• Closed • Lost Down South

[Xander Andaris]

98th Ashan, Arc 717

It was a new place, a new part of Rynmere he had yet to explore. Of course he had been to Andaris before but he had only been for a few days. With his impending marriage to the new Baroness Celeste Andaris, he knew he was going to be spending a lot more time down South. Although, if everything went as planned he would soon have to spend a lot of time back North as well. His wishes to be Baron were great and he would find a way to make his marriage work even if he had to travel back and forth between his own Barony in Krome and Celeste's in Andaris. Life would be hard for him when that time came but he would find a way through it, if he was anything it was adaptable and determined. They were two of his best traits, as well as his ability to hide the truth when it was called for.

Alas, now was not the time for Xander to contemplate his life and future with Celeste. No, today's mission was much different. He was in search of a jewellers, he knew Celeste may well find what he planned to buy a waste of money but it felt improper to not have given her a single gift to commemorate their engagement. So, today he was going to try and buy her something, if he could just find a jeweller that was. He was not used to the southern towns and cities and navigating them felt strange, they were designed differently and the people all seemed much less friendly. He still wasn't sure if he was just blinded by his bad opinion of the Southern folk that had grown and developed over his lifetime or if they really were seemingly less friendly people.

Of course Xander would have to ask someone, he was never going to find it like this and so he asked the next person that came past. It just so happened this was a woman and from what he could tell quite a pretty woman. Although, even in the relatively sunny weather, she was wearing a scarf and hat that obscured some of her face. He could tell from her eyes that she was a Biqaj though, as her eyes changed colours like his grandfather's did. She was tall and slim and he did not consider her much of a threat. Especially with his sword hung at his side for good measure, the streets weren't overly safe recently and he wanted to be ready in case things went wrong.

He smiled as he greeted her and hoped she would stop, he made it clear he wished to talk. "Excuse me, good afternoon, do you have a moment? It appears I have gone and got myself lost." He was clearly upper class from his voice yet he was walking on foot through the streets quite casually, some might consider that odd. In truth, he would even consider it odd if he saw any other nobles doing it, it was an unusual sight.

[Jojha Hydranic]

With her thoughts acting like the waves. Growing big only to crash in on themselves, while some on grew a few inches high before sinking into nothing. Jojha made her way through the streets, aimlessly. With her scarf flowing behind her as it surfed on the light breeze of the Southern winds, she let her mind wonder on recent events in her life. The brutal and bloody betray of her crew, after how they had taken the love of her life away from her. Then after a month of sailing she had ended up here. Strange new lands which she didn't know anything about.

However, that was not to say she hadn't done well for herself in the short time she had been here. After selling off the ship, she had been able to buy herself new equipment, pay for a few nights within a tavern and had been able to get a few nights of drinking to cope with the past events. Getting herself a horse and wagon was the best she could do at the time. Now being left with twenty pieces of gold, Jojha was determined to make a name and living for herself. Although before she could do any of that, she wanted to travel. Travel around this land to see what it had to offer. Because of this Jojha had spent a few nights within a Tavern, marking out the city and finding out the roads around the area.

As she rode down the street slowly on the back of her horse, while it tugged on the wagon, sluggishly pulling it along. There was no need for any speed as there was no danger, and little in the way of traffic. Though it wasn't to say Jojha was off guard. She was a pirate not to long ago after all, and such profession requires vigilance. Her knife hung by her waist, hidden under her trench coat. It was just a knife, however having something like a knife was far better than just her fists, and if needed, she could use it in a few tricks of her own.

Despite her guard being up she never expected a voice from a noble to come into ear shot. Maybe a sluggish and drunken brute of a man, but not a noble. With her mind snapping out of her fantasy world, she looked down upon the man. He was soft on the eyes, with a face that could make men jealous and girls faint. Though not her. Past events had shaped her into having a love for women rather than men.

Slowing her horse down to a gradual halt, so none of the contents within her wagon would spill, she looked down on the noble. Taking her right hand off the rope of the horse, she pulled her scarf down around her neck. "Hm, really now? Where do you need to go, I'm sure I can get you there." The Biqaj asked, in the normal relaxed and uncaring tone any Biqaj would speak in. It was clear her accent had been diluted into something that matched common, which she spoke perfectly.

