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<Rhys> ::the door to the Hall is quietly unlocked from within, but the door is not opened. To all outward appearances, the dim, nondistinct building is unoccupied and unlit:: * Adam does his best to slip his large frame through the door unobtrusively, closing it behind him, "Good evening Rhys." * Adam takes a seat at the bar. <Rhys> Evening to you, Adam. What's your pleasure tonight? <Adam> Meade please. * Kevil leans into a shadow and scans the mouth of the alley for patrols before ducking through the door into the Hall. He shudders slightly and relaxes significantly as he takes a stool. "Good evening, Master Rhys, Master Adam." His shoulders twitch slightly. <Adam> Good evening Kevil. * Goody Bea glances up at the moon from the dark alleyway and nods to herself, gathering up her basket and pulling her cloak a little tighter around her. Looking around carefully, she heads down the alley and ducks into the Meade Hall's shadowed doorway. <Aeryn> ::a breath of wind blows the black-clad Aeryn through the door. Removing his cloak, he tucks his black hair behind his ears before starting for the bar. "Good evening to you, Master Rhys." <Goody Bea> ::smiles as she looks around:: Good evening, gentlemen. Master Kevil, are you hale? Master Aeryn told me you'd been beaten last week. ::draws her brows down in concern:: * Rhys pours Adam his meade. "Evening, Kevil. I have something for you." He reaches into the cuff of his sleeve and pulls out a raindrop-shaped crystal with a hole in the slender end. He places it in front of Kevil. <Rhys> Evening Aeryn, Goody Beatrice. Anything to drink? Same holds for you, of course, Master Bard. <Kevil> ::shoulders twitch again:: Good evening, Lady. I am... healing, if this itching means anything. Unfortunately, the bruises still make it too difficult to- ::he breaks off to stare at the crystal:: Where did you get this? * Aeryn nods to Kevil and the Goody before turning to Rhys. "The usual, I suppose, unless you'd care to recommend anything in particular?" <Goody Bea> ::nods to Aeryn:: Nell is well, I hope? <Rhys> A young woman. Young and dirty. She brought it here, with directions I was to give it to you. <Aeryn> Aye, Goodwife Bea, she is well. Although ::reddens slightly:: she had some difficulty understanding why I did not wish 'payment' for my concern. * Rhys pours Aeryn a mug of meade. <Aeryn> Thank you. ::he takes a drink:: <Adam> Thank you Rhys. ::sips his meade:: * Kevil swallows hard and picks up the crystal as if he thinks it might either bite him or dissolve on contact. When it does neither, he brings it to his lips, his eyes closing with an expression of reverence. <Goody Bea> ::looks sad:: A woman who's lived a long time in desperate circumstances learns to expect many things, Master Aeryn. She was no professional, that I can say assuredly. * Orlann walks in looking both grey and sick to his stomach. He finds a chair and collapses into it. <Aeryn> ::shakes his head:: Small mercies. But I was able to obtain some red meat for her, although not in abundance. ::turns to look at Kevil's reaction to the crystal:: <Rhys> Corporal? What's the matter? Are you ill? * Kevil tucks Loria's crystal into his pocket, his hand lingering over it. He looks around at Rhys' tone of concern, and his eyes widen at Orlann's state. "What is it?" <Orlann> ::shakes his head slowly:: C'n I get a bit of whiskey? If it ain't too much trouble? * Adam watches the goings on with a concerned expression. <Rhys> Of course. ::he pours a few fingers of whisky into a tumbler and carries it over to Orlann:: * Orlann takes the tumbler with a shaking hand. * Aeryn cocks his head to listen intently for noise from outside. * Goody Bea looks up and frowns at Orlann's state, getting up from her stool and following Rhys over with her kit. "Oh dear, oh dear..." <Orlann> I... I s'pose I ought to tell... *they* want us to spread the word... <Adam> What word? <Kevil> ::grimaces:: What now? * Aeryn raises an eyebrow. * Goody Bea pulls a chair over next to Orlann and sits, taking his free hand gently to take his pulse. <Aeryn> Has something else gone wrong? * Orlann stares at the amber liquid in his glass. "One of those... them human mercenaries... was killed day afore yesterday. In a... ::some color returns to his face:: In a bit of a fight in one of them... pleasure houses." <Goody Bea> ::looks alarmed:: Oh... no, pray the light, no... * Kevil freezes, horror slowly painting his features. * Adam puts his face in one of his large hands, "Gods protect us." <Aeryn> ::goes white:: They... they followed the spirit, not the word? <Orlann> ::takes a deep breath:: Damn orcs rounded up every one of us in a six-block area to make us watch. They dragged out two women from the hostages - none I knew - and... ::he pales again:: an' beat them with whips. <Kevil> ::closes his eyes:: Bright Lady. <Aeryn> {Goddess...