The Slash and Bash (Pt3: Returning for Talyn)

[Matalina]

Cari hated going to the Slash and Bash, but it was in her opinion the best shop in the city and she owed Demus something for coming with her, and because she was naturally proud of his progress with the sword.

 

Things had changed in the Slash and Bash but the memories flooded back to her. Cari hoped Yrean would be out and when she walked in the tinkling door way she was glad to see Loari behind the counter sharpening a newly forged blade.

 

Cari took a deep breath as she started to browse the store for something for Demus. A man stepped through the door way behind her. She expected the tinkle of the bell, but the clear Illianer accent that came made Cari's heart sink. "Evening Miss Loari. I do be seeing we've a customer." Cari didn't look up or around she kept to her business. Yrean came up behind her. "What do you be looking for, lass?"

 

Cari smiled but didn't turn to meet his gaze. "I'm looking for a present for a friend."

 

Cari

[WhiteWolf]

“And you be passing by here and be thinking this be the place to be finding the giftâ€.

 

It was not a question, more an observation, Yrean knew full well that no one came to this part of the harbour unless they knew their destination, this harbour was not a place to idle away time, not in peace anyways.

 

Keeping his eye on the woman, Yrean signalled to Miss Loari that she could leave and he heard her walking off through the rear door wishing him a good night as she went.

 

“So, be anything catching your eye?â€

 

A memory was tugging at Yrean, something that suggested to him he knew this person, but so far that was all it was, and no doubt would remain so until he got to see her face. Yrean knew many of his clients liked anonymity, he never asked them about their business, but would only sell to those he thought he should. He had always possessed the ability to divine a person’s intent, and this had been sharpened during the training he had under gone in the Tower Guards.

 

Yrean let the question hang in the air, he was in no rush and business had been slower than usual the last couple of weeks. Even so, Yrean had not eaten since early that morning and he hoped she would not linger to long.

 

Yrean Stavosi

 

We are Grey. We stand between the Light and the Shadow

 

Tower Guard and Owner of the Slash ‘N’ Bash

[Matalina]

Cari turned slightly towards Yrean, and hoped that under all the changes he would not recognize his dead friend. She'd have prayed but the Great Lord didn't answer prays, she'd have to do this on her own.

 

"I'm looking for a nice dagger, one that is almost one of a kind, at least rather rare to have on this side of the ocean." Cari knew what kind of weaponry the shop held and she knew Yrean would suspect more, but there could be many reasons why she knew about the Slash and Bash.

 

"Might you have anything that meets that criteria. It might save me a little time in browsing your lovely items and to get back to my family."

 

Cari

[WhiteWolf]

If there was one thing Yrean hated it was mysteries, and there was one standing right in front of him, in his own shop. He would have bet his life that the person stood in front of him was Matalina, but when she turned and he caught a glimpse of her face he was not so sure. It took a moment for Yrean to realise that she had asked him a question, and he had not heard it. “I be sorry, be you repeating that?â€

 

"I'm looking for a nice dagger, one that is almost one of a kind, at least rather rare to have on this side of the ocean. Might you have anything that meets those criteria? It might save me a little time in browsing your lovely items and to get back to my family."

 

A nice dagger

 

Yrean was still in a daze and even after she repeated her question he still could not get the image of Mat out of his mind, even though the tone of the voice was very different to Mat’s, Yrean still thought there was a resemblance.

 

“I be waiting on a delivery, so there be only what you be seeing here. The other items that be in stock be more than you be willing to pay, I be thinking. Be you wanting to see those?â€

 

Cari thought about his offer for a moment then indicated that she would like to see the more expensive items. Yrean smiled, in a distracted way, and asked her to follow him to the next floor. When they arrived on the second floor, Yrean took an ornate key from his pocket and unlocked the door and then ushered his customer into the room.

 

The room had changed a lot since Cari had last been there, but she hid her surprise well and started to walk around the display cabinets, looking at all of the different gleaming weapons the cases held. “The knives and daggers be in the next row, I be warning you, they be not cheap.â€

 

Yrean Stavosi

 

We are Grey. We stand between the Light and the Shadow

 

Tower Guard and Owner of the Slash ‘N’ Bash

[Matalina]

Things upstairs had changed and the little room held a few exquist peices, she wondered where they'd been made. Cari listened to the instructions of where the knives and daggers where.

 

Each peice was unique, she was sure she could find one that would fit Demus. Her curiousity tended to make things worse, but she asked anyway. "Where were these made?"

 

Cari picked up curved looking dagger with a beautiful inlay. She tested it for weight and manueverabiltiy as if she were going to buy it for herself. Cari wasn't sure if Demus used a dagger in other place than his belt, she might have to ask him.

