The Valiant

~Warjilis~

Gaff<Of course! You can lead these whelps in...an insurance pitch. I trust they should already know what to do.>

*The thieves all nod.*

Gaff<So, all you need do is, make certain they remember who's in charge.>
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~Lesalia~

*Euryale is stone-faced, trying hard not to laugh at the thought of someone being pecked to death by giant, angry chickens.*

E"I think that's everything."
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~Limberry~

L"There is a forest near the castle I use for practice. In a few years, a shoot may grow to be 4 feet tall and 3 inches thick. It excellently resembles being surrounded by enemies."

Clyde: <In that case, I accept your offer.>

James: <What are you, cra->

*Clyde puts his hand over James' mouth again.*

"That sounds like an excellent place to train," Zac said. After a small chuckle he said, "That reminds me of when I was saving up to buy my first pistol. I used to fight barehanded, so to train I would randomly beat up Iliad until he got annoyed and tried to stab me. I kind of miss the delusional bastard sometimes."

--

"Then that will be all then," Divum said, reclining into his chair.

With that everyone filed out of the door, only to be met by Dawn passing through the hall. "So, did you find that assassin?"

"Yes, we met him at Zeklaus," Mortal replied before Noctis could.

"And what, he just let you walk away? Sounds like a shitty assassin." Dawn replied.

"Oh mother, you almost sound like you're happy to hear that we're fine," Noct said with mock hope.

Dawn shrugged, "I am happy Iliad made it out alright. I would hate to see him dragged into your troubles."

"They're actually my troubles," Mortal corrected.

"And you're the bird that she dragged into this house. It all goes back to her."

At this Sab said, "'Older women likewise are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers or slaves to much wine. They are to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be reviled.'"

"Who are you again?"

"Just a humble clergy woman."

"Damn, even the church is on my side," Noct said, "That must burn."

Dawn crossed her arms and continued past the group and into the room, presumably to take out her frustration on Divum.

~Lesalia~

*Euryale grabs Dawn by the shoulder & pulls her around to face her.*

E"He didn't 'just let us walk away.' I got turned into a rock, & Mortal triggered an oil bomb he had set up. Supposedly, he also has a Zodiac Stone. All things that you would know if you had only asked. You should show more concern for your own family. If not because it's the right thing to do, then for your own sake. He made it clear he'd start going after anyone close to Mortal, starting with whomever he thought she'd miss the least."

*The maid from before is watching the scene unfold, looking horrified. Euryale's mood abruptly changes as she turns around & sees her, taking the drink from her.*

E"Thank you very much! I haven't had anything to drink since Dorter."
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~Limberry~

L"I have no idea who or what you're talking about."
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~Warjilis~

Gaff<Most excellent! Hop to it, then.>

*The thieves begin filing out of the hideout. Gaffgarion looks around at the hovel.*

Gaff<I suppose this will do as a checkpoint. I'll have to purchase a larger, better furnished base of operations immediately.>

"Have you forgotten Iliad that quickly?" Zac asked with a chuckle, "He was the zealot out for revenge. Was a thief. You met us at Dorter, and we only parted ways after taking out our first Luvaci. Hell, I think he still has the Zodiac Stone with him, so it would probably be a wise idea to at least remember he exists." Zac shrugged, "About that place you were talking about earlier though, would you mind taking me there sometime? To train, of course."

--

"Oh no, another scary she-male is saying angry things in my direction," Dawn said with a shrug, "Don't act like you're the first broad my whore daughter has brought home, I already pointed out Mortal. Lord knows what they do to each other at night."

"That is disgusting! She is as a sister to me," Noctis was about to lay a bitch out when Iliad and Mortal stepped between everyone.

"I think it is time we parted ways," Mortal said, grabbing Noctis and Euryale by their arms and walking off towards the bedrooms.

"Likewise I think it is time you actually got to say what you wanted to to your husband, Mrs. Talea," Iliad said, quickly walking Dawn into the room and closing the door behind them.

Sab was a bit shell shocked by the accusation that was left in the air before regaining her thoughts, and following after Mortal, Noct, and Euryale.

