Chris: Well, I finally get around to updating this! Yes, I am very lazy. Oh, and I don't own RO. I'll probably just say the disclaimer once every…7 chapters just to make sure people know that. Anyway, you know the routine!

Tom Valor: Ah….Sorry about that. Yeah, I probably should have made it longer…And I was trying to show that the rogue was too distracted to notice Niklason. Guess I didn't stress that enough. Well, I'll try to make it better next time.

Zhang Kai: Thanks for the compliments and…Yeah.

Hyuuga: Hmmm….Yeah. Maybe I forgot to put that in….Well, next time, I'll have to make sure he doesn't seem so lazy. And about the two assassins…Uh…It's a secret. Yeah.

Kiyoko-chan: Um…Yes, yes it does. Strangely enough. But hey, the Blank Fang was cool. And thanks for offering to advertise.

mystique-goddex: I'm glad you like the story and…Alex is cool.

Chris: Oh, and just so you know the time relation to Tom Valor's fic, this chapter occurs at the beginning of that week-long reprieve on the siege at Prontera.

Chapter 7: Um…So, What Do We Do Now?

After the hectic events that happened yesterday, Alex was only too glad to take a leisurely stroll through the streets of Payon. And if a couple of money pouches suddenly fell into his hands, well, those people should tie those pouches on tighter. He was in a cheery mood today, with all those pouches falling into his hands and the fact that everyone was still okay. He headed back towards the inn, smiling as he found out that another money pouch fell into his hands. He entered the inn and headed to the common room, where he found Carylesti.

"Oh, hey Alex." Carylesti looked up from some papers to greet the rogue. "I see that you've found a lot of money. You do realize that I'm going to have to make you return that." She stood up, sighing. "But I really don't feel like it now. There've been more reports of that con-artist around town again. I need a drink…" Carylesti shook her head, groaning. "Too much action yesterday. Speaking of which…Where are those two anyway?"

"Eh, I don't know. I was outside, remember?"

"Oh….Right. I really need that drink." The huntress shook her head.

"Drink? Someone said something about drinking?" Niklason yawned as he walked into the room, covering his mouth with his hand. "Every time I hear that, I keep remembering how I met Alex." He shook his head sleepily. It was only ten o'clock in the morning, but he still felt tired. He had on a white undershirt and brown pants. "So? What? You two are gonna go to the bar or something?"

"Yeah. Do you want to come?"

Niklason shook his head. "Nah, I wanna make sure Radella is alright. Maybe I'll meet up with you guys later."

Alex smirked. "Something happen between you two that I don't know about? Naughty, naughty Niklas."

The swordsman flushed red. "What! I didn't do anything like that, you idiot! Why…Why, I'm going to kill you!" He launched himself at the laughing rogue, but Carylesti restrained him. "Let me go! I'm going to pound him into pulp!"

"Now, now. I'm sure he didn't mean anything." She glared at Alex. "Come on, moron! You have to be alive if you're going to buy me a drink!" Carylesti let go of Niklason and began shoving Alex out the door.

"I'm buying! What? You've got to be joking me!"

Niklason could still hear him protesting as the huntress pushed him through the streets of Payon. Shaking his head, the swordsman walked back up the stairs to where the sleeping rooms were. He paused outside of Radella's room and knocked on the door. "Hey Radella! Are you in there?" Niklason didn't hear anything, so he tried the doorknob. To his surprise, the door was unlocked, and he opened it slightly. And then he sighed when he found out what she was doing.

"Great to see that you haven't been changed by the last couple of events." Niklason entered and looked at the mage, who was busy reading. Radella didn't turn from her book, and Niklason sighed again. He walked up to her and leaned over her shoulder to see what she was looking at. It was a book that discussed the different types of magic and, Niklason noted, the faerie also was interested it since he could see the green-haired pixie hovering nearby. Niklason gave the mage a little shake on the shoulder, and she spun around.

"Oh! Niklas! It's just you."

"Glad to see you still recognize me."

