The First Steps of Revenge [Elgar]

[Gabranth]

Gabranth found it difficult to sleep. It was not the chirping birds, or the exotic food that the locals were so fond of. No, it was that man. the one who kidnapped him, hidden beneath the layers and folds of silk and armor. His voice hidden by a strange machine that made a fool of him. Well the man himself made an even bigger fool of Gabranth. Not only had the Judge Magister fallen prey to the man's kidnapping, but the so called ninja also committed acts of high treason in his own name. Archades, his only true home left, knew of the circumstances already and thanks to Lord Larsa, the Judge Magister would see no punishment for another's deeds.

Yet the kidnapper left a far bigger wound in Gabranth's pride. He would have to remedy this, to heal and replace what was lost. The only way Gabranth could see himself regaining his honor was to bring the man to justice, and to see that he saw the executioner's blade. Gabranth rolled from the small bed he slept in. The oil lamp flickered to life as he turned the small brass handle. The light was dim, but just bright enough for Gabranth to navigate through the room that he rented. I am far from my own home, and thus my own resources. Time is of the essence, the longer I wait the greater chance the man has to escape my grasps. Yet it will be a few more days before my ship is repaired... Troublesome. He thought to himself as he dressed himself in his leathers. The heavy full plate Judge armor sat neatly in the corner, having already been polished by the man today. There was no need to slip into his armor for what he was about to do.

He made his way to the small desk situated next to his own armor, the oil lamp in his hand. Setting the lamp down, Gabranth took a seat. There was still one more resource Gabranth could draw upon, and he intended to use it. Flattening out a piece of parchment, the man then withdrew a quill. Soft scratching sounds filled the air as he wrote. When he was done he held the parchment up, carefully examining his own message. It took him only a few moments to write, but that was simply because it was only a few lines. The message, which he rolled up and sealed when he was satisfied with it's contents, read;

Hawk,

I require your assistance once again. I shall be waiting for you in Destiny Islands, for my ship is currently under repair in it's harbors. I shall only be here for a few days. Do not keep me waiting.

-- Judge Magister Gabranth

With the note in hand, Gabranth strayed down stairs. Without the aid of light he found his way to one of the largest rooms on the first floor, where his crew kept their supplies while the ship was being repaired. It did not find him long to find the large bird cage in the mess of boxes and crates. With a pop he opened the door, freeing the large bird of prey from it's cage. It was truly a magnificent bird, one that Gabranth himself held in the highest regards among flying creatures. It was a true hunter, one that could hold it's head high.

After tying the letter to the hunter's leg, he released it into the air with a single word. Hawk. The bird would know who he met, it was not the only messenger bird that the Judge Magister employed, but it was perhaps one of his favorites. And the dependable hunter knew exactly who he meant. From there the Judge Magister returned to his quarters, satisfied that the hawk would deliver his message. Although the irony did not fail to find him. He had contacted this man many a times before, each time with the same bird of prey, and the same bird that the man named himself after. Knowing that the man probably would not arrive until the next day Gabranth slipped out of his leathers. Folding them neatly and placing them on his own desk, to be washed in the morning. He then retired to his bed, finally able to find the soft embrace of sleep now that his vengeance had began to take form.

[OCC :: Yes, you can totally troll Gabranth and wake him up in the middle of the night. Or show up the next day if you like. xD Although I feel like this was a weird start. ]

[Elgar Estmorrod]

