Trading Post (open)

(Really? No one interested? Guess I will make it solo post then. I must be terrible writer. I so sick of solo posts.)

Leostonnia. its landscape was dotted with fortified keeps and towns. Each settlement a small kingdom in itself. It was a land of heroic knights, and beautiful maidens, a land of fairytales. One would think mercenaries, sell swords, would be unable to find work here with honor held so highly. But that was far from the case. With such a vast territory nobles often hired them to supplement there own military forces to cover patrols or to be settlement guards.

Richard himself often took contracts as a merchant caravan guard. It paid well and he got to travel. That was how he arrived at a nameless trading outpost on the frontier lands. Upon arriving he had learned that the outposts merchant guild had put a hefty bounty for any that could put a end to the attacks that were happening on there caravans. Obviously it was bad for business and Richard was always in need of coin and new thrills. So he took on the job.

It proved a difficult one as the culprit of the attacks was a lone Catawal. Normally the monsters ran in packs. Richard counted himself lucky the beast was a solitary one as the fight nearly cost him his life. But in the end he was victorious. There hides were to strong for bladed weapons but amidst the bodies and wreckage of a destroyed merchant caravan he acquired a mace. It proved a effective weapon for smashing in Catawal skulls.

Exhausted and battle weary Richard returned to the trading post that was surrounded with thick trunks of wood from the nearby woods to form a wall. He stood before the gate and tossed the dented mace to the side in the mud. "Open up!" Richard barked at the ramparts above the gate. A mercenary guards head poked up and they saw Richard. His bucket helm was partially caved in. The chest plate he had was scarred with a claw mark and the shoulder plate on his right sword arms side had a bit mark that showed he had narrowly escaped a neck bite.

But the thing that stood out most was the large sack Richard had slung over his shoulder that was soaked red with blood and dripping. The trading post guard called down below and with a heavy groan the wooden gates opened and Richard strolled with his head held high and chest puffed out. Rain clouds had formed over the course of the last hour and the sky opened up in a downpour. The well traveled ground now turned into mud and Richards boots made sucking sounds with each step as he headed to the wooden shack that made up the merchant guilt office of this particular place.

Richard entered through the door and stood in front of a mustached man dressed in lavish purple silks with gold lacing. Atop the merchants head was a hat with a puffy peacock tail feather sticking out. A sign of his position and wealth. Richard dumped the bloody sack on the rich mans desk and got a nasty look from him. "The head of the monster". Richard said with pride.  "Your getting blood on my desk". The noble said with no hidden distain. Putting a pouch on the desk heavy with coin the merchant gave a dismissive wave of a hand. "Take your coin and go vagabond. Your services are no longer needed".

Richard had no problem with that. He took the coin pouch in a hand and tossed it a bit to judge its weight. Satisfied the sell sword tied it off to his belt and gave a curt bow before leaving back into the rain. But he could not enjoy the payment just yet. Already he was looking for a metal worker to assist him with a problem. Such was life, you work for coin only to turn around and give some of it to others.

He listened for the trademark banging of metal on anvil and waved at guards on the walls who calling out "Monster Slayer!" With enthusiasm. Richard found the blacksmith. He was a old man with white hair that showed how many winters he had seen. "What can I do for ye?" Asked the old man. "I got this bucket helm stuck and squeezing on me head. Get it off." The metal worker eyed Richard through the helmets eye slot and took note of the snake like yellow eyes. "You got coin?"

"Aye". With that the smith motioned for Richard to sit in a chair. The hard part was coming up now as the metal worker had to hammer on the helm. Each impact sent a shock through his skull and it was not long until his ears started to ring. But it had to be done. The bucket helm had served its purpose in stopping the monster from crushing his head in its jaws. Just a few more moments and his head would be free of it.

(Hey, I was working on a post for this, can you reopen it?)

Svadilfare had not been to Leostonnia in almost ten years. The last time, he had been hired to assassinate the prince, Solomon Wyrmfyre. He never did complete that job. Something far more important had come up. The failure to complete the job, surprisingly, had not marred the Pride of Kryo's reputation. Perhaps it was simply because of the target. A royal would be difficult for any assassin to get to.

