What will we have for dinner ?
Zee of Ar stood still on the bridge as he saw a man clad in black approach.
Zee of Ar : “Tal” he yelled from a distance hoping the wind would carry his voice.
Crow looks to the bridge while his eyes squinted a little. His eyes were piercing as daggers to the stranger. His hand was casual on the hilt of his blade, perhaps to disguise his other that remains hidden in his cloak “I hope I do not have to explain the … banner nor the skeletons here ?” he asks dryly.
Zee of Ar realizing that he could be heard quite well “Though foolish as I may have been to venture this close. I am not foolish enough to not realize what meaning they carry”
Crow arched a brow while his eyes remain up on the man “Foolish ? Do you wish to insult me … since it is very clear I ventured even further.” he taunted. He moved closer making the bridge slightly swinging when he did so. “But do – tell – and enlighten me to why You are blocking my way ?”
Zee of Ar : “Foolish is the man to walk into the Black Caste camp without been given entry. Foolish would be me not to move aside… and with what little room i have” he said gripping the side of the bridge. “I do not have the greatest swimming capabilities.” he tried to lighten the situation as though both fear and shock of the man approaching his so suddenly made him speak without thinking.
Crow was a man that could appreciate good sense of humour, and even thought tempted to grin he didn’t. His eyes narrow slightly “And so … having a death wish ?” he asks while he moved his cloak so the man could see the three daggers that were strapped to his upper leg and very close to his reach. The other hand had remained on the hilt and with it the man might need to have extra pair of eyes to keep all his movements in check. “But …first … since I hate to kill a man without a name … By what name would you go … and what is your … caste and homestone ?” questions were only a manner to learn things of all the things the man wouldn’t speak off.
Zee of Ar watched moved his cloak and daggers seem to appear in all places glimmered in the sunlight. “A death-wish? I would have hoped for a much grander life than current. To end it so short is not in my interest. To fear death though is something else.” shuffling a step to the right regaining his balance, not having too much faith in the old bridge he clasped the other side with his other free hand “I am Zee former Merchant of Ar. Yet both those I leave aside as I stand before you”
Crow frowns as if the name might be familiar. His own homestone of old mentioned, made him perhaps more sophisticated that often when men mentioned places that were less glorious. “I see … and now you are testing my patience since I hear a lot as to what you are not … but not your intent. You wish to hire a man of my profession if it is not your own death you wish to discuss.”
Zee of Ar : “I stand before you not seeking a man to hire of your profession, but to seek a man willing to train me in your profession. May my death be at my own hands and steel, a glorious death.” looking up to the man who seem to have little patience for anything. “Is there such a man to discuss? or do you only look as far as the death you may deliver. A simple shake of this bridge would do the trick”
Crow now lets his hand go from the hilt and runs it over his chin “Ah … so a fool after all.” he remarked dryly, perhaps only to test him. “Only one of ten seekers, truly make it … Tell me why do you think you have such in you ? Do you have some magical skill that I do not know about ? Perhaps a talent that you feel others lack ?” he asks. His eyes rove over the man to assess him critical.
Zee of Ar : “If that magic skill means I am standing in front of such a man who many have not had the chance to do so. Then It seems i am doing well so far with what little I have. Potential to progress is in me for I have trained in other areas that don’t require steel which may be common in your traits that you may find impressive. For I don’t know what other lack to truly assess myself.” he said not seeming to take a breath or think twice as though it seemed near natural to answer a uncommon question.
Crow glances over the horizon “Tell me Zee of Ar … what does attract you to such a horrid caste. A lust for blood … Perhaps several bets you can’t pay and you need the Gold.” he cuts his gaze back to him “Tell me …why would I take the time to do as you wish ? What is in it for me ?” he asks.
Zee of Ar : “A former merchant always has a lust for Gold. A lust for blood?… does it bleed gold?” he asked back “The desire to leave the fancy streets of Ar behind and live a quieter life. One that leans on steel. Yes. I desire to master the steel.” he gazes at his surroundings “Your gain? I would say would be another worthy killer.”
Crow glances to him before he again looked at the end of the river “A quieter life … so no slaves, no companion .. or relatives that desire to see you now and than ?” he asks while he gripped the rope of the bridge and turned from him “Greed can be a reason, so can be one that has a mind for murder … but such men I would not accept.” he says quietly “A man that truly desires to be taught will have to endure a lot, he will be tested to great measures … and I do not like to waste my time on those that do feel they are all knowing.” he added as in an after thought “Are you a man that is willing to learn, not only in steel but in all what it takes ? A man that will bend on knees if I tell him ?” he asks grimly.
