Continued from: http://www.tharshaddin.com/rp/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=3501
Andras strutted on down the street like the city was his personal playground. He was feeling quite good about how his recent meeting with the rest of the cell had gone, even if he hadn’t succeeded at aggravating Aurelio. Not one of the gathered rebels had actually had the balls to call him on his behavior or outright tell him to quit, barring a few quiet insults from the woman who had now fallen into line behind him. As far as he was concerned, that was tacit acceptance that he was beyond their command.
He glanced over his shoulder and smirked at her. He grabbed his signature knife and twirled it around his fingers, displaying an alarming level of competence with the villainous blade. To deal with the foreign wizard, he had simply made her go along with his idea. Witch or not, she was out of her element now. She didn’t have any choice but to follow his lead.
Andras lead her, twirling the knife like the pied piper played his flute. His walk contained so much swagger that he may as well have been dancing to the music his swirling weapon substituted for enchanting music. It wasn’t a completely pointless action; a display of confidence with any weapon drastically reduced the chance that the pair would be stopped by some opportunistic thug. The effect was further reinforced by Andras’ impressive bulk.
As the more civilized districts vanished completely behind the crumbling ruins of the old fort Andras abruptly ducked off the side, taking Haneul on a spiraling path between various crumbling stone walls hastily reinforced with cheap wooden planks. The smell of drugs and feces rolled out from just about every single abode. This was where the scum of the earth lived.
Andras walked up to a shack constructed almost independently of the old ruins, barring its stone base. It was about sixteen or seventeen feet wide, the door off to the right of the building rather than its center, and slightly less long. He walked up to the door and pulled out a silver key, only to hesitate when it was nearly to the door handle.
Andras turned back to Haneul and smiled. He then raised his steel toed boot to the door and thrust forwards, sending the door flying inwards on its hinges. The whole building shuddered like the deathtrap it probably was. About five of Andras’ titers were inside, and most scrambled for cover. Crawling like rats across the floorboards, many went for knives before Andras’ cruel laughter tipped them off as to the aggressor’s identity.
Andras stepped in through the thick but transparent cloud of dust his performance had generated. “Alright, you whelps.” He looked to the side and saw a pair of his titers sitting on a ragged countertop, oblivious to their surroundings as a result of being higher than a pair of lovebirds. Andras walked over to them. “Got a job for those of you who want to make some bishani. A party’s going on, and sadly, we ‘aint invited.” Once more, Andras’ boot rose. This time it connected with one of the two useless titers, sending him crashing into his friend. The collision sent both to the floor in a sprawling tangle of limbs and bodies. Andras’ comparison to the lovebirds turned out to be remarkably accurate. Not only had he gotten the both of them with one stone, but they landed in a position that might have been compromising without the proper context. Andras laughed again, this time with a couple of his fellows joining in.
“But just ‘cause we don’t get to go, it doesn’t mean we can’t make a pretty profit. I want to find out who supplies some fucker called Fargo.” Andras paused and scratched his chin. He was pretty sure that was who he needed to get the drugs to. Maybe he should have been paying more attention. He shrugged, twirling his knife with an outstretched hand as he did so before flipping it into its sheath. Haneul would correct him.
Speaking of which, one of his more competent underlings had finally noticed her sulking in the doorway. The titre raised his knife, pointing it in the woman’s direction. The action wasn’t necessarily hostile, just a substitute for a pointed finger. It was apparent he was quite used to working with the weapon. Despite this crude demeanor and garb rendering him indistinguishable from the rest of the gang, when he spoke it was with a surprising degree of clairity. “Boss? Who’s she?”
Andras debated how to respond, looking at the thug with a complacent eye. Sadly, before Andras came up with a satisfactory response, the titre came up with his own. “Oh. She an open lady, or she all yours?”
Andras’ face broke into a wide, pearly grin. This was five times better than anything he could have thought up. Andras cracked his knuckles before saying, “Mine. For now.”
The titre nodded and picked himself up off a chair. As Andras rooted through the back drawer, he wondered if Haneul was streetwise enough to pick up on the fact that the titer had just assumed she was a prostitute. Andras didn’t know much about her, but he didn’t get the sense that she was used to working in poor districts. If she turned out to be too naive to hear innuendo that obvious, he’d almost be disappointed.
He finally dug up his sword and rooted it out. Eager to see the expression on Haneul’s face, he spin around and headed for the door before he had even completed buckling the sheath to his belt.
Never Play(ed) Fair: The Goodtime Gang
Re: Never Play(ed) Fair: The Goodtime Gang
The worst thing about this whole situation – apart from the fact that it was Andras she was dealing with – was probably that she had to actually follow the bloke’s lead. As much as she didn’t like to admit it, she definitely was not very familiar with his kind of trade, never having had any inclination toward drugs or drug dealing or anything related. She was a hunter, not a dealer.
Alas, there were worse things in the world.
When the man turned around to smirk at her, Haneul pretended not to have seen. If he was already starting to play games, or rather continuing what they had started at the meeting, then this was going to be a very long day. Very, very long probably.
Leaving the nicer parts of Marn behind them, Haneul began to inspect her surroundings a little closer, ignoring the man in front of her for the most part. She kept track of him from the corner of her eyes so as not to loose him, though that would be quite hard. The man liked to make an impression even when there was no one around to impress except for the occasional thug. Haneul could only roll her eyes at such ridiculous behaviour but it wasn’t her problem. If he wanted to make a fool of himself, so be it.
It seemed as though they had arrived at their destination when Andras stopped in front of what could only be described as a ruin of a building – but what had she expected from someone like him? – and took out a key. And then he turned around. And smirked at her. She raised an eyebrow, not quite impressed with his behaviour and then he already went crashing into the building like a horde of elephants.
Wow.
Unimpressed, Haneul pulled her hood further over her head so as to hide most of her features before she followed Andras into the building once the dust had settled almost completely. She wasn’t going to step in after him blindly even if she had nothing to fear from the rats cowering in the corners there. Plus, she heard him bellow in this arrogant manner he had and she wasn’t really interested in hearing what he had to say to his men. Let him deal with them however he saw fit. She just didn’t have to be a part of it.
Of course a couple of eyes flickered to her once she was finally noticeable, though she remained close to the door, leaning against the frame with her arms crossed over her chest, waiting for Andras to finish his show, which would hopefully be soon. There was no need to waste more time here than necessary. She didn’t like the place either. It stank of unwashed men and rat poop.
