Old World Monsters Act One: Of Pagans

[Charon]

With the outburst of the wizard the rest of the inn had gone silent with the exception of the group of mercenaries at the table. And it wasn't long after the temperature returned to normal around that table that the other patrons paid for their meals and left as quickly and discreetly as they could.

As the last of the patrons were leaving two guards in considerably better chainmail and carrying swords on their waists stepped into the inn, followed by a man who looked very much like a servant.

"Gentlemen, I have been told to escort you at your earliest convenience to meet with the Magistrate of the town."

[Cynical Cat]

Paul wasn't interested in the jibber-jabber in foreign tongues. A good meal, with hot stew, held his attention. He scarfed it down while his master was nattering away. Then the bully boys came in. He knew their type. He resisted the impulse to bolt.

[rhoenix]

With the outburst of the wizard the rest of the inn had gone silent with the exception of the group of mercenaries at the table. And it wasn't long after the temperature returned to normal around that table that the other patrons paid for their meals and left as quickly and discreetly as they could.

As the last of the patrons were leaving two guards in considerably better chainmail and carrying swords on their waists stepped into the inn, followed by a man who looked very much like a servant.

"Gentlemen, I have been told to escort you at your earliest convenience to meet with the Magistrate of the town."

The other patrons leaving caused Agrilos to shake his head and sigh at the situation. He appreciated the irony of a fully human wizard making the townsfolk fear for their safety more than the...semi-human beings sitting with him at the table, himself included, but this wasn't the time or place to give it overmuch thought.

As the man who appeared to be a servant for the Magistrate appeared and got their attention, he smiled gently at the man and the two guards escorting him, and nodded while saying "Thank you" to them.

Shortly afterward, he took one more sip of the watered-down wine, and put everything of his back on his person with the ease and efficiency of long practice. In under a minute, he was ready to go. Walking to the barmaid who had served them, he looked her in the eyes, and thanked her for her service. "Your beauty brightens and graces this place like the morning sun," he told her as he kissed her hand. He also palmed the coins Krystyna had given him plus a few of his own into the barmaid's hand as he did.

Giving her a wink as he walked toward the entrance to the bar, he turned around to the other gathered mercenaries with a calmly expectant expression, not showing his feelings of growing trepidation, or dwelling overmuch about them; even so, he was a bit more concerned with the company of one or two he was to be working and possibly fighting alongside than with the prospect of defending the town from the marauding monsters.

Looking at the rest with a calm smile, he raised his eyebrows in question before addressing them. "Well, shall we go meet the magistrate, then?"

[Shark Bait]

[Russian] I think i might have understood that last bit, it was Spanish which is similar to Portuguese but i cannot speak it my accent is completely off Russian I learned while younger and Portuguese as well[/russian]

With the outburst of the wizard the rest of the inn had gone silent with the exception of the group of mercenaries at the table. And it wasn't long after the temperature returned to normal around that table that the other patrons paid for their meals and left as quickly and discreetly as they could.

As the last of the patrons were leaving two guards in considerably better chainmail and carrying swords on their waists stepped into the inn, followed by a man who looked very much like a servant.

"Gentlemen, I have been told to escort you at your earliest convenience to meet with the Magistrate of the town."

Per took a drink from his large mug and looked up at the guards that had informed them the magistrate was ready. He then picked up his plate emptied the remainder of the food on it into his mouth, chewed and swallowed quickly before draining his mug. He was feeling far better now that he had gotten some food in his system and been out of the light for a while, but he was eager to begin preparing for the defense of the town. He then stowed his mug and placed a few coins on the table before standing up and retrieving his weapons and gear.

[The Village Idiot]

"And what's worse is he said they managed to break in. Mehmet's eaten from the Tree of Eternal Life and the Tree of Wisdom."

Both merchants looked extremely pale. "Christ preserve us. There's nothing we mortal men can do to stop him now."

