~Enclosed are the details of your mission. The Elven kind has created a massive set of out postings on the border of the forest of Yomenïampa. Your mission is to completely destroy all of the outposts and leave none standing. Leave not one elf alive. Failure to comply will come if you let any of them live, attempt to run away, or die. There will be one other assassin taking the same test as you. She will assist you and you will assist her. Also to accompany you will be one hired person and one surprise person. How you go about destroying the outposts is up to you and your party. Serve the assassin name well~

The border of the forest was vast. Right at the clearing stood Jade. She was holding the scroll, clutched tightly in her grasp as each breath that left her lips was short and crisp. Directly in front of her laid the first outpost about 200 feet in the tree tops. The atmosphere in this place was warm at all times thanks to a magical spell. Everything was perfect with these people, everything set up in such a rigorous way that only skilled warriors would even be able to come close. Archers, beasts, and other traps laid in front of her as she slowly studied her way up and around everything as she looked back at the scroll in her hand.

The bottom left hand of the scroll was a blood stained seal meaning that they meant business. The assassin association that Jade was working for marked important documents with a blood seal at the bottom signifying that it was a major deal or a major event that needs to happen. This was a mission that was going to be highly difficult, and if jade did not have people who were agile and stealthy, and then this mission would surely end with a failed ending.

Jade rolled the scroll up and stuck it in her back of her skirt as she took out her dagger and inspected it wearily. The only weapon she had was her fist, feet and a damn dagger. The company really stacked the odds against her, hopefully she could still pull through though. She had no armor, nothing. Only a maroon skirt, and belts strapped against her body and a torn red shirt that would do little to nothing with oncoming attacks. She also had a shiny little package which looked very odd. It looked magical, but there was an uncertainty about it. She tucked it away in her skirt and hoped it would be worth something in this upcoming squabble.

Jade walked a few steps into the forest border when she noticed her first archer sitting high in the trees. The archer did not see her but she was not out of trouble. In fact she had just gotten into some trouble before the entire party could rendezvous at the entrance.

A walking elven guard snuck behind Jade and grabbed her and put a sword to her throat. She gasp softly as her muscles tensed up out of surprise and shock. “You know, its not wise to grab a lady in such a way” jade said in a low seductive tone.

Jade was gifted with beautiful looks, but she was also gifted with nice speed and an uncanny fighting ability. As she took one more soft breath, the elf had loosened his grip up slightly letting Jade breathe a bit easier.

“First mistake of the afternoon sweetie” as a left foot rose and hit the elf right in the place where no man would like to be hit. The elf grunted loudly but was silenced quickly as Jade shot him an elbow to the throat causing him to go mute for a second and choke. With a swift fluid motion, the deadly assassin grabbed the dumb elf and snapped her neck with a quick heartless motion.

The body fell limp onto the floor as the rush of a fresh killed surged down her slim figure from her head to her toes. Her spiky hair was tied back for this mission to keep it out of her way. Her body was nice and slender and bared the crest of the assassins on her shoulder. She was defiantly an eyeful for any male. Her feminine look, but deadliness about her made her a female who is not to played with. Her mission was now started and she awaited the rest of her party members. Hopefully they come soon for in the next fifteen minutes, she would leave and start the fun without them. One kill was done without them, many more can come. How this mission would turn out would be completely unknown, but the best effort would be placed into it to pass this test with flying colors. “Lets do this babe” she whispered to herself waiting the fifteen minute time limit for everyone else.

Valerik leaned forward on the back of his mighty ash dragon, his hair whipping behind him in the wind. The forest flew below him in a sea of jade, each of the leaves blurring with the next, creating an ocean of green. Valerik stared down below momentarily, then refocusing his gaze back to his surroundings. Over the horizon, lights began to shine. Lights from the elven city, Yomenïampa. Valerik could not be detected, or else his mission would end in failure.

His mind rushed back to that day. Valerik awoke from his night stay at the inn, rubbing his eyes clear of sleep. He strapped on his gear, retrieved the key to the room, and headed out the door. He headed over to the innkeeper, tossing the key in his direction. Instinctively, the innkeeper caught it with no difficulty, putting it back into his deep pockets of his apron. But he quickly motioned for Valerik to stop. The vampire complied, approaching the innkeeper.

