JENNA: * Jo makes a tutting noise, glancing at him. "Maybe I'll just wait." She doesn't make good on the threat, however, washing up just in time for dinner to arrive. The rest of the night passes in relative peace, as does the bulk of the time until the job. It and its counterpart go smoothly as well, setting the tone for a string of employment that keeps them occupied for several months. The end of this particular trail lands them north again, in Shane's home republic, but in a smaller town some way from the capital city. As the caravan draws to a halt, Jo eases her peco over to her companion, looking puzzled. "They said this place was called.. Hugel?" She seems to find it an extremely peculiar name.

JUSTIN: * Shane chews on his lip, staring out at the unfamiliar town before him. "Yes, Hugel... I think I'd heard the name before, but I've certainly never heard anything beyond that." He turns his eyes to her, crossing his arms loosely over his chest and leaning back in the saddle comfortably. "Quaint little place, isn't it? Nice and quiet. Pleasant change of pace, if you ask me."

JENNA: "I was getting tired of big cities ..." She glances at the wagon, which leads a string of about five -- they aren't the only guards this time, but they're covering the lead wagon. The train slowly winds toward the back of town, finally stopping at a storage structure near the back of the town. The wagon leader calls for everyone to unload, and Jo trots her peco out of the way, moving with the rest of the guardian group to linger to one side and wait for their pay.

JUSTIN: * Shane keeps his peco on Jo's tail, following after her, yet keeping his attention on inspecting the town. He doesn't even notice when the caravan leader begins working his way down the line, handing out prepared packets of money to each person or group in turn.

JENNA: * Jo elbows him gently, accepting her share of the cash with a smile and a polite nod, waiting until he's farther down the line. "Not bad, as jobs go." She tucks the money away, watching their fellow mercenaries slowly disperse, several making their way toward the town's entrance, though a few start for the inn. "Though we'll probably have to go somewhere else to find another."

JUSTIN: * Shane absently rubs his side where she'd elbowed him, and only briefly looks back to her. "What, you don't think Hugel will have any jobs? Even small towns have their problems." He smiles faintly, nudging her back belatedly and turning his peco to face the village. "I say we have a look."

JENNA: "We may as well stay a day.. I'm tired of riding, too." She reaches down to pat her peco's neck with a sigh. "Not to say I don't like you or anything," she informs it, as the bird was her choice to purchase when they finally got around to buying mounts. "You'll be glad to get me off your back, too." She trails some of the mercs toward the inn, stretching. "Rooms first?"

JUSTIN: * Shane nods agreeably, urging his bird on after her. "Rooms first." The line of mercenaries leans them to the modest inn, and at the sight of it, Shane can't help but worry there won't be room enough for all of them. "They'll be full-up tonight, it looks like. I just hope we can find an empty nook."

JENNA: * Jo looks doubtful. "Maybe there's more than one inn ..." She ambles into line and waits silently, casting a wary eye to the line ahead. "Maybe not." She shrugs, sighing. "Guess there's only one way to find out."

JUSTIN: * Shane can't help a slight grin, watching the back of Jo's head. "There's always the tent. I'm sure they wouldn't mind if we pitched it on the lawn." He slides out of his saddle, choosing to lead it by the reigns and let his sore butt have an early break.

JENNA: * Jo glances down at him with a scowl. "Oh yes, that would be exceedingly comfortable ..." She swings down from the bird as well, watching the line inch forward and frowning. "Though I guess we may have to." Toward the entrance, there's a young girl questioning each mercenary as he or she enters the building. Though some appear interested, for the most part they shake their heads and move on.

JUSTIN: * Shane peers around Jo, watching the interaction at the entrance to the building. "What do you suppose that's all about?" He steps up beside Jo, nudging her and pointing. "Think it has something to do with the vacancy problem?"

JENNA: "They're still goin' in, so I doubt it.." She watches the girl for a moment, curious, then shrugs. "Could be trying to leech business away, I suppose -- but then I wonder why they're all saying no."

