Traveler's Tale: And So it Begins...

[Raigen]

In our world, we treasure the peace of mind and the quiet moments. We praise our maker for giving us a chance at life. But when the kiss of death finally embraces us, what happens, what secrets lie beyond death. I am Zin, warrior of the East. I have spent my life searching for a true challenge, and I have yet to find one. I spend years at a time, waiting, watching, in the shadows. I may have followed you at one time, looking for my next challenge. Seeing that you are still alive you must not have been worth my time. But now, I follow a second path, I have killed thousands, remorse hardly touches my mind. But I do regret one thing, I know not what lies beyond. I search for the meaning of death, and the one that can show it to me. It seems I have found him, here, in your humble town. While you go about your humble lives, he waits among you. For me, no. He follows a different path, seeking the one who put him to death. And now that I have found him, I shall follow him. Once he has reeked the pleasure of revenge, I will approach. But wait, he is on the move. To a tavern, perhaps you've heard of it. Come, let us watch as the legend unfolds....again....and so it begins...


Raigen Tei-Yehn stood ominously outside the dagger, dressed in what had come to be his usual attire. A long, black, silken cape with a metallic dagger wrapped in a silver snake embroidered on it. The cape was draped around his back, gently swaying in the wind while covering the many weapons and tools of his trade. The cape was strait and covered his back, while a black cloth underneath wrapped over his right shoulder and connected with his cuiriuss by a pure gold medallion. The medallion would be the only gold on his attire, sticking out like say, a ninja at a bar. It had been beaten and hand molded into a circular pendant, complete with a snake engraving. Raigen wore the same sleeveless, black leather cuiriuss, overlapping a tight fitting chainmail. The cuiriuss conformed to his small build but was molded into a muscular shape. The chainmail was not the bottom layer. Underneath was a dark gray tunic, equipped with the familiar black mask of the...ninja?...no. He was ronin. A masterless warrior. He would never again take the title of ninja. It was too degrading. He was premature to take the title in the first place. No, he was nothing like those suicidal murderers of the east. He was Ronin.

How long had it been, months, maybe years since he had come to this place. He had traveled far and wide, but all his searches led him back here, back to Myrken Wood. He was no further along his journey than when it had started. His counterpart Cringe, counter personality at this point, was still wanted by the law here. He would have to keep a low profile, though he knew that nearly impossible for a dead man risen. With a heavy heart, he ascended the steps of the Inn and pushed open the large double doors to the Broken Dagger. There it was, the memories of the battle were still fresh in his mind, mingling with those of his friend Cringe. He tried to push them out, but the pain was still there, in his chest, hardly fleeting. Raigen slowly walked up to the bar.

The tavern was alive yet peaceful, the embers of the fireplace dancing to the tune of the lute, the air filled with the warmth of the hearth, and Raigen's ears entranced by music. It was, peaceful, to say the least. As he always did, Raigen looked around to examine the tavern's contents, none more but the barmaid and the lute player. It was the first time he had heard music in this place. He took a seat at the bar and sighed deeply, why did he even bother to come here? Raigen keenly observed the contents of the inn, quiet. As he liked it. Cringe had failed to reep the rewards of revenge in this place. For he was distracted. Raigen was too concerned to make that mistake. Concerned, some would say obsessed. Why else would he come back to this place , surly not for shock value. No, `twas the idea of revenge that encircled him, and would until death met him once more, or the cold of his blade was made warm with the blood of his enemies.

Outside, another approached, a woman, dressed in green. She made it a point to hold her forest green cloak tightly closed around her form, trying her best to remain as warm as possible as she made her way toward the inn. With the hood pulled over her head, she gazes upon the nearing inn with a thoughtful expression to her face. It wasn't long, maybe a minute, before she reached the inn and walking up the steps. Calmly a hand reaches out to grasp the handle of the door and tug it open gently, soon stepping in before shutting the door behind herself. The brush of warm air against her form made it a welcoming feeling to be inside, and finally she reaches up to brush her hood back to reveal her features. Red hair flowed down to just an inch past her shoulders, having a slightly curly look to it. Eyes were dark blue and her skin was slightly pale. She was young, probably in her mid-twenties, and she stood no taller than five foot, six inches. Slowly she makes her way toward the bar, needing something to eat and drink--likely water to drink. The other patrons were given a curious glance, and possibly a smile if they looked her way, though her main goal was getting to the bar as her heels clicked along the floor boards gently.

