"Night Meeting" by Jessica M. Jordan

Players:
Asiard Ciehan (Jsong, me)
Fyliren Nijerus (Amanda Jones)

Fyliren Nijerus
Fyliren looked around her with a mingle of curiosity, bewilderment, untrust and disgust on her face. They had been in the city for a while now, and she still had yet to completely figure out the intricacies of it. How people could be so poor yet so happy, so involved in politics and the good of the city yet turning to dark things at night. They were the same things she had seen in countless other cities over the span of her life, but she had never quite come to understand it. But then again, she had never really had any reason to bother understanding it in the first place.
That looked like it was about to change, however. With the way things were going, the group would end up staying in the city much longer than she originally anticipated, even though she knew that it could have happened. Fyl had always felt much freer on the road, her legs astride her beautiful mount, Nalstur. But by the same token, she wouldn't leave the only family she had simply because she wasn't wholy comfortable with every decision that was made.
So, the afternoon found her slowly riding through the city on her brown mare, clothed in comfortable riding gear with her hair pulled back at the nape of her neck to reveal her pale complexion. She had set about covertly studying the people and trying to learn how to be like them, so when the time came for her to fit in amongst them she would be accepted as one of their own. Shaking her head, she realized she had a long way to go before that would happen, her thoughts idly drifting to Asiard and wondering what the leader was up to.

Asiard Ciehan
Asiard's eyes had aquired a light glow to them in the evening hours - making it quite easy for him to spot Fyliren on the edge of the City road. The city folk didn't take kindly to glowing eyes, and Asiard had learned and taught the rest of the group a little trick of squinting his eyes to diminish the light. He did not bother, as he saw no one on the road. He ran his fingers through his loyal mount Valdrienduil's mane, and gripped it as he nudged the stallion forward. His thoughts mirrored Fyliren's. This City was the same, yet different from all the lands they had encountered in their travels. Perhaps they should make themselves known to the policy makers of the City, and perhaps even its monarchs. Though he doubted that step would prove necessary.
He knew Fyliren would sense his approach before he made it too close, and didn't bother keeping quiet. Valdrienduil came to a stop right beside Nalstur. Seeing two Nachtlos mounts together would give anyone a fright who was unused to their odd appearance and size. "Fyliren." Spoken simply. These meetings were commonplace in the Riders. They were to meet every night to discuss the happenings of the day, ideas that they had, and discoveries they had made.

Fyliren Nijerus
She had indeed sensed his approach before he reached her, though she did not find the need to turn and greet him as she knew he would come up to her when he was ready. She was right, and her fingers ran lightly through her own mount's mane as she turned her head and looked at him, giving him a brief smile of greeting before letting her gaze roam around the street once more.
"Well met, Asiard. How goes your day?" Fyl's voice was soft, yet had a husky tone to it that did not seem to go with her fragile appearance at all. The loose tunic she wore helped to make her rather small frame seem a bit larger, though her feet were definitely dwarfed by the size of her horse. But then again, a Nachtlos mount could dwarf just about anything humanlike. She shifted lightly on the back of her mount, turning so she could look better at her visitor as she sat there, only a light blanket between her body and the horse's flesh.

Asiard Ciehan
Asiard sat upon a fur saddle, creating little distance from the horse's hide. The beast under him could throw him much easier than any normal horse might. He had only thrown Asiard twice after they had first become partners. Now they trusted each other with their life. It was a bond that went beyond any of the rider relationships, and all of them knew that. But Fyliren was a rider who understood that as some of the younger riders did not. Asiard did not turn to look at the woman beside him, the two knew what each other looked like. She was one of the oldest riders, and one of the most respected.
"Like many others. I met with a few questionables that were able to give me more information than the City officials." This was nothing new. It was like that everywhere they had been. "But I've learned of a few people we should meet." He had suggested her presence at the meetings, something that would not be as common, and noticed by Fyl.

Fyliren Nijerus
Asiard's comment did indeed catch her attention, and all the emotions that had registered upon her face earlier were instantly replaced by one of singular curiosity. Fyl was not usually requested by Asiard to join him on any of the more important meetings for the group... he was the leader after all, and she was more than happy to let him lead. That was not her place in their little family, even though over the years she had done her fair share of guiding the other riders through one obstacle or another. Fyl rather liked sitting back and watching Asiard take control and do what he did best, content to only step into the limelight so to speak when absolutely necessary. She was not an overly nurturing kind, and while some may have called her an empath of sorts at times, she much preferred to merely label herself as a follower and helper. It helped to ease the gruffness of what little of her life she remembered before becoming a rider.
Raising an eyebrow, she glanced over at Asiard and tilted her head towards him, as if better to catch his words. Her fingers never stopped stroking and petting her mount, who stood perfectly still except for a shuffling of his hoofs now and then on the hard road. "That should be interesting, to say the least. I look forward to helping however I can. I have managed to uncover a name or two, but most of what I have found seems to be the same things we have already run into."

