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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Emperor Valerian" data-source="post: 1418910" data-attributes="member: 15043">A Village and a TowerTwo days later, the party drew towards the destination, the spine of the Balarac Mountains that seperated the Obashi Desert from the rest of the Valley.  It had taken some time to get used to Orion, and his method of moving with the party.  He did not ride a horse... he did not need one.  Even when the party was at a lope, nearing gallop, the monk effortlessly kept up while running on foot.  Needless to say Shaun’s idea of challenging him to a foot race died before it could even be verbalized.The party arrived at the small village (perhaps 350 people) at dusk.  Most of hte buildings were made of adobe or brick masonry, though a large, eight story tower between the village and the slopes of the mountains seemed to be made of black and grey stone, likely carted from far off.Wizard... definitely a wizard, Tess muttered as she saw the tower. Only a spellcaster has that kind of ego.  Perhaps its the tower of the wizard Xanadu referred to?”Hey, Shaun, Siabrey?  Can you guys go find us a place to stay for the night... preferably all of us in one inn?  I’m going to go around town and check for some information... see if there’s been any sign of Xanadu about...”“I’ll ask around too,” Siabrey said, and Tess groaned inwardly as the fighter and the rest of the party headed towards a ramshackle (at least compared to what they were used to) inn.There goes our cover, she thought, turning her horse to head towards what appeared to be the small market in the center of town.  Nearing the stalls which were closing for the evening, she dismounted, and led her horse in.  Spotting one man whose wares were not yet packed for the night, she went over.“Hello sir,” her brilliant teeth went on display.  To her chagrin, a breath fouler than a black dragon’s wafted through her nose as the man displayed his own yellow, crooked teeth.“Hello... pretty miss,” he rasped.  “May... may I introduce you to some of my wares?”  Ugh! the cultured and refined mind of Tess screamed.  For the sake of the gods, take a bath!  The rest of her bottled this revulsion up, and she put on an act, in her opinion, worthy of a thespian.“Maybe... perhaps,” she said quietly, trying to keep her eyes averted from him (which was altogether easy), and looking as if she was biting on her nails.  “I’m new here... I don’t know my way around!” she said, leaning over the table.  “Perhaps you could help me?”A predatory look came into the man’s eyes, and Tess had to resist the twin urges to throw up and slap him.“Sweet miss, of course I can help you,” his crooked teeth turned to a grin.  “Who... who lives in that tower?  Is it the lord of this land?” she asked, and the man nodded.  She now noticed how greasy his hair was... and she thought she saw a louse on him.  She quickly leaned back, acting as if her cloak needed adjusting, hoping he wouldn’t volunteer to ‘help.’“Yes... the wizard Alustair Destare lives there... he has ruled this village wisely and kindly for many many years,” the man smiled.  “Of course, I can take you to meet him if you like... for a price,” his eyes now had the same predatory glint, and Tess decided to move on with her questioning.“Has anything strange been happening with him?” Tess asked.  “I’ve heard many rumors...”“He hasn’t been in the tower much recently,” the man said thoughtfully.  “Come to think of it, it seems every other day he’s gone... ever since the roaring in the mountains.”Tess gave a false gasp.  “Roaring in the mountains?  Oh my.... I shan’t want to think of what is causing that noise!”  Roaring?  Our dragon friends?”Oh there there, sweet thing,” the man crooned, though his voice sounded more like an adder wrapped in sandpaper, “I’m sure whatever it is, Alustair is holding it off to keep you,” she didn’t like the accent he placed on that last word, “safe.  And if he fails...”Tess blocked his voice from her mind for that moment, thinking on what she heard.  This person respects him... something to check on with the others.  And he’s gone whenever there is roaring... hmm...“Dear sir,” she interrupted his male bravado, “I... I want to meet this wizard.  You see... I’m a travelling bard, and I am desperately in need of work.  Who would I talk to to gain proper entrance into the tower?”  With the last sentence, she turned her head sideways.  On the surface, this move was meant to glean pity from the person facing her... it also doubled as a check of his body from a different angle to check for weapons.  She knew his eyes were too busy to notice her making sure no daggers were nestled near his hands.“Well,” he leaned close to her, “I could get you private entrance, of course...” he let the offer hang in the air for a few minutes.  While in her mind she wanted to kick him for even thinking of the lewd thoughts she was sure were running through his head, he focused all her energy on keeping her face in a blank smile.He groaned, assuming she didn’t understand his offer.  “Well, his wife and daughter sometimes come down into the village to purchase foodstuffs and supplies... they’re nice people as well.  The daughter is young, a blonde with green hair named Renee.  If I see her, I’ll tell her that... what is your name?  And where are you staying, so I may no where to find you once I talk to her?”His last sentence was spoken to her back, as Tess had already turned around and was heading back towards the inn...“Hey Tess!” Siabrey called when she saw her friend approaching the inn door.   Siabrey pulled her lightly aside, and quietly said, “I asked bluntly if anyone around here had seen a half elf yea high, but no one had seen him.”“Siabrey, could you have been any more blunt?” Tess asked her quietly.“At least I didn’t announce that I was the lover of Lucius Caladron here to free...”“Sssh!” Tess grinned.  “Point taken,” she said, thinking, By her method, at least she didn’t have to deal with slimy people...  “Gather people up, I have some information I need to tell everyone.  We need to plan how to get into that tower...”“So they all regard him well?” the monk said thoughtfully, around 15 minutes later.  “Hmm... that could pose problems.”“Problems?  