Ko'Kori sat and ate Ameiko's well prepared meal, it was the closest thing she had eaten since leaving Goka, and she ate plenty.
Listening to Joshua sing she could tell he was a talented musician and spent a little time paying him attention until she overheard Malen and the newcomer conversing.
"If the two of you are actually serious then join me in going to speak with the Sheriff after you're done eating, if anyone is going to have work it will be him."
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Kjell is about to respond when the Tien woman sitting a little way down the table speaks up. He turns to her and gives another smile. "Of course I'm serious. I can't speak for this fellow, but I'm here to lend my services to the people. Help these folks keep carving out a place on the frontier, and bring justice to those that would go against them." He carves a piece of the salmon and pops it in his mouth, chewing slowly, savoring the flavor. "It would be a great crime to lose a place like this."
He drains the last of the mead from his tankard and stands. "Well, if you're to the Sheriff, I'll go with you. Well met. I'm Kjell Amundsson. And you?" He looks to the half-orc and Tien woman.
"Ko'Kori, of House Ammenao." she says extending her hand to Kjell to kiss.
"I've probably introduced myself more today than in my whole life thus far."
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Unused to the customs of the Tien, the Ulfen man takes the woman's hand and gives it a small shake and squeeze before releasing it. "Well, we're all strangers here, new faces and friends to learn." He gives a grin. "Didn't anyone ask a pretty lady's name on your way to this town?"
After a few sets of mundane questions, Quee had had enough. A few coins never hurt anything though... And now he would have the chance to pay Ameiko for her hospitality. Though she was dear to him, having helped acclimate the traveler to Sandpoint, he didn't like to accept the charity she offered; he felt like it was taking advantage of her.
It was easy to find the tavern: He needed only to follow Joshua's voice. He grabbed a plate and stood next to Ameiko to listen. "Not bad, hmm?" He reached into his pocket and pulled out a few coppers, setting them on her shoulders. "No arguing about it! Seems like you might have some new regulars." Quee's eyes darted to the recurring newcomers from this morning.
Ko'Kori squeezes Kjell's hand hard.
Varisia isn't big on manners apparently she thought.
"In Goka the Ammenao House is very well known, and the caravans who took me here didn't ask questions so long as they were paid. I'm still trying to become accustomed to how you all do things here in Varisia."
Kjell pauses for a moment when Ko'Kori squeezes his hand, but after she finishes speaking he bursts out in a short, rich laugh. "Well, I don't think you'll have many problems with a grip like that. Forgive my saying so, but I didn't expect it--and they called me Strongarm." He chuckles again and gives a small bow. "Well, I don't know much about your people's customs, but I've seen them do this to show respect."
He stands back up and heaves a breath. "As for Varisia, I'm new here myself. Come from Jol, up in the Linnorm Kingdoms. You must have passed through Southmoor while I was with another caravan, or tracking bandits."
The summoner cocked an eyebrow at Ko'Kori's prioritization of secrecy. "I doubt many here would even know your house, let alone harbor any hate towards it. Questions are meant to satisfy curiosity here."
Quee eyes the handshake and observed the exchange between her and Kjell. "Like so: How is it an esoteric lady like yourself has such as well-viced grip? I'm none too strong myself, but I've known a few exceptionally muscled ones over the years." He leans in to whisper loudly. "Ameiko is one of those." Quee smiled a moment as he leaned back. "But there's a story behind them. Just like with men. Thing is - mens' stories of muscle are usually boring if they're not downright dung. For women ... the tale is usually worth the listen."
Cocking his head slightly to one side, the convivial half-elf kept his golden eyes fixed on his subject.
Joshua decided to up the beat, and bring the fun to the festivities.
He wets his lips and start playing a catching tune with his trumpet.
He uses the time to scan the crown for beautiful ladies.
Ko'Kori turns to Quee, "No secrecy, just people haven't ever had to ask before now."
"House Ammenao is one of the most militaristic families in Tien. We're all trained warriors. The head of our house, my grandfather Rego, has spent his whole life dedicated to breeding and raising only the strongest fighters."
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"That is an exposition with some put to it." Enough thrusting for now. "My family had quite the other bent - potent wizards on my father's side. Unfortunately, that style of profession wasn't the sort that meshed well with me. It was less dishonorable to have me do something else out of sight of the community back in Kyonin, so here I am."