Radella blushed. "Well, it's just that this book is so interesting! Did you know that you could combine spells to get a totally different effect? I can't wait to try it out!" She continued talking now that she was in her element.

Niklason held up his hands. "Hey, I'm a swordsman, remember? I don't use magic."

"Oh! Right! Sorry…But it's just so amazing what you can do with magic!" Radella stood up, closing the book. The faerie settled on the mage's shoulder, resting on top of her head. Radella twirled around Niklason, her skirt brushing against his legs. "So? Where are the others?"

"Um…Well, both of them went to the bar to get a couple of drinks." Niklason grimaced. "I don't understand how they can always drink like that. Well, I don't know about Carylesti, but Alex seems like he drinks too much."

Radella smiled. "They probably just need a break now and then. I mean, it's not like their lives are that easy."

"True." Niklason shook his head. "Still, I probably won't be able to understand them. Especially that Alex…Ooooh, I'm going to knock his lights out." He clenched his hand into a fist, envisioning himself knocking the rogue unconscious.

Radella let out a small sigh and placed her hands on her hips. "What did he do this time? Come on, Niklas. Tell me."

"Uh, well, he…Uh…" Niklason trailed off, thinking of how he was going to rephrase Alex's remark. "Alex said that we…uh…Fooled around last night."

Radella flushed a deep red. "WHAT! Ooooh…Stupid Alex…" She straightened out her pink short-sleeved shirt, and stalked out of the room. Niklason scratched his head thoughtfully.

"I wonder if I should help….I guess he did help us out a little, so I better pull him out of this jam. Just so I can punch him myself." He rushed out of the room, intent on stopping Radella from doing considerable harm to the rogue. However, just as they left the inn, a red-haired priest warped in. He was wearing the uniform of someone in the Pronteran church.

"Listen! I bring news from the war in Prontera!" The priest raised his hand for attention, and everyone stopped their business to see what had happened. Niklason and Radella stopped and listened to what the messenger had to say.

"It has been declared that there will be a week long reprieve from the war! So, do not worry about the war for this week, since there will be no fighting! That is all." The priest lowered his hand, and everyone dispersed, except for Niklason and Radella.

Niklason walked up to the priest and tugged on his sleeve.

"Yes?" The priest turned around the face the two teenagers. "Can I help you?"

"Is there any news about the Knight Commander Joe Buck? I heard that he has disappeared! Is this true?"

"Well, there haven't been any details…" The priest scratched his head.

Niklason wasn't satisfied, and began shaking the priest a little. "You must tell me! What happened to him?"

"I honestly don't know! And besides, I heard that he had left his unit in the middle of battle. I don't think that type of action justifies such loyalty from you."

"Hey! I heard that Joe Buck defeated an immortal! He's just so cool! I wish I could be as good as him!" Niklason released his hold on the priest for a while, imagining himself as one of the Knight Commanders.

"Sorry about my friend." Radella pulled Niklason away. "He just acts up like that when he hears about Knight Commander Joe Buck. I sincerely apologize."

"It's okay." The priest smiled. "I don't suppose that you would know the militia commander, would you?"

"Oh, you mean Carylesti?" Niklason snapped out of his daze. "Yeah, we know her. She's down at the bar drinking. Why?"

The priest let out a shout of aggravation. "Dammit! Every single time I visit, she's drinking, gambling, or beating the snot out of some random person she thinks is hitting on her!"

"Uh, I would assume you know her then?" Radella cocked her head sideways, curious.

"Know her? I'm her older brother! Elindasin Dephalous, at your service." The red-haired priest gave a small bow.

"Wow. You're her brother? I never knew she had a brother." Niklason looked at Radella, who shrugged.

"She never told us. Anyway, I am Radella Maeklin and this is my friend, Niklason Tirin." Radella curtsied to the priest, who smiled.

"It's nice to meet you two…Now, as to the location of my sister?"

