Those Meddling Adventurers

Posted on 22 Nov 2022 @ 7:02pm by Mage Kalian Winter & Warrior Martin Josceran & Warrior Rhiannon Cadash & Warrior Katya Charbonnet (Shar-bon-ay) & Warrior Skeld & Rogue Elinowy Ursulas & Rogue Nazri Arisant & Mage Kithris Sabrae

5,001 words; about a 25 minute read

Mission: Hall of the Phantom Shadow
Location: Raven's Roost Tavern
Timeline: Bloomingtide 7th, after post 'Haunted Bandit Halls'

It was just before dawn. Kalian yawned, belatedly remembering to cover his mouth as Cook spooned cooked sausages from a huge cast-iron frying pan. "Cook those smell delicious. Cumberland sausage, my favorite." He reached for one.

Tessa slapped his hand away and began moving the crisp, juicy sausages to a serving plate. "Make yourself useful and set out the dishes, cutlery, and that bowl of oranges. The bakery delivery should be here any time." She paused in her work and gave him a worried frown. "Promise you'll be careful today?"

Kalian resisted the urge to tease his sister and said only, "Promise." He began to set up for breakfast in the common room, served buffet-style every morning at the Raven's Roost, but today there would be extra people because his friends were gathering here before their adventure.

Rhiannon spent the night with him, and it was just… incredible. By all rights, he should be exhausted this morning, but he'd also had the best night's sleep in a long while. But really the most excellent part had been waking up with Rhi in his arms. Kalian had been reluctant to leave her there, but with a soft kiss he'd gotten up to help with morning preparations.

Nazri and Skeld had spent the night in their rooms upstairs. Kalian opened the tavern's front door in anticipation of Katya, Kithris, and Atria's arrival, and maybe to listen for Elinowy singing her morning adulation. Right there in front of the door, stopped on the road, was a large wagon pulled by two horses. The driver, a young stable-hand Kalian recognized, climbed out of the seat and said, "Mademoiselle Baudelaire rented this for you. Take care of the horses." She gave him a hard, or else stare, then walked away toward the stables.

Katya arrived at the tavern, which was fast becoming one of her favorite places. This had become their gathering place. Of course, now that Kithris seemed to have entered her life, well it felt like everything was coming together for Katya. It seems the lovely elf was romantically inclined towards Katya and Katya most decidedly felt the same way. She greeted Kalian as usual. "Morning Kalian. How fare you this morning?" She smelled the breakfast and was more than ready to dig in and have a hearty breakfast. One thing Katya could do is eat. She loved to eat. her mother had done her best to keep them all fed and Katya had done her bit with hunting when she could but still, there were times when her appetite was not satisfied. She tried not to complain but as an adult, she ate whenever she could and liked a good sizable meal. After all, sometimes you just don't know where your next meal was coming from. Her horse was waiting outside as usual.

Nazri was a bit disappointed that he had awakened yet again, alone in a bed. It had been a while since he'd woken beside another person. But he quickly, put that thought out of his head. It wouldn't do any good to dwell on that particular issue at the moment. He had more pressing issues to deal with. He had a job to do, and he had a man to find.

But first things first, after morning ablutions, he went down to the common room to find himself some breakfast.

The pale light of the dawn was creeping into the sky above Jader. Elinowy made her way through the darkened streets, having left a note for Martin on the kitchen counter that she was meeting with Kalian and several other companions to investigate some possible bandits and maybe the Blood Mage the Revered Mother had told her about. Martin had not been at home much lately. Elinowy had been helping with caring for the children. She knew he had many concerns with the changes in the Guard. It was the least she could do for him allowing her to stay on a warm pile of blankets in the main room.

Elinowy could just see the lights of the Raven's Roost in the distance. To the east, she could see the first rays of the sun coming over the horizon. She had a duty to do. She put down her kit of medicinal herbs and turned to face the rising soon. Her feet spread evenly apart as her shoulders. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath.

