Legend of Ransera

---

He did it. Linden was on a train to visit his dear friend Alyssum in the exotic land of Kalzasi. While a part of him hoped it would be filled with good times and banter, there was another reason why Linden was going there. Well, make that two or three. One, he was told by Dolur that their library might have some text on a procedure that he is needing to learn. Two, look to see if there were any plants he could purchase and grow back home in Raellon. Three, see if they had a book for purchase on the local and regional plant life.

Getting off the train at Adithaksh, Linden stretched his legs and looked at his itinerary. He left his horse Cas back in Alfsos so it would be easier for him to travel back home once he comes back. Thank goodness for friends everywhere really. Not to mention it would be easier on them both since Linden wouldn't have to worry about transferring them from train to train.

"Do you need aid?" Asked a rough, female voice in common as Linden looked to his left and laid eyes on an Orkhan. She was about his height with rich forest green skin and blue eyes. Her tusks were white and black hair was pulled back in a long, single braid with the sides of the head were shaved.

"Oh yes!" He beamed and showed her the itinerary. "Do you know where this platform is? I thought it would in the same area I would have gotten off the train but it seems the number I am searching for isn't on this side."

"I see," she responds and takes the paper to look it over. Her eyes glance over to catch Linden just staring at her. "Is there something on my face?"

"Hmmm? Oh no! No, not at all. I'm just never really get to see Orkhan's where I am from and your skin is amazing and vibrant! Your tusks are in great shape and-" Linden turned red and began to laugh nervously. "I'm so sorry. It's a force of habit from my line of work and I didn't mean to be rude. I swear I am always mindful of manners!"

"It's fine. Just let me get you going on your way and I suggest picking up your bag so no one tries to take it from you. It doesn't happen all the time, but people like you who get distracted may have things come up missing," her tone warned him that he was more than likely being rude which was the reason why Linden was quiet around new people. But damn, he couldn't help it when there were those from different regions before him and he just had to... Stare. "The platform you are looking for will be on the other side. So just go up those stairs and follow that large group of people. They will be heading to Zaichaer and once you get to the platform, relax and look around. You got at least an hour before you need to board."

"Oh thank you so much, Miss and I would probably have gotten lost too or barely make it to my train."

"You are very welcome. Just don't stare so intently even if you don't mean anything by it. Some may take it the wrong way or be worried something is off about themselves," she smirks while handing back his paper. "Have a safe journey, sir."

As the two shake and part ways, Linden makes his way to the stairs that will take him to the other side as he skips every other step in excitement. While people were coming and going, he did see a spot where he could look out as the large windows that showed him the ocean.

"Wow," he sighs as he clutches his bag close to him and stared in wonderment.

I wonder if anyone ever stopped to look out this window before?



The bright, clear blue sky with clouds was beautiful off to the distance as one of the ships were sailing. The fin-like red sail looking transparent from the sun as it changed the colors to a reddish-orange. Smaller boats can be seen which most likely fishing vessels were dragging in the fresh catch of the day.

Turning to get back into the traffic of people, Linden collided with a man wearing a black leather coat that had the familiar scent of blood. Their coat was drawn closed in front of them as a pale face looked down at him. One eye appeared to be blind but seeing as two markings came from the one eye down their cheek. "Watch it."

"I'm sorry-"

The man turned and walked away as Linden figured he should have paid attention since he was at the station. People were coming and going so it was understandable they didn't wish to be run into by someone. Sighing, Linden steps out and begins walking to the platform he was supposed to be at and found there to be no train since he was early.

Finding a place to seat himself, he opens up his bag to take out a small book and pencil to begin writing down his objectives:

- Reducing surgical site infections and proper drainage of puss.

- Excision of masses with blood drainage from the site.

- IMPORTANT: Handling necrotic tissue and how to remove them effectively to promote healing and without amputation.

- Look to see if there are any plants or medicinals that can help improve current cleanser and any new stitching techniques.

- Look into different materials for stitching if possible.

- Speak to someone in Apothecary and Alchemy to determine if there is a way to make some medicine more "child-friendly" without losing effectiveness.

- Look into finding a proper way to do skin grafts for wounds that are too large and need the extra tissue.


