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[Haspen]

The man merely nodded at the answer.

"Second question is: Do you still remember your mentor... and how Sarius died?"

[Furtuka]

Derick's face turned serious and he moved his hand closer to the hilt of his sword.

"Of course I can. I've sworn myself to find out who killed him and avenge him."

[Haspen]

The man sighed in relief.

"Then the third question should be easy for you to answer. Swordmaster Derick, will you help me avenge my half-brother, Sarius, who was so foully murdered?"

[Furtuka]

Derick reeled back in shock and let go of his sword

"Ah- of course. Of course I will!"

He got his bearings back after a couple seconds.

"Sarius never mentioned that he had a brother."

[Haspen]

"Half-brother. And he was ordered not to speak of it, as my family and our father aren't kind to bastards. In genealogical meaning of that word. It's a long story though... shall we find a shadowy corner in the inn or somesuch place to talk?"

[Furtuka]

"Yeah, sure. Um... do you mind if I go get Raquel? She's my uh... she's been helping me with my quest."

[Haspen]

"I'm not sure. Can she be trusted?"

[Furtuka]

"Yes! Definitely! She's in the Inn right now."

[Haspen]

"Allright then. Let's go inside; I will find ourselves a table and you go get your friend."

With that, the noble man led Derick inside and moved to the right, toward the tables.

[Culise]

Raquel looked up from where she was feigning reading when the door opened, admitting Derick and a strange man.  Derick, she saw, seemed relaxed rather than guarded around the newcomer, and so she stood up and quietly joined the two of them. 

[Furtuka]

"Alright."

Derick's face broke out into a big smile when Raquel went over to them, and he was almost bouncing up and down with excitement.

"Raquel! You'll never believe who I just met. This guy right here is Sarius's brother! He says he wants our help in taking down his killer."

[Culise]

"Ah, truly?"

She glanced over at the newcomer.  It seemed convenient, almost too much so, but they had few leads to go on at this point.  It might bear watching, but if it were true, it would finally help Derick find closure.
"In that case, it is a pleasure to meet you, Sir..."

[Haspen]

The man just sat down and placed his halberd against the wall.

"Oh, you're a fine lady. Please sit down you two." He hten dismissed the barkeep, who, seeing a man in such extravagant clothes, surely wanted to get some coins and end the day on high profit. But it wasn't this day.

"I am Arvin, of Deynastian house Raccula. So, Derick, where should I start?"

[Furtuka]

"...I guess who killed Sarius and why is as good a place as any."

[Haspen]

"Very well then. Two years ago, Sarius worked for certain dark cult, that kind of cult using people as sacrifices in bloody rituals. I don't know why, but he was helping them obtain some ingredients from dangerous, dark creatures dwelling deeply in some caves. The cult apparently tried to not pay and kill him, but he managed to run away. I believe they were also scared of their cult being reported to local authorities. I've found from that time onwards he was constantly on the run, and he formed your mercenary group of young, promising people to teach you mercenary work. Unfortunately they've got him last year."

"The cultists however didn't think much and the poisonous herbs that were used to murder Sarius were specialty of only one assasin. I've found him, tried to bribe him, and interrogated him in the end. So that's how I learned who was responsible and I began to search for their temple or gathering place so I could avenge my half-brother."

"Then, when I was ready to strike them this winter, I learned that their group was murdered violently. I'm not sure here, but apparently some assasin or other of such kind decided to clean them by themselves. I couldn't find him; I tried to contact the last family that he worked for, but the Forsaken's - if you ever heard of them - are really reclusive, not to mention the last two months of in-fighting left them weary and unwilling to spare servants."

"Unable to get support, I've decided to track down some of Sarius' pupils, but I've learned that two are dead, few moved to Deynastia and some went to Berebia. I've got to you mostly because I carefully listened to rumors and news, and a charming, handsome swordmaster for hire is a rare sight in this parts, apparently, so you stand out... Apologies for drawing you out earlier with the help of that young man. I simply didn't want to bother if it turned out you weren't who you are." Arvin took a deep breath.

"But that's not all. I searched for you because I have something important to tell you - last month I've found out that the cult is still active. Apparently some priestess of high standing in the cult managed to escape with handful of cultists, or maybe she wasn't present at their temple when the assasin got to them. But they're definitely trying to rebuild their convent."

"Conveniently, I managed to learn where they're hiding. There's a small ruined outpost in middle of the swamp, just few hours travel north of here. I'm going to cleanse that place and get rid of the damned cult once and for all. There; you know what I know and I hope my tale wasn't confusing; I'm man of war, not a storyteller." Arvin went silent for few seconds.

"Would you be interested in coming with me? I have no money to offer; I'm myself driven by vengeance and nothing else. Your lady friend... pardon miss, I didn't get your name - she can wait here if she isn't interested in our 'crusade'."