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To Shape a Person (lilywhite91 - ArclightX)

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ArclightX

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Garret looked over the casks, of ale for his men, his eyes sliding over each barrel taking a small taste of each, which with so many, was still about a mug. He sighed as he looked to the man, "I see you had to water it all down a little.". He forestalled the man before he could object, Garrets voice came calm, with a reassuringly quality. "It may be for the best, it is a long night, and a long march, just to hopefully find work.". Garret had a kind smile, as he paid the man, letting the trader count the money before he loaded his cart, and checked his horses, the land liege had told him to keep his group of men far from town, lest an accident happen, it was not uncommon for mercenaries to have such a reputation. it did not bother Garret much he liked the free life, always in search of the woman for whom he could love, though some of his tastes were hard to match with the type of women he wanted.

Garret was a tall man, with broad strong shoulders, he held a way about himself, that showed either he was noble born, or thought very highly of himself. He was easy to pick out as a swordsmen, his sword at his side held a certain elegance, a slightly curved blade, the hilt lined with silver to show off slightly, but to not make it completely obvious. He held a simple chain shirt, that hugged him properly, a leather vest shirt overtop of it., his trousers held stitched leather leggings, to protect from a simple cut, but allow him to move freely. his arms were bare except a red cloth tied to his left arm, in the center a golden cut picture of a dragon, showing he was from a mercenary squad, and who they were. he had short brown hair, messed about his head from one too many nights in the woods, though he was mostly clean shaven, he kept up with it well, even in traveling. His calm hazel eyes scanned the street, before he moved to get onto his wagen, and get back to his men, his guard of three men, changing positions on the cart, he had asked about work around down, and there seemed to be little worth the effort, for what they would earn.
 
Lily had just entered the village, little more than a gathering of traders selling wares to travelers of the nearby road. Nevertheless,it was a place she was hurrying to get to, for her own reasons. For over a year, she had been searching for a great lost treasure, pouring over maps, hacking through thick jungles and meeting shady characters in equal amount. Her efforts had given her news, which was at once both uplifting and depressing. She had managed to narrow down the location of the hoard, but unfortunately, it lay shielded by the lands terrorized by a group of savage bandits, unaware of the riches lying just out of reach.

It would have been suicidal for her to push into their lands alone, and she had done much searching for ways to get past them unharmed. It was then that she heard of Garret's band of mercenaries, known to be disciplined,efficient and trustworthy, and she had heard that they would be passing these parts. She hurried into the village, hoping that she wasn't late as they had a habit of melting into the wild once they entered the forests.She attracted quite a number of looks as she walked past half closed shops and houses,her young curvy figure draped in a short tight tunic which stretched over her full breasts ,wide hips and firm ass, outlining her figure, ending halfway down her thighs. Trying to ignore the men calling out to her as she navigated the sparse streets, she finally found Garret making his trades. With his demeanor and the awe of the tradesman next to him,she could be sure that he was the man she was looking for.


She was cautious in contacting him though, as even so far away from their lands, the bandits still had eyes and ears everywhere, and she had made other enemies who would've loved to sell her out. Standing half hidden in the trees, she waved to Garret as he mounted the cart, hoping that he,and he alone would notice her.
 
Garret, made no sign that he noticed, his eyes forward, before he let a yawn, clapping his lead guard on the shoulder, "Get this back to the camp, I think a nice bards song, and the ambience of an inn would suit me for an hour or so". Garret got down, and slowly walked into the inn never showing he noticed the sign for his attention. Many were watching him, many spoke to him, about one of a hundred things, but him going out of the way to meet someone would go noticed, and in a town like this would spread like wild fire. He hoped she understood that, but only sat down, near the traveling musician, ordering a light drink, and a meal.

He doubted that she would ignore a chance to speak with him, and near the bard none would find it odd for them to speaking, he was wise enough to sit away from the bard enough that he would not overhear, and sell the information to anyone needed, he was used to women wanting to run away with him, or those who wanted to travel, but they never signaled for him, he figured she was either in a bad situation, or otherwise in need. He was known to hear anybody out when he had no job to do, but he was very selective with the jobs he did take if they were dangerous to his men.
 
She saw him get out of the cart and knew that he had seen her, and her eyes followed him as he stepped into the inn. Cautiously, she doubled back on her route to approach the inn from the other side, trying to look the part of a tired traveler. The inn was fairly deserted, apart from the bartender and the bard, there were few men inside. It would have looked odd for her to head straight to Garret, so she headed to the bar, ordering a light drink. No sooner than her picking it up, that one of the men there had appeared next to her, trying to chat her up. Tactfully getting herself rid of him, she went to the bard making small talk for a few minutes before casually wandering over to Garret's side.

