Private Tales Brontide

[Smiling One]

It was a good thing Willis knew how to read and write. Though the Age of Chronicles saw a huge spike in literacy recently thanks to a concerted effort by scholars to seriously chronicle every even in history, there's still a good chunk of people who are still illiterate especially sellswords. Most of them treat reading like learning a second language tough and just something to not get into. "That was another way for the college to prevent cutthroats from coming in," Willis thought while he followed Philippa to human resources.

Reading was an necessity to become a Monster Hunter, reading contracts written clients and reading books about monsters and their habitats and weakness were a must as well as brewing Monster Hunting potions which required a person to read instructions. At first the Monster Hunter organization didn't allow anyone in unless they could read at a basic level though given their high mortality rate they eventually relented. The Monster Hunter candidates though were required to take a class about the bare basics of reading. It was considered to be the toughest lesson compared to understanding Monster Biology.

The young man groaned, this will take hours to sign these wavers. Who the fuck actually has time to read every single detail of the many parchments? The last time Willis signed so many wavers it was in that Toad Expedition that turned out to be a disaster Willis just didn't pay attention to what he was signing he just signed his name to hurry the process and he can get paid. Willis understood that the College wanted to cover their ass and not be liable for anything that went wrong but for fucks sake this was tedious.

Willis tried not to focus on that but rather on Phillipa and the way she walked. Her hips swaying left and right and her heels clicking against the stone floor. She showed a decent amount of skin though Willis thought she saw some scars. Part of Willis wondered where they came from. Was it due to an accident given that Philippa is a mage, accidents do happen but still it didn't detract from the lovely figure. "Her ass," Willis thought smirking. "Those hips."

All of that came crashing down when Willis entered the Human Resources department. "Fuck!" Willis groaned and then turned to see Philippa leaving as well. "Fuck!" He said as he saw doe eyed young female Dwarf staring up at him.

"Please sit," she said in a crisp tone pointing Willis to a wooden table with a mountain of paperwork stacked neatly. "Professor Gawkroger informed me of your job via magical scope," she said. "First please fill out the necessary wavers to proceed with the task."

"You know," Willis said. "A magical scope could go a long way to helping the people of Arethril. Imagine how fast communication can be. We wouldn't need letters!"

He was mostly trying to cheer himself up. The Dwarf though said nothing as Willis sighed and lumbered over to the papers, dipped his quill into a ink bottle and began signing away. It took about 2 hours to finish until Willis saw Philippa ready retrieve him. "I've missed you too sweetheart," the young man grumbled getting up and rubbing his hand. "Here to escort me out of the school? I knew you couldn't resist me." Willis smirked as the Dwarf waved her hand as the stacks of papers disappeared.

"Your map sir," the map that Professor Gawkroger used earlier appeared in a purple flash floating in front of Willis. It was wrapped neatly with the school sigil melted on to the wax that held the map together.

Willis nodded in thanks, grabbed the map from the air and placed the rolled map into his little black bag. "Right I guess I'm off," he said.

 

[Phillipa Ebonheart]

His sweetheart comment got an eye twitch from her as the dwarf woman glanced towards the teacher now properly dressed per usual. Her brow knitted together a moment as he spoke of her escorting him out of the school, a moment of disbelief about her as she believed she had misread the offer.

"I thought I would be going with you. But if you would prefer to go alone that would be alright as well I suppose. Going alone would have cut your paperwork down dramatically." Phillipa chuckled to herself, now amused at the turn of events. She turned as if leaving him at the front door for just a moment before being unable to stifle her own laugh.

"Anyhow, you've wasted the time on the paperwork." Phillipa huffed, turning back around and walking outside. "Might as well accompany you."

 

[Smiling One]

"Wait what?" Willis was a little shocked at the fact that Philippa was actually going with him?! "I mean sure I prefer less paperwork." Willis said a blush beginning to form around his cheeks. "But to realize that I signed a document allowing you to accompany me on this job? You must be really in to me."

Looks like he had to read the paperwork in front of him. Of course Phillipa tried to joke about doing less paper which elicited a chuckle from the young man. It seemed he was right about raven haired beauty, she did have a sense adventure. To get back on the road after just returning to the College did show how eager she was to travel. After all Phillppa did mention she was been all over Arethril.

"Well Mister Reede," The young Dwarf said. "Page 156 of the contract you've just signed says that you gave your consent to have Lady Ebonheart watch over you. You are dealing with a potentially dangerous item one that can have serious consequences to our world. A prophecy that is mishandled in any way could shift the course of time and space."

Even though Willis is a well-read man, some aspects of magic escapes him at times. "Yeah advanced magical shit," he muttered towards the young Dwarf.

"Lady Ebonheart is not only an excellent Professor but also an Acquisition Expert. She is to accompany you in your journey to test you. To see if you can handle a dangerous artifact and deliverer it safely to the College."

Willis stared at Philippa with an eyebrow raised. "So what you're babysitting me now?" He asked incredulously.

"Also as you signed on page 417." The Dwarf stated. "You are stating that if you give in to temptation and become possessed, you commit heinous crimes, or you try to tamper with the Prophecy in any way. Lady Ebonheart will have the option to kill you and the College will not be held liable for your death."

