Trail to Fasaloft -- Rio Toark

[Zark]

Zark chuckled at Ardocc's questions. They amused him somewhat, espicailly the last one. His chuckle didn't fit his demeanor though, it was a chuckle of someone who hardly laughed or never laughed before. Then he raised an eyebrow at Torin. This young one ale? Interesting. He decided to reply to Torin's questions first. "Well I think its obvious how I did it. I simply told it to slid right off him with the language." Then he said quietly so that only they could hear him, "Also, if you killed me you might have invoked the wrath of my... 'subordinates'." Then he thought about the questions that the one named Ardocc had asked him. "Well I first I read your mind because I had nothing better to do. And I must say, that was a interesting counter attack you inflicted upon me." Then he thought about the next one, "As for why I followed you I thought that I would be able to regain some of my pride by killing you both in a mage duel but after hearing what you had said a while back and judging from your talents I thought that it would be best if we joined forces." Then he replied to the last question with a smiel that only showed teeth. "That, my dear friend, is because my subordinates are very... persuasive..." His smile widened though it still showed no emotion. It was a creepy sight.

[Ardocc & Mani]

Ardocc listened to every word he said carefully. He had very mixed emotions about this man.

"So when you say subordinates, you mean something like ghosts you control? That makes me very uneasy around you my friend, for how am I now to know when you aren't trying to control my mind or kill me off. It poses a problem in my mind. Especially the fact you had to problem killing us but chose freely just to join us. It will take more that this simple explanation for me to trust you."

Then he took a swig of an ale he had ordered when Zark had spoke. He awaited what Torin had to say to all this.

[Torin]

Zark ordered Torin another pint, which Torin was sipping, he didn't want to over do it.

"In the ancient language you said that you wished to be friends, but that doesn't mean you won't cause us harm. I caused harm to Ardocc when I said something harsh to him, But I am still his friend. I will agree to let you journey with us, but you have to show us that we can trust you."

Torin finsihed his second ale and asked the waitress for a few more pickles.

"We will explain the rest of what we are trying to do to you up in the room, for even the tables have ears in Alagaesia."

Torin remarked as he tapped on the table.

"Now let us talk as men, or almost men, in my case, and rejoice for good food, even though I could make better. But I must say, these pickles are delicious. I must "Buy" some before we leave for our journey"

Torin eyed his pickles and looked at the kitchens. There was no doubt in his mind that he would steal most of the store of pickles tonight. He glanced over at Zark, and saw the eyes of a demon. Those eyes, he hadn't seen them in 10 years. The eyes of someone who would do whatever it takes.

[Zark]

Zark looked at Ardocc patiently, he didn't need to reply to him for he seemed to know the awnser to his own question. Then he turned Torin as he responded after he ordered him a pint. "I am fully aware about the limitations of the ancient language. And I am not asking for your trust. You both are wise not to trust me, cause only fools give their trust so openly, yes?" He chuckled before coninueing. "As for controling your mind and killing you, I will only do so if I am threatened in anyway. Sounds harsh and cold but its nothing personal. Just buisness and survival. Surely you both understand such things." Then he took a sip of his own drink. The mead tasted good and went down his throat smoothly. "Go right on ahead and 'buy' some pickles. Just don't make me be the one to pull you out of danger." And he then looked at them all with a glint in his eye. A glint that reminded them of cold steal. "But I think we should seal the deal that we have come together with one good cheer. What say you two?"

[Ardocc & Mani]

Ardocc had been up tight so long and watchful that when he realized that all three of these warriors sitting at one table, drinking and talking about pickles, he forgot all else and had himself a great laugh.

"Well as important as pickles are, I never had a love for them. So the pickles are all yours my friend. And as for our story, I think we should go to a room like Torin suggested. You just can't be too careful." So as he said this he stood up and said he would meet them all at room six on the right. He started to walk off but stopped shortly after and said, "and Torin, I hope you can hold your whiskey because I'm not carrying you up the stairs" Then he walked off chuckling.

He was in a funny state of mind.

[Torin]

"and Torin, I hope you can hold your whiskey because I'm not carrying you up the stairs"

Torin chuckled

"Hey I only had 2 pints, I am not as think as drunk I am, no just kidding"

Torin, Ardocc, and Zark entered the room and sat down on the two beds. Torin and Ardocc told Zark everything that happened in the past 2 days from Torin telling Ardocc to Follow him, to Zark attacking them in the Marsh. Zark seemed amazed at teh part where the were at the library.

