Anikus took his seat, the burden of his rucksack leaving his shoulders. The tavern around him buzzed with life, its drunken crowd mostly-pacified by a bard seated at the back of the establishment. His lute spouted folk music, which, though not grating to the scolar's ears, was not truly memorable. The group passed Anikus a number of bizarre looks; it was not every day that a red-clad easterner strode into their watering hole. The grape, however, had them focus on other matters, leaving Anikus to contemplate and eat in peace.
Seeing as spending aurum was simply out of the question, seeing as how one could not squeeze blood from a stone, ingenuity took over. Two trenchers, a slab of ham, and a slice of cheese were removed from the backpack and assembled into a wonderfully ad-hoc item of traveller's cuisine. Despite the much-needed rest, however, Anikus kept near the door, wary of the Citadel City he had travelled into. Outsiders were seen as a problem to be quashed under iron boots, and for this reason, flight was always in the back of his mind, a thought entrenched by the wanted posters upon the walls. In statist red letters, perfect and imperial in form, they decried a man as a murderer, another as a thief, and one more as a vagrant and outsider.
2
Chapter One: An Unlikely Meeting
Started by Redcoat, Nov 20 2009 01:31 PM
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#1
Redcoat
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Posted 20 November 2009 - 01:31 PM
#2
Vithar Megilaglar
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Posted 21 November 2009 - 11:16 PM
The sun had set some time before and the rain had picked up severly, making a dreary city even drearier. Two figures, clad in dark cloaks, trudged through the streets of the city. They had travelled some time, wandering the land without apparent aim. Their goal was theirs alone to know as they made their way to a nearby tavern, called the Frontier. They kept their faces low, avoiding the guards' eyes, looking for all the world as though they were merely trying to keep the rain out of their eyes.
As they opened the tavern doors, they were greeted by the ludicrous melody of tavern scuttlebutt and folk music. They were followed by an erratic lightning blot, putting them into perfect silhouettes of themselves. They entered shortly after, with an odd graceful walk, especially for this particular land. They went to the tavern keeper.
As they opened the tavern doors, they were greeted by the ludicrous melody of tavern scuttlebutt and folk music. They were followed by an erratic lightning blot, putting them into perfect silhouettes of themselves. They entered shortly after, with an odd graceful walk, especially for this particular land. They went to the tavern keeper.
#3
Lyon
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Location:
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Position:El Capitan
Posted 22 November 2009 - 09:09 AM
Earlier that morning...
The tavern known as the Frontier was a fairly prosperous establishment: in addition to serving drinks every night, it rented out five luxurious upper rooms to those who could afford them. The previous night, they'd had only two travelers pay to stay there. The inkeepers' son, a lad of sixteen, hurried up the stairs carrying two trays of breakfast. The people staying up stairs had more than paid for it, and the inkeepers were hoping that they would stay another night.
The lad knocked at the first door and carefully opened the door. He was confronted by a man of middle height. His blond beard was neatly trimmed, but the rest of his hair was shaggily cut, falling down to his shoulders. Two curved swords were in his hands and pointing toward the boy; by the look of the center of the room, from which all furniture had been moved, he had been in the middle of a practice routine with them.
Seeing the dual steel blades pointing toward him, the lad gulped.
"Breakfast, eh? Sorry about that," said the man with a smile, lowering the blades and sheathing them. "Thank you, lad. It's not often I come to an establishment with this kind of service." He dug into his belt-purse and pulled out a silver coin, placing it on the tray where his plate had been.
"Thank you, sir," said the inkeepers' son, bowing as well as he could while holding a tray. He hurried back out into the hallway and closed the door. As soon as he had, the man's face darkened.
He reminds me of Elchanan, thought Macenor Telchi, shaking his head sadly. If I had thought more quickly, he would have survived. All of us would have survived. Whatever happens, I will avenge them one day. Some of them may still be alive in that bandit's accursed fortress. He clenched his fingers over his sword-hilts and drew them out, resuming his battle-dance with fierce concentration, while his food steamed away into the damp morning air.
~~~
The inkeepers' son continued down to the end of the hallway. Wary thanks to nearly being stabbed the previous time, he knocked thrice. He was answered by the irritated voice of a young woman.
"By the gods, what time is it? Can't a girl sleep around here? What do you want?"
"Err... I've got breakfast," said the boy cautiously. The voice brightened.
"Food? Come right in!" The lad pushed open the door and turned to see a slim young woman sitting up in bed. Her rich red hair was cut short at her shoulders: even shorter than the shaggy hair of the warrior he had served earlier. She was also wearing nothing but a loincloth. The boy blushed.
"What... oh, gods curse it, that's right," she said, pulling the blanket around her shoulders. "Here, give me the tray." Still flushed, the lad did as he was told. She rewarded him with a bright smile and a coin... this one gold. "That'll show that stingy tipper in the other room," she said. "Can you have someone bring up a copper tub? The road was awfully muddy last night from the rain, and I feel filthy."
"Yes'm," said the boy, in awe that he was now the posessor of both a silver and a gold piece. He bowed and hurried out.
