RP:The Wolf's Pact

Summary: Desparrow offers to accompany Odhranos to his homeland to tie up some of his loose strings

Path to the North

Desparrow had actually had quite the exceptional night, the last few actually being rather eventful for the lycan and now that it was morning he felt more energized than ever. As a bolt of fire he streaked across the sky, having left the sage and in moments performed a crash landing near the statue of Melbane, flames splashing outwards for several feet with no warlock in sight. The flames that would have dissipated instead pulled back into themselves to become a pyre which quickly reconstituted on a molecular level the spell flinging lycan Desparrow, who luckily was also fully clothed with suede shoes, loose fitting leather pants and a belt with a button up shirt lazily thrown over a plain t. Azure hues scanned the mountain path before he sighed, the elf appearing rather battle worn with the top half of his left ear missing, a scar running down from his temple to the chin, another mark that looked like his cheek had been cut open but all other scars were hidden beneath his clothing. Fingers combed his short cropped jet black hair and he let out a sigh as he began to lean on the statue, wondering what to do next.

Odhranos had just finished up a mining stint, unfruitful as usual and the mage's slate grey eyes were overcast like a gloomy autumn day. As he was packing his belongings into a large worn leather rucksack, the dark evening skies lit up as a ball of incandescent flame arched over the mountains to the east and bore down upon the small miners shack that sat outside the cave. The residents of the shack had left hours ago, presumably rolling around in a stupor in the closest tavern, so only Odhranos and the unfortunate Melbane were around to witness, or get hit by this colossal ball of fire. Ducking behind the cave entrance, the grey-robed mage crouched and awaited the explosion as the fire ball hit the mountainside, but other than a flash of scarlet light and a strange fluid-sounding roar of flame, there was no sign of the fireballs destructive demise. Peering around the corner of the entrance, the mage was surprised to see a light-skinned elf, leaning against the lithified arm of the petrified merchant. Odhranos saw no sign of the flame but there was the faintest marking of scorch in a star-shaped pattern out from the elf's feet.

Desparrow had the majority of his magical energy sealed away inside of his body but if someone could sense the presence of magic, even see it then this particular elf looking fellow would shine like the sun, for it was infused with every part of his existence, quite possibly the only thing keeping him alive. His piercing gaze found nothing though as the wind carried the scents of the area to him he did catch remnants of people gone, but a far more fresh one as well, a human one. Ears twitched, turned out slightly to pick up any manner of slight noises but from up here where wind could howl at any second or a stone could dislodge it would be hard to decipher subtle things as proof of a presence other than himself. "Such a wonderful morning. I actually forgot why I even bothered to come here.." with that he kicked his heel against the stone beneath him and in response he got a satisflying clap. "Now just what to do."

Odhranos, as it so happened was particularly skilled in the sensing of magical auras, a skill he had developed while living on the streets of his home town. As he glanced around the corner of the entrance, he could feel a niggling tingle at the base of his neck, a feeling he associated with magical presence and so the mage returned behind the outcropping of rock and closed his eyes, extending his senses. The walls of the cave appeared as a ghostly grey, mainly devoid of magic, and he could sense a few signatures wandering around to the north, but his senses were drowned out by the glaring, blinding aura of the figure outside the cave. Had he been able to, the grey mage would have shaded his eyes, but instead was forced to avert his senses and return to normal vision. Odhranos pondered whether or not to reveal himself in the face of such a powerful individual: if they turned out to be hostile, the mage might have a significant struggle to escape. On the other hand, to remain hidden would no doubt result in his eventual discovery and the elf might indeed turn hostile then, on account of being spied on. Odhranos wrapped his long fingers about his tall pale-green crystalline staff and stood, turning the corner of the cave and into view.

Desparrow wasn't in a mode right now where he could go around and see the flow of magic himself, although he could activate that at any time in his left eye it wasn't something he did unless he was going to become very serious. He scanned the area once more and this time caught the eye of another in the area which incited the corners of his lips to turn in a smile. "Well hello there!" his voice once melodic was a mixture of silvery-smoothness and gravelly undertone. He did not at all appear hostile, in fact more than friendly, "What a pleasure to see someone else here around. I was worried I was going to get bored!"