} <Goody Bea> ::her eyes intent on Orlann's face, still holding his hand:: Beat... nothing more? * Adam looks to Orlann with a very pained expression, "They whipped them to death? And two of them? I thought it was one hostage for one soldier." <Orlann> They ain't dead, no ma'am... just right hurt. * Adam drains his mug and places it back on the bar, "Dwarven spirits please Rhys." * Orlann knocks back half of the whiskey with a slight shudder. <Goody Bea> ::shakes her head sorrowfully and breathes a sigh of relief:: Never in all my years did I think I would ever find myself giving thanks for a whipping... but here, I do. * Rhys refills Adam's mug with dwarven spirits. <Kevil> ::whispering:: For an accident. Surely, an accident... No one would be so... ::He puts his hand over the pocket containing Loria's crystal:: * Aeryn is still staring at Orlann. "They...they punished them for an accidental death like that?" He shudders. "One does not wish to think..." * Aeryn pushes his empty mug towards Rhys. "Aye, something stronger, please." * Adam takes a gulp of the dwarven spirits followed by a gasping breath of air. * Orlann drains the rest of his glass. "It could'a been my Tarri up there, just as easy... half-dressed and *beaten* until her back ran red... I... " * Rhys takes Aeryn's mug back and after a moments fetching and pouring, hands him a tumbler like Orlann's, with a few fingers of whisky. * Aeryn shivers, remembering his own brush with the whip, and follows Orlann's example. <Goody Bea> ::grimly:: What's to think? They wish us to hold their men charier than our own blood kin... let a one of them come to harm, and those poor lasses will pay the price. <Goody Bea> ::lowering her head, pressing Orlann's hand to her cheek with a shuddering breath:: Monsters, they are... <Adam> Aye. ::takes another deep drink:: <Aeryn> ::shakes his head and knocks back the remainder of his whisky:: Worse than that. * Kevil pulls out the crystal again and looks into its sparkling depths. "Master Rhys... The girl who brought this - she said nothing else? Left no way to contact her, perhaps?" * Goody Bea recovers herself a little, taking another deep breath and releasing Orlann's hand to peer at him. "Is there aught else I can do for you, lad? Are you hurt in body at all?" <Orlann> No, I ain't... ::he looks up at her, his pale blue eyes haunted:: I almost wish I *was*... mighten be easier to bear... <Rhys> I'm afraid not, no. She was very skittish, the whole time she was here. Barely murmured whom it was for and got it in my hand before she hurried out the door. <Kevil> ::sighs:: Perhaps I will see her again... Loria, n'shava... Bright Lady. ::he shudders violently:: * Aeryn removes a pair of throwing knives from somewhere and gently places them on the counter. "Master Rhys, would you be so good as to keep an eye on these for me? I do not wish to do anything in anger I might regret dearly on the way home." * Rhys takes the knives off the counter and slides them underneath. "They'll be here for them when you're ready. Just ask." <Goody Bea> ::frowns at him, shaking his arm gently:: Don't you say that, lad. Now, you're a brave man. You do what you can, you keep your body strong and keep yourself ready, for when the time comes we'll need good, strong lads like you to send these orcs back where they belong! * Adam shakes his head, "Guess I better stop hoping for that shelf to collapse on that one bastard's head." <Orlann> ::in a dull voice:: It coulda been Tarri up there... <Kevil> ::hands shaking:: Or Loria, or... Yes. <Aeryn> ::shakes his head slowly, hands balled into fists on the bartop:: If it helps, I believe that there will be little chance of a repeat occasion now. <Kevil> There have been riots all over the city. Accidents *happen*. <Kevil> ::looks up at Rhys, his hand closing into a