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* Rhys walks in from the kitchen to the front door, and unlocks the door. He returns behind the bar. "Hall's open." * Nacheyla walks down the stairs... <Nacheyla> Evening Rhys-boss! <Rhys> Evening Nacheyla-boss. Can I get you something to drink? <Nacheyla> Beer, please... ::blinks a few times at her yellow Ioun stone:: * Maeli enters, leaning heavily on her cane. She stops by the bar, and coughs several times before regaining her breath. <Nacheyla> Good evening Mistress Yohko... Have you seen our wayward avenging angel? <Maeli> "Tea, dear, if you've got it. Very hot. With lemon, honey, and a dollop of apple brandy. <Rhys> Any specific kind of beer? The taps have regular beer, pale beer, dark beer, wheat beer, cranberry beer, and a rather repulsive raisin beer. * Rhys begins mixing Maeli's tea. * Yohko walks in from the kitchen dressed in her usual nondescript shirt and pants. <Nacheyla> Raisin beer? How vile... a nice brown ale would be just fine, thanks <Yohko> Well I think I cleaned every nook and cranny of that place. * Rhys finishes preparing Maeli's tea, places it on a saucer, and hands it to Maeli. "Here you are." * Yohko blinks at Nacheyla, "Who?" <Nacheyla> Temire... * Rhys pours Nacheyla a mug of brown ale and hands it over. <Nacheyla> Thanks, boss... <Yohko> Still nothing. ::Yohko sits at the bar:: Tea Rhys. Something calming. * Maeli takes the tea and carries it carefully over to a table. She sits and takes small, careful sips. <Rhys> Hmmm.... ::fishes under the bar and comes out with a gauze packet:: Chamomile. Not from the Eastern lands, but it has a favorable reputation. ::begins preparing the tea for Yohko:: * Rhys places the steaming mug in front of Yohko, and bows from the waist as he does so. <Yohko> Thank you Rhys. ::Yohko smiles:: <Jelarthna> ::The door opens, and a lean Jelarthna glides in, smiling as he sees the other patrons. He sketches a quick bow to all and moves to the bar.:: Good evening, everyone. <Rhys> Good evening Jelarthna. Can I get you anything? <Jelarthna> Some feywine, please. I could use a taste of home. ::grins:: <Nacheyla> Jelarthna? ::reaches into her pocket:: Here... I have something disturbing for you... <Jelarthna> Disturbing? ::looks worried:: Why don't I like the sound of that? <Nacheyla> Here... ::hands him a packet:: <Nacheyla> I got it from a visitor I wasn't very comfortable about entertaining... <Jelarthna> ::eyebrows draw together in puzzlement:: Who might that be? Xarroch? <Nacheyla> Oh, no, Xarroch is very... interesting... <Nacheyla> This was... I think he was a vampire, but stronger than any I've ever seen... <Jelarthna> ::chuckles:: He is, at that. ::begins opening the package:: * Rhys pulls a thin, pale green bottle from under the bar and pours Jelarthna a goblet of the effervescent liquid. "Here you go, Jelarthna." <Jelarthna> Thank you, Rhys. <Jelarthna> You... think he was? Don't you have some way to tell for sure? <Nacheyla> Well ::gestures to her amulet:: Usually... but this one... he's different. Even your friend Xarroch's said it. <Nacheyla> He's so much stronger... I haven't been overwhelmed by a vampire's hypnotic gaze in over a hundred years... <Jelarthna> Really? That's a bit disturbing. <Nacheyla> You're not kidding.... * Jelarthna opens the package and peruses the note within for a moment, looking quite worried. * Jelarthna sets the note down on the bar and stares off into nothing for a few moments, tapping it with his forefinger. Without focusing, he takes a drink of his wine. <Nacheyla> I've been trying to track this vamp back to his nest for about a month now... Xarroch's come hunting with me a few times, and we can't find him... he's like smoke... <Jelarthna> And he's apparently after the book... <Nacheyla> What book? <Jelarthna> I'm not sure, really. It was something Tyl found on one of these strange vampires some time back, and the reason they've been after her so fervently. <Nacheyla> I still have yet to meet the Lady Tyl... <Jelarthna> ::still tapping idly:: I believe she's still in Waterdeep... ::looks thoughtful:: <Jelarthna> And this creature is making threats about her. ::grimaces:: <Jelarthna> ::takes another sip of his wine, looking thoughtful and speaks very softly:: I wasn't done, but I have to warn her... * Yohko sips her tea then stands and walks to a relatively clear spot and begins juggling several shivs. <Nacheyla> ::turns to Yohko:: Did Temire just go missing? No signs of violence, or that she was taken away against her will? <Jelarthna> ::looks up suddenly:: What's this? <Yohko> ::still juggling:: Just vanished. Lisl found a lead and is looking into it, but right now all I can do is wait. ::Catches the shivs and spends several moments contemplating the door.:: <Nacheyla> ::gives Jelarthna a quick grin:: It's been a busy week... <Jelarthna> ::looks closely at Yohko:: You're... Yohko, right? I was