The Gang is All Together Part 2

Posted on 29 Jun 2021 @ 1:08am by Warrior Martin Josceran & Rogue Cainan Sauvage & Mage Kalian Winter

1,401 words; about a 7 minute read

Mission: Summerday La Fête
Location: Raven's Roost Tavern
Timeline: Cloudreach 18th – afternoon

OOC: Continued from 'The Gang is All Together Part 1'

With a pause in the conversation while Kalian went to greet a newcomer to the tavern, Elinowy looked around the table. Two human, a dwarf, and am elf. Curious company, but so it went in cities. Elinowy was feeling a bit self conscious as her companions picked up their tankards of ale. She was one certainly for a good celebration, but the goings on of taverns were a bit different than sipping wine with the sisters at the Chantry. And she was a literal bloody mess in clothes that barely hung on to her at this point. Mercifully she felt a touch on her shoulder. She turned to see Tessa leaning over. Elinowy gave her a kind smile as the woman whispered in her ear, "Your bath is ready in the back room. Don't wait too long or it will grow cold."

It was a perfect moment to withdraw from an uncomfortable situation. She gently patted Tessa's hand. "Maker bless you." she said gratefully. standing from the table she addressed the table. "Forgive me my friends, I need to clean up and get into something more presentable. Please enjoy your drinks. I will return in a bit." She turned and took Tessa's arm as she was guided to the family's private rooms and the awaiting bath.

Jaslyn looked up as the enigmatic redhead left the table, and when Cainan made no move to follow, she grinned. The elf didn't mind sharing the handsome nobleman, but she would also enjoy having him to herself later. "I presume you have a bath at your place, Cainan?"

Taking her tone, he leaned forward to leer at her a little bit over his tankard. "Oh, the biggest tub with the most wonderful scented oils from around the world. It's so big, you could almost be forgiven for thinking that it was designed for two people," he teased, his voice somewhere between innocence and absolute debauchery, though his eyes left no illusion to purity. "I can only imagine the Warden's bathing facilities are somewhat more martial by comparison, so you would of course be welcome to visit my bathtub whenever you like," he said, invitingly.

"What a thoughtful invitation," Jaslyn returned his lascivious smile. "I imagine that a two-person tub saves on the effort needed to heat water for two bathes. I do look forward to taking you up on your offer, Monsieur Sauvage."

Martin lifted an eyebrow at the obvious flirting. He would be surprised if those two didn't spend the night together. All due credit to their stamina.

"Is that invitation extended to everyone ? You might find that bathtub a little bit crowded at the end of the day," he said teasingly. Not that Cainan and Jaslyn needed to worry about him joining them, he was going to collapse in his own bed as soon as Sister Elinowy was safely delivered at the Chantry. "Should I mention it to Captain Landry, since you've taken a liking to her ?"

Jaslyn raised an eyebrow at Martin's suggestion. Perhaps the guardsman was not so straight-laced as she had assumed. Or Martin might simply be teasing his friend. "Guest invitations to Cainan's bathtub are of course up to Cainan… and which of his friends are feeling particularly dirty."

"I'm fairly consistent - if a guard wants in on my bathtub, they have to turn up with a bottle of wine and wearing something slutty so the neighbours don't think I've gotten boring. I don't mind sharing my bathtub with friends and like-minded individuals; if they also happen to be dirty, well... that's just a bonus." Cainan smirked, looking back to Jaslyn, and the obvious layer of dirt that had accumulated on both of them since their assault on the mine; they would definitely be needing that bath.

* * * *

Kalian had just returned to the table with his friends. "Martin, Cainan, and Rhiannon, this is Harlowe, they are new to Jader." He smiled at the elf sitting between Cainan and Rhiannon. "I don't think we've met. I'm-"

Just then Kalian heard Elinowy's voice raised in alarm in the bathing room. Kalian ran to the back of the Raven's Roost to rescue her.

All the talk about baths made Rhi want to take one herself. Elinowy had already left to take one. She had finished her drink and had ordered another one when she heard Elinowy's raised voice. Without hesitation she slipped from her chair and made her way to the back.

Martin hesitated as Kalian and Rhiannon ran off. On one hand he didn't want to leave Elinowy unassisted - especially when she was supposed to be under his responsibility. On the other hand, there were already at least two people looking at her naked body, and he wasn't entirely convinced she'd appreciate a third pair of eyes. The inn was safe... and the Sister more than able to defend herself. Not to mention Kalian's hidden gift should be more than enough to dispose of... whatever it was that had startled Elinowy.

He sat back down, having reflexively stood when he'd heard the scream - a scream of indignation more than fear or pain, and looked at Jaslyn and Cainan.

Cainan looked towards the stairs, where Elinowy had disappeared, but meeting eyes with Martin, he relaxed as there were already two heading in that direction, and he knew all too well what happened when you intruded on a woman's bath without her consent; and Rhiannon seemed ready to dole out that particular punishment if necessary. He kept an ear out, though; any further disturbance after the departure of Kalian and Rhiannon would have him, Martin and Jaslyn heading towards it as well, he knew, and he could tell Martin had come to the same conclusion.

"Kalian can handle this, I think. Anyway, we'll probably need to get going as soon as Sister Elinowy is done with her bath. They'll be expecting us at the Chantry, and I don't think now's a good time to bring any more attention to us by being late." He looked for Tessa, who was swerving between tables with a heavily-ladden tray. "Tessa ? Might I bother you for the tab ?" He gave her a tentative smile.

Kalian would most likely gladly invite them, but Martin had no intention of taking advantage of his kindness. And he wanted Tessa to know that, too.

"Well now, this is a celebration of Kalian and his friends returning home safe," said Tessa, casting a critical eye over the accumulated empty tankards and pitchers Kalian had served. Kalian being a mage wasn't the only reason Tessa was the proprietress of the Raven and not her brother. She didn't want to charge them, but she didn't want Kalian's friends to think they could drink here without paying all the time. "You can pay on your next visit, and bring a few of your guardsman friends."

"When we arrived, Cainan mentioned that he had two royals, and intended to pay," said Jaslyn, outing the nobleman with a grin.

Cainan raised an eyebrow at her, but chuckled, producing the coins from his coat. In truth, he always overpaid on his first visit to an establishment - it kept him from being barred outright just that little bit longer, and in the past had bought some goodwill when the local constabulary had come asking for witnesses. "I absolutely did. Madame," he said, as he offered her the money - an extravagant amount for just some food and drink. "Also, if whatever services the good sister requires could be covered by this, then please feel free to add it to my name," he said, as he handed her the money.

Tessa looked down at the two royals he dropped in her hand. It was far too much, even from a man who could easily afford to throw money away and had a certain reputation among the taverns of Jader. Tempting as it was to accept, she was a woman of principles, and besides, Cainan and his companions had helped her brother. Tessa pocketed one royal and pressed the other back into Cainan's hand. "One royal is far too generous. But I thank you, Monsieur Cainan, and I do hope you will continue to honor us with your patronage in future."

 

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