It was an utterly miserable and disheartening site, Qbad decided, to see a once bustling city so empty. The gate swung haphazardly in the dusty wind, their creaking message of abandonment and loneliness clearly broadcast for all to hear through the only occupant of the town that Qbad could find was a mangy mutt digging through the trash in the gutter.

Qbad despondently set aside his previous hopes of smooth, red wine and soft, easy women, unbuckling the strap on his sword as he knew only one reason for such a hasty evacuation. And here he'd been hoping to rest first before throwing himself back in the large melee that this war was fast becoming. Fighting was all well and good but a man's got to sheathe his sword sometime.

The eerie silence of the town was suddenly broken by the faint cry of "Lusitanians!" Qbad narrowed his eyes grimly and marched resolutely towards the sound's origin, the briny smell of the sea getting closer with each step. If he absolutely had to fight, might as well get it over with.

The docks turned out to be a bit further than he'd thought but he was pleased to note that he'd still arrived in time. Completely prepared to meet the cowardly curs in red cloaks full on, Qbad firmly planted himself in the center of the street, his stance wide, a brazen challenge for anyone to attack him. ...Which, much to his surprise, just didn't happen.

"What the bloody hell?" he growled. "Look you--!" He broke off as he suddenly realized why the Lusitanians weren't attacking--they had bigger fish to fry as they were dropping left and right, the throaty twang of a bow singing through the air.

"Who's shooting at us?" a commander shouted. Qbad eyed the guy from across the open square. What a bloody genius; any fool should have been able to hear the pounding of hooves galloping up from the left.

Deciding to see how the scene would play out, Qbad shut his mouth and watched the street from which the steady thrumming was originating. What emerged from between the buildings however, parted his lips once more in an appreciative grin. He clicked his tongue against his teeth as he eyed the warrior riding into the dock area. The man had style, Qbad had to give him that, riding into the heat of battle like some sort of avenging god, his long brown hair blown back by the speed of the horse that he steered with only his knees. In the few seconds that it had taken the man to ride in the area, Qbad had watched him nock one arrow, aim, fire, pull his horse up, spin another arrow up against the bow and nock it again.

Amazing, Qbad thought, simply amazing. He's got more than just style, he's actually good. Qbad watched the warrior for a few more seconds before he decided that he couldn't let the man have all the fun. He picked up the nearest enemy soldier and bodily threw him into at another fighter; one that was just coincidently aiming at the mounted newcomer. The action served the purpose of getting the Lusitanians' attention as well as saving the stranger, and successfully entered Qbad into the battle. Qbad cracked his knuckles and gripped the stout sword strapped to his hip, slinging it over his shoulder striding further into the square. "I'd hoped to find wine and women here after three weary days traveling on the road," he said bluntly. "I came without aggression but now you're going to pay for disappointing me!"

That said, he threw himself at the closest soldier who charged, shouting back "All you'll find here is cold steel!" or something to that effect. Qbad couldn't be sure exactly what he'd said but it didn't seem to matter as in approximately two seconds the man and one of his friends were dead, slain by two quick stokes of Qbad blade.

Out of the corner of his eye, Qbad saw the stranger leap off the back of his horse onto a building and flip himself over to another before coming to rest behind Qbad. Evidently he knew a good vantage point when he saw it. Qbad was a little dazed about how acrobatic the man was but recovered quickly. "What is your name?" he asked.

The man didn't even blink. "I am Merlein." He pulled his bow back, letting another arrow fly, unerringly hitting a Lusitanian who promptly fell into the sea.

Qbad didn't know why, but for some reason he felt the need to make small talk. He wasn't sure if it was to lighten the mood or an honest attempt at getting the man to reveal more about himself. "You shoot well." /Good one, Qbad,/ he thought. /That's only the understatement of the century./ He took out his rising aggression on the two soldiers in front of him, cutting them both down.

Qbad didn't expect Merlein to answer so he was surprised when the warrior said "I pride myself that I am the second best bowman within the borders of Pars." He aimed another arrow and released it.

Second best? Qbad paused slightly. "And to whom do you give the prize of being the best?"

Merlein kept firing off his arrows as he replied. "I don't know such a man though I imagine that somewhere he may exist."

Qbad grinned. He was starting to like this kid--style, skill, and attitude, all with a simple, unfakable honesty that made the traits quite endearing. Qbad watched as Merlein shot one more arrow, skewing a soldier climbing a large ship in the harbor before he finished the battle, cutting down the last soldier with a single slice.

They stood for a few minutes, scouting for any possible stragglers. After that, Qbad decided that all the Lusitanians that were able to had ran away and sheathed his sword. Realizing that he'd never told his newfound ally his name, Qbad held out a hand. "I am known as Qbad." Merlein eyed the proffered limb warily as if wondering what to do with it so Qbad grabbed the warrior's right hand and shook it vigorously. He didn't bother feeling offended when Merlein all but snatched his arm back, pulling away from Qbad's grip. He was willing to allow the man some leniency about manners on account of Merlein's skill with a bow.