JUSTIN: * It doesn't take long for them to reach the front of the line, where their pecos are taken to be stabled -- either for a matter of minutes, or for the night, depending on their luck. The girl is right there, face pleading. Before she can open her mouth to ask whatever it is she's been asking everyone, Shane takes his hat from his head and bows shortly. "We noticed you questioning the rest of the mercenaries. Is there a problem, by chance?"

JENNA: * Jo shoots Shane an aggravated look, swallowing an irritated curse at his rapid volunteering. The girl, on the other hand, gives him a look of teary-eyed gratitude, clasping her hands in front of her and wringing them slightly. "Well, sir, we've been hoping a group would come into town soon, we're having awful trouble -- our herds've been getting attacked at night, an' the everyone's sayin' it's some kind of monster --" Jo begins to shake her head slowly, not liking the sound of this.

JUSTIN: * Shane quite readily ignores Jo, taken in by the girl's story. "Attacked by monsters?" He sets his hand to his chin in thought, shaking his head. "That won't do at all. Has anyone from town tried to do anything about it yet?"

JENNA: * The girl, sensing a possible catch, scoots a little closer, gazing up at him helplessly. "A few of the village men got together to try to stop it, but they all came back awfully injured -- nobody could say exactly what it was, either." Jo folds her arms, eyes glazing over slightly as the people behind them gain access to the inn.

JUSTIN: "And nobody's agreed to help you so far?" Shane sounds shocked by this, moving his arms to cross over his chest, nearly forgetting Jo is there at all. And nevermind the line. "Well, I certainly can't turn down a person in need."

JENNA: * At this, Jo does swear, reaching out to grab him by the arm and hiss "Are you a complete ASS --" But the girl, clearly delighted by his response, clasps her hands around one of his, looking exceedingly grateful. "You can stay with my family, if you like -- the inn's full. I'm sure Papa will be pleased to pay you!"

JUSTIN: * Shane shoots Jo a dirty look and shakes her off his arm before turning back to the girl. "Yes, I should speak with your father and see if there's more he can tell me. Though I don't want to intrude into your home..."

JENNA: "No! It's quite all right! We have room!" She then releases him, starting up the road toward one of the houses. "Please, it's this way." Then she turns to trot off again, leaving the two behind. Jo, unable to find words to express her disgust with him, growls out, "You want to go fetch the damned birds now that it's a promise we won't have any rooms tonight?"

JUSTIN: * Shane ignores Jo's exlamation, turning her a rather firm look. "We have rooms, if you'd been paying attention. If you don't want to come along, nobody is forcing you." Straightening his hat, he turns and follows briskly after the young woman, coat trailing in the breeze.

JENNA: * Jo pauses, strongly considering the option of letting him get himself killed by whatever monster is out there terrorizing the sheep, but in the end, she retrieves the pecos and follows. Her steps are fairly heavy, however, and she's developing the first headache she's had in quite a while. The girl stops in front of her gate, waiting patiently for Shane to follow.

JUSTIN: * Shane arrives shortly, coming to a halt to wait for his host to show him the way into her home. For his part, he intends to ignore Jo for as long as she wants to be fussy about his decision. This being the case, he doesn't even look back at her, even after reaching the house.

JUSTIN: (As usual, he won't understand what she's making a fuss about. :3)

JENNA: * "Fussy" does not begin to describe Jo's temperament when she arrives, gripping the reins of the pecos so tightly her knuckles are white. When she comes up alongside Shane, the girl looks momentarily puzzled, glancing at her then back at him. "Oh.. is she with you, sir?"

JUSTIN: * It actually takes Shane a second to register what the girl is talking about, thinking as intently as he is on ignoring the woman. "What?" He glances over his shoulder, frowns, and looks back at the girl. "Yes. More or less."

JENNA: * Jo gives him a look of intense dislike, but the girl appears reassured. "Well.. I hadn't thought there'd be two of you.. we've only got the one extra room." She frowns, to all appearances thinking this predicament over. "Well, I suppose there's the loft above the stables ..."

JUSTIN: * Shane looks mildly dismayed by this news, as sharing a room would definately not be a fun setup with Jo's current mood. "I can take the loft." He says finally, motioning to Jo with a hand. "Give her the room. Gods willing, I would like to get out and investigate the situation as early as tonight, anyway."

