Lana pulled a towel out from under the counter and started to wipe it down, humming softly, awaiting the arrival of new travellers.
* * * * *
Lana finished cleaning the bar. She placed the towel on a shelf under the counter and walked over to throw more wood on the fireplace. She knelt down and carefully placed a few logs on the fire. The light made her medium-blonde hair seem to glow around her shoulders and her emerald-green cat eyes flashed like jewels. She sat back on her heels, watching the fire dance and basking in the warm glow.
Lana sighed and stood up, reluctant to leave the fire's warmth, but then her stomach growled. A small brown cat slinked out from the shadows and wrapped around her ankles.
"Oh, Cani. So that's where you are!" Lana smiled and picked up the cat. She rubbed her face in the soft fur as the cat purred. She scratched the cat behind the ears. Her stomach growled again. "Oh, well. I guess I better get some food. Save my spot," Lana said to the feline as she placed her back on the floor on a small rug before the fire.
Lana walked down the hall into the kitchen. She fixed herself a roast beef sandwich and a bowl of fish chowder and carried it out on a tray to a small table by the fire. She went to the bar and poured herself a mug of hot cider and sat down in a soft chair. The firelight produced amber sparkles in the liquid. Lana leaned back and contentedly watched the flames. Cani's head perked up, smelling the food. She walked over to Lana's seat and looked up, imploring. Lana laughed softly.
"Of course, I'll share," she said as she broke off a corner of her sandwich and gave it to the cat. She took a sip of her cider and started eating her sandwich. "Umm. I'm glad I'm such a good cook, even though it is making me a little soft in the middle," she said, patting her stomach. "Although the upkeep of this place keeps me fit." Lana gave the rest of the sandwich to Cani and tasted her chowder. She ate all but the last bit of it, then placed the bowl on the floor for the cat to enjoy. She sipped her cider and leaned back, holding the warm mug in her hands. She closed her eyes and thought of all that had to be taken care of in the inn. The scent from the cider wafted up and curled around her nose. She loved it when she got a moment to herself. She finished her drink, picked up the now empty bowl from the floor, and placed both back on the tray. She sat back and closed her eyes.
Cani jumped up and circled on Lana's lap, until she found the right spot and laid down. She folded her paws under her and curled up, her nose tucked under the tip of her tail. The feline gave a small sigh and drifted off, along with her companion.
* * * * *
Hours later, the inn was filled. There was a constant din throughout the front room. Men and women were laughing and joking, while a couple small children played a marble game in front of the fireplace.
"Horas, I think you've had enough," Lana said to the clearly plastered old man in front of her.
"But I haven't even started yet, lassie," he replied, waving his drink in the air and splashing it on the counter top. Lana quickly wiped up the fallen ale.
"You know what? I think I hear Sandy whining outside. Why don't you take her home? I bet she's really tired by now," she said as she deftly removed the mug from the man's hand. The man quieted down and exaggeratingly listened.
"I believe I do hear the old girl," Horas said as he wavered to the side. Lana walked around the bar and grabbed his arm to keep him upright. She nodded to two burly men nearby. They smiled and walked forward.
"Come on, Horas. We'll walk you home," said Joniah.
"No need, no need, boys. I can do it," Horas answered as he hiccuped and almost slid to the floor.
Lana leaned close and gave the man a quick kiss on the forehead. "Go home, Horas. Sandy's calling. I'll see you later." She smiled and the two men grabbed his arms, turned him around and headed for the door.
"Good night, Lana love," Horas crooned from the doorway. A small tan beagle jumped on him and one of the men chuckled.
"Down girl. Let the man walk," Lornis said to the dog before they closed the door behind them.
"Poor man," a man at the bar said. "I'll drink to him." He raised his mug of ale and chugged it down.
"Oh, Tomas, you'll drink to anything," Lana said, rolling her eyes, as she walked back around the counter. "The guy's been a wreck ever since his wife passed away. That dog is all he has left. Thank the gods for those Barnfellow boys. If it wasn't for them, I don't know how I'd get him out of here every night. I'd give him a room, but you know he wouldn't stay."
"You'd find a way, Lana," Tomas said and winked at her as he tipped his mug up to catch the last drop. He thumped his mug back down on the counter. "It's always sad when it's gone," he said as he stood up and flipped two gold coins from his pocket onto the counter.
"Have a good night," Lana said as she pocketed the money. Tomas turned back and winked at her, then left. She hummed softly as she moved the empty glasses and wiped down the counter.
* * * * *
A child walked into the bar, an expressionless look on his face as he sat down at a table. A few of the patrons began to pester him about his age and about his scars. Annoyed upon not receiving any response, one threw a glass at the boy's head. It stopped in mid-air, shattered, and the pieces shot back at the man's face. Blood gushed from the pierces in the flesh. The other patrons ran out the door screaming 'demon'. Blain sat at his table, still no expression.
* * * * *
Lana sighed as the patrons ran out screaming about evil spirits. "Gypsies," she said and shrugged. She looked to the newcomer. "You've spooked the whole caravan. They were actually paying good, for once, too," Lana said as she bent over to pick a violet scarf up off the floor. As she walked towards the boy, something skittered from under her foot. She bent down to pick up a discarded golden hoop earring.
Lana stood near the boy. "Well, can I get you anything? Something to eat or drink perhaps?" she asked distractedly as she surveyed the chaos left behind by the fleeing patrons.
"If only any of my regulars were here, they would have laughed at this foolishness. A boy and a shattering glass, who would have thought that would clear those scavengers out?" she said to herself.
"By the way, young sir, I don't appreciate that kind of behavior in my inn. Please try to find another way to handle it next time," Lana sternly remarked at the young man.
* * * * *
The boy turned to Lana. His eyes began to glow, like they had when the glass shattered. "And how should I have handled it, hmm?" A voice entered Lana's mind. "Perhaps, I should have just let the glass hit me and probably get hurt? I restrained from doing anything. I was attacked, so I returned it." His eyes stopped as he waited for an answer.
* * * * *
"You didn't have to hurt him. I don't tolerate that in my inn. If he hadn't run out, I would be having the same conversation with him. I might even find him later, as I know where they are camped. Those wounds looked bad. Although, gypsies do take care of their own. Oh, well," Lana looked around and realized she was getting off track. She looked back at the boy.
"As I was saying, you could have ducked. I see you have mind powers. Could you have moved it out of harm? Could you have thrown it against the floor or the wall? There are always options, boy. Does attacking back make you any better or does it bring you down to his level? I don't mean to lecture, I just don't want anyone fighting in my inn. Is that clear? I don't know who you are or where you come from, but as long as this is my inn and you are in it . . . Well, that is basically my one rule. No violence," Lana said as she looked the boy up and down. "Have you travelled far? You look like you could use a good meal."
Lana sighed. "So, as I asked before, can I get you anything? Or will you just sit here and mope?" she asked, raising an eyebrow.
* * * * *
"Are you green, miss?" the voice asked. "I have come far. One thing has never changed. Scum like those people are always in towns. Raping, pillaging, murdering, it's all the same to them," the voice said coldly. The voice began to laugh. "Nobody else is here? They'd have probably raped you once everyone else left. Let the gypsies come. I don't fear death, but welcome its soothing touch. I could've stopped the glass, then put it down nicely, but I'm not nice." Blain stood up. "I need a room. I don't care where, just as long as it's 15 gold pieces or less."
* * * * *
Lana rolled her eyes. "So, you're one of those kind of people," she said under her breath.
"You must be new in town, sir. First of all, those people are not scum. They are scoundrels, I'll admit. They come around every year. Gypsies, at least the ones I've known, do not rape, pillage, or murder. Secondly, those things do not happen in my inn. This is the Golden Griffin, sir. I am definitely not green, not even close. I have seen things in my 25 years that you never imagined in your short lifetime. I was an adventurer before I took over this inn for my family. I can well take care of myself. This inn also has heavy protection spells on it, so I'm not really worried. Those gypsies weren't looking for blood. The ones starting trouble were just some young men with enough drink to make them ballsy and their mischievous bone began to itch. All in all, whether you're nice or not, just respect my inn and don't start trouble. Once you're outside, do as you will," Lana said. She walked over to the key board.
"Well, room number five is empty." She lifted off the key and looked over to the boy. "Rooms are two gold, one now and one when you leave. If you run up any other expenses, they are paid when you pay the second gold. Shall I show you to your room?"