Odhranos stepped from the cave and walked genteelly towards the elf. He seemed to be friendly enough and the mage lowered his guard a little, instinctively reciprocating the friendliness. “Apologies for skulking around in the cave, I was a little alarmed by that fireball. I presume it was your means of transportation, judging from that lovely scorch mark” the mage smiled, nodding towards the rather artful star-shaped grey mark on the stony dirt. Returning his gaze to the elf, Odhranos places his hands behind his back and bows politely, bending at the waist like a thin grey tree, bending in a strong gale. “My name is Odhranos, it’s a pleasure to meet you, sir” the mage states formally, years of etiquette and formalities coming back in an instant. Bedraggled and plain as the mage looked, he had once been a nobleman of sorts, prior to his exile and his clipped and formal tones betrayed his once opulent past, now forgotten. The mage straightened and tugged gently at his simply tied, brown-yet-grey-streaked ponytail, then let it bounce once again again his shoulder blades.

Desparrow had no problems being polite in the company of others even though at times he could also be more than cruel. "It is no worries, it is natural to remain out of sight until the situation could be properly assessed, so apprehension is understood and no offense taken." he then offered a bow, smile even wider than before. "The name is Desparrow Ryder, friends, even enemies refer to me as Des." he stepped forward and offered a hand, "As for the scorch yes.. I practice many forms of magic, and quick transportation is merely one of my more favorite pass-times. What you see there is simply the result of transporting myself as a bolt of fire, but I can do the same as lightning, teleportation, or simple flight. Probably some other stuff that I am having a bit of trouble recalling right now but tis no matter." once closer to the human he took a deeper inhale, getting the male's scent and solidifying it in his mind. It was pleasant, pure, corruptible. "What brings you up here?"

Odhranos was slightly curious at the way that the elf seemed to be almost tasting the air, but simply put it down to the oddities of certain races. “Making ends meet, although only just” the mage smiled somewhat ironically, holding up a small lump of copper ore. The mage was accustomed to living rough, preferring the solitude of the forests and mountains and a hammock strung between two trees as opposed to a cheap tavern bed, but he was still human and had to eat and drink every so often. When the need arose, he would venture into the mines and spend a day or two hacking away at the rough crumbling rock-face and the minerals and ores he found, he sold for a few tarnished silvers with which he bought his supplies. It was a simple yet practical existence, but not without its hardships. “And yourself, Mister Des?” What brings you to these wonderful parts?” the mage laughed, holding out is arms as he gestured to the rocky surroundings, a solemn breeze whistling between the boulders and stones.

Desparrow heard the other man's story with a vague interest, appearing to be invested but really finding the information to be of little substance and through the story a considerable distance in lifestyle arose; where Odhranos lived day to day, Des had a manor in cenril, territory claimed in the sage and others that relied on him for their own existence. "Ahh, I see. I believe I came here to meet someone, or perhaps just to sightsee. I do know that down the mountain, in Xalious I hear that Hildegarde has been gathering forces to assault Frostmaw. Do you know anything of this?" beyond that he had no real reason to be up here at all, unless he expected to find his friend Yukiko, but she had been encountered in many places, not just here.

Odhranos nodded briefly. “I have been in the Xalious Range for a while and I would have to be blind or deaf not to know. The Silver has been gathering her troops and there is word that there is to be a push for the Throne of Frostmaw, upon which the Silver herself has placed claim” the mage recalls. He had been visiting the Mage’s Tower at the time when he heard the news. “I have never met the lady herself, but to plan on mounting an attack against the frozen stronghold, even having been a Steward, its audacious” he stated, as he gazed up the slopes in the direction of the city of war, the northern peaks veiled in clouds of sleet and snow.