[atrb=border,0,true][atrb=width,375,true][atrb=border,0,true][atrb=style, background: url(http://i51.tinypic.com/f0uus9.jpg); border-radius: 0px 0px 0px 0px; border: 5px solid #101010; padding: 10px;] [style=width:360px; height:185px; background-color:#101010; border-top:5px solid #101010;][/style][style=line-height:3px; width:360px; border-bottom:10px solid #101010; height:6px; font-size:35px; font-family:georgia; text-align:center; color:#F83E3F; text-shadow:#000000 2px 1px 1px; letter-spacing:-2px]❧ feel free to die,[/style][style=width:360px; border-top:1px dotted #F83E3F; border-bottom: 1px dotted #F83E3F; font-family:terminal; font-size:10px; color:#69644f; background-color:#202020; letter-spacing: 1]WHEN YOU'VE HAD ENOUGH[/style][style=width: 350px;background-color: 101010; color: 4d4a3d; font-family: tahoma; font-size: 10px; padding-top: 2px; padding-bottom: 2px; padding-right: 5px; padding-left: 5px; text-indent: 50px; text-align: justify;]Night, a silent domain feared by many. "Tamed by few" a voice lurked out from the shadows of the moonlight. The moon shun brightly onto the sea, showing a small boat that was barely large enough to hold a single man yet able to conceal him completely in such light. It was a silent night for this hidden man, no ships have passed him in a great while. Was it fortune or the calm before a great storm? He has never been able to understand the whispers of fate that have spoken to him for so long. "Elgar Estmorrod, nimblest of all bred. . Markless." The Assassin mused to himself with a small smirk as his hidden gaze traced the constellation's. He knew this peace would soon be struck by an mark, it did not usually take so long for his . . . Employer's to contact him for his special services. And as if called upon, a loud caw filled the air surrounding Elgar. Sitting up from his raft, his gaze fell upon a hawk gliding down towards him. A smile shifted on the man's lips as he knew exactly who this mark was from. Raising his arm his let the winged creature land rest upon him. Elgar's hand gently brushed against the creature's wings. "Very good Ezio." He praised the bird as his fingers quickly grasped the message and his eyes scanned it quickly before it found it's self being shredded and tossed into the ocean. "It seems my Judge finds himself in more and more trouble everyday." He chuckled at his own words before he raised his mast letting the shadows take him once again. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - The shadows moved along side the wooden walls of the Judge Magister's room. The man slept so soundly even with so much blood on his hands. A hawk flew to the man's bedside and cawed silently yet loud enough to wake any sleeping man in the room. "It is not yet time for slumber." Elgar's voice came from the shadows, concealed in the blankets of darkness. [/style] [style=line-height:3px; width:360px; border-bottom:10px solid #101010; height:6px; font-size:35px; font-family:georgia; text-align:center; color:#F83E3F; text-shadow:#000000 2px 1px 1px; letter-spacing:-2px]❧ taste the blood[/style][style=width:360px; border-top:1px dotted #F83E3F; border-bottom: 1px dotted #F83E3F; font-family:terminal; font-size:10px; color:#69644f; background-color:#202020; letter-spacing: 1]TEMPLATE BY TSU BEAR OF OTE. MUSIC BY SHAWN MCPHERSON.[/style][style=width: 335px;background-color: 101010; color: 4d4a3d; font-family: tahoma; font-size: 10px; padding-left: 25px; text-align: left; padding-justify:40px;]TAGS: NOTES:[/style]

[Gabranth]

He didn't except the Hawk to arrive only a few hours after he sent his message. Yet when Ezio fluttered into his room, waking him in the process, Gabranth knew that his assassin would soon be arriving. As he arose from his bed, the Judge Magister's thoughts lingered on how inconvenient for the man to arrive in the middle of the night as his eyes strayed to his own pair of clothing. The man flickered on his oil lamp that sat as his bed side as the hired killer spoke. Maybe this will not be as inconvenient as I thought.

Gabranth's eyes strained to see his employee, yet he was covered in a different kind of blanket. One of shadows and darkness instead of one of wool and cotton. The Judge was glad for his own blanket, which covered everything from the waist down. As he was still sitting in his own bed. He was not uncomfortable with other people in this state, but he would prefer to have some sense of dignity. After all he was a Judge Magister, he was no longer some stray dog begging for scraps at the tables of Archades.

"Reveal yourself Hawk," The man spoke into the darkness. He knew Hawk, the man had been under his influence for the past few months. Yet he still felt it uneasy to talk to a man he could not see. Especially one that favored strikes from the shadows. Elgar had a way of making Gabranth feel uneasy, perhaps it was the merciless fashion that he disposed of his targets. Or maybe it was the fact that Gabranth found himself attracted to the man. He pondered on it for a few seconds while he awaited for Elgar to show him self... It was most likely the latter, the assassin had a mysterious and rugged look. One that Gabranth found himself drawn too.

