A Meeting by Chance.[OPEN]

[Alex]

A man dressed in a long, hooded grey cloak entered the port city's tavern. Bright chainmail shone through the cloak, giving away the visitor's true nature. Many of the tavern's customers turned towards the entrance, eager to see the newcomer. Of course it was all intentional; this combination usually impresses the townsfolk, and the man knew it all too well. He smiled as he was taking long steps forwards, heading for the shady corner near a dirty window. He sat down, and looked out of the window. The streets were full of workers, probably working at the docks. Alex grinned. He could at least have the last say on the day's work. He grinned for a few more seconds, but then his expression changed to almost the opposite in a matter of seconds. He looked away from the window, like in pain. For a few seconds more he looked at the empty table, then turning his full attention to the daily visitors of the tavern.

A short, thin man sat in front of his table with his back turned on Alex. His long, dirty dark hair poured from his shoulders, almost reaching out to his elbows. He held a majestic(but very dirty)mug in his hands, taking long sips from it. He spoke to a man on his right side. "Now, this man looks interesting!", Alex said to himself, as he inspected him. He had medium blonde hair, but they were combed to his back. A shortsword hanged from his side, and he had some scars on his face. "A veteran warrior, probably from the town watch. Not so unusual after all, it seems.." He takes a dirty piece of paper from his pocket, and scribbles some noted on it. It read: "Town guard and a regular citizen." He raised his gaze, eyeing the tavernkeeper - nothing out of order, really. Short, muscular, black beard - and a very, very big nose. Alex sneered in his thoughts - this man isn't what he was looking for. Why there cannot be an interesting person in the tavern for once!

Suddenly Alex woke up from his thoughts. He had heard loud shouting from the tavern entrance. Two men, both medium-sized, rushed in the tavern in the middle of a heated conversation.
The other one spoke with a slightly rough, medium voice: "He must be here somewhere! The witness told us, remember? Or are you stupid?". The other man ignored the intended insult, answering with a softer, sounded version of the rougher man's voice: "No, I told you that that the witness is false. He's never done anything but lied. He's a liar, Alfric." Alfric looked mockingly at his companion. "Really, really now? Just check this goddamn place first, then we can decide what to do about him!"

Alex became aware of his surroundings again. He pulled his hood to cover his face, grimacing of the irritation. "Why does this always happen to me?" Alex had no idea why they were in the tavern. With his vivid imagination, frightening thoughts arose in his mind, but he put them down quietly. Why would they possibly be in here because of him..?

Then, without a warning Alex raised his gaze. He saw that the calmer-sounding man was staring intensely at him. As he raised his gaze, the man gulped, and shouted over his shoulder: "I think that we have someone.." The man called Alfric runs up to his friend, and instantly spots Alex. Alex stands up in response, leaving the two men in silence. "Well, you've found me." Alex speaks in a dangerous tone, attempting to intimidate the guards. However, the guards only step closer, drawing their swords. Alex drew his sword in response. Almost simultaneously when the guard called Alfric was about to respond to Alex, the doors of the tavern were opened with a gentle push.

[Elissa Vuronia]

After two long weeks on the high seas. Elissa stood staring at the docks in utter nervousness; the city of Kirkwall was looked like a terrible place to live. Houses that lied beyond the docks looked oddly shaped, even the golden statues that she saw on her way here looked horrifying. Even Amity sensed Elissa's confidence sinking and immediately the white stallion trotted forwards a little, bit and stood next to her side.

But her focus remained unchanged. The quest to find her answer to life could be somewhere within this dark city; still she noticed that the people who simply went about their normal lives didn't mind living in a place such as Kirkwall. Then again it was Elissa's first time being in this place, still it didn't hurt to search the city, buy some fresh supplies and continue her journey.

Looking over at Amity she quietly nodded to him, pulled his reigns and moved forward while tugging her emerald hooded cloak closer and tighter around her young frame. A select few people gazed over at Elissa and her snow white coloured stallion, but their stares were friendly. Even some of them smiled and simply nodded, as she journeyed northwards, Elissa arrived in front of what looked like a large building which seemed to be a tavern of some kind.

As her throat felt thirsty Elissa turned to Amity and spoke to her friend with a gentle manner. "I'm just going to get a drink Amity, wait here and I'll see if we can get you some fresh food and water". With a gentle stroke or two on his nose she smiled at her young friend and gently walked northwards. Upon her arrival at the front door she slowly opened it and gasped at the sight before her, she saw a cloaked man drawing a sword in front of a group of other men.

It seemed like a dire situation. But it was not her right to get involved, with a sigh she simply ignored them and headed towards the counter while pulling her floor length cloak even tightly around herself. There she stood slowly sat down and waited to be served.

