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Not With a Bang, I: Its Own Reward
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<blockquote data-quote="LazarusLong42" data-source="post: 1038643" data-attributes="member: 9620"><p>The OOC thread is <a href="http://www.enworld.org/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=58272" target="_blank">here</a>.</p><p>The Rogues' Gallery thread is <a href="http://www.enworld.org/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=58342" target="_blank">here</a>.</p><p></p><p></p><p>"This is the way the world ends</p><p>Not with a bang but with a whimper."</p><p></p><p>--T.S. Eliot, "The Hollow Men"</p><p></p><p>------------</p><p></p><p>The Hog's Back Inn was the center of commerce in Alten's Rock. There were other, smaller pubs scattered around the town--some of them in much seedier areas--but the Hog's Back was smack in the center, right on the town square, and it was large enough that town meetings were held there. Business--both on and under the table--was transacted there, the local constabulary found their drinks there, and anyone with a mind to carouse, eat, play cards, or simply sit by the fire and listen to stories, was welcome at the Hog's Back.</p><p></p><p>Unless, of course, they were the sort that Kelta had a problem with. Kelta, whose husband had passed away seven years earlier, had always been a hard woman, and the fact that she had continued to run the Hog's Back--and at a higher profit margin than her husband ever had--created a certain respect for her in the community. If you wanted to patronize the Hog's Back, you didn't cross Kelta.</p><p></p><p>When the stranger walked in, she eyed him warily. His dark cloak was muddied with the stains of travel, making it seem darker than it was. He carried no weapons, which made Kelta wonder what he was using for protection on the trails. A mage of some sort? Perhaps, but he had no spell components, no holy symbol. Just the dark cloak. He walked towards her, which was easy enough: it was midday, and the real crowds would not come in until dusk.</p><p></p><p>"What can I do for you, stranger? A pint of ale, or perhaps a bowl of stew?" She continued to watch him; something irrational but nevertheless obviously there made her senses tingle.</p><p></p><p>"Some stew might well go me good, madam. I've had a long journey. No ale, though, but if you've tea, I'll take that."</p><p></p><p>Kelta stepped into the kitchen for a moment, the man's presence still bothering her as he sat down at the bar. She ladeled out a bowl of stew and put a kettle of water on the fire, then exited and set the bowl in front of the man. "Here you are. Best stew in twenty miles."</p><p></p><p>She saw an oddly-shaped smile. "It always is, isn't it?"</p><p></p><p>"What?"</p><p></p><p>"No matter," the man said, absent-mindedly picking up his spoon and tasting the stew. "I was also hoping I could leave an announcement with you. Something that could be posted in a noticeable location. I'm looking to hire some people, but I can't wait around here all day; I'm certain you understand."</p><p></p><p>Kelta nodded. "It'll cost you, but I can post your announcement on the message board over there."</p><p></p><p>The man took another bite of stew, then withdrew from his pocket a scroll and a small sack. Opening the sack, he poured ten platinum pieces onto the bar. "I assume this will be enough."</p><p></p><p>Kelta tried not to let her eyes grow wide, but it was a nearly involuntary reaction--and she suspected she would not be bargaining upward anyway. She dropped one of the coins onto the bar, listening for the satisfying ring of platinum, then scooped the coins into her purse. "I'll make certain everyone sees it."</p><p></p><p>"Thank you. I'll return in three days." And with that, the man rose, leaving much of his stew behind. Kelta realized he had never had his tea.</p><p></p><p>"What an odd person," she said to no one in particular. She opened the scroll and read:</p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p>Feeling the platinum at her side, Kelta posted it directly on the board near the entrance. Surely few people would miss it.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="LazarusLong42, post: 1038643, member: 9620"] The OOC thread is [url=http://www.enworld.org/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=58272]here[/url]. The Rogues' Gallery thread is [url=http://www.enworld.org/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=58342]here[/url]. "This is the way the world ends Not with a bang but with a whimper." --T.S. Eliot, "The Hollow Men" ------------ The Hog's Back Inn was the center of commerce in Alten's Rock. There were other, smaller pubs scattered around the town--some of them in much seedier areas--but the Hog's Back was smack in the center, right on the town square, and it was large enough that town meetings were held there. Business--both on and under the table--was transacted there, the local constabulary found their drinks there, and anyone with a mind to carouse, eat, play cards, or simply sit by the fire and listen to stories, was welcome at the Hog's Back. Unless, of course, they were the sort that Kelta had a problem with. Kelta, whose husband had passed away seven years earlier, had always been a hard woman, and the fact that she had continued to run the Hog's Back--and at a higher profit margin than her husband ever had--created a certain respect for her in the community. If you wanted to patronize the Hog's Back, you didn't cross Kelta. When the stranger walked in, she eyed him warily. His dark cloak was muddied with the stains of travel, making it seem darker than it was. He carried no weapons, which made Kelta wonder what he was using for protection on the trails. A mage of some sort? Perhaps, but he had no spell components, no holy symbol. Just the dark cloak. He walked towards her, which was easy enough: it was midday, and the real crowds would not come in until dusk. "What can I do for you, stranger? A pint of ale, or perhaps a bowl of stew?" She continued to watch him; something irrational but nevertheless obviously there made her senses tingle. "Some stew might well go me good, madam. I've had a long journey. No ale, though, but if you've tea, I'll take that." Kelta stepped into the kitchen for a moment, the man's presence still bothering her as he sat down at the bar. She ladeled out a bowl of stew and put a kettle of water on the fire, then exited and set the bowl in front of the man. "Here you are. Best stew in twenty miles." She saw an oddly-shaped smile. "It always is, isn't it?" "What?" "No matter," the man said, absent-mindedly picking up his spoon and tasting the stew. "I was also hoping I could leave an announcement with you. Something that could be posted in a noticeable location. I'm looking to hire some people, but I can't wait around here all day; I'm certain you understand." Kelta nodded. "It'll cost you, but I can post your announcement on the message board over there." The man took another bite of stew, then withdrew from his pocket a scroll and a small sack. Opening the sack, he poured ten platinum pieces onto the bar. "I assume this will be enough." Kelta tried not to let her eyes grow wide, but it was a nearly involuntary reaction--and she suspected she would not be bargaining upward anyway. She dropped one of the coins onto the bar, listening for the satisfying ring of platinum, then scooped the coins into her purse. "I'll make certain everyone sees it." "Thank you. I'll return in three days." And with that, the man rose, leaving much of his stew behind. Kelta realized he had never had his tea. "What an odd person," she said to no one in particular. She opened the scroll and read: Feeling the platinum at her side, Kelta posted it directly on the board near the entrance. Surely few people would miss it. [/QUOTE]
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