* * * * *
After a long hike, Jez'ri finally came across the inn he heard about. It looked like a decent place to stay, though a number of patrons were fleeing like the hells were opening up underneath them.
"Oh, well," he remarked to no one in particular, since there was no one else visibly around him. "More room for me." Jez'ri walked up to the door and walked in. He scanned the room and saw only two people. One was just a lad and the other was a rather stunning woman. The way that the two of them looked at him made him think that he barged in on something.
"Greetings, all. Jez'ri ap Derrondriel at your service. Or may I say, 'with a request'. I am but a weary traveller come from afar, the far lands of my Skyshroud clan. I request that you let me make use of a room and, from the way those gypsies took off, I would presume that you indeed have a bunch of that available."
* * * * * *
"Fine. I'll restrain from defending myself while I'm in your inn." He gave the two gold pieces to Lana. As the elf walked in, Blain remained blank.
"Sorry, bub. I got the last one. At least, I think it's the last one," the psy waves heading to both people.
"I take me leave until morning then." With that, Blain walked up the stairs to his room. As he entered, he laid on his bed awhile, a single teardrop went down his cheek.
* * * * *
Lana looked to the newcomer, a smile spreading across her face. "Merry meet," she greeted him and nodded. "Now that's how I like to be greeted. Make yourself comfortable. Can I get you anything to eat or drink?"
As the boy took the key and walked down the hall, Lana leaned around the corner and said, "It's the door at the end of the hall. There are fresh linens in the closet if you need them. If you want anything, just call. I should be out here. Have a good stay!"
Lana turned back to the elf. "Actually, those gypsies weren't taking any rooms. They spend their nights in a camp not too far from here. They stop by once a year for some food, drink and good company. However, I do have some rooms occupied. I think I can find a vacant one for you," she said and winked at Jez'ri. "Would you like to go straight to your room or stay out here for a while?" Lana looked to the door as it opened slowly and a young girl hesitantly walked in. She carefully closed the door behind her and looked up at Lana. The girl had medium brown hair, pulled up in a ponytail, and curious, olive green eyes. She wore an ankle-length red skirt and a brown vest over a puffy, short-sleeved, white shirt. She seemed to be in her mid-teens.
"Kira, what are you doing here at this hour? Come here girl," Lana said to the girl. Kira walked over, her small brown slippers carrying her silently across the room. "This is Jez'ri. He's newly come to our inn," she said, wrapping her arm around the girl and motioning in the elf's direction.
"Jez'ri, this is Kira. She lives in the village and helps me out here at the inn," Lana told the elf. Kira nodded her head and gave a small curtsey.
"So, Kira, what brings you here?" Lana asked again.
"Well, ma'am," Kira looked down at the floor and drew a small circle with the toe of her slipper. "I was kind of hoping that . . . maybe . . . I could stay the night," she said and looked up hopefully at Lana.
"What about your parents? Have you asked them?" Lana questioned the girl.
"Oh, yes, ma'am. They and little Johnny are visiting Gramama. They said it was okay," the girl said, a smile starting to sneak across her face.
Lana looked at her carefully. "Well, . . . if they said it's alright, . . . I guess you can stay, but you have to help me clean this mess," Lana told her, looking around at the leftovers from the fleeing gypsies. "I'll explain later."
The girl's eyes lit up and the smile broke out. She excitedly hugged the older woman. "Oh, thank you. Thank you! Of course, I'll help. It'll be no problem, ma'am. I'm going to go get my bed ready!" she said as she raced off with a departing nod to the gentleman. As she got to the hall, Cani was making her way into the main room. Kira scooped the cat up, swung her around, kissed her, and carried her, giggling, down the hall.
"Rambunctious girl," Lana laughed. "I've told her many times that 'ma'am' is unnecessary, but it doesn't seem to stick." She watched Kira leave, then turned back to Jez'ri.
"So, sir, what will you have?" she asked, now in a much better mood.
* * * * *
"Nothing much, all I need now is a tankard of something strong." Jez'ri put his pack down in an open chair. "And, please, let me help out. I can't just sit while someone as you does work while I am able to help." Jez'ri hefted some of the dishes and followed Lana who had a stack of her own.
Once the dishes were away and the tankards full, Jez'ri finally sat down next to his pack. He opened the pack and out flew a tiny dragon. The little dragon was the color of Dwarven silver and was about the size of a man's hand. The little dragon flitted over to Jez'ri's shoulder and sat, the light from the fire glinting off the dragon's scales.
Jez'ri just had a little grin on his face. "Like him? His name is Ter'fi, short for Ter'fiperoris, which means 'silver flame' in my native tongue."
* * * * *
Lana smiled at the little dragon. "He's a beauty. Can I touch him?" Lana raised her hand to touch the dragon. The tiny reptile saw her hand approaching and ducked behind Jez'ri's head, landing on the other shoulder. Lana laughed softly and smiled.
"I have something I think you'd like," she said to the little dragon. She walked over to the bar and grabbed something from under the counter. Lana walked back and held it out to Ter'fi. It looked like some type of dried jerky, but different. The dragon hesitantly sniffed it, then moved a little closer. He took a little nibble, then started to devour it. When it was finished, he inquisitively looked up for more. "I thought you would like that," she said and laughed softly.
"It's amorosa root, a delicacy for dragons. It's very rare, but I have a good supplier," Lana told Jez'ri and smiled. "I always keep some on hand for any draconian visitors." She walked behind the bar and filled a small bowl. She placed it on the table. The dragon immediately hopped off the elf's shoulder and commenced eating the root. "Don't worry. It's on the house," she told the elf. "That's all I'll give him for now. You should see how much some of my larger customers eat." Lana stood there, hands on her hips, and smiled, watching Ter'fi. "So how did you meet your little friend?"
* * * * *
"The story behind my little friend is an interesting one at that. Or at least I think so, but I am a little partial." Jez'ri held his hand out and scratched the dragon's silver scales just behind the neck.
"This was long ago, back before my adventuring days. It was once when I was almost a full ranger, and I was sent out in the wilderness with my brother to seek out this old ruined fort. It was years since it was last used and we were asked to check up on the place. Well, we got there all right and were exploring the attic of the old place. Over in one corner, we found a rather dusty cabinet, locked with the strangest looking lock. 'Looks like a thumb print,' my brother says. There were two, so eack of us put one thumb in and, lo! The thing opened up for the two lowly elves. Inside we see this amazing display. It was full of ancient writings in unknown and mysterious languages. But in the center were two things that we did understand, two exquisite swords were sitting right there. Just for us! We each grabbed one and magic began to fill the air. Colors and smoke filled the dusty attic. There was a blinding flash and, poof! This little rascal was sitting right in the dust. The little guy just followed me along the way home. The Wise One said that it was an omen that the sword was meant for me. There was another dragon, but... Let's not speak that sad tale. What matters is, I got this little guy and a rather powerful magical sword."
Jez'ri pulled the sword he carried half way out of the scabbord. The sword was not made of any kind of steel or even metal for that fact. The sword did have a silver hilt with a large ruby set into it, but beyond it was an amber blade. The blade was not straight, either. The amber was fashioned into a wavy pattern but was still strikingly sharp. Surrounding the whole blade was a faint green glow, just around the edges.
"Pretty little thing. As far as I can tell, this thing draws power upon my emotions. Right now I am perfectly content and it shows in the green glow. A little annoying in the dark of night when sleep beckons." Jez'ri slid the sword back into the scabbord. "So, my new friend, I told you about my past, how did one such as yourself come to be the owner of an inn way out here?"
* * * * *
Adrian's boots splashed down in the mud as he trudged his way up the hard packed dirt road. The rain that the country recieved two days ago had not quite seeped into the ground yet, and traces of water could still be found. Well, no matter, this was what life was all about, right? Thats what Adrian felt anyway. Why should he spend his time cooped up in a school for magic when he could be out here, smelling the forest, playing with Wynn, his Mongoose (all initiates in the school of magic learn, for their first spell, Find Familiar. It just so happens that the creature who came to Adrian was a Mongoose. There is a slight telepathic link to the creature-a traveling companion, in essence.), and escaping a marauding company of orcs?
Adrian sighed, remembering those horrid days of his capture, the beatings, the torture... It was only because Wynn had intelligence that Adrian escaped.
Such are the fortunes of a Traveling man, though.
As twilight was falling, he passed a group of rather shaken people. Watching as they hurried by, he scratched his head and spoke softly with Wynn. "Now why would they be in such a hurry at this time of the night?"
