But strong in will.... (Open - OOC Welcomed)

[Erik Mynhier]

It was all he could do not to burst forth laughing, "Well... that would be just what I need. Do you know where I might find her?"

 

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Skit lead Erik through the winding alleyways until they reach a commerce hub. The sounds of the sea mixed with men and women loading and unloading filled the salt kissed air. As they wandered from ship to ship, asking their questions they were met with the full spectrum of reactions, from friendly to hateful. Soon they came upon a ship that was to be their target. For a moment, Erik thought he had heard a familiar voice, then dismissed the feeling as he waited for the deckhand to fetch the ship's Captain.

[Rynn]

The boy tilted his head to the side in thought, his brows taking on a worried crease. Slowly, he spoke. "Well, last I heard she had ran off to the Shroud... Captain Cathal can't enter the forest! So the crew avoids that area. We know she goes to the big city there to buy supplies for something every week.... we've managed to get some messages to her, but she never responds..."

 

_______________________________

 

"If it isn't one thing, it's another fuckin' one." Cathal sighed grumpily as he turned to go follow the deckhand. When he found himself standing in front of Erik, the short man narrowed his eyes as his hand rested on the sword tied to his belt. "Why the fuck 'ave you shown your face here Mynheir?"

[Erik Mynhier]

Erik raise his hand in a gesture of peace. "I have not come to fight you Cathal. I have come to ask you about.... Holly." he stiffened as he said the name. "I came because of this." he said as he pulled out the book, opening the pages to the notes about his offspring. "It says she had a child by me. The man this book belonged to knows enough to know there was a child, and he seeks it. That or this was a trap to lead me out of Ul'dah. He and the people he is associated with are dangerous. So I ask you, was there a child?"

[Rynn]

When his sister's name was mentioned, Cathal tensed. Why was this man here about that girl? When the book was opened, his eyes widened. That must have been the book the Elezen was searching for. Eyeing the book, both eyes narrowed as his face scrunched with worry. "Whether this child exists or not, I don't think you have any right to her. YOU'RE the one who didn't chase after Holly," he snarled. Turning to face his crew and ship, he spoke once more. "I doubt these men are as dangerous as you would be to her"

[Melkire]

This was bad.

 

Osric snarled as he stormed his way across the lower decks of Fisherman's Bottom, and the crowd parted before him, for him. He hadn't planned on doffing his robe this early on; he'd been wearing that outfit underneath, trusting the old look to serve as enough of a surprise to give him an edge. Now, as women and children scrambled out of his way, old men left and right muttered under their breaths. 

 

"...Dirk..."

 

"...back in town..."

 

"...that's Dirk, that is..."

 

"...he's back...?"

 

"...Dirk Problemsolver...?"

 

His cover was blown. 

 

Setbacks. Nothing but setbacks. Despite the precautions he'd taken, he'd been made within a bell of landing. The timetable had been accelerated: Erik would have to fend for himself far sooner than Osric had anticipated. Oh, he'd still be keepin' an eye on his captain... when he had an eye to spare. He'd be too busy from here on out, watchin' for the knives and daggers angling for his back, to do much more for the highlander. Sweet talkin' Raz by way of linkpearl? Of course. Conversing with Erik over the company shell? Sure. Peek in from time to time, in person? Mayhap. But direct contact? 

 

His cover was blown. 

 

Gods damn you, Faller. Why were you even there?

 

 

 

If he hadn't backpedaled as soon as he hit the water, if he hadn't fanned out his arms and legs in old spread-eagle fashion, if he hadn't pushed forward, turned over, and kicked off back towards the docks, Faller would have caught him in the water and torn him to pieces. 

 

There came the massive surge of displaced water as the old man broke the surface; Osric pedaled faster, swam up right alongside one of the wooden pillars. He broke for air just long enough to hear a cacophony above him - had a fight broken out? - before submerging again. He braced his feet against the pillar and pushed off towards another, moving underneath the pier... he felt the rush of large, coarse fingers along his ankle and panicked, drew back his leg and kicked out, struck something that might've been a hand. He stroked the rest of the way to the next pillar, rolled over in the water, tucking his legs under him as he went. Feet met wood again, and he pushed off once more. 

 

He'd known better than to try his stamina against Faller. Geezer though he was, the toned man was a highlander, and that meant that, in short bursts, the bastard would run him down. Faller was built for such.

 

Melkire - lithe as he was - was built for endurance and agility.

