Friday's eye quickly glance between the priestess and the steak at her nonchalance as she eats a piece. He thought about asking her if it tastes like human flesh... but then realized that she had, hopefully, never to eat any before.
He instead takes a drink of the mead, which to his comfort he found to sweet and smooth.
"Thats certainly a dark thought."
He said to Friday surpressing a shudder just slightly. The thought of eating something intelligent even if it malignant and evil disturbed him. He cleared that thought from his mind and instead went to work on his plate though he looked about the place in curiosity.
Your father is a smith you said Miss Kelda? So you grew up here in this place?
He motioned with his hand about the building but he meant the city itself.
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"Your father is a smith you said Miss Kelda? So you grew up here in this place?"
Kelda nods and takes a bite of her steak. She chews on it for a while before swallowing.
"Certainly. He mostly works on farm tools and such--but when battles are coming, he's just as good with forging swords as he is with tools." Kelda shrugs. "Spent more time swinging swords than helping Ma farm."
Zaiobe eagerly eyes her steak, and is evidently so excited to start eating that she doesn't even bother with utensils--she picks up the steak in her hands and starts greedily wolfing it down. She devours a quarter of the steak with unsettling ease, but stops after that to chew. A confused look appears on her face as she chews the wolf meat.
<...huh. Tougher than I thought. Feels like I'm chewing spicy jerky.> She puts the slab of meat down and looks down at her sauce-spattered chest. <And kinda messy.> Sauce is on her cheeks and the corners of her lips.
Ishgha sighs and pinches the bridge of his nose.
-----------------
"I don't know why anyone wouldn't. The others in our group are exploring the town right now but maybe later you could come back with us and tell everyone your story so we can figure out where we should start looking."
Uksahkka claps Kasha on the back. "Right-o!"
"If you guys need a place to stay for the time being, I'd recommend checking out the Hunting Serpent Inn."
"Well, from what we've gathered, the desperate bit's understandable," Valeria remarked.
"Was there any indication who took the sword?" she asked, hoping that this theft was unrelated to whoever was after them and that, in turn, this didn't turn out to be the same people Rokuro had been fleeing when he traded the sword away.
"Was there any indication who took the sword?"
Snaevald growls in displeasure. "Not much. A group of masked thieves dressed all in black were the ones to break into my home--one of them was taller than the rest. I only learned of this because the thieves gutted one of my servants like a pig before they made their escape... he lingered long enough to tell me what happened before dying."
"He mumbled something about the 'lion's due', as well... didn't have a clue what he meant by that..." He says as the servants return with mugs of ale and platters of crusty garlic bread. The bread and mugs are distributed to Ameiko, Sandru, Snaevald, and yourself.
"Just a bit... would you rather you the knifes and fork? That way you'll end up with more in your stomach than outside it." Friday asks while managing a straight face. Granted it didn't look any different than any of his other expressions. He'll then offer her a towel, one of the ones he usually kept around to clean his weapons or his brushes after using them.
Tentatively he'll poke a piece of his with his fork and put it in his mouth. Chewy, but he was relieved that it tasted like wolf.
"Thanks! We'll definitely look into it. Maybe meet you there in a couple hours to meet everyone?" Kasha responds, amused by Uksahkka's enthusiasm.
"It does?"
Friday nods as Zaiobe recounts her and Kikonu's eating habits, surprised but not all that off put by that fact. "Oh?" he asks when she changes the topic.
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"Thanks! We'll definitely look into it. Maybe meet you there in a couple hours to meet everyone?"
Uksahkka nods and starts walking out the door. "It's a deal. The Ice Quarter is just to the southwest of the Ivory Quarter--take the first street on your right and follow it when you walk out of here. The Hunting Serpent Inn is just about impossible to miss--it's the four-story building in the centre of the district."
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"Oh!" he thinks, not having expected that question, though he starts to blush in reaction to her blushing and proximity. "I was taught by other Pallbearers, we're... they're guards in Ustalav for... certain personages. They taught me to protect without hesitation, and to kill to protect without hesitation, since I was a little kid. And killing your enemies quickly is an effective eay to protect that which is important to you." he states very matter of factly.
"They don't all use polearms, but they make for the best weapons to defend something with, I think. They trained me to use plenty of weapons. No shields or armor, even when I asked, those are for someone who wants to protect themselves, someone who's valuable. You protect them, you're not valuable, they are, not you. You're their armor, you're their shield. And can be replaced as such if need be... almost all of the Dauds belong to them."
