** spoiler omitted **
** spoiler omitted **
Ahhh - interesting take on that, then. Good twist ;)
The fat merchant looks up at the gathering stormclouds
Hmm ... we haven't had a good storm in quite a while..
Lightning flashes as anvil-headed thunderheads sail over the Bazaar.
*runs through thread dragging a really big bone*
JH arrives at the out-of-the-way shop he had visited before, bypassing the door and even the streets of the Bazaar.
Are they ready?
The gnome craftsman starts at his voice. 'How did you...' JH interrupts...
Are they ready? I have little time.
Just a moment please. He brings out 3 boxes. JH inspects the contents of each, placing his lips upon them and closing his eyes. He nods in satisaction.
You are truly a master.
He stretches his hand out over the counter, palm downward. He then clenches his fist. When it opens three fistful piles of gems are left upon the counter. Various sizes and colors, and all varieties.
The gnome is shocked, 'You...you are a Stone Lord...'. He hastily bows on one knee, his workglasses falling from his face. 'You pay too much, Lord...'
Put them to good use Master. Take you and your kin and get them to a safe place. Darkness comes.
JH nods and gathers up his bundles, melding into the floor. In his wake a strange rune is etched within a circle.
The gnome stares in disbelief, first at the empty air then at the floor. He orders his dwarf assistants to move the workbench over the site and to begin packing up the shop. When he is done he places three large gems into each of their hands. 'Tell your clans and your king to be ready. A Stone Lord walks the Earth. The Prophecy is put into play. Prepare for War.
The skies above the Bazaar let loose their fury. Lighting smites the desert around the immense souk. The merchants look up to see the insubstantial forms of Djinn and Efreets at war in the dark thunderclouds. Something momentous occurs elsewhere.
If he had lips and could smile, he would be amused by the destruction wrought by the heavens.
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Locking the doors and windows, Jyssill the cartographer readies an enchanted gate for the dangers to come.
Mililani draws her clothing tight around her and enters her magic shop with Tristan the Waif in tow.
"Secure those doors," he roars! "And get inside! Arms yourselves for the Gods of War and Death the Bazaar tonight."
"This is getting bad for business," he mutters.
"Bad storms be a coming," he mutter to himself as he closes the shutter tight over his shop windows, preparing to weather the storm in its relative safety.
I muttered to myself once...or twice....it was after a bad trip....one time I tripped and skinned my knee...it really hurt....I don't like to hurt things....once, I ran over a poor birdie with my car...I couldn't drive for three days after.....speaking of three days, I once spent four days waiting in line to see a really cool movie.....I just can't remember what move it was....
Arm in arm a pair who appear to be elves, he a normal elf, she a snow elf, parade through the storm drenched streets and places of the bazaar. They pause outside Pete's shop.
Ohh, it's shut. And inside of normal trading hours too.
It's shuttered my dear, but not necessarily shut.
Try the door.
She rattles the handle.
It appears to be shut, darling. Shall I break in, just take what we need if it's here, and kill anyone who tries to get in the way?
You jest, my dear. We may need to come back to the bazaar and do business here. This isn't The Abyss where everyone else is out to get you so you may as well take what you want anyway.
We'll come back for the Dead Man's Chest some other day, when the owner is likely not hiding in the corner in superstitious terror.
Although given the bloodstained history of that item, and what he no doubt had to do to get it - unless his crewmates all just 'happened' to kill themselves first leaving him the de facto owner - he has cause to be superstitious.
She pouts, but comes away from the door.
Arm in arm the pair of apparent elves head off through the rain-soaked bazaar, disappearing from sight amidst the drenching rain.
Unnoticed in the shadows of a dripping market awning, a dark-haired woman follows the two with bright eyes.
*Hobbles into the bazaar, looking for some steel traps to buy for his lawn*
Durn fool! Ye'll catch the grippe hobblin' about in the rain! Get inside an' Martha'll make us some cocoa!
I'm busy! I want to get me some traps for my lawn. Them little bastards won't know what hit em.
Suit yerself yeh durn fool, everyone's shut for the storm anyway, but don't listen to me, what do I know?
Slams door
*Dances around in the rain, celebrating life and the beauty of nature*
*Dances around in the rain, celebrating life and the beauty of nature*
Opens a window
Get out of the rain yeh durn hippy!
Slams window
The band and the guests on the outdoor dance floor quickly broke up heading for cover as the rain starts.
"I guess we need to take this inside, since we lost our musicians," Devlyn says with a smirk as he pulls out her cloak and fastens it on her.
"Sounds like a plan." She glances around. "Any particular place in mind?"
"Sounds like a plan." She glances around. "Any particular place in mind?"
"It's a little bit of a walk, but I spied a nice looking inn while when we were shopping. I think we can get a room for the night there to stay dry - so long as nobody else has the same idea and is willing to brave the weather to get over there!"
He looks out at the rain-soaked streets and the pedestrians running for cover, then pulls up his cowl and looks back at Allura with a grin.
"Let's go!"
Devlyn and Allura dash out into the rain, trying to make their way across the city to The Golden Sands Inn without running into too much trouble. ;)
The boy in dark armor notices the rain finally and dissapears.
The streets are becoming deserted as they finally reach the doors of the Inn. Most of the shops are shuttered and locked tight.
The doors of the Inn have been secured against the storm, but after banging on them and explaining their need to the doorman, Devlyn and Allura are allowed in. The building is well-made to withstand the elements, with stone foundations and stout timbers inside, all artfully cut and decorated.
They are able to get some seats by a grand fireplace to dry off, with drinks and small foods if desired. Devlyn talks to the innkeep while Allura is sitting by the fire, then comes back a few minutes later with a key in hand.
"They drive a hard bargain here, but I think we'll be pleased with results," he says as he sits back down next to her. "We can also get dinner here, so we don't have to fight our way to a tavern."
She smiles at him. "Dinner sounds like a good idea. All that dancing works up an appetite." She looks around. "I'm glad you remembered this place. It's beautiful."