Dragon's Egg - Act I

[Ankari]

The little runt tries to slip off the stool. I grab him by the shoulder and twist him back towards the bar.

"Sit. After I finish with the barkeep, I'll have questions for you. Besides, my companions don't want anything to do with you until they're answered."

 

[Philip Overby]

Damn. Almost.

"What questions do you have for me, oh majestic elf? I could write quite the song about you. The curvature of your ears. Your...hair. Your..."

What do elves like? Trees? Bows and arrows?

"...bow made of unicorn hair and angel tears. Yes, that would be quite majestic indeed."

 

[Sparkie]

"Do not deny them their arms. The fire of life is in the heart of all women, and their presence on the field of battle brings honor to all."

1st of Battles - Codex 4:4,984

Leave it to Baldhart to display understanding. That, and the whole 'sisterly' thing. I just sit and observe Baldhart with the young girl, feeling only a slight bit of envy at her way with people.

Out of the corner of my eye, I see Ankari and the Gnat getting into it already. If nothing else, Nodrick should provide a spectacle. Whether it be an amusing spectacle or an annoying one remains to be seen.

 

[SeverinR]

Sitting in an out of the way table, back to the wall, I sit sipping my ale watching the new arrivals.
My hood remains up, knowing that some might not like elves in their establishment. The tricks of the trade, know when to blend in and when to stand out for profit.


amusing tail by the girl, heard many a tall tale in my traveling show days, she be a good story teller.

I make a note of the people scowling at the elves that just arrived, watchin them for trouble. But listen to the conversation with the girl.
if'n them racists look for a brawl, I stay with me ale, if'n they lookin for death bringin, I be bringin it to dem from behind. Not sittin by let a elf get a blade for no otter reason then bein an elf. If the new arrivals fight amongst themselves, they must have a reason, no business o mine.

 

[Phietadix]

I feel a cetain uneasiness. As if we're being watched. I begin to look around the inn.

 

[Steerpike]

The barkeep looks pleased when Ankari starts to conduct business, though he seems to keep an ever-wary eye on Nodrick.

"The food and drink'll run you a silver a head for basic fare. There's rabbit in the pot, and what vegetables we can manage. The ale's good and the bread was fresh-baked this morning. Two silver a head'll get you wine instead of ale, straight up from the southlands, and a jar of my wife's cloudberry jam to go with bread. Fresh made, this past season. Rooms run five silver each, and they're all about the same."

When Ankari asks about Aslaug, the closest patron at the bar stiffens and pauses, mid-drink. The proprietor gives Ankari a fresh look, as though re-assessing him. His eyes flick to Nodrick again as well. No one else appears to have heard the questions.

"That's a bad business you're asking to get involved in, friend. I don't know that its much the concern of outsiders, what happened to that girl. In any event, it ain't for me to say. You'll want to talk to her uncle directly. Temple of Tyr is in the center of town. You can't miss it. But go easy on the old man. That girl was all he had. They were all each other had.

Temple of Gefjon's here in town now too. Priestess by the name of Helgabjorg, or Helga as we all say around here. Friendly enough, though she ain't got the gift Aslaug had. As for who stands to profit - well, you take a look around and it won't take you long to see there ain't no one here better off with Aslaug gone."

The barkeep wipes the bar with a cloth as he speaks, though there is no evidence that it needs wiping.

"Northland's always been more dangerous, what with goblins, orcs, and the like roaming around. Worse things too, I reckon. Back in the day, was said dwarves watched the mountain passes, kept 'em clear of vermin. Now I guess they just stay down in their holes. Like I say, the north has always been dangerous, but it got a damn sight worse once Aslaug was gone. You travel north of the old temple, it won't take you long to see what I mean. It's like the land itself has a taint over it."

The barkeep looks about to say more when a girl of about twelve steps up to the bar and slaps a silver piece on the table.

"Looks like I'm eating today, Grim!" she says.

The barkeep, Grim, apparently, says "Excuse me," and nods to Ankari and Nodrick, then calls a barmaid over to fetch a plate for the girl. By this time, other patrons are demanding refills of their ale, and he goes off to help them as well.

* *

Baldhart arrives next to the girl just as she announces she's going to be eating and slaps the coin on the counter. Her eyes widen when she sees Baldhart, and after Baldhart finishes speaking, the girl blurts out "You are tall!"

