Lirin had been stalking different taverns, different cities. Always hunting for clues as to where her sister might be. So far, no one seems to have even heard of an elf of fair skin, dark hair and pale blue eyes. How can one elf disappear so easily, without even the smallest of hints as to her whereabouts. Even if it has been a year since she's been here, surely someone has seen her at some point, yes?

To keep herself healthy, she has been sipping off of some drunken rabble, much to her dismay as the alcohol taints the flavor of the blood. She played songs for them, trying to drown her misery and depression of her sister in gay merriment. To allure certain people to her, she would weave her scent to a small bit of air and have it snake through the audience. When someone was attracted to the pheromones, she led them straight to her. This time, however, instead of being attracted to her sexually, which made them more willing to allow her to feed, she was offered a contract.

Money drove the world, had it wrapped around its little golden finger. Can't find a decent place to sleep safely without silver, or buy information from tight, greedy lips. The gentleman offered a substantial reward if she was to teach someone a lesson. Seems the person double crossed him in a deal, an action that didn't go over well in any respectable circle, even worse in shadier ones. He did not want Merry Penniworth killed, just roughed up a bit, and a promise for death next time he crosses the line.

After a little snooping, Lirin found that this Merry enjoyed to walk through the Viren Forest for safety reasons. So vast, and dangerous, that even the best adventurer to get lost and potentially die. She tied her hair back, and prepared herself for a fight. In the richly colored, red forest, a predator lurked in the trees, waiting for her prey to venture near.

"You, my dear, are a very interesting woman."  Merry spoke as the two woman walked together through the forest.

"And you are very lovely."  Larka replied with a smile glancing to her employer for a moment with a grin.

"Flattery won't get you any further, but, don't stop trying."  Merry Penniworth replied with a light chuckle.

"So, there's a way to get further?"  Larka inquired with a smile getting a little closer.

Merry laughed.  "You don't stop, do you?  Ah, it's nice to meet a woman who doesn't act like the rest around here that know me.  You didn't come to me for my money or my power when we met, not that you knew who I was."

"I saw a beautiful woman in a bar and wanted to talk with her."  Larka confessed.  The two woman had met in a bar the day before, Larka had seen Merry come in, alone, and, despite her looks none of the men in the place tried to talk to her.  In fact, they did what they could to get away from her, which Larka also found interesting.  Being a little drunk Larka had walked over and started up a conversation with Merry.  As with any time Larka speaks with a woman she didn't hide her intent, and was pleasantly surprised when Merry had been receptive of the proposition, so they spoke for a bit and then headed up to a room together.

After a night of fun the two had spoken further, Merry requesting Larka's services as a mercenary to join her on a walk through the forest.  Which is how they found themselves now, walking together, Larka had her hand on her sword's hilt, though she wanted it someplace on Merry.  But for the two walked together, at least Merry knew where she was going, having walked this way before so Larka followed.  Merry had said she would pay Larka in silver, and keep her ears out for any news on Larka's missing wife, as Larka's wedding rings betrayed the fact that was married.  On top of the payment, she had hinted at the idea of another liaison perhaps out in the forest under the sun, or Merry would take Larka back to her actual home and show her a good time.

Either way, Larka was enjoying herself at the moment.

Lirin kept vigil, eyes alert, ears open. Even the wind was helping her as she snaked it around, without her scent. It helped her find scents and sounds farther than she could sense them. Finally, after waiting for oh so long, she heard them coming from behind her. The vampire smiled to herself as she waited longer. Soon enough, voices and laughter drifted up to her.

Their conversation was enough to make Lirin pause. Merry Penniworth was one of those who flirted with her employ, for that is who she assumed the second person was? From the sound of it, they did more than just flirt. When they were close enough, Lirin jumped out of the tree, landing gracefully with knees bent, sword already drawn. She turned so she was facing the pair, sword raised to point at Merry's throat.

