Recudor: Woods & Mountains

After a decent bit of walking, past the Inn and down the main road, Sartana finds himself at the south gate leading into the wilderness. It's one of those days where the breeze is decently cold but the sun shines warmly on his back. There is everything you'd think to see out in the field. Birds, little critters, and the rushing of a river nearby with plenty of forest and mountains to boot. There are a few paths, one leading to the forest and one leading across a small wooden bridge along the side of the city. From what he remembers on the note the bear was last sighted roaming the local forest, so a good place to start was to head straight ahead.

He does so for a good while until he is almost at the forest. The path splits into two ways around a large rock. On one side Sartana can see an old seemingly abandoned building, a good whiles into the forest, and on the other a broken down carriage just on top of a hill leading in to another part of the forest. Looking around either ways there are no immediate signs of bears or other animals passing through recently.

Smiling at the little bit of peace that forest had brought him. Deciding to go down the path of the carriage, he peacefully hummed an old song to himself. Hopefully the bear will be kind enough to just show it’s self and save him the trouble from bush whacking

Sartana continues up the path leading past the carriage. There are no other people in sight and it doesn't look like anyone has come through here recently. The carriage is broken down on the side of the road. It's surprisingly fancy for something that has simply been abandoned on the side of some hiking path, and more surprising how it even got up a hill this steep in the first place. On first glance it seems like the carriage has broken down. Two of the wheels on the same side have broken in half and part of the wagon is smashed. But on closer inspection the wagon itself has been stripped of any fine cloths, seats, and ornamental metal even some of the glass. It appears to have either been salvaged or raided in the first place, but by who or what Sartana would not be able to tell. So far no trail of the bear.

"They're hiding in the mountains." a familiar voice says from besides him and by now unsurprisingly he finds Anna standing by his side, wearing a face-obscuring mask with no motive other than a bunch of strange writing on it. "Raiders. Bandits. Their leader is very strong."
She begins to circle around Sartana's back to his other side. "A fierce man with no limitations. You know..." she cocks her head and folds her arms, standing there with her expressionless mask and noticeably more agile clothing, if just as outdated. "They say he's part of the League."

The name sounds familiar to Sartana. A myth at best, the League of Assassins is said to take jobs from all around the continent from beggars to noblemen. They are fabled to only take jobs against cruel and heartless people, but have been credited with a large number of innocent lives. Nothing more than fairy tales and stories to scare children.

Sarrtana fallowed Anna with her gaze, before saying. “They can be as strong they want, I’ve yet to meet somebody who is stronger than a bullet” He smirked at her, before turning back to the mountains. He felt an old invisible itch that hadn’t been scratched in far too long. He ran his left hand over the stubble he’d grown, while his right reached down to his single action. Stroking its handle gently he began to smile. “So were exactly are these fellows camped out then?” Sartana wired around a questioned Anna “oh also, do you think you could magic yourself a different form; One of an older and more fully developed woman?”

Anna chuckles to herself. "Yes, perhaps so. But bullets aren't always the answer to everything." the tone of her voice suggests she think otherwise, despite speaking against it.

She thinks about Sartana's remaining question for a bit, pondering towards the broken carriage. "I believe that to be an impossibility. Regardless, I've been looking for them, as well." she states and combs a strand of her long hair aside. "Somewhere in the mountains. Last I checked in I was stopped by a pair of bloodthirsty arcane wolves, their pelt burning hot like the sun. I sent someone to take care of them, but they were long dead by the time she got there herself. Perhaps destroyed and salvaged, just like this old cart-"

Anna stops abruptly. For a moment it's as if the world stood still. No wind, no sound. She lets out a playful giggle and points into the general direction of the forest. "They're close." she warns Sartana and immediately begins to dissolve into shadows, just like before, disappearing without more than pleased but fading laughter.

The cracking of sticks gives the man further alert as he stares into the forest. He barely manages to get a glimpse of a figure dashing further in to the forest, likely back to their hiding place.

