Theg backed down slightly at Kinta's request, but not sitting down. He stared at Gevik with cold, hard, hateful eyes; he didn't like this man and he sorely wished to destroy him with one simple motion. Anyone looking at Theg could easily tell such a thing. But, it wasn't in the group's best interest to have this man killed. At least, not by one inside the group.

When Kinta gave the plans to split up into groups, he stepped back slightly and looked at Vera, "We go now. Find armory," he said, walking out of the tavern, not waiting for Vera, or anyone else.

Grey kept his eyes on Syhoitta, fingers tapping under the table nervously. Would I fight break out? Would they go after him if they did? No, these thoughts stopped when Vera smiled. He returned it distractedly, and looked back to Syhoitta. He hoped she would be alright...And almost broke out into relieved laughter when the bartender let her go without a real fuss. He stood, going over to her and taking her hand again, squeezing gently, hoping to get a look into those eyes so he could communicate silently again. The eyes enchanted him, how they could display and read his emotions so easily. So, when he looked into hers, he silently said, 'I'm glad you're with us'. Then, Kinta decided to split them all up, whether they liked it or not. Grey sighed in relief at being paired with Sam; he liked the elf, though his eyes were foggy with the dark-sickness.

They were getting ready to leave. He moved now or his cover was blown. Edward stood unassumingly and walked as though he was leaving, but his hand slid behind him below his cloak. The other man stood and moved near the door.
Edward positioned himself so that he could see the other man just over the plains-walkers left shoulder, about an arms length and a half from the first.

"You know, there is quite the large bounty against you plains-walker."

He pulled his pistol from his back and pointed it directly at the mans forehead. The room stopped cold, every one of the other patrons were frozen in their seats. Partly because a man had just drawn a pistol, and partly because a man had, indeed, just drawn a Pistol. They were not common weapons in either realm, only recently invented and only truly usefull if the user or the weapon had a certain level of magical ability with which to speed the reloading time and accuracy of the weapon. Some people didn't even know what a pistol did, which was an advantage because that kind of person would severly under estimate the "Stange short club".

He made a clear show of indicating the other man, trying as well as he could to inform the plains-walker of his meaning. He was taking a huge risk, all he had to do was survive for three seconds...but that was time he knew he didn't have.

Edward knew it would take the ogre about two seconds to take in the situation, deside that the nature of the weapon didn't matter (because it was, after all, a weapon none the less), make up his mind to mash Edward into jelly, and actually procced to do so. That didn't give him much time and he had to hope for the best or pray he could run faster than the ogre.

How fitting would it be if Edward, himself a wanted man who intended to help the person he was pointing a gun at, was crushed to death by an ogre? And no doubt the bounty hunter at the door would follow him quickly into the after life. Edward decided that it would not be fitting at all and, having made that decision, begain to hope beyond hope that this all worked as he needed it to...which stood about the same chance of a blind beggar becoming a rich marksman.

(PS: Link to the profile, its the last one "vers. 2" post277822.html#p277822 )

Theg hadn't fully gotten out of the door when Edward pulled out the weapon. He turned around and, without hesitation went towards the man and struck him once, attempting to knock the pistol from his grip.

Regardless of whether the gun had been knocked out of his hands, Theg didn't care. He hoisted the man up and prepared to crush the man, "Maybe I get to crush someone today after all," he said, growling, "You got ten seconds to convince me not to," he said, bringing the man close to his face.

Edward doubled over in pain and nearly dropped his pistol. Then found him self up in the air, and not returning to the ground. Things were going just about as any sain person would have expected them to. The other man at the door drew out a cross bow, already loaded, and pointed it at the ogre. "Oh for the love of..." Edward was tempted to let him shoot the ogre, but it was his own fault that he was in this situation. "Watch out, behind you!" Edward yelled.

The possiblity that the ogre would decide this was not a valid reason to spare Edwards life was not at all far from his mind, but even ogres are not immune to pain, and a cross bow was one of the weapons that could easily hurt basicly every race and creature in the known worlds. The only other problem was that the ogre could easily use Edward as a projectile and toss him at the bounty hunter. His odds were once again stacked against him.

