No Need For Phoebe

[gummiarms]

[Continued from Visitors]

"How disheartening that must have been..." Phoebe said to the young man sitting across the table from her. She took a sip from her glass, using the brief time to collect her thoughts.

How shrewd. Phoebe thought. She crushes his dreams, and yet gives him the vain hope of existing on the outskirts of her order so that she can still make use of him, like a dog trying to join a pack of wolves.

Once she set her glass down again, Phoebe said "But forgive my interruption. go on..."

[Dreadicon]

Fin smiled. "It was, but I believe I had been too naive. There is far more to the Hireos than one can simply learn in a book. I realized that after my last question I asked her before we left." He said. he had matured mentally a good deal in his six months employed by Alacas, and finally had some idea of what he wanted to do now. "So we went back to the village, I said goodbye to Nari, and we came back here. I've been working for Alacas ever since."

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Phoebe smiled ever so slightly in response to Fin's tale, and his smile. His smile had genuine warmth to it, something often rare in these days, and it put her at ease. This young mage reminded her a lot of her younger brother, probably one of the few people she had ever grown close to. He probably didn't know how lucky he was to see her smile.

Phoebe half closed her eyes, thinking. "That was an amusing tale, mr..." She Paused, "It seems we haven't introduced ourselves. I am Phoebe. Phoebe Albridge." She extended her hand, palm down, to him.

[Dreadicon]

Fin politely took her hand and kissed it before replying "It is a pleasure to meet you. I am Fin. Fin C. Azure." he said, still with his pleasant smile. He wore this smile often now; not overbearing, but calm, gentle, and genuine. He sat back in his chair and looked out from the caffe onto one of the main streets of Alacas, then spoke again. "I feel I've learned what I must learn from here now, and must begin my next long journey; far larger than my last. I feel driven to learn more; about Nikina, about Forganad, about the elemental spirits, the Hireos, and even the Odanon. My first goal is to visit the greater temples, like the Palace in Niddon, and the old temple of the Paladins. From there I will seek Hireos and perhapse even Nikina himself may some day grace me with his presence. I feel learning about Leuvana was far too little." Fin laughed and shook his head, "This is PROOF that I need to get away from these old scholars, I'm starting to rant like them, and I'm not even finished becoming an adult."

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Phoebe shook her head, "You certainly have some lofty goals, Mr. Azure. But I suppose that is not a bad thing. I would love to go on a pilgrimage like that someday, but..."

She took another sip from her glass. "If you should need an escort, I have a need to travel as well, on some personal business of mine. I wouldn't mind going with you for the time being though."

[Dreadicon]

"Really?" he said, his younger side showing through for a moment, "I've been looking for an escort, as I'm not much of a warrior, but the fees they would charge were far too much for me to pay." he sat back, calming a bit, but still visibly happy. "Would you really want to join me? I plan to first try to visit the temple here in Hurion, in the mountains to the east. Supposedly no one has been there in centuries." he finished, calming down a bit.

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Phoebe said, "Of course. You doubt the words of a lady? Make no mistake, I have my reservations about visiting the Temples. I doubt the Paladins would give me a very warm welcome, and many of the temples are said to be places of great evil now. But I am in something of a dilemma myself. I need to find a man, but he is very elusive. Thus I need to travel about to search for him. Unfortunately, I ran into... difficulties when my escort was killed. These lands are simply not safe for a lady like me to be traveling alone, as I'm sure you understand. So, it would be to our mutual benefit to travel together."

[Dreadicon]

Fin nodded "Yes, I can see what you mean. Don't worry too much about the Paladins for now though, I have a few other Temples in mind to visit first." He then pulled out his wallet, and paid for their brunch meal, leaving a tip for the waiter as well. "I was actually on my way out of the city to head east when I stopped here. Do you have things to take care of before we depart for Sirantiryl? or would you prefer to stay another day here before we leave?" Fin asked.

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Phoebe answered, "Actually, I do have one thing to do, but it won't take long. I just have to talk an Ildemin called Manx. You can come along if you like, but he lives in a rather rough neighborhood, so be prepared if you do come. If not, then just tell me where you would like to meet."

