OOC - hope sticking this here doesn't confuse anyone. I figured they'd be joining with everyone else soon enough so it would be fine here.
Wait. Was Odin all of a sudden being chatty? Josen listened carefully to the golden bits of information that dropped unsolicited from his lips. He didn't like the fact that Odin again mentioned his son nor the chill that trailed down his spine when he spoke of his friends's safety. There was too much not being said. Like, how he knew of these things. So, he admitted to having powers. Well that had been apparent from the start but if he was comparing them to those of Tamy and Dase, did he carry an affinity for the elementals as well? What was so important about these stones that they would require the talents of five skilled fighters, two magic burdened youngsters and a man such as Odin to protect them? What did the stones have the potential to do?
What would happen if they failed?
He suppressed all these thoughts, sifting through them and searching for the right reply that would force Odin to answer or else reveal valuable information in his vagueness or silence. A rustle in the doorway called his attention to a tall, thick shadow entering the room. Ben. "How timely," Josen quipped while wondering if Odin had planned the conversation to be interrupted just so. The dark figure nodded their way and collected a beer from the barmaid. There was just enough time to send Odin an irritated glance before Ben slid in the seat beside him.
"I see you found it."
Josen raised his ale in toast. "I see why you favor it."
They took a hearty sip. "Best ale for miles, if you ask me, and the view is nice too." He grinned when his friend glanced at the shabby walls and gaudy ornamentation. "I was reffering to the ladies that decorate the booths." The mercenary wasn't too sure about them either but they had always had differing tastes, except in justice and drink. He watched Ben take a moment to greet Odin. "Well, your friend likes it I see."
A somber character for a somber location? "Maybe you two have something in common," though he hoped not. His thumb traced the top of his mug. It was an old habit, developed from the months of searching after Christian's disappearance. They had spent many a night in taverns such as this, questioning patrons and watching for leads. Good nights they were able to single out a man or two for a more private sort of conversation. Bad nights consisted of endless tavern doors and unenlightening whispers, and of those there had been many.
Over time, the two were using a sort of silent method of communication. Touching the top of one's mug signaled for caution. Ben noticed it immediately. Wondering what he was supposed to be watching out for, he said carefully. "You've taken off your ring." The ring he referred to had been removed years ago but the statement was strategic. It both confirmed the signal and asked if it was indeed a sign at all.
"Yes," came Josen's answer. He wanted Ben on his toes, whether Odin was a threat or not, even if he didn't believe him to be. Ben was silent, waiting for the mercenary to gather his thoughts and reveal the reason behind the visit. Josen took a breath. "I am looking for Christian again."
Ben would have spit out his ale had it not tasted so good. "Your son?"
"Yes, and I've already decided." Ben opened his mouth but Josen was quick to continue before he had the chance to argue. "What I need from you is a starting point." He didn't mention that according to Odin, he would soon have one. "There has to be something we missed or a lead that wasn't thoroughly followed. I know he's likely not in Loris but I need you to think back and see if you can remember something to help me."
With every essence of his being, Ben wanted to talk his friend out of this but the more he sat and watched him, the more he realized the plan was already laid in stone. There was a challenge in Josen's eyes, as if baiting Ben to say the words so he could slap them down. There was assurance. This was not the broken man he'd left those years ago. There was something different... a freedom. Freedom from what?
He'd never known Josen to take on an endeavor without first believing in it wholeheartedly, or to believe in anything without reason so against his better judgement, he aquiesced with a subtle nod and leaned back to think.There were several occasions during their search that leads had faded into disappearance, or boats that had left the docks never made it to their destination. He picked the one that stood foremost in his mind.
"There was one, a contraband ship bound for the upper regions of Rhudma with a small band of slaves aboard. Two of the boys matched Christian's description. You were at the time dealing with several leads of your own, most more promising than this one here but the ship had begun it's journey only the day before I heard so I sent a galley after it, to intercept it. They came upon it's remains. It'd been plundered. There were survivors, none of them boys but a few men attested to vikings taking several of the slaves with them. Others reported they'd seen a few escape in a rowboat. I had the nearby shores checked twice. Nothing came of it. You had had enough bad news. I never told you." And he hated telling him now but Josen's expression remained carefully blank. He expected him to be angry but the mercenary only nodded.
