Crows Murder

[10:30:35] Crow (melchior.wardell) would come outside of his tent as he noted the seeker near the fire. The man still blindfolded. Crow would see if the man already sensed his presence or needed some sound of his footsteps of even clearing his throat. He would wait and increase the sounds he was making – all the while studying as to how quick he would response.

[10:31:56] Ember came out of the tent and had returned to reading the many scrolls in his chest – fresh air – he went to the campfire “Tal Killer, Tal seeker” This time he hadn’t snuck up on us and had been clearly hearable

[10:33:03] Nauthis Descian (wickedworkofheart): After having tended the fires, he had taken the remaining bits of dried meat given to him and eaten those to quiet his rumbling stomach, it had been precious little, but it was something. Enough to take the worst of the edge off anyway. He was still hungry, and thirsty. The headaches had been becoming worse, his mouth was dry and sticky. His lips were chapped, and his energy was low. This time of year the cool of the breeze was becoming more notable, and yet, staying by the fire only made his thirst worse. He hadn’t had anything to drink in three days, and nothing he had consumed had liquid in it to make up the difference. It had been advised to him that he scrounge for berries, and yet, he had refused to break the rules, and looked the part of a man who suffered for lack of water. To break the rules was to invite death, and yet, he was so close to failing in fortitude and willpower for need of water. He didn’t want to break the rules, had been holding out, trying, and by the Kings he had his pride and wouldn’t beg. Slaves begged! He was no such beast! In this place, even they were above him though, but he was fast approaching a point of being willing to do anything for some water. Though as he heard the voice of the killer known well, he jumped to his feet, perhaps looking a trifle disheveled. “Tal Killer,” and then to the recognized trainee. “Tal trainee,” he would call the man as he had heard another killer reference him.

[10:36:10] Crow (melchior.wardell) would dip his head slightly towards Ember as he too approached. His eyes would remain upon the seeker. “I learned that you have learned who I am.” he stated cooly as he would walk over to the table and filled a mug with fresh water. He made sure the water splashed against the sides of the mug so that it would be easy to hear what he was doing.

[10:39:11] Crow (melchior.wardell) could tell that the seeker had not been fed or had a drink. Crow could guess as to why “So … what of it ?” he asked. Although Crow did not enjoy the murder on the mans father. It was what he was and if the young man was true – he too would become. There was no room for own debates if a murder was honest or foul. “Well ? Shall I give you a knife and see if you can vengeance your fathers death ?” he added – His words cold as ice in a morning of fresh snow.

[10:42:24] Nauthis Descian (wickedworkofheart): And he did hear, Kings how he wanted it, his head turned sharply, as though he were attuned most of all to that. His throat undulated, helpless but to react to the knowing of what was so near. He licked his lips without even thinking about what he was doing, like a ravenous animal long caged and denied. “Yes Killer,” he said. Typically, Pride would be more wary, but he was so thirsty, he was having trouble focusing a body could only go so many days without. Would he have done anything now for only a drink? “I know it was your hand, but a killer is paid to perform a task.” His voice was near rasping. “You were the hand that performed it, I do not hold you accountable for willing it done. I will with time be no different than you. I can not fault you to do as a man of the black will do. It is not you I blame. I would ask you a single question though. For only you would know that truth. Did he die well? I would hope he did not fall, a coward.”

[10:49:03] Crow (melchior.wardell) could see that the man was thirsty and he would now move forward to be in the personal space. He would dip his fingers in the water and splash it slightly towards the seeker. Some drops might fall upon the mans face … but nothing that would satisfy his thirst. “Many words … and yet … who is it that you blame ? The client?” he would caste a glance to Ember as he said those words “Your father had his last words and died quick after. I denied him to write it testament though.” he added just to see the response of the man. It was true – still. Perhaps Crow had given that thought later and might have made a different decision now. But there was something in murder. You could do it only once to the same person. “As to a coward … that depends … ” he would taunt the young man even more. “He gave me his weapon. The one I used to kill him with.” small pokes to a man that was already on the verge of failing due to lack of water and food.

