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Post by Dirac Sil on Jun 21, 2008 23:28:10 GMT
Dirac motions to Greeban. "I believe my paymaster's food settles better when he knows the bed he sleeps in later." Dirac looks to Corwyn as if for confirmation, though the sharp costricting aroundd his eyes speaks more of a very insistent suggestion. "Can we see his room now?"
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Post by Michael of Eshnar on Jun 21, 2008 23:49:37 GMT
"Let us see it," Corwyn rasps, "and if the bed is too hard, I'll expect an extra blanket." He throws a reproachful glare at Greeban.
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Post by Slavemaster on Jun 22, 2008 0:58:14 GMT
Greeban bows.
"Of course good sir, please come this way."
He leads you up some narrow stairs and down a corridor. There are three doors in the corridor and he opens the one in the middle and respectfully stands aside.
"This room, and the one beside it, are free. There are two beds each in them, but there is room in the stables for your servants and guards. And I can get the wench up here with fresh straw for the mattress, and more blankets. And of course, some hot water if you want to freshen up. Er... I'll leave you to it then. Please let me know if it is acceptable and I'll give you the key." At that, he walks down to the main room again.
The rooms are rather small and cramped and the beds narrow. There is a small table with a washing basin and water jug at the side, and two chests under the beds.
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Post by Dirac Sil on Jun 22, 2008 1:24:31 GMT
Dirac waits for a few moments for Greeban's footsteps to disappear, apparently pleased to organise his thoughts. He then talks in a low voice.
"The sergeant Ozmeztal got this far. And then disappeared. The soldier's body and the horse both ended up here as we were told - the baron cleared off the body, Greeban was the one who sold the free horse he found. Something happened a month ago. The baron's wife has 'taken ill' and the baron has not been seen since. He allows no one there. He gets his soldiers to run his errands for him."
Dirac then pauses. "Another set of riders have been through here less than a week ago. Armed men. Maybe Ruigar's men, maybe someone else - they might know everything I am telling you, as they pumped the town drunk for information."
"The rich man downstairs arrived the day before yesterday, went to the castle last night to pay his respects on some frivolous excuse. Even though he was denied, he has stayed around. He is asking alot of questions - and he seems wrong. Too well developed for a merchant and musician."
"The locals are edgy, you can see it for yourself. In my opinion we make no more enquiries and move on the baron - or passed him. A rider was seen leading a pack mule leaving the castle after those riders made enquiries. Our gem may have flown. If you or your...associates...have abilities to track then..."
With that, Dirac tails of and shrugs. "I have earned my keep for now. Pass it on. See what you wish to do. I need a drink."
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Post by taden on Jun 22, 2008 1:56:06 GMT
"No, no father. It would not be proper for me to seek lodgings at the inn. And I would not wish to further impose upon you this evening. You have been quite generous with your time.
"In truth, I would beg a boon of you. I would pray for a time this evening in your church and then, as I said, sleep upon the floor there in the presence of Ishir. I would also not ask you go out in a night such as this, so if some means is needed to unlock your church, I would merely borrow a key or other means for the night, to return it to you in the morning."
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Post by Slavemaster on Jun 22, 2008 2:30:29 GMT
Taden:
The priest looks a bit flustered.
"Oh! Yes, well... That is very pious of you, my son, but there are some quite fine artwork in there, not to mention the silver... I mean, I do not distrust you, of course, but you do not know this area as I do. If the less savory part of my flock finds out there is a pilgrim sleeping alone in the church and comes calling... Er, what I mean to say, it does not seem quite safe..."
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Post by taden on Jun 22, 2008 5:21:34 GMT
Taden smiles. "My apologies for my presumption. I should have realized you suggesting I stay at the inn further meant that staying in the church was not required of me. I will, however, not burden your hospitality further, as the hour grows late. I will also take your suggestion of the inn."
The scholar stood stretched and began gathering hat and coat. Checking both, Taden found them both dried and warm, and he continued. "Thank you, Father, for both the dinner and the conversation. I find myself a stranger to this town no longer, and that is both honour and pleasure to me tonight. So please, thank you again Father and have a good evening."
Bowing, Taden opened the door and stepped back out into the rain.
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Post by Michael of Eshnar on Jun 22, 2008 10:21:33 GMT
Corwyn rubs his temples, apparently deep in thought. Then Dirac hears Corwyn talking in a normal, undamaged voice, yet he is not moving his lips.
"Dirac, they're blood hunters. I am sure they could track that accursed Lone Wolf, if he weren't dead. Now, what precisely do you need of me? Just think about your response and aim it at me. You don't need to open your mouth."
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Post by Dirac Sil on Jun 22, 2008 17:10:11 GMT
Dirac blinks in surprise, hoping his normal thoughts aren't neing read by this odd mage. Suddenly tense that his mind can be so easily violated, Dirac nevertheless responds, thinking towards the man as if speaking.
