DreamLyrics™ Play-by-Post Forums Fantasy SKT: The Storm King's Thunder 3Da - The Lionshield Coster (Arus & Bern)

Aldis

"Harnesses, plural. They're in a crate and they're expensive and the delivery is to Amrath Mulnobar, castellan of Noanar's
Hold. He's expecting five horse harnesses made by none other Othovir. His harnesses have elaborate designs pressed
into the leather, and they have become quite popular among Waterdhavian nobles who enjoy horseback riding. I'm hoping that the castellan becomes a good customer, so I'm counting on you. You'll get the cart and Boris too."

"And those giants are why I'm asking you to deliver the harnesses. I don't know about giants except that this is the first attack on a caravan that I know of. Everyone knows they're in the hills, but they've never attacked a heavily armed caravan and they've sure never attacked a town. How are Narth and Alaestra? Was there much damage to the Lionshare? They've had a rough time so far in Triboar, but they're really trying hard to make it."

He was referring, of course, to Narth Tezrin and Alaestra Ulgar, the proprietors of the Lionshare. Narth handled himself well during the fight against the fire giants.

When conversation turned to the young Lord Artan, Aldis smiled. "The Golden Goose? Well you wouldn't find a young lord in a dump like the Cointoss, that's for sure. That's where one finds the like of ... ", he says before he starts to laugh heartily, jesting with Arus.

Aldis turns to Bern and says, "The Cointoss is where I met your pal there. Did he ever tell you how I saved him from a dangerous halfling? I wager not. Gambling is a big business in Yartar. The Golden Goose is a classy place. That's where a Lord would play."

<Bern>

He grimaced when the 'discussion' turned in his direction.

"If you say so", he said with a shrug. "Gambling is not the sort of 'entertainment' I often have the 'available funds' to dedicate", he said. Then added, "But", he continued, "a 'classy place' is often worth 'visiting' ... when you have enough gold."

Aldis

"Frugal. I like that. Those who do not squander their gold are prudent. It might not be your type of fun, but it is classy. The guards are very selective as to who they let aboard the Grand Dame. I've dropped a few gold there in my days but I prefer the places that don't discriminate against someone because of what they can afford to wear."

<Bern>

He looked at Arus. "I am game if you are", he said.

Arus

Aboard? Grand Dame?

"The 'Golden Goose' is the Grand Dame, a ship? Here in town?" Arus asks, curiosity peaked.

He nods firmly in agreement with Bern. Oh he is most certainly game.

"Sounds like a step up from the Cointoss." He says, adding a retort with a devilish grin, "And as I always say, Aldis, that halfling wasn't dangerous; my faith grants immunity to venereal disease."

Aldis

He snickered. "You probably didn't travel in the right circles. The Golden Goose is a casino that is on the Grand Dame ... it's a riverboat. And the halfling wasn't the danger, it was the tree-sized barbarian that he was able to convince you were cheating that was your real problem."

Arus

"Ah, now that halfling was a different matter." He says with a chuckle.

That halfling had been a poor loser and a rabble-rouser. But it was also the night Arus made Aldis's acquaintance, which had ultimately led to discovery of the Kraken Society operating in Yartar.

Fate has a hand in these events, Arus is 100% certain. A paladin of the Order of the Leviathan now set on a collision course with the nefarious Kraken Society.

At a casino aboard the riverboat Grand Dame?

"I'll be sure to check it out, Aldis."

He looks at Bern, then back to Aldis.

"Perhaps I'll ask Scimitar Sally if she'd like to accompany me. She can fix Bern here with a date too.

"Any idea where she might be?"

<Bern>

He did his best to look 'neutral' as Arus continued his 'discussion' with Aldis. But when things got ... 'personal' ... his 'expression' ... for those that were looking for it ... changed. He was clearly more focused on what was being said.

He didn't want to give anything away when Arus gave him 'a look', but he did his best to let him know that he was paying attention ... without being too obvious about it.

