Another group is just leaving a table next to the central fireplace with five chairs.
Cel follows with the group, but stays quiet during the walk. In the tavern he notices the two excitedly waving at him and he produces a small smile for them to be courteous, but it's obvious the expression on his face is forced. As Alaina finds the group a table he takes a chair, and sits down and begins to trace the wood grain with his finger idly. He's got a look of pondering mixed with some unhappiness as he reflects on the day's events in his head.
Taking a seat next to Cel, Alaina nudged him, "Hey, what's eating you Rabbit?"
"It's just a lot of conflicting things. I don't want to be so scared, but I can't turn it off either...but it's putting others in danger now, and I've never been in a situation where so many things are life and death in the span of a day. I'm just...frustrated with myself and scared of my own fear." He scowls at the last sentence, still staring at the table.
Blinking rapidly at the coin in the bag, Xizoh quickly stuffed in purse in an inner pocket. There's enough here to keep Tidepools and Turtles going for weeks! He followed the party in a daze, trying to think of ways to send some money back home.
Putting his hand lightly on Cel's shoulder, Xizoh glances around before quietly speaking. "You handled Anathema better than most of us did. You're doing great considering the craziness the gods just threw our way. The half elf smiles at the end of the pep talk, giving Cel the warmest smile of his entire duration in Southtown.
"The Doc's right, you've handled things better than some of the rookies I've trained along side of in the past," She tried to reassure him. "I know what might help." With a snap of her fingers, she got the attention of a server. "Bottle of elderberry wine if you have it."
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Smitty gives Alaina a quick nod and whisks away toward the bar. A few minutes later he returns with a bottle of fine elderberry wine, a gallon jug of ale, and a stack of more than ten cups of various shapes and sizes.
"The ale comes courtesy of those gents there," Smitty points toward Kolda and Zahan, who raise their glasses toward the party's table.
Smitty claps his hands together after setting everything out. "Won't do to enjoy this on an empty stomach. Can I get you some food? We have a mighty fine and hearty stew tonight. And some fresh bread."
Henri makes a face at Blaine as she slides into her seat tiredly, removing her cloak and warm poncho in the heat of the tavern. She nods in agreement with Alaina and Xizoh. "Cel, you've shown yourself to be pretty damned capable on this mission, and I've worked with some capable people before. I'm glad to have you with us." She grins as Smitty brings drinks over, tossing him a gold coin and a wink. "Well, kid, some stew sounds downright lovely on this fine evening, if ya wouldn't mind." She grabs for one of the cups and starts to poor some ale for herself. Should probably go slower tonight. She takes a swig of the alcohol, and glances around at her companions. That's probably gonna be tough though. Hope the Doc's got another one of those miracle tablets stashed away. With a knowing grin directed at Xizoh, she takes another drink.
"They were good in a scrap, so no complaints from me, ma'am."
Dulae sighs at the refusal of aid. Typical.
"I am less worried about the necromancer we found, and more about what we didn't. Any competent squad should be able to handle him and his undead. But whatever was drawing a powerful spirit such as Oranis to battle, and whatever animated that Direwolf..."
She shakes her head. "I agree the plan is sound, but I suggest outfitting the squads well enough to go higher up the mountain than the caves; the necromancer ran at the first opportunity, most likely knows Invisibility, and his tracks seemed to head out of the caves and upwards." She pauses. "And perhaps we should consult with a follower of the Spirits on how to avoid antagonizing Oranis. The spirit seems to have a particular liking for Mr. Shadelock, which I would hate to spoil."
She thinks about Cel and scowls. "The kid can use his wind to hit harder than a greataxe, and at range no less. While I feel like someone of his age shouldn't be along, he is most certainly useful, and I believe Ms. Steele can keep him in line."
"Stew sounds wonderful actually," Alaina said as she poured a glass of wine for herself, Cel, and anyone else that wants it.
Cel stares at the wine for a second, glanes at the ale that came over, and says, "I've never had alcohol before, it sure seems to make people funny..." He casts a quick glance over at Henri, then back to his glass. "Well, if I'm going to grow up I may as well do it right!" As he's finishing his sentence he takes a drink. His face puckers for a second, then he grins at the rest of the table.
