Dragon's Egg - Act III

[Legendary Sidekick]

Mauve! Good timing!

"Ha, ha… I uh… convinced him to finish my little project by morning instead of afternoon. So now you just need to give him some business."

I lead Mauve inside, and tell the leather worker, "This is the friend I was telling you about."

I smile shyly while standing close to Mauve.

"Go ahead, Mauve. Tell him what you need."

 

[Nihal]

"Hah, uhm, right." I follow her inside, intending to ask why the funny face later. Did he ogle her? I wonder what she would do if a man with crooked teeth and a stinky mouth leaned closer to suggest what he suggested after looking down her shirt. I smile.

"Hello, sir. I need some nice leather boots. I need also some items repaired, my belt, my backpack..." I trail off, realizing how shortsighted I was. How could I miss this detail? I clear my throat. "I am hoping this will not take too much time, for I can try but I do not have a replacement, to, you know, put my stuff while you are repairing it." I smile shyly. I'm so stupid!

"I also need some clothes. Male clothing will do, trousers are convenient for people who move a lot like me. I need a cloak, uhm, and I could make use of a dress also. Do you have a snatchel? It must be small. Oh, I need thread and a needle; also some simple strips of soft cloth for my... uh... eye." I felt empowered by my success with the blacksmith, but now I'm feeling nervous again. "Would you happen to know where they sell bandages?"

I glance at Baldhart. "I hope you still have some free space in your bag."

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

"Of course…"

I open the backpack that contained my punctured scale mail until some minutes ago. I bend my knees to lower myself, still aware of how he looked at me. No way I would wear men's trousers. The looks I get in a dress are bad enough.

The way you look is perfect for battle. Don't be so hard on yourself.

 

[SeverinR]

Bressel:
"When you get a chance, I would like to know the price of this breastplate, My friend is good enough to loan me money."

"If I buy it, I will also be interested in selling this ringmail. Would you take the ringmail and 55 gold for the breastplate? Providing of course that it fits me."

Aliron
"Would you happen to know where I might purchase a mirror?"

 

[Nihal]

Leatherworker

I start to transfer my belongings to her backpack, biting my lips to not chuckle then leaning closer and whispering, "What happened you were all red?"

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

"I completely misunderstood his look," I whisper back. "I tried 'using my allure' like you did, but I just amused him. He could see my discomfort, but he was happy I brought him more business. That's all he meant by 'making it worth his while' he explained to me. I feel silly, but anyway, he'll finish his work sooner."

I speak normally, "The smith, on the other hand, won't finish my armor repair until dusk tomorrow. I hope we can stay that long… I don't think I can convince him to work faster."

 

[Nihal]

"Aww, I am afraid you was not born to do this." I giggle. "That's fine, I should not have mentioned this." I give sympathetic taps on her shoulder.

"About your armor, that does not sound good. I mean, let the stupid elf ignore the obvious and think we will be there forever—hopefully he will stay here and leave us alone—, but you should consider having it repaired in another village," I answer in a low voice. "We still have to decide what we shall do tomorrow..." I shrug my shoulders.

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

"I tried telling Mother that," I say. "As for armor… I suppose I could buy, but I'm not sure if the beast hide will be better than what the smith is selling. If I can afford it. How I about I go with you at midnight to see what he's got?"

 

[Keitsumah]

I make my way back to the village, a clump of long grass and several branches that i can make into staffs. My pockets bulge with small, round stones, and I try not to notice the amused glances cast my way as Batos gingerly carries the sack of berries in his jaws.

Berries added to previous stash[1d20+0] = 1+0 = 1
((Let's just say this was what happened earlier))

Okay, so I hadn't been very successful in getting more than a single berry. In my defense, those bushes were covered with thorns! My hands are still stinging from that.

Voices catch my attention, and i turn to see Baldart and Mauve. "Hey guys!" i call, walking over towards them. I try to look semi-dignified, nearly overflowing with my findings:

[1d20+0] = 1+0 = 1
((Oh God what happened to my luck...? ))

But apparently luck is not on my side, i am nearly falling over and turn a shade of red as i hear two men laughing at my predicament. Batos tries to growl, but with the bag in his mouth he gets no more than a garbled noise past. Oh well, i kinda deserve it. Who would be nuts enough to go and get such materials anyways? And what for? Well, at least i know what for. The grass can be made into rope if i am careful with it -though it may not be the strongest- and the stones can be used as ammo for a slingshot if i can get the grass to cooperate with me. The branches can be used to make staffs, which are the base of many weapons such as spears, and maybe if i can examine them more closely i can even make a bow along with some arrows.

 

[Nihal]

Leatherworker

"Yes. And take someone like... uh, Masama with us. Just for precaution. Or you could wait a couple of days to have your armor done in another place... Let's discuss our next move over the dinner. I have some notions I would like to share."

A familiar voice call us. I throw a glance over my shoulder and whisper unhapply to Baldhart before the elf joins us, "Do you mind telling the wolf girl how stupid is it to bring her wolf back to the town? I am starting to suspect these elves have soft brains and I do not have the patience for it now."

