The Barons' Game

[Jebidiah]

Noting where they all were, Jebidiah made a thought known. "Let it be said, while the hospitality down here is wonderful, we should probably save strategy discussions for when we are not in a public locale. If this man is as unscrupulous as it has been said, I would expect him to have spies."

[Magikeeper]

The Table

'A: Good question, we're bringing them, and a very valid point! I like this team already. There is a distance penalty for each half-day a team goes without making a reasonable attempt for the flag, with the definition of 'attempt' getting every more rigorous as the days past by. There are rules for sending in additional supplies, but no game's ever lasted longer than three weeks."

'T: It'd be incredibly difficult for the game to go any longer than that; the teams involved basically waited until they were forced to set the flags next to each other.'

'A: Ah, I hear the carriage. We'll be off then, enjoy your meal.'

Javier gives a short bow. "The call has concluded, Monsieurs and Mademoiselles. I thank you for your patronage."

Bruce hands him more than a few coins - message passing appears to be quite the lucrative business.

The Master'd Bar

The bar master turned around. He was a big man. Very big. You'd think he was part bear if he wasn't so obviously an elf. Unlike the waiter, he has two functional eyes. Also unlike the water, his left hand is a metallic claw. The set of extensions behind him further suggested he had specialized hand-implements for all manner of drink making and fight ending. Also brush clearing, given the machete-hand sitting above some of the others on a nice holding rack.

"What sort of limp-wristed juice-rippler of a bartender would I be if I didn't understand bartender-customer confidentiality?" The bar master's voice was as rough as a sandpaper mill. "State the level of secrecy you desire. If no one's dying, no one's prying as the saying goes. Offer invalid for matters involving the safety of small children and.. He sighed. "...and certain species of duck." The master shrugged. "I say the duck thing's gone too far, personally, but Baron Ecolaides is very persuasive. As for my name, it is Cabot. Bar Master Cabot IV, if you are the precise sort. I like those sorts."

[Darby]

"I like you, Bar Meister Calbot, or whatever. Afer this job, I might know something useful other than what drugs Fairys can sell you off the coast. Then I'll come back and let you know what level of secrecy I desire. By the way, what species of duck should I be on the lookout for?"

[Magikeeper]

The Master'd Bar

"The warbling crescent-eyed duck. It's rather rare in these parts, but the Baron's been cultivating them so keep an eye out in the inner woods, if you're heading there." He motioned towards the group sitting back at Javier's booth, switching from words to magic as a whispering echoes within Darby's ears. "You participating in that game? I pay better for secrets open for resale, and I just happen to have such a secret regarding the Desmarais family. I'll trade it for a later retelling of your.. fey interactions."

The Table
OOC: For the sake of moving this along, Darby can be both eating his food and chatting with the bar master in the recent past. Just don't start a bar fight or start a fire or anything.

A reasonable amount of time passed before the food started to arrive, giving those present plenty of time to share their stories. Or not. Bruce, for his part, asked Nathaniel how his trip had been and if he had any plans for what he'd be doing after the game.

The food itself looked and smelled delightful, and the taste more than lived up to expectations. The seasonings, the textures, the perfect balance of hot and cold, it was truly no surprise that this inn was packed to the gills with patrons. A little pricey, but quite the bargain given the quality. Even the gruel was pretty good, to the extent gruel could be good without becoming something else.

Jedidiah found himself served a plate of Fish Paesano complete with accompanying pasta and garlic bread. There were apparently a few options for the fish; the waiter had set the good doctor up with a variety platter.

"Is there anything else you desire, monsieurs and mademoiselles?"

[Nathaniel]

To Bruce: "Well, after the game is over, I'd like to travel across the continent. I grew up in a Mining Village, so I've only heard stories about the world at large. I'm also going to improving my magic; my final task from my teacher." Nathan said, leaving out the part where he has to DEFEAT her in a magic duel. He still wonders if it's even possible. He'd seen her melt solid steel like it was nothing.

[Jebidiah]

Jebidiah offered his thanks for the meal and dug in. "The world really is beautiful. I've been near the mountains, but never really up in the towns there. Spent a lot of time over on the west coast helping the injured when the pirates attacked. I do love traveling though. Not only do you get to learn the ways of life for others, but I get the chance to help everyone. From those who can't afford the dirt on their feet to the ones who think they have everything. It's a humbling experience."

[Darby]

[Past]

Darby extended his hand for a handshake immediately. Secrets now in exchange for secrets later? What a bargain!

[Present]

Darby chowed all the way down, and then answered the question about his future plans.

"Well, I suppose I'll collect my winnings and then I'll go left. Left hasn't failed me yet. I always find something new when I go far enough left."

[Nathaniel]

"So then Jebidiah, where would you recommend to go on the west coast? And Darby, wouldn't going left all the time just put you into a big circle?"

[Heulen]

Between mouthfuls of chicken, bones and all, and pulls from one of his tankards, Heulen began to speak to the others about his own plans.

"I'm just trying to figure out how I ended up in the mountains, and here in general. Also what's up with all of this."

Heulen points at his animal features.

[Darby]

Darby stops chewing long enough to look contemplative.

"Life is a big circle."

Then he starts eating again, with no hint that there had ever been a brief moment of self reflection.