Redeye Flight

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Tenebrae - Wednesday, January 04, 2017, 7:41 AM


-=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=<* A13: Northern Gates *>-=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=-

The northern gate of Alexandria stands grandly here, the city's northern portal to the outside world. Tall and rugged, crafted from works of the arcane that must have taken generations to achieve, the city wall around it glows with manalights and is augmented, outfitted with the latest defenses. Airships fly overhead, and towers oversee the pace of traffic into and out of the Lord's City while the statue of the Burning Phoenix overlooks it all.

The northern gates stand larger than any man. Visitors passing beneath them will pass by a pair of guard houses, as well as towers on either side. The gates open wide for caravans, who arrive from many countries, from nearby farmlands. To the west is the river and to the east the rising mountains of the Redridge, from which the city emerges from like an artful, yet bizarre outcropping.

Around the gates are a number of inns and taverns, ready to serve visitors to the Lord's City. These businesses show the eclectic mix that is Alexandria, with its mix of flavors, colors, and spices. Beyond them lies the upper Gardens District.

It's a cold night as An'thirya comes riding in through the gates. Her appearance isn't overly welcoming, dark and somber colors with a cloak over her head. And yet, pulling down the cloak for the guards she seems to be a fairly normal llyranesi, barring the stark red color of her eyes that almost seem to /glow/ against the darkness. However, the guards seem to think it simply some magical effect or the like and open the gates for her as she rides her horse in.

Mikilos stands upon the wall, scowling at the faint glow upon the horizon where the sun shall soon rise. A pair of simple mage-lights circle aorund his shoulders, providing local illumination as he fishes a small clockwork from his pocket, scowling at it a moment. Muttering darkly, the tall elf turns, and steps off the wall, plumeting towards the street below. His grey robes barely have time to ruffle before he slows, desending rapidly, but in no danger as he steps down onto the street. Shruging a pack from his shoulders, the wizard pulls out a small scroll before glancing around absently.

An'thirya's horse startles as he lands, rearing momentarily before she pats the steed's neck reassuringly. "Shhh..." she says. "It's OK. Magic's never something some creatures fully get used to, is it?" she asks. "A pity. Arcane magic has quite a number of uses." she observes, "...How does the night find you?" she asks. "I've only just arrived, after all."

Mikilos mmms absently, trailing a fingertip across the scroll, writing appearing at the gesture. "With training it can be done, but it's really more of learning not to react when startled, rather than not being startled at all. And the night I've no troubles with, but the morning is causing fits. How far off would you think daybreak to be?"

Glancing up at the moon, An'thirya pauses. "...Some hours yet, we're not close." she notes. "My apologies for not being more help, I'm by no means an astrologer... Or else other form of stargazer." she observes. "Why morning? I wouldn't expect you to have trouble, or the average individual at least."

Mikilos sighs, and after a brief jot more, tucks his scroll away again. "Because before stepping out, I would have sworn the daybreak past. Bah. Vexing, but ultimately unimportant, I suppose. Anyway, welcome to Alexandros. What brings you here and from where, miss?"

"Exploration, getting out in the world. Finding work." An'thirya says, "And from where... Well, Silvermoon if you must know." she says. "I'm not here to cause trouble, I sincerely hope you're not worried about that." she notes.

Mikilos blinks, but waves vaugely. "No no, just curiousity. Not many travels this time of year, and fewer still this time of day. Suppose if you plan to set up in the market or some such, an early rise would be wise. No. Sorry, I hadn't meant to imply anything."

"It's quite alright." An'thirya says, "I've no intention of causing trouble as I said, that includes conflict over who's in the wrong. I'm actually here for mercenary work, do you know of those that might find a sword-arm useful?" she asks.

Mikilos blinks, and shrugs. "The Guild of Adventurers is always looking for new talent. West across the river and over to the Lower Market. Or are merchants about looking for caravan guards, if that suits you. Also the Lower Market would be the place to start. And I seem to recall the City Watch is recruiting. I'm not sure which of the many offices would be the one at which to apply, but would assume any of the guardsmen to be able to point you in the right direction for that."

"I'd... Rather not join up with the city watch." An'thirya says, then realizes how avoiding the watch might sound. "-Too stuffy and regimented that is, I don't have anything against them mind." she notes. "It's just not for me. The guild you mentioned sounds interesting. What do they do exactly?" she asks, perhaps a strange question about a concept many might have heard of.

Mikilos blinks again. "The Adventurers Guild? 'Anything for the right price' is their motto. Monsters are the typical target, though most any sort of contract is possible. Sign up, and they acess your skills, try to match you up with a team who can handel the job. No one profits if you end up dead, though the work is typically dangerous. Might head off to check on some ruins discovered in the woods, or investigate a sighting in the sewers, or protect a diplomat headed somewhere particularly dangerous. Pretty much whatever someone wants to hire the Guild to do. Though they do make a point to work with the Watch and city gorernment, keep on everyone good side. The Guild of Sly takes a different path, but I can't say as I know too much about them."