Edward tried to move his arm but the ogres grasp was preventing him from doing so, as such the simple solution of shooting the other man was out of the question.

Theg let go of Edward and he dropped to the floor of the tavern. He turned around and confronted the man with the crossbow, he growled out the words, "You dead," before charging the man with the crossbow.

It would seem, even if the man successfully shot Theg, that it wouldn't stop him from achieving his goal. Somebody was going to die within the next minute and Theg planned for it to be the man with the crossbow as well as possibly being the man that he had only recently dropped to the floor.

For the second time in as many seconds Edward was treated to a jolt of pain. The floor, which previously had been so far away, was suddenly all to close. He scrambled to his feet, aimed, and fired. The crossbow wielding hunter crumpled to the floor. "Your welcome." Edward said, speaking to the recently departed, not the ogre.

"I am sorry for my actions, but if I had not done what I did you, or I, or both, would have been dead befor leaving this tavern. He would have killed you once you were outside and your back was turned..." Edward began to mumble, his words slured and his vision blured. Down he went.

The bar broke most of his fall but it out lived its usefulness once Edwards head smashed into it. He stumbled forward and caught himself on a barstool...He waited a moment to be sure he wasn't still falling and then turned to the ogre.

"Please don't kill me..."

Beer would be wonderfull right now. If he lived past the next few seconds he would have to indulge himself, a drink to his health, or his stupidity. A drink is a drink, either way.


(ooc::probably my last post tonight.)

Theg ignored Edward for a moment as he looked down upon the body of the bounty hunter. He then, without warning, roared at the dead man and lifted it by the neck, walking out of the tavern. Throwing the body, it hit the ground with a thud and slid. Once again, he roared at the body as it came to a resting position several yards away from the tavern.

He then turned back to Edward, not making any action except for his own heavy breathing. It took him a while to process what Edward had said. Instead of raging at the man, he turned back around and walked out of the tavern, taking a short glance at the dead body, which was gathering a crowd, as he went.

Kinta swore. Things had rapidly escalated. Fortunately, Theg had been able to sort it out, but this may take a bit of cleaning up. He motioned briefly for Syhoitta to wait for a few minutes, and went over to talk to the bounty hunter.

"You're lucky," he said coldly, "that you were on our side. Theg would have killed you otherwise, and I wouldn't have tried to stop him." He walked briefly over to the corpse, scanning it's visible skin for something that he couldn't quite define. He saw nothing suspicious, so he walked back over to the bounty hunter. "If you value your life, be careful around me. You have done nothing that I would want you dead for, so we should try to keep it that way." Without a further word, he turned on his heel and walked back to Syhoitta.

He inclined his head towards a table. "Sit down, and I'll see if I can explain things to you." He sat down himself, trying to get his thoughts in order.

"We'll start off with me," he said. "I may not look it, but I'm immensely old. Thanks to an ancient curse, I must live forever, wandering between universes. That's why I'm here. I rested here because it was close to the place that I called home for millenia. It was attacked by some kind of shadow being, and I was forced to destroy it. I suspect he survived, but there isn't anything that I can do to tell. As to my nature, I implore you to be careful. I have seen the death of millions, the destruction of countless worlds. I cannot guarantee as to my sanity anymore." At this, Kinta's eyes betrayed an immense sadness.

"As to our little... sortie, or whatever you want to call us, it's quite the group. We have no specific purpose, but most members have been put in danger in some way by my presence, so I feel it my duty to help them. At this moment, we are hiding from the Sorcerer-King of Mikea, who for some reason has a grudge against people like myself. After everyone has rested up, our next objective is to seek an audience with the Queen of the Aekim. I must inform her of the Sorcerer-King's actions. If you are left with any questions, feel free to ask them. I cannot guarantee that you'll understand my answers, however."

