Grinning broadly as the water drained off of his beard and to the ground, Kortus looked up in time to see Anaach and Remy dispatch their tug-of-war foes.
~They are as strong as oxes to make it look that easy.~
Walking back to Lars, enjoying the clap on the back as he passed from some of the kids, Kortus looked up at the masked human.
"Now lad, get out there and have some fun! No need in letting us keep you from it."
Lars had never, and probably would never, have been the type to make a brash attempt to climb hastily. Given that, he attempts to very calmly climb the rock-wall as fast as he can comfortably do so, shortly after nodding to Kortus.
|
Both of the half-orcs brush your hands aside and grumble as they exit the mud. In passing as they walk by Anaach and Remy the taller half-orc whispers under the deafening roar of the crowd... "Watch your backs...
They move into the crowd and disappear.
The ref over by Kortus looks up from the apples. "Unbelievable folks! We have a new record!! 10 apples in 20 seconds!!"
The crowd cheers and the kids at this point go bat crap crazy! They run all about Kortus asking him all sorts of questions, such as "How did you do that?" "How long can you hold your breathe?" "Were the apples tasty?" It goes on and on.
Anaach glares at the two, and then takes Remy's hand and pulls himself out of the sticky mud.
"those two seek to make enemies as a craftsman does a masterpiece." The mighty Shoanti says softly
Laughing as the kids swarmed him Kortus tried to answer each and everyone as best he could.
As Lars left to try his hand at climbing, Kortus tried to focus the kids on him. "Ye should all cheerin' the Great Masked Man on next. Not t' ruin a surprise, but they say none know who he is and where he came from! Now get over there with me and make some noise!!!"
With that Kortus unleashes another deep roar and rushes with the kids to cheer Lars on.
Remy shrugs and turns to soak up the applause, grinning from ear to ear. He makes a flourishing bow and assumes his best "smolder."
Patting Remy on the shoulder, Anaach moves towards the climbing wall, coming to a stop near Kortus, "How is the competition going, Friend?"
As lars saw that people were finally coming towards him, he decided he'd give that whole reckless thing a try for once like the goblins did. At the worst he'd have to catch his hands, but, just like that, he was fairly certain he'd ran out of stuff to climb.
Patting Remy on the shoulder, Anaach moves towards the climbing wall, coming to a stop near Kortus, "How is the competition going, Friend?"
"It was just what Ol' Deadeye knew I needed. As ye can see by these kids, Lars will be the hit of the day. I saw ye took care o' your end easy enough."
"Keep your eyes peeled, Those two seek blood, and if we aren't careful, they will end up getting it." Anaach says, twisting the butt of his weaponry into the dust.
"Keep your eyes peeled, Those two seek blood, and if we aren't careful, they will end up getting it." Anaach says, twisting the butt of his weaponry into the dust.
His smile faltering some with Anaach's words, Kortus nodded his head.
"Aye lad. I'll keep the eyes sharp."
Glancing up and seeing that Lars is now sitting atop the wall, Kortus pointed and waved his hands in broad gestures.
"Well done lad! Ye climbed it like a bear was chasin' ye!"
As Lars sat at the top of whatever the hell he was actually sitting on and looked down at people poorly trying to climb the wall, he smirked. He thought, silently to himself; I have no idea what a bear is. "Thanks!" is all he could say as he looked around. The air was nice, just like Junker's edge. The smell of sweets was new, though.
|
|
The "rock wall" that the town is using for climbing has four sides and four levels of difficulty. Lars climbs the 3rd level challenge in no time flat putting most everyone else to shame.
A round of applause comes from the crowd and the kids from the apple area come flying over to watch as Kortus directs them to Lars.
Remy cheers for Lars and Kortus.
Staying with the group as she has found amusement in it, Liliana keeps with them. "I may as well stick with them, at least they seem interesting enough. Besides, this looks like another dismal year for myself once again. It would seem that there is plenty for Jass here, but Chiara and myself may wind up penniless at the end of today..." Accepting the dwarf's invitation, she positions her arm so that he can lead her. "I suppose that I can follow you and your friends for now. After all, you four do seem much more of a lively group than others."
Following them for their activities, Liliana keeps quiet while her smile never leaves her lips. "I must agree with our friend here. You have quite the movement speed. If only you would take off your mask, I am quite certain that you could hold the hearts of many ladies around here." she says to Lars. Looking back at Kortus, she opens her voice to him as well. "And I must say, you have quite the talent at making the crowd even livelier with every word you speak. Tell me, what is it that you do again?"
Smiling, his white teeth flashing briefly before being buried by the thick foilage of his beard, Kortus looked down to his heavily calloused hands and back to Liliana.
"Mainly I a simple mason, but when Erastil summons, I am also a lesser Warden of his woods. Today Ol' Deadeye has smiled and truly blessed this day as one of celebration."
"It would appear so that Erastil is smiling on this day." Liliana responds.
|
|
As the games start to die down a little, people start to move over to food tents as the smell of lunch wafts into all corners of the square.
There are five Lunches available to try during this time. Lines are backed up at every tent and all seem to smell amazing. There is a banner thathangs over the area listing the five meals and the local tavern's that have created them.
1.Curry-Spiced Salmon & Early Winterdrop Mead - The Rusty Dragon
2.Peppercorn Venison & Autumn Ale - The White Deer
3.Spiced potates & Cider - Risa's Place
4.Muton Sandwich & Deus Ex Machina Brew - Cracktooth's Tavern
5.Lobster Chowder & Norah's Lager (Not from Norah's Tank!) - The Hagfish
The banner also proclaims the first meals are free of charge!
Anaach looks over to the food tents, and decides that the Salmon and Venison seem to be the best suited for his tastes.
Looking to his friends, he smiles and says, "I think I will try the salmon first, and then perhaps the Venison... who wants to join me in feasting?"
Patting his round, but solid belly, Kortus looks at the options, but knew already what his choice would be.
"I'm not one t' say no to a free meal and I'm thinkin' Risa will pay for mine today. A cider for the new Bobbin' Champion is fittin' I think."
Remy is grateful that chow time has arrived. Especially if chow time will give him an excuse to loaf about the Rusty Dragon. I'm with you for the salmon, my large friend. One mug of Ameiko's mead and you'll crave it forever. Venison is gamey for my tastes, but I'll not pass on the Deer's ale.
"Well I must say that I can pass on the ale, but I shall delight myself on some wonderfully smelling salmon." Liliana chimes in as the rest of the group begins to ponder what they'll eat as well.
After getting his food, Anaach goes to pick out a seat, and begin his meal.
|
|
As everyone gets there food you can all see clearly that the avorite of the festival is The Rusty Dragon's Salmon. You can also tell that Cracktooth's Tavern Mutton Sandiwch is the least liked by upstanding folks. A few shady characters stroll around the tent getting food though.
As lunch is in process Father Abastalar Zantus begins a reading of Desna as part of the tradition.
"A long time ago before the memory of man there was a great battle in the heavens between Lamashtu and Desna. Legends tell of one of Desna's avatars plummenting from the heavens during this battle. A blind orphan nursed Desna's avatar back to health and to thank the child, the goddess transformed her into an immortal butterfly. In this form the child could forever fly in the day and night, seeing all the wonders of the world."
At the conclusion of the story Father Zantus motions to a cart and a pair of men pull a cover from it. The wagon releases thousands of Desna's children in the air. As the butterflies fly from the square it erupts in cheers from everyone.
"Now stay close by we have a few more activities planned for the day!"