Today, Svadilfare was in Leostonnia not to complete that job, but to take a different one. With the roads attacked all the time by monsters, people required escorts. For the most part, it was merchants or caravans of nomads. Sometimes, it was a noble who just wanted an extra sword. Though Svadilfare didn't often take work far from home these days, this one would pay well. Celestia often insisted that Svad should retire, that with all the kids and themselves being able to hunt, coin was not necessary. Svad thought differently, of course. It would help for his children to have a little coin once they went out into the world. And sometimes, Svad needed a new knife or repairs done to his swords and shield.

Svad's horse came to a stop in front of the large wooden gate of the trading post. It was opened without him having to ask. He went through and went straight for the stables, handing over a few coins for the stable boy to take good care of his mount. He then made his way to an inn; the people he'd been hired to escort to the nearest city weren't going to be leaving until tomorrow.

darvik hasn't been to Leostonnia before but he heard that where he could get good prices for furs and some ores that he had . while pulling his cart threw the wooden gate. he wonders where he can find the inn. while thinking about what he done in his past.

"Just hurry up already!" Drake barked at the smith as he tugged on the sell swords bucket helm. After a few more grunts the mans head was free of its iron prison. Drake stood up from the chair and walked out from under the overhead cover to look up at the rainy sky. "Ah...." Drake sighed with relief at having the cool rain landing on his face. Returning to the smith he thanked the man for his efforts and looked over the selection of helms he had. Drake needed a replacement for the one the monster had bent to hell.

In the end he settled for a iron helmet with ram horns that protected everything but the face. Drake purchased a new wet stone kit along with cleaning oils so he could clean his equipment later. With all the rain at the moment it was bound to start rusting without attention and care.

Richard needed a drink and hot food. The inn was the best place for that. Drake figured he could have some down time now as the merchants he was working with were not leaving until tomorrow. Drake stopped on the wooden porch of the inn and rubbed the bottom of his boots off on the stairs to get most of the wet mud off. When he entered drake was greeted by the pleasant smells of roasted meats, and pipe tobacco smoke.

All the talking stopped and heads started to turn to look at the new arrival. "What?", drake asked. "You were expecting a pretty lass with frilly laces?" At that he heard laughter and everyone went back to there business. He saw some familiar faces but all the others were knew to him. As he walked by a table a fellow sell sword patted him on the leg. "How it go?" At that drake could only grunt. "Damn beast used me head as a chew toy and I cut off its head in return..... Most fun I had in days!"

Sitting at a empty table drake took off his ram horn helm and set it aside. Banging a fist on the wooden table he called out. "Oy! I need ale and food over here! Killing monsters gives a man a mighty thirst! Hurry it up woman!"

"Walk in here with blood on your suit or a freshly lost limb, then you might get swift service. Here, you get served by order or rank," a man at the table behind the sell sword said. "That man over there arrived before you and out ranks all of us." The gravelly voiced man lifted a bandaged hand and pointed to the fur-clad warrior sitting at the other side of the room. The woman the sell sword had just yelled for was speaking to him.

The maiden who came over to inquire what the warrior wanted flinched. She was used to men shouting at her to hurry over to them. Still, a slammed fist on a table always put her on edge. She was going to send her apologizes when Svad stopped her. "He can wait. Claiming to have downed one of those creatures doesn't earn him special treatment. I have my own meat you can cook if that isn't too much trouble. And I'll take one mug of your best mead, please." Svadilfare handed over a bundle containing the meat... and a small bag of coins. The graciously accepted the bag and went off with the meat. Soon, she returned with Svad's drink then hurried over to impatient sell sword.

"I'm sorry, sir. What can I get for you..?"

The Pride of Kryo took a sip of his mead before slowly looking round the room. He wondered if all the towns of Leostonnia looked this way: inns filled sell swords and warriors hired to escort merchants, nobility, and anyone unable to fend for themselves, from one place to the next. 'twas a depressing thought if that were the case, that life in the kingdom be reduced to this.

walks into the inn after getting the way to inn from a merchant coming from the inn goes to the bar " hello my I get a gold meed with a bit of a kick to it" I ask the person behind bar.

