Adventures of Caelereth

The howling wind causes the dark clouds in the sky to move quickly. It also causes the old sign hanging on the outside of a building to creak madly. Just barely readable, the sign says "The Ulvur's Cry". Below the words, one can barely make out the silhouette of an Ulvur in the man-wolf form howling.

The outside of the building looks as though no one has lived or used it for many years. Yet, from the dusty windows a small light can be seen. There are no lights coming from any of the windows upon the second floor.

There is a small stable to the right of the building, but the roof seems to be falling off and the hay seems as though it hasn't been changed in years.

It was this inn that Menora came. She was grumbling under her breath as she didn't want to come here. It was only because the other inn in town, the "Golden Cup" said that they were full. Looking up at the old building, she wondered if it was going to be worth the sans to stay here. A brief moment she thought about turning around and sleeping in some alley of Cleops, but then she glanced at the sky.

"I don't much like those clouds," she thought as she started to walked to the door. "I just hope that the roof in here doesn't leak.

Pushing the door was a difficult task as the wind pushed against it. Menora struggled for a bit, spitting a bit as her golden hair got in her face. Finally she managed to get the door open and slided into the lobby of the tavern.

The inside didn't look much better then the outside. The walls were stained from something that Menora thought it best not to think about. Some of the glasses behind the bar showed large amounts of dust. The chairs and tables looked fine as well as the somewhat-cheerful fire burning in the fireplace.

Looking around, she didn't see anyone. "Hello?" she said gently, but didn't think anyone could have heard her over the racket the wind outside was making.

Inkear slunk out of the forest, wandering towards the twowalker buildings idly. He spotted a twowalker struggling with a... what was the word. Big piece of tree, with bits of metal... Door! The twowalker was trying to open a door. It was cold outside, all the prey had started going down into it's dens and burrows for the winter, the forest wasn't nice looking, with all the leeves turned brown and fallen on the ground. And it was looking like it was about to rain."Cold! I don't like the cold! Get inside twowalker place? Yah! Yah! That's a good idea!"
Inkear dashed for the swiftly closing door, looking like a grey and brown blur as the door closed. Inkear pawed at the door, noisily.

Angela ran towards a big tree to hide from the cold breeze of the day. She embraces herself and said,"I do not like the sky or the sound of the wind! It might rain and the inn on the other side of this town is already full."

It is true! Most of the inns on the other side of the town are already full. She tried to look for an empty tavern or an inn to stay for the night but she could not find any.

While shivering in the cold wind, she noticed a figure of a woman forcing her way against the door of an old house. "I hope it is an empty inn or at least a house that will take me for the night. I cannot stand this horrible wind," she said while running towards the door. She pushed the door opened and it made a creaking sound but at least she was able to shield herself from the cold wind outside.

"Hello?" said the woman that she saw a while ago. She went to her and said "Is this your house madam? I am sorry for the intrusion but if I may, can I stay here for the night? The wind outside is strong and cold, and the inns around this town are already full." 

Rookie and Ekre soared uncontrollably through the winds; the Brownie clinging onto the bird’s slick-feathered back, barely able to stay airborne let alone steer her ragged looking mount.  They were not having a good day; en route to delivering one of her messages to some lady in the nearby town these winds had built up, gradually carrying them along faster and faster until Rookie had lost her sense of direction completely.

Suddenly she spotted a light glinting from a building down below, and quickly pushed the falcon towards it before they sailed past.  The bird screeched in protest as she tried to turn against the battering air, but lost her balance and tumbled, Rookie still clinging to her, towards the ground.  Bird and master landed in an ungainly heap in front of the building with the light, bruised but unbroken; their fall having been partially slowed by the gale itself.

Ekre immediately tried to stand up, dumping Rookie on the ground once more and screeching again in her annoyance.  Her usually-smooth grey feathers were crumpled upwards in odd places; it was clear that they would get no further tonight.

Rookie picked herself up and tried to calm Ekre with a little dried meat from her pack.  The bird gobbled the nutritious sliver down without hesitation, but still would not let her master come closer, afraid that her master wanted to fly again.

Knowing there was very little point in taking her irritation out on the bird, Rookie instead looked towards the inn’s door, about 10 peds from where they were now standing.  There was a dark shape sitting at the front of the door, but as the Brownie squinted in the darkness, trying to figure out what it was, another figure (human this time) appeared from behind a tree and entered the building.  A sign creaked ominously as she made her cautious way towards the opening, watching out to see if the smaller shape was still there too.

As Kaldez walked he shifted his gaze for the grey sky, with it's omnously rainy look, he had never realy liked rain, it could be cold like snow, which did not bother him, but it was wet, so ungodly wet, to a creaky sign which said The Ulvur's Cry finaly, this place is not easy to find when no one will give you good directions. he sighed as he relaxed, he had not wanted to be caught in the rain. As he appraoched the only inn with any room lef tin it, though dank and run down it was the last sanctuary left to him, he saw a bird walking laong the ground and next to it a bareley visible creature, it looked human, but it was to small O what are they called ah yes brownies! he appraoched the miniscule creature, he was unsure of its gender do to it's small size. "Excuse me...Misss?... Do you need help getting to the inn there if so i can bring you and your ruffled freind there without you encountering any trouble from that cat at the door their?" He had noticed the cat while talking to the small, women he was pretty sure now, and realized it might cause her troubles, the poor cat probably just wanted to get inside, he would let it in when he reached the building.

Inkear continued to paw at the closed, door. He'd had to leap aside from the doorway as one of the twowalkers had uncerimoniously opened the door and closed it again, not giving the poor cat a moment's respite from the winds that were howling about out of doors. A second twowalker approached, and started talking to a very short twowalker, and.. a big bird. "Why is the twowalker talking to the bird? I'm much more interesting than some excuse for an egg layer!" Inkear toddled towards the short twowalker, announcing his prescense with a loud "Meow!".

Gervase took one last look at his old worn map before stuffing it back into its leather case.  “That must be the worst map I have ever used,” he said with a look of disgust across his pale face.  He pulled the hood of his cloak over his head only to have it blown off again.

He peered up into the darkening sky and saw that clouds that sped by as if rushing to leave the young mage behind.  The raven dark hair on the man’s head blew wildly about and his robe clung to him from the steady wind.

“I know I must be close but this does not seem right,” Gervase said and he squinted his eyes against the howling wind.

Ahead of him, he could see dilapidated building in need of the care occupants might bring.  “That cannot be the inn my uncle mentioned,” he said out loud to no one in particular.

He tucked his head down and headed across the ground in his riding boots towards the building to get a better look.  An old wooden sign blew violently in the wind bearing the words “The Ulvers Cry” but were barely legible from wear and the mad rocking back and forth upon its creaky mountings.  Beneath the words was the image of what seemed to be a man of the race mentioned above howling as the wind did now about the young mage's ears.

To his surprise a light still shown within the forsaken in as if beckoning him in the foul weather outside.  About the build were other smaller ones which, at the moment, Gervase had no need for only to come inside before he himself would be carried away but the blusters of the wind.

Shadows seemed to move about inside as if other customers had already sought refuge within the in and the blue eyed mage thought he might too.   He walked the remainder of the steps to the entrance and pushed with his shoulder against the stubborn door until it resisted no further and swung inward upon its squeaky metal hinges.

Shadowed by the dim light he could make out the forms of others that occupied the space within.  Cautiously he entered and the tried to shut the door with as much dignity as he could before the wind pulled it from his hand and slammed it shut against its frame.

The man tried to straighten his matted and blown hair but to no avail.  Slowly he walked, his boots clanking against the floor as he approached the shadowy figures, I do hope they are friendly, he thought his head still diverted towards the worn wooden surface beneath his feet.

Vincent stared at the sky with a look of disgust.Rain of all things! Could it get any worse? He thought to himself. He heard the creaking of a sign and headed toward it. Good its a inn! he thought as he saw the building. The sign read The Ulvers Cry. He pushed open the door and walked inside- glad to finally escape the wind. With a bit of struggle he closed the door and looked at the other patrons of the inn. They looked as windblown as he did. "Greetings", He said loud enough to be heard over the wind outside.

A dark figure appeared near a sign that said " The Ulvur´s Cry " , a white pearl smile appeared on the man face .
Good , at least there is a tabern in this forsaken road , i was begining to think that man was joking about it ... , in front of the tabern there was a man talking to a small creature what the !! Now that is a thing i don´t see everyday ... , smilling he nooded to both and opened the door.

Malavon entered watching its surroundings with a grin of amusement ,as he look the patrons , quite an interesting group.
However his attention focused on one patron in particular , a nervous raven hair man Jumpy that one , but there is something in him ... Bah no matter . , smilling he raised his voice " Greetings good people , a hell of weather no ?"

Angela is still waiting for the reply of the woman in front of her when she was caught surprised by a sudden bang! She quickly turned around expecting things but instead she saw someone. The light inside was dim and she could not see very well but she tried to look at the figure more closely. The figure slowly walked towards them with his boots disturbing the silence of the place.

She slowly draw her sword with her hands shaking and prepared herself. 'Who is he or maybe who is she?' she thought to herself. Her thoughts were disturbed when she heard another creaking sound followed by a word "Greetings"

It had been a long night and so far all of the inn's that Rainier had went to were full. He had walked around some more and spotted another building that looked like an inn but was run down. He walked to it and realized that it was an in with a stable. He took Night into the stable and realized that the hay must be really old. "I'm sorry Night but this is the best we can do for the night I promise you that I will get you some better food as soon as I can."

After putting Night into the stables he walked towards the door and tried to push it open. It was an old door and seemed to be a little stuck, he put a little bit more effort into it and it finally opened. As he walked in he saw that there was already people in here. "Looks like we found a place to stay Star." He walked in a little more and closed the door. Looking around for someone that looked like the owner of the inn he didn't spot anyone right off the bat so he started to walk towards the people "Hello fellow travelers."

Rookie jumped so high that she was nearly carried away by the wind once more; a man had appeared seemingly out of nowhere, the tread of his footfalls covered by the whistling weather.  The little Brownie's hand automatically reached towards the dagger in the folds of her clothes, but they were so disarrayed that she couldn't reach it.  She stood, frozen to the spot, as the man spoke.

 "Excuse me...Misss?... Do you need help getting to the inn there if so i can bring you and your ruffled freind there without you encountering any trouble from that cat at the door their?"

Rookie relaxed immediatly; he actually wanted to help and her she was trying to threaten him with her tiny thorn of a knife. 

"Tat woul' be verry verry kind, meister."  The little Brownie said with obvious relief, hopping towards him and beconing Ekre to do the same.  "If you coul' carry me an' der bir', meybe it woul' be quickerr?" she suggested. The bird looked disgruntled, but hopped closer too, uncharacteristically allowing herself close enough to be picked up too.

"Tat woul' be verry verry kind, meister." The brownie women said coming closer "If you coul' carry me an' der bir', meybe it woul' be quickerr?" Kaldez profered his finger to the bird so he could put it on his shoulder and his other hand to the brownie "It is nice to meet you, and be of aid miss, I am Kaldez'Yadra, but just Kaldez please" he wondered at her odd accent, he understood what she was saying buy it was almost a funny accent. "Meow" Kaldez glanced at the cat "O dont worry cat you can come in too."

"Damn horse!"  Daron muttered to himself, uttering the curse for the umpteenth time.  Why had he never learned to ride?  That was something he was going to have to remedy soon.

