The Wendway Docks
Year 349 E.O.D
Winter ebbs, Spring beckons...
It had been a long time indeed since Xenovia had last set foot upon these docks. Just under a decade, in truth, though it may as well have been a century for all the joy it brought her. 'Man, does this place reek!' Winter was in the process of breathing its last breaths. The snows were thawing, the icicles melting, and the streets had been turned into tributaries big enough to soak a poor adventurer's boots. But none of that mattered. Not right now at least.
The Keel and Caulk was a tavern like any other. Close to the water, but far enough from where the fishermen deposited their catches, it was renowned for its "beer and beauties", though mostly for its beer. It was the kind of establishment where both the uncouth and the braggartly were welcomed in equal measure.
'For coin knows no masters, only spenders!' A voice decried as Xenovia strolled in, her sodden cloak leaving a wet trail on the floorboards behind her. 'Now, whose round is it?'
An answer was not forthcoming. Xen hurried along to the bar before one of the daytalers could collar her. 'What'll it be?' The dwarf behind the counter asked, all barrel-chest and beard. His hair was as red as hers. Curly where the Deva's was silken. He was stood atop a keg marked with the Queen's Royal Crest. Where his associates had managed to find a vintage of that calibre was anyone's guess. Likely it had fallen off a wagon on its way up the King's Spire. If so, it had rolled an awful long way to wind up here.
'A stout, please, barman. Actually, best make it two.'
'Oh? Expectin' company?'
'No, no, just thirsty.'
'Right you are.' Rolling up his sleeves, Redbeard hopped down from his perch to go about fetching some mugs. Around her, the tavern burbled and heaved, tallow candles and lantern light painting the interior a dirty orange, helping the even dirtier faces to blend in. There were a few mean looks and half-veiled glances, but nothing out of the usual. Not yet, anyhow.
@Tilda von Hammersmark
Year 349 E.O.D
Winter ebbs, Spring beckons...
It had been a long time indeed since Xenovia had last set foot upon these docks. Just under a decade, in truth, though it may as well have been a century for all the joy it brought her. 'Man, does this place reek!' Winter was in the process of breathing its last breaths. The snows were thawing, the icicles melting, and the streets had been turned into tributaries big enough to soak a poor adventurer's boots. But none of that mattered. Not right now at least.
The Keel and Caulk was a tavern like any other. Close to the water, but far enough from where the fishermen deposited their catches, it was renowned for its "beer and beauties", though mostly for its beer. It was the kind of establishment where both the uncouth and the braggartly were welcomed in equal measure.
'For coin knows no masters, only spenders!' A voice decried as Xenovia strolled in, her sodden cloak leaving a wet trail on the floorboards behind her. 'Now, whose round is it?'
An answer was not forthcoming. Xen hurried along to the bar before one of the daytalers could collar her. 'What'll it be?' The dwarf behind the counter asked, all barrel-chest and beard. His hair was as red as hers. Curly where the Deva's was silken. He was stood atop a keg marked with the Queen's Royal Crest. Where his associates had managed to find a vintage of that calibre was anyone's guess. Likely it had fallen off a wagon on its way up the King's Spire. If so, it had rolled an awful long way to wind up here.
'A stout, please, barman. Actually, best make it two.'
'Oh? Expectin' company?'
'No, no, just thirsty.'
'Right you are.' Rolling up his sleeves, Redbeard hopped down from his perch to go about fetching some mugs. Around her, the tavern burbled and heaved, tallow candles and lantern light painting the interior a dirty orange, helping the even dirtier faces to blend in. There were a few mean looks and half-veiled glances, but nothing out of the usual. Not yet, anyhow.
@Tilda von Hammersmark
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