wondering... So what happened to Temire? Does this have to do with that whole thing involving her brother? * Yohko shrugs and sits back down, "Your guess is as good as mine." <Jelarthna> ::sighs:: Damn. This isn't good. I wonder if maybe the vampires grabbed her? They seem to know an awful lot about us... <Yohko> Possible. Nacheyla, ever heard of a vampire that could hide someone from scrying spells? <Nacheyla> Some of them are fairly good mages... and this one... <Nacheyla> This one is very impressive... the fireball that he threw at Xarroch, well, I didn't think demon-kin could be burned... <Jelarthna> There's rather a lot of spells designed to defeat scrying attempts. If he's as powerful as Nacheyla thinks, then I wouldn't doubt he'd know more than a couple. <Nacheyla> ::to Yohko:: I still think the Purple Dragons are acting a little weird about this whole thing... * Yohko shrugs, "Certainly, but what do you suggest we do about it?" <Nacheyla> I've been investigating them, a little... seeing if any of the upper ranks have more money than can be accounted for, things like that... * Maeli coughs thickly, and drinks some more tea. <Rhys> Are you all right, Maeli? Or has winter started in early? <Maeli> ::waves a hand weakly:: The chill settles into aged bones sooner and heavier than young ones. <Jelarthna> Goodness... Super vampires, Dragons being killed, Temire vanishing, and possible corruption in the Dragons? This is very unsettling. <Yohko> Sure this is the right time to be stopping back in town? ::smile:: <Nacheyla> ::grins again:: I told you, it was a busy week <Jelarthna> ::chuckles for a moment:: And to think, I just meant this to be another quick stopover before I continued. But it looks like there's too much to do around here. <Rhys> Continue on to where, Jelarthna? * Jelarthna rests his hand momentarily on his sword, lowering his head. Then carefully takes off his belt and removes the scabbard. He opens his pouch and pulls out another sword, which he puts on the belt before putting the other in the pouch. * Yohko looks at Jelarthna quizzically. <Nacheyla> ::blinks:: Nice bag you have there... <Jelarthna> ::to Rhys:: I wasn't done with my journey. But there are things that need to be done here, so it will have to wait. <Jelarthna> ::grins at Yohko and Nacheyla:: I've found it to be quite useful over the years. <Nacheyla> I'll bet... <Yohko> I was referring more to your desire to switch blades. * Alranis slips in, glances around a little furtively, then sidles up to the bar a small distance from the other patrons. <Jelarthna> Ah, that! ::smiles grimly and rests his hand on the hilt:: This sword is much more powerful than my other. I only use it when things are dire * Rhys asks Alranis, out of the side of his mouth, "Weiders?" * Maeli laughs, then coughs, then laughs again. "Why, boy? Does it run out?" * Alranis nods. <Jelarthna> ::smiles at Maeli:: No. But to push myself as a swordsman, I sometimes have to make things harder than they can be. I don't want to become too reliant on the enchantment of the sword over my own skill. * Nacheyla touches her own sword hilt... <Maeli> ::frowns:: To push yerself on the training ground, well, that's what the training ground is for... But not to use every tool at your disposal is foolishness. * Yohko nods in agreement. * Rhys pours Alranis a mug of the dark beer and slides it over to him. * Alranis takes a sip, and rasps "Thanks." <Jelarthna> ::grins slightly:: Perhaps it is foolish. But true skill is gained through real tests, not on a practice field. I only shackle myself there, then it won't help me much. <Jelarthna> Besides, I do have other skills... ::grins again:: <Nacheyla> So I've heard... your friend likes to talk, and he's very proud of you... as though you were his son, or something... ::smiles:: <Jelarthna> ::looks puzzled:: Which friend is that? <Nacheyla> Xarroch... <Jelarthna> Really, now? ::chuckles and grins:: He doesn't really show it like that. <Nacheyla> ::grins:: He's a little weird about the way he expresses himself, but I recognize love and pride when I see them... * Yohko sips her tea. <Jelarthna> ::smiling, shakes his head and takes a sip of his wine:: * Jelarthna glances down at the note in front of him and gets a more somber expression again. * Glossaria strides into the Hall, brushing fall leaves from her spring-green hair. <Jelarthna> ::looks around, and bows slightly to Glossaria:: Good evening, Glossaria. <Rhys> Good evening, Glossaria. Something new tonight, or have you picked a favorite you'd like to have again? <Glossaria> Good evening, master Jelarthna. ::curtseying in return and looking around at the assemblage:: Something new tonight, Rhys, or I'll never finish my research. ::walks to the bar and leans over the counter, studying taps:: <Jelarthna> Does anyone know the quickest way to get to Waterdeep? I've only been there a couple of times, so I can't 'port there