The Bounty(Jun)

Misty rain fell slowly, begining to subside as a tall form, black hooded cloak pulled up over her face, stepped into the smokey interior of a quiet tavern in a small village north of Oleas. No one looked her way as she found a quiet booth in the corner, sitting down. Gwyn couldn't recall how long it had been since she'd stepped out alone, without her band of mercenaries at her back, and simply hunted a bounty on her own. She knew she was far too important for a simple little job like this, but sometimes simple was good. With her men working on orders passed down from the Nyberrite alliance, she had found herself simply sitting In Karem, with nothing to do.

So Gwyn had decided to take on a little side project. Something easy, but with the numbers not in her favor, hopefully something fun. Gwyn had tracked, by means of various contacts, her target and his small gang of thieves to this little village. Several Karem soldiers, who had made the mistake of robbing from the city's coffers before slipping off to the south where they were supposedly safe from Nyberrite justice. Only, they hadn't counted on the Nyberrite alliance placing a bounty on their heads. There were probably more people than just Gwyn hunting these particular idiots. Not long after sitting down simple little barmaid approached and asked if she wanted anything. She ordered an ale but hadn't touched it, and half an hour passed before they came in, causing a raucous that wouldn't be missed. Loud and obnoxious, she knew exactly how this would go. She'd dealt with men like them in the past, but of course she couldn't be sure it was them so she needed to do a little recon work.

From her spot in the corner, Gwyn reached towards her power, and pulled forth a spirit. She'd never understood where the things came from, just that they did when she ordered it. She sent the spirit across the tavern, an invisible thing that slipped into the barmaids mind as she crossed the floor carrying a tray of drinks for the men, and took control of her. Gwyn was hit with a moment of disorientation as she gained a second set of eyes and ears, before quickly overcoming the bizzarness of it. She'd puked the first time she'd done this, but that was a long time ago. Gwyn sent her new puppet forth, and began asking simple questions over the course of half an hour, as they ordered more and more to drink. She was fairly certain from what they'd let slip in their intoxication that they were the ones. Still she waited a little longer.

With her scouting done, Gwyn stood up and picked up her ale, leaving her spear resting in the booth. She walked over, pulling back her hood to reveal blonde hair, and looked down at the men. The hilt of her longsword poked out of the cloak that concealed most of her medium armor, and her mailbreaker was secured beside it. "Good evening gentlemen." She said, looking around between them. She noted the quiet one who'd kept his hood up with a quick glance. She didn't remember him responding to her barmaids questions. Didn't look as ragged as the others, so maybe he was fresh. "Wha'dya want, lass?" One of the men slurred. "Drinking alone's not my thing. Mind if I join you?" She asked. Another chuckled. "Yeah, course ya can. C'mere, sit on my knee." He said, slapping his lap. Gwyn laughed and sat on a stool next to him.

"Sorry, I'm not really built for sitting in laps. Wouldn't want to hurt you." She said. He snorted and waved her away. "Suit y'self." She took a swig of her ale. Tasted like piss. She tried not to grimace. "You boys are celebrating I see. How about I buy you a round?" She asked, and they cheered unanimously. She waved over the barmaid, who was still in her control. "Another round, and crack open the good stuff." She said, pushing the ale towards the woman. "It's shit. Any special requests? I've got plenty of coin." She said to lay out a bit of bait before looking between the men, eyes lingering on the hooded one. She smiled, genuinely friendly for now.

Gwyn watched, a pleasant smile on her face, as the quiet one stood up and took off his cloak, revealing red hair and glowing amber eyes. She figured out what he was in a second, and oh did things just get more exciting. He watched her as he sat back down, and asked for food and she nodded in agreement. ”Sounds like a feast.”
She said, and nodded to the barmaid. ”You heard the man.” Gwyn looked back to him slowly, smile widening as the men poked fun at him for his taste in food. They sidetracked, talking about their own tastes in food. Gwyn listened, but her mind was focused on the Asentari. He was good looking, maybe a bit young, it was hard to tell with people who lived 3 times longer than her. He didn’t look like a common thug. Maybe these men were smart enough to hire muscle after what they pulled?

