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[Renia]

Sage stood watching as the she-wolf studied him closely, taking in his words and likely deciding weather to trust him, attack him, or just make a run for it. He hoped that she would at least listen to his offer.

Finally the wolf seemed to make up her mind, and she shifted into human form. He noticed how pretty she was, in a wind-blown half-wild sort of way. He’d expected her to be far more dirty and wild-looking. It surprised him a little to see that she was so well kept. Half his own men and women looked far worse on their best days.

She mentioned a pack. Sage could not help but wonder if this pack of hers were wolf or Alterion in nature. He might have a difficult time if she ran with half-wild Alterions who chose to attack him all at once. Not that a pack of wolves could do much to harm him, but you never knew if they might have a more powerful form.

“Point taken,” he said with another friendly smile. “You would be missed if anything happened to you. But I assure you, so long as you do not attack me, I will do no harm to you. My name is Sage. I am the leader of Queen Nirvia’s Alterion forces. That is why I have come to speak with you. We are looking for new members, and we invite you to join us. Are you at all interested, Miss...?”

[Evanesence]

Channing looked at him, confusion in her eyes. Queen Nirvia? I know nothing or her. She couldn't remember anything about the Queen. The name itself sounded familiar as she might have heared it in passing through towns, but that was it. "Channing," She stated. "Alterion forces?" She paused wondering what that could possibly mean.

"Is this some sort of..." Channing searched for the word, "Job? What would I have to do?" If I got a jab, and they paid me, I could pay Louie and Saya back for their hospitality. Sage seems likte a nice guy, but I don't know if I should trust him. He is only the second man I've ever come across since my father. Louie is more powerful than he seems because of his race. How powerful is Sage?

Channing decided she wanted to know more of the job before she took it. If it sounded lkike she could manage, or put her talents to use, and make money she would consider taking it.



OOC_ bahhh early morning posts stink Xp

[Renia]

Sage chuckled a little at her question. He found Channing quite interesting to speak to. She had some fresh views that only came with having dealt so little with the outside world. “Yes, a very important job. We are trusted to protect the Queen and uphold her law. Usually we are the ones send on the most important missions. We are payed well for our services, but you must consider that we are payed so well because our job is the most dangerous, and we are the only ones who can manage such quests. I will not tell you this job will be easy, but if you like action and putting your Alterion skills to use, then perhaps you would enjoy it.”

He looked her over again, though, with a slightly less enthusiastic glance. “However, I am not entirely convinced you could handle it at the moment... You seem like a very nice girl. Unfortunately most of the Alterions under my command are far less nice. It’s a pain to keep them all under control. You might find it a bit like your pack here: all vying for higher positions. I don’t believe there is a single day when at least three challenge me for leadership, despite the fact that Nirvia would keep whomever she wished as the leader. But losing has consequences and I have to maintain my position with them as your Alpha must maintain their position, since none would willingly follow a fallen leader. It will be much the same for you, Miss Channing, should you decide to join. You have my word that I will keep them from pushing you too far, but testing each other is a good way to improve our skills, so I must allow it to continue and I cannot shield you from them forever. That would be the downside to this job. Consider that carefully.

“Now, if you would like to see for yourself what sort of job it is, you do not have to join at first. You can merely run with us on a few small missions and test it out for yourself. I’ll leave the decision to you.”

[Evanesence]

Chaning listened carefully to his description of the job he offered. He didn't quite say exactly what she would need to do, beside protecting the Queen and upholding the law. As far as Channing knew, the land was peaceful. But then again she has been in her wolf form for the better part of ten years.

As for dangerous, Channing though of how many times she had taken down a bear or other large animals with teeth and claws. What Sage said about the other alterions fighting for ranking and position reminded her of how she liked to fight the other wolves for ranking in the pack even thought she really didn't desire it. She enjoyed the thrill it gave her, even if she lost.

