---

Finn had been distant, the sight of the towers and battlements dredging up memories that took him elsewhere for much of the exchange.  Upon Falco's urging, however, the large man shook his head, clearing those unwelcome thoughts with some effort.

"Yes, yes."  He said.  "Some tea to wash the dust from my throat would be sorely welcome."

Ash scratches at auburn beard and smiles ruefully. "An ale sounds wonderful but I don't have so much as a brass penny to my name."

Benny brought his eyes down from the pretty windows andown to the pretty boy below.

"Oh, you aren't Amber Crombie?" He asked.  "Oh well, who are you then?  Why are you here?  Thorona is here to talk to the Priest.  I'm here to make friends."

Inclining her chin in a somewhat haughty manner, Thorona says, "Indeed, it is as good Benny here has said. I've come a long way and my joints ache with a fierceness from the journey, so I had hoped to make my formal introduction to the Father before turning in for devotional prayers and private ablutions at the inn. Do you know when he will return?"

She waits for the young man to answer Benny's question, taking the opportunity to sit in one of the pews and take a load off of her feet. She sighs heavily, adjusting the mail beneath her habit irritably.

"Well, he left a few minutes ago but he didn't say how long he will be away..." answers Dynlor, hesitant. "He mentioned the One-Eyed Cat tavern, so maybe you can try to look for him there?"

"I'm Dynlor by the way, young acolyte. I just arrived here, so I don't know much about the place. Do you mind if I hang out with you for a little while?"

Eyeing the tavern, Falco starts to head that way. He looks about as he does, noting the buildings, stalls, and other structures nearby so that he can easily find this area again.

He steps into the tavern, pausing just past the door to look about the establishment. He looks for an open table, and heads that way.

Falco, Finn and Ash enter the One-Eyed Cat to find it is practically one long room with a beam roof.  The first eight feet of the first-floor walls are stone, wooden from there.  Windows in the upper area can be opened to let in fresh air.  On the North end is a door to the kitchen, which is shared with the Inn.  The board is on the Northern short end of the rectangular room, adjacent to the kitchen, and there are kegs and barrels behind it.  A rectangular hearth is in the center.

The barkeep is round in the belly and has receding brown hair and thick mutton-chops.  With sleeves rolled up and suspenders holding his trousers, he pours the drinks cheerfully.  There is an older woman, by her attitude and commanding presence the mistress of the house, a young man and young woman serving and generally helping both with looks that suggest children of the master; and a scullion with dirty blond hair running about.

This late in the day the place is lively, with off duty men at arms and other men of the keep mostly.  At one table sits three men of high station, and the mistress of the house is serving them personally: likely the priest and two other men, one in rich robes and the other in plate mail.  Sitting by the hearth is a man clearly of the wilderness, wearing clothing of animal skins, with as unstrung bow and a knife at his belt.  An empty table can be got, near the far wall from the board.

---

If the long years spent as a tenant-farmer's son had taught Finn anything, it was to bother the highborn as little as possible.  To the young armored warrior, it was like a reflex, it came as natural as breathing.  Now, it could be argued about how unobtrusive such a skill might actually  be when he was a shield bearing, plated warrior who towered above most men ... but still ... old habits died hard.

He made his way — avoiding the gaze of the highborn trio — toward the vacant table and flagged down one of the younger servers.

"Tea, please."  He said, placing some gold coins on the table.  "And drinks for my friends as well."

"We'll take bread — dark if you have it — and three bowls of whatever is in the stewpot as well."

Another coin joins the others and Finn tossed a surreptitious glance toward the trio of well-to-do patrons and the solitary man in animal skins.

"We are new to the keep."  He said.  "Who are those men?"
This message was last edited by the player at 13:56, Fri 28 May 2021.

Falco takes a seat at the empty table, only giving the other patrons a brief glance along the way, and, after Finn makes his offer to buy then drinks and stew, he says, "That's mighty fine of you Finn. Thanks mate." He gives his fellow traveler a friendly nod.

To the server, he says, "A beer for me drink."

"By all means," Thorona answers. "You can point him out to us at the inn, and make proper introductions on our behalf."

She stands and stretches, putting her hands on her hips and groaning as her spine makes several pops and cracks. "Let us be off, then, Brother Dynlor. Presumably, our traveling companions will have claimed a table for us."

Assuming they agree, Thorona leaves the chapel and heads for the One-Eyed Cat.

The young man takes your order, a big smile at the extra gold piece, and answers: "that's the captain, the castellan and the chaplain.  They come most nights to talk and eat," he says, his voice showing signs of maturity despite the clean chin.

Thorona, Benny and Dynlor enter just as he is returning with the drinks and the stew, setting each carefully.  The young woman stokes the fire in the hearth sending up a shower of sparks, and helping to drive away the evening chill as the sun sets outside.

