I'm An Adventurer! [Looking for an bodyguard/escort]

Kat inadvertently accepts an adventure to go take notes on an unexplored region outside of Fellsguard ... all she needs now is to find someone who will be willing to help her get there!

Fellsgard is the foundation of Khy'eras' history and through reconstruction, it is now a vibrant and lively city. People reside here due to mild climate, opportunities, and safety and stability. Adventures often start from Fellsgard. Read more...
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Katarya Frost
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I'm An Adventurer! [Looking for an bodyguard/escort]

Post by Katarya Frost »

Walking through the streets of the northern part of the city was like stepping into another world. Here, the wealthier folk of Fellsguard called their own, and the environment seemed to reflect their status, with statues, fountains, small gardens … and fully paved roads and walk-ways!

Katarya was no slum-girl; she dressed well for her station, but compared to the ladies who passed her, draped in silk attire, sporting elaborate hairstyles, topped with hats adorned with feathers (and even gems), Kat might as well have been wearing rags … especially with the way they looked at her.

People fell silent as they passed her, giving her looks of either utter disdain, or amusement, as if she was some kind of freak that ought to be in the circus! She wasn’t so petulant as to sass them, or even glare at them (at least, not to their faces). One word from any of them and she was pretty sure the local guards would oblige the preened posers and send her back to the south side.

It was especially hard to keep herself from reacting when she passed a group of young men, about her age, all wearing enough finery and jewellery that would bring enough coin to feed half the slums for a month, all doffed their hats to her and gave mocking bows and calls of ‘Good day, my lady!’

Kat clenched her fists. But ignored them, simply nodding her head and moving on. Above her, Nyx had chattered at the young men, which almost made Kat smile; she could hear the indignation in her familiar’s noise.

While the reaction she seemed to incur from the residents bothered her a little, she was still glad she had taken this walk. Even the very air seemed cleaner up here, as well as the streets (there wasn’t an inch of refuse in sight!), and the marble statuettes were beautiful to behold.

Though almost all the houses she came across were like palaces compared to what she was used to, living in the south side of the city, there were none more fabulously grand than the houses that belonged to the distinguished families that ruled over the city from behind large, ornate gated, beyond which were wide courtyards, sporting varies fountains and features that even Kat couldn’t help but stare at.

“You lost, miss?”

Kat blinked, realising she had been stood staring through the bars of a tall gate that looked upon a grand house. The likes of which she had never seen before (she had never been this far into the northern district, in all her life) and was a little awestruck that one family could call such a huge place their home. She glanced towards the voice, and her eyes met with that of a guardsman. “Oh,” she said, suddenly feeling self-conscious. The passer-bys all seemed to take a great deal of notice of this guard talking to a woman who quite obviously did not belong here. “Good morning.” She said, “I was just …”

“You got business here? You a servant or something?” He said, leaning forward slightly. He was a large man, and had an aura of self-importance to him. He was one of those type who came from just as humble beginnings as she, but because he worked among the nobility, seemed to think he could act like one of them.

Kat’s jaw tensed. “No,” she said, pointedly. “I am not a servant. I own a shop in the …”

“Then what you doing here? This here’s the home of House Sidrioh … Got an appointment, have we?” He sneered.

She had rarely wanted to slap someone as much as she did, right then.

Nyx cawed from behind the guard’s shoulder. The raven was perched atop a noticeboard, and she seemed to be trying to draw Kat’s attention to it.

“Actually,” Kat said, moving around him and going to the board. “I’m here for this,” she quickly scanned the board, her heart sinking a little when she read some of the notices … they were for adventures! And the few she quickly skimmed all seemed much too dangerous for her! “And I’ve found it, so … Good day to you.” She finished primly.

The guard gave a mocking laugh. “You are going to accept a job by House Sidrioh? You?” He laughed again. “I think you should be going back to your husband and leaving these kinds of things to men who know what they’re doing.”

She was wrong, now was the moment she yearned to slap him. “I am quite capable of taking on …” her eyes drifted to the board, and she read out the first notice that had been tacked to the board.‘Exploring and reporting on the conditions of the area marked below’!” She even pulled the parchment from the board and turned to him with her chin lifted. “Now if you’ll excuse me …” She turned to walk away, giving a silent thank you to Nyx for saving the day, though also wondering what she was going to do with this adventure notice!