Well, that just meant they made things more fun for her. She’d never fought an asentari. She missed the action in Karcenak a few weeks back, though Lina Hargrave had supplied her with a list of names, since after the fight her pet undari had gone missing, and one of those people knew something about it. There were six people, six descriptions, four of them asentari, along with one of their Wyverns, but only four names. Two were never identified, but one of them could use fire. There had been a monster of a fireworks show at the end.

Gwyn doubted she’d run into one of those asentari, it was too coincidental… But still. She realised one of the men was asking her about her eating habits. She laughed. ”I tried heart, once. Heanta delicacy. I thought it was a bit chewy, really. Its a very overworked muscle. Maybe heanta are just more suited to eating humans.” Gwyn said. The men went still around her and She started to stand. ”Gentlemen, its been a wonderful evening. I really appreciate you letting me join you, but now it’s time to go.” She said. ”Novaris is waiting for you.” In a swift motion, Gwyn kicked the table towards the Asentari, before punching the man beside her in the throat as he tried to stand.

The other men surged up drunk off their faces but still capable of figuring out when they were under threat. One of the men pulled a dagger and stabbed at her, the blade hit her chestplate and turned, catching under her pauldron. She grabbed his wrist with one hand and pulled Breaker, driving it between his ribs. ”Alive is better. Dead is easier.” She said, looking at the other men as she let the man go and he toppled, trying to stop the bleeding. Her warning went unheaded, and the nearest man lunged at her, sword swinging. She stepped in to the blow, reducing the power of the strike. It hit her side, clashing with chainmail, and she trapped the weapon under her arm before grabbing him by the throat.

Lifting him off his feet, she turned and slammed him into the last man as he charged, bringing them both hard to the floor with a crash. Standing, she looked towards the Asentari, a glint of ferocity in her eyes. ”Erolath’s balls, That was fun. So, bodyguard, right? You can step back and let me drag these sorry fools in, or you can fight me. Maybe you’ll win, and they’ll get to keep on being worthless. Except that one, he’s fucked. Poor thing, I don’t think he knows it yet.” She said, gesturing to the one she’d stabbed. He was coughing up blood, trying to crawl away. Gwyn pulled off her cloak, revealing her armor, in anticipation of a real fight.

Gwyn watched the Asentari’s reaction to her little reveal. He didn’t look happy, but before responding, he quickly took the head off the dying man and bagged it up. Gwyn was mildly surprised by this, as it suggested he wasn’t a bodyguard, but said nothing as he cleared up with the barkeeper, who was very sternly staring at them, but to afraid to tell them to leave. Gwyn looked back at Kronos, her perpetually arrogant smile in place as he answered her. ”Bounty hunter, that does make more sense. Doesn’t make sense, an Asentari working for the lowest of human filth.” Gwyn said. He went on, giving her their options. They could fight, or split the bounty. Gwyn had no use for the bounty, she was bored out of her mind, not here for money, so splitting wasn’t a problem. But no, she wanted to see what he could do in a fight.

The man suggested they fight outside, and Gwyn nodded. ”Outside it is.” She said as he prepared to fight. Gwyn looked at the men around the room. ”Tie up these men, and anything in their pockets are yours to keep. No questions asked.” She said as she turned to retrieve her spear and a spool of rope from her bag and tossed it next to the men. She didn’t bother looking to see if anyone moved as she headed for the door, knowing their greed would get the better of them, and the patrons would do as asked. She stopped to look at the Asentari, making sure he didn’t try to take anymore heads and run out the back on her.

When they were both in the street, she stopped a good ten feet from him, and examined him closely. He carried a shield, and a short curved sword. She had him beat on range, but that shield would be a pain. ”You should introduce yourself to a lady, its only proper. Besides, I’d like to here it before I knock all your pretty teeth out.” Gwyn said. She waited to see if he would, before introducing herself. ”You can call me Gwyn.” She said. With introductions, or not, out of the way she took a step forward and lunged a few feet before aiming a one handed thrust of her spear towards The Asentari’s sword bearing shoulder, before pulling the spear back and sweeping the weapon at his feet to trip him.