fist around the crystal:: Where is Ordulin? * Adam looks at Kevil curiously. <Rhys> It's a city in Sembia, to the north of Selgaunt. I think the Sembian currency mint might be there, but I can't say for certain. <Kevil> Ah... ::he smiles grimly:: I heard that the mercenaries had most recently been stationed in Ordulin, but could not place the name. * Goody Bea shakes her head and tsks. "Sembia, again." <Rhys> I wonder what they were doing in Sembia. <Kevil> I do not know that they are in fact *Sembian* mercenaries, however. ::wryly:: A few of them show signs of being nearly human. <Adam> I'd think about vacationing there when this is all over, but I'm sure there are innocent people in the country. <Kevil> ::thoughtfully:: I have even overheard things which make me believe that the common men among the mercenaries are... less than thrilled about the idea of working for orcs and a dragon. Though they are being paid well. * Aeryn pushes his empty glass around a little. "Who would be thrilled? Even money can only make up for so much." <Rhys> Well, at least they've *some* sense about them. Not enough, but some. * Adam drinks some of his spirits. <Rhys> Does anyone besides the Ranger Aeryn need a refill? Meade, beer, and ale only, this round. More whiskey can wait until later. * Orlann takes a few deep breaths. <Goody Bea> ::shakes her head dubiously:: I've heard it said there's no reasoning with mercenaries. Only bargaining. <Kevil> I wonder if they might... step aside, if it came to an uprising... If we had something to offer them... <Goody Bea> ::gets up a little creakily, returning to the bar:: I've had naught, as yet, but an ale would be welcome, Master Rhys. * Orlann nods. "Beer, please." * Rhys pours Goody Beatrice an ale in a twinkling. "And take with it my apologies for letting you sit unwatered for so long." * Rhys sets Orlann up with a beer. * Adam has some more of his spirits, "What do we have to offer them?" * Aeryn raises an eyebrow. "If they are well-paid already, we would have to have quite some incentive." <Goody Bea> ::smiles Rhys:: A goodwife, Master Rhys, is like ivy. Prone to neglect at times, but stubborn and tenacious and able to weather a great deal in order to wear down her betters." She winks and sips her ale. <Kevil> ::frustrated:: I do not know. But there must be *some*thing... * Aeryn hands his empty tumbler to Rhys with a bit of a wry smile. "I think I prefer the meade..." * Adam lifts his mug to the Goody, "I'd have trouble finding many who could be called your betters Goody Bea." <Aeryn> ::nods:: Aye. * Rhys pours Aeryn some meade into a clean mug. "It's not a universal taste, is it?" <Goody Bea> ::twinkles at Adam:: Good it is of you to say so, Master Adam, Master Aeryn. You flatter an old woman. * Kevil twitches his shoulders again irritably, then reaches back and rubs a spot in the middle of his back. He winces in pain, sighs, and stops trying to scratch. <Aeryn> ::with respect:: Not flattery, Ekara. Merely your due. * Goody Bea tsks again, glancing over at Kevil's twitching, and fishes a pot of salve from her kit. She puts down her mug and crosses over to take a stool beside Kevil and ruck his shirt up in no-nonsense fashion, slathering a handful of cooling, soothing salve over his healing bruises. <Orlann> ::looks into his beer:: Damn, I hope she's all right... * Kevil looks startled as Goody Bea accosts him, but sits patiently for her ministrations. * Adam sighs, "We'd have heard if anything had happened to them Orlann. The orcs would unfortunately have made a public spectacle of it." * Orlann winces. <Kevil> ::glances at Adam, then nods:: I am certain she is well, Corporal. * Goody Bea tsks again, shaking her head over the welts and cuts on his back. "This would best have been cleaned, ages agone. Luck to you that there's no sign of infection." <Kevil> We *did* clean them, Lady, as soon as we could. And took a swallow of a healing potion, as well, or they would still be far more raw. <Kevil> But we are none of us healers, d'va? <Goody Bea> Aye. ::shaking her head again:: Poor, poor lad... <Aeryn> ::brow furrows in sudden thought:: Has anyone investigated the Mage School as of yet? <Orlann> ::sighs:: I jus'... there must be *something* we c'n do... * Goody Bea finishes applying her salve, lowers his shirt again carefully, and closes the pot, putting it in his hand. "You keep