inherit
9
0
Sept 30, 2016 14:49:16 GMT
0
CharlieGordon
28
August 2015
charliegordon
|
Post by CharlieGordon on Oct 30, 2015 19:49:20 GMT
The grass was lush and green. The sun was high and bright. Up to their elbows in swaying greenery, a hooded figure and a slim, pretty dark-haired girl made their slow progress towards the majestic citadel that loomed into glorious view before them. "Take your hood down Malcolm, the air feels fine." Chided the female, clad in black but offsetting this by tying her coat about her slim waist. "I don't want to get sunburn Saskia." Replied her companion, smiling despite the travails of another two days without making camp. "When did we last feel the sun on our faces? I fear my skin couldn't take it!" "You want to try spending years in an underground prison, you'd take any chance you could to feel the sunshine." A moment of quiet descended as they thought back to that gloomy tomb whereon they first met. It had been over fifty years ago but age had little dominion over him and none upon her. The silence was because they escaped and Malcolm's mentor had sacrificed himself to spend eternity in the bowels of some forgotten Mountain. It was a short respectful silence they both shared. At length, the grasses gave way to gravel pathways that led to beautiful multi-arched bridges and walkways by which one could access the many levels of Etirath. They took the first bridge they encountered and stared in awe at the lustrous marbled pillars that climbed dizzyingly into the sky. The air was crisp and thin here. It reminded Malcolm of Dorrenthall; a place they were hunted like criminals and Saskia burnt at the stake! Not that you'd know it to see her now. "Do you think Etirath has deities and cool powerful guardians I can capt... Uh, battle?" He asked excitedly- remembering Valkyrie who he barely survived a battle with on the slopes leading from Dorrenthall. "Probably." Shrugged Saskia. " But, y'know, I don't think people are going to appreciate you provoking guardians and then trying to claim them for yourself." She was always the voice of reason in these things but was confident Malcolm hadn't merely come here to fill that blasted LightStone with another High-level summon. "We should probably find Arthur and see what he thinks we should do." Arthur was rumoured to have come to Etirath and he was Apithean like Malcolm. Malcolm's mentor, Marana Tha had told him to return one day and take down the Empire- restore the glory and the magic to their homeland and he believed Arthur- a form-shifting polymorph could be exactly the ally he needed. If anyone would have an idea it would be this legendary figure! "Well, first we need some coin!" Reminded Saskia as they passed beneath pretty timber-framed bay-windows with quaint, painted shutters. " We should head over there" she pointed out a little market square. " We can sell the wines we bought in Dsana. They'll have aged nicely." That was certainly true because they'd passed through Dsana years earlier and it would be a blessed relief not to have to carry the heavy casks. Malcolm pondered whether wines from the fertile valley were remotely common this far away but Saskia was right, they ought to fetch a decent price with years of maturity upon them. They came into a sunlit marketplace and indicated an unoccupied pitch beside a seller of exotic-looking fruits. Saskia dug one cask from her rucksack and Malcolm did the same. It would double the available space to finally be rid of these wines and should substantially line their pockets. Malcolm uncorked the heavier cask and poured two sample helpings into a pair of silver goblets Saskia produced. And then they put on quite a performance! Beaming smiles, shining eyes and lively glances were the order of the day as Saskia sallied out so that patrons might sample the bouquet! "Roll-up! Roll-up! Finest wine Dsana has to offer! Take home a horn today! Discount available on the whole cask! Get it whilst sticks last! Aged Ten Years!" Malcolm hollered at startled passers by. Malcolm and Saskia were in business! Saskia Malcolm
|
|
inherit
13
0
Jan 23, 2017 16:51:08 GMT
0
taiska
10
August 2015
taiska
|
Post by taiska on Nov 1, 2015 12:32:02 GMT
Conciousness came slowly that morning for Taiska, his dreams keeping the man occupied for some time. His mind's eye had taken him back, before the reign of Sayre, and into the realm of his childhood. He was back in the little fishing village that he grew up in, every sight and smell was exactly as he remembered. A group of tall children brushed past the youth, headed toward the forest with the intent of causing some kind of mischief. Taiska resented those kids, for they were the reason that the village children had a set curfew.
Without warning, something tackled Taiska, and they toppled to the ground, the small figure huffing happily. "Korr!" Taiska cheered happily, hugging the dog's chest. Korr then proceeded to lick Taiska's face repeatedly with it's long tounge. "H-hey! Cut it ou-..." The peaceful dream was cut short by the other spirit that resided within him; Junkai. 'Wake up, Taiska. We need to get back to Etirath or we'll be out here for another ten years!'
