TBOS - Arc 1, Part 4

TBOS OCT - Arc 01, Part 04
[ In which a golden knight enters. ]

       When the pair of them walked into the Galloping Stallion, Nadia though that whatever had possessed the merchant to call the inn a 'good place' was entirely beyond her ability to reason. It wasn't the worst place she'd ever stayed in her travels, but there was something about the the way the fire didn't seem to cast enough light in the shadows, or the low, indistinguishable murmur of the conversations that set her on edge. That, or it was the good number of people who seemed to have nothing better to do than be intoxicated in the early afternoon.

       Such places were commonplace for Aldech, and actually quite a cut above some of the other places he frequented. In some they never bothered to clean the blood up from the fights or  even make much of an effort to sop up the vomit. The inn they'd been directed to was surprisingly clean, especially for the rowdiness of some of the men swaying over their beers at the bar. Aldech felt a smile tug at the corner of his mouth at the sight. One could usually tell the quality of a bar or an inn by two things; the serving girls, and the state of the floors, and since these floors were swept and the girls were covering more skin than they were showing, it was likely a decent place for the money he expected to pay. Granted he hadn't seen the rooms yet, so he couldn't be sure. There were a few of the usual sad souls lurking about in the dark corners, as well as some of the ones who seemed to be looking for trouble. The assassin glanced at his companion with a critical eye; he didn't need the girl causing trouble--it was clear that she was no information gatherer.

       "Careful in places like these," Aldech warned quietly as they stepped inside, "More often than not, folk who hang around these places like to start trouble." There was the briefest pause as they stepped further into the room, a strange halt in the motion and conversation that was barely detectable to the ear or eye, but as the patrons moved on as if nothing had happened, a large man with an impressive mustache suddenly appeared before the two.

    The man's cheeks were rosy, and his belly made him into a nearly perfect sphere, and he wore a perfectly white apron over his brightly colored clothes. "Welcome to the Galloping Stallion!" he greeted warmly, eyeing the pair of them. "Can't say I ever seen you folks here before--new to town?"
       Aldech cleared his throat and shrugged before answering, indicating he didn't wish to talk about where they were from, "Just passing through town," he slipped the facade on fairly easily. It was the best way to blend after all, to become someone else. Though it was quite obvious from the sound of his slightly accented Common that he was foreign. He had worked in the past to eliminate the sound of High Elven from his common speech, but his vowels in particular always sounded just a little bit accented. Of course, he kept the hood up to obscure his face and, more importantly, his hair.

       Nadia, for her part, was wondering why strangers in a fair-sized town was such a fascination, and stealing glances around the room. It seemed that they weren't complete oddities, because most people seemed to be continuing with their laughter and conversations without paying them so much as a glance. At the very least she might have thought that Aldech's obviously suspicious appearance might have gotten a look or two from the other patrons, but so far only the bartender seemed to be paying them any mind. In her mind, Aldech at least physically fit the bill of someone who might be inclined to cause trouble, and the proprietor may have wanted to intercede early.

       "Of course, of course," the innkeeper nodded, jovial smile wide and his eyes bright. "What can I do for you then? You lookin' for a room? A late lunch?"

       "Actually, we would like to rent a room." Aldech realized it sounded mildly scandalous, but he figured a single room would cost a lot less than two. He wasn't sure how long they would travel, but if they had to buy a sea passage, he wanted to have at least fifty gold on him. He hoped the lady would not object--too much. He could be a perfect gentleman, when he had to be.

    The prospect of sharing a room with a man she'd only just met was hardly favorable to Nadia, but she understood the line of thinking, and it made sense that one room would be the more frugal thing to do. Besides, it wasn't as if she didn't have the means for protecting herself, if he tried anything funny.
       The innkeeper had a deep belly laugh, and he grinned as he glanced between the two. "Well," the rotund man stroked his impressive whiskers, "In that case I'll have to send Helen up to clean a room for you two." There was a twinkle in his eye as he said the last and invited them to sit at a table. Payment could be discussed after they had been fed, he insisted as he ushered them to their seats.

       Nadia disliked the implications he was making, treating them like a couple of lovers, since nothing could have been further from the truth, but the man continued to chatter endlessly as he led them to the table, and flurried off before she could raise an objection and ask about any rooms with separate beds. That a man and woman traveling together automatically made them a couple was not an assumption she particularly appreciated, especially given the present company. She'd never had this kind of problem when she'd traveled with her professor, but she supposed the robes and the age differences had helped.

       Aldech realized that he might've worded things a little better. A bit too late though, he realized he should have played it off as him being her bodyguard, considering he had an arming sword at his hip. Though the idea of playing a knight or the girl's champion really didn't suit him at all, especially considering how often he smiled.

