Tales of Faerun

[josh900]

"Well that's more like it." Tannin smirked as the plate of quail was placed in front of him. "As Shalena said we come from all over. Our leader there hails from Neverwinter. Nawen I think is from the furthest north, Icewind Dale and all that. Me I make my home in either Waterdeep or Neverwinter depending on both the season and what's in season."

 

Azuris meanwhile looked rather disappointed that there wasn't more fish, though taking a bite of the quail wasn't something he regretted. He ignored their host question and focused on the food in front of him, it having been a rather long time since he last had such delicious food.

 

Lucas nodded to Rhaine and started to eat. Savoring the taste and going at it rather slowly, he had yet to finish when the second plate was set in front of him. For a moment he was rather confused by the second helping until it dawned on him that the fish were probably just an appetizer, or at least what a man the size of Menarses would consider one.

[AurianaValoria1]

Rhaine glanced sideways at Tannin, "I have severed my connections with Neverwinter. It is, perhaps, better to call me a Waterdhavian, now."

 

To Shalena, Menarses replied, "Fascinating, fascinating. I have not been anywhere beyond the borders of our fair land. I have had no need. And, if I may be frank, I do not think there is anywhere I would rather be. It is paradise, is it not?" He leaned backwards in his char and put his hands behind his head.

 

"It's something," Zorica muttered, not quite certain she would describe it so melodramatically.

 

They continued to eat, mostly in relative silence, the servants coming forward without being asked in order to fill any glass that fell below half-full. As plates were finished, they were taken away and replaced with clean dishes and utensils. Finally, the servers came through the doors a third time with more trays of food - this time full of assorted honey cakes and fresh figs.

 

Zorica exchanged open-mouthed looks with Conall; both were almost full to bursting already and could not fathom eating another bite. Argyros, on the other hand, seemed to have a hollow leg, and he wordlessly took three honey cakes for his own.

[Llhunara]

Llhunarra enjoyed her own drink above anything that was presented before. The food was of wonderful quality, but there was something about the sweet mixture of wine and whiskey that just couldn’t be topped. Focusing mostly on the fruit and sides she doesn’t touch the fish, the half-elf not really a fan of it despite the fact she had grown up so close to the ocean. The quail on the other hand wasn’t something she wasn’t about to pass up. Taking a healthy portion of it, perhaps more than should be allotted to one person, she might have thought herself a bit rude…if it wasn’t for how much food Shalena stacked on her plate.

 

Eating happily she looks over to Menarses as he asked about their origins, eyes shifting to the piratess as she gives the general answer for the group. It was no surprise that they came from various parts of the Realms, their mixed heritages having hinted at that from the beginning. Not really part of the large group, only a recent tag along Llhunarra pipes up between mouthfuls of food.

 

“I am from Assur, but originally Memnon.” The female not even taking her eyes from her plate as she answers, figuring it mattered little where she was from. She only provided the answer because their host had asked for it. After all he was letting them enjoy his establishment and all it had to offer for free even if it wasn’t really his choice. The least she could do was answer his questions.

 

With another sip of her glass she frowns as it runs dry, having to shift some again to pull the flask free so that she could refill it. With one goblet of the mixture already finished she felt the familiar tingling in her extremities, a faint smile hovering on her lips. Tonight was going to be a good night.

[Deleted6317247User]

Nawen's reaction was the same as Conall's and Zorica's when she saw servants bringing even more food, but this time she didn't try any of the sweets but instead she took a glass of wine and took a small sip of the drink. It was of a much higher quality when she was used to drinking. Even expensive wines she was sometimes given alongside payment from more wealthy people she scouted for, paled in comparison to this.

 

Shalena finished about half of the food she had on her plate when she noticed the newly brought sweets. "Oooh, honey cakes." She said happily as she took two pieces of it.

[josh900]

"Fair enough." Tannin replied to Rhaine before happily helping himself to a honey cake.

 

Lucas's eyes nearly bulged out of their sockets as desert was served. He could honestly say that he had never seen this much food at one sitting in his entire life.

 

Azuris meanwhile was reminded of old stories of human looking monsters offering weary travelers vast quantity's of food as a way of fattening them up before eating them in the night. He made a mental note to sleep with an eye open and a hand on his sword just in case.

[AurianaValoria1]

Zorica made a mental note to ask about the cities Llhunarra mentioned, as she had heard of neither of them. Conall was more concerned with the flask the girl kept using, wondering what exactly was in it and why she wouldn't touch the wine that Menarses provided. Argyros, on the other hand, was far too engrossed in eating and savoring the flavors of Mulhorandi cuisine to pay any attention to the newcomer.

 

Menarses smiled as if entranced, and his dark eyes glittered with fascination, "We must get to know each other better over the next few days...you all seem so interesting. I would wish to hear the tales of your journeys and where you plan on going after your important mission here is complete. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for one such as I, you see."

 

Once the meal began to draw to an end, Rhaine finally spoke up again, "I thank you for your generosity in allowing us to stay here and satisfy our hunger. However, as much as I am sure some of us would like to remain here and exchange stories with you, I think we could all use rest, now - we've been traveling for days. You mentioned the guest quarters for sleeping?"