He shakes his head as the mantras drilled into him start to replay in his thought so easily, still a part of him. He goes to take a drink from the horn, and was thankful for its pleasantness and that it didn't taste too strong.
He hadn't thought about his childhood since, well, his childhood. All the training, the pain and soreness, trying to beat the pain out of him, the humanity. The other children training alongside him, many of which didn't survive to see adulthood. He couldn't remember any of their names
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Zaiobe's chewing slows to a stop as she listens to Friday's thoughts. Her deep red eyes seem to burn into his own.
<...wow.> The harpy arches an eyebrow and swallows. <That's, um... that's rough, being told you're expendable from birth.> She sets her knife down and rests her hand on Friday's. <You are valuable.>
Kelda, meanwhile, carves up her steak some more and starts chowing down. "Kavell! You hope for new armour or arms, perhaps?"
"The 'lion's due'?" Valeria wondered as she took a piece of garlic bread, "Had anyone been enquiring with the sword ahead of time?" The lion twigged something in the back of her head and she tried to think what it was.
Snaevald scratches his head in puzzlement. "Not to my knowledge, no. But the strange thing was that Suishen was the only thing stolen from my home--no other valuables were so much as touched. I've got dozens of fine jewels and gems from my trade deals, and a fortune in gold from my days of trading amber and whale oil, too!"
"Meaning it was a targeted theft and they knew you had it. I suppose it would be safe to say that Suishen's not exactly a secret of yours around town?"
As why the lion sounded familiar came to her, she changed tact.
"They mentioned a 'lion's due' - you wouldn't happen to know of a thane in the area whose men wear lion's head armbands, would you?"
Friday looks down at the table for the longest time, an innate part of him wanting to disagree with her. Finally he looks up at her and thinks "Thank you."
"Meaning it was a targeted theft and they knew you had it. I suppose it would be safe to say that Suishen's not exactly a secret of yours around town?"
Snaevald sheepishly chuckles. "Er... I may have bragged about it a couple of times. Or a dozen. I honestly don't remember."
"They mentioned a 'lion's due' - you wouldn't happen to know of a thane in the area whose men wear lion's head armbands, would you?"
Snaevald's demeanour turns to surprise for a brief moment before it darkens perceptibly. His mug of ale trembles in his hand. "...aye. That I do."
"Curse me for a cursed, addled fool... I don't know how I missed it for this f+$#ing LONG!" He suddenly shouts at the end, throwing his mug of ale aside in a rage. Ameiko & Sandru reflexively lean back to avoid the mug and the ale flying about with a loud clatter. "The lion is--or rather, was--the family symbol of Thane Snorri Stone-Eye. The man passed away only last winter... and his successor was a man known as Asvig Longthews."
Well it occured to me this will be a long trip and having a few extra weapons about the caravan wouldnt be a bad idea, besides i thought perhaps you would care to see your father before we go.
He managed to add that last part without too much of a blush. He certainly hoped the beautiful maid would continue to journey with them, he was throuroughly enthralled by her. He ate a bit more of his fish and then gave her a slight wink.
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"Well it occured to me this will be a long trip and having a few extra weapons about the caravan wouldn't be a bad idea, besides I thought perhaps you would care to see your father before we go."
Kelda smirks at Kavell. "Certainly."
"Would love to introduce you to the family, as well." She takes another swig of mead. "Hope you don't mind it being a bit crowded."
"Oh, thank you," he replies, glad for the change of subject. Smiling slightly at the warmth of her hand continued "It belonged to my mother, it's all I have of her. She came from Tian-Xia and returned after I was born. Why, I don't know."
Friday smiled again at the compliment towards the necklace. "Oh, yes," he replies while mentally kicking himself for not being to paint as much as he had liked as it had gotten colder.
Flinching back like the others as he threw the cup, Valeria gave him a moment to settle before responding. "Well I ask because a number of men wearing lion's head armbands attacked us on the road here, they claimed that they were just raiding but the way the man we interrogated reacted and a bit of magical observance, we realised that they were under a geas which, at the very least, prevented them from revealing who their employers were. Given that Ameiko here is Rokuro's granddaughter and this happened so close to the theft of Rokuro's sword, I think you can understand my concern that the events are related."
"That being said; I'd rather not rule out the possibility that this is all one big misdirection and some other individuals are setting this Longthews up as a patsy. Does Longthews have a mage in his employ, or have the skills himself, to apply a geas like that?"
