Arsus wakes up at dawn, trying to yawn quietly so as not to wake everyone else. He gets up slowly and looks around the tent, realizing that it does look different from yesterday when he fell asleep. He had heard Crow just before he fell asleep, a familiar voice that he had missed. Is Haru here too? He doesn’t know, but surely she will be here. He heard about a big storm that had passed over Port Kar, merchants in Kassau reported it. In any case, so it seems, Crow managed to leave Port Kar in time. His gaze falls on Kedja, who is still asleep, a smile flitting across his face for a moment. He quietly leaves the tent and lets his gaze wander over the square until he catches sight of his friend’s banner. They had once met in The Lost City after a long time in which Arsus did not know where to go and whether his caste still existed. He was taken in by Crow even though he didn’t know who Arsus was. He smiled softly to himself at the memories that warmed his thoughts as he stood alone outside the tents, the rising sun peeking slightly between the leaves of the trees. He would make a note to himself to watch his belts more and not stand around lost in thought whenever Crow was around. He had missed him and Haru.
Arsus missed Crow’s humor, which, when he thought about it, wasn’t everyone’s humor and maybe not everyone understood it, and maybe not everyone could handle that kind of humor. Arsus and Crow are probably a lot alike, the determination and coldness on a job on the one hand and the humor and lightness, if you want to describe it as such, on the other. Arsus got closer to Crow than he ever thought he would. He has a deep respect for Crow. A singing bird snaps him out of his thoughts. [03:05:58] Daimos Baarer: He goes back into the tent, quietly opens a chest and pulls out a small purple cloth with a big grin on his face. He leaves the tent again and walks over to Crow’s tent and quietly attaches the cloth to the entrance of Crow’s tent, hoping he won’t be noticed. Even if he’s really quiet, Killers have easy hearing even when they’re asleep, at least that’s the case with Arsus himself. He looks at his work with satisfaction and goes back to his tent to wake Kedja. A hot tea will be good for him in the cold of the morning.
Crow (melchior.wardell) stepped outside and his eyes were instantly drawn to the piece of fabric that was attached to his tent. The colour significant for and to him. “The little twat.” he grinned as he plucked the purple cloth from the tent. He would look over to the tent opposite from him. He was pretty sure that this was left by Arsus. A man that was easy to work with. Never unneeded questions or trouble. A hard working man that knew his trade and had a similar taste in women.
Crow (melchior.wardell) looked at the purple cloth and knew it as a sign of friendship. Something which was considered rare in their caste. Many killers were taken by greed alone, yet he was sure Arsus was not. It was a gift to keep a certain brightness in a life when the rest was dark and often tainted by violence and murder. Just as his girl, Arsus could see a side of him that was still of enjoying things in life. The colourful flower, the well made black wine or a trip with a tarn without any issues.
Crow (melchior.wardell) chuckled thinking about Tarns. That tale was one for a campfire for sure. Although he wondered if Arsus would dare to share it. They were men that stood firm within the caste of Assassins. They earned every stripe and yet they could still laugh and not take themselves always that seriously. For a moment he pondered. Would he leave the purple cloth there ? Or keep it in a spot that would remind him of this moment of reflection over a comradeship between Arsus and he himself.
[10:22] Crow (melchior.wardell) was still cursing under his breath. As he ripped a piece of his kilt to bandage his wrist. The spikes had nipped at his skin and blood was a clear sign of his carefulness. “I should have known.” he muttered as he tied it together. Surely he came with grim news – but felt himself slightly reassured by the tents that were empty. He did not want to shout – clearly not draw too much attention.
[10:33] Crow (melchior.wardell) came back to the tavern as he was holding his wrist. He was unreadable, but the bandage around his wrist might indicate a certain level of mood. “Tal Killer, girl.” he greeted. And even than he managed to keep his voice leveled. “Seems you still got that … level of surprise.” there it was sarcasm.
