The World of Skara Brae

Wesley sighed, "Fine, I am backing off." The men sheathed their swords and sat down next to Wesley. However, inside he burned with resentment at this elf for taking Samantha for himself. He thought, he is not such a pure character...I bet he just wants to stick that blue dick into her in a romp on the hay.

"I've never slept on a bed so I don't know very well if I could"

Now soft hay she knew very well, not as much as hard floor but still she was more than used to it. And kittens... she had only seen one cat on the outpost when she was very small and on looking at him once Sam had spent the entire day chasing after it until finally catching it at sundown. That was a very good day, and people said that kittens where even cuter that the grown ones. "That actually sound very good Zelph" Sam answered still a little lost on her dreams of little kittens.

She woke up with a start when given instructions on how to get her meal "Roasted deer! A big one!" She said extending her arms wide for enfasis. Samantha did not happen to notice how close to fighting for her the two nice guys behind her where.

edited 15th Oct '09 7:55:40 PM by daltar

Wesley glared at the elf, and he thought of using the Gaia Belg on that pompous idiot. No doubt it would kill him, it could pierce through anything. However, there was an easier way of doing away with him. Wesley looked over at one of his men, and said, "Did the farms pay their taxes yet?"

The man caught what was happening and said, "No, Sir Wesley." Wesley replied, "Well, then its quite overdue. Repossess the farms until they are ready to pay the taxes."

Just then, the bartender poked his head up above the bar. He looked around. "Um... Thank you all for saving me.. and the bar. The owner will be most greatfull, I'm sure."

Just then, a well-dressed elven man came through the front door with a sword drawn and wearing white leather armor.

The bartender said: "Oy, here he is now! M'lord Drek, we were attacked! These people fought the attackers and saved the bar, and myself."

The elven man put away his sword and said: "I can see that. Well-well, that's the wizard Zaban you people have killed, and the mercenary Uzkel. Hmm.... these men are both notorious hired killers, and expensive to hire, at that. My thanks. I don't believe we've met, except of course I recognize My Lord Prince Wesley." The man bowed to Wesley and said: "Your Highness." He then stood upright and said "So, allow me to introduce myself. I am Drek, formerly a Prince of Suldeneselar, now Baron of Targos and guardian-proprietor of this establishment. Which, I should say, is not technically owed by me but rather it has been left in my care while the owner is away. To whom do I own my thanks this day, good people?"

This man had short white hair, dark grey eyebrows, and pale white skin. His facial features marked him as being high-born Elf. Those here familiar with the longevity of Elves could also see that he might be about seventy to one-hundred years old, which is about middle-aged for an Elf. However, the way he was dressed you'd think he was some sort of forest ranger, not a member of the elite aristocracy he said he was. Perhaps he had been away hunting, or off at an archery range.

In any case, Wesley recognized the name. If this was really the same man as he'd heard tales of, then this wasn't just any man: This was the legendary Drek of Suldeneselar: Close friend and stalwart companion of the Eruantian of Targos, a bona fide hero and a veteran of the Drow war. Drek of Suldeneselar and his adventuring company were spoken of in song and tale from the lips of every mistral and bard he'd ever heard. Children sang tales of him in the streets, and wise men and mages sought him out for advice, some from his own father's court, even. It was said that he had even played a part in slaying a Drowish God... if such things could be believed. What was he doing running a tavern in this backwater of a city?

[GM's Note: For those of you who are wondering: Yes, this is the same Drek who was a character is the original Operation: Storyteller RPG back on the H Rwiki forums. This game is set in the same game world... more or less. It's been sixty years of in-world time since those days, though, and a lot has changed.]

Wesley smiled and said, "It is I who is honored to meet you, Lord Drek. Is there any reason such figures as these might have attacked this bar? Might they be old enemies of yours?"

Zelph couldn't help but giggle.

"You're delightfully enthusiastic, Miss Sam."

He scooped up the dwarf's coin pouch and tossed it to the innkeeper.

"This should cover the deer. If it doesn't, let me know, okay?"

He blinked.

"Oh, and you'll forgive me if the name that's impressed his lordship failed to catch my attention... I've no memory of anything more than a few years back, sir. But think nothing of the little skirmish, sir... I'm rather fond of this establishment, though my fortunes prevent me from dining here as often as I'd like. My inattentiveness can be chalked up to... how shall I put it? Dangerously pleasant company."

edited 15th Oct '09 8:40:15 PM by Scrounge

"Father talked lots and lots about him, he's a great great hero"

Garth as a war veteran had more than his share of heroic tales, and most of them figure Drek at the center of the conflict.

