Song of the Lost

[Zethius Hawthorn]

Zethius made a habit of traveling the world as often as he could. He was a guardian of the realm, whether most kingdoms respected, recognized it, or not. That was the point of the matter, the point of the matter was that every year a new child was born who could have the potential to be another rider. An egg would be found and its hatching would be felt all across the lands by those who were sensitive enough to feel its power. That and as much as he wanted to stay in the temple he was only still just a master and a guardian of the realm. He had no reason to be stuck inside. Also as much as he would love nothing more than to kick back and relax, there was always some sort of trouble in the realm that had to take diplomatic presidency. Kingdoms would fight or squabble, thieves would be running rampant, or some natural disaster would strike a town or village. No there was just no time for sitting around on ones bum, there was work to be done. Every kingdom he visited though was always different, no two were alike.

Corevale was one of those large port cities and kingdoms that had a lot of trade and transport. If there was any place to be deep in the black market of things it would be Corevale seeing as it was positioned well on the sea board. On this particular day it was cold and foggy. Spring always made Corevale that way. It's weather could be chilling to the bone. His cloak wrapped around him he walked the streets of the city alone. His dragon was on the outskirts hunting while he dealt with matters in town. However, he kept a mental link open with his dragon, just in case. Teeth clenched because of the cold he stared around the busy street. Zethius recognized it as the market. This was a good place to be, he needed supplies like food and other miscellaneous items. However, he also needed something to curb the chill that was aching into his more aged body. He would look around until he'd come upon a pub so he could get food and drink. Each stand he came across he eyed with caution, even a black market stand could be intermingled with the rest of them, he could be too careless.

The buildings around the market were well built, white faced with dark brown latching and dark brown lats work for the windows. Smokey grey shingles tapper down the roofs of many a building. Cobbled stone roads lined the streets and burning lamps lined along each one. This city was a very upstanding one. Only the best for Corevale's citizens. Not a bad thing, but it was one of the nicer looking cities. Mostly because of the trade coming in or out. Biggest things were furs, fish, leather, and boat craft. Although it wasn't far cry to say that Corevale's armor and weapons were skimped out on. No they were just as good as well. Most of their imports came from farming and ore. Luckily for them many smaller towns and villages had to poss through there to get elsewhere. So natural it was the best place to sell. That and the best way to get transport was to trade a good for passage if one could not afford with coin.

Each stand Zethius passed he looked for a while, pick up this and that before putting it back down. Many of the stalls did not fully interest him, but it was always good to check them all, even if it was a bit time consuming. It was still early in the day enough to waste a bit of time. The mist wouldn't leave until later that day. Or if it didn't it would be at least a tad warmer. Either way today was a bad day for any fisherman or boats master to go out to sea. Mist would cause wrecks on boats that charted to close to the shores. Zethius had been sailing on a boat before, not the best experience he had, but he wasn't as bad as some about sailing. For if that was the case he wouldn't be able to ride a dragon. Although, he supposed a dragon was different, that was air not water. Two totally different elements that not always everyone could easily get along with bodily wise. Either way, that had been a long time ago that he had done such a venture.

It had not been easy moving from stand to stand. It had to still be early morning for the square was buzzing with activity. The sounds of people reverberated off the buildings like a church of a Templar or Cleric. Lucky for him he could discern conversations with his accuse hearing. Not many could do such a thing. Zethius was always watching and listening for any signs. along side the sounds of chatter of people gossiping, asking about wares, or trying to sell wares the sounds of horses clipped by with precision, the guard of course. Another horse tethered to a cart whinnied and stamped its hoof on the cobble. all of this he could tell, all of it he could hear. Honestly if someone tried to attack him he would be right there in the moment to strike if he needed to. Thing was, would he really need to here. Probably not, but one could never know. In the end though, he would find the pub, get his drink and food, and then be on his merry way again or so that was the plan.

