”I shall retire for the evening gentleman.”
Erystelle really wanted to stay in the inn and experience the culture of it, but he also knew he needed his sleep. A tired wizard was often a dead wizard, he intended to review his books and make some important observations in his journal before they fled from his mind.
The Ranger, comfortable around humans, had been hanging back. He watched as the others headed up and took pains to note any reactions amongst those assembled, once he was satisfied, he went upstairs passing their room to see if he is trailed, before finally heading in to join the others.
The party, including the Lady Telerin ascended the stairs and entered the large room that they rented.
Windsworn too does the same as he joins the rest in the room.
However..........once in the room and the door is closed. He checks the windows first and ties a rope across it, hanging a pot as he does so.
Following that, the next thing he does is to check all his gear and clean them. He then takes first watch.
Seeing that the party is made up of elves the innkeep has a platter of cheese,bread, honey, fruit and vegetable soup up.
The Ranger notices the human preparing to start watch.
”I’ll take the second half. Let’s let the magic types get their sleep. Tomorrow starts the harder trails, trials and rations.”
Windsworn nods to Khyber as he takes the first watch.
He might be paranoid but having stayed in the battle fields so long, certain habits are ingrained in him....
Go ahead and give me Perception checks per watch and who is on which watch.
No 2nd?1
The watch, while staunch sentinels in the night and attempting to keep the party safe, nothing bad happens in the evening or the morning. You wake rested and ready for the day.
Windsworn is up and is putting on his gear once cleaned and refreshed.
With that done, he moves towards getting a fresh bowl of water, towels and a curtain raised to allow his ward to refresh herself. Waiting on her to remove any other inconveniences towards her person, once she is done. He clears the room of all other items that are not supposed to be there and escorts her downstairs to break fast.
The Lady Telerin thanks the squire for his help with a slight smile, something few Silvanesti would do towards a human.
After she is washed, she dresses in her travelling gear, the only indicator that she is a Wizard of the White Robes is the white cloak she puts on.
Shall we have breakfast before we depart? she asks,
Anatoli goes down and orders breakfast for the group. Due to the quantity of food needed for the size of the group, the innkeep insists that a young Qualanesti elf who is working for him assist Anatoli in bringing the food up to the group.
Cevendyl, [b] he says [b] Help out guests out by taking their food ip to their room
Cevendyl gasps when he finally sees the knight ...
Windsworn!
He walks over to him, holds out his sword, and begins to speak:
.....
.....
Blank, possibly shocked look from Windsworn
"Oh. My. Goddess.
Of course … you don’t actually speak Elven, they do … right, k, well, I deserve a do-over just like anyone I guess … I am so sorry."
Pouts a little, gathers his dignity, his eyes glow just a touch, and then he hovers his sword between them
"I, Cevendyl Starborn, only child of Larandir and son of Cevendys, in the presence of the worthy here assembled, pledge my aid to Windsworn son of Galan Windborn, that my magic, might, and mercy will help him to see Telerin the White safely to her destination, and the power of my soul itself will keep them safe from dangers known and as yet unrevealed. The stars will watch and defend us all until she is once more safe among her people."
He smiles, knowing, if you swear an oath, people have to accept you, because that is exactly how it worked for Windsworn ... he had seen it.
I like this.
Looking VERY confused, Ceven turns to Telerin; his Elvish is beyond courtly ...
"Great Lady, please forgive me, I do not know your magics or those of my parents well enough. Perhaps when we were scrying I understood all of you, but in truth the Knight speaks a language I have not yet studied ... should I offer the oath again in Neidar?"
"Certainly he knows the Oath Laws well enough, that he can accept, for himself, or for you, or for your fellowship. I only wish to serve."
The young elf is clearly distraught
"Please accept my apology Holy One, I had only intended to help with the meal as well; I have been assiting the innkeep with many basic tasks since my arrival. I simply did not expect the Estrellian to be here with you. I had thought I would see all of you downstairs, and did not really know when that would be ... yet I was also unaware of your desire for anonymity."