"Rank you say?" Richard said with a tone of amusement as if he thought something was funny about that. "Well I apologize, guess the fire in my blood is still cooling down after my tussle with the beast. You know how it is. Feeling pretty good at the moment and I meant nothing by it shield brother."

Looking to the stranger sitting at the table Richard put his right gloved hand into a fist and banged the top of the fist against his chest plate twice as a sign of respect. It was a wordless gesture but a common one. As the lady appeared by his side Richard waved a hand. "No need to apologize and don't be a fearing me lass. I'm a man and a sell sword. Bad enough by themselves and even worse together eh?" With that he laughed. "I make noise and get rowdy but mean nothing by it. I would like a meaty stew, nice and thick with some ale, With bread and a bit of cheese please." Standing up abruptly he said loudly. "And a round of drinks for all the lads and lass's on me!"

Richard gave the coin for the food and slipped a bit of silver into her hand. "For you my lady", get back to me on the drinks for everyone." Richard was never the greedy type. He had a nice sack of coin and spending it on good company made him feel good. But the thought never occurred to him that someone here might not like his company.

"I shan't break bread or share drink with you freak". A voice called out. It was something Richard was use to and the words rolled off him like water on a ducks back. Waving a hand at the new arrival the sell sword called out. "Oy! Feel free to share my table traveler. Its empty and open to any who would wish to join me."

"No, I don't," the man replied before taking a drink. "I don't risk life or limb, waste good armor and sword attempting to kill those beasts for a few coins." He put his cup down. "I just make my coin making new armor and swords for the poor fools... provided they actually survived. But to each his own, I guess."

Svadilfare felt eyes on him--not unusual for an assassin, but these eyes didn't come from behind. They came from the other side of the room. The rambunctious sell sword was looking at him. Svad indulged the man, looking over at him; he was given a salute, one common among sell swords. The assassin acknowledged it with a nod.

The maiden accepted the coin from the sell sword and hurried off to get what was ordered. She returned promptly, first with the Kryoan's now-roasted meat. Then she left again and returned with the sell sword's stew, bread, and cheese. The drink orders were taken and filled.

The innkeeper looked up--literally--at the very tall man who walked in. He gave him a cup of mead.

Richard gave a smirk and took another drink from his tankard. Letting out a loud belch he shifted in the chair to turn towards the man. "Of course you don't, your not a warrior. You would no sooner understand then I would understand how to work a forge." Swinging his head back and finishing the ale he put the tankard down with a loud thud on the wooden table and waved the woman back over to get him another.

"And its not about the coin. Mind you the coin always helps. I much rather a soft bed then sleeping in a ditch and mending my weapons and armor has its costs. Its just a job that needed to get done. How long do you think that beast would have been killing common folk on the road huh? How long do you think it would take soldiers to get out here to the frontier to deal with it? Days? Weeks? How many more would die if I was not around to take the contract and kill the monster? Who knows, maybe I even saved your life today and you don't even know it. Maybe that beast might have killed you in the coming days had I not killed it. Maybe it would have grown bored of the people on the roads and snuck into this outpost in the wee hours of the night."

When the woman returned he paid her some coin and took another gulp of ale. "Why am I even explaining myself to you." With spoon in hand and bread in the other Richard turned his attention to the next battle of the day. The stew was just as he ordered, thick and meaty. With the stew finished and the bowl wiped clean with the bread Richard leaned back in the chair and it let out a low groan at the man weight. Patting his belly Richard let out another loud belch. "HA! My compliments to the cook!"

Feeling happy and content he nursed his ale and looked about the room. There were some there playing dice, others telling stories of there travels. But his eyes kept coming on the stranger he had saluted earlier. The quiet stranger that seemed completely disinterested in everything. Richard did not like it now that he took notice. He made a mental note to keep a eye on the stranger. Last time he encountered someone like that it was a assassin sent by his family.

Richard continued to smile and be happy but also his yellow snake like eyes always came back to linger on the quiet stranger. Richard thought he was doing a good job of not making it obvious he was keeping a eye on the man. But cloak and dagger stuff was just not his forte.

