The Thirsty Herald Chapter XX

[Bobbo the Beggar]

The Thirsty Herald was empty. The patrons had gone. The owner was gone. The staff was gone. It stood as a memorial to its former days of serving the needs of adventurers from near and far.

When one looked at the building, one wondered why the building was empty. Some thought it strange that such a nicely built building was abandoned, and it was a strange thing.

Not long ago, the Thirsty Herald had been a bustling outpost of Strata and one of the best taverns in the South. The Herald had been under the direction of Oscar Lotus, a great and noble barman. Unfortunately, trouble came to him.

In the chaotic days after Strata had be relinquished by the Tristin before order was established, sympathizers of Troas came to the tavern in the night and kidnapped Oscar. Oscar had been revealed as a friend of the Tristin's and one who had helped with the liberation of Strata.

Though the Tristin sent many search parties out to find Oscar, they returned emptyhanded. The Tristin and Lord Robert Junakin (another lord of Strata who helped reestablish the Tristin's realm) were very saddened by this. For a while, the tavern was abandoned, its staff retreating from fear.

This was the past however. It was now known that those who had kidnapped Oscar were caught and executed. They admitted that they had killed Oscar. The danger was gone, but so was the Thirsty Herald's lifeblood.

Seeing that the tavern was now safe, but still without life, Lord Robert Junakin decided to reopen the tavern, in honor of Oscar. Oscar had helped Robert when he was known as Bobbo the Beggar, without his nobility in the days of Troas. There was no reason why Oscar should have helped Robert, but he did, being the kind and compassionate person he was.

Now Robert was a lord, and he owed it to Oscar, Oscar being the one who had shown Robert to the Tristin. Robert also tired of living in Strata and wanted to get away from it. Therefore, he came to the abandoned tavern and set to work.

Robert found the old stocks of wines, ales, and all sorts of drinks. He also found all the kitchen equipment intact, as well as the rooms, being locked as they were. With a little search, he found where Oscar had kept the keys to the rooms.

Robert also hired a bunch of hands to help clean the tavern, as well as some to help the tavern once it reopened. With hard work, Robert was able to put the tavern into ship-shape in about three weeks, restocked with food and drink as well.

Robert added one new thing. Above the fireplace in the common room, he hung a golden-hilted sword. It was one of the most beautiful swords in the world. The scabbard was decorated with intricate patterns, and the blade was of strong tempered steel.

Robert opened the door and let the morning light shine in on him as he breathed in the fresh air. The tavern was ready. He went and sat down in front of the bar and waited for customers to arrive.

'All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us.'
The Lord of the Ring: The Fellowship of the Ring (Chapter 2: The Shadow of the Past)
Adventures of Caelereth

[Akira]

Akira walked down from his room that Robert provided for him while he worked at the tavern. He saw Rob sitting down at the bar awaiting for the days customers to begin to arrive and as usual the first morning of the opening was slow. No customers had stayed the previous night(obviously) and usually no 'regular' drinkers arrived 'til around mid-day.

"Morning sir, how'd you sleep?" Akira began moving over into a corner and pulling out his mandolin and began tuning his instrument preparing for a busy night that hoped for.

In my head everything was perfect, every note resoudns in harmony. But now all I seem to offer up are dischords and every note I sing seems out of Key and every time I play with passion I start breaking strings and my voice cracks when I sing from my heart guess that's the price I've got to pay to know that i'm alive this melody is tearing me apart.

[Bobbo the Beggar]

"Good morning, Akira. I slept quite sound, my friend. Are you ready to get this tavern going?" replied Bobbo (Robert, by the way).

Bobbo walked over behind the bar and dusted off his clothing. His clothes were very fine indeed. They were decorated with golden symbols and bright fabric was used in their construction. He wore a baggy, brightly-colored shirt, and light linen trousers. On his head rested a wide-brimmed flat hat, to keep sun out of his eyes.

Turning around he grabbed a glass goblet and a bottle of wine. He deftly opened the wine and poured a glassful with only his right hand. Looking down one could see that Bobbo's left hand ended at the wrist.

He lifted the goblet to Akira and said, "To the tavern, and the legacy of Oscar Lotus." He downed the goblet in one swig and set it down.

'All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us.'
The Lord of the Ring: The Fellowship of the Ring (Chapter 2: The Shadow of the Past)
Adventures of Caelereth

[Ceridwen Anor]

The low murmer of voices assured the new waitress that the tavern was occupied. She let out a small breath of relief. She wasn't expected for another hour, but the breif look she had had of the place wasn't quite enough to prepare her for the upcoming day. If she was going to have to serve a tavern-full of rowdy men--which would be the case, as it was the grand opening--she needed to get a better feel for the place. So she had opted for an early arrival and a self guided tour.

