[Flashback]Revenge and a Funeral: Part One.(Leviathan)

[Wystern]

Time Stamp: Summer 7, 509AV. "I still can't believe I'm back. I don't really feel welcome." Wystern said after a sixteen-day journey from Syliras. He was sucked into this chain of events where he received word of Rogue's funeral in Sunberth; then, the same week, he was ordered to see some of the slave activities in Sunberth cease. Evidently, it was supposed to be an easy job, but it sure didn't feel like it would be. How great, they send a single man to clean up Sunberth...has the Order finally lost its collective mind? Ridiculous, but ironically convenient his position was. He had enough food for another three weeks, the dry rations were surprisingly compact. That's what he has been eating for the last sixteen days. In truth, perhaps they sent Wys because he knew how to escape detection in this city. However, he was no longer a little boy, and could no longer fit into his old hiding places, but he still knew full well how to find an excellent hideout in this town of anarchists. Gloomy, that was the best way to describe Wys for the last two weeks, and his mood was starting to get irritating. He didn't feel really sad about Rogue's death, he didn't feel sad about returning to Sunberth. It was just that the memories kept finding their way out, he was getting nightmares every now and then. The Knight did take a necessary precaution. Wys took his stuff to the smithy and had the armor install metal plates over leather. Now he looked like an ordinary mercenary. He would probably fit right in. The Knight finally reached the Pig's Foot when Wys broke the silence. "Lets get going, shall we?" he said to his horse. And hopped off, leaving the crossbow in the seat.

[Kelpie]

In the city of Sunberth there were characteristic traits that were often remembered amongst its populace. Newcomers were scrutinized on the spot, and Wystern’s entrance did not go unnoticed. Beggars clawed at his feet and certain shadier individuals eyed him curiously. What’s more, before he could even so much as set foot in the Pig’s Foot inn, a skinny claw jerked out from within a filthy blanket and snagged at his foot. “Watchu think yer doin’, stranger?” The wispy voice seemed to ooze from within the folds, until a bald head tanned to the point of leathery popped out and inspected Wystern with immense effort. The grin that parted his lips revealed teeth long since rotted away, but the charm was still faintly there. “You’n gotta know this place ain’t good for visitors, but er…” The beggar lipped his lips meticulously, pondering for a moment, with eyes that darted back and forth as if he feared divine retribution. “You got a coin to spare?” There was a certain air about him that implied he was a knowledge seeker, and one with eyes and ears trained on particular people and places at any given time. But for now, only the hungry rumble of his stomach warranted any attention.

[Wystern]

Beggars. Wystern grinned at the sight. These people were the knowledge centers of any society. They are in plain sight and yet, they are completely invisible. Just to imagine all the things a person could learn for the price of a gold coin... He parted from his horse, and slyly reached for a single coin, and came up to the beggar. The man certainly looked the part, maybe the grime and bad clothes weren't just for show, but there were so many things about begging that people who never lived that life would be clueless about. The Knight was one of those who actually did know. "I'm not visiting. I'm looking for some work." He smirked at the thought, damn that lie better fly. Not that he was a bad liar, explaining why one just took a life of a thief to a crowd of Syliran people, makes excellent practice. Wys held up a coin to where only that beggar would see it. "It's yours if you tell me the name of the man who...knows things. Provided that you take me there, of course." He watched as the beggar's eyes widened at the opportunity. Still, the place felt uneasy, even the horse felt it from the sound of its breaths. Wystern looked at the beggar, awaiting the answer.

[Kelpie]

Several men passed by the two of them with exposed forearms tattooed with the shape of a dagger. They were mostly bald, tanned and as muscle-bound as a man could get. They were more so bruisers than anything else, but their simple passage caused the beggar to shift his attention away for a fraction of a chime. Once they had passed out of sight, his eyes locked back on Wystern’s. “Work?” He cackled, a leathery claw scratching at a thin leg hidden beneath the filthy rag of a tunic. “Some weird choice of place ye get there, choosin’ Sunberth, hehe.” He winked, then a slick tongue popped out of his mouth and licked his chapped licks at the sight of the coin in his hand. “Now now,” he began, tapping his chin almost wisely, “who’s to say I ain’t one of ‘em?” He grinned once again, motioning for Wystern to lean closer. “Iffin’ ye want information, it’s best ye don’t ask the shady bunch. Beggars are more reliable, hah! Come now, boy, what is it ye want, if I can answer ya, will ye give me three gold mizas?” He was enthusiastic, and his words played no hint at a lie. His eyes, brown and wise, were still sharp, and there were things he held secret for the right amount.

