Jeric jumps in through the inn doors as if pushed, shooting a fierce glare through the doors at something outside before he turns around and scratches the palm of one hand with the finger's of the other. He siddles off to oneside then, his eyes wide at being in a place he probably shouldn't be, taking in all the sights and smells, his little golden eyes glowing brightly in the flickering lamp and candle lgiht.
Miara'una raises one hand to one of her temples, glancing up at the rapidly filling common room with a very slight groan of annoyance. She keeps her features hidden though and bows her head over her drink again, sighing slightly.
Aeriol points to a table in the far corner, which has a good view of the stage. "You can see them practicing well from that spot, shall we set and have a drink?" she asks of Aelemar
Talia glances up at the shout, studying the little boy (Jeric) curiously for a few moments. Her expression turns slightly confused at the sight of his eyes, but she shrugs it off after a short while of studying the lad and turns her head away to continue her watch of the rest of the inn.
Annalyn settles in at her table, which is in a back corner of the room where the light is somewhat dim, though her fair features make her easily visible despite the lighting. She raises a gloved hand to gesture to one of the servers.
Aelemar smiles, "Indeed...I would enjoy that. What juices do they have here?" He walks with Aeriol towards the table and pulls out a chair for her to sit in. He looks about at all the others.
Aemon's eyes settle on the youngster by the door, watching him with an odd mix of curiosity and readily apparent boredom.
Jeric's eyes drift up to Talia as he trots by her and he grins impishly up into her face, innocence shining in his golden eyes. He trots on by, his little booted heals making no noise in the common room din. He eventually comes to a halt near the stage, grinning up at Aeriol, he siddles sideways into a small niche beside the stage to peek at her from concealment and watch her play.
Aelemar whispers something to Aeriol.
Asondra enters the inn cautiously, hesitating for a second as she looks at the crowd that is gathered here, then she walks towards a free table in one of the corners of the room.
Kaith steps into the inn, pausing for a long moment in the doorway. As he waits for his eyes to adjust he pulls his gloves off and tucks them behind his belt. He frowns slightly as his gaze sweeps the room then makes his way to the nearest empty table, seating himself so that he has a view of the door.
Aeriol smiles at Jeric as she sits, smoothing her skirts over her now swelling belly. She raises her hand gently, and motions for the boy to come to her, her other hand patting her lap, offering him an invitation to sit. She then looks to Aelemar and replies "I'm certain they have a variety, why don't you signal for a serving maid."
Talia glances down at the boy again as he passes her table, her face softening into a wistful smile. As he passes her by, she shrugs and turns her attention back to the rest of the room. As a serving maid comes over to her table, she smiles and nods, ordering a cup of wine. Her voice, if any are close enough to hear it, is soft and calm, with a thick Domani accent.
The server, looking somewhat harried and wide-eyed, arrives at Annalyn's table to take her order. After a quick order of warm bread with butter and a glass of red wine, the server rushes back to the kitchens to fill the order. (Annalyn)
Miara'una idly raises one bronzed hand to trail her fingertips around the rim of her glass, dancing them gently across the surface, appearing to take no notice of anyone else around her.
Jeric pouts, his face crestfallen where only half of it shows beside the stage and he trots out of concealment, slinking across the stage to siddle up beside Aeriol. He raises his face upto hers a moment, beaming in excitement at the cheery atmosphere before turning his face to goggle out at the crowd, his golden eyes wide.
Aemon shifts his boots from the chair next to him, and settles into a more vertical position as a second serving maid appears from the kitchens, quickly crossing the room towards him with a covered platter leaking wisps of steam in one hand, and a thick glass pitcher of water in her other. Reaching his corner of the room, she quickly deposits his food on the table, and escapes to the kitchens.
Aeriol tries to put her arm about Jeric, her smile brightening. "Would you like to sit up in my lap, I can get you some juice or water?" she asks of Jeric, giving a quick wink to Aelemar indicating that the boy is a friend.
