Lore: Smugglers

[Soran Nightblade]

Thread started by Emora on June 24th, 2004

Emora:

Any one is welcome to join.

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Every morning she walked to Havick's Tavern for Travelers to work to pay off the dept she owed to Havick for helping her brother out of a sticky situation. She didn't mind it… alright she did. So she walked around smelling like ale and what ever funk these people had on them. It was all to help her brother and it was the busiest tavern...

"I'm coming!" she yelled back from the other side of the room as a man continued to ask for ale. She only had two hands for crying out loud.

The tavern had a large bar area and tables where people sat. On one side of the room there was a fireplace and a staircase that led to the rooms. The fire was usually roaring... even in the summer. Since it was night all the time it was colder than most places, no sun got in at all.

She sat the drinks down on the table and sighed heavily as she turned and some one else called out an order. She some times thought that getting sold into slavery would be easier than working in the tavern. Then, again what Havick put her through was slavery.

"I'll be right there," she said a little testily and a booming voice came from right behind her.

"ORA!" it was so loud it caused her to jump. "What have I told you about the customers?"

"Um..." Ora said as she grabbed a rag and wiped a spilled drink off the bar that he had caused her to create. "Be polite?" she asked as if she was guessing.

"Listen here wise…." he was about to finish his sentence when some one called out another order.

"Well, I would really like to finish this conversation... really I would... But… duty calls," she smiled and turned back to the bar.

Oh, how she loved getting on her slave drivers nerves, testing him and all. Only once he hit her... and it will always be once that he did so. Not only did he have her to deal with, but her infamous brother and half the Thieves’ Guild. Yes, she did have connections indeed.

Emora:

The night was passing slowly and she longed for the time when she could leave and go to her brother. They had no clocks in Arroes, so every time the bell rung an hour had passed. She had two more bells to go before the Bewitching Hour and she could leave to smuggle those idiotic criminals out.

The first time hadn't worked and now that they were on bail they were going to try it again. They were going to wind up getting caught and this time executed. She just hoped they didn't drag her brother into it this time after they almost got her caught the last time.

She handed a man a plate of beef and grave with rice and a mug of ale. Then, she turned to continue her other work.

Zenmusha:

Kezadon, walking around the streets of Arroes looking for evil creatures to pick a fight with, and possibly abandoned children to send back to his monastery, stopped when he smelled something... A sweet, delicious smell.... ALE!!! Turning his head in the direction the smell came from, he found a tavern. "Havick's Tavern for Travelers. Well, I'm a traveller, and I like taverns, so... A small break would do me good." Licking his lips with eager anticipation, he walked in.

The bell rang. It was likely near closing time, so he walked to one of the benches and called the upset looking waitress. She was a pretty looking human woman, but something about the way she looked at the clients and her boss told him she might be not only a waitress... But ale was ale! "Missy, would ye be kind enough to bring a mug of ale to this ol' dwarf? Oh, and red deer meat! Oh, and by the way, some veggies if you have any! And, and... Sauce, don't forget the meat sauce! And make it five, no wait, ten mugs of ale! And after that, fresh fruit for the dessert... and another five mugs of ale and a bottle of red whine for the go!"

Emora:

Ora smiled at the dwarf and then gave a nod. She turned disappearing behind a door and when she came back amazingly enough she was balancing all the items he had asked for. She sat them on the table he was sitting at and then set the items out before taking the tray. "Do you require a room?" Ora asked reaching into her pocket for something. She pulled her hand out though and they was nothing in it. She looked at the dwarf waiting for his reply.

Zen musha:

Kezadon's eyes opened wide as he saw the barmaid carrying all of his food and drink. It took him less than five minutes to shove it all down... Now imagine how he's like eating and drinking. Pulling out the bottle's cork with his teeth, he drank half of it at once before replying to the waitress. "Nah, lassy, thank ye. This ol' dwarf's tough enough to sleep in the alleys. And don't be worryin' about the bandits, they know not to go messin' around with good ol' Kezadon here!" His red smilling face would make the most depressed man or woman smile back. He remembered something, and his smile became a bit embarrassed. "Speakin' about bandits, I completely forgot a thief bumped into me the other day and stole me moneybag... So, I can't pay for the meal.... But I'm very skilled at a lotta things, I can make it up for you in any way you like!" Cleaning dishes was something he was more than used to, not to mention mopping the floor and making beds.

Emora:

Ora smiled down at the Dwarf a strand of hair from her face as she held the tray to her chest. "Well," she said and her warm smile turned into a grin. "There are quiet a few dishes..." She looked up to make sure Havick wasn't around. "Tell me when your ready and I think I can sneak you back there..." She leaned down slightly. "You see, Havick likes your money than he does your work." After all that was what Ora was for any way.

Zenmusha:

Kezadon shifted uncomfortably. "Owww, that's escapin' responsibility... Sorry, lass, ye're a kindly sort, but I hafta take blame for me rashness..." Drinking the rest of the bottle, he walked up to the balcony, where Havick was, and slammed his closed fist on in. "Barkeep! This silly dwarf forgot he not be havin' enough gold to pay for the delicious meal that kind barmaid of ye's brought me. So, I was wonderin' if ye could be interested in a full-time cleaning boy. And I'm good at fightin' too, so I'd be a real asset if someone started a fightin' here."

Emora:


Havick looked up at the dwarf with a blank expression then his eyes drifted across the room and gave Ora a fierce glare. She just smiled brilliantly and disappeared behind the door again.

"I got an idea, why don't I just call the city guards in and have them arrest ya for stealing?" Havick asked and he grew a smile on his sweaty face. Then a thought struck him, which was very odd indeed. He had been having trouble more and more with silly teenage pipsqueaks coming in and making a mess of things. "Good fighter, eh? Well, I be needing a person to handle my... dirty affaires in the Tavern, stupid kids come in here every now and then and think they need to defend there man hood in a bar fight... Well, I guess so. Talk to Ora, she'll show ya the ropes."

Zenmusha:

Kezadon scratched his head. He didn't like the idea of beating up silly teenagers... But well, guess they had it coming upon themselves. "Thank ye, Mr. Havick boss. Me be callin' ye boss now, right?" He lowered his head, walked three steps back, and turned to the door Ora had gone through. He entered the kitchen, not a very healthy looking thing, but he'd gone used to worse things... like passing a whole week only eating what flies he could catch with a pair of chopsticks.

"Miss Ora! Ye be there, lass?" He caught a glimpse of her. "Guess what, Miss Ora, we be workin' mates! 'Till I get my meal payed for, that be. Boss told me that there be silly young men actin' brave in the tables an' such. He said ye'd fill me in."

Emora:

"How long have you been in Arroes?" Ora asked and wiped her hands on a rag. The kitchen was most definitely the dirtiest place in the Tavern. Roke, the cook had spilled quite allot of something on the floor and totally disappeared some place. So it was left to her to clean up. She got on her knees and began wiping it up with the rag. "Some people come here and leave quickly, some have lived here all their lives. One thing both people find out is Arroes is not the kindest place in the world. New people come here and hide from the guards, the problem is, here is not the best place to hide when you act like your hiding something and people in Arroes are very noisy. Fights are easily started when you’re being defensive towards anything."

She wiped her for head with the back of her hand. "You have to watch one of the guards very closely. He comes in here when he's off duty every night around the same time and won't want to leave. He's the captain of the guard; mind you so don't get on his bad side. He gets drunk easily and has attitude problems. His name is.... is... well I haven't really asked before. But, he'll be the one who starts the fights mostly and he'll also be the one to finish them... I give ya this peace of advice..." she said as she rose and through the rag in the sink. "Don't get on his bad side..."

Zenmusha:

Kezadon smiled back at her. "Don't worry 'bout me, lass. Ol' Kezadon here be used 'ta fightin' cowards in armor. And..." He grabbed himself another rag, and helped her out with the cleaning. "... I be in Arroes for a few months... It be worse than what me master said it be. People be a livin' in Hell, that much I gathered. But don't ye worry, Kezadon's here ta help out the one's needing me help. That be what me be sent here in the first place, lass." He realized he had shared too much... "Sorry, this ol' dwarf gets ramblin' evry now and then..." He started to wash the dishes... after getting done with cleaning the slovenly sink...

Emora:

Ora looked at him for a moment then looked around to make sure no one had heard. "Shhh..." she hissed and looked back at the dwarf. "If you want to keep your head you want say things like that around here and any place else unless you know it's safe..."

She was about to say more when that booming voice yelled her name. "Well, duty calls," she said and turned away strolling through the door and into the tavern part.

"Yes, how may I help you?" she asked and seated them and then went back to the kitchen to get there order. Still Roke hadn't come back. She looked at Kezadon for a moment and then at the oven. She smiled and grabbed an already made mug of ale. "Do you know how to cook?"

Zenmusha:

"Why sure, lass! Why, back at the monastery they said I was too good a cooker fer their stoic lifestyle! Ah, this reminds me of the good ol' days when me mother cooked roast mole... a Dwarven specialty, ye know? Even better than lamb... Sorry, what did they want fer' dinner?" He grabbed the cooking utensils, got dressed in an apron (that didn't quite fit...), and grabbed as many ingredients he could find, not waiting for Ora's answer. "Well, lassy, what should I be preparin'?"

Emora:

Ora smiled and replied, "Two bowls of soup, some bread and... And two mugs of ale." She turned and filled another mug with ale. "Can you handle that?" she asked with a smile. She couldn't help but wonder where Roke had gotten to, he was supposed to do the cooking.


Zenmusha:

Kezadon looked at the mug of ale with a greedy look... before shaking his head and focusing on the task. "Of course, Miss Ora! Come closer here, ta learn how a very special soup is made." He grabbed a few carrots, a few potatoes, one or two onions and a pumpkin, as well as a bottle of olive oil. "Ye see, lass, soup's about knowin' how ta mix the ingredients." He filled the cooking pot with water, and set the oven on fire. In the meantime, he sliced the veggies, and cut a large slice of pumpkin. "Some be good for mixin' with each other, some don't." He began smashing the pieces using a large mortar and pestle, until they resembled a sort of mud. He then threw the contents into the cooking pot, whose water had began to boi, and he poured a small amount of salt. "And this, Miss Ora, is a very nice mix." He used a wooden spoon to stir the mud in the cooking pot... and it began to resemble a tasty looking soup. "And now, ta give it an healthy look..." He poured a few drops of olive oil into it, and stirred again. The oil, that obviously didn't sink, was now spread in tiny drops all across the surface. "Learn ta cook well, Miss Ora, and lads all over Heirot'll be askin' yer hand! And with that pretty face of ye's, it'll be easy ta pick the one ye wants."

That done, he cut the bread in deveral slices, and spread butter in them. "There, all set ta be eaten."

Emora:

Ora watched with a smile, though on the inside something was telling her to get moving. Havick would be on her tail in a second if she didn't get out there with something, she watched though and at least she would no how to cook her own soup.

"Thank you," she said and put the bowls of soup on the tray with the bread and pushed the door open with hr back before disappearing.

Everything slowly started to die down as people either were drunk and passed out or having quiet conversation. She wiped down the counter of the bar and when she was finished she took the money, what little tips some people had given her, into the drawer where all Havick's money was. She had to give it up, it was part of the deal she had made with him.

She sighed and leaned against the bar, waiting for something to happen, because she knew it was bound to. She locked the drawer back; not even noticing that half of the money was missing from the drawer. She was just doing her nightly routine.

Zenmusha:

Bored in the kitchen, with nothing else to cook, Kezadon went back to the dining room. He noticed the drunk people sleeping on the tables, and grabbed himself a wet rag, and used it to clean their faces. "Alright, sir, ye'd had enough fer one night... Come on, ol' Kezadon'll take ye out, watch out fer the stairs... Come back again sir!" He told the customers, who waved semi-conscious at him while they left. Grabbing the half-full mugs of ale for himself, he went back to Ora. "So, miss Ora, things seem ta be pretty much done, eh? All we hafta wait now be the troublemakers." He rubbed his hands, with a malicious smile. "Ah, me be a needin' exercise..."

Emora:

Ora smiled and was about to reply when the door to the tavern opened and a tall large burly orc looking thing stepped into the room. His hair was unkept, his face had a few good warts on it and he was all around ugly. How any whore in a brothel could stand to look at him Ora would never know.

He walked to the bar, eyeing Kezadon for a moment and then he looked to Ora. His horrid face broke out into a grin. "The usually for me lil' Gal," he leaned against the bar looking around and then his eyes rested on Kezadon again, the grin still there. "How are ya tonight little dwarf?

Just then two more gaurds came in behind their leader and took seats at a table. Ora came with his over large mug of ale and handed it to him. "What will your friends have?" she asked, her face totally expressionless, she didn't like showing expression around these people, but mostly it was disgust or anger. The man looked at her and grinned. "Ale, love, always ale."

So she again disappeared and again his eyes looked to Kezadon.

Zenmusha:

Kezadon bent himself slightly. "Fine, sir. Thank you for asking." He said that with a smile. No reason to get angry. It was quite obvious he was a dwarf, and quite obvious he was short.