[10:53:13] Ember was interested in the background and continued to listen. It was interesting that the man’s son was looking for his father’s killer and found him here in the camp. How had he found out about it? That was a mystery to him. It was interesting that the man’s son was looking for his father’s killer and found him here in the camp. How had he found out about it? That was a mystery to him, had anonymity been violated? As he listened, his thoughts flew back and forth.

[10:57:52] Nauthis Descian (wickedworkofheart): His breath came haggard, and he could feel the droplets strike his face, the tease of it, the young man’s fingers clenched hard against his palms and then came up. It was clear how he wanted to take that vessel, be it cup or bowl from Crow, how he wanted to grab and rip it away from him, but instead, as his hands and arms lifted, and his fingers uncurled into replications of hooked talons, the youth stayed his hands. He knew it to be a test. Everything here was about learning, and then testing. “I am angry at the client!” He lost his temper in his answer. “The target was my own father damn you! What sane person wouldn’t be angry and embittered for it?!” Maybe he would have held his emotions better were he not in such need of water. His teeth clenched hard then to hear the man had been so spineless. “That is reflection upon him! Not me!” He snarled, the shame of it still effecting him. “He was a stupid, selfish failure for a scribe! His own choices earned him the end he received! He was never there!” He shouted out the angry thoughts he had long held secret, and then, his voice softened and his head lowered. “He was never there and I had to grow up without a father because he was so selfish. He never took my mother as free companion. I am a bastard, she was nothing to him, but conquest. I hate him. I’m NOT him. I don’t want to be associated with him. He… He deserved what happened to him.” There was bitterness in his voice. Rarely had he talked about this.

[11:07:19] Crow (melchior.wardell) would observe the young man. See the different kind of emotions rush over the man and taking him out of balance. Surely this could be a weakness, but which person was truly without any feelings. “Ah … the young man the victim of life.” he taunted “I will not speak of the client. But Ember might endulge you to some of what is considered a legit client. Surely there needs to be something for a killer to take such a contract.” he reasons. He would now take a good swig of the water. “Tell me, does it help you to speak out in anger ? Does it bring you your father back ? Does it undo all the wrong you have felt ? Does it suit you now ?” he would shake his head slow. “You are a fool. Surely this isn’t the life for you … Your pride and self pity are in the way … You have showed nothing I wished to see this far.” he shared again cold as if there was nothing behind it but just a message he read from paper.

[11:13:34] Ember had his arms crossed and there was no pity on his face. Calmly, he turned to the Seeker “If you still feel so many emotions even though you didn’t like your father, how are you going to control your emotions when you’re supposed to kill someone?” Emotions make you misjudge things and you won’t be able to be professional.”

[11:20:21] Nauthis Descian (wickedworkofheart): Maybe Ember would, and later, he would ask him, but not in the moment. The taunts being levied against him were wanting for a reaction, but the youth knew in the back of his mind that if he wronged the man before him, even if he felt it justified, even to make the attempt, invited finality. The calm of the man was strange to speak of such seriousness, and it made Pride stop and think. But then, he heard the drink taken and a blast of air came from his flared nostrils in irritation. “No,” he said in a tone vexed, the answer the same for all those questions. When told once again that he was in the wrong, he clenched fists again but then, released them, and sighed. “I am a fool because I feel loss? Because I feel anger? Because I feel at all? I have done what I have been asked, and done it well. You have not been about to observe that, that I know of, but then, I have not my sight to be sure of that. But if you were, you would know that I have only done my best to do what has been tasked. I have obeyed your rules without question. I have shown respect to all, answered questions, and been perfectly obedient. This… This is the first time I have stood up to you, despite knowing what I know. Even now, I hold myself back, and I haven’t had anything to drink in days! Is this what you wanted to see Killer? The effect of it all? I am a human being. I have needs. I am SO sorry that they do not please you.” He spat to the side, having even now in his angst, enough sense not to spit at Crow. He was angry, but even now, there was respect for station. He then looked toward Ember’s voice. “I don’t know how to deal with those feelings, that are only toward him. Am I wrong to feel as I do? I am not angry at the Killer for doing as he had to do. I am not even angry at the one who ordered the kill. I am angry at my father. But he’s gone. I never even got to meet him. But still he had an impact upon my life. I grew up knowing he had been slain by a man in black. I wanted to know why. I long feared I too would be killed for the crime of being his son.”