"WHAT?!" Willis said jumping back. He REALLY needed to read the paperwork.

"But as you said Mister Reede," the Dwarf said. "You do have experience with magical items. Lady Ebonheart is to report your performance after the mission. If you perform exceptionally well then you are free to do missions for the College with 1/3rd of the paperwork gone."

"Oh great," Willis sighed. "I feel so much better now."

"Gods watch over you," The young Dwarf bowed and left the two near the gate.

Willis stared at Phillipa looking bemused. "All right," he said. "I'll read the fucking papers next time. Let's go!"

 

[Phillipa Ebonheart]

Her crooked smile was only made devious by the revelation of information that he had signed without reading. It got her to laugh a little at his statement.

"Whenever it comes to items of magical properties I babysit most all of the hired hands. Allows my department to call on you later without questions of character, and also attests to your ability if I sign off on it. Besides, contracts without me needing to be present tend to pay almost double." Phillipa informed him.

When the bit about not being held liable for his death came up, she waved a hand towards him in a dismissing fashion.

"Shouldn't be a worry for you though. You handled the hag just fine after all. A little thing such as this shouldn't be anything to troubling." She affirmed. "Typical paperwork for any freelancers that we contract, and it wouldn't be right to make any exceptions under the circumstances."

 

[Smiling One]

Willis wasn’t aware that sellswords were being watched over by handlers such as Phillippa. Many mercs that Willis had known over the years would hate being watched over by someone they didn’t know. Most mercenaries preferred to either work alone or with their group any strangers would be met with suspicion and discomfort. The fact that a watcher would be observing them would cause any mercenary to not take the college as their clients.

“Shit,” Willis thought. “From asshole guards to mountains of paperwork and now a fucking watcher. The College might as well put up a sign that says: No Sellswords allowed!”

As beautiful as Phillippa is Willis can’t help but feel uncomfortable as well. He preferred to work alone and Philippa tagging along to watch his every move just made him feel uneasy even if Philippa insisted that everything should be fine.

“I just think,” Willis smirked as the two of them walked towards the gates. “That you just can’t let a handsome guy like me out of your sight.”

As they walked passed the sneering guards Willis met earlier in which the young man shot a smug look back, Willis and Philippa began to walk through the College District heading straight for the woodlands.

“So Lady Ebonheart?” Willis said placing his hands on the back of his head. “Have you’ve ever trekked through the Woodlands?”

 

[Phillipa Ebonheart]

His observation of the guidelines and strict watch of hired hands made her smile and shake her head. "We wouldn't have to have all of these guidelines and paperwork if it weren't for early sell-swords making off with rare, powerful, and dangerous items to sell on the black market. Our trust in people outside of the College was shattered in regards to item handling."

She waved a hand, tilting her head to one side as she continued.

"Easy enough to hold a student accountable for their actions given that they pay a tuition and sign an agreement stating they will be held accountable for their actions to the highest possible forms of punishment or sentencing. The College is a place of learning, but we will not be taken advantage of by those we allow to be students, or those that cosign to us for work." Phillipa explained politely, emphasizing the points of punishment for both outside helpers and students. His comment about being let out of her sight made her huff a laugh.

"Oh, so very handsome. I don't know whatever I shall do with myself." Her tone was honeyed with sarcasm, casting a side eyed glance at him as they walked outside. Once outside, he asked about her ventures, which made her chuckle.

"Yes, I prefer woodland to sea side to be honest. Sea water is a mixed blessing, great for the skin but it makes rocks and the like damn slippery to walk on." She shrugged. "You?"

 

[Smiling One]

Well that made sense sellswords were notorious for being unreliable which was why they were sneered at by nobles. Sometime of course Willis found ironic since the those rich assholes have been stealing lands for years. They just justify it by saying that it was their great, great ancestor or some shit. Still the reality was that all this extra caution by the College was understandable but still annoying. The Black Market in Alliria was full of magical items for sale anyway so it wasn't like the College was doing a bang up job of preserving them anyway.

There were children: An Elf, A Halfling and a Human playing kickball in the streets right in front of Willis and Philppa. The young man chuckled a bit, it was nice seeing children play without a care in the world. That wasn't what Willis had when he was child. "Ah shit," Willis thought. "There I go again remembering that damn kid again. Fucking pathetic....."

The last thing Willis wanted to remember was his own past. That was done, the boy was dead and replaced by Willis Reede. Today he was here with a Raven haired marvel by his side that was what mattered not that pathetic snot nosed shithead who begged in the docks of Alliria. "Well you've admitted that I'm handsome," the young man smiled. "The next thing Is to admit that you're falling in love me."

And there's another thing: love. Willis loved being with women and was promiscuous but rarely in love. The women he truly loved ended in disaster. Phillipa was a woman that already shared qualities that he loved. Beautiful, tough, independent, a love for adventure and excitement. She really was making it hard for him to resist her.

Especially her comment on the Woodlands.

"Woo there Lady Ebonheart!" The young man laughed at Philippa treating the Woodlands as some leisurely stroll in the meadows. "The Woodlands ain't a place of sunshine and rainbows. More like death and despair full of creatures ready to kill you the moment you enter.