[Xander Andaris]

He hadn't met many Biqaj but he had heard that they were a laid back people, he understood that their lifestyles often lead them to travel the world and explore. His understanding was that they loved to see new places and if they did not travel they would grow weary of one place, tired of seeing the same things pass them by every day. She spoke Common perfectly, he supposed that was a nice positive as she responded to his question, lowering her scarf before speaking. She seemed pleasant enough and even offered to get him to wherever he was wishing to find. So he smiled and nodded his head before responding. "I have not been here long so I had not realised just how difficult it could be to find your way in the South. I am looking for a Jewellers, any should do, especially as one is better than none." He watched her curiously, wondering where she had come from.

"Oh, how rude of me, I forgot to introduce myself." He shook his head at his own bad manners, for a noble he still some how often forgot his manners. "Lord Xander Krome at your service and you might be?" He bowed his head politely and cocked an eyebrow as he inquired as to who she might be. He liked to meet new people, especially common folk. They were real and human, they would not lie for the sake of manipulating you. At least, they did not do so usually, there were exceptions to this just like with everything. He was sure there were indeed people who wished manipulate and raise their own power and status, he himself was an exception tot he general rule with nobles or at least he believed himself so.

Assuming he was invited to join her on the wagon, he walked around to the opposite side to where she was sat and hoisted himself up into the seat. "Of course you may call me Xander, I am not one who fusses over titles. I often wish I could just lie and pretend to be a normal person however I trust my family would not agree." He was being open and kind while trying to make conversation, perhaps talk of himself, only harmless things of course, might coax her out to talk of her own family. He had found that if you guided the conversation and opened up about yourself first it tended to give others more incentive to do likewise.

He had no idea if she wanted to talk in fact the truth was he might have just climbed up onto a carriage with a murderer. Alas, he was confident in his abilities to protect himself from her if that was the case. He had his trusty sword at his side and he was most likely stronger than the woman beside him. If things went sideways he believed he could handle himself. "Thank you for helping me, it can take a while to get used to a new place, especially towns when you come from the country." Again he tried to invite her to talk about herself, throwing out prompts for her to follow if she so wished.

[Jojha Hydranic]

As soon as he introduced himself as Xander Krome, the corner of her lips lifted into a grin. Her grin wasn't because of his status, or how she had just came into the presence of a noble. Rather her playful grin was caused by how the man took so much pride in a simple introduction. In fact the whole title of "Lord" meant nothing to her. Instead she just thought of the man as what he had introduced himself as, Xander Krome, and it was going to stay that way until he could change her mind.

Jojha Hydranic, though just call me Jojha." She said introducing herself with nothing but her words and a pleasant smile. She found the whole bowing and greetings annoying and time consuming. Let that be because of her background where she usually greeted someone with a punch to the gut, or nothing but an insult. "Get into the wagon and I can get you around the place." She said jerking a thumb over her shoulder, pointing towards the Wagon.

Once he made his way inside, Jojha would of started moving once again, after giving a glance backwards to make sure the man was in a seat. As they went by Jojha was happy to listen to the noble as she pulled them across, however when he began talking about family, her lips suddenly sealed themselves tightly. Thankfully for her she was faced forward, obscuring her facial expression. For if he was to see it, he would most definitely be able to see that something about the subject matter, made her uncomfortable. Avoiding the question as best she could, giving small grunts of acknowledgement in the place of a straight forward answer, in an attempt to quickly get off the topic. Keeping silent for a while she waited until he came onto a new topic. Eventually he thanked her once again, causing a small chuckle to escape her lips. "Ya know, you don't have to thank me for everything, I'm just a traveller who will be on her way soon enough." She shot another glance back on the man, catching his eyes for a few seconds, before placing them back on the road. "Honestly, I haven't been here for a while either, but ever since I sold off my ship and bought all of this, I've been mapping the Kingdom out, so I should know my way around." She soon adjusted her hat, resting it on the back of her head, letting it tilt, as a could came along blanketing the sun. With everything being placed into a murky grey light, she let out an annoyed groan. Soon whispering something about how she was enjoying the sun.

If anything was clear about her past, since she didn't let onto it much, was she had clearly spent a large amount of time at sea. It was evident by her tanned skin, her seafarer like speech and the mention of selling her ship. It was even made clear by how she rode her horse. Sure she had the ability to ride it, and could probably ride it at some speed, but from her body language showed she wasn't use, nor comfortable doing so.

