With his tonkori strapped across his back, and blade in its sheath, Taiko strode into the Lace Madam. The tavern smelled of smoke, and melancholy, with a large number of patrons sitting alone in silence. Lynn nursed a glass of fine wine, while Brutus lounged beneath her table. A glass of goat milk in front of him, Fenix loosened the knots in his shoulders. Sitting with a wide berth of empty tables around him, Jormangander frowned down into a flagon of mead, while Francisco sat quietly as his eyes watered from the remnant smoke. As Jormangander looked up from his tankard, he waved Taiko over to his table. As Taiko joined the armoured northman, Shadow slipped into a corner table to watch, ordering some tea as the bartender walked by.

"You weren't bad," Jormangander muttered between drinks from his flagon, "You have some skill with that sword of yours, and you kept up your side of the agreement when you lost. I've met worse people."

"You should be careful," Taiko grinned back, "That almost sounded like a compliment."

"If you say so. You're nowhere near as good as me, but you shouldn't die immediately in a real fight."

"Bah, you should see me when the steel really starts to sing."

"Yah, I'm sure that you're almost as impressive as me."

A cruel glint snuck into Taiko's eyes as he smiled, "We could always settle this with a drinking contest. What do you say?"

Looking at his glass, Jormangander considered the notion for a few moments, but then shook his head. "Not tonight, I have to get back to my usual duties early tomorrow. Another time perhaps."

"Fine, but this isn't over just yet," Taiko waved over the bartender, "Sir, three flagons of your finest beer, and one flagon of your cheapest to help wash all the others down afterwards."

With four flagons in front of him, Taiko polished one-off immediately, and then began slowing down with his second. "Well, since we're drinking anyway, allow me to regale you with the tales of battles waged."

"I don't want to hear of your fighting women and children while I'm drinking."

"They weren't women or children. No, the tale that we will start with is when the mercenary company that I spent some time with was outnumbered 50 to one. My companions panicked around me, but I..."

With the tales flowing back and forth between Taiko and Jormangander, the day passed, the sun set. Lynn and Brutus left, in search of a new inn to stay at, hopefully one that did not smell heavily of smoke. Another nearby inn happened to have Sophia entering it. The two women politely greeted each other again, and happily asked the innkeeper for some rooms. Looking for a place to stay, as it was too late for him to begin his long trip back to his mountain, Fenix asked the owners of the home he had helped extinguish the flames if he could stay, and they welcomed him back for another night.

The bells of the city tolled midnight before Jormangander rose from his table at The Lace Madam. "Swapping those stories was surprisingly enjoyable. If you actually talk as good as you fight, you might at least let me enjoy crossing weapons with you. See you around."

"Indeed. You are surprisingly powerful, and you've seen almost as much as me. Lets just stay on the same side, or else we'll get to have some fun."

"Count on it. Come on Francisco, your father will be wondering where you are."

"I suppose so," Francisco muttered to himself, "I shall need to get the smell of smoke off of me, it is incredibly distracting. I just can't seem to focus tonight."

Jormangander left the tavern with Francisco, and they made their way back towards the Montbert villa.

"Hmm, now it's just me and the barkeep. I should probably be getting back to the Sleeping Sheep." After another hour of drinking, Taiko decided to listen to his own opinion, and headed back to the Sleeping Sheep to get some rest, emptying one of the bottles of firewater whiskey he had 'acquired' from the bandits before crashing down onto the bed. "Ah, just what I needed for a good night's rest."

Shaking his head, Shadow placed himself across the street from the Sleeping Sheep. "About time that great beast slipped into slumber again. I can finally rest for a bit. This has been an exceptionally exhausting charge. At least the pay is good, meaning my family shouldn't have to worry." Settling down on the stones, Shadow allowed himself the relaxation of sleep.


With the sun barely caressing the horizon, Francisco and Jormangander strode forth from the Montbert villa, with Francisco rubbing his hands together as he eyed. With a freshly washed and perfumed suit the usual swagger had returned to the young noble's step.

"Alright, that makes far too many days in a row that I have had to return home alone. Today Jormangander, I shall find a charming damsel whom I may sweep off of her feet, and perhaps directly into a plush mattress. Let us return for another day at the Lace Madam."