What a delightful young man, thought Kaethe as she closed the door after him. Now then, I'll see what I can do for his family. A good run of gambling... and I can split my winnings ninety-ten as always. She sat back down on the bed and sampled the food. Hmm... maybe a gold piece was too much of a tip to give...
The tavern known as the Frontier was a fairly prosperous establishment: in addition to serving drinks every night, it rented out five luxurious upper rooms to those who could afford them. The previous night, they'd had only two travelers pay to stay there. The inkeepers' son, a lad of sixteen, hurried up the stairs carrying two trays of breakfast. The people staying up stairs had more than paid for it, and the inkeepers were hoping that they would stay another night.
The lad knocked at the first door and carefully opened the door. He was confronted by a man of middle height. His blond beard was neatly trimmed, but the rest of his hair was shaggily cut, falling down to his shoulders. Two curved swords were in his hands and pointing toward the boy; by the look of the center of the room, from which all furniture had been moved, he had been in the middle of a practice routine with them.
Seeing the dual steel blades pointing toward him, the lad gulped.
"Breakfast, eh? Sorry about that," said the man with a smile, lowering the blades and sheathing them. "Thank you, lad. It's not often I come to an establishment with this kind of service." He dug into his belt-purse and pulled out a silver coin, placing it on the tray where his plate had been.
"Thank you, sir," said the inkeepers' son, bowing as well as he could while holding a tray. He hurried back out into the hallway and closed the door. As soon as he had, the man's face darkened.
He reminds me of Elchanan, thought Macenor Telchi, shaking his head sadly. If I had thought more quickly, he would have survived. All of us would have survived. Whatever happens, I will avenge them one day. Some of them may still be alive in that bandit's accursed fortress. He clenched his fingers over his sword-hilts and drew them out, resuming his battle-dance with fierce concentration, while his food steamed away into the damp morning air.
~~~
The inkeepers' son continued down to the end of the hallway. Wary thanks to nearly being stabbed the previous time, he knocked thrice. He was answered by the irritated voice of a young woman.
"By the gods, what time is it? Can't a girl sleep around here? What do you want?"
"Err... I've got breakfast," said the boy cautiously. The voice brightened.
"Food? Come right in!" The lad pushed open the door and turned to see a slim young woman sitting up in bed. Her rich red hair was cut short at her shoulders: even shorter than the shaggy hair of the warrior he had served earlier. She was also wearing nothing but a loincloth. The boy blushed.
"What... oh, gods curse it, that's right," she said, pulling the blanket around her shoulders. "Here, give me the tray." Still flushed, the lad did as he was told. She rewarded him with a bright smile and a coin... this one gold. "That'll show that stingy tipper in the other room," she said. "Can you have someone bring up a copper tub? The road was awfully muddy last night from the rain, and I feel filthy."
"Yes'm," said the boy, in awe that he was now the posessor of both a silver and a gold piece. He bowed and hurried out.
What a delightful young man, thought Kaethe as she closed the door after him. Now then, I'll see what I can do for his family. A good run of gambling... and I can split my winnings ninety-ten as always. She sat back down on the bed and sampled the food. Hmm... maybe a gold piece was too much of a tip to give...
#4
Lyon
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Location:
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Position:El Capitan
Posted 22 November 2009 - 07:13 PM
Telchi finished his blade routine and sheathed his swords once more. Then he sampled his food: it was cold. Despite the lack of heat, he found comfort in the rough country fare. I've tasted better, but it's been a long time since the last time I had food of this quality, he mused. Maybe I should have given the boy more than one silver piece... but then again, I need to conserve my money. He walked over to the desk next to the bed, pulled out his purse, and counted the money twice. Two gold, twenty-one silver, and fifty-three copper. Assuming it takes me a week to find another job, that should be enough for me to live comfortably. He sat back in the chair, intending to close his eyes for a short while, and promptly fell asleep.
~~~
As Kaethe had specified, the water for her bath arrived precisely five minutes later. As she was feeling merciful, she waited for the lads carrying it to leave the room before tossing her silks aside and sinking in. It's nice to feel warm again, especially when the weather outside is so dreary, she thought contentedly, closing her eyes. And I've missed being clean.
Once she felt suitably cleansed, Kaethe washed her silks in what was left of the bathwater and toweled herself furiously dry. Wrapping herself in her cloak, she lay back on her bed. I wish the weather would lighten up, she thought as she drifted off.
~~~
When Telchi awoke again, perhaps two hours later, he felt as if he hadn't eaten any breakfast. He rose from the chair and picked up a few silver pieces; then began hurrying down the hallway. Not watching where he was going, he ran slapbang into the two lads carrying the now-empty copper tub. There was a loud clang as they dropped it, and thuds as one of them lost his balance and fell against the wall. Telchi apologized profusely.
"Sorry... I should have been watching where I was going."
"Not that I didn't get enough sleep last night, but why all the racket in the hallway?" demanded Kaethe, sticking her still-damp head out of her door. Both of the lads blushed. "Sorry, miss... we dropped the washbasin. It won't happen again."
"See that it doesn't," said Kaethe imperiously, and returned to her room. Telchi turned to the lads.
"Who's she?"
