[RP Blitz] Under A Frosted Moon

"--and we're supposed to be taking the cargo into the city!"

Zuri raised an eyebrow, watching the two guards arguing from where he was leaning up against a nearby tree. The rest of his group were nearby, spreadout and watching the perimeter while he waited for the two men to come to some sort of agreement. He normally didn't agree to take on these kinds of jobs, but, well. Money was money and he'd take it. But he had to admit, he was curious. Who sent it? And why? He already knew where it was going.

The Tower of Ice.

Which was not, exactly, unusual but, well. Zuri prided himself on not asking too many questions. He didn't need to know much--just where it was going and how much they were willing to pay. He sighed, watching as one of the guards starting pacing, still arguing. By the gods, did they ever shut up? He yawned, covering his mouth even as he kept watching them argue and pace.

"Do you lot ever shut up?" Zuri drawled, catching their attention. They both turned towards him, glaring. "Seriously, enough. Just give us the damn cargo so we can escort it into the freaking city already."

"We're not done discussing this!" the first guard said, pointing at accusing finger at him. Zuri raised the other eyebrow. "How do we even know you're approved to take over? We're supposed to escort it into the city. Who the hell even are you lot?"

Zuri huffed a laugh and pushed off the tree, stretching casually. "We're your replacements," he said, giving them a vague little wave. "Obviously."

"We're not handing it over without the proper paperwork," the second guard hissed, taking a step towards him. The first guard grabbed his arm and yanked him back a step. "What?"

"Shut up," the other guard hissed, tugging at him again. "You know we're not supposed to talk about it!"

They stared at each other for a long moment before the second guard yanked him arm out of the other one's grip. He tsked and turned to stalk off a few steps Then he came back to the first one's side. Zuri glanced past them at the carriage. It was plain, undecorated except for the golden trim around the edges of the doors and windows. Zuri couldn't see inside due to the heavy curtains, but, well. It still looked quite expensive and too high a quality for some merchant's carriage like the two guards arguing with him for the last....who knew how many hours claimed it to be. And it was still very early dawnside.

Zuri sighed and crossed his arms. "Look, I really don't care what you're not supposed to talk about. All I care about is taking possession of it so I can escort it into the city." He jerked his chin at the carriage. "So just hand it over already."

"But--"

"Enough!" Zuri yelled, making them both startle and stumble back a few steps. He waited until they seemed less shocked by his outburst before. "I really don't care. Can you hand it over or not? If not, I'll have to go back to my employer and tell them you lot refused to cooperate." He glanced past the first two guards to give the driver a once-over, then to the poor boy who couldn't be more than ten years old. He dragged his gaze back to the first two guards and cocked his head. "And then you can explain to them why I'm returning empty-handed. Bet that will go over reaaaal well, won't it?"

They exchanged looks and backed up another step. Zuri stayed put, waiting. He could hear two of his group muttering behind him, but couldn't be bothered listening. They were probably just discussing the rumours they'd been hearing again. Zuri knew a ship from the captiol had come into Whitehook's harbour, but he hadn't cared enough to learn why. He didn't even care about the factions currently fighting, or the prophecy, or any of it, really. Honestly? He just wanted to do the job, get paid and go drink himself in unconsciousness. Zuri had lost nearly everyone on his last job, which was why he had a bunch of random unknowns at the moment. He hadn't even really bothered to learn their names, just if they could handle a blade. Which they mostly could. It hadn't really mattered, to be quite honest. He'd just needed the numbers. Wren was currently out of comission, resting at the Tower. Which was partly why he'd taken the job. Those damn ice sorcerers wouldn't let him in to see her, regardless of his claim to be her sibling. Snobby bastards, the lot of them.

"Well?"

Yet another look was exchange and then the second guard hissed and threw up his hands. "Fine," he said and jabbed a finger at him. "Take the damn thing. And don't freaking lose it."

Zuri snorted. "Me?" he scoffed, jerking his chin up. "Lose the cargo I'm escorting?" He laughed at that, uncrossing him arms to spread them wide. "I would never."

With that, the two guards huffed and turned to approach the carriage. Zuri waited while they spoke to the driver and the young boy. They had a hissed argument for a few minutes before the driver climbed down from his seat, tossing the reins aside. The boy hesited before following. The four of them headed for the three horses standing behind the carriage. Zuri watched them go then gestured for one of his group to go take the reins.

"Pleasure doing business with you!" he called after them. The two guards flipped him off. Zuri smirked, amused, and waited until they'd mounted their horses and turned them around. He didn't move until he couldn't see them anymore. Only then did he turn to face the rest of his group. "Alright, let's move out!"