A Fool's Errand [Dawnguard]

[Coci Heavenshield]

[SIZE=10.5pt]“It is no bad thing celebrating a simple life.” [/SIZE]
[SIZE=10.5pt]~Tolkien. [/SIZE]

Tháinbroek
Midvinter
Crisp Morning

​

[SIZE=10.5pt]Throughout the land a gentle whisper spread across the fields of snow and ice. A song on the wind that had been writ from the tongue of the ancients, the words lost in meaning to those of this planet, maybe the Beorni would know of them, but to most they would be words foreign but .. a sense of calling lingered on the soft breeze that delivered them. To those that would hear them, they would feel a need to travel this land to Tháinbroek. No matter if they understood, or felt the will of the Frostvatn, the words touched the ears and minds of the few. The chosen few.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.5pt]She had heard it too. And the One would come, and the test was ready as it had been for centuries beyond centuries. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.5pt]“Little Twig, I must away once more”,[/SIZE][SIZE=10.5pt] Eregon kissed his daughters forehead as softly as the breeze that fluttered in the leaves of the great oaks of Averlorn. “Look after your mother, and look after yourself .. and try not to get into trouble”. He looked into the large watery eyes of his daughter with a smile yet his heart broke to see such tears. Ióunn threw her arms around her father, clinging to him as if nothing would break her hold and he, embraced her placing a kiss within her auburn hair before releasing her from his hold.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.5pt]Eregon stood in full Ranger attire, mounted his stead as the small group moved out along the old path north bound for Tháinbroek. Only once did his head turn to take a look at his homeland before his eyes found the figure of his daughter standing alone with her arms wrapped around her body as if still holding him. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.5pt]He turned his steads head as they came to the cross roads which would skirt the shores of the Lake and vanish into the thick mist shrouded forest. One last look to find his daughter but she had gone.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.5pt]She had heard it too. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.5pt][member="Thrand Hearthfire"] | [member="Ylva Solveig"] | [member="Kiriko"] | [member="Audren Sykes"] [/SIZE]​

 

[Micah tol Powl]

Ah, Midvinter.

It was home. It was beautiful. It was...

...honestly a tad warmer than he'd recalled.

Being that this was home for him, the Beorni hadn't bothered with bringing his Sasori collar along for the trip. But after having traversed the frozen glaciers of Csilla, Ilum, and Rhen Var since last he walked upon the ancestral lands of his people, Midvinter was feeling a lot like summer.

He stopped on the road that led toward Tháinbroek, finding a spot in the shade in which to fan himself. And also enjoy a snack. After all, he'd only had two breakfasts this morning.

Tilting his head back, the bear paused to take in the sounds of the world around him. The wind passing through the trees. The birds in the air. The insects scurrying around in the brush. Each living thing connected to this world. And, through the world they shared, to each other.

All was in motion.

All was the Force.

...the bear's round ears perked up. The white fur stood up along the nape of his thick neck.

A disturbance, but what or where he had not the talent or ability to discern. He'd felt it before, when he'd arrived. And, now as with then, was yet unsure just what to make of it.

He was bound for the Beorni Islands, which meant he was traveling in entirely the wrong direction. But, it would be very poor manners for him to return to Midvinter and not express his regard for Master Théo's ancestors or family residing here. So, he was voyaging to Tháinbroek before making the trip to the islands.

At least, that was his plan.

Perhaps the Force has other ideas for him.

[member="Eregon Wuduælfen"]​

 

[Ióunn Ar-Olwa]

Tiny pointed ears had overheard a conversation between her mother and father only a few days ago. Mother was to stay home to rule while father answered the calling. The Frostvatn had spoke, as clear as the freshly iced waters of the Lake. No the words had not been clear to her but, the sound of them willed her to venture forth. Why a child? The little Aelvar Princess did not care about the answer, all she cared about was entering into a awfully big adventure. And Papa was headed for Tháinbroek, so the added incentive was that she would see her beloved friend once more. So Ióunn had her bag packed, hidden in a secret place in the forest and come the day that father would depart, she would too.

Ióunn knew he would not allow her to come, she had heard him speak of the dangers of Midvinter, but that she cared little about after all she would not be alone.

Standing on the road watching her father ride along the path north, Ióunn wiped the tears from her eyes and a small smile turned up the corners of her mouth and she vanished into the thickets to gather her bag. It was easy to follow them, knowing the way like she knew the every corners of her room, she ran through the forest down the small hollows and through the babbling brooks of Averlorn to meet them on the path before the small group emerged from the veil of the enchanted mist.

