(Tavern) City of Orussus, The Red Dragon Inn IV

[Thomas Hobbes]

Officer Vagan doesn't seem to quite know how to handle these facts, his brow furrowed in worry. "I'll have to mention that to the commander..." he trails off. "Sounds like you came out all right." He shakes his head and offers his hand. "Officer Vagan, Orussus city watch." He carefully considers his next words. "I don't suppose you'd consider taking on another comission so soon? There are some bandits we need taken care of, you see, and with a few good men like you..."

 

[doghead]

"Good?" Jaan throws back his head and laughs. "I don't feel so good. Cold. Wet. Sore. Yes, I feel those.

"But I would consider another comission. I didn't come all this way to warm a stool in a tavern, as nice as it may be. And I have never had any great fondness for bandits. However, first I need a hot bath, a change of clothes and the tender ministrations of a healer, if there is one available ..."

Jaan nods in the direction of the bundle still lying on the bar.

"... as does the gnome, I suspect."

"When would this comission begin?"

 

[Thomas Hobbes]

"Aye, the gnome should be cared for. And the comission can start at any time- although," he adds apologetically, "with no slight to your skills, you may want help."

 

[doghead]

The look on Jaan's face changes to one of consideration.

"We have not met before, I think. How would you ... nevermind," he concludes abruptly, as if just realising that he has been voice his thoughts aloud.

"I'm sorry. I am tired and perhaps not thinking so clearly. I did not think that you were looking for just one man. Perhaps you ought to tell me more before we make any decisions. I assure you that I have no interest in taking on more than I can handle. What is it that you wish done?"

 

[Thomas Hobbes]

The boyish officer seems concerned about Jaan, constantly poised to catch him should be collapse. "There is a group of bandits- maybe as little as two, no more than seven- who've been attacking travelers on the road to the northern cities. They're too small to take on a well-guarded carvan, but their attacks are still painful to those they rob, and they've shown a remarkable ability to fade back into the forest. The guard can't spare enough men to search for them, so the Captain decided to hire some outside help."

 

[doghead]

Jaan opens his mouth to reply but at that moment catches sight of a barmaid.

"Excuse me miss. This gnome is in need of a room and food and water. Probably for a few days. A simple room and simple food will suffice for him. And I need a bath. A hot one. And some hot food to warm my bones, which are growing chilly. Soup or stew. No both please. And some bread? Can you arrange that? And could you ask the owner, Joe isn't it, to come over when he returns?"

Noticing the fire, Jaan adds, "My friend will be here." He indicates the bar, "and I will be over by the fire."

Jaan returns his attention to Officer Vagan.

"Do you mind?" he says, indicating the fireplace. He gets up, walks across the room and pulls up a chair as close as possible to the warmth. Then he proceeds to shed his wet cloak, equipment and armour, dropping them unceremoniously on the floor before sitting down. His shirt is stained pink around the neck and shoulders, and with the bandages and cuts, he looks a sight. But he is warmer now.

 

[Thomas Hobbes]

Vagan follows him, and sits down slightly farther from the fire. He sits up painfully straight, and his armor gleams even more brightly in the firelight. He appears slightly uncomfortable in the situation, so he sits quietly.

 

[doghead]

Vagan follows him, and sits down slightly farther from the fire. He sits up painfully straight, and his armor gleams even more brightly in the firelight. He appears slightly uncomfortable in the situation, so he sits quietly.

The barmaid brings the soup and stew shortly after they settle in. But still no sign of Joe. The soup is gone, as is half of the stew, before Jaan slows down enough to talk. The little strength it has returned to him also serves to remind him of how much he has lost. And how tired he is.

"I will need healing, and rest before I do anything more, I think. Hopefully Joe will be here soon. Or perhaps you know of somebody. I would rather stay here, if that is possible.

"Tomorrow, I hope, I will feel strong enough to consider your comission. But perhaps you would be better off with locals, or someone who knows the area. I could not even pass as one, and if the bandits have the sympathy of the people of the villages, they will not talk to me."

 

[Thomas Hobbes]

"The bandits have made themselves no friends among the populace, I assure you," Vagan says dourly. "As I said, they're not many, so they're restricted to picking on smaller and less defended bands of travellers- like farmers returning from market."

"They're not all from around here, either, or so we think. There're at least some of the northern wood Elves among them, according to the people they've raided."

ooc: Feel free to puppet someone into accepting payment for a room, I think.

 

[doghead]

Jaan nods.

But at that moment the barmaid returns. The rooms are fine, the gnome has been taken to his and will be attended to for the next few days. The bath is ready and a healer is on his way. He'll see to Jaan's wounds in the bathhouse.

Jaan nods again, and climbs slowly to his feet. To Vagan he says, "Tomorrow, we can speak on this tomorrow if you still wish. I fear it will not be before then that I wake up once i lay down."

Collecting his stuff from where he dropped it beside the bar, he follows the barmaid through a door leading to the back.

OOC: Took your suggestion. Thanks.
Todays key words are Prestidigitation. Fire. Heros.