 

Gutter games. Osric had spent much of his childhood racing through the crowds, causing chaos, creating distractions left, right, and center. He'd been a terror long before he'd gone to the gangs looking for a patron, long before he'd been taken in and set to task to make way for various small-time heists. What time he hadn't spent above decks, he'd spent in the water. He had loved to swim, had spent every moment he could wrest away from the crew in the water. These days, his greatest regret was that living in Thanalan more often than not denied him the joy that was the ocean. 

 

One of his favorite pastimes had been moving underwater from pillar to pillar, in just this fashion.

 

He couldn't outrace Faller in the open water, but he could do it here, where his smaller, more compact form meant less resistance to abrupt turns, and the sudden bursts in speed from shoving off from fixed points meant he'd easily outpace his competition. 

 

It made little difference. He zigzagged down the length of the pier, surfacing every now and again for air, and every backward glance he stole only served to show him that Faller was still hot on his tail. He shook off the dread and focused again on the gamble he'd taken, on the sight he'd seen right off in the distance right before he'd chosen to hit the water. One more push-off brought him to left pillar at the end of the pier. A quick inspection showed him it wouldn't serve. Cursing his luck, he moved over to its opposite. Close, now: Faller was close. He glanced up and down the structure: this would do. 

 

He drew two knives and, as quickly as he could, worked them into the wood, shoved them in deep until they bit in. He turned, seized his makeshift handles with both hands, and planted his feet again. He could hear Faller coming up behind him, could hear the water shifting....

 

He looked up and out towards the trawler that was even now making its way to port. He stared at the fishnets that some poor sod had left hanging off the side. If the heading was any indication of its course... and given the nets... Fisherman's Bottom. Surely. 

 

If he could make it there, he could lose Faller. Lose everyone. He'd grown up there, after all. 

 

He thought back to the lesson that Endemerrin Rosethorne had given him, to the technique that he'd practiced long and hard over the course of a single night, to the skill that he hadn't had to use after all... until now. It worked with land beneath his feet. Surely, it would work with wood... especially if he braced himself properly. Gods, if only he'd had some knives to serve as handles, and some rotten wood in which to plant them. 

 

He fought down the smirk, closed his eyes, pushed aside the panic that was building up inside as that gods-damned man drew closer, left it all behind until there was nothing but his heartbeat. One hearbeat. Singular. 

 

He remembered when there'd been two, that first day on the plains of Thanalan beneath the Sultantree. His... and the land's. 

 

A burst. It's a burst. From everywhere, all at once.

 

He opened his eyes, and pushed. Wood cracked, splintered. He surged, shot out.

 

 

 

Setbacks, aye... but he'd lost the ruttin' ass, and wouldn't you know it, here came Sisipu with a bucket full of... she tripped, spilled fish everywhere, started piling it back in, and scrambled off. Osric stooped for a moment, scooped up a single herring that she'd forgotten, and went on his way. 

 

A score of fulms later, he ducked into a side alley, drew another knife, and sliced the disgusting thing open. Inside was a soaked parchment... with Thomys' handwriting on it. He threw the fish away.

 

He'd have to double back for his rucksack, of course; he'd tossed the bloody thing aside into a stall full of its like. Cresting Wave was an old fixture of Cripple's Walk, and his wares hadn't changed much over the cycles. Either the Roe would have it, or Faller's crew would. Either way, he'd need his uniform back. The way he figured, he'd just entrusted the damned thing to someone else's keeping for a while. 

 

He unfolded the parchment and started skimming its contents, trying to make something legible out of the smeared and blotted ink. One hand went to his ear, tapped the Red Wings company linkpearl tucked away there as he continued to read. 

 

"Boss? Did you find- FUCK."

 

He dropped his hand to the note and ripped the piece of flimsy to shreds, then tapped the pearl again. 

 

"Boss, Xydane's been in town. Watch your ass; my cover's been blown. Yours should still be intact... but it won't be if he gives you away."

 

He stepped back out of the alley again and hurried along the docks. 

 

This was bad.

[Erik Mynhier]

Erik's eyes widened, "She? The child was a girl?" He felf his heart race, then he calmed himself, this was not about him. "Whether you trust me or not, even if you will not let me see.... her. At least believe me when I say there are dangerous men after her. Be aware of the danger to her." He heard his ear ring, Osric's voice calling. Raising his finger to the pearl, "Roger that Shadow."