"Oh, right! The tavern is right over there." Niklason pointed to a building nearby. "We were heading there ourselves. Come on. We'll go together." Elindasin nodded assent, and the three of them headed towards the bar. As soon as Niklason opened the door, their noses were assaulted by various spices and smells, not all of them pleasant. Elindasin wrinkled his nose and stepped inside, looking for his sister. To his chagrin, he found her sitting in front of the bar table, a couple of drinks already in front of her. He walked up to her, afraid of what her reaction would be.

"Hello sister." Elindasin took a seat next to the huntress, who turned at the voice. She quickly poked Alex, who was sitting next to her. The rogue turned, a full mug of ale in his hand.

"Lindy! What are you doing here!" Carylesti smiled widely and gave her brother a big hug, sloshing a little bit of beer on his robes. He stiffened at hearing the nickname.

"I thought I told you to never, ever, call me Lindy." He glared at his sister, who ignored him.

"But you're just so cute, Lindy!" Carylesti continued to hug her brother, while Alex, Niklason, and Radella sat nearby, extremely amused at the antics of the siblings. Elindasin looked extremely embarrassed, and his face was turning the same color as his hair.

After a while, though, Carylesti calmed down slightly and released her brother. The huntress' face was still flushed, but she seemed to be able to control herself. Alex seemed to be in the same condition, and was now amusing himself by tossing gemstones in the air. He really didn't worry about losing one, since all of them were stolen anyway. Elindasin and Niklason were in a heated discussion about the virtues of Knight Commander Joe Buck and Radella was reading again, as usual. Nobody exactly knew why she had brought a book to the tavern, but hey, if it kept her from being bored, good for her.

"I'm telling you, Joe Buck should be lauded as one of the best Knight Commanders of all time! I mean, who else do you know of killed an immortal?"

"Well, there's Eliarainne Sialsanderin and Makaelthos Solcry for starters. And don't forget Trenzein Zaisen! Joe Buck is just one of the many!"

"Bah, they were all more experienced than him! And besides, Joe Buck is just a regular swordsman like me! It takes skill and power to defeat an immortal, you know!"

"Exactly! And I believe that Joe Buck just doesn't have enough! It was all luck!"

Niklason slammed his fist into the table. "It wasn't luck! He's the best damn swordsman in the whole army!"

Carylesti turned to face the two. "Now, now….Don't argue with the pretty boy, Lindy." She had a silly grin on her face. "I dun wan any fightin', mmmkay?"

Niklason turned. "Pretty boy!"

"Of course, little Nicky!" She mussed up Niklason's hair, giggling. "You're just so cuuuute!"

Niklason stood up, angry and a little bit afraid of the huntress. "Tch! I'm out of here!" He stalked outside of the bar, his hands clenched in fists. Radella, looking up from her book, saw him leave and dashed out after him. Alex gave a wide grin.

"I told ya there was somethin' going on between them!" He took a long pull from his mug, still grinning.

Outside, Radella was trying to calm down an extremely angry Niklason. "Aw, come on, Niklas. She was only kidding. I mean, it's got to be the drink."

"Yeah, yeah, I know. It still doesn't make it feel any better!" Niklason let out a long sigh and unclenched his hands. "Okay, I think I'm fine…" He turned to his friend. "Hey…Do you want to take a little walk through the marketplace? I, uh, don't feel like going back in there."

Radella's face brightened. "Of course!" She took the swordsman's hand and they walked towards the line of stalls that signified the entrance to the marketplace of Payon.

Inside, they found themselves assaulted by various smells and sights from the different merchant stalls. The both of them examined many different things, like nippers from the numerous Vadon that dwelled in Byalan Cave, garlets, and various other goods. They spotted a familiar figure selling her wares nearby, and they walked up to her stall.

"Oh, hey guys!" Silvia waved to them from her stall. "Do you need anything?"

Niklason smiled. "Nah. We were just taking a look around." He looked around his friend's stall. "Hey, that looks new." He pointed to a strange looking sword lying on a rack.

"Ah, that one! Yeah, it's my own creation. I was thinking of giving it to you, since I'm too busy with forging. Would you like to try it out?" The blacksmith lifted a straight, double bladed sword that had an ornate basket hilt. The top of the blade curved in a loop, and the sharp tip faced downwards. The curve itself was flat, with only a slight turn. And on the inner part of the curve, the sword was blunt. On the other side of the blade, near the hilt, there was a small bladed attachment. It was like a small dagger without the hilt, and faced parallel to the sword blade. Niklason eyed it skeptically.

