Chapter 17

"Well, gentlemen," Toshiro says as the wagon pulls infront of the Watch's building. "This is the end of the road for all of you. I am sure the authorities will enjoy chatting with you about whatever you know."

Pulling the leader out of the cart first, Toshiro leaned near his ear. "Understand this... if left to the devices of some of us, you would be quite dead.... and others you may encounter when attempting 'acquisitions' could be of that sort of temperment. It would be who of you to acquire a new line of work, otherwise you may not see retirement....."

Leaning back, he propelled the three (with Cael's help) into the building and turned them over to the Watch after explaining the base circumstances behind their capture. After the turnover was completed, an inn was sought for rest and plotting.

The Sign of the Golden Bear beckons, its placard literally glowing with a rich golden light. It's a very large inn, possibly one of the larger ones many of you have been in. The main taproom is a bustling place, full of patrons and servants. You walk in the main doors, which are in the center of the long side of the room. On your left, fifty feet or more away, is the bar. A fire roars in the huge fireplace on your right - you think the fireplace might be seven feet tall, at least, and the fire fills most of it.

Along the wall opposite you, there are many doors and three hallways. In the corner by the fireplace is a spiral staircase made of wrought iron, glowing slightly with a purplish fire. A large ironwood desk sits nearby the stairs. On its front is painted a large golden key.

Wincing slightly at the copious amounts of magic used in this place, Cael walks over to the desk, looking for the innkeeper. Ach. An ale would be good to wash this trail dust from my throat, but that run-in with those idiots ruined my sleep. I think a bed'll do me more good than the bar, right now.

Gwenh looks around her as she walks into the Golden Bear. This place is teeming with magic, but why? Why waste an enchantment on a simple inn? Making her way to the staircase she looked careully at the wrought iron, almost admiring the purplish hue. I have never seen anything like this in the mortal world before. If I think this is a waste, what would they think of the lairs of my kind?

Hhmmmm..... Toshiro mused as he looked about the main area of the inn. Somewhat opulent; Kvelti would be jealous.... Going over to join Cael at the keeper' desk, Toshiro turned to Cael. Noting the barely conceal disgust on his face Toshiro nodded. "Cael-" he said in a very low voice. "You might want to hide the distaste a bit better... there are worse places than this in the use of magery. This is kind of minor....."

There's a slight bump from under the desk and a muffled curse, then a figure backs up and straightens. One hand deposits a gilt stylus on the desk while another rubs a spot on the back of her head. The rubbing moves the woman's pale ice-gold hair, revealing ears just slightly pointed. Her eyes are a strange coppery color - you may have seen some cats with this orangy hue (or, if she's associated with coppers, Gwenh may think it looks a little like the eyes of that subspecie of dragon), but probably never in a... half-elf? Probably. She looks sort of sickly or drawn, as her skin has a greyish cast to it.

"Your pardons, my patrons, I was chasing my pen. Welcome to the Sign of the Golden Bear, Tavern, Inn and Conference Center. May I book rooms for you?"

"Why yes, you may," Toshiro says with a smile." I and my traveling coompanions have need of a few rooms... say 3 of them; 4 if possible. We will be needing them for at the very least two nights. If possible, can they be in proximity of one another?"

Toshiro glances to Cael and noticed the tail-end of a pained look I bet he is short of funds.... about what one would expect for an exile... Pulling out a coin pouch from within his garb, he calms Cael. "I believe I got it this time, my friend. Don't worry." Turning back the innkeep, he continued. "Are there baths in the room or are those in a seperate location within the building?"

The woman consults a chart on the desk. "We have a row of four rooms on the second floor, and a block of two-and-two, across the hall from each other, on the third." She flips open a book and runs her finger down its pages. "No reservations or holds on any of them. You can have them as long as you wish."

