As Lede finishes her preparations, the group links hands and prepares for the teleportation to Tahis. As the spell is casts a brief sickening sensation is felt as their molecular structure seems to melt away into nothing, only to reform elsewhere.

 

A deep chill sets into the bodies of the group as the surroundings of Tahis swirl into view; the air is frigid, and the sky is darkened from heavy grey clouds above.  Snow is whipped around the setting making it almost impossible to see details of the town around them. The crunchy snow is packed up to their knees and the sudden change in temperature stings their eyes.

 

Just west of the group an inn sign bangs against the building due to the high wind; there is no name scribed; it simply reads as ‘Inn.’ A caravan is parked outside, to which is harnessed two young polar bears; they don’t seem to mind the cold at all and are sleeping peacefully.

 

Soren shudders a little, drawing his cloak around more tightly. "Oh, wonderful. Can't wait to travel in this."

 

Kansu looks around, unbothered by the cold.

 

Mina starts shivering "I h-h-h-hate the c-c-c-c-cold"

 

<+Goroh> "Ah, the cold."

 

<@Soren> "After you, then?" He mutters, gesturing to the inn nearby.

 

Mina makes for the inn at a quickened pace

 

Zidek pulls out his pipe and sets the tip in his mouth; however his hand shake so much that he cannot light it, and his teeth chatter so harshly he cannot smoke. Eventually he gives up and tosses it over his shoulder, and starts to make for the inn.

 

Goroh heads towards the inn.

 

Kansu follows everyone to the inn.

 

As the group approaches the inn for an instant they may think there is a songbird flittering around the snow; but they soon realize it is a beautiful voice of someone singing a story.

 

The atmosphere inside the inn is comforting. Two fire pits are ablaze with warmth and lanterns line the walls and sit upon the tables. A group of twelve people are crowded around a stage where a bard sits; they seem to be hanging off the edges of their chair with anticipation; but as the group enters whatever story has being woven ends.

 

The bard stands and tucks a long strand of black hair behind her elven ears, bowing to the crowd; ‘And that my friends, is the story of Ashtar; the sunken city. If you wish to tip me, please make it in food donations to the citizens of Setelo.’ She gives another bow and steps off the stage as the cheers and thanks from the small crowd end.

 

The innkeeper quickly heads towards the group, looking eager to shake their hands; ‘Oh, guest! Come in, do come in!’

 

Soren nods slightly, shaking off the excess snow and stepping inside. "Stories, huh. Shame we missed that one."

 

<+Goroh> "Yeah, it is a shame."

 

<+Mina> "C-c-c-old....*mina's teeth chattering uncontrollably*

 

"Oh yes, excellent stories." says the Innkeeper, clapping his hands together; "I have almost cried three times tonight, and spilled five drinks due to laughter - but don't pass that on. How can I help you?"

 

Soren shrugs a bit, turning to the others in the group. "Are we going to stick around a bit, ask around?"

 

<+Goroh> "Sure."

 

Mina starting to warm up again "Yes I would like that...a lot."

 

The innkeeper grins and slides behind his counter; "If you find yourselves in need of a room, let me know. We are normally horribly under booked so there is always room for plenty."

 

<@Soren> "With weather like this..."

 

<+Mina> "Might be a good idea."

 

Soren rolls his eyes. "Can't possibly see how you would be under booked."

 

The innkeeper sighs, "I know... I've only booked three rooms in the last year; it's the stage and ale that keeps this place going. Oh well, nothing we can do about the weather, just have to make do!"

 

<@Soren> "No kidding." He shrugs and looks over to the bard just finishing. "Think I'll ask for a summary of the story. Anyone interested?"

 

Mina shrugs "I guess."

 

When Soren glances towards the bard, he spots her kneeling in front of a small girl that was in her audience; she has a deck of cards drawn and seems to be performing a magic trick of sorts for the child.

 

Soren crosses his arms and watches carefully, deciding not to interrupt.

 

The girl watches the deck intently as the bard shuffles, and leans in so close you would think the moving cards would slice her tiny nose. But eventually the bard stops and pulls a card from the deck. The girl looks disappointed as she takes it and looks it over. The bard shrugs and reaches forward, seeming to pull a card out of the girl’s ear.

 

The child takes the card and jumps up looking quite thrilled. She runs over to her mother, showing her the face of the card with a mix of surprise and glee. The bard watches her reaction for a moment with a smile, then stands and moves towards the stairs.

 

Soren steps forward at last. "Nice trick. A bit simple, but nice. Do you have a moment?"

