The Final Magician

"No point in dawdling, right?" Allison asked nervously. The bartender had just locked eyes on her, and before he could raise an alarm, Allison practically ran out of the tavern and into the street.

Tiel glanced at James, shrugged, and walked out the door.

James followed Tiel, wondering what was up with Allison. She seemed... jumpy. Nervous. Anxious to get on the road, perhaps? For what reasons, he couldn't quite discern, but it probably had to do with someone in the tavern, judging by her glances around the room. As he exited the tavern he retrieved his horse before regrouping with the two.

"So what prompted you to go on this journey?" He asked Tiel, knowing the gist of it was explained on the poster, but wanting to hear more from her. He wondered if this was personal, or if this was one of those 'no one else is doing it so why not me' situations. He knew for him, jumping into it, it was the latter.

Tiel nodded."Lady Ryona is in a fragil alliance with King Excion, and the only way to ensure they stay on good terms is for Lady Ryona to help him find Carnation. He's the only other force trying to stop the Mistress of the Sea, and so I was sent to help him. He ordered me to take charge of the situation. I have set up several outposts along the way to the tower where Carnation is, and they shall aid us as we pass them."

"Well I'm glad you've already formulated a plan." He comments, impressed by both the status and initiative Tiel possessed. "So finding Carnation is key to maintaining the alliance... what if Carnation doesn't want to help? Or does it only matter that we find him?"

"And when do we get the money?" Allison skipped over, the look of concern gone from her face.

James turned to Allison, letting out a short laugh at her question. Not because it wasn't legitimate, though. It was just amusing after her running out of the tavern.

"Our role is to find him, and once we do, whether he helps us or not, we will get the money. Should he choose not to aid us... Well, we'll deal with that if and when we need to."

James nodded, "Sounds good to me."

"I'll follow you." Allison made a show of gesturing for either Tiel or James to take the lead. "I got nowhere to go, so take your time."

Tiel sighed. I guess I'll take lead, as one should expect. James, I don't suppose you object?" She asked, glancing over her shoulder at him as she began the long trek down the gravelly pathway.

"Not at all. You take the lead," he said with a gesture for her to go ahead. He hopped on his horse, ready to follow their new leader for this quest.

"Whoa whoa whoa, wait a second. We're gonna walk? No train? No car?" Allison stopped to continue her protest.