An odyssey in triplicate (for Yazaki)

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NARRATOR

An alliance made is an alliance broken. This is the story of two heroes told in three different ways.

The World of Magic:
Sel Aravan was a 27 year old sorcerer. He has been tasked by the council of Devar to secure an alliance with Rend to the west in preparation with a possible war with the giants in the future. He was set to meet an expert in giant linguistics and culture in the village of Nevia and travel with her to Rend.

The World of Steampunk:
Solovan Arrington was a British noble known for being a devil with a revolver. His relatives are worried about the British Tea Company which was raising armies over the world. Due to his position and skills he was asked to secure an alliance with the French weapons manufacturer Lasalle's Firearms. The Empire arranged for him an soldier escort for the task which he would meet in Rochester.

The World of Robots:
Sef was a Robot designer and expert. In his region of the world autonomous cities predominated with his city, Ston, being the center of robot technology. Uprising against this technology was the Organic Supremacy Society, causing tensions for Ston. Ston, while technologically advanced, was not militarily strong. Sef was sent to negotiate a deal involving the trade of robots for military support with their neighbor, Yorkton. The city governance arranged a meeting for him and a maintenance technician to ensure the quality of the robot shipment. He was to meet her at a rest station at the fringes of the town where she would have the truck and merchandise.

---------- Post added at 11:47 PM ---------- Previous post was at 11:31 PM ----------

Sel Aravan brushed the sand off is shoulders. Devar was not a big town, and so he headed to the only building with people around it. It turned out to be a tavern and not a particularly nice one, at least by his standards. "Is there a Madam Devious Devian?" He shouted into the room. Most ignored him. He looked around the area and most appeared to be thugs. One woman did not. She looked as if she belonged in a castle, not a grungy tavern. "Can you help me find my friend?" he asked her with a sly smile.

[farrenlock]

Devian peered up at Sel with a slight amusement glistening her eyes. "You shout my name across the tavern so carelessly. What is it that you want?" she asked coldly. Her hypnotic eyes traced Sel through every inch of his figure. "You wish to find your friend...that's all?" Devian murmured with disappointment. She found tracking a particular individual boring as can be. "Depends on what I get in return," Devian stated. "Well, what have you to offer em?" Her expression read cocky, her posture was that of a feline or possibly even a succubi. The thugs that were around, some staring, were all clients. Not only did she trade with the giants and orcs, she traded with people all around the world.

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"So then you are Devian. I believe you have been well paid to accompany me on a diplomatic envoy to Rend. Surely you do not expect any further compensation." He sat down carefully on the dirty stool near her.

"I must confess, I do not like this place and would rather leave sooner rather than later. Have you packed?" He conjured a restorative spell on the table, returning it to a state before gallons of beer and filth had stained it.

[farrenlock]

"Pardon? I have not packed nor do I understand what you mean! There has been no compensation and if there was, it was not made to me directly. Explain this little trip of yours first off," Devian pressed. The guests of the bar watched Devian carefully. She was a valued person and when irritated she was earful. Many gave Sel unwelcoming eyes as they saw the annoyance raise steadily. "Oh, and I'd watch what you say, mage. They don't take kindly to foreigners. It'd be best to not offend them." Devian sat up straight, crossed her arms and legs with a bitter scowl fixed on her soft face.

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Sel was unsure if she was lying to get paid twice. "In that case I'll introduce you to our mission. I have been asked by the Council of Devar to negotiate an alliance with our powerful neighbors of Rend due to rising tensions with the giants. Given that your are considered an expert in giant culture and language, the Council has hired you to accompany me. As for your payment, I was told you were already paid. If not, I can vouch that you will certainly receive by the time we return. But I have not enough money on me."

Sel looked around the tavern. The thugs were looking at him clearly curious about the strangely dressed man. "If I were worried about thugs, I wouldn't venture outside the Ivory Tower. Sel drew a glass bead from his cloak and broke it, throwing the ground glass into the air. The mugs of everyone in the room filled with beer. "Cheers," he announced, "from one ruffian to another."

[farrenlock]

"I am uncaring of the relations between Rend and the giants nation. Though, I do side with the giants for they are a hefty part of my business. In addition, I can make a hefty amount without completing this little job of yours." Devian raised her glass and downed it in one go. Stares abound as she emptied the glass. "Devian, are you really a woman?" one man in the back asked. Devian glared daggers at him. "Of course I am you twit!" she bellowed with heated rage. She turned her glaring eyes onto Sel now, "You'd best have some good bargain for me. I don't run cheap for something that big of a burdan."

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Sel smiled. He could feel the anger bubbling up inside of him. Devian was quite bratty. He could not think of anything to offer her, but if one arm fails, try the other one. "He leaned in and whispered in. The bargain is that you come with me as the Council negotiated and I won't kick your ass in front of all of your little friends."

Sel continued smiling, but his temples were throbbing with anger.

[farrenlock]

"Ho!" Devian laughed. "Go on, go ahead and try it! See if I don't lay you out flat!" she beckoned him. "You may as well drag me for I'm not going to willingly go with you, boy." Devian leaned against the back of her chair, her eyes gleamed with interest. She was enjoying ticking the man off, and she wasn't afraid to show him that. The poor barkeeper kept pacing back and forth, not liking the tension between the two customers. He wanted them to leave, now if possible, but couldn't sum enough courage to boot them out. Fighting was bad for business - mainly furniture repairs. The customers don't mind it, in fact they encouraged the two by cheering with that single annoying word. Fight.

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Sel clenched his fists. He did not want to start his mission on such a bad note, but she was far to irritating for him to just walk away from. He seized a small black rod from his cloak and squeezed his fist around it covering it. His hand glowed black. He placed his fist on the middle of the table. The table disintegrated.

With his other hand he grabbed her wrist and swiftly threw her over his shoulder and walked towards the exit.

[farrenlock]

"H-Hey! What do you think you're doing?! Put me down this instant!" Devian hollered while kicking about on his shoulder. The people in the bar watched, both amused and stunned that Sel had the nerve to hoist her up in that position. "Are you even listening?! PUT ME DOWN!" she nearly shrieked by his ear. The thought of being seen in public in such a humiliating pose left Devian paranoid. To her dismay, Sel didn't appear to care. The fighting about was useless and made her look more like a child. So she stopped her struggling only momentarily as she had already tired herself out by thrashing around. "Teh, still not going to do as you ask," she growled at him with complete defiance with crossed arms.