Chapter 1: A Peaceable Kingdom

[Darren]

Kalarian's smile broadens at the woman's attitude. "I will hold you to your end of the bargain, Jara." He lifts his mug in a small gesture towards her and then takes a drink. "I will be back shortly to enjoy that drink with you."

Kal rises from the table and goes to where Goran is standing. "Suspect something?" he asks quietly.

[Josh]

Sitting silently, Grafth observes his companions and other guests only peripherally. He wonders if this is the sort of establishment where one is served.

[Jeremy]

Goran keeps a smile on his face, and speaks quietly to Kal as though nothing were more important than their meal and tankards.
He's done his best to see if Tangat can tell him anything about the stranger with the expensive haircut, but alas no, and he communicates this to Kal.

"You'll have more luck with him than I, no doubt. I'm interested in that fella, though I have no suspicions as yet except that for some reason when I saw him, my senses flicked on like street lamps at sunset. I'm sure I'm wrong...but I am getting the sense that our arrival in town was anticipated. Before we passed through the gates there were some who have made...preparations. I'm probably just being paranoid, though."

Goran pets Tangat again and walks over towards the stranger, finding something near the man (?) to pretend to be interested in, and hopes Tangat will follow him. Meanwhile, he's also looking for something for Tangat to eat. After all, he did say the "T" word, didn't he?

---

Goran's effort to get Tangat to follow and be near the stranger is a last-ditch attempt to find out some more. He's also trying to find some morsel or other for Kal's four-legged companion.

[Darren]

Kalarian simply nods at Goran's words. He gestures for Tangat to go with the half-elf, but makes no move to follow Goran himself, instead choosing to finish his drink.

[Jeff]

Previously on Dark Echelon:

As you're deciding, a small group comes down the steps. Behind them, a young man—or is it a woman?—with spikey brown hair and simple, dark blue clothing strides past the group and exits the inn.

The spikey-haired stranger never lingered in the dining room. He—or she?—exited the inn moments after passing down the stairs.

When he's finished serving drinks, the barkeep skips around the bar to attend to everyone else. At this hour, it appears the place is lightly staffed. The barkeep disappears into a back room or kitchen for a few minutes, then returns and announces that the lunch special is pan-seered rabbit with a wood-nut sauce (Oss knows this is an Aundairian specialty), rice ,and bread. He also more discretely states that lunch is five sovereigns.

Tangat appears to hone in on the man, as if the barkeep represents good eating. He nudges Goran's leg with his nose, as if suggesting that the "treat" should come from the kitchen. Grafth, too, is becoming aware of a very pleasant aroma wafting out from the kitchen.

[Josh]

Grafth signals to the barkeep that he will take him up on the lunch special as well as some of the house ale, readying six sovereigns when necessary (the server may keep the change). He seems eager, almost impatient, for lunch, but maintains his decorum.

When Kal readies to leave, Grafth will decline to join him, but will ask that he leave the Gazette so that he might pass the time. He reiterates that a dinner meeting would be both wise and welcome, and then returns to his meal/rest.

If any of the members of the group that stay behind enter/remain in the dining room, he will invite them to sit with him while they wait the others' return.

[Darren]

Kal had previously handed the copy of the Gazette to Pellorien.

[Jeff]

The food is soon delivered to those willing to part with the silver (so far, only Grafth). The barkeep smiles in thanks from the his tip. Grafth, in turn, finds the meal very satisfying indeed!

The Aundairian family enjoys the meal as well. You overhear the father chuckling, "Just road rations and gruel from here on, son!"

A short while later the androgynous, spikey-haired youth—who so intrigued Goran—returns to the inn, this time trailing behind another shifter who also looks a bit soldiered up. (Everyone near the Deneith enclave tends to look this way...)

[Jeremy]

Goran can't take the smell anymore and orders a full lunch for himself too. He also asks if there are any copies of recent newspapers around that he could borrow. Once he's got his food he cuts a few choice pieces off and feeds them to Tangat, smiling with a resigned sigh.

"My plan came to nothing, but I guess I still gotta pay up, eh?" and he scratches Tangat behind the ears again.