The last thing he wrote he began to go into detail. Drawing parts of the body for annotations to better describe his thought process. Pictures were worth a thousand words they say and hopefully, he will get the point across.

In no time the train soon rolled up as it released a loud hiss of steam. "Has it been an hour already?" Linden says amazed and closes his small book and places it back in his bag while tucking the pencil over his ear.

A station attendant began to call out for passengers going to Zaichaer to begin boarding. Smiling he quickly made his way over to one of the carts to show his itinerary where he was told to move down five carts to the attendant there since his seat was there. With a nod and a dash, Linden was speed walking down and made sure to not run into anyone. Just estatic to be getting closer to his destination, however long it takes.

---

Linden was glad that he was the first one in the cabin and wondered if he was lucky enough to be in it alone or if it would be full. A selfish part of him hoped that maybe, just maybe, he gets to share it with just one person. Two at the max, but having space to sprawl out was always nice.

---

With a little pep in his movements, Linden took off his satchel and placed it next to him on the seat. Snapping his fingers in remembrance to take out his small book and pen to write down things he would like to do and more importantly, transcribe Dolur's writing into another book.

"I suppose I should look into getting a larger journal while I am in Kalzasi," chuckles Linden and takes out one of the small clothed bundles that had some of his mother's Stone Bread wrapped inside. To him, a heavenly blend of various seeds and nuts blended together with oil, salt, and eggs and baked.

Believing he was ready to begin writing when he remembered his coat. Really, he should have done this two steps ago, but apparently, the stomach overruled common sense. Setting everything aside everything to take off his malboro brown trench coat. It was just light enough to handle the heats and should be thick enough for whatever the mountain weather was for Kalzasi. That is if it was true that their weather was fairly consistent and didn't have any true scalding heats.

Lifting his chin up slightly, Linden undid the top button of his white side-buttoned shirt since there was no need for that much formality on a train. Though of course, he will button it up when he leaves his cabin and hopefully no one will take offense to such manners. Smoothing the black trousers before sitting down he doubles checks everything as he proceeds with his first round of business; a bite of the bread and some scribing.

"May Keela preserve us both, Dolur," sighs Linden heavily as he looks at the scribbles, cross-outs, underlines, and strange Dwarven gibberish that will need to be translated later from another journal. "I swear this was a tactic to get rid of apprentices besides your attitude. Though I suppose that is a part of your charm," he smiles and begins to write down the surgical removal of the thorns from the Honey Locust tree.

The tree itself was thornless by nature, but as of late it was starting to create thorns that got a young man who lost an eye because he wasn't paying attention to where he was going. Dolur and Linden had to detach him from the tree and carefully cut away the thorns to pull them out or through depending on the situation. Was this some strange pollen that infected trees? An evolution in the flora world? Could it be a result of magic potentially as well? Aether is supposed to have strange effects on the world around it and since he isn't a magic user, it's not something he would understand truly. Something he should ask Alyssum and maybe Kerr when he got home. He was meaning to but got sidetracked. Linden was lost in his scribing that he didn't hear the cabin door open or close or when the luggage was put away. What caught his attention was the sound of crumpled paper. Looking up to see another person in the cabin with him as Linden looked to the cabin door and then to the man in front of him. Silvery hair with strong, dark eyebrows and tanned skin. Sharp, exotic eyes that seemed to look through him that instantly told him that this man must be a local of the region. Kalzasi to be exact based on the ornate sword.

"Heading to Kalzasi I assume, where are you coming from friend?"

"Uh, yes, yes I am," Linden's eyes look over to their blade and then the piece of crumpled paper before smiling at them now. "But what would make you think Kalzasi instead of Zaichaer? If, that is if I didn't already state that I was going to Kalzasi first? Oh! Um, if it is not too much of a hassle, since we will be occupying the same cabin for this trip, a small introduction? My name is Linden and it is nice to meet you. May I have the pleasure of your name, sir?" Linden asks the young man across from him and sets the pen inside his small book to extend his hand towards them.

---

Linden was left hanging with his hand extended to them and wondered if he did something offensive at first. Trying to recall the various things about their culture when the young man across from him spoke, finally giving his name and title.

Oh, I see.

