Just as expected, fragrant flowers and equally decorative Daeva awaited Raven in Sarpan. What was not expected was the oddly tinged brightness of the sun nor the oppressive humidity that made the air almost to thick to breath. The Teleportation controller exhaled slowly through his nose and gave the bandage wrapped assassin an apologetic look before he spoke.
"One way trip Sir, but I'm sure you know that already. The clinic's over the bridge to your left and up the first street on the right. Go left at that junction to get to the barracks." The Teleporter said pointing the direction Raven was to go. " You should probably head on up to the clinic first. I'm sure they'll instruct you on the route to your quarters, so... The commander in charge of troops here left for the fortress in Katalan a few days ago, so we don't expect him back anytime soon. I'm not even sure he knows about your arrival either. I'd go to the clinic first...those bandages and all, Sir..." The sandy maned male informed him as he unfurled the fan he had tucked in his belt and began wafting himself with it. "The gentle incline from here best walked early in the day, if I do say so myself. Takes a bit getting used to, Sir. This oppressive heat. It's at it's worst around 2. I know, I know you'd think midday would be as bad as it gets...but you'd be wrong. Oh, it rains everyday at 3:15...1515 to you, I guess...Sir..." The sweaty Deava clarified judging the from the way he carried himself that Raven was the real deal, not a coat hanger guardsman like himself. "Yup, 3:15 on the nose, like clockwork it does! Amazing thing that...Hettie, fix this our new friend up with a fan and umbrella would you luv?"
Raven respectfully saluted the uniform the male wore, bowing his head ever so slightly as he genuflected to the female Reain who came forward with the items requested. Looking neither left nor right, Raven made his way along the smooth cobbled streets of the bi-racial city. The first right over the bridge looked to be a great deal more than a gentle incline, but he'd been walking a long, 'gentle' incline since he left the teleporter and Raven thought it wise to pause a moment under the shade of a tree just short of the slope's crest, the balmy air having sapped his strength making him feel lightheaded.
A dark skinned asmodian lady and her companion, step by step had been drawing closer as they walked similar stones. Raven dropped down on one knee pretending to adjust a buckle on his high boots as he waited for the dizziness that made his stomach give an unpleasant lurch to dissapate. Her voice whispered with the soft snow and hard stone of his homeland and though she was a stranger to him, he accepted the embroidered handkerchief she offered him to wipe brow. Her companion regarded the daggers peeking out from under the flap of his coat from where the rested on either side of his lower back with sniff of distain, before marking the Fenris' Fang insignia the buttons that coat bore. Respectfully, this older male placed his fist over his heart as he dipped his head.
"Bl-" The grey haired maled began as his companion's musical lilt filled the air like birdsong.
"Gracious me, you poor dear. It's ever so warm here and you in that big heavy coat all buttoned up. How can you stand it? I, myself and in danger of fainting right here beside the road from the heat this very moment! Not that my Uncle would allow that to happen, mind you. Stiff upper lip, tut tut and all that. He'd catch me of course not to save this very fine dress...it's the absolute latest style in Katalan! That coat of yours, tut tut. That simply will not due here! I do declare that you must be in mortal danger of melting right into a puddle at our feet! Have you only just arrived in Sarpan? Well of course you have, dressed the way you are and I'd remember you with such striking eyes as you have. Were you on your way to the clinic? Well, just look at your bandages. Of course you are! By lucky happenstance so are we! Not that -I'm- sick. No! Never sick a day in my life, not one! Oh! Look Uncle, a patch of clover! I do hope I can find a fourleaf one..." The girl asking questions and answering them herself in rapid succession left Raven blinking at her in amazement as she flitted away to peer into a patch of darker green in the grass that bordered the lane.
"Be so kind as to assist an old Deava the rest of the way, my good Sir?" The older male inquired offering his arm. When accepted, the grey haired Daeva tried not to seem to be carrying a fair portion of Raven's weight. Regaining steady footing quickly Raven gave the male's arm a gentle squeeze of gratitude before the threesome continued at a lady's pace up the road.
