Calendar

Raigryn looked more tired than he had when they had set out. His body was trying to tell him that leaving the bed had been a mistake. He could be stubborn when he didn't want to kept in one place.

"I didn't even show you the water clocks," he said without further explanation. He changed direction suddenly towards and intersection of roads. They met at one of the great columns that ran from the floor to the roof of the cavern. From high above old dwarven Kings of legend looked down at them.

"Lots of places have sand timers, but in every column is a water clock, fed by a damn high above."

There was a clock face with stationary hands marking sunrise and sunset. Notches for the ten sections of time dwarves broke their day into. A single pan of glass showed off the internal system of waterways, flasks and floats that turned the clock face to match a sundial.

"Past midday. Lunch time."

This is the Fire and Stone Tavern, not another dull hangout in a nameless province. This place lay in the outer city of Alliria, at the very center of both Epressa and Liadain. It is but another span of time between the challenges of true adventuring for one such as you. That is what drew you here, now seated in some dark corner or otherwise occupied within these walls. This place is like the crossroads of adventure.


Outside the tavern, a fog lies over the town this evening. The damp, cobbled pavement glistens as the lights of street lanterns dance across the slick stones. The fog chills the bones and shivers the soul of anyone outside . Yet inside these tavern walls the food is hearty, and the ale is warm and frothy. A fire blazes in the hearth, and the tavern is alive with the tumbling voices of country folk.

Suddenly, the main door swings open, and riotous merry making does quiet slightly as some turn to look. Framed by the lamp-lit fog, a form strides through the doorway. Her light footfalls pad across the floor, trailed by the jingling of many small silver bells strung along her waist. The rattle of coins upon the bar top causes a palatable hush to fall over the place.

Her brightly colored clothes are draped in loose folds about her, and her hat hangs askew, hiding her eyes in shadows. The dwarf, Bron stands behind the counter tending it. You know him well enough and know he owns this establishment. He eyes her suspiciously for a moment and then she speaks.

"I've come seeking those with honor and valiant hearts," she says in a heavy accent, clearly not from around here. Then she hesitates, looks around for a moment, and pushes the coin purse forward to the dwarf. Then she calls out so that all may hear. "Fill the glasses, one and all. Their throats are obviously parched!" A roaring cheer goes up and the merry making continues.

The first rays of light start to shine at the coming of the sun. Orange and purple streak the sky to the east. The storm rolls on, away and to the south. "Apologies lass. That should have been simple spiced apple cider," he exclaimed and smelled the jug the liquid had come from with his broad nose before placing the container back on the bar top and frowning.

Bronmaen would respond to Jack next. "Certainly," he said as he retrieved a glazed mug and into that poured a light colored ale. It was not the typical watered down swill that taverns and inns normally sold. This drink had a refreshing lager snap and a thick head. "This is a spring ale. I hope you enjoy it," he said and then bowed before turning to Jason. "Yes," he replied to the mercenary and passed a bronze key to him after digging for it in a deep pocket at the front of a black apron he wore. "You will find your room up the stairs and to the left on the second floor. The door is already open for you," he said and immediately bowed.

Lastly he addressed his good friend Khyros and the knight, Petros. "I have four rooms still available. Sadly one of them is not the attic suite. The attic has been rented, clear through to next week I am afraid. An old man rented it and paid up front. I think he is a wizard or something like that. I nearly choked on my ale when he came in the door the night before last. He was wearing a hat that had such a wide brim to it that it very nearly didn't fit through the front door. All you could see of him was a long white beard. It seemed like his whole head was inside his hat! I still wonder how he can see with it on but he never seems to have it off when I see him."

The dwarf continued on this tangent explaining about the odd visitor but eventually got back to answering their questions. "Two silver for a day and a night. I prefer Liria if possible." He preferred coins minted in Alliria. The price was on the high side of fair for what one could expect to pay for a room in the city. He then turned to glance back in the direction of the room where he had addressed the boy, Liam. It seemed the boy was taking his sweet time about waking up and getting to the cook fire.