[Xander Andaris]

He listened closely as she spoke of a ship, he should have guessed from her bronzed skin and of course being a Biqaj. He had heard that the sea called to them in the darkness and the light. "Oh, a sailor. That is most interesting, I have never been at sea but my grandfather told me the freedom of the waves below your feet is like nothing else." Xander smiled as he wondered if he should go out on a boat one day, now his fiance was living near the Cyrene bay perhaps it was his chance. A day or two at sea might be a nice break from the politics and new home he was living in, it may also give him time to contemplate recent events back in Krome. A lot had happened this season and he needed some time to clear his head.

"Either way, I am sure you know your way around better than myself. So what made you decide to transition over to a life on land?" He was digging now, perhaps too much but he liked to know things, he liked to know people and what they did and why. Knowledge was power, gathering information was key in staying on top and prepared. The more you knew the safer you were from surprise and then it was easier to respond. Of course he doubted he would ever have to worry about this woman causing him problems, she did not seem currently like someone who might be an issue for him.

He noted her grumbling about the sun being blocked, she seemed to think out loud as he knew it was not an attempt at conversing. If she had wished to talk about the weather it would have been clearer and more direct. So, he allowed her to mumble about the greyish light that now covered them, he did have to admit the sun was nicer even if he much preferred cold weather to hot. He also noticed her unstable appearance on the horse, apparently she was not overly experienced in riding. He was also not a very talented rider and was only recently getting used to riding horse back, he blamed his parents for never teaching him properly. Although, his parents taught him nothing so it was no surprise they had not had him get lessons.

He scratched his neck as he stood and leaned on the edge of the carriage behind her. "So, you know where this Jewellers is? Or should I keep an eye out for a sign?" He trusted she was not moving completely aimlessly through the streets, he had already done that and it had not been successful . She had said she'd been mapping out the place so he was sure there was somewhere she thought one might be at least if she did not know for sure. Yet, there was no harm in asking, unless she was offended by his inquiry but he doubted that. "I much prefer small villages and open fields to these cities, streets that cross and twist, its like a giant maze." He smiled at her as he kept his legs wide for stability on the moving wagon.

[Jojha Hydranic]

Chuckling slightly she nodded her head, as her mind was quickly taken off the grey light that covered the area. She agreed with the words from Krome's grandfather. It was true in every sense. Even from her short time on land, it felt as if the land chained her feet to the ground. Everything wasn't as fluent as the sea, instead thing where heavier and rigid, a change Jojha wasn't a fan of. "Your grandfather was a wise man, but with that freedom comes a danger, a danger nothing on land can compare to. The waves, although give you freedom, can turn on you at any moment and drag you down to a murky and watery grave." Jojha chuckled, even if her words were grim, her tone was relaxed and happy as if it was just another part of life. Yet everyone single on of her words were true. She could vividly remember a time where a calm day out of the ocean, soon turned deadly as a storm approached. With crushing waves beating down on the ship, and even a few men thrown over board, Jojha was lucky to get out of that storm with merely a few bruises from being thrown about her quarters.

"I came over to land after a storm killed off half my crew and my parents." Jojha sighed. Sure the story was a false one which Jojha had made up on the spot to throw the noble off, because after all, being known as a Pirate didn't have the greatest impression on people. However Jojha was able to say it in such a tone, it sounded true. She was that storm after all. Jojha hoped that was enough to stop the man from asking about her past. It was a touchy subject that, if known, could easily make the sweetest smile turn bitter, and the friendliest face turn away from her.

Once again she went into a silence. She was trying to be careful with her words, attempting not to lend on to much. She did it for many reasons, one being her sketchy past, but the other being the man himself. She had just met the man and didn't feel all to comfortable opening up about everything at this point. Maybe she'd be more comfortable after a few drinks, or maybe if she knew the man a bit better. However after only knowing Xander for less than half an hour she didn't feel right about it. She appreciated that the man wanted to make conversation, and she knew he only meant well in his intentions, it showed that he had potential to be kind hearted. Yet after events that happened not even a month ago, she was on guard, and restless.

A few minuets later of rather awkward silence, to her at least, Xander broke the silence. "Keep an eye out will ya? I may know the place pretty well, and I think there should be one about half a mile up, but I could of made an error and missed something." Jojha shrugged, appreciating the man asking actually. There wasn't harm in asking, she thought. It only served to help everyone if the question wasn't completely aimless. Chuckling softly she was in agreement with the man. "Smaller places usually have stronger communities. Everyone knows everyone, meaning you can trust people. These places, they seem a bit, how do you say? insecure? Like everyone is on there toes, because they think their neighbour could be an axe murder." However her words soon came to life, as she straightened her back, tipped her hat forward and lifted her scarf around the bottom half of her face. It soon seemed as if the city suddenly got darker and as if the people got a bit more restless. "Keep your head down for a bit, the people in this part usually seem a bit rougher than usual." It wasn't words Xander probably wanted to hear at this time, especially since Jojha's words got significantly quieter as she attempted to not make eye contact with anyone on the streets.

