It is a spacious, multi-level house, with plenty of light from the large windows in every room. Room and board are inexpensive at 3gp/week if you agree to help with upkeep -- basic chores around the place.
Associated NPCs:
- Mrs. Weatherby, owner. A cheerful, talkative woman in her mid-forties, and a darned good cook.
- Alesan, errand girl. A girl in her mid-teens who can take messages and who runs errands for Mrs. Weatherby.
[The (1) in the title refers to the fact that this is the first WBH thread on the new boards. To review previous posts to this locale, click here.]
*Later that same day, she dresses, noticing the new mark on her left shoulder -- where it was slightly sensitive earlier, now it seems to be less sensitive than the surrounding tissue.*
.oO(A souvenirr frrom Merrcerr, no dooubt, frrom his firreball. Lovely.)
*She shrugs and goes about the task of cleaning her weapons. She discovers that she still has the silver dagger.*
.oO(Ah shoould take this teh Chandl. Ah doon't knoow if it'll help in his case against Merrcerr at all, but it doesn't belong herre with meh.)
*She finishes cleaning her weapons, then proceeds to write up her statement, and sends it, along with the wrapped dagger, to Chandl via messenger.*
*She spends the next several days cooped up in the house, making notes in her journal and writing poems, stories, and songs about her most recent adventures.*
.oO(Ah think Ah'll visit Marroc firrst, and tell him all meh news and get a bit o' the Grreycloak ale in meh. Then, then Ah think Ah'll go to Madame Zoli's and learrn morre aboout shapin' clay.)
*She finds a comfortable place to recline against a tree and packs her pipe, lighting it, and watching the smoke drift away like miniature clouds.*
.oO(Ahhh! Ah neverr rrealized how lovely morrnin' sunshine is!) :D
*She gets up and stretches the kinks out of her body. Then she stops suddenly, as if a thought had just come to her. She purses her lips...*
.oO(Soomethin's missin'.)
*She purses her lips again, flexes her right hand, then it comes to her. She looks down where she had lain during the night and finds it. She smiles and picks up her now-cold pipe.* :D
*Mrs. Weatherby pokes her head out the back door with her usual smile.*
"Good morning, Brodda! I was beginning to wonder if you would sleep the day away! Come inside. I have a good, hot breakfast awaiting! :D
*Brodda grins as the smell of cooking sausage, biscuits, and gravy wafts toward her.*
"Aye, Missus Weatherrbeh! Ah'm on meh way!" :D
*She goes into the house and speeds up the stairs, knowing Mrs. Weatherby will insist on clean hands, then speeds back down to the kitchen, and offers to help with any preparations that still need to be made.*
"It's all done, Brodda. All I need help with now is in eating it."
*Brodda grins.*
"Aye, Missus Weatherrbeh! Annythin' yeh say!"
*And she takes a plate from the buffet and serves first a plate for Mrs. Weatherby, one for Alesan, then one for herself, and sits down with the others to complete this final breakfast task.*
*She goes upstairs to pick up some coinage, daggers, and notices she needs more pipeweed.*
.oO(Ah guess Ah shoould do a bit o' shoppin'!)
*When she has everything she needs, she leaves the boarding house.*
[to Elsewhere]
CRASH!!!
.oO(Frrragglebunzie! She's not goona' like that!)
*Brodda looks at the broken window from where she stands outside the boarding house.*
.oO(Oooo, Ah'm goona git a lecturrin'!)
*She tiptoes into the house and begins to clean up the evidence of her involvement -- shards of glass, a bit of the window frame, and her axe, buried in the kitchen wall. At the same time, she plans how she's going to sneak to the market for a new window, then get it back in one piece and installed with a repaired frame before Mrs. Weatherby can find out.*
.oO(That's a larrge window. Frrraggle...)
*Her thought is interrupted by the arrival of the owner of the boarding house, when indeed, a lecture ensues.*
Warning: what followed has been edited out for the protection of the reader.
*Brodda straps a small pouch of money around her waist along with her two daggers, then tosses her cloak over her head. She looks in the mirror before she leaves her room and winces as she sees again the bruised flesh around her eye and the small cuts on her face.*
.oO(It surre hurrts, but Ah deserrve it ferr not bein’ morre carreful.)
She turns and heads down the stairs and out the front door.
[to Elsewhere]
Ran sits at his small desk, working on his texts about the Jade Lotus teachings. He notices the workmen coming in and sticks his head out the door of his room, but seeing Mrs Weatherby's mood and remembering the rather forceful lecture Brodda was subjected to after breaking the window, the elf decides not to remark on the goings-on. When Mrs Weatherby notices him though, it's only polite to greet her.
"Hello, Mrs Weatherby. Lovely day today, isn't it?"
Remembering how she has been going around the house lately, while he's been away up until a few days ago, the monk decides it wouldn't go amiss if he took care of a few chores around the house, instead of pursueing other interests.
"I noticed you have some whitewash stored out back. I'll give the front and back wall a new coat once these gentlemen are done, shall I?"
Rewarded with a grateful nod and a smile from his landlady, Ran sets to work and spends the afternoon with a brush in his hand, painting the house until Mrs Weatherby calls him in for supper. Afterwards, he has a cup of tea and lets her fill him in on all the latest news in town - as much as he can take in one evening at least.
Ran gets up early from his rêverie, washes himself and spends another half hour meditating. Afterwards he joins Alesan, who's up early to get some fresh fish at the market, for breakfast.
With two sandwiches and a cup of tea to see him through the morning the monk sets out for Zoli Rassul's morning training.
Originally posted by Ran
* yesterday *
Remembering how she has been going around the house lately, while he's been away up until a few days ago, the monk decides it wouldn't go amiss if he took care of a few chores around the house, instead of pursueing other interests.
"I noticed you have some whitewash stored out back. I'll give the front and back wall a new coat once these gentlemen are done, shall I?"
Rewarded with a grateful nod and a smile from his landlady, Ran sets to work and spends the afternoon with a brush in his hand, painting the house until Mrs Weatherby calls him in for supper. Afterwards, he has a cup of tea and lets her fill him in on all the latest news in town - as much as he can take in one evening at least.
*At tea, she chats with him and her normal self seems to appear. She smiles warmly at him.*
"Ran, my dear, it was such a wonderful thing for you to paint the house. That's a terrible lot of work, and I truly appreciate it! If only some of my other tenants were as hard-working around here as you! At any rate, as a reward I've decided to not bill you for the rent during the time you were away. How does that sound?"
*With Ran's grin and nod, she smiles and pats his hand.*
"Excellent. I'll update my books this evening!"
*Then she returns to drinking her tea in a much cheered mood.*
.oO(Strrrange that Ah woould wake up noow... its soo frrreakin' earrleh!)
*She quietly dresses and prepares to go out.*
.oO(Well, if the Motherrr felt it necessareh teh wake meh at this time, Ah suppose therre must be a rreason ferr it!)
*She puts on a smile, grabs her axe and a bag of coins, tosses on her cloak, and heads quietly outside.*
[to Elsewhere]
*Thosar walks up to the front door and knocks solidly.*
Well this is a big place. Certainly looks welcoming enough. Have I heard of Mrs. Weatherby? I don't think so. Hopefully it's not too expensive. I'm running low on money. I'll need to be finding a job. Didn't I see mention of something at the Last Lich? Or maybe that project with Tynk. Well, as long as it pays decent.
*Thosar waits patiently for the door to be answered.*
"Hello and good day to you."
*She brushes her apron smooth as she observes Thosar's manner and dress.*
"Hello, my name is Thosar Lueque. I am a member of the Silver Sword Adventurers Guild. I was looking to find some lodging for an extended period of time. I was told this fine establishment was the place to look."
*Thosar does not have his adventuring gear or his weapons, they are still at the LLI.*
"By all means, come in!"
*She invites Thosar in and, when he's comfortable on the sofa with a cup of tea in his hands, she discusses with him the terms of tennancy.*
Chores to keep the place running smoothly? At 3gp a week? This will be very manageable. The money I have should stretch for a good while. I'll still need to find a job pretty quick though.
*After a pause in the explanation Thosar poses a question.*
"May I ask if there are other members of the guild that stay here?"
"Yes, things usually run quite smoothly around here."
*Thosar can see a brief spark of perhaps anger behind her eyes, but it disappears quickly. Her usual warmth and softness returns.*
"Usually."
"As to other guild members, I suppose that would depend on what guild. If anyone from the city's thieve's guild lives here, it would be in their best interest to keep that to themselves. To my knowledge, the only guild members living here are a few from the adventuring guild. Silver Swords will always be welcome here."
*She smiles at a fond memory.*
"Now, if you can arrange to pay first-week and last-week rent, I will put you into my books and you can move in as is convenient for you."
*She explains meal times to him, the hour at which the doors are secured for the night, etc.*
Perhaps there has been some trouble recently? Hmm, she seems like such a kind woman. I hope no one that lodges here is looking for trouble.
*Thosar sips his tea and smiles.*
"Good idea. I can take care of that right now. What would the total for the first and last week be?"
*Thosar sets the tea down and reaches for his coin-pouch. He loosens the strings and draws out the necessary coins and places them next to his tea. He pauses.*
"Will there be a deposit? I wouldn't mind putting an extra gold piece or two down if it will help maintain the place. That would not be part of my chores, of course, just a little extra to help out."
*Thosar waits for her answer and then adds another gold piece or two depending on how much she resists. When finished he tightens the strings again and replaces his coin-pouch under his vest.*
*He picks up his tea again and then sits back.*
"I'd like to move in tonight, if possible. I just need to run over to the Last Lich Inn to fetch my belongings."
"Six gold for the first and last week of your residency. No more is needed, however I thank you for your generosity. "
*She stands and, still smiling, takes his arm and shows him around the house, his room last.*
"With no objection, this is where you'll be staying. You may move in tonight, as you wish."
*With a final smile, she leaves him to his doings.*
"Good evenin', Mrrs. Weatherrby. How went yeh'rre day t'day?"
*Brodda sets her things beside the sofa temporarily while she sits and chats with the woman of the house. She sees a second teacup on the tea service tray and looks curiously at Mrs. Weatherby.*
*Mrs. Weatherby chuckles*
"I had a feeling I'd be having company this evening."
*She chuckles softly and pours some tea for the dwarfess, handing the cup to her on a saucer.*
*Brodda chuckles and accepts. She sips the tea.*
"The house is finally back in order after your, eh, accident."
*Brodda blushes and begins to apologize again, but Mrs. Weatherby chuckles.*
"All forgiven, my dear. I just wanted to update you. Now, how have you been since you disappeared from here the other day?"
"Delightfully busy, thank yeh."
*She considers asking if she knows anything about the proprieter of the Fox Boarding House, but decides against it for now. Instead she tells her of her visits to Nobody's Inn.*
*Mrs. Weatherby chuckles.*
"And how is that old rascal, Marroc?"
*Brodda looks surprised that Mrs. Weatherby would know Marroc, but shares what information she deems not to be of a sensitive nature. At some length, Brodda finishes her tea, collects her things, and heads up to bed as Mrs. Weatherby returns the tea service to the kitchen and retires to her room.*
*Having settled into his room a few days ago, and still not quite being used to it, Thosar wakes pretty early and glances around. After a few sleepy gazes he struggles out of bed.*
"Still can't figure out this trance bit. What's the matter with elves anyway? Can't sleep like everyone else. Bah."
*He stumbles around and gets some clothes together, dresses and heads downstairs to breakfast.*
"Morning Mrs. Weatherby."
"Good morning to you Thosar. Did you rest well?"
"Not terribly, I guess. The bed is nice though, so don't worry about that. I just have trouble sleeping."
*Mrs. Weatherby smiles for a moment, knowing that elves don't "sleep" but keeping that comment to herself.*
"Well I'm glad the bed suits you."
*Thosar eats in silence for the remainder of the meal. He departs into the streets, heading for Natala's shop.*
[Elsewhere]
*After his conversation with Natala, Thosar returns home and goes up to his room. He closes the door behind him and goes to his closet.*
I don't imagine I can wear the stone around my neck. Also, I think the symbol I have is different. A pair of dice? Yes, one with a six and one with a one. I saw it at the temple when I was at Hermy's wedding.
"Hermy. Alissa. Damn, I should go and see how things are over there."
*Thosar stops looking for the holy symbol his mother had given him and starts for the door. He stops as he grips the handle.*
"Wait. The temple will just have some basic information, nothing specific. They may not even tell me which decision has been made, if any. No. The Silver Sword is a better destination. Hopefully someone has seen Hermy."
*Thosar walks back the closet and gets out his armor and hammer.*
"May as well practice while I'm there also."
*A few minutes later he is geared up. He leaves for the SSAG.*
[To SSAG]
*Brodda arrives at the boarding house with Tagg on his ass, Burleg and Tensek following close behind. She takes the newcomer inside and introduces him to Mrs. Weatherby, who invites him to sit and have tea while she tells him about life at the boarding house. Brodda quietly slips out.*
"He'll be therre ferr a while."
*She looks at Burleg and blinks.*
.oO(Am Ah crrazy orr is he lookin' morre acceptable?)
*She shrugs it off and heads back towards the center of town.*
"Ah've still got some shoppin' teh do. What arre the two of yeh up teh?"
.oO(Why shoould it make meh sad that he'll be gooin' back teh his cave? Ah knoow he'll be back. Yet it does make meh sad.)
*She walks with him quietly.*
[to Elsewhere]
"Bye, Mrs. Weatherby. Thank you for the room. Ill be back later."
And with that Tagg left the Boarding House, mounted his ass, and galloped slowly to see what else the City had in store for him
[to Market Square]
Ran rises from his rêverie, his mind clear and his body well-rested. Since it's still early enough to have some time to himself before he's due at Zoli's for practice, he silently pads down to the kitchen and puts the kettle on for a cup of tea. By the time the water is boiling, both Mrs. Weatherby and Alesan have joined him, early risers as they are. Talking quietly and enjoying his tea, Ran watches the landlady start on tonight's dinner, chatting away freely, cleaning vegetables and marinating pieces of meat and fowl, putting sauces on that will be set to simmer all day until they're perfect, Alesan helping out and getting ready to go to the market for whatever ingredients still needed.
I have to admire Mrs Weatherby - I cannot imagine her regretting anything she did or didn't do in her life. She found what seems almost unreachable for me now: her place in life, contentment, accomplishment, acceptance, pride.
She reached that goal well within her human lifetime, a lifetime that wouldn't have sufficed me to find maturity. The path before me is long, I can only hope to have set my first steps along it now, and that I won't stray.
Idly drifting away in thought, Ran almost doesn't notice when it's time for him to get ready and leave for the Silent Moon practice. The slight noise of some of the other tenants waking up alerts him just in time. The elf bids the two ladies a good day, rinces out his cup and hurries upstairs to gather the few things he'll need today and then goes outside, into the city.
Tagg tied his donkey outside of the building to a shady tree and gave it its daily feed. Then he entered the Boarding House and went to his room with his newly bought goods. He threw the blanket over the currently bare bed, and sat on it, and started a record of his visit to Garic's City with his new parchment and ink.
Day 1 at Garic's City
Events:
- met Brodda in Elsewhere
- met Burleg at Elsewhere
- met Mrs. Weatherby at Boarding House
- got room at Weatherby Boarding House
- went to market square, got 2 pieces of parchment, 1 ink vial, and 1 blanket
- Total Funds Spent: 3 gp, 10 sp, 5 cp
Soon after entering the city, I met a nice dwarf named Brodda. Soon after that, I met a not so nice dwarf named Burleg with his companion and donkey. Didn't get his companion's name, that will be another day's work. Brodda led me to Weatherby Boarding House, where I met a kindly old woman named Mrs. Weatherby (what a suprise). She gave me a room at her boarding house, and that is my current place of residence. And for only 3 gp a week. The only catch is I have to help her clean the kitchen occasionally. Not a bad deal. Then I visited the town's bustling Market Square, and I bought a blanket, this parchment and some ink. Nothing too notable happened there. I will have to start looking for work tomorrow. I currently have 40 gp, but that will not last me forever. Hmm... I dont know where I can get a job, but I'm sure I'll find something.
Tagg rolled up the parchment and put it in his backpack. He looked out the window at Brie, and he looked quite content. He laid down in the bed, and slowly sleep fell over him.
After sleeping for a few hours in his room, Tagg got up and decided to see what night was like in Garic's City. He got out of his bed and looked out the window to make sure Brie was still okay. Then he put his belt of throwing daggers on, and adjusted his other weapons in there proper place. He put all of his supplies except for the ink and parchment in his backpack, put it on, and left the room. He walked quietly to the door.
.oO (No sign of Mrs. Weatherby. She must be sleeping)
After leaving the Boarding House, he went to Brie and fed it part of its daily rations. Once it was done eating, Tagg mounted the donkey and made to the area where he met the dwarves earlier, since all the shops and businesses were closed.
[to Elsewhere]
[Items Packed]
Backpack - rope (hemp, 50'), whetstone, tinderbox, mirror, pipe weed, hairbrush, notebook & pen & vial ink, 2 potions CLW, chalk. Bedroll & extra blanket.
Strapped around her waist - filled spell component pouch, recorder, a dagger, battleaxe, waterskin.
Shortbow & Quiver of 40 arrows.
Leather armor is currently being carried seperately.
Tagg left Brie at the same tree as earlier that day, and headed back into the Boarding House, and maneuvered carefully up to his room, not wanting to wake Mrs. Weatherby or Alesan. He entered the room and locked it quietly behind him. He took off his weapons and equipment, and laid down in his bed. He was quite eager to fall into sleep's hands.
[to Nobody's Inn]
Tagg stopped Brie in front of the Boarding House and gave him some feed. He pet his head when he was finished, and tied him to the regular tree. He went up to his room in the Boarding House, locked the door behind him, and took off his weapons ans supplies. He took out the previous piece of parchment he had been using and the vial of ink, and recorded the day's events.
Day 2 at Garic's City
Events:
- ate breakfast at Nobodys Inn
- met Wealdy at Inn
- Ran into Broddy at the Inn
- learned of SSAG
- looked at SSAG, couldnt find job
- found fur--buyer at Market Square, now seeking hunting partner
I got up and went to Nobody's Inn. I met Wealdy, a human, the bartender at the Inn. I ate breakfast there, and ran into Broddy, who stayed the night. She told me of the Adventuring Guild, which hired adventurers. I went there, but found no work. Then I went to the Market Square and found a merchant who would buy furs. Now I need to find a hunting partner, so I can bring down big game and cash it in.
Then Tagg put the parchment in his backpack and laid in the bed. He decided to get some sleep in time for the evening, so he could search for a hunting partner during the night.
[to Nobodys Inn]
Tagg eventually arrived at the Boarding House, and walked through the door. He walked up to his room, very eager to put down his equipment and lay down in the bed. He locked the door behind him and fell asleep in the bed, quite tired from the day's events, and not having Brie didnt help.
*Thosar gets into the boarding house just before the doors are locked. With a quick smile and "Good night" to Mrs. Weatherby he makes his way to his room and gets out of his armor. He pulls on some night clothes and takes out the holy symbol of Ordemetrex. He locks his door and opens the window a crack to let the cool air in.*
*He takes the symbol over to his bed and, not knowing how to start, clasps it in his hands as he speaks with the Mother in a soft voice.*
"Mother of all, thank you for the balance that you have established this day. Help me to see your balance in all things and to be an instrument of balance in your hands. The light in the dark and the dark in the light. Be it ever thus."
*Thosar carefully places the holy symbol back into it's wrapping and hides it away. He climbs into bed and is quickly asleep.*
*Thosar gets up and dresses with his armor on. He heads downstairs for a quick ans tasty breakfast before heading to the Silver Sword guild for some training.*
[to SSAG]
Hello, Mrs. Weatherby. DO you need any cleaning done or some help?
no, no, you go on ahead. If you want to help, come back in the evening and you can clean up dinner.
Okay, Ill be back later. Bye.
Tagg walked out the door.
[to Nobodys Inn]
On the list for tomorrow: New shield, check back with the guild about armor, crossbow bolts, check with Natala or the Temple about holy water.
*He gets into his night clothes and prays to Ordemetrex again, the holy symbol in his hands.*
"Be it ever thus."
*The final phrase hangs in the room for a moment as he listens. He looks down at the holy symbol in his hands and gets a sense of incompleteness. He speaks to the empty room.*
"It's the wrong one. I need to get a symbol of my devotion. Two dice, the one and the six. The uncertainty in all things. The only certainty is knowing there is balance through the Mother."
*He wraps up the holy symbol, one of only two family heirlooms he has, and puts it away. He adds another item to his list for the next day as he climbs into bed.*
A new holy symbol.
*Thosar wakes up at a decent hour and goes to the wash room for a thorough cleaning. After that he braids his hair and gets dressed.*
I certainly miss my beard. Though I admit this body might look a bit strange with one.
*Thosar goes downstairs for breakfast and has a seat. Mrs. Weatherby places a plate in front of him with some eggs and potatoes on it.*
"This smells delicious. Thank you, Mrs. Weatherby."
*Mrs. Weatherby smiles and goes back to the stove to pour a cup of tea. She speaks as she does so.*
"I was wondering if I could ask your help on a chore this morning, before you head out for the day."
*After swallowing a mouth full of food, Thosar smiles and replies.*
"Certainly. What would you like me to do?"
*Mrs. Weatherby puts the cup of tea down carefully next to Thosar's plate.*
"Well, I recently received a shipment of wood that needs to be chopped and set out. This place takes a lot to keep warm in the winter and sometimes fuel is difficult to come by. That's why I start so early in the spring."
*She goes back to the stove and starts chopping some more potatoes.*
"Besides, I like to have the chores done ahead of schedule, if I can help it."
*Thosar pauses his eating for a sip of tea.*
"I'd be glad to help. Where is the wood?"
"In the back of the house. You can't miss it. The axe should be there as well. If you could loosely stack it next to where it is at now, that will allow it to dry out. Just put the axe on the porch when you're done."
*Thosar nods and finishes up his meal. A short while later the tea is gone also and he heads out to work on the chore.*
*He locates the wood and the axe just fine and is soon chopping away.*
chop
chop
chop
*The work goes for about an hour. He stretches.*
I'm sure glad I kept up my practice at the guild or I'd be aching even more. Whew. Alright, all done. I'll need to wash up again before I head over to Natala's shop.
*Thosar sets the axe against the door of the house and goes to wash before heading out to the Mystic Shop.*
[To NMS]
*she looks at the building as she comes to the steps and smiles*
.oO(This looks alot nicer than any of the inns I've stayed at...)
*she walks up the steps and knocks on the door and a woman answers*
Weatherby: Can I help you miss?
*she nods*
Yes..I saw your notice at the Silver Sword for tenants and I was wondering if you still have any openings.
*the lady nods*
Weatherby: Yes I do..please come in. *she opens the door wider to let Anaya in and then closes it behind her and walks into the kitchen area*
*Anaya looks around the house as she enters it and smiles to see how well kept the place is. A fireplace in the main room and another in the parlor area.*
*as she walks into the kitchen to sit down at the table with Mrs. Weatherby, she smiles as the smell of spices and herbs fill the room*
You have a very lovely place here..
Weatherby: *smiles* Why thankyou dear. The rooms are 3 gold a week. The only thing I ask of my tenants is they help around the house with the chores. Is that alright?
*she nods*
That is quite alright Mrs. Weatherby.
*she smiles and hands over enough coin for a month*
Weatherby: Thankyou dear..*she gets up and grabs a key* Let's show you your room.
*they walk up the stares, Mrs. Weatherby talking as she goes and then they come to her room. She unlocks the door with the key and opens the door, handing Anaya the key*
Weatherby: So how does it look?
*she walks into the room and looks around. The sun beams down through the window next to made be. A chest rests at the foot of the bed and a small desk sits in the corner*
*she smiles*
It is perfect..thankyou.
*Mrs. Weatherby smiles and leaves to let Anaya get settled in*
Umm..Mrs. Weatherby, I have one question to ask you though.
Weatherby:* turns around* Yes?
Do you allow pets..or animals in your establishment?
Weatherby:*nods* As long as they don't tear anything apart or leave any messes, I'm quite alright. Why do you have one?
*she nods*
I have an owl named Screech. He stays on his own most of the time, but comes when I need him to, and I also have a wolf companion.
Weatherby:*she cringes a bit when the wolf is mentioned* Well I'm sure it would be alright if it is trained well, not much of a difference between a wolf and a dog I suppose.
*she nods*
Ok, I just thought I would let you know.
*Mrs. Weatherby nods and heads back downstairs*
I'm going to gather my things..I'll be back in a little while.
*Mrs. Weatherby nods and she leaves*
To Elsewhere
Looks like a nice place.
It is. I found it on a bulletin at the Silver Sword, and it is alot better than Nobody's. It's 3gp a week and all I have to do is help out with chores every once in a while.
*she walks up the steps and opens the door for Tensek*
I'll just go put these in my room and I'll be down.
*she smiles as she takes the items Tensek was helping her carry and heads up to her room, opening it with her key*
*she sets her cloak in the chest and leans her bow against the wall and leaves her bag on her bed, only taking some gold from her moeny pouch, which she sticks in the pocket of her pants and walks out of the room, locking the door behind her*
*she heads back downstairs and smiles at Tensek*
Ready to go?
Yes let's go.
to elsewhere
*she enters the house and closes the door softly behind her then heads upstairs to her, opening the door with her key, closing and locking it behind her*
*she clears the stuff off her bed and undresses before laying back, and wrapping herself in the covers and slowly falls asleep, letting the energies flow before she does*
*She slips easily out of bed and to her private washroom where she sponge-bathes with lightly scented water as the rays of the sun begin to tickle the city with their light. She dresses and, as she walks to the kitchen, keeps her sharp eagle-eyes open for anything out of place.*
*Once in the kitchen, she hums an old tune to herself as she prepares to make breakfast.*
The floors look like they could stand a good scrubbing again. I'l take care of that this afternoon.
.oO(Ahhhh..It looks like this will be a beautiful day.)
*she smiles and walks over to a corner of the room and sits to meditate*
*after a couple of ours she breaks from her trance a lets the energies flow, changing her into the elf*
*she gets dressed, makes the bed, and grabs her bow and her bag and walks out of the room, locking it behind her*
*As soon as she comes into the hall the smell of breakfast overwhelms her and she heads down the stairs and smiles*
I'm going out to the park Mrs. Weatherby, I'll be back after a while.
*she smiles, taking one more wiff of breakfast before she heads out the door*
To Elsewhere
Tagg arrived at the boarding House, and tied Brie to the tree, and left him some feed. He went up to his room, and locked it behind him. It may have been the middle of the day, but he had stayed up all night and most of the day before, and slept anyway.
.oO(He looked prretty tirred.)
*She ducks back into the kitchen and continues working on bread for dinner.*
*He is told that there is no need and Mrs. Weatherby thanks him for chopping the wood.*
"I'm glad to help out Mrs. Weatherby."
*A short while later dinner is served. After eating Thosar heads up to his room to pack. He makes sure he has everything he will be taking.*
I'll have to check back at the guild tomorrow and find out the information about when we'll be leaving for the castle.
*He prays using his new holy symbol and goes to bed with a smile on his face.*
.oO(whew, good, shes still cleaning up dinner, I can help with that)
Sorry, I was late...
*he picked up a dish and started washing beside her*
Thats okay.
*she continued washing, and much to Tagg's relief, wasnt mad.*
A new tenant maybe? The boarding house is doing well lately.
The elf asks his landlady about it, and she confirms that a young, woodsy-looking elf by the name of Tagg recently took up residence and that indeed he rides a donkey.
Resolving to try and make this elf's acquaintance soon, Ran talks some more with Mrs Weatherby and Alesan, who's joined them at the table, before taking his leave and preparing for his morning training.
[to elsewhere]
*enters the house and heads up to her room to rest*
*she wakes in the morning and does her daily meditation, and changes into her elven form before working some more on the bow and then heads out of the house*
.oO(Let's see if I can find Kal, and maybe make a trip outside the gates to visit Jaer. I'm sure he would like to travel with me again)
*she leaves the boarding house*
To Elsewhere
After his visit to the market, Ran dedicates the rest of his day to his new healing skills, first during his lesson at Natala's and afterwards by rewriting his notes into a more useful format.
I'll need to start indexing this soon, if I want to use it as a reference.
When the sun starts to set, he puts his papers away and goes to the Last Lich. After his shift, he returns home straightaway, feeling more tired than usual, and after a short meditation soon sinks into true rêverie.
today, early morning
Ran gets up early, much refreshed, and has his now customary early cup of tea in the kitchen with Mrs Weatherby and Alesan. Afterwards, he goes to the morning practice, to return tired and sweaty but pleased with the physical exercise. The monk immediately goes to his room to wash up. Clean again, he picks up his notes to go down and work on an index.
Tagg sat for a while in his room, trying to think of another job choice; hunting obviously didn't seem to pay out. Soon he became tired, and he laid back in his bed. Slowly his eyes closed and sleep came over him.
*morning*
Tagg woke up refreshed, and put on his equipment. Then he went down the stairs, and noticed another elf in the room. Then his eyes drifted toward the small silver badge on the elf's chest in the shape of a sword. He immediately recognized the insignia from the adventuring place he had visited a few days prior.
.oO(is there a connection? maybe... i better talk to him)
"Hello. Do you live here also?"
"Good morning.
Yes, I'm one of the tenants. My name is Ran. You must be the newest addition to the household. Welcome."
"You mean my membership pin. It proclaims me a member of the Silver Swords, the local adventurers' guild.
Have a seat, I was just coming down for a cup of tea. Would you like one as well?"
Tagg follows the elf to the table and sits down, then remembers he forgot to introduce himself.
"Oh, excuse me, I forgot to introduce myself. I'm Tagg, I come from the forest outside of the city."
"Pleased to meet you, Tagg.
You're from the forest outside? That's interesting. Did you grow up there?"
"I understand how you feel. I spent the larger part of my life in a monastery, and first when I came here I needed to make quite an adjustment. And this isn't even a really big city, although it certainly seems to attract its share of attention. If it's excitement you seek, you need look no further."
