|
Zalanda smiles at both Temel and Metalla. They can’t see it. They could make great business partners and make much more money combining their strengths. I’ll just have to show them and try to get a cut for the Qadira and the Pathfinders. ”Well it seems to me that you two, Temel and Metalla, have two sides of the coin; Temel with the efficiency of your trading network and cheaper prices and Metalla with quality goods and long markets history. If you would allow the Patherfinder Society to broker a trade partnership I believe everyone could learn from the other and profit greatly. Zalanda getting very excited and passionate about the topic. Temel just imagine of the money that could be made with a high quality product. Your margins could be much bigger per item, which means more money per shipload. And Metalla just think of the access to many more customers and an efficient shipping network to far reaches of the world . Every race would sing the praises of you Dwarven wares.
|
Getting somewhat annoyed by being ignored by Temel, and how the human only seems to think of giving 'incentives' to another human, Shayla doesn't have to think much longer. She's doesn't quite get it, but apparently she has to choose a side. "Yeah, I'll side with..."
It is then that Zalanda speaks, and Shayla's head explodes as she's not capable of comprehending what's being said.
... with... Metella... I think...?
She drops herself on the ship's deck and closes her eyes, holding the garnets and nuggets tightly. "Too many words... give me something to just slash or shoot..."
The inn itself can be reached through a stone path leading through some light vegetation. The entrance, a wooden gate, has a sign above it that reads, “Welcome to the Gray Revelation Inn.” The gate leans open invitingly, and the smell of fresh flowers wafts on the cool breeze.
|
|
Shayla puts away the garnets and nuggets, having decided to try selling them again at some other moment. She steps off the Abacus and follows a stone path with the others.
"I'm starting to feel less and less comfortable," Shayla says as they get closer to the inn. Once they arrive at the gate Shayla steps up to the gate, and she carefully opens it a bit to see what's behind it.
After she's taken a look Shayla goes back to the others, and shares the info with them.
"How do you want to proceed? I think front entrance might be best for the enforcer." She nods at Zalanda when saying the last word. "Sneaking around doesn't seem like an enforcer thingy to me."
|
Alia nods at the path before the group.
Lets say that we are travel-weary pilgrims, looking for a place to bed down for the night, and a table to sup a simple meal.
We can feign fatigue as we take a look around, claiming confusion as to where we are supposed to be.
Perhaps Zalanda would be the best choice to speak for us, if we are questioned closely. I can help with that...
Alia stretches out her hand and a spark of the divine leaps from her outstretched hand, to Zalanda.
|
|
"Thank you Alia for your blessing, let us go see what they have to eat at this Inn and maybe where they are hiding some Dwarven envoys. I'll try to charm are way thur this but be ready if it comes to battle. I'm about as good as a wet blanket when it comes to using a melee weapon. Hopefully we are in and out before they know what happen."
After being wished good luck by the Dwarves and Temel, the adventurers make their way down the stone path.
Shayla discerns the tracks of men, carts, horses. Quite a few of them, which would confirm this place to be a bona fide Inn.
As the adventurers go past the entrance gate, a young man rushes through the stable doors. Grimacing and gesturing, it is immediately quite clear that this man is a simpleton. He waves, in an agitated fashion, towards the door of the inn building. Huuh! he says, as he points to the door. Huuhuuh!
|
|
"I'm with you for protection against bandits on the roads", Shayla whispers to the others, providing them with an explanation as to why she's wearing her armor and weapons. "'Cause we don't want everyone without gear when we may end up fighting, do we?"
Shayla frowns at the sight of the young man. "What's with him?"
|
|
Zalanda walks over to the man and tries to communicate with him. Flashing a bright smile and touching his upper arm. Beuiling Touch "Calm down now. What are you trying to say?"
The boy keeps grimacing and gesturing. Zalanda understands his intentions: as she makes a couple of steps in the direction of the inn door, the boy energetically nods a yes. He is showing some courtesy - in his own way - by pointing the adventurers towards the way in.
Crossing the courtyard, the lovely flowers give off an enchanting fragrance. There's a well in the middle of the courtyard. To one side, the broad doors or the stables mark the point where Rosh appeared, while on the other side an oaken is the obvious entrance to the inn. The courtyard has two entry points: the one the adventurers came in from, and another smaller set of gates on the other side.
The common room is filled with oaken furniture and is filled with a smell that is a mixture of wood and tobacco. The last light of the day enters through narrow windows, and the room is comfortably warm.
An old, matronly woman wearing peasant's clothing and an apron sits at the centre of the room, her voluminous grey hair moving as she rises when the adventurers enter. "Welcome to the Grey Revelation Inn. Please come in" she says welcomingly "the name's Grymble. What can I do for you? Food, drink? Lodgings for the night? What brings you to this corner of Razmiran?"
Well, welcome then. A simple room then, one for each of you? You'll find the the guests' den over there she says, as she points to you right (E5), and your rooms are next to it (E6).
Let me introduce you to my sisters, she says, as she moves over to the kitchen (E4): Eugenia, Tarsa!.
