Until Journey's End

[.deceitful.]

[right:1dwnx6mu]Continued From: "Another Peculiar Event?[/right:1dwnx6mu]

[right:1dwnx6mu][/right:1dwnx6mu]

While they headed out of the mined area, Valentine finally responded to her previous words. "Alright, here's the deal. You need me." His smile was genuine and his words lacked arrogance, merely resounded with truth. "Transportation, directions, supplies...and let's face it, your lack of knowledge and your, erm..." Valentine rested his hand on her shoulder and chuckled. "...ability to bring trouble to yourself, might hinder you a bit." His face showed the humor he saw in that, rather than rancor, partially why he was willing to help her.

But that wasnt the only thing. He continued. "Besides, we seem to make a pretty good team, and neither of us have gotten what we came to Elrux for. So I figure if we stick together, things might go well, ne?" Patting her shoulder, he nodded ahead. "So let's get a move on, I'll explain things when I have a chance."

Valentine and Sorano headed to the central hub of Elrux, where people actually existed. Seeking out a connection he had there, he was able to communicate with a more useful contact and arrange for various useful transfers. In only a couple of hours, horses were procurred and they were ready to depart Elrux. Valentine didnt do much in the way of explaining to Sorano at the moment, being focused on setting up their journey so as to arrive in the fastest way possible. She only had three days afterall - and that wasnt for travel, that was to solve the issue and report to ORDER at Skywire.

Valentine swept his hair back, pulling it together into a short ponytail before he grabbed the pommel and swung into the saddle, waiting for Sorano to follow suit. "We'll talk on the way, but let's get on the road for now, ne?" He fitted a wide brimmed hat on his crown and with a shake of the reins, they were on their way, thundering out of Elrux into the wastelands headed due west. The ride to the river would be the longest part of the trip. Once they reached the water, they would be in Loxxian in no time.

[Sorano]

His words caused her smile to cascade over her features. His knack for arrogant truthfulness was amusing, and she knew he was right. She placed her hand on his as it rested upon her shoulder. Although she was sure he had some ulterior motive, she needed him, and it would seem, he needed her. The Gods had yet again blessed her with an angel.

A nod was all she offered him at this time. Words did not elude her, however her thoughts were more then preoccupied. Never before had she taken a life, least, not that she could remember. While she knew good and well that was exactly what Xolomon and Xeshua were made for. And from the moment the task was set, they seemed to hum to her with pleasure.

Once within the center of Elrux, Valentine once more use his silky smooth tongue to acquire what they needed for the rest of the journey. Silently she sat, sorting through her thoughts, and watched the devil do their bidding. Goods were gathered, and horses bought or traded, either way, they were set.

Approaching the massive beast of travel, her hands caressed its neck, that rippled in strength. Hearing Valentine speak it was time to move on, she eased her foot into the stirrup, and swung her leg around the horse. Comfortable in the saddle, she took a cigarette out of her inside pocket, placed it between her lips, and set the end to the fire of a wooden match stick. “Let’s go.”

It would be beyond dishonest to say that there was not fear in her eyes as she spoke. She was no fool, and this life was thus far proving to be difficult. High her head was held though as she tossed a glance toward Valentine. Speaking would not me a luxury soon. They would be needing a plan.

[.deceitful.]

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Half an hour out, Valentine glanced beside him at Sorano, momentarily wondering why he hadn't thought to ask her whether or not she knew how to ride before deciding on their mode of transport for the first leg of the journey. But it was ok, she was doing well all on her own, and his lack of attention didn't turn out disastrous; it was all good.

A faint grin made it's way across his face while he regarded her. She seemed both tough and soft at the same time, sitting at ease on the powerful steed while a halo of smoke trailed around her luxurious crown, then dissipated in their wake. Valentine could safely say that he'd met no one quite like her, to date.