Jormangander sighed as that announcement came as no surprise to him. "Now, young master, I'm sure your father might be happier if you were to go to a tavern commonly visited by actual maidens. The women seem to have vanished from the Lace Madam of late, no matter how many were there on our first visit."

"You worry too much Jormangander. After all, I believe the lovely young woman with the dog that I provided with the free night at the Sleeping Sheep may still visit it, as I believe I saw her last night despite the smoke in my eyes."

Sensing that this wouldn't go his lord's way, Jormangander remained silent. The best way to learn is through direct experience after all, and should that experience have sharp teeth and claws, well, the lesson tends to be more memorable then. "As you wish, follow me then."


An all too familiar ringing tore through the early morning peace and quiet once again on Grevens Boulevard. Bloodshot, and in some cases bloodthirsty, eyes regarded the city crier as he swung his large decorative bell loudly in the chill morning air. With a group of four La Roche guards around him, the crier awakened all within earshot with youthful vigor, without fear of reproach. Those that considered telling him to be silent had their voices stick in their throat as they saw another man standing beside the notice board. His armour enshrouded his body in steel lined with gold, the insignias of The Church and Inquisition emblazoned across it. Short cut black and graying hair topped his head, and his humorless face peered around bored at the people around him. Any that met his slate grey eyes averted their gaze, out of fear for what he may accuse them of.

After a large number of people gathered, the crier held his bell and placed it across his back. The inquisitor unfurled a piece of silk paper edged with gold leaf, and pinned it to the board. With one last wave of his gaze across those gathered he strode away. The guards waited for him to leave a respectful distance, and then posted their own parchment bill across the board. They then escorted the crier down the street.

"That does it," Fenix growled from the door to the house that he had stayed the night in, "I let them get away with this once, but this damnable bell tolling just so they can show us that they are putting up papers and making announcements is uncivilized. I miss my mountains." He walked over and shouted out to the guards and crier. "You there! I need a word with you."

The crier, quite perplexed, looked to his four guards that all shrugged. The crier regarded the well-muscled man before him, "Umm, how can I help you?"

"Would I be able to see that bell of yours?"

"You mean this one," the crier said as he unslung the bell from his back, "A beautiful piece of work, gold-plated with fine engravings. Only the best for the servants of La Roche after all."

"I would like a closer look."

"Certainly." The crier handed his bell to Fenix.

"Thank you." Holding the bell in one hand, Fenix drew back his other arm, and slammed his palm into the bell. The bell shrieked fiercely as it vibrated violently, until in a shower of ringing steel and glittering fragments the bell shattered.

"There you go," Fenix sighed as he handed back the cracked handle to the crier, "How about you wait until a decent hour to wake people up at next time."

As Fenix turned to leave, the four guards moved to block his path. The oldest, a man only in his mid-twenties, drew his long sword and pointed it towards the muscled shirtless man. "Do you know what you have done? That is destruction of city property. You will need to pay to cover the damages."

"And how much would that be?"

Satisfaction crossed the man's face, the glint of victory clear in his eyes. "It will cost you a gold crown to cover the damages and effort of the repairs. You will admit that the beautiful quality required of meet the standards demanded of La Roche and Gabriel."

"That's not going to happen. Get out of my way."

All of the guards were stunned into silence. The eldest attempted to regain his composure, but he still stammered slightly as he responded, "But, you must pay for it. You can't deny the law. If you refuse to pay, then you will be arrested."

The young woman among the guards took a pair of manacles from her belt and walked towards Fenix. "Put your hands out in front of you please," she said as she stood before him. As Fenix's palm lashed out and struck her in the temple, the manacles fell from her fingers as she staggered back in surprise. Steel hissed as the other three guards drew their blades.

"Hmm, looks like our shirtless friend has gotten himself in some trouble," Sophia whispered to Lynn as they stood in front of the inn where they spent the night. "You think he stands a chance?"

Brutus eyed through the crowd, and his tail started to wag as Lynn smirked, "Looks like he may have some help."

From the other side of the scene with Fenix and the guards, Jormangander and Francisco stood watching the unexpected surprise in front of them.