[Rynn]

Cathal let out a deep breath through his nose, obviously hesitant to trust the man. If there was danger for her, that wasn't good. "I can't be aware of anything for her. That damn girl takes after her mother. She ran off three weeks ago, last we've hard of her she's in the Shroud."

[Erik Mynhier]

Erik nodded, then his emotions slowed and his thoughts cleared, "Thank you.... Cathal, has anyone else come looking for.... what is her name?"

[Rynn]

Cathal frowned deeply as Erik spoke. "Don't think this means we're friends Mynheir. Her name is Ross. There was a man here looking for that book you're holding, but I sent him off without much information. Now scat before I have my men chase you out of this city."

[Erik Mynhier]

Erik nodded, "Thank you. If she returns keep her here. These people are not to be taken lightly. I will send word when the threat has passed." As he turned, nearly outpacing his guide, he held a finger to his ear. She was already in danger. They had beaten him to Cathal. Even if he told them nothing, he knew things, so his crew would too. They were a step ahead, and that made his blood boil, "Osric. See to the Falcon when you are done here. Report back to HQ when you finish and find Siha. Have her call me. I am chartering a flight to the Shroud now. You know how to reach me."

[Melkire]

"Understood," he murmured, loud enough for the pearl to pick up yet low enough such that even Keeper ears would have trouble picking words out. "I've a few loose ends to wrap up here; one's new 'n' doggin' m'footsteps. Soon as the scum's off m'boots, I'll get movin'. Be best if y'ditch that associate o' Cenric's as soon as possible, it'll make things easier for me. Shadow, out."

 

He dug around in a belt pouch for a few moments as he walked, then came up with two more linkpearls. One was a bright, solid green; the other was half blue, the two hemispheres divided by a solid band of purple. With his other hand, he plucked the company linkpearl from his ear and popped the green one in, instead.

 

He'd cast this line suns ago. Time to see if he'd get a bite today.

 

"Bolvi. Whenever your business is concluded, make your way to Mealvaan's Gate and clear on out. I'll see to payin' the runner and downin' the mark. Silence on this shell from here on out, please."

 

He replaced that pearl too, as soon as that last request passed his lips, without waiting for an answer. In went the banded pearl.

 

"I need the Keepers now. I need them out of sight but ready to pounce."

 

Out came the third pearl, and those three went back into the pouch. His free hand went to his other ear, to the pearl that their runner had given him.

 

"M-m-master Raz... our client tells me that he's seen to his business, courtesy of your associate, and that he is most... most pleased. Unfortunately, I have been held up by some h-h-hooligans and missed the rendezvous. Shall I meet you... mmm... say, where we first discussed business? To discuss payment? I do believe I owe you a favor, ser, and connections besides!"

 

Bite. Bite, damn you.

[Erik Mynhier]

Erik had changed to something less ominous. He had spent time in the Shroud before. His heart was to Ul'dah, but his soul belonged to Gridania. He had a home here, many friends, his conjury a product of Stillglade, the Black Shroud was as easy for him as Limsa was not. As the ship landed he cursed under his breath, his pearl not connecting to his sister's. He may need her in this. This girl... this Ross may not take calmly to him. He had no time for such things, they knew her he was sure, and ahead of him.

[Raz]

After leading the client through the narrow, less-trodden streets and arriving at the docks, Skit watched the exchange between the client and a man who he called Cathal with an air of utter boredom. He listened regardless, and was rewarded with a few details.

 

Names. Places. The man named Cathal had called the client Mynhier. His next destination was the Shroud. A woman named Holly, something about a child, and the name of his man currently in the city: Osric.

 

None of this meant a thing to Skit, nor did it interest him, but Cenric was on edge and maybe, just maybe, he could use the information.

 

Skit knew the many steps to this dance; knew that this Mynhier would thank him and make his excuses to leave. So Skit bows, smiles, that ever-dazzling smile.

 

"I trust we're finished, then? Wonderful. Do take care, sir!"

 

With that, they part ways.

 

Once he makes the corner, Skit reaches up and presses a finger to the linkpearl in his ear.

 

"Cenric? My part is done... Why are you out of breath?... You're about to climb? So you foisted your dirty work on me so you go could for a cl-... I will not be quiet!... Hmph. I called to tell you I have information regarding your client and his man, among other things... Are you listening? Good."

 

--

 

"So.. Me client's name's Mynhier, eh? And 'es lookin' fer a kid? His kid?... What's that? His man in the city's called Osric?" Cenric asks, clueless, and glances at Zhavi. "Hm. Thank ye, Skit. I'll be sure to get ye good'n drunk soon!"