He stopped in the howling wind and arched his back, a twinge of pain accompanying it.  He then resumed his journey, limping somewhat, and he legs bowed as hi rear end was still sore.

He had bought a horse two days ago, spending almost all the money he had.  It was a good horse he had been told.  It should have been for what he paid for the damn thing!  He thought he would look more impressive as Daron Soulstealer riding a horse.  Trouble is, he had never ridden a horse before, and after two days in the saddle, his butt was the sorest piece of human flesh on the continent.  But that was not the worst of it.  Back about a stral, the wind had broken a large tree limb and sent it crashing to the ground in front of him.  Of course, the horse reared in fright, and Daron, unable to hang on, was thrown unceremoniously to the ground.  He didn't think he broke anything, but his pride was gone, and so was the horse.  At first, he thought maybe he had landed on the bag he carried over his shoulder, but a quick peek inside and the angry hisses and chattering of three very unhappy ferrets told him he had not.  Sighing, he had started along the path that brought him here.  Wherver here was.

The sign had said The Ulver's Cry.  It was as good a place as any to take shelter from the weather.  He looked at the building.  Then again.....  It did not look like much.  He glanced around, but there appeared to be no other alternatives.  He sighed and trudged on ahead, he hand moving over his rump to massage it.

He opened the door then entered, struggling against the wind.  Inside, it was warm, and there were a few patrons here.  The place did not look like much however.  As poor as it looked on the outside, the inside was worse.  Daron shivered.

"... Huh." Yarrow grunted as she wrapped herself with her cape. She put on her hood and continued walking amidst the gusting wind.
"How did I end up into this?" she whined. "Nobody told me the weather will be this bad today."

"As soon as I find an inn, I'm going to take a nice, long bath and then eat a hearty meal... and then i might write a new song... wait, i wonder if i still have some money left?" Yarrow thought aloud, and then stopped to listen. She thought she heard a crash - a tree, perhaps, and then a horse screaming in fright. That gave Yarrow chills running down her spine.

"Whoa." She whispered, and realized that someone might have been hurt. She ran to the direction where she heard the horse. She felt rain pouring down. Yarrow groaned as the cold intrigued her and stopped when she saw the broken branch.

When there was no one around, Yarrow looked up, wondering if the horse was just her imagination. Then she saw light not so far away from where she was. Despite of being tired, Yarrow ran again, not wanting to be soaked to the bone. She halted in front of a worn down building just in time to see a man entering it. She hestitated. The sign showed, "The Ulvur's Cry". She knew about ulvurs. And the name of the building did not sound too promising. But the man had entered the building without thinking over it (as she was doing now) and she saw through the dusty window that there were other people inside the building.

But Yarrow was not sure if this old, run-down building was a place where someone actually lived or made business of. Well, first of all, it looked really ominous, and who knows if something scary lur-.... oh. The thunder began to rumble.

"I don't know about this..." She sighed, but then she had no choice. She entered through the creaky door and realized that she almost bumped into the man who had previously entered before her.

"Eh..." She hestitated, and took off her hood to reveal her damp, strawberry-blond locks of hair. "Good day to you. Would you mind if I asked you a question.... Where is this place?" she asked the man.

Eyasha was clearly glaring down displeasingly at her Aellenrhim birth patron, for she mercilessly battered the tall elf waddling below her with everything in Grothars windy arsenal. Unsuccessful in his desperate searching for a place of refuge, Petros decided to take heed of the directions that had been kindly offered to him back in Cleop, and venture out towards the "Ulvur's Cry" Tavern. The elf trudged slowly along the deserted road, clutching onto his large forest green hat and robes with his large hands, giving the harsh wind no chance to blast them off his lanky body. The fact that his shaggy ginger fringe repetitively slid down his forehead, obstructing his vision, did not help matters very much. On the rare occasions that the harsh wind eased off for a few blinks, Petros's slender fingers would grab hold of the opportunity, and tuck the unruly tendrils underneath his mages hat.

Obviously tired of their vehicles drunken like staggering, the elf’s baby feathered passengers began to chirp away angrily, causing the now agitated Petros to snap back bitterly.

"SHOOSH! There’s me giving you a little rest, out of the kindness of my heart, and all you do is nag, nag, nag!!"

The chicks huffily quit their whining, leaving the multi-species convoy in a blanket of silence. About two hundred peds later the teen elf let out a deep sigh of relief, as his emerald greens squinted at the large silhouette that had melted into view, a single light twinkling on its surface. As Petros ventured closer to the black mass, its features began to become increasingly detailed, and one of these features in particular made the Aellenrhims weather reddened face tauten into a smile. The perpetually swinging sign, that creaked away outside the tavern read "The Ulvur's cry". Although not at all pleased with the rundown, tatty facade of his temporary accommodation, Petros was not too bothered, as he had seen far worse. The shadows and muffled noise of the inns occupants, made the mage revert back into his familiar self-conscious state, as he edged towards the tavern door. Smiling at some folk that were hanging around the doorstep of the eerie building, Petros cranked open the door with great difficulty, and bit his lip as he wave of warmth, bustling atmosphere and voices of unknown personalities.

 As he stepped inside the dusty tavern he smiled nervously at the other occupants who seemed to be a jolly bunch. Two in particular caught his attention: A man in similar robes to his own, blessed with wonderful jet black hair, and a rather dank and shady man, who sent shivers down the mages spine. Unfortunately, the elf was interrupted in his analysing by a rustling movement underneath his robes. Petros’s emerald eyes widened, as a large "BACAWK!" emanated from under the green fabric. Suddenly feathers's beady chicken head popped through the button hole of Petros's robes, her little eyes curiously taking in her new surroundings. Satisfied with the sudden increase in temperature, the hen released her grip on Petros's under robes, and allowed herself to tumble down onto the hard wooden floor, landing gracefully on her talons. The white fowl let out another squawk directed at the mages hat, which stirred her fluffy babies from their slumber, causing them to dig their little claws into the elf’s ginger mane in an excited rush. Blushing violently, Petros kneeled upon the wooden floor, and tipped his head unsubtly  to the side, resulting in his large mage’s hat and seven fluffy, yellow chicks to fall in an untidy heap on the floor. The mage quickly swiped up his hat placing its now dusty rim upon his head once more. As the fluff balls lovingly huggled up to their mother, Petros embarrassingly covered his green eyes, hoping that this embarrassing incident had never just happened.

"BACAWK!"

A sudden noise startled Yarrow and caused her to turn back as she instinctively tightened her grip on her quarterstaff. She turned just in time to see a fluffy hen tumble down from a lanky elf in his teens. The hen squawked one more time, and Yarrow was surprised to see the elf's hat moving restlessly. He silently took off his hat and kneeled, revealing seven yellow fluffy chicks from his hat. The chicks gathered around the hen, which looked very content.

Yarrow couldn't help chuckling. "You have a very jolly group of companion, young sir. It must be very fun to travel with them." She smiled merrily to the young elf.

To be denied prey on a night's hunt was most frustrating.

He had been following an elf - a young, female and childish looking-elf. She didn't look particularly wealthy, but she was armed fairly well and that led him to believe she must have money for upkeep of her weapons.

Not that he was in particular need of money - but it had seemed a simple opportunity, so he had planned on taking it.
Just as he had prepared to move and make the kill, she had started running, only Arvins knew what for. He followed, silent and swift but rather perturbed, and when she stopped they were in sight of an inn.

He hesitated at this point, as she made for the inn. It was going to storm, and being out in the rain was an uncomfortable thing. He licked his teeth thoughtfully, and as he wondered someone else entered the tavern - oddly dressed and walking strangely in this wind.

After a few more blinks of careful consideration, the Psyrpent relented and approached the tavern silently. He stood at the corner of the structure for another long moment, then let himself inside, fighting the wind to gain entrance and being careful not to let his hood come flying off. His tail lashed angrily as he slammed the door shut behind him, on of its spikes catching a chair and flipping it haphazardly into a somersault to land with a loud and very attention-grabbing CLUNK!

Menora didn't see anyone, but she thought she heard something at the door. Thinking it was just the wind, she thought nothing of it. Yet, a few moments later, she heard the door open. Spinning around, she saw a young woman struggling with the door. The door slammed shut behind her.

"Is this your house, madam? I am sorry for the intrusion but if I may, can I stay for the night? The wind outside is strong and cold, and the inns around this town are already full."

Menora thought that it was a bit silly of this woman to think that this was her home. Obviously this was an inn, from the sign outside to the large lobby full of tables and chairs. She was just about to answer the woman when she was surprised by two more people walking through the door; both males.

They both said greetings, but before the first one could say anything, the woman turned quickly and brought out her sword. With a glance at it, Menora thought briefly of bringing out her own cutlass in case something went awry, but when she heard the single word greeting that the man uttered, she knew that there was no reason to.

"Jumpy thing, this woman. I hope not all the people are going to be like a scared rabbit," she thought to herself.

Once again the door opened and another man came in and said his greetings as well. Menora thought briefly that this was probably the most people this inn had seen in quite a while. Perhaps the other inns should fill up more often so this place could have more visitors. But she gave a small shudder, not from the cold, but from the things she had heard about this place.

A few more people piled into the tavern, one with a hat full of chicks. Menora wondered how many more people were going to show up before the end of the night. The last person that came in announced its presence with a crash of a chair from his tail. Menora gave a gasp, for this was only the thing she had heard of in tales upon the sea.

"I vould appreciate it if you vould be zo kind as not to destroy my tavern," a new voice said. The speaker was on the balcony at the top of the stairs above the bar. Her grey hair was frizzed out all around her face and many wrinkles adorned this face. She did not look happy to be there, but more annoyed that there were people in her tavern.

Taking slow steps across the balcony and down the stairs, she was seen in a blood red dress that fell to the floor. Her eyes glanced from person to person, watching them as if she was looking into their very soul.

"Iz dere someting that you are needing? Or are you just vanting to destroy furniture? I zuggest that you buy your own furniture do zo." She gave a stern look at the psyprent. It did not seem to faze her as to what he was. Instead, she seemed to view him more as a bother instead of a monster.

Menora stepped forward, gulping visually. "Please, ma'am. I know not about the rest of these folks, but I myself would like a bed and warm food and drink. All the other inns are full and they told me to come here." Menora gave a silent prayer that coming here would not result in a big mistake.

At the loud clunk, Vincent had spun around and in the blink of an eye he had his moonblade in his hand, the words MOONLIGHT glinting in the light. Upon seeing the psyprent he nearly swore aloud but before he could he heard another voice saying "I vould appreciate it if you vould be zo kind as not to destroy my tavern"

The speaker was a woman dressed in red. The woman said something else to the psyprent and when she had finished Vincent sheathed his sword and asked, "Would it be possible to find accommodation and a meal at this establishment?"

Malavon eyes sparkled for a brief moment at the sound of the chair being broken , instinctively his hand towards "Zaroc" , his dark blade after all this was not a familiar place and what kind of shady characters would be here ( not that Malavon himself was a paragon of virtue , quite the contrary ) , narrowing his eyes he saw a robbed man or creature near the broken chair What the ... is that a tail ? , before Malavon could say anything , a voice was heard  "I vould appreciate it if you vould be zo kind as not to destroy my tavern,", a old woman just spoke , the owner Malavon taught , then another voice rose "Would it be possible to find accommodation and a meal at this establishment?", a man this time , a traveler like Malavon perhaps , and before the woman could respond him Malavon said " And i second this fellow request dear lady  , except you can forget the acommodation for now and get me something to drink , preferably strong alcohool ... "

"Good day to you. Would you mind if I asked you a question.... Where is this place?"

