"Well I'm no performer, but if there is something I can do to help, I will. A decent meal sounds rather appealing."
Fen orders tea, and sips it as he ponders how to assist the skald.
To spread the word of "Tatiana Snowfell, the battling bard, the singing warrior, the Aasimarian amazon , the sensational sword swinging saprano, the skald songbird."?
Sarrissa steps outside and tries hard to wrangle up more customers. With the promise of good drink and better song with a lovely host, who could refuse?
During the first 30 minutes you are able to draw an additional 9 people to the pub, singing sorrowful songs of loves lost like: "The Dairy Maid of Yor'sharan" and "My Kingdom for that Beauty".
Raivin keeps to himself as the performance goes on, trying not to interfere in their making of money.
Never knew you could make money doing that sort of thing without doing some favors afterwards.
As the performance unfolds, Fenlin tries to spot Titania's 'bird' or anyone else who maybe watching us with more than a casual interest.
Titania ends the hour reciting a sung ballad of high adventure, "Upon the River Bend". There is great applause as she bows and comes back to the table with her comrades.
Sonod laden with trays and a smiling face.
"Well you fulfilled your side of the bargain, so let me fulfill mine. The best the kitchen had to offer tonight."
He lays down five servings of stewed mutton and curd cheese each accompanied by a tankard of dark ale.
"Oh, and a few of the patrons asked me to bring this by. I told them that someone of your singing skill would probably be insulted by something so base as money, but they insisted, and the customer is always right they say."
He hands you a money purse, heavy with coin. As you look inside you find a wide array of silver and copper coins, and one or two gold as well.
"Now then, enjoy your meal. And let me know if I can bring you anything else. The board is on the house seeing as how you brought me enough business to feed you twice over. Were you just here for a meal tonight, or will you be needing rooms as well?"
As the money purse changes to Titania's hands, Fenlin Dell notices that a couple of the patrons the next table over seem to take an irregular amount of interest in it.
One of them makes eye contact with Fenlin, and the patron's eyes widen in surprise. He makes a small gesture with his hands to indicate that he did not mean to be prying, and goes back to his mug of ale.
Tess replies to Sonod
"Thanks, appreciation of that arts can be in many forms and every form helps the artist or performing in it's own way."
His eyes sparkle with amusement as he responds to Aran.
"Ho ho, you misunderstand me my friend. My arrangement with you beautiful songstress here was to 'sing for her supper' as she put it. She did a wonderful job and I am more than happy to keep my end of the deal. But room did not come into the discussion."
He chuckles again to himself.
"Now let's see. I have enough space open for you in the common sleeping area, if you have no mind for privacy. Those are 5 copper a bed. If you would like a more private arrangment though I have single occupancy rooms for 1 gold each, or double occupancy for 15 silver. I think I have enough of each.
Normally I would offer a group such as yours my master suites. Both would fit you quite comfortably, and I offer a set discount. Unfortunately I have them promised to a friend who is sending some new business associates my way to stay the night before they set out on some trip or other tomorrow. Well, no point worrying about what cannot be. Will it be common for you all or a double for the ladies and singles for the gentlemen? How would you like to make your evenings arrangments? I can have one of the maids ensure the rooms are ready."
"This friend of yours, would it be Beauregard Gransby? I believe we might have a...mutual acquaintance."
"Oh dear me no. I am not nearly in the Lord Gransby's circles. I am childhood friends with his butler..."
Finally making the connection of what mentioning that name means, Sonod's face blanches, and he begins to stutter and wring his hands. Turning to Titania, he blubbers.
"Oh dear...oh dear me. My greatest apologies my lady. Asking a friend of Lord Gransby to sing for a meal like a common wastrel. Your room and dining were already paid for. Oh I am mortified. I should have known. I should have realized. "
He seems in quite the state as he considers how to extricate himself to this apperently embarrassing situation. Turning to the kitchen he shouts.
A diminutive gnomish serving girl peeks from the corner of the doorway before scurrying away to follow the directive.
"Please forgive me. If there is anything I can do to make up for the shameful way I treated your lords and ladyships please just ask."
O' course he starts groveling once he knows we got a friend above him. Such a dog.
