"I'm Crusk Dervanrek," he says. "Bard extraordinaire. At least with the lute. I could use some cheese."
Great, you get it! Okay... how do we get rid of the nobles?
Then with a sudden start Oh! I'm Yeda. Very clearly not a noble. She gestures generally at her own attire and Shoanti tattooes.
Corrin nodded to the others a strange feeling of awkwardness seemed to overwhelm him. His hand slid up to his mask finding comfort in the presence....even if it was a lie at the moment. The invitation came and he for a moment hesistated until he saw Yeda approach and he followed quietly. When Yeda introduced herself there was a ... a pause.
"Corrin, blood sworn brother to your sister Ameiko."
He tapped his chest twice where his heart teice before offering her his hand. Glancing at Yeda he couldnt help but add....
"also not a noble.. i dont think."
He sat down across from her and tilts his head slightly studying her for a long moment before letting himself glance about. She looked different than his blood sister... but there were enough simularities he could see it. Another name to the list of those to protect.
Yeda has a moment of internal distress when she thinks of what her father and brother might say, seeing her now in these "civilized" towns. Maybe not here, but they certainly would have teased her for being noble in Magnimar, just for being around such cosmopolitan society.
Rusty Dragon, Common Room
Loxley had glanced towards the halfling for a moment before looking away. She didn’t want to interfere with her duties. Besides, what would she even say.
With a small sigh she started towards a random table when she spotted the others entering the inn.
Suddenly, the young lady that had been sitting alone stood to address them.
Loxley blinks at the somewhat awkward introduction, but manages a smile for their host’s younger sibling. At her mention of some people not enjoying the company of nobles she gets a little uncomfortable herself and glances in first Yeda’s direction, then Corrin’s.
She quickly looks alway and moves to take a seat, mumbling an apology as she does.
”I apologize for causing such a ruckus last night.”
She wished she could in good conscience agree that she was not a noble. She caught herself grasping her bandage covered arm.
"Oh, Sazzat... Good morning." Zeldana said as she half faked a smile. "It has been a... morning." She answered with but a simple nod. "What is it you need?
"Good mornin' ta ya as well Zeldana, why has it been such a morning for ya? As for me I was just checking in on a friend to make sure everything is okay with her."
She quickly looks alway and moves to take a seat, mumbling an apology as she does.
”I apologize for causing such a ruckus last night.”She wished she could in good conscience agree that she was not a noble. She caught herself grasping her bandage covered arm.
"It's not everyday that you get your birthright handed to you," says Crusk. "So, you're majesty, shall I play a song for you?"
Rusty Dragon, Common Room
Loxley visibly winced at the ‘your majesty’, but quickly recovered. She shot a glance in the Duchess’s direction before looking back at Crusk. She offered him a smile, trying not to look forced.
”Don’t feel you need to, on my account. But if you wish to, by all means, I don’t believe anyone would object.”
Loxley gave Ayame a more warm and natural smile.
”And, thank you young lady. I’m sure you know where Ameiko keeps her best.”
She gave the girl a conspiratorial wink as she smiled.
Good morning to you too. I'm about to head over to the cathedral to check on Father Zantus. You may feel free to join me.
Zeldana simply shrugged and told Sazzat. "It's nothing to worry about." Though her words were hollow sounding compared to her normal tone. "Things will be."
However she looked to Neari and gave a nod. "I am sorry for how we met."
"Well Zeldana if you ever need an ear to talk to Bandit and I are always available, ain't that right Bandit." He gives Zeldana a wry smile as he scratches under Bandit's chin.
"Ah well Neari, if the two of you are headed to see Father Zanthus I could think of far worse things to do this morning than accompany a couple of pretty ladies through town."
Rusty Dragon, Common Room
Loxley visibly winced at the ‘your majesty’, but quickly recovered. She shot a glance in the Duchess’s direction before looking back at Crusk. She offered him a smile, trying not to look forced.