Gwyn just shook her head. Filth was filth. The man gave his name, Kronos, and a snarky grin. Oh, he was either going to be a pushover, or this was actually going to be fun. "Kronos. Good name." He mentioned a rival, but Gwyn didn't comment, instead attacking and watching how he retaliated. As she attacked, he took a two handed stance and extended his sword, to her surprise. "Someone's getting excited." She said as he parried her initial thrust and leapt over her sweep. He retaliated with a slash towards her face and Gwyn was forced to throw her forearm up at an angle, using her vambrace to deflect the blade up, and nearly lost her knuckles as the blade went over her head. She should have brought her helmet.

Kronos stalked towards her, and Gwyn grinned. She moved forward too, aiming a double thrust towards his chest and shoulder before grabbing the back half of the spear and bringing it around, attempting to crack him in the knee with the counterbalance. She stepped in after, quickly drawing Breaker and aimed another stab, attempting to get the blade between his ribs as she had the man inside, only this time she angled it so that it would likely miss his lung if it hit. Gwyn finished off with with a spin, couching the spear shaft under her arm, and sweeping it towards him in heavy blow aimed to knock him away. Gwyn stepped back, but didn't give up more than a few feet of ground as she waited for him to retaliate.

The asentari used that annoying shield to black her spear thrusts, and then kicked the end of the weapon down and trapped it with his foot, before parrying her dagger with his shield and leaving her Relatively open. Gwyn twisted as he stabbed so the blade hit her abdomen at an angle. It bit the leather, but the chainmail shirt beneath turned it away and she used her defensive twist to spin around and swing the pommel of the dagger at Kronos' face. The follow up with her spear send him sliding back, and as she reversed she was happy to see him give chase. He came in with an overhead swing which Gwyn swung into with Gea Bolg, using her other hand to brace the shaft. She stepped into the diagonal swing before Kronos could get proper power behind it, letting the blade collide with the steel of her tasset which dampened the blow, and followed up with a backhanded pommel strike from her dagger which she aimed at his gut while ignoring the punch from Kronos' shield as it hit her midriff. She didn't really feel it or react, between her pain resistance and the Armor, though blunt strikes were probably more useful against her armor in general.

Gwyn grinned as Kronos pulled his shield back after the blow, and immediately went on the attack, using breaker to knock the shield aside and perform a quick thrust with her spear, aiming for his outer thigh, swinging the weapon in as she pulled back, trying to use hooks on the spearhead to rip at his leg from behind. She backed off, covering her retreat with a spear thrust and sheathed breaker to get a proper two handed grip on her spear. "Not bad, keep it up and you might impress me." She said. Gwyn took a high stance two handed stance with her spear and went back into the attack, drilling a trio of thrusts directly at his shield, attempting to batter his joints with the shock of rapid heavy hits, and potentially create an opening that she could capitalise on later.

Both of them took a good thump, and as he avoided the thrust to his leg he pulled off a quick slash at her hand. She slid it back on the spear and out of the blades way, but threw off her follow up attack and he avoided it. He slashed at her neck as she stepped back, and she threw up her shoulder while dropping her head to the side, the blade hit the steel of her pauldron and bounced up. It was still probably a bruise, but she was saved from a proper wound. Gwyn's reverse thrust was easily dealt with. When she was done speaking, he gave her a dark grin. Gwyn wasn't sure what that meant, until she seen his throat glowing, and she remembered what Asentari were capable of.

"Crazy bastard." She said. She was too slow to avoid it, or more to the point, she reacted to late to avoid it, and even if she moved the flames would catch her. She did manage to throw up her spirit armor, surrounding herself in a barrier of magic that effectively increased her armor to heavy, before she was hit by cone of fire. She threw her arms up to guard her face and braced herself as the flames smashed into her with enouh force to send her sliding backwards. She managed to keep her footing and not end up on her ass like a complete fool. As the flames disipated her spirit armor glowed with a red hue. She wasn't on fire, but she'd felt that.