[Lord Takashi Kaede]

Takashi had been in Corevale for just about 5 years and he loved it. He was the only one who looked like him. He had seen many different people in all different shapes, sizes and colors. The tender at the bar he frequented was a very large (both height and weight) dark skinned man with long braided hair. The seamstress where he purchased his clothes was a short slight blonde woman. Everywhere he looked, every single day he could see differences in people. Well, except for Hiro. Hiro, his body guard, stood at 6'2 which was very tall for their race and weighed in around 185 lbs. He held the same slanted eyes and porcelain skin, the same dark hair and eyes. He was the only person that Takashi had ever seen in Corevale that resembled him. They had come here years ago in search of his runaway bride, Jasmine, though hadn't found her. He'd been pointed around to different taverns and different villages around Corevale, but in the end, his search was always in vain. He'd given up the search for her and had went to work on becoming his own person within Corevale. Of course, he was supposed to have returned home to marry the woman his parents had chosen for him, but he couldn't bring himself to do it. Takashi didn't want to be married, not right now. Right now he wanted to figure out who he was, what he truly wanted out of his life and he couldn't do that if he were married to a woman that he didn't even know.

Within the five years that he had been within Corevale he had aquired his own wealth by means of trade and profit. He owned a large home, had several manservants and had kept his title of Lord. So far, Takashi was amazed that his family, with all of their own wealth, hadn't sent someone in search of him, to bring him home and force him into the arranged marriage. He knew that he had dishonored his family name by running. He knew that. But he couldn't force himself to go home, especially after so much time had passed. He had been gone from home for nearly 6 years and going home now would appear desperate. Takashi was never desperate. He was rude, cruel, uncaring and sarcastic. There wasn't room within him for desperation.

Today, it was cold and damp as the fog set in, Hiro had complained of the aches within his knees from the cold and Takashi had shaken his head. True that Hiro was his body guard, but he was also the only one that Takashi would consider a friend. Hiro was the only one who had seen his other side. He'd seen beyond the cruel little boy that he could be and to the compassionate man that he was growing to be. They had both dressed warmly in common clothing. Takashi in a pair of clean pants and a dark blue button-up with boots beneath and a heavy black cloak over top, Hiro in a pair of clean black pants and a pale green button-up with boots beneath and a heavy black cloak over top. Both were dressed warmly and both were armed with their weapons at their sides. Both mounted their horses and rode into town through the fog. Headed for the pub within Town to collect something for breakfast and then go to check on business.

Hiro ordered himself something to eat and then stood beside the door to eat while Takashi sat at the bar. Hiro always had his back and always watched for danger to come upon his master. Takashi knew little of dragons and dragon riders, it was never something he had had to be educated in. Unknowingly to himself and everyone around him, Takashi was a rider, unmarked as he'd never found his dragon, or it had never found him, but a rider none the less. An experienced rider would of course be able to see into him and know what he was, even without the mark being there. Takashi was seated at the same pub that Zethius was headed for. So far as he knew, today was going to be just like any other day. Would he be right? Probably not.

[Zethius Hawthorn]

Zethius continued to stop from market stand to market stand checking out wares. At a few of the stands he did pick up some supplies to add to his duffel that was laid over his right shoulder and rested on his left hip. Food was one of those many necessities, everything from apples and berries to dried meats and cheese rounds. A rider had no need for trinkets or pleasure items although Zethius had some things back at the temple. However, many of his items were gotten a long time ago back when he was a younger lad. He did, however, get a new simple dagger for hunting. He had well used up the last blades usefulness. The only weapon he had that never seemed to dull was his riders sword made out of materials from both elvish and dwarvish craft as well as scales from his own dragon.

So in fact, he never needed a new sword because it never dulled down. Everything else though that wasn't made by dwarves or elves, was usually weak and brittle and eventually wore down with time. Once Zethius was done getting the supplies though, and was sure that he checked every stand for black market materials, he decided to finally make his way into the pub. It was a quaint little place to go get a drink, one of the better he thought. Casually he walked over to the entrance of the place, fog being pushed around him in swirls, opened the door with a creek and then walked inside. As he got inside he closed the door behind him, but never took off his hood yet.