"And here I was getting worried", he thought to himself, a small chuckle escaping him.

Already nearer one end of the bench John slides away from Manfred and Visira so as to place himself directly over one of the bench's legs.
"Not trying to be anti social," he mutters to Manfred and Visira, "I'm just not too trusting of this bench after the sound it just made." He pats the bench leg under him as a visual aid.

"And you wondered why I stood", he said looking to Manfred, his hands suddenly flew and the bench was supported. A look of suprise came over Visira as he inspected the newly reinforced bench. "Ahh... better, now I'm not so worried of losing my dignity", he said with a smile.

Turning his attention back to his plate and tankard, Per and John began to speak in odd languages, he hardly noticed the air growing cold, till he saw the mist forming on the floor. Looking up slowly, swollowing his last bite, he saw that everyone had turned their focus to a ranting Manfred. As he snapped out of his trance, a look of worry fell upon Visira. Thinking to himself, "If this is what happens over an opinion, I fear what he may do, so absent mindely, if he becomes afraid or confused". Almost immediatly the conversation returned to indeterminable chatter and arguing. A few bits and pieces he could understand, but nothing really substantial.

He finished he plate as the other patrons quickly retreated. Turning to his drink he heard the 3 men enter.

"Gentlemen, I have been told to escort you at your earliest convenience to meet with the Magistrate of the town."

"Excelent, lets not keep him much longer, he has enough to worry him." Standing he quickly finished his drink leaving a few coins on the table, and gathered himself together. Peering out the door, past the guards, "Any chances its stopped raining?"

[The Silence and I]

[Russian] I think i might have understood that last bit, it was Spanish which is similar to Portuguese but i cannot speak it my accent is completely off Russian I learned while younger and Portuguese as well[/Russian]

John nods inexpressibly.

"Gentlemen, I have been told to escort you at your earliest convenience to meet with the Magistrate of the town."

John begins to stand and with one hand he swings his staff over the bench and placing its end on the open floor behind him he starts leaning his weight onto it. As he does this his other hand lifts his pack and swings it over one shoulder. By this time he is upright enough to swing a leg over the bench and relieve the staff of its duty, and he passes the staff to his other hand which allows his now free hand to finish pulling the pack over his other shoulder. As he pulls his remaining leg over the bench John pulls a coin bag from somewhere near his belt and places enough to pay for his meal; even though he hardly touched it.

The thoughtful balance and well paced timing give the impression of absurd practice, like he has given thought to the problem of rising from many tables just like this one. Who really knows what older people spend their time doing--perhaps he is showing off for the younger members?

Once the coins are placed a look of bemusement crosses his face. With a slight sigh John removes his pack and sets it on the bench. He opens the top flap and removes the rain proof coat he had stowed there before. Still holding a funny expression he puts his pack on again and throws the coat over everything. Staff again in hand he turns toward the door and prepares to set out.

[Comrade Tortoise]

manfred stood up, placed sufficient coins on the table to pay for... his apparent insanity... and put his pack back on. Then followed the rest out the door.

[Rukia]

When the guards showed up not moments after the patrons left Krystyna's whole body tensed for a second. Thinking that Manfred's episode had scared them into action. But she quickly realized that they were only here to escort the group to the magistrate.

She stood and quickly anchored her weapons to the silver and jeweled chain around her waist. She hooked her cloak on but did not raise the hood, her veil was tied around her hips. She followed the men out and was glad that the sun had set, allowing her to walk outside without covering up. She had one of her men meet them at the door.

[Charon]

The young barmaid that Agrilos complimented was blushing furiously as he left her, she even swooned some at what was the most handsome man of the group that had come in. Quickly regaining her composure (as one of the female cooks gave her a look that clearly meant she had to get back to work) she placed the coins in one of the pockets of her apron.

As the others collected their things and paid for the meal the guards and what was apparently the servant waited patiently, and then when they were all set they began to move out.

