A battered tavern near the Osvik pier, the sign with the words "The Golden Sail" dangles precariously in front of the door. Inside, a fat and surly barmaid tends the few patrons remaining and an old man cleans some glasses with spit and a ragged cloth.
Time - 10:00 am
Saris entered the tavern, looking around uncomfortably. This feeling of being caught in the city was almost unbearable for her. She had no much money and no much food remaining either. She hoped to find some information in this tavern about a way to get out.
Gaius walked in and quickly headed for one of the tables in the back. He sat down and called the barmaid, he handed her a few gold coins and muttered to himself. "Two gold pieces for a drink... this town keeps getting worse." He quietly pulled a letter from of his robes and began to read it.
Kah'ta had been sitting at a table resting a little. He had had a drink or two and didn't hold it too well...He looked up sleepely as two people walked in...
Gaius slowly drank his beer and placed the letter carefully between the upper folds of his robe. Suddenly he realized there were 2 panthers in the tavern.
The Stealth skills of these cats are greater than i thought he thought as he eyed the Catfolk suspiciously.
Oni'ryu takes off his straw hat and enters the tavern. "Well, not exactly golden..." He tosses his hat onto a vacant table, slides his sword off his left shoulder and shakes his hand as if it were wet. Oni plops down into a chair and rests his sword against the table, looking around, sizing up the tavern's customers.
Saris saw other panther sitting at a table. She thought it was strange someone else was so far from their land. She walked towards him. "Hi" she said looking at him and slowly dragged a chair while asking "may I sit here?"
Just then, 3 men entered the tavern. The one in the middle, clearly the leader, had a goatee and black menacing eyes which contrasted with his amazingly pale and thin face. As he entered he lifted his large pointed nose and looked around in contempt. He walked over to the bartender and began talking to him in huished voices. The other two men were both equiped with leather armor and shortswords and stood at each side of the door, throwing menacing glances at the tavern patrons.
Oni'ryu throws mockingly menacing looks back at the thugs, raises his eyebrows, and smiles.
"Ya sure..."
Kah'ta says sleepily. "What's *Yawn* your name? Mines kah'ta." he says, meanwhile measuring up the thugs...
"I'm
Saris. Nice to meet you" she said sitting down. She then looked at the people that had just entered the tavern. "I hope they're not looking for trouble, because I'm willing to give them some... this all situation of being unable to leave this city makes me nervous" she smiled faintly.
Perhaphs i could use these Catfolk, after all, it is all for a greater good Gaius thought as he stood up and headed for the table where the panthers were sitting. He pulled a chair and sat on the Catfolk's table, without turning his sight from the man talking to the bartender. "That man has Dah'kin blood, i'd bet my staff on it" he said "One doesn't get that pale naturally" he then turned to the Catfolk and presented himself, "Gaius Varro, pleased to meet you."
Kah'ta nods. "I'm Kah'ta Maarj, nice to meet you." Kah'ta says. His attention has shifted to the conversation between the man and the bartender, his ears perking, trying to catch every detail...
Kah'ta's panther ears are able to keep track of the conversation. Apparently the Bartender's name is Fagerbotten and the man he is talking to is Skelle. Skelle's voice grows angrier as the conversation progresses, he is demanding Fagerbotten to pay his debts... or else...
Saris looked at Gaius suspicious. "I'm Saris Asdar. Dah'kin's you say, huh? Damn be they! The only thing needed to make this day worse" she complained and paid more attention to the pale men. She returned her gaze to Gaius a moment "Why do you tell us this?" she asked, looking back at the men.
Gaius quickly turned his head to avoid Saris's eyes, he knew how to treat Catfolk, they pay more attention to body language than anything else. "I just thought you'd be interested" he muttered, trying to keep his cool. "Besides it seems hell is about to break loose in this town and i'd rather be anyone's side than with that thief Verholm's thugs."
