CH. 1: Haven and Hell

[JadedDM]

Kynaston Trench (12 River Way, Trench Residence)
Kyne wakes up alone in his small home. The sound of the Haven River, just to the south, could be heard even through the closed window in his room, muffled it may be. Or was that rain? Should he look out his window, he will realize it is raining lightly after all.

Things had been tough for Kyne. It had seemed that everything that could have gone wrong during his quest for knighthood, had gone wrong. If it hadn't been for his bad luck, he'd have had no luck at all. Then, to rub salt into the wounds, when he returned home, he found everything had changed.

The city was crammed packed with desperate refugees. The Seekers, who had only grown in power since he left, were now rulers of the city. But none of that compared to the news of his family. His mother had died while he was gone, and his brother had only left a note claiming he had gone north to search for work. He had not specified where.

Not quite the homecoming he had envisioned, suffice to say. After all of these years, he was finally home--and yet, the emptiness of his little house made the place seem foreign and cold.

Still, no matter how many misfortunes life seemed to throw at him, Kyne knew there was nothing he could do but continue forward. He has no idea what to do with his life next, but perhaps it was best to just take things one day at a time. One thing is for sure. Sitting around this empty, little house wasn't getting him anywhere.

Haahqae (Steel Tankard Inn, Room 15)
Haahqae wakes up alone in his private room to the gentle sound of light rain pattering on the window. Privacy of any kind has become quite a luxury these days in Haven. But when he arrived in town a few days ago, he discovered that his best option was sleeping on the beer-stained common room floor with the unwashed masses. Suffice to say, he didn't take to the idea with much enthusiasm.

But he was resourceful, if nothing else. He quickly talked the innkeeper into giving him a private room in exchange for his services as an entertainer. The innkeeper was obviously skeptical at first, but once he saw the gnome's act (he was particularly impressed with the flaming torch juggling--always a crowd-pleaser!), he was persuaded.

Of course, there were no free rooms at the time. So that meant some other poor soul got the boot and is now on the street. Haahqae hadn't really considered that consequence until it was too late, but oh, well. Them's the breaks, right?

The room was hardly a four-star suite, though. Not even half a star, really. But what could one expect from a dive like this? The curtains have moth holes in them, the bed sheets have a faint odor to them--and there's an old red stain on the wall that Haahqae hopes is ketchup, but probably best not to really think about it. The window wasn't completely level, either, so it was rather chilly in the room, as a result. Still, better than sleeping on the floor with a bunch of flea-ridden refugees.

Whatever! He could always do better once he has some steel in his pockets. For now, he's a gnome on a mission. And that mission begins in earnest today. It was time for him to get out of bed, and embrace his destiny!

Kendra Synclair (2527 Market Street, Greylock's Gorgeous Gems)
Kendra is gently roused by the sound of light rain on the roof. Despite the warm body of her boyfriend, Norris, next to her, it was still chilly this morning. This made the prospect of leaving the warm bed all the more difficult. Well, that, and Norris had his arms wrapped around her body, clutching her as if afraid she'd fall out of the bed at any moment. Fat chance of that; it was a king-size, after all. One of the reasons she preferred sleeping over, really. Well, that and to get away from her family.

It wasn't just about avoiding her family, though. She needed a warm, soft bed to crash into after a long day's work. She had been severely overworked the past few months--all of the Holy Guard had. They had just been spread too thin. It was actually a relief when the High Seekers announced they were hiring additional help. Although the fact that the 'additional help' turned out to be goblin and hobgoblin sellswords didn't really make her feel much better about the situation.

Yesterday had been particularly brutal. She had the 'fun' of being assigned gate duty. The city had already taken in thousands of refugees, but then the High Seekers had demanded the gates be closed and no more be allowed in. This meant she spent the whole day turning away desperate people--including families with elderly, sick and children--who clearly had nowhere else to go or the means to travel anywhere further. And of course, nobody would accept the denial readily. Everyone had to argue, to beg, to plead to be let in. But regardless of how much she might want to, Kendra had her orders. And she couldn't risk losing her job--not when her whole family depended on her income.

And now she had to get out of this nice, warm bed, gear up, and head out into the cold (and rain) to receive today's assignment. On the bright side, at least she was off tomorrow. Or she was supposed to be, anyway. It wasn't uncommon for them to call for her even on her days off, they were so undermanned.

