private The Fall of Andalasia ~Book 1~

[Shadow Dancer 111]

@@RunsWithSquirlz, Why she took notice of me was anyone's guess, but I complied anyway and sat at their table, continuing to eat, listening to what was happening around us at the same time as listening to her, it ranged from chatting workers about to go to their jobs to sailors doing the same.

[Torrent505 370]

Clarke had finished with the new saw for the mill, it was a fine build and he was certain the grand machine would last this little lumber town many seasons. He was tired from a full nights installation he headed back to the village sitting up on his cart as it chugged along all whining gears and fawooshing bellows. He opened up a flask of pure fresh water and poured it into a hole in the cart, there came a grinding sound and bubbling followed by a hiss; he reached down and pulled out a bronze cup full of a dark brown liquid, Java was an essential fuel for any Tinkerer.

 

He sipped the coffee carefully to not spill on himself as he bounced along, his mind was on the day ahead of him. No sleep was in his future today, receiving payment and then heading to the little farming town nearby to speak with the single rich landholder that leased all the lesser farmlands. He thought that perhaps the house might want a machine to help work their own personal farmstead and further distance themselves from the common folk.

 

Clarke smiled as he passed through the town's walled gate, at least these people were attentive and punctual; a man was waiting just inside the gate with a bag of gold coins for him, just as he had requested be available at dawn. He accepted it with a few pleasant words and advice on maintenance of the mills new chainsaw.

 

It also seemed that the word of his payment and planned early departed had spread throughout the town as the citizens had prepared the streets with small impromptu booths displaying their finest wears. His smile became a wide grin, money truly made the world go round, he started his cart down the road to peruse for anything actually worthy of a purchase.

 

•••••••••••

 

As Whisper got up Finn started to pace circles around the room coming close to her and rubbing his head against her left hand at each circle. Since he couldn't speak to her he had developed ways to express feeling to her; the circling was something he did when nervous and rubbing his head against her left hand usually meant he had seen something he wanted her to explain... Though usually this was just some human action or device and NOT an entire days happenings. He also made little whimpers, squeaks and grumbling growls as he went, this was something he had never done before but it was because they usually communicated well enough and had never wished he could speak human so much before. He had so much he wanted to tell and ask!

[RunsWithSquirlz 274]

"I think so, well I dont really know, I was up early" she replied to Zaddion. She noticed how eyes began to look over Zaddions clothes. He happened to be the brightest thing in the room.

 

Whisper pushed the window open, sitting on the sill and watching the bustle outside. She turned to Finn, watching as he spun in circles. "How I wish I knew Dragonspeak."

 

"What is it my dragon? Is it about yesterday's events?" A cart of fresh bread passed under her window; coupled with wheels of cheese. She found herself with the idea of climbing out the window. It wasn't far, and for once she could see whata market was like.

[Sekel 694]

"I think they're still asleep. I'd go check but the doctor told me to stay out so I'm stuck here." Helena told Zaddion and lifted her head up to stretch. She looked at the small group and realised that the assassin joined them. Probably thought he was lonely. "What I want to know is how long it would take to get to the capitol from here." Helena mused and looked at the map of Illia, trying to judge for herself how long it could take, roughly.

[Shadow Dancer 111]

@@Dji, I spoke up, "If I remember correctly about two to three months, give or take a week or two. But that is subject to where we are on the map." I never traveled it but I did know that Illia  was a very large country and the thing with being chased will extend the trip by a month or two.

[Sanctified Absence 126]

"I'll go check on them in a minute then," Zaddion quietened his voice but not all the way to a point of suspicion. Tulla was not the only one who realized he was being watched, even if only his clothes were the subject of attention. Remembering what he was told about Andalasian clothes being relatively valuable here, he lowered a hand and kept it on his bag which carried the tomes. "For now I assume you have a destination and a way to get there. Well you can count me in for the rest of this journey."

Edited July 25, 2014 by Sanctified Absence

[Torrent505 370]

Finn had an idea on how to better portray what he wanted her to explain, he bounded up to the windowsill to stick his head out and breathed a steady flame out into the air.  He spread his wings reaching out toward the stream of fire, they fluttered and flapped gently manipulating the air into the flames and inside his mouth his tongue danced tasting and manipulating the fire.  The combination of his magics making his fire breath spread out and inside it the flames flickered and danced taking on rudimentary shapes; his second eyelid closed as he focused, making his eyes take on a marbled look and the shapes sharpened as he imagined them.

 

In the fire flickered a miniature caravan, at first simple boxes and moving blobs which came into focus becoming wagons into crude but clearly humanoid shapes.  They moved about the camp for only a moment before a flap of Finn's wings suddenly flared the edges of the flames which dispersed into more human shapes breaking free to charge into the camp extinguishing every other humanoid flame.  Finn increased the heat forming a blue fire streak down the center of the cone of fire, it tightened forming a larger human with dancing spikes sticking from it.  The blue fire image of the Iron Maiden had it's back turned but shifted towards them and began to walk back through the streaming fire.  It slowly became larger and larger as it followed the fire to it's source, her goddess helm gaining details.  Her body was soon life size and the entire stream of fire forming her, it had returned to the red orange color except for the hollow eyes of the helm which remain blue and bottomless staring directly at Whisper.  It reached out its gauntlet grasping Finn's snout.

