CH 1: The Road Travels East

[Jenara]

Sitting quietly in the corner, Laurana smiles, "Please sing us your song."

[Breila]

Goldmoon stands as if paralyzed, her eyes round, her mind racing. She no longer feels like the confident young woman who, a short time ago, expertly took care of two wounded men. No, she feels like the small child she once was, standing before her parents after some misdeed, wishing she could become as small as a mouse and vanish behind the furniture.

She looks at the man. She's certain she's never seen him before. Also, she's never heard that song before that's now ringing in her ears. Clearly, what is happening now is not natural. But is it the Godess who has sent this man, or an evil ennemy who wants to destroy herself and Riverwind and hand the staff over to the theocrat?

Realzing everyone in the room is now looking at her, she slowly takes the lute. Helplessly, she looks at Riverwind and at her staff as she sits down, hoping for a clue as she takes as long as possible to fine-tune the lute, trying to prepare another song in her mind as an alternative.

[Jerrard]

(Ooc: Sorry I have been doing all the work while Jen goes on a Jolly, in light of that.)

(Back in time:)
Sturm rises to his feet, he was not expecting any of this, he enters the Kitchen and sees Tanis sitting quietly by himself. Saying nothing he waits for his friend.

(In the now:)
Sturm follows Tanis out of the Kitchen, watching the scene unfold before him. "Tanis, I believe this is bad, can you feel it?" He asks, his eyes darting to the Theocrat.

[Breila]

Having made up her mind, Goldmoon smiles at the old man. "The song you asked for is a difficult one. I will start with something easier, as I haven't played or sung for some time."

She sings a song of the beauty of the grasslands, the ripple of the wind in the long grass, the patchwork colours sun and clouds make, the bloom of flowers after the rainy season, the serenity of winter under a thin blanket of snow.


(ooc: Sorry folks if this strays from the books, but my Goldmoon believes the staff was given to Riverwind to protect it from Solace's seekers and theocrat, and she will not reveal or hint it is here unless she feels commanded to do so by the Goddess)

[JadedDM]

There was heavy silence in the room as her hand struck the final chord.

"Not what I was expecting," the old man said, smiling. "But thank you nonetheless, my dear."

"Now can I have a story?" the little boy asked wistfully.

"Of course," the old man answered and settled back in his chair. "Once upon a time, the great knight Huma--"

"Huma from the Canticle?"

"Yes, that's the one. Huma became lost in the forest. He wandered and wandered until he despaired because he thought he would never see his homeland again. He prayed to Paladine for help, and there suddenly appeared before him a white stag."

"Did Huma shoot it?" the boy asked.

"He started to, but his heart failed him. He could not shoot an animal so magnificent. The stag bounded away. Then it stopped and looked back at him, as if waiting. Huma began to follow it. Day and night, he followed the stag until it led him to his homeland. He offered thanks to the god, Paladine."

"Blasphemy!" snarled the theocrat loudly. A chair crashed behind him as he stood up abruptly. Weaving unsteadily on his feet, Hederick pointed at the old man. "Heretic! Corrupting our youth! I'll bring you before the counshel, old man." The Seeker fell back a step, then staggered forward again. He looked around the room with a pompous air. "Call the guardsh!" He made a grandiose gesture. "Have them arresth thish man and thish woman for singing lewd songsh. Obviously a witch! I'll confihcate thish staff!"

The Seeker lurched across the floor to the barbarian woman. He reached clumsily for her staff.

[Breila]

Goldmoon had set the lute down onto a table near the old man after finishing her song. When the theocrat threatened her with arrest, she stood up, bringing herself between the man and her staff (obviously, she had leaned it against a bench or wall after entering the inn, she can't hold to it while eating, patching people up or playing the lute). She attempted to use his drunken state to trip him or otherwise keep him from taking the staff.

[Jenara]

Laurana jumps to her feet, the woman had been lovely to her, and she had got caught up in this, darting across the room with Elven grace (She had sat near the old man, and was listening to his story).

"Please leave her alone.." She utters, "She is no witch." She makes no threatening gestures, but places herself in front of this Theocrat, her hands on her hips, maybe saving this woman would make Tanis proud of her. "Stay close to me, I will not let him take you." She says in Qualinesti.

[Jerrard]

Sturm glances at the scene before him, then at Tanis.

"We'd had better do something and Quickly." He steps towards the group.

[Talyn]

Raistlin remains sitting, he knew this was going to happen. But he couldn't really be bothered to interfere at the moment with the situation.

He looks over at Tanis. "I would suggest you defuse the situation before it gets out of control." he says to the half-elf in his usual raspy voice. He turns back casually to watch the growing confrontation.

[JadedDM]

The Seeker sneered at Laurana. "I am the High Theocrat! I take what I want."

He started to make another grab for the staff. Riverwind rose to his feet. "The Chieftain's Daughter does not want you to take it," he said harshly. He shoved the Seeker backward.

The tall man's push was not rough, but it knocked the drunken Theocrat completely off balance. His arms flailing wildly, he tried to catch himself. He lurched forward, too far, tripped over his official robes, and fell headfirst into the roaring fire.

There was a woosh and a flare of light, then a sickening smell of burning flesh. The Theocrat's scream tore through the stunned silence as the crazed man leaped to his feet and started whirling around in a frenzy. He had become a living torch!

[SightblinderX]

"Oh sh-" Tanis blurted while racing forward to knock the Theocrat down and extinguish the flames as quick as possible "No no no no... this is not good." he said while aiding the downed fool. "Sturm, keep a watch in case trouble is coming." he shouted over the man's screams.

[Jenara]

Laurana stands motionless for a moment, seeing the Human fall into the flames.

"I will help." Jumping into action, she unclips her cloak and uses it to dampen the flames. "Get him on the ground, help me!" She shouts to Tanis, her body shaking, By Paladine what was happening here?

[Jerrard]

"Very well." Sturms hand goes for the hilt of his sword.

"Tas, please get everyone together!" He shouts, giving the Kender something to do. "Caramon, keep that Brother of yours out of trouble." He shouts as he goes for the door.

(Ooc: What does he see? Has the noise alerted anyone?)

[Breila]

With a heavy sigh, Goldmoon gets back to her pack, ready to get out her medical supply. Then a thought comes to her: If the blue crystal staff could heal her father, it could also heal this man. Not that he deserved it. But it would show all people present the Gods existed, and even if it didn't keep them out of prison, it might win them the people's support.

She'd like to discuss the idea with someone first. Looking around, she sees that Raistlin is the only one of their group not currently busy. She turns to him and asks quietly: "Raistlin, I have the blue crystal staff this man is looking for. I could use it to heal him instantly. Do you think this is a good idea?"

[mltillis]

" By the gods! Raist, keep an eye on everyone! " Caramon rushes to Sturm's side at the door....." How does it look Sturm? Any signs of trouble? "