Daron had just enough time to enter the inn and look about when he was nearly crashed into by some young woman.  He frowned, but then tried to appear pleasant.  It was what Daron would no doubt do.  "This is the Ulver's Cry, and by the look of it, its not one of the more uppity establishments."

She was distracted by another man who entered, and for some reason kept chicks on top his head.  As Daron looked quizzically at the newcomer, he felt movement within the bag he kept under his arm.  A furry masked face peered out, searching for the location of the chick peeps.  Daron hurriedly pushed the head back into the bag.  "Smarten up, Vlad.  I'll feed you soon.  No chicken!"  he whispered.  He took a few steps away from the temptation.  The last thing he needed was for the three of them to start causing trouble tonight.  He could ill afford to get kicked out of here. 

Daron approached the bar and hopped up on a stool.  He was even quicker hopping off the stool, as his butt protested against anything more being pressed against after two days in the saddle.  He winced in pain, and his hand once again circled about to massaged the wounded area.  Sheepishly, he looked about for a bartender.  He would need to get a water and a milk.  And a bowl.

Suddenly, there was the sound of a chair crashing over onto the floor.  Daron immediately shirked away from the noise.  When he saw that it had been an accident, he breathed a sigh of relief.  He then noticed that the hands of a few other patrons were gripped on their swords.  Hastily, he grabbed the pommel of his sword and pulled it partially out of its scabbard.  He cast a cocky look at the man with the chickens.  "He's lucky he didn't startle me, I might have sliced him in two before I could stop myself"

Daron pushed the sword back down into the scabbard.  It was then he heard a strange voice from above.  He turned to face the source of the voice.  The strange looking woman came down the stairs and addressed the person who had tipped the chair.   She seemed a bit haughty in her attitude, and with her looks, she really oughtn't have.  Daron shivered.  He began to wish he had held onto that damn horse a little better.

Ekre's predator eyes regarded Kaldez's finger intently.  For eating?  It was a little too big to gobble down in one and didn't look very much like a piece of meat.  She hopped closer to get a better look, then fluttered awkwardly onto the man's wrist, her claws piercing the man's clothing as she hung on.

"'ello Kald'z," Rookie replied, smiling warmly but not quite prononcing his name correctly.  She was just glad to have found a helpful face so soon after her fall; facing the cat right now didn't seem like such a good idea.

The Brownie clambered onto the friendly stranger's hand, carrying her and Ekre's luggage without too much difficulty.  Her chestnut eyes gaped at the sudden rush of people entering the tavern; she'd never realised there were so many travellers about.  What has brought them all to this dingy spot?  There was a sudden crash from inside the tavern, and Rookie wondered whether she really did want to go inside.

The shock of the sudden entrance of these people have vanished from her mind and she remembered their greetings. She returned her sword on its scabbard. She thought to herself, "How silly of me!"

Another group of strangers came into the room but none of them look unsual, save one. She only heard these creatures in Myths and Rumours around some towns and honestly, she thought that these creatures are nothing more than that.

Her thoughts were quickly disturbed when a new voice spoke, "I vould appreciate it if you vould be zo kind as not to destroy my tavern." The voice came from a woman with an appearance not pleasing to the eye. She seems very annoyed rather than happy seeing this many people here. "This is a tavern? How sillly of me not to notice!"

The woman continued, "Iz dere someting that you are needing? Or are you just vanting to destroy furniture? I zuggest that you buy your own furniture do zo." Angela heard the others speaking of their needs and reasons why they are present in this place.

"I too need a place to stay, madam. I hope that there are still rooms to be filled as I could not spare any of my last strenghts to look for another inn," she said to the woman and hoping that the inn can still hold some more guests.

Inkear prowled around the ground, feeling slightly hurt after having been ignored by so many twowalkers. "Nasty not nice stupid twowalkers..."  He stopped roughly underneath the twowalker's hand gazing intently at the tiny twowalker in it.

Kori silently cursed his extra appendage and turned to face the room - the occupants in general had groped for weapons in response to his noisy entrance. They couldn't see anything of him past his attire, but the tail was a dead giveaway that he was not a normal biped. He was still ruffled by the fact that he had drawn so much attention to himself in the first place.

Odd that they were all so jumpy, pulling swords so hastily. Peering from under his hood, he got the impression that most of them were unsettled for some reason, though he could not imagine a reason why beyond his own existence.

"I vould appreciate it if you vould be zo kind as not to destroy my tavern," said a voice. Korim struggled to tip his head further back to look up, the brim of his cowl obscuring anything above two peds.

"Iz dere someting that you are needing? Or are you just vanting to destroy furniture? I zuggest that you buy your own furniture do zo." The frizzy woman glared at him, and he glared back, though it was unlikely she could see his eyes in the folds of cloth and shadows of the hood.

The coming patrons began demanding rooms and drink - Kori slipped off to a corner table and sat down to watch, ignoring the broken chair sitting in the middle of the room.

Kaldez looked sideways at the tavern as many crowded into it, he sighed then So much for a quite night with few others to be an annoyance, he then heard a loud crash like a breaking table or chair Yep not gona be very quit, he then placed the bird on his shoulder and replied to the little brownies greetings "Hello miss...?" he glanced at his arm where the bird had been, the holes were small and would not be bothersome..yet. Kaldez then turned to the cat "I suppose i should bring your furry but with, we wouldn't want it to be wet to now would we!" He then scooped up the cat with his now free arm and cradled it in the crook of his shoulder adn went to the door, he put his shoulder against hit and forced the door open into the room where he almost tripped over...A TAIL! What is this thing, it must be what broke that chair there! he then walked to the counter saying nothing and ignoring the other patrons for the moment, he glanced at an old women who seemed to be in charge. Kaldez then set the little brownie down on the counter and the cat on the floor he proffered his finger to the bird again and asked the women on the stairs "May i ask for some food and a room? And is it ok if my cat stays in the inn as well?" he decided to refer to the cat as his so that the womene would not shew it out as a stray.

Rainier stood away to the side of the tavern and watched as more patrons entered the tavern, and one in particular caught his eye it was the man that had knocked over the chair upon entering.

Throughout his many travels across the land he had heard stories of creatures that resembled that of a lizard but he had never believed them until this night.  He saw the man take a seat in the corner after being scolded by whom Rainier assumed to be the owner and decided to follow in example not wishing to bother the owner right now.

After finding a seat towards the back but close to the if he could recall correctly  psyprent but not close enough to seem a threat. He unstrapped his blades and placed them on the table and leaned back trying to get as comfortable as he could in this place.

Ekre settled willingly on Kaldez’s shoulder, tucking herself in close to his head in the slightest possibility of gaining some shelter from the vicious winds.  No sooner had she got comfortable however, than the cat, which had been starring intently at her master, also got picked up.  The bird arched her wings outward, pressing one against the mans head, and opened her sharp little beak in a warning to the furry predator.

Rookie meanwhile had also been watching the cat, which had fixed its multi-coloured eyes on her.  It was actually quite a handsome animal with long striped fur in a dark grey and black pattern. That fur would make a beautiful coat. But maybe she should leave it, it probably belonged to someone and she was sure that person would not take kindly to her attacking it.

"Hello miss...?" Kaldez’s question pulled her eyes away from the cat.  In all the confusion she’d forgotten to tell him her own name.  “Rroo’ee, an’ teh falco’ is Eh’rr” she replied, pronouncing both names in their true Browniin forms and smiling at the friendly stranger once more before he scooped up the large tabby and carried them all inside.  The Brownie settled on the counter, and after thanking Kaldez for his kindness, she began to scan the room, again amazed at the number and range of people here.  They all seemed to be looking at one woman, possibly the owner of the hotel, though she didn’t seem particularly welcoming for someone in the hospitality business.   Her red dress and the fireplace seemed to stand out; the rest of the room was covered in a colourless layer of dust.  So…not somewhere I’ll be visiting again then.

Whilst Rookie had been looking around, the kind human had once more offered his finger to Ekre.  The falcon lunged at it with her short, sharp beak, deciding with her simple predator logic that the best way to discover if something was edible was to take a bite.

"MRREEOW!" "PUT ME DOWN!"Inkear struggled and squirmed away from the twowalker, almost hitting the big bird with one of his paws as he did so. Inkear landed on his feet, slightly ruffled and proceeded to give himself a good shake off to get his fur in order and then curled up in the middle of a broken piece of furniture.

The dark haired mage heard greetings from behind him and turned back in the direction of the door threw which he had just entered   Standing not far from the mage was the speaker dressed in a blood red cloak with a striking high collar. His hair was black has the mages with a single sliver cross hanging from his right ear. 

Gervase bowed slightly towards the man careful not to let his deep blue eyes tray too far nor linger too long upon him.  He was far too nervous to speak and his timidity nearly burst forth in the almost obligatory manor it had done so from his childhood.

A man dressed in black and possessing eyes of emerald hue and hare of a snowy blond hue had also entered and spoke as if to the gathering group, “Greetings good people ,” he said, “a hell of weather no?”

At the green eyed mans side hung a sword much darker then that of ordinary metal giving its owner a still deeper aura of foreboding.  With the appearance of the second man his nervousness became even more intense. 

Have I made the wrong decision in coming here, he thought hoping that this would be the end of the surprises awaiting him.

As he was still recovering from the appearance of the two new guests a third man also adorned in black.  His appearance was slightly less menacing then those before but to the young mage still pressing him closer to the limits of his comfort.  He wore a black cape and a wide brimmed hat unlike anything Gervase had seen before.

At that moment a female entered nearly bumping into the man that had entered just before.  A faint smile managed to cross the mages pale face as he thought how often he had done the same thing.

Following closely behind was another man with his own flock of fowl about him. The mage lowered his gaze and began looking for a seat somewhere beyond the commotion of the newcomers.

As he began to walk to a dust seat a loud clunk met his ears.  He could hear the sound of weapons being drawn and froze motionless for a moment then turned slowly about to see what had caused the noise.  To his surprise a Psyrpent had also entered causing a chair to go flying threw the air until it landed with the jarring noise shattering into wooden shards.

Gervase felt as if he was in some sort of dream, as if the events around him were surreal.  In his whole experience he had never witnessed such a gathering brought together by the unpleasant forces of nature under the roof of a less then inviting establishment.

He pondered the situation he found himself in a voice echoed into the somewhat vacant interior from above the bar, "I vould appreciate it if you vould be zo kind as not to destroy my tavern."

Turning himself to see from whom the voice had come the mage was greeted by an aging woman wearing a dress the color of blood that flowed down to the wooden floor beneath her.  She seemed less the eager to serve her guest and more then a bit irritated at their presence.  Her silvery grey hair flared out about her wrinkled face as she slowly descended the stairs toward the patrons below.

"Iz dere someting that you are needing,”  the woman asked as she looked upon the large lizard like being in front of her, “or are you just vanting to destroy furniture? I zuggest that you buy your own furniture do zo."

A woman approached her requesting food and lodging.  Others voiced their request as well but for the moment Gervase chose to be silent.  He was hungry and needed a place to stay but if this was the reception from the matron perhaps his chances else were would be better.

The words of one woman had caught his attention, “All the other inns are full and they told me to come here.”

If the other inns are at capacity I have no choice under the circumstances, he thought and waited his turn to speak, “If you could see clear . . . my lady I too would like to seek food and lodging at your establishment.”
 