***

When she got to her shop, she placed her own sign in the window. Which read as such:

‘Looking for an escort/guard to escort one young woman to the below are [she had attached the map]. Reward will be 30 copper. Please enquire within’

Now all she had to do was hope someone capable will answer the call!
Word count: 906
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"Now is the Time, now is Hour, mine is the Magic, mine is the Power"
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Dáire
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Re: I'm An Adventurer! [Looking for an bodyguard/escort]

Post by Dáire »

It was late afternoon by the time Dáire found himself in the southern district of Fellsgard. Having spent the previous day in and around the docks, he’d realised just how out of touch he was with the way in which humans operated in their cities now days. The revelation had come at somewhat of a surprise to him, but then again, he had often been reminded one of his failings could be his arrogance. Learning his new surroundings wasn’t the only reason he had ventured into the southern half of the city; being around all these humans (many with less than stellar hygiene), had resulted in him picking up a mild ailment. Nothing problematic, just irritatingly there. This had brought him in search of someone who had access to the herbs he needed for his go-to tonic, or the tonic itself should they be familiar with it. Collecting the herbs himself was a possibility, but he wasn’t familiar enough with the surrounding country to make it an efficient trip.

The small shop he had been told about by one of the lovely bar maids in Mac’s, came into view as he strolled leisurely down another of Fellsgard sprawling streets. The small sign above the door blew silently in the afternoon breeze, declaring it Lillian’s. Soft warm light spilled out of the shop windows and into the waning light of dusk, indicating sunset would soon be upon them. Pulling out his coin pouch, he set about counting and then mentally dedicating, his remaining coin to his various needs. He’d foolishly forgotten how expensive it could be to live within a city, and would need to find a way to make more coin on his terms soon. Lest he have to take on work he’d rather leave be.

As he set about composing himself and resisting the urge to sniffle every few seconds, a notice in the shops cluttered window caught his eye, giving him pause.

‘Looking for an escort/guard to escort one young woman to the below area.
Reward will be 30 copper. Please enquire within’


Below the elegantly written notice there was a small map attached, indicating an area just outside the city bounds, one which he was fairly sure he’d been through on his approach to the city proper. He thought it a bit of an odd request but if they were paying, he wasn’t going to question it. Dáire hoped the news of his arrival hadn’t got around too much. The two humans had been big mouthed, and he was sure they’d gloated about knocking their escort out to some of the locals. Before they’d found him in Macs that was; he doubted they were still singing the same song now.

Clasping the cool metal of the door handle, he ducked his head and stepped into the quaint little shop. The aromatic smell of herbs was quite over powering as he swept into the establishment. He tried to straighten up once inside, and swiftly decided against it. The shop had defiantly been designed with humans in mind, clusters of dried herbs brushed the top of his head before he hunched himself over once more. Making his way further into the modest little store, he found a spot by the counter that allowed him to straighten up and take a proper look around. The shop was tidy and well organised, tonics and potions of many different origins sat on shelves around him. Deciding in that moment that he would just ask for a completed tonic and not the means to brew his own. From the wares on display, this Lilian could evidently brew well.

The store appeared empty but he assumed there must still someone here, clearing his throat he said “Could I get a sinus tonic when you have a chance, please? And I’d like to talk about the sign in the window, if whom it concerns is around as well.” Inwardly he cringed when his voice came out nasally, much more so than it had been even earlier that day. Noise in the back let him know someone had heard him, and so he waited for the owner to return to the shop front.
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Arthur Claymore
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Re: I'm An Adventurer! [Looking for an bodyguard/escort]

Post by Arthur Claymore »

If there was one thing to be said for posting a sign for some coin for the simple task of escorting a young woman to any destination it was certain to be that it would draw a stir. Of course, there was some concerns to be had in selecting such a guard. There was no shortage of those whom would take your coin to be your guardian and abandon you as soon as their life was in peril. After all, coin is only of value to those who yet draw breath, though perhaps in a world in which the dead yet walk that was entirely an apt understanding of things. Baring those who would place their life above your own, there were the less then scrupulous sort who would just as soon as put a blade in your back should they believe that it would earn them more coin to steal your life then save it. That was the risk one ran when they hired a blade to aid them. Arthur wasn't likely to be the first candidate to enter the small shop and offer his services and perhaps he would hardly be the last to do so. He was a young man of a slender but athletic frame that was well hidden in the loose fitting garments he wore. A traveling sack rested over one shoulder holding all of his worldly possessions save for the two blades that rested upon either hip. He opened the door shortly behind the figure of the Kerasokan man that entered the facility moments prior. A call on his lips that goes silent before uttered as he hears the nasaled voice utter his petition to speak to the poster of the signage. A hesitance in his stride for but a moment before a clearing of his throat and his voice cuts in to speak I would also like to ask about the sign, if it isn't too much trouble?"

