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Maissen: Shades of Grey [UPDATE 12/12, post 199]
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<blockquote data-quote="Beale Knight" data-source="post: 1810649" data-attributes="member: 7033"><p><strong>01 - 07 Last step to Maissen</strong></p><p></p><p>The next morning Ren woke up very late. As he stirred he saw that Madge was already out of the room, but Killian and Bessie were still asleep. Ren jumped to his feet and crossed to the window, pushing the shutters open with a loud bang. The clouds had cleared away, and it was a sunny day.</p><p></p><p>Too sunny. He should have been awakened hours ago. They were losing time. There were only so many days to get to Maissen!</p><p></p><p>“Wot’s the noise?” Killian asked. </p><p></p><p>“We’re late,” Ren said. “We’ve got to get on the road. We…” He stopped. There was something he’d forgotten. What was it?</p><p></p><p>Bessie stirred. “Hmmmm? What?’</p><p></p><p>Just then the door opened and Madge entered. “Good,” she said, “You’re awake.” Her voice was hoarser than usual. Ren’s mind flashed back to the ale at dinner last night. </p><p></p><p>Last night! Portis had promised them…</p><p></p><p>“Our ride is here,” Madge continued. “A draft horse and wagon with enough room for all of us. Once we and the horse get fed we can be off.”</p><p></p><p>Killian was on his feet. “Ah! So that’s what you we’re gettin’ to then, Ren.”</p><p></p><p>Madge looked quizzically at Ren. “How did you know? We just got here.”</p><p></p><p>Ren winked at her then turned around to gather his gear, hoping no one could tell how red his face felt like it was getting. </p><p></p><p></p><p> After a breakfast that filled everyone enough to eliminate the need for lunch, and possibly dinner, the group loaded into the wagon Portis had arraigned for. Jimmy was hitched to the rear, and then there was nothing left to do but say farewell. Anne, tears in her eyes, hugged each of them tightly and thanked them for setting her on a new life. Portis shook their hands and wished them all the luck they would need, and Glatelle gave them each a bag full of biscuits for the road. </p><p></p><p>The tale of Madge rescuing Anne’s child had already spread through Kern, and there was a small crowd to cheer them on as they rode out of town. Ren took the opportunity to tell them how they enjoyed their stay – and to announce Anne’s return to the herb business. </p><p></p><p>Traveling from Kenr to Tawgor’s Ferry was a blissfully uneventful experience. Bob the driver had driven the route countless times and knew just where the rough spots were, and where he could quicken the pace safely. What would have been a three and a half to four day walk was complete in two days. Bob also knew the ideal overnight spot, which meant a comfortable campsite safe from wolves. </p><p></p><p>Tawgor’s Ferry originated as a military fort, and the influence was never abandoned. The city sat atop a tall mountain crest overlooking the intersection of the river and bay that led to Maissen. Now located centrally north and south, the city was a trader’s paradise. As the group wandered the streets they saw all manner of goods, food, and animals for sale. The slave market was pointedly avoided. </p><p></p><p>No boat was leaving for Maissen until the next afternoon, which gave them most of a day in the city. Thanks to their wagon ride, they were a full three days ahead of schedule, and could afford the time to enjoy themselves. They found lodging for the night, agreed to meet in the morning and went their separate ways. </p><p></p><p>Low in coin and long used to being frugal anyway, Ren spent most of his time just wandering the streets and sightseeing. He watched the chicken beat a score of people at simple x/o games, looked over the fancy dresses and imagined Lela in each one, tested a few short bows – but the only one he found that he liked was well beyond his means, sampled some various ales, and wound down his day watching the sunset over the river. </p><p></p><p>Later at the inn, he called for ink and parchment and began a letter to his family. He told them of the people he was traveling with, what they had seen and done so far, and how everything was going perfectly well. Then he wrote another to Lela, addressing it to Popa Thorson so her father wouldn’t intercept it. </p><p></p><p>The next morning he paid to have the letters speeded home and caught up with the others. Bessie seemed almost blissfully happy but said little about her day. Killian was talking enough, going on and on about the tavern party he spent the full day, and night, at – drinking everyone else under the table. Madge was complaining. Not about her day. She’d already been up awhile and saw to booking passage across to Maissen.</p><p></p><p>Not only was the boat captain an extortionist, but his fellows added to it all by demanding another huge fee to get Jimmy and the wagon down to the docks. With Tawgor’s Ferry built atop a virtual mountain, the docks were three hundred feet below, down a generally sheer cliff face. Plenty of wooden switchback stairways had been built, but none were designed with a goat cart in mind. </p><p></p><p>Getting across was not an option though; it was a necessity. The four pooled their funds and had enough even to provide for a decent tip for the captain. A precaution against any “incidental” expenses cropping up. Fees paid, goat down, and funds almost depleted, the Heroes of Maissen, Vaunth-on-the-Lake company, were on their way across the rivers to Maissen. </p><p></p><p>The trip took more than a day, the distance was that great even by boat. Once past the rivers and into the bay the going was easy. Despite cramped quarters, the group slept well enough for a few hours en route. Late the next afternoon they saw it. </p><p></p><p>Maissen loomed over the bay like a sunrise. A wide dock graced the waterfront like the frill of a wedding dress. Sand colored walls rose to the north and south, winding out of sight to the west. Inner walls, dotted with towers, had the look of a graceful elder age. Between the two razor straight streets checkered the hill sides. Further up the hill, the older district’s narrow, twisting streets spoke of the organic growth when the city had another name. </p><p></p><p>Atop the hill was the Castle. Immense beyond words, it dominated the skyline and could likely be seen from anywhere in the city. The homes of every wealthy aristocrat in Vaunth-on-the-Lake, and probably Kern too, could easily have fit within the castle’s walls and still there would be room left free. </p><p></p><p>This was where the first Maisseners had made their home. Where a rough fort had been brought to the grandest castle in the world. This was where the Council of Maissen met. This was the heart of the nation. This was where every Hero of Maissen had passed through.