There was little assassins loathed more than eyes that kept landing on them. Except for one who might be interested, those eyes almost always came from another assassin or one who had ill intentions. The latter was an annoyance at best, almost amusing, even. But the former put a shadow walker on edge. On the streets, it makes you incredibly paranoid. In this enclosed space, it made Svadilfare want to fight. The Pride of Kryo stood after a time and made his way over to the table housing the yellow-eyed sell sword. "Looking for more trouble, sell sword, or do I simply remind you of someone?"

Paradox' Human Form (Ignore the floating cube, that doesn't exist here) :

The door to the inn opened and a figure stepped inside. A few turned around her way but she didn't bother acknowledging them. She already imagined why they would be looking at her that way. Though it wasn't unknown territory for Paradox to walk among the humans in a human form of his own, after all he wished to study them up close ever since he came back from his trip to the Infinite, it was unusual for him to find himself in a place like this. The smell of meat and booze was strong here and it seems that this is the way some humans enjoyed themselves.

She looked around, settling for a single human in particular, in the back of the inn. While those around her were busy playing games with card and dice, he was just sitting there watching, observing. With a light step betraying her appearance she walked over to the human in question. In truth, Paradox knew all along where to find Svadilfare, the mate of Celestia. As much as she would not realize, he could sense residue of her powers and said residue would spread to those she spends a lot of time with. Granted, it was a rather weak trail, which is why it is only now that he could pinpoint this particular human's position but it was working nonetheless.

"Greetings. Would you mind if a stranger offered you some company at this table? You seem like a much more amicable fellow than the others around here."

Richard tensed a bit at first when the stranger he had been eying stood up to walk over but that passed quickly when he spoke. Any doubts about the stranger being a possible threat vanished. If he was a assassin and after Richard, he was a terrible one. From his experience they were a cowardly lot that lurked in the shadows and stuck daggers in backs, or cut you from ear to ear while you slept. None would just walk up on him so openly.

"I had thought you someone else, that was until you came over." Richard said while looking the cloaked stranger up and down. "As for looking for trouble", he trailed off while stuffing a pipe full of tobacco and lighting it with the candle on the table. "That would depend on you." Giving the pipe a few puffs to get a good burn he added. "I would think it clear I am not looking for trouble. I treated everyone in this place to a free drink on me. All I am looking for is good company this night before hitting the road in the morning."

Richard was caught off guard as a woman spoke. Turning his head he spotted a pretty lass, not the garden variety found in peasant villages dressed in dirty rags and lacking meat on the bones. No, this woman had a aurora of mystery about her and appeared regal enough to stand out. A noble perhaps? Richard was not sure who she was addressing so he grabbed the ram horned battle helm off the table and put it on his head. Taking hold of leather scabbard of his longsword leaning against the table Drake stood up and stood aside. "You may have chair my lady".

Richard was not big on the flowery talk. But those he suspected of being higher born were entitled to it. He was not in any mood tonight to have anyone throw a glove at his feet in challenge of a duel for offering a noble lady offense. He stood there and puffed on his pipe. If the lady spoke to him he would stay. If she ignored him and talked to the stranger he would decide to go play some dice or perhaps step outside on the porch.

The Kryoan didn't bother to conceal his amusement at the sell sword. The man's thoughts were clear to him; he had come across others like him more than once. "Is that so? Well, I'm sorry to disappoint. As for trouble, I'm afraid it is dependant on you. You see, if you thought I someone else, you might have approached me. Instead you stare from across the room. Of course, you are looking at the other patrons as well, but always your gaze returns to me... It is because you are afraid, I should think. Afraid because I strike you as the sort you've encountered before, the sort intending harm to you. The eyes give much away, sir."

Svadilfare turned to go back to his table when a woman approached him. "In fact, my table is just there..." he pointed to the now unoccupied table with only a cup of mead to show that anyone had been sitting there. "But here or there, I would have your company, to hear what it is you've come to discuss." The Kryoan was not used to being approached by women for anything other than being hired for a job, so he assumed this one sought an escort or assassin.

The woman smiled lightly and waved the offer off. "Thank you for the offer but I am not one to take someone else's seat. Besides, he is the one I was looking for."

She turned around to face Svadi, taking a moment to inspect the human before her up closely, though without making it look awkward, after all there was a certain etiquette to the humans and how they behaved in the company of a stranger.

