Landlocked

[Torin]

Torin sighed. Sweat beaded off of his face. It was hot. Torin hated the heat. And of course he worked in a tavern. Stuffy. That was the word Torin described his work. With all the cooking he had to do, and the heat exhausted people who came in, it made it humid and Torin just wanted to leave. But he couldn’t. Not yet atleast. He had almost enough money to travel down to Surda to start searching for Ardocc.

Torin stepped out of the Green Dragon Inn. It was hot outside, but atleast it had a breeze. He sat down and quickly fell asleep. Sleep depravation would do that to you. His thieving job was at a standstill due to lack of work. Soooo, he worked long hours at the “Stuffy” Dragon to finish up the money he needed to save up.

The dreams came quickly, but they weren’t coherent. Colors were mangled and scenes from the past, scenes he treasured most, were all mixed together.

Something made a familiar rattling sound, and Torin woke up shivering. Dreaming always made him cold. Not sleeping, only dreaming. The rattling started again and Torin refocused his sleepy mind. He followed the sound into a alley. Its always in an alley isn’t it?

A cat ran by him, hissing. Torin spotted the rattling, and it was just a dog messing with a dirty plate.

“Oh my god! I’m so bored. What happened to all the excitement around here?!” Torin shouted to no one in particular.

Bored out of his mind. That’s what Torin’s new life had turned into. No more thievery. Just a simple job working an inn, making some money to find an old friend. Torin started walking back to the inn. His boss wouldn’t care that he left for so long. And even if he did, Torin wouldn’t care either. He was going to quit soon anyway. He walked past the boat, and noticed the strangest thing. A black blob in the horizon. He walked past the blob, taking no heed to it, and went back to work.

OOC: yea. Bad I know. It might take a while to get back into it.

[Ardocc & Mani]

The crystal clear water was gliding and rolling in waves against the pointed bow of the paint covered boat. It wasn't a large ship, just a small sailboat that had sleep quarters below with a storage space.

The wind was coming from behind and filling the sails full. The creaking of wood held fast by ropes was heard at every crest of a wave. The smell of human sweat, wood, and the fibers of the lines was all that was in the air. The deck was still warm from the day of beating sun, but the sun was fading.

Unfortunately, Ardocc was standing on a dirty wooden pier such a distance away that the boat was but a speck on the horizon. A speck that his trained eyes realized was his boat. The boat that his dear friend, and considerable brother Torin, had gotten him. He contorted his features with an expression of self disapproval that he had gotten such a gift taken from him.

His appearence now was that of a shaggier self than had been 3 years prior. His hair now was at his shoulder blades with streaks of blonde in the pale brown, and a few braids here and there. He had no facial hair and he liked to keep it that way. His skin was a darker tan from the past few years of constant exposure to the weather.

As he stood on the rotting dock he kicked a small splinter of wood into the water with his very worn boots. The dark leather was now a loose brown and worn to his feet on the bottoms. His feet were cold against the mildew on the wood. His jacket was of the same leather. Very dark and worn, the metal of the buckles was green with sea salt rust. Also his leggings were worn and his tunic shirt was becoming shorter sleeved though it used to be long sleeved. It was shredding near his wrists more every day.

He picked up his large black bow and slung it over his shoulder. He smiled remembering that he had retrieved his large bow when traveling with Torin. Remembering Torin he looked to the speck on the horizon again. It was headed straight for Teirm where he was standing. He calculated it was only a few hours away with the current wind and sailing capabilities that he knew it had.

He turned around abruptly and began walking down the pier and into the town. He walked towards the district where there were many pubs and hotels. He figured he could grab a bite to eat before HIS boat was near.

As he walked down an alley he was distracted by a dog and did not notice a broken plate on the ground and walked directly onto it. The shard sunk right into his thin boot and into his foot. Swearing loudly he kicked the plate down the alley and sat against the wall to inspect the damage.

The dog trotted up to the plate and began licking the old food off of it. Ardocc smiled at the young pup, it looked quite forlorn and he enjoyed things that weren't normal. Just as he was wondering of the young pup's prior existence, he noticed a man enter the alleyway. He stayed perfectly still not drawing attention to himself. Most likely looking like a bum. Thought as the man turned and slumped back into the busier street he noticed something.

What a strange way he walks.. one foot in front of the other.. almost like.. Torin. He grinned remembering Torin, and also thinking of this stranger. He stood up and made his way to this new fellow. Soon as he was walking behind him he noticed his hair, his stature, the height difference.

Almost like a Torin doppleganger He thought smiling and inspecting this man. It was also Tierm that Ardocc had first met Torin. His smile turned into a quizzical expression. He then stopped and reaching deep into his long jacket pocket he removed a dagger that was beautifully deep black with an embossed silver 'A' wrought onto it's hilt.

"Ahoy" Ardocc yelled to with a giant smile showing his teeth white against his skin as he threw his gift past Torin's shoulder and into a wooden pole that was eye level feet in front of him.

[Torin]

Torin spotted a mangled man walking down the alley Torin was just in. He didn't react fast enough when suddenly a knife was thrown and landed into a pole just a few feet away from him.

