Kisep appreciates that several people request another of his tales, and he turns to Aileen before starting. "Could I earn my stay for the night and something to eat and drink with my performance?"
When the kenku hears the other minstrel start a song to accompany his story, he begins. "Not very long ago, I was travelling the trade route between my native lands in the east, and the realm of the genie kings. As the night began to fall, I hurried to get myself to an inn much like this one, but in the wild outdoors with danger all around. I could hear wolves and other threats in the darkness, nearing fast, as I finally arrived at the Inn Of Broken Bottles. The innkeeper, a huge man called Ivar Bloodbeard who must've had some giant blood, greeted me warmly as he casually picked up his heavy crossbow, walked outside and shot down a massive white wolf. 'He was after you,' the innkeeper explained before dragging the dead thing inside and locking the door."
"After delivering me my meal, he set to work on the wolf, removing its pelt to fashion into a warm cloak for himself, the fangs to sell to a maker of necklaces and rings, and the meat to be fed to his pet cats Felix, Neelix and Bob. It was not until I saw his three cats that I understood his reasoning; they were large, human-sized creatures with intelligent eyes and ferocious appetites. It was very unnerving how they looked at me, with hungry gazes and big teeth. I am sure you know the typical relationship between cats and birds, so as I ate my meal, a very juicy and fattening stew, I couldn't help but wonder if I was being held captive so I could be catfeed when the wolfmeat ran out."
"Three days passed, and I watched the pile of meat diminish rapidly, but every time I brought up the subject of leaving, Ivar graciously persuaded me to stay 'just another night' before presenting me with another delicious meal. Besides, I was the only guest and not many people came to the Inn anymore. I dared not ask when the last visitor was here, or what fate happened upon him."
"That night, another visitor came knocking. Ivar came to the door with his crossbow and a bad temper from being rudely wakened from a pleasant dream, but a big grin came to his bearded face upon seeing who his newest guest was. It was a frail kenku, like myself, calling himself So High and claiming to be a mighty adventurer and liberator of all who are not free. His pockets were overflowing with coins and gems, which Ivar readily and greedily accepted in return for a bed and a meal. When the innkeeper was busy in the kitchen, So High winked at me and said that he was a wizard and a bounty hunter, and both Ivar and his cats were on his list. He confirmed my suspicions about their plan to eat me, and requested my assistance in their capture. Not being much of a fighter, I doubted my usefulness, but agreed nonetheless."
"He called out to Ivar that he had heard stories about his cats, and could he see the creatures for himself? Sure enough, Felix and Neelix came trodding into the room, walking up to So High, so close he could count the veins in their green and yellow eyes. Felix opened his mouth, showing his great fangs, and just when I was about to warn him, the great cat disappeared into the magical pouch on So High's belt. Before anyone realized what happened, the wizard had caught Neelix in the same pouch."
"With a great roar, Ivar Bloodbeard grabbed a huge twoheaded axe from behind the counter and charged towards the kenku mage. This was my cue! Grabbing my trusted whip," and Kisep unties his whip from around his waist to demonstrate, "I wrap the end around the innkeepers foot, tripping him to the ground. However, his weight pulls me down as well, sliding perilously close to Ivar and his axe. I behold, with terrible slowness, the sharp metal rushing towards my face. So close that a feather on my head is cut in twain, when Ivar disappears. The grinning face of So High replaces it, saying, 'We got them. Nice work, partner.' "
"Helping me up from the floor, he looks around. 'Quite the nasty gang, huh?' I thank him, several times, before realizing something. 'Where's the third cat? Where is Bob?' At that moment, laughter erupts from behind the counter, and a feline voice says, 'I'll not be caught that easily, bird!' A strange sound followed, and we rushed around the bar, too late to catch Bob and his magical teleportation. We never found him again, although I have since discovered that many catpeople are actually goodhearted, friendly folk. My friend So High occassionally drops me a note, usually asking my opinion on a specific cat."
Looking directly at Jagr now, Kisep produces his note from the mysteriou S.H. and motions for the catfolk to step forward. "So I assume the note you carry, my feline friend, is from So High, too? Because fear not, your actions today have proven your good heart already, to me and to all those present."
