The opening move

[Ammodytes]

Upon reaching the inn, Silvar asked two boys to take the horses to the stables and to carry his equipment in a chamber with a desk and a sturdy chest. Once the working boys were payed he asked lady Iridian to join him at a table.

"Bring us a bottle of your finest wine, some ham, fresh bread and cutlery!" he yelled at the innkeeper. "Now my lady, he spoke to Iridian in a calm voice, please tell me more about what I have missed around here."

The food and drink was brought to them quickly and placed nicely on the table. Silvar started eating, showing great dexterity in the use of the cutlery, while listening to the fine lady in front of him.

[Iridian]

The Phantom was a good place for any who wanted to be someplace and not be distracted by too many brawls. It was a place where dark shadows hid in the back of the bar and talked on who knew what, things others probably didn't want to know about. It was also a place where one could find a good meal and drink. Oh there were women to be had in any establishment like these throughout any land of course as well always a great place for those looking to find or recruit employment be it shady or otherwise.

Iridian smiled at the stable hands as they led the horses away from them and then she returned her gaze to the man at her side and walked into the tavern. It didn't take them long to find a seat and order. She liked that he had ordered them wine, that was most pleasing. It had been a while since she'd had someone else pay for anything. She'd spent entire weeks helping to tend farmers crops and the like and so the fact that this man was willing and able to do so was almost a relief. It reminded her that she was indeed the lady he kept calling her.

“Oh yes indeed.” She replied and smiled warmly at him once more before she continued. “You asked of the Ammodytes.” She began and then sighed. “A great deal has happened with that family. It would seem that your fathers' employer is no longer alive.” She put it simply though a note of sadness rung true to her tone. “There was a great scandal within the line I do fear.” She moved on, not hesitating in her choice of words in the slightest. “The son...” She paused for a moment to recall the boys name. “Silvar...just disappeared on his 18th birthday and since it would seem that his uncle Stroder has taken charge of the family, his mother and father having died before his disappearance, of course.” She continued and then poured herself a goblet of wine and took a small drink. “Stroder took it upon himself to change the sigil and a great many things concerning the family.” She move forward still. The fact that she refused to put 'Lord' before the name of his uncle would tell him of her distaste for the man. “I fear that the family name has now a dark smear upon it and is not once what it used to be.” She finished with some distaste in her tone now. “There was a time when the name meant something around here but now I am afraid it is no better than that of the Dorrit's, the squandering of money and taste for power having left most others with a nasty film in their mouths.” She stated and took another drink.

She had known his parents well and had always suspected foul play in their demise. She had never had the proof of such things but she wasn't so stupid she couldn't put two and two together. She had her thoughts on the disappearance of Silvar as well, though didn't put them forth in her retelling the short of it to present company.

She did take note of his mannerisms as he ate; the way he held his utensils and even the manner in which he sat in his chair screamed that he was not low born.

[Ammodytes]

Silvar continued eating as he heard the story unfold, he managed to keep a straight face for most of it, but once he heard his real name spoken by Iridian he nearly choked and had to wash the bread down with an entire goblet of wine.
The situation had turned slightly disturbing, he didn't expect such a young lady to know so many details about his family. Perhaps it was time to learn more about her.

"Ah! It is a real pity then, he spoke calmly while pouring himself some more wine, I heard some nice stories about the viper clan."
He pushed the empty plate aside and grabbed the cup with both hands, looking over at Iridian with a small smile.
"But tell me my lady, why does such a literate person such as yourself, wonder the streets in the evening without an escort? I can see clearly that you are highborn."

He lowered his head slightly, admiring her while she spoke.

[Iridian]

Iridian didn't dismiss his half choke at the mention of Silvar. She would file it in her mind for now and retain it for later use.

“Me?” She started with a light laugh and a drink of wine that she chilled in her mouth as it passed her tongue. “I don't worry about such things as escorts.” She continued. “Times have changed and certainly there are still a lot a girl needs to fear on the road but an escort can be bothersome at times.” She smiled. “Besides, there aren't many here in Meerin that would attempt something so foolish as to try anything with me.” She smiled and then touched the wine bottle and allowed ice crystals to form over the bottom and then spread over the bottle. She then winked at him and continued. “Like I said, I know this place very well.” She finished and then took a long draw from her goblet this time and then refiled it with the now chilled wine before them.

It wasn't as though she tried to hide being a Mage she just didn't show off or go around using her magic just because she could.

[Ammodytes]

Silvar's eyes opened wide, then he started laughing loudly.

"Really, you are a mage?", he said with a baffled voice and a large smile on his face. "I can't believe it! You are most certainly the best looking mage I have ever seen!"  He shook his head slowly with a smile on his lips. He then finished the second cup of wine before continuing. "Forgive me my lady, I do not wish to be rude, but the mage we had in the mercenary unit was a grey, drunken old man, and that is how I picture most mages." He poured himself some more wine, he really enjoyed the feel of the ice-cold bottle. "Also, he continued with the same smile, the necromancers we faced in battle didn't look very charming either." He placed both hands around the cup again then he leaned over the table slightly. "Forgive me for the question I am about to ask, but how old are you? I have heard that you can grow really old and still look young, but I have never had the pleasure of meeting someone of your grace."

