Hezar heads to the baths relieved.
Seeing the huge pool Hezar disrobes and sinks into the water, and leans back, eyes closed. If any enter he will speak with them if they seem willing.
Marius pops his head in. Mixed bathing! This is my sort of castle! He drops his towel shamelessly and jumps into the water, Tethys close behind him. The beautiful, sleek cat is an excellent swimmer!
Hezar naps in his room instead of bathing. He will bathe after the women...and Marius finish
Marius will wait as well, then .... apologies, I thought Hezar was going for the co-ed bathing experience!
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Belgrin scoffs as he discovers only one bath is available for all. "Bah! Only two hours for the half dozen or more of us and only one bath between us and the squeamish lasses. Maybe a good comb around here somewhere..." Belgrin makes to start grooming his beard. "Feh. Bone chips. Like little slivers of coal."
sense motive:
perception:
While these murmurs are not unusual, given the circumstances, you cannot help but feel there is a darker hand at work here, revelling in the despair of these people. Your suspicious are further aroused when Duvall calls out to you. Brother! As you trot over, you see what caught your friends' attention - tucked away in a corner of the refugee camp, a small shrine, roughly put together from wood and some carvings, dedicated to Shar, lady of despair.
While washing up, the Sun Elf would instruct Belina in what she knew about sex, and after seventy years of being a roguish type, she knew a fair bit.
As Belina is leaving to dry and clothe herself, a young human girl walks quietly in. Blonde, pretty, and quite young - less than twenty winters, you'd guess - she bows deeply before speaking. Mistress, my name is Angie. The Lady has directed me to serve you in whatever capacity you require. She keeps her eyes to the floor and awaits your command.
Pointing over to the dress, Janiries continues to address the woman.
"If this is to be a formal meal, then one had better look the part."
Tethys found this puppy and brought him to you, he was scratching at the door so I had to let him in. says Belina, stepping out from behind the privacy screen. In absence of a gown being laid out for her, she has dressed again in her beautiful rainbow skirt, topped with a white blouse, worn quite daringly low off her bare shoulders. Her long hair is bound up again in a silver filligree, and the gentlest hint of rouge has been applied to her lips. She senses your eyes on her and blushes, as she puts her earrings on. he looks more like a baby wolf to me, rather than a domesticated dog. She sits beside you, soundless save for the rustle of her skirt. We've about an hour before dinner, my lord .... you should bathe, if you wish, before then. The lady of the house has sent up a very dashing outfit for you to wear.... she gestures at a silk nobles outfit hanging nearby. She smiles at the puppies antics, stroking Tethys' head, shyly avoiding your gaze.
Hezar smiles at Belina. You are stunning. You too Tethys! Hezar starts to look back to Belina but is distracted by a puppy nibbling on his hand.
Hezar moves his hand quickly about the bed letting the pup chase it, then he pulls his hand to his chest and catches the pup when it chases, and he looks it over.
nature
Yes definitely a wolf pup. The mother must have been killed. A sweet little guy isn't he?
Hezar sputters as the wolf licks his face. Tethys you never cease to amaze me. Hezar scruffs his ears then quickly moves to his pack, and pulls out some jerky which he tosses to Tethys, then he pulls a blunt arrow from his quiver and with his hand axe sheers off the ends and makes a small stick for the pup, which he tosses to it to chew and chase.
As the pup plays he looks back to Belina. I cannot believe they expect me to wear that! I have never worn silk in my life...I hope I do not look the fool! But you are right I better get cleaned up.
He rises and quickly crosses to Belina and wraps her in a hug, lifting her off the ground. He puts her down and moves to the door.
I wonder...Come on boy!
Hezar races to the baths with the pup at his heels. He spends some time in the bath playing with the pup tossing his chew toy across the water, and letting the pup chase it. In between he manages to clean himself, and make his way back to the room to dress, probably carrying the pup.
We will have to find you a name wont we?
The puppy splashes happily in the water with his new human friend. Marius joins you in the pool and admires the little creature. A fine friend you're making there, Hezar! Get one at this age, without his mother, and he'll bond to you - you'll have a friend for life!
The muscular young man has grown a full beard over the days you've known him - he looks at himself in the mirror from a variety of angles. As Belgrin enters the bath, Marius calls out: Master dwarf! You are certainly the recognized authority on beards. Should I keep this one, or send it into the great hereafter? He says this with a smile and a laugh, taking a deep drink from a nearby flagon.