[Wystern]

"How do I know? If you were part of them, you wouldn't be begging. Guys like these don't place grown up men to beg on the street anymore, too inefficient, too much manpower wasted." Then Wys noticed a kid run across the street, dressed in rags. "Now he would probably be one of them." Wystern said pointing at the kid, sounding half-serious. That's the way it was with him back then. He squinted at the man at the sound of three mizas. Wys had plenty of cash on him from the payday a while ago. The beggar drove a hard bargain; Wys grinned, he was starting to like that man. "Fine. If you pay out, I'll throw in a meal as a bonus. Now start talking" The Knight rubbed his eyes and neck, feeling the crest, and then pulling his shirt over it. First things first, he will need a hideout which shouldn't be a problem; and then he needed to find a place where he could buy some food. Wys scratched his head, a local farmer should suffice, assuming he wouldn't get put down with a crossbow first. What really intrigued him now is if his old boss was still alive, and if he was, how much did he know and control. Maybe Wys could pull in a favor and get some more information for old times' sake. It was funny how the mission has only now officially began, and it already cost him. So many things to take care of...the slavers aren't going anywhere, but Rogue's funeral is in three days, or something like that.

[Kelpie]

“Ye think ye know ‘em all, eh?” The beggar chuckled. “I would like’n a say that sitting on one’s ass the whole day listenin’ to people takes less manpower than tryin’ to get information some other way!” Either way, the old man nodded at Wystern, as if he made a very clear point he was not aware of. “Yeh, I suppose yer right, can’t trust the lot, not any of ‘em.” He clicked his tongue against his gums in approval when Wystern agreed to the payment plus the extra meal. Oh he would have a full tummy tonight, the thought made his grin widen even further. “Well, then, what are we waitin’ for?” He got up on wobbly legs, clutching the side of the wall for support, then retrieved his wooden and notched cane from the confines of his raggedy cloak. Motioning for Wystern to follow, he led the younger man towards a secluded area between two buildings, safe enough so as not to be overheard. “Ye best keep an eye out, Enent rules this section of the city with an iron fist. He be ruthless and a lot of his boys be roaming the streets. Used to be a common thief he was, til he got rich, quick. If you dun want to be lookin’ for trouble, don’t go messing with any of his brothels.” He pointed toward two buildings adjacent each other across the street. “This be for yer own good, kid. Don’t go lookin’ for trouble!” His eyes roamed their surroundings cautiously.

[Wystern]

"I'm not looking for trouble. I'm just looking for some hired work. What for, hardly matters, right?" Yeah, right. Among the things Wys hated most were slavers, rapists, and situations where women were forced to whore themselves out. Liberating a brothel or two isn't impossible, but the idea carries a severe undertone of death for the "liberator". Wys took lead the horse quietly after the beggar. It wasn't particularly easy, but the animal wasn't particularly scared of the place; a warhorse, is a warhorse. He leaned against the wall as the pair came to the end, unpacked his backpack, and took out a single ration for the day. He held the promised offering in his hands and looked the beggar straight in the eye. "Let's start with Enent. Tell me everything you know about him, and we'll go from there to more...interesting topics. Like, for example, the more recent slavers, their camps, brothels, the works. Start talking."