Kah'ta, for the most part, ignores saris' and Gaius' conversation. He pretends to examine an old picture on the wall, stealing glances in the two mens direction.
"You will pay or else! the man that was skelle said.
"But I already told you. Your men came in the other day and made..." The bartender Fagerbotten said. But before he could finish he was cut off by Skelle.
"Look I don't need your excuses! Hand over the money!" The two men began to talk louder...
"You're right"
Saris said to Gaius and smiled. He seemed to be honest. Then she raised an eyebrow and looked cautiously at the Dah'kin, hearing part of their discussion with the bartender. "Thieves... we can't just leave them steal like this" she murmured.
Skelle raised his hand and slapped old Fagerbotten across the face. "You seem to have forgotten who OWNS this town you old fool!!" He yelled as he signaled his goons with the other hand.
The wench hurried to help Fagerbotten as Skelle's men moved towards them</i>
Gaius quickly stood up and yelled. "You cowards!! In Caessen you would be rotting in jail!!" then he held his staff in front of him with his two hands in a combat position.
Skelle turned to Gaius with a twisted grinn on his face... "But we are not IN Caessen, boy.. now sit down unless YOU want to rot in jail!!" he said as he flashed a sword bearing the Knight's Crest of Nerva.
"You don't own this town!" Saris said standing up. She growled, hostile. "You've no right to command us"
Kah'ta quietly grasps the tsuka (Handle) of his wakizashi. He unsheathes it a little and keeps one eye on skelle and the other on his goons...
Skelle leered at Gaius and Saris, "So the little kitten wants to play uh?" he said with contempt. "I'd suggest you sat down and kept you muzzle shut girl!, my business is with old man Fagerbotten here" he added.
Kah'ta slowly rises. He grips his blade tighter. His eyes focus on Skelle now.
Gaius smilled as he saw Kah'ta stand up. This was just what he had been expecting. If he was able to rally a few more warriors he could succesfully rid the town of Skelle and his group. And even challenge Verholm. He leered back at Skelle. "Not so brave now uh?"
Practically able to cut through the tenseness in the air with his own blade, Oni'ryu shifts in his chair, picking up his katana and stuffing it into the sash around his waist, gripping the scabbard tightly, thumb pressed against the tsuba (hilt). <i>Looks like things could get messy, better stay on my toes.
Skelle looked over his shoulder as he saw Oni'ryu stand up. He glanced back and forth between Gaius and Fagerbotten. Finally he spat on the ground and signled his goons to put their weapons away. "You've been lucky today Fagerbotten. I'll be back for the money later... Verholm will not appreciate your lack of cooperation." The he turned to Saris, "And YOU.... this is not over kitten." he began to laugh as he left the tavern, the two thugs following him closely.
Oni'ryu looks at Skelle in disgust, and spits in his direction as they exit.
Oni'ryu's spit hits one of Skelle's henchmen, the large man turns and draws his weapon. "Easy Vallmak, we'll deal with them later." Said
Skelle. Then grinned at Oni'ryu. "We had nothing against you boy... i guess you'll have to learn the hard way." he said before disappearing into the streets of Osvik.
"Threating both an old man AND a woman in one day is bad enough... threatening ME? he just signed his own suicide note." says
Oni'ryu as he aproaches the barkeep.
Eirian stumbles through the tavern door, her clothes torn, bloodied and damp. One of her wings drags against the floor as she makes her way to a near by seat and collapses into it. A loud sigh escapes her lips as she rests her head against the table. One hand clutches a longbow, the string frayed and hanging loose, the other holds fast to a chain about her neck.
Oni'ryu turns to see who has entered. Upon seeing what apears to be an injured woman, he spins around and orders a bowl of water and a clean rag. "Quicky now! She's hurt! And some sake...or whatever is good here! I'll pay for anything she needs!"
"No need," came a clear voice. In the doorway stood
Urien, taller than anyone else in the tavern. He went to Eirian and examined her wounds. From his pack he brought out some clear spirit and washed a rag in it. "This will sting," he told her as he pressed it against a large cut.
