Wrath of the Dragonkin

[Orenji]

Sensing the tension, Cefrey cuts in, "Don't worry yourself too much sir, I may look like this," she says motioning to her current appearance as a scrawny, human man and a merchant, scruffy travelling clothes, messenger bag, and all, and continues, "but I've dabbled enough in the arcane arts myself, and with Ariande's skills, I'm sure we can take care of ourselves and stay out of trouble just fine!" She gives Laeran a reassuring smile.

[Pdriggy]

In reply he jests with a smile, "So, a wizard, sorcerer or .....something else eh?! Some parlor tricks for the journey will shorten our time. Do you do the one with the cups and balls?" He finishes with wink and a hearty laugh knowing full well what the younger man meant.

"I've been on an adventure or two with you magic types and though some may look on it with distrust, for me it has saved my hide on many an occasion."

He pats Mara on the neck before a light tip of his heal to motion her into a light trot closer to Ariande, "Are you similarly skilled Miss? Your stature and the bow tell me your skill set is more varied. Always good to have an archer with keen eyesight nearby. I have a trusty sword and if need be know how to use it."

He motions to give a nod to Laeran for his hospitality but then gives a sad look at his milky eyes and pulls a coin from his pocket, reaching down to the old mans hand, "Something for the use of the horses."

[Lady Jenn]

"I am an Elven ranger," Ariadne replied, studying him closely. "I am as dangerous with a sword as I am my bow, and..." she waved a hand, burning a branch off a nearby tree. "Do not assume I am incapable of magic myself."

"Save your coin," Laeran said, handing it back. "Ariadne is the one person who can take these horses without paying. Returning them safely will be enough repayment for me."

"Come on you two," Ariadne said, nudging Silver towards the path north. "We have to reach the tavern at Marshan just north of the forest, we have an old friend of mine who can inform us as to what's happening beyond these borders." She nudged Silver into a steady trot. "Don't let me leave you two behind."

[Orenji]

Giving Laeran a meaningful nod goodbye, Cefrey kicks her new steed, Petra, steering her in the same direction as Ariadne is going and following close behind her, letting her lead the way.

[Pdriggy]

"Take care old man, I'll bring a nice wine when I return!" He calls to Laeran.

Barty nudges Mara to catch up to the other two, looking to get the names of the other two and seek to learn more about them on the journey.

[Lady Jenn]

Once they had caught up with her she set off at a canter, although she was careful not to push Silver too hard, aware she would have easily outpaced the other two horses at full tilt. It was impossible to track time under the eaves of the forest, but as the sun was setting they exited the forest into a wide open plain, to the east of which stood a large walled town. She took a few steps toward it before stopping to allow the others caught up to her, cradling one of her knives in hand.

"Marshan, one of the last civilized towns before the wildlands of the north," she said, nodding towards it. "Be careful in there, there is a city guard of sorts, but they are rather...lax." She turned Silver to face the others. "If you have any questions, I advise you ask them now, I would rather not draw unnecessary attention to ourselves once we pass through the gate."

[Orenji]

"Well for starters," Cefrey turns towards Barty, "Ariadne and I still have to deliver what little cargo those bandits didn't make off with to the Dragonblight Kingdom, but now that we're here, what will you do Barty?"

[Pdriggy]

Barty's face moves from smiling to serious.
"Cards on the table here, I am a loose bon vivieur who is in need of stretching some old adventuring muscles. I'm honest and trustworthy, if you can take my word for it. I can see that you two have been tightlipped from when I met you and don't believe I'm being told the whole story. You helped me out of that forest for which I am thankful. I would replay this by helping you but if I was to die for a cause I would prefer I know what that cause is; Can you both play straight with me as I have been straight with you?" He pauses for a moment and looks deeply into both their eyes.

"I can keep your trust and not let slip your persons or cause but if you are bandits or a nasty sort, I will bid you adieu here and you can return the horse to its owner". He positions himself as if to dismount but waits for a response.