[Xander Andaris]

Some how the dark and uncomfortable idea of drowning did not sound so terrifying when she described it. Her poetic words and description made it seem like something that was a wonder to see, not the drowning but the case of such. She somehow made the idea of the sea suddenly turning into your enemy sound inviting, it was sort of like noble politics. One minute you may be finding yourself an ally and the next they wish to throw you out to the wilderness to fend for yourself. It was rare for nobles to truly be noble, at least that was what Xander had found. Many of them were cruel and sadistic, self centred and obsessed with what was best for them paying little regard to the people. Xander was not like that, he was noble and honourable. Of course he would lie to achieve his goals sometimes but when it was for the good of your people it was worth it.

Xander did nothing for himself, or at least very little as in the long run every action was for the benefit of others. It was clearly his own view and many might consider him self righteous, yet, he truly did care for those around him more than himself. This was evident from the times he would risk his own life to help others, like when his fiance was attacked and he faced off with the attacker and risked his life, not leaving unscathed. Even his act of feeding the sick and helping them was one that benefited them more than himself. In the end it did help him with his goals it was true but it did not make him richer or corrupt.

Her words seemed sincere as she spoke of her parents and the crew, the tone making it believable although he couldn't help but feel she had left something out. Either way it was clearly not something she wished to discuss and that was understandable. So he left it as it was and accepted her story leaving only one comment. "I am sorry to hear that, losing loved ones can be hard." He really did understand the pain of losing someone precious to you, the memory of his sister and her death would always be with him. He would also always blame himself for it, he was the reason she got sick and so he would always have that on his conscience.

It was indeed an awkward silence, the two strangers travelling through the town after what she had said. Still, after he asked she seemed to be happy he had done so. So he did and turned his back to her, looking out of the back of the wagon and around at the shops. It was easy to do and he could look while thinking and talking about other things. He was in agreement with her statement, he had observed a very similar thing during his time here. "I agree, I have observed much the same thing, people appear afraid to speak to one another like if they trusted someone else they would end up losing all they own. They walk through the streets with their heads down and at a pace that means it is hard to speak to them." He rubbed his chin as he looked around keeping his eyes open.

He kept his head down as she suggested, in fact he lowered himself down to the floor of the wagon and sat leaning against the side he had just been talking to her over. His hand rested on the pommel of his sword as he kept quiet and avoided making eye contact with people, she was right that they did indeed not seem friendly and in fact some looked like they were ready to jump the next person that bothered them. "Indeed, just a little rougher." He murmured under his breath, he did not fear the people but it was clear they were not people you wanted to tangle with.

[Jojha Hydranic]

Jojha became far more tense as they went through this area. So much so, she swing the right of her trench coat over to the side, revealing her holstered knife. It wasn't anything compared to Xander's sword, however with both of them having their blades visible, it was sure to keep most of thugs away. Jojha had a rather love hate relationship with these areas. Here she could be a rough and tough, being able to pick a fight and get away with it. However she hated the fact that it reminded her of her old crew. Those happened to be memories she wanted to keep away.

Then in a turn of events, that were less than ideal, a group of men came rather close to her wagon, some even trailed behind it. Jojha then calming picked up a bit of speed, loosing a large majority of the thuggish men that followed them from behind. However that didn't seem to shake the few that followed the sides of the wagon, and those who came closer by the second. Her eyes ran wild, quickly scanning all of the thugs. Almost everyone had some type of weapon, blunt or sharp, heavy or light. Everyone of the thugs, brutish and intimidating, too skinny and laughable seemed to be attracted to the wagon, like a moth to a flame. None of this was to any of Jojha's pleasure.

Suddenly she pulled out her knife, and picked up a lot more speed. With the significant increase in speed, some thugs were left behind wondering what just happened, while some actually broke into a sprint after them. "Hold on!" Jojha shouted as they picked up even more speed, now rocketing through the area, loosing each brute one by one. If Jojha wasn't careful, some of her contents within her wagon would of spilt out and hit Xander, her hat would of even flew off into the distance if it hadn't been tied around her chin.