JENNA: "I'll be fine with the birds," Jo says bluntly. "They'll make better company either way." That spoken, she turns to lead them away, catching sight of the stables beyond the modest house. "Just come get me when you're ready to deal with whatever's eating sheep." She doesn't wait for a response, wanting to be as far away from the both of them as she possibly can be in the shortest amount of time. The girl looks uneasy, watching her go. "So.. will you be taking the room, then?"

JUSTIN: * Shane sighs, staring after Jo until she disappears around the house, and then moves his eyes slowly back to the girl. "It would appear so. It really is pointless to argue with her when she gets like this, anyway." He motions toward the house, unlatching the gate and holding it open for the girl. He manages to put on a smile for her benefit. "But in any case, I'm sure your father wants to speak with me."

JENNA: * She bows slightly, smiling at him. "Of course!" She moves past him cheerfully, leading into the house and calling for her mother and father. Her father is a large man, bearded and burly -- and injured. His arm is caught in a sling, and his leg, as he stumps over to greet Shane, is in a cast. "I'm grateful," he says immediately. "We'll pay you well for this --" He seems to hesitate, however, seeing Shane alone. "How many are with you..?"

JUSTIN: * Shane crosses his arms behind him, standing up a bit straighter in respect to the house owner. "It's just me, sir... and my companion. She's housing our pecos in the stable, around back." His gaze falters a bit, noting the hesitation the man had at the sight of him. "It... looks like there weren't many other mercenaries willing to help you folks, if any."

JENNA: * The man sighs heavily, nodding. "That doesn't surprise me. Thank you for your trouble, at the least." He stumps over to a chair and sits down. "Have a seat .. I expect you'll want to know what you're dealing with." The girl, meanwhile, has flitted to the kitchen in search of drinks for her father and the guest."

JUSTIN: * Shane bows shortly, moving from the house's entrance to take a seat next to the the injured man. "From what your daughter told me, I only know that your herd is being attacked by monsters -- or, at least, what is presumed to be monsters."

JENNA: * The man nods solemnly, glancing at his arm and leg wearily. "I don't know what they were exactly.. looked like lizards, but bigger -- and much nastier. Never seen that breed around these parts before." He sighs and settles back. "I took a group of ten around to protect the flock, but they were too fast.. they got away."

JUSTIN: * Shane looks at the man's injuries with a little more interest -- and foreboding. "So the lizards caused your injuries, then?" He begins to worry about this, but he tries not to let it get to him. These people clearly need his help, afterall. "Well... at the least, I should be able to assure you that speed won't be an issue." He pulls out his gun, holding it aloft so the man can see it. "I have a quick eye and a quick finger, and they would have to be fast indeed to outrun a bullet."

JENNA: * The girl returns with drinks as he speaks and beams at him approvingly, offering him a mug of steaming liquid. The man nods. "I didn't doubt you'd be better equipped than we are -- and most of our folk were out with the caravan." He pauses to accept his drink from his daughter, who settles herself next to him on the floor.

JUSTIN: * Shane smiles at the girl and gives a quiet "thank you", peering briefly into the mug and then setting it on the table to cool for a moment. "I have to admit, I'm not entirely sure how keen my partner is on accepting this job. She and I have a distinctly different business sense..." He rubs at his neck, not really comfortable talking about Jo without her here, but at least nobody present will put up a ridiculous argument about what he's saying like she would. "I worked as a city guard in Juno for most of my life. I still feel it is my job to protect and help where I can. The money will help me get by, but it isn't my main concern. She wouldn't agree with me, no doubt."

JENNA: * The man nods. "Well, we'll appreciate any help we get, and we'll pay what we can." He sighs briefly, glancing out the window at the afternoon sun. "They come well after sundown ... though they won't have much reason to come for too long, with the way they're eating." He frowns. "We'd be grateful if you could have a look tonight."

JUSTIN: "I intended to." Shane says, reaching for his mug and taking a sip of whatever hot liquid is inside. Finding that it doesn't cause him to wretch or spit, he takes another sip, and then sets it down again. "I wouldn't be doing my job if I let them have a free night to do their killing."