[Iridian]

Iridian smirked as he realized what she'd told him without words. Though she had not expected him to laugh it brought the smirk to a bright smile. She was finding this character quite entertaining company. She still had plenty of information to give to him yet but she was quite happy for the break this talk about her and her kind was giving them. Just what she'd needed and to see him enjoying himself as he kicked himself across from her was delightful to say the least.

Her eyes swept over his hands when he grasped the cup with both of them and the glint of his ring caught her eye. Immediately she recognized it but did not so much as loose a step as she continued to smile as he then asked the inevitable question of her age.

“Well, lets start with what a Mage looks like.” She gave a small bell-like laugh. “Unknown to most people a Mage looks how they think they should look. “She started and then took a small sip from her wine goblet. “Oh of course there is the genetic factor in how anyone looks but what I am talking about is that a Mage makes an unconscious decision, usually sometime in their twenties, as to how they perceive themselves. Then they just simply stop ageing when they get there.” She shrugged. “Me for example, I wanted to look like my mother and so stopped ageing at 24.” she went on. “This is why you will never see a Mage that appears under twenty something. I've seen Mages with white beards and some even hunched bald and grotesque.” She paused to take yet another drink from her goblet. “As far as Necromancers are concerned...” She paused and looked a bit sad. “...though they may not live quite as long as a Mage or Sorcerer, they can still live very long lives and because of their dealings with the dead, they too seem to rot and take on less than desirable qualities.” She shook her head. “Why anyone would choose that rout is beyond me, but then that really isn't for me to judge now is it.” She shrugged.

She now twirled the content of her Goblet for a moment and brought her chin up and smiled gently at the man before her. “I am 150 years of age.” She stated quite proudly. “Still very young so far as Mages are concerned I suppose.” She replied and then added, “Thank you, you are far to kind.” she finished with a drink of her wine.

[Ammodytes]

Silvar raised his eyes towards the ceiling and sighed.

"150 years old, by the gods!", he spoke in an awed voice. "I feel like a child in the presence of an elder," he laughed softly. "Well then, since I am blessed with such wise company, I would be a fool not to broaden my knowledge as much as I can." He turned towards the innkeep: "More wine, of the same batch!"

As his eyes turned back to meet with her's, a sudden realization came to mind: this lady in front of him had the capacity to recognize who he was. This was dangerous indeed. His smile turned from sincere to an official one as he decided to complete the first step of his plan, gathering information, before he could retreat to his chamber and plan the next move.

"Now then my lady, I do not wish to keep you up all night." He finished his cup and poured the last of the cooled wine in his goblet, just as the new bottle arrived. "Please tell me, where do you think I could recruit some battlemages for my new mercenary unit. Also, if you know this place so well, where could I find someone good at gathering sensitive information."

[Iridian]

When the new bottle can she cooled it like the first and thanked the tavern girl as well as tipped her. She then turned her attention back to Denethor, whatever he was calling himself, and smiled once more.

“Down to the matter at hand it would seem.” She finished her drink and poured the next. “If it is Mages you are looking for, I would suggest rounding a few up in the library. Most don't find it useful enough to hangout in bars so they tend to stay indoors or at the library.” She started with the easiest ones.

She paused a moment as if thinking quite hard on the next subject and she was indeed. Oh she knew exactly who to send him to, but was she really certain the other person would accept him or not was the question. Finally she sighed and decided that he'd have to be the one to convince the other to help.

“Ok, well honestly I have another two who may be able to help, I will start with someone who probably knows these street even better than the streets themselves.” She stated. “Of course both may need a bit of coaxing to get them to do anything, perhaps one more so than the other. This one however, I believe if he is paid, he just might help.” She went on. “His name, or he goes by the name Street. He is not the easiest to find, but I think I saw him in here with Lady Kaye the other night so perhaps she can help.” She stated and then closed her eyes and took a deep breath. “This other one...” she paused to take a drink. “Well she would be perfect IF..” She emphasized the if strongly. “You can you can be charming enough to persuade her.” She paused again to take a large draw from her container this time. She knew what she was about to say would indeed alert 'Denethor' that she knew he wasn't 'Denethor' and hoped he wouldn't take her knowing to badly.

“Her name is Alexandra Malice. She has only been in the city for three years but...” She paused to take another drink, emptying its constants. “within those three years she has managed to endear herself to EVERY Noble house. I am not saying she knows these people, I am saying these people almost fight over her companionship. She even has the ear of Lord Faldor himself.” She didn't stop talking but moved on. “You may need her and if you want to gain her trust you will have to do it on your own. She lives closest to the boarders of High Hill and the wealthy quarter, just across the street from me actually. Her place is a formidable fortress and it will all depend on your being able to get inside without use of anything but charm.” She then finished and as she did, she leaned forward and motioned him to meet her half way.