Everything had happened so fast. By her instincts, she had immediately retrieved a small suicide dagger from within her left boot, the thin blade pointed towards the man with the odd shaped... thing in his hand. She had no idea what it was, but it was ugly and seemed aggressive, so she didn't like it. With one hand firmly gripping the bar counter and the second extended with the blade she watched the proceedings in silence, eying both new men and Kinta and Theg, her heart racing within her breast.

She jumped visibly as the man before her seemed to magically kill the other, a loud, disturbing bang issuing from the metal object he grasped. She lowered her armed hand, only to see man begin to stumble and slam himself into the bar counter, holding desperately to a stool. Quickly she slipped the dagger back into it's place and knelt by him, suddenly he now shifted, and was obviously on their side. Confused somewhat, but charitable none-the-less, Syhoitta eased his weight onto her, and aided him in walking to a proper chair. She sat him down, a gentle hand placed on his shoulder, and moved but a table away to listen to Kinta, one eye on him, the other on the hurt man.

As she listened, her brows furrowed and her lips tightened, trying to understand the words that he spoke to her. She nodded occasionally, showing that she was taking in the information. Slowly, she grasped the loose parchment and her pencil and began to write, her hurried movements never hindering her calligraphy-like writing.

So you are an outcast, as I am? Understood, friend. If there is anything I can do to help, I would greatly like to, although I seem to be more of a hinderance to most people. You have done me a great service severing myself with this place, but I fear that if I join you... I will only bring you ill. Are you sure you wish me to follow?

She pushed the paper to Kinta before rising and slipping over to the other man. She took a seat beside him, purple orbs intense upon his visage. She carefully ran a hand across his forehead and skull, noting the nice bump where he had hit just a few moments ago. She seemed worried as she leaned forward, cautiously taking his hands to view them and make sure there were no visible broken bones within his arms or fingers. Content that the only worry would be a concussion, she prodded him to keep him awake, tossing a serious glance over at Kinta.

Kinta read the paper, and sighed. "It's your choice whether or not you follow us. If you do, I can guarantee that you will be protected to the extent that my ability allows. If you unintentionally bring us ill, we shall handle it. I set you free because you have a right to freedom." He looked again at the semi-conscious man. He thought for a moment. "I think we'll take him with us. I don't know what that other man was after, but most people that bounty hunters want to catch either are me, or are after me in some way."

"You there," he said, poking the recumbent figure. He was pretty sure he'd live, and as immoral as it seemed, it's easiest to get answers out of someone who's concussed. "Who are you? Who was that other guy? And, most importantly, why are you here?"

It had all happened too fast. Heeding Kinta’s instructions, Vera looked up at Theg, ready to part. It was in the entrance of the tavern where he heard Edward’s voice. Spinning around, Vera noticed that it was the man he noted earlier, sitting in the far corner. “Bounty hunters…great.”

Edward pulled out his weapon, pointing it directly at Kinta’s forehead. Vera pivoted backwards, preparing to fight. His hand gripped the hilt at his belt. It wasn’t until then that Vera actually examined Edward’s weapon. He had never seen anything like it. He held his grip tighter, and Theg snapped into action, taking the stranger in a grip that could crush bricks. He roared at the man, demanding an explanation. Edward had not yet given him one, when the character pulled out another strange-looking weapon. Vera knew it was a crossbow, but he had rarely seen them before joining Kinta. Now that both Kinta and Theg were in danger, Vera was more than ready to take a life in order to save one. A life was indeed taken, but it was not by the hands of an ally. The man beside Edward slumped to ground; the piercing ring from Edward’s weapon still permeating throughout the room.

Vera retracted his stance. He stood back as the next few events took place. Both Theg and Kinta were demanding information from the semi-conscious man. After no leads, Vera took a seat again, as Kinta began to explain things to Syhoitta. She scribbled away at her parchment once more. Vera thought deeply to himself once more, about what the journey would be like with Syhoitta around. He slowly stood once again and walked over to Kinta as he continued to interrogate Edward. "I’m going to follow Theg. There are some provisions I need around town." He nodded to Syhoitta and left the tavern.

She pondered the situation for the moment, her amythest orbs upon the hurt man beside her. She unconsciously had left her hand upon his forearm after she had been inspecting him. With a sudden jerk she removed it, clenching her fingers into a balled fist and placing it easily into her lap.