[10:37] Byron Greenwood lounged by what was serving as the communal tavern that let him keep one eye on the dock and one eye on the path leading to the court. As such, he spied Crow’s approach with relative ease, though the path was shadowed somewhat. He gave the fellow a respectful nod, making no comment about the bandage that he also noted. “Best to keep ’em guessing, Killer,” he mildly quipped.
[10:37] Red Ryu (red.bloodrose) eyes the bandage about Crow’s wrist, but is wise enough to hide any signs of amusement at the Killer’s injury, tilting her head and enquiry softly. “You are injured, Master?”. Her delivery is solicitous, concern in her tone as she gazes at the still-pristine dressing. Her head dips in a sweetly respectful greeting to the newcomer. “Good day to you Master, it is good to see you here indeed.”
[10:42] Crow (melchior.wardell) knew it to be true – and in fairness – was he any better himself? He too enjoyed the element of surprise and keep others aware and focused. He had been aware of traps more up in the air than next to the path. As the girl spoke of it good to see him he arched a brow. “In truth – it is due to grim news you find me here, girl.” it wasn’t meant to reprimand the girl, but his way of coming to business. “I fear my assignment took me from the court of Kar and I am here in search for a spot to lay my head and continue the training of two lads.” the words clearly directed to them both. “Now I do not wish to overstep but wish to pose a simple request … if I can do such here ?” he would lift his hand “Of course you will have my wit and steel as in compensation if that means anything.”
[10:50] Byron Greenwood furrowed his brow slightly at this news of Port Kar, a touch concerned about that, but when it came to the notion of putting down roots at the Lodge he let that pass and gave an assured nod. “You won’t overstep, Killer. This court is open to all, same as it ever was. You just came from the direction of the tented compound, in fact. I have a communal tent for the Candidates, and six more for the men and their slaves. Claim one that suits you, have your trainees claim a bunk and have at it. Will your Candidates be wanting a chest?”
[10:56] Red Ryu (red.bloodrose)’s smiling face falls at the words of grim news, falling silent as Crow imparts the news of Port Kar. She knows full well that there are tents aplenty available for both the killers and their candidates, but further knows that it is not her place to offer such. She angles a glance to Scar, as ever alert to his mood and gauging his reactions. Noting his placidness, she relaxes somewhat, exhaling her breath and her posture less rigid as the pair discuss matters amicably. She – playing the sociable role for her Master as ever – comments quietly. “It is a pleasant camp, Master, with all the amenities. I think you will find it a comfortable place to lay your head for as long as you wish, and I would be happy to show your girl about the place.” Although she did not know Crow, she had seen Haru leashed to him at the fair, knowing the other girl of old.
[11:00] Crow (melchior.wardell) could see the concerned look and would address it in a more private setting when he too had more information. He knew that he too held his own knowledge from the Priest Kings. As he nodded to having seen the tents and gave a thin smile as he was able to claim one. “Excellent and my gratitude.” he replied towards Scar when it came to the chests of the lads. “That would be welcome. To retrieve anything from the Port is a dangerous path.” here he gave a small clue that the Port was perhaps awaiting the blue flame or anything else that might destroy it. When the slave spoke of the compound being pleasant he looked at her as if she had used a word that was one that hardly ever came to his mind. Still he did not comment on it “My girl would like that I am sure. She is feeding my tarn, so when she survives I will ask her to find you.” he replied. Surely Haru would survive she had a certain talent with animals. Next to it the Tarn was her way out of not having to travel by boat. “Any others that I might find in this camp ?” he asks curious.
[11:10] Byron Greenwood guessed that if there were any intelligence to report concerning Port Kar and the mission there that would be prudent for him to know about that would be shared away from prying ears, even those of the slaves. For now, it was all about the more open business of accommodation. He fetched a small scroll case that hung upon his belt that, when opened, offered both parchment and a charcoal stick. “Give me their names, Killer, and I’ll have the chests set up directly. You know the drill. Your trainees can drop their records in their personal chest, all other Killers of the Lodge can access them to read and update them, including yourself. As for who else has come? We have Arsus of Kassau so far, and others have expressed an interest.”
