Cel wakes from Alaina's room at the yell of the girl, he rubs the sleep from his eyes, then realizes that they only have limited time. He pops out of bed, tripping over his clothes making a racket that Alaina was sure to hear if she wasn't already awake from the calls of the girl outside. "We've got to go! There's breakfast to eat, and supplies to get." His voice shifts from excitement to slightly nervous. "I don't want to be late."
Xizoh jolts awake the yell, before blearily realizing it is not the necromancer here for him. Staring out the dark window, Xizoh yawns before slowly leaving his cool bed. Gathering his gear and donning his cloak, the half elf stumbles downstairs. "What's on the menu today?"
As soon as Cell leaped out of bed, Alaina awoke and propped herself up on one elbow. She'd be lying if she said she didn't like the view. With a shrug, the Wolf got up and started getting ready. "So do you want to go down together or separate? I don't think it matters too much, I'm pretty sure the others know we've..........been intimate."
After getting her gear on, she smiled and added, "By the way, can I just say that in that department, you've got some raw talent," Giving him a quick peck on the cheek, "And I love it."
Getting up to the realization to the time, Dara strapped on her armor, got down on the floor, and began doing push-ups. After doing about twenty, she rolled over onto her backside, slid her feet under the foot of the bed and began doing crunches. When she finished those, the Dwarf got up and looked for something to do pull-ups on.
As he descends the stairs, Xizoh can feel the warmth of the tavern’s central fire and smell hot bacon and fresh bread. There are a few small groups around the tavern quietly eating an early breakfast. Smitty is moving between tables with less than his usual energy, but he brightens when he sees Xizoh and gives him a friendly wave from across the room.
“Good morning,” Laurett greets Xizoh cheerfully from behind the bar. She pours a glass of fresh cider and heaps a generous portion of bacon, bread, and cheese on a plate and sets them down in front of Xizoh on the bar with a wink. “On the house, love.”
Dara spots a thick wooden longspear reinforced with metal bands propped up against the wall on one side of the barracks. The spear is nine feet long and rests between two sturdy-looking iron torch holders a little over seven feet apart that jut out about a foot from the wall. From its placement, Dara suspects the spear may have already been used for this purpose.
Dulae takes her time attaching her armor, double checking the fastenings, and watches Dara do her calisthenics. I wonder if she can reach that spear... how well can Dwarves jump? Dulae considers offering Dara a boost, but decides she would rather survive.
"Coffee." she declares to no one in particular as she finishes the last checks on her armor. She marches out of the room towards the mess.
"I greatly appreciate it. He getting proper rest?" Xizoh asks his question between gulps of food, glancing to see if the others had gotten up.
The spear rests on the ground against the wall. The iron torch holders are mounted on the wall so that torches are held at a height of six and a half feet from the ground, but the lower brace of the square bracket supporting each holder is five feet from the ground. Dara probably wouldn't have trouble reaching high enough to thread the spear through each holder, but she also notices there are unoccupied beds against the wall fairly close to both torch holders.
The mess is buzzing with soldiers quietly eating and drinking their coffee, scattered in small groups along four long tables. Dulae can smell the familiar salty scent of heated rations. Buhari, sitting alone, gives her a small wave. She also spots Blaine sitting with his back to the door at the other end of the mess.
A sturdy table is set up in front of a giant fireplace, and a tall elf stands behind it serving generous portions of a hot oatmeal-textured mush. If Dulae approaches the table, the elf gives her a smile. "You must be new here. Rilen," he says by way of introduction, handing Dulae a heaping bowl of mush and a spoon. Dulae notices the mush actually smells pretty good. "Help yourself to the coffee," he gestures to a smaller pot and stack of mugs on the serving table.
Laurett smiles broadly, "Oh yes, Smitty convinced Rik to take his bed. He's still asleep," she says with some satisfaction.
Laurett eyes Xizoh for a moment, then asks, "Have you heard anything else about who took Silo?"
Xizoh doesn't spot any of the other members of his party in the tavern yet.
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Dara picked up the spear, stepped up on one of the nearby beds, and threaded the shaft through the six foot high set of iron holders. Stepping back down, the Dwarf positioned herself under the bar and jumped up.
Easily grasping the bar, the Rogue began doing a set of pull-ups.
Cecil giggles stupidly as he stands there with one pantleg on, "Thanks! I, well, I don't have a frame of reference, but you're pretty great yourself!"
The question registers, "Oh...the others," and he turns bright red with a shy smile.
Dara observes the soldiers coming in and out of the room don't seem to notice this as unusual or pay her much attention.
"Good," Upon hearing the dark mage mentioned, Xizoh's brows crunch together. "Honestly, not much. Even your military doesn't know who our vicious friend is."
"Would you prefer we go down separately then," Alaina asked while throwing her shield over her shoulder, noting his uneasiness.
Finishing her third set, Dara got down just as her stomach rumbled. Getting the attention of one of the other soldiers, "Hey, how's the barracks grub?"