"To discuss I have come indeed, though it is not a job offer of any kind. Take it more as a, let's say, more intimate discussion. It is about your star-gazing lover after all, the soft moonlight in your life. Whether we discuss this here, or over there at the table, is entirely up to you. Though I will have to add, I know her secret, I know who she used to be and that might be of some interest to you."
With a smile, she crossed her arms and waited for his answer. In all fairness, she could just not understand the need for humans to wear armor. It's just in the way and won't protect them from anything but their own kind. Then again, compared to the dragons they were pretty soft. No hardened scales to weather anything thrown at them or any magic, or close to, they could use to raise a barrier around them. They were truly something different and he enjoyed the different.

Richard had been drinking quite a bit of alcohol and it was now that it was starting to effect him despite his resistance at first. He liked this stranger. They were observant and his thoughts wandered to what they said about his eyes. It was clever in many ways then one. Drake suspected this stranger connected the dots that he had dragon blood.

That and he was technically looking for trouble, but not in the starting a fight way. Drake's mind was a bit foggy and he only caught a bit of the conversation the two said.

As the tavern lady was moving around with a tray of drinks. Drake put some coin on it and took a tankard from the tray thick with white broth.

"Sounds like a interesting story that", he said and took a drink. He waved a hand of dismissal at the two. "I know, I know, none of my business". At that he looked to the door of the inn and grumbled as three knights entered bearing the crusade colors  on there mantles. They were shaking there bodies to free the rain from it.

"Oh look", he said with no love in his voice. "Knights, just what we need." Drake mumbled as he set down the pipe and took hold of the ram horned helmet to set on his head. Knight crusaders were always looking for dragons. But the problem was there were none left. Except in stories. Drake could not remember the last time he saw a dragon. Not that crusaders cared. Half breeds, part breeds. So long as they could see dragon in you.

You were not a human but a dragon and they were all to happy to slay. A fight would brake out. Maybe not right away, but eventually. With the helmet on his head Drake with scabbard in hand put the Gard and pommel on his shoulder and tapped it in thought before taking back up the pipe to puff on. "I have suddenly lost in interest in merry making."

Richard anticipated that they would notice his eyes and that would be it. There would be no avoiding it. "Bloody dragon hunters". With that Drake turned his attention away from the lady and man to wander off into a dark corner of the room leaving his still full tankard of beer on the table.

Svad was indeed surprised to find this woman had no intention to offer him a job. She only wanted to talk. Before he really had a chance to ponder how strange it was, she said something that caught his attention. Her third sentence made him frown slightly. The fifth made him frown more. Without a word, he beckoned the woman to follow him and made his way out of the inn, pushing past a trio of soldiers as he did so. The Kryoan walked through the rain to the opposite side of the outpost, where there were few souls about. He found seclusion at the stables. When the woman joined him, he asked, "What do you know of my wife?"

She let out a soft chuckle as the interrogation began, though her mind was more directed at the so-called 'dragon hunters' who just entered the tavern. They might be worth inspecting though they might also just stick around, so it will be a matter for later.
Just like before, she took a good look at the human before her who had gone out of his way to ensure privacy, which meant most likely that he knew at least some about his 'wife', though Paradox made sure to flip his world upside down.

"Your wife and I, we have...a history together so to speak. Of course, not like this, no. I am unaware if you know or not but she used to be a dragon before! Can you imagine? Not only that, she was also kind of a big deal. Like, she used to be a goddess before, though I can assure you, she was quite unique. Also, of course, I forgot to introduce myself. I am a dragon god myself, Paradox is the name. Just gotta ask though, does she still go with the name of Celestia? Or did she go back calling herself Astral? Or is it an entirely different name now?"

Richard watched the three knights from a crowded corner of the room. When each of them took out paper to unroll it and started walking around in separate directions among the room questioning patrons he could not believe it. 'You got to be kidding me'. He thought in silence as he observed them.

He knew these knights. They had been chasing him for quite some time now. Like hounds chasing a fox they were always biting at his heels. Drake had always managed to stay one step ahead but now these dragon hunting knights had him cornered. As much as he wanted to sleep in a soft bed and rest out of the rain that was not a option.

