for traveling in this  area.

Lafisual as best as he can tell realizes that they might have just arrived in the merchant district.  Is this where you had in mind? He looks to Lia.  He tries to take in the layout and feel of this area of the mound.

 they have  crossed the  great stone drawbridge of the South-east way.   They can see the    enclosed    'orc section' of the  city. orc Guards  with  the  insignia of Ironmound on their chest.  they turn  down a side street that   leads to a well lit area, there are stalls  set up, most of them are closed at this  hour  though some... tobacco stands..stand  with drinks..stands  with  young  men and women who are dressed to show their wares, but not conside3red to be of the  same type as those on the Street of Pleasures.

  Lia Points  to a Tavern on the corner that has an alley way that leads  to the docks.

  ..let us try this place...they are always looksing  for a good time here...

Very well, lead the way.  He follows her to the tavern.  He's not sure how safe they are, but then Lia seems to know her way around so he's not especially concerned at this point.  He's more anxious from the newness of it all.

 The  In had a Sign that showed  a scale  that had  gold  coins on one side, and some sacks on the other. The  Name " Goods and Gains" was under the sign.

 As they entered  there were   folks dressed as merchanst, some   Sailors, both military and commercial ,a pair of travelers  and a few 'shadey' looking folks.

 and  Old man sat on a stool by the fire  singing a song  about Sailors who sought a great white Serpent.

Well, shall we get settled and see what this gentleman has to say?  His story seems somehow...familiar.  He winks as her and looks for a place to sit within ear shot of the old man.

After they get settled and listening Lafisual inquires of Lia, What's good to drink here?  I am not especially hungry after all that food at the palace but I generally have room for an ale or two.  Now and then one discovers something that, in addition to mead, could be described as the nectar of the gods.  He thinks for a moment.  In fact if they have good mead, that might be the way to go?  He looks toward her for an indication of her preference.

  Lia    waves a waitress over and points to  Lafisual, Bring him a glass of wine from the Ironmond  Apple orchards?.. and i will take one from the Vineyards..and...he's paying...

 With the   lakes and River inside the walls, as well as orcharads  and  Vineyards, the City  could fend for itself, if ever it would fall under siege..but, i do not thing there is anyway the City could be sieged.... too many of the towns   surrounding  us, are allied to the crown.

You must not be confident we can cover our tab from performing?  Lafisual snickers.  No matter, it's fine.  I was planning to cover it anyway.  This time. He winks at her.  Apple is interesting and should be a solid introduction to the local faire.  There is nothing like honey though.

  Lia  shrugs,Sages keep bees, sell the honey, they Bring  Honey  in from Tou..the  Ironwood  elves bring Honey in as well... nothing like the   homegrown fruit though, i think its because they use  the left overs  from  serpents to  fertizlie the soil...  the river is deep,  and there are creatures down there  that the serpents  eat...and some? eat the serpents...The  Healers  like  serpent oil for makign the high priced healing potions.

Well, that's quite the endorsement.  I look forward to trying it.  I imagine I need to find new favorite things as it is.  He listens to the old man singing a little bit longer.  Have you heard this guy sing before?  I am wondering if this song is familiar or not.  We actually battled a large serpent on the river on our way over, but I imagine that's not especially uncommon in these parts from what I gather.

..what normally happens  is  feeding, little ones come to fee on something, and  it draws bigger ones in...sometimes, the Navy uses the gods  to decide  the fate of  pirates... they will  hang them from the side sof the ship as they approach the city... those who aren't  killed by serpents on the way in, can fight in the arnea  for a chacne to go free..thos who refuse to fight, are hung from the drawbridge   by their  arms , and  the  City watch cuts the  ropes, dropping them the  80 or so feet into the river...where..they are eaten anyway.
This message was last edited by the GM at 19:37, Tue 17 May 2016.

Sounds pretty brutal.  Anyway, what do you have planned for us in here?  Does this look like your kind of ... location?  He shrugs not really worrying about what happens next.  He likes not having to be concerned with guiding his entertainment and instead just taking in whatever comes his way.  With that he leans back a little in his chair and almost closes his eyes where he will still notice things but it allows him to concentrate a bit on other senses.

 she smiles  and Holds  a finger to her Lips,we will wait a bit. Sometimes the   crowd  will tell you, if they want to give you their money!

Lafisual opens his eyes enough to smile at her.  Very well.  I will just listen and wait for you to perform your magic.  He settle back in using all his senses to take in the atmosphere.  Not really caring so much about the money his is happy enough to just be along for the ride.

  She   smiles  there are soft conversations  going on as they..semi-listen to the old one's story.

 A Man takes of how his wife has been missing for a fortnight ...  two women talk of a Merchant lad who is lovely to look at but has been gone for some time... and one   fellow takes to a friend  about his lost chance to save a friend in the forest.

 When the Old Man finishes his story, there are a few  claps, and  some  Coins are  tossed  in a wooden Bowl he  had set in front of him for that purpose.

