In search of information

[Young Grimwold]

*Not keen to see an argument, especially one that leaves a serving maid too sulky to do her job, Owen steps over.*

Owen: Perhaps you'd like to find yourself a table? Once you've 'informed' us of when you're ready to pay, that is.

[Shadow Voice]

*Shadow Voice turns his atention to Owen. He staires hard at him, he is in no way intimidated by the Inn keeper and fully aware that he at least unerves Owen.*

*Shadow Voice tkes out his cigertr stubs it out on the bar leaveing a slight burn mark, downs his ale. Taes out a gold coin and toss it to Lasandra.*

"Word of warning Mr. Vartren Those gentelmen over there."

*Shadow Voice gestures to a table in the far corner on which a group of touff looking men are sat.*

"There planning a little "Lesson" for a person they have invited her for a "freindly" Drink. Just thought you might like to know that."

"I'll bid you good evening."

*Looks back at Lansadra and decided to make peace.*

"Worry not dear Girl your young man dose return the feelings, he's just to shy to say anything."

*Shadow Voice moves back into the shadows and departs out of a side door.*

[ModNote: Shadow Voice is next seen in Returning to Power.]

[Young Grimwold]

[OOC: If you want to 'install' extra doors, please check with the landlord first!]

*Owen and Lanesra watch the figure, nameless and shameless, depart. The serving maid turns to her boss, expecting a reprimand for her loose tongue. But she finds him smirking.*

Owen: So that's why we've been getting such good deals from the brewer!

*Lanesra looks sheepish.*

Owen: Don't worry, I was getting impatient with the chap myself. Why can't people just come in here and drink? Do me a favour. *He gestures towards the table of tough-looking men.* Keep an eye on them. And if an eye's not enough, an ear.

*Owen heads down to the cellar. The piper plays 'Poetry In Motion'.*

[Leytan]

*As soon as Owen is out of sight the Doors open and a dark hooded figure strided into the Inn and heads strait for the Bar.*

*Poor Lanesra sighs inwadly another stargane customer and whats worse she knows who this one is and she's not to keen on him staying.*

*And as if to confrime her suppision the tempretur sudernly drops a few degress.* [ModNote: Leytan was last seen in A Morning Stroll.]


*Meanwhile over in the corner one of the ruffinas started to move his chair out slightly. He appered to be the leader of the bunch he had a weasley face with a mustach and a scare on his chin, his eyes were small and pigish. One of his hands sliped down to his boot.*

[Young Grimwold]

*Lanesra recognises the customer as Leytan, the mercenary who was being spoken about by the shadowy customer moments earlier... and the man who threatened to cut fellow barmaid Slevela's ears off last time he was here. With Owen out of sight, she panics a bit (though Leytan gives people more than one reason to feel a shiver). She's not as seasoned nor as strong-willed as Slevela, and doesn't relish the prospect of having to stand up to two difficult customers in one shift. But she reminds herself of one of the mottos Owen shared with her on her first day: a customer may have blood on his hands, but it doesn't matter as long as he has coins in his pouch. She takes a deep breath.*

Lanesra: Evening. What can I get you?

[Leytan]

*Leytan looked at Lanesra and smiled hsi normal some what unnerveing smile.*

"I'll have an Atlantian Green Ale Please."

*Leytan then looks past Lanesra at a Mirror that is hanging just behind her on the wall in it he can clearly see the Gang of thugs and there leader's every move.*

"I belive there is a gentelman in from Silverden to see me. A Man by the name of Bill Kaled. This Gentelman should have thaut his brother better then to play cards with a marked deck."

*More movement from the man Obviusly Bill Kaled.*

[Young Grimwold]

*Lanesra prepares Leytan's Green Ale, wrinkling her nose as she adds the fish juice. It causes the concoction to hiss, almost like a full Atlantean would. Feeling nervous, she doesn't pay much attention to what Leytan is saying about Bill Kaled and cards, knowing he wouldn't thank her for interfering in his business. The drink is ready, and Lanesra places it on the bar, avoiding eye contact.*

Lanesra: Your ale.

[Leytan]

*Leytan takes the drink and has a sip Still watching Kaled.*

"Thanks for the drink my dear and if you do happan to see this........Gentelman. Tell him I'll be waitng for him at the Local Cemetery."

*Laughs*

"He'll have only one way to go from there........Down."

*Kalad pushes his chair right out from the table and half stands upreaching into his boot he pulls out a small crossbow. Leytan watches this and his expression changes.*

"Come to think of it......*down his ale.* He's No Gentelman at all, He's The Son Of a Yellow backed Shark!!!"