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

"Masama… he's babysitting right now! Ha, ha!" Oh… I do NOT want to explain about Branwen in public, and even less so do I want Mauve to think I am. "That reminds me, I bought my little cousin a dress." I pull out the baby clothes.



Really Baldy? Do you have to show her my clothes now?

Just so Mauve knows I'm not talking about Branwen. I'd hate to do something that looks stupid to her.



"Isn't it adorable?"

Wait. What? Berries—yay!

Oh, dear… I guess Keit saved me from Mauve's wrath.

"Keitsumah… um, how about Bressel and I join you later to pick some more. I do enjoy berry-picking." Apologetically, I add, "The villagers accept that Batos is not evil, but it's clear they don't want him in town. I'm so sorry… is he okay to remain on the outskirts alone so you can join us for dinner at the tavern?"

 

[Nihal]

I frown. Those clothes would not fit Branwen. Her cousin would be...? I chuckle, picturing Nissa in these clothes.

"I shall buy our little girl some clothes as well. Possibly something for Burnbright too... you can never have too many clothes!" I turn to the girl, "Do you have spare clothes?"

 

[Keitsumah]

I smile apologetically. "Sorry -Batos was carrying the bag for me and i forgot. Could you set that down, boy? Maybe you can go hunting and find some deer." i suggest, and the wolf nods, setting the bag at my feet before heading out of town. Still, he glances at me once before he rounds a corner and vanishes.

I just manage to keep a good grip on the branches as i toe the bag onto my foot, and then kick it into the air and catch it on top of the pile. "I planned on making some slingshots and rope with the grass, and staffs, spears or bows with the branches. One can never be unprepared in the forest!"

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

I tell Keit, "Maybe you can come to my room before dinner. You're the only one among us who can prepare berry fondu like Mother did."


Berry fondu? What the f—?

Well… I thought that would make it obvious I mean don't do magic where people can see the blue glowy hand thing.

And if it isn't?


I whisper to Keit, "I mean don't do magic where people can see the blue glowy hand thing. You can make Goodberries in my room, and I'll help you pick more in the morning. I think Bressel would enjoy this as well—or at least be good at it."

 

[Steerpike]

Aldar leaves the blacksmith's shop, promising to return soon to pick up the item he requested. Mauve flirts with the man a bit more, then pulls Burnbright out of the store, handing her the knife. Burnbright stops, examining the knife excitedly.

"Mauve, you didn't have to get me this. I love it! I'm going to keep this with me always. I can even pay you back. Well...maybe. The only money I have is really Baldhart's. Grim is holding it for me. Maybe when we get back to the inn Baldhart will let me keep some of it."

As the two walk, a familiar face moves toward them on the street. It is Joffur. When he sees Mauve and Burnbright, he starts to take a wide arc around the two, but Burnbright calls out to him. "Joffur...hey!" She runs a few paces ahead, and by the time Mauve catches up, Burnbright has shown the boy her knew knife. Joffur's face is red, as it always seems to be.

"...anyway," says Burnbright, "I just wanted to say thanks. You know, for saving me from those things in Srilkind. I'm sorry you got hurt doing it."

Joffur reddens further and fumbles with a couple of copper coins in his hands. "It was nothin'." He clearly wants to say something else, but it takes him a few moments to spit it out. "Look, Burn, I'm sorry I grabbed your arse. I wouldn't have...I mean, it's just that Skari and some of the others..."

Burnbright reddens with the memory. "You need to pay less attention to those other boys."

Joffur nods a bit sullenly, and it suddenly occurs to Burnbright that Mauve is standing there and hasn't been introduced. She introduces Joffur as a boy from Srilkind, and introduces Mauve as a friend and one of the adventurers who fought off lizards under the temple of Gefjon. Joffur initially casts a doubtful eye toward Mauve, but as he takes in her eye patch and her gear, he seems more impressed. Or it may be the fact that Mauve's shirt is still tugged down a bit.

Joffur turns back to Burnbright and stammers a bit. "I-I'm fine now, by the way." He shows Burnbright his healed wounds. "That elf lady healed me back at Grim's place."

Burnbright nods. "That's Liadan. She's good at that. But what are you going to do now? Do you have a place to stay?"

Joffur says "Yeah, Skari has some kin here through his dad's side. I was just talking to them. I'll stay there until it is safe to go back to Srilkind." He jingles the coin in his purse. "Which reminds me, I'm supposed to be buy some food for tonight, so I better go."

Burnbright rises up on her tip-toes and kisses Joffur on the cheek. "Thanks again, for Srilkind."

Joffur blushes furiously and walks briskly away. Burnbright looks at Mauve and says "What? At least I'm not falling out of my shirt. Not that I could..."

The two continue toward the leatherworker, where they see Baldhart.

Cadell and Liadan browse the carpenter's shop. The man has a wide variety of items on display, from functional objects such as tables and chairs, to children's toys. The two lutes are prominently displayed, but it takes a moment of looking around to find a small drum attached to a belt-like strap. The carpenter himself doesn't disturb the two elves as they browse, content to sit in one corner of the store and work at a small carving with his knife.