"Hah, that fool actually thinks he can get away with standing up to the guard," Francisco laughed as he elbowed Jormangander, "I'd bet you that he gets cut to pieces, but that would hardly be a fair bet."

Jormangander smiled as he eyed a large armoured man moving towards the commotion. "What are the conditions of the bet? That he doesn't get arrested? What if people assist him, and how big a bet are we talking about?"

"You must be joking that you are actually considering this. I always knew you were brave, but most people would describe this as stupid. If he doesn't get arrested I don't care how many people help him, as long as you don't. I'll stake you an entire extra day worth of pay on this bet. What do you say?"

"You've got yourself a deal." Jormangander smiled, shaking Francisco's hand in his solid grip. "This should be a good show, but get your coin purse out, young master."

As the crowd watched, the guards moved in. One lashed out with his blade, but Fenix nimbly stepped from the weapon's path. Still in motion however, Fenix was unable to avoid the leader's blade, and the sharp steel sliced across his chest as hot blood splattered the cobbles. When the third guard's sword lashed towards him, the blade was moved aside by his wrist strap, resulting in only a light cut up Fenix's right arm. The smug look on the leader's face was to be immortalized, as the gleaming blade of a nodachi severed his head from his shoulders, with Taiko's grinning face behind the blade. "Four on one is hardly sporting now isn't it," the grin still on Taiko's face, "Three on two, unfortunately for you lot, won't be any more fair I'm afraid."

Shadow sighed from across the street and shook his head as he watched Taiko stride into the combat. "If these guards were capable I might worry. At least the great oaf fights people that he can destroy easily."

With a nod at his new ally, Fenix lashed out at the guard that had cut his chest, palms and knees striking the man in the face and body. Maintaining the momentum of his strikes Fenix lowered his body and pivoted towards the other guard beside him, sweeping inside the man's sword strike. Shaking her head, the female guard drew her blade and lunged at Taiko. Taiko caught the blade on his buckler and with a shove sent the young woman staggering back. With a well place strike he sent the blade spinning from her fingers. The blade tumbled through the air and embedded itself in the skull of the guard Fenix had spun past moments before. He fell to the pavement without a sound.

"We surrender, we won't charge you for the bell if you let us leave," said the last male guard, sword dropping from his hand to clatter on the cobbles.

"Fine we accept your surrender, so get lost," Taiko rumbled as he wiped the blood off his sword with one of the fallen guard's shirt.

"Thank you, may we take our weapons with us?"

"No, leave them."

"May we take our dead," the female guard inquired.

"Yes, those you may take."

"Thank you," she responded as she dragged one of the fallen away. Taiko noted that the young woman's sword was still embedded in the corpses skull, but he let her take that if only for her quick thinking. The other guard dragged away the headless captain, with the head wrapped in cloth and tied to the body's belt.

"Thanks for the help," Fenix mumbled as he gingerly prodded at his chest, pain flashing across his face with every probe of his fingers. "These so called civilized people need to realize that proper folk need the chance to actually sleep to a decent hour in the day."

"No problem at all," Taiko responded as he sheathed his blade, "those bastards had it coming, pulling that same stunt two days in a row. I'm just glad you put them in their place, and gave me a chance to join in."

"The help was appreciated, the cocky one was faster then I expected. But, I need to go back to bed, this damn chest wound isn't helping wake me up any." With that, Fenix wandered back to the house he had only just exited, heading out of sight to enjoy a day of recovery. He grumbled as he headed inside, "Stupid foppish guards, this will take days before I'm ready for a fight again. Oh well, at least I got to teach them some respect."

As Fenix vanished from sight, Jormangander turned to Francisco. "Looks like your guards aren't all they should be."

At a loss for words, Francisco sputtered incoherently several excuses to try and defend the guards' actions, comments about the sun, the breeze, and the slight smell of rot being blown in from the slums. As Jormangander's regard went from patient, to annoyed, to a light glare, Francisco closed his mouth, opened his coin purse, and handed Jormangander his winnings from their bet. With one last pout Francisco muttered, "I'm sure if there was a rematch the guards would easily win."

