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Post by Seraphina Frizon(D) on Jul 30, 2007 12:44:51 GMT -5
It was my second day into trading and bargaining with shops owners over my wares. I had sold a lot and made a good amount for all my hard effort, and my many months of traveling, but I still had a lot left.
I glanced up at the Generous Patron's sign, and decided to eat there, because if I didn't I'd have to come back out to Night's doorstep anyway. It just wasn't efficient and everything in my life needed to efficient and well run.
Walking inside I sat down at a booth near the back with my accountant and one maid. My maid rose slowly as I told her what I wanted to eat and she ordered some chicken and fine wine. Bringing back the wine she took her seat again, "Chicken is cooking miss." I nodded to her and turned to my accountant.
My accountant was running over numbers as I sipped my wine, "500 vases, 100 barrels pepper, 120 salt, 1000 reams of cotton," I listened attentively, sipping on my wine.
My two of my four cassiline guards sat at a table directly in front of the corner booth I sat at, and the other two stood at the ends of the booth.
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Post by Gadleon Shahrizai on Jul 30, 2007 12:54:38 GMT -5
Still in my uniform as a palace guard I made my way into the Patron to get something to eat. I had just gotten off my shift and was starved I was also still considering other options as simply serving as a guard was not going to cut it if that was all my life had to offer. When I entered though the pretty lady with all the attendants was impossible to miss. Not to mention the four cassiline guards. This had to be Seraphina Frizon the famous merchant. Well a faint heart never won a fair maid and my family was definitely not known for being faint hearted so I made my way toward her table and discretely cleared my throat when her cassilines tensed since well as per usual I was armed to the teeth*
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Post by Seraphina Frizon(D) on Jul 30, 2007 15:31:40 GMT -5
I glanced up slowly, my attention no longer on me accountant, I stilled my hand to the guards and gave a smile that wasn't threatening, but wasn't necessarily friendly either, "Yes?" I said my interest slightly perked, glancing over his uniform and his sword, before settling my eyes directly on his.
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Post by Gadleon Shahrizai on Jul 30, 2007 15:37:42 GMT -5
I met her gaze with my own stunning blue and clearly Shahrizai eyes. Her guards did not really disturb me much as while I am not a Cassaline my father knew as a third son I had to learn my craft early and well thus I have trained nearly as much as they have. “Excuse me My Lady, but if I am not mistaken you are Seraphina Frizon. I would not wish to disturb your meal, but if at some point I could make an appointment I would like to make an inquiry concerning possible employ.”
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Post by Seraphina Frizon(D) on Jul 30, 2007 16:04:21 GMT -5
My smile twisted slightly into a smirk and a surveyed him again and then glanced at my guards, "I am Seraphina Frizon, but what skills have you that my current four guards have not?" I also had a bowman outside, but I wasn't including her in this.
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Post by Gadleon Shahrizai on Jul 30, 2007 16:11:52 GMT -5
"I did not say I was looking to be a body guard or an archer. Eula's balls as you can see I already have a full time job, but I figured you might need someone on a part time occasion to guard something less important than your person." Then I gave her a slightly predatory smile that comes so easy to my family. "Though I recon I could hold my own with one of your guards if pressed."
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Post by Seraphina Frizon(D) on Jul 30, 2007 16:28:31 GMT -5
My eyebrow raised slightly at what sounds like a bit of a temper. I returned his smile, "Ah sir, I doubt that, these guards are used to skirmishes and battles with lands I travel to, don't get much of that in the castle do you?" I waved my hand offering him a seat, "Come tell me what it is you'd like to do for me. As you do have another job, you obviously can not travel with my caravans, so I'm curious to know what it is you want to be protecting if it isn't me."
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Post by Gadleon Shahrizai on Jul 30, 2007 16:32:09 GMT -5
I smirked as the scar running down my cheek was clearly not acheived in a horrid shaving accident but I did take the offered seat. "Thank you my Lady and I have only been in the City a few weeks. Before that I served two years on the Skladian boarder. as for the later I do not know your business, but I am rather certain you on occasion handle items of exceptional value. If that be the case you might need an extra hand on occasion that would possibly fit both our schedules."
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Post by Seraphina Frizon(D) on Jul 30, 2007 16:44:45 GMT -5
I raised an eyebrow delicately, and then I leaned in slowly towards him as in confidence, giving him a nice view of my cleavage as I did so, not that he was my type even if I were into men, "I do like the thought of a bit of an entourage," I said jokingly, but in truth I already had that.