Gregeddin (15 Market Street, Gregeddin's parent's house)
Gregeddin wakes up in his bed in his parents' home, which is little more than a rectangular box with 3 beds and a minimal kitchen area. So simply looking across the room, he notes both of his parents are gone. It takes a moment for him to shake off the drowsiness and remember why--they had a contract with the Seven Centaurs today and must have left already.

It was cold that autumn morning. Winter would soon be coming, and Gregeddin had a feeling it would be a particularly harsh one at that. This was all the more reason to get out of bed and start his day. He couldn't very well live with his parents forever. He needed to start making his own path, and today seemed as good a day as any to get started on that, despite the light rain pattering on the rooftop.

Khush (Road to Haven)
Khush wakes up cold and wet. The small campire he had risked starting last night had been put out by the light drizzle that just cropped up. He had wrapped himself up in his cloak and laid out his straw mat, but even then, keeping warm had proved a challenge. But there was little point in complaining about it now. It was daybreak now, and he should--if his calculations were correct--arrive at the gates of Haven later this afternoon. Maybe the weather would clear up before then.

Hopefully once he arrived, he could get himself a nice room and a warm meal at a local inn. He had never been to Haven before, and he could only imagine what a city with thousands of people would be like. In fact, he had never really been anywhere much further from his home village of Esker, due to his...fraility.

So despite the chill in the air, the pain in his joints and the emptiness in his stomach, the excitement of new places, new people and new experiences helped in sustaining him as he got up to begin his day.

Coroccoco (Under a hedge, Clover Park)
Coroccoco wasn't sure if it was the cold or the rain that woke her up. The hedge she was sleeping under didn't provide much protection from either. Her feet, bare, were particularly cold. She couldn't even feel them, they were so numb.

Luckily, nobody had bothered her last night while she slept. Maybe the hedge hid her well, or nobody wanted to mess with a hobgoblin. Or it was quite possibly that anyone who did see her would just assume she had nothing worth taking, based on her simple clothes.

On the bright side, at least she had some food and water she'd managed to 'collect' from the trash outside of the Haven Arms Inn. Everyone knew that the Haven Arms had the best food in town; so naturally, they threw out the best, as well.

==================

It is currently First Watch, Autumn Harvest 13, Bright Eye, 351 AC. It is 40 degrees F (04 degrees C) and is cloudy with light rain.

[Haahque]

Haahqae looks out the window to check that, yes indeed that is rain coming down. He is not a fan of rain, on his journey Haahqae only brought one outfit, so if it got wet, it got wet. He considers putting his hat and shirt into his pack to stay dry, his armour is waterproof after all, but instead he covers the window as best he can with the tattered curtains and pulls his spell book out of it's hidden compartment to read for a while, hoping that the rain will go away.

Quickly he becomes impatient, not only has he read everything in this book, many times, but he also wrote everything in the book too. It would be better to go out and find new information, even if it meant braving some light rain. He takes of his shirt and hat and dawns his leather armour. His excess clothes he stuffs into his bag with his bow where he hopes they'll get some protection from the rain. He knows bowstrings and rain don't mix so he doesn't even bother keeping it handy today. Instead he takes out his sling and stuffs it into a pocket in his pants, where it would be accessible but not in sight.

Finally he unlatches his door and makes his way down to the inn's common room.

[mgbevan]

Gregeddin blinks as he is propped up in bed by his elbows. Swinging his legs off the bed he pulls on his breeches, boots and tunic, leans forward on one knee he places his hand into a pot on a low shelf and puts a handful of rolled grain into his mouth, chewing as he slips out the door to the bog. Dissatisfied with the droplets of water that have formed on his hair and shoulders, he shakes off his tunic and opts for leather instead today. He also places his zheng into his sack, muttering "keep the dust of you then!" and loads up his possessions into his pack. Securing belt, scabbard and sword and stows two knives into his breeches, he heads outside.

Gregeddin ponders "the drizzle will drive more people into taverns, better for business, but tempers can flare..."
He opts to go have a look at the nearby main gate to gauge the atmosphere of the militia there, then head for what cover the market stalls provide from the rain to find out the latest gossip of the inns.

[NoTrammeling]

Extricating herself from mud and hedge, Coroccoco reaches into the shrubbery with a long and lanky arm covered with reddish-gray hair that is not doing much to protect her from the rain. As she pulls her maul and haversack from the brush she gives a snort of personal chastisement. She props her hat of woven grass atop her head to keep off the worst of the rain and gets her bearings, taking in a deep breath only to grimace at the growing scent of wet-hobgoblin, a smell that not even her own race enjoys.

