Menu
News
All News
Dungeons & Dragons
Level Up: Advanced 5th Edition
Pathfinder
Starfinder
Warhammer
2d20 System
Year Zero Engine
Industry News
Reviews
Dragon Reflections
Columns
Weekly Digests
Weekly News Digest
Freebies, Sales & Bundles
RPG Print News
RPG Crowdfunding News
Game Content
ENterplanetary DimENsions
Mythological Figures
Opinion
Worlds of Design
Peregrine's Next
RPG Evolution
Other Columns
From the Freelancing Frontline
Monster ENcyclopedia
WotC/TSR Alumni Look Back
4 Hours w/RSD (Ryan Dancey)
The Road to 3E (Jonathan Tweet)
Greenwood's Realms (Ed Greenwood)
Drawmij's TSR (Jim Ward)
Community
Forums & Topics
Forum List
Latest Posts
Forum list
*Dungeons & Dragons
Level Up: Advanced 5th Edition
D&D Older Editions
*TTRPGs General
*Pathfinder & Starfinder
EN Publishing
*Geek Talk & Media
Search forums
Chat/Discord
Resources
Wiki
Pages
Latest activity
Media
New media
New comments
Search media
Downloads
Latest reviews
Search resources
EN Publishing
Store
EN5ider
Adventures in ZEITGEIST
Awfully Cheerful Engine
What's OLD is NEW
Judge Dredd & The Worlds Of 2000AD
War of the Burning Sky
Level Up: Advanced 5E
Events & Releases
Upcoming Events
Private Events
Featured Events
Socials!
Twitch
YouTube
Facebook (EN Publishing)
Facebook (EN World)
Twitter
Instagram
TikTok
Podcast
Features
Top 5 RPGs Compiled Charts 2004-Present
Adventure Game Industry Market Research Summary (RPGs) V1.0
Ryan Dancey: Acquiring TSR
Q&A With Gary Gygax
D&D Rules FAQs
TSR, WotC, & Paizo: A Comparative History
D&D Pronunciation Guide
Million Dollar TTRPG Kickstarters
Tabletop RPG Podcast Hall of Fame
Eric Noah's Unofficial D&D 3rd Edition News
D&D in the Mainstream
D&D & RPG History
About Morrus
Log in
Register
What's new
Search
Search
Search titles only
By:
Forums & Topics
Forum List
Latest Posts
Forum list
*Dungeons & Dragons
Level Up: Advanced 5th Edition
D&D Older Editions
*TTRPGs General
*Pathfinder & Starfinder
EN Publishing
*Geek Talk & Media
Search forums
Chat/Discord
Menu
Log in
Register
Install the app
Install
Community
Playing the Game
Story Hour
AGELESS Campaign Episode 2 - Temple of the Cat-Goddess
JavaScript is disabled. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding.
You are using an out of date browser. It may not display this or other websites correctly.
You should upgrade or use an
alternative browser
.
Reply to thread
Message
<blockquote data-quote="Silver Moon" data-source="post: 4689744" data-attributes="member: 8530"><p><strong>Chapter Seven, “Jacksonville Market,” September 1st, 1882, 12:30 P.M.</strong></p><p></p><p>There are around thirty vendors of uncooked foods and an equal number of vendors offering pre-cooked foods. Among the cooked foods are a number of people serving rice and fish dishes. There are also a lot of vendors serving fresh poultry, primarily chicken, cooked in a variety of different styles. Several ogre vendors are selling fried southern-style catfish accompanied by fried yams. One vendor has cooked pork products. There are also a half-dozen human vendors of Spanish origin selling traditional Spanish foods. Most bakers present are selling wheat bread and rolls. </p><p></p><p>"Oh, there is always SOMETHING to buy," Ruby commented as they walked to the market, one eye on the shopping the other on her new companions. "Lunch does sound good, I am already starving! I wonder what Florida delicacies are..." As they walked she wandered over to the blue eyed girl. "I'm sorry we didn't have a chance to say hello earlier, my name is Ruby. And your name is Abigail? Will you be joining us the entire trip?" </p><p></p><p>Abigail replies, "I don't even know what the trip is yet! But I signed on for the entire project, whatever it may be. From what Roy and Dr. Crane have said traveling with this group is a rare opportunity, and not the kind of thing they prepared us for at University. From your looks, I'd guess you're family to Mrs. Parker?" </p><p></p><p>Ruby gave the girl a grin. "Yes, she my grandmother. I know, shocking, right? The similarities?" she laughed. "And what's funny is neither of us looks much like my mother." They continued to walk on towards the market. "I don't know what the trip is yet either, it's a surprise! But I love surprises, so I'm excited to find out what it is. University you say, you went to school?" Ruby wondered if she would be a boring smarty pants. </p><p></p><p>"Mmhmm." Abigail's voice turned to a mother-like tone and she added, "It's a very great privilege to go to University, Abigail." In her own voice she went on. "My mother was very proud. And I wouldn't trade that experience for anything, but it was about so much more than just classes. My mother would be horrified to hear about some of the things we girls got up to there. I went to Wells College, a university just for women, and let me tell you getting that many girls in one place you better expect some trouble." She laughed and shook her head. "Most of it was pretty innocent. But we had enough supervision to sneak around to get away from it now and then too." </p><p></p><p>"Well, that sounds pretty fun. At least, not how I pictured like, boarding school. You'll have to tell me some of those stories while we on our trip, I bet they're entertaining. Myself, I hated school and couldn't wait to be done with it. My parents never even mentioned college, I just they just figured I would be married off so I didn't need it." She shrugged. "Though sometimes I wished I paid a little more attention that I did." A sad look crossed her face but only for a moment, the grin returned and she continued quickly, "Besides, it'll be more fun to learn this way, practical application and all that. Who knows what varied things we'll learn this trip!" </p><p></p><p>They walked a bit quietly, both sizing the other up. "So, do you have a boy you're leaving behind for this trip?" "You're not" said George to Ruby teasingly. "No, I'm definitely not," she said the wide smile hurting her cheeks as she took his hand. "This is George, George, this is Abigail. Abby was just telling me about her college days. You and I both missed out on those but I was saying this is the better way to learn anyway." </p><p></p><p>"A