Verkoth frowns at you, what little you can see of his face twisting slightly.
"I believe I outrank you, Journeymage, I asked out of politeness, hoping that you had cooled off after the...incident with your companion. In fact it is because of that incident I selected you, Al'Ral can't run if his legs are frozen solid and can't fight with frostbitten fingers."
"As for you, Lantaris, I'm surprised you have not heard of the war. Coast is being moved on by two great powers, the Celian Empire and League Entire. Both are the other's nemesis and both wish to secure our lands to launch an attack on the other. The coming war will determine whether our culture survives or succumbs to the Celians' blind dogma."

"The good news, however, is that Celia won't be sending it's entire fleet." Rege' adds from aside. "They're also launching invasions on the lands of Sulthein and Arkos...if Arkos can be called a land."

"I was more interested in more up to date information. My abbilitys are more suited to gurrila or scouting missions. There is little I can do without more detailed information." Lantaris said, streaching his back.
He started to consider the human Mage. She seemed to have a staff with a unusual symbol on it which he reccegnised as that of the green circle.
Interesting. He heard her refered to as some sort of ice Mage too. He had never fought a Mage before. He wondered how easy it would be. Smirking he lay back in his chair.

Takra smiled thinly at the warmage from valsavathar, knowing her last comment was a fake remark, Crystal was as cold as her magic. Takra was about to reply when she was distracted by another elf, this one was certainly eccentric judging by his exaggerated swagger and general demeanour. As he approached them he coughed an act to attract their attention as Takra turned he said to them

"Perhaps you ladies might wish to accompany me to the salon...I expect you can pass this one off as your apprentice, Journeymage." She allowed Crystal to answer for her. She had grown a fondness for the cold spirited mage, she thought she may be able to swap Crystals ability for magic with her kindness and warmth but so far Crystal seemed a lost cause.

Takra followed Verkoth through the bar once again feeling the probing stares from the rowdy soldiers sat by the bar and once again ignoring them. She strode on behind her new companion and noticed an elf, behind her he was tall and clearly a warrior of sorts judging by his weapons and general lack of common sense. Then recognizing him she realised it was the same elf who had bundled her over earlier. This was certainly going to be interesting she thought.

Verkoth had lead to the standard room with drab furniture and windows blocked by blinds, however this room was much nicer than the stale smelling tavern a few metres away and this room even had a carpet. The clumsy elf enquired as to what Verkoth wanted with them, his social ineptness clear as this man was clearly of high position by the way he conducted himself. Then Rege answered although his answer was yes, there was no choice as no meant execution.

Crystals response made Takra wince, she was amazed by the self assured manner and cockiness of the valsavatharian warmage. The answer also gave Takra turmoil as did she stick with her new companion or do as she was commanded by a military force, Takra had no idea of such associations even existed let alone the dangers that accompany them.

Takra was starting to get into something way over her head here she thought she was surrounded by professional killers yet she had never even killed an animal, she had practiced with weapons but was not yet a killer, yet those who surrounded her sounded extremely accomplished. She was extremely worried, but Takra had nothing to lose she barely wanted to live anyhow so she threw her lot in with the rest.

“Verkoth, I have no idea why I have been selected for this task but, I did not sign up to laze around with rowdy soldiers, and I am certainly not in it for the pay. I am all in, however I too would like some more information on Al'Ral, I do not care about his background or personal habits tell me where he is and what to do and I am yours.”

Turning to Crystal “'Tis a shame you won't be joining us I was looking forward to your company at least for a day or two longer, I feel as though you need a friend, as do I, have you ever felt true happiness? For I have felt true sorrow and no-one should feel what I felt. Join us and I can give you happiness.”

Hoping Crystal would heed her words she turned back to Verkoth and gave him a wry smile, and closed one of her eyes into a wink, turning so her long her swished, she sat in a chair across the room and stared, her head slightly cocked, at Verkoth. He was a man in a high up position, even if he wasn't the most attractive man she had ever seen he was strong and justified, or that's what she thought at least.

Verkoth strides to the room's centre, arms crossed.
"Well, we seem to have everything in order. I'll have the four of you meet me at Redbrick way in three hours. There are some other things I need to organise beforehand."

The spy turns, striding to the door and dismissing the wards with a wave of a hand. "Be there."

With a shrug, Rege' turns as the door swings shut, rubbing his chin.
"Well, since we have this place all to ourselves, drinks anyone."