Asondra sits down at the table, her back towards the wall. She looks around her for a few minutes, taking up everybody with her eyes, she frowns lightly when she sees Annalyn.
Annalyn yawns a little, paying no mind to Asondra, or anyone else in particular for that matter, despite her acquaintances of a few people in the room as she waits for her order to arrive.
Aelemar nods, looking from Jeric to Aeriol and back, perring into their eyes, then nodding. "Blends of juices, especially chilled, can be more refreshing than any wine. I think I will trust the judgement of the servers here."
Talia continues to study the inn, glancing up with a smile and a word of thanks when the serving maid arrives with a small cup of wine. She pays in silver, and goes back to watching the crowd.
Jeric bounces on his toes although he snuggles into Aeriol a bit, his gaze turning to Aelemar a moment before his gaze quickly flickers away, his aversion to men strong tonight. "Me fine," he murmurs happily to Aeriol, his gaze roving around and finally coming to rest on Aeriol's protuding stomach. "You fat!" he giggles, pointing his finger.
Miara'una raises her eyes after a while, though still remains shrouded within her cloak's hood, and she looks around the common room idly. Impassive interest lines her browned, though hidden features, and she bids a nod if any of her kin (you know who you are) happen to glance in her direction.
Aemon slowly picks a few glittering rounds of silver from a pouch at his waist, and slides them to rest on the far edge of the table for easy retrieval by a server, and then pulls the platter closer to him. Lifting off the lid, he takes a deep breath of the steam which wafts up from an impressive section of roast and the vegetables piled around it.
Aeriol hugs Jeric gently to her as he snuggles into her side, a giggle escaping her lips at his words. "Nay, Jeric, I'm with child. A little baby is growing in my belly." she corrects the child.
Aelemar whispers something to Aeriol.
Asondra raises her hand a little to signal a nearby waitress to place an order. After that she sits back, allowing the shadow to cloak her as much as she can, simply looking at those gathered here without making an attempt to interact.
Aeriol whispers something to Aelemar.
Aelemar whispers something to Aeriol.
Annalyn yawns again, but the waitress seems to be prompt with at least simple orders, bringing out her bread and wine. Annalyn smiles slightly at the woman, dropping a bit of silver into the woman's palm, as if to reward her for her promptness. She then turns her attention to her food, breaking the small loaf of bread apart, steam arising from the breaks and starting to slather it in butter.
Aelemar whispers something to Aeriol.
Aelemar whispers something to Aeriol.
Jeric raises an eyebrow at Aeriol, not apparently believing her, "Baby? In there?" He puts his face close to Aeriol's stomach, sniffing softly, "Must be awful tight in there.....tighter than Cori's cubby hole....." he pauses and adds assuringly, "And that is true tight!"
Quietly, the main door of the inn creaks open.
Aemon sets the lid aside, and ribs his hands agreeably as he examines the veritable feast set before him. Grabbing a two-pronged fork and a heavy carving knife from the platter, he sets about carving off oversized morsels of the meat. Having accumulated a decent sized pile, he quickly jumble in some of the veggies and pooled gravy, and picks out a heaped forkful, which he raises to his mouth with an eagerly expectant look spread across his features.
Talia glances over at the creak of the door, peering past the frame to see what manner of person is the next to enter.
Asondra turns her head a bit as she hears the door of the inn creak open, looking in that direction with a mild curiousity.
Miara'una tips her glass, slowly, to look into it and frown. She raises the glass to her lips as her eyes find the openning of the door and she sighs lightly, probably expecting -another- patron, -another- face in the sea of the crowd.
Aeriol leans back in her chair, the smile slipping from her face. She nods her head gently towards Aelemar, as if trying to tell him to let a question lie. She then turns to Jeric, her smile brightening once more, her golden-eyes reflecting the light of the room. She extends her other hand towards Jeric and says "Come, give me your hand, andI will show you. You can feel the baby move."
Annalyn pays no mind to the door, even if she did hear it creak open over the din of the inn's patrons. She pops a bit of the warm bread into her mouth, chewing it slowly before washing it down with a sip of the wine.