The lad shrugged. "A rich lady staying at the inn. She gave me a gold piece this morning."
Telchi's eyes widened. "A gold piece? She must be rich to hand out that much on a regular basis." The mercenary part of his mind was calculating sums, and hearing the clink of coins. If she needs protection on the road with that much money, maybe that could be my job. She's quite the looker, too...
"Here, I'll help you with that," said Telchi, picking up an end of the copper tub. "It's the least I can do for getting you in trouble with the young lady."
"Thank you," said the lads in chorus, picking up the other end between them. Together, they lugged the tub down the stairs. Telchi stopped at the bottom to draw the hood of his cloak. "Well, I'm off to the town," he said cheerfully. "Perhaps there'll be work for a mercenary like me." He hurried out the door.
~~~
Kaethe bounded down the stairs an hour later in a whirl of colored silks. She immediately sought out the innkeepers, a pair of rather portly aproned workers. She immediately gave them her proposition.
"If you give me a table to gamble at, I'll give you a cut of my winnings, she said magnanimously. The innkeepers needed no further urging; "Done," said both almost at once, shaking her hand.
"Three hours from now, the supper rush will start," said one innkeeper. "We'll have your table ready."
"Thank you," said Kaethe with a bright smile, hurrying back up the stairs.
~~~
Five hours later, as night fell again, Telchi had to admit defeat. Despite his detailed search of the town, he had found nobody in need of a hired blade. Except those in need of assassins, he thought with some revulsion. Not a scrap of honor between the lot of them. Walking into the tavern, he saw that a pair of travelers had just entered. A man in a red coat sat eating quietly at a table near the door, while the attractive woman he had seen upstairs earlier was dealing out cards at a table farther in. A large pile of coins was at her elbow already, a testament to her skill as a gambler. Telchi settled on the redcoat as the most likely conversation partner and sat down across from him.
"Quite a night, eh?" he said, stroking his beard.
~~~
As Kaethe had specified, the water for her bath arrived precisely five minutes later. As she was feeling merciful, she waited for the lads carrying it to leave the room before tossing her silks aside and sinking in. It's nice to feel warm again, especially when the weather outside is so dreary, she thought contentedly, closing her eyes. And I've missed being clean.
Once she felt suitably cleansed, Kaethe washed her silks in what was left of the bathwater and toweled herself furiously dry. Wrapping herself in her cloak, she lay back on her bed. I wish the weather would lighten up, she thought as she drifted off.
~~~
When Telchi awoke again, perhaps two hours later, he felt as if he hadn't eaten any breakfast. He rose from the chair and picked up a few silver pieces; then began hurrying down the hallway. Not watching where he was going, he ran slapbang into the two lads carrying the now-empty copper tub. There was a loud clang as they dropped it, and thuds as one of them lost his balance and fell against the wall. Telchi apologized profusely.
"Sorry... I should have been watching where I was going."
"Not that I didn't get enough sleep last night, but why all the racket in the hallway?" demanded Kaethe, sticking her still-damp head out of her door. Both of the lads blushed. "Sorry, miss... we dropped the washbasin. It won't happen again."
"See that it doesn't," said Kaethe imperiously, and returned to her room. Telchi turned to the lads.
"Who's she?"
The lad shrugged. "A rich lady staying at the inn. She gave me a gold piece this morning."
Telchi's eyes widened. "A gold piece? She must be rich to hand out that much on a regular basis." The mercenary part of his mind was calculating sums, and hearing the clink of coins. If she needs protection on the road with that much money, maybe that could be my job. She's quite the looker, too...
"Here, I'll help you with that," said Telchi, picking up an end of the copper tub. "It's the least I can do for getting you in trouble with the young lady."
"Thank you," said the lads in chorus, picking up the other end between them. Together, they lugged the tub down the stairs. Telchi stopped at the bottom to draw the hood of his cloak. "Well, I'm off to the town," he said cheerfully. "Perhaps there'll be work for a mercenary like me." He hurried out the door.
~~~
Kaethe bounded down the stairs an hour later in a whirl of colored silks. She immediately sought out the innkeepers, a pair of rather portly aproned workers. She immediately gave them her proposition.
"If you give me a table to gamble at, I'll give you a cut of my winnings, she said magnanimously. The innkeepers needed no further urging; "Done," said both almost at once, shaking her hand.
"Three hours from now, the supper rush will start," said one innkeeper. "We'll have your table ready."
"Thank you," said Kaethe with a bright smile, hurrying back up the stairs.
~~~
Five hours later, as night fell again, Telchi had to admit defeat. Despite his detailed search of the town, he had found nobody in need of a hired blade. Except those in need of assassins, he thought with some revulsion. Not a scrap of honor between the lot of them. Walking into the tavern, he saw that a pair of travelers had just entered. A man in a red coat sat eating quietly at a table near the door, while the attractive woman he had seen upstairs earlier was dealing out cards at a table farther in. A large pile of coins was at her elbow already, a testament to her skill as a gambler. Telchi settled on the redcoat as the most likely conversation partner and sat down across from him.
"Quite a night, eh?" he said, stroking his beard.