Joshua spots an ivory-skinned woman with long brown tresses discreetly making eyes at him.
Joshua smiles back at the woman.
"Hah, good to know I'm not the only 'family disgrace'," Kjell chuckles. It's clear he's laughing in good heart, and he claps Quee on the shoulder. "Life has more in store for us than our fathers did, though, eh? And that's not a bad thing in the end."
"I suppose so! What's your reason for departure, Mr. ...?"
Kjell sighs and continues smiling, although it seems a tad forced now. "Kjell Amundsson, though most call me Strongarm, on account of my bow. They should have met you before deciding that was my name, though," he chuckles, looking to Ko'Kori. "In any case, I guess I need the honor name, since I lost the right to my family name. My father is a high priest of Erastil in Jol, up north in my homelands."
He stretches his arms and sits down again. "My brother Stigr and myself were raised in the temple, more or less, and he fared better when it came to accepting the teachings. Me, I just wanted to go out in the woods with the other lads, slay imaginary linnorms, maybe catch a rabbit or two, later on larger game. Didn't take much to religion until more recently in life. And it caused a bit of a rift with my old man, especially when he and Stigr had a falling-out."
He puts on the forced smile again and taps his fingers on his knees. "But that's all in the past now, eh? Erastil caught up to me eventually, and now here I am. What say we head to the sheriff's after this fine lunch and see if there isn't work to be done to help the good people gracious enough to give us a festival?"
She smiles back at Joshua but then turns and moves on.
Ameiko looks up at Kjell. "Kind of you, but he'll have everything all planned out, and always gets harrassed by gypseys looking to be taken on to stand about; better wait till tomorrow if you wanna get work."
"Also, check out the closing ceremonies when they're on; always worth a look."
Joshua knows when to involve the crowd.
"Let's us thank miss Ameiko for this splendid meal! Miss Ameiko, come here and sing a song with us! Come on people, a hand for the most beautiful innkeeper in Sandpoint!"
When (if) Ameiko comes, he will ask her...
"What song do you want to sing?"
He will play the Song with Ameiko.
The news that the Sheriff wouldn't be seeking aid for the day brought frustration to Ko'Kori's face.
She then looked to Joshua still performing and remembered the tips he got earlier.
I might not be a musician but perhaps I can get paid to entertain in my own way.
Ko'Kori looks around and calls out, "Anyone for an exhibition match? The might of Goka against Varisia's own?"
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"Take it to the ring, maybe?" A festival-goer points at the attractions set up by the gypseys before moving on.
[spoiler=Pie-Eating Contest]What else to say. Participants attempt to see how many pies they can stomach. One gold coin to enter, one for the winner, on top of all the pies.
Ko'Kori follows the mans pointing and heads over to the attractions.
Might as well give at least most things a try, this is supposed to be an adventure after all. I think I'll pass on the pie eating though.
Malen shrugs, looking around the festival, Well, I've not got much else to do.
Kjell nods at Ameiko's commentary. "Guess I'll wait for tomorrow, then. My thanks for the food." He gives her a smile and stands up, looking to Ko'Kori as she issues her challenge. Not much hand with a sword, and not from around here, but it's something to do... Then one of the townies reminds the group of the games, and Kjell shifts his pack on his shoulder, heading toward the gypsy camp with a grin.
Glancing around at the games, Kjell doesn't find himself drawn to most... but the dunking competition pulls his attention and he grins widely as he approaches. "May I take a turn?" he asks, holding out a pair of silvers.
The Ulfen takes the ball in his hand and rolls it for a few seconds, taking stock of its weight and balance. He bounces it into the air a couple times, catches sight of a couple of children nearby, and smiles. He flips the ball a short distance into the air, and when it drops down he kicks it back up with his foot. He catches it on the back of his hand, where it sits for a moment before rolling down his arm, across his shoulders, and up into his other hand's palm. He tosses the ball easily back into his on hand, winds up, and tosses it straight into the lever. He then takes the silvers and hands them out to the children. "Fun game."
Quee glanced over the games, but he always felt a bit odd participating; being a fortune teller on the other side of the booth, it was a mixing of circles to him.