If those hunters can track a horse's week old rain soaked trail I will be surprised. If they can then we might save embarrassment later if the gem has flown. Gumders the charcoal burner saw the rider. Interrogate him by your means and that might give clues to the trail. And if you can speak with minds, we did not need to be up here!. Dirac shifts uncomfortably and tries not to think further.
Tell those hunters to buy some herbs from Greeban. It will explain why I took you this way if they do. thinks Dirac suddenly. Adgana thinks Dirac further before Corwyn can ask, then lapses into silence again.
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Soul Spawn
Gamer
Night Born Nad-Adez Konkor
Posts: 183
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Post by Soul Spawn on Jun 22, 2008 19:12:42 GMT
As the door to the barn closes, I turn to address my companions.
"Dirac, you are to be commended on your knowledge gathering. We now have some decisions to make."
Turning to Hawks Bane,
"We need to move quickly, my dark brother. I am aware of your superior tracking skills, you will need to investigate this horse-and-mule story. If our quarry has gone, then we need to move after it quickly. However, I think this may have been a diversion on the barons part. We will have to....enquire....about this town fool, see what he knows. The locals here may be on-edge, but the opening of a purse string here and there should help us further our cause."
I settle back on my bedroll, trying to get comfortable.
"Also, when the scribe returns, I believe he should lead the enquiries of the so-called 'musician'. Who knows, they may run in the same circles and a little networking never hurt anyone."
I sit back up again and fix Hawks Bane with a piercing gaze.
"Until we are sure of our course, I need to you to stay your hand, brother. Remember our mission and our duty. We cannot have it ruined by anyones desire for bloodshed, no matter how sweet the reward would be".
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Post by Michael of Eshnar on Jun 22, 2008 21:43:12 GMT
Corwyn comes downstairs with a sour look on his face. Heading over to Greeban, he hisses, "I'll take that extra blanket for myself and my factor. I'll also take the keys for the rooms and the chests. Have some hot water prepared and sent up and then go and find Dirac - he's in the stables talking to my guards. Send him up too - I don't pay for two rooms to sleep one person!"
After that, he'll head upstairs again.
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Post by taden on Jun 22, 2008 22:06:31 GMT
Taden walks from the cottage back to the inn without pause, noting with satisfaction as he arrives that the horses and wagon had apparently been taken care of and put indoors. Reaching the inn door, he walks into the warmth of the room, and sheds coat and hat as he glances about the room.
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Post by Slavemaster on Jun 23, 2008 1:22:00 GMT
As Taden walks in to the inn, the farmers are just getting ready to leave, chatting a bit with the innkeeper. The dwarves are still playing samor, and the rich man with the lute has opened the top buttons of his trousers and vest and is leaning back, puffing on a huge and elaborately carved meerschaum. His servant is helping the serving girl to clear his table. The man blows a smoke ring and greets Taden with a smile and a little wave.
The innkeeper nods at Taden as the farmers leave.
"Ah, welcome to the Baron's Arms, good sir. I take it you are the pilgrim your companions mentioned? Please have a seat, one of your friends are just inspecting the quarters... ah, here he is now."
Corwyn steps down to the main room and Greeban listen carefully, nodding and bowing, to the instructions and immediately order the serving girl to warm up some water.
"I am happy that my humble accomdations was acceptable. Here are the keys to your rooms."
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Post by taden on Jun 23, 2008 1:50:37 GMT
"Indeed, innkeeper? I am rather surprised they would have mentioned me at all. I do not know them, nor they me, and we met only by opportune chance." Taden pauses while Greeban speaks to Corwyn, and looks about the room. Once he has the innkeepers attention again, he continues.
"Anyway, I spent a few hours this evening speaking with your Father Obran. When I felt my presence would impose upon the peace of his evening, Father Obran recommended I look to you for an evening out of the rain. I seek nothing more than a corner of your common room, or perhaps a dry patch of your stables, as I am on pilgrimage. I am, however, not destitute and willing to pay for either priviledge you will permit."
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Post by Dirac Sil on Jun 23, 2008 7:12:51 GMT
Dirac smirks when he is sent for again and gets to leave the forsaken stables. His smirk dies on hois lips when he remembers that, infact, it is his pouch that is paying for this and he almost talked himself into the stables.
He does not go upstairs however, taking his leave in the comon room. He looks to Taden, but finding the sage ignoring him relaises the play, and catches Greeban's eye to thumb his own nose quickly - indicating snobbery. Dirac also makes a motion to ask if Corwyn is upstairs. At an affirmative, a quick flick of a held finger is used as the universal sign for just one more spirit.
Dirac looks around the tavern and settles his eye on the dwarfs, making across to them. "Would you mind if I sat and watched?" he asks, "a man should not drink alone."
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