A flush crept up into his cheek, a moments embarrassment but he had come specifically for the sake of the job on offer. Perhaps the young woman wouldn't balk at the offer of two guards in her travel? Though from the posting, it wouldn't seem likely to escorts would be needed. In any regard, the worst that he could face was a rejection of his service. There was an apologetic glance cast in the direction of Dáire, and a small shrug afforded. It couldn't be helped, though he certainly hoped he hadn't offered any undue offense.
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Katarya Frost
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Re: I'm An Adventurer! [Looking for an bodyguard/escort]

Post by Katarya Frost »

Katarya raised a brow as the tall Elf made his way through the shop, giving an amused nod as he tried not to bump his head on the produce. The young witch liked Elves ... she used Elvish for magic ... not because it was particularly useful, but it was just so beautiful to speak, and her Grandmother, Lilian, after whom the shop was named, had taught her to speak it before she died.

Just as she was about to answer the Elf, a second man approached the bar, excusing himself for interrupting and also offering up his services as a bodyguard! Kat had not expected a response so quickly, and certainly not to get two people wanting to take up the job. "I suppose Ny'Tha is smiling on me today." She glanced at them both. "I have no idea whom to choose ..." As she spoke she was taking various herbs from sealed jars behind the counter, crumbling them up into a bowl. Once she appeared to be satisfied with what she had, she placed the bowl on a small pedastal, under which a heavy candle was burning. She added a little liquid from a bottle she dug out from underneath the counter, her eyes narrowing as she poured gently. "I suppose we have three options," She re-corked the bottle and stirred the mixture. The smell of fresh mint filled the air; the menthol effect seeming to fill one's chest with it's potent scent. "Either you discuss it amongst yourselves, and you can decide which of you would be better suited. Or you can both attend me," she spoke as if she were some highborn lady! "And split the money between you. Or," she gave them an amused smile. "You can take off your shirts and wrestle ... winner takes the prize." She gave a small laugh, indicating that she was jesting ... partly.

After a moment, she took her mixture and strained it, handing the heavily minted potion over to Dáire. "There you go," she said. "That should clear you right up; sips only though. It's got quite the kick!"
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"Now is the Time, now is Hour, mine is the Magic, mine is the Power"
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Re: I'm An Adventurer! [Looking for an bodyguard/escort]

Post by Dáire »

Dáire looked side long at the human man who had followed him silently into the store. The colour creeping into the young mans cheeks betrayed his youth, and it made Dáire just a little curious as to why someone so young, would want to be in this line of work. He knew he’d had vastly different priorities at that age. The young woman that had appeared was so much younger than he’d been prepared for. He watched her closely as she worked methodically, pleasantly surprised with her system of preparation. It was a rookie mistake on his part, he’d been so focussed on watching her that he’d forgotten to listen to what was being said.

“Or you can both attend me, and split the money between you. Or you can take off your shirts and wrestle ... winner takes the prize.”

Dáire felt his stoic façade slipping, his lips twitching upwards at the woman’s obvious amusement while imagining said scenario in her head. He quirked a questioning brow at her, this human had spirit, and a back bone – quite unusual he thought to himself.

She handed him the mood saving concoction and Dáire took a whiff, instantly wishing he’d been less enthusiastic. The strong mint and menthol flooded all his senses, causing him to blink in rapid succession and try desperately not to splutter. He'd managed to reach his age, and yet still he jumped in with both feet first, every time. Taking a cautious sip, he let out a heavy breath as it began to work almost instantly, his heavy head beginning to clear, not having been aware just how foggy it had become until then. Dáire looked over the human man beside him again, “Think you could take on this Elf, young man?” he teased, nodding to him and allowing a rare grin to creep onto his face. He wouldn’t lie and say the thought didn’t amuse him; the man probably weighed more than he did, despite his slight appearance – but he was still a whole head shorter than Dáire as well. It could be quite the spectacle to behold.