#5
Chef
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Posted 23 November 2009 - 06:10 PM
Grimlain walked briskly through the town. The rain was pouring down heavily and his clothes were soaking wet, making him very uncomfortable. Once he made it to the inn, he would get an ale, a hot plate of food, and possibly even a bath afterwords. That sounded pretty good to him.
The tavern soon came into sight. A large sign said "The Frontier." Grimlain grunted after seeing the name. Not too creative of a name, he remarked to himself. Well, at least it looks like a nice place. Grimlain walked up the steps to the door, stomped the mud off of his boots, and walked into the establishment.
He was greeted by the usual sounds from a tavern: there were men laughing and talking as they drank; music played in the background; it was all very usual. Grimlain's appearance was hardly noticed by the "busy" men in the tavern. He found this as a very good thing. He walked towards the bar and took a seat on one of the stools. The bartender has his back turned and was drying out a glass with a towel. Grimlain irritably tapped the man on the shoulder, causing the man to turn and apologize for his ignorance.
"It doesn't matter," Grimlain replied. "Just get me an ale. Make it quick."
The bartender nodded and quickly prepared the man's drink for him. Grimlain took a large drink of the ale, relaxing now that he was comfortable. It has been a while since he had ever had a drink of the stuff. He had been stuck with the low quality products, which were so degrading that Grimlain never took a sip of it.
Grimlain asked the bartender to prepare a meal for him and while he was waiting for the delicious food, he listened in to the conversations going on around him...
The tavern soon came into sight. A large sign said "The Frontier." Grimlain grunted after seeing the name. Not too creative of a name, he remarked to himself. Well, at least it looks like a nice place. Grimlain walked up the steps to the door, stomped the mud off of his boots, and walked into the establishment.
He was greeted by the usual sounds from a tavern: there were men laughing and talking as they drank; music played in the background; it was all very usual. Grimlain's appearance was hardly noticed by the "busy" men in the tavern. He found this as a very good thing. He walked towards the bar and took a seat on one of the stools. The bartender has his back turned and was drying out a glass with a towel. Grimlain irritably tapped the man on the shoulder, causing the man to turn and apologize for his ignorance.
"It doesn't matter," Grimlain replied. "Just get me an ale. Make it quick."
The bartender nodded and quickly prepared the man's drink for him. Grimlain took a large drink of the ale, relaxing now that he was comfortable. It has been a while since he had ever had a drink of the stuff. He had been stuck with the low quality products, which were so degrading that Grimlain never took a sip of it.
Grimlain asked the bartender to prepare a meal for him and while he was waiting for the delicious food, he listened in to the conversations going on around him...
#6
Redcoat
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Cacoethes scribendi
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Location:
Alberta (unfortunately), Canada (fortunately) -
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[RPGF]
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Position:Trouble Shooter
Posted 24 November 2009 - 10:55 PM
A tired and exasperated looking man sat across the table from Anikus as he finished his meal. Anikus nodded in greeting, spekaing somewhat hesitantly as he simply didn't know the town. He reasoned that he didn't look like too bad a character; if he was a nutter or belligerent, he certainly did a good job of hiding it.
"Indeed!" Anikus greeted. "Just stopped in here for some rest, m'self," he added nonchalantly.
His eyes wandered to the attractive lass gambling nearer the back of the tavern for a moment, then back to Telchi. "What brings you to this hive of scum and villainy?" Anikus joked.
Two figures in cloaks passed by his table, which just so happened to have two places available. He gestured to them that spaces were available.
"Indeed!" Anikus greeted. "Just stopped in here for some rest, m'self," he added nonchalantly.
His eyes wandered to the attractive lass gambling nearer the back of the tavern for a moment, then back to Telchi. "What brings you to this hive of scum and villainy?" Anikus joked.
Two figures in cloaks passed by his table, which just so happened to have two places available. He gestured to them that spaces were available.
#7
Vithar Megilaglar
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- Godmodders
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Warrior Philosopher of RPGF
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Location:
Classified Tier One -
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Saving the world, yet again. *Geez.* -
Position:Strategist
Posted 24 November 2009 - 11:50 PM
Prose Convention established: coloured italics represent telepathic dialogue.
--Redcoat
Takeshi sighed invisibly.
"Sakura, do you think he's...?"
"He doesn't seem to mean any harm. We can keep our hoods up. It's not like we intended to stay or anything."
"Point taken. Well, since he's offering..."
Takeshi and Sakura walked over to the proffered seats.
Takeshi spoke, his voice smooth and flowing for a tavern goer, as well as quiet. "Thank you, sir. We are merely wearied travellers. It is good to see some in this city aren't cold hearted."
--Redcoat
Takeshi sighed invisibly.
"Sakura, do you think he's...?"
"He doesn't seem to mean any harm. We can keep our hoods up. It's not like we intended to stay or anything."
"Point taken. Well, since he's offering..."
Takeshi and Sakura walked over to the proffered seats.
Takeshi spoke, his voice smooth and flowing for a tavern goer, as well as quiet. "Thank you, sir. We are merely wearied travellers. It is good to see some in this city aren't cold hearted."
