Wrath of the Dragonkin

[Lady Jenn]

"It keeps him entertained," Merrick replied, shrugging. "Most families with children his age fled this place long ago. If I was younger and had somewhere to go I would likely do so myself. I guess I fear what would become of him if I ever tried to be too strict with him. Although there are limits." He went into the pantry and came out with a pitcher full of green-colored liquid. "I feel certain he would follow you north if he could, but he is too young and far too naive for a quest like that."

[Khal Drogo]

Daric chuckled as he listened to the story "I suppose that'd be the case, though if you really wanted to keep him occupied you could teach him the basics of sword and shield or spear, I'm sure that'd come in useful and it'd occupy the kid while he practice".

He raised an eyebrow at the idea that the kid would follow them into the danger "he's gotta learn eventually, if you let him I can bring him along and I swear I will keep him safe". He said as he reached out for the drink, curious "and what's this?" he said as he looked curiously.

[Lady Jenn]

"There are things worse than Orcs north of here," Daric said, grimacing as he poured himself a glass. "Maybe one day, but...he is all the family I have, I do not wish to risk his life unless I absolutely have to." He poured a glass of the drink for Daric. "It's called Elgeyan Juice, it's made from a rare fruit grown on a farm not far from here. It might not look all that appetizing but I'm pretty sure it's the best non-alcoholic drink you can find for miles around."

[Khal Drogo]

Daric smiled at the man as he took the drink "You sound like my dad used to" he said looking at the green liquid "I'd usually prefer alcohol but I guess this wouldn't hurt to try".

He took a whiff of the strange liquid before sipping from the cup, finding the sensation strange but surprisingly pleasant with the mix of sweet and sour. It was unique and gave the man a warm hearted smile "man, I don't remember the last time I've had something that lifted my spirit up." he closed his eyes and thought of his past, for the first time it was of good times he had. The nostalgic smell of coco and the warmth of the fireplace.

He opened his eyes and turned to the man "you don't happen to have any seeds of the fruit do you? Otherwise I might need to come up here quite often" he said chuckling as he drank some more but slowly, trying to make it last.

[Lady Jenn]

"You'd have to ask the farmer," Merrick replied. "He pretty much requires his farm workers to swear on their life they won't try to steal a seed so I've never managed to persuade him to give me more than a fresh supply of the drink."

"How's the food coming along?" Ariadne asked, appearing in the doorway. "You innkeepers may only need drink to be satisfied, but if we're going to the wilds north of here I require some form of food in my belly first."

"Nearly done," Merrick replied. "Feel free to help yourself to a drink though."

[Khal Drogo]

Daric turned and laughed at Ariadne "drinks are the best food of all! easy to eat and doesn't get stuck in your throat" he said taking another swig at the cup and motioned it to her "try some while we wait, I'm assuming this was the drink you meant when you said there's something you like to drink here. Clearly something like this must tickle at your Elven tongue" he said smiling.

[Lady Jenn]

"It is indeed," Ariadne replied as she poured herself a glass. "There is something very similar to this in my homeland, but it's just different enough that I'm sure that is more a happy accident than a result of a deliberate act. It's at least easier to stomach than some fruit juice I've tried drinking before."

"If you two are done yakking about my drink," Merrick said, pretending to sound annoyed, "you can take your seats next door. I'll bring the food in shortly."

[Khal Drogo]

"don't mind if I do" Daric chuckled as he moved to the next room with his drink, pouring some into his cup until it was almost full and started drinking it like a man who haven't had water in days. He drank as slowly as he could of course but still quicker than he'd liked. He turned to Ariadne and looked her in the eyes "tell me, what's the land of elves like? From the stories I've heard it was a land straight out of fairy tales, with white tall glorious castles that practically blind you in sunlight, fruits and animals never seen before in any other part of the world. Food so renowned that many chefs would kill to get their hands on the recipes, grand buildings and markets with create ornate symbols and patterns and men and women, beautiful to perfection in the eyes of humans." he stopped himself from rambling and waited to see if she'd confirm what he had thought it was.

[Lady Jenn]

"Some of that is true," Ariadne replied, chuckling. "If you believe the old tales there's an older Elven land far to the south of my homeland, but if it exists no Elf has visited it in a great many centuries. My homeland consists of a massive archipelago of islands, although my family calls the largest of the islands home. It is surrounded by a large outer defensive wall, which protects a large city, at the centre of which stands the palace the royal family calls home. Myraz's palace may be larger, but I would take great pleasure in watching his men try to lay siege to the Palace of Eternal Blossom. There are secrets within it even my family haven't yet discovered, beyond vague hints anyway."

