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

[Velmont]

"For about two months. It's not that much. I use to travel between 3 and six month at a time before coming back for another three to six month. Spices, what make them worth, is you must travel a lot to get them. So it is what I do. I travel a lot. I was specializing in the rarest spices, as I can't carry a lot on myself and I have no money to buy a caravan and hire some guards. I know how to defend myself, and generally, a single man will be attack by one or two thugs, not a whole bunch. And I try to travel with other caravan anyway.

I want to gather more money before coming back. Adventuring are pretty risky, but it worth it. I think, the only thing I have seen that would worth as much, it is smuggling, but that, I won't enter that business. I know someone who does it and it is far enough for me. I hope to be back home maybe in two months, if the business may improve a bit. But I start to really think about moving in this city. I've found my step always lead me back here somehow, so it may be a good move, but first, I need to make sure my family can live here without trouble, and that mean,gather more money."

 

[Knight Otu]

"A pleasure to meet you, Lady Persephone...", Ashnar says, kissing the hand in what he hopes is the right manner, barely touching the hand with his lips. "... or would that be, Your Highness? Please excuse my lack of knowledge on the etiquette of the nobility, but Otun has seen many more priests than nobles."

Ashnar remains respectfully silent as Persephone and Rinaldo start talking about their recent adventure. As it seems that they have calmed down a bit, he speaks up again.

"I see you have had some interesting, and deadly times. The only time I remember to be in such danger was the fire... I certainly hope yuo will be able to live many years alongside your wife and children, master Rinaldo.
Anyway, that dragon you mentioned - I believe it would be what the sages call a wyvern. Not the smartest among dragonkind, but certainly not to underestimate." Ashnar considers for a moment to talk about the classification between true and lesser dragons, but decides against it. "If the dragon outside of the inn were not a statue, it would be all three - a creature of magic, of cunning - and bestial. Red dragons are among the most destructive forces in existance."

 

[Velmont]

"Wyvern... now you talk about it, it's sound a bell. I can't pinpoint where I heard about those creature... must be another merchant who met one. But don't fear, I won't understimate them. I think the only reason I can talk about it right now, it is that wyvern had been wounded before we met it. Must be the circus troop that wound it, but they had less luck than us.

You were talking about a fire? Can I dare to ask some detail?"

Rinaldo take a sip in his glass of wine, just to see that it is empty.

"Well, everything has an end. Joe, some water please. An habit of mine. For every glass of wine, I take a glass of water. It help to draw off the effect of alcool, but without killing the taste like putting water into the wine."

 

[Knight Otu]

"You were talking about a fire? Can I dare to ask some detail?"

Ashnar shortly shuts his eyes before answering.
"When I was a young boy, I was supposed to become a priest at the local temple - a temple to a fire god. One day, there was a huge fire in the temple, and I was caught in it. Miracously, I not only managed to escape it, but also save another man. It was that day that I realized that becoming a priest was not the right way, that my duties lied elsewhere."

"For every glass of wine, I take a glass of water. It help to draw off the effect of alcool, but without killing the taste like putting water into the wine."

"This sounds like a very good suggestion." Ashnar smiles, shaking the memories of the fire.

 

[Manzanita]

Persephone

Persephone smiles as her hand is kissed and listens intently to the conversation. "I'm sorry about the fire. Most of us, perhaps have sad stories such as that behind us. What else would send one out adventuring, risking our lives daily, sleeping on hard dirty ground, going for days without a hot bath, eating that yucky trail food... I wonder why I'm here myself, sometimes. But the money can be good, and sometimes you can really make a difference."

"A wyrven, eh? I"ll try to remember that. I meant to take its stinger as a suvineer, but forgot. Oh well. Hey I like your water and wine idea. A princess should never drink too much."

 

[Velmont]

"You know, I had nothing out of ordinary before I choose to take my first contract here. I had no sad tale, only hard time, like many families of this country may live. I heard a contract that was looking like an easy thing. I never thought I had to fight at first.

And hard ground, trail ration, no hot bath. Except risking his life, being a trader is not much difference than adventurer. Well, we are more advantageous target for thieves, so I may even tell we risk our lives, just not at the same level.

Yes, money is pretty good. I have saved anough money to live a whole year now without working. Not bad at all. I can allow myself to have another bad year of trading now. But as I said, I am inetrested in a more lucrative business, and you know, you need money to make money. I may risk myself on something else, if the contract worth the dangers, but I have to consider. I won't be usefull to my family six feet under."

 

[Knight Otu]

"To some, it is the need for adventure that leads them to adventure. For others, it is the need to fulfill a duty. I suspect that for many, it is a combination of both."

Ashnar looks at Persephone while saying this, wondering about the motivations of the princess, but doesn't say anything further on the topic.

 

[Manzanita]

Persephone

Persephone catches the look from Ashnar. "I know" she says. "Why would a Princess resort to such a profession? I wonder myself sometimes if I'm doing the right thing. But when my uncle took over as King after my grandfather died, things got pretty bad at home. My older brother ran off, and my uncle tried to marry me off for political reasons to some Prince to the south who I'd never even met! Well, I couldn't put up with that. I knew I had some gifts in my blood, so I figured I needed to go out and make an honest living somehow. This seemed the best way. And I don't regret it. I think my skills are improving already. Don't you, Fridly?" She addresses this last comment to the owl, who glances up from his grooming to meet her eyes. A moment later, she continues. "Yes, no doubt. Thank you, Fridly."

 

[Knight Otu]

"Thank you, Lady Persephone. I was indeed wondering about that. From the sound of your voice, your uncle might not be the legitimate heir?"

 

[Velmont]

"That is one good thing commoners have. Love. They are free to love the ones they want, and don't need to have to marry someone for politics... well, I've heard such a case for a commoner, but they are the exception, and not the rule like in the nobility."