All In A Day's Work

JP with mdman and Cindy

Cronk clutched Sokratis’ arms like he were holding a shield before him. He bent down and picked up the small statue in the other hand. Then worked his way out from behind the desk, keeping Sokratis between the guns and himself…well, the vital areas. He made sure he pulled Sokratis’ arms tight, inflicting pain. He may have heard a shoulder pop out of joint.

Cronk gave a low infrasound growl. One man froze, dropping his gun. The other, had a stream flowing down his pant leg and moved from the door, forgetting for the moment he held the gun.

Cronk began to inch toward the door. He confirmed his own thoughts by saying, “If shoot you dead!”

Cronk backed through the office door and into the hallway, holding Sokratis as a shield, working his way backwards toward the front door. He hoped that Lady Elizabeth was ready for some excitement, because she was about to get it. If it were just the orc, Cronk would have liked his chances. Guns gave the puny humans an advantage.

Elizabeth had reached the front of the building when she heard the growl. She had to hold her ears for a moment, and try to let the slight dizzying effect pass though her.

For a moment, Elizabeth had no way to tell if Cronk had made the noise or it was produced by another Orc. That was until, Cronk came through the front door holding someone. Apparently, things hadn't gone well.

Cronk gazed back the hallway as he exited, seeing the other Orc, who was not disturbed by the growl, running for him. Cronk handed Lady Elizabeth the small statue and threw Sokratis over his shoulder.

“Run!” he shouted at Elizabeth.

He realized he would not be able to outrun the other Orc while carrying Sokratis. Cronk turned, preparing to throw Sokratis at the other Orc to slow him.

Elizabeth took the statue and put in her leather pouch, then took off down the street. She was faster than normal, due to using the magic that came with her body realm but Elizabeth knew she could only keep that up for a limited time. Using the body like that tended to wear it down, though being in good shape, meant she could keep up longer than some.

Still, the Eldren went just far enough to duck behind a remaining wall of a burnt out building. She spotted Cronk, still carrying the man. And now an Orc and two men came running after him, down the street. Elizabeth stepped out to stop Cronk from running right past her.

Cronk rounded the corner surprised you see Lady Elizabeth standing there. He came to a screeching halt so as not to plow into her.

“Men have guns,” Cronk claimed. “He,” Cronk added nodding at Sokratis, “boss! Cronk throw boss. Carry Lady Elizabeth to safety!”

It was an idea, but it seemed he was searching her for any plan that might work better. Cronk was not one that could come up with several options. Therefore, he usually allowed others to contribute their superior thinking skills.

Sokratis had been quiet until now, "Put me down!" He commanded before he turned his head to see who Cronk was speaking to. "An Eldren! Live your plush life, while you have it Eldren. Days are numbered for all of you."

Elizabeth took a breath as Sokratis started to spurt more nonsense and put her hand on the man's head. Sokratis instantly fell unconscious. "Leave him here, and come with me. Quickly." Elizabeth said to Cronk.

The sounds of yelling and running feet could be heard coming down the street.

Cronk’s jaw dropped revealing more of the tusks protruding from his lower jaw. “How…?”

Realizing there was no time for answers, Cronk hurled Sokratis out and I to the path of the Orc, who fell over his boss, sprawling in the middle of the street. Cronk took off running after his new boss, the Lady Elizabeth. As quick and nimble as Lady Elizabeth was, Cronk was thunderous and powerful. One was built to outdistance others; the other to sprint shorter distances. After running a few blocks, Cronk’s size and build was causing him to be winded. He was about to turn and fight, but it seemed they had no one closely pursuing them.

Cronk stopped to catch his breath. “Statue important?” he inquired, wondering if he had done well.

Elizabeth ran and when Cronk stopped to catch his breath, she looked around for a moment. Finding excatly what she was looking for. "It very well could be important. Follow me." She had Cronk follow her behind the wall of a partially collapsed building.

The repreve didn't last long as the two men with the guns could be heard coming down the street.

"Don't move, until I say so." Elizabeth told Cronk.

The Eldren held her hands out and a blast shot from them, causing the stone wall to fall forward blocking the path of the men. "Now, go." Elizabeth commanded.

Cronk listened to his new boss. She was quickly earning Cronk’s respect. It seemed she was even more so adventurous than Quinn. She had more abilities than he, as well.

This time, there was no slowing down until they reached the safer streets of Paris. By that time, Elizabeth was running ahead of Cronk, as his large legs were tiring. If they were to continue running as they had been, it would appear that an Orc was chasing a lady of high society. It would certainly draw the attention of law enforcement.

