Morgan shook his head. "I couldn't say. Things have been like that for us ever since I set out. I thought it was usual, for people traveling betwen the cracks. Maybe I've been doing it wrong..."

Roman frowns "I'm not familiar with the term,  What do you mean by 'travelling between the cracks' ?  The roads to this place cut through Shadow, but that shouldn't be enough to attract monsters."

Morgan shook his head again, frowning at the tabletop. "There's a place with  magical lines, sort of a maze. Get to the center, and you can see the cracks between worlds, and go through them. The problem is the cracks are always in the worst spots imaginable. Like that forest."

Roman leans back, the frown fading.  "I know of two places that grant the ability to walk through Shadow - to the right people.  One is a very real maze. The other, I hear, is a design of glowing lines.  I've not heard that either have any preference for the 'worst spots imaginable' as you put it.  If all the places you've been to have been as bad as the forest here you must be very skilled or very lucky to have survived"
This message was last edited by the player at 08:33, Sun 29 Oct 2006.

Morgan's frown deepened, memory tugging his mood downward. "Some were a bit better, one or two worse. About four days travel back, we only took a few injuries from the fight, but lost half the unit in the aftermath. The beasts turn to poison gas a half a candlemark after they die, and we didn't know it. "

Shaking himself, Morgan looked up, "So there's a lot of people who go through 'Shadow' where you're from?"

How much to tell ?

Roman looks thoughtful, considering how to answer the question.  "If you mean how many can freely walk where they will through Shadow, not so many.  Only those of the ruling Houses, the Lords of Chaos, can do that and then only those who have chosen to accept the..ordeal required to gain that power.  But they can establish more-or-less stable routes that others may use.  And then the borders between Shadows are not so clear-cut around there.  So many do travel between the local Shadows, but they do so in a manner like the roads to Charyk - using existing routes, rather than freely choosing where to g."

"Maybe the roads here were established by people who used your method ?  That might explain the problems, though not why they seem to have worsened recently."

The girl returns once more, with the requested goblets, and a steaming bowl of vegetable broth and half a loaf for Banglen-Yp.  "'Ere yer go, Sweet'eart.  'Ope yer enjoys it." she says, before turning her attention to Roman.

"My gaffer's 'ad ter go out fer a bit.  'e should be back soon though, an' soon's 'e is, I'll let 'im know 'bout the rooms.  We's got plenty o' space ter spare, it's a big ol' place."

"I'll go get yer dinners now, gents."

The door opens, and she laughs, "Well, that's jus' typical o' 'im.  Disappearin' while it's busy.  Back in a tick."

The group who enter the Sanctuary Inn are certainly noticeable.  First there is the man with the small winged reptile on his shoulder.  Something about him fairly screams "soldier", and it's not just the sword he carries.  Behind him is another man, clad all in dark robes and bearing a staff.  Then a large black dog, with a startling likeness to a wolf.  The next to enter appears to be a minstrel or musician of some sort, a guitar slung over his shoulder.  Following him a gaunt-faced man, heavily scarred about one eye, with the hilt of a sword projecting above his shoulder.  And finally, the only one who is grinning... a slim man, with a large axe cradled easily in the crook of his left elbow.

They seem quite deep in conversation, while looking about for a place to sit.  The serving girl says something to them as she passes.



Entering the inn, James first, with Berd, and Luke bringing up the rear, the group finds itself in a very busy room.  There are about a hundred people present, mostly crowded at the end away from the fire.

Only three people, two men and a young woman, are seated near the fire, and that is the only part of the room where there are any seats available.

The reason for this inequity in the distribution of the room's population might well have something to do with the three who share a table with the men and the woman - three enormous panthers, seemingly almost as large as horses.  One of them is getting its ears rubbed by the woman, while she stares at a bowl in front of her.  The other two are lapping at some milk, for all the world like gigantic housecats.

The men seem to be discussing something...

A woman passes close to James, smiling, "Find yerself's table gents, an' I'll be with yers in a tick."

There doesn't seem to be much choice of location...

"Oh, so he really was a prince." Morgan nodded, forgetting his new acquaintance wouldn't understand the seeming non-sequitor.

< Unless he had yet another way around. > The oddly calm hiss and growl came from Saranti, this time.

"I wonder if you can build a road my way, " Morgan looked curious, "I suppose widening the cracks so everyone could use them would work. I already widen them a little bit to get me and the panthers through, then they close again behind us. If you hold open the cracks... I can see how things might get worse over time. I don't think I'm going to test it, though."

As the girl came by again, he took one of the goblets with a cheery "Thanks," and poured himself some wine.

"Ahh, another cesspit by the wayside of the universe. I hope this one has decent food," Aaron said absently as they entered. Honestly, he didn't care one way or another about the food. All he wanted to do was make sure he got out of this place intact. With all of his limbs.


"Yes, dear," Aaron mumbled, attempting to take in everything at the same time. He ran a hand through his long, tangled hair, and absently wondered when the last time he took a bath was.

Roman thanks the girl, and takes a goblet of wine for himself.

He notes the new arrivals a tough crowd...but that looks familiar, where I have seen something like it before ?

But it probably isn't important enough to neglect the conversation.

 "I don't think that it works that way.  In the methods I know of, permanent pathways are created by continual use.  I can't say that I find the idea of trying that your way very attractive.  Still the traders come, so maybe the routes are worth having."

 

Having been scratching and patting the cat that seemed to allow it, Banglen-Yp wondered why she was doing it.


                                                                      _Her.


Probably.

Moving to the table and taking the offered wine, she sipped on it in quiet contemplation.  Her gaze wandered around even as she continued to give as much attention to the feline as it would allow.

As she was given the food she thanked for ti and then watched that with as much interest as she had the cats when she first entered.  Watching the food until it appeared she would do that rather than tasting it, let alone eating it, she finally began to eat.