Wine helps wi' that.
"The '74 you say. It has been an age since I have had a glass! A rare vintage indeed. I am impressed you have managed to come into possession of a bottle. Well played Sonod."
Fire Sylf wine is a well known but rare vintage. At inns and taverns generally reserved for visiting high tradesmen or low nobility.
The wine can be quite expensive, depending on the age. Full bottles range anywhere from 50 - 500 gold pieces, and single glasses costing as much as 100 gold for the most sought after seasons.
The Fire Sylf Vintners are located on the lower slopes of a long dormant volcano, about 50 miles East of Wellspring. The owners of the winery claim that the volcanic ash in the soil lends a spicy, almost pepper like flavor to the wine.
'74 was a middling year for the vintage. Certainly not the best, but not the worst either. The largest detractor of the year was that the wine came out slightly muddy, opaque as opposed to the clear claret color that aficionados are used to. The almost blood-like appearance put off many collectors.
You know that this bottle costs about 150 gold pieces retail, and that it would be considered an overextravagence if Sonod fully understood the relationship between you and Lord Beauregard Gransby.
Shortly, the young gnome returns with a silver tray bearing crystal glasses and a bottle of opaque red wine, served on a heating apparatus along side small bowls of various spices often used to enhance the flavor.
"Please let me know when you are ready to retire for the evening. It will be my pleasure to show you up to the suites myself." He leans in to Titania, who he has apparently assumed to be the leader or spokesperson and lowers his voices to a whisper. "There are a few features to the room that my grooms do not know about, I will need to show you and provide the password."
"Thank you sir. The wine is most appreciated. And forget about the misunderstanding. It will be our little secret. Now, the sooner you could show us to our room, the better. We do not wish wandering eyes in our presence. If you could also have our food brought to our room, it would be most welcome."
"Oh, of course my lady. If you will follow me."
Sonod turns to the young gnome. "Murta, tell Daveen that I am showing our guests up to the suite. He is responsible for the common room until I get back. Oh, and have someone bring all of this up to the room."
She nods and darts back into the kitchen. Sonod watches her leave with a fatherly smile.
"Sweet girl. Never says a word, and seems a little touched at times, but a hard worker.
Now then, lets get you out of this racket and up to the peace and privacy of your rooms."
Sonod takes you to the back wall. On the north side of the fire place there is a staircase leading up, while just opposite that there is another that leads down. Taking you up the northern staircase he leads you to the 2nd floor of the Heroes' Purse.
The rumble of mixed conversations falls to a distant babble as you climb the stairs, surprised at the amount of sound proofing between the two floors.
"Your rooms are at the far south end of the hall here, with a view of the street in front. And quick access to the outside should you desire."
He leads you down a southern hallway with doors on either side. At the end the hall turns to the right and there is a door in front of you and one two the left.
"Both of these rooms here are yours. For privacy sake I will make this door here," pointing to the door on the left, inaccessible from the outside."
Sonod places his hand against the wall and mutters a word softly. "murus". There is a faint glow, and a brick wall appears where the door was. It is hard to detect, even knowing what to look for, but if you look closely you can see the seam where the door would swing out if opened from the inside.
"We had a Lord Magi stay here once, decades ago. He insisted on having these rooms and privacy. He was the one that enchanted both of the doors, and the walls on the inside, to be...customizeable you might say. I am the only one that knows the pass phrases. In fact, most of the staff thinks that the walls changing is a sign that this end of the building is haunted by something dark and malevolent. That helps the privacy more than anything else."
Sonod opens the door in front of you and ushers your group into a grand bedroom. Easily the size of some small homes, it is layered with carpets, pillows, and linens all on a theme of dark and soothing purples, matching Sonod's attire.
He strides confidently into the room, and going to the North-east corner, presses his hand against the wall that would adjoin this room with the one he just blocked off outside. "ostium" There is another shimmering light, and a door appears where there was not one before.
"The phrase 'ostium descendus' will create a door to the outside here," indicating the window in the middle of the eastern wall of the room, "and a staircase down into the street. I try to avoid using that one during daylight or when prying eyes might see, but if you have need for it please feel free.
