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[SaberatStoor]

OOC: Sure, Mary, that's alright. ^.^ Once Chad's posted again, I'll try finding a spot to maneuver Marcus in. :3 Unless Alegheros has heightened senses, he shouldn't be able to sense Marcus. Judging from the way he ignored Saber, he might not even be aware he's in the room. xP
Chad, I don't necessarily expect him to fear a werewolf (although every human would do well to be wary, as the potential for the curse to be transferred to them always exists). xP The reason Saber is excercising caution is a) due to the plain and simple fact: one doesn't go about boasting werewolves openly for a myriad of reasons, and b) you, yourself, explained that werewolves aren't at all common in Xeterous. Someone as old as you infer this wizard to be might well have been around when pure-blooded werewolves were a lot more common. I'm not inferring that Saber is aware of how old he is, but she already has her own reasons for what she's doing, and I have mine. I suspect that while Alegheros wouldn't necessarily be worried to learn about Marcus, rather, he would become interested, in the bureaucratic sense. When wizards are interested in something (much as how dragons and long-lived wizards actively pursue knowledge and study), they ignore everyone else's qualms about their pursuing it. :/ Also, while he has no fear for a werewolf, he might feel compelled to annihilate a werewolf as it is a danger to others, assuming he still feels the general bonds of brotherhood with the populace. I don't know the guy, I'm just speculating. :P
In short, Saber reeaaally doesn't want this guy so much as finding out about it.

Oh, that's right! You lucky bastard, you! xD Why not pack up my sister and I in a suitcase or something? I want to go! ;_; I want to go so I can eat everything in Germany!
So, when are you going? :D Will you still post from time to time or is it going to be a short trip?
*Nosy nosy*

[Magus]

Alegheros nodded as Saber poured the glasses of red wine and setting the bottle on the bar beside them, the band of small humming crystals orbiting around his head dipping slightly. That was the only acknowledgment he gave Saber, and Venasia barely even existed in the haughty wizard's mind.

"Now that the beverages have been accounted for, we can begin," Alegheros announced with all the authority in the world, though his tone was tinged with a level of arrogance and disdain not found in even the majority of wizards. "As you know, I am the informant that your Order had informed you of," Alegheros paused briefly so Tixanhi could chuckle at his witty use of the term 'inform.' Tixanhi did, awkwardly. "Henceforth, I represent all of the Occultus when I speak, not just myself; I wish to extend to you an offer of political and diplomatic unity between our two factions: the Occultus and the Order. To rectify our mutually exclusive factions and forever bridge those gaps, I wish to join the Order. I intend on being initiated into the Arch-Magus rank within your Inner Order. Doing so would simply be an extension of your diplomacy and hospitality to the Occultus, and our orders would be bound together after the initiation is complete. Now, spokesman of the Order of Zaddamal, do you accept my offer?"

Tixanhi nearly messed his pants. But, before he could sink into an abyss of paranoid introspection and thought, a stern voice whispered into his mind: "Tixanhi, Magus of the School of Evocation, I, the Heirophant of the School of Divination, am speaking to your mind on behalf of the entire Counsel of Heirophants. We have anticipated Alegheros' maneuver and have reached a consensus as to what decision you will announce to him. The Counsel has agreed to the Occultus' terms and conditions of a political union and extend an offer of initiation into the Inner Order on behalf of all of the Occultus to him as a representative of their faction. However, to match his follow-up requisite, we, too, have a requisite for him. Do what he says, then I will contact you again, Magus. Ad Ortum, Tixanhi."

Oh, holy crap. Not only had he become the mediator between the Occultus and the higher-ups of the Inner Order (many of whom he hadn't even seen in the flesh), he now how to extend a counter-offer to Alegheros...only after being his pawn.

"I must ask you one small favor before that offer is official, Magus Tixanhi," Alegheros interrupted right on cue. "It seems that I have misplaced my old staff, and a band of renegade kobolds have stolen it from my study. The staff isn't powerful, but I wish to have it back for sentimental reasons. It was my first staff, after all. I'll ask you to fetch it back for me. When you do, the offer will be official, should you choose to accept it. Through scrying, I have divined the location of the kobolds' lair and will gladly teleport you--and any that wish to accompany you--to the entrance of their cave. The task should be menial for someone of your magical stature, but should you need the assistance, the three of your allies and yourself should be more than enough man-power to get the job done. I hear werewolves are awfully powerful when the full moon is shining."