Tethys jumps in the water with a large splash and proves to be an excellent swimmer, keeping his head above water and paddling with his large paws.
With the bath now open to the men, Duvall and Ariael both make their way in to get cleaned up and ready for the dinner. The stress of the past few days seems a thousand leagues away, as strong drink and warm water chase away the shadows which have pursued you.
Do you think Marius? Any advice you can give me will be appreciated. As to beards I have a general rule, I shave mine once a year, the last was when I headed into town and got this assignment.
Tethys perhaps you can teach my new friend to swim...maybe wrestle a bit!
Belgrin we have had little time to talk. I know almost nothing of the dwarves I am embarrased to say, your kind rarely frequents my humble forests. Though I hope to learn more.
Belgrin takes a good look at the facial mane the druid sports while thoughtfully brushing his own. "Lad, a beard's not somethin' ye just keep. It's a ritual, a point of pride, and a show of discipline to have a full, clean beard. Ye keep it combed, keep it groomed and washed, and ye find a whole different kinda reaction when ye walk about. Don't keep it if ye don't value it like ye do yer cat here. Keep it if ye want to work at it, shape it, and make it a signature. Some Dwarves are recognizable from miles away just by the shape of their beards. Ye might say they're an art form.
I had no idea. Fascinating. I shall have to think long and hard about my own Belgrin.
Marius appears taken aback for a moment before bowing. Apologies, Belgrin, I had forgotten the importance of a Dwarf's beard and should not have made light of them. I will not do so again, my friend. The other dwarves (who entered the room during Belgrin's comments) grumble something amongst themselves before jumping into the water for a bath. Even the normally taciturn Beldas Arnskull laughs as he cannonballs into the water!
@ Hezar: Tethys has taken to your new little wolf cub, playing with and teasing the little creature; to his credit, the little gray beast stands up stoutly after every fall, ready for more play.
Hezar finishes washing... I better go get dressed, it will probably take me an hour to put that monkey suit on!
Marius, Belgrin look here! When they turn he splashes them with water and laughs.
Accepting any retaliation he might get he hops out and dries himself.
Come on!
Seeing the pup still playing with Tethys Hezar laughs. We are working on it!
Hezar sighs and walks over and picks up the cub, and heads back to the room.
Belina...how the heck do I wear this thing? He says holding the fancy outfit the wrong way. I think the little fella there needs a name. Any ideas? I figure I will try some and see what he responds to.
Belgrin wipes the runoff from his features. "Hmph. Not much point in a bath if ye don't want ta get wet, I suppose. But aye, shouldn't tarry too long in the water if we want to be ready for the feast."
Belgrin spends a few minutes washing and scrubbing, removing the last vestiges of any tangles and clumps in his beard. He then grabs a towel and heads for his appointed attire.
Wonder if they'll have any salt pork or raspberries...
As for this little one, she looks at the little grey wolf cub. The children locally called him "ah-paul-oh" or some such .... Kaylan said it's an ancient name that Lathander used in a distant crystal sphere. Maybe you'd both like that?
Then he looks at the pup Apollo He watches the wolf to see if he responds.
Shall we? Now what are the odds he behaves at dinner?
A small bell chimes, indicating that you have ten minutes before dinner.
For those who wish it, fine clothes have been set out for you, much fancier than you are used to! They are in your rooms, if you wish to wear them for dinner. Marius opts not to, and Duvall wears his full plate mail, newly polished with everbright.
Hezar has changed into the fancy clothes, and Belina accompanies him, wearing a long, full rainbow coloured skirt, a white blouse worn well off her slender shoulders, and her long black hair secured in a bun with a delicate silver filligree. A small grey puppy accompanies the couple.
The dwarves grumble about the fancy dress, not wanting to offend their host but also not eager to dress in finery.
Janiries appears to still be getting ready, and Ariael is nowhere to be seen.
Belgrin seems unsure of whether the clothes set out for him are for a meal or a stage act. "This is what they wear to posture, eh? Think I'll be fine in somethin' clean. Just gonna get it messy with the food anyway, heh."
Belgrin gets a simple outfit ready, hoping to strike a balance between comfort and presentation. He leaves off his armor, however. "Not much point soilin' up the fine job they did cleanin' it for me."
Greetings all. I would like you all to meet my new friend. Apollo. Tethys found the poor guy wandering around alone.
Hezar gestures to the wolf pup at his heels.
He pulls out Belina's chair for her and sits next to her, and drops a small piece of jerky for him to chew on.