There she waited, they would be along soon ..

A snap of a twig behind her, her small pointed ears twitched before her head turned to see Bucky, the beautiful white godly Vhaanir standing tall and proud with a head full of antlers. Ióunn raised her finger to her lips to shoosh him from making more noise because the sound of horses approaching came before the path. Bucky walked toward her not making a sound and nuzzled her hair to nibble on. The tickling made Ióunn giggle, but as soon as her father came into sight she stopped and hide and would wait for the last cart to pass before she would steal away under it's cover.

[member="Kiriko"] | [member="Eregon Wuduælfen"] | [member="Thrand Hearthfire"]​

 

[Audren Sykes]

Had anyone asked him why he'd come to Midvinter, he would not have been able to give an adequate answer. Mechanical failure could have been blamed, but the systems had operated perfectly. It had been he who had done things incorrectly, somehow. He had been plotting a course for Kyrikal, one of the few systems more remote than this but had apparently become lost in thought and selected this icy planet instead.

Or maybe it had been the Force.

In any case, he was already present, might as well head down. Now, the Jedi knew enough to not call the place a backwater, but the primary inhabitants were...less technological than most others of the galaxy. Such as bows, swords, and plate armor of the heavy variety. Yet they were fierce fighters. Audren himself had been present for two major battles, one with the Sithspawn Vinterbound and the other with just plain old Sith. Each time the Silver Jedi had been there, and working together the attacking forces had been repelled or destroyed. These people also carried long memories: one of those who had wandered over to the ship remembered him and prevailed on the others to allow him to pass.

That one had stayed behind to speak with the Sephi. In thickly-accented sentences, the older man explained how he'd seen the smaller one helping to pull the wounded from rubble after the fighting with the Sith. That because of his actions then, he would be allowed some freedoms now. There were caveats of course: start a fight, intentionally intrude on the privacy of others, or generally cause problems and he'd find himself reigned in appropriately. Left unasked and unstated was his status as a Jedi; the other man simply didn't seem to care. The person was more important than the title.

Pleasantries - as abbreviated as they were - over with, the elfin Jedi was more or less free to do as he pleased. While it seemed rude to wear combat armor around, the distinct lack of warm clothing led him to wear the closest thing he had to suitable gear. He removed much of what could be considered 'advanced'; he held no desire to attract more attention than he already had. Two unpowered blades were worn at his back, and the only piece of technology that might be glimpsed was the lightsaber hilt partially concealed in a holster at his right thigh.

A meandering walk about Tháinbroek showed that the inhabitants had rebuilt spectacularly. The place was as vibrant as he would have imagined, and it was clear that the fighting had not permanently damaged the area as the Sith had intended. Yet Audren found his feet wandering, leading him out of the community and towards the forest. There was no harm in allowing the Force to guide his steps, if that was indeed what was happening.

[member="Eregon Wuduælfen"] | [member=Kiriko] | [member="Ióunn Wuduælfen"]​

 

[Ylva Heavenshield]

Tháinbroek
Midvinter

The paws of the great beast buried deep into the soil and snows of the Midvinter wilds as it saunted through the forest, Ylva Solveig saddled atop the Ice Wolf the size of many a typical Ursine though certainly not typical for this world, Bjomolf was as much a foreigner to Midvinter as she herself felt yet by appearances the two lumbering figures seemed right at home surrounded within the cover of the tree's the air fresh and well recieved, invitingly clear and astray from the technologies of sentient decline. Théodred had been right to bring her to this world, so far her impressions of the people and the plentyful wilds ripe for respectful hunting and taking only what was hers by need not sport, it all played to a far greater spirit that was her love and connection with the wild life of the worlds she ventured across. There hadn't been many, admittedly Nirauan was the only real world with any significant distance that she had traversed alongside Clan Solveig before their demise, yet now with her life in her own hands and the ability to venture into new places, see new sights and experience the true freedom of being free folk, she found herself curiously smiling as the rays of the sun danced down through the cracks in the roof of leaves above them both, her left hand rubbing the side of the great wolf's neck while her right held the bow with an arrow loosely notched, her legs clinging to the her companion that she might not be thrown off by the sway of his mass.