[Ammodytes]

Silvar was stroking his beard while listening carefully. Good, he thought, mages in the library, seems easy enough. Hmm... street thugs, that is not going to be so easy. A high class spy, excellent! he ended his thoughts with a smile, but was slightly alarmed when Iridian said "you may need her". Need her? it was clear that the mage in front of him was suspecting something, but before he could finish his thought she invited him to lean over, and so he did.

[Iridian]

Iridian placed her cheek to near touching his and turned her lips to whisper in his ear so that clearly he would be the only to hear what she had to say next. She was done pretending and right now she just wanted to be certain he knew what she had deciphered and to be sure he stayed safe.

“If I were you, I wouldn't wear that thing so openly in public...” She moved her hand to cover his with the ring and twisted it so that the sigil was now hidden on the inside of his hand. “Any spy could happen along and describe the new guy to many different ears in the city and who knows the details they may bring to the wrong ones.” She stated and then for show, more so than anything else, she placed a kiss on his cheek and then retreated to her own seat and finished her wine.

“Thank you for the drink Denethor and for your help back there at the gates. I should be on my way shortly as it is going to start raining in..” She looked up as if looking a the ceiling, “...ten minutes.” she stated as fact not prediction.

To any onlooker it would seem she had just thanked the man for exactly the things he'd done for her and nothing more.

“If ever you need me you can find me near High Hill or at the lake if I am not there. You can't miss my estate, it is the only one without guards.” She then offered a warming smile.

[Ammodytes]

Silvar paused for a second to decide how he was going to continue the conversation. The lady knew he was not who he claimed, but she couldn't be sure of his true identity either. What are the odds, he thought, that the first person I run into is an 150 year old mage that looks younger than I do.

But how to continue? Could he just let her go? She could tell someone about him. Looking up at her eyes, he calmed down. If she wanted to sell him out she would not have told him about his mistake, she would have played him along and he wouldn't have even realized it. He was lucky this time, but he would not repeat the same mistake twice.

"My lady Iridian, he spoke in a formal and noble tone, I thank you very much for your company, the knowledge you have shared and the advice you have given me. It has truly been an interesting evening and I do hope to see you again!" He drank from his cup before continuing in a more cordial tone. "Things are about to change around here, a storm is coming. But fear not, once it is over I will remember those who are my friends."

He got up from the table with a smile and walked over to her, extending his left hand to gently help her up.

[Iridian]

She continued to smile at him as he spoke. She watch his movements and listened to how he spoke as well as the words he used and her eyes followed him as he rose from his seat to offer his hand in escorting her from the tavern.

She took his hand and stood up as well. She plucked the basket of goods she'd had from the ground beside her with the other and allowed him to walk her to the door. It truly was a good thing he had decided to stop and help her with her problem earlier that evening. She honestly believed she was right in her feeling about his true identity but she would not pursue that line, she would allow him to come to her with it himself. No, she would in no way speak of her thoughts to any other. As stated, she was indeed a good friend to his parents, if this was who she thought it to be, had even stood at his mothers side during their wedding.

She turned to him and smiled again as they stepped up to the door. “You really should stop by sometime, I am certain there may be a painting or two you might just be interested in seeing.” She made a final statement before they would say their good-byes for the evening. “Oh, and if you do indeed seek Street, you can usually find Lady Kay tending her fathers store in the morning hours before the help arrives. It's called Thorton's. You can't miss it, its the largest permanent store in the square.” She told him as a last helpful deed.

[Ammodytes]

"Thank you my lady, and good night!" he said with a smile as she departed. Clouds were gathering above, she was right about the rain, of course she was, she is a mage.

He returned inside the inn and made his way to his chamber, as he was climbing the stairs he went over the details of what had happened that evening.

I have to be more careful, he thought, next time I might not be so lucky. He reached his door, opened it, walked into his chamber and locked the door behind him. His things were nicely stacked in the corner, just as he had requested; the service of the inn was exemplary.

He prepared himself for sleep, the next day would be full challenges. As he laid down he gave a final thought towards the companion he had that evening. "That wasn't bad at all, he said out loud." He then rubbed his cheek and continued with a smile: "What am I talking about? That was great!"

[Iridian]

Iridian walked down the street and just before the first drops of rain would hit her, she sheltered her basket with an ice cover to protect the wool and the book inside. She could have made one large enough to cover her as well, considering the silk gown she wore, but she didn't.

She felt the first few drops of rain on her head and sighed contentedly as she continued to walk forward. Before too long the rain was pouring from the sky in what might have been the first real Spring storm they'd had as of yet this year. Her dress was soak, her hair was soaked and the Ice Mage couldn't have been happier for it. She moved now with the gait of one who wanted to world to know she was happy, taking a skipping step here or there, looking up into the rain and smiling but then realized that she was glad for the creeping darkness as the thin silk dress was now sticking to her body and clinging no longer hiding everything that should have been hidden; she laughed and continued home.