Chapter 5: A Party Broken and A Quest Renewed

[Sinen Darkchild]

Alia still lie in bed in a room at the golden star inn of Elsreth. A week has passed since the battle with the demons. Sinen sits at her bedside waiting for her to stir. The party has been broken. Muargath killed and who knows about the rest. Sinen stands and leaves Alia to rest in peace, heading down to the tavern to try and enlist people to continue the quest.

 Fools rush into battle blindly, but who is really the fool? The fool or the fool who follows him.

[Gashnum Invraldi]

It had been nearly a week since the fight with the demon things. Gashnum had escaped with his life, barely, and not much else. His good friend, Muargath, slaughtered. His dog and horse devoured by the demons. The company scattered into the wilderness, pursued into the night by the foul beasts.

Gashnum had spent the week hiding, and working his way back to Elsreth through the wilderness.. On the morning of the sixth day he makes his way into the Golden Star inn, just as the sun rises over the crests of the hills to the east.

**********

The door of the Golden Star swings open, revealing a ragged man. His cloak is torn and dirty, two nearly-empty packs are slung across his left shoulder. In his right hand is clutched a spear, covered in dried blood. A dirty felt hat sits on the top of his head, dirty brown hair spilling down over his forhead from beneath it.

He walks with a limp, and a jagged cut runs across his brow, crusted with dried dirt and blood. He looks about him for a moment or two until he spots an empty table. With a grunt he sets off towards it and with much effort eases himself into a seat. He drops his spear, and packs onto the floor, before he lays his head down on the table to sleep, he sees a figure coming down the stairs. Of course, it was none other than Sinen. Before he could say anything, Gashnum slumps onto the table, fast asleep.

The warrior who acts out of honour cannot fail. His duty is hounour itself. Even his death - if it is honourable - is a reward and can be no failure, for it has come through duty. Seek honour as you act, therefore, and you will know no fear.
-From the 183rd Ritual of Devotion

[Bobbo the Beggar]

A stranger came to the city.  Many people looked oddly at him for his appearance, but he merely tipped his iron helm to them.  He was dressed in ragged clothing: a leather tunic worn white, a pair of torn trouser, a holey cloak, and a battered iron helmet.  Yet at his side was a sword with a jeweled hilt.  It was in a plain leather scabbard, but it was attached to a belt with some unidentifable symbol, at least to the people around her:  a small flame, the flame of Junakin.  On his hand, the only one visible was a beautiful golden ring.

For this was, indeed, Lord Robert Junakin, head of the Executing House of Strata.  Yet he was dressed now as he had most of his life.  He was Bobbo the Beggar, a lonely traveler.

He went into the inn and was reminded of the Thirsty Herald.  He sighed in thought.  Sitting down at a table, he order a glass of wine.

Looking about, he saw a fellow in most terrible condition come and slump down on the table asleep.  I know what that's like he thought Best to let him rest.

His wine arrived and he sipped it quietly.  Observing the small comings and goings of the Golden Star.

Tell me which is better:  to die defending your country or to live and watch your homeland die?
Ralai, King of Adylius

[Saekti]

"A bird may sing upon the wing,
And a flower make no sound,
A frog may hop and people stop
To watch the fish swim 'round,
But I won't stop to watch them hop
And you shall know why
I'm off to see my love
The Lady Lorelai-"

Saekti's voice drifted off into a gentle hum, she couldn't remember the next verse anyway. She made her way into town heading for an inn she saw up ahead, The Golden Star. Where they would have food unless she had unnaturally bad luck. Even though her stomach prodded her foward, her steps possessed a lightness usually reserved for the very young. Fate had been kind to this young woman, her eyes remained unclouded by visions of strife.

---

Upon entering the inn, Saekti immediated ordered whatever today's meal was, payed the waitress and then cast about for a place to sit. The place was fairly empty; one of the patrons appeared to be sleeping and the others didn't appear to want company. Saekti took a seat at an empty table (in plain sight, she couldn't for the life of her figure out why people wanted to frustrate the waitress by hiding in corners) and waited for her meal to arrive.

"It is good to have an end to journey towards; but it is the journey that matters in the end." - Ursula Le Guin

 "No pessimist ever discovered the secret of the stars, or sailed to an uncharted land, or opened a new doorway for the human spirit."
-Helen Keller  

[Kim Sandrage]

Kim looked up at The Golden Star. She was unsure of what had brought her here but it must be important for there was something deep in her stomach.