She made a few loud exclamations at the golden dragon in his hand, sounding like an overexcited girl before drawing herself a chair to sit next to him.Once she was sure the curious eyes were away from them, she moved onto business, pushing a hand drawn map of the area with the treasure into Garret's hands. She smiled at the surprise on his face as he took in what he was seeing, choosing her words carefully to tempt him into working with her. Her plan, as she explained was simple- they would dress up as traveling traders as they neared the lands, and once they reached it, would split into two. One group would meet with the bandits and seek to join them, and, once they had done so, open a window of oppurtunity for the other group to pass through the lands undetected. If her plan worked, she explained,the bandits wouldn't even know what they had done and their reward would be enough gold that none of them would have to work again. All the while, she gazed at his face, trying to figure out how he was taking this news.
 
Garret looked over the map, and thought to himself, as he heard how eager she was to go into the plan, a plan he knew would not quite work as she wanted to do it, a group of thieves would not take on a large band of members, maybe four or five people. Even then only if they were. All connected somehow, that he could do, getting to the heart of the land as the map showed would not be too difficult, getting out would be the hard part, as he sighed to himself. He slid the map toward her, in a gesture to have her put it away. He thought to himself that she was not very skilled at this, she seemed very determined though, and he considered his options. She knew a little about him, and his men, a force to be reckoned with, enough that him being signed have ended stale mates, though what she was asking would put him, and a good deal of his men at risk, and then the authenticity came into play.

He kept a very reserved face, his voice calm, and quiet his words a little in question, "There are some very large risks, in this affair, first, and maybe most importantly, is what will we do if the treasure is not there?". He made sure she understood he was willing to take that risk, but he had to make sure she knew that was a very real possibility. He was already going over in his head how to sell such a venture to his men, but he had to make sure she was not planning to leave him with the trouble why she makes way with the bounty. His eyes watched her, taking in her beauty, he had to banish a thought from his head, but he never let it show, he liked these kinds of jobs, but that were very commonly more trouble than they were worth, though he had some nice hauls from such endeavors.
 
She had already debated this issue with herself at large, and had taking great pains to make sure of the authencity of the information. But nothing could be made absolutely sure, and there remained a chance for their quest to be for nothing more than a pair of old socks. "There aren't much chances of that" she tried to assure him, "But if that is so, I'd have to hunt down a lot of heads. But don't worry, I won't leave you hanging, there are a lot of other loots that I know of that can easily cover any costs we would incur in this quest, if, unlikely as it is, it ends in vain.For myself though, its a risk worth taking given the rewards which await at the end of it.".

She could see him working out in his head whether to take the risks or not, and from experience, knew that the hardest thing for the leader was to convince the others to accept his decision. These mercenaries trusted no one and were loath to work with anyone outside their group, especially women. "If it would make it any easier for you", she said,after a great deal of thought, you don't have to tell your men that it was my idea. I can simple be a girl you have been paid to travel with to where we are going. ", watching his face grow brighter at the suggestion, "As long as your men don't take liberties with me, of course."
 
"I will put it to my men in a way that i think they will agree too, and at the same time, won't be pushing anyone to it.". He nodded his head, he liked the adventures, not being paid to be on guard duty, but to go out, and enjoy the world, even if it meant the possibility of getting little more than the experience of it all. Though, it did not help that there was a chance if it was a bust, that they could make up some of it.

He gave her a smile, his voice cheerful, "If you want to travel with us, it will cost a little, that scrap of paper, and a simple silver penny, as long as you do not cause any trouble.". Some of the men laughed lightly near by as if they thought he planned on breaking her wish, and she would be used, but that was not his way, he liked a certain purity in women, and he had some plans for her. "The men are well behaved, never seen a women come to me over an incident, that was not resolved to her liking.". That was the truth his men would not risk his wrath, but they may push the walls of their limits, as far as they could.
 
She had heard of Garret's reputation, and knew that he could be trusted, as long as she had his word. It served to ease her discomfort at traveling with a group of strange men through lonely forests."oh, I'm sure you won't have any trouble convincing your men", she said, finishing her drink as the music grew softer around them. She didn't have any problems handing over the map,having already memorized everything in it, and she could easily afford the silver that she handed over to him with a smile.

She ignored the knowing laughs and pointed comments from the men who had caught the last words of their conversation, but they did nothing to ease her anxiety at her new quest. "So where are your men? "she asked as she packed up her bags, removing the dagger that was hidden in her dress lest it be discovered by them."And when do we begin?", anxious to start, now that the negotiations were over. Lonely villages like this one didn't suit her at all, preferring the loneliness of forests or the security of dense cities.
 
Garret smiled as he spoke, "Camp is about an hour or so walk north, two if you are not used to the dense forest.". He smiled, and put out his hand, "The names Garret Ionvarr, but first names are to my liking.". He did not really care if she gave her real name, he was always trouble when it had to do with a women, his men would suspect a little, and know what he wanted of them. The prize he wanted would not be of some treasure, but it would involve her if things played out to his whims.

