Another quiet day's hike brings you to Inner Sanctum. Entering the town, Valdar takes you to the Fish, an inn.
That night, after Occa, Pharian and Phil have bought material components, Orlon has communed and Occa has identified, you all adjourn to the common room of the Fish. The drinks are plentiful and very good, and Jesse plays and sings to you and the other patrons.
After awhile, the door opens and a woman enters.
She is strikingly beautiful though petite, with green eyes and blonde hair done up in a big way. Fashionably dressed, she nevertheless looks a little trail worn.
Jesse lets out a low whistle. "I'd like to dedicate the next song to the young lady who just walked in."
He then begins a haunting air on the flute.
She smiles at the bard and continues walking to the bar, enjoying the attention.
Still sad over the death of Dani, Salaam smiles at the girl but tries not to show pleasure of her beauty. He stands up and says, "Ma'am" and leaves the table. He goes to the barkeep and asks how to get to the monastery of Ilmater out of town.
The previously snoozing mage, though, is wide awake now.
Occa says, "Hey baby, why don't you join us?"
The short blonde woman stops in her tracks and looks over to the source of the voice. With a cool look, she adjusts her diamond studded haircomb and straightens the bodice of her green gown.
"I know you were not referring to me." she turns away, sailing regally towards the bar.
Occa yawns and says, "Where is the knowledge lost in information?"
He takes a swig from the bottle of jack daniels next to him.
She looks startled by the comment but continues to the bar. When the hapless barkeeper is a tad slow in servicing her request, she begins speaking rather loudly.
"Do you have any idea of who I am? In Sandas, I would have already had my meal presented to me in a private dining room along with the very best wine you had to offer! Shall I explain who I am - so you can get it right? I am Catrina Van Der Linden." She pauses, apparently expecting some kind of reaction.
"Cat Van Der Who?" asks the barkeeper.
"VAN DER LINDEN!" she snaps.
"Are you or are you not going to get me a private dining room?" She asks, barely holding back her anger. "I have been on the road for days ... I have been sleeping on the ground, eating half cooked food with a band of worthless and cowardly adventurers ... my hands are raw, my bottom is raw ... and I want a private dining room right now? Is that too much to ask of an eating establishment?"
"Please." She tacks on, as an afterthought.
"Of course, yer Majesty," replies the barkeeper, and calls for a serving maid.
Occa takes another swig (looks like he is going to party tonight) and says, "I am the Duke of Earl! A number 1!"
"Now, a lovely little song about the most fair of all, the Queen Genvier, who had nothing on the Lady Catrina Van Der Linden."
Oh Genevieve, I'd give the world...
The woman turns around with a puzzled look when the song is done, but then shrugs and begins to berate the barkeep.
Gonzo will polish off his ale and sidle up to the bar near the newcomer... looking her over, he will bat his eyes in a dwarvish way... and then look her full in the face...reach out, grasp her hand, and encircle her waist with his other arm.
"What?!" She says, backing away. "Just what do you think you are doing. Get your filthy hands off me!" She swings her hand, trying to connect with his face.
"You are surely my long lost love... won't you come upstairs and reacqaint our previous passion?"
"P-Previous! P-pass ... Oh! I never ... how dare you!" She stutters angrily.
He'll then drop his hand and goose her.
She again tries to strike him, backing away quickly ...
Gonzo ducks under her palm and leers at her.
"Ooooo baby... don't you remember me?" he says, breathing heavily her direction, the reek of ale heavy on his breath. He's really ugly for a dwarf... must be the way his nose sits on his face or something.
She begins casting a spell ....
"HOLD, gentle woman, my poor excuse of a traveling companion is obviously inebriated. I apologize for his ill behavior, what may I do to appease you ?" Salaam says to interrupt her spell.
She ignores the man's request and continues casting ...
The barkeeper grabs one of her gesturing hands, totally disrupting things.
"Beggin' yer pardon, yer Highness," he says, "But it's bad for business to'go bespelling my customers. Now relax an' have a drink on th' house, 'er I'll be askin' ye t'leave.
"As fer you," he says to the drunken Gonzo. "Keep yer hands off'of Her Holyness or ye'll be sleepin' in the jail t'night."
"Salaam, are you saying I'm a dwarf who can't hold 'is liquor?" says Gonzo, also momentarily distracted.
"Can't you see I'm trying to intice this young lady to join us in our quest? Surely someone as pretty as she would be a wonderful asset for those long cold nights like the last few we've experienced."
