Forums » Fantasy Roleplay » That Fancy Drinking Cup That Everybody Wants

The woman saddled her horse with bristling efficiency, arranging the saddlebags on the beast and placing the necessary travelling supplies inside them. Grain was not necessary, considering the lands that the group was heading towards. Camping supplies, on the other hand... the woman had already placed a rope around one of the four saddlebags, with a map and a bedroll strapped to the back of the saddle.

The saddlebags themselves contained a few strange vials and potions, besides the amount of food necessary for the first few days of travel, a waterskin, a tinderbox, a small whestone and oil, a box of needle and gut, and a variety of pouches that contained different currencies of the small kingdoms that they could pass through. There were Lindish jots and tans, Coventer's copper coins in different sizes, Rhudaur's marks and mettles, all of different values and locations.

Marchesa herself was dressed for travelling, with her hooded travel cloak comfortable enough for long hours of riding, warm and resistant enough to ward her from the weather, and practical enough to not restrict her movements in a confrontation. There was a sheathed sword hanging by the belt of her dress, and she wore riding boots and leather gloves. All in all, the co-leader of the expedition was dressed for the occasion.

Her companion was also dealing with his own steed. Ben had already saddled his own horse, and was currently buckling a small pouch to one of the horse's saddlebags, stroking its flank with his right hand. Marchesa glanced over her shoulder at the lutecase strapped to his horse's back, along with Ben's own bedroll and something else wrapped in cloth.

"So, are you not going to tell them what's in there?" Marchesa asked, with a faint hint of mischief. Ben had refrained from revealing the objects wrapped inside the cloth to their fellow adventurers-to-be so far.

"What, you think I should, darlin'? So soon?" The red headed bard asked maliciously, mounting his horse with agility, his cruel-looking steel spear at his back, and turning it to face Marchesa with a soft touch of his boots. The woman, not be outdone, mounted her own white steed quickly afterwards.

"It would probably not be wise, I must admit, but do try not to drop it. It could create quite a scandal, specially for our pointy eared friend."

"And the knight, as well. I wonder how his head is feeling after all that ale. Then again, I've heard dwarves are exceptionally sturdy when it comes to alcohol. " Ben gave her a pointed look, followed by a smirk, both of which Marchesa magnanimously decided to ignore.

They had agreed on decidedly trying to enlist the two, the previous night. The elf could be useful in any possible dealings with his kin in the borders of Linde's darker forests. The same applied for the dwarven knight. Despite being exiled, he could still carry some influence with other dwarven clans.

As for the half-elven waitress and the pacifist girl...those could be less useful, but important nonetheless. Even if the girl reeked of death and Marchesa's strong suspicions about the state of her organic tissues.

"I wish we had managed to gather more." Marchesa said softly, a line of concern crossing her usually impavid face. She made her horse trot closer to Baen's, and followed his gaze, which headed towards the dusty road, that led into (and most importantly, out) of the village, from which the other members of their group would come.

"Do not worry, my lady. Losing is for other people." Ben said flippantly as he gave his companion a kiss from atop his horse. Marchesa laughed and responded with the same fiery passion, but quickly withdrew from the kiss as she saw someone approaching.

"Ben, they're here." Marchesa turned her horse around and trotted over to the newcomers, leaving the bard to watch her figure by the light of the rising sun.

Valder slept like a baby that night. Despite having drank what he figured was at least half of that inn's stock, he did not suffer from any hangover whatsoever. It was possible the Dwarf was still drunk, but it didn't seem that way. He certainly had a good appetite despite the previous night. About three plates of oats and sausages later he walked out of the inn with whoever followed.

With the two contractors in sight, the Dwarf waddled on by, pulling at his behind to get some unfortunate pants out of a compromised position."Morning." Valder spoke as he got to his pony and started saddling it.

"Morning!"Isabelle declared cheerfully, trotting over to the group on her Goat, which was already saddled up and packed. Isabelle also seemed to have grabbed somethings from around town, judging by the bag she was carrying and the saddle bags on her goat, most of which were full of vials. Each vial held a liquid of a different color, but they all seemed to glow. "Are all of you guys ready to head off yet?"Isabelle asked.

It was not from the town that the elf approached, for it was not at the inn that he had slept. Even with the strange happenings, Elodar approached from the trees, his steps matched by an elk that carried what supplies he deemed necessary to keep. The animal snorted its dissatisfaction at being around strange people again, but kept relatively calm, all things considered.

He did not greet as the others did, but stopped and stood silently attentive upon reaching the group - who so far, he had given only the name "Blue Jay." The only greeting he offered was a nod to anyone who met his dark eyes.

Yester was the last one to approach the group, sending the party members she locked eyes with tired, apologising smiles. It had taken a most of the night to convince Elise to let her leave, so she hadn't exactly gotten much time to pack, and even less to say her goodbyes to friends and quaintnesses. Sleep had altogether been out of the equation.