[Alex]

Alex moistened his lips, preparing to talk.

"Good men.. I honestly have no idea why this honour.." "I can't be captured by these idiots..", he thought, still attempting to arrange a light smile on his face. Suddenly, the man called Alfric was grabbed from his shoulders and pulled backwards. The veteran town guard had his weapon drawn, and he pointed it at Alfric's chest. Alfric exclaimed fearfully, dropping his sword on the floor of the tavern. It released a clanging noise.

The town guard exclaimed furiously, shaking his fists up and down, left and right. "What do you think you're doing, in a tavern like this?! You have no authority here! Hear me.. no authority! Move your arses out before I throw you both in jail!" Alex thought for a millisecond before reacting. The other man's attention was elsewhere - he was confused and shaken by the sudden turn of events. He leapt forwards at the man's back, reaching out for his throat. Taking a firm hold at his throat, Alex kicks his back with his knee without a second thought - it just felt so natural. His adversary cried out in pain and fell on his knees, and the town guard turned his gaze towards Alex. Where he had once seen two men with swords drawn, he now saw a man on the ground, on his knees, and the other man on top of him, forcing the other down. He let go of Alfric, opening his mouth - but he couldn't find the right words. Finally, he said: "Thank you." and left the tavern, escorting the two men before him.

Alex stood still, confused. After a few seconds he realized, that he probably looked very silly, so he sat down at the nearest table. Sneering, he stood up again and reached out for his backpack, placing it on the table. He opened it and reached in with his hand, searching for something. A few seconds later he pulled out a small notebook and a pencil. He scribbled down some notes, but for his annoyance he found it hard. "Where's pipe weed when I most need it?", he thought while trying to write down simple notes. His hand was shaking, but he was determined to at least do something with the notebook. Writing down a few words with his shaky handwriting, he closed the notebook and stuffed it in the backpack again, turning his full attention to the customers again.

He spotted the lady who had just entered. A beautiful, civilized-looking woman dressed in her clothes made of the finest green silk. It had fur toppings under the silk - it was so cold during this time of the evening, especially near the docks, so it was still understandable to wear such high-quality garments. Suddenly, Alex's heart started beating. Hard, harder than it ever had beaten before. He gulped, clutching his chest, still looking at the woman. Everything around him faded slowly to blackness, and then suddenly returning to unbelievably bright colours. It made Alex's eyes and head hurt, and he fell from his chair on the ground, shaking. Turning his gaze to the ground, oblivious to anything that happened near him, he concentrated hard. He was shocked by the pain at first, but slowly he had regained control of himself again. Slowly, everything returned to normal, and Alex's head cleared of the pain and confusion in an instant flash. Raising his gaze, he looked around himself, pulling himself up on the chair again. This had never happened before to Alex...

[Elissa Vuronia]

As Elissa sat down on a small round stool she heard a disturbing but rather familiar sound. Battle had entered the inn as the hooded cloaked stranger made short of his opposition; she had to admit that he was quite skilled with a blade. And that his opponents didn’t stand a chance, but the barman who was middle aged man with black hair looked over towards Elissa and asked what she wanted. The teen turned her gaze towards the bar man and simply replied, with a polite manner. "Um just water thanks" With a nod the bar man went to get Elissa some fresh drinking water, to be totally honest Elissa didn't know what kind of food and drink they served in this tavern.

It only took the bar man a few minutes to get the water and soon came out holding a small wooden mug of water. With a nod Elissa happily pushed open her long cloak and gently handed the bar man a few bronze coins, he happily took them and watched Elissa gulp it down in one go. With each gulp she had her thirst drained away until it was finally quenched, then she placed the mug back on the counter and looked over towards the hooded man.

But something happened and it looked like he was having some kind of trouble. Perhaps he was wounded in the battle? However from the looks of things the man didn't seem like he was wounded, what ever was happening to him? She wondered in total curiosity. Strangely though he looked fine after several minutes of holding his chest, Elissa sighed in relief and simply turned back to order another glass of water.

Her kind heart however simply couldn't ignore the man's plight. With a look of concern she sat up from her seat, quickly walked over to the cloak man until her eyes met his and spoke words of concern of the stranger. "Pardon me good sir but are you alright?”

[Alex]

Suddenly Alex heard a soft, worried voice, but at first he thought that he was talking to himself. Soon he realized that someone was speaking to him, and turned towards the young woman opposite of him.

"Me? Oh... I'm fine. Completely fine."
He smiled to the woman, encouraging her to sit down. "I thank you for your concern, it's so rare these days..compassion, that is. Why won't you have a drink with me? I pay the drinks."