Richard took the time to watch there movements and slowly moved among the drunk crowds in the direction of the tavern exit. As he neared a mercenary stood in his way. "Come have a drink with us!", the man said. "Not this time", Richard replied and moved a bit to walk around the man. "Hear that lads? Guess this guy thinks he's to good to drink with us."

Drake looked over his shoulder at the knights questioning some patrons and got nothing but shaking heads. But one knight turned there head to look in his direction. Letting out a low grow that was questionably not human Richard gave in to blend. "Fine, I will drink with you".

Following the sells sword a few steps away from the tavern exit drake took a seat with some others playing dice. His escape would have to wait.

The Kryoan had half expected to hear something new about his wife. Instead, he was told things of which he was already aware. The only new information he received was that she had a history this person. Svad showed little interest in that, at least, on the outside. His only reaction to anything the woman said came when she revealed that she herself was a dragon deity. His eyes narrowed slightly and he began to circle the woman. Like a hunter stalking its prey, he moved slowly. He looked over this dragon-turned-woman calling herself Paradox, as if looking for some conformation of her claim. Or maybe he could see through her disguise. Svad came to a stop in front of her  and rested his right hand on the hilt of his sword. "Sometimes I call her Astral... But she goes by Celestia now. Do you wish to speak with her, or did you simply... wish to make sure I knew who my wife is?"

Well, I came here to see for myself who this mysterious human is that could make the great goddess Astral abandon her own kin for a more simpler life. And I have to say, I am quite impressed. Of course, I also just wanted to make sure you knew who you are dealing with. After all, she was a goddess once. Just make sure she stays in good health, I enjoyed the time she and I spent together wrestling over control of the draconian pantheon. Nowadays, however, I can do just fine with a little bit of peace and quiet, so I am glad she found someone here she can entrust with herself, that complicated little hatchling. And no, while I appreciate the offer, I am not interested in a conversation with her, I came to seek you, after all, and you seem quite fine for her, that coming from one of the current dragon gods.

Brushing off the nonexistent dust off her fur cloak, she took a glance over at the tavern. Already, her eyes could perceive what no other could, chaotic energies brewing around the building and, as it was only nature for her, she would want to be present in the first row when the chaos was unleashed. With a bow, she excused herself. As lovely as this conversation was, and as much as I could learn about you, I will now want to return to the tavern and enjoy the rest of the day before I return to my kin. I hope you understand you musn't mention my origin to other humans, though I cannot demand of you that you keep this conversation private to your mate, Celestia as she calls herself now. In any case, would you like to accompany this lady back? I heard this is the proper etiquette among your kind.

As before, the warrior-assassin was outwardly indifferent to what he was hearing. Now that he knew who this woman really was, he was trying to determine if she were a threat. When his instincts at last told him that she wasn't, he paid greater attention to what she was saying. Of course, by that time, Paradox had already said what she wanted and was expressing a desire to return to the tavern.

"I did not speak of Celestia's true self to any but my children and father. You can rest assured that no soul but Celestia will hear of yours." At her question, he nodded. "Of course. After all, I lead you out here." Svadilfare kept his right hand on his sword as they walked back across the soaked and muddied grounds to the tavern. He was aware that the three knights they had passed on their way outside had not exited. While he had no quarrel with knights, he knew taverns like these were not the kind they liked to stop in. Knights tended to frequent the nicer places in cities; stopping at an outpost like this could only mean they were searching for something; people or conditions of the roads, perhaps just a bed for the night. He knew all the beds were spoken for--he had secured the last one. So that left people and the road. As they walked back into the tavern, Svadilfare parted company with the woman without another word and made his way back to his table, finding that the other patrons, had been wise enough to leave it undisturbed.

Solomon Wyrmfyre descended upon the Trading Post, his Destrier in all its finery came to a halt at the wooden palisade Gates what marked the entrance to the Post, his Destriers caparison decorated in black and white checkers flickered in the Breeze, as the Guardsman strode forth looking down upon Solomon and his companions, two Knights of the realm and their collection of three squires, the Knight lowered their pennon adored lances, there was no need for an exchange of words as the Gates opened without must delay. Trotting forth towards the stables, Solomon couldn't help but release a sigh, there was a subtle hatred the gallivant prince had for these Outposts and the Merchants Guild as a whole. Making up the slowly growing middle class of Leostonnia, these freemen as they called themselves made up the merchant caste and professional trades of the Kingdom, yet unlike the usual peasants and serfs they had no direct master and instead held small amounts of land themselves with no liege other than an oath to the Crown for their services, they were usually foreigners and opportunists, many of which even being literate a privilege usually reserved for the nobility of the land.