”Don’t feel you need to, on my account. But if you wish to, by all means, I don’t believe anyone would object.”Loxley gave Ayame a more warm and natural smile.
”And, thank you young lady. I’m sure you know where Ameiko keeps her best.”
She gave the girl a conspiratorial wink as she smiled.
"I sing badly, but I mostly follow other bards around," says Crusk. Crusk gets out his lute, and starts playing a song. The song is a tune that was handed down to him by his mother. The song is a respectful tune about the beauty of a rose.
Ayame smiles broadly Of course, my lady. Gentlemen. she nods to everyone and departs the room.
My lady the duchess interjects softly Before we are distracted... she pauses, looking at Crusk, Corrin, and Yeda before continuing The Rod of Ancestors is a powerful device. Simply put, so long as you keep it upon you, it acts as an anti-divination tool. No one can scry you nor divine your future, except those with exceptional magic. It is said that there is more to this rod than that, that it holds great power, but only the royals who wield it know all it's secrets
THe doors to the kitchen open and Ayame and her sister Ameiko walk out, carrying large trays topped with fruit and more. plates are handed out, and then the food.
Morning in Sandpoint is wonderful to behold. The sun warms the town as children leap out of flung open doors, rushing onto the streets to find friends and scurry off, seeking new and exciting opportunities to create play and mischief. For the women of Sandpoint, its either household chores or going out shopping, though, for most of the ladies, they gather together at each others houses. Most for chat, others to bring smaller children together for play. For the menfolk of Sandpoint, it is off to work. The sawmill, the smithy, the farm fields, the docks, these and more they go off to.
But, today, they are different.
everyone you encounter, they smile at you, where before there was none. A dip of the head, a tip of the hat, a smile, a good morn Sir or top of the morn, Ladies greet you. Married women see the three of you, and disappear inside for a moment, only to reappear with something held in hands.
have you had an opportunity to eat, sir? lady? they ask. Please, please, come sit upon my porch, take a moment. I have some eggs, bacon, biscuits, gravy, sausage, fruit, wine, ale,
they look at you critically such clothing... it looks ok. I have a needle and thread. Dear, i know you have your mom, great seamstress she is, but i can fix that hem/seam for you. I can take in, let out, patch that dress. For you, sazzat, a new cloak. Set off your eyes. they all smile and nod at you, and continue to offer, to give thanks to you.
Katrine Vinder...
the same sister that is now missing....
Now I part of him wanted to move on to some place where he was less known, while another part of him was enjoying the notoriety, but the most important part of him was simply bound to his friends to see this through to its conclusion.
Still a thought came to his mind, sparked by his musings. "Zeldana with your abilities, with one sister do you think you might discern where the other sister might be or at least get some kind of insight to her whereabouts?"
Neari giggled at the attention being thrown at Sazzat. Somebody sure is popular. She bumps her shoulder against his teasingly. Unfortunately we'll have to disappoint you fair ladies. We've important business to attend to. But perhaps another time.
"By the gods Neari, don't encourage them, you do know I am currently a taken man, right?" 'At least until I can figure a way out of it.' "Besides, even if you don't know, they do or at least should know or will eventually know."
Loxley watches the cheerful Ayame as she heads off.
At least someone seemed genuinely happy to see her.
She was sure the others would hold some kind of resentment, even if they didn’t realize it yet themselves.
Loxley screwed her eyes tightly.
No, she was being pessimistic. They others may feel a little put out, she was sure, but she didn’t really think they would hold it against her… would they?
She shook her head, looking at the Duchess and then nodding as the dwarf spoke.
”Lovely.”
She sighed. It seemed to be of little encouragement, given the severe lack of royalty that could teach her the rod’s secrets.
”At least it will help me hide from people wanting to exploit me for monetary gain, or worse.”
She bemused as the kitchen doors opened.