You wish to join? That's possible, although there are a few requirements.
First, you need some recommendation: a service you've done for the city or for someone influential enough to act as surety.
Then you need to perform an exceptional service for the guild, although that requirement can be waived by the guild council on a majority vote, I believe.
Last but not least, you're required to pay a fee: 25 golds per season."
"Tagg, dear, you really should find a place to house your donkey while you're here. Tied to a tree outside the house really isn't... the place for him. And there's the matter of the packages that he's left under that tree."
*She wrinkles her nose a bit.*
"There's a stable not far from here. You might want to look into it and see if they have room for him."
*Before she returns to her office, her expression softens, her last statement made as she heads down the hall.*
"Take a few days to find other arrangements for him. It need not be done today."
*Then Tagg and Ran hear the door to her office close.*
Tagg gets up and walks out the door, then mounts Brie and rides over to the Inn once again.
[to Nobody's Inn]
That talk with Tagg reminded me - I need to make work of finding a way to make money. I'll find something at the guild.
Tagg arrives at the boarding house, and enters. He sees that nooone is currently active, so he takes out a small piece of his parchemtn and writes down a quick message for Mrs. Weatherby.
Mrs Weatherby:
Here is the rent, I haven't forgotten that, and its not late, i can assure you that i have written this before midnight. I have also found suitable stabling for my donkey, so you have not to worry about that either. Thank you for your cooperation.
--Tagg
With that, he slipped 3 gold pieces into the middle of the note, and folded the parchment in half, concelaing the money. He leaves it in the kitchen, where hes sure Mrs Weatherby will be the first to find it. he walks up to his room, locks the door behind him, and takes off any equipment he has on, then lays back in the bed, and lets sleep come over him.
.oO(well, there was that deer.... that guy mentioned getting something more rare.... what could he mean? I havent completely exhausted that option... and he mentioned the condition of it... dont know if he was being honest or he was trying to give less money... if the former, i can take better condition of it. Stabbing it probably didnt help when we were out in the woods... i can make a quick incision and just finish it neatly.... Hmm, maybe I'll try hunting again today... Maybe Donnavin is still available, but i really wouldnt mind doing it myself... i know where the tanning shop and butcher are, i could do that.)
Tagg stood up and out on his explorer's outfit once more, then concealed a single dagger in it-he would need it if he was going to hunt. He considered taking a scimitar also, and decided it may be smart; if he loses the dagger, he wont be left unarmed. Then he slipped some money in his pockets, enough for any purposes he might need it for. After preparations were done, he leaves the room and starts walking down the stairs. Mrs Weatherby was already up making breakfast. He paused a moment and looked at the scrumptious breakfast being prepared.
.oO(Hm... maybe I'll stay for breakfast, that looks pretty good... I can go help her prepare it, too, maybe... but im not sure how good of a cook I am...)
He walked over towards the kitchen, and before he even entered the room was greeted by Mrs. Weatherby.
Good morning, Tagg.
"Good morning. That smells very good... I think I'll stay around for breakfast today. Do you need help with anything?"
"Oh, well... I dont really need any help cooking, but you can get the table ready. Plates are over there, silverware is there, and you can get some water also. The glasses are over there, and you can get some water in that room there."
*she points to several locations while explaining*
"Sure..."
*Tagg quickly memorizes the several locations and sets about his task.*
He first went and gathered some plates first. The table was larger than he had first thought; it took several trips to get enough plates. Then Tagg walks over to the part of the room wher Mrs Weatherby had shown the silverware. He gathered a fork and spoon for each plate, and this proved even a harder task, with the awkward shape and twice as many. Eventually, he finished with that and set about getting glasses. He gathered several of them and went to the location Mrs. Weatherby had pointed to. There was a well in the middle of the spacious and otherwise empty room, and he pumped up some water into the glasses. He took them out to the table, and took another batch of glasses and did the same thing. Soon, he was finished. He noticed that Mrs. Weatherby was also about done, and she soon turned and brought the first container with food out to the table. Eggs. Tagg waited for the rest to come, and soon Mrs. Weatherby brought out a platter of hotcakes and a kettle of sausages. Tagg took up one of the plates and took a portion of each, and thanked Mrs Weatherby.
And thank you for helping. And I got the letter and rent, thank you for that also.
"Yes, I was about to ask if you had gotten it."
*tenants had started coming down the stairs, obviously awakened by the aromas of fresh food. Tagg did not recognize any of them, but he did not try much to get their acquaintance at the moment, he was sidetracked by staying for breakfast already, and was quite hungry.*
Eventually Tagg finished eating, and then he got up and thanked Mrs Weatherby again and bid farewell to everyone. Then he went out of the room, about to pick up Brie, but he realized he shouldnt pick him up if he plans on hunting. So, Tagg left the city in search of an animal, hopefully getting more money than last time off this animal.
[to beyond the walls]
.oO(Hm... with this leg I wont be able to do too much for a little while. Im sure glad i have Brie now, he's sure to help. Hm. and i got some gold, pretty decent. That pays for my rent and then some. Y'know, maybe I'll give hunting another chance. I've missed that exhiliration; I haven't experienced that since I was in the forest... Of course, today was a little much, I dont expect and dont want to meet up with those too often. This could cover expenses and things until I can get another source of income. And still I want membership into that guild the monk Ran had talked about.... Ill just have to bide my time until I can figure something out...)
*later that evening*
Tagg started to feel some swelling and pain his leg, and knew that the slow process of healing had begun. He searches his mind for something that may help him.
.oO(aggh... this leg... now that I think of it, I'm pretty sure there's some kind of place where they can help you heal... a temple, of some sort... aah.. whats the name again? hmm... it may be followers of that one god... Ordemetrex, i beleive is his name... Well, I can go look around, I should be able to find it. Or maybe Mrs. Weatherby would know of it, she seems to have been in the city for a long time. I know Ran would know, being a monk, but I dont know where he could be, and I want to get over there soon...)
Tagg picked himself up off the bed, and put a few coins in his pocket. He walked downstairs, and finds Mrs. Weatherby sitting down in a nearby chair.
"Hello."
"Good evening. Would you like something?"
"Yes, actually. I was wondering if you know directions to a temple around here. I think it is run by the followers of Ordemetrex."
"Yes, yes, I recall that place. Here, i can write you down some directions here..."
*she takes a scrap of parchment and writes down some directions, then gives it to Tagg*
*he looks at the paper, then thanks her and says goodbye*
Tagg walked out the door, and followed the directions slowly down to the temple of Ordemetrex.
[to Temple of Ordemetrex]
*she eenters the house and smiles at Mrs Weatherby who is sitting in the living room by the fire, enjoying an evening tea*
.oO(When I get the time it would be nice to talk to her..she looks like a woman who has a lot of wise words..)
*she smiles to herself and heads up to her room, opening the door with her key, and locking as it shuts behind her. She lays her armor over the chest at the foot of the bed, then after taking off her shoes she lays down, and rests her eyes a bit*
*after a couple of hours she wakes and stretches, changing her form back to her elven body and puts on the armor *
*she moves around a bit to get used to the movement in the suit*
.oO(It's been a while since I have worn armor like this, but I will need the extra protection..)
*after a few more movements she removes the armor and grabs her cloak and bag*
.oO(Now let's see if I can find Tensek...)
*she walks out of the room, closing and locking it behind her and heads downstairs*
*she smiles at Mrs. Weatherby and then leaves the house*
To Elsewhere
*she walks into the boarding house and heads up to her room after helping out a bit in the kitchen, opening the door with her key and locking it behind her*
*she works on the bow till she begins to feel the energies begin to flow and sets it to the side*
*she climbs into bed and falls into a soft sleep*
Present
*she wakes in the morning and does her daily meditation, changing into her elven form afterwards*
*she walks over to the window and opesn it all the way, welcoming the morning light. She hums a light tune as she feels the suns embrace on her face, then slowly opens her eyes to see a familiar shadow in the sky*
*she makes a cooing sound as she reaches her arm out the window for a perch, the white speckled bird landing on her arm*
Hello friend.
*she brushes his soft feathers*
How have you been?
*she hoots and turns his head to the side a bit as he looks at her and she smiles*
Well that is good. I am going on a venture soon..I'm sure you will be my eyes as you always have been.
*she smiles and brushes his chest feathers a bit more and kneels down to gets some dried meat from her pack and holds it in her hand for him to eat*
Here you go boy.
*she sets him to perch on the bed post as she gathers her things and gets ready to head out*
*she wraps straps of leather around her arms and hands for protection from Screeches sharp claws, then dons her cloak and bag before making a clicking noise*
*Screech hoots and flies to the window sill*
I'll meet you outside.
*she clicks twice and he flies out the window. She opens the door to her room and walks out, locking it behind her and heads downstairs, bowing her head in greeting to Mrs. Weatherby before she heads out the door*
*she shuts the door behind her and looks to the sky. Once finding Screech she raises her arm and he flies down to land. She makes another deeper clicking noise and he perches himself on her shoulder.*
*she heads down the street*
To Elsewhere
Going from one odd job to another might give me some very diverse experiences, but it's hardly the way I'd planned to provide for myself. I should go out and find something more substantial.
On that thought, the monk went to his room to find rest.
I really need to get to the market today and get on with that assignment Natala gave me.
*she enters the boarding house, a smile on her face, and she quietly heads up to her room and opens the door with her key, locking it behind her*
*she throws her cloak over the bed and places her packages of clothing on the bed as she lays down it. Screech shortly flies into the room and perches himself on the bed post*
*she smiles and rubs his soft feathers as he hoots, the energies soon begin to flow and she puts her hand on the bed and looks out the window at the night sky, her sight focuses as she shifts forms, the moon looking even more spiritual from the wolf's eye*
.oO(Such a lovely night..a good sign for good fortune on our trip on the 'morrow..)
*she let's out a soft sigh, kicking the packages on the floor and eventually falling asleep*
*she wakes early in the morning, Screech is sleeping on his perch on the bedpost. She moves as to not wake him, and climbs out of bed, going to her corner and meditates*
*after feeling refreshed she changes back into her elven form and walks over to the bed. she dresses down and opens one of the new packages and gets out a new shirt and her new leather britches. She takes some leather strapps and makes a makeshift belt, letting the ends hang at her side*
*after getting dressed she puts on her leather armor over top of her blouse and tightens the straps so they don't come loose. She then sits on the bed and puts on her new boots.*
*she tightens the straps around her wrists and arm so they are protected and then puts her long black hair up.*
*she puts whatever she won't be taking with her in a safe, placing her extra clothes in the chest, hanging up the dress on a hook on the wall, and placing the other items in the chest as well*
*she takes the bee wax and places it in her bag along with the jerky and trail rations and picks up her cloak. She grabs her spare longbow and her quiver, makes a quick recount to make sure she has everything and the room is left neat.*
*she whistles to Screech, who is now awake and flies out the window to meet her out front*
.oO(I think I got everything...)
*she turns and heads out the door, locking it behind her and heads down the stairs, bowing her head to Mrs. Weatherby before heading out onto the street*
*she looks at the sky when she leaves the front porch step and then heads to the SSAG*
To SSAG
Tagg arrives at the boarding house with Brie. He left Brie outside of the house for the moment, and entered. He quickly ran up the stairs to his room, glad his leg was well again. He emptied the remander of his money he did not use with the rest of it in a compartment on his backpack. Then he laid down in his bed, thinking
.oO(Ah, that sure is good, and cost only a fraction of what i made off that goblin. Definitely worth it. ...But I hadnt expected my performance to be so sloppy... I must be getting a little dull from no training in so long. It might be worth it to look into some workout. I could pretty easily make a target and i could practice, that would be good. Yeah, Ill probably do that.)
Tagg picked himself up from the bed, and looked over at his unused armory. He picked up the belt lined with 6 daggers, and strapped it on. He walked out of his room, and locked the door behind him. Then Tagg walked down the stairs, and then out the door. He mounted Brie, and maneuvered through the city.
[to elsewhere]
*early morning*
tagg entered the boarding house and found mrs. weatherby snoozing contentedly in a comfy looking chair near the fire place. He looked at the gentle and peaceful look on her face for a few moments then walked upstairs to his own room, wishing to do some snoozing of his own. He reached the door to his room, which he unlocked, entered, and locked behind him. He took of the belt of daggers, which he was now wearing concealed under his clothing, for he had entered a public inn and did not want to look suspicious. He dropped them on the floor next to his other weapons, and he again noticed the javelin.
.oO(i really have to get rid of that thing... when i wake up, ill be sure to find something to do with it.)
Then he laid down in the bed and fell asleep, eager to wake up and see what the next day had in store for him.
*evening, back up to the current GsC time*
Tagg woke up and looked out the window, noticing that the sky was already darkening. He had overslept, and by now any shop will have already closed that might have taken the javelin. He sighed, and sat back down on his bed.
.oO(aggh... well, there's still light, i can go practice some more. maybe this time i'll take along the hand-to-hand weapons, i could continue some training. Yeah, i suppose I'll do that, I dont have much else to do.)
He stands up again and puts on his his scimitar and short sword, the curved scimitar across his back and the sword on his hip. With that, he left the room and made his way downstairs towards the door. He left the boarding house and walked through the city and eventually reached the gates, and he left the great town once again.
[to beyond the walls]
Tagg eventually neared the Boarding House, and he could see the building's outline in the distance. Soon, he arrives at the door at opens it. Mrs. Weatherby is up and about, making some tea.
"Hello. I believe I owe you some rent."
"Hello. And yes I believe you do."
*Tagg fishes around in his pockets, but notices he doesnt have any gold on him right now. Mrs Weatherby looks at him patiently, awaiting the money*
"Er... I dont have any money on me right now, let me go upstairs, just a moment."
"That's okay, take your time."
*He walks up the stairs to his room, unlocks the door and enters. He first takes off his blades and then retrieves a couple of gold pieces from his money stash. Then he walks downstairs and finds Mrs. Weatherby again and holds out a hand with the money*
"Okay, here it is. And I'm afraid I havent been too helpful this week... Is there any cleaning or something I can do?"
"Thank you. And yes, I suppose you could wash the floors, noone's done that recently."
"Okay, I'll do that"
*Tagg looks around for some supplies, and spots a bucket and some cloth in a corner and goes to pick them up. He fills the bucket with water from the room he had visited prior. He begins to wash the kitchen first. Then the hallway and stairs. About an hour later the task was finished.*
"Thank you, Tagg."
"Actually, I have a weapon I cant use, and I am wondering if you would know of somewhere I can sell it."
*she thinks for a moment, then begins an answer*
"Oh, of course, yes. The Iron Wolf Armory. Although I wouldnt call it selling, they scarce take things for free."
"But its your best chance, I'm sure you'll get something for it. They just arent known for their... generosity."
"okay, well, ill stop by there. Where is this?"
Mrs. Weatherby gave him some directions, and then Tagg runs upstairs and gets the javelin from his room and heads out the door, heading out to the armory she spoke of.
[to iron wolf armory]
He lets go of the trance early in the morning as usually, to find peace in another form of trance, spending an hour in meditation. Well refreshed, he dresses and sets out for Zoli's courtyard after a light breakfast.
No assignments today. I have to remember to see Volos and collect my part of yesterday's pay though.
Tagg walks up to the boarding house in pitch black night, with few stars to light the sky. He enters, sees noone about, and walks upstairs and arrives in front of the door to his room. He opens it, enters, locks it behind him, and then takes off any equipment he had on. He plops into the bed, and gratefully allows sleep to claim him.
Only when he's satisfied with his work doe she go down to find something to eat in the kitchen. Finding Mrs Weatherby there, he scrounges some food from her to satisfy his ravenous appetite. In return, he comes up with his rent and promises to stay home until the evening and take a look at the porch, scrubbing it and making sure there aren't any hidden cracks in the wood or places where it's started to rot.
An hour before sundown, the elf retrieves his now dry clothes, folds them away and makes his way to the Last Lich.
The elf descends for some breakfast and a quick chat with Mrs Weatherby before leaving for the morning training.
oO. (A very Brodda like structure.)
Tap - Tap - Tap
Lucians staff continues to thump out the rhythm. Picking up a melody he heard one day at a tavern. "Eyes like yours" it was called. He shakes his head as he thinks back to the melody. Lucian walks around the block and takes his time coming back, trying to blend in with the crowd.
oO. (Where's a good hiding spot? Ah.. the shadows of the staircase... I'm not looking hagard enough to be a urchin...)
Lucian musses up his hair and sits under some stairs, watching the entrance to the boarding house, watching for someone to come out.
[to SSAG]
"Gooday Ma'am, a moment of your time?"
Her sharp mind takes him in appraisingly as she sits back on her heels. She looks up at him, smiling warmly.
"Good afternoon, young man. How may help you?"
He smilies and leans on his walking stick.
"Would you care to help an old lady to her feet, Sir?"
"But of course."
"I don't believe I caught your name, Mister..."
"It's always a pleasure to meet a friend of Brodda's. As for Brodda living here, that's sometimes a good question. She spends as much time here as she does other places."
"How long have you known her?"
.oO(It can't have been for too long if he needs to approach strangers to find out where she lives.)
She continues smiling warmly.
"I see. Well, she's not around at the moment, Lucian. She's off adventuring with some friends of hers. I'm don't know exactly when she'll be back."
"What sort of job is Brodda looking for?"
"Something to do with entertaining in the noble district. I have a few people I know up there, Do you know where I canr reach her when she's back?"
She heads for the front door.
"That'd be wonderful..."
oO. (Not...)
"You says she's not in half the time, do you have any idea where she goes?"
"Oh, I try not to pry into the affairs of my boarders. Most of them like to keep things fairly private. I've always got an open ear if they want to chat, but that really doesn't happen too often."
"Tea?" she asks as she gets a pen and paper from the other room. As she turns the corner, she studies him for a moment, trying to gauge his honesty. However she sees nothing amiss about him. And he is quite charming.
[Sense Motive check failed
]"Tea would be wonderful, thank you."
oO. (I guess that one's down...)
"How many sugars? Milk?"
She pours the tea for him and herself, giving Lucian what he prefers in his. Then she hands him his saucer and cup, takes one for herself and leans back in her chair.
"What is it that you do, Lucian?"
"Thank you very much."
As the woman leaves the room, Lucian writes a quick note to Brodda.
Hi Brodda.
Lucian here. You're a hard one to track down, I may have a lead on a job offer. You can find me in the marketplace when you get back.
Take Care,
Lucian Risk.
"Sugar please."
Lucian qrins broadly as she returns with the tea.
"Smells great! I'm an actor by trade. but I'm not working right now."
"An actor! How lovely! It's a shame you aren't performing at the moment, however. The city could use the influence of classic entertainment."
She sips her tea then sets the teacup back on the saucer that she holds in her other hand.
She chats warmly with Lucian through tea-time, pouring second servings of tea when they are needed. When the teapot is empty, she stands.
"I must be starting preparations for dinner. However it was certainly a pleasure chatting with you, Lucian. Do come back for tea again."
"But of course, Ma'am. Take care and thank you for the tea."
Lucian exits the boarding house and heads back to the fox.
Then heading back to the kitchen, she begins dinner.
I spotted a few rotting boards at the bottom of the porch. I might as well fix that today.
The elf procures the necessary tools from the landlady and sets to it. Most of the damage can be repaired with a bit of patience and some leftover lumber, but there are two boards that need to be replaced.
I'll have to ask Mrs Weatherby where I can find a carpenter or woodmill that can sell me two of these.
Ran measures up what he needs and goes inside to ask about a good place to get some lumber.
Satisfied with his work, Ran goes to his room to wash up and prepare for his lesson. Just before noon, the elf bids his landlady good day and sets out.
real time Friday which is when rent was due
[from nobodys inn]
Tagg finds the boarding house, and entersthe doors. Mrs. Weatherby is not in the room, and he has rent to pay so he looks for somewhere to leave it. He walks over to Mrs. Weatherby's favorite chair and places the 3 gold coins on the little table next to the arm. He goes up to his room, and retrieves a small piece of parchment. He sits on the bed and begins to write a message on it.
Its that time of week again. Here's the rent, its not late. Nothing much more to say. Well, see you in the morning.
--Tagg
He stands up, and creeps down the stairs being careful not to disturb anyone's sleep. He places the parchment message-down over the gold concealing it. Then he walks back up the stairs and being quite tired lies in the bed. Soon after, he falls asleep.
real time Saturday
Tagg awakes in the late morning, and when he does slowly sits up. He then proceeds to stand up, and not having undressed before sleeping, only straightens out his wrinkled clothes and heads downstairs. The familiar scene of Mrs. Weatherby making breakfast popped into his eyes. Then he turns his attention to where the rent was, and the parchment and gold were gone so Mrs. Weatherby must have found it. He walks nearer to the kitchen.
"Good morning, Mrs. Weatherby."
"Good morning, Tagg." she says before shifting positions to check on some eggs.
"Well, I fell kind of bad I didn't help at all during the week. Perhaps I'll spend the day here. Is there anything I can do?"
"Well, for a start I suppose you can lay out the table, you know where everything is."
"Ok."
He goes over to the familiar positions unloading each cabinet one at a time. He puts down the plates first, and then silverware. Last was glasses, which he retrieves and then walks into the wellroom. He pumps some up and fills a few glasses, which he then returnss to the table. A few trips like this and he was done. Perfect timing. Mrs. Weatherby walks from the kitchen; the first entree is finished. A few moments later as the rest of the meal completes, some boarders wake up and walk down the stairs greeted by the sweet aromas. "Ooh, looks good today Mrs. Weatherby." and similar comments fill the room. The boarders take their seats at the table and Tagg joins them, choosing a spot next to Ran who decided to stay for breakfast before heading out to his daily rituals. Tagg was perhaps expecting some conversation, but the two didn't really get past hellos, for they were focusing on eating. About a half hour passes, and the boarders have mostly cleared out after saying farewell. Tagg and Mrs. Weatherby are alone again.
"Anything else?"
"Let's see. Hm.. well i guess you can start by washing the floors, and then maybe some dusting.
"Ok."
He goes and gets a mop, and goes to do the chores. The day passes in a similar fashion onwards.
real time Sunday
After the chores are done, Mrs. Weatherby thanks him for all his services and invites him to have tea. He accepts and takes a place in the main room opposite to Mrs. Weatherby's chair. The tea stops boiling and Mrs. Weatherby brings it over. After she pours herself a glass, Tagg takes the kettle and gets one himself. They sip at the tea and smalltalk, and Tagg was amazed how sleepy the tea made him. Perhaps it was the chair he was sitting on too. After the two finish their tea and the current topic finishes up, Tagg excuses himself and heads upstairs for some sleep. Mrs. Weatherby sits contentedly on the chair, slowly drifting to sleep herself. As Tagg enters the room, he remembers to undress and then slips into bed tired from the day's work.
Real time Thursday
Tagg awakes in the morning feeling refreshed. He stands up, puts on his clothes, then straps on three daggers. He leaves his room, makes his way downstairs, and proceeds out the door. He weaves through the bustling streets and makes his way to city gates. He arrives and walks through them.
[to beyond the walls]
Tagg sees the boarding house and eventually arrives at its doorstep. He brushes his feet off slightly and walks inside. Noone is around, but it was not that late so Mrs. Weatherby probably wasnt asleep yet. He decides to take a seat and wait for her to come; in his days here yet she had never been far away from home.
.oO(Say is rent even due today? Maybe not. What day is it? Hm. I dunno. It hasnt been that long since i paid last time; perhaps it isnt due. Geez I must be more tired than i thought if i cant even keep track of the days. Should I bother waiting? Well, no harm if I'm early, but it wont be good if i leave and it is due today. Hm. This sure is a nice chair.)
He relaxes a little bit and slouches in the chair, and lightly closes his eyes, still awake but enjoying the comfortable piece of furniture.
Not fully asleep, as he is an elf, his mind wanders into a hazy dream-like state, in which he seems to be walking a path in the forest near the city. He recognizes it from his wanderings as the place where he was practicing his knife throwing.
Something catches the edge of his vision, and he glances down to see the hand that the spider bit has swollen to the size of a melon. Staring in horror, he watches as spiderlegs sprout from it, and then the pustulent thing twists at the end of his arm, and a spider's face stares at him malevolently.
Snapping back into consciousness, Tagg sees the hand is perfectly normal, save for the tiny bump from the spider-bite.
"Tagg dear, are you alright? You look like you've seen a ghost. You sit right there and I'll bring you a nice, soothing cup of tea."
She enters the kitchen and re-emerges shortly with two cups of steaming tea. She hands one to Tagg then sits at the end of the sofa closest to the chair Tagg is occupying.
"Drink some tea first, then tell me what's happened."
"Thank you. It was just a dream... I was sitting here for awhile and I must have nodded off."
Finally she says, "Dreams are often filled with some meaning or direction, I've found. Why, I've spent hours contemplating my dreams. You should not dismiss yours as trivial or meaningless."
She sips her tea.
Tagg sips at his tea reflecting on her words. He looks over at his hand and has trouble fathoming how his dream could mean much, but was not quick to dismiss the woman's insight. A long silence passes over and then Tagg speaks again on a new topic
"So, I suppose now would be as good a time as ever to ask you this. I'm not quite sure if rent is due today could've even been a couple days ago... or if I'm early... it doesn't seem very long ago the last time I paid but I cannot be sure."
"It was only a couple of days ago. I'm not that worried about it. Get it to me when you can and I'll update your account."
She sips her tea then sets her cup on its saucer.
"Speaking of which, I have some work to do. If you will please excuse me?"
She smiles fondly at him, then takes her cup and saucer into the kitchen, then goes into her office, leaving the door only slightly ajar.
the next morning...
Tagg wakes up the next morning feeling very refreshed. The beautiful sunlight and the sound of bustling activity outside give him a burst of energy and he is eager to set out and do something. He skillfully picks up a dagger, twirls it a little bit, then puts it in a holster. He puts a few coins in one of his pockets and then leaves the room and heads downstairs. He slips out the door and decides to do a little shopping.
[to market square]
about an hour later the same day...
[from market square]
Tagg carries the wooden chest down the streets and is glad when the boarding house comes into sight, knowing he will not have to haul it much further. He approaches the door, opens it and is seen by Mrs. Weatherby from the main room as he begins to ascend the stairs.
"Oh, Tagg, I thought I just saw you leave. Back so soon?"
"Well I was in the market and I came across this chest, and its a little awkward to carry around with me so I had to come back and put it in my room."
Mrs. Weatherby nods understandably and watches him go up the stairs. Tagg opens the door to his room and places the chest on the ground against the wall. He walks back a few steps to see how it looks. Pleased with the positioning he proceeds to pick up his weapons which before were placed on the ground and leaning agaist a wall. He opens up the chest and places the nearly full belt of daggers in, which fit cozily in a corner. He then places the shorter of the two swords diagonally spanning about two thirds of the chest's diameter. He stares at the scimitar and immediately knows it wont fit. He puts it aside for now and rummages through his backpack.
.oO( rope, money, parchment... this could all go in there i suppose. Feed... that should best be left in here; might damage something if I put it in the chest. Firewood too is a little heavy. )
Tagg removes the rope, his remaining currency, and a small stack of parchment from the back pack and sets to organizing it into his chest. Neatly filled up, he closes the chest's lid and snaps the clasp shut. He lays the backpack up against its side and the scimitar across the top. He stares across the room at his armor and shield, which seem oddly unorganized now that the rest had been sorted. He first retrieves the fairly heavy suit of armor and places it against the chest's side opposite of the backpack and then picks up the shield, careful to avoid the fierce spikes lining it and places it over the armor. He backs up to the door and looks at hisi nifty new equipment stash, with the rose carving uncovered. Seeing that all is well here, he leaves the room and heads back downstairs. he bids farewell to Mrs. Weatherby as he heads out the door and begins to walk idly down the city streets, not sure what to do next.
[to elsewhere]
[i]Tagg walks through streets and soon enough gets to the boarding house. He walks through the door, and goes up the stairs to his room, then walked over to the little equipment stash he had organized less than a day ago. He moves the backpack, armor, and shield off to the side so he can examine the stuff in the chest. He first removes the belt with the other 5daggers in it and slips the sixth in then puts it off to the side for now. He removes the short sword and the rope then shuts it again. He places the scimitar and short sword next to the daggers then takes the rope over to his backpack, and puts it in. He removes the feed to make the load lighter, and then puts the backpack aside and examines the shield and armor, thinking if it is necessary.
.oO( Hm... do I really need this? Well it might be smart to take some kind of protection... At least the armor I suppose, and its pretty light as far as armor goes, it wont be much of a hinderance. The shield... well I'll see. )
He puts on the leather armor, a little heavy but still fairly light. He slips the belt of daggers on, and then puts the scimitar and short sword in their respective holsters. He walks around a little bit and tests out the weight of all the equipment, and decides against the shield, wanting to have both hands free. He puts the backpack on, one last preparation. All of the equipment was more than he was used to, usually travelling very light. He walks down the stairs again, and out the door. The first rays of sun were starting to show and Tagg figured the morning was the best time to do this. He walksthrough the streets and makes his way over to the city gates, expectedly getting some strange looks being armed to the teeth.
[to beyond the walls]
Alesan sets up only the dining room table, as most of the tenants are apparently out of town.
"They're off doing what adventurers do, Alesan. There's no sense in pouting about it, dear. They'll be back sooner or later -- then you will get to hear more stories about all the places they've been and things they've done."
"But it seems they've been gone for so long, Gram."
Mrs. Weatherby laughs softly.
[color-royalblue]"It's not been so long, honey. Some adventurers can be gone for a very... long time."[/color]
The elder woman's face seems to fade slightly for barely a moment. Before anyone could possibly see, she hums again gaily, redoubling her efforts into the bread.
Brodda approaches the boarding house and enters respectfully. Not immediately seeing Mrs. Weatherby, she takes her things to her room, putting everything away. Once that's done, she sits in the chair near the window and begins to sharpen her axe and daggers.
"Hello Alesan. Could you please give this to Ms. Weatherby, it is the past three weeks of payment as well as the upcoming week."
