Thread: Unlikely Saviors [-:Haru|Luana:-]

The world of Harrow , a world inhabited by a number of various races, and filled with magic and wonder. A world, like so many others, on the brink of war. That did not mean that there was not profit to be made however, and Kion was well known and highly regarded in his line of work. Exactly what that line of work entailed was completely up to his employer. From treasure hunter to bounty hunter, Kion was a mercenary that sold his sword - or in most cases his double ended axe - to those that could afford his services. The pneumafera was known mostly in the countries of Valgaard and Sylvanyr, and all along the Sea of Straits. Still, the reputation of the White Lion was decently known throughout the entire expanse of Harrow. So when Kion received the summons from the Order of the Watchful Eye that they required his services, the White Lion answered immediately. The Order would surely pay well for whatever job they might wish to have done, and they had summoned him to one of their Guildhouses in Skali, a city along the Salvation River. Though the Watchful Eye mostly had larger Guilds in the cities in the East of Harrow, they also kept smaller Guildhouses in most free cities. It was not unusual that they might know where Kion was at any given time, their very duty to keep an eye on those people that might help them in their responsibilities. It was no surprise that Kion had been traveling eastward along the river when he received the summons, and his route would take him right by Skali. The river city straddled the borders between Sylvanyr and Valgaard, and by the time Kion arrived the oil-fired lanterns were lit, the sun having set and the port staying busy and bustling well after dark. Finding the Watchful Eye Guildhouse was easy enough, though Kion was a little surprised when he stepped in to see what sort of place it was . He'd expected something a bit stuffy, but instead found a spacious place where a variety of people sat and talked. Almost immediately eyes turned to regard the large white-furred pneumafera, the lion standing almost eight feet in height. But despite his bulk, the lion moved with a certain liquid alacrity, his feline nature helping to allow him to move with near silence, claws retracted so as to not even click on the floor as he moved deeper into the room. As he looked around, a little befuddled on just where to go next, a smiling human woman approached him. She was a bit rotund, and her white hair was pulled up into a bun atop her head. Why, I never! Kion, the White Lion! I would have never thought to see you in a place such as this. What brings you here? she asked, speaking as if she knew him personally, though Kion knew he'd never seen her before in his life. I was summoned here actually. he said, and produced the small orbal handset he carried, pulling up the summons in his messages. Says I am supposed to ask for a man named Balkin? he said. The woman brightened considerably. Master Balkin? I can take you right to him if you like. she offered. By the way, my name's Margaret, but you can call me Maggie. she said with a flirtatious smile at the immense 'fera. As she moved away Kion would follow and Maggie led him up a small flight of stairs to a door emblazoned with a name. Edward Balkin. Maggie knocked and a voice inside called out, Come in! It's unlocked. With a smile to Kion she opened the door and stepped in, ushering Kion in, who had to duck below the doorframe. Inside the office was an older human male who smiled from behind his desk and gestured for Kion to enter. You can leave us now Maggie. the man said, and the woman bowed as she left the room. The man behind the desk stood and extended a hand. I'm Edward Balkin, Senior Administrator here at the Guildhouse. May I offer you anything to drink? I have a very nice Dwarven Stout here. he offered. Kion took the man's hand briefly, his massive one completely engulfing the human's and when he was offered a drink he gladly accepted. That sounds fine. he said, his deep voice rumbling. Leaning his weapon against a nearby wall, Kion would nod his thanks as the man as he was handed a large stein of the stout and by then Balkin was speaking again. I am sure that you're wondering what business the Eye has with you, and truth be told even I am not privy to all the specifics. However, I'll cut right to the matter. The Elders have discovered an item of great import to us, and one that could possibly be used against us, and in fact might be a key to opening the Demon Gates. A device of times long past to be sure, but powerful and dangerous. The Eye is not entirely sure who else might know of it, but we need to make sure we retrieve it before anyone else. Balkin said after he'd retaken his seat. Kion took a drink of the stout, which wasn't bad, and listened. So this is a treasure hunt then, of sorts. I assume that you know the general whereabouts of this item I am to find? he asked. Me?! Balkin asked with a snort of surprise as he shook his head. Oh no, not me. But I have here a file that I am supposed to give to you, with orders that you are to only pen it when you are alone. Not even in my presence. Balkin said and handed over a sealed envelope, a small bulge in it telling Kion there was likely some sort of orbal drive in it that his handset would be able to open. I see. Kion said, taking the envelope. So this is it then? My business here is done? he asked. Balkin smiled and shrugged. I would guess so. Follow whatever instructions you get and go from there. This was all I was instructed to do. Kion nodded and downed the rest of the dwarven brew. Alright then, Mr. Balkin, I suppose I'll be on my way. I'll make sure not to open this where any prying eyes or ears might see or hear. he promised. Then, without any further discussion, Kion bowed and took his leave. Much of his work required a bit of discretion but h found it interesting that the Eye was keeping many of their own people out of the loop. That was an interesting little tidbit to the lion. Exiting the Guildhouse he found himself now on the streets of Skali, and he needed a place to stay. The dark streets, lit by the oil-fired lamps, provided more than enough light for the keen nightvision of the lion, and he made his way northward toward the heart of the city, sure he'd find a nice inn soon