Remusiat Town Square

[Altario Shialt-eck-Gorrin]

This open area sits near the center of the city.  To the north is the town hall, while to the south is the Wison's Breath Inn.  Ice sculptures line the pathways of cobblestone, and low ice walls create a magical feeling of being in a labyrinth.  It is a source of pride for the Remusian people, and has long been a place where young lovers go to stroll at night, when lanterns are hung alit on tall poles.  Stone benches are placed in key locations, where people can sit and watch the activities.  Sometimes, there are plays performed in the center of the plaza, or singers can be found entertaining the crowds.

Small merchant booths surround the plaza, where shrewd vendors hawk their wares shamelessly, intent on making a quick san.  For this reason, city guards often patrol this area, to keep the small time thieves away.

[Nyxthia Calfuray]

As they started walking, Garret told her about how quickly he went through cloaks. She could relate, not even an hour here, and she's gone through two! "I'm from the south. You?" she heard Garret ask. "I'm from the south too, way, way, way south. If I were to tell you where I came from, you'd probably think I'm a nutcase," Nyxthia replied.

Her violet eyes widened in awe as they came in sight of the ice sculptures. The sun's beams shone through the scupltures, shining off their smooth surfaces, even making rainbows at certain points. "Woah..." Nyxthia whispered. Now this was a sight she had never seen! Her footsteps slowed as she gazed at them, Garret, her clothes, Glacier, all forgotten. Imagine, if I could bring these back to Avitus, imagine how beautiful his tent would be! she thought excitedly.

A rough poke from Glacier brought her back from dreamland to reality. She suddenly realised that for the past minute, she had been staring at the scupltures like a slack jawed idiot. "Ah.. I'm sorry," she said sheepishly. "I've never seen sculptures made of ice before."

[Garret Arroway]

     "I'm from the south too, way, way, way south. If I were to tell you where I came from, you'd probably think I'm a nutcase," Nyxthia replied.

     Garret's grin grew wider, he wasn't so sure about that and was about to challenge it but then they came within sight of the sculptures. As usually Garret's attention was diverted from everything else for a moment. As many times as he had seen the town square since he had been here they still didn't lose anything. The square was the pride of the city and it was always a sight to behold. It was but a moment that his attention had been captured, his mind reaching for the familiar image that had placed itself in his head. He returned his attention to the woman he had been walking beside.

     Her gaze had fallen on the ice, captivated by the beautiful, finely crafted sculptures. She seemed to be lost and thought and Garret left her with her thoughts. He knelt next to Shadowfoot for a moment, giving the wolf some attention that he had been longing for today. The animals tongue lolled out over white teeth as he let his human scratch behind his ears and ruffled his fur. The great black bear poked his human in the back after a while and she slowly came back.

     "Ah . . . I'm sorry," she said. "I've never seen sculptures made of ice before."

     "They are rather wonderful. It had the same effect on me as well when I first laid eyes upon it." Garret replied, still kneeling in the snow next to his wolf. Then he offered, "When ever you're ready to move forward we can."

     He stood and brushed the snow from his leggings and readied himself to continue forward. His hand resting on Shadowfoot's head as he waited. 

[Nyxthia Calfuray]

"Oh, no, we can move on now." Nyxthia assured Garret. She did want her cloak, after all. It was getting slightly chillier. As they walked between the sculptures, heading for the square, Nyxthia thoughts turned towards the man beside her. He... interested her. Most men who hit on her usually were drunk, and those who weren't, were usually dirty ol' men. And even those young, cute boys... well, all they wanted was one thing. Which she didn't want to give. Wait, wait, wait. Nyxthia caught herself. It's just a tour, not a hit on, nor a date, she told herself firmly. 

Suddenly, she spotted a display full of pretty jewlery, glittering in the sun. One in particular caught her eye. It was an unique necklace, a figure of a bear inlayed with an amethyst, its sides set with small pieces of opal. "Ooh, let's go there, Garret!" she cried, violet eyes lighting up in glee. Without thinking, she grabbed his hand and playfully dragged him to the booth. Dropping his hand, she gently picked up the necklace and held it up to her neck. "What do you think?" she asked Garret excitedly, her entire expression exactly like a child in a toy store.

[Garret Arroway]

     "Oh, no, we can move on now," she said.

     He nodded and they were off again, walking along the cobblestone path between the sculptures. As they walked along Nyxthia seemed to be lost in thought for a moment, and Garret knew that feeling all to well so he left her with her thoughts. He walked along beside her, looking at the finely worked features of the art around him. They continued on in silence for a moment then something caught her eye.

