Lord Antonin seems ready to retort, but Selene puts a gentle hand on her seneschal's arm.

"We are eager to hear your accounts, Master Uthecar," she said. "But your arrival is fortuitous. Lady Everleigh will be arriving shortly - within a few hours - and with a notable guest in tow. So, while I look forward saluting your comrade, whomever that may be, we will have wait for the nonce. Please accept my apologies."
This message was last edited by the GM at 22:17, Sun 31 May 2020.

Kullonar says nothing to the lord and lady, giving each a brief nod of his head.
He nods vigorously when Uthecar makes his speech and orders enough food to feed three people, with plenty of beer to wash it all down.
In as quiet a voice as possible, he says to Bruno, "Are we expected to give a dead rat's ass about this Lady Everleigh? What does she have to do with us?"

Hearing Uthecar's outburst Bruno was kicking himself for not having a chat with him before they presented themselves at the Inn and Kullonar's comment to him underlines that thought like a cudgel, "It is upon her behalf that we entered the Fortress to begin with! You do not recall the day or our meeting -- the Lady Selene, Lord Anton, and the rest of these elves serve her.... She wasn't present at the time, but in effect we are working under her banner."

Clearing his throat he takes a step forward, "My Lord, forgive the raggedness of both our appearance and, well, feelings. We have each been tried by, yet are pleased to report on, our mission into Quesqueton. Those of us who have yet to have the honor to meet Lady Everleigh look forward to having the opportunity to report to her directly."

Antonin looked like he'd swallowed bad sardines in bulk, but he kept his mouth shut and let Selene do the talking.

She addressed Bruno with a smile.

"Your grace," she said to Bruno. "Again, you surprise me with your wisdom and poise. Yes, indeed, Lady Everleigh possesses many titles, but one over all others: Monarch. I understand you all are justifiably eager to tell your tales. And If I sit til tomorrow's breaking of the fast, I will hear them. And, I would not be surprised if her Majesty felt the same way. She is puissent in the martial arts in her own right, and is aware of the moods of her people, thus she's not above a fine tale and interesting discourse.

"But, matters related to your delve have been brought to us by our various agents indicating that parlay and perhaps an accommodation of sorts might be reached between Her Majesty and the Frost Barbarians. I have it from her own written hand that the great skald Ukko Hjalmhammur voyages south from Djekul down Grendep Bay, a straight shot that will take him to our shores. You must know, his fame is known throughout the northern realms. He is coming here to discuss opportunities for mutual understanding, perhaps even a treaty.

"Thus, it is that what should have been first on our minds, now must play a lesser role, though not less important in the grander skein of current events."

Bruno swallows the sentence that immediately formed in his mouth and in doing so probably not only saves at least his own head, but reminds himself that they have spent several days in dust and death, "Of course...

It does seem as if our timing is fortuitous. We are at your disposal and shall attend as best suits your requirements for the Arch-Baroness's arrival and needs."

Every bit the aristocrat, every bit the counselor, every bit the noble, Selene nods with calm grace to Bruno and all of the party and says, "You must be hungry for better than rations, no? Antonin, please see to our guests. Anything they would like."

Turning back to Bruno, she said, "I don't expect Lady Everleigh for another couple of turns on the clock. Relax and enjoy your meals. I think, based upon head count that we have enough room for all of you to observe the proceedings, though some may be forced to stand. I hope that is amenable."

A short time later the food arrives. Eggs, steak, mutton stew, potatoes, greens, oranges and reds. Some spicy, some tasty, some bland. Bread, buns, toast, cheese. Ale, wine, Honey-Mead. All of it fresh, tasty and you all eat your fill.

"A Prodigious effort," she said. "Now, if I could steal two of my folk from you for but a short while. Zanfinas, Myrrick. Antonin and I would like a word, please."

Despite gentle words, there is a the tone of command at her request. A moment later, Selene & Antonin lead Zan and Myrrick away.

Near as you can guess, based upon Selene's estimate, there is about an hour left before Everleigh's arrival. Talk amongst yourselves.

Happy for real food and something more than questionable water from his waterskin, Bruno tucks in to the feast.