safely. <Jelarthna> ::chuckles:: Master? * Glossaria pulls her notebook free of her robes and seems to invent a pencil from somewhere in her hair. <Rhys> Very well then. Are you still moving alphabetically by drink name? <Yohko> Never been there I'm afraid. <Glossaria> Aye. I'm up to the...Am's. Suggestions? <Jelarthna> Hmmmm. ::looks thoughtful, still tapping the note:: <Jelarthna> Nacheyla, do you know if that vampire is still around Marsember? <Rhys> Am.... hmm... let me poke around here.... * Glossaria looks over at Jel. "Was it not a correct form of address?" Blinks a few times as she accesses information. "The quickest way to Waterdeep from Marsember is via the north gate, taking the post road northwest." (She sounds like she's quoting.) <Nacheyla> Um... I saw him night before last, when he gave me the note... <Jelarthna> ::smiles:: It is, but no one has called me that for a while. It just sounded a bit odd. <Rhys> Have you tried amaretto yet? <Jelarthna> And thanks, but I already knew that much. I was just hoping there was a shortcut or something. <Glossaria> ::shakes her head decisively:: No. ::readying her pencil:: Can you tell me what sort of liquor it is, first? ::looks apprehensive:: No wormwood, right? <Jelarthna> ::nods to Nacheyla:: That's good, then. Even if it left soon, I ought to be able to keep a better pace since I can travel day and night. * Rhys laughs. "No, no wormwood." <Rhys> It's an almond flavored liqueur. I'm not precisely sure what the ingredients are off the top of my head, however. <Glossaria> ::nods and makes a few notations in her notebook:: Might I have a glass, please? <Rhys> Of course. Would you like it straight, or mixed with something? <Yohko> Try the amaretto sour Glossaria. <Jelarthna> ::looking thoughtful again, sips his wine:: I'll need at least three horses... <Glossaria> Sour? ::lifts her eyebrows:: That sounds interesting. ::thinks a moment:: Might I have a small taste of it straight, in a shot glass, and a glass of the sour? For comparison. * Jelarthna carefully folds the note and places in his pouch. * Alranis takes a sip of his beer. * Glossaria glances over at Jelarthna. "It's five posts from here. You'll move the swifter if you change horses more regularly. Why are you going, anyway, if I might ask?" <Rhys> Of course. I'll fix the straight first. ::pours Glossaria a shotglass worth of amaretto and places it in front of her:: <Jelarthna> ::takes a moment to gather his thoughts and focus on Glossaria:: Thanks. It's been too long since I traveled by the regular roads... or by horse. But I need to get there quickly <Jelarthna> There is a vampire around here that left me a note; with threats against Tyl. I need to get to her before it does. * Rhys pours a cocktail glass half full of amaretto, and fills the rest with a slightly green, almost syrupy mixer and carefully stirs it up with a teaspoon. "Here you are." <Glossaria> ::frowns in thought as she picks up the shot glass:: Left a note? But...that's not logical. Why would such a creature warn you? <Glossaria> Thank you, Rhys. ::sips the shot glass thoughtfully first:: Oh...it's quite sweet. A strong aftertaste of almond, but not...what I'm used to. <Jelarthna> ::blinks a moment:: Oh, I'm sorry, I didn't mention it all. It wants the book. And there's no way it could get it from the Tower. And I feel sure that anyone it managed to take control of would snap back to normal once they were inside. * Glossaria picks up the cocktail glass and sniffs. <Glossaria> ::nods:: I know, I put the book away myself. In fact, the vampire or his minion would have to go through me and several other defenses to get to the book. But why, then, would Tyl be in danger? Perhaps it's just a ploy. <Nacheyla> I think the vampire is threatening Tyl because he knows that Jelarthna is her friend, and Jelarthna can get to the book <Jelarthna> It might be, yes. But I can't take a chance on that. * Glossaria takes a sip of the sour, her face puckering briefly before spreading into a smile. "Ah, MUCH nicer. A balance of flavors, stimulating many areas of the tongue at once. I can see why it's preferred in a mixed drink. <Nacheyla> Is it a magical book? ::looks at Jel:: * Alranis sips his beer. <Jelarthna> ::shakes head:: I honestly don't know. I don't think anyone was really able to figure out exactly why it's so important to them. <Glossaria> ::shakes her head, looking more steely-eyed than the others have ever seen her:: You didn't hear me. I said that the vampire or his minion would have to go through me to get to the book. That would include Jelarthna, if he were working at the behest of the vampire. Mistress Zoya swore not to release that book to evil uses. <Jelarthna> ::nods:: Right. I am not worried for the book, and there's no way I'd ever try to give it to them. But I am worried about Tyl. She's alright against most normal vampires with that sword of hers, but this one sounds more