[Golden Dragon Inn and Tavern] Seeking some information [open]

Vincent Stefan · January 22, 2008, 07:11 AM

Secrets :

Day 24 of the month of Ioannes, in the Season of Summer, Era II of the Celestine Mandate, Era XIV Post Fractum, the Second Era of the Regency of Milo L'Evienne.

Travel, thought the half elf Vincent Stefan, Travel was about all the Provost did these days. Moving from Taralon to Paxia, Paxia to Chanliya. Now he was here in Vortex, Dressed in normal clothes and searching out information pertaining to the city itself. Yet, right now all Vincent wanted to do was find a tavern and get off his feet, the pain, was getting worse. With another step, and a wince of pain the half elf cursed Greggo yet again for the man's suggestion of turning the horses back. Though the Provost had agreed with the man's decision, that though did not help to dull the pain that assaulted Vincent's feet.

Rounding another corner, Vincent and his three companions/bodyguards: Greggo Maskist, Vecenti Malcuro, and Ssavatt. Where relived to find the door to the tavern of the golden dragon. Upon entering the men where forced to give up there weapons, something Vincent was reluctant to do. Besides the fact that he was who he was, a Provost in the Imperial army. Vincent had also, only just got his sword improved, with Dworfen steel no less and he did not want to loose it so quickly.

However, Such was the ticket of passage into the building and so Vincent and his men had to comply, or at least most of them did. Vencenti, on the other hand only placed three knifes in storage. The rest of his supply was hidden from sight, hidden so well in fact, that Vincent himself sometimes wondered if the man could just conger the blades from the air.

Taking quick note of the inside of the facility the small group of men soon found a nice place at the bar. After ordering there drinks, which the men nursed. They where not here to get drunk, though from the look in Ssavatt's eyes that information was quite a let down for the Saurid. Though he sympathized Vincent just could not let his men, become relaxed or less sharp. They where here to find information, Officially, information on the city. However, Vincent wanted information of anther sort, Where to find, and obtain training in Necromancy. yet, where to obtain such information that was the grates question of all.

Anora Eventide · January 22, 2008, 12:51 PM

"No, it's not a typical merlot, but I assure you it would still be pleasant to the palate of one who was not a connoisseur."
The man behind the bar paused, gathering mugs in his hands, "Lavender though, Miss? It's got flowers in it?"
This hasty description of the vintage made her mouth go into a line, but her even expression was quickly regained as she answered, "Not in the traditional sense."
"Well, Miss, I have to tend to these men and then we can talk some more about importing that wine."
The woman nodded and answered in a low purr, "Of course."

She glanced to the group that had disrupted her petition. As only a Daltinan woman could, she appraised their dress and posture in those few glances, gathering bits and pieces of information. Returning to her own business, she began to look through a velvet pouch she carried.

Anora did not look like the sort who could give Vincent any forbidden knowledge about infernal practices. Every inch of her bespoke comfortable origins and a prim sense of decorum, from her neatly tailored dress to her swept up coil of black hair. Even as she leaned forward onto the bar, her posture was regal. The only hint to any proclivity out of the ordinary was visible when she removed her lace shawl and neatly folded it on a chair.

On the smooth underside of her forearms were two small brands, no longer than her finger. Their outlines were crude but discernible in the scarred skin. One was half a heart dipping into the waving lines of a river, the other an elegant bell with a long handle.

Vincent Stefan · January 25, 2008, 08:52 AM

Many conversations filled the hall of the tavern Vincent and his men found themselves in. Though most where quit, mumbles and a random splattering of laughter. One conversation on the other hand grabbed the half elf's attention almost immediately.

"No, it's not a typical merlot, but I assure you it would still be pleasant to the palate of one who was not a connoisseur." The voice belonged to a local Women by Vincent's estimation. The bar keep seamed to know her so that spoke of some familiarity. "Lavender though, Miss? It's got flowers in it?" remarked the man behind the bar, to the locals comment. In truth Vincent had to wonder what a merlot with lavender in it would taste like. Most likely no different then the average version just with a bit of a purple tinge to it's color. From the look that crossed the local woman's face, the bar keeps response was not what she had been expecting. Though, what she had expected was a mystery to the half elf.

"Not in the traditional sense." The local women remarked a few seconds later, after she had composed herself again. By this point the bar keep noticed Vincent and his crew, and so excused himself politely to tend to the new guests. As the group read off there requests for drinks. It fell down to only Vincent, who did not order a drink. In truth the half elf was obtaining for his pet raven Shadow, who was even now probably horribly board on the roof of the tavern. Vincent, had decided that if his friend could not relax, then he would not as well. Plus, the half elf needed his head if he wanted to find what he came looking for anyway. Beer, especially cheap beer, always seamed to go strait to Vincent's head.

