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By Brian Flood
Chapter 22 - End of the Day
The Bear’s Den Inn
Along the Uldoon Trail, The Sunset Vale
Evening, 27th Day of Eleint; Year of the Tankard (1370 DR)
{Alani,
Alric, Darius, Soft Fang}
“I'll take the courtyard,”says
Alric. The paladin looks tired and stands up. Walking over to stand next to
Rosy, the paladin waits.
Rosy glances at the tall warrior.
“Very well, sir,” she says with a smile. “If you would just wait for
one moment, I will escort both you and your young friend with the wolf
outside.”
Turning back to Alani, Rosy says, “Miss? You are the last to decide. Will it be the courtyard outside for a silver or a bed in the common room for two?” The barmaid smiles and waits patiently for Alani's decision.
“The courtyard, I think,” replies Alani snapping from her thoughts. “I'd prefer to be with my companions.”
“Then that will be three silvers for each of you,” Rosy says, addressing Alric and Alani. “Just as your young companion here – two silver for the meal and one silver to sleep in the courtyard outside. Once I have that amount from each of you, the three of you are free to go outside into the courtyard at your leisure. You may sleep anywhere in the courtyard except in the barn.” Rosy waits for Alani and Alric to pay their bills.
Alric nods, then proceeds back to his chair.
Alani reaches into her pouch and comes up with four silvers. “My thanks for the excellent stew. Please convey my compliments to the chef.”
Rosy's
eyes widen at the inclusion of a generous gratuity to Alani's bill.
“My thanks to YOU, miss!” she exclaims.
Alric reaches into his pouch for the money. He pulls out a handful of silver and
gold, and hands it over to Rosy. “My
thanks. Never have I enjoyed such a
fine meal.” Alric heads out to
the courtyard.
Darius stands and tries, unsuccessfully, to stifle a yawn. Looking down at Soft Fang, he smiles and nods. “Good eve, all, time to sleep. See you at sunrise,” he says with a grin, knowing full well that most of his companions cringe at the thought of awaking at daybreak. With that, he motions for Soft Fang to follow him and with a nod and smile to Rosy, he heads out to the courtyard.
Corin stands as the others go to leave. “Good night, my friends,” the young lady says. “And have a safe journey to Asbravn.”
Rosy walks over to the door and holds it open for the trio of companions. Through the door, they can see that the light drizzle that has been falling for several days is still evident. The grass in the courtyard glistens softly with moisture by the light of moon.
The three companions, with Soft Fang in tow, head for the far wall of the compound. Here, the high stone wall shelters them somewhat from the light wind that chills the damp ground. Working quickly and wordlessly, they lay out their bedrolls and prepare for yet another night spent with drizzle and wet ground.
As they work, they see Cyzicus exit the inn and head for the barn. After a few long minutes, the halfling emerges from the barn and returns to the inn’s warm interior. Soon afterward, the weariness brought on by the several days’ travel catches up to the trio of adventurers and they slowly drift to sleep in the damp courtyard.
* * * * *
{Cyzicus,
Kjira, Kryian, Lucas}
“Forget something, big guy?” the red-haired young lady asks the mariner at the table with her. A coy smile betrays both humor and concern on her face.
Kjira pulls out her coinpurse and empties it onto the tabletop. The few remaining coins clank softly on the wooden tabletop as they hit. “Perhaps we should take up a collection in the meantime?”
The
coins settle into a small pile. There are four gold, two silver, and three
copper coins in the meager stack.
“My thoughts have been elsewhere friends.” Cyzicus blinks a couple of times seeming to come from a deep train of thought. It isn't apparent if the halfling was merely concentrating on his food, or was thinking about something more important. “How much do I need to throw in to satisfy my share?”
Meanwhile, Lucas finishes up his ale after eating the delicious stew. “Ahhh...a great treat after the meager trail rations. If no one has any objections, I will go to bed so I can get an early rise in the morn.”
With the said, Lucas bows to all at his table and bids them goodeve. The conjurer gathers his belongings and heads to his room.
* * * * *
{Lucas}
Autur stops Lucas as the mage moves
past the bar toward the staircase. The burly bartender hands Lucas an
iron key from a ring on his belt. “Up the stairs and hang a left,” Autur
says. “It'll be the last room on yer left.”
