Telas stood on the tip of the hill just off the side of the road, looking down at the capital city of Tramell... If you could call it a city. It certainly was larger than the small hamlet he hailed from, but even though, it was still relatively small. It was mainly just a huge, gated castle surrounded by several little cottages on all sides and farmland beyond that, all this surrounded by a large wooden wall. In the middle of the town, by the castle gate, was a rather busy market in which some kind of commotion was going on. It was to far to tell what, but there was definitely something going on there.

Telas could hear a couple of horses nearby, their riders being loud and rambunctious. Probably more of the bounty hunters out for that assassin, bringing some poor chaps body along the way.

"Whoa, look here, my fine friends." One of the riders (a big, burly man with a extremely tangled beard) chided, pulling up level with Telas. "That's some mighty old looking armor. Good condition, but old. Probably could fetch a fair amount of gold."

"Now that I think about it," said another rider. "Antiques like this shouldn't be worn or used in battle, no. They should be put on display in a safe environment, away from any harm."

The other riders laughed, pulling up with the big one. "You think we should... confiscate it, Bem?" Asked one of the smaller riders, looking, rather greedily, at the jewels on the hilt of Telas's great sword.

"Oh," Bem started, dismounting from his horse. "I suppose..."

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Ta'nil sat at his favorite tavern, the Blind Rat, sipping on his preferred drink and listening to the conversations going on around him. He was quite enjoying himself, that is, until he was poked sharply in the back.

"Ta'nil." the poker spoke, as if uttering a disgusting word. "I believe that you have something of our client... And he's inclined to get it back."

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"May I help you, ma'am?" said the Guard at the entrance to the gate of the town, holding onto his spear tightly. "You know, we don't see many women-folk traveling on their own around here." he paused for a moment. "Say, you wouldn't happen to be one of them queer druids that've been rumored to be hanging around the deepest parts of these woods, would you? Naw," he said, cutting Quinn off before she could speak. "They don't come out of that god-damned forest, besides, Mryn says their ain't any druids in them woods. But then that means that you must be here fer that reward the queen mentioned. But you ain't carryin' a body, an' besides, you wouldn't be interested in the Princess anyhow. Unless you are one of them types." The guard said, suddenly looking very interested. "But you know, how bout this. You jus' let me know why yer here and I can let you through."

The guard stood there then, and for the first time since Quinn had seen him, was quiet long enough for her to speak.

"Ta'nil." the poker spoke, as if uttering a disgusting word. "I believe that you have something of our client... And he's inclined to get it back."
*Ta'nil turned and looked at the burly individual behind him.*

"Ah, yes Reginald, my old friend, I don't suppose you want to sit down and enjoy a drink with an old friend?. Besides, what are you talking about? I gave what he wanted back. You don't trust me, I might have a dagger with your name on it." *he spoke quietly as ever and produced a hilt of a dagger from his shirt and puts it back* "Now sit down and have a drink with me, I'll pay. Besides, what would want of whatever he wanted, we got paid, did we not? We can discuss this matter over a good cup of mead."

*he motions for Reginald to sit down and takes a large amount of his drink finishing it before ordering two more.One for him and one for Reginald*

Had Telas been in a rational frame of mind, he would probably have tried to talk the men out of their current course of action...then again, had he been in a rational frame of mind, he wouldn't have been on that road at that time...with a large sword close at hand.

As such he didn't so much as reply as launch himself, screaming, at the closest man, blade sliding from its shoulder sheath with the hiss of pure steel, swinging at Bem. Men like him had murdered his family then expected to be hailed as heroes, at least, the farmer consoled himself later, he didn't try to justify his actions with hollow words.

Quinn reached up and tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear. If theses were to be her people, she could not have their first impressions of her be sullied by her own attitudes. And so she gave to the guard half a smile, and watched his eyes as she replied.

"I have no need of a Princess, but I would keep the kingdom. I hope that's well enough reason to let me pass?"

Yes, she would keep the kingdom. She would keep it and shape it to her own needs, and free herself. And the people would rejoice, for there would be a united purpose. And the PRincess... Quinn would have run through anyone who'd say itin public but the por girl really liked the idea of a friend. Someone with whom to simply relax, and share stories and gossip. She had been on the run for so long now, alone... yes, she may not have need for the princess in the same way her male counterparts might, but the idea of a friend was quite likely worth it all on it's own.

Almost, but not quite.

AS she waited for the guard to let her pass, Quinn remained smiling. Kept herself as nonthreatening as possible while still giving off, not purposely mind you, the air of someone used to blood and blade and unaccustomed to society. And in someways, she was more comfortable out there, in the wilderness, living off the land. But to free herself, she had to come in. Having learned of the prize offered, Quinn could not pass up this chance. Which left only one question...