His expression was serious while the man's friends sat down, and he readied himself for a fight when he called Ora 'love' ... But smiled once again when he stared back at him. "If there's anything else you need, feel free to ask, sir."

Emora:

Ora brought mug after mug of ale to the two who sat at the table, but oddly tonight the captain didn't drink as much as he usually did and he didn't sit down with his friends. He still leaned against the bar and was still giving Kezadon a grin and look every once and a while as if he knew him from somewhere or as if he were thinking of something to say, something smart.

Ora brought him three more mugs and even by then his grin was starting to turn drunken. It was getting closing time and this was the hard part. "Another round, love."

"I'm sorry sir," Ora said and pulled the empty mug away. "It's closing time and you and your friends need to leave."

"Leave?" he asked and looked at her with that stupid grin. "Why, I do so enjoy your company, I think I'll stay around for a little while longer... What do you say boys?" They chuckled as he looked at them, then back at her. Ora gripped the bar for a second as she looked into his dark eyes.

Then she looked to her new friend. "Kezadon, will you shows these men out please? I don't believe they understand me," she said very politely and folded her arms. That grin was getting on her nerves.

'Come, now love, just a few moments of your time and a good mug of your finest ale..." He gave her an idiotic drunken puppy face. "Besides, I don't think the little dwarf could through me out if he wanted... Just look at the little bugger... Tell me little dwarf…” And he continued on with the most descriptive and vile thing to say to some one about there parentage.

Zenmusha:

Kezadon kept his look blank. He knew better than to give in to mindless taunting from mindless people. "That's you opinion. We're all entitled to have opinions." He said with a smile. "Now gentleman, this isn't a brothel, Miss Ora's pretty, but she's not a lowlife. So, if you'll excuse me, we have to close the Inn for the night." He grabbed the man's arm, and would lead him out gently if he allowed him to.

Emora:

Ora smiled at Kezadon and watched as he grabbed the man's arm, but the brute pulled away and raised his hand to him, he reached over and Ora stepped away, but it was the mug he was going for. He grabbed it up and smacked it against his head. Yes, the guard love fights and he did almost anything to get one. He wondered how this was going to start?

Zenmusha:

Kezadon closed his eyes as the mug came crashing on his head... And smiled as he cleansed his bald head with his hands and licked the ale. "Ah, sir, how did'cha guess ol' Kezadon enjoys ale?" He laughed politely. "Alright, young sirs, we had a bit of a laugh now, but it be gettin' a little late for horsin' around. If you'll excuse us..." He grabbed the man's arm again, as gently as before.

Emora:

The guard gritted his teeth. This little dwarf thought he could tell him what to do. "I'd step back if I were you, my little barmaid, I wouldn't want you to get blood all over your lovely dress." With that said he pulled a dagger and sliced at the dwarf, his friends stood up and were coming over to get a piece of the action.

Ora screamed when she saw the dagger go towards her new friend and she reached over the counter to grabbed the hand. She managed and it must have annoyed the guard greatly. He grabbed her by the hair and finished pulling her over the counter, throwing her to the floor, stepping over her and trying again to attack the dwarf. “Don’t worry,” the guard said with gritted, “I’ll give you something too…”

Zenmusha:

Now they had gone too far... When the man threw Ora to the ground, Kezadon lost his cute Snow-White-dwarf-look, abandoned his smile,... and overall he looked like an angry block of stone. He simply walked one step back, letting the dagger slice harmlessly through the air, grabbed his hand, and twisted his wrist, breaking it in the process. He then got a grip on his shoulder with his free hand, kicked his flanks to make him bend down, and slammed his head against the counter, shattering the wooden surface. Then he threw the man against the other guards, and they all fell under their captain's weight. "I wish it didn't come to this..."

Emora:

Ora watched with awe at the happenings, but then she grew fearful and she stood up quickly after he had sent all three of the men to the floor. Slowly the ones got up and out from under their captain. Havick's feet could be heard coming from the other room and Ora looked around.

"Alright," Ora said and looked at the guards. "It's time you left..." They shoved her a side with angry looks and charged at the Dwarf.

Ora growled and said lowly. "I've had enough," she grabbed the one closest to her by the collar and snatched him back. "Get out!" she yelled and shoved him towards the door. Good thing he was drunk and had slow reaction time. The other man went after Kezadon.

Zenmusha:

He saw the man charging at him... And didn't really care. When the guy was just about to strike at him, he simply walked one step sideways... and punched the back of his head, throwing him to the floor. His foe at his mercy, he grabbed his hand, twisted it so that his elbow made a 90º angle, put the man's hand on his chest... and allowed his own weight to do the rest. The guy screamed in agony as his elbow and shoulder joints broke. And Kezadon didn't seem happy either.

Then he made a surprisingly athletic jump all the way from the counter to the door, and hit the guy in the chest with a kick, sending him flying out of the Inn. "Leave this place at once." His normally cheery voice was now much more serious, and it was like his lungs were a cave, judging by his tone.

Emora:

Ora watched as the hurt man walked out and both had left their captain lying on the floor. Ora stood over him for a moment and then looked to Kezadon. "I don't think you or I will be working any where for a very long time..." Ora said and watched as Havick finally came out of his office and looked dead at her, then Kezadon, and then the guard lying on the floor.

His face turned blood red and Ora swallowed hard. His face had only done that once... "What have you done!!! I'll have you both sent to the Slave Shop for this!!! You'll have the entire guard breathing down my neck!"

Zenmusha:

Kezadon stood between Havick and Ora. "Mr. Havick, Ora is not to blame for the course of events. That man..." He pointed to the fallen captain "... opened the hostilities, and attacked Ora, and planned to murder me and rape her. I did what I was told to do, and that was fight off troublemakers... And these were definitely that. If however your sense of justice is dulled so, we shal take our leave of this filth you call tavern. Don't try to send men after us, they'll end up far worse than the guards." With that said, he turned around, and left the tavern.

Emora:

Ora's stomach did flip flops at what Kezadon had said about them murdering him and... and... She watched as he spoke to Havick. Then, he left and she didn't feel like being alone with the slowly waking captain and the very angry Havick. She turned on her heal and rushed after Kezadon. She hadn't even thought about what that man would have done to her if he would have killed her friend... not until now and it made her feel sick on the inside. She caught up to Kezadon and put a hand on his shoulder. "Thank you," she said softly and tried to smile, but it was very week.

"Ora!!!" she heard Havick's voice say and she looked back. "You still work for me! It's the deal remember..." He smiled and turned to walk back in. "See you in the morning..." He was gone.

"Sadly," she said quietly and looked back at Kezadon. "Really, thank you." Her face was all flushed as her mind still lingered on that thought.

Zenmusha:

Kezadon looked sadly back at her. His anger had dissipated, and now he was feeling even more remorceful than before. "There's nothing to thank about... What I did back there was terrible..." He closed his eyes. The sounds of bones snapping still lingered in his mind. "It was all my fault... Likely they wouldn't have done anything different than giving the usual bearable amount of trouble if they hadn't seen me." He looked up to the black, cloudy sky. "Sometimes I wonder why we senscient beings keep battling each other for no reason at all. There was no sense to it..." He looked at her again, trying to smile, no matter how sad it seemed. "Hope I didn't give you much trouble... That boss of yours seems a real nutty. So, where shall ol' Kezadon be escortin' a bonny lass like yerself?"

Emora:

Ora smiled at him saying she was bonny. It was night now, late indeed and she usually went to meet her brother. She had the feeling she could trust him. "Come follow me," she said and began walking down the street when she turned down an alley. They walked a good ways until the came to something that looked like a small cabin built in between to large buildings. It was odd, but every one thought it was just a small little home where an old couple lived.

Ora knocked on the door and it opened to reveal a tall man standing there. He was older than Ora by a good ten years, but he was her brother and she loved him. "Joe, this is Kezadon, he's a friend." He stepped a side and let them in. Joe held out a hand to the dwarf she had brought. "Joe Falls."

Zenmusha:

Kezadon made his trademark sheering smile, and shook Joe's hand. "Kezadon Shunmi, at yer service lad. So, ye be little Ora here's brother, eh? Tall man, ye are... But I'm not pretty much tall meself, am I?" He laughed out loud, and entered their house.

"So, what do ye lads be doin' here?"

Emora:

Ora's brother smiled and moved to a wooden chair and sat down. He looked at Ora for a moment, maybe noticing that her hair was not neat like usual. "Well," he said and drank something from a glass. "It depends on what Ora has told you." He said as Ora walked away and into a small room.

"What has she told you?"

Zenmusha:

It was then that he noticed that she didn't tell him much... except for a few small slipups that lead him to believe that she somehow helped out people getting away from Arken. "Well, from what me gathered, lad, ye're both inta some kind'a illegal immigration thing. Not that I blame ye, 'tis a terrible place to live, Arken is. And..." he looked at his glass.... "Is that ale?"

Emora:

Joe smiled and got up walking to a cabinet and pulling out a jug. He pored some into an empty cup and handed it to the dwarf before sitting the jug on the bar. "What I think we are doing can only be considered illegal by The Bitch Queen, but if you want to call it that, yes. We sneak people mostly good people, but we have done a few criminals out of Arken... some don't make it... but most do."

Ora returned, having changed out of her barmaids dress and into something simpler and more comfortable. Tonight was there off night and they had no one to smuggle. She sat in a small fluffy chair across the room and watched the two talk. Her mind was still running over things that had happened, but had gotten far past the part that had jolted her more.

"Ora, your home early, did Havick finally grow a heart?" Joe asked with a smile, taking a swig of his drink.

Zenmusha:

Kezadon, who was happily sipping away his ale as he heard Joe's tale, coughed when he asked her sister why she had gotten home early. Excuse me, lads, I need another drink..." He grabbed the jug of ale... And drank away the contents. "I'll go get meself some fresh air..." He went outside, looking at the moon, or at least imagining the moon between the thick mantle of clouds in the sky. He didn't like the least bit what had happened at the Inn... And he feared Ora might get in more trouble that she already was in because of him. He had caught the guard's attention for himself, and for her, as well. They'd likely be watching her closely now... Perhaps it'd be better if he left them. Yes, pick himself a fight with every guard in Arroes, leave'm all crippled and go back to Iwama... That'd make sure they didn't upset little Ora for a while. He readied himself to leave...

Emora:

Ora opened up the door and looked out. "Kezadon?" she asked quietly and looked at him with a confused expression as she stepped out side into the cold night air. "Something wrong?"

She walked to stand in front of him. "Did my brother say anything to offend you?"

Zenmusha:

He smiled sadly at her. "Nay, lass. Ol' Kezadon here ain't offended fer words any longer, not that Joey there tried to, mind ye. It's just that... I hate to beat up people... No matter what they done. Pain... It's meant for us to know something's wrong with ourselves, to warn us that something's not working well in our bodies. Fearing and fighting it is like not wanting to hear a bad new that must be heard... But forcing it into others... It's no different than what Shea's doing, instilling fear on her people... At least that's what this precociously senile ignorant old monk believes in." He sighed. "I'm here on a simillar mission as you, to take people away from Shea's clutches... and to fight her in her own turf if needed be. There, the reason I'm in this accursed land... And I fear I'm doing a lousy job in my mission."

Emora:

Ora listened quietly. "I'm sorry you had to do that... If I would have got them out myself then you wouldn't have had to do it... I'm sorry." She sat down on the small wooden bench her father had made outside her home. "I guess it's really my fault. I shouldn't have asked you to show them out." She looked at the ground for a moment, strings of black fell in front of her face.

Zenmusha:

"And I guess I should control my drinking habits better... Damn the demon ale..." He began to let himself smile truly again. "But what the heck, what be done be done! An' besides, if those thar lads be wantin' ta be real men, they hafta learn the hard way, aye?" He looked at her in the eye. "Twas not yer fault lass. Most likely they'd be doin' it anyway if ye didn't ask me ta throw'em out. Now, let's get back inside. These cold breezes are godd for ol' dwarfs, but not bonny lasses."

Emora:

Ora looked up and smiled she gave a nod and walked to the door. She opened it and stepped in, holding it for Kezadon. Her brother was putting away the ale and the glasses in the sink. "It's late Ora," her brother said and pumped water in for the dishes that he would wash. "You have to get up early tomorrow I suppose, since you came home early tonight." She hadn't told him yet, feeling that it didn't matter any way.

Ora rolled her eyes. Her brother was still acting like her father... "I'll get the dishes, you and Kezadon can talk." She walked over and he gave her a look with an arched eyebrow. She always did that when she wanted to stay up longer.

Zenmusha:

Kezadon sat on a chair next to him. "Sorry 'bout that, lad. I get all comotional for small stuff every now and then. So laddy, me's sympathetic t'yer cause, but before me helps ye, thar's somethin' ye'll hafta accept. The reason this ol' dwarf's here is ta send children to Iwama forest's monasteries as monks. They be treated kindly there, so don't worry. If I'm helpin' ye, ye must promisse that evry orphan child we ship out goes to me land."

Emora:

Ora looked up from the dishes. "As far as I'm concerned any place for a child is better than here," Joe said and looked at Kezadon. "They take the children once they get of age and they either go into the army or if they are girls, become a Queen's Maiden. Shea has enough of them to make an army and I don't think she will hesitate to use them in the war."