"I apologize for being so short but I am quite worn out after a very long journey. If you could give her this money with my thanks for holding the room. I will be happy to meet with her regarding any choirs she needs taken care of."
*With a nod, Thosar heads upstairs after handing the money to Alesan.*
*Once upstairs he unloads his gear, grabs a clean pair of clothes and is off to the bath. After a good scrub the water is filthy and the bath is over. He ponders as he braids his hair.*
I need to talk with Natala about the fortress. I don't even remember it's name, though Darkar told me. I wonder who built it and how long it's been there. How did it become abandoned? Something worth looking into. Anyway, Natala might want to know about the letter we found, as might Gamis and the rest of the guild. The guild; that's another place I need to visit. See how Volos is and how our membership stands.
What else? I'll want to visit the temple to speak with the clerics there and get access to their library, if I can. They might know some things about the keep or the letter. Also to check on the resurrection of Alissa. I hope she comes back without memory of her death.
*Thosar shudders. He finishes his brading and walks back to his room. He speaks outloud to himself.*
"But first, some food."
*Heading back downstairs Thosar finds himself some food in the kitchen and returns to his room with it.*
I could certainly go for a mead about now. I'll have to save that for later, I really need some sleep.
*After eating his fill, Thosar locks the door and gets some rest.*
Everyone else was gone, destroyed by the creature with no form that chased them deeper into the bowels of this castle. There was no way out. His breath came in halting gasps and he could feel the strength in his limbs failing. He ached all over and his skin seemed to have a unnaturally pale hue. His life energy was being sucked away.
CRASH!
The door would not withstand another attack. His grip tightened on his warhammer. His eyes focused on the sunrod as the light shuddered and went out. Darkness lept at him from every side.
*Gasping for air, Thosar awakes suddenly. Glancing around the room his breath slowly calms and a short while later the pounding of his heart as well.*
I should have expected that. No one died though, thank the Mother. No one died.
*Thosar raised from his bed and starting pacing around the room for a moment.*
"I have to learn how to trance. I don't know if it will help with the nightmares but I need to get some rest. I'm wearing thin."
"I need to see Darkar about this."
"But first, it seems about time for that visit to Natala. And that mead afterward."
*Dressing and gathering the dishes, Thosar heads back down to the kitchen. Not finding Ms. Weatherby immediately, he deposits the dishes onto a counter and then moves out into the street.*
[To NMS]
My prayers granted me the powers each day. And my powers came when I called upon them. I need to learn the ways of the Mother more though. I feel the powers in my but I must find my path to strengthen them. I must worship the Mother more sincerely and study to know how to do that.
*The next day is spent chopping wood to replenish the lost supply over the winter and the colder spring days. Again he speaks little through the day and ponders on the direction of his studies. He also thinks about Natala.*
She has been such a good friend in my times of need. Especially before. I admire her so much as an individual and as a friend. I know that her past weighs heavy on her and on her actions, but I don't know what happened and what it is that drives her to do no harm. Do I need to know? Does she have a past that will find her in the future? Perhaps I should talk to her about it. I know she has a hard time but I feel something may be coming. Something from her past.
*The elf splits another log as this last thought occurs to him. He stops for a moment and looks about as if to see some menacing approaching. He shakes his head as he sets another log.*
I think I need to talk with her about this.
"Not that I can think of. You certainly seem to know how to work stone. I had been thinking about a stone out-building to hold the firewood but I haven't decided where it would go or how much it would cost. Would you be able to build such a building, if I provided the raw materials?"
*The elf nods.*
"I certainly could. I've worked a lot with stone in my life and constructed a few small structures. You would need wood for the roof, but a simple building to hold firewood should be within my skills."
"Of course, wood for the roof. I will have someone else make the roof and I'm sure you could attach it. I'll look into the cost and let you know."
*With a second nod Thosar goes inside to clean up, taking his mason tools with him.*
"Ughh. Yeh look terrrible," she says to the reflection.
"Well, if yeh'd git soome sleep..." the reflection seems to say.
She looks away and rubs her face in her hands, running her hands up and back into her hair, long released from their braids.
She looks again outside, seeing through the window, trying to remember how long she's been holed up in her room. She looks around her room at the sheets of notes, some crumpled, tossed about her room. She quirks her mouth.
She looks back at the notes on her desk that she's been working on for the last several hours, and the words seem to dance to some waltz that only she can hear. She scowls and stands up, her chair falling backwards to the floor with a clatter.
"Aye, that's enoough. Ah need teh get oout ferr a bit. A good stiff ale shoould fix me up rright!"
One look in the mirror, however, halts her in her tracks.
"Dearrr Motherr! Who is that? Coouldn'a be me! Augh! To the bath!"
She grabs her bathing necessities, hoping no one else is using the tub at the moment -- and if they are, they'll just have to move over!
Rejuvenated, she hums merrily as she brushes out her long black hair and sets the brass circlet in place atop her head, then gathers her things, including daggers and a few coins.
She looks again into the mirror and smiles, pleased with what she sees.
"Ahhh, much betterr, yeh arre, lass! C'mon, let's go rrelax a bit."
At the bottom of the stairs, she passes Mrs. Weatherby, who nods to her with a knowing smile, rather than the concern that Brodda had expected from being in her room for so many days without coming out.
Slightly puzzled but not spending any time to worry about it, she returns the smile with a warm greeting.
"Have a pleasant evenin', Missus Weatherrrby."
"Thank you, Brodda, and you as well. Don't forget to lock the door when you return."
Brodda smiles. "Neverr, Missus Weatherrrby."
And out the door.
[Elsewhere]
"Ah imagine yeh want teh hurry back teh be with Herrmy. Why doon'tcha coome in forr a minute while Ah take this upstairrs."
She climbs the few steps to the door, then stops short. She turns back to Minto.
"Ah've neverr been to a rraisin' cerremony beforre. Am Ah drressed alrright?"
She raises her arms slightly and turns, so he can fully see the casual beige dress she's wearing.
"You look great."His smile lessens a bit as he continues on. "I really doubt it will matter wether you are dressed properly though."
"I think all eyes will be on the happy couple."
The smile turns into a grin. "Well, except mine."
"Oh! Ah didn'a mean that Ah'd be..."
Her face flushes red and she shakes it off and smiles.
"Ah woon't botherr teh change then."
She winks at him then opens the door.
"Ah'll be rright doown."
She dashes up the stairs, leaving Minto to decide whether to come in or wait outside.
She drops the heavy bag on the bed, sighing with pleasure at the tinkling of the coins.
"Ahhh, what a lovely soound."
.oO(A gift frrom the Motherr, and none too soon.)
She gazes up at the ceiling, past the ceiling, and into the skies with a murmur of thanks, then opens the bag, takes a handful of coins, and drops them into her purse. Then she looks around for an indiscreet place to store the bag.
She settles on the closet, tucks it into a back corner, piling all her adventuring gear in front of it. With a nod, she checks herself in the mirror, locks her room as she exits and pockets the key, then returns downstairs to Minto.
"Shall we go then?"
I've never been to a raising either."
"I had planned to go to Natala's but something came up right before, and I was in no condition to go."
"Hermy tells me it was very interesting though."
"And this time it should make an excellent ballad as well."
"I don't usually compose love songs, but this one has the makings of a classic one."
"The whole even death not keeping them apart angle."
Minto humms a few possible tunes as they walk and sings a few lines he has come up with and asks for her opinion on them as they walk to the Temple.
.oO(Hmmmm, this was a good weapon, it saw me through a lot. Maybe I could keep it around for others to make good use of it. Same with the armor, it won't fetch much for sell anyway. Yes, I'll just take them over to the guild.)
*With that Thosar dresses, takes the warhammer and armor and heads to the guild. His holy symbol bouncing against his chest as he goes.*
Brodda quietly enters the boarding house. She locks the door behind her and slips into her room. With another plea to The Mother on Hermy's behalf, she sits at her desk with pen and notebook and starts her next entry.
.oO(I need to know the balance and how I am to fit into it. I need to learn more about the Mother's teachings and strive to find her path. I need to visit the temple and speak with her followers.)
*Eventually he rolls over and falls asleep, still holding his holy symbol in his hands.*
*she comes to the stairs of the boarding house and slowly works her way up the steps and walks inside*
*she says good morning to Mrs. Weatherby who is working in the kitchen and then heads up stairs and to her room, opening the door with her key and locking the door ebhind her*
*she opens the chest and places her things inside and grabs a clean pair of clothes and goes down the hall to the bath area and draws some water*
*she lets the tub fill then drops the hot coals into the tub, warming the water*
*she undresses and slowly lowers herself into the tub and closes her eyes, letting the warm water relax her muscles and clean her skin*
*after washing her hair and getting all the dirt and grime off of her skin she let's the water drain out and dries off then dresses and exits the wash room and heads downstairs*
Tagg walks up the stairs and enters his room. Tempting as it was to drop right into the bed, he resists. Taking his shield and armor off first, he sets them in a corner. Opening the chest he takes the belt of daggers off as well as the sheaths containing his other blades and places them inside. After the lengthy process of rummaging through his many pockets, he deposits the coins as well. Rechecking to make sure he had all of his valuables and equipments off, Tagg closes the chest and stands up. He leaves his room and walks down the hallway to the bath areaand fills it with water. Removing his clothes, he notes the tattered sleeve and a few blood stains.
.oO( Agh.. This tunic could benefit with a good washing. That rip won't reseal itself though.. Tomorrow I'll have to go shopping and try to getthis fixed up, maybe get a new set of clothes to wear so I'm not stuck with this all the time. )
Tagg sets the clothes on the ground near the tub then slowly steps into it, giving a small grimace as the cold water embraces his leg. Slowly lowering into the tub he becomes accustom to the water and almost finds the coolness somewhat soothing. Rubbing water onto the dirty parts of his body and over some of the already sealed wounds until he is thoroughly cleaned again. Tagg stands up and exits the tub once he is done, and then sets to the process of cleaning his clothes before donning them again. Eventually the dirt comes off and blood stains become nearly invisible, the elf is satisfied and takes them out of the tub. Letting them dry off for a few moments first, he begins to put them on. Finally Tagg disposes of the now murky water before exiting the room and heads back to his quarters where he draws nine gold coins from the chest before walking downstairs where he finds Mrs. Weatherby sitting on her chair drinking a cup of tea. He approaches her and holds the money out in his his hand.
"Ah, it's good to be back home and in fresh clothes again."
"Here is a couple weeks worth of rent and a bonus to make up for not being around to help out."
The old lady smiles and takes the money.
"Thank you, Tagg. It's nice to see you back, it's been quiet lately with all the residents off on their adventures."
Tagg returns the smile then yawns.
"Well, I'm pretty tired myself. I'm looking forward to getting some sleep in a proper bed."
"Good night and see you tomorrow."
Mrs. Weatherby nods and takes a sip of tea as Tagg walks back up the stairs. He walks into his room and drops into the bed. It isn't long before the elf falls asleep under the warmth of the comfortable blanket.
*she goes downstairs and gets herself a cup of hot tea and looks out the window to the back area*
.oO(Looks like it is going to be a nice day, maybe I can work some more on finishing my bow. Better to keep mywounds closed and not stress much)
*she sips in her tea and then heads back up to her room, shutting and locking the door behind her*
*she sets her cup of tea on the nightstand and opens the window to let the cool air come in, setting the curtains to one side so Screech would a have a place to perch himself as she worked. She then picks up her bow and gets her dagger out and begins to slowly shave away layers of wood, making the designs more intricate*
*she works on her bow for most of the day, only pausing when the energie call for her to return to her wolf form, and so letting them flow back out to form herself back into elven so that she can work on her bow some more*
*after a while the sun begins to set and she looses most light, so she sets the forming bow back in its linen and sets it against the wall. She picks up the shavings and places them into a basket set at the corner of the room where a pile of wood shavings already sits*
*she lays back on her bed and closes her eyes, just listening to the wind through her window. Screech sits and watches over her as she rests and soon she falls asleep*
*the sun breaks high in the sky this morning and she is woken by the soft flap of wings as Screech preens himself in the sun*
*she looks at him and smiles*
Alright I am awake....I am sure you had a nice hunt last night...
*she indicates the half mouse sitting on the windowsill as she closes her eyes and lets the energies flow*
*she stands and grabs her brush from her nightstand*
I don't think Mrs. Weatherby will be very happy to find dead mice strewn about.
*she rubs his chest and picks up the dead mouse, letting it drop in the alley below near where a group of kittens play. Screech flaps his wings and hoots*
They need to eat to..besides, we need to run some errands to find out what is in those vials and gourds. There are plenty of mice around, so I am sure you will not be left hungry.
*she smiles and goes to change into a white short sleeved blouse and some brown slacks, placing a black belt around her waste, where her pouches hang from the side, a dagger, behind her back and another in her boot, strapped to her ankle with strips of leather*
*she picks up her bag and another carrying the vials and gourds, lets screech know she'll meet him out front and closes the window after he takes off*
*she leaves the room, locking it behind her and heads downstairs, giving Mrs. Weatherby a warm "good morning" before exiting the house*
To Elsewhere
to Market Square
Tagg comes to the boarding house door and reshuffles his items over to one arm so he can open the door. Carefully balancing the goods he manages to sneak the door open. He is relieved to properly distibute the items in both hands once he is through and carefully shuts the door with his foot. He makes his way up to the stairs and finds himself at the same dilemma as he stares at his room's door. His locked door. He sighs and puts the awkward metal object down, picks around in a few pockets until he finds the correct key, and shoves it into the slot to open the door. Putting the key away again he picks up the whetstone and enters his room. Walking over to the far side of his room he places the whetstone on the floor set a few feet away from the walls in a corner and sets the folded set of clothes on his bed for now. Sitting for a few moments, he takes a deep breath and relaxes, thinking of how to spend his time on such a day.
.oO( I wonder if Maelut or Boirin are working today. Maybe I'll pay them a visit, seeing as how I've done my shopping and have nothing else to do. Maybe get some food I'd like to taste something of Maelut's when he can use proper vittles to begin with. )
Tagg walks back out the door and locks it behind him. Scooting down the stairs he slips out the door, tracing the oh-so-familiar path back to the inn.
to Nobody's Inn
*Thosar arrives back at the boarding house after his brief journey to the temple, still in thought. He makes it to his room and rests for a while. After that he speaks with Mrs. Weatherby for a while about the various libraries in the city. She mentions the library at the church of Tholas and the one at the High Tower and how difficult it is to get access to the mage's library. After thanking her, Thosar does some more chores for the rest of the day.*
.oO(The journey with Natala, I wonder what feelings that will bring up. It seems like so long ago that I was there before with her. It seems like a different world, almost. I've learned so much more about her. I don't know if that is drawing me closer to her in her mind, or pushing me away. Will she worry about me when I know so much about her? Will she turn away? I wish I knew... I wish I could read her mind.)
*Thosar chuckles to himself.*
.oO(If anything it would probably be her that read my thoughts. She has such ability with the Mother, so much devotion. I hope she is not the measure I am held against, otherwise I will surely come as not.)
*During the evening, after his days of thought and chore, he decides to head out into the city.*
To Elsewhere
*she walks up the steps and opens the door, walking into the home and closing the doore behind her*
*she smiles to Mrs. Weatherby and then heads upstairs, opening the door and locking it behind her, just in time for the energies to release themselves and her form changing into that of the wolf*
*she jumps onto her bed and looks out her window at the setting sun, her thoughts of all she has seen in the day and then lays her head down, slowly drifting off into a quiet slumber*
*screech sits in the window and lets out a soft hoot and flaps his wings in the warmth of the sun*
*she jumps off the bed and changes into her elven form and rubs Screech's chest lightly with her fingers*
Morning Screech
*she stretches again and gets herbow out and works on it for mosrst of the morning and the afternoon. The sun soon goes down and she sets her bow aside just in time as the energies pull once more*
*she looks over at her feathered friend*
Where do you think we should eat today..hmm?
Hoo?
Sure we can go there...we haven't been there in a while anyway..and today is as good of a day as any...
*she smiles and releases the energies once more changing back into her elven form*
I'll meet you out front ok?
Hoo! Hoo!
*screech flies out the window and she closes it behind him, grabbing her money pouch and her satchel on the way out, locking the door behind her*
*she heads down the stairs, with a good morning to Mrs. Weatherby and then head's out into the sunny streets*
TO Elsewhere
Brodda opens her eyes slowly and stares blankly at the ceiling for a short while, silently arguing against the fact that, yes, morning has arrived.
Giving up her argument, she grudgingly accepts what is and slowly sits up, rubs her eyes, and stretches in various directions.
She looks around at the mess that is her room, the bits of crumpled paper strewn over the floor bringing her a pang of sadness. She’d spent days trying to compose into song the ache she felt for Hermy and his loss. But she found it harder to put into words than she could ever have believed. She finally put the song on hold and put all of her sorrow into a single, if long, piece of music that provided some comfort for her. She wondered if Minto has also found solace for himself in his lute. She couldn’t think of what might comfort Hermy at this time.
She swings her legs over the edge of the bed and hops down to the floor, the action causing her to smile a bit.
.oO(Ah loove these man-sized beds. Ah always feel like a dwarrfling when Ah hop down frrom it!) :D
She swoops about the room in her nightie picking up the scraps of paper with notes scribbled all over them and scratched out, and sets them all into a single pile near the door. Then she gathers the clothes she’ll wear for the day and heads for the washroom to bathe.
Tossing her nightie onto her bed, then making the bed with her nightie safely tucked beneath the covers (it won’t be nearly so chilled when she puts it on tonight before bed), she grabs an armful of crumpled papers and heads downstairs, humming.
“Good morrnin’, Missus Weatherrby!” she greets the older woman who peers at her from the kitchen.
Mrs. Weatherby slowly smiles.
“Well, good morning to you, Miss Brodda! It’s good to see you about this morning. There’s some breakfast still, if you’re interested.”
Brodda returns the smile.
“Aye, that Ah am, Missus Weatherrby! If yeh’ll please give meh a few minutes, Ah’ll be rright therre!”
She tosses the scraps onto the fire, which brightens with the additional fuel.
”I’ll steep some tea for you then.” and Mrs. Weatherby disappears into her kitchen.
Brodda sighs.
.oO(Ale woould be much betterr, but yeh’rre company is a wonderrful compensation ferr the human brrew, tea.)
She smiles and returns to her room for another armful of scrap paper.
Looking around his room, he sees the small spiked shield laying up against the wall. Tagg walks over to it and examines it.
.oO( Have I ever even used this thing? No I haven't. . . it's just taking up space. I guess the question is will I use it... )
He tries to think of a practical situation when he would use the shield.
.oO( Well, the time I would use this is during combat. And during combat I usually dont have any free hands. In fact it probably is just extra weight I'm carrying around.. )
.oO( How much do you think it would run for at the Iron Wolf? Hm.. I'd say at least ten gold pieces. I could perhaps trade this in for something I have a use for?)
.oO( Might as well and at the very least it gives me something to do today. )
Tagg opens his chest and withdraws several coins into his pocket before strapping the sheathe containing his short sword onto the side of his belt. Picking the shield up he straps it to his back for easier carrying. Exiting through the room's door he walks down the stairs and then through the boarding house door. Following the directions Mrs. Weatherby gave him a while ago to the armory.
to Iron Wolf Armory
Mrs. Weatherby smiles at the dwarfess.
”There is something on your mind, dear.”
Brodda nods but doesn’t otherwise respond right away, eating a few more bites as she formulates her question. Mrs. Weatherby waits patiently, sipping her tea.
Finally, Brodda has her question, hopefully formed with courtesy and tact. She looks up at the older woman.
“Missus Weatherrby, how did yeh cope when yeh learrned of yeh’rre husband’s death?”
The woman’s eyebrows arch upward a bit. She takes in a slow, deep breath.
”Oh. Dear me.”
Brodda’s eyes grow wide.
“Ah’m soorry, Ah didn’a mean teh…”
She’s cut short with the wave of Mrs. Weatherby’s hand, who appears to have recovered from the surprise of Brodda’s question.
”It’s alright, Brodda. I haven’t been asked about my husband in a very long time.”
She smiles softly as a rush of long-ago memories wash over her. As she speaks, she doesn’t look at Brodda, but rather at a spot on the table that seems to have become a focal point. Brodda can see a faint smile as she wades through the memories.
”I’d always known it was a possibility that one day he might not return from one of his jobs. But Jhon was smart and strong and experienced. He always came home to us.”
Her voice fades away as some new memories return to her, and her soft smile fades, becomes a frown for a brief period of time. Brodda silently finishes her breakfast and picks up the cup of tea and sips quietly from it. Immediately it sprays out of her mouth as she seems to choke on it. Her eyes get wide and she jumps up for a cloth to clean up the mess with.
Mrs. Weatherby, who is now looking at her, just smiles, her eyes bright.
Brodda returns with the cloth and as she wipes off the table, she sees the gleam in the woman’s eyes. Her own eyes narrow and she looks at the cup of tea. Suspiciously, she sniffs the liquid inside. Mrs. Weatherby nearly grins as Brodda takes another, careful, sip of the tea. The bard’s eyes grow wide as she swishes the liquid around in her mouth. With a gulp, she grins.
“Missus Weatherrrby! Yeh kin be a sneaky woman! Yeh spiked meh tea with soome spirrrits!” :D
Brodda sets the cup down, finishes wiping down the table, then sits down again, drinking her ‘tea’ with relish.
Mrs. Weatherby laughs.
”I know tea is not your favorite beverage, so I thought I would make it more palatable for you. I see its worked.”
*she hoots to Scrreech who flies of to the otherside of the building and she enters, closing the door softly behind her and heads upstairs to her room*
*she opens the door and looks at the bed for moment before walking into the room and closing the door behind her*
*she undresses, putting a large shirt on and crawls into the bed, only to crawl back out of it when she relaizes she forgot to open it for Screech, then crawls back in to bed as Screech flies to sit on the window sill and watch as she slowly falls into slumber*
In the Morning
*she wakes the sun's rays beaming down on her and she opens her eyes and stretches, jumping out of the bed and looks to see what time it is*
.oO(Still early....)
*she stretches some more and changes back into her elf form, greeting Screech with a smile and two fingers rubbing his chest*
*she grabs her bag an pulls out some leftover jerky and hands him some for an early snack, then sits on the bed and looks out the window*
(e)I don't know screech..what do you think? It looks like a fine day to go for a ride, and I am sure Maya would like to get some free time.
*she turns to her head to look at the white bird who just seems to stare back at her*
Maybe have Tynk come with us?
*she smiles as Screch tilts his head to the side*
I know what you are thinking at that would be a no. I have too much on my hands as it is to worry about that especially since he is a human. Only heartache and more hurt can come from that....even more so if he should find out about the furry side.
*she smiles and gets dressed and begins to work on her bow for most of the morning, stopping around lunchtime as she begins to change back in to her wolf form.*
*she stretches a bit and then goes to her spot in the room to meditate*
”Brodda, there is one thing harder than accepting the death of Mr. Weatherby and continuing on without him.”
Mrs. Weatherby looks out the window at the people passing by on the street.
”Waiting. Expecting. Not knowing.”
She sighs and returns her gaze to Brodda, explaining that her son had left home to follow in the footsteps of his father. But he never returned, and no word has ever reached her about either his life or his death.
”So here I sit, sure he must be dead, yet hoping beyond all logic that he will one day come walking through the door.
She smiles sadly.
”Mister Woodhome will recover eventually. Hope no longer exists that Mrs. Woodhome will ever return to him. And the knowledge that his beloved wife, who by all accounts loved him very much, has such an important task given by Ordemetrex that she could not return, should make him quite proud indeed, once his pain has diminished a little. She must have been a very special woman.”
Mrs. Weatherby smiles again, a little less sadly.
Brodda nods, amazed at the resilience of this woman.
“Thank yeh, Missus Weatherrby. Ah’m honorred that yeh felt yeh coould speak with meh aboout such intimate things.”
Mrs. Weatherby touches the back of Brodda’s hand for a few moments, then stands to wash dishes, appearing to be her normal cheerful self again. Brodda watches her for a moment, then finishes her beverage, and spends the remainder of the day helping with various chores around the house.
Tagg enters through the door and looks around, Mrs. Weatherby probably in her office at the time. Angelique soon follows through the entrance and begins to examine the interior of the building.
(elven)"Well the owner isn't available at the moment. Perhaps you'd like to take a look around in the meantime?"
[elven]I'd love to! Then hopefully the landlady will be back, and I may meet her.
*she follows Tagg through the boarding house as he gives her a tour, noting with much excitement the tree in the backyard
(elven)"Final stop is an example of what the rooms look like.."
Leading Angelique up to his room's door, he unlocks it and they enter.
(elven)"As you see.. decent size, a bed... well that's all it comes with to start but with a little money it spruces up nicely."
He pauses for a moment for Angelique to examine the living space.
(elven)"That's just about it I believe. Now we can head back downstairs and see if Mrs. Weatherby is about yet."
He allows the bard to exit before closing the door and they head downstairs. Mrs. Weatherby appears to have just exited her office and is beginning to step towards her chair as they enter the room.
"Oh hello, Tagg, I see you've got a visitor as well. What might your name be, dear?"
As she begins Tagg turns to Angelique and gets off a quick word.
(elven)"I'll leave you two get acquainted, she can go over the details for living here with you."
"Hello, Mrs. Weatherby. I've got some slight business to attend to, so I will be departing shortly."
"Quite alright, quite alright."
Mrs. Weatherby sits down in her chair and turns her attention back to Angelique as Tagg slips back up the stairs to his room, where he begins sorting through his coins and counts up enough for the purchase he was planning on making earlier.
[elven]I would like to meet up with you again, so you may show me where your tanner friend was. I'll be at Nobody's for the next week, or I will come by here at a convenient time.
*bows to Mr's Weatherby, slightly surpirsed that Tagg did not introduce them
Hello Ma'am, my name is Angeliqué Noel of the Ranielina, the nomadic elven people...
*she clarifies this, as she isn't sure how well known they are in the human world
...and I have recently arrived in town, and I am looking for a place to stay, and I met up with Tagg...
*she motions upstairs, in the direction that Tagg took
...and he was kind enough to show me around this lovely house.
Mrs Weatherby: Well Angeliqué, why don't you sit down in that chair there and I'll fetch us a cup of tea. It's a bit brisk out there and a cup of tea, would do you the world of good, child.
*Angeliqué sits as indicated, wondering to herself is there is a Mr. Weatherby as she waits for the tea to brew, and smiles at being called child. She looks up with joy as Mrs. Weatherby returns bearing a tray with some biscuits and two cups of tea
Mrs. Weatherby: Here you go dear, it'll warm you right up, and don't go telling me you weren't cold! With your slight frame and no cloak you must have been freezing, elf or not. Tell me, what do you expect to do in this City, you are not the usual type of person we see here.
*Mrs. Weatherby pours them tea and offers a biscuit, taking one for herself and settling into her chair. Angeliqué accepts the welcome warmth from the tea, and takes a biscuit after a sip or two. Leaning back and setting her cup to one side, she smiles at Mrs. Weatherby
I am from a nomadic people, we are always found where we are least expected. I love performing for people, dancing and singing for adults, and putting on puppet shows for children. The look in people's eyes when they are truly enjoying your performance is beautiful. I love it, it makes me happy.
*she nibbles on her biscuit and sips her tea again, as Mrs. Weatherby gets down to business
Mrs. Weatherby: Now dearie, I do have rooms available, and your just in time. This old house is lovely and warm, perfect as the days get colder. The price includes your meals, and you're expected to do a little to help with the housework. I'm sure Tagg informed you of all this?
Tagg did tell me all about it, and he made it sound so beautiful. I would love to stay here, but first I have to get established as a performer, I would hate to not be able to pay you.
*she notices that time is not on her side anymore and finishes her tea
It was lovely meeting you Mrs. Weatherby, and I'm sure you'll see me back around here soon. Thank you very much for the tea and biscuits.
*she bows again and takes her leave, hurrying through the streets huddling against the evening chill and vowing to buy a cloak tomorrow
[to Elsewhere]
Walks in with heavy tread and promptly collides with a drawer near the door. Blinks few times to clear tiredness out of his eyes, and stands in the hallway for five minutes, just staring at the walls.
The half-elf really looks like he'd been through a hell or two. Clothes bit more than rags, the thin armor resembling a collection of leather strips, leaning on a glaive and skin dirty, like he had taken dirt baths. Half of his head is covered by a hastily applied bandage that shows spots of blood seeping through.
Stumbles his way to the living room and falls to the sofa. Passes out from exhaustion and blood-loss.
After long enough Tagg manages to sort out piles of 200 copper, 250 silver, and 33 gold. After another few minutes of recounting it to be sure he had the correct amount, he moves on to the task of how to carry so much... Pockets were out of the question with hundreds of coins to carry..
Eyes resting on the backpack up against the wall, he deems it the best possible means of transporting the coins. Looking through it he empties any large or heavy items out of it and places them on the floor before beginning to load the coins into it. Another few minutes of packing it up, then Tagg picks the backpack up and throws it over his back. He spends a couple moments getting accustom to the weight and balance before heading out the door. Walking downstairs, he sees the meeting between Angelique has adjourned, with Angelique nowhere to be seen and Mrs. Weatherby evidently withdrawn to her office, a trail of steam drifting through the cracks on the side of the door, from a cup of tea he is guessing. He proceeds through the door, stopping a moment as the cold air rushes to meet him. After getting used to the temperature, he continues and makes hi way back to the armory.
to Iron Wolf Armory
Present time
Dressed now to intact clothes and having taken a bath, bit more presentable version of Codrian descents the stairs down and heads to the door. Picks up the glaive on the way and exits. Leaves towards market place.
*after her meditation she changes into her elven form and goes back to working on her bow putting some more work into the wood than finally takes a break and heads downstairs to do some weekly chores*
*she helps in the kitchen with some dishes as well as patting down the rugs and sweeping the wooden floors*
*after finishing with the chores she gets herself some hot tea and sits in the parlor, enjoying the warm fire*
*for only a short time she sits, staring at the fire that she notices the flames hue changes color and it begins to form at her whim*
*she gets up slowly and walks over to the fire, intirgued at the flames shape and color*
.oO(Am I doing this? Or am I dreaming all this...)
