"Aye, I'm one of the ones who answered the posters. But I'm no man of the sword, I'm just a man who knows where to stick a blade when needed."

"What about you, Vincent. How long have you been a man of the sword, and what's that blade ever done for you to make you want to be with it so long?"
Vincent sat as the man ate his food and asked his question. Staring into his eyes he started to speak.

"Aye, that's a good a skill as any. As for me, well ever since I could walk I always wanted to be a Knight in Eluythus. At the age of 7 I was luckily recruited into the school, and for 12 years I trained. I learned to worship Mars, I learned how to use my blade, and I learned how to lead and defend my friends."

Taking a pause as his food and ale were delivered, he took a swig of the ale and continued as he put the mug down.

"Unfortunately, my father passed away and I was forced to leave and go work to support the family. I'm here to hopefully secure enough money for my mother at home and so I can formally become a true knight."

Sitting back and taking a deep breath, Vincent looked once more at the man and cracked a grin. "Guess you could say I've simply bonded with my blade after so long. How about you, any big reason you're here? Besides the money of course haha."

As Vincent went on with his story, Willem sighed. It wasn't that he thought this Vincent fellow was dumb, it was more about not getting an answer that he wanted, by asking a question that been less than straightforward on delivery.

Interacting with other people has never been his forte, and the less he spoke with people the better. Stealing a glance Willem noticed that Vincent was still talking about how he grew up training as a knight, learned to worship Mars, and used his blade to defend his friends and others. One thing he did notice also was that Vincent had yet to ask him of his name, and did not press any further when Willem didn't answer fully his original question. A companion that doesn't ask much and likes to hear himself talk, ideally he'd have no one ask anything but it could be worse.

"Interesting story, and I guess I've seen people use their blades for worse."

As Vincent formed his second question, Willem's form tensed up. his relaxed, almost non caring demeanor melted away and he sat up straighter, rubbing his rough stubble on his face and running his hand through his unevenly short cut hair.

"Me, well no big reason here. The gold helps and I plan on moving on through I guess."

He gave a weak smile to Vincent's chuckling, the large younger man's size imposing.

"So, do you know anyone else here?"

"Me, well no big reason here. The gold helps and I plan on moving on through I guess."

"So, do you know anyone else here?"
Squinting a bit as he stared at the man, Vincent leaned in a bit and adjusted his seat.

"I don't know anyone here myself, but interesting story you have there hahaha."

Sipping more of his ale Vincent looked down at the table and planted his hand on his head.

"I can't believe I forgot! I never asked your name good sir, m-m-my apologies!" Bowing his he head he apologized profusely.

Vincent thought to himself as he felt his face turn a bright shade of scarlet, "You'd think after twelve years of training, that included etiquette I could have remembered that of all things." Sliding into his chair a bit he quickly finished off what was left of his ale.

A few thoughts ran through Willem's head when Vincent had his little outburst and embarassment. One, that this man wasn't the perfect no questions asked companion as originally thought. Two, any imposing sense or intimidation his large armed frame gave off was shattered at his studdering and blush, coupled with slouching in his chair. All Willem could do was lean back in his own chair and give a thin, wry smile.

"It's ok, I guess I do owe you at least that. Willem is my name. I'm glad we could have this chat."

He tipped back his mug of ale and let the rest of it flow into his mouth, the last foamy remnants signaling the end of his drink.

"I only have one more question really, do you know anything about where we'll be going? I've never heard of Tagea."

"It's ok, I guess I do owe you at least that. Willem is my name. I'm glad we could have this chat."

"I only have one more question really, do you know anything about where we'll be going? I've never heard of Tagea."
Looking up and taking a deep breathe to calm himself, Vincent once more looked at the man. "Willem, that's a good name. I'm glad to have you as a companion."

Straightening in his chair, and poking at his food a bit Vincent looked about the room at the rest of the group scattered throughout the Inn.

"Can't say I know much about it. From what I've seen, peeking at the maps the others were looking at, it's some sort of Island chain, as well as a town. Sounds interesting enough to explore I guess."

Willem nodded along with what he said. An island chain then, and a new town. Anything to get him further away from here the better, and he smiled.

"Well, that sounds like it'll be something, that's for sure. An island and all that comes with it, right. I'm going to be off now, I have to finish getting a few things and then see the ship we're going to be going out on. Good meeting you, Vincent."

Willem stood, shoveling the last bit of rice he had into his mouth and started to walk for the door. He only glanced to the side to see the rest of the group pouring over maps and talking quietly, and then pushed himself through the doors and out the front.

Sitting as Willem got up and left, Vincent thought about what to do. He could go talk to the others, or continue to converse with Willem. The man seemed a bit gruff, but otherwise friendly, and maybe he could teach Vincent a bit about swordplay! Scarfing down his meal, Vincent jumped out of his chair and ran towards the door.

Outside he started to sprint so he could catch up to Willem before he disappeared farther into the town. Gasping for breath he called out, "Willem! *huff* *huff* Wai-wait up!"