The Woodlands or the Wildlands as some travelers called is a large land of trees that separate it from Elbion. Normally it'll be easier to cut through the Woodlands to get to Elbion but the Woodlands are full of danger from powerful creatures such as Cockatrices, Liches, Banshees and other rare and obscure but powerful monster that lurk in there. It was place of danger and intrigue for the College of Elbion with many mysterious buildings have excavated from there.

Not too long ago, Willis along with a small team joined an expedition to find an extinct race of Toad Sages. It didn't go well to say the least with half of the team dying but at least they found out that the Toad Sages still lived! Many travelers rather take the long route or charter a boat rather than go to the Woodlands. It's considered cursed lands.

"You know Phillipa?" Willis smirked. "I find the fact that you find the Woodlands more relaxing than the sea is quite intriguing. The Sea represents life and freedom from a cruel world, but I respect that you rather brave the Woodlands. It makes me fall for you more. I love women with balls and shit you have biggest set of balls that I've seen."

He still couldn't get over the fact though that she would turn down the sea. Willis loved the sea, it really did represent freedom to him. Every day as a child, Willis would stare at the sea at the horizon wondering, hoping that it would carry him away from Alliria. He was blessed to do so and in many ways the sea had saved his life and it showed him a world without limitations, without borders without his mother...…...

A ball came flying towards Phillipa's face. Thankfully Willis snapped back to reality and grabbed the ball just before it hit her face. Willis smirked at the young woman gripping the ball. "You're welcome," he said as he tossed back the ball. "Be careful," he said tossing the ball to the giggling kids as they ran off.

"Come on," he said. "Let's get to the Bloody Gate. It'll be faster to travel to the Woodlands through there."

 

[Phillipa Ebonheart]

Phillipa rolled her eyes at his comment. Even sarcasm wasn't going to dissuade the man from being flirty it seemed. "It will be quite a feat to make me ever utter those words. And I am sure the world itself will collapse upon my speaking them."

The words weren't biting, seemingly aimed at him while her smile withered. The children ahead made her uncomfortable, and she made sure to try and put Willis between herself and them. Not before their ball came at her though and her gut response was to reach for the knife hidden behind her back. Fixing her hand to her side, she gave him a nod before speaking again.

"Of course I'd be more comfortable there, the woodlands are were monsters belong." She said finally in a quiet voice. She followed behind him, eyes fixed on a point. Having finally rid the world of her father had made her pensive, and the thoughts were becoming intrusive.

Having been face to face with the person she absolutely hated and yet strived to be better than. To exceed their expectations and what? Throw it in his face or to laugh and tote her own triumphs? The man was dead now, and with him all her efforts. She hadn't even got the joy of being there when he died. Drained of all energy and life with whatever wicked contract he had made to extend his own life as he had always aimed to do.

Maybe it hadn't been a good idea to come out after all she thought to herself. She gave Willis a glance before rubbing her fingers together in nervous habit. She was used to people being attracted to her. She had used it to her advantage more than once. Being unbalanced with her own thoughts had made it hard to ignore the words this time though.

And it made her uncomfortable to think about herself in any good light.

 

[Smiling One]

There was something about Philippa that seemed off. Willis raised an eyebrow when she replied that she would be more comfortable hanging around the Woodlands because it was where the monsters belonged. Given that Willis is an experienced Monster Hunter the first thing that came to his head was that Philippa was a monster in disguise like a Bruxa though that was unlikely. Bruxas were too bloodthirsty to be in disguise for that long and besides there were telltale signs that a person was actually a Bruxa be it their strong odor that smells like a rotting corpse or their aversion to sunlight like Vampires.

It could be a possibility that Philippa is actually a Doppler. Dopplers or mimics are master shapeshifters who like to blend in with society and can sometimes cause trouble due to their mischievous nature. However Dopplers were mostly harmless and even friendly they just want to be around people. "It could that she has low self-esteem," Willis thought. The way she spoke wasn't the confident, snarky tone she displayed hours ago. It was somber full of pain and regret once again Willis thought about the scars she displayed at Professor Gawkroger's room. He can't help but feel it had something to do with it.

Philippa hid behind Willis nervously playing with her fingers. When the ball nearly hit her, Willis briefly saw that the young woman reached for her daggers. "I know some who don't like children," he thought. "But that's going a little too far."

Considering that Willis knew people who took things too far in his professions.

"Yeah the reason why the world will probably collapse my raven haired beauty," he said. "Is because it can't handle the weight of our attraction to one another."

The young man shrugged. "Monster Hunters protect both worlds if there is one thing I've learned is that even the most vicious monsters pale in comparison to the cruelties of people. Throughout my life, I've seen brutal murders, rape, tortures and atrocities that are so heinous it makes me think that we might need to redefine our definition of monsters."

Human history, Elven history, Dwarven history. Don't matter which race all of them committed horrible acts to each other since the Age Of Urogosh. It hasn't changed then and it seems it's getting worse now. "In the beginning Monster Hunters were created to fight evil." Willis said. "But I'll admit Philippa sometimes it's hard to fight evil when the real monsters hide behind laws, ideals or social status."

The two of them were halfway to the Bloody Gate when Willis smiled at Philppa. "I'm a good judge of character," he said. "I haven't known you long Philippa but you're no monster. I can see it in your eyes and the eyes never lie."

