- Documentation:
Beira walked through the streets of the town, wondering why on earth she had agreed to take this job. The weather wasn't hot, it was scorching. And yet, everyone around seemed not to take notice of the sweltering heat, as they jostled and bustled and called one to another. The place was veritable chaos. The heat, the noise and the large volume of people milling about in one place was getting to her. But she kept a straight face and kept walking. If she was going to be honest with herself, Beira realized that she would probably take another job such as this, if it came her way again. Discomfort was a triviality. What mattered most to her was getting the job done, and the knowledge she hoped to acquire in so doing. She got the occasional stares, but she ignored them and moved on. There would have been a lot more stares if her thick cloak, currently wrapped around her, was absent. Yet, despite the weather, and the apparent lack of sense it made to wear the cloak, it was a very good insulator, which meant it would keep heat out, as well as in. Beira's hope was to find the meeting place before her own body heat began roasting her in the fabric.
And not a moment too soon. The Utgardian saw, emblazoned high on a building, "the Golden Oasis". That was where she was supposed to meet her partner for this mission. It was, so far, the most dangerous she had chosen to undertake so far, and she was a little bit nervous. It was a bit irritating that the client had not told her who had chosen to undertake the mission with herself. But she didn't have much of a problem getting along with others... for the most part. Walking over to the building, she pushed open the door and stepped in. It was a tavern of sorts. The interior of the building was much cooler than outside, which was quite relieving, seeing as she had already begun to sweat heavily underneath her cloak. There were a lot of patrons around, most of them in groups, discussing and laughing over their drinks. She took off her cloak, and the ambient sound in the pub reduced noticeably. Taking no heed, the God Slayer selected an empty table in one of the corners of the building, and sat down with her back to the corner, so she was facing the rest of the tavern's interior. A waiter, dressed in traditional Desiertian scurried over to her table.
"Can-- can I get you anything?" he stammered, trying to prevent himself from getting too distracted. "As long as it's sweet, of considerable quality, and not alcoholic, that would be very nice," she replied. "And I would like three cups with whatever it is. I'm expecting friends." He hurried away, and Beira's eyes scanned the room impassively. Some foppish-looking fellows were whispering to themselves and looking at her. Then one of them rose and began heading towards her, just as someone else, an elderly fellow with fiery eyes and a face lined by the desert rose and moved towards her table as well, pushing past the dandy. The younger man placed a hand roughly on the elder's shoulder, only for the older man to turn and stare pointedly at him. Something unsaid passed between them, and the dandy slunk away, looking defeated. By now the tavern was almost silent, as most eyes watched the drama. The old man drew up close.
"Peace to you. Are you Beira of Utgardr?" he asked, bowing slightly at the waist. "Indeed," the young woman replied, emulating his gesture, though she did not rise. "Are you the one who has business with me?" She was sure the old man wasn't her mission partner, even though he did strike an impressive figure. The man nodded and placed a small parcel on the table. "In there is a single pass to the Ring of Blood, so one of you can use it to get in. The other person must find a way in. Documented therein are also a few other minor details you may wish to know, including a map of the desert, and the way to the Ring." There was a pause. "It is good that you, Beira of Utgardr, came first, because I wish to ask a favor, before your partner arrives. There are three of your countrymen who own the Ring of Blood. I want you to specifically kill one of them, Odric Brey by name. I know the stipulations of this mission simply say you must bring the owners of the Ring to justice, so do whatever you please, but Odric must die, for it was he who, to hit back at me for a business slight he suffered at my hands, arranged for the capture of my nephew. Find the boy, and keep him safe. The trust of an old man is in your hands."
"Why are you--" Beira was unable to finish, as the man suddenly walked away, exiting the bar, just as the waiter came with the drink and the three cups and set them down on Beira's table. She paid him, with a generous tip, and poured a drink for herself. It was a curious purple color, but it tasted every bit as amazing as she had hoped. Mentally making a note to discover what the stuff was made of, the Utgardian silently sipped her drink, as she waited for the arrival of her mission partner, while she wondered why the old client was not keen on telling herself and her partner of the extra mission stipulation.
WC: 946 words
Total: 946/16000
Last edited by Fraag on 25th November 2019, 9:00 am; edited 1 time in total