Glayp'neir (Arc 1)

Dr. Atrium tucks his key in to is coat and sighs looking around.

"It has been awhile since the last time I was here. I am glad nothing has changed." He puts his hands behind his head and leans back a little bit in his chair. The last time he was when he was first starting out in his journey. He came here because of the name had something to do with the moon so he hoped there would be others like him and could teach him. He smiles and sighs happily as he recalls his memories. After a bit he puts the chair back on the ground and looks at Sharpe.

"So, what is your story? I figured if we are going to traveling for a while with each other, we might as well learn a few things about each other."

The waitress took her leave and went down a set of stairs to the basement.

The artist looks up to the ceiling, trying to remember all the details. "Well you see..." he starts and looks back at her. "On my travels, sometimes certain sights really draw me in. I used to have troubles forgetting certain scenes so I began drawing and sketching and painting to clear my mind up a bit." He leans onto the table and moves closer to Airgetlam. "On my way into the city this particular castle was a big surprise. It is not recorded on any map I've ever used on the many times I've traveled here from global but then again this time I did not travel by the conventional route. I decided to take a detour through a forest and even though the forest was never really big I couldn't see the castle until I nearly walked into it myself." He pauses for a moment, waving the waitress with his bottle of alcohol over. "It seems that if you don't pay enough attention you might just miss it at the right angle. It is cleverly disguised on top of that little hill. I was so surprised that I could not stop thinking about it and so I just had to paint a picture in its tribute."

The waitress arrived with his drink and two glasses, he then shook his head and she took both glasses away again. The man took the bottle and started drinking directly out of it, taking big long gulps. He sighs satisfied. "Y'know... I don't really know much about that castle, but I can tell you, it felt wrong somehow..." His  grimace seemed to turn a bit dark as he thinks back on it. "One of my guards, a very superstitious fella, claimed that the castle belonged to some cult who developed all kinds of poisons and sacrificed people with them to summon demons. But when we had been there It looked more abandoned than the recudor underground strip-club after a police raid. But everything about it felt dark and unnerving" He took a few more generous gulps of the alcohol and slouched back into his chair. "Listen lady, I don't know what you want  with that there old castle but its none of my business and I don't want to be involved. However if you bring a map to one of my bodyguards they will know the way up there."

The man seemed in a generally foul mood and rudely waved Airgetlam off before continuing to empty out his bottle of alcohol. This was a man whose lack in success was surely going to drive him mad with rage one day.

Sharpe takes another swig from the cup of sacra he had poured. He shifts the liquid in his mouth, thinking how to begin. He leans back and puts his arms behind his head and swallows the strong drink.

"If I look away from you, it's not that I'm ignoring you, it's that I tend to fixate on far off objects so I can think more clearly."

He draws in a heavy breath and sighs.

"I'm from the same place as Airgetlam is. Roughly, it's the town we both grew up in. I don't know where she's actually from, which is something she doesn't even know herself. In any case, I'm from a town south of this place, along the coast. Water's fine, fishing a'plenty, it's not a large settlement, but it's not small neither. I grew up admiring swords, and I felt I wanted to be something better. I felt I was always a cut above the normal folk, that there was something out there - the truth - that needed to be found. I had studied martial arts and weapons for a while, and I'm very good with history and deep thinking. I saw there was a lot of wrong in the world, and I decided to take it upon myself to right the wrongs. Guess I'm a vigilante. I prefer the term Ronin, for I am also looking for a master... but I guess I could say I already have one - my own free will. I am the captain of my soul. Mix in the want for fame and fortune- er well, maybe not fame, people come looking, but the good stuff nonetheless. So I became a swordsman with a thing for guns too."

"The sword was forged via a very ancient process that practically nobody knows anymore. I'm not going into anything other than it's absurdly sharp, short of perhaps protraction-induced edge. I'd rather not take it out often, lest I have to maintain - or worse - repair it."

He looked at doc, away from his ramble.

"You mentioned the moon, you mentioned coming here for it - why though? Why did you become a doctor?"