 

[Phillipa Ebonheart]

"I'm just...tired I guess." She said quickly to avoid talking it about further. The last thing that she wanted to delve into was the reason a woman of high standing was suddenly as edgy as a man on the run looking over his shoulder. Swallowing the lump in her throat in time to listen to his comment of attraction.

She snorted, still unsteady at even thinking about being attracted to someone. Never mind actually being the topic of it now.

"People are indeed truly more frightening than what we consider monsters. And far more difficult to hunt." She agreed with his view on the word and the need to perhaps add to it. "The real monsters know their game, it's the only reason that they have been successful. Monsters in the wild don't have the ability to hide like the ones among us do."

They had traveled a little ways before he spoke again, proclaiming himself a good judge of character. Sighing, she didn't fight the subject and instead shifted it to a different topic.

"So what can we expect of our current prize?" She hedged, now keenly aware of his gaze and smile. She fidgeted with her fingers once more. "You would have the better idea I should assume."

 

[Smiling One]

"Well some of them do," Willis replied referring to Philippa's statement. "Some wild Monsters are better at blending into society than others." If there was one thing that did annoy Willis at times was that Monsters were just like people: Some were good, some were bad and some just want to be left alone. It just made things complicated Willis was more than aware that there were shades of grey in life and things weren't that simple.

"Instead of magic balls and swords," Willis said to Phillipa. "It's the Quill and words that reach the heart of people. Power has many forms and those with power sadly abuse those who are powerless."

It's why Willis hated the nobility, their decisions affects the common people. A married couple can separate and there won't too much commotion other than the couple's furiously fighting. A noble tries for divorce and it's a fucking civil war which causes the deaths of thousands. Normally that means more coin for mercs like Willis but he can't comprehend the stupidity of it all.

At least Willis gets paid a bunch of coin out of it all. But wars raised but lustful nobles affect nobody worst than the commoners.

Willis smiled at Phillipa, she did look cute with all that fidgeting she was doing. "My lovely Phillipa," he said approaching the Bloody Gate. "You look cute when you're fidgeting with your fingers. On a serious note though I expect the only challenge is getting past the Monsters that are in the Woodlands. Many expeditions in the Woodlands end in disaster."

But with an experienced Monster Hunter and a mage, navigating the Woodlands should a bit easier. Then again Willis traveled with a band of experienced warriors and mages and they all barely survived the trek. "A prophecy is very rare," Willis said crossing his arms. "Locating it is difficult and it doesn't have that many uses aside from setting up very rare high level curses."

Willis doubted some adventurer would find use of a prophecy, the young man looked and saw guards inspecting travelers things. "Ah Bloody Gate," he said. "Named after the huge battle that took place 20 years ago. The current City Guard Captain: Albert lead an attack against the former Captain: Harold in a rebellion which allegedly put an end to the corrupt guard. Which we all know that's bullshit. The battle took place around this gate, where many legendary Knights and soldiers fought and died. Citizens were caught in the crossfire and blood spilled to out side the gate."

The young man sighed. "But enough about my history lessons my lovely raven," he said. "We got a Prophecy to retrieve."

 

[Phillipa Ebonheart]

She nodded, conceding the point towards his small amendment that some could indeed hide well within the populace. There was usually tell tale signs that the person in question was a being other than human, but a keen eye and attention to detail were typically needed to play spot the fake when it came to that game. Her eyes took a distant hazy look for a moment as he mentioned the abuse of power.

She had done that more than a few times in order to get what she wanted. Blackmail, threats of expulsion, or even leaning on someone hard enough to begin questioning the method. She had done plenty of that. To her colleagues more so, since they were established powers and had thin grasps on their standings within the college.

To her students she had made herself into the evil of the world. Making herself seem like the worst kind of person, with the connections, the beauty, and the social rank to back up her bark. She wanted her students well prepared for the world, and for the vile things that hid away waiting to snare the unexpected.

She wanted them to have the best advantage in life. To have the know how to deal with the sorts of people that held sway like she did, to know they could either hold their temper or find out how to have the upper hand. And while she didn't want them to be taken advantage of, she couldn't help but repeat what had been done to her to some degree.

With Willis beside her now speaking of it, she began to question just how far was too far. She blinked a few times, drawing a deep breath and painting a smirk on her face as she glanced at him.

"Those with power do abuse it, whether they wish to or not. Sometimes with good intentions, but poor execution. Other times with all the evil intent possible. And some are lucky enough to know the how and the when to be actually genuine good people, though that is seldom the case." Phillipa half admitted while condemning herself in the same breath.

His comment about her looking cute washed away the small smirk that had appeared. She clenched her hands to quit fidgeting and side eyed him for a moment as he commented about the woods.

"Many yes. However, most people use swords and bows when fighting them. And if it comes to mages, they tend to use rather bland spells." She informed him with a smirk, pulling a ball bearing from her pocket. "On the other hand, one of these coming at you three times the speed of an arrow tends to rip and tear a bit better. And I do hope that we have decent luck then." She pocketed the ball bearing and smiled a bit more genuinely thinking about her magic.

The smile dissipated with the name Harold however.