"Um…No offense, but it really doesn't look like a good weapon." Niklason hefted it in his hands. "It's really heavy, plus that little attachment on the side seems like it would be more cumbersome than helpful." He gave it a small practice swing. "Hmm, it's pretty long, too. I can handle it, but it'll seem a little awkward. Give me something to try it out against."

"Well, sure." Sylvia drew out a small trunk and placed it on the floor. "Give it your best shot."

Niklason swung the sword at the trunk, intent on splitting it in two. The blade passed through the trunk, slicing it from top to bottom as if it were cutting through butter. He grinned appreciatively. "It's really sharp though. And I guess the curve isn't too bad…I assume it's used to drag people off of horses or something?"

Sylvia nodded. "Yep. That's why the curve is blunt. Can't have a sharp edge for that. It's not as effective against larger enemies…But against a human sized opponent, it should do well enough. So, think you could use it?"

Niklason nodded. "Of course! But…uh…How am I supposed to carry it?" He looked at the sword again. "I can't just hook it on my belt. It's way too big for that. And I don't think there's a sheath around that can hold it."

The blacksmith's eyes sparkled. "I thought about that situation. And I believe I have the perfect solution. Where's your conniving rogue friend?"

"He's at the tavern."

"Ah, of course. Anyway...I need him to help. I'm planning to have him hold it. I mean, it'll keep his hands from my merchandise, right?" She snickered.

Niklason and Radella laughed along with the blacksmith. The swordsman grinned. "Yeah, I see what you mean. But really, how are we going to do this?"

The faerie, who apparently was apparently still with Radella, hovered up and down, waving her arms. Sylvia looked at it. "Hey, looks like your little friend has an idea."

"Really?" Radella looked up at the faerie, who nodded. "Well, let's see what it is."

The pixie smiled happily, and summoned two small chains, one slightly longer than the other. Carrying them as though they weighed no more than feathers, she handed one to Niklason and wrapped the other one around the dagger-like attachment on the sword. With a little wave of her hands, the sword disappeared, and the chain that was wrapped around it morphed into a small replica of the weapon. The faerie carried the replica and attached it to the other chain.

"Boy, this seems complicated…What am I supposed to do?" Niklason looked at the chain and the replica, shaking it. The faerie shook her head.

"No…When you call out the name of the weapon, it will appear in your hands. And when you don't need it, it will attach itself back onto the chain."

"Radella…Did you say that?" Niklason looked around.

"No…Wasn't me." The mage shook her head. "Maybe Sylvia?"

"Huh?" Sylvia looked just as puzzled. "Wasn't me."

"Wait…That would mean…" Niklason turned to the faerie. "You can talk?"

The faerie nodded, smiling. Niklason smiled back. "Well, how about that…Thanks a lot for your help!"

The faerie smiled again, and then settled back on top of Radella's head. Sylvia gave an appreciative grin. "Well, well. Looks like you've got a lot of friends." She chuckled and headed back to her position behind the counter. "Tell me how that works out, and if you need any help…Well, you know where to find me!"

"Thanks Sylvia!" Niklason and Radella waved good bye to their friend and continued on their walk. Along the way, they met someone who looked really familiar.

"HEY! You're that guy who cheated us!" Niklason pointed to the familiar face of that con man, who froze. He quickly tried to close his stall down, but the two teenagers were able to catch him before he ran away. Niklason knocked out the merchant with a swift punch in the head, and they dragged the man back to the bar.

"Look what we found!" Niklason shook the man roughly, waking him up, and threw the guy at a chair. Carylesti, who had recovered slightly more, looked at him.

"Hoi! I know you! You're that con merchant!"

Alex took a look at the guy. "Yep. That's a conning merchant. I've seen tons of them."

