{{Mercenaries of War}}//~One x One

[Draconis]

[shadow=red,left,300]Setting:[/shadow]

The land which this Role Play takes place is called Maralon, a beautiful place where the scenery is mighty but the people are not so for these are hard times. The center of Maralon is a large castle, surrounded by a major town called Thistles, which is rich of trade and poor folks and where the soldiers and knights take direct orders from under King Richard. About 30 miles North is a small village called Argonia, where most thugs and thieves tend to live. A little ways east of it though lies the infamous mercenary camp.

23 miles East lies a village along the coast of the Maralon sea called Bergra ,where the more peaceful and rich live, surrounded by a massive wall for protection against bandits and others that mean harm. Directly South, a good 56 miles away from Castle Maralon, lies the Elvin kingdom of Ithil or the city of the Moon. There is where both High, Wood, Dark, and many other elves come from for there are many different camps in that general area.

78 miles to the West lies a deadly mountain range called Gurth, meaning Death in Evlish. It is said that a lonesome village that protects dragons hides amongst those mountains but no one knows for none have ever returned. Before anyone reaches these mountains though, they must past through the forest of the dead.



[shadow=red,left,300]Plot:[/shadow]

The king and his first son, heir to the throne, are hiding behind their walls made of stone. The king's second son, Derek, is not, but rather living in Bregra, City of the Rich.

Saker, captain of the king's guard and leader of the mercenaries, has given a mission for any two mercenaries who want it: kill Derek, second son of King Richard. The king's first son is dying and Derek will soon be needed to take his position as heir to the throne. Many are angry about this and many have sent assassins to take Derek down. All have been unsuccessful for the king's second son is hiding somewhere in Bregra now. Some say he is hiding in the Bergra caverns, which lies along the coast of the Maralon sea. Some say he is hiding somewhere underneath the city.

So far no one has taken Saker's mission. It will be long, hard, dangerous, and painful, unlike most missions where the mercenaries' targets are lower class people. If no one takes this position and kills the king's second son, Maralon will fall into ruin from a tyrant king.

[Draconis]

[glow=blue,2,300]Name-[/glow]

Elesvar or Eles

[glow=blue,2,300]Gender-[/glow]

Female

[glow=blue,2,300]Race-[/glow]

Forest Elf

[glow=blue,2,300]Rank/Specialization-[/glow]

Quick with a bow and deadly with a knife, this elf can send an arrow or a blade down your way in a matter of seconds.

[glow=blue,2,300]Appearance-[/glow]

Elesvar is quite tall for being an elf. Her eyes are a dark and lucious green while her hair is a dark and smoothe golden-brown. Her skin is on the verge of being pale and tan. It is smooth and blemish free. Her arms are made of nothing but muscle, but there is still femininity in them.

[glow=blue,2,300]Personality-[/glow]

Elesvar is as bitter and mean as a Maralon wolverine. She could care less for other's safety or opinions. If she wants something, she will do whatever it takes to obtain it. She cares nothing for her race and despises humans, other than her mercenary brothers.

[chocoholic]

Name: Renav Luke Oslen VI; likes to be referred as “Ren”

Gender: Male

Race: Mostly human; great grandfather was a vampire who mistakenly believed that Ren’s grandmother was one of his kind as well.

Abilities: Although the vampire blood runs thin in his blood, he still has the uncanny ability to “feel” oncoming danger; call it, hyperactive intuition. He can also handle his sword, Xele, passed down for generations like a second skin.

Outward appearance: With dark brown hair that slightly covers his eyes, Ren blends in with many of the inhabitants in Maralon. The only thing that stands out against the rest of the Maralonian population, is a set of stone-gray eyes that were passed down from the bloodsucking side of the family. Physically, he is on the lean side with considerably developed muscles; he has to keep himself agile for night missions and quick escapes. Ren looks to be about 26 years old, though he’s actually lived quite longer – he doesn’t know when his actual birth took place; his parents, minor nobles in the city of Bergra, were assassinated once he was born.

Personality: Mostly bitter with revenge for whoever ordered the death of his parents; he’s vowed to kill anyone involved in the murder. Otherwise, he keeps a good-humored façade for people he comes across; some would say that he’s sarcastic and taunting with his smiles. Also, Ren lives for ease. If anything seems to add to his inconvenience, he tends to get annoyed and use his sword as a reflex.

