New Friends and Allies

Posted on 27 Jul 2021 @ 4:06am by Mage Kalian Winter & Warrior Martin Josceran & Warrior Rhiannon Cadash & Rogue Elinowy Ursulas

1,051 words; about a 5 minute read

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

OOC: Continued from 'The Gang is All Together Part 2'


Cainan turned to Harlowe, taking a moment to gauge them; them, because it was not so easy to make an identification of gender, which was a little unusual in Jader, and even less common in Orlais as a whole. Also unusual for a dwarf, where the curves would normally give the women away regardless of what they wore. For someone who took pride in being able to read people and size them up, Cainan found himself at a loss to quantify the person before him. Intriguing.

"So, Harlowe - what brings you to Jader?" Cainan asked, taking a sip of his drink but listening out in case there was more trouble upstairs.

The dwarf knows that look. What are you? is not a question many are bold enough to ask to their face, and those who are bold enough are normally stupid enough to earn the knife they get pressed to their face. In terms of this human, however, he seems to have head enough on his shoulders to not ask. The same smile tugs at their lips. They don't take a seat, not quite yet, and they rock to one side, taking in everyone, the way individuals dart off to the rescue of some lady...

And they shrug. "The road," comes their deadpan quip. "Passing through -- be it work or a place to stay the night 'til I have my feet better under me, I don't mind. Just bailed on my last mercenary company, really. I feel it's a... personal obligation, really, to behave as an independent contractor for a time, y'know?"

Cainan nodded, having had periods of time like that to reflect on himself, and he raised his tankard as a sign of understanding.

"You worked for a mercenary company? What kind of work do you do, Harlowe?" asked Jaslyn, leaning toward the dwarf. Then because not everyone was willing to answer prying questions, she added, "If you feel like sharing. If not, fanciful lies are always entertaining."

Looking a bit crestfallen, Kalian returned to the common room to join his friends, after having pointed the bespectacled foreigner to the outhouse, and delivering fresh towels to Elinowy but leaving Rhiannon to administer them. He caught Harlowe's last comment as he grabbed an empty tankard on the table and poured the last of a pitcher into it.

Cainan eyed the returning barman and sized the look on his face, the signs of moisture on his clothes. "Well, what's that look for?" Cainan asked, almost inspecting the man now.

"A missed opportunity, I suppose," replied Kalian to the nobleman, wistfully, imagining Elinowy and Rhiannon together in the tub, and himself holding the towels. To Martin he added, "Elinowy's fine. Just startled during her bath by a lost lodger. Rhiannon is, uh, helping her dry off." His gaze fell to the pretty elf, a Grey Warden by the insignia she wore. "I don't believe we've officially met. I'm Kalian."

"Jaslyn." She gave Kalian a nod and curious, searching look. Hahren Liriel had spoken to Jaslyn of this family, a cautionary tale about an elf who wasted her potential by joining with a human. And yet that elf had managed to pass on respect for elves to her human children, Tessa and Kalian. These were good people. "A pleasure to meet you."

Kalian turned his attention to the blue-eyed dwarf. "My humblest apologies, Harlowe, for inviting you to join us then abandoning you." Taking in Martin, Cainan, Jaslyn, and Harlowe, he asked, "What did I miss?"

Jaslyn lifted her mug to Harlowe. "I had just – quite rudely I admit - asked our new associate to tell us about their recent employment… or tell an interesting lie."

"I'll admit I'm interested as well," Martin said. His curiosity was motivated by more than the mystery of the unusual dwarf person who'd joined them. If there was an idle mercenary company close by who'd just concluded their last employment... well, idle mercenaries tended to be at the heart of most tavern brawls. Those, and bored noblemen. "May I ask what company you served with, and whether they're likely to grace our town with a visit ?"

Rhi followed Elinowy out of the bath area and headed straight for the bar. She smacked her hand on the bar till the bar tender came over. She smiled, gave him a wink and handed him 10 gold. "Dwarven ale for everyone at that table over there. I will take mine now handsome." She gave him another wink. After she was handed her mug of ale she turned and made her way to the table.

As she approached she noticed another dwarf. This dwarf was dressed so as to not guess who they might be. For Rhi this meant two things. One, this dwarf was a private person Two, in Rhiannon's line of business this one was one to watch. Right now though, this was a time to celebrate. She made her way to the dwarf, dropped the mug of ale she had for herself, in front of the dwarf. She then grabbed a chair and sat down. "So what did I miss?

Jaslyn opened her mouth to repeat, once again, the group's anticipation of Harlowe's story – real or made up – about his recent employment. But it seemed the blue-eyed dwarf wished to take advantage of the interruption and remain mysterious. Jaslyn respected their preference. Besides, she observed that Rhiannon's stop at the bar had resulted in a large imposing human headed their way with what appeared to be a tray of full mugs. She grinned at Rhiannon. "You haven't missed anything, I think we were waiting for you!"

The Chantry sister quietly entered the main room of the tavern, once more clad in her scarlet robes and her flame red hair braided up into an elegant looking crown atop her head. She was impossible to miss as she crossed the room. She maneuvered around the table to the end near Martin giving a respectful smile to all she passed... even the elf. She leaned in close to Martin. "I am so sorry to interrupt, but we should be going to the Chantry before the Revered Mother grows concerned of my absence."

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