 

As Soren steps forward the bard, who seemed to be lost in her own thoughts for a moment, steps back rather suddenly; she almost bumps into a couple chatting behind her. She turns briefly to apologize, and then looks back to Soren. ‘I was not trying to be fancy. What can I do for you, sir?’

 

Kansu sits down and orders a drink.

 

<@Soren> "Afraid I missed the tale about Ashtar. Would you be able to sum it up?"

 

The bard smiles and says, ‘It is a rather simple story; about a civilization that was so self absorbed they thought they could overcome the gods; and so the gods sunk their capitol into a vast ocean. The story I was telling was a tale of three travelers who aimed to try and find a lost treasure in one of the hollow temples.’ She tries to sidestep Soren, ‘I’m sorry, but I am in a bit of a hurry.’

 

<@Soren> "Yeah, I'll just be a second longer. Can you give me any information on those three? Sounds familiar."

 

The bard glances over her shoulder at Soren, but doesn’t stop; ‘Sorry. Another time, maybe.’

 

<@Soren> "Uh huh. You know, I've been to Ashtar and I gotta say, it's not that spectacular."

 

The bard pauses and turns to Soren, ‘I disagree. Perhaps you simply did not look hard enough at your surroundings. It is a beautiful and ancient city.’

 

<@Soren> "How would you know unless you were there?" He crosses his arms. "Wouldn't mind a little story, there. What's the rush?"

 

The bard smirks; "I am an elf; I have had many years to travel, and have been many places... perhaps I have been there." she glances to the side; "I have to be at the docks shortly to pick up a shipment of medicine for a town called Setelo."

 

<@Soren> "Uh huh. Need company? We don't really have a lead at the moment, anyway..."

 

The bard blinks; ‘Lead? It sounds like you are investigating something. Never mind; I am not interested in being accompanied by strangers.’ She turns again and heads once more for the stairs.

 

Mina shakes her head turning to Soren "Oh well, looks like we go on our own then."

 

<@Soren> "Mhm. D'you have any idea where?"

 

Kansu nurses his drink and takes a look around the inn.

 

As Kansu is sitting with his drink he spots the Innkeeper behind the bar poking bread between the bars of a small cage.

 

Mina sighs slightly "No not really"

 

Kansu shifts over to try and see what's in the cage.

 

The cage simply contains a white lemming, chewing happily on its breadcrumbs.

 

<@Soren> "All we've got is the whole 'Felten Tower' thing to go by. Doesn't ring a bell..."

 

Mina crosses her arms again "I guess we just ask around then..."

 

Gorland had been watching the bard and was about to step into the conversation, his ears perking beneath his hat during a certain phrase in her words, when she headed upstairs.

 

Kansu moves up to talk with the bartender, "A pet lemming?"

 

Gorland blinks at Kansu's words, and turns around. "Wait. Say What?"

 

Gorland starts digging through the items found in Lilith's room, looking for the pouch of petfood.

 

He looks to Kansu and smiles; "Not a pet, no. Though it seems rather friendly. It turned up in a bag of grain a month or two ago; and I haven't wanted to release it during the harsh season."

 

<+Kansu> "Interesting. Say, you wouldn't happen to know anything about Felten Tower, would you?""

 

Gorland finds it and holds it in the creature's line of sight, waving it back and forth gently.

 

The bartender laughs; "The Felten tower you say? We get a loon or two looking for it now and then. Don't know much about it myself, however. The bard told a story once, but I had a chatty drunk in my ear at the time. I can tell you it doesn't exist; however."

 

<+Kansu> "I assumed. I'm just interested in unique stories."

 

The Lemming sniffs at the air and moves towards the bag of treats.

 

The bartender scratches at his chin; ‘I once had a scholar saying something about it being a dimensional anchor, or planar anchor; gosh I don’t know. I might be completely off on this.’

 

Gorland grins. "Sir Bartender. Would you object to me keeping the pet? I happen to know his owner. And his name. Tedward."

 

The bartender shrugs; "I don't mind... I'm always afraid I'm going to forget to feed it for a day or two and that it will croak."

 

Gorland chuckles and reaches to open the cage, holding hand filled with treats, out to the furball.

 

Soren sighs, taking a seat at the bar. "Great. A whole bunch of nothing...again."

 

A short time after departing the bard makes her way down the stairs, dressed in heavy winter gear; she seems to make an effort to avoid any interactions as she heads for the door, and simple waves to any customer that motions for her to join them.

 

Tedward slowly climbs onto Gorland's hand, grabbing at the treats as he does so and filling his cheeks.