"And yet... Who can and can't hire them?" An'thirya asks, "If you had a cleric of someone like perhaps... Taara. Just a nasty sort to give a generic example..." she notes, gripping her reins more tightly. "Would they be more likely to turn in that individual, or work for them?" she asks.

Mikilos shrugs. "Suppose depends on the job and the amount of gold offered. Some jobs... there isn't enough gold. I've taken contacts from a few unsavory sorts, though never a Taarin priest that I recall. Was an intresting period when the theives guild was having trouble with an assassins guild trying to move into the area. Turns out assassins are typically rubbish in a fair fight."

"If you see one?" An'thirya says, "Don't believe them. Whatever they want, it's for them and them alone. Even Taara's a means to an end for them in most cases." she says, "Working with them will cost you more than a king's coffers." then seems to brighten up. "On the other hand, that's just my experience with one nasty sort. No need for me to bog you down with that."

Mikilos considers a moment, and shrugs. "In some ways, you can trust those of evil hearts more than good. Evil will act to it's own advantage, no doubts. A light heart might act for themselves, or you, or someone else. You can't always tell. Though I suppose it'd be more accurate to say 'predict' than 'trust'."

"Maybe." An'thirya says, "Though predict is much, much more understandable I'd imagine. And predictions are indeed, the most we can do. We are not privvy to the thoughts of those around us, despite those who control and chain wanting such. Even those who wish to help and heal would want to as well... Merely, to understand. And yet at the end of the day, the vast majority of us are strangers to others' inner minds. Telepathy being rare as it is."

Mikilos fehs and makes a dismissive gesture. "Telepathy is vastly over-rated. Most minds are a chaotic mess of self-referances and useless trivia. Like the pages from three different books, shuffeled together out of order, without page numbers."

"Did you know that such and so a player in this theater's favorite color is, 'Green'?" An'thirya asks, "No, really. They like it because of their family orchard in the countryside and the green apples they grew." she notes, in a somewhat snarky manner. "...Not that such a fact would reflect poorly or that it's invalid, merely useless as you observed."

Mikilos mmms, and waves vaugely. "Depends entirely upon the context. If you happen to be seeking a gift for said actor, the information becomes useful. But for most people, over the majority of their lives, yes, such a detail is useless. Though hard to predict when an elsewise useless bit of information suddenly becomes pivotal."

"What is this, a mystery novel?" An'thirya asks in a bemused manner, "I don't think I'm going to see some irrelevant clue being used to figure out who murdered the duke of a far-off holding. But I do see your point, it can happen... It's just unlikely."

Mikilos grins. "'A one in a million chance will crop up nine times out of ten.' I make something of a carrier in knowing useless trivia. But, mine is hardly a typical profession."

"Your profession being, then?" An'thirya asks, "Not to intrude, but it seems like you're waiting for that question to a certain degree."

Mikilos blinks, and chuckles. "I have failed to introduce myself, havn't I? Mikilostravia Abrioudelanarchie Mithralla, Archmage, Adventurer, Brewer, Craftsman, and general know-it-all. Though just 'Mikilos' is fine in casual conversation."

"An'thirya." she says, "...Just that. No surname." she observes, looking off to the side slightly. "Mercenary, wanderer, and... Not much else, I suppose.

Mikilos mmms. "Give it time. Alexandros is a place names are made. And sometimes broken and forgotten, but that's really up to you. When I first came to Alexandria, I wouldn't have considered myself a soldier. Now I'm a decorated veteran oF two wars. Change happens, just a matter of working for the better changes."

"I guess." An'thirya says, "I'd rather not lose my name however... Not much to lose, but what's here now is still valuable to me." she observes.

Mikilos nods. "Anything is possible, but some are more likely than others. Time tends to be the great breaker of names. Years pass, memories fade, and even great deeds are sometimes forgotten."

"Like dust in the wind, hm?" An'thirya asks, "...Maybe that's for the best. Too many names from too many times and we'd have a headache trying to remember them all." she observes. "But then, it is the way of things that we're not going to change. Might as well accept it."

Mikilos nods. "Some things should be remembered, but many will be forgotten no matter what. Tragic, in it's own way, but such is the nature of life."

"I suppose. Do you know of an inn nearby?" An'thirya asks, "I should likely stop for the night."

Mikilos considers a moment. "Are several in the city, but the Fernwood is near and good quality. South a bit, and west to the Upper Market, near the edge of the plaza. Easy enough to find."

"I'll be on my way then." An'thirya says, "Thank you for your kind welcome." she notes, urging her horse onwards as she moves on.