#tendrokos

Nowhere to run to, baby, nowhere to hide Got nowhere to run to, baby, nowhere to hide

Run

( Disclaimer. This is a collab between the player behind Aelwin Cooper and I. Bold myself and italics @tendrokos   )

Several days later, a body washed up on the shores of Vesper Bay, there was no movement of signs of life. The small form laid on their back. As you got closer to the small form it was a woman who was slightly injured but just enough to cause unconsciousness. What was striking about her hair? It’s stark white. The waves splashed over her body as she lay on the beach. 

He mulled around Vesper Bay, one of the few times he had the freedom to venture just a bit outside of Ul’dah. Aelwin took a deep breath of the salty sea air, a somewhat foreign smell. Knowing only the smell of blood and sweat as he fought for his own life in the glatorian arena. His hard gaze scanning the sands of the beach, taking in the view. His eyes settled on the figure of a woman, seemingly lying unconscious. Half her body pushed out of the water by the waves. He didn’t waste any time, jumping onto the soft sand as he moved his way over to her. Hoping he wasn’t too late. His form kneeling over her as he tried to stir her away, a soft shake of her shoulder. 

A small groan escaping through her throat. However, there wasn’t much a stir to her. She has been in the water for days. However, once close to her, whoever would visibly see she was hurt. A cut on her leg, stab wound on left arm, and her clothing barely on her body. She laid there unable to move or even wake up. She clearly is in need of medical attention. There was no form of identification on her body but there was a strange seal wrapped around her wrist. That seal indicated she was some of importance. The waves continued to splash on her body. 

Her groan was reassurance enough that she was still alive, taking notes of her injuries to gauge how bad they were. Knowing he possessed little skill in mending, he thought better to try and get her into the bay to get help. He slowly, with great care, took his arm under her back. The other arm going under her knees as he would gently try to lift her off the beach. Her small size and weight little concern compared to his own strength. Holding her close against his chest as he moved across the sands as quickly as he could, without moving her too much. Seeking to find an inn and help to heal her wounds. 

Acinarian sat at the table in the local place in the Underscity, his form slumped against the chair in a lazy fashion. He was bored, carelessly spinning a fork on his hand, watching the people and Forsaken mill around the large underground tunnels. He slid a hand across the air, not really caring how he looked to others. My these Wolves took their time getting to meetings. 

His attire was rather fancy, draped across his small, skinny form as he waited for his contact to arrive. His blonde hair was well kept, flowing down his shoulders and back. He was sporting a rather unusual mustache, the ends twirled. His face young but sharp, his eyes switching colors at random as he watched the people. Every few blinks the color would change completely, sometimes mixed colors.

His eyes shifted as he saw a new face step into the small room, he was fully dressed in tan, white and black. A blank faced mask covering what would have been his actual face. Four floating balls of Fel at the mans back. Arc stopped spinning the fork, rolling his eyes. This must be one of the officers from the Wolves, else he wouldn’t be so uptight. 

He watched the man as he scanned the room, the masking looking to Arc. After less then a second the man made his way to the small table, his mask watching Arc the whole time. 

“I believe you are the one named Arc, are you not?” The warlock ask, his voice smooth and charming. Arc could figure the man out faster then he would learn his name. Arc gave a large, cheeky grin. Tossing the fork carelessly out of sight. He winked, blinking to now crouch on top the table. His head tilted as he peered up at the warlock.

“I could be! But how would you know?” Arc laughed out. He quickly stood up on the table, bowing oddly to the man. “But since you guessed right on the first try I guess I could give you this one!” He grinned, blinking back to his seat, his hand waving to the other chair. “Come now, come now! Have seat! I want to hear more about these Wolves!”     

The warlock stood there for a second, no doubt thinking to himself. After a bit he moved to sit in the opposite seat, folding his hands into his lap. “Your letter informed me that you perhaps wished to join the Wolves. If you forgot my name is Lord Tendrokos Sunsworn. I am one of the officers in the guild. I already know your name.” Tendrokos kept his gaze on the mage, his mask blank as it always would be.

Arc snorted, waving a hand in the air rather dismissively. “Don’t tell me a Sunsworn is in a mercenary guild! You can do better then that!” He rocked back and forth a bit in his seat, a smile never leaving his face as he watched the man. “That’s right! Right indeed! I wish to join, but you all are probably out fight no? I don’t do fighting, how horrible!” He made a sarcastic sad face before laughing again. “You don’t perhaps have an option to work as say a interrogator? I like nothing more then to push someone until they snap!” 