 

Soren quietly steps in front of the door, blocking her path. "Alright, last question. Felten Tower familiar? Sounds like we're the latest to look for it."

 

Gorland pats Tedward's head before walking and steps over to Soren, smiling smugly, waiting for him to be done.'

 

<+Kansu> "I suppose I'll have to harass a bard about the story. Thanks though."

 

Kansu eyes Gorland, "You look pleased about finding a rodent."

 

The bard rolls her eyes and crosses her arms; "I am going to be late. M-o-v-e!"

 

<+Gorland> "nooot just a rodeeeent~!"

 

<@Soren> "You can spare a half-minute."

 

Mina noticing she's being watched glances toward the stage where she feels she's being watching from "Wha.." *Mina cuts her self off and decides to ignore it for now as they have more important things to do than get side tracked*

 

The bard shakes her head and forcefully tries to shove Soren aside; "I can't!"

 

Soren stands his ground. "Come on, spit it out. Would you rather someone else ask you the same question?"

 

Mina deciding to ignore the person watching her catches up with Soren

 

The innkeeper moves from behind the counter, "Eleanor, is something the matter?" The bard glances to the innkeeper; "Yes, there is. Could you kindly explain to this gentleman that if I am not at the docks on time a starving, diseased town will not get the materials it needs to survive another week? Perhaps if someone else explains this to him, he will understand why I do not have a moment to spare! Not one minute."

 

The innkeeper blinks and pulls out his pocket watch; "Elli, you must be mistaken... the boat will not arrive for another hour. It’s true you need to be on time; but with the speed of your bears I would think it only to take you ten minutes!"

 

<@Soren> "See? Plenty of time."

 

She sets a finger to her temple as if to sooth a pain in her head; "I will be back in two hours, if you wish to speak to me then..."

 

Gorland sighs and steps forward. "Miss Eleanor..Please. We're looking for a friend..and trying to solve another friend's identity crisis. Any way you can help a fellow elf would be well appreciated. In fact, with or without your help..Let me donate something to this plagued Village..Setelo, you said?" he asked, pulling about 500gp from his money pouch, while holding Tedward on his shoulder.

 

"Please, you can just call me Elli." she says, glancing towards Gorland; "You are very generous. But I apologize; I cannot stay and help you and your friend." she almost looks ashamed as she says this; "I am in... quite a hurry."

 

Soren sighs, frustrated. "It's a ten minute trip! You have plenty of time!"

 

<+Gorland> "..Elli, I get the feeling you're in a hurry because there's something you want us to avoid knowing. "

 

<+Gorland> "Which is quite strange, considering we haven't met before. What could you possibly not want us to know?"

 

"I don't... please move sir; I need to be going." she bites her lower lip and glances to the side; "Just move, dammit." To Gorland she says; "I have nothing to hide from you; I am - in a hurry. I must go."

 

After a pause she says; "I do not want to deal with a felon."

 

Mina looking slightly confused "A felon?"

 

<+Gorland> "Who is a felon?"

 

She waves a hand towards Mina; "You are named Mina, are you not? There is a wanted poster of you at the docks, I have seen it myself."

 

Mina stares blankly for a moment before Elli's words sink in "Wha...what?!"

 

<@Soren> "Wh...oh, her? Hey, is there a reward?"

 

Elli nods; "There is... fifty thousand gold..."

 

<@Soren> "...huh."

 

Elli motions for Soren to move, "Please..."

 

<+Gorland> "Fifty thousand?"

 

Soren instead leans back on the door. "Hey, I've got all day, and you don't. All I need is a story about Felten Tower. Can't take you any more than ten minutes."

 

Gorland makes a low whistle, looking over at Mina, mockingly pondering the thought of turning her in.

 

Mina doesn't seem to notice Gorland as she looks to be lost in thought

 

Elli shakes her head; "No... you are wrong; it can take a lot more than ten minutes." she starts to cast a spell, but doesn't seem to have had it readied

 

Soren shrugs. "You are very, very frustrating."

 

Gorland shrugs.

 

Elli vanishes, in the blink of an eye. The innkeeper scratches his head; "Well now, I have never seen her do that before. She must really dislike you folk."

 

<@Soren> "Seems to be a talent." He frowns, but doesn't move. "Think I'll stay here a moment; pulled that trick too many times to believe it."

 

Gorland starts grinning agian, standing infront of Soren and petting Tedward. "I have a lead~!"

 

<@Soren> "You have a lemming. Not really the same."

 

A minute after the disappearing act, the wheels of the caravan outside start to turn as the bears are urged into action.