 

Well, wasn't that interesting? Cenric isn't sure if the information will be of any use to him - he has no reason to cross anybody after all, but if it sheds some light on what powers are currently at play in his city...

 

No sooner has he got off the line with Skit does his other linkpearl sound - the one connected to Bart-... Osric.

 

He quickly swaps out the linkpearls.

 

"I'm glad yer man's happy!" He says, as brightly as he can. "Ye wanna meet at the same place? Aye, o'course. Ye remember the way? Best ye don't get lost. I'll be there soon as I can."

 

Cenric can't help but feel suspicious, can't help the paranoia that could rival Zhavi's clawing it's way into his mind. This Osric was far from threatening, stumbling over his words with that air of uncertainty. But there was nothing to say that wasn't an act - a very good one at that, and Cenric feels like he's falling deeper into somebody's schemes.

 

He has no choice but to acquiesce, lest the man becomes suspicious - a runner who doesn't accept payment? - and he doesn't want to give the impression that he's anything more than a simple runner.

 

So he makes ready to meet the man.

 

 

(Ah, sorry I took so long!)

[Thrysa Embhre]

Thrysa's ears perked and nearly tripped over the flower shaped carpet in her room as the call came in. She stumbled but caught herself, it was the sound of Osric's voice on the other end, that had caught her off guard. Not expecting him to call for the pair of them like he had.

 

"Yes Ser." From her.

"Understood." From her sister came in soon after.

 

She turned from her bed and moved to her closet gathering the things she needed for the trip and headed out, stopping by her sisters room so they could head out together.

[Erik Mynhier]

He made the rounds in Gridania, speaking with old friends, contacts. These lead to stories. A girl living in the forest, she would come Ebony Stalls once a week to buy and sell. She was due today... he would wait.

[Melkire]

The man dressed in loam brown leathers and raptorskin hesitated.

 

There was no guarantee that he'd walk away from this clean, no guarantee that he'd be able to reach the Falcon in time to find Siha, in time to help Erik. He'd stacked the deck as best he could on such short notice, and dealt the cards on his own terms... but now, looking back, he could see that there were players seated at the table that he hadn't invited. And they'd brought knives. And caltrops. A man on the ground is a dead man.

 

Risk naught, win squat.

 

But he wasn't looking to win. He was looking to survive.

 

Cheat, run, or die.

 

He'd already cheated, he wasn't going to run, and he wasn't planning on dying.

 

"You chose to endure."

 

He took a deep breath, then dropped Cenric's linkpearl into the pouch and came back up with the company pearl. He tucked it into his ear, whispered a quick and quiet prayer to Old Man Oschon to carry the signal on the winds so that he might be heard, and placed his last call.

 

"Kahn'a, Askier... if you're hearin' this, Erik's headed for the Shroud. He needs Siha to contact him. It's urgent."

 

He left the pearl in, but kept his mouth shut as he made his way to the corner behind Naldiq and Vymelli's where he'd first propositioned Raz.

 

Moment of truth, Kink. Which way'd y'fall?

[Erik Mynhier]

Erik had learned that the girl would come to the market, but the elezen had been given a head start, and where Erik would question people, the laughing man was not above torturing for answers. He knew what road she traveled. Walking the road, his suit, hat, and walking stick completely out of place in the forests of the Black Shroud. He soon found who he was looking for. A lone girl, no more then sixteen. He smiled and approached her, bowing when he reached her, "Good day Miss."

[Erik Mynhier]

The woman, he knew not her name, just a Keeper, walking the path from here to there, "May I ask? I am searching this road for a Hyur, a midlander-like woman. She would be young, have you seen her?" The miqo'te thought for a moment, then smiled, "No sir, I'm afraid I haven't." The elezen returned the smile, warm and loving, "Thank you for your time Miss." he said as he raised his gun to her head and fired, his smile never leaving his face.

 

------------------

 

Erik waited all the day, never once seeing the girl, but he had learned more. She was associated with the Night Blades, a group he had encountered a time or two. He learned from one of their numbers that they made their home in the Lavender Beds. Setting off, he reached the Beds by sunset. Their home was grand, much bigger then the Red Wings' headquarters... on the outside anyway. There he questioned more, leaving a message of danger for her with one of her colleagues.