Kaldez quickyl pulled his finger away as the bird bit at it, he bareley managed to escape losing a large chunk of his finger, he sucked on it momentarily then proffered his wrist instead. "Nice meeting you Roo'Ree and Errr too, i dont think i pronounced those correctly but its the best i can manage, your accent is veryy different, i dont think i've ever heard it before."

Amelia stood there listening to everyone requesting food, beverage, and rooms. Her eyes swept over the cat now in the middle of the broken chair. A small sneer came to her mouth as her gaze went from the cat to the falcon, who had just finished trying to bite a finger off a man.

"Zo....you all vant zomevhere to stay....I shall have to zee if dere are any roomz available...." She went to behind the bar and squatted down out of sight. Re-appearing, she held a large book that looked as old as the owner. Squinting at the falcon and the small person upon the bar, Amelia dropped the book upon the bar, causing layers of dust to fly in the air.

With a small motion of one of her hands, she shooed the bird and mini-person away from her as she opened the book. The pages were brittle looking and the ink upon many of the pages seemed to be of a red-ish kind. Amelia finally came to the place she was looking for in the book and ran a long, blood-coloured fingernail down the page.

Giving a large sigh, she looked up at her "guests". "It appearz dat dere are roomz enough for all of you. My name iz Amelia Keern and dez iz my inn. Vhile you are here, you vill obey me, or elze you vill find yourzelf out on de ztreetz. Underztand?"

Rookie watched Ekre take a swipe at the man’s finger, and couldn’t hold back the chuckle that spewed forth.  The falcon hopped briefly onto Kaldez’s wrist instead, then onto the bar with Rookie, ruffling her wings in an attempt to smooth the feathers.  As Rookie approached her unpredictable mount the man spoke again.

"Nice meeting you Roo'Ree and Errr too, i dont think i pronounced those correctly but its the best i can manage, your accent is veryy different, i dont think i've ever heard it before."

“I come from der Vale o’ Brownies...,” she began, but was silenced as soon as their slightly forbidding hostess began to speak. 

"Zo....you all vant zomevhere to stay....I shall have to zee if dere are any roomz available...."

 The woman approached the very bar she stood on and, barely acknowledging the two creaturessitting there, she dropped a huge ledger onto the surface, making the entire counter vibrate.  Rookie jumped backwards, coughing from the dust that sprang up, and then further back again as the woman waved one red painted hand at her and Ekre, shooing them away.  Humans! Ekre soared off at once, fluttering upwards to perch on the side of the balcony, and leaving some nice memento claw-marks in the woodwork.

"It appearz dat dere are roomz enough for all of you. My name iz Amelia Keern and dez iz my inn. Vhile you are here, you vill obey me, or elze you vill find yourzelf out on de ztreetz. Underztand?"

Rookie was angry at the woman’s treatment, both to herself and to the rest of her paying customers.  However, the anger only made her bolder so she spoke loudly and as clearly as she could in her little musical voice.

“Meh an’ der falco’ woul’ also like a room please, too.” The “please” was slightly emphasised as a mark of the woman’s own impoliteness.

The creature that she had seen earlier has now dissappeared into the darkness of the room. Some other patrons have become busy with something else: The man who was wearing high collared clothes seems to be talking with the brownie, the cat seems to be trying to escape from the man's grasp.

At last! The old woman said, "Zo....you all vant zomevhere to stay....I shall have to zee if dere are any roomz available...."  She then dissappeared and came back to her guests with a book in hand. The book itself looked as if it was used like a hundred years ago. 'So I assume that this inn is not so popular around the people here...' she thought to herself. The woman opened her book and scanned the pages. She finally looked backed to her guests, "It appearz dat dere are roomz enough for all of you. My name iz Amelia Keern and dez iz my inn. Vhile you are here, you vill obey me, or elze you vill find yourzelf out on de ztreetz. Underztand?"

Angela was a little bit annoyed by her greetings and her command but she would rather stay in a moldy inn than stay in the streets outside. The brownie replied, “Meh an’ der falco’ woul’ also like a room please, too.”  and Angela followed, "Certainly madam!"

“I come from der Vale o’ Brownies...,” Roo'ree began but was stopped by the old women who turned out to be the inn keeper coming down the stairs and announcing that she would have to check for availability "i doubt a single room is taken!" Kaldez muttered to himself. "It appearz dat dere are roomz enough for all of you. My name iz Amelia Keern and dez iz my inn. Vhile you are here, you vill obey me, or elze you vill find yourzelf out on de ztreetz. Underztand?" the inn keeper said. and Roo'ree asked for a room and a women agreed to the womens strictures "What may i ask does obediance imply, i have no plans of being a servant while i remain here kaldez addressed Amelia, then he turned back to Roo'ree "Now what were you saying Roo'ree" Kaldez kept his attention on both the brownie and the inn keeper so neither would feel that he had adressed them then turned away.

"It appearz dat dere are roomz enough for all of you. My name iz Amelia Keern and dez iz my inn. Vhile you are here, you vill obey me, or elze you vill find yourzelf out on de ztreetz. Underztand?" , as soon the woman finished her talk , Malavon eyes flickered dangerously , Did this assume to order me ? That´s quite the presuntion ... , before he could say his piece the little brownie and another woman spoke , almost agreeing to the old woman´s terms , and then a man "What may i ask does obediance imply, i have no plans of being a servant while i remain here " , Malavon grined , Good at least i am not the only one to feel incomodated with such words ..

Steeping forward , Malavon spoke loud enought to everyone to listen " And i dear lady , his voice was cold and slow , don´t like to be order around , you can bark your orders to the others as you wish , but not with me !! , he then smilled like what he just said was not menacing " Now , if you will be so kind , and get something for me to drink like i asked i would be most obliged ..."

A lithe figure walked the shadowy streets.  The cloak billowing and pulling across her form casted an eerie shadow when the moon peeked from between the clouds. 

Cherri tucked her cloak around her trying to keep the cold wind from seeping into her bones.  Staff in her right hand, her left hand rested on the dagger located on the opposite hip.  The only sound that she could hear above the wind's howling was the steady clank of her staff against the road. 

Stray bits of hair escaped her scarlet red hooded cloak.  Her eyes would occasionally sting from the wind as well as he stray bits of hair blowing into violet eyes. 

She had had a brief respite when she had entered the Golden Cup only to be told that the Inn was full and she should seek a room else where for the night.  Rain was in the air or else she simply would have slept outdoors and saved her sans.  But since rain smelled in the air, Cherri was forced to seek shelter in the only Inn that supposedly had any available rooms. 

So down the dark desolate streets she walked until she finally saw a swaying sign.  Upon closer inspection the sign read 'Ulver's Cry' and Cherri knew she had found the Inn.  She pushed upon the door when a shadow form caught her eye.  Her violet eyes slid about as she grasped her staff tighter.  Several of the shadows at the side of the building moved and Cherri pushed upon the worn piece of wood harder.  Finally the door gave with a creek and she almost fell into the room.  Quickly she closed the door against the wind and whatever else the night had to offer her.

Turning to face the room she noticed several people were gathered about.

Lowering her crimson hood, Cherri shook back her silvery hair and tried to smooth the wind blown look she now sported.

Eyeing a woman behind a dusty bar, Cherri approached apprehensively.  As she had looked around the Inn the place did not seem like it saw travelers on a regular basis.  There was dust and broken pieces of furniture lying about.  Shifting her violet eyes from the room, Cherri regained some of her confidence as she spoke to the woman clad in a blood red dress with nails to match.

"My name is Cherri Rowandyn and I would like to stay the night if you have a room available.  Also a hot meal and something to drink would be appreciated."

Cherri fingered her purse as she waited for the woman's response.

Inkear lookd up at the twowalker that had let the cold in and bundled himself up further. inside his longish fur, leaving his good ear sticking up, a black peak sticking out of all the fur. He shivered slightly and then retreated back into the remains of the chair.

“Meh an’ der falco’ woul’ also like a room please, too.” Amelia looked down at the Brownie who she had just shooed away. Apparently the little creature wanted a room for her and her falcon.

"I am zorry," Amelia said, her tone saying that she wasn't sorry at all. "But I do not have roomz fit for a Brownie. You vill have to ztay vith de young voman who asked for a room firzt."

She looked over at Menora with a slight look of disgust at the whale leather that adorned her body. Making it seem as though it came from no where, a golden key appeared in her hand. The number 1 was etched into it. With a slight flick of her wrist, she tossed the key to Menora, who caught it looking quite flustered. She then took out a quill and a bottle of ink. The ink was a red, but darker then the clothes upon Amelia. Opening it, she dunked the quill into the ink.

"Name?"

"Wha...? Oh! It's Menora....Menora Derrin," Menora said quickly. Amelia wrote that down then set the quill down.

"Room number one iz yourz. Dat vill be one od," Amelia said as she held out her hand, waiting for the erg.

Menora gave a small gulp as she reached into her bag and pulled out her last od. Fortunately she had several sans still in her bag. Stepping forward, she dropped the odd into Amelia's awaiting hand.  Amelia closed her hand around the coin with a smile.

"Dank you. If you vant zomeding to eat and drink, then you vill vait down here," Amelia said as the coin seemingly disappeared into thin air. "Oh, alzo, you vill take this Brownie to your room. Ze vill ztay wid you."

"I wonder if this Amelia person has something against Brownies," Menora thought as she moved to the side of the bar where the Brownie was standing.

Amelia took no more notice of the two women as she turned her attention to the man dressed in black and red. Another key appeared in her hand, this one with the number two etched on it. Another flick of her wrist and it was in the  air headed towards Vincent.

Picking up the quill again, she asked, "Name?"

Writing down his name she then said, "You heard me before, an od and if you vant zomeding to eat or drink, then you vill ztay here."

Another key was flicked at Angela, the number three engraved and her name was also asked. "Number dree." was all that was said, but she was still expecting payment.

"What, may I ask, does obedience imply? I have no plans of being a servant while I remain here."

She turned sharply to Kaldez. "Did I zay dat you vere going to be a zervant? No. I zaid that you vill obey me. Bad dingz happen to dose who do not obey." This statement had no malice or any threat. She said it as it were a mere fact.

Picking up her quill once again, she asked him, "Name?". Sliding a key with the number 4 across the bar, with no thought of the Brownie or falcon standing there, she spoke again. "Oh, yez. Dat cat can ztay in your room, but it needz to ztay dere, not vander everyvhere. Alzo, dat vill cozt you 5 sans."

"And I dear lady, don´t like to be ordered around. You can bark your orders to the others as you wish , but not with me!! Now , if you will be so kind, and get something for me to drink like I asked I would be most obliged ..."

Fire seemed to shoot from Amelia's eyes as she stared at the impudent man who thought that he had the right to speak to her that way. "Vhen Haz getz here, den he vill deal wid you." she said in a cold tone.

"And vhat iz your name?" Amelia asked the man who was wearing fancy looking robes, thinking she was almost done.

After writing his name down, she tossed him a key that had the number 5 on it. "Your room iz number five. One od for de night."

As soon was she was done speaking, another person entered the tavern. "My name is Cherri Rowandyn and I would like to stay the night if you have a room available.  Also a hot meal and something to drink would be appreciated."

Amelia wrote down the name into the book and then tossed a key with the number  six engraved upon it to Cherri. "You are in room number zix. It vill be an od for de night. Alzo, if you would like food or drink, den ztay down here."