When Andras’ men spoke up, she contemplated replying but figured Andras would prefer to do that himself, certainly with some sort of crude comment. Her fingers dug a little deeper into her arm at the thought of this. But it was better he made a crude comment rather than she embarrassed herself for not completely understanding what they were saying. She thought she understood but she wasn’t sure. So she relaxed her fingers a little.
Only to tighten her grip again and press her lips together when Andras replied with obvious glee. Of course it had been an insult. Of course it had been. What else to expect from people who associated with Andras?
Her face darkened while her knuckles whitened. Good thing she had thought to pull the hood deeper. At least that way nobody was going to see that she was staring daggers at Andras, wishing he’d just drop d…
Before she finished the thought, she pulled herself together. The shadows had started deepening dangerously and she could not afford this. Not now.
When the man in question approached, obviously hoping to see a reaction from the depths of her hood, she didn’t give him the satisfaction – hoods be thanked.
“You do know how to use that thing, don't you?” she said in a low voice when Andras passed her just as she was peeling herself off the door frame.
Alas, there were worse things in the world.
When the man turned around to smirk at her, Haneul pretended not to have seen. If he was already starting to play games, or rather continuing what they had started at the meeting, then this was going to be a very long day. Very, very long probably.
Leaving the nicer parts of Marn behind them, Haneul began to inspect her surroundings a little closer, ignoring the man in front of her for the most part. She kept track of him from the corner of her eyes so as not to loose him, though that would be quite hard. The man liked to make an impression even when there was no one around to impress except for the occasional thug. Haneul could only roll her eyes at such ridiculous behaviour but it wasn’t her problem. If he wanted to make a fool of himself, so be it.
It seemed as though they had arrived at their destination when Andras stopped in front of what could only be described as a ruin of a building – but what had she expected from someone like him? – and took out a key. And then he turned around. And smirked at her. She raised an eyebrow, not quite impressed with his behaviour and then he already went crashing into the building like a horde of elephants.
Wow.
Unimpressed, Haneul pulled her hood further over her head so as to hide most of her features before she followed Andras into the building once the dust had settled almost completely. She wasn’t going to step in after him blindly even if she had nothing to fear from the rats cowering in the corners there. Plus, she heard him bellow in this arrogant manner he had and she wasn’t really interested in hearing what he had to say to his men. Let him deal with them however he saw fit. She just didn’t have to be a part of it.
Of course a couple of eyes flickered to her once she was finally noticeable, though she remained close to the door, leaning against the frame with her arms crossed over her chest, waiting for Andras to finish his show, which would hopefully be soon. There was no need to waste more time here than necessary. She didn’t like the place either. It stank of unwashed men and rat poop.
When Andras’ men spoke up, she contemplated replying but figured Andras would prefer to do that himself, certainly with some sort of crude comment. Her fingers dug a little deeper into her arm at the thought of this. But it was better he made a crude comment rather than she embarrassed herself for not completely understanding what they were saying. She thought she understood but she wasn’t sure. So she relaxed her fingers a little.
Only to tighten her grip again and press her lips together when Andras replied with obvious glee. Of course it had been an insult. Of course it had been. What else to expect from people who associated with Andras?
Her face darkened while her knuckles whitened. Good thing she had thought to pull the hood deeper. At least that way nobody was going to see that she was staring daggers at Andras, wishing he’d just drop d…
Before she finished the thought, she pulled herself together. The shadows had started deepening dangerously and she could not afford this. Not now.
When the man in question approached, obviously hoping to see a reaction from the depths of her hood, she didn’t give him the satisfaction – hoods be thanked.
“You do know how to use that thing, don't you?” she said in a low voice when Andras passed her just as she was peeling herself off the door frame.
Re: Never Play(ed) Fair: The Goodtime Gang
He could have laughed out loud. He only barely restrained himself. It didn’t look like she had understood, or even better, she had an inkling but no confirmation. Andras felt an intense need to pick at whatever confusion she might be experiencing.
“I believe you’d already know how well I can use my sword.” He replied nonchalantly. He strutted outside, as cocksure as a rooster. There wouldn’t be any doubt left in his titres’ mind that Haneul was his hen.
Andras didn’t think Haneul would understand the service he had done her by claiming her as his own. His gang would probably have tried to grope her if they thought otherwise. Barring the occasional glance or mental undressing, they’d leave her alone. Teodinus only knew what they idiots would try if she was on her own.
He ushered his idiots out of the barn that they called home and shoved them off down the streets. This was their part of the assignment. Friends would contact friends or friends, and eventually they’d figure out who was supplying Fargo. Andras didn’t need to be a part of it.
“Hey.” The titre from earlier called out to Andras, halting his steps. “Hey, boss. We found another Eyropan who would make a nice choice.” His eyes flickered to Haneul, uncertain about how much he could say.
Andras shrugged, “How easy would he be to nab? We’ve probably got enough time.” His casual assessment of the topic did much to relieve the titre, whose shoulders drooped with relief.
“Pretty easy.” The titre responded, all business, “I think he might be some bookish type who got in over his head with something in Madaal.”
“Find Jads and we can go grab him while the others scurry around. Meet us at the... where’s he staying, actually?”
“Should be down at the Rathole, drinking away his problems. I hear he goes there every day. And uh... us, boss?” He looked nervously over at Haneul, plainly wondering why Andras would bring her along. The only response he got was a large, wolfish grin before he scurried off, a plainly confused expression on his face.
“I believe you’d already know how well I can use my sword.” He replied nonchalantly. He strutted outside, as cocksure as a rooster. There wouldn’t be any doubt left in his titres’ mind that Haneul was his hen.
Andras didn’t think Haneul would understand the service he had done her by claiming her as his own. His gang would probably have tried to grope her if they thought otherwise. Barring the occasional glance or mental undressing, they’d leave her alone. Teodinus only knew what they idiots would try if she was on her own.
He ushered his idiots out of the barn that they called home and shoved them off down the streets. This was their part of the assignment. Friends would contact friends or friends, and eventually they’d figure out who was supplying Fargo. Andras didn’t need to be a part of it.
“Hey.” The titre from earlier called out to Andras, halting his steps. “Hey, boss. We found another Eyropan who would make a nice choice.” His eyes flickered to Haneul, uncertain about how much he could say.
Andras shrugged, “How easy would he be to nab? We’ve probably got enough time.” His casual assessment of the topic did much to relieve the titre, whose shoulders drooped with relief.