Unlike outside though, it was warm and cozy. A fireplace to the left kept the customers warm and away from the chill of the outside. To the right were the gamble tables. Often even he would indulge himself in a game of chance, even a rider needed money to survive in the world. Today though was not one of those days he was looking to lounge and squander at a chances. Today he was all business. Slowly he walked to the bar, weaving his way around tables as his boots clanked on the ground. They weren't as noisy as they could of been for they were rider style boots, but the did make noise none the less right then.

Unless one was looking carefully though at the mans attire, a person could not tell at first hand that he was a rider at all, but instead a common traveler. However, if anyone saw the sword he carried in sheath, they could point him out like a sore thumb from the rest. Luckily for him his sword hilt was covered by his dark cloak. As he reached the bar he put down two silver looking coins and then pulled down his hood for the tender to see.

"One tankard of ale please." he stated casually as he took a seat at the bar. The man behind the bar nodded, took the coin, and got him a tankard as efficiently as ever. Once placed in front of the older man, Zethius took a long hard swig of it.

"Will there be anything else." the tender asked him.

"Yes, I will have whatever today's special is for food." he stated and then took another drink with one hand as he pulled out more coin for the food as well and laid it on the table. The tender took the coin with a nod again and went off to give the order to whoever was cooking. This left Zethius to do whatever he wanted to until then. So naturally he began to look around. Partially as a rider on duty and partially as just a traveler looking for momentary shelter from the cold. His aged eyes looked around the room casually, but also cautiously. A half smile quirked though at his cheeks when he looked at the fire, perhaps he would sit there for a time while eating, there seemed to of been a table open and beckoning. But until then he would stay at the bar and wait for his food.

On either side of the fireplace were a pair of windows. Luckily for him they had a view of parts of the town steeped below it as well as the waters edge. The winds were picked up out on the water, not too badly though, but enough to scare any boaters from going out. As he stared out the square thatched window he took another swig of ale. It was going to be gone before he got his food even at this rate, but he did not mind he'd just have another. Yet although riders were immune to a lot, alcohol was not one of them. It was one of the few things that still made them mortal, and let them know that they were. Granted it took a lot to get Zethius drunk, but eventually if he had enough he would be plastered like any other man in that pub could be.

Today though he was cautious of that, being on duty and all. He did not want to seem the fool at any point while being on watch. Off watch was another thing, then he could get away with being drunk as hell, but even then he was not a man to be tangled with. Either way his skill with the sword was just as good, maybe even better when he was drunk. Yet, this was not one of those happy days as he would call it. No, he'd only have a few tankards and call it good. He just hoped the food would be there before he'd finish off the drinks. Otherwise he'd have to eat his food without ale, and that was just no way to go for a man like him in his mind, no sir.

[Lord Takashi Kaede]

Takashi sat behind the bar, slowly chewing at his eggs and bacon while Hiro stood beside the door, already having finished his breakfast. His hand rested upon the sword at his side, brown eyes ever watchful of the occupants within the tavern. Takashi seemed completely at ease here and he was. For the most part his 5 years here had gone without incident. Their first month here had been the worst; when there was little food, money was beginning to vanish, clothes were dirty from having no where to sleep and then they'd gotten mugged. The last of their money was stolen, all of their food gone and Takashi had been stabbed. Thankfully, Hiro had the medical knowledge that he did or he would be dead by now. Takashi was glad to have the larger male with him all the time. Sure, he had his own fighting skill and knowledge, but admittedly Hiro was better.