Her attitude brightened as Ameiko and Ayame appeared with trays laiden with morning goodness.
”Ah, breakfast served by two of Sandpoint’s prettiest ladies.”
Loxley smiled.
”This may yet prove to be a good day.”
”At least it will help me hide from people wanting to exploit me for monetary gain, or worse.”
"When your rich, everyone's suddenly your cousin," said Crusk.
"it will be a good day... as soon as we can get my mask properly enchanted..."
He said peering directly at the Duchess. He inclined his head in thanks to his sister and well his sisters sister. He did his best to not just inhale his food. He wanted to get on with the day and get back to Thistletop. There was something wrong with that place for sure. But he was not going back into that evil place with his mask exposing him to the darkness there.
"what brings you to Sandpoint miss Ayame? something with the glassworks? wanting to be with family?"
After Corrin has had a chance to talk to her, she asks Which nobles would even talk to us about the rod without trying to take it? Are any actively looking for it?
As the people began to flock to them, Zeldana did her best to fade into the background. Letting Neari and Sazzat speak while she remained silent.
"When your rich, everyone's suddenly your cousin," said Crusk.
Loxley glanced at Crusk again. He hadn’t been present through the last few days of ordeals and revelations and lacked the full breadth and width of what had transpired.
But, from things she had seen growing up, he wasn’t far off. She cracked a small smirk.”You’re not completely wrong.”
"it will be a good day... as soon as we can get my mask properly enchanted..."
Which nobles would even talk to us about the rod without trying to take it? Are any actively looking for it?
Loxley plucked a peice of melon from her plate and paused. She regarded the Duchess. She had made claims, Loxley thought as Yeda brought up the local nobles.
”I would be surprised if any of the nobles within the lands surrounding Sandpoint would know anything of it.”Loxley ate the piece of fruit.
”It is a fair uncommon bit.”
"what brings you to Sandpoint miss Ayame? something with the glassworks? wanting to be with family?"
When Corrin addressed Ayame, Loxley turned her attention to the girl.
”Oh yes, I’m so sorry. You weren’t give a chance to speak on the matter before the conversation was, ah, carried off by others. That was unfair of us.”
Loxley glanced at Crusk again. He hadn’t been present through the last few days of ordeals and revelations and lacked the full breadth and width of what had transpired.
But, from things she had seen growing up, he wasn’t far off. She cracked a small smirk.
”You’re not completely wrong.”
"Well, if some diviner were to say I was the heir to a kingdom or empire, I would look to keep a low profile too," Crusk Dervanrek finally said.
With the crowd mostly mollified, (plenty of chuckles and heartfelt blessings upon you and your kin), and your hands full of handheld breakfast items , the walk to the cathedral is uneventful.
Neari guides the both of you to the living quarters of the cathedral, and, due to her being a cleric of Sarenrae, able to gain access to the inner quarters reserved for visiting clerics and paladins, and where Father Zantus resides.
Inside, you enter in the a room filled with the smells of old books, skins, leathers, inks, incense, and waxes. Subtle undertones of varnished woods, and cooking oils. The sound of wood scrapping on metal comes from down a narrow hall opposite you.
to your left and right, equally narrow halls. (neari's clerical quarters are down the hall to the right.)
No! I dont need your help Orlin! you hear a mans deep voice suddenly raise above the cooking sounds. Be at ease, brother! I have two working hands and can manage this quite well. Stay yourself for a moment. Let me help.
Ayame drops her fork to her plate, and buries her face in her hands, crying. Ameiko stands up and steps up to her sister, taking a moment to reach over and smack Corrin up side the head. brother she growls out Ayame is home because our father died.... she holds her sister tight and gently brushes her sisters hair to help soothe the young woman.
The duchess looks at Corrin, a slight down turn of her lips the only indication that she thinks Corrin's question bad form. But, she answers Corrin's question. I havent forgotten my oath, Ashen elf. And you have helped me find the heir she swallows once and looks at Loxley I mean, find her Majesty. she bows in respect to Loxley One moment please. she bends her head to her plate, and finishes up her breakfast.