"You who stand before the gates,
You who have followed me into the heart of evil,
The fear of death is in your eyes; its hand is upon your throat.
Raise your voices to the heavens! Remember:
Not alone do we stand on the field of battle.

"The Maker is with us! His Light shall be our banner,
And we shall bear it through the gates of that city and deliver it
To our brothers and sisters awaiting their freedom within those walls,
At last, the Light shall shine upon all of creation,
If we are only strong enough to carry it."

Her body flowed through the practiced forms with a high degree of mastery. At once graceful but equally a deliberate exercise in movement and force through her body. With the completion of her recital, the full corona of the sun was climbing in the morning sky. The scent of warm sausages was on the breeze. Elinowy smiled. Tessa had been busy this morning. She gave one final prayer of praise to the Maker and turned back toward the Roost.

Rhiannon had gone back to the Nights Kiss to grab her weapon, shield, and her armor. Along with a couple of risqué things for the night. Once she returned she put them in Kalian's room and then came out to finish up the night with everyone. After everyone had gone or gone to bed, she followed Kalian to bed.

Rhi had woken to the sun peeking through the shade in Kalian's room. It took her a moment to remember where she was at. When she did a warm wicked smile crossed her face. Oh, what a night. She had not thought that Kalian could outdo their first time together, but he gave her a run for her money. She had felt him get up a short time ago, even felt him stroke her side and kiss her cheek. She smiled and murmured something about being up in a few and how she had a wonderful night.

Stretching, Rhi finally moved and got up. She quickly washed up from the basin, threw on her gear, and headed out the door. Her hair a mess she walked into the common room to find Katya and Nazri. "Morning you two. (sniffs the air) That smells delicious."

Kithris had wanted to stay the nights at the tavern and had wanted to get to know Katya more. That was a woman. Kit's mind wandered picturing the tall woman with curves in all the right places. If she had not had to go back to her camp she would have seen if Katya would have...... Kit shook her head as she made her way back to the tavern.

As she approached the tavern Kit could smell the food. "Smells good," she said out loud as she opened the door and stepped in. Looking around she spotted Nazri, Rhiannon, and Katya. She looked the woman up and down and gave her a semi-shy, yet warm smile. Without realizing it, her right hand briefly glowed green. "Morning everyone. Katya." She did notice out of the corner of her eyes, Rhi. A grin crossed her face. "Well, it looks like someone had a fun night."

It took Rhi a moment to realize what Kit was talking about. Actually, it was only because Kit motioned to her hair. A quick blush flashed over the dwarf's face. With a mischievous tone, "Yes, very much fun."

"Hello, Kithris!" The blonde made her heart race. Her beauty, well simply put she was stunning. She took Kit's hand and kissed it. "You are lovely this morning." She gazed into the beautiful eyes. Yes, this felt right. She did manage to notice Rhi. "Well fun huh? Well good for both of you!" She again looked at Kit and smiled.

Kit's warm shy smile flashed across her face when Katya took her hand and kissed it. She could feel the heat rise in her face when Katya looked at her. She barely heard Katya say something to Rhi. As Katya held her hand Kit moved slightly closer. "You look beautiful as well." Her voice was a little low yet had a matter-of-factness to it, all the while with that musical tone to it.

Rhi searched her pouch for the small mirror to see how bad her hair was. It was bad. Oh so bad. She realized that there was no hope in fixing it now, other than putting it in a ponytail. Which she does. Looking back to the three there she smiled. "I would say that it was very good for both of us. (grin) Anyone seen Kalian?"

'Oh, he is here somewhere." Katya said in a distracted tone of voice. Kit had her full attention. She found herself moving closer to Kit. Her hand went up to the side of Kit's face, brushing her hair and before she knew it, she had leaned in and was kissing Kit. She tasted very nice.

Kit had heard Rhi but Kalian's location was not a pressing matter at this moment. As Katya took her hand, raised it to brush her hair aside. Kit felt Katya's hand, warm, strong yet there was a softness. Her heart began to beat faster as she looked up at Katya. Feeling this woman so close to her, Kit's nervousness fell away as she lifted her head. Then the kiss. Oh, the kiss. This woman knew how.