"I do sometimes have items of exceptional value, mostly gifts from foreign crowns really, but that does involve travel, which leaves my hands a bit tied, since you can't be far from the palace I'm guessing." I had leaned back up and was holding my wine glass aloft, "I'm not sure I have anything at the moment, but if you would like a job, I must insist that you do actually draw weapons with at least two of my guards, so that I do indeed know you can fight." I held up my free hand to stop any protest he might have about how he had been on the border or the like, "Not that I'm saying that you can't, but you must understand, I only hire the best, and being on the border and across borders are very different."
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Post by Gadleon Shahrizai on Jul 30, 2007 16:49:42 GMT -5
I of course took in her cleavage, but this was business not pleasure. "Of course that is pretty standard and I have no issue with that. Both at once or one at a time?" I then leaned back "Though as you say it does not sound like the stars are linning up for this to work out real well poor timing mayhap."
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Post by Seraphina Frizon(D) on Jul 30, 2007 18:14:59 GMT -5
I laughed, "I think of a fair fight sir, one each and only one a Cassiline. Now if you are just looking for money, and not for guarding, I could use help opening up my store. One with muscles such as yourself would be well rewarded for moving boxes and setting things up, making sure nothing got stolen. But if you think this is beneath you, then I can call upon you when we do have something more valuable for you to protect. Although too bad you are already in service, because if you did fight well I could use the help on my wagons or ships."
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Post by Gadleon Shahrizai on Jul 30, 2007 21:09:22 GMT -5
I inclined my head "I had been in a bit of a fix to find a job but the Palace took me on not sure how much of a future I have there though. I am a third son and seem to have been a bit late in most things since." Leaning back a bit I laced my fingers and placed them in my lap "Truth be known I am not opposed to honest work just mine has always been with a blade father saw that is my best option."
I then gave a wry little smile "As for fair you must not have seen many real battles then my lady. Fair is for the practice ground which is more or less what we are speaking of. But in a real fight it is pretty basic. One of you is going to die the rest is simply elimentary."
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Post by Seraphina Frizon(D) on Jul 30, 2007 21:36:14 GMT -5
"It's up to you how you would like to join my service. There are ducats involved, more than the palace would pay I'm sure. I give hazard pay. Blades are a good and trusted thing, but one most have other skills in case one finds himself no longer to do the thing he was trained to do. I have seen many battles sir, and while you have the right of it, it doesn't mean I like to recreate such things. Another words, I don't need to see a gang of men fight you to know if you're quick enough, or good enough. Like I said, I hire the best. If you can match pace with even one of them, I trust your skills with more than one."
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Post by Gadleon Shahrizai on Jul 30, 2007 21:41:13 GMT -5
I nodded "Sounds promising though I just got on with the Palace and thus owe them an appropriate amount of time. Though I am very interested in your service as well as liking to think I am more than a one trick pony." I shrugged "So it sounds like it will be a while before more permanent arrangements may be made. But if you are as shrewed as I judge you, you may wish to test me sooner rather than later so as to know if I am waisting your time."
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Post by Seraphina Frizon(D) on Jul 31, 2007 12:11:34 GMT -5
"Might be best, in case something comes up unexpectedly, when would you be available?" I leaned back as my chicken was placed on the table and I delicately started to cut it into little bits and pieces.
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Post by Gadleon Shahrizai on Jul 31, 2007 13:49:08 GMT -5
"When ever you like as long as I am not on duty." While the waitress was there I ordered myself some beef stew and a glass of wine since I had not gotten around to ordering sooner.
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Post by Seraphina Frizon(D) on Aug 1, 2007 0:17:38 GMT -5
I smiled glancing again at his uniform, "When are you not on duty?" I took a bite of my chicken and pulled the fork slowly from my mouth, closing my lips around it so none of the juices escaped. I was surprised he had ordered at my table, it now put me in the position as a hostess and I was slightly perturbed by his assumption to join me. Clearly no one else was eating with me, not even my accountant, but instead of mentioning this or showing it to him, I smiled in such a way that it was if I had some secret joke.
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Post by Gadleon Shahrizai on Aug 1, 2007 8:20:25 GMT -5
I watched her eat at first recalling that I had not eaten and that I had in fact stopped here to do just that before getting distracted. My stomach growled a bit in protest as I had not had anything since I broke my fast. Of course the next thought that slithered its way into my mind was less wholesome as her fork technique captured my entire focus and I wondered to myself if she was as skilled orally with other objects.
At last drawing my wandering attention back to the here and now I answered “I am actually off now I just stopped here to get myself fed before returning home for a bath. As amusing as the thought sounds I was not in fact stalking my Lady.”
