An Adventure in Black - Chapter I

[Remis De'Vir]

[Sorry for the shortness!]

Remis eyed the small woman with a stern gaze, as if to say "Go away now." He entered the room without hesitation, closing the door behind him in a very quiet, but also very strong manner. He sat down in the middle of the floor and began to meditate. What kind of madness does that wood elf have planned for me... the drow wondered. Coor, may your shadows guide me.

[Gilith]

Gilith smiled "Great how soon will we be leaving I have a few minor things to attend but it won't take long."

Gilith was excited though personaly he thought that this was the most unusual party he had ever traveled in! Most of these races hated half the others and the other half didnt like much of anybodt else. So all in all this is promised to be fun.

Then Gilith looked up at Quael an elf heed seen last night. "You're. . . Gilith right, if I remember correctly. We met last night, how ya feelin'?"

Gilith replied with a grim humor "oh not bad though I must say I had three too many ales.

Gilith turned back to Rayne and said "no I'm sorry to say I don't know any one else that-"

Gilith stopped then said " Wait a second Quael don't you own a bow."

[Quáel]

"Ha, I don't just own a bow, by coincidence I also know how to use it!" Was Quáel's response to both Alýr and Gilith.

"It's very nice to meet you Alýr." She said with a smile to the elfess on the other end of the table.

Quáel didn't need to ask anyone else their names, for they had already been said. This was exciting she thought to herself. Quáel hadn't had any sort of "friendship" with anyone since. . . Cull, and for the first time in a long time she felt a trickle of hope and happiness.

Quáel didn't care about how weird this was, drow and elves, psyrpent and elves, and humans. What could be stranger than this she thought? "Haha!" She couldn't contain the laughter, and it went on for quite sometime. Quáel stopped, and stared down at her empty bowl, seeing her distorted reflection at the bottom. She thought she saw Keeshaunka in the bowl as well. Quáel whipped around, but there was nobody there, she gave a sigh of relief, and wondered what people were thinking. 

[Serpentfang]

The psyrpent flinched, trying to hide his excitement. Sweet cakes? Jarrox rarely gets such treats, even above ground. These luxuries are reserved for those with extra coin in their pouches. The psyrpent quickly stood up and with speed uncommon to the normally slow snake-man, He rolled his sleeping bag and tent. He grabbed all the items scattered about and stuffed it in his bag. He can arrange them later. Right now he should get to the inn as quickly as possible before the long ears finish off the cakes. Not even his wound can slow him down.

He nodded thanks to the irritating elf and walked towards the establishment, quickening his pace with each step. He nearly slammed the door open and saw Alyr with a few new elves. The psyrpent narrowed his eyes in distrust, and was going to approach her when the faint scent of something sweet filled his nose. What's that? Jam? He stared at the table and nearly jumped in delight. It IS jam! Jam and sweet cakes!

Forgetting about Alyr and the others he pranced towards the table, took a couple of jars and stored them in his bag. Then he grabbed some sweet cakes, one in each claw, and stuffed his face with it.

[Gilith]

Gilith smiled "very well Quael would you be interested in joining our journey to Ximax since Rayne her needs people who can use bows i'm sure that you would be allowed."

Then Gilith turned the door that was slamed open in surprise. He almost drew his sword until he saw that it was a psyrpent. Now there probably wasn't more than one of those here at the same tavern.

He turned to Rayne smileing and said "so this must be your friend."

[Ridgen Sú'ufanán]

Ridgen watched as Jarrox literally ran for the sweet cakes. Wow. So they really do like sweet cakes. He was partial to them himself, but maybe not THAT much...

The elf soon found himself re-entering the inn, immediately spotting the party - with a few extra members. There was, of course, the two elfesses, Rayne and Irid, the human pirate Juliette and Jarrox, stuffing his mouth with sweet cakes in an almost frightening manner. Then there was the random person with a sword he saw earlier. And another elf...ess.

With quick, long strides, Ridgen closed the gap between the table and himself, finding a seat next to Rayne.

"So... What did we miss?"

[Alýr (Rayne)]

"Very well, Quael: would you be interested in joining our journey to Ximax since Rayne her needs people who can use bows? I'm sure that you would be allowed," Gilith asked the elfess, and Alýr nodded her confirmation. Having another bowyer would do them good. And, to her, it seemed that Quáel might be in need of traveling companions, for she could have sworn she saw a flicker of loneliness in the black eyes.