Soon enough they made it out of the area, as a few guards came into view roaming the streets. It almost appeared as if they left that area everything became brighter and far more lively, especially since the clouds had finally moved away from the sun, bathing everything in a warm golden glow. Jojha also slowed down, at some rate that was. As soon as the first guard came into view, Jojha almost came into a screeching holt, jolting the contents in back of her wagon. Quickly holstering her knife, so that it was out of the view of a guard, she gave out a relieved sigh, fixing her hat and scarf as she did so. "Phew, sorry about that. I really didn't feel like shedding blood back there." Jojha chuckled, as if their small even of running away from, what would of been, a bloody and long battle, was just another event that should be taken in good light.

[Xander Andaris]

Xander's fingers wrapped around the hilt as armed people started to crowd around them, his hand gripped the leather bound handle tightly as he watched them. People of all shapes and sizes, huge towering men with big heavy hammers and smaller men with knives, some men carried nothing and there were even women scattered among them. Xander, of course, knew women were just as capable as men but in a street fight he had not expected to see them. He gripped tightly with his heels, ready to spring to his feet and from the wagon if he needed too. He was ready to fight but he, like any man, would prefer to avoid one if possible.

It appeared Jojha had a similar opinion as the wagon suddenly sped up. The horse being ridden by the Biqaj taking them faster through the streets, those who were immediately behind the wagon seemed to be left behind. Xander was thankful for that although the speeding up had resulted in a few items that were around Xander beginning to slide. In being a good passenger he quickly grabbed the items and pulled them back up, making sure they couldn't slide out into the road. He also made sure he was stable and would not slip out himself. The cobbled roads were bumpy for a wagon especially one riding at speed like this one, Xander found himself bouncing up more than once and then landing back down with a thud. He simply groaned and continued to make sure everything remained within the confines of the wagon.

As they escaped from the area and came barrelling out into a lighter and safer part of town Xander felt the sun be released from the clouds again and the warmth radiate calmingly against his skin. That enjoyment was short lived as the wagon came rather suddenly to a halt, no gentle slow but a solid sudden drop in momentum. Unfortunately for Xander it did not stop his own momentum and he smacked heavily into the edge of the wagon, the solid would connection straight on with his back with a loud thud. He groaned as he felt it already starting to bruise under his clothes, the flesh becoming tender and sore. He did not complain, instead he just found his footing and stood again, resting a hand on his lower back as he stretched the bashed muscles out and then leaned against the edge. She of course was calm as ever, seemingly not bothered and clearly uninjured by the evasive tactic. Sadly the same could not be said for himself.

He looked at her and rubbed his back. "You stopped mighty quick there, some warning would have been nice?" The statement had a somewhat amused and questioning tone to it, expressing his curiosity about what had caused her to brake so suddenly and covering some of his pain. He would have gone for a much more gradual slow, so that nothing would have been damaged, be it the passengers or the intimate contents. It was not too huge of an issue, he just not expected to have come out of the town with a war wound that day. Although, in the end a bruised back was better than a stab wound, this would not kill him like a knife between his ribs could.

[Jojha Hydranic]

At first it seemed that Xander would of got no reply from Jojha. In fact it appeared that she had disappeared from her horse. She had suddenly vanished, just like a ghost, being taken away by the wind. That was until her shadow casted itself across the street, as she walked back to the horse at a rather fast rate. Getting back up onto her horse, she let out a rather dishearten and annoyed sigh.

"Sorry about that, if I hadn't stopped we would of been pulled over for running like maniacs" Jojha said rubbing her left temple. Shaking her head, she looked forward keeping an eye out for a jeweller. With a swift whip of her rope, she started to move once again. This time she was far more careful, going at a far more moderate pace. Keeping her head down she didn't make any eye contact with the guards on the street, despite this she gave no warning to Xander meaning there was probably no reason to be fearful.

Even though there wasn't anything to fear within this area, Jojha didn't feel comfortable. It could of just been the old stories she had heard as a child, about evil guards who'd rip pirates apart. Or it could of been the fact she didn't feel safe around these men, fearing they could abuse their power whenever they wanted. Whatever it was, it as quiet clear something was making her uncomfortable in this area.

"Hope I haven't bruised you up too much, I still need a bit of practice riding this girl... So, why do you need this jeweller anyway, if you don't mind me asking?" Jojha asked, wanting to make some conversation, to help shake the worried feeling she had weighing down on her. Now that they were out of danger, she became interested in why a noble even wanted to find a jeweller. Sure he could of just wanted one to pick up a few more jewels, but at the same time, she didn't see Xander as that type of man.