Jeric holds out his hand to Aeriol trustingly, still not believing what she's saying as he watches her stomach closely.
Aelemar nods to Aeriol, then looks around, a bit irritated, trying to flage down a waitress, "Please...we would like refreshment here." The light tenor voice carries more than it would in normal conversation
Kaith does not appear to notice the creeking of the doorway as a serving girl stops to take his order. He shakes his head slightly and says softly,'Just some wine, please.' He watches the girl walk away for a moment before turning his gaze back to the doorway.
A faint whimper of pain sounds from the darkness outside the inn, and a human form drags itself into view.
Talia's expression turns from one of bland curiosity to one of surprise at the sight of the form in the doorway, and she starts up from her table, leaving her wine abandoned, to move towards the entrance.
Miara'una raises her features slightly and inhales the breeze, twitching her nose in response to the rank scent she absorbs... the familiar, dark scent.
Aeriol gently places her hand on her belly. Then her nostrils flare wide, she quickly looks to the form dragging itself in, her golden eyes seeming to look at it sharply.
Annalyn still doesn't flinch, taking another bite of the warm bread like before, savoring it before she washes it down with another sip of wine.
Aemon's overloaded fork dips slightly as it approaches his mouth, and its contents drop back onto the plate beneath. With a quick movement, he scoots back in his chair to avoid spatters of juice. Looking somewhat irked, he glances up at the doorway, some sixth sense telling him that something is going on.
Aelemar blinks, frowns at Aeril, then turns to see what she is looking at. He starts up, gasping and moving back to the proprieter to reclaim his weapon
Asondra straightens a bit as she notices the human form entering the room, her dark eyes seem to glow for a second, then her face becomes neutral again as she gives the dark form a more thorough look.
Jeric shake's his head slightly, concentrating on the Aeriol's belly before he giggles, his eyes wide, "He moves!" he squeals. He picks up on Aeriol's emotion's then, his head cocking sharply as he turn's in the circle of Aeriol's arms to peer towards the entrance like everyone else seems' to be doing.
Talia moves swiftly around the chairs and tables to approach the entrance, her face concerned. "Is nobody going to help him?" she asks loudly of the patrons as she closes with the doorway.
The figure outside drags itself laboriously into the room, leaving a rather disturbingly heavy blood trail in its wake. As it enters the light, it's easy to see that the hulking form is that of a man, probably in his middle years. He's just short of being obese, and the fletchings of a crossbow quarrel mark a wound in his left side.
With a slight sigh, Miara's form raises itself to her feet and she begins to walk slowly towards the obviously injured man, reaching one hand into her cloak as she goes. (Miara'una)
Asondra tilts her head a little as she keeps looking at the man, she stays where she for a few more seconds, then slides from her chair and moves towards the man, her eyes fixed on the wound.
Jeric murmurs sadly to Aeriol, "Blood...he scared...poor..bad man...." He snuggles into Aeriol then, resting his head on her arm and watching the scene with sad eyes.
Talia gasps as she sees the trail of blood and the crossbow quarrel, looking faintly sick. "Is there a wisdom in here?" she appeals to the crowd as she bends down beside the man to get a closer look at the wound. "Anyone who can heal?" In a quieter tone, she says to the man, "Be still. Please, something will be done." Her voice mirrors her eyes with its concern.
Annalyn finally turns for the door, though her expression remains the same, no surprise or horror registers on it. She does, however, rise from the table, popping another bit of bread into her mouth as she does so, starting to walk for the door, wineglass in hand.
Aemon straightens up in his seat, watching the wounded man's struggles, apparently content to simply watch the drama play itself out. He does, however, push his food away, his appetite apparently forgotten for the moment.
Kaith pushes his chair back and rises quickly to his feet and moves around his table towards the door, abandoning his sword for the time being. Sharply, he asks,'Who did this to you?' He frowns slightly at Talia as she asks about healing, then turns his questioning gaze back upon the wounded man.