As the group walked through the mostly empty streets, the sun could have for all they knew be gone. But as they neared the large stone building that was obviously the home of the Magistrate some of the clouds parted and a ray of light shot through the light rain and directly on the group of mercenaries. The reaction for most of them was nothing other than a surprise. For Per it was a slight annoyance that made him feel very ill at ease once again. For Krystyna however the effect was immediate and painful. The skin on her exposed flesh began to boil and peel some, though it was not immediately noticable and quick action would be able to cover it. Unfortunately for Krystyna however, the silver that was around her waist began to affect her, doubling her over with illness as she began to vomit what she had eaten back up onto the ground.

The sun blast lasted for only half a minute before the clouds once more covered up the sun. But both of the guards and the servant were now left staring at Krystyna who was still doubled over with both wretching and pain, half of her face looking severely burned.

[Rukia]

She had known once the effects had reached through her clothes that she had pulled out the wrong chain from her carriage. The chain had been real sliver that she often traded or sold, not one of the lesser metals that were safe for her to touch. She hadn't noticed her mistake in the dark carriage or during dinner when the firelight had given the effect of a gold chain, not sliver. Her grave mistake about the sun being down on top of her falter with the chain had almost outed her. Thankfully she had been smart enough to put on her cloak, which covered most of her body. Her face singed and burned painfully as her stomach contents spilled on to the ground. She quickly doubled over making sure that her hood fell over her head blocking the light from further damage.

She called her guard over to her and unlatched the chain from her waist. Keeping her daggers, she handed it to him the metal burning the palm of her hand. She spoke to him in a raspy quiet voice, [Romanian]" Quickly, go get the ointment, you know the one, some water as well. And another chain make sure you do not make the same mistake I did." He said something about her needing protection and she replied. "I will be fine in a moment. Just do as I say!" [/rom.]

As he left toward the stables, she stayed bent over, the blisters and burns on her face already subsiding. She spoke to the group from behind her hood, keeping her head down and fighting back vomiting again. "This is what I get for not paying attention to my plate. People do not take kindly to the people I descend from. I may not be a gypsy, but I do look like one, and have dealt with unfriendly townsfolk before. Unfortunately, things being slipped into my food to make me ill are not uncommon. I will be fine. But I must say I have never been so effected before. Someone must really not like me."

She wretched again before her guard returned. She hoped that her quick thinking would keep their ill thoughts at bay. If she needed she would force her way into the town guards minds and just make them forget what they saw, but she refrained from that as much as she could, but was not against it. The man handed her a jar of a lotion like substance, opening it she rubbed the soothing cream on her face and hands further dulling the pain and sores reducing them to red marks. Taking a drink of water and another from a small flask, she felt much better. She slipped the jar into the small purse on the new chain her man had gave her and stood gingerly. Making sure her hood completely covered her face, she spoke again. "Let us go, The magistrate is waiting."

She looked to the town guards again, hoping that they would not question her, but she was prepared if they, or anyone else, did. She tied the new chain around her waist and again anchored her weapons to it. Her legs were shaky but she still stood tall, almost defiant. Resolving to sleep off the effects for a few days after they talked with the magistrate.

[Charon]

The guards stood, still shocked at what had happened even as she explained what had happened. The servant was much faster on the ball though. "I must apologize then, m'lady. It is unlike our citizenry to dare such an attempt. We shall make amends for this outrage and heavily fine the inn-keeper." The servant held out a hand to help her up but had been shoved away by her guard who had himself moved to help her up. He coughed some at the indignaty but said nothing, "Again, I apologize profusely for the actions of some of the citizenry."

[Rukia]

She kept from eying the town guard suspiciously and decided that he had believed her story and smiled instead. "Please, I am used to it. There is no need to fine anyone. I know better than to intrude on a town looking the way I do and not expect some retaliation. I tend to make even the most model citizen uneasy." She bowed her head humbly.

When her own servant pushed the Guard out of the way she quickly scolded him in Romanian. She took the guards hand anyway and curtsied.