"So tell us why you are here. ANy special reason?"

((g2g to bed))

[Zark]

Zark smiled at Torin. Like a child, doesn't care about what others think. Needless to say, I think they will be most amusing companions. "I personally like pickles once in a while, so your not having them all to yourself." He said with some humor. Then he glonaced at Ardocc and said, "Your right, lets head upstairs and continue our conversation." Then he headed up the stairs behind Torin but before Ardocc, then they all entered the room. Their story was most interesting as was the library staory. Then they asked the question that caught him off gaurd. "Huh?" He heard the question but was buy time to comprehend it. "I am here because I have put my past behind me and I want to move forward on the path that I have chosen." For a instant, his face had changed, from calm, somewhat cold demeanor to a sorrowful face. But it quickly vanished as suddenly as it came.

[Ardocc & Mani]

Ardocc was quiet for the most part, except to add things to their story here and there. He kept looking at the expressions on Zark's face. He noticed that it was if he used the wrong face for different things they said.

Or maybe he just thinks differently.

Whatever the reason may be, they had just told him what they are and what they are doing. He would have been more hesitant to tell him what exactly but Torin did, so figured it would be OK. He just hoped that Zark wasn't for the other side, or for some other part that would oppose to this.

"Well whatever your path may be, I need sleep. I know we are leaving in the morning, so you can come if you wan to. We should make it there by tomorrow. I will deliver the package and we can decide on our next action."

Then he took off his boots and weapons and leather jacket and went to sleep in the bed away from the other two.

[Torin]

While Ardocc and Zark drifted to sleep, Torin was almost ready to "buy" most of the pickles. Ardocc was sleeping on the bed next to him and Zark was on his other side. There were only 2 beds, so Torin offered to sleep on the floor, even though Ardocc and Zark protested it. Ardocc fell off the bed, but didn't wake up. Torin, having concern for his new friend, lifted him up and put him back on the bed. Zark on Torin's other side, moved quite a bit in his sleep.

Has to be all that creepy stuff he does

Torin thought to himself. He made sure that they were both asleep, because he didn't want to disturb them. Ardocc hadn't gotten many sleep in the last 2 or 3 days. Torin always keep at least 10 knives on im at one time, but still not trusting Zark, put his father's dagger in the special box. Torin put on his forest green cloak and snook down the stairs, careful no to wake anyone up. he went behind the kitchen and looked for the pickles.

Bags! They aren't here, wait I see something.

Torin looked in a book and found the recipe for the pickles. He thought that the store of pickles might be with the owner. Torin went to the Master Bedroom and stole most of the pickles. He ran back up to his room and ate a few, and finally went to bed. The next morining, Ardocc and Zark woke up, to find Torin already packed to go.

"I'll put 10 dollars in place for the pickles. I couldn't dishonor pickles that much. Might anger the gods."

In a few minutes they left on their journey, which would take another day.

We should be there before midnight.

[Zark]

Zark and slept in his clothes, like he always did, never taking anything off because he felt at ease with a weapon at his side. His sleep was bare restful tossed and turned in his sleep. His dream like many dreams he had before.

His dream was filled with his sister calling out for him in a mournful voice, his father turning away from him, his mother weeping for him... his master admonishing him.... and the baleful red eyes of some strange creature. The creautre was humaniod but he couldn't tell what race, or what gender that person was. Whatever it was it *slid* over to him... slid was the best term he could think of its motions. It was graceful and made no mistep, almost like a oiled object on a smooth marble floor... drawing closer....

Then he woke up with start, his hand at his side of his belt, reaching for his sword. He felt he had not slept at all that night. It was like many other nights where he couldn't get a fitful sleep. He had remained silent during the entire morning, not bothering to acknowledge what Torin had said.

[Ardocc & Mani]

Ardocc fell straight into deep sleep. He sleeps like a rock, and a child. He didn't wake up the whole time. When he did wake up be was greeted with everyone ready to go, and Torin still rambling on about the pickles. Soon after they all awoke and had breakfast at the same table they were seated at last night then they got all their things in order, saddled the horses and set off in the bright morning sunlight, passing over a beaten trail on the edge of the Rio Toark. There was long red grasses growing on either side of the packed dirt ground. Sparkling in the sunlight from drops of water of days and clouds gone past. The river flowed with a peaceful noise beside them.

