A slight bit of training((CLOSED))

[Leeith]

Leeith did not respond to his comment, and instead continued walking and doing what she'd been previously doing- ignoring Aya.

[Rutger]

The swordsman continued to make his way across the snowy terrain. Conditions were still worsening... hopefully the group's destination was not too far away. Moving against the frigid wind, the swordsman pressed onward.



"..."

The swordsman walked a few steps behind Ayalan and Leeith; they seemed to know where they were going. However, he did made certain to match their pace; he did not want to fall behind. He heard Ayalan talking and looked over at him.



"...You ask a lot of questions."

The swordsman turned away for a moment.



"...For now, all I have to say is this: I told you that if you attacked me, blood would be spilled... and it was so. That is all you need to know for the time being."



It seemed as though the swordsman's blade, discipline and history were deeply connected with his identity, which he didn't seem keen on discussing presently. However, he did have questions for Ayalan in return.



"...Do you two know each other?"

The swordsman nodded to Leeith, who was still distancing herself.

[Aya Dauzi Invargas]

"Questions are the source of knowledge, dear swordsman," Ayalan started off, as he walked backward still, folding his arms.

He looked at Leeith for a moment, and laughed, "Maybe in another lifetime, but at the moment, she is just as new to me as you are."

The lights of a town were in the..well. far distance, meaning that they could get there within half an hour, just by first glance.

"Ayalan however, was still smirking at the swordsman's previous answer; he had turned back around for the moment.

"I suppose your life has been just as tragic as mine. Sorry to impose." He stated softly toward Rutger, walking ahead with his hands in his pockets.

"...And I assume you two have never seen each other, as well?" His tone turned from more fun to more serious; it seemed he was thinking to himself. Deeply thinking.

[Leeith]

"We are all strangers to one another." Leeith's tone was clipped, and she did not look at either of them as she spoke.

[Rutger]

The swordsman continued to walk at a brisk pace with the other two warriors. He held his arm up in front of his face to block the ever-strengthening wind, but it did him little good.



"..."

Despite the wind's howling, the swordsman could hear Ayalan quite clearly. Something Ayalan said caught the swordsman's attention... something about his history.



"...A life as tragic as yours, huh..."

The swordsman murmured to himself, his words hardly audible. He lowered his arm and looked at Ayalan, deciding to speak up.



"...And what about your life, then? What kind of person attacks strangers in snowstorms?"

The swordsman's tone was deadpan, caught somewhere between sarcastic and accusatory. This question had actually been on his mind for some time now; if questions were the source of knowledge, as Ayalan had claimed, then perhaps the swordsman would get an answer. He turned then turned away, going quiet again.



"..."

The swordsman looked over at Leeith for a moment; she remained very detached and distant throughout the entire scenario, almost as cold as the environment around them. He wondered about her. They seemed to be approaching the town with the pub that she'd mentioned earlier. However, the swordsman did not want to expend his energy by overexerting himself in the last leg of the trek, so he continued to maintain a steady pace across the snowy terrain.

[Aya Dauzi Invargas]

Ayalan looked at Leeith, and smiled a bit. "Well, not as much anymore, right?" He put his hands in his pockets as he walked backwards, wondering why she was so alone and distant.

However, then Rutger had to speak up, as Aya laughed to himself, softly.

"What kind of person, indeed." He started, as he turned back around to his front.

"What kind of person follows the man who attacked them?" He countered, as he laughed.

He spoke up again, "I am not a judge of life though. Recently, I was in a coma for a few months. I am simply a man who came through here to grow stronger, and fighting you two seemed like a great test of strength. I wasn't wrong. I am not what you would call a purely ethical creature however, now.."

Forgotten Legend

He put his hands on his hips.

"I am guilty of many things, Swordsman. If you want the shortened list: I am the reason my parents are dead. I have killed for money in my early life, I killed my ex wife in a war where I was decieved. My best friend died in a battle against an evil God. My sister has been missing for years and is somewhere in this land. I've been looking for her as of late..to no avail."

Now he turned around, "So don't mind if I happen to enjoy your company. It's not often I get it nowadays." He grinned to them, and started walking backwards again, putting his head up. "Good enough for you, Swordsman?"

[Leeith]

Leeith was almost curious. He has had many experiences. What was it that put him in a coma?.. Still, she said nothing and continued looking straight forward, her gaze focused on the pub.

[Rutger]

The air continued to grow colder. The swordsman listened quietly as Ayalan spoke. The warrior posed a rhetorical question and asked what kind of person would follow the man who attacked them. The swordsman knew the answer: the kind of person who had no other choice. Outwardly, however, the swordsman said nothing.



"..."

Ayalan's tales seemed so outlandish that they defied belief. At the same time, their incredibility made them seem more genuine as well, as it was also hard to believe that the warrior would simply make up such things. The swordsman closed his eyes and drew in a cold breath.



"...You are a strange man... and you tell even stranger stories."

He thought about what Ayalan said. Something about the warrior's story resonated with the swordsman and stuck with him. He looked up at the warrior and fixed his gaze on him.