With that, he tears into his meal, trading sips of the ale with Cutter, until the tankard is gone and hopefully he'll spring for the next one. Putting his feet up, he reads the paper if there was one...if not, then he just enjoys his food and relaxes.

[Darren]

Kalarian moves to the center of the room, as though he were taking center stage. "My friends," he announces, "I am off to the Deneith enclave. If you are coming with me, now is the time to leave." He calls Tangat to his side. "Jara, my lady, I shall be back for our drink." He looks over to the family dining with their recruit son. "Good luck, young man," he says, as he leans his sharash against his right shoulder, the dragonmark prominent against his skin, and exits the inn.

_____________
Kal is heading for the front gate of the enclave.

[Jeremy]

Goran nods goodbye to Kal, staying put at his table. This relaxation is enjoyable, but necessary. Long ago the half-elf has learned to listen to his body, and his body is demanding sustinence and rest.

[Jeff]

"Ummm....thank you, lord," the father of the Blademark recruit says.

Goran feels as though he's made a friend in Tangat. In turn, Goran feels as though he's raised the standard of what Tangat will expect in the future. Happily, the wolfdog turns and joins Kal as he departs.

Kal's Mission

Kal makes his way across the street, passing into the shadow the chimera statue. The two Deneith guards at the gate stand even more at attention as he draws close.

"Good day, my lord," one of them says. Neither makes a move to open the gate just yet.

It would seem Kal's turn to speak.

Everyone Else

Yes, sir, that food sure is good.

[Darren]

"A fine day, my friends," Kalarian says, offering the guards a smile. "I am Kalarian Jaeren d'Deneith, and I require access to the enclave. I must speak with the leadership here. I have some information for them and am hoping they can help me answer a few questions."

______________________
Jeff, would Kal know anything about the organizational structure of this enclave? I want to talk a bit more like I know what I'm talking about, but I don't really. I'm assuming Kal would (or that he would at least know the proper titles of people, etc).

[Jeremy]

Goran has quietly walked to over the front door, keeping a casual eye on Kal, not entirely sure if his reception will be as warm as he thinks it will be. Whether or not he enjoys Kal's company...he's got his back. If Kal passes inside the enclave without event, Goran will go back inside the inn.

Once there, assuming he has returned without event, he will sit down again and engage the others in conversation regarding what steps to take next. Specifically along these lines:

* What sort of danger(s) are we in?
* Who is a threat?
* Who can help us?
* How do we contact Fenwolt's (cousin?) without arousing attention?
* Does anyone have any personal business that must get done immediately?
* Who's buying the next round?

[Josh]

Finishing up his meal, Grafth signals to Cutter and Goran that they should join him at the table. When they arrive, he states, "We should perhaps move to our quarters to discuss more discreet matters, however, I'm in no hurry. I'm not sure that last night's incident was the end of it, but I'm comfortable that we'll be safe for the moment.

"I'll be honest- I would prefer to be on my way to Passage as quickly as possible- tomorrow morning would be ideal. As we were all headed there, I'd wager that this would be acceptable to you.

"If we fulfill our obligation to the gnome this evening, I suggest we move toward Passage regardless of what transpires."

He pauses, "Tonight, though- we must be on our guard. If Fenwolt was so quick to give up information on his family to us, it seems likely he made mention of them to the saboteurs as well."

[Paul]

Cutter nods. "I say we track down this gnome as soon as Mr High and Mighty gets back. Why wait for tonight?"

Unless it is already night?

Jeff: Is Pellorien around? If so Cutter will ask her about the book and what she thinks of it.

[Ed]

Oss ambles over to the three men and takes a seat. He listens to them quietly.

He nods to Grafth and says, "I have to agree, friend. I would like to be moving on to Passage as soon as possible. I have business there that can't wait. I say we give the pompous one," he says jerking a thumb toward the door Kal left through, "a couple of hours and then go to this address with or without him."

[Jeremy]

Goran nods during the exchanges, ploughing through his meal with relish. Draining a tankard he wipes his mouth on his sleeve. The crude habits of the wild die hard.