Asiard Ciehan
Asiard knew he wouldn't lead the Riders forever - but hoped he would at least see them to the a conclusion of their searching. After that, his purpose would be finished. He was not one to stay in one place - roaming had encompassed his life. Fyliren, though. He could see her content in another purpose. There were two others he saw in the same capacity though, and he had time to make a decision. He wasn't hanging up his hat for a good while.
"Yes, interesting indeed. One of them intrigues me. He is a City official, yet I hear of other activities he is involved in as well." He was also a mage, and Asiard hate mages, or magical users of any kind. He preferred a good sword slinger any day. "Anyone that would be interesting enoug for me to meet?" The wind caught his grey hair and it framed his face perfectly, he looked frightful. But Fyl would have been used to that. "I received word from two of the other groups today."

Fyliren Nijerus
She studied him for a moment and then nodded slowly, mulling over his words. Raising one shoulder, she cast a lazy look around and shifted slightly, becoming more comfortable on her mount if that were possible. "Perhaps so. I would almost think we were speaking of the same person, had you not referred to yours as a 'he'. You would probably fare better in speaking with the one I heard of than I myself would." While Asiard hated mages, Fyliren was fascinated with magic and all aspects of it. She would never take up the learning of it, but it never tired her to sit and watch one work it. However, dealing with the lady she had discovered didn't sound so appealing to her... not that Fyl thought the person was any better than herself, but Fyl's own shadiness was enough for her without needing to add more of that group's to it.
Her eyes went back to her companion at the mention of the other groups, once again curious but cautious as well. She still had not made up her mind on whether or not the other members could stay true to their goals, and was always wary to hear of what had happened to them. "And how do they fare?"

Asiard Ciehan
"I will speak to your she then. Perhaps I should send you to talk with my "he." Yes, I think that would be good." Any excuse to avoid dealing with mages. And from the word on the street, the man had a good number of them doing his bidding. Asiard had a tired look on his face - a recent addition to his expressions. He muffled a yawn and ran his fingers up Vad's neck, scratching him just where the stallion liked it most. It was the only sign that a tender spot existed in Asiard, and very few people witnessed even these small exchanges between rider and horse.
"Not well. Yuliad got chased out." Guarded tolerance showed on his face, and even a hint of amusement. Yuliad was a jokester - a rare addition to the riders, but his presence would lighten Asiard's mood immediately. "I've called them here. Perhaps with seven we could make progress faster here. We will have to look into a semi-permenant residence, and stables here in the City, if not just outside of it."

Fyliren Nijerus
Fyl nodded slowly, letting his words register and sink in. She didn't find the idea of going to talk to this man by herself very thrilling, but she would do it nonetheless. It wouldn't do to show any signs of discomfort when the good of the group was all that they were after in the long run. The tired expression and motions of him bothered though, hitting a chord in her that troubled her more than it should. She had always known Asiard to be an almost nonstop go-getter, and to see him wearing down when the group needed him the most... True, she knew he would not think of leaving until the job was done, but the idea that he would leave eventually was not one she wished to linger on, and neither was the thought of who in the group could efficiently take his place.
A frown chased across her face at the mention of Yuliad's plight. The man was indeed amusing at times, though Fyl found his antics wearing on her patience more than it should. She was relieved that he had been sent with another group, and though she saw the logic in it, she wasn't overcome with joy at their return. "That is all true enough. I do recall seeing an office that dealt with property in the center of the city. Perhaps one of us should pay a visit there soon to see if some suitable place would be available for us to at least rent out, if not eventually buy."

Asiard Ciehan
He was still full of energy - but just in quiet moments he had a tired look about him. He would never admit to him, and the instant he realized someone had noticed, he straightened up and put a energetic look on his face. He was older than anyone had a right to be - as well as his horse. But Vad wasn't showing it at all. This gave Asiard comfort and with a small smile, he patted the horse's neck affectionately. If he could read Fyl's thoughts as well as he could his mount's - Asiard would have assured her that that time was far off. "Buy?" They weren't in the market to buy. Not yet. This wasn't the end of their travels - at least in Asiard's mind it wasn't.

Fyliren Nijerus
She merely shrugged at his question of their buying. While their assets weren't enough to think of it now, it couldn't be all that bad of an idea to think ahead either. And while the party might still travel, to have a place to come back to and enjoy, or merely a place for retired riders to spend their time... She put the idea on her mental shelf for now, though it would hardly be forgotten. Asiard might have his own agenda for the riders in the now, but Fyl knew all too well how things could end up when one didn't plan enough into the future.
She pondered his question for a long moment, leaning back and resting her hands behind her on the mount as she stretched out her legs. Nalstur snorted softly and Fyl grinned, scratching his skin lightly where her fingers rested. "I have not done much out of the ordinary. I did some mingling, and found that many of these folks do the same as many others day in and day out. I found a troupe of children working to put on a play and that was amusing for a while to watch before I started nosing about again for more information. I must say, this city is more diverse in its worship of the gods than any other I have seen. It has a district devoted to temples of numerous ones, and rumors abound of other temples that lay elsewhere in the city for those less smiled upon deities."