~Lesalia~

*Dawn's bitchiness proved to be her own downfall. She wanted to shock Euryale, & she succeeded. Right before being carted off, she coughed up hot tea all over that bitch's face. She was still hacking up a lung when they reached the bedrooms.*

E"Didn't mean to...cause trouble...but what a vile...can't breathe...."
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~Limberry~

L"Oh, yeah, that guy. Never really liked him. No offense. As for the forest, I can take you there tomorrow morning."

"He used to be a lot nicer... then he found religion," Zac said the last part with clear distaste, "Though, to be fair, he had his reasons." Zac shrugged, "I guess it doesn't matter though. So, I imagine you have a better place to sleep than just a random inn 'at the good part of town' now that you're back home."

--

Noctis pulled her arm away from Mortal with bit of anger, "Dawn causes her own trouble. I'm only happy you got to spit in her face. I know that can be cathartic from experience."

Mortal let go of them both and finally flushed red, "I'm so sorry you had to see that, or, well, be part of it..."

~Lesalia~

E"I didn't mean to spit tea in her face, I was drinking at the time. Though, between you & me, it's a good thing my hands were otherwise occupied."
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~Limberry~

L"I can, but unfortunately, I don't have the authority to petition the Marquis for boarding guests. Once upon a time, I may have felt comfortable enough to request the favor anyway, but now...."

Zac blushed, "I'm sorry, I wasn't trying to invite my way into your place. That would be rude of me. I am just glad you don't have to suffer the beds at these inns anymore."

--

Noct smiled devilishly, "I kind of want to see what kind of carnage you would cause if you punched her."

"Noctis, that is--"

"I swear to whatever God is still real if you say another word I will dance until you're a fucking toad."

Sab just stood there, feeling awkward and wondering if she should have followed Iliad instead.

"And you," Noct said, looking over at Sab, who flinched in response, "Thank you for coming to my rescue. That was sweet of you."

Sab smiled shyly, and said, "I was just trying to lessen the tension. I thought maybe if she figured it was Ajora's way to be a kind mother, she would stop."

"You probably only wound up insulting her by calling her an 'older woman'," Noct replied with a smile. "Anyway, we should probably get out of the hall. I believe my room has more chairs, so lets relax there for a bit." Noct said, opening the door to her room.

~Lesalia~

E"I really wanted to head north, but I suppose it IS getting dark."
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~Limberry~

L"You and me both. And it isn't really my home, it's the Marquis's. I'm just a guard, basically a live-in servant."

Clyde: <So what, precisely, do we do first, then?>

~Warjilis~

Gaff<Just watch the new recruits. Make sure they visit the shops, make their sales pitch, & overall don't try to find a new employer.>

Clyde: <Right. We'll be taking our leave, then.>

*He follows after the thieves, taking James with him.*

~Warjilis~

*After some time walking, one of the thieves points to an item shop.*

2<Perfect.>

*They go inside & walk up to the salesman.*

1<Lotta expensive-looking wares ya got here.>

2<But I can't help but notice, security is a little...lacking. I mean, you can't depend on the Lion Knights to help out whenever there's a problem. They've got their own issues.>

3<We could make sure the shop stays safe, for a small fee.>

1<Better jump on it, not all thief gangs are as generous as we are.>

*The shopkeeper raises an eyebrow at them, then looks over in Clyde's direction.*

*Clyde sighs and tips his hat.*

Clyde: <[Why did I agree to this? It's not like I have any experience in this kind of work... no matter.]>

*He steps forward a bit and flashes an intimidating glare at the shopkeeper.*

Clyde: <Just pay up and we won't burn down your store.>

*He lifts his cloak subtly, revealing part of his sword.*

~Warjilis~

*The shopkeeper glares at him before pushing a sack of Gil towards the thieves, who snatch it up.*

1<Now what?>

2<His directions weren't very clear, were they?>

3<Think he wants us to start taking charge of the docks?>

Noct was laying down in her bed, "I know you wanted to head north, but I thought it would be nice to sleep in a comfortable bed for the night, then head out well rested."

Sab nodded, "That actually sounds quite nice." At that there was a knock at the door.

"Who is there?"

"Iliad."

"Come in."