Opening the door she walked in. Kim pulled back her hood and looks around. There were 3 other humans in the a man in his late thirties early fourties Kim assumed who was passed out. A young lady about the same age as her and a man also about the same age as her drinking wine. She felt something coil in her stomach but shook her head. She was a Dark Priestess she was not supposed to have feelings like that. There was also an elf walking down the stairs but she hardly cast him a glance. Instead she questioned a waitress for food and paid her before sitting at a table at the side to drink her Ale.  

Welcome to shadow world far under northern skies
Mountains and raging seas, valleys and icy winds Glory and majesty, triumph and victory
Legends and epic tales born between these dark lakes
For you a new one written with black blood

My Character Description!

(Lyrics from Luca Turilli - Magic Horizons

[Captain Shaendru]

An old man was walking outside of the Golden Star Inn,when suddenly he wanted an ale very badly.He walked into the Golden Star,chose a desolate table,and ordered 2 ales,and then overpayed the waitress 30 san.He began mumbling to himself and paid no attention to anything around him as he lit a pipe and some strange incense rocks on a metal plate he pulled out of his coat.

The poorest smart people can be sold as slaves, but the stupidest rich people will buy them.

[Bobbo the Beggar]

Bobbo sat and watched as more and more people began to come into the inn.  He also heard the footsteps of one coming down the stairs.  The fellow on the table still slept soundly.

A woman who seemed to float along on her feet came into the inn and sat not far from him.  Her grace was beautiful, and it seemed that every movement was calculated precisely as she walked.

Another woman walked into the room.  She was rather mysterious-looking.  She took a short glance at Bobbo and ordered from the waitress.

Then an older fellow walked into the inn.  He ordered something and handed what looked to be a sizable bit of money to the waitress.  The fellow sat down and lit a pipe and put some rocks out on a plate and lit them as well.  Bobbo found this very strange, but did not say anything.

He sat back in his chair and relaxed, paying no mind to anyone in the room.  Yet one eye always caught the guy who had fallen asleep.  Knowing what he must do, he sat down his empty glass and walked over to the man.

"Sir!" he said to the man, "Sir! Are you alright?  Do you need anything, food or a drink perhaps.  Seems like you had a rough time out there.  Don't worry, I'll try and help you."

Turning to a waitress he ordered a nice meal and a mug of water.  He slipped the woman a gold coin with a Truban style head upon it.  She looked at it in wonder and said (quite clearly so everyone could hear), "You come from Truban?"

"Yes," replied Bobbo, "I am a native of Strata.  Now, please get the stuff I ordered and another like that may be forthcoming."

She hurriedly dashed off faster than she had ever before and grabbed food and water for the man on the table.  Bobbo smiled at her and took another Truban gold coin out of his purse and handed it to her.  She smiled back and looked at the coins in much excitement as she went about her duties.

"Now, fellow," said Bobbo to the fainted man, "eat and drink.  It is on me.  Please do not decline, it is nothing."

Truly this did seem strange for a beggar to possess two gold coins.  Even more strange, the vagrant said that it was nothing.  Bobbo thought of others' thoughts, but, as always, did not care.

[Saekti]

Truban? Where's Truban? I don't think I've been there yet... Saekti was making a mental note to try wandering in that direction in the near future when the waitress brought her meal. Saekti thanked her enthusiasticly and dug in which meant she either had an abnormally large appetite for such a small person or she hadn't eaten in days.

Once her stomach had stopped its insistant grumbling Saekti took a moment to actually breathe and look around. Someone was helping the sleeping man, which was good. It probably wouldn't have been nice to leave him there. Saekti herself had been considering doing something, but such acts had been discouraged by a rather unpleasant incident in a tavern a few towns back... Suffice it to say that it was best to let sleeping drunks lie.

Although it was rather odd that one dressed as a beggar would have that much money on him... Well, it probably didn't matter anyways.

Another few patrons had come in. One was an older man who, between his pip and incense, had enough smoke about him to make Saekti wonder how he could breathe at all. Another was a young woman, darkly clothed, who's demeanor seemed apathetic at best.  