Yet the assassin was not the only one that demanded Gabranth's attention at this hour of the night. Ezio, the faithful messenger hawk softly pecked at his well toned arm. The Judge turned his attention to the bird of prey, one of his eye brows raised. The hawk simply glared at him, a silent conversation appeared to take place between the two for a few brief seconds. Then Gabranth broke the silence. "You may take your leave Ezio, return to me in the morning." Gabranth said, breaking the silence. he knew that he was simply giving Ezio permission to hunt those delicate little field mice that wandered the small island. The Hawk spread it's wings wide, and took flight as it hopped out the window. It would feast upon the flesh of it's prey tonight. The Judge Magister just prayed that Ezio would not return with a present for him this time. Pushing the thoughts of his messenger bird aside, he turned to the Hawk. Hoping, for the assassin's sake, that he had emerged from the shadows by now.

[Elgar Estmorrod]

[atrb=border,0,true][atrb=width,375,true][atrb=border,0,true][atrb=style, background: url(http://i51.tinypic.com/f0uus9.jpg); border-radius: 0px 0px 0px 0px; border: 5px solid #101010; padding: 10px;] [style=width:360px; height:185px; background-color:#101010; border-top:5px solid #101010;][/style][style=line-height:3px; width:360px; border-bottom:10px solid #101010; height:6px; font-size:35px; font-family:georgia; text-align:center; color:#F83E3F; text-shadow:#000000 2px 1px 1px; letter-spacing:-2px]❧ feel free to die,[/style][style=width:360px; border-top:1px dotted #F83E3F; border-bottom: 1px dotted #F83E3F; font-family:terminal; font-size:10px; color:#69644f; background-color:#202020; letter-spacing: 1]WHEN YOU'VE HAD ENOUGH[/style][style=width: 350px;background-color: 101010; color: 4d4a3d; font-family: tahoma; font-size: 10px; padding-top: 2px; padding-bottom: 2px; padding-right: 5px; padding-left: 5px; text-indent: 50px; text-align: justify;]The Judge awoke in the deep night, notably irritated by the manor of his awakening. But Elgar held no sympathy for the man as he had been the one to contact the assassin, his arrival was on his time not the Judge's. Elgar's eyes narrowed as the man turned his lamp, lightning the darkness that the assassin clung for. "Reveal yourself Hawk." Gabranth called out to him, causing an eyebrow to rise. Has his own skills surpassed his expectations? He thought with this much light in the room he had been revealed, then again the man had been looking in the wrong direction since the time he had awoken. Stepping out of the darkness as Ezio flew away, Elgar emerged into the dreadful light. His hidden gaze hit the Judge Magister's bare back. Even though the Elgar cared not for bodily temptations, he can tell how well built this man was without his casual armor. "I am here, Judge Magister." The assassin finally spoke behind the man. A hand nudged against his gray beard, in thought as he examined the room once again. "Such poor courters for a man in such high power." He observed, looking for answers. "It must have taken quite the foe to run you down this far." It was true, Elgar knew full well on how truly powerful this man was. Unless the assassin had the first blow, he would most likely be utterly defeated by this man's abilities. However with such power causes quite the disturbance which is why Elgar has been hired often by the Judge. For silent and quick kills which leave no trace of the murderer, in which Elgar was infamous for. "Yes. . . He needs my services just as much as I need his employment." His thoughts mused at the ironic scene. [/style] [style=line-height:3px; width:360px; border-bottom:10px solid #101010; height:6px; font-size:35px; font-family:georgia; text-align:center; color:#F83E3F; text-shadow:#000000 2px 1px 1px; letter-spacing:-2px]❧ taste the blood[/style][style=width:360px; border-top:1px dotted #F83E3F; border-bottom: 1px dotted #F83E3F; font-family:terminal; font-size:10px; color:#69644f; background-color:#202020; letter-spacing: 1]TEMPLATE BY TSU BEAR OF OTE. MUSIC BY SHAWN MCPHERSON.[/style][style=width: 335px;background-color: 101010; color: 4d4a3d; font-family: tahoma; font-size: 10px; padding-left: 25px; text-align: left; padding-justify:40px;]TAGS: NOTES:[/style]

[Gabranth]

It was a little game that Gabranth liked to play with Elgar. Fool the man into thinking that he was far to dumb to realize that he knew the man's own location. It made him think that he was far inferior to his own skills, with this kind of man it was unwise to show your full potential. Why? Because then they knew what you were capable of, and they could find ways to stop you. The less he knew, the better. Although it would make Elgar far to confident in his own abilities, which may make him more likely to attack Gabranth if things went south between the two. At least the Judge would have an advantage, he did not trust this man. Even if he claimed loyalty to Archades, and the Judge Magister.