"Ah, yes, former Captain Harold." She spat venom with the name, a wicked light coming into her eyes. "A close associate of my fathers. A shame how he died."

The man had perished with a gout of flame that burned his heart from the inside out, leaving the organ charred and black but intact. A mortician had to be called in to determine the exact cause of death as he had flopped over in pain and died out on the streets. Phillipa knew all to well how he had died however.

Phillipa's mother had informed her of the man's tie to her father shortly after she had attained the title of Acquisitions. The man had allowed her father into the cities jail, and given him details on how to avoid being captured should he ever need to leave Elbion quietly.

Least mom was nice enough to end it quickly, a wicked grin flashed for a brief moment while she finished the thought, not that his soul ever found rest.

"History is important. It serves as a reminder for the future. Without details however, we are bound to repeat it over and over in an endless cycle." Phillipa offered, giving him the husk of a smile once more. "But yes, we do have a prophecy to find."

 

[Smiling One]

Captain Harold was known to be the most corrupt Guard Captain in the history of Elbion. He used the city as a way to control his criminal racketeering, drugs, illegal fights and bribery. Captain Harold had close friends amongst the ability and the merchant council that they had the power to look the other way. It didn't help that some of them were purchasing drugs from Harold. Piracy, corruption, smuggling were at an all time high with Harold as Guard Captain who was started off as a mercenary.

Not much was known about Harold, he didn't have a last name and an old interview with a student from the College of Elbion he claimed to be the son of a Blacksmith living near the docks of Elbion. He married once to an Elven woman but the two separated after 5 years in which according to what Willis head, Harold still loved her. Harold was killed by Albert: His protégé and probably the closest person he had to a son in a fierce battle near the bloody gate. Harold didn't go down fighting though, he took down two legendary Knights of Elbion: Edward Warwick and his daughter: Jenna along side many others.

"Well you're nobility," Willis said toe Philippa as they exited Elbion. "That means Harold was on your father's payroll. Harold was a man who indulged in his excess. We learned but given the lax guards we have in this city. I don't think the lesson stuck with them."

He didn't tell Phillipa of the smuggling he did as well as having some guards to bribe when it comes things like illegal fighting. Best not to keep in the dark for the sake of the mission. "So what did Harold give your father?" Willis asked raising an eyebrow. "Red Powder, Crystal? Those kind of drugs?"

 

[Phillipa Ebonheart]

"My mother is nobility, that filth-ahem-" Phillipa cut herself off quickly with a stern cough, striking a vein of thoughts she had not wanted to get into. "My father was a well established man of medicine, but it was never his money he wasted. And lessons do not stick for very long. Much like shit on the shore." Phillipa sighed.

When asked what her father was supplied, she grimaced.

"No drugs actually. Access to the jails. As I said, he was a man of medicine and likely helped that community greatly with his...questionable methods under a blind eye. He produced results, but he got them at the cost of his humanity." She informed him, both hands fidgeting to some degree. Her eyes fixed on another point ahead of them while she spoke. "Part of why he was run out of town a few years after the battle."

She glanced at him once more before speaking again.

"You seem to be well informed of that event. Are you a part time historian aside from a monster hunter?" She asked, once again trying to change the topic.

 

[Smiling One]

Willis began to place his hands over his head while he heard Phillipa speak. His eyebrows crinkled into a frown when she nearly called her father filthy. The young woman had a rough childhood he could see the brief flash of pain on Phillipa's face. Willis could tell that memories were probably threatening to resurface and she's trying snuff it out. Willis knew what was it like, he did his damndest to forget childhood. Just thinking about bought pain to the young man. It reminded Willis how weak he was, how lost and fearful stumbling around docks begging for his bastard Mother to bring him back.

He sighed trying to listen to what Phillipa had to say. Willis didn't want to open old wounds with her, what she probably went through was something that was painful to her. People go through a lot of shit yeah even the fucking nobles. Still Willis learned that it was best to let people handle their issues by themselves. "Necromancer huh?" Willis asked Phillipa in regards to her father. "Your father sounds like many crazy Necromancers I've killed. They always say I'm trying to bring back the dead only to bring about the Zombie Apocalypse."

Necromancy is one of the more controversial schools of magic. The ability to raise the dead was considered to be sacrilegious for many cultures and has been a hot topic of debate by magic users even the Monster Hunters. Those who practice Necromancy usually do so to revive loved ones, to prolong their lifespan and to master death. They usually become Liches who are considered to be the most powerful undead with some being sentient enough to lead armies.

Willis knew a lich well: Captain Méchanteau an undead Pirate who terrorized the coasts of Arethril. He had the ability to transfer his essence to people, summon the dead with a wave of his hand. Mechanteau was ambitious and he would've made a great Pirate if not for the fact that he was an undead. And what he did to Eryn was something Willis would never forget.

The young man sighed and shook his head, focusing on Phillipa's beautiful face. "Eh," the young man shrugged smiling. "When you travel all over the world listening to the many stories that people you tend to learn a lot. Stories have been a part of our world, it inspires us, makes us fearful, makes us think about the world around us. To have your own perspective is not enough, it's best to travel the world to absorb everything you can. People, places events it's something that I want to understand and experience."