Ora finished what little dishes that were there and wiped her hands with a rag before walking to the chair she had sat in before.

"Ora, would have been one by now if I wouldn't have taken her in and I dare say I think she would have been better off as one. At least she wouldn't be working for that old brute of a tavern owner... That to is my fault." He glanced at Ora for a moment and then back at Kezadon. "You have a deal."

Zenmusha:

Kezadon looked sternly at him. "Don't say s*** like that. Anyone under Shea's command is a cursed thing." He rose from his chair. "So, me gathers the day's pretty much done, aye? So, mind if I sleep in this here floor?" He crouched, touching the floor. "Seems pretty soft." He let himself fall with a thunk as he landed... And went instantly to sleep, many thanks to the 90% alcohol level in his bloodstream...

Emora:

Ora went to laugh, but put a hand to her her mouth. She walked around the table and waved good night to her brother before going into the rather small room she had gone in before. Her brother was the next and he went to his room, which was even smaller.

Early that morning, still dark outside Ora woke and dressed in her barmaids dress and crept outside, trying not to wake her friend sleeping on the floor. She slipped out and walked the quiet lonely streets and alleys until she reached Havick's Tavern for Travelers.

Havick was waiting at the door for her. "Good morning," she said cheerfully and walked passed him. She walked to the counter and propped her elbows up on it, looking at the place where the fight had begun.

She glanced at Havick who was looking at her oddly. "What?" she asked and he started walking towards her with a dark expression. "What did I do?" He stood in front of her and pulled open the drawer that the money stayed in quickly, it was gone. “What… wait… you think I did it?”<br>
“I don’t care who did it,” he said and grinned crazed like. “My money is gone and you’re here…” He grabbed her shoulders and gripped them tight. “Well? Where’s my money?”<br>
“I don’t know!” she said quickly and looked up fearfully.

“Then find my money!” he slammed her against the wall and held her off the ground. “Or I put in a good word about your brother to Queen Shea herself… see how you get him out of that one.” Then he left and disappeared in the back. Ora rubbed her arm and watched him and then she looked at the door. “Roke,” she said and walked to the kitchen.

Zenmusha:

Rezadon was awoken by his own snoring. It was... still dark, so he went back to sleep... and that was when he remembered it was one long night in Arken... Getting up from the floor, he stretched his short arms and scratched his back.

Nothing to do for the moment... So he decided to go for a walk in Arroes, trying to find someone needing help. And was eventually dragged by his feet to Havick's Tavern. Sighing, he entered, wanting to know if Ora was in trouble or not. He sneaked into the kitchen...

Emora:

Ora paced around in the main part of the tavern where every one was. She was still rubbing her sore arms. What to do... what to do.... Where would Roke go? "Damn..." she whispered and looked at her arm to find a bruise in the shape of fingers. "Well, no use whining about it..." She plopped down in a chair just as some one walked in.

Zenmusha:

He looked around, trying to find himself some ale... And was just about to drink a whole barrel when he noticed Ora looking at him. "Miss Ora, erhm... I be comin' here ta ask ye if that scrap of a boss of ye's been given' ya troubles, aye?" He noticed the marks in her arm before she could hide them. "He has, hasn't he?"

Emora:

Ora looked down at her arms and looked up with a small smile. "No..." she said and hid the answer she wanted to give from her face... but not her eyes. "I guess it's from last night." She chuckled lightly. "It's all become a blur really." She stood up and walked to the counter wiping the already clean parts, just doing something to make her busy.

Zenmusha:

Kezadon waved his head. "Ahrr, ye're nay a nearly good enough liar ta trick me, lass. So, why dont'cha tell ol' Kezadon here what's happened? But first..." He walked back to the barrel, and drank it's contents in... two minutes, and his red skin now looked more purple than red. "What? Never seen a man eatin' his breakfast?"

Emora:

Ora giggled and looked away for a moment, but she couldn't help but smile. She thought to change the subject. "You're purple.... well... almost..." She grinned and folded her arms covering the bruises. "You know, you really shouldn't drink so much... it's going to be the death of you...."

Zenmusha:

"Aye, lass, I should... And ye should stop tryin' to change the subject when I ask ye things." He walked near her, grabbing her arm and unfolding them. "Come now, those three didn't leave ye with that, I recall it." He looked at her in the eye with his green eyes, his only beautiful body part... If we separate beautiful from aimable, what he was. "Me showns me be trustworthy, aye?"

Emora:

Ora nodded and pulled her arms away slowly. "Money is missing from the place where Havick usually keeps it... actually all the money. It must have happened after we left because I remember putting money in there... But I don't know who would have took it except Roke." She looked down for a moment and sighed.

"Havick wants his money back, but I don't know who would have it, Roke is the only one I can think of... So Havick asked me to find it. He also stated when he asked me that if I didn't find it my brother was going to have something mentioned about him to Shea..."

Ora didn't want her brother to end up like her parents... How she remembered that day, though it was so many years ago and she was only eight. How could she forget when she had come face to face with the evil queen and how she had greeted her with a smile and complimented her on how cute she was... and then forced her to watch her parents die... Saying it would make her stronger... She had stood by the queen's side and was forced to watch her parents burn to the stake. Strong was the total opposite of what it could have made her.

Zenmusha:

Kezadon thought about what to do... He could simply kill Havick... The man wasn't going to leave anyone crying for him that much he was sure... But it wouldn't really solve the problem. There was a thief to be found, and perhaps a more complicated matter behind the mere theft.

"Miss Ora, ye mentioned sumtin' 'bout a lass called Roke. Does ye think she might be the thief?" He noticed she was recalling sad events from her past... and made sure his usual comforting smile and voice were better than usual.

Emora:

"Roke is a boy who just started working here," she mentioned and softly smiled. "He was always quiet and I never thought he would do something like this, but he did disappear last night out of no where and now the money is missing..."

"Maybe me and my brother should leave. I'm starting to think that the longer we stay here the more chances some one is going to get to extinguish my family... we are the last, my brother and I." The idea was good. She could leave with her brother on the ships and try to make it into Ighten...

Emora:

Kezadon looked sternly at her. "An' who'd help the refugees? Me doesn't know the least bit 'bout smugglin' people out... Wouldn't do much of a smuggler, meself." He smiled again.

"So, lass, where does this Roke lass, erhm, lad, live?" He blushed, or rather, grew a bit more purple when he asked that... He still hadn't gotten used to the idea that Roke was a boy's name... And in every tavern that he'd gone to, the cook was female.... Truly, he'd never understand Arken.

Emora:

"I don't know," she told him and shrugged. "He's lucky he hasn't been pulled into the army." She grew quiet when she realized here of all places was not a good place to talk like this.

Not to mention Havick came out from his room in the back looking around still with that dark expression. He was probably wondering why no one had showed up yet. But, slowly people were starting to come down from there rooms.

Ora tensed a little when he came closer. He gave a long stare to Kezadon. "Didn't think I'd see you here... well if it's your job you want back you can't have it."

Zenmusha:

Kezadon just smiled... and for a moment considered the option of killing him... but dismissed it on the spot. "Aye, me be the first case of getting fired fer doin' me job. I was jus' passin' through, and thought it be good idea ta visit me friend Ora." His smile grew a little darker.

"A flawed boss, ya are. Beatin' up yer employees like that... Harr, in me land bosses like that are decapitated on the spot by their men." He walked to him, and sweeped his legs, and so he felt flat on the floor. "Me be searchin' fer an employee of yers, called Roke, and me be sures ya knows where he lives." He became as serious as can be. "And if ye even touches a string of Miss Ora's hair, ye be dead."

Emora:

Ora looked a little fearful for a moment, she was sure that Havick would kill Kezadon and grew even more sure when he hit the floor and his face grew that red shade again.

"I don't know where the boy lives," he said and got up, his knuckles were white from clenching his fist tightly. "And I wouldn't do that again..." He smiled, but it was more of a sneer. "After all, something like that can cause many more of Ora's hairs to be touched..."

Ora gritted her teeth. "Do you mind leaving me out of this?" she asked and folded her arms. "Threaten some one who actually is afraid of you..."

Ora was afraid of him, but she did well to hide it. She was rather aggravated though, not that it wasn't nice of Kezadon to stick up for her.

Havick glared for a moment and then looked back at Kezadon. "So what do ya want Roke for, he's just a kid.... wanna try and kill him too?"

Zenmusha:

Kezadon didn't seem the least bit bent on relaxing. Normally he didn't enjoy violence... But that guy kept asking for someone to put an end to his existance... Painfully if possible. "I believe that he might have to do with the money that's been missing from your pocket lately. I guess if you payed your employees better instead of burning away your cash in superfluous things, you wouldn't have been robbed in the first place."

He sweeped his feet again. "And I'm not sure if you noticed this... You're the weak player around here. I can defeat anyone you send, and if you tell Shea about Ora and her brother, you're dead... If you touch one or more strings of her hair, you're dead... And if you displease me, well, I think you get the idea."

He grabbed him by the collars, and brought his face nearer to his. "Now, if you have any idea where he might be livin', I suggest you answer, otherwise you might not ever speak again."

Emora:

Ora watched with amusement as Havick's glare turned rather fear full. "I the-think he lives by the docks... he might have moved..." Havick stuttered and Ora bit her bottom lip to keep from laughing. Havick glanced at her and she stood there for a moment, acting like she was ignoring the whole thing. But, she still bit her bottom lip lightly, trying not to smile.

"Ora still works for me though," he pointed out as he tried getting to his feet. "I want hurt her, but she still works for me."

Ora rolled her eyes and walked towards the door. "Where are you going?" he called to her. She turned and looked at him with an expression that said she clearly thought he was an idiot.

"You want you money don't you?" she asked and when he stared blankly she held up her hands and then turned, walking out of the tavern and waiting out side for Kezadon. He might have other words for Havick so she would wait for him just incase.

Zenmusha:

He looked at Havick with disgust. "It's because of people like you that there's misery and strife in the world. Be thankful to whatever you hold sacred that I'm no murderer." He went out of the kitchen.

The tavern really was bustling with activity. Some of the guests looked at the hole he had made on the counter the other night, wondering what sort of muscled barbarian would do that using the captain's head. He smiled... such fertile minds.

He caught up with Ora outside. "Miss Ora, sorry 'bout involvin' ya in all that rubbish, but I don't approve none of beatin' employees." He walked a few steps ahead of her... "Hold on, where be the docks?"

Emora:

Ora pointed down a rather deserted dark road. "Down that way..." she told him and began walking in that direction. "I didn't think he'd try anything after almost every one that helps me brother and I jumped him... I thought it had scared him... But, I guess I was wrong... He technically owns me... I'm not his employee... I'm his slave."

But, it was well worth it. She would rather Havick hit her every day and her brother be alive, then to have to watch one more of her family members die.

"Roke really must be tuff to live by the docks..." she said and looked in through a window as she passed that was filled with some candle glow. She turned her head quickly away... she definitely had not wanted to see that.

Zenmusha:

Kezadon smiled at Ora's face when she turned her head. Curiosity killed the cat... A saying he didn't quite enjoy, because not only he liked cats, but their curiosity didn't get them in trouble most of the time.

He looked around the road, trying to find something that caught his eye. And he found a boy in one of the alleys, whose resigned face turned alarmed when he saw Ora walking with the dwarf. "Hey, is yer name Roke?"

The boy darted away into the pitch black alley. Sighing, Kezadon ran after him... hoping he didn't find anyone less than friendly in there.

Emora:

Ora followed quickly and kept up with him, but stayed behind slightly just in case something were to happen. She looked around the dark alley and couldn't see anything. "He could be hiding any where in here..."

She stopped and looked around... "Roke... it's alright, we're not going to hurt you. I just need to ask you something."

Zenmusha:

Kezadon eyed the alley. There were a few backdoors that lead inside the slum buildings. He could have entered any of them. There must have been someone reading his thoughts, because a group of ragged, nasty looking bandits decided to take a walk on the alley, and they all came from the same door.

They were cussing and cursing each other playfully, showing off their hunting knifes and boasting how many men they killed with them. And as luck would have it, they found Kezadon and Ora.

"Well, what do we have here, lads?" A blonde man covered in scars and dressed slightly better than the others, thus making for the appearance of a leader, waved his head in their direction. "A shorty and a babe? In our street? Well, I guess you're not aware of the tax policies around here."

He tried to clean his fingernails with the knife as he spoke. "You give us all you've got, your money, your clothes..." He looked at Ora. "And perhaps you'll give yourself, babe." The men laughed at the vile metaphore. Keadon looked menacingly at them. "If we refuse?"

The leader looked a bit less arrogant and a bit more angry. "We kill you, take all you have, and sell your organs to the Warlocks." Kezadon walked forward. "Try it." The leader was now visibly angry. He tried to stab Kezadon's belly... And we all know he's short, so when the man bent himself in his wild attack, Kezadon just rotated 90º, deflected his thrust, jumped up, using the momento he kicked lightly his arm, and delivered a sommersault kick in his chin.

The guy walked a few steps back, and Kezadon, upon landing, prepared himself for the others' charge.