Turning to Gilden he says, "Myrrick and Zan are in service to Lady Selene and her uncle Lord Antonin. Well, I suppose I should be a bit more specific: she is daughter of Earl D'Inarial, Protector of the Lower Rakers and the Timberway. He is her guardian and a Baronet. We undertook the investigation of the ruins in which we met in their name as servants of the Arch-Baroness.

He takes another bite of steak savoring the bloody meat, "I am uncertain we ever told you why we were down there, though I know we asked you your reasons.... Which seemed a bit vague to me at the time."

Myrrick stood and bowed to Selene, "Forgive my silence, of course, shall we venture out of doors for a moment?" Myrrick follows the group outside.

Uthecar digs into the feast with gusto, along with the beer, completely sick of trail rations.  Between mouthfuls he mumbles something about needing to hear the sound of a beat and dwarven drums.  "We really need a throng of dwarves feasting and drinking to properly send off Bruknar.  One of the benefits of soldiering is there are always many comrades in arms, that is sadly lacking when private adventuring."  Between mouthfuls he sings lines of what sounds to be dwarven drinking songs.  The lines are a mismatch of what must be his favourite parts of various songs.  He is starting to create quite a din, often placing Bruknar's name in where perhaps a dwarven hero's name might have been said if the words he sung were true to the lyrics.  He opts between banging his tankard down on the table and using the blunt end of the knife of fork he is using to eat with to keep a beat, along with stamping his feet.  For all his faults and his crassness he is doing his best to create some atmosphere for Bruknar as he drinks and feasts to his health and safe travels to his afterlife.

"The names Quester, m'lord, he says then looks at his companions and stutters for a second, "Th-that is to say, Gildan. Gildan Stalker. I chanced upon these fine lads when I was on my own quest."

He accepts Bruno's explanation of the group dynamics without comment and replies, "Your cause was just, that was why I joined you. I trust the gods have led you to me because your cause will continue to be just."

Bruno nods in response to Gildan as he takes another bite of steak, "By Moradin I should hope so, my friend."

He gives the elf a quick glance as he takes a sip from his mug, "Forgive me, my friend, but you often refer to the gods... Yet, I do no know who you worship."

Gildan shrugs, "They never tell me their names," he says and leaves it at that.

Kullonar bows to lady Celene, acknowledging her station and thanking her for the feast.
Then, he sits with his friends and eats quietly, savoring every bite.
He smiles at Uthecar...and nods along with the songs, stomping his foot with the Dwarf.

To Bruno he says, "What do you think of the barbarian king's arrival? Does he really seek peace? Or is this visit a ruse for more nefarious intentions?"
He takes a bite of buttered bread, speaking around it, "I am not accusing the King of such...but the Frost Barbarians have long desired this land. Have they not?"

Bruno gives Gildan a look begins to speak, pauses and begins to speak again; however, before he can Kullonar asks him a question. The look on his face is one of relief as he turns to the half-orc, "Erm, I don't know, Brother... Though, politics are politics, aren't they?

"I mean, well, what is not outright evil, may seem nefarious to a hearer, yet be something decidely worthy and even honorable to he who speaks it."

He grabs his mug again, but before putting it to his mouth say, "So, I suppose if he says he is coming here to possibly talk alliance as Lady Selene said he is, we've got to give him the benefit of the doubt."

Gildan, who isn't even going to pretend to understand or care about the political situation, simply picks underneath his fingernails and ignores.

Kullonar sips his beer and listens to Bruno.
"While I defer to thy wisdom, brother, honesty and truthfulness are tenets of the Cudgel...and I've never known a barbarian to uphold either for very long."

Bruno chuckles, "Well, it esems to me that while they may not be civilized they might certainly understand when and why an alliance is useful....

"And it seems to me that history is rich with the examples of the civilized to fail to be true and honest.

"So, perhaps when it comes to politics practicalities are more useful than ideals and even a barbarian will adhere to an agreement that serves mutual practical needs."

Taking another sip from his mug he leans back with a comfortable smile, "Whatever the case, it's for the Arch-Baroness and her diplomats to deal with and since I am not one of them my blather is irrelevant. If nothing else, as Lady Selen suggested we know of Ukko Hjalmhammur in the halls of the Hill Holds, and I hope he will perform for us one of his works."