Qbad was about to invite Merlein on a search to find a drink when two soldiers ran up. They were cloaked in white and blue but Qbad and Merlein weren't taking any chances; the soldiers were greeted with a broadsword and an arrow pointed at their hearts. One of the soldiers drew back in fear but his friend obviously had more courage as he held his hands up to show his lack of a sword and approached the two warriors. "Peace my friends," he called. "We come with a request from the Madame Johanna of Maruyamu. She wishes you to join her and her mistress about their ship."

Automatically adopting his political mask, Qbad regarded the soldier with a slightly bored look, still keeping his sword steady. "Why?" he asked bluntly. That was the best way to cut through aristocratic babble and red tape--something Qbad had no patience for. The soldier was momentarily speechless. Obviously he'd expected his message to be received with open arms. "She has a proposal for you, good sirs."

Unimpressed, Qbad deadpanned, "Does she?" The soldier cowering in terror behind his braver counterpart nodded enthusiastically but both remained silent. "About what?"

"I'm afraid Madame doesn't discuss her reasons with us."

Oh yes, Qbad remembered that particular attitude of the nobility. Why bother wasting breath on the troops; they wouldn't understand, after all--too much higher thinking involved and all they really had to do was obey. Qbad sighed and looked at Merlein who lowered his bow slightly and shrugged. Oh well, Qbad thought, maybe the nobles would have some good wine on their ship. "Take us to her then," he said, lowering his sword and sheathing it at his hip.

The braver soldier turned on his heel, walking to pier where a small rowboat was waiting. During the walk he looked over his shoulder a few times as if he was making sure that Qbad and Merlein were following him. Qbad had entertained the idea of leaving just to see what the soldier would do, but then he'd thought that might be childish, even for him. One of the soldiers climbed into the rowboat, grabbing the oars, while his partner ushered Qbad and Merlein onboard before shoving off and jumping aboard himself.

Qbad lowered himself down in the center of the boat, leaning towards the left as he sprawled. If he was going on this trip he was sure as hell going to enjoy himself. Merlein on the other hand went immediately towards the bow to stand like a living figure head, staring out at sea. Qbad studied him for a minute before deciding to finish the conversation that they'd almost had on shore, telling Merlein about himself whether the man liked it or not. "Up till six months ago I was a barron marshal of Pars. Some call me the one-eyed lion, while others now dead call me an empty braggart."

Merlein didn't look back at Qbad but apparently he was accepting this line of discussion. "I am the son of Heltach, the chieftain of the Zotto clan."

Slightly surprised, though Qbad knew by now he really shouldn't be by now, Qbad eyed Merlein. "Huh. I have heard it said you people are a mountain race. So what are you dong here beside the ocean?" Mountain people were notorious for disliking the ocean; Qbad personally thought it had something to do with the ability to swim.... Which just might explain why Merlein was so tense.

If Merlein was contemplating his chances of being able to make the shore if he fell out of the boat, he didn't show it in his voice. "I came to these parts seeking my sister."

Not knowing quite what to say to that, Qbad settled for "Oh" and let it drop. Merlein didn't offer anything more about himself. He seemed to be quite comfortable with silence and Qbad was willing to allow him that.

Before too long they were pulling up beside the ship anchored in the harbor and the soldiers were lowering down the rope ladder for them to climb up. Qbad let Merlein go first out of a purely selfish desire to watch the warrior's rear end as he scaled the side of the ship. Nice, Qbad decided as he followed. Very nice, actually. Merlein didn't notice Qbad's appraisal, however, or Qbad was sure he would be treated to a very annoyed glare.

More soldiers joined the original escort as they lead Qbad and Merlein deeper into the hold of the ship. When they reached the ornately carved doors that Qbad knew could only be their destination however, only two followed them inside to stand on either side of the door. An old woman was inside the room, standing in front of a filmy white curtain. Her white hair was pulled up into a bun and her hands were folded sedately in front of her pink dress. Qbad put his hands on his hips. This did not look promising. On his left, Qbad saw Merlein cross his arms, completely bored as he looked back towards the door, no doubt wishing he was on the other side.

The woman greeted them with a smile. "I am Madame Johanna, the chief lady-in-waiting of the royal Maruyamu court." Qbad was quite unimpressed. Why was it royalty all thought you had to grovel before them? Qbad barely respected his own country's royalty and that meant that all foreign nobles and their subsequent lackeys got little to no respect at all. Qbad felt you had to earn that. "Are you?" he said emotionlessly.

Jovanna looked a bit concerned at his lack of a reaction. She decided to skip the small talk and get directly to the point. "My mistress is in desperate need of your help."

Qbad was still unimpressed. "Is she?"

Johanna's smile slipped a little and she tried her last tactic: the emotional plea. "Sailing on this boat is the last of a noble royal line. Her lands have been overrun by Lucitanian invaders."

Merlein suddenly uncrossed his arms. "I'm going," he said simply.

He had turned towards the door before Qbad could get over his surprise and ask, "What's the matter?" Qbad didn't want to lose his only ally just because said ally was bored.