Anyone can be bought with a coin. Especially men like Elgar. Although he seemed doubtful of Gabranth's own living quarters. It was a simple tavern, that was able to house all of his men and their equipment. Gabranth himself thought nothing of it, he did not require fancy living quarters. He enjoyed the plain and simple, which was perhaps his militaristic life style speaking. "It suits my needs," was all Gabranth could say in response to Elgar's words. He scoffed at the assassin's next words. No doubt another comment on his own choice of quarters for the night.

"Archades has acquired a powerful enemy, and I know naught but the mask he wears and his skills." Gabranth began, almost embarrassed by the man that kidnapped him. "No doubt you have heard of the destruction of Draklor Laboratories. A crime originally done in my own name. I have been cleared, as Larsa himself knows that I was not the one to commit such crimes. Yet the man who kidnapped me must be killed. I fear he shall never be taken to the courts, he is to sly for such conventional means. I wish his life to be ended on your blade." He paused. How much was this worth to him? Far more then any piece of gil that he held within his coffers, it was worth his pride.

"The man attacked me from behind, and drugged me. A very difficult operation, requiring a skill that surpasses most. He waited until the right moment to strike, perhaps a colleague of your own. He held me within an apartment in the Lowtown of Rabanastre. He predicted my own escape, and even managed to escape the ambush I had set up. Perhaps he excepted it. His face, was hidden by the garb of a ninja. Those warriors from the far east. Furthermore he had a device to alter his voice, and he has my own voice stored on it. Take care when fighting him, he may easily trick one even as skilled as you. Yet the device only alluded to his own heritage. I believe him to be from the Pulse or Cocoon. Only those places have such technology. It will be difficult to find him, but not impossible. There are few of his caliber with access to that kind of technology. I want them all dead." He finished, a simple statement and a large one. "If you could find the one that took me hostage and slay him, then your task shall be done. But if not they must all die. I can not risk such a man in the enemies ranks."

[Elgar Estmorrod]

[atrb=border,0,true][atrb=width,375,true][atrb=border,0,true][atrb=style, background: url(http://i51.tinypic.com/f0uus9.jpg); border-radius: 0px 0px 0px 0px; border: 5px solid #101010; padding: 10px;] [style=width:360px; height:185px; background-color:#101010; border-top:5px solid #101010;][/style][style=line-height:3px; width:360px; border-bottom:10px solid #101010; height:6px; font-size:35px; font-family:georgia; text-align:center; color:#F83E3F; text-shadow:#000000 2px 1px 1px; letter-spacing:-2px]❧ feel free to die,[/style][style=width:360px; border-top:1px dotted #F83E3F; border-bottom: 1px dotted #F83E3F; font-family:terminal; font-size:10px; color:#69644f; background-color:#202020; letter-spacing: 1]WHEN YOU'VE HAD ENOUGH[/style][style=width: 350px;background-color: 101010; color: 4d4a3d; font-family: tahoma; font-size: 10px; padding-top: 2px; padding-bottom: 2px; padding-right: 5px; padding-left: 5px; text-indent: 50px; text-align: justify;]Elgar slowly nodded at the man's response to his thoughts upon his residence. It mattered not in any case of where the Judge Magister housed his men at the moment, only the job that he was to be assigned to. "That is my only concern." The assassin thought to himself before the judge spoke once again. He spoke of a foe to the Archades empire, a feat achieved by very few of great skill. This mark would possibly be his greatest yet. He nodded and rubbed his hand against his beard in thought, the Draklore incident had been whispers in the wind for some time. Elgar had always wondered who was the true mastermind behind such a scheme, he will have his answer soon. Gabranth then spoke of how he had been ambushed and drugged, somewhat accusing his order of such the feat. In truth, Elgar would have been proud of one of his colleague's had managed this, but he knew this to be false. He would have heard the boasting of the man who had accomplished this. . And if it were true, this Judge would be in a grave instead of enjoying a night of sleep. Elgar waited for Gabranth to finish speaking before he himself could respond. With a sigh he stared with his shadowed eyes into the Judge's own. "This man that you have described to me sounds of someone with considerable skill in assassination and war tactics. I can tell you first hand he is not one of my colleagues as your throat would be red with blood instead of inhaling the cool air as you are now." He spoke with a matter of fact tone in his voice. "Such a man is almost impossible to find." He rose his hand before the judge could interrupt. "However one with such skill has always been noted by others. He did not care if the man did not understand what he was saying, he was just explaining the situation."I can find him and take care of him for of course, a price." Yes, Elgar had a price that was very high indeed. "However I am sure he will not expect of what I ask. He thought with a small chuckle. [/style] [style=line-height:3px; width:360px; border-bottom:10px solid #101010; height:6px; font-size:35px; font-family:georgia; text-align:center; color:#F83E3F; text-shadow:#000000 2px 1px 1px; letter-spacing:-2px]❧ taste the blood[/style][style=width:360px; border-top:1px dotted #F83E3F; border-bottom: 1px dotted #F83E3F; font-family:terminal; font-size:10px; color:#69644f; background-color:#202020; letter-spacing: 1]TEMPLATE BY TSU BEAR OF OTE. MUSIC BY SHAWN MCPHERSON.[/style][style=width: 335px;background-color: 101010; color: 4d4a3d; font-family: tahoma; font-size: 10px; padding-left: 25px; text-align: left; padding-justify:40px;]TAGS: NOTES:[/style]

