Hunting Old Foes and Making New Friends

[Adyin Brynagin]

There are those who say a person needs to put their past behind them and focus on what lies ahead, but Adyin can never let go of his until his vengeance is satiated. So when he received a report of suspected darkfriend activity hinting at methods Caenim is fond of, the man couldn't resist.

The day was hot and sticky, which wasn't too uncommon considering it was mid-summer. Even wearing a lighter jacket with open windows did little to bring the Captain comfort. He took another swig from his tall glass of water while pouring over the several reports upon his desk. A wet rag also adorned the wooden surface, which Adyin would occasionally apply to his neck in an attempt to cool down.

A twittering finch caught his attention as it perched itself briefly upon the window sill, it hopped about as if hoping to find some food. Adyin broke a small chunk off his bread and sprinkled its crumbs before the creature. Then, as it blissfully pecked at the pieces, he went back to work. If anything, he found the bird to be a welcomed companion on such a miserable day. But once the crumbs ran out, the finch flew off, leaving him alone once more.

Being Captain of the Central Theater allowed him far less free time to visit the academies or study Angreal's, yet he performed his duties with due diligence and pride. But that didn't keep Adyin from occasionally daydreaming about what his life might be like if Cirisa, his late wife, still lived. Would he be clashing blades with trollocs in the Borderlands? Or would her head be resting in his lap as he perused the many volumes at the White Tower? There was no way of knowing, but one fact was crystal clear: Adyin ached over her loss and absence.

As if the pattern could sense his sorrow, a report detailing suspicions of darkfriend activity within the city of Morelle, Cairhein caught his attention. The methods used to obtain illegal goods were incredibly reflective of behavior he knew Caenim for. It also spoke of a slew of unexplained disappearances within the area and signs of abuses of the source. Adyin immediately knew he needed to investigate. If these acts were indeed caused by his old friend, then the man needed to know. Perhaps looking into the matter would lead him to Caenim and the revenge he so desperately desired.

Adyin sprung into immediate action; he set up his closest Lieutenant to oversee his duties before writing a letter to Julian Damodred, T'sorovan M'Hael, and the Baijan M'Hael explaining the mission he intended to embark on enclosed with the report. Next, Adyin packed his satchel with a week's worth of necessary supplies as there was no telling how long he'd be away for. Once that was settled, he fetched Dameon, his dusty brown Saldaean stallion, from the stables.

Caemlyn, the city Adyin was currently stationed at, was amidst its midday hustle and bustle of citizens and travelers alike buying and selling wares. The aroma of spices, meats, and incense filled the air as he mindfully kept a steady but safe pace down its busy cobbled streets. He'd catch the occasional muffled giggles of young ladies when passing them by on his stead and would flash them a flattering smile or sometimes even a wink. They would giggle even more as he continued on his way. After all, there was no time for flirting; Adyin had important business to attend to.

Once he was through the gateway and the towering black saidin-wrought, cuendillar structure of the Black Tower stood before him, Adyin increased Dameon's pace. The familiar scent of the burning fires of the forge and flowering fields just outside the walled structure were a welcome to him. He was home once more. But the visit would be a bitterly short one.

Handing off Dameon's reins to a soldier, Adyin sought out the quarters of Johar Salenas. Johar was an old friend of his that now held the position of the Spirit Legion's Captain-General. The pair were known to have their arguments and even a few fistfights. Yet, they always found a way to make amends in the end, finding their way back to amiable terms. Adyin knew if he had any shot at finding Caenim, to put an end to him once and for all, he'd need help. Fortunately for him, he was granted permission to enter after he knocked on Johar's door. 'Thank the light,' thought Adyin to himself when Johar agreed to help him. Before the pair departed, Adyin instructed a passing Dedicated to deliver his letter to the acting M'Hael's.

In Morelle, Adyin and Johar canvassed the main square, marketplace, and houses for any clues of Caenim or darkfriend activity. They inquired about the incidents detailed in the report to learn any information they could from those they spoke to. Together they garnered some considerably helpful leads but soon, the day became night, and the two had grown tired and hungry.

"We'll need to find a place to bunker down in for the night. I believe I spotted a tavern called 'The Thorned Rose' only a few blocks back. Let's try there first."

Just as Adyin had said, 'The Thorned Rose' was a mere five blocks from their previous location. So the men stabled their horses, purchased a room with two beds for the night, and then found a table near the stage to rest themselves at. Adyin ordered himself the stew they were serving and a tankard of whiskey. He then leaned back a bit in his chair before smiling at his friend.

"I thank you, Johar, for accompanying me on this mission. I know we do not always see eye to eye, but your presence on this particular venture means a great deal to me." He gave the man's shoulder a friendly pat, "Therefore, the drinks are on me, my friend; order whatever you want!"

[Johar Salenas]

Hunting darkfriends was not typically one of Johar’s duties. It wasn’t one of his interests, either. The Spirit Legion, he thought, generally had better things to do. If it hadn’t been Adyin who asked him—if he hadn’t known Adyin had a personal score to settle—he never would have gone.

