The Song of Swords

[Dark Warrior]

Darios

Darios smiled as a great pitcher of mead was placed before him. It had been a while since his last taste of the sweet liquid, and he was never one to deny its warm pleasures. He picked it up and took a long gulp of the golden-brown contents before placing it back on the table. His eyes now moved to Lanrik, who sat opposite him.
"Lanrik, the years have treated you well. You look barely older than when I last saw you." Darios lied. The guard actually looked very much like a ghost of his old, boysterious self.
Lanrik smiled and shook his head at Darios' comment. "No need for lying, Darios. Life has not been easy lately."
Darios nodded sagely. "Yes, you mentioned dark times earlier... what is it that affects you so?"
"Have you heard news of the King's army?" Lanrik asked, his voice full of dread.
"Last I heard, they had not made the borders of the Southern land. Do you know more?" Darios said, drinking more from the picher.
"Aye, I do. Bad news. They were met with a surprisingly large defense. And they were bolstered with gnolls."
The last words made Darios just about choke on his drink, placing the pitcher down instantly. "Did you say... gnolls?"
"Aye, I did. The beast-men laid a surprise attack on the Northern men; a devastating blow, before the main strength of the South caught our confused warriors from the other side. They slaughtered, the muddled Northerners putting up little defense and even less of a fight-back."
Darios and Lanrik fell into silence for a moment.
"These are troubling things you tell me, Lanrik." Darios said finally.
"Aye, and that is the least of it. Our own city has been being attacked by gnolls lately too. It seems that their has been somewhat of a... population growth from the bizzare creatures."
"These attacks... tell me more."
"Aye, the gnolls fight ferociously and in great numbers... were it not for the walls, this town would have been over-run long ago. For all their bravado, gnolls are likely to turn and flee when they see their allies go down. And then when they see their allies flee. A disorganized lot, they are, and that's the only reason we've beaten them. Twice I've only narrowly avoided death amongst those... things."
"This is alarming news, Lanrik. This is completely out of character for gnolls. Something strange is afoot." Darios said. Lanrik's only reply was to mutter into his ale.

 

[AriaSilverfyre]

I wonder why Darios did not tell his friend who I really was at the gate. He seemed to be doing it for a reason though. I tryed to protest as he sent me to the inn with Elik. Wasn't he trying to kill the mage just the previous night? Now he's trusting me with him.

Elik kept pace with me as we searched out the inn. "Shall we get a table?" He asked me.

"Sure." I replied " I hope they have good food here and a place to bathe."

 

[BlkPnthr]

Elik

Elik nodded his agreement to Mirshann. It would be nice to have real food for a change. Something homecooked almost. Notcing an empty table, Elik briskly walked towards it and grabbed a chair for the lady. After Mirshann was seated, he too sat down, and looked for the barmaid. Seeing oen, he quickly got her attention, and beckoned her over.

 

[AriaSilverfyre]

The place was busy and noisy. A couple large men in one corner seemed to have too much to drink and were shouting at each other.

I look around the place as we make our way to an empty table. "Seems ok." I think to myself as Elik summons a barmaid to serve us.

"I can sure use something to drink as well. I'm partched." I say.

 

[Dark Warrior]

Darios

Darios and Lanrik sat in silence, brooding over their ale. Finally, Lanrik spoke.
"What brings you this way, anyway? As you said, it has been some time since you blessed this part of the world."
Darios looked into his ale, watching the brown liquid swirl as he gently sloshed it.
"Well, you know me. I'm a wanderer, from birth. Not one to stay in one place for more than a few days, and not one to visit again for some time. Truth being, those two I am travelling with, the lady particularly, bring me out of my way." Darios replied.
"Never have I seen you with a lady friend, Darios. Has this one a special place in your heart?" Lanrik said with a grin.
"Nay, Lanrik. Do not jump to conclusions." Darios replied simply, his voice flat.
"Sorry, old friend. But truly, I can't shake the feeling I have seen her before." Lanrik said, settling back into sombre brooding.
"Maybe looks like some wench or another. I have no doubt that the two of you have never met." Darios replied.
"If you say so." Lanrik replied, and the two fell into silence again.
"I fear... I fear for the way the world becomes lately. I don't want to believe it, but I have been afflicted by those ghosts again." Darios said finally.
"Truly? Then this is bad news. You have a gift, Darios. Even if they be dark messengers, Darios, the 'ghosts' have not lied to you yet. And I doubt they ever will." Lanrik replied. Darios looked up into the man's eyes.
"You know what the scary part is, Lanrik? I agree with you."

