by trade, and she had no intent to hide that fact.  However, she was also a lady - a business-woman as it were - and if she intended to sell her army, she could not exactly expect to do so by alienating her potential clients.  So it was that she stood aside, wearing a tightly fitted dress that helped accentuate her figure.  No weapons were visible on her person, though she knew she had a dagger and pistol if she needed, though without her own sword, she would mostly depend on her bodyguard, a small unit of swordsman that had mingled into the crowd.

As the Grand Duke's speech went on, the mercenary tried to stay as far back amid the enraptured mob.  Though unlikely, she had lived much of her life in the capital and could not be certain whether he might recognise her...

He was unsure what but something told the smith that the bards words did not match her feeling.  In all fairness, he was not really a friend with the regiment, only familiar with few of its members so it made sense that the girl would be at least somewhat uncomfortable...

Tara was quickly finished dressing and as she exited the partition, she found Joshua had remained, somewhat redfaced from a momentary flight of fancy.  Clearing his throat as he shugged off his ideas, he said, "So...uh...shall we?"  He held the entry flap open for his companion.

Outside the tent, things seemed rather busy.  Soldiers and servants were moving rather quickly, getting gear and supplies together.  Amid the commotion, a blond spearman marched toward them.  "The Colonel wanted to speak with you," he informed before giving a vague signal for the two outsiders to follow...

The swordsman's eyes lingered on Viserquinn as the other fighter joined the pot.  "Can't speak for scales, here," Michael admitted, shifting his gaze back to the woman.  "I'm only beholden to myself..."  As the bet came around to him, he slid some coin into the pot to match those before.  "But that just lets me be a bit...reckless."  He fidgetted with his stack of coins, drawing a bit of attention to his wealth as the betting continued.

The next players continued with low bets to simply stay in the game until the dealer threw down three more cards: 4 of Diamonds, King of Swords, and 8 of Clubs.  Michael surveyed the table as he sipped at his ale.  It was a mostly mediocre Flop but it was not impossible that they could have recieved a pair or two in the deal and he wanted to catch any tells.

@Pips