pleasure to make your aquaintance Abigail." says George shaking Abby's hand. "Well Ruby there is nothing learned in college that you can't learn alter in life if you apply yourself. Though I am jealous of your experience attending College Abigail, do not waste your opportunity." says George. "How are you, George?" Abigail shook his hand. "College is better for some people, life is better for others. I think I'd like to try them both. I didn't leave any particular boy behind. I spent plenty of time with plenty of them, but I haven't been looking to get settled with one. I might someday if a good one comes along. And if he doesn't I have plenty to keep me entertained for more than one human lifetime. They do add a bit of excitement to life though, don't they?" </p><p></p><p>Ruby replies, "Yes, they certainly do add some excitement to life. They definitely keep it more interesting I would say. But in good ways." Nanuet followed behind the group observing their gait, looking for anything unusual in the way they walked... a years old habit coming from his tracking abilities. He half-listened to the conversation between Ruby, George and Abigail and was glad to hear they were getting along so well. </p><p></p><p>Ruby drags George and Nanuet over to the ogre vendors. "Hey, we're in the South, we should try some southern like foods, right?" Ruby gets two orders of the catfish and yams. Next she proceeds to get some chicken, fish and some pork and rolls, enough for them and extra for the people who are still haven't arrived yet. "Are we finding a spot here? How about over near the water?" She looked for Roy, Thomas and Abigail. "Are you all ready to eat? We're going to head over by the water to eat I think." </p><p></p><p>George did a fine balancing act juggling all the bowls that Ruby kept buying and handing to him. As he ran out of arm space he finally said "I think we have enough for now Constance, let's go find some shade to eat under. One of those big oaks I saw not far from here." </p><p></p><p>The eight adventurers find a shady place to sit a short distance from the market on the upper bank overlooking the Saint Johns River. The eight have a variety of different foods, with Mina and James sharing bowls of various rice and fish dishes, the two of them using chopsticks to eat. </p><p></p><p>The river ranges in width from a half-mile to a full-mile across. Fifteen-to-Eighteen miles inland from where the river empties into the Atlantic Ocean, Jacksonville is a key United States port and the only significant one southeast of Savannah. The port is a beehive of activity, from the large warehouses to the north to the smaller merchant vessels nearer to where they are eating and the various fishing vessels on the opposite shore. A ferry landing is at the end of the roadway just beyond the marketplace, with ferry boats of various size on either side as well as one making its way across. </p><p></p><p>The racial mixture of the hundreds of dock workers is primarily ogre, half-ogre and human. They do see a large merchant vessel manned primarily by Chinese orcs and half-orcs. Several of the fishing vessels appear to have elvan crew. And at a large military dock are three United States Naval vessels as well as a British Royal Navy vessel, the British ship having several dozen halfling sailors in addition to their human crew. They all sat down to eat and exchanged niceties while they did. </p><p></p><p>Roy stretched out in the grass, enjoying the warm sun and the cool breeze. He ate a bit here and there, mainly between sips from his flask. He didn't say a lot, which was kind of strange for the little man with the big mouth, but he had gotten caught up in the moment. He figured he would let the rest of the folks make their introductions and discuss business. He was content to simply lie there and let life pass him by. </p><p></p><p>Thomas sat and leaned back against a great live oak tree next to the river, enjoying the repast of fresh foods the group had purchased from the market. Content and relaxed from the meal, he removed his riding boots to feel the touch of the grass against his feet and between his toes. He stretched out his legs, cramped from the train, and basked in the warm sun and humid air, which wasn't all that different than that of his native Bermuda.</p><p></p><p>He listened to the conversations around him, but remained mostly quiet other than a smile and a nod here and there, with a quick exchange or reply here and there. Mostly, Thomas was just happy to be sitting in the sun, in the midst of friends, old and new, living in the joy of the moment. </p><p></p><p>Ruby looked at Abby, Thomas and Roy. "So, how was your all trips? Where did you come from?" Her question about their travels broke his reverie. A strange and beautiful woman, he thought to himself, with something unsettling about her, although not necessarily in a bad way. He had the sense that, like Abigail, there was a lot more to her than what simply met the eye. A feeling he'd felt before, not unlike that which he felt in the presence of his mother ... the mystique of power held in check by a strong force of will.</p><p></p><p>"Well, Miss West," Thomas replied, "my travels were mostly fair and somewhat accommodating, with only a little of the usual ... ahem... travails that one of ogrish descent might expect to encounter in the heart of what was once the Confederacy. I am a native of Bermuda, born and raised, with a small estate there bequeathed to me from my mother in England. Parker's letter reached me there, and I traveled by sea to Montreal, and then by rail to Cleveland, doing the odd task here or bit of research there at Parker's request, before arriving here in Jacksonville." </p><p></p><p>"Bermuda to Florida by way of Montreal?" asks George quizzically "Rather circuitous route don't you think Dr. Sapathwa-Crane?" James Parker has finished his meal and wanders over, hearing the question. "Yes Mr. Eastman, I asked a few of my old friends to run a few errands along the way, primarily research. I suspect that I may soon have some rather extraordinary things to share with all of you, but wanted to first do some