The answer was soon forthcoming, it would seem. Soon lights shone in the distance, and Adrian smiled. A night in an Inn was something he was looking forward to. "Ahh, a bed..." he whispered. The adventuring life wasn't all it was cracked up to be. Still, he wouldn't trade it for the world. Walking up to the door slowly, he opened it and stepped inside.
Greeted by the homey atmosphere in the Inn, he smiled at those present, namely Lana and Jez'ri. "Evening!" he said in a loud, yet friendly voice.
It seemed the Golden Griffin Inn had yet one more customer.
* * * * *
"That's a very interesting story and a beautiful sword. I have a nice collection of swords myself. One of them I have just recently received. It was my half of a trade with a mysterious bard/thief that stopped in here a while ago. I trade in many magical items," Lana smiled at the elf. "If you'd like, I could show it to you later?"
Lana scratched the little dragon behind its head as he ate. "My past, you ask about? Don't you know, you're not supposed to ask a woman about her past?" she laughed and winked. She walked to the fireplace and added another log to the flames. Lana stood up and watched the fire weave its spell of heat throughout the inn. "Well, I used to be an adventurer. It runs in my family," she said smiling and turned around. "We did a lot of travelling when I was little. I guess it was in the blood." Lana shrugged and turned back to the fire. She fingered something in her pocket. "After adventuring my whole life, I needed a break. Sometimes an adventurer can have too many stories." She sighed, sadly, then looked back to Jez'ri and smiled. "Anyway, coincidentally, as I was looking for a place to take a breather, my family was looking for someone to run their inn. I jumped at the chance and here I am. Now, I've been running it for five years. I know it's not as exciting as adventuring, but we get our share of adventure, too. Many travellers come this way, from all over. I have heard many stories and have seen many things. It's nice to have a warm bed to come back to at night."
As Lana finished talking, Kira stepped out from the hall. She had been carrying Cani and put her down. The girl walked behind the bar and grabbed a broom. She started to sweep.
The door opened and a strange creature entered. It had dark grey skin and a bulbous head. There were tentacles around its small beak-like mouth. It wore a long crimson robe with elaborate gold trim. It walked up to the bar.
"Ah, greetings, Gilo. I was wondering when you would come back," Lana spoke to the illithid.
"Excuse me," she said and smiled to Jez'ri.
Lana walked over to the bar. "What can I get for you, friend? The usual?"
"Yes, please. I have also come in need for information," sounded a metallic voice in Lana's head.
Lana walked back into the kitchen. Some rattling and banging was heard, then a "Now, where did I put that?". Kira smiled. A short while later, Lana came back carrying a steaming plate on a tray. She placed it in front of the illithid. On it was a small brain covered in some type of herb sauce and a mug of strange dark liquid.
"Thank you. We shall talk later," was heard in Lana's head. Kira had to look away. Her stomach was not strong enough to stand the palate of an illithid.
As Lana nodded to the creature and started to make her way back to Jez'ri, the door opened again. Another elf walked in and greeted everyone.
"Well, merry day to you. Can I get you anything?" Lana said to the newcomer.
* * * * *
**THUNK** "Owwwwwwww!" A cry of pain comes from outside the closed window. "Lana! Hey, open up! It's me, Reed! Don't tell me after just one year that you don't leave my window open anymore??" The sound of little claws scratching on the glass is heard.
* * * * *
Lana walked over to the window and opened it. "Merry meet, Reed! It's good to see you again. It's been a while," she said and smiled. "It rained a couple days ago, so I closed the window. I must have forgotten to open it again. Come on in and make yourself comfortable. Can I get you anything?"
* * * * *
A rust-colored, robin-sized bird flew through the open window. "Thank you, Lana," he said circling the room. Flaring out his wings for a landing next to the illithid, Reed looked up at him and said, "My, your choice in food is no better, even given a year's time, Gilgarak."
Hopping down the bar a few seats, he turned to Lana. "My usual, please. Your largest steak -- beef, please." He winked at her. "That caribou steak you served me last time was a bit gamey."
* * * * *
With a grin, Adrian saunters over to the bar area, and sits down next to Jez'ri. "One room for the night please!" he says enthusiastically. He glances at the elf sitting next to him, and the sword he's got out. "Nice piece," he says with a grin, reaching out with a hand to idley scratch the head of the mongoose, who has decided to pop out and investigate this small bird like creature.... Mmmmmm.....
* * * * *
"Thank you for the compliment, my good elf. I found this locked within a magically sealed cabinet along with my little silver ball of energy." Ter'fi, knowing he was being spoken of, looked up from his drousing at the newcomer. The little dragon hefted himself up and flopped down next to the elf with his mongoose.
"Hey, the little guy likes you." Jez'ri took the time to study the road-weary elf. "Do I know you? I feel that we have met somewhere before, long ago. By chance have you ever been to the lands of my Skyshroud brethren?"
* * * * *
"Yes, Reed. Of course, sir," Lana said and exaggeratedly bowed and walked out of the room. Laughing was heard from the hall as she disappeared around the corner. Soon, a tantalizing smell filled the room and Lana entered. She placed a large plate holding an extra-large steak in front of the bird. It was thick and juicy, something you wouldn't normally see a bird eat. Lana was used to this, though. She had known Reed for a long time. "So, is it to your satisfaction?" she looked to Reed, her hands on her hips.
Lana smiled and looked over to the elf with the mongoose. "A room is two gold, one now and one when you leave. If you run up any other expenses, they are paid when you pay the second gold. Would you like your room now or can I get you something to eat or drink first?" Lana asked the elf. She watched the mongoose, curiously. "Would your friend like anything as well?"
* * * * *
Reed laughed at Lana's exaggerated manners. "My, what a fuss over a little bird! I feel like royalty! Although, that may be fitting," he said, winking at her. Without further interruption, Reed settled in on eating his steak, one peck at a time.
"Ohhh, this is even better that I remembered, Lana," he said, pausing to compliment the chef. Reed then settled down to his meal, seemingly unaware of his surroundings.
* * * * *
The darkness in a shadowed corner of the inn seemed to become more intense and consuming. The air thickened and began to swirl fiercely in just this particular corner. The rest of the inn remained unchanged except for the sudden chill in the air. The darkness intensified as the form of a young woman appeared within it. The woman was of average height and rather slender. Her sleeveless black dress was form fitting and seemed to blend in with the darkness that she had come from. Her waist-length hair was also the color of night which contrasted with the brightness of her sparkling violet eyes.
Stepping out of the darkness, Kathryn Stormhaven walked toward the bar, her hips swaying gently with each soft step. Kathyrn curiously glanced around at the other patrons with a soft engaging smile. "The Golden Griffin Inn," she murmered to herself. "Now, this could be a rather interesting place."
Kathryn casually brushed her long black curls back from her face as she spoke to the bartendress. "Good day," she stated politely with a smile. "Might I have a glass of your elven wyne?"
* * * * *
Gerald woke up with a yawn and a groan. He curled up underneath the thin, entangled covers but, as was the norm, he couldn't fall back to sleep no matter how hard he tried. Gerald forced himself out of bed, his bare feet creaked across the wooden floor. Once he reached the washbasin, he cupped his hands and lowered them into the cool water and splashed his face repeatedly. He stopped after a half dozen rinsings and dabbed at his face with the towel that was hung alongside the wooden pedestal that the basin was balanced upon. Gerald got dressed into his trousers and pulled on his shirt. He slipped his feet into his deerskin boots which were already laced and headed out the door.
He walked down the stairs and into the main dining area of the Golden Griffin Inn. Already at such an early hour, it was filling up fast with patrons which attested to the popularity of the inn. The patrons that were just leaving from their drunken stupors the night before, already had more people appearing to take their places. Gerald chose a table set off away from the others and, after seating himself, pondered whether or not he should just go back up to bed.
* * * * *
Kathryn glanced up curiously as another newcomer entered the dining area. It seemed that this one must have stayed for the night, and perhaps he had not gotten all of the sleep he required if his appearance said anything about him. Despite his scruffy appearance and the fact that he was obviously a human, there was something about him that intrigued her.
Kathyrn politely thanked the tendress for the glass of elven wyne that she had ordered and handed her several coins to pay for it. Casually, she made her way across the dining room to his table, her violet eyes never leaving his face.
"Good morning," she greeted with a smile, "My name is Kathyrn Stormhaven. You look like you could use some company. Might I join you?"