“Pretty easy.” The titre responded, all business, “I think he might be some bookish type who got in over his head with something in Madaal.”
“Find Jads and we can go grab him while the others scurry around. Meet us at the... where’s he staying, actually?”
“Should be down at the Rathole, drinking away his problems. I hear he goes there every day. And uh... us, boss?” He looked nervously over at Haneul, plainly wondering why Andras would bring her along. The only response he got was a large, wolfish grin before he scurried off, a plainly confused expression on his face.
Re: Never Play(ed) Fair: The Goodtime Gang
Her suspicions confirmed, Haneul narrowed her eyes at the back of Andras’ head. One way or another he was going to suffer. Soon. She was screaming inside her head, angry that she was unable to rise above this petty bickering. Her magic was clawing at her, begging her to be released and to be allowed to do what it did best but she ignored its call. Rarely someone had gotten under her skin like Andras managed to, and it was starting to really irritate her.
When Andras began talking to one of his goons, she didn’t pay much attention at first, but soon the conversation piqued her interest nevertheless and when the boy was finally running off, clearly relieved, she addressed the former guard.
“You want me to help you pick up an Eyropan? You do realise that my guard dog duty does not extend to whatever it is you do in your free time.” Her eyes moved pointedly down to his sword, before she lifted them back to his face. The look was accompanied by a slight dip of her head to make sure he noticed where her eyes went because the majority of her face was still hidden by her hood. “I’m merely here to cover your sorry ass in case there’s trouble with Fargo or his suppliers.”
She didn’t much like the sound of what was going to happen but she also knew that Andras would make some kind of smart comment and she’d head down to the Rathole with him after all because that was what Shanuri had told her to do, keep an eye on him. And frankly, it would probably provide her with a bit of a distraction, so she wasn’t entirely opposed to it, though the point remained. If he got himself into trouble over this, she would think twice before she acted if Andras got himself into a tight spot.
When Andras began talking to one of his goons, she didn’t pay much attention at first, but soon the conversation piqued her interest nevertheless and when the boy was finally running off, clearly relieved, she addressed the former guard.
“You want me to help you pick up an Eyropan? You do realise that my guard dog duty does not extend to whatever it is you do in your free time.” Her eyes moved pointedly down to his sword, before she lifted them back to his face. The look was accompanied by a slight dip of her head to make sure he noticed where her eyes went because the majority of her face was still hidden by her hood. “I’m merely here to cover your sorry ass in case there’s trouble with Fargo or his suppliers.”
She didn’t much like the sound of what was going to happen but she also knew that Andras would make some kind of smart comment and she’d head down to the Rathole with him after all because that was what Shanuri had told her to do, keep an eye on him. And frankly, it would probably provide her with a bit of a distraction, so she wasn’t entirely opposed to it, though the point remained. If he got himself into trouble over this, she would think twice before she acted if Andras got himself into a tight spot.
Re: Never Play(ed) Fair: The Goodtime Gang
“My free time?” Andras responded, incredulous. He swung his sword in a circle before sheathing it at his hip. “I don’t think you understand something here. My business is paragon business. Good fucking luck getting enough money to pull the shit we’re about to without my boys grabbing up these foreign idiots.”
He turned back to the shed. This new direction called for a change in weaponry. His titres usually carried small wooden cudgels for beating their targets into submission. His uncle’s sword was nice, but it was a hero’s weapon. Something less lethal and more discreet would be ideal.
He pushed his head back through the doorway, putting a hand on the frame so that he could lean further in to scan his surroundings. His eyes roamed the rusted tables and broken chairs, covered with various knickknacks, illicit substances, and even some papers and pencils for the two or three literate members of his merry band.
Unable to locate a cudgel with his preliminary scan, Andras groaned and moved in. He fully expected one to be here, somewhere in the mess of paper and powder. Moving over to a knee-high wooden table at the back, he rooted about the various objects, shoving most to the floor. There had to be at least one here; the two lovebirds hadn’t moved an inch, and he knew for a fact that they had their own.
Another insult to Haneul jumped to mind as he shoved a jar of ink to the floor, the black bottle rolling near the snoring nose of his unconscious imbeciles. Though it had been far longer than would be reasonable to revive their disagreement, he brought it up anyways. “Also,” he called back outside, “if you think I need your useless ass to pick up some merchandise, I’d have to wonder what the fuck I’ve been doing all this time. Selling exceptionally convincing mannequins, perhaps?”
Frustrated at the continued futility of his search, Andras kicked the table, sending it grinding a few inches sideways. It bumped into a bookshelf filled with various instruments of kidnapping rather than its intended load. Andras lumbered over to the bookshelf, expecting it to be buried beneath one of the hoods they threw over a victim’s face. He decided they might be a good thing to have and pocketed them, but still didn’t find his cudgel. It was only when he moved one of the heavy bags on the lower shelf they used to transport the merchandise to Eyropan buyers that he finally set his fingers around the crude weapon.
He pulled his belt out to the side with his left hand and wedged the club between, where it sat pressed against his side. Not the most comfortable mode of carrying it, but it kept his hands free if he needed them.
He cracked his knuckles as he stepped back outside, making a distinct popping noise. His expression was a cruel sneer. He hoped this would make her uncomfortable. “Let’s get moving, then.”
He turned back to the shed. This new direction called for a change in weaponry. His titres usually carried small wooden cudgels for beating their targets into submission. His uncle’s sword was nice, but it was a hero’s weapon. Something less lethal and more discreet would be ideal.
He pushed his head back through the doorway, putting a hand on the frame so that he could lean further in to scan his surroundings. His eyes roamed the rusted tables and broken chairs, covered with various knickknacks, illicit substances, and even some papers and pencils for the two or three literate members of his merry band.
Unable to locate a cudgel with his preliminary scan, Andras groaned and moved in. He fully expected one to be here, somewhere in the mess of paper and powder. Moving over to a knee-high wooden table at the back, he rooted about the various objects, shoving most to the floor. There had to be at least one here; the two lovebirds hadn’t moved an inch, and he knew for a fact that they had their own.
Another insult to Haneul jumped to mind as he shoved a jar of ink to the floor, the black bottle rolling near the snoring nose of his unconscious imbeciles. Though it had been far longer than would be reasonable to revive their disagreement, he brought it up anyways. “Also,” he called back outside, “if you think I need your useless ass to pick up some merchandise, I’d have to wonder what the fuck I’ve been doing all this time. Selling exceptionally convincing mannequins, perhaps?”