Lucas climbs the stairway and finds himself in a wood-paneled corridor that appears to run west-east for the length of the building. The stairwell intersects the corridor near the eastern end, making a distorted “T” shape. Doors line both sides to the corridor. All are closed except for one that lies almost directly across from the stairwell. Two lamps – hung at opposite sides of the hallway – provide light. A staircase leading upward lies at the far western end of the hallway.
Following Autur’s directions, Lucas turns left and follows the hallway toward the staircase. He stops at the last door on the left (south) side of corridor. Using the key Autur gave him, Lucas opens the door to find a 10’ by 10’ room that is defined by a stone wall along the west and south walls but a wooden wall along the north and east walls. Open shutters on the west and south wall frame narrow arrow slits. A single bed – complete with a down pillow, linen sheets, and a wool blanket -- and a footlocker lay along the west wall under the arrow slit. A dresser and desk rest along the eastern wall. A chamber bot under the open southern arrow slit and an unlit candle in a fixture on the north wall near the door complete the room’s furnishings.
Lucas lights the candle and locks the door behind him. He then stores his gear in the places provided and settles down for the evening. The long days on the road soon catch up to the conjurer and he falls asleep on the bed.
*
* * * *
{Cyzicus,
Kjira, Kryian}
After Lucas has left the table, Kryian
smoothly recovers from any look of dismay that earlier crossed his
face. He stands weakly and shoulders his rucksack over one shoulder.
“I am not feeling well -- I will return shortly,” he says as he excuses
himself from the table. “Please do not pay the bill in my absence.”
Kryian turns to go and then turns back. “Cyzicus,” he says, “could you accompany me for a bit? I made need your....assistance.”
Cyzicus doesn't respond verbally, but simply stands up with a small nod – there is not great deal of difference between his standing and sitting height -- and follows Kryian.
* * * * *
{Kjira}
After
the two warriors have leave for the latrine, Kjira finds herself alone at the
table. Glancing about the bar, she
notices that Dolak has moved his barstool across the room to sit by the fire.
Alric, Alani, and Darius are leaving by the front door, escorted by Rosy.
Apparently, those three have decided to sleep outside in the courtyard
rather than take advantage of the inn’s lodgings.
Kjira looks around the room to see who, if anyone, is left in the inn's tavern. She notices that the young lady who was sitting with Alani, Alric and Darius is now standing as the trio makes for the door. Tomar and the two scholars remain locked in conversation at a nearby table while the quartet of guards continue their drinking and dicing at the corner table. The lady and the guard in the far corner, as well as the dwarf who was sitting at the far end of the bar, have apparently retired to their chambers.
* * * * *
{Cyzicus,
Kryian}
Kryian, with Cyzicus in tow, approaches the bar. “Where’s yer head?” the mariner asks Autur, who stands behind the bar.
Autur points to the door that sits along the east wall between the bar and the stairs. “If ya mean the latrine, they’re through that door – first two doors on yer left.”
Kryian thanks the bartender and the two companions move through the indicated door.
They find themselves in a twenty-foot hallway with two doors on the left – or north – wall and a single door along the right – or south – wall. A single lamp at the far end of the hallway provides illumination to the short corridor and a faint smell of human waste lingers in the air.
Kryian stops in the hallway after the door to the barroom has closed behind he and Cyzicus. He drops his backpack to the floor and takes a knee beside it. He quickly unfastens the cover of the pack and conducts a brief inventory of its contents. He removes a small purse and then pours its contents into his hand, revealing a small selection of precious stones. He selects a single moonstone from the gems and pours the rest back into the purse before facing Cyzicus.
“I think I’ve been robbed,” explains the mariner to the priest. “Do ye ‘ave any coin to exchange for this bauble in return? It would fetch fifty gold or so in a port.”
“I'm a bit absent minded my friend.” The halfling admits. “Rather than buy your gem from you Kryian, I think a loan might be a better option. I tithe most of my money to Arvoreen, and therefore keep little for myself. I can afford to loan you a few coins, 5 or even 10 gold until you have a chance to sell your gem, or you earn your money at the end of the line.”