Alegheros didn't even look back at Saber, nor towards Marcus for that matter. He had known everything about them before he set foot in a door, and yet he had a sincere look of apathy on his face towards their collective history. Saber had threatened to rearrange Tixanhi's mind if he even thought about revealing Marcus' condition, and now the aged wizard knew as well...yet he couldn't possibly care less. The fact simply didn't concern him, and if it didn't concern him, it was as if it didn't even exist. His apathy was prevalent, yet underneath the placid and uncaring tone was an unspoken threat: if Saber tried to get inside his mind, he would shatter hers without thinking twice.

"What do you say, Tixanhi? Will you, and possibly your allies, do me this favor?" Alegheros asked, flatly. With that, Tixanhi turned around in all his awkward grace to face Venasia and the newly-showered Saber.

"Um," he began, gracefully as always. "Do you all have plans for the night?"

OOC: Don't kill me, Crystal xD Wizards are always prepared, so, logically, Alegheros would have scryed (scried?) everyone in the Tavern before showing up. He knows at least the prevalent details of each of their lives, including Marcus's. But, he really doesn't care about him being a werewolf.

[SaberatStoor]

OOC: *scried, yeah
Also, RAAAAWRRR! *Goes King Kong and tears apart a lego building* Grrrr!
Love the last line, though. xD LoL, what would I schedule that would cause me to pass over slaughtering kobolds and retrieving a staff in the middle of the night? :P
Bah, fine, I won't kill you…yet. >.> But only because you amuse me. x3
Bah, yeah, that's true. *Toes the ground* Alright, I'll let it be. As long as Saber comes to understand that he doesn't care and won't do anything about it, she'll be peachy.
Also, the 6th (pretty much last) paragraph totally creeped me out. o.o Well done. (Note: Marcus was upstairs, actually, but that hardly matters. :P I may as well have him wake up and come downstairs - after all, everyone else is awake, now. :P)
Look at us! Asking each other not to kill one another. :P Mary's not done any of that. :P She's nice, she doesn't bother anybody. :3
Haha, by the end of it all, you'll both be wondering why you stayed in this crazy tavern. :P Saber and Marcus have so much to apologize for. xD


IC: Marcus appeared at Saber's side so quietly it was as if he bore the padded paws of a wolf, even in human form. His hair was rinsed and combed back into a braid and he had dressed himself in fresh clothing before descending to the main room. Had Saber not taught him to be stoic in the presence of company, his expression would have betrayed the profound guilt and shame that wrenched at his guts. He gently laid a hand on Saber's shoulder, as if to prove it were not the very paw that had handled gentle Venasia with such unyielding violence, and spoke, in the gentlest tone possible, his accent somewhat slurred by the choked sobs he had forced back before coming downstairs, "I am awake now, Miss Saber. I'm terribly sorry for dropping off earlier, but I had to rest…" She nodded and placed her hand over his, "That's perfectly alright, Marcus." She listened quietly as Alegheros detailed the "small favor" he required of Tixanhi before officially sealing the arrangements he had earlier described. Apparently, a group of kobolds had stolen one of his staves, and he wanted it back; he also suggested that Venasia, Marcus, and Saber aid Tixanhi in his task, eliciting Saber's full attention just in time to hear him add, "I hear werewolves are awfully powerful when the full moon is shining."