Alaina grinned and slapped him on the shoulder, "There's a good Rabbit. Don't worry, you'll get used to it. Another?"
Henri giggles at Cel's first drink. and accepts a glass of wine to go along with her ale. "Hey, Red, I think he likes it." She sighed and took a sip of the alcohol. The mood had certainly lightened from just a few hours ago, when they were wandering through that cold, pale mist. Wonder what's holding the Sarge up... She glances towards the entrance to the Wolf and Bear and shrugs. If Dulae wanted to miss out on all the drinking for some letter that was her own problem.
“An affinity for Mr. Shadelock? How interesting.” Captain Vazquez drums her fingers on the desk. “I will look into it. It’s extremely useful to know the mist is more helpful than harmful… still, there has been a clear correlation with death and disappearance thus far. We will prepare to advance farther up the mountain as you suggest, but we should watch the weather closely.”
The captain pushes the last bag of money toward Dulae. “Your pay for today. I’m sure your commanding officer won’t mind, you have been most helpful. If you need to replace supplies you can ask in the armory.”
Silo nods at Dulae. “A pleasure to meet you, Lieutenant. Please wait by the door a moment, I’ll walk with you to the tavern.”
As Dulae waits by the door she overhears the captain and Silo speaking in hushed voices.
“I don't like this, Silo.”
“My dear captain, in all likelihood it's just a coincidence.”
“I don't believe in coincidences. This feels like Norah's work to me.”
“Come now Captain, let's buy our heroes a round and worry about it in the morning. There's nothing we can do tonight and empirically speaking we are perfectly safe here.”
“No Silo, you need to fill those orbs. This is not the time to be lax.”
“Once the important business of celebrating achievement and remembering lives lost is done, I will fill every one of them. You have my word." Silo says solemnly, placing a hand over his heart.
“Silo, there are about a hundred empty orbs in here.” The captain's mouth twitches in amusement, even though her tone is stern.
“At least ten.”
“I didn't realize you could fill ten a day,” she says drily.
“At least two.”
“Now, Silo. “
“As you wish.” Silo turns to Dulae and calls, “Won’t be a moment!”
The captain disappears into her office. Dulae watches Silo carefully fill three small teleportation orbs with light before joining her at the door.
"Come join us, Captain!" he calls toward the door.
The captain leans out. “You know I don’t participate in this sort of thing, Silo. And for Altien’s sake, take a guard with you at all times.” She points a finger at Dulae and says, “Make sure he does, Lieutenant.”
Silo elbows Dulae gently and says, “I’m sure one of the Order’s finest will keep me safe, hm?” he gives Dulae a wink as the captain waves them off.
As they walk down the stairs to the door Silo calls out toward the barracks below, “Drinks at the tavern all! Come join us.” When the halls remain empty he shrugs.
After they step into the bitter cold Silo turns his head to make sure they’re alone. “So...the Order, hm?” He asks with genuine curiosity, “What’s that like?”
--
Dulae and Silo walk toward the warm, inviting lights of the Wolf and Bear. Inside the fireplace roars, the lanterns burn brightly against the darkness outside, and the room is filled with laughter and banter. The tables and chairs are mostly filled with people in military uniforms, looking cheerful.
Laurett gives them a quick wave from behind the busy bar and Smitty is occupied taking orders from a large table.
Dulae spots Blaine Guillen sitting at the bar, Smitty's friends sitting at the nearest table, the woman Alaina arm wrestled near the back of the tavern, and Narwita and Buhari standing near the fire talking with a few others.
Zahan and Kolda are holding large mugs of ale and laughing with three other soldiers near the bar. Silo's apprentices are packed tightly together at a small table playing a rowdy game of cards. Silo gives Dulae's arm a squeeze in farewell and heads toward them.
Dulae spots her own party at a table next to the fireplace with an empty chair saved for her. There's a large pot of stew and a basket of bread on the table. They also have a bottle of wine and a jug of ale open, and it looks as though most of the group has had some already. Dulae notices faces scattered in the crowd cast frequent curious glances at the party's table and remembers they're covered in soot and blood.