Kryian nods and Cyzicus reaches wordlessly into a belt pouch. He withdraws a handful of gold coins and gives them to Kryian.
Kyrian thanks the halfling with a grateful smile and a warning to ‘keep a look out’ for thieves in the tavern. Then, the two allies move toward the door leading to the tavern area.
* * * * *
{Cyzicus,
Kjira, Kryian}
After
several long minutes, Cyzicus and Kryian return to the table.
Kryian smiles and blithely says, “I must've been served something that
I didn't agree with. But, we all know everything eventually gets bilged!”
Cyzicus follows Kryian jest with a question concerning his portion of the bill. The other two companions politely remind the halfling priest that he already paid for his meal and lodging. Cyzicus responds with a nod and then turns his attention to the remaining patrons in the room. His eyes narrow as he scans the diminishing crowd.
Soon thereafter, Rosy returns to the tableside and addresses Kryian saying. “Well, my Captain,” she says with her signature coy smile, “are you now ready to pay your share of the bill?”
Kryian smiles and deposits six gold coins on the barmaid’s tray.
Then, he moves as close to Rosy as is possible to keep things subtle and
asks,”You know this place is unfamiliar to me, if you don't mind, could you
show me to my room, mermaid?”
Rosy’s face alights with a flirtatious grin. “Why of course, my Captain. But first, let me take care of these other customers.”
Turning to Kjira, Rosy holds out an iron key. “Your room upstairs is ready for you, miss. Simply turn right at the top of the stairs – it’ll be the last room on your right.”
“As for you sir,” Rosy says, addressing Cyzicus. “The common room is almost directly across the hallway from the top of the stairs. Take any bed you like. You will find each has a fresh blanket.”
Kjira and Cyzicus both excuse themselves from the table. Kjira heads toward the stairs and Cyzicus heads toward the front door of the inn, mumbling something about checking on his mount.
* * * * *
{Cyzicus}
Cyzicus heads out the front door and toward the barn. Enroute, he passes Ori – the gnome drover – who trudges by in the drizzle, headed toward the inn. He also notices that Alani, Alric, Darius and Soft Fang are huddled along one wall of the compound, attempting to make camp on the damp ground.
He proceeds to the barn and soon finds Charger in a stall. The pony has already been groomed and watered, apparently. He glances around and does not see the stableboys, although he does see a ladder leading upward to a loft.
Satified
with the condition of his mount, the halfling returns to the inn and climbs the
stairs. When he reaches the top
stair, he finds himself in a -paneled
corridor that appears to run west-east the length of the building.
The stairwell intersects the corridor near the eastern end, making a
distorted “T” shape. Doors line
both sides to the corridor. All are
closed except for one that lies almost directly across from the stairwell.
Two lamps – hung at opposite sides of the hallway – provide
light. A
staircase leading upward lies at the far western end of the hallway.
Cyzicus passes through the open doorway and discovers a 20’ by 40’ room. The north and east walls appear to be made of stone while the west and south walls are paneled in wood. By the light of the hallway lamps, and aided by his enhanced vision, he sees that several sets of bunkbeds lie in rows in the room. Each set of beds has two footlockers at its foot. Upon each bed is a single, neatly folded blanket. Narrow arrow slits are placed every ten feet or so along the northern and eastern walls. There are no other apparent occupants.
The halfling picks an empty bunk near the far – east – side of the room and stores his gear in the footlocker. When he lays down on the stuffed pallet mattress, the weariness of the past several days catches up to him and he soon falls asleep.
* * * * *
{Kjira}
Kjira climbs the stairway and finds herself in a wood-paneled corridor that appears to run west-east for the length of the building. The stairwell intersects the corridor near the eastern end, making a distorted “T” shape. Doors line both sides to the corridor. All are closed except for one that lies almost directly across from the stairwell. Two lamps – hung at opposite sides of the hallway – provide light. A staircase leading upward lies at the far western end of the hallway.
Following Autur’s directions, Kjira turns right and follows the hallway away from the staircase. She stops at the last door on the right (south) side of corridor. Using the key Autur gave her, Kjira opens the door to find a 10’ by 10’ room that is defined by a stone wall along the east and south walls but a wooden wall along the north and west walls. Open shutters on the east and south wall frame narrow arrow slits. A single bed – complete with a down pillow, linen sheets, and a wool blanket -- and a footlocker lay along the east wall under the arrow slit. A dresser and desk rest along the west wall. A chamber bot under the open southern arrow slit and an unlit candle in a fixture on the north wall near the door complete the room’s furnishings.