Iliad opened the door and poked his head in, I heard you say we're going to be staying in Lesalia for the night, so I'm going to head back to my home. Come get me in the morning." He waited there for a bit, assuming Sab would come along, but she just sat there next to Noctis on the bed; Noct lied about there being more chairs in her room.

"If you're worried about Sab, there is more than enough room hear to keep her comfortable," Noct said.

Iliad shrugged, "Alright, I'll see you girls later then." He shut the door behind him as he left to go back home.

--

"Have you had that position long?" Zac asked, "You seemed to know the Marquis well enough to know he was acting strange."

Clyde: <It'd be wise to do as much as possible in the time frame we're given.>

~Warjilis~

2<He didn't specify a timeframe.>
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~Limberry~

L"It's hard not to tell he's acting strange when he's contradicting his standing orders to me. It hasn't been too long, though. Maybe 8 years."
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~Lesalia~

E"Just as well. To be honest, I kind of wanted to ask Sab a question or two about magic."

Clyde: <Well he certainly won't be waiting a couple of years for us to take over a damn harbor.>

"Eight years? What, have you been guarding the Marquis since you were ten years old?" Zac asked.

--

Sab looked over at Euryale, "What question--" She looked down and noticed that Noct hand lied down and rested her head in her lap. Deciding it was a non-issue, Noct being nothing but friendly to her, Sab continued, "What questions do you have? I'll try to answer them to the best of my abilities." Sab absentmindedly began to run her fingers through Noct's hair, marveling at how silky it was.

Mortal frowned slightly, noticing the two of them. She was willing to bet gil that Sab didn't even know what she was getting into, and, as Noct looked over and smirked, Mortal knew Noct's intentions were sketchy. She wouldn't be allowed to sit there contemplating it for much longer before a black can hopped up onto her shoulder, causing Mortal to stand, forcing the chair she was sitting in to go flying backwards, and grab the black fur ball and toss it.

Lulu wasn't having any of that shit lying down, so she dug her claws into Mortal as she was being pulled off, cutting the dragon lady. When she was launched she simply clawed the thick drapes, coming to a soft stop, and hopped off of them and onto the bed. She pranced over towards Noct, and curled up on top of her belly. "Mortal, please don't throw my cat."

~Warjilis~

1<That doesn't narrow things down quite as much as you seem to think it does.>
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~Lesalia~

E"Well, I was thinking of learning it...& also, since it's linked to faith, I thought it might be able to help me...find a new one, I guess."
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~Limberry~

L"I'm 24."

Zac shrugged, "Eighteen, twenty four, it is still pretty young."

--

"Faith is a very personal thing," Sab said, still chuckling a bit from Mortal's reaction, "I can't just come up with one for you. It is up to you to find what you believe in, or if there is anything to believe in at all. I would preach Ajora, but while I still have my beliefs... I don't have the heart to try and sway anyone. I believe I've lost the right to after learning what I've learned."

Mortal sat back down, and put a hand on her neck to check if she was bleeding. She found out she was, but it was nothing to whine about, so she just kind of sat there, angry at cats in general.

"A man once said that he prayed for faith for twenty years and never found an answer until he started to pray with his legs, and began walking the world to find what was real to him, and what he could believe in. That is really the only advice I could give... and magic, of course, would come later. Speaking of, what exactly did you want to know? Time magic?" Sab looked down again and noticed Noct with her eyes closed, lightly smiling as Sab braided some of her hair, "I can braid hair?"

"No, but you can tangle it well enough," Noct replied, "Don't stop though, I find it relaxing."

Mortal stopped being angry at cats long enough to look longingly over at Euryale. Why couldn't Euryale play with Mortal's hair? She had been fawning over Euryale for what seemed like years, and probably was, yet Noctis was probably going to bed Sab that very night after a few days of knowing each other.

~Limberry~

L"Most people start out as a cadet between 14 & 18. It isn't that unusual."
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~Lesalia~

E"I did think about it a little, but I also thought about White Magicks. And then I got to thinking...don't all magicks ultimately lead to Summoning?"

Clyde: <...Whatever. We need to take over the harbor, right? That's all that really matters in the end.>