Raigen turned at the sound of footsteps, as he always did. Nae a foot be dropped without Raigen knowing. It had always been this way with him. Always cautious, always seeking to expose the threat of a possible danger nearby. However, he needed to loosen up. A tense warrior meant he had a goal, or a mission. And subterfuge was key! Raigen pulled a shilling from the pouch tied tightly to his belt and placed it on the table,sliding it sharply to the barmaid. The luteplayer would turn later, surprised that the inn had achieved more inhabitants.She continued to toy with the lute's strings, the young woman finally glanced up from the instrument, green eyes flickering to the others now in the room.

The music was nice, a good bit of music will likely help the lady in green to relax. So taking a seat onto a stool, she carefully removed her cloak, growing a little too warm now that she was within the inn. She was dressed in just a forest green one piece, long sleeved dress with a gold rope tied around her waist--the knot hanging at her right hip and the extra rope hanging down to at least her knees. The sleeves were long, holding points to them over the backs of her hands, and it was wide around the neck, only hanging on her shoulders by a few inches. At least it kept her warm and comfortable. She wasn't rich by any means, but she wasn't poor either. So as a barmaid walks up, she'd pull out some coins from the small pouch at her hip and spoke in a gentle but soft tone. "I would like a glass of water, a bowl of fresh soup, and a dish with bread and cheese on it, please." Hearing a coin sliding across something, she glances into Raigen's direction out of curiosity before her gaze shifts back to the barmaid who had already walked off.

To Be Continued...

[Raigen]

Relaxation was the aim of the lute player, of course. Calm people into suggestibility. It was a skill that the smooth-talking woman often employed, though not at the moment. She'd neither need nor desire, for the time being. So the music continued, green eyes watching quietly. "An` a beer for you Sir?" the barmaid would ask Raigen. His head would stay looking at the door as he answered,"Non, un poisson, merci...herring and a glass of wine please." Raigen sighed as he placed a half shilling on the table to cover the wine. Once addicted to the pleasures of ale and beer, Raigen now longed for the strong wine to add to the taste of his meals. Raigen looked over to the girl who had recently entered the bar, he would not blush, not physically anyway, he looked back toward the door and waited on his food.

After draping her cloak across her lap, the woman leaned against the bar calmly while keeping that straight posture. Already she was a little tired, but once she had her food, she could always go to bed after eating. The musician is given a glance with raised eyebrows, wondering if the woman had done that occupation for a long time. Though as she gives Raigen another glance, she can't help but notice the man seemed... stressed or discouraged about something. Her gaze follows his own toward the door before once more returning to him with a lift of her brows. "Waiting for someone, M'Lord..?" Spoken softly, almost barely above a whisper, but she was polite and kind about her words. Mostly curious.

Raigen closed his eyes for a moment, trying to find the words he already new, "Non. Not exactly. The one I wait for knows not of my," Raigen hated lying, but bending the truth was acceptable,"Presence." Raigen looked back toward the girl. "I am Raigen, pleased to meet you m'lady." Raigen said, before looking over and smiling to the lute player who was so obviously eavesdropping, not that he minded. She seemed skilled enough at any rate, and content to watch and listen to the others she shared the room with this evening. She simply provided a subtle undercurrent of music.

The woman had an idea of Raigen's lying, but wasn't going to say anything about it. As he gave his name, she lifts her hand up to him to offer a kind wave--she was too far down the bar to really shake his hand. "Eleanora... it is a pleasure to meet you also, M'Lord Raigen." A smile is given gently before she turns her head as the barmaid placed her bowl of soup, the bread and cheese, and her glass of water in front of her. "Thank you.." Whispered softly as she hands the barmaid a few coins for a tip. For the moment she remained silent, unsure as of if she should talk to the man or leave him to his thoughts. She knew sometimes people needed to be alone. So giving him another mild glance, she turns back to her drink and food.