Aelemar gets his sword and walks towards the door, walking beyond the man and those surrounding him to peer outside, looking to see what is going on. (what time of day is it?)
Aeriol draws Jeric into her arms, closer to her. A very protctive hold she has on the boy. "Yes, her is scared. Perhaps he will be will." she says, trying to comfort the boy.
Asondra kneels down next to Talia, reaching out with her hand to touch the feathered end of the crossbow quarrel softly, a gentle frown appearing on her forehead.
Jeric doesn't move, remaining silent against Aeriol for now, his sad eyes remaining fixed on the scene.
The fat man's eyes focus on Kaith at his question, and after a moment he manages to breathe out a nearly inaudible, "Bandits." The effort seems to cost him something, and he dissolves for a moment into coughing, causing the quarrel stuck into him to wobble faintly with each expelled breath. Agony etches his features, already washed white by bloodloss.
Talia grimaces at Kaith. "Don't make him speak," she instructs. "I may not know much about healing, but I know enough not to disturb the patient." Turning back to the man, she instructs softly, "Lie still. We'll sort it out." Her appealing gaze then turns to the rest of the inn, an almost hopeless cast appearing on her features as nobody seems to answer her request for a wisdom.
Aemon's eyes brighten at the mention of bandits, and he pushes his dinner further away, obviously completely distracted. His left hand moves almost involuntarily towards the swordbelt looped over the chair next to him.
Aeriol leans over and presses her lips to the top of Jeric's head "There is naught we can do for him, best let those who else can help him that can."
Kaith's brow furrows down into a sharp frown and he chews on his lower lip in thought for a moment. He glances around the room briefly then lets out a defeated sounding sigh. He kneels next to Asondra and peers at the wound. Without looking back at Talia he says softly,'Yes, you know little about healing, as you've already indicated.' He looks up from the wound to Asondra and asks,'But what about you?'
Annalyn stands at the edge of the crowd that has gathered around the man, taking another sip of the wine she still holds in her hand as she watches the goings on.
Asondra withdraws her hand from the arrow, while she seems to think something over, the frown on her forehead growing deeper. She turns her head to Kaith when he adresses her, saying in a soft voice ,'I'll need bandages and a clean knife...also, bring me some boiled water.' having said that she looks back at the man.
Jeric nods faint to Aeriol, still silent and watching, sighing softly to himself.
Aelemar comes back from the door, "I see no bandits out there, they must be a ways away. I wonder how many of them there are, and if they will be coming here...."
Aemon gives up, casting a last wistful look at his untouched, and rapidly cooling, dinner. Rising from his chair, he grabs his coat and his swordbelt, and makes his way confindently across the room towards the wounded man and the crowd around him.
The fat man's eyes are still fixed on Kaith, and his mouth is working in a manner that gives him a somewhat ludicrous aspect - the appearance of being a large, puffy-looking fish. He breaks into another spasm of coughing, this time with a wet, tearing sound accompanying the fit. Blood sprays from his mouth - he's dying.
Talia nods swiftly to Asondra, getting up and backing away from the man. She picks her way through the gathering crowd towards where the innkeeper stands, demanding of him what was asked for - bandages, a knife and boiled water.
Kaith sighs loudly,'No time for that. Let's hope he is strong enough to survive Healing.' He snatches quickly at Saidin and places his left hand next to the wound. He spins out threads of spirit, water and air, weaving them into a complex net that sinks into the man's flesh, seeking out and repairing the damage, pushing the bolt slowly out of the wound as it closes.
Aeriol just seems to cradle Jeric in her arms, a gentle, but sad humming coming from deep within her throat. The sparkle in her eyes a few moments before, gone.
Annalyn raises a cool eyebrow at Kaith does his work, taking another small sip from her wineglass as she continues to stand and watch, her light hazel eyes sparkling slightly with interest.
Asondra makes a soft growling sound that seems to come from the back from her throat as she realises what Kaith is doing, moving away from him while she rises to her feet.