[11:12] Red Ryu (red.bloodrose) is also curious indeed at to news of Port Kar, remembering the visit that she had made alongside Scar there but recently, but stays resolutely silent on the subject, knowing that if it is for her ears that she will hear it, and the words of ‘dangerous path’ pique her interest yet further. At the distinct -look- that she receives at using the word ‘pleasant’, she gives an inward smile. Another such as her Master that has no truck with luxury or frippery, or even ‘pretty’ and just wants and needs… serviceable. She eyes Crow a little closer then, making mental notes for future interactions with him. Her lips do curl into a smile at the words of Haru, a long-term friend and she gives a nod. “It would be my pleasure to show Haru around.”. It’s then that the pair talk business and she turns towards Scar a little, making a gesture silently to indicate that she will write the names down for him if he wishes it, nodding as he talks of Arsus’s tent.
[11:19] Crow (melchior.wardell) would listen and nod “One is named Iwoso (WhiskLighthand) and one unnamed just yet but finds himself with the name Axel (legend.blakewell). The first is accepted and occupied with the first task – the client – but has not yet passed and the other one is accepted but he is not yet aware of it.” he replied to Scar. As he mentioned Arsus he grinned. “Ah that is good news.” he replied. “I met him in the Lost City … and he and I knew the importance of exchanging information.” he reasons. Surely there was more to it. Arsus was one that understood the humor Crow owned. When Red showed her fondness for his girl his eyes light up. There was a deep sense of pride in his girl and if one digged deeper – there was even something that would indicate a certain degree of care or would it even be love ? “I am glad that you do, she might need to adjust a little. I have no idea if she ever learned the life in a tent. I have kept her for a long time out of the life that is more outdoors.”
[11:28] Byron Greenwood scribbles down the offered Candidate names and then hands the parchment to Red, not even so much as glancing to her, merely expecting her to claim it; indeed, expecting her to be already prepared to do so. “For the archive,” he stated as he rose from his seat. “He’s a good man,” was his opinion on Arsus given in reply to Crow. “His court gives us a means to venture into Torvaldsland, taking a tarn ship over Thassa to reach him. Better than risking the forest. That makes him an asset.”
[11:32] Red Ryu (red.bloodrose) listens to the names of the two trainees, committing them to her memory so that she might remember for when they visit the camp, a fleeting smile at the words of the second, who knows not yet his status with his trainer. The reaction when Red mentions Haru to the Killer is noted, the slight softening of his features puzzles her, and she looks at Scar, obviously confused. To Scar ‘love’ is not cuffing her about the head, or letting her sit in the warmth of his lap. Still, she is still deeply pleased with the gifts that he had seen fit to give her at the fair, reward enough for her. Hardly even thinking, she reaches out and just brushes a fingertip against his tunic, lost in her own thoughts for a moment. The moment of reverie is short-lived, as scrolls are unceremoniously thrust at her and she hastens to grab them quickly, nodding at Scar’s command and stepping lightly behind him as he rises from his chair, tilting her head as he talks of Torvaldsland.
[11:35] Crow (melchior.wardell) nodded “True.” he replied towards Scar – leaving out his own experiences up the north and past with Arsus. He would observe the interaction between Scar and the girl – he had seen in passing but did not know yet. He did not ask what happened with the previous slave of Scar. Perhaps a bite from her pet snake ‘Snappy’ the Ost or a kidnap by those that might wish more knowledge of her family line ? But as the girl fell behind the killer he shook his head at the memory. Some things never changed. “I will find the compound and see I can put down some of the things I was able to salvage.” surely his wealth was secured but enough to have himself and girl comfortable. “Thank you again.” he would look down at his wrist “Any other traps I need to know about ?” he chuckled there – Crow could be cold, distant and calculated, but owned still a degree of humor and charm to Gorean life.
Crows Murder 