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For the past 2 days Harp Port has been blanketed with dense fog, rumours and speculations have started to run. The weather has also gone foul at sea, for the since morning no ship has been able to set sail due to the dangerous conditions at sea, only a small few have been able to return from the sea. You all arrived the just after dusk, on one of the few brave ships that actually managed to get throw. Having spent hours trying to find a tavern, inn or somewhere to stay the night, you find yourselves stranded with no place to stay the night. The entire Harp Port seems to be full, from stranded merchants and travellers, to those who wish to see the return of the Ancient King. You all are now huddling up near a small fire, next to a stable at the edge of town. The fog is thick enough to obscure the rest of Harp Port from sight, only the savage sound of the waves can be heard, engulfing any other sound save for the voices of the other campers.
While taking note of the individuals sitting around the small fire, tries to listen to rumors and speculations that are floating about.
The Sloop that nudges against the pier does not seem at all out of place. The crew go about their task of loading and unloading her goods and cargo. At the bottom of the gangplank a small group of them have gathered as one of their member, a tall tanned figure in armor, smiles and cajoles with them. At her feet area pair of large dogs who sit obediently, though their ears flick and twitch at the commotion of the docks around them,
"Now, Davvy, don't you be worrying none!" The woman's voice is loud and carries easily over the surrounding noise, "I've Rex and Black to keep me on the straight and narrow." There are a round of good nature-d laughs at her comment and then a last round of hand shaking and hugging and then, hefting the handles of a cart which seems to be holding all of her worldly possessions, the woman gives a sharp whistle to her dogs and begins walking along the wharf's pier and into town.
Tossing another log onto the fire, Kaiden shivers and looks around the circle of people. Wrapping his cloak tight about him, he settles into the most comfortable position he can find and speaks to any who can hear him. "Greetings on this cold miserable night, I'm called Kaiden, who do I owe the pleasure of freezing by this small fire with tonight?"
"Greetings on this cold miserable night, I'm called Kaiden, who do I owe the pleasure of freezing by this small fire with tonight?"
Xane sighs as she sits and shares the fire with the company of others around her, her cart placed in such a way so as to act as some small extra cover against the weather.
The big, well muscled, woman does not seem to be as effected by the cold of the weather, but then sharing space with her equally large hounds may be allowing her to gather extra warmth against the cold.
"Well met Kaiden. Name's Xane, I hale from a ship in the harbor by the name of 'The Bonny D'. Didn't I choose fine weather t' take my shares and strike out on my own." Though she smiles as she settles her large sleeping blanket around herself and her dogs.
Kaiden smiled from within his traveling cloak at the warm hearty voice of this amazonian giant with her two riding dog companions.
"Is it customary to not introduce your traveling companions where you come from Xane?" Kaiden said with a small laugh gesturing to the two dogs. "For here it is considered a bit on the rude side!"
With a long yawn a stretch Kaiden stirred the fire, slowly chewing on some dried meat.
Pull's back his hood, so his face can be clearly seen.
"Hail Kaiden, name's Ruoren"
Turns toward Xane.
"Nice to meet you as well Xane, it seems that were all stuck out in this 'fine' weather as well. Are you all here for this supposed coming as well? I was suppose to be on my way as soon as I had brought my clients to the coastline, but curiosity got the best of me and I decided to stay to see what would happen"
Pulls his cloack tighter as if it would actually make any difference from the cold.
Xane laughs in return at Kaiden's words, "You're right." And she indicates to the darker furred animal,
"This is Black," She shifts slightly to show the second dog with out causing either animal too much trouble as they rest. "And this is Rex." She smiles.
"Some times, on the pitching deck of a ship, keeping things short when you have to yell them is the order of the day." She looks to first Kaiden and then to any of the others how are awake around the fire,
"So, should we be passing the time getting to know one another better? Or should I close my big trap and let people get their rest before they have to get up again?" She nods to Ruoren,
"I'm just in this fine weather because my timing seems to suck." She raises an eyebrow, "What is this tale you speak of...?" She asks.
Points in the general direction of the monolith.
"Well it seems that some legendary king is suppose to return in a few days to Harp Port, that is why every inn and tavern is overflowing. If it wouldn't have been for that I would be long gone to find another job, but I figure once the date has past and nothing has happened I can find another group to guide once we hit the main land".
Tries to feed a piece of meat to the dogs.