One thing did he said trigger a nerve in the back of her mind. "I am not entirely convinced you could handle it at the moment..." Those words reminded her much of her father. He always criticize her and said things like 'You wont be able to do it. Your weak and pathertic. You'll get nowhere in life.' Of coarse Sage's words weren't cruel or mean, but he doubted, or wasn't sure of her abilities.

Channing took all the information in slowly, and considered it greatly. After a long pause she replied, "I think.... I'd like to run with you and see what it's like for myself. Then I will give you my final answer."

[Renia]

The smile returned to Sage’s face at her words. She was reacting exactly as he had hoped. His men had insisted the Alterion in this general area would be opposed to helping them and should be taken care of before she could join the Rebels, but Sage had hoped it would not come to that. As soon as he had met Channing he had known she would be a great ally. Not only that, but he admired her personality. He could not have killed her unless she had threatened Nirvia’s cause.

“That’s perfect! I cannot wait to introduce you to my men. As it is now, I am meeting a group of them a few days from now to investigate a possible enemy base. We’ll need to be very careful, but I believe it will be fine if you would like to come along. We could always use an extra hand. Would you like to come along with me, or simply meet us near the town of Varen in Uxibbor in two days’ time?”

[Evanesence]

Channing was surprised at how enthused he sounded that she decided to tag along and decide for herself whether or not she would join them. He doesn't seem like a bad guy, I wouldn't mind working under him. As for wether or not she should travel with him or meet up with him she was undecided.

She thought of what she could possibly do in the two days if she decided to meet up with him. I could try and catch up with my pack... but that would be pointless seeing as i'd have to leave so after. Besides, it's not like they'd really miss me. Or I could go back to Cabernya and ask Saya and Louie if I should take the job. But that wouldn't be fair. I just left and they need their alone time anyways. I wouldn't want to have to say good-bye again. Nor do I see any reason why I couldn't just travel with Sage. Sure, he is a powerful alterion who more than likely has more than one form, and whom I barely even know. But as long as I have my feet, I can run as fast as they can take me.

Channing made up her mind, "I think i'll travel with you, if you don't mind. I'd be pointless for me to sit around and wait for two days two be over." She also knoticed something he had said earlier and made a note to ask him about it when they traveled. Who, exactly, is our enemy?

[Renia]

“Marvelous. It will be nice to travel with you, Miss Channing. We can take it slowly: it will not take us two days to reach our destination. In the meantime you can ask me anything you wish and I shall tell you all about it. Shall we?”

He gazed at her for a small moment, then smiled and stepped in the direction they would be traveling from here, giving her time to fall into step beside him before he sped his pace up to a normal stride. At that pace they would reach Uxibbor long before they had to be there, but that would give them time to get ready for the mission. All in all, he was running ahead of schedule.

((OOC-Sorry about the short post. My sister is rushing me.))

[Evanesence]

Channing easily matched his pace, not wanting to walk behind him. She could feel her wolf instincts pricking the back of her mind as she knew he was alpha and she was not, therefore did not deserve to walk beside nor in front of. Channing mentally shook the feeling and told herself that he was not her Alpha. Or not yet at the very least.

She ran questions through her head about the said job and what she wanted to ask first. The one that bugged her the most was the one she decided on. "Why do you call me Miss Channing? It sounds far to..." Channing searched for a word that was appropriate, "...girly. It doesn't sound right with my name." She liked her name despite the fact it was ment for a boy, but pairing it with such a feminine word made an odd combination.

Channing paused thinking about it briefly before adding, "And who are our, uh, your, enemies?" She gave him a quick glance but otherwise paid attention to the direction they were headed.

[Renia]

It was interesting to Sage that she chose that particular question to ask first. He couldn’t help but smile broadly at that. This was certainly not your typical Alterion. Channing was certainly unique in all aspects, her name included. But Sage found it all intriguing. He wanted to know more about the girl, but he could wait until she was more familiar with him to satisfy his curiosity.

The second question he’d expected, though. He leapt over a fallen tree as lightly as if he’d only stepped over it without giving the move a conscious thought, Channing doing very much the same beside him.