[Lady Jenn]

"There s a king south of this forest," Ariadne replied. "He has lived an unnaturally long life due to the magic of an artefact stolen from the dragons, but that magic is so strong we cannot hope to fight it ourselves. So we are heading north to plea with the lord of dragons to give us aid." She looked away from the others for a moment. "Although I have my own reasons for wishing to see his reign brought to an end." She turned back to them. "The north is dangerous though, that is why we need to speak to my friend, running an inn here means he hears stories of what lies beyond the human lands." She looked at Cefrey, deciding to allow her to explain her motives.

[Pdriggy]

Barty gives a reassuring nod to Ariadne and also looks to Cefrey.

[Orenji]

After carefully observing Barty's body language, intonation, and reactions during all this, Cefrey subtly nods to herself, accepting Barty's words as truth albeit with a grain of salt, and responds, "...Sorry for the secrecy, but it's hard to trust anyone, especially when you've made enemies of someone as powerful and ruthless as King Myraz, so if you're going to travel with us, you're going to have to play along with us, since I'd like to avoid drawing as much attention to ourselves as possible. The story is fairly simple, I'm just a travelling merchant going by the name Jun Tanaka, peddling rare and useful potions from various strange and faraway countries I've been to, and the two of you are my friends and bodyguards, as you probably figured out by now. It's risky a risky venture, but I'm going to take a shot at the Dragonblight Kingdom, even if it is nearly impossible to make it past the Great Wall. Also, I specialize in disguising magic, so don't be surprised when I switch up my appearance and name to fit in or throw anyone suspicious off our tail. Think you can handle all that old man?"

[Pdriggy]

Barty stayed quite a few moments, then replied "I can handle more than you think, whelp! Don't they tell you to respect your elders where you come from? Anyway, I appreciate your candidacy and hope that there aren't any crucial details you are keeping from me. I have no love lost for this king Myraz you speak of, his reputation proceeds him and I have always stayed to the edge of those lands for fear of his interference with us free folk. Why, he has been in power since I was young." He paused in solemn thought.

"Lets find your friend in the Inn, I haven't had a drink in a while and we need to stock up on provisions, I am more than happy to take on this task if you need me to do my share in preparation."

The mention of an inn seemed to did spark a change in the man, who looked at this stage like he was without a hot meal in days.

"I've always wanted a sejour in the Dragonblight Kingdom, see the sights and get some trinkets" He said with a rueful smile.

[Lady Jenn]

"Stay close to me," she said, pointing Silver in the direction of the town. "There may be no evil king in charge, but there are plenty of less...savoury types there."

She led them up to the gate, where the guards let them through without seeming to bat an eyelid, before leading them down the main street to a tavern, set slightly away from the road, outside which a boy of no more than thirteen was sat sleeping, a helmet covering his eyes and a large spear close to hand. Ariadne stopped in front of him, mouthing to them to dismount and keep quiet as she did the same, walking up to him while pretending not to notice him.

"I heard Boar's Head Tavern was protected by a great warrior," she said nonchalantly. "But all I see is a boy who cannot keep awake on duty."

"How dare y-" the boy started saying as he sprung up, before a grin crossed his face as he recognised her, pulling her into a hug that even surprised the elf. "Auntie Ariadne, it's been ages since you last visited."

"I know, I'm sorry Nathan," she said, ruffling his hair affectionately. "But my friends and I were passing through and I couldn't go through town without treating them to one of your famous drinks."

"Don't let Dad hear that," Nathan said, laughing. "He has a big enough head already. Do you want me to take your horses to the stable for you?"

"That would be wonderful Nathan," she said, smiling as he walked away. "And when you're done, tell your father we need to speak to him." She turned to them, a sad look on her face. "The landlord isn't his real father," she said. "I found him when he was still very young next to the bodies of his parents in the forest. I knew he couldn't live in the forest, but I also knew the owner of this tavern had just lost his wife to illness and needed something to make his life whole again, and as they say the rest is history. Just...be careful talking about it around them."

With that she lead them into the inn, the patrons looking up at the new arrivals, but the sign of her ranger uniform convincing them to go back to their drinks.

"Find us a table," she said to them. "I'll get our refreshments." With that she vanished in the direction of the bar.

