"Your prune juice, sir. I recommend restraint after the first serving, if I may."
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Jim brings pitchers and mugs of ale outdoors. Ye yells "Free refreshments for the heroes of Falcon's Hollow."
"Last call for alcohol."
Jim slides an ale across the bar to Ranok. "I can send a boy for food sir, we a drinking establishment."
Jim palms the coins as he serves the strange looking newcomer tea and large piece of bread. "Apologies, sir. We have no fruit as this is primarily a drinking establishment. I can send a boy to Jak'a'Napes for you. They are the best place for food in town. Their breakfast is superb. I recommend the cinnamon-crusted flapjacks."
Jim delivers two pitchers of darkwood ale. "Careful with this fellas."
"Well, Bulgard, it is not so much about Vors Aman as it is who he works for. That would be Thuldrin Kreed. Thuldrin is by far the most powerful and wealthiest man in these parts. The lumber consortium has but three gavels in all of Andoran and Thuldrin is one of them. His influence is recognized throughout Andoran and his connections are with the most powerful people of the nation. Almas is the capital of our nation. One of the largest cities in the entire Inner Sea. Thuldrin's keelboat continually moves up and down the river delivering lumber and bringing back supplies and who knows what. There is more to those deliveries than lumber. Men like Vors make that trip and he is not a deckhand. Regarding Vors, I know little of him. He is not a regular here. He speaks the truth in that he does work for Thuldrin Kreed."
Hollin and Mary show up to prepare for the expected patrons. "Hollin, run over to the Goose and Gander and bring me back a large pot of stew, two loaves of bread, and large bone for my large dog." He hands Hollin some coins as the boy sprints out of the tavern. "I've been working on that kitchen for weeks now. It should be done in a few more. That will be so nice for everyone."
Jim pays special attention as Bulgard enters with a large wolf. The wolf is calm and follows behind Bulgard at one pace and slightly to his left. When he reaches the bar, the wolf lays down beside Bulgard's bar stool. Jim hands Bulgard a darkwood ale. "Fine looking animal you have there. Seems well behaved too. He is welcome as long as he stays that way."
Jim notices the confrontation. "No weapons and do not break anything."
Two mugs slide down the bar and stop in front of Rhen.
"The Crucible is some sort of dwarf ruin. I have heard that hosts of monsters plague its darkened halls, and they say ghosts of the dwarves skulk there too. It was a monastery long ago, where they worshiped some dark joyless god of toil. Druingar the Glintaxe, the great dwarven hero, quested there to find relics of his people’s ancient empire. He never returned, and now those who venture close to the place at night claim his ghost glides through its gloomy halls, preying on anyone foolish enough to trespass there. And then then there is the ballad of Glintaxe that every child in these parts heard about just before bedtime. I bet Hollin knows it by heart if you do not.”
Hollin returns with a large pot of beef stew and two large loaves of bread. Jim serves it to you at the bar. The stew is really very good. Having had nothing but trail rations for days, it tastes like the best you have ever had.
Jim looks up at the huge animal man. "Hollin!" A boy comes running out from the back room. Hollin is a freckly faced ten year old boy missing his two front teeth. He has short curly red hair and well, looks kind of goofy. "Hollin, bring me beef stew for 8 and two loaves of bread." The boy replies "Yes sir" and runs out the of the building.
Jim refills the mug and places it before Reinar.
"Reward? Are you gentlemen some kind of heroes? We don't get many heroes at The Sitting Duck."
"We have no cider, sir, but the mead is excellent." He hands you a clear glass with golden mead that glows like the nectar of the gods. It smells that way as well.
Jim sets a black ale in front of Bulgard.
Jim sets two mugs on the bar. The ale is black with nice head upon it. He then sets out a bowl of highly salted nuts. "We don't prepare food here, but I do have a young man that can be sent out for whatever you want. He needs the money and I like it when people stay a while."
As you enter the tavern, you notice two elderly men sitting at the end of the bar, closest to the wall. They are talking and laughing and give you no notice. There are tables and an unlit fireplace as well. The barkeep is cleaning a table. He looks up at you. "Welcome to The Sitting Duck, strangers. Make yourselves at home. Bar or table, whatever you prefer. I'm Jim. Will be right with you." |