* * * * *
Gerald sipped at his mug of coffee and he found his eyes drawn to a statuesque woman who approached him. Her black dress swayed slightly as she walked towards his table as did her shoulder length raven hair. Her garments he barely took notice of since he was most taken by her eyes. The woman's violet eyes seemed to pierce right through him. She kept her gaze on his face and it seemed to bore right through him. He found he couldn't break her gaze even if he had wanted to, which he hadn't.
<"Good morning," she greeted with a smile, "My name is Kathyrn Stormhaven. You look like you could use some company. Might I join you?">
Gerald felt himself begin to stutter but stopped himself and started again. "It's a pleasure to meet you Lady Stormhaven." He briefly considered telling her his last name but it really wasn't his anymore, being disowned tended to have that effect.
"I am Gerald and I'd be delighted to have the pleasure of your company." He briefly entertained the idea of getting up and pulling out the chair for her but decided not to in case he embarassed her in front of the other patrons, so he settled for gesturing to the seat across from him. "Care for any breakfast? I was just about to order some from the kitchens," Gerald asked as she sat down.
* * * * *
"It is a pleasure to meet you, ummm, Gerald," she said with a smile as she realised that the gentleman had not given his last name. "But please, do call me Kathyrn, I do not stand on such formalities as to be called Lady Stormhaven!"
Kathryn pulled out one of the wooden chairs from the table and sat down gracefully.
"As for breakfast, I must admit that I am a little hungry. Traveling does tend to do that to a person."
Before they were able to continue their conversation, a young waitress arrived at their table and politely asked for their breakfast orders. After receiving them, she hurried back toward the kitchen with the promise that their food would be ready in several minutes.
"So, if I may ask, what brings you here to the Golden Griffin Inn?" Kathryn asked curiously, her eyes meeting his once more.
* * * * *
<"So, if I may ask, what brings you here to the Golden Griffin Inn?" Kathryn asked curiously, her eyes meeting his once more.>
Gerald shifted uncomfortably in his chair for a moment before he replied. Whether from her gaze or his shyness about women or a combination of the two he wasn't sure. "Well, I'm traveling to the East, to Davenshire to be more specific."
He smiled and added, "I have heard of the Golden Griffin's reputation for having decent prices and unwatered ale and I decided to put those rumors to the test."
'There is no need for her to know what exactly my reason for traveling that great a distance is,' Gerald decided.
Their food arrived promptly as the waitress had said it would. He picked up his mug and sipped at the tea and hoped he had sated her curiosity. "And what about you, Miss Kathryn? What has brought you to the inn?"
* * * * *
Kathryn savors a sip of her tea before answering.
"I enjoy traveling," she commented vaguely. Seeing Gerald's interest, she continued, "One might be inclined to say that I am something of a wanderer as my birthplace is not known to me and I have no one particular place that I call home. There are very few..."
For a moment Kathryn hesitated, uncertain about how Gerald might react to the knowledge that she was not human.
"... Well there are very few members of my family left," she finished weakly, deciding that perhaps the other information about herself might frighten him and it was best told later. After all, he already appeared to be rather nervous.
"For the past several hund..." she paused and smiled, realising that she had almost revealed to him her real age of 634 years which is rather surprising, since those who meet her would wager that she was not a day over 22.
"... Ummm, several years, I have been searching for a particular dark crystal. That is why I wander from place to place so often. It is so very important that I find it. I have heard rumor that it may be located not far from this inn. However, it may be just a false lead like so many times in the past."
She sighed in frustration before asking, "So what do you hope to find in Davenshire? Have you a family or job waiting for you there?"
* * * * *
Lana talked with her customers, while the place was not too busy. She laughed and excused herself. She walked into the back, tidied up some of the rooms and dumped out the old cooking water. There was a stack of mail and packages on a shelf outside, where the carrier had left them. She leafed through them.
"Bills, a letter from Cassie, more bills," Lana said as she walked back into the inn. She placed the bills and packages on the desk in her study. One package she carried out to the front and placed under the counter. It was rather large and addressed to one "Lady Tresselhaven". Lana was curious. It didn't sound like anyone she knew, but sometimes people had their mail sent to the inn, if they knew they were going to be in the area.
Lana walked over to the table where Gerald and the new woman were talking. "Good morning, Gerald," she said with a smile. "It's nice to see you up. I see Kira has already served you. If there's anything else you need, just ask." She nodded to the woman as she said this.
"Greetings, I am Lana, the innkeeper. I'm sorry I didn't get a chance to greet you earlier. Some old friends dropped in and I've gotten carried away, catching up and all." She laughed. "Are you enjoying your wine? It's a special shipment from Eldessa. I just received it yesterday. I don't usually order wine from mountain elves, but I thought I'd try something new."
Lana smiled and looked back to Gerald. She reached into the pocket of her apron and pulled out a small, cream-colored envelope with a maroon seal and handed it to the man. "This came for you." With that, she smiled and walked back to the bar, to tend to her other customers.
* * * * *
<"... Ummm, several years, I have been searching for a particular dark crystal. That is why I wander from place to place so often. It is so very important that I find it. I have heard rumor that it may be located not far from this inn. However, it may be just a false lead like so many times in the past."
She sighs in frustration before asking, "So what do you hope to find in Davenshire? Have you a family or job waiting for you there?">
Gerald touched her hand tentatively. It was obvious that this dark crystal she was after was a touchy subject, that's why she had changed the topic so quickly.
"I'm sure you will find it," he reassured her. He sighed loudly, "My family disowned me and I have no where to go, but Davenshire seemed the best bet."
* * * * *
Kathryn frowns at his announcement. "Your family disowned you? Do you mind if I ask what happened? Unless of course you would rather not talk about it."
She glances at him curiously, wanting to know the story but also not wanting to force him to uncover something too embarrassing about himself.
* * * * *
Jez'ri woke from his night's slumber and trudged down the stairs to get something in his stomach to wake him. He was not a morning person and would enjoy sleeping until noon any day. He went right to the bar and sat down.
"Something to wake me up, kindly," he said to whoever would get the drink for him.
From the stairwell where Jez'ri came down, a small silver dragon flew down after him. The dragon flew around the room a couple times, pausing in air where he could check out the people that he did not see when Jez'ri took him up to their room last night. Ter'fi (the dragon) had a quizacal look on his face as he eyed a couple of patrons in particular. Another very sleepy patron walked by and Ter'fi had to move. He flew over to Jez'ri's shoulder and settled down, never taking his eyes off those patrons.
* * * * *
Gerald accepted the letter graciously. "Thank you, Lady Lana." He slid the cream-colored envelope into his back pocket. He reached into his light money purse and tried to offer her a tip but she just smiled and waved it away while she went back to tend to the other customers. She was as gentle as the rumors had attested to, Gregory realized. His curiosity was eating away at him. Who could the letter be from? What did it say?
Completely oblivious to the small dragon's gaze he listened to Kathryn's questions. Gerald shrugged. "There's really not too much to tell. I went against the old traditions, the very ones that got my father his dukedom in the first place. I refused to comply with what he asked of me and he disowned me." He sipped his tea once again.
Gerald smiled a half smile. "If you want to know more in detail, I'll tell you. I just don't want to risk boring you."
Her curious look answered it for him. "I tried to explain to my father that the slaves should be treated better, even given a wage for the work they do." Gerald began thinking back to his father's many fields of crops. "That way they would be assured to stay loyal and not run away with their better treatment and maybe one day they could even buy their own plot of land. Duke Calis, my father, informed me that this type of thinking was ludicrous, that slaves were meant to be slaves. It had been established by God, God chooses what role we are to live in this life."
He winced a bit as he revealed the name of his father to Kathryn. Duke Calis was known for his harsh tax rate and his tyrannical rule. Calis kept his power only through his control of the military. When she gave no outward sign of horror he continued on.
In a rough gravely voice Gerald imitated his father. "And would you, Gerald, go against what the Creator has ordained?"
He finished his tea in a single draught. "I didn't back down from my stance and he disowned me. With my two other brothers, what did he care as long as he had a successor."
He grinned at her. "Depressing hmm?" Gerald's face became downcast and he quickly changed the subject. "Now tell me of this gemstone that you are looking for. I don't mean to be so forward, but I could accompany you in search for it if you'll have me."
* * * * *
During Gerald's story, Kathyrn listened with great interest. Though she had never heard of Duke Calis or his harsh rule over others, Kathyrn knew of his type and what they were capable of doing in the human world.