[Orenji]

Finding a table with a clear view, Cefrey pulls up a chair and nonchalantly starts scanning the area, taking notes of the exits and evaluating everyone she can see.

[Pdriggy]

After waiting a few moments for the other two to enter ahead of him, he enter through the door and pats his clothes to produce a puff of dust from his travel. Then claps his hands to dust them off too. He uses this moment of bustle to keenly get an assessment of the clientele; who are the local winos (his bread and butter for pulling in a crowd), who are the regulars for a daily meet with hardworking friends, the more serious talkers who have private meeting in hushed tones in a neutral ground to talk, and lastly the loners - the ones looking for certain work, giving work to the right person and those whose work is not just illegal but dangerous.

Having taken it all in casually as if looking to find a free table, he walks over towards Cefrey. "May I sit here?" He says in a polite and clear baritone. Seeing general agreement he sits at the same table, with his face casually pointed towards the closest seated member of the loner category. If there were prying ears here, this one is closest and the most risk of overhearing. Barty then starts to discuss the most boring filler of topics to put off those prying ears - the weather. If they are going to listen, then at least challenge them to listen to someone else!

[Lady Jenn]

Ariadne made her way to the table, three drinks in her hands, placing them on the table before sitting down. "Drink up," she said, trying to smile. "There are few drinks you'll find better than the ones here, and I'm paying, this won't happen again for a while." She was looking away from them, toying with a ring on her finger. She only seemed to perk up when Nathan briefly came over. "How are you doing kid?"

"Dad says he'll come and find you when the inn closes for the night," Nathan replied. "He can't come over before then without making the customers suspicious." He frowned. "Auntie, what's wrong?"

"I'm...I'm fine Nath," she said, squeezing his hand. "Don't worry about me." As he walked away she put her hand back on the table, now it was clear the ring was covered in elaborate runes and symbols. "I'm sorry, I'm not much company right about now."

[Orenji]

After pretending to sip at her drink, Cefrey frowns and asks her, "What do you mean, 'not much company?' You've made this trip far more interesting than it could ever have been if I had been on my own."

[Lady Jenn]

"You haven't even begun to understand who I am," she said, her voice cracking. "This..." She sighed, putting her head in her hands. "I would give anything not to be here right now," she said, a tear falling from her eye. She was so distracted she didn't notice that the bar had emptied and a tall, grizzled, grey-haired man was walking over till he coughed. "Paeter?" she asked, looking up and trying to smile as he hugged her. "I feel like I've been away too long."

"You're a ranger," Paeter said, smiling at her. "I would never assume my inn is more important than your forest." He turned to the other two, bowing deeply. "My name is Paeter Magnusson, this is my tavern, you are welcome to stay here as long as you require." He shot a cheeky grin at Ariadne. "I'm surprised you don't have a beautiful wo-" He stopped, regretting the words coming out of his mouth too late as Ariadne turned and stormed towards the back of the bar, causing him to sit down and sigh. "Twenty years I've known her and I still know how to say the wrong thing at the worst possible moment." He turned to them. "Unless one of you is brave enough to make sure she's alright I would be interested to know what brings you here, Nathan may be too innocent to know what Ariadne is asking for, but I know she only asks directly for me when she feels I have information that can help."

[Orenji]

"...I think I'd better go check on her. I'll leave it up to you to explain to him what we're here for Barty, and be sure to tell him our cover story as well." Cefrey says, getting up from the table, following after Ariadne.

[Pdriggy]

Barty slams his fist on the table as he stands barking to Cefrey "Whelp, Sit your arse down! You can sniff after that in your own time."

Then projecting across the room, "Miss high and mighty, are you leading this group or playing broken hearted darling here? If you can't keep it together in the company of your old friend, how do you expect to succeed in our task?"

Standing he glowers across at the two of them while speaking to Paeter in a lower terse voice, "Sorry to cause a fuss in your nice inn here, but I was to understand we are here on important business. I have someone, I expect, old enough to be our mother who can't deal with life and a young fella who is dopey about her from what I can see. We are heading to Dragonblight country to speak to their higher ups, can you tell us anything to help or not?"