 

"Of course, of course!" Menarses nodded emphatically, clapping once, sharply. A young Mulhorandi maiden clad in a white linen gown stepped forward, upon her head a circlet of gold that held up a trailing white veil atop her waist-length, black hair. Their host nodded to her, "This is Sasiu. She will show you to the rooms and make sure you receive everything you need for the night."

 

The girl bowed to them, but said nothing.

 

Rhaine was the first to stand, rising slowly to join the girl's side. She hadn't even noticed Anhsu playfully batting at the lowermost feathers of her wings, and the great cat mischievously slunk back into the shadows after being caught. Conall and Zorica followed soon after, the latter having to literally pull Argyros away from the table.

 

At last, Zorica voiced the question she was sure the others were thinking, and she hoped she did not regret her inquiry, "Menarses...your servants are not slaves, are they?"

 

Their host smiled slyly, "No. They are not. They are paid for their work a percentage of the estate's profits. However," he leaned forward, "do not be surprised to see slaves in other cities and towns in this land. It is rather commonplace. Some of these servants are former slaves, themselves." He paused before adding, "Also...should you encounter slaves whilst within our borders, fear not for their circumstance; it is strictly forbidden by the laws of our kings and gods to treat a slave poorly. That is, perhaps, somewhat different than the slavery you have encountered elsewhere in this world."

[Deleted6317247User]

Nawen was glad when another servant entered the hall ready to show them to their rooms. She was looking forward to spend an evening resting, maybe looking around the mansion to see what else is there. The drow stood up from her seat and joined Rhaine by the girl. Before they left the dining hall she heard Zorica inquiring whether the servants here are slaves, but it was the merchant's answer that made her frown. "The kings can pretty it up all they like," she mumbled, "but slavery is still slavery."

 

Shalena, similarly to Argyros wasn't so pleased to leave the table but before she stood up, she snatched a bunch of green grapes and joined the others. She was far too busy eyeing all the beautiful and expensive items around the room to join in or even listen to the conversation.

[Llhunara]

While she chose to let the plates of sweets pass her by without taking anything, such things not mixing well with her drink, Llhunarra does not miss Zorica’s question. Peering over her freshly refilled glass at the merchant she was equally attentive as he gave them the answer that most would expect. The servants on the large estate worked for pay, not like full slaves worked under the whips of their masters. Of course this establishment seeming to be one of the few places of income in the immediate area so the half-elf had to wonder how much freedom they really had. If you had to work for the merchant or let your family starve were you not just a slave without shackles?

 

Regardless she was glad to hear they were not physically forced into their situations, the opportunity to branch out if they so chose not forbidden. Having slid her chair back and propped her boots on the edge of the dining table, she carefully puts them back to the floor. Sasui was apparently their escort to whatever chambers awaited them and quite full now the rogue was ready to move on to the next part of the night, bathing. Whether the room she was shown had a bath of its own or she had to make her way to the public ones, there was no force in all of Faerun that was going to stop her from bathing. At that thought her eyes shift to Argyros…well maybe there were a couple things.

 

Goblet in hand she raises to her feet, stretching some as she moves over towards Sasui. Giving the female a once over, the noticed while her gown was simply it was rather well made, not the garb of a slave. Directing a small smile at the girl she stands at the ready to be shown to their quarters, taking another sip of her drink while waiting for the rest of the party to gather.

[josh900]

"A bath certainly does sound nice." Tannin remarked as he rose to his feet. "I'd say we're due for a bit of luxury after all this time."

 

"One... would be nice." Lucas piped up. Much of the food in front of him remaining untouched.

 

Azuris meanwhile grunted in agreement, taking off the last bit of meat off his quail.

[Flipout6]

As the dinner progressed, Sybille- in-between giant mouthfuls of quail - proceeded to explain that herself, her brothers and the Ordain sisters were from Westgate, and went on to comment that it was apparently a hotspot for both criminals and dracolich-slayers. As the dinner wound down, suddenly Sybille found herself eager for a bath and some rest. The attitude seemed to be shared amongst everyone in the group.

 

"I ought to shave, too..." Arland muttered. "Can't have myself looking like Azuris..."

 

"Or someone who's never heard of a razor. Which is what you actually look like." Marie commented, thumping him on the arm. He shot her a grin. "Greasy enough to fry bacon."

 

"Bacon..." Suddenly Arland's eyes were distant.

 

"Oh, great. Now he's off in la-la land. Nice job, Marie." Sybille jabbed.

 

"He's probably imagining you wearing nothing but bacon, sister." In came Annette on a blazing saddle. Metaphorically.

 

"There are worse things to think about." Marie shrugged, raising what Annette hoped was a sarcastic coy eyebrow.

 

"Damn right..." Arland murmured. Sybille thumped him.

 

"Mind out of the gutter please."

 

"But it lives there!" Arland protested.

Edited November 11, 2014 by Flipout6