"No, not at all. It sounds to me," Kathryn added confidently, "that though you were disowned from your family, perhaps it is more of an honor then a punishment. I don't think that you would want a reputation like his, even if a title and wealth went along with it. I never did understand why humans would force others of their own kind to be slaves."
Kathryn, speaking so openly, did not realise that her words may easily reveal the fact that she was not human.
<"Now tell me of this gemstone that you are looking for. I don't mean to be so forward, but I could accompany you in search for it if you'll have me.">
Kathryn paused to think a moment, knowing that she had never shared this story or her quest with anyone, and then decided that Gerald seemed to be trustworthy. "Well, it is rather a long story... please let me know if I bore you... but for many generations, members of my clan have been seeking this particular crystal which we call The Nightforce. The Nightforce is special because there is only one of its kind. Many people have spent their lives in search of it because the legends have foretold that it will create an aura of darkness around the one who posesses it."
Seeing the puzzled look on Gerald's face, Kathryn hurried on to explain, "You see, as a human you would have little use for the crystal, unless of course you just enjoyed the darkness for some reason, which I can certainly understand, but as a shadow shifter, it becomes vastly more important. With this crystal, those of my kind could travel in the bright daylight and not be forced to return to our natural form of shadows. Rather, we would be surrounded by the power of the Nightforce and be able to survive in a form in even the brightest of days. Also, it is said to heighten our conjuring abilities. The problem is that the Nightforce is also sought out by other races who have other, more sinister, reasons for wanting it. However, it is my dearest hope that the Nightforce does in fact exist and that my journey will bring me to it."
Seeing that Gerald seemed to still be interested, Kathryn continued, "I have heard it told from several of the elves living in Elderwood, which is a small village not far from this inn, that there is a cave of darkness of which no light ever enters. The elves feel that the place is cursed and do not dare go near it. I believe that it could be the perfect hiding place for the Nightforce. That is what has brought me here."
Kathryn stopped suddenly as she noticed for the first time that there was a dragon flying overhead. Her violet eyes narrowed in suspicion as she looked around the inn hoping to see the owner.
"How long has that," she pointed overhead to the dragon, "been around? I hope it was not sent here to spy."
* * * * *
Jez'ri felt his little buddy tence up on his shoulder and looked over to see some of the patrons pointing at Ter'fi and he heard the word 'spy'. Not wanting trouble this early in the morning because he was not in fighting form, he went over to the table to smooth things over with those people.
Jez'ri saw looks that did not seem too good for him as he strode up. Pausing a moment to phrase his words carefully he said, "My dragon here is in no way a 'spy', merely curious for he is not old as dragons go. He just scences a . . . differentness about something over here. There is no need to be accusing my dragon of anything." Jez'ri had said that in the nicest way he could but he was still aware that in the morning he could be very grumpy and come off as being gruff. Hoping for understanding but expecting the worse, Jez'ri waited for a reply, while Ter'fi's eyes never left the patrons at the table.
* * * * *
Kathryn stared coolly at the man who approached their table, not pleased by his interruption.
<"My dragon here is in no way a 'spy', merely curious for he is not old as dragons go. He just scences a....differentness about something over here. There is no need to be accusing my dragon of anything.">
Annoyed by his tone of voice Kathryn said, "Well I do so hope that is true. I do not treat spies with any kindness. As for this 'differentness' that you speak of, I don't know what he senses, but it must be a mistake."
Kathryn sighed and forced a smile to her lips before continuing, "As it is, I am forced to give you the benefit of the doubt and hope that I have made a mistake about the dragon and your own involvement with him. I apologize if I have misjudged you."
* * * * *
Jez'ri was visibly mifted about the whole situation by now. He knew that Ter'fi had found something he had never seen before and it was near this table. He had felt that Kathryn had come off as snooty towards him and he felt his hand creeping towards his sword, which was glowing with a red hue.
"My dragon did not make a mistake. Or is it you fear a lowly elf like myself may find something? Because, belive me, this is one lowly elf who is _not_ a morning person."
* * * * *
Kathyrn laughed, not in the slightest bit worried about the glowing sword at Jez'ri's side. "Gerald, it seems that our new friend here is a little eager with the sword, wouldn't you say?"
Turning to gaze openly at Jez'ri, she said, "However, one thing is for sure, YOU are definitely not a morning person and perhaps that is a point in your favor. The morning is a bitter time of day where the sun begins its long harsh rule, until the darkness is able to conquer it in the end."
"But enough of such talk," Kathryn continued, her voice raising in an undenible challenge, her violet eyes still reflecting sparks of anger because of his untimely interuption of their meal, "if you are so certain that there is something unusual around here, show me!"
* * * * *
"You guys are way to loud for your own good! *Yawn*" A young boy came down the stairs, his eyes going across the room.
"Hey, innkeeper, I thought you said no fighting in here. Or is that a double standard between a kid and these . . . people." He sat down at a bar stool. "And if you have forgotten, my name is Damien. But let's just say I'm not the ordinary run of the mill kid." His eyes flashed. "Underestimate me and you'll find out what happens."
* * * * *
Gerald looked to Lana for help. He had kept his silence too long as he had mulled over what Kathryn had told him. The scruffy man ran a hand over his stubble dusted chin. He hated violence. If there was one thing he hated more then it, he had yet to find it. "Yes, he does seem eager to use it," he murmured.
"That is enough!" he bellowed and slammed his fists down on the table top. He got the few stares he had expected and made good use of the attention that was being paid to him. In his years, he found that reasoning with people was a waste of time. Gerald was tempted to interpose himself between the two men and Kathryn, but he didn't want to offend her in front of so many.
He directed his gaze to the man with the dragon and to the young boy who had decided to issue a challenge as well. "Since simply resolving your differences by words is something that has gone out of style, if you all are going to fight for the sake of your vaunted "honor", could you please do it over there so I can finish my tea?"
Amid the laughter of some of the tavern patrons, he took his seat and pulled out the letter that the inn keeper, Lana was it?, had given him. He opened it up and began to read, silently praying to the gods that they would all see how foolish they were acting and stop immediately.
* * * * *
"Settle down, would ya? It's to early to be banging on things." Damien rubbed his temples a bit. "And it's wa~y to early to be telling jokes." He groaned a bit, this by far was the worst inn he had ever stayed in. There was loud noise late into the night which gave him a migrane, he had been attacked by gypsies, and now this guy was banging on things. "Drink your tea if you want,just don't bang on anything else!"
* * * * *
<"Settle down, would ya? It's to early to be banging on things." Damien rubbed his temples a bit. "And it's wa~y to early to be telling jokes." He groaned a bit, this by far was the worst inn he had ever stayed in. There was loud noise late into the night which gave him a migrane, he had been attacked by gypsies, and now this guy was banging on things. "Drink your tea if you want,just don't bang on anything else!">
He glanced up apologetically and turned his attention back to the engrossing letter. "I won't, sorry. I promise," Gerald mumbled as he read through the letter. This was not good news at all.
* * * * *
"Very well then," Jez'ri said, regaining some of his composure. "The innkeep is a friend of mine so, if you wouldn't mind, we could just step outside."
Jez'ri finished his drink and headed to the door. He stopped near the door and turned to eye his opponent. "Well, coming? It's such a pleasent day outside, not a cloud to disturb the morning sun." Jez'ri played this out, realizing that this person did not like the out of doors.
* * * * *
Damien groaned, the clanging of swords was not going to help his headache and dying screams were never good. "Would you stop trying to pick a fight? Or did this women bruise you ego or something." He turned to the man at the door. "You have a rather large ego, so it hates to be bruised, yes? Well, since I have to be the gentleman, I'll defend this woman's honor." He smiled to himself, he didn't use weapons so he didn't have to worry about the clanging. He started for the door and forcibly pushed the man outside. "Come on, I still have to see if the innkeeper has numb weed." He rubbed his temples a bit. "Anytime you're ready, bub, but I have to warn ya, you're going to lose." He laughed a bit, this guy would have one big bruised ego after being beaten by a kid. "Or are you afraid of a mere child? Hey people, this guy's afraid of me."
* * * * *
Jez'ri did not like the attitude of this kid. "She was the one who challanged me. She wouldn't have done so if she did not mean to back it up. I don't doubt you. I saw a demonstration of what you can do when I first entered the tavern, but I have no quarrel with you."
The elf pushed his way back into the doorway. He drew his crystal blade and pointed it at Kathryn. "It is you I have the quarrel with."