As the bar keep shuffled off to collect the drinks Vincent found his eye drawn to the local who was still siting there waiting for the bar keeps return. She sat as though, she owned the place. In truth, it was posible she did,what did Vincent know. whelp one way to find out thought the half elf.... sliding over just so close as to be heard above the background noise but not so that he seamed a threat. Vincent began "Serale, I Could not help but overhear yer conversation just now with the bar keep. I must say, I am interested to know..Is this wine you refer to Lavender based, or is the color added later?"

Dimitri Wladisyaw · January 25, 2008, 09:29 PM

"Much can be done to chanmge the flavour of the amethyst vintage, the barrel one uses, the direction of the slope, the type of grape, the local plants, it is rather complex a business." The man that spoke was above six feet and dressed in understated finery. Well maintained troll-hide leather armour and a flowing cape, a black silk eyepatch adorned his face and a tight purple and black cravat was wrapped about his neck.

He placed his hand carefully upon the shoulder of the woman and smiled softly, "Apologies friend, I sometimes cannot resist displaying the knowledge my fine partner teaches me. She is Anora Eventide and I am Dimitri Wladisyaw, Duke of this city and you are Vincent Stefan who is in this city to look for some items and visit a friend." Dimitri smiled, perhaps his greatest boon in controlling the guard was being told the names of each and every person of note than arrived in his city, and with a little more probing the name had taken on greater meaning. "The provost of the little fortress to our east as well I understand, how fascinating, perhaps I may go so far as to buy you and your friends a drink and ask you to join us?" His hand on Anora's shoulder stroked gently, perhaps she knew him well enough by now to realise when he was speaking business, a perfect little partnership, all Arium grit and Daltinan finery together.

Anora Eventide · January 25, 2008, 11:18 PM

When Vincent approached, the woman tilted her head a and replied with a well mannered, "Serale."
Her vivid blue eyes brushed over his person without any trace of judgment. She seemed about to answer his question when her companion intervened. There was no hint of irritation at his interjection, the woman merely leaned towards the Duke and maintained an attractive and polite expression. Occasionally she nodded to show her agreement with his statements.

As introductions were made she gave a slim, cool smile to Vincent and murmured, "A Pleasure." Eventually her voice hummed into the conversation more substantially.
"Ah, a provost? That explains the rather vigilant posture of your companions." As she mentioned them, the Daltinan lady smiled towards their way.
"Yes, do join us for a drink or two. Or at least some conversation."

Vincent Stefan · January 26, 2008, 12:01 AM

Vincent found the explanation to how the wine was made, interesting. Though in truth he cared little, it was a bit of information to know. If for any other reason, the knowledge would help dazzle some party guests.

"Apologies friend" Said the newcomer who had answered Vincents question on wine. "I sometimes cannot resist displaying the knowledge my fine partner teaches me. She is Anora Eventide and I am Dimitri Wladisyaw, Duke of this city and you are Vincent Stefan who is in this city to look for some items and visit a friend." Instantly Vincent knew what Dimitri was going to say next, it was not so much the manner in which he spoke. More it was the way he spoke, it was as if he knew the half elf already, as if they where old friends. "The provost of the little fortress to our east as well I understand, how fascinating." Continued Dimitri, causing Vincent to wince. The half elf's fist balled but for a second and then it was gone. The Half elf returning to his original state. The others where not so forgiving, slowly Vencenti began to get up a flash of what could have been metal in his hands. It took a quick look from Vincent, and a small hand gesture to get the elf to sit back down again.

The situation calm again, Vincent turned his attention back to Dimitri who appeared not to have noticed the exchange. "how fascinating, perhaps I may go so far as to buy you and your friends a drink and ask you to join us?" The Duke remarked. Vincent remained silent, for a while. Anora the local who Vincent had noticed first gave her own greeting. "Ah, a provost? That explains the rather vigilant posture of your companions." Though he fought it, he could not help but wince again at the naming of his rank. It was not something the half elf wanted the population of the bar to know, yet these two peaple spoke of it as though such knowledge was common. Perhaps thought the Vincent, maybe it was.

It was a gross miss calculation, Vincent though at last. coming here trying to hide who he was. The Fortress had to have some spy's in it from the city. Such things where only natural, part of the game. Vincent had to admit that if his role was reversed he too would have placed such spies. It was the only safe way to deal with a unknown such as the fortress. The problem now was that, Vincent and his men where now trapped in the tavern, with a number of potential hostiles. With only Vencenti's daggers as weapons. Not for the first time the Half Elf cursed the rules of the golden dragon.

all those thoughts passed Vincent's mind in a mater of moments, in the end not missing a beat the half elf responded "It is always a pleasure to meet a Duke" remarked Vincent to Dimitri, then to Anora he added "The men ye speak of my lady are friends more then body guards. The man to my right here, is Vencenti Malcurio, to his right Ssavatt, and lastly Greggo Maskist." Vincent indicated each in turn. "We would be...delighted to join ye for a drink."

Secrets :