*she waves her hands in front of the flame and the flamesmove with her hand*
.oO( I must be dreaming...this can't be real. Something like this is not of my energies..this is something new..something...)
*her hand gets too close to a flame and she burns her hand. She jumps and even yelps at the searing pain through her hand and pulls back quickly, then looks back at the fire which seems to have gone back to normal*
*Mrs. Weatherby walks into the room and walks over to her and kneels*
" Is everything alright? I heard you yell from in the other room. Are you allright?"
*she is in a daydream for a moment than nods and stands, turning to look at Mrs. Weatherby*
Yeah I am alright, just slightly burnt my hand is all.
"Well let me take a look..."
*she opens her hand a bit to show her the burn, and finds a well made raised bump on the base of her thumb and wrist*
" Well it doesn't look to be too bad, you should be more careful.
I'll get some bandages and aloe for you."
*she walks off into the kitchen and comes back with a piec of aloe from her plant, and some strips of clothe that look like they are from a torn sheet*
*Mrs. Weatherby begins to apply the aloe and then wrap her hand in the bandages, tieing a knot at the base to keep hold and then gets up to put the bandages away*
Thankyou so much for your help...I am going to head back up to my room as it is late and I think I need to rest abit..
*Mrs. Weatherby nods and watches as Anaya heads back up the stairs*
.oO(There are just some things about that girl that I just don't quite understand...)
*she shrugs and then goes back to reading her paper and drinking her tea, Anaya heads back into her room, locking the door behind her and just falls onto the bed, staring at the wall*
.oO(That was so weird and it's not the first time that it has happened, only that was more intense. My Hands in the hightower and the chari at the LLI...what is happening to me?)
*she lays on her bed for some time, until the energies change her form back into the wolf and eventually she falls asleep, hundreds of questions rushing through her mind*
morning
Early in the morning after breaking out of his trance, Tagg stands up and begins stretching for a few minutes. Exiting through the door he makes his way downstairs, where Mrs. Weatherby is also awake and about, starting to prepar breakfast.
"Good morning, Tagg."
She says before walking over to a different part of the room to tend to something else.
"Good morning.."
Tagg slowly begins to walk into the kitchen room, aromas from the cooking food meeting his nose.
As Mrs. Weatherby heads back to check on something else, he stops her for a moment.
"Is there something I could help with?"
"Why yes, thank you dear. I've got breakfast under control here, but I do need someone to --"
Her words are interrupted as a loud chirping noise comes from outside and a thump from above.
.oO( . . . )
.oO( What the.... )
Mrs. Weatherby looks up ceiling, to Tagg's surprise, she well, didn't look very surprised.
"--get rid of these birds. They started building a nest while you were gone, and it's making quite a disturbance.. and who knows what they've damaged up there... I was hoping you could make an inspection of the roof and get those things out of here?"
Tagg slowly nods.
"Okay..."
Mrs. Weatherby smiles.
"Thank you! There's a ladder outside next to shed if you need it."
Tagg nods again as Mrs. Weatherby proceeds with the meal. Heading outside, he peers around for acouple moments as he spots the shed by the garden with the ladder leaning up against it. Carrying it over to the boarding house's wall he sets it up. After the somewhat tedious process of stabilizing the ladder, he nimbly ascends it, pausing as his head reaches over the roof.
Bird droppings litter the surface, torn shingles here and there. Stepping carefully up onto the roof into a crouching stance, he makes his way over to the chimney, where he hears more sounds emanating from. As he peers inside he sees a robin sleeping inside of a nest, the thump from earlier probably being it landing in the nest again. He gives a small smile in the corner of his mouth, feeling no hostility towards it or wanting to expel it from its home.
.oO( Hm.. this could prove troublesome.. how do I get this out of here? I don't want to just kick the thing outta here... Perhaps I could try placing him in a more suitable atmosphere? Maybe that big tree out in back. I don't know if Mrs. Weatherby would appreciate it living on her property still though.. Well I'll see what happens. )
Tagg for some reason has the impulse to talk to it, unsure why he is trying to communicate with what he knows is incapable of speech..
??? language"Hello there, little bird."
The robin rapidly shakes its head a few times and looks up at the elf.
??? language"You! You're an awful big robin! What do you want?[/color]
Tagg is taken aback as the bird responds, shocked that he understood what it said..
.oO( Am I imagining things? The bird is talking to me? Keep it up.. you could try getting it out of here without much trouble.. whatever this is just go with it)
??? language"Um.. See this roof you're on? It's on top of a lot of people, and see you're disturbing them. And you're tearing up the roof, see? We don't like this because its hard to fix, but if we don't fix it the roof could get worse and cave in."
??? language"Cave in? That's crazy talk. And I can't leave my home, especially in this weather! I'd have nowhere to go !"[/color]
Tagg indicates to the big tree in the back of the boarding house with his hand
??? language"See that tree over there? How would like to move there? I know the people that live under this roof would relly appreciate it."
"I'll even get some food for you, seeds, nuts, whatever you want.."
The bird seems to consider the option, turning his head to look at the tree.
??? language"But what about my nest? It took me long time to build it, I could not just leave it here."
??? lanuguage"I'll take care of that for you, I'll move it over to ther tree."
??? language"And you'll bring me some seeds?"
Tagg nods with a small smile. The bird thinks some more.
??? language"Sure I suppose I'll do it!"
The bird flies off the roof to the tree, poking around the almost bare branches.
Tagg picks up the nest with one hand and carefully begins to climb down the ladder. He walks it over to the base of the tree and holds it up as high as he can to where the robin sits.
??? language"Here, can you grab it up the last couple inches?"
The robin grabs at the edge of the nest, Tagg keeping his hand there to stabilize it. After a few attempts it manages to get the nest into the tree and it begins shuffling around in its new home. Tagg leaves it and climbs up onto the roof again, and sets to work cleaning and repairing the damage.
used Speak with Animals
.oO(Who are those that built the keep? Are they in any way connected to what goes on there now? And what were they trying to find in there? Something that would allow them to fortify their position in the mountains? Nychtheron? What or who is that? What are the moonchildren? Could that simply mean those that follow Demmion or something else? And so many names. I can't even remember them all. I should probably check with Darkar...
Where do go for the information though?)
*Thosar continues his prayers, as usual, feeling his connection with the Mother growing stronger. He polishes his armor and weapons as he ponders his next move.*
He steps inside the building and checks in with Mrs. Weatherby.
"Okay, the roof is back to the way it should be. Turns it was a robin.. I let it settle in the tree out back, I hope that's not a problem?"
She smiles.
"That's quite alright, and thank you very much."
"No problem."
Stepping back upstairs to his room, he sits for a few moments to warm up. After long enough he realizes how hungry he is and how it is caught in between lunch and dinner meal times at the boarding house.
.oO( Hm... I haven't eaten all day but dinner won't be served for another few hours.. what can I eat... Maelut's kitchen is probably open, but stew can only go so far.. I wouldn't mind having something different for a change.)
.oO( . . . )
.oO( What other Inns are around town? Blue Pumpkin, although I may or may not have set up a bad reputation down there the last time I dropped in. )
.oO( The Last Lich.. they served a mean roast beef if I remember correctly.. )
Looking back down at his stomach which gives an audible rumble Tagg chooses it probably the best alternative given the choices of waiting or another bowl of stew. Slipping a single gold piece into his pocket to pay for the meal he heads back downstairs.
"I'll be back soon."
He addresses Mrs. Weatherby before stepping out the door. With a speedy pace he heads to the inn, driven by hunger and the brisk air.
to Last Lich Inn
Tagg arrives back at the boarding house soon enough. Heading upstairs to his room he starts to sort through the equipment in his backpack and chest.
.oO( Hm.. I guess I don't need all that much.. Actually I won't need any of this stuff. )
He finishes searching through the things and then attaches the short sword sheath to his belt, the quiver to his back, and picks up the bow in his hand. He looks out the window for a moment. Deciding it is not too dark out yet, he heads out the door, trots down the stairs and walks out the boarding house door. Tagg hits the streets and begins to walk towards the gates, drawing his cloak closer to him.
to Elsewhere
Suddenly she wakes and looks about the room..a certain shiver comes over her as a gust of cold wind comes in from the window and she gets up to the close it.
With a click the window is locked and she walks back to her corner..a bit puzzled at why she woke from her meditation so early..
Than she notices that she is not in her wolf form but in her elven form for she couldn't have been able to lock the window if she was in wolf form.
She questions herself and slowly moves around the bed and sees the wolf sitting in her meditative circle.
She slowly advances and the wolf turns her head and looks back at her with her green eyes.
What is all this? Am I...
The wolf tilts her head to the side and looks at Anaya, then shakes her head and speaks.
[color=blue]No dear you are very much in this world...and this? This is the boarding house..where you are staying...where else would it be?[/color]
But you.. you are...
[i] You?
The wolf laughs.
Yes it is quite confusing i can imagine..but there is no need to be afraid
The wolf gets up and hops up onto the bed and sits now staring at Anaya at eye level. Anaya walks over and looks at the wolf.
I am sure there are many questions running through that little mind of yours..but do not confuse yourself or try to take on everything at once. Answers will come in time and this is just one of many visit you will have within yourself..
Anaya looks at her and pauses for a moment.[/i]
But you are me...well part of me...my wolf and this me is my elven ...than explain to me why we are separated like this.
Ahh very good question...
Well for starters..this is like this because you are like that. We are two parts...but the truth is there are actually three...
You see you have just recently recognized that there is something new inside of you..something very familiar yet very distant....
A new power if you will...but to understand that you must first understand who you are and accept that. You have accepted me as being you, but have you accepted you for being you?
I...I don't understand..
[i]Well you will... in time. This is just and introduction...
In the days to pass you will be met with a great conflict and to only be ready for that conflict you must first prepare yourself...
You will need a wood disk..no bigger than a gold piece. Mark it with a target symbol and place it on some woven twine.. you will need it later.
In the morning meditate in the forested grove..you know where and I will be waiting
With that the window flies open as a gust of wind blows through and she opens her eyes..finding herself in her meditation spot and in her wolf form.
She let's the energies flow to change into her elven form and walks or to close the window..slowly locking it.
She then quickly changes and grabs her bag and her bow and heads down the stairs, leaving the boarding house
To Elsewhere[/i]
Tagg trudges through the door and walks up the stairway.
.oO( Is rent due today? Yes I think rent is due today. I'll just give it to Mrs. Weatherby in the morning. )
As he comes across his room he opens the door and enters. When he gets inside he starts to take off equipment. He hangs up his armor, puts his bow and quiver in a corner, and puts his sword in the chest. He checks his pockets before beginning to undress, and finds the seeds. Tagg walks over to the window and takes a look at the big tree and sees the robin laying unmoving in its nest and decides to wait until the morning to deliver the food. He opens a side compartment on his backpack and pours the berries, seeds, and whatnot into it. He then takes off his cloak and boots and sits down on his bed, back propped up on the pillow. By this time of night even he is starting to feel taxed. Beginning to breath in deeply he begins to clear his mind. His breathing slowly shallows, and the sensation of semiconsciousness eventually comes over him.
==================
Tagg fades back into normal consciousness sometime early in the morning. He stands up and stretches for a few moments. He slips on his boots, cloak, and pours the seeds back into a pocket before heading downstairs, where Mrs. Weatherby is also just waking and is walking through the kitchen, beginning to make breakfast.
"Good morning, Mrs. Weatherby. I'll be right back in, just going outside for a few moments."
She nods and Tagg slips out the door. He slowly makes his way to the base of the big tree and looks up, spotting the nest.
"Hello there robin?"
The bird's head peeks over the edge.
"Do you remember me?"
He digs around in his pocket and holds out the seeds and berries.
The bird nods a bit and chirps as it flies down and slowly unloads the goods into its nest.
.oO( Strange.. Why didn't I understand it this itme? It obviously remembers who I am though and must have recollection of the deal if its dong this so easily.. )
Eventually the bird finishes and retreats back to its nest, chirps out the side of it, then begins nibbling at one of the berries. Tagg watches confusedly for a few moments, every once and a while saying a few words experimentally. The bird chirps after the first one word but seems to ignore the rest. Eventually Tagg shrugs, and head back indoors, where Mrs. Weatherby is in roughly the same spot as before. He approaches her and holds out some three gold coins.
"These are for the rent, I believe I'm almost on time."
Mrs. Weatherby chuckles.
"You're actually early. Rent isn't due for another couple days."
"Oh. Well maybe you can just take it and then I won't have to pay in a couple days. It gets rid of the chance I'll forget."
"Of course."
She takes the money, as Tagg looks around.
"So what's for breakfast today?"
"Some eggs, a few sausages, and bread."
"Hm.. it'd probably sound a lot more appetizing if I didn't still feel stuffed to the gills. I'll probably have some anyways though."
Mrs. Weatherby smiles politely and nods. Tagg heads back up to his room to pass some time before breakfast was ready. He takes his short sword back out and sharpens it again. Although since the edge was still quite keen it wasn't safe for the weapon to keep grinding on it for long. Tagg just walks back to his bed and catches the tree outside of the window as he sits down and falls back onto the bed.
.oO( Hm.. I wonder what that could have been. It obviously wasn't a hallucination in the first place, this confirms it. Wild birds don't act so friendly out of the blue. But what would have triggered such an odd event? Maybe let's review what happened... I had climbed onto the roof. I walked over to the robin. I had a strange urge to communicate with it. And I started speaking to it, and it spoke back.. maybe the key is the words spoken? No, no that can't be it. I must have shouted half the alphabet out there today. The language? When I talked to it we seemed to be speaking somewthing weird.. it wasn't Elven.. nor common. But.. I can't seem to remember the strange speech. Why? Something strange happened, that seems to be the only thing for certain here.. )
As he is lost in his thoughts he also loses track of time and when he snaps out of it breakfast is already prepared and the armoas waft through the air to meet his nose. He gets up again and heads downstairs where he consumes a tiny portion of eggs. After breakfast he helps clean it up before heading back upstairs to his room briefly. Still wanting to head out to the Silver Sword with his report, he decides to head down to Nobody's and hopefully pick up some witnesses of the occasion. He straps his short sword to his belt and slips a few coins into his pocket just in case something were to arise and heads back downstairs. With a farewell to Mrs. Weatherby he walks out the door and down the streets, tracing the well worn out path to Nobody's Inn.
to Nobody's Inn
.oO(I still need to check with her about that trip out of the city.)
*A few moments later the elf is quietly leaving the boarding house, careful not to wake anyone. He places six gold pieces where Mrs. Weatherby can find them, for his rent.*
To NMS
*Thosar nods to Mrs. Weathby as he hurries up to his room and collects his warhammers and dons his armor.*
.oO(When in a time of doubt, a good workout with a training dummy or a friend can be good medicine.)
*A short while later a geared up Thosar comes down and collects a few rolls from breakfast before he is out the door again, toward the Silver Sword.*
To SSAG
*Thosar arrives at a jog from practicing at the Silver Sword guild. He heads upstairs and drops off his equipment before heading to the bath for a scrub down. When he is finished he heads out into the day to pick up some items.*
.oO(While I have the money I should see to getting some better items. Perhaps a quick stop at the Iron Wolf armory will get me started in the right direction.)
To IWA
*Making it in quite a while before night is on, Thosar takes some time to pray to the Mother, giving thanks for all of his possessions and his very breath. A while later he joins Mrs. Weatherby for dinner.*
*Finished there, he heads to bed for a long night of rest.*
*she walks back up the steps of the boarding house and heads up to her room, taking off her cloak and placing her bow on her bed*
*she sits down on the bed and pulls out the flyer from the market and looks at it*
.oO(It might be good to go and relax...)
*she sets the paper on the stand next to the bed and gets her unfinished bow out and begins to owrk on it some more...*
*after a few hours she feels the pull of the energies once more and she set the bow aside and changes back into her wolf form*
*she lays on her bed for a while and rests waking after dark*
*she gets up and changes back into her elven form and changes into some clean clothes, grabbing her cloak and heads out of the boarding house and to the LLI*
After the Party
*she eneters back into the boarding house and says hello to Mrs. Weatherby. After talking with her and paying her rent for the next month she heads back upstairs and lays on her bed, eventually fallin asleep*
In the Morning
*she wakes and goes to her spot to meditate*
*after meditation she gathers her things and heads downstairs, leaving the boarding house*
To Elsewhere
To Market Square
.oO(I hope there is still time to scout the force in the pass.)
"Of course I would not charge you for the labor. I was gone for quite a while before and did not do my chores, as I had said I would. The stone will not be expensive, but it won't be cheap either. I will try to find a merchant in the Market Square that can give you a reasonable price."
"I appreciate that offering of labor and looking for a good deal. It certainly would be appreciated. I have been saving for a while to build the place, and I should have enough for materials, now that I won't have to pay for labor."
"And you have skill enough to build it? No offense intended, of course, I just want to make sure it will stand the test of time. I would not normally associate an elf with such work."
*Thosar nods and smiles.*
"No offense taken, I understand what you mean. I assure you, the craftsmanship will be acceptable. I used to do masonry as a way of living."
"Well, I'll go and have a look at the Market tomorrow, if you don't mind. There are some things I am still trying to get unpacked from my previous journey."
"No problem at all. I'll see you at dinner tonight then."
Having spent the evening and much of the night sneaking around the city, Minto escorts Brodda home.
"Thank yeh forr the lesson, Minto. Yeh doon't knoow how much Ah apprreciate the help."
"It's my pleasure to help out one so lovely."
Minto bows at the waist, tipping his hat. Returning to standing, Brodda kisses him lightly.
"Ah look forrwarrd teh moorre."
She smiles warmly, turns, and slips quietly into the house. Minto watches, smiling. When she is gone from view, he returns to the guild.
.oO(I wonder what Hermy's been up to while I've been out...)
[to Elsewhere]
from elsewhere
Tagg stumbles through the door, expression still one of deep thought from his experience at the park. He walks upstairs and goes into his room.
.oO( Relieve me? All she.. he? It... did was give me more burden... Confusing... )
He sits for another few moments lost in his thoughts.
.oO( Well.. obviously I can get nowhere with this at the time... Just focus on your tasks at hand... )
Determined to push the encounter out of his mind for the time being, he gets undressed and gets into his bed. Leaning back he begins to breathe deeply again, performing the routine ritual. Evetually he fades back into the semiconscious state. This time, however, with no voices, no images, no interruption.
===========
This morning
Tagg wakes up again early in the morning. He closes his eyes again, mind straying slightly but he soon pushes it away and stands up. Shaking his head he looks around the room and decides the equipment he should be taking with him on the kobold hunt.
He puts on his darker green shirt and breeches, then makes his way over to the other side of his room where his armor lay. He takes the next few minutes to don the suit over his shirt. Next Tagg fastens his worn black cloak over it all and moves to his chest where he gathers his short sword and scimitar, attaching their sheathes to their respective locations on his belt and shoulder. He kneels down by his backpack and sorts through the goods in it. He removes all but a single pack of leftover trail rations and a couple days worth of feed. Upon seeing the meager mix of dried food he had purchased for Brie, thoughts of his donkey arise.
.oO( Say.. some of this gear is a bit heavy.. and I bet some of the others might have a little more than they would deem comfortable to carry. It might be useful having another back to carry some gear. And I think he'd like getting out away from a stable for a while and see some new sights.. Sure.. I'll take him along. So long as noone makes him carry pies.."
He fastens his bedroll to the bottom of the pack then slips it on. Making the final preparation he puts the quiver of arrows on the shoulder opposite his scimitar and his bow attached above his backpack. He shifts around the encumbrance before heading out of his room and locking it behind him. He slips the key into one of his pockets and heads downstairs where Mrs. Weatherby, like clockwork, is busy making early preparations for breakfast.
"Hello, Mrs. Weatherby. And farewell I suppose."
She turns around at the odd statement and sees Tagg loaded with equipment.
"Oh?"
He explains the situation of Sorat Arlon and with a farewell heads out the door. He follows the streets to the market square to pick up a few things before going back to Nobody's.
to Market Square
*she enters the boarding house, sayin hello to mrs. weatherby as she enters and heads upstairs to her room, closing and locking the door behind her*
*she sets her things down next to her bed and lets the enrgies change into her wolf form than going back into elf form soon after*
*she picks up her yet unfinished bow and works on it through out the night, falling asleep on her bed after several hours of working on it*
*in the morning she wake bright and early and changes then opening the window to let Screech perch himslef on the windowsill*
*she smiles at her feathered friend and rubs his chest as she picks up her mess from the night before and puts it in the pile of wood shavings*
*she gathers her things and heads downstairs after getting dressed, saying good morning to Mrs. Weatherby before heading outside*
To Elsewhere
.oO(Maybe I should draw up documents for my tenants to specify what should be done with their things if they don't return from an adventure...)
She closes the door as she disappears behind it.
"Well, in order to stock a decent amount of wood, I would suggest having it at least the length of a man and as high and wide as myself. The height would be to the top of the stone, and I would suggest a pitched roof. That would allow for a little more storage room. If it were filled to half-capacity, that would be a fair amount of wood."
*Shoveling some dirt out of the way, the elf sees Mrs. Weatherby nod.*
"That sounds good. And what of the floor? Would you suggest having that be of stone also? I do not think it would due to have it remain dirt. There are too many burrowing rodents that may create a pest problem."
*After another shovel of dirt removes is deposited on the pile, Thosar looks up.*
"I agree completely. We can use slightly thinner stone for the floor, which would cost less but still serve an impossible obstacle for rodents. As long as you keep the door secure, rodents should not be a problem."
*With a nod, Mrs. Weatherby places the mug of water nearby and returns to the house. The elf remains for a few more hours, breaking up and clearing out the earth, in preparation for the foundation. At one pint he gets down on his knees and begins to clear out one corner with his hands. He speaks quietly to himself.*
"It has been too long since I worked the nuritioning soil. It will be good to work stone again."
.oO(He's a good, hard worker, that one.)
She smiles and continues about her tasks with Alesan.
She tosses and turns for what remains of the night with little sleep. At the earliest hint of the dawn, she gives up on sleep and prepares for the day.
.oO(What's disturrbin' ye, lass?) She asks of herself.
.oO(Ah doon't knoow. Noothin'. Soomethin. Aaach!)
.oO(Doon't knoow, eh? It's time teh go thrroough yeh'rre things then. Teh look at stuff frrom home that'll take yeh'rre thooughts back, that'll help ye teh focus.)
She raises an eyebrow.
.oO(Ye think Ah'm unfocused? Ah've been worrkin' harrd teh locate this mysterry man ferr Marrroc. Nearrly all me thoughts have been wrrapped arroound that.)
She shrugs.
.oO(Maybe that's the prroblem...)
Deep in thought, Brodda turns to the closet in her room and pulls everything out.
Hello, good sir. What may I do for you?
Good afternoon, madam. I was told that you might have a room for me to spend the cold nights of the winter season. Is it true?
Oh!
Of course. That is, as long as you can help out with the chores and pay the rent of the room. The food is free and served. The rooms are upstairs. Of course I will help with the chores and pay for the hospitality. I will go to my room now, if you don't mind. I'm just too tired to keep on walking.
Not at all. Feel free to do as you wish. Have a good rest.
I shall. Thank you.
[i]Tyros goes upstairs and enters his room. He looks around and sees the bed. he eyes to for an instance and walks over to it. He feels the soft material from wich it is made and sits in it. Tyros bounces a few time. .oO(Comfy... I wander if they use this to sleep... No matter, I will.) And without taking his clothes off, he goes to sleep, in the confy bed. [i]
---------Today--------
Tyros gets up, feeling a lot better. .oO(This contraption is a very useful one, indeed. I'm gonna sleep in it everyday. ) He goes downstairs, where the sweet scent of wafles fills the air. .oO(What is this smell? Food?) He greets Mrs Weatherby and sits down at the table. She serves him the wafles and a glass of milk. Tyros experiments the wafles, enjoying them a lot. He thanks Mrs Weatherby and leaves the Boarding house.
[To elsewhere]
.Oo(Ah came herre t'expand me storries and songs -- teh brring soomethin' new t'the clan.)
.oO(And what is that t'do with all the sneakin' ye've been dooin', spyin' on people?)
She adjusts her position, almost fidgeting, uncomfortable with her own questioning.
.oO(Ah like what Ah'm dooin'. Ah'm spyin' on the bad people, givin' inforrmation t'the good people. Ah'm helpin' this toown balance justice.)
.oO(Cerrtainly Merrcerr was a bad'un, but how d'ye knoow this masked man is?)
.oO(Surrely anyone who wearrs a mask is worrthy of bein' watched. He's clearrly hidin' soomethin'.)
.oO(Lass, we'rre all hidin' soomethin'.)
...
.oO(Even the luscious and beautiful Brrrodda has soomethin' t'hide.)
Brodda adjusts her position again in discomfort. Her left hand reaches up and touches the brass circlet on her head.
.oO(Let's not think aboout that, shall we?)
Her inner conscience doesn't reply. It, in fact, remains silent for quite some time.
.oO( Where could she be right now. I'd like to see her again sometime. Maybe she is a traveler and was only passing by. Maybe she's in trouble and I'm not there to help her. Maybe she... Oh I'm sure she's fine. She had a strange air about her. Oh, well. Tomorrow I've got go hunting again. Maybe I'll try something smaller now... I'll see what I can find.)
Lost in his thoughts, Tyros is quick to enter some kind of trance. He doesn't dream nor does he care about anything in the world. It's just an empty feeling that can take a person away into the oblivion. But Tyros had never felt that feeling before, not like this anyway. Time passes by without him caring. Finaly, after a few hours in that deep trance, he wakes up and feels compelitly restored, just as if he never went hunting that day.
.oO(I got to do this more often... Aww, it's still early in the morning... I bet it's not even past 1 o'clock yet. What shall I do? Maybe I'll just lay down in the comfy contraption and sleep... But I'm not sleepy. Guess I'll wander aimlessly around the town.)
Tyros steps out of his room and down the stairs he goes, trying not to make any noise, exiting through the door after that.
[To elsewhere]
[To Beyond the walls]
*she enters the boarding house and says hello to Mrs. Weatherby as she prepares dinner*
*she goes upstais and walksinto her room, locking it behind her and sits on her bed for a moment before picking up her bow and begins sanding the wood*
.oO(Not too long now and you will soon be finished and ready to be tested out..)
*she smiles and continues to work well into the night, taking a break about an hour in to go downstairs and eat dinner, returning back to her bedroom to work some more on her bow before heading to be*
------------------------------------------------------------------
*in the morning she wakes and meditates then changes into her elven form and picks up he bow to look at it*
.oO(It will need may 1 more day of sanding than soaked, sanded again and finished..)
*she smiles and wraps the bow in it's cloth and exits her room*
*she walks down the hall and draws water for a bath, adding some lavender to the water and than closes the door, strips and adds the coals before stepping in and soaking*
*the steam soothes her tense muscles and she relaxes for a while before washing her hair and body*
*after her bath she washes her clothing and drains the tub, then dries off, combs out her hair and ties it back into a braid as she looks in the mirror*
.oO(How will I be able to find out what Marroc is hiding....)
*she wipes some steam from the mirror*
.oO(If only I could change my appearance...)
*she looks at herself once more and then leaves the washroom, heading back to her room to change, placing her wet clothing out to dry*
*she picks up her things after dressing and heads out of her room and downstairs, grabbing an apple before heading out the door*
To Elsewhere
To Market Square
.oO( Well, this was a good day, over all. I managed to get some good rabits, but I missed five of them. That should never have happened. And that clanky Jereld has become a nice accointance. I was lucky to find a person like him: good hearted, honest and straight foward. I wonder if he knows anything about that blinky business... such an intelligence person like him should know things like that. *sigh* How i miss my father... I'm sure he would know what a blinky is... If it wasn't for those nasty orcs he would still be here to help me out. I wish I could just go out and hunt them down, one by one, and kill 2 times each of them. I just wish I... could... go... What was that adventuring business that Jereld was talking about? Maybe they can give me information about where I can hunt some orcs. I should try to go there in the morning... I think I'm good enough to take some of them down... I should go down there right now. But I'm so tired today... Oh well. I'll do that tomorrow. )
Tyros lays on the bed and quickly falls asleep.
.oO(I'm going to have to buy me some more. If I want to keep hunting, that is.)
He reaches for the door and makes a Sniff with his nose and then frowns.
.oO(What is this smell? I don't remember bringing any rabbit home... OH.... Must be time fo rme to take a bath. I'll take it when I go hunting.)
Tyros goes downstairs and has his breakfast, thanking Mrs Weatherby after doing so. He exits the boarding house with a hasty pace.
[To Elsewhere]
I'm beginning to wonder about my commitment at the guild. While I'm a member, have participated in several missions and get along with most of the other members, I'm not sure I really fit in. I should try and make some more time to spend at the guildhouse, get to know the others beyond seeing them as comrades-in-arms.
Finished with stretching, Ran does a breathing exercise and goes downstairs. He waves Mrs Weatherby a good morning and goes out, where he starts running towards the park, setting himself a solid pace.
"Thank you for showing me the way," Joseph says.
Joseph walks to the door and knocks.
I wonder how expensive it will be to lay low for a while.
Ran comes home after training, washes and changes and goes to the kitchen for some breakfast and a chat with Mrs Weatherby. An hour and three cups of tea later he's once again completely informed on what's going on in the city and the individual social situations of all the neighbours in a 3 street radius and decides to go out and take a look at the latest news at the Silver Sword before he's due at the Mystic Shop for his lessons.
He promises Mrs Weatherby to pick up a few things at the market on his way back from Natala's, grabs his healer's bag and sets out.
Forget laying low... you need money right now! If you had the gold to spare to shove into Big Bob's bloody hands, he would stop getting on your case.
Joseph turns around and heads back to the Last Lich Inn.