* * * * *
"Yeah, well, I have quarrel with noise at this particular moment." Damien growled. How did that elf know? He had come into the bar after Damien had been off to bed. A good five minutes at least. He re-entered the bar. His eyes began to glow. "Play nice children." Jez'ri, along with Kathryn, suddenly raised off the ground and were separated. Both of thier weapons hung a little ways away. "Don't worry, as soon as this headache goes away, you can kill each other. But until then..." He calmly walked up to the inn keeper.
"Hey,do you have any numb weed on ya? I have the worst headache in history." He groaned. He looked back at the two floating people.
"At least you'll be able to cool off and think about the fighting, and how it serves no purpose except to prove who's better with a weapon and to increase somebody's ego." When the numb weed was served, Damien quickly ate it. In seconds, relief washed over him. "Ah," he said in relief as he turned back to the two. "Well, have you guys cooled off yet?" he asked, the two already lowering to the floor, along with thier weapons. "Or do you still want to rip each others heads off?"
* * * * *
A woman suddenly dashes into the inn. Her red hair flaming behind her like a banner. She runs up to Gerald and wraps her arms around him, making him spill his tea, and plants a big kiss on his cheek. She laughs and pulls a chair next to him.
"Hey, Gerald. I didn't know you were back in town! I've missed you!" She said. Noticing the stunned look on his face, she continued, "Remember me? Ariol? You should." The woman blushes slightly and smiled, reaching a hand out and messing his hair.
"So, what brings you here? Will you be staying for a while? I have so much to tell you! So much to show you! I'm so glad you are back!!" Ariol laughed and hugged him again and sat back to hear his answers.
Ariol looked around and saw Lana very busy with her customers at the counter. She called out, "Hey, Lana! Need any help? It looks like the place is packed this morning. If you get a chance just give me the usual, a caramel cream, please." She looked at the two people floating in the air and sighed. A normal day in the Golden Griffin, she thought and smiled, turning back to Gerald.
* * * * *
Kathryn laughed as Damien's spell lifted her off the ground. With a small turn of her wrist, a black whirlwind appeared, first as small as a grain of sand, but within a second growing larger and more intense. The whirlwind lifted Damien up to eye level with Kathryn and Jez'ri. The three were suspended mid-air and gathering much attention from the other patrons in the inn.
"Now that I have your full attention, I am afraid that both of you have misunderstood the situation. That elf . . .," she pointed at Jez'ri as she was still unaware of his name, "said that there was something unusual around the table in which Gerald and I were sharing. I simply challenged him to tell me what it was that was so unusual. Nothing more. Surely, you can see that I am completely unarmed?"
Kathyrn floated back down to the ground, and did a graceful turn about. Her long black dress was rather form fitting and did not leave any room for a hidden weapon. She smiled teasingly above, at both Damien and Jez'ri in turn and then says, "Now, do either of you wish to challenge and unarmed woman or can I return to my breakfast?"
As if you prove her intentions, Kathryn took a few steps toward the table where Gerald sat and was almost knocked down by the woman with long red hair who came charging across the room. Seeing that they appeared to know each other, Kathryn backed off.
"Now look what you two have done!" Kathryn said with a playful stamp of her foot. "You have cost me my breakfast companion!"
* * * * *
"I never challenged you in the first place, you bimbo!" Damien gave her an evil look. "I swear, even the women around here suffer from testosterone poisening. How vulgar." He looked at the red head. "It appears another bimbo makes the scene. Figures. There seem to be a lot entering this bar." He looked to Kathryn.
* * * * *
Damien's eyes began to glow again and he shot to the ground. "Magic is so feeble, it can't hold up to my psychics." He glared at her. "So, not only are you a bimbo, you're a weak bimbo!"
* * * * *
"Another gryphon ale over here."
"Can I get some scrambled eggs and hash?"
"A centaur steak and some myfla juice for me, Lana."
"Okay, guys. I'll be right with you," Lana smiled and cleared some empty glasses. She spun around and nearly bumped into Kira as she went into the hall.
"Sorry, ma'am. The inn sure is busy this morning," the girl commented as she entered the main room carrying a tray of breakfast orders. "Tips are good, too."
Lana smiled and nodded. She continued to the kitchen and put the glasses in the sink. She leaned against the counter and took a deep breath. There were a lot of customers this morning. Probably because of the upcoming fair. It was still two weeks away, but people from all over were coming and the earlybirds were already arriving. She reluctantly grabbed a tray and filled it with her orders, while looking around and taking stock of what she was low on. The traders were coming tomorrow and she had to get her orders ready. She walked back to the main room, her mind preoccupied with inn business as she handed out the food and drinks.
Kira gasped and Lana looked up. The woman Gerald had been talking to and Jez'ri were floating in the air. Lana sighed and shook her head. She pulled a towel out from under the counter, wiped her hands, and replaced it.
Lana nodded to Kira to take over the bar and walked over to the table. "Damien, please put them down. Thank you very much, but I can handle this now." She smiled at the boy to show her appreciation and watched her floating customers.
"What's going on here?" she asked them. "I appologize for being busy earlier, but there are other ways of getting my attention." She smiled and winked, her hands on her hips.
A small brown cat walked over and curled around the innkeeper's ankles. Cani sat and watched the interesting scene before her.
Lana caught a flash of red out of the corner of her eye and smiled. She turned to Ariol and kissed the top of her head. "Greetings, girl. It's nice to see you again. Sure, if you want to pitch in, go ahead. The place is jumping this morning," she said smiling and rested her hand on the young woman's shoulder. As she said this, Kira brought the caramel cream and placed it before Ariol. The barmaid said her greetings and returned to her work.
The innkeeper looked around her inn, wondering if this was going to be the beginning of a long day.
* * * * *
Lana overheard Damien's comments and turned to him. "Please don't insult my customers, I'll ask you to change your tone. Argue if you want, but try to be civil about it. I don't need anymore trouble from you, boy."
Lana looked to Damien, the woman, Gerald, Ariol, and the still floating Jez'ri. "Can I get any of you anything for breakfast or have you all already eaten?" She smiled and raised her hand. As she lowered it, Jez'ri floated softly toward the ground.
* * * * *
"Sorry," Damien said begrudgedly. "And why was he still up in the air? I let those two down a little while ago. See? That sword of the elf's, it's already down." He gave Kathryn a look of triumph. "It was Katheryn's fault, anyway. If she didn't start issuing challenges . . ."
* * * * *
Lana laughed. "I'm sure it is her fault," she said and winked at the woman. "By the way, Damien, how was your sleep? I didn't hear a peep from you all night." She smiled. Kira walked up behind her and whispered something in her ear and passed her a note. Lana nodded and slipped the note into her pocket.
* * * * *
He wondered if she wanted the truth, or something good. "I slept well . . ." Damien held a false smile. "But I did hear a little bit of noise pretty late in the evening."
* * * * *
"Oh, sorry about that," Lana appologized. "I was helping Ramn up the stairs." She smiled and pointed to a big, burly man sitting at the bar with a cast on his leg. He had black curly hair and a beard that covered half his face which parted to reveal pearly white teeth as he smiled widely and waved to Lana.
"We had been doing fine until he tripped on the last step. We went sprawling. It took forever to get him back up and into his room," Lana said laughing softly. "I'm sorry for the noise, though. How about breakfast on the house to make up for it?" She smiled at Damien and heard Ramn's deep bass coming from the bar as he told his companions about his fall and they all laughed.
* * * * *
"Oh, no thanks. I think I should get to the megolith before dark. Otherwise, who knows what kind of monsters will end up in there. I mean, monsters fester in that one spot as if it were an infected wound. And I want to see why. You wanna come with me, Lana? I could use all the help I can get."
* * * * *
Jez'ri touched the ground and was beyond mifted at this point. "That is not the situation. You there decided to take umbrage when my dragon companion became curious about something in your vicinity. You accused me of being a spy. To top it off, you proceed to challenge me!
* * * * *
"Hey, Gerald. I didn't know you were back in town! I've missed you!" She said. Noticing the stunned look on his face, she continued, "Remember me? Ariol? You should." The woman blushes slightly and smiled, reaching a hand out and messing his hair.
"So, what brings you here? Will you be staying for a while? I have so much to tell you! So much to show you! I'm so glad you are back!!" Ariol laughed and hugged him again and sat back to hear his answers.