final confirmation....just to be sure." </p><p></p><p>Ruby exclaims, "Bermuda? Bermuda! That's so exotic! You have to tell me ALL about it Dr. S-sa-ppat-wa, er... Thomas. What's it like there? Is it really hot all the time? And beaches, is it all beaches there? What kind of people live there? What kind of food do you eat there?" Ruby continued to pepper the poor man with questions until George placed a hand on her arm and she blushed. "Well, maybe you can tell me all about it later." She went back to her lunch, finishing her roll. "So James, was your research confirmed then?" </p><p></p><p>He replies, "I should know by tomorrow, I clearly haven't had a chance to review what my dear friend Doctor Thomas Crane has brought me, and I'll also need to review items arriving on the next train with our friend Lawrence Cantrell. Speaking of which, we should finish up this meal soon and be making our way back to the train depot."</p><p></p><p>As they relaxed under the trees Abigail eventually pulled most of the pins out of her hair and let it fall. It felt good to bake in the sun for a while, especially after having been in England for a while. It had been harder on her than she liked to admit, being in that rainy country and missing the warm sunshine of her home. Florida was close enough. She listened to the others talk and offered her own comments where they seemed to fit. She wasn't shy by nature, but just now her mind was busy making notes about her new companions and trying to find how they were all going to fit together.</p><p></p><p>Meanwhile the train with the aforementioned Cantrell and his colleagues Trout and Hardin is now ten miles to the west of Jacksonville and beginning to slow down as there are now a number of residential country roads that cross the track. The cotton fields outside are now intermixed with several small towns as the city nears in the distance. </p><p></p><p>After lunch was mostly finished Ruby approached Nanuet, who had stayed off to the side. She offered him a package. "Here, I got this lunch for Maska. I hope she is doing okay?" Nanuet accepts the package from Ruby and smiles warmly. "Very kind of you Ruby, I am sure Maska will appreciate it. I haven't had much of a chance to tend to her and I am concerned how she'll do in this climate, but she's an extraordinary animal so I am sure she'll be fine. Last train coming in now? That's good, I too am eager to get more information on what we'll be doing, it is exciting starting something new and meeting new people." </p><p></p><p>"I would not worry too much Nanuet. The Red Wolf is found all over the South, even as far as the Everglades here in Florida. So while Maska may need to adjust, I am sure he will do as well as his red cousins." Says George "Your knowledge of the local fauna is impressive Mr. George and that does help put me at ease. She'll be fine, I'm sure." George laughed. "Well, I am at a disadvantage you know Nanuet, it's not like I can see her to judge that for myself" replies George with a wink. </p><p></p><p>After that Ruby rounds up the group, "Time to go get the newbies off the last train then we can head to... where ever is it we're going. I'm so excited to find out what we'll be spending our next bit of time doing!" As they walked back Abigail walked near Dr. Crane. "I see you've been keeping your cards close to your chest again, Doctor," she said lightly. "Then again, I have my own secrets. I get the feeling among this group, secrets will have to go by the wayside." Thomas looked up, shielding his eyes from the sun, to see Abigail's face in a corona of tawny gold, looking down at him. Secrets indeed, he thought to himself, and one that I dare not to reveal to you ever...</p><p></p><p>Although struck nearly dumb by her beauty, he caught himself from staring too long, fearful that her bright blue eyes might be able to bore straight into his heart. He stood up, brushing the grass off his pants and jacket, chuckling as he said "That may be true, Miss Marsters, but I assure you that for my part, I'll not pry where I am not welcome, and will do my best, as any gentleman should, to preserve and protect your reputation and privacy. As for secrets of mine, you know well that I am an open book, guileless and incapable of hiding anything, especially from you."</p><p></p><p>James Parker leads them over to the track and they arrive right as the train is pulling in. Ruby takes George's hand and squeezes it, excitedly waiting for the train to stop and the next set of companions to disembark. The Parkers step forward as a trio of familiar human males step off from the train. Lawrence strides forward and shakes Parker's hand. "James, how've you been? You're looking well. I got your cable and came as fast as I could." He replies, "It is good to see you too old friend. You are somebody who I can always count on." Lawrence looks over the assembled group. "Quite the team you've put together old friend." </p><p></p><p>James replies, "Well the last time I took on a project of this magnitude, twenty years ago, we put together a team of fourteen, ten male and four female. Given the success of that experience I decided to do the same again this time. And we'll have half-a-dozen of us from before, as in addition to us five standing here Lawrence we also have our dear friend Sol waiting back at the house." Lawrence hugs Mina and says, "Mina, my dear. You look as lovely as ever. I bet you've had your hands full keeping James out of trouble." She replies, "Not lately, he's been down here without me since the middle of June. I'm quite anxious to see exactly what kind of trouble he has decided to now get all of us into." </p><p></p><p>With his duffle slung across his shoulder, Benjamin closes the gap between them with feline grace, grinning like a cat. "Lady Wilamina! So good of you to meet our train!" Fish pats his bag, and then mutters to her softly, "I have your package." Hardin's sharp eyes take note of Ben's boots for perhaps the first time: they are soft-soled and exquisitely tailored, but they also appear to have been deliberately smeared with dust. Hardin arches an eyebrow and whispers under his breath. "That lad is