When the door opened to admit another person, Takashi flashed a glance toward the older male before back to his food while Hiro gave the older man a quick once-over to detect a danger level. Seemed alright enough so he left him alone. Besides he was older, neither man liked to really mess with older people unless they truly had to. Dark eyes glanced over to the man in his well worn clothes and quickly wrinkled his nose. Takashi could smell the lack of wealth upon the man. Unfortunately, he was very stuck up. Being around poor people didn't really suit him. It was, sadly, a part of having grown up with wealth. A pale hand raised to scratch at his smooth cheek before grabbing his fork once more to take another bite of his eggs.

The large dark-skinned man returned with Zethius' meal before stepping over to tend to another customer just as Takashi nodded toward the man. After tending to his other customer the male stepped in front of Takashi and smiled lightly. "What can I do yeh for?" He asked before Takashi raised his now empty glass and wiggled it slightly in the air. "More Juice." He said before passing the glass along the counter to the tender. His voice was soft and slightly higher than most men, though that came with being smaller. Hiro's voice was deeper than his own, that was because he was larger and also older. Within his race men still held higher pitched voices until they were in their 30's, well, unless they managed to bulk themselves up, which didn't happen often. Honestly, Takashi had never bothered to learn the tenders name, instead just called him 'keeper'. When keeper returned with his juice he simply nodded softly and accepted the glass, then slid a silver coin across the bartop to the man.

Nearly 10 minutes after Zethius had entered the door creaked open again and 10 men stumbled in, all of them large, obviously fishermen on break during the fog. Shouldn't be more than a couple of hours and the fog would disappate enough that things could be seen without it. With the men stepping inside Hiro went on alert. He didn't step away from the door, but he certainly stood up straighter and seemed more alert than he had moments before.

[Zethius Hawthorn]

Zethius saw the same thing that the other man had saw. He could tell that the lot would be a rowdy sort, not the kind one would want to get into a fight with right off if they were drunk. However, in turn they seemed to be the type to cause a ruckus if the chance arrived. He gave the men a once over and tried to ignore them the best he could without making it obvious that he was watching their every move and set now. The last thing he needed was to get into a fight with some children. That's what he thought of some of the knights and guards in the different towns he came across. Just big babies playing in a sandbox. That and to them if they were stupid enough, wouldn't care if Zethius was a rider or not, they would still take a swing at him.

Instead he paid more mind to his drink rather than the group that came in. What interested him more was the man that had been sitting right next to him. He seemed so strange, so out of place, that it sort of stuck out. Not that he couldn't, but by build the man next to him was very well out of place. It wasn't like it was a bad thing though, but it still was clearly strange none the less. He could tell the man was upstanding though. What would a man like him be more doing in a pub like the one he was in. The pub was okay but it wasn't for the lavish one could say. Then again it wasn't his place to comment on such things. A person could go where a person desired to. Yet this man looked like he could get his linens kicked in for being there if someone was jealous enough.

However, the boy in other ways intrigued him, but he wasn't sure just quite how. It was like a itch he had scratched a thousand times before, but forgot every time that, that itch had ever happened. This was another one of those times. However, he would quickly figure it out, he always did. If not it would eventually fade into oblivion of his mind never to be retrieved again unless he re came up against this person. What was it about Takashi that made him so curious. He rubbed his jaw in thought before taking another swing of ale. He was almost already out. Another few swigs and he would be cup clean, then he would have to order another to continue. Luckily his food arrived and with it another tankard. Well that solved that problem.

Quietly he began to dig into his food. He hadn't really eaten much for 3 days straight. Mostly due to lack of money at the time and also due to the fact of being on the go. He would have gone to the window table he had been hoping for by the fire, but it looked like it was going to be occupied by the noisy bunch that came in. It figured, ah well, he would live. After a few bites of food he took and drank down the first tankard and then began on the second one pushing the first cup aside for the tender to take. He wasn't a improper eater, not normally, but if situation called and he was hungry enough he would be a tad improper about manners. However, he was never as improper as guards could be. They were outright pigs and thus despicable to those who were brained like Zethius was.

