Sarlene keeps her pleasant smile, but darts her head about when the child(ren) aren't looking. She is smart enough to know that her ears will allay fears in some, and stir anger in others.
Sarlene stumbles through the doorway, and her armload of armaments crashes to the floor slovenly. She calls out in Skald as the hilt of a sword smashes against her toes. S@~~ty f!&&in weapons can't even f!#@ing hold em gods be damned and f+~+in demons flayed... As is usual, her rapid obscenities seem limitless.
|
Cold wind whipped at Jezzera as he trudged through the snowy banks just outside the main settlement at Waldsby. Tiny wisps of snow danced in the wind, swirling and dipping with each gust. A snowflake caught Dog in the nostril and he shook his head in a vigorous sneeze.
"Alright pal, I've been quiet long enough," Coyote gruffly chuffed at the newcomer. "And so have you. Speak up, what's your name? I know you can see us so I'm guessing you can hear us too."
The black hound said nothing. Red eyes pierced the velvet curtain of his slick fur, burning hard in their black sockets. Were it not for the cloud of steam that came and went before his snout, there scarecely would have been any indication that he was more than a statue, cold and motionless in the snow.
"Wise guy, huh? Nobody gives me the cold shoulder! I'll have you know-"
"Coyote," the canine growled, low and short. The sound sent ripples through the frostbitten air. "Trickster spirit of the southern kingdoms. Dog. Protector of the weak and champion of loyalty." Dog's ears perked and his tail wagged twice, involuntarily. "Fox, cunning patron of the wild lands. And Wolf."
Wolf's eyes narrowed. "What have you come here for? Why do you follow the pup?"
"You are not the only ones with vested interest in his journey," the solemn creature glowered; His voice deep as the Inner Sea and twice as mysterious. "I am Jackal," he said, breaking the pregnant silence. "I will watch him as you watch him."
The four spirits looked to each other, and at Jezzera, bent and digging in the snow for catalysts to fuel his medicine. "You will not interfere with his journey?" Wolf growled.
The Jackal said nothing for a long while. "I will wait," he finally answered. "You will see."
"Sheesh, will you listen to this clown? Could you be more full of yourself, Jack? Tone it down a notch, guy, before we get a call from Batman's lawyers."
"Oh boy a call!" Dog panted excitedly. "I love talking to people. Can I talk to him? Is he friendly?" Coyote sighed and stormed off in a huff, his tail sweeping the snow behind him.
"This bodes ill, brother," Fox whispered to Wolf. "I don' trust this fellow. Could be any manner of evil spirit. We'd best keep an eye on him until we know his plans."
"I am intrigued," said Wolf. "We will do so. But you must tell Coyote we are not to interfere with him. We do not yet know if he is truly one of us, or indeed, whose side he is on."
Jackal's eyes pierced the snowy air. He waited.
Daegan nods and smiles broadly, obviously comfortable in the tiny cabin, perhaps more comfortable than he has been in a long time. It's settled then. Axel, Kalhar, I have a few small requests for when you are out. He borrows Axel's list and scribbles a few items down. As he returns it, his tone grows more serious. Be on your guards. We know not if the crows have reported anything to their masters in the Pale Tower. He glances around the room, a small amount of paranoia sullying his otherwise content demeanor. It would also be prudent for me to remain should anyone come knocking.
Artisan's Tools (Trapsmithing,) Masterwork if possible
Map of area
Chain shirt (mwk if possible)
He about jumps out of his skin as the profanity shocks him out of his work.
"Ah what the hell? Stir the pot and piss me off ya have. What have you possessed farlady, that you'd be about all this?"
That's no way to treat a lady, sir. No way at all. Can I be clumsy, or is that a crime in your shop?
Sarlene is trying to play a curious mix of character: both the obstinate badass and the 'helpless girl.'
It's not working. Instead she just appears rude and clumsy. She struggles to gather up the items she had brought for sale, picking a variety of mortal instruments off the floor.
She gathers herself together, and calms her nerves.
In her most proper tone, she reasserts herself.
I've come for a trade, fair and true. If you can not offer me that, I best be on my way, sir.
Axel hands over a list of materials. "We aren't as prepared we would should be. Here's a list of items my companions and I need."
He turns to Kalhar "Do you need anything?
She studies Axel's list making checkmarks in the air next to the list."He need anything?"
"Aye settle down, I meant no harm. Nearly unsettled my piss from my person. I've got some wares, mostly deal in horseshoes, sledrunners, and axe blades. If yer dealing in any of those three you ain't causing me a headache." His tone implies that he doesn't believe that to be the case.
