Tales of the Jewel

I'll try to take a beating. I'll set it up.

Rufus' eyes widen for a moment, as if surprised, and then something clicks.

"Because we have no such sorcerers in our own lands. From what I gather, it's a rare thing here to have such a gift. In Yodotai, it is completely non-existent. Magic is the stuff of legends."

Because we cannot join threads after the fact to fight Ghuls, is anyone here interested in a teamup? Rufus will be out and somewhat armored after dealing with some miscreants via "I am Vengeance" so he will be lightly armed and armored.

The sun is beading down as Rufus surveys the operation at the River district. That ruined school was tantalizingly close, but now was a different tantalyzing opportunity: Money. And someone wanted a second opinion rather than handing over a Senpet money blind. "So you want to refine your brick works...

"Not Rokugani. I think? What's Rokugani?" Rufus seems to think on it. "You mean the ones with the horses?"

He waves it off. "But it was someone local. They had healers for the part of the archery competition where...well, where they were shooting arrows at us."

"Well...to begin." Plates come down with flatbreads, rice, roast meats and vegetables. "I come from a land called Gallim, once filled with wandering tribes. We were the neighbors of the ones called the Yodotai, who wanted the lands for themselves. While the Yodotai were outnumbered by all the tribes...

"Honestly? Eppur si muove." Rufus looks back and forth at the two. "A good time. I have plenty of work to keep my mind at hand. What I hope for is to remember to live!" He does his best to offer a genial smile. "And both of you certainly are doing that."

"I can honestly say that it's more peaceful than I'm used to." Rufus motions to a table. "I took the liberty of ordering whatever is the specialty of the day but it you can think of anything else you'd like I am curious to try it.

He offers a seat to Zara. " So, you wanted my story? The long one? "

The cafe is mostly casual, but it's bustling business with the beginning of the feasting time. Fortunately, there was room still. Rufus waits at the door for Zara, the shopkeeper looking for his story.

Claudia looks over, squinting against the sun at Rufus. "Ave! Yes, I am a citizen. I am Claudia Gabinus, hail and well met." She gives him a look over. "How do you serve? The scouts?" She turns and gestures between Rufus and Qara. "This is Qwara Al-Harzard. She is a very talented healer and magicia...