Once they reached the safer streets of Paris, Elizabeth slowed down then stopped. The use of magic was taxing and she had done several spells in a limited amount of time.

Fortunately, it seemed as if they were no longer being followed. Feeling suddenly a little light headed, she took a seat on a rod iron bench that was near by and waited on Cronk to catch up to her.

Seeing the Lady sitting down, Cronk slowed his pace down. Catching his breath, Cronk held his hands over his head.

Cronk was amazed that one who was a part of high society could perform magic. Of course, Eldren had those abilities more than orcs. They held a higher intelligence, which it took to understand the ways of magic. Cronk couldn’t get over one so young and beautiful could do all that Elizabeth could do.

“You not tell Cronk,” he said between breaths. Cronk could have easily pushed over the wall, but that wouldn’t have been as amazing as what she had done. She needn’t push the wall, just touch.

“What do now?” he asked her, wondering if he’d see more of her magic. His eyes were wide and expecting.

"Well, Mr. Cronk, I could certainly go for a spot of tea. Using magic is a bit taxing." Elizabeth responded. "I am correct in assuming you could go for a spot perhaps a bit stronger than tea?"

Elizabeth looked around to gain her bearings. She did know this area, though they weren't near her home. "I do know of a little Cafe not far from here."

Cronk, of course, did not know Paris. He had to rely upon Lady Elizabeth’s knowledge and bearing.

Cronk shrugged his broad shoulders. “Cafe have bourbon?” he suggested, not sure if this place was like the one at headquarters.

"If not they can easily get it." Elizabeth said. Not explaining that had to do with who she was.

The Eldren stood up, something felt off, like something was missing. Putting her hand on her head. "Oh, my hat must have flown off. I can't be seen in the Cafe without a hat." Which, considering what the two had just been through probably seemed like an odd thing to be concerned with, but there was legimate concern. "Easy to solve."

Elizabeth led Cronk to an area two blocks east of where they had been. As they got to the street it was easy to hear the sounds of buskers, making their wages or attempting to.

The street itself was lined from one end to the other with peddlers of various merchandise. The smells of spices, cooking meat, roasting fish, vegetables, fruits, and pastries permeated the air. It was, basically, the antithesis of the vendors they had seen in the poorer section. Elizabeth stopped at one stall selling top quality teas from all over the world. She bought some British, some from India and some Korean for Sung. Then it was to a stand with beautiful hats, of all colors. Hats in all sizes for both men and women, alike. A dwarf appeared from behind the stall. Standing about 3'4", with dark curly hair, a dark curly beard and dark eyes. Her built was broad, but her spoke of years of fine craftsmanship.

The dwarf bowed towards Lady Elizabeth and then looked towards Cronk for a moment, before speaking. "Greetings, Lady Elizabeth. What can I do for you on this fine day?" Her voice was slightly husky and her accent German though she was speaking in English.

"Greetings, Miss Albrecht. I am in need of a new hat. Mine, I am afraid came off in a sudden breeze. I suppose I just did not tie the bow tight enough." Elizabeth noticed that the milliners gaze would venture towards Cronk every now and then. "This is Mr. Cronk. He is a new employee of mine. Security detail. "

"Mr. Cronk, this is Miss Albrecht. The finest milliner in all of Paris." Elizabeth did not give that compliment lightly or without merit, as she had been to all the upper class boutiques and hat shops and the dwarfs hat were the best she had found. Elizabeth then turned to Cronk. "Mr. Cronk would you like a hat? Miss Albrecht has even Orc sized hats and her hats for men are a fine a quality as those for the women."

Cronk wondered where Lady Elizabeth was leading him. When he saw the merchants and their wares, Cronk felt out of place. This was particularly prevalent when the dwarf’s eyes ventured toward him. Cronk thought her eyes were saying, This is a market for those of high society. Certainly an Orc does not belong.

When Lady Elizabeth introduced him as her guard, Cronk felt more at ease. When she said that Miss Albrecht had Orc sized hats, Cronk realized his first impression of Miss Albrecht was wrong. Maybe she was sizing his head up for a hat. Or perhaps she wondered if he was with Lady Elizabeth. Technically, he was, but not in that capacity. That brought a chuckle from Cronk.

Oh, a hat, Cronk thought, coming back to the subject at hand, brought on by Lady Elizabeth’s query.

“Cronk wear flat cap,” Cronk explained. He didn’t have one at the moment. He threw it aside whenever Quinn purchased the new suit for Cronk upon their arrival in Paris. Quinn said it just didn’t match the suit.

“Got flat cap?” he asked Miss Albrecht.