"Okay, thanks Uksahkka. See you later." Kasha says with a grin. Leading the others out, she follows the directions to the Hunting Serpent Inn. Uksahkka was definitely an interesting character. A bit abrasive to some people....maybe most people apparently, but she liked the woman;'s boldness, and she seemed to be genuinely worried about her friend.
Snaevald doesn't say a word, rubbing his temple as you explain things. His expression turns from enraged to pensive as you go on.
"That being said; I'd rather not rule out the possibility that this is all one big misdirection and some other individuals are setting this Longthews up as a patsy. Does Longthews have a mage in his employ, or have the skills himself, to apply a geas like that?"
"Hmm..." Snaevald rests his chin in his hand and strokes his beard. "Well... that changes things a bit, doesn't it..."
"I will admit that I'm not certain whether she can cast magics of that power, but I've heard rumours that his wife Helva is a witch. Longthews himself is a warrior, with no talent for magic."
A little gleam appears in Snaevald's eye. "...hmm. Miss, I have a proposition for you and your companions here."
"I think I can partly guess what that proposition is," she replied before taking a sip of her ale.
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Snaevald settles back into his chair. "I reported the theft to Kalsgard's watch, but that was weeks ago, and it's only today that I've heard any news as to who may have done it. I've had that sword for five decades, but I've never been able to draw it from its scabbard--every time I tried, it would refuse to move, and I would feel... uncomfortable for even having tried."
The old Ulfen sighs and sinks into his seat, and for a moment you think you can see the weight of his years pressing down on his shoulders. "I've no heirs to leave the sword to when I finally pass on..." He straightens himself up, the fire in his eyes renewed. "...but it was still mine by right. My servants were slaughtered as they tried to stop its theft."
He starts to rise from his chair. It takes him a bit of effort. "Kalsgard's law decrees that anyone who is the victim of a crime is entitled to weregild--compensation on the part of whoever crossed them. With the death of my servants and the theft of a priceless sword, I am entitled to such compensation--and yet I have received none. Thus, Kalsgard's law demands that I pursue blood vengeance against those who have wronged me."
"I'm too old to do it myself, but I have another solution. I wish for you to gather your friends. Go to Longthews' farm, and kill him. Kill any who come to his aid, as well--an eye for an eye. Do this, and I'll even allow you to keep the sword. Have we a deal?"
Paying attention intently Friday's face falls for a split second when Zaiobe asks to wear the necklace. "Um, you want to wear it?"
He didn't want to, but if he was painting her and it then that means it wouldn't be out of his sight. And now that he thought about it he had never sketched or painted the necklace before.
"... okay." he replies before taking another drink.
"Well it occured to me this will be a long trip and having a few extra weapons about the caravan wouldn't be a bad idea, besides I thought perhaps you would care to see your father before we go."Kelda smirks at Kavell. "Certainly."
"Would love to introduce you to the family, as well." She takes another swig of mead. "Hope you don't mind it being a bit crowded."
He blinked for a moment completely oblivious to Friday and Zaoibe for the moment. It was hard with their conversation being silent in nature. He eyed Kelda tentively as she mentioned it being crowded lost in her meaning.
Do you have a lot of family?
He asked finishing up the last bits of his meal and taking a healthy sip of his wine. He glanced torwards the table of gamblers for just a moment to make sure things were calm there still before turning his attention back to Kelda and Koya.
"Do either of you need a refill?"
He asked half turning in his chair to catch sight of their waitstaff to signal refills.
"Do you have a lot of family?"
Kelda nods. "Five brothers."
She shrugs and chuckles. "Ma was feeling outnumbered."
"Do either of you need a refill?"
Koya and Kelda both shake their heads. "We're quite fine, looks like." The elderly priestess says, tapping her empty plate. "Might be a good idea to get ourselves a few rooms here, while we're at it."
"I'd rather make sure Longthews is the culprit before we go killing anyone, but we can do that to whoever did steal the sword once we've identified them. Odds are it is Longthews and my caution's unwarranted, but I'd rather be sure we get the right man rather than cause more problems by killing the wrong one."
"Do you have a lot of family?"Kelda nods. "Five brothers."
She shrugs and chuckles. "Ma was feeling outnumbered."
"Do either of you need a refill?"Koya and Kelda both shake their heads. "We're quite fine, looks like." The elderly priestess says, tapping her empty plate. "Might be a good idea to get ourselves a few rooms here, while we're at it."
He was taking a sip of his wine when she mentioned her brothers... or more in particularly the number of brothers and then he started to cough.
Five brothers?
He said weakly. He didnt really want to think about that too much
I dont suppose they are all poets or craftsman are they?