"Baths are at your option. We can bring tubs up to the rooms and have them filled, but the water often cools in the process. There is also the group bath, on this level, though that archway. We have two large heated bathing pools, for gentlemen and for ladies, as well as wet and dry heated rooms. Access to the inn's bath is included in the price of your rooms; the private tub will cost extra, cost dependent on the size of the tub."

She removes a sheet of parchment from a drawer and lays it out. It shows a human-sized being next to tin tubs of various sizes, one large enough even for an ogre to fit into comfortably. Next to each picture are a number of silver circles, which would seem to indicate coins.

Glancing at Cael, Toshiro replied to the innkeep. "Thanks; I think the two by two setup is best. As for baths, I have no aversion to a group tub although some of the others might. I will advise them of the extra costs. Howmuch for the rooms for say.... three nights?"

"Four rooms, third floor, three nights... " She counts out several bits of gold from a box on the desk and places them in a balancing scale. "Four of the local gold coins, if you've got them, or however much gold will balance this. Schedules of fees are in your rooms, along with a map of the Inn. We offer a variety of services, including," she takes stock of the motely band before her, "healing and provisioning for adventurers."

Toshiro counts out his coins until the scale balances. Satisfied, the clerk sweeps them up, returning her weights to their box. She reaches behind her to the key rack on the wall, removing four iron keys. "Here you are. We hope you enjoy your stay at the Sign of the Golden Bear."

Cael starts to respond to Toshiro's warning when the innkeeper makes her appearance. Holding his tongue for the moment, and trying to hide the pain the surrounding magic is causing him, he listens to the innkeeper's spiel. At her mention of the cost, Cael reddens slightly. In the action and excitement of the preceeding weeks, he'd forgotten how poor he really was. Luckily, Toshiro produces funds to cover the room costs.

Although he was irked that he was further in someone's debt, Cael stilled his tongue until he and Toshiro were far enough from the innkeeper to not be overheard by her. "I will pay my share when we reach the rooms, Toshiro." I have enought for that, at least, and perhaps there will be a market tomorrow that I can sell some of my healing herbs....

"Cael," Toshiro responds as they reach the stairs, "Do not fret over it; I know all too well the price one pays when forced to abandon one's place.... all too well..... Remind me to tell you about a woman named Li and that of a banned love......"

Cael scowls as he nears the glowing staircase. "Faugh! What kind of sorcerer would produce such shoddy workmanship? This stuff resonates so much my head is fit to burst!"

Smiling at Cael's outburst, Toshiro replied, "You think this is bad, wait till I get you near a mage school; then you can complain."

"No, Toshiro," Cael responds tersely, "you do not understand. I have been in mage schools - almost a third of the Ehosian priests are mages. The Great Cathedral itself has so many enchantments on it that it can blind those who do not dampen their mage-sight before looking at it. This... stuff," he gestures at the glowing steps, "this has a mental stink about it. It truely hurts." And there is something almost... familiar about it. But what?

Curiosity showed on Toshiros face. "Eho has magi doing his work? Or is that only recent? Most peculiar that..." Very interesting is more like it.... I know there is a clue there but what?

The party spirals its way up the black, purple-glowing stairs to the third floor, where they find their rooms. Each room is fairly spacious, containing a large bed, a desk and chair, and a small table. There are also some wooden racks which would easily hold luggage. Heavy grey curtains frame the single window of each room. The decor of the rooms is unique (except for the uniformly grey curtains) with the furniture differing in style and the linens in color and texture.

There is also a silver inlay in the shape of a down-pointing sword imbedded on the upper right of each doorframe. It would be hidden when the door is closed.

On the desk of each room is a folder of parchments, each with pictures representing different services available at the Inn... the baths, food and drink brought to the rooms, private meeting rooms, healing, guides to the town, and others.

Falling Leaf glances at it as she enters the first room on the right, frowns slightly, and continues on in. Once in, she begins a meticulous search for any sort of trap or spying device and checks out the window and the walls above and below it. She grunts when she decides the place is clean, and sprinkles a few spiky caltrops around the window.