She was new to these lands and the wilds though she called them home, had a certain law about them that bent to no man, woman nor child. She had grown up outside of any city's and settlements, robbed of a life that could have been elaborate and instead brought up among warriors and clansman that claimed themselves independent from governments nor sentient creed, free reign they spoke of, the strength to take was their law and by this they killed and pillaged those who were not strong enough to resist. Those that had been, had killed and slowly depleted the clans numbers...-Now it was just her and in this she was proud. Proud that she was a survivor; proud that she had avenged her blood parents slaughter and free'd herself not from friends of the family but a life of captivity and demeaning. Here on Midvinter, the air was cold, it held a wilders strength to the winds and it was clear to Ylva that in such a place, it took strength and courage to survive without the comforts of a village nor kinsman of her own. While it was true that she had come to rely on [member="Théodred Heavenshield"] for more than simple banter, it was also true that she needed the time to make herself one with such a world and this was why they were not together today; she had spent the last eve with Bjomolf her Guardian and friend, no mere pet but a fellowship that few would understand, the trust of a wild animal and the admiration from a woman of the wilds herself, it was unusual to find such a connection in something so vastly different and yet contradicting in how similar they were.

Everything that they carried, from the saddle and armor that Bjomolf wore to that of Ylva's herself, it had all come from the leathers and metals collected from the wilds and salvaged from those whom no longer had need of it. She was a hunter, a scavenger and a survivor fit for no mans rule. She bowed before no Kings nor pledged herself to no Gods, the Force itself was a mind game to her and yet she remained skeptical even against the abilities she knew Théo had. If he weren't such a soft heart she might have been more suspicious for the folk tales of black crafts and dark magicks she had heard of in her younger days yet neither too did she align herself to any set moral code, not with the bleak history that she had come from; where the future held a greater promise no matter how dark the skies became.

The pair continued to roam, knowing not what signs they sought nor reasons they could perceive to give them beckon for pause; life was flush here and enjoyable, a beauty untouched nor scarred by the scorn of others. Unawares of those that might be nearby not whatever calling they sought, whomever's path they might cross would simply be a matter of coincidence and chance...-Or so she would choose to believe.

[member="Audren Sykes"] | [member="Ióunn Wuduælfen"] | [member="Kiriko"] | [member="Eregon Wuduælfen"]​

 

[Coci Heavenshield]

The journey had taken four days before the gates of Tháinbroek loomed large upon the horizon. And as the small group of Aelvar broke through the edge of the forest and started up the road leading to the gates a grin graced Eregon's face. He slowed the pace of his stead allowing the carts to pass, until the last one came along side him. He said nothing for a moment, eyes looking upon a small lump under the cover, Stubborn child.

Curious eyes from passing carts and wagons laden with goods and wears from the market, laid upon Aelvar. Although Eregon had visited this city some time ago when the delegation had met the King, the Valkyri still were curious and weary of them ..just as much as he was. In his past he had killed Valkyri, those that had strayed into the enchanted mists of his woodland realm, some he had come across when venturing beyond the veil that had deemed him and his rangers enemy or something to fear. Their secret existence had to be kept and anyone that had discovered them, were killed. But now, through the grace of the wisdom of the Lady of the Lake, a union was in the making. First the Beorni .. now the Aelvar.

The gates of wall lay open, and they passed into the city of Tháinbroek. Entering one of the cobbled squares, not far from the statue of the former King, the Dawnbringer, Eregon dismounted and stood by the last cart.

"You can come out now, we are here". After half a days ride from Avelorn Eregon had sensed his daughters presence through the will of the Frostvatn. He had not spoiled her 'game', but made sure she had been warm and food and water placed in convenient places for her to find when hunger or thirst bit.

He watched the wriggle under the cover before a set of blue eyes peaked out and looked at him with a sense of defiance coupled with a hint of fear of chastisement. His face remained stoic but that never lasts long when graced with the face of his beloved child.

​

[member="Ylva Solveig"] | [member="Audren Sykes"] | [member="Kiriko"] | [member="Thrand Hearthfire"]​

 

[Micah tol Powl]

The large, white Beorni seemed to be attracting some attention.

The revelation of his people's existence was still fresh in the cultural memory, and actual sightings rare. Doubly so outside of the Beorni Islands. If he had to wager, Kiriko would guess that he was likely one of maybe a handful of Beorni who had ventured away from the ancestral lands.

As he came off the main road to the pass into Tháinbroek, Kiriko saw a most curious creature.