Then her interest were diverted again by the arrival of another interesting group of creatures.  It was probably onyl the fact that she was eating and patting a really big cat that kept her from approaching them already.


                                        _{Enter the Dragon.}


What was that?

                    It was cute.


                                                            _{Dances with wolves.}


They were not dancing.


                              Were they?

 

Chance gestures to the two figures over the door of the Cathedral, one with a sword and another about to lose his head. He studied them for resemblance to other legends he might have heard. Dropping his accent even more, he asks, "Who're those two over the door, there? What's there story?"

Dorian still follows along, but says little as they travel.

Morgan nodded, accepting this. "Maybe we can take a look at the road together sometime and see which method is closer."

After a half-second's consideration, he added, "With possibly one of my friends to give you a fast ride back."

He tried not to stare at the new folk, but his eyes kept sliding their way.

His bodyguard's ears perked up, swiveling slightly toward the unusual (if very light) sound of claws tapping at the floor.

I suppose that they're big enough to ride but...cats ?  I can't see them working as heavy cavalry....

Roman makes a non-commital reply "Maybe, but I have my own ways of defending myself.  I don't intend to stay here many days. "

"Banglen-Yp, what are your plans ?  Are you going to carry on with the caravan ? Or are you open to other ideas ?"

James looks around, then shrugs slightly and heads for one of the vacant tables.  He goes in more for dogs than cats, particularly cats the size of a carthorse, but if they're allowed in the inn they must be pretty well trained and James is keen to sit down.

 
•• Plans ••

Banglen-Yp looked over at Roman and, to everyone's surprised, smiled.

•• Find • ot•her ••

A statement, followd by a glance around, as if looking to see if this other was there.

Her gaze returning to Roman suggest that it was not the case.

•• No •• Yes ••

Another two answers for two questions.

Then another statement, perhaps not all appropriate.

•• Prac•tise • kis•sing • with • you ••

She grinned at him.  It was impossible to tell if she meant it or not, but she had said it.

---

_{Corrected errors in speech.}
This message was last edited by the player at 19:21, Mon 30 Oct 2006.

Roman relaxes and smiles back that's the most hopeful thing I've heard all day

"If you tell me about this 'other' and why you're looking I might be able to help.  I didn't pay too much attention to the caravan's itinerary.  Is the 'other' somewhere along the route ?"

"And if we're travelling together, we can find plenty of time to...practise."

Berd surveys the room with one half-open eye, then promptly shuts it again.  The faint, musical wheezing starts up as he snores, about two thirds asleep.  The other third wends its way through a series of tasks, awaiting its own turn at the logs.

He jolts once at James' shrug, and complains with a bell-like chime before standing, carefully pacing around in a circle, and settling again in the identical spot.

He does, however, rouse himself enough to speak clearly to the others in the bridging.  Arianne, if she is attempting to listen, must hear and transmit through Aaron alone.

A good question, Devlin.  We came on a single word, nothing more.  Perhaps James is correct, and it is a situation we seek.  Certainly it has something to do with what Danny recounted.  Perhaps...and it is curious, James, that something has not simply entered this keep, as you say.  This World is a (leakysieve/rottedtree).  I/Berd will {watch/observe}....

He falls again into a weary, half-slumber.  But one mind keeps an open 'eye' upon the keep.
This message was last edited by the player at 15:38, Mon 30 Oct 2006.

Morgan looked faintly disturbed, but held his peace for the present. Guesses weren't knowledge, and she had brought the subject up, not Roman.

 

•• Ot•her • may • be • here •• Banglen-Yp clarified and nodded to further underline that statement.

Then she leant forward a little and appeared to study Roman for a moment, almost as if she was memorising his appearance.


                                                                                                                        _Roman.


Another smile and then...

•• Why • you • think • I • need • prac•tice ••

It was unquestionably a question, driven by curious curiosity.  She tilted her head to one shoulder as she watched him.


                                                            <sub>Memories moving outside the circle of enlightenment.

                              Why.</sub>

 

Roman's smile fades a little.  "If you tell me more about this 'other' I could certainly help you look for him or her.  And I don't know that you do need practise.  I was hoping to discover that through experience..." And the smile is back.

 

•• I • do • not • know • more ••

A plain and simple statement, followed by a look of utter confusion as her head tilted over to the other shoulder.

•• You • sug•gest • prac•tise • but • do • not • know • why ••

One of her statement-questions.


                                        _Confusion.


She turned to look at the big cats instead, her meal all but forgotten.  It was a confusing and complicated thing, to interact.


                                                                                _Memories.


                      Maybe time will bring clarity.

          Maybe time have found Gabe.


   Maybe time to eat.



Without warning she turned back to continue her meal as if nothing had happened.

 

Roman attempts to gently correct Banglen-Yp.  "Practising was your idea.  And I think it's a good one.  Even if you don't need practise, I hope you'll enjoy it.  Perhaps you're good enough to teach me something...  The way you made yourself look out there...I can certainly believe that you'd have had plenty of opportunity to learn."

A young girl, a child of about ten or twelve years comes into the inn, as James leads the group of newcomers across to the only empty table in the place, uncomfortably close to the gigantic cats...


Within minutes of their arrival, the waitress delivers two large bowls of some sort of meat stew, a couple of loaves, and a dish of cooked vegetables to the two men sitting at that table.  The young woman is already eating.

The cats, meanwhile, sit up and regard D'Ombra with some interest.

The waitress turns to the new group, "Now then, gents, what can I get yers?  We've got beef stew on the menu ternight, an' we got a very good red wine in from Corasail jus' this mornin'."

Across the room, the young girl is moving about, going from one small knot of customers to the next, speaking to each group, carrying a small basket over her left arm.