Aldis

He chuckled before he answered Arus

"Sally can't go with you tonight. She's working here. It's her shift and well, we merchants all need to maintain security. She'll be here just before dinner. I'm sure she'll be happy to see you."

Bern knew, from Arus, that Scimitar Sally was a member of the Hands of Yartar, an all female thieves guild that were in control of the black market and much of the illicit business in the city. By the way that Aldis had said that last sentence, Bern could tell that Aldis believed that she was more than just a random acquaintance.

"I hope you both know that you're not getting into the Golden Goose unless you look a certain way."

<Bern>

While his first impulse was to strangle the guy ... clearly Aldis knew a lot more than he was willing to share. He could accept =that=. But strangling him would not help their cause. So ... he took a breath, let it out and smiled. Instead, he was willing ... for now ... to let Arus control their side of the conversation.

[[ it is just the 'vibe' I got from him ... the sort that talks outa both sides of his mouth saying what ever he thinks will get him the most favorable impression and so the most info ]]

[[ So did Bern know that 'history' going into this?? If so ... <sigh> ... I musta missed it :-/ And the fact that they knew each other before isn't (in Bern's mind) =necessarily= a good thing or a bad thing. But it would make him more 'on his guard' <weg>

FWIW ... if it isn't something that Bern would know, I don't think that 'sharing' the PM is the right thing to do.

But I =do= appreciate the help. I keep thinking I am getting too old for all this <sigh> ]]

[[ thanks. I will go and ... =attempt= ... to 'catch up' <g> ]]

OOC: Let's see if we can get this train back on the tracks...

Aldis
"So if you want to meet with Sally, like I said, she'll be here before dinner. And if you want to get onto the Grand Dame to visit the Golden Goose, you'll want to put on clothes that don't say 'I live in the wilderness'. Put some of that gold I just handed you to some good use."

He looked to Arus, "Are you staying here tonight or do you have other plans?"

Signs are pointing to the Golden Goose as a place where you can learn more about the disappearances of the young lords. But who to look for may not be clear. Davroar and Kriv had relayed what young Lord Artan, the man they had found floating in that cocoon had said, "There was a woman. Oh yeah, a real pretty one...no, beautiful. There's a difference, you know. Any wench can be pretty, but this one was classy! Black hair - long, black hair. And she wore a magnificent purple dress."

<Bern>

Well it didn't seem like they had gotten a lot of 'immediately actionable' information, but still, there =were= some useful bits. He looked over at Arus to see if he had any other questions.

[Sorry guys, I've been in product council meetings most of the week. Worn my eyeballs out staring at web conferencing screen. I'll print the PM thread to PDF for MikeD, Neptune. How's that?]

Arus

No Scimitar Sally tonight!

"That's a shame. Those legs of hers would've looked magnificent in a split dress."

He ponders Aldis's other question for a moment. Although they have rooms at The Pearl-handle, it would be good to have a safe house too.

"If we might impose on thee for a room, we would be grateful. It sounds like we're in for another late night and may not want to disturb the night porter at our inn."

After tea is finished and a minute or so of comfortable silent reflection, Arus stretches and pushes himself out of his seat.

"Well. I think we better hit the high street, Bern, and buy thee a ruff and doublet!" He says, only half-joking.

Arus extends his hand to Aldis.

"Good to see thee again, Aldis."

<Bern>

He wonders a bit at what Arus is thinking with the extra room request, but doesn't say anything. He just nods and stands when Arus rises.

"A pleasure", he says to Aldis with a small bow.

[[ THanks for the PDF. I have it here and will go through it over the next few days <g> ]]

Aldis

"Like I said, you'll find Sally here before dinner. So I look forward to seeing you then. And of course, you and your friend are welcome to stay tonight. I happen to have a few of the extra rooms open. Of course, you need to get tonight's pass phrase when you return to make sure that Sally doesn't skewer you."

He stands and leads the two down to the lower level.

OOC: Looks like you guys are ready for the "lunch" get-together. We need to sync up with the others for that. I think we're close.