 

[AriaSilverfyre]

"Darios's friend, Lannrik was it, looked a bit familiar as well. Any clue why he didn't tell him? Darios seems to always be hiding something. Are mages able to read a person's thoughts?" I say


The barmaid was taking forever. The place wasn't that busy and there seemed to be enough barmaids to take care of everyone. Maybe it was because of my appearance. I was covered in dirt, my gown torn, my hair a real mess. I sighed, wishing there was a way to make myself look more presentable. Not entirely like a princess. That would probably be to risky. But like a noblewoman.

 

[BlkPnthr]

Elik

With a sigh Elik looked at Mirshann, and replied, "Yes, we are capable.....well some of us. However Darios hides his thoughts rather well. I am unsure of his intentions, but I do not believe they are sinister."

Elik looked at the barmaid, and when she met him eye to eye, she quickly finished up her business and headed to the table that Elik and Mirshann were sitting at. "Busy night?" Elik asked. The barmaid just nodded and took thier orders. Elik waited patiently, so that Mirshann could order first.

 

[AriaSilverfyre]

"I'll have a bowl of your stew and bread if there's any. I'd also like a bit of wine." I tell her waiting while Elik orders and the barmaid leaves to continue with him.


Once she's out of hearing range I continue, "I see. Being stuck in my father's castle all my life, I haven't really been able to learn much about what happens outside the kingdom. This whole thing has been quite an adventure. Good thing I taught myself to ride horses. That has really saved me..." I trail off, musing a bit

"Anyway, any chance you could change my appearance? Just for now, until I have a chance to get a bath?" I ask curiously.

 

[Dark Warrior]

Darios

Darios and Lanrik sat in silence once more for a short while, before Darios finished off his ale. He then stood up, tucking his chair back under the table.
"I should check with my companions." Darios said simply.
"Aye, you should." Lanrik replied, standing up and walking with Darios to the exit. The two friends then stopped and looked at each other for a moment, before they shook hands solidly.
"Until next time, Lanrik."
"Until next time. And hopefully, it'll be a better time." Lanrik responded. Without any further conversation, Darios nodded to his old friend and exited the tavern, making his way back towards the city gate. He then turned down the street that led to The Divine Rest.
Soon he reached the entrance to the inn, and he pushed the door open, only to be assaulted by noise and the scent that came with such places. All his earlier training in etiquette and grace made him despise these sorts of places, but his wandering spirit and his worldly experience had accustomed him to them. His eyes scanned across the busy common room, until his eyes fell upon the somewhat battered looking princess and the mage, Elik. Darios had little doubt any more that the mage meant harm; he had had too many chances that he would have taken if evil was his intent.
Darios made his way over to his companions, slipping into a seat at their table without a word.

 

[BlkPnthr]

Elik

Elik ordered a bowl of soup and a stick of bread, along with a mug of goats milk. Looking at the lady, he contemplated her question momentarily. After a brief moment of silence, he nodded and said yes. "I can change your appearance, but why for? Why not just take a bath after dinner and get cleaned up?" Elik asked.

Just then Darios strode through the main doors of the establishment, and Elik waved towards him. Darios quickly found the two companions and came over. "Welcome back Darios," Elik said comfortingly. "How was the visit with your friend?"

 

[Dark Warrior]

Darios

Darios ignored the question, his mind on other things. After a moment, he turned to the princess.
"Milady," he spoke quickly in a hushed voice, "I fear for your safety. We need to get you home and safe without delay."
He looked into her eyes, and seeing the confusion and fear in them made his mission seem all the more important.
"Alas," he continued, "it's getting dark, and we should go no further today. But I propose that we leave early tommorow morning. Do either of you have a problem with that?" he asked, looking from Mirshann to Elik, and then back at the princess as he awaited their responses.

 

[AriaSilverfyre]

I was about to explain my reasoning to Elik when Darios appeared and sat down. Turning to me he told me he feared for my safety and that we shouldn't stay long.

I wondered what he could possibly mean. Did his friend give him some kind of warning or terrible news? I snapped back to reality as he asked us if there would be any problem if we left early.

"I don't think it would be a problem. But only if I can get a bath and maybe a new dress. This one is almost completely destroyed." I tell him.

 

[Dark Warrior]

Darios

Darios nearly rolled his eyes (NEARLY!) at Mirshann when she made her response. Even when danger loomed, she needed to look good.
"Fine." he said finally, before turning to Elik, raising his eyebrows questioningly.

 

[AriaSilverfyre]

There seemed to be something troubling Darios. I wondered what it could be. I decided not to say anything now. Wasn't a good time.

The barmaid returned with our food and drink. She hurried off as soon as she set it down.

I looked to Darios and leaned a little closer to him.

"Any word about what's going on? Such as, why are those creatures.. gnolls was it?.... attacking like they are? From what I've heard you say, that's not normal behavior." I say softly