Prep Work

The party arrived at the port town in the early afternoon with very little ceremony. Randir, and Maddie, traveled together via carriage. Rui took a separate transport so they would be completely on their own from that moment onward. The two trainees were in full disguise. Maddie is a young affluent girl wearing a frilly dress. Randir was under the influence of his Ioun stone gifted from Stenmar. He appeared to be a normal human guard in leather armor with a sword at his hip. Underneath the illusion, he wore his standard black armor and cloak. Under his hood was a full-face black mask. “So where should we be heading first? Daddy didn’t give very clear instructions so I guess you’d better lead the way.”

Party Planning

The next morning Randir awoke to someone knocking on his door. “Wake up boy, or you’ll miss breakfast!”

The Black Pegasus

After entering the inn Rui went straight to the check-in counter. He spoke to the woman behind the counter like an old friend. Deciding to wait for Rui Randir looked around the inn. Scanning around the room it appeared to be a simple foyer with a doorway into a dining room off to the side. While he was looking around a young girl with raven hair seemed to take notice of him, and Rui. She appeared to be a maid cleaning up leftovers from the recent dinner off of the tables. She placed down her dish tray and approached Randir. “Now what are you looking at Pretty boy?”

A New Side to Senphos

After leaving the Drunken Almiraj Rui sets off through the city with Randir following behind.  “Now that our presence is officially known it’s safe to go about the city normally.”

The Best of Friends

The Drunken Almiraj PT. 2

Entering into the side door a well-lit stairwell extended downwards.  Rui calmly entered with Randir cautiously following behind.  At the bottom it opened up into a large club looking space.  A large stocked bar lined one wall, and patrons mingled among the various tables, and booths.  A large open doorway leads the way into a section of different forms of entertainment.  Darts, billiards, various card games, etc.

The Drunken Almiraj

Rui woke up Randir early the next morning.  The elf boy got up groggily as he didn’t get much sleep the previous night.  “What’s wrong boy?  Couldn’t sleep?”

Senphos

(Other updates:  I’ve made an update to the chapter “Tools of the trade.”  It’s just a simple change.  I replaced Randir’s staff katana with a pair of hunting daggers.  I felt like these would work more realistically, and an assassin running around with katanas felt too ridiculous in my mind.)

In the early spring weather; the bank of lake Wodd crunches with ice as the boat is partially beached by the weary sailors.  “Goodbye,  You served me well.”

“Quit your whining Psari.  I’ll get you a new boat if you’re that heartbroken over it.”

“I’ll be holding you to that Rui!”

Lake Wodd

(AN:  I’m very sorry about the long hiatus.  My life just went to hell for a while, and then it finally quieted down.  Though it was quiet for a while I wasn’t quite ready to get back to writing.  I recently started working, and had very little spare time.  I’m just getting into a stable schedule, and decided I needed to write something.  Thank you to those still here, and welcome to those who come in the future.)

After successfully escaping the docks I hoped that we would be cut some slack.  I was wrong; barely a minute after we cleared the labyrinthine docks a group of three privateer ships began following in our wake.  “Rui!”

“I see them.  Keep rowing.  Hopefully we can outrun them.”

“That’s a doubtful hope, and you know it Rui.”

“Psari can you please stop arguing with me about everything!”

Jawix

“Welcome to Jawix.  It’s a rather small city but it has its own charms.”

“Like the random barrels of fish?”

“Exactly like the random barrels of fish.”

Death March

(Rui’s POV)

Six years since the boy was orphaned and taken away from home.  Six years and yet he kept going without reason or hope.  I’ve never once heard him cry or laugh.  Not a single smile.  The only hint of him having a persona was occasional sarcasm, or statements of opinion.