Reconnaissance (Closed)|Haven | Ilyamen

[hisdivineshadow]

Ourith was getting used to his job as a spy. He had learned how to blend in, as much as a one-armed man could ever blend in outside of a convalescence home, and he was getting well-practiced at finding the best sources of information in a new environment. Mapping Ilyamen for Kurai required more than just tracing down the shape of the land; there were trade routes to mark, patrols to bypass, political and social tensions to be aware of in case Kurai could turn them to her advantage.

Ourith wasn't a praying man, but as he exited the bar where he'd met his last informant, he felt like petitioning some sort of favor from the forces. Wiping sweaty palms against his robe, he glanced back nervously at the soldier Kurai had assigned to escort him. What he had just learned, he had no intention of sharing with his supposed master, but there was a chance the Morilantan had overheard.

Clearing his throat, Ourith beckoned imperiously at the man. "Well? Let's get moving." Turning away, he began quickly stalking down the street, his mind racing furiously to devise a plan.

No matter what, he had to make sure Kurai didn't learn of her people's new homeland. His life might well depend on it.

[Deleted]

The soldier, a simple Fire named Ishen, yawned and threw away the core of an apple he had swiped. "'Bout time! I was so Forces-damned bored out here," he complained, willingly following Ourith. "You could've at least brought back some whiskey for me, y'know." Ishen stretched, cracking his neck and knuckles. "So did you at least find out something interesting or useful?"

[zadaris]

There he sat, his legs crossed as he glanced back at the Tavern door behind him. Upon hearing the words of a man heaving out his guts he lets his eyes wander to his right, smirking as he stood up.

"Serves ya right, ya dumbass!" Kai shouted, kicking a stone at waste vessel to which the man rang his guts out in. "I was this close," He makes a small gesture with his thumb and index finger "This close to getting my leg over in what has to be at least three weeks and you had to start a fight with me of all people. You don't even know who I am, dammit!!!"

"I-I'm sorry," the man says as he pukes up the last of his alcohol and rises from the ground, brushing his mouth with his sleeve.

"Uh," Kai sighs, crossing his arms behind his head "Let's just forget it." Kai narrows his eyes, smirking once more "How're your ribs?"

"I've been better. What about your back?" He inquired.

"I'll live," Kai says, turning his head away "But you can at least gimme a couple of copper for the drinks ya wasted on me."

"S-Sure." The man fishes about his pockets, pulling out four copper and throwing it at Kai, who swipes it from the air.

"Much obliged, I guess." He folds his arms across his chest "Well, since we're not welcome back in the tavern tonight and I have no plans on being intimate with an oaf like you, you can show me where the inn is."

He looks around "Because quite frankly," Kai hiccups "I'm a little too tipsy to remember."

The man nods and leads the way as they both wander the streets, looking for the place Kai has called his home for the night.

[hisdivineshadow]

Ourith slowed and narrowed his eyes at the sight of two men coming their direction. With a subtle gesture, he directed the soldier to go ahead of him, in case there was trouble. The last thing I need is a scuffle with some drunk, he thought bitterly.

[Deleted]

The soldier nodded inconspicuously to Ourith, and swaggered ahead, singing a little ditty about a man who literally had a woman in every town, village, city and clan. Still, he was alert: If anything happened to Kurai's mapmaker, there would be hell to pay. Almost literally.

[hisdivineshadow]

Ourith kept his distance, slipping past on the far side of the alleyway. With a closer look, the drunks didn't seem very dangerous, but he didn't like to take any unnecessary risks, especially at a time like this.

[Deleted]

"Whew!" Ishen said once they were well out of the way. "Good thing they didn't seem to notice us, huh? I might've had to break some skulls if it got bad." He motioned for Ourith to hurry up, aiming for a road out of Ilyamen. "So seriously, what did you find out?"

[hisdivineshadow]

His one eye turned to the soldier and narrowed in suspicion. "Nothing of terrible import," he said slowly, trying to hide his anxiety. "But still, we must hurry. Mistress Kurai would not be happy if we kept her waiting."

[Deleted]

"Aye, aye." Ishen sighed. "Forces! All that time and you didn't find anything important? The Mistress will have our hides, you know," he complained, moving a few feet ahead to quickly look for any possible trouble. "Well, at least you can get a good map, right? After that, we'll be busy."

[hisdivineshadow]

Ourith scoffed. "The map is not a problem. I'll have it completed before we're a day's journey from here. And don't you worry, I've learned enough in our time here to keep the Mistress satisfied."

As they headed out the city's north gate, the mapmaker spent a little more time thinking about how to minimize his own risks. After all, he could manage the trip back to Flux well enough on his own . . .