Very tasty. Excellent variety of fruit. The dwarf stands and begins to walk around the table to corrin. The crafting of a mask is a difficult endevour, requiring not only yourself but also- The Duchess suddenly cuts off with a choking gurgle.
her hands leap to grasp at nothing around her throat. she grips at the air tightly, her wrists wrenching on nothingness....
Slowly, she begins to lift into the air...
A hand appears, clenched firmly upon her throat. swiftly, like water splashed upon rock to reveal its hidden colors, an arm and then the upper torso of a rail skinny man appears.
you broke the accord, Onyx. a thin, whispery voice cuts through the air.
The dwarf can only gurgle.
more of the man appears, revealing the body of a very old, ancient man holding the dwarf at chest height, his hand a clamp upon the dwarf's throat. Long, white hair, what's left of it, runs down his shoulders, past his chest, and end at his groin. Thin, threadbare robes hang loosely from his body, forcing you to imagine an emaciated horse with a half blanket upon it's back. His face though, is strong and full. full of anger, hatred, and fury! His eyes blaze with absolute intensity, solely focused upon the dwarf female he holds.
You were to leave-
a loud crack, of a miniature thunder cloud, snaps throughout the room, and the Duchess disappears.
"This . . . is strange," said Crusk. "Well . . . it seems your Majesty, that your supporter disappeared. What would you like to do?"
He stood there for a moment hand sliding up to his head. He should have known better. the words had come out of his mouth the wrong way. He had just turned to face the dwarf when he was frozen at first by the appearance of the old man. His confused look turned to abstract terror as she disapearred and just like that. the hope that had sprang to life despite the chaos of the day before was washed away and it hurt... light did it hurt.
"No no no no NOOOOOOOO!"
He called out finally willing himself to move, he drew spear and slid the mask over his face in one smooth motion readying himself to strike down this man who had attacked and stolen away the dwarf who could save him.... and keep that which must no be mentioned at bay....
Loxley instantly regretted asking Ayame to explain her arrival. If she had given it a single thought, she would have remembered and put it together herself.
She was just thankful she was not in range of Ameiko’s anger.
She couldn’t bother to correct Duchess as she tried to sink further into her seat. She did, thought, watch as the dwarf moved around the table to address Corrin.
Loxley sat up straight when the Duchess seemed to begin choking. But, as the woman lifted from her feet, her chair clattered to the floor with a start.
”Dutchess!”
She looked around as the voice sounded from nowhere at first, only to gasp a little when the graveyard of a man fades in to sight.
”What are you doing? Who are yo-“
Her last word is cut off by the tiny thunderclap. She flinches.
When she looks again the dwarf is gone and the man remains.
”I’m going to demand some answers!”
She answered the bard and turned her attention to the man.
”What did you do with her?”
She demanded when Corrin suddenly struck out.
”Corrin!”
Then the Dutchess clutches her throat and the previously-hidden aggressor appears out of nowhere. It took several moments to even process the event, just based on believing her own eyes. Once she got that far, Corrin lept into action.
Is that necess..
She quickly shifts her attention to the old man.
What did you do to the Dutchess? Is she... dead? Sent away somewhere remote?
She stands abruptly but does not lunge forward with Corrin. Her body is rigid and her hand on the handle of her temporary blade.
"Lets all calm down here," said Crusk. He moved towards the man. "Who are you, and by what right do you have to take the Duchess?"
He asks that calmly.
Corrin's spear lances out, plunging hard and true towards the center mass of the old man, only to have it deflected by some unseen force at the last moment. The old man backs up hastily, raising his hands before him as a surrender
Easy, druid. easy there. Calm yourself, or i will be forced to he warns with a stern tone.
Given her history, Id hazard a guess to someplace far, far away. Perhaps another plane.