What the hell was she going to do with a kingdom when she was finished?

Reginald neither moved to accept his mead, nor to sit down. He just sat there staring at Ta'nil, deadly quiet until he said in a harsh whispered. "My client doesn't like being lied to, Ta'nil. And neither do I."

Fluid like a wraith Reginald took a step forward and put a huge meaty hand on Ta'nil's shoulder, and jammed, what felt like a small, easily hidden hand-crossbow into Ta'nil's back.

"Put the drinks on my tab, Herm." Reginald said, almost pulling Ta'nil from his seat and steering him out of the tavern. "Don't expect any help from the guard," he whispered cruelly. "My client has quite a bit of influence."

He didn't speak again until they were safely tucked away in a dark alley. "Now where is it? Where is the damn ruby! We know for a fact that you stole it for that wretched widow Katlin; who claimed it to be her husbands! Tell me where it is and my client gave me permission to kill you quickly. Don't, and well, you can expect a painful death. Then" he chuckled and pointed the hand-crossbow at Ta'nil's face. "We may have to pay the beautiful Ms. Katlin a visit."

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Bem fell with one slash from shoulder to hip, the light of life fading from his eyes, his lifeblood now painting Telas's sword red.

The three other men cried out in shock. The closest, being the bearded man that had first addressed Telas, hoped down from his horse with a howl. Screaming a series of profanities he charged forward, drawing a wicked, notched battle-axe along the way.

The next closest one, the smaller rider, also tried to dismount, but in his haste he fell to the ground, hitting his head on a rock. He didn't move, but was visibly breathing.

The farthest away, however did not dismount. Instead pulled out a crossbow and began to load it up, uttering curses under his breath as his fingers trembled with adrenaline.

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The guard nodded, smiling rather stupidly at Quinn "Certainly is, ma'am. Open 'er up, Mryn!" At this last little bit he turned around to face the small gate and banged his shield with his spear.

"Right away, Jonan." came a voice from inside the gate.

The gate started to swing inward, exposing the small town in all it's glory. "Please be enjoyin' yer stay, ma'am." Jonan grinned. "But mind yerself. We don' allow any fightin' or such. If yer lookin' fer somewhere to stay then you'll wanna head towards the market. We only have one inn, the Beheaded Jester. If yer lookin' fer some eatin' or drinkin' then there's tavern, the Blind Rat, right beside it. Impossible to miss. Also, if yer lookin' for a little company then I'll be down there later tonight." he winked, smiled a yellow-toothed grin, and stepped aside to allow Quinn entrance into the small town of Tramell.

As he was being led to an alley, Ta'nil thought of where he hid them.

(in his head)"If I remember correctly, they are hidden on the sewer grate on a string."

"Reginald you old fox, you led me right to to it.If you want to return it so bad you have to let me go to get it. But don't shoot that thing or it may drop in.He doesn't want that does he? Nor do you if I judged correctly."

*he gets led to the place where it is and he sees the grate its hanging on.*
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(i his head)"If I die this day I should probably remember what happened to me to get me to this place."
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he was always the rebel of the family, one apple this day, a kitchen knife the next. He would not, could not be held by his families standards. They always were contract thieves, he was the one to take things for fun. But he returned everything...if not used or broken but they were returned. Haha, they were always sublime as well, that did not suit his style. He was the outgoing one. Having a guard friend or two that he talked to in the blind rat at least thrice a week.He also had friends in lower places that could 'get' him things. Its a good thing he always knew the best place to run to. Haha, he always ran to the sewers, he learned that early on. The guard are afraid of the sewers.
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(response from Reginald)

Politely declining his invitation, Quinn stepped through and almost instantly regretted her decision to come. Though relatively quiet, three was still more noise that she was used to, living in the woods as she had for so long. There was no way here among the civilized to mask her scent, or cover her tracks. She had to hope she could simply blend in for a while, till she could plan her next move. But the thought of a warm, osoft bed was too tempting, and feeling much like an overkicked dog slinking around her master's feet for favor, she similarly slunk off to the Inn, to book a room and rest.

And rest she did. The feel of the bed beneath her was almost too much for her hardened back to enjoy comfortably, and after an hour's tossing and turning, she sighed heavily and stretched out upon the floor, which was still more comfortable than hard packed earth. The aches and pains of life on the run eased out of her, and after another hour or two she felt better, when she had appreciated enough of the niceties and luxuries of town life, she rose, and headed to the tavern for a drink and, perhaps, something to eat that she hadn't caught and cooked herself.

She had to admit, it was kind of nice being in town.