Cael will dump his gear in whatever room is handy. Before returning downstairs with the others, he'll dig through his 'medical' satchel and pull out some willow bark, which he'll chew on, muttering to himself about the bitter taste.

As Toshiro and Cael talk, Gwenh goes to whatever room she's in and leaves her small amount of things their. Dusting the dirt off her clothes, she clasped her hair back and returned to the inn's commonroom. Taking a seat at whichever empty table she came to first, she looked around, studying the inn's patrons and waiting for a server so that she could order some wine. Looking over at the strange innkeeper, she shakes the notion that she might be a copper out of her head and goes back to looking at the patrons.

A server materializes almost before Gwenh has finished seating herself. Like most of the staff here, he's dressed in light grays with a large yellow-golden bear shape sewn onto the front of his tunic. (These aren't glowing - they're just golden silk).

He asks a few questions of her, trying to narrow down which sort of wine she'd best enjoy... however, it's a polite, guided questioning rather unlike the rambling wine list Kvelti rattled off at her months ago in the Rabid Wombat. Satisfied that a Nargoth icewine would suit her tastes this evening, the man hurries off, stopping at a few other tables along the way.

The clientele here is rather distinctly well-off. Not all of them are high-born or dressed in fabulous clothing - some are rough-hewn mercenaries, from the look of it. But all are tossing coins about with a careless air.

The end of the room nearest the fireplace is somewhat quieter, and the mellow tones of a recorder and lute duet can be faintly heard. Going towards the bar, the atmosphere gets progessively louder and more raucous. The patrons are mostly humans, with a fair handful of elves as well. That's somewhat unusual... most human cities do not have a significant elven population.

The server brings back a dark purple wine - served at room temperature, not icy cold as the name might lead one to believe - just as the faint purple glow highlighting the stairs falters and goes out. The desk clerk gets up from her chair and moves over to the stairs.

Surprisingly, she pulls up a section of floor and kneels down. Listening hard, Gwenh's superior ears can hear her say, "Tell Mother the stairs went out again. Why doesn't she just go ahead with the permanent one? .... I don't know. Can you give this a quick fix? .... Thanks," before she closes the trapdoor.

Upstairs, Cael breathes a sigh of relief as the willowbark seems to be kicking in. His headache suddenly decreased by a good bit. The relief is only momentary, however, as the headache soon returns in full force.

Downstairs, as the trapdoor swings closed, the stairs resume their soft shining.

Gwenh is enjoying her wine and keeping an eye on the populace. Except for the strange matter of the trapdoor at the bottom of the spiral staircase, it has the manner and feel of a very expensive, posh watering hole for locals and travelers alike. It's about a zillion miles away from the grimy tables of the Rabid Wombat in all matters except drink selection.

Upstairs, Brother Brygund has apparently fallen into bed and is snoring loudly. Kyrial hasn't been seen since the bandit incident.

Falling Leaf emerges from her room after she's done securing it and laying her traps. She stares at Cael and Toshiro chatting at the top of the steps for a moment in that unnerving manner of hers, and finally asks, "What are we doing here?"

Cael looks over at 'Leaf, the pain of his headache clearly on his face. "Ah, a brief history lesson for our Jade friend here." He gestured towards Toshiro. "We were about to head downstairs to join Gwehn." And maybe a drink or two will ease this headache. Eho knows I won't be able to sleep with it.

'Leaf gestures impatiently. "That wasn't what I... ah, we are meeting downstairs." She growls something unpleasant in elvish in the back of her throat and will shoulder past the two men if they don't proceed down the staircase immediately. You get the impression she's in a hurry.

Toshiro watches Leaf decend the staircase and sighs. What I get for journeying with an impatient, vengeful elven assasin. It's not like she doesn't have time to get rid of her foes... Looking over at Cael, Toshiro motions for him to go. "After you, my friend."

