The Inn Of The Mirthful Jester Stables

[Shadowdragon]

Bringing Rir (the black panther) into the stables to spend the night Angel is caught by the sudden storm and forced to wait here with him. Looking around she is surprised to find she isn't the only Human habitating the Stables.

[Angel]

Oh, excuse me. I didn't expect anyone else to be out here. The innkeeper said Rir couldn't be in the inn so I was bringing him out here to get him comfortable for the night, when the rain started up. My name's Angel, I am a priestess of Sol the Beastmaster. Who are you?

[Hannibal]

Um...excuse me Angel. Hannibal says, poking his torso in through the main door. I'm going to scout off to the north of town, and see if I can find any clues to this lake you all are lookin' for. I'll be back, or catch you up, in a couple of days.

[Morgan Coldsoul]

His eyes twinkling from the shadows, Malkin chuckles at Angel. "A little wet for you, too, I wager."

[Angel]

Yes, it is quite wet. Sorry, you seem to have caught my name, but I didn't catch yours.

[Morgan Coldsoul]

"Sorry. Name's Malkin. Lord Malkin."

The man steps from the shadows, their darkness seeming to cling to him. His skin is pale and slimly muscular underneath, and his black hair hangs in small braids to his shoulders. Both cheeks are tattooed with something resembling clawmarks, and his arms are covered with blue and red flame markings. He moves economically and gracefully, and his voice is pleasant to the ear, although the glint in his eye and his slightly arrogant manner makes him seem sinister.

[Angel]

Greetings Lord Malkin. I'm here with a party searching out Orb Lake. I kinda got stuck over here with that horrible downpour. You ever hear of it, the lake I mean?

[Rir the Panther]

Please note that unless you cast a speak with animals or similar spell,or have a power similar to Angel's, you will not know what Rir is saying unless Angel tells you. These posts are for her benefit.

I'm not entirely sure we should trust him mistress. There's something...different...about his scent. And be cautious mistress. I can scent two others here, that we can not see.

[Shadowdragon]

The rain is finally starting to let up outside. From within the stables you can hear the calls of the night creatures as they emerge from their shelters. The howls of wolves can be heard in the distance, and the whoing of owls echo through the sleeping town.

Suddenly, the clean straw of an empty stall begins moving and two heads appear, at least you think it's two heads, that or you're seeing double. Two identical teen boys, only diferentiated by the color of their clothes, wiping the sleep from their eyes, get up from under the straw.

Hello, has the rain stopped yet?
Yes, hello. We could hear the wolves out again, not to mention the two of you and that cat growling. Makes it kinda hard to sleep ya know. My name's Ferdie, my dad owns these stables and the inn. That's my brother.
Alfie's my name. Let's see, you're Angel, a priestes of the Beastmaster. And you're Malkin, lord of cats? Did I get that right?
If that's your horse miss Angel, it'll cost 6 silvers to board it here each night, and another 4 for feed. The panther can stay for 4 silvers a night, so that'll total 14 silvers.
Please pay in advance for each night, starting with tonight.

[Morgan Coldsoul]

Malkin snorts at the boys. "We'll see." Then he growls, deep in his throat, as the wolves howl, a feral sound very close to that of an angry tiger. "I hate dogs."

He glances at Angel, then at Rir, eyes narrowed. "Never heard of the lake. I'm new in these lands. Might you introduce me to your...companion?" He seems to lose all interest in the priestess upon sighting the cat.

[Angel]

Paying the boys 3 gold Angel says There, that'll cover 2 nights with a nice tip for each of you. Lord Malkin, this is Rir. He's not technically mine, but a traveling companion. We met along the road here from Behilla. He's been helping us scout the trail since we met. Can you speak with cats Lord Malkin? I can, he doesn't quite trust you. He thinks something's wrong with your scent.

[Shadowdragon]

Thanks ma'am
Yes, thanks

The wolves howl again in the distance, and a barn owl's screech suddenly startles the four of you, and Angel's horse. The horse's sudden movement shakes loose one of the snake handled daggers from the pack, causing it to fall to the ground.

[Morgan Coldsoul]

In the process of paying his own price--with no tip--to the two boys, the cat-lord smiles. "Oh, I can communicate with cats, all right. He's uneasy because he smells the blood on me." He turns, his handsome face twisted in a sly grin.

Malkin's eyes narrow at the screech of the owl. When the dagger hits the ground, though, his eyes widen, and he is on it like a leaping jaguar, hitting the ground, grabbing the weapon, rolling forward, and coming back to his feet in one smooth motion. Whirling on the priestess, he brandishes the dagger fiercely.

"Where did you get this!?" he growls.

[Angel]

It was found on a brigand that attacked us as we traveled here from the south. Six of them attacked us and so there are six of those daggers in my pack, or among our group anyway, since a couple of the guys are still carrying them (I think). Why do you ask in such a manner? Does the design hold a special meaning to you?

[Shadowdragon]

There is a picture of the snake dagger in the Character Sheet and Treasure thread.