[Draconis]

Enatimay Dons Var

The gates to the mercenary camp opened slowly, pricking at the Elvin maiden's irritation. It took at least five blasting minutes for the gates to fully open, only so then she could be checked by some grimy human if she really is a mercenary. Walking to a small pond only a few feet away, the elf crouched down and stared at her reflection in the water.

She appeared young, like a sixteen year old human. She was actually twenty-seven but she could care less. The elf's face was slim and blemish-free. Her eyes were like almonds, the pupils a luscious green with a hint of blue. Her ears were long, three-quarters of a foot in length. A gold, silver, and copper earring were pierced at the top of her right ear, while on her left where six different stub earrings; two silver, three gold, and one copper. Her golden brown hair was pulled back into a braided ponytail...that reached down to her waist. Her bangs were fringed, almost like they were outlining her face.

Stretching her neck, the elf saw the few scars of many that she had obtained from the many years of being a mercenary. The elf then stood up, once again staring at her reflection. She was wearing what seemed to be a bar maiden's outfit: The fabric around her waist was black, the symbol of a mercenary printed upon it like a blood stain. The fabric over her arms and breasts was white mixed with many blood stains. Under the skirt was a black fabric made from sheep skin. A golden amulet with a red ruby in the center hung around her neck, given to her by a long lost friend.

On the elf's arms where black gauntlets, then over arm protectors that were a deep dark brown. The wind blew for a brief moment and the pitch black cloak on her back flew along with it. The doors were now open and with that the Elvin maiden began to walk towards it. She had a recurve bow hung over her back, made from the deadly oak wood from the Forest of the Dead. A quiver hung over her shoulder, carrying thirty arrows...or thirty lives as some would say.

A long sword as well was sheathed across her back. IT was nothing special, just the occasional knights' steel blade. On her waist was a belt, and tucked in it where six throwing knives, one sax knife, and two silverite daggers. Her boots, black and made from a large animal's hide and fur, held two daggers and three throwing knives as well.

As she approached the entrance to the camp, a man about forty years old stepped out in front of her. "Well I'll be...it' be a dirty lil' elf wench! What be yer name sweetheart?" Flinching at this, the elf quickly grabbed a dagger and put it to the man's throat. "Elesvar. I am Elesvar and I have come to take Saker's deadly mission." And with no response, Elesvar pushed past the man and walked into the mercenary camp.

[chocoholic]

Annoyed. Yes, that was the word. Ren was completely, and thoroughly annoyed. He walked across the muddied grounds of the camp, frowning the entire way. Saker was the lucky man who would taste Ren’s anger; what in the bloody name did the so-called captain knight want with him? He ran a hand through his hair with agitation and was just about to curse the day a woman gave birth to the bastard when he sighted a peculiar woman use a weapon of some sort to silence one of the dirty guards to his grave.

Ren stopped dead in his tracks. It was common knowledge that mercenaries of all types were killed during combat practice and “accidently” hurt in the eating quarters. However, no one dared to touch one of Saker’s men. That was, to one extent, challenging the knight superior himself. He glanced in her direction and narrowed his eyes to focus a bit more. A good sixty meters away, she was now heading towards Saker’s tent with its glorious banner flapping in the wind.

A smile escaped Ren as he pondered why a female – no less an elven female – had business with the knight. Perhaps she was his wench? Or perhaps a client? No matter, he would find out exactly why the girl was there. He then walked briskly towards the tent and opened the entrance flap, a slight smile fixed on his lips.

[Draconis]

Elasvar drew one of her silverite daggers as the sound of someone's footsteps from behind brought her to attention. The dagger was at Ren's neck, her green eyes hard and cold. "What the hell do you want?" She cared not how people thought of her or how she treated other people. Saker came up to Elasver and lowered her weapon. Irritated, the elf turned around, her attention back on Saker. "As I was saying, I am interested in your "assignment". I believe I can find the scrawny little bastard, and slice his throat at that. All I need is money for the trip, supplies, a horse, and some more arrows."

Saker would usually kill someone for speaking to him like that...but the female surprised him with the attitude. A quick nod was all he gave her until his gaze was on Ren. "Now what the blazes do you want?" While waiting for an answer, the mercenary leader grabbed a cigar and put it in his mouth.


^
Saker

[chocoholic]

Before Ren could answer the rough knight, he glared at Elesvar’s form and a deep frown covered his face. While keeping his gaze on her, he replied, “I apologize if I’m intruding Saker; obviously, you’ve forgotten that you dispatched one of your minions to fetch me. I’m guessing,” here he paused to look back to the older man smoking the cigar, “that you wanted me to get rid of a thorn somewhere in the way of the parliament’s plans?”

