A Little Danger Never Hurt Anyone (Plot/Dara)

[Devon]

Ryder had arrived in Morilanta in the quiet of the night, he was quick in getting an inn, using a fake name when asked. He kept to himself, only speaking when necessary and with short greetings. Using what he saw in his vision about Crow he dressed specifically the way he had heard the man mention.

Ryder made his way to the Secret-Keeper's temple, so he could be seen there praying by Crow.

[Darastrix]

Ryder got more than a few curious or just plain suspicious glances from both priests and petitioners. His wings attracted only passing curiosity; most native Morilantans had black, though white happened from time to time, and since they had converts from other quarters now, white was even more common than it had once been.

But the fact that he'd never even been seen there before...that got some attention. Who was he? New convert? Spy? Someone with a secret to hide? Not to mention, with his wings and odd eyes, he looked like an odd reflection of someone who did frequent the temple. Those dressed a bit more poorly avoided him, not wanting to risk attracting the attention or ire of a powerful house. Those who appeared to have power were simply watchful, moving about as they normally would, while keeping an eye on this new interloper as well as on each other, in case he was affiliated with a rival's House.

Perhaps half a mark after Ryder's arrival, the bard-slash-spy entered the wing and strode with purpose to one of the priests. After a few moments of wind-silenced communication, the priest left, and Crow turned his attention to the wing at large, mismatched eyes looking over the people gathered there. His eyes narrowed slightly when he caught sight of Ryder. There was something about him....

Oh, yes. Those eyes, odd like his own. The name eluded him, but yes....

The seer from the Anarlinan court. Odd, indeed. Odd and suspicious.

And he was wearing Thuoth's sign with the two feathers. The man was there looking for him. Curiouser and curiouser. He'd have to change his method of contact after this meeting, however it went.

Crow made a slow circuit around the wing, moving in a spiral toward the center. As his path took him past Ryder, a whisper of wind flowed past the man's ear, sighing, "Acknowledged." If he knew the rest of the game, Crow knew he could find him at the Dragon's Den in an hour. If not...he'd deal with that when the time came. When he reached the center of the wing, he bowed his head in prayer to the Keeper of Secrets, and would remain so for the next quarter mark until he left to prepare to meet his unexpected contact.

[Devon]

Ryder didn't nod his head, but after he was done praying he made his way to the Dragon's Den as he knew from Crow's words and the vision he received. He didn't know what to do once there, but he'd wait tof ind out.

[Kender Bard]

Before reaching the Den, Ryder acquired a shadow.

Demetria had come back to her home and persuaded Bael to come with her. She wasn't all that sure where he was; she put him somewhere relatively safe to hide out, but she wouldn't be surprised if he refused to stay there. No matter; he could look after himself. She was hungry and needed to feed.

She picked up her pace to draw closer to Ryder steadily. "What's your hurry, stranger?" she purred when she drew near enough to be heard.

[Devon]

Ryder managed to acknowledge the woman without looking startled. He was weary of strangers here and really had no intention of talking with her. "Don't worry about it," he said keeping it short.

[Kender Bard]

"I suppose that was a rhetorical question," Demetria replied, amused. She increased her stride, tried to move in front of him. "Why don't you stop for moment and talk to me?"

[Devon]

Ryder moved off to the side to avoid letting the woman get in front of him. "I have things to do," Ryder told her.

[Kender Bard]

"Not anymore you don't," she growled, reaching out a hand to grab his arm while her tail--tucked up under her skirts, snaked out to try and ensnare his leg. As she did so, she released her aura of lust.

[Devon]

Ryder quick on the defensive touched his signs together and brought up a hasty barrier to put distance between himself and his female attacker. "Damn Morilanta," he muttered as he drew his sword. His instincts were telling him to only strike if need be, otherwise he was going to run at first chance.

[Kender Bard]

"Oh you want to play," Demetria chuckled. "How cute." Her tail lashed back and forth and her wings mantled slightly underneath her cloak. She moved closer to him and took a swipe at him with her nails, teasing him.

[Devon]

Ryder's barrier flickered and in an instant he disappeared. He figured he'd have to wound her before he was truly able to escape and meet Crow, so he appeared far enough back to hopefully avoid her tail before lashing out at her back with his sword.

[Kender Bard]

Demetria pulled back quickly, avoiding a cut and grinning widely. Clearly, she was still having fun. "You missed me! Ha! Want to try that again?" She swiped at him again with mocking slowness.

[Devon]

Ryder stepped back, dropping his shield for a moment to blast her with a mental attack. Hoping it would distract her enough he lashed out again with his sword to cut her.

[Kender Bard]

When Ryder lashed out mentally, Demetria drew her wings in and around herself protectively. Ryder's sword bounced harmlessly off them.

Then, out of nowhere, a masked man swooped down from the sky to land between the pair. Dagon hesitated, as though not sure of who to attack though.

[Devon]

Ryder took another step back looking at the man who just entered the area. "Watch out, I think she is a demon," he told the man, still holding his sword in case either attacked him.