However, he did allow himself a chance to bob for the fruit - and one to watch the pie-eating contest. A meaty Orc was really putting them away!
The circle champion is scornful, but wilts after a few powerful blows from Ko'Kori, aiming two blows himself before tapping out.
With a firm gaze, her force of will pushes past the magician's minor enchantment, leaving her untouched.
Her keen eyes peer through the water and successfully spot two sweetfruits, though for the third time she finds a bitter cat.
Ready with her missile, Ko'Kori fair sends the ball nearly hurtling through the lever, tipping the demon head over heels before he hits the water, sputtering.
Malen's firm mind fights off the enchanting magic. He lands one blow on the boxing champion, receiving one in return before he taps out.
His eyes find but a bitterfruit, though he lands an accurate blow to send the devil a-drowning.
He sets himself against a well-dressed nobleman blinking with delight at the festivities in the pie-eating contest.
After the third pie, the nobleman blanches and swears off with a smile.
Many smile at Kjell, take the silvers and have their own turns at dunking the demon, at dipping for fruits; a few hide them away for later.
Quee's vision sadly misses the butterflies, instead receiving a bitter cat.
The Ulfen man laughs and rubs one young boy's hair, then strolls off elsewhere in the festival. He samples a few foods and gets his fortune read at one point, but otherwise he simply wanders about, talking with the people, learning about Sandpoint, and trading tales with the caravaners until the evening festivities commence. If he runs into any of the others from lunch, he greets them and wishes them well, reminding them to meet at the Sheriff's tomorrow.
Ameiko raise an eyebrow and, trying not to laugh, grabs a chair and stands upon it. She pulls a tiny stringed instrument from her pocket, and, plucking it, practices herself through a dizzying array of notes. She turns to Joshua. "I picked this up from a Shoanti shaman, something about the moon; find a spot and a tune and play along." She turns to the crowd, takes a deep breath, and regales the crowd with a deep, resounding song, undulating from the back of her throat, quiet in places then rising to a stirring pace to match the breeze. Joshua finds plenty of opportunities to play along.
To finish, she grabs an old wineglass from the table, and tosses it into the sky above her tavern; barking a resounding word, it shatters into the tiniest pieces to a great round of applause.
Ameiko descends, and continues handing out food and drink. "Y'play fairly well; don't get a swelled head, though!" She passes over a mug of mead. "Well played, though."
When the song finishes Joshua applauds and tell the audience with a huge smile:
"Miss Ameiko, people! Lets hear it for her!"
He accepts the mug and gets a big glup.
"I didn't know you were that talented! You have to teach me that song sometime! Maybe we can get together one night to play, don't you think?"
He winks at her.
He will rest for a minute, and then he will keep playing to Ameiko's patrons.
Quee sees the constant attention Joshua puts towards Ameiko. Though it would be great if she could find a suitor she desired, the summoner was concerned the interactions weren't bidirectionally inclined.
Returning to his tent, while awaiting some people with fortunes to be told, he drew some cards of his own in a spread of three in an attempt to divine the intentions of the mysterious musician.
Cards of the harrow, let me see into their relationship. What will the outcome be?
What will Joshua bring to it?
What will Ameiko bring to it?
What will be the result of their interactions?
The results were rather ominous. Drawing The Betrayal for Joshua, Quee did not care for the man at all. At first, he thought he was just forward. But following the suit of Charisma, it made sense the musician worked his talents to selfish ends. Ameiko's card, The Uprising, symbolized her biting off more than she could chew. However, The Inquisitor being drawn for the summation indicated the truth would come to greater clarity over time.
Harrow cards had served Quee well in the past, though he understood there was potential for error in his interpretation. But the danger to Ameiko...
With the final card suggesting a better decision being able to be made later, the convivial half-elf chose observation over injunction. Maybe Joshua's original intentions are fell, but he turns-out to be a better person because of Ameiko... He did not want to deny her that opportunity.
He did have to protect her though. Later this evening or tomorrow, he would keep a close eye on that traveler - until the two parted ways or no more malice was present. It was the least he could do for her taking him in as a newcomer.