Shoed away, the artist reveals his arrogance, and Airgetlam walks away with a foul taste in her mouth. She walks over to one of his bodyguards and holds up her hands, showing nothing is there and takes out a map of the area.

"I'm trying to find the castle in that painting. The guy your protecting said you can mark it on here."

The one approach grunts and holds out his hand, beckoning with one and keeping the other crossed. She hands him the map and he looks over it, then fiddles a little and hands it back to her. She gives a short thank-you and walks back to the group table.

"I got the place marked on a map. You probably shouldn't try to get that artist to do anything for you or us, he only does them for places he's seen, and he's kind of an asshat too."

She sits in her chair and relaxes.

"So what's the discussion? I come back to Sharpe jawing off, must be either the plan or his life story."

"I see. It is nice becoming what you wanted to be when you were a kid." Dr. Atrium replies to Sharpe when he finishes. He looks over to Airgetlam, "Part of his life story. I figured we should get to know each other better. He mentioned that you two grew up in the same town. Must be nice to have a childhood friend like that."

He smiles, thinking about what it must of been like to always have a friend as his side while growing up. Would he of been a different person if he did have such a person? He ponders the thought briefly, then looks back at Sharpe. "Why come to this place? Well, lets just say for now that I discovered my gift for magic but knew nothing about it. I was quite fresh to being an adventure and wanted to learn more about my gift. I came to this place because I figured of there was going to be a place to learn about the moon magic, it would be a place called "Solis et Umbra" or "Sun's shadow". I did find a teacher and I was told how I am a Shadow and how my magic is manly used for assassinations." He pauses for a moment, remembering the woman. She was pretty, and he wondered if she was still around. probably not, besides, she would probably be disappointed in how he turned out. He finishes the drink and resumes.

"Why be a doctor? Because I got tired of hurting and wanted to start fixing." His tone shows that he is annoyed. He shouldn't of brought up that he was trained to be an assassin, this is just going to lead into more questions, ones he isn't going to answer. He looks over at Airgetlam.

"It be your turn to tell about yourself" He tries to loose the annoyed tone of his voice but is still shines through a little.

Sharpe smirks a little.

"Not that being an Assassin's a bad thing, I actually admire their line of work... but I admire that you want no part of that, too."

He nods to Airgetlam.

"Yeah, I really didn't have much on the way of family, was never close to them. Air's what I can really call Family. Speaking of ya, did ya find anything useful besides the map from the guy?"

"Firstly, to address what Sharpe needs: the place is ancient, and apparently cultists who sacrifices people made their stronghold there. Take that as you wish."

She turns to Doc.

"as for me, I've had Sharpe to look after me, and vice versa, but I also had a mentor who worked with the local police as a detective, but he knew a lot about staying in the shadows, both literally and figuratively. So I learned my ways with a sword from my childhood friend and most else from that detective. However, my parents died a long time ago; I really don't remember them or that fact that my arm is like this."

As she says that, she holds up her silver arm for which she is named.

Dr. Atrium gasps a little when he sees that her arm is made of silver. That is very very unusual, he ponders how this could be for a bit. "Your arm, is it silver all the way through to the inside or is it just on the surface? If you would let me, I would like to have a closer look at it sometime but not now. We have plans to make. You said that the castle is now filled with people who sacrifices people, differently not good. If we are to save this girl you met, we need to get moving right away. I would suggest that we sleep in, get as much sleep as we can then tomorrow we travel until we cant any more. It is the only way we are going to make some major ground. Though, this plan is far from perfect so if you two have any other ideas I would like to hear them."

He sees the waitresses walk by and waves her over. He has to know if this place is still an underground Shadow hangout. When she gets to their table he tells her "I would like a tall glass of Luna Umbra, if you would be so kind."

The lady looks confused and she walks off to talk to someone. If she comes back with a tall glass of the places best drink at the time with a note saying "Welcome back brother", then he knows this place is still how he remembers. If the girl comes back stating that they don't have that drink or she has no idea what he is talking about, then that means the group has moved out.