Desparrow rubbed his hands together in anticipation of the events to come, as if he were a silent watcher witnessing how a the move of a single pawn sets in motion a cataclsymic chain of events, taking pride in the chaos that has been birthed and now apparently will also be resolved by the woman he has come to know as Hildgearde. "I see, I don't come this way too often, usually sticking to Cenril and then moving only as far as the western borders of the Sage. I suppose however that I should perhaps meet with the woman so that I can ask her what exactly she plans to do, and if I could offer my services at all. EIther way that is in the near future, and this is now." he chuckled behind a raised hand covering his mouth. "So, Sir Odhranos, whom lives day to day, struggling. What would you say if I could offer you a chance to change the way you live.. make it easier, better?"

Odhranos rubbed his chin with his forefinger and thumb and studied the elf silently for a few moments. "I must say Sir Desparrow, I am curious as to what you propose, but what I'm more curious about is what's in it for you?" The mage smiled somewhat slyly, a mischievous glint in his dark grey eyes. The mage stood back and folded his arms behind his back. "There's a saying, "There's no such thing as a free drink", that I feel might apply in this situation" the mage stated, as he set his features into a plain expression, with a slight provoking tweak up at the corner of his mouth, as the mage is well aware when he is being baited, and loves a good bout of verbal fencing.

Desparrow combed through his hair for the second time since coming here, a process of small movements made to help him process his thoughts for a moment as he happened to be running quite excitable at the moment. "Well, whats in it for me.. Who knows. Maybe even greater power. Perhaps something completely obscure.. I don't know, the question however is simple. I could make your life easier for you in a few ways. I can offer you a place in my home. I can.. offer you a tome of knowledge, a tool, weapon, some manner of resource, I could give you a job, one that doesn't require you to do back breaking work for a few coin but actually put your skills to good use, and allow you to practice." he hadn't mentioned that due to his human nature he could bite the man and have a high chance of inflicting the lycantrhopy curse upon him, which would then bond him with Des and integrate him into his pack. "Depends.. what would you desire?"

Odhranos smiled. Had he been a man of more obvious gestures, he would have rubbed his hands together gleefully, much like Desparrow had done moments earlier. "That's a very potent question to ask a man of my lifestyle, Sir Desparrow. I could be a man sick with greed of money, one who desires power and domination over all he sees. Or even one who wants nothing more than to see the world burn around him", the mage stated, a small, cruel looking smile spreading across his face as he talked. Then his face changed, and the smile turned from that of thinly veiled evil to that of plain old mischief: "You would be no doubt saddened to know I am none of those" he laughed at his own joke. Odhranos may not have been the most magically perceptive of individuals, but he had lived long enough to become a decent judge of character and this elf before him was quite obviously playing him for some ulterior motive. "Coincidentally, that which I desire, I once possessed, and you are most likely unable to give to me" he smiled slyly, meeting the elf's blue eyes with his own glinting grey.

Desparrow moved back towards the statue of Masbane and leaned against it with a boyish grin plastered on his face. "Well, I am glad to hear you are none of those, for providing each of those would cost great effort, and I'm feeling kind of lazy today, but I do have a.. bit of interest in this thing that you say I cannot provide. You have no obligation and owe me nothing to grant me the request of knowledge, of this particular article of which you speak." his eyes sparked with a bit of fire, the prospect of the unknown, a mystery, and a challenge catching most of his attention. "I would be glad to compensate you with far more than what you will make with that measly bit of ore you've mined. Though of course it is up to you." he from a pocket withdrew one of the valuable glowing stones, "There is a reward though."

Odhranos's eyes twinkled. He smiled pleasantly across at the grinning elf. "Well, I have heard stories about you, Sir Desparrow, and of your doings, but I'm afraid that to acquire what I seek, you would have to cross an ocean, fight a nation of skilled warriors and then after all that, negotiate with a very unfriendly king to rescind his own order for his daughter's annulment to her previous husband.". The man smiled, then raised his eyebrows, "Now if you are up to the challenge, we can hop on a boat right away, but I'm not exactly sure if marriage negotiations are your forte, sir, no offence meant" the mage laughed. "I'm a man of simple living, and although times are tough and it is sometimes hard to make end meet, I enjoy it whole-heartedly. I have lived a life of opulence and indulgences and I've had quite my fill." he stated, smiling idly