Kjell wanders around the crowd for a while, milling about and speaking with locals and travelers, and eventually finds himself at one of the fortune tents--and recognizes the half-elf man running it from lunch. Might as well see what's in store, he thinks with a grin. The Ulfen waits his turn in line patiently and gives Quee a large smile when his turn comes. "Well, friend, what does fate have in store for me?"
Quee smiles as the man came in, a welcome distraction from his recent reading.
"Welcome to Quee's Questions, Sir Strongarm!"
He shuffled the cards. "Fate is the path to love or to hate. Destiny guides to enter the gate. Know its key well or goals will be late. Draw your cards three and see now your fate!"
He fans the cards down to the table. They flow like water through his hands.
"Love or hate, eh? Nice rhyme." Kjell hovers his hand over the cards for several moments, closing his eyes and breathing deeply before letting his hand drop. It seems he's doing his best to let whatever outside force exists in the Harrow control his choice for him, in the usual manner of readings--this doesn't seem to be his first such experience.
Quee took the cards Kjell drew, laying them in a spread.
"Fate has many opportunities and challenges in store for us, but the outcomes are a result of your free will; you must select from destiny's paths."
He flipped over the first card. "The Theater! What a splendid card to represent the opportunities in your life - that is, if you have the discipline for it. To reach your potential, you will need to invest effort in achieving plans. But beware - make sure they are truly your plans, not those of others, for it will lead to a future without fulfillment, regardless of your material gains."
The second card was reversed. "This planar being on The Brass Dwarf represents the pinnacle of your struggles: invulnerability. While that sounds like a good thing at first - and especially fitting for a muscular man like yourself, Strongarm! - a shell of protection can double as a prison. You may prevent yourself from being in touch with your true emotions or desires." Quee looked into his eyes. "Solitude you realize is lonely. Solitude you don't is infuriating."
Finally, the final face made it's appearance. "The Carnival. Again, this is a deceptive card, doubly dangerous when paired with The Brass Dwarf! Fun and games like at this festival, you'll notice there are many ways to lose your coins under the guise of excitement. However, after the festivities end, the ledger remains, as do your debts. You must be cautious not to be seduced by whimsical desires while preventing stagnation from losing touch with yourself as the second card warns. If you do not succeed at this balancing act, the results of your actions may be fruitful, but you may not be able to stomach the fruit. Instead, you could find it to be poison." Quee sighed. "This is a precarious line for you to walk, but I hope destiny will be kind to you."
He gathered the cards together, shuffled them once, and set them aside. "What do you seek out of Sandpoint?"
Ameiko shrugs as the crowd applauds then drifts away to other attractions. "Sure, some nights the tav's a bit down and I lay down a note or two for my regulars; if you want in on that, sure." She keeps serving out food and drink. "Kind of you to keep playing, but careful, I had out too much and I'm getting dirty looks from the owner of the Hagfish all year."
Joshua smiles at Ameiko.
"My lady, I sure want in on that!"
He will keep playing for a time there. Seems like a good place to start a following, and check on the girls.
Kjell raises his eyebrows and lets out a whoof of breath at Quee's reading. "You give all your customers cryptic warnings like that?" He grins and shakes his head. "No, it's fine. Just... always intriguing how the cards really do seem to be related to your life, eh? Guess there really is something to it. Desna has a hand in our lives, I suppose."
After a moment's pause, he smiles and adjusts his belt. "Well, I've come here on a quest given me by Erastil. He sent a bird to tell me that I was wasting my life hunting in the Southmoors and I should make a difference in the world. So, for the past few years I've been traveling, helping the caravan folk and other travelers, townsfolk on the frontier. Righting wrongs and bringing justice to the wicked. About a month ago my bird told me we'd spent enough time up north, and we'd best move southwards. I heard about the festival from one of the caravans, rode along, and here I am. Just got in this morning."
The Ulfen stretches and rolls his shoulders. "I don't suppose you know of any help the town needs? Bandits, monsters, a building needs put up, food needs hunted? That's what I'm here to do, and I'm planning to visit the Sheriff tomorrow to speak with him about it. So you see why your cards seem... poignant." He gives another small grin.
Ko'Kori opens the flap to Quee's tent and sees Kjell, "Ah, sorry to intrude. The early afternoon heat was starting to get to me, and I thought I'd take a rest in the shade and entertain a fortune reading since I've now acquired a spare coin or two. Shall I wait outside?"
