Chapter 1: The Beginning

Edwin stood in the presence of greatness, and he knew it. The glimmer of light across the gilt surfaces in the room immediately struck his eyes. The opulence, it would be so easy to take just a little - No Eddie, no. Those days are behind you. Focus. Rules and etiquette and such. he thought to himself as he dipped from the waist, bowing towards the king in deference, one hand steadying his rapier as he straightened back up.

May walked sure, confident but alert. She takes a careful look around the room. She finds peace in knowing that she isn't the greenest around but she can't be sure enough. She attempts to take account of the parade of heads before stopping abruptly as the entourage left.

She starts favouring her left leg and takes a wide relaxed stance. She locks eyes with the four before giving a smirk, a click of the tongue, and a shallow bow.

She begins scratching her side as her eyes starts to wander again.

Jorrel advanced with a sure and steady gait, chainmail quietly jingling with each step. As he approached the throne he kept his eyes firmly forward, never once wavering to quench his curiosity.

He stopped smartly the required distance from his royal majesty and stood rigidly at attention for three heartbeats before dropping to one knee with his head bowed. His time as a soldier, and his subsequent time as a cripple, had robbed him of any illusions he may have had concerning the moral superiority of the nobility, but he still recognised the king as being the chosen representative of his god on this plane, and he would accept that divine mandate as an absolute.

All we mortals can err, it is only natural, but we must trust that the gods can see into the hearts of men and would not let someone unworthy sit atop the throne.

As the thought of unworthies entered his head, his mind drifted to those beside him in this audience. He hadn't much chance to get the measure of them, but each in their own way seemed to be... flawed. They had recoiled when confronted with his scarred appearance, but then again few didn't. Still, somebody had decided they were worthy of joining this Task Force, and of being in the Royal presence, so Jorrel was willing to give them the benefit if the doubt. For now.

Jorrel stood and removed his glove without hesitation. He proffered his hand to the elf and, as the hot iron seared his flesh, he closed his eyes and accepted the pain. Pain had been his only companion for years; it was comforting, familiar, even reassuring. And this searing pain coursed through him and seemed to energise him for the mission ahead.

When it was over he was almost sad, though he tried not to show it. He clutched his right wrist gingerly and examined his new scar.

Shame, he thought wryly, that was pretty much the only part of my body which didn't have a scar.

Aye sir. Edwin says simply before moving forward, baring his arm as asked. Not the first brand that's been seared into my body. he thought bitterly, thinking of the small symbol on the inside of his left wrist.

When the iron touched his skin, he struggled not to pull it away. Even if it wasn't his first mark, it didn't make the experience enjoyable, by any stretch. Gritting his teeth, he shakes his head when the brand pulls away. Looking down, he inspected the singed flesh, not eager to pull the leather sleeve back down on top of it just yet.

May complies. She makes short work of her bracers but as the elf turns towards her, she can't help but feel that something is amiss. She is also weary that she doesn't seem to have seen the brand on others before. Unsure whether that is a bane or a boon, she waits for the pang to hit and yearns that it goes away quick.

Edwin flexes his arm, feeling the tight skin pull. Aye, two. You said you've a package there. How are we to know the package or item is yours? I'd hate to go and have this Soiltwister fellow give us the wrong item. he says, launching into his second before taking a breath. Also, is this Soiltwister expecting us?

Jorrel nods at the kings answer, although he doesn't really know why. Instead of worrying about it he asks a question of his own,

"Sire, I am forever at your service and I look forward to performing this mission to the best of my ability. The mission itself does not concern me, it seems trivial. But that leads me to wonder why you would send three of us, who you call the most promising recruits, on such an easy mission. Forgive me if I am speaking out of line, sire."

She keenly waits for that awkward moment of silence before blurting "Off to the cart then." She gives a small curtsy and slowly backs away. "Prostration is weird. Why do people do it anyway? Is it about height? The juicy angle for the neck? Glib groveling?" she think to herself as she tries not to think about the stiffening scar.

Edwin follows May as she heads off towards the cart. Once outside, he pulls the leather hood of his cloak up and over his head, eager to keep any weather off.

Jorrel clambers into the cart and plumps himself down at the front-left corner. He extends his right leg out in front of him and massages the aches in his calf, pointedly ignoring the looks of these youngsters.

Edwin climbs up into the cart adroitly, taking a space near the back. Once they are all assembled, he tugs the hood back a bit, revealing his face.

So, we've not been properly introduced yet. M'name's Edwin. You can call me Eddie, if you'd prefer.

Jorrel nods a greeting at Eddie and another at May,

"Ya both took the branding well. Wouldn't a' thought it to look at yas, but there ya go. The name's Jorrel, and ah'm at yer service. Looks like it'll be quite a few days in the back a' this cart, so there's three things about me ya need ta know; one, the scars don't hurt anymore. The bones do, but that's a different story. Two; I won't be tellin' ya the story of how ah got 'em just yet. And three; ah snore like a banshee, ya might wanna wear somethin' in yer ears if ya wanna get any sleep.

May slinks into the cart and prowls for a dry, flat spot. She lays on her side, a hand on her cheek. She twists her hips and her lower back gives a light *brrrt* "Ah! I sure do hope the ride isn't bumpy. Hi Eddie and Jorrel. The name is May. Do you think our 'appointee' is going to indulge us with a look beneath that golden cage?"

She gives a sigh and falls on her back. Staring up "So, uh, how did you get in?"