It was a brief kiss though it was long enough for Kit to know that she wanted to get to know this woman. When they parted Kit looked up and smiled. "I wasn't expecting that. Expecting or not I liked it very much." Soft and musical tone.

Katya smiled. "Well, I admit it was an impulse but I really enjoyed kissing you very much." Oh yes, Kit knew how to kiss. It was so very nice and she was so beautiful.

Outside the tavern, Kalian greeted the baker's apprentice making his delivery, then staggered inside under the weight of several trays of baked goods just in time to see Katya and Kithris locked in a battle of lips and tongues. Fortuitous for him to be spared any romantic complication, but also great for both of his friends. "Wow, you two. I'm glad to see you starting the morning with, uh, so much enthusiasm."

"Enthusiasm. That's one word for it." she continued to look into Kit's lovely eyes. She couldn't help but smile.

Kit glanced at Kalian then back up at Katya. "Very much so." She smiled back batting her eyes.

Kalian put the baked goods down on the table. If Rhiannon was still in bed, maybe he could… but then he saw her, hair in a somewhat haphazard ponytail. Kalian sat on a chair next to her and said, "You look gorgeous this morning, Rhi." Then he whispered in her ear, "The only way you could look better is if you were still in my bed."

Rhiannon felt the warmth of Kalian's breath over her ear. It sent a shiver down her spine. If they had not had plans for today, she would take him back to bed. She grinned and leaned in to whisper, "Keep whispering and I will take you back to bed." Her breath warm as she gave a quick peck on his cheek.

Looking around, Kalian saw that Nazri was also awake, and eating breakfast. "Nazri, did you sleep well? Do you have everything you need for today?"

Nazri nodded at Kalian, "Yes," he said with an easy and relaxed smile. He took a sip of tea and wiped his mouth. "The food here is good, as usual."

"I think I have everything I need. At least for now."

"Serah Baudelaire sent a wagon so we don't have to walk. It's waiting outside. Has anyone seen Skeld?" asked Kalian of his friends. "He did drink quite a bit last night… but he drinks a lot every night." And day. He wondered if he should bang on the large man's door to wake him.

"This is true. If you plan to wake him, proceed with extreme Caution!" Katya warned

From what Kit had seen of this man Skeld last night, she would agree with Katya about proceeding with extreme caution upon waking him.

"Elinowy and Atria should be here soon. Everyone get some breakfast. I have a feeling this is going to be a long day." Kalian wondered if Elinowy had been able to send a message to Mother Giselle, to get a templar assigned to help them, in case they did encounter a blood mage.

"I'm sure she did. After all, Elinowy was one of the ones who saved Mother Giselle's life!" Katya said. "A templar could be useful on this mission." She looked at Kit again and said "So, shall we partake of some breakfast?" She offered her arm to Kit. It was but a short way to the table but still, manners were manners.

As if responding to her name, the scarlet sister flowed through the front doors of the Inn. "The Maker bless this house and all in this glorious day," she said in greeting. She moved toward the banquet table and took up a cup of tea. "I made inquiry of Mother Giselle to request a Templar to our undertakings. She said she would see what she could arrange. I asked that they report here if they were available, but I did not see one outside."

"There she is. Good morning Elinowy!"

Kalian grinned at his lovely friend, the Chantry sister. "Thank you, Elinowy. If we have to confront a blood mage, having someone along with a templar's skills will be a definite advantage." He just hoped that whoever Giselle sent shared the Revered Mother's tolerance of mages.

At the mention of Templars, Kit glanced at Kalian. She knew as well as him that any Templar involvement could spell trouble for the both of them. Still, with Kalian's help in saving Mother Giselle, he has a better chance of not being taken to the tower. She will have to take care in showing any sort of magic. Her thoughts were interrupted when Katya gave her her arm and asked if about partaking in breakfast. Taking Katya's arm her nerves calmed a bit. "Yes, yes that would be very nice." That hint of nerves underlying the musical tone.

