CHAPTER TWO: In Tassin's Wood

[onlyme]

Kaystar's eyes track Savik as he excuses himself from the barroom. "Your friend, he seems agitated," he remarks. "I trust I've done nothing to offend. Myself, I had business in Fadric, but the Baron's closed all the blasted ports. So it's back over the Rakers for me and down through the Pale. Innkeep says you're bound thither — Frostang, is it? Never been there, but it's not far off my route. I know the pass well — far safer than the Kalman down into Bone March. And you? I daresay, knowing the Paleish, Frostang'll make Tassin's Wood seem like Greyhawk City. I can't imagine the prospects for sellswords are any more promising in those parts."

Pay no heed... Our friend is a bit ummm energetic, and needs to walk about. Yes. Like you, my path has been led here due to the port closures. I have been sent to Frostang to see a man about a horse... or two. But, if I may be so forward, I could always be rerouted. If this Frostang is not as exciting as here, I see not the reason to continue. In fact, I was very tempted to head to Ratikhill with some professor, who just left here a bit ago, to study temples. But, he would have aggravated me to death with his big words. You know how they are...

[emirikol57]

Well Mr Saru, thanks for the ale!

[Nuke66]

Gordon purposely avoids the question Saru asks, not knowing the 'cover story' already presented by his companions. He sits back in the corner, waiting for the conversation to change.

[Gelatinous Q]

Pay no heed... Our friend is a bit ummm energetic, and needs to walk about. Yes. Like you, my path has been led here due to the port closures. I have been sent to Frostang to see a man about a horse... or two. But, if I may be so forward, I could always be rerouted. If this Frostang is not as exciting as here, I see not the reason to continue. In fact, I was very tempted to head to Ratikhill with some professor, who just left here a bit ago, to study temples. But, he would have aggravated me to death with his big words. You know how they are...

Kaystar spears some kidneys from Glogs' untouched platter, and reveals a broad, toothy grin.

"Ahh, don't delay or renege on your obligations on my account. The pass reaches a considerable altitude, and the first snows have surely already fallen.

"Fortunately, my own business isn't so pressing that I mightn't attend to it at my leisure. I planned to linger and take my rest in the vicinity for a few days before attempting the ascent myself. When you're ready to make the trek, I should be happy to ride with you through the pass.

"So what of Tassin's Wood? It seems pleasant enough, and quiet ... though I noticed several more horses in the tavern stables than your number would account for. Who do we share lodgings with?"

[onlyme]

"So what of Tassin's Wood? It seems pleasant enough, and quiet ... though I noticed several more horses in the tavern stables than your number would account for. Who do we share lodgings with?"[/color]

Oh, we have only met a few travellers, probably all there is from the looks of it:
A strange elf who was looking to sell us something,
a glorious knight who wouldnt even drink a drop of ale,

and a man of odd appearance. I spoke of him previously, I believe. The supposed studious temple worshipper... If I may be discreet, I think he is the very thief the knight himself is looking for. If only the man had stayed a bit longer. I think the knight is due back any minute. We must keep him until the man reappears. Join us and watch the drama unfold...

[Gelatinous Q]

Oh, we have only met a few travellers, probably all there is from the looks of it:
A strange elf who was looking to sell us something,
a glorious knight who wouldnt even drink a drop of ale,

and a man of odd appearance. I spoke of him previously, I believe. The supposed studious temple worshipper... If I may be discreet, I think he is the very thief the knight himself is looking for. If only the man had stayed a bit longer. I think the knight is due back any minute. We must keep him until the man reappears. Join us and watch the drama unfold...[/color]

Now he spears a sweetbread from Glogs' platter.

"An elf, you say?" he replies, slicing into the delicate gland meat. Without looking up, he nods toward Gordon. "If I'm not mistaken, friend, you're of mixed elvish blood. And the skittish one over there" — pointing with his knife toward Savik across the room — "is full-blooded wood elf by my measure. Add to that the four elves I spied earlier today encamped in the woods just north of the village, and that makes the most olven blood these parts have seen in many an age. Something's afoot, you can be certain of that."

He takes a bite of sweetbread. "Gentlemen, I'll enjoy another round of ale in your fine company. By then, my friend should have returned from the task I set him upon, and then I have some business to attend to in the village. Set these lads up, Kreagold!"

Having sated himself on organ meats and signaled for another round, Kaystar lights a cheroot that he puffs on contentedly.

[onlyme]

"Gentlemen, I'll enjoy another round of ale in your fine company. By then, my friend should have returned from the task I set him upon, and then I have some business to attend to in the village. Set these lads up, Kreagold!"

Having sated himself on organ meats and signaled for another round, Kaystar lights a cheroot that he puffs on contentedly.

Many thanks good man. I hope my friends and I can be as generous with our entertaining, as you are with your purse.

[emirikol57]

Why thanks!
Ulfronde downs the beer and then lights up his pipe.

[Alethan]

After finishing his meal and ale, Bran looks about for the elf.

Not seeing him, he says, "If you'll excuse me, I'm going to go check on our elf friend and make sure he hasn't gotten himself into any trouble."