Frustrated at the continued futility of his search, Andras kicked the table, sending it grinding a few inches sideways. It bumped into a bookshelf filled with various instruments of kidnapping rather than its intended load. Andras lumbered over to the bookshelf, expecting it to be buried beneath one of the hoods they threw over a victim’s face. He decided they might be a good thing to have and pocketed them, but still didn’t find his cudgel. It was only when he moved one of the heavy bags on the lower shelf they used to transport the merchandise to Eyropan buyers that he finally set his fingers around the crude weapon.
He pulled his belt out to the side with his left hand and wedged the club between, where it sat pressed against his side. Not the most comfortable mode of carrying it, but it kept his hands free if he needed them.
He cracked his knuckles as he stepped back outside, making a distinct popping noise. His expression was a cruel sneer. He hoped this would make her uncomfortable. “Let’s get moving, then.”
Re: Never Play(ed) Fair: The Goodtime Gang
‘Well, well,’ Haneul almost grinned, but only almost. Apparently there were a few notes to strike that Andras reacted to quite strongly. She should definitely keep that in mind for a time they weren’t required to actually work together on something. She didn’t give a shit about his business outside of the jobs they were doing for Shanuri and she couldn’t care less about the rest of Paragon business. She did what she was supposed to do and that was the end of it. Fetching some stranger wasn’t part of that deal, but as much as she resented it, for the time being – with or without being sidetracked – her wagon was hitched to Andras’, so she would have to deal.
Leaning against the door frame yet again, the Tian Xian busied herself with observing Andras’ movements though without inclination to help him in his search, whatever it was he was looking for. The thought didn’t even cross her mind. She merely waited for him to be done so they could get a move on.
At his delayed statement, she snorted, but didn’t reply. Any comment she could have made would only drag them deeper into their verbal spat and she already felt like she was in too deep. She needed to take a step back so she could work on not reacting to him at all anymore. It would take work, a lot of it, but she was more willing to give that a try than to experience the satisfaction of giving him an answer that instant.
And finally, he had found what he had been looking for, though Haneul wondered why he even needed that. If he wanted a bit of intimidation to get the Eyropean to cooperate, he had the best weapon at his side, but of course, it was Andras. He certainly would not admit that she could actually be useful to him.
At his sneer, Haneul’s eyebrow raised beneath her hood. A display of actual cruelty? Did he actually have it in him to do something besides feigning importance and arrogance? Could it be possible that there was more beneath that faked exterior?
For the time being, Andras suddenly held Haneul’s curiosity, though it did in no way lessen the dislike she felt for him.
The trip to the Rathole didn’t take all that much time; all for the better, as neither of them felt inclined to actually fill the growing uncomfortable silence. Not that it mattered much to Haneul, she was used to the peace and quiet – preferred it as well. But with Andras’ proximity, there wasn’t really any peace and quiet to speak of.
Jolan was standing behind the bar, going about his business, as the two of them entered. Haneul had never had anything to do with the man but she knew of him; and that’s how she intended to keep things.
There was an interesting mix of people scattered throughout the bar but the man Andras’ goon had considered worthy bait was easy to spot. Many people went to bars to drink themselves senseless in a weak attempt to drown their sorrows, but this man stuck out like a sore thumb.
“So, how do you generally go about this?” she asked Andras in a low voice, honestly curious, considering the bar was filled with other patrons who could potentially witness someone being taken. While she didn’t say it, the unspoken offer of distracting the man himself or others was Andras’ for the taking, if he felt so inclined. This might prove interesting after all.
Leaning against the door frame yet again, the Tian Xian busied herself with observing Andras’ movements though without inclination to help him in his search, whatever it was he was looking for. The thought didn’t even cross her mind. She merely waited for him to be done so they could get a move on.
At his delayed statement, she snorted, but didn’t reply. Any comment she could have made would only drag them deeper into their verbal spat and she already felt like she was in too deep. She needed to take a step back so she could work on not reacting to him at all anymore. It would take work, a lot of it, but she was more willing to give that a try than to experience the satisfaction of giving him an answer that instant.
And finally, he had found what he had been looking for, though Haneul wondered why he even needed that. If he wanted a bit of intimidation to get the Eyropean to cooperate, he had the best weapon at his side, but of course, it was Andras. He certainly would not admit that she could actually be useful to him.
At his sneer, Haneul’s eyebrow raised beneath her hood. A display of actual cruelty? Did he actually have it in him to do something besides feigning importance and arrogance? Could it be possible that there was more beneath that faked exterior?
For the time being, Andras suddenly held Haneul’s curiosity, though it did in no way lessen the dislike she felt for him.
The trip to the Rathole didn’t take all that much time; all for the better, as neither of them felt inclined to actually fill the growing uncomfortable silence. Not that it mattered much to Haneul, she was used to the peace and quiet – preferred it as well. But with Andras’ proximity, there wasn’t really any peace and quiet to speak of.
Jolan was standing behind the bar, going about his business, as the two of them entered. Haneul had never had anything to do with the man but she knew of him; and that’s how she intended to keep things.
There was an interesting mix of people scattered throughout the bar but the man Andras’ goon had considered worthy bait was easy to spot. Many people went to bars to drink themselves senseless in a weak attempt to drown their sorrows, but this man stuck out like a sore thumb.
“So, how do you generally go about this?” she asked Andras in a low voice, honestly curious, considering the bar was filled with other patrons who could potentially witness someone being taken. While she didn’t say it, the unspoken offer of distracting the man himself or others was Andras’ for the taking, if he felt so inclined. This might prove interesting after all.
Re: Never Play(ed) Fair: The Goodtime Gang
“Run him into an alley and then beat the shit out of him.” Andras replied immediately, his voice deadpan. They had walked to seats far from the crowd, but Andras hadn’t lowered his voice in the slightest. He was relying wholly upon the noise of the drunken clowns running about the bar to drown him out. Still, if it annoyed Haneul just that much more Andras would consider it worth landing in a torture cell.
Not that it was likely. The Rathole was a paragon bar, which meant slavery and drugs were fair game here. Andras wondered if the others even knew. For his part, he’d figured it out when he had been “encouraged” to drink there and “encouraged” to tell his boys to pick slaves from this lot. While Andras had to admit that an entire bar’s worth of staff willing to look the other way made for some easy pickings, he resented being commanded. He didn’t always draw from this hand.