The indigo-eyed elf jumped a bit as the door swung upon suddenly and Jarrox was standing there with what looked to her like a wild look in his serpentine eyes. She stared at him a moment, more surprised than fearful. Then his eyes fell upon the jam and sweetcakes, and she saw and expression come over the face of the rather large, intimidating psyrpent... one of delight. She smiled, amused, as Jarrox stole away some of he jars of jam and began crowding his jaws with sweetcakes.

Alýr heard Gilith speak to her: "So this must be your friend."

The indigo-eyed elf glanced at the human archer, and then looked back to Jarrox--for the spectacle was certainly a sight to see. She nodded, tilting her head, and responded sheepishly. "Yes, he is one of my companions." She smiled at the psyrpent almost whimsically, speaking in a voice just loud enough for him to hear. "I certainly hope he's not aggravating his wounds."

Alýr smiled as Ridgen took a seat beside her: "So... What did we miss?" asked the Cyhallrhim.

"Well, as we're all here... well, most of us..." And here she looked back at the stair... catching sight of a little hobbitess staring aghast as the large psyrpent tore through the sweetcakes. She didn't look as frightened as shocked, fascinated, and horrified. The elf sighed a little, smiling gently with a tinge of pity for the poor innkeeper: "Mari?" The utterance of her name seemed to recall Mari's attention back to the scene, though she was still a bit too surprised to speak. "Perhaps we might get a few more sweetcakes, some jam, and some more tea?"

Mari seemed to become half herself again, and nodded and scurried to the back to fetch the items, maintain a wary distance as she passed the large, hungry psyrpent.

The elf then looked back to Ridgen and her other companions who now ringed the table. "We have a few more additions to our party. For those that were there last night, you know the danger, and how helpful it will be to have the additional help. Gilith will be joining us," here she looked to him and smiled. "He hails from the distant land of Nybelmar, and I expect he will be a valuable addition."

A look of concern briefly shadowed her features and she glanced back to the stair. "Joining us, as well, is a drow named Remis, currently taking his rest in the upper chambers. I'm sure his skills and knowledge will aid us on our journey."

She glanced briefly to Quáel. "I cannot guarantee that the way will be safe or the trip comfortable, but I will pay your room and board, and will offer you a stipend if you will act as a protector on the way to Ximax. Will you join us?"

[Quáel]

"Hm, ya, of course!" Quáel's thoughts were in another place. The place where all of her worst memories came to her as if they were happening again, right before her eyes. The death of her father, the evil cleric Keeshaunka, and Cull.

Quáel looked around and noticed a psyrpent and another elf. This elf had white, glossy eyes, but had a very cheerful air about him. The psyrpent seemed exhilerated by the thought of jam and sweet cakes.

"I cannot guarantee that the way will be safe or the trip comfortable, but I will pay your room and board, and will offer you a stipend if you will act as a protector on the way to Ximax. Will you join us?"   Quáel didn't even remotley care how safe this journey would be guaranteed to be, but she knew fun would be guaranteed.

"My name is Quáel by the way." she said to the other's who had just entered the inn. "I come from Zeiphyr." Quáel told this to everyone, for she hadn't said previously where she was from.   

[Gilith]

"I am pleased to meet you all" Said Gilith smiling "this promises to be very fun."

"Though I must say that I have some things to do but they are not neccesarly a neccesity especialy if we have to leave right away."

Gilith looked over towards Rayne he said "I must however insist on purchasing my own keep as I make it a rule to be as little burden upon my employers as possible."

Gilith hoped he wasn't being rude but he simply felt uncomfortable having his stuff bought for him.

[Alýr (Rayne)]

"Hm, ya, of course!" answered the elven archer, and Alýr smiled and nodded. She let the black-eyed elf give her introduction.

"I'm glad you have you join us," said the indigo-eyed elf gently. It was here that Gilith made his introduction, and the elf listened quietly, until he turned to her and made the insistence upon purchasing his own keep. Alýr responded, "It would not be an imposition to pay your keep, for you put yourself in much danger for me, and you would do me a great favor to accept the small contribution for room and board."