odd..." </p><p></p><p>He then extends his hand to James. "Mr. Parker, good to see you again. I really appreciate the invitation and don't suppose you had anything to do with that...spectacle in Talahassee." James give's him an odd look and says, "I'm not sure exactly what you are speaking of, but I can take a guess. If it had anything to do with our good Governor Bloxham I'm not at all surprised. That man will do anything for attention. Ever since he decided to sell off the Everglades to balance the State's budget it's just been one headline story after another for him." </p><p></p><p>Hardin tips his hat to Mina. "Ma'am. Mr. John Wesley Hardin - reformed man - at your service." He offers Mina a crooked grin as he dips his head in a slight bob. His eyes, however, stay level, taking in every detail of their surroundings, quickly noting potential threats and out-of-place people. </p><p></p><p>Ruby stepped forward to the two new men. She started with the first man, who obviously knew her grandmother. She gave him a little curtsy. "Ruby West," she smiled, "Mina is my grandmother. Pleasure to meet you sir," she said, offering her hand. Fish grasps it politely and smiles at the pretty lady. "I'd kiss your hand if I were a gentleman..." he says with a twinkle in his eye. "Unfortunately, I'm just a circus hand. Benjamin Trout, at your service. My friends call me 'Fish'."</p><p></p><p>"A circus hand!" Ruby exclaimed, "Well that must be an interesting job! I am a performer myself actually, we'll have to sit down and tell stories one day soon. It's very nice to meet you, Fish." She paused for just a moment, "Why Fish? Because of your last name?" "Well, not exactly..." replies Ben. Ruby nodded to the next man and did the same thing, smiling and offering her hand. She thought he looked familiar but wasn't positive but... something about the way he acted was familiar too and was off putting. Something about his eyes... </p><p></p><p>Roy makes his way to the front and shakes Lawrence's hand. "Long time, no see, Lawrence," he says with a wink and a grin. "I promise not to tell too many tells of our times in Spain." He offers his hand to Hardin. "And you are?" “John Wesley Hardin,” the man replies. After Roy introduces himself to Hardin, Lawrence slaps Roy on the back. "Roy you devil, you. What's it been, six years? Ever since the funeral." </p><p></p><p>The three who exited the last train were an odd combination. One introduced himself as John Wesley Hardin and Abby leaned to Dr. Crane and whispered, "The Gunslinger? Mr. Parker is full of surprises." Thomas smiled as they walked towards the trio. "Indeed he is, Miss Marsters, indeed he is. No truer words were ever uttered." When her turn came she offered a handshake. "Mr. Hardin. If someone had told me even an hour ago I'd be meeting you today, I'd have said they were crazy."</p><p></p><p>Hardin takes all of the glad-handing, introductions and other hubbub in stride. He is very polite to the ladies, although those who are observant can tell he is clearly uncomfortable with all the commotion and people. His hands barely flinch when Fish tosses the fabric into the coach and he flashes the carney that crooked smile that stops at the bridge of his nose.</p><p></p><p>For the most part though, he maintains a stoic demeanor, responding in clipped sentences when spoken too and offering little substantiative to the general conversation. His eyes, however, are everywhere...silently taking the measure of everyone aboard. If someone catches him staring, he holds eye contact for an uncomfortably long period of time before offering a perfunctory nod with a thin-lipped smile.</p><p></p><p>Gathering up the luggage goes rather fast as all three men have learned to travel light. Nanuet greeted the new arrivals and offered to help carry bags to the coach. They head over to the large elaborate coach. Fish walks up to greet the horses. He rubs the lead mare between its eyes. "Governor treatin' you right, girl?" he says softly, glancing in Parker's direction and reaching into his pocket for a carrot stick.</p><p></p><p>Thomas turned away to gather his bag, and looked up as Parker called everyone to the carriage. "I believe, Miss Marsters, that is our call to leave. Shall we?" He extended his arm out for Abigail to take, as they readied for their departure. "Lead on, good sir," she said and laid her hand on the offered arm.</p><p></p><p>James says, “You may as well all get comfortable, the house and archaeology dig are twelve miles away and these sandy roadways tend to be slow. It will probably take us close to another two hours to get there.” Nanuet states, "Anybody mind if I take a seat up top? I'd prefer that after the long train ride." "Sure, I'll be happy for your company," James says. The two of them climb up top and quickly secure the luggage from the three new arrivals. </p><p></p><p>The interior of the carriage is very spacious, having been made to accommodate thirteen passengers. The coach interior is designed to comfortably seat thirteen human-sized passengers, four in the rear bench facing forward, two in the center bench facing back, one on the side center bench facing the side double doors, two on the center bench facing forward and four on the front bench facing back. So there is plenty of space for the nine humanoids and the invisible wolf. </p><p></p><p>Fish takes a seat near Wilamina and sets his duffle across his lap, having declined to have it stowed with the rest of the luggage. Once they start across the river, he asks her in a very low voice, "When did you want your package, m'lady?" She whispers back, "In private, after we get to the house." </p><p></p><p>Ruby hopped in the coach. "Well, this is very cozy for all of us. I hope someone is a good storyteller for the next couple of hours..." Abby replies, "Most of my stories revolve around University girls sneaking off the campus to go into town and drink and dance. Once you've heard one of them you've heard them all. Our time in England was mostly rain." </p><p></p><p>The Concord Coach heads down the street and reach the St. Johns River and ride onto a long steam-powered barge-style ferry boat