[to Last Lich Inn]
*Thosar arrives at the boarding house in time to catch Mrs. Weatherby leaving. He explains that he has negotiated the purchase of the stone and that he would be able to get it delivered the next day. She thanks him and departs, assuring him they can collaborate on the final plan for the structure later. He goes into the house and up to his room.*
.oO(I still need to secure the work for the roof. It'll have to wait until we get the final plan, but I should still look for a builder. One more thing to the list. I hope Natala isn't planning on leaving for Clerihew very soon.
*After depositing his new bolts in his closet, he takes heads back downstairs to see when lunch will be ready. After that he heads up for some combat form practice.*
Today the monk decides to forego his time at the guild house to go to the market instead. He's running out of ink and wants to bring back some tea as well, since he's been depleting mrs Weatherby's stock at an alarming rate. But first, it's time for sifu Rassul's training.
.oO(Should I have stayed at the shop? Natala insisted that she didn't need me there now, but... but...)
Walks to the kitchen to pick up a mug of apple juice and then sits down to the sofa in the sitting room. Sips the juice while continues thinking.
.oO(What if she needs to go somewhere suddenly, there will be no one at the shop. But she said she's okay, and it's not like she had always had help at the store. I just feel, it was wrong to leave so early.)
Harrumphs.
.oO(Weird things is this regular job doing to me. Never would have thought things like that. I need to get out of this city! The stagnancy is driving me crazy. Even more frustrating is that I know I am near figuring something out, but the answer escapes me again and again.
Like I was chasing after my own shadow... never catching it, always running after and grasping for it. And this place... I am inside the wheel, running, sprinting and striding but to no avail... I am stuck to the same spot.
I tire myself for nothing. I need to get out of here! I've been here too long!)
Takes a long sip from the mug.
.oO(Just couple of weeks somewhere else... anywhere. I wish so dearly I could just walk out of the door and and this city. Leaving behind all the stagnant, entangling matters.)
Sadness conquers his face.
.oO(But I can't do that... if not because anything else, because of Renna. I can't abandon her. She is just way too important to me. The only thread to innocent, non-frozen life.)
A single tear rolls down his cheek.
.oO(First time in my life I've tied myself to someone. And someone is dependant of me. I need to stay. Because of her. Only a cruel and evil person would leave her behind.
I need to find a solution!)
Looks at the fireplace with unfocused eyes.
.oO(Too much death. Too much death I've seen. Dozens and dozens lives lost for little. In many cases for utterly nothing. I can't allow myself to forget them. But the burden is too heavy. Life lost without meaning, like a flower picked and cast away.
I need Renna to survive. I need a way out of here.)
Buries his face to his hands.
.oO(What do Ah rreally knoow aboout him, eh? He and Herrmy are quite adept at sneakiness. Arre they liarrs too? Like he was?)
She frowns as she checks her coin purse and checks her weapons, choosing her daggers and tucking them away beneath her skirts. She struggles with the idea that Minto and Hermy might be dishonest. She shakes her head.
.oO(Noo, that... just can't be.)
She pictures Hermy on all his heroic deeds. Though the most heroic of his deeds she learned from songs written by Minto, she knows from her association with him that he's exactly what he appears to be, and then some.
.oO(Aye, Herrmy is an honest one, teh be surre.)
Her thoughts focus more on Minto, a knot forming in her belly as she tries to remember if he'd ever said anything to her that might indicate that he's ever been anything less than honest with her.
.oO(No, he's neverr said anything that woould make meh think such a thing.)
She frowns.
.oO(But then, neitherr did he.)
She grabs her cloak and heads out of her room and down the stairs.
.oO(But Minto's so sweet and smooth and charrming. He's wonderrful teh be with.)
She tosses on her cloak and exits the boarding house.
.oO(And so was he.)
Before going to the Mystic Store, Ran heats a couple of buckets of water and scrubs the upper floors and his own room. Still having an hour and a half left, he puts on his warm clothes again and goes to the market first to pick up some more paper.
.oO(Hmmm... verry nice. Yes. Hmm.)
She takes out her pipe and packs it, enjoying her first smoke of the day, sitting on the porch.
*Looking around at the buildings bordering the house, Tynk finally notices the sign of the inn he is look for. Spotting the Dwarf Casually smoking a pipe on the porch, he approaches her.*
"Excuse me miss...have we met?..."
.oO(...From the Ceremony to raise Hermy's wife, ah...she must at least know who Brodda is if she was there.)
"Yes,at the raising...Sorry, would you know one named Brodda?"
"Helloo therre. Aye, Ah woould be she."
She chuckles and lowers her pipe.
"You arre...?"
*Smiles to show his relief at finding her so easily an takes a slight bow.*
"My name is Tynk Waverstone of the Hightower, and friend of Hermy as well as member of the Silver Sword."
"I am glad to have found you so easily. Last night I spoke with Hermy, who asked me to help him locate his father."
"He said that yourself and Minto could be of great aid on this endevor."
"A frriend of Herrmy's, yeh say."
She raises the pipe to her mouth again and inhales deeply as she studies the youth. She lowers her pipe again.
"A pleasurre teh meetcha, Tynk. Herrmy's lookin' ferr his fatherr, is he?"
.oO(Ah didn'a knoow his was still alive. Ah'd assumed afterr his wife passed on that he was aloone, exceptin' Minto.)
"It woould be a pleasurre teh help Herrmy again. When is he expectin' teh be headin' off?"
"So it will be just you and I...and Minto if he so wishes to aid."
*Thinks a moment, his eyes darting back and forth for a second.*
"I am glad you will help, and I would like to get started immediately if that is ok?"
"Hermy said his brother had his father wrongfully charged with a crime and sentensed. The only things we have to go on are that Hermy, Hermy's father, is punished to work in one of the mines...and that his mother, Agathalos rest her, told him this."
"So which mine? what he was sentensed for? how can he be released?...These are the questions I have come up with that may point us in the right direction. I figured we should start at the palace, and as Hermy suggested talk to the Captain of the Guard?"
*Holds a hand out to help the Dwarf up.*
"What do you think?"
"Bein' a herro must be harrd with everryone needin' soomethin' frroom yeh."
She accepts Tynk's offer of help and takes his hand, hauling herself to her feet.
"Wait herre a moment, orr coome in and say hello to Mrs. Weatherrby, while Ah rrun upstairrs and gatherr a few things."
Without waiting to see which he does, and not even expecting that he might not wish to wait, she turns and goes into the house and up to her room. She checks her magical supplies and fixes the pouch to her belt. Then she checks her coin purse and adds a few coins to that, fixing it also to her belt. She checks that she has her ever-present notebook and writing tool. She slides the daggers into place and grabs her cloak. Checking her hair and placement of her circlet in the mirror, she smiles at her own reflection and nods.
.oO(Aye, everrythin' in its place.)
Then she returns to the main floor and says goodbye to Mrs. Weatherby.
"Ah'm off t'doo soome rreasearrch with Misterr Waverrstoone on behalf of Herrmy. Ah'll see yeh laterr."
Mrs. Weatherby simply chuckles and smiles, shaking her head at the dwarfess.
"Try to stay out of trouble, Brodda dear."
Brodda laughs good-naturedly and returns to Tynk.
"All rright, Misterr Waverrstone. Ah'm rreaddy teh be of serrvice."
She chuckles at herself, takes his arm as if he'd offered it, and starts pulling him towards the palace.
)"The palace it is then..."
*Thinks a moment.*
"Hermy said Minto may be of help, but perhaps we can ask him if we cannot handle this ourselves."
*Chuckles*
"With all the heroin' Hermy does I am sure on his behalf the officials at the palace would release the information we seek."
"And with all that has happened to the poor guy lately, I hope we could have his father freed before he returns from his outting with the future Jackal-scouts."
*Accepts her hand...or relinquishes his own rather...and they walk off twards the Palace talking the whole way.*
To Palace
Stays awake long into the night, crouched over a slim book borrowed from Natala. Read's carefully entries in the book, Ars Medicalis by Casligh. Burns occasionally a language comprehension spell to understand some of passages.
Sometime during very early morning (about around 4 am) finally gets to bed and falls asleep. Only to be immersed in a strange dream.
"Codrian is standing on a cliff over-looking a deep ravine, beside him is standing a trio of elves. He turns to look at them and sees every one of them looking solemly at him. There, side by side stand three elves that he knows from Garic: Ran the Monk, Darkar the Jackal and Anaya the Druid.
A lifetime seems to pass without anything happening, and then all three elves nod at the same time. Codrian nods as well and falls backwards...
To the bottomless ravine. As the walls stream by, he sees an immense shape creature swooping down after him, a huge copper dragon.
On and on and on, to the ravine he falls.
Dragon slowly gains him and with snatches him to its powerful talons. And Codrian sees a shade of himself continuing the fall down into the blackness. A grey whirling misty form that forms a word with its lips just before vanishing into dark.
'Sorry.'
Then all goes black, and then gain form again. Codrian is standing in the middle of a vast oval arena, ringed with tier after tier of seats, every single one of them filled with a half-elf. Turning around, Codrian sees his opponent on the arena. Himself.
Two Codrians stare at each other. One is wearing dark blue robes and a ring of stones whirling around his head, while a shimmering globe surrounds him. The other Codrian is inside a golden full plate mail with Thalos' symbols embossed on the chest. Both of Codrians draw a whip and with a crack two cords speed through the air.
Both whips strike and wrap around Codrians' throats. A crackle of energy, divine in one and arcane in the other one, pulses through the whip cords. With a clap of thunder Codrians morph into one being, who turns then to face the third enemy..."
Snaps awake, drenched in sweat and hair in an unruly tangle. Looks around and sees that it's already light outside, actually it looks like it's already past the noon. Gasps and hurries out of the bed.
.oO(How long did I sleep? I think I dreamed of something. Can't remember of what.)
Dresses quickly and heads then to NMS.
Mrs Weatherby: "Mr Enelevin. I think you promised to do something today. Do you agree?"
Uhm... yes. I'm very sorry that I forgot that. I'll get to the task right away.
Mrs Weatherby: "You do that, Mr Enelevin. The shovel and pitchfork can be found by the buckets."
Nods and resignedly walks out of the backdoor. Stops to remove his overcoat and boots to put on a leather apron and thick knee-length boots. Stomps over to the outhouse and gets down to the task of emptying the pit.
.oO(Now I am even more glad of the cold air. Though... this still smell awful. Couldn't she find anyone else to do this?)
*Thosar walks in the door whistling (or rather, attempting to) a tune and goes up the stairs to his room.*
.oO(I'll have to talk to Mrs. Weatherby about getting a better lock put on this door. I'm starting to accumulate quite a few valuable items.)
.oO(I don't think I'll be making that out building any time soon. Mortar doesn't dry so well in the cold. I'll have to speak with Mrs. Weatherby about that. She might have been banking on it being built in the spring anyway. Makes sense. I'll want to confirm that either way though.)
*Thosar moves over and dresses quickly. As he stands on the cold floor an itching sensation begins to crawl over his feet. He sits on his bed to examine them and discovers red bumps of varying sizes. He presses on one and it goes white for a while further irritating the itching sensation. He frowns and finishes dressing.*
.oO(I'll have to check with Natala about those. It wouldn't do to have some type of sickness if I were going to accompany her to Clerihew.)
*He moves out of the room, locking it behind him, then downstairs to look for Mrs. Weatherby.*
I should look into getting some kind of illustrations to add to this. Unfortunately, my drawing skills are only average at best and I wouldn't know where to start looking for someone with both the artistic expertise and the necessary knowledge of medicine to be able to do this well.
The monk goes through his stack of papers and works on an overview of what should be the contents when the work is finished for several hours, until it's time for breakfast. He clears his desk and goes downstairs to join Mrs Weatherby, Alesan and any of the other lodgers who may be up in the kitchen.
Originally posted by Thosar Lueque
.oO(I don't think I'll be making that out building any time soon. Mortar doesn't dry so well in the cold. I'll have to speak with Mrs. Weatherby about that. She might have been banking on it being built in the spring anyway. Makes sense. I'll want to confirm that either way though.)
*He moves out of the room, locking it behind him, then downstairs to look for Mrs. Weatherby.*
Thosar finds Mrs. Weatherby in the kitchen with Alesan, preparing breakfast. Upon hearing footsteps nearing the kitchen, she turns and smiles to Thosar, a wisp of hair tickling her cheek.
"Good morning, Thosar. I trust you slept well?"
She turns back to the shaping of the breakfast rolls as Alesan fries up slices of ham.
I need some kind of gloves or mittens. My writing becomes erratic when I let my fingers get so cold for too long. I'd better get moving, that'll keep me warm at least.
.oO(Ooh! Its a tad late ferr askin' ferr any supperr.)
*RUMBLE*
She heads for the kitchen, where Alesan is drying and putting away the last of the supper dishes. She smiles at Brodda, who returns the smile.
"Good evenin', Alesan. How was yeh'rre day?"
She and Alesan chat animatedly about things, as the girl gets out a few rolls and some gravy from supper.
After a while, Mrs. Weatherby comes by and shoos Alesan to bed then chats with Brodda as she washes her own supper dishes. They share some tea by the fire, then Mrs. Weatherby retires to her office, and Brodda moves quietly up the stairs and to her room.
.oO(Why can't it coome just a few hourrs laterr?) :sad:
She puts some coins into her pouch, puts her daggers in place, and grabs her recorder and cloaks, and heads down the stairs, gives Mrs. Weatherby and Alesan a brief but warm 'have a good day!', then heads out the door.
[to Nobody's Inn]
Oh, my! You're so dirty in mud and blood... Oh my! Blood? Where did you get those wounds? You should take a bath right now.
[color=green]
I'm okay but I'm too tired to find a river now. I'll take a bath tomorrow. [color]Don't be silly, boy! We a perfectly good bath tub here, why would you want to go to a river? now, should I arrange a bath for you?
Bath tub? You don't know what a bath tub is? Where were you born? in the jungle?
Well...
Come on, follow me.
But...
No buts! You'll take a bath right now or I'll throw you out of my house. Come on. It will be good for you.
Very well...
Tyros follows Mrs. Weatherby into the bathroom and watches as she fills the bath tub with water. It was one of those old styled bath tubs, painted in white. Tyros eyes the thing with confusion. Was he going to be bathing in there?
There! A warm bath for a worn out warrior. You should take off your clothes and get into the bath tub. Oh my!
Mrs. Weatherby lets the soop fall from her hands into the middle of the tub and tries to get a hold of it. Meanwhile, Tyros is undressing himself without any kind of problem with the woman being there. He undresses completely in no time.
Ah ha! Got you!
She turns to Tyros and sees him naked and quickly turns her eyes to the opposite side, very embarassed.
Well, i never! Put that thing away, lad! I swear you did grow up in a jungle.
What thing? well.. a.. that... thing... just put this in front of yourself!
Mrs. Weatherby hands a towel to Tyros who takes it and wraps it around himself, very confused at the whole situation.
There are certain things that you should keep for yourself! Dinner is in a while.
My apologies if i did anything wrong but... I was born in the jungle and I did grow up there.
Oh well, nevermind that now. Just be sure to get downstairs for some dinner. Take care now... and use that towel when you go to your room... at least that.
Mrs. Weatherby leaves the bathroom and Tyros is still standing there with the towel around his waist.
.oO(How am I supposed to bathe with this thing around me? Must be one of those foolish city costumes...)
Tyros gets one of his legs into the tub, noticing it to be warm, which is a good change, since he only had taken baths in the coolness of the river. He spents about one hour, resting in there, almost falling asleep. Then he wakes up, puts on his clothes and goes downstairs to have something to eat. His arms acking with the pain from his wounds, he finds it hard to take the food to his mouth. He then goes upstairs to have a good night sleep in that comfy thingy he has in his room.
.oO(That was good of the dwarf to give me that piece of stone to work with. It's been so long since I've worked stone; I don't want to ruin the stone that Mrs. Weatherby gets for her out building.)
*The cool water feels good against his face. Using his sleeve he cleans off his face and then slips out of his day clothes and into his night clothes. He walks across the cold wood floor and sits on the side of his bed as he collects his symbol of two dice. Again, an itching sensation covers his feet.*
"Damn."
*A quick glance reveals the red bumps again.*
"Well, I guess ignoring it didn't get it to go away. I'll have to go and see Natala tomorrow."
*The elf kneels at the side of his bed and holds the symbol before him in both hands. He breaths slowly in an out for a moment before speaking.*
"O Mother, hear the words of one of Thy pilgrims. Hear my thanks for all the bounty that has been poured out upon me. Hear my thanks for guiding decisions for the benefit of others, and myself, if only the guide was the cold breeze upon my face.
Hear the prayers of all of Thy pilgrims and guide them as You will. Hear the prayers of all of Thy creations, muted or aloud, and help them to Thy eternal rest."
*Another few slow breaths and the elf places the symbol under his pillow and then climbs into bed and tries to sleep.*
*He does not have to look much, as she is in the kitchen, preparing breakfast.*
"Good morning."
"Good morning to you Mr. Lueque."
*Thosar takes a seat at the table and helps himself to a few cakes and some pork. Before digging in, he speaks to Mrs. Weatherby.*
"Have you decided when you'd like to have the out building built, Mrs. Weatherby? I was over freshening up my skills with the dwarf that is going to sell you the stone yesterday."
*Adjusting her apron, Mrs. Weatherby continues to cook some pork for a moment before responding.*
"Well, I think it will take me at least another few weeks to be sure about spending the money. I had hoped to get it finished by this winter, but things didn't turn out that way. Now that it's winter already, I'm not in as much of a hurry to get it done. Didn't you mention you might be leaving the city sometime soon?"
*While she was speaking, the elf could not resist the tasty meal in front of him and swallows a mouth of pork before answering.*
"That's correct. I'm not sure how long I'll be gone, but it shouldn't be more than a few weeks. I'm heading to Clerihew, so it's not so far."
*The kind olf woman glances in the elf's direction at the mention of his destination, but she says nothing of what is on her mind.*
"Don't worry about the construction until you get back, at the earliest. I'll think about when I want it built in the mean time."
*The elf swallows down the last of his cakes with a glass of water then takes the dishes over to the counter.*
"That sounds good. I'll make it a point to not take longer than necessary. Thank you for breakfast. I have to get some things done this morning. Good day."
*The elf raps the cloak around himself again and heads out into the cold.*
To NMS
.oO(Ah! No more pain!
) He got his gear together since he never took his clothes off to sleep in the "comfy little thing" that he had in his room and wandered off to get his early breakfast. Arriving downstairs, he informs Mrs. Weatherby that he's off to hunt after he finishes his breakfast and goes away through the main door after filling up his stomach.
[To Beyond the City's walls]
Ran's participation in an out-of-town venture organized by the guild is requested. Initiator of the mission is Codrian Enelevin, who'll be coming along as well, and two other members of the Silver Sword have been sought out to round out the party.
The letter briefly explains what kind of conditions to expect and lists a few useful items which will be provided by the guild. Ran looks them over and decides he'll need just a few more things he'll have to pick up at the market.
The elf gives Mrs Weatherby a quick explanation, tells her he'll come and see her later tonight and goes to his room to collect his coins.
I'll need to buy a few things at the market, see Natala and Eric and get a replacement bouncer for the inn. Better get a move on.
[edited to get this post in before the following one]
Finances taken care of, Ran helps himself to a cup of tea which he takes upstairs with him. The monk quickly packs the things he wants to take with him and leaves everything ready for tomorrow before going to the Last Lich.
When he returns from the inn, Ran immediately undresses and drifts off in the rêverie, regaining strength for the trials to come.
.oO(This has become... tedious to me. To have friends such as Jereld and Kereld is a very good thing but they hardly can get out of their guard duty and when they do they have to go to sleep to be ready for the next morning's guard duty. Strange... with so many people in this city I know nearly noone. And the one place where I could probably try to get to know someone new, like that beautiful elf, is probably still angry at me. Ah but that beauty was certainly worth it. I still don't know where she is and I don't know most of the places this city has. I guess I'll go to the Inn to get my friendship back from that bartender. For now, I'll rest.)
[to Market Square]
[to Elsewhere]
.oO(This half-rest is draining me slowly, might by night. I need to find out how to rest like an elf. I'm not sure how much longer my body can handle this.)
*Slowly the elf rises and dresses. After securing his cloak and equipment he splashes some cold water onto his face then heads downstairs and out the door without eating.*
To Temple of Ordemetrex
Brodda enters the house and, after greeting the kindly homeowner as she picks up some things in the main room, she takes her new purchases up to her room and sets them on her bed. Then she looks around her room for a moment.
"It seems like forreverr since Ah've been herre. My, its been a long day."
She takes a deep sigh, then gets to work.
Removing her cloak and draping it over the chair, she removes her weapons, pouches, and other miscellaneous items from her person, and sets them on the desk.
Then she makes a space on the bed and makes sure her pack is empty then checks it for any holes, stains, or other damage. She gets a whiff of it and wrinkles her nose.
"Whew! Pack, yeh need a bath!"
She takes it, at arms length, to the washroom.
"Ah shoould set that nearr the firre doownstairrs teh drry..."
"Not too closely or the heat will damage it."
The voice comes from the doorway. Brodda turns and smiles at Mrs. Weatherby.
"Ah was gooin' teh coome find yeh in a bit, Missus Weatherrby."
The older woman smiles.
"I see you're off on another trip soon?"
Brodda nearly blushes.
"Aye. Ah'm meetin' Minto at dawn. Ah doon't knoow how long we'll be gone. Ah left beforre Ah foound oout."
She narrows her eyes in gentle suspicion.
"Yeh doon't knoow wherre the salt mines arre, do yeh? Yeh seem teh knoow odd things soometimes."
Mrs. Weatherby laughs softly.
"I'll take that as a complement! And I understand they are a few days ride from here."
She gives Brodda a bemused smile. The dwarfess chuckles and shakes her head.
"A few days rride means at least a week's hikin' at a goodly pace."
She frowns.
"A cooupla weeks therre and back. Ah'll hafta trravel light teh carry that much food. And Ah was hoopin' teh fill a cooupla skins with ale. But Ah cann'a carry enoough ale ferr two weeks."
Mrs. Weatherby's face assumes a knowing expression that Brodda finds odd, but the widow leaves the room before she can ask.
She returns to the main room downstairs and finds that her backpack is mostly dry. She takes it upstairs and packs it. She checks over her travelling outfit, including the security of its many pockets, then lays it out for morning.
Finally, quite tired and finished for the night, she changes and climbs into bed for a few hours of sleep.
In the kitchen, Brodda leaves payment for her rent with a note, then heads out the door and off to the stables to meet Minto and Daron Haldar.
Tagg heads into the boarding house, glad to be home once again. Seeing Mrs. Weatherby's office door closed, he delays his greeting and heads upstairs to his room. Droping his backpack and putting away his weapons, he takes out his bag of coins from the adventures' loot and puts it in his chest. Tagg spends the day moslty keeping to himself, some wounds still bothering him from the kobolds.
Over the next week, Tagg catches up on chores and rent by giving Mrs. Weatherby enough gold to pay for a couple weeks' rent and washing the floors.
He spends the next several days hanging around the boarding house, going out for a bit here and there - he stopped by the armory to purchase some arrows to refill his spent quiver from the adventure, and one of the days in the market he buys a nifty cloth pouch to store some of his items in a less bulky form than a backpack.
As the next week or two dwindle by, Tagg pays up the appropriate rent, and catches sight of some of the new tenants at the boarding house.
.oO( Hm Mrs. Weatherby has been having a good bit of business while I've been gone.. )
He spends several days helping prepare breakfast, resting in his room, and enjoying tea and chatting with Mrs. Weatherby and some of the other boarders.
Eventually, Tagg finds himself all rested up and refreshed from the adventure. Sporting his leisure clothes, he heads out of the boarding house for a day in the city.
[ooc=caught up with GsC time.. paid 12gp total to mrs weatherby for rent, went out to buy arrows (2gp) and a belt pouch (1gp)]
[to last lich inn]
Tagg comes through the front door and finds Mrs. Weatherby in her favorite chair. He approaches her and takes a seat on the sofa opposite of the elderly woman.
"Hello, Tagg. How are you tonight?"
"Greetings, Mrs. Weatherby. Oh, just fine."
"But I just got done with a meeting with Aramil from the Silver Sword at the Last Lich. Turned out he's looking for help to exterminate some thing that's terrorizing a dwarven shrine of Ordemetrex northeast of here."
"Oh?"
"Heh.. well, I agreed to go with him. Just letting you know that I'll be leaving tomorrow for a bit."
"It seems you just got back from that other adventure.."
"Yeah... But this an opportunity I don't want to miss. If I make it back, Aramil says I'm guaranteed a spot in the guild."
Mrs. Weatherby seems to be a bit concerned at his use of 'if,' and Tagg too is a bit surprised at his choice of wording.
"Well, if it's that important to you, off you go. I'll hold your room for you."
She manages a smile.
"Thanks. I'd better go and get some rest.. I don't know when the next time I'll be able to spend a night in a warm room will be."
"Yes, yes. Good night, Tagg."
Tagg heads upstairs to his room, putting away his sword,wine, and spare coins. He sits atop the cozy bed and fades into his trance.
¤ ¤ ¤
In the morning, Tagg takes the opportunity to take a bath and clean his clothes and wash his blades and sheaths. Afterwards he takes about a half hour practicing in his room, slashing a few times in the air and going through a few simple maneuvers. He heads downstairs and eats a filling breakfast with Mrs. Weatherby, Alesan, and a handful of other boarders. Then he heads back upstairs and suits up, grabbing his weapons, donning his new beltpouch with a few varied objects and coins in it, and takes up his backpack containing some rations and feed for Brie, then picks up his bedroll which he would also have the donkey carry. Sliding back downstairs, he says a final goodbye to Mrs. Weatherby before leaving and walking down the streets to Nobody's Inn.
{to Nobodys}
.oO(It's almost warm enough to start up work on the out building again. By the time Natala and I get back most likely. And then to study more at the temple. There are many secrets that I have yet to discover about Her ways.)
*A while later, after cleaning up, the elf can be found studying some notes that he had made from texts at the Temple of Ordemetrex. He lays some sheets of parchment out next to each other, seeming to look for connections in different passages. After a few moments he speaks one of the passages out loud to aid in the process.*
[Font=Courier]"And these dwarves, entranced by the arcane call of magick, began to study it, and to seek Thalos as the divine agent of this magick and their connection to it."[/FONT]
*Shifting in his seat, Thosar ponders to himself.*
"Dwarves that seek to study magic? I've hardly heard of such a thing. I wonder if this is something that became lost over the years."
*Resting his eyes on another parchment, he reads again.*
[Font=Courier]"Thus they were transformed, being molded by their seeking of these magicks, and though they had not much changed, they were no longer called by their former name."[/FONT]
*Glancing over this passage a few times, Thosar leans back in his seat.*
"No longer dwarves? But what then? Magic transformed them... but perhaps not completely. Still short perhaps, stocky maybe, similar to a dwarf..."
*Turning his head to look at the wall in thought, his gaze passes through it to a familiar inn that he used to frequent. His mind wonders back to a time when a certain short fellow used to entertain himself by hanging on a coat hook there. He smiles to himself.*
"Of course. Gnomes. It makes sense now. Gnomes used to be dwarves, and then they were transformed by magic. Incredible."
*Shaking his head, Thosar puts his notes away for the night, says his prayers to the Mother and goes to bed.*
.oO(I have so much more to learn about the Mother's plan. Hopefully I'll be able to get some more notes from the Temple before too long. Perhaps I could even speak with one of the priests there.)
*A small rap on the door brings the elf out of his thoughts. He gathers his dishes and puts them on the counter, then opens the door. He is surprised to see the twins from the guild.*
"Master Thosar."
"You need to go to Natala's shop."
"For an emergency."
"Right away."
"Hermy's in trouble."
*His mind suddenly julting to the present, Thosar's eyebrows furrow.*
"Thank you boys. I'll leave right away."
*Thosar jogs upstairs to his room and starts packing.*
.oO(Hermy in trouble? Where could he be? I don't think I've heard news from him in a while. I wouldn't have thought there was much he couldn't get out of.)
*Finishing his packing, Thosar dons his holy symbol over his armor, puts his backup over his shoulder, along with his shield, and carries his warhammer in hand. He locks his door and heads downstairs and out the door.*
Items packed:
MW Studded Leather
MW Wooden Shield (Heavy)
Magic Warhammer
Light hammer (2)
Light Crossbow (10 bolts, 10 MW bolts)
In backpack: Amulet of Health, bedroll, rations (3 days), waterskin, Holy Water (1 vial), Sunrod (2), Salve of Slipperiness, belt pouch (containing 50 gold pieces).
Finally, after returning her pony to the adventuring guild, Brodda reaches the boarding house she calls home. She goes in, drags her weary body up to her room and unlocks it. She drops everything by the bed and heads for the washroom and bathes, luxuriating in the warm, soapy water.
After she's cleaned up, she returns to her room, tosses her traveling clothes in a corner of the room for washing, then climbs into bed for a good sleep.
And sleep she does. Well into the next morning.
After lunch, Mrs. Weatherby shows to Brodda some drawn up plans for a luxurious garden that will surround the house. Figuring that the bard is a dwarf, yet nearly human in her compulsion for cleanliness, Mrs. Weatherby figures Brodda might enjoy a bit of planting and gardening. Brodda smiles and agrees to help out once this issue with the Hermy's is settled.
In the evening, Brodda returns to her room and puts away her gear, washing what needs washed. Then she sits down by the window and works on sharpening her blades.
Long into the night, Brodda retires.
After breakfast, Brodda writes a note and hands it, carefully folded, to Alesan.
The note reads:
My dear Doctor Chandl,
Greetings to you! I trust business is going well (considering the state of politics in this town, I'm sure it is!)
I would very much like to have a meeting with you, at your earliest convenience. A friend of mine has a situation and I need your guidance, if you are willing.
Until then,
Brodda
Mrs. Weatherby's Boarding House
After seeing the note off, she takes her blades and whetstone outside to the back porch and works again on sharpening and honing them.
Originally posted by Brodda
The next day, Brodda has breakfast downstairs and, after some discussion, Mrs. Weatherby agrees that Alesan may deliver a message to Dr. Chandl for Brodda as she's running other errands for Mrs. Weatherby.