The Kuglim woman stepped in through the open door. Not for the first time did she smile a bit at the irony of her situation. She never drank, yet here she was, about to serve a room full of men who enjoyed the stuff. It seemed the tavern owner had started early, as he was enjoying a glass of wine by the bar.

"Excuse me," she said, her smile never wavering. "Just wanted to let you know I've arrived."

[Akira]

Akira looked back towards the door where the taverns new waitress Ceridwen stood smiling to the two. Akira hadn't actually met any of the other employees yet, well for long anyways. He arrived late last night and Robert provided a room for him. The bard walked over to the female and smiled extending his hand. "Good morning, I am Akira."

In my head everything was perfect, every note resoudns in harmony. But now all I seem to offer up are dischords and every note I sing seems out of Key and every time I play with passion I start breaking strings and my voice cracks when I sing from my heart guess that's the price I've got to pay to know that i'm alive this melody is tearing me apart.

[Ceridwen Anor]

Without a hint a shyness she placed her hand in his, bowing her head a bit in extra greetings.

"Good morning!" she chirped, looking past Akira for a moment to direct the message towards her boss as well. "I'm Ceridwen, or rather, Ceri. I'm the waitress."

She released his hand to move it to her hip. "So...Akira," she said, grinning. "What do you do around here?"

[Akira]

Akira smiled to Ceri. "I'm the 'entertainment' around here." He grinned and moved to the side grabbing his mandolin. "I play a rather unique style of music, it's faster and the lyrical parts differ greatly from that of the average lyrics that you hear in places such as this. 'Drinking Songs' for example." He smiled before adding. "Maybe you and I could do a duet one night, you look like you have a wonderful singing voice."

In my head everything was perfect, every note resoudns in harmony. But now all I seem to offer up are dischords and every note I sing seems out of Key and every time I play with passion I start breaking strings and my voice cracks when I sing from my heart guess that's the price I've got to pay to know that i'm alive this melody is tearing me apart.

[Ceridwen Anor]

Color crept to her cheeks at his words, but she just laughed and took a seat ontop of a nearby table. "You must be good if you can tell wha type of voice someone has, just by looking at them," she teased. "I wouldn't say my voice is beautiful, exactly. But we could give a duet a shot."

Ceridwen readjusted her skirts and leaned back so her arms supported her. "Alright, then, Akira," she said, giving him an approving look. "Let's hear some of this unique music of yours."

[Akira]

Akira grinned and pulled his Mandolin in front of him as he lifted a leather strap over one shoulder to support his instrument. "This song is called 'The State of Amnesia' it's a newer one and haven't thought of any lyrics yet though." He smiled and began playing a soft melody, as he went up and down a scale the sound changed dramatically, he struck the strings differently. At the beginning he made more of a flicking motion with his fingers but now it was soft and a solid sound as his hands went over the strings in a strumming motion.

He slowed with a note ringing for a moment before beginning with a fast tune that was low on the scale and created a deep, dark and almost depressing noise. He moved from playing three strings at a time to only one, plucking it with his finger, the notes were very high and slowly worked down the scale on his highest string then slid his fingers along the string making a streaking noise before going back to his fast strumming part of his song. He began to slow and ended with a ringing note and looked up at Ceri to see her expression of his music.

In my head everything was perfect, every note resoudns in harmony. But now all I seem to offer up are dischords and every note I sing seems out of Key and every time I play with passion I start breaking strings and my voice cracks when I sing from my heart guess that's the price I've got to pay to know that i'm alive this melody is tearing me apart.

[Ceridwen Anor]

The look of amused curiosity was quickly replaced by sheer awe. She had had no doubt that he was good--if he said he was, he was--but she had heard "good" before and that wasn't simply passable. Oh, if she could play like that, she definatly wouldn't be playing in a tavern. But then, perhaps she would be.

As the last note rung through the air she clapped, a small smile slowly creeping its way back onto her features. "That was incredible!" she said, meaning every word. "Where did you learn to play like that?"

[Akira]

Akira smiled. "Thank you, well I don't know... my mother always told me it was a gift." He turned and placed his mandolin on the table. "I have spent my life trying to revolutionize how music was played. When my parents first discovered how good I was they sent me to a teacher so I could learn music theory and the principles of it. I was entered into a music competition and was required to play some original works. I wrote a song similar to the one you just heard." Akira lowered his head, in almost a shameful manner. "But the kind of music I play isn't really appreciated much. They were more interested in a softer ballad sort of music. I was voted out of the competition and now I'm here."