She felt Marcus's hand tense immediately underneath her own, while hers remained lax, perhaps out of shock. He knew. He knew and he said it, out loud. The cogs in her usually sharp mind screeched to a grinding halt and she stood frozen, waiting to recover for nearly a full minute, until the cogs and pistons sluggishly lurched forward and the full comprehension of the message Alegheros had just sent within his last words attacked her mind all at once: he knew, but he didn't care. It took nearly another full minute for Saber's mind to accept this, but, finally, it sunk in. She patted Marcus's hand soothingly and turned to mutter into his ear. He gave her a "How can you be so sure?" look, but she waved dismissively. He sighed and whispered back harshly, "Alright, be that as it may, what is this all about? Who is this man and what does he want from us? Does he seriously expect me to go outside and turn into a wolf again and slaughter some thieves for him? Does he think I do it with ease, that there is no pain or danger, or does he not care? I'm not his pet dog - I won't do it! I won't risk it! If the clouds bare the full moon, we'll all be doomed!" Saber turned to him and placed her hands on the side of his head and, in a hushed voice, responded, "I'm so sorry it happened tonight - I know, I promised I wouldn't let it happen, but I was too late - but I promise, this time, I really won't let it happen again. In fact, I'll do nothing but focus on turning your will into an iron fist with which to keep the wolf at bay and you will even be able to utilize its strength! Marcus, I promise!"

Before Marcus could answer, Alegheros spoke again, "What do you say, Tixanhi?" Slowly, Tixanhi turned to Tixanhi, Venasia, and Saber and asked them, himself. Saber cast a pleading glance to Marcus and, in a low voice, used words she knew would anger him and, at the same time, convince him, "Perhaps the violence that may ensue tonight will sate the beast's hunger without anyone being hurt and the urges will subside until the next full moon." Within a full minute, she could see in his eyes that he had made up his mind. Ignoring the thoughts of what was to come, Marcus remembered the importance of bonds of companionship, that he had hoped to form such bonds with Tixanhi and Venasia, and smiled at Tixanhi, whom he hoped would call him friend, despite having seen him at his ugliest. "I volunteer my services to you, Herr Tixanhi," he barked.

Still a little numb from it all and untrusting of Alegheros - not being used to people simply "not caring" - but she shrugged it off for the time being and nodded, "I, too, will aid you in any way I can ensure that the gentleman's beloved staff is returned safe and sound." She turned to Alegheros and added, "I sympathize with you, sir, and I hope that, for sentimentality's sake, those villainous kobolds do not snap your staff in two before we can retrieve it, although that would certainly be punishment enough for the awful deed they have committed." The sincerity in her voice nearly surprised even her, but, after all, she was in the company of kin, and the familiar feeling of homesickness gripped her heart, if only for a moment. In unison, Marcus and Saber turned to Venasia. Saber hoped inwardly that Venasia would be alright with having to keep movement of her neck and shoulder to a minimum.


OOC: Kinda hurried (because, well, I have to sleep for work tomorrow and my family was hounding me :P), but oh well. ^^; Your turn, Mary! :D Awright! Some action! :3 I won't transform Marcus again tonight - well, not completely - but he may take on some rather wolfish attributes in order to take care of the kobolds. Heheh, I really need to exercise the wolf, but I think this will do fine. I might have fun with this…ugh, a small part of me is sickened with me for saying that. xD G'night! :D Looking forward to the next round of posts!

[EraAtrum]

OCC: I'm so sorry it took so long, my computer got a virus (what terrible timing). Hopefully my dad fixes it soon (knowing him it could be a while). Hopefully I'll still be able to post like once a week until then (finding another computer to use wasn't easy (right now I'm on my sister's I-pod Touch, and I'm not really supposed to be, LOL. Typing on this thing isn't easy, lucky my post doesn't need to be long)).

IC: Venasia weighed her options. She did want to go on an adventure with her new friends, but the thought of helping this guy out made her sick, especially since he doesn't seem to care about the consequences of trying to use a werewolf to do your dirty work. "I will go to aid Tixanhi, don't think I do it out of sympathy for you. Hopefully I won't be a burden to them, as you can see, I'm wounded."

Then she walked over to Marcus and asked if she could speak with him.

