The trek upward Freyr had never been an easy one, and that is precisely why Luther was here. While his body was not fully healed, he could use the exercise. Complacency would not do him well in the battle to come, and his muscles desperately required a stretch after all this time laying bed-ridden in the caverns.

But training was not the only reason he came here. Sure, Cerulean Tunnels had higher caves with nice views of the valley, but if one wished to survey the whole of Amaryllis, Elysian Lookout was just the spot. Luther wanted a better view of the land, more befit for a man of his stature. And so he climbed, taking occasional breaks to catch his breath. One last few steps and the whole of Amaryllis extended before his eyes - ripe and ready for the taking.

@Fissure

The cold of winter was beginning to set in, leaving the reaching heights more daunting, as cold winds nipped at exposed skin more aggressively the higher you climbed. It was hard to deny the rewards for making such a climb however, as all of Amaryllis lay at your feet, and you, sat upon a throne more glorious than any within the ten kingdoms.

Fissure had been up here for a time, considering his return back to the Band cavern and the embrace of a fire's warmth. Before he could do more than consider, he was distracted by the sounds of movement nearby. A younger lion was climbing all the way up, struggling to do so to an extent, but climbing all the same.

"An impressive feat, only the most agile or powerful lion makes it all the way up here in winter months." He commented, settled comfortably in a sitting position to observe @Luther ♔ as he crested the steep cliffs. Of the two, he presumed the male the latter of the two. He had the look of a warrior over that of a hunter.

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Snow pelted down, cascading onto the tall peaks and caressing the snaggle-toothed lion's back, disappearing into the thick of his pale furs. He watched the ten kingdoms with a cold flame in his pale green gaze, chin lifted proudly as his mind created scheme after scheme, stitching them together to weave a complex pattern.

That is, until @Fissure's voice broke through.

The large man shifted to face the raven-pelted lion. They stood in juxtiposition, like yin & yan their appearances contrasted and yet complimented eachother. Luther judged the man from afar, but his expression quickly turned into a friendly and welcoming smile. Flattery always works with him. "Which one are you, my friend?" the other had a peculiar scent, one that Luther couldn't quite pinpoint.

As the lion drew closer, Fissure could detect the faint smell of rogue about him. He would consider for a moment about extending an invitation to the band, but he did not know if such would be in his best interest. There was no saying what kind of lion he was dealing with.

What sort of lion was he? "I would consider myself neither a hunter or a warrior, more a mix of both." He responded. "Fissure, at your service. Leader of the Gold Crows, who take up residents further down this very peak." He introduced, dipping his head in greeting.

"We are a mercenary band, offering our claws to various causes." @Luther ♔ may be a rogue, but Fissure would make his sales pitch all the same. Perhaps the youth had allies he would tell about them.

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Luther observed the other's ways. The way he spoke, moved and looked. The flowers in his mane was a peculiar thing, and Luther wondered why would a man chose to wear such needless accessories. They served him no purpose but to feminize him in the eye of other men, which was an odd thing to desire as a man.

Fissue, according to himself, was neither a hunter or a warrior. How could one be a mix of both? That would be an impossible feat, and luther thought the lion was simply boasting. "Interesting," he mused with a lifted brow at the idea of this.. Gold Crows.

Now that was something he could take advantage of.

How strange that he met the man here. It was almost too coincidental. "Mercenary band? I haven't heard of such thing around. Are you many?" he mused more to himself aloud, but there was that cold spark in his eyes. An idea born. "I suppouse you do not work for free," his lips split in a cheeky grin. Nobody worked for free. It was an invitation for Fissure to share his price.

@Luther ♔ had not heard of the Gold Crows.. it was to be expected, but Fissure did hope that one day he need not utter a word for someone to recognize him and those who made up his small family. In time their deeds might speak for them, should one of great ambition and means provide them opportunity. This young lion before him seemed a potential catalyst for this rise to prominence within Amaryllis, he was interested at least.