Axe blades and sledrunners? I expect to purchase a bit deal more than that, sir.
Sarlene pulls a silver dagger from the assortment of armaments she has now laid on the counter. She turns it slowly in her hands, and looks the blacksmith in the eyes.
I spose if you want to turn this into horseshoes, that's your business, but I hope you have more to offer than horseshoes and that lot. No blacksmith north of Varisia is worth three s$!&s if he can't make a fine blade. There's money to be made if you have the time and energy to speak true with me.
Kalhar puffs his lip into a slight frown. "We'd need to visit the blacksmith, Axel, for my request." he answers, in Taldane. "Is there a problem? This has taken some time and they do not look pleased."
"They are just not used to southerners is all. I'll gather what I need then we can head over to the blacksmith. Hopefully, we will catch Sarlene while she is still there." Axel turns back to the shop keep. "He's good." Axel puts all of his new purchases (mostly new charcoal pencils, inks, quills, and a couple new journals) into his bag and hefts it onto his shoulder. "Thanks for the help." Axel smiles a bit awkwardly as he leaves a pair of gold pieces on the counter then heads for the door.
Kalhar glanced back at the trader, and then left with Axel. "I need to learn this language. Can you teach me Skald? How long would that take?"
Axel brightens at the suggestion. "It wouldn't be too hard I think. Maybe a couple weeks, 20 days at most"
|
|
Jezzera returns to town, wiping the snow from his red and stinging hands on his coat. Years of exposure to the cold have hardened his mind but the body's responses still come and go as they do for any mortal. Looking around he spots Axel and Kalhar trudging through the wintry lanes of Woldsby.
"Hail friends," he calls, jogging to meet them. "How goes the shopping expedition?" He is unusually cheerful, having spent the better part of the last hour indulging his wilder side in the familiar activity of foraging in snow.
"Quite well! I was able to sell or trade most of the odds and ends we acquired. We are heading to the blacksmith to meet up with Sarlene. Is there anything you need while we are out here?'
Sarlene's dealings with the blacksmith continue to prove rather fruitless. Her attempts at using bombastic, childish, and overly complex communication have soured, and she has resorted to a low and crude manner of bargaining.
Look, f@%$ me, I'm tired of this, and you too, eh? I've got yer damn gold. I've got some damn weapons. You're a gods-damned blacksmith. For f+#+'s sake, you're a man of the North. Will you accept no barter or trade of your paltry stocks? I don't need f!+%ing horseshoes or pitons or axeheads. Give me a f~%%ing sword, would you? A spear or three? Some scythes or pickaxes or anything at all that you can club, stab, or pierce a daft f#!&ing skull with?
Sarlene is exasperated and furious.
I remember this being so easy when I was young... how has shopping gotten so difficult? Too long at sea maybe? She thinks to herself.
Her diplomatic options are running out, and her temper is rising.
She snaps her fingers angrily behind her back at a slow tempo, each snap producing a small spark.
Snap... snap... snap...
Though the idea of burning this store to the ground passed through her mind, this action is more-than-anything a nervous habit born of frustration.
Snap... snap... snap...
Although to others, it might not be so obvious.
Snap... snap... snap...
Daegan has taken over a table at Nadya's, poring over the broken bear trap with an array of makeshift tools spread around, a dagger, some of his old thieves picks and saws, and some scavenged scrap metal. He is poking at it somewhat listlessly, frustration from a lack of proper tools beginning to build. He looks up from his work for a moment, concern flashing across his face.
The others have been gone for a while... I hope they haven't gotten into any trouble... The look sours briefly. ...or done anything stupid.
He shakes his head and reconsiders the array of parts before him. I'm sure they're fine. They are quite the resourceful bunch, after all. So long as they don't burn anything down... He chuckles to himself and picks up a small saw, giving the busted trap another go. Heh... like thay could happen. You worry too much.
The door to the blacksmith swings open to reveal Axel, Kalhar, and Jezzera. Axel looks around the shop then looks to Sarlene. "How goes it?' he says in Hallit. "We've picked up everything we needed at the general store. There's just a few things left on the list here that we need then we can get going"
Kalhar purchases some new armor, and then returns to awkwardly following Axel around.
With business concluded, the group returns to Nadya's house.
Axel leaves his pack in the same corner then goes to the kitchen where Daegan is. "Oh! You're trying to fix that bear trap huh? Mind if I take a crack at it?"
