35th day of Ash, 113th Year of AoS
[indent=20]When the heat abandoned the air and cold started to take its hold on the world, it was a sign that ghosts began their walk among the living. Their touch was the reason behind the shivering. Frostbite was a ghost’s desperate attempt to cling onto a semblance of life.
[indent=20]It used to be an old story from a Jastai water tribe at the foot of the Astralar mountains. One that Arlen remembered from childhood. But even now, the ice was still set deep inside his bones from their last job on the Black Road. As happy as he was to be gone from the Astralar Mountains and the Black Road, he was, even more, looking forward to being gone from Kalzasi. The city unsettled him with its closeness to the chasm. It was enough that the horrors sometimes seeped into the Wild King’s Forge. Arlen didn't feel the need to venture any closer to the source. In this regard, Arlen wasn’t as eager to partake in the glorious death chase as some of his Jastai companions were.
[indent=20]“Seriously, Arlen? This job?” Einrich was one of those. He complained to Arlen in a hushed voice so that only Arlen would hear. Their group of six was doing final checks of their steeds in the early morning hours. Einrich seemed to have finished his rather quick.
[indent=20]“If I were you I’d be glad. Black Road is safe. Our next job...maybe not so much. You might get more action on the way,” Arlen answered, checking his horse’s saddle.
[indent=20]They had the street was themselves along with the merchant family further down, loading their wagons. They had three wagons of goods. His men already had assigned locations - front, mid and end guard, two at each wagon. And dawn just began waking the world up to the rhythm of preparations.
[indent=20]“You only say that ‘cause it takes us closer to home.”
[indent=20]Arlen shot Einrich a glance. The young Jastai towered well above him.
[indent=20]Arlen knew what was taking Einrich’s fancy. Exploration. Adventure. Right into the depths of the Warren. They did come across a job call for a hunting party before Arlen found and secured this convoy opportunity. Unfortunately for Einrich, Arlen called the shots. Such was the rule of the elders and Arlen was well twice the age or more of any of his tribesmen in his group that day.
[indent=20]“Job is a job. So long as it pays, it shouldn’t matter to you where it takes you,” Arlen said and petted his horse.
[indent=20]“Zin, Ko,” Arlen then called, buying himself a moment. Two hulking men looked towards him from their steeds. “Make sure we have supplies ready for the journey.” They nodded and marched away.
[indent=20]“Just stick with this one Einrich." Arlen turned to the young Jastai. They both knew that at that point it was all he could ask of him. "Then, you’re free to go.” He patted the man on the arm, knowing it would do little to satiate the young one’s thirst for glory...and freedom. But at least, Arlen gave him a choice. One that Einrich could follow without any feelings of guilt. Having nothing more to offer to Einrich, Arlen turned away and looked for their employer among the wagons.
[indent=20]Although dawn has already painted the sky morning colours, nature decided to throw in a few clouds, dimming the world below. But he wouldn’t miss her. He remembered the silhouette as he did with anyone he’d met in the past.
[indent=20]Around him, the trees continued to redden not only with early morning sunlight but with the fire of the season that turned the leaves multitudes of colours. Soon, the air here would get its early bite, and ghosts would come out to play.
[indent=20]It was then, amidst his musings, that he spotted her. The dark-skinned she-elf was walking in between the wagons. It seemed that their employer and her family were doing the final checks as well. His eyes were drawn again to her sharp ears. He had a minimal concept of half-breeds. Not many addressed him as such in the past nor was there a difference for the Jastai with who he grew up. Yet a strange sense of kinship swelled inside him as he looked at Dilina Devule. Arlen wasn’t sure whether it was attraction or something deeper that would make itself known eventually. Either way. he remained neutral in expression, allowing nothing to betray his thoughts. He intended to maintain a professional standing and mutual respect between the head of the house and his company. So with a deep breath and a nod to himself, Arlen made his way across.
[indent=20]The man didn’t cut as an imposing figure in height as his Jastai tribesmen did. However, he equalled them in every other aspect. Donning their tribe’s robes of red silks and light leather armour, with a sword at his hip, Arlen was an image of a sellsword. Even his hair was pulled back and tied at the back of the head for convenience. He was but an ordinary man on the outside who could swing a sharp piece of metal with precision to harm other things before the things harm him, or the subject under his protection.
[indent=20]“So,” he said as he approached the merchant family. His attentive eyes settled on the head of the house with whom he struck the convoy contract. “As agreed, the journey will take us two days and one night to get to Durnatel in the south. Ideally, we’ll cover half the trek today and the other half tomorrow to get you to the town by sundown on the second day. The route today will take us along the lake Udori. We’ll camp there tonight at a clearing on the shores and tomorrow we'll move onto the south-east road that leads to Durnatel. ” Arlen said, wanting to make sure that their employer was informed but also that they were all on the same page of expectations.
[indent=20]“If all this is ok with you, then I believe we are ready to move out.”