"Fuck." She said, lowering her arms. Her vambraces were blackened by the flames, and slighty hot to the touch. Her spirit armor had probably saved her the worst of it, but she'd still felt a considerable punch. An unprotected direct hit would melt a regular person. And all asentari could do that. No wonder Mondolin wes so fucking scared of them. Gwyn imagined what she could do with a small force of them. Kronos asked her what she was really after, dragging her attention back to him. "Honestly, I don't give a shit about the bounty." She said. "And the fight, this is just for fun. I've never faced an Asentari. Seen em, heard what they can do, but never got to experience that first hand, until now." She said. "And fuck, am I impressed."

She laughed as he asked why that was important. "I'm not going to kill you. I probably wouldn't have even if you didn't manage to. The guy inside just got unlucky, I don't usually make a habit of killing people unless I really have to. I find them more useful alive." She said. She had planted the butt of her spear firmly on the ground. "I have an offer for you, Kronos. Something that pays better than hunting bounties for the Alliance. Have a drink with me, listen to what I have to say and if your not interested, You can take the bounty and go." She gave him a minute to decide.

"It would take allot more to put me down." She said. Her abilities were handy, but most were useless in single combat. Gwyn just nodded. "Is that all you've got, or are you packing more power? You don't need to specify." Gwyn wondered. She nodded when he mentioned the bounty. "They're already tied up, no point letting it go to waste." She said, following him inside. The men were indeed tied up, as expected. No one in this little village was going to give up free coin, especially in the cause of helping out those with authority. Kronos ordered ale, and She went for a fine wine, which was mediocre at best. She was surprised the dump had any at all. "Better. Order some food if you want, I did ruin your meal." She said, sitting down at her original booth, placing the spear into the corner, and removed Caliburn, her ornate family sword from her belt so she could sit more comfortably.

Gwyn considered how much to tell Kronos about who she was. It wasn't that she didn't trust him, she didn't really trust anyone except her inner circle. "I work for a mercenary company led by the Black Lion." He might have heard the name, though he wouldn't likely know it was her. She was the real Black Lion, but Gareth was the one anyone who'd heard of them would associate with the title. After too many run ins with the knights of Mondolin, she'd decided it was best to keep her face out of things. "You might know the name, but not the company. We like to avoid the notoriety of the Dying suns." Who were very much dead. "I have the autority to recruit new soldiers, though depending on the full extent of your skills you could probably become a captain, or given time, part of the Black Lion's inner circle." She didn't intend on lying to Kronos though, once he'd proved himself she'd give him the truth about who she really was. Everything else though, the captain's position and the perks that came with it, that was true.

"Currently we're on contract with the Nyberrite alliance. We don't take part in their slaver business, that's Red Fang territory." She said Red Fang with disdain. She didn't like the filth, even if her Inner Circle was out there training them to be proper fighters, for what was coming. The only one she liked was Lina Hargrave, who was well on her way to a real position in the Alliance. A good friend to have. "We do work with the Red Fang. The Alliance want's them better trained, which is part of the contract with them. They want to turn the red Fang into a real force. They're planning something big, and it's going to be exciting."

Kronos seemed interested, so much so that he decided to be fair with her, and share his past. He had been part of the dying suns once, which she nodded in response to. She had also joined up for a time, but she wasn't one for following orders. She wanted to be in control. And he'd been at Karcenak, where he'd admitted to helping out the slaves and assassins. Gwyn snorted. ”So you are the unknown fire Asentari on my list. Well, I don't blame you for helping, slavery isn't my cup of tea either. People are more than willing to do what you want, with a little coin thrown their way." She looked towards the tied up goons pointedly. ”Don't suppose you'd be willing to give me the name of the floaty one who called in a dragon?" She asked. He mentioned showing up late, and not seeing the Undari Hargrave was intent on getting back, and that Kairi Thorne was likely the one to know. ”I doubt Lina Hargrave would care whether you seen her Undari or not, she'd want you. But they don't have a name for you, or a proper description other than fire breathing so who's to say you were really ever there, and you've just confirmed Kairi Thorne was the last one to see her." Gwyn said. If Kronos was as good a find as she believed, there was no way she'd be handing him over to Lina.

