It Begins at the Tavern (Open to All)

[LostWalker]

TS: Candlemark 26, Brightenings 45, Month of Aperitus, Summer, Era II, Era XIV.

The storm outside drove the hooded figure inside the dimly lit Anchors Away Tavern. Socked from head to toe the figure scanned the room beneath clock. Silently it moved off toward the back wall of the tavern leaving a trail of wet footprints behind from the leather boots it wore and a single gloved hand print on a table. Settling down at a table for two the figure took the sack it bore off and placed the dripping bag onto the table. Looking around to see if anyone was watching the mysterious person took what appeared to be a rolled up piece of parchment from the bag.

Looking around once more the figure caught the eye of the tavern owner looking over. Shifting uncomfortably the figure returned to the parchment. Unrolling it and spreading half of it onto the small table the person began to study the contains with great detail. After seconds of intense starring the figure reached into one of the many pockets on the clock and took out a wet feather pin and started making markings on the parchment. Soon the figure was indulged with studying and scribbling on what appeared to be a simple piece of parchment. At insistences the parchment would be flipped over and notes would be written on the back then flipped back over.

When a barmaid came to close the hooded figure quickly turned over the parchment and placed folded arms over the written words on the back. The figure seemed to very aware of the watching eyes but did not seem to care much unless someone was bold enough to come to close. Another hour passed by before another change happened with the figure and the parchment. Reaching in the now just damp bag the figure searched until finally pulling out a piece of wood that had been sharpened flat and started using it as straight edge as more scribbles were made on the parchment.

[Rioshi]

Upon the clouded breast of the Anchor's Away Tavern, the Katta known as Rioshi stepped forth under the shadow of one peculiar man he had chose to follow this very night. Wet fur bristling under the cold winds, a chance to get inside and escape from this weather was greatly appreciated. Not that he was annoyed. No, far be it from that. Rioshi was just suffering from his usual taint of boredom. This strange person had been acting a little abnormal, even for most of Rioshi's cases. Just what was so important about a small piece of paper?

Motioning to the tavern owner, the katta spoke a few words in his ear, doing nothing to relieve his interest in what he heard. After a moment, a surly barmaid was questioned, but nothing changed. The feather pin was dripping slight slices of water along it's edge, yet the man seemed as if he barely noticed... After a moment of silence however, Rioshi became bored. And as any might tell you, that usually doesn't bode well.

Oh well. He tried.

Slowly moving over to the man carefully without pressing too much weight upon the creaking boards beneath him, the Katta moved to look over the strange man's shoulder at the parchment. Call it bold, call it stupid, but patience was a virtue Rioshi never seemed to have. Funny, that. It had already been an hour, so Rioshi was quite done with this game, and so he snatched up the parchment before the man had a chance to protest or even move; staring straight where the parchment was, (Now replaced by a buy one get one free coupon at the N. Emporium.) and whisking it away without a second thought. He had waited until the wood carving was done too, and so had taken the chance to relieve the owner temporarily of more than just his dignity and parchment that day... Casting a serious look behind him, the Katta walked straight out the door to the nearest overhang from a side building where it was dry. Now, he just had to wait for his target to show himself.

[Elmaryia Grey Leonard]

OOC: in this month Elmayria is being taught to read but the training is not finished so I can not use it. Same as short sword.

Sitting at the bar, Elmayria was sipping on a glass of dark rum, enjoying one of her favourite past times people watching. It was like theater but without a pre written script. This night an old man was particularly catching her interest. [i] What a peculiar man, so engadged in that piece of parchment. The paper had no meaning to her, since Elmayria did not know how to read.

The man was not merely reading but studying, seeking a meaning in the words. She wondered what secrets he was discovering, was it buried treasure? A conspiracy that needed to be solved? Oh the possibilties were endless. The man was the essence of mystery and Elmayria was envious.

As she watched she seen a cat like creature, a katta she thought they were called approach the man. It was the first time in her life that she ever seen such a being. With in seconds, Elmayria could not believe her eyes. What a trecherious and sneaky thing to do. Usually she did not get involved in others affairs but, this man had been taken advantage of. The paper belonged to him they were his secrets.

Walking over to the man who was sitting down. " I fear friend that you have been had. If you wish I will go with you to seek him out, or notify the authorities with you." It did not matter if this man had come by the paper origanly or dishonestly they were his secrets and his findings. The Katta had no right in taking it away.

[LostWalker]

The hooded figure looked up at the women standing before her. "I do know that I have been "had" as you say. But I can easily get it back, if you wish to tag along I may let in on what is on the piece of parchment." The voice said while taking the hood off.

