shadows among shadows

Josen wondered what methods a man such as Odin used for deciding which questions would be answered in a roundabout manner and which ones would be ignored all together. Josen had been hoping to gain a little more insight to their dark and shady new companion but he was realizing that that small hope, hesitant as it was, was not likely going to materialize anytime into anything solid. If only his instincts would kick into full gear and let him know one way or another whether it was safe to trust the man or not. Instead, everytime he opened his mouth, Odin raised more questions than he answered. This time, his answer had been more like a challenge. Did he, in fact, have something to gain? Or lose, for that matter? Did the omission of any kind of comment to Josen's second request imply that truthfullness just wasn't going to be forthcoming?

He was contemplating on whether to respond or just leaving it alone when he felt they weren't alone. A low murmur from beside him served as a warning but Josen was already unsheathing his knife. A sword coming free of it's scabbard would only echo in the surrounding silence. On Odin's cue, he stepped back in the shadows just as the two shadowy figures emerged. He could see their human outlines but little else. By their stance and demeanor they were neither intimidated nor afraid to be entering a dark alley at night. Typical street punks. He kept his eye on them but the moonlight was fading in and out, playing nasty tricks with his vision. After a couple blinks they appeared to be gone. Was he wrong or did he sense a moment's struggle from his companion when he spoke?

"Must've," Josen agreed, still a bit unsettled. He had enough to worry about to keep his mind occupied, though, so he didn't let the event linger as they trecked their way to the restaurant.

If that's what you could call it. It looked more like a cross between the brothel they had just left and a tavern on a bad side of town. The decor was downright gaudy, with mismatched slik tapestries and linens and overgilded candles and wall decor. The lighting was a notch or two below dim, which was an amenity because all the customers consisted of street thugs and whores and while the criminals were properly hidden, the women's hollows and curves were seductively shadowed. They had to search out an employee in order to be seated. She led them through a heavy curtain which served as a doorway to a smaller, less shantier dining room. There were four large tables with plenty of space left inbetween. Only one was occupied by a large group of men quietly having a discussion. They were seated at the farthest possible table away from them and immediately given two ales. The coins Josen placed on the table to pay were left uncollected. Again, he wondered about the state of his friend's current occupation as he sipped on his drink. The ale was excellent. No wonder this place was one of Ben's favorites.

Josen eyed Odin while idly thumbing his mug. Wasn't this just a dandy peach? Neither man moved to talk, one being disinclined towards conversation and the other disinclined to have a conversation only with the other. The result was a long and weighty silence that neither man cared to break. The mercenary tapped his fingers against his mug thoughtfully. He wasn't about to waste his breathe asking Odin anything personal. That was a given waste, but perhaps his new companion wouldn't be too disinclined to reveal more of this mysterious castle he mentioned so after several minutes of quietude, he asked about their destination. Maybe you could tell me more about this castle we are going to, where it's at, what the journey there will be like and what dangers we'll face once we're inside."


OOC - after your post, I'll be returning them to the camp, if that's okay with you ^_^