All your eggs in one basket... (Dante/Henry)

[Evie Perroy]

Evie had woken up late that morning, then spent the day putting in some hours up at the training ground before helping Matty clear up the bar after the brawl last night. It was late afternoon now and things were quiet, Evie went about her jobs with a permanent smile on her face, although she wasn't sure why she was in such a good mood. She leant against the end of the bar, listening to two older members of the brotherhood who were currently working as bandits along the Kingsway road. She laughed loudly as they retold the story of how they had stolen the clothes and horse of a passing noble the other week, and he had to walk to Camelot in nothing more than linen underwear.

"Yer alrigh' Evie?" Matty's voice cut in as the men ordered another round of drinks.
"Never been better thanks." she replied lightly, taking both tankards further along the bar to refill them. "Why'd you ask?"
"No reason, y'just seem unusually chipper is all..." Matty raised an eyebrow, smiling to reveal several lonely teeth. She gave him a light push with her elbow, "Another brawl like last night'll wipe the smile off my face!"

She then returned to the two men, sliding the full tankards toward them. They had already launched into another daring tale of thievery and Evie was soon engrossed.

[Dante Grixis]

Dante led Henry into the dimly lit tavern and stood behind Evie who was listening to a few thieves tell a story. He had planned to introduce Henry to Evie tonight but he waited for the right time to interject into the conversation. Once they had finished their story Dante said loudly enough for the group and Evie to hear, "Thats a good one, but I can top it." He smiled at Henry.

"A few nights ago me and Henry here break into the Mage's guild, climbed right up the side with a rope, and tried to rob it. We had sacks full of stuff," He made motions with his hands to indicate size, "And we were about to leave when a couple mages walk in. The room turned into a goddamned battlefield. Spells and swords slinging every which way. Henry here was about to kill one of them when the one I was fighting blinded all of us. We had to leave the bags and run." He shook his head sadly. He quickly smiled and said, "But, Henry, the sneaky boy he is," He clapped Henry on the back, "grabbed this little bauble before we had to leave."

Dante pulled out a large sack and pulled the stone gently from it. It was glowing a soft blueish green as before and energy pulsed off of it. He showed it off for a moment and slid it back into the bag and said, "Top that one boys." He turned to Evie, "And how are you doing today miss?"

[Henry Renold]

It had been three days since the break in at the Mages Guild, and since that day Henry and Dante had been telling as many brotherhood members as possible of their little adventure. Of course they had been careful to tell only the members they knew they could trust and they had not mentioned the strange orb-like jewel that they had nabbed. Each time the story was told it gained something. Most recently the fact that Henry had been knocked out cold had been omitted and instead he had "been on the verge of killing someone".

Now the two of them stalked through the alleys to the Black Brotherhood, collars and hoods pulled up. It was getting close to winter now and Henry could feel the wind blowing relentlessly through his thin clothes, making him long for a cosy fire and thick cloak.

Upon entering the inn, Henry could sense that there was more to this visit than met the eye. Dante stood behind one of the barmaids that Henry recognised as the daughter of a fairly well respected member of the Brotherhood, and waited...patiently? Henry smirked. He knew exactly what was going on.

Once again his friend and partner in crime began to tell the tale, including all the invented detail and ignoring the less awe-inspiring. Henry wasn't too bothered about who knew of their escapades, or of what girls thought of him. The only girl whose opinion he had cared about was long gone now. He stumbled as Dante clamped a hand on his shoulder, forcing him forwards, into the girls line of sight. What Henry hadn't anticipated though, was that Dante was going to reveal the prize.
He had left he orb in Dante's care, knowing full well that had it been left in his own, he would have lost it or had it stolen. Dante's home was just that little bit more secure.

"Uh Dante?" Henry tried, as the orb was revealed and he noticed the two men's eyes light up. He moved back to behind Dante where he always felt more comfortable and grabbed the bag from the other boys hands. He was too busy chatting to Evie to notice but Henry felt more at ease when he knew he could keep a close eye on it.