 

Once finished there was little to do but wait. Traveling the road from the Beds to Gridania, he would stay in the Shroud until she made contact or his duty forced him to leave. These thoughts fluttered away as he walked and spotted the girl on the side of the road. She had a terrible wound to her head, a gunshot wound. He checked her closely, feeling sorrow for the fear on her face. He stood and listened now, scanning the outlying areas around him. So much cover, so many perfect spots to ambush. The poor girl was bait he realized as he drew his blade, a flash from the sword and his ring calling out his armor. He felt for another, but it was harder here then in the desert, so much wild aether drowning out everything.

 

It was to late anyway. The shot rang out and all he felt was the hot tearing. His armor was made for hand to hand weapons, not firearms. The armor's enchantment did more harm then good, slowing the round, taking the energy needed to pass through him. The bullet lodged in his lung caused him to cough blood, but he stood, looking in shock at the elezen, waving like he was a friend spotting him in a market, "Hello Erik. Wonderful to see you again." Two more shots that time, one to his right arm, causing him to drop his sword, the other deflected by his shield. "You always stop for a pretty kitty don't you? I know of a pretty kitty you really like. Maybe after I'm done sawing your limb off the family tree, maybe I'll go see her." Erik gritted his teeth in rage, but was unable to move, he was lucky he hadn't blacked out yet. "Now here is my plan, you ready? I'm going to add a few more holes to mostly non-vital areas so you can have the fun of bleeding out. Meanwhile I'm going to go look for that little girl of your's. I hear-tell she has quite a way with the aether, bet she gets that from you. Be proud. That bit of data may keep her alive for a bit. My machine needs a new battery since you left, she may be just what the doctor ordered." Erik lurched forward, sweat rolling over him as his body began to feel cold. There was no way he would reach him, easily 30 fulms away, damn guns. Ombre smiled as he raised the gun and took aim for the stomach, "Night night cousin." The shot echoed for miles. As Ombre walked away he wondered why Erik had dropped his shield before he fired. Never knowing he had pressed his linkpearl, the shot echoed... everywhere.

 

[Rynn]

Why had that strange man given her company mates a linkpearl to hand over? Why did she need a pearl from a Sultansworm? This bothered her. Everything had been kind of crazy lately, so having a stranger ask for them to give her a linkpearl was somewhat suspicious. Still, she had the pearl now. The pearl sat in her pouch as she walked through the Shroud. Ross had finally been given permission to go to the city to buy more supplies. She wasn’t sure if the danger of that Garlean man was gone completely, but things were quiet enough for her to be allowed to leave.

 

However, she didn’t get far. As she was passing through theforest, gunshots suddenly echoed throughout the forest. Ross dropped down, covering her head as she looked up fearfully. What was that!? When the sound died off, she heard it. The gunshots were echoing loudly from the pinkpearl in her pouch. They died down only a few seconds after the real sound had. Gulping, the girl stood and began to run in the direction the shots had been heard in. Bringing the pearl to her ear, she tried to hear for more but heard nothing. What had happened?

 

 

The girl gulped as she slowed down, crouching into thebushes to avoid being seen if anyone dangerous was nearby. Finally, she saw him. There was a man in armor on the ground. Why was he there? Ross gasped as she saw a pool of blood forming underneath him. Her hand reached up to call for help from the Night Blades, but she stopped. Ross wasn’t sure who this man was. It’d be better to be safe. Instead, she called for someone to help carry him back to the town. When he awoke he’d be in an inn room, his wounds tended to. A young girl with short cut messy blond hair would be sitting across the room, facing desk as she tinkered with something.

[Erik Mynhier]

He awoke in the quiet room. He quickly learned she was who he was looking for, his daughter. He did not tell her that, but did tell her of the danger. The man who had shot him was after her, others as well no doubt. He wanted so much to tell her, to ask her a thousand questions about her live. The pain helped... so much pain. It helped him keep focus. She wants to learn about this enemy, not afraid, good girl. The files cannot leave the Red Wings records, all the better. She will come to the Goblet... perfect.

 

She leaves now, so much suspicion. She's smart, she thinks, good. He lays back on the bed, he hurts so bad. Now to get home, rally his men, and bury this elezen.

[Erik Mynhier]

Picked up by Siha, he returned home. Weeks passed and he healed... and waited. He had sent men to the Shroud, searching for the laughing gunner, then came word of the Elezen. He had set up a lab for himself outside of Bluefog, the irony was not lost on Erik. He would set a lab, find victims, and start anew. Erik by this time was back in the highlands, returning to find his strength. So much had passed, he knew he had become weak, useless. He needed to find the strength he had once had if he was going to be the leader the Red Wings deserved.