She reddens for a moment, then tries to compose herself. Still, when her words come, they come pouring out with hardly a pause between sentences. "Oh, my name's Burnbright, or Burn since that's what everyone calls me. It's not my real name, just a nickname they gave to me when I was little on account of, well I'm not sure what it was on account of but it stuck, and so now that's all they call me. I guess most of them here don't know my real name or even that I have a real one. What's Baldhart mean, by the way? Is that your real name? Are you new in town? Well, that's stupid, of course you are, because I would have seen you before if weren't. Just so you know, I can do all kinds of things you might want done, like deliver messages to people, or go get stuff for you. I'm real honest, and if you send me to pick something up I won't keep the money and run off or anything. I'm fast too. I can beat most of the boys, and especially that fat-butt Jofurr over there. Don't you worry about him, I'm not afraid of him unless he tries to sit on me, and he's too slow to do that. Did I mention I run messages? Do you need to send one? I'm cheap, but I do my job right. People around here say they never seen anyone deliver messages and stuff faster than me, and if there's a reply I bring that back fast too, and..."

About the time Baldhart begins to wonder if the girl ever breathes, Grim shows up with a steaming bowl of stew. Burnbright hesitates a moment, as though she's trying to decide exactly how proper she wants to be in front of potential new business, then apparently gives up on the idea altogether and tucks into the stew with a vengeance. She raises a finger to indicate that she'll be ready to talk again in a moment.

* *

The group gathered around the table takes in the events of the common room. As time passes, a few more townsfolk trickle in and those already inside get further and further into their cups. The party continues to get more than its share of looks, and a man sitting just within earshot of Cadell, Rydh, and Matthew raises his voice to be heard over his comrades: "I'd just like to know why we suddenly got elves coming up here pokin' around, that's all I'm sayin!" He is looking at his companions, not at Cadell or Rydh, or anyone else at the table, and apart from that statement the rest of his words are lost as he lowers his voice again.

Matthew scans the room, watching the bustles of people laughing, eating, and drinking. At a table near the door, an arm wrestling match breaks out and a few laughing men slap silver pieces onto the table next to the contestants. A lone figure sits at one table, back to the wall and his hood drawn up, obscuring his face. He seems to be watching the room as well.

 

[Phietadix]

I get up and walk toward the lone figure. Experiecne has taught me that such men often are useful.

 

[Ankari]

I pull out three gold coins and set them on the bar. ((Two rooms, and upgraded meals for 6)).

"Excuse me, barkeep. One more question then we'll consider our business complete. Who is this mutilated goblin and why do you keep looking at him as if he may steal this tavern if he could manage to rip it from its foundations?"

 

[Ireth]

My hackles rise as someone nearby demands to know why there are elves in the area. I hold my tongue and do not turn or acknowledge him; inviting trouble would be an unwise and imprudent move. But it seems we may have it, whether we invite it or not.

I look around, seeing a cloaked figure huddled in a corner of the room. Matthew rises to approach him, and I consider following, but decide against it, not wanting to seem antagonizing to the cloaked figure -- more trouble my company and I do not need. I sit still and watch, just in case trouble does arise and I am needed.

 

[Sparkie]

Every True Soldier

Must know how to follow orders,

But also how to give them.

Learn to lead

By example and deed,

and know when address your troop.

Psalms of War - Codex 8:764, 765

*****​

It seems that there's no better time to make our intentions clear. The stranger nearby has practically invited me to speak. So I stand up, move to the center of the room, clap, and call for attention.

"Excuse me, everyone. Please pardon my interruption of your refreshments, but it's been called to my attention that there's some curiosity as to why we strangers have arrived here in Srilkind. Allow me to assure you, our intentions are to aid and not to oppress.

"We've come because word has traveled far across the sea to the south that there is evil at work here in the north. We've heard of a curse that afficts this land and it's people. We are here to help. We've come a long way across the sea for the express pupose of reaching out to our fellows and ending this curse if we can.

"Even on our journey here, we encountered some of the evil which has caused so much misery here. Our ship, the Bladnir, was attacked by monstrous beings en route to port. They did indeed manage to murder a child of this very town before we could act. But we killed those demons and threw their bodies back into the deep from whence they came.

"We are not heroes. We are not villans. We are simply two humans, two elves, and a half-blood elf hoping to bring relief to the people of the north. We do not arrive expecting anything from you, but we do ask for peaceful relations with you kind folk of Srilkind. We wish to earn your trust by acting on our good intentions and lifting you from the oppression of this evil threatening you. Until we earn that trust, however, we understand your suspicion. Just understand that we are not here to cause harm to any of you. We're here to help."