"Someone came lookin' for ya. Told me to inform ye to meet them behind this alley at midnight," Valerik merely nodded in response, turning back towards his original direction: out the door. He spent the rest of his day wandering, mindlessly gazing over the items at the square. But at midnight, he went behind the alley, waiting for this mystery employer. At last, a man garbed in dark clothing approached him, handing a seal. Valerik accepted, paying close attention to the employer's few words, "You will get payed well." Valerik nodded, opening the seal as the man walked off in silence.

~Enclosed are the details of your mission. The Elvin kind has created a massive set of out postings on the border of the forest of Yomenïampa. Your mission is to completely destroy all of the outposts and leave none standing. Leave not one elf alive. Failure to comply will come if you let any of them live, attempt to run away, or die. You are the hired mercenary, assisting our two assassins on their trial. You and one other surprise person will aid them. Act as if this mission determines your life.~

Valerik scanned the document again, glancing over the strange blood seal located at the bottom of the document. He paid no further attention to it and headed off, getting started on his travels to Yomenïampa.

Valerik glanced over the horizon, scanning for any signs of watchtowers. Soon, lights of the nearby city began to peak over. Valerik ordered Akor to descend, sending the dragon down into an opening in the canopy. The dragon landed into the middle of the clearing, giving Valerik an open space to dismount. He commanded the dragon to stay their, heading off towards the area of the tower. He walked for approximately an hour, until he came into sight of a tower. He walked carefully, trying to keep out of sight.

Several yards away was a beautiful woman, one who did not look like an assassin. But the dead body next to her revealed her true, deadly, nature. Valerik approached, holding his copy of the scroll in his right hand, his left hand clearly far away from his weapon. He did not want this assassin to accidentally mistake him for the enemy. He moved his left hand, yanking the eye patch over his left eye closer to his nose. He shuddered at the memory losing his eye at the hands of the sun guardian. When he at last came close enough to speak, he began, "I am Valerik, the hired mercenary in this crew. When will we begin?" he asked.

It had to happen sooner or later Vex mused as she contemplated her contact. Her resume was just too good for people- important people- not to take note of her and her assets. Even acting as a solo assassin with no to very little backup (defining Ennui as 'help' was massively stretching the definition of the word) she had successfully completed well over two dozen contracts in less than a year- a very impressive feat considering the fact that she was usually dispatched as a hunter, an assassin who went after those who fled the dark justice of the streets.

She was no angel of justice though.

"You're shorter than I thought you'd be." Vex said honestly as she gulped down beer. It was fair stuff, neither good nor bad. Besides her, the dwarf snorted. He was also drinking- how he managed not to get it spewed out of his nose, Vex hadn't the slightest clue. Probably a dwarf thing- they were surprisingly hardy folk.

"I dun get muh' comments aboot me size no more," the dwarf groused good naturedly after he finished his drink. He banged his mug down on the bartop, demanding more before he slapped her back. Vex winced, even through the form-fitting drow masterpiece, it still stung. The dwarf was stronger than an ox. Probably could eat one too, judging by his bulging muscles- he seemed ridiculously powerful for such a short body. "Which means ye've gone up a few pegs in me estimation." He guffawed. Then the bartender came by, sweating profusely and bowing more than he should.

Vex waited as the bartender hurriedly refilled the dwarf's mug before speaking.

"Honesty's my policy, I swear." She chirped, making a caricature of every holy convert she had ever seen. She saw the dwarf's eyes glint and realized that her own were doing the same. It had been a while since she had postured with another assassin- and more than a while since she has postured with an assassin of such stature as Dworn the Destroyer.

Dworn smiled, winked. "Best ye keep that policy… so d'we start lying before or after supper?"

Among the assassin community Dworn was well known, incredibly well known. He was probably one of the very few assassins that legitimate monarchies would openly acknowledge, and probably the only assassin that had gotten away with killing royalty. He was an upfront assassin, the kind that kings sent as proxies and champions. He could have probably comfortably retired as some king or another's weaponmaster and Champion but the dwarf had never held illusions (supposedly) about what it was he did. He killed. And now he was a representative of a shadowy organization that had contacted her. Vex felt ridiculously pleased.

But she wasn't going to compromise her principles because of it.

"After."