it, aid your friends as you can. I've more at the cottage." <Rhys> It's possible. I haven't heard anything about it, though. <Kevil> ::shakes his head:: At that, I fear I am luckier than those poor women... Thank you, Lady. ::he tucks the salve pot into his belt pouch before looking around at Aeryn:: I spoke to Miss Summer about it some days past, in fact, but I do not know if she has yet had time to look into it. <Adam> I thought someone said that the orc mages had taken over all the mage facilities in town. * Goody Bea wipes off her hands on a rag and goes back to reclaim her ale. "If any can find the end of the string in this horrible tangle, it's this lot." Her eyes twinkle. "Perhaps it's something in the meade." <Kevil> I believe that was speculation, Master Adam. ::he grins:: If nothing else, the Tower remains free of them, d'va? * Adam shakes his head, "I wish I spoke orcish. I don't know how many officers I've had come through my shop, and I can't tell a damn thing they're saying to each other." * Aeryn quirks an eyebrow at Kevil. <Kevil> ::rolls his eyes:: If they are anything like those who patrol the docks, it is not worth understanding, Master Adam. <Kevil> ::looks back at Aeryn questioningly:: <Aeryn> ::to Kevil:: Just thought you might know a spell--or someone who knows a spell--that would allow him to understand. * Aeryn takes a deep drink of meade. <Kevil> ::shrugs wryly:: I know such a spell, yes. But it is only good for a few hours. Zoya could craft a way for longer understanding, but she is beyond my reach now, d'va? Perhaps Lady Aldis, when next you see her, Master Adam, might be willing to aid you. <Adam> ::nods:: It's something to keep in mind. <Goody Bea> ::sighs and takes another swallow of ale:: I place my hope in their swift return... <Kevil> ::somewhat belatedly, to Orlann:: Something will be done, my friend. But lest we endanger those we love, we must go about it carefully, d'va? We gather information, and hope that the pieces, like a puzzle, will eventually show us a weakness. <Orlann> ::nods slowly:: <Orlann> Yeah... I... gods I'm so *worried* I can barely think of aught else... <Kevil> ::sympathetically:: Va. * Goody Bea sighs and takes another sip of ale. * Aeryn takes a sip of meade. "I have been trying, of late, to act sufficiently cowed so they stop watching me. It will be difficult enough to accomplish anything as it is..." <Goody Bea> ::hesitantly:: Perhaps... I might ask to see the lasses who were beaten... and I know there's wee ones still on the teat, I could bring herbs to help with the nursing. <Kevil> It could be worth a try. At worst, they would turn you away, and we are no worse off than now. * Adam nods in agreement before taking another drink. <Goody Bea> Just a look inside, belike, to see if they're all well... ::shakes her head:: There's a young father or two who'd try something rash, if they began to despair of seeing their lasses hale again... <Kevil> ::gives the Goody a wry smile:: <Kevil> Not to mention our wives, our sisters, and our friends... <Goody Bea> ::nods, furrowing her brow:: Corporal... you've not been long with the Dragons, aye? <Adam> ::frowns:: Unless they take it into their heads that they need to keep you in there permanently. <Orlann> No ma'am... only a few weeks before... ::sighs:: before everything. <Goody Bea> ::shrugs a shoulder, smiling gently at Adam:: There's risk in living, these days, lad. There are few enough of us healers in the city, though, to risk locking one of us away, I think. <Adam> I'll keep my fingers crossed for you. Assuming I can find any that aren't already crossed. * Summer walks down from upstairs and over to the bar. Her hair is tied back and she looks pale, tired. <Rhys> Good evening, Miss Ederin. Anything to drink tonight? * Aeryn nods a greeting. * Summer nods as she slips onto a stool. "Do you have something to settle a stomach Rhys?" <Adam> Hello Summer. <Rhys> We've got some milk that's still cold and fresh. Would that do? * Kevil nods in greeting to Summer, then slides off his stool and paces the floor restlessly. * Summer smiles slightly to Adam. She looks back to Rhys and wrinkles her nose. "Maybe just water." <Rhys> Water it shall be then. ::while pouring:: Is something the matter? <Summer> Just something I ate I think. Not been feeling very well most of the day. ::She looks to Kevil