The entrance of the sisters also brings a delicious smell coming from the kitchen. Unmistakably sisters of the older Addas, similar in appearance and attitude, Eugenia is wearing a yellow scarf - quite similar to the one Amauhak was wearing - while Tarsi manages a bucktoothed smile. Oh my she says they get skinnier every day, don't they.
|
|
What Tarsi says vaguely brings an old folk tale to Shayla's mind. Something about a brother and sister lost in the forest, ending up at a candy house. In the house lived a witch who'd said something similar later in the tale. Then she fed the boy as fat as she could, planning to eat him.
"Alia, I'm scared. Can I sleep in your room?", Shayla whispers.
As the adventurers look around the inn's common room, they find nothing out of place, though both Shatla and Alia notice that Eugenia's scarf is of the exact same type as the one Amauhak was wearing before.
Tarsi, meanwhile, starts offering samples of food. Would you like some pastries, dear?, she says with a bucktoothed smile. Some stew perhaps? I have some delicious desserts as well, pie, or candied ginger? She seems a bit disturbed by the anxious look in Shayla's eyes What's wrong dear? It's good for, this, it'll help you put on a bit of weight, yes.
Smiling, Eugenia motions the pilgrims to sit down at a table, then starts serving a hot stew in wooden bowls, saying here, eat as much as you like.
We don't have any visitors but you today, and I would hate to have to throw it away. You need strength for a pilgrimage after all.
The stew is thick, consisting of mostly vegetables with a few sparse chunks of meat. It has rich fragrance, some herbs, but also cinnamon, cloves, and some hints of lavender, almond, bay leaves...
|
|
"I... I, uh... I have to do bodyguard stuff...", Shayla says to the old women as she slowly backs away to the exit. "Some exercises to stay in shape... for fighting bandits... on the road..."
Shayla exits the building and waves as she goes outside. "I'll be right back! Just a few laps today!"
After having left the inn Shaylla will check the inn's surrounding area for food and some water, relying on the many years she's lived alone in the wilds to provide her with her needs.
No way I'm falling for your candy trick, witches!
Neat, I've even got food for the others. I hope they're smart enough to not eat the candy.
|
|
That is gracious, and we thank you for the kind offer. Unfortunately, not all the meals prepared for our benefit have not been agreed with our bellies. Alia makes a face and gesture, to indicate gastric distress. The trip on the raft did not help.
Thank you, however. No, we will prepare a simple repast for ourselves, and then adjourn to our rooms.
Shayla's survival instincts kick in as she steps outside for a moment. A waterwell should suffice for water. Rosh seems to have just gotten some water for the horses in the stables, and he is happily sloshing a bucket inside.
As Alia turns down the offering, Eugenia frowns Food, no food. What is it you want? Well, suit yourself. We'll be in the kitchen should you change your mind. Eugenia and Tarsi retreat to the kitchen.
Well, whatever you do Addas continues I would like to close down at some point. Let me know if there is anything I can do.. She then sets out to do her evening routine, and leaves out to the courtyard.
|
|
Zalanda turns to Alia "So what do you think? Are the dwarf envoy's here or did we come to the wrong place? Those three seem weird but I can't figure out why and did you see that scarf on Eugenia it the same one Amauhak was wearing on the boat. I think we should wait until dark and search the place."
Shayla, meanwhile, sees Addas step outside and walk towards the stable. She doesn't seem to notice Shayla.
|
|
When she returns to the inn Shayla sees Addas step outside and walk toward the stable. Stealthily following her, Shayla goes to see what the old woman will be doing there.
Addas turns to Shayla, frowns for a moment, and says Yes, these are the stables. It's not so busy right now, but at times it is more crowded.
Have you met Rosh, our dear, simple nephew? she continues, doing her best to sound endearing, but falling short. He was left here by a travelling bard, who had grown tired of him. We've taken care of him ever since. He may not be too bright, but he has a way with horses.
|
|
"The inn seems quiet indeed, haha!", Shayla laughs nervously. "There are no other guests here at the moment?"
Shayla nods at Addas' question, trying her best to not act anxious. "I did, haha. He showed us the entrance to the inn, ha. Seemed like a good fellow, hahaha!!!"
I have to get away! The witch will eat me!
While Zalanda eats up, her viper slithers out to investigate the south end of the inn. The more upscale rooms of the inn are located here. There's fine rooms with double beds and rich quilt pillows, and the most lavish rooms have silk sheets.
Further down the hall, the bathroom features two large claw-footed bathtubs, flanking a large fireplace.
Addas replies to Shayla: Yes, friendly. His state sometimes unsettled people, but he is most harmless.
Shouldn't you be in? You'll catch a cold with that wiry frame of yours.
The viper communicates telepathically: baththth... sscratchesss... flooor
|
|
Zalanda leans into get closer to her companions. My snake Pixie is casing the place right now. She has found some interesting scratches on the floor of the bath chamber. The envoy's may have been attacked there or force into a secret room under the Inn. I think we should ask to take a bath" When one of the sisters come back into the room. "I am so smelly and dirty from the travel can I trouble you for a bath?"
Well, of course, Eugenia responds. I'll heat up the water and the room a bit, and you can go right ahead.
The bath would be ready in about an hour. You are free to move about the Inn as you like, you are guests after all. Eugenia and Tarsi are mostly in the kitchen, while Addas is outside.