To start with, it was roughly the same size as he was. Though, it had a more muscular look to it. Kiriko was gangly, but rounding out nicely in spots.

But, the curious thing about it was, the Beorni was almost certain that he'd seen a creature like it before. On Olstyn of all places.

It had been in the company of a human with red hair, as this one was. Which was a most strange coincidence if ever there was one.

"Good journey to you," the bear called, announcing himself to the fellow traveler on the road while greeting the stranger. When he had, if they should look his way, the Beorni would offer a polite bow.

"By chance, come you by way of Olstyn?"

[member="Ylva Solveig"] | [member="Eregon Wuduælfen"] | [member="Audren Sykes"] | [member="Ióunn Wuduælfen"]​

 

[Ylva Heavenshield]

Bjomolf stopped dead in his tracks, turning to look upon the Beorni of near equal size, possibly only a little smaller than itself which was by no small detail amiss of Ylva's notice. [member="Kiriko"] had been there upon Olstyn, she recognized the curious creature immediately for it had been the one thing that had stood out like all most things did to her upon the world of Valkyrie to which had for the first time in her life seemed like a possible home; this of course being before Théodred had brought her to Midvinter.

Slowly stepping forward from out of the cover of the Midvinter wilds, Ylva Solveig would be visible now sliding off of the side of the great Ice Wolf with a hoist of her leg and a light thud when her boots would met the snow covered thickets underfoot. It was she who would take the lead here, Bjomolf though a great magnificent beast that life had brought into her own, did not know this Beorni nor associate it with the Iron Empire and thus would be best to see that Ylva felt threatened none by this Kiriko.

"Nae my friend here wasn't but I remember you..." Ylva spoke with little a hint of education or what might be considered a civilized tone of ettequette in her speech, she wasn't a learned woman from the great teachings of society but a huntress who had grown to depend on her own skills and the way of the wilds themselves, all the education she had needed thus far had depended and taught her upon how to survive in varying climates and most always on her own as a free folk. "You're the one that wanted to talk to all them Valkyrie having troubles with the Mandalorians eh?" She gave the Beorni a half nod, lifting her head in both acknowledgement and perhaps a little respect for the creatures looking out for something other than it's own hide; "How come yer' here then?".

[member="Eregon Wuduælfen"] | [member="Audren Sykes"] | [member="Ióunn Wuduælfen"]​

 

[Ióunn Ar-Olwa]

Little Twig's fingers curled over the canvas that lay over her, and the goods that lay beneath. Her wide eyes not leaving her fathers, but it was not until he smiled and shook his head did she dare to come out of her hiding place and leap off the cart into his arms. "I am sorry Father, I truly am", she nuzzled into his long white hair as he held his dear daughter close. Once she felt brave enough to look at him once more, "I heard it too Father, the song on the wind .. I had to come".

Her father's brow peaked to the center as he pondered on what this could mean, why had his little twig been summon as he had? Only time would tell of course. Yet the fear for her safety would never wane, no rightful father would dismiss such feelings of the heart and he was in two minds as to what to do. He could not send her back, there was not the time nor the Aelvar to escort her, nor would he leave her here in Tháinbroek .. so there would be nothing for it but for her to join him. At least he could keep her safe.

"It is alright my child", he placed a hand behind her head to rest it against him once more. Contended, Ióunn rested her chin on his wide shoulder, looking along the street at all the goings on around them. Tháinbroek was busy with daily life, many Valkyri bustling about with goods of trade, women beating bed fur with some sort of stick as if trying to kill the creature it once belonged too over again. Curious as it was. Some carrying large pots of water or mead up the street .. and then she saw him.

A strange figure of man .. or at least Ióunn supposed it was a man as she could not really see his face. But he was out of place here among the Valkyri, his attire odd to say the least! Her head popped up more to watch him, just strolling along not really having any direction of purpose. Maybe he was dim of wits? or a vagrant .. or or maybe he was a Prince of some far away land? The active mind of a child's imagination run rampant, but whatever he was, or whoever he was .. he had strange glowing light around him, little would Little Twig know it was an aura from a Jedi who she would find out went by the name of [member="Audren Sykes"].

"I had a funny dream last night father", she suddenly said as her eyes lifted from the funny dressed man to a sign swinging about him, "There was a howling wolf in it .. just like that one". She was pointing to a sign up the street attached to a oddly shaped building.

​

​

​

"I think we need to go there". And so they did.