Then back to Cat... "Come now Cat, surely you remember me... wait a minute..." Gonzo peers curiously at the girl and then says... "Well... I never! Your not the woman I obviously have mistaken you for... please accept my appologies... may I buy you a drink?"
Jesse looks at the crowd. "Excuse me, I'll be back in about fifteen minutes."
He will then proceede to walk to the bar. Bowing low and with a flurish, he speaks, "My lady, I am called Jesse. A simple minstral, gifted with words and music. May I be of service, to you?"
He waits, bowed.
Caterina turns to face Jesse and frowns. "Are you old enough to be out and about? ANd no, you cannot be of service unless you have any idea on how to secure a private dining room for me." She dismisses Jesse with a look and returns her attention to the barkeep.
"It shall be ready in a moment, Duchess."
With a long, drawn out sigh, she replies through clenched teeth. "Thank you."
Gilstrock stands largely up to interpose himself between the Dwarf and the lady. He is a tall, large, blond man, evidently in his mid thirties, and with the scars to show that he's been around.
"Gonzo," Gilstrock says, "you are being decidedly impolite."
Gilstrock turns and bows to the woman. "Begging your pardon, ma'am, but most of us in this group aren't from this world. One powerful enchantment or another seems to have pulled each of us here. As a result, we aren't familiar with the local customs."
Gilstrock turns back to Gonzo. "Now, why don't you head back to our table? Surely you could put down another ale or two...?"
"Gilstrock... you are an even bigger fool than I... sheeez... me mistook the lady for someone I once knew... you and the rest of our ungainly mob are drooling after the wench like you've never seen a female before..."
"She's a princess... you should treat her like one... now back off and give the girl some peace."
Gonzo has a great big grin on his face and will wink at Gilstrock. He will not however, allow the fellow to insert himself between him and the lady... instead, he slowly works the fellow back towards the table and will then entice him to take a seat as he himself suggested to Gonzo.
"Hey barkeep... two more ales... a couple of lonely fella's need to drown some memories!" he shouts after the two of them are seated again.
"Jesse! Give us a song of victory and battle... Twill inspire the spirit and cool the blood." he finishes.
Gilstrock gets into the mood. He slaps Gonzo on the back, and says, "Aye! And, you're right, I shoud have left you to it." Good naturedly, he jibess the dwarf. "Besides, had she turned you into the frog, you'd only be a little shorter than you are now! And I'd love to see a frog attack orcs the way you did...!"
Nonetheless, Gilstrock can't avoid the occasional glance over his shoulder at the royal lady....
Next, Valdar has a go.
"Please forgive the conduct of my companions," he says, going over to her. "We are but lately arrived after a five week trek through the wilderness, and are feeling a little - pleased? at being back in civilization again. You say your name is Catrina Van Der Linden? Of the famous Van Der Linden family of Sandas? I have heard of your esteemed family, for I visit that Sandas frequently. But, if I had known that they had a member as fair as yourself, I would have made the effort to introduce myself to your clan sooner. Would you not forgive the conduct of my comrades and dine with us? Are you travelling alone? Such is not a safe thing for a woman to do in these troubled times...in this troubled area.
"Oh. Forgive me for not introducing myself, milady. I am Lord Valdar. I rule North Dorian...one of the Grey Elven Lands."
"Your room is ready, yer Most Exalted Countess," announces the bartender.
Caterina fairly purrs as Valdar speaks, and nods her head when he mentions her esteemed family.
"That I have discovered! Those cowards I hired ran off at the very first sign of trouble and left me to die in the wilderness. It is only my intellignce and good breeding that enabled me to survive!" She says, bristling at the memory.
Valdar nods.
"You are very brave," he says.
At the mention of dining with them, Caterina raises a brow. "I do not dine in common rooms - no amount of adventuring will ever force me to do that." She pauses, giving everyone a speculative look.
"However, I think I will be pleased to have some company. May I invite you to dine with me in my dining room?"
"I and my companions would be deeply honoured to share your company," the elf replies, bowing.
Meanwhile, though, said companions have been muttering amongst themselves...
"Alas, while most bards sing songs of joy and happiness I perfer the dark and gloomy tales. However, perhaps a song about the workers, those not so blessed with nobility."
Jesse tunes his lute and sings...
Occa watches the scene unfolding at the bar and says to a local bar wench, "My companions have lost their minds...they are like flies around dung...dung with very poor manners. She isn't so fair that I would listen to her talk."
Occa snorts, "A spoiled bitch does not a princess make."