#8
Chef
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Posted 25 November 2009 - 02:44 PM
Grimlain turned in his hair when he heard someone in a red coat sitting at a table near him with a few others remark on how this place was filled with "scum and villainy." Maybe this wasn't a good place to be after all. Well, Grimlain thought to himself. At least they have good ale here. Hopefully their food is just as well made. Grimlain turned back towards the bar, but listened in on the conversation that the people at the table near him, wondering what they were doing here if they didn't like the atmosphere.
Soon a plate of hot food was set in front of Grimlain by the bartender.
"Here ya are, sir," he said to him.
Grimlain nodded and dropped a few coins on the table to pay for his food and drink. Grimlain glanced back over at the man with the red coat. He was a very odd character with his strange attire. His looks differed from most of the people in the tavern and made him kind of stand out. Grimlain turned back to his food after a few seconds, not wanting anyone to notice he was eavesdropping. He was too tired for another fight...
Soon a plate of hot food was set in front of Grimlain by the bartender.
"Here ya are, sir," he said to him.
Grimlain nodded and dropped a few coins on the table to pay for his food and drink. Grimlain glanced back over at the man with the red coat. He was a very odd character with his strange attire. His looks differed from most of the people in the tavern and made him kind of stand out. Grimlain turned back to his food after a few seconds, not wanting anyone to notice he was eavesdropping. He was too tired for another fight...
#9
Lyon
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- Godmodders
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Lord Starblade
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Location:
Grado -
Endeavors:
Multiple RPs, and as much recruiting as I can do. -
Position:El Capitan
Posted 25 November 2009 - 03:33 PM
"What brings you to this hive of scum and villainy?" asked the red-coated stranger, seeming good-natured enough that Telchi had joined him at his table.
"I've been looking for work," said Telchi. "But I've had no luck... the only blades they hire around here are the blades of plows for the farms around the city. I thought I could find someone in need of a guard, but apparently nobody has been traveling lately." As the Selken made his response, two cloaked figures joined them at the table at the invitation of the red-cated man.
"Thank you, sir. We are merely wearied travellers. It is good to see some in this city aren't cold hearted," said one of the newcomers in an accented voice. Telchi grinned crookedly.
"I wouldn't count on that. Spending enough time in this cesspit would be enough to freeze the soul of even the kindest chap," he said. He called over the innkeep's son. "An ale, and a platter of food, boy," he said, handing over a few coins. "Make it quick."
"Yessir," said the boy. "Anything else?" he asked, looking around at the table.
~~~
Kaethe noticed the four travelers talking at the table and gave them up as prospective opponents. They were too involved in their conversation. She noticed a man sitting alone, taking deep draughts from a mug of ale, and called out. "Anyone think they can beat me in a game of dice? A gold piece to the winner!" she added, holding it up so it glittered in the light.
A burly man who looked half-drunk sat down across from her. In a matter of minutes, she had defeated him and collected his gold piece. This is effective, but it's too slow, she thought. Then she hit on a plan. Catching the arm of the man as he started to rise, she grinned.
"Your gold piece back if you can defeat me at arm-wrestling," she said with a challenging yet mischievous glint in her eye. She raised her voice. "If you think he's going to beat me, put your money on the table. If I win, I keep it. If he wins, I give you back double your deposit." She was pleased to see several piles of money larger than the one she already had dumped on the table.
Potentially risky, but then again, I can always skip the town if I lose. Not that I plan to. As she and the burly drunk gripped hands, she silently began working a spell invisible to all but the most trained eyes... and even then, only those specifically looking for the spell would find it. She doubted anyone had the magical Sight, but one could never be too careful.
The subtle spell began its work as the two strained to pin the other's arm to the table. Kaethe was far stronger than she looked: in fact, she could probably have defeated the drunk without the aid of spells. But I'm not one to take risks...
Thirty seconds later, Kaethe suddenly flexed and pushed her arm against his in a burst of strength. With a loud slamming noise, she pinned him to the table. There were both cheers and groans as those who had bet against the man collected from their neighbors. Kaethe used her forearm to sweep the piles of money off the table and into an empty haversack she had brought for that purpose.
"Drinks on me!" she shouted, prompting a cheer from the rest of the crowd.
"I've been looking for work," said Telchi. "But I've had no luck... the only blades they hire around here are the blades of plows for the farms around the city. I thought I could find someone in need of a guard, but apparently nobody has been traveling lately." As the Selken made his response, two cloaked figures joined them at the table at the invitation of the red-cated man.
"Thank you, sir. We are merely wearied travellers. It is good to see some in this city aren't cold hearted," said one of the newcomers in an accented voice. Telchi grinned crookedly.
"I wouldn't count on that. Spending enough time in this cesspit would be enough to freeze the soul of even the kindest chap," he said. He called over the innkeep's son. "An ale, and a platter of food, boy," he said, handing over a few coins. "Make it quick."
"Yessir," said the boy. "Anything else?" he asked, looking around at the table.
~~~
Kaethe noticed the four travelers talking at the table and gave them up as prospective opponents. They were too involved in their conversation. She noticed a man sitting alone, taking deep draughts from a mug of ale, and called out. "Anyone think they can beat me in a game of dice? A gold piece to the winner!" she added, holding it up so it glittered in the light.