"No sermon will reach a crowd this day," she muses in a voice like a rasp going over a log, "unless..." Her eyes raise to the Haven Arms Inn as she catches its smell of woodsmoke and cooking on the air. Smiling like a cat who's just seen a fishbowl she starts for the Inn, ignoring the freezing mud on her bare feet. Her stride resembles nothing more than a dance, fluid, relaxed, meeting every step to the sound of some internal rhythm, never missing a beat for a puddle or some other obstacle.

(I'm not sure exactly where the Inn and Park are on the map)

[Breila]

"I really should have packed more food. Strange, I didn't think travelling would get me so much more hungry than herding" Khush says to himself as he stretches, then rolls up the straw mat and fastens it to his backpack. Drawing his cloak around him, he carefully makes his way back to the road and turns towards Haven. Under his cloak, he fingers his belt pouch to feel if the parchment with his letter of recommendation is still there, which of course it is. Reassured, he walks on in a quick stride to get warm, shaking the rain out of his curls and his eyes.

Although he watches the road and roadsides for signs of danger, his mind wanders on. Perhaps in Haven he would meet other elves, more of his mother's folk? She had always been very secretive about her family. "They have not come looking for me, son" she had often told him. "So as long as your father lives and you need me, I see myself as belonging here, among you humans."

[HorizonsDream]

Kendra stares out the window for a few moments as she tries to silently encourage herself to get up and get ready. All she really wanted to do was lay there, wrapped in her boyfriend's arms, and watch the rain fall all morning. The patter of light rain was relaxing when one was inside, so relaxing in fact that she closed her eyes for a couple of minutes more as if that would help her prepare for her day.

With a deep sigh, she finally stretches out and slowly inches out of Norris' arms, trying not to wake him, so that she can get ready for the day. "I'm off tomorrow," she tells herself softly as she pulls on her clothing. That one little statement seems to be her driving force as she picks up a brush from the nightstand, walks over to a small mirror hanging on the wall, and brushes out her hair. It wasn't going to matter much one she steps out into the rain, but for a few short minutes she got to feel like a woman.

As she brushes out her long strands of blond hair, she studies her face. Part of her doesn't recognize herself within the mirror. She doesn't remember looking so worn and down. ~What has happened to me?~ she asks herself silently as she ties her hair up in a light blue ribbon. Whatever had happened to her within the last few years, she certainly has come not to like it.

[Just_Ice]

Kynaston lay restless on the hay mattress. His home was barren, and although he'd had fond memories of it, he'd found that in more ways than one he had outgrown it. He'd been eyeing the cupboard where he'd put his things away all day, and he knew it; he'd like to be wallowing in his own depression but there was an itch- a pinprick- a flame, something egging him to get up and go. This wasn't the home he knew, and he wasn't the man for such a home anyways; lumbering to his mighty legs, he grasped the wood stove to help himself up. He knew what he needed, what a man hungry for a sense of self needed; a stiff drink and a hearty meal.

Kynaston had never really been bothered by rain; if he was cold, he would appreciate the fire. His Brigadine, though somewhat metal, was covered and safe from rust. He had no cloak to speak of at the moment, as his had ripped in a struggle with a stray dog over some sausages. The dog had won that day; it was a bit of a sore point for Kyne, but apparently chasing the mutt would have been "unknightly".

Checking his pouch, funds were pretty tight. It suited him well, as he was looking for familiar fare. "Maybe the boys'll be in town, even. Home is where it smells like piss; looks like it's off to the Steel Tankard!"

[JadedDM]

Kynaston Trench (Grey Road, South Haven)
The Steel Tankard is actually quite a walk from the harbor area of the city, but Kynaston was in no particular rush, despite the light drizzle. After leaving his house, he leisurely walks north up Grey Road, toward Market Street.

This isn't the best part of town, even in broad daylight. Kyne notes several shady looking people walking about, usually cloaked with the hood down. But nobody gives him more than a second look. Kynaston's a big guy; and the brigadine armor and sword at his belt discourages most trouble-makers.

After walking for about five minutes, he hears some arguing up ahead. There's an old woman, old enough to be Kyne's grandmother, with some kind of haphazardly built vendor stand. A tarp has been hung over it to help keep out the rain. She appears to be selling art--a few paintings, a couple of figurines, and things of that ilk.