Two days later, Vex found herself at the border of a forest with nothing but a mace, a cloak and an ability to instill fear into her opponents that she had neglected to mention to her current employers. Oh, and a potion of strength that she had passed off as water. She was fairly certain that they had known she was lying, but since they let her get away with it, she felt it was only fair she indulge a bit. Grimacing at the stink she took a delicate sip (too much artificial strength was known to kill many an over-ardent fan of such augmentations) and felt her muscles bulge before dropping back to their normal size. She squeezed her fist experimentally and felt her mace strain and groan and threaten to crunch inwards and grinned in appreciation.

Yup, she was strong now. Even without her armor which the assassin guild was 'holding' for her. If she found any scratches on her little baby she'd keel them all. Slowly. With numerous and unlikely torture implements. Like spoons. Spoons could create amazing pain. Sporks were better, but spoons were more artistic- she always loved to see the incomprehension that dotted the faces of her various victims just before she started stabbing. And loved how they realized that it would take a very, very, very long time for them to die in such a manner.

Silent as a shadow she crept on the ground, hiding herself in the undergrowth. She had dyed her hair black, smudged her skin with various oils and while she wasn't trained like a true assassin in how to disappear she did know a thing or two about disguises. She hoped it would be enough to act as camouflage. She could walk over a forest floor without making a single leaf crisp but she could not make herself vanish like many others assassin could- and that lack of physical subtlety annoyed her.

She checked the sun and winced. It would be a close shave- it was always difficult to tell what the time was by something as large and imposing as the sun. But she would make it, and she wouldn't allow no bloody elves to get in her way!

And then her mind was silent, it had to be as she focused on her single-minded task: to move without a sound. Her cloven feet found purchase on the ground and then she was off, zipping and darting on her knees, on her feet, on her elbows on her hands- on any part of her that would make the least noise. It was her gift, her power and her greatest asset. It would have to be enough.

As she neared the designated meeting spot a voice as loud as thunder to her ears, rang out.

"I am Valerik, the hired mercenary in this crew. When will we begin?"

There was movement. Vex cursed and crept backwards, hiding in the undergrowth. Was the man retarded? Elves that were this numerous obviously overlapped their territory while they were on watch! And their pointy ears weren't just for show! And here he was chatting away as if they weren't in their territory. Idiot. Vex held her breath as an elf, lithe and graceful as they usually were, dropped out of a tree not too far away and crept closer, apparently interested in the sudden noise. Vex calculated the distance, the time it would take for her to slaughter the female and winced. The elf would be able to cry out before she covered even half that. She'd have to wait. And hope that the other assassin would shut the mercenary up.

Amateurs died in the dance of death- and Vex wasn't sure if they had asked her to accompany this greenthumb troupe in order to get herself killed or for her to teach them what to do. In any case, she didn't like it. But she would persevere- Dwon had promised her very, very interesting advantages...

It wasn't customary for Nathaniel to be late; not for something like this anyways. Usually he tried to attend bloodbaths at an early time slot, so that survellience and planning could be done before the physical test rolled around. He was a good warrior, but he was a stronger tactician; why else would he have been granted such prestiguous titles as Captain and leuitenant? This was one of those times cunning would be more necessary than brute force, as the elves were notoriously brilliant. They were also one of the most prestiguous races, which meant killing them would be frowned upon. Discrection was absolutely mandatory. Though Nathaniel may care little about his social appearance, scaring off prospective allies wasn't wise. In time he would be able to mold his men into killing whoever he pointed at, but such rigorous condition was not attainable overnight. Not when he'd done so little to thoroughly earn their trust, and his army was still in the planning stages.

So why was he late? There were two reasons. The first was that he had to struggle to read the elegant script and flowing words, most of which weren't phonetic. After a long night of mulling over it he eventually sought out a drink, thinking it a joke. When even that barricade was overcome he doubted if he wanted to attend. There was interest in the assassin Jade Valdis, and he'd love to see her working; but he would have to participate as well? It'd been some time since he'd tried to fight a mass of enemies, and something like this promised broken bones in the least. If just one sent up an alarm the whle of Arda would have Jade and his heads, and if one escaped they were sure to grow up with a vendetta. Many tales told of as much.

