CH. 9: Winter is Coming

[TristenC]

Shall we continue this conversation with the other two out of the public eye in case the dwarf shows up? the goblin says quietly to Felarn as he gets up. Taking a big drink from his beer he grimaces at the watery brew, even moreso for the price. Walking behind the Gnome and Elf he addresses them, Perhaps we can all go somewhere private to talk. Do you mind if we use your room for that Haahque?

[HorizonsDream]

Kendra frowns as she watches the priestess walk off. ~There has to be a way to use this infighting to my advantage,~ she thinks to herself. She turns and heads towards the marketplace to start her patrol, and to pick out her dress for the party later on tonight.

[BishGada]

Tulbas waits somewhat impatiently for the others to move on. Time is of essence, the women tracks are getting colder every passing heartbeat and so Belzor ability to either prepare for them or run away and plot his revenge on them.

[JadedDM]

Kendra Greylock (Market Street)
Kendra leaves the fort and heads south to the merchant district and starts to walk down Market Street. She sees Sharl Weaving, one of the more prestigious tailor shops in town. However, there's an even more expensive place up on the hill of the noble district, although Kendra isn't sure of its name. There's also a cheaper place down by the harbor district that Kendra remembers; it's where her mother did clothes shopping for the family.

[HorizonsDream]

~If I'm going to do this, I might as well do it right,~ Kendra thinks to herself. She decides to head to the tailor in the noble district.

[spyguy1503]

Ne-Chanz shrugs, drains the tea, leaves the mug, and walks out, headed for the Steel Tankard.

[Haahque]

"Oh no, my room's not fit for guests, I'd have to clean it up considerably! But what need for secrecy? Any good citizen who hears us talking about those stinking thieves could only aid us in our search for them."

[djhyland]

"Haahqae. That's him," Arulia replies. "I don't know where he's staying, but your guess is probably a good one." She looks around nervously before continuing. "Oh, I...I can't come with. I need to...talk to the innkeeper here. I'm looking for...for work, and maybe they need someone here. I hope you find what you're looking for, Shima." However, when she notices Ne-Chanz leaving, she shakes her head. "Oh, I'll come with. I don't suppose they'll need me here, anyway."

[Chris1234]

"To be honest, I need work too," replies Shima, and moves to hold the door open for the nice looking lady, intending to head to the Steel Tankard.

[JadedDM]

Kendra Greylock (Golden Thread Tailor shop, Noble district)
Kendra makes her way toward the noble district. She hasn't been there since before the occupation. When she was a Holy Guard, she was often called upon to serve as a bodyguard for the more important citizens of the city. Now the place was overrun with draconians. There is a massive checkpoint at the entrance of the district and ordinary citizens aren't allowed in even if they have their ID papers. Luckily, as a soldier, Kendra is not stopped from entering.

The noble district is up on a hill and the only district that is walled off from the rest of the city. It's also by far, the most beautiful. While buildings are crammed next to each other elsewhere, here they are spaced out with well maintained parks with well kept trees between them. The largest and most opulent building is the former mayor's mansion that can be seen easily from anywhere in the district. Although now it belongs to the new prefect. It will be interesting to see what changes have been made to the decor since she last was in there.

She steps inside the Golden Thread, the most expensive tailor shop in town. She had never been here before; it was too rich even for Norris. Numerous dummies lined the wall, each wearing beautiful gowns of silk and satin. There weren't many to choose from, because most clients would demand custom dresses made specially for them. But as the party was tonight, Kendra wouldn't have time for that.

As she looks around, a young man close to her own age steps out from behind the back. He's well dressed, of course, with short black hair, hazel eyes and dark skin. "A soldier?" he asks, seeing the uniform first. "I've already paid this month's protection," he says, walking closer to her. He stops short when he gets a better look at her. "My, what a vision of loveliness you are...much nicer on the eyes than the hulking dragonman they usually send."

Arulia, Ne-Chanz and Shima (Market Street, Merchant district)
As the three step outside into the snow, a massive shadow falls over them as the sun itself is blocked. A massive dragon, red as flame, is flying over them. Waves of unnatural fear wash over them, but soon pass as the dragon continues on its path, allowing the sun to return. It seems to be patrolling the city from the air, making lazy circles over it.

Ne-Chanz has seen dragons many times before, and Arulia has had to get used to them since the occupation began. There have been four of them in the city since it was conquered, but they usually don't hang around much. They've never patrolled the city before, though.

For Shima, though, it's a bit of a shock. He's heard of dragons, of course. Kender tales told to children to frighten them, or so he thought. Some say they were extinct, others say they never existed at all. But this is some pretty strong proof that they are quite real after all.

[TristenC]

We have other things we need to speak of as well, such as our little outing last night. Grubnick says, the gnome's oblivious nature starting to wear on him. Besides, the dwarf looking for you may be in at any moment and I'm sure you'd like to see him before he sees you... even if he were a fan... the goblin says, striving to keep sarcasm from his voice, I'm sure a prudent individual like yourself would want to have the element of anonymity at least to begin with...

[Haahque]

"Anonymity? Anonymity is the last thing I want. Nor can I have it even if I wanted it for whatever reason. If you hadn't noticed, I sort of stand out in a crowd in these parts. Which is good, it helps me get fans which lead to interesting conversations. Do you really think he's coming here? Maybe I could go out to meet him! But I don't know when he's coming, or what he looks like. When he arrives, make sure to point him out OK?" Haahqae is rather puzzled by the goblin's line of questions. What could Grubnick possibly know that Haahqae wouldn't want shared with everyone? Perhaps he does want to talk about the temple and he's worried about the army overhearing, thus trashing the place before we're able to properly pick through it. It seems strange to try to pin the blame for moving away on a fan of Haahqae's for that. Or maybe... oh yes, the healing! He likes to keep that secret. Strange goblin ans his strange ways. Haahqae could surely use some more divine healing, there was an archer in the cultist base who made sure of that. Ok, time for Haahqae to think up some other excuse to get himself and Grubnick to their room.

"Oh, but that does remind me Grubnick, there was something I found that I wanted to show you." Finishing his drink Haahqae hops of his stool and makes his way towards his room.

[HorizonsDream]

Kendra smiles slightly at the young man as her eyes took in the dresses that were on display. "I'm not here for money," she assures him. "But I am here for a dress."

[Chris1234]

"Oh!", says Shima, "they are real." And continues on to the grotty Inn.

[BishGada]

Without double checking that he is also invited, Tulbas follows Haaque and the goblin.