As they traveled they spoke and told stories, one in particular struck Ardocc's attention slightly. He always looked for the humorous things. And when Torin had told of how he had stolen the pickles, Ardocc had one question, " So your saying, he kept the pickles in his room with him?"

[Torin]

" So your saying, he kept the pickles in his room with him?"

Ardocc asked after Torin told him and Zark how he stole the pickles.

"Well, some people keep their most prized possessions close at hand. And I didn't say that he slept them like a stuffed animal, just below his feet, in a locked safe. I would do that too if I were him. These are some darn good pickles."

Torin chuckled.

"Plus, I got the recipe. So when we get to Fasaloft, I can get the supplies and make you guys some. I'll even improvise the recipe."

They trio got to the top of the hill and saw Fasaloft next to the lake 10 miles ahead.

"And just think, in a little bit, Roland will be back to normal. If they don't have green dye itself, all the materials are market stuff, so I'll buy them and make the dye myself."

Torin patted Roland on the neck. Zark looked at Torin confused.

"Green and Black are my favorte colors. Roland, my horse, is black, and I had some green dye and I dyed his mane green.'

Ardocc noticed that Torin was the one riding the farthest away from the river, and asked why.

"I almost drowned as a kid. My caravan passed Leona Lake. All the kids were playing by the lake, including me, and I fell in. My dad rescued me. I was never really sure how untill he told me that he was a rider."

((Oh sorry, didn't mean to curse))

[Ardocc & Mani]

So Ardocc, Torin and Zark did a slow descent down the hill and were at the end of a waterfall ((Since there was a hill and the river)) there was a nice stretch of open pasture. It was a wonderful time of year. The time where you could sleep outside without anything and wake up feeling like you the king of the world.

"I don't really like pickle's though. They are too sour. And I'm sorry about your drowning story. I now see how dangerous it was for you to jump off the boat when it burned down." And on that last idea he turned toward Zark and asked what he had forgotten to question him about from the beginning.

"OK, so I don't know anything about your whereabouts on the night when we first all met in Tierm. So I was wondering if you knew anything or saw anything in regards to the destruction of my vessel. It was at the end of the old dock. I would very much like to kill them" He said with a smile.

[Torin]

Torin went scouting for a little farther to check it out. But it was mostly to get away from the river. He hated water, and like Ardocc said, it was very dangerous for him to dive off the ship that night. Torin and Roland went down the hill and cut into the mountains for a little hike. Torin just wanted to get some food for them real quick. He spotted a mountain boar and threw his knife at its underbelly, in between his 2 front legs, and down a little bit. This was a fatal blow ((not really sure, but it sounds like it would be.)). Torin skinned it and gutted it. When he got back to his friends with the boat meet, it seemed like they had just gotten into conversation.

"Umm...Ardocc, before we start talking lets eat!"

Torin showed them his trophy, or meat as the case may be. Torin set up camp and the fire. He cooked the meat and went into the forest for 10 minutes. He came back with plates made of wood. They also seemed washed.

"I risked washing them, Just at the bank of the river. I am ok though."

Torin served them pork with some pickles and some chicken from Ardocc. Ardocc told Torin that the plates were a good idea, and asked him to make him some for the journey. Torin went right to that and another 15 later, came back with 15 more. They were split up evenly and all the plates were put away in the seperate saddles. Then Ardocc awaited his answer.

[Zark]

Zark was about to respond when Torin interupted them for setting up camp and eating dinner. Zark simply rolled out a sleeping mat and siad, "Done setting up my bed." Then he feasted on the pork and the pickles. "These pickles aren't bad, not great but not bad." He said it cooly as if it was common fact. "Anyway, about your ship, no I did not see it cause I haven't gone to the docks of Teirm. After you had stunned me I simply wandered around then I found you at that barn. Simple as that."

[Ardocc & Mani]

Ardocc also feasted on the pork and pickles. "I don't ever eat pickles, but I guess these are the best I've ever had. " He said smiling at Zark.

After he heard what Zark told him he said. "Oh, well I wish I had some names or something. Then when I was done, I could go pick them off one by one. Then use their riches to get a bigger one."