       "Wa'ssa ma'da, lassie--mad at yer Sir fer somfink?" A redfaced and somewhat ham-fisted patron towered over Nadia. It was fairly obvious from the foam still in his beard, and the occasional spittle that flew from his lips when he spoke, that he was quite besotted.

       Nadia's expression darkened as her eyes slowly moved up and to the side to glance at the oaf looming over her, shooting the man a glare--if she had been irritated before, the arrival of the drunkard had only made her mood worse. "He's not my 'sir'," she bit. "And I don't believe I asked for your opinion on the matter."

       "Nadia, dearest," Aldech cooed, extending his hand as she pulled hers away. He made a pleading expression with his eyes, which (unsurprisingly) went over her head. "Please forgive me... I... I haven't the foggiest on how to apologize to you, my love." He was actually eyeing the drunkard's equipment now, but he didn't have more than a coin purse on his belt. Mostly harmless, definitely not fatally dangerous. He hoped that playing the bumbling fool in love would shake off the interest of any potential trouble. Most sane people did not try to interrupt lover's quarrels after all.

       In the best of moods, Nadia was never one for drunkenness or jokes and assumptions about her relationships with others, nor was she accustomed to holding her tongue. Being in a poor mood, such as the one she was in at the moment, did not improve these things.

       "I am not," she replied, "your 'darling.' " She glanced back at the man swaying by their table. "And I do not require your intervention or assistance in this matter, thank you."

       Aldech had the briefest urge to smack the girl on the back of the head. He knew, he just knew that this was going to go badly for the both of them. He tried a softer tone, "Please, Nadia, I've begging you; just look at me..." He certainly had the act down well.

       The large, bearded drunk didn't wait for the lady to reply. Instead, he stumbled into the edge of their table clumsily, trying to charm his way into the lady's good graces. His drunken stupor apparently gave him a very impressive boldness.

       Aldech did not take kindly to such things, but for the moment he wanted to avoid any extra attention. And that would mean preempting any action the fiery-spirited young woman might make. The assassin stood with what he hoped sounded like an outraged cry on his Lady's behalf, "Good sir, step away whilst you still can walk." He said in his best imitation of every inflated gentleman noble he had heard in the city. He touched the hilt of his sword in warning and continued, "Or you will force me to defend the Lady's honor."

       Nadia regarded Aldech the same she would have had he grown an extra head, her expression openly aghast. She hadn't heard any nonsense about a man defending her honor since... Well, considering she was a VonTrapp and a magic user, it had always been assumed that she could very well defend her own honor. "...gods above, what?"

       The ham-fisted man actually guffawed at Aldech's display. "Wha'cha gon' do then, Mister Gent?" He suddenly seemed a lot more sober than he had first appeared. Patrons around the table slowly began to back away as his expression grew more menacing.

       "Are--" Aldech broke character due to the absolute cliche he was seeing form in front of him. "Are you robbing us?" What kind of person did it this way? Aldech felt himself deflate slightly as the thug was joined by others. He resisted the urge to begin uttering a string of curses, though one slipped past his lips quietly before he had the chance to stop it. He was, for once, playing the part of the hero so he had to keep in character as well as he could.

       "Tha's exactly whut's hap'nin," It was as if the man was suddenly two times bigger.

       Aldech was not sure if it was the firelight or some illusion of tired eyes, but he was almost sure that the men they were surrounded by were half-giant. It was looking more and more like he was not going to be a hero for very much longer. The first fist came hurtling toward the left side of his head.

       The fight itself broke out suddenly and with great energy. Aldech skillfully ducked and weaved out of harms way, managing a hefty kick to the gut or shins when he could manage. It was when there was a very distinct thud as a body hit the floor that things got out of hand. Aldech hadn't killed the man--far from it actually. But one of the hoodlums lay at his feet unconscious nonetheless.

       Across from them, safely on the other side of the table, Nadia had begun to draw a glowing symbol in the air with steady fingers, holding it in her hand for a split-second before thrusting her open palm before her, sending the rune hurling ahead and making contact with one of the men who'd started to grab for a chair. The force knocked him down to the ground, and a large, glowing white circle appeared underneath him, inter-laden with strange symbols, and seemed to prevent him from moving.

       Aldech was, well, surprised really seemed to understate the expression on his face. He really hadn't expected little miss firecracker to have any tricks up her sleeve--magic least of all.

       "What ho, ruffians! Causing trouble, are we?"