He downed his drink, ready to go, if she was, but would wait till she showed she was ready, he was in no real rush, "Our camp is already set down, so we will be leaving when the sun graces us.". He smiled his men, hardly ever broke camp, unless a large direct threat, or at dawn, he would not ask them to leave sooner. "Our last job was a success so they are going to celebrate some tonight, it will be good for you to get used to some of my more upstanding men, so you know who is safe, and those you can only guess at."
 
"I am used to the forest enough", she said as she shook his hand gently, feeling the rough and hard fingers against her own soft nimble ones." You can call me Lily, best to leave it at that". She was already prepared for travel, and got on her feet as soon as the barman took their glasses away. "I generally prefer to travel at night, but I'm sure I can get used to your way" she said thoughtfully.

She was curious what his last mission had been, but thought it better to keep silent about it as they left the place together, letting him lead the way. She wasn't totally comfortable with meeting the men during the night but thought it would be better if she got used to them before they journeyed together, and got into scraps. "Yes,it does help knowing whom one can trust,and I suppose only you would know the real reason for me going with you?"
 
He looked at her, stopping at the door for a moment, "Never know who can catch the weirdest hints of a secret not there, you can tell the men your reason, to travel with us too.". He looked at the map, and read the closest town name to the treasure. "Lindham, seems a good place for me to find work for my men.". He knew doing so would give oppertunity for some of his men to 'join' with the thieves, and get where they were going, escape would be the only real problem with such a journey.

Garret smiled, "A paid guest is known to be freely welcome, in camp, it is not uncommon we allow some to travel with us, they are watched at first, and if they are shown to be good in intent, they have a safe, a few have thought to escape with some supplies, that never ends well. He paid the barkeep, and if she chose to follow him, he started toward his encampment, he got the impression she wanted to be off from this town, for whatever reasons.
 
"I guess I'll wait till I meet some of them before making that decision. And don't worry, i'm looking for something much more valuable than supplies.Your men won't have any problems with me", she said, as she watched him pay the barkeeper. Ignoring the pitying look that the barkeeper gave her, she turned to leave the inn closely behind Garret. The place was still very alive although it was quite dark, and quite a few watched them as they passed the exit of the town. "Ah! finally away from prying eyes. You never know who to trust in a place like that"

There wasn't much talk as the duo passed the thick vegetation of the forest, the eerie quietness meaning that any word would be carried for miles around. Lily tried to keep up with him, trying not to cut herself in the bushes as they walked for what seemed to her to be ages. Finally, she could hear the noise of men ahead of them which she took to be the Garret's camp. "Are we finally there? They do seem to be making quite a racket." Her steps became more cautious as she waited for encouragement from Garret to move on ahead.
 
Garret smiled, as he looked to her, "They are celebrating, our last job, not only paid well, but was also in a favorable place, so we have been in high spirits, do not worry, few men drink to much, and the others keep them in line.". About the time they came into a bow shot range he gave a strange whistle, changing in pitch, without slowing. A few men lowered what seemed to be bows, those on guard, and waiting their turn to join in the merriment.

"Lily, meet the group.". There were six men, all with the band around their left arm, the 'commanders' under Garret, "These men, will help you out in any way you want, Men this is Lily, she is a traveler with us.". One of the men gave a sigh, he looked to be a little too good looking, "I guess that means nothing intimate...". He seemed disappointed but, he would not cross that line clearly. garret nodded, and smiled to her, "If you need a tent, Nickolas there, is the one who can give you anything you need. From tents to meals he is the man.". The good looking man smiled running his hand through his straight brown hair, giving a cheerful smile. The other men introduced themselves, and offered her a spot with them to join in the fun.

Garret smiled, "If you need me, I will be in my tent, ask around if you need to find me, im beat, and would like some sleep tonight, the men will be a little harder to order at dawn.". he smiled, his men laughed some, the camp was quite sizable to be in the forest, but the commanders seemed to give the men space in their fun, knowing that with them, things were a little rougher.
 
Lily was thankful of the fact that she stayed behind him,as she saw the guards lower their bows, having been cleverly hidden till then. She smiled as the six men came to meet them, nodding to each as they were introduced. "I hope I'm not too much of a bother", she said pleasantly. She realized that most of the men would resent Garret's orders, but they clearly respected him enough not to break them. "Oh, I will be fine", she said cheerfully as Garret proceeded to his tent, although she was nervous inside.

She was about to ask Nickolas for her own accomodations when once of the commanders invited her to join in the celebrations. She saw that a few of the men had already seen her, looking both confused and excited.She was tired and longing for some rest herself, but she didn't want to seem unfriendly from the outset, hesitantly accepting the hand offered to her. "Well, maybe for a few moments" she said, warily eyeing some of the more drunken men as she was led into their midst.
 
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