The old woman is covered in a thick cloak, and uses one hand to keep it clasped close around her. With the other hand, she holds a walking stick that she periodically picks up to shake mencingly at the person she's arguing with.

At first glance, the one arguing with her is a child. He's wearing a blue shirt and blue leggings, a white cap with little fox or cat ears on the top, and a green backpack and blue cloak. His boots are mud-splattered to the point that their color can't be identified. He's also wearing a sword on his back.

"Go away!" the old woman shouts, waving her walking stick. "I ain't need no kender stealing my precious art!"

"How dare you! I am no thief!" the kender proclaims, pressing his thumb to his chest emphatically. "You're a fraud! I should punch you in the buns!"

There are no Holy Guard around (not unusual for this part of town), and most of the other citizens are making an attempt to keep a distance from the two.

Haahqae (Steel Tankard Inn, Common Area)
The tavern is packed shoulder-to-shoulder with men and women trying to forget the reasons they have come to the city. The heat inside is stifling despite the bitter cold outside. The crowd is eerily quiet, each person withdrawn into himself and his own thoughts and sorrow. Three people—a man in a fur cloak, a tall man dressed in the greens and browns of a forester, and a woman in leather armor and wearing an eye patch—are less brooding than the others. The hunter and warrior woman seem to be busying themselves with helping older people find places to sit and clearing places for women and children. The man in the fur cloak seems agitated.

The innkeeper, an ugly bald man, stands behind the counter. What was his name again? Robert? Roger? Something with an 'R' for sure. He busies himself by pouring drinks for those at the bar and for the waitresses to pick up and bring to tables. Said waitresses are sullen and quiet themselves. Despite their colorful and low-cut blouses and short skirts, barely anyone pays any attention to them at all, save to collect their drinks.

The scent of breakfast wafts through the kitchen door. If Haahqae's nose is right (and as everyone can tell you, a gnome's nose knows!) it is eggs, bacon and chicken today. Not bad, for a dump like this. Seems like not many people are eating, though. Most of the patrons preferred a more liquid breakfast this dreary morning.

Kendra Synclair (2527 Market Street, Greylock's Gorgeous Gems)
Kendra suddenly notices Norris' face in the mirror with her, and a moment later, feels him wrap his arms around her from behind. "Mornin'..," he says sleepily. "Heading off already?" he asks, nuzzling her neck, his stubble itchy against her skin. "I barely get to even see you anymore."

Gregeddin (Market Street, Just east of the Main Gate)
Gregeddin walks to Main Gate, one of the larger gates into the city--hence the rather intuitive name. It's the road that the vast majority of traffic comes from, especially lately with all of the refugees arriving.

Today is no different. Already, at least a hundred people have lined up outside the gate, seeking entry. Many huddle together for warmth, wrapped up in cloaks or blankets. They look a miserable lot, all forced from their homes for some reason or another. Even from where he stands, Gregeddin can hear the yelling and wailing--the crying of children--as these people are turned away, told that the long and harrowing distance they have traveled was for nothing.

The Holy Guard looked as they had for awhile now--grim, exhausted and with little patience. They kept their weapons drawn throughout. Gregeddin knew why. He had come by here yesterday, much for the same reason, and had witnessed an altercation. One man, driven to desperation, had launched himself at the guards with nothing more than a rock. They quickly cut him down. Within seconds, the remaining refugees were on him, stripping him of boots, clothes, and whatever little food and money he had on him. His naked body had been left there, serving as a grusome warning to those who would try and force their way in.

Looking now, Gregeddin notes the body is gone. Dragged away by wild animals, or finally moved out of sight by those who still had the barest amount of decency? There was no way to be sure.

Khush (Road to Haven)
Khush walks onward. There is almost no traffic at all on this road. But then, it just led up to Esker. And few people had reason to travel there; likewise, the people of Esker had little reason to come to the city.

Not that far to the south of where he walked now--a few miles, at least--stood the fabled Qualinesti--the forest of the elves. To think he was so close to it. The only thing really separating him from the elflands was the White Rage River--a dangerous, fast and wide river that would be suicide to cross without a sturdy boat.

After walking a few minutes, thinking about his people, he heard a woman's scream down the road, westward--toward Haven. The area was relatively flat here, but there were some rocks and trees about. He could conceivably sneak forward, using them as cover, to investigate, if he so chooses.

Coroccoco (Outside the Haven Arms, Clover Street)
Coroccoco circles around the inn's entrance to the north. Stepping inside, she finds it warm and dry and filled with the delicious scent of breakfast.