After breakfast, Brodda writes a note and hands it, carefully folded, to Alesan.
The note reads:
My dear Doctor Chandl,
Greetings to you! I trust business is going well (considering the state of politics in this town, I'm sure it is!)
I would very much like to have a meeting with you, at your earliest convenience. A friend of mine has a situation and I need your guidance, if you are willing.
Until then,
Brodda
Mrs. Weatherby's Boarding House
After seeing the note off, she takes her blades and whetstone outside to the back porch and works again on sharpening and honing them.
A runner for the lawyer's guild brings a letter to Brodda later the same day.
My dear Brodda,
I am delighted to hear from you. As it happens, I have a concern of my own which could make use of your unique abilities. If you could come by the guildhouse today, I would be happy to discuss the matters.
Yours,
Dr. Chandl
I will gladly join you very soon.
Until then,
Brodda
She hands the reply to the runner, then goes upstairs to clean up. A few minutes later with daggers in place, her axe at her hip, and a few coins in a pouch on her belt, she grabs her cloak and heads out of the house and towards the lawyers guild.
[to be resumed later in Elsewhere]
After washing, changing, and brushing, she finds she has a few moments to visit with Mrs. Weatherby before Minto is expected.
.o0(Should I cast my cleaning up spell now, or save it for after the Blue Pumpkin? Hmmm, I'd better wait. I look kissable enough now, but who knows what will happen there?)
Minto knocks on the door, double checks himself yet again, and then smiles.
"Hello, Oh! I've seen you before. You're here for Brodda."
She grins and opens the door wider, taking a step backwards to let him in.
"Please come in. She's in the other room visiting with Mrs. Weatherby."
"Indeed I am. Minto Newberry, halfling bard extroidinaire at your servive Miss."
He smiles at Alesanas he enters. "You must bel Alesan. Word of your beauty was not exagerated."
He looks around the room, still smiling.
"I'm not interupting anything important am I? I could come back later if they are discussing something serious."
"I'm sure going out for a night on the town can wait until, well later at night."
"Oh, they are just passing time, Mister Newberry. By all appearances, Miss Brodda is quite ready for you."
She leads Minto into the other room where Brodda and Mrs. Weatherby are indeed chatting away.
At the sound of approaching feet, Brodda turns in her seat and smiles warmly at the sight of Minto.
"Minto darrrlin'! How wonderrful yeh look!"
She stands and takes Mrs. Weatherby's hand.
"Missus Weatherrrby, thank yeh forr visitin' with meh while Ah wait. It was lovely as always."
Mrs. Weatherby only smiles, knowing its likely that Brodda may not be returning to the house to night.
Brodda turns back to Minto, her skirts swirling about her.
"Shall we be off, Misterrr Newberrrry?" ;)
"A pleasure to see you again, ma'am."
He turns to Brodda and grins. "And a pleasure to see you again too Miss Brodda."
"Thank you for the compliment, but compared to your lovliness I look like, well, I still look pretty good."
"But you look divine."
Minto moves up next to Brodda and kiss her on the cheek, and then looks at Mrs. Weatherby and Alesan, blushing. "Sorry. I just couldn't control myself."
He takes Brodda's hand and then kisses her cheek again grinning. "Now I'm ready to go."
.oO(How absolutely adorrable he is when he blushes!) :D
She bids the others goodnight after the second kiss, takes Minto's arm and steers him toward the door.
"Blue Pumpkin, herre we coome!"
She giggles at her silliness as they head away from the boarding house.
[to the Blue Pumpkin Inn]
As she gets cleaned up, she hums a merry little tune, not even aware as she goes about the task that its her time with Minto that is making her so chipper.
She changes into standard street clothes, loose leggings and a billowy blouse, with a green sash for a belt.
She looks at the items on her bed that need tending to: two recorders. She stands there for a bit, just considering them, realizing she's making up her mind to carefully box up her old one in favor of carrying around the new one.
.oO(Ah've had that old one since... well, since Old Mossface carrved it forr meh. Ooh how Ah miss that grrumpy, stoone-faced dwarrf! He was a good teacherr and mentorr. He was gettin' on in yearrs when Ah left.)
She frowns with the next thought.
.oO(Ah hoope he stays gettin' on forr a loong time yet. They'll be sendin' forr meh soon afterr he...)
The beginnings of a knot develops in her belly as the sadness of the thought begins to creep into her jolly mood.
.oO(He's too stubborrn teh go. And too well loved. He'll be arroound forr a loong while yet. No need teh be worryin' aboout it.)
That cheers her up a little and she resumes her humming as she picks up the old recorder. She holds it tenderly, carressing its worn smoothness and running her fingers over the holes. Finally she wraps the recorder in a soft cloth and sets it in a safe corner of the small closet in her room with a few of the things she travelled to the city with and won't need again until she leaves.
She carefully closes the drape covering the closet, as if letting it drop too quickly might disturb the things stored inside.
She moves to the bed, picks up her newer recorder and drops it into its holstering loop at her waist. She pats it, then her thoughts move on to other things -- like her money pouch.
She dumps the coins on her bed, counts them, then pulls some coins from her reserve, letting them drop on the bed as she counts them. She drops them into her pouch, tucking it inside her blouse, then counts out a few more coins to pay for her rent.
She stands upright, places her weapons strategically on her person, then heads downstairs, locking her door as she goes.
Heading into the kitchen, she hands her rent to Mrs. Weatherby, who drops the coins into a pocket in her apron and smiles knowingly at the dwarfess.
"You are planning to eat something before you go out again, I trust. Here."
She sits Brodda down and hands her a breakfast roll and a bit of sausage, then settles a cup of tea in front of her.
Brodda wouldn't dream of arguing with the lady of this house. She complies and has a bit of nourishment as she tells Mrs. Weatherby about her night out.
After a bit of giggling and gossiping, and the pseudo-breakfast finished, Mrs. Weatherby sees fit to send Brodda on her way.
[to the Temple of Ordemetrex]
(Though you may talk with each other like friends, nothing requires him to keep in touch with you. But I'm glad to have passed this day in his company,)Oo. she thinks with a wan smile.
"Thank you, Lucian," she says to his back.
Lucian leans on his walking-stick.
"I was wondering... do you have any plans for tomorrow? I could show you around the city."
He smiles winningly.
She glances past him at the door.
"Do you suppose no one's home?"
"It looks like someone is coming!"
"Can I help you?"
"Hello Mrs.Weatherby, It's Lucian."
the Kindly lady opens the door and greets them with a smile.
"Lucian?"
"Yes, I came to see if Brodda was in once."
"Oh... Yes. Who is your friend?"
"Good afternoon, Mrs. Weatherby," she says pleasantly. "My name is Esmet Corelli, and I was wondering if you might have any space available for rent."
"I do indeed. There are a few rules, however."
She looks at the two.
"Well then, come on in."
Mrs.Weatherby brings the two into the kitchen and set about making a pot of tea. Lucian follows quietly and respectfully.
"The fee will be three gold a week, if you're willing to help with chores. These old bones cannot hold the fort my themselves."
She smiles and pours them some tea. Lucian smiles his thanks and sips quietly.
"One more thing, though? Do you require your tenants to stay with you for any length of time? If I can rent or lease a space to sell bows, I might just spend my nights there as well, you see, so... if I could rent a room from you for a week or two while I look around..."
She sips at her tea.
"My only request is that you try not to come in too late at night."
.oO(I suppose I can just as easily wake early for practice.)
She glances briefly at Lucian, then returns to Mrs. Weatherby.
"Would you like my rent now, before I put away my things, or at the end of a week's time?" Esmet asks with a smile, pulling out her coin pouch.
"Perferably up front but whenever your ready."
Esmet hands the woman three gold, then stands, leaving her pack on the floor beside her chair for the moment.
"Lucian, I'm sorry to have consumed so much of your day. Do you need to go soon?"
"Not really. I actually don't have any plans for the rest of the day. What do you intend to do now that you're here?"
"After I put away my things, I think I should visit the churches before dinner. If you're interested in paying your respects as well, I would enjoy your company.
"Now, Mrs. Weatherby, could you show me to the room?"
"Oh, yes, certainly. Follow me," says the old woman, leading Esmet out of the room and slowly two flights upstairs.
"Now I hope you'll like your room. There's a very nice view..."
Out of earshot of the young man, Mrs. Weatherby trails off mid-sentence.
"Ahem. Nice boy, that one," she begins conversationally.
Esmet carefully sets down her pack in her room and answers simply, "Yes, I think so, too."
.oO(Should I change out of my armor? Much as I'd like to get out of it, it might be safer around the city.)
"Thank you, Mrs. Weatherby. The room is lovely, and I like the view. The building across from us is very... quaint."
"Oh, splendid! I thought you might like it. Now let's not leave the young man all by his lonesomes. Come, come," beckons the old woman and turns. Her voice calls from the hall. "Lucian, would you like some more tea?"
Esmet shakes her head, wearing a brief smile, then lays her bow and quiver of arrows across the bed.
(I can probably get away with just my sword.)Oo. she thinks and follows the woman downstairs.
She looks to Lucian.
"Coming?"
oO. (Why not?)
Lucian finishes his tea and smiles.
"Lovely to see you again Mrs.Weatherby but I should be on my way. Do tell Brodda I said hello!"
He follows Esmet out.
"What do nyou think?"
"But I'll have to see about opening my business soon. I can afford a few more weeks with her, but without an income..."
.oO(Ah, I forgot to ask her if she knows what sorts of procedures that entails.)
.oO(Wait, which church are we visiting?)
"Lucian, where are we going?"
"I'm begining to follow the mother's path in the middle, but whatever church you want to go to is fine."
"If the Mother's temple is closer, we can visit her first," Esmet offers as they walk down the street.
.oO(I know not everyone means them to be, but... they're so indifferent. Like the person shrugging doesn't care for anything or anyone.)
C'mon, meanie, we're going to Elsewhere, the Temple of Ordemetrex, or to the Church of Agathalos, depending on your answer! :P It's like a Choose-Your-Own-Adventure book!
"You really don't like being in control, do you?"
.oO(Better sneak in quietly and wash up before Mrs Weatherby sees me. I'll let her know we're back and then go to the Lich. I can take a real bath there.)
And so the elf proceeds, slipping up the stairs unnoticed to go to his room. He uses the cold water in the basin in front of the small mirror to clean himself up as well as possible, tosses the muddy remnants out the window (making sure not to douse anyone in the process) and changes into his last, clean, outfit.
Looking rather more acceptable, Ran goes downstairs again and finds his landlady in the kitchen. She is quite happy to see him returned safe and sound - the planned bath has to wait until he's had a nice cup of tea with a biscuit and told her how they fared. Only an hour later and with the promise of telling more at dinner does she let the elf go off to settle the rest of his business.
Once Tagg makes it home, his first priority is to get himself a bath and unequipped. Mrs. Weatherby is evidently in her office. Just as well, the elf reasons, as he is not quite hyped up about making a return greeting before cleaning up. He heads up the stairs and to his room. As soon as he gets in, he plops down on his bed, sitting on the end next to the chest. Tagg empties out his pockets of trinkets and unattaches the items off his belt - except for the wand he recieved from the dwarves, which he places next to him on the bed. After removing sheathes of weapons and getting out of his armor, he turns his attention to the wand.
For some reason he is drawn to holding it - he gets a touch of the same serene feeling that he immediately recognizes from his meditations in the woods.
"...this wand holds ten castings of a healing spell."
The priest had said. A healing spell, should be quite useful. Tagg specifically recalls memories from his goblin hunting exploits, the moments where considerable blood had been shed... Magic means of curing certainly would have been handy there.
After forcing himself to put the relic carefully down, he takes up his spare set of clothing and heads into the bath chamber. After some effort in filling up the basin with water manually, he undresses and steps inside. After bathing and cleaning his set of exploring clothes, he gets into the lighter spare suit. He empties the basin and leaves the clothes to dry as he heads downstairs, where Mrs. Weatherby is now resting on her favorite chair.
"Oh, hello, Tagg! When did you get back?"
"Hi! And about an hour or two ago."
Tagg makes his way closer to the woman.
"I'm glad you've made it back safely. Did things work out with that, err, Aramil fellow?"
"Kind of. We slew the creature that was in the shrine, though Aramil doesn't seem to have gained the respect he had wanted among the dwarves."
She musters a slight frown.
"The respect of others can be a fickle thing. Difficult to gain, and simple to fade away... But at least you all got back safely, which is the important thing."
After a short bit more conversation, the elf dismisses himself and heads upstairs to get some rest, and he is eager to fade into semiconsciousness as he is sure the soreness in his muscles will start to fade away with it.
~~
Over the span of the next week, Tagg spends his time mostly around the boarrding house. He helps to prepare the occasional meal, talks some more with the other tenants, and is assigned to look into a creaky floorboard in the hallway. Turns out the plank was simply missing a nail. The time passes quickly enough.
~~
The next several days he spends similarly basically, though he spends some more time outside. He heads out simply to investigate the nature, get some fresh air, and practices his combat by fencing with an imaginary foe. As night begins to fall on the seventh day, after a hard workout, he recalls a sign at the adventuring guild mentioning a training room... free to use by members. Thinking of which, Aramil had mentioned clearing the shrine as possibly enough to warrant admittance, something he had long aspired to.
Yeah... I'll have to head by there.
He starts to walk towards the street, and even though his vision is basically the same as always, the brisk air and lack of activity reminds him it is night. Best to check it out in the morning, he concludes, and heads inside for the night.
~~
The next morning, Tagg gets dressed, eats breakfast, and then heads out the door. He walks eagerly through the streets that have grown more and more familiar each time he walks them. Testing his knowledge of the layout of the city, he tries an alternate route to the guild, passing through the park and around the Hightower.
{to SSAG}
Once in the room, looks around and nods. Takes the copper disk and hangs it to one corner. Then kneels down in front of it and spends few minutes praying.
After praying, walks back downstairs and to talk with Mrs Weatherby.
Fitful because thoughts like
.oO(When is stealing or robbing all right to do? According to Agathalos, it should never be right. But if it's for a noble cause, then does the end justify the means?)
She wakes early with the sunrise, but only lies in bed, thinking .oO(I don't wanna train this early in the morning. Tomorrow. Tomorrow, I promise.)
Eventually, she rolls out of bed and back into her armor. Again, she picks up her sword and regards both the blade and her long hair thoughtfully. But she sheathes her sword instead and makes her way downstairs, plaiting her hair as she waits for Lucian's arrival.
Suddenly, she spins, her blade slicing an arc across her front, then she thrusts it low before her, slashing high. She pulls the sword back slowly, holding it parallel to her free arm, as she falls into a low crouch. As she straightens her sword arm, pointing the gleaming blade into the sky, she thinks warm-faced,
.oO(I should probably put this away. If anyone sees me fooling around like this, they'd laugh my head off.)
She stabs the sword into the lawn, then leaps over it in a flying kick. As she falls to one knee, she pulls the blade from the ground and cleaves straight down over her head.
Shaking her head, she rises and re-sheathes her blade. She begins to stretch out her arms as she walks around the yard.
.oO(I need more practice.)
'Good morning Esmet."
Lucian leans on his walking stick
"There is a weapons shop and a mystic store as well as a park that I quite enjoy."
"The last three sound good to me. Lead on, Mr. Tour Guide."
.oO(I'm getting pretty good at eating with a fork and cleaning after myself. I'm proud of myself...
)He exits the building, feeling the fresh hair of the streets run through his face.
He goes to the stables to see how Hunter is doing. The mule is eating happily in his cubicle.
[elven]Hello. How's your leg?
Tyros smiles as the mule gently bites the edge of his cloak and beats his paw against the hard ground.
[elven]Good. Ready for another ride out, little friend?
Hunter nods its head enthusiasticly.
[elven]Let's go then!
[To Outside the City Walls]
.oO(I don't know if I should believe the mother or not. I believe in nature and if the priest is right, the Mother is nature, so it exists. The balance is a bit catchy, since it might not be fair. I was saved a long time ago by the sacrifice of my father's life. There's a balance in there. But I don't think there will be a balance when I go to the mountains to face the orcs. Or maybe there will because they have killed too many people... they are evil and all that is evil should not exist. So it's a right thing to do. That magic business is the one eating my head, though. People weren't meant to fly, were they? But I guess it would be fun to fly :D And what other things can one do with magic? There's something I'd like to learn. How does magic work and how can a person manipulate it. I should try to find out more about these things. The wizard mentioned something about studying books. if I remember correctly, Father had two books with him, from which he taught me to read. But I don't have much experience in reading... I'll probably ask the clerk if i can read books. And what did he say about a wizard mentor? ... Oh, right! I could have a wizard to help to learn magic. Maybe i should try to find one of those wizard mentors. Might be interesting... I'll do all that tomorrow, when I'm done with my hunting. I think I'm going to enter that weird sleep. I know this feeli...)
Tyros head tilts slowly to the support of his left shoulder.
He wakes up the next morning, fresh and with renewed strenght. He gets downstairs to eat his breakfast and have a pleasant conversation with Mrs. Weatherby about the weather and about the forests and animals.
He then sets out to the stables to get Hunter and then onwards to the woods around Garic's.
[to Beyond]
Mr. Elessar!!!
Tyros almost falls backwards at the strenght of the yell, the cub starts barking at Mrs. Weatherby and the owl starts flying in circles around the kitchen, owling (hehe) madly.
What are all these animals!?
Tyros gets back to his feet and frowns at the question.
An owl and a baby wolf.
The elder woman sighs loudly and starts yelling at the owl to stop flying in the house. Tyros starts rubbing the wolf behind its ears to silence it. The owl eventually lands on top of the small table in the corner, quiet as ever.
I thought I told you not to bring anymore animals in here. The snake you brought the last time you went adventuring was quite enough, don't you think?
Yes, my fair lady, but that was an accident, I told you. It sneaked into my backpack and I wasn't aware of it until I was showing you my herbs. I said I was sorry about it hissing at you...
Well, it doesn't matter. Why did you bring these two... furry things in here? Were you expecting to keep them in my house?Tyros ponders for awhile.
Yes.
Right before Mrs. Weatherby was going to blow off again, Tyros begins to explain his reasons for bringing the animals inside. He tells her about the orcs, about the hunt, about the miracle that happened and the pitty he had felt of the poor wolf. In the end of the story, the anger from Mrs. Weatherby had lifted and she was sitting in a chair, at the table, looking at the owl. She looks at the floor and then to Tyros, who was leaning at the wall.
I'll let you keep these animals inside, for as long as they don't disturbe any of my guests. One complain and you'll have to find somewhere else for them to live. Was I clear?
Tyros nods in agreement and watches with joy as the little wolf goes over to Mrs. Weatherby to lick her face as she laugs. Tyros takes the owl in his hand and the wolf in his free arm. He then goes upstairs into his room. He closes the door so as to not let anyone see the animals.
Now, lets take another look at that nasty cut of yours, shall we? Tyros says to the little wolf.
The elf looks carefully at the wound to try and spot any kind of infection and if the herbs need to be changed. There's a small infection that has already created pus and so he goes downstairs to ask Mrs. Weatherby for something to make an ungent (a form of tea but is rarely drinkable. Used to aply on wounds. not sure if this is the correct term for it.). She gives him a tea puke. He smashes some herbs and puts them on boiling water. He lets the mixture cool down for just a bit and then shoots upstairs to aply the medicine while it's still hot. The wolf howls and stirrs because of the pain and then falls asleep, peace in its soul.
The ranger then uses the rest of the ungent on his own cut, growling when he feels the burn on his shoulder. He then looks at the owl, looking back at him in the window with its big eyes. Tyros nears it and strokes it in the head, gently.
Let's see you talk with me again, shall we? What's your name?
The owl keep looking at him, whithout saying a word. It tilts its head and then looks to the opposite side, making its head make a 180º spin and then loks back at Tyros.
Why d... how did you talk to me?
The owl stays quiet and then lets out a faint "Ooo!", driving Tyros to a loud sigh. Tyros shrugs and starts rubbing the owl softly, and sits next to the window. The owl leaps into his shoulder and the little wolf also wakes up and jumps into his savior's lap, falling asleep right away.
Looks like you will be around for awhile... I don't want to have to call you owl and wolf.... Let's think of a name. How about Allerya, Falling Winter, owl?
The owl bites Tyros gently in his ear, making him smile.
I'm glad you like it.
Now, as for you... He rubs the wolf in the head. How about we name you Duck?The wolf wakes up and looks at Tyros with a menacing look.
Just kidding!
How about Diriel?The wolf licks Tyros' hand in approval and then goes back to sleep. Tyros spends the night telling his two new friends about his life, his travels, his coming to Garic's and what happened since he crossed those gates for the first time. He can feel that the animals are listening to him, even if the wolf was only awake when he talked about when he met Anaya, returning to his calm slumber after that. Finnaly, Tyros gives in to Mr. Sleep who seems to smack him the head, causing him to hit the wall with his head and falling asleep.
.oO(I'll fix a quick cup of tea to take to my room with me...)
The elf goes to the kitchen and puts the kettle on.
.oO(Smells a bit funny in here... Did Mrs Weatherby get a dog? I hope washing the house dog and taking it for walks doesn't become part of our chores. I might have to review the accomodations here if it does.)
Shaking his head, Ran takes his cup of steaming tea and walks silently up the stairs to his room.
.oO(I'll have a word with Mrs Weatherby in the morning. I'm sure I'll see her when I get up for my morning run and sifu Rassul's practice.)
Once Tagg arrives at the front of the boarding house, he turns around to the squirrel, that after a few moments catches up with the elf.
"Alright, come on up.. I'm sure Mrs. Weatherby would like to meet you... Oh, she'll be so surprised!"
Hm... Come to think of it, does Mrs. Weatherby allow animals?
He scoops up the little critter in his hands, and then walks into the boarding house.
"Hello, Mrs. Weatherby!"
He greets the old woman who is standing across the room washing some dishes.
"Oh, hello dear." She responds without turning.
"Hm... is something wrong? You don't seem as cheery as usual..."
"Oh, its nothing. That Tyros just brought some savage, untamed animals in here that made a proper mess of things..."
Tagg's ears fall back.
"Oh... ha, the nerve of him.. Well, I really must be off to my room, tired from a long day... I can tell you about it later."
Mrs. Weatherby pauses, and then turns around, though Tagg is already up the stairs.
"But it's scarcely noon..."
After trying to register Tagg's words and failing, she just turns around and starts cleaning again.
]Tyros wakes up early in the morning noticing the weird position he's in: he was layed down on his back, his left foot against the window and his right leg against the wall as Diriel was all nice and cosy against his chest, still snoring quietly. Allerya was scratching and beaking the window. She looks at Tyros and lets out an angry "Oooo!", demanding an exit from the room.
Alright, but I thought you wanted to stay with me...
Tyros gets up and opens the window, letting the bird of prey fly freely in the dawning sky. The elf yawns a bit and watches the beautiful sunrise, as it warms the nest of the swallows in the roof.
That's something I'd like to see everyday...
Diriel wakes up and starts to sniff around the corners and the bed. He makes short work of a small space between a small table and the bed, gracing it with the gift of his own physiological needs.
Good boy.
Now let's go grab something to eat, shall we?Tyros heads downstairs with Diriel following him closely, still limping from it's hind leg, and as they arrive at the kitchen, Tyros gets a piece of bread and some meat from his own reserves and gives it to the little wolf. He sets a small plate for Diriel in the corner, placing the food in it and wishing an ejoyable meal to the starving cub. He himself grabbed a nice roll of bread and fresh cow's milk and sat in one of the table's bench, enjoying a good snack.
Mrs. Weatherby locates and approaches Tyros, her face stoic and flat.
"Mister Elessar. Complaints have been coming in all afternoon about a certain odor. I discovered the source of that odor in your room and I have dealt with it. You must find other accomodations for these... animals. Immediately."
She turns on her heel and heads for her office, closing the door more loudly than is normal.
(It's too hot out to be wearing armor,)Oo. she thinks as she sheds the scale mail and wipes it clean and dry. She herself bathes, sinking into the warm water up to her nose.
Plib plib plbplbpbbbb.
She watches the bubbles erupt before her nose.
.oO(Still want a nap. Must be exhausted still from the journey here. But... I don't know. I feel... lighter.)
.oO(Maybe because it seems like there are some half-elves here. And dwarves, too. So nobody really looks at me... quite that way.)
Her eyes search the ceiling. Blank. Off-white.
Plb plb plip pbbbb...
.oO(Maybe because I'm far from you?)
She rises from the water, hair dripping, and dries herself. With the door locked, she falls into bed. Just her skin on the sheets, and damp hair splayed across the pillow.
The clanking of clumsily-used cooking utensils summons forth the bleary-eyed form of Mrs. Weatherby, who clutches in her hand a flower vase as if it were a club.
Dim candlelight reveals the "intruder" to be her new boarder. The old woman quietly scolds her for the noise, then helps her fix a small sandwich in return for some help with the dishes. Yawning, Mrs. Weatherby then withdraws to her own room.
When the dishes are clean, Esmet returns to her bedroom. She sits at the foot of the bed for a moment.
.oO(I should... No, I can write them letters later. I'll have to get parchment and ink. But who would carry the letters nine days' distance to them?)
She lies back, still deliberating on the problem. At some point, she drifts off again into slumber.
Esmet glances at the window and begins dressing. Her hair is quickly tied near the end, long tassels of ribbon trailing after her as she dashes downstairs.
Mrs. Weatherby, looking a bit tired, raises a brow but presses on the half-elf a few small pastries.
Esmet thanks her and runs out the door.
[color=silver]To Elsewhere[/color]
Tagg heads upstairs and hastily opens the door to his room, and lets the squirrel out of his hands and onto the floor.
"Hm, it seems Mrs. Weatherby doesn't like animals in the boarding house... We'll need to find you somewhere else to stay."
His eyes slowly go up away from the squirrel on the ground to the window at the side of the room, and the large tree that lies behind it...
*Taptaptap*
Mrs. Weatherby??
He turns around to see the door, only to realize that the tapping was the squirrel pawing at the wall.
See? Mrs. Weatherby isn't coming, she doesn't know about Mr. Squirrel. Mr. Squirrel? What the... Hmm I'll need to come up with a name for him... maybe...
*Creak*
Weatherby!!
No.. nope just me switching my weight on a creaky floorboard... Now back to naming Mr. Squirrel. ... Stop calling him Mr. Squirrel! ... Hmm...
He observes the squirrel for a bit, as it darts around, picking up its body to peer curiously at things, and then... managing to climb its way gracefully off the side of the bed's blanket and onto it. After looking around, it descends back to the floor.
Hm... that was pretty nifty... Mr. - ...that squirrel is quite arauka en dal... Hmm... arauka en dal, that has certain poetic feeling. Maybe I could call it that! No, no, who has a three word name? Especially an animal. Shorter.. shorter... Araku? Yes, I think I quite like that...
*Taptaptap creak*
"Oh, stop tapping at the wall, you little squi-...
Tagg begins talking as he turns towards the door where he saw the squirrel go again, only to see that this time the noises were actually Mrs. Weatherby.
"Little squi?" After staring blankly at Tagg, she speaks again.
"Ehh.. Well, I was going to wash some of my clothes now and wanted to know if you had anything you'd like me to clean while I'm at it."
If the squirrel's not there.. where is it???
"Oh, um.. I, uh... maybe..."
Glancing around the room to try and spot the squirrel, he stops after answering and looks towards where he had put his cloak down on the floor earlier to give to Mrs. Weatherby, but to his horror, the cloak is shifting around. Araku! Tagg quickly scrambles across the floor to sit between the cloak and Mrs. Weatherby.
"Nope, not a thing to wash here. Nope, nope, nothing strange around here. Er...nothing dirty. Everything clean. ... Thanks, though."
After returning to the blank stare for a few moments, she answers. "Ehh... Alright.. I'll talk to you later, Tagg, dear. Be sure to get some proper rest tonight... don't want to be acting strange or anything because you can't settle down, right?"
She turns and closes the door. Tagg lifts up the cloak to reveal the squirrel rustling about beneath it. Exhaling, he tosses the cloak aside and looks down at Araku.
"We really need to get you somewhere more suitable to stay...
*Creakcreaktaptapcreak*
...
Tagg simply lets himself slide backward onto the floor, and he hits his head (lightly) on the floor a couple times.
~~~
Tagg spends the rest of the day in his room, mostly trying to familiarize the squirrel with the new name he picked for it, and to get it more used to him. Eventually, he makes a little tent/bed out of the cloak that the squirrel settles down in, and Tagg fades into his trance for the night.
~~~
In the morning, Tagg takes Araku outside, only getting into one inquiry from Alesan for the chittering noise coming from his breeches. Taking the smuggled rodent out once they get into the yard, he sets it down in front of the big oak tree.
"Alright, see this big tree? Do you think you can stay here for a bit? I'll be back a little later, you can scavenge around in the tree and whatever you want... hopefully this can be your new home! Better than spending the night in a folded up cloak in a stuffy old room, eh?"
Araku darts up the tree, and Tagg walks away from the boarding house onto the streets to do something for the day.
As she flies out the door, Esmet gratefully replaces the breakfast in Mrs. Weatherby's hand with a week's rent.
Each day, she returns home straight from dinner after work. She chats briefly with some of the other tenants, then escapes to her room for rest.
On Pyatjian, on her way to her room, she detects the acrid smell of urine. She makes a mental note not to ever meet the owner of the room in question.
Shestjian, evening
Esmet returns straight home from the armory to find the landlady stringing up laundry in the yard.
(I need more clothes,)Oo. thinks Esmet as her eyes run over the variety of shirts and breeches and skirts.
"Good evening, Mrs. Weatherby," she says and pins a white tunic to the rope.
"Hello, Esmet. Ah, thank you. Could you get this one for me, too? How was work?" the woman asks.
"It was fine. Nearly sliced the skin off my forefinger, but the shopkeep didn't notice."
"Oh, dear! Blind, is he?"