       It was quite unexpectedly that a man jumped into the fray, his golden hair streaming out like a banner behind him as he placed himself between the assailants and the assaulted. The newcomer's build was broad shouldered, athletic, tall, and covered by a gleaming silver breastplate. He posed between them, commanding, but somehow still friendly. "Stand aside, troublemakers." He held his hand, fingers splayed wide, "Sirs, there is no need for any further violence."

       Aldech didn't think the young man looked to bright, as he drew the attention of four large angry men to himself. Of course, Aldech also wasn't going to object when someone was offering to take a beating for him. What the assassin didn't expect though, was the young knight to swiftly and easily dispatch of the clumsy ruffians. Where they would swing wildly at him with badly aimed fists (and usually they hurt themselves on his armor), the knight would dodge gracefully and use the hilt of his sword to bash the back of their heads. It was quite effective really.

       When the man turned to Aldech and Nadia, his eyes were friendly and shone in a hue of the brightest blue. "I beg pardon for interrupting Sir, Miss," the man apologized, nodding to the two of them as he sheathed his sword. "I've no doubt you had the skills to best them, but I could not simply stand by and do nothing."

       Aldech, who had a steadily bruising jaw, was actually quite happy with the unexpected help. He looked down at the very unconscious pile of ruffians and back to the face of the young knight who had helped them. The assassin watched as said knight had extended a hand to Nadia.

       "My Lady," the knight inquired gravely, "you're not hurt are you?" He looked as if he would never forgive himself if she were.

       Nadia stood momentarily perplexed at the concern of the knight, still shocked that he had actually gone in and jumped into the fight without so much as the vaguest idea of who they were. "What? No," she assured him, waving a hand in an attempt to dispel his concern. "No, I'm fine, don't worry about it. And... you are...?"

       The knight blinked, appalled at his own rudeness. "Where are my manners!?" He bowed low, both in apology and introduction, "I am Sir Kailen, a knight of Grandvalley."

       Aldech stood, nursing his very sore jaw, "A knight? In a dinky town like this?" He had lost all pretenses of the gentleman he was acting.

       "Indeed, sir!" the knight replied with a friendly smile, flashing brilliantly white, straight teeth. "You see, I am on a quest of the noblest of intentions. A demon was spotted entering the Blackwood Forest, where the Good Witch resides, and since then all manner of evil has been escaping into the land. Something has happened, and I must go and vanquish whatever is holding her."

       "A... demon?" Nadia asked, raising an eyebrow as she bent over to pick Aldech's bag, whose contents had spilled out during the brawl. "Are you certain."

       "Quite certain, I'm afraid," the knight answered gravely. "People have been speaking of strange happenings all throughout the kingdom. Not only are there scores of people in curious garb walking about, but unnatural creatures as well; fish that walk upon the land, individuals wielding strange magics, and the very dead moving out of their graves!" Pausing for a moment to look between the two, Sir Kailen seemed to be putting a great deal of brain power into considering the pair of them. "If I might say so... neither of you look as though you're from around here either."

       Nadia glanced to Aldech, whose expression hadn't seemed to change, and interceded for them. "We're not. There have been strange disappearances where we are from, with buildings transported away from the city--our best guess is that we were caught in something similar, and ended up here."

       [ actions to be added later ]

       "That is most unsettling news indeed. What did you plan to do about it?"

    "We weren't entirely certain. We thought we might travel to the Royal City to see if there was some sort of embassy or library to find where we were, or maybe to the nearest port to charter a ship."

       "I believe I may have a suggestion! As I mentioned, I am on a quest to save the good witch from whatever has befallen her, and I could certainly use the aid of two skilled persons such as yourselves. A rogue and a magician would be invaluable assets to my cause, and when we free the good witch, it is very possible she may be able to help you. She is a powerful woman, and possesses a great deal of knowledge."

       "Would you excuse us for a moment...?"

       "Of course! I'll just clean up the mess here a little, shall I?"
   
    "What do you think? He seems insane to me."

    "Perhaps, but it seems to be our best bet, doesn't it?"
       "We have no idea what we might be getting into."

       "A little danger with a guide seems to me a much better chance than wandering around a place we've never been before with our heads halfway in our asses for no idea where we're going. Besides, if he has promised to guide us, why not speed his progress along so he can help us sooner?"

       "If you really think this witch can help us, Sir Kailen, then we'll help you on your...your quest."

       "Glorious!" Kailen's smile was so bright it could have been mistaken for the gleam of sunlight. Clasping his hands together, he glanced to the forms of the gentlemen they'd dealt with, who were beginning to move once again. "Now, let's see about getting these fellows compensating you for the harassment, shall we?"