Cael stares as Falling Leaf angrily pushes her way past the two men and proceeds downstairs, then looks over at Toshiro. "A friendly bunch we travel with, no? Well, the ladies await us."

"Aye," Toshiro replies as he follows Cael down. "that we do my friend, that we do...."

They both head downstairs, just in time to catch the inn clerk approach Gwehn.

Finally taking a break from updating the room occupancies, the desk clerk sits back in her chair, playing with her pen. She smiles as she looks over the busy crowd. It was a good week for business.

The smile disappears as she rockets forward in her chair. The pen goes flying and clatters softly beneath the desk (again). If Gwenh is watching, she finds that she is the object of a stare of pure astonishment. Lithely, the clerk vaults the desk, grinning like a moron now, hustling through the crowd towards Gwenh's table, obviously excited about something.

Gwenh watches the woman bolt over the desk towards her table and tenses wondering what the excitment could be. I should of dyed my hair color, found some way to conceal myself. Please don't let it be me she's approaching in such a hurry. Gods...

The clerk is indeed making a beeline for Gwenh's table, but her hands are swinging freely by her sides as she walks, not hidden or making the gestures of a spell. Reaching Gwenh's table, she makes a low bow. "Please accept my most humble apologies, Most Blessed by the Maiden," she says in a low voice. "I somehow did not make proper note of your entrance before... Again, I apologize. Shall I escort you to the temple now, or are you content here? Forgive me, I have never before met a Blessed One who was among our surface brethren. I am not sure how to best please your preferences."

Finally returning from her little "side trip", Kyrial examines the Inn from the outside. Hey, this feels like home!

She slowly enters the door, only to see the desk clerk speaking to Gwenh. Arrogantly, she sits down at the same table, half listening to the conversation. I wonder whether they have some chilled Treant Wine here?

Startled by the sudden appearance of the cloaked and hooded figure, the desk clerk pauses. Since Gwenh gives no sign that the newcomer is hostile or unknown, she smiles and continues. "Any friend of one so favored by the Dark Maiden is welcome here, as well." The term "Dark Maiden" tugs at Kyrial's memory... someone not spoken of often, someone treasonous, to be reviled... someone who dares to oppose the will of the Spider Queen.

Gwenh looks at the clerk and wonders who this "Dark Maiden" is. "Where is the temple?" She glances about for the Toshiro and Cael, wondering where in the nine hells they were.

The clerk taps her foot on the floor. "Downstairs, of course... Most of the faith still haven't learned to abide in the light."

Falling Leaf reaches the table at about this moment, Toshiro and Cael not far behind her. She notes Kyrial's return, then turns her flat eyes on the clerk. "Is there a problem?"

"Why, no, I was just..."

"Then please leave. We have things to discuss."

The half-elf looks shocked, but does not leave. She looks expectantly instead to Gwenh, awaiting her direction.

Falling Leaf's brow furrows at this. Aren't such servitors supposed to do as the guests request?

Hoping to keep a disturbance from happening and curious as to what this temple and all was all about, Gwenh stood and looked at the clerk. "Take me to the temple now, my companions have much to discuss, that is unless they wish to join me."

Walking up after Falling Leaf, Cael only catches the last of the clerk's comments, and Gwehn's reply. He makes sure his holy symbol is tucked securely away before responding to Gwehn's remarks. "I am always curious to see new temples. I will join you."

Toshiro looks to Leaf and raises an eybrow in question. "I believe Leaf and I shall stay here. There is much to discuss and I would imagine there are a few things to iron out."

The clerk looks expectantly at Kyrial before leading the group away. Intrigued and puzzled, Kyrial follows along. Dark Maiden? Gwenh? Deliberately stepping on the tail of a dog that was dozing near the door, she ponders. What did that passage say in the book? Something about Dark Maidens.. hmm...curse on my memory. She grins, briefly flashing her fangs. Mayhap I'll get to see some "entertainment" tonight... that would be well worth the delay in my mission!