Asiard Ciehan
There weren't that many retired riders around, though there were a few. Riders aged normally after leaving their mounts, and time was stretched for the current Riders. Asiard preferred focusing on the current Riders, and assuring a future for them - and a place to enjoy periodically was not in his plan, not when they could be searching.
"Hm.. That's something that could be taken advantage of for sure. Why don't you look into what specific deities they include in their worship, and see about how many followers there are in the confines of the City?" He heard some rustling on the left side of them, and nudged his mount to a walk, knowing Fyl and her mount would follow. Asiard didn't see fit to worship any deity but Pyaorin, But so few Riders even remembered that name now. And the ones that did knew the story of how he had turned his back on the Riders. Asiard had a belief that he would look on them more favorably once they found a place of rest.

Fyliren Nijerus Nalstur and Fly did follow, her legs swinging back into position and her fingers threading through the soft mane almost out of habit as the horse started moving. Her body flowed easily with the movements of the horse, and at times like this she felt more at home than she ever did. She understood Asiard's views and would never overstep them, as they were normally her own as well. Just at times, the small sentimental part she did have got the better of her, and her own plans were for those times. "I can do that, I believe. The city is most open about such things normally and it seems the clergy are more than happy to tell you of their god's latest exploits and wishes. It should be rather simple to gather more information about them." It might be a little trickier getting information for the temples that supposedly lurked underground, but with time she should be able to gather what she needed.
Asiard Ciehan

"You believe, Fyliren? You will." Asiard had never been known for his kindness, or patience, or politeness, or much of anything except getting the job done. But that was what the Riders needed. There were a few other names that had been mentioned to him when he had been out gathering information - but they weren't as important, and they had time to investigate this City. It wasn't the safest City - he had come to find out. Questionable characters were numerous, and not hard to find. The Rider's presence would probably go unnoticed for a while longer. His lips went up in a sneer - he was usually not the one gathering information. He left that to others. But he had grown impatient in his group. That had been another reason he had called for two of the other groups to rejoin them here. Lucious and Thaliad should be arriving sooner than the other group. He would be able to get more done with them here. "Anything else of note?"

Fyliren Nijerus
"Yes, Asiard." She said softly, sighing inwardly to herself. She knew better than to make any statements other than direct ones to him, though the fact that he had always to be a pushy perfectionist did get on her nerves at times. Ah well, it was all for the group and she would do her part, just as the rest of them did, with no complaining.
She pondered the question for a few moments as she idly scratched under her horse's mane as they went, before shaking her head. Her eyes were slowly taking in the scenery around them, but other than the mild look of curiosity her face had held since they had arrived, she bore no expression at all. "Not that comes to mind right now, Asiard. The only other things I've noted thus far are the same things we've noted everywhere else."

Asiard Ciehan "Hopefully Lucius and Yaliad will be of some help. We've not made any significant discoveries here. They are to arrive soon." Asiard meant to belittle her efforts a bit, to spur her into more active searching. He had done the same to their other companion ealier in the day. Not nice, but effective. "I'm going to change my roomming arrangements this evening, I'd suggest you two do the same." It was not a new order - they had to change boardings often to avoid too much notice that would damage their dealings. He reached up and ran his fingers through his unruly streaked hair - which he made no attempt to tame. Then made the same motion in his mount's mane - stopping half way and clutching the horse's hair. He squeezed his thighs a bit tighter around the horse, a sure sign that he was planning one of his sudden exits. "Until tomorrow night then?"

Fyliren Nijerus
"Tomorrow night." She said with a nod, settling back onto the back of her horse as she watched him. Fyl knew what he was trying to do and wished he didn't feel like he had to. He had more of the leader in him than he thought he did at times, she was sure. She had already gotten her few things ready to move to another place for the next few nights, knowing that the time was nearing when they would shift around again. She grew tired of it, but tried to put the light on it that it wasn't that much different than shifting from camp to camp as they rode... though she would have much preferred a camp to these horrid inn rooms. Shaking her head, she threaded her own hands into the mane, ready to turn and leave once he had done so, and set about trying to find out more than she already had about this place.

Asiard Ciehan At her aknowledgement, with no verbal prompting from Asiard, Vadreinduil sprung forward into an instant gallop. Asiard stayed mounted with the ease of decades of practice, and familiarity with his chosen horse. Or rather, the horse that had chosen him. His smile was wide, his hair trailing behind him, and his eyes shone bright in the darkness as he rode toward the edge of the City. He would doubtless ride his horse most of the night, retiring only when he saw the first lights of the dawn approaching. The only time he was truly happy was when he was astride Vad, riding at a full gallop - as he was now. The Rider's plight would not be in his mind until dawn.