"Right. I'll bring a pot of it then, looks like you worked pretty hard today," Smitty gestures to their torn and dirty gear, already making his way back toward the bar.
He returns a couple minutes later with a large steaming pot of beef stew and two ladles. A minute after that he brings a stack of bowls and spoons, a large basket of fresh bread, and a tin of butter with a knife. It looks warm and it smells delicious.
"Give me a wave if you need anything else." Smitty smiles at the group before dashing off to the next table over.
As he leaves, Dulae enters the tavern with Silo close behind her. Silo gives her arm a friendly squeeze, then heads toward his apprentices playing cards.
Rolling his eyes at Henri's expectation of an easy hangover, Xizoh scoops himself a large helping of stew as well as a small cup of ale. As he eats his food he asks between gulps, "What the captain have to say?"
Finishing his bowl the half elf takes notice of his clothes tattered state. "Anyone need their clothing fixed later?"
Dulae raises an eyebrow at the drink in front of Cel, shakes her head minutely, and pulls a chair up to the table. She grabs bread, stew, and a mug of ale while answering Xizoh. "Just delivering a message from my old mentor. Some serious business happening in the north of the country, though it didn't go into details. And if you can fix clothes, be my guest..."
Dulae begins the process of removing her thick woolen outerware without getting too much of the blood and muck onto her hands.
Alaina knocked back her second glass of wine. Several feelings were swirling in her brain at once. Inadequacy at her abysmal performance in the cave. Shame that she had failed her Dad in such a display. A longing for home. Years of pent up anger at Marcus for abandoning her and her Mother. A strange inescapable feeling that something about his whole situation on the mountain seemed to just connect with her. And last but not least, Cel. He reminded her of a new recruit from a couple years back that she had grown fond of. Unfortunately, he left the Guild to pursue a career in baking in some village she'd never heard of. Still, Rabbit had a similar disposition, and maybe that is what she was drawn to. A reminder of her life back in Abbhen, and a good one at that. She poured herself a bowl of stew and started eating.
"This tastes funny. Kind of like dusty grapes, and what's that burning feeling in the back of my nose?!" Cel takes another large swig like one would with juice. He's not yet registered that there is food on the table yet, but does look up at the others sitting around him. "I don't get it, did mine go bad?"
Xizoh stifled his laugh with his hand, before saying, "No Cel, it's working just like it should. Don't go too crazy though, I don't have too many hangover cures left."
Henri looks pointedly at Xizoh. "...How many you got, Doc? Cause that number is very important to my enjoyment of the next few hours." She grabs some of the steaming stew and ladles it into a bowl and starts gently blowing on it to cool it down before eating it. She smiles in contentment. "Good to have you with us, Retired Sergeant Sunshine. Glad you could make it before all the wine was gone." She takes a sip of the wine to punctuate her point. "Serious business, huh? Hope it's nothing too dangerous."
Dulae pauses her enthusiastic eating for a moment to answer. "I don't know the details, but its serious enough that we won't be getting any help until the army arrives in a few days."
Dulae again glances at Cel and his wine. "Altien have mercy on us..." She mutters under her breath.
Alaina poured Cel and herself another, "Here, try this one. This time however, you may want to go a bit slower. Like this." The Wolf took a slow sip, trying to educate the Rabbit.
"One more miracle pill, then you're on your own."
Dishing himself another bowl of stew and ale, Xizoh slouches back in his chair relaxed. "There's always our slithery friends to help."
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Pointing a thumb at Henri, "You can save it for Blonde there. She can't hold her drink." The wolf couldn't help but smile and laugh a little.
Dulae takes a swig of her own ale to wash the stew down and raises an eyebrow at Alaina. "Can't hold her drink falling asleep, or can't hold her drink we are all arrested and miss the celebrations tonight?"
She finishes her ale and pours herself another. "Speaking of them, does Anathema need any healing?"