Tendrokos gave a sigh as the man talked, shaking his head slightly. “I am only a Sunsworn by blood. My ideas and thoughts are without my houses influence.” He nodded as Arc mentioned an interrogator. “There is a group like that. The Seekers are a group of both interrogators and diplomats. I am the leader of that group. If you are looking for less fighting and more information gathering, I highly recommend the Seekers.”  Tendrokos sat back, probably in an attempt to be farther away from Arc. Seems he was almost scared by how crazy he seemed. 

Arc slammed his hands onto the table, creating a loud band as he stood up to look at Tendrokos. “That. Sounds. Perfect! Oh splendid, splendid!” He tilted his head at the warlock, grinning. “Which means I will have to take orders from you! I do hope you give me things to do, I hate being bored Mr. Sunsworn.” He continued to stand, causally rubbing his mustache with a smile as he waited for Tendrokos to respond. 

Tendrokos gave another small sigh, pulling out a small marking device as he tapped the area behind the ear. “If you wish to join, I expect you to respect me and the others. Especially the other officers and the General. Should you fail to do that or follow orders, you will be punished. Understand?”  His voice was calm, but stern as he expected an answer back from the rather unruly mage. 

Arc smirked, his eyes changing green as he blinked over onto the table once again, crouched, his face this time a few inches from Tendrokos face. “No worries! I always follow orders! As for respect you can expect that to. Yes indeed!” Arc understood Tendrokos motion and shifted his head to show the skin behind his ear. As Tendrokos placed the marking device on his neck, he chuckled, feeling the sting and the burn as the snowflake was branded onto his skin. After Tendrokos removed the gun, he winked, blinking back to his seat. His arms resting on the table as he looked at him once again. “So what now? Mr. Boss man?” 

Tendrokos replaced the gun back into the folds of his robe, snapping his fingers. On Arcs side of the table would appear a neatly folded tabard, fel smoke falling off it as it appeared. Tendrokos motioned to it. “That is your fangs, you are expected it wear it at all meeting or when you are representing the guild.” He tapped to his ear next. “As for your comm, I will give it to you tomorrow as I have just created a new one for the guild to use. I am releasing it tomorrow to the whole guild, you should come. Meet the others.”

Arc looked down at the tabard, his eyes wide as they now glowed blue. He picked it up, nodding with haste. “Oh lovely, lovely! This will go perfect with my robe!” He chuckled, tossing the thing over his shoulder. He folded his arms, tilting his head at the warlock. “If you say so. I’ll pop in, say my hellos. What fun, what fun! You will let me know when the real fun starts yes!?”  

Tendrokos gave a nod. “I will be sure to let you and the others know when something comes up. But I need to give you the new comm tomorrow or else I will have a hard time reaching you again.” The warlock stood up, straightening his robe before nodding to Arc. “I will see you around Arc, try to stay out of trouble.” With that Tendrokos began to fade, his body being striped away into fel as he was soon vanishing. 

Arc waved rather sarcastically at the warlock. “Bye Bye! Don’t worry about me!” He laughed as the warlock completely vanished, standing up and running out of the small room. He started humming as he slowed to a walk, bouncing around Undercity. 

I awoke to the sounds of birds singing, and knew I was in the wrong place.

Flash, bang, blackness...That's all I remember.

Moving to my elbows, pain scored at my chest, but when I moved my hand to where the pain was, there was nothing there. Strange.

It still felt tight as I moved to sit up, then saw the letter next to my bed and, as I read it, it all came crashing back.

Flash, bang, blackness.

Anger began to boil within me, hot and searing. The bitch had shot me! And for what? For following orders?

Throwing the sheets aside, I moved to stand and would have fell to my face if I had not caught the nightstand. At least the General made it, that was a plus.

Though my leathers were covered in blood, I was quick to put them on. There was much to do, much to think on. Why did that fight break out as it did? But as I thought it over, it really wasn't that big of a surprise.

Tensions were already high from the meeting prior the ritual. Why did the General invite them all to go with her? Didn't she realize how shit would rain?

Nearly got me killed in the process. Her lack of forethought.

But was more, was Aya. Why? Because of my part through the job? Like she hadn't done worse.

She had nearly killed Cin and Dey just a few weeks before. Evidently, removing the device from her heart had no affect on her mental state.

Did she do it on her own? Or was it something her family triggered?

Does it matter? She tried to kill another member of the Wolves. The girl was dangerous.

Finding a basin and pitcher, I poured some water and washed my face, hoping it would bring clearer thoughts. But none came. The anger was still there.

I wouldn't be able to judge anything rationally like this… I needed time, time to calm down. Tonight. Hopefully by tonight things will be as they should.

With one last look around Ten's place, and smirked at the sight of the floating book, never realizing how sentimental the warlock still was.

"Tonight then… Tonight, Fen. Tonight things will change, and gods I pray for the better."