*Kalad springs up and aims the crossbow but Leytan is quicker.*

*Just as Kalad is about pull the trigger what appers to Lanesra to be a tentical of frost leashes out from Leytan's body, it moves as qucikly as a cobra and strikes Kalad's hand and the cross bow.*

*There is the sound of slitering wood as the Crossbow is torn appart by the ice that has quickly formed on it and yells of pain from Kalad and his freinds as the spliters from the crossbow hit them.*

*Kalad cry is even more anguished because Leytan's ice not only shated his crossbow so fast and so savge was the frezze that Kalad's right hand looks to be already suffering from frostbite.*

[Young Grimwold]

*Lanesra faints behind the bar. A few drinkers leave quickly and quietly, but most stay to see what will happen, pleased at the entertainment and tempted by the prospect of PMS (Post-Mortem Special: 'Half price wine and spirits after a local killing').*

[Leytan]

*Leytan turns around and looks at Kalad and the other thugs at the table. Who now look like they had a run in with a Porcupine.*

"Lissen Kalad!"
* He says coldly.*

"Your brother was cheating at Cards in the local gamabling establishment in Silverden, cheated a lot of people out of there money. I "purswaded" him to give the mone back only he decided to come after me later on the trail with a knife so I think it's safe to say that he was spoiling for a fight and got more then he bargined for. Now Unless you care to join him I sujest you get the hell out of Wolfenden and consider this buissnes finished."

"Or else next time you won't find me in such a charitable mood."

*He looks at the men from one to the other. They all look at each other then quickly depart the premissis.*

[Young Grimwold]

*Owen makes his way up from the cellar. As he reaches the top of the stairs, some shards of ice on the floor catch his eye. He notices the untended bar; the vacated table; and finally, Leytan. He recalls the shady customer's earlier prediction. There was a time when Owen would have subscribed to the axiom 'shoot first, ask questions later'; but it seems the shooting has already been taken care of.*

Owen: Tell me, should I be giving you a handshake for shooing away a table full of troublemakers, or giving you an earful for driving away paying customers?

[Leytan]

*Leytan looks at Owen and considers the question.*

"Well Sir, I suppose it could go both ways but I hassen to add that a small brawl is less damaging to your establishment then had I decided to dispatch those thugs and there leader."

"And I garuntey had he got in the first shot then I would probaley have been dead or dieing on your pub floor by now."

*Gesturing to Lanesra who is laying unconsius on the floor.*

"Is the lady all right?"

[Young Grimwold]

*With Lanesra having passed out behind the bar, Owen hadn't seen her. As he follows Leytan's gesture with consternation, Lanesra stirs and gets up. She is unhurt but disorientated. Owen sends her to one of the back rooms for a sit-down, and takes her place behind the bar. The other customers are once again minding their own business, as is the piper, who is playing 'All That She Wants'.*

Owen: Seems to me that there's no harm been done. And being the bartender, the final say round here does tend to be mine.

*Owen catches a whiff of fish, and glances at the empty flagon on the bar.*

Owen: Then again... it doesn't look like you've paid for your drink yet.

[Leytan]

*Leytan took a few coins out of his pocket and tossed them on to the counter.*

"Again my appolagies for the disturbence."

"Seems at the moemnt I have a bullseye on my head."

"Although hopefully that little encounter should stop any further attempts at hitting it."

*Leytan turns to leave.*

"Do pass my appolagies along to Miss Lanesra."

*Leytan departs the Pub and dissapers into the night.*

[ModNote: Continued for Leytan in Replenishment.]

[Young Grimwold]

*While Leytan is taking his leave, Lanesra is in one of the back rooms, where the piper is keeping her company. They exchange gossip: she tells him about Cassandra and the shadowy informer, and he tells her about two other possible newcomers to Wolfenden - Sylas and Uliana. There isn't much he can tell, other than the fact that he's overheard their names once or twice. Lanesra says she'll keep an eye out.

Although night has fallen, the tavern is staying open later than usual, and Owen summons the pair back to work. The piper rouses Lanesra with some jokes and tomfoolery that seem quite out-of-character.

Lanesra: *Laughing as she stands up* You're very witty. That Motley hasn't been in for ages. Don't you ever feel like giving the pipe a break and doing a bit of... what do they call it... stand-up?

Piper: *Sounding again like his usual, less cheerful self* I can't keep it up for long enough. I used to do it all the time. Rather well. But there was a bit of trouble, a spell got cast, I... I forgot so much. Most of my sense of humour just seemed to... evaporate. I think my looks and my voice changed as well. All I know for certain is how to play the pipe, and what they used to call me. One part of me wants to leave the confusion behind, and stick to the humble piper's life I've been given; another part of me hopes to one day find out the hidden truths of my life...

Lanesra: *Still feeling a little faint, and only half-listening* You're not usually so open. So what was it they called you in the old days?

Piper: They called me Folly. Come, we'd better get back to work, or Owen won't let you collect your tips.

*The rest of the night passes uneventfully. Lanesra is jumpy, fearing that Leytan that might burst in and blast ice at any moment, but the piper's music helps to keep her calm. It helps him too, as he focuses on his playing and lets the painful shards of his lost memories settle once again under the dust at the back of his mind. 'It's Raining Men' is good for such a purpose. After another couple of hours, the Crazed Heifer has emptied and is shut for the night.*

[OOC: I'll round off the thread at this point. The next Crazed Heifer post will occur on a new day, and should be in a new thread. Thanks.

There's more on Folly's Surrounds backstory here and in the preceding posts.]