To be honest, he still thought there were men better-suited for this particular job. Good grief, who knew how long this would take? It wasn’t as though darkfriends generally walked about with their misdeeds written on their bloody foreheads. Nosy though he was, poking around asking questions (particularly when both of them were obviously foreigners here in Cairhien) hadn’t been all that fascinating.

Adyin thought they’d found a few leads. Johar thought they’d found a lot of nothing. At least the drinks were decent.

“I won’t say no to that,” Jo said, flagging down a serving woman for beer and some of the slop Adyin had ordered.

Ha. Maybe he’d find inspiration in the bottom of the pint. He doubted it, though. Jo loved puzzles, but on this chase he felt more like a hound without a scent to follow than a man with a puzzle to solve.

“Do you really think we’ve found anything to go on?” Jo asked, raising his mug for a drink. “We can’t ask questions for too long. It’ll get back to them...him...before long, if it hasn’t already.”

They couldn’t speak too openly, not here in the middle of the bloody tavern, but Jo doubted whether anyone listening in could make much of that. He doubted whether anyone was listening in, for that matter. Most of the people in the tavern seemed more interested in the girl on stage, now singing something dull and depressing about lost loves.

Adyin Brynagin

[Ilya Masalkar]

The Thorned Rose was not the sort of inn Ilya would have chosen had this been a trip for leisure. Oh, it was clean enough; he’d arrived there yesterday, and hadn’t yet found much to complain about in his room. The company was a bit sour, though.

But this was not a simple visit. Ilya still hadn’t been able to determine why the Water Legion man had chosen this inn to stay in, nor exactly what he’d been doing in Morelle. He couldn’t stay here much longer: he would be needed back at the Tower by tomorrow. He was determined not to return empty-handed, but it was looking increasingly like he wouldn’t have a choice.

The vaguely sour mood in the common room fit his thoughts as he made his way down the steps. Ilya wore a plain blue coat today, though he never took off the hadori. He supposed he ought to have some dinner. An empty stomach never—

He blinked in surprise at the faces he saw clustered at the table.

“Jo,” Ilya blurted out. “And…Adyin, is that right? I didn’t expect to see you here. Small world, eh?”

He pulled up a chair and sat down down at the table with the two men. As he did so, he caught a glance of what was in Adyin’s tankard. Was that whiskey? Light. Well, if the man got sick, at least Ilya was there to Heal him.

He couldn’t very well ask them what they were doing in the common room of an inn, of course. Still, the question was obvious in his eyes when he looked between the two men. What business did the Spirit Legion have here? Were they looking for the same man?

Johar Salenas Adyin Brynagin

[Adyin Brynagin]

“I won’t say no to that,” replied Johar in response to Adyin’s offer.

A wide smirk spread across Adyin’s face; he knew his old friend would hardly refuse him paying for their alcohol. Plus, it was good to see that Johar was still in good spirits even after questioning witnesses and canvassing the area for the entire day. At least tonight, they’d be able to relax and enjoy themselves. Because, unfortunately, they could do nothing more about the suspected darkfriend activity in the area until morning.

Still, his long service to the Black Tower had kept the man sharp. So even though he took in the measure of each patron and server within the tavern, Adyin did so in the most natural, unsuspecting way possible. Tonight might be about having drinks, laughter, and a good time but his experiences taught him always to be aware of his surroundings.

“Aye, I do, though it is a small lead to be sure,” answered Adyin. He then thanked the serving girl as she brought out their bowls of stew before he continued, “Therefore, I fear you may be right. That man is cleverer than a fox, and no doubt may already know I... we’re here.” He decided to wait a few minutes before he’d dig into the stew to allow the meal to cool down a little. So while he did that, he took a swig of his whiskey, “Still, we must, at the very least, look into the matter. And should the lead we received today prove fruitless tomorrow, we can return to Caralain, and you can tell me, you told me so.”

‘And even if that should happen, it won’t change anything. For no matter what hole you hide in Caenim, I will find you.’ thought Adyin to himself.

Adyin tossed a coin to the lass on stage who’d been singing songs since they arrived. He hadn’t cared much about her tune on lost loves, primarily because it brought back painful memories of Cirisa. But she still possessed a lovely voice and deserved to be awarded for the efforts she’d put in for the crowd.

“Jo, and…Adyin, is that right? I didn’t expect to see you here. Small world, eh?”

The voice was one Adyin was unfamiliar with, but as he turned around to see the man calling out to them, he recognized his face. Ilya Masalkar, that was his name, Adyin quickly recalled. He was also a Captain-General and another good friend of Johar’s.

“It is, sir. What a pleasure it is to finally make your acquaintance Ilya Masalkar.” Adyin replied. He offered the man his hand in a friendly handshake along with a pleasant smile. “Have a drink with us, sir. I’m sure whatever business has brought you here has made you weary.”