 

Cari still hoped that her once illinar friend would keep to the business side and not inquire as to more than her business here.

 

Cari

[WhiteWolf]

Yrean smiled at Cari’s question. It was a question that revealed more about the person asking the question than many realised. “If I be revealing my sources, why be you buying from me.â€

 

It was not a question more a statement of fact, no shop owner or businessman would ever reveal their sources, not if they wanted to stay in business. “I be knowing many artisan’s, some be working exclusively for me.â€

 

Pointing to two displays Yrean informed her that they were items she would not find the like of anywhere else. “Be you able to afford my prices?â€

 

Yrean was starting to become intrigued by the woman, there was something about her that just did not seem true to him and she was most definitely not like his usual customers.

 

rean Stavosi

 

We are Grey. We stand between the Light and the Shadow

 

Tower Guard and Owner of the Slash ‘N’ Bash

[Matalina]

Cari untied her coin pouch from her belt and tossed it at Yrean. "I do be thinking I can afford your prices." She probably shouldn't have mocked the owner's accent but it was something that came out. It always had when she was aren't Yrean, in the past. She had enjoyed mocking him then and it seemed it was the case now.

 

Cari weighed a few daggers over in her hands, testing weight and balance. She hoped it would do for Demus, but you never knew with men. The peice she finally decided on was not overly ornate, something pretty and costly because of the silver wraped along the hilt. It looked like Mistress Loari's work but she wouldn't ask too many questions. It was delicate but useful and not too noticable. Flashy weapons were not an assassin's good points.

 

Cari turned around to look at Yrean and was not sure what was running past his face. She hoped dearly he had not remembered certain facts. She prayed to the Great Lord for him to forget. "I think I'll take this one."

 

Cari

[WhiteWolf]

Yrean watched as Cari made her way along the alleyway, occasionally checking behind her, obviously wanting to make sure she was not being followed, or at least that was how Yrean saw her actions. As she turned the corner at the end of the alley, Yrean shifted his position to the other side of the chimney stack, and glancing down watched as Cari continued on her way, his suspicions about her identity growing by the minute. At first he had not recognised the young woman who had entered his shop, but the small mannerisms she exhibited tweaked his memories of his long lost friend and despite her obvious attempts to disguise herself, she could not completely avoid slipping back into her old manner. What had finally helped make the connection for Yrean had been her attempts to mimic his accent; something that only one other person had ever done, or at least had done to his face. That was the reason why Yrean had decided to follow her, but knowing how well trained she had been, Yrean knew there was only one way he could attempt to follow her with any degree of success.

 

As she arrived at a crossroads, Yrean hoped she would take the alley to her left; this was the only one that would give him a chance to implement his plan without being interrupted. Quietly he changed moved out from behind the chimney stack and checking for loose tiles made his way to the edge of the roof as Cari turned down the alleyway he had hoped she would. Yrean deftly jumped the gap between the roof he was on and without missing a step, made his way along the roof flanking the alley Cari now strode along. The roofs here were flat topped and this allowed Yrean to get ahead of his prey. Coming to the end of the roof, Yrean dropped down to street level and taking hold of his dagger, slowed his breathing, sheathing himself in the void; he waited for her to arrive.

 

It was not long before he heard the soft slap of her boots on the cobbles and counting to three Yrean moved swiftly from his place of concealment and taking her totally by surprise his arm came up and knocked her against the opposite wall. Her reactions were quick, ferociously quick, but Yrean had the advantage of surprise, and greater strength, and soon had her pinned up against he wall, his dagger going to her throat.

 

“It do be surprising to me that an old, dead, friend be walking the streets of this fair city. Be you thinking I be so dumb as to be now knowing you Cari, or should I calling you by your true name, Matalina?â€

 

Yrean

 

Tower Guard

 

We are Grey. We stand between the Light and the Shadow

[Matalina]

Cari smiled at Yrean in almost an evil way. He'd followed her, and he was just lucky she was not in the mood for killing today, today was way to busy to be washing blood of her hands. "Call me Matalina again and your tongue will be a nice trophy on my mantle peice." Cari pushed Yrean away. "My name is Cari, this Matalina you speak of is long since dead and will remain so. Or there will be prices to pay." Cari didn't bother drawing a dagger to impress her point upon her once upon a time friend, he knew her well enough to know she was serious.

 

Friendships only last so long and Cari was not sure her departure would have maintained this one, he was too suspcious of her and too cautions. "I have alot to do today, so what be on your mind." She smiled warily at him, knowing what had tipped his final cue at who she was.

 

Cari

[Matalina]

OOC: Missing post by Yrean summary: Basically tossed a coin bag at Cari and said here's your earnings and then has to go back to the shop.