Andras scratched at the wooden tabletop, the counter rough enough that it made a grating noise. He scowled and withdrew his hand, before glancing around. The boys weren’t here yet. He didn’t know if they were stalling or if Jads was simply being hard to find. He resolved to beat them both either way.
His gaze wandered the bar for entertainment. He was delighted to see some gambling going on in the background, but realized before he even moved to get up that if Jads came back or the Eyropan left the bar, he’d have to leave in a suspiciously hurried manner. He sank back down into his seat and rested a hand on his chin.
Might as well make conversation. If he could find a way to annoy Haneul as he did so, all the better. “So, you’re from Tian Xia. That Jeong or whoever, the guy who runs this place. Any truth to the rumor he’s some fancy-britches trader prince back East?”
Not that it was likely. The Rathole was a paragon bar, which meant slavery and drugs were fair game here. Andras wondered if the others even knew. For his part, he’d figured it out when he had been “encouraged” to drink there and “encouraged” to tell his boys to pick slaves from this lot. While Andras had to admit that an entire bar’s worth of staff willing to look the other way made for some easy pickings, he resented being commanded. He didn’t always draw from this hand.
Andras scratched at the wooden tabletop, the counter rough enough that it made a grating noise. He scowled and withdrew his hand, before glancing around. The boys weren’t here yet. He didn’t know if they were stalling or if Jads was simply being hard to find. He resolved to beat them both either way.
His gaze wandered the bar for entertainment. He was delighted to see some gambling going on in the background, but realized before he even moved to get up that if Jads came back or the Eyropan left the bar, he’d have to leave in a suspiciously hurried manner. He sank back down into his seat and rested a hand on his chin.
Might as well make conversation. If he could find a way to annoy Haneul as he did so, all the better. “So, you’re from Tian Xia. That Jeong or whoever, the guy who runs this place. Any truth to the rumor he’s some fancy-britches trader prince back East?”
Re: Never Play(ed) Fair: The Goodtime Gang
Why she had expected a normal answer, she didn’t know, but either way, she decided that the topic was no further worth commenting on. Following Andras through the bar, she took a seat next to him but far enough away that she could be certain that they wouldn’t accidentally touch. Furthermore, a decent position to observe the other bar patrons and have an inconspicuous look around never hurt.
When the barmaid came into their vicinity, Haneul ordered half a pint of ale, ignoring Andras’ nervous fidgeting. If it wasn’t playing with knives, it was picking at wood or bouncing his foot or talking incessantly. The man was just never really still, in any kind of way. It made her frown. It didn’t seem a very good method for hunting in her eyes, no matter which kind of hunting was necessary.
Continuing to ignore him, she let her eyes roam through the bar, picking out a few people here and there with a hint of magical ability about them but nothing really interesting or nothing really strong anyhow. There was a shifter somewhere but his trace was a little blurry so she wasn’t sure yet what kind of shifter.
As she concentrated a little more on this specific thread of magic, she heard Andras suddenly talking. Suppressing a sigh, she looked from her neighbour to the man behind the bar, unexpectedly catching Jolan’s eye as she did so. “Oh, him? Well, I’ve heard that...”
Mid-sentence, she stopped, all senses alert. Haneul tried to remain as discreet as possible as she took another quick scan of the bar, trying to figure out where the sudden burst of magic had come from. It had been powerful; strong enough to be noticed so thoroughly as to interrupt her – no matter that it would have been complete nonsense.
“Please tell me battlemages do not frequent this establishment.” It should have been a question but she was absolutely certain that Paragon was generally assuring their places to be as battlemage free as possible, yet there had been an unmistakable disturbance that had quite simply packed too much punch, short as it had been, to be any other kind of registered mage in Marn. Unless there was someone else like her out there who wasn’t registered...?
Her eyes fixed on a point on the opposite wall where there were a few gamblers doing their best to hack off each other’s fingers. “Outside...,” she muttered, more to herself than to Andras. It couldn’t be one of those nutters, there was no magical trace on them and anyway, it seemed to be that little bit further away.
When the barmaid came into their vicinity, Haneul ordered half a pint of ale, ignoring Andras’ nervous fidgeting. If it wasn’t playing with knives, it was picking at wood or bouncing his foot or talking incessantly. The man was just never really still, in any kind of way. It made her frown. It didn’t seem a very good method for hunting in her eyes, no matter which kind of hunting was necessary.
Continuing to ignore him, she let her eyes roam through the bar, picking out a few people here and there with a hint of magical ability about them but nothing really interesting or nothing really strong anyhow. There was a shifter somewhere but his trace was a little blurry so she wasn’t sure yet what kind of shifter.
As she concentrated a little more on this specific thread of magic, she heard Andras suddenly talking. Suppressing a sigh, she looked from her neighbour to the man behind the bar, unexpectedly catching Jolan’s eye as she did so. “Oh, him? Well, I’ve heard that...”
Mid-sentence, she stopped, all senses alert. Haneul tried to remain as discreet as possible as she took another quick scan of the bar, trying to figure out where the sudden burst of magic had come from. It had been powerful; strong enough to be noticed so thoroughly as to interrupt her – no matter that it would have been complete nonsense.
“Please tell me battlemages do not frequent this establishment.” It should have been a question but she was absolutely certain that Paragon was generally assuring their places to be as battlemage free as possible, yet there had been an unmistakable disturbance that had quite simply packed too much punch, short as it had been, to be any other kind of registered mage in Marn. Unless there was someone else like her out there who wasn’t registered...?
Her eyes fixed on a point on the opposite wall where there were a few gamblers doing their best to hack off each other’s fingers. “Outside...,” she muttered, more to herself than to Andras. It couldn’t be one of those nutters, there was no magical trace on them and anyway, it seemed to be that little bit further away.
Re: Never Play(ed) Fair: The Goodtime Gang
“What?” Andras started, rising half out of his seat before thinking better of the notion. He sat back down quickly, and acted as near to his earlier self as he could, “Damn it. Start moving around a little, the stick up your ass is suspicious.”
Of course, what Andras failed to voice was that it would be a moot point if the battlemage was capable of sensing magic, as Haneul herself could. “Alright,” he leaned in, his voice quick and quiet “If he comes through that door, I play dumb. I sell you out. As soon as the bastard’s back is turned, I take this,” he meaningfully loosened the knife he had in his sheath, “and run him through while you hit him with whatever it is you do.”