"Oh, you're Thorona's brother?  Well met then!" Said Benny, shaking  the young man's hand warmly before letting it go.

He then ran his hand along the bench.  It was off the ground abd well insulated.  Benny would have to pray here some night in the future.

"Let's go then. I hope the tohers got a place by the fire to sleep at.  You'll like Ash, Finn, and Falcon."
This message was last edited by the player at 04:42, Sat 29 May 2021.

With a bit of apprehension, Dynlor directs his newly made companions towards father Abercrombie as soon as he spots him. Then he proceeds to introduce them, while giving them room to be seen: "Here are acolytes Benny and Thorona, who really wanted to meet you today, father."

Falco looks towards the entrance when familiar faces step into the tavern, but the sight of the approaching server draws his attention to more immediate matters--eating and drinking.

He receives his beer and stew with much anticipation. As he does, he looks at the server and asks, "Say, lad. What tales have ye heard around these parts? I ventured here after I heard rumors of trouble hereabouts, but I've yet to see any. I figure, where there's trouble, there's gold to be had." He take a gulp of his beer and lets out an "Ahhh." as his immediate thirst is quenched. Now he can enjoy the rest of the beer along with the bowl of hot stew.

The two men with Abercrombie look at Dynlor and the interruption with disdain, but the priest stands to greet the new acolytes.  He is tall with salt-and-pepper hair and a goatee.  He wears the simple robes of a priest, mostly white with trim in blue.  "Ah, thank you Dynlor, and well met Thorona and, er, Benny," he says in the sort of deep, sonorous voice that makes for good sermons.  "Welcome to the Keep."  He does not introduce his companions, who remained seated.

Meanwhile, the young man places the food and drinks down and replies to Falco.  "I heard the guardsmen say that somewhere nearby, amidst the dark forests and tangled fens, are the Caves of Chaos where fell creatures lie in wait," he shudders a bit and then adds, "will you folk be seeking your names there?"

As stew sloppily runs down his chin, Falco looks up and replies, "'Caves of Chaos', you say? I might be...if there's gold involved. Have you heard of any bounties, or rewards for things that need be doing around here?" He takes another gulp of beer and belches.

Dynlor feels a bit awkward, seeing that the two father's companions didn't present themselves. A bit embarrassed, he quickly says: "I see that you are busy. Maybe we can come back at a later time?"

Ash had been deeply relieved at Finn's generous offer and was busy eating his own bowl of stew and sipping at his ale with rather more table matters than Falco. The apprentice was however keeping an open ear.

"Have many come this way before us heading to the Caves?" he asks.

"If Chaos has made its lair in these lands," Thorona confirms, "then by my holy vows I am sworn to seek it out."

As Ash makes his inquiry, she considers inquiring with the guardsmen of the Keep to learn more of these Caves. If one or more of them have personally seen them, they might be able to provide a map, or at the very least, directions.

For Ash, Falco and Finn:

"There is a steady flow of adventurers like yourselves, a couple or four every week. Not many come back from the caves.  No rewards posted that I know of, but the Lord'd be very grateful to anyone who culls them goblins and such, I reckon," the serving boys says.  The woman whistles at him and jumps to attend with an "excuse me."

For Thorona, Benny and Dynlor:

Abercrombie smiles at Dynlor with approval.  "Thank you, acolyte.  You have my leave to sleep in the chapel under the watchful protection of St. Erkenbrand, Dynlor.  We can speak more later, as you said," he says in a kindly and only slightly patronizing way, before sitting down again at the table with the other two gentlemen.

Dynlor smiles back at the father before taking a long and curious look at his companions, trying to understand who they are. Then he turns to his new found mates and looks at them with an interrogating face, not sure where to go next.

"We might need to pay them caves a visit then," replies Falco just before he stuffs another spoon full of stew into his mouth. He chews the food a few times and swallows. He wipes his chin and mouth with the back of his hand as he looks towards the others gathered at table and says to them, "What say ye folks? Up for a trip to them there caves the lad spoke about on the early morrow? My money purse is feeling light."
This message was last edited by the player at 18:45, Wed 02 June 2021.

In reply to Falco Mugwort (msg # 47):

Ash sets down his own tankard and smiles. "I think you took the words from my mouth Falco."

Benny smiled and nodded as Mr. Crombie greeted him warmly.  His friends didn't want to be friends and that was something to remember.  The man was nice enough to let Dylnor to sleep in the church.

He bowed slightly as he withdrew from the table.  Seeing his fellows he jiined themm drinking from his wineskin and making sure he could afford the night's stay fiest.

"i'm up for a visit to whereever you want to go." He replied to the group.

Dynlor follows Benny to another table of the inn, and appraises the people sitting around it. Understanding that they must be his mates, he says, somewhat enthusiastically: "Hi, my name is Dynlor, and I too wouldn't mind the extra coin as well!"