Desparrow tossed the stone the mage's way, having gotten the information even if he found it to be as if the other was pulling him along a bit. Regardless he chuckled, "I see. Fight a nation of skilled warriors.. negotiate," he paused on that word, as if listening carefully as to how it rang in his ear, though as he repeated it once more he ran his tongue over his upper row of teeth which appeared to be abnormally large for any humanoid of his stature, and certainly sharper, in fact Des had four extra incisors, perhaps even a few more teeth than the normal human, or elf. "Negotiating, something that I rarely do, but am capable of, usually with.." he didn't finish that statement, for the truth would just let the other know he was a rather violent person, especially when angry and deliberately defied. "I do accept your challenge, however I shall take a few days, procure the right supplies for the trip, and we shall see just what we can do." that fire in his eyes was back, but in this instance it told of a thirst for destruction, widespread ruin at the hand of him and his ilk. "It should be quite the adventure."

Odhranos was mildly surprised, he hadnt expected the elf to take him up on his challenge, but now that he thought about it, thats exactly the sort of thing he would have done in the other man's shoes. "Very well then, an adventure it shall be. However, I have one last question, Sir Desparrow. How shall I repay you? For such an act demands a debt of a high order" the mage smiled, more genuinely now, yet slightly confused as whether or not to trust this smiling elf. He simply decided to put his judgement on hold for the time being and follow this elf for the time being. "I shall be around these parts for some time, when you are ready to depart, you can most likely find me easily enough." The mage stated, extending a slim yet rough-skinned hand for the elf to shake.

Desparrow was full of surprises, apparently to the point it was a different facet of a many-faced jewel each day. All similar, with a few small differences. "What shall you do to repay me. Well I can think of something. All you have to do, is wait. Cenril will be needing help, and when I need you, you will be called on. Until then I will be preparing for our journey, perhaps even bring a friend or two along with." In fact he had an idea of bringing an entire party and saw in this opportunity the chance to exercise his destructive powers instead of stifling them as he does on a daily basis except at night when he can get away with it. The world would know Des' name, not as simply a lycan, or a mage, but a threat. A tyrannical threat and he was well on his way to accomplishing such ambitions. Extending his own hand it was rough, thick skinned surely and had a supernatural strength beyond the normal limits of his apparent race, though he did not exert this strength, but merely offered a steady firmness. "You have my word, I shall assist you."

Odhranos mulled the offer over, then firmly shook the elf's hand. "That sounds like a deal to me, sir. You have my word, what i can do to help you i shall, you need only ask". The mage turned slightly and looked out past the elf across the mountains. Far below, the leafy green tops of the Sage could be seen, winking emerald in the rising sun. Beyond that lay Cenril, the sprawling coastal city and Desparrow's hidden agenda and beyond that… lay the sea and Odhranos' past. Setting his jaw firmly so as not to bring back painful memories, the mage met the elf's eyes and bowed low and respectfully. "I may have misjudged you, sir, and i do apologise. But do this for me and i swear, you will earn my undying loyalty" the mage stated solemnly, his slate grey eyes fierce and strong.

Desparrow would hold his word to this new acquaintance, "Its alright. I don't take offense to how you initially viewed me, if you have truly heard of me, and whatever rumors of my deeds have taught you.. well so be it, I will deal with them as rememberance for past mistakes, however this is the present and the future is upon us! I will not be burdened by my own faults, simply press forward into the light of the sun and carve our own paths towards Destiny." he sighed, offering a deep bow of respect in turn. "However, this was certainly a good meeting, and I can only envision this business deal being prosperous for the both of us."

Odhranos smiled openly. "I can see it being prosperous indeed" the mage nodded, as he hoisted his leather bag upon his shoulder. "I should be heading down into the village, i have supplies to gather and a significant amount of sleep to be catching up on before the day gets too early." he turned and with his staff like a walking stick he begins down the slope. Turning once more, the red morning light casting deep shadows on the left side of his face, he raised his free hand in farewell. "Until our paths cross again, Sir!" he called.

Desparrow would only offer a silent wave in response followed by a nod. Indeed until their paths cross again.