Aelemar looks around, and sees Kaith, the black coat, the Healing. he goes a little pale but otherwise doesn't react. "Perhaps he can tell us more when we wakes up...." He walks over around to Aeriol and Jeric. "I am afriad I may have to wait to drink with you until another time..."
The man shudders, convulsing at the touch of Kaith's hand. Before the wound is completely Healed, the convulsions abruptly -stop-. Apparently, the fat man really wasn't strong enough to take Healing.
Aemon reaches the gathering around the doorway, and casts a quick glance down at the recently healed man. Looking back up with a calm expression, he turns to Kaith, as an apparent authority figure. "My name is Aemon, sir." He dips his chin politely and asks, "I don't suppose you have any objection to my going out and poking around a little?"
Talia turns back from the innkeeper, a basin balanced on top of a stack of bandages, and starts to move back towards the wounded man, before she sees what is going on. Her eyes wide, she moves backwards with a sound close to a whimper, setting her burden down on a nearby table and spilling some of the water in the process.
Aeriol looks up and nods her head gently at Aelemar's words. "Yes, another time." she says softly, the sad hum ceasing for the moment.
Asondra throws a dark gaze in Kaith's direction, the growl that came from the back of her throat cut of abruptly as she says in a low voice ,'You killed him...'
Annalyn blinks as the man dies, finally showing some reaction to the goings on. She doesn't even sip from her wineglass, holding it visibly more tightly than before, causing the crystal stem to snap.
Aemon turns an annoyed glance on Asondra, "Don't be silly. Haven't you ever seen Healing before?" He waits patiently for Kaith to respond to him.
Aelemar shivers and walks back to the man, looking carefully at him. "Asha'man...." His voice is quiet...."Asha'man.....I think I can find them..."
Jeric shivers against Aeriol, and whines softly, "Bad men...all bad men...." squinting his eyes shut as he buries his little face into Aeriol, seeking her comfort.
Kaith raises his head and stares into Asondra's eyes. Without looking away from her, he says,'No, Aemon. I have no objections to you looking around. Please shout a warning if you see anything.' Lowering his voice slightly, he says to Asondra,'If you look at it a certain way, yes. He did not survive the Healing.. But when one is too weak to survive the shock of Healing, they will not survive knives and boiling water, either.'
Talia remains where she is, a little back from the crowd, her eyes still fixed on what she can see of Kaith and the dead man before him.
Aemon looks over at Aelemar with no comment save a dramatically raised eyebrow. Finally, he shrugs, and addresses a question to the man. "Mind some company, if you're set on going out and scrambling through the underbrush?"
Asondra doesnt react to Aemon's and Kaith's words at first, her gaze completely fixated on Kaith, when she finally answers her voice seem to be even darker then first ,'Asha'man...' then she shakes her head very lightly ,'You killed him, wether or not he would have died by healing I dont know...'
Aelemar shakes his head. "I would welcome it...I do not fight all that well, but I think I can find who did this to him." H becons Aemon to follow
Annalyn wrinkles her nose, finally speaking up, 'I'd rather not go running about in the dark for some bandits. Even if I wouldn't ruin my dress, it's a fool's endeavor.'
Aemon shrugs lazily as he moves to follow Aelemar. "I don't fight all -that- well, either..." His eyes flicker towards Kaith before he continues, "But then again, I don't plan on picking a fight with a bowman tonight... just finding one."
Aelemar walks out of the inn with Aemon, and they are gone for a while....
Aeriol holds Jeric to her tightly, giving him all the comfort that she can. She gently strokes the boy's hair, her humming resuming to try to ease his sadness.
Kaith's frown deepens,'Believe as you will, woman. Aes Sedai could have done no better by him.' He rises slowly to his feet, holding his bloodstained hand away from his body while he digs for a handkerchief in his coat pocket. He glances briefly to Annalyn,'So much for me checking out the local taverns, no?'
Annalyn looks off at the men who depart, her lips twisting a little as she says, 'Fools. They'll probably end up like the fat guy.' She then takes another sip of her wine, looking around at the gathered people.
