Taren de-Droka of the death Watch was in high spirits, more so then usual after the recent job that had left his and Mahk's Death Watch groups richer then they had been at the start of the season. The fox's deep red fur glinted in the sun's fading light as he sat lowered himself into a seat between Mahk and Sariss, Mahk acknoledging him with a nod and Sariss with a charming smile.

Geras paused gulping from his goblet of wine long enough to grin at the fox crookedly. "Taren de-Droka.welcome back.you honor us with yer presence at last!" The ferret laughed, as Taren frowned deeply at the superior-minded ferret, posing a second question, "How's the gen'ral? Y'just saw 'im, right?"

Taren nodded once, "Yes, General Visla is well.we were just negotiating payment for the troops, what goes to supplies, that kind of thing."

Sariss took the moment to cut into the conversation, speaking clearly as their table at the right end of the shadowy tavern had been cleared out, giving the four commanders adequate privacy, "The new recruits are shaping up well with the weapons I've been teaching them with." The golden furred ferret female smiled charmingly at Taren, the smile reciprocated quickly, inciting a sarcastic rolling of the eyes from Mahk.

The stoat's voice seemed raspier then usual as he sipped his herbal brew, clutching the mug tightly in his gloved paws as he replied, "Everything was fine by way of the mission.our targets were a group of bandits.On a more important subject, we've heard nothing from Cirath, Jethorin or the other soldiers since SkyShadow gave us the news Algan was slain."

Geras hid his smirk well as he replied, "M'boys have been clamoring for some entertainment of our own.think the gen'ral'll give it to us soon or is 'e too focused on 'is brother to get us any fun?"

Taren was suddenly reminded of why he disliked Geras: The ferret always enjoyed the massacres of civilians, was the first to order his troops into a battle. Despised and distrusted by his fellow commanders, only Geras's connections to the General had saved him from an attempt to his life thus far. Tarne made no apologies for his own love of battle and the infliction of pain on his opponents, but in each case he had been in a true combat, or tortured an enemy of what he served. Civilian casualties were a regrettable part of war but to revel in the bloodshed as Geras did was sickening even to Taren.

Sariss placed a paw on Taren's shoulder gently, direction his dual toned gaze to her emerald eyes as she smiled at him. "Don't let it get to you."

Taren placed a paw over hers, smiling back at the beautiful ferret. Sariss was a paradox indeed. A dangerous, commanding fighter- the one who had first found Taren on the streets years back, the one who trained the Death Watch recruits- one moment and then a trusted friend and kind lover the next. Taren didn't mind her mood swings at all, his and Sariss's relationship went far deeper then comrades and fellow commanders after all.

The lovers had been apart for several days now and both found the close presence of the other enticing and stimulation. Both managed to control themselves for now, though and Taren turned to Mahk, eager to focus his thoughts on another subject to avoid losing control. "So, Mahk.how is the morale with your troops?"

"Fine as usual." The Blade Master responded calmly, his blue eyes focused on his fox counterpart serenely. "Any news of your own, Geras?"

The ferret shook his head, focusing his mind on his drink, contempt radiating from Taren as he turned away from Geras. "In the morning we should see the General.work everything out with him."

Mahk sensed there was something Taren was not telling him and nodded slowly. "Morning, see the General.think you lot can drag yourselves out of bed by then?"

Geras, Sariss and Taren all nodded in unison, Taren and Sariss's gazes focused on one another.

The two practically ran out of the tavern to Taren's room.

Geras howled with laughter as the two departed. "They will die in the arms of one another, Mahk! Coupling and unaware of any danger that approaches!"

"I can think of worse fates." Mahk muttered, sending Geras into hysterics once more, when the laughter abated, Mahk rose, taking his mug of the herbal brew with him as he walked alone to his room, bereft of contact as he had been for nearly ten years