In my head everything was perfect, every note resoudns in harmony. But now all I seem to offer up are dischords and every note I sing seems out of Key and every time I play with passion I start breaking strings and my voice cracks when I sing from my heart guess that's the price I've got to pay to know that i'm alive this melody is tearing me apart.

[Angron Bloodfist]

With heavy steps the hulk lumbered towards the tavern called Thirsty Herald. A humongous battle-axe resting on his right, a huge wine-barrel on his left, muscular shoulder, the Helvet'Ine Kuglim now stood in the doorway of the tavern. His broad appearance hardly let any sunlight shine into the bar room. Bowing deeply not to bump neither his head nor the barrel to the door-frame, the Kuglim stepped further into the Thirsty Herald. Except for Robert, his new employer, the hulk could not see anyone else. The barrel blocked his view towards the tables and the fire place.

But he knew there were more poeple than just him and Robert in the tavern. He had heard music on his way. "Well, Mister Robert, this is the Avennorian Wine you sent me to pick up...any customers yet? I heard music...". With a "thudd" he put the heavy barrel onto the floor, just to be able to see a man, apparently a bard, and a young woman with bright red hair and a warm smile on her face. She was a Kuglim, he could tell. Not one of the Helvet'Ines, but still a Kuglim. In the Twelve´s name...i haven´t met a Kuglim in so long time...and such a beautiful one, too...

Quickly giving her an example of his characteristic smile that revealed his uncommon long canine teeth, the barbarian then turned his head around towards the Tavern-keeper, his neck making strange popping noises. "...would you mind to introduce us, Mister Robert?"

...

Pain? PAIN!? I´m a berserk, dammit! I don´t even know the word pain!!!

Edited by: Angron Bloodfist at: 6/28/03 0:00

[Shaint]

Shaint awoke from his sleep and threw the top cover of his bed sheets off he threw his legs over the side of the bed and stood up he turned his neck to the left and then right a loud popping sound emitted form his bones,

Shaint walked to a mirror and splashed some water on his face looking in the mirror he adjusted a portrait of Oscar lotus that hung above it that Shaint had done in what seemed so short while ago...

He smiled and went to his clothes on a stool, he fitted them on the elf was still wearing the same style clothes as when he entered the tavern, a long sleeved black shirt of heavy material that widened down twords the fore-arms and wrists, ontop of that was a leather vest with scratches and small holes from previous battles.

His pants of leather and worn, along with a pair of heavy weathered boots and a belt wich had his sword's case and sword incased in it, Shaint opened the door of his room heading for the stairs he walked down and smiled at Robert, Akira, and the new...very very big man, along with a woman, Shaint turned to robert and nodded his head slightly before looking to each person with a smirk.......

"names Shaint, i'm just the assistant barman, guard, you know.....I just do a little bit of everything, I'm an elf....incase you havent noticed but I'm not fragile and i'm not normal for one" Shaint said as he glanced back form the ground to the giant kuglims face and kept doing so before whistling.....

"I'm sorry but, you have to be the biggest human I have ever seen.....not quite as big as Radaroc but....your surely big......"

[Bobbo the Beggar]

Robert nodded to Ceridwen as she entered. "Welcome to the Thirsty Herald, Ceri," he said to her, "I hope you will enjoy your time working here."

As Akira played his song, Robert walked over silently and listened to him. As he finished, Robert applauded him and said, "Very good, Akira. I am glad you have decided to come to work here."

He smiled as the huge form of Angron came walking through the door. He nodded at him and said, "Thank you very much, Angron my friend." Before he could introduce anyone to Angron, Shaint came walking down the stairs.

Robert smiled as Shaint introduced himself. He knew Shaint well now, having been on a quest with him to retake Strata for the Tristin.

"Well, you've all met Shaint," said Robert, "Just to introduce everyone, this is our waitress Ceridwen, and the bard Akira. That fellow over there who just came in is Angron, the bouncer. I've handpicked all of you to work here with me, and I have no doubt that you will all do well."

Robert smiled at his employees and said, "As for wages, you will each recieve 5 copper a day, as previously discussed. You each get a free room and free food and drink for your services. Does anyone object, though we all agreed previously?"

'All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us.'
The Lord of the Ring: The Fellowship of the Ring (Chapter 2: The Shadow of the Past)
Adventures of Caelereth

[Shaint]

Shaint smirked at Angron "Well, perhaps I will take off being an assistant Bouncer....your aswell four of me" Shaint said as he glanced back and From Ceri to Aragorn and laughed to himself before Shaking his head and leaning against the bar and glancing at Akira...

"So that was you I heard Akira? that was a nice song I will have to learn some things from you as I only play an Ocarina in wich I have yet to touch in a few years"

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