dangerous... more cunning. I won't be able to rest easy until I *at least* warn her. * Yohko sips her tea. <Rhys> Last call, everyone. <Nacheyla> I'd offer to accompany you, Jel, but I think I'll stay here and try and track down that damned vampires <Yohko> I have to stay here till we find Temire, and unfortunately Michelle's never been to Waterdeep so she can't meet you there. <Jelarthna> ::nods:: I appreciate the offer. But it probably is best for you to stay behind. Not only do you work here, ::grins:: but if that vampire is still in the area you ought to be here to help deal with it. <Jelarthna> ::smiles at Yohko:: Thanks. Temire's safety is just as important, and you're her teacher, so you ought to stay as well. * Maeli finishes her tea and uses her cane to pull herself to her feet. Very gingerly and shakily, she carries the teacup and saucer back over to the bar and sets them down. <Jelarthna> ::shakes head:: Too many problems, and not a whole lot of time... <Rhys> Thank you, Maeli. I hope you feel better soon. <Yohko> We'll try to send some help along in case the vampires sent some goons to Waterdeep. <Jelarthna> ::smiles at Maeli:: Take care. It was nice to see you again. <Glossaria> ::sips her amaretto sour:: What if he merely wants you to lead him to her, Jel? <Glossaria> ::frowns at Maeli:: Mistress Maeli, are you well? * Maeli smiles at Rhys and Jelarthna. "I'll be fine, dears." <Maeli> ::to Gloss:: "Just the heavy hand of winter on my old bones, dear. Nothing particularly severe. <Jelarthna> There is a chance of that. But can I afford to take that chance? I'm not really a hunter, but it is. If all he wanted to do was find her, it would just be a matter of time. <Jelarthna> ::scratches head:: I wonder if maybe it has some kind of time constraint, though? * Maeli heads for the door, leaning heavily on her cane, and hobbles out into the night. <Nacheyla> ::makes a face:: there's something about this... if I could just figure it out... * Nacheyla finishes her beer <Glossaria> ::narrows her eyes in thought:: It would take the creature time to find her...and even a hunter needs a scent. ::thinks some more:: Perhaps you could hire a mage to teleport you? Or ask Mistress Zoya? * Yohko sips her tea, "I'll be staying here until I hear back from Lisl Rhys." * Alranis finishes his drink, then drops a coin on the counter. He quickly slips out, nodding at Rhys as he exits. <Jelarthna> That's a thought... * Rhys nods at Yohko. "Very well." <Nacheyla> Come up and talk with me before you leave for Waterdeep, Jelarthna... I want to think this through. * Jelarthna finishes off his feywine and sets the glass and a small pouch on the counter. * Rhys pushes the pouch back to Jelarthna. "You've still got a hefty line of credit to work through, lad." <Jelarthna> ::smiles:: Alright, I guess I should do some talking and thinking before I go leaping. <Jelarthna> ::grins at Rhys:: Amazing how it keeps growing like that. <Glossaria> ::nods firmly:: I don't like the feel of this either. Granted, vampires are not logical creatures, but this one is behaving most illogically. <Jelarthna> Well, we know that at least some of these are from another prime material plane. There may be more differences than we thought. * Nacheyla drops a copper coin on the bar and stands up * Rhys accepts Nacheyla's copper piece and drops it in the strongbox. <Glossaria> ::frowns some more:: Is there no way you could *send* her word, without going there yourself? There are spells for that as well, I know... * Nacheyla walks upstairs, touching her forehead lightly... * Glossaria drains her glass as she waits for Jel's answer. <Jelarthna> There are, and I know one, but it won't reach nearly far enough. <Jelarthna> Maybe Zoya knows a better one? * Rhys draws down his eyebrows, glares alternately at the pouch on the bar and at Jelarthna and coughs politely. <Jelarthna> ::smiles:: Thanks for helping me think about this. Maybe we can figure out a better and quicker way to get something done. <Glossaria> ::giggles at Rhys as she places her own coin on the bar.:: * Jelarthna grins at Rhys and waves in farewell as he heads for the door. <Glossaria> ::nods:: If you promise not to try the book, perhaps you could accompany me back to the Library, and we can find another spell? <Jelarthna> That's a good idea. * Yohko sips her tea. * Jelarthna offers his arm to Glossaria <Glossaria> ::smiles at him:: Well, then. ::places her empty glass on the bar:: Thank you again, Rhys. Good evening to you all. ::taking Jel's arm and leaving:: * Rhys picks up the pouch and flicks it toward Jelarthna's with a quick motion of his wrist. The pouch zips towards Jelarthna,. but disappears a good five feet from him. * Rhys follows the duo to the door, and locks it behind them. "And now, the fun really starts." Rhys brings out a broom and begins sweeping up the Hall... |
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