After a time, though, the musician would pack her things up and head for the door - it grew late, and there were a few more places yet to visit tonight. Raigen listened again as the sound of footsteps once again rang in his ears. He would not turn his head this time. Nae, that would add to the visage of a stressful being. Wanting not to be rude, Raigen moved down the bar and took a seat next to the lady Eleanora. "I'd like to ask you something, Eleanora, do you believe in afterlife, one after we die?"

To Be Continued...

[Raigen]

Ahh, and here is where my part of the story begins...Listen closely now. I'll not repeat myself and the details are crucial. I, unlike our lady friend, am a good reader of subterfuge...


The word death would fall on deaf ears for the barmaid, but for I, it would ring through my ears terribly from up in the rafters. I quickly, but dead silently ran from one end of the rafter I was perched on, to the other, where I could listen better.

Surprised to find that someone was sitting beside her, Lady Elenore turned her head to see that it was Raigen. Smiling gently, she watched him a moment before lifting her eyes due to his strange question. "An afterlife. I do not know. That is one of the many mysteries of life I suppose. I know that the religious people believe in an afterlife... but me? I just don't know. I'm sorry, M'Lord. It could be possible I suppose..." He's given an apologetic smile, wishing she could give him the answer he wished for, but knew that likely she didn't. "Why do you ask..?" She seemed concerned, and although it might be strange to be concerned about a stranger, she horrible tendency to worry about others. "Are you...alright, M'Lord Raigen?"

"Fool, you talk so ignorantly to the one who may know all!" I whispered from my perch, still listening vigilantly. Raigen laughed..."Interesting, Nae...I am great. Tis just," Raigen felt amused at how little they knew about death, "At least we have that in death, the knowledge. So what brings you to this tavern? Do you live nearby?"

"Damn, get back to the subject, afterlife, what do you know?" I would whisper again. Still too quiet for even one as aware as Raigen to notice. Elenore smiled a little and seemed entirely confused about the conversation of death. Then again, what mortal wasn't, besides Raigen of course. "Or maybe we have no knowledge after death... but who knows." A small chuckle was made before she looked back to her food, taking a sip of her water and soon a bite of her bread. "Just... traveling. Looking for a place I can call home." Turns her dark blue eyes back to him and smiled a little, an almost sad smile. "What about you?" Questioned softly, and pushes over the plate with the bread and cheese on it. "Here, have some... I likely won't be able to eat it all." He seemed nice enough and she felt he could use a bit of a meal too instead of just his alcohol. She? Well, she preferred water most of the time, sometimes milk or juice. Depended on her mood really.

Raigen reluctantly took a piece of cheese, he shouldn't really. Cheese and fish didn't mix well with him, but the fish likely wouldn't be ready for a while. He swallowed the small piece and smiled."Where ever I may roam, where I lay my head head is home. This is home, or it used to be. The times I couldn't afford a room, I would sleep sitting up....in that chair, for about a year I lived here until..."Raigen stopped, lowering his head. No matter the situation, that event always seemed to come up. He put it out of his mind and continued talking. "You, you had a home before now, nae? Tell me about it, if that is not too personal."

I pondered what he had said, but couldn't match it to anything. I had seen too many die in this Inn. He could be one of many.

Eleanora's smile slowly faded as his words trailed off in the middle of a sentence, and she seemed to get the feeling that he might have lost a loved one. How clueless. Not wanting to press the matter, she nodded her head and took another bite of her soup. It'd be a moment or two before she'd answer his question, but she'd speak softly while looking down at her soup as she stirred it idly. "I did have a home...before...It was an island... tropical. Always sunny, warm, tons of pretty flowers, and very peaceful. But I had to leave... both of my parents passed away and I had no place to live. There were others in my village, but they were leaving too. So we took a ship and somehow got split up when we got to the different land. Heh... only have the clothes that's on my back. My travels brought me here." Sipping her water, she cleared her throat and took a piece of cheese as well, eating it silently and thoughtfully. "Haven't seen maybe people here since I've showed up. Not a busy place I take it?"