I will not stay your hand, Sir Knight, but I will ask you a question: what sort of ruler throws parties, feasts, revels, deep into the night while the common people around her suffer, and scramble for what few morsels they can find? She coughs again, the sound echoing in her chest - she must be quite ill.
As the participants assemble for the feast, the servants scramble to ensure that all is ready. Duvall, Landon, Ariael and Janiries are still absent; Hezar and Belgrin are present and seated, as are Belina, Marius, Pontus and Tor Stoneshield. Present from the Lady's household are Kaylan, the cavalier who met you at the crossroads; Katrina, the seneschal, an attractive woman in her 30's; and, joining at the last minute, Mikael, the guard captain, whom you gather must be of Rashemi descent.
The lady of House Stendarr enters minutes later; she is as you remember - tall, beautiful - though she is dressed for the occasion, rather than for battle. Her long brown hair is worn up, and a jewelled diadem is upon her forehead. She wears a black gown, off the shoulder, with a tight bodice and a full, black skirt of taffeta. Despite her obvious muscularity, she moves elegantly and is evidently comfortable in such garb.
All rise as she takes her place at the head of the table; she smiles and nods her head in greeting to all, though her face darkens a bit at the empty chair to the right of her, and upon noticing the number of missing guests. She keeps her composure, however, and walks to each guest at the table to greet them.
@ Belgrin: Greetings, master dwarf! The Stendarr house, and all whom dwell within it, are in your debt for risking your life for the people of Tilver's Folly. I hope you find peace and comfort here, though I know your people are strong and tireless!
@ Hezar: I welcome you, Hezar! We thank you, all of us, for risking your own life to save the villagers of Tilver's Folly! I hope you will find respite here within these walls! Noting Belina, the lady's gaze lingers on her for a moment before speaking. And you must be Belina ... I hear you also fought for the people of the village. You are lovelier than I had expected! Belina drops her gaze and mutters thanks. The Lady lingers for a moment longer, before moving on to talk briefly to Marius and the dwarves.
Resuming her place at the head of the table, the Lady speaks again. I had hoped for all of the heroes to attend...I do hope that everything has been to your satisfaction, and that the servants have not failed to attend to your every need. She looks again at the empty chair to the right of her, obviously disturbed.
Thank you Lady. Though I do not know that we are heroes, we did what needed to be done. So far I, we have wanted for nothing. I thank you for your courage in standing up to this threat.
He quiets allowing others to speak. Hezar grabs Belina's hand under the table when he sits, and scruffs Apollo at his feet.
Belgrin simply bows a bit at the commendation.
Empty seat eh? Maybe a stubborn son or the like didn't want to dress up to show off for all the classy folks, HAH!
Belgrin I believe I owe you a tankard. Hezar asks the servant to bring one for him and Belgrin.
He whispers to Belina This will likely end poorly for me, drinking with a dwarf.
After being led by you and Duvall to the makeshift shrine, Evaline agrees to take the old woman into custody, seemingly more out of fear of you than of belief in your story.
Hezar sputters.
Yes. Yes. Of course.
The table sees Hezar just got flustered by something. Apollo gives a yip and hops up into Hezar's lap and tries to lick the ale...which he promptly does not like. So he goes back to his jerky.
"Drinkin' with a Dwarf's only liable to end with good memories, Hezar. Rowdy, embarassin', an' disruptive maybe, but good." Belgrin enjoys a good swig of ale and exhales with satisfaction.
Hezar drinks with Belgrin, but only has 1 tankard quickly, before he sips the second.
The knight who met you at the crossroads ... Kaylan, you remember his name as being ... clears his throat at the uncomfortable silence preceding the first course. You all did very well to save so many from Tilver's Folly - many here thought that all would be dead, given the village's silence for many days.
The knight takes a sip from his cup - when he sets it down, you can see he is drinking water, rather than the alcoholic beverages on offer. I was wondering if any of you wanted to take a patrol of the wall with me after supper - sergeant Evaline said we were a little short on guards this evening, due to illness. She was hoping, especially, to have the dwarves take a look at a section of the wall which seems to have fallen into disrepair, and to have your archer's keen eyes evaluate our tactical situation. He spreads butter on still-warm bread before speaking again. I didn't want to bother you with such things, but it would likely be for only a couple of hours, afterwhich you could retire to your rooms for a well-deserved rest.
If Belina says yes then Hezar will readily agree.