Attention returning to the map he'd taken the time to dedicate to memory back in their departure point, he checked to ensure they were headed in the right direction, and so they were. It was easy to get lost in the wastelands without a map, or without landmarks to remember your way. Even as they swept along on swift powerful strides, along their path they could see a variety of bones bleached white by the sun and picked clean by scavengers. If he peered upward beyond the brim of his hat, he could see some of those black winged birds of prey hovering in the sky above, just waiting for the next meal to fall over.

It wouldn't be this pair though, that was for sure. "Hyaa!" Flicking the reins, he peeled off slightly to the side, headed for a singular flat top mesa who's surface aligned perfectly with the horizon, and rapidly grew larger as they approached. And from that peak, they'd be able to see their next destination.

[Sorano]

Her spine curved slightly as she sat upon the horse, allowing it to follow the path of the one before it. Almost lazily she went along for the ride. Too much was on her mind to worry about anything else, let along the journey to her destiny - which Valentine seemed to have completely under control.

Glancing up she took note that he viewed the map he had grabbed back in town. And with a quick jot to the side, she followed his maneuver. She hadn’t even taken a moment to soak in her surroundings, in fact, she thought for a moment, and couldn’t decide how long they had been riding.

“How far?” Her voice finally broke the stale silence. Sweat beaded from beneath her hair and kissed the sides of her forehead, yet discomfort was no where to be found upon her features.

[.deceitful.]

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"Ne?" Valentine looked up from the map, taking a moment to process her question. "Oh! Ah, let's see. After we reach the tabletop, perhaps another two hours of hard riding. I apologize for being bad company." A faint smile through the building layer of grime on his face. "I have this sense of urgency, and my head is full with the plans that I made for us to get to Loxxian." Shuffling the map of Muhir, he half folded it, his knee gently urging the horse closer to her own so that he might stretch his arm out and offer it to her.

"Take that." His voice rattled slightly as the reverberations of hooves thudding against packed sand interrupted his words. "You might find it useful at some point in the future." Withdrawing his hand, he gestured ahead where the mesa loomed in their face, casting a relieving shadow from the fading sun. Directly into a crack in it's side he rode, his powerful steed never once stumbling, thanks to the smoothly ascending trail.

It was a popular landmark, one nigh central to the wastelands themselves. From miles on end, one could still glimpse the protrustion. Steadily they climbed until finally climbing to the top and, instead of topping the mesa, Valentine drew the beast to a prancing halt in the shade of a small ledge. "Whoaaaa." Patting the snorting stallion on the neck, he slid off, dropping the reins so the well trained animal knew where it was to stay.

Sweeping his hat off, he fanned his face for a moment, calling out to Sorano. "If you squint hard, and look just below the horizon, you can probably see a silvery glint in the distance. That's the river, and it's our destination. This is the only time we'll rest until then." Uncapping a procurred canton, he greedily drank several swallows of water. It amused him to no end that his employees at the club would probably die of shock if they saw him right now. Without exception, Valentine was always clean - and cleancut, with impeccable taste when at work. But like most people, they had no idea at the wide range of skills and experiences he possessed.

Stretching widely, a couple of bones popped in his back and a sigh of relief followed suit.

[Sorano]

Her eyes searched his own as he spoke. He was so unique, she cracked a smile. “Company is only as good as the company it keeps.” Her smile grew as he moved closer and held out the map. She wasted no time scooping it up and stuffing it deep inside her bag. “Thank you, friend.”

She finally allowed herself to relax a little. Drinking in the landmarks that surrounded them, making herself familiar to as much as she could, and as quickly as possible. With a click of her tongue, and a slight pull of the reign, she moved her horse beside his before dismounting.

Her hands reached toward the heavens as she stretched backward, popping her back. It felt good, and a loud, deep inhale told of it. She looked in the distance, where he was saying the river was. She didn’t need to squint, her vision was flawless these days.

She, too took the opportunity to drink. Not resting from here on out was fine with her. Nimble fingers ran over the horse as she rounded it and moved closer to Valentine. “When we find this man, and it comes down to it...how prepared are you?” Her eyes narrowed, and her lips pouted slightly. She wished to not carry his blood on her hands.

[.deceitful.]