Golzar comes to greet you. "Sorry, my colleagues and friends, I was hoping to see you under best circumstances," he says.
He looked at the broken head of the spear, and simple dropped it. he almost collapsed to the floor barely managing to catch himself. He barely managed to get his legs under him and he rocked back and forth slightly muttering to himself in barely understandable elven...
This world's doomed.
Loxley quickly came around the table, stopping by Corrin’s side. She placed a hand on his shoulder as he mumbled in elven.
”All will be well.”
She tried to reassure him in elven.
She glared up at the old man.
”That does not answer our questions.”
She swept her hand around at Crusk and Yeda.
”Where is she and by what right have you sent her away?”
Loxley demanded, repeating her companion’s valid questions as she drew herself up to her full height and tried to look confident in herself.
The man’s last words caught her attention.
”Wait, do you not even know where you sent her? Are you mad?”
the old man glares at Loxley Foolish girl. Think. Or assume the stereotype and make me breakfast
Anx! Ameiko snaps out as she still comforts her sister.
At least you think, my lady. and not some milquetoast sop.
Anx she growls out between clenched teeth.
the old man, Anx, waves his hand Yes yes. Strong, important woman you are. Well, I suppose you are now, having inherited your fathers title, unless Tsuto still draws breath? he quirks an eyebrow. He looks over at Loxley youre still here? where's my breakfast?
His face changes, moving from anger and annoyance to compassion? the world is doomed eh? He squats down to Corrin's level. bold words for an elf. a nature lover as well. Thought you Ashen'del'dari were made of sterner stuff. There was a time when you lot could go toe to toe with a demon, bare handed. I see now you folk have weakened to pathetic pups mewling for your mother's breastmilk. he wipes his hands at Corrin and stands up.
Now, Lord Mayor. Tell me. Where is the lady Zeldana? At least she has some intelligence and capability to her. Word was she was here.
Neari nods to Golzar. Golazar, you are looking well. I- she turns to look around, and notices that her new companions are not in the room. she raises her voice to be heard outside. Strange. They came with, i just assumed that they wanted to check in with father Zantus. How is he doing by the way? is he awake? Would be nice to talk to him, to learn about what he witnessed leading up to that... thing, showing up.
the both of you hear, quite well, neari talking. Strange. They came with, i just assumed that they wanted to check in with father Zantus. How is he doing by the way? is he awake? Would be nice to talk to him, to learn about what he witnessed leading up to that... thing, showing up.
He raised his voice till it cracked his arm shaking in his anger.
"My people.. my whole clan is gone but for me and you worry about sterner stuff. I dont know who you are and it doesnt matter. you are a rude excuse of flesh and if there was any honor in it i would drag you to the edge of town and heft you off the cliff down to the trash where you manners say you belong."
He took the pretty but useless mask and literally threw it at the man's face.
"The world will burn for your rudeness Old man.
Without another word other than to throw the ruined spear to the side he turned and stalked out of the inn, heading next door for his best friend Dewdrop. He had a heart to find.
the old man glares at Loxley Foolish girl. Think. Or assume the stereotype and make me breakfast
Anx! Ameiko snaps out as she still comforts her sister.
At least you think, my lady. and not some milquetoast sop.
Anx she growls out between clenched teeth.the old man, Anx, waves his hand Yes yes. Strong, important woman you are. Well, I suppose you are now, having inherited your fathers title, unless Tsuto still draws breath? he quirks an eyebrow. He looks over at Loxley youre still here? where's my breakfast?
His face changes, moving from anger and annoyance to compassion? the world is doomed eh? He squats down to Corrin's level. bold words for an elf. a nature lover as well. Thought you Ashen'del'dari were made of sterner stuff. There was a time when you lot could go toe to toe with a demon, bare handed. I see now you folk have weakened to pathetic pups mewling for your mother's breastmilk. he wipes his hands at Corrin and stands up.