to take them across the two-thirds-of-mile span of river. The current appears to be strong but the vessel has no difficulty traversing the water. There is a large amount of boat and ship traffic this afternoon. In the distance a few miles to the east they see some small hills with stately plantation-style mansions upon them. </p><p></p><p>Lawrence points to the mansions. He asks, "Is that where we're going? Doesn't look like the place for an archaeological dig. Might mess up the lawn." Mina replies, "James said twelve miles, so it will be further away than those mansions. His letters spoke of having a large group of students helping him with the digs this summer, so I imagine the lawn will indeed be rather torn up at our destination." He replies, “That's good, then. That means fewer gawkers and prying eyes." </p><p></p><p>Once on the other side of the river the carriage passes what looks and smells to be the part of the outer city where fishermen work and live. After then traveling through a short forested section they find that they are again traveling again through farm lands, with the main crop in this section appearing to be rice, irrigated from canals connected to the river. As the road takes an incline they can see the plantation-style mansions that were visible from the river, most with citrus groves nearby. The rice fields then change to fields with other crops, with some being corn and beans in addition to sugarcane.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Silver Moon, post: 4689744, member: 8530"] [B]Chapter Seven, “Jacksonville Market,” September 1st, 1882, 12:30 P.M.[/B] There are around thirty vendors of uncooked foods and an equal number of vendors offering pre-cooked foods. Among the cooked foods are a number of people serving rice and fish dishes. There are also a lot of vendors serving fresh poultry, primarily chicken, cooked in a variety of different styles. Several ogre vendors are selling fried southern-style catfish accompanied by fried yams. One vendor has cooked pork products. There are also a half-dozen human vendors of Spanish origin selling traditional Spanish foods. Most bakers present are selling wheat bread and rolls. "Oh, there is always SOMETHING to buy," Ruby commented as they walked to the market, one eye on the shopping the other on her new companions. "Lunch does sound good, I am already starving! I wonder what Florida delicacies are..." As they walked she wandered over to the blue eyed girl. "I'm sorry we didn't have a chance to say hello earlier, my name is Ruby. And your name is Abigail? Will you be joining us the entire trip?" Abigail replies, "I don't even know what the trip is yet! But I signed on for the entire project, whatever it may be. From what Roy and Dr. Crane have said traveling with this group is a rare opportunity, and not the kind of thing they prepared us for at University. From your looks, I'd guess you're family to Mrs. Parker?" Ruby gave the girl a grin. "Yes, she my grandmother. I know, shocking, right? The similarities?" she laughed. "And what's funny is neither of us looks much like my mother." They continued to walk on towards the market. "I don't know what the trip is yet either, it's a surprise! But I love surprises, so I'm excited to find out what it is. University you say, you went to school?" Ruby wondered if she would be a boring smarty pants. "Mmhmm." Abigail's voice turned to a mother-like tone and she added, "It's a very great privilege to go to University, Abigail." In her own voice she went on. "My mother was very proud. And I wouldn't trade that experience for anything, but it was about so much more than just classes. My mother would be horrified to hear about some of the things we girls got up to there. I went to Wells College, a university just for women, and let me tell you getting that many girls in one place you better expect some trouble." She laughed and shook her head. "Most of it was pretty innocent. But we had enough supervision to sneak around to get away from it now and then too." "Well, that sounds pretty fun. At least, not how I pictured like, boarding school. You'll have to tell me some of those stories while we on our trip, I bet they're entertaining. Myself, I hated school and couldn't wait to be done with it. My parents never even mentioned college, I just they just figured I would be married off so I didn't need it." She shrugged. "Though sometimes I wished I paid a little more attention that I did." A sad look crossed her face but only for a moment, the grin returned and she continued quickly, "Besides, it'll be more fun to learn this way, practical application and all that. Who knows what varied things we'll learn this trip!" They walked a bit quietly, both sizing the other up. "So, do you have a boy you're leaving behind for this trip?" "You're not" said George to Ruby teasingly. "No, I'm definitely not," she said the wide smile hurting her cheeks as she took his hand. "This is George, George, this is Abigail. Abby was just telling me about her college days. You and I both missed out on those but I was saying this is the better way to learn anyway." "A pleasure to make your aquaintance Abigail." says George shaking Abby's hand. "Well Ruby there is nothing learned in college that you can't learn alter in life if you apply yourself. Though I am jealous of your experience attending College Abigail, do not waste your opportunity." says George. "How are you, George?" Abigail shook his hand. "College is better for some people, life is better for others. I think I'd like to try them both. I didn't leave any particular boy behind. I spent plenty of time with plenty of them, but I haven't been looking to get settled with one. I might someday if a good one comes along. And if he doesn't I have plenty to keep me entertained for more than one human lifetime. They do add a bit of excitement to life though, don't they?" Ruby replies, "Yes, they certainly do add some excitement to life. They definitely keep it more interesting I would say. But in good ways." Nanuet followed behind the group observing their gait, looking for anything unusual in the way they walked... a years old habit