"It is good to have an end to journey towards; but it is the journey that matters in the end." - Ursula Le Guin

"No pessimist ever discovered the secret of the stars, or sailed to an uncharted land, or opened a new doorway for the human spirit."
-Helen Keller

[Kim Sandrage]

Kim watched the man go over to the drunk one and took in his clothes.
He looks like a normal beggar but how can he have such gold coins Kim thought to her self. unless he stole them
Kim drunk from her drink it wasn't any of her business where he got his money from. Unless she was paid to make it her business she would leave him in peace. Her feelings that had cover over her before had disappeared as she went in to a mild meditation. Something she had learnt a while back that helped when feelings over rode her proffesional instincts.

Welcome to shadow world far under northern skies
Mountains and raging seas, valleys and icy winds Glory and majesty, triumph and victory
Legends and epic tales born between these dark lakes
For you a new one written with black blood

My Character Description!

(Lyrics from Luca Turilli - Magic Horizons

[Sinen Darkchild]

arriving from upstairs in the tavern, Sinen looks around. Several people catch his eye, but one over all others, Gashnum. Another was by him at the moment. One who appeared to be a beggar at first glance, but the money he produced told Sinen otherwise. Many would think him a thief, but Sinen is sure that is not the case. Walking over to Gashnum and the man he orders a glass of wine and food, sits down beside Gashnum, and says, "I see you are alive Gashnum, though quite tired I am sure." Looking at the other man, "My name is Sinen. You appear to be a common beggar, but your money pouch says otherwise. Some here may call you a thief, but I believe there is rich blood in you, am I correct?"

 Fools rush into battle blindly, but who is really the fool? The fool or the fool who follows him.

[Bobbo the Beggar]

He smirked when Sinen said that some thought he was a thief.  

"You are a very insightful fellow, good sir," he said to him, taking a seat.

He continued softly, "I see there it is no use hiding the truth.  I will not hide who I am from you, though I trust you will keep my identity secret.  I am Lord Robert Junakin of the Executing House of Strata in Truban."

He smiled at the fellow.  "That's our little secret now," he said.

"Now that you know my name, I trust I can hear yours," he said to Sinen.

Looking at Gashnum, he said, "You know this fellow?  He needs a lot of food and rest, he has gotten himself in complete fatigue."

Tell me which is better:  to die defending your country or to live and watch your homeland die?
Ralai, King of Adylius

[Sinen Darkchild]

"Well, yes I know him. He was part of my group of adventurers. We were broken up when we were attacked by demons. I, my friend, am Sinen Darkchild of the Elven Kind, as some have called me though I prefer just Sinen. By the way, you wouldn't per chance be interested in a quest of sorts. It could prove quite interesting. I must find a new party to continue on as soon as my other companion awakens. I'm afraid she overdid herself in that last battle and has been out for a week now."

 Fools rush into battle blindly, but who is really the fool? The fool or the fool who follows him.

[Kim Sandrage]

Kims sharp ears penned in on the converstation the two men were having.
So he is a lord that is interesting
As the two continued her ears became more interested

Quote: "By the way, you wouldn't per chance be interested in a quest of sorts. It could prove quite interesting."

A quest? Kim thought to her self Quests mean money which is what I need.
Business had been bad over he time here and only occasionly she got work. Maybe this would bring her some money in.
Calling over the barmaid she ordered another ale and some soup.  

Welcome to shadow world far under northern skies
Mountains and raging seas, valleys and icy winds Glory and majesty, triumph and victory
Legends and epic tales born between these dark lakes
For you a new one written with black blood

My Character Description!

(Lyrics from Luca Turilli - Magic Horizons

[Captain Shaendru]

§hændru looked up in amazment.Truban?He had been there before, and vaguely recognized the beggar.He began to get up,pipe in hand,and walk towards this...beggar character.

The poorest smart people can be sold as slaves, but the stupidest rich people will buy them.

[Bobbo the Beggar]

"A quest you say?  What sort of quest?  I am always willing to help.  That is why I am traveling you see," Bobbo said, his voice calm and controlled.

He noticed that others in the room had taken note of him and this Sinen fellow.  He noticed an older fellow with a pipe walking towards them.  He brushed a black strand of hair with a little gray upon it off his face.

The sight of his gray hair reminded him that he was not as young as he had once been.  The beginnings of a beard formed on his chin.  It was, as his hair, black tinged with gray.  Truth be told, he was beginning to feel a little weak at times.  Yet he held himself with an air that flaunted his age and used it to his image's advantage.  He thought to himself silently that he probably looked better as an older man than a younger.

Tell me which is better:  to die defending your country or to live and watch your homeland die?
Ralai, King of Adylius

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