“Yo Anna, I’m going to fallow that guy, you may want to just stay here” Sartana said dryly, not taking his eyes of the fleeing man. Then he started fallowing the trail the man had left of broken plant life and such. He undid his jacket, letting it hang and flow around him, and hid his Ka-bar in the jackets sleeve.

Sartana continues pursuit of the figure as he gets occasional glimpses of it through the trees. The man ahead seems to be wearing some very basic leather armor. Enough to protect from the occasional light punches and the whips and stings of branches tall grass and other small things. Not enough for actual combat or any form of direct confrontation, especially not a gun. Sartana slowly begins to lose distance as the man ahead nimbly dodges trees and darts in between them.

Eventually Sartana finds himself so far inside the forest he's not entirely sure which way leads out, but that should not prove an issue until much later if at all. The trail of the man he is pursuing vaguely follows the tall rocks to Sartanas right, with the rushing of water above them making it difficult to hear the fleeing man's footsteps up ahead.

Sartana stops dead in his track between some trees and bushes, instinctively ducking down as he notices several people standing in front of a cave. They're all dressed in the same type of garb, two of the 5 guys looking a little more well padded than the others in terms of armor. Guards no doubt, but guards of what? A hideout? A stash? The lanky guy Sartana was following earlier is conversing with the men and two of them escort him into the cave, leaving the two armored guys out front to guard them.

Getting to his feet, Sartana strode towards to cave entrance, waving friendly at the guard and smiling. “Thank the gods I finally found you” he exclaimed. “I wish to speak to your leader” pausing, before looking over his shoulder before lower his voice “I have busses for him”

When Sartana steps out of the bushes both of the men immediately draw swords. Their weapons confirms what the rest of their gear's status had already long suggested. They are dirty and worn just like the rest, but still plenty dangerous to an unarmored man with too little caution. The taller of the two steps forward. "And who are you then?" he asks, notably judging Sartana's clothing, style, and general appearance. "Business eh? You don't look like one of them cut-throats. Where's your proof?"

The man steps forward, trying to intimidate Sartana with his tough attitude, meanwhile as if far off the chuckling of a young girl can be heard echoing through the wind, which none of the two guards seem to catch.

Putting his hands in his pocket, Sartana leaded back “Christ, you guys are dull. If I’m here with a assassination why would I be carrying anything that could identify me. The whole point of hiring your boss would be so that my name says clear.” Putting one if his hands out of his pocket he pointed in at the taller guard. Folding his ring and pinky finger in, his hand took shape of a gun. “Are those really swords?” He laughed mockingly “What are you going to do, cut me to death? Never threaten somebody who could be carrying a gun with a god damned sword. “Turning his back on them, Sartana muttered something about armatures

The guard looks at Sartana with a bit of a raised brow and a confused expression as the other guard steps next to him, sheathing his sword, and begins to talk. "It's the rules, you know this. The White Claw doesn't answer to anyone without the book. So you better show proof before you really get into trouble." The other guard's tone and demeanor are more worried than aggressive, and the rattling of leaves up above alert Sartana of more guards up in the trees.

The situation is a little tense and Sartana can feel a familliar chill creep all around him.

Swiftly, Sartana side stepped from under the tree “Just let me see White Claw” he growled at them, getting fed up with them. He stamped his boot, making the spurs jingle softly before taking a deep breath. “We put away are weapons, come out of are hiding spot, and we can discuss contract killing and other shade business like civilized men.” Folding his are across his chest he waited for them to comply

The seemingly more reasonable of the two shakes his head. "Well... I suppose you would have only found this place if you were legitimate." he begins walking towards the cave. "Give me a few minutes..." he grumbles and walks inside.

A few awkward moments later, with the other guard meanwhile still staring at Sartana like he's ready to fight, the previous guard returns from the cave, giving Sartana a quick nod inside. "You're up."