JENNA: "Well then." He forces a smile, reaching down to ruffle his daughter's hair absently. "Make yourself at home .. and be careful come evening. It gets dark early." The girl gets to her feet, smiling, and folds her hands in front of her "I can show you to your room, if you like."

JUSTIN: * Shane nods slowly at the man's warning, noting to bring the proper gear to start some fires to light the area he'll be investigating. The girl's voice cuts through his thoughts, however, and he looks up. "Oh... of course. Thank you." He smiles, taking his mug and standing. Before going anywhere, however, he turns to the girl's father and bows again. "Thank you for the hospitality, I only hope I'm able to solve your problem."

JENNA: * The girl bows slightly. "Of course -- how could we not offer shelter to someone who's going to help us?" She then turns and steps quickly up the hall, waving for him to follow her. The room doesn't have much in it -- a low mattress and a chair -- but it's enough to get by. She looks apologetic as she steps aside to let him in.

JUSTIN: * Shane doesn't seem to be phased by the modesty of the small room, having slept in a tent or under the stars more times in the last several months than he can count. "This will do nicely." He says, unslinging his pack and setting it on the chair before turning back to her. "I shouldn't need more than this."

JENNA: * The girl nods, smiling again, and steps out of the room, making to pull the door closed. "If you should need anything, please feel free to ask -- my room is nearby, and Mama and Papa are just up the hall." With that, she pushes the door shut and slips away, leaving him alone.

JUSTIN: * Shane sighs quietly, taking off his coat and folding it over the back of the chair. He sits down on the mattress and begins to untie his boots, trying not to think about Jo sleeping in the stables. He'd have forced her to go in the house, but arguing the point with her -- in front of a stranger, no less -- would probably have only made her even more angry. He isn't sure what the big deal is, anyway. He's gone along with all her jobs, and there's no way he could turn down someone in need. "Well, so much for not thinking about her." He mutters, and kicks his boots off before flopping back onto his bed.

JENNA: * Jo, on the other hand, has had time sufficient to put the pecos away and settle her pack in a corner, making a brief meal of jerky before leaving the stable to scout the surrounding area. She eventually comes upon the sheep pen, where a lone shepherd is putting the animals away for the night, and after a few minutes, she strikes up a conversation with the man and explains her situation.

JUSTIN: * Shane uses his time to get some sleep, since from he'll undoubtedly be out all night into the morning. Sleep doesn't come particularly easy, with so many things to think about. At least part of him does begin to feel a little guilty about dragging Jo into the problem without her consent, but it is a small part, indeed. He can always tell her to stay behind. Eventually he manages to fall into a light, uneasy nap, flat out on his back.

JENNA: * Jo's conversation with the shepherd winds down toward sundown, and she lets him leave, absently stroking one of the sheep, which seems to have gotten attached to her. Not feeling particularly tired, she watches the sun go down, waiting by one of the walls of the pen, shattered walls boarded up to keep the sheep from escaping.

JUSTIN: * Shane wakes up not long before sundown on his own accord, getting his boots back on and snatching up his jacket and equipment. He throws the coat on, straps the belt tight, and double-checks his pack of bullets, then opens the door and peeks out into the house.

JENNA: * The halls of the house are quiet, as the family members appear to have retreated to their own activities. There's some noise from the kitchen, which could be where they're located. Jo, meanwhile, has seated herself on the half-broken wall to play with the sheep, occasionally feeding it bits of grass as she scratches its ears.

JUSTIN: * Shane straightens his coat and fixes his shirt collar, then steps out into the hallway, closing the door to his room behind him. He walks toward the kitchen area, intent on speaking to at least one person before leaving the house to start his investigation. He clears his throat as he moves into the kitchen, taking his hat in his hands and holding them loosely behind him.

JENNA: * The girl is there, along with her mother, helping wash dishes. She blinks at his arrival, hastily setting her dishrag aside and wiping her hands on her apron. "Ah -- did you rest well? I'd show you to the pens, but Papa says I shouldn't go out ..." She looks momentarily disgruntled, but it passes quickly, and she lifts one hand to gesture. "It's a bit off that way -- there's a path leading to it, so it shouldn't be hard to find."

