[The Ports of Ahnatep] A chance encounter (Kalasshmalah)

[Bannon]

30th of Spring, 511 AV It was midday in Ahnatep, the sun shining down brightly and warming all that it touched. A slight breeze wafted through the docks, bringing the scent of the sea a little further into the city. The docks were a bustle, with shiphands unloading cargo, merchants arranging the deliveries and slaves being hearded off of the ships. It wasn't exceptionally busy in the docks yet it was far from being slow. Suprisingly there were very few passenger ships in the docks, most transporting goods or slaves. Aboard a ship transporting raw goods, such as wood and metal ores, was a man who looked out upon Ahnatep for the first time. He was dressed in a loose-fitting, light brown tunic, a pair of coth breeches and leather shoes. As Bannon looked out on the city he was in awe, the city showed signs of better times but still was a jewel amongst the sands. Bannon had never seen a city constructed in such a way before, most of the places Bannon had gone through were constructed with just the essentials nothing more then defense or the elements in mind. As he looked out Bannon's eyes fell upon the slaves being herded together like animals and sadness filled his eyes. I guess everything, no matter the beauty, has some ugliness in it. With a sigh Bannon turned from the deck and went to gather his things. Bannon had been hired as a guard for the ship, however instead of pay the ship's captian had agreed to give him passage in turn for his service. The trip had been rather uneventful, Bannon's duties had mostly consisted of sitting on the deck with his sword and shield within reach. He'd also spent a good deal of time cleaning up after his horse, another stipulation of his passage. After gathering up his meager possesions Bannon counted out his remaining money, only 85 golden mizas, a good ammount of money but he'd need to find some work before he set out again. Bannon began saddeling up his horse, he didn't intend to ride it but it allowed him to cary less stuff, after getting all of his gear situated in the saddlebags, only strapping his sword and shield to his back, Bannon began to lead he horse off the ship. As he walked out into the sun he sheilded his eyes from the sun, he needed a minute for his eyes to readjust from the darkness of the hold to the brightness of the desert town. Bannon had already set out a plan for his stay here, first he needed to find the stables, then a place to stay, folowed by getting some work and finally maybe a little bit of training while he took in the sites. As he was running over his plans the reigns shifted and Bannon felt a twinge of pain in his finger, he looked down and discovered a small cut on his pointer finger. Bannon shifted the reigns to his right hand and stuck the cut finger in his mouth as he looked around. He wondered who he should ask for directions.

[Kalasshmalah]

Malah was crouched in her human form, looking intently at the scorpion. It was a dark brown, almost black, with little dark red flecks. They each stared coldly at each other, waiting for the other to make a move. Slowly, she began to creep forward, trying to get closer, but not spook the creature. The scorpion reacted quickly, holding up and opening it's claws, and arching the tail over it's back. Not wanting to get stung, Malah stopped and resumed her glare. Gradually, it lowered it's guard again. Immediately, she started working her way closer. Sensing that she wasn't going to give up, the scorpion turn quickly and beat a hasty retreat. Cursing, Malah got up and chased after it. Building and people passed by but she would never be able to recall who or what. Her attention was wholly focused on the scorpion, and catching up to it. She bumped into a few people and was followed shortly by some, and yelled at by others. Unphased, she continued on, neither gaining nor losing much distance. The geography changed rapidly before her. At first being commoners and mud-brick buildings, the next moment, sailors with docked ships all around. a break in the foot traffic allowed her to gain some ground, and she was almost upon the little pain. Soon she would have more stock for her shop, just as soon as she caught it. Malah was just about to reach down and grab it by the tail when she came to an abrupt stop. Falling hard on her butt, she looked up at whatever stopped her. A foot in front of her stood a big, burly male, who must have weighed at least twice what she did. He was heavily muscled, and had no hair. His body was a collection of tattoos and scars, a probably storybook of his life. He looked down on Malah like she was some bug that should be crushed. Preempting any insult from him, Malah shouted "What are you doing?! You let it get away!" She got up slowly, savoring the shock in his face. He got over the initial shock and began shouting every swear in the book, and then some at her. And although intimidated by the man's size, Malah would not back down and show weakness. Though she was calmer now than before. "Move. I need to find it again." "Listen here little girl. I don't like hitting women, but you're pushing it. Treat me with some respect, and you might just leave here on your own feet." The sailor was barely controlling his anger at this point. His face was beat red and the veins in his neck were bulging. Annoyed that the scorpion was still getting away, Malah tried to push past the man on his left side. He grabbed her closest arm forcefully, causing a jolt of pain to rush through her. In a flash, Malah use her free right arm to punch the man in the eye. It did little damage, but infuriated him even further. He grabbed her other arm and forced them both behind her back, whispering to her "You're going to regret that, whore"