 Lia Stands up,Tal Ragon... might i use Your Inn, for one story? and be  on  my way? I am short of coin this night, as the  Grand Band of the City, refused me , my fair share at the ball this  night...perhaps, Singing my story for people of my own kind, will gain me enough coin for a  meal or two?

 Rogan waves to her, the  proceed, the older  man seems a bit  put off, but Rogan says,...one song.Lass.. Tal Rogan will not break the word he made when i gave my inn to this fellow , this night...but while he wets  his throat and  nobbles a bit, i say one song cannot hurt..

 She  takes off her  Clock, her cleveage  easy to see, and perhaps  enhanced a bit  buy the  tunic she wore, Elves, after all weren't known as busty...
a
  Beginning he tale in a sing-song voice, the  notes of her instrument  carrying her  words  like litter bearers .

 The is the story of   a Young and Handsome LAd who pined for the love of two women he sees, almost daily, in the  markets. But he is too shy to approach them, and they are too worldly to think he would want either of them, as the story goes, the two women each tell the lad the other  woman wants them, it is only when he makes  a time to meet them both...that all three come together... and spend the night of wild love making in a barn behind the market's way..

  The Lad, however..is soon missing, and the reason is unknown.. His dearest friend  tried to stop him from entering the  forest to see a woman who had   wanted him to aid her, in brining goods home from the MArket.... It was Not Until the  women  and the friend met  with the husband of the missing woman... that they decided to try and find  the missing friend and Missing woman...

  daring to enter the forest, the 4 fought  goblins and beasties, fell into traps... finally, the  Young lad was seen  with the Missing  wife. they had found a place to live  and be together, and had thrown away their old lives... The two women, had  found, that the  man missing his wife...and the fellow  who 'lost' his friend..were closer to their hearts then  any other before them... They came back to the City and became pairs, living   a life, most kings and queens  would envy...

  all this  said with deep description and  body movements that used her  legs  and  chest to draw eyes to her, her smile  and eyes  would catch those watching, almost as if  she was talking to them alone...

 when she was  done, coopers  silvers and a gold or tow  we tossed on their table...

  the  crowd  clapped and the two  women, moved from their  table, one , talking to the man who's wife  had been missing, and the other, who's friend had been lost in the forest.....

When Lia returned to the table, Lafisual raised and interest but also skeptical eyebrow.  So, dare I ask how you knew about that story?    He puts his elbow on the table and his chin in his palm as he looks at her.  One thing is for sure, you manage to keep abreast of things that happen around here. Nodding a bit but maintaining his position he adds, Entertaining story in any case.  And, it seems you got some payback...was it enough?

  She smiled  as  Rogan nodded to her, folks  were eating and  grilling  now as they talked  about her song.

 Lia looked at Laf  as one of the serving girls  set a glass of  wine for each of them there. Lia  gave the girl a silver tip, but the wine was on the house.

 ..it is  quite simple. Two lonely  woman, most likely widows?  They were talkign about  some merchant lad... that fellow there is missing his wife..whether salvers took her, or she ran off?...and lastly, that man, a woodcutter  by trade, by his boots  and thick pants.. i just weaved a tale, that gave them all what they wanted...even if it was just in song....and..after the  song was over... they did the rest...Its not a bard's voice that is most important, but thier  ears...

Lafisual nods in understanding while he sips his wine.  Well, it seems that in any case you were granted your one song.  Do you feel like you want to move on or did you get enough to cover...your lack of funds from your previous engagement?

  well... perhaps one  more Inn..we'll try  further  down the street, near the Arena. shopuld be busy in that  area tonight with the  fights  tomorrow......er..today?

Sound good to me.  Let us finish our wine first?  He sips it slowly taking in the atmosphere awhile.  Picking up on her latest comment that he didn't catch at first, Wow, is it really that late?  Well, time has less meaning for us elven types.

  as they get up to go, Rogan stops  Lia,..hey.... Lass? if you want to make  some  coin, this fella  is leaving   for the night..you can have his  spot.

 the Older man... easy to see he is insulted by how the people favored the fair elf  over him, took his coin and  was heading out the door.

Lafisual shrugs and looks to her to respond.  Up to you.  I would be happy to move on or stay and listen to you.  As I said, people such as we have no need to be concerned about time.  He smiles at her.

  She settles into the chair, and  asks  if there are  any stories or  songs   people want to hear.

  her  singing goes on, for a Good  5 hours.... The sun is rising over the   walls of the city..........

Lafisual was so relaxed and content to be off the road he just let the night slip away listening to Lia and sipping occasionally from the wine glass.  Well, I must admit I am getting a bit tired but then it's been nice to have relatively few worries.  Perhaps we should find some place to get something to eat? 

Or maybe here is good, didn't actually consider the food here.  Lafisual muses.

 the food  choices have changed. Since it was morning.