 

IC: Cari caught the bag of coins and was truly surprised he'd kept money asside for a dead person. By all out rights, she was dead to the Tower, and he should have known that. There had to be some other reason, she doubted Alex or Jeffery Kincaid said anything to anyone, but who knew.

 

She wasn't going to count the money considering she didn't expect it to begin with, but she wanted to know why he had saved it. He'd found out and just leaving it at that would not be a good end to any friendship, so Cari followed Yrean back to the shop.

 

Cari set the coin pouch on the counter. "Why are you saving money for someone who is suppose to be dead? By all rights you should have thought Matalina was dead."

 

Cari knew this would be a while, friendships always too time, Cari didn't have alot of friends and she liked it that way, but he was and she had to make that time now. Cari removed her cloak and drapped it over the counter as well then turned her back to Yrean while she waited for an answer. It was more to show off than it was she was impatient. She'd choosen to wear an off the shoulder saffire blue blouse that had no real back to it, it came down almost to her waist. It was perfect for showing off the two tattoos and the scar that separated the both.

 

It had been a while since she'd seen Mykal for a tatoo, maybe it was time to add to the grim figure, rose and heart tattoos that she currently had, but those were for another day. Cari wondered if Yrean would even notice, but most men did when you flaunted things as such. Cari idly looked at the weaponry incased in the glass box before her. She didn't care what was in it, but she had to look as if she wasn't displaying herself.

 

Cari

[WhiteWolf]

Sitting in the bay window of his bedroom, the evening sun streaming onto his face, Yrean ran the events of the last few houts through his mind, a slight smile creasing the corners of his mouth. He was not sure if Cari had been aware that this had been his first time or not, and he hoped she was not disappointed by his performance. Hopefully his enthusiasm more than made up for any lack of technique and judging by the marks on his back he had a fair idea that Cari had enjoyed herself.

 

A noise from behind him brought Yrean’s attention back to the present, but it was only Cari moaning in her sleep. Yrean could not understand what she was mumbling; her words were too indistinct for him to make out. Returning his gaze to the street outside the window, the smile returned to his face, the evening sunlight making his eyes gleam, almost as if they had an inner source of illumination.

 

Where do we go from here? Was this all just a bit of fun for her?

 

Yrean found the thoughts unsettling, yet there was still so much he did not know about Cari, and that was the reason for his thoughts suddenly turning maudlin. This was all new to him, and he had nothing to base his emotions on. When Gaea had been around there had always been some reason why they had never consummated the growing feelings that had formed between them, even though they had both wanted to, wanted to badly. Even when Yrean had been a mercenary he had stayed away from the women who had often accompanied the caravans he had worked, and this had caused much amusement among the other guards, and led to some light hearted ribbing.

 

Again a sound came from behind him, this time one easily recognisable. Cari had obviously woken up and had been watching him, and decided to get his attention by coughing, or at least that was what Yrean thought when he turned to face her, a small inscrutable smile appearing on her face as her turned to face her. Not knowing what to say, Yrean left his window seat and moved across to the bed, sitting down near her and waiting to see what comment she had to make.

 

Yrean Stavrosi

 

Tower Guard

 

We are grey. We stand between the Light and the Shadow

[Matalina]

Cari sat and watched Yrean sitting in the window. Things had happened rather fast and Cari wasn't sure why it had. This had been the second time she'd bedded a man with no ulterior motives in mind. Perhaps something else was taking over. First for no reason at all helping Demus, and then bringing him to her bed for a night, but that sharing had resulted in a good friendship and one that could offer much more but it had alot of issues. Now Yrean, of all the years she'd known him they'd never more than flirted. Though one time had almost landed them in bed. If things had been different that day this might not have been their first sharing.

 

It hadn't taken much for the clothes to fly. Yrean had walked up behind her and traced the scar down her back. "This be new?" Cari shivered at his touch, it wasn't so much something that she'd expected but it made others awake, and other needs became present. The tensions with Demus brought out a little bit more anxiety with Yrean and she'd not been with a man in a while. Cari turned, looking down at the floor as if shy. "No, I got that before I left, it's one reason why I did." But to keep Yrean from asking more Cari tip toed and kissed Yrean's chin lightly and when she received no objection she kissed him tenderly on the lips.

 

After that moment she was enthralled in his company and his body and let it go where it went. How they had managed to make it to the third floor was beyond her, but they had and the exercise had been rather wearing and Cari had drifted off to sleep. It wasn't long before she woke to find Yrean sitting where he was now. She smiled and coughed slightly to get his attention. He sat next to her and Cari moved in behind him on the bed, sitting on her knees but wrapped around his body. Cari wrapped her arms around Yrean's neck and took a deep breath of her current lover. "Now that was something we should have done earlier." Cari kissed his neck. "But I do need to do some things in town."