Looking up at the crowd of people who stood there, she said loud enough for everyone to hear her, "Iz dere anyone elze dat vould like to have a room for the night? If not, den I shall be on my vay...."

The old women turned to him quickly her eyes were like sharp knives "Did I zay dat you vere going to be a zervant? No. I zaid that you vill obey me. Bad dingz happen to dose who do not obey." "Name?" "Oh, yez. Dat cat can ztay in your room, but it needz to ztay dere, not vander everyvhere. Alzo, dat vill cozt you 5 sans." What a very rude and commanding women, this night might be very... troublesome, i feel that those who make her angry will find a very... bad occurance awaits them "My name is Kaldez'Yadra, i thank you for clearing that little matter up." he reached into a pouch concealed beneath his clothes dgging around for an odd he sighed when he found one and handed it too her, he then removed 5 sans from the pouch and gave them to her, he grbaed the key before it could hit Roo'ree or her falcon. he walked over to where the cat was and knelt there as the old women asked for some of the others names, he stuck the key with the number four on it into his money pouch "I'm sorry cat but once i get my food i think your gona be stuck in my room or thrown out, that or i will meet a very unfortunate happening, and i assume you would too." Kaldez talked to the cat in a voice that would not be heard by the other. he then stood and took a seat in the corner putting his feet on the dusty table infront of him.

Petros gasped, as the horde of patrons began to all request rooms. Damn his rather senile slowness...

"Iz dere anyone elze dat vould like to have a room for the night? If not, den I shall be on my vay...."

With this Petros squirmed thorugh the sea of people and various animals, and stopped within earshot of the rather decrepit yet strangely loving looking woman...

"Ma'am, Ma'am! May i please purchase a room before you depart? and would it be ok if my chick peeps stayed with me aswell?...If not i would like your humble permission to sleep in the barn..." The elf said it loud enough, so that he could grab the Mistresses attention, hoping dearly that she was not "Fowl-o-phobic".

Just before the red-dressed woman replied, Kaldez asked the little Brownie too continue what she had been saying.  Speaking hurriedly in a hushed tone to the white haired man for fear of disturbing the scary woman’s thoughts, the Brownie replied.  “…dat is wherrre accen’ come from, T’arian no’ mey firs’ tongue.”  Rookie managed to pass on the little explanation before the lady began to speak again, her miniature features showing her thanks for his help. 

However, all pleasure was wiped from her face as the woman spoke.  Rookie was not pleased at the way she was being treated by this arrogant hostess, and raised one tiny eyebrow in disbelief as the woman ordered Menora to “take her” away.  Like she couldn’t have gone on her own if she wanted!  The Brownie may be small but that did not make her completely helpless. On the other hand, the woman had not asked for payment from her, and Rookie was at heart a practical creature.  Maybe she would have an opportunity later to leave a little souvenir of her displeasure, but right now a free room out of the wind was worth a lot.  Plus the others didn’t seem to be getting very far with their complaints. 
     
Thinking that perhaps she ought to ask this Menora if they should share the cost, Rookie turned to her as the woman continued to distribute keys among the other patrons.  Rookie doubted whether they’d have Brownie sized meals either.  “I’ seems we share room, Menorra.” The tiny voice addressed Menora.  “Meh name is Rroo’ee.  I pay you somethin’ forr room too.”  She stated firmly.  “Meybe you wan’ ge’ meal, we share too? I no’ ea’ much cos I so small, an’ I don’ tink dis woman serve Brrownie sizze meal.”  The Brownie crossed her arms and threw a slightly dirty look at their hostess as she finished her sentence.

Vincent caught the key that was thrown at him by the hostess and gave her his name and payed for the room with a quick thank you. He tucked the key away before turning away to find a patron he could have a friendly conversation with.

Angela was caught off guard when the old woman threw a key to her with a number three etched on it. The old woman said, "Number dree." She gave her payment and said "Angela Ypheren is my name" then she bowed to the old woman as a sign of gratitude.

Angela moved backwards and whispered, "Thank You for the room." She heard the woman throwing more keys at some other guests and some guests shouting to get her attention. She moved at the corner of the inn to take some rest and watch what will happen before she head for her room.

Cherri nodded her head and her fingers found her money pouch easily she took out the payment, placed it on the bar and slid it over to the mistress. Then taking the key she received in exchange, Cherri tucked it into an inner pocket.

Moving aside so that some of the other patrons could access the bar she bumped into a rather young looking elf. He called out to the mistress of the Inn in hopes of getting a room as well for the evening.

He stood little more than two palmspans taller than she. His hair was the color of ginger and upon closer inspection his eyes were the most enchanting shade of green.

Waiting until he was finished speaking, Cherri began her apology for rudely bumping into him.

Her melodic voice was soft yet solid as she did not lack confidence. "Excuse me Sir. I did not mean to bump into you. Please accept my apologies." Her violet eyes were warm and a small smile lifted her lush pink lips into a friendly greeting. "I am Cherri, Cherri Rowandyn. If you are not dining with anyone else, I would be grateful for company this evening."

The small hairs had raised themselves on the back of her neck when she had first entered the Inn. She kept a feeling of that something was not right but could not place what. For the first time since she entered the Inn, Cherri felt safer in the presence of the younger elf. Perhaps she just needed a companion for the evening. Someone to converse with and keep her mind from the dreary surroundings.

As Cherri took a step back putting more distance between herself and the eerie mistress dressed in the rich color of blood, her mind suddenly grasped a warning the woman had directed at another patron. Her analytical mind began to turn as she sought the meaning behind the simple words.

Amelia

"Ma'am, Ma'am! May I please purchase a room before you depart? And would it be ok if my chick peeps stayed with me as well?...If not I would like your humble permission to sleep in the barn..."

Amelia did not look kindly upon the had full of chicks, but she merely gave a small sniff before chucking a key at the young elf. This key had the number seven upon it. "You are in number zeven. The uzual fee, except I vould like two zanz for de chickz. Their feaderz vill mez the room up. Alzo, name?" She picked up her quill and prepared to write his name.

---

Menora

“I’ seems we share room, Menorra. Meh name is Rroo’ee.  I pay you somethin’ forr room too. Meybe you wan’ ge’ meal, we share too? I no’ ea’ much cos I so small, an’ I don’ tink dis woman serve Brrownie sizze meal."

Menora looked down at the small woman, now that she was close enough she could tell, just barely, that it was indeed a woman. Glad that Amelia's attention wasn't upon her anymore, she bent down slightly as to hear the Brownie better.

"Aye...so it seems. I doubt there's a Brownie sized bed for you. I guess we'll have to work around that when we get up there. And, it's very nice to meet you, Rro'ee? Is that it?" Menora wasn't quite sure if she was saying the name right, but she figured it was close enough. "And...well, you don't have to pay that much of the cost for the room. Only a couple of sans should do it."

"I wonder where she keeps her money," Menora thought as she looked at the Brownie. Rro'ee didn't seem much bigger then the od she just handed over.

"And yes, we can share a meal. I'm not all that hungry anyways. I wonder what they have....although I hope it isn't prepared by this woman." Menora said the last part in the softest whisper she could manage. She did not want to face the wrath of the inn keeper from the Netherworlds.

Daron saw his opportunity to speak and he took it, knowing that he had no where else to go.  "I need a room too.  My name is Eg-... Daron Soulstealer. "  He blushed at his gaff, then tried to hide it by puffing out his chest.  "Perhaps some of you good people have heard of me.  I'm considered a hero in some parts."   The rustling in his cloth bag reminded him that he had three very hungry friends with him.  "And I really need to get a meal quickly too."

Yarrow heard the young man in front of her address himself by the name of Daron Soulstealer. She raised an eyebrow in doubt. She had heard that Soulstealer was an elf, not a human. Could it be that the rumor she had picked up before from the market was false? But that did not matter for now. She had to get a room. Fast.

"I would also like a room, please." she half shouted across the room and came towards the old lady. She secretly hoped that the old lady wouldn't bite her. She casted a glance on her left to Daron Soulstealer. She never saw a hero so... shy before. Weren't all heroes supposed to be big and proud, and maybe a bit smug?

"Later, when you will dine, would you be kind enough to share a table with me, sir? I personally do not like sitting alone." Yarrow smiled at Soulstealer.

Slipping from the back, Kori approached the tavern keeper just behind the elf he had almost tried to kill earlier that night. He slid a small scrap of parchment across at the old woman, an od riding on top of it - a single word was scratched into the parchment:

Kori

Inkear ignored the twowalker talking to him, staying curled up in a ball on the floor giving the annoying necklace around his neck a scratch, the little bit of shiny metal was kind of dirty, and the twowalkers' scratches on it were somewhat difficult to see. The metal jangled slightly and Inkear promptly sat up trying to get it off. "Stupid twowalker metal, sticking on my neck! GET OFF!"

"Later, when you will dine, would you be kind enough to share a table with me, sir? I personally do not like sitting alone."

Daron was a little startled by the request.  Then a knowing smile played about his lips.  She just wanted to get close to the hero.  This identity was great, he thought to himself, as he eyed her comely form.  If he played his cards right, she just might pay for the meal herself as well.  He shot her a winning smile.  "I would be honored.  You must tell me the name of the enchanting dining partner of mine."  He felt more disturbance in the bag over his shoulder and he gave it a quick poke, smiling sheepishly at her. 

He did not notice that Bart had managed to slipout and fall to the floor.  The little ferret slipped under the nearest table.  It was content to watch the activities of the people for now, but its little black eyes surveyed the room.  Bart was hungry, and one thing always meant food.  If he could find something shiny and bring it back to his master, there would be a treat ready.

Daron was relieved when the bag stopped moving.  Yes, he knew they were hungry, but what could he do?  He couldn't very well let them out.  Vlad and Xavier would go after thiose chickens in an instant.  Or the brownie.  By the gods, wouldn't that cause the scene?  And Bart.  Who knew the trouble that little bugger could get into?  Last thing he needed was to get caught stealing here.

Gervase watched intently as the grey haired woman pulled a large book from behind the bar and began flipping through the old tome.  As she found the aging page she was looking for she ran her red nailed fingers along its surface then marked with fading red ink.

"It appearz," she said, “dat dere are roomz enough for all of you. My name iz Amelia Keern and dez iz my inn. Vhile you are here, you vill obey me, or elze you vill find yourzelf out on de ztreetz. Underztand?"

Obey, the young mage thought, the last time I have been asked to obey was when I fists came to live at The Academy of Magic and was told I would have to obey to stay in the tower reserved for Fire mages.

He cocked his head a bit to his right as he pondered the situation, perhaps she considers her guests as her children, the dark haired man thought.

The mage watched with interest as the matron began registering each of her guests.  He marked mentally that the brownie was not assigned her own room and thought it a bit peculiar, would she not wish the Od of payment from each guests, he thought, if so why not let her stay in her own room?

Why an Od for payment, he wondered seeing the brass coin was typically used for measurements.  He reached within his girdle and found the coin purse he hid within and felt for the elongated object he would require.  Grasping it firmly he removed the item and held it in his palm.

Gervase noticed that as each coin was placed within the woman’s hand it seemed disappear as if by some magical means.  The raven-haired man had heard about individuals commonly referred to as false mages and wondered if the matron might be one. 

The thought passed quickly as he was being addressed by the woman, "And vhat iz your name?"

“Gervase Bertrand my lady,” the page said nodding his head

"Your room iz number five. One od for de night," Amelia said tossing him the key.