OOC: Sorry if it seems a little off, like I said, it's hard to type on this thing. You know, I probably shouldn't mouth off to powerful wizards, but I really don't like him. I hope he doesn't decide to kill me or something D:

[SaberatStoor]

OOC: OMG, welcome back, Mary! :D I'm so pleased to see you! Aww, that really sucks. :( I'm sorry to hear that. Haha, well, being resourceful sometimes means having to do things you're not supposed to. :P Anyway, we thank you for posting , even though it meant risking getting yelled at by your sister! :P Also, from all Chad has said, I don't think Alegheros will mind at all, so you're golden! :3

IC: Saber smiled at Venasia when she walked over to stand by
Marcus's side. Marcus did not like feeling so exposed in the presence of Alegheros, and so he bit back the burning desire to deliver a sincere apology to Venasia, waiting until a time when they had privacy, if only from the wizard. Instead, he flashed his own bashful smile and nodded to Venasia's request, "Ja, Fräulein, whenever you like."

OOC: Short post. >.> Looks like Chad's next post will be taking us out of The Tavern for a while (at least a half a dozen to a dozen posts each, I'd wager, unless something comes up :P)! *Sniff* Goodbye for now, Tavern. :'( *Waves* Mrr, I guess that means Alegheros will be staying in the Tavern, waiting for us...So, I assume that although Alegheros did his homework on everyone, he didn't connect Saber, the magic-user, with the tavernkeeper he met at the door until he discovered, however he'd gone about that, that Saber, the tavernkeeper, had threatened to meddle with Tixanhi's mind, and thus, was the magic-user he had scried? Just wondering if that's cleared up or not. ^^; I'm sure it is, but I thought I'd check, since he didn't seem to recognize her when he first walked in.

[Magus]

"Excellent!" Alegheros exclaimed, throwing back a gulp of the pricey wine and somehow looking extravagant in doing so. "With the four of you, the simple quest will be accomplished in no time at all. My old staff was fairly simple, a testament to a time when aesthetics were not something I cared about; it appears as a straight wooden beam of oak carved with arcane sigils. An ornately carved 'A' will signal if the staff is truly mine. When you are ready, I will teleport the lot of you outside of the kobolds' lair approximately a dozen miles outside of Auddien."

Alegheros paused, waiting for Tixanhi's response. The lesser wizard simply looked back at Venasia, Saber, and Marcus and, with a faux-confident not, signaled that his party was ready.

"Very good, Tixanhi. I can sense a strong spirit burning within you which can only be bolstered by your choice of allies and, by the looks of the zarathani girl, your apprentice. I won't tell the Heirophants if you don't," Alegheros said with a sly wink.

Crap. Tixanhi may or may not have forgotten that it was improper for wizards to take on apprentices within the Order unless they've reached the rank of Arch-Magus, which he had not. By teaching Venasia a spell, he could, technically, be charged and reprimanded by a Hiereus, one of the sword-wielding arcane law-keepers of the Order. Yet, Alegheros didn't appear to be lording the information over him. It seemed, at least to the evoker, that Alegheros took a twisted sort of enjoyment in knowing peoples' secrets. That, too, gave him power over just about anyone. Knowledge is power, after all, and a power divorced of magic. He was versatile as any proper wizard should be, but that versatility also made him incredibly dangerous.

"Also, Miss Stoor, I will be leaving shortly after transporting the four of you. I have business to attend to elsewhere, but I do thank you for your hospitality," Alegheros said in an off-the-cuff manner, yet still casual enough for his sentimentality to appear somewhat transparent. "Let us begin, then."

With that, Alegheros held up his crystalline staff as the foundation and walls of the Tavern began to rattle with tangible arcane might, and the wizard hadn't spoken a single word of power yet. With a circular wave of his staff, a glowing circle of indiscernible runes manifested around the four heroes, whom simultaneously took a step inward to avoid making contact with the circle. "S'as!" Alegheros roared in an occult dialect unfamiliar to Tixanhi. As the trigger word vibrated through the multiverse, the circle of runes erupted in violet light that soared upward like a tunnel that washed over the chestnut ceiling of the Tavern. The violet light seeped into the very essence of the four heroes, dismantling them and thrusting them across the face of Engorn...

OOC: Alegheros knows that Saber is the tavernkeeper, but I may not have articulated that well. Anyway, since we're not technically in the Tavern anymore, I'm going to close this thread. We'll continue in the link posted below. If you have any OOC comments, make them there and I'll address them in the first post.

http://xeterous.1.forumer.com/index.php?act=ST&f=52&t=827