Bressel offers the blacksmith his ring mail, plus fifty-five gold in exchange for a breastplate. The blacksmith looks doubtful. "This ring mail ain't worth all that much, ta be honest. Still, I done more business today than I've seen in months. How about we call it the ring mail and sixty gold? I got a nice bronze breastplate I could have fit for ye by morning. Looks like I'm to be up all night as it is."

When Aliron asks about a mirror, the man directs him to the first shop immediately to the right of the stairs from docks. "Lots of odds and ends there. Mostly fishin' gear, but ol' Deni's got a bit o' just about everything. I know fer a fact he's got a few mirrors. If you can find them in all that junk he's collected."

When Keitsumah comes back into town, the fearful looks start again. People yank back children, making sure they keep close as the wolf walks by. There is some puzzlement as to what the wolf is carrying in its mouth, but for the most part the villagers are too concerned about safety to give too much consideration to what the wolf might be holding. Keitsumah meets up with Baldhart and Mauve, and after a few moments instructs Batos to head back toward the wood. As he runs out of town, there is pointing and whispering from some of the village children, who seem more enthralled with the idea of a tame wolf than their parents.

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

"So that's where my money is," I say to Burnbright. In that case, I better see Grim.

When I get to Grim I'll ask for my money, and also whether he told his runner to retrieve the beast hide from Sir Matthew. If I can have better armor than the scale, it may be silly to repair it. After all, I need to save up. Maybe I can find a war horse in another village! Or a war pony… if it can handle me.

I see Bressel coming from the smith's. "You look pretty happy," I tell him. "What did you buy?"

 

[Nihal]

Before the leatherworker

"You like the boy!" I playfully squeeze Burnbright's cheek when he leaves, delighted with the idea. "And he likes you, Burn" I add, grinning.

I laugh at her comment about my shirt. "No one has touched me, girl. A smile, a peek, it makes men much more... receptive and it doesn't hurt. Not that you should act like this, you are too young. Take my advice, do not act like me, hah."

I chew at this discovery the rest of the way. Before this, I had the intention of making sure these people got the "parting gift" they deserved, but now I must consider it more carefully. The Srilkind's survivors are to stay here some time, also, if they died would the children at the temple be able to fend for themselves? I could always postpone their punishment, but the boy is a threat to Burnbright, he's not like she, me or her mother. She shouldn't mix with these people. The girl is already troubled by all the recent events, she would get heartbroken if she found out that more people died. But it's not only for a better world, it's also for her own good.

Oh, I hate those moral dilemmas!

 

[Ireth]

Cadell

It doesn't take me long to find the drum, and I look it over curiously. It is just as well-made as the rest of the items, and seems perfect for my purposes, especially since it is small enough to be portable. I give the taut skin a few experimental taps, smiling at the resonance, and get a beat going. Dum da-da-dum da-da-dum...

Líadan smiles as I stop and turn to her. "Decided to become a bard, have you? Excellent choice."

I smile back, shrugging one shoulder. "It seemed the most obvious choice. And who knows, maybe I can help everyone else when they need it. A good song can inspire greatness in others, after all."

She leans in and kisses my cheek. "You already do, dear heart."

I smile and kiss her back, then reluctantly pull away and pick up the drum. Turning to approach the shopkeeper, I speak up, "How much for this drum?"

 

[SeverinR]

Bressel
"I can live with that." He turns to Aliron, who produces a bag from under his tunic and quickly counts out 60gp.
Bressel slips off the ringmail and quickly straps on the breast plate.

Aliron
"Thank you, Fair Smith, I shall check there."

outside in the street
He slaps his breast plate, I got me a good price on the breastplate, I noticed he had some mail in there also. Great prices I am sure. I got this for my ring mail and 60 gp."

Aliron heads to the "Odds and ends" shop?

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

On the Street

"Oh…! That is a good deal. Breast plates were way out of my price range last time I shopped for armor. Thank you!"

I peer back into the leather-worker's shop and tell the girls, "I need to see the smith… alone." I ask Mauve where she'll be next, and offer to look for her here first, there next, or meet her at the tavern if I fail to find her in either shop.




At the Smith's

When I see the smith, I close the door to his shop after entering, then hang up my cloak with my sword-in-scabbard attached.

I approach him. Slowly. Unarmed. Vulnerable.

"Um… it's me again." I speak softly, shyly. "You remember my good friend, Mauve, I'm sure. Well… it turns out she thinks the armor repair will take too long. So I was thinking, perhaps I still pay you the three gold to repair it so it can be sold." Three coins fall from my fingers, one by one. "And since you're having such a great day…"

I undo my leather armor, slowly, as I speak.

"…perhaps you would consider a discount? Say, the scale mail and fifty gold for a breast plate?"

I let the leather fall past my long, bare legs.

"And just so I won't keep my friend Mauve waiting, perhaps you can fit me for the breast plate now." I start to undo the laces on the back of my dress. "Will this be necessary for an accurate fitting, or do you prefer I keep the dress on? I am a maiden after all, but… I do need protection. Everything needs to fit…"

I release the laces, but turn to one side as my loosened clothing folds over.

"…just…"

I hold the front of the dress up so nothing is revealed.

"…right."