Kah'ta sat back down when Skelle walked out the door. He became intrigued though, as many cats do, when a badly wounded hauken female came in, followed by some sort of healer...
Urien was glad he'd wrapped up his swords and worn a thick tunic over his armour. The people in the tavern were a ragtag bunch of foreigners, none from Lochmore apart from himself and the barkeeper. Urien wasn't sure if he could trust any of them.
The old Bartender stood up and sat in a nearby chair with a concerned look. The Barmaidhurried to the back of the tavern to fetch some bandages for Eirian
Gaius smiled and walked towards Eirian. "This is a few of the times where I shine." he said as he gently pushed Urien to the side. He placed his hand on Eirian's wing and muttered some words, a warm light seemed to emerge from his hand as Eirian's Wounds began to close. He then placed his hand again on Eirian's forehead and casted a second heal spell, just in case.
GM Notes -
- Eirian now has gained 4 HP, she now has 7/10 HP
- Gaius has lost 4 MP, he now has 6/12 MP.
Urien bowed his head to Gaius. "Thank you. I am no healer, I just have a basic knowledge on tending wounds." He put out a hand to the mage. "My name is Urien Flametongue."
Gaius shaked Urien's hand. "Gaius Varro. It is good to see some of the Nervan Knights still deserve that title... that IS a knight's Crest in you sword right?" then he looked towards the door thoughfully. "I wonder how that worm Skelle managed to get one of those."
Kah'ta stood up and introduced himself to Urien, "I'm Kah'ta Maarj of the panther clan as you can probably tell. Nice to meet you." Kah'ta extended his hand to shake hands with Urien.
Saris looked angrily at Skelle as he left. "Next time it won't be so easy for you to leave" she muttered. Then she looked at the wounded Hauken that just entered and the knight. She walked towards them after Gaius had made his spell. "I'm Saris" she introduced herself "also of the panther clan..." She then turned to the hauken girl. "What happened to you?"
Urien shifted uncomfortably when Gaius mentioned his sword. "Well, yes it is a knight's crest, but I tend not to use that one." He gestured to the long sword on his back. "I prefer the sword given to me by a knight who taught me everything."
Oni'ryu walks up to the group of people. "Well, I'm the only stranger here now; it'd be quite rude if I didn't introduce myself. Oni'ryu of Xiadom, sword for hire." He presses both palms together and bows. "After seeing the situation here earlier, I'm sure to get some work soon." Oni closes the scentence with a wink.
Gaius looked at Oni'ryu suspiciously, it was not in his nature to trust someone who fought only for money. "Let's just hope we end up on the same side Oni'ryu" he said "I thought Men of Xiadom cared more about honour than economics." he added in an almost sly way.
Oni'ryu shrugs. "It's natural for someone to get paid to do what their good at, is it not? I have my own reasons for what I do; and besides, money isn't everything. No matter how much is offered, it can never replace a friend." Oni'ryu extends his hand to Gaius and gives a reassuring smile.
Gaius smiled back at Oni'ryu, perhaphs this man could be trusted. He decided it was time to reveal his real plans. All these people seemed not only strong, but trustworthy. He walked up to the largest table and sat on a nearby chair. He flashed what appeared to be a knight's crest to Fagerbotten.
the old man quickly bowed and went upstairs to the second floor of the tavern, followed closely by the Tavern Wench
Gaius looked at the group. "I would like you to sit down please... i have an offer for you." he said with the most cordial voice as he extended his hand. He smiled innocently. "You too Miss Hauken... i believe I don't know you name yet..."
Eirian looks up from the table, her vision swimming, and squints at the strangers about her. "Hmmmm...?" She looks confused for a moment and then opens her clutched hand, within lies two feathers. One, bluish-black, is attached to her silver chain; the other is pale white, and bloodied. The haukens' eyes brighten with recognition and dismay, "Misae..."