Kjira lights the candle and locks the door behind her. She then stores her gear in the places provided and settles down for the evening. The long days on the road soon catch up to the lady mage and she falls asleep on the bed.
* * * * *
{Kryian}
After Kjira and Cyzicus have left the table, Rosy smiles warmly at Kryian and produces a key from her apron. “And now, Captain, let me take you to your cabin.”
Rosy waits patiently for Kryian to stand and gather his gear. Then she raises her eyebrow, saying, “Shall we?” She leads Kryian to the stairway and climbs the stairs toward the upper floor.
At the top of the stairs, Kryian finds himself in a wood-paneled corridor that appears to run west-east for the length of the building. The stairwell intersects the corridor near the eastern end, making a distorted “T” shape. Doors line both sides to the corridor. All are closed except for one that lies almost directly across from the stairwell. Two lamps – hung at opposite sides of the hallway – provide light. A staircase leading upward lies at the far western end of the hallway.
Following Rosy’s coy smile, Kryian turns left and follows her toward the far staircase. The barmaid stops at the last door on the right (north) side of corridor. Using the key, Rosy opens the door and leads Kryian inside.
Once inside the door, Kryian discovers a spacious, 20’ by 20’ room that is defined by a stone wall along the west and north walls but a wooden wall along the east and south walls. Open shutters on the west and north wall frame narrow arrow slits. A single large bed – complete with down pillows, linen sheets, and a wool blanket -- and a footlocker lay along the north wall under the arrow slit. A dresser and wardrobe rest along the east wall and desk sits against the west wall. A chamber bot under the open western arrow slit and an unlit three-candle candelabra on the desk complete the room’s furnishings.
Rosy produces flint and steel from her apron and uses them to light the candles. Then, she slides close to Kryian and kisses him lightly on the cheek. “I will return after the others have gone to bed for the ‘eve,” she whispers in the mariner’s ear. Rosy winks at Kryian and glides to the door, closing it gently behind her as she returns to the corridor.
Kryian stores her gear in the places provided and settles down for the evening. The long days on the road soon catch up to the mariner and he soon dozes on the bed.
He is awakened a short while later by a slow creaking noise as the door opens. Rosy glides into the room, bringing a scent of freshly cut flowers with her. She shuts the door quietly behind her and turns the key. Moving to the desk, she glances coyly at Kryian before winking and blowing out the candles.
* * * * *
{Dolak
and Slyvia}
Slyvia
hands Autur six silvers. “Thank
you for the dinner, kind sir, I don't mind the common room.” She examines the food, and begins to eat.
“Thank YOU, missie,” Autur replies. Turning back to Dolak, the bartender days, “And you, kind dwarf? Almost ready for that next hand keg ya paid for?”
Dolak tips back the hand keg emptying
the last of the Bitter into his mug and says to Autur, “I think I will take
the last hand keg o'er by the fire in just a wee bit.” He surveys the
occupants of the room once, rolling
his eyes when he sees Kryian's attempts. He pushes the stew bowl to his
left and clasps the mug in both hands propping his elbows on the bar, sipping
slow to savor the bite of the drink.
Autur stops Lucas as the mage moves
past the bar toward the staircase. The burly bartender hands Lucas an
iron key from a ring on his belt. “Up the stairs and hang a left,” Autur
says. “It'll be the last room on yer left.”
The bartender then returns his attention to Slyvia and Dolak who sit at the bar. The dwarf at the far end of the counter slaps a handful of coins on the bar with a grunt and rises unsteadily from his chair. He moves past Dolak and Slyvia and heads up the stairs.
Shortly thereafter, Dolak excuses himself from the bar and takes his stool over to the fire.
* * * * *
{Dolak}
Enroute
to the fireplace, Dolak passes Kryian and Cyzicus who are headed in the opposite
direction – toward the bar -- rather urgently.
He also notices that Alric, Alani, and Darius are headed out the front
door, escorted by Rosy.