The street leveled out and continued into a broad terrace-like expanse about halfway up the mountain. Houses of varying size sat on grassy lawns along the avenue. Other couples, young and old were also out taking the air under the cornflower sky. Some strolled past the trio, while others sat on benches. The bucolic atmosphere disrupted slightly by the smoke skinned slip of a girl babbling like a mountain brook about everything her eyes fell upon. By the time they reached the clinic, Raven doubted there was a single bird, bug or bush along the way that she had not excitedly remarked on. Their leisurely pace allowed Raven to clear his head and catch his breath so that he was able to walk without aid. As they continued on their way, his well trained eye did not fail to notice the slight stiffness in the other male's gait. The extent of this disability came to light at the stairs leading up to the clinic's front porch, and it was now the young Assassin offering aid. Oblivious, the dusky flower accompanying them rushed up the stairs and across the veranda toward the open doorway, a perfumed whirlwind of fluttering fabric and tinkling laughter that threatened to topple the pair as they gingerly negotiated the steps.
" Forgive my young charge. She can be a bit...high-spirited. Much to my chagrin, it would seem that my niece being sent to Sarpan to spend some time in my care has not quite had the calming effect her mother desired." The older Asmodian said when they had reached the top of the steps. His feigned look of regret unmasked by the smile that tugged at the corner of his mouth. "Ah, but as the undaunted zeal and boundless exuberance of youth are all to fleeting, I find myself reluctant to reign her in to sharply. Finer days are rarely spent than those in the Springtime of one's years." He said in a wistful tone while turning to face the likewise youthful assassin.
"Balthas Snowden of Altgard, at your service." The older male said handing Raven a calling card. "It should be said that such introductions would have been made sooner, but one can surmise that both of our breath was better saved for summitting the arduous road behind us that this delay will not be seen as a slight toward you on my behalf." Balthas continued, casting a look toward the doorway the third of their little trio had dissappeared into.
Unlike the Teleporter, Balthas had the physique of one who had done more than wear his weapon as a matter of protocol and Raven judged him to have been more than a mere soldier by his speech and bearing. An air of authority hung about him. It was clear to Raven that Balthas had been an officer of some rank, a leader who had earned the respect of those around him and returned it in kind. The alias Raven was operating under did not carry such a gentlemanly thing as a calling card so he could but offer Balthas a respectful bow in return. " Raven Silversong of Fenris' Fang. No offense has been taken I assure you. I find myself, in fact in your debt for the aid and courtesy you have shown me, Balthas Snowden of Altgard."
The older Asmodian regarded Raven for a moment, his eyes tarrying on the young assassin's bandaged hands. When he spoke again, his voice held a tinge of melancholy. " I was 'retired' here a number of years ago. If you desire to learn the lay of the land, information on the local establishments..." He paused and cast a look out over to the square in front of the clinic. "... or inhabitants... don't hesitate to pay me a call. The majority of Asmodians reside up here. My home, however, is at the base of the hill. Certain accommodations are made for... the comfort of those who live here." He said, absently giving his stiff leg a light rub. " But you have business within. I will keep you no longer." The older Asmodian said, stepping to one side. Raven gave Balthas a courteous nod of farewell before continuing on into the clinic.
Inside there was a bustle of activity due in no small part to the almost nonstop chattering of the young Asmodian girl who Balthas had been accompanying. She flitted from person to person like a hummingbird among flowers. Raven withdrew his paperwork from the inside pocket of his dress uniform jacket as he approached the front desk. The white coated staff member reviewed the papers and directed him to an examination room where he instructed Raven to remove his weapons and coat, pointing to a locker in the corner of the room where his items could be stored. Raven complied and then sat upon the chair beside the bed as he waited to be seen by the resident Cleric.