 Eggs, potatoes , Fish, and serpent hot , homemade Bread  with fresh butter...Hot Caffee was being  brewed.

  the   people have changed as well, some folks going off to work, some travelers getting a last hot meal before leaving the city.

 A few merchants reading  the Daily pamphlets  about news in the city

Serpent eh?  What do you recommend?  We have fish where I am from but don't normally have serpent, though I imagine they could be edible.  Lafisual looks around the room but tries to be casual about it.  Not that he expected anything untoward, but he felt he needed to test his alertness a bit - and then decide whether or not to go to the arena, or just find a place to sleep.

  She smiled,...the serpent is wonderful. and the fresh water ones  are better..in  my opinion, then the   salt water creatures, but each has thier own tastes

 she looks concerned,..have i kept you up to long?

Too long?  nah, it was fun.  But I am rather tired to be honest and I am not sure I really want to go to the arena.  I have seen enough of that kind of thing for the time being.  He holds back a bit of a yawn, but then smiles back at her concern.  I imagine staying up until dawn is normal for you as it seems your chosen profession depends on it.  He shrugs through another yawn.

  She smiles  as she takes a bite of  toasted bread with honey on, and sips  some Caffee,..one might say, it is in my blood... too many bards throw away late night money....

Well, maybe they just get tired. He winks at her and tries the serpent.  It's as good as described.  He also mixes in a little toast with honey as that is familiar to him.  Sooo, arena fights...is this a common form of entertainment around here or just for those special occasions?

  Lia   nibbles   on her toast, but is on her second  cup of Caffee.,,The Arena  has many uses....The Biggest one is Punishment  for  our  enemies.  The   Ironmound  Guard, Watch and Army use them to train against.  So they can get the feel of  real enemies... Those prisoner who fight bravely may even be Sent to Engar where  they may be traders for  Empire  prisoners    with The Red Isle Halflings....That is  the Only time  the  Empire's  Navy and  red Isle Navy , will not attack each other on sight.

 ..The second  form the arena takes, is that  of sport. There are Many in the Ciyt and  outlying areas that will fight   Combat to earn coin and fame..They will fight against prisoners who have been  guilty of dangerous crimes.... those crimmnials  can..themselves  gain fame , by winning 20 contests... The fights  go to the first 'bad ' wound'..however..people, do indeed ...die from time to time.

..Lastly, there is execution... nobles, merchants..anyone with coin to brag about, will be execute in the arena ..it take many forms, and  quite frankly? It  depends on the crime.... today?..that  High Priest and Colonel will fight to the death..the  winner  may get exile..or...perhaps  have to play oput the whole....'20 fight  thing'

 except  for the training, the City makes   money on the  games and that money goes into  helping  keep the guard and Watch going.

Lafisual listens to her intently as she relates the information about the arena and finishes up his breakfast.  I wish I could say that I hadn't heard of such things but I imagine it does give the populace a kind of escape.  I am not convinced it actually does anything to discourage folks from whatever they are being punished for but that's a whole 'nuther discussion.  Do you attend functions at the arena generally or no?

  Today i will!. A High Priest and  the former Colonel of the House Guard? Fighting to the Death for treason?....If i cannot make money of that story, i should sell my Lyre and become a fisherwife!

I would imagine I would enjoy your telling of it better than actually watching it.  Maybe after a bit here I will head over to the plank and crash while you collect your material.  Then if it works out come get me and then I can hear your version of it.  He winks at her.  How much longer until it actually starts?  I would imagine you want to get there to find an optimal viewing location?

  The elven woman looks at the water  clock the  tops  row has a whit  boat for  that 'sails' to each Hour..when  midnight is reached a Black ship  sails.

 Below it  is a smaller version of the ship that sails in minutes.

 ..There is a Good 3 hours  before the GAmes... I should  get there, no sooner then at hour... they like to  have them at noon...people buy more food then.

Well, we  can go with that then.  Perhaps show me to 'Walk the Plank'?  I imagine I can find it, but I assume you know exactly where it is?  That is where I think most of the arrows ended up and it's supposedly safe for us there.  It seems just being with me didn't add a whole lot of excitement this night it would seem.  You were just fine by yourself."  Lafisual muses a bit and shrugs.

  when they are finished, Lia leads Lafisual  down and  alley/street that leads to the River,  Once they hit  the  boards of the Dock, she points  down the line.

 we head  down that way.. you cannot miss  the PLank , with its  cute little sign...

 The walk past a few more  dockside taverns on the way.

mmmmm?  Oh yeah I suppose that is rather cute.  Interesting place for the arrows safe house so to speak.  I do imagine Kree knows his business though.  I also imagine they are out and about getting breakfast.  They probably got more sleep that I did.  He nods approvingly toward her.

He heads inside with Lia and nods to Kree along with the other arrows he sees and then inquires at the desk about the room arrangements.

Laf...to Plank>>>>>>>>>>>>>