Dolak curiously arches his eyebrow at the three headed out the door. He sits next to fire and allows the heat from the blaze to heat his bones.
After
a few minutes, Autur brings Dolak another handkeg. The dwarf sits near the fire for another half hour, savouring
the ale. During that time, he
notices Kjira, Kryian and Cyzicus all head up the stairs. Rosy accompanies Kryian but returns to the taproom only a few
short minutes later. Finally, Dolak
says to whoever is left in the room at the time, “That is all fer me t'night.
'Til morn, then,” he says, nodding his head to the room’s few remaining
occupants.
From behind the bar, Autur speaks up. “Have a good evenin’ sir dwarf. Fer yer information – and for everyone else that’s sleeping in the common room -- its up the stairs and across the hall. Pick a bunk to yerself. And don’t be takin’ the blankets with ya in the morning.”
Dolak
proceeds up the stairs and steps into a wood-paneled corridor that appears to
run west-east the length of the building. The
stairwell intersects the corridor near the eastern end, making a distorted
“T” shape. Doors line both
sides to the corridor. All are
closed except for one that lies almost directly across from the stairwell.
Two lamps – hung at opposite sides of the hallway – provide
light. A
staircase leading upward lies at the far western end of the hallway.
Dolak passes through the open doorway and discovers a 20’ by 40’ room. The north and east walls are made of stone while the west and south walls are paneled in wood. By the light of the hallway lamps, and aided by his enhanced vision, Dolak sees that several sets of bunkbeds lie in rows in the room. Each set of beds has two footlockers at its foot. Upon each bed is a single, neatly folded blanket. Narrow arrow slits are spaced every ten feet or so along the northern and eastern walls. A small form on a bunk across the room by the eastern wall suggests that Cyzicus has already retired for the evening.
Dolak stakes out a bunk next to the western wall near the door, places his coin pouch in his shirt, unrolls the blanket and gets some sleep. His gear is kept next to his bunk, except for his ruck, which he uses as a pillow. His battle-axe and armor go under the bunk.
* * * * *
{Slyvia}
After Dolak leaves the bar, Slyvia sits for another half hour or so, slowly eating her meager meal and reflecting on the past days’ events. Finally, her quiet introspection is interrupted by Dolak’s bellow.
“That
is all fer me t'night!” The dwarf
says loudly to those who are left in the room.
“'Til morn, then,” Dolak finishes, nodding his head to the room’s
few remaining occupants.
From behind the bar, Autur speaks up. “Have a good evenin’ sir dwarf. Fer yer information – and for everyone else that’s sleeping in the common room -- its up the stairs and across the hall. Pick a bunk to yerself. And don’t be takin’ the blankets with ya in the morning.”
Following that exchange, Dolak heads to the stairs. Slyvia takes a glance around the tavern and realizes that, while she was otherwise occupied, most of the party has left the taproom. The only members that remain are Tomar – now joined by Ori, the gnome – who continues to chat with the two scholarly gentlemen.
Yawning
as her travels catch up to her, Slyvia stands and makes her own way to the
stairway. At the top of the stairs,
she discovers a wood-paneled corridor that
appears to run west-east the length of the building.
The stairwell intersects the corridor near the eastern end, making a
distorted “T” shape. Doors line
both sides to the corridor. All are
closed except for one that lies almost directly across from the stairwell. Two lamps – hung at opposite sides of the hallway
– provide light. A
staircase leading upward lies at the far western end of the hallway.
Slyvia passes through the open doorway and discovers a 20’ by 40’ room. The north and east walls are made of stone while the west and south walls are paneled in wood. By the light of the hallway lamps, and aided by her enhanced vision, she sees that several sets of bunkbeds lie in rows in the room. Each set of beds has two footlockers at its foot. Upon each bed is a single, neatly folded blanket. Narrow arrow slits are spaced every ten feet or so along the northern and eastern walls. A small form on a bunk across the room, and another loudly snoring form near the door suggest that Cyzicus and Dolak have already retired for the evening.
The half-elf picks out a bunk for herself along the north wall and stores her gear in the footlocker. Soon, she is asleep under the woolen blanket.
The content of The Sunset Vale Saga are the property and copyright of Brian Flood, and are not to be published or redistributed without permission.