Takra watched Verkoth leave, he wasn't charismatic but there was a great aura surrounding him. Takra laid back in her chair crossing her legs over, studying the killers present in the room and found herself feeling rather safe amongst them. However she did have the sudden thought, if these professionals were hired to kill this AL'Ral he must be a dangerous man and it must be a dangerous task.

She heard mad Rege ask if anyone would care for a drink, “Ice cold water for me, thanks.” Takra answered. She waited then for someone else to break the ice, as she felt very inferior to the people present.

Crystal visibly tensed, but remained silent even at Verkoth's enforcement, Lantaris' smirk and Takra's...advice.

Finally, as Verkoth left the room and Rege' called for drinks, Crystal finally spoke, teeh bared in a cold smile.

"Whatever you have that's strong, and not one that's too heavily flavoured with fruit." Crystal made her order, at least intending to enjoy this unexpected comfort while it lasts. She turned, holding eye contact with a glare, first at Lantaris, then at Takra.

"Lantaris, that was your name? From the symbols of your worship, I can assume the reason for your smirk." Crystal ramarked, inspecting her fingernails with sudden interest, "I suggest you restrain yourself, as I have little patience for your God's barbaric and unreasonable ideals."

"As for you, Takra. It appears we will be travelling together. I've had my share of happiness, until death took that from me. I'll do my share in this war, before death takes me again, more directly. It's as simple as that, so stop assuming and seeing things that aren't there. Now, if you please, Rege', where is that drink? And do be careful with those Greenjade chunks you carry. I prefer my...comrades by association not to blow up next to me the first time a piece of it is shot by a misfortunate arrow or spell."

He bared his teeth at the Crystal, finally getting his voice back in mere irritation.
“I would recommend, mage that you try to act a touch more professionally. It would seem that I am stuck with you for now but I will tell you now that despite my worship I hold no grudge against those who practice magic, much more upon those who judge. If you assume me to be barbaric, as you say, at least I do not fall to such prejudice. I merely believe that you may, one day, wish to step into the heat of a real battle, to spring the ambush rather than sit at any distance. But as we have all been chosen for this mission I would assume we are all capable. I will not let my beliefs get in the way of a mission. Try to act more professionally and we shall forget those few words.”
He turned to the elf “As for you, I do apologise for my bumping you. I am glad to meet you more formally. I am Lantaris Narath from the town of Ilourien. As your… friend, mentioned, I do indeed worship Gariael, but despite that I hold no grudge against your use of magic.” And continued noticing her uncertainty “I am sure that you are a capable mage, you have been called and as have I so I would have to assume a matching prowess.”
Turning to Rege “I would much prefer to sit in the quiet if possible but if, as it would seem, we have much to discuss and get to know each other better. In terms of drinks, I do not drink. Drinks alter the senses and people like me do not become dangerous by sipping.” He said with a quick glance at Crystal.

Rege nods before striding over to the bar and, after a quick apprisal, retrieves an aged bottle of wine, it's label so faded it's origins are indecipherable.
"Well, looks like all we've got up here is vinegar...which'll be a nice change from what I saw down below." He flicks the corck out and proceeds to retrieve a number of glasses from the counter.
"As for the Greenjade you can forget about me and the rest of this suburb going up in amusingly coloured gouts of flame, when I arrived here at Orsal I had most of my kit siezed 'for the war effort' I'm just limited to a few quarrels at the moment which might, if you wish hard enough, blast a hole in my pack."
The Elf hands out the drinks before returning to his seat.
"So, how's life been treating all of you?"

Crystal shrugged at Rege's reply, and at the statements of Lantaris, which she seemed to let go - ignoring the elf.

Reaching out, Crystal took the offered glass of wine, sipping it delicately without bothering to hide the wince in her face. Not her style of drink, but it'd do...She took another sip, glad to have a drink in her hands once more, the brief warmth of alcohol filling her body.

"A job that normally doesn't require effort, free food and payment for drink. Life's treating me as it has for years. Fine by me." Crystal replied to Rege' cooly, her drink inevitably rising once again to her lips.

Takra took the goblet of wine, looking at the red liquid, swirling it around in her glass she took a gulp, drinking it as she drunk water. As the taste reached her mouth she grimaced at the sharp sting she experienced almost spitting the drink all over the floor, however she held it in her mouth forcing herself to swallow. It was rancid and she didn't see how anyone could drink such a foul tasting liquid.