"Please forgive Andrei. He sometimes lets his manners slip. Thank you for your kindness and understanding." She let his hand go and waited for them to continue.

[Comrade Tortoise]

Manfred was not stupid. Something was up. Something very large, hot, and rotating around the earth. Food poisoning usually does not set in so quickly, hell, even regular poisoning didnt, at least not the type that didnt kill or incapacitate for days... And never did it require the removal of a silver chain, and yes, it was silver from the waste and replacement with a new... and why was she taking such great pains to hide the face, the beauty of which she flaunted? And why was she rubbing ointment on her skin.

No, manfred was not dumb... but he was crazy

You see! You See! said the little voice that only he could hear

"Yes I see" he muttered almost silently

What is she!? What is she Gypsy? Gypsy!?

"Oh she is that, but something more..." he muttered again

Tell me, tell your old teacher what goes on inside your head, what is she!

"I am not sure, but I have my suspicions" this time he was a little louder, just able to be heard

[rhoenix]

Walking catlike at a measured pace, Agrilos had been near Krystyna when she had her...mishap. He had seen how the part of her face near him had blistered when the errant ray of sunshine hit her, before she covered it up. Her doubling over and vomiting was curious, though.

Listening as she explained that one of the people working at the inn must've poisoned her food due to her being Rom was plausible, but then again, there were her burns as the sunlight struck her. He shrugged slightly - curious, indeed. More curious was how she unlatched the chain around her waist, and handed it to her attendant after regaining some measure of her composure. The chain was silver, from the looks of it, though he hadn't studied it closely. Well, it was of no concern at the moment - however, if his guess was correct, he could see why she would be as deadly as she claimed with her daggers.

At her quiet words of encouragement, everyone began walking again, Agrilos looked away so as to not seem as if he were gawking at her. He was not unduly concerned, however - he was a light sleeper if it came to that, and she had volunteered to be here helping a small town. What she truly was, if other than human, was her own business unless it affected him directly, same as he would expect others to behave for he being other than human.

Since he was walking relatively near her, he angled his walk so that he was walking a bit closer to her; close enough to allow for a few quiet words. "Are you alright?" he asked in a low voice that only she, and perhaps her attendant would be able to hear.

[Rukia]

Her eyes burned and her skin was tight and hot. She still felt ill and would feel the effects of her mishap for days. She took the flask and drank from it again as Agrilos spoke to her. She had gotten everyone's unwanted attention, especially the wizard's. Sighing she looked at him from behind the darkness of her hood. "What did you see?" She said, her voice raspy and almost predatory, even animalistic. Her canines had elongated when she had been "threatened" by the sun and were just starting to shrink again, the searing red marks on her face reminded her of her stupidity, she had a feeling that the man speaking to her had seen the effects.

[rhoenix]

Continuing in the same quiet voice so as to not be overheard by the others, the tone in Agrilos' voice was still calm. "I saw enough to make a guess or two about you," he said, but a small smile grew on his face as he continued. "Don't worry overmuch though, we all have our secrets. Now - will you be alright?"

[Rukia]

A guess or two. There were times that she was more than thankful she was a woman. Had she been a man, she would not have gotten a chance to explain herself before being put to death. Quick thinking had gotten her out of trouble many of times before, but she feared that it may not have been enough this time. She did however nod in Agrilos' direction. "With a few days rest and some sustenance I will be fine. Thank you for your concern. As for your guesses. I pray that you will keep them to yourself. I assure you as long as you give me no reason to I will be a fierce ally." She took another drink and continued following the guards to the building.

[rhoenix]

Nodding, Agrilos was silent at her answer for a few moments before replying. A small smile grew on his face again as he did, speaking again in the same quiet voice. "I would not be talking with you like this had I believed you desired to cause woe. The fact that you came here to help this town says much about you, more so than what I'm guessing you are, more so even than the fact that you're a lady. Had you been born a man and still be here as you are now, I'd be saying the same thing; if perhaps a bit more blunt."