A burly man who looked half-drunk sat down across from her. In a matter of minutes, she had defeated him and collected his gold piece. This is effective, but it's too slow, she thought. Then she hit on a plan. Catching the arm of the man as he started to rise, she grinned.
"Your gold piece back if you can defeat me at arm-wrestling," she said with a challenging yet mischievous glint in her eye. She raised her voice. "If you think he's going to beat me, put your money on the table. If I win, I keep it. If he wins, I give you back double your deposit." She was pleased to see several piles of money larger than the one she already had dumped on the table.
Potentially risky, but then again, I can always skip the town if I lose. Not that I plan to. As she and the burly drunk gripped hands, she silently began working a spell invisible to all but the most trained eyes... and even then, only those specifically looking for the spell would find it. She doubted anyone had the magical Sight, but one could never be too careful.
The subtle spell began its work as the two strained to pin the other's arm to the table. Kaethe was far stronger than she looked: in fact, she could probably have defeated the drunk without the aid of spells. But I'm not one to take risks...
Thirty seconds later, Kaethe suddenly flexed and pushed her arm against his in a burst of strength. With a loud slamming noise, she pinned him to the table. There were both cheers and groans as those who had bet against the man collected from their neighbors. Kaethe used her forearm to sweep the piles of money off the table and into an empty haversack she had brought for that purpose.
"Drinks on me!" she shouted, prompting a cheer from the rest of the crowd.
#10
Redcoat
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Posted 25 November 2009 - 11:04 PM
Spoiler
Anikus held up two bronze aurum. "An ale and whatever the special is today!" he ordered, turning his attention back to Telchi and the newcomers.
"Aye, travelling's not as popular as it once was, guarded or not," the scholar lamented, his voice darker. "I'm still in the business, you see. I spelunk and explore for a living. Perhaps it's just stories an' hearsay, but lately there's been some pretty nasty news coming out of the north--Hell, and the south, wherever you care to name. But the north--they say there's enough bandits out there to rout the Imperial Army. Wouldn't poke the place with the mast of a ship at this rate."
The food arrived, a simplistic plate of poultry and potatoes--hearty and healthy enough to sustain. From his pocket, Anikus withdrew a splayd and began eating.
"So! Who may you two be?" Anikus asked politely in Takeshi and Sakura's directions.
#11
Vithar Megilaglar
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Posted 26 November 2009 - 12:29 AM
Takeshi sighed again, still invisibly.
"Do you think that he is an enemy?"
"No. From what I learned before leaving, our accents alone would have given us away."
"True. Very true..." Takeshi looked at a window, noting the moon's position. It was still before midnight and the tavern scuttlebutt would diffuse most of their conversation beyond the table. "I think we can trust him with our names, Sakura."
"Indeed." Sakura spoke first, her accent smoother than Takeshi's.
"I am Sakura and this is Takeshi. I assume that this is all you wished to know?"
"Do you think that he is an enemy?"
"No. From what I learned before leaving, our accents alone would have given us away."
"True. Very true..." Takeshi looked at a window, noting the moon's position. It was still before midnight and the tavern scuttlebutt would diffuse most of their conversation beyond the table. "I think we can trust him with our names, Sakura."
"Indeed." Sakura spoke first, her accent smoother than Takeshi's.
"I am Sakura and this is Takeshi. I assume that this is all you wished to know?"
#12
Chef
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Posted 04 December 2009 - 07:58 AM
Grimlain watched the young lady arm wrestle the man with a strange curiosity. It didn't seem possible for a little girl like her to defeat that large oaf. Grimlain gathered around the crowd to observe. When he saw the man's face after he got humiliated in front of everyone who couldn't help but laugh. Grimlain cheered along with the others when the lady ordered drinks for everyone.
Grimlain grabbed a tray of drinks and walked over to the table with the man in the redcoat.
"Do you gentlemen mind if I join you and share a few drinks?" he asked politely, setting the drinks on the table. "I don't know any familiar faces here so I might as well get acquainted with a few people such as yourselves."
Grimlain grabbed a tray of drinks and walked over to the table with the man in the redcoat.
"Do you gentlemen mind if I join you and share a few drinks?" he asked politely, setting the drinks on the table. "I don't know any familiar faces here so I might as well get acquainted with a few people such as yourselves."
Edited by Chef, 04 December 2009 - 07:58 AM.
#13
Vithar Megilaglar
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Posted 05 December 2009 - 01:33 AM
Takeshi looked at the drinks. Alcoholic, yes. Healthy, never.
"Sakura and I will pass on the drinks. Also, for the record, Sakura is not male."
This comment provoked some laughter from the group. Takeshi and Sakura quickly put up mental defenses again. No telling what the denizens of this bar were capable of.
"Sakura, be on the watch. I'm not to trusting of most of these tavern goers. Especially the losers of that bet and...arm wrestle."
"Indeed. That woman is likely a first target..."
"Sakura and I will pass on the drinks. Also, for the record, Sakura is not male."
This comment provoked some laughter from the group. Takeshi and Sakura quickly put up mental defenses again. No telling what the denizens of this bar were capable of.