 

Cari moved to sit into Yrean's lap facing him. She squirmed against him with a big smile. "We will have to do this again sometime. Though I will only be in Tar Valon for another day." Cari pushed Yrean back to lay down, and leaned forward, standing above him on all fours. He could easily topple her, but that was the point, she wanted to know if he wanted her more. Cari licked his chin and then his lips then sat back on his stomach gently tossing her hair behind her. It so got in the way with out a ponytail. "Maybe we can make arrangements."

 

Cari

[WhiteWolf]

Yrean could not remember the last time he had smiled for so long, even though that smile was also hiding feelings of confusion.

 

"Now that was something we should have done earlier."

 

This statement was the cause of Yrean’s confusion as he had had no idea Mat, or Cari as he had to remind himself she now preferred to be called, had had any interest in him other than as friends. Stretching out on the bed, gazing up at her face as she knelt above him, Yrean’s smile only got larger. “It do be a shame we be waiting, but I be thinking you be not interested.”

 

Obviously this was not true now, something had obviously changed in the way Cari saw Yrean, and this fascinated him, fascinated him so much that he reached up to pull her towards him. "Maybe we can make arrangements."

 

Kissing her, slowly at first, and then with a growing passion, Yrean mumbled something about arrangements having to wait as he lost himself in the pleasure that her body offered him. It was some time later when Cari called a halt to proceedings and repeated that she had to leave him and see to a prior engagement.

 

The two of them made their way back downstairs and when they were at the door to the shop, Yrean spun Cari around and placed his arms around her.” So what be these arrangements you be wanting to make? I be thinking you be disappearing again, I be not able to follow as you be knowing.” There was a tinge of sadness in Yrean’s voice, more than a tinge actually. Maybe Cari did not realise it but Yrean had always thought of her as someone he would want by his side, in a fight or as a lover.

 

Yrean Stavrosi

 

Tower Guard

 

We are grey. We stand between the Light and the Shadow

[Matalina]

Cari smiled at Yrean for many reasons, she was glad he wanted more, but also because she had easily tied up with just one little roll in the hay. "There is a small town north of here, that I plan to make a visit to, in say exactly two months. There is an inn called the Spider's husband, I will have a room reserved, for the following four days, then I will have to move on to other things. It's just a little south of Maredo."

 

Cari didn't care if Yrean came or not, but she hoped he would join her. A visit to Mykal's shop would only spur a good love making session on and who better than a new lover to join her there. Though this was going to start posing alot of issues, as Yrean couldn't leave the yards for long periods of time. Maybe it was for the best, he was after all a light fool and it was best she didn't tie her heart to another.

 

Girl you have too many lovers now. You are complaining about it? No, you just have taken me on more than you think. No I haven't, I enjoy sex with whoever I can manage. Some just happen to tie themselves to me in one form or another. Sam was the father of the twins, Demus was a good friend and now Yrean was being added to the interesting love live of Cari Namere. "The reservation will be under Cari al'Ker."

 

Cari kissed Yrean deeply in the open doorway. "I do be hoping you can make it."

 

Cari

[WhiteWolf]

Yrean’s heart started to sink at Cari’s words, he knew she would not be around for very long, but then again, the recent events had pushed that information to the back of his mind. “I be not knowing where I be Cari.” Saying her name out loud was still very strange, he just could not think of her as this Cari, to him she would always be Matalina. But he was wise enough not to call her by that name again, he liked living and did not want to spend every waking moment looking over his shoulder for the dagger he knew would be aimed at him.

 

“I do be in need of something different, big cities are still not to my liking.”

 

Yrean did not know if he could apply for leave from the Tower Guards, but it was something he would enquire about now, it was not everyday he got an offer such as the one Cari had just delivered.

 

“You know where I am staying Yrean, The Servants Sword, if you want you can come over, just do not leave it too long as I have to be on my way soon.”

 

The smile reappeared on Yrean’s face at this, and even though he was still troubled by the thought of her leaving so soon, at least he would get one more chance to see her before she left, and who knows, he could always resign from the Guards and return to his former profession.

 

“Oh you be counting on that Cari, I be in need of visiting that establishment soon anyways, I be thinking.” Yrean kissed her again then with a smile and a wave she slipped out of his arms and on her way.

 

Yrean Stavrosi

 

Tower Guard

 

We are grey. We stand between the Light and the Shadow

[Matalina]

Why had she done that. Invited him to come see her at the inn. She sighed as she went about her way to the Tower. It was time to deal with Talyn's things proper so they could leave soon enough and get out of the grips of the Tower yet again.

 

OOC: I'm gonna try to move on the dinner thread and you can jump in there after it's over.

 

Ali