[Khal Drogo]

"I'd rather see it before that happens, if ever" he said taking a sip and burped "excuse my manners, anyways I'd enjoy seeing his castle sieged and the bastard killed or starved to death more" he said staring at the drink. He looked back up at Ariadne, keeping eye contact to make sure she knew what he was about to say was serious "what if we have the orcs help us? Say bribe them into helping us saying they'll get a reward. We'd use them as vanguard where they'll take the bulk of the damage" he said.

[Lady Jenn]

"I wouldn't want to fight a full-grown male Orc anyway," Ariadne said as Merrick brought the breakfast in. "Thankfully nothing larger than a goblin usually ventures outside the borders of the Badlands, but the few times I've been into their territory I've seen that male Orcs could do serious damage to even the most skilled soldier. Hell, a female Orc is hardly a pushover, especially if their children are in danger."

[Khal Drogo]

he looked at them as they spoke "are you implying we kidnap the children and use the orcs to fight them? Or perhaps we kill one of them and blame it on him" he said looking at the food, taking a whiff of the smell "also this smells incredible, what is this?" he said looking at him.

[Lady Jenn]

"Not unless we want to make getting to Dragonblight more difficult," Ariadne replied, laughing. "If the Dawnhammer Blade won't earn their loyalty, trying to bully them won't help us." She tucked into the breakfast, unable to help a smile at how tasty the food was. "I suspect we should steer clear of trying to persuade the trolls though, they can be...difficult at the best of times, but catch them on a bad day and we'll be lucky if we leave with just a broken arm."

[Khal Drogo]

"I love myself a good challenge, plus if they are really that strong then we could use any help we can get" he said eating the breakfast, surprised by how good it was as he dug into it "but fine, we can try a little then if we fail we could always try on the way back" he said looking at the sword as she mentioned it. This whole thing was crazy for him, he's the innkeeper who listens and tells the tales. Not some hero on a quest that's another person's job! He drank the green juice and thought about it quietly, letting his mind wonder.

[Lady Jenn]

"I have interacted with Orcs before," Ariadne said taking a break from her breakfast. "But not since before the newest ruler took power. I wouldn't have called them allies at that time, but they at least remained cordial and largely pacifistic." She looked out of the window wistfully. "Are you looking forward to getting your first glimpse of the Badlands? It can be...quite the experience."

[Khal Drogo]

“Orcs are pacifists? I wouldn’t have guessed” he said his eyes following her gaze out of the window “but yes, I’m ready and excited” he said smiling. He wasn’t sure what to expect except for a wasteland but he was excited to finally be a part of a story instead of being a storyteller to someone else’s.

[Lady Jenn]

"The Badlands are an odd place," Ariadne said, finishing her meal. "It contains one of the greatest forests other than the place I call home, but then it also has a wasteland not so fondly called the Bone Wastes. And that's assuming you don't believe the old wives tales about the lands being haunted."

[Khal Drogo]

"why is it called the Bone Wastes? Lots of corpses?" he saided as he finished his meal and started to drink.

[Lady Jenn]

"No-one's entirely sure," Ariadne replied. "I've heard at least three different versions of it. One claims a mythical beast unlike any other stalks those lands and kills anyone who enters the Wastes, another claims it was the site of a battle on an unimaginable scale, somehow lost to history. The other claims it's somehow the remains of a dragon slain their millenia ago. It's not a place I've been tempted to visit, I know it seems daft for an Elf to be scared of any place."

[Khal Drogo]

He finished his food and downed his drink to wash it down, listening intently at the story. He packed his items and waited for Ariadne "welp, there's only one way to find out" he said smiling and motioning for the door "ready when you are"

[Lady Jenn]

"I'm ready as well," Ariadne said, standing up and checking her weapons, before noticing the bar's youngest occupant was nowhere to be seen. She turned to her old friend. "Merrick, tell your son I am sorry I could not say goodbye to him myself, if I get out of this quest alive I will try and return here when it is all finished."

"Don't you two want some food for the road?" Merrick asked. "This might be the last chance you get to ensure you have a decent meal on hand."