“Would you have use for the both of us?” he turned back to the young woman and his voice sobered. “I’ll admit, he’s probably more efficient in close combat than I would be. My talents aren’t quite that way inclined.” He gestured to the blades at the mans hips and the dagger at his own, then taking another sip of the pungent potion. “As a guard I’m sharp and effective, but not that intimidating. As a guide? You won’t ever be led astray. Now I don’t normally work with anyone other than the client but - “ He paused slightly, not entirely sure how he wanted his situation to come across, “I’m not long into this part of the world, and so have no prior engagements to occupy my time … but being perfectly honest, I fear I will soon grow restless if I’m not given something productive to do.” He stated, dropping his formal act. It was true. Although wandering the city had occupied him for a few days, you can only look at so many shops, taverns, or streets before they all start to look the same.
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Arthur Claymore
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Re: I'm An Adventurer! [Looking for an bodyguard/escort]

Post by Arthur Claymore »

It was perhaps a moment at the prospect of wrestling for the position that Arthur's gaze slid to the woman's face and a brow arched. It took him the tick of a breath to catch the subtle hint of the amusement. A joke. Though it wouldn't be the first time that Arthur had had the misfortune of a client demanding the applicants to be a guard face each other in marked combat. His gaze shifted subtly back to Dáire as the older male spoke.

“Think you could take on this Elf, young man?”

A challenge? No, it didn't take him even half a tick of breath to recognize the subtle mirth in the Elven man's remark. His smile is small as he inclined his head in acknowledgement.

"A wise man trusts in his strength, but does not boast."

A quick reply though the intonation and inflection of the spoken words would belie that they were not conjured from the recess of his own experience but a quote he had likely been taught by another. It said nothing of the question that was asked nor did it retreat from the humor of the challenge. His nose twitched at the scent in the air, even from his distance the hint of the fragrance of mint was still present. He could not imagine breathing in its aroma as Dáire did, though the concoction seemed to be effective in its purpose. He made a mental note to remember the name of the shop should he ever need a tonic. A hand reaches up to idly adjust the collar of his shirt before he speaks again.

"If I can be so bold. Thirty pieces is a pretty wage to offer any man to stand idle at your side, ma'am. Though an appropriate wage to offer two men to fill the same task. And should danger arise, an extra blade can do you no harm." A pause in his speech as he collected a breath before he would "Unless it finds its place into your back or mine." Now in an another situation one might think that the subtle hint in his words were an accusation to the caliber of the elf who was his competition. But there seemed to be no such accusation in the words, rather perhaps some small attempt at humor or simply the forthright candid nature of his speech. An afterthought spoken aloud. In much the same way that there was a subtle, perhaps unintentional barb in placing Dáire as the role of 'extra blade' in that afterthought.

"Which is to say, I am willing to split the wage. Though I am willing to defer to the lady's judgement on exactly how much servicing she is in need of."

He inclined his head in a small bow to the shop keeper, showing the deference to which his words promised. There was a desire to confess that his usual fee was in fact ten pieces rather then fifteen, an impulse of a childish idea of 'honor' that he had long thought quashed. In fairness, he was able to beat back the urge by rationalizing that his usual fee would be ten pieces plus board and meal for escort. Since the mission offered didn't seem like he'd need board and meal, the extra coins could be considered compensation for that.
Word count: 559
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Katarya Frost
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Re: I'm An Adventurer! [Looking for an bodyguard/escort]

Post by Katarya Frost »

Kat looked between the two men, and raised a brow. Each of them completely willing to split the handsome reward; it seems she might have found the two only honest adventurers in all of Fellsguard! Unless one (or both) were planning on murdering them in her sleep. She cocked her head 'let them try' she thought. Finally she spoke up. "I'll just assume the shirtless wrestling is a no go? She shook her head, feigning sadness. Oh well, I suppose I will just have to settle for the company of you fine gentlemen when I am on the road." She closed the book she had been pouring over and stood straight. "My name is Katarya Frost; you may call me 'Miss Frost.'" She said, a little imperiously. "Am I to know your names before we go, or shall I be calling you Bodyguard One and Bodyguard Two?" She asked with a small smile.

After introductions had been done, the instructions came next. "I'll be leaving the shop in the capable hands of my assistant, so we can be off at 6am. Don't be late; whoever does so will forfeit their share of the coin. I expect that we'll only be out for two days, maybe less if we can make good time and have no complications along the way." 'Famous last words ...' she thought' Any questions, gentlemen?"