The question as to why he and Johar were there was as evident in Masalkar’s eyes as it no doubt was in Adyin’s. But a bustling tavern amid Cairhein was hardly the place to be swapping intel on their separate missions. Still, perhaps after they’d all had a few drinks, a warm meal in their bellies, and a bit of entertainment, the trio could converse about such matters in a more private place, such as their room. So Adyin enjoyed a few spoonfuls of his stew and another swig of his whiskey before curiosity got the best of him.

“You know, I don’t believe Johar ever shared with me the circumstances in which the two of you met. I’d love to hear all about it. That is if you wouldn’t mind regaling it to me.”

[Ilya Masalkar]

He accepted the handshake with a polite smile. The question posed caught him off guard, but he was saved from answering right away by the appearance of the serving girl. After ordering himself a simple mug of ale—he’d already had enough mysterious stew for a lifetime, thank you—he turned back to Adyin and Johar.

“Oh, well, there’s not much to say, to be honest,” Ilya said, glancing at Johar. “I think I arrived before you, didn’t I? It’s hard to remember now. We were both—er, new.”

He’d very nearly said Soldiers. Not that anyone here would recognize that as anything but the usual meaning for soldier, minus the capital S, but still. He ought to at least try to be more careful.

“And how did you two meet?” Ilya asked. Hm. No, that wasn’t what he’d meant to ask. What had he meant to say? He was awfully frazzled this evening. He’d never been anything but awkward, though. It was then that the woman who’d been singing strolled down off the stage, and Ilya shot her a friendly smile and a wave.

“Lovely song,” he said. “Well done.”

Johar Salenas Adyin Brynagin Lira Bashal Selene Destine

[Johar Salenas]

The voice sparked alarm until Jo realized who was addressing him. Ilya. Here. Popping up like a mushroom after rain.

It was indeed a small world. It seemed smaller by the decade, really. People bloomed and faded around him, fads came and went, families grew old and fell apart. The only constants in his life were the men of the Black Tower, which was both poetic and pretty flaming pathetic, if you thought about it.

Johar raised his beer for a drink, wondering whether the singing girl might be persuaded to sing something a little racier with a few silver pennies. Probably not. Blood straightlaced Cairhienin. Light, he wished this mysterious darkfriend of Adyin’s had been wandering around, say, Lugard. The singers in Lugard showed some leg, eh?

“Oh, we met at work,” Jo said, already tired of this conversation. “Bookbinders have to stick together, and all that.” Bookbinding! He’d sooner die. The Spirit Legion went in for it, alas, but he’d leave that to the nearsighted men who never got out. Not that he’d ever disparage a brother, understand.

The woman, drawn by Ilya’s wave, wandered their way, no doubt hoping for more tangible appreciation than a smile. Johar caught her eye, reaching out to press a silver penny into her palm.

“Lovely song, lovely song,” he said. “Do you know ‘Mistress Aynora’s Rooster’? The version they sing in Ebou Dar.” Ha, ha. The one where she had quite a big rooster to deal with and wasn’t sure how to handle it, even with two hands. Ah, probably the girl didn’t, and even if she did, she wouldn’t sing it here. Sometimes he missed his home dearly.

Adyin Brynagin Ilya Masalkar

[Selene Destine]

Lira liked this inn and Selene agreed. It was clean and the crowd seemed generous enough. They kept showering that depressing singer with coins anyway.

"Listen, you aren't going to get a better deal than this. One song for free and if we don't bring in more customers than 'lost love' over there, bring her back up. If we start packing the place, like I know we will, then you can still put her back up on stage for all I care. I mean, don't be surprised when all those new customers follow us to an inn that will appreciate our talents, but it'll still be your choice."

The way the innkeeper kept glancing back at Lira who was basically a cloak of patches above legs that went on forever, Selene knew she had him. They were gleemen. Or gleewomen. She wasn't sure if that mattered much to her, but the audiences seemed to prefer it. And two gleewomen beat one sad singer every day. No matter how ample her bosom.

He called the other girl off the stage and Lira immediately started setting up for their act. Selene wanted to gloat however, and chose a path through the audience that would intersect with the performer she had just beaent out for a job.

She met the girl at a table where a man was asking her about a song that would probably be the death of her mother if she heard her singing it. She knew it though, in fact, that was probably why she knew it. Lira knew it too. The gestures she did while singing it left very little to the imagination and were a surefire way to get more butts in seats.

"I know it." She unabashedly shoved herself into their conversation, with a fake pitying smile to the other woman. "Maybe we will play it for you. I mean, who doesn't love a nice big fat rooster?"

Selen glanced down as obviously as possible before grinning at the man and licking her lips.

"I've always wondered...are all roosters in Ebou Dar quite large?"

The other performer was bright red now, though Selene wasn't sure if it was from embarrassment or anger. She didn't care to find out though, and it was just as well as the girl turned on her heel and marched away.