Suprised that the other man had stopped, he hurried to catch up. "I hope, *huff* I hope you don't mind me tagging, *huff* tagging along." Taking a breath, he allowed himself to speak more clearly. "I figured, maybe I could walk around with you? If that's ok? I can always go back to the Inn if I'll just be a bother." Scratching the back of his head, Vincent looked over to Willem and let out a small grin.

Willem breathed a sigh of relief as he walked a few feet down the street, free from his forced dialogue with Vincent. He could only take so much of people asking questions before he needs to just escape. The faceless crowds of the streets aren't his first choice for solitude, but they'll make do for now. Well so he thought.

"Willem! *huff* *huff* Wai-wait up! I hope, *huff* I hope you don't mind me tagging, *huff* tagging along. I figured, maybe I could walk around with you? If that's ok? I can always go back to the Inn if I'll just be a bother.

Willem froze in the street. This Vincent sure was persistent and more of a talker than he originally thought, just shows how bad of a judge of character Willem was. He slowly turned around and looked at the young man who was out of breathe, and unsure what Willem was going to say next.

With a moment of hesitation, he spoke up.

"Sure, I guess. If you want to tag along you can, I'm going to seek out the ship and see what we're going to be sailing on."

He turned back around and continued walking a bit slower, letting Vincent catch up as he went.

Tohmas stood quietly behind the folks as they scanned over the pictures the man had called maps. He could see what looked like drawings with lines and shapes and words. They resembled the pictures the Shaman drew in the dirt to show the people where to find food and water. He had never seen it placed on hide to carry. Maybe he find one of these that showed had to get the fabled lands.

Among those gathered he saw an Elven woodsman he had met in the northern country. The man had seemed to understand the ways of nature and treaded lightly upon the earth. Raising his hand he gave the ranger the sign of “friend”. There were still several days before they would leave, perhaps the ranger would know how to spend time in a town.

Elyra made her way to the docks, onto an interesting looking boat and sought out a few of the crew. Many of them gave her strange looks and went about their regular business. One or two came over to speak with her. The first was a bit gruff and suggested she do some things she was not sure were physically possible. However, the second was more outgoing. Sensing a chance to gather some information as well as potentially some new news she spent several hours with the sailor. She even went so far as to invite him for a night of drinking. During the course of the evening she picked his brain about the islands surrounding the area as well as asking for news from far and wide. Only once did the man get a bit too fresh. Once he reset his dislocated finger he was never more inclined to try anything funny. After a few mugs of wine, Elyra broke out her lute and entertained the gather patrons with song. A kindly innkeeper even forgave her entire bar tab to thank her for the extra income he enjoyed that night. Finally begging forgiveness for her dry throat she packed her lute and bid the sailor goodnight before retiring for the evening.

Edited to not be our specific boat to not mess witht he story. I am assuming that one sailor would chase a skirt. They cannot all be gay. hehe

It was late evening when Areldor came into the Toothless Dragon after doing a small show in a tavern in another spot in town. He was dressed in the outfit that he used back at in Uncle’s tavern which was his blue tunic with the gold trim in the cuffs and around the neck. His brown hair was down laying on his shoulders, it seemed that some ladies liked this look more and sometimes gave a little more in the offering bowl. As he was preparing to head up to his room, he caught sight of a very colorful female elf leaving a table that had a scruffy sailor at it. When he saw her, something struck in as familiar. “I have seen her before, but where?”


So seeing that she was leaving her guest, he went over to introduce himself.

Elyra saw a somewhat familiar figure coming her way. She could not quite place where she had seen him before but was sure she had. Since her "date" for the evening had ceased to be of any further use she leaned in close to him. "Now is when you say goodnight." Seeing the look in her eyes the sailor took his leave. Looking back to the approaching figure she kicked out a chair. "Have a seat?"

"Well thank you" Areldor said as he quickly glance at the sailor who was leaving the tavern, then grabbing the chair and slowly sat down. Being now across the table he got a better look. He leaned slightly forward placed left elbow on the table, cupped his chin and mouth with his left hand. Raised his left brow and gazed at the very beautiful elf for a moment. Pushing out the sounds of the tavern to focus on the image he was seeing and trying to remember why she was so familiar. His mind raced but nothing was coming quickly mind, so he sat up in the chair, then spoke in elf " My name is Areldor, and whom do I have the pleasure in meeting."

Replying in the elvish tounge, "I am Elyra, a recent graduate from the bard academy. Your dress is rather memorable but I see no lute or other musical instrument. Would I be far off if I guessed you practiced a bit of magic?" Elyra looked again at her guest, absolutely sure she had seen him before.

Continuing in elvish "Elyra... beautiful name for a beautiful women, and thank you for the complement.". said the half elf," This is a very simple outfit, nothing to compare with your ensemble. but it works." Areldor scooted the chair closer to the table, looked around the tavern for a barmaid to get her attention. Seeing that he did Areldor turned back to his guest and replied, " To answer your second question yes I do practice a bit of magic and play a little music now and then." By then the barmaid arrived he looked over at his guest and ask with a smile " would you like anything."