Alex called out for the barkeeper, and soon he came to take their orders.

"Water for the lady and your finest ale for me - here is the
money."

As the barkeeper had received his payment, he walked off towards the bar desk. Soon he came with two giant mugs, the other filled with ale and the other with water. Alex leaned towards Elissa, like a man who was about to tell a secret to his friend. However, he simply asked: "What brings a woman like you in this place?"

[Elissa Vuronia]

Truly it was a relief to know that the stranger was all right. He seemed like a nice man as he spoke words that made Elissa feel happy to know he was well, this stranger seemed quite polite as well. As he graciously offered Elissa a seat, she humbly accepted it and gently sat down on a seat just in front of his gaze. Her eyes soon met his and could see that his face seemed gentle, and heart warming, he even asked the bar man to bring them some drinks.

Elissa smiled happily in appreciation towards the stranger. In no time at all the bar man placed her drink down in front of her, and in front of the kind hearted stranger. With a sigh of relief she gently took hold of the wooden mug, and took a sip of the water as it once again quenched her thirst. As the man asked a curious question, she wondered what kind of reply to give him. Although he seemed nice there was a possibility that he was just hiding his true personality.

Making her eyes met his, Elissa spoke in a rather cautious but polite way. "I am on a journey of self discovery. It is a personal matter but I can say it’s been quite an adventure so far"

[Alex]

"Not sure about this little lady...", Alex thought. Elissa was an interesting lady, and Alex could already imagine a lot about her - only honourable things, of course. He forced himself to get his thoughts back to the conversation - "why was I derailed anyways?", he said to himself before speaking. He chose his tone carefully before speaking: he chose an indifferent, relaxed tone.

"In a journey of self-discovery, you say? May I ask who are you traveling with?", he said like he wouldn't really care for the answer, sounding just like the question would've been harmless instead of its true value. Alex kept the light, friendly smile on his face.

[Elissa Vuronia]

This stranger certainly had an aura of mystery surrounding him. Elissa decided to keep things from this man, he sounded polite and well mannered. But as they say, don't underestimate your opponent. However in Elissa's circumstances it was more like don't judge a book by its character. But it didn't hurt just to talk to him, after all Elissa did need to interact with strangers in order to buy supplies and what happened with this man made her want to stay and see if he was going to be ok.

Taking a slow sip from the wooden mug Elissa enjoyed the feeling of the water soaking her throat. The stranger soon asked her another question on whether she was travelling alone, it seemed like a personal question. But she didn't mind answering the question at all, with a focused look and her eyes staring into the man's eyes Elissa replied in an honest way. "Indeed I am kind sir, but I travelling alone with my horse". Saying Amity's name to the stranger would make Elissa worry incase he was a thief who was simply wanting to take a horse.

After all, Amity was Elissa's only friend and she was determined to protect him no matter what! Slowly she took the wooden mug into her left hand and gripped it tightly; there she lifted the gripped hand and poured the last of the water down her throat. With a satisfying sigh she placed it down on the table in front of her and also said to the man with a voice of gratitude. "Thank you for the drink good sir, do I owe you any coins for it?"

[Alex]

Alex gestured elegantly and conjured an apologetic smile on his face. "I'm sorry for asking so personal questions. I shouldn't have done it." He glanced around and then stood up, taking a few steps towards the exit. Before reaching it he stopped, like he'd forgotten something, and turned around. He gestured politely at Elissa, smiling a warm, formal smile. "I hope that we can meet again! In case you want to call me by name, it is Alexander. You can then give me your name if you wish." He stood by the exit, eager to leave the tavern but still as eager to hear her response.

Just then they heard a noise from the outside, a thump from the other side of the wooden door. Like someone would've bashed their (concluded from the sound, completely empty) head on it. It could've also been a melon dropped from a cart coming from the countryside, but then again, there aren't many melon farms in the Free Marches...

Only conclusion was that a ship had just landed in the docks, releasing its load to the market and the crew for the town's services. And just then, as per Alex's thoughts, a group of sailors entered the tavern, cursing like... well, sailors. They sat down on a table near to Elissa's, ordering loads of ale. A wide smile crept on the barkeeper's face, and he began spilling the drink in the wooden mugs.

Alex awaited for her answer.

[Elissa Vuronia]

It was not often you'd see a friendly face. And right now sitting in a tavern filled with strangers, inside a city that looked pretty creepy felt a bit scary. But Elissa didn’t flinch and simply watched the stranger apologise about the questions he was asking, to the teenage noblewoman these questions weren’t personal but she was just weary about the people in Kirkwall.