"Sakura, be on the watch. I'm not to trusting of most of these tavern goers. Especially the losers of that bet and...arm wrestle."
"Indeed. That woman is likely a first target..."
#14
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Posted 05 December 2009 - 01:50 AM
Anikus was about to mention the mental defenses he had detected, but was interrupted by a roar from the other side of the tavern. In front of Kaethe, the gambler, a drunkard had begun shouting at her, flailing his arms wildly and spilling his drink, along with a number of others.
"Give me back my money!" he shouted, his liquor getting the better of him. "You're cheatin'! Cheatin' I swear!"
He was a physically imposing figure, easily taller than most of the other patrons; this image was enhanced by how utterly inebriated the man had become. His breath reeked of ale and not a mild case of halitosis, stemming from the same neglectful maintenance which had cost the seasoned brawler many of his teeth.
The thick-skulled ruffian lunged for Kaethe's bag of winnings, aiming to steal back a fistful of Aurum. Several bystanders prepared for the upcoming show; several others, possibly even more drunk than the first, appeared equally on edge. It had the makings of a grand melee all 'round.
Anikus' eyes widened. "This should be interesting," he quipped. His hand reached for his side--and his trusty sabre.
"Give me back my money!" he shouted, his liquor getting the better of him. "You're cheatin'! Cheatin' I swear!"
He was a physically imposing figure, easily taller than most of the other patrons; this image was enhanced by how utterly inebriated the man had become. His breath reeked of ale and not a mild case of halitosis, stemming from the same neglectful maintenance which had cost the seasoned brawler many of his teeth.
The thick-skulled ruffian lunged for Kaethe's bag of winnings, aiming to steal back a fistful of Aurum. Several bystanders prepared for the upcoming show; several others, possibly even more drunk than the first, appeared equally on edge. It had the makings of a grand melee all 'round.
Anikus' eyes widened. "This should be interesting," he quipped. His hand reached for his side--and his trusty sabre.
#15
Vithar Megilaglar
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Posted 05 December 2009 - 02:09 AM
Takeshi spun to a stance, putting himself in front of the chair and ridding himself of the cloak. Sakura followed doing the same. Takeshi drew one of his katana and unhooked his clay jar from it's belt loop. It'd be useful to avoid actually killing someone here. Sakura did the same with her katana.
Their mythril alloy shone dimly, as though it had it's own glow. Takeshi and Sakura both stepped into a middle stance, both ready to maim or kill.
"Stay away from her, knave!" Takeshi's threat, and notable accent, sounded out over the noise of the tavern, causing several goers to jump and look for the source of the sound.
Sakura moved slightly closer, while her skills lay in archery, she was skilled in swordplay as well.
"Ah, Sakura, this should be interesting."
"Indeed, love. Shall we avoid unneeded killing?"
"Of course, but "unneeded killing" is a loose phrase."
"Indeed."
Their mythril alloy shone dimly, as though it had it's own glow. Takeshi and Sakura both stepped into a middle stance, both ready to maim or kill.
"Stay away from her, knave!" Takeshi's threat, and notable accent, sounded out over the noise of the tavern, causing several goers to jump and look for the source of the sound.
Sakura moved slightly closer, while her skills lay in archery, she was skilled in swordplay as well.
"Ah, Sakura, this should be interesting."
"Indeed, love. Shall we avoid unneeded killing?"
"Of course, but "unneeded killing" is a loose phrase."
"Indeed."
#16
Lyon
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Posted 05 December 2009 - 04:57 PM
Kaethe punched the man smartly in the face, snagging the coins that he had managed to grab. "Now then, you lost fair and square," she said with a cold glare. The man swung at her with his fist, but she dodged easily, backhanding him across the face again. She seized the sack of coins and, as he wound up for a third punch, shouted out.
"Take your money!" With an explosion of angry strength, she swung the bag of coins. The leather, bulging with gold, ripped, but the blow was heavy enough to immediately knock the man unconscious as the coins that had been such a fine weapon scattered across the floor. With a quick gesture, Kaethe closed the rip in the purse and sent the coins zooming back inside. Then, pulling one of her wrist knives, she faced down the other thugs, who were beginning to look menacing. Several had pulled clubs, and one particularly drunk man was wielding a chair.
With a slither of steel, both of Telchi's blades cleared their sheaths. He pointed them at the foremost of the thugs. "She won your money fair and square. Leave her alone."
"Take your money!" With an explosion of angry strength, she swung the bag of coins. The leather, bulging with gold, ripped, but the blow was heavy enough to immediately knock the man unconscious as the coins that had been such a fine weapon scattered across the floor. With a quick gesture, Kaethe closed the rip in the purse and sent the coins zooming back inside. Then, pulling one of her wrist knives, she faced down the other thugs, who were beginning to look menacing. Several had pulled clubs, and one particularly drunk man was wielding a chair.
With a slither of steel, both of Telchi's blades cleared their sheaths. He pointed them at the foremost of the thugs. "She won your money fair and square. Leave her alone."