Willis closed his eyes. "I've always to explore the world as a child," he said it was one of the few things in his past that didn't give him pain but hope. "That things would be much better than where I was. I still want to explore and meet new people like the pretty girl I'm traveling wiht now."

 

[Phillipa Ebonheart]

"In the end, that is what he became. Enamored with death and how to avoid it. His first thoughts were how to help people though, but that shifted suddenly when he had someone die under his hand."

"He was surprisingly clean about what he did. Would muck about after that shift in inspiration to figuring out the inner workings of the body. What was superflous and what was terrifically vital. Ideas of how to fix crippled limbs and blindness. In the end it became, a fixation though with making the human body more than it was." She spoke idly, not meeting his gaze. "I know he never got to the point of becoming a lich and I could not find his research to destroy it. Strange for someone so neat and tidy to have simply, ah, nevermind." She brushed aside the thoughts of finding his notes.

His speaking of travel made her think however. "And sometimes in travel you find the world is not so much different than what we attempt to leave behind. So you focus on teaching others. Showing them the worst so they can find the better things." Her words were quiet and solemn. Thoughts had wandered to the students of the college once more, and her role in their lives.

 

[Smiling One]

Not surprising that Phillipa's father eventually became obsessed with avoiding death. It was said that Necromancy magic was addictive equivalent to an narcotic. Some great mages succumbed to the power of Necromancy the moment they've dabbled in it. It was banned by the College of Elbion during the Age of Wonders when the head of the College became a Lich and waged war against Elbion. Eventually Necromancy was reinstated by the College midway during the Age of Expansion when King Greichen was persecuting those who wasn't part of his religion. Some mages, desperate to turn the tide began summoning the undead with others becoming Liches to fight back. How things change over time.

Willis stared at Phillipa who wasn't looking at him. He can't shake the feeling that there was something Phillipa wasn't telling him. All of a sudden the Raven haired beauty was uncomfortable and nervous the complete opposite of her stoic and somewhat playful personality she displayed to him. Phillipa wasn't making eye contact towards Willis and she was playing with her fingers a lot as though she's trying to forget something. In any case, It wasn't Willis' business to interfere but he had a feeling that there's more to her father's experiments than what she's letting on.

"Of course," the young man replied. "All races think that they're all hot shit but they all descend into the same old conflicts, genocide..... you name it. There's not a race with blood on their yet it's always the humans who get the most shit."

He shrugged. "Well it's not we don't deserve it, with the way Vel Anir treats other races it can darken ones perspective of humans. Still it's not like a race like the Elves had a clean history, their constant wars amongst themselves including a war that was said to cause the extinction of their own subspecies. Which is pretty funny any time an Elf wages war there's always a race getting anilhated."

Willis didn't hate the Elves but every time they brag on how they keep their emotions in check and focus on the beauty of the world, Willis had to laugh. With how bloody their wars can get, he suspected that they bottle up their emotions. "But in any case Phillipa," Willis said. "Let's change the subject I mean it takes a fortnight to get to reach the Woodlands."

 

[Phillipa Ebonheart]

"Everyone does, regardless of race or creed. The humans just seem the best at it." Phillipa offered. He went on to speak at length about the elves before deciding to change the subject. She took a steadying breath, in hopes of lighter topics. Perhaps she would get a chance to even the keel of a boat she hadn't realized was taking on water.

"Roughly yes. Barring any unwanted pests that hinder our travel. Of course, between the two of us it shouldn't be anything more than a few minutes to deal with." Phillipa made light of the threats the woodlands posed to most people. She had a respect for the creatures that called the dark forests home, but she was also confident in her ability to deal with them. "What has been the most annoying thing you have dealt with in your time of hunting Mr. Reede?"

 

[Smiling One]

"Seem?" Willis smirked as he kicked a small pebble ahead of them. "The difference between humans and other races is that we are the most shameless in our murder. Again if you take a look at Elven history you'll notice that every they went a Kingdom gets wiped out from the face of the Earth: Lost and forgotten. The Lizardfolk in particular were driven to near extinction by the Sand Elves during the Age of Wonders."

There was sound of a bush shaking to the right. Willis could hear a growl and a few nuts dropping from bushes branches. The young man placed his hand on the hilt of his Raipier just in case. "During the Age of Expansion," Willis said. "When they had their fortress located in the Savannah, Monster Hunters discovered an old Kingdom full of Lizard like bones. They couldn't recognize their language or even identify a name they just called them Lizardfolk. But they found Elven scrolls that talked about releasing a virus which pretty killed every man, woman and child that lived here."

Willis crossed his arms. "If you ask me Philippa," he said. "No slaughter a human did compares to the cruelty that those Sand Elves did."

Of course humanity can always find a way to surpass that. It seems to be the gift of humans bestowed by the Gods. To be the biggest assholes in Arethril. From Vel Anir's love for Pogroms against other races and Elbion's love for backstabbing. That's getting into the crime web that is woven in to Alliria where mostly humans run the criminal organizations. "A Monster Hunter and a Mage," Willis smirked. "We'll make a hell of a team."

The young man stopped walking when Philppa called Willis "Mr. Reede." "Lady Ebonheart," Willis said smirking. "That's the first time someone has ever addressed formally. Are you sure that you're not falling me? Because I know for a fact that I'm just mesmerized by your beauty and grace."