Rege asked how life was treating everyone, and this posed Takra with a problem was she to spill the horror of her recent life or lie for her reasons for coming to this horrible tavern. She would give but a little of the truth. “I am a runaway from my village, all there was there for me was a life of hard work and dull chores. I am a woman seeking adventure not of traditional happiness, so far it has been very exciting. I have just turned womanhood 2 months prior, so forgive me if my reasons are a tad immature.”

Takra hoped her new companions would not ask too many questions of her village as she was still extremely emotional, and Takra was known for a quick temper and rash outbursts.

Rege grins, taking a draught of wine.
"Well, if you'll excuse me mentioning, you've got the look and accent of a foreigner, not unlike myself. I take it that you've been in Coast for a while, long enough to call it home at least." He pauses, finishing the wine and setting the empty cup down.
"As for me I've been wandering for so long I can't remember where I'm from exactly. Somewhere in the west, north west, it was lush, green land...called Talfel or something like that. Hopefully the Celian's haven't got there yet...although I'm sure my countrymen would bloody their noses." The Elf trails off his eyes snapping into focus.
"Well, that's my story, wandered the north and west for almost a score of years now, what are your tales?"

-Note, I usually use "(!)" to end a sentence when denoting sarcasm.-

Crystal suddenly lifted her head from her drink, chin raised as she laughed. A hearty, full laugh from times long passed to the woman.

"My tale?" Crystal smiled; Or was it a smirk?, "You are a talkative one, Rege'. But you're straightforward; something I can appreciate in your species when it occurs."

Crystal swirled the liquid around in her glass, gazing into it for a moment. Maybe she was starting to finally be noticeably affected...she'd had a few strong alcoholic beverages today. She grimaced, some part of her suspecting the alcohol to blame for her talkativeness. Nevertheless, she continued.

"Oh, well, the usual. Valsavatharian girl has mage parents. Goes to Valsavatharian mage circle; now with free boarding school option(!) Girl is excellent student. Girl meets boy. Girl and boy fall in love. Boy slain by Ice Mage. Girl suspected of murder. Girl proved innocent; still feared and mistrusted by other students, mages and servicemen alike..." Crystal drolled, reciting the short sentences as if summing up her life in notes scrawled upon a paper. She took a large mouthful of her drink, suddenly standing and turning her back to the room as she looked once again outside the window, which was starting to defog.

He bit back several nasty comments that poped to his mind such as that the "girl" was responcible for his suicide.
"My story? I ran from home at a early age and was trained by a group of mercinarys. Soon I was a resonably powerful hand to hand combatant and I started inventing my own techniques. I became a body guard and eventualy I joined the millitary."

Takra sat listening to her companions tell the history of their lives she was amused and bewildered at the same time it sounded as if each one of them had suffered tragedy and loss of loved ones.
Takra decided to indulge her small past if not to gain companionship as she did not wish to share her recent experiences as they were still fresh in her mind.

“I was brought to coast by my family when I was very young, after that I was raised in a small village and enjoyed mild happiness for many years until around 6, 7 months ago my village was attacked, I watched as my father ran downstairs, longbow in hand, get slaughtered by 4 men my mother mad with grief went out to him. Soon she suffered a similar fate getting speared by 3 arrows, I was the sole survivor and this is what upsets me the most that I hid rather than fight to save my loved ones.”

Tears now openly flowed down Takra's face although she was not unhappy,but she couldn't help but cry. Takra carried on speaking her voice wavering as the words came out.

“I stayed in the village giving each resident of the hamlet a ritual of death with their families I stayed their harnessing my magic into ways to hurt, before they were ways to help. I also learned how to use weapons and made solemn promise to my parents lifeless bodies to avenge and if I ever see evil I will vanquish its perpetrator. With no family or friends I find myself here, with you although so far I am young my life has still been stung by tragedy and loss.”

Crystal suddenly placed her empty glass on the sill of the window beside her, turning without hesitation to stride over to Takra as the elf finished her story.

To everyone's surprise, the human laid a comforting hand on Takra's shoulder, leaning down to whisper into the Takra's ear alone. She spoke for some time.

Finishing whatever she said, Crystal gave a thin smile to Takra, stepping away respectfully with one last sentence that all could hear.

"We're much the same, you and I, after all."