Aurelia Rising

"Rocky_Theme_Song.mp4"

- Dictator Fabius after sending the latest Roman army into Hannibal's meatgrinder

"I can't tell which job is worse! Hunting down overgrown wolves, having to go swimming for some ladies necklace, or babysitting some sniffling surveyors for a month!" Junia declared, staring at the large wax board in the common room of the Sword and Scroll. The sun was just starting to peek over the tops of the buildings across the street, casting the large room in a rich warm glow.

"There are a lot of job notices up there, Junia, I'm sure we'll find something." Said Thessa. Her eyes were also skimming up and down the wall. "This one has a lot of writing on it! What does it say?"

Aurelia furrowed her brow and leaned closer to inspect the notice in question. "Why don't you give reading it a shot, Thessa? You've been getting a lot better recently!"

The tauren woman blinked once and blushed slightly. "I guess I could try..."

Thessa stepped next to Aurelia, bumping her hips affectionately, and narrowed her eyes in concentration. "Ani-, uh, animad-" Her words were halting and unsure, like she was second guessing herself. Aurelia looked down at the shorter woman as Thessa craned her neck upwards to read the small script crammed into the tiny notice box marked into the wax surface. A small grin quirked the side of Aurelia's lips as mischief entered her eyes. As Thessa continued to struggle to read the barely legible characters, Aurelia reached down and grabbed hold of the tauren under her arms.

"Eeep!" Thessa squeaked as Aurelia lifted her into the air. Her legs kicking meekly at the unexpected jump in perspective. After a few moments of wriggling in Aurelia's grip, she huffed and relaxed.

"Better now?" Aurelia asked, her voice practically dripping with smug satisfaction. Junia covered her mouth and giggled at the two of them.

"I was getting there!" Complained Thessa, though when she turned her head continue reading the notice her words came quicker and with more confidence than before.

NOTICE

Job - Investigate, Search and Rescue.

Details: A trade caravan traveling north along the Via Latina has gone missing between the towns of Teanum and Casinum. No survivors to give account. Thought to be possibly the result of a bandit attack, ork incursion, or local terror. Report to the Villa Calipurni for more information.

Objective(s): Learn what happened to the caravan, and if possible, return any lost goods or people found. Job to be considered complete after a full investigation.

Bonus: Increased reward if: Goods and or people safely recovered, threat to public and trade eliminated.

Reward: 3500 As (subject to increase, see above).

"Hmm, it's alright I guess." Said Aurelia. "We'd need to either get a good map, or find someone who knows the area better. I've got no clue where Teanum or Casinum are."

"They're south of Rome along the Via Latina!" said Junia helpfully.

"Thanks." Aurelia replied sarcastically, rolling her eyes as she did so. "But aside from that, it seems a bit ambitious for a job we'd be doing just the three of us for the first time."

"Aurelia! Got a minute?" Came a masculine voice interrupting their conversation.

She turned to see Brann over by the bar, beckoning her over. Now that the last dregs of breakfast had been cleared away, it seemed he wanted to speak with her.

"You two keep looking, I'll be right back." Aurelia said to her companions, and strolled over to see what the tavernkeeper wanted.

The man seemed in good spirits, if a little tired. There were dark circles under his eyes, and his fingertips were stained dark with what looked to be ink. Aurelia pulled out a stool so her knees could fit, and sat across the bar from him.

"Hey Brann! Hope you've been doing well. I'm sorry I haven't had the time these past few days to sit and talk... I've been meaning to say hi Marion in the kitchen too!"

He waved her words aside and chuckled. "No no, it's nothing like that. Though, sometimes when the boys have had a little too much to drink they'll start asking for you." He lifted his arm and pointed a thumb behind him. "I still have your wench uniform in the back... I could bring it out if you're looking to start work again. I could even offer you the old deal again."

When Aurelia had returned to the Sword and Scroll, she had found her old room rented out and in use. She didn't blame the man, they had been late returning, and adventuring wasn't an occupation where one retired old. Still, having her room and board covered so long as she strutted around in a tiny corset had been nice.

She smiled sadly at him "I'm sure that would be fun Brann, but I'm pretty focused on adventuring now."

"Ah well, can't blame me for trying. The chest on that thing is so stretched out I don't think it'd fit anyone else anyway."

She raised her eyebrows at that.

"Well, that's not what I called you over here for anyway." Brann cleared his throat, and inhaled a deep breath.

"A lot of faces come through those doors there." He said, gesturing to the entrance to the inn. "Some come in with the glint of half-remembered stories in their heads, convinced they're the next Hercules. Others come in desperate to change their fortunes, with empty pockets and gold in their eyes. Neither of which tend to last long"

"And which one was I?" Aurelia asked, though the corners of her lips were raised.