He returns his rapier to his belt
"Maybe I should return to the kitchen until you are ready to journey on ..."
Windsworn looks around the res tin puzzlement to see if they knew anything about it. His Lord Knight Mentor had mentioned that sometimes the elves may have at times have customs that might seem strange to non elves but they usually do it for a reason.
Was this one of it?
"Someone please explain what is this all about?" the young Squire asks, while still trying to keep his composure.
"Also how does this one know so much about me and our current mission? Am I being under some magics or such that might endanger our charge?"
"Sir Knight, this is where I belong, but it wasn't meant to be an offense of any kind. My parents ... are like the Lady Telerin will be, many many years from now. So when the time came for them to undertake an important mission of their own, where I could not join them, they decided to divine where they should place me.
I defer to the Great Lady to make it clearer if needed, but divination is a tool which can bring a great deal of information to anyone who has the skill to discern it. The portents of this mission, its importance, all of those called out; and when we looked at your audience with the council of elves, we knew it was the right place for me.
In truth, I think my mother looked a little longer at you then I had thought. I had never heard the name she used for you, it is ancient, from a time before heroism fled this world. Estrellian means, "He whose valor will ignite the Heavens." I will admit, I was somewhat vexed when I first understood ...
But there is no magic past or present which brought harm to you, or The Lady, or your companions. In fact my parents were quite clear that I must do anything required to make sure you were safe, and, given that we saw YOU make an oath, they deemed it appropriate that I make one as well, that I pledge my service rather than merely offering it.
"I have worked here at the Prince's Hole, in advance of your arrival, cooking, and cleaning, and using my magic to help Master Bluewaters make improvements here. Please, let me pay for this room and this food; I will excuse myself and let the Master know you will be underway shortly."
The young elf looked absolutely morose ...
Cevendyl manages a small smile
"I do not think I was wrongly informed as to your greatness, but I will gladly address you as you choose."
"Thank you for your kindness and understanding."
He kneels, withdraws his sword, and proffers the pommel towards Telerin.
"I, Cevendyl Starborn, child of Larandir and son of Cevendys, in the presence of the worthy here assembled, pledge my aid to Telerin the White and her companions, that my magic, might, and mercy will help us all to safely escort her to her destination. May the stars watch over and defend us all until we return her once more to safety among her people."
Windsworn stays silent as his knowledge of such matters was extremely shallow.
"Lady Telerin? You are my ward till this duty is discharged. What say you in this?" he finally turns to the Wizard and asks
I believe that this young elf might be helpful in our journey. We do not always know what we will face. The Knights of the Thorn are also powerful diviners and are enemies of the Orders and would kill any of us that they found. she replies.
Shall we be off to Solace? We lose time and perhaps we can make a pilgrimage to the Inn of the Last Home
"By your leave my Lady, may I go gather my things, and bid farewell to Master Turk? He has been very kind to me these days, but I would like to make my departure discreet. I can leave out the back of the kitchen and meet you when I see all of you outside the Inn."
Ceven appears more at ease, even if the formality seems as though it may never wear off
She nods but inquires what his employer will say.
When we first arrived, my mother simply arranged for me to stay here, it was I who asked Bluewaters if I could help around the inn.
He knew my time would be brief, and I will thank him for accommodating me.
The elf takes his leave and goes downstairs.
Are we ready?, Telerin asks
Windsworn nods as the decision is made.
"As your wish Milady."
With Cevendly gone to prepare for his own departure, Windsworn checks his gear and pack one more time before announcing that he is ready.
As you prepare to leave Crossing for Solace, the innkeep calls the squire over. This came to your attention earlier this morning. he says as he hands over a small pouch.
Windsworn reaches over to accept the pouch.
"Who is it from?" he asks.
A half elf came and dropped it off. He gave no name but when asked who I shoukd say this is from all he said was it was from an ally