Zee of Ar : “I have no slaves for I had no use of a companion and I have no relatives in which I would consider on speaking terms.” He said also following his gaze to the end of the river “For someone to learn one must play the teacher and the other must follow commands.” he looks back at him “If they are required to bend on knee they must…” looking down and feeling his legs slightly give “If they must learn to swim..they must” tightening his grip on the bridge trust.
Crow glances to him, having noted his grip and having heard his lack to the desire to swim. He glances to him “I wasn’t joking only one out of ten make it … To start a life such as I own isn’t easy … it is hard work on which your endurement and desire to remain alive is often the only friend you have.” he tipped his head to the Inn “Consider it well, such a life is very lonely … and will take many years to obtain … ” he said deadly serious. “I am considered a very demanding teacher .. but than again those from my hand are well established.” his words were more matter of fact than a simple desire for glory. “Consider it very well, Zee of Ar … and when you are sure … I dare you to cross the bridge passed the banners and skeletons, unknowingly if I will accept you or not.”
Zee of Ar : “I stand on the bridge now… you are blocking my path” he had no desire to turn away and re-consider. For he had made this decision long ago. “For I will cross the bridge in a few steps, I am prepared to do what is needed to obtain my colours..as dark and as lonely as they may be.”
Crow turns to him, his face hadn’t changed and with it his thoughts might be unreadable. “You think I will just step aside ?” he asks “Perhaps you should consider this a test hmm… ” he proposed.
Grey Wolf “yarghhh” he snapped the reins as his heavy chariot came rolling down narrow planks of the shoddy bridge. His thalarion snapped its dagger teeth and hissed just like his rider did when they were forced into the full stop. Wolf didn’t like it at all to be stopped in his heavy cart right above the water. He cleared his throat and rose his arm up into the air making himself look at least like mark anthony , but obviously he wasn’t anywhere near as handsome as the man. “you peasants, of the bridge or I will toss you into the water myself. We won’t buy your turnips !”
Crow had seen Ron approach and didn’t allow the man to pass him, so there was a very certain choice to be made. His eyes search for Ron as to give him a silent message, that would tell there was a test in progress with the man before him.
Zee of Ar felt the bridge shudder under his feet and felt his grip tighten even more onto its struts. Turning his head he saw a Thalarion charging down the narrow planks with rider in tow. He was standing before 2 men of the black caste one armed with daggers and the other having what seemed a hungry and very intimidating beast at his call. He turned and faced the man he had been speaking with for he had not even asked his name. Lowered himself to his knees “I am to choose between death by those daggers, a angry thalarion and by my own hands …” looking down to the water “I will leave that decision to you… for I mean to cross this bridge and become a student. If you want to deliver death…then out with those daggers for I would rather die by steel than drown at my own pettiness of not being able to swim.”
Lethea hovers at the start of the bridge. She’d meant to go to the camp, maybe see if she could be useful while Andy was away, but she paused, unsure of herself, as the three were gathered on the bridge. For a moment, she stood in silence, wondering if she should go forward or run like anything, in the other direction….
Crow narrows his eyes and than finally gripped the man by his collar of his cloak
and hauled him over the bridge with a strength that perhaps wasn’t as visual when you regarded him. His strength was considerable due to his long hours of keeping himself fit, strong and flexible. He didn’t quite seem to consider where the man would land. “Tal Killer.” he offers to Ron, as if he had not done what he had done. “An amazing ride you have there.” he said with a tone that clearly betrayed his praise in this.
Zee of Ar felt himself lurched off his feet and lifted off the bridge. Before he knew it he was lurched over the side. In a near desperate hope he swung out his arms and gripped onto the planks and rope that held the side of the bridge. Clinging there he was not sure how long he would hold.
Grey Wolf noticed what took place there and when Crow gave him a look, Wolf return a placid stare and his head shifted slowly to the side, reins were hanging loosely between his stark fingers. “Tal, it is quite something and doesn’t hurt the man’s backside like a saddle does. What about this verr here that is ready to accept death right after denoting its intentions. His determination is meak.”
Crow glances to the man testing his strength while he turns to Ron “A man that wishes to be taught … ” he remarked dryly “Let us see how long he holds hmmm ?” he asks him casual.
Grey Wolf a sadistic grin contorted his lips as he nodded to Crow’s words. “Let’s…” and at that point he directed the thalarion’s steaming nostrils towards the candidates clutched knuckles.