He prayed to Teonidus that her magic was geared towards combat and not... he didn’t know, looking into crystal balls and babbling madness. The irony of his silent prayer did not escape him, which brought a smirk to his visage that did much to make him seem much more relaxed. Unfortunately, he couldn’t resist tilting his head to keep an eye on the front door.
“Be ready” he whispered.
Of course, what Andras failed to voice was that it would be a moot point if the battlemage was capable of sensing magic, as Haneul herself could. “Alright,” he leaned in, his voice quick and quiet “If he comes through that door, I play dumb. I sell you out. As soon as the bastard’s back is turned, I take this,” he meaningfully loosened the knife he had in his sheath, “and run him through while you hit him with whatever it is you do.”
He prayed to Teonidus that her magic was geared towards combat and not... he didn’t know, looking into crystal balls and babbling madness. The irony of his silent prayer did not escape him, which brought a smirk to his visage that did much to make him seem much more relaxed. Unfortunately, he couldn’t resist tilting his head to keep an eye on the front door.
“Be ready” he whispered.
Re: Never Play(ed) Fair: The Goodtime Gang
She almost didn’t hear what Andras said, so focused was her attention on the presence of the battlemage. Whoever it was and for whatever reason they were here, they were stalling outside. Haneul wasn’t quite sure whether it was a male or a female but she didn’t much care. Battlemage meant trouble and that was all she needed to know. Yet at the same time, the magic within her started singing, revelling in the anticipation of a possible battle. She ignored it.
‘Wouldn’t you be glad if you could just rat me out without having to pretend to come to my rescue afterwards’, she thought but she simply nodded her agreement at Andras’ plan. It was a decent one as far as spontaneous action was concerned. It would most likely cause quite a stir among the other patrons should the battlemage come inside, which might hopefully divert attention a little; besides, she had a few charms on her, so there was a chance, her magic would not be noticed, but with the way it was starting to claw at its confinement again…
“Don’t be hasty though,” she replied as she mentally went over all those charms that would hopefully keep her hidden despite everything. “He may not notice anything.”
The presence moved towards the door and Haneul tensed. Her eyes were glued to the door as it was slowly pushed open, though not wide enough to get a glimpse of who was outside.
Then all of a sudden, the magic faded, moved away quickly, just as the door swung wide open. Haneul put her hand on Andras’ arm to keep him in his seat just as a tremendously drunken man stumbled into the tavern with a loud hail to Jolan. “He’s gone.”
‘Wouldn’t you be glad if you could just rat me out without having to pretend to come to my rescue afterwards’, she thought but she simply nodded her agreement at Andras’ plan. It was a decent one as far as spontaneous action was concerned. It would most likely cause quite a stir among the other patrons should the battlemage come inside, which might hopefully divert attention a little; besides, she had a few charms on her, so there was a chance, her magic would not be noticed, but with the way it was starting to claw at its confinement again…
“Don’t be hasty though,” she replied as she mentally went over all those charms that would hopefully keep her hidden despite everything. “He may not notice anything.”
The presence moved towards the door and Haneul tensed. Her eyes were glued to the door as it was slowly pushed open, though not wide enough to get a glimpse of who was outside.
Then all of a sudden, the magic faded, moved away quickly, just as the door swung wide open. Haneul put her hand on Andras’ arm to keep him in his seat just as a tremendously drunken man stumbled into the tavern with a loud hail to Jolan. “He’s gone.”
Re: Never Play(ed) Fair: The Goodtime Gang
When the drunk stumbled in, Andras’ face contorted beyond what seemed possible. Turning back with inquiry plastered across his features, he was surprised to see Haneul looking exhausted and relieved. At least, going by the features he could see under the shadows of her hood. The Rathole’s dusky atmosphere wasn’t helping him in that regard.
He wasn’t sure what had prompted her to reach for his arm, but he used his opposite hand to shove hers off. He didn’t need to be held back by anyone, much less her.
“You better not have been fucking with me.” Andras told her, but his tone didn’t carry its usual bite. He relaxed and exhaled, a sign of his palpable relief. Resting his arm on the coarse surface of the tabletop, he shoved his fist into his cheek and put the weight of his head on his arm.
His gaze wandered the bar before eventually settling on his target at the bar. He was their usual target: weak, drunk, and foreign. He hated them. He hated who they were and what the represented. They were exiles, forever forbidden from returning to the society they had known.
To say there were parallels was an understatement. This turn of his thoughts made him impatient, so he scratched at a small crack in the wooden tabletop. When in Teodinus’ name were his idiots going to arrive?
Raising his head up high, he looked for the waitresses. “Hey! What’s it take to get some drinks in this place?” He called out. His voice was returned with irascible frowns from the pair of women, who were clearly already overworked. Andras snorted with the intensity of an irritated boar before slouching back down, creating a shuffling noise across his chair.
He wasn’t sure what had prompted her to reach for his arm, but he used his opposite hand to shove hers off. He didn’t need to be held back by anyone, much less her.
“You better not have been fucking with me.” Andras told her, but his tone didn’t carry its usual bite. He relaxed and exhaled, a sign of his palpable relief. Resting his arm on the coarse surface of the tabletop, he shoved his fist into his cheek and put the weight of his head on his arm.
His gaze wandered the bar before eventually settling on his target at the bar. He was their usual target: weak, drunk, and foreign. He hated them. He hated who they were and what the represented. They were exiles, forever forbidden from returning to the society they had known.
To say there were parallels was an understatement. This turn of his thoughts made him impatient, so he scratched at a small crack in the wooden tabletop. When in Teodinus’ name were his idiots going to arrive?
Raising his head up high, he looked for the waitresses. “Hey! What’s it take to get some drinks in this place?” He called out. His voice was returned with irascible frowns from the pair of women, who were clearly already overworked. Andras snorted with the intensity of an irritated boar before slouching back down, creating a shuffling noise across his chair.
Re: Never Play(ed) Fair: The Goodtime Gang
‘Oh, testy,’ Haneul thought when Andras practically threw her hand off of his arm but she didn’t comment. They were both a little rattled by the occurrence, if Andras’ renewed fidgeting and the lack of bite in his tone were anything to go by.
She also didn’t comment on his aggressive statement. They both knew it had not been a test. Battlemages were no laughing matter. While she had no qualms about making Andras feel uncomfortable or scaring him – in a place where she could freely use her magic without fear of detection – she would not joke about powerful magical enemies.