"Whatever you say, but the only way I would think about betting on these guards of yours would be if there were about twenty of them against those two, and even then I would only make a small wager."

"You give those strange men too much credit Jormangander, but you have seen a wide variety of people. But, enough of this banter, let us go for drinks."

While Jormangander and Francisco walked towards the Lace Madam, Lynn, Sophia, and Taiko all walked over to the notice board in order to see what new bounties had been placed on it. Upon reading the writ placed by the city guards, Lynn's heart sank and stomach clenched.

In response to the rash of assault, property damage, and lack of respect to the Faith and beliefs of La Roche, and Gabriel as a whole, it is time for those that have dared to offend the principles of our great way of life must now be punished. Anyone that has "supernatural" powers, gifts from the Devil, shall be hunted down and struck down with divine justice. To those that assist in this great purpose of cleansing this city of cursed heretics, you shall be compensated. For every mage brought to us alive, a sum of fifty silver crowns shall be paid, and for every deceased mage, with proof of their sins, a sum of ten silver crowns shall be paid. Below the writing was the signet mark of the Gabriel flag.

Excited murmurs began as people looked over those words. Many ran back towards their masters, intent on informing them of the opportunities available. A few of the minor nobles that had explored the early morning of the street smiled to each other, leaving with whispered plans of how to replace their competitors. "A normal person would never keeps a collection of such strange, shimmering crystals, wouldn't you say my dear," laughed one man as he escorted the young woman attached to his arm away from the board.

When Taiko saw the bounty amount on the sheet put up by the Church his eyes lit up, and with a deft yank tore the writ from its nails in order to get an even better look.

With the blessing of the Church, the being known only as The Azure Knight is hereby declared an enemy to all civilized lands and people, with the apprehension of The Azure Knight holding a reward of 10,000 gold crowns. The Azure Knight is believed to be male, his age is unknown, his appearance is unknown, and his current location is unknown. This being can be identified by the porcelain like armour that he wears, a seemingly eyeless mask, and a blade made entirely of blue crystal. Under no circumstances should anyone attempt to hold that blade, for it is an unholy object that can cut and steal a man's soul. In the name of the Supreme Archbishop, may Abel be with all that aid in removing The Azure Knight from God's great earth.

"Mmm, I could live quite well with ten-thousand gold crowns." Taiko smiled as he folded up the writ and placed it in his backpack.

"Seems things are getting quite tense around here," Sophia softly spoke to Lynn, "I believe we have earned a chance to relax, how should we pass this day?"

As Lynn opened her mouth to respond, she was cut off by a loud shout from the direction of the Lace Madam. "My love! It must be fate itself that has guided me back to you, what a blessed occurrence!"

"I'm going to go shopping, you can catch up if you have the chance," Sophia quickly responded, and then gracefully vanished into the crowd. Even knowing where she was going, Lynn quickly lost sight of Sophia, and so shaking her head Lynn and Brutus began heading towards the market themselves. A hand dove from the crowd, and clamped around Lynn's arm with fierce strength. As Brutus' head twisted around, Lynn saw Francisco's smiling face beaming at her, with Jormangander shaking his head as he walked forward.

"Ah, you must not have heard me as I saw you from across the way. You were unable to have the pleasure of my company the evening we last met due to the fire incident. Jormangander had to pull me from the flames as I attempted to find and save you that night. I am incredibly relieved that you are unharmed, and thank God himself for the good fortune of us finding each other again. We must celebrate this glorious reunion, might I buy you a drink?"

Lynn smiled as well as she could manage, but she couldn't hide the sickly tinge around the edges of it. "I'm sorry, but I don't have time for a drink right now. I'm meeting someone in the market district, and I can't afford to be delayed I'm afraid. Could you please let go of me so that I might be on my way?"

"Meeting someone you say," Francisco said with a slight shadow crossing his features, "It isn't someone else attempting to steal away your affections from me is it? If it is, I shall happily duel him and cut him to slender bits in order to express my love for you." His hand had already begun to slip down around the hilt of his gold and gem covered rapier.