[Kelpie]

The beggar nodded in response to Wystern, yet his eyes did not leave the delicacy he held in his hands. The rumble in his stomach block the sounds of anything else around him, if only for just a brief moment. “Alrigh’ alrigh’. Just don’ be sayin’ ye heard anything from beggar, ye hear?” He tapped his temple with his cane as if to emphasis this. “Enent is the head honcho in these here parts, ye see. Like I said, with an iron fist. In me younger days, he used to be a common thief like the rest of us, nothing special…” His eyes flicked from side to side once more. “He had some partners then, was the rumor. Like a gang of thieves. He sold them out to slavers for money, but there ended up being a brawl and two of em died.” He shrugged, “Still got the money tho, the lucky bastard.” Rubbing his chin thoughtfully he eyed Wystern. “So the word spread he got a hefty amount, and he started a business ye see, striking a deal with some slavers to bring in girls. Lots of em. He was gonna build himself brothels and be as filthy rich as he could get or die tryin’ they says.” A chuckle, “Well he definitely got rich, enough to get himself a couple more brothels and plenty of bodyguards…” This was where he paused, staring at the ration in Wysterns hands, with palm held up, expecting. “Me stomach won’t let me talk much til it gets satisfied, ye see, sonny. Don’t be cruel to an old man, hehe.”

[Wystern]

Wys was eagerly listening to every word the beggar said. Looks like Enent was the guy he was looking for. Sunberth, the town of anarchists ,more like the city of hypocrites. People escape governments to find themselves in a place where a bunch of cartels re pretending to be one or several. It looked like Enent was the top dog for now, and considering how quickly he rose to power, he definitely pissed some people off. "Fine," Wys said and tossed the bag to the "old" man and watched im devour the ration with the quickness Wystern never expected. The Knight rubbed his eyes, wiping the tired expression off his face once again. Looks like Enent was the target, the order wanted him gone. Difficult, but not impossible, it can be done within a week or so. There were some more personal matters to take care of and he just got a really good idea. "Okay, now that you had your meal, who runs the thieves and who is the document keeper?" Foundation of any business involves record keeping. Someone usually does it collectively. Wys used to know a guy, but he didn't know if he is still a live. Still, it's not that difficult to find a needle in a haystack if one is is willing to take the time to do it; but time he didn't have. Wys just noticed that this entire time when he was standing, he hadn't let go of the sheath of his sword. His left hand held it in a steel grip, thumb right under the guard. Was it a force of habit, or was he getting too worked up. It isn't healthy to get that worried. It isn't healthy to be in Sunberth either. Crow scratched the back of his head and checked if the coins were still in his hand and looked back at the beggar.

[Kelpie]

Once the rations reached the beggars lips his eyes lit up in excitement and content. He sucked on the food thoughtfully, for a mouth without teeth left him rather slow at masticating, however not several chimes later and he tucked away the remains for the rest of the day and looked Wystern square in the eyes. He grinned, nodding at his question and scratched at a patch of stubble on his cheek. “So nosy, so nosy, “ He tsked wagging a finger almost childishly. He moved past Wystern, looking over his shoulder and beyond, “You need to be more specific than that, sonny. There be many thieves here, too many to count, and a leader is not one I know too much about, ye see. But if you be lookin for the paperworks for Enent, he has safe houses round the place guarded by bruisers. They gots them daggers on their arms,“ he tapped his forearm for emphasis, “but you can’t get in without their token ye see. And they always carry them.” “Inside them safe houses should be the papers ye want, boy, though I’m not sure why ye’d need em--” There was a pause as a gruff voice called out from the end of the alley, “What you two doing down there, eh?” It was a brute, a rather large one at that, with tattoos littering his body and muscles bulging from painfully apparent overuse. “Perdar, I see, ya little rat. Chewing it out for yer own benefit.” He pushed Wystern aside roughly, grabbing the beggar up by the collar of his raggedy shirt. “We shoulda killed you when we got the chance, what did you tell im? EH?” Perdar shook his head rapidly, clinging to the meaty fist of the bruiser in utter fear. “Nothin, I said nothing of importance! Just an old man talking ramblins, that’s all…” The larger man turned his head and eyes Wystern aggressively, licking his lips in a nasty grimace. “You best keep out of our way, kid, or you’ll find yourself staring at the ground soon enough.” He shoved Wystern aside roughly as he began to drag Perdar out of the alley with the old man pleading and hollering all the while.