Another day in the Tavern

[Sir Trystan Gabriel]

You misunderstand, sir Dwarf. I am not afraid. A little wary, yes. In my experience, those who go about so well armed are looking for a reason to use the weapons they carry. Now, if you will excuse me, I see an injured person who appears to need tending.

He moves toward Palin, Good day sir. I see that you walk with a limp and lean heavily on your staff. Are you injured? I am no great healer, but I do have a little talent in that regard, and I offer my services to you.

 

[Kathryn_aka_Kat]

Kat hands Palin the glass of wine, with a smile.

"And I'm Kat. Well, Kathryn, actually, but most call me Kat. For a man with difficulty walking, you seem to have come a long way. From where do you hail? and is there perhaps some purpose to your travels?"

"Ah. And this is Trys... Sir Trystan Gabriel... who seeks to attend to you."

 

[Coyote Skyheart]

"Well, it seems to be a good morning to be off again" He says to himself. Perhaps I'll visit the Thorncrist mountains today

Coyote leaves a tip at the bar, slings his pack over his shoulder, and walks out of the tavern, eyes set for the road.

 

[Palin the Wizard]

"I'm glad to meet you, Kathryn," Palin says softly, as he takes the wine. "And thanks," he adds, nodding at the glass.

He looks at Trystan when he speaks, and he shakes his head slightly. "Please, don't waste any precious healing on me, Sir Gabriel. As I said, this limp of mine is old, and I have gotten used to it. It doesn't bother me, and sometimes... it's even useful. I appreciate the offer, though," the mage sighs, with a soft smile.

He smiles, as he looks at Kat. "I come from a small city far to the north. Balthor, by name. I doubt you've heard of it... It's very remote. As for my travels..."
The mage sighs softly, as he fingers the staff leaning against the table.

"My father would have said it's the foolishness of youth," he finishes softly, and he takes a sip of the wine. "I left because I was seeking wisdom, I told myself. In reality, my father was right. Foolishness of youth indeed," he chuckles, but it's hollow, and he shakes his head slightly. "I had to delude my half brother into following me along as well, of course..."

He stares down at the staff with his eyes clouded, clearly recalling painful memories, and with a soft sigh, he returns his gaze to Kat.
"I must apologize," he then says. "I've been rambling and boring you."

Palin takes another sip of the wine, then places it on the table beside him.
"What is your tale, if you don't mind me asking?" he asks, looking at her.

 

[Sir Trystan Gabriel]

He nods softly, then returns to his own table

As you wish, sir. Good day to you.

 

[Kathryn_aka_Kat]

"A pleasure to meet you as well, sir. And you're quite welcome... it was no trouble."

Kat pulls out a chair but as Palin talks to Trys, she hesitates.

Perhaps he prefers being left alone?

When Palin turns back to her, and starts telling of his homeland, she relaxes and slides into the seat, listening with interest. A slight look of concern passes over her face as he mentions a half-brother.

Who is not with him now. So something is wrong there.

"It's true, I haven't heard of your city, but I've not been in this area long. And *I* do not think it foolishness to learn of other places and peoples. Nor am I bored at all by your story, though I think you leave much out."

She smiles warmly at Palin. As he asks of her own background, the smiles fades slightly and becomes a more rueful expression.

"You're welcome to ask... but I can't tell much. I seem to have a curse on me that moves me from one plane to another and even manages to remove the memories of where I've been each time it happens. So I can talk about a few adventures in the past two months or so, but nothing further back than that."

She smiles a bit too lightly, and moves her gaze away from Palin's eyes.

"Your staff? What unusual markings it has... do they have meaning?"

 

[Kheldar Devaentar]

Kheldar smiles at Kat's obvious attempt to change the subject. . . Although he didn't blame her for it. She hadn't been very happy when she shared her past with him. . . Well, what she *could* share about it. . . Which really wasn't a great deal more than what Palin got.

Well, eaves-dropping was impolite. Kheldar resumed his focus on Armin. Only now he talked in common.

"Good answer friend. My name is Kheldar Devaentar. And I do believe there has got to be a war somewhere, someplace. Fortunately, or unfortunately depending on who ya are - it's not here."

Kheldar eyes the dwarf up and down. He was tall for a dwarf, the difference between them couldn't have been more than 5 inches. And Kheldar thought it was just the dwarfs weapons that made him look so big.

"And what is your name friend?"

Artwork copyright © 2003, Gordon R. Quigley

 

[Palin the Wizard]

Palin seems concerned when Kat mentions her curse, but he nods slowly.
Without her memories of how this curse was acquired, it would be difficult to remove it... And certainly a task for a much more experienced mage.

When she changes the subject to his staff, he smiles faintly. "I do not know. It is magical, but I haven't yet uncovered all of its secrets," he explains, as he picks it up, and shows the markings to her in more detail. "All I've managed to learn so far is that it increases the force of a blow," he sighs softly. "But that could have been accomplished by far more simple runes. I know it has more to offer than what I have uncovered, but I-..."

The mage trails off, as he realizes he again was babbling. He sighs softly. "You must forgive me, miss Kathryn. I haven't been in the company of others for many weeks, and I seem to forget my manners."

He smiles at her. "I'm glad that you're willing to share your company with me."

 

[Armin-Gedrin]

The red bearded dwarf leans his massive battle axe against the bar and then leans himself against the bar as well as he takes another drink of his ale, studying Kheldar for a moment before answering.

"Kehldar eh? I be Armin Gedrin, of Ice Guard Keep." He pauses to take another drink before continuing. "As for the fortunes o war, it be fortunate that there are none around for me ta sink me axe blade into"

He laughs heartily and then finishes his ale, motioning to the golem for another refill.

 

[Kathryn_aka_Kat]

Kat reaches out with a finger to trace the runes, then stops as it occurs to her that the action might activate some magic. She throws a quick grin at Palin.

"Your manners are excellent, sir, have no fear of that! And I'm enjoying your company... and your conversation... immensely. But please, call me Kat. Not 'Miss Kathryn'. "

She leans back into her chair, thinking for a moment.

"Now, I know I have no knowledge of magic myself. But there are others here you might be able to consult about your staff. Hmmm. My first recommendation would be someone I saw here much earlier, a scholar and a teacher of magic... though she may have left by now."

Kat smiles at him, then glances around the tavern looking for the elven lady in white.