CZ: Meanwhile, Allinor
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Allinor. A thriving, peaceful nation, centered around a city of the same name. Situated high on a bluff overlooking it's harbor, and the vast Eastern Ocean beyond. Its banners hoisted atop the towers that stood proudly on eternal guard fluttered in the stiff westward wind. Their pointed tips pointing to the Elven forests far to the West, and the Four Rivers and Kal'Lorryn mountain range beyond them. The White Steed stood proudly on the blood red field of each, one of the oldest symbols of the Kings and Queens of men.
Far from the Ancient site where the world was broken in faraway Shail'Garath, Allinor's tragedy at the Breaking was the least devastating, and therefore in the aftermath the White Steed was one of the first banners of men raised. A 
symbol of hope for the people, and an homage to the animals that survived the cataclysm with them. Their mounts and friends, that would help them bring a new day of hope.
symbol of hope for the people, and an homage to the animals that survived the cataclysm with them. Their mounts and friends, that would help them bring a new day of hope.For the duration of this Age, Allinor has stood as a staunch foe of Morgonth, and all his works, but now, the Kingdom was in decline. The Queen's Horse was a fraction of its size in the glory days, and the Harbor had hosted nothing but fishing vessels for a dozen generations, since the People of Ships had stopped coming. The People of the Ships were almost a myth now, but once, they had been vigorous trading partners, selling exotic and fine goods, and leaving with their hulls full of grains, and livestock.
They had never talked about their homeland, if they had one. They disappeared very suddenly, as well with no word. Very mysterious. But they were gone now, and Allinor shrank. The Queen could no more claim ownership of the Ice Bridge that led North across the Pleszensorath to the Baronies of the Shield beyond, than she could the moon. There were reports of Highwaymen along the roads that led to the Elven Forest, if the Queen's Horse couldn't even keep the road safe to their best ally, then bad times approached, and the populace knew it.
Not that there was an open revolt in the works, but the tension was thick. A despair, and begrudging acceptance had taken hold of most, who's grumblings slowly ate at the spirits of their neighbors. A curious effect, rippling back and forth through the city, feeding on itself.
At the Sign of the Gull, an Inn in the Low Quarter nearest the docks, and dozens of others like it, men and women gathered and grumbled. Pipe smoke and spicy fish oils filled the air in the Inn as a staff of half a dozen serving maids hustled through the people, carrying dishes of said spicy fish and pints of ale to the hungry patrons.
Dozens of conversations were ongoing amongst those patrons, and the din of the large kitchen added to the cacophony. None of the folk garbed in their dull blues and browns, thick sturdy fabrics for thick sturdy people had any reason to listen to the two men who sat near the center of the common room, speaking quietly under the din. Even if they had, making out more than a word or three would have been impossible.
The place was perfect.
Aughtor Danton, Oggie to his friends, was one of those two fello
ws. He dressed a little more brightly, with a red tunic. He was even able to afford a little thread-of-silver embroidery at the collar and cuffs. Successful indeed. Not so much as to attract attention though. He was very careful about that. Very careful indeed. Oggie conducted all his business here. Walls had ears, but they couldnt hear him here.
ws. He dressed a little more brightly, with a red tunic. He was even able to afford a little thread-of-silver embroidery at the collar and cuffs. Successful indeed. Not so much as to attract attention though. He was very careful about that. Very careful indeed. Oggie conducted all his business here. Walls had ears, but they couldnt hear him here.His dining companion was much younger than he, still in his prime. His overcoat was plain, but his breeches, while the same dull blue of the other patrons, were obviously tailored, and his tunic, with its thread of gold showed from under the coat. Obviously wealthy, and a little careless. The carelessness of youth. Oggie studied the man in his prime. A single scar marred his jawline, and his eyes were dark and brooding. The pommel of the sword that protruded from under the man's coat also told a thing or two about the man. Things Oggie already knew. That's why he was here.
The man had a reputation for getting things done. Discharged from the Queens Horse in the last round of cutbacks, it was him and men like him who created opportunities for Oggie, and gave him tools to take advantage of those opportunities. The man was one cool customer, for sure. He leaned back in his chair, with a mug of ale held atop his knee. The front two legs teetered on the back two, but for all of that the man seemed ready to kill everyone in swords reach in an instant. That must be a tough way to live, Oggie thought. Oggie paid other people to act that way for him, three of which were dining at a very nearby table. Careful... Oggie was a careful man.
“You look for work?” Oggie half mouthed around an oversized forkful of fish. He knew the answer, before he asked the question.
“Cut the scud, Oggie.” The man said, lowly. “Save the small talk and spill the job. I've got prettier company than you to eat dinner with.”
Oggie had no doubts of that, the man was positively handsome, and that air of death restrained that hung on him had to be like maiden bait. He was built like a dockhand, but held himself in the posture of a soldier, and dont forget about the money...
“Always business with you.” The words were muted, spoken into the tinny depths of his mug, the thin ale swamping the fish in his mouth. “Alright fair enough, at least you're consistent.” A belch punctuated his spoken thought, and he mopped his face with his sleeve.
“It's simple really.” He continued. “In three nights, I need a man of your particular talents to stand for me.”
“Just stand?” The man asked, he had dealt with Oggie before, and he knew if you wanted the job, you had to drag it out of him. ”Stand where?”
“Well... yes.. mostly standing.” Oggie said as another bite of the flaky white fish disappeared into his face. “In the door of The Queen's Man. There may, or there may not be some trouble on Stallion Way that night, and if there is, I dont want any of the patrons of that particular establishment trying to intercede.”
The Queen's Man was one of the most prominent inns in Allinor, nation or city. Nestled right against the wall of the Queen's Citadel, on the avenue known as Stallion Way. It was popular with veterans of the Queens horse. Of which there were plenty around, and those still serving the Queen, of which there were few. Much of the Queen's Horse had mustered and lit out North to Shienar, with the thaw. A bar full of unemployed soldiers, well lubed, and trouble right outside the Queens Gates. He had been in the place, near to the order of a hundred times. This would be no simple job. No simple job indeed. Oggie had to know that he would be known there, so, why him? It didn't matter. He would take the job, he didnt have a lot of choice.
“35 Golden. No foreign stuff. Queen's Markers only. 25 of it right now, or you can find someone else.” There was no bargaining. No haggling. This man named his own price.
“Done. But you damage me. You may have to do nothing at all.”
“But I may have to do more than you think.” Was his only reply, as the sack hit the table. The clinking of the heavy coin of the realm mixing in with the ever present clatter of flatware on pewter plates. The man's chair leveled out, and before the sack could finish rolling, all four of its legs were on the planked floor, and the pouch was on its way under the mans coat.
“Don't you want to count it?” Oggie asked, amused at the speed of the mans gold snatch. 
“Oggie. If it's light, you die.” The mans chair scraped against the floor as he stood. He was tall, and his knee high boots only made him seem taller. “And your three bully boys over there wont change it, and you know it.”
“There's 30 there, come see me for the rest when youre done.” Oggie said to the man's back, as he headed for the door.
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It's a scary thing to imagine
It's a scary thing to imagine the pure hearted kids from Four Rivers running into their first dose of corrupt people. I mean, we're not stupid, but in Lanburg, I imagine that a man's word is his honour...so discovering that this isn't true everywhere will be a rude awakening.
Even Ash, who's considered the town rogue, has a high set of morals. Boy does she have lots to learn. *grin* Can't wait!