Uthecar stops, looks up from his food ceasing his fairly tuneless renditions of battled dirges for a moment and turns his head to look around at the people about him.  Something was being discussed, he'd caught snippets but none of it sounded more interesting than the beer in front of him.  He went back to his feast, calmed a little that he had done the best he could for Bruknar, now he only had to honour him properly by getting rip roaringly pissed.

OOC: Damm teach me to look away for several days.  LOL

A bit of back posting
Zan smiled when he saw Selene, and gave her a loving hug. "Ahhh... we were able to survive.  My Dwarven friends are quite the warriors.  Lots of undead, they really do stink you know."

Zan eyed Lord Antonin and gave him the customary bow that the status of his position demanded.

Zan sat and ate before being called away for a private conversation.  "Of course, as my lady wishes"

... More to come shortly
This message was last edited by the player at 19:04, Fri 12 June 2020.

After some 15 to 20 minutes, Zan returned to the others looking a bit put off.  He looked at the food on the table, "Don't have much of an appetite anymore." He looked like he was ready to take his leave of this place.  He did, however, pick up a full tankard of ale take several large gulps that would make any dwarf proud.  "I need a bed and a pretty lass to share it with."

"Are you alright, lad? Has this state of mind been induced by his Lordship, her Ladyship, or something else all together?"

"Aye or something.  Seems Serene, has official duties to wed a curate in the Ehlonna'i'an has something to do with mounting peace between Ratik and the Frost Barbarians."

He took another swig of ale, "And as for us, ahhh..  you probably don't want to know right now."

Bruno sighs and looking back at Kullonar with a grim smile, "Like I said, politics."

Turning back to Zan, "I am sorry that you did not hear news you wished to hear or expected.

"The next few hours promise to be interesting..."

Lifing his mug and standing, "My friends, Brunknar was a good dwarf. We know this because for several days we fought beside him.

"That said, for several more days those of us here, well, aside from Gilden, but like Brunkar he has proved himself; anyway, for longer than we knew that good dwarf the rest of us have been together a team.

"This means that like iron in a forge we, together, are now different, better, than we were before we left this inn to first investigate Quesqueton.

"I raise this mug to you, Brunkar, and all those others that fought with us and fell down there.

"But Most importantly, I raise this to you lot and our friendship. I know that we shall be more than whatever challenges lay before us in the coming days, becaues of what we have been through together! It is my honor to be your comrade."

Uthecar dons an expression of drunken stupor. In short order, he's snoring on the bench between Bruno and Kullonar. Every now and again, a small snort, burp or fart - the stinky kind - emanates from his various orifices. Eventually, he is taken to room upstairs - he needs two of the party members to move him - in the inn to sleep his drink off, much to Bruno's relief.

The rest of you ponder the various circumstances that have led to this moment. Some, like Zan, are pensive and bit heart heavy. Others, like Bruno are engaged by the discussion and questions of what comes next.

In time, you hear the sound of heavy armor and the heavy clop of warhorses shoes on pavement along with the sound of captains barking orders. Selene, who has waited patiently, stands. She offers a quick glance at Zan, then steels herself for what's to come.


At last, Everleigh's guards enter and look around. Noting the group sitting around the table, their leader barks, "These are guests unaccounted for!" Swords are drawn and he seems angry about it.

A moment later, Everleigh flows into the inn. Finding Selene, she asks, "You're agents, Selene?" Selene nods and Everleigh turns to her captain. "They are my honored guests. Leave them where they are."

Soon thereafter, an entourage of twelve enters, led by a very tall man (6' 6"), older but wiry and deep creases in his face. The Skald. He glances at the party. "These are the ones who cracked Quesqueton?" he asked Everleigh. He speaks with a very distinct accent, almost harsh, yet the timbre of it is seemly, like a father telling tales by the fireside to a host of children. For some reason, all of you grow calm and quiet and wait for the what of what will transpire.

More forthcoming.

Selene, glance did not go unnoticed by Zan.  Which only made him reach to the mug once more and take another swig.  Better to keep his mouth shut.  He took a big sigh.