The stressed barmaid wasn’t all too pleased at the way he was hollering at her but she finally did come by to ask what they wanted. Haneul had already ordered but seemingly it had gotten lost in the crowd, and a little flash of irritation crossed her face. But instead of telling her off for it, she simply ordered her half-pint again, hoping that this time she’d actually get it.
Soon enough this time, she promptly returned with their drinks, and Haneul hoped that it would keep Andras from fidgeting around if he could wrap his hands around a glass. Her hopes were slim though, the man could just not sit still and it was starting to put her teeth on edge again.
“Your goons are taking their sweet time,” she finally said, only to bring his focus on something else. He was bugging her. At least he was, relatively, still when he was trying to wind her up or insult her or educate her one something or other. Her eyes lingered on Andras’ target again, as they had when the latter had been staring at the Eyropan himself. It would probably be easy to coax him into more drinking along with a someone who was also far from home and then get him to follow her somewhere into a dark alley. Womanly charms – even though she possessed few of those – always worked on men like that. Yet, she was disinclined in the meantime to move even a little finger to help Andras.
She also didn’t comment on his aggressive statement. They both knew it had not been a test. Battlemages were no laughing matter. While she had no qualms about making Andras feel uncomfortable or scaring him – in a place where she could freely use her magic without fear of detection – she would not joke about powerful magical enemies.
The stressed barmaid wasn’t all too pleased at the way he was hollering at her but she finally did come by to ask what they wanted. Haneul had already ordered but seemingly it had gotten lost in the crowd, and a little flash of irritation crossed her face. But instead of telling her off for it, she simply ordered her half-pint again, hoping that this time she’d actually get it.
Soon enough this time, she promptly returned with their drinks, and Haneul hoped that it would keep Andras from fidgeting around if he could wrap his hands around a glass. Her hopes were slim though, the man could just not sit still and it was starting to put her teeth on edge again.
“Your goons are taking their sweet time,” she finally said, only to bring his focus on something else. He was bugging her. At least he was, relatively, still when he was trying to wind her up or insult her or educate her one something or other. Her eyes lingered on Andras’ target again, as they had when the latter had been staring at the Eyropan himself. It would probably be easy to coax him into more drinking along with a someone who was also far from home and then get him to follow her somewhere into a dark alley. Womanly charms – even though she possessed few of those – always worked on men like that. Yet, she was disinclined in the meantime to move even a little finger to help Andras.
Re: Never Play(ed) Fair: The Goodtime Gang
Andras agreed with her assessment, and it brought a grim edge to his features. He would have made some further gesture if he could bear the thought of acknowledging that she was correct. His titres were taking their sweet time. He resolved to beat the tardiness from them next time Haneul was out of sight.
For now, he was willing to drink and wait it out. Not that there was much else he could do, he didn’t have the right equipment for a proper kidnapping on his own. He could certainly beat the fool into unconsciousness, but he didn’t have the bags. And besides, that little chance of escape could have huge consequences. It wasn’t often that Andras exercised caution, but even he had his limits.
Haneul made for a terrible drinking buddy. It was only after several minutes of silence and another mug of ale that the idiots finally showed up. He rolled his shoulders and glanced their way, but the menace of the gesture was lost on them. The ogled their target for a little bit, as conspicuous as could be, but were undetected by any of the drunkards lying about the Rathole. They chattered about something before walking over to the table. A pouch slung over the shoulder rattled with the telltale sounds of metal clinking on metal. He knew from experience they would have a gag and body bag in there as well.
Andras nodded gruffly when the reach the table, draining the last of his drink. “Took you fuckers long enough.” He leaned around them to judge the target for a moment. “The usual scare. Run him to the right side of the building.”
The right was where the bar was. It meant that if anyone overheard the struggle, it would be the waitresses or barkeep. All were involved enough to know they shouldn’t report any suspicious noises to the guard after seeing him in the bar. It was old news to them all, but Andras felt like flaunting his confidence in front of Haneul.
The titres spoke their agreement and moved back outside. Andras turned back to Haneul. “Well, we’ve had our drinks. Time to go.” He stood, offering no further explanation.
For now, he was willing to drink and wait it out. Not that there was much else he could do, he didn’t have the right equipment for a proper kidnapping on his own. He could certainly beat the fool into unconsciousness, but he didn’t have the bags. And besides, that little chance of escape could have huge consequences. It wasn’t often that Andras exercised caution, but even he had his limits.
Haneul made for a terrible drinking buddy. It was only after several minutes of silence and another mug of ale that the idiots finally showed up. He rolled his shoulders and glanced their way, but the menace of the gesture was lost on them. The ogled their target for a little bit, as conspicuous as could be, but were undetected by any of the drunkards lying about the Rathole. They chattered about something before walking over to the table. A pouch slung over the shoulder rattled with the telltale sounds of metal clinking on metal. He knew from experience they would have a gag and body bag in there as well.
Andras nodded gruffly when the reach the table, draining the last of his drink. “Took you fuckers long enough.” He leaned around them to judge the target for a moment. “The usual scare. Run him to the right side of the building.”
The right was where the bar was. It meant that if anyone overheard the struggle, it would be the waitresses or barkeep. All were involved enough to know they shouldn’t report any suspicious noises to the guard after seeing him in the bar. It was old news to them all, but Andras felt like flaunting his confidence in front of Haneul.
The titres spoke their agreement and moved back outside. Andras turned back to Haneul. “Well, we’ve had our drinks. Time to go.” He stood, offering no further explanation.
Re: Never Play(ed) Fair: The Goodtime Gang
The longer the boys took to finally show up, the more Haneul was exercising control over the itch in her hands to just strangle Andras. At least, he didn’t talk to her. At least, he didn’t make things worse by fussing even more. He was already fidgeting so much that anymore would have meant he’d be dancing through the tavern.
When the goons finally, finally, showed up, Haneul only barely managed to surprise a sigh of relief. The brief exchange left her almost as much in the dark as her whole silent conversation with Andras had. The only thing she could really gleam from this was that they had been doing things this particular way for quite some time and knew just how to handle their mission. Which was all nice and well, but Haneul wasn’t a firm believer in doing things exactly the same way all the time, even less so in the same spot. But it wasn’t her problem.