"So, we're agreed then? We find the gnome's family tonight, and do what we can. Probably between Grafth and I we could craft a rough map to the poor fellow's burial cairn. Then, unless some event dictates otherwise, we get moving again. For myself, I'm already weary of the city and long for the field and woods."

He looks at his empty plate.

"I will miss the food, though." He stands, pushing his chair back. he speaks to all but still with a discreet volume and tone.

"Let's get upstairs and discuss this with Pellorien, and get ready. I might also suggest we each catch an hour or two of sleep, it may be that we're up through most of the night...again. Also, it would be my guess that Kal will not want to leave Fairhaven so soon. I presume we're agreed that we're leaving with or without him? Whatever we may think of him, if we get in trouble we'll miss his magic...and Tangat too."

[Lara]

Pellorien comes down the stairs. As she enters the dining area, she looks around the room, checking out its occupants. Spying some of her fellow travelers seated at a table, she rushes over to them, a smile on her face.

"I think we need to find Fenwolt's brother now." She emphasizes the last word. "If he can help with Gurend's notes... even if it's just pointing us to someone who might be able to make better sense of them -- well, it's a matter of life and death. Our lives and Fenwolt's and Gurend's deaths. I mean, I'm starting to wonder if they weren't somehow connected. And if they were, then now we are... so Fenwolt's brother is our best way clear of this..." She stops suddenly. "Where's the dragonmarked?" With a shrug, she continues, "I think I know where the address is."

[Josh]

"It does seem that evening would be the best time to attempt to find our 'quarry'... who knows where he may be during the work day.

"As for the dragonmarked- I'm unsure as to his intentions here, but I find that having someone bold and bombastic around is often helpful... takes the spotlight off of you or me. I am not a city-dweller, and would rather have someone with us who is sure of this place."

Grafth sits back for a moment, taking in the scene, watching for anyone paying them undue attention.

He leans in speaking quietly, but intensely, "We are in this together- perhaps for longer than any of us would like. We must maintain this strength until the matter is resolved. I don't think we would have made it out alive last night if not for all of us, Kalarian included. Now is not the time for rash and devisive movement.

In battle, the victor is the one who waits for the right moment to find him, rather than grasping blindly for one."

Catching the barkeeps eye, he signals for a round of drinks. "This one is on me, fellow travelers. Let us think this through."

To Pellorian he says, "Did something transpire on the farm that I am unaware of? Do you have reason to believe that Fenwolt's act of terrorism was aimed at Gurend?"

He looks around the group, "Are the people that sabotaged the rail the same that stabbed this man on the platform?"

[Jeremy]

"Your point's a good one. We must keep Kal with us if at all possible. There are...other reasons I fear any of us being separated from the party, which I'll not utter just now, in here, but I'm sure you can all guess.

"Rash actions often lead astry, it's true, but once a plan is made decisive moves usually pay off handsomely. When night comes, I say we move quickly."

Goran's tone takes a sudden grim turn.

"Remember, of course, that we're all assuming that Fenwolt's cousin is still alive. There is also the possibility that the fellow may be in league with those who slayed Fenwolt. Family connections do not always, sadly, guarantee allegiance. We must be cautious."

[Jeff]

Everyone Else

The barkeep brings another round of drinks, at Grafth's request, discounting each by a copper (making it 2 sovereigns in all), seeming pleased with Grafth's business.

No one else around is paying the group undue attention.

_________________________

More later tonight (for Kal, at least). I'm actually posting this via an airport terminal "Internet access here" kiosk--hah!

[Jeff]

Kal's Mission

The first guard nods. "Of course, my lord. May we see your papers?"

A brief inspection of Kal's document—which states his 'official' family residence in Karrlakton—prompts the guard to continue. "I've not been to Sentinel Tower, my lord. Aundairian, born and bred. But I've always wanted to see it with my own eyes." Kal hears true Deneith pride in the guard's voice.

"My wife tells me it would be a waste of gold and time off to see. Secretly, I've wanted to be transferred. Is it worth seeing, my lord?"

The other guard shakes his head. "With all due respect, Eng, I don't think Lord..." He looks at the papers again. "...Kalarian cares much for your idle daydreams."