[11:27:47] Crow (melchior.wardell) would now take the mug of water and slowly let the water fall over the young mans head. Surely to anger him even more. “Ah there we go again … the feelings … ” he would now push the man backwards. Crow would fake the loss of his patience as his voice slightly came with more authority “Ah … there you have it … you have done what ? Followed orders ? Truly ? ” he would shake his head “Following orders is easy … let someone else think and when things don’t work out blame the one giving them.” he shrugged. “What about you asking for a drink ? Nah … you felt yourself above such. You are a very silly and foolish man. I warned you about those feelings that are not the one that should guide you. Sure you can have them … I am sure even Ember feels the fear of failing his task and being killed for it. Yet do you see him weep or cry wolf for it ? He does not … He is clearly smarter than you … While he was not the high caste scribe you presented to be.” with that he would step backwards – sensing that he might just overstep that line of the young mans control. If the man might lunge – Crow would just address it – but if the man truly attacked – Crow would deal with it swiftly.

[11:28:52] Myrddin (drizantlar.veriander) stepped forward yawning drawing his hands to cross his chest “Tal Caste” he gave Crow a slow dip of his chin. He turned to look to the other two “Aww here we have rubble and stubled, who were both quite troubled, blowing bubbles in their mental struggle trying not to stumble through thought, rathered puzzled but all they could do is mumble and its stupidity gave me a chuckle”

[11:31:15] Ember shook his head, uncomprehending “ – many words, too many words seeker – imagine,

you were a killer and a client came and ordered you to kill your mother – are you able to do that?” –

“Tal Killer, Tal Adira” and was again intent on the interactions

[11:34:05] Haru (cecilia.ushimawa) would slip up to Crow’s side. It was like one fluid movement that took her in a path that slid through the kitchen and over to the camp, ending up at her master’s side. Black wine in hand, the final steps would slow as she noted the tension in the air, her tongue falling silent as she purses her lips, head canting in curiosity. Nothing said yet, she looks to Adira in a questioning gaze. For the ehn, she did not greet, giving the moment to observe and assess.

[11:35:49] Myrddin (drizantlar.veriander) glanced to ember reaching and scratched the back of his head pondering the question “There once was a Lady in red, who didn’t understand what was said.. but then my father found her in bed, with her legs quite spread and yelled ‘off with her head'” he said with a nod

[11:38:15] Nauthis Descian (wickedworkofheart): He was now shaking faintly as his temper rose higher still for Crow’s persistent taunts. Ember’s words were instruction though, and he didn’t move to lash out at Crow. He was in the moment fueled more by adrenalin and growing anger than anything, and it wouldn’t last. Stumbling back, his head turned suddenly, to put an ear toward Crow, taking a defensive stance, but not moving to attack. Being shoved back, his foot hit the log. The Killer hadn’t hurt him, but perhaps was only testing him again to see if he could get him to make a move. Pride knew he stood no chance against the man in a real confrontation. He was unarmed, blind, and far less experienced. Unless it was a singing contest, he would lose. Now drenched in water, the youth shook off like a wet dog and his jaw clenched. The glare wasn’t hard to see even with his eyes hidden. “You scold me for following orders, yet it was you who told me I was to have nothing if not given it. Now you tell me to test your commands, and call me fool for doing so. Are you -trying- to get me to snap?” He growled. “Tal Killer,” he said as was required to M, though his tone was more than a little pissy. Pride then looked back toward Crow, or at least, where Crow had been, and he making assumptions. He then looked toward Ember’s voice. “I was told recently that I would be expected to kill someone close to me. I would be lying if I claimed such a task were easy, or even something I was sure I could do. It seems to be a conflict of interest, or maybe… A test to see if one has the fortitude to be such a thing as harbinger of death.”

[11:38:37] Λdɨяα (sutara.luminos): would quietly pad up bt her Masters side, she would stand there for a few moments, seeking the right time to greet the masters, she would notice as her sister would slide up to Crows side with his mug of blackwine, and would give her gaze as if to convey “I have no clue and I think my master is insane” as she would let her eyes slide up to her master and narrow a bit warily as she would take just a wee step away from him as she would look at her clawed adorned fingers as if looking at her nails. wondering if her master..had once again….got into her stash of herbs she had been growing and cultivating at the pass.