Qbad felt a little twinge of irrational pleasure when Merlein turned back to face him. "I rarely refuse to help those who need me but royalty's of no interest to me." Qbad felt the first grin since he had boarded the ship tugging at his mouth.

Johanna felt otherwise. Her smile finally dropped as she resorted to pleading. "Do not leave young man."

Qbad knew it was wishful thinking but he couldn't help noticing that Merlein seemed to hesitate a second, his gaze trained on Qbad's before he turned to her. "I have better things to do then help princesses regain the power they've lost. They've become tyrants on their thrones and I won't sacrifice strength or waste my time for them."

The silence after that little statement was deafening. Qbad started grinning from ear to ear. The grin disappeared, however, the minute that he heard the female voice coming from behind the curtain. Now they were really in for it, damn it.

The disembodied voice was silvery in it's soft questioning. "Johanna?"

"Oh, yes your highness," Johana replied, immediately pulling back the curtain. A vision in pink with blonde hair, face covered by a white veil, sitting on plump cushions was revealed. "May I present her highness, Princess Irina." The Princess pulled back her veil, uncovering her apparently blind eyes and turned her face towards where she'd heard the male voices.

Qbad's expression turned downright grim as he took in the princess and Merlein's reaction to her. The kid was obviously reconsidering his position; caving in just like the princess wanted. Damn but Qbad hated when women did this.

When Princess Irina spoke, her tones were slow and measured. "Great warriors of Pulsa. It is very important that I meet the great lord Hermes, can you take me to him?"

'Prince Hermes' perked Qbad's ears. "Prince Hermes," he repeated.

"...yes." The princess, while perfectly willing to manipulate Qbad and Merlein into going on her mission seemed very reluctant to reveal anything about herself, preferring to say only as much as she deemed necessary.

Qbad fixed her with his best 'don't fuck with me stare.' He knew he was very good at such stares especially since he had the sometimes convenient scar that closed his left eye. "May we know why it's so vital for you to arrange this meeting with the Prince?"

Irina put him back into his place. "It is enough to say that the Prince is very important to me." With that, the conversation was over--they'd evidently hit a sore spot--and Qbad and Merlein escorted outside the room 'think it over' and told that they were welcome to stay the night whatever their decision.

It was Merlein who spoke first. "Do you know this Prince Hermes?"

It was a question that Qbad thought had been bothering him ever since the conversation with the princess so Qbad answered honestly and as completely as he could. "No, but there's a noble lord called Sam I know of old." The memories started to take over and Qbad's tone became quiet. "He's an honorable lord whom I respect. Our lives took different paths as he became Prince Hermes lieutenant."

Merlein was obviously seriously reconsidering the whole idea. "Maybe I ought to go back on what I said and help the princess to find him." To here him say it out loud caused Qbad a little bit of surprise; he hadn't thought that Merlein was that far along in changing his mind. Qbad's mind raced for an excuse, he didn't want this kid rushing blindly to save a blind princess, especially one as manipulative as Irina could be. "But there's your sister to find. You surely aren't going to forget her?" Merlein actually looked at him for that comment, though it was only a quick glance out the corner of his eye. "Princess Irina's blind. My sister isn't." Qbad let it drop. "Right Merlein." Qbad paused a moment, making up his mind. "Well, if that's your intention, I'll come and help you. I'd already made my mind up to go to Peshawald to join Prince Arislan's army." He might let the kid help the princess but he wasn't going to let him go alone, at least until he was sure Merlein could handle himself. Qbad quirked an eyebrow as he looked Merlein up and down, a predatory grin twisting his mouth. Besides, he just might get something good out of it. After all, Qbad thought, a man had to sheathe his sword sometime, even archers had to agree about that.

As if feeling Qbad's leer, Merlein turned his head in Qbad's direction. The leer disappeared immediately but Merlein gave him a suspicious look nonetheless before continuing the conversation thread. "I don't know what Hermes looks like so how shall we recognize him?"

"I don't know what he looks like, either but we'll know," Merlein's eyebrows rose slightly in a concerned look, "when we find him as he always wears a sliver mask which is unusual. Not many princes wear a face mask." A picture of a horned mask of silver rose in Qbad's mind. He'd only heard about it so far and wasn't too keen on seeing it first hand but if that was what Merlein wanted, well them so be it. The man had impressed him enough to earn that.

Merlein's voice was more curious than suspicious when he asked, "How do you know that he wears this mask?" Qbad felt an internal grin; it sounded like Merlein was starting to trust him if only a little.

Not feeling like explaining himself right then, Qbad turned back towards the sea "I just know."

Merlein's gaze was fixated on Qbad's profile. "You're very strange," he said bluntly.

Qbad looked back at him. That's what some people call it, he thought and was forced to look upwards lest Merlein see the laughter in his eyes. "Hmmm. So I've often been told." He looked back out to see, not bothering to control his laughter anymore.

Merlein turned back towards the sea. "Very strange."

Qbad laughed even harder. He wanted to show Merlein exactly how 'strange' he could be but he figured that would take a lot more coaxing on his part. The young warrior was entirely too skittish to do anything otherwise.