The guard named Eng nods professionally. "Of course. My apologies, my lord. You may enter." The guards swing open the gate wide enough for both Kal and Tangat to pass through.

-------------------

Kal knows little about Fairhaven's enclave, but he does know the main man in charge here is Viceroy Dogan Velith d'Deneith, regional commander of all house operations in Aundair. It is unlikely Kal could get his attention, however. He is—like all viceroys and ministers of the house—a very busy man.

[Darren]

"Quite the contrary, my friend. Eng's daydreams are far from idle, although I do find daydreaming to be a bit of a waste of time. Instead, Eng, take action. Daydreams will never become real unless you make them so. Trust me, my friends, I am living proof of that. As for Sentinel Tower..." Kal trails off for a moment. "Well, I have not been there in some time. I did my service during the war on the Talenta Plains, and I really haven't been back since. I suppose one could call it a magnificent structure. Still, different places mean different things to different people, no?" Kalarian breaks off from his brief reverie. "I wish I could stay here and talk with you fine gentlemen all day, but I'm afraid I have business inside to attend to. I'd be happy to buy you a drink across the street when you're off duty and we can talk further."

Kalarian pauses before entering as if deciding where to go. "I am sure that Viceroy Dogan is quite busy, and while I would prefer to speak with him, I am sure he has other matters he is attending to right now. I wonder if one of his lieutenants might be available, and where would I find them?"

____________
Not sure if Diplomacy is even necessary, but I'm certainly being diplomatic.

[Jeremy]

Assuming everyone is up in their rooms (it doesn't really matter), Goran seeks out the others and reminds them...

"We should be ready to move at a moment's notice. Where Fenwolt's cousin lives should be something we know as precisely as possible. If anyone else knows this city that would help, my knowledge is mediocre at best."

[Jeff]

Everyone Else (not Kal), please continue your discussion...assuming you have more to say to each other? I'll be back in later today.

[Lara]

goran said:

"We should be ready to move at a moment's notice. Where Fenwolt's cousin lives should be something we know as precisely as possible. If anyone else knows this city that would help, my knowledge is mediocre at best."

"It's not that difficult, really," Pellorien says. "I mean, I studied things a little bit, and it seems to me the place is in the Sovereign Ward. Temples, churches, and that sort of thing. Makes sense, because he said his brother is a priest."

She pauses, takes a sip from her mug and gazes at the ceiling for a moment before speaking again. "No, really, if I've got the lay of the land right, it shouldn't take us long to get there... How long will Kalarian be gone? As much as he likes to hear himself talk, I bet we could meet Fenwolt's brother and be back before the dragonmarked finishes introducing himself to the guards at the gate." She laughs.

____________________________
I thought we were still in the dining room.

[Ed]

Encouraged by Pellorien's words, Oss chimes in and says, "That may not be a bad idea. The sooner we can conclude this the better. I really must get to Passage as soon as possible."

[Josh]

Grafth puts down his ale, somewhat harder than he may have needed to.

"Excuse me if I'm not moved by your navigational confidence.

"The dragonmarked has been gone about 40 minutes. We have paid for these rooms through the night. I see no need to be in such a rush. I also desire to resume my trip to Passage- and in the morning, we should be on our way.

"It would be good to hear what Kalarian finds out before we run off into the midst of this place.

"If this man is indeed a priest, would not the best time to search him out be tonight, after the final mass, or prayer, or meditation? Whatever they do..."

Seemingly frustrated, the shifter sits upright and looks at Pellorien. "I have been nothing but forthright and honest with all of you. Your demeanor belies the gravity of the situation- if there is something you know and are not sharing, I'd like to hear it now, before I even consider following you into the heart of an unknown city."


______________________________
They're all still at the table. It's been mere moments, right?

Maybe I am confused about the passage of time. They literally sat down for lunch, Kal walked away, and the continued talking. Am I mistaken? Is there a sort of D&D time passage rule that I'm unaware of?

[Lara]

Pellorien shrugs.

"You know woods. I know cities. And I've spent a little time in this one already."