"Yes," Gilstrock says, "but sometimes it goes the other way, so have some respsect!"
Occa laughs again and says, "Come on man! Just because she might be nobility doesn't mean jack to me. Listen...if she wants respect, she has to earn it. Listen to her! She won't eat in the common room because she is so damn good...how can you respect that? She happened to be born to a family that 'has a good name' and she won't mix with the rabble. Bah!"
Caterina raises a brow and smiles in Occa's direction. "Well then, by all means, please don't burden yourself by coming to my table. I will understand."
He settles down and says, "I don't know why I get so upset...these are self imposed chains that society has placed upon itself. However, I sure won't impose it upon myself."
Caterina stops abruptly and slowly turns to face Occa. "Were you referring to me?" She asks in a silky voice.
Occa says, "Yes, wasn't I obvious enough?" he speaks the next bit very slowly, "Do you want me to explain it?"
"Please do. I am at a loss as to why you bombard me with your rudeness. You accost me as I enter, and then sling insults at me. I do not know you, and would request that you stop harassing me."
"Lady," calls Jesse from his appointed stage, "Would you like some private entertainment to accompany your dinner."
"That would be a welcome distraction. Thank you." Caterina says graciously, waving for Jesse to accompany her to the dining room.
"Barkeep," Salaam says, "What is the most direct route to the monastery of Ilmater ? or is there a library in town that I may visit ? I am doing some research and need some information."
"Aye, Inner Sanctum may be just a small town but we's got all o' th' ameenities of a big city. Th' monastery is just outside th' wall by the east gate. The library is at th' Halls o' learnin'."
He gives Salaam directions.
"Me thinks yonder lady will prove to be much a hinderance in the coming days... I don't think she will dive under the ol' wagon to protect herself when danger arrives..." mutters Gonzo.
"A hinderance to what, pray tell? Dive under the wagon? What are you speaking of?" she asks, half annoyed and half confused.
"We should hope that she is as good at defending her honor in such situations as she is with her gift of tongue...I think we could stand to have 'er around in that kind o case. Besides, if there are more than 7 dragons, a cute wench like that might distract them just enough for us to get the advantage!"
"Dragons!? Stand to have me around? Is this a long winded way of telling us that dragons are coming to attack this quaint little town?"
Gonzo will laugh heartily at some inside joke that he is obviously trying to make and then turn back to his drink.
"Danger my lady... we are hunting danger! You interested in a bit-o-danger? Or would the challenge be too much for a princess?", says Gonzo, a glimmer of a great big grin on his ugly face.
"Too much for a princess? I hardly think so. I have been out hunting danger these past weeks. It was the men with me that could not deal with the danger and left me to die." Caterina answers.
Gonzo continues, "And what skills do you have to offer our fine company of travelers that you feel might enhance our abilities to deal with the dangers the lurk... " Points some arbitrary direction, "Out there?"
"Obviously, you are not 'Mother Terese', and other than your skill at sweet talking that barkeep over there into a private dining room, you have not shown us any appropriate skills as of yet. Perhaps you may have turned me into a frog a while ago... perhaps you make a great actress. Perhaps you know more about this area than you let on? I should expect we would like you to trust us as we would have to trust you in a situation that requires our mutual cooperation. Wouldn't you agree?"
Gonzo takes a long swig off his ale and wipes his mouth with his sleeve.
Occa, having lost interest in this conversation, turns his attention to his bottle. He starts humming a tune (very badly) and looking around the inn for anything interesting that might be going on.
Jesse walks over to the Lady, waiting to follow her to the private room. He looks at Gonzo and Occa. "Forgive them Lady, they are good people to have around in a fight, even if they are a little rough around the edges. On the other hand, I am but little help, 'cept to play music and make merry even though many stories I tell are sad."
Valdar, for once playing his role of a noble with aplomb, offers the lady his arm, and together they follow the waiting waiter out of the common room. The rest of the 20-odd party members follow along in their wake.
The dining room is unexpectedly luxurious for but a humble inn, though the quarters are slightly cramped for such a large party. Serving wenches hurry in and out, filling your glasses with wines, ales and beers as you desire. Appetizers are served...smoked trout from mountain streams accompanied by fresh breads and rolls. Then, the main course is brought in: an enormous roast boar with an apple stuck in its mouth, surrounded by a veritable cornupucia of roasted winter vegetables.
You dig in.
"Yes, Lady Caterina," says Valdar after a bit. "We may be honoured to have such an esteemed person accompany us on our little mission...but tell me...apart from your obvious talents," he steals a glance down her amply filled bodice, "What others do you have?"