[Gabranth]

Payment, of course it was something the assassin desired. Although the Judge Magister held great respect for the Hawk, his lust for the golden pieces of gil left an awful taste in Gabranth's mouth. Where was the honor in a man that could be bought through coin alone? Where was his pride? Perhaps the only reason Gabranth could sleep at night was his own pride. It told him he was doing the right thing. His pride would guide him, and his honor would be his justification. He needed nothing more.

"My coffers will be open to you if you manage to achieve such a feat." Gabranth replied. There was no doubt that Elgar was a skilled man, yet this mysterious man was perhaps far stronger then both Elgar and the Judge Magister himself combined. And to eliminate such a foe, Gabranth would pay much. Much, much more then he normally would. It would be no surprise if Elgar picked up on this instantly. Gabranth could count on the man's desire for payment to win him through.

Yet that was also his greatest weakness. "Tread carefully, my friend." The last word was strained. It was a simple compliment, one only gained from the dealings the two had made over the past few months. He was reliable, a person that Gabranth liked. Yet the assassin's own greed was still off putting. How could he truly trust him? "If you are over powered, I suggest you partake in the pill." The reference was obvious, and it need not be explained to the experienced assassin. Gabranth spoke of the small cyanide capsules that the secretive community were fond of. "He has left me alive simply because he has uses for me. He has none for you. The pleasant death will be compared to the one this man may enjoy." Gabranth finished, recalling the man's own sadistic manipulation of the Judge. To pose as his brother, to bother him that much worried the man. The target must truly be a sadistic arse, one that probably enjoyed his fair share of torture.

[Elgar Estmorrod]