"Have you thought towards something that requires extra claws? The band is modest in size, we have about seven trained fighters, one apprentice and a skilled healer besides." He replied, refraining from speaking to a long list of costs until he better knew what was wanted. "The cost of our service varies with the task at hand. What would you be looking for?" He asked.

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The question that was expected came next. Of course, Luther was not ready to share everything of his plan, but the idea of using these mercenaries for his own gain was now a seed that sprouted from the soil of his machiavelian schemes. @Fissure gave him the answers he needed. The band is mdoest, in his words, and the pale Rike is not certain what that means. But even one more set of claws to his cause were more than he already had.

Then he said it. Seven, an apprentice and a healer at that.

His mind was set. "Very intriguing," his eyes shone even brighter now, a flame growing and untamable. "What would I be looking for... well, it is not much and yet it is everything." He paused, searching the other's dark features. The snaggletoothed man had nothing to offer, not yet anyway, but he had everything to gain. And that.. that was his coin to exchange. "I will be seeking to take back my throne, that is mine by birth. It was... unjustly stolen from me, after terrible betrayal." Despite the meaning of his words, he spoke them with the same pride he always carried himself with. "Now that you know - if I am to ask your swords' support during that time, what would that cost me? I will have more than enough to give if I am to be successful. Food, drink, women." Oh, so many Ecrosian women.

Aw, so the lion desired to take a pride out from under the rule of another with which he shared sour blood. It was a tale as old as time, so far as hired work might go. Typically prides honored singular combat for crowns, but @Luther ♔ must be anticipating resistance of some kind.

"Perhaps we could help each other in this task. You are in need of muscle, the band is in need of making a name for ourselves. For each of us that comes to your aid, spoils of war.. whatever they can carry in a singular trip. If they should choose for themselves a lioness, so be it. I would also offer you the healing services of our healer, Bordeaux, in exchange for some valuable herbs from the pride." He offered.

In time the Crows might be able to demand a greater payment, or one in advanced of the task, but renown was something that had to be earned and it had to start somewhere.

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Brother versus brother. It had been years in the making, perhaps the feud had begun in the womb. likely Luther had thrown the first punch, likely Bruno had retaliated and tried to crawl out of Erna first. But Luther had won then, and he will win again.

He listened to what @Fissure proposed. The band needed exposure, and if that is what they desired then he would easily give them the fame they seek. He was certain his challenge will shake up the valley. For each - spoils of war, whatever the sellswords pick. "Gut, should I win they may take whatever they can carry. Women, children to train for themselves, food and drink." He agreed. Then Fissure mentioned a healer. He didn't expect to hear Bordeaux's name among mercenaries, but there she was. Oh? "Certainly. I would need a healer's services. She may pick whatever herbs she needs." It was a small price to pay for tormenting Bordeaux with his mere presence. Plants will grow back. "We have a deal, Fissure of the Gold Crows. I am certain we will keep this confidential." he eyed the other to get his confirmation, but the snaggletoothed man's words were meant more as a warning than a question. "You will hear my call soon enough," the outcast man began to rise from his spot, swaggering with a dangerous and heavy step past the other and toward the path that led down the Peak. "My name is Luther Rike. Let's have some fun, shall we?" His smile curled in a dark smirk, before he disappeared down the slopes.

exit

The young lion was very agreeable with the terms, likely more focused on the task of taking what he wanted than he was on the consequences and the cost of it all in the end. Fissure was not much concerned either in its failing, but it would be a great opportunity for the band if Luther was victorious. "You need not concern yourself, Luther Rike, the band will not speak of this contract now that it has been made. We are at your command for the duration. While we cannot steal members into the band, we can assist you and your allies in battle." He informed him with an assertive nod of the head. Luther had his word, which was all Fissure could offer him, its worth to be tested in the coming days.

The lion would leave then, Fissure moving off in the other direction. He had the band to inform of the bargain struck, one he rather hoped a number of them would be inclined to assist with.

/ exit Fissure

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