 

Serafinno yelped as if in pain, his eyes snapped back open, his jaws clamped shut cutting off the flame and his wings flared blowing the ghostly image away into the cool morning air.  He turned back to Whisper his eyes sad and confused about what had happened, he leaned in and rubbed his head against her left hand, his way of simply asking for an explanation.  But his body language implied more, it wasn't just "explain" but a silent plea of,  "Why?  Why did it happen?  I don't understand, it doesn't make sense.  Make it make sense."  He gave a sorrowful grunt and leaned against her for comfort.

Edited July 25, 2014 by Torrent505

[RunsWithSquirlz 274]

"Finn...that is The Iron Maiden. She...she wishes me dead. I do not know why." Her blue eyes deepened to a dark sapphire.

 

"I thought the King needed me. She killed all of them didn't she? Eirikr never came back...I had hope. Is this why you were upset?" she took Serrafinno into her lap, comforting him.

 

"I felt your breath of magic Finn, I felt you burning and was so scared. You had to...for...for what she did." she trailed off, a strange cart catching her eye. Gears and billows? It wasnt drawn by horse nor any other beast and it moved on its own. A handsomely queer young man traveled with it.

-------

 

"It would have been easier if Adrass had stuck around. Hes probably halfway back to where he came from. For now, ive got to head out and find Tugg. If Whisper is up to it, perhaps she could fix your legs Helena."

[Sekel 694]

@@Sanctified Absence

Helena nodded at Zaddion's suggestion. She looked at his clothes the same way Tulla was. "Those clothes are too inconspicuous. No offense, but you're going to need some Illian clothes if you don't want the Iron Maiden to catch up with us. And those clothes will just draw too much attention" Helena said to Zaddion and didn't really care if he took offense or not.

[Sanctified Absence 126]

"I'll admit some new attire would be preferable..." Zaddion was not particularly pleased with the thought of his robes being in the hands of someone else, but they were nothing particularly special and they certainly weren't anything impressive when it came to craftsmanship. He then lowered his voice to a whisper "although my clothes are the least of our worries if you go mentioning details things like that," he wasn't very aware of Illian customs, but it seemed to him that a band of supposed entertainers speaking of the Iron Maiden would arouse far more suspicion that garments.

 

"Anyway I better check on our sleeping group members," with that Zaddion pushed himself off the table and made his way to the rooms. In truth Dresden wasn't in his concern. The Mage was still unaware of what caused Whisper's Dark magick filled breakdown just before the attack, it could've been many things most of which worried him.

[RunsWithSquirlz 274]

"He's right." Tulla agreed "Best we not talk about events, at least not until we get somewhere safe."

 

She rose from the table "Well I'm going to find Tugg and see if I can figure out what to do. Someone should stay with the...with Whisper. At all times. Just in case." Tulla left, squeezing between the rows of tables on her way out.

Edited July 26, 2014 by RunsWithSquirlz

[Alex Kennedy 1,228]

@@Dji, @@RunsWithSquirlz,

 

Robert got up as she was leaving. "Wait. If you're going after Tugg, can I come with you? The bastard saved my life twice yesterday, and I'd like to see him again. And it's best if you not go alone anyway, I think. Who knows what could happen?" He thought for a second.  "Of course, if I do go, somebody else will have to carry the cripple around while I'm away. Unless she wants to come too?"

[Sekel 694]

@@Alex Kennedy, @@RunsWithSquirlz

"Didn't mean to say that. Just the way I am." Helena told Tulla, leaning back in her chair as best she could. She raised an eyebrown when Tulla wanted to look for Tugg and that Robert wanted to go with her. "I may as well come as well. If the bard's going as well that is. If not, then I'll be just as happy to stay here." Helena said leaning forward and resting her arms on the table top. If she was being honest with herself, then she would admit that she only trusted Robert to carry her around, mainly because he sad that he's practically responsible for her since he set the broken legs.

[RunsWithSquirlz 274]

No one paid attention to the princess in the window. No one knew who she was. "Do you think someone might escort me to the market Finn? Ive never been to one before..."

 

"You should fly Finn, unless you want to be cooped up in this room all day" she pet him gently before opening the door to her room. "Hmmm?" Whisper wondered why Dresden slept outside. Were there not enough rooms? Very gently she placed ahand on his shoulder"Dresden? Are you unwell?"

 

Zaddion had reached the top of the stairs around the same time. Whisper turned to him "Morning...I never...I never caught your name..." she said sheepishly.

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

 

Tulla just motioned for them to follow, not really one to stay idle for long.

[Alex Kennedy 1,228]

@@Dji,@@RunsWithSquirlz,

 

Robert nodded wordlessly, and scooped up Helena into his arms again, following after Tulla. Not that it had been his intention, but it occurred to him that he had just managed to score some alone time with two beautiful women. Somehow, just thinking that put him in a good mood. 