Daegan looks up as the group returns, exasperation evident on his face and in his voice. He waves a hand at the clutter strewn about the kitchen. Be my guest. It's proven to be more a bit difficult than it should be, given my improvisational toolset. Were you able to get any better ones? I doubt you'll have much better luck than I without them.
Axel withdraws a set of tools. "A gift from a pupil to a teacher." Axel smiles but his curiosity is evident on his face. "Now let's see how this thing works" Axel sits down at the table and begins to work. Axel's face become a mask of concentration. is eyes calculatiting every possible configuration as he attempts to reassemble the device. A misplaced spring here. A slightly bent lever there.
After a couple minutes, the assortment of pieces becomes one solid object.
"I think that works" Axel finally says, a triumphant smile on his face "You better look over it though. I trust your expertise better than my own."
The grizzled trapper can't help but smile as the young man expertly reassembles the trap before his eyes. He clasps Axel's shoulder and grins broadly as the last piece is put into place. ...and what a pupil! Truly, astounding work, Axel. He carefully picks up the trap and looks it over, turning it over in his hands and inspecting it for imperfections, finding none.
You have quite the knack for tinkering, it seems. I do believe I let my frustration get the better of me in my own attempted repairs.
Axel's smile broadens even further. "Thank you. My parents have always told me I had a knack for fixing things. Of course that came from a childhood full of breaking things. Had to learn how to put it back together before they found out."
His smile fades and a serious look takes its place. "Speaking of breaking things, what are we going to do about that Pale Tower? As far as we know, it still maintains the portal to Kalhar's home. Does anybody have any plans or ideas for one?" Axel looks around the room, searching for the host "Where is Nadya? She may have some input"
The door to the blacksmith swings open to reveal Axel, Kalhar, and Jezzera. Axel looks around the shop then looks to Sarlene. "How goes it?' he says in Hallit. "We've picked up everything we needed at the general store. There's just a few things left on the list here that we need then we can get going"
Sarlene's friends enter as her last words leave her tongue.
She closes her eyes for a moment, and exhales. She sets the items for sale in a nearby counter and stuffs the list in Axel's hands. She storms out the door, cursing under her breath, visibly frustrated. G&*$*!n westerners... f!$&ing about while there's coin to make... pithy steel... a%&&$$*... stupid girl... She seems equally upset at herself and the blacksmith.
Outside, she settles herself and stops the first person she sees, asking for directions to the nearest tavern.
With a curt nod, she's off for a pint.
Sarlene is sitting on the floor, reading from the book she carries. She finally opens her mouth, her first words since leaving the blacksmith.
I haven't seen her. Or the boys.
She snaps to, suddenly rising to her feet. Her face is panicked.
Could something have happened to them? I don't trust anyone in this f&#+ing town. If any bastard harms as much as a hair on their tiny heads I'll f!~@ his liver with my harpoon.
On the way back to Nadya's the barkeep hangs out of his door and shouts at the group. The sign above him reads 'The White Weasel'.
"Aye, newcomers. Come grab some drinks, first round is on me. If it's still a little early we've got tea and food! Names Emil, and I got my wife Katrina in the back getting everything all ready for you."
Brrrrrrp
Sarlene burps, the foul odor of old, dark beer still on her breath. She looks at her companions, her sullen expression suddenly gleeful.
Never too early for a good beer, eh? she suggests to the crew. Stephen waddles into the bar ahead of the group as Sarlene waits for a response.
"Agreed" Axel nods and looks down at Rod. "You hungry buddy?" before he can finish the little fox is bounding across the snow after Steven.
Emil ushers everyone in before rounding around the bar dragging a rag along the surface. He stops in front of a massive mirror that seems to double the amount of bottles that line the shelves in front of it. Hands on the bar he smiles.
"What brings you to Waldsby?"
Axel smiles politely as he takes his seat. Rod munches on a morsel he discovered on his way in. "My friends and I came all the way from Taldor. One thing lead to another and we have found ourselves in your village. We encountered Nadya and her caravan in the forest just outside of town and it was a lucky thing too. A large monster of an insect, a mantis i believe it was, had attacked her caravan. We arrived just in time to slay the creature. Nadya offered to guide us to town so that we can resupply. Now we're here." Axel shrugs and takes a drink..
Emil smiles and polishes a glass with the rag he just dragged across the bar.
"That is quite the tail, here have a tea while Katrina readies the shchi soup."
He passes Axel a tall glass of hot herbal tea.
"Would anyone else like some?"