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

"Please. Eat, Burnbright. And by the way, it is a beautiful name. It has a much nicer ring to it than Bear Wrestler!

"Oh, dear! You eat as fast as you talk. I hope I have time to answer all of your questions.

"Baldhart is my real name. It means 'bold and strong.' My family name is Eisenberg, which means 'Iron Mountain.' I am from the peak of the Iron Mountain. I'm not sure what you northerners call it, or if you are familiar with my homeland. It is my real name, and my father is… a man who taught me not to boast.

"I just arrived to the north for the first time. Your question is not stupid at all. Those who live at the base of my mountain—seaside especially—see travelers come and go all the time. But this is the first time I've come and gone anywhere.

"I have neither gold nor need of a message at this time, but you are a very charming young lady. If I can send any business your way, I will. As long as it is safe, I mean. If I ever ask you to head down a dangerous path, you must be honest and tell me so. You are worth so much more than a fistful of coins."

A thought crosses my mind.

"Speaking of coins… excuse me, dear.

"Grim, is it? Baldhart." I offer the barkeep a handshake. "I have two questions.

"First, those men who arm wrestle. Do they play for money?

"Second, I have on me a bottle of wine from the vineyards of my iron mountain. Where I come from, the barkeeps frown upon patrons bringing their own goods. However, I do not intend to drink this here. I hope that the men will accept the wine if I lose. If I win, I would ask that the men pay for Burnbright's next meals—two silver's worth. It's what the bottle cost me and not a copper more.

"I will only approach the arm wrestlers, Grim, if you permit this. My father and uncle run a tavern at the peak. They run other businesses as well. They often say, 'the customer is always right, as long as I agree with him.'

So, do you agree with what I wish to do?—for Burnbright?"

 

[SeverinR]

Watching the approaching human suspiciously, I also cast a glance at the reactions of the loud mouth and friends.
One hand above the table holding my ale, the other rests on my sword, for possible trouble from the anti-elf group or this approaching human.
I lean back slightly to show I see the human approaching, nod.
"Good day human. You buying this round?" and motion to the empty chair across from me. "You be with dem elves over there?"

keep an eye on the newcomers, one other was eyeing me, and the elves might still get someone sneakin up on them.

 

[Phietadix]

"I would if I could, but I have no money, to spare or otherwise."
I then remember that I had saved most of Baldhart's ale for a rainy day. I pull it out of my bag.
"I could let you have some of this fine ale, however."
I notice his hand moving down to his sword.
"No need for weapons, I mean you no harm unless you wish to harm me or my allies."
I say motioning my compaions, most of whom are elves like this fellow.

 

[Philip Overby]

Stay quiet, Nod. Just soak it all in. Your mouth gets you in trouble. Always in trouble. Be friendly. Nice, Nod. Nice, Nod.

I turn my best puppy dog look up to Ankari. "May I play a song?" I whisper it, so either way he answers, the answer is going to be "Yes."

I focus in on the group that seems to be disgusted with all these pointy eared basta--nice elves. I'll play a bawdy bar song. The barkeep won't mind I'm sure. He always loves my songs. Doesn't he? I can't believe I got back in here! Maybe if I play the right song, I can find the right sucker--uh, friend to attach to.

I pull out my flute, calling out to the group. "It's awful quiet in here." No, it's not, Nod. What a stupid-- "I mean, who would like a nice song?" I start playing. Everyone loves the Distraction Song. Look over here. My song is a snake. Become mesmerized. It's so sweet right? You don't want to hurt old Nod. You don't want to hurt anyone. Distraction Song. Distraction Song. Avoiding Any Bashing Song.

 

[SeverinR]

Save your fermented juice, I am called Aliron, means shadow walker.
Your group looks to be well rounded, except maybe you need the assistance of someone with nimbleness rather then brawn?
I'll buy this time. tosses a silver on the table, and drops the hand back to the sword. Maybe ya need someone with street smarts?
Only keeping the blade ready for trouble from dem loud mouths.

Is da flute-man with you too? He plays good, i've heard worse but I've heard better. Grew up in a travelling show, ya know.

 

[Phietadix]

"Any Assistence you can give would be appreicated. And I'll do my best to compenstae you."
I look over toward the little bard
"I'm not sure if he's with us or not."

 

[SeverinR]

"all I ask is a fair share for a fair risk. I am looking for a money making venture."