Emora:

Ora gritted her teeth and turned red from both embarrassment and anger at what the man had implied. Why all of the sudden did people seem to take interest in her in that way? While two or maybe it was three went to attack Kezadon one made his way over to her.

He swung his blade playfully, his smile showing missing teeth. He also had a horrible smell coming from him... at least she thought it was him. Ora took steps back and when she had an opening she kicked up with her leg. It hit him between the legs or the stomach, it was to quick for her to tell, but he did double over. She heard footsteps coming down the other side of the alley. Maybe it was there friends coming to help. She didn't look though; she kept her eyes on the one in front of her.

She kicked again and his him in the neck. He began to make a choking sound.

Zenmusha:

The three men charged in on Kezadon, trying to swing their knives at him. He tumbled across them, hitting them in their knees to give himself more time to focus on a single foe. One of them bent lower than the others, likely with a broken knee, and he managed to run across his back and dive with his fists against one's chest, that felt on the floor ghasping for air. Another tried to stab him in the back, doing the same msitake as their knocked out leader, and Kezadon did the same maneuver, except that he didn't jump this time, just borke the guy's nose with his elbow.

As he "uppercutted" the broken knee'd guy, he saw a few more bandits with berserk expressions pouring down into the alley. "This be a long night..." He ran against them, waving his hands in a somewhat stylized way. He abruplty stopped his run less than a few inches from them, and waved his hands against them. They were pushed back by a strange wave of what seemed like massed wind, and many felt to the floor.

Kezadon jumped, and hopped from head to head of the fallen guys, punching between the legs those who were just a bit dissoriented, but still not taking notice of him.

Emora:

Ora watched for a split second and then she turned, running past the man who was bent over and the blond man who was finally recovering and down the alley to find Roke so they could get the hell out before something really bad happened.

She turned down a smaller one, she could barely fit through it and it was pit black almost. "ROKE!" she yelled and tried to see down the alley. "Roke, it's me Ora... I'm not going to-"

CRASH!!!!

She was hit from behind and she skidded across the ground.

Zenmusha:

Kezadon heard a crashing sound coming from a very tight alley. hitting one last bandit on the lower parts, he ran as fast as he could to it... and could barely squeeze through the walls...

He saw the small boy known as Roke holding a broken bottle, and Ora skidding acorss the ground. The boy looked scared as hell. Kezadon squeezed as silently as possible, before the boy was alerted of his coming by the sound of cothing being ripped. Kezadon managed to grab his arm before he ran away.

The boy struggled to get out of his grip, but to no avail. Kezadon tried to rotate his body, finishing his shirts destruction and getting a few friction burns on himself. He threw the boy into a hug. "It's OK, lad. Whe're not here ta hurt ye." He patted his back as he spoke, his voice being filled with compassion and understanding.

Emora:

Ora rolled over and watched in what little light they had Kezadon slowly start calming the boy. Slowly she saw him start to loosen up a little. "Roke," she said and got to her feet, putting a hand on his head. "It's alright, I and Kezadon are not going to hurt you... we just have to ask you a question..."

She looked at Kezadon with a smile and then she looked around. She didn't see any bandits, looks like he took care of them for now. She couldn't believe the poor boy lived around here.

Zenmusha:

Kezadon retributed the smile and winked friendly at her. "Kezadon be me, lad." He stated to the boy. "So, lad, have ye been takin' money from Havick's coffers ta survive here?" The boy shifted uncomfortably.

"It's ok, lad. I can understan'it lookin' at this place. An' don't worry, me's not workin' for the guy." He messed up the boy's haircut with his hand, trying to get him comfortable around him.

Emora:

Roke smiled slightly, she had never heard him say much. He grabbed Kezadon's hand and pulled on it. "I think he wants to show us something," Ora said and backed up, she couldn't let them pass; there wasn't enough room for that.

He pointed to a small opening and he let go of Kezadon's hand and walked in. Ora looked at her friend for a moment then shrugged, she followed. It was dark... and wet... and smelled horrible. He seemed to be living under some one else’s home... lights could be seen coming through some of the panels of flooring above.

He crawled under a tattered blanket that fell over an opening. It looked like he had dug the whole place out so it wouldn't be so short... he had worked hard to make his home better... you could tell...

Ora lifted the blanket and crawled through. There was a few candles lit... nothing to give any good light... they were around a bed where a sleeping child lay... She was about five... from the looks. Her hair was dirty as was her face. She looked around and Roke was on the other side of the room watching them. Ora crawled towards the little girl and put a hand on her head... she was burning up.

"She's sick..." he said and looked at the little girl.

Zenmusha:

Kezadon smiled bitterly. "She'll be alright, Roke. Miss Ora, take the girl with you. We'll be sendin' these two lads to me monastery."

So that's why Roke was stealing! Wondering whether she was his sister or a girl he took pity on, either showed he had purity of soul and bravery. He moved around painfully in the tight alley, and looked at Roke. "Lad, want to get away from Arken? If you want, I can send you to a monastery in Ongoreth. You'll be treated well, far better than in here."

He didn't get to finish his proposal, as Ora grabbed the girl and was waiting for them to get out of the way. "We'll talk about this later." They finally got off the alley, with Kezadon's clothes desperately needing a stitching. The bandits were either still knocked out, or just shot the four killer looks as they passed by them.

Emora:

Ora led them back to her home, her brother wasn't there and he had his own job to tend to. She opened the door and walked quickly to her room, laying the child gently on her bed and then walking towards the water, pumping some into a kettle and hanging it over the hot coals left in the fire place.

It would take a minute for the water to get good and warm. She looked at Kezadon and smiled. "I'll sew your shirt up later... Roke, would you like something to eat?" Ora asked and when she figured the water was warm, she didn't want it hot after all; she pulled the kettle off the coals and pored it into a bowl, then grabbed a cloth. "Kezadon, if he's hungry there is some food in the pantry..." She turned and walked back into her room.

She knelt down beside the girl, wiping her dirty face and neck... the warm water was just to clean her, she would get a cold rag to help with the fever. The little girl had light brown hair, a little blond; of course it was very dirty so it could have been very blond for all she knew.

Ora felt sorry for the poor girl. She looked so helpless and small... and thin... Her eyes fluttered for a moment and opened slightly. "Momma..."

Did she just say momma? It was the fever... she was weak and the fever was making her think she was seeing things... "Shhhh.... it's alright...." Ora put a hand to the child’s face and smiled as her eyes closed again and she faded off into sleep.

Zenmusha:

Kezadon wasn't hungry... Well, not much. He still had things to do, and when he had things to do only a mug of ale could distract him. So, he grabbed some bread and dried meat, and made him a neat meat sandwich. "There ya go, lad." The boy ate it silently and eagerly.

The dwarf smiled at him. So young... It's a shame that Arken jeopardised the lives of such children like that. "Roke. I still haven't heard whether or not you want to go to my monastery yet. It'll be a harsh life, but it's better than how you lived around here. And there's always food on the table. Plus, you won't have to worry about money." He was sort of bribing the boy... But for good reasons.

"We can even send yer sis if ye want. Then you two would be a team!" Kezadon would be ashamed of those tactis of persuasion if it wasn't for the good.

Emora:

"Julie? She can come to?!" Roke seemed actually excited now... he looked into the room where his sister was and smiled. He grew quiet again and stared at the floor. "When can we go?"

While he was talking to Kezadon, Ora took the rag and dipped it into the bowl, which the water had gone cold now. She rung it out and laid it across the forehead of the little girl. She smiled as she looked at the child. She hoped one day she could have children... but she planned on being out of Arken... she would never raise a child of hers in a place brought forth from Hell... She had over heard the Roke. "Julie? Is that your name?" she whispered and smiled lightly.

Zenmusha:

Kezadon was relieved that the boy took his offer so well. "Aye, laddy, she can go along. And I be sure ye'll make a fearsom' pair of young lads!" He rose from his seat, and into the kitchen. He looked at the kettle... hoping it was nothing more than a fever that the girl felt.

Grabbing a mug of ale for himself, and making him a sandwich, he went to Ora, who tended to the girl. Coughing a stubborn bread particle that didn't go in like the others, he looked at the woman. "So, needin' anything at all, Miss Ora?"

Emora:

Ora looked up for a moment and then at Kezadon. "I don't know... I'm not a doctor and I haven't exactly had time to learn anything. Sure I've read medical books... ones I've stolen... but I'm no doctor..."

She sighed and rose from her feet. "She could have a fever for a number of reasons, infection... which could kill her... a cold... which will fade away... anything..."

She was worried that the girl was very sick and she couldn't do anything about it. Unless.... "Roke, do you have the money that you stole from Havick with you?" He came forward, pulling coins from his pocket. She took them and put them in her own. Then, she turned on her heal and scooped the little girl into her arms. She rose and looked at Kezadon. "I know a healer close to the middle of the town. I'll take her there. You can stay here with Roke... I'll be back." She then walked to the door.

Zenmusha:

Kezadon wondered for a moment if using the stolen cash was ethical.... and dismissed the thought when he remembered its lawful owner. He waited 'till Ora got out of the room, and went back to Roke.

"So lad, want to learn a few mad tricks?" There was a slightly fanatical bright in his eager eyes... And so, he spent the whole time teaching him "deadly" moves that could only be done after a lifetime of practice... but were still pretty cool from a boy's point of view.

Emora:

Ora walked the streets of the city, light should be coming soon... if her majesty would sleep today... She turned down a busy street that led to the main gates to the city and then just as fast as she had done then, up three steps to a door. She knocked with her foot her hands were full. The door opened after several knocks to an impatient old woman standing in the way. She was short and rather moody looking. "What d'ya want?" she barked and her hair seemed to fly out of the little bun.

"I need help..." she said and moved forward, pushing the woman out of the way. "I have a child and I need to you to find out what is wrong with her."

The old woman raised an eyebrow. "Got, coin?" she asked and looked at the child in her arms for a moment.

"Aye," she said and sat the child on a couch.

"Well, get out of me way..." she moved passed Ora and looked at the child for a moment. Feeling the little girl’s head and did some other things.

Then she walked to a cabinet and pulled something out. A vile... The woman walked to Ora. "Money first..." she said as Ora reached for it and Ora handed her the money.

Zenmusha;

Kezadon had moved from showing off weird stunts to telling all sorts of tales from his fights... Some of which he invented, and added a few more gruesome details... For some reason, children enjoyed the violent parts.

It was then that Joe entered. "Phew, you sure made a mess from my colleagues by the docks." His face was between happy and upset. "Thanks for taking care of my sister... But next time don't take her to dangerous spots. And don't almost kill my guild brothers. They may have questionable methods, but we're still members of the same guild."

Kezadon wanted to hit him in the head... With a pickaxe. But kept himself cool. "Fer someone that be so caring towards others, ye seem keen on depriving them of their hard earned cash." Roke looked in fear at the man... He recognized him. Kezadon noticed it. "An' using children as well."

Emora:

Ora placed the vile in her pocket and then took the child in her arms again. "What is wrong with her?" she asked and looked at the old woman.

"Just give her that and all will be better," she told her and opened the door. "Now get out, I have plenty to do." Ora left the woman and walked back to her home. She looked at the small child sleeping deeply in her arms and she smiled at her for a moment.

She walked to her home and opened the door and as soon as she entered into the room she could feel tension. "What's wrong?" she asked as she walked passed them and back into her room. Her brother looked slightly confused at why she was carrying a child. She sat laid the little girl on the bed and then entered back into the main part of the small home.

"So did you get what I asked for Roke?" her brother asked and smiled for a moment.

Zenmusha:

The little guy looked aprehensive. "Sorry, Mr. Falls... Ms. Ora asked me to hand it over to pay for Julie's medicine." Kezadon stood between Joe and Roke, somehow predicting a violent reaction... From what he knew about those kind of exploiters, they didn't refrain from beating up children when the results weren't very proficuous.

Emora:

Joe oddly smiled, though his smile was one that Ora hadn't seen in a while. It was so fake it was grotesque. "Well... we'll talk about this later..."

"Wait... you asked Roke to steal the money for you?" Ora asked and stepped forward quickly. "Do you know how much trouble I got in for that? Why? Don't you have enough people to mess with besides Havick? I thought you said you weren't going to steal from him any more..."

"Ora, come on... Its just business," Joe said and plopped down in the fluffy chair.

Ora raised the sleeve of her shirt on one side and showed the finger shaped bruises. "Well, look what your businuess did..."

"Well, I'll just have some of the boys talk to him about this..." Joe said and folded his arms.

"That's not going to do any good this time... he's just going to have the entire guard breathing down your neck!" Ora walked towards her brother.

"Well, do you have any money left over from spending it on that child?" Joe asked and glared up at her.

"What has gotten into you lately?" Ora asked and turned away from him, walking towards Roke. "Here take this..." She gave him the money left over. "Hold on to it for me, I'll take it to Havick as soon as I'm done giving your sister her medicine."

[Soran Nightblade]

Zenmusha:

"So... this is why you help thieves to escape from time to time..." Kezadon, even if not the smartest creature in the world, knew to relate things. "I can almost say that the whole smuggling act is just a cover-up for your friends to escape."