He sits back down without taking his eyes off the other two, then takes a swig of the drink and finishes the lot in one go.

[Lady Jenn]

"You have no idea who you speak to do you?" Paeter asked, raising an eyebrow and letting out a laugh. "I know Ariadne is reluctant to speak of her past but..." He looked over at her, sighing. "She's going to kill me for telling you this but...Your companion is no mere Elven Ranger, that ring she wears is a ring of the Throne of Dae'valos. Ariadne...Ariadne is second in line to the Elven throne, she is a royal, so I would choose your words extremely carefully." He turned to Cefrey. "Go to her, she has not reacted that way in some time, something is wrong." He turned back to Barty. "I would be careful insulting the Elf, matters north of here are worse than even she realises. There are rumours of a Trollstorm forming north of here," he said, taking a large gulp of his drink. "If you don't get to the dragons before that happens, nothing between here and Dragonblight is safe."

Ariadne had her head buried in her hands, visibly shaking in a way she didn't want the other two to see, quite glad that Paeter and Nathan were nowhere nearby.

[Orenji]

"Sorry about this old man, but I really don't think I should leave her alone after an outburst like that..." Cefrey says, giving Barty an apologetic look before ducking into the other room to find Ariadne by herself. Without saying anything, Cefrey sits down beside her and waits for her to calm down.

[Pdriggy]

"Paeter, you don't know me so I'll take you patronizing words with good favour, I don't care two hoots if she was Queen of the Trolls, we are here to do a job, if she can't do that then I don't see why I should follow her to my possible death. You don't think all of us have seen tragedy in our own time?" as he says this there is a vacant stare on his face for a moment.

"I have lost friends and ....more... from missions that went sour when soldiers crack under pressure. That happens and people close to you, well, then end up dead. " He paused as if to push down memories.

"She brought us to you and if matters are worse as you say, then we have no time to waste. Please tell me more of this Trollstorm and the urgency we face. And Paeter, please call me Bartleby" The last sentence was said with a personal touch, as he offered his hand to Paeter.

Though he focuses on the conversation at hand he knows full well that his voice was carried across the room. They may have seen Barty to be a hearty ligth hearted traveler already, here now was a deeper, battle forged adventurer who unintentionally exposed his own true self. Full of fire, fury for battle and the will to survive it taking them with him through to the other side.

[Lady Jenn]

"Next time you go to open your mouth to her, consider this," Paeter said sharply. "If Ariadne deserts you I do not fancy your odds of reaching Dragonblight alive. I'm not convinced you can get there WITH her help."

"Dad," Nathan said, looking slightly alarmed as he came over with another drink.

"I'm sorry Nathan," he said ruffling his hair. "Adult emotions are...complicated, go to bed, we'll be fine." Once Nathan was out of earshot he turned back to Barty. "Dragons rarely fight wars in ways other races do. A Trollstorm is when dragons drive Trolls south, then come the Thunder Lizards, whelps and...whatever other nightmares populate the slopes of Dragonblight. And then, if by some miracle you can survive those, then come the dragons. One of those would be the match for a full army, and no-one knows how many populate the Blight. However, if it was imminent we would know already, which means you have time to persuade Stormrider he can get what he wants without cutting a swathe through the southern lands."


"I know Paeter didn't mean to upset me," Ariadne said, turning to her to reveal a tear-stained face. "But...you must understand, love among Elves does not work the way it does among humans. It is supposed to last for life, and yet..." she looked down at her ring. "I chose to leave one back on the island, and then I sent the next to her death. My...reaction to you is not unfinished business with past love, it is the fear that I could never make you happy. You're incredible, you're beautiful, you're..." She felt herself laughing between the tears. "And now I've just made our journey north more awkward without even trying."

[Pdriggy]

Stunned, Barty quotes " 'If Ariadne was to desert ?' In the middle of a push into dangerous territory? If that is the type she is, then tell her the best of luck with her travels, she can get another fool to walk into their death! No wonder she grieves for lost loves."

With that he picks up his bags and leaves a coin on the table, saying "It is her friend's horse in the stable, I am no horse thief, let her know I hope she succeeds in her quest." Then walks out the inn door.