coming from his tracking abilities. He half-listened to the conversation between Ruby, George and Abigail and was glad to hear they were getting along so well. Ruby drags George and Nanuet over to the ogre vendors. "Hey, we're in the South, we should try some southern like foods, right?" Ruby gets two orders of the catfish and yams. Next she proceeds to get some chicken, fish and some pork and rolls, enough for them and extra for the people who are still haven't arrived yet. "Are we finding a spot here? How about over near the water?" She looked for Roy, Thomas and Abigail. "Are you all ready to eat? We're going to head over by the water to eat I think." George did a fine balancing act juggling all the bowls that Ruby kept buying and handing to him. As he ran out of arm space he finally said "I think we have enough for now Constance, let's go find some shade to eat under. One of those big oaks I saw not far from here." The eight adventurers find a shady place to sit a short distance from the market on the upper bank overlooking the Saint Johns River. The eight have a variety of different foods, with Mina and James sharing bowls of various rice and fish dishes, the two of them using chopsticks to eat. The river ranges in width from a half-mile to a full-mile across. Fifteen-to-Eighteen miles inland from where the river empties into the Atlantic Ocean, Jacksonville is a key United States port and the only significant one southeast of Savannah. The port is a beehive of activity, from the large warehouses to the north to the smaller merchant vessels nearer to where they are eating and the various fishing vessels on the opposite shore. A ferry landing is at the end of the roadway just beyond the marketplace, with ferry boats of various size on either side as well as one making its way across. The racial mixture of the hundreds of dock workers is primarily ogre, half-ogre and human. They do see a large merchant vessel manned primarily by Chinese orcs and half-orcs. Several of the fishing vessels appear to have elvan crew. And at a large military dock are three United States Naval vessels as well as a British Royal Navy vessel, the British ship having several dozen halfling sailors in addition to their human crew. They all sat down to eat and exchanged niceties while they did. Roy stretched out in the grass, enjoying the warm sun and the cool breeze. He ate a bit here and there, mainly between sips from his flask. He didn't say a lot, which was kind of strange for the little man with the big mouth, but he had gotten caught up in the moment. He figured he would let the rest of the folks make their introductions and discuss business. He was content to simply lie there and let life pass him by. Thomas sat and leaned back against a great live oak tree next to the river, enjoying the repast of fresh foods the group had purchased from the market. Content and relaxed from the meal, he removed his riding boots to feel the touch of the grass against his feet and between his toes. He stretched out his legs, cramped from the train, and basked in the warm sun and humid air, which wasn't all that different than that of his native Bermuda. He listened to the conversations around him, but remained mostly quiet other than a smile and a nod here and there, with a quick exchange or reply here and there. Mostly, Thomas was just happy to be sitting in the sun, in the midst of friends, old and new, living in the joy of the moment. Ruby looked at Abby, Thomas and Roy. "So, how was your all trips? Where did you come from?" Her question about their travels broke his reverie. A strange and beautiful woman, he thought to himself, with something unsettling about her, although not necessarily in a bad way. He had the sense that, like Abigail, there was a lot more to her than what simply met the eye. A feeling he'd felt before, not unlike that which he felt in the presence of his mother ... the mystique of power held in check by a strong force of will. "Well, Miss West," Thomas replied, "my travels were mostly fair and somewhat accommodating, with only a little of the usual ... ahem... travails that one of ogrish descent might expect to encounter in the heart of what was once the Confederacy. I am a native of Bermuda, born and raised, with a small estate there bequeathed to me from my mother in England. Parker's letter reached me there, and I traveled by sea to Montreal, and then by rail to Cleveland, doing the odd task here or bit of research there at Parker's request, before arriving here in Jacksonville." "Bermuda to Florida by way of Montreal?" asks George quizzically "Rather circuitous route don't you think Dr. Sapathwa-Crane?" James Parker has finished his meal and wanders over, hearing the question. "Yes Mr. Eastman, I asked a few of my old friends to run a few errands along the way, primarily research. I suspect that I may soon have some rather extraordinary things to share with all of you, but wanted to first do some final confirmation....just to be sure." Ruby exclaims, "Bermuda? Bermuda! That's so exotic! You have to tell me ALL about it Dr. S-sa-ppat-wa, er... Thomas. What's it like there? Is it really hot all the time? And beaches, is it all beaches there? What kind of people live there? What kind of food do you eat there?" Ruby continued to pepper the poor man with questions until George placed a hand on her arm and she blushed. "Well, maybe you can tell me all about it later." She went back to her lunch, finishing her roll. "So James, was your research confirmed then?" He replies, "I should know by tomorrow, I clearly haven't had a chance to review what my dear friend Doctor Thomas Crane has brought me, and I'll also need to review items arriving on the next train with our friend Lawrence Cantrell. Speaking of which, we should finish up this meal soon and be making our way back to the train depot." As they relaxed under the trees Abigail eventually pulled most of the pins out of her hair and let it fall. It felt good to bake in the sun for a while, especially after having been in England for a while. It had been harder on her than she liked to admit, being in that rainy country and missing the warm