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Post by Teh Donut on Oct 15, 2007 4:31:05 GMT -5
* Stonebreach Pass *
Early autumn. Normally, preparations for the coming harvest would take place. Farmers would be seen dusting off their harvesting equipment, families would be clearing out their storerooms for the new stock, and markets would be opening for their valuable and necessary seasonal food wares. This year would be different though.
Though the entire region of the kingdom was known as the Frozen North, the snows rarely ever came so early to these southern portions of the Loum Imperium, and yet the white powder already seemed to blanket the world. From his perch in the back of the covered oxcart, the younger Meridot had been witness to it all: the trees were still fully leafed and coated so thick that most of the smaller ones had snapped clean in half, the fields (what few there were in the region) filled with frost-killed and iced-over crops…one could not help but think of how many people would starve through the coming winter.
This particular evening saw thick clouds, and by the time the old covered oxcart began to slow, a light sprinkle of snow draped the landscape. To one looking forward, the giant fortress wall of Stonebreach spanned the width of the entire mountain pass; its gray flanks and smoke from the sentry fires atop its parapet only served to enhance the bleakness of the atmosphere. The tent city, a home for those unable to pay the gate toll (and a usual sight to behold outside the fortress town’s north gate) naturally funneled the traffic upon the muddy road down to single in-out lanes…the one entering the gate considerably thicker than the one entering the Imperium.
It was at the former line that the cart finally came to a halt…
* South of Darnathir *
The early autumn air was thick with the sounds of life and productivity. All about the small town, harvest preparations were being made as farmers, merchants, and travelers alike filled the streets, intent on completing a last errand or two before the end of the beautiful day. Too busy, in fact, to take in the warming reddish hue of the setting late-afternoon sun, the cool westerly breeze, or even the all-around jovial atmosphere.
These wonders were also lost to Igashu, who pushed forward against the light crowds eager to get…somewhere. Actually, he had been like that since he had first seen the heraldry marking the entrance to the town just a few minutes ago. Why had been a mystery until he had told Constance, with a smile, that they were in Kegan, a town on the kingdom’s border. They were finally within the lands of Darnathir.
Igashu was eager, yes, but he was beginning to feel a twinge of disappointment; He knew his trip was nearly done, and over the past couple months, he had grown used to Constance, learned to trust the strange man, and wasn’t really looking forward to saying any goodbyes. Also, Igashu hadn’t been able to help him in his quest to find his home, something he had promised he’d do…
He pushed all that from his mind as he stopped before a set of double oak doors belonging to one of the larger buildings within town.
“This should do…the ‘Tin Hand Tavern’,” Igashu read to Constance, knowing he wouldn’t be able to read the words for himself. “Mind if we stop here for the night?”
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Post by Ninmast on Oct 15, 2007 13:16:16 GMT -5
*Stonebreach Pass*
(I don't remember the name of this one. Started with a J, I think. Do you?)
The slender blonde human lifted the cloak's hood up to keep out the snow. "Is this our stop?" the unimposing voice asked as she looked up toward the driver.
*South of Darnathir*
He had been world-hopping with the man for some time, not as long as Igashu, himself, had been hopping, but it was better than staying put. The only downside, besides the obvious of not finding Rentis, was that no matter where he went, the paranoia about him seemed to be the natural response.
So it was that Constance closed his eyes as he shook his head in response to the prince's question. "No, I don't mind at all. Do you know anything of this tavern?"
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Post by Teh Donut on Oct 15, 2007 19:27:37 GMT -5
*Stonebreach Pass*
"It is, miss," replied the involuntarily gruff old voice, slightly muffled due to the scarf wrapped thickly about his face to ward the cold. He leaned back to look at his lone passenger sitting amongst his tightly packed goods.
"I'd take you farther, but you know, the Imperium has laws about transportation of people. Paranoia if you ask me...don't tell them I said that," he finished, winking and thumbing towards one of the far-off guards by the gate. "Sorry. Can you make if from here well enough?"
*Kegan*
Igashu shrugged and grinned his usual, barely authentic half-grin. "Not especially. Some talk about 'the best beds in town' or somesuch, but beyond that, nothing we haven't seen in other taverns; warm ale, maggoty bread, and ornery villains I'd assume...the standard tavern fare. A real bucket-o-fun, eh?"