After Kinta had spoken she nodded slowly, motion towards him and then herself and cupping her hands together, trying to motion that she would join and stay with them. As Vera nodded in her direction she returned the movement, her glance returning to the person beside her. She prodded his shoulder gently, attempting to make sure he was still alive and hadn't drifted off.

{Sorry so short guys, it's 3:30 in the morning for me. ^_^}

Vera easily caught up with Theg who had been walking slowly so as to make sure he didn't miss anything.

Theg looked at Vera, "Why you here?" he asked, seemingly calmer than he had been just minutes before, "Why you come with us?" he looked at Vera for a short moment before continuing his inspection of the environment, trying to find someplace of use.

At the moment, he was thinking about Kolde...they could use another fighter. How much good could a group of of six or seven be when three of them couldn't fight or weren't trained to. He had no problems protecting them, he just wished they could protect themselves, at least, a little better than they really could.

Edward looked at the plains-walker, "There is a bounty on your head..." his words were still slured and he stopped to compose himself. He took a deep breath, let his mind settle.

"There is a bounty on your head. The man has gone mad. There is a bounty on my head too. Damn unlucky if you ask me." He paused and looked outside toward the body of the dead man. "He was a bounty hunter. I don't know him, which is why I came here with him...easy to travel with a man who doesn't know your wanted." Edward shook his head. "I did him a favor, shooting him. I'm sure the ogre wouldn't have been so...quick."

There was a pause. Edward pulled all his thoughts together. "Look, I've killed men of the guard...and from what I've heard you have too. We're on the same side now, I'm sorry our introduction was so unplessent, but as I said, if I had let you walk out of here some one other than him would have been dead."

He turned to the female elf who had helped him to his seat, for some reason he smiled at her. it was the kind of smile that you gave to some one you know your whole life, not the kind of smile a bounty hunter gave often.

He turned back to the plains-walker.
"Edward Bumble, at your service." Edward stuck out his hand.

She continued to eye the man, this Edward Bumble, as he spoke, her own smile growing. So he was like them, like Kinta mostly. She nodded to herself before manuevering her visage, allowing her purple gaze to befall Kinta once more and offered a simple nod again. She liked this Edward, even though he seemed a bit unconventional. She placed a hand upon the table beside her, using it to add leverage as she pushed up, placing her form into a standing position before sneaking about the barcounter and retrieving a small cloth. She slid to the sink and soaked the thick fabric in cool water, wringing it out as it grew to it's fullness, the water droplets clanking loudly upon the tin basin.

She came back to her seat, once again her boots thumping against the sturdy floor boards. Now that everything had died down she was relaxed, and glided effortlessly over to the table, her hips swaying in time with the movement of her waist length hair. She gently sat in her chair, lowering herself next to Edward. She eyed him for a moment, attempting to show that she was being friendly, and folded the cloth. She raised it high and placed it upon the growing bump on the back of his head, the cool water and pressure - hopefully - helping.

Vera slowed his pace as he approached Theg, slightly pushing his way through the busy street. He assumed people were flocking in to witness what had just happened in the tavern, and why there had been a dead body lying a few feet away from the entrance. “How’s it going, big guy?” He didn’t get a response as to Theg’s condition, but was rather answered with more questions, mainly pertaining to the reason behind Vera’s participation with the motley crew. Vera sighed a little. “Come to think of it, I really haven’t given anyone much of an explanation of myself or why I’m here. Guess you’ll be the first to know”.

He took a few seconds to collect his thoughts. “I’m…sort of like Kinta. I’m not saying I know him well, but I believe I understand what his life must be like. Kinta has been living for thousands of years. That’s kind of scary." Vera shifted a little, trying to imagine what it must be like to see as much as Kinta had; to witness the births of so many people…and then their deaths. “I, however, am mortal and only 24 years of age. Kinta is a dimensional traveler. He has abilities that had been passed down for generations on end. In this case, I also have those powers. Or at least, I used to. You know how Kinta has that mark on his back that glows when he uses his powers?” Kinta slowed his pace a little and removed his right arm entirely from his coat. Stretching from his upper arm to his neck was a very faded black marking, similar to the one Kinta had on his back.