When he apologised, Elissa shook her head and replied in a gentle tone. "Oh! You don’t have to apologise sir". As he stood up and prepared to exit the tavern, Elissa quickly reached for her leather coin purse underneath the folds of her long cloak and quickly opened it to put a few coins on the table for a tip. Then she turned towards Alex and spoke in a polite manner. "I hope our paths cross again, my name is Elissa".

As she watched him headed towards the exit, there was a loud thump. Following by laughing and shouting as a group of sailors barged into the tavern and ordered their drinks. They sat down before a table, which was next to Elissa, causing her to feel a little uncomfortable. As the noise increased, she once again wrapped the folds of her emerald cloak tightly around herself and headed towards the exit as well.

[Alex]

Alex didn't hesitate in making his exit, but it was slightly hard to try and move through all the men that were coming in the tavern. As he reached the door again, there came an another wave of people, pushing him away from the door. After thirty more seconds Alex finally opened the door and exited the tavern angrily. It was colder outside than he remembered; October had gone by with the last shreds of autumn, and November was passing, when he finally managed to find the house he had bought from a traveler in Kirkwall. He stepped inside thankful of the warmth that waited him there; someone had kindled a fire on the hearth and cooked some food. It awaited Alex on a wooden square table to his left, where the kitchen was. It was fish soup, and a wooden spoon was there beside it. He sat down and began to eat with passion, mind and thought slipping to that mysterious young lady he had met earlier. She had raised his suspicions - no way such a young, and so important-looking, woman would travel alone. And by the looks of it, her company might be something Alex is looking for...

Some time ago Alex had been contacted by a man called Teyrn Landon. He wanted Alex to kill the King of Ferelden so that he himself might rise to the throne, and Alex had accepted this task knowing well the risks. He had heard that the King was travelling by Kirkwall - in fact, this young lady's appearance at the port tavern could easily mean that the King himself is in this very town.

But there was still a lot of business to conclude, good and ill, and knowing this Alex stood up and left the apartment after he had finished eating. If he had just known...

[Leliana]

Leliana was not to sure how she ended up in Kirkwall, she had been doing a lot of thinking lately. But she knew she needed to take a break, she had been walking almost a good two days without stopping. Which she knew wasn't smart, because she could get hurt or sick. But right now it didn't really matter, she had been here a few times. She pulled her hood off her cape over her head, as she entered the gates and headed for the tavern. She needed a drink and a good meal, and perhaps even stay to have a good nights rest. Though she didn't know how she would sleep, she didn't need much sleep normally. But she was beyond exhausted, and needed some time to recover from what she had been doing.

When she got to the tavern, she noticed a lot of people there. Which kind of made her a bit uncomfortable, her heart was beating as she ordered a drink and sat down in the corner. Sipping her drink, she sat back and allowed herself to relax a little bit. However she was taught to never let your guard down, and she never did. Her guard was up like it always was, she looked at her hands. Sighing softly, as she began to rub her fingers. They were very sore, and it was easy to tell that she had used her sword recently. Her hands were a bit red, and even had small callouses on her fingers. You couldn't really see them, unless you were very close to her and paying attention.

[Elissa Vuronia]

Meeting Alex had brought a sense of calm to Elissa's heart. She was glad that he was all right, speaking of being all right, it was time that she left the inn and go back to check on her good friend Amity. Followed by the usual jobs like buying some more supplies and continues her journey across Thedas, however danger had once again appeared in her life. Gently she stood to one side of a hooded stranger and soon marched towards the Northwest as she travelled to the exit of the Hanged Man.

The teenage noble hated the name of the inn. Especially the upside hanged man sign; still it was done to attract customers. As she neared the exit door, there was a loud slam and a loud bunch of sailors marched in and stood in Elissa's way. They were in their mid twenties and thirties, they all had a variety of hair cuts and body shapes. Some were quite muscular, while the others were of an average muscle size. A loud noise was soon followed, as another group of sailors stood up and greeted the ones that just entered the tavern. One of them smirked at Elissa and even licked his lips; the others stood behind the long cloaked teen and blocked all directions that Elissa could go. She stood still and stared hard at the sailors who had a rather cruel intention on their minds, still none of them had no idea that Elissa was more then just a pretty face. Elissa spoke inside her mind and told herself to focus and remain calm, then again they underestimated Elissa.

With a longing lust of their minds, they all admired Elissa's physique which was hidden from eye sight underneath the thickness and length of her emerald hooded cloak as it flowed across the floor. One of them finally spoke with an excited voice while he pointed his eyes to the teen's bustline and mouth. "Well! Aren’t you a perty little gem! I'm sure we can shine this little gem until its nice and shiny" The tavern was littered from laughter as they once again licked their lips, Elissa's face remained calm but her fists were clenched tightly.

