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Kreen sits in his chosen corner, listening to the crowd around. He absently lifts the dirty tankard in his hand to his lips, catching himself just before he takes a sip. Wrinkling his nose, the Fae simply lowers the item and places it across the table from him, hoping that the stench won't carry too far. It does.
After a short time, he decides he has heard enough. He has not found his mark today, but that is normally the case. An assassin must be patient in order to find the perfect kill. With this in mind, Kreen stands, faking drunken stupor, and stumbles out of the bar. Turning down the street, he straightens and heads toward the hiding spot for his equipment. Something will happen this day, something incredibly important. Though it is impossible to tell what, the master assassin waits patiently, as always, for it to occur.

Zeal wastes no time in helping Artes to mount. His manner is businesslike and focused. His eyes show the same kind of vague detachment and focus that he wielded in the battle with the monsters, calmly preparing and swiftly acting.

Zeal speaks abruptly. "Hang on. We'll be flying pretty low and the wind is strong." He reaches behind him, grabbing Artes' wrist as an anchor, a split second before Valden's muscles coil and surge beneath them and they are airborne.


Valden shares Zeal's comprehension of the gravity and urgency of the situation and uses the time that Artes takes to settle himself to ready his own body for the leap and ascent. As Zeal's words reach Artes' ears, Valden takes off. The lunge for the sky would seem difficult to a two legged creature but Valden has no difficulty at all and rises swiftly before proceeding at a rapid pace toward the nearest human capitol, just above the trees.

Zeal does not speak or move through the short flight. The actions and behavior that Artes has shown up to this point give him a degree of reliability. Thus, Zeal and Valden do not have to watch him quite as carefully. While the elf's grip was quite uncomfortably strong, Zeal ignores the contact while sharing assessment with Valden. His eyes narrow slightly and Valden begins to slow his flight, although the change in speed would probably be unnoticable to one unfamiliar with the sensation of Dragon flight.

Valden comes to a smooth landing in a depression in the grass of a barren field, backwinging to a quiet halt outside the view of any nearby human habitation or trail. Zeal calmly detaches Artes' arms from his torso and jumps to the ground, motioning for Artes to follow.

"This is as close as Valden can fly us without being seen. It should be several hours walk from here." Zeal's voice and expression show his familiarity with this method of travel and his knowledge of the surrounding area's geography.

Valden maintains a very low altitude and a brisk pace for the majority of the short flight, lower after they pass beyond the forest. He and Zeal make constant reassessments of how close to the city they can land and, slightly over an hour after setting out, Valden begins to slow and prepare to land in a slight dip in the terrain where a hill blocks the view from the city and the surrounding villages and homes. He touches down lightly and dips his head close to the ground, allowing Zeal to detach himself from Artes and dismount.

Valden waits for Artes to dismount as well before shifting his position into one of rest in the bowl shaped depression in the turf. Although he takes a restful position his eyes are open and alert and there is nothing else beyond his position that seems restful.

Valden speaks in a remarkably quiet voice, barely louder than a normal human's. "I will be ready if you need me."

The flight was a very different mode of travel for the elf, but it seemed effective. Once they had dismounted, Artes gave a respectful bow of thanks to Valden and turned to Zeal. "Actualy, I believe we may be able to shorten that time, that is if you don't mind running a little. I know no skill in weapons, but enchantments are something I have made much progress in. This one is simple, but it will work to our advantege."

Artes took a step back and concentrated. Mystic energy seemed to steam off of his hands and eventualy runes of light appeared. Artes shifted his hands and uttered one simple word. "Autsurell." The runes vanished and then imbued themselves onto the legs of the two targets. It gave a strange sensation. First it burned, but in an instant it had vanished and there seemed boundless energy in the legs.

Artes gave a triumphant smile. "Right. That should shave off some time. Let us continue when you will."

Artes nodded and followed Zeal dilligently. The charm allowed them to move at about the speed of a horse, maybe a little faster.

Artes was almost a little proud of himself being able to help out like this. It fealt like a great honor. Artes caught himself in another strange sensation and shook it off. He continued follow Zeal into Myops.

Artes had stayed silent through their entering into the city, but now he gave a kind, yet still serious smile as he gave his answer. "Father told me that the people we trade with are in the northern area of the city. It is a rather large building. It is marked with the sign "Trade Bureu of Myops." It shouldn't be too hard to miss. We'll just head that direction, I guess. When we get there, I'll talk with the Head of Trade about the missing cargo."

Artes depped his head in a small bow and tried to lead on, but the elf only managed into bumping into a few people and making them angry. He gave a quick appology and stepped back. He spoke, embarresed, "Wh-why don't you lead on..."

[ Message temporarily off-line ]

Zeal nods in acceptance of Artes' desire to conduct his business alone and stands in silence, watching everything around them. He notices a Fae on a rooftop, quite unusual but not necessarily worthy of alarm, and continues to scan the surrounding area for any disturbance or anomalous behavior while Artes is in the trade officer's office. Zeal is not overly concerned by the Fae's presence, in spite of his unusual garb.

When Artes emerges from the office Zeal turns his attention back to the elf, noticing his newly joyful manner and the package under his arm. He pays attention to what is said and nods in a knowing manner. He keeps part of his attention on the fae, just being aware of him.

"Indeed. Many humans in positions of authority can grow stubborn over time." Zeal turns to go. "Losing a small package is not terribly uncommon in human lands either. It would have been better to send a runner to obtain and return with the package from the start." His tone is matter of fact but he seems to be briefly relieved that they are leaving the city. He once again puts on the attitude that got them through the, now quite thick, crowds and proceeds toward the gate that they entered the city through.


Valden watches in patient silence, a small rabbit munches on some grass a few dozen yards away. It's eye remains on the dragon as it eats, watching for any movement. While Valden does find this period of stillness somewhat boring he also realizes that the errand will be soon over and that they will then be able to proceed with other matters.

Valden notes the Fae that Zeal sees but while Zeal does not continue to pay close attention to the fae in particular, Valden does. The manner in which the fae moves is familiar to the dragon and he watches, through his bond's perceptions, quite closely. As Zeal and Artes begin their return he stirs slightly, frightening the rabbit into flight. Zeal is aware that he is watching the fae and is aware of the possibility of danger, although he shows nothing of it.