enough. What do you mean the funds are gone?! Her shriek echoed through the bank. The teller cringed from behind his counter. Miss Tikittralamous... Tika, she snapped in return, flicking a dangling lock of fire red from her green eyes. The stout dwarf heaved a sigh. Miss Tika...when funds are gone it means you have no money. His low voice was calm yet clearly irritated. I'm well aware of the meaning! She squeaked and stamped a pink booted foot. Yes, then I assume you are aware that it means I can't give you any money. Tikal narrowed her wide, round, verdant eyes at the dwarf. Fine. She said as she stepped down from the stool she had to stand on to reach the counter and stalked out of the bank. A human walked by and nearly ran the four and a half foot woman. Hey! She snarled up. Whatchit ya big oaf! One well placed, tiny fisted punch at the back of the thigh and the human's leg went numb making him topple over. That had been a month ago. All projects and experiments went on hold. All projects came to a screeching halt. Hell, she struggled to pay rent for her workshop. An odd little gnome she had a somewhat permanent home. Perhaps not so odd since many gnomes did the same finding a use and joy in creating machines in human cities. Tika kept herself busy with odd jobs. Mostly thievery. It paid well enough but not as well as she needed for her tinkering. She needed a real job. A good score. Yet with advances in tech meant the big scores were harder to do. Damn the genius of her kind. Well, Dwarves too she supposed. Maybe humans too. After a long night out she kicked off her soft boots of black leather. Padding on the sole silenced her already quiet steps. She yanked back her hood to green her fire red hair. With little funds she hadn't been bothering with the usual Gnomish habit of teasing hair to wild styles had fallen by the wayside. Instead she just had her hair in pigtails. She trudged into her room to wash the dark paint she slapped on her face. Somehow she had been born with skin as white as fresh snow. She had seen similar coloring in humans but never with her own kind. Little freckles spread across her nose and cheeks. What a terrible night, she said with a groan. Nothing that night. No fences and no hits. At least she hadn't fallen in a canal. Then again she hadn't fallen in the canal since she first took up mercenary work and theft as means to filed her work. She was about to turn in for the night when she saw the strangest of sights. A Pneumafera wandering the port town she called home...ish. She pressed her tiny. Button nose against her window and watched. He was massive with white fur and a fluffy mane. Hmmm...what's kitty up to? She mused to herself. Seeing one of their kind was a rarity. Not to mention he was heading to the Guilds. Her innate curiosity for the best of her. She slapped her face paint back on and ran out her door, slipping into shadow. Her path took her silently across room tops as she followed. If nothing else a traveler was often a good target to rob. He headed into the Watchful Eye Guildhouse. Mmmmm very interesting. Using a spring loaded hook she shot it and swung to the windows. Careful to hang in shadows she peered through them. Watching as the rotund woman greeted the white lion and led him to stairs. She checked empty rooms until she found one occupied. Not having to wait long the lion was escorted in. She slid on darkened goggles to hide her large, round eyes as she watched the interchange. A package was exchanged. Oh even more interesting. Then the lion left. Tika slid down the rope and waited on the rooftop. The lion appeared once more. She follows him through the port city. Always in shadow, downwind and silent as a ghost. The envelope was too much of a curiosity. Something from those odd humans had to be worth a great deal. She would follow and wait until he found a place for the night and snatch the envelope. Either it held one heck of a secret or something of great worth. If the White Lion knew he was being followed there was no indication of it, though he did draw looks from those he passed. The lion moved further into the city, bypassing some of the finer inns and taverns that the city had to offer as he drew instead closer to the docks. The buildings became a bit less well-kept, the streets a bit more muddy, as the 'fera approached the part of the city where manual labor was what filled men's pockets. Kion had visited Skali before and knew that his presence would certainly be noted, but he need not make a show of it. Instead he opted for low-key, and the Leaping Fish Tavern would be a good place. A place of low-class, he could dine and rest there without much fuss, so long as he paid his bill. The higher end places in the city would bring gaggles of onlookers while many could come to the Fish and so long as they kept to themselves then all would be well. The smell of the place matched the name as the perfume of fish, both raw and cooked, seemed to suffuse the very stones that helped construct the place. It didn't bother Kion though and in fact his mouth began to water. The lion pushed open the door to reveal the dusky interior, eyes adjusting immediately to the change in lighting. Having to duck the top of the doorframe as he entered, a few sets of eyes turned to regard him, but just as quickly turned back to their cups, unwilling to stare too long much less approach. For all but one... Hey there darlin'! Welcome to the Leaping Fish! a female voice called, as a human woman carrying several mugs of beer passed by. You just sit anywhere there's a free seat and I'll be right with you. she said. Kion gave an appreciative nod and found a table close to the kitchen and in one corner. Taking the envelope out of his pocket he set it on the table. Better able to keep an eye on it there, when the comely blonde human came by to take an order he asked for a glass of Feywine, and a triple helping of whatever the day's special happened to be. The woman seemed as if she'd never seen one of his kind before, and though she tried not to stare, it was obvious that she was quite intrigued, blushing as he spoke and inching a bit closer to him as they exchanged words. Soon though she was off to fill his order. Tapping the envelope, Kion was tempted to open it and read the information within, but instead he kept it right on the table.