He walked closer to him, with the slightly threatening glance in his eyes. "Tell me, of all the places, why Havick's Tavern, knowing it might get your sister in trouble?"

Emora:

Joe shrugged and sat forward in the chair. "What do you care any way, your just passing through, when your gone everything is going to be like usual, my friends want be beaten up and Ora will go back to working for Havick like usual and paying off her own dept. So just do yourself a favor and not pay any attention to anything you see here. Now, I have some people coming over... and with you here I don't think this will be a nice gathering, so if you don't mind leaving..."

Ora pored the medicine into a spoon as she had the little girl's head on her arm, with her head tilted. "Sweet heart... wake up for a moment." the little girl opened her eyes and looked at Ora confused. "Open your mouth... I have something that will make you feel better." Ora put the spoon in Julie's mouth and then laid her back down. She didn't know if it was enough... but she would come back from Havicks and do it again.

Zenmusha:

He didn't like the least bit Joe's tone. In fact, he was starting to suspect his intentions about smuggling people... But he kept his suspicions to himself. He walked to the room where Julie and Ora were.

"While you're at work, I can take care of her." Kezadon gave his usual comforting smile. "Don't ye worry 'bout a thing. Jus' tell me when I should give'r the medicine." He planned not only in helping the girl, but also waiting to see what kind of reunion was about to take place... And stop it if it was as ugly as the thief said.

Emora:

Ora nodded and grabbed her apron then tied it around her waist. She walked towards the door and stopped. "I'll be needing that money, Roke," she said and he gladly handed it to her. She put a hand on his head and smiled, then walked back to the door. She opened it and there was a blond man standing in the way. He seemed rather surprised to see her. "Well, well...."

"Excuse me," Ora said and pushed passed him to find at least two more behind him. She stepped through them and they entered her home. She continued down the road, light starting to fill the darkness.

"Joe," the man said and smiled as Joe stood up, the man stepped forward, limping and still holding some body parts. He looked back into Ora's room where Kezadon was. "You know," he said and looked back at Joe. "You haven't got a bad looking sister."

Joe arched an eyebrow. "I'm going to pretend I didn't hear that." He walked to the door to Ora's room and closed it, then sat at the table.

Zenmusha:

Kezadon waited... When Ora was out of the house, he made his move. "Don' be scared, sweeties. Nuttin' wrong's gonna happen." He told the children. Winking at them with his kind smile, that turned to a grim face, he turned to the thieves.

"Leave this place at once." His voice had the angry tone of before. He only spoke so when he was just about to lose it and start a fight with someone deserving it. "I will not have a place where children are exposed to your foul deeds." He clenched his fists, hoping they remembered him. It'd make things far easier for him...

Emora:

Joe gritted his teeth. "This is my house and you have no right to order my friends while you are in it. If you have a problem, then take the children and leave... or go to Ora's room and close the door." The men he was with snickered and looked at the wooden floor.

Zenmusha:

"THIS HOUSE BELONGS TO THOSE WHO WORK TO MAINTAIN IT!!!" Namely Joe's sister. "Shove your orders up your arse, I'm not going to heed the barks of a petty thiefling like you. I was sent here to rescue this land, and that's my only purpose. And it's not being in your house that's going to deterr me."

He suconsciously flexed his muscles... And a few bones made snapping sounds as he seemed to inflate slightly, his frame becoming more defined. His skin was red, not from ale, but malcontained anger. "Now, do I have to throw you out by force?"

Emora:

Joe looked at him. "In any case this house doesn't belong to you, it is my house! No matter who takes care of it, it is MY house. Does a slave on her owner’s house, though she cleans it? No, get in Ora's room or get out... on my second thought," he looked to his friends and smiled. "We have business else where..." He walked to the door his friends following him.

They left the house, the men behind him talking aimlessly about things they found interesting.

Zenmusha:

Kezadon innhaled deeply, breathing out slowly, trying to relax. Fortunately, the bastard had decided not to get in a fight. He wasn't sure if he'd survive. His muscles untensed, and he walked back to the room. The children seemed scared.

He smiled kindly at them. "It's ok, lads. Ol' Kezadon her' sent the bad men away. No sir, no bad man's gonna put his filthy paws on me laddies." He playfully messed up Roke's hair. Julie giggled, and coughed. He put his hand on her forehead. The temperature had lowered a bit. "When yer feeling worse, tell ol' Kezadon, eh?"

Emora:

Julie nodded and smiled sitting up and pulled the covers all around her with a big grin. It had been a long time since she had slept in a bed.

Ora had made it to the tavern and Havick was a nervous wreck. "It's about time you got here! Get to work!"

"Oh," Ora said and smiled for a moment. "So you don't want your money? Alright, I'll just keep it..." she walked passed him and he followed quickly.

"Oh no you won't!!" he roared and slammed his hand on the counter.

"Temper, temper," Ora said and put the money on the counter. "There you go..." She patted his shoulder. "It's alright now..." she giggled and walked off.

Zenmusha:

Kezadon was... bored. The hours seem to drag on and on. He had only to give Julie the medicine once, and after that she started to grow more lively. Roke, who had seen all of his weird stunts, now was more interested in getting some just sleep.

In other words, he was just... rotting there... Waiting for something to happen...

Emora:

Ora worked hard all day and as usual, never got paid. Yes, it was slavery, but she was doing it because she loved her brother and he was the only family she had left. Though, lately he had been acting rather strange... Yeah, it was easy to tell he was hiding something from her. For her own good he would reason.

Ora walked home with her hands in her pockets to keep them warm. It seemed winter was setting in Arken or it was just cold since the sun had gone down again... She loved the sun, though she never got to see if for that long. But, when it was up it made her happy, because in a way it gave her hope. She wanted to leave... go some place where the sun shined for a long time... like it was supposed to...

Back in her home her brother and his friends had come back, chuckling over something. When the three men from the night before spotted Kezadon they couldn't help but smile. "You know," the blond one said and looked to Joe. "We owe him a few licks..."

Joe smiled and looked to Kezadon. "Take it outside boys... Ora has enough to do when she comes home... cleaning up after a fight is not one of them..."

"Who said anything about fighting? I was going to straight up kill him..." the blond grinned wildly and reached to the curved sword at his side. "I'm sure your little sister want mind cleaning up blood...."

Zenmusha:

Kezadon, who was half-sleeping, suddenly woke up. He had a bad feeling about things... And he'd fought enough to learn those feelings served him well. Rising from his place in the bed, he decided to go to the living room.

The feeling started buzzing in his head... something was not right... And before he knew it, he was dodging a curved blade aimed at his temples. There was an universal truth about attacking... It left you exposed to a counter-attack. And that's what Kezadon did, slapping the man's hand away, and shoulder charging on him, sending him flying against a wall.

The other men, that looked strangely familiar to him, drew their knives, and attacked as well. He grabbed a chair, and threw it like a javelin against them. It was only meant to distract them as he launched himself at the nearest one's legs, rolling on the ground just before impact, and knocking down two of them. The third... he simply punched him between his legs as he got up.

Emora:

People walked passed her as she made her ways down the wooden sidewalk that connected all the buildings. She stepped down the steps and on to the dirt before stepping onto the porch of her house. She could already hear thudding from the inside. She ran to the door and pushed it open quickly to find her brother standing in the corner, looking rather... aggravated.

She saw the familiar men lying on the floor and Kezadon standing up. She also saw a mess she would have to clean up. "What are they doing back here and what were they doing! Did they attack my friend?" she asked her brother with a rather shocked expression that he would let a murder take place in there house. "Make them leave Joe..."

Joe arched an eyebrow and looked at her. "I don't have to, you have a friend in this house and I have friends and these friends need a place to stay for the night and they’re staying here... Tomorrow we smuggle them out."

Ora's mouth dropped open. "There murders!!" she yelled and pointed at them, they were standing... well all except one who was holding himself. "And they can't stay here... not while I or Julie or Kezadon or Roke are here... they can find a brothel to spend the night in. I'm sure they have whores who would keep them company."

Zenmusha:

"It's settled then." Kezadon grabbed the two closest bandits and threw them out, shoved away the hurt one, and went inside to put out the leader, who still tried to hit him one in the chin... and failed miserably, as his head collided at great speed with Kezadon's clenched fist, flying out the window.

He went outside. "I won't allow these murderers to plague the other lands. You can start looking for another way to get them out." He looked at Joe with dissappointment. "I thought higher of you." Kezadon walked back in, looking for ale.

Emora:

"I'm really sorry you thought so high of me and ya are now disappointed, but I have to work for food and they were paying me and still are. I'm smuggling them out tonight with or with out Ora's help..." Joe said and glared at his sister. "If they can't stay here he ain't either!" He said and folded his arms waiting for Kezadon to leave.

Ora rolled her eyes and unfolded her arms. "Oh, do shut up, Joe..." she said and looked at him with disappointment. "I thought high of you to until a moment ago..." She then left and walked into her room to check on Julie.

"Ora, were not running an orphanage we don't have enough food for the children and ourselves..." Joe said and walked passed Kezadon to her room.

Ora threw him a bag as he entered. "Now we do..." she said and sat on the bed. Julie was looking so much better than when she had left. "Well, I see some one is good with children." She smiled at Kezadon and pushed a strand of Julie's hair out of her face with a motherly like touch. "Hello, Julie, my name is Ora..." She said and smiled warmly at the child. "Would you like something to eat?" the little girl nodded and Ora grabbed her hand and walked with her back into the main part of he small house where the table and bench was. "Sit here and I'll fix you something."

She grabbed the bag from Joe and sat it on the table. She reached in the bag and pulled out a flask of liquid and tossed it to Kezadon. "I think you might like that... did they hurt you?"

Zenmusha:

Kezadon drank it all at once. "Like ya don't know me, lass. Those lil' bastards couldn't hurt me if their lives depended on it."

His smile faded, and his face grew serious. "Ora, your brother's words reminded me that we should send the children away. I'll be meetin' with a friend of mine, he's also a monk. He'll be escortin' them out, and into the boat to Ongoreth."

He allowed himself to smile again. "But not 'till ya stich me shirt, lass!" He wincked playfully.

Emora:

Ora smiled and sat the food out on the table, cheese and bread and jerky. She then walked around the table to take his shirt. Joe was walking towards the door to go some place.

"Where are you going?" Ora asked him before he opened the door.

"To make plans with some friends," he said and then left the house. Ora looked to the ground feeling rather sad that her brother was acting this way. "He usually isn't like this.... I don't know what’s gotten into him lately."

She held out a hand to take his shirt. "I'll get to that right away for you," she said with a smile.

Zenmusha:

Kezadon gave her the shirt. "Thanks, Ora. Yer a true angel." That done... He jumped on the food, eating like a lion after a month of starvation. Though his thoughts were on Joe as he ate. What was he going to do with his life?

Most importantly, what if that plan had anything to do with him or the children? More trouble for him... Of course by the way he ate, no one could guess what he had in mind.

Slamming his fist against his chest and burping, he rose from his seat. "Thank ye again, lass." Nothing to do so... he sat down again.

"Are ye gonna miss those lads?" He nodded towards the children. "Even if they've only been 'round for a few hours, it's like they're family already."

Emora:

Ora smiled as she stitched up the shirt Kezadon had given her with her mothers needle and thread she had left behind. Ora had done a lot of stitching and still had some left over. Her mother had loved sewing...

"Of course I'll miss them," she said warmly and looked to the children. "I've fallen in love with him." Meaning she loved them already like a mother loves her child. "They will be in a far better place than here." She looked back at her work, her hands moving quickly. "There is more ale in that cupboard over there..." She nodded towards it with her head.

While this was going on Joe and his friends had entered into a building filled with women of all shapes and sizes in the smallest and the most revealing dresses in the world. The women smiled at him and they smiled back. Joe asked for a man by the name of Cragan and a rather large breasted woman showed them up the stares and to a door. Cragan sat on the inside smoking a pipe and leaning back in a chair with his feet propped up on a table.

"Got the money?" he asked and the three men beside Joe shook their head.

Cragan, Captain of the Guard, who had recently bee fixed up by a group of very skilled healers.

Joe stepped forward. "But we'll get it!" he said quickly and Cragan arched an eyebrow.

"No I don't think you will..." He rose from his seat. "You know what this means?"

"No... no please..." Joe said and looked worried. Cragan smiled and stepped around the table.

"Alright... I'll give you one last chance. Get the money... or... you know what will happen..." He grinned wildly and left them and the whorehouse.

Zenmusha:

Kezadon rose up, and poured down some ale to his cup. "Aye, they'll be. Their life's not gonna be easy... But they'll turn out right. At least me and evryon' that I met with their age has. Well, apart from me insane taste fer ale..." He laughed.

Pouring some more ale to his cup, he turned to Ora. "Ya don't hafta gimme evrythin' ya own, Miss Ora. I can make do with far less." He drank the ale slowly, tasting it. "I thank ye fer evrythin', Miss Ora. It's been a welcome break from sleeping in the streets."

He put the cup on the table, and walked towards her, sitting on the ground as she sew. "Ya remind me of me mother... She used'ta sew me father's workin' clothes all the time... he bein' a miner an' all..."