curiously:: <Aeryn> ::to Summer:: There was some bad news. * Summer looks to Aeryn then back to Kevil. "What happened?" * Aeryn glances at Orlann, then says in an undertone. "One of the mercs died in an accident. Two of the hostages were flogged as a result. None known here, but..." * Summer nods and drinks some of her water, frowning slightly. * Goody Bea takes another sip of ale, glancing around at the quiet assembly. <Kevil> ::muttered:: I *hate* waiting. <Adam> Don't we all. * Summer looks to Bea and attempts a half hearted smile. "Hello. I don't think we have met. I am Summer." She holds her hand out to the woman. * Aeryn finishes his meade. <Rhys> With all that's been said, it seems prudent to close up early. As with last week, any who do not wish to risk the nighttime journey back to their homes are welcome to take rooms here. Last call? <Orlann> ::glances at Kevil:: I ain't exactly reconciled to waiting m'self. * Goody Bea accepts Summer's hand, clasping it lightly. "Goodwife Beatrice, child. I've been a midwife in these parts, oh, longer than most of these have been alive." She winks. * Adam drains his mug, "Thank you Rhys, but I suspect I'll be in more trouble if I'm not in my shop in the morning." <Aeryn> No thank you, Master Rhys, to both. ::to Kevil:: Under the circumstances, who does? * Kevil ends his pacing by Orlann's table and gives the man a faint grin. "That is why I come here. Kindred spirits. Shall we return home now?" <Aeryn> ::to Adam:: *More* trouble? * Summer smiles a bit more and nods. "I'm happy to meet you." <Adam> More trouble than if I'm caught out after curfew. <Goody Bea> I've the cats to feed... ::putting a few silver coins on the bar:: Master Rhys, you'd said you had milk? Might I take a bottle or two with me? <Orlann> ::nods:: Yeah... they're... reassignin'' me tomorrow. Don't know where I'll be at... <Kevil> ::looks concerned:: Why? <Aeryn> Ah, I see. <Orlann> ::shrugs:: Don't know... they don't explain nothin'. <Goody Bea> ::smiles at Summer:: You as well, lass, if only it had been under better circumstances.... <Rhys> Yes, you may, Goody. Give me a moment to fetch it. ::he heads back into the kitchen and comes out a few moments later with two glass bottles, the tops sealed with paper and wax.:: Here you are. I know I don't have to tell you to put it to good use. <Summer> ::nods:: Hopefully they will be better soon. * Adam stands, "Well I should probably be going. Goodnight to all of you, and lets hope the morrow brings better tidings." <Kevil> ::claps a hand on Orlann's shoulder:: Come, then. You will need to rest. <Summer> Good night Adam * Orlann nods and gets to his feet. "Aye..." <Goody Bea> ::beams at him:: My thanks, Master Rhys. It's not only the humans that are hard off in these times. <Summer> Good night Kevil, Orlann. * Kevil goes to the door and peers out, then slips into the dark alley. * Aeryn stands and dons his cloak again. "I had better return myself. Thank you, good Master Rhys, for your hospitality." He nods to the others. * Summer waves a bit to Aeryn <Rhys> Good night, Aeryn. Be careful. * Orlann follows Kevil. <Rhys> All of you, be careful. * Goody Bea slips the bottles into her basket, placing them carefully to be sure they won't clink. * Adam waits a few moments after Orlann's departure, the slips out the door. <Rhys> And you're welcome, Goody Bea. * Aeryn nods to Rhys. "Aye, that I will." <Goody Bea> And you as well, Master Rhys. ::she smiles and dons her cloak again, standing to finish the last few swallows of ale in her mug:: <Aeryn> ::Opening the door just enough to pass, he leaves, closing it with a faint click behind him.:: * Goody Bea sets her mug down and nods to Summer and Rhys before going to the door and listening. After a moment, she slips out and bustles quietly away down the alley. <Summer> Well I should go back to bed I think. Goodnight Rhys. ::she stands and heads for the stairs:: <Rhys> Of course. If you'd like I could bring some dinner up for you in a moment, after I clean up. <Summer> ::she pauses and nods:: Soup would be wonderful, thank you ::She smiles to him and then heads up:: <Rhys> Then soup it shall be. * Rhys heads to the door and locks it. He gathers up the mugs and glasses and heads to the kitchen. In a few moments, the quiet bubbling of soup being prepared can be heard. |
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