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Message: <blockquote data-quote="talien" data-source="post: 4619908" data-attributes="member: 3285">Songs: Prologue“I don’t understand,” asked Kham again.  “Why are we in Postrava?”Vlad shrugged.  “Duke Adolphos feels that the recent raids in Milandir are a potential problem for Moratavia as well.  He wants me to deal with it.”“That doesn’t explain why I’m here.  Or the elf.”“Ilmarė wanted to go,” said Vlad with a shrug. “She went on ahead of us.  I also sent word for Sebastian and Beldin to meet us there. As for you,” he flashed Kham a smile, “you’re here because you’re my friend.”Kham rolled his eyes.They stopped talking as they approached the periphery of the town.  Two guardsmen in leather armor, carrying longswords and short bows, met them. “Welcome to Postrava.  May I ask your business in our fair city?”Vlad leaned forward.  “Business and pleasure my friend.  I’m Vlad Martell, Bailiff for Duke Adolphos val’Tensen.  Kham is a friend of mine.  I’m here to see the Lady Sounshay val’Dellenov regarding a matter of great urgency.”With this, he handed the guard a writ with Lady Sounshay’s personal seal.  The guard reviewed it carefully.  “Praised be the will of Saluwe’.  We could certainly use your help against those blasted goblins.”  With that, he let them pass.After about five minutes of travel within the town limits, they came to a stop.  Ahead was a curious sign that read, “Splintered Oak Tavern and Inn.”  It was carved out of a dead tree trunk about six feet high and three feet in diameter. “Not a fancy town, is it?” observed Kham.The buildings and structures of Postrava were not as elegant as those in Tralia.  The people dressed more casual, and the clothing they wore was not as expensive or luxurious.  It was a rustic community with a humble atmosphere about it.A woman in green robes with autumn-colored symbols of Saluwe’ waited for them at the door.  Her robes had a mistletoe and nightshade design on it.  She was quite slender and tall at nearly six feet, with hair as dark as night.  She saw Vlad and smiled.  “Greetings again, old friend.  I almost thought you would miss the show, but thankfully you made it just in time.”Kham arched an eyebrow as he looked back and forth between the two of them.  For once he kept his mouth shut.Vlad bowed slightly before his friend.  “I’ve come about the goblins plaguing the western villages.  I invited my companions to the show.  Some are probably inside already.  I hope I have not overstepped my boundaries in doing so?”“Nonsense my friend.” Lady Sounshay smiled at him.  “I trust your instincts, even if I don’t trust your liege.”She led them inside. The tavern was like any other except for the emphasis on motifs that expressed the val’Dellenov fondness for nature.  There was a stage area set up for performers.  Judging by the refined dress and appearance of those sitting at the tables closest to the stage, it was obvious they were persons of nobility, wealth, and prominence. Kham couldn’t resist. “No love for Adolphos, eh?”“No,” said Vlad.“But plenty for you, hmm?”Vlad shot him a glare as they were led over to a reserved table.  Sebastian the dark-kin, Beldin the dwarf, and Ilmarė the elorii were already seated.  Lady Sounshay joined them.After introductions were made and meals ordered, they got down to business.“By now you have all seen that Postrava is certainly not the bustling community that other cities are.  Many have gone so far as to call it a backwater town.” Her gaze flicked to Vlad.  Kham figured out what it was Sounshay didn’t like about Adolphos. “I could care less about their opinion. We live in harmony with our surroundings, which have benefited us greatly.  Unfortunately, not all creatures have that same desire.”  She had a stern look in her olive-green eyes.  “Goblins have been raiding villages on the western outskirts of the town with great frequency as of late, and there have been losses of loyal citizens.”  Lady Sounshay clenched her fist.  “I will not suffer these attacks any longer.  We tried to handle it with reason, but it seems those vermin must be dealt with forcefully.  Our cantons are spread thin, covering as much area as they can, but we would gladly welcome reinforcements.  Help us in this matter and each of you will be paid one hundred Imperials.”“We will help however we can,” said Vlad.  A guard stepped up to Sounshay.  “My lady, the Alderinn family needs you.  It seems Emerra has gone into labor.  They need your assistance immediately.”Sounshay nodded.  “I had a feeling it would be any day now.”  She turned back to the table. “My apologies, but I must leave now.  However, I shall return as soon as possible.  For the time being, stay here and enjoy the show with my friend Vlad.  Anulee Galen is quite a talented bard.”Vlad and Kham exchanged looks. “Did she say Galen?”Then the lights dimmed and the once loud and jovial crowd hushed into silence.</blockquote>

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