"No, she isn't someone trying to win over my affections, she's just a friend," Lynn responded growing flustered as she tried to shake Francisco's grip from her arm, "You also shant be winning my affections with any swordplay either, I hate violence. Now please, I must be on my way."

"A friend you say," Francisco's eyes gazed past Lynn, lost in daydreams of Lynn and her friend, who must be at least as lovely as her, trying on clothes together, feeding each other elegant deserts, and other 'friendly' things, "Then I shall happily take you to your friend, to ensure that the two of you are reunited in a most proper fashion. Perhaps I may even purchase you a small token of my affection from the market."

Brutus had begun to growl as Francisco continued to talk, and stood with fur bristled as it glared up at the man clutching his owner.

"What a wonderfully bred dog," Francisco smiled down at Brutus as he ruffled the fur on the top of his head, "Who's a good dog, yes you are."

Brutus looked up at Lynn, who mouthed a simple command. With tail wagging, Brutus leapt onto his hind legs, front paws rubbing and clawing down the front of Francisco's shirt, as his tongue lashed out repeatedly to cover the man's face in thick globs of saliva.

"No, bad dog! Down, down I say," Francisco shrieked as more dirt and drool splattered across his beautifully tailored suit, releasing Lynn as he tried to push the dog off of himself, "Help Jormangander, help! Get it off of me!"

With a sigh Jormangander reached up, grabbed Brutus by the scruff of his neck, and pulled the dog off his master. Brushing what dirt and saliva he could from his suit Francisco rushed back over to Lynn, who had taken advantage of the distraction to try and escape.

"Sorry for the delay my love, but animals just love me as you can obviously see," as Francisco moved up beside her, his hand wrapped around her waist in order to keep her close to him, until his hand shifted down to clamp upon one of her buttocks.

"I don't like to be touched," Lynn glowered at Francisco, "Let go of me."

"But my dear, you are in safe and wonderful hands, trust me that you shall most assuredly not mind being in my firm yet tender grasp."

Taiko looked up from one of the writs he had taken from the bounty board, imagining all of the liquor that could be purchased with the 10,000 gold crowns for The Azure Night. Seeing the location of Francisco's hand Taiko tucked the writ away and growled down at the young noble. "You should treat women with respect you young wretch."

Meeting the large man's gaze, Francisco flashed his most charming of smiles, "But of course sir, I am nothing if not a charming and respectful young man. I'm sure a strong man such as yourself can completely understand and respect the insurmountable charm that is a Gabrielense noble."

"You talk quickly and without meaning. Perhaps you should actually treat her with respect rather than say you treat her such." The glare that Taiko leveled on Francisco slowly curdled the smile from his lips. With a cringe and much weaker smile, Francisco removed his hand from Lynn's posterior, and instead clamped firmly down upon Lynn's shoulder.

"Well then, shall we head to the market district to meet your friend?" Francisco said with a fragment of his old enthusiasm.

"I suppose," Lynn relented with a sigh as she turned to Taiko, "Would you care to join us sir?"

"I think I could happily take the day to travel with you, young lady," Taiko said with a smile at Lynn, and then returned a quick glare to Francisco.

"Umm, certainly, as long as you aren't attempting to steal my beloved from me, it would be an honour to have your additional protection. Between you and Jormangander, I am sure that we will be even safer then normal on the La Roche streets."

Hand still firmly on Lynn's shoulder, Francisco began to lead Lynn towards the market district of the city. Taiko fell in beside Jormangander as the small group strolled down the street. "You don't seriously have to protect that pompous idiot, do you?" Taiko whispered over to Jormangander, naked disgust across his features as he watched the young noble's back.

"Pays the bills. Besides, you should have seen him before I was in charge of his security." Jormangander said with a brief smile and shake of his shaggy head. "My first week of watching over him, I had to save him from a dozen small attacks on him, more than a few of which happened to be husbands that didn't take politely to Francisco's kind words to their wives. My hammers haven't been that busy for some time." That last comment left a slightly nostalgic look on his face.