-



"However... you come from a place of great hardship to seek true strength. That is a path which I can respect."

The swordsman continued to trudge over the snowy ground towards the destination ahead. The elements were harsh... but conditions like these were what tested one's true limits.

[Aya Dauzi Invargas]

Suddenly, the pub that was over ten foothills, was now only a few steps away, as Ayalan reached the door, and pushed it open for his companions at the moment.

He looked back to Rutger as he grinned, "A strange man who tells strange stories.." Ayalan laughed to himself.."I guess you could call me that."

His arm emitted a bit of steam away from his comrades, he had unflexed it heavily, and it needed to relax from the constant pressure of the cold, giving a slight psh, as he cracked his own neck, awaiting Rutger and Leeith's entrance.

"We may be different people, but I have the feeling we all come from a similar background, with similar desires." He looked inside, at the ten or so usuals who came into this pub, and at the, of course, vixen of a bartender.

None of this interested Aya, he wasn't a drinker, just someone looking for warmth. He noted the place was a tall wooden made structure, with many closed lanterns: Definitely a hazard, but whatever works. He only thought back to the Saints.

"...Hm." Was all he said in his memories.

[Leeith]

Leeith stepped past Ayalan into the pub and walked towards the back immdeitaely, taking a seat at a booth in a darker corner with her back to a wall. She prefered to be in shadows, and old habits died hard.

[Rutger]

The swordsman couldn't feel the heat inside the bar when he first stepped inside; his skin had been thoroughly numbed by the icy wind outside, and his hair and clothes were trimmed lightly with frost. He entered last, and he shook himself off as he walked into the building, trying to warm himself up.



"...We made it."

The swordsman rubbed his arms, trying to get the feeling back in his body. The shelter was exactly what he'd needed.



He assessed the surroundings. He looked at the occupants, the interior of the bar, the service staff... while by no means perfect, it seemed like a safe place to stay for the time being. It was certainly better than being out in the cold. Once he had a feel for the place, he looked back over at Leeith and Ayalan.

-



"...Perhaps we should seat ourselves."

The swordsman nodded to the two of them.

[Aya Dauzi Invargas]

Ayalan nodded as he brought back a glass of something; it was ice cold water, stirring it with a slight swish and taking soft swigs of it.

"..Well. I guess we're still alive." Ayalan smirked, as he looked at his bloodied, but not damaged, arm, as the occupants of the bar looked back and forth between the three newcomers and each other.

"I suppose it's not everyday you see people like us in a fine establishment such as this.." He said to himself, grinning, and looking across at Leeith, then over at Rutger.

"...Well. While the dear Kunoichi Assassin seems to still be to herself..what about you, swordsman? What's your story?" Aya asked it softly, as to not let overhearing ears take a hold of their conversations, putting his weapons on the table: By his weapons, meaning the weapons belt, the three daggers, and a crossbow, with finally, a rusted gun that he pulled from inside his vest, leaning back.

[Leeith]

Leeith was sitting up straight, and left her scimitars sheathed at her sides. There semed to be no threats in the pub but she rmained stoic and vigilant. One man sitting at the bar was openly staring at him. Leeith caught his eye and kept his gaze until he looked away quickly, looking scared.

I shall leave after finding what it is these warriors desire of my company...

[Rutger]

The swordsman sat down with Ayalan and Leeith. He glanced over his shoulder for a moment, then glanced back at the two of them. It had been a strange journey here... but these people intrigued him. Perhaps they could help him become stronger.

-



"..."







"...My name is Rutger. I am a swordsman... and my goal is to become strong."

The swordsman sat rigidly and stared at the two with an intense gaze as he spoke. There was a quiet determination in his eyes.

[Aya Dauzi Invargas]

Aya's hands clasped together in front of him, as he stared back at Rutger, looking slowly over to Leeith.

"..It is a noble goal. The desire to increase one's capacity, in order to achieve something truly great in life." He of course whispered this, keeping an eye open around.

"I thank you for telling me your name, swordsman." Aya was always wary about these kinda situations: The less other people knew, the better.

He smiled downwards and passed his dagger along slowly to Rutger, just to inspect.

"A long time ago, there existed a group of assassins who stood in the shadows of Nerezza. These people all wanted one thing to come from their trade: To keep things the way they are." Aya looked back over his shoulder, then back to the two people near him.

"Keep the Rulers of our countries, keep the way we work, and keep the way business and royality works; I know it hasn't been long, but I am opposed to this idea." Aya folded his arms, "My goal, swordsman, is change. Change for a world that battles rarely, change for a group of countries that agrees with each other, rather than disagrees. For my own reasons." He patted his chest, meaning he would show the reason later.

"...So if you two would like. Despite not knowing each other long..I need people to help me here. And you, m'lady. You may not tell us your name, but if you are interested, I would be honored." He bowed his head, "It is a lot to think upon..but we need anti-assassins, and warriors fit for battle in war or in small clashes. While three isn't the biggest number for an organization..I think it could work."

Aya finally looked down, laughing to himself, as he looked toward the bar; no one had heard thankfully.

"...What say you?"