“This is my mark. As you can see, it’s incredibly faded. Kinta as well knows that it’s not a good sign.” Vera looked up. The armory was visible a few yards away. Vera put his coat back on. “If you’d like, I’ll elaborate before we enter, or we can wait for another time.” Vera stood there, awaiting Theg’s reaction, as well as his response.

Theg stopped before entering and turned to Vera, "But, why you with us?" he asked, not totally satisfired with the response Vera had given him, "You could be," he thought a moment, "Somewhere else. But, you with us. Why?"

People walking by were staring at Theg, not used to seeing an ogre in their land. Theg had noticed this and a rage was building. He wasn't a freak; he wasn't just someone to be stared at. If they knew what he could do to them...

"I know perfectly well there is a bounty on my head," said Kinta candidly. "There usually is. Must be my tendency to do things like free slaves and whatnot." He scratched his chin. "For now, I'll just say that I won't kill you. No offence to you or anything, but I've had some baaaaad experiences with bounty hunters in the past, ones that tend to leave an indelible mark." He thought on this for a moment. "You can come with us if you really want, but it won't be very pleasant. In fact, I can guarantee that many people with sharp objects will be chasing after us ninety percent of the time. That and..." Kinta suddenly became silent. He didn't yet want to voice his suspicions.

"Anyway," he said, shaking himself out of his reverie, "can I ask you to stay with Syhoitta here for a little while? I have a feeling that I'll have to go check on Theg sometime soon. He has a good heart, but if anyone provokes him, things may get ugly." Without another word, Kinta turned on his heel and left the room. He looked around the immediate vicinity, but couldn't see anyone, so he ambled off in the direction he saw them go in.

"Oh, trust me those same people and their pointy sticks will be after me no matter." Edward said as Kitan left. He sighed and leaned back in his seat. He glanced at Syhoitta, who was still holding the cloth to the back of his head. "Imagin that, he thinks I'm a bounty hunter." He took over pressing the cloth as he stood, "Excuse me for a moment, I've promised myself a beer."

He walked the few steps to the bar, waving at the bartender with his free hand. He couldn't help but think about how soft Syhoitta's hand was dispite what she had been doing as a living. He smiled to himself, was he supposed to look after her, or was she looking after him? He took his mug and returned to the table.

"I'm not a bounty hunter, not like him." He motioned outside. "He was a bounty hunter. Worked for the highest bidder, and any one with enough money, no mater the target. I just hunted wanted men, criminals. For higher only to government and guard." He sighed as he thought about it. If he had been just a bounty hunter he wouldn't be in this mess he was in. "I've killed four men in the past three days, all working for the King." He didn't know why he admited it, but he felt like he need to. If he didn't want every one to know every thing it was still nice to have one person that trusted him. But he had only known Syhoitta for a few minutes. He was doing a lot of things he didn't do often.

He set his pistol on the table and pulled some tools out of a sachel on his belt. The weapon was strange for sure, from a distance it could even be called ugly, but it was far from ugly. The pollished barrel shown like silver, and was engraved on both ends by a skilled artist. The grip was crafted by the finest wood workers of polished oak, even the lock and triger had the flourishes of an artists touch.

Edward pulled the flint lock back and dusted it out, cleaned the barrel, and removed the cartrage. The weapon had been made exactly for him, and was unique, as was such with all guns. He had a certain level of magic ablility that had been focused into 'firecraft', the art of loading a gun without actually manually loading the componants. It cut the time down considerably, but it was still a long prossess compared to sword play. Edward had mastered it, so much so that he could load the gun while it was holstered at his back and he was fighting with his rapier. A skill perfected over counless hours of strict training.

Syhoitta eyed the weapon, it was obvious she had never seen one in her life.
Edward spun the gun so that the grip faced her, "Would you like me to show you how it works?" he asked gently, "Sans the actually fireing of course."