"Merry Penniworth. My employer sends his regards. Jacob Fjord sends a word for you." She flicked her eyes over the one armed lass, noting the sword already drawn. It could get interestingly fun, if she was any good with the weapon. With a small, almost invisible smirk, Lirin returned her gaze to Merry, but not her attention. "Jacob is upset you left early on the deal, and wishes to let you know that the consequences will be much dire the next time it happens again. So, what shall your punishment for this last transgression be? It is unwise to break deals, Merry. Especially with a rich man like Jacob."

In a heart beat Larka had her sword drawn when the elf dropped from the trees in front of their path.  She was also armed with a sword, pointing in the direction of Merry's throat, but Larka stepped between them as the elf started to talk.  While she did and Larka listened, Larka also looked her over judging by the cover as it were for now, until the fight that she knew was coming and then she could judge a little better.  She stood a six inches shorter than Larka did, about forty to fifty pounds lighter than Larka as a result, she carried her sword as if she knew how to use it, and being an elf Larka figured she did.  Black hair, blue eyes and a well toned body like Larka's, and the merc was thinking that she was rather pretty.  Sadly the circumstances they were meeting in didn't warrant such talk or actions, so Larka set them aside for now and would focus on defending Merry.

When the elf was finished talking Larka smiled and spoke before Merry could.  "I take it you've been hired for this job, yes?  And not on his payroll normally?"  Larka questioned but continued.  "Let's keep this professional, shall we?  You have been hired to teach Merry a lesson and she's hired me to protect her, but I don't see a need for a any death today.  How does this sound to you?  You and I have our inevitable fight, because you don't look the type to back down, and I respect that, but neither am I.  We keep it civil; you and I, one on one, first to draw blood from the torso wins."

"Don't I get a say in this?"  Merry asked.

"No."  Larka replied simply.  "If I win, you walk away, simple as that, you call your boss whatever you want, if anything at all.  If you win, do what you planned to do to Merry, since by the sound of it you aren't hear to kill her."  Larka suggested.

"Hey now!"

"But, please don't hit her in the face, it is very pretty."  She continued keeping her sword up and walking a few steps to her left while Merry got out of the way for now.  "Do you accept my terms?  Do we have to get nasty?  I will if I have to, though I'd rather not, we're both only doing our jobs after all."  Larka left it there and was waiting to see the reaction from the elf woman, ready to defend herself or Merry if the elf decided on outright violence to solve this.

It seemed that the mercenary wanted to take initiative and not even let her employer speak for herself. Lirin kept her mouth shut as to how often she was on the payroll, even if the woman was correct in her assumptions. The only reaction she had was a slight frowning of her eyebrows, which rose with interest at the mention of death, deepening at the suggestion.

Merry moved off, out of the way yet was watching the two mercenaries. Yet, now it was the one armed woman who had captured Lirin's visual attention. She did not seem to be the kind to run off away from her protection while a fight is about to ensue over her. The vampire took a moment to mull over the proposition, a slow, almost wicked smile spreading across her face.

"There was not going to be any killing today, that much I can assure. And you're right, I won't back down. Not until Merry learns you don't back out on deals." Leaving that to hang in the air, Lirin took pleasure in the delay. After a while, she chuckled. "Your little deal sounds fun, though. I'll agree, if only for the fact that we're both honorable mercenaries."

With that, Lirin lunged forward, at last minute twirled the direction of the missing arm, trying to take advantage of an suspected weak spot. Whether or not it failed, Lirin darted backwards to increase distance between them. She was testing Larka, learning her techniques, looking for the way to win this bet. Merry must get that brand…

Larka watched the smile form on the elf's face, she was still just going by looks after all, but that smile, Larka liked it. So there had been no killing planned after all, good, Larka had hoped that from the start, and this other woman wouldn't back down either, also what she assumed. When the elf finished speaking she lunged at the human, who brought her own sword up and met the faint towards her left side with a clang of steel as both mercenaries backed away from each other to create some room between them. Larka smiled. ”Oh, how creative, attacking my left side, haven't seen that before.” Larka teased with a broad smile on her face while she shook her backpack off and let it drop to the ground out of the way.