Igashu pushed aside the door, and the familiar dull hum of conversation just barely met their ears above the din from the happenings outside. "After you?" he rather redundantly asked.
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Post by Ninmast on Oct 15, 2007 23:48:44 GMT -5
*Stonebreach Pass*
The passenger gave a white smile at the comment and nodded. "Thank you again," the cloaked figure answered before climbing out of the back. Even the slush underfoot was better than the barren conditions the two had met in. The hitch hiker checked a coin bag. "How much is the toll? Do you know?"
*Kegan*
"Hmph," the Rentisian scoffed at the joke, smirking a bit and revealing one of his more fang-like canines in the process. "Good. I'll be able to get my evening exercise, maybe. Or at least a stretch." He walked on in, looking around with his eyes closed as he took in the interior of the bar, making his way toward the bar and expecting Igashu to follow.
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Post by Teh Donut on Oct 16, 2007 14:17:50 GMT -5
*Stonebreach Pass*
"Three...no, wait," the old man sat back again, this time in thought. With a mild "ah" of remembrance, he continued, "That's right, four. Four silvers...a bit steep for a simple toll I think, even if it is to fund war preparations. But, you know, dont tell them that..."
The old man sat straight again, rubbing some circulation back into his gloved hands as he did so. "Anyways, you'll want to stay the night in town. It could get expecially cold in the pass at night as it was, without this blasted weather. Best place I could think of would be this old inn; "Blood 'n' Bones", I believe. Haha, pay no mind to the name...the place is respectable enough..."
The old man glanced down at the figure of the young "lady" standing in the mud and the muck and caught himself before he could continue. "Ah, er, sorry. Yes, four silvers. You have enough then, aye?"
*Kegan*
The place wasn't especoally impressive, as far as taverns come, and even then it was only about half full; apparently, it was meant as more of an inn than an actual tavern. To the left after entering the door was the bar itself, pretty standard with a smoothed oak top and several stools lined along its front, half of which were occupied with an ordinary assortment of people who looked to simply be taking a break from the preparations being made outside.
The other side of the room held two long tables with benches, sparsely populated with a couple drinking groups, muttering usual town dealings amongst themselves. straight between the two sides was a wide open space, that coincidentally made a straight shot from the front door to the stairs at the back. nothing seemed extraordinary besides a few men garbed in hooded black robes sitting around one of the table ends, but even they seemed...disinteresting.
A few curious heads turned in their direction and the conversation died slightly as the pair entered, but everything returned to normal within a couple seconds.
At first, it didn't seem as if anyone was manning the bar, but as if the slightly quieter room was a cue, the bearded head of the barman popped up from behind the counter, his face betraying his barbaric ancestry. "Welcome to the Tin Hand Tavern! Will you...ah...give me a bit," the half-orc said to the duo as he ducked back behind the counter.
"Well, this is disappointing," muttered the young prince as he followed in Constance's steps to the bar. Now that they were near enough, they could hear the rushed picking up of glass pieces and the muttered orcish curses...
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Post by Ninmast on Oct 16, 2007 21:52:45 GMT -5
*Stonebreach Pass*
The figure counted through the coin pouch before giving a thankful smile and a nod. "Yes, plenty, thank you again for all your help. Blood and Bones, you said? I'll look into it. If nothing else, it sounds like a place my brother might stop by. Good luck with your wares!" "She" moved toward the check-in line while giving the kind old man a wave.
*Kegan*
"In some respects, perhaps," Constance agreed with the prince's statement as he watched through the counter, following the barkeeper's movements as he picked up shards of reflected light. "There is an upside, though," he pointed out, lowering his voice slightly as he leaned toward Igashu. "Perhaps we'll be able to stay the night without getting chased off with torches and pitchforks for a change."
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Post by Teh Donut on Oct 17, 2007 4:08:14 GMT -5
*Stonebreach Pass*
"Good luck, and better fortune," the old man nodded with a smile and waved back before departing company and continuing on his own way.
