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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Softwind" data-source="post: 1391863" data-attributes="member: 13893">Clean, and workSession 36 (Nov 03)  [Part one]With a final creak and bump, the farmer’s wagon pulls into the large square that makes up the Everlund Bell Market.  From there, it is a short walk for the party to return to their rooms at the Scowling Orc.  Baths are called for, and the inn staff is kept busy running for hot water, towels, and scouring rushes.  “Aaaah,” Brynn sighs as he sinks a little further into his tub.  “Now that’s nice.”  He looks over at Tombit.  “C’mon in, cat.”Tombit eyes the tub warily, his whiskers twitching as he watches the steam gently rising from the hot water within.  He moves closer, and dips a hand it, pulling it out quickly.  “Hot!” he scowls at Brynn.“Nae more so than a few steps back from a dwarven forge.  Jus’ jump right in…” Brynn leans back, then sits bolt upright as a wave of water from the other tub splashes over him.  Glowering, he looks at the Halfling, who, upon taking his advice, had done just that.  Looking like a drowned rat, his cap still firmly on his head, Tombit splashes about in the tub, deciding that the hot water is indeed nice, and the scented soap from the merchant is *just* the thing to ease his acid-burned skin.“Foolish Halfling,” Brynn grumbles, but the hot water soon eases his irritation at Tombit, and he sinks back into the tub.  Idly he sniffs the bar of soap, then checking to see if the Halfling is watching, proceeds to scrub with it.  “Ah, that is nice,” he thinks, just before he hears snickering from the other tub.  Glancing over, he sees Tombit amusedly watching him, water dripping from whiskers raised in a smile.  “Bah, I were just testin’ it tae see if it’s good enough tae use.  It’s too flower-y, and not strong enough.” As Tombit chuckles, Brynn chucks the soap at him, which the monk easily dodges.They concentrate on finishing their baths as the water cools, and are toweling off as a knock is heard at their door.  In the hall outside, Genoa and Athena wait for the men to open the door.  Athena wrings a few stray drops of water from her hair absently as they listen to the tumult inside.  “They must have spent more time in the tubs than we did.  I didn’t think either Brynn or Tombit would even take a bath, to be honest.” Genoa giggles.  “Brynn is more comfortable in a mountain spring with a tree limb, and I think Tombit, uh, licks himself clean?” She looks over to Athena quizzically, and they both chuckle.  When the door opens, the ladies look at the still-dripping ranger and monk, and burst out laughing.  Brynn’s puzzled, “What?” just adds fuel to the flame as the two ladies lean against each other for support, gales of laughter weakening their knees.“Gah, women,” mutters Brynn as he and Tombit wait for the two to catch their breath.  When the laughter subsides, Athena and Genoa wipe tears from their eyes and stand up straight, facing the men.  Between giggles, Genoa asks, “I’m returning to the Green Hall for awhile, and Athena has it in mind to pick up Ogre as a language.  We were wondering what activity you two would be putting yourselves towards?”  Tombit points back in the room, towards the patch of sunlight beneath the window.  Brynn chuckles, and tells Genoa, “I’ll join ye, lass.  I’ve got much to talk to the Druidess about, methinks.  Those… creatures… disturbed me.  I’d like to learn more about ‘em if’n I could, in case we go against them agin.”  He reaches back into the room, and belts his swords about his waist.  “Asides, Karazak n I need some time tagether that don’ involve fightin’.  Perhaps we’ll head outa town, and grab us some prey out in the fields.”Brynn finishes getting ready, and joins the ladies as they head downstairs.  “Where’s Skylar?” Brynn asks as they cross the common room.  “Wasn’t she with you?”Genoa waves her hand in dismissal.  “Last we saw, she and Gotien had their heads together discussing some spell or another that she wants to learn.  She stopped in the room only for a quick clean up, and rushed out the door.  Down to the Mages Guildhall, most likely.”Athena agreed.  “Ever since she’s discovered the Art runs in her blood, she’s become more torn with the direction she wants to take.  She is a doughty fighter, very good with that bow she uses.  The addition of Grimnyr’s Beard to her arsenal made me think she was going to be concentrating on her melee abilities.  Then she picks up a smattering of spells.  *Sigh*  Poor woman.  Still, she seems happy enough.  Perhaps her desire to adventure really is her calling.  I don’t think the life of a merchant would have suited her, after all,” Athena tapers off, recalling the first time the party met the archer.  Sole survivor of a caravan bound for the tri-cities, Skylar seemed to have taken her survival as a challenge to constantly increase her abilities in all ways related to combat.Outside the Scowling Orc, Athena parts ways with Genoa and Brynn, as she heads towards one of the guard barracks.  “If anyone here would know the language of the Ogres, it would be the town militia,” she reasons.  After asking around, she finds a few guards just going off duty that know a smattering of the language.  