Then again, it was only the outposts. They weren't the whole of the elven race, and more likely than not it would be repaired and restocked in no more than a week after they finished. Plus, another was supposedly showing up to aid in the endeavour. After a lot of drinking, bawless singing, and debating he finally decided to toss a royal crown. Surely this would be the answer he sought on whether or not he should go. Through a drunken haze he decided heads would result in attendance, and tails would mean he wouldn't turn it down. Flicking it off his thumb he watched the golden glint of the coin as it spn in the air, the descent seeming slow to his racing mind. In suspended motion it fell, a 'plop!' sounded it landed in his drink. Nathaniel stared in shock for some time, confused. Then with a grumble he upended it, shaking the mug even long after it had all splashed out. A tiny clunk sounded as the coin hit the table, though whether it had turned during that time was unknown.

"Well... s'heads now. Guess'n I'm goin', enh?" The coin didn't answer back as he stared at it, and with a grumpy noise he set about finding his things. It was hard to locate weaponry and clothing when the whole world was spinning, and a few times he stumbled. By the time he found his sword his eyes refused to stay open, and he fell asleep curled up on the floor. Nathaniel was, at best, a sloppy drunk. Which was why he normally only drank this heavily in his rented room, door locked. Nathaniel didn't trust the bartender to halt any thieves from robbing him while he lay dazed at the bar counter.

When he awoke his head was pounding and he'd only managed to shrug on his pants and loose undershirt. Wiping at the collective drool at the side of his mouth he rose slowly, eyes scanning the place as he tried to recall what had happened. The letter, the drink, the coi-- oh! The coin! Of course. Frowning, he approached the letter to scan it quickly. Greetings, orders, all of that was bypassed so he could study the very important time listed on it. It was to go down in two hours; a problem considering the place was at least that far from here. Swearing under his breath he began riffling through the place, finding the rest of his clothing so he could go attend. Funny how an oppurtunity slipping through fingers can inspire one to try all the harder.

~-.-~-.-~-.-~-.-~-.-~-.-~-.-~-.-~-.-~-.-~

Nathaniel was fourteen minutes late, and thoroughly out of breath. He'd commadeered a horse from the stables, though the thing had bucked him off shortly after entering the forest and left him with sore thighs and even less time. Cursing his luck he'd ran as fast as he could in all his armor and clothing, eventually halting when he caught sight of a familiar white-haired female. Pink clothing hugged her body suggestively, though it probably would do nothing against a blade. He should know; he'd sparred with her before, out in the training grounds. Back then he'd been late as well, ironically enough.

Moving slowly he approached, eyeing the dead corpse on the ground and then Jade. "I'm here." He stated firmly, eyes alert for the slightest sign of movement. Hard armour protected his chest, the plates not unlike large dragon scales. A black jacket was over it, the inside of which was red. The lapels folded out revealed as much, accenting both the black and the silver of his protection. At his side was his trusted longsword, the other side holding asheath for his dagger. Only recently had he stumbled across it, learning quite painfully what made it so unique. It was also hard; hard enough to break teeth. Though he did love it, a more intriguing idea had come to him in regards to how to make it the most useful.

Finally, his cape hung regally from his shoulders. It was pulled to one side, hanging over a broad shoulder and thus hanging farther off the ground, keeping it from getting dirty. Though it looked well-suited to his frame and went well with the colours, the greatest aspect to it was the fact it allowed him to pass through solid matter. Though swinging weapons couldn't be dodged, nor shot arrows, he found himself passing through into his room without having to unlock the door. Of course, the most important thing about his cape was that it would let him pass into the stockades without having to climb them or try to pry them open. Once inside he could unlock it for Jade to enter, or even set about killing those inside himself. Dastardly, but effective.

"Have you killed many? Has the other shown up? How dangerous is this place?" All important questions, breathed with the respect they deserved. When he'd served there was a common adoption of labeling areas by colours, to symbolize how trapped and well guarded they were. A more elaborate system had allowed for dual colours, one symbolizing living enemies and another symbolizing inanimate ones. He doubted such was necessary right now. "Also, do we have a map? If we can divide the areas we will be able to more effectively clear them, thus making the task less chaotic." Though normally he was all for chaos, that did not include when he was busy taking out targets. Efficiently spilling blood meant that they wouldn't be mobbed.