The line itself moved along smooth enough, especially for its length. From where he stood, Janis could make out the gate guard holding the toll-box and his lance-bearing partner by the open gate. The only real hindrance seemed to be the constantly persistent wall of people along the side of what could be called the "path".
Members of the tent city who were turned away at the gate or kicked out of the town for one reason or another lined up with their hands outstretched, plying their cases and predicaments among the crowd, whether it be a poor merchant who was robbed on the highway and couldn't pay his way through the gate to go home to some other part of the kingdom or the drunkard who was thrown out late one night and hasn't been to his home within the wall since. Every now and again, someone would be generous and donate a necessary amount, and be rewarded by a throng of destitute beggars swarming him with their please until one of the iron-clad sentries keeping order came along and encouraged them away with his sword.
If Janis wasn't distracted or interested in the happenings about him, he might notice the baby-blue eyes of the little blond girl staring up at him from behind her mother. Those same eyes that hadn't stopped staring since he had entered the line.
*Kegan*
Igashu stiffled a chuckle while nodding his agreement. He might have replied, but it was at that moment the barkeeper, having cleaned and tossed away the broken glass, stood up.
"So, what c'n I get for you, sirs," the man asked, already taking down and polishing a glass with his gloved hands, as if anticipating another order. "Beds? Ales? Secrets t'the myst'ries of the cosmos?"
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Post by Ninmast on Oct 17, 2007 12:02:21 GMT -5
*Stonebreach Pass*
Something about those eyes pulled at Janis, however, reminding him somehow so much of his own. He couldn't help it. He stopped before the girl and her mother, smiling at the woman before kneeling down before the girl. "Hey, kiddo," he greeted her in that same soft tone that many mistook for a lady's voice. "What are you doing out here in the cold and slush?"
*Kegan*
The Rentisian pulled his traveling gloves off of his hands as he considered the options. "That last one sounds tempting," he answered after a moment of consideration, his eyes still closed as he tucked the gloves into his coat pockets, "but unless you know anything about Rentis, we'll probably have to settle with ales, some stew and bread, and a couple of beds for the night."
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Post by Teh Donut on Oct 17, 2007 14:34:10 GMT -5
*Stonebreach Pass*
The woman returned his smile, but the little girl shied away a bit before looking up to her mother, glancing back to Janis and then back up. It immediately became apparent why when the woman took off her gloves and began signing the words for her; she was deaf.
However, that didn't stem the girl's enthusiastic reply as her tiny hands signed back with a toothy grin. Assuming Janis couldn't understand, the mother roughly translated for him, "We're waiting, to meet her grandfather in town."
*Kegan*
"Comin' right up, sirs," the large man replied as he rapped several times on the wall behind him, paused, then knocked a couple more times. Satisfied when he received a knock back, he set about pouring the ales.
"Right you'd be; never heard nothing o' any Rentis, person or place, an' that's saying something. Two beds an' two meal's'll be five gold pieces," the orcish-man finished as he placed the ales upon the counter before them both.
It was a routine they had been in several times before. As Igashu reached into his pouch to dig out the required amount of money he asked, "Any idea where we could find someone who would know?"
The barkeep leaned against the counter and rubbed a hand through his beard several times before answering, "Not 'specially, though the best place t' search would prob'ly be in Darnathir itself...plenty large enough, lots o' people. One o' them's bound t'know."
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Post by Ninmast on Oct 17, 2007 16:28:24 GMT -5
*Stonebreach Pass*
But Janis was fluent in sign language. His brother had to learn his letters with it since he couldn't see the written word, and he picked it up at the same time. Indeed, the two of them were so fluent, they often used it to communicate in a flurry of hand motions when dealing with others to keep their thoughts private.
"Your grandfather?" he signed rapidly with delicate hands. "Why are you waiting out here, then?"
*Kegan*
Constance sat down on the stool in front of his mug, his eyes still closed as the lanternlight reflected slightly off of the silver ring in one of his frayed ears. "If it's so big," he asked, "can you think of somewhere specific in Darnathir we should start looking first?"