The waitress feminine updo was now replaced by a long, tunic, somewhat loose leggings, a dark, woollen cloak reaching down to her thighs and a bridled and saddled, dapple-grey mare in hand. The horse along with a few other things had been a parting gift from Elise. It was nothing exotic, but still a very generous farewell.

The mare had a few satchels hanging from it's saddle and Yester a few knives sheathed on a belt covering her lower hips, but she seemed to have packed little else besides that as she gave some of the stranger mounts in the group curious glances. Specifically, some sort of bigger goat and an elk.

"Good morning." Marchesa greeted the group affably, reigning her steed to a halt as she approached the dwarf, the girl and the former waitress. The elf, who had momentarily suprised her as he stepped out of the trees, made Marchesa wonder if he had listened to a part of their conversation. Brushing any doubts from her mind, she turned her attention towards the girl mounted on the goat.

"Oh, I hope so!" The woman exclaimed lightly as she lowered her hood and went through the process of tying her hair into a ponytail, balancing herself on her steed with ease." We have got a long journey ahead of us. We wanted to cover the road to Tinwen by nightfall, with few stops along the way." The woman commented, turning her horse around.

"How is the head, Sir? Is the legendary resilience of the dwarves that I have heard so much about to be confirmed, judging by your ability to remain standing after last night?" She inquired, grinning as she glanced backwards, and not only at the dwarf. The former waitress looked tired. Marchesa guessed she wasted a perfectly useful night's sleep saying her fairwells to the villagers. Then again, perhaps it was for the best, considering their destination.

Ben also beginning to approach the newcomers, waving a greeting towards the group with one hand as he rode. He stopped his stallion close to the elf. The red headed bard glanced at the animal, whistling in appreciation. "Nice elk." As a rule, the bard was generally good with animals, but he refrained from too much proximity towards the elk: it probably had a bond towards the elf, considering it's acceptance at being used as a steed. Even so, the man was curious. "Did your clan already work with them, or did you befriend this one yourself?"

As the Dwarf lovingly brushed Skiddle, he narrowed his eyes that the Elf and his Elk."Pfuh, typical Elven prissy mount. At least the goat has some class." He grumbled, not admitting his jealousy towards the magnificent steed Elodar rode. As soon as he was done brushing, he got onto his shaggy pony and took a few steps forward.

"Of course my head's fine, lass. I've once downed an entire barrel of whiskey in one go and next morning I was as fresh as a dandelion in a gentle breeze. This was nothing." It was only a half truth. He did down an entire barrel of whiskey once, but next morning he was more akin to to a dandelion squashed by a brick. But the others didn't need to know that.

"Well, if you do ever start feeling bad thanks to all those drinks I'm sure I've got a potion or two that can help ya out."Isabelle said. "Oh, you look terrible!"Isabelle said when she noticed Yester. "Uh... no offense."She added awkwardly. "Did you not get much sleep last night?"She asked.

"Both," the elf stated plainly, almost a grunt. He had looked toward the bard as the man had approached, but already turned his face away again, looking utterly disinterested in anything. Blue Jay also ignored the the comment from the dwarf. As the others made their chatter, he merely waited to begin the journey.

"What a horrible thing to say," Yester playfully replied to Isabelle's comment, before gingerly adding "-but, yes dear. I didn't really get any sleep. You know, had to give my goodbyes to acquaintances and have a looong talk with the tavern owner." She punctuated her answer with a big yawn, before somewhat clumsily mounting her new steed, as it had been a long time since she last rode one and she had a mild distrust of these animals, but the young mare seemed calm enough.

Once somewhat confident the horse wasn't about to send her flying, Yester gave the peculiar girl a small smile. She appreciated the her concern, and if things continued like this they were definitely going to get along well. As for the rest of the group she could only hope. Tough she'd seemed to have an okay start with Marchessa, helping her with the local biography an all, Elodar, Walder and Ben she hadn't gotten much of a chance to converse with. That is if you ignore serving the dwarf only gods know how many mugs of ale...Tough she had to admit that the dwarf and bard seemed like likeable enough fellows, if not a tad loud. The stoic elf on the other hand was hard to get an impression of.She couldn't really tell if he was simply stuck up, distrusted of strangers, or just was of a quiet nature.

Sneaking a look at the conversation Ben was having the elf, Marchesa threw a pretty smile at the dwarf. "I'm sure you did, Sir. Perhaps once this is over we'll share a drink, and I'll see your drinking abilities for myself. Perhaps before this is over, as a matter of fact. We might have to cross through a few cities." The woman spoke softly." I hope you didn't have too much trouble saying fairwell to the town. Were you born there?"