Now, Lord Mayor. Tell me. Where is the lady Zeldana? At least she has some intelligence and capability to her. Word was she was here.
"Pretty brave words, coming from a human," said Crusk. "You don't know the meaning of honor. So show some respect."
Several minutes pass, idle chit chat between Zeldana and Sazzat, before the lady Neari sticks her head out the door.
Come in. Father Zantus wants to talk to the both of you. She looks at Bandit And your Raccoon can come in as well.
The old man shrugs his shoulders Eh. Will burn. has burned. is burning. there's always something. He shrugs again and turns away from corrin, his foot trodding upon the fallen leaf.
Respect? Honor? strange words from a thing like yourself. Only those that have so little of those demand it from others. he waves his hand at Crusk Now, go away minstrel. Go croon for your meal elsewhere he dismisses the half orc with a simple blink. he looks at Loxley Well, where's my breakfast?
he turns his focus on Yeda, who had during this exchange hung back, observing. Now you, lady. Youre a thinker. Someone capable of a moments pause, of knowing when to think before acting. he sniffs the air and someone with a hint of magic in her blood. Do you channel it outward, or internally?
”Wait! You are Anx? The local wizard?”
Loxley looked from Ameiko to the disheveled old man with a grimace.
She tried to reassure Corrin with a squeeze on his shoulders, but the elf was beyond furious. She started to reach for him ambit decided it best to let him cool off.
She turned her attention back to Anx as the old man seem solely focused on Zeldana.
”You are mad. And if I did not respect Amieko, I would show you just what you could do with your desired breakfast.”
Loxley voice was cold. She was already tired of the man’s cavalier disregard for her, her friends and her companions.
”If you have something worth saying, then speak. Otherwise, crawl back under whatever rock you dragged yourself out from under.”
She slammed a hand on to the table.
”I will not abide by your rudeness. If you will not explain yourself, then your presence is not wanted around here.”
"hey buddy..." He began giving his best elk friend an ear tousle and some pats... he looked about the stables and put some of the feed(or hay) in the stalls for the animals to eat. There was a good chance ol' man Hosk would be out of commission for a bit with wounding. He made sure to feed them enough to keep them through the day. and he refilled all the water too. He was so very angry at whomever that man was.... He had to get out of that room before he did something ... rash.
"No fix for my mask buddy... things will get bad eventually. Im sorry i got you into this...."
He whispered sadly stoking the elks neck.
"Why did... we come? He gives Bandit another scratching under this chin. "Well I did not want to stick around the Rusty Dragon and so I figured I would check in on you, since you were not there. Then we just happened to bump into Neari and when you agreed to go see Father Zantus, we figured we would simply escort a couple of fine ladies safely through town." He makes a kind of a whatever gesture, meaning no real intent or purpose at all.
"I looked distressed?" He pauses and thinks for a moment, "Well I suppose I might have been thoughtful, annoyed, concerned, or any combination of those but I do not think I was distressed. Still what does distressed look like? Or more appropriately what does my distressed look like?"
After she replies he says, "Oh yeah did ask you about tracking someone down but you said you were not able to do that so that is kind of moot"
She inclines her head slightly towards Loxley as a way of indicating her without using her hands to point.
Answer her!
Crusk felt . . . dismissed by this old man. He felt that he was being turned away. Subtly, he began to think of ways which he can make for a better response. He thought hard. He was a Half-Orc, that was for sure. He was raised among human society rather than orc society. To be dismissed was an insult. But he wasn't ready to confront this old man.
He moved closer to Loxley. Apparently, the old man didn't know that he was in the presence of Royalty. He whispered, "This may be a battle we can't win, you're majesty."
you look critically at the stalls, and recognize that the stalls need to be mucked out.
Dewdrop nuzzles you for a moment before dropping his head and munching on the feed. You get the impression through the bond you have with him that he wishes to get out and stretch his legs.