“Where I came from, long before I became a soldier, it was polite to add Miss or Mrs. Before the name of a women. I suppose that little formality has stuck with me. If it is alright with you if I simply call you Channing, then that is what I will call you from now on.

“As for my enemies, they are a group known as the Rebels who oppose Queen Nirvia’s rule. They seem to have some sort of belief that the prince who disappeared a so long ago is the rightful heir and that Nirvia should not be ruling in his place. However, that idea is false. Nirvia is the only one capable of ruling Licadem now. The prince who disappeared is likely dead, r if he remains alive then he very obviously does not wish to return to rule his subjects. It’s only an excuse for the Rebels to seek to overthrow Nirvia and put themselves in charge of Licadem. If not for the Rebels, the land would be at peace right now. As it is, we in Nirvia’s forces are forced to fight to keep the Rebels under control. The Rebel leader insists on conflict, and if we allow him to continue there is no telling how much damage he could do to Licadem and its people.”

He could likely have said a great deal more on the Rebels, but Kade left it at that. He’d given the most important information, and he allowed Channing to think that over for the moment. No doubt she would have more questions.

[Evanesence]

Channing was truly intrigued by his response to her first question. She had no idea such customs even existed. With the childhood she went through, she wouldn't have been surprised if being beaten was normal. Never mind being treated with respect. "Channing is just fine." She said softly.

Listening to his story of the rebels surprised her. How did she not know their was practically a war going on between the Rebels and Queen Nirvia? As for the rebels, considering she didnt really actually know anything about them, she trusted Sage's word. And from that assumption, they sounded like a pain in the butt. As for the supposed Prince, in Channing's opinion he sounded pretty much dead.

"So, these rebels are trying to find a dead guy? How do they go about doing that?" They couldn't possible have a lead because he's more than likely dead, and if he was alive, why havent they found him yet? "Are the Rebels Alterions too?"

[Renia]

Sage shook his head. “You’ve got me there. I can’t begin to understand why the Rebels are so intent to cause problems when this prince of theirs is long gone, unless they just like causing trouble. In my own opinion, I believe the prince is dead and the Rebels must have another motive for opposing Nirvia. It may be more sinister than they make it out to be. Perhaps they’ll attempt to set the Rebel leader on the thrown instead. I find it doubtful that they are even attempting to find Prince Kaliam at all.”

He glanced over at Channing, making sure she was keeping up alright. He had a naturally long stride and had to constantly force himself to slow his pace for others. In this case, Channing seemed to be keeping up quite well without even thinking of it. Perhaps they both had that inborn need to move fast, or perhaps they’d both learned it from the time they’d spent as wolves. He knew he’d spent too much time as a wolf running away from the murderers that had destroyed his village. But Sage couldn’t help wondering... what was Channing running from? Was she indeed running at all?

He shook those thoughts to the back of his mind, concentrating on another question. “Some of them are, it seems. Two in particular have become a nuisance, but we far outnumber them in number of Alterions. Most of the Rebels are humans and elves, but it is made up of many races. The Alterions are easy enough to track down due to the fact that we can sense their presence when we have a lead on them. But the rest blend in so well with society that we are hard-pressed to search them out.”

[Evanesence]

Channing absorbed all this information in, thinking it through. She wondered why the rebels would want to cause unrest of something like power. What is it with people and power and ranking and position? Wolves fight over it. Humans fight over it. Alterions fight over it. Channing could feel anger building up inside of her as she thought of how power hungry everyone was.

"I don't understand the big need for power. Sure I used to fight wolves in my pack for it, but only for game. My heart wasn't in it. People need to get over themselves and be put in their place. If they were met to be at the top, they would be put there not of their own accord. People shouldn't push people around because things don't go the way the planned. I would know." Her lips had curls back into a feral looking snarl.