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Valentine took note of Sorano's gaze toward the horizon, without a squint. Presuming she could see it, to him, that gave him the notion that Sorano was one of those people who possessed abilities far superior than that of ordinary men like himself. He may have some skills but others were blessed; gifted sometimes in more ways than one.

It brought questions to his mind, questions to which the answers were likely none of his business. But Valentine was an inquisitive man. Eventually, it was probable that he would ask anyway.

Sharp and calculating was the gaze that studied her, distracted only by the interruption of her voice.

A brow rose. "How prepared am I, as in...how far am I willing to go, ne? Well..." Fingers rapidly drummed as he tapped his chin, pondering how best to answer her question. Valentine was an all-in type of man, whatever he set his to, he made every effort he could to carry it out. "If it comes down to it, then I plan to do everything possible to achieve the goal." Eyeing her, he continued with what he presumed was her actual question. "That includes bloodshed. I'm not the type for it, but I'm no stranger to it." No need for details, just the bare minimum.

A single shoulder lifted in a shrug before he spoke again. "Especially if the reason is important. And I get the feeling this is important to you." Brown eyes bore into her stare. "Are you concerned about that? Or, do you have a problem with that?" Fingers deserted his chin, instead allowing the index to gesture to the weapons adorning her hips. "If so, you're carrying around the wrong instruments, ne?" He let the silence hang.

[Sorano]

A nod. Although he asked questions, she harbored no doubt that he knew exactly what she meant. It struck her curious why people often did this, and while he thought, so did she. Was it for a simple conformation, or just something that people needed to hear out loud, just so it was more formal? At any rate, the reason was unimportant, while his answer was of the utmost.

No stranger to bloodshed? She held her tongue. It was obviously something he cared not to talk more about, else he would have. She listened intently to the rest of his words, savoring them for what they were, and yet still, their conversation remained in the hanging silence.

Peeling her gaze from his, she looked once more toward the direction he had mentioned earlier. “It is very important to me” her voice broke the silence like an angles verse. “I can’t help but wonder, why that would make it important to you? Why would a mere stranger would be willing to lay is life on the line to help me fulfill my task?”

There was a break in her voice, a deep inhale, and an upward glance. “Make no mistake Valentine, your company, and your assistance is appreciate, as well as remarkable. I do not think that I would have made it this far alone.” She once more met his gaze, and as she spoke this time, her tone was hushed and haunting.

“I know that those men back there thought I was a crazy story teller and that you think I am naive. I assure you I am no child on a journey to fulfill a simple whim. I am here to fulfill this for my God who granted me with a new life only days ago. The process left my memory blank, save for a few choice things.” Under her jacket she reached slowly, caressing Xolomon and Xeshua. “While I wish not to have to take a life, if it is what has been written for me, it shall be. The Gods blessed me with my instruments, ones like no other. Do you carry that same faith in yours?” Her left brow perked ever so slightly, and yet a smile did not steal her features this time.

[.deceitful.]

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The absence of a smile was noticeable.

And in noticing such, Valentine too became aware that his answer necessitated a modicum of thought. So he went about a few minor things, tucking away the water canteen, stretching his leg, patting his rested steed's rump. It wasnt rude because his face was an open book this time; the thought that he was giving to her question was written clearly across his features.

With his hand still on the beast of burden, he finally turned toward her, a simple word escaping his lips. "No." Blonde hair shifted beneath the brim of his hat as his head cocked to the side; again his voice spilling forth. "Your faith lies in your tools; and by extension your Gods. My faith - " a hand pressed to his chest; " - resides in myself. My skills. My abilities to use the tools that I myself have obtained. I require something a bit more tangible for myself. It's not that I disbelieve in a God of some sort...I simply retain faith for the tangible." A single finger lifted to forestall a comment on her part.

What was about to be spoken, required tact and delicacy. Valentine wanted her to understand his words, not take offense. "But, I have no problem with you or the God you believe in. As long as you have something you believe in, that's all that matters. As long as there's something that drives you." Soliloquy over, he instead adopted a lighter tone. "You're right in a way you know, I find you to be a bit naive, but more importantly, despite that naivete, you also seem to be somewhat experienced. This intrigues me." The admittance came easily.

