"I can make some, it'll be a minute."
With that Valyana scurries back into the kitchen.
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Valyana chuckles as she sets down a couple more plates with bacon, eggs, and toast on the bar. "Afraid not. We can barely afford to get the essentials, much less extras like salt and pepper."
All goes well through out the night, no sudden attacks, no daggers in the dark, just the quiet of the night. Genisen hears the muffled footsteps of someone coming down the stairs. Valyana appears, coming down, her eyes squinting in the gray pre-dawn. "Mornin', would you like anything fer breakfast?"
Valyana comes to Shalyna's side and wraps a comforting arm around her friend. "Right after our initiation as one of the forest walkers, when we gifted our tatoos and found our companions, a band of goblins attacked. They slaughtered all but the four of us. We were told to hide, so we hid under the roots of an old pine. We ran after the goblins left, there were no dead to bury, they took them all. We ran until we saw the town walls. We snuck in and probably would have died here, if not for Talus. He found us alone on the streets and took us in, and let us stay after he heard our story. That was almost seven years ago." Though her voice is calm and even, a tear runs down her cheek and pain is all too clear in her eyes.
Valyana looks from Shalyna to Talus, then sighs as she rolls up her sleeve to reveal a set of intricate intertwining tattoos around her arm. Durnak/Anna/Fearghus INT Check or Knowledge(Local) DC 12; Everyone else DC 17:
You remember something from some time ago. Maybe from a mentor, or from rumors whispered with fear, but you have heard of a group from the nearby Iron Pines that tattoo themselves. Most of the people in the surrounding villages blame them for blighted crops, missing children, goblin raids, and other such unpleasantries. Durnak/Anna INT Check or Knowledge(Local) DC 17:
You recognize these tattoos as being those worn by the Druids of the Iron Pines. They are secretive, but are not guilty of any of the atrocities they are blamed for. They protect the woods and fae from the ravishes of the orc, goblin, troll, and ogre clans that make their camps at the edges of the Iron Pines. Shalyna goes to let in Ka'eln, who turns out to be a fine hawk, as Valyana begins speaking. "Me and Shalyna are not yer normal barmaids." Valyana rolls her sleeve back down to hide the tattoos. "I don't know where we came from, and neither does she. We were raised by the other druids in the woods. We were taught what they knew, and even became skilled enough to gain the respect and friendship of our companions."
"Sorry, there's a little in the cabinet over there." Valyana points to one of the cabinets Malcom hadn't rumaged through yet. She smiles as she turns back to the frying eggs. "I tend to lose myself when cooking." She motions for Malcom to come closer after he finds the coffee. "Thank ye for helping me with getting breakfast ready." She fixes a plate with toast, eggs, bacon, and a piece of fruit. "Can ye take this to girl outside?"
Malcom does not see anybody in the kitchen. The gray pre-dawn light provides a little illumination and the embers from the stove and the fire in the hearth provide a small amount of heat, but otherwise it is dark and chilly as anther fall day dawns. The shuffle of feet on the stairs and a stifled yawn announce Valyana's presence. She looks surprised to see Shael already up. "I'm sorry, I'll have ye some breakfast in a moment." She hurries off to the kitchen and almost runs Malcom over. "S-sorry!" she gives a small curtsy to the man and practically runs into the kitchen. "I'll get ye something to eat right quick." A few minutes later the kitchen is filing with warmth and the sound of cooking bacon and eggs as the young girl begins cooking.
Valyana walks over. She looks a little puzzled at being asked where she's from. "I've been in Redwall for a few years, but I used to live in a small village several miles from here." Sense Motive DC 22: She's not telling the entire truth.
The second gives Durnak a nod of the head and goes back into the kitchen. She returns with a bowl of stew with smells of venison, hearty vegetables, and several different spices wafting off of it. Definitely smells like it's better than the ale. "Is there anything else I can get ye? Don't worry there's at least half a pot in there." She gives the ranger a warm smile. Perception (Durnak & Luther)DC 12 | (Everyone else) DC 15:
There is something not quite human about this girl, but you can't put your finger on it. Luther if you made the check above.: As a matter of fact, there is something very familiar about her. Though you can't tell if it's her hair or her eyes. It could even be here skin. It also seems like your holy symbol is humming very softly whenever she walks by.
"I didn't mean to have you reveal your secrets too me but I won't share them. Its not my place to divulge that which is private and beside most of these men enjoy fighting thugs and scum. Others... Would fight for nothing more then a smile from your girls." She said the last part teasingly before standing and undoing the upper part of her armor and clothing. She hesitates before revealing the infernal mark on the upper part of her chest, it was obviously branded there but it still looked hot and unhealed. "A gift from my father... So trust me if trouble comes knocking I am sure they aren't going to be looking at you two. Most likely they're going to come after me. Please rest easy, tomorrow the Pikes are going to meet their match." She redoes her armor and sits back down, her tail twitching idly as she gauged their response.
"I wouldn't be so sure." Valyana's cheeks flush as she realizes wht she just said could be construed as an insult, "Not about those thugs, but about trouble coming." Her eyes look down into the mostly full tankard. "The two of us, we're hated almost as much as the bandits. Druids are not welcome here, especially if they are from the Iron Pines." She looks at Shael again and asks in a whisper "Does it still hurt? It looks painful."
"I'll give him somethin' alright. Far as I can tell his legs ain't broke." Valyana mutters to herself as she gathers a block of cheese and a fresh towel. Then her and Shalyna head up the stairs. Malcom:
After Shael leaves the room and your second call for wine, Valyana and Shalyna enter and begin readying the tub for Ray. They're mumbling, but all you can make out is the occasional giggle. After a few minutes, Valyana pulls the curtain aside just a little and hands you a block of cheese.
"I thought ye might appreciate some cheese to go with the fine whine you seem to have up here already." She seems to be on the edge of laughter and as the door closes, you hear the pair burst out into a gale of laughter.
The two girls run into Gurni on the way back down. The both give their best curtsy and head back into the common room. Valyana comes over to Ray and tells him, "Sir? The bath is ready."
"I'm sorry that happened. At least let me see if I can help you with your shoulder." Valyana pulls Shael off to the side and helps her take off the leather armor. She winces a little at the heat, but other than that, makes no comment. Her hands work gently over the rising bruise and the pain and tightness just seem to vanish. All te Shael perception DC 12; Everyone else perception DC 20:
It sounds like she's casting a spell. Spellcraft DC 16, only if you made the perception check.:
The spell is cure light wounds.
Another serving girl comes out of the kitchen. She looks about and the surprise is apparent on her face. This one wears a similar outfit to her counterpart, a rough skirt, a loose shirt, and an apron. From the flush in her cheeks it is clear that she was the one cooking. She gets Gurni's order and comes back with a tankard of dwarven stout. "Anything else ye be wantin'?" she asks before going off and getting Kyle his tea and asking him the same. |