Finally the figures face is reviled. A human. A female human with shoulder length reddish brown hair. Blue eyes she has and pale skin. Young too, no more than 20 eras old. The clock kept her body hidden still. Without another word the women got from her seat packed up her belongs and headed for the door the mysterious Katta escaped through. "Well are you coming or not?" She called to the women and went through the door.

[Elmaryia Grey Leonard]

The young woman was visibly surpised when she seen that the figure was a woman. She had assumed that it was a man all along. " Well as I said before I will tag along. Though if you wish to tell me what is on that part of parchment, that will be intriguing. Always did faviour a good mystery." Elmayria said to the strange woman as she followed her out side.

" In case you are wondering my name is Elmaryia. That was a pretty sneaky thing, that katta did, taking something that is not his. I wonder if all Katta are like that ." The young woman whispered as she followed her outside.

[Rioshi]

Rioshi, being bored as ever, decides he has been waiting long enough. After taking a look at the parchment, he found himself feeling guilty and returned the items by placing them in a long haggard cloth sack by the side of the street.


Pulling straight against his red cloak slightly, Rioshi sighed. He was not one to steal from people, but as they say, curiousity killed the Katta.... But satisfaction brought him back. Of course, he had been a bit irritated that his target had been so obsessed with this when there was so much more to be done, but in his haste he had allowed his own petty ideals get in the way of watching his charge. So be it.

Rioshi paused, watching silently from within the undergrowth. They would not know he had left it on purpose, and most likely would believe him to have taken it out of malice. Let them believe what they wanted. Hatred is better than the alternative.

[LostWalker]

The woman emerged from the building and looked down the right side of the street and then the left. She gave a faint smile and looked at the bag that had been left in the street not more than a few feet in front of her. She walked up to the bag picked it up and removed the parchment as if nothing had happened. She quietly rolled it up and placed it back within her own bag and turned to the women who had decided to join her. "Thank you for your help, now as I said before I shall tell you what my secrets are, please will you join me for a drink." She said in a soft almost mono tone voice.

She turned and started to reenter the building and just before disappearing into the tavern she called behind her toward the undergrowth. "You know Katta, you might find what I have here to be to your liking, why don't you join me as well." And with that she reentered.

Sitting at a table for four in the back of the tavern she order a pint and took the map out of the bag once more. "You see, this is a treasure map, and I have reason to believe that the treasure is in this very city."

[Elmaryia Grey Leonard]

The woman was intelligent and shrewdly so. It appeared that she knew that the Katta left the contents of what she was seeking for in the bag. " Well I did not help much, but I am curious to the secrets of that piece of parchment." Elmayria said with a smile. This woman is cunning, I should watch myself around her.

At her comment to the Katta who may have been hidden in the shadows, she chuckled softly. Following the woman into the tavern she sat across from her. " A treasure map. Well that is quite interesting. I trust that you are inviting me to join you, because you need assistance in finding the treasure? Well I will be very inclined to help.. For a cut of the treasure of course."

[LostWalker]

"For a cut of the treasure of course the women said. But how am I to know that you will keep up your end of the bargain. If you try to swindle me then I may just kill you. I have not control over my actions when I have been tempted." The women said with a grin from ear to ear. "Do you have something to ensure you will not go astray? It the answer is yes then I will not mind it if you came along with me. I have been traveling alone for quiet some time and the extra company would be welcome."

"Now this map was giving to me by a friend of the family. He had it for many years and for years I have been searching for the town that best resembles the markings on the map. As it has no writing on it at, aside from my own, it took a while but I feel strongly that the this is the city. I will set out tomorrow at the setting sun right here. If you plan on joining me then be ready to depart then. We may be gone for days or weeks. I'm not sure so be prepared for anything." The women swallowed the last of her drink, packed up her things and started to leave. "Ah yes, my name is Dawn."

[Elmaryia Grey Leonard]

With a sigh Elmayria fingered the silver rose pendant on the chain that was her mothers. Taking it off she handed it to the woman. " All I have is this. It was my mothers but you may hold on to it. I am honest which you will find, though not nieve. If I am assisting you I also do not expect to be swindled. I of course would not demand much of our findings, after all it is your map. I think that thirty percent of the worth of the treasure is a fair amount. "

When the woman said her name she smiled. " Nice to meet you Dawn, I am called Elmayria. I shall meet you here tommorow morning. Oh and I have a dog and a friend whom may be helpful. He is an excelled swordsman."

[Straylor Leonard]

Straylor wasn't one to be fond of stormy darkening. But just as well, he found himself caught amid the dark stormclouds and decided that any form of shelter was better than none. He didn't notice any hodded figures as many residents of Archdoon donned various hoods and headwear to shield themselves from the sudden downpour. And thus, another set of wet footprints led into the Anchors Away Tavern.

