Escord The Spice Merchant To Redwall

FV:Tavern

Outside a sign swings on a rusty creaking frame above the doorway of the tavern depicting a faded painting of what appears to be three rather rich looking skeletons slumped over a table around a black chalice, perhaps such a thing could be taken as a warning but it doesn't appear to work on the locals. The noise within on a normal day is usually heard before the door is even opened and only rises in volume when one actually steps inside.

There are the typical qualities of a tavern within, from the bar to the chairs and booths and the odd drunk who never seems to move it's the little details which encourage a patron to pay his tab if he likes his fingers. One look at some of the staff or customers might give the impression but the room is decorated to the fiercer tastes with bones, mostly skulls cropping up here and there to fill a gap on a shelf or decorating the walls above the doorways, fireplace and bar, a pair of axes joining the one over the fire with some signs that they've been yanked off to join in a fight a couple of times. Some of the comfier chairs are lined with fur and very rarely one might be found with a few pointed bits of bone to decorate the back. Despite the looks there is entertainment and fun to be had, some form of music usually played on a small stage in the corner and at least one bouncer usually tries to keep the peace while beasts gamble, drink and be merry.

A small door behind the bar leads out the back to the kitchen and cellars while one wall has been opened up in a wide arch to increase the space off into the next room where what seems to be a wooden fence with gates on either end has been set up as a fighting pit as further entertainment and something to bet over.

Exits: [UP] Stairs, [K]itchen, [F]ighting [P]it, [Out]

Scioto is where he usually sits, now a couple guards around him as he every so often growl low and his ears are flat as a guard speaks with him.

Zeb makes his way inside after making sure his shop is ok and in order and soon finds the chieftain and makes his way over "H..hello sir..there is still the issue of some spices to...well"

Scioto nods "Yes Zeb I know and as I said go ahead just not alone ok ? Take a guard or two with you “He takes a long sip of ale.

Silhouette drifts soundlessly into the tavern, clinging to the more shadowy areas, or perhaps they are clinging to her, who is to say? In any case she makes her way to one of the more comfy chairs near the fireplace.

Zeb nods “I ..yes sir. Whom do I speak to at the abbey on the spices sir?"

Scioto sighs, his ears not so flat now "Abbot Benar is best as he would know whats needed at the abbey and do not be charging them a high price either." He notices the owl and arches an eyebrow.

Zeb nods "Abbot Benar...ok I can ask for him and can head over there soon"

Silhouette The owl gives a blink of her large red-orange eyes and a barely perceptible nod to the cat as he looks at her.

Scioto stands to address the owl "Who are you? Do you work for anyone and you will answer my questions" The two guards with him stay beside him just in case something goes wrong.

Zeb frowns, oh an owl..owls are friendly to beasts right?

Silhouette says, "Hello, I'm not currently working for anyone. Would you like to hire me?"

Scioto listens and looks for a response" What do you know of a wildcat named Zurrgg? I know you’re new to the area and for now I like to know names of new beasts as we have had trouble in the area lately"

Zeb frowns "H..hire for what?" Yeah the owl makes him nervous.

Silhouette says, "Air scout, currier, various jobs best done in the dark, that sort of thing."

Scioto takes a deep breath "I still need your name owl and if you know anything of a wildcat named Zurrgg?"

Zeb nods, he frowns as the chieftain starts to get a bit upset and scoots over a little where he is siting,"Yeah..dark..nice" Not creepy at all, nope.

Silhouette stands up and walks silently over to Scioto. "My name is Silhouette, pleased to meet you. I don't know a wild cat named Zurrgg. Is there a bounty out on him?"

Scioto keeps his good eye on the owl, some might be afraid of the owl but he is not" This wildcat has killed members of my village, some important members of my village and is now my enemy"

The door opens again, allowing fresh air and light to grace the tavern before a wide sweeping shadow fills the doorway. In enters Bandit, who despite his name sake wears the insignia of the head guard on his breast and the towns sigel on his blue tabard. Somewhere under that tabard can be heard the 'clink' of chain mail even if it doesn't fully wrap around the fox's midriff.

A brown furred beast the fox is a portly fellow, one well acquainted with the bar it seems. He steps lightly to the bar and opens his mouth to order a stiff pint of mead when he catches sight of Scioto, "Just make it water and the afternoon special." He grumbles, less the cat catch him drinking on the job.

Zeb frowns, "He..has friends too like the one rat on the path"

"Are you hunting him?" Silhoutte asks.

Scioto looks over at Bandit and back to the owl "Yes he is being hunted as you say. And anyone who works for him"

Zeb just stays quiet, he has never seen Zurrgg and by the sound of it he never wants to meet the wildcat.