The common area is also quite filled with people, as well. There's a roaring fire going in the fireplace, and many have gathered around it. Serving wenches move to and fro, bringing food and drink to the many patrons. One walks right by Coroccoco, carrying a tray with, among other things, cooked slices of ham.

One of the waitresses, a middle-aged woman whose looks had begun to fade, eyes Coroccoco and frowns, then sashays over. "You got any money? If not, you gotta leave," she states firmly.

[HorizonsDream]

~Just another thing that I have to worry about,~ Kendra thought to herself as she put on a tired smile for Norris' sake. "I know," she admitted as she let her hands fall to his now that her hair was done. "But, I might get tomorrow off, so after I pay a visit to my family, we might be able to spend some time together."

Not that she was going to say it to her boyfriend, but what she really wanted was some time alone. She barely had time to herself anymore due to being overworked, spending some time with her brother and sister, and then Norris. The time it took her to get from home to work was about all she had now days, and most of the time she looked forward to it.

[Haahque]

On one hand, Haahqae knows he wants to ask the innkeeper a few questions, but on the other hand he is famished and wants to get his breakfast as quickly as he can. Weighing the options, he decids to muscle his way over to the bar and try to get Roy's attention, or was it Rob? Rick? Better to avoid the name until he hears someone else addresses him.

Questions to ask the innkeeper:
"Good morning, I hope you enjoyed the show last night?"
"As a traveling entertainer, I often find myself with downtime in a town. One of my favorite activities is reading a new book, but I don't own any right now. Would you perhaps know if I could find a library in Haven?"
"That man over there with the fur cloak, he looks interesting, do you know anything about him?"

[mgbevan]

The grim scene before Gregeddin causes his brow to furrow, these people need more than a tune or tale to lift their spirits, they need salvation. Something he can't provide.

Turning his back on the gate his expression softens, and he muses "Bless, you can always count on people to make a good queue."
Raising his eyebrows to the clouds, he quickens his step East to the market. These days, he hardly takes notice of what's for sale down there. Instead, he would walk around looking for idle vendors to chat with and catch up on the latest word around town.
That seems as good a plan as any to find out if anything interesting is happening about the inns and taverns today. The sooner he's inside and warm, the sooner he can start looking for work.

[Just_Ice]

Indeed, the Steel Tankard was a long walk from home- especially in the rain. But, then, Kyne had become accustomed to the journey- while they did say time was money, money was also money and there was certainly nowhere cheaper than the inn with the rotting sign. Indeed, most of the youth he associated with were customers of that ale-shack; some were poor and lived near it, others were wealthy and were looking for destitute girls to show off their steel to. The rain was no issue- the Steel Tankard always had a fire going, because otherwise they'd likely lose half their clientele.

Kyne pauses for a second upon seeing what was ahead of him- back in the day, guards would have certainly been about even this shady place- with so many immigrants, though, and the fact that the Seekers were effectively a church, it was unlikely they would like to be seen cracking down on the poor. Kynaston thinks for a second and concludes that he should be able to tackle this circumstance.

"We have a saying from where I'm from," he shouts through the drizzle, marching towards the two, " 'Calling a kender a thief is like calling the sky blue'."

He pauses for a second now that he has their attention and is quite close. He gives the punchline, "I'm from here. That said, one of my mates was a kender, and he taught me that as much as you couldn't trust them, sometimes you couldn't afford not to. I know I'm not the guard, but what's going on, here? I'll start with you, young lady."

Pointing at the grandmother, he awaits some sort of basic explanation.

[Breila]

Hearing the scream, Khush had immediately jumped the ditch runnig alongside the road and ducked. Better not be seen alone on the road. He surveys the area more closely. Seeing the rocks and trees, plots a course to bring him forward with little chance to be seen, and moves on silently.

[JadedDM]

Kynaston Trench (Grey Road, South Haven)
The old woman and the kender both turn toward Kyne when he speaks and stare at him for a moment. The kender eyes Kyne with suspicion, his eyes clearly drawn to the man's armor and weapons. The sight of Kyne appears to bolster the old woman, though.

"This thief has been pilfering my wares for days, and now he's come back for more," the old woman states firmly, rapping her walking stick on the ground for emphasis.

"Nuh-uh!" the kender argues.