Lethea ‘s hand came up to cover her mouth, as if to keep herself from uttering a peep as Crow flung the man over the edge. Lethea would lean over the ropes, expecting to see him float by. To her amazement, she saw him clinging on to the ropes for dear life. She smiled at him… kinda stupid under the circumstances, really, but what else could she do? She reckoned that perhaps now it was safer to cross the bridge, and see what needed doing around the camps, so with that in mind, she edged closer to the rear of Ron’s wagon.
Zee of Ar clinging on desperately and feeling the muscles burn in his arms at last he felt a glimmer of hope as a girl came in close reaching distance. She would not assist him and he need to use this last ounce of strength to do something. With a grunt of anger he swung out with his other free hand to the girl who waited behind the carriage and tried to grab onto one of her ankles..
Grey Wolf : “slave…” he snarled back at the girl and his gaze briefly glanced to her then back to the man fighting for his life. “He isn’t too determined. That’s one useful quality down the filthy drain. Let us see if he’s at least quick?” he suggested and leaned to the side to gauge the distance to the water beneath their feet. “Im curious if he’ll escape the sleen and water thalarions there.”
Crow looked down, perhaps an expression of being bored was given. “Yes well if this simple moment of truth can’t be over won … I am certain he isn’t worth my time.” he stated perhaps to taunt the lad to even go beyond his own limits. After all training would be only a sum of it by one hundred. He glances back to Ron “But tell me to what do I have the honour of your visit ?” he asks as if he was dismissing the struggle the man was making.
Lethea flailed wildly as Lycos grabbed her ankle. She felt the grip and the pull, and as a natural defence, she flung herself against the other ropes, clinging on desperately, while kicking her feet madly. “Jarls!” she screamed, as the man clearly meant to take her over the edge with him, and she was not ready be battered! She was begging quite loudly now “Jarl’s please!” even as her foot scraped and kicked at the offending grip.
Zee of Ar managed to clasp onto her ankle without her realizing but soon found the girl in a frenzy trying to kick him off the ledge. Slowly he begun to pull at her ankle with one arm and the rope in his other hand and slowly raise himself upwards trying to get his body onto the wooden planks. The girl not being the heaviest was making this difficult and he felt that at any moment she may just give way and he would be pulling her down into a plummet also.
Grey Wolf positioned himself nonchalantly on the platform about to engage in a polite conversation now while the seeker struggled, but then as the girls screamed, Wolf turned about and grabbed at a spear to thrust it at the lad’s hand and have him let go of the girl’s ankle. “don’t you dare to pull her down filth!” he snarled and looked apologetic to Crow “she makes good fish with tospits. I don’t appreciate when men make such assaults on my diet.”
Crow nodded slow as with thought while he didn’t bother himself to look where the spear was heading. There was no need to doubt the aim of his caste brother. “Yes, well you know what we say about seekers … they are below slaves.” he said causally “I had leem last night .. I can’t recommend that though.” he said as if indeed to make a social chit chat about no real important things. Unskilled in it might have even sounded odd.
Lethea ‘s grip was slipping on the ropes, as the man pulled at her ankle. She heard Ron’s words, and she prayed the man would let go before they both tumbled. She was dangerously close to loosing her grip and sliding over the edge. Her free foot kicked at the man’s hand with a renewed vigor as she fought to hang on. It never even occured to her that she was striking a would-be Jarl… she was just trying to live. “Jarl, I beg you… please.” she says, panting out another plea before she plummets over.
Zee of Ar could hear the two men and yelled as he continued to pull on the girls ankle aware of the spear that would most likely be aimed at his hand “Help me up or im going to pull her down with all my weight!!”
Grey Wolf : “leem…” he mused and inhaled deeply as if he forgot himself for a moment and fell into a day dream..”roasted over low fire..mushrooms and corn..I’d kill for that…but where are my manners…” he sighed and turned the butt of his spear to his the seeked right between the eyes before offering the same butt for the girl to clutch onto “but I forget my manners..” he continued then as if nothing happened. “I only stop in this outpost before further road towards the voltai. I will stay for a while in the area as I presume that the place of my usual business could be crawling with the cosian agents right now. I’ve done them a favour and brought them justice. I’m sure they wish to repay me with glittering steel.”
Crow arched a brow at the latter “Oh … was that your doing ?” he asks while he himself made knowing things his business. Most knew that Crow had a wide spread network of spies, but than again he was often paid for information. “Please … join me, Killer.” he said while he waved his hand gracious to invite him further. He still didn’t bother himself with the lad or the slave, perhaps trusting that if things would go wrong he could act within the blink of an eye. “Hmmm … that does sound a lot better .. No I had the leem … but I think the meat was cooked to early and the slave didn’t allow the meat to truly die.” he muses to the topic of food and other delicacies.