Henry left the pair of love birds to themselves as he moved to a spare stool down the end of the bar. He was more than content with watching Dante's attempts to woo the barmaid and listening to the two old codgers tales of crime.

[Evie Perroy]

"Thats a good one, but I can top it."

Evie spun herself around as she recognised Dante's deep voice, although she had been checking the door all night to watch for him, she had somehow missed his entrance. Her face lit up, but she leaned against the bar not speaking as Dante launched into a story that had her, and the other listeners, riveted. As Dante finished, punctuating his story by clapping Henry on the back, Evie reluctantly moved her gaze from Dante's face to his friend whom she had heard so much about. She gave him a smile in greeting.

Her attention was caught by the large stone that Dante pulled out of the bag infront of him. Part of her wanted to reach out and touch it, but its odd aura scared her at the same time. The two old men were clearly impressed, although she doubted they had any idea of its worth, or what exactly it was. They began talking between themselves; Evie could hear mention of Dante's name.

"And how are you doing today miss?"
Evie flashed him a smile, tilting her head to one side and replying, "Well I'm doin' a lot better now you're here." then quickly leant across the bar to give him a peck on the cheek. She noticed Dante's friend Henry had moved from behind him to further down the bar, clutching the bag that Dante had previously held.
"I'll get you two a drink, then you can introduce me to your partner in crime?"

She quickly nipped into the cellar under the pretense of changing a barrel, and filled two mugs with ale that had yet to be watered down. Returning to the side of the bar where Dante and Henry were, she slid the tankards across to both of them saying, "You're in luck, this is the good stuff."

[Henry Renold]

Henry was impressed that Dante had somehow managed to capture the eye of such a fine young lady. He was no expert, but he wouldn't have said that his friend was one of the finer men in town. She, on the other hand was the very meaning of beauty. He coughed as she appeared from the cellar and he wiped all thoughts of her from his mind. This was Dante's girl.

After taking a deep swig from the tankard, he raised it in the air and nodded at Evie. She was right, it was oaky and strong, not like the usual stuff he got in here which tasted like stagnant water. He guessed that Evie's father had meant she held status and respect in the Brotherhood, not many would cross the owner of a tavern like she had. He didn't know if she was a member or just an associate but she was confident and friendly, something few of either category had.

"Henry," He said holding out a rough hand, he half felt that he should stand up and bow. But decided that that would be taking things a little too far.
"So whaddya think of our prize then?" He grinned, stroking the orb through the velvet pouch that contained it. It hummed softly under his fingertips and he began to wonder, was it alive?

[Dante Grixis]

Dante smiled at Evie and went to sit next to Henry as she disappeared into the cellar. When she returned he thanked her and took a deep swill from the ale. It wasn't bad at all, much better than the stuff he usually got here. Apparently being the man in Evie's life had its privileges. He watched Henry introduce himself and sat quietly waiting for the introductions to finish before joining the conversation.

During a brief pause he leaned to Henry's ear. "Got myself a good one huh?" He whispered so only his friend could hear. He didn't want to incite jealousy but he was glad he had found such a wonderful woman to woo. He wondered if the relationship between Henry and Gill had been at all repaired. She was a good girl, and Henry wasn't a half bad guy either. He hoped that one day Henry would find a girl that worked out though, living lonely seemed like no fun to Dante.

[Evie Perroy]

Evie reached for Henry's outstretched hand and shook it warmly, "Pleased t'meet you." She smiled, "Dante's spoken lots about you." Henry looked more relaxed now that they were away from the other drinkers at the bar.

"So whaddya think of our prize then?" he asked. Evie looked at the pouch that Henry was stroking, remembering the glowing orb she had glimpsed just minutes ago.
"What do I think?" she uncharacteristically frowned, "I think you've both got a death wish robbin' the Guild for fun! Magic is serious... you both could've been killed." she looked poignantly at Dante as she spoke the last words, not sure why she was suddenly feeling so protective. After all, he was a fully fledged assassin, one of the best, and more than capable of looking after himself.