Emora:

Ora smiled looking back down at her handy work and blushing. "I remind you of your mother?" She asked and grinned as she continued her sewing.
* * *


When the group was out side Cragan turned to the four as they stood behind him. His guards were beside his carriage. "I'll be a picking up my collateral, incase you forget about me money and skip town..." He climbed inside and the horses took off. Joe screaming words the whole time...
* * *


Ora finished his shirt just as a nock came to the door. Ora handed him the shirt with a smile and walked towards the door. She wasn't half way there when it was kicked open by a large foot and two men walked in quickly holding crossbows. They fired two shots at Kezadon at point blank range, one at his shoulder and one at his kneecap. Three more followed in. One grabbed up Ora who kicked and fought to get away and the other two got the children. Roke fought with more vigor than Julie who was still to weak and to weak any way for being such a small child.

Roke bit the man and he was slung across the room. Another figure came in and yelled: "Leave him, we have what we came for."

The guard held Ora by the arms and drugs her out of the house as she kicked and screamed trying to see if Kezadon was all right. Little Julie was being held in a bear hug. They tried to force Ora into the carriage, but she wasn't going with out a fight. Cragan, the largest out of all of them, grabbed her by the back of her dress and lifted her like a bag, tossing her in. Then he grabbed the child with one arm and climbed into the carriage, followed by two other guards who made sure Ora didn't try anything.

Ora took Julie in her arms and held her protectively as the carriage took off towards the Lord's Castle...

Zenmusha:

Kezadon, that had senced something was wrong only instants before the door was kicked open, jumped out of his chair, and barely had time to dodge the bolts. He jumped and spinned over himself in mid air, and manage to save his kneecap, though he was hurt in the other leg, as the sharp tip of the bolt managed to pierce it.

Ripping it out as stoically as he could, he watched as the events unfolded quickly. When he had finished his stunt, the men had dragged out Ora and Julie, and Roke was crying silently against a wall. "I'll get'em... Don't worry.", he said to the child as he limped towards them.

They were already starting to leave when he went outside. Breathing in, and focusing all his strength in his legs (the injured leg emmiting flashes of pain), he "flew" to the carriage, grabbing the ceiling.

He tried to climb up to it, which was a hard task, considering his condition. "I need to gret to the driver..."

Emora:

Julie sniffed and wrapped her arms around Ora's neck, burying her face in Ora's hair. "Shhh...." Ora whispered and held the child tight.

"Well love we meat again..." Cragan said and smiled broadly. "Funny... I didn't think you had children." The Captain of the Guards head snapped upwards. He slammed his fist on the wall behind him. "Driver hurry it up!"

The carriage sped up and flew around the corner sharply, almost flipping over. It continued on until it came too large iron gates that began to rise as the came closer to it. It would be a tight squeeze...

Zenmusha:

Kezadon used the "swing" provided by the curve to propell himself to the driver's seat... and nearly landing on one of the two guards driving the carriage's head.

He gripped one by the collars, trying not to fall out. The other man, who struggled not to follow him, drew his knife, at the same time he grabbed anything he could to stay put. The other man drew his short sword, and swung it at his hand. Kezadon, kicking a horse to gain momentum, managed to regain balance, at the same time grabbing the other man's wrist, and twisting it until it broke.With his other now free hand, he punched out cold the one he had grabbed, and threw him out.

The other guy, holding back the howls of pain, followed the smart choice of pummeling him with his fists... And thus was easily thrown away as well. He grabbed the reins, and would've made them stop... if the creatures hadn't rode all the way into the castle... Sighing, he readied himself to face the many guards that had begun to pour out of the building ahead.

But not before getting back on the ceiling and preparing to land (quite litterally) a punch to Cragan as he came out...

Emora:

One of the guards grabbed Julie away from her and she started crying. "Let her go!" Ora yelled as they stepped out of the carriage and took her away. "No! Let her go you bastards!" Cragan was quiet giddy by her use of language and before she could dive out of the carriage had grabbed her by the waist.

"Let go of me you pig!" she spat in his face with a look of disgust on her face that was quiet literally slapped away by Cragan's large hand. In her moment of dizziness he through her over his shoulder and stepped out of the carriage.

The guards still held Julie a few feet over who was sobbing and reaching for Ora.

Zenmusha:

Kezadon waited until all of the guards had exited, and jumped on Cragan's back as he left it with Ora. Praying for forgivance to a few saints, he snapped the man's neck. As his legs gave up, he ran towards the guard holding Julie, and jumped over him, kicking his forehead as he "flew" past him. With the guy down on the ground, he slammed his foot against his chest, and his lungs were perforated by broken bones.

Feeling a twinge of regret for having taken two lives, he readied himself to face the many more guards that had drawn their blades and stood with vicious looks in a circle around them. He grabbed Julie in a bear hug, and walked with her as fast as he could to Ora. "Miss Ora, make sure you two stay near me all the time." His voice held no fear, only a grim determination.

Emora:

Ora nodded getting off the ground and taking Julie and holding her tight. Her face on the left side held a large red mark that covered her cheek. Julie wrapped her arms around Ora's neck again and held on tight, closing her eyes and resting her head against Ora's shoulder like a child would her mother. The poor thing was trembling from fear and that made Ora even the more angered.

There were quite a few guard surrounding them in one large circle and had there blades pointed at them. "Surrender and we will not harm you!" one commanded who must have been the next in line when Cragan died...

Ora looked for a way to get out but they had to get passed the guards and the gate was closing that led to the outside.

Zenmusha:

Kezadon's eyes sparkled with silent anger. "Your lives are forfeit unless you step aside." His voice came out deep. The men's leader, that seemed to not quite understand the concept of stepping aside, as he moved closer and thrusted his sword against him. Kezadon doged to the side andd punched his wrist. As he let go the sword, he grabbed it and with a quick swing beheaded him.

The other guards charged on him, and Kezadon threw the sword to one of the men's throat. He waved his hands, like he had done against the thieves, and knocked down a third of them with his ability. The others hesitated... and that was more than enough for him to get a chance to strike at them.

he jumped on a few at the same time, slamming his fists against their armour, that didn't resist the impact and bent or broke. He grabbed their weapons and threw them towards the ones that tried to approach Ora, always hitting them in vital spots. And so, after a while fighting, the guards were either dead or incapacitated.

Wiping his forehead, he limped back towards Ora. His pain in the leg had been ignored during the fight, but decided to pay him a visit again.

Emora:

Ora watched as he fought the guards... but there were plenty more where that came from and if they were really unlucky some one watching who was in charge would send out an Ichtassy Warrior... Ora figured he would have no chance.

"Come on..." she said and grabbed his hand urging him towards the gate... which the guards who had been manning it had come to help and left it wide open. "Please before more...."

However, it was to late...

A tall figure standing around seven feet tall with dark gray glossy skin and long white hair was pulled back into a pony tail, he was dressed in black lose fitting clothing under a armor chest plate, crafted by his race to be much stronger than the guard's armor. His eyes were glowing blood red and he had sleek black horns that curled backwards on his head. He had a deathly frightening stare focused on Kezadon, Ora, and Julie... he was planning on killing them all. Ora held Julie tighter... "Close your eyes, baby..." she said in a whisper and put a hand to the back of the child’s head.

The Ichtassy Warrior stood with his legs apart and his hands clasped behind his back. One hand came up as he slowly began to walk towards them and it reached behind him pulling a sword that was like a snake in a way, slightly wavy... (the blade that is) the hilt was like spikes as it went into the blade...

Zenmusha:

kezadon stared blankly at the Ichtass... a worthy adversary... Perhaps even too worthy for him. "What the Hell, we all die..." He grabbed a longsword for himself, and went into a counter-attack stance, always keeping his eyes focused on the man... and reviewing in his mind every principle, every lesson he had learned during his life.

Emora:

The warrior held his sword with both hands and out in front of him, stepping one foot in front of the other as he came closer to the three. Ora backed away slowly giving them there room and praying silently that Kezadon would not die.

The warrior had been watching the dwarf as he fought and found him to be worthy to fight. He gave a bow of his head in acknowledge meant of this. The warrior held his blade ready to fight and then, with out warning in any body language or facial expression he swung to the right, but at the same time moved his right leg around quickly to knock his opponents feet out from under him and if his arm reaction time was delayed so much, slice off his head... Either way he would hit the ground.

Zenmusha:

Kezadon was preparing to parry and disarm his opponent, when he saw his leg coming to him at appreciable speed... And so had to content himself with deflecting his sword with a swing of his own as he jumped backwards, break falling on the ground.

Standing back up a safe distance away, he counter attacked with a tai chi kata. His sword would swing towards all vital spots at great speed, and each attack would lead to the next... And even if he deflected it, it didn't matter; he'd just spin around himself and strike all the same.

Emora:

At his attacks the Ichtassy parried with little effort and didn't even retaliate but simply began backing up with each attack but finally ran backwards and up a wall landing behind the dwarf, immediately lunging with great force, but not using much exertion. "Well played..." he said as she stepped back quickly and stood with his legs a shoulder length apart from each other and the sword in held in the middle, his forehead pressed against it, waiting for Kezadon to attack him.

Zenmusha:

Kezadon parried the lunge easily. His opponent relied too much on force. He'd have to use that to his advantage. Right now, he was playing a counter attack game. "Damn these short limbs... he can outrange me, so a direct assault might not be the best choice..."

He closed his eyes for a moment, breathe in, and ran towards the Ichtass, holding his sword with his teeth, and waving his hands in the same patterns as before. When he was close enough, he let go another Ki wave, that engulfed his foe. Kezadon jumped a few feet high, holding his sword back in his hands, and prepared to land with its point aimed at his throat.

Emora:

The Ichtass moved in a quick graceful bowing way as if he were doing a strange cart wheels. His feet flipped into the air and landed again. He stood straight and swung around to Kezadon's back. He was a very good fighter and the Ichtassy Warrior was almost sad to see this end so quickly... But, all good things must come to an end. Instead of the blade hitting Kezadon the Ichtassy Warrior spun around and planted his left foot into the pit of the dwarf, sending him flying through the air and into a brick wall. That should keep him down for a while... He was eager to kill the other's... But, he would spare the child.

With that the Ichtassy Warrior turned toward the woman and the child and began to walk towards them lowering his head and his some of his hair that had come out of his hair due fell in front.

If there was one thing that the Ichtassy believed in and that was honor. "I will spare the child... I ask that you fight me so you do not die needlessly... But, know this you will die."

Ora swallowed hard and even if she had wanted to sit Julie down she couldn't. The poor child had a death grip around Ora's neck. She shook her head and began backing away.

Zenmusha:

Kezadon realized that he might've done a bad choice of an attack when he was kicked into a brick wall... That cracked when he collided against it. As well as one of his ribs... Doubled by the fact he lost his sword during the flight...

Hurt, he tried to walk back to the Ichtass, that was threatening Ora and Julie. A deep sadness filled him... They had trusted him, and he failed. Tears began to form in his eyes... They'd die because of him...

Then, he remembered! Fighting is no different than cooking, sewing or mopping the floor. If you keep doubting yourself, the result would be awful to behold. He was like that when he tried to do a simple front roll on the ground... The memory made him smile for a brief moment.

He allowed himself to relax... and jumped towards the Ichtass, as silently as an ant carrying something back to its nest. As he stood above him, he grabbed him by the air, and brought him down as he fell, punching his nose and sending him a few inches into the air.

Emora:

Ora sighed in deep relief when Kezadon had come to there rescue and she would have given him a hug, if there were the time. "Can we please leave now?" she asked with great pleading, she didn't want him killed.

The Ichtassy Warrior rose from the ground as if some one had grabbed him and hauled him up. He walked forward quickly and scooped his sword up with on hand then held the hilt with two. Walking briskly towards Kezadon with his eyes now glowing bright red with anger. "You will pay, Master Dwarf."

The Ishtassy people had no feelings of shame or anger when it came to killing other people; it was when some one did an act of greatness to them that they got angry. It was very bad to get one angry… very bad in deed…

Zenmusha:

Kezadon didn't seem the least bit scared... It was a dwarven racial trait, courage. And strength, both of body and mind, another. And short legs...

He walked to him slowly at first, then gradduately faster, until he did a short run towards his foe. He waved once again his hands... And when he tried to project the wave at nearly point blank range, nothing happened.

But he was standing close to the Ichtass caught in surprise, and managed to grab his forearms and, spinning around himself and pushing the elbow joint, threw him in the direction he was facing, making him land flat on his back.

He kept his grip at all times, and proceeded to smashing his right shoulder with a kick, at the same time twisting his wrists in an attempt to break them.

Emora:

The Ishtassy Warrior did not cry out in pain when his shoulder was crushed and his hand broken... He felt it yes, but he would never show that it had fazed him. Instead he reached to his belt and pulled a dagger out from under him and through it quickly in Ora's direction to distract the dwarf long enough to make his escape...

The dagger sped like an arrow through the air and no scream was uttered... no call for help. Ora's eyes grew wide and as she looked down her knees gave way. She fell to the side, holding out a hand to break her fall. She wouldn't have fallen so hard if she hadn't had Julie's weight pulling her down.

Footsteps were coming up behind them; lots of footsteps and Ora's brother along with ALL of his "friends" (Meaning half of the thieves guild) were coming.