He then heads outside to look for Savik.

[Nuke66]

Gordon nods, "Aye, I do have mixed parentage, but was unawares of additional Olven Folk encamped outside of town. Do you have any particular bias against the little ones? Is that what makes you think something is going on?"

[Gelatinous Q]

He then heads outside to look for Savik.

Actually, Savik is crossing the room to your table as we speak...

Gordon nods, "Aye, I do have mixed parentage, but was unawares of additional Olven Folk encamped outside of town. Do you have any particular bias against the little ones? Is that what makes you think something is going on?"

Saru laughs heartily. "I meant no slight, friend. I have learned much in my time from Olven kind. I only remark on the oddity of seeing so many of a sudden in a place where they've always been so scarce. Does it not strike you as more than mere coincidence?"

[Nuke66]

"Well, it is coincidental that my friend Savik and I are here, but mayhap the rest are not. But, I am not so sure that I would jump to any specific conclusions without additional information. Have you garnered any information as to the purpose of the other four being in Tassin's Wood on this fine day? Perhaps they are just passing through as we are?"

Gordon purposly take a large bite of kidney, and looks Saru in the eye as he chews.

[Gelatinous Q]

"Well, it is coincidental that my friend Savik and I are here, but mayhap the rest are not. But, I am not so sure that I would jump to any specific conclusions without additional information. Have you garnered any information as to the purpose of the other four being in Tassin's Wood on this fine day? Perhaps they are just passing through as we are?"

Gordon purposly take a large bite of kidney, and looks Saru in the eye as he chews.

Saru leans his head back, exhales three perfect smoke rings and admires them as they drift ceiling-ward. Still staring upward, he replies to Gordon, "I am not a great believer in the random workings of chance. A design always reveals itself ... eventually." Then, swinging his head to return Gordon's stare, "All I can say of these elves is that they seemed discomfited at my having spotted them, and beat a hasty retreat into the forest. I even greeted them in their own tongue — nothing. Should I learn more, I shall happily pass it along. I trust you will return the favor." He taps some ash from his cheroot and continues puffing on it.

[Nuke66]

"Will do, but not much chance as we are leaving in the morning."

Gordon pushes back from the table, positions the chair so it fits into the corner walls, pick up his ale and leans back.

[Gelatinous Q]

"Will do, but not much chance as we are leaving in the morning."

Saru cocks his head and glances first at Gordon, then Iomhar. "For Frostang, then?"

[Nuke66]

"Forgive us for seeming confused, we have not yet discussed some new opportunities than have arisen, amongst ourselves. But in either case, we are heading out in the morning. As you have said, selling swords to fill the purse is a noble pursuit."

[Alethan]

Bran meets Savik in the middle of the room and quietly asks, "What's going on? Why the hasty exit?"

[Argennian]

Bran meets Savik in the middle of the room and quietly asks, "What's going on? Why the hasty exit?"

Savik, who'd just came back through the stable door to receive a refill of his brandy and exchange a few words with Kreagold the innkeep, nods to Bran as he meets him halfway between the bar and their table. He lowers his voice a tad in response. "I was just checking on Matthelemew the stable hand. He is gathering some intel for us at the moment. I will fill you and the others in later, Bran, when we have some proper privacy..."

Savik walks back over to the table, looking to the newcomer with a well-polished smile, slight bow and flourish of his free hand. "Please accept apologies for my brief absense, master Saru. I must surely thank you for the drink and food. A most kind and humbling gesture, befitting one of a benevolent nature I must say..." The elf takes his seat, another sip of his brandy, and then makes a curious gesture with his fingers* as he reaches for some sweet meats on the platter, looking at the newcomer to see if it elicits a familiarity of any kind.


OOC: * making another Thieves' Cant hand signal again!

[Gelatinous Q]

"On the contrary," Saru replies. "It's been my pleasure. I've found the conversation most intriguing, and I look forward to keeping apprised of your endeavors." He holds his cheroot close to his face and examines the ember quizzically before extinguishing it between his thumb and forefinger. "Perhaps we can make common cause when you're ready to journey over the Rakers." He grins at Iomhar and pushes away from the table.

Matthelemew enters by the stable door, holding a stringer hung with five plump rainbow trout.

"And there's my young hireling now with my catch. Landlord, I'll have one roasted over dried herbs for my dinner and the rest dressed and salted for my travels." Making his way over to the boy, he counts out coins. "Five silver per fish were our terms, good for one gold imperial and five silver. A fine haul, in fish and coin, my lad." He presses the coins into Matthelemew's palm, then kneels and whispers in the boy's ear. "Now, I must see to some provisions. Until this evening, gentlemen." He exits via the stable door. Matthelemew scurries after him.

OOC: Savik, no response to your TC signaling.

[Alethan]

Bran squints his eyes as he watches the fishy fish transaction.

After Saru leaves, he offers in a low voice, "Five silvers for a fish seems a bit high for a trout, but might be just right for a trout and some information gathering. Let's keep an eye on that little one and make sure he isn't hanging around during any of our private conversations..."