Another perusal of the sky, and Valentine swung atop the beast, waiting for her to follow suit and watching as she did so. "As far as risking myself for your sake, dont forget that I too, came to Elrux with a goal. Helping you achieve your goal, helps me achieve mine." Once she had indeed mounted, they would set off. Valentine grinned back at her, charming as always. "And let's face it. You're a gorgeous woman. I'm loving your company." And as far as he was concerned, that was as good a reason as any other!

[Sorano]

It was noticeable that the moment of truth may not of took him off guard, however, he wished to choose his words wisely. An appreciated gesture, she found it important for them to know where each other stood.

Again she offered him a nod. His answer was no more, or no less then she expected, and yet, it was perfect. She moved around to the side of her horse, out of his eyesight for only a moment before she was once again perched upon the back of her on beast, this time, a wide smile across her lips at his words.

“I thank you for the compliment, and would be lying if I said your company was not enjoyable.” She settled into her saddle and clicked her tongue at the horse. She searched her thoughts for a moment, not entirely sure what to say next, if anything.

“I’m not sure if we ever discussed your reasons for being here.” She was curious, but had already decided no matter how worthy or not his reason might be, she would not abandon him - for her own sake as well as his. Her mind did wonder back to her ‘instruments’ she hadn’t had much time to practice. Understanding the basics might not be enough to walk away from whatever it is they were going to soon be walking into.

[.deceitful.]

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The carefully placed steps of his steed dislodged a rock from the path, sending it down the trail before them, clattering as it tumbled over and over before sailing off the side. Picking their way carefully down the worn but barely used; and therefore ill-maintained path required a little attention, and it was paid due haste.

Perhaps a minute of time was all that transpired before they found themselves at the base of the mesa; their mounts were truly hardy, tough, and bred just for the duo's intentions.

"Ne?" Valentine tugged at his hat, ensuring it's security before turning back to make sure Sorano made it as well, meanwhile delivering the delayed response to her query. The question itself was implicit - she was just as reserved as he was; neither of them would ask, but would listen if information was volunteered.

"My reason? I require knowledge. And to a certain extent, knowledge becomes power and can translate to some forms of control." Lifting his hands, he grasped the reins that lay on the horse's neck, his reply nothing but frank. "There are certain factors around me that I would like to influence, and to do so, I seek knowledge." And that, was another whole conversation within itself. Tugging sharply, he wheeled the stallion around, reaching back with the loose ends of the reins to whip it's hindquarters. In response, it bolted, leaving Valentine to bend low as it streaked across the wastelands, a majestic shadow stretching behind them.

With the assumption that Sorano was close by, he shouted over the thunderous rattle of hooves with a bit of effort. "How good are you with those tools anyway, ne?" Something that might be important to know, in case violence was in their future. If not, so much the better, that suited Valentine just perfectly.

[Sorano]

With perfection, her stud carried her smoothly over the terrain that even on foot herself, she thought would be treacherous. Closely she followed Valentine, not really on her own accord, but more the horses predestined choice. It was obvious that the horses had been breed in this area, for just this purpose, a fact she was sure Valentine did not overlook while acquiring them.

Listening to his reason, she offered nothing in response. Knowledge was just as much a reason as any, perhaps even better then most. She wondered if it was more the power the came with such knowledge, then the learning itself, but either way, a respectable answer.

From one answer, to another question their conversation hopped. It bothered her none really, the conversation seemed to make the travel a bit more bearable. “As I said, it’s only been a few days since I was reborn, and on that day I was ran through a series of training, more or less.” She dug her heals into the sides of the beast, catching up to him as closely as she could. “As for anything else, there is none.”

The words she spoke would probably cause a bit of worry in him. If she were him it would, and for that she held no fault toward him. “But know this, they only are only true to me, they are a part of me, and each are more then unique, the are divine. Take that for what it’s worth.” Her mouth perked slightly remembering how they felt in her hands, the reverberation of the shots - it was heavenly.