She looked at the clock on the wall, which gave the time with gnomish accuracy. "We may discuss the matter later, if you wish. For now, we need prepare for our journey."

It was here that Mari came in quietly, dispersing tea to those who had not any. She disappeared into the kitchen and arrived again with a platter filled with jam and more sweetcakes, as well as a long-handled, flat paddle, as used for taking pans in and out of the large oven she had in the back. She set the platter on the table and used the paddle to push it towards the psyrpent. Clearly, the little hobbit greatly feared the serpentine man, though her hospitality garnered her the ingenuity to ensure he was properly fed.

Alýr continued speaking: "I shall give you each a silverbard to purchase whatever supplies you will need." She rose and reached into her purse to begin distributing the coin to each companion. "Know that we journey into the woods of Thaelon, and it may take us some days to get to Cemphiria. You will have two hours to collect whatever supplies you need, and then meet at the edge of town, on Melspath Road by the great maple. You may purchase whatever you need, but we will leave promptly, so make sure you do not tarry too long in town!"

Finishing her dispersal of the coin. She glanced at each, and gave them a kind smile. "I will see you each in a few hours time."

[Irid alMenie]

Irid had not spoken much during the proceedings, glad though she was of Alýr's administrations - her wrist was as good as new. She had eaten her fill, and then just watched the proceedings. Indeed, there were too many thing happening to take it all in at once, though the strangest by far must be the sight of the lizard tearing into the sweetcakes. She wondered how, with so many companions, they were ever going to get everyone safely to Ximax. Though safely might not be the correct word: since the first Alýr had been clear that danger was involved. The mention of a few days on the road did prompt the golden-eyed elfess to speak up, before everyone dispersed to their various shopping.

"By which mode will we be travelling?" she asked of their employer. "I have been for some years in the habit of travelling everywhere on foot. Will I have to find a mount, or are there more of our group without one?" She spoke in Tharian, for the benefit of the others. Though she really wanted to know this information, her questions was also a way to put off the inevitable. Large crowds made her nervous, especially when she had to move through them - at least in an inn everyone was seated, but in such a busy city as this, going shopping was going to be a task on her nerves. Worry for later though - first the answer from Alýr.

[Gilith]

Well she had insisted. Gilith took the coin from Rayne smiling and said "very well if you insist."

He departed politly and not to fast but after a minute he found himself alone with the massive city. Gilith was somewhat awed though he would never admit it. he had lived almost all of his live in the forest and this was the largest city he had ever been in for more than a few hours.

He saw people of many different kinds a few different races. It felt like an hour but it only took him ten minutes to find the armoury.

He walked into the tent like building where a large muscular man with a small red beard and squinting eyes was forgeing a peice of metal into a work of art.

He greeted him and the smith said to him "thats a nice sword mind if I see it." Gilith gave him the blade and the smith studied it admiringly. "any chance yer willin trer sell it." the smith asked with a voce full of hope and doubt.

"Not a chance" said Gilith smiling.

"Can't say I blame you I'v just always had trouble with these hand and a hald swords couldn't really not make you an offer."

Gilith took back the blade and said "I can't say I blame you it would have insulted me if you hadn't. Say do you have any arrows."

"Ah yes" replied the the blacksmith I just sold most of em ter the gentlemen afore you but I got some left."

He went over to a table and showed him twelve arrows. They were nice and very similiar to the arrows he had already. He bought them and exchanged a few more words with the blacksmith then he left.

He found a well a few feet from there and refilled his water skins as well. Then he found a hut that sold food. He bought some meat quite a bit actually then some bread fruit and cheese in much lesser proportions.

He also bought a flask of boose not to light. He stored that in his backpack. He never got completely drunk but he found that before after and even in between battles it was useful. Not to mention  on wounds.

He looked around for a while longer and then after an hour and a half later he made his way to the outside of town.

[Alýr (Rayne)]

"I have no mount, either," replied Alyr. "The forest through which we journey through will likely not be suited to horse or mule or any such creature, and any who brought such a creature would most likely have to dismount anyway and lead the poor beast by foot. We can decide in Cemphiria whether we would prefer mounts for the rest of the journey, though I think the size of some of our companions may make finding a mount of appropriate strength and girth a bit difficult."