Katya escorted Kit to the table and pulled out a chair for her.

Martin pushed the door of the Raven's Roost for the first time in days, only to stop dead in his tracks on the threshold. Go meet the group of adventurers getting ready to investigate potential banditry and blood magic, he'd been told. He hadn't expected there to be such a large group though; and especially not such a diverse crowd as this.

His eyes stopped on the Qunari first. He was hard to miss, what with the horns and all, but being engaged in such a mundane activity as eating breakfast made him look significantly less intimidating. Was he part of the group headed to the haunted mansion? He did appear to be on friendly terms with everyone else.

After a pause, Martin stepped inside and closed the door behind him, and crossed over the room to greet Kalian and his other friends. Hopefully, they wouldn't mind him tagging along instead of a Templar escort.

"Good morning, Kalian, Rhiannon - " He paused when he saw how close the two were sitting, and filed the information for later consideration. He had been so busy after the guard captain had been arrested that he hadn't really had time to keep up with his friends, and clearly some things had happened. "Sorry to just barge in. I heard that you're just about to meddle with dangerous bandits, blood mages, and rumor has it a dragon is involved," he grinned at the gross exaggeration he was indulging in. "I want in."

Rhi looked over when the door to the Roost was open. Her face lit up at the sight of Martin. For her, Martin had proved himself in battle and in being a person she could trust. This meant that he was family. Giving Kalian a quick look, as if to say I am yours, she made her way over to Martin as he was talking. When he was done she quickly gave him a hug, picking him up a little, "You my friend, have been away for too long. We have missed you." Putting him down she let go and looked up at him. "Dragons you stay. Well, that would be fun."

Kalian smiled fondly at the way Rhi hugged their mutual friend. He was pretty sure Rhi's remark about Dragons being fun was just teasing. "Martin! It's good to see you. You're just in time. Help yourself to some breakfast."

"Well, Martin. Good to see you again. Glad you could get away!" Katya said.

Kit had noticed the door open and a man walk in. She looked him over and it took a moment to remember that she had seen him before. During the festival, she had seen him with the guards. When he said hello to Kalian and Rhi, Kit figured he must be a friend. Her curiosity peaked a little at the mention of a dragon.

Nazri looked up from the biscuits and gravy he'd been eating at the new arrival. From the others' reactions, he wasn't a stranger or a quest. He had to be a regular of some kind. Nazri found him youthfully handsome and wondered who he was.

"Whoah there," Martin laughed as Rhiannon picked him up with an ease that belied her size. "I'm glad to see you too. Sorry I haven't been around much. Things have been..." he grimaced and waved a hand in frustration as the right word eluded him. "...hectic, I guess."

The past few days had involved a lot of reorganizing and of going through all the paperwork to see just how deep the Guard Captain's betrayal had run. Without a replacement as of yet, the responsibility of handling everything had fallen upon the shoulders of a few men and women who were deemed trustworthy. Martin was honored to be counted amongst them, but between all the tensions and mistrust, the atmosphere at the Guard station had been thicker than Fereldan porridge and left an aftertaste just as bitter.

After all that it was nice to be back amongst friends, without second thoughts, agendas, rumor-mongering or back-stabbing.

"I see you have new friends ?" Martin said. "I know Katya," he dipped his head to her in a courteous salute, "but I don't think we've ever met ?" he looked at the elf and the Qunari. The elf definitely didn't look like a city elf. Dalish then? Although she was short and slight there was a confidence to her demeanour that suggested she was not easily intimidated.

The Qunari was hard to peg too. He was... well, short may not be the right word, but certainly less massive than one would expect. And indisputably very handsome.

"Martin, meet Kithris. You might say she is the newest member of the group. Kit Meet Martin. He's with the City Guard." Again Katya smiled at Kit.