Julie sat up on the ground and Ora laid there for a moment and then raised her head with pain filled eyes as Julie started crying again now that her friend was hurt. The dagger had gone in a good ways into her side... She grabbed the hilt, wincing as even the slightest movement on the hilt of it hurt her. She pulled it quickly and dropped it on the ground before lying backwards again and holding the place where it had gone in.

Zenmusha:

Kezadon felt something explode inside him when the Ichtass threw the dagger in Ora's direction... And it felt like an ice grenade had just blown up inside his soul when it hit the target. His self-control was lost, and he grabbed his nemesis by the pony tail... and slammed his head against the floor.

He kept doing that until his skull gave to the constant beating and was smashed against the stone ground. The blood and brains spread fast, and a few gushes hit him in the face and chest.

Kezadon ran towards Ora (or rather, limped), falling on his knees when he got to her. "Miss Ora, are you alright?" It wasn't a very smart question...

Emora:

Ora looked up at Kezadon for a moment looking all across his face as her brother rushed to her aid also. She tried sitting up and pain went through her side, blood pored out as the pain grew. She let herself fall back again slowly with a heavy sigh. "I don't know..." she said very softly. Well, she didn't...

She had never been stabbed. She had never almost died. She didn't know what a serious wound was... She didn't know if she was dying or not. All she really knew was that she didn't want to die. "Thank you..." she said feeling that if she was going to die she would tell him this. "For coming..."

Her brother looked over her injuries. "She needs a healer..."

Zenmusha:

Kezadon wripped off a piece of his shirt, improvising a bandage, and tied it around her injury tightly to prevent any more bloodloss. "Try not to talk... Don't go dying on me..." He passed his blood dirty hand through her cheek, before grabbing her up and passing her to her brother. "If that's so, go get her one." He looked at him blankly.

"What's the coward inside that palace's intentions?" He asked. For some reason, they had grabbed Ora and Julie, and had mentioned something about getting what they needed.... And he was pretty sure Joe knew something about it. "Hurry up. My patience wears thin, and I want to know more about the creature I'm going to kill."

Emora:

Joe took Ora looking rather pale. "I owe him money... from years back that has built up. I owed him money for not putting Ora in an orphanage... and I owe him money for not taking me to the Slave Shop... and I owe him money because I am a foolish man who can't hold me tongue... I swear on the graves of my parents I'll change... for Ora's sake..." He paused for a moment and looked at Kezadon. "I'm sorry I was so rude to you.... I owe you so much.... I'm sorry I need to get her away from here." One of the thieves who looked to be an actual decent man lifted little Julie into his arms and tried to calm her by asking her silly questions.

Joe hesitated a second longer, looking into the depths of Kezadon's eyes. "Don't get killed... Ora's taken a liking to you..." With that he turned and walked away. But before leaving fully he gave an order to his fellow thieves for them to stay and help him...

Zenmusha:

Kezadon nodded. "I won't..." He turned as well to walk towards the palace, grabbing a pair of longswords on the way. He heard many footsteps behind him, and when he turned, found out that many of the thieves had stayed behind and were following. "Joe told us to help ya." A particularly dense one stated all of a sudden. Then again, he might've been the smart one. The others didn't appear to react to his questioning gaze.

Smiling inwardly, he commanded them to grab a few swords for themselves and follow him. The guards had left the large front door open, and he could see a staircase ahead, where the palace's master would be. As he approached, Kezadon told the thieves to hide by the door's side, to ambush the remaining guards.

He entered the palace. Just as he expected, the entrance hall was a large, square, two level high room. Pillars supported the upper level, and behind them, many doors lead to other rooms. On the upper floor, there were just paintings and more doors, not as many as below, though.

He made towards the staircase. The squared black and white, shining stone floor created a misterious aura, and Kezadon felt uncomfortable, as if something was about to happen. And just as he was a footstep away from the staircase, a mob of guards, that had been hiding behind the pillars, made their move. Kezadon ran back to the exit, maiming a pair with his swords as they came close. He counted them... 10... 9, since he sliced off one's head near the front door.

He could take them on... but he shouldn't waste anymore energy, as he didn't knew what he was about to find. A few steps out, he cried the guard's number as they ran after him, so the thieves knew just how many they would face... and since the guards were outnumbered 3 to 1 and surprised , the thieves made short work of them with no losses (except a few minor bruises).

Kezadon went to the upper level, and discovered the door that most likely lead to his foe's quarters... And he was, right, as he entered in his room, and took time to evaluate his enemy...

Emora:

Behind a desk was a brute of a man. Not as large as Cragan... but clearly a whole lot smarter. He was looking over some maps. "Cragan? Do you have this girl you were telling me about? I know you must... Joe wouldn’t pay of his dept to me this quickly..." He looked up and paused. It wasn't Cragan...

The man stood straight, sensing something was not right with him and he put a hand on his sword. "Who are you?" he asked and narrowed his eyes.

He was dressed in fine black armor and maroon under clothes. He walked around his desk to get a better look at the dwarf. "Do you need something?"

Zenmusha:

Kezadon rose his two swords, leering at the man. "Your life. That's what I need." He walked closer to him, examining the man. He could be just a rich grunt, or a warrior like that Ichtass... Within the human limits, of course.

"How can you cause so much suffering to your fellow men and behave like nothing's happen? Are the illusions of this world so strong in your heart that you're willing to cling to them no matter what?" His cold anger started to grow again. He went to a combat stance, readying himself to whatever came.

Emora:

The man, who for the moment was pretending to be lord, since a lord had yet to be established in Arroes, looked at Kezadon with rather shocked eyes. "How did you get passed the guards..."

The man reached for his sword at his waste and grabbed the hilt. "I'll give you the chance to leave, fool, and if you don't take it I will have you killed. CRAGAN!!!!" He called for his right hand man... but no one came. He might by tied away at the moment with unfinished business...

“Hura?” he called next, but the Ishtass never came…

Zenmusha:

Kezadon's face was as cool as can be. "You're servants are either dead or maimed. You are alone, and you'll die." He jumped on the man, with both his swords aiming at his throat. "Time to avenge you, Ora..."

Emora:

The man was so shocked by what was happening that he didn't react to anything until it was to late. The swords went through his neck, almost slicing of his head. His mouth moved to talk... but all that came out was blood.

He clawed at the stone floor until the moment of his death and there he lay with his eyes wide, a pool of blood forming underneath him.

Mean while Joe was practically running with his sister now unconscious in his arms to the same woman she had seen that day about Julie. The man with Julie was catching up. He knocked on the door with his foot and the woman opened it, not having time to tell him to go away, he pushed her aside and stepped in, laying his sister on a rather rotten couch.

"Heal her..." he ordered, his eyes on fire.

"Money first."

"Money last."

"Money first."

"Heal her or I'll slit your throat..."

"Money last...." the old witch said and walked quickly to Ora.

Zenmusha:

Kezadon dropped both his swords on the ground. It was done. He wouldn't commit any more wrongs now. He walked away, with the anger subsiding fast. He ran out of the palace, eager to know how was Ora doing. She seemed not fatally hurt, but he had seen stronger men bleeding themselves to death over not important cuts.

Outside, the thieves told him where they had likely gone... To the old woman that sold medicine. He rushed there, ignoring the pain in his leg... That was turning into a nasty wound from the prolonged effort.

When he arrived, leaded by a pair of thieves, they found the door was open, and Julie was there, sobbing. Kezadon kneeled close to her. "There, there... It's over. The bad men are gone." She seemed to relax a bit, but still cried silently. He looked to Joe. "He's dead. How's Ora...?"

Emora:

Joe turned when he heard Kezadon's voice. "The healer should be out soon," he said trying to hide his worry. He was right, after a moment the old woman returned from the back room, where she had Ora moved.

She looked around. "What has my home become? A criminal meeting house?" She walked to a bowl and washed her bloody hands in it. She dried them on her apron. "She'll live..." she said as if she could read the minds of the people in there and they didn't have to ask a question.

"I gave her some medicine to keep away infections and dull the pain when she moves. The dagger almost poked through the other side... she is to thin for one... The medicine will make her sleepy, but she'll be better in a few days... three at the most."

Joe sighed in relief and sat on the couch as the woman survived Kezadon. "Would you like me to heal you?" she asked and looked at him, turning to a cabinet. "If you would like you can go in and see her, she's awake, a little groggy though. Would you like me to heal you before you go?" The last part was reserved for Kezadon.

Julie had walked in and was holding on to Kezadon's shirt and hugging him closely. She looked up at him, her cheeks wet with tears.

Zenmusha:

Kezadon hugged back Julie. She needed some comfort. Not all children were unlucky to be born in Arken. In fact, none should. "It's alrighty, sweety. Me just needs to take care of a few bruises." He pointed to his hurt leg.

He nodded to the old woman. "Please do." He walked to the room where Ora was. She was lying down on an improvised bed, a couch. His eyes widened when he saw her, and he sighed of relief. "Miss Ora..." he said, walking towards her, and leaning towards her face to make sure she recognized him. "... I'm back. That man's dead. You've got nothing to worry for now."

Emora:

Ora had been resting her eyes when Kezadon's voice filled the room. Her shirt was pulled up slightly where the woman had bandaged her wound. She smiled weakly at him. "It's the second time I've been here to day..." She pulled her shirt down and moved to sit up so she could talk to him better and when she made it up slowly she didn't know what to say. "Thank you..." but she figured she had told him that already.

Zenmusha:

Kezadon smiled back. "Yer welcome." He tok his time to examine her. She looked tired in a sickly way... In other words, weak. "Ye better stay down, lass. Don't overdo yerself fer the next days, aye?" He helped her lay back on the couch. "Alright, miss Ora. Me just be gettin' this nasty gap healed an' punctured, and then me comes back, ok?" He winked at her, in his usual friendly manner.

He turned to the old woman, that had entered the room. "Want me to heal you NOW?" There was a bit of understandable impatience in her voice. "Alright then, let's get this over with." He awaited her instructions, somehow aware that it might be a rather hurtful experience.

Emora:

She pointed to a chair and after he had sat down she brought a vile out. "This is going to hurt." she said and pored it on his legs very sloppy, but it still would do the trick. The sensation should be like some one was ripping you leg off... but it varies between people. It was the quickest healing thing she had... and the most expensive. "Maybe you should have taken off you pants..." she pointed out and smiled slightly as she turned back to the cabinet, putting the vile back in and then opening a drawer to grabbed a needle and thread.

"Would you like me to knock you out, give you something to bite on, or pain reliever?" she asked walking towards him with the needle and thread in her shaking hands.

Zenmusha:

Kezadon stoically endured the medicine, and was more upset when the woman proposed he take off his pants than when he felt his flesh being "ripped apart". He scoffed at the woman when she asked him if he wanted something to help him endure the pain. "No need fer that, m'lady. Me be used ta painful experiences." And he was, given his ruthless training in Ongoreth... There, the monks didn't make things easy for the students after a certain age...

Emora:

"Well, do you mind ripping your pants leg or something off, other wise I'll so them to your skin..." she pointed out and folded her arms with a smile. She loved being right.

Joe lifted Julie into his arms. "Do you want to go see Ora?" he asked her softly and she nodded. He left Kezadon and his new friend alone to discuss the pants issue.

Julie sat on the couch next to Ora and not meaning to, leaned over and bumped her wound. Ora gasped slightly, but ignored it and held Julie in a tight hug.

"You do know it is not safe for use here any more..." Joe said and Ora looked at him as she ran hand across the back of Julie's head.

"Where is Roke?" she asked before replying to his question.

"I sent James after him." And silence came to them. "We have to leave Ora..."

"And go where?" Ora asked and narrowed her eyes. "We have no money, Joe. We have no where to go that they wouldn't find us!" She closed her eyes with a sigh. Except for Ighten, she finished in her head.

Out side the room the woman was still pestering him about his pants. If it was possible she seemed to be a cute old woman now and not as hard core as when Ora had first met her. Maybe because she was beginning to have a crush on Kezadon...

Zenmusha:

Kezadon sighed... "Well, alright... Ora's gonna kill me." He ripped off his leg's pants. "There ya go... Sew me up, m'lady." He readied himself for the sensation of a needle piercing his skin... What was significantly less than a sword slashing through it.

He kept his hears tuned to try and overhear the conversation between Joe and Ora. And got enough to understand they weren't safe there... More work for him, it seemed.

These thoughts helped greatly when the old woman started stiching him, and he fully focused on them...

Emora:

The woman began to sew and in no time his leg was fixed up and all fine. She cut the thread and rose from her seat or rather where she had been kneeling and placed the needle in the water with her hands and washed them clean.

"We have to leave, Ora..." Joe said after a long period of silence. "We could go with the next ship out and to Ighten..."

Ora thought about it, she had thought about it ever since she was little. "You forget if you wouldn’t have done anything to owe people money... we wouldn’t be in this situation!”<br>
"I'm sorry!" Joe said and stood up quickly. "I made mistakes! I was young... to young to take care of you when you were little and myself! I made mistakes so we could eat!"

