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"Of course. There's guest beds in the tavern, which will be free for one night as long as you behave yourselves. Orzrig will take you back there while I talk it over with the others. If we think we might help you, we'll come over tomorrow and ask you more questions."
Ozrig nodded and motioned to the door. "I'll meet you out front with the boat."
Tanrial nodded back, “Thank you.” She said again, before walking onto the platform outside the house.
(sorry for the wait again)
Mike and Bernon followed her, also thanking Polla for her time. After a moment Ozrig appeared with the boat and they climbed in, pushing off towards the distant shoreline.
As they went, Bernon spoke so only Tanrial could hear. "Well, that's a good start. Polla seems pretty smart and tough."
Tanrial nodded, “Hopefully she’ll agree to help us. We can’t defeat Ryker by ourselves.” She said back with equal quiet.
"And hopefully we can find more people than just the ones here to help us, considering we need to at least equal Ryker's forces. Maybe there's another nearby village we can contact after this one decides."
(gotta head off to bed now, seeya later)
Tanrial nodded, “I could also send a message back to the town I was living outside of? See if they want to help us as well.”
(Alright, seeya)
Mike leaned over to join their conversation. "That's an idea. Three things though–how would you send a message, how long would it take them to get here, and do you think they'd even be sympathetic to our situation, considering how aloof they are and how they feel about you specifically? Not trying to discourage you or anything, they'd be valuable fighters."
Tanrial shrugged, “It wouldn’t take that long for them to get here, four days at most. It’s a fifty fifty chance that they’ll help and the message itself…” She rubbed her forehead, “I’ll figure it out.”
Ozrig stirred on the far end of the boat. "We're here, the dock's behind you. Tell the bartender what's goin' on and he'll give you a free meal."
“Alright. Thank you for the help.” Tanrial said, wobbily standing up and stepping out the boat onto the dock.
Mike followed, then helped Bernon out and thanked Ozrig as well. Turning, he led the way back into the tavern.
The bartender was alone by this time and nodded at them when they came in. "You're back. What did Lady Polla say?"
“She said we could stay here for one night, while she discusses everything we told her with the others.” Tanrial replied, walking over to the bar.
"Okay-o. Rooms are upstairs, you'll be wanting two?"
"We couldn't have three?" Bernon asked.
"Only got three rooms, and we gotta keep one open for late-comers. Go on and get comfy, I'll have the maid bring up your food when it's ready."
Tanrial nodded, “Alright, thanks.” She said giving the man a smile before heading up the way he pointed.
The rooms were small and a bit dusty, but well-insulated. Bernon and Mike went to get settled in their shared room after checking to make sure Tanrial would be all right in hers.
"Nice view out the window," Bernon said as he left. "Might see some gulls from the sea out there, I hear they winter on this lake."
Tanrial nodded, “Possibly.” She said, giving him a smile over her shoulder as he left.
(shoot, gotta go to bed, I'll see you later ^^;)
(Aw, okay, seeya later!)
The view was indeed very nice, if a bit grey and empty. The sky and the sea looked almost exactly the same–faded and choppy. A bird skimmed the lake some distance from the tavern, looping slowly around in search of prey.
All at once it banked sharply and rose away from the water. A second later a strange, finned, boat-sized creature burst out of the waves and tried to catch the bird in its mouth. There was a flash of dark, slimy scales and what looked like an extra set of limbs before it fell back out of sight and didn't reappear. The bird quickly left as well, clearly glad to be alive.
(Just letting you know, I won’t be active much today as it’s my birthday and I’m doing a things with friends, sorry!)
Tanrial frowned at the creature, nothing she’d ever seen in her lifetime which was a first. Dropping her bag by the bed, she rifled through her things she made sure eveything was intact and dry.
(Ah, well happy birthday! ^^Don't worry about it, I hope you have fun!)
There was a knock at the door and a young girl carrying a tray of food poked her head in. "Miss?" she said a bit shyly. "Your supper's here."
(Thanks!)
“Oh, thank you.” She stood and gave the girl a warm smile, walking over to her and taking the tray gently form her hands.
The girl nodded and blushed a bit. "Hope you like it. Anything else you need, just let me or me da know and we'll see what we can do." With that she turned and darted down the stairs, her braids flying.
(off to bed, seeya later ^^)
Tanrial smiled after she left. She shut the door with her foot before turning and sitting on the slightly broken, wooden chair and placed the tray the small table in front of it before she started to eat.
(I'll be slow but I'll be here for a bit)
The food was over-salted and overcooked, but tolerable and filling. By the time it was gone, the sun was almost gone as well and the only light came from the guttering candle in the corner. The house creaked and snapped with the waves underneath, but in a way the sound was soothing.
(Alright, that’s fine)
Tanrial stood and left the tray where it was before walking over to the window. She sighed and looked out over the lake. The creature from earlier was gone but other various birds were out, collecting their dinner of the night. The sun was at the point where it’s glow cast a shimmering light over the lake, almost making it look like it was glittering.
From this vantage point, it was possible to see the shore on one side. At first, it seemed as though the trees along the bank were waving in the wind. But on closer inspection, it turned out that the "trees" were in fact boats. Small, ramshackle boats, filled with hunched figures, picked out in crisp detail against the setting sun. They were not village boats, that was for sure, but they seemed to be heading towards the tavern. A torch flickered on one, then was quickly snuffed out.
Tanrial frowned and backed away from the window towards the door. She opened it slowly and walked to Bernon and Mike’s room, knocking gently against the wood. She kept one eye on the stairs.