Ah shit..... There goes Willis again with his love for women. Still Philppa seems different from all the women Willis has been with. He shouldn't think too much about it remember Eryn, Aryreal…. Molly. "I would say the most annoying thing." Willis started. "Is not the monsters but the clients whether it's from the commoners to the fucking nobles. They always look to shortchange after you risk your fucking life to kill the monster that was harassing. "My kids are starving! To: I don't think you did a good job." Being a Monster Hunter can be a thankless job because of entitled assholes."

 

[Phillipa Ebonheart]

"I wouldn't say shameless in our murders. Certainly more than a few times the human race has condemned the actions of what another of our kind has done. The commitment to the act however, I feel is the true detail that separates us from the rest of the beings that live in Arethil. Our sometimes devious passion for violence that some people attain through either trauma or even just simply by being. I feel as though that is what truly makes us outshine the rest." Phillipa shrugged before he moved onto another comment of her falling for him to which she simply sighed.

"Try as you may, it will take more than a bit of time to even garner my interest Mr. Reede." Phillipa sassed him while raising a brow to him. She certainly did not want him to leave, but then again she was for once having decent conversation without having to explain the intricacies involved with the topics they were speaking on.

"Anyone with a goal will always beg for the price to be reduced because they have not done the hard work and feel like they are entitled to do so because of that. You have done something that they did not have to watch for themselves and thus they have no right idea of how much they should be paying you, regardless of however they felt about the task at the beginning. If one does not have to complete the task, they feel as though they shouldn't have to pay as much for it. As though they were some kind of expert on the details of all jobs." Phillipa finished with a snarky laugh that suggested many had tried to shortchange her in the past.

 

[Smiling One]

"Well if anything," Willis responded still looking at the rustling bushes and frowning. "Humans are the most versatile race in Arethril. We may not be as artistic as the Elves or good blacksmiths like the Dwarves and we like size and strength compared to an average Orc. However we are survivors and are able to adapt to anything that comes at us. If anything humanity may have the shortest lifespan of all of the races but look at our accomplishments. We've started many kingdoms around the world and have made an impact in history."

Sometimes Willis caught up with the successes of other races that he forgets the accomplishments that humans made. The young man wondered if it was an Allrian thing where the population is diverse and living mostly in harmony. If there was one thing that Willis can commend Vel Anir for aside for giving him consistent and high pay for mercenary work is that they stand up for humanity.

It would be nice and all if Vel Anir would stop being fucking hostile to other races. "Great Phil," Willis laughed. "You've made me think like a Vel Anirian. Next thing you know I'll be volunteering to enlist in their army trying to wage war against the Elves or some shit."

While officially Vel Anir was at peace with the other kingdoms, unofficially they were still at odds to cities of Elbion and Alliria. Whether it's from ideological differences, desire to get land or even for political reasons, Willis suspects that Allria and Elbion are plotting to take Vel Anir down based on rumors from the black market merchants who tends to be plugged into the political sphere. Oh how the stories love a good backstabbing.

"But I don't know Phil," Willis said getting a little closer to the raven haired beauty. "Not only that you are beautiful but intelligent as well. I've met plenty of women who aren't interested but you my lovely Phillipa aren't one of them. We've spent the first bit of our journey talking about philosophy and why people can be cheap cunts even though you are saving their asses. You've made me think about these things. I believe my dear that I have your interest."

Willis winked at Phillipa as a monster leapt from behind the bushes and began waddling towards them. "And what do you know," Willis smirked drawing his Rapier. "Our first victim of the day."

His eyes narrowed at the monster examining it. The monster is a gaunt, small creature with pale and rubbery skin though some grey-blue hairs stuck out and long uneven claws. It had a Pig like face along with small black fangs and a small mouth that is covered with drool.

"Dregs," Willis smirked at Phillipa. "It has immunity to most basic magical attacks and It's infamous for their gasses to the point we monster hunters nickname them "fart demons" wanna throw your knives? I'll let have the first honors."

 

[Phillipa Ebonheart]

She nodded as he spoke, idly listening to their surroundings as he explained his view. "To be fair, it may be more pertinent to humans to have an outstanding ability to adapt and survive simply for the fact of a shorter lifespan, weaker stature, along with build than other races. We secure an area, the old die, and the new begin the process of settling once more to readily thrive upon what work has already been accomplished. We do tend to build upon the backs of our dead." She added to his point. He wasn't entirely wrong on the matter, but a few points had stuck out in her mind as she spoke. On the matter of thinking as an Anirian she chuckled.

"It is not hard when one thinks about being human and wondering about our capabilities compared to the other races. You volunteer for their army and you can sign away seeing myself or the college ever again however." She teased, knowing that she had and continued to be the focus of his attention. The nickname was almost lost on her until he said it once more, receiving narrowed eyes before his comment sparked her rebuttal.

"While yes, I find that you are able to keep up at an intellectual level, I would hardly say that you have proven to be anything more than an agreeable companion currently. I certainly would not prefer others over your company, but do not allow yourself to think that you have taken the black heart yet." She shot back as a horrid little creature appeared.