With hesitance, he sat up and grabbed the small satchel that he had brought with him for his travels. Slowly, he flipped open the leather and reached inside to find his waterskin. When his fingers brushed the precious object, he pulled the small cylinder out and pulled the cork out of the top, pressing the container to his lips. The lukewarm water was welcomed, but ad he went to take another sip, he found that the container was now completely empty. Cursing under his breath, he put the waterskin back into the satchel and stood up, slinging the bag over his shoulder.
He was about to leave the small inn, when something called to him in his mind, and he subconsciously patted his side. He had forgotten Kagishi, the most prized of his possessions, and his daggers. Shaking his head slowly, he tied the katana around his waist, and buckled his dagger sheath. The last thing that he donned, was his black cloak, which clasped near his left shoulder. He left his room, and thanked the innkeeper for letting him stay the night, and dropped a single gold coin into his hand. As he strode away, the innkeeper hummed at the wonderful profit he had made from a single man.
Slowly, Taiska strolled down the long road out of town, headed toward the wonderful kingdom of Etirath. As he left the town, he pulled his hood up, shrouding his face from anyone else on the road. Walking at a decent pace, he started to recollect why he wanted to become a strong warrior in the first place, and where this path will lead him. He had once come across an old crone, who preached to him about how the path he walked lead to destruction. He had brushed off the woman for the time, but what if she was right? What if he was just plotting a point to the plains of oblivion? With such grim thoughts, he hadn't noticed that he had wondered into the marketplace of Etirath.
Stopping for a moment, he took in his surroundings, and pulled down his cowl. This place had really changed during the time that Sayre had passed, and the city rebuilt. For once, he lifted his head and let himself absorb some of the bright sunlight, bringing some much needed warmth to his soul. From the corner of his eye, he saw a man peddling his self proclaimed fine wine, and decided that it wouldn't hurt to give the stuff a try.
He made his way to the stall and smiled at the two, bowing his head only slightly. "Hello, sir. My name is Taiska, and I have come to sample some of the wine that you are selling. Would you mind?"
|
|
inherit
9
0
Sept 30, 2016 14:49:16 GMT
0
CharlieGordon
28
August 2015
charliegordon
|
Post by CharlieGordon on Nov 1, 2015 15:18:34 GMT
It wasn't long before there was custom, even if the first few passers-by were content simply to wet their whistle, compliment the subtle textures and move on without loosing their purse strings. As Saskia swayed her hips and complimented children on their cuteness, women on their fashion or hairstyles and men on their strength or impressive weapons, a hooded figure moved to the stall.
His face was scarred and he wore a katana by his side and two daggers at his waist. He was slightly taller than Malcolm but his most distinguishing feature were his deep red eyes. Malcolm had not seen the like before but he was new here. Half of Etirath might look just so and it would scarcely be appropriate a conversation starter with a potential customer.
The fact this stranger had all his weapons to hand told Malcolm that this was a fellow traveller. No doubt somebody who could do with a wineskin topped up.
Saskia allowed Malcolm to deal with this one, she patted a fat child on the head and told the mother that her son was handsome and strong, pouring out little measures of the wine for the patrons or tourists to sample. They were definitely drawing interested glances and she hoped they would sell their stock quickly; she was tired from the journey.
"A very good day to you indeed my fine Sir!" Beamed Malcolm at the red-eyed gent. "Care to sample the finest wine the fertile Dsana valley has to offer?" He slid a goblet towards the hooded figure for his appraisal and cracked a winning smile.
'If summoning hadn't worked out' wondered Malcolm fleetingly, 'I might have made a world-famous travelling salesman...'
|
|
inherit
13
0
Jan 23, 2017 16:51:08 GMT
0
taiska
10
August 2015
taiska
|
Post by taiska on Nov 1, 2015 15:51:25 GMT
A small smile crossed his lips as the man spoke, for he hadn't met someone with such manners in quite a while. His throat burned from the lack of hydration, but he knew that relief would soon be upon him. Taiska caught the goblet with finesse and stared down into the dark red substance, slightly seeing his own reflection in the liquid. With a slow, but precise motion, he lifted the cup to his lips and let the smooth wine run down his throat, soothing it, and leaving a wonderful taste. He had tasted many a wine, but this one was far better than any he had tasted before, and for some reason he wanted more.
Looking back at the man, he smiled and set the goblet down and nodded contently, thinking about how expensive this would be. They looked like honest folk, trying to make some coin, but something felt a little off about the man. He quickly brushed the thought away, and pulled out his waterskin, setting it on the stall. "Well, sir, I think you have me here. Could I have enough to fill this please? I had just come back to Etirath from a long journey, and I think that I'll treat myself today."