The market of La Roche is a dream for any that desire shopping. With carts, stalls, plazas and shops, anything that can be dreamed of can be purchased somewhere along its lengths. From quaint to extravagant, all manner of shopkeepers run and organize their palaces of merchandise, with criers to entice passersby to spend their coins upon the contents of their shelves. With food, clothes, jewelry, weapons, armour, comforts, and oddities, with enough coin nearly anything can be found somewhere down its length. To view the entirety of its grandeur would require weeks, or months if you wish to examine them with any dedication.

Sophia sighed as she continued to look over the fine dresses and jewelry that held her gaze. She knew that her clothes, charms and grace would allow her to look for as long as she desired, but was also painfully aware that even the money she had with her wasn't even enough to rent the incredible materials before her.

"Would the fine miss care to try these earrings?" The shopkeeper, who bore an unfortunate resemblance to a weasel, smiled as he held a pair of fine gem studded earrings worth more than most homes, "The amethysts within them would beautifully accent the highlights of your lovely hair."

"That is a very kind offer generous sir, but I'm afraid that I cannot on this lovely day," Sophia responded with a smile and light flick of her hair, "I shall most definitely remember them when I have the chance to return however."

"But of course, I look forward to seeing you again. Perhaps you would be able to convince your father to purchase them for you to accentuate your loveliness."

A ghost of sorrow flitted across Sophia's features, but it was swiftly smothered with a brilliant smile. "Perhaps I shall do just that. Good day to you sir."

Stepping out of the shop and back into the light of day left Sophia blinking as she shaded her eyes with a gloved hand. As she searched for a new shop to search to pass the time and forget the past, she noticed Lynn coming amidst the crowd. Attached to Lynn like some great parasite was a young man that reeked of nobility and easy upbringing, even from where she stood.

"Looks like Lynn has picked up a most well dressed parasite," she murmured. "Time to examine shops further down the district I believe, lest I have to make that young noble vanish if he doesn't take no for an answer. Looks like our shopping date will have to wait for another day Lynn." Gracefully Sophia wove her way through the gathered shoppers, swiftly losing sight of her new companion.

Not far from the shop that Sophia left, Lynn and the small group surrounding her moved forward. Around them there were several small stalls that appeared to have been recently deserted. Some of the abandoned stalls were having their inventories moved into larger neighboring stores, with large smiles from the store owners as they tore down the sign of the stall.

"Hmm, that's strange, I've never seen more than one store been turned over at a time here. The district is such prime real estate that people will, and have, killed for locations here. These seem far too many and far to smooth transitions," Francisco murmured, mostly to himself, as he surveyed the scene. His hand still clutched Lynn's shoulder. "Stranger and stranger."

Brutus' eyes darted around, until it spotted a clothing shop where prices had no need to be marked. For that store people could either buy whatever they wanted without concern, or else they didn't want to be shopping there. Lynn smiled and guided Francisco towards it. "I have some clothes that I want to try on here."

"If you are sure, but shouldn't we be looking for your friend," Francisco responded, a hint of disappointment entering his voice.

"We can find her a bit later. I thought that you wanted to impress me."

"Well, of course I do. I'm shocked that you don't find me impressive already, given that fate has brought us together again."

Walking into the shop, shouts from across the street drew the attention of the four, as well as the figure skulking in the shadows behind them. A short, elderly man was being dragged from behind his stall by a pair of guards and a man wearing robes bearing the cross of the Church. The man continued screaming and shouting; "Please, I am not a mage! I swear in the name of Christ that I am innocent, I do not consort with the Devil!" As the man attempted to swear to Christ once again, the man in the robes lashed out with an iron-shod staff, cracking it into the older man's stomach, doubling him over as he vomited across the cobbles. A servant for the adjacent shop began cleaning up the vomit, and other men from that store began moving the bolts of cloth from the stall into the store beside it. A slender man smiled down as his employees acquired all of the competitor's cloth. Turning back inside, the man felt a bolt of cloth and nodded, a wide smile crossing his face.

"Hmm, yet another cursed mage it seems," Francisco muttered to himself, as he guided Lynn into the store, "I had never even heard of these people in the city before, I had always assumed that magic was just a fantasy fathers told to their children and that charming young men used to woo fine young women." As he looked over at Lynn, Francisco realized what he had just said. "Not that I would do anything like that of course my dear, shall we find something that you like hmm?"