“Mm,” Laurett looks distant for a moment before saying, “Well, they’ll find him,” with confidence.
Laurett makes up another pair of plates and sets them on the bar for Smitty to whisk away. Smitty gives Xizoh a quick fond tap on the shoulder in greeting as he passes.
“So,” says Laurett conversationally after she puts more bacon over the fire to cook. “You’re from Abbhen then, dearie?”
The soldier glances up from fixing the handle of her knife and gives Dara a discerning look. She shrugs, “Pretty standard. Oat’s never been my favorite, but it’s hot and it’ll fill you up well enough.”
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Dulae gives Rilen a bleary smile. "Dulae Toema, retired. Thanks." She pours herself coffee and drops her nose to the fumes, inhaling. Almost immediately she feels more awake, and her usual paranoia reasserts itself.
She sits down across from Buhari. "Morning. Care to make a wager on what will try and kill us today?"
Lieutenant Buhari looks pleased to see her and gives her an amused smile. "Good morning Dulae."
He looks thoughtful for a minute as he takes a sip of coffee. "I'd say a round of drinks on a zombie yeti, but as I won't be joining you it seems a bit callous of me."
"Yeah. I grew up in Freeport actually. Da runs a general store and tavern near the port. " Rubbing his head, Xizoh adds, "Do you get many Abbhens? "
"No, it's okay, I'm just a little shy. Anyway, I'm hungry, and we have a big day! Lets get down there."
"Oh yes," Laurett says. "Some of our best customers are traders from Abbhen." She frowns. "Or we used to, anyway. The mist scared most of them off. Can't blame them, not after this terrible business last night." She shivers in the warm room.
Dulae quirks an eyebrow at Buhari. "I'll accept it. After all, what makes you think you'll be safe in town?"
"What was is like, before the mist?" Xizoh asks this question innocently, having only really experienced Freeport and the Altiendal wilds.
Buhari looks less amused at this quip. "Altien forbid whatever's on the mountain should reach us here," he says seriously. "You'll be careful?"
Laurett gives Xizoh an appreciative smile. "Not many think to ask that about places they're passing through, dearie."
She lets her gaze wander while she collects her thoughts. "We were blessed," she says. "The winters can be harsh, but there's nothing like the beauty of the mountains here. And we had plenty. The fields made good grain in the summer, and traders were always passing through. Smitty and Rik went to school, and business here was steady. Sure, there were some petty squabbles between neighbors, but it all seems so silly now." She smiles sadly. "Some of them have left, probably for good."
Laurett suddenly stands up a bit straighter and flashes a business-like smile behind Xizoh. "Good morning," she calls.
If Xizoh turns around, he sees Cel and Alaina come downstairs.
As they descend the stairs, Cel and Alaina can feel the warmth of the tavern’s central fire and smell hot bacon and fresh bread. There are a few small groups around the tavern quietly eating an early breakfast. Smitty is moving between tables with less than his usual energy.
They spot Xizoh sitting at the bar eating breakfast and talking to Laurett.
Laurett flashes them a smile and calls “Good morning,” from behind the bar.
"Sounds like a great way to get the day going," Dara responded as she strapped on the rest of her gear and headed to the Barrack Mess Hall.
"Good morning," Alaina responded as she took a whiff of the morning meal preparation. "Smells divine. What else you got cooking?"
"Yeah, it smells so good! How are you this morning?" Cel says in a chipper tone. He takes a seat next to Alaina and waves hello to Xizoh.
Turning his head, Xizoh greets his two friends with a wave. Smiling, he says, "I dare say the food is even better than yesterday."
Glancing at Laurett, Xizoh adds, "With any luck, this trip up the mountain should help to fix some of that."
Dulae's expression turns more serious. "Whenever I can be." she says, staring into her mush. "You know how it is."
The soldier gives Dara a searching look as though she can’t make out whether Dara is serious, then chuckles softly and focuses her attention back on her knife.
The mess is buzzing with soldiers quietly eating and drinking their coffee, scattered in small groups along four long tables. Dara can smell a lingering salty scent of heated rations. She sees Dulae eating with Lieutenant Buhari. Private Hotakainen, sitting with two other soldiers close to the door, gives her a small wave. Dara also spots Blaine sitting alone with his back to the door at the other end of the mess.
A sturdy table is set up in front of a giant fireplace, and a tall elf stands behind it serving generous portions of hot oatmeal-textured mush. If Dara approaches the table, the elf gives her a smile. "Another new face this morning. Name’s Rilen," he introduces himself as he hands Dara a heaping bowl of mush and a spoon. Dara notices the mush actually smells pretty good. "Help yourself to the coffee," he gestures to a smaller pot and stack of mugs on the serving table.
“I’m doing alright love, how nice of you to ask,” Laurett says to Cel. “You seem to be in good spirits today.”