The fox leans his side against the bar as, ugh, water is sent sliding his way. Simple, tasteless water. Hardly even chilled. Why did he order this and not some manner of fruit juice? The fox thinks for a moment and cringes at the mere thought of fruit juice. "Ay-ho Scioto. Sounds like you are getting ready for some manner of hunting party." He chuckles to himself, "Should I be worried?"

Silhouette says, "Perhaps I could help you with this cat, particularly if he is an outlaw with most of the authorities here abouts."

Scioto looks to the head guard "Zurrgg may well be after you as well Bandit as he did burn your home down. Speaking of which should be in the process of being rebuilt, along with that old badger's hut." He looks at the owl" Even info on sightings to get an idea where he is..he has killed me almost, killed a healer and..." And should he mention Marek ye, he waits on that as he needs to speak with a couple beasts and check on that as he almost forgotten "And another beast as well..."

Zeb says, "I just hope he is not after simple trade beasts, I sell herbs and spices and some rare spices and such that’s hard to find or are highly priced"

Silhouette says, "Oh, I'll bet you can make meats quite tasty with the spices. Anyhow this cat sound like a menace. If you have a general idea of where he might be, It's possible I could spot his camp clandestinely from the air at night."

The fox figits an ear he continues to wait for his meal. Rubbing his chin the fox thinks out loud, "Banditry has been on the rise lately. I'm not sure we have the guards to spare for escorts right at the moment but, it may be something to look into..." he turns to the rat, "Where are you going after this?" he asks bluntly.

Scioto nods "Yes I am sure he has a camp somewhere, how many work for him I do not know.." He then adds "Well..wood pidgon is good as is fish and Bandit...these smaller issues or attacks could also be Zurrgg or random issues, it is getting warmer weather and more come out now"

Zeb says, "I am going to Redwall, to see what spices they need..." He frowns at the word meat "You know for...stuff" Yeah other than meats"

Silhouette asks, "Are you then taking your stock and giving them the spices after you find out what they need, or are you truly just finding out what they need?"

"Hah! Ain't that the truth!" The fox laughs, "It's spring. every two bit thug and thief is crawling out of their hidey hole by now." He takes a sip of water, "But I doubt the woodlanders in the area would take kindly to seeing Ferravale guards patrolling their road ways." The fox pauses and thinks about this for a moment, "Then again, Scioto. Perhaps I can make a trip down to Redwall and talk with their abbot. Maybe we can work something out, work with them to keep the roads a little safer..."

Scioto nods "Ok you can take Zeb to the abbey Bandit, maybe see if the Champion knows of possible extra trouble" And the cat has no clue of changes at the abbey, least yet.

Zeb frowns "I..take some spices in my cart around with me, well that I don’t keep at my shop that is"

Silhouette says, "Oh I see, because I was going to say, if you just want to take their order and then bring exactly what they need to them, then sending an air courier down to get their order and fly it back to you might make more sense if the roads are not on the safe side."

The fox's tail begins to wag. "Me? Go to Redwall?" to sample all their fine spring foods, deserts and ale? The fox's tail bumps into the bar as it wags, "I'm sure I can fit into my oh so busy schedule." As he speaks his fish and chips are served up and he begins to eat.

Scioto nods"Well..if not Bandit I am sure someone else can go...maybe me but..." He shakes his head, he still rather dislikes gong to the abbey much, yes keep the peace treaty but visit...well not so much.

Zeb says, "Redwall is not far at least...less than half a day and we can be there before its dark if we go soon and maybe catch dinner "

"Half a day on foot, that's about a half hour by air.”, says Silhouette.

The fox let's out a panicked yelp when he hears Scioto say he can go himself, "Er, I mean. No need to bother yourself sir. I can take the rat, er merchant. It will be no trouble for me to stay down there for a day or two...maybe even a week. Catch up on the goings on in the abbey, make sure they haven’t been invaded by vermin this year. And all that." Before the cat can argue, or give him a chance to order the fox to stay, Bandit says to Zeb, "I'll meet you by the gate. No rush. We can leave anytime you want in the next...oh, half hour." He grins delightfully then turns for the door. The thought of tasting Redwall food again nearly makes Bandit forget to finish his meal. He turns around and quickly wolfs it down before leaving the tavern.

Scioto nods "So be it..Bandit can take Zeb and if any news is needed to give me from the abbey get that as well. And the owl can keep an eye out for Zurrgg and his friends, in the air one would have a very good view point and she can report to me as well"

Zeb blinks "Umm...oh right, right I will meet you at the gate then sir." After a quick snack .

Scioto stands "I have to attend to...business. Safe trip Zeb and..don't die please" He leaves it at that and heads off to where ever he is going, it looks important anyways. He has his guards stay at the tavern and promises to be in his office later and then he heads off.