"Both, youngblood." He said frankly. "Though you at least had enough wits about you to work for me here until you could get yourself some proper equipment. Most don't even have enough patience for that. To get to the point, girl, you were lucky enough to skirt the edges of a common pitfall I see people fall into. So imagine my surprise when I see your sorry ass stumble through my door many days later than planned, only to immediately begin spending far more money than you've ever earned."

"I took a loan!" She said defensively.

"You took a lone from a dwarven bank, girl." He corrected. "They probably waved money in your face. A lot of money. I'm sure they were all smiles with all the bowing and scraping to go alongside. Practically giving the stuff away."

Aurelia's face twinged. The clerk had been a prick, but he had a point about the meeting in Cromaldi's office afterward.

"It wasn't all like that!" She protested. "Now that we're getting better gear, we'll be able to make it back in no time!"

"Already using "we" huh?" He said, raising an eyebrow and looking past her to where Junia and Thessa were fussing over a job notice. "Bah, that's your business not mine. The point is that a dwarf won't forgive a debt. Ever. Debts and grudges between the stout folk are nothing like between you and me, between regular people. The sun could go dark tomorrow and the oceans freeze, and they would still demand your timely payment."

"Well then it's a good thing were already going back to work then." Aurelia said, a little bit of annoyance entering her voice.

"What's the interest rate?" He asked simply, cutting through her attitude.

"What?"

"How often are payments due?"

"Um... Junia was the one who did the negotiating at first"

"At first?"

"Monin helped closer to the end..."

"Helped" He repeated, as though tasting the word in his mouth. "Junia's the brunette, right? The one next to the tauren back there?"

"Yeah she is."

"Gods give me strength" Brann said, shaking his head. "You've learned quickly so far. I hope for your sake that you learn how to manage your money soon."

"Hey!"

Behind her, Aurelia heard a crash! as something clay shattered. Turning her head, she found Junia and Thessa looking everywhere but at her... or the clay shards on the floor by their feet.

"I think you'd best get back to your little crew there." Brann said wryly. Rubbing his eyes as he did so. "But I want to talk to you more soon. Change is coming here with the creation of the guild, with all the dumb rules and standards and foolishness that comes with it. And besides, I've had a mess of people crawl through my doors these last days looking for you."

"People have been asking after me? What did you say to them?" Asked Aurelia as she began walking towards the mess of clay and dark liquid staining the floor which awaited her.

"I told them to fuck off." He said simply. "Though there's one I'd actually recommend you talk to. But we can talk more of this later."

With a wave of farewell to Brann, Aurelia stepped forwards to loom over the two sheepish looking women before her.

"She did it!" Declared Junia with a pointed finger, as she looked up at Aurelia. "Her fat ass swept the damn thing right off the edge of the table!"

"I'm not fat!" Cried Thessa indignantly. "It was an accident! And who would put something like that right on the edge of a table?!"

"Give me strength..." Groaned Aurelia quietly, as she began to look for a mop.

As the light of the mid-day sun began to wane into the long dusk of evening, the trio finally left the blue roofed tavern. The tall golden one stuck out like a sore thumb amongst the Roman crowd, a quality which would go ignored usually. Nothing more than one more odd quirk for a very odd person.

The shadow did not ignore it.

Sliding from nook to crevice, under the soles of boots and into the cracks of brick, he followed. What little sound he made was masked by the bustle of nearby foot-traffic. The other two women were following in the wake of his target. Secondary, he had been told. They were secondary to securing the major prize. Beneficial should all three be secured, but should an accident befall one of them...

He licked his lips. It had been so very long since he had gotten the opportunity to play. Surely the cow bitch wouldn't be missed?

He followed the women through wide avenues heading away from the city center, the darkness under the bustle of merchant's carts more than ample enough for his needs. When the walls surrounding the city began to loom high above them, his targets turned off the main road and into a large dirt yard. What had begun as a verdant grass field had been trodden down by the passage of so many wagons and carts as merchants and travelers chose to pay the small fee rather than risk keeping their carts and goods outside the city walls.

The shadow watches as they stop at a large covered wagon. It looks freshly made, without any of the dents, chips, or scratches which come with age and use. The canvas top covering is drawn back, allowing him to see it filled with food and supplies. He must act quickly then, for they are surely preparing to leave soon.

He grits his teeth and has to resist the urge to reach down for his belt. He has given himself enough pain for his previous mistake. He will not allow his prey to escape again and disappear for weeks. His master will not allow it.

And so as the women pitch their tent for the night and exchange pleasantries with merchants and travelers, he waits and plans. Eyes never deviating. Barely even blinking as he waits for his opportunity.