Sartana is escorted inside. Much to his surprise the cave seems very comfy enough to live in. There are plenty of drapes carpets and animal hides on the ground, and various branches with doors built in to them. The whole place is well lit and every now and again he comes by a few other bandits on the way. Eventually he reaches a big open chamber decently far into the cave. There are multiple layers of wood and stone acting as different floors, and the bandits living here seem to have started a mining business.

The guards escorting Sartana are quick to remind him not to look around too much and soon enough they climb down a long set of stairs to another small tunnel leading to an office-room type deal. At least as much as you could have one inside a cave. There are wooden walls on most surfaces, with paintings hanging on them, most likely stolen, and a big desk takes up the center of the room with a man sitting behind it doing some writing.

"Boss" one of the escorts says, and the man idly waves his hand, dismissing both of them.

A bit of time passes and the man finally looks up from his desk. He's uncleanly shaven, with a scar below his left eye and some pretty expensive clothing, likely stolen as well.
He leans back in his chair, opening a drawer and pulling an old flint-lock pistol with four barrels out, setting it down on the table in plain view. "So..." he begins, his voice dangerous and professional. "We have business to discuss, Assassin."

Walking over, and taking a seat in one of the chairs in front of the desk. “Assassin?” Sartana raises an eye brow and his accusation. “Never thought of myself personally as one, but I have done my share of business, so lay it on me. What’s your offer?”

The man flashes a wide grin, resting his arms on the table and leaning forward. "You wouldn't be here if you weren't." the man then looks at Sartana a little confused. "My offer?" he asks "Now why would you come all the way to ask me for an offer when your whole purpose is for me to ask your offer..."
There is a glint of danger in the mans eyes which reflects in his questioning voice as he looks up and down Sartana. "You're brand new, huh? Your peers didn't explain to you how these things go down?" he leans back in his chair, scoffing in disgust. "Tch. I bet you're one of those new "Soulkeepers". A bunch of amateurs the likes of you."

Sartana can feel Anna smiling in pleasure behind him, knowing full well if he were to look she wouldn't even be there.

The man continues; "You tell your new master, Marcus might be dead but that doesn't mean she can so easily take over business. There are still five others, fully capable of taking over. And I am first in line." he opens his drawer again and pulls out a small black book. A perfect replica of the one Sartana had recieved the night prior. The man opens the book and begins to write into it as he hears what Sartana has to answer.

“That’s a mighty find notebook you have their, were did you get it” Sartana asked, eyes locked on the twin of the book Anna had gave him last night. Could this mean Anna was in contact with White Claw as well? Maybe he wasn’t as special as he first thought. But that’s beside the point, right now he found himself stuck in a potently hostile environment with no idea how many bandits were here. It’s time to play it safe and wait for some sort of opportunity to present its self, whether that opportunity is shooting everyone in this camp in the face or running away really fast, only time would tell.

The man raises another eyebrow at Sartana. "You're a funny one, eh?" he says in a clearly displeased tone. "You know exactly where this comes from, or you wouldn't have been sent here in the first place. Now... heres the deal."

He unravels a small hand-sketched map of Recudor City, pointing at a spot in the central district and then the southern high-class district. "Word is lady Keil from the traders guild 'made 'er way to the royal court just as the b-... our men... were about to strike." he leans back in his chair, folding his arms behind his head. "It'll be hard to get anything done with those new guys who settled into the underground in the northern district. The whole place is practically their turf. And those new mercenaries are a real doozie. So you go tell your lady soulstealer the arrangements are off as far as we're concerned. The heat is too high and we 'got our own plans, alright?"

He gestures at the door, which then opens, and two guards walk into the room. "See this guy out." he says with a disgusted tone and puts away the book. "Amateurs..." he complains under his breath, clearly suddenly annoyed at some realization of his.