[atrb=border,0,true][atrb=width,375,true][atrb=border,0,true][atrb=style, background: url(http://i51.tinypic.com/f0uus9.jpg); border-radius: 0px 0px 0px 0px; border: 5px solid #101010; padding: 10px;] [style=width:360px; height:185px; background-color:#101010; border-top:5px solid #101010;][/style][style=line-height:3px; width:360px; border-bottom:10px solid #101010; height:6px; font-size:35px; font-family:georgia; text-align:center; color:#F83E3F; text-shadow:#000000 2px 1px 1px; letter-spacing:-2px]❧ feel free to die,[/style][style=width:360px; border-top:1px dotted #F83E3F; border-bottom: 1px dotted #F83E3F; font-family:terminal; font-size:10px; color:#69644f; background-color:#202020; letter-spacing: 1]WHEN YOU'VE HAD ENOUGH[/style][style=width: 350px;background-color: 101010; color: 4d4a3d; font-family: tahoma; font-size: 10px; padding-top: 2px; padding-bottom: 2px; padding-right: 5px; padding-left: 5px; text-indent: 50px; text-align: justify;]A chuckle escaped the mans breath as he heard the Judge speak to him once again. His rewards for his work before this assignment has always been weighed in gold, however the old master had something different in mind for this specific assignment. "I do wonder how this man will react when I return." Elgar thought with amusement before Gabranth spoke once more. An invisible eyebrow raised when the odd word of friend had been spoken to him. It had been a long while before anyone had called him as such, he gaze met the Judge Magister's in slight approval. It was yet one more sign that the Assassin could trust this loyal stray dog. "If you are over powered, I suggest you partake in the pill." He was warned but he could only give a small bit of laughter. It was not often where his first attack failed, but he was sure that he could kill the man with a second blow. "I'm hurt, Judge Magister." Elgar spoke with much sarcasm. "Have I failed you so much in time's past that you expect it once again? A smile was upon the man's face with each word spoken. It was rare when the assassin was able to be somewhat of himself around his employers, Gabranth was a man of the empire so it was understandable he knew of his chains of confinement, hence why Elgar feels a small bond of trust between them. With that he set a hand upon the man's bare shoulder. "Worry not, my friend." He had paused on the last two words. "I shall return within two months, be that or death." He then slid his hand off the man's skin and turned towards the exit. "When I return, I expect you accept the reward I ask . . And I shall give you a steep reward as well. He said with some mystery in his voice, and only when his front was completely invisible from the judge. Elgar threw back his hood, revealing his neatly combed back, grey and black hair. "We shall meet again soon." He smiled with a very slight turn of his head before disappearing into the shadows once again. Elgar Exit [/style] [style=line-height:3px; width:360px; border-bottom:10px solid #101010; height:6px; font-size:35px; font-family:georgia; text-align:center; color:#F83E3F; text-shadow:#000000 2px 1px 1px; letter-spacing:-2px]❧ taste the blood[/style][style=width:360px; border-top:1px dotted #F83E3F; border-bottom: 1px dotted #F83E3F; font-family:terminal; font-size:10px; color:#69644f; background-color:#202020; letter-spacing: 1]TEMPLATE BY TSU BEAR OF OTE. MUSIC BY SHAWN MCPHERSON.[/style][style=width: 335px;background-color: 101010; color: 4d4a3d; font-family: tahoma; font-size: 10px; padding-left: 25px; text-align: left; padding-justify:40px;]TAGS: NOTES:[/style]

[Gabranth]

His throat was dry. His lips parted, as if to reply to his hired blade's words. Yet nothing could come out. It was odd really, never before had Gabranth struggled with something as simple as words. Yet he felt paralyzed, bound by the strong hand on his shoulder. The same hand that had drove countless blades into another man's chest. Yet it was not fear that stole the Judge Magister's voice. It was the feeling of excitement to have this man's hand on his shoulder. Gabranth truly liked this man, he was both fierce in battle and still respectable outside of it. Yet the danger excited him. Gabranth knew all too well that Elgar could have just as easily been hired to kill Gabranth.

It was only after Elgar removed his hands, and returned to the shadows that had been his home since they first met, that Gabranth was able to speak once again. "Two months time it is." He spoke, not to sure if Elgar was still in the area. The assassin had a nasty habit of slipping off into some ally or another without Gabranth's knowledge. "If you are successful, I will see to it that you get your reward and if not..." He paused. He wanted Elgar to succeed, he wanted him to win. But most importantly he wanted his damn kidnapper dead. "If not then I shall hold a funeral service in your honor." Gabranth finally finished.

That was it. He really had nothing else to say to the assassin. The man may have become Gabranth's favored hired blade but he was nothing more then that. And the Judge kept telling himself that. With a sharp click Gabranth shut off the oil lamp on the small wooden nightstand. He sunk into the bed, the thick blanket shielding his bare flesh from the cold. He closed his eyes, his only attempt to sleep really. He thought he would get no sleep. But he was wrong. The thoughts of the Hawk and his deed soothed the man, lulling him into a state of slumber. His kidnapper would be dead in two months, and Gabranth could finally hold his head high.