Laurett beams at the compliments to the food. “We’re making plates of bacon, bread, and cheese this morning, but I could whip up something else if you like. It might take a bit longer, but we have steak and eggs.”
The group notices Xizoh’s remark about the mountain catches Laurett’s attention, but she doesn’t comment yet.
Lieutenant Buhari gives Dulae an understanding look. “I do.”
He sips his coffee again, then says, “Listen, I’m sorry about last night. I shouldn’t have backed down... he probably wouldn’t have killed Silo.”
Taking the bowl, "Thank you Chef Rilen, this'll do just fine."
Bowl in hand, she made her way to Blaine.
"Good morning," The Dwarf said as she took a seat.
Cel flushes and smiles at Alaina quickly, "Yeah, it's a good morning. And no need to make anything else, bacon and fresh bread are just the best scents. Throw in some cheese and it's a complete breakfast!"
Alaina smiled at Laurett's comment about Cel's mood. I would hope so. I've f***ed him twice now. That line of thought brought to mind their antics last night. And damned fine antics they were.
"Bread and bacon will be fine Laurett. Thank you."
Rilen stands up a bit straighter when Dara calls him “Chef” and says, “You’re welcome. Come back and visit us again.”
When she sits down, Blaine’s eyes flick from his coffee to Dara. “I was hoping I’d see you this morning,” he says without greeting. “Name?”
Laurett efficiently heaps two plates with bread, cheese, and bacon from the fire and sets them in front of Alaina and Cel. The bacon still sizzles and the bread is warm. “Four silver each when you get the chance, dears. Anything to drink?”
After she listens for anything else Cel and Alaina might like, she looks back over to Xizoh. “So you’re going back to the mountain today? After Silo?”
"Dara, and yours?"
"Water for me please."
Blaine narrows his eyes at Dara. "Given that you've come over here, I expect you already know."
If Dara follows his gaze she sees he is closely examining her and her gear. "Clearly from Abbhen." He comments in a low voice. "A newly arrived foreign stranger admitted to the captain's office in a time of crisis, who seeks me out."
He meets her eyes again. "How long have you been with the force, agent?"
Taking a couple more bites, she pointed with her spoon and asked, "So tell me, how did you come by that 'clearly from Abbhen' made pistol of yours?"
Blaine leans back after Dara's apology, looking somewhat mollified. "Yeah, well, better leave that to me next time, rookie."
Dara sees a spark of vanity in his eyes when she asks about his pistol. "You don't know this story?" He asks incredulously. "It was a gift from Master Smith Kamarul after I rescued her son from the Void Cult near the City of Iron." He glances proudly at the pistol. "I'm sure whoever your mentor is would have mentioned it."
Blaine looks at her again with some suspicion. "Who is your mentor?"
Blaine looks smugly pleased when Dara calls the pistol a "lovely gift".
His features morph into neutral recognition when she mentions Roland. "Roland Batel?" He looks thoughtful. "Well, old Roland clearly isn't teaching you what you need to know to move up in the world. Come find me when you're next in the City of Iron and I can introduce you to the right people." He gives her a smile like they're old friends that to Dara looks false.
"Now," he says, "I'm sure you didn't come all this way to ask me about my pistol. What brings you here, Dara?"
"Yeah. They're going to actually teleport us up the mountain." Xizoh's face seems unhappy with the idea of teleporting.
Cel replies, "Water for me too." He notices Xizoh's face shift but doesn't register that it is linked to his statement. "Xizoh, are you feeling okay?"
Laurett pours a pitcher of cool water into two pewter cups and sets these gently on the bar in front of Alaina and Cel.
"You're going with a big force of soldiers, then?" Laurett asks.
"Maybe. I doubt we could have stopped him anyways; he had a teleportation orb ready. What bothers me is that he was able to enchant Silo in the first place."
"Yeah Cel I'm fine. I just had some...bad experiences with magic when I was younger." Xizoh rubs his forehead as he says this.
Registering Laurett's question, the half elf shrugs. "I think so, but I'm not entire sure. It was sort of haphazardly last night."
Lieutenant Buhari nods in uncertain agreement, then frowns. "About that... when we were taking statements, the Wolf and Bear's stable boy reported Silo's kidnapper assaulted him in the stables before attacking Silo."
"Poor dear. Well you've nothing to fear from wayward magic in Altiendel," Laurett says confidently.
Smitty calls out a drink order to her, and as she pours it she says, "You're all going back up then? I do hope you'll take care. Gods know this place would be devastated to lose more good people on that mountain."
Dara sees new interest flash in Blaine's eyes. "An Abbhen cult task force member invited to a key Altiendel military meeting who is here for family. Fascinating."
He sighs dramatically. "Well, Dara. If you're on duty, and I'm assuming that you are given your appearance last night, you'll be glad to know I already sent a message to Abbhen for support. " He gives her another unctuous smile. "If you want to make yourself useful, you should ride through the pass with me to meet them. I leave in less than an hour."