For the price of a few ales to wet their throats, and the company of the lovely gnome (Athena blushes), they will teach her as much as they can.Outside Everlund, amidst the tall trees of the Green Hall, Genoa and Brynn, with their companions Timber and Karazak, allow the peace of the grove to lift their concerns from their shoulders.  Sighing contentedly, they follow the game trails to the Hall in the midst of the copse.  Several people wander about in the open air, talking in quiet tones or just resting in contemplation.  After a quick scan reveals that the druidess is not present, Brynn and Genoa wander over to join conversations already in progress.  Timber and Karazak, with their friend’s blessings, pad over to the small pond to the side of the Hall, and drink their fill.  The two lay down for a rest, idly watching the goings on.  Taking advantage of the calm, they nod off into naps, assured that if anything untoward occurs, their friends will awaken them.The quiet is shattered sometime later by the ringing of the Bell Market’s namesake.  Timber and Karazak return to their friend’s sides as Brynn and Genoa try to ascertain why the alarm is sounding.  Assured that the druids and rangers in the Grove will be able to handle whatever comes their way, the two rush back to the town, looking for their Companions, leaving their animals at the Hall.  At a local bar, Athena’s lessons are disrupted as the bell rings out.  Her teachers abruptly stand up, buckling on weapons, asking Athena to return to her inn room.  “It’ll be too dangerous for you, citizen,” they state.  Athena remains seated as they leave the tavern, then stands up and scurries after them, intent on not loosing them in the sudden commotion on the streets.  Vendors are hurriedly closing shops as townsfolk rush back home, or other locations.Within the Guild Hall, Skylar looks up from the book she was intently studying.  Her head cocked to one side, she strains to hear sounds from outside the quiet hall.  Daladariel, sensing her break in studies, looks up inquiringly.  “Skylar, you must concentrate or you will not be able to master this spell…” he begins to admonish, before her body language stops him.  He too listens, his face hardening in disquiet as he recognizes the sound that so captured Skylar’s attention.  “Oh dear,” he murmers.Skylar turns to him, questions plainly visible in her face.  Daladariel turns to her, and without preamble, explains. “We are under attack.  The Bell Market warning bell is only used when all of the cities’ forces need to defend the walls.  All citizens are advised to clear the streets, or take up arms if part of the volunteer militia.  We shall wait it out here, in the safety of the Guild hall.” He turns back to his book, but hearing Skylar getting up, glances over to her, “Skylar, what are you doing?”Skylar stops rebuckling her weapon belts for a moment, looking at the mage.  “My friends are out there.  I do not believe they will sit idly by, whether they are militia or no.  I’ve got to join them.  Will you come, new to our Company as you are?”  She holds out a hand to him.Daladariel sighs, and looks longingly in the direction of his cell, and that of the Guildmaster Gotien’s.  After a pause, and a deep breath, grasps the offered hand and pulls himself up with her assistance.  “I will join you shortly.  For a century, Everlund has been my home.  I believe it to be my duty now to assist in its defense.  First though, I need to speak with Gotien.”  Her eyes dancing at the thought of the upcoming combat, Skylar implores the mage to hurry, crowing “We’re gonna go Keel stuff!”  Daladariel just rolls his eyes, and sighs.Skylar emerges onto the street just as Athena is passing by.  “Ho, Athena,” Skylar calls out, stopping the cleric in her tracks.  Athena walks over, but her gaze stays facing the backs of the departing guards.  Without turning her head, she asks “Are you also heading for the wall?”Following her gaze, seeing the militia moving towards the north of town, Skylar confirms her friend’s question with a grin.  “New friends,” she asks, pointing with her thumb towards the guards.  “Uh huh.  Those nice men were teaching me Ogre.  We were just getting past ‘Me want food’ and ‘Me want bash’ and learning about names for stuff. *Sigh*  I want to make sure those guys are okay…”Skylar nods.  “I’ll join you.  That way, I can help you, and keel stuff at the same time!”  Athena flashes her a quick smile, then half-pleading, asks “Can we then hurry?  I don’t want to lose them.”  “Yes! Come!”  The two hustle after the backs of the guardsmen as they disappear around a shop corner.  Despite her shorter legs, Athena keeps up with her elven friend’s longer strides.  Crossing a main street, they see Brynn and Genoa coming up the road from the west gate, and wave to get their attention.  While Athena watches nervously and shuffles from foot to foot with the delay, Skylar updates the new-comers on the plan.  The druid and ranger agree, and the Companions are once more on the move, heading to the North wall.  Behind them, the alarm bell continues to ring out a warning.</blockquote>

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