A Storm Is Coming Part 1

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 sitting at his usual place and drinking an ale, one of the villagers speaks to him as he listens and nods "Ok thank you for the info" The villager nods and smiles as they head off.

Nightbreath is sitting, cloaked and hooded, by Scioto, in his usual position to the side of the Chieftain. He sips fresh water and gazes about the tavern. "Cold out," He remarks. Odd for him to be making small talk.

Scioto nods "Well it is winter it’s supposed to be cold." He does look at Nightbreath slightly though and shrugs it off for now. Its winter and cold is in winter so he isn’t worried.

Oak simply walks into the room, far from his usual approach of silence; he sits at the bar and slightly orders a drink. Despite the fact that the squirrel has nothing to worry from the inhabits of the bar due to his reputation, he appears visibly shaken, apparent from his voice when he turns to Scioto, that is void of any of his normal accent whatsoever. "Morning, Scioto. I uh....bad news. Not good, not going to like it"

Nightbreath doesn't seem surprised. "Speak, then," is all he says.

Scioto sips his ale as he looks at Oak, "Bad news? What sort of bad news would that be as it’s been fairly quiet around here lately"

Oak continues to be visibly shaken, to the point where he opts not to pick up his ale. It is quite clear that the squirrel is indeed scared. "It's this...group. They started off a little bit north, and at first they just seemed like mercenaries. But their leader, big menacing mouse type....he kills an entire village to get to one vermin they were after". He pauses. "I saw it with my own eyes, an entire village slaughtered at the hands of this mouse. Vermin and woodlander alike". He manages to drink some ale. "He then proceeds to Marek's fortress, telling his men his plans to kill him. Must not like leadership, I thought to myself". The lack of his traditional accent worries some of the beasts in the room, including a weasel who mutters something about wanting his mother.

Nightbreath listens, still no surprise on his face. "Ah," is all he says, nodding, as if something has been explained to him after a long time of wondering. He looks over to Scioto for instructions.

Scioto stops drinking his ale and about drops the glass when Marek's name is mentioned and now the squirrel has his 100% attention and that’s also when he finally notices the fact he is nervous too "Marek? So where is Marek at?" He is curious as to the answer " And.." Well he just lets Oak explain.

Oak rises. "Marek is the same place 'ee always is dumbarse', 'is fortr-*ahem*" Oak clears his throat and takes another sip of ale. "Umm...Marek is in his fortress. Or well, he was. He went to a trade meeting in Ruingate, but these guys. These beasts, led by a WOODLANDER mind you, have been spending too much time around his fortress. Eying it up and down" He puts his ale to the side at looks at Scioto seriously. "I didn't exactly here what they said about Marek, but they said whatever happens here is going to happen in Mossflower soon. That means US Scioto" He looks around nervously. "And one of them saw me Scioto, I'm scared. And it takes a lot to scare me. I don't know what's going on, but something isn't right here. Something is going on, something darker than anything I've dealt with since Bloodclaw".

Nightbreath's eyes flash. "Bloodclaw. That was before I came here." He glances to Scioto again. "Chieftain, might I suggest a scouting team?"

Scioto glares at Oak and then takes a deep breath calming himself, "A woodlander?" He looks at the seer, "Perhaps, it may be wise even if it’s to see what is going on and if there is possible trouble." He looks at Oak "How well do they know you Oak..this whoever fellow? What else do you know?" He is curious why Oak is so scared, usually the squirrel isn’t scared of hardly anything and likes to joke around. But the cat can tell he isn’t joking around with this.

Oak doesn't even blink. "That's the thing, Scioto. I don't know anything about this guy. I'm not even sure of a name. All I know is that he's got dark plans for Marek and he's got dark plans for Mossflower but...." He pauses as he effortlessly throws a poison dagger at a ferret with a sword drawn. "....He knows me. And he's sent more than a few beasts after me. I haven't been scared since Bloodclaw damn near killed me". He took a sip of ale. "Oh right, Bloodclaw. You didn't know him. Big rat, big temper. No sanity. Not one you'd want to be acquainted with, I assure you"

Nightbreath doesn't even blink at the sudden knife throw, merely nodding briefly. "Perhaps an assassin would work, assuming his guard isn't too strong? Fight fire with fire?"

Scioto nods as he listens, "I am assuming Bloodclaw died..hmm maybe the abbey has records, then again we need to know more of whoever this woodlander is. Sounds like he is after Marek but if he was so..dangerous why did Marek let him inside his own base? Did Marek try to fight him as well? " He nods to Nightbreath "There is Bramblefur, head of the assassin / thief guild near the village maybe he can help us as well." He looks back to oak "So this beasts hates woodlander and vermin seems..right?"

Oak leaves as soon as he appeared, this time taking care to leave quietly, the ferret who tried to kill him already dead. "Trust me when I say, that this is not something to take lightly, Scioto. You may receive visitors you'd rather not very soon" and with that, Oak is gone.

Nightbreath watches Oak go, pondering. "Chieftain, I'd also suggest we tighten village security...increase patrols. I have a bad feeling about this situation. I'll meditate tonight with Ragg, maybe I can find out more."

Scioto nods "It is odd that Oak was so..jumpy, he is usually not like that and I am unsure what he meant by visitors rather not have. Also an extra guard watching Blisa will be needed"

"I think he was suggesting that an attempt is soon going to be made on your life," Nightbreath says flatly. "Odd indeed that he was jumpy...during the wars against Stormfeather he was nothing like that..."

A clack of coins is suddenly heard on the table, and a dark and ominous voice says in its monotonous tone. "An ale, please". The entire tavern including the bartender is spooked by his uncanny ability to appear out of nowhere, with no warning. He simply turns to Scioto and Nightbreath, his empty eye socket staring the black nothingness of the corner of the room while his good eye is focused on the two officials of the village. "Trouble I hear? Perhaps the village will needing old Sarah". Throughout this tone, his voice never wavers as he sips his ale. The ale is clearly going into his system, but like his approach, his method of drinking his also completely silent.

Scioto starts to answer Nightbreath when he hears and then sees "Markalaway...greetings" He blinks and looks at the seer "I have had other times beast wanted me dead, are you suggesting guards stay near me as well?"

Nightbreath doesn't even blink at the uncanny beast's entrance. "Do as you see fit," he says to Scioto. "Better to be overzealous in defense than to be regretful in death."

Markalaway finishes his ale. Really? It is done that quickly? I'm the omnipresent narrator of his actions, and even I didn't hear it. "Trouble means death, death means work. Although I do suppose I will defend this town if it comes to it". And as quickly as he appeared, Markalaway once again vanishes, leaving nothing but a dirty mug of ale as evidence of his presence. Damn, that guy is creepy.

Scioto rises an eye brow as the rat leaves and looks at the door, who else is coming and he sighs as he looks to Nightbreath "Do you..since anything to come?" He does sound slightly worried.

After concentrating for a moment, Nightbreath sighs, finally saying only this: "Only a storm, Scioto. Only a storm." Whether the storm is physical or metaphorical is anyone's guess.