Stepping towards the bar he offered his coin to her outstretched hand, “thank you,” he said and watched intently with his deep blue eyes to see if he could ascertain how her magic worked then bowing and retreating back into the group.



From behind him, he heard the voice of another arrival requesting a room, "My name is Cherri Rowandyn and I would like to stay the night if you have a room available.  Also a hot meal and something to drink would be appreciated."

Gervase tried a timid smiled and nodded towards the violet-eyed woman hoping not to seem too nervous.  Her moon light colored hair seemed to glisten in the flickering light that lit the room. He was pleased to hear that the woman would occupy a room near him seeing there was something about her that put his mind at ease.


Perhaps I should find a seat, he thought and began looking about for one seated away from the group.  Finding a suitable location, he made his way avoiding the other guest.  He sat the black leather satchel down next to his seat and reached inside for his journal removing the black handkerchief that engulfed it.  Placing the item on the table, he opened it and hoped that by pretending to read he might not raise the anger of the matron.

Amelia seemed to the young mage a little exocentric in dress and actions but not too far so compared to many he had met in Ximax.  He thought about what tribe if human she might belong to and then pondered something quite strange, could she be an Ulvur?

The mage read so many diverse subjects and being a bit on the gullible side at times he tended to believe nearly everything he read.  He shook his head and sighted softly. At least I will have a roof over my head tonight, he thought as he read quietly.

“Aye...so it seems. I doubt there's a Brownie sized bed for you. I guess we'll have to work around that when we get up there. And, it's very nice to meet you, Rro'ee? Is that it?" “Yes, I’m Rroo’ee.”   the Brownie smiled. Not many people were able to pronounce it correctly first time round.  “An’ I’ no problem if dere no Brownie be’s, I slee’ on coat.”

“And...well, you don't have to pay that much of the cost for the room. Only a couple of sans should do it” Menora said. Rookie reached into the bag that was usually carried by her falcon, wiggling her arm around until she found a few coins nestling among the gems that made up the rest of her wealth.  She would have to change some more of them the next chance she got; Rookie only had one san left besides the two she now pushed onto the counter in front of Menora.

Rookie also wished she could be sure that the food wouldn’t be cooked by their charming hostess, but unfortunately she thought it might be a bit of a vain hope.  At least let her wash her hands first. Please?  Rookie took another look at the hands turning the book, and watched as several other people came and collected keys from her, all assigned different rooms.  So many people!

Meanwhile, Ekre the falcon had spotted a family of small, fluffy and delicious-looking chicks sitting perfectly positioned on top of one of the elves hats.  Watching them with greedy predator eyes she swooped down from the staircase and over them, perching instead on a light fitting set into the wall where she could get a better view of the little mouthfuls.

"Vhen Haz getz here, den he vill deal wid you." , Malavon eyes narrowed at the implicit threat , Haz , who the hell is Haz ? , Malavon taught , but the way the old woman said that made Malavon putting his hand in Zaroc pommel just for precaution.

With difficulty he stopped a curse and turned his back to the woman , the way she said those words somehow had preoccupied Malavon , still mumbling words of hate towards the old woman , Malavon heard a conversation between two other patrons that arouse his curiosity "My name is Daron Soulstealer ,Perhaps some of you good people have heard of me.  I'm considered a hero in some parts. " , an ironic smile appeared on Malavon face That is Daron Soulstealer ? I would expect more of such a well known hero ...
Aproaching the young lady and Daron , Malavon smilled and asked " Pardon me good friend but i couldn´t stop to hear that we have a real life hero amongst us , and i wondered if i could buy you a drink and for the lady as well " , he then gave a quick look at the old woman and added " In the case that old harpy decides to open the damn bar... "

"I need a room too.  My name is Eg-... Daron Soulstealer. Perhaps some of you good people have heard of me.  I'm considered a hero in some parts. And I really need to get a meal quickly too."

She merely look at Daron a bit longer before replying to him. "If you dink dat you vill get a better price for being a hero, den you are miztaken. One od for you az vell and you are in room eight." She wrote his name down in her book and tossed the key towards him.

She saw the tailed man slide her a piece of paper with an od on it. Looking at the single word written upon the paper, she assumed that must be his name. She took the piece of paper, and the od, wrote his name down, and slide the key across the bar in the sam fashion as he did. "You shall have number ten."

Looking briefly at the man who approached Daron, she wondered if he would need a room later, but gave it no second thought. Closing the book loudly, she placed the stopper back into the ink and returned the items to their dusty shelf.

"Zince many of you are requezting zomeding to eat and drink, I shall call for Haz." She backed up and opened a door that was located just to the side of the shelves of wine and glasses. "Haz!" she called sharply through the door.

There was quite a racket as a large man, some would say he was a giant, appeared in the doorway. He dwarfed Amelia. A fresh scratch was upon his cheek, blood oozing down towards his jawline.

"Haz...Iz....iz it dat?" Amelia asked, her voice cracking for the first time that night. Her face displaying worry.

"No worry. Haz have it controlled." Haz spoke in short sentences, his intelligence, or lack there of, showing through.

"Very vell....ve have visitorz tonight. Dey are azking for food and drink. I shall leave you vid dem." Haz walked through the door allowing Amelia to disappear behind into it, closing it as she went.

"Food?" Haz asked as he cracked his knuckles loudly. He looked around, before speaking again. "We have....uh....Thyrón Chowder......Thergerim Carrot Mash......Garthook Stew with Celeste Red Beans......Krakalimari with Weeproot Rings......Kao-kao Fruitballs.....Thyslanian Spicecakes. That's all....I think. We have drink. Drinks are....uhm....Tulimon Grape Juice.....Rosemint Cordeal......Tuborger Brown.....Spring Joy......Stratas Delight....and Mil‘no Fire. Now....order." This long speech and him having to remember everything seemed to wear Haz out, although there was a small glint in his eye that said he was ready to fight if the need came to.

"I would be honored.  You must tell me the name of the enchanting dining partner of mine." Daron Soulstealer smiled at Yarrow. Yarrow couldn't help smiling back. He fell for it. Now all Yarrow needs to do is to talk a bit with him... then she'll find out the result of the bet she had made with herself: is he the real Daron Soulstealer? If he finds out that she was just tricking him, well, at least Yarrow found a little amusement for herself.

"My name is Yarr-"

"Zince many of you are requezting zomeding to eat and drink, I shall call for Haz. Haz!" the old woman slammed her book shut and shouted. Yarrow turned and gasped.

"B-but, I don't have a room yet!" She said rather angrily. What was all that waiting for if the lady doesn't give her a place to sleep?

Just then, a big, bulky giant stepped into the doorway, and he had a giant scar oozing with blood on his jawline. Yarrow looked calm, but inside, she was gaping. What creature could have injured that man?!

"Haz.... Iz... iz it dat?" the old lady shuddered.

"No worry. Haz have it controlled." the giant, Haz, spoke in slow, clear words, and Yarrow couldn't tell if the giant was just being sarcastic or was really a slow speaker.


"Very vell....ve have visitorz tonight. Dey are azking for food and drink. I shall leave you vid dem." the old lady calmed and went out the door, leaving Haz behind. Haz gazed at the visitors, and Yarrow waited in suspense.

"Food?" Haz asked as he cracked his knuckles loudly. He looked around, before speaking again. "We have....uh....Thyrón Chowder......Thergerim Carrot Mash......Garthook Stew with Celeste Red Beans......Krakalimari with Weeproot Rings......Kao-kao Fruitballs.....Thyslanian Spicecakes. That's all....I think. We have drink. Drinks are....uhm....Tulimon Grape Juice.....Rosemint Cordeal......Tuborger Brown.....Spring Joy......Stratas Delight....and Mil‘no Fire. Now....order."

Haz slumped, as if he was tired. Yarrow blinked, then sighed. I guess I'll just have to order for room later....

"... Huh. Well, may I, sir, to have one Thyrón Chowder and Rosemint Cordeal?" Yarrow said politely to Haz. Then she turned to Daron. "I'll introduce myself after we sit, sir. Will you order as well?"

Rainier heard that there seemed to be enough rooms for all of the occupants of the room and was happy he would hate to see anyone be forced out into this night. He got up from his table and placed his blades back around his waste and began to walk up towards the bar.

"Excuse me mi lady I would like to get a room in your humble inn my name is Rainier." He than looked around to see all of the other occupants and found that there was a brownie who seemed to be accompanied by a falcon or so it seemed to be a falcon he couldn't be sure with the poor lighting. "Look Star it seems you might have a friend maybe you should go introduce yourself." She seemed to be reluctant but finally jumped off of his shoulder onto the counter and started to walk away towards the brownie and other bird.

" Pardon me good friend but I couldn't stop to hear that we have a real life hero amongst us , and i wondered if i could buy you a drink and for the lady as well " , he then gave a quick look at the old woman and added " In the case that old harpy decides to open the damn bar... "

"... Huh. Well, may I, sir, to have one Thyrón Chowder and Rosemint Cordeal?" Yarrow said politely to Haz. Then she turned to Daron. "I'll introduce myself after we sit, sir. Will you order as well?"

Daron smiled at his good fortune.  He first turned to the stranger that approached them.  "Of course, my good man.  Anyone that wants to buy me and my lovely companion here a drink, is more than welcome at my table.  And as long as your buying, you are welcome to stay."   Daron laughed as if joking, but inside it held some grain of truth. 

He looked at the elf and grinned.  "Yes, I do believe I will order, and I look forward to getting your name."   He turned to the large, and obviously dimwitted man.  His natural desire to show off took over and his eyes sparkled mischievously.  "So, Haz, if the old biddy could speak proper Tharian, what would your name really be?  Hans?  Hank?"   He glanced back at his two companions with a conspiratorial wink.  "Olaf?"  He began to chuckle at the big oaf's expense.

Under the table, Bart's black beady little eyes darted about.  It was tempting, really tempting to go after that chicken, and his tongue came out and licked his chops.  Still, he spotted something else of interest.  Near the feet of another man was a satchel, laying there open.  Open!  It was just too inviting.  Darting in and out of moving legs with practiced ease, he made his way to the satchel, to that very inviting satchel.  And just what would he find in here, he wondered, as he poked his furry little snout into it.

Meanwhile, in the bag over Daron's shoulder.  Two very cramped, very hungry, very miserable ferrets were busy eyeing each other.   Xavier was cramped, and Vlad was taking up far more than half the bag.  It wasn't fair.  Something had to be done.  Reaching out, Xavier nipped at Vlad's flanks.  The other ferret, bigger than Xavier, though not by much, snarled and bit him back.  That was it.  It was on now, and he dove on the other, and the two began to struggle.  Suddenly, the side of the bag curved in and a hard knock was felt on the side of his head, and for a second he saw spots before his eyes.  Apparently, Vlad saw the same thing, and the two of them resumed their staring contest.  At least he had half the bag now.

Daron looked sheepish as he had to once again poke the bag.  What were they doing?  Couldn't they just behave for once?

"We have....uh....Thyrón Chowder......Thergerim Carrot Mash......Garthook Stew with Celeste Red Beans......Krakalimari with Weeproot Rings......Kao-kao Fruitballs.....Thyslanian Spicecakes. That's all....I think. We have drink. Drinks are....uhm....Tulimon Grape Juice.....Rosemint Cordeal......Tuborger Brown.....Spring Joy......Stratas Delight....and Mil‘no Fire. Now....order.", said the large man. Vincent Thought for a moment before saying to the man, "I'll have the Garthook Stew with Celeste Red Beans and a Tuborger Brown"

He then walked over to the elf who had just introduced himself as Rainier and asked, "Do you mind if I share a table with you while we eat for I am in need of some civil conversation" He said this with a polite smile on his face and then said, "if you like I could pay for your meal?"