Lethea was trained to trust a killer without thinking… So that’s just what she did. With a little cry, she let go of the rope hand over hand, and grabbed the offered end of the spear. She held on for dear life, her muscles straining in her arms, as the man pulled her ankle. “Jarl.” she whispered softly, before blowing her hair out of her face. The man’s grip on her ankle was hurting her now.
Grey Wolf nodded in silent reply and snapped the reins to make the sturdy beast pull more of the chariot up the slope. There he paused and leaped down from the platform and onto the ground at which point he yanked the creatures forward and guide it on foot. “It is a shame when good meat goes to waste, but meat delicate as leem is good raw as well. You only need to grind it till it has the consistency of cream and then you mix it with some raw eggs so it holds together.”
Grey Wolf : “I’ll tie the critter at the side and make sure it has some hay and food and then will join you promptly. Just please dont let the man die while Im gone”
Zee of Ar slowly felt his body move up and onto the planks as the Jarl lead the Thalarion forward.
Crow chuckles and nodded to Wolf, while he now turns and grabbed the girl with force and perhaps would pull both to land. He didn’t bother himself with how the lad would do. The girl was slightly lifted so her skin wouldn’t be scraped by the wood, while the lad might loose quite a bit unless his clothing might protect him. “I think I might keep him … but feel free to test him Wolf for if I might not be there. ” there was some sarcasm in his voice.
Lethea felt herself tugged up first by Ron’s towing move, and then further by Crow’s strong arms. Lethea was a little white lipped for all the strain and effort that she’d just been through, and she could only think at this point, of falling at Crow and Ron’s feet. She merely waited for the man to just let go of her foot! ” Thank you, Jarls.” she says, meaning it.
Grey Wolf nodded again to Crow, then eyed the man who was pulled up. There was no love in wolf’s gaze, not after the fellow risked Leathe’s life. The matter would be left unaddressed for now though as the killed left to see to his beast first – a well trained thalarion was worth much more than a slave and certainly more than some peasant or a seeker.
Zee of Ar felt his body bruised and scraped from the wooden planks. Looked up at the sky feeling thankful yet somehow still had his hand tightly grabbed around the girls foot. Letting go he saw dark growing bruises from the sheer grip on her ankle “Sorry” he muttered and then looked to the man who’s final yank had assisted. Lieing still on the bridge “I guess today is not the day to cross” he pulled himself up observing his tattered clothes.
Crow cuffs the slave across her cheek “That is for approaching while not asked.” he snapped to her. Than turning to the seeker. “Beg your life with her … seeker … for it is her choice to let you live or die.” he would test humility instantly. He didn’t wish to waist time to arrogant bastards.
Zee of Ar realizing his luck lied more in the slaves hands he again turned to her “I owe you a life, girl”
Lethea could only gently pull her foot back as he released his painful grip. Before she had a chance to kneel at Crow’s boot, she felt the sting of his hand across her cheek. While she itched to cover the cheek with her hand, she knelt instead at Crow’s boot, and rested the injured cheek on the leather of his boot. “Forgive me, Jarl.” She begs softly, hating to disappoint him. She lifted her face and looked at Crow, addressing him directly after the seekers words. “While he hurt me, Jarl, I am only a bond. He showed a will to live, and I think that he shall continue to do so, should it please you Jarl.”
Crow glances from the girl to the seeker “Than you have a task, slave … ” he tells her. “Make sure he is naked, store his belongings in the trunk of the tent and see that he wears the rags that are in the bag beside it.”he tells her. He didn’t even look at the seeker, he was nothing at this point. “Make sure it isn’t to comfortable for him … and I want him to tend to the fire as if his life depends on it … for it will. Is this clear ?” he asks.
Zee of Ar looked from the girl to the black clad man who he still did not know of his name. But he seemed to have the feeling that what the man was telling the girl was an acceptance of his training, well a certain part of it. “I will not let you down” he said directing it to the man. Even if he didn’t look at him or pay him any attention.
Lethea nods, understanding perfectly. This man was a long way from being the first seeker she ever looked after. She says “It will be exactly as you wish, Jarl.” She rose to her feet then, and stood a little gingerly on the battered ankle. “If you’ll follow me, Seeker, I’ll direct you to where you must be.”
Zee of Ar nods to the girl “Lead the way”
Crows Murder 
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