Wild Empathy Check:
"Fine dogs these seem from here Xane" Kaiden said as he turned his head away from Xane to the new voice.
"Well met Ruoren, glad to see I'm not the only one who ended up here because of work and is now sitting on their hands waiting for the next contract. What is your trade? I am a mercenary guard by trade." Kaiden said nodding his head to the cloaked man. "Perhaps we will find ourselves on the same path out of this town with work once everyone is dissapointed when no long lost king returns."
Xane does smile a little at Ruoren's antics with her animals. Reaching down and scratching behind an ear. She nods as every one else explains the local rumors and tales to her.
"Well...I'm kind of looking for something new to do, so yeah, helping people move about might be interesting." She says quietly, in deference to those who do want to sleep.
Takes his attention away from the dogs.
"Well I mostly act as a guide for caravans and small parties through the wilderness. Hopefully this weather won't last too long as it will make the roads hard to navigate. You maybe right, we might go along the same paths since our lines of work are quite similar."
Turns to Xane.
"And what about you Xane, what is your trade? Besides rearing fine animals"
Xane chuckles at Ruoren's comment,
"I didn't breed these two. I bought them with me ship's share. I was a sailor. But now..." And she stretches and flexes her arms, "I'm thinking of a job where you can get to sleep for more than four hours at a time is the way to go." She Smiles,
"Say, would you be able to point me in the direction of a good weapon smith? I feel the need to add another sword to my kit..." She finishes.
"I've been here a time or three before, let me think who I would recommend to you" Kaiden said scratching his chin in thought. "If your any good with a sword, you could always find work with a caravan like Ruoren or myself, we could hire ourselves out as a team, most merchants like the idea of a group that knows what they are doing."
"So as for a smith, down by the docks is the towns most prominent smith, he's got himself a good locations catching people fresh off the boats. He is very good, but he knows it and charges you what he expects, but you won't find a better smith here." Kaiden said after some consideration
Xane nods at Kaidens considered words
"Yeah, I'm after a big sword." She shrugs as she settles in for the night, "Or failing that a big anything to hit critters with..." She adds ruefully...
"Well since I am also new to the area, maybe we can take a walk to the smith in the morning as I also need to purchase a few wares. I think I will call it a night as well."
Looks out into the fog as he put downs his bedroll and spare blanket:
A high pitched bark and a swirl of the fog usher in a strange-looking fox with ash-grey fur. It darts eagerly towards Black and Rex before a harsh call brings it to a grinding stop.
Ember! Mind yourself, scamp.
The fox looks over its shoulder as a hooded man steps into view wagging an admonishing finger. He has the olive-tan complexion of a Varisian, but with unusually fair features. He wears practical clothing and carries a walking staff in hand, like any other traveler, but his attire is ornamented with the odd fetish or symbol, just enough to lend him an air of mystery.
The fox offers a small whine and a few eager yelps.
That's no excuse
He looks up at the woman who appears to own the dogs.
Appologies. He's not often in the city, and he sometimes gets excited.
Hey, hey, what's with all the noise you younglings are makin out here? Can't a poor guy wander into a stable to sleep on some hay without all the yapping and barking?
Well since I'm awake now I might as well warm up a bit next to your fire, and tell your puppies not to bite me missy
Walking out of the shadows near the stable door, Thanoi, using his spear as a walking staff, pulls his cloak tight around him and moves toward the fire without waiting to be invited.
At the appearance of the small, red furred pup, Xane sets a hand on each of her hounds as a gentle way of keeping the pair of them settled. She smiles at the first new comer.
"That's all right, mate. Black and Rex aren't too excitable." She replies, checking how much room is still available around their small fire.
At the last person's comments she grins.
"We're smarter than that to make a fire in a barn. If you want the hay, just move on through and you'll find some that a ways," She waives a hand vaguely in a direction...She tries to keep her voice down for the benefit of others.
"Poor or not, you should huddle close to a fire as this weather won't change anytime soon my friend".
Turns toward the enegmatic man with his fox.
"Well it seems that we have met Ember, who might you be? I'm Ruoren" Points towards the unusually tall woman with horns. "This is Xane, and the last person over there is Kaiden. He is from around these parts."
A slight snoring noise comes from Kaiden as he sleeps, barely stirring at the presence of the new comers.
Falls asleep as well.
Xane's eyes grow heavy as she drifts off into slumber. She feels reasonably safe with her two dogs as guard companions.