Lynn shook her head, and then turned Brutus' gaze towards the most expensive gowns of the store. A wicked little smile crossed her lips as she headed over to one of the gowns. She lifted it from its hanger on the wall, and held it against her. The finely detailed silk fabric flowed over her, making her hair shine even more brightly across her face. As the fabric flowed across her fingers she turned to Francisco with her mischievous smile. "I think I will try this one on."

"Excellent, I am glad that you have found something to your liking," Francisco responded with a flash of his most dazzling smile. "Shall I help you try it on then?"

"No, I will be quite capable of trying on this dress by myself, thank you very much."

"But my love, I insist! How can I possibly force you to use your own exquisite hands for all the work of unbuttoning shirts and then having to lace up that lovely gown? Please, allow me the honour of assisting you with these well-practiced dressing and undressing hands."

"No." The tone of her voice broached no argument.

"As you wish," Francisco responded with a dejected sigh. He sat down upon a plush chair as Lynn was guided to a curtained changing room by the owner. With a sigh he turned to Jormangander, who had been grumbling to himself in another of the chairs present. "Jormangander, I do not understand this woman. She seems to be entirely uninterested in me. Am I not charming, am I not wealthy? How could any woman, especially one dressed as plainly as her possibly not be honoured by my attention and adoration? I am truly at a loss Jormangander."

The gruff northerner regarded Francisco coolly, eyes going back and forth between his young charge and the curtains hiding his most recent headache in keeping Francisco from getting himself robbed, killed, or dragged into something less than respectable. Jormangander chewed over his response for a moment. "Listen, in my opinion this woman just isn't worth it. Come up with a reason that you need to leave, and then forget about her. Find someone a little more agreeable. This one is more trouble than she is worth."

"You know Jormangander, I think your right. Thank you for the sound advice." Just then Lynn stepped out from the changing room, the dress draped over one of her arms, Brutus loping at her side.

"You know, I may have actually found some things that I like," Lynn said with a smirk as she walked over to Francisco.

"That is very good to hear, but I am afraid that I must take my leave fair lady," Francisco replied, sorrow laden heavily across his voice, almost a touch too heavily, "I have just been informed that my father is in need of my presence back at his villa, and so I will be unable to continue our charming outing. I apologize, and I hope that you shan't hold it against me. Good day to you, may we meet again one day."

With a small bow, Francisco and Jormangander left the store, heading back in the direction of the Montbert villa. Once out of earshot, Francisco turned to Jormangander with a slightly sad smile on his face. "Perhaps I should let you try and find me a good woman Jormangander, I have been less than successful this recent past unfortunately. What must one do to properly progress along this winding road that we men call love?"

Jormangander shook his head. "That isn't the kind of hunting I specialize in. You want me to lead you to a beast to kill in order to impress the ladies, that I can do with ease. Don't expect me to find you any of those delicate flower types; they break too easily once you get down to what really matters. I am a man that understands hunting, I don't care about knowing about women."


"Thank Abel, he is finally gone," Lynn sighed exhausted. She ran her hands over the fabric in her hands one final time, and then with a sigh returned it to owner.

"I do hope you found everything to your liking," the older man said as he took the gown from her, his eyes bouncing from her to her dog.

"Yes, but I am afraid that wealthy fellow has pressing business to attend to, so I will be unable to part with any of your lovely wares today."

"Next time perhaps. Please, come again young lady."

Leaving the shop Lynn was followed out by Taiko. Across the street rested Shadow, back leaning against one of the shop fronts. He had been monitoring his charges movements, but the owner of the store that had taken all of the 'condemned' merchandise from the 'mage' next door had drawn his attention. As his brown eyes smoldered, Shadow thumbed the hilt of his scimitar beneath his cloak. Movement of Taiko's large form emerging from the clothing store across from him gave Shadow an idea. "If anyone can bring this money-grubbing bastard down, that great lummox can." Readjusting his wide-brimmed hat, with a cruel grin spread across his face Shadow smoothly moved behind Taiko.

"You know, I've heard that the owner of that store over there is actually a mage. You should capture him and turn him in for the reward," Shadow rasped before merging back into the crowd.