At least Cronk didn’t ask, or look at Elizabeth like she was crazy for needing a hat at this precise moment. Her logic was sound, ladies of her class to always wore hats outside. Given her status, it would be considered odd, like something was amiss and would end up as gossip. She thought that would be best avoided. They might gossip about Cronk but saying someone has a new bodyguard is really not that interesting.

The dwarf gave a smile towards Cronk. "Of course, flat cap is what you want. Flat cap it shall be. Here." She pointed out the Flat caps in Orc size. "Try them on and get what you like."

Miss Albrecht then began helping Elizabeth pick out a hat. A white one with a pink bow and and white and pink flowers. Matching her outfit I perfectly.

Cronk looked over the caps. He saw one that had Kelly green and gold alternating lines in the material. He remembered these colors in the family crest on the wall behind Quinn’s desk.

He lifted it and tried it on over his braided hair. It fit.

Cronk turned to Lady Elizabeth. “You like?”

Elizabeth looked up at Cronk, "Yes, I do like it. Very daber Mr. Cronk." Elizabeth then handed the dwarf some money. "Please, keep the change. " The dwarf thanked her and said goodbye to both Elizabeth and Cronk.

Next stop was the Cafe, which wasn't too far from the merchant street. It was one of the many small cafes, that had sprung up in Paris. Outside seating to take in the sights. A waiter greeted Lady Elizabeth, he along with most of the staff knew her.

She and Cronk were seated quickly, once it was explained he was security. And when Elizabeth said even Security needs a break, no one quibbled about. The cafes usually had a few Orc seats, this one was no different and brought out the large chair for Cronk.

Elizabeth took her seat, and ordered her tea. Then told the waiter to get Cronk whatever he wanted.

Cronk leaned back into the chair, looked up at the server, nodded, and ordered, “Cronk have bourbon.”

The waiter looked to Lady Elizabeth, who nodded, then answered, “We monsieur!”

When the server departed to get the drinks, Cronk turned his attention back to Elizabeth.

“You not tell,” Cronk mentioned in amazement. “Lady Elizabeth magical.”

"Yes. Most Eldren have magic." Elizabeth said a polite and friendly matter. "I suppose I just did not think to tell." Elizabeth just wasn't expecting she'd have to but she would never so rude as to ever indicate that. "So you know, on the team, Mr. Dumont and Lord Andrew's both have magic. Mr. Sung, as well. Mr. Sung helped train me." Elizabeth explained.

Cronk sat there wondering about her upbringing. As one from the high class of society, he couldn’t believe her character. Most in high society would display disrespect toward Cronk, a person of the working class. However, being in the working class gave a certain amount of pride to Cronk. At least he earned where he was. Most in the upper class had inherited their position, whether they deserved it or not.

“Cronk respect!” he said as the server returned with the tea and bourbon. He held up the glass placed in front of him, motioning in a toast to Elizabeth, “Respect Lady Elizabeth!”

Elizabeth was raised to work with people from all walks of life and races. It made her different, than some in her status but her parents were very calculated in making her ready for a job like this. She sometimes wondered how much of her father's future plans for her Mr. Sung had known, when she was younger.

Cronk saying he respected her and then raising a toast to her, made Elizabeth smile. "Thank you, Mr. Cronk. That does mean a great deal to me." And it did. She suspected earning the Orc’s respect wasn't the easiest thing to accomplish.

"I think, once we are done here, we should go to the police station and report Mr. Sable. Though I hope they too have magic users, as Mr. Sable is also a mage." Elizabeth also wondered if Sung would be a little upset on not being able to get Sable himself.

Cronk downed the bourbon with enthusiasm. He felt his first mission as part of this team went well overall. He got to use his skills, or lack of skills, and they accomplished the mission, although they didn’t get to know the location of the Evil Doctor. They had confiscated the small statue, which Cronk thought might hold significance to the Fish Man on the team. He captured Sokratis for a while, only letting him go, along with a separated shoulder, at the Lady Elizabeth’s wish. Sokratis was slowing them down. He also helped them escape by slowing his people down when Cronk threw him directly in their path. Lady Elizabeth utilized her magic at opportune times. Yes…success.

The orc grinned. He was quite liking being a part of this team. He couldn’t wait to see what the others had accomplished. He wondered what Pretty Flower thought of the pretty flower Cronk had left her. He wondered what the Good Doctor was able to discover from the mouse that was provided to him for analysis. He wondered if the Wise One and Frenchie had come across the Evil Doctor. There was a lot that had come from the day’s work. Cronk was anxious to see what had come from a day of hard work.