Turning to go with the two guards, they began to lead him out though the door. Sartana took a breath, letting his mind go blank and feeling his subconscious fall back into a pool of ink. He listed to his heartbeat as it began to decrease and waited for the fraction second both guards would be in between steps and off balance.

Bolting into action, Sartana drew his knife with his left hand and his revolver with is right at the same time. He slammed his right elbow as it flared out straight into the nose of the guard on his right, making a satisfying cerchunk as several bones broke in the man’s face. While at the same time, he stuck his knife deep into the guard’s throat, and used the momentum so spin him around to face WhiteClaw. He hadn’t even had time to put down the book before Sartana’s single action roared out. It was too close to miss and the back wall was pained red. Sartana quickly pried his Ka-Bar free from the man it was lodged in and grinned.

Quickly running over to the desk, Sartana pushed to body out of the way and grabbed the Black notebook. hesitating for a second, he looked at the body of the bandit leader before chopping of one of his ring fingers and putting it in his pocket. He was going to have to confirm his kill somehow.

Just like that; the elusive leader of a gang of bandits dead on the ground and nobody the wiser.
His corpse laying on the ground, clutching the hole where the knife used to be, eyes wide in shock is almost a sad sight. Just another reminder how easily people with incredible power can fall.

A familiar laugh catches Sartana's attention as Anna bends down on one knee to take a closer look at the dead White Claw. "It's almost a shame." she says, staring at him through her solid mask. "But really, a necessity..."
Her voice sounds both playful and dangerous as she caresses the mans cold cheek with her small porcelain-like hand. "You've done well." she finally says and gets up, turning towards Sartana. "You can keep my books, and you have my thanks."

“Don’t think that makes us cool now” Sartana said “He called you a soulstealer, you want to explain why?” He began searching WhiteClaw’s desk for valuables and pocketed the strange 4 barreled handgun.

Anna giggles and leans against the desk as Sartana rummages through looking for valuables. "It's a name. A title if you will. I too am the leader of my people, but we're a little.... undermanned, lately." she pauses, crossing her arms.

Sartana finds a total of 27 gold, a few crudely drawn sketches of various women, a few small ruby catalysts and a gold pen with pretty engravings on it. Most notably is probably the gun, with its unique 4 barrels and fancy design.

Standing upright and twirling his new toy around his finger before putting it in his bag. Sartana drew his Semi and held it pointed at the door. There was still a cave system full of bandits whose leader was now dead because of him. “Hey Anna, you want to do you ghost thing and find out how many more people are out there?” He said, trying to keep his voice down a listen for footsteps. It was strange that nobody had come already to check out the gunshot he and fired earlier into dearly departed WhiteClaw.

Anna chuckles at Sartana's request and immediately begins to wrap herself in shadows. "Sure, why not?" her voice faintly echoes across the room as she disappears from sight. Shortly after there is a knock at the door.

"Boss?" a guy asks from outside the room, knocking again just to be sure. At first one would think this is karma for thinking how conviniently easy that kill was, but it soon proves to be another matter entirely when the guy simply says "There is word that the Itzel has sent mercenaries this way. We best send word to the Duke."

The man doesn't enter the room, either out of respect or worry.

Anna's soft voice can be heard briefly "It's only one guy. No others in the hall."

“Were just going to let him leave, no need to alert the entire hornets’ nest on us” Sartana murmured to Anna while silently moving towards the door and placing a hand on his knife. Holding his breath he waited.

There is a bit of a pause, the tension slowly rising as Sartana can here the man outside sigh to himself and mumble something in annoyance. Finally after; the crunching of shoes on dirt and small rocks, and the creaking of wood slowly growing distant, leave him reassured as the man has likely left by now.

"You would look out of place..." Anna says as she  carefully opens the door from the other side. "Without an escort, I mean. But if you make yourself look natural you might just stroll out of here like it's nothing." she says and nods past Sartana at the three dead men on the room. "I will move on ahead..." she says and sinks back into the ground, disappearing once more from sight.