Honestly, he really did feel like treating himself, for he had traveled the country-side without incident... Well mostly. That is a completely different tale, though. He raised the half full glass to his lips again, and finished it. A small sigh of relief escaped his lips after he had completely finished the last of it off. He sat the goblet back onto the counter, and patted his katana. "Know a good smith around? My daggers are a little dull."
|
|
inherit
9
0
Sept 30, 2016 14:49:16 GMT
0
CharlieGordon
28
August 2015
charliegordon
|
Post by CharlieGordon on Nov 4, 2015 9:21:09 GMT
" A wineskin sir?"bowed Malcolm genially, "As you're our first customer this fine day, we'll cut the price of this fine vintage to a nice round two whole pieces! Guaranteed to slake that thirst. Saskia and I never drink ought else! Isn't that so Sask?" He was used to this glib-tongued act by now, having done this same charade in every town and holdfast, village, castle, hamlet or court. Gods only knew what value the old red in the well-travelled casks held, but this chap seemed to like it well-enough and two pieces was hardly extortion.
"I tried water once, dear and I was sick as a dog!" Chimed in Saskia, "Stuck to the grape ever since!" She gave a cheeky wink as if to suggest her youthful and untarnished feminine form were owed to a lifestyle of heavy alcoholism rather than by orb-dependant immortality. The crowd was enamoured by Saskia's banter and Malcolm saw one or two shaking their own wineskins to decide whether it was sensible to empty out the dregs of whatever drop lured at the bottom in favour of this tangy Dsanian vino. Malcolm continued his dialogue with the red-eyed stranger;
"My name is Malcolm Jenkins, sir!" he admitted, "A wine merchant from far-off Apithea." He lied. "My business-partner, Saskia and I seek a friend from home... You wouldn't know of Arthur Midas, perchance?" Why Malcolm's voice was low and careful as he enunciated the four syllables, he could not say but there seemed to be a sense that as a stranger to these lands he ought to tread carefully. "You see, he's a great fan of Dsanian wines and has expressly requested a cask which I, which we are keen to deliver." He smiled deliberately as he became conscious that his face had grown stern. His mask was slipping.
|
|
inherit
13
0
Jan 23, 2017 16:51:08 GMT
0
taiska
10
August 2015
taiska
|
Post by taiska on Nov 8, 2015 22:23:15 GMT
Taiska nodded slowly, and dropped two whole pieces into the man's palm, smiling as he did so. As the woman spoke, he sensed something... Off about her, but he really didn't give it a second thought. The two pieces of gold didn't bother him too much, for the wine was a pretty good quality. The words that this man spoke seemed a little hollow. That didn't bother Taiska very much, as long as the man wasn't trying to kill him, it was better than the past couple of months.
When the man spoke of Arthur, it reminded him of the halfling that he had seen all those years ago. When the man began talking about Arthur, Taiska began to see through his facade. For a moment, he wondered if this man knew the halfling personally, but honestly he didn't know where Arthur was.
"I haven't seen Arthur in quite a while. I'm not too sure where he is at now. He was here ten years ago, but I have been gone from this place for a very long time."
|
|
inherit
9
0
Sept 30, 2016 14:49:16 GMT
0
CharlieGordon
28
August 2015
charliegordon
|
Post by CharlieGordon on Nov 11, 2015 13:43:23 GMT
It transpired that the stranger did know of Arthur but hadn't seen him in a decade. He'd been away from the place a long while. That couldn't be helped, Malcolm scooped the gold into his knapsack and handed the filled canteen to his customer.
"Not to worry Sir! I expect I'll run into him in the end." he smiled.
"Hope to see you around sir!" Winked Saskia, still playing up to the role of the flirtation station.
The customer served, the pair addressed the crowd and the free samples converted into sales. As demand went up, so did the prices and by mid-afternoon the casks ran dry and the purse heavy. They had over thirty whole pieces and had confirmation of sorts that Arthur had indeed been known in these parts. Malcolm decided not to keep asking until they'd had a chance to settle in. They didn't want to make waves if they could avoid it. Find lodgings and find Arthur were the objectives. After that, everything could take care of itself.
The shadow of these lavish buildings had fallen across the square and little eddys of wind set tiny whirlwinds of dust skidding between the stalls. Saskia bought a mango and proceeded to eat the rich, sweet flesh as they walked.
"You don't even need to eat!" Protested Malcolm for the umpteenth time. "Are you saying I'm getting fat?!" gasped Saskia in mock exasperation. "We made good money today but that needs to last awhile now" "I like the taste! I carried that cask just as far as you carried yours. Don't begrudge me a piece of fruit you old miser!" She elbowed him playfully. "You didn't think I'd like a mango?" "Hey! We need to save that money..." She strode ahead of him as he shook his head.
|
|