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Post by Giant Brother on Oct 18, 2007 14:13:57 GMT -5
*Kegan*
A young woman dressed in creamy pink silk robes quietly stepped into the bar. Her green hair was kept in check by a vibrant red ribbon that she had tied in a bow, and she had a silver circlet on her head. The numerous bracelets she had on her wrists gave a rythmic jangle whenever her arms moved.
The girl merely stood where she was, her eyes moving left and right steady as she tried to look for the owner. Her eyes finally rested on the barkeep, and she shyly stepped over to the three talking, politely sitting down and waiting for them to finish.
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Post by Teh Donut on Oct 18, 2007 19:23:38 GMT -5
*Stonebreach Pass*
When Janis began signing to her, the girl immediately came out from behind her mother, evidently more comfortable with someone who could communicate through such a medium.
When he was finished, the girl signed back, her hands moving just as nimbly as his own, "We're in the line." She motioned to the people in front of them who also seemed to be waiting. "Mommy says it usually moves faster, but they're searching people today. What's your name?"
*Kegan*
The barkeeper glanced between his two customers, briefly giving them a once-over as Igashu set the necessary money upon the counter. Shrugging, he replied, "Not 'specially, no, though I'd think the best place t'look would be somewhere trav'lers usu'ly frequent. You follow?"
When the young woman entered the bar, the occupants quieted and looked in the same manner as they had done to Igashu and Constance, but the hush seemed to last a bit longer for her than for them. Though he did try hard to hide the fact, it was Igashu's eye's that never left her has she strode over, even when all the conversation had resumed.
She didn't have long to wait as the orcish man behind the counter picked up another glass and began to pollish it as he idled over to her. "What c'n I do for you this fine e'ning, Miss?"
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Post by Ninmast on Oct 18, 2007 21:30:16 GMT -5
*Stonebreach Pass*
"My name is Janis Meriodot," the scientist answered with a grin. "I'm here looking for my brother. He's a couple years younger than me, and a real handful!"
*Kegan*
Constance sipped at his ale as the bartender saw to the young lady that had entered before speaking to Igashu. "Well, it sounds like our destinations will coincide for a bit longer."
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Post by Giant Brother on Oct 19, 2007 6:45:47 GMT -5
"Weeell...." The girl said, nervously twirling some of her hair around her finger. "I was... sort of wondering. Would it be at all possible for me to spend the night without expense, on the condition that I entertain for your guests? I'm a fairly good entertainer...."
I hope... She couldn't help but add in her thoughts.
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Post by Teh Donut on Oct 20, 2007 5:00:59 GMT -5
*Stonebreach Pass*
The little girl began to sign back, but the words of the guards, followed by the gentle pulling of her mother, signalled that it was their turn next. "Bye! Good luck, sir," was all she could manage before the two were patted down and searched. After a couple minutes, they were deemed "clear", paid their toll, and were allowed to enter through the gate.
Janis found himself at the front of the line by the time the steel-clad gatekeepers waved for him to step forward. "Next. C'mon, step up lively, present your toll...the line won't be getting any shorter, and we've yet to search you."
*Kegan*
"Yes, so it seems," Igashu replied after he took a sip of the ale, only half listening to his friend's words. His eyes hadn't left the newcomer, though he did well to conceal the fact by only looking out of the corner of his eyes. What is was he was thinking Constance would only be able to guess, but given the fact that it was Igashu...one could only assume.
"Well, if y've no money t'pay, then perhaps," the barkeep replied. "But, I'm not, well...inclined to decide such things..."
"...But I sure can," a female voice called from behind the wall, before a panel slid aside, revealing an aproned woman, wielding a spatula and holding a tray with two bread bowls filled to flowing with stew. She set the tray down before Igashu and Constance, and it immediately became apparent why the tavern was named as it was; her hand was missing up to the middle of the forearm, replaced by an odd articulating three-clawed metal contraption.
Much shorter than the other man, the barmaid moved to stand before the dancer, but stared at the keeper. Not seeming to get the hint he simply stood there, and it wasn't until she pointed to the group in the corner of the room and said "drinks?" that he got the message and moved off to deliver a second round of ales to the designated customers.
The woman couldn't help shaking her head before turning and addressing the girl, "Well then, we might be able to make an arrangement, but what sort of 'entertaining' do you do?"
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