Ariol looked around and saw Lana very busy with her customers at the counter. She called out, "Hey, Lana! Need any help? It looks like the place is packed this morning. If you get a chance just give me the usual, a caramel cream, please." She looked at the two people floating in the air and sighed. A normal day in the Golden Griffin, she thought and smiled, turning back to Gerald.>
Gerald smiled back, her grin was contagious. He reached over and rubbed her cheek gently, the tips of his fingers barely touching her skin. "How could I forget you, Ariol?" he said softly. "Of course, I remember you!" He had no idea. It had been many years since the last time he had been in the city and a myraid of different names and faces flashed through his memory.
"I'm only going to be here a couple days. How have you been, Ariol?" He smiled back. He dabbed at the spilled tea with his linen hankerchief.
* * * * *
Kathryn ignores Damien and speaks directly to Jez'ri, "Also, recall that I apologized for having accused your dragon of being a spy. I might be . . . well, a little sensitive about certain things and jumped to the wrong conclusions about him when I saw him hovering over our table. Now, as for the challenge, do you accept? Are you ready to tell me what the unusual thing that you sensed around my table was? Though, it is probably far gone by now, if it ever existed!"
* * * * *
Ariol closed her eyes briefly as his fingers brushed her cheek and smiled, blushing slightly. She reached up and grasped his hand, giving it a tender squeeze before releasing it and picking up her drink. She took a small sip and leaned back.
"Always the best, Lana, and thank you, Kira," Ariol said. "I think I'll sit here for a little while and catch up with Gerald and then I'll pop up and help." The girl smiled and winked at Lana.
"So, Gerald, where have you been? What have you done?" she asked leaning closer to him. "I've been busy. There's been trouble with the caravans lately and Lana's had me checking things out. You know, my usual scouting and stuff. Something's up, but Gilgarak knows more than I do. Good ol' Gilo has found out some info that he will only tell Lana, so the rest of us are sitting in suspense. You know how excited I get when I smell an adventure in the air." She smiled and looked dreamily into Gerald's eyes.
"Do you remember the things we used to do? We've gotten ourselves into our own bits of trouble," Ariol laughed and then sighed. "I've missed you. Maybe later we can go for a walk or something to talk. Don't get me wrong, I love the Golden Griffin, but it tends to get a little loud in the mornings. Lana is known kingdomwide for her meals." Ariol took another sip of her caramel cream and curiously watched the people around her.
* * * * *
Damien watched this. He turned back to Lana, stuck his finger in his mouth and made a gagging noise. "She practically throws herself at that guy." He laughed. "But what's going on in this little town anyway?"
* * * * *
"Sure thing, Ariol. Whenever you want. I think the inn is actually slowing down anyway. Relax and enjoy your drink," Lana smiled at the rambunctious red head and turned to Damien.
"Sounds interesting, Damien, but I don't think I can go. Things are busy here at the inn, especially with the upcoming festival. I am expecting my cousin to arrive soon. Maybe she could go with you? She's had a bit of a bad time lately and would probably love to take out her frustration on some monsters." Lana laughed and shook her head thinking of Gwenneth. Poor girl, an adventure is just what she needs, Lana thought and smiled, excusing herself and walking down the back hall.
Lana entered the storage room and took stock of her supplies. She had enough to last a while, but I'd be nice to see a caravan soon. She lit a candle and closed the door, pulling the note from her pocket. As she unfolded it, she recognized the strict handwriting as that of her illithid friend, Gilgarak. He had stopped by last night, but had left before they had gotten a chance to talk. He left this note with Kira.
"Lana,
The goblins of Gulga's Gultch have started again. Things are different somehow. Their attacks are more defined as if they have a stragedy. Someone or something must be giving them direction. They are attacking only certain caravans as if they are looking for something. Ariol has checked out the situation and confirmed. Keep an eye out.
Gilo"
Lana refolded the note, placed it into her pocket and walked out of the room, perplexed about what could be going on.
* * * * *
Lana walked back into the main room. She laughed and replied to Damien, "Well, she's just a girl with strong emotions. What's going on in the town? There is a fair coming two weeks from now. Other than that, there is just the everyday things. Is there anything you are looking for? There are several towns around, if we don't have it here, that I could direct you to." Lana smiled and waved to some customers walking throught the door.
* * * * *
Jez'ri sighed, realizing that this was as close to an apology as he was going to get.
The drink he had was doing its stuff and the effects of the morning were wearing off. Jez'ri lowered his voice so only Kathryn and anyone standing practially on top of them could hear what he said, for his assumptions were not ones to be safely broadcast.
"Okay, I'll buy into your 'challenge'. I have no psycic link to my dragon, but I do know his mannorisms. My best guess is that either you or your companion is not what you appear to be, in a physical form mind you, or else Ter'fi could not have know. And from the fact that the dragon in question is still observing you, my guess would be that the misleader is you and not your breakfast-mate."
With his assumptions over, Jez'ri returned to his normal conversational tone. "And I apologize for the incident. We both had some fault and that kid certainly didn't help. I blame the early morning, no one's quite themselves."
* * * * *
"That's fine. No harm done," Lana said and smiled. "How was your sleep, Jez'ri? I had hoped to talk to you more, but we never got a chance." Lana reached into her pocket and held up a piece of amorosa root for Ter'fi.
"Here you go, boy. With all your excitement, you haven't had anything to eat." She watched the dragon zip by and snatch the food from her outstretched hand. Lana laughed and watched him circle the table.
"He sure is filled with energy this morning. If there's anything I can get you, just let me know." She nodded to Jez'ri.
* * * * *
Jez'ri was pleased to see his friend come around to talk to him. That was the only real reason he didn't go to town already. "Don't need much, just a friendly person to talk to and a strong drink to wake me up," he said with a grin.
He left the spot where he was talking to Kathryn, not wanting more of her for the rest of the morning at least, and he went back over to the bar where he would be able to catch some words with Lana. Ter'fi, having something new to focus on in his snack, ignored Kathryn for the most part.
"So, Lana, anything interesting going on in town today?"
* * * * *
"Heh, how about following me to the megolith?" Damien gave the elf a grin. "As far as I know, that's the only thing going on here until the fair comes. But you hafta be strong to go there . . . so, maybe I shouldn't talk to you? I mean, you didn't seem THAT strong to me . . ." Damien was trying the old reverse psycology trick. "Hmm, Kathryn seems strong enough, maybe I should ask her?"
* * * * *
Gerald smiled. "If trouble had a middle name, it would be Ariol," he said with a rare laugh. "How could I forget about our adventures? They are some of the happiest moments that I have ever had."
'And moments I will always treasure,' he added to himself, hoping she wouldn't read his mind as she so often managed to do.
"I've missed you, too," he replied when she leaned close. He caught her fragrant scent. She smelled of apple blossoms, just as he remembered she had, never to strong and never too faint, just perfect. Which was the way he would describe her to people. Perfect.
"I haven't been doing much lately." He glanced over at Kathryn who still seemed warily facing Damien and the other man who had yet to give his name. She seemed busy but he would have to talk with her again to find out if it would be alright if he asked Ariol if she heard anything about a crystal. "If you would have me, I'd be glad to come with you," Gerald said softly. "And then we could catch up. Does that sound alright?"
* * * * *
Jez'ri put his drink down and muttered some curses in high elven. "Do you ever give up?" He turned and faced the arrogant kid. "Why would I want to go anywhere with you?"
Not waiting for an answer, he turned back to the bar and gave his attention to his dragon.
* * * * *
"Because I'm the only psychic around and, unless you can get a god to do it, you ain't getting into the megolith!" Damien smiled. "Besides, if you don't go, I'll suspend you in the air again! And I won't let you down until you agree." He turned to Kathryn.
"You, too, wanna go with me to the megolith? There's much treasure to be had there!" He floated into the air.
"Does anyone want to go to the megolith with me?"
* * * * *
Gwenneth entered the inn and took a seat in the corner. She plopped down in a sturdy wooden chair and dropped her sword on the table with a clang. She crossed her arms in front of her chest, her light brown hair falling over her shoulders, and leaned back.
"Why do men have to be such jerks?" she mumbled under her breath.
* * * * *
"Sure, Gerald," Ariol said and smiled. "How about late afternoon? I can take you for a walk and show you around. It'll be great!" She kissed him quickly on the cheek and finished her drink.
"I actually have to be going soon. I've got some things to do first. You know me! Busy, busy, busy!" she said and laughed. "I have to talk to Lana before I go, though," Ariol told him in a more serious tone. "She seems to be a little busy, so I guess I still have a couple minutes to spare." The girl sat closer to Gerald and rested her head on his shoulder, her soft red hair brushing against his cheek. She laid her hand lightly on his thigh and smiled softly.