Torin automatically grabbed the knife, dropped to his knees, and darted away. He didn't run away, just up a pipe onto a roof, to try and get an aerial view of his assiliant. Something about this person didn't just strike with him right. He was strangly familiar. Like a family member who had changed so much since the last time you had seen them. Torin started slipping on the roof and only then did Torin look at the knife and slowly realized why this person was familar.

Torin threw the knife back to the man, which embedded itself into a crate right next to his leg.

Ugh, i'm so rusty. I didn't see the knife coming, I missed the spot where I wanted to knife to land, and now I'm slipping off of this roof.

"Aye Ardocc. Whats wrong? Too old to join me up here on this nice night?"

[Ardocc & Mani]

Ardocc realizing that Torin would most likely try to kill him back and that attacking a well trained thief may not have been the greatest idea stood still and waited for the next moment. After hearing a loud thud of a knife in a box... not a leg. Looking down at his leg he thought, not a leg.

He smiled hearing a scratching sound.. looking up he moved his long hair from his eyes as he said, "Like a cat straining to stay on a metal roof." As he said this he saw Torin was trying to not slip from the roof. He laughed and let him land. He gave him a big hug and looked at him. "Well it seems you are quite the same person I remember." He said, his voice full of emotion that was nothing short of pure enjoyment.

"Now, let us get some pickles! Know any good places?"

[Torin]

Torin just had enough. He couldn't hold on anymore.

So he did what any normal person would do. He fell off. Not face first. Luckily.

More like head first. He quickly regained his composure. The man, who he knew definately now as Ardocc, started talking about something or other, but Torin couldn't concentrate and to him it sounded all garbled. He reckoned he must have a concussion. Only one word rang out in his head.

".... Pickles!"

"Pickles?! Of course I know a good place to get one. You think I would live in a town for a year and NOT know where to get a good pickle? Jeez. Give me some credit."

He sat down exhausted. Sighing, he laid down. He was so tired. He wanted to fall asleep. But he couldn't. His best friend, who just lacked some blood relations, could be his brother, had shown up out of the blue. Torin was swirling with emotions. So he just laid there, with his eyes open and Ardocc sat down next to him.

[Ardocc & Mani]

Raising his eyebrows at his friend sitting on the ground, he saw no other option than to sit down directly next to him. He took his large bow off and set it against the wall as he slid down it.

Smiling he looked at Torin saying, "So a late night of thievery I'm guessing?" Then remembering why he was here he whipped his head toward the bay and searched for the ever growing dark blob on the horizon. It was growing closer but seemed to be turning away from land and traveling horizontal to the coast.

"Damn" He cursed as his smile turned into a slight frown. "This wont be as easy as I'd hoped."

[Torin]

"So a late of night of thievery I'm guessing? Ardocc asked.

Boy, was he wrong. Torin hadn't had a decent night of thieving in months. Nope. He was stuck working long hours in a stuffy pub with minimum wage. But, he didn't want Ardocc to know that quite yet. Ardocc had been gone for two years. That was long enough for a man to change.

He didn't want to believe, but there was a chance this wasn't the same man Torin had traveled with for a while.

"Damn. This won't be as easy as I hoped" Ardocc said randomly.

Another reason Torin didn't want to tell Ardocc about his moonshining, was that Torin was just to proud. He was, or used to be, a respected thief. So when Ardocc started rambling about something or other, Torin knew something was about to get stolen.

Torin just hoped that he hadn't changed as much as Ardocc might of.

"Ummm... Excuse me? Whats this nonsense you're spouting?"

[Ardocc & Mani]

Ardocc's gaze rolled back over to his friend and it dawn on him. With a devious grin he stood up, nearly falling back again and told Torin, "Tonight, we shall christen our reuniting with a reminder of how we once met." He was already in the process of throwing his bow back across his shoulder and back when he didn't stop to explain, "Well you see as I was delivering back and forth for a very private, and very wealthy man. He neglected to inform me that I was in fact delivering something that was not only very expensive, but very prized by the man who actually owned it."

He leaned against the wall above Torin making gestures along with what he said with his hands. "Anyways, as I'm sailing past the islands, with the mainland still in sight, thank God, I was ambushed by two vessels that were equal or greater than mine. I was promptly thrown over with only my weapons and the clothes I was wearing." He said standing back as to let Torin get a view of what he was wearing.

"I made it to land and wandered for days along the blazing hot coast with no water to drink. As I know better than to drink salt water." He laughed a bit nervously. "Not that I didn't gulp my fair share while getting back. Eventually though I found a stream that emptied into the ocean and I was able to drink and follow it up. Lo and behold it was the Rio Toark which I am all but unfamiliar. So I made my way up to Teirm where I am standing now." He said stamping his foot on the ground.

"I'm sure that they have been sailing with the other two vessels up until now." He said wheeling around to point to the ever growing blob on the horizon, "where it is coming very very close past Teirm. And also where I am going to retreive what is mine." He said smiling and looking to Torin for his view on it.