"You didn't follow the viking ship?" It was not an accusation, but a question.
"It was a galley, and twice the size the one I sent. No." He locked his fingers together and waited for the next. There was none. Josen contemplated in silence, giving Ben with the desire to speak if only to fill the air with sound. "There are more, I am sure of it. I just have to think of them."
Josen nodded and once again there was silence. Ben glanced at Odin, wondering where he fell into all of this then Josen leaned forward and said earnestly. "I want you to come with me."
"Where?" He had half expected his ire, but the invitation didn't surprise him.
"I will have to fill you in on that later. Before I begin this search there are some friends I must help. We could use the extra hand, and perhaps you could help me with a strategy along the way. If after you discover the details you don't want to be part of this then I won't press you to stay. I only request that you camp with us for a night or two before you decide." In truth, Josen was hoping to seduce him into staying. Ben was the type of man that found it difficult to turn a challenge down. And this castle Odin spoke of would be a formidable one. The more on their side, the better.
"And you are ok with what I have told you?"
"More than. It was you that pulled me through back then. I haven't forgotten."
"Well then," his everlasting grin returned to his face. "Let us begin."
Josen finished the last few swallows of ale. "Should we wait outside the city while you gather your things?"
"No need. Don't forget how long I've known you, commander. Never have you shown up at my door unexpectantly for the purpose of biscuits and tea. It was always 'Saddle your horse! We make formation at hour's end.' or 'Hurry, there are thieves making for there way for Moria'."
"You're already packed?" There was humor in the mercenary's voice.
Ben dropped some coins onto the table. "What did you think I was making you wait all this time for?"
"Some gastly job I did not want to hear about."
"That too." Ben stood, "but then I went home and packed."
Josen chuckled and prepared to go. He looked at Odin, wondering if he found the addition of Benjamin irksome but as always, his face remained expressionless and he let the thought go as he followed Ben into the street. True to his word, a black mare waited outside, saddlebags full. Ben gave the man that had been watching her a handful of coins then took the reins.
"What exactly is it that you do?" Josen asked as the trio began walking toward the city boundaries. He'd been dying to know since the encounter in the alley.
Ben told them both as they walked, how he had been a mercenary but fell away from it. "It is not an easy thing, when you kill the wrong man. So I quit, I came here. I was looking for you but I got sidetracked." His head inclined towards the brothel. "Her name is Eloise. After a while, the owner offered me this job and I took it. I oversee the girls's safety and ensure the men that visit them always pay their tabs. There are times I have taken a finger or two but killing has left me, at least it had for the moment.
"Lately, I've been restless. I heard you were looking for me and it was like you reading my mind. I just knew you would have me off somewhere. So I bid farewell to Eloise - a ghastly deed I believe you called it, packed my bids, bid farewell to my employer and here I am. Now do I have to wait for your turn to fill me in or will my curiosity be sated?"
"Odin will tell you," Josen said when they approached the outskirts, no doubt earning the shadowy man's contempt. The horses were hiding off of the path so each man used his own particular method of calling and after a minute or two, they were mounted and heading back to the camp. To the mercenary's amusement, Ben sidled his mare next to Odin's. He was too far to hear but that didn't matter. He had things to think about.
"So what is this I may have got myself into?" Ben asked when Odin turned to him.
OOC - Okay, so I was going to write them entering camp but thought Rachel might want to write a response so I kinda left it up to her. Otherwise, I'll probably pull the story forward until they are preparing for bed with a Sai'a post. Also, concerning Ben... he's one of those characters that will be around but not posted much, if that's okay with you. If you think I have too many then just say so and I won't mind leaving him behind at all. He has no real significance and he's not permanent, just a whim I guess.
