Snippet #1194528

Highwind listened with great interest to the mage's tale of their nightly adventure, though he kept in mind the knight's outburst at his blatant openness in regard to his profession. It was not unexpected, of course, but any person who knew of Jack Highwind's reputation knew that he was one of the few men who carried these titles all the while retaining a sense of honor. But honor did not save him from the animosity of the law and of knights, of course. However, he found that he was intrigued and even appreciative of the efforts of the brave warriors the night before. Bandits such as those killed were none that should be suffered, so different from men like himself, gentlemen of fortune who walked the road of crime, but shed blood only when their own had already been spilt.

"Aah, it sounds as if you've had quite an adventure then, Gentlemen." Jack said. "My condolensces to your dead comrades. It is a difficult life to walk the path of heroes, and one that I would not dare tread myself. It can indeed come with a heavy price. Those of us left behind owes it to our fallen comrades to honor them in deeds as well as in words." When Vincent then raised his mug of ale, Highwind raised his own mug containing water, and said: "To those of your brave comrades who fell in battle tonight. May their spirits never grow short of glory and adventure where they now walk."

He sipped his water, and then added with a frown:

"It is strange, though, that bandits would organize and work in such a manner, and excel in such fanaticism as you describe. One such as myself might organize my crew and fellow pirates, but a sky ship is far different from bandits of the land below the clouds. On a ship, be it on land or in the skies, discipline and a certain degree of military rank is a necessity. Among bandits and highwaymen, such things are commodities, and rare ones at that. Far be it from me to assume knowledge of things I have not myself witnessed, but it seems to me that these men might have tried to appear as bandits, but might be something different altogether in actuality... Which, of course, begs the question - for what purpose?"

His eyes glimmered slightly with intrigue, and he added:
"Forgive me, friends. I suffer from a great weakness, an undeniable flaw in my character; I'm a lover of many things, and mysteries are one of those." Then he changed the subject, after eating some of his food, and receiving a sudden glimmer in his eyes, as if an idea had struck him suddenly. He spoke once more, with his slight accent edging his tone as he did: "Tell me, friends, what are your intentions in this beautiful city of Northwall? If you are as it seems, adventurers and searchers of glory, travelers if you will - would it be wrong of me to assume you are destined for the harsh land of Ignir?"

He thought for a moment, then added:
"Allow me to explain, gentlemen. My skyship, the beautiful Batavian whom I love dearly, requires fuel to sail the skies. What she requires is something called tinderstone, which is excessively difficult to acquire, even for a man of my own means. Unfortunately, my supply is running low, and I will soon find myself stranded, a curse that no captain should throw at his crew needlessly. This is why I came to Northwall, for one of the most reliable sources of tinderstone lies beyond this city, in the land of Ignir. It's a cold, harsh, and unforgiving land, but I have found the people there to be honorable, though admittedly, as unforgiving as the land they walk. And so I intend to venture into these harsh lands. I will ride on my Batavian for a while yet, before leaving her safe and travel alone by foot on this ragged patch of Earth."

He held out his hands.
"I would welcome company into such a lonely and frostbitten land, and what better than fascinating and brave men such as yourselves. That is, of course, should you not be too put off by my presence." He looked around at the group, and Caim in particular, who had already expressed his dislike for the man's profession, and then his eyes fell on the al-Mayin, and he added: "Naturally, my lady, you will be welcome on-board as well - and I shall personally make certain that your journey be more comfortable than the last time you blessed the Batavian's deck with your presence."