[Torin]

"So someone stole your boat? And now you want to steal it back?" Torin asked tiredly.

The night was almost over. Ardocc was back, or atleast this man who might be Ardocc, and of course, he wanted Torin to steal something. What was Torin supposed to do? He wanted to help his friend, but a life of loneliness made him weary.

Well. This can't go too bad. I might as well give it a shot. I have to get some more information though before I make any moves

"And by 'You want to steal it back' you mean me?

Well atleast it's better then doing nothing. Life has settled down quite a bit while you've been gone. Speaking of, why were you gone for so long? I was about to come looking for you. Thats why I've been working at this crappy inn." Torin said standing up.

As he stood up, he saw the boat that Ardocc was mentioning. Deep dark brown wooden planks with a nice white trim. The sail was made of the finest material from Surda, and complimented the boat nicely with the brilliant navy blue sheen. It had small sleeping quarters fit for about two people and an even smaller storage area for packages and supplies.

Torin knew this boat so well because he bought it.

About three years prior, Ardocc's ship was burnt down because of Torin. Torin felt so bad because Ardocc had put so much work into it. So Torin saved up the money throughout there adventures and bought him a new boat. He ventured off after that. Torin didn't see him again for two years.

[Ardocc & Mani]

Ardocc raised one eyebrow at his old friend's weary response. Ardocc had been gone for a very long time, yes, but that is how sea voyages go. Ardocc had also become much more comfortable in his own skin and a bit more relaxed with everyday occurrences that may have once made him uneasy. Perhaps he seemed a bit different, but he did not expect the wariness he felt from Torin.

"Actually I said I was going to get back what is mine. If you don't recall, I didn't even have you back into my life until about a half an hour ago, so .. no, I didn't plan on you stealing anything back." He said with a slight frown.

"I've been meaning to get back to the mainlands for quite some time, but the client I was delivering for was quite routine and demanding, but it was very good money." Then stopping for a second, "which now that I think about it. All my money is on that boat. Perhaps even transferred."

He poked at the brick of a wall with the toe of his boot for a second while thinking and said, "Oh well. Perhaps trying to get the ship back now would be a little.. risky. I'm pretty sure they aren't stopping anywhere within the empire, and when they do, it will be far west Surda, perhaps as close as the mountains as possible." He sat against the wall and slid down to the ground.

"Have I really changed that much?" He asked Torin without Torin even saying a word about it. He could tell by his mannerisms that things were different.

[Torin]

"Have I really changed that much?" Ardocc asked.

Torin couldn't tell. Was it really Ardocc who had changed? Or was it Torin. Torin was settled down in this town. He had a small job with little income, and even though he complained about it alot, he liked the quaintness. Every once in a while he would get a thieving job, and they weren't hard. Steal some documents, a ring or two. Nothing a child couldn't do. So for him life was simple.

His adventuring life was over. Ardocc had left him to work. Nola had disappeared. Even a few months ago a messenger came and Torin found out Carter had died.

So basically Torin was an emotional wreck. And two years of living in Teirm by him self ago, two years of lonliness, didn't help that much. So when Ardocc had come back, just a few minutes ago, all the excitement of adventure came back, along with a whole lot of paranoia.

Torin looked at Ardocc and smiled. The loneliness all washed away. And he was happy. Happier then he had been in for months. He knew this was the same Ardocc, even if he did have a few quirks that were different. Like the long raggy hair and the almost nakedness of his tattered clothes.

"No. It's nothing I'm sure. Hey. I'm sorry. You've been gone for so long. Where are my manners. Why don't we go to the inn I work at and get something to eat." Torin replied as he looked away into the horizon.

He just knew things were going to get exciting soon. And that meant stealing.

[Ardocc & Mani]

Ardocc watched Torin think to himself for a bit, then when Torin invited him to his inn Ardocc reached out his arm and helped his friend up. He let Torin lead the way to somewhere he had no idea where. He smiled as he said, "And by the fact its an Inn you work at.. that means I wont have to pay?" He laughed a bit. "I'm sure they offer the best pickles in town. You wouldn't settle for anything less."

As they walked Ardocc turned to Torin and said, "You do know I never was ever leaving for good. I was always going to come back. These past two years I've been so... bored! I miss being hunted and fighting, I want to do something, I think we should do something like we did before." He looked to Torin to see what he thought. If he was as bored and felt as useless as a working man as Ardocc did.

[Torin]

"Ha. Pay? Who do you think I am?" Torin laughed out loud.

They started walking and Torin noticed his little squirrel friend following them. He didn't want to point it out to Ardocc for fear of being laughed at. Maybe Ardocc just wouldn't see it. So he tried to out run the squirrel, and that obviously meant running. Torin set out in a sprint towards the tavern, but in a unique way. Up trash cans, over roofs, down walls. It was all very exhausting. And eventually they found the Green Dragon. And as Torin entered the door, there was the squirrel sitting there in the doorway.

Curses. Torin swore in his head.

"So, lets find a table?" Torin asked non-chalantly.