The Silver Harp

Issachar saunters in, taking a seat across from Kellen.  He raises two fingers in the air to signal Rauno.   Some of your best spirits, my friend.  And put one on tab for Fizz, Prytania, and Ellife, should they drop by.

Kellen looks up and smiles, ahh, Iss my friend, how goes it?

Rauno ducks into the back room and is gone for several minutes.  When he returns he is still knocking off a few pieces of straw from a well kept bottle.   I think you'll enjoy this one, we just received a small shipment.  Whiskey, aged 50 years in darkwood barrels by Kyonin elves.   Rauno grabs three glasses from behind the bar as he describes the whiskey.  Setting all three on the table he opens the bottle and with a practiced hand pours liquid into each one without spilling a drop. Enjoy. 

Fizziwik comes in, wearing his normal mismatching brightly colored clothes with a preposterous hat, this one sporting 3 feathers.   Ah, Kellen, Iss, how goes all this fine day?   As he approaches the table Rauno brings over a taller chair and a step stool.   Thank you my good man, do you have any of that bison stew left from lunch?  If so I'd love a bowl.   Rauno nods as he heads towards the back.   I believe so, but let me check.

Shinon twitched a little bit flashing back to almost being impaled by the bison and falling unconcious.  She was not over that yet.  It was still in her head.  She stumbled into a table and sat hard into a chair feeling woozy.  

Viggo moves his drinks to Shinon's table. Need a drink? I happen to have an extra.

She shook her head, alcohol was the last thing she needed at the moment.   Thank you anyways.  Just having trouble after the buffalo incident...

Was it a close one? ... It must not have been your time to be judged. I'm not one for words, but i have been there. Viggo pauses for a drink.

She nodded to him.  I was gouged, fell and was out cold.  Much longer and I would be seeing my God face to face....   She looked up thinking of seeing the Goddess.  She did have a half glass of wine left.   I'll drink to still not being judged yet.  May the Goddess bless.

Toasts more chances to prove ourselves!  and downs the rest of the halfling style ale.

Since the two of you are here, let us have a toast with this fine whiskey.  To friendship, and doing what must be done!   Issachar raises his glass to his two companions, then downs the fiery drink in one gulp.   And to those who understand sacrifice.   With that, he carefully sets his glass on the table and takes a long look at Kellen.   Do what must be done to see this settlement become something worth fighting for, my friend.  Even when it requires sacrifice. Issachar stands, puts on his hat, shrugs, and walks to the door. We all do what we must.

Shinon drake to what Iss was talking about.  There was more happening then she understood.  She didn't want to ask though.  She waved as he left to the door and thanked him for the whiskey.  She sat there thinking about what he said, to those who understand sacrifice.... She didn't know if she did really know sacrifice yet since she was terrified when she fell after almost being killed.  She needed to get stronger and soon.

Kellen shakes his head as Iss walks out, muttering a bit and then finishing his drink. He sets his glass aside, and starts mapping out his plan for this month's exploration

Shinon went over to Kellen, thinking to herself... "Don't ask about what that was..."   Do you need any help?  Is there anything I should grab before we head out?

Kellen looks up from his mapping, i can handle the planning, just make sure you've got food and stuff. My cart is a bit smaller than id like, I was hoping to bring a rowboat along in the back, but it would take up all of the space. I guess yall could sit around in the rowboat, but that seems rather uncomfortable. If everyone else has a mount you could sit at the front with me and the boat would be fine. I need a new driver anyways. He stretches his arms a bit before returning to his work, Oh and if you see anybody else that needs a team to join in on, ours is still pretty open.

Shinon nodded.   Understood!  I'll go stock up on stuff, I can sit up front if there is nobody else if you want to store more stuff behind.  Or I can sit on a boat too, it wouldn't bother me too much.

Fizziwik is oddly quiet as Iss speaks, sensing that these words needed no story to help them along.  He downs his shot and smiles at Iss as he makes his remarks and leaves.  A few moments later Fizzy is snapped out of his reflections as Rauno drops off a bowl of stew. Mmmm, this smells good, thanks.   He takes a few bites of the stew and smiles, clearly satisfied.

Esmerelda comes out of the back, walks up to Rauno and whispers something.  Rauno smiles and nods.  As Esmerelda moves towards the stage, Rauno ducks behind the bar to get his lute.   Ladies and gentlemen, my sister will now sing for us a traditional Varisian song called Ay los Gitanos   With that, Esmerelda begins to sing as Rauno plays his lute.   Ay los gitanos somos así, somos errantes, Es nuestra forma de vivir, no hay quien la cambie. Recorremos los caminos, que nos llevan a qualquier parte y en la orillita del rio, desatamos nuestro arte. Oh oh oh, lalala lalalalala Ay unos cantan y otros bailan y es luna llena, Que se case una gitana, y esta noche vamos de fiesta. Y en la noche sonarán guitarras, palmas flamencas, y a la novia mírala, con un pañuelo de seda. Oh oh oh, lalala lalalalala Ay respetamos nuestras leyes como gitanos seguimos las tradiciones porque el tiempo va pasando. Porque son nuestras costumbres, las que Diós nos ha mandado, en la sangre lo llevamos, el flamenco es el gitano.

Not wanting to butt in again, Viggo writes up an advertisment.  Horse for rent, this month of Erastus, no cost, just return her in good condition. ... It continues with contact and horse details...named Blueberry.

Frerin approaches Viggo and starts talking to him: Heya mate. I see you're attorning a mount eh? If it's all the same, I would take good care of her. I am going to take a trip, exploring the southwest, and a good, steady, reliable horse is very welcome. What do you say?

I suppose I am. Just trying to help out our brave explorers.  Pulls down the flyer Good luck exploring with blueberry.

Thank you, I will bring her back to you as soon as I return. Goes off to check on Blueberry and get to know her (him?) before the trip.

Shinon signed up for a mission.   Hopefully this will be better then the buffalo was....