#17
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Posted 05 December 2009 - 05:19 PM
Anikus rose slowly from his chair and withdrew his sabre melodramatically, trying to perhaps defuse the situation with a threat; quickly, he realized that this was futile, for the grape had clouded the judgement of pretty much everyone present aside from his table. If anything, it managed to raise tensions even further. He had, however, also managed to grab his shield.
"Everyone, let us be ready..." Anikus said telepathically to the group, who, though not all of magical talent, could recieve his message if willing.
Noting the numbers, there were six belligerents and four people on his side including Kaethe--four, if the newcomer Grimlain decided to help them out. Not good odds, but given that at least three of them had magic of some form...
Telchi's threat interrupted the scholar's thoughts, as one of the thugs, brandishing a heavy cylinder of iron, stepped towards the group, followed by his own lackeys. The tavern staff cowered behind their counter, brandishing their own weapons but trying to keep out of everyone's sight; they only hoped someone would resolve the situation.
"You're going to make us?" said the man, staring down Telchi as he readied his weapon and charged Kaethe's defender ferociously, followed by his group, which promptly stampeded like a herd of livid Pinnebeest, overturning tables and rushing the entire table, clubs drawn and bloodlust in their eyes. Kaethe, meanwhile, was mostly ignored by them.
"Everyone, let us be ready..." Anikus said telepathically to the group, who, though not all of magical talent, could recieve his message if willing.
Noting the numbers, there were six belligerents and four people on his side including Kaethe--four, if the newcomer Grimlain decided to help them out. Not good odds, but given that at least three of them had magic of some form...
Telchi's threat interrupted the scholar's thoughts, as one of the thugs, brandishing a heavy cylinder of iron, stepped towards the group, followed by his own lackeys. The tavern staff cowered behind their counter, brandishing their own weapons but trying to keep out of everyone's sight; they only hoped someone would resolve the situation.
"You're going to make us?" said the man, staring down Telchi as he readied his weapon and charged Kaethe's defender ferociously, followed by his group, which promptly stampeded like a herd of livid Pinnebeest, overturning tables and rushing the entire table, clubs drawn and bloodlust in their eyes. Kaethe, meanwhile, was mostly ignored by them.
#18
Vithar Megilaglar
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Posted 05 December 2009 - 07:09 PM
Takeshi and Sakura stepped forward, minds and bodies focused on the charging thugs. Takeshi and Sakura attacked like mirror images, sidestepping and spinning and slashing two of the thugs' hamstrings, causing them to fall to their knees. Takeshi brought his left hand, holding a heavy clay jar, down. It slammed into the thug's head with a sickening thunk. Sakura did the same with a nearby stein. They instantly put themselves on the offensive, their stances clearly betraying violent intent to the tavern goers. It was unlikely to deter the other thugs; they wanted their money, and two warriors with dimly glowing blades weren't going to stop them.
"This will...get bloody, Sakura."
"Indeed. But it will be entertaining."
"Of course. A pity, though. Or not. Their loss."
"This will...get bloody, Sakura."
"Indeed. But it will be entertaining."
"Of course. A pity, though. Or not. Their loss."
#19
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Posted 05 December 2009 - 10:45 PM
Grimlain jumped into the brawl. A fat thug dived at him and slammed him into a table. Grimlain grabbed a glass from the table and smashed it over the oaf's head, knocking him out cold. Grimlain kicked the limp body of the man to the side. He saw a man brandishing a club. This was getting a little dangerous. Someone might even be killed. Grimlain picked up one of the wooden chairs by him and smashed it into the thug's back, sending him flailing to the ground. The man got up off of his feet and attacked Grimpain with a hoizontal strike that Gimlain managed to narrowly dodge and counter with a knockout punch.
Grimlain looked at his bloody knuckles and sighed. This is getting a little out of hand, he thought to himself.
Grimlain looked at his bloody knuckles and sighed. This is getting a little out of hand, he thought to himself.
#20
Redcoat
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Posted 06 December 2009 - 12:44 AM
Anikus was engaged in a dangerous face-off with a man at least his size and a half. The scholar held back; there were a hundred opportunities to simply run the man through, but murder was not on that day's to-do list. His sabre could not simply block his opponent's ferocious swipes; a club would shatter his sword and do no good. As he nimbly--and barely--dodged his opponent's strikes, he reasoned that the direct approach with a minimum of finesse was the perfect way to solve this equation.
"Solution!" he shouted, as he backhanded the man across the face with his shield. The blow sent the man reeling, which only managed to make him angrier--it also managed to give Anikus a chance to sheathe his sword, removing a burden.
His fortunes turned, however, as another man with a club brought it down across the scholar's back. Anikus was sent to the ground, as pain zapped through him like lightning. He turned over to see the man preparing to swing down at him with a chair--helpless, he held up his arms to protect himself.
"Solution!" he shouted, as he backhanded the man across the face with his shield. The blow sent the man reeling, which only managed to make him angrier--it also managed to give Anikus a chance to sheathe his sword, removing a burden.
His fortunes turned, however, as another man with a club brought it down across the scholar's back. Anikus was sent to the ground, as pain zapped through him like lightning. He turned over to see the man preparing to swing down at him with a chair--helpless, he held up his arms to protect himself.
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