Something out of the corner of her eye caught Cherri's attention.  She turned to see it fully and realized that it wasn't an it afterall but a human.  His hair was dark and his robes hung to his thin form.  She caught his small smile and returned it with one of her own.  Perhaps this was indeed a chance to make new acquaintances and perhaps even be blessed enough to make some friends, tho the setting was not ideal.  Still what was the ideal setting.  Cherri inclined her head in the man's direction and her violet eyes watched him as he took to a table and then removed a book of some sorts from his satchel and began to read.

Cherri looked back to the ginger haired man and hoped that he had heard her.  Taking another step back, other patrons began to fill the hole she left reminding her of how sand fills itself in when one makes a hole in the desert.  Smiling to herself at Cherri turned her violet eyes towards the human she had seen earlier.  She closed the distance between herself and the table only the whisper of her dress making any mention of her passing across the room.  Her eyes seemed to reflect the dancing fire light as she peered down at the human.  

"Excuse me sir, my name is Cherri, and I was wondering if I may sup with you this evening?"  

A loud sharp sound caused Cherri to turn her head back in the direction of the bar.  The mistress of the Inn had snapped closed the book.  Her voice was sharp and distinct tho her accent made it a but hard to discern what she was saying.  Cherri caught that apparently the kitchen and the bar would be opening soon.  The woman then went to a door and called for someone.  The loudness of the woman's voice caused Cherri's sensitive ears to ring slightly.  Then a tall hulking mass entered filling the doorway as he moved into the the Inn behind the bar.  Cherri was surprised that he fit behind the bar.  A scarlet streak caught her violet eyes which widened slightly.  The man was injured.  Apparently this worried the Mistress of the Inn as well.  Cherri had wondered early about the woman's stiff demeanour.  The Mistress possessed a sharp tongue and sharp wit and appeared as warm and friendly as the farthest reaches of Northern Sarvonia in the dead of winter would be to a naked being.  Cherri thought of the stories she had heard about barren frozen waste lands devoid of most life and thought that the analogy suited the Mistress well.  That was until she heard the concern in the woman's voice when she pointed out the wound on the other's face.  

The man, named Haz apparently or at least as she understood, quickly comforted the Mistress much to Cherri's relief.  Then the woman disappeared out the door Haz had recently occupied.  Apparently the Mistress felt that Haz was capable enough to handle the room full of patrons.  Cherri's eyes darted about looking for any who appeared to have trouble on their minds.  Then her attention was grabbed once more by the hulking mass of man as he spoke in  loud slow sort of voice.  He listed off the menu items pausing here and there.  Then announced he was ready to take their orders.  Cherri could tell that the man was not much in intelligence, but he made up for it more than likely in brute strength.  With the Mistress as his overseer, Cherri doubted that he needed to be high in intelligence.

Still something about the man touched a soft spot in Cherri's heart and when she overheard one of the other patrons making a joke at the man's expense her ire began to rise.  With but a few words she could choke the life from the self proclaimed hero.  Most hero's did not need to brag about themselves and most did not.  Most hero's didn't even consider themselves heroes at all.  This man on the other hand loudly proclaimed himself a hero.  Cherri took a deep steading breath and exhaled slowly.  Humans could be so vain at times and the more flamboyant they appeared the more they were usually trying to hide.

Cherri turned back to the table where the human man sat.  Cherri thought for a moment cocking her head to one side.  So many had been yelling their names out that she couldn't tell who was who...except for the ones that were female of course.  And that was only because their numbers were much smaller than the males.  

"Sir would you like for me to place an order for you as well.  I was about to make my way back to the bar and place an order for the Tulimon Grape Juice and Thyrón Chowder."  Cherri awaited the answer from the human bent over his book.

Yarrow finished ordering her food, and was conversing with Daron Soulstealer, when the man who had previously threatened the lady of the tavern came up. He had a slight smile that was very similar to Yarrows. Ones that look for amusement.

" Pardon me good friend but I couldn't stop to hear that we have a real life hero amongst us , and i wondered if i could buy you a drink and for the lady as well," the man then gave a quick look at the old woman and added " In the case that old harpy decides to open the damn bar... "

Yarrow silently chuckled. She noticed that Daron was smiling. A relieved smile. That made Yarrow even more doubtful.

Daron turned to the new patron.  "Of course, my good man.  Anyone that wants to buy me and my lovely companion here a drink, is more than welcome at my table.  And as long as your buying, you are welcome to stay."   Daron laughed, and Yarrow faked a smile politely. She didn't think Daron meant what he complimented her. She guessed he just said it to win her over.

Daron then turned to Yarrow with a dashing smile. "Yes, I do believe I will order, and I look forward to getting your name."

Then he turned to Haz.   "So, Haz, if the old biddy could speak proper Tharian, what would your name really be?  Hans?  Hank?"   He glanced back at Yarrow and their new companion with a conspiratorial wink.  "Olaf?"  He began to chuckle at the big oaf's expense.

Yarrow glanced at Daron uncomfortably. This fool might start a tavern brawl if he doesn't be careful. She cast down her eyes and smiled, and went to sit on an empty table, and motioned both Daron and the new stranger to sit. She hoped Haz wouldn't take what Daron said as a provocation.

Yarrow turned to the new companion. "I am very pleased to meet you, sir," she smiled.

Just then she saw something flash out from the table, and dissapear. She blinked. Just when she was about to comment, Daron's bag began to bulge uncontrollably. Daron knocked it, and it soon became silent.

"... Huh?"

Yarrow raised an eyebrow questioningly as Daron looked at her sheepishly and poked the bag once more.

”Excuse me sir,” a melodic voice said interrupting his quiet reading, “my name is Cherri, and I was wondering if I may sup with you this evening?"

The dark haired mage felt his nervousness begin to surface like flames engulfing tender. He stiffened slightly in response to the voice and he gripped his book tighter causing in pale fingers to become even whiter. He raised deep blue eyes from the parchment pages and saw the violent eyed elfess bathed in the firelight that brightened the room.  A timid smile crossed his face and he gently closed the small leather bound book he held.

Before Gervase could respond to the woman’s request he heard the mistress of the tavern billowed to her help and a clatter that pulled his attention.  He looking directly at the grey haired woman as she stood holding open the door of the kitchen.

"Haz...Iz....iz it dat,"  Amelia questioned looking into the room beyond.

As she spoke the massive, giant like figure engulfed the doorway.  Blood ran from what appeared to be a fresh break in the skin that covered his cheek slowing creeping down towards his jaw. He presumed the man’s name was Haz from what the woman had said but of what race or tribe he belonged he was not sure. The man assured the grey haired woman ‘it’ was under control.

For a moment the mage furrowed his brow as he pondered what this ‘it’ might be. He thought that this ‘it’ had apparently injured the massive man.  The mage noted that the apparently fearless Amelia seemed to be so concerned about whatever this ‘it’ was.

The mistress informed Haz that visitors were present and desired food and drink.  Understanding the woman’s instruction he moved behind the bar and informed the guests of what was available for refreshment.

As the man finished speaking Cherri spoke again to the mage, "Sir would you like for me to place an order for you as well.  I was about to make my way back to the bar and place an order for the Tulimon Grape Juice and Thyrón Chowder."
The young mage nodded towards the woman with a timid smile.  He enjoyed watching the dancing flames as they played across the face of the elfess and the internal fire that danced within her own eyes.

“Why, yes Lady Cherri," he said, “it would be an honor to share a meal with you.  My name is Gervase Bertrand at your service,”  he paused a moment thinking about what to order, “I will also accept your gracious offer to place my order as well.  The Tulimon Grape Juice and Thyrón Chowder sound perfect for such an even so I will have the same.”
To be honest Gervase was not sure what food he should choose.  After hearing some of the dishes available he had almost lost his apatite.  How could one ruin the chowder, he reasoned, unless on purpose.

He took in a deep breath and nodded, “I am not always sure what to order. . . the food often appears much different then one imagines from their discriptions.”
He thought about how his sessions with the elven female gifted in Eyash had helped to alleviate some of his excruciating shyness.  The mage still was shrouded in self doubt and could easily be shaken by his insecurities but, at least for the moment, his insecurities were held at bay.   

Kaldez listened as the giant man said what could be had from this... interesting establishment, then waited for the people talking to the man to say what they wanted before getting up as he approached the bar he said "I would like the Garthook Stew with Celeste Red beans and a Tulimon grape Juice sir." Kaldez's voice was neutal empty of emotion and his Cold blue eyes unafraid, the man was large but he was like a rat comapared to a White Bear, next top that woman, when it came down to the factor of fear. There was just..somethihng about that sharp eyed woman that was... eerie.

Angela was still sitting down in one of the  dakr corners of the room when the old lady called her servant. Then, a giagantic figure appeared in the hallway which made Angela terrified. The huge man or at least that is what she thought he was, has blood in his cheeks.

Disugsted on what she had seen, she whispered, "What is this place?"

Then the woman gave a series of meals which the patrons could enjoy but Angela's appetite was lost because of her thoughts on what might have been used in those meals.

The room booked, Kori retreated to the back of the common room and found a dark corner to watch the other inhabitants while they made orders for food. He'd make his own in a minute, but for now he'd just watch and observe.

First of all, despite her frizzy appearance, the keeper of this place seemed...dangerous. With her sharp, unshakable manner she had set nearly every person in this place on edge, and yet maintained a measure of control even over the rowdy ones.

Her servant...Haz...no brains. He appeared threatening, but wouldn't be much of a challenge in a fight, or so the psyrpent was willing to wager.

The others...what a motley collection of people. Elves, humans and animals of all sorts. A braggart in one corner, a foolish female already trying to attract a mate...at a time like this too! Why did he have to share a tavern with such a group of disgusting people?

He eyed the girl he had planned on robbing earlier and wondered if it would be worth the risk to try again. Well, why not? Wait till later. If she didn't take a male to her bed, no reason not to slit her throat in her sleep and make his way out a window.

He wondered briefly, however, how such a crew of folks could be here all at the same time, on the same night. Was it fate? Some unseen force at work? Was the weather all that could be blamed? How was that possible?

A sliver of fear, barely noticed but still real, planted itself in a dark corner of his reptilian heart, waiting to grow...he stamped at it and made it be silent, huddling in his dark tavern corner and waiting for Haz to finish with the others so that he could get a bite to eat, or at least something to drink.

So this is Haz , interesting ... , Malavon observed carefully the giant of a man and smilled  when he heard Daron making fun of him , Idiot ... That giant seems rather dumb but if he gets that Daron is taking a laught at his expense we will have one less hero around ...

As the lady ordered and seated , she motioned for Malavon and Daron to seat , Malavon turned to Haz and asked " Ill have the same as the lady , friend "
Seating he heard the lady asking  "I am very pleased to meet you, sir,", Malavon then gave one of his friendly smiles and said "And i am pleased to meet you as well my lady and please call me Malavon , sir makes me sound rather old ..."
But Malavon concentrate his attention on Daron , he called himself a hero but there was something not right , first was the fact Malavon heard that Daron Soulstealer was an elf , second this man hands were far from being ones of a swordsman and third , what hero would proclame himself one ?
Malavon continued to observe Daron

Angela looked from side to side to search for a companion to talk to but most of the patrons are quite busy with other people. But she spot one, a creature that she only had heard from the tales of Sarvonia.