When he backpack struck the ground Larka stepped forward and swung her sword and their blades met with a ring of steel. Larka had a smile on her face, it wasn't that she wasn't taking it seriously, she was, but she was also enjoying it so far, so long as the elf kept things clean and fair. ”I think I'm going to look forward to this.” Larka grinned as they were in close with locked blade before backing away again as the fight continued, neither warrior giving any kind of opening to the other to take advantage of.

"Can't blame a girl for trying." Lirin laughed. When was the last time she actually fought someone like this? Jesting on a friendly level while sparring. The woman attacked, blade meeting blade. The striking of metal was a different kind of music, one she had not heard in a long time. The song of battle, so pure in its orderly chaos. Each swing, each step brought participants and witnesses at the precipice of anticipation and suspense.

Being a vampire, Lirin didn't truly need to breathe, relying on the blood obtained from others to fuel her muscles. Even that has its limits though, and Lirin knew she would feel the affects of this fight soon enough. Time dragged on, each woman swinging, with counters, parries, feigns and seemingly intricate footwork in this deadly dance. Neither could find a window of weakness in each other's defenses. "Need a breather?" she teased Larka when their blades sang out once more, each woman mere inches apart.

She had to admit, this woman was very good. Only Celeste had been able to keep up with her for this long before the incident. Lirin pushed the thought aside, putting the image of her sister under her heart. This was not the time to be distracted. Not seeing any weakness in the woman's armor, Lirin gave a final thrust and managed to draw blood on Larka's collar bone. Unfortunately, the vampire felt the sting of a sharp blade slicing open her own skin.

Stunned, Lirin touched the wound, her sword dangling at her side. She starred at the blood for a long minute before the incredulous look broke into that of laughter and joy. "Well played! Looks like we come out as a draw. So, what now? Do I get to perform my job?" Yes, she already had what she intended to do in mind, and Merry would not like it.

Larka hadn't a more relaxed fight since she arrived here, a chance to spar, though seriously, with another swordswoman in such a situation.  As the fight drew longer Larka's breathing picked up, she was in great shape but she was only human, while she was starting to suspect that this other woman wasn't totally an elf, since she was barely breathing any harder after the same amount of time.  "Maybe a drink, but I can wait."  Larka replied back with a grin to Lirin's teasing question if the human needed a breather.  This was such a beautiful dance indeed, Larka was only sad that it had to end at some point.

Larka was also unable to find any weakness in Lirin's defences, so it appeared that the both came to the same logic at the same time and just went for it.  Larka went low, while Lirin went for a higher target, Larka saw the blade coming and went to dodge but she felt the blade slice across her collar bone all the same.  But, Larka's blade found some bare skin on Lirin's belly and the elf was cut as well; it was a draw.

The Reaver came to a stop and sheathed her blade as she turned to face Lirin while feeling the cut on her neck area, it was seeping blood but was nothing to worry about, Larka barely felt her powers kick in in fact.  Larka started to laugh as well, Merry not so much, what did a draw mean for her?!  Lirin spoke and Larka smiled.  "Well played to you as well, it's nice being able to fight someone that can keep up as well as you did."  She laughed lightly.  "Well, not really, since you didn't win after all."  Larka replied going back to business for the moment.  "What was it that you were supposed to do to Merry exactly?"  Larka inquired.

The elf replied; a little mind torture, a branding, being tied up, teasing with a knife, a little nick and a taste of blood.  Larka's eye brows raised; taste of blood?!  Wait, was this elf a vampire then or just found that kind of thing kinky?  Merry didn't like any of what she had heard either but before she could speak Larka cut her off again, for her own good really.  "Well, can't let you do all of that, now can I?"  Larka thought for a moment.  "How does this sound; you do your brand, make it small, somewhere on her body she can hide it."

"Now just a second, Larka!"  Merry snapped coming up to the Reaver in a huff.  "She will do no such thing to me, I hired you to protect me!"