[Bannon]

Out of the corner of his eye Bannon saw something sculttling around on the ground by his foot, just as he stepped down. Bannon heard a rather juicy crunch, he lifted up his boot and looked down, the upper half of a scorpion was crushed under his boot. The tail still twitched slightly as Bannon inspected it, hearing a noise Bannon looked up seeing a young looking girl and a rather large burly sailor. The sailor appeared to be maybe an inch or so shorter then Bannon, however he wouldn't be suprised if the sailor outweighed him by a good ammount. Bannon heard the girl say something about letting "it" get away, the girl was facing the general direction of Bannon and she appeared to be looking towards the ground for whatever "it" was, Bannon wondered if she'd been looking for the scorpion he just crushed. Bannon crouched down and picked up the scorpion by it's tail with his left hand, from between his middle finger and thumb the scorpion hung limply by it's tail, Bannon was too afraid to just hold it in his hand in case it wasn't as dead as it looked. From the sounds of it the girl had angered the sailor, Bannon began walking towards the two of them. As Bannon drew near he saw the sailor grab the girl's arm, and her punch the sailor in the face, Bannon sped up, this could turn ugly real fast. Bannon came up just in time to hear the sailor tell the girl that she was going to regret while she did, whilst insinuating that she was in a rather unsavory buissness. Bannon was just within reach now, he pulled his sword quietly from it's sheath with his right hand, dropping the reigns as he did so, he should be able to end this before it got any more violent. Bannon raised his sword slightly and let the flat of the blade come to a rest onto the sailor's left shoulder. "Why don't you let the girl go and walk away. I'd hate to have to spill your blood in such a beautiful city", Bannon said a cheerful tone in his voice. As he spoke Bannon walked closer to the pair, allowing the blade to slide over the man's shoulder and the point pressed gingerly against the sailor's neck, a simple thrust would allow him to cut the sailor's neck. Hopefully this would be enough to deter the sailor's resistance instead of angering him further and thereby forcing Bannon's hand. "Is this what you are looking for Miss", Bannon said with the same cheerful tone, a kind smile on his face. His voice gave no indication that he had a sword poised to kill a man, if judging just by the sound one would guess that he'd just picked up a piece of fruit someone had dropped.

[Kalasshmalah]

Malah continued to struggle in the man's grip, though his considerable strength kept her from bringing her speed to bare. Every time she would try to wriggle free, he would tighten his grip, causing some pain and forcing her to stop. She began to freak out, kicking her feet at him, and hoping to do some damage. Only a few landed, and they didn't seem to phase him. And to top it off, another man was approaching from her front. A wave of dread washed over her as she thought, Another human? This one is proving difficult enough! The sword being drawn sent a fresh fit of fear through her. Will he run me through here? Her eyes drawn wide, she struggled now more than ever. Relief visible flooded her senses when it dawned upon her that the new man was here to help. Her struggling slowed to a passive pulling away. "Yesss, let me go before you get hurt." she jeered. As he showed her the dead scorpion, her eyes blazed and she spoke in barely controlled anger "You killed it?!" It was definitely the one she was looking for, but she obviously wanted it alive. Calming down significantly, but still rather irritated, she went on "After all I did to catch it too...it could still prove useful though." Turning her gaze back to the sailor, she looked him intently in the eyes "Sso, are you going to let me go? Or mussst you losse your head over thisss?" He reluctantly released his grip on the girl, then pushed her away roughly. Malah stumbled a bit, then fell to her hands and knees. She quickly got back up, brushing herself off indignantly. "This isn't the last you'll hear from me, girl."Grabbing the sword and giving it a shove too, he continued on "A little advice, watch who you stick your neck out for. It may turn out to be more trouble than it's worth." He turned to leave, making several comments of various vulgarity under his breath as he went. Malah faced her savior and smiled, and it even looked genuine. Though her remarks were somewhat edgy as she tried to save her self-respect "Thanksss, but I had that under control. I do not need help." Motioning to the scorpion, she looked at it assessing the damage. "Could I have that back? Even though you ruined what I had in mind for it, I may still be able to use it."