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Post by Seraphina Frizon(D) on Aug 1, 2007 19:43:28 GMT -5
My eyes flicked over his face, and I swallowed my chicken, "Stalking, who said anything about stalking?"
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Post by Gadleon Shahrizai on Aug 2, 2007 6:01:22 GMT -5
"No one did my Lady, but I realize I did accost you out of the blue." I was not apologizing, but merely explaining. My own meal arrived and I payed and tipped the lady before cutting myself a piece of meat and enjoying it. Ah, nice and rare prefect in fact, still oozing a nice steady stream of blood.
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Post by Seraphina Frizon(D) on Aug 2, 2007 11:57:03 GMT -5
I took another bite of my chicken, chewed it and swallowed, before speaking again, "Ah well, surprises come up every day." I smiled taking a sip of wine, "Unfortunately I not sure my guards can engage you in the act today, as I'm still carrying out the business in the area, but I would like to know how you were trained and how long you've been with arms." I took another bite of chicken, watching him.
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Post by Gadleon Shahrizai on Aug 2, 2007 12:44:48 GMT -5
Still eating I replied between bites and sips of wine. “I grew up in Kusheth obviously. I am a third son thus my father knew my prospects of inheritance and the like were slim. But he is a wise and proud man and when I was about 7 decided my life could best be managed by skill with a blade. Thus he arranged for me to start training and train every day. I was not limited to anyone style as diversity is the key to being prepared when one meets another skilled in a style that is the perfect counter to you. Also, when one has trained in many ways one also often knows a bit about an opponent’s strengths and weaknesses. Thus I have had vast exposure to a great many ways of fighting and I take pains to practice everyday less my skills become rusty from lack of use when I desperately need them.”
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Post by Seraphina Frizon(D) on Aug 2, 2007 12:47:55 GMT -5
"Spreading your skills out like that, you never really master one style though, am I right? Do you find that to ever become a problem?" I was eating delicately, making sure to swallow before speaking.
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Post by Gadleon Shahrizai on Aug 2, 2007 12:54:21 GMT -5
“Well” I paused to think “It could in fact be, but has not been to date.” I then resumed eating “What I try to do is use a style different than my opponent is good at rather than meeting them on their own terms.” I tapped the scar on my cheek and added with a smirk “That is not to say it always works.”
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Post by Seraphina Frizon(D) on Aug 2, 2007 13:31:12 GMT -5
I gave a slight smile as he touched the scar, "I understand, we can't always dodge enemy weapons. Unlucky. How did you go about getting that scar if I may ask?"
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Post by Gadleon Shahrizai on Aug 2, 2007 13:39:14 GMT -5
"A night cross boarder raid by a bunch of Skladi. It was dark and there was a lot of chaos. i did not dodge fast enough and it got infected and I nearly died. That was when I quit the boarder."
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Post by Seraphina Frizon(D) on Aug 2, 2007 15:38:35 GMT -5
"You quit because you got injured?" I took a sip of my wine, there was no malice in my tone, but he might almost die if he worked for me, so if he was going to quit if he got cut, this simply wouldn't work out. The Skaldi border was considerably safer than the lands I had been in, whose form of government was corrupt and bandits raged rampant. From the look of it, it is was merely the fact that his cut wasn't taken care of more than the fact that he had got the cut, that had nearly killed him, and I curiously wondered whose fault that had been to almost let a soldier die from a flesh wound like his.
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Post by Gadleon Shahrizai on Aug 2, 2007 15:49:39 GMT -5
I shook my head at her words seeming to find myself covering this ground with everyone who noticed the scar. “No my Lady not at all. I live by the sword and shall in all likely hood shall die by it. It is inevitable in my trade. And I did not quit. The reason I came to the City is -when- I die I want it to be someplace where someone will at least notice. If I am real lucky it might even be for a decent cause and someone might even care. None of those will happen in Skladia, there is a reason it is watched by the Unforgiven after all.”
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Post by Seraphina Frizon(D) on Aug 2, 2007 17:24:13 GMT -5
My smile broadened and I placed my wine cup down, "Honor and fame then? Not so bad goals, especially for a warrior, and middle son. How have you found your employ with the castle guard?"
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Post by Gadleon Shahrizai on Aug 2, 2007 19:40:05 GMT -5
"Not sure I would describe it as so lofty. Toss in politics and money and the ground often gets cloudy. If I may be so blunt it is simply the hope someone gives a shit when I die." I smiled and sipped my own wine before setting down the glass. "As for the castle it is gainful employ, but a lot of it is walking circles and keeping my eyes and ears open. Not a lot there to warm the blood."
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