     "Ooh, let's go there, Garret!" she said excitedly.

     Next thing he knew he was being pulled along to a jewelry booth. Luckily, long legs allowed him longer stride and he kept from being dragged in the snow. He couldn't help but chuckle a bit at her excitement as they made their way to the stall. She dropped his hand as they stopped next to the booth and picked up a necklace. It was pretty neat, they figure of a bear with stones that he couldn't name. He could see why it had caught her away as he felt the presence of the big bear behind them.

     "What do you think?" she asked.

     "It's beautiful . . . but not more so than you." Garret said softly, struggling with the last words a bit and cursing himself silently as they tumbled out.

     He shut his jaw a little too late and a little too sharply, he managed to stifle a yelp and soon he could taste the faint traces of blood. That didn't bother him much. He was very glad that his already wind reddened cheeks could hide the blush that crept into his face for a moment. Garret turned away a bit, wondering what had possessed him to release that poorly worked string of words or even say something like that. He worried about what she might think and turned toward her to apologize.

[Nyxthia Calfuray]

Nyxthia's body stiffened as she heard his reply. Well, it wasn't more of a reply, per se. It was more like a... blurted out compliment that was never meant to be spoken. Suddenly, her heart started to thump. Hard.

Gak! Nyxthia mentally shook herself. How many times had she heard those words from other boys? How many times had someone tried to woo her by pretty words? Uncountable, right? So why was she so... nervous? How was this different? She had only met him! How was she to know if he had good intentions or not?

By this time, Garret had turned away. She placed the necklace down, giving a nod of thanks to the vendor. Her mind was still reeling, her heart still hammering. A movement caught her eye. Garret had turned back, and was opening his mouth to say something. A drop of blood was growing on his lip. Automatically, Nyxthia pulled out her handkerchief. "Wait," she said. Wrapping the tip around her finger, she dabbed at his cut, the motions nearly automatic, after all, how many times had she done this for her own brother?

Yes. He's like a brother to me, Nyxthia thought to herself. Really? The honesty in her asked, a quiet, truthful voice in the recesses of her mind. Truly? Honestly? Or are you in denial? it continued. Shut up! The much bigger side of her screamed back.

"That's better," she said quietly, after the cut was cleaned. She looked up into his oddly grey eyes. In the sunlight, it seemed much paler than it should have been.

[Garret Arroway]

     He didn't know exactly what to say as he turned back toward her. In his mind he tried to think of something, but was unable to think of anything to say. He figured that he better apologize even if it wasn't worded well. As he opened his mouth to apologize a bead of blood formed on the split in his lower lip but he didn't notice. He could taste the stream a blood that trailed into his mouth, but was about to speak anyways. A movement from Nyxthia stopped him for a moment.

     "Wait," she said. With a handkerchief she reached up and dabbed at the blood welling from the split in his lip. He stood completely still, waiting as he cleaned up the split. The fact that he had split his lip like that trying to keep those words from falling out was fairly embarrassing. "That's better," she said quietly looking up at him.

     He couldn't help but running his tongue over the split. It stung a bit but would be fine. With that he looked down at her and tried to think of what to say. After a minute he tried to apologize but no words came out when he opened his mouth so he quickly shut it once more, trying again.

     "I'm sorry . . . I didn't mean . . . It was a . . . " Garret fumbled through the words then stopped short not wanting to say anything stupid. How was he supposed to explain that his mind took control at times without sounding stupid? Instead he said, "If you like we can get you that cloak or I could point you in the direction of a booth that should have cloaks."

[Nyxthia Calfuray]

Point me? So you want to leave? Nyxthia thought. Did I do something wrong? Should I have helped him clean the cut? Crap, she swore mentally. Why am I thinking about this? No, more important question: why am I thinking LIKE this?

Shaking her head to clear her thoughts, she looked up at Garret. "Could we go get my cloak now? Then we can part if you so wish," she said quietly. Not that I would. The thought came unbidden, and once more, Nyxthia swore inwardly at herself. I'm confused. A small, nearly inaudible sigh escaped her. What should I do?

[Garret Arroway]

     "Could we go get my cloak now? Then we can part if you so wish," she said quietly.

     "Of course," Garret said, "And I wasn't sure if were still interested in the tour."

     He walked silently toward the other stalls, watching for a merchant with cloaks. This woman was so confusing and he couldn't help but making a fool out of himself around him. She didn't seem to want him to leave and that confused him even more. He didn't know why he was so nervous around here and figured it would be best if he just kept his mouth shut. Up ahead he saw a merchant booth with clothing and angled in that direction.