Giving her a smirk, he continued in a somewhat louder, more conversational tone. "On another note, I'm sure that barmaid appreciated your contribution of coin."

[Shark Bait]

As the light struck Per he felt his strength drain from him as his stomach churned and his eyes burned [Norse]Son of Balder[/Norse] he swore quietly to himself. He took a deep breath and hid any sign of what was happening to him, the one called Krystyna became violently ill. The sun passed and his strength flowed back into him, he heard her speak to her man-servant and stumble through a tale of how she might have been poisoned. He shrugged and supposed it was possible, he knew of berries that could make someone vomit like that but why did it happen at the same time the sun hit him. Could it be possible that she was a holder maiden, he asked himself. He doubted that she was from fairly far south, and she was far to skinny. Regardless it appeared that it was not just a coincidence she became ill at the same time he did she probably had some sort of connection to the night like he did, this would certainly warrant caution if not investigation.

[Charon]

The servant and guards finally reached the stone building on it's small hill and with only a small deal of show entered. The guards stayed outside while the well-dressed servant led the group past fine portraits of persons, of whom it could be assumed were former magistrates or some person of importance. There were statues as well, some clearly styled off of the classical age. The thick wooden walls and rich doors added to the air of the richness of the house as the servant finally came to a stop infront of a pair of very large, very dark, wooden doors.

"You will be in the presense of the Magistrate, I assume you all know to be properly courtious to my lord, lest there be consequences." From the tone it seemed more apparent that this was a further reminder of the power the magistrate held in his own home and less of an open threat.

Beyond the doors was a completely stone room. The large fireplace, which held a fire within it now, was set off to the left of the group, with a glass window placed on either side of it. Thick animal pelts and arabian rugs covered the floor, and several candelabras lit the room quite well.

Sitting in the back of the room, behind a large oaken desk, sat a middle-aged man with short graying hair and a thick beard. He was stout and portly in figure and he quickly glanced at the group. Paying particular attention to the giant of a man and the woman.

"I have been informed that the lot of you are here about the offer of mercenary work in my town?" The voice was cool, calm, and collected. Seemingly unworried about anything.

[rhoenix]

"I have been informed that the lot of you are here about the offer of mercenary work in my town?" The voice was cool, calm, and collected. Seemingly unworried about anything.

Returning the magistrate of Wittenberge's calm, and unconcerned gaze with one equalling both, Agrilos nodded once before replying verbally. "I cannot speak for the others, but that is the case with me, Magistrate."

With that, he bowed elegantly as he continued. "I am Agrilos Menshir, a traveler from Ireland - and I am honored to meet you."

[Shark Bait]

Per bowed respectfully to the magistrate "I am Per auf Jottenheim, I heard tale that there was work here for a man with my skills, I am eager to help defend your town."

[The Village Idiot]

Having removed his hat when he entered the building, he now covered his heart and bowed respectfully. "I am Visira, and I am here to help in any way I can."

[Comrade Tortoise]

Manfred did not respond when the gypsy hissed questions at Agrilos. He just smirked knowingly in her general direction and tapped the side of his head with his index finger.

When in front of the magistrate, the wizard bowed very curtly. The sort of bow that displays the courtesy of being in someone's home, but says that one does not answer to the authority of the individual...because frankly Manfred did not.

"I am Manfred, and as it stands our goals run in parallel... I will help you"

[Charon]

The portly Magistrate looked closely at each man as he spoke, listening carefully to their names. For Visira and Agrilos he seemed to dismiss their names out of hand, he didn't know their names. When Manfred spoke, there was a glimmer of recognition, but it was also clear he had not heard much. For Per however, the Magistrate nodded and smiled.

"Per Auf Jottenheim. I have heard of your exploits at Kiev. It is good to see that you are as large as rumor would have it."