growl gurgle growl
Quinn is reminded of the need for nourishment as his body reminds him rather verbosely. His mouth remains silent for the moment - although his body does not remain silent.
As he hears Quinn's stomach growl, Caerth laughs softly. It is good to do so, as the tension had built up in the boats, and the half-orc smiles at his companion.
"Hungy? I guess we could all use something to eat."
"I could eat," Aureus says with a toothy grin.
JustinCase said:
Turning to the others, Caerth hesitates. Clearly indicating the wererat couple, he says, "Do you think Quinten would welcome us all?"
"He's had no problem with me," Aureus adds. "I think it will be okay."
She heads down the dock just as Sir Balorix steps out of the old shack. The old knight says something to Sir Avanth before nodding to the hutaakan rogue as she approaches. Balorix heads towards Carnell while Avath sits down on an old wooden chair, quite at ease. Quinten gives the aged knight a plate of food.
Hornauer seems content but his mate is uneasy. He notes her discomfort. "I think it is best that Lycia and I take shelter under the dock on the beach. We'll take some food if that man is offering, however."
"Yes, meat." Lycia hisses while holding her stomach. "My babies need meat."
On the boat ride Phar does his best not to stare at Hornauer's staff or mate though his is mightily curious about both. "Indeed, I could use a repast. And I would prefer to stay here with Aureus in any case."
Hornauer and Lycia move, cautiously, down the dock until they are less than five feet from it. Quinten disappears back inside and comes out with two plates piled with cooked meat and boiled vegetables — white tubers and red roots. He offers them to Hornauer with humility. The wererat steps forward and takes the plates. He shifts quickly back to his mate who sniffs at the food, wary, before eating. Soon she has eaten the meat from both plates.
Scotley said:
[Phar] turns to Quinten. "What do you have cooking? Enough for all?"
"The meat is a mix of sand spider legs and sheep's gut," Quinten replies. "The vegetables are local potatoes and red field carrots."
"Sand spider," Aureus says. "Like the ones that killed your uncle?"
"Those exact spiders. The leg meat is edible, but chewy. There was no sense letting it go to waste. A couple days in a brine and then roasted over a fire, and it's a good, cheap meal."
"More, more meat?" Lycia pleads.
"Sure, I have lots."
"Raw?"
"Uhm, sure, if that's what you'd prefer," the young wharfkeeper replies.
"We will be down on the beach," Hornauer adds. "It's better for us, more, open."
"I will bring you more," Aureus says.
The wererat and his mate head off of the dock and down to the beach. They take up shelter under the dock. Hornauer begins scavaging for anything to protect them from the elements. Once Caerth and Quinn joins the group by the shack, Quinten offers them all plates of food and the comforts of his shack. "Or you can eat out here. I have more chairs that can be brought out."
"I will help Hornauer and Lycia. Make sure they are comfortable." Aureus says. "Are you sure you have enough meat?"
"Plenty." He takes Aureus inside the shack.
Soon Aureus comes out with a large metal bowl filled with brined, raw spider leg meat. She nods to the others before heading down to the beach. You note that Sir Avanth has finished his plate and is now dozing under the sun. He doesn't seem concerned by the presence of the two shapechangers on the beach. Quinten has more than enough meat for everyone, although the meat is quite heavy. The vegetables are very good but he has only enough for all to have one portion. He even has a large jug of homemade berry wine, which has quite the kick. An hour passes. Hornauer comes back up onto the dock once Lycia is settled. Aureus stays with Lycia to watch her sleep. Many of the ratware's brood have gathered around her, but she and Hornauer keep them off the dock and away from the shack.
"I am thankful for your hospitality," Hornauer says to Quinten. The young wharfkeeper hands the wererat a full glass of wine with a smile and a nod. "My kind are not well thought of in the Strandlands," Hornauer adds.
"I've never had issues with shapechangers. Neither did my father, even though my grandfather was an infamous Silverman. My father broke with tradition after he learned that not all werefolk are evil. He choice did lose us our Family Crest, which is why he and Uncle Yorick had to take up more down-to-earth professions."
"What was your grandfather's name?" Hornauer asks.
"I'd rather not say," Quinten says glumly. "We changed our name to escape that awful legacy."
"As you wish," Hornauer replies. He looks at the young wharfkeeper with some trepidation. That is, until the young man offers up more berry wine.
One hour quickly becomes two then three. Eventually, Sir Balorix returns. His face is glum. "That is one stubborn woman," he grumbles. He sighs as he rubs his temples.
Quinten offers up his chair. He heads into the shack, comes out with a plate for the paladin, and then offers up more wine from a fresh jug.
"She insists you to put us in chains," Hornauer says. He shakes his head knowingly.
"She cannot
insist anything to one of my age and standing." He pauses. "As long as you and your mate don't enter Carnell. But, yes, she is upset that I haven't done so. Typical. She asks for my help and then tries to overrule me."
"Lycia and I should leave, immediately."
"You are under my protection. as long as you stay away from the populace. But, yes, we should get you out of here, eventually. Lady Pendour is sending a rider to Belporte with a message to be magically sent to the senate. It's lucky she doesn't have her own mage, or the
sending would be cast already."
"The senate will send one of your kind who
isn't retired?"
"Yes, I could not dissuade her."
"Lycia and I cannot stay," Hornauer insists. He stands and downs his glass. "We will rest but then head down the coast." He looks at Caerth and the others. "I know you and your friends have your own problems including your bard friend, but I hope you'll come with us."
"If you rush away now," the paladin pleads. "I cannot guarantee your safety as you travel without me guiding you. And I cannot leave yet. I swore an oath to the lady before we left to find you. While it doesn't sunder my oath to you, I must wait twenty-four hours before I can honorably leave."
"A Canon Pact," Quinten adds. "Quite troublesome those agreements, even when short."
"Aye," Sir Avanth says. "If Bal breaks it, he could lose a hand, or even his head."
Sir Balorix sighs again and shakes his head in frustration. "The worst part is that Sir Ghal stands with his lady. She seems to have a sway over him that goes against his oath to me." He looks at Hornauer. "But I give you my word that I will not let them take you or Lycia."
"Hmm, it sounds like young Ghal is in love with Lady Pendour," Quinten muses.