Talia's initial shock seems to abate somewhat, at least enough for her curiosity to take over. She moves closer in to the crowd, her attention now fixed on the doorway and the darkness outside.
Asondra continues to stare at Kaith, her eyes burning with a strange intensity, then she lets out another soft growl and turns around on her heels, starting to move back towards the table she was seated priorly.
Annalyn runs the fingers of her free hand through her blonde tresses, combing them back away from her face, saying gently to Kaith, 'I guess so, Kaith. I'm sorry you couldn't help the man.'
Kaith stares after Asondra for a moment as she walks away. He sighs loudly and turns to Anna,'Thank you. I am sorry I could not, as well.' Looking back down at the dead man, he adds,'I wonder who he was..'
Jeric almost seems to be nodding off in Aeriol's arms, his little golden eyes slitted as he turns his head slightly towards where all the fuss seems to be.
Aeriol continues to stroke Jeric's hair, trying to sooth the young lad. She then whispers "Come, sit in my lap, I'll keep you safe." she promises the boy.
Annalyn shrugs her shoulders to Kaith, replying, 'I really have no idea. Probably just an unfortunate man who got a little thirsty for some of the wine here. It's surprisingly decent.' As if to prove her point she drains the red liquid out of broken crystal glass, setting it down at the nearest table, where it promptly tips over and starts to roll, rolling off the edge of the table and shattering on the floor.
Jeric turns to Aeriol and nods quietly, opening his arms and climbing up into her lap and snuggling down silently, his eyes still locked on the area near the doors.
Talia frowns, speaking quietly to nobody in particular. "Are they coming back?" she says, nodding towards the doorway. "One would think that if they found something, they would have returned by now."
Aeriol holds Jeric securely in her arms and gently rocks him, her golden eyes looking in the same direction as the boy's, cautiously watching those people around the dead body.
The door opens and Aelemar walks in, with a rather grim expression on his face, Aemon close behind. "We found something, but the bandits are no longer there...." (Aelemar)
Kaith carefully wipes the blood off his hand with the handkerchief. He spins out thick flows of air move the dead man around, laying him out flat on his back. Dropping the soiled hanky on the floor beside the corpse, he reaches out tentatively to open the man's coat, checking for pockets.
Talia sighs with relief as the man enters, although her face turns wary at his grim expression. "What did you find?" she asks carefully of Aelemar. "Is anything going to come here? To follow..." she nods to the corpse, "whoever he was?"
Annalyn remains near Kaith, flagging down another server and ordering another glass of wine from her. The server looks down at the broken glass on the floor and just sighs heavily, turning to fill the order... and to get a broom.
Asondra sits back down in the chair she was seated before, throwing a dark glance in Kaith's direction every so often, she doesnt seem to be aware of anything else going on.
Aemon holds up a hand, encouraging silence from his companion. He moves over to Kaith, stepping somewhat close to the man and leaning forward.
Aemon whispers to you, 'We found some more dead, and wagon tracks... we followed them until they disappeared, and then I found this.'
Aemon retrieves something from his pocket, and shielding it from view, passes it to the black coated man.
Aelemar shakes his head, "We followed the carriage that the bandits took to leave the scene...it looks like they attacked and stole what these men were guarding...but then the trail vanished utterly."
Jeric sniffs and wipes his nose, raising his auburn curled head up to peer at Aeriol, "Me want to go home......me go now.....???" he asks quietly.
Aemon tells you, 'it's a rock...about fist-sized. cut smooth as glass.'
Talia frowns again, turning to face Aelemar entirely. "Vanished?" she repeats in a querying tone. "So they could still be out there?" she gestures about her. "I don't know about the others here, but I need to get home tonight."
Aeriol nods her head gently "I'll take you home." She gives the boy another squeeze before easing her embrace to allow him to get up off her lap.