She let him go on, and he told her about his training, and how he'd been relegated to the sidelines during the first contact war, which pissed him off, and the outcome, which had also pissed him off. It was why he had turned on his poeple. She nodded with understanding, and decided it was safe to share a little of her own history. "I was a Knight of Mondolin, back before the war. They kicked me out because I was too violent, as if its not the job of a soldier to kick the shit out of people. I left Mondolin not long after that, and only went back once." To say sorry and beg for forgiveness, which was not given. A whole lot of things could have been avoided, if her father had just accepted he back. Kronos didn't mind working his way up, but also mentioned how he was resourceful enough to take what was given to him and put it to use. She nodded at that.

He gave his honest opinion on the Red Fang. Gwyn nodded in agreement. ”With the right motivation and training, you'd be surprised. Knowing what makes a man or woman tick, is the key to getting the best out of them. But I agree, most of them are ill equipped rabble. I just need to get them into a semblance of fighting shape, to back up the real fighters. The ones who show promise. The ones who get promoted and moved to our advanced training camp. We've got a decent force so far, which is likely where I'll bring you. Not to join them, you'll be part of Wendra's force over seeing them. She's a good woman, you'll like her.” Gwyn said. Kronos mentioned a probation period, and she nodded. "We're both traitors to our people, and that means something. As for the other stuff, well, what Lina never finds out can't hurt her. I don't think she'd risk pissing The Black Lion off over it, anyway. So no, I don't mind you're history. And yeah, that sounds fair. I can stick around the Advanced Training camp for a few days until you're settled in, Wendra wont mind, and I've nothing else to do at the moment." Gwyn needed to check in on the Camp anyway, and Wendra wouldn't say a word about her being the real Black Lion.

Gwyn listened as Kronos explained the difference between a Wyvern and a dragon, following it up with two very interesting pieces of information. Gwyn nodded as he told her about Octavia, a member of the oculi and likely going places, before also mentioning that his Rival had helped secure Hargrave's rule over Karcenak. "Really? As in your rival, Rex?" Gwyn snorted a laugh. "So she planned the former Ruler's downfall. She never spoke a word of it to me, but that explains how she had so many of your groups names on her list." Gwyn shook her head, laughing again. It was amusing, but she would also need to keep an eye on that woman, she was far more tricky than Gwyn expected. Though she probably should have expected it. "She does have an eye for talent mind you, and she'd probably change her mind about killing you once she's seen what you can do, but I wouldn't like to be one of her Pups. There's a reason her Undari didn't come back, and I doubt it's all down to Pain in your ass Thorne and her group." She said. If the thing was still alive.

She could she Kronos liked what he was hearing, and she responded in kind when he raised his glass. "Likewise." Gwyn replied. "How about we get shitfaced and head off in the morning, these pigs aren't going anywhere." She offered, downing her wine and pouring another glass.

Gwyn woke up the next morning with a pounding headache, and some fond memories. Also some vaguer ones of her completely off her face, ranting to Kronos about her parents and how they'd deserved what they got. Kronos didn't say anything about it the next morning, so he probably didn't remember much, though he didn't seem like the kind of guy who'd give a fuck about patricide. Once they'd recovered enough to function, and got the thugs in a wagon, they headed off and turned in the bounty. A pack of bandits tried to rob them, causing Gwyn to laugh so she broke their moral before they worked up the courage to attack. She let Kronos deal with them, watching her newest recruit fight. She'd hit the jackpot with this kid, and once he proved trustworthy, she'd probably want him working on something better than what she'd said earlier. First she'd let Wendra put him through his paces first, and see what she thought about it.

They arrived at the camp, and the guards let her pass without a word. They knew she was important, but like almost everyone in this camp barring Wendra, they didn't know she was their real leader. They still showed her the respect she deserved, and watched Kronos with interest. She ignored them and made her way though the camp to a large tent, walking right in. Wendra was in a large bed, a pair of redheads sleeping beside her, one male and one female. Gwyn raised an eyebrow. "Looks like you had a fun night." She said, and Wendra's eyes snapped open. "Fuck Gwyn, don't you knock?" She said, sitting up. "Its a tent, there's no door." Gwyn replied. She got up and threw on a robe, her eyes locking on to Kronos. "Hey, you brought me a cute one. You shouldn't have." She said as she approached. Gwyn held up a hand. "Ah ah, Wendra, he's a recruit, and a good one. More useful than those two sleeping beauties." Wendra pouted and looked at Kronos. "I'd beg to differ, but doesn't he get a say?"

