Merku's Stories.

In the dusk early morning hours within a small building within Negav an scaly hand reached out from under the sheets on a simple bed. "Hrmm.." Gazing from under the sheets at a wind up clock sitting on the nightstand a yawn would erupt. "Hrmm well I better get ready." An strange man would slither out of the sheets slowly and unwillingly into the cool morning air of the room and away from the warmth of the bed. "I hate these cool mornings." The sleepy Re'kieesh man grumbled as he gathered a clean set of cloths and quickly getting dressed, the intricate runes glowing as Jarger'rakii placed his robes onto himself, the purple fabric hiding his Dark blue scales.

As Jarger'rakii took a few books off the shelves regarding Demonic energy flows, Death Runes, Curse craft and mathematics. After setting the books down on a table next to a sunny window Jarger'rakii would toss a few pieces of wood into his wood stove lighting the fire and setting a pot of water onto it to boil. "I guess I might as well get breakfast ready." Jarger'raki said to himself as he cooked himself a simple breakfast.

As Jarger'rakii got ready for the day ahead of him two cloaked strangers approached, one was short standing at a short height it was clear she was a child. "Okay Narinie you know where you can find me when your finished here." The larger cloaked figure spoke her face hidden in the shroud of her cloak. The child hissed much like a snake before replying. "Yes Mommy." After departing from her Mother Narinie would knock on the door to the building before entering. "Master? Are you in here?"

With a smile Jarger'rakii hissed at the young girl. "Good to see you my apprentice. Are you prepared for your test this afternoon?" The girl would hiss before lowering her hood to reveal her face, she was young with bright red scales. "I studied like you asked me to Master." Jarger'rakii would pour himself a cup of tea as Narinie took at seat at the table looking at the tittles of the books Jarger'rakii had picked out. "Would you like a cup of tea Narinie?" Narinie looked at Jarger'rakii hissing before responding. "Yes please." Pouring a second cup Jarger'rakii would take a seat next to his apprentice handing her a small cup. "Okay I have a few books I will lend you for your continued studies and one which we will review now." Opening the book on curse craft Jarger'rakii would read about the about the various subject matter on creating simple curses occasionally asking a question to test Narinie's knowledge. "Okay the Rune San'tek is what kind of element?" Narinie thought about it before responding. "San'tek is a power Rune, used to guide the governing force of the spell or curse. However San'tek is a low ranking power rune too." Hissing just a brief moment Jarger'rakii would nod. "That's correct."

After several hours of discussion and explanation on the subject of creating curses Jarger'rakii would look at Narinie. "Okay Now I want to see a shadow bolt. If you've been studying it should be fairly easy to grasp." Jarger'rakii would pull a simple target out of a closet and placed it against a wall with nothing nearby. "Okay Narinie just like I instructed. Remember focus the Dark energy with a calm focus." The young Re'kieesh girl would stand up facing the target black electricity crackled around her fingertips as she carefully controlled the Dark energy before trying to channel it, however it popped not bolting like she intended. Jarger'rakii watched as the child made a few failed attempts. "Take your time. Relax it isn't a race." Narinie would make several more attempts but they failed, Jarger'rakii knew he could control Narinie's flow of the Dark energy for her but that would be irresponsible, Narinie had to learn how to do that on her own."Calm your self Narinie. I'm sure you'll get the hang of it. Just take a deep breath."

Narinie was losing her patience and even getting a little stressed that she might not pass the test, giving several more failed attempts Narinie would think of her family and her promises to be the very best witch Negav would see, giving one final attempt a bolt of Black electricity would pool into a ball and fly at the target to explode on it. With a smile Jarger'rakii hissed. "Well done. That shadow bolt may not be strong enough to harm anything however it's a good foundation for your future lessons. I expect you to study and we shall meet again next week."

Jarger'rakii would watch as his student collected her books and headed back to her Mother. "She can't do much yet. But she will be a proud witch in time." Jarger'rakii thought to him self. "Course now I have plenty of time for an expedition if I can find a group."

In the early morning hours Jarger'rakii would cook some breakfast the sound of sizzling eggs on a skillet and the smell of fresh bacon cooking would fill the small building. "Nya! I know your hiding under there!" An energetic Neko woman would lift up an box not finding a thing. "Riea what are you doing?" Jarger'rakii asked his patience being drained. "Nya I saw an Neera on my way here. Didn't bag it I think it's still around here somewhere." Jarger'rakii hissed rolling his eyes at Riea. "Your actively hunting Neeras? That is the most ridiculous thing I've heard of."