"No, no, that's good, you see. It shows me I need to improve a little more, but if he didn't see that, then he won't have to doubt what skill I have.
"Oh, my."
Holding it out at arm's length, Esmet peers through a large hole in a large pair of undergarments.
Mrs. Weatherby laughs. "Oh, yes. We'll have to sew that up for him at some point. Not that he'll notice, mind you. Men don't tend to notice these things. But, ah, thank you, Esmet.
"With that out of the way now, will you be joining us for dinner? Or have you eaten out again today?" asks the old woman as they walk into the house.
"Oh, no. I came straight home from work, so I confess, I am quite hungry. What is the specialty tonight?"
"Ah," says Mrs. Weatherby with a twinkle in her eye. "That is the mystery. I call it 'mystery meat.' One of the other tenants brought home some fresh meat, so I've gone and made a meatloaf. Intrigued, aren't you?"
"Yes, Mrs. Weatherby," says Esmet amiably, following her into the kitchen.
Esmet helps the old woman serve any other tenants at the table before taking a seat for dinner herself.
Anyone up for a meatloaf dinner?
Walks inside carrying a pile of scroll tubes and heads towards the stairs, trying not drop any the tubes in the process. Smells something in the air.
.oO(Mrs Weatherby has cooked something for dinner, it seems. Once I get these cases to my room I'll come back down to take a peek if there would be enough to me get something as well.)
Few thuds on the way indicate instances when a scroll tube drops from his hands but eventually all of the empty cases are in his room. Descends back downstairs and peers into kitchen. Mrs Weatherby notices his head appearing by the door post.
"Oh, Mr Enelevin. There is enough for you as well. Come to the table by all means."
Good evening Mrs Weatherby. Thanks.
Sits to the table and nods to others sitting there.
.oO(Odor? Diriel?)
Tyros swallows the food in his mouth.
But Diriel won't survive long in the forest with that wound. I was only thinking of letting it stay here until it healed. But if the rest of the guests don't like Diriel I'll take him somewhere else. Just let him finish the meal, please?
Mrs. Weatherby looks at the wolfy and nods and then leaves the kitchen to slam the door of her office. Tyros looks sadly at Diriel, watching it eat the remaining pieces of pork. After it's done, Tyros takes the little wolf and heads off into the woods north of the city.
[to Beyond the city walls]
"Mr. Enelevin," she says as she places a dish laden with a couple of large slices of meatloaf before him. "Nice to see you again, especially here!"
She takes a seat for herself.
"Odd that I haven't met you here sooner, though."
Nods to her.
Might be because I don't usually eat breakfast here but pick up something on my way to the shop. And come in quite late after spending time at the church or at the tower.
How are you?
"Oh, Mrs. Weatherby, this is delicious," she says to the old woman, who smiles and nods graciously in reply.
Esmet then turns back to Codrian.
"That first day I met you, if you recall, Mr. Risk was leading me to a few spots around the city. Your tower wasn't one of them unfortunately. Is that the one exceptionally tall building I see on the skyline? What is it? What do you do there?"
Then she answers, "Tired, but content for the time being, thank you. And you?"
Yes, Hightower can be seen from most places in the city. And it's not my tower actually, just the location of best library in the city. That's why I spend time there, reading texts to expand my knowledge. For most of people Hightower is just city's concentration of wizards.
I'm fine, thanks. Quite busy, as usually.
*He goes to the owner of the establishment, and smiles*
"Hi...is Ran in?"
Ms. Weatherby: "Yes...he's in his room, but he might be sleeping. Would you like me to leave him a message?"
"Yes please. Could you tell him that Aric dropped by? And he can find me at the Silver Sword."
Ms. Weatherby "Alright."
"Thank you. Good day."
*Aric smiles, and walks out the door*
"Mmm, I'd be interested in visiting that place sometime if it's open at all to the general public.
"And you take care to not overwork yourself, Mr. Enelevin. Make sure you rest your eyes, body, and mind, or someday you'll wake to find them of little use to you.
"A friend of mine also spent most of his days reading, morning till night. Though he was still young at the time, his eyes began to worsen, and he began to grow a few grey hairs."
Is silent for a minute or two, concentrating on eating.
Well, no fear of me reading all day long... there is as much work at the shop as I have strength to stand there. Sick people won't vanish overnight.
.oO(Why is everyone commenting on my working and spending of my time nowadays.)
Passes the breadbasket to Mrs Weathery when she asks for it.
So, Ms Corelli, how are you spending your days then?
"Ah, even if the general public were allowed to visit, five gold is a bit expensive for me just now. I suppose I'm resigned to the church's library then. Your arrangement with the church and hightower is... interesting. How do you manage that?
"It is good of you to work at Miss... Natala's shop. Healing is a wonderful occupation," she says with a nod and a bite. "It is one I might've picked if bowmaking hadn't picked me. And then again, if bowmaking hadn't picked me, I would likely have made swords instead.
"So beautiful, swords," she murmurs.
She chuckles at his question.
"Almost just what you do: Work, work, eat, and sleep. I think I was due for a day off last week, but forgot, since it had become so routine to rush off to work every morning."
Takes a sip from a glass to wash down a bit of meatloaf.
My agreement with the church and the tower...
Wipes his mouth with a napkin.
As I respect Lord Thalos as the guardian of magic, clergy at the church were polite enough to help to arrange me better chance to study both arcane and divine magic. It also helped that I had gotten familiar with one of tower's members and he could offer a recommendation to his masters that this particular agreement could be accepted.
"How very lucky for you," she says, smiling over a sip of water. "Maybe someday the same arrangement will happen for me, though I doubt it. More likely, someday maybe I'll be able to afford regular visits to their library.
"Until then, I'll make use of the church library. Which reminds me," she says and wrinkles her nose. "I forgot to pay my respects this week."
Pushing away her plate, she rises with an appreciative smile for the cook.
"Thank you, Mrs. Weatherby. That was delicious!"
She turns to Codrian.
"If you have nothing more important to do, would you like to accompany me to the church? I've been there only once since my arrival in the city, so I may not... remember exactly where it lies."
Yes. Thank you, it was very good.
Stands up as well but then is still for a moment.
.oO(I doubt Renna is awake at this late hour, but I'll have time anyway.)
Smiles to Esmet and nods.
That'll be my pleasure, Ms Corelli. A moment and I'll get my coat.
(Coat?)Oo.
Turning away, Esmet palms her forehead.
.oO(Ugh, I need a coat as well as new clothes. Though I was saving up for better-quality tools.)
She waits for Codrian near the door.
.oO(Do I need a coat, new clothes? Armor is... safer to wear most of the time.)
.oO(Though it can get tiring. Ugh.)
Now, I'm ready. Shall we go then?
[OOC: Via Elsewhere?]
She leaves for the church with Codrian.
Goooin' to the Chapel, and we're... goooonna get-- Oops. Goooin' to the Elsewhere thread, and...
.oO(Four rabits can hardly be of any use to my employer.)
Tyros eyes the little owl, scratching the side of the window, as if trying to open the window's door.
We'll need to work on your hunting. You should know that you can't catch a deer by yourself. It runs to fast.
Allerya lets out a screech and goes over to Tyros's shoulder, starting to arrange the elf's hair. Tyros lets out a giggle.
Hehe.. stop that you little rascal. hihiehehhe.
Tyros falls on his bed, lauging, and the bird flies clumsly to the top of the little table in the bedroom. Tyros stops laughing and starts thinking about Diriel.
.oO(I wonder if Diriel will be alright in his first night out there... he's so young. He shouldn't be sleeping outdoors all alone in a moonless night. Some orc might catch him... or he might catch the orc, which would be bad for him since he could become ill. Mother knows where those things have been...)
Tyros is startled out of this worries by his new companion, scratching the window again, trying to go out to hunt for the night.
You are tireless!
Tyros opens the window and lets the Falling Winter rise into the night's air, silently gliding through the darkness, to the green forests of Garic's city.
Tyros himself grows a bit weary from the busy life of the city and decides that he should go back to the forest, to be with the trees he loves so much, to be sleeping in the wild, where he belongs, to live with the singin of all the birds, to wake up in looking to a blossoming tree and to be with the animals that he really cares for, right now: Hunter, Allerya and Diriel.
So, he takes up his things, the dire wolf pelt he had sitting there, still untreated, as they were still drying out, and gets downstairs, explaining everything to Mrs. Weatherby and the he would probably be back in a week or so.
And then he left. He spent the week sleeping in the forest, hunting for himself and going to the butcher late in the afternoon to deliver some meat. He spent all this time with Hunter, Diriel and Allerya. Diriel was healing pretty well. He could already run, but it would leave a scar. Allerya was learning the basics of hunting in a group (or with Tyros) and Hunter... well, Hunter just kept getting better and better at eating grass and other yummy vegetables.
Then Tyros arrives to the Boarding House once more, his vacations complete, and is quick to talk to Mrs. Weatherby, and giving her the money for another month's rent. He hurries back to his room to drop down his things and then goes darting off to the Hightower, Allerya flying swiftly behind him.
During his time in the forest he had decided that he would learn all that he could from the world presented to him. He had spent too much time in the forest. Over 100 years. That was all he had seen. He never had any friends and now he had a few of them. He wasn't ready to let them go and to stick with them, he had to start understanding the ways of the city. The Hightower was his only strong lead on something he didn't understand: magic.
[To the hightower]
*A short while later the elf extracts himself from the wash room and heads back up to his room. After putting all of his gear in it's place, he puts his holy symbol next to the window seal and kneels in prayer, hands over it.*
*That done, he crawls into bed and sleeps a long, comfortable sleep.*
.oO(I need to find Darkar. We have some training that we have not finished. He's probably with the Jackals.)
To the Jackals
For a few minutes, Esmet lies in bed, staring at the ceiling.
Then eventually she sits up, swings her legs over the side of the bed, and sits staring at the wall.
Her body seems reluctant to cooperate today.
She bathes in the washroom, then suits herself in her armor for a more leisurely breakfast than she usually gets.
The armor adds to today's clumsiness, and her boots thud heavily on the steps, down two flights to Mrs. Weatherby and her raised brow.
The brow relaxes as a week's--or even a month's worth of rent is given her.
Gratefully, Esmet partakes of strawberry-jam-covered scones, then thanks the landlady and goes to morning service at the Church.
There she sits upon the foot of the bed, an arrow held idly in her hands.
.oO(Forgive me my impudence. My impatience. My murderous thoughts. I would never commit such crimes.)
.oO(But I liked the thought of--)
Her fist tightens around the wooden shaft, her brows furrowing.
.oO(No, I did not! I want no such thing to happen to him, not even by an enemy's hand--let alone by my own!)
Wearily, she bows her head. Her hair cascades over her shoulders, veiling her face as she stares on the arrowhead.
Bow practice, for the first fifteen minutes, in the park had been all right. Her thoughts had somehow turned to him, though. She missed a shot and recalled with some affection how, in their youth, Tobias had teased her about everything. She imagined wistfully that... he might say something similarly, sweetly stupid if he had seen her most recent shot.
The smile slowly faded through the next few shots as her thoughts turned inevitably, inevitably to her last night at home.
She missed a shot.
Who would knock at the door so late at night? After his rejection of her, Esmet became slightly more withdrawn. Not many people visited her during the day, let alone in the evening.
She missed another. Her brows furrowed.
She opened the door, and there stood who but...
Tobias had lost that carefree smile years ago. Even from across the village square, Esmet could see the emptiness it had abandoned. Now, as he stood before her, she could read instead in the lines on his forehead: sadness.
Longing.
Esmet cursed and walked to fetch the arrow, which had flown several feet beyond its mark.
"But you were happy," she had thought, seeing him on her doorstep. She stepped back. He stepped inside, the corner of his mouth lifting in an awkward shadow of his past.
The arrows had frustrated her. Or the memories had frustrated her. Or he had infuriated her.
During her archery practice, she began to aim her arrows at the memory of his face--his married, adulterous face--and she hit her target right on the mark.
Dismayed, Esmet had retrieved her arrows and fled.
She sits now on her bed, crying silently into her hands. Every so often, a whispered "Forgive me" escapes through her fingers. The accusatory arrow lies at her feet.
From one particular house, he smells an incredibly good roast which is obviously being cooked in preparation for the evening. Curious as to the recipe and the chef, he walks towards the house. He approaches and knocks on the door.
"Hello? Is anybody home?"
Alesan brushes past her with a cheery hello and answers the door. "Good evening," she says to the man outside. "May I help you?"
Curious, Esmet peeks over the girl's shoulder at Maelut.
"Um, hello there. I was just walking around the streets, and I...uh."
His voice trails off as Maelut realizes that he must sound like a drifter.
"Ah. That probably sounds bad. What I mean to say is that I'm supposed to be working but...um. Er...maybe that's not much better. The thing is, I'm a cook, and I smelled good food. Not that I want to steal recipies or anything, I'd never consider doing that."
Realizing that he must be sounding quite untrustworthy, Maelut quickly attempts to correct himself, his voice wringing itself into more knots.
"It's just that I'm always interested in what other people are doing. But I'm not nosy, really. It's just that...oh dear. I'm not very good with first impressions. Especially with two women. May I sit down?"
Without waiting for a reply, Maelut sits down on the front step and shakes his head. He talks over his shoulder to the two girls.
"I'm sorry, it's my first time out and about in the city for a while. I've been rather ill, and then rather busy."
Mrs. Weatherby by this time has poked her head out of the kitchen.
"Do we have a visitor? Invite him--or her, bless me, of course--in!"
Withdrawing, she calls, "Alesan, I need your hands in the kitchen!"
"Yes, ma'am!" responds Alesan and looks expectantly from Maelut to Esmet. "Come on in," says Alesan over her shoulder as she walks to the kitchen. "I think she wants to feed you."
Esmet helps Maelut to his feet.
"Quite the story you told," she remarks kindly. "I doubt you'll pry any secrets from the landlady, sir, at least as far as recipes go. But it seems you're welcome to sample a dish or two.
"May I have your name please?" she asks. With a smile and raised brow, she explains, "We're not accustomed to admitting strangers to dinner, you see."
"That's very kind of...I presume that's Mrs. Weatherby, by the sign on the house. Nobody's cooked for me since I last visited my parents' inn."
He turns to go inside, then remembers that he hasn't introduced himself.
"My apologies, my manners are simply abyssmal this evening. My name is Maelut Spiceslinger, and as I said, I work as a cook. And who do I have the honor of dining with?"
Leading the cook to the kitchen, she replies, "The young woman who answered the door is Alesan. There may be a few other tenants with us for dinner, but they seem a fairly active group, always out and about, so it may very well be that this will be a private dinner for four."
At the door, she introduces Maelut to both Alesan and Mrs. Weatherby. Alesan nods. The elder woman smiles and, tossing him a pair of mitts, promptly asks the guest to carry the roast to the little dining room. Esmet busies herself with the dishes and utensils, while Alesan and Mrs. Weatherby quickly give their workspace a perfunctory cleaning.
Once finished, the two women join Maelut and Esmet in the dining room.
"This smells wonderfull, Mrs. Weatherby, and it looks like it will taste even better. It's very kind of you to invite me as a guest, a meal such as this is always very welcome."
Once the ladies have taken their seats, Maelut joins them and quietly sits, waiting for them to take their food before he begins serving himself. As they sit there, Maelut turns to Esmet, scrutinizing her face.
"You're not all human, are you? I don't mean that rudely, just that you have a rather unusual beauty that comes from some elven blood."
He stops himself before he goes any further.
"Oh dear, there I go again, saying things I shouldn't. I'm sorry, I didn't mean anything by it."
Once again, he realizes that his words may have been misunderstood.
"Well, I did mean something by it, only that you were very pretty and it seemed like you had some elven ancestry. But I didn't mean that...oh my. I really ought to just stop talking and let this food fill the impending awkward silence."
Maelut sits for a second, and then tries to fill the silence himself.
"So, Ms. Corelli, it is Miss, correct? What do you do in the city?"
Esmet covers a soft laugh and says, "Mr. Spiceslinger has a job, Mrs. Weatherby."
"Oh! Oh, I see, I see," says the old woman--and continues to heap meat on Maelut's plate.
Alesan glances from the plate at Maelut. "She just likes feeding people," she explains with a smile and a shrug.
After a moment, Maelut begins to blather. The comment about her race furrows Esmet's brows. The word "pretty" deepens the furrow, but she relaxes as Maelut continues, and she passes a full plate to Alesan. Again a little smile of amusement begins to tug at her mouth.
"I work as a bowyer-fletcher at the Iron Wolf Armory near the center of the city," Esmet answers, "though I am fonder of swords.
"Where do you work as a cook?" she asks, and then, "Are you very good?"
.oO(I hope not. Rhaine always said I was too unwomanly to cook, but if even this man can cook, what am I?)
"My parents run the Traveller's Friend, in the village of Sorat-Arlon. They taught me how to cook, it's always been something I've had some talent with. Right now I'm working at Nobody's Inn. It's not the most respectable place, I'll admit, but they let me do what I want, and Marroc gives me a private room, along with a respectable salary. And yes, I'd like to consider myself a good cook, it's what brought me here. How did you come to be in the city?"
He pauses for a moment, noting Esmet's sword which sits on her hip as she speaks.
"You're no doubt far more skilled with that than I would be. I've never even picked up a sword in my life, always preferred to stick with what I know."
Biting into the roast, Maelut's eyes light up. The rich flavour rivals even some of his personal recipies, and he strains to pick out the individual ingredients.
"Mrs. Weatherby, this is truly a delicious meal. Do I detect the faintest hint of flat-leaved basil in this sauce?"
She listens as Maelut speaks about his job. "Respectable or not, it sounds like they're giving you a respectable deal--a job and living quarters. You must be quite the cook if they have to give you that much incentive to stay."
When Maelut asks how she came to the city, Esmet looks away and busies herself with a bite of roast. She chews delicately, savoring the taste, and struggles to word her response.
.oO(I don't want to talk about it anymore. No more.)
Eventually, she meets his gaze again and answers his question simply with the word, "Wanderlust."
Esmet nods in response to his comment about weapons, but says nothing while Maelut speaks with the landlady.
Mrs. Weatherby is visibly pleased by Maelut's observation regarding her recipe. She claps her hands with delight, then exclaims, "Goodness, but it's a treat to cook for someone who knows their food! No one else quite appreciates--here, Mr. Spiceslinger, you must try this as well... and this..." she murmurs as she loads samples of a few other side dishes onto his plate.
Intrigued, Esmet then asks, "What weapons do you use then, if you 'stick only with what you know,' Mr. Spiceslinger? Into which weapons did you actually invest time and effort to learn to use?"
Maelut doesn't push the point, and gives Esmet some time in silence as Mrs. Weatherby attacks him with the serving spoons.
"Well, thank you. And I'm sure they appreciate your cooking; food such as this demands proper respect. But if I may suggest...here, try some of this along with your carrots."
From his spice pouch, the young cook pulls out a sprig of dried Applefringe and hands it to Mrs. Weatherby.
"If you mix a pinch of it with some sugar, and cook the carrots in that along with some butter...it'll knock your socks off. It brings out a delicious tangy sweetness that's like nothing else."
Hearing Esmet's question, Maelut turns his attention to answering her.
"I have my knives, and they can cut more than just carrots. Not as strong as swords, but faster and more delicate. Never thought I'd use them outside of the kitchen, but when kobolds started fighting in the village..."
His eyes focus on something distant through to dining room window, and he trails off. The memories of his friends, javelins through their chests, the vicious kobolds skittering through the streets, overwhelming them. The sound of cutlery on china brings him quickly back to the present, and he coughs to clear the uncomfortable quiet.
"I've also been cultivating some more arcane abilities. Nothing as flashy as those mages who can throw fire and call on lightning...to be honest, the magic is more for my cooking than anything else. My dad never really approved of using magic, said it was cheating. But, I'm not my dad. You have family around here?"
Esmet listens to Maelut's description of his weapons and nods, carefully setting down her glass. "I can imagine. I think I would prefer knives remain in the kitchen, however, and use daggers instead as they more resemble the weapon to which I am accustomed...
"Mr. Spiceslinger?"
.oO(An odd man. But friendly enough. Most likely trustworthy.)
Esmet tilts her head, watching the man's eyes focus again on her. She listens as he explains his use of magic and wonders .oO(What do I think of magic? Overly showy. But if he uses it only in his kitchen, not for the purpose of impressing anyone, then... it is a means to an end.)
"No family here," she answers with a wistful smile.
"It was a pleasure meeting you, Ms. Correlli. I hope that we will see each other around the city. You're welcome in Nobody's whenever you want to visit, although I fear that it is certainly not up to the standards of this lovely establishment."
Turning to Mrs. Weatherby, Maelut smiles warmly at the very kind landlady.
"Mrs. Weatherby, it was an absolute delight to dine with you this evening. Your generosity in inviting to dinner was surpassed only by the delicious meal itself. And I certainly will visit you again, and I'll bring my recipe book to show you some of the more unusual recipes that I've collected."
Returning his focus to Esmet, he continues.
"I wouldn't be so hasty to leave such pleasant company, but I really must get back to the Inn and check that Wealdy hasn't burned down the kitchen. Have a lovely evening, and farewell."
After their goodbyes, Maelut turns and heads out the door, back to Nobody's.
[Exit to Nobody's]
Maelut's promise makes Mrs. Weatherby clap her hands with delight. As she muses over the prospect of new recipes, a gleam appears in her eyes that causes Alesan to sidle away from the older woman. Esmet, reappearing with clean hands, peers at Alesan with some confusion, only to receive upturned palms and an apologetic grin.
Esmet sees Maelut to the door, then returns to help the other two women clear the table. Afterwards, they sit with cups of steaming tea, quietly chatting.
Late in the evening, Mrs. Weatherby retires to her room. Esmet and Alesan speak on for another several minutes, then part for the night.
.oO(I look a mess)
*raises his bloody hand up to tap at the door, but hesitates. He then bends down to the dirt and scrubbs his hands as clean as possible, then he takes his water skin and cleans off the dirt. satisfied that he will not get the door bloody, and whatever else he may touch in this establishment. He then knocks at the door, and makes a great effort to not to appear a holligain.
*Ms. Weatherby looks up from her spot by the empty hearth at the knock, moves toward the door, and opens it. She makes a mild looks of suprize at the bloody, scruffy, and dirty chocolate colored man standing in her doorway. But he looks like he is trying not to let his long day, get in the way of the best first impression as possible*
"Well you look a mess young man, come in and rest for a while."
"Thank you."
*Jace moves into the warmth of the truns to the kind faced lady that admitted him.*
"I am looking for a place to stay, and live for a while."
"Well how long will oyu like to stay?" She asks polightly and kindly
"For two weeks for now."
"That would be six gold, plus house hold chores."
"sounds great."
*pulls out his money bag and hands over the gold.*
"I would also like to clean up."
"you will find every thing oyu need up stairs, follow me."
*Jace follows her up to a room where she hands him a key, and points out all the neccesities. From here Jace cleans up and avoiding getting his sheets bloodiy Jace falls onto the bed gratefully and wakes up the next day, horrible sore but still alive. After Eating and cleaning up the dishes Jace gets some bandeges to keep his wounds from bleeding unnessisarily, Goes about cleaning his clothing, then goes out to do things that need to be done.*
exit to SSAG
leaves for Nobodies
"He is looking far better then when he first arrived. Poor man couldn't walk right for a while."
*When in his room Jace wipes off his face and hands, He then picks up his sword and straps it around his waist.*
.oO(I will take off my shirt when out side the city...it will not be so hot, its noise will not interfear, and it will not get so sweaty.)
*Leaves the room, and with with a farwell bow to Ms. Weatherby, Jace leaves for, beyond the walls*
"Gag...this is tougher then I thought it would be....I don't want to kno how hard it is to shoot a arrow with it...I will need to trade it in....but we will see how it goes."
*Jace leaves the boarding house wondering if his days that he paid for will wait until he returns to the boarding house.*
Temple of Orda
"Does Tensek Vicar board here, if he doesn't is there someone here who might know where he is staying?"
"I've never heard him mentioning his name either. Sorry sir."
"Well thank you Mrs. Weatherby, have a nice day."
With a nod, he turns on his heel and heads out for another lead.
.oO(Well where else could I check? Hes an adventurer I assume, maybe he has a credit line at the Ironwolf, or shops there. I guess I should go find out)
[to IWA]
Tagg stumbles through the door beneath the weight of several big packages of feed, and goes straight up the stairs, yelling a greeting as he clomps up.
"Hi Mrs. Weatherby!"
A soft response reaches Tagg's ears, and he pauses as he reaches his door. Trying to determine how he can open it up without any hands, he tries to balance the feed off of one arm..
Thud.
One of the bags falls to the ground. He shrugs, and opens up his room. Shuffling the merchandise into his room, takes a quick seat on his bed. He stretches a bit and then eyes up his room, looking where to start to get together his things for the trip. He goes over and pries open his chest, and looks over his usual exploring outfit.
.oO(Hm.. this might be one trip I'll pass on this. Desert isn't really the place for this heavy stuff..)
He assembles his weapons and gear in an organized way (well, to him at least) around the walls and floor.
Tagg takes a final bath before setting out, knowing he probably won't get the chance for awhile, as well as clean his clothes while he's in the washroom.
Early evening by now, he heads downstairs to speak with the landlady regarding his departure. Finding Mrs. Weatherby in the kitchen brewing some tea, he takes a seat on the sofa.
"Good evening, Tagg. ...Care for some tea?"
"Hi ... oh, no thanks."
She walks over to the favorite chair and takes a seat, holding a steaming cup of what smells like mint tea.
"How are things?"
"Good. Sort of why I need to talk with you. I'm going to be leaving tomorrow to travel with Maelut and a fellow I met at the guild."
"Ah, I see. I'll hold down your room, like always. I was getting used to having you around all the time, but 'tis the way of the adventurer. Tell me, what is your quest this time?"
"Hmm... Threfdil, the halfling from the Silver Sword, is going to the desert to look for his companion. We didn't have time to discuss everything as thoroughly as I might like, but that is the gist of it."
"Oh? The desert?"
Mrs. Weatherby puts on a face of concern.
"Well, be careful..."
"Don't worry, the others are quite skilled as well, there's nothing to be afraid of. Really."
Tagg smiles in a way he hopes comes across as reassuring.
"...And besides, even a place that seems so barren... there is nature. ... And where there is nature, there is life."
Those words seem to come out of him without thinking, relaying thoughts that seemed forced into his mind in the wintry, unmerciful caves of Sorat Arlon... yet they comfort him, filling him with confidence he was not so sure of before.
* * *
Tagg dismisses himself, and runs outside for a short time to check on Araku, his squirrel friend. Glad to see he is still getting along fine in the yard, he goes up to his room as the sun begins to set. The elf picks up the wand he had left on his bed and is about to put it aside, but instead sits down with it. A certain warmth from it fills him, a sensation he does not want to put aside. After a few minutes he puts it down, and realizes the feeling is still with him, evidently generated from within himself. He continues to hold it and expand it.. until soon he is deep in meditation.
* * *
Rapraprap
"...Tagg? Are you alright?"
Mrs. Weatherby's voice from outside the door shakes him awake. As he peers out the window, he notes the sky a purplish-orange, a time between night and dawn.
"Oh.. yes."
"Alright. I was just getting up to go to the latrine I noticed your room was still light... and I figure you needed to get an early start in the morning."
"...Right, thank you. ...I lost track of the time.
"Good night, dear."
Tagg returns the nicety, and then extinguishes the nearly burnt-out candle at his bedside. He slips into his trance in little time at all, weariness from the day's activity catching up to him.
* * *
In the morning, Tagg immediately begins to gear up. Slipping into the hot armor, he thinks for a moment how it will affect him in the desert.. but for some reason, he's not too worried about it. Getting all of his weapons' holsters in place, he puts on his backpack, and then picks up the packs of feed and heads downstairs. Saying fairwell to Mrs. Weatherby, he walks down the streets to Nobody's Inn to rendezvous with the rest of his party.
[OOC: Prepared endure elements and entangle]
{to Nobody's}
After leaving Nobody's, Brodda made her way quickly back to the boarding house -- the place she'd called 'home' for many months now -- forcing herself to focus on the task at hand now that the more painful goodbyes have been dealt with.
She steps into the house and the familiar scent of Mrs. Weatherby's wonderful home cooking washes over her for the last time. She frowns, pushing the thought aside. No more time for overly-emotional episodes.
She climbs the stairs to her room for the last time
.oO(stop that, no time)
and steps into her room. She looks around and sighs. Where to start? She doesn't really have all that much -- some dresses, travelling clothes
.oO(Ah shoould prrobably change oout of these into anotherr set.)
an extra weapon than what she arrived in town with, and an extra recorder. None of it really adds up to qualifying for a wagon, except the keg.
.oO(It's so sweet o'Marrrroc teh think o'that. Meh oown prrivate rreserrve.) :D
Sigh. She decides to start with repacking her pack. As she goes through the process of packing, she sets aside things that she's picked up over the last several months and would have no need of back home. They can be given to charity.
Once she's got her things packed and arranged, with the donation items remaining on the bed, she turns at the door and takes one last look around the room to be sure she isn't forgetting anything. With a heavy sigh she leaves the room, closing the door behind her, for the last time.
.oO(Rar! Stop that! No time for more tears.)
Heading down the stairs, she sees Mrs. Weatherby waiting for her, a smile on her face and a package in her hands. Brodda smiles in return.
"Brodda dear, this is for you. Some bread and cheese for the road. It should make a nice break from those dreaded trail rations."
The package, well-wrapped in cloth, transfers hands.
"Thank yeh, Missus Weatherrrby. Yeh'rre so busy, Ah'm grrateful that yeh werre..."
A warm and familiar smell reaches Brodda's nostrils from the cloth and her eyes light up.
"Is that...?"
Mrs. Weatherby chuckles and nods.
"It's your favorite bread. It won't last as long as trail bread, but I knew you'd enjoy it more."
"Indeed! Meh hearrtfelt thanks! Oh! Ah nearrly forrgot, this will coverr meh bill with yeh."
She hands some coins to the older woman.