Kaith glances up from his examination of the dead man's pockets as Aemon hands something to him. Before he looks at it he says to the retreating server,'Have the innkeeper send someone to the guard house. Tell them there has been a murder... A large man, so they will need to send several strong men.' He looks down at the item in his hand, turning the rock over, looking at it from all angles as he examines it. He looks up sharply at Aemon,'Where did you find this?'
Aelemar shakes his head, "They are not out there....at least no-where anywhere nearby. We can take you to the place Asha'man."
Aemon murmurs in a low tone, "Right where we lost the tracks..." He frowns. "Not to stick my nose in, but does this usually happen when, ahh..." he waves his hands helplessly. "Y'know."
Asondra continues to look at Kaith, while she rubs her hair away from the left temple, rubbing the tip of her fingers over a small scar that resides there.
Jeric hops down off Aeriol's lap and turns to smile up at her, patting her hand, "Me not silly....me know where we live..." He sniffs softly and turns his heel then, skirting silently around the edges of the room, edging towards the door.
Talia frowns, choosing not to comment but merely watching and listening.
Annalyn remains utterly calm, taking her fresh wine from the server when the woman brings it, stepping aside slightly so the server can sweep the broken glass up off the wooden floor.
Aeriol stands up and follows after Jeric "I'd prefer if you would let me make sure you got there safely." she says to the boy, her tone indicates a commmand, a gentle one, but a command never the less.
Jeric turns to frown over his shoulder at Aeriol, "Me no silly!" he growls, appearing slightly offended.
Kaith arches an eyebrow at Aemon,'When what?' Then he shrugs and turns to Talia, 'My guess is they are long, long gone.' He hands the rock back to Aemon and continues rifling through the man's pockets. He pulls out a small book. After glancing through it, he stuffs it in his pocket, mumbling,'This could be useful.' Then he rises to his feet. Looking from Aelemar to Aemon and back, he says,'Take me to this place. I doubt it will be of much use, but it is possible.'
Aeriol's eyes narrow upon Jeric as her tone grows firmer "I didn't say you were silly, but tonight, I insist."
Aelemar looks to Kaith, "Is there any point in trying to find these? I will do so, and then return here to escort any to their homes who wish it." This last is offered to the inn at large.
Aemon rolls his shoulders in a shrug, and waits for Aelemar to take the lead. As he stands patiently, he tucks the stone back into his pocket, and tucks his fingers into his swordbelt, which is now strapped about his waist.
Alus walks slowly into the doorway, but stops suddenly as he watches the dead man on the floor, almost near the doorway. He abruptly stops and starts to shake his head, as if disgusted by it. Hw murmurs something incoherently, "Another dead fat man....What is this city coming to?"
Talia nods to Aelemar. "That would be greatly appreciated, kind sir," she says quietly to him. "I have no way of telling what else may be hiding in this night."
Annalyn looks to Aelemar, then replies quietly, 'I might as well go to this place as well, even if it is just nothing more than a clearing.'
Aelemar smiles, "I will be back shortly." He beckons Aemon and Kaith to follow him, then walks out the door quickly.
Asondra rises to her feet as the small group starts to leave, following them.
Jeric scratches a foot in the ground, eyeing Aeriol sideways, "You fat...can't run fast," he murmurs, "Not as fast as me! I run REALLY fast!" He pauses, eyeing Aeriol hopefully, "All the way home me go?"
Kaith pats his pocket to make sure he still has the book, then turns to follow Aelemar.
Talia remains where she is, patiently awaiting the return of Aelemar and the promised escort.
Annalyn turns to follow Kaith out of the common room, taking her refilled glass of wine with her.
Aeriol shakes her head and steps towards Jeric, extending her hand for him to take. "Not tonight, Jeric. Sometimes it is better to go cautiously."
The group follows the fat man's blood trail back to the attack site. There are several corpses, some carriage tracks, and evidence that horses have been in the area recently.
Aelemar leads the party to where the carriage tracks disappear. "This is the place, Asha'man. If there is nothing further, here, I am going to the inn..."
Kaith glances around for a moment, then asks,'Where did you find the rock?''