Maybe it means he’s not who we’re looking for... I’d think they’d know if he was locking up dragons...” Siabrey interrupted quietly. “Maybe not,” Tess said, lost in thought herself.  “They said he’s gone whenever there’s roaring in the mountains... maybe he traps them up there, not in his tower...”“But either way,” Shaun jumped in, back from fetching two pints of ale, “we need to get a look around that tower... maybe the components for the spells that are binding the dragons are there.”“Luke, can’t you or Elenya tell what spells are being used by the components?” Siabrey asked.  Elenya shook her head no, while Luke gave a careful nod.“Maybe... depends on the spell.  I’d much prefer having someone more experienced like Xanny do it though.”“So... we need to get into that tower... I say we move quietly.  I can jump up to one of hte windows, and climb in...” Orion proposed quietly.“You can’t jump that high!” Shauny spat out some of his ale.  “I saw you jump sixty feet laterally, but I know you can’t jump sixty feet straight up in the air!”“Yes I can,” the monk replied.“How about we use my way?” Siabrey said with a grin.  “I’m sure that Grumki would enjoy crushing a few doors, and before you know it, BAM we’re in the tower and rummaging!”  An elbow from Lucius reminded her to be quiet,,, as Tess shakes her head.“No... we need something simpler.  If we sneak, some of us will get caught.  If we slam in there like a tidal wave, some of us will get caught... we need a more legitimate means.  Maybe.. um... asking him about the fire drakes, the false dragons?  See if he slips up?”“Brilliant.” Shaun smiled, pointing at Tess.  “Sheer brilliance.  Tesseron has my vote,” he shouted, the alcohol starting to get to him, “for best bard!  She gets the honor of sleeping with Pellaron tonight!”“What!?” both Tess and Pellaron snapped at him.  If looks could kill, two death rays were focused on the rogue.“Well,” Siabrey said, cocking an eyebrow slyly, “We were able to only get four rooms for eight people... two to a room.  Naturally me and Lucius have a room, as do Elenya and Shaun.  You’ve worked hard Tess, so we thought you could stay with Pellaron, while Grumki, Aristophle, and Orion share the last room.”  Siabrey’s smile was sweet, but she giddiness at the embarassment her two targets were suffering shone through her eyes.“Siabrey... you little... grr!” Tess scowled, as Siabrey broke out laughing.  Pellaron looked around worriedly, as Elenya tossed in another comment that, “Perhaps, dear bard, you will get a chance to learn what me and Shaun wrote in the Sune book!”It was easily apparent that Pellaron was embarassed at the conversation, and he cleared his throat.  In his proper, Temple accent, he looked towards Tess, and said, “I have much higher calling that mere physical activity, Tess... do not worry!”Thank you Pell, even though I don’t like you like that, you seem to be the only one in this madhouse at times that seems to have his head on his shoulders.  She gave him a weak smile, which resulted in some more jeers.“Wait wait wait wait,” Shaun quieted everyone down, “I have.. I have a question, for Pellaron,” he slurred out.  “Dear paladin,” he leaned awkwardly across the table, grabbing Pellaron’s hand, “What... I beg you... what... is a higher calling that satisfying a beautiful woman?”  Shaun then stuck his tongue out, and fell back into he seat, as the laughter and jeers continued.  Tess rolled her eyes, and Pellaron merely stared ahead, blankly.“Pell... c’mon.  Lets get away from the cretins,” Tess said, pulling him away from the table before his paladin honor caused him to feel bound to lose his temper again.  Immediately cheers rose from the rest of the party (save Aris, who chose to take this time to take his leave to visit a small Hieroneous shrine).After she got him back into the third room assigned to them, she noticed Pellaron, without being asked, was already placing his blankets on the floor.“Um.. sure you don’t want...”“I’m sure.  Tess?” he turned, his eyes a little frightened.  “If you feel uncomfortable, I would understand if you left.  But on my honor, and on my sword... I won’t do anything that...”“I know,” she said, setting herself up on the bed proper.  “My one request though...  when I change...”“I’ll leave the room.  Do not worry Tesseron,” he said quietly.“I’m not,” she smiled.  “You are a good man, Pellaron... just not my type.  I hope you understand?”  Maybe I shouldn’t have blurted it out like that... but...   “I trust you as a friend... you are a dear friend... but, nothing... um... beyond that.  Please don’t be angry?””I understand, Tess,” he said with a sad smile.  “We elves are much wiser than you humans... we can get over things like that quickly.”  He tried to make a wink, but the joke clearly fizzled, and his eyes betrayed sadness.I hope he doesn’t go all depressed on us, Tess worried.  She decided for the sake of ease she just wouldn’t change into her normal nightgown this night.After the two targets of their pranks left, the party was still in good humor for a bit.  Shaun bought himself another ale, but when Elenya tried to order one he took it away and promptly gave it to Grumki.  The tavern of the inn was crowded, so the group was free to carouse as they wanted for at least a little while... after all, in the morning they were headed into a wizards tower... a wizard who bound dragons...“Mmm,” Siabrey pulled back from a kiss from Lucius.  “Um, hon?  You remember that prank I made in the desert?”  His eyebrow was raised suggestively.“Yes.... I do...” he slid close to her with a grin, and then noticed she was slowly getting up to leave the table.“Well, you want to cash in on my promise?” she grinned, walking away slowly.  “Shaun, Elenya... been a fun night, but I should be heading out!” Lucius said with a laugh as Siabrey grabbed his hand and pulled him towards the second room in the party’s bracket.  It was only a few minutes later when Elenya finally persuaded a fairly lit up Shaun it was time to go to bed... except sleep did not occur...”Dammit!” Tess snapped, throwing a pillow over heard to keep the noises of the couples on both sides of her out.   A groan of distate from the floor at the foot of her bed let her know at least her roomate for the night was with her on this one.</blockquote>

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