She thought to herself, 'I see that both of us have no company. Maybe I would enjoy his company! Those stories about this creature's fierceness ae surely just exageration of bards!"

She gathere her things and walked towards the creature. She passed the other patrons and some animals along the way.

She presented her hand for a shake from the creature. "I am Angela. I see that both of us have no one to be with,"  she said with a smile. "I am sure that I would enjoy your company though I am not sure if you will enjoy mine!"

For one of the few times in his life, Kori was completely taken aback.

What to do? Ignoring her obviously wouldn't help: he'd specifically isolated himself from the rest and she had still pointedly made her way to his corner of the tavern.

This had to be one of the most naive humans he had ever encountered; he eyed Angela's hand suspiciously, then waved her to a seat across from him without bothering to shake it.

His face shrouded in the in the shadowy confines of his hood, he stared across at her, neither moving nor attempting communication.

The creature gestured for her to sit across him. Her hand was completely ignored not bothering to shake it.

'He seems troubled,' she thought to hereself. She sat down on the sit across the table and placed her thins on the floor next to her.

"I am Angela," she said. "This Tavern is quite uncomfortable is one was a lone. Do you wish to have some drinks? But before that, what is your name?"

She placed her hand over the table and look at the creatures face which was hidden by the shadows of the tavern and of his cloak. 

"Why do you fear to show your face?" she asked the creature in front of her. She smiled once more. She is really excited about meeting a new friend, especially from a new culture.

"And i am pleased to meet you as well my lady and please call me Malavon , sir makes me sound rather old ..."

Yarrow smiled politely and nodded. "Malavon."

Yarrow was glancing at Daron when she saw that Malavon was looking at him the same way she was. She now was certain that Malavon had the same goal as she did: to expose Daron. For Yarrow, it was simply for amusement, but Malavon's reason to spy on Daron might be different from her. Nevertheless, she didn't think that this was the right time to tell Malavon about what she really intended. Maybe later, but not now.

For a very brief moment, if he could have, Kori would have spluttered.

Then again, if offering his name meant she'd pay for refreshment, it might be an acceptable exchange - she seemed naive enough to be easily manipulated.

He began scribbling out his order when she became truly impertinent.

"Why do you fear to show your face?"

His scribbling stopped very briefly, wondering how best to answer the question. Then he finished and passed the parchment across the table to her.

Kori will suffice for my name.
Tuborger Brown would be acceptable.
Showing you my face would be dangerous for you.

The last statement was true, in an indirect sense - he'd let her think of the hows and whys on her own.

The Tavern began to buzz with the sound of the other patrons making acquaintances if for nothing else than to ease the discomfort of the evening.  The shadows flickered and played tricks on ones eyes and cobwebs hung abandoned in the corners and from the rafters.  The Inn did not emit an air of friendliness...matter of fact it was quite the opposite.  There was an air of foreboding that hung thick in the air as if it commanded a life of its own and sought to extinguish that of others.

A warm if not hesitant voice brought Cherri from her musings.  She hadn't realized by she had fixated her eyes on a point of the wall behind the human's shoulder.  Her senses now regained and focused upon the human before her she heard him introduce himself.

She was pleased that he seemed friendly.  As Cherri briefly looked around the room it appeared to her that not everyone would be as accommodating.

Lush pink lips parted into a broad smile as Gervase confided that the dishes did not seem particularly pleasing to his palette.  She herself was a little unsure about the meals offered by the establishment herself.

Laughing easily Cherri's melodious voice was light.  "To be honest good Sir Gervase, I am a bit unsure of the meals offered as well.  But as my stomach is voicing it want, I believe we will have to chance the dinner."  With a flash of white straight teeth, Cherri turned agilely on her heel and made her way to the bar.

Haz was taking orders and Cherri waited patiently for her turn.  Finally she caught Haz's attention.  The man appeared to be mostly brute strength but Cherri knew not to underestimate what one appeared.  Raising her voice over the steady hum of the other patrons Cherri directed her order at Haz, "Sir Haz...two orders of Tulimon Grape Juice and Thyrón Chowder, please."  Feeling that the order was now taken care of Cherri made it back to the table where Gervase sat waiting patiently.

Cherri took the chair opposite of Gervase and slid gracefully into it.  It felt good to rest.  While she was used to walking great distances it was still nice to relax at the end of the long day.  Flames caught in the human's hair almost casting a blue hue as the sun often did with the feathers of a raven.  The human was pale and Cherri wondered if perhaps he was ill or maybe like herself naturally fair skinned.  Violet eyes roamed easily over the other's features trying to discern just where he might hail from.  Deciding the best way was to ask, Cherri relaxed against the wood of her chair backing.  Her violet eyes were bright, as she enjoyed learning something new.  Her voice was friendly and held a note of curiosity. 

"Well Sir Gervase, our order is placed and now all we have is time in this rather dreary Inn.  This place is quite unusual in its appearance..."  Cherri's voice trailed off as she continued to take in the dusty table tops, broken furniture and other signs that the Inn was not regularly used.  Almost absently to herself Cherri said, "I find it odd that this place does not appear to have seen much use and yet..."   Turning her attention back the human Cherri offered her apologies, "I must apologize Sir as this place does in indeed appear odd, but I guess no more so than it's patrons this evening...including myself."  Cherri smiled briefly before her curiosity overtook her again.  "Where do you hail from Sir Gervase, if you do not mind my asking."

Cherri watched the man across from her her violet eyes resting on his dark blue ones.

The creature in front of Angela started to write in a parchment. When it finsihed writing, he slid the parchament across the table towards Angela. And she read it:

Angela did not feel fear when she read the last line of the letter but it made her feel sad. Nonetheless of that, she called Haz to order a drink for the both of them.

Angle raised her hand and shouted across the inn, "Sir! We would like a Tuborger Brown and a Spring Joy please!"

The young mage saw the graceful smile that crossed Lady Cherri’s fair face.  He was pleased that his remarks had not offended her as he had thought they might.  For a mage he was rather unsure about many things especially when it came to relations with others.

Ever since his childhood he had preferred parchment to people.  He spent most of his time among the books that lined the long isles of the library he worked in.  Many hours were by the flickering of firelight reading manuscripts or transcribing from one language to another and to be honest he preferred it that way.

His insatiable desire to learn also left him with the unquenchable desire to be right.  If he could not be he would chastise himself severely remembering all the degrading and demeaning words spoken by his father.  They would resurface within his thoughts as if spoken all over again with the same wounding effect they had the first time they were uttered.

“To be honest good Sir Gervase,” the violet eyed elfess offered with a gently pleasing laugh, “I am a bit unsure of the meals offered as well.  But as my stomach is voicing it want, I believe we will have to chance the dinner."

The gentle words spoken by the woman and her relaxed demeanor seemed to sooth the raven-haired mans frazzled emotions. He nodded his reply but too late for the elfess to see as she turned about deftly to face the old dusty bar.

Gervase was left with his own musings which were not at all pleasant.  He began to think about the woman dressed in a blood red gown and thought how peculiar the place seemed to be.  Why were there no patrons other then the new arrivals here, He thought, and why is the establishment so . . . unkempt?

Soon Lady Cherri returned and gracefully took the wooden seat across from the young mage.  She seemed to be studying Gervase, examining him in the gentle fires glow.  The mage was relieved when she began to talk, at least he would not need to be the fist to begin the conversation.

"Well Sir Gervase,” she began as she sat bathed in flickering lights, "our order is placed and now all we have is time in this rather dreary Inn.  This place is quite unusual in its appearance...," he voice seemed to trail off as is she whished to say more but felt it best not to.  Then she continued as if a long ways away from her evenings companion,  "I find it odd that this place does not appear to have seen much use and yet...," again she let her speech come to a sudden ending as if hesitant to speak further.

 "I must apologize Sir,” the violet eyed elfess offered turning her attention back to man in red robes seated across from her, ”as this place does in indeed appear odd, but I guess no more so than it's patrons this evening ... including myself.  Where do you hail from Sir Gervase, if you do not mind my asking?”  

The young mage offered a nervous smile to the woman with moonlight colored hair.  His eyes told far more of his interest in conversation then the upward curving of his lips.  Gervase began to speak Using his best Styrásh, his voice slightly wavering from the burning timidity that seemed to engulf him, “no apologetics are necessary my lady we are all a bit on edge this evening.”

Engulfed in the sudden realization that his use of the elven tough might be seen as startling and even offensive, Gervase’s pail complexion turned even more ashen with his feelings of guilt, “I must apologize Lady Cherri I did not intend to startle you with my use of  Styrásh.  It is such an eloquent and poetic language that I though. . .,” a subdued aeruillin red crept across his cheeks but he continued in the language of the elves, “I hail from the city of Ximax Lady Cherri where I grew up and now reside in the tower reserved for fire mages.”

A thought crossed his mind that she might not think too highly of those endowed with the magical arts and his face turned pale once more. “I do hope that my being gifted in the magical arts is not offensive to you.”

As Petros sat wallowing in his own musings, boredom overtook the elf, causing him to remove his notebook from his satchel, and begin to doodle in a vain attempt of fun. Sadly however, the novelty of this pasttime did not last very long, and soon he went back to his previous occupation of analysing the inn. Many people were filling the dank hall, chatting about trvia, and soaking the walls with a pleasent homely atmosphere. Suddenly a rather giant man appeared beside the tavern mistress in a rather flustered state. Petros gasped slightly and his emerald greens wallowed in his sheer height. Knowing that it was impolite to stare, and valuing his long limbs dearly, Petros decided to focus his attention to the goings on of the inn once more.

One voice in particular caught the mages attention.. "And i am pleased to meet you as well my lady and please call me Malavon , sir makes me sound rather old ..." he glanced behind him ever so slightly, so that he could put a face to the voice. Sitting in his proximity were a rather gruff looking man, and a rather cultured looking lady, exchanging in what seemed to be greetings. Socially ravenous and quite bored, the mage impulsivley rose from his seat, and walked over to the two, knowing that the beggining of a conversation was the best time to interupt. Rather unnerved by the sight of birds of prey in the area, his chickpeeps hurried rapidly in his wake, clinging to his large heels. Arriving at his destination, Petros grinned widly and tipped his mages hat to the two.

"Sorry to interupt sir and madame but would it be possible if i could pull up a chair? im getting rather lonely you see!" He chuckled

Yarrow stared up at the new acquaintance. She remembered that he was the man who dropped a handful of baby chicks from his hat. She smiled cheekily as she reminded herself of how he was blushing madly in embarrassment.

She glanced at Malavon. Yarrow didn't mind having the newcomer sitting at the same table as her, for it would only mean better conversation and no boredom, and besides, he was an elf. As a part elf, Yarrow was very glad that she might be able to have a company who was... at least coming from a same race as her. Besides, if she were to lose interest digging out Daron's real identity, she still had someone to talk other topics about. And he seemed polite.

"Pleased to have you sit beside us, sir. My name is Yarrow." Yarrow smiled. "And please don't call me madame. I'm actually young enough to be called a lass... or a lad. Besides, I think you and I are around the same age." She grinned as she reminded herself of how she loved the commotion people made when they found out that she was not a boy.

"Malavon? Lord Daron?" Yarrow turned to them and waited for their reply to the newcomer's proposal.