"The red one was taken cared off by me" Samantha declared, talking proudly about her prey.

Wesley said, "I killed the dwarf with my Gaia Belg. The spear is enchanted, it can cut through anything...and it obviously included the idiot dwarf."

"I took the imp. Sorry about the chair, sir."

Wesley sighed, "Yeah, and I had to use a table as cover for a while. The table did not end well."

"And you may want to check your well water... I threw the chair in the well. Doused the imp, but I'm not sure about the water... Is there a healer in the house, by the way? My hands are a bit burnt."

Since everyone is telling about things they broke Sam wasn't going to be left behind "I kicked a mug, I guess it broke"

"I know a salve for burns but there aren't many herbs around here Zelph"

Wesley said, "I could pay for the repairs...being a Prince has its advantages. You heard that, men, collect those taxes and get some men in here to repair the place."

"Since I don't have anyone I can order to do it for me, I'd be willing to help myself after my hands have healed."

At this, Zelph turned to Sam.

"Where might the right herbs be found? I could certainly use tthem, and it's only fair that I come with you... After I;ve gotten you your meal, of course."

Wesley said sarcastically, "What a romantic..."

"What, I can't have practical concerns? If I'm going to be perfectly honest, my hands hurt. A lot. But it's because I did something reckless, and I'm going to honor my promise before I ask for a favor. If you want to tag along, you can... But I didn't think you much of a flower fancier."

Drek said to Wesley: "I have many enemies, My Lord. As did Eruantian. this is his tavern, but since he's... ah.. indisposed at the present, it fell to me to watch it for him. These hired killers could have been sent by any number of enemies. We'll see what the Lizardman has to say when he comes too, but I doubt we'll get much out of him."

Drek then smiled and said to the bartender: "Refund from my account any monies these fine people have paid the house this day, Distrusio. This day, their fare here at The Gold Lion is on me. Can't very well take money from people who saved the tevern from being burned to the ground, now can we? Oh, and glass of Enshae Brandy for me, there's a good chap."

The bartender, who's name was apparently Distrusio, bowed a said: "Yes m'lord, right away m'lord" He rushed back behind the bar and pulled out the cash box, and proceeded to refund money to anyone here who had bought food, drink or anything else that day.

Drek sat down at the bar and said: "Distrusio has a mind for numbers like The Oakfather has for plants; He remembers every transaction that he's ever made, and he never gets a calculation wrong. Remarkable fellow. Too bad he doesn't have The Gift. The Mage William tried to teach him the magic arts, but apparently you're either born with The Gift or you aren't. Ah well, magic's loss, this tavern's gain. He's the perfect bartender. Can't short-change you, never mixes a drink wrong, always remembers what your tab is. And he makes a great money-counter, too. Handles all my accounts. I say, where are my manners?! I do apologize. I must offer you and your friends a drink, Prince Wesley. We have a fine selection here. It's not exactly the Imperial wine cellar but I'm sure we have something you might fancy. What say ye, drinks all around, aye?"

edited 15th Oct '09 9:45:57 PM by TheSarge

Wesley replied, "Sure, I would be honored to share a drink with a renowned hero."

"It would be my honor... And as I'm the only one who's never heard your legend, maybe you'd care to share a bit of it with us over a meal? I'm sure that nobody would mind hearing the tales again, straight from the source. Am I right?"

"When we're done I'll find them for you Zelph" She could get out of the city and look there, the herbs for burns are fairly common after all.

"I love stories" Samantha waited until her roasted deer was made before taking it and sitting on the floor near Drek in order to better listen to the tales of heroism and courage.

The bartender, Distrusio, set up some glasses on the bar and said: "What's your fancy then, ladies and gentlemen? Just got these glasses in from the Junseric Brothers glass works. Never been used. Would've been all smashed if you folks hadn't saved 'em, so it's right fitting you get to be the first to use 'em. We's got six kinds of whiskey, three kind o' ale, a nice local cider, dark beer, elven wine.. lots of stuff."

Wesley took the opportunity and sat next to Sam and asked, "Would you mind if I sat here?"

"I'd like honeywater... or something sweet please" Samantha haven't even heard about half of the drinks the Distrucio offered, and haven't ever tasted those that she had heard about.

"No, it's alright, there's a lot of space" She answered Wesley and made some space for him while she took a bite of tender deer meat.

edited 15th Oct '09 10:06:41 PM by daltar

Wesley asked of her, "After we hear the story of Drek, would you like to hear one of my war stories?"

Distrusio said: "Sweetwater is is, miss. And for the gentleman?"