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Raullaur	Ever since the bout in the arena, word has spread, again, about Raullaur. The Golden Lion, the leader of the mercernary warband the Lion's Pride--itself full of lionmen--again a wonder in the city after familiarity had caused excitement to die down. He currently walks through the city streets, golden eyes searching, dressed in fine but unbleached linens, with leather at the elbows and 'knees'. Not truely finery, but still, people who notice him end up giving wide berth--except for a few who call out praise for the arena.
Wandering Tree	Wandering Tree is also walking through the streets, more ambling than searching though. He comes to a stop when he sees Raullaur approaching, standing in the approaching lion man's path with a smile spreading on his face as he fails to get out of his way. His voice rolls out boisterously, pitched low but carrying loudly. "Ah, I recognize you! The warrior most impressive in the arena!"
Raullaur	It is not common for Raullaur to have to look *up* at someone, and so he blinks, and then lips curl back to show his fangs in what is *probably* a smile. "Ah, thank you! I have seen two others fight at my level there, and there may be others!" His voice is a rumbling, almost purring bass, with an almost musical cadance to it. "And who might you be?" Open curiosity in his voice.
Wandering Tree	Wandering Tree gives a small but polite bow to Raullaur, still smiling widely. "Ah, of course, excuse me. I am Wandering Tree. I used to fight in the arena myself, but not for some time. And not as well as you, at least, not back then. But I very much enjoyed your display of prowess!"
Raullaur	Raul's forehead furrows in thought, and then nods, "I have heard of you, I think. You fought, but left the city before I arrived. It is good to meet you, Wandering Tree. This has been fun. Mostly, I lead my troops. Rare it is for me to face a foe directly.:
Wandering Tree	Wandering Tree looks down at his hands then back up at Raul. "Oh, no, I am not a foe today. Perhaps not ever, for that matter. You do not strike me as a servant of the Realm, at least. You do not bear their look, or the look of anything they could approve of. Perhaps, instead, you might allow me to buy you a drink?"
Raullaur	"I am not one to turn down a drink. And no. I have nothing to do with the Realm. The Guild draws my ire, but the Realm? It has always been far away. Nothing...blatant anywhere I have been." He looks about, "Do you have a place in mind? If not, there is a place nearby that has good beers and hunters' fare."
Wandering Tree	Wandering Tree looks like he wants to spit, but refrains. "Bah! On the guild too. And no, I did not have a place in mind. I will bow to your judgement in such matters, and even buy the second round in honor of your choice!"
Raullaur	"Then I get the meal for a new comrade," he declares and shows the way to a place with a blue-and-white checkerboard above. Inside, there is the rich smell of fried meats, thick and savory gravy, mushrooms, onion, fermented cabbage, fried onions and potatoes. And various beers as well. "Here we are. Not as spicy as ones I've seen from the South, but very good, very filling." People inside, well...some are scared, others are curious, after all it isn't /unheard/ of for the powerful to be anywhere in the district.
Wandering Tree	Wandering Tree enters behind Raul, pausing to take a deep breath and fill his lungs with the sweet scents of beer and well cooked foods. "Ah, yes, this is indeed a fine place! My stomach growls with excitement already. So, you say the realm draws your ire, even here?"
Raullaur	"Guild, not Realm. Though if they come here in force, surely I will be unhappy with them!" He shakes his head, cinnamon-colored mane tossed. "They had capturd and enslaved much of my tribe. I...led the rest to kill the slavers and rescue them. Since then, I have led. And came we north through the forests and along rivers to come here."
Wandering Tree	Wandering Tree chuckles as he settles into a chair. "Ah, yes, a familiar tale. All too sadly so. I am unfond of both groups. I spent the last several months closer to the coast myself, giving the satrapies a difficult time."
Raullaur	"A worthwhile goal! Why do you fight against them, if you don't mind me asking? What do you get from it? And...what do you hope to achieve?" Raul settles as well, and relaxes a bit. "Do you prefer barley or wheat for your beer?"
Wandering Tree	Wandering Tree takes a moment to find a comfortable position, a common problem with normal person chairs and tables. "Because fuck them, that's why. They wish to rule all of creation, and they do not deserve to. And as long as I draw breath, I will not let them breathe easily. Ah, and I am more accustomed to wheat, but I can appreciate either."
Raullaur	"Does anyone deserve to? And is there anything we can do about it, either way? What /are/ you going to do about it?" Raul's eyes are sharp, intent. And when the server first comes, calls for a pitcher of the dark wheat. "You get the next pitcher--your choice--and I get the meal?"
Wandering Tree	Wandering Tree nods to Raul as well as the waiter. He waits until the waiter steps away to answer. "Mostly I just kill them. The soldiers, the dynasts, their arms of oppression. When they overextend, I cut away the offending limb. Is that what you do to the guild?"
Raullaur	"Much the same. But here, there is too much...money, too much power they have. And they would go after my people, not me, so I have far fewer prospects to strike. I hope....to start heading east before we get too tied to this place."
Wandering Tree	Wandering Tree nods somberly. "Ah, I am not quite so tied down myself. Hmmm, not yet anyway. Wait, are you still talking of the Realm, or of the Guild?"