sunshine of her home. Florida was close enough. She listened to the others talk and offered her own comments where they seemed to fit. She wasn't shy by nature, but just now her mind was busy making notes about her new companions and trying to find how they were all going to fit together. Meanwhile the train with the aforementioned Cantrell and his colleagues Trout and Hardin is now ten miles to the west of Jacksonville and beginning to slow down as there are now a number of residential country roads that cross the track. The cotton fields outside are now intermixed with several small towns as the city nears in the distance. After lunch was mostly finished Ruby approached Nanuet, who had stayed off to the side. She offered him a package. "Here, I got this lunch for Maska. I hope she is doing okay?" Nanuet accepts the package from Ruby and smiles warmly. "Very kind of you Ruby, I am sure Maska will appreciate it. I haven't had much of a chance to tend to her and I am concerned how she'll do in this climate, but she's an extraordinary animal so I am sure she'll be fine. Last train coming in now? That's good, I too am eager to get more information on what we'll be doing, it is exciting starting something new and meeting new people." "I would not worry too much Nanuet. The Red Wolf is found all over the South, even as far as the Everglades here in Florida. So while Maska may need to adjust, I am sure he will do as well as his red cousins." Says George "Your knowledge of the local fauna is impressive Mr. George and that does help put me at ease. She'll be fine, I'm sure." George laughed. "Well, I am at a disadvantage you know Nanuet, it's not like I can see her to judge that for myself" replies George with a wink. After that Ruby rounds up the group, "Time to go get the newbies off the last train then we can head to... where ever is it we're going. I'm so excited to find out what we'll be spending our next bit of time doing!" As they walked back Abigail walked near Dr. Crane. "I see you've been keeping your cards close to your chest again, Doctor," she said lightly. "Then again, I have my own secrets. I get the feeling among this group, secrets will have to go by the wayside." Thomas looked up, shielding his eyes from the sun, to see Abigail's face in a corona of tawny gold, looking down at him. Secrets indeed, he thought to himself, and one that I dare not to reveal to you ever... Although struck nearly dumb by her beauty, he caught himself from staring too long, fearful that her bright blue eyes might be able to bore straight into his heart. He stood up, brushing the grass off his pants and jacket, chuckling as he said "That may be true, Miss Marsters, but I assure you that for my part, I'll not pry where I am not welcome, and will do my best, as any gentleman should, to preserve and protect your reputation and privacy. As for secrets of mine, you know well that I am an open book, guileless and incapable of hiding anything, especially from you." James Parker leads them over to the track and they arrive right as the train is pulling in. Ruby takes George's hand and squeezes it, excitedly waiting for the train to stop and the next set of companions to disembark. The Parkers step forward as a trio of familiar human males step off from the train. Lawrence strides forward and shakes Parker's hand. "James, how've you been? You're looking well. I got your cable and came as fast as I could." He replies, "It is good to see you too old friend. You are somebody who I can always count on." Lawrence looks over the assembled group. "Quite the team you've put together old friend." James replies, "Well the last time I took on a project of this magnitude, twenty years ago, we put together a team of fourteen, ten male and four female. Given the success of that experience I decided to do the same again this time. And we'll have half-a-dozen of us from before, as in addition to us five standing here Lawrence we also have our dear friend Sol waiting back at the house." Lawrence hugs Mina and says, "Mina, my dear. You look as lovely as ever. I bet you've had your hands full keeping James out of trouble." She replies, "Not lately, he's been down here without me since the middle of June. I'm quite anxious to see exactly what kind of trouble he has decided to now get all of us into." With his duffle slung across his shoulder, Benjamin closes the gap between them with feline grace, grinning like a cat. "Lady Wilamina! So good of you to meet our train!" Fish pats his bag, and then mutters to her softly, "I have your package." Hardin's sharp eyes take note of Ben's boots for perhaps the first time: they are soft-soled and exquisitely tailored, but they also appear to have been deliberately smeared with dust. Hardin arches an eyebrow and whispers under his breath. "That lad is odd..." He then extends his hand to James. "Mr. Parker, good to see you again. I really appreciate the invitation and don't suppose you had anything to do with that...spectacle in Talahassee." James give's him an odd look and says, "I'm not sure exactly what you are speaking of, but I can take a guess. If it had anything to do with our good Governor Bloxham I'm not at all surprised. That man will do anything for attention. Ever since he decided to sell off the Everglades to balance the State's budget it's just been one headline story after another for him." Hardin tips his hat to Mina. "Ma'am. Mr. John Wesley Hardin - reformed man - at your service." He offers Mina a crooked grin as he dips his head in a slight bob. His eyes, however, stay level, taking in every detail of their surroundings, quickly noting potential threats and out-of-place people. Ruby stepped forward to the two new men. She started with the first man, who obviously knew her grandmother. She gave him a little curtsy. "Ruby West," she smiled, "Mina is my grandmother. Pleasure to meet you sir," she said, offering her hand. Fish grasps it politely and smiles at the pretty lady. "I'd kiss your hand if I were a gentleman..." he says with a twinkle in his eye. "Unfortunately, I'm just a circus hand. Benjamin Trout, at your service. My friends call me 'Fish'." "A circus hand!" Ruby