 

[Phietadix]

"Money may be found in our journey it might not be. You could get your weight in gold or go into poverty or worse, death. Are you willing to take the risk?"

 

[Steerpike]

As Matthew and Aliron converse, Ankari is purchasing room and board at the bar. The barkeep, Grim, takes the coins and gives an approving nod as he judges the weight of them in his palm. Considering Ankari's question about Nodrick, Grim says: "That one there's trouble. Watch your coin purse around him, lad. He's welcome to stay if he doesn't start nothing and he keeps his hands to himself, but I've not got much patience for those who would harm my guests."

As Grim finishes with a last look at Nod, and a snort, Rydh launches into a speech at the center of the Hooded Crow. For the first part of it there is still a smattering of conversation, but people quickly grow quiet as Rydh's tale progresses. When the attack on the Bladnir is mentioned, many in the room look to the table where the Bladnir crew sit, drinking, seeking confirmation from those men, most of whom are known in the town. A few nods from that table seem to confirm what Rydh is saying.

When Rydh finished, there is more muttering, and the man who spoke loudly about elves moments before pushes himself up from his table and approaches the group. He keeps his hands up, away from the long knife hanging from his belt. "I reckon you heard what I said, then." He takes a good look at everyone. "I don't know much 'bout elves, truth be told. I admit it. What I heerd tell as a lad always involved magic and secrets and elves not takin' kindly to humans."

He looks Cadell in the eye. "Way I hear it, your kind kill humans who stumble into yer forest, just for bein' there." The man sports a long moustache, which he stokes with a couple of fingers. "Well, we are in a right mess up here, that's true. But I reckon we don't need folks makin' it worse by bringing southland ways and southland magic up here and sticking their ears in places that don't concern 'em. There's something up there, north o' that old temple, and we don't need folk makin' it any madder than it already is. I appreciate what you did fer the Bladnir. We need those supplies, there's no doubt about it. But meddling in what's goin' on up here is liable to bring a lot more hurt down on us."

He looks around one more time. "Well, then, I've said my peace. Ain't nothing to fight over. Just a difference of opinion." The man gives a less than pleasant smile, showing a missing front tooth.

Burnbright continues to wolf down her meal, listening attentively to Baldhart and nodding at the appropriate times. When Baldhart mentions a dangerous path, she raises a finger, swallows what's in her mouth, and says "I'm not scared of anything. You can ask anyone you want, and they'll tell you. And I'm small and sneaky too, so I can even go scout for you if you want. I won't even charge much. I want to be an adventurer like you and your friends. You don't have to be big to adventure, you know. I bet if I ever saw any orcs or goblins I'd beat them senseless before they even knew I was there!"

As Burnbright continues her speculations on what she might do to goblins, orcs, or even ogres, Baldhart poses her question to Grim, who has come over to take Burnbright's now-empty plate. Grim shrugs. "They play for money. If you want to join 'em, feel free. Whatever you decide to bet is between you. Long as there's no trouble, you can arm wrestle all night long if you want."

The man then leans in closer. "I've heard what you're talking about to Burn, here. I don't know what you've got in mind. She's a bit strong-headed, and she'd probably follow you up north whether you paid her or not. There's plenty here in Srilkind wouldn't take kindly to that. She's got no family. No parents, no brothers, no sisters. So this village is kind o' her family and there are those of us here who watch out for her. You don't go bringing her to any harm, hear?" He grins and steps back, nonchalantly.

As the conversation at the bar is wrapping up, and with the loudmouth still standing beside the table of companions, Nodrick launches into his flute performance. The sound permeates the room, and people seem to perk up a bit. Some of the tension by the bar and the group's table drains away. The loud-mouth looks over toward Nodrick and mutters "Oh, it's the runt. Hell, he ain't half bad."

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

"I appreciate your words, but you have misunderstood me." I whisper to Grim, "I would also not take to kindly to anyone who puts this little girl in harm's way."

Then I head to the men and ask, "May I play?" Once I see that I have the men's attention, I show the bottle of wine. "This is from the vineyards of the Iron Mountain in the south. My homeland. If we arm wrestle, and I lose, the bottle is yours. If I win, I want nothing for myself. I only ask that two silver be put on Brightburn's tab."

I'm not sure how to interpret their curious glances at each other, so I ask as kindly as possible, "Please, gentlemen. Just one arm wreslting match for charity." I humbly add, "Or for wine, if I am not as good at this game as I hope to be."