[11:42:09] Myrddin (drizantlar.veriander) glanced to nauthis raising his eyebrows a bit then reached behind scratching his neck once more then spoke “So in deep persuit, it could be very hard to compute, this small dispute which seems to be at the root. Then there was the man who played the flute, only wore one boot. He seemed to only eat fruit, and was lousy to shoot, standing there in salute trying to recruit, but always seem to dispute those in commute only to uproot the coot. “

[11:45:41] Crow (melchior.wardell) would shake his head and offer Haru the empty mug that had been filled with fresh water. If the man had lowered his pride and asked he would have been given the mug. But as he had kept his pride he had now nothing. He would than reach for the black wine while his fingers brushed over Haru’s fingers in a silent gesture of his devotion which most killers would frown upon. “This young man … is a proud and obedient fellow. Who has done nothing wrong – or – well – he thinks he has done all things right.” he seemingly tells Haru “Yet the man is still blindfolded. Is clearly thirsty and most likely also very hungry. Tell me mine … does he look like an accomplished fellow to you ?”

[11:48:08] Ember looked at Haru and was curious about her answer

[11:51:33] Haru (cecilia.ushimawa) would tilt her head a little bit, almost sighing as the brush of his fingers was over and they were on to the topic of the seeker. She shook her head a little, her eyes flickering over to Peace before back to her owner. “No, My Master,” she says in her soft tones. “If he was accomplished, he would be freed of his ailment and able to enjoy the sight of the beauties around him.” She saw Ember looking her way and would wink, giving him an almost shy seeming smile. But since her presence had been announced, she now greeted after answering the question. “Tal Masters.” Pani and Karian tones clashing but much more relaxed than they had been in the tavern.

[11:52:13] Nauthis Descian (wickedworkofheart): Under normal circumstances, he would never speak so disrespectfully to them, but the stress had been mounting, and he had been trying. Nothing he did seemed to be right or good enough, and try as he might, everything seemed stacked against him. He would answer and be told he was wrong, fearing to make enemies or to step wrong and find even the smallest transgression to result in death, but to be silent had been taken wrong as well, and he wasn’t sure what to do, he was just… Frustrated. That first night, when he had shown his emotions as he always had, had been wrong, and now, he was wrong. Slowly, his head lifted, he listening to what Haru would say. He understood now why they had begun to call him Pride, and felt the shame of it. “May I please have some water to drink?” He asked in a hesitant but respectful tone, trying to show he listened, and would learn from what was said. He recognized that he had things to work on, most of all, his pride.

[11:55:42] Λdɨяα (sutara.luminos): would listen as one again her master would speak in limericks, she would gaze at him “did it finally happen? Did she indeed get collared by someone who was more insane then her? she had heard of some Killers developing …well odd ticks, was this it?” she would use that keen mind of hers to work, she would then gaze into his eyes yup higher then a mother fucker…or perhaps he was playing head games, she knew for a fact he enjoyed doing that, she would furrow her a brow a bit taking in a deep breath before smiling warmly to all “greetings Masters and sister” she would say as she would try to lure her master to sit down by the fire…”Come my master, sit down and relax” she would say in a alluring tone “if you unleash me I can get you your ramberry juice yes?” she would say softly, as she would try if she could to tempt him to sit.

[11:56:50] Crow (melchior.wardell) would sip his black wine and would give a silent gesture to Haru to fetch the young man a good bowl of water. “So many of your energy wasted on what ? A sense of ego ? Pride ?” he grinned “Are you sure you wish me to get you some water. This fire could die from it ?” he suggested – of course Pride did not see that his girl was already given signal to fetch some water.

