Lone Wolf I: Shadows on the Dorn

[Krug]

Hoagar's ears perk up. "Dwarven specialties? What sort? Rock toad tongue? With gravel dip?"

 

[Paido]

Hoagar's ears perk up. "Dwarven specialties? What sort? Rock toad tongue? With gravel dip?"

Jesabela looks at him startled. "Err ... was thinking more along the lines of something less ... solid ..."

She rallies quickly. "Though I have heard a few people talk about a dwarven innkeeper somewhere in that area. Maybe that was just a rumour, but we could go and investigate?"


Just in case you don't know the "foodstuff" I'm alluding to: Have a look at paragraph 302 of Shadow on the Sand and paragraph 284 of The Jungle of Horrors. (Check out http://www.projectaon.org/ for that, should you not already be familiar with them!)

 

[adgramaine]

Dark Hawk almost seems to ignore the woman's question at first, and with nothing more than a glance he summons his fellow Kai to his side. In a very harsh and not as quiet as he would like tone:
"We might be young, but that man is our King! Do you not understand the weight of that?! We do not simply speak in his presense unless we are told to speak. He would have told us all we needed to know without prattle on our parts! He wants us to succeed, and so would have not left any stone unturned in the telling! Mind yourselves should we be brought before him again!" With a deep exhale, he almost mutters:
"I hope Blue Linx does not hear of this...." With one hand on the hilt of his sword, he turns away in search of dinner.

"And my lady, " he calls out as he walks away, "Yes, you were wrong. He is king here, even if that means nothing to you, he is OUR King. Please respect that at least...."

He turns a sharp corner and seemingly vanishes from sight.

 

[Eternalknight]

Silver Wind is taken aback for a split second before realizing that Dark Hawk is right. With a glance at Moon's Brand, he beckons her to follow. Rounding the corner, he quickens his pace so that he can catch up with Dark Hawk.

"You are right of course," he says. "I forgot myself. It's just.. well, I have always dreamed of serving the King, and I just got over-excited."

 

[Krug]

"Yes, we should," says Hoagar, smiling. Doubt if those monks would be up to a tipple anyhow.

 

[Relenoir]

"You may have a good point Dark Hawk, but you must also consider the possibility that he was looking for a little personal initiative on our own parts, and to observe the wisdom we possess to ask the right questions to help us succeed. Keep in mind, my friend, that. . .

"Perhaps I should now explain exactly what this service is. 'Tis a simple matter. A caravan is leaving this city this afternoon, bound for Ragadorn. The cargo on that caravan, or one item thereof, is vitally important to this nation and surrounding nations - including Durenor and," he looks at Jesabela, "Cloeasia. In Ragadorn, you will find an inn called the Blue Pike. At this inn is a man named Davias. Deliver this piece of cargo to Davias. I cannot stress enough, under no circumstances give it to anyone except Davias. He will give you any further instructions."
King Ulnar sits back on the throne to take any questions the five may have.

was what happened. Regardless, maybe I did push the questions a bit far, and if I did, I apologize. But forewarned is forearmed, as our teachers say," Moon's Brand finishes pleasantly as they turn the corner. "Look, I think it would be important to see what our new acquaintences are all about by observing them before we leave. I'm going to go into town with them; I want to learn more about them, and our capital at the same time. I'll see you two in the morning." Moon's Brand turns about, and walks back down the hallway toward Jesabela and Hoagar.

Just to confirm, this is not meant to have an annoyed tone, or sound arguementative. I set my alarm for P.M. instead of A.M., and was running behind, so a VERY quick reply was all I could leave!

 

[Relenoir]

Moon's Brand makes her way back to Jesabela and Hoagar.

She leans forward and lowers her voice. "You see, I have worked for the Zultan of Cloeasia - though not directly, of course - on a privateer ship. We were hunting Vassagonian slavers on the main, from the Kuri Sea to the Gulf of Tentarium. We had to keep our allegiance secret, as our beloved Zultan cannot risk open war on the Vassagonian Empire. Nevertheless he could not just stand there and watch the cruelty of the Vassagonians, as you can certainly understand! But he did support us covertly - and after a few years of such work, you do pick up a few things ..." Jesabela winks at Moon's Brand. "And even a daughter of the upper classes can get somewhat rusty in matters of etiquette when she's among rugged sea dogs since she was not much older than you are now.

"Well, that's quite interesting. Seeing as we'll be spending at least the next few days together, and I have only been to Holmgard once, many years ago, I was hoping I might join the two of you on your trek about the city. I'm interested to learn more about it, and since you seem to know the city rather well Jesabela, you'd make a first-rate guide through these unfamiliar streets." Turning to Hoagar, she continues, "and although I speak Drodarin, I have little knowledge of the culture and your people. I should certainly enjoy the opportunity to learn more over some dinner," she says, then drops her voice down lower. "Besides, my comrades seem to be in a bit of a dour mood, and probably would not prove to be all that likely to go out and experience the city this evening anyways. Would you have me along?" she finishes.

 

[adgramaine]

"I apologize if I seem to be reacting harshly," mutters Dark Hawk, as the Kai walk down the grand halls. "Even before my days at the monastary, my mother always taught me to respect our nobles, and the lesson might have gone a bit too far into me. Perhaps if we had talked about our audience before hand and managed to come across a bit more readied and able, perhaps if I hadn't had taken all those talks from Mother so seriously, and perhaps a dozen other things." With a sigh and what might have been a smile Dark Hawk regarded his fellows. "But it is all perhaps, and it has already happened. We'll have to keep our wits together so that we don't come across as the eager youths we are. I want to serve and prove my worth as much, or more so than either of you."

And in almost a conspiratorial tone, very hushed, "Let's see about hunting down that dwarf and that slip of a rogueling girl - I overheard them saying something about what might very well be our last civilized meal while we're on this venture.... Let us find out about them together, as we should be acting as a team in this and all things, yes?"

And without waiting for a reply, Dark Hawk bolts down the hall for the streets of Holmgard, obviously challenging his companions to a simple race to the inn....

 

[Paido]

"Yes, we should," says Hoagar, smiling. Doubt if those monks would be up to a tipple anyhow.

Jesabela smiles back. "Shall we meet at the citadels gates, then, when the sun touches the horizon? Or would you like to explore Holmgard together? If so, I would prefer to take care of securing a map - and provisions - first. Afterwards, I'm game!"

* * *​

"And my lady, " he calls out as he walks away, "Yes, you were wrong. He is king here, even if that means nothing to you, he is OUR King. Please respect that at least...."

He turns a sharp corner and seemingly vanishes from sight.

Jesabela looks after him thoughfully. There certainly seems to be more to him than meets the eye ...

Moon's Brand makes her way back to Jesabela and Hoagar. "Well, that's quite interesting. [...] Would you have me along?" she finishes.

Jesabela laughs. "Thanks for the compliment, but 'knowing the city rather well' can probably only be said in comparison to the lot of you - I've been here for no more than a few days myself. But I shall endeavour to do my best, then!"

She turns to Hoagar. "What say you, Master Dwarf, shall we take the young lass along, or would that be ... irresponsible?" That last word is accompanied by a mischievous grin.


@ Adgramaine: "that slip of a rogueling girl" - you do realize that Jesabela's at least 5 years older than Dark Hawk, don't you? Just wanted to make certain ...

 

[Krug]

Hoagar says "Yes, we'll meet later when the day is done and the night is out." Hoagar sets off to find whatever material he can to help him with his bullets.