It seemed Miss Frost might have the potential to be a rather ... demanding employer ...
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"Now is the Time, now is Hour, mine is the Magic, mine is the Power"
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Arthur Claymore
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Re: I'm An Adventurer! [Looking for an bodyguard/escort]

Post by Arthur Claymore »

If there was any issue or concern to precisely how demanding an employer Miss Frost would prove to be, it showed not at all on the lined face of the young blonde man. His gaze slid for a moment to the man who would be settling off to be his fellow in arms, offering a small inclination of his head."You may call me Arthur, ma'am." Was the words he offered by way of introduction. Not a full name offered though it wasn't uncommon for someone in a subservient position to offer just their first name by way of address. She didn't quite speak like a noblewoman. It was an odd thing that he had noted in her mannerisms. She didn't quite have the air that he would associate with nobility, rather she seemed to be a woman of means and class. A capable woman, he thought, and one whom was likely quite able to fend for herself which bore the question...

"Might I be so bold as to ask the purpose of your journey, Miss Frost? Your destination doesn't appear to be particularly dangerous in nature, should we be concerned for more then wild beasts and bandits? If you're planning a particularly dangerous enterprise, I might have to trouble you for an extra piece of coin." His words were teasing, disguising a genuine interest in her motives. Given her shops nature, he guessed that her intention was perhaps to gather some rare herbs of some variety but there was the possibility that she was intending to seek some treasure or relic that would carry with it some perils of their own. He was curious if she was perhaps being overly cautious or intentionally duplicitous with her employment, she wasn't offering enough coin for silence which meant whatever she was invested in likely wasn't something amoral. But he could never be overly cautious, if his job was to protect her, then he had to be at least reasonably informed of the dangers that might present themselves.
Word count: 336
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Katarya Frost
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Witch
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Re: I'm An Adventurer! [Looking for an bodyguard/escort]

Post by Katarya Frost »

Katarya tilted her head at Arthur's question. It was smart to ask; why walk blindly into something when you can be prepared. It gave her confidence that she would have two capable people with her. But, she couldn't be completely truthful, as this was Fellsguard and she was a witch; just being alive was illegal for her! She could hardly tell them why she intended to make a slight detour to a rumoured house in the area where lived a witch ... if the tales were true. Since Kat's grandmother had passed, her studies into her Craft had slowed to a crawl.

"You're certainly wise to ask," she commended him. "The main job is just to survey the area for the noble house. But since we're in the area, I have heard a terribly fascinating tale of a real life witch living in the area. I am quite sure the House would want to know if that was the case." She hoped that would be sufficient. She hadn't lied, but then she hadn't told them that she was seeking the witch out as a friend, and not some curiosity to be reported back. If it turned out the witch really did live on that land, then she wanted to make sure that the woman was left alone, which meant she might have to lie to the Noble House. She didn't relish the idea, but then, witches needed to look out for one another.

"Is my answer satisfactory Mister ... Arthur, I mean." She asked, with a raised brow.
Word count: 256
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"Now is the Time, now is Hour, mine is the Magic, mine is the Power"
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Arthur Claymore
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Re: I'm An Adventurer! [Looking for an bodyguard/escort]

Post by Arthur Claymore »

A reader of actions. That was the art of any man trained in combat. Words could lie, but it took an entirely different set of skills to deceive ones own body. A fretted motion here, a caught breath, a glance away at the wrong moment. Each a sign of something to a trained eye and Arthur had learned in his youth to watch the body more then the words. He was no master of the art form but even he could see that the woman was a creature of secrets. Her words were expected things, what she thought she should say and not what she truly felt. But he could not guess to what secret her words hid. Was the story false? Was there a witch or was that simply a lie? Was her intent to slay them or to report them? Or was she perhaps seeking something else entirely? There was far too many variables for him to discern the truth of the matter, but he dismissed such a concern off hand. She had volunteered something and in so doing had set up some expectation of the threat that they might face and that would do for him. He wouldn't press her further. He had no need to know her secrets to keep her safe.

"Quite so, ma'am. " A hand would raise and he would reach out to place it upon her shoulder to give it what could best described as a comforting squeeze. A small motion that carried with it a wide and warm smile. "Rest assured, Miss Frost, that I shall do my utmost to keep you safe. And even once this is business is concluded, you have to but call on my blade and I shall gladly raise it against any that threaten you. No matter how great the beast that I must test it upon may be." The words were spoken with some meaning, his brown eyes seeking her own as if to convey something deeper there. Perhaps he had guessed, at least in some small part, at the secret she held though if he had done so he offered nothing more then implication to confer it. With that promise offered, he would flush as if recognizing that such bold contact upon her person was not exactly becoming and quickly make haste to remove his hand with a murmur of some manner of apology to his boldness.
Word count: 402
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