[11:57:34] Myrddin (drizantlar.veriander) pondered this a mere moment unleashing adira and pocketed the leash. He would looked to her a moment, his eyes slightly rolled back in his head. He then turned to glance towards the two man seeking his caste “A question to both of you…. would you cause destruction.. hands wrapped round your mother’s neck causing her suffication watching as she floats away with asphyxiation. Do you believe in ressurection after one dies of starvation.. lock them in a cage.. but we certainly don’t believe in mutiliation with our assassinations. but how about incapacitation, maybe even immolation… only to avoid damnation, pondering the worlds ahhihilation… but there was the guy who found himself deep in hospitlation… being killed by decapitation, suffering from infliction after being locked in deep incarceration, finding himself deep with disintergration… maybe even reinfraction… after longs bouts of dormition… to his undeadly discarnation… to his ultimate termination”

[12:04:51] Haru (cecilia.ushimawa) would notice her master’s signal and dip her head, moving off back to the kitchen to fetch a bowl of water. It only took moments; a bowl, water – there was nothing really to prepare and before she was even gone, she was back. She didn’t speak yet, no need for that. Her master was already doing the taunting and she was going to let him enjoy himself even if there was a serious side to it all. A purpose that very few might understand until the point that they were past it all. When they were in his shoes. Not literally. She was fairly sure her master wouldn’t give those away and if they had taken them without his consent then clearly, so clearly, they had not learned those lessons.

[12:06:00] Ember watched and learned, listened and thought about the words said, a killer spoke strange things that made no sense to him, the Seeker had taken the right path, sometimes it was a hard path to have to ask. He remained silent in the background until he heard the assassin’s question. “Wreak destruction? What exactly do you mean by your question?” “I don’t believe in resurrection. Dead is dead.” was the sober analysis

[12:06:25] Nauthis Descian (wickedworkofheart): “If I am not fit to see to the fire Killer, than it shall surely die, and me with it. But I have spoken to and learned from others, and am ready to deal with that by what I am taught.” He reached down to pick up two of the branches he had brought over, one in each hand. He would wait and move nearer to the fire, ready to feed it additional fuel if liquid were introduced to it. Rather than complain, though the warmth of it were unpleasant in his dehydrated state, he showed himself ready. He turned an ear back toward the Killer who rhymed many things, much of them morbid. “A kill need not be agonizing and cause one suffering, Killer. If I had to kill someone, I would choose a means that made it as swift and efficient as possible. I am not a torturer, and have no wish to be either. I cannot fathom how or why anyone -would- desire to be such a man. The want to make people suffer seems to me to be a sickness of the mind. Do not most Goreans feel the same?” He then turned his face in the direction where Crow had been when water had been splashed upon him, intending to make a point.

[12:09:05] Λdɨяα (sutara.luminos): would move in a swift motion, like a damn ghost that was frightened from the hell of limericks and a possibly stoned or Indeed insane master, she would get a bowl and fill it with fresh ram berry juice, she would then move her ass with purpose moving to her masters side “here my Master, some rambrry juice I hope it refreshes you” she would mumble out, she would give Haru a quick look before darting her eyes to the others as she would listen to what was going on and hoping that perhaps the ramberry juice would bring her Master back from limerick city.

[12:09:34] Crow (melchior.wardell) would shake his head slightly “Give him the water, mine. And see that he is fed.” as he had no intent to challenge the fire. For it would be too easy. As he noted M. move towards Ember he perked a brow – the man was really up close and personal.

[12:09:39] Myrddin (drizantlar.veriander) walked up towards ember reaching to his right with his right hand drawing the blade from its sheath to bring it up pointing the very tip of the blade directly at the trainee’s throat staring him into the eyes “trainee… I am sure you have heard a Killer say to another.. gold and steel.. tell me trainee… or I will slice your neck open right here and right now if you get it wrong… what is gold and steel…?” he asks then draws silent holding the blade very still

[12:13:44] Ember held his neck straight up, not moving, he was sure the blade was so sharp it could cut a hair in the air.

“Gold and steel” is a greeting among killers, gold stands for the symbolic reward a killer receives when he accepts the client contract and steel stands for the dagger with which the killer carries out the contract”

[12:14:52] Haru (cecilia.ushimawa) steps closer to Peace, her brow furrowing ever so slightly as she heard the words from M. No orders and she would have stood back but ok, nopes, it was the trainee – not the seeker. Phew. “Water, Master,” she says, pushing the bowl forward to press it into the man’s abdomen that he could easily tell where it was. “Can I fetch you something to eat?”