"And Ah left on the bed soome things Ah woon't be needin'. Woould yeh mind..."
Mrs. Weatherby smiles.
"Donating it? I'll see it gets done. Don't you worry. I know you're needing to get going, honey. No dawdling around here."
Brodda thinks to say something in return but changes her mind, opting instead to bow deeply.
"Farrrewell, Missus Weatherrby."
Mrs. Weatherby walks Brodda to the door and opens it for her.
"Take good care of your people, Brodda. Travel safely."
Brodda nods and heads off down the street toward the warehouse district.
[to the SSAG]
.oO(All night hunting... I'll never understand that. You should be able to see things at day time. Oh wel, let's see what Duriel is holding up in his new home.)
He takes up his gear and puts everything in its due place in his outfit: his twin swords on his sheathes located in the belt he always carried aroun, his longbow on his back, along with his quiver of arrows and his armor. He goes downstairs, trying not to make any noise so that Allerya wouldn't wake up. He doesn't even stop to have breakfast, passing right through the door, saying an almost whispered "Hello" to Mrs. Weatherby on the way out.
"Well Mr. Cornwall, you look....tired, I take it you would like a bath."
"Ms. Weatherby, you mush have been a great mother. I would love to get clean, I have had a run in with werewolves, five of them. I have consorted with a hobgoblin, traveled with a halforc, slept in the dirt. Hide in bushes, scaled mountains and much more. I will get cleaned up and help with the dishes....For if I was not clean they would become more soiled then they were to begin with."
"Dear you, don't worry about dishes tonight, I will help you with getting warm water, and when you are finished there will some food waiting for you down here."
"Thank you."
*Jace goes up stairs lugging his newly acquired chest, backpack, weapons and armor, and the considerable amount of gold. At the top of the stairs, Jace pauses for a breath, then continues to his room. He sets down the chest opens the door, picks his chest back up and enters. He closes the door behind him, and looks about the room. All is the same except his bed is made. Jace remembers it being rather ruffled when he left.*
"Ms. Weatherby, I must make my bed from now on so she doesn't do it for me."
*Jace shakes his head and goes back to his task. He sets the chest down on the other side of the bed where it is not visible from the door, opens it and admired the amount of gold contained in it. He pulls his gaze away, sheds his backpack and deposits it upon the floor. He empties the contents; 2 bags of Caltrops, 50 feet of Silk Rope, 4 torches, Water Skin, and a bag of coins. He pulls his sword from its scabbard, assures that it is as clean as possible. He inspects the tips of his javelins. One of them has a dulled tip. Jace gives the tip a sad look.*
“Well I am glad that you didn’t hurt him….he may have died if you got under his armor.”
*Jace stops speaking to the piece of wood and removes the dulled part with his sword. He throws the chips in the trash and sets his shield out on the floor inspects it for scratches finding none he moves onto his armor….a little beat up but still very functional.*
“I should get it fixed after my next outing.”
*He then pulls the little pouch of money that was in his pack…opens it and looks inside at the meager, he shakes his head and dumps the money into the chest with the rest of his wealth. He places all the other small items about his person into the chest and removes any excess clothing and leaves to help Ms Weatherby get the hot water. After his bath and refreshing shave Jace goes down eats a wonderful dinner and goes off to bed. He raises the next day thinks about going to get healed but remembers that with membership in the guild he gets free healing. So after breakfast and dishes he goes to continue his training.*
.oO(Please sned me dreams to free me from the stress of today.)
*With that Jace, drifts off to sleep.*
***
*Jace comes back, and does some chores for Ms. Weatherby, Picks up his swords, and some money, and goes toward the SSAG.*
SSAG
.oO(I'll have to meet with Mrs. Weatherby about the shed and will probably need to level the floor again. Among other things, I suppose..)
*As quietly as possible he makes his way up to his room and locks the door behind him. Depositing his gear in his closet he gets ready for bed.*
*Breathing into the evening air, he places his holy symbol near his bed and whispers to his god.*
"Mother of all. Your balance be in all things and in all places. Help us, Your children, find our path with Your guidance. We need Your help to see that Thy world is part light and darkness, life and death. Bless us, Mother."
*He lays in bed for a while, staring at the ceiling and thinking of the many tasks before him. Eventually sleep creeps into his thoughts.*
.oO(Remember to keep the breathing slow and measured. Ease the mind and body into relaxation.)
*As he has done more and more recently the elf pictures a marbled symbol of his god floating in inky blackness of his mind. At first the shape is immobile but as his breathing slows the symbol begins to turn on its vertical axis, a few breathes per revolution. The motion continues until every stray thought is caught in the symbol and ceases to weigh on his mind. Soon after that the symbol itself ceases to exist and there is only the sound of measured breath in the room.*
.oO(I think I'll stop by the Last Lich. It has been a while since I have been there.)
To LLI
.oO(Well I'll have to flatten out the area for the foundation again and make sure the hole is squared off. Other then that it hasn't been much of a loss. I'll need to go seek out the stone again from the market or find a quarry nearby. Well I can check in the next few days.)
*Thosar nods and then goes up to his room for the night.*
.oO(My city home...)
Her hand touches the cold metal knob and with a turn she pushes the door open and steps inside, taking in a deep breathe.
The smell of freshly baked bread, sweet on her senses, she smiles and walks into the kitchen
Hello Mrs. Weatherby.she says with a smile Sorry for my long absence, but I think this should be able to cover the last months rent plus the next months..and a few more for your trouble.
She places the small sac of coins on the table, Weatherby smiles and can't say much but smile and nod with a soft thankyou. She pours Anaya a cup of tea which she takes with a smile and nod and then heads up to her room
.oO(How I missed this room and how much I have grown fond of the city life...even though my life is not destined to be here)
She drops her bag alongside her feet and lays back, picking up the wooden charm around her neck and remembering how she found her new energies.
She thinks of Tynk and his new companion..the small lizard with the powerful punch....how much he has grown and how well he handled the situtaion with the Druid Benelvir.
She looks over at the candle as the light from outside dwindles and the only lumination is from the single flickering candle and her thoughts go to Codrian.
.oO(What did he mean? Does he know? Could he know? and if he was...is...what does it mean? Why would Verinal send me if he had already sent Codrian?)
.oO(I'm probably just overreacting...)
It has been a long day for her. She dresses down and pulls the covers over her, taking a last sip of her tea before resting her head on the pillow and closing her eyes. Lights dimly glimmer as her form changes... and she falls into a deep sleep.
A soft wind comes in through the window and the flame of the candle diminishes
"Here we are."
"Well hello Mr. Cornwall, My you look a little gnawed on, and who is your friend?"
"Hello Ms. Weatherby, this is....ummm,
I remember asking your name but I don't think I caught it, but any way he was part of a caravan that got attacked. I will be taking him home tomorrow.""Well is he hungry? Come sit down there is some food left. We always have extra food incase someone comes in late like this."
*After food they go up to Jace's room, and Jace lays out his sleeping roll for the peasant, stashes his loot, and sits on his bed.*
"When you wake up in the morning I will be gone. I need to run some errands. Go down stairs and get some food and be sure you help a little with dishes and whatnot, she is a very kind lady and you will be safe in her hands but be sure to return some kindness. I need to get healed tomorrow, after that I will come back here pick you up and we will go to make a statement at the city guard. The Jackals will want to know what happened....Ok get some sleep."
*Jace lies down in bed and sleeps lightly. In the morning he wakes up before the sun comes up goes down stairs lets Ms Weatherby know about what is going on and leaves with a freshly baked and toasted piece of buttered and Jellied toast. [The way mom makes it]*
[Natalas]
A few hours later she changes and heads over to her bed and sits on the edge.
.oO(What a beautiful morning)
She grabs her bag and crawls over to the foot of her bed and opens the chest, grabbing a clean set of clothes and her sandles, letting the chest close with a soft slam.
She grabs a towel from atop the small desk and heads down to the washroom, drawing herself a warm bath, which she soaks in for a time, letting the grit and grime dissove in the warm water.
After washing she gets out of the tub, dries herself and dresses. Then drains the tub of its water and heads downstairs for a nice cup of tea.
"mmmm. Smells good whatcha making?"
"Well it was going to be corned beef and cabbage but there wasn't any cabbage at the market today. They should be showing up soon though. The season for them is here."
*Jace feels a pang of sadness in his chest.*
"No ...Ms. Weatherby you know that man that I had hear a few days ago?"
"Yes...very quiet man kinda jumpy. You said he was part of a caravan"
"Yes well he was part a cabbage caravan."
"Oh dear....well It will be a corned beef with no cabbage then."
"Yes for now at least."
*Jace goes up stairs and into his room. He dumps his backpack onto the bed and removes his weapons. He then picks up his half of the treasure except one of the armbands and puts it in his hs back pack. He then takes the armband that is left and puts it on his own wrist becasue it is too small to fit on his upper arm. He holds his left writes up in front of his face and looks at the armband. He looks at the flowers and the animals skull.*
.oO(I think I might hold on to this for a while)
*Jace smiles, shoulders his pack and goes down stairs.*
"I will be back later Ms Weatherby."
"Have a good afternoon darling."
*Jace goes out the door and heads for the SSAG*
.oO(Still not quite used to coming out of that. Practice makes habit though so I just need to keep it up and stay focused through the return as well.) thinks the elf. After stretching for a moment he gets up and dresses before heading down to breakfast. Mrs Weatherby serves him some porridge and water when he sits down at the table.*
"Good morning Mr. Lueque. I was just looking out at where the shed will be one day. When do you think that day will be?"
*Thosar smiles as he chews and swallows a spoonful of grain and milk.*
"Soon, actually I am headed over to the market square today to check on finding some stone. It shouldn't take too long once I get started, maybe a week and a half or so."
*Mrs. Weatherby smiles and nods and goes back to cleaning up a bit around the kitchen. A while later Thosar is finished eating and thanks Mrs. Weatherby for the meal before he heads for the market square.*
Good morning Mrs. Weatherby she says with a smile
Good morning dear. I hope you slept well.
That I did. Thanx for keeping the room for me. I'm sorry I was gone for so long with no word.
Well no one else said anything otherwise so I figured I would hold it for you, just a bit longer.
And for that I thankyou.she takes a sip of her tea and grabs a small pouch from her satchel, opening it and emptying some of the contents on the table.
.oO(Looks like I am going to have to collect more herbs I am running low..)
She looks out the small window by the table
.oO(Best make a stop by Natala's shop to see if there is anything she'll need before I go)
She puts the contents back in the pouch and ties the string, placing it back in her bag and sits for a few moments to finish her tea before taking the cup over to the sink and leaving the house
To Elsewhere
She pats her on the side and then inside the building. OInce inside she walks up to Mrs Weatherby as she is making dinner.
Why hello dear, how are you this evening?
I am good. Umm I am going on a trip here soon and I just figured I would let you know that I may be gone for a little while.
You too huh? Ran had a message from the Jackals this morning
Did the messenger say anything?
Just to let Ran know that a Darkar is planning to leave in the morning
Thankyou Mrs. Weatherby. I hadn't known that we were leaving so soon.
She runs up to her room and grabs her things then runs back downstairs
.oO(I guess Minto finished the wand sooner than Darkar had expected)
She waves to Mrs. Weatherby as she heads out the door.
.oO(I should let the others know what is going on)
She grabs the reins, jumps on and head towards the graveyard
.oO(I have no gift, no inherent talent. But someday, once I regain my good name, maybe I can go home.)
Shaking her head, she sheathes the sword.
.oO(I don't want to go home. I don't want to watch my loved ones die.)
In the morning, she returns to the armory.
This time, she carries her sword.
She bathes and dresses, tying her apron firmly around her waist. She heats up the small fire in her workroom, setting the heavy iron on the rack that straddles the flames and, while the iron heats, sets about dragging small rugs out to the back porch to beat the dust from them.
She leaves the rugs hanging outside so she can mop the floors a little later, washes the dust from her hands, and returns to her workroom to check the iron. She decides it is indeed hot enough and sets about ironing her clothes and linens. It's hot work and she cheers herself with a bit of whistling.
After the ironing has been completed for the day, she folds and puts her things away then heads to the kitchen to begin breakfast preparations.
.oO(Has it been so long?) he ponders to himself.
*Moving over to a desk near the door he opens a drawer and slips out a piece of paper and writes a quick note.*
Dear Mrs. Weatherby,
I hope this letter finds you well. I will be stopping by tomorrow to discuss a room arrangement we had not too long ago. I'll see you then.
Sincerely,
Those Lueque
*After folding the note and placing it on the desk and signing "For Mrs. Weatherby", Thosar turns and heads back into the night.*
.oO(This is one thing I never missed after he disappeared... mopping away the mud and dirt that adventurers always seem to track in.)
She finishes one last swipe at the now-clean floor and takes a moment to inspect her work. She leans on the mop and smiles.
.oO(And yet, I did miss it, as I think back now. There! A job well-done, as usual. Let's see to the back entrance now...)
As she turns, her eyes brush over the desk by the door and she sees a note with her name on it.
.oO(Hm? Who has left me a note? Not a secret admirer, I'll wager.)
She smiles wryly to herself at the thought as she picks up and reads the note from Thosar. She nods, re-folding the note and tucking it into a pocket in her apron. She picks up her mop and bucket and heads for the muddy back entrance.
Alesan bursts excitedly into the house, waving a bit of paper.
"Gran? Where are you?"
Mrs. Weatherby pops in from the kitchen and smiles warmly at the girl.
"Where else would I be, dear? Now, what's all the excitement about?"
"You have a letter, Gran. Look! What beautiful writing! It's not elvish -- their writing is long and swooshy. But look, this is stubby and very angular... almost like beautiful gemstones!"
Mrs. Weatherby does indeed look at the handwriting on the outside of the envelope and smiles.
"Very aptly put, Alesan. Like beautiful gemstones indeed."
The letter, given to Mrs. Weatherby for inspection, is opened and read. Mrs. Weatherby's eyes sparkle at the news she's received.
"What is the date today? Let's see... oh yes. Alesan, we only have a few days. We'd best get busy."
The young girl looks at the older woman confused.
"A few days, Gran? A few days for what?"
Mrs. Weatherby smiles.
"To prepare a room. A previous tenant is returning!"
.oO(Home. A place of warmth and friendhsip. A place of change and learning.)
*The elf glances at the various angles of the house and then at the spot where the partly-started shed is located.*
.oO(A project I still have intend on finishing. I owe Mrs. Weatherby much more than that.)
*With this thought the elf walks forward, up the stairs and through the door like one returning home from a journey. The wiff of something cooking stops him once inside and he clears his throat.*
"Hello?"
"Good evening Mr. Lueque. How nice it is to see you back again."
*Her warm smile fills like a cozy fire to the elf. He thinks of asking about the payment and if it was adequate but decides against it. Conversations about money can wait for another day.*
"Thank you Mrs. Weatherby. It is good to be back and I am glad to see you well."
*Mrs. Weatherby turns and calls to the kitchen.*
"Alesan, how are those biscuits coming along?"
*The girl peeks her head into the entryway, waving as she spots Thosar and speaking to her grandmother.*
"Doing fine Gran. I think they'll be good to come out in a little while. I'm just cleaning up."
*The older woman smiles.*
"That's a good lass. Make sure you keep an eye on them, I'm going out to sweep off the porch."
*Turning to Thosar she nods again.*
"Speaking of chores, I'm sure you remember the rules of staying here Mr. Lueque?"
*The elf nods with a grin.*
"Of course Mrs. Weatherby. I'd like to arrange a meeting with you in the next few days if possible, to discuss some past chores I have left unfinished. Though for now I feel like getting settled in my old room."
*The older woman nods.*
"Out of the two of use you are the one who is rarely around, so just stop in when you have some time. If you'll excuse me now I have a job to do."
*She lifts her broom as she heads outside, and she seems a sort of warrior of cleanliness to the elf. Battling the forces of dirt where ever they assault the boarding house. He smiles at this thought and then heads up to his old room.*
*After settling in and his nightly prayers he is soon in a calm resting state.*
Standing just outside her back door, Mrs Weatherby smiles.
.oO(So he finally finished it, eh? Good timing too. It looks very nice from here. Better to take a more critical look at it… I don’t really expect to find anything improper though.)
She quickly grabs the old cloak that she keeps just inside the back door for these cold-weather excursions into the yard. She’d never wear it out, of course. Wrapping it snugly around herself, she heads for the woodshed that Thosar had promised so long ago to build for her.
Opening the door, she peers into its dark interior. She opens the door fully and uses the daylight to make her inspection. After several moments of checking everything she takes a step back and smiles widely.
.oO(Well, its just perfect! Now to fill it!)
She closes the shed, securing the doors, and heads back inside, whistling merrily.
A short but stout figure strides up to the boarding house and knocks meaningully on the door. Soon enough, Mrs Weatherby pulls the door open and peers out. Upon seeing her guest, her eyes sparkle and she grins, throwing the door wide.
"Why Brodda! It's about time you arrived! We've been quite ready for you, per your letter! I'd begun to worry that something had happened on the way!" She hugs the smaller woman and ushers her inside.
The dwarfess beams at the warm welcome back. "Ah knoow, and Ah'm verry sorrrrry forr the delay. All is fine. Therre was an... eh, unavooidable situation. But that's all doone noow. How arre things herre? Enoough tenants?"
Mrs Weatherby, her worries relieved, becomes business-like for a moment. "Let me show you to your room -- its a little closer to the bath than before, knowing how you like to bathe often."
"Ahhh, Missus Weatherrrrby! Yeh'rre verrry thoughtful! And no one wants teh rrrun into a dwarrrf wrrapped in a towel!"
The two chuckle together as Mrs Weatherby opens a door and shows Brodda inside. The latter sets her things on the bed and turns to the house mistress. "Ah knoow, a rreview of the rrules."
Mrs Weatherby goes over the rules and expectations with Brodda, who hands over enough coin for two weeks' rent. Then, with business out of the way, the pair head downstairs for some tea (spiked, I'm sure) and some good conversation.
Once everything is in its place, Brodda sits in the desk chair and contemplates the rest of her day.
.oO(Well, Ah'm herre teh pay meh rrespects, and that o'the folks back hoome, t'the Dwarrrven Defenderrr. But cerrrtainly this trrip dooesn't have t'be all business...)
She smiles to herself.
.oO(Nooo, indeed, a little rrreunion is in orrrderr too!)
She gathers her bathing things and heads for the bath.
She deposits coins of various denominations in several pockets, most hidden, some not, in her skirts. She dons her summer slippers. As a final preparation, she tucks one dagger in her boot, one in a special holster at her thigh, and a third at her other thigh. Lastly she checks a small pouch containing various items, checking its inventory.
Picking up her recorder the dwarfess heads out into Garic's City, a whistle on her lips.
Brilliant job, wandering through half the city after that wrong turn. Well, I'm here now, might as well get it over with.
She steps to the door and taps. How about, 'loud enough for the old woman to hear'? She tries again, rapping loudly this time.
Hope it's not too late in the evening for a meal...
"Set these in the basin, dear, and give the stew a good stir or two."
The girl nods, takes the dishes, and heads for the kitchen. Mrs. Weatherby wipes her hands on her apron and heads for the front entry. Opening the door, she peers out and sees a young woman looking very tired.
"Hello there. May I help you?"
Upon hearing that the lass is looking for lodging, she steps aside and invites her in.
"Set your things right there for the moment, dear. Come in and have a seat. Would you like some tea?"
The smell of hot stew emanates from the kitchen.
It's been a long day, I went straight to the Market square after I got here, looking for a spot to sell my wares.
She tries to enjoy the aroma unobtrusively, swallowing as her mouth waters.
"Straight from arriving to work, you say? That's very good. We get so many who arrive here and never seem to find work. I don't suppose you've had a chance at supper then, have you? Why don't you come into the kitchen then and you can have a bowl of rabbit stew, hm?"
She turns and steps into the kitchen expecting her visitor to follow.
"Alesan, please serve up a bowl of the stew and a roll."
The girl wipes her hands the apron tied about her waist and rushes to do as bid. Meanwhile Mrs. Weatherby sets up three teacups and pours hot tea from the kettle hanging above the red-hot embers in the kitchen fireplace.
She inhales the aroma of the tea as she waits for it to cool.
My parents were very firm believers in hard work. I wouldn't dream of lollygagging about, Mrs. Weatherby.
She looks across at Mrs. Weatherby over the rim of the teacup. I understand you have an opening here? For a room? I can already tell your board is good, and you seem to keep a very clean house, much nicer than some of the inns I've stayed in.
"I see you've deducted who I am," she grins playfully. "I do have a room available. There are a few requirements for boarding here, though I don't imagine it would be any trouble for you."
She waves for Alesan to join them at the table and gives her the third cup of tea. The younger girl sits down next to their guest and smiles shyly.
The elder woman goes over the cost of room and board, the rules of living in the house, including the clause about helping around the house with projects and such.
"That's all there is, dear. What do you say?"
Nice to only have a chore or two, rather than a whole house to look after, she thinks, sipping her tea.
Would I be able to bathe here, or do I need to go to a bath-house for that?
"There is a bath here, though you may have to fight the dwarf for it. Seems she's always in there."
She takes a drink of her tea.
"Though she's hasn't returned yet today. When you've finished your supper I'll show you to your room and perhaps you can get one in tonight before she comes home, if you like."
She takes another drink.
"What's your name, dear? And being an old busybody, I wouldn't mind hearing where you've been if you don't mind sharing."
Steffi eats a bit more quickly, though neatly, and swallows before answering the next question.
Oh, sorry, I'm Steffi Forsbrook. From Little Rapids, a fishing village upriver of the city. I haven't really been anywhere, except from there to here.
When Steffi is finished, Mrs. Weatherby takes her upstairs, Alesan following along, to a room facing the morning sun.
"Here you are, dear. I suspect you may be a morning person, like myself."
She then takes Steffi on a tour around the house and excuses herself to finish cleaning, taking Alesan with her, allowing the younger woman to attend to her own business.
"See you later, Steffi!" Alesan calls from the stairs
This is nice. She was certainly right about being a morning person, have to catch the early rise on fish.
Steffi spends several minutes putting away her gear, then hurries off to take advantage of the bathtub before 'the dwarf' can claim it.
oO(How can I rest when I can see the blinking celing clear as day.)
*After some tossing and turning the frustrated elf sits up and perches on the edge of his bed and tries to clear his mind.*
Steffi cleans up the bathing room, and steps into her clean clothing. Gathering up her dirty things, she pads down the hall to her room.
There seem to be several other tenants. I wonder how many? Well, perhaps I'll meet them at breakfast. And ask about a nearby laundry -- I'm not doing my own anymore if I can avoid it!
She hums softly while combing out her wet hair, then extinguishes the lamp and lies down on the bed, falling easily into trance.
She sits in a chair not far from Jace and stares into the fire for a moment before speaking.
"It's nice to have a fire going on a chilly night, isn't it?"
She turns her head and looks at her tenant, her face hard and her voice stern.
"However it is a terrible waste of the wood to warm the house during sleeping hours, Mister Cornwall. I do expect that you will tend that fire until it is out, or until I am up again to prepare breakfast, whichever arrives first."
She stands and heads back to her room. Halfway there, she stops and turns. "And I expect you will replace the wood you have used this night. If you have another urge to wander the house at night, I suggest you wrap yourself in a blanket."
She pauses, then changes to a softer tone.
"Goodnight, Mister Cornwall."
*After another hour the flames die down, and Jace continues to sit and watch the cooling coals. Just a hint of light comes in from the windows, and life upstairs begins to move about. Jace get up and puts some dishes out for every bodies breakfast. He then goes back up stairs and throws his bastard sword on his back, and leaves for the gates.*
Steffi spends the pre-dawn hours crafting her intricate fishing lures, then winds her long braid around her head, covering the tips of her ears. She steps into her shoes and goes downstairs.
Good morning,she says in her soft voice, and seats herself at the table. Breakfast smells wonderful.
Once the table is set and food on the buffet, she moves through the house to her bedroom. She uses her washbasin to clean up a little from the cooking of breakfast, fusses with stray flyaways in her hair, and straightens her apron before returning to check on the progress of the consumption of the meal itself. On her way through the main room, she notices the woodpile. She frowns, thinking back to the amount of wood she had yesterday and realizes she now has far more wood than she should.
.oO(Perhaps the lad brought back extra as an unspoken apology for being disruptive last night.)
When she returns to the dining room, she sees that her newest tenant has arrived, and she smiles.
"Good morning, Ms. Forsbrook. How is your room? You let me know if there are any problems."
She gets a plate for her own breakfast and sits at the table with Steffi.
"Mr. Cornwall, please do get yourself a plate as well."
Her attention turns sharply to the second level of the house when she hears a noise that she doesn't recognize. She politely excuses herself to investigate.
The sound is intermittent, but finally she is able to track it down -- its coming from one of the boarders rooms... Brodda's.
.oO(I don't remember her coming in. Perhaps she did so late last night?)
She knocks on the door, and the sound from inside stops.
Mrs. Weatherby frowns and knocks again.
"Brodda, dear. Are you in there?"
Still no answer. After a moment, the sound begins again. Concerned, Mrs. Weatherby pulls her skeleton key from her pocket and unlocks the door, opening it, calling, "Brodda?" as she does so.
She immediately regrets having opened the door at all. She screams and ducks as a flying creature dives for her then continues on out the door.
She ducks aside as the creature flies about, knocking into a vase in its confusion.
Is that someone's pet?
"My goodness! What on earth...?"
To Steffi she says, "I'm alright, thank you."
She looks back into Brodda's room and sees that the window is open.
.oO(Well, that's not good. I'll have a word with Ms. Brodda next time I see her. Better yet, I'll leave a note for her.)
She turns and looks down the hallway.
"Now what was that thing, and where did it go? I'd hate to have it flying around the house, scaring everyone to pieces. Did you get a good look at it?"
N-no... I'm sorry, I was startled. It flew in there, I think it knocked something down, from the sound of it.
"Well, I'll just have to chase it out of here, won't I?"
She marches to the kitchen, keeping an eye out for the bird, or whatever it was.
"Miss Forsbrook, do you have a few moments to spare this morning? I could use an extra hand shooing this thing out of my house, but I won't have you being late for your second day of work on my account."
She reaches the kitchen and grabs her broom, holding it like a weapon.
Oh dear, I hope that didn't have sentimental value.
She grabs a towel from the kitchen, and hurries after Mrs. Weatherby.
It's still pretty early, I have time.
"Alesan, dear, please take care of this while we hunt down our flying visitor. And do take care with it, and leave the pieces on my desk. That had been a gift from Mr. Weatherby. I'd like to see if there's anything that can be done to salvage it. Thank you, dear."
As teenager rushes off to get a towel to collect what is left of the vase, Mrs. Weatherby returns her attention to the task at hand, careful to avoid the peices on the floor.
"I appreciate your help, Miss Forsbrook. I believe the creature flew this way, did it not? We shall begin looking in that room and see if we can't flush it out using broom and towel. Ready?"
Mrs. Weatherby leads Steffi on a hunt of the intruder, searching until they find it hiding in a dark corner of the upper hallway.
"Well, there you are!" she exclaims, moving in for a closer look, noticing how dark a color the bird is. When she is close enough to see it clearly, she gasps slightly and takes the broomstick firmly in both hands.
"Miss Forsbrook, would you mind opening that window over there?" She indicates a window near their position, never taking her eyes off the bat huddled in the dark corner. The open window in Brodda's room is too distant to attempt a forced exit there.
With broom and towel, the pair encourage the nasty thing to retreat to the window and leave the premises, after which Mrs. Weatherby promptly shuts the window.
She leans against the wall and catches her breath.
"Thank you, dear. Your help in this matter has been very much appreciated."
Then she stands, straightens her apron and her hair, and smiles to the younger woman.
"And now back to business!"
Bats are okay, outdoors, but inside... Well, at least it's out, now. I'd best get to work, now.
She makes a quick sandwich of the remains of her breakfast, and hurries away to the Market Square.
It's close to Noon when Brodda arrives at the boarding house. She hears Mrs. Weatherby in the kitchen, likely preparing a lunch, but Brodda is too tired to worry about food. She climbs the stairs and enters her room. She doesn't notice the note on her desk; all she can think about is getting to sleep. She pulls off her clothes and drops onto the bed pulling the covers over her, falling quickly into a deep slumber.
Hurriedly unlocking the door, Steffi enters the boarding house and goes up to her room. She kicks off her boots, piles her gear on the floor and collapses on the bed.
What a crazy day!
Several deep breaths to relax her muscles, and allow her mind to drift into reverie...
"What happened to you my friend?"
.oO(I will bring the picture with me and keep it at the forge until he shows up and I will show this to him....I will assure he knows it was me.)
*With that final thought Jace places the drawing next to his sword, strips down to his underclothing and kneels on the folded blankets in the middle of the room and clears his mind again.*
.oO(Darkar said 4 hours was enough...time passed much faster then I thought it would. I'll try to do four hour tonight and we will see how it goes.)
*Jace stands and redresses. He puts on cloths that will not have much of a problem with him working in the forge all day. He straps his longsword on his hip, carefuly stores the picture in his pocket and goes downstairs. He eats breakfast but his mind is in the forge deciding what steps to go through first with the armor. He finishes up his meal cleans up the kitchen somewhat and leaves to the SSAG.*
.oO(It seems that I need more then four hours or rest. Perhaps Darkar was wrong. He may be able to get by on it but I can't. I will let him know when I see him next. Perhaps part of my human side still exists.)
*Jace kneels into his now normal resting position and finds it to be no longer strange. He closes his eyes and doesn't stir for several hours. Light just begins to creep into his window when he stands and retrives his normal belongings and after food he leaves for the forge again.*
ooc:I took out the post at the market place. Seemed rather pointless.
----
*Returning with rations and some other necessities Jace finds that Mrs. eatherby had returned. Jace waves and returnes to his room to do the final packing. After a few minutes Jace goes down the stairs to inform Mrs. Weatherby about what is going on. After dinner Jace returns to his room to rest.*
----
The next morning goes by without a hitch and Jace leaves on schedual to his home.