"That depends," Alaina turned to Henri, "How impish are you feeling tonight?"
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Henri blushes, and turns away to hide it, taking another sip of wine. "I can hold my drink well enough, thanks. I just get a little more... rambunctious than usual." She takes a bite of bread before shaking her head. "Although... I suppose that I can't promise I won't go looking for a little trouble." The blush turns to a grin. "It's been an exciting day. I wouldn't mind keeping that going."
"You heard her Sergeant, best keep an eye on her," Alaina commented finishing off her third glass of wine before pouring another.
Cel watches Alaina pour his next drink, and in response to her demonstration he says, "Oh! Okay..." and takes a sip. His face twists less this time. "It still tastes funny, but at least it didn't feel like I was breathing fire up my nose on that sip!"
He finally reaches for a bowl and begins to eat. Between bites he looks at Dulae, "I'm confused, there's something big happening up north but they're sending the army our way? Are there concerns that what's going on here is a bigger deal?"
"Don't forget there is whatever our friendly neighborhood god chased off."
Laying his ale down, Xizoh temples his fingers. "I'll handle Slither and Giggle. Do you still want your winter wear mended?"
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Dulae smirks. "Orders received, Ms. Steele. I'll be sure to keep an eye on Fireball's excitement."
She takes another bite of food before responding to Cel. "They're sending part of the army down here on foot, but they used a whole bunch of teleportation orbs to send people up north. Didn't think what was going on here was 'worthwhile' enough to dip into their reserves." Her expression turns a bit darker and she mutters "Bureaucrats..."
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Cel notices the mutter and says,"Oh...not worthwhile? Um, I think they're wrong." Cel gives Dulae a small awkward smile trying to connect with her on her frustrations.
Alaina finished her second bowl of stew and poured herself her fifth glass of wine. It was certainly having its desired affect.
"I have to agree Sergeant, Bureaucrats are always a pain in the @$$," The Wolf said, recalling the hoops she had to jump through to get Greenwall approved for the arena.
Henri rolls her eyes. "Thanks, guys, but I can take care of my own excitement. I'm not a completely irresponsible person, you know." She downed the rest of the wine in her glass and reached to pour another. "I just like to have a little fun every now and then." Henri furrows her brow as they begin to discuss the worthwhileness of their current predicament. "That's why I don't like to work with the military. All their rules and requirements and training... and what do they do with it? Ignore the real problems when, all they're doing is working on what the best choice is for their wallets and their reputations, it's so messed up." She finished pouring her second glass of wine and took a sip.
Dulae scowls over her ale. "It isn't like that on the whole. The local garrisons keep the peace and help people in trouble, not to mention keeping forbidden magic at bay. Just look at whats going on here; the entire force is mobilized to try and protect the town."
She stares at the table for a moment before continuing. "Then again, there's a good chance we're all going to die tomorrow because of an idiotic commander in central. So there are some minor issues."
Clarification which may not be needed: from the captain's shocked reaction Dulae would know that the lack of immediate backup isn't a common/expected situation. Dulae would probably still have many reasons, particularly her prejudice toward the wealthy elite, to assume some idiot is at fault, but she'd also suspect something isn't quite right.
Henri gestures at the group sitting at the table. "Well they're doing a pretty crap job at it, wouldn't you say? For one, they had to bring in outside help to make any progress, even when they made the special maps themselves, they prefer to just stick to their rigorous and useless protocol, rather than take up an actual lead. We were the ones that found almost all of the missing parties, and we did in in about a day! I bet us, right here at this table, could solve the fog business tomorrow. Just by, you know, actually working at it instead of filling out paperwork. The military's pretty useless if'n you ask me."
"Alright, alright, settle down you two. Lets not get our panties in a twist. Look military organizations have to abide by their regulations, or they don't function. But they can't neccesarily do everything. And that's why there's people like us," She gestures at the table, "To help pick up the slack. So let's just relax and put this debate aside for now. Okay?"
Alaina was feeling good, but for her it was about time to get some rest. She raised her hand to flag down Smitty.
Smitty gives Alaina a nod and makes his way over to the party's table.