Watching the man drain the rest of his mug, she followed suit and got up from the table when he did, following him to the appointed meeting place and left the men to their own devices. She may have entertained the idea of meddling at an earlier stage, but at that moment, the thought was very far from her mind. Andras could go about his business the way he wanted to, she wasn’t going to move a finger. In addition, the only way she would have enjoyed helping was by amping up the victim’s fear a little, but there was no way she could use magic now, not with a battlemage sniffing around the area. She couldn’t be certain how far their range was for detecting the use of magic, and she wasn’t about to risk her own neck for anything. Though she did have to get away. Sooner rather than later.
“Are we about done here?” she finally asked in a bored voice, leaning against the wall as she observed Andras’ men at work. Not that there was a lot to watch. Herding a man like cattle didn’t take a lot of effort, even less so when said man was drunk beyond reason, scared as all hell, and foreign in this forsaken city. Andras and she had other matters to attend to; more important matters than this little future slave.
When the goons finally, finally, showed up, Haneul only barely managed to surprise a sigh of relief. The brief exchange left her almost as much in the dark as her whole silent conversation with Andras had. The only thing she could really gleam from this was that they had been doing things this particular way for quite some time and knew just how to handle their mission. Which was all nice and well, but Haneul wasn’t a firm believer in doing things exactly the same way all the time, even less so in the same spot. But it wasn’t her problem.
Watching the man drain the rest of his mug, she followed suit and got up from the table when he did, following him to the appointed meeting place and left the men to their own devices. She may have entertained the idea of meddling at an earlier stage, but at that moment, the thought was very far from her mind. Andras could go about his business the way he wanted to, she wasn’t going to move a finger. In addition, the only way she would have enjoyed helping was by amping up the victim’s fear a little, but there was no way she could use magic now, not with a battlemage sniffing around the area. She couldn’t be certain how far their range was for detecting the use of magic, and she wasn’t about to risk her own neck for anything. Though she did have to get away. Sooner rather than later.
“Are we about done here?” she finally asked in a bored voice, leaning against the wall as she observed Andras’ men at work. Not that there was a lot to watch. Herding a man like cattle didn’t take a lot of effort, even less so when said man was drunk beyond reason, scared as all hell, and foreign in this forsaken city. Andras and she had other matters to attend to; more important matters than this little future slave.
Re: Never Play(ed) Fair: The Goodtime Gang
“Do me a major favor and shut your trap, would you?” Andras replied. Listening to his guard dog bitch about the pace was not on his list of ideal ways to kill time. “It happens when it happens. This is about tact.”
He would have leaned against the wall, but Haneul was already doing so. Since he couldn’t be caught dead following anybody’s example, much less hers, he decided to stand proud instead. He craned his neck to the side to get a better view of the proceedings, but it turned out to be the wrong sense to employ. Andras heard a noisy squawk that he could only assume was the least subtle recognition of the threat his goons posed he had ever head. The man had sounded exactly like a surprised bird.
He wasted no time rounding the corner, clearly too drunk to give even a cursory thought to the motivations of the scary men with daggers. Tripping over his own feet in a drunken stupor, Andras’ titres had no trouble catching up. They walked with a cruel calm, knowing their prey was already cornered. One put a hand on their victim’s shoulder and shoved him into the alleyway. He practically stumbled right into Andras’ hands, the metaphor turning out to be quite literal when Andras wrapped his fingers around the Eyropan’s slender throat.
The Eyropan made tiny noises as he uselessly slapped at Andras’ barrel-sized limbs. By the time it occurred to him to reach towards Andras’ face, it was apparent all strength had left him. Andras merely turned his head to avoid the clumsy palm that clasped to it, creating more faint slapping sounds.
Andras did his best to set the fool down gently, gradually lowering him with both hands. There was no sense damaging the merchandise. Leaving him on the rough dirt between the buildings, he turned to Haneul, “Might as well make some use of yourself. Grab that bag I brought” He pointed to where he had left it against the wall. He removed his other hand from the Eyropan moments later, rising to stand at his full height. “Textbook work, boys. Not that either you of you idiots have ever seen one.”
Both smiled at the compliment, ignoring the insult that had been attached. One was missing two teeth on the left side of his mouth. Andras’ nose twitched at an unfamiliar odor, noxious and overpowering. His sudden scowl was mirrored on the closer of his two thugs.
Andras looked down before gracing those present with a short burst of laughter. “The fucker pissed himself. Hah!” Andras brought his boot into the man’s side, flipping his limp form over. Sure enough, there was a dark stain centered around his groin. “Penalty for being late.” Andras sneered, “You two are carrying him back.”
He would have leaned against the wall, but Haneul was already doing so. Since he couldn’t be caught dead following anybody’s example, much less hers, he decided to stand proud instead. He craned his neck to the side to get a better view of the proceedings, but it turned out to be the wrong sense to employ. Andras heard a noisy squawk that he could only assume was the least subtle recognition of the threat his goons posed he had ever head. The man had sounded exactly like a surprised bird.
He wasted no time rounding the corner, clearly too drunk to give even a cursory thought to the motivations of the scary men with daggers. Tripping over his own feet in a drunken stupor, Andras’ titres had no trouble catching up. They walked with a cruel calm, knowing their prey was already cornered. One put a hand on their victim’s shoulder and shoved him into the alleyway. He practically stumbled right into Andras’ hands, the metaphor turning out to be quite literal when Andras wrapped his fingers around the Eyropan’s slender throat.
The Eyropan made tiny noises as he uselessly slapped at Andras’ barrel-sized limbs. By the time it occurred to him to reach towards Andras’ face, it was apparent all strength had left him. Andras merely turned his head to avoid the clumsy palm that clasped to it, creating more faint slapping sounds.
Andras did his best to set the fool down gently, gradually lowering him with both hands. There was no sense damaging the merchandise. Leaving him on the rough dirt between the buildings, he turned to Haneul, “Might as well make some use of yourself. Grab that bag I brought” He pointed to where he had left it against the wall. He removed his other hand from the Eyropan moments later, rising to stand at his full height. “Textbook work, boys. Not that either you of you idiots have ever seen one.”
Both smiled at the compliment, ignoring the insult that had been attached. One was missing two teeth on the left side of his mouth. Andras’ nose twitched at an unfamiliar odor, noxious and overpowering. His sudden scowl was mirrored on the closer of his two thugs.
Andras looked down before gracing those present with a short burst of laughter. “The fucker pissed himself. Hah!” Andras brought his boot into the man’s side, flipping his limp form over. Sure enough, there was a dark stain centered around his groin. “Penalty for being late.” Andras sneered, “You two are carrying him back.”