The Mustache and The Beard

The barkeep turned around with drink in hand, sliding it across the bar to Tasha. She raised a curious brow and grinned at the question.

"Sounds like you're describing Layla and Knoss. They must've picked up someone else for their crew, but yeah. They're pretty new to the game. Ex-soldiers from Lettera's border patrol, I believe."

"Have they been through here recently?" she inquired, taking the drink and passing her the bribe money in exchange.

The barkeep took the coin with a grin and looked Tasha up and down. "Why, looking to steal their bounty? They were here this morning."

"Stealing it back," she growled, eye narrowing with wrath. "Them three ain't going to get far with their heads, my bounty, and my monster."

The barkeep raised her brows but shrugged. "I'unno where they're heading to. Just that they got a giant and a wer. Good luck with that though."

"Thanks," she grunted, glancing down at her dog. "We've got our work cut out for us. But hey, ain't any worse than them jungle beasts, so I daresay we've got a fine chance." She took her drink and went to one of the nearby tables, taking a seat next to Cowell. "Long time, no see."

James continued to shadow her, feeling naked amongst so many people who would trade his skin for money at the drop of a hat. He found another seat beside her, and avoided making eye contact with Cowell, or anyone for that matter.

Cowell, however, gave Tasha a warm smile.

"Good to see ya!" he greeted, then leaned over the table, trying to grab the attention of James with a wiggle of his fingers. James ignored him. "And you too, Tiberius. Surprised he ain't tied up or nothin', but I figure there's some wisdom to that too, with you havin' the gusto to drag him in here," he said, again directing the conversation to Tasha.

Tasha leaned back and gave him a wolfish grin. "You know me, Cowell. I've tamed beasts far wilder than this bearded fellow and I've slain creatures far more formidable than a mere human, regardless of their training or weapons or prowess. 'sides, figured if I was going to bring him here, may as well want him able to move lest someone else with a bit more of a sadistic edge got the itch to try and steal him. He's smart enough to know what's a lesser of two evils. Didn't wanna leave him out there, that's fer certain."

James stared down into his lap as Tasha went on.

He knew she was only putting on an act to maintain believability. Or at least, that was really what he wanted to believe. But it was too close to what he'd heard from other hunters who'd tried showing him off - before he escaped, eventually, of course. With a resigned resentment, he clenched his fists tightly in his lap.

He hated being talked about like he was an object, or an animal.

Cowell nodded with understanding. "True, true. He's a smart one. Outsmarted me a number of times."

"So I've heard," Tasha smirked. "He's clever enough but I've been playing games for a long time. Call me arrogant but it ain't my first rodeo. Ain't that right, cowboy?" she glanced at James, then a figure across the bar caught her eye, another monster hunter. She raised her tankard by way of greeting.

James looked up at her with a sharp glare, with the frustrated anger of a caged animal. He didn't have to fake the look to make it convincing.

She did, quite honestly, feel terrible for putting him through this - but it was the best and most efficient way to get the information she needed. Ari was to be turned in alive but Amy wasn't. Time was of the essence; Amy's head would get pay and it was certainly easier than trying to keep her from escaping. She did hope he would forgive her for all of this.

Deciding she'd played this game long enough, she chugged the rest of her drink and rose. "Well, luck to you, Cowell. I'm sure I'll see you around."

Cowell patted her on the arm. "And good luck to you," he said, giving a quick glance around the room, then landing his gaze on James.

"Be careful out there."

She waved and then whistled to her dog, slipping out the door. The moment it closed behind them her demeanor completely changed, the bravado disappearing as quickly as it'd come. She cast him an apologetic glance before getting on Nightmare - it'd be best to keep going and spend the night much farther out from here, and discussing what had just happened wasn't wise until they got out of Lewick.

James silently stalked behind her, hopping up on Nightmare without saying anything. But out of habit, he was actively watching for anyone following after them.