Raullaur	"The guild. That is what you asked about, isn't it?" He smiles a bit. "I am proud of my people though, and glad to be with them. Strive to be worthy of them, and lead them well.":
Wandering Tree	Wandering Tree nods and leans back in his chair. "Yes, I suppose I did. I may have mixed up the two in my head though for the moment. I was talking about fighting the Realm earlier, myself. Who are your people, then?"
Raullaur	"We are a tribe come up from the savannahs south of the forests, west of Prasad, east of where the Bull-god reigns. Lions we are, and have been as long as our tale-singers remember and recall. At least so say the tales we have come to us. If they are true? Is more than I can say, though I suspect so..>"
Wandering Tree	Wandering Tree thinks for a moment, large fingers tapping on the tabletop. "That sounds like quite the people. And perhaps not too different from those that adopted me, in my second life after the Guild. Not quite lions in form, but similar in spirit."
Raullaur	"Perhaps. I have met some like that, from time to time. And it is...always interesting to do." He grins widely at that.
Wandering Tree	Wandering Tree grins at Raul, this time showing teeth. "Ah, well, I am no lion myself, but if you'll bear with me you may come to agree that I am someone possessed of a similarly great spirit."
Raullaur	Raullaur narrows his eyes and looks intently, before flicking his ears. "Perhaps so. If so, it would be good to meet somewhere more...secure. Would you want to come back to the barracks?" A casual enough invvitation, if perhaps slightly more guarded than before.
Wandering Tree	Wandering Tree takes a deep draught, then shrugs. "Sure, if you'd like to. Shall we finish eating first?"
Raullaur	The meal is good--lots of meat and potatoes, gravy and beer. And really, could one ask for more? Eventually, coin changes hand and the two towering people head towards the east quarter. The barracks and compound is easy to spot--there are quite a few lionmen in armor and under arms keeping watch and drilling. None are as impressive as their warleader, though. Still, between the ones here and in the city, there must be at least two hundred warriors. He goes to an office that has comfortable, but not ornate, chairs and a desk. A map of the city, and another of the surrounding areas are on the walls. "All right," Raullaur finally says. "As safe a place as you might find, aside from some of the temples o mansions in the city." He grins again, "I have heard some claim to be adopted by animals. Some, exigents. Others have turned out to be chosen by the moon. Is this what you claim?"
Wandering Tree	Wandering Tree nods, sitting comfortably in his chair. "I wasn't exactly claiming it, but yes. I have indeed drawn a second breath, gifted by Luna. I presume that's not a problem for you? Otherwise you wouldn't have brought me here, I think. After all, if this were to become a battle, then win or lose there would be so much damage to your people and buildings."
Raullaur	Raullaur shakes his head. "Our tales say that back in the days when the champions of the sun, moon, and stars walked the lands--when those of the sun were felled--then in grief, our ancestor came to the savannahs and raised a tribe of lions and men together. Father and mother both to us. From what I have learned since coming here...he, or she, was a chosen of Luna, and we the descendants after the Sun-chosen were wiped out." He flicks his ears, "Myself? Luna has not chosen me. Rather..." He pauses, and then on his forehead, a golden circle comes into view, with the eight rays of the dawn sun spreading out. "Will you show me your mark, please, Wandering Tree?" A formal voice, while he watches closely.
Wandering Tree	Wandering Tree does not relax his grin, but a bright silver disc appears on his forehead. "Of course, cousin, it is no problem at all. Interesting it is, to meet so many lately. Just days ago I encountered another of yours here."
Raullaur	"I know of some others in the city--I likely know whom you met," Raullaur says, visibly relaxing. "A warrior as I am, it seems you are."
Wandering Tree	Wandering Tree raises a large eyebrow, still smiling with genuine mirth and amusement, now tinged with additional interest. "Would she have pink hair, perhaps? Or are there so many of your kind in this city that it is hard to keep track?"
Raullaur	"If her eyes have a rainbow swirl abuot them as well? Bright Journey she is. A skilled diplomat and archer, with a grand vision for what she hopes the future to be." Raullaur nods. "Friends we are, and others. Once I know from her you know her...well, I can introduce you to others, if you like."
Wandering Tree	Wandering Tree nods as he recognizes the description, his eyes unfocusing for a moment as he thinks back. "Yes, that would be her indeed. And certainly, you should confirm with her first, but we have met. Just once so far, unfortunately, but... Hopefully again soon."
Raullaur	"Hopefully soon! It is interesting to have more and more congregate here. It looks as thoug h a storm is coming in, and I look forward to taking advantage of it..."
Wandering Tree	Wandering Tree leans forward in his seat, elbows going to knees. "A storm, you say? What kind, and how might you be hoping to take advantage of such a gathering of forces?"
Raullaur	"I have heard that the tournament, well, people are getting information on the competitors to bring a Wyld Hunt for us. So now I am sure I am under suspicion. Some of us seek to go East to treat with others towards the pole. Others seek to head towards the Caul. And how to take advantage?" He smiles, "A warleader who cannot come ahead in a time of tumult deserves to have his band desert him, don't yhou think?"
Wandering Tree	Wandering Tree leans back again, looking relaxed. "Ah, a wyld hunt, you say? For certain, you would have my assistance against such as those. And it would not be meager assistance, I assure you."