exclaimed, "Well that must be an interesting job! I am a performer myself actually, we'll have to sit down and tell stories one day soon. It's very nice to meet you, Fish." She paused for just a moment, "Why Fish? Because of your last name?" "Well, not exactly..." replies Ben. Ruby nodded to the next man and did the same thing, smiling and offering her hand. She thought he looked familiar but wasn't positive but... something about the way he acted was familiar too and was off putting. Something about his eyes... Roy makes his way to the front and shakes Lawrence's hand. "Long time, no see, Lawrence," he says with a wink and a grin. "I promise not to tell too many tells of our times in Spain." He offers his hand to Hardin. "And you are?" “John Wesley Hardin,” the man replies. After Roy introduces himself to Hardin, Lawrence slaps Roy on the back. "Roy you devil, you. What's it been, six years? Ever since the funeral." The three who exited the last train were an odd combination. One introduced himself as John Wesley Hardin and Abby leaned to Dr. Crane and whispered, "The Gunslinger? Mr. Parker is full of surprises." Thomas smiled as they walked towards the trio. "Indeed he is, Miss Marsters, indeed he is. No truer words were ever uttered." When her turn came she offered a handshake. "Mr. Hardin. If someone had told me even an hour ago I'd be meeting you today, I'd have said they were crazy." Hardin takes all of the glad-handing, introductions and other hubbub in stride. He is very polite to the ladies, although those who are observant can tell he is clearly uncomfortable with all the commotion and people. His hands barely flinch when Fish tosses the fabric into the coach and he flashes the carney that crooked smile that stops at the bridge of his nose. For the most part though, he maintains a stoic demeanor, responding in clipped sentences when spoken too and offering little substantiative to the general conversation. His eyes, however, are everywhere...silently taking the measure of everyone aboard. If someone catches him staring, he holds eye contact for an uncomfortably long period of time before offering a perfunctory nod with a thin-lipped smile. Gathering up the luggage goes rather fast as all three men have learned to travel light. Nanuet greeted the new arrivals and offered to help carry bags to the coach. They head over to the large elaborate coach. Fish walks up to greet the horses. He rubs the lead mare between its eyes. "Governor treatin' you right, girl?" he says softly, glancing in Parker's direction and reaching into his pocket for a carrot stick. Thomas turned away to gather his bag, and looked up as Parker called everyone to the carriage. "I believe, Miss Marsters, that is our call to leave. Shall we?" He extended his arm out for Abigail to take, as they readied for their departure. "Lead on, good sir," she said and laid her hand on the offered arm. James says, “You may as well all get comfortable, the house and archaeology dig are twelve miles away and these sandy roadways tend to be slow. It will probably take us close to another two hours to get there.” Nanuet states, "Anybody mind if I take a seat up top? I'd prefer that after the long train ride." "Sure, I'll be happy for your company," James says. The two of them climb up top and quickly secure the luggage from the three new arrivals. The interior of the carriage is very spacious, having been made to accommodate thirteen passengers. The coach interior is designed to comfortably seat thirteen human-sized passengers, four in the rear bench facing forward, two in the center bench facing back, one on the side center bench facing the side double doors, two on the center bench facing forward and four on the front bench facing back. So there is plenty of space for the nine humanoids and the invisible wolf. Fish takes a seat near Wilamina and sets his duffle across his lap, having declined to have it stowed with the rest of the luggage. Once they start across the river, he asks her in a very low voice, "When did you want your package, m'lady?" She whispers back, "In private, after we get to the house." Ruby hopped in the coach. "Well, this is very cozy for all of us. I hope someone is a good storyteller for the next couple of hours..." Abby replies, "Most of my stories revolve around University girls sneaking off the campus to go into town and drink and dance. Once you've heard one of them you've heard them all. Our time in England was mostly rain." The Concord Coach heads down the street and reach the St. Johns River and ride onto a long steam-powered barge-style ferry boat to take them across the two-thirds-of-mile span of river. The current appears to be strong but the vessel has no difficulty traversing the water. There is a large amount of boat and ship traffic this afternoon. In the distance a few miles to the east they see some small hills with stately plantation-style mansions upon them. Lawrence points to the mansions. He asks, "Is that where we're going? Doesn't look like the place for an archaeological dig. Might mess up the lawn." Mina replies, "James said twelve miles, so it will be further away than those mansions. His letters spoke of having a large group of students helping him with the digs this summer, so I imagine the lawn will indeed be rather torn up at our destination." He replies, “That's good, then. That means fewer gawkers and prying eyes." Once on the other side of the river the carriage passes what looks and smells to be the part of the outer city where fishermen work and live. After then traveling through a short forested section they find that they are again traveling again through farm lands, with the main crop in this section appearing to be rice, irrigated from canals connected to the river. As the road takes an incline they can see the plantation-style mansions that were visible from the river, most with citrus groves nearby. The rice fields then change to fields with other crops, with some being corn and beans in addition to sugarcane. [/QUOTE]
Insert quotes…
Verification
Post reply
Community
Playing the Game
Story Hour
AGELESS Campaign Episode 2 - Temple of the Cat-Goddess
Top