The Moonstone and Raven

Discussion in 'Fire Lotus Tavern' started by Crumpets, Dec 23, 2016.

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  1. Crumpets

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    The rain had been falling steadily since the stranger had left Central Brittany earlier in the day. It had been a long, slow journey along the coast and he pulled his now sodden woolen cloak closer around his shoulders as he neared the entrance to PaxLair. Two women stood conversing under a shelter near the entrance to the town and looked up at him, surprised to see anyone coming in so late in the evening and in such bad weather. Though wet and visibly tired from his journey the man appeared to be a traveler or adventurer rather than a rogue and his cloak and boots were of expensive make.

    "Can we help you, sir?" the younger woman, wearing merchant clothing, looked at him with obvious sympathy.

    "Are you looking for someone?" the older woman seemed cautious but her tone was friendly.

    "I'm hoping for a place to dry out and a bite to eat if you know where I might find it", the stranger said.

    The two women exchanged glances before the older woman replied. "We're just heading home ourselves but Higgins can likely help you. You'll want to head down the hill from here, take a left, then follow the road almost to the docks. Last shop on the left, 'The Moonstone and Raven' it's called. You can't miss it. Has a greenhouse on the top floor. Tell him Becky sent you. Good evening to you then, and welcome to PaxLair."

    The women hurried away up the hill and soon disappeared into the rain and darkness. Following the older woman's instructions the stranger made his way down the hill. A left turn took him past some homes and several tidy shops; a few had lights within but all were clearly closed for the evening. He wondered briefly if he might have misunderstood the directions, but no, just as he passed a large stone fountain and a magic establishment on his right he could make out the tall building with the greenhouse on the left, just before the docks as promised. A lit candle in the window indicated the shop was still open.

    Grateful, he pushed open the door and stepped inside. A sign on the wall said: 'The Moonstone and Raven', Crumpet Finley, Proprietor. The warmth of the shop, the odors of savory foods, fresh fruit, leather and candle wax swept over him and he closed his eyes for a moment to enjoy it. When he opened them again he noted that the somber, grey haired merchant behind the counter was gazing to where his cloak was dripping water and forming a large puddle on the floor with one eyebrow slightly raised.

    "I'm so sorry", the stranger began awkwardly, "that is, Becky said to tell you she sent me. You are Higgins?"

    "Ah", said Higgins, "indeed. Well then, I imagine you are looking to purchase something? We've food for a meal and produce from our greenhouse here if you are hungry or need supplies for the road. We've items for the home as well" and he gave the stranger a good look over. "Doubtful you'd be wanting those. You look more the adventurer than the homemaker. If you were looking to invest in ores and gems for armor or weapons you're at the wrong shop though. You'd be wanting Mr. Begemot and Miss Vidason's place up the hill and they won't open again until morning."

    A sudden, loud "Caw!" startled the stranger and he whirled around to see a black raven on the shelf above the door next to a lamp. The raven leaned toward the stranger, eyes bright with interest, cocked his dark head slightly to the side and sidled a few steps closer.

    "Poe, mind yourself." Higgins voice was slightly sharp. Turning to the stranger he added "I'd watch that gold chain you wear at your waist. Like all ravens he loves shiny bits and isn't above a bit of thievery. Now then, what can I get you?"

    "A meal if you'd be so kind. I'll buy some fruit to take with me on the road as well. If it's no trouble I was hoping to dry off a bit before I venture out again. I'm soaked through."

    Higgins nodded as he pulled a small cloth bag from under the counter and began sorting through the fruit on display. "There are few things I despise more than damp socks myself. Head upstairs then. Common room is on the third floor. Fire will get you warm and dry soon enough. I'll bring your food and a mug of mead. I can keep you company if you like; we'll not have more customers this evening at any rate."

    After a hearty meal of mutton stew, apple pie and an uncommonly good mug of mead ("brewed it myself" Higgins had told the stranger proudly) the stranger pushed back his chair and stretched his stocking feet toward the warmth of the fire. His cloak and boots nearby gave off steam as they dried. Across from him Higgins sat smoking a pipe with a bowl carved intricately like a dragon. Poe watched the smoke rings with interest as he sauntered around the floor near the table keeping a lookout for crumbs.

    "Tell me about PaxLair, Higgins. It seems a fair place, what little I've seen of it."

    "Well now," Higgins answered, "we haven't been living here all that long but I can tell you what I know. The governor - that would be Mr. Winfield - he's well liked and a good man. Started the community here and has done a grand job of it. Keen fisherman too. Knows all the best fishing spots and is willing to show them to you. The town manager is Mr. Silverfoot; I met him when we first got to PaxLair and he helped us get settled. He is a governor himself of another town nearby, but never so busy that he can't stop by when you're needing a bit of help or advice. They throw some grand parties and invite everyone to come. There are several shops and a spot up the hill where you can repair your gear, if you've the skill, with a small forge and what not. It's open to everyone. Folks are friendly here. May be that you will meet some of them before you leave."