When they were all finished, Ardocc asked them if they should set up a watch, or just risk it through the night. He didn't think there was anyone, or anything that could kill them in their sleep. Maybe him, but the others were always too alert.

[Torin]

Ardocc asked Torin and Zark whether or not they should set up a watch over the night.

"Nah, its okay. I will be fine, I bet Zark would be fine. Remember he has many "associates" so we will be fine."

Everyone went to sleep without any worrys that anyone one would come while they slept. As far as Torin was concerned, when he woke up in the morning, no one had come. Torin took apart the camp while Zark and Ardocc slept. He woke Ardocc and Zark up by yelling at the top of his lungs.

"WAKE UP"

Ardocc woke up to a start, but Zark woke up slowly, as if Torin yelling barely effected him. Torin gave them some dried jerky he had for breakfast and the continued on their way to Fasaloft. They arrived around 11 am. Torin went on his way to buy some more supplies, and the green dye of course. Torin was pretty sure Zark went him Ardocc to deliver his package.

[Zark]

Torin woke him up, Zark was tired like he was the morning before, tossign and turning in his sleep. It was the same as last night, and the night before and the night before that. He ate his food quitely, his aura was somewhat depressing. By late morning when they arrived at their destination Zark was back to his creepy self.

Zark simply went off and got a early lunch while they did their buisness. Mean while his spirits spread wide and far, sticking to the shadows when they could, hardly seen, hardly heard. He began to listen in onto the secrets of everyone there. Few could escape the ears of his spirits which whispered back to him in his mind.

There were three on Ardocc and three on Torin, hidign perfectly without flaw. Though he was friends with them he couldn't trust them completely and he wanted to know where they were. Zark wanted to know everything.

[Ardocc & Mani]

When Ardocc woke up with a jump, from Torin, he was all wrapped up in his blankets. He spent a few minutes rolling around on the ground until he was free. He ate the jerky silently, as the others were.

I guess they're not morning people...

They cleaned up and saddled their horses. After a short time of easy, leisurely riding, they came upon Fasaloft. He was happy they were there. One less package to go. He waved to the rest of his small party and went on his way.

As he stored his horse in the barn he took a small brown wrapped box out of the pack resting on the horses back.
I haven't even looked at the name... He thought as he looked around and stowed himself away in a quiet place.

Merchant Kilior the box was for. ...Well I cant just look at the name.... He thought as he unwrapped the side and looked at the box. It was very plain. So of course he opened the box. Inside he found a pair of specially made lacy silk gloves.

He thought for a moment, but figured he might as well just deliver it. So he put the box back in place and wrapped it back up. As he entered the house that people had told him house the merchant Kilior he found a man sitting on a wooden chair in a small room. He was bent over a desk.

"Excuse me sir, I seem to have your order here..." Ardocc said as he came around the side of the desk.

The merchant looked up and told him that the package was late. So he made another order and received it promptly from another delivery service. He bid him good day and got his sons to escort him out of the house.

Ardocc didn't know what to do, he was very confused.

What am I to do with these feminine gloves? He went to an inn to eat lunch and saw Zark. He told him what had happened while he ate his lunch. ...Which came with a side of pickles....

[Torin]

Torin went to the closest Herbalist. He bought some green dye. He exited the shop and a little kid tried to pickpocket him. Torin picked him up by his shirt collar and spoke sternly in his ear.

"If you want to pickpocket someone, learn to do it better."

"I am sorry sir, please don't tell my parents. I am begging you.'

Torin put him down and spoke to him in a calmer voice.

"The secret is distractions. Only do it to someone who looks rich and is distracted. Also if they look like me, or are someone is traveling with me, don't do it to them. Here."

Torin gave the boy a knife.

"Use this in emergencys only. You look like you have some talent. Someone normal wouldn't have noticed that you were stealing from them. Now go."

The little boy ran off while put the knife up his sleeve.

At least he is smart enough to know where to put it.[/]

Torin went into the Blacksmith shop and bought a nice dagger that he hoped Ardocc would like. He walked out, putting the knife behind his waist, and walked into the tavern to eat lunch. He saw Ardocc and Zark there and sat down with them. Torin called the waitress over and ordered a pint with a steak and pickles on the side.