Nazri carefully wiped his mouth with a napkin. It was a new habit for him. Had he still been back home, he would have just used his hand, or maybe his lips if he bothered at all. But he had gotten used to the new culture or was getting used to it at any rate, and mostly knew the right thing to do in polite society.

He stood to his feet then and moved close to Kit and Katya, and not uncoincidentally, the newcomer. Normally pretty shy, Nazari wouldn't be bold enough to introduce himself to a stranger. But, it was obvious that the man was well known in the city. It almost seemed impolite to ignore him. At the same time, he wasn't going to interrupt the current proceedings.

Kalian looked from the ex-templar city guard to the qunari mercenary, aware they had already noticed each other. "Nazri, this is my friend Martin. And Martin, this is my new friend Nazri who is staying here at the Raven for a few days."

The qunari dipped his head slightly then extended his hand in the human form of greeting. "Hello, it's good to meet you. What brings you back home?"

Martin took Nazri's hand and smiled as he shook it. "Pleasure's mine. I was never really gone, just very busy. We've had a bit of a crisis here, you may have heard some of the rumours, but we're handling it. Now it's all back under control so I was able to free up some time. Actually," he glanced at Kalian,

"Mother Giselle suggested I might join you after she received Elinowy's report." Turning his attention back to Nazri he added, "What about you? What brings you to Jader ?"

While not unheard of it was unusual to come across lone Qunaris, even in a port city and commercial hub like Jader.

"I've come looking for a man," the Qunari said his expression deadpan. Then, his left brow quirked as he realized how that might have sounded. "a man that can verify a story I've been told is in your fair city. Unfortunately, I don't know much about him, except that he is old."

"That... is not much to go on," Martin observed, amused. "We do have quite a few elderly citizens in Jader. But you've come to the right place at least, Kalian knows everyone in Jader, or close enough. Either way, if you're coming with us I guess the search will have to be postponed." He looked back at Kalian. "Is this everyone then ?"

"Skeld was planning to come with us, I think he's still sleeping upstairs," said Kalian. He glanced toward the stairs to the second floor, wondering if he should wake the man. He was pretty sure the large man made a habit of spending at least one night in the guardhouse at every visit to Jader. "Do you know Skeld, Martin?"

"Skeld ?" Martin scrunched his face in concentration. "Uh. Big fella ? With scars and lots of hair ? I think I've seen him around but I can't say we're acquainted. Why is he involved, anyway ?"

Skeld. The big man had been on Elinowy's mind constantly since their first meeting. She was pleased he would be joining their group. While gruff and reckless, she knew that he likely held the key for unlocking many mysteries she could not find answers for from Mother Giselle or any in the Chantry, at least none that had come forward yet. The Maker had something in mind throwing them together like this. She was eager to discover what.

Rhi had moved back to the table and sat down. She listened quietly as Martin spoke. At the mention of Skeld, she smiled. She liked the big man. One of only a few that could keep up with her drink for drink. Of she didn't know any better, he might even be able to out drink her. Either way, the smell of breakfast was calling to her, son she got up, made her way to find Tess and help her bring everything out to the table.

Kit listened to Martin though her attention kept returning to Katya. Like Rhi, the mention of Skeld brought a grin to her face. For a human her was very tall and quite funny.

---

Skeld awoke to the sound of the clay bottle clanking against the floor as it slipped from its perch on his chest. It had been a comforting presence as he slept; not quite the bed partner one would hope for, but at the very least a better bed partner than no partner at all.

He unfurled himself from the bed, stretching out to his full height and felt his hands slide against the ceiling. He gripped them to two of the long beams of wood the supported the floor above and pulled, hearing the joints crack and creak as he released a guttural, almost animal sound of a beast awakening to find it had drunken all the mead the night before.

After the last pop of his joints, he let go of the beam and rolled his shoulders experimentally, growling. Skeld didn’t get hangovers, but waking was sometimes a chore; and these instances did appear to match his drinking.

