An evening before the storm

JP between Bandorchu and Winteroak

The Hare proved to be as busy as ever. Alexis deftly navigated around patrons in differing states of inebriation, managing to deliver the two tankards of ale to their table without incident.

Sitting down she pushed Hendrik’s share over to her fellow merc, giving him a half-smile.

“Been a while. How are those damp streets treating your old bones, pal?”

Hendrik smiled and shrugged. "Getting cold out now. But no much to do apart from bashing a few hard heads and steer break up some drunken fights." he he took a big gulp of his ale looking around. "Won't be able to come up here much longer. The Hare don't look kindly on most guards." he told her grinning. His voice dropped and he asked.
"What about you. Where have you been?"

Alexis grimaced, taking a sip of her ale.

“Mission. Had a nice walk in the mountains. Could have been great if not for the shitty hospitality.”

Hendrik kept his eyes on Alexis not hiding his surprise. "You been out there? To the north?" he appeared genuinely impressed and also a bit scared. "We keep hearing that the natives are just waiting to get us out in the open to kill us and drink our blood." he told her looking around not sure if she was supposed to be sharing this." Everyone keeps talking about magik..." he whispered the last word.

Alexis mind wandered back to their encounter with the strange woman.

“Honestly, I wouldn’t be surprised if some of that was true. As you can see though, I didn’t catch fire just walking outside Ostiarium’s perimeters, and blood’s still where it belongs. Ah, darn it. We just don’t know enough about anything.”

She breathed a frustrated sigh.

"Word on the barracks is that all those military exercises of yours are just preparation to massing our troops." he told her waving at a wench for two more flagons of ale. "Plus they are fitting the scooner for a trip down the docks. I'm sure of it." he said tapping his nose twice.

With what she had witnessed, first point was a given for her.

Second was news, though. Furrowing her brow, she decided to inquire.

“Are they, now? What do you think, where are they gonna go?”

He shrugs again draining the rest of his first mug. "Beats me. They have a couple of the Knights keeping everyone away apart from the crew." he ponders her question. "The older guys, you know the ones that came with the first expedition, say one of the ships circumvented the continent and that Lord Commander knows more about the land that he lets on." he paused for a second and a smile split across his face. "Maybe you will be going on that trip too. You seem to be one of Sir Zane's new favourites." he teased her.

She snorted at that.

“Can’t say that’s mutual, if it’s true. Old bastard.”

She certainly hadn’t forgotten the stunt he pulled with Melandra and her.

“You can bet your ass the high and mighty know more than they let on. Fucking schemers.”

She couldn’t help her mind going over some possible scenarios that included a substantial force to disembark at another point of the continent.
It seemed relatively likely they might want to attack the plains people, possibly encircle them, but again, she just didn’t know enough to even begin to guess.

“This winter might get much more heated then anyone’s expecting.”

Hendrik grunted his agreement. "That Arbiter woman came back a few days ago as well. Seemed they sent her to trade with the natives to the west." he rubbed his hands together and looked at Alexis. "Those three years of service sure as Zin are looking long..."

“They do, don’t they?”

Alexis leaned back in her chair.

“Hey… you keep your nose clean, will ye? Whatever is going on, it’s going high, and you know the types - you don’t want their attention.”

She wasn’t really the mushy type, but she did feel kind of concerned for her friend.

He nodded. "You too Greyriver. You too." he wished back but had a feeling that it was to late for his friend.