"It's true," the old woman insists. "I sell valuable art here. Genuine, from Qualinesti. Losing even one piece is a strike to my livelihood. I'm always beset upon by thieves and conmen and kender like this one. Go ahead, search his pack. It's no doubt brimming with stolen goods. These kender are a plague on us all, especially such during trying times!"

"Lady, your FACE is a plague on us all!" the kender retorts, pointing at her.

Haahqae (Steel Tankard Inn, Common Area)
Haahqae squeezes through the people at the bar and waves down Ro--err, the bartender. "Oh, hey, little man," he says when he spots him. "Good show last night. Hope tonight's is good, too," he states in a deep voice.

He stares blankly at the gnome as he speaks, obviously having some difficultly parsing his fancy speech. "Oh, I ain't much fer book learnin'," he admits, using a dirty towel to wipe off a section of the bar. "Too many words give me a headache. But if'n I was to look fer some, I'd probably try either the High Seekers or the magic shop. Dey both gots lots of books."

The bartender looks over at the man Haahqae indicates. "Oh, him? That's one of dem dere mountainfolk. Barbarians. Not civilized, like us folk," he states before spitting into a nearby spittoon with an audible 'ping.'

Kendra Synclair (2527 Market Street, Greylock's Gorgeous Gems)
Letting her go, Norris points out ruefully, "You haven't had a day off in two weeks now. The High Seekers are working you too hard. I can't imagine having to put up with what you do, and for so little coin, as well."

He stoops to collect his clothing and put it on. "Guess since I'm up, I better check on the shop downstairs; I always worry I'll wake up one morning to find the place ransacked by thieves and refugees."

Gregeddin (Market Street, on route to the market)
The walk from the Main Gate to the marketplace is a bit of a distance--this city is so big--but one Gregeddin is accustomed to making routinely.

The street is usually crowded, with people coming and going to the market--merchants setting up their stalls and customers looking to buy. But it was still a tad early, so the streets were yet thin in traffic. That would change momentarily, the bard knew.

As he walked, he spots a young girl--not quite an adolescent--running in his general direction. She is filthy and splattered with mud, as well as soaking wet from the rain. She clutchs a loaf of bread in her arms tightly. The child runs almost right up to him, as she's busy looking over her shoulder and nearly doesn't notice him. Upon seeing the bard, she skids to a halt, eyes wide, and then darts off into an alley. An alley that Gregeddin is fairly certain leads to a dead-end.

A moment later, a Holy Guard comes running up from the same direction, sword drawn and in hand. He stops and looks around, trying to catch his breath. "Damn!" he huffs. Turning toward Gregeddin, he points at him. "You, there! Did you see a girl come running this way?"

Khush (Road to Haven)
Khush moves quickly but quietly forward, darting between rocks, trees and any other cover to avoid being seen.

After a minute, he spots the source of the scream. About a hundred yards to the west, stand four people. Two are human, the other two are goblin.

One of the humans is a woman, perhaps middle-aged. She is quite obviously a peasant of some sort, based on her shabby, muddy and torn clothing. She holds something in her hand--a dagger or knife, possibly. Behind her is a boy dressed in the same fashion. He can't possibly be older than 6 or 7 years old.

The humans face toward Khush, but the goblins have their backs to him. So he can't make out much about them, but he can tell they are wearing leather armor and are carrying small spears. They have the spears leveled at the woman, who is using her own body as a shield for the boy. The goblins give the humans commands, but it's in their own tongue. The woman doesn't seem to understand them, which only heightens her fear. The goblins jab their spears in her direction, threateningly, and she waves the knife around wildly to keep them at bay.

[Haahque]

Mountain-folk wasn't quite what he was looking for in a breakfast conversationalist, but he looks more interesting than anyone else in the tavern, save for maybe the girl with the eye patch. At the very least, mr. mountain will have a different spin on events that could lead to new knowledge, at most, he could know some ancient tribal secrets!

There might not be any free seats left at the cloaked man's table, but Haahqae swings a chair from a nearby table over to him. In this tavern there is always enough room, if it doesn’t look like it, you just have to push harder or take up less space. Haahqae is quite good at taking up less space.

Sitting down he greets the cloaked man with a "I'd say good morning, but it doesn't seem to quite fit the atmosphere today." before he turns the the waitress and orders breakfast with a smile.

He makes sure to give the waitress a smile, these fine looking ladies were not getting the attention or admiration they deserved, especially considering how well dressed they were. He would tip her, except the food should on the bar this morning because they did enjoyed his show last night.