Mustering as much Grace as possible in his plate attire, Solomon lowered himself from Grandeur the name of his loyal Destrier before handing the reins to his personal Squire, gesturing with a mere nod for him to head to the stables with their mounts. His immediate companions followed suit, the closest to him Sir Telaf of Dunhold was clad very similar to himself, each of the three carried no heraldry or ensigns of the crown, but merely their personal coat of arms, on such errantry quests it was better to keep quite ones true status quiet to ensure the greater glory and chivalry when heeding the clarion call of honour. Sir Tarion his second companion moved to see the Merchant Guild hall in search of local contracts and rumours, with the Monsters running rampant throughout the world such only granted greater renown. Meanwhile Solomon and Telaf approached the local Tavern, removing their great helms as they did so as they moved to await their companion.

As the two entered the Inn, they both examined the patrons with silent scrutiny, the majority of those within like many Merchant Guild outposts were Mercenaries and bounty hunters, they sworn no oaths of allegiance and were no leal men of honour, those petty less notable members of the aristocracy and the Guild would often hire these cravens and why Solomon felt disgust upon looking upon them he had no desire as to make a scene, he knew what waited him the moment he heated for the Trade Post.

"*grumble grumble* 'You can't travel long distances' they said. *grumble grumble* 'You'd hurt yourself', they said!" Lori walked to the tavern. "Well, who's laughing now!" She swung open the door and marched in, mumbling to herself. "Yeah, that's right. I am. It's me. I'm perfectly capable on my own! Súl will be proud of me." The pregnant woman claimed a table. "Haha! I'm a strong independent woman. I walked to the inn all by myself! In your face, healers!"

It was a spectacle to see Lori Iolar so grumpy. The eight months spent in the tent took a toll on the happy-go-lucky woman and made her irritable. She was still capable of being her happy self, but being cooped up made her annoyed and eager to move around. She eight months pregnant and looked just about ready to pop. Her belly was noticeably bigger than most other pregnant woman's, but Lori only figured she gained weight. After all, her baby should be born in less than a month.

As a waiter came over to her table, Lori began ordering. "Oh, hi! Yes, I need. . . Um. . . Okay, I want a plate of salmon with a side of turkey and rabbit stew. . . Oh, steak too! Oh yeah, can I also get spicy sauce on that? Oo, maple syrup on the side. And. . . A citrus pie, please!" She smiled innocently while the waiter simply raised an eyebrow at her. He sighed as Lori gave him the money. "Okay, okay. Coming right up, big girl."

"Thanks!" Lori's anger had ebbed and she was back to her happy self. Yes, she actually did something on her own! Yay! She hummed to herself and looked around, examining the patrons. The people here seemed to be very important, unlike Lori herself.

After Paradox and Astral's human mate left each other's company in the inn, she sought for herself a table, a good place away from Svadilfare while still being able to overlook the entrance as well as the majority of the other patrons. While at first she made an appearance, the others decided to mind their own businesses once more. With a short wave of her hand while nobody was looking, a full tea set appeared on the table she wordlessly declared her own.

While pouring herself a cup, as animated dishes would cause quite the ruckus, she made note of the people in the tavern, though her focus was put on certain individuals. Namely her former target Svadilfare, the young man who offered her his seat, the knights who had entered the tavern shortly after they left, and now the two new knights who held themselves with an air of dignity.

Keeping those important individuals in her vision, she straightened her fur coat and took a sip from her tea, her thoughts not drifting from the amount of entropical energy she saw while returning. My, oh my. This might just be the best seat to find myself in. These humans are quite a fascinating folk, chaotic and far less upstuck than the dragons. Maybe I can even see what Astral saw in them right now...anyway, I shall enjoy this feast of chaos from the very front row, let the games begin!