Looking for Employment (Ammodytes)

[Selene]

She sat in a deep chair book in one hand and a lightning orb floating about her fingers in the other. The orb flitted about rolling between her fingers, moving around her hand as her fingers played a never ending cat and mouse game as if trying to catch it at some point along the way. The book in her hand had a title that read Beasts of Other Worlds. Her attire consisted of black leather pants that disappeared into a pair of likewise black leather boots that buckled closed down the outside of her calves. Her Shirt appeared to be of the same design, black, leather and buckles. She also wore a hooded cloak whose hood rested at the back of the chair leaving her long fiery locks of hair to rest unhindered about her shoulders. To any onlooker she'd look just as any Battle Mage would appear though more strikingly beautiful than most.

She'd only been in the City for a few days and so her cover-story read out perfectly. As far and anyone was concerned she was here looking for work. That was her story and she stuck to it. Selene wasn't playing the aggressive demon, if she could avoid unnecessary horror with her presence that would mean more opportunity to collect the souls she so selfishly desired and if she could make a buck or two along the way then so-be-it.

Oh there was plenty of horror to be made at the expense of those foolish enough to trespass into her 'feeding grounds'. Most unlike the vampires she would destroy any who did not belong there. The vampires were of course a forgiving lot at times so dramatic and ever so playful. Of course to any race there were always the exception to the general rule. Her for example. She tended to like to take her time and find the souls really worth it. When others would take what they could get and move on. This was the reason for her posing as a Master Mage from the city of Malbourne. Malbourne being the capitol of the southern Mage cities that lived on the middle contaminant across the sea.

[Ammodytes]

Silvar awoke early from his slumber that day. He started with a fine meal, then he got dressed in his casual attire and made his way out of the inn, leaving his shield on his bed and keeping the ring with the emblem turned towards his palm.

He walked slowly on the busy streets, he had never done this when he was still the legitimate heir of the Ammodytes family. The family mansion was pretty much his world, rarely did he leave it and only on special occasions.

Soon enough he reached his destination, the library. Based on Iridian's hints, this is where he would find an essential part of his plan, battlemages. He walked in through the large doors and quietly closed them behind him. His attention was immediately caught by an orb of lightning, floating about in the hand of an apparently young lady. Do most mages look this good? he thought. I was truly unlucky with the grumpy old lad we had in the unit. As he finished his thought he made his way towards the redheaded lady, then he spoke, trying to keep the tone of his voice low, as to not disturb the other people reading in the library.

"Greetings, sorry to disturb you my lady! My name is Denethor and I seek the service of one or two battlemages."

[Selene]

Selene didn't look up from her book nor did the lighting orb cease to twist and turn about her fingers when the man approached. When he spoke, he got the same reaction but a few moments after the words left his lips the book snapped shut and a pair of soft blue eye looked up at him. She blinked a couple times and then snatched the lighting orb from its trip about her hand and squished it into nothing.

Those blue eyes looked the man up and down the book floated over to the table and settled itself on the smooth table. After she’d looked him up and down she smiled, though it wasn't particularly a warming smile it was what it was, a smile.

“And who is it that wishes to hire a couple Battle Mages?” She asked now sitting up more properly in her chair. “And my name is Selene, no Lady... just Selene.” She stated quite frankly.

[Ammodytes]

Silvar looked her straight in the eyes without blinking, the little magic show did not impress him one bit, he had seen magic used in battle many a times. However, her beauty was something else, the one type of magic that no one is immune to. He responded with a formal voice:

"I wish to form a mercenary unit, I have been part of one for the last 12 years but it disbanded. Now I want to form a new one. The requirements are discipline, the ability to follow the chain of command and battle experience. The rewards are riches, adventure, fame and respect. All members have an equal share of the spoils. Do you know someone who might be interested, Selene?"

He raised his chin as he finished his sentence, his lips betrayed a small smile. He had a feeling this conversation would turn out to be very interesting.

[Selene]

Oh impressing the man had never been her intention. Just lazy reactions to putting things away was all. No, she wouldn't have to impress this man in what it was she could show him she was capable of doing. She caught his smile and being who and what she was also knew why he smiled. Oh of course she didn't read his mind that was so overrated. She felt his feeling though, tasted of them actually. This pleased her.

“I am happy to hear that you are looking for Battle Mages for what would seem to be a most extraordinary adventure, Denethor the Mercenary Leader.” She replied and then motioned him to have a seat in the chair across from her. “Discipline, ability to follow a chain of command and battle experience...” She seemed to think on his words for a moment all the while never loosing eye contact.