He added with a smile trying to make a slight joke to calm himself
Seeing the large four-story building, Kasha approaches The Hunting Serpent Inn with Shalelu and Haru in tow. "Looks like this is the place she was taking about,"
"I'd rather make sure Longthews is the culprit before we go killing anyone, but we can do that to whoever did steal the sword once we've identified them. Odds are it is Longthews and my caution's unwarranted, but I'd rather be sure we get the right man rather than cause more problems by killing the wrong one."
"Make what preparations you will, child." Snaevald nods and stands up on shaky legs. "Longthews is a crafty one, not to be taken lightly."
"If you need a place to stay while in Kalsgard, I would perhaps recommend the Hunting Serpent Inn. It's in the Ice Quarter: just follow the main street out of this quarter and look for the large, four-story building."
"I bet it isn't as nice as the Rusty Dragon." Haru says but her eyes do light up at the mention of the Hunting Serpent. "But a bed, a bath, and food will make us all feel better. Maybe they'll give us a discount if I perform? I've been working on a new dance routine inspired by the mating eagles Shalelu showed me not so long ago..."
At the mention of such a delicate and intimate thing, the young kitsune's cheeks blossom like roses into a blush.
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"I bet it isn't as nice as the Rusty Dragon." Haru says but her eyes do light up at the mention of the Hunting Serpent. "But a bed, a bath, and food will make us all feel better. Maybe they'll give us a discount if I perform? I've been working on a new dance routine inspired by the mating eagles Shalelu showed me not so long ago..."
At the mention of such a delicate and intimate thing, the young kitsune's cheeks blossom like roses into a blush.
Shalelu glances over at Haru and arches an eyebrow. "Really?"
He was taking a sip of his wine when she mentioned her brothers... or more in particularly the number of brothers and then he started to cough.
"Five brothers?"
He said weakly. He didnt really want to think about that too much
"I don't suppose they are all poets or craftsman are they?"
He added with a smile trying to make a slight joke to calm himself.
"Well, one of them wants to be a skald. He's good at telling sagas of our greatest warriors, but he's no Thyrie Tarnralsdottir." Kelda folds her hands behind her head.
Zaiobe smiles and rests her head on Friday's shoulder. <Thank you. I'll give it back once you're done painting me, I promise.>Paying attention intently Friday's face falls for a split second when Zaiobe asks to wear the necklace. "Um, you want to wear it?"
He didn't want to, but if he was painting her and it then that means it wouldn't be out of his sight. And now that he thought about it he had never sketched or painted the necklace before.
"... okay." he replies before taking another drink.
"I know," he responds at first before his features soften and he adds "Thank you."
Maru's blush spreads from her cheeks to her entire face and begins to crawl down her neck.
"I'm not saying you took me out to see mating animals on purpose!" she protests, "I'm just saying you pointed it out and it was inspiring and GODS Shalelu!"
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"Sounds good, we'll let you know how it goes," she said, finishing her drink and getting up from the chair before turning to Ameiko and Sandru.
"Okay guys; let's go re-steal a sword."
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Haru's blush spreads from her cheeks to her entire face and begins to crawl down her neck.
"I'm not saying you took me out to see mating animals on purpose!" she protests, "I'm just saying you pointed it out and it was inspiring and GODS Shalelu!"
Shalelu snickers at the memory. "Yes. That was rather funny."
She pushes the doors of the Hunting Serpent Inn open, revealing a common room packed with people from all social strata of life. Seated at a table in the back of the room are Friday, Kavell & the others. Zaiobe in particular seems to be cuddling up to the silent warrior with her back turned to the doors.
"Sounds good, we'll let you know how it goes," she said, finishing her drink and getting up from the chair before turning to Ameiko and Sandru.
"Okay guys; let's go re-steal a sword."
Ameiko nods in agreement. "Let's check in at the Hunting Serpent, shall we?"
----------After thanking Snaevald for his hospitality, the trio sets out into the chilly streets of Kalsgard's Ice Quarter. Following his directions, you manage to find the Hunting Serpent Inn after about twenty minutes of walking--the four-story building is nigh-impossible to miss. The sounds of revelry can be heard coming from within from at one street over.
Valeria spots Kasha, Shalelu & Haru entering the inn before them.
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"Ah there's everyone else!" Kasha says seeing the seated group. She was sure that Haru would appreciate the diversion given how red she was at the moment after talking about mating dances.
"Ooohh Zaoibe seems to be getting very cozy with Friday, they must enjoy each other's quiet." she says as they head towards the group's table.