    The stranger nodded his appreciation of the information, suspecting correctly that the normally dour Higgins was usually not that talkative, particularly with strangers. "And what about yourself, Higgins? You said you hadn't been here long - how did you come to be at 'The Moonstone and Raven'?"

    Higgins paused as if choosing his words carefully. "My brother Edgar and I do some merchant business in Adoris. We met Miss Finley there. She was looking for help running her shop and greenhouse. I'm familiar with trade and gardening is my my hobby so the position seemed to suit." He stopped talking abruptly.

    The stranger got the feeling there was a good deal more to the story than that but that it wasn't forthcoming so let it drop.

    The short, awkward silence that followed was broken by Higgins who asked "And where might you be headed? As I said before, you look the adventuring type."

    The stranger smiled. "Desolis, Higgins - have you been there?" he leaned forward with obvious excitement. "The stories I've heard are so incredible I had to come out to see it for myself. Tales of the Epitaph and a library that is centuries old falling into ruin! There must be many travelers that are drawn there."

    Higgins leaned back in his chair, shook his grey head solemnly and blew a large smoke ring before answering. "I have been there all right, with Miss Finley. The Epitaph is a sight for sure. You'll not see anything like it elsewhere in your travels. You may want to stay away from the library unless you are awfully good with that blade at your side. There's good reason most of those books are moldering away down there. And yes, you'll find many travelers drawn there; some of a quite unsavory sort."

    "That sounds like a tale worth hearing, Higgins" the stranger prompted as he fed a crumb of pie crust to the persistent Poe.

    "A cautionary tale perhaps", responded Higgins as he settled back in his chair to begin the story. "Miss Finley and I had traveled from Adoris to Desolis on business several months back" he began, "a difficult journey as I'm sure you can appreciate, being a traveler yourself."

    The stranger, who was familiar with that route, nodded in agreement and Higgins continued.

    "We were having supper at the Inn there is Desolis and a man at our table was going on about his prowess as a fighter. The man's claims to grandeur being the excessive slaughter of small animals he did not require for food, forcing his attentions on womenfolk and the robbery of goods from refugees and the homeless whom he scorned for not having weapons. I'm sure you've met his type in your travels; armor and a massive halberd far fancier than what he needs, chooses the easy places to prowl where the warning posts for travelers have just two or three skulls. Obnoxious nit. Rumor in Desolis was he had attempted to enter the Epitaph and barely made it past the entrance before turning tail and running for his life. The man said he was hunting for a particular raven he had wounded severely but the bird had managed to escape his cruelty. Our group found this dinner conversation quite unpleasant, as you might imagine. Ultimately Miss Finley had enough and asked him to meet her outside. The lout was idiot enough to think this implied a romantic interest. Unfortunately for him Miss Finley had that very raven in her possession in her room at the Inn and had spent a good bit of gold at the healer having its wounds treated. She's not one to tolerate mindless cruelty. We will just say that words were exchanged and the man left with less life than he began the conversation with."

    "Death mage" the stranger murmured under his breath and Higgins nodded.

    "Miss Finley returned to the Inn and asked me to escort the man out of town."

    "He had learned his lesson then?" the stranger asked.

    Higgins smiled but didn't answer the question directly. "We had gone no more than a mile before the man asked me the fastest route to Soltown. He had heard there were refugees there and felt they would be 'easy pickings'".

    "Good god, man!" the stranger exploded in disgust, "Surely you didn't show him the way?"

    "On the contrary, I did in fact take him right to Eastreach Gap. He passed through the gates with dreams of riches I am sure. As soon as the gates closed behind him I replaced three missing skulls on the warning post; I can't imagine how they got knocked off. It wouldn't do to have unwary travelers thinking a five skull passage was a two skull one, now would it? The man must have changed his mind about Soltown though" Higgins said with feigned innocence, "we've been there since and they had never heard of him."

    The stranger laughed in appreciation. "A most satisfying tale Higgins. I would like to meet this Miss Finley of yours some day".

    "Well sir", replied Higgins, "you might like that or might not as the case may be. At any rate she's a trifle odd. We've several like her about" and here Higgins paused, looking for words. "I'd say chances are good you'll find plenty with stories to tell during your travels."

    The stranger stood, and Poe, startled, flew up through the opening in the ceiling that led into the greenhouse. "Why, I believe the rain has finally stopped. My cloak is almost dry as well. I think I will head out for Desolis now; it's a long road and I'd best get started. Thank you, Higgins, for the tale and the hospitality." When they came to the front door of the shop the stranger reached into a small pouch and removed gold coins for the meal and fruit, handing them to the merchant.

    "Safe journey to you." Higgins nodded to the stranger, then closed the door behind him as the stranger headed off down the road.

    Up in the greenhouse Poe tucked a shiny gold chain neatly behind a planting barrel, adding to his small pile or treasures, and cawed.
     
  2. Cianna

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    Oh, well done!
     
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