Snippet #1171140

Caim raised his hand to his sword's hilt as the guards converged on Osefi and Vincent moved to hold him back, whispering. "It wouldn't do to start a fight with the city guard. Let's try diplomacy first, shall we?" He patted Caim on the back as he approached the guards. Before he could speak however a stranger approached the gate and began conversing with the men, eventually securing their entry after a little quick talking. Caim and Vincent eyed the new arrival warily and Caim frowned thoughtfully.

"I think I've seen him somewhere before." He whispered, trying to place the man's face.

"Now you mention it I do recognise the name." Vincent added, stroking his beard in contemplation. "But he seems genuine enough. At the very least he hasn't attacked us yet!" He joked, nudging his armoured companion. At Jack's suggestion of a meal he threw open his arms. "I say that sounds like a fantastic idea! And I know just the place.." He waved his finger as he led the way down the wide paved avenue.

"That's what I'm worried about..." Caim sighed, following after the others.

***

On the ramparts above the city one of the guards slumped lazily against the wall, surveying the horizon with a bored expression. He raisedhis hand to stifle a yawn when a flutter of movement at the corner of his vision caught his eye. He turned his head to follow it but too slowly to catch Jade's flight over the wall. Seeing nothing the man was quick to brush off the sighting as the hallucinations of an exhausted mind. With a resigned sigh he returned to his patrol.

***

It was still early morning and the normally busy city of Northwall was oddly tranquil as merchants set out their wares along the wide streets. Vincent led the band through the tight, winding alleyways and down uneven steps that burrowed beneath the walkways and bridges of the labrynthine city. If one looked up one would see a skyline dominated by spindly and ramshackle looking towers and spires that seemed to lean over the streets precariously, threatening to collapse at the slightest wind. Many of the houses were skeletal, with rickety boards and wooden frameworks exposed to the elements. Evidently this was far from the most affluent quarter of the city.

After several wrong turns and a few heated words between Caim and Vincent the view opened out into a majestic view of the sea. The masts of vessels both large and small jutted upwards into the sky like a forest of bare trees in winter and gulls circled above, crying loudly with their shrill calls. A two storey inn that sat on the water's edge looking out over the harbour. A sign hanging over the street bore the name "The River of Beasts". Caim pressed open the door, which swung loosely on its hinges. Inside a few patrons slumped over the tables in a stupor, flaggons of stale ale still clutched in their hands from the night before. Any attempts by the serving girls to collect these mugs had been met with feral growls and much flailing by their owners. A few more sober individuals had taken to their bedrolls by the fireside for the night and a few of them stirred at the party's arrival.

"Greetings!" Came a slow drawl in smooth baritone. Behind the counter a powerfully built man with cropped grey hair and bandana was polishing glasses. He grinned at the group, revealing a set of silver teeth. The sleeves of his tunic had been rolled up to reveal heavily tattooed arms. "What can I do you for?"