Changing her tone, less scolding and much softer, she continued, "I honestly can't believe you managed t'get that though. It's definitely worth something, it's magic after all, but, what is it?" As she spoke Dante leaned over and whispered something to Henry that Evie couldn't quite hear, she wondered if it was about the orb. Tucking wisps of blonde hair behind her ear, she waited for one of the boys to reply.

[Dante Grixis]

Dante smirked charmingly at Evie and took a swig of his ale before saying, "It wouldn't be fun if we weren't running the risk of dying." He turned to his friend and chuckled before turning back to Evie. "We've no idea what it is, but it sure is pretty don't you think?" He said and smiled again. It was the truth, they had no idea what the stone was for, or even what it was. It was obviously magical in some mysterious way and that alone could get them a pretty penny for it.

He listened to some chatter from a nearby table while he looked at Evie and smiled. He couldn't make out what they were saying. He wasn't too concerned either. He sipped quietly at his drink, his eyes never leaving Evie's. He leaned back in his chair and relaxed. Today was a good day. He was drinking with his best friend and was with Evie, it was all good.

[Henry Renold]

Henry grinned as Evie admitted she thought the orb was worth something. He was so happy that they had something which would fetch a small fortune for them. The problem was where they would find a buyer.

He couldn't help but smile as he watched the way Dante stared at Evie. It wasn't a lustful look, more admiring and respectful. Henry had never thought he would see the day. Still it just showed you could never be sure of someone's true character. He began to feel a little like a third wheel as he sat next to the love-birds who gazed longingly at each other and were full of smiles. He began to tune out from the current conversation and listen to those around him, nothing much seemed to be going on. A couple of men had managed to grab a fleeing horse a few days ago, one was broke, nothing exciting at all. He continued listening though, happy that he had something to keep his mind from straying back to Gill.

[Evie Perroy]

"It sure is very pretty." Evie agreed, smiling at Dante rather than looking at the egg. She leaned forwards on the bar, resting her chin on a hand. "Have you two thought about where you're gunna sell it though?" she asked, more serious now, looking at them both, "I mean, you can't just go into the market and start shoutin' like the other sellers. You'll need t'find someone who knows about magic, but who's not with the Guild... a specialist." Before she could contemplate the matter any further, a man came up to the bar and drunkenly slammed his empty tankard down on the surface. "Oi blondie, can a man get some service over here?"

Under normal circumstances Evie would have snapped something rude back to him, but she had promised Mattie she would help keep the tavern calm tonight, and she didn't want to make a scene infront of Dante and Henry, so bit her lip.
"One minute." she muttered, then moved along the bar to stand opposite the man. He was young, dirty and scrawny, probably a brotherhood member but only a lower cut-throat thief who worked off of his own back. He had a long thin nose which was pierced with a ring and thin eyebrows like a woman. Overall he was quite repulsive to look at.
"Same again?" she asked, not waiting for his answer before taking the cup from his hand beginning to fill it with ale. He leant across the bar to talk to her quietly. "Maybe after yous done talkin' t'these two, you can come sit on my lap'n have a chat with me?" he drawled, his thin lips curling into a smile.
Evie grimaced but didn't retaliate. As she handed him back the full mug he grabbed her wrist, sloshing ale all over her hand.
"Sir, I'd thank you to let me go." she replied, her voice politely strained.
"Well consider m'offer." he raised an eyebrow, dropping her wrist and taking his ale, turned away, chuckling to himself.

[Dante Grixis]

Dante's eyes began to gleam evily. He turned to Henry and said "I'll be right back." He stood up and waited for the exchange to pass and he followed the man to his table. Once the offender was seated at a table Dante grabbed his right arm and twisted it hard causing a howl of pain. He grabbed him by his hair and slammed his head on the table, almost knocking him out. Other patrons looked up but saw that it was Dante and turned back to their drinks.