Elindasin shook his head. "Tsk, tsk…Pathetic being. Having to resort to stealing from your fellow people." He stood up. "I've got to go get a breath of fresh air. This place reeks." He left the tavern, stretching his arms. The bartender looked surly at the priest's comment, and began cleaning the bar counter again. The merchant shook his head, and then backed away, fully aware he wasn't facing a friendly group of strangers.

Niklason began cracking his knuckles. "You don't know how long it's been since I've wanted to do this." He reared back, and then punched the merchant in the jaw, toppling the man from his seat. "That felt good. Let me do that again." He lifted the merchant, and socked the man in the mouth again. Radella held the swordsman back before he could do any more damage.

"Ugh…." The merchant staggered up, holding his bleeding lip. This time, Carylesti was the one to grab him. However, before she could knock the man's lights out, someone tapped her from behind.

A blacksmith, if it could be told by his clothes, with short, black hair stood behind her. "Excuse me, but did I hear you correctly about this man being a con artist?"

Carylesti looked up at the man. "Yeah, he's been cheating a couple of adventurers, like those two-" She pointed at Niklason and Radella. "By selling them fake merchandise."

The blacksmith's eyes narrowed and glinted dangerously. "Is that so…May I borrow him for a moment?" The huntress shrugged and nodded, handing the merchant to the blacksmith. The blacksmith smirked.

"Thank you." He held the merchant steady for a moment, then pummeled the man in the stomach before backhanding him across the face. He punched the man in the mouth, adding to the punishment Niklason had done earlier, and then to finish it off, he lifted the man in the air and threw him against the back wall. Carylesti held up a steady hand.

"'Ey! Don't kill him! We need him if we're going to find the base where he works at!"

"Oh, I'm sorry." The blacksmith gathered up the beaten up merchant and deposited him roughly in a chair. "Thanks for letting me borrow him."

"Yeah, no problem…Question though." Carylesti looked at the blacksmith.

"What?"

"Um, who are you, and why did you punch this poor guy so badly? I mean, Nicky here-"

"HEY!"

"Ahem, Niklason, here has quite a temper. And he was the one being cheated." Carylesti coughed.

"My name is Kreizen Xalascent. And as for the merchant…" His voice grew angrier. "Those thieving scum have no right to even think about selling things! They have no honor, no adherence to the rules that a merchant must set for himself! Scum like these are just a blot on the reputation of blacksmiths and merchant everywhere! I hate them, and all their kind!" He slammed his fist on the table, startling them. But Kreizen calmed down. "Thanks for your time…But I've got to go do something. Maybe some other time." He left the tavern, casting a dirty look at the bleeding merchant before leaving. The companions looked at each other.

"And I thought I hated this guy." Niklason shrugged. "But, what are we going to do with him?"

"I would love to put him in jail, but I've got a better idea for him." Carylesti grinned. "Let's use him to get us entrance to the guild that's supporting his con artist behavior. And I've got a feeling that same guild is helping other con artists set up shop here."

Alex shook his head. "Bah, I already know what guild it's going to be."

Carylesti turned to her friend. "Oh?"

"NightKnife, of course. What other guild do you know of would control all of the criminal activities?" Alex let out a bitter laugh. "No, no. The only one I can see is NightKnife. And because of that…" He let out a sly grin. "I've got a better idea."

"And what's that?" Niklason looked skeptically at the rogue, who winked.

"Just trust me! I'll get us inside the guild! And Carylesti here will be able to expose every single merchant who's been cheating the villagers here!" Alex boasted.

Carylesti shrugged. "Well, if you say so. Don't know why, but I think you've got a good idea."

Alex grinned. "Just trust me. My plan will be perfect."

Radella stood nearby, listening to Alex. Somehow, she had a feeling the whole thing would be a lot harder than just going in and saying, "This is a raid!"

Chris: Before you exclaim, "Why does he have Kreizen in there? The blacksmith's Tom Valor's character!" I'd like to say that I did ask him for his permission for this stuff, and he did say yes. So, don't blow up about that. And…this was a lot longer than I imagined. Well, hope you like it and review and stuff!