They were nobility and when they gave a bow, it dawned on Linden that is how they showed respect to each other based on social status. Setting his book aside, he debated about offering some of his mother's stone bread, but they probably had a more refined palate? Linden might be a noble himself, but with Dolur as a mentor, he was told that title meant nothing in the profession. It was true. Did his title belonging to the House of Asmund help with aiding the sick? Comforting those left behind when they did everything they could? No.

"A pleasure to meet you Mr. Hattori and I'm sorry for my ignorance, but what does Kozoku mean? Is that another title? Also, I promise that I will not state who you are to others since I know what that is like," Linden smiles and looked at the stone bread again. "And my last name Asmund, Linden Asmund from Raellon and if I may be bold? Would you like some stone bread? My mother makes the best and it is filled with various seeds and nuts. Usually best when fresh from the oven, but still delicious and hearty."

Their smile and friendly demeanor were enjoyable as Linden admired them. Perhaps he can ask them about places to see and where he could go to retrieve the information he was looking for? Either way, it was highly exciting for him.

As soon as Kotoru asked him if he wished to walk around the train with him and they extended a hand, Linden reached out and grasped theirs firmly. "It would be a pleasure and honor," Linden smiles happily. "I never really took a train before, but do you believe our things are safe inside without anyone here?

With the reassurance of their belongings being safe, he wraps up the bread and sets it down on the coat. Linden felt nervous about walking around with them but kept reminding himself that this man, while a noble, was just a man that he can talk to and get to know.

---

The two of them began move about the train as Linden thought about the question that was presented to him. What makes him Linden Asmund? Well, it seemed like a tricky question to him. A deep question that was asked casually as he did his best not to take it to a level that made him appear strange.

"What makes me, me? Well, I suppose it depends on what state of mind and journey you are on to answer a life's question am I right?" Linden smiles and thinks a little more while glancing at Kotoru and notices how they appear to be looking for someone. He had to suppress a chuckle as he wasn't going to tell them that he knew that were just making idle conversation of no importance for whatever task that they had on hand. "Honestly, I am still figuring it out. Just a son and brother, apprentice, a friend. Nothing extraordinary, but very plain and trivial. A cog in a wheel to make sure everything operates as it should."

"Also, care to indulge me in what you do for a living. I am in the business of protecting the assets of others."

"Ah, makes sense," he spoke out loud by accident. The reason why Linden only had a partial of their attention made sense since he was assuming that they were looking for someone and as Dolur would say that a party of two was less suspicious than a party of one. Plus he has had this happen to him a few times on other occasions that he would rather not mention. "Well, Mr. Hattori, I am a doctor to simply put it and if I may state, if there is any assistance that I may be able to offer please let me know. I'm very unassuming, oh and just to be clear, I am not offended by any means so no need to worry if you are."

Stopping at one of the doors as Linden opens it for Kotoru so they can travel to the next car. People absorbed into whatever they were doing such as reading the paper, a book, talking to their partner or friend, or have fallen asleep in hopes that it will help them pass the time quicker. A young woman stood up with a child holding their hand as one can assume the restroom was calling. An elderly man stood up to try and reach for a back overhead with shaky hands. Linden walks up to assist the man, gaining his permission first, before retrieving it for them to pluck out a small pillow and glasses case. With thanks, he places the bag back up overhead as they continued on.

☵ Searing 12th, Year 117 ☵
"Common Speech"
"Synskrit Speech"
"Self-Thoughts"

☵ Bounty on the Oriental Express ☵ ☵ So his unassuming pawn was a doctor, a man of medicine. He almost felt bad about using him. His shame only grew when Linden revealed he knew something was up. Kotoru could only chuckle as he watched the man help an elderly passenger with his bags.

This guy was true goody two shoes, but he wasnt going to allow his conscious to screw up this mission for him. If he was aware that he was being used, then Kotoru would take that advantage. Once he was finished helping the man, Koto took Linden's hand and pulled him in close.

"Act natural, but listen to me very carefully. There is a very dangerous man on this train, and I and my sister are tasked with his detainment or elimination. The officials on the train are already aware of the situation. You are key to me confirming his identity and apprehending him. If you understand, look at me with a smile." he began to whisper, holding the man close by his waist.