She didn't recognize the little blighted thing off hand, typically used to larger and seemingly more threatening beasts. The information that it was immune to magic made her wary of using her kinetomancy in case it backfired and left her looking foolish, opting to remove a single dagger from the selection hidden in her boot.

It was a simple thing, long and slender with a deathly sharp point. Her confidence in throwing it shriveled a touch with the realization that she had become lazy with her practice of not using magic to throw her weapons.

Her throwing technique was flawless. On the other hand it lacked power as the knife point was the only thing that stuck, the beast blinking and seeming more insulted than threatened by the woman.

"Well shit." Phillipa muttered to herself in quiet disgust of herself.

 

[Smiling One]

Well, well looks like Lady Ebonheart is playing the plain hard to get type. Willis could tell that Phillipa is liking him though just a bit based on their long conversation. "No harmonious form of words can hide the fact that you are taking liking to me." Willis smirked seeing the Dreg stumble around. "Consider your challenge accepted."

The black heart, what did Philippa mean by that? While she was a joy to converse with Philippa, she not so subtly left some things out when discussing about her father and family. It got the young man curious but he learned quickly that a co-workers past is not to be discussed during the job. "Even If the co-worker is someone you're flirting with," he thought as he focused his attention on the Dreg.

Dregs are foul smelling, self-loathing monsters with pig like features. There is some debate among Monster Hunters as to whether or not to classify them as demons. Dregs seem to stick close to Demons indicating that there is a connection towards them though there's no real proof. During the Pandemonium however, Dregs were no where to be found. By Monster Hunter standards, Dregs are easy to take out but approaching them is tricky. The Dregs have a nasty habit of releasing flatulence. Inhaling it is considered to be deadly and it's known to disintegrate a person's lungs.

"Funny fact about Dregs," Willis chuckled at Phillipa. "Their farts are known to destroy the lungs which is why we Monster Hunters nickname them Fart Demons. They are a favorite summoning monster for novice summoners though. A Dreg's features are easy to remember."

The young man then took out a knife from his bag and handed to Philippa. "Which is why the best way is to take it out from range," He said. "Take it Phil," Willis placed the knife in Phillipa's hand wrapped her fingers around the blade. "I've been throwing knives since I was 12 years old." he smiled remembering his pirating days. "It's more precision than strength."

The young man held Philippa's arm beginning to raise it. Wills took note of the young woman's curvy figure as his eyes narrowed on the Dreg's neck. "I'll be your guide," he muttered in her ear.

It was strange though, Dregs usually travel packs of 12 or more. Why was this one all alone?

 

[Phillipa Ebonheart]

Her eyes had solidly told him not to begin pushing his luck with his words as she listened to him speak about the creatures at length. How lovely she nearly thought aloud at the thought of the silly looking things flatulence being someone's demise. Taking it out from range made sense given that nugget of information, and something she would likely take back to the school with her.

In the moment however, she found herself being given a lesson in how to throw a knife properly. The nickname came once more to the front and she bit her tongue, not wanting to start a fight while dealing with something that could destroy lungs if it hiccuped to hard.

Something he said struck her as odd as he guided her hand, the dagger finding home this time. "A typical first summon? Something than can readily kill them if-that sounds rather absurd."

 

[Smiling One]

(OOC: Sounds of a Dreg:

)

Okay Willis was pushing it a little too far the look that Phillippa was giving suggested that he better behave or else he'll be disintegrated. Hard to be in the good graces with a pretty woman if the first she wants to do is to gauge out your eyeballs. The Dreg was growling and snorting trying to appear menacing but instead looked pathetic. That was pretty much the Dreg in a nutshell: Miserable sacks of gassy monsters who wonder around places that have dark magic loathing themselves, the world. Only living to cause misery while smelling that they've just fallen out of a Dwarves asshole.

"I mean Phil," Willis said. "I've heard the first thing Professor Gawkroger has students summon is a Dreg."

The young man smiled seeing the Dreg trip on a pebble trying to reach the pair. "I've also heard that the good old Professor summoned a Dreg that was full of noxious gas. You see Dregs have this ability that when they build enough fart in their stomach, they tend to release it from their asshole immediately. The momentum of the fart can propel a Dreg up to 15 feet on average it can have..... explosive results. As for our Halfling friend the Dreg destroyed 5 classrooms and injured 15 students. I'm surprised you haven't heard of it."

The Dreg slowly got up and began sniffing around for something. "I know you're capable with Knives Phil," he said. "But I can you're not comfortable using them without your magic don't worry, throwing a Knife requires more dexterity than strength. Something that your gentle and slender fingers can easily adjust."

Willis still held Phillppa's arm cocking her soft hand back. "Breathe," he said. "And then release." The raven haired beauty smelled like Lilac and Gooseberries a pleasing aroma and strangely fitting for her. In any case hopefully she won't be too frustrated with this task though Willis knows that she can do it.

"It's all about adapting to the situation," Willis shrugged letting go of Phillppa's hand. "Monster Hunters always have to change their tactics depending on the monster just like a mage should adjust as well I suppose. What if you do encounter that Monster who can disable your spell casting? I mean I've faced plenty who were capable of doing that. Yet I'm still standing. You got this Phil, I know you do."