​

​

[member="Ylva Solveig"] | [member="Kiriko"]​

 

[Micah tol Powl]

What brings him to Midvinter.

Perhaps a better question would have been, what took him away from Midvinter. "No spectacular reason to speak of," the Beorni offered cordially, if somewhat cryptically, before elaborating with, "A journey home."

Which, Kiriko was mildly curious where home for this one might have been. Not so hearty that she had the build of a Valkyri. And her mannerisms didn't seem to suggest an upbringing around Midvinter culture.

A tourist? If so, she'd traveled far. "But, I take it you are visiting. Please, let me get you something to welcome you to Midvinter," the Beorni said, the offer being both polite and genuine. "If you care for the pub fare of the Valkyri, I know of a place where we could break bread."

When Kiriko had informed Master Théo of their parting, and the Beorni's return to Midvinter, it had been a recommendation. The Howling Wolf if the bear recalled correctly.

"If you would dine with a strange bear who is yet stranger still, that is," the bear remarked, with a bit of a smile.

​

[member="Ióunn Wuduælfen"] | [member="Ylva Solveig"] | [member="Audren Sykes"]​

 

[Audren Sykes]

Compared to a Core world, this city was a mere village. Of course, Core World inhabitants tended to eschew walking in favor of quicker transportation, and those few that did use their feet tended to have slide-based walkways as well. In addition to people getting lazy the cities seemed smaller, so they built more. Or something like that, anyways. Something he was learning about Tháinbroek was that while it might be small compared to others, it was still a respectable size. The time it was taking to walk to the gates, let alone through them was impressive.

As he began to near the gate the Sephi was surprised to hear - and feel - a low rumble. With some suspicion he stopped and glanced around, only to see only a Valkyri woman nearby, obviously trying to stifle laughter. It was only once the rumble happened again that he realized it came from his stomach and was likely caused by the scents drifting on the mild breeze. Quite understandable really; his last meal had been around twelve hours before and a light one at that. He'd been planning on eating about halfway to Kyrikal but had been somewhat distracted when his ship dropped out of hyperspace over Midvinter.

With a sense of will that quieted the gurgling stomach, Audren began eyeing around for the origin of the scents. It was only logical to eat before heading out to the wilderness; while he had no doubt of his ability to gather enough food to feed himself, there were several dangers to that line of action. On a relatively unknown world, he wouldn't necessarily know what was edible and what was poisonous. Nor would he know if his food was the property of one of the locals, and people had a tendency to not be pleased when a pet or piece of property was eaten, even unknowingly. While he was no close friend or confidante of Thurion Heavenshield - former Grand Master and the only pure-blood Valkyri that he knew - he'd seen the man eat enough times to know that much of the food he chose was not poisonous or distasteful to other humanoids.

Following his knows, the Jedi turned a corner and spotted the source of the smells. It was a building with a sign hanging from the front pronouncing it The Howlin' Wolf. Sounded more like a bar to the elfin being, but the smells were definitely not just alcohol. Hopefully they would accept the credits as payment for the food...something he hadn't taken into consideration before now. If not he'd have to head back to his ship and and the delightful survival rations that made up his planned meal. As he entered the establishment, he caught a glimpse of others in the near distance standing near wagons, travelers of some sort who seemed smaller than the assembled Valkyri. He didn't pay them much attention however, as the size was likely just a trick of distance. Well, that and he was hungry.

He wasn't too hungry to miss that the place was owned by a T. Heavenshield though. No way of knowing which, there were at least two of them who's given name started with the letter trill.

[member="Eregon Wuduælfen"] | [member=Kiriko] | [member="Ióunn Wuduælfen"] | [member="Ylva Solveig"]​

 

[Coci Heavenshield]

​

​

Stepping through the curved door of the Howlin' Wolf, Ióunn and Eregon were greeted by a warmth from the near by hearth, a soft golden light and the smell of bubbling stew which issued on the breeze from the back kitchens. It was a welcoming place, although it held many a dark and shadow nook and cranky for those that wished to be unobserved or kept to themselves. The sound of hearty laughter barreled through the place as some of the local Valkyri had decided the Wolf would become their local. Regardless of all this, it was not the place to bring a child yet Eregon had little choice.

"I saw you before", Eregon turned to see a portly man enter from a side door behind the bar. "When .. when you arrived with them Woodland folk a few weeks back". He wiped his hands on a rag before coming out from the back of the bar. "It is a real honour my Lord .. my name is Alfr, Alfr Silkenstride. Can I get you anything my lord?".