The waitress soon returns with a stern look on her face. All signs of her previous excitement had darkened and she puts down the drink. However she does not hand him a slip. Merely a bronze key with gold lining and an engraving for unlocking magic seals and a silver coin with a red X painted over the head. The key was clearly for the old basement door that led down a set of stairs to the hideout. The door was disguised as a wall and could only be opened with the bronze key. The coin was a sign for assassination among shadows, but could also mean death in general. The waitress makes her way over to the kitchen and disappears behind the door. From across the room the bartender shoots a gauging look towards the group then slowly gets up and makes her way into the kitchen as well, untying her hair as she moves through the door.

None of the other occupants seem to notice anything and continue along merrily.

Sharpe watches the exchange between the Doc and the waitress-bartender duo. He raises an eyebrow and flashes a look at Doc.

"Friends of yours? Looks like you're not entirely welcome around here."

He shifts his view to keep an eye on the kitchen.

"I won't have a plan formulated until we get another person and I see the layout, remember we're here for that too. If that doesn't end up happening, I at least need to see a floor map of the place."

He keeps his eye trained on the kitchen doors.

"You sure it's safe here? Those two look like they're plotting your bloody demise. What's that key for anyway?"

She stows her arm away beneath her cloak. If someone saw it, they might get... ideas...

"Some other time, you may look at it. It's completely silver though."

She sighs, rubbing her forehead.

"As for the plan, I don't even know if the cultists are there even, they might have vacated a while ago. All I know is the place is old and likely dangerous. I do think we should wait it out as well until we know how exactly it is structured. I know for a fact though I'm probably going to be sent the quiet way around, sneaking about is my specialty."

"When the time comes for the arm though... don't get any ideas. I was born with it. It's not a replacement of any sort."

Airgetlam gets up and pulls her cloak around her.

"I'm going to check on Jian."

They nod and she walks off upstairs.

Dr. Atrium watches as Airgetlam leaves, then look down at the key and the coin. His eyes tear up a little and wipes them. "No, I do not know the two. It would seem that I have lost another home again."

He uses the smiling coin to check the drink again, but this time the face on the coin changes to a sad face. He then gets up and throws the drink and it crashes to the ground off in the distance. "How dare you people! All I wanted was to see my old friends, and I get this?!" He growls. His hands are in fist at his side and they are glowing bright. He kicks the chair away from him and starts to make is way to the basement.

The whole inn falls silent. Everyone is frozen in surprise, looking at the angry man walk down to the basement. A waiter quickly scurries over to the broken glass and begins cleaning up as the Inn recovers from shock. It doesn't take long before people start whispering among each other, slowly the chatter rising again with new topics and giggles. The artist sneers and slams his bottle on the desk before getting up and going up to his rented room, his bodyguards following him closely.

Soon enough the people recover and things continue as usual, only the hint of awkwardness remains.

Sharpe leans back in his chair and watches Doc storm off in his fit of rage. Looks like they've all got their issues. He gets up, taking the bottle with him to finish up the dregs, and keeps a decent distance away from the Doc. He might get scalpels in him if he found out immediately. This is something deep-seated, he can tell.

Arigetlam hears a whisper from the other side of Jian's door. Someone is inside? But she thought he was left alone...

She grabs the nob, an slowly turns it. She opens the door a crack, and she can already see a white illuminate glow emanating from just to the side of the bed. She opens the door all the way and sees a woman in white and blue robes, the source of the glow, but it faints a bit when she's seen. The light then intensifies and Airgetlam covers her eyes with her silver arm by instinct. The light gone, she looks again and sees Jian all sweaty and looking like her had seen a ghost, which he may very well have.

She rushes over to him and checks him over.

"Are you ok, Jian? Who was that? What was she doing?" She asks him, but he just seems very dazed.

She display a concerned look and relaxes.

"Well, we're going to be staying here for the night, just so you know. We found the castle, so we're trying to find a 5th person to help us."

She sits on the bedside, and looks up.

"You know, I really do worry about you sometimes. I know we really don't know much about each other, but I just wanted to say you're kinda cute and funny... so... maybe after this business is done, maybe we can become friends."