Now, I feel like I have been in your Lord and Ladyships hair enough for one evening. Should you need anything just find anyone in a purple coat and let them know, they will see to it. Your meal should be up shortly. Please have a comfortable evening."
With that Sonod makes his way towards the door, heading back into the main area of the inn.
"Thank you for your hospitality sir. You have an amazing establishment, truly. I will have nothing but praise to speak of when mentioning your accommodations to our mutual friend. Please have a good night.
Fen whispers,"We should take care what we say. I assume a place with such magics also include ways for those who traffic in secrets to come into possession of them. Did you notice the man in the hooded cloak down stairs? He has been keeping a close eye on us." After a brief description, he asks Titania,"Does that match the plumage of your bird?"
Why'd a missing persons case justify a spy anyway? Unless there's somethin else goin' on. Sounds like we've been duped.
So we gonna go out an' hit 'im? That's what I usually do to folk who stare at me.
"No Raivin, well not yet at least. We need to find out who he is, but it could be an associate of our missing heir, perhaps he is not 'missing' at all. Maybe the man works for a loan shark, or a spurned lover. All we know is he is following our party. I don't suppose any of us have skeletons in our closet that would warrant being followed all the way out here, but if someone has something to get off their chest, now would be a good time."
Tess whispers to Fenlin Dell
"Looks like you may have found the bird."
"Raivin, is it? With all due respect, you are a rather large specimen of your race. I imagine people stare at you all the time. Do you really hit them all? Fenlin is right. We set up a few alarm devices to alert us of any unexpected intruders. Tomorrow begins a long journey. We should rest up."
Well, at least Sarrissa knows my name...that's something I guess.
Said 'usually' di'n't I? Sometimes I yell at them.
What's this one's deal? She's prying.
"I was wondering if a couple of us should follow him. Trying not to tip our hand that we are on to him just yet. We do have a way onto the street that does not require going back through the common room."
As you discuss there is a light taping on the door. After some questions based back and forth through the door you find it is one of the groomsmen come up with your food and drink. Opening the door a human about 17 years of age stands before you laden with two large trays.
Here you are sirs, ladies. Please feel free to leave the tray outside in the hall, or if you prefer to leave it in here we can buss it after you are done with the room in the morning.
After he leaves you find 5 servings of the stewed mutton from below. Served in silver bowls on a silver plater. These seem to be fresh and still steaming.
The bottle of Fire Sylf is here, as well as 5 clear crystal goblets.
There is also a coffee service with a silver tea pot, silver creamer and sugar bowl, and 5 porcelain mugs.
So one of you's goin' down the outside and followin' him then?
Fen drags his hand through his hair as he takes a deep, thoughtful breath. He looks to the others, stating,"I think it would be a prudent course of action. I would be willing to go, for my curiosity alone. He may not even leave the inn. Anyone care to join me? Or think this is too great a risk?"
"There are too many eyes here. Why not wait until we're on the road, if they are indeed following us? I say we set our traps, maybe post a watch, and get some sleep."
Tess adds
"I'm not the best at being sneaky given my size compared to most folks."
Sarrissa stares at Aran as she contemplates his question. Finally, she answers. "Only elven hands have ever touched this bow, but you will use it in defense of an elven life. Here" she says as she presents the bow. "Use it well." She slips the quiver off and offers that up as well.
Fenlin's eyes widen in surprise. Well, not so elitist she can't see reason. There may be something to this one. Perhaps she will be the first elf to accept me for who I am...
He goes on to add to Tess, "Size does not always matter when it comes to stealth, just look at tigers of the Mwangii. You sometimes tend to move as they do, like a predator. I would be honored if you'd consider hunting for a pigeon with me.
Raivin plops down onto a seat, probably straining its structural strength to the limit as he does.
You have fun. I'mma stay here. Lemme know if'n you need someone hit.
As soon as everyone has settled into their quarters, Fenlin moves about the room arranging the silver items near the edges of windows so they will onto platters or plates should anyone open them (). He goes on to tie the silverware and porcelain mugs near each other on the back of the door so they will clank together if the door to their suite is opened.
"I can take first watch. who should I wake next?"
"My thanks friend." Time to get some shut eye!
Tess adds "I'll take the last watch."