Kneeling down he crossed the arms over the dead body, then lifted the corpse. It hadn't had enough time to rot into a true stench, and he was able to move back some ways and put it under a large tree. Then he set about covering it with leaves and twigs, making the pile no more suspicious than the ones around the other trees. It was a little higher in areas than the others, but unless someone was looking for a discrepancy they would miss it. He was practically invisible where he was. "I daresay the others might not be coming after all."

Speak of the devil... that was precisely when others seemed to show up, though he didn't bother moving from his position. Instead he stayed silent, blending in to the background and not moving. The mercenary who strode up was an interesting sight indeed, though the approach of the she-demon he missed. What was thoroughly odd about this arrangement was that there were now four of them, when the letter spoke only of three. When all was revealed there would no doubt be many perplexing things to muse over. For instance, if one of them wasn't actually an impostor...

Jade tucked her little pouch of extra goodies from the organization away and out of sight as a man seemed to walk up behind her. Jade quickly drew her dagger once more only to find that is was Nathaniel. Jade just nodded at him and shot him a sexy smile as she turned back around and inspected the over growth and the surroundings. The first target was an out post that was roughly 150 feet high and about three hundred yards to the north. All they would have to do is make their way 300 yards north and they could begin their upward climb to the first target. This would be easier said than done for Jade was under armed and the man behind her looked to be just as horribly equipped from a first glance view.

Jade took a knee and checked the dead elf that was beside her only to find nothing. She tucked all of his belongings into his pockets neatly so that if someone had come across him it would look as though he was just taking a nap. While she was doing this, Nathan had began to speak to her quietly. He was obviously skilled at stealth tactics for he did not walk up and ruin everything by being an idiot. He was smart. He stayed low, quiet and polite.

Jade finished tucking away his belongins as she turned to him with a slight grin. “Nice to see you too Nathan” Jade said in a low whisper smiling at him while her green eyes reflected the sun’s light.

As she smiled, Nathan seemed to just get straight to buisnes asking how many were killed and how angerous of a place this was. Obviously he has never been here for if he had, he would know right off hand that they were dealing with danger just sitting here holding a light tactical conversation.

“Only one killed, and as for dangerous. Look around sugar. We are up against elves. And one more thing, about three hundred yards north and then a one hundred fifty yard climb up and we will be at a small vantage point in the first camp. This camp is not as well guarded as the others, but what makes this one different is that the weapons these elves carry.”

Jade looked around breathing very slightly trying to stay as quiet as possible trying not to be too loud and not cause attention to be drawn to them. They had one thing against them, and that was the fact that it was not dark outside yet, so it was easier to be spotted. Hopefully they would realize this fact and try nothing stupid until the light was fully gone, which was not for roughly another hour or so.

Jade took another quick survey of the area as the feeling of hardships came upon her. She felt nervous about all of this because one she was not alone, and two because she was not in the darkness. These were vital things and the slim, sexy Jade had neither of them. This will be very difficult. “Lets move.” Jade said realizing that the others had not arrived yet, but as she turned back to Nathan, he was busy moving the body out of site. Smart. He tucked it away nicely, but her eagerness to move was quickly halted as another spoke.

He had made a simple greeting, but the problem was that he did not whisper it. He had said everything out loud and risked compromising their position. Was this man stupid? Or just a complete idiot.

Jade turned around to him and gave him a horrible look. If someone with great looks such as Jade contorts her face into a ugly face towards someone, you know you have messed up. After getting a good look at the idiot, Jade closed her eyes as she hoped to what ever god was out there watching that none of the guardians heard his comment and was not alerted.


Jade had quickly bolted from her position and used her skills of moving silently and repositioned herself into a face down position in a set of high rise shrubbery and hid herself away neatly. Just as she did this, she could tell that someone heard him as a few meters away in a tree there was movement. Hopefully Nathan would hide himself away as well, as for the other person that Jade didn’t even hear or see come, she might be ok. But the idiot had been left in the open by himself. Hopefully he was smart and he would also try to hide and not take a heroic way out of this problem and try to kill the hidden Elvin bowman for that would lead to suicide between the entire party. Jade knew she should have taken this job as a solo mission. Now she was forced to hope and pray that she would live through this moment to drink more wine at a pub and flirt with more guys later. As for now, she had to teach the party idiot how to be silent so that he doesn’t ruin everything for everyone.

((OOC to valerik. I in no way am trying to insult you on a personal way. This is completely IC. Jade's personality is kind of cold...so if you take offense i apologize.))