The room was cold; he had left the window open to let the cool air wash over his body during the night, but this had led to a morning where the cool air washed over his body – another growl, but the fireplace refused to light itself. He ignored it, and reached to the chair where he had flung his clothes; he was used to the cold, though he could stand to get used to the warmth of the inn, as well.

As he dressed, Skeld found himself singing an old song or chant, slowly to himself, his deep voice rumbling in his chest.

Véld mælti mín móðir,
at mér skyldi kaupa

His body wanted food, so Skeld made for the door. Tessa would have purchased extra meat for the morning – they had that understanding, and Skeld would of course pay when the bill came due. The corridor was a quiet bustle as the

Fley ok fagrar árar,
fara á brott með Úlfhéðnar,

Skeld was used to odd looks from Orlesian commoners, and the outright hostility of the Orlesian nobility; he was much bigger than the people around him, marked as an outsider by sight by his size, tattoos and features. Orlesians tolerated him, but Skeld was happy to not make that the easiest of tasks. The Orlesian man in the corridor with his companion of the night before gawked at him as he passed, forgetting his place with his coins. Skeld ignored him and continued softly singing to himself as he descended the stairs. A man’s voice drifted up them; inquiring about him. “Skeld? Uh… Big fella? With scars and lots of hair?” there was more, but skeld resumed his singing and drowned it out.

Standa upp í stafni,
stýra dýrum knerri,

He reached the bottom of the stairs and entered the common room, his strange voice or the foreign lyrics drawing more stares from some as he stooped under the low hanging beam. He made his way to the bar, his voice carrying to catch the attention of a busy Tessa, who gave him her most genuine of welcoming smiles as he approached.

halda svá til hafnar
hǫggva mann ok annan,
hǫggva mann ok annan.

The song ended softly as he drew close to the bar, leaning over it. “Please tell me those are sausages I can smell?” he asked, hopefully.

Tessa regarded Skeld with an irritated fondness. The man ate and drank in proportion to his size, but he paid in proportion as well. And, preposterous as his stories were, he entertained her clientele in the evenings he was there. "They are indeed Cumbrian sausages, and the bakery has just delivered fresh bread. I'll fill a plate for you if you'd like." Most of her guests simply helped themselves, but she knew he liked that personal attention. "Did you sleep well?"

Fresh bread and sausages would make for a fantastic breakfast, he decided. “I slept well, thank you – the kiss of the golden lady you sent to my room last night knocked me clean into bed,” he said, though he was talking about the Mead.

Tessa busied herself with getting his food and he accepted it gratefully before seating himself near the others, who had begun assembling already.

“’Big man? Scars and lots of hair?’ You forgot about my wonderful skin,” Skeld announced from behind the guard, sweeping his arms slowly to reveal the tattoos that covered them. “You are guardsman, yes?” he asked, measuring the smaller man with his eyes.

Martin's eyes traveled up all the way until they met Skeld's face. The man was even taller than Nazri - quite a bit taller in fact. He looked like he was directly descended from the Avvar, and maybe he was if that song was anything to go by. Although Martin hadn't understood the words he had been charmed by the lilting sounds of the song.

"Indeed I am," he confirmed agreeably. "Martin Josceran, guardsman of Jader. Pleased to make your acquaintance." He held out a hand and hoped faintly he was going to get it back intact.

Skeld put his breakfast aside and took the offered hand, clapping the smaller man's shoulder gently as he did so, or as gently as he was able. "Skeld - Big man with scars and lots of hair, of... Nowhere you would have heard of," he admitted, laughing good-naturedly. "Good to meet you!" he said, before releasing the man and taking his seat.

Skeld bit into his sausages, while the other hand mopped up the juices from the plate with some of the bread. Jader had good bread, he decided, as he listened to the guardsman’s introduction.

"So, I seem to be late - apologies," Skeld announced. "I hope not too late to come with? I've never met an Orlesian ghost before..."

"Well now that you're alive Skeld, eat breakfast and we'll leave shortly afterwards." Katya said.

-----

 

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