"I didn't know you're friends with Master Fairhurst," he says, sounding impressed. "He says he's paying for this table tonight, so what else can I get you?" Smitty raises his eyebrows hopefully.
"For me no. But could you get Laurett for me please? I'd like to rent a room."
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Pursing his lips, Xizoh adds, "To be fair, we are a far step from the average squad of soldiers. Not to mention it wasn't a flawless getaaway, Poking his finger through a burnt hole in his winter wear to prove his point, he continues,"Dulae, we didn't die today and we didn't know what were facing. If we're careful we shouldn't die tomorrow either. In fact, consider it doctor's orders."
Sitting back, Xizoh pulls out his travelor's anytool, folding it into a sewing needle. Focusing his magic, it begins to repair the holes in his shirt.
Smitty gives Alaina a brisk nod and heads to the bar. A minute later, Laurett comes over to the party's table with half-full bottle of whiskey in hand.
She pulls a brass key with a leather tag out of her pocket and offers it to Alaina. "Smitty tells me you're ready for that room, my dear." She gives the party's dirty attire a long look. "Will you be wanting hot water for a bath, then? Surely you're not headed to bed before we drink to the lost."
Laurett sets the bottle of whiskey down on the table. "From the wizard, for a salute*."
She eyes Xizoh's subtle magic with interest, then smiles. "A hero mage who mends clothes. That's handy." She pats him fondly on the shoulder.
If any of the party looks around, their table is still drawing interested stares and glances from around the room.
"Wouldn't dream of it. I just wanted to get the business of a room out of the way before I got too far gone," Alaina replied while accepting the key. "Thank you Laurett, you're a generous host."
Cel continues eating his stew as the group speaks about the days events. He doesn't contribute any more wanting to avoid drawing attention to his mistakes. I've got work to do. I need to find a way to feel that fear coming on before it has a chance to take hold of me!
finishes his second glass of wine, and pipes up at the mention of a bath, "Oh that sounds great! I'm covered in filthy stuff." His eyes follow the bottle of whiskey to the table with a nervous look remembering what tends to happen to people who drink the liquid from that kind of bottle. Voice shaky, he says, "Uuuuuh...okay? For the lost" and slides his wine glass over toward the bottle.
"That's mighty kind of you, dearie." Laurett says to Alaina, laughing. "That's the same room you were in last night. Room one."
She looks around the party's table. "Let us know when you're ready for a bath, then. And heroes or no, I'll be needing a gold from each of you for the night." She meets Henri's eyes. "Two from you my dear, if you please. You all still have your keys, yeah?"
Silo walks over to stand next to Laurett, eyeing the bottle of whiskey. "Thank you madam, you have impeccable taste."
Laurett turns a shade pink, but Silo doesn't seem to notice. He beams around the table. " How's my favorite group of adventurers?"
Seeing Cel slide his glass toward the whiskey Silo says, "That's the spirit, my boy!" He opens the bottle and pours five very generous portions into empty glasses on the table.
"Go on, give it a try. It's excellent stuff. But make sure these are full in a few minutes - we'll be saluting the man you recovered today. If you've never seen a salute before you can follow the sergeant's lead, I imagine." He gives Dulae a wink.
"Ah and before I forget, here is your key young sir." Laurett pulls out a similar key from a different pocket and hands it to Cel. "Room four, up the stairs."
Laurett conspicuously excludes Dulae from her request for a gold and any promise of a bath.
"Thank you kindly," he hands her a gold piece then takes his glass and takes a deep sniff. His eyes widen a little bit at the strong smell, but he doesn't take a drink waiting for the coming salute.
Alaina pulled a gold piece as well. A bath wouldn't be a bad idea.
Dulae narrowed her eyes and drew breath to fire back at Henri, but let it out in a huff after Alaina's intervention. She cracks a smile at Xizoh. "Well I do seem to be following orders tonight, so no dying it is."
Slowly she reaches out and grabs a glass of the whiskey. She stares at it as it swirls. And the others? I doubt the mood will be as good with at least seven more bodies tomorrow...