Urien sat down across from Gaius. "A proposition? Is it about this town? I feel an adventure is on its way," he smiled.
"If it has anything to do with getting rid of this skelle character and his leaders, i'm in..." said
Kah'ta.
Gaius looked up to Eirian.
THe poor girl is still confused, he thought
I'd better let her rest... i'll explain my proposal to her later. He then turned to Kah'ta and Urien. "It seems you have read my mind. I believe we may be strong enough to challenge Verholm. Since I believe none of us is interested in being stranded in this run-down town..." he then turned to Oni'ryu. "Mr. Oni'ryu, perhaphs for this time you might consider working... um...pro-bono"
Urien nodded. "I would dearly love to rid my homeland of this scum! Finally I will be able to prove myself as a knight and maybe even make my name in history! Plus, it will mean I can get my boat out of the harbour!"
Gaius smiled, "It is good to see some of the Knights of Nerva still deserve their crest Sir Urien, but I wouldn't be too hasty, Skelle is a wimp for sure... but according to what i've learned of Verholm, he might prove to be a formidable opponent." He looked outside the window and pointed to a nearby hill, just visible behind the town wall. "As you might now, Verholm's mansion is on that hill, however without any possibility to stock ourselves because of the escessive prices..." he looked to the ground for a second an finally raised his eyes "Let's just say it wil be a challenge." he added.
Urien chuckled softly. "No need to call me sir anything, just Urien. Also, I have already been plotting against Verholm. He is a foreigner, no offense, but arrogant and too assured. He does not think anyone here has the nerve to stand against him. At night, it would be possible to slip from the city to the mansion and sneak in, killing him while he sleeps. Of course, if all here wish to help, we could take the mansion and hold Verholm hostage."
"I'm sure he didn't thought he would find people of my folk when he decided to hire Dah'kin's for his dirty work"
Saris said. "Count me in" she glanced at Gaius. "Anyone has a clue of what we might find in the mansion? I mean, he surely has guards..."
Urien cut in. "He has 12 human guards, 8 Dah'kin, and he's a competent fighter himself." He smiled at them. "I've been spying on his grounds for quite a while. That's all I could see, so he may have more protection."
"You had been planning then, I see"
Saris said with a smile. She glanced around, took a chair and sat down. "We need a plan... if we attack at night the Dah'kin will see us without any trouble... and at day we're all visible too" she said, so only they heard.
Urien clicked his finger. "I've got it! We'll do it in the very early morning in the sea fog. It'll be thickest then, and neither human nor Dah'kin will see us!"
Gaius slowly scratched his chin, "It seems you have really given thought to this Urien... we should try to take care of Skelle and his lackeys tonight, that way we could probably get the merchants to lower their prices so we can stock ourselves and storm the mansion at dawn." He then turned to Kah'ta and Oni'ryu silently asking for their opinion.
Oni'ryu folds his arms accross his chest. "These are despicable and dishonorable people. Skelle threatened me. It became personal, then. They should be brought to their knees and humiliated for what they've done to the people of this town."
"Maybe we should split up when we go in. That way we can attack from multiple angles and move easier..."
Kah'ta says. He crosses his legs casually. He hasn't had much chance to test his skills all locked up in this town. This'll be the first good fight in a while.
"That's not a bad idea"
Saris said to Kah'ta. Then she turned to Gaius "Will the merchants sell us something
at night? We could speak with them and make a deal... they surelly want to get rid of Skelle and his people. Maybe we could get a discount, heh". She moved away one little braid that had fallen from her hairdo.
Gaius smiled at Saris,
This girl is fast he thought. "Yes, in fact, thanks to old Fagerbotten, who risked his life many times to help, i've been able to mantain contact with many of the local merchants, they are willing to supply us with what we may need at good prices. However they need some proof that we can bring Verholm down before they compromise. That proof would be Skelle's head on a pike." he said this last part with a clear expression of disgust on his face.