Luckily they too were hidden underneath the emerald cloak. The one who spoke looked over at the tavern owner and shouted out in total confidence to him. "Hey bar keep! Book us a room will ya! We'd like to spend some quality time together!" He soon turned to Elissa who once again remained nice and calm, the man looked a bit surprised. Still he took a few steps forward and got more excited by Elissa's presence.

His lackeys moved closer, until finally he used his arms and grabbed the teen's shoulders. Elissa didn’t flinch but simply, there he chuckled and pulled undid the emerald cloak which caused it to fall to the ground. Her garments were her favourite travelling clothes of a silver tunic and black trousers; a sound of "OOOOh" was soon heard which mocked Elissa once again. This time it was because they noticed her sword, which stood within its scabbard awaiting its chance to either kill or defend, Elissa played along and gasped.

Once more the sailor who talked to his friends moved his hands. But as they reached towards Elissa's bustline, she decided to finish this rude meeting. Reacting as quickly as her arms could go Elissa cross her arms and grabbed both wrists of the sailor's arms and turned them outwards with all her might. Pain coursed threw the man's body, it was intense enough to break his excitement and cry out in pain.

His friends were astonished and watched in horror as with gritted teeth, slammed her knee into his groin. He groaned in pain as her knee went deep into his meat and two veg, with a grin Elissa moved her knee around and around and then slammed into the same area three times and finally head butted him while letting go of his wrists. The man backed up and finally fell to the floor in utter pain. Each lackey got angry to the point when they wanted to kill Elissa, but she stood ready to meet them.

Two of them charged at her from behind. But Elissa heard their charging cries and immediately reacted by once again moving as quickly as her body could, she timed her counter attack until they got closer and then slammed her elbows behind her. Luckily they hit their target as more groans were heard, but they were soon silenced by a roundhouse punch as she twirled around causing her hair to move with it.

Another sailor charged with intent to pound her as he raised his clenched hands above his head. Once again Elissa twirled around upon hearing this guy's attack cry, instead of a counter attack Elissa simply pushed her clenched right hand into the guy's stomach with all her might. She then decided to give him what the attacking guy wanted to do to Elissa by clubbing his head with an axhandle after his keeled over in pain from the punch to his chest. Two more guys’ emerged and literally grabbed Elissa’s arms, another guys ran towards her attempted to punch her. Elissa reacted with a kick to the guy’s stomach, then made her to also slam both of her feet into the other two guy’s toes, causing the hold of her to be released.

Using both hands she then grabbed the heads of the two that had held her arms and slammed them together. Finally Elissa clenched her left hand as hard as she could and pushed it forwards into the third guy. With three guys left they circled the teen causing the girl to increase her defence and her focus, one of them literally ran and tried to tackle her. However Elissa simply rolled to one side causing him to crash into a table which was broken in two, the final two attacked together as they aimed a punch to Elissa’s face. But she moved to duck downwards and slammed both her hands into each guy’s stomach and then slammed her fist into one of the guy’s face. Then lastly she walked behind the over guy and slammed her foot into the tenth’s guy’s bottom and watched him fall face first into the ground.

With the battle finally over, the tavern was silent. Elissa’s breathed heavily, and soon watched in amazement as the sound of clapping hands were covered the tavern in celebration, they whistled at Elissa and showed their respect for the young teenage noble. The tavern went back to being its normal self leaving Elissa to catch her breath, her hands ached and throbbed in pain while both of her legs barely had enough strength left to stand up. Sweat poured down from her face and slowly Elissa sat down near a red haired girl, The tavern owner gazed at Elissa and spoke to her. “You did good girl, here let me get you a drink of water. It’s on the house”. She nodded to him in gratitude and simply fell silent.

A wooden mug of fresh water sat in front of her, after Elissa grabbed her emerald cloak and gently she folded it and placed it onto her lap. With a gratifying sigh she took hold of the mug and felt her throat be soothed as the water went down her throat, as she breathed in and out Elissa tried to catch her breath and watched as the sailors groaned in pain. Standing up she moved to the very first man she injured, there she lifted his head and spoke to him in anger. “Sorry, but this gem is no one’s treasure. I suggest you take your friends, and leave any other woman and me alone. Got it?” He weakly nodded his head, and watched Elissa as she walked back to her seat and quietly said to herself, “Makers Breath”. A she couldn’t believe what those thugs tried to do, but quietly she thanked Alex for training him as Elissa gulped down another load of drinking water.