Dr. Atrium storms to the basements door and uses the key to slam it open. As he walks down the fight of stairs, he touches the tiles just under each torch, when he does the torches lights. He walks down the spiraling stair case until he reaches another door. Back in the day there was always someone on guard behind that door, but he knew no one would be behind it. He kicks the door down and walks inside, he walks along the wall until he finds the tile he is looking for. Pushing it lights up the chandler and what he sees doesn't do anything to make him feel better. All the banners and most of the paintings have been torn and slashed to bits, the fancy tables and chairs have been smashed, some even burned. Shaking with anger he walks into some of the rooms and they all mostly look like the main hall did, destruction. He walks in to the small library to see it the whole room blackened with soot and ashes.

With only one other place to check, he walks into the treasury. This room looks like it had back in its day, still undecorated and still filled with traps. He remembers how to move across the room with out getting killed in the proses and once he makes it to the other side, he walks to the wall and pushed the three tiles needed to show him the hidden room. When it opens, he screams in anger as loud as he can. The room was empty and there was a skeleton that was wearing an old and tattered robe that a person he trained with once wore. He sees the charm around his neck and takes it. It is the same charm he has but this one if fully charged. He walks out of the treasury and just stands in the middle of the main hall. He remembers the good times he had with his trainer and all the hard tasked he had to do. He gets so filled with anger that he grasps the charm in his hand and starts to make the shadows destroy what is left of the furniture. Giant black hands slam and throw tables and chairs, they claw at the wall making gashes in them. He sighs and the hands sink back into the ground. He picks up one of the old banners, and just stares at it silently.

Sharpe watches as Doc makes his way down toward the cellar, which is actually a rather large hideaway. He sees him make his way through the traps, but he sticks to sitting back, watching. He spies... A skeleton with an amulet, exactly like his. The shadows begin to move and animate, throwing things about. He narrowly dodges a chair, and finds him sighing and sinking to the floor.

"I'm sorry, Doc. This.. This was your home."

Sharpe pauses, then breathes in.

"We get that girl back, I'll help you catch who did this. I promise."

She turns her head, waiting for a reply, but it seems she will never get one as Jian has fallen back asleep. She smiles a little and brushes the side of her hair then gets up. The quietly shuts the door and makes her way back down to the lobby, but finds Doc and Sharpe are absent from the table. She looks about and finds nary a trace of either of them, save for the basement door ajar and the lack of a waitress and bartender.

She sits back down at the table and waits what eventually seems like an eternity.

Dr. Atrium quickly turns, glaring and holds his hand glowing pointing at who ever is talking to him. When he sees that is it Sharpe, the glare fades and he puts his hand down and looks back at the banner. "Yes, this place was once my home. It was here where I learned about who and what I am."

He folds the banner and makes his way out. "Lets go, there is nothing here any more...It is just another basement that people will forget about."

He walks out and once Sharpe is out, he locks the basement again but then he brakes the handle on the door. Now no one would be about to unlock the magic boor, keeping what is left of his home safe. He sees Airgetlam at the table again, he walks over to the table and sits down. He doesn't say anything, just slouching and looking down, thinking of his past.

Sharpe does not stride as he follows; merely, he places each step care-free, but keeping quiet all the while. The Good Doctor needs some time to wind down. It's not the first time Sharpe's seen someone sulking so low in spirits, and it certainly will not be the last. He sits down between the two.

He leans to Airgetlam and whispers in her ear.

"His sanctuary and home is gone. Give him some time as well."

He gets up, and runs a hand through his hair and scratches his stubble.

"I'm tired. Might as well get some sleep. Maybe you guys should do the same."

He walks out, not even checking if the other two are in tow. The day has been busy and the incidents many. Rest is required.

"I see." She whispers plainly back. She sighs. She wonders if this Airgetlam will be next in the line for a disaster. She simply agrees with Sharpe and waits for him to leave, then follows the side of the table over to Doc.

She puts her silver arm on his bicep.

"If it makes you feel better, tomorrow you may look."

