Word: Rogue

rogue

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noun

1. a dishonest, untrustworthy person; scoundrel.

   We were traveling in secret to avoid running into rogues and thieves.

2. a playfully mischievous person; scamp.

   The youngest boys are little rogues.

3. Archaic. a tramp or vagabond.

4. an animal having an abnormally violent or unpredictable disposition.

5. Biology. a usually inferior organism, especially a plant, varying markedly from the normal.

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                “Okay, so, we’re in agreement. We need a rogue.” Henry said, nursing his ale. He did not have any intention to actually drink it, but they were in a tavern. It would be weird not to have a drink.

                “Unfortunately.” Lilly grumbled. “Let’s just hope that whoever we get isn’t a brooding edgelord with an obsession with a ‘dark and tragic past.’”

                “I’m sure it won’t be that bad.” Henry said. “Those were all cliches even back home. I’m sure here it’ll be different.”

                Lilly, Jack and Claire looked at him. While none of them replied, Henry could tell what they were all thinking. They had been in this world for just under a month, and so far, the story cliches from their world were proving to be disturbingly accurate.

                “Okay, fine. Whatever. That doesn’t matter. It’s also a cliché that they become much more team oriented and trustworthy after a few adventures, so we should be okay. Now, let’s all split and meet up here in a few hours to look for one.”

                “Found one.” Jack said.

                “What?”

                “I found a rogue.”

                This time it was the large man’s turn to be the center of skeptical looks from the other three.

                “He’s over there in the corner, looking right at us.” Jack tilted his head in the direction he claimed the rogue was.

                Sure enough, there was a slender man dressed entirely in dark leathers. Seemingly random bits of metal were attached to the outfit, and he had more knives and daggers than were strictly necessary. He wore a black cloak with his hook over his eyes, but it was still obvious the man was looking at them.

                “Okay, yeah. That’s definitely a rogue.” Lilly said.

After a little pause, three calls of “not it” rang out, with the fourth a split second too late. Henry let out a quiet swear. He stood and grumbled his way to the rogue. The black clad man quickly looked away, but sat a tiny bit straighter. Interest while trying to seem disinterested?

                “You a rogue?” Henry asked when he got close enough to talk to the man.

                “I am one with the shadows.” The man said. His voice sounded like someone trying to speak in a dark and mysterious voice.

                “Uh, okay, sure.

                Now that he was closer, Henry could see more details about the man. His face, the bottom of which was covered by a cloth mask, bore the look of one who was excited but trying to act like they were not. And all of his equipment was of the highest quality. His leathers were freshly oiled and polished as well as any metal. His knives were as much show pieces as weapons. This man came from wealth, that was for sure. Either that, or he had stolen it all from someone who had. And most surprising of all, was that he did not have a mug or cup filled with anything.

                 “My party is looking for a good rogue. Someone who can scout, pick locks and deal with traps. And, of course, someone who isn’t afraid of a good fight.”

                “I live on the edge of danger.” The rogue said, drawing out that last ‘r’ sound a few seconds longer than needed. Henry could tell the man wanted to draw a dagger. Probably to hold it by the point.

                “I’ll take that as a yes. I’m Henry the swordsman, my party members are Jack, our tank, Lilly, our healer, and Claire, our mage. And you are?”

                “They call me…Dark…Shadow…Blood…Blade.”

                Henry sighed at the obviously fake name that the rogue had clearly just made up in that moment. Henry could tell what he was dealing with. It was obvious. This was not an edgelord. This was a man trying to be an edgelord.  And from the looks of his gear, some rich noble who was doing this for kicks or a bet. He was not sure if that was better or worse.

                “Okay, fine. Dark Shadow Blood Blade. Let’s go meet the others and see if you’re a good fit for our party.”

                He turned to head back to the others. As he went, he heard something that sounded suspiciously like a teenage boy saying “nailed it” under his breath. Great. A noble’s son then. Hopefully he was actually decent. And that they could keep the kid alive long enough to not have some noble hunting them down.