With the vanishing of Shadow into the crowd, Taiko suddenly had a strong idea; "Ah hah, I've heard somewhere that I need to capture that man and trade him in for being a mage. But how can I possibly do that." Shadow shook his head from across the street. As Taiko looked around, he spotted Lynn, and slowly approached her. "Excuse me, I was hoping you would help me with something."

"Well, considering you helped me deal with that wealthy idiot, I suppose I could probably help you, depending what it is." Lynn responded with a smile.

"Excellent. You see, I've heard that that store owner over there is actually a magic user, and that he has been framing others jut to obtain their merchandise. What I need you to do is somehow get him to admit that he is a magic user. I'm not exactly a people person myself, but I suspect you would may be able to help with that."

There was a slight hint of anger that crossed her face, but as she looked over at the weaselly man supervising the hauling of all the cloth from the stall beside his store, Lynn's anger was focused in his direction instead. "You know what, I think that I could be able to help you with that."

"Excellent, then let us trap this man in his own lies."

Taiko gestured for Lynn to go first and then fell in behind her. As he put on his most intimidating face, Taiko and Lynn entered the clothing store owned by the weasel like man. The man's rodent like features became even more apparent as he slid over towards the two of them, and a thin smile revealing his small teeth stretched across his face.

"Greeting young lady, how may I be of assistance," The small man oily smiled as he played with the cufflinks of his suit jacket. "Would you care to try on any gowns, perhaps a glass of wine while you peruse my fine wares, if your bodyguard would allow such an offer of course. I could even fetch a soup bone for that stunning dog that you have with you."

"Thank you, but currently I wish to see what you have, and also perhaps a little information," Lynn murmured as she walk through the finely made gowns, suits, and all other manner of clothing.

"Ah, and what kind of information may I help m'lady with?"

"I was actually wondering about the man that was being hauled away from stall beside you. I have heard alarming rumors that it was because he was a mage," the shock in Lynn's voice almost sounding entirely authentic.

The storeowner had the care to feign looking distressed, "I am afraid so m'lady, I was informed of it personally."

"But, why would you be willing to take in the man's cloth if it could be tainted by magic? You could risk losing your customers, unless you knew a different truth of the matter..."

The owner's sly smile as he regarded the young lady and her hulking 'bodyguard', "Well now, aren't you a sharp one my lovely. Well, if you really must know, the man wasn't actually a mage, he was merely interfering with my business, distracting and repulsing my customers with his unfinished cloth and small, ugly stall. Even if he wasn't a mage, he deserves any punishment that he gets. It was the only sensible business thing to do. I am sure a fine young woman such as yourself must understand completely. Besides, he very well could have been a mage, so it was better to not take the chance. So, is there anything more tangible that I may help m'lady with? I have a lovely set of topaz earrings that would look lovely with your eyes."

"No thank you kind sir, not today. I shall be sure to put in a good word for you with my father however. I'm sure that I'll return in order to enjoy your wares another time." With a nod Lynn took Brutus outside, with Taiko following behind.

Once again on the street, Lynn turned to Taiko. "I don't believe that man had any special powers. Where did you hear that he did?"

"I can't remember," Taiko grumbled as a frown furrowed his features, "It's like the idea just popped into my head, although not in my usual voice. I don't know how to describe it." His armour rustled as he shrugged his massive shoulders.

"Well, the man may have been a greedy, arrogant, pandering ass, but I don't believe he was actually anything special. He just took advantage of the situation in order to profit. It's disgusting."

"The man is too weak to make his way in life doing proper and honourable work, so he uses deception to further himself. He is little better then scum, and a woman such as yourself should not let him bother you."

The smile that Lynn gave in response took the weariness from her face as she regarded Taiko. In response he turned away with a short cough, his colour reddening. "Well now, I suppose you are right. I'm done with shopping today. I think I'm just going to head back to the inn I'm staying at, maybe get some lunch. Would you care to accompany me?"

"I would be honoured," Taiko replied with a small bow, "I find your company calming."

"Flattery will get you no where, but you can keep trying all you want." With another smile Lynn took Taiko's arm and began guiding him towards Grevens Boulevard.