"Oh...it used to be. I've not seen it in ages, but back in the day, there was more people and fights than we could deal with. Twice I've been entangled in a brawl here...but...I imagine its much more peaceful now." There it was again. His death haunted him...well, it would anyone he supposed. Never met another who had been...brought back so he couldn't rightly compare himself to anyone.

Eleanora seemed rather fascinated by his words, and she turned a little toward him. "Really? I've never really seen a fight before. I be it's pretty scary to be in one, huh?" So she was a bit new to the whole fighting thing, so far she's been lucky not to get attacked or anything on her travels. "It seems to be peaceful here, which is nice... just kind of wish there were more people around. You know?" The look on his face meant something was on his mind, but she knew better than to ask, aware that it wasn't her business, and aware that he probably didn't want to talk about it. Unsure as to what to talk about, she goes back to eating her soup carefully and quietly. Already she was starting to get full, so he could eat the entire plate of cheese and bread if he wanted it.

A large, bulky figure paused at the door, his figure filling the door frame. Carefully ducking his head to avoid the aptly-named door header and eying the rafters with suspicion. At first I thought my presence had become made aware of, but the tall man made his way to the bar. And then, Raigen looked over to the door, another random inn-mate. But this one was different, he....Raigen jerked his head to the rafters eying it with wide eyes and looking from rafter to rafter. I tried not to move, the cold, teal eyes of that boy could pick out a fly on the opposite side of a room from him. I slowly slipped behind one of the beams supporting the rafters and looked down at Raigen. The memories coming back to him in a flood of fear. He shook his head and tried to forget them, he would reek his revenge, fear or not. Raigen looked back to Eleanora. "I...like it peaceful. In a fight there's...the risk of...death...I...am careful now."

The tall man sat down at the bar to order a glass of spiced cider, paying with a small silver coin. It was later that I learned his name was MikhalStal. Mikhal looked at the barkeep."I wonder where I might trade some gems for your local coinage?" Mikhal took the barkeep's silence with equanimity, and sips his cider in silence. He then paused to gaze up into the rafters. It was then clear to me that I had to relocate. It was too obvious to be here now. I slowly pulled out a small dagger and gently placed it, point first onto the ceiling, shoving it slowly into the wood and pulling it to see it was secure, I slowly cut as they talked, trying to make a hole for myself to escape through. Then I noticed the tall man look about at the few patrons offering a slight smile. With a height of seven feet, his rangy frame was probably disquieting just by being, so he took the trouble to display no weapons and to dress in mottled grays that concealed his muscular figure. even his staff was concealed, in an inner pocket of his cloak. Doffing the cloak, he finds a hook on the wall to hang it and then attempted to fold his frame to fit a normal sized table near the fire. Steel gray eyes once again look about. So many tales he had heard of this place, of mischievous elflings in the rafters, of a tailor who made his money in an interesting way, and often he had hoped to see it. Now his visit was a bit anticlimactic. I sensed his disappointment and laughed before covering my mouth with my hand, cursing myself for it.

Eleanora glanced toward the other end of the bar to see MikhalStal entering, returning his smile, though her dark blue gaze once more returns to Raigen. She saw the nervousness coming to his features, and she frowned a little. "Are you sure you're okay..?" Speaking in a hushed tone so as not to bring attention to them; after all, she didn't want him to feel embarrassed or anything. "Peacefulness is nice...I...try to avoid confrontations such as fights. So far I've been successful at doing so. I'm glad you're careful, but you've probably been careful before since you're still alive."

If Raigen could cry, a tear would have appeared. I sighed, as the last cut was made, I slowly pushed up on the ceiling and the small square lifted. I only wish I could have continued listening. This is where My story ends...for now...
-Zin