"And I did.  You heard what she would have done to you had I lost, or not been here at all.  You backed out of a deal, that's on you.  We fought, we drew, I'm not about to murder her now, we're both going our jobs."  Larka placed her hand under Merry's chin and looked down at the shorter and slightly younger woman.  "Take what's coming to you, unless you want to fight her yourself, she's an elf, well trained, and I have a feeling not totally an elf either at this point.  I will say, I am sorry that I didn't, but I did my best, be thankful that I didn't lose."  Larka said, she was being a little cold but she had done her job to its fullest, at least in her mind anyway.

Merry stared at Larka for a long moment and then to Lirin and sighed, she was suddenly powerless here, her fate had been decided by the two mercenaries, but, then again, she had hired Larka for that reason.  "Fine, please make it small, and, can you put it on the back of my knee?"  She felt that was a place she could hide it better, and she waited for Lirin to do the work.

Larka stayed close, just in case Lirin tried something, but at this point Larka was getting the idea that Lirin was honourable.

If she could do what she came to do, how was Merry supposed to learn it was unwise to break deals? Lirin had frowned at Larka slightly, trying to figure out what the next course of action would be. Of course, with the inquiry, Lirin couldn't help but smile wickedly as all the images flooded in her mind of things she'd want to do.

"Oh you know… First, I'd tie her up…" Lirin advanced upon Merry and slowly walked circles around her, eyeing the delectable flesh as she did so. "Tease her with a knife, maybe run the tip oh so gently down her skin…" As she said this, her hand trailed down Merry's arm. "Maybe give her a little nick to increase the fear, taste her blood…" The vampire stopped in front of Merry, her eyes moving from Merry's face down to the wrist that now rested in Lirin's hand, not by choice, tracing over the woman's veins the symbol she'd chosen. "Give her a little brand…"

Merry had pulled her hand out of Lirin's and marched over to the mercenary hired to protect her. Lirin, of course, was frowning again. What was the point of branding her if she could hide it? Even Lirin wanted to burst her complaints in this. Her eyebrows shot up when Larka refused to murder her. 'She could try…' Lirin was not at all surprised to see that Larka had noted that she was more than what she appeared.

"See, I have a problem here. The point of the brand is to warn others of your inability to be fully trusted. If you hide it, what's the point in that? Besides, it'd be easily hidden with a leather bracer, or a thick bracelet, maybe even something more fashionable even if I put it on your wrist. Why the back of your knee?" Larka pressed her point, and by this time, Lirin just wanted to wash her hands of the job. She was oh so close to being done.

With a sign, Lirin conceded. She knelt behind Merry and began to carve a near full circle on the back of her knee, with a line cutting straight through the opening. It was relatively small, and infused with magic to ensure that it would not ever heal beyond a nasty scar. When she was done, Lirin leaned forward and licked the brand, sealing it closed. She stood and looked at Larka. "My business here is done. May we never cross paths on opposite sides again, Larka."

Larka watched Lirin carefully the entire time she was explaining what she would have done to Merry if caught alone or if she had won the spar.  Larka replied with her idea on what she should be done instead, with Merry cutting in and getting upset.  But she soon relented, seeing that she wasn't going to win this, she had backed out of the deal, and she knew that if Larka had killed the elf then there would be more attempts made.  And each attempt would only get worse until they finally just killed her.  So, at least this way, it was over for her and she wouldn't have to keep watching her back.

Lirin explained that she had a problem with what Larka wanted, hiding the brand since it was supposed to be seen by others as a mark of what Merry had done.  "I must insist that it's behind the knee, if that's what Merry wants."  Larka insisted and the elf gave in and did the job where Merry wanted it.  The human woman winced as the elf did her work, all the while Larka watched and made sure Lirin wasn't trying something funny, though the licking of the brand was interesting.

With the brand done Lirin spoke to Larka and the Reaver nodded.  "Agreed, it was a pleasure though."  Larka commented as Lirin took her leave.

"I shouldn't pay you, I'm still branded after all."  Merry grumbled as she started to walk.

Larka laughed lightly and joined her.  "You heard what she was going to do, and you know full well if I had killed her it wouldn't end there."  Larka replied and looked to the other woman.  "Besides, we already had some fun together."  She smiled as they made their way back to Merry's home where Larka would leave her, get her payment and then take her leave.