JUSTIN: * Shane nods his head, smiling faintly as his freshly woken brain tries to assimilate the information. "I slept fine, thank you... Um." He moves a hand to scratch at his forehead, then swipes his hair back from his face. "Before I head out, I thought it might be proper to... well, to introduce myself." He blushes, thinking this should have been the obvious /first/ thing to do. But, better late than never. He steps forward, bowing again. "My name is Shane Veribaent, formerly of Juno."

JENNA: "Ah --" She blinks, returning the bow belatedly. "My name is Elise." She smiles, clasping her hands in front of her. "I'm glad to have met you -- thank you so much for your help." She glances back at her mother, who merely nods politely before returning to her dishes. "I'd better get back.. thank you again, Mr. Veribaent."

JUSTIN: * Shane smiles wider, bowing again and backing up. "Pleasure is mine. Don't you folks worry about a thing." He turns to the door, settling his hat onto his head, and marches out and down the path toward the pens.

JENNA: * The sun's entirely gone now, and Jo's beginning to wonder if the idiot who got her into this is going to show up at all. She slides off the wall, about to look into things, then leans back against it, seeing the light from the doorway to the house flicker and gutter. Resting her hands lazily on her hips, she continues to wait. The abandoned sheep bleats pathetically at her casual dismissal.

JUSTIN: * Shane makes his way toward Jo with a look halfway between relief at seeing her, and anger stemming from disagreement. He walks at an unhurried pace, taking his time until he's close enough to talk without raising his voice. "Still angry, I take it? I'm going to say this now, so it's out of the way." He comes to rest a couple meters from her, folding his arms over his chest and staring at her with obvious displeasure. "I'm not making you do anything, so if you don't want any part in this, then don't go. I would rather go alone than have you hold it over my head the entire time."

JENNA: * Jo's expression of careful neutrality fades almost immediately to be replaced with one of disgust. "Should I leave, then?" she asks flatly. "Let you play your little game of hero on your own? If that's what you want, I'll be happy to." She lifts herself away from the wall as if to walk off, but the sheep bleats behind her, apparently having caught hold of her tunic while she was leaning against the slats. She settles for resting her hands on her hips, waiting for the blast she's pretty sure is coming.

JUSTIN: * Shane steps to the side, motioning toward the path. "Then off you go. I'm sure there's another job that will pay you three times as much as this one, to do something any merc on the block would pick up." He sets his arms back over his chest again. "So you can go after the easy money while I risk my life to help some people in need. Sound good to you?"

JENNA: "Fine," Jo says coldly. "I won't be back to pick up what's left of you." She turns to jerk her tunic free from the sheep's grip, then whirls back to face Shane. "Do you honestly think the two of us can beat whatever took out ten of the people here? This is a job for more than two people! If you're ashamed of being a mercenary, I can't do anything about it -- but picking a suicide mission out of some misguided impulse to better yourself is only going to get you killed."

JUSTIN: "You're damn right it's a job for more than two people." Shane shoots her a gold glare, not moving from his spot. "Did you see the line of trained fighters going into that inn? Did you see Elise asking -- /pleading/ for help from each one of them? And how many had the decency to help someone in need, hm? If my impulses are misguided, then so be it. I'd rather die helping someone else than die helping myself."

JENNA: "Ass," Jo bites out. "Maybe most of them were smart enough not to get taken in by curves and a pretty face!" She's about to expound on this, when the sheep start bleating wildly and running frantically around their small pen. From farther out, in the fields, there's a shrill, warbling cry, answered by two others, then silence as, presumably, the monsters make their approach.

JUSTIN: * Shane turns sharply at the sound, pulling out his gun immediately. "Well, you can stow your self-serving pessimism for now. Either get out of here or help." He doesn't say anything else after that, unslinging his pack and fetching a small hood lantern. He checks the oil quickly and then lights it, leaving his pack on the ground and running to see what's out there -- lantern in one hand, gun in the other.

JENNA: "Go to hell," Jo snarls in response, slipping away from the light and around the corner of the pen. From out in the field, another cry warbles out, now closer. Its echos are coming from different directions now, as apparently the trio intends to attack the pen from three different directions.