[Lord Takashi Kaede]

Honestly, Takashi barely paid any attention to the older man beside him, other than the brief look he had shot the man when he'd entered. There wasn't much of a need to. The man was right though, this place was very low-brow for someone like him, but when he had first come to Corevale and was running on a very low amount of cash, this had been the best place to go for something to eat. It had just become habit for him to come here for something to eat, well and the fact that the food was good. It was probably the only place in all of Corevale that had great food for cheap. Several times Takashi had attempted to convince the owner to up the price, perhaps earn more money as well as fix the place up some and bring in a higher scale of customers. Of course the owner was perfectly content to continue things as it were. There were also several times that he had attempted to buy out the property, but the owner didn't want to sell. Oh well, it was the mans loss, not Takashi's.

Hiro was on high alert as the noisy bunch of fishermen took seats while one of their group moved up to the bar to collect drinks. Takashi gave the man who came to stand beside him -nearly three times his size- a quick once over before turning back to his food while the male ordered drinks. Sure, that's just what you idiots need, he thought, get drunk before going fishing. His head shook lightly while turning back to his own meal and taking another quick bite. Not twenty minutes later he was just finishing his meal, having eaten slowly as he always did and the rukus crowd was on their fourth round of drinks. He'd just slid his plate across the bartop toward the tender and turned to stand when one of the fishermen was coming back to the bar for another round of drinks. Unfortunately, he hadn't realized that the man was right behind him and bumped into him. The fisherman snarled under his breath, already reeking of alcohol and obviously starting to feel it's effects. Sadly, Takashi didn't apologize or make any attempt at appearing apologetic. In his mind, the man shouldn't have been standing right behind him when there was plenty of walking space around him.

Hiro's hand rested on his sword, watching for danger while the fisherman growled out, "Watch where your going." Unfortunately, the bodyguard knew that the words were going to start an argument and took a step forward just as Takashi spoke. "You watch it." He said with a slight curl in his upper lip. "Little twerp, do you know what I could do to you?" The large male asked while his drunken friends slowly got to their feet, watching the little spat. A brow arched on the small foreign man's face, a smirk forming at his lips. "Stumble around attempting to land a punch before puking and passing out?" He asked, obviously egging on the argument. Being nearly a third of the fisherman's size, Takashi should have held his tongue, but he wasn't afriad to fight. He had well enough training, besides, the larger male was drunk, meaning his reflexes were even slower than normal. "I could break you in half." The large male stated as he took a menacing step closer to Takashi. From the corner of his dark eyes he noticed that the other fishermen were also moving a little closer, blocking Hiro from getting to him. Did this worry the smaller man? Not one damned bit. "Do you need your friends to aid you in that?" He asked while his arms crossed over his chest.

The tender cleared his throat and spoke loudly enough for all to hear. "Alright, gents. Break it up or take it outside." Obviously the interferance from Keeper had been more than the drunken male could take. With a growl his balled up fist raised and swung toward Takashi's face. The smaller male quickly ducked and dodged out of the way and if Zethius didn't move the swing would unfortunately catch him in the arm or shoulder. "I see the rum is really taking it's toll. Or is your brain always that addled?" He asked sarcastically while keeping a small amount of distance between him and the larger male. He didn't pay a bit of attention as to whether or not the swing had landed on the older male that had been beside him, needing to keep his focus clearly on the fisherman and his friends.