Jeric dances on the spot impatiently, growling under his breath, a squeaky, throaty growl as he take's Aeriol's hand and then finally meakly falls in beside her.
Annalyn just follows along quietly, complaining about the roughness of the road, and drinking my wine.
Aemon stands around, watching the group out of the corner of his eye, as he watches the surrounding darkness with a nervous air. He seems content to let Aelemar answer questions.
Asondra is keeping a small distance between herself and the rest of the group, she looks around with a slightly disinterested look on her face, allthough she scans the place several times.
Aeriol holds Jeric's hand firmly but gently as she holds her cloak in her other arm. Opening the door, she steps outside the inn.
Aemon hears Kaith's question, and realizing that Aelemar probably didn't see the rock on the ground, he heads over towards a small patch of road. Crouching down, he says quietly, "It was somewhere around here."
Aelemar nods as Aemon points out the place, "He did...there"
Kaith follows Aemon and looks around the area for a moment. He finds another rock, similar, but uncut and gestures for Aemon to stand back.
Aemon takes -several- cautious steps backwards.
Asondra moves a little closer to where the group is standing, trying to get a clear look at what Kaith is picking up.
Aelemar stands clear as well, muttering under his breath, and not looking happy, though more so at the surroundings than anything else
Annalyn tosses the crystal wineglass aside after she drains it, the tinkling of glass can be heard somewhere from the side of the road as the thing hits a tree and shatters.
Kaith takes a step back, looking at the rock. At the sound of breaking glass, he looks around sharply, then chuckles at his own jumpiness. He turns his attention back to the rock. A slash of light appears over the rock and widens into an opening on a hill overlooking the city of Cairhien. Just as quickly, the gateway disappears and he steps forward to examine the rock.
Annalyn blinks at the gateway, her head turning to look over at Kaith, the only known culprit of such a thing, studying him with wide, slightly confused eyes.
Aelemar blinks, "I...if you will excuse me, I think I will go back and escort the lady who wished it to her residence. Good eve, Asha'man."
Aemon frowns deeply, but seems unsuprised at Kaith's demonstration. "Yeah, That's about it, I'd say..." He pulls his halved rock from his pocket again, offering it to Kaith. "Care to compare?"
Asondra lets out a soft growl as the gateway opens, her eyes narrowing lightly as she recognizes the place behind it, then she moves forwards, towards Kaith and the others.
Annalyn looks around again, the curiousity leaving to be replaced with mild boredom, her eyes peering at the rocks.
Kaith looks at Aelemar for a moment and nods,'Yes, I'm sure they are long gone now.' He picks up the rock and holds it up next to the one Aemon has. He nods slowly,'Yes, definitely long gone. The Lord Dragon must know of this.' He tosses to rock onto the ground and turns back towards the inn. Softly he mutters,'But I doubt the delay it takes to try the wine will be a problem.'
Annalyn replies, 'The wine is surprisingly good, Kaith. Next you have a chance, I would recommend using it go sample some.'
Asondra glances down at the two rocks, frowning lightly, then she turns and walks of in the darkness.
Aemon tags along after Kaith, keeping pace at the black coated man's elbow long enough to say, "I'm staying at the Ball and Hoop, if you or the Queen's Guard should have any further questions, sir." He inclines his head politely.
Annalyn looks to Kaith and asks, 'Care to escort a Lady to the city gates, Kaith?'
Kaith nods to Annalyn,'I am always available for escorting pretty women.' He grins with just a hint of mischief at her before looking to Aemon,'Thank you, goodman. I will keep that in mind if it is necessary. Hopefully the guard has reached the inn and cleaned up a bit by now.'
Aemon raises a finger to his brow in casual salute, and heads off into the night at a reasonable clip. He is humming cheerily under his breath.
Annalyn smiles gently at Kaith, though her own eyes twinkle slightly. 'I thank you, Kaith. It's just not safe to be outside the city alone tonight.'
Kaith stops to offer his arm to the lady. He says softly,'And perhaps I can sample the wine, too.'