"We need to appear as an unassuming couple ok. The closer I can get to this man the better my chances of catching him are, understand." he finished, keeping his eyes peeled as they moved to the next car. This one was fairly empty, and his sister was in this one. She never gave him a look but her body language to him all he needed to know, the prey was close.

At that moment he could his adrenaline increase, his heart racing as he thought of how this was going to go. He knew he had to go about this right, otherwise innocent people could get caught in the fray. On top of that, he had to make sure his moves were coordinated with his sister's but he didn't want to be obvious that they were working together.

He led Linden to an open booth for them to sit and watch the car. Looking toward where his sister was sitting he saw her making gestures with her fingers, pretending to fix her hair. The Hattori sibling practiced non-verbal communication, making sure it was simple and easy to understand and inconspicuous to those around him.

She was telling him the target was at the front of the car, which meant any moment it was go time. Looking to Linden he leaned in as if he was going to kiss him only to whisper in the man's ear. "Act normal, the target is in this car, and we don't want to alert him that we are here." ☵

---

As Linden finished aiding the gentleman is when a hand found his hand and pulled him close. The two walked essentially hip to hip as Kotoru's hand moved to the waist and began to whisper to him. Telling Linden what he was truly after and the poor doctor had to try and not chuckle when they started with the words "act natural". It was surprising, nonetheless, the mission this man was on. Though sadly, the suppressed chuckle came forth at the mention of acting like a couple.

"I don't think acting like a couple will really matter in this situation and as a doctor, detainment will probably be for the best? I can understand elimination, but desperation can make people act irrationally. A cornered animal will always lash out," was Linden's only real warning as the two men walked into a surprisingly empty car. Probably because people may have been intercepted to avoid a situation.

The train car rocked slightly as trees and fields were the current scenery from the windows. Leave it to Linden to get into a situation like this, but he was okay with it. He was helping and that is what mattered. However, there was a scent in this car that Linden picked up on easily.

Grabbing Kotoru's arm, he leaned close to their ear. "Do you know if this person was injured before or not? And wouldn't two people be suspicious? Especially due to your title and family name? If you wish, I don't going up alone and sitting with him and lure him somewhere where you two can detain him kindly?"

☵ Searing 12th, Year 117 ☵
"Common Speech"
"Synskrit Speech"
"Self-Thoughts"

☵ Bounty on the Oriental Express ☵ ☵ This one was keen on keeping the viper's prey alive, guess that's how doctors where. He would rather just kill the man and be done with it, but he knew his parents would never let him hear the end of it, and who knew when another contract would come around like this. With a sigh, he nodded, agreeing with the physician.

His words were accurate enough, about the reaction of a cornered vermin, they could be dangerous lots to deal with. The cars rocked back and forth, and when Linden grabbed his arm, Koto was started, if not for the abruptness. When he leaned into the viper's ear, Koto couldnt help but take in the scent of his hair.

It was subtle, like fresh linen, and hearing him whisper words to him, no matter the context made Koto blush a bit. It was a new feeling that he was feeling with this young man. In any case, Koto looked with shocked surprise at what was being suggested to him. The good doctor wanted to be bait for the serpent prince and princess to snare their foe.

His sister would not be too keen on the idea, but what other choice did they have at the present moment? Leaning into Linden's ear he spoke while making it seem as if he was nuzzling into the man's neck. "So willing to help I see. Just know your life could be at risk here, but I think that's the best course of action right now. If you can lure him back to the luggage car, we can handle the rest." he instructed, giving Linden a kiss on the cheek, keeping up with the facade.

Bidding the man a faux farewell, he ventured back to the guest cabin he met Linden in. Moments later his sister joined him, a look of "what in the fucking hell Koto!" on her face. "Look I wanted to take the guy in the car, but the good ole doctor wanted to help. He's gonna lure him into an empty cabin, then we can ambush him there." he explained, though Ayane was anything but amused. It was up to the doctor to do the rest.

The two serpent heirs made their way to the luggage car, taking their places for the ambush. Where Ayane was taking positions behind some crates, Koto loved the high ground and decided to lay in wait atop some barrels just past the entrance into the car. He just hoped Linden knew what he was doing, time was ticking before the destination was reached. ☵