"I grew up a while ago, incase you haven't noticed and you still made foolish mistakes!" Ora said and remembered then that Julie was still in the room. "I'm sorry Julie..." she said and hugged the child tightly. Maybe it was then that she realized it... She remembered then that Julie and Roke were supposed to go to a place with Kezadon and she realized just how much she would miss the little girl. In a way she thought of her as her own child.

"Well," the old woman told Kezadon and smiled. "That'll be four gold please..."

Zenmusha:

Kezadon just remembered that he didn't have a nickel on him... "So sorry, dear lady, but me hasn't got a coin. Please ask Miss Ora over there for something..." He felt bad having said that right after they complained about their financial difficulties.

Kind of hoping they had, he walked to them. The old woman had done a perfect job. In fact, he almost walked better than before. "I be askin' fer forgivance, but I couldn't help but overhear your conversation." Behind him, the old woman steamed furiously. "But ye must remember, that now we're three, and I be willin' ta offer protection from possible greedy men. I'll work for ye fer the time being... The least I can do ta repay home and medical assistance..."

Emora:

Ora looked up from where she still laid on the couch. Joe sighed, she knew he was aggravated, but he still had to learn a lot. Even she had grown older in the mind than he had about some things.

Ora smiled warmly at him. "Of course we'll pay your bill... won't we Joe?" she asked and gave him a stern look.

It wasn't the stern look that caused him to answer they way he did. It was the fact he felt as if he owed Kezadon something and in a way he did. "Sure... I have some money on me. How much did the old bag- woman say?"

"I heard that!" her voice said like nails on a chalkboard. Joe rolled his eyes and pulled out the only money he had left. Four gold and two silver. "Take it my friend, tell her it's all I have..."

"Kezadon," Ora said softly before he left. "If we left... would you stay?"

Zenmusha:

Kezadon sighed. "It's my duty to remain in Arken and look for children like Roke and Julie, as well as aid others like you and your brother." He looked into her eyes. "As I said before, I'm willing to work to help you pay your debts." He smiled. "I don't have anything else to do!"

The old woman behind him fumed. "Oh, here's your four gold." As soon as he extended his hand, the woman sweeped off the gold. "Thank you. Come again anytime soon." She didn't really mean it....

Emora:

Ora smiled and as the woman stalked off she said, "I don't think she likes us..." She looked to her brother and studied him for a moment. "Can we go home?"

She didn't want to be around the old grumpy woman any more than she had to and she was very tired and sore.

"How is your leg?" she asked Kezadon as she waited for her brothers answer. She brushed Julie's hair from her eyes and looked down at her with out moving her head, straining to see, and found Julie was sleeping. Ora grinned hugging the little girl.

Zenmusha:

He looked back to Ora. "Let's just say it reminded me of when a tiger nearly ripped off one of me legs..." Kezadon noticed how closely Ora was holding the girl. It'd be sad to part them, that much he knew... But it had to be done, for Julie's sake.

"Let's go, Miss Ora." They went back to their house. It was a rather unneventful walk... Well, at least no nasty thieves or corrupt guards to mess around with. So, they arrived in no time.

Roke was waiting for them by the doorstep. "Julie!!!" He ran towards them, and hugged Kezadon, who had interposed himself between Ora and him... He might make her drop Julie...

Emora:

Ora had walked slowly back from the healer, her side still hurt, but it was getting better. She walked into the house and bent slightly with a wince and sat Julie gently in the chair.

She turned and covered her mouth with a yawn, looking at the door, which seemed to be hanging on one hinge. "I'll fix it later..." she said and rubbed her side lightly.

Joe looked up and at her. "No you won't... I'll fix it."

Ora looked rather surprised, but the look faded and she nodded. She looked to Kezadon and smiled. "I had the feeling that the healer sort of had a thing for you..." she joked trying to get some humor back in her life.

Zenmusha:

Kezadon blinked... And his whole body shivered at the thought. "Urgh... Please, Miss Ora, if ye be wantin' ta keep me friendship... Don't remind me of that." He feigned a serious expression, that betrayed the fact he was playing along. "Still, she be a wee to old an' too tall fer me. Me be likin' them short and square."

An old man dressed in rags and supporting himself with a walking stick made his way to them. He was bald, and even if his long grey beard betrayed his elderly age, he seemed the type that shaved his hair, instead of a bald man. "What country is this, where the darkness twists the young?" He said as he passed by them.

"Still, a lighthouse's fire wades it off." Kezadon replied. The old man stopped dead on his tracks, and straightened his back. He smiled at the dwarf. "Kezadon... I knew it was you who nearly got himself crippled on that chariot." He sighed. His fame of crazy shorty would never let go of him. "Very funny, Master Kella."

Emora:

Ora arched an eyebrow completely confused by the whole thing. Well it was most certain that Kezadon knew the man. "I take it this is a friend of yours?" Ora asked and smiled to the man holding the cane.

"Master Kella? My name is Ora Falls..." She held out a hand for the old man to shake.

Zenmusha:

Kella grabbed her hand... And kissed it. "A true pleasure to meet you, Miss Falls. You can just call me Kella. I was the one that taught Kezadon here..." He poked Kezadon's armpit with his walking stick "... All his tricks." Kezadon frowned. "Like you were the only one training me..."

Kella, who had noticed the two children from the start, finally acknowledged them. "Seems like you found two recruits, Kezadon." He smiled at them, much like Kezadon's own. "Aye." The dwarf nodded. "They've agreed to join, and They'll be a fine addition, I'm sure."

Kellad nodded. "Yes, I see what you mean... Shall we smuggle them out tonight?"

Emora:

Ora tried to hide the fact that the mention of the children leaving made her sad... she would miss Julie so much... But they would be in a better place and they would learn to defend themselves and grow to be strong.

"Joe and I will help," Ora said and smiled softly. "If it means that they will be safe then, yes, I will help."

Ora moved aside and smiled. "Please come in," she offered him the chance to go first into her home. Joe eyed the master wearily, too much excitement had happened, but he guessed he could trust the old man, since Kezadon seemed to take him as a friend. “I’m afraid I don’t have any food to offer and I believe Kezadon has drained us of our ale… I know where I could get some if you’d like some…” She folded her arms across her midsection, placing a hand softly on her side where the bandage was.

Zenmusha:

Kella noticed how she flinched, but didn't act like he did. Instead, he simply poked Kezadon again. "You're always the same! Can't you control your thirsts for a full day?" Kezadon sighed. "Well, you're the one that told me drinking was a way to get in touch with your subconsious..."

Trying to change the subject, Kezadon turned to face Ora. "Miss Ora, he'll be the one guardin' the kids until they arrive at Port Karelii. What reminds me... Ye still haven't shown me how yer smuggling scheme works."

Emora:

"There's nothing to it really," Ora said and smiled. "It's basically you sneak your way to the port, but even smart people seem to find it hard."

"Tell me about it," Joe said and sighed heavily. "Stupid criminals and persecuted nobles can't even hold their tongue for a few minutes or follow orders."

"When it gets darker than what it is... we'll leave then," Ora said and smiled as she glanced to Julie who was sleeping in the chair and Roke who was nodding off on the couch.

Zenmusha:

Kezadon smiled. "Alright then! Frankly, I was sorta expecting something like a secret underground tunnel..." Kella pocked him yet again... "That's because you never think rationally. You and your Dragon Ball Z stunts..." The dwarf sighed, yet again...

"Well, then. Let's just wait 'till it gets dark. Or rather... darker." So, they spent the nex few hours inside their house. Kella was the prototype of a dirty old man, and kept discreetly hitting on Ora... Of course, he had many years of experience, and so he easily dodged the occasional slap... Or allowed her to hit him, making sure she hit the spots where it hurt less.

Meanwhile, Kezadon reassured the children that he wasn't like that all the time... Only when he found a pretty lady. "Hum, does that mean he'll... act weird on me too?" Kezadon, and the rest of the house, burst into laughter. "No, dear, he only does that to OLDER pretty ladys!"

Emora:

Ora new the old man had to be playing around with her. He just had to be! He was too nice in a manner to be that dirty of an old man.

She laughed when Julie asked if he would hit on her. "He better not," Ora said and kissed the top of the little girls head. "He'll have me to deal with."

She looked to Kezadon. "It's almost time," she said and knelt down in front of Julie and Roke. "Now you have to do me a favor. No matter what you do, please you must be quiet or the guards will find us." The nodded softly.

Zenmusha:

Kezadon got up from his chair... And Kella stopped his leaning towards Ora. "Alright... Time ta go..." He looked at the children before turning to leave. It'd be a long time before he'd see them again. Kella poked him with his staff. "Stop daydreaming and let's go. Haven't you learned not to leave a Master waiting!?" Kezadon was quite eager to answer back to that...

So, they left the house into the port. It was a rather silent party now, both because they didn't want to attract attentions and because they'd be separated soon.

When they arrived, Kella and Kezadon waited for the Fall's instructions.

Emora:

"Alright," Joe said and lifted Julie up. "Be very quiet." So the four snuck out of there own home through the down stars hidden trap door. They came out close to the docks. Joe looked around first.

"I guess the guards are all cleaning up the Lord's Castle... no ones on the streets..."

"Well, lets hurry just in case." The four snuck in the shadows closer and closer to the docks and looked around, watching for where any guards might be. "Over there..." Ora whispered and pointed to two men dressed in armor with the Queen's crest on it. She put a finger over her lips to tell the two children to stay very quiet.

She spoted Kezadon and waved slightly, the guards couldn't see them yet.

Zenmusha:

Kezadon spotted Ora waving at him... As well as the guards. He stiffened his limbs, preparing to fight them out... But Kella put a hand on his shoulder. "There are easier ways than killing them, Kezadon. And we both know you dislike violence. For once, let me take care of this."

He walked to the guards, doing his fragile-old-man stunt. "Please, young sars, would you spare a quid to an old man?" He walked closer to them. "We? Lend something to a dirty old sewer rat like you?" The guards snickered. "I'm not sure if you got something, old man. Around here, WE're the ones that ask for stuff. And right now, we're asking for someone to beat up..."

The arrogant guards pounced on Kella... That simply jumped back, and grabbed a handful of dust, that he blew at the guards... That fell asleep. Kezadon and him grabbed their bodies back to where the others were. "Joe, is it?" Kella asked. "Those uniforms seem to suit us. Dress them, and Kezadon, tie them up. They'll be grounchy when they wake up." He took out a rope from inside his vests.

Kezadon tied the sleeping guards. His Master would never cease to amaze him...

Emora:

"Do you have you have your own ship... or will you be boarding the one we use?" Ora asked as she took Julie from Joe so he could get the armor, making a painful wince, but it went away once her weight was even again.

"Our ship is down that way, towards the end of the dock, it's probably the most raggedy one, but it gets them through most of the time..." Ora pointed towards a middle-sized pirate ship that had been converted into a carrier ship.

Zenmusha:

While the two fake guards were pitting their disguises on, Kezadon answered Ora's question. "Well, we ususally jus' try ta embark as stoleaways in any ship leading ta Ongoreth. Actually..." he scratched the back of his neck." ... this be the first time we do this..." He examined the boat. Seemed fairly seaworthy. If you don't mind the overall wasted look of it...

The now-geared Kella and Joe escorted them towards the ship. Their armour really came in handy as they passed through a couple more guards unnoticed. Finally they arrived by the ship. The thing's captain hadn't yet arrived, so Kella used this opportunity to sneak into another alley and change back to his usual attire. Joe had been told by Kezadon to remained disguised to the very end. "It'll be useful ta keep smartarse away..." No one wanted a fight with Arken guards in that area.

Emora:

The captian came out with his thin frame and long white beard. "What be ya problem?" He didn't seem to recognise Joe in his attire so Joe said something descrete just in case any guards were coming by.

"Captain Blackwater," Joe said and the captain seem to see him in a new light.

"Come a board good sirs..." the captain said and a cheerful grin came to his surprisingly not wrinkled face.

Zenmusha:

Kezadon looked one last time to the children. An odd liquid known as tears began to form around his eyes, and he blinked in close sucession to disguise it. Kella gave him a friendly shove. "Stop pretending you're not gonna miss them. Your acting skills suck." Kella looked at he two, who were hiding behind Ora's legs. "Don't be scared, now. I'll protect you with my life." For a change, his voice didn't have a drop of sarcasm in it. In fact, and given the way he acted, it was almost unbelievable he could be a serious type.

The children slowly walked towards them, and he smiled much like Kezadon did... And it was his turn to shove him playfully. "See, lil' guys? This ol' coot even taught me how ta smile." They hugged him and Ora one last time, before walking with Kella into the ship. "I'll make sure Koichi pays you a visit, Kezadon!" Kella shouted, before the ship set sail.

They spent a while staring at the ship as it faded away into the horizon... Finally, Kezadon broke the silence. "Well, that takes care o'things. Let's go back home."

Emora:

Ora nodded smiling slightly. She had a knot in her throat that would go away soon enough, but she was really going to miss them, little Julie most of all.

"I don't think anything too exciting will be happening any time soon..." At least she hoped not. "I guess were going to have to add on a room for Kezadon..." she smiled and looked to him. "Since we're stuck with him." And she didn't care one bit.

"Of coarse... I don't know how long our house is going to be safe with us."