JUSTIN: * Shane sets the lantern down on the wall of the pen, grasping his gun in both hands and peering into the dark to locate one of the approaching beasts. He can barely make out a shape darting through the tall grass, and it's certainly as quick as the man made them out to be. A brief look over his shoulder shows that Jo is nowhere in sight, and for a brief moment he wonders if she did indeed leave. He doesn't have long to ponder this, though, and he turns back to take aim at the shape. He fires off a shot, hoping to alarm the animal whether he hits or not, and cause it to break whatever flanking tactics the beasts are attempting.

JENNA: * The animals' game is immediately apparent -- almost in the same instant the gunshot goes off, the three attack, springing out of the darkness and almost directly into the pen. They are, as described, lizard-like but large and clearly more cunning. One, closest to the direction the shot was fired in, pauses on one of the stone walls of the pen, peering beadily at Shane. The other has already leapt inside, and the sheep are practically screaming in panic. On Jo's side of the pen, the third attempts a leap over the edge only to find a slim knife embedded in its leg. It whirls with a shriek, launching itself at its attacker.

JUSTIN: * Shane doesn't waste any time, now that the creatures are out in the open. He swings around, bringing his gun level with the lizard that is giving him the dirty look, and his finger squeezes the trigger. With the shot still ringing in his ears, however, Shane unsheathes his sword and leaps back into the pen to confront the beast inside. "Not one more step!" He yells, mostly to distract the animal from its prey and get it focusing on him. He lifts his gun, dancing a quick look around to make sure he isn't being flanked again, and then focuses on the monster in front of him.

JENNA: * The lizard tumbles backward off the wall with an angry squeal, blood splattering the wall as it tumbles. There's a shriek of surprise and pain from the far side of the pen, followed by a bloody gurgling noise, but that doesn't concern the monster in front of Shane, which launches itself at him, feet kicking, evidently offended at its interrupted meal.

JUSTIN: * Shane leaps back, slicing with his sword to keep the lizard at bay, while taking aim with his pistol. The animal's front claws latch on the sword, and it seems to ignore the blade slicing through its scales in favor of attempting to wrench the weapon out of Shane's hand. Shane isn't going to let this happen so easily, however, and he growls, kicking the beast in the side and attempting to steer it into the ground with its own inertia and grip on the sword.

JENNA: * The lizard writhes, shrieking as it attempts to get away, but it's unable to prevent itself from being pinned beneath the blade. It utters another, panicked cry, struggling to pull itself upright, even if it means impaling itself on the blade. The sounds to the left have gone quiet, following a miserable, keening sound -- suddenly cut off.

JUSTIN: * The earlier sounds from the side of the pen finally register in Shane's mind, colliding with the new ones. It causes his head to snap up, but he realizes he won't see anything without moving. Giving the writhing lizard monstrosity beneath him a glare, he points his gun at its head and fires a shot through its skull, ending the fight in the quickest way. He yanks the sword free of the dead talons and moves to run around the pen in the direction of the noise.

JENNA: * Before he gets too far, however, there's an outraged warble from behind him -- the first lizard has reappeared on the wall, bleeding, but apparently alive enough to launch itself at him. Its flight is arrested, and it seems to stumble in mid-air, causing it to land short of its target. It's on its feet soon enough, however, and the reason for its tumble is clear -- a knife's made its way somehow to wedge itself between its ribs. This minor injury, however, does not seem to deter it.

JUSTIN: * Shane stares in surprise, and though tempted to look around and find the source of the knife, he focuses on the situation at hand. Lifting his sword and his gun, he launches at the wounded beast, dodging around claw strikes and a snap of teeth. He's caught off guard by a sudden swipe of the lizard's tail, and he lands heavily on his back. It's only just in time that he raises his sword to fend off a snap aimed at his neck, and he rolls quickly away, bringing his gun up and firing off a shot.

JENNA: * Luckily enough, this shot takes it square on, and it rocks back once, uttering a low gurgling sound before tumbling limply to the ground. From the other side of the pen, there's a low, tired sigh. "Don't you ever ... watch your back?" Jo says, though her voice holds no venom. She's leaning against the wall, breathing heavily and looking extremely tired -- and more than a little tense.