It took her a moment to realize what she just said and how tense her body felt. She clamped her mouth shut and worked on not thinking of power hungry people and relaxing. Channing then thought of what else Sage had said. With a huff she said, "Only two? That's it? Only two Alterions in the rebel forces?" She was stunned that two alterions have been giving Sage's men trouble.

[Renia]

Sage watched Channing from the corner of his eyes as she grew annoyed at the way people covet power. He could not say he had never felt the same way, but he did understand the need for power now. How to explain it to this girl, though, he was not certain.

“It’s alright, Channing. I understand how you feel. I would, quite actually, prefer to be lead rather than lead. I follow Nirvia because she is the better leader, and I don’t intend to challenge her over it. But the fact is, I make a better leader than most of the Alterions beneath me. If I allowed them to take that power Licadem would be a terrible place for everyone. I think some of us have a responsibility to take that power and use it to better the world. If we do not, then others will battle their way to Alpha and use that power to hurt others. That is my understanding of it. I hope you can understand why I believe that. But I share your opinion: people fight over positions too much, rather than simply allowing the better people to take the leadership position.”

Yes, he did believe that. It was the reason he followed Nirvia so avidly. Sage had never liked leading, but since he was small he had been expected to play a vital part, first in his community, then in the war. Sage had finally realized that he had the power to make things better for all races, and he had chosen to serve Nirvia for that cause.

“And no, they undoubtably have far more than just two. However, there are two significant Alterion fighters in the Rebels. I can find no other term for them but elite, seeing as some of my finest fighters and spies have been tracked down and killed by those two, and neither of them have been taken down as of yet. They must be exceptional people, those two. Rumor has it, they’re both females with wolf forms. If only they could be persuaded to our side. But I doubt they could be persuaded so easily. We just have to train our own elite to oppose them, I suppose.”

[Evanesence]

Channing had calmed down greatly and felt slightly foolish from her out burst. She was quiet once again as Sage explained why he lead and what power ment to him. She was silently grateful that he had not noticed or at least didn't comment on her personal reference in her angry speech about power. There is definitely logic in what he says.

As for the Rebel Alterions, Channing grew worried. If Sage's men who have been in his command for so many years couldn't defeat them, she was doubtful she would ever be able to either. To make matter worse, and more surprising, they were both females with wolf form. How many female alterions out there could possibly have a wolf form? To that four, including myself, exist it amazing. Then Channing thought of how powerful these wolven forms of theirs must be.

I have a lot of work to do. She paused and revised her thought, ... If I decided to join Sage's forces. But aren't I? Channing looked at him for a good moment before averting her gaze. It is more than obvious he is a good leader. That is for sure. Working under him may prove difficult, but most definitely worth while, especially if I can improve my wolf form and become stronger.

She almost stated right then and there that she would join, but stopped herself as she still wanted to see what it would be like before making any permenant decisions. Channing was too lost in thought to come up with any questions for him so she remained silent.



((Gah sorry. didnt give you much to work with.))

[Renia]

Sage gave her time to think. He assumed she was thinking over his comments on why power was important to him and whether she agreed, or of what the Rebel Alterions were like and if she stood a chance of ever defending against one. Sage knew those were very important reflections and she would have to decide for herself if she was willing to deal with them.

If he had known that she was so close to agreeing to work under him, Sage would have advised her to wait anyway. There were some days when he himself wished he worked with different people. The Alterions under him were nothing at all like himself. They were merely wild beasts who loved power and felt they could someday become leader themselves. Sage had his hands full just keeping his title as leader most days. It would be difficult for Channing to enjoy being among that type of Alterion, but it would undoubtable make her much stronger.

He just hoped it wouldn’t break her. Channing came from a pack of wolves. She was not used to dealing with the sort of lifestyle she was about to encounter. Who knew how well she would handle it? But looking at her now, Sage felt compelled to give her the benefit of a doubt. She would be fine, he told himself. She was a strong person. She had to be to live the way she did.

He gave her a while longer to think before asking, “So, do you have any more questions? Even if they have nothing to do with the job, I wouldn’t mind talking to you a bit more.”