"But we may not have that much time."
Kah'ta said. "Skelle is likely to be looking for a chance to kill us or Fagerbotten. If we were to kill him we would have to find him very quickly and make short work of it. Where does he stay? The mansion I presume..."
"Fortunately not, Skelle and his men stay in the northern part of town, in what used to be the town barracks. In regards to Fagerbotten, i don't think Skelle will try to kill him, he makes more money alive, unless he thinks he is collaborating with us"
Gaius looked at the stairs that Fagerbotten and the wench had just used. "I think it would be safer for everyone if we continued this conversation elsewhere, I have been renting a small house in southern Osvik, Skelle doesn't know about it, it would probably be safer there..."
"Sounds good to me.", says
Kah'ta. He stands up and dusts off his hakama. "We should take a back road. That way just in case Verholm has any unknown spy's or gaurds, we won't have to risk them seeing us."
Gaius stands up and walks to the stair, he talks loudly to the people inthe second floor "Fagerbotten! we're leaving, I want you to lock up and don't open the door until tomorrow!" he then walked up to the group. "Let's go then." he said with a smile.
Kah'ta stands up and pushes in his chair. He tightly fastens his wakizashi to his belt and then checks to make sure he's not missing anything. "Alright then. I'm ready."
Oni'ryu puts on his hat and tightens the chinstrap. He then slings his katana over his left shoulder. "Been looking for a good fight lately."
Saris smiled to Oni'ryu "It seems you've come to the right place, then... I must admit I like the idea too" she stood up and walked towards the door. "Lead the way, then" she turned to Gaius.
Eirian stands suddenly, and faces the strangers, her eyes wild. "Have any of you seen another of my kind. She has long black hair, white wings?" She waves the bloodied feather at them in despiration.
Gaius looked at the floor for a few seconds, then face Eirian, "I am sorry, i haven't seen her.... say... tell me your name girl.. I promise if you help us now I will help you look for your kinsman, for as long as it takes" he smiled charmingly and extended his hand to Eirian. "What do you say? It would help having someone native to this parts by your side right?"
Eirian eyes the human uncertainly, unaccustomed to his kind. "I am Eirian Ain'sedth," she replies copying the mans gesture after palming her bow into the other hand, but not actually making any contact. "Where exactly am I?"
Gaius knowing that the Hauken had only recently discovered this continent, smiled and answered her innocent question with a traditional hauken salute, consisting on lightly blowing air on his extended palm, as if aiming towards Eirian. "You are on the Ki'afisal continent, in the Taiat coast, more precisely, in the town of Osvik, part of the Lochmore Region of what used to be Nerva, I am Gaius Varro, from the Empire of Caessen, to the north." he smiled once more, triyng to get Eirian to relax a little.
Eirian smiles slightly at the familiar salute and repeats it. "How would you have me help you, Gauis Varro of the Caessen?"
"As you may have heard, miss Eirian, we wish to right the wrongs commited in this land."
Gaius said, then he stared into Eirian's eyes "will you help us do that?"
"If you swear to aid me in finding the Lady Misae, I shall do all that I can to help." Eirian stared back, and then glanced at her frayed bowstring with a wince. "Although, I'll need a new string, and some arrows."
Gaius rushed upstairs and down, carrying a roll of string and a quiver with 20 arrows. He handed them to Eirian. "I don't think old Fagerbotten will miss those, he can't even string his bow anymore... now let's get out of here..." as he said that he headed outside.
Saris looked at the group. "This guy is full of surprises..." she said and followed Gaius outside.
Eirian glanced at the roll of string, slung the quiver across her back and followed after her new companions.
Urien rose and stretched, his head nearly reaching the beams in the ceiling. Quickly, he followed the rest of the group out into the foggy Lochmore morning.
Kah'ta took a deep breath of fresh air and stretched his arms out wide. Then he hurried after Gaius.
Back to
Party Nº1
Stumble!