     "They should have cloaks here," Garret announced.

[Nyxthia Calfuray]

Nyxthia walked forwards. Trained eyes swept over the merchant's wares, looking for a cloak that would last. She picked up a white colored cloak, its trim black. The material was thick, and as she slipped into it, she could immediately tell it would be durable, yet light and warm at the same time. She gave it a few test steps, before taking it off. "Oh, yes, ma'am, good eye," the merchant said. "That is made of bear fur, that is!"

Her eyes widened. "Bears? This was made from a bear's fur?"

"Why, yes, darling. A bear's hide," the merchant continued. By Fae, this man must be mad! Does he not see Glacier behind me? Nyxthia's mouth fell open in an extremly unladylike manner. "Why do you look so... a BEAR!" he yelled suddenly, as he finally noticed Glacier hovering menacingly at Nyxthia's side. "Wait, wait, wait," Nyxthia hurried to reassure him. "He won't hurt you, honest!"

"A bear!" the vendor cried, wringing his hands, paying no heed to Nyxie's words. "You!" He pointed a trembling finger at Garret. "I know you're a scout, get rid of that bear! It's going to kill!"

"No, no, he's tame," Nyxthia said, panicking now. The vendor's shouts and gestures were starting to draw onlookers, and she wouldn't know what to do if they all started to rush and attack. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw guards. Lots of them. They encircled the stall with their weapons drawn. At the cold steel, Glacier's hackles started to rise. Oh, CRAP. Nyxthia's fingers found Glacier's fur and tugged on it lightly, stopping the growls, but it wouldn't stop the guards, she knew. "Garret, you're with the millitary, right? Please, reason with them! Tell them that Glacier's harmless," Nyxthia looked at him with desperation in her voice, violet eyes pleading.

[Garret Arroway]

     Garret stood by as Nyxthia stepped forward and looked for a cloak. He figured he would pick a simple, warm one out when she was finished, since he seemed to be especially rough on his cloaks. No need to get something expensive when he ran through cloaks swiftly. He watched as she picked up a white cloak with black trim and tried it on and took a few steps before taking it off once more. Garret couldn't help but grin.

     "Oh, yes, ma'am, good eye," the merchant said. "That is made of bear fur, that is!"

     Garret's grin faded and his hand went to the sword at his side, in case there was trouble. He saw Nyxthia's eyes widen before his grey glaze moved back to the merchant who hadn't seen Glacier yet apparently.

     "Bears? This was made from a bear's fur?" She asked,

     "Why, yes, darling. A bear's hide," the merchant continued. "Why do you look so... a BEAR!" he yelled as he noticed the bear.

     "Wait, wait, wait," Nyxthia hurriedly said. "He won't hurt you, honest!"

     But the merchant wasn't listening he continued to cry out about the bear. And then he noticed Garret. "You!" He pointed at the young scout. "I know you're a scout, get rid of that bear! It's going to kill!"

     "No, no, he's tame," Nyxthia said.

     Dang it, Garret cursed silently. The merchant continued to cry out an unneeded warning. The shouts soon began to draw onlookers and Garret could see guards circling the stall. Dang, he muttered again under his breath. As weapons were drawn he could feel the tension coming from the animals at the sight of steel gleaming in the sunlight. Out of the corner of his eye he could see Nyxthia trying to calm the bear and the low growls from the bear stopped. At his side, Garret could hear Shadowfoot's growl and knew the wolf was near the ground and ready to spring.

     "Garret, you're with the military, right? Please, reason with them! Tell them that Glacier's harmless," Nyxthia said looking at him.

     "I've got it," Garret said, quietly, never taking his eyes off the guards. "Get Glacier down please."

     He didn't wait to see if she followed his directions, but he stepped forward slowly. His hand was still on the hilt of his weapon, but he relaxed a bit and Shadowfoot's growls stopped. The wolf still stalked by his human's side, watching the guards for any threatening movements. Garret hoped they would recognize him at least as a scout if not by name. Well it was too late to do anything different now.

     Garret took the last few steps forward and stopped a ped in front of the guards. His grey eyes traveled over the guards in front of him and he raised his voice to called out, "Who's in charge here?"

[Altario Shialt-eck-Gorrin]

A young pocked marked guard stepped forward, in his hand a short sword.  His eyes were narrowed as he observed the scene before him.  This was his first time in charge of his own three man patrol.  Someone was causing a disturbance in the town square, and this was his chance to show that he could handle any situation.