"Move." Hiro's voice rang out from somewhere behind him, obviously trying to break through the crowd of rowdy, drunken fishermen to get to his master. Though that didn't appear to be happening as they quickly blocked his path and zoned in on Takashi. Again, the smaller male wasn't afraid of the fight that was sure to be coming. The large fisherman took another step toward Takashi, his anger sobering him up slightly, and then took another swing. Again, the smaller male ducked and dodged easily out of the way and chuckled under his breath when he heard the swing land against one of the males friends jaw. It was a good thing he was small and could easily get out of the way, beyond that he had plenty of training for things like this, he'd been raised within it. Twice he felt hands make a grab for him and twice he dodged out of the way. The third time he wasn't so lucky though as a pair of strong arms wrapped around his stomach and dragged him close to cut off his path of escape. His nose wrinkled quickly because of not only the smell of the man but having been touched by him. Takashi didn't much care for others touching him, never really had. He squirmed slightly, making an attempt to break free of the hold that had him only to have a strong fist connect with his cheek sending stars into his vision.

[Zethius Hawthorn]

As if it were something expected Zethius felt the battle come like watching a blade of grass move in the wind. Almost like clockwork, he was ready for the blow that was swinging around and he grabbed the mans hand and twisted it. Giving the man a sharp look of that was not wise, he flung the guy away with almost mythical like strength. After the first blow he began to go into what he called the warriors trace. A trace that left him to feel nothing, but be focused on the moment. Many also called it battle meditation. A state where he could be in the moment rather than be distracted by outside influences. However, only a master of the art like himself could do such a deed.

Being what he was meant a lot of things. A rider was a warrior, a diplomat, and guardian, etc. They did a lot of things for the realm. Being agile on ones toes was one of them. Each person he took on was easy as the next. He did keep an eye out on the boy next to him though, the kid was quite a skilled fighter, that was for sure for a someone with status. Skills that could be practically respectable by a rider such as himself. Another tried to fight him and he swung with a fist to the side letting the man meet and greet with it square in the face. A slight smirk crossed the old mans face. He had probably not had this much fun since he himself was a younger man. It still had its joy to it for the fire of the fight.

One more got sent over the bar and almost into the tender who was yelling and screaming at the top of his lungs for it to all stop, which when they were done throwing punches it would. For now though, Zethius was going to teach some young folk a lesson in manners before wiping the bar top and tables clean with them. Perhaps he would gut some proverbial fish while at it if it came down to taking out his sword over the matter. Yet until he had to he was going to continue with his fists instead. No need to wave the banner that devoted him as rider just quite yet. Finally though after some more good punches he did draw out his sword and put it up to throat of the man who had Taka.

"Let him go or I have no bloody problem running you square through with this." he stated strongly to the man and then looked around at the rest that had been fighting with them. "Or any of the rest of you for that matter."

Exposing himself as a rider then was his only option, and so thus many did back away. Many knew the tale of a riders scorn. It was one no one wanted to cross ever. Zethius took a deep breath and stared the man down with his eyes that looked like they could pierce glass right at that moment. He was going to stare the man down into submission if he could if not he would press the blade closer to the neck and advise him to leave. Sadly that was what he had to do, as he pricked the mans skin with the blade forged by magical means. He snarled, "If I were you, I would leave quickly and quietly, and hope that the pub door doesn't swing back and hit you on the ass on the way out. Do not take me for a fool I can kill you."

[Lord Takashi Kaede]

Hiro finally managed to break through the group blocking him by aiming a fist up at one of the men. With the older man fighting and the warrior fighting, it was no surprise that the barroom turned into an all out brawl within a matter of minutes. Takashi stomped down on the man who held him's foot hard, catching him by surprise just long enough to duck away from him. His smaller frame allowed him to do much more than simply stand around and get caught up by the large men. He side-swept his foot, knocking down the one that held him while the one that had punched him before landed another blow.. this time to the back of the smaller foriegn male's head. Takashi saw stars very vividly in front of him.

He shook his head lightly before the older man had a hold on the one that had swung. Hiro had knocked three men onto their behinds within that time and the one Takashi had dropped quickly lumbered to his drunken feet. He aimed another swing at Takashi, the smaller male quickly ducking out of the way and once more kicking the man's knees out from under him just as the old man grabbed up the other and put the blade to his throat. Everyone in the tavern seemed to freeze as the man exposed himself, Takashi too. Hiro quickly stepped up to his master's side and knelt down. "Are you okay, milord?" He asked in a low tone.