Saker returned Ren’s steady gaze and finally smiled; a menacing one that stretched the scar on the side of his face. “Oh yes, actually, excellent time Renav. I initially wanted you to chase down Derek once and for all,” the brutish man took the cigar and inhaled deeply once more before continuing, “but this young lady has offered to do just that.” He pointed to Elesvar with a nod of his head.

Ren raised an eyebrow and responded, “Don’t tell me that you’re going to replace one of your best mercenaries with this little girl, no less?” With a slight mocking smile, he crossed his arms.

A low chuckle ground out from Saker as he added, “Always the charmer with the ladies, aren’t you? Don’t get your horses all worked up,” here he glanced at Elesvar, “I want to make sure that there is no chance of Derek and all other witnesses escaping this time. BOTH of you will go.”

Ren’s smile dropped immediately as he straightened. “What the devil are you talking about, old man?” he nearly shouted. He never worked with anyone – it worked out better when he worked alone – and now Saker wanted him to go with this…whatever she was? She’d be a drop weight on his mission.

[Draconis]

The minute Ren referred to her as a "little girl", her hand was full of throwing knives. It was only a flash of movement, even surprising her at the moment. "Talk about me like that again you grimy bastard and I'll throw one of these into your pea-sized brain." Still looking at Ren, she began to speak back to Saker. "I do not like working with others. I prefer to work alone, but if it is to be then so be it." She lowered the throwing knives, placing them back in her belt.

"Don't whine about it little man. He is your leader and you should do as he says or I bet you he would be tempted to cut your grimy little head off." With this she chuckled slightly, turning back to Saker. "As I said I will need supplies."

Grinning, Saker pointed out of the tent. "I can give you the coin, but you'll have to ask all the other lads for their equipment. It is up to them whether or not you get your supplies." With this he tossed a bag of gold to Elesvar.

"Very well then Saker." Gracefully the elf maiden began to walk out of the tent, tapping Ren lightly on the shoulder. "Come on then, or do I have to baby you and drag you of of this tent?" Not checking to see if he answered Elesvar continued out of the tent.

[chocoholic]

After Elesvar’s little outburst, Ren merely smiled. He knew he’d poked at her nerves. He glanced at Saker with a knowing quirk of the eyebrow that expressed, ‘women: love ‘em, or hate ‘em, can’t live without ‘em.’ He then briskly asked, “Where exactly do you expect us to find the missing prince? He obviously went into hiding for a reason…like not wanting to be found and coerced into doing something. What does the government plan to do aftwards?”

Saker’s smile disappeared and gruffly replied, “That is none of your concern at the moment. The parliament will decide how to handle the business in due time. Just get your part of the job done, then we’ll take care of the rest.” He nodded, indicating that their conversation was over. Ren turned without further comment and walked out into the gray morning, anticipating a long journey. A sigh escaped his lips and he surveyed the area; where was the elven girl? Ele-, Elin, Eles-something?

[Draconis]

Elesvar was already out asking the other mercenary men for supplies. IT was rather simple, how she did it. She would walk up to one of the mercenary men gracefully, bashing her eyelashes in a flirtatious way. It was easy for her to seduce normal men. It took only the bashing of her eyelashes to grab the mercenaries to full attention. The elvin maiden was already walking back towards Ren with two horses and a pack mule with the supplies needed till they got to the next town.

"Well it seems you don't have to worry about supplies. I'm sure you had your own but...this way if something gets broken or stolen, it won't be something of yours to worry about." There was sarcasm in her tone as she said this. Elesvar offered him the reigns of a brown quarter/draft horse mix while she would keep the Arabian/draft horse mix.

[chocoholic]

Without meaning to, a laugh escaped Ren’s mouth. The girl had spirit, obviously, but could she hold up her head during a quick escape from a near death? He’d just have to wait and see. He took the reins that Elesvar held up, and quickly mounted the horse. He shifted his weight so the horse could accommodate its rider and spoke up. “Well, I’m on a whim here, but Derek is most likely at Bergra, hidden by an old advisor,” he nudged the horse forward and expected Elesvar to follow before adding, “We can try to cut through the Thug Jungle, though, I highly doubt that we’d come through without any mishap.”