He offers nod to Rouren. "My name is Dherisan, also a native of the realm. Has the legend brought you here as well? It certainly has drawn in an exotic crowd!"
Dherisan glances back towards the city, and then to the dancing flames of the fire. "And said eccentrics have rented out every room, loft, stall, and floor in the city. Do you mind if I join you by your fire?"
Xane slumbers on. Her frame and pets wrapped in the huge winter weight blanket which she drew from the cart wherein she seems to be keeping all of her worldly possessions.
Stops just at the edge of the firelight. Sees that only two are left awake, and speaks softly:
"Good even. Is there room for another around your fire? If it weren't for the weather, I'd almost be thankful there are no rooms to be had...Nothing beats the sky for a roof."
"Those who built the fire seem to have nodded off, but I find myself most awake at night. The ebon shroud of evening does so sharpen the senses, and I would welcome someone to converse with."
Dherisan's eyes drift to the newcomer's verdant locks.
"Forgive my impertinance, but I don't believe I've ever seen a human with green hair before, and you don't seem like one of the local cosmopolitans. Where are you from?"
Striding forward with a quick economy of movement, finds and open spot of ground and sits cross-legged.
"Oh here and there really. More there than here though, if you take my meaning.
As if made self-conscious by the hair comment, kind of shakes the twigs and such out of his hair and makes an effort to bring it under control.
"The locals say something grand is to happen here soon. Do you know anything of this matter?"
"A local legend. Harp Port is purportedly built atop an ancient civilization, older than Thasilon. There's an ancient tablet here that not only tells the whole story, but also promises that that empire's ruler shall return to Varisia in a matter of days."
He nods towards those sleeping around the fire.
"It's brought in throngs of travelers, as you can see."
He looks quizically to the green-haired man, and his fox tentatively sniffs the newcomer.
"If not the legend, what brings you to Harp Port?
Seems to snap back to reality a bit, his gaze finally leaving the fire and meeting Dehrisan's eyes.
"Forgive my manners. My name is Kayle...sometimes known as the Green. It has been a while since I've shared anyone's fire and sometimes I forget common courtesies. I originally came to this village for some supplies, but I remained when I heard there was something unusual going on."
He raises a brow and leans towards the fire, warming his hands.
"A fellow walker of the wilds, then? I am called Dherisan, and this incorigable little fellow is Ember."
He gestures to the fox that is now curled up near the flames.
"And don't worry too much about common courtesies. I often find myself in situations where etiquette is called for, and it can be refreshing to meet someone without a pressing need to stand on decorum."
"Silly children, first they wake you up, then they fall asleep themselves."
That said, Thanoi seat himself by the fire and peers at Ember
"Is that a fox? What'd he do? Try to steal one of your chickens, so you made him your pet as a way to teach him some manners? Tehehe."
Looking over to Kayle
"Don't you worry none son, it's hard to stand on decorum when we are all sitting in the mud.
Manners ... Manners ... well bless me, I seem to have forgotten mine. My name is Thanoi and it's nice to meet you both."
"Ah, he may wear the skin of a fox, but he's something altogether different."
Ember opens one eye and aims it at Dherisan.
"Yes, you, you little freeloader."
The fox yawns lazily before going back to sleep. Dherisan turns back to Thanoi.
"Do you make favor barns for your refuge, or have you too been unable to find boarding at the inns?"
"Barns and stables aren't so bad, if you can learn to watch your step, hehe. I just like to wander and if there is a soft bit of hay to lay on I'm content. Honestly I haven't tried any of the Inns. That big shindig you were talking about brought in all sorts of rude people, always stepping on your toes and shouting about this, that and some other."
Thanoi's speech kinda meanders off into mumblings about youngsters having no respect these days ...
Seeming to notice the child for the first time, Thanoi's face brightens. He pulls a blanket from his pack and walks over to cover the sleeping child with it.
Watches the old man place the blanket on the sleeping boy with a slightly wistful look in his eyes. Realizes he's staring, and turns his gaze back to the fire.
Dherisan looks on the those slumbering by the fire with a detached curiosity, regarding them as a naturalist might observe a pack of wild animals in their natural habitiat. He peers into the fog, looking towards the city proper for a moment, then back to the makeshift campsite. A glazed look comes over his eyes as his thoughts turn inwards and his stares into the play of shadows on the wall of the barn.
Xane;
Dog1;
Dog2;