Takashi nodded briskly while raising both hands to push his hair from his face. Hiro sighed and shook his head before grabbing a handkerchief from his pocket and holding it out to Takashi. "You are bleeding, milord." The large male said. And sure enough, Takashi touched the handkerchief to his cheek were a cut had sprung from the punch he'd taken to the face. A bruise was fast spreading, but he ignored it. As the old man spoke again, the Fishermen all lumbered quickly to their feet before heading fast for the door as if some vile smell had errupted within the tavern. Takashi was a proud man, but he wasn't too proud to appreciate the help from the Rider. He stepped foreward, offering a low bow of his head, custom in his country. "Hai." He muttered in his language before standing straight again. "Thank you, rider." He said lightly.

[Zethius Hawthorn]

The men they had been fighting, looked wide eyed on him. They knew he was dangerous. They knew what he was capable of. Slowly the man had backed away who had the sword to his throat. Taking a big gulp, the man did not argue and forced his men to leave. Glad for their leave, he gave a sigh and looked around. The pub keep was grateful for the leave of the men as well as he came up from behind the bar. He had noted Zethius' blade as he put it away. Nervous now, Zeth knew the man would offer him drinks on the house. That was not what the rider was worried about though. He was more worried about the boy near him. That and his own aged stress pains in his body, rheumatism was always a pain in the ass.

"It was nothing, it's my job." he stated seeing the tender put a drink out for him already so he took it and down half of it. "They deserved what they got. So be it. You, on the other hand. Quite some skill for a boy your age. Not many have that skill in these parts, even the best knight or noble. Impressive I must say."

He took another drink of the ale, almost downing the rest of it, "By the way, the name's Zethius, Zethius Hawthorne. Knight of the code and elder rider of the dragons of the realm. Of course at your service."

He gave a nod bow to the man. He looked at Taka's friend servant curiously. The pair was quite unusual, but something worth investigating. Either way Zeth found their meeting not just some casual coincidence. Casually he could feel the pressure of his dragon against his mind though making sure he was alright. In return he gave a nudge that he was and that all was still well, then the sense of his dragon went away. He looked at the man and asked, "Are you alright though?"

[Lord Takashi Kaede]

Takashi shook his head as the old man spoke, causing the longish black hair to fall into his face. He smiled gently at the man before bowing once again. "Job or no, you assisted me. Thank you, rider." He said softly. Hiro also gave a low bow, his hands folded together in front of him. "Thank you for for assisting my master where I could not." The gaurd said in his low voice, keeping in the bow until he felt Takashi's eyes on him. It was true that the two were not only master & gaurd, but close friends that had been around one another for a long time.

At the mention of his fighting skills Takashi shook his head at the older man, a faint laugh on his lips. "I have been trained since I could walk to fight. That was nothing more than second nature to me. Of course, you have never seen it around these parts before. I have also never seen one who looks like myself around these parts." He remarked. And it was true. Other than Hiro, none looked like him. With the slanted eyes and the paled-yellowed skin. Hiro and Takashi were alone in a sea of pale faces, none of which resembled their own.

Takashi turned to the tender and passed the man several pieces of gold. "My apologies, surely this will cover any damages." He stated to the man before looking back to the rider. Normally he would not have cared about damages done, but he came here regularly and he had a small amount of respect for the staff. That had to count for something, right? When the rider gave his name, Takashi bowed quickly once more. "Lord Takashi Kaede." He stated his name, leaving out anything that might signify who he truly was. Anything from his past had been abandonned in the hope that his family would never find and shame him. It was better that way.

The young Lord dabbed at his cheek with the kerchief that Hiro had given him, wiping away another streak of blood from the cut. Hearing the question caused him to nod sharply. "I am fine. I have had worse cuts than this before." He stated with a faint smile.