ALyr did not look at Jarrox or mention his name, though clearly the statement was in relation to him. "If we decide to find mounts in Cemphiria, I will gladly purchase them for our trip. I know a Centaurorian in the city who breeds fair horses."

[Serpentfang]

Out of the corner of his eye, the psyrpent noticed something moving. He turned briefly in the direction of the movement, and saw the small squishie pushing a tray of cakes towards him. His eyes twinkled. More sweets! He took the last piece out of the previous plate, gobbled it quickly, and turned his attention to the second one. He had a cake in the jaw and two more in each claw when Alyr laid something shiny on the table. He looked, and saw a silverbard staring back at him, with the elf telling them to buy what they need. Not now, he thought. Sweet cakes first.

A few minutes later he took one last cake and the silverbard and went outside. Although the psyrpent had satisfied his craving for cakes, there are still enough left for the others to eat. He approached a slightly dilapidated street sign, took note of the direction to the market, and walked. He had not gone far when a loud bark caught his ears.

He turned around and saw a great brown mass running towards him. The psyrpent knelt, his arms outstretched, waiting for the figure to slam into him. In a few moments a dog was standing in front of him, his paws against the psyrpent's shoulder, his tongue upon the face of the snake man, and the psyrpent's hands caressing the ears of his friend.

The canine was left in his previous employer's company yesterday, for the psyrpent found no stables willing to house the dog. After a day had gone by without his owner coming back for him, the intelligent dog sneaked out of the merchant's accommodation and started sniffing around for the familiar scent of his master. Today he has proven his loyalty yet again, and is now reunited with the psyrpent.

For Jarrox's part, he felt guilty for forgetting to return for the dog. He patted its head, brushed its heaving side with his hand, and breathed an apology. Although the dog was not able to understand the words, the simple act of doing so was enough to put the dog at ease.

The reunion now over, he led the dog to the river for a drink, then towards the direction of the market, where his first stop was to buy something for the dog to eat.

[Irid alMenie]

Irid nodded her understanding, then she took the silverbard that Alýr had given and her backpack. She was generally ready to go, so all she really needed was a bit of food. Still, she took her time about it, hoping that if she moved slowly, then the anxiety would be a bit less. It didn't really help though, she could feel her shoulders tensing up as humans pressed in close all about here, despite the relatively early hour. She moved to the central marketplace, where vendors were yelling loudly to gain the attention of the passengers. Irid walked slowly by the stalls.

"Fresh fruit! The freshest you'll find anywhere! Come and taste our redberries!" "Buy your meat here! Cow, sheep, chicken, slaughtered only yesterday!" "Rrrribbons, lovely rrrribons, find them here all colours! Young lady, this blue would fit you perfectly!"

Overwhelmed by the different sounds, Irid had trouble concentrating on one thing. Her ears picked up this sentence, then that word. It was enough to get a headache. The smells and aromas wafting around the marketplace were also disorienting, so many came at her at the same time. Trying to close her ears and nose, she steered towards the meat stall, where she bought some beef jerky, as well as some fresher, untreated meat that would have to be cooked and eaten first, before it turned bad. Then she bought a loaf of bread - only one, as it would be old by the time they reached the next town. In the same baker's stall, she bought some honeycakes, and some meldarapple pies - for those who would want them along the way.

When she was done, she had both money and time left to spare, but she was growing tired from concentrating. Instead of taxing herself further, she bagged her shoppings and made her way to the edge of town. There were fewer people here, as all business was conducted in the centre. The only other person Irid saw was a small girl, with blonde hair and dark eyes, coming towards her. She was a little slip of a thing, dressed in thin clothes and apparently snuffing from a cold. The elfess's heart was torn for the little girl, who seemed to notice her looking.

"Do you maybe have a san to spare, miss?" she asked in a quiet voice. "I am so hungry, and my brother is gone and he has our money." Going down on one knee, Irid nodded.

"I have better than that, too. Here's a meldarapple cake, all for you. And here are three sans - I hope you will eat well tonight." The girl looked up at her gratefully, the coins held tightly in her one hand and the cake in the other. Patting the girl on the head, Irid went on to the maple tree where they had agreed to meet, sad that there was nothing more she could do for the waif. Gilith was there already, though she thought he must have arrived only recently. She nodded at him and went to sit cross-legged under the maple to wait for the rest.

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