"Hrmm then what would you suggest then?" Riea reacted. Jarger'rakii merely placed his breakfast onto his plate. "Tinies are prey of opportunity. Our city has a endless supply of save nooks and crannies for them to hide. If you try to hunt them actively well your just going to stand out too much and just make a fool of your self. Just go on with your day and if you happen to see one out in the open unaware grab it. But I wouldn't eat too many if I were you."

"Why's that?" Riea asked tilting her head. "Well Riea just because they're bite sized doesn't mean they're entirely harmless either. Tomb thumbs have been known to kill people who delight in eating Tinies. Even if the guards don't catch you doing it you can still drive them to seek revenge." Riea giggled. "Neera's killing me. I don't believe you." Jarger'rakii would hiss. "Tomb thumbs have killed Humans before. Slipping poison into people's drinks. Or even pricking them with a thousand poisoned barbs. I can assure you they have the means. Though it may not seem likely."

Jarger'rakii ate his breakfast savoring the taste for a bit before leaving Riea to tend to his shop well he was away. Pulling up his hood Jarger'rakii walked through the busy streets of Negav as he walked an Human woman approached him. "Jarger'rakii good to see you. I got your message and I got us a team." Jarger'rakii smiled as he hissed. "Good to hear who do we have with us Lillian?" Lillian opened a pocket pulling out a note. "Well we got three Neko Mercenaries. Redirin Marsi and Tregil. Got an apprentice fairy hunter Markus he doesn't have much experience but he does seem quite skilled with his guns. Let's hope his inexperience doesn't cause too much trouble. Oh and we got an Elven Mage gifted with healing spells named Reciee. She's a bit well stuck up but her abilities are undeniable worth putting up with I suppose."

Jarger'rakii nodded. "Good people skills doesn't make an good adventurer. I'd rather deal with a bunch of assholes and get home with some research done and a bit of pay then enjoy friendly company in a stomach." Lillian giggled. "I suppose that's true. But the snobbishness does bother me some. Well are we grouping up immediately?" Lillian asked."Not quite. I know we already done this kinda thing a few times but I'd rather play it smart even if it means taking a loss of my earnings." Jarger'rakii replied.

"Going to see the old geezer again?" Lillian asked. Jarger silently nodded as they proceeded towards the higher tier, the wealthy and the noticeable increase in guards an obvious reminder that this is where the rich live.

"Hold it right there Re'kieesh!" One of the mansion guards yelled. Jarger'rakii startled looked at the familiar guard and responded. "Frank what is it now? You know me I'm not a trouble maker." Frank pointed his weapon at Jarger'rakii. "You cursed master Evans didn't you!" Suddenly an elderly voice yelled from one of the nearby windows. "For the last time Tis only a cold let him through." Jarger'rakii started to proceed to the mansion door when Frank moved in front of them. "What is it now Frank?"

"I know you but I don't know her." Frank responded. "Fine here take this bit of coin and let us in." Jarger'rakii handed frank an handful of coins from his wallet.

As they entered the mansion Lillian would whisper. "You shouldn't have done that he was an asshole he deserved an knuckle sandwich not a payday." Jarger'rakii grinned as he whispered back. "It's alright. An Curse of stomach flu and an Curse of whiskey dick should teach Frank some manners."

"Well hello again Jarger'rakii and who's the madam?" Evans greeted. "Hello Evans. Oh this is Lillian an adventurer and apprentice Gunsmith I know. Anyway we're heading out to collect some treasure and study some ancient ruins. In short we could use some advice." Jarger'rakii would show Evans the map and his intended location and his planed route. "Hrmm I never thought about looking there before but your theory does hold water and the evidence is there. If I may suggest an alternate route." Evans took an quill and drew a different line. "Your current one heads a bit close to an known Nest of Naga. It'll add an day to the journey but better take a little time more and make it back alive." Evans then circled a spot along his suggested route. "There's a few hiding spots that can make a decent camp easy to fortify and protect your self through the night."

Lillian watched as they discussed the plan before asking. "Are there any dangerous we should keep an eye out for?" Evans nods. "Indeed. Harpies have been prowling that area as of late so no safe route just be careful. Fairies are known to hunt around there alot during this time of year too so an you shouldn't let your guard down in the slightest. Oh and anyone who carries an fire arm an tip. Always shoot the entrance of a cave or tree hollow before entering it."

Jarger'rakii smiled shacking the elderly man's hand. "Thank you Evans. I do appreciate it." As Jarger'rakii and Lillian left the mansion proceeding to meet with the team they could hear the sound of a rumbling stomach as they walked past Frank.