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By now, the worst of the crowd has slackened and evening is but an hour or so off; glorious pink streaks start to cover the horizon as revellers slowly drift away. But for now, plenty remain.
Joshua will keep playing while there is a good crowd.
"Poignant, perhaps." Quee taps a finger against his lips. "But maybe useful nonetheless."
"Oh, certainly!" greeted the reader, happy to see another recently familiar face. "But I will not take a coin from you. For one so far from home under somber circumstances, that would not be right."
He shuffled the deck, then fanned them. "Please, consider your question carefully. Then choose three - one at a time"."
Kjell nods. "Hopefully they are indeed useful. I'll keep them in mind." He shifts to the side as Ko'Kori enters and watches on as she takes a seat, wondering what the foreign woman's reading will have in store.
"Let us see what fate holds for you."
Quee flipped the fist card. "The Mountain Man holds stock in your past. Circumstances you did not choose made for your prior life, and forces beyond your control may have pushed you to be where you are. Yet this hermit does not harm by way of habit; his turbulence can uncover diamonds as a side-affect of causing delays."
"His influence wanes with the advent of ..." the summoner rotated the card "The Winged Serpent! Your mind is sharp, and your conscience is perceptive, and these traits give you an inner power to protect you from the mundane influence of The Mountain Man. The ivory towers of your discipline and ideals may be respected by many, though it will set you apart in a league of your own. Lonliness may come if you are not careful."
His hand reversed the final card. "The Demon's Lantern..." Quee paused. "It ... these cards," he continued, gesturing to The Winger Serpent "are as oppositional as one can get, both in ethics and nature. The Demon's Lantern lights your future in its eerie glow, laying snares and false leads for you, attempting to stray you from your goals. You will have an opportunity to stay true to your path, but it will come at the sacrifice of some of your mental solitude." His finger brushed alongside the second card. "The years will make you into a different person, but whether you will succumb to the adversity that lies before you or persevere with some evolution within, I cannot say."
His golden eyes went back to the woman. "Your reading speaks to personal strength, but clouds loom over you. Did you have any particular ambitions in mind?"
"To grow in strength and bring glory to House Ammenao."
"Outside of that, perhaps to find a suitor." says Ko'Kori.
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"I suppose you should keep an extra close look at what these suitors really desire. As for the former, that could be nearly any event! I suppose you'll find-out what destiny has in store for you as go onward, but caution seems to be prudent for now."
The setting sun finally kisses the horizon, and a moment of calm fills the town; most stop and ready themselves for a secret signal. Ameiko stops clattering plates around for a moment. With a muffled bang, a thunderstone explodes near the cathedral. Most nod, some smile, and continue with their business. Ameiko looks up. "There's the signal that the festival's over. Should still get a little trade, but most of the work will b..... what..."
She shades her eyes and looks below the sun to the houses at the north of town.
Kjell chuckles again. "Seems your fortune's as complex and fitting as my own. Good luck with your questing." He smiles to Ko'Kori, places a pair of silvers on Quee's table with a nod of thanks, and makes his way out of the tent to continue wandering the festival grounds.
As evening falls, Kjell stands still as the crowd begins to go calm, wondering what's happening. Then the thunderstone crack rings out, and he nods as it becomes apparent the festival is over. Looking towards the Rusty Dragon, Kjell begins walking that way, seeking a bed for the night...
...When he hears a screech from the air above and a word from Arne echoes in his head. Danger. Reacting quickly, the Ulfen grabs and strings his bow in a smooth movement, already holding one of his arrows in his other hand. Hearing some strange song coming from the cathedral's direction, along with the crowd of people, he makes his way towards it, arrow moving onto the string of his bow.
"There was something over that roof, some kind of monster... I guess that is not part of the festivities, right?"
He stores his Trumpet and gets his shortbow out.
"People! Go into the inn, quickly! Be calm..."
Ko'Kori gives a small bow to both Quee and Kjell before taking her leave of the tent and rejoining the festivities at Ameiko's Inn.
When others begin to speak of monsters though she is a moment too late in turning around to spot them, saying to Joshua, "Are you sure? I didn't see anything."
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