* * * * *
"I have my own quests to attend to and I don't want to tromp around anywhere with you." Jez'ri turned his attention back to his drink, muttering more choice curses in high elven. "Now, kindly leave me to affairs of my own. My quest is one that only an elf would fully grasp."
* * * * *
<"Sure, Gerald," Ariol said and smiled. "How about late afternoon? I can take you for a walk and show you around. It'll be great!" She kissed him quickly on the cheek and finished her drink.
"I actually have to be going soon. I've got some things to do first. You know me! Busy, busy, busy!" she said and laughed. "I have to talk to Lana before I go, though," Ariol told him in a more serious tone. "She seems to be a little busy, so I guess I still have a couple minutes to spare." The girl sat closer to Gerald and rested her head on his shoulder, her soft red hair brushing against his cheek. She laid her hand lightly on his thigh and smiled softly.>
Gerald smiled shyly when she kissed his cheek and his cheeks flushed with color. "That does sound great! Where would you like to meet up?" he replied happily. His expression fell slightly when she remarked how she had to leave soon. But saying she was busy was an understatement, which caused his smile to return as abruptly as it had departed.
Gerald felt a shiver go up through his spine at her light touch. He slipped his arm around behind her head and began to run his hand through her long crimson hair, letting his fingers trail through it and then back up again.
He didn't want to seem too forward or smother her so his immediate reaction to ask if he could accompany her was immediately discarded. Gerald's stomach felt as though it were twisting into knots. He placed his other hand on top of hers on his thigh and massaged her hand gently.
In a voice barely above a whisper he replied, "I'll take every moment that I can get . . ."
* * * * *
"Can I get you a refill on that drink, friend?" Lana asked Jez'ri. She took his mug, refilled it and handed it to him. She pulled a towel out from under the bar and started to wipe down the counter.
"What's going on in town? Not too much lately," Lana answered and shrugged. "With the caravans being held up, things have been slow. There have been some interesting characters arriving for the fair, though." She poured herself a mug of hot cider and sipped it while there was a break in the customers.
"What do you have planned for today, Jez'ri? Anything interesting?" the innkeeper asked, looking up to see the curious little dragon watching her from his perch in the rafters.
* * * * *
Lana noticed the woman walk throught the door and smiled. As the woman sat down, Lana motioned to Damien.
"There she is. That's my cousin, Gwenneth, the sulky one in the corner. She'll probably go on your quest with you," Lana told Damien.
* * * * *
"Oh? So you mean only somebody really scatterbrained could understand. Because, as everyone knows, elves are scatterbrained and reckless. And you seem to be the king of scatterbrainess," Damien teased.
"Uh, Lana, she doesn't really seem that friendly at this moment. But, I'll talk to her . . ." He walked over to Gwenneth.
"Hello . . . Are you interested in going on a quest?"
* * * * *
"A quest?" Gwenneth looked up curiously at the boy standing in front of her. She sat up and raised an eyebrow, deciding to humor him.
"What kind of a quest would a boy go on? Did you lose your teddy bear?" She chuckled, her mood definitely lifted. The woman raised a hand and brushed back a stray caramel strand from her face. She leaned forward across the table and pushed back the seat across from her.
"Have a seat, boy. Tell me about this 'quest'. You intrigue me," she said and winked at the lad.
* * * * *
Jez'ri said some more choice curses in high elven towards the retreating Damien. Roughly translated, they ment 'a boil on a minatour's backside.'
Feeling his mood pick up with the kid gone, Jez'ri replied to Lana. "Well, I've been thinking about this fair. I didn't realized it was here when I came around town, so I'm not quite sure what it's all about, but I'm assuming it's a standard fair. Well, there's some . . . information I've been looking for. For a long time. But, a fair is just the place I might find it, where the travelers all come together. Unfortunatly, I may have to go to the parts of the fair that the good folk don't see, if you get my drift."
* * * * *
Damien sat down. "The megolith. You know, the old ruins west of here? Well, it's only accessable by psychics, gods, or extremely powerful magic-users. It hasn't been visited recently and monsters swarm there like bees on honey. And that's during the daytime. At night, nobody has ever returned from there." He paused for a few seconds. "I think something really big is there, inside. I can open it, but I don't know if I can survive it without help. Since no one else was really interested, it'll be a 50/50 split of all treasures found." He leaned back a bit. "Besides, killing monsters is one of the best ways to release stress, I know, . . .well, . . . besides doing this." His eyes began to glow and Jez'ri's pants went up, giving him a wedgy. "So, what do ya say?"
* * * * *
"Well, the fair does not officially start for a couple weeks, but people are arriving already. It is held at a small town North of here called Klenda. Once a year, people come from all over the kingdom. It's a really big event. If you are looking for anything, you can surely find it there," she said and winked to the elf.
Lana leaned over the counter and whispered in Jez'ri's ear, "I know someone who can tell you what you want to know or, at least, point you in the right direction. At the fair, you must go to the back eastern corner, past the furriers and the cloth makers. There will be a small dark tent. Inside is a gypsy named Fraza. She will be able to help you, if anyone can. Mention my name and flip the right coin. I tell you this because you are my friend, but tell no one else." Lana smiled at the elf. "She has not arrived yet. I will tell you when she does."
* * * * *
"Guess I'll just have to stay put for a bit more," Jez'ri said with a smile. "It would be nice to finally end my quest. Myself, along with my two siblings, have been questing for a certain . . . object for a long while now. I fear that I must not tell you, for only few should know. And just by knowing the object's name puts you in great peril. But I can tell you that it is an object that rightfully belongs to my clan, though others desire to use it for evil." Jez'ri took another gulp of his drink. "I do hope to hear from my esteemed brother Verro and the magnificiant sister Say'her soon. By chance, would either of them have left a message here in passing?"
* * * * *
"Well, that is an interesting offer. I'll have to think about it," she answered the boy. "You're cute. What's your name? Can I get you a drink?"
Gwenneth looked the boy over. She figured she had nothing better to do, so a quest to the megolith wouldn't be too far out of her way.
* * * * *
"My name is Damien and go right ahead and by me a drink if you want." He smiled. "I won't object." He turned a little crimson at the 'cute' remark, but quickly regained his color. "Uh, your cute, too . . .," he said after a few seconds.
* * * * *
"Actually, there was a letter left here by someone named Say'her. If I would have known it was for you, I would have given it to you earlier," Lana said and smiled. She pulled a folded letter written on old parchment from under the counter and handed it to him.
* * * * *
"Well, it's nice to meet you, Damien," she said as she stretched out her hand. "I'm Gwenneth. Lana is my cousin. We used to adventure together until she took over the inn for our family."
Gwenneth gently caught Kira's sleeve as the girl passed by and said, "I'll have a malt cherry and pour a tall glass of milk for the boy." She winked to Damien and laughed. Kira giggled and rushed away to fill her orders.
"So, I'm cute, am I? I haven't heard that in a while. It's good to hear," she smiled amiably and laughed.
* * * * *
"Well, we could meet right outside the inn. I have to come back this way, anyway," Ariol murmured, smiling softly as Gerald ran his fingers through her hair. She loved it when he touched her hair. A small shiver of pleasure ran up her spine and she closed her eyes. The girl snuggled closer, very warm in his embrace and very comfortable, not wanting to leave.
* * * * *
Jez'ri opened the crinkly parchment and saw old, faded ink. The message was writen in high elven, so Jez'ri expected that he was the only one inside the inn that could read it. Jez'ri scanned the letter quickly and absorbed the message. With a sigh, he folded up the letter and put it into his pocket.
"I'm gonna need some more drinks."
* * * * *
"Milk? I'm not THAT young, I can handle liquor, but it does effect my abilities with psychics." Damien looked at Gwenneth for a little bit. "You used to adventure with the barkeep? I wouldn't know, I've only been on one adventure before this one, so I'm not exactly a trained professional."
* * * * *
Lana refilled Jez'ri's drink. "Bad news?" she asked, raising an eyebrow.
Lana looked around the inn, watching for a face she hadn't seen all morning. "Where is Jeran? He's late," she mumbled under her breath. The young man was usually there by now. It was very unusual for him to be off schedule. That fact worried her and a slight frown crossed her face.
* * * * *
If you want to add to this story, e-mail me at jasujo@hotmail.com.
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