Running inside, Straylor was greeted with the familiar smell of sailors and seasalt. Neither was pleasant to say the least, though he preferred the odd dampness to being thoroughly wet in his fine clothes. Fine, that is, until just recentlly. His long jacket was now reduced to what looked like a dark bit of robes that were hanging qutie unpleasantly over his just-as-wet vest and poet shirt. His trousers were equally, if not more, wet. And his boots ... well, they squeaked as he made his way towards the barkeep. He was about to request for a room with a fireplace when his eyes managed to catch a glimpse of a familiar figure with a heavily cloaked woman.

The two were conversing and Elmaryia was just about to relinquish her pendant to the stranger. Strolling quickly forward, Straylor allowed himself to intercept the women as she strolled out the tavern. "Serale", he greeted her with a silght nod, "I see that you've met my dear Elmaryia...?" He grinned and tilted his head as he awaited her response.

[LostWalker]

The women stopped dead in her tracks. "How dare this man step in front of her" She thought but then he spoke of the women she had just finished speaking to. "Why yes I have...does that interest you." The women said with a grin. "She gave me this lovely pendent in exchange for her loyalty in her treasure hunt tomorrow." The women said holding the pendent in front of the young man's face. "Would you care to join us...I am sure you will find it rewarding but I will need something in exchange for your loyalty as well. Do we have an agreement?" Dawn stepped around the young man and looked him over. "Like I told her I would love the company and you will get a cut of what ever we find. If you decided to go on this little adventure be here with the girl tomorrow morning." With that Dawn finally took her leave.

[Straylor Leonard]

Straylor grinned plainly in front of the woman as she spoke. He regarded that pendant but didn't offer her much clue to what his thoughts were in the matter. "Ah, interestingly that pendant is quite worthless", he said dismissingly, "but being an honest gentleman myself I can offer you a fair amount of banknotes to show my good faith in you." From his pocket he pulled out and unfurled a fairly thick wad of banknotes, fresh from the bank it seemed. He counted off one, two, then three hundred crowns' worth and held it in front of the woman. "Do we have a deal? I don't want you to try and steal my friend's personal effects and find it hardly worth you time."

Then, just for effect he stood there and placed his left hand casually on his damascus steel's hilt. It wasn't overly aggressive, but his stance would've suggested otherwise. There was something about this pirate-woman. And Stray wasn't willing to bet that she had a treasure map even if she could predict the weather. "I shall see you on the morrow then?"

[Rioshi]

Watching carefully, the katta moved silently at the side, his tail flickering to show he had heard her words and accepted them. Rioshi just wasn't keen on having Dawn, Straylor, or Elmayria choose to slice him in two for his earlier transgressions- so he would keep his distance since nothing contrary to the point had been stated. He had no need for the jewels or wealth that lay hidden in any chest, but he was more than happy to make up for his mistake earlier.

So for now, he would allow them to see him, but no more. Following Dawn, he kept his distance but at least let her know of his presence guardedly. No such thing as too careful, within reason. Loyalty to the change, but no more than loyalty to the headsman's block. He was no thief, but he would let them think what they would 'till the time was right.

With a chuckle, he sprinted through the shadows to reach his charge.

[LostWalker]

Dawn looked at the man as he took out the notes and handed them over. Dawn gave a slight smile out the corner of her mouth and took them and handed the pendent over to him. "If she goes 'astray' you both will pay." Dawn said simply as she moved past the man paying no attention to his threat. "Now if you are done, tomorrow we will leave." Then she finally exited the tarven into the stormy weather.

Day Two Begins

As she had said, Dawn was outside the travern bright and early the next morning. The boots she wore were caked with mud and dirt and her clock still seemed to be a bit damp. She had replaced her hood and her sack was firmly place upon her back. She stood and awaited the two, and possible three, who would be joinning her on this little hunt. She had hoped that the thrid of the party, who would make the group four, would decide to show himself but based on the way he had acted before she felt he would stay in the shadows and appear to be unseen.

After waiting for about half a candlemark the young man and women appeared around the corner and stood before her awaiting for her to speak. Feeling like it would be in her best interset she decided she would tell them of a secrect that she had not spoken before.

"Ah good brightening to you. Now that you have agreed to go on this treasure hunt with me I feel that you should know that there is a band of....thieves after me and might be given us a bit of trouble. Mind you I can handle them all myself as I have done in the past but I thought you might want to know just in case. Now shall we be off. The first thing we will have to do is talk to a shop owner. I don't know which one but the building is on the next street. The owner of the shop will have something that can help me decifer a marking ont he map. Are there any questions, if not we shall be off."