Dante twisted the mans arm harder and stooped down, his mouth almost touching his ear. He whispered into the mans ear with a terrifying tone, "You, my friend, need to learn some respect for women. Especially that one. I swear to God, if you even look at her the wrong way again I'll twist your arm off and beat you to death with it." The man's eyes widened and he tried to babble out a response.

Dante roughly released the man's arm and returned to the table with Henry and Evie. He sat down, smiled at the both of them, and took a deep sip of his ale.

[Evie Perroy]

After serving the man, Evie had to go to the other side of the bar to fetch a cloth. She returned, wiping her hands, to see Henry sitting by himself.

"Where'd Dante--" she began, with a puzzled look, then trailed off following Henry's line of vision to where Dante was standing over the man she had served just minutes before. He had him pressed to the table and was leaning over him- she couldn't see their faces. The people around looked on, but said nothing. Dante was respected here.
If it had been any other man or woman, Evie would have glowered, retorting that she could fight her own battles. But it wasn't just any other man, and she was unable to keep a smile from tugging at her lips as she watched Dante return and sip his drink as if nothing had happened. She could imagine her father doing a similar thing to protect her if he was still alive. He would have approved of Dante, she thought to herself.

"Now don't you be gettin' into any trouble on my account." she said with a playful smile, reaching out to squeeze his hand and leaving her fingers linked with his. A wordless gesture of thanks.

[Henry Renold]

Henry could see the events of the next few minutes coming a mile off. The two of them had got in enough fights and brawls for Henry to know the signs, and the gleam in Dante's eye said it all.
"Here we go..." He sighed, leaning back on the bar as Dante marched off. Ordinarily he would have been by his side as back up, but he figured that Dante needed to handle this one by himself. Anyway, if things got out of hand he wasn't far away.

Evie returned and Henry didn't have to breathe a word about the current situation. If the noise hadn't given it away (for the man was making the most piercing screech) the other patrons stares would have. She didn't seem to be offended by it though. In fact she seemed sort of proud. He personally couldn't imagine Gill being pleased if he had done that to someone. Damn There he went again...

"I know what you mean." He said to Evie when they were all back at the bar. "I mean there is no way we can trust a magician with this. Not even one who is no longer in the guild. But who else is there?" He fiddled with the cord on the edge of the bag, causing the orb to roll forward and back, forwards and back.

[Dante Grixis]

He smiled at Evie. "No trouble at all." He let her hand gently rest in his as he listened to Henry speak.

Dante sighed and shook his head. "Whoever we sell it to we need to get it off our hands soon." He said and took a swig of ale. "I had a run in with the mage you were going at it with, name's Dreamer. He was particularly persistent and he's still looking for the stone. I say we sell it for a hundred gold, no less, to some private collector of strange items. It would go nicely with his collection of skulls and whatever else." He said with a wave of his free hand.

He looked at the bag that Henry was toying with and spoke distantly. "Whatever that thing is, it's powerful." He looked at Henry and locked eyes. "Whatever happens because of whatever magic lie dormant in it is on our hands now." He shook his head and drained the rest of his ale and placed the empty mug on the table.

[Henry Renold]

"No." Henry replied suddenly. It was such a cold and harsh reply that it surprised Henry himself. He added quickly, "No, its worth more than that. It should go to somebody who really understands it, and can use it somehow. Don't you think?"
He blushed, embarrassed that he had been so forward when he was usually content to take a back seat and let someone else make the decisions. For some reason he felt strongly about this...thing, and he didn't want it to go to just anybody.
"I know that it's dangerous, but at the end of all this, it will be worth it. I just know somehow."
He smiled coyly, and looked away. He didn't know how Dante would take his sudden defiant streak, and he was also a little worried that he might think Henry was trying to embarrass him.

"So any chance of another drink?" He said smiling awkwardly at Evie.