The mention of shchi reminds Sarlene of the terrible, s!@~ty shchi she had at sea. The cook was awful, their provisions were worse, and shchi was nothing to be excited about in the first place. She chokes back her gag reflex, and focuses on something that better suits her tastes.
Give me something stout and heavy, sir. None of this pithy tea, eh? Never too early to drink in the North. Sarlene eyes the tea warily.
Sarlene speaks as the bartender turns his back, and bluntly asks, So why such hospitality? I've never known such kindness where winters are long and life is harsh.
"My people have never been given to look a gift a horse in the mouth. I would love some tea. "
There is a creak as the tavern door swings open, followed by a gust of chill air. A massive, but now-familiar figure is momentarily shadowed in the doorway, echoing a moment that seems long-distant. The door is closed with a muffled thump as the grizzled trapper steps into the light. He looks exasperated and perhaps a bit anxious, the latter of which fades from his face as he spies his companions.
Ah, figures I would find you here. I was beginning to fret... now I see that you had the same idea as I. The half-orc nods in greeting towards the barkeep before pulling up a stool to perch next to Sarlene at the end of the bar. A strong ale, good sir. His brow furrows momentarily. I believe the noon has passed... and perhaps some mutton as well?
"Another tea and two strong ales" He works the bar, slowly, but practiced.
"We don't see a lot of new faces around here, and I was curious what the story was. We don't want any trouble around here."
He places an ale in front of Sarlene and Daegan before sliding a tea in front of Jezzera.
Axel takes a sip of the tea. "We can assure you we don't mean any. We are merely unfamiliar with this part of the world." He sets the tea back down and withdraws a notebook from his pack. "Now that I think of it, is there anything of note we should be aware of? This is my first trip to these parts so if there are any local hazards we should be aware of I'd greatly appreciate a warning. If you are so fortunate enough to be relatively unmolested I'd gladly settle for a local tale." Axel seems eager, charcoal at the ready, to write anything and everything the barkeep has to say.
Sarlene drinks her beer, but keeps an eye out for trouble. Too many years in the shops of Kalsgard told her that free was never truly free. She cradles her coinpurse beneath the counter nervously. She studies the barkeep as he sets about his tasks.
Her wary expression eases. Ah, f*!* me, sirs, I've been rude. This beer is fantastic, eh?
Kalhar smiles curtly, and shuffles into a barseat, his armor shifting and clanking as he settles in. "Trouble comes to the nicest of folks; we don't bring any with us, but if it does come while we're here we'll be more than happy to lift our weight sorting it out."
Emil smiles and leans towards Axel and Jezzera
"This one is a bit of a garish tale, don't want to offend the woman."
He leans in ever closer bringing his voice down to a whisper.
"You should grab your friends and leave this town."
Axel
Jezzera
His words came with conviction as the wash over you, almost but not quite feeling compelled to follow them out.
He leans back, smiles, and pours an ale for Kalhar.
His armored digits curled around the mug, and he took in the aroma of the ale, before taking a sip of the liquid. After a refreshing draught, he set the mug back onto the table, and his eyes scanned the room idly as he waited for his companions to finish their business here.
He met eyes with Daegan's, his face slightly worried but intrigued, and his eyebrows raised for an instant before falling back in place, conveying a message of distrust for his surroundings.
Daegan returns Kalhar's glance with a small, barely perceivable nod. Aye lad, I don't trust it either, it says. He takes a sip of his ale, eyes darting around the room.
Sarlene finishes the the last of her beer with gusto, and slams the empty mug heartily. With her usual wide grin, she readily affirms her hoydenish character. You're f!~$ing right, sirs. I don't need a cock to hear a garish tale.
Emil steps back at Jezzera's remarks, he waves to dismiss Sarlene's retort as he reaches underneath the bar and pulls up a loaded crossbow and points it at Jezzera.
"No subtlety, leave this town."
In an instant Daegan is on his feet, his wiry form bristling with sudden anger. He keeps one had on the counter, but the other drops to the captain's sword on his belt. His fingers brush the hilt, but he does not draw it immediately. A low growl escapes his throat.
I suggest you lower your weapon... sir. His voice radiates malice and threat, the last syllable significantly more so. We have seen enough bloodshed in the past week to last a lifetime, and I do not care to see more tonight.
"If you leave this town, there won't be any bloodshed."
He moves the aim of the Crossbow towards Daegan
Daegan doesn't even blink. His fingers tighten around the grip of his sword. A myriad of emotions flash across his face, but only one word escapes his lips, coming out in a deep growl.
Why?