The situation here was that some young couple had brought a bear into the town square.  Now the bear was getting out of control and threatening a merchant.  This could not be allowed to happen.  He signaled for one of the other two guards to circle to the left, the other to the right.  He would approach from the front.  He had never killed a bear before, and the thought made his palms sweat, even with the freezing air.

Suddenly the young man stepped forward and called for the man in charge.  The guard frowned.  "I'm in charge.  Get away from that animal!"  He waved to the merchant to get away, which the man did hurriedly, abandoning his livelihood for the sake of his life.

[Garret Arroway]

     "I'm in charge. Get away from that animal!"

     Garret's gaze swung to the man who had spoken. The guard waved to the merchant to get away and out of the corner of his eye Garret could see the man leaving behind his booth. He turned his full attention back to the guard, hoping that Nyxthia had gotten the bear to sit or lay down or something that would show the animal intended no harm. Without bothering to check he strode toward the man in charge. He desperately hoped this man would trust him, and they wouldn't have much trouble. In less than a minute he stood in front of the guard, the wolf beside Garret watching the short sword in the man' hand.

     "That bear is tame." Garret said simply. "There ain't any problem, the merchant was obviously startled by it bein' there. We'd appreciate if weapons were returned to sheaths and can figure out what to do without weapons as it unnerves both animals," he said, making a small gesture to Shadowfoot who was still watching the sword.

[Altario Shialt-eck-Gorrin]

The young pock marked man shook his head.  He found the young man to be familiar, but did not know who he was.  The girl was a complete stranger.  He looked to the two other guards, who in turn were looking to him for guidance.  Unsure, but unable to show weakness, he held his sword aloft.  "We will not sheathe our swords.  The wolf I know as yours, but the bear.... the bear must be taken care of."  His voice was not quite so sure with the last bit.

The young man felt a hand clasp his shoulder and a voice whispered into his ear.  "You three young whelps are going to take down that bear?  With swords?"

The young man whirled about, anger displayed on his face, at whoever would dare disrupt his commands.  His face quickly lost all malice and he jumped to attention.  "Sargeant!"

Malowart surveyed the scene.  This young pup had nearly gotten himself killed as well as his other two companions.  Hadn't there been enough death today?  He had just left the Zaggin's home, after finally consoling the boys mother until she fell asleep, exhausted from the grief.  His own guilt had then drove him here, to the town square, where he often walked to clear his head.  He had been looking forward to it, as he knew the ice sculptures would not be here much longer.   Though this summer had been a cold one, it would eventually warm up enough that they could not be kept up.  He had heard the commotion and had come to investigate.

The older man looked over to Garret and nodded his greeting.  "Master Garret."  His expression was grim.  The situation was grim, and could easily get out of hand.  Just what in the names of the gods was a bear doing in the town square?  "If your companion wishes for that bear to live, then you both better get it caged.  I don't know what fool errand you are on, boy, but you should know better."  

If they did not hurry, there would be more soldiers here soon.  Malowart knew he would not be able to hold them all at bay.  And to tell the truth, he did not wish to.  A bear was not a pet, it was a danger.  One that would not be tolerated in this city for long.  Of that, he was sure.

[Nyxthia Calfuray]

Nyxthia's fingers were still entwined in Glacier's fur as Garret spoke to the young guard. "S'kay, boy," she murmurred, trying to calm Glacier before he did anything rash. "Just don't move, don't growl, don't do anything until I say so. I promise that I won't let anything happen to you, you walking carpet," she said, stroking Glacier's fur gently.

Heavy boots crunched on the icy cobblestone as an old, weathered man placed a hand on the young guard's shoulder. He started whispering something in the boy's ear that was too soft for Nyxthia to hear at such a distance. At his speech, the pimple infested guard snapped to attention with a "Sargeant!". Oh, no. Not another one of them guards, Nyxthia groaned inwardly.

At his command, however, Nyxthia's body stiffened. Cage it? CAGE it? CAGE IT? Her blood started to boil, spurred on by her hatred for commands. Glacier, sensing the change in his mistress's stance, started to growl once more. Realising that her mood was affecting Glacier too, Nyxthia made an effort to control her fury. It was bad enough that they called him an "it", worse so when it wasn't delivered politely. She hated self pompous guards who thought that they could ask anything from people, "because I'm a guard, brat".

Although her whole exterior was serene and calm, inside, Nyxthia was seething. Letting go of Glacier, she stalked towards the Sergant and Garret. "Let me ask you, guard," Nyxthia's violet eyes flashed with anger, the only sign that she was mad. "Would you cage your best friend?"

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