[.deceitful.]

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Valentine outright laughed.

The look on her face when she spoke of the dual guns was highly reminiscent of a woman in the throes of pleasure and desire. He figured, if she loved and cared for them that much, she had to have some small measure of skill. Rocking and swaying with the lengthy strides of his steed, he nodded; no specific response, just a general acknowledgment of her words.

He thought over that for a few minutes, mulling an idea or two.

When next he spoke, the river was more than visible even for his range of vision. While he pointed forward, behind them a lengthy cloud of dust trailed across the wastelands, unsettled in the still and heavy air. "We'll talk more of this once we get there, ne?" It was a good thing, he thought, that she had brought the subject up. Now she wouldn't feel uncomfortable when he asked questions.

Underneath the thudding hooves, the ground began to gradually get softer, merging into topsoil rather than sand. Valentine drew back on the reins, slowing the hard ridden but hardy stallion from a gallop to a canter, giving it a chance to breathe easier; foam and spittle speckled it's flared nostrils. Vegetation was beginning to crop up as well, obvious signs they were drawing nearer to a major body of water. At this point too, across the lush landscape, there were signs of dwellings in the near distance; they even crossed paths with others at this point.

[Sorano]

His laughter was almost obscene. Her face wrinkled slightly as she looked with him, confusion not leaving a portion of her face untouched. Perhaps her words were mistaken, but soon....very soon, he would see.

Again her eyes met the river, it seemed calm, serene. As closer they came, things seemed apparent. Sporadic patches of green kissed the earth here and there, small houses scattered about. As his stud slowed, so did hers, she would follow suit with Valentine.

Ascending to his side, her face held an unsure look to it, one that couldn’t easily be read, save for the fact her words gave away any secret it held. “Why are my words humorous to you?” She seemed genuinely hurt by his action, which, could be just as humorous. While she faced so much in the near future, nothing bothered her none then being so......empty of memories.

[.deceitful.]

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While confusion lingered evident in her face, his own bore nothing but surprise.

First ensuring they were on the proper path, he then turned to her, apologetic in his words. "I didnt mean to hurt you, ne? I was laughing at the look of utter enjoyment on your face when you spoke of your tools." It was that he found her amusing, rather, he found her different and refreshing. Thus, his laugh reflected his mirth.

Glancing askance at her, a small portion of her words sunk deeper into his thoughts. According to Sorano, excepting the past few days, and a few details, she possessed no memories of the entirety of her life. And even mentioning a rebirth... had she died at some point? By rebirth, did she mean reincarnation? Valentine figured that might be a delicate subject, possibly even taboo; he left it alone.

A shout caught his attention, and upon invetsigating it's source, Valentine lifted his hat, waving at the speaker who stood on a small dock in front of a ramp leading to a ship that was not so small. It's prow lanced into the sky and the sails were tied tightly to four masts standing majestic against the horizon. The stern, rather than being sqaured off as normal ships tended to be, was instead rounded off with an overly large rudder. "There's our ride Sorano." Valentine's acceptance into the ranks of The Dead was paying off already.

Sliding off the horse, he beckoned to her. "You can leave everything we picked up in Elruz." A stranger came up and grabbed the reins of the horses, nodding to Valentine. When he spoke, a chipper boyish voice sprang forth. "You know, Mr Branagan, my dad doesnt think his debt is paid with this." Valentine chuckled, "you let me deal with your dad. take care boy," patted the boy on the head, and made haste for the docks. He stopped only to greet the man standing before the ramp, who would then accompany them onto the ship.

Once there, the man yelled and the crew sprang into action, hoisting the anchor and unfurling the sails. "Sorano, I dont know this ugly man's - " a hearty guffaw from the ugly man, " - name...and neither does he. So I call him Captain. This is his merchant ship that's going to carry us to Loxxian. Captain, this is my partner, Sorano." Captain gave her a leecherous, yet pleasant leer.