"We could do with a quiet table and some food .. and lodgings for the night". A smile was returned to Alfr, but Eregon would keep his business to himself. There was purpose in this visit, in Ióunn's dream which was yet to be realised. A sense of something in the air or whispering from the depths of the Frostvatn, but the purpose was yet to be revealed. Eregon's ears prickled and twitched taking in all the softest of sounds and whispers from others in the room. The pupils of his eyes widened to take in as much light as possible, and sharpen his vision.

Others would arrive, something old in the sense of ancestry .. something new and lost. Another foreign, yet powerful of skill of the whispers.

"This way your lordship". Alfr directed Eregon to follow toward the back and showed him to a table by the heart, a serving girl promptly provided them with wares for the supper and soon food would be placed before them both. "I have secured you a room .. up the stairs to the left .. it's got a good view of the Grand Hall and all too". Payment in the form of a trade would be complete come the morrow, but for now Eregon and Ióunn seeked respite.

​

[member="Audren Sykes"] | [member="Kiriko"] | [member="Ylva Solveig"]​

 

[Ylva Heavenshield]

"If you care for the pub fare of the Valkyri,"​

[member="Kiriko"] had said all that he needed to in order to gain her full attention, her gaze befalling the beorni directly and there being a curious twist to the corner of her mouth in a half smirk, she would soon offer her response most appreciative of the thought; "Free Ale, you're speaking my language..." She spoke coyly, leaving Bjomolf to wander about the woods with little a concern given it's wilder ways than her own.

The Bear was half right in his assumption of Ylva Solveig, she was not of this world and yet she was, somewhere buried deep down beneath the influence of the galaxy around them. There was Ice in her veins, a natural born huntress who had stomached such winters out in the wilds of her own volition and skill to survive, though her size might have differed from theirs and her manners were anything but obvious, there was a reason why she had felt such a strong calling to Olstyn, the Valkyri there having migrated from some time decades back though for what had led them away nor how they had made the venture and it having been such an unexpected find for Théo's people, she did not know.

What she did know however, without holding any reason behind the lure that had brought her in so far, was the sense of familiarity she held over these places, Midvinter and Olstyn both had come with such an instant relief, originaly she assumed it were the lack of pollution and the fresh air hindered none by sentient technologies and yet that wasn't it, she walked among these people with her head held high where usually she required an arrow between her fingers, notched within her bow just as a precaution.

"What can you tell me about 'em, these people? I would like to hear more about 'em if you don't mind at all"

 

[Audren Sykes]

The establishment that Audren entered could be considered rustic. The door was round, not just rounded, in a style he'd not seen before. The interior was essentially all wood, with some metal thrown in here and there. High ceilings, beams, and staircases leading up completed the image. The barkeep seemed a bit more stout than the other Valkyri the Jedi had seen. Then again though, he was an innkeeper.

Said barkeep was returning to his demesne as the Sephi entered. When the off-worlder was seen, the Valkyr's steps faltered slightly and he glanced back deeper into the dining area before returning to his guest and studying him closer. At first glance, the resemblances between the Aelvar and the newcomer were uncanny. A closer look evidenced the different clothing types however, and he rightly determined the difference. For his part, Audren was aware of the scrutiny in a somewhat detached manner. Had it carried hostility he would have paid more attention.

"Welcome, guest. My name is Alfr Silkenstride, what can I do for you today?"

"I was hoping for a meal, but I was wondering if you accept galactic credits as currency? Alternatively I could work for the meal."

"You don't appear a beggar, stranger. What's this about working for food?"

"No, I'm not. I simply don't have any local money with me."

"Fair enough. As it happens, the owner is frequently off-planet, so we do accept galactic credits. If you would follow me please?"

The man led Audren to a table already set with tableware and departed. The chosen table wasn't far from the fire, so it was warm without being overly so. Though surrounded by other tables, they were almost all empty. It seemed that he was a tad bit early for the meal rush, which was perfectly acceptable to him. The serving girl stopped by with a tankard and indicated that his food would be out soon, they were cooking a fresh portion. In the meantime, they could begin setting up a room for him as the area would get rather cold once the sun set outside.

[member="Eregon Wuduælfen"] | [member=Kiriko] | [member="Ióunn Wuduælfen"] | [member="Ylva Solveig"]​