[RunsWithSquirlz 274]

Tulla just seemed annoyed, something bothered her. "I dont know why you came. You have someone who can zip up your legs quick. But im beginning to think you just like being carried"

 

She adjusted her gauntlet on the way out of the gate, keeping an eye around them for any suspicious characters.

[Shadow Dancer 111]

@@RunsWithSquirlz,

 

I decided to stay with the princess as that was my contract, but I still wished the three good luck, now thinking about the princess I decided to see how she was. So I finished my water and quickly went upstairs.I found the princess was talking to someone so I simply just walked to my own room.

Edited July 26, 2014 by Shadow Dancer

[Flying Ace 142]

@@RunsWithSquirlz, @@Sanctified Absence,

 

Dresden inhaled as he turned on his back to see who was talking to him and gave a confuse look, "Whisper? What are you doing in my room?" Dresden looked around to see he was not in his room but in the hallway. "Okay, I'm just going to assume I moved to a more comfortable position." Dresden sat up and stretched his arms as high as they they could until he heard a pop in his shoulders; he turned when he heard Zaddion come up the stairs, "Ah, good morning Zaddion. How is everyone in this fine new morning?"

[Sekel 694]

@@Alex Kennedy, @@RunsWithSquirlz

"I don't know why I'm coming either. I don't like being carried, in fact, I hate it but the doctor told me to, to keep my kegs from moving about." Helena said sullenly. She had her arms looped around Robert's neck again but this time she kept an eye out behind them in case they were being followed.

[Torrent505 370]

Serafinno bobbed his head in a nod at the princess's suggestion, a nice flight and some time playing with the clouds would cheer him up.  Though he stared down at the strange metal cart with no beast of burden and gave a low growl before he took off, the thing was unnatural and left a foul smell in the air, he didn't like it at all.

 

@@RunsWithSquirlz,  @@Flying Ace, @@Shadow Dancer,  

 

An older man with a crooked back started up the stairs at Dresden, Indicus and Whisper, he glared maliciously as he blocked their path down.  "You t'ree!"  he shouted, "I'm not letting you get away!  My wife might t'a let you in without paying and t'ose ot'er ones ran off but you are settling t'a bill!"  He gripped his cane threateningly as if about to club them.  "You better be able to pay, my wife is kind but I won't have t'eives in my establishment!"

 

**************************************************

 

Meanwhile Clarke secured his cart and activated its proper defenses outside the inn, it was his life's work and livelihood after all.  He had decide that he would need to sleep in this town tonight and this was the first inn he had seen since he had left the logging village.  He had stored his gold in the cart along with a few curiosities he had purchased, but still carried a small pouch of gold, silver and copper wherever he went.  Entering the inn he was instantly in the buildings tavern, it smelled cooked oats...  His stomach rumbled he had forgotten to eat last night, so he set about looking for the manger to procure a room and meal.

[RunsWithSquirlz 274]

"Coin? Sir, I am a prin-" she stopped herself, covering her mouth. The others ran off? Her eyes darted to the others for an answer.

 

"Kind sir, I have no coin. We were ambushed and have nothing of value left..." Whisper squeaked. Sadly, her amulet was gone but even now she didn't think she could give it away willingly.

[Shadow Dancer 111]

@@Torrent505, I took out a bag of coins and threw it towards the man, I figured it would be plenty for our stay. "There's your damned payment, for all of us if your not happy with that, deal with it." I then walked back to my room like I intended to in the first place. Once I got in the room I just sat down.

Edited July 27, 2014 by Shadow Dancer

[Alex Kennedy 1,228]

@@RunsWithSquirlz,@@Dji,

 

 

Robert grinned at Tulla. "Do I detect a hint of jealousy in your voice? Don't worry, I'm sure I can find time to give you a ride later if you want." He shook his head and tried to pay attention to the task ahead. "So where did that damn beast go off to, anyway? You have a way of finding him, I assume?"

[Torrent505 370]

@@Shadow Dancer,  @@RunsWithSquirlz, @@Flying Ace,

 

The old man flipped his cane around and scooped up the bag of coins with the hooked end and opened it.  Inside was far too much for one nights stay... and far too much for a traveling band of performers to give away so flippantly, especially performers that had supposedly lost everything the night before.  He shove open the door to the room that had tossed the coins, "You! Get out!  All of you get out of my inn!"  He gestured with his cane back down the stairs, "I won't have t'eives in my inn and I don't know who you are but you're no performers and I won't stand liars. I'm taking t'is payment and you're all leaving!"

Edited July 27, 2014 by Torrent505

[Flying Ace 142]

@@RunsWithSquirlz, @@Torrent505, @@Sanctified Absence

Dresden stood up and calmly walked towards the man, "Dear sir those coins we gave you were his payment you see we hired him to protect us as we traveled towards the capitol but there was so many bandits that we were forced to run. Please let's talk about this I'm sure we can come to an agreement." Dresden quickly looked at Whisper then back to the man. "Can we at least have her stay? I will gladly leave but I would be happy if she had a nice room as well...at least until we're ready to move again." Dresden said

Edited July 27, 2014 by Flying Ace