She says no more to him, for he needs time to meditate. She goes back to the room, rather lavish for a large suit, and finds a bed to herself. As she changes out of her normal gear, she walks to the window and looks up to the stars, and finds the wind is crisp this night, and the moon as bright as the daylight sun, in contrast to what was previously thought the forecast. She sneaks over to Doc's things once he is fast asleep and takes out his moon charm, then proceeds back to the balcony. She looks it over, wondering how one can even power it. Do you just leave it out and let it soak in the moonlight or do you do some sort of spell or what? She ops that it's probably of the former variety, and places it in a glass box she found in one of the other rooms and fastens the box to the ground so it won't be lifted away. She takes out scraps of paper and writes various directions, from Doc's bed, to the balcony, with the last one having a message signed with her name and a heart.

She sneaks back off to bed with a smile, hoping that while the amulet might not become charged, the thought that she wanted to help anyway might lift his mood for the next morning.

The city, being what it is, still has people roaming the streets as the night winds down after the first day of the festival. The city sounds while not disturbing drown out the faint music and laughter from different parts nearby as well as the chatter of people.

The group rests undisturbed as the night passes by and the sun rises. It is a gloomy morning and already people are up and about, running up and down the hallways and preparing for the guests to wake up. Down in the bar part of the Inn the bartender from earlier is standing behind the counter, cleaning it with a cloth. Her bright hair is in an up-do today but her expression is still as disinterested as the night before. A man sits at the counter drinking on a mild drink and aside from a drunk woman and her friend sleeping head-by-head in the corner next to the entrance there are no people downstairs at the time. Outside the windows the city is yet ever-busy. People are marching up and down streets, vendors are shouting out their advertisements and some patrols are searching the area for trouble-makers. Luckily it seems that nothing is out of the ordinary today. Out in the hall a grunt is followed by the sound of two people clashing. A muffled groggy voice calls out "Hey! Watch what you're doing you imbecile... Those paintings are worth more than your whole family!"
Yet another voice, female this time, answers "I'm so sorry, Sir, it wont happen again... May I help you up?"
"No! Get lost you dumb bitch!" yells the man down the hall and angry footsteps can be heard taking off into the distance.

Things quiet down and the hallway is now clear.

Jian turns around in his bed a bit and then slowly opens his eyes. His body is still aching a bit, but he's able to get up and walk just fine. He recalls the dream he had and also remembers a woman that kind of pulled him out of it. Who was she? Why was she there? These kind of questions cross his mind as he walks towards the window. The weather's quite okay with him. Could be worse. But after getting a bit distracted about what's happening outside and what the weather is, he goes back to that woman. That really got him hooked. Maybe... It was her. The woman that saved him back then. But he can't confirm it, he can't even recall the voice of that woman. It's all conclusions. He sits back down on the bed and streches. His stomach growls and howls quite a lot, but he doesn't feel like bothering people about that right now. Instead he just checks the time by looking at the wall clock in his room. He then takes out the book, looking at the pictures again, just for the sake of maybe finding out why they're here for him.

But even then. What if the woman was really her? He just can't stop going back to that. Why would she be here anyway? It all just makes less sense the more he tries to find the reasoning behind it.

Sharpe gets out of the bathroom and sees Jian looking about confusedly, and notices a bunch of paper scraps with writing on them. He looks to Jian, his eyes still half-closed and rubbing his stubble.

"Wakey-wakey, good to see you're up. Sleep ok?"

Airgetlam turns in her bed, one strap of a camisole falling down her arm and one strand of her hair up and forming an ahoge. She slumbers still, and mutters something about looking out into space and seeing fish. She turns again and opens her eyes, hearing voices other than the people in her head. She bends upward and looks about the room, another strand of stray hair sticking to her cheek. She looks at Sharpe.

"Panties." she says randomly.

She looks over at Jian.

"Feet."

She looks at doc in the corner.

"Iunno. Banana somesins." She lazily mumbles, getting out of bed then shambling into the bathroom, then biting Sharpe's arm as she passes, but not very hard.