</p><p></p><p>This was where a druid, sorcerer, ranger, and hunter from Vaunth-on-the-Lake were going to join their number.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Beale Knight, post: 1810649, member: 7033"] [b]01 - 07 Last step to Maissen[/b] The next morning Ren woke up very late. As he stirred he saw that Madge was already out of the room, but Killian and Bessie were still asleep. Ren jumped to his feet and crossed to the window, pushing the shutters open with a loud bang. The clouds had cleared away, and it was a sunny day. Too sunny. He should have been awakened hours ago. They were losing time. There were only so many days to get to Maissen! “Wot’s the noise?” Killian asked. “We’re late,” Ren said. “We’ve got to get on the road. We…” He stopped. There was something he’d forgotten. What was it? Bessie stirred. “Hmmmm? What?’ Just then the door opened and Madge entered. “Good,” she said, “You’re awake.” Her voice was hoarser than usual. Ren’s mind flashed back to the ale at dinner last night. Last night! Portis had promised them… “Our ride is here,” Madge continued. “A draft horse and wagon with enough room for all of us. Once we and the horse get fed we can be off.” Killian was on his feet. “Ah! So that’s what you we’re gettin’ to then, Ren.” Madge looked quizzically at Ren. “How did you know? We just got here.” Ren winked at her then turned around to gather his gear, hoping no one could tell how red his face felt like it was getting. After a breakfast that filled everyone enough to eliminate the need for lunch, and possibly dinner, the group loaded into the wagon Portis had arraigned for. Jimmy was hitched to the rear, and then there was nothing left to do but say farewell. Anne, tears in her eyes, hugged each of them tightly and thanked them for setting her on a new life. Portis shook their hands and wished them all the luck they would need, and Glatelle gave them each a bag full of biscuits for the road. The tale of Madge rescuing Anne’s child had already spread through Kern, and there was a small crowd to cheer them on as they rode out of town. Ren took the opportunity to tell them how they enjoyed their stay – and to announce Anne’s return to the herb business. Traveling from Kenr to Tawgor’s Ferry was a blissfully uneventful experience. Bob the driver had driven the route countless times and knew just where the rough spots were, and where he could quicken the pace safely. What would have been a three and a half to four day walk was complete in two days. Bob also knew the ideal overnight spot, which meant a comfortable campsite safe from wolves. Tawgor’s Ferry originated as a military fort, and the influence was never abandoned. The city sat atop a tall mountain crest overlooking the intersection of the river and bay that led to Maissen. Now located centrally north and south, the city was a trader’s paradise. As the group wandered the streets they saw all manner of goods, food, and animals for sale. The slave market was pointedly avoided. No boat was leaving for Maissen until the next afternoon, which gave them most of a day in the city. Thanks to their wagon ride, they were a full three days ahead of schedule, and could afford the time to enjoy themselves. They found lodging for the night, agreed to meet in the morning and went their separate ways. Low in coin and long used to being frugal anyway, Ren spent most of his time just wandering the streets and sightseeing. He watched the chicken beat a score of people at simple x/o games, looked over the fancy dresses and imagined Lela in each one, tested a few short bows – but the only one he found that he liked was well beyond his means, sampled some various ales, and wound down his day watching the sunset over the river. Later at the inn, he called for ink and parchment and began a letter to his family. He told them of the people he was traveling with, what they had seen and done so far, and how everything was going perfectly well. Then he wrote another to Lela, addressing it to Popa Thorson so her father wouldn’t intercept it. The next morning he paid to have the letters speeded home and caught up with the others. Bessie seemed almost blissfully happy but said little about her day. Killian was talking enough, going on and on about the tavern party he spent the full day, and night, at – drinking everyone else under the table. Madge was complaining. Not about her day. She’d already been up awhile and saw to booking passage across to Maissen. Not only was the boat captain an extortionist, but his fellows added to it all by demanding another huge fee to get Jimmy and the wagon down to the docks. With Tawgor’s Ferry built atop a virtual mountain, the docks were three hundred feet below, down a generally sheer cliff face. Plenty of wooden switchback stairways had been built, but none were designed with a goat cart in mind. Getting across was not an option though; it was a necessity. The four pooled their funds and had enough even to provide for a decent tip for the captain. A precaution against any “incidental” expenses cropping up. Fees paid, goat down, and funds almost depleted, the Heroes of Maissen, Vaunth-on-the-Lake company, were on their way across the rivers to Maissen. The trip took more than a day, the distance was that great even by boat. Once past the rivers and into the bay the going was easy. Despite cramped quarters, the group slept well enough for a few hours en route. Late the next afternoon they saw it. Maissen loomed over the bay like a sunrise. A wide dock graced the waterfront like the frill of a wedding dress. Sand colored walls rose to the north and south, winding out of sight to the west. Inner walls, dotted with towers, had the look of a graceful elder age. Between the two razor straight streets checkered the hill sides. Further up the hill, the older district’s narrow, twisting streets spoke of the organic growth when the city had another name. Atop the hill was the Castle. Immense beyond words, it dominated the skyline and could likely be seen from anywhere in the city. The homes of every wealthy aristocrat in Vaunth-on-the-Lake, and probably Kern too, could easily have fit within the castle’s walls and still there would be room left free. This was where the first Maisseners had made their home. Where a rough fort had been brought to the grandest castle in the world. This was where the Council of Maissen met. This was the heart of the nation. This was where every Hero of Maissen had passed through. This was where a druid, sorcerer, ranger, and hunter from Vaunth-on-the-Lake were going to join their number. [/QUOTE]
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