As he led them to the gates, he nodded at the gatekeeper who waited at the top. The gates slowly started open, and before Elesvar could answer to the previous comment, he added, “I know we haven’t been formally introduced. People call me Ren, and we might as well be civil to each other…since we’re stuck in this arrangement for now.” He then finally looked at the Elven maiden straight in the eyes; as he did so, a cloud cleared from the sun and before Ren could cover his eyes to protect himself, the light had reflected off of his silvery eyes.

[Draconis]

Before any response could escape the elvin maiden's mouth, she noted the grey eyes. "You...you are not fully human are you? Do not take me for a fool....never have I seen someone with grey eyes..being fully human I mean." She had mounted onto her horse as well and was padding next to Ren at the same pace. "I am Elesvar, or to make it simple for comrades, Eles. I believe that we should find out more about the "prince" himself. Argonia is filled with thieves and thugs, but it is also filled with gossip."

The elf looked to the sky for a brief moment, not knowing why she did so. Her head shook as she brought her green gaze back down, only to stare at a group of mercenaries who were heading back to camp. Some of them winked at her while others made strange gestures with their hands and lips. On the verge of shooting them, Elesvar ignored them. "God damn...there are so many advantages to being female, yet there are more disadvantages than advantages."

[chocoholic]

Ren didn’t know how Eles would respond to his admitting that he could potentially be a danger to her and the rest of the living population. He just merely commented, “perhaps not completely human…but who is, these days?” with a wry smile.

He then watched the exchange of Eles and the other men with annoyance; he surprised himself at the knowledge of admitting he was indeed feeling out of sorts, watching Eles getting treated thus. When Eles had her eyes to the road again, Ren caught the gaze of one of the men who’d taunted her and gave him a chilling look that only a non-human could convey. The man who was smirking with his companions a second ago stopped dead in his tracks and the air rushed out of his lungs.

Satisfied that the man would be haunted while he slept that night, Ren continued with his horse. “Excellent idea; I suppose there really is no other way to reach the prince.” He then added, “ I do believe that we should try to form false identities once we arrive in town. We don’t want anyone to link our names to Saker; although I despise his position, he is my mentor.”

[Draconis]

A quick smirked form over Elesvar's mouth. "I'll find you what else you are one day. Sometime, when you won't expect it, I'll just use my womanly charms to get it out of you." She was being both serious and humorous about this. "Anyways, what shall our new identities be then? We might as well get used to calling each other different names." Trees began to appear over the two mercenary's heads as they slowly descended into Thug's Jungle.

"Are you reluctant on telling on some of your past then? This may sound like an excuse, but to me it is a reasonable one: we are both mercenaries, working together on the same mission that could last for many years, if not more than that."Pausing a sudden itch overcame on her left ear, scratching where a copper stud earring was placed. It was always that same spot, when it came to ear infections. She got them often, but just because of that did not mean she was used to them.

[chocoholic]

Once again, Ren let out a laugh; “womanly charms, huh? Perhaps you’ll fall for mine first,” he warned with good humor. He then added, “Since we’re travelling alone, we better call ourselves married to anyone who asks. No one of respectable background would allow a woman to travel by herself with a man she wasn’t married to.” His lips lifted on one side in a smile. “Perhaps a Mr. and Mrs. Sinclair?” he offered before saying, “and we shall say that you and I are currently travelling on our honeymoon – why else would a couple be travelling at all?”

As the road became darker from the trees’ shadows, Ren felt another presence with them. It was different than an animal; he could differentiate quite easily since he’d often had to resort to praying on them while journeying for long periods of time. He gently lifted Xele, the sword like a limb to him, and quickly set his gaze all around them.

Behind a wild bush, a man in a drunken stupor hiccupped his way into the road. Relieved, Ren placed his sword back in its sheathe and demanded, “You there, what do you think you are doing?” He pulled on his reins and waited for the man’s answer.

The man, who had curly reddish brown hair and looked quite young, replied, “Ho! What’s this? I be…I be… the great king of the netherworld!” He was dressed in simple wear composed of dirty trousers, leather boots, woolen shirt, and a dingy vest made of some form of embroidery.

Ren grimaced and with a slight annoyance said, “Sir, you’re in the way of an official. Make way or we’ll have to remove you.” The red haired man smiled slightly and with a different spark to his eyes declared, “Aye, try then. I dare say that even you couldn’t budge me, old McGillan!” Obviously, the man meant no harm. Ren glanced at Eles to see what she thought of all this.

"Should we drag him with us to town and dump him in one of the inns? It seems a shame to just leave him here," Ren offered.