"Ignore her, Kronos. She's a maneater." Gwyn said. "And womaneater. And Gwyn's just a prude." Gwyn gave her a serious look, and Wendra straightened. "Fine. So, new recruit." She asked, taking a step closer. She sniffed the air. "You don't smell human." She added, looking at Kronos. "I assume you impressed her ladyship, or you wouldn't be in my tent. You have a soldiers bearing. Strong form.. What army did you fight with, and why did you leave?" Wendra asked, Gwyn let him answer, and tell Wendra as much as he wanted.

Gwyn let Kronos explain himself, and Wendra watch him intently and nodded when he was finished. "An asentari. Now I see what got Gwyn interested. Let me guess, you're a fire breather? I can smell it on you, like brimstone." Wendra said. "Wendra's half Eldross. She's got a crazy sense of smell, and likes to unnerve the newbies by sniffing at them." Gwyn explained. "I was keeping that a secret." She grumbled. "Yeah, yeah." She replied. Wendra's focus went back to Kronos, and nodded along to his story. "Hmm, Thassa. We had a bad run in long time ago, I wouldn't say I'm happy to know she's dead though." Wendra said. "And If she bothered to save you, then you must have potential." Wendra added. Kronos went on, talking about the slave trade and how he didn't like that kind of thing. "Agreed." She said. "Fortunately the black Lion grew up in a civilised part of the continent, so its not part of our agenda." Gwyn grinned. Civilised, right. Not what she would call Mondolin's nobility.

"I'm sure you can't teach firebreathing, but I wonder how well do you remember your old training? Could you pass it on to some of the men and women here." Wendra asked. "Mixing Asentari military training with Mondolins, if that works out the freelands wouldn't know what hit it." Gwyn said with a grin. Wendra nodded. "Exactly what I was thinking. But I imagine Asentari troops' training takes your tougher skin into account, so what kind of armor would we need to replicate that?" Wendra wondered. "How much money is this going to cost?" Gwyn said. Wendra shrugged. "lots." She said. "Ok, I'd like a demonstration of your fire breath. I've never seen it in person. seeing you fight in general would be good."

"I've seen it first hand, and we should probably go outside the camp then. The training ring is way to small." Gwyn said. "Let me put on some actual clothes, I'll meet you out there." Wendra said, walking away. Gwyn nodded and lead Kronos out, heading out of the camp to a nice open area that wouldn't be at risk of catching fire. Wendra joined them a few minutes later. "When you're ready, Kronos." Gwyn said. "He needs a target. I've got a few deserters who need dealing with, why don't I bring them out?" Wendra asked. She watched Kronos, waiting to see what he would say to essentially executing someone, rather gruesomely. Gwyn said nothing, and let him decide. This was likely a test by Wendra, too see how willing he was to follow orders, and Gwyn was curious to see what he would say.

Gwyn snorted at Kronos' comment on nobility. "I couldn't agree more." She said. Wendra listened as he explained his previous training and how he was trained, he even spoke about some of his former trainee's, mentioning that they were good, but not good enough to match proper fighters. "Sounds like a fancy school. But it's encouraging to hear you've trained others, and they faired well. But we don't plan on just doing well." Wendra said. Kronos gave a quick run down on the best way to deal with Asentari, and Gwyn guessed that based on his description, scale armor would probably be the closest thing to Asentari skin. They'd never be able to match it with anything lighter.

They headed out and after Wendra suggested burning some deserters, Kronos began to question why, thinking it was a bit severe for desertion. Gwyn said nothing, and Wendra was silent until he finished talking. She gave a satisfied nod. "Don't worry, you wont have to do that. I just wanted to see how you'd react." Wendra said. Gwyn snorted. "That's not really our style. As I said before, people are more useful alive. We'll send them back to the red fang, let them deal with it." Gwyn said. Wendra nodded. "I wouldn't have let you do it if you wanted to, just becuase the men you'll be working with probably wont accept you if thats the first thing they see you do. Now, if you'd be so kind, give me a look at that dragon fire." Wendra said. "You're far to excited about this."