Ben shrugged at the elf, feeling like this particular travel companion wasn't one that talked too much. Weren't his lot supposed to be eloquent? He directed his horse towards the former waitress and the strange girl on the goat, approaching them with a cheeky grin. "Good with alchemy, Isabelle? And I think Yester's having more trouble with her steed than anything. Need any assitance, m'lady?" The man spoke softly, and he lay a hand on her mare. "I'd be happy to give you a hand with some more riding techniques after we actually begin our trip." His grin grew wider and definitely cheekier, . Then the bard's voice rose, reaching everyone in their group.

"Speaking of which, shall we begin? Tinwen awaits. So does the Chalice, for that matter, although I doubt we'll find something of worth in that town."

"Aye! Enough dawdling! Let's go get that cup!" The Dwarf shouted as he spurred his pony to move. Skiddel moved at a slow but steady pace, enough to keep up with the larger horses even.

"Do you think you'll need some energy? I dunno if it'd work or not, but I know and made alot of potions last night to help heal any wounds or ailments we may get whilst we're going to get that cup. If you'd like I can give you a generic potion that's used to heal minor injuries of all kinds. It might help give you some energy."Isabelle said.

From there, the elf might as well have not even been present. He was visibly there, of course, but he kept out of the chatter, and even his mount was utterly silent compared to the others heavier steps. Still, Blue Jay was clearly alert and aware of his surroundings, his eyes habitually scanning everything. He even took a deeper breath now and then, as if sniffing, though never when he was downwind from or too near to Isabelle.

((Whatever further bits may happen before they actually leave, just pretend this post comes after and assume his silence. He's not likely to speak up unless addressed directly or something crazy happens anyway.))

Yester smiled awkwardly at Marchesa, answering "Besides the lack of time for it, not much, but than you for your concerns." As for Ben she could only roll her eyes, before dramatically replying "I'm sure poor lil' me will somehow manage." Not to say she minded the attention, so she proceeded explaining in a more friendly tone "But please make no mistake, I have rode a steed before. It's just that ever since a childhood incident where a old, halfblind horse mistook my hair for some sort of treat I've had a somewhat sceptical relation to them. Reason I first started keeping my hair short and don't really feel like one can trust something so strong, yet dimwitted. But then again, folk say that if you don't trust your steed it won't trust you." She shrugged at her last statement, as if to demonstrate that she knew this was a weakness on hear part.

The former waitress then turned her attention back to Isabelle, considering her offer. " Afraid it depend on what herbs you use. I remember once my mother gave me a Leaftan brew to ease a headache and it gave me the worst stomach-pains I've ever felt. Can't really handle Nidroth that well either. But thank you for the offer." Yester pushed her knees lightly into her mares sides, signalling for her to move.

"Oh, but of course!" The bard raised his hands amicably, managing to keep his steed's balance, but not a smile off his face. "Poor lil' you can manage without my help. I just thought it'd be more pleasant for us both if we got along. It's a long journey, after all! We might as well get to know each other. " He incited his horse forward. "Well, perhaps that horse was not so half blind after all. You know what they say about treats. They come in many shapes and forms!" The bard threw her an amused look, then his attention turned vaguely more serious. "What they say about the horses is mostly right, of course. You need to show them trust for them to trust you. The fact that you trust them - or not- is irrelevant to a degree." Ben's philosofy didn't only apply to horses. Not that there was much of a difference.

His companion led the line, discreetely listening to the conversation that Yester and Isabelle were having. Marchesa decided to keep her thoughts on the matter of healing and potions to herself. It'd be no use offering her own skills to the mix, especially when she wanted to find more about just what exactly the girl was capable of.

As the group rode on, the Dwarf was surprisingly silent. After a short while he slowed in pace until he rode next to Ben."Say, lad. You're a bard, aren't you? If I were to tell you about my exploits, would you turn them into a song? I've had bards sing about me before, but they were hardly anything worthy. You seem to have a certain air about you. How about it? I'd pay you for your time."

"Oh. Hmm..... when we stop next I can try and cook up some potions without those ingredients. Gonna need to get more ingredients though."Isabelle said. "Could you tell me what herbs don't bother you at all?"Isabelle asked. "I do have some left over, but most of them are used by Florin, like me, and Florin have different dietary habits than Humans."Isabelle said. "Wouldn't wanna give you something that'd upset your stomach."Isabelle added.

Elodar just kept going on in silence.

"Why, aren't you a witty charmer." Yester replies to Ben, chuckling a little, after which she nods at the bards last statement, seeing the logic behind it. She then proceeded to turn back to Isabelle, a light smile still covering her painted lips as she answers "Well, outside of outright poisonous ones and the two I mentioned I shouldn't have any problems. But no need to bother yourself if you don't have anything sweetie. The shifts at the tavern have occasional been somewhat organized, so it's not like I haven't gone trough days without sleep before." She goes silent for a second, as if contemplating, before asking "-But if you don't mind my curiosity, who are the Florin? Can't say I've heard of you before."