[Dreadicon]

"I don't mind. I always enjoy meeting new people. Truth is I haven't met many Ildemin, and I've never been one to fear things." he said, and picked up his newly acquired staff. He had spent a third of his savings from his lucrative job under Alacas on the copper-gilded wooden staff. It had copper and zinc laid along the surface of it's length, and a nickel head with a small, pea-sized platinum star on the very top. he had practiced with it several times, and was quite pleased that his own custom design had worked to the degree that they did. It was one of the few material accomplishments Fin took pride in.

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Phoebe sighed, but that slight smile played along her lips again. He's so like my brother. "Well... there are some people that are, how should I put this, not the kind of people you want to meet. Manx is an informant that agreed to give me some information on the man I'm after, that's all."

[Dreadicon]

Fin shook his head. "While I may not be a warrior of the sword, I am not lacking in courage. If it is in out mutual interest to travel together for safety on the journey, then wouldn't this also be to your benefit?" he reasoned, "So, shall we be off?"

He was now glad he had dressed in a neutral nature; nither particularly religous nor scholarly, nor particularly fine or crude. Tan in color, and more form-fitting than a priest's robe, with a washed-out blue colored traveler's cloak.

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Phoebe nodded, "Very well then." She led the way out of the establishment and through the streets. Eventually they worked their way to a more run-down district, and she would pause to consult a piece of paper that detailed the meeting place Manx had chosen.

As they passed through a narrow street near the place, Phoebe and Fin found their paths blocked by a rather large, bald man with tabby cat ears, a nipped off tail, and strange whiskers that blended in to his fuzzy mustache and wiry beard. He towered over Phoebe as he stepped in her way, chuckling softly to himself, or purring perhaps. another, much more wiry man stood off to the side, leaning against a wall and grinning.

"Well, well, what do we have here?" The stench of his breath was enough to make someone gag, but Phoebe seemed to be unphased. "What's a cute lil' mouse like you doin' in my alley?"

Phoebe's rapier was at his throat in an instant. "Charmed, I'm sure."

[Dreadicon]

The events unfolded quite quickly, but despite the sudden move on Phoebe's part, Fin did not flinch. He instead simply continued wearing a calm expression, and looked at the man, then asked to phoebe "Is this him?"

While he did not assume a fighting stance, Fin portrayed an air of resolve and confidence in his tone and unflinching calmness.

[gummiarms]

Phoebe said. "He isn't." Then she said to the Ildemin in front of her, "I am in a hurry, please move out of my way."

Meanwhile the big guy chuckled. "Hey, that's a dangerous little toy you've got there. You might put someone's eye out with that thing, little girl." He nodded to his companion, "You'll take that off her hands won't you, Scrubs?"

The wiry man then advanced toward Phoebe, still grinning as he pulled out a knife. They seemed to be ignoring Fin, but then again, the wiry man's eyes kept flicking to him.

As the Wiry man closed in, Phoebe flicked her rapier to the side, twisting the knife from his fingers, and then swiping him across the face when he recoiled back, holding his bleeding hand.

The big guy hadn't let the opportunity go to waste, however, and lunged forward to grab Phoebe. She nimbly danced back, and this time her rapier was pressed painfully against his throat, not deep enough to draw blood, but enough to be very uncomfortable.

This time the Big Ildemin was somewhat impressed. "We were just out for a god time, honest! We wouldn't have hurt you." Seeing that he was getting nowhere, he conceded, "Alright, let's let the gentle lady and her boyfriend past, shall we Scrubs?" The Wiry man nodded, still nursing his wounded hand and wiping the blood from his face.

Phoebe said, "Do you honestly think I'll let you go after you attacked me? By all rights I should hand you over to the local authorities, but..."

The Ildemin looked somewhat hopeful. "But...?"

Phoebe continued, "But, it would really be a lot of trouble for me, and I do need to hurry to meet someone. So I will let you go in exchange for information."

"Information? I don't see what kind of information an obviously high born lady like you would need from a hard working servant like myself."

Phoebe said, "I'm looking for a man." She quickly dashed his hopes aside. "He goes by the name of Bandit King Alex. I need to know his whereabouts."

Both the Ildemin and the Wiry man spat on the ground at the mention of Alex's name. "I don't know where he is." He seemed somewhat insulted. "We don't associate with him an' his kind! I've done some things I ain't proud of, sure, but I'm not like him! I'm not like that... monster."

Phoebe lowered her weapon, though she didn't completely lower her guard. "I see. I'm leaving now. You should do the same."

The Iledemin and his crony both stepped aside for her and Fin, with many a wary glance between the bunch.