 

In the frozen cave of the Fury's Gaze he waited in meditation. The modest shorts and the linkpearl in his ear was all he wore. He wasn't sure how long he had been there when the pearl crackled in his ear, his eyes flashing open, "Captain. This is Recon Team One, Do you copy? Over." He lifted his right hand to his ear, the soreness in his arm still noticeable, "Go ahead RT1. I copy. Over." The voice on the other side was young he noticed. Were the voices getting younger, or was he getting older, "Sir, we had identified Target: Alpha One, Doctor Ombre Fortemps. Approximately 10 clicks south by southeast of Camp Bluefog. Target has been sited on site. Over." Erik stood, dressing quickly, he had a trip ahead of him. The airship he had brought was no Falcon, just one of the cargo ships, "Understood. Hold your position. I will be there in a few hours. Over."

 

As he boarded the airship, running the checks, readying the engines, a crackle came over the pearl, "Sir. Someone just entered the site. We did not see them coming, they came out of no where. Over." Erik continued starting the engines as he answered, "Just one? And ally? Over." The young confused voice answered, "Negative Sir, there seems to be fire coming from buliding. Shots fired Sir! Orders Captain!"

[Erik Mynhier]

He gave the order to hold their position as he flew at full speed. Arriving in less then an hour, he could already see smoke raising from the lone building. Landing as swiftly as he could, he was on the ground and moving toward his men. They were no longer even bothering to hide when he reached them, "What is happening here?" His men saluted and gave their report as they and the Captain made their way down the hill to the building, "We were on the ridge where you found us. The Archers noticed the... whatever first. It ran right through us, it didn't seem to care that we were here, or in cover, or anything, and it moved fast, like a coeurl. No one felt the person, we only saw them as they ran in front. This man had been tasked scout through the windows before the intruder appeared."

 

The young archer seemed uncomfortable with the eyes of the Captain on him, "What did you see?" He shifted, a small Keeper, the bow on his back almost to big, "Doctor Ombre sir, he was attacked, and taken by surprise at that. He was cocky, drawing his gun, firing, making rude comments, but as it went on he seemed worried, scared even. The other one was dodging the bullets, running along the walls, it was madness." Erik's eyes narrowed, "Can you describe the intruder at all?" The scout collected his observations, "Two blades, that popped out at once. Dressed in all black, with what looked like a plum coloured scarf, it was long. They seemed bigger then me, but not as big as you Sir, more like Mistress Gorehand's size. They wore a mask too. The way they moved, it was amazing. It got in close and jumped on Ombre's shoulders and stabbed him in the shoulders with both blades, removing his arms. Then they leaped off into the air and threw a... knife it looked like, with a ribbon tied to it. And when it his his chest he burst into flames. The screams Sir, I have never heard such screams." Erik though quickly now, a mix of dread and excitement. He turned to the team-leader, "Have you entered the building yet?" The leader shook her head, "No Sir. Orders were to hold." Erik nodded and kicked in the door, beckoning the team to follow him.

 

There was the look of Pandora Tech everywhere. The facility was not operational. By his feeling of good health he was sure there were no void crystals or PT running. In the center of what was to be the main lab, there was massive damage. A fight had happened here, no doubt of that. As the team spread out, beginning the process of collecting everything and cataloging it, Erik moved to the center of the lab, and knelt before the ash-pile that had been his cousin. He would have felt sorry for him had he not had tried to kill him... twice... and forsook the Twelve.... or been living anymore... but he was not. He reached his hand into the pile and pulled the knife the scout had seen out. He would not have known what it was, a Doma style throwing knife, called a Kuni. They were not common in Eorzea. His heart raced as he pulled it up, the ribbon unharmed by the apparent flames. A short ribbon, the front embroidered Doma script, a charm to channel Fire Aether no doubt, but beyond his linguistic skills to translate. Turning the ribbon over his racing heart stopped, Ala Mhigan script, "Niemand kan mijn ridder schaden. Dat is mijn taak. Cliodhna." A shutter ran down his spine as he read it, noting the lipstick made kiss mark that followed the words. Another of the Lucavi were dead, a mad man who took the greatest joy in harming anyone. But Cliodhna.... he sighed, "I think I may have preferred Ombre.

 

 

To be continued.....