It took her a few moments to seemingly think on it and then that less than warm smile stopped altogether and she took on a most serious demeanor. “Lets put up a list then...I am over 3000 years old and fought in the Legendary battle between hell and earth itself.... I think I might fall under the battle experience part...” She paused for a second or two then went on. “Following a chain of command... well now there we come to something I am certain will be no problem... Of course that would depend....” She smiled wickedly at him. “...Do I get a spanking if I don't follow orders?” She asked most innocently. “Oh and discipline I see no problem there.” She shrugged “It is what it is. So, do I meat you expectations?” She asked.

[Ammodytes]

Silvar took the seat that was offered to him and listened carefully to what she said. 3000 years old, where do I find these people? he thought. Her childish nature confused him a bit, but he quickly regained his focus and replied:

"Well so far you seem alright, but I do need more details. The tactical deployment of a unit requires magic support in the form of offensive and defensive spells. In our old unit we had one mage that was capable of doing both, he used earth magic for both offense and defense, he never missed, and we never had one casualty because of him." His posture was impeccable and his words full of confidence. "So, I need to know what type of magic you can use, and what you can do for the unit."

[Selene]

The man sitting across form her obviously knew little about Mages and was about to get a lesson. Selene having been a Master Mage before her demise knew that unless you were in the southern reaches of Othendaria in the capital of Malbourne amongst the Mage cities, you not find a Master Mage any place else on the planet, save two. The one in the Keep and two on the third continent of Zalisht.

She regarded this man for a moment and then gave him a half laugh. “That is because your Mage was an Earth Mage and that was what he did... He controls the rocks.” She told him quite simply. “I am most pleased you didn't loose anyone for his part, I shall have to seek him out and commend him one day.” She moved on. “I am a Master Mage. I have full control over all the elements and can preform most any bit of magic between. Most likely, unlike your last, I am not a good, or Mage of Light but of darkness. Of curse your first thought may be that it makes me an evil being but if that were so, you'd be mistaken. All this means is that I will go places that a Light Mage will not. I control the shadows can manipulate travel, if others are wiling, to move us through the darkest places where the shadow Demons rule to come out on the other side in almost an instant. I can bring down fire and lightning to destroy those in our path use ice, force and earth to hold back or push against an enemy or even shelter us for long periods of time against a barrage of arrows.” She paused as if thinking through things for a moment and then sighed. “Though I do not use healing or holy magic, if it is those things you are looking for, I would suggest seeking out someone else.”

Honestly the list went on and on her abilities as a 1000 year old Mage were incredible but if she were still just a Master Mage at over 3000 they would be, like her opposite up at the Keep, unimaginable.

“A Master Mage rivals any Demon though of course they can not use their Magic for an indefinite amount of time like a Demon. I can hold my own I assure you. Anything else?” She finished and waited for his reply.

[Ammodytes]

"So then, he spoke calmly, you would seem like quite the bargain." He smiled as he stroked his beard. "But listen here, mage or master mage, the pay is still the same." He paused and looked over her with slight doubt in his eyes, she was talking about great achievements and skill but words without proof are nothing. "From what you have told me you should suffice, he continued, however I will need proof of your skill, and time to come to trust you. Do you accept these terms?"

[Selene]

Selene offered him a quiet nob and a warm smile. “But of course, after all I can sit here and spew all the great things I've done in my existence and still there would be nothing you could go on that would prove that what I tell you to be true.” She stated and then regarded him again. “As for trusting me... well trust is earned over time and that I do understand. As I can assure you I have no trust for you in my entire being. Save perhaps that I must trust in myself to think of you as an honest enough man.” She then told him and thought a moment.

“Would you like to take a walk through the shadows?” She asked him. “It will be a journey to start our trust. As you can not survive there without me, and I will assure you I will never let you fall into harm.” She offered.

“And yes, I do accept your terms.” She then added as an after thought.

[Ammodytes]

"No, Slene, he replied, it is because I do not trust you yet that I will not accept to be taken somewhere where I can only depend on you." His posture was relaxed and so was his tone. "There is one easy way for me to test your skill and to gain your trust, we shall go on a mission together. Nothing strengthens bonds and reveals the true nature of a person, like a near-death situation."

He got up from his chair and straightened his cloak. "I shall continue recruiting, in two days from now meet me at the city gates at sundown. We shall see your skill and character then. Untill then, farewell!" He bowed his head politely then turned around and made his way to the door. The day was still long and he needed more men, but things were starting to get in motion. If she really was everything she said, things should work out great, the only real problem would be if she was more than she said.

[Selene]

She inclined her head to the man and smiled. “Very well.” She said simply and then took her book from the table and allowed it to open once more. “In two day it will be then.”

She then turned her head back to the words in the book and raised her other slightly from the chair and allowed a shadowy black orb form and start chasing itself about her fingers. She propped her feet up on the table before her, leaned back into the chair and continued as she was before he entered the building and as it nothing had even transpired between them.