[12:17:35] Myrddin (drizantlar.veriander) pulled the blade away from his neck and turned to swinging to smack him upside the head with the sword then turned and sheathed it to his side. He turned his head a bit and begun to speak but a bit more distant and quieter “Gold represents the beginning of what it is to be a killer.. In our camp lads are sent off to sell everything they own and hand over the gold. As a Killer, it signifies the initiation of a contract.. Once gold is accepted, the contract is sealed.. It continues till the mark is dead, or we end up dead. ” he paused for a moment “steel represents the completion of the cycle of work. Gold, the beginning, and steel is the conclusion. “

[12:17:47] Nauthis Descian (wickedworkofheart): As Haru came to him and offered the bowl, he placed the long branches into the fire and gratefully accepted it. He drank so fast and practically inhaled it that he might even make himself sick. Three days he had been without, and the body couldn’t go much longer than that without suffering horrific effects. Hearing the Killer speak as he did to the trainee, he froze and listened once the bowl was drained. Even now he was learning through the interactions of others, and given the cost of failure, he would retain what was said. “Thank you Haru,” he knew the voice, and the name she had correctively given him. “Yes please. Is there any of that stew available?” He felt quite foolish not having asked and taken the approach he had. He had hoped to show obedience and respect, all that had gotten him was an empty belly, headaches, and chastising. A bit of humility it seemed was in order. So, he asked for what he wanted to eat, something with more liquid in it to help his dehydration. “And, another bowl of water please?” He asked, offering the bowl toward her which had been quickly emptied.

[12:24:36] Ember The blow came as a surprise and he flinched as the sword hit his head. “Killer, thanks for the lesson, I’ll keep it in mind. “It wasn’t in those words on any of my scrolls. I’ll add your explanation later.”

[12:26:47] Myrddin (drizantlar.veriander) nods his chin slight taking the vessel of ramberry juice from his girl and took a drink. He then took the leash to reclick it onto her collar and turned to walk off “come with me my girl”

[12:33:13] Haru (cecilia.ushimawa) would shake her head a little. “No stew, Master, though I do have fish soup available.” She bobs her head a little, that had been her cooking for the week since they had plenty of fish and it allowed a change in flavours. She looks, though, to Crow at that – now was not the time, right? She smiles to him and then looks back to Peace, reaching out to take the bowl of water as he offered it. “Would you like the fish soup, Master? It is made with parsit and herbs.”

[12:34:33] Nauthis Descian (wickedworkofheart): “I apologize Killer. Know that I do not fault you for his death. I do not fault the one who ordered it. It has not been easy for me, and few give a damn. For years I have bottled my feelings on the matter. What I felt as a child, versus what I feel now, as a young man, are very different. I begin to understand things now, that I could not, then. I want nothing of the old life that was left behind. I made that choice when I accepted my life here.” Though he spoke to Crow, he then lowered his head to look with sightless blindfolded eyes at Haru. “I will be pleased with what you bring me, and grateful for it. Yes. Thank you.”

[12:39:03] KeDjA (lilli.breda) slips out of the tent and then stops, almost startled, as Schatten looks at her with her sparkling eyes. ‘What are you doing here?’ her eyes slide to the animal’s back and she shakes her head ‘Have you dropped it somewhere again and forgotten where?’ she suppresses a small grin as Coffin Nail puffs up next to her, as if the miniature tarn is trying to reach the size of his mummy.

[12:39:05] Crow (melchior.wardell) would quietly observe and as the young man spoke he waved his hand. He had little value for his apology. He was very much aware of what the man might mean – yet – Crow had been taught to let those feelings be what they were – just feelings. “do not make the error that I value what your feelings are on the subject.” he replied truthful. “Often when I am hired I know very little about the mark but more about the why. And eventually I learn of the who and than it is set in stone.” he replied matter of factly “The fact you are aware it is me – is because your father failed to make his will and I knew the one that would ensure it to be followed. So that is why I spoke my name … and he spilled it … again a good reminder that even I should learn to keep my mouth shut.”

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