Cat looks puzzled and then frowns. "What gives you the idea I would offer my services to you? I was about to ask what services you could offer me. After all, I am the one stranded here and find myself unable to continue alone. What services and skills do you and your party members have?"
Valdar replies, "Well, I have picked up a few talents along the way...I have some skill with the sword...I dabble in the arcane arts...I serve Corellon Larethian as best I can." He fingers the holy symbol hanging around his neck...today a pair of frilly pink panties. "Orlon here is a high priest of Thor and Idun. He has a temple near Sandas. Lord Op Code is a Ranger, Phil a magic user. Occa over there is a mage, as is Pharian. Salaam is a high priest of Thoth. Gonzo is a fighter, Scryte a thief, Gilstrock another fighter..."
He names off the stock-in-trades of each of the party members as he knows them.
Caterina frowns slightly and gives Valdar a long look. "It is I that should be asking the lot of you what talents you have. If you are to be my escort, I will need to know what I can expect. It is acceptable to me that you have other business, as long as I am escorted and properly protected in the process. I have little in the way of skills. In fact, I haven't any at all."
Pharian, a thin, oldish, somewhat unpleasant looking man dressed like a mage, looks up from his food just long enough to say, "No skills, eh? You said you were going to turn that drunken fool of a dwarf into a frog. I'd call that a skill."
"Oh that! Yes, I do have some small skill in the arcane arts as they are referred to in my area. I had thought you meant skills in the way of weilding arms and such. I can swing a staff fairly well ... but I would not want to be near me if I had a sword or a knife in my hands!" Cat replies, laughing.
Orlon says "Are you from Sandas? Do you know a Ray Jay, or his assistant Ming? They are old acquaintences of mine. My it's been a long time. How I would love to see them again."
Cat smiles. "Why yes! I am *very* well acquainted with Ming, a bit less so with Ray Jay, though not for lack of trying."
Valdar's eyes widen almost imperceptibly, and a small smile runs fleetingly across his features.
Orlon nods "From what I've heard, Ray Jay is a very private person. He is a great fellow once you get to know him though."
"Ummm..." Gilstrock interjects. "I mean, I just kinda popped into this world without really expecting it, and don't have an agenda myself. Nor have I been here long."
He turns to Valdar. "But wasn't this group going to do something about, er, those dragons for you? It sounded like a rather important mission. Myself, I'd be just as happy to turn into a royal escort and all, but I thought this group had other plans that would preclude such an occupation....?"
Cat's eyes light up at the mention of dragons. "Dragons you say? Tell me more. It may in fact relate to the reason I came to these parts."
"Yes, we do," replies the elf lord, and then tells Caterina the scenario. "While passing through Frisco - a ruined city to the southwest - we encountered another group of adventurers. They nearly killed us - indeed, we lost one party member - but we prevailed. They had these three as prisoners," he nods to Scryte, Gilstrock and Pharian. "Once we freed them they agreed to join us. Two days ago, as we continued on our way, we were ambushed by a tribe of orcs led by a magic user...all apparently in the service of the dragons that we seek to destroy. We defeated them without too much trouble, though the magic user escaped," he concludes.
Occa snorts again and says, "This is insanity of the worst kind." He gets up and says to Caterina, "I am not surprised your other 'escort' left you to die. You are, perhaps, one of the most despicable people I have ever had the displeasure of knowing."
He turns and leaves the room.
Caterina raises her brow at Occa's latest attack. "Indeed? Considering the fact that you know *nothing* about me, that is a most interesting statement." She replies calmly.
"Never mind him. I think he's got PMS or something," replies Valdar.
"Good eve all, I hope all goes well with Valdar and the woman of nobility. I am of off to the Halls of Learning, I shall return later." Salaam says to the remainder of the party at the table and he leaves the room as well.
After Occa stalks out, she looks at the others with a helpless shrug.
"What have I done? I am sure I do not know him, and yet he attacks me at every turn. I do not understand." She shrugs again and takes a delicate sip of wine from the crystal goblet.
"Don't mind him," Orlon remarks. "He gets into these moods once in a while. He is very good in battle. That's why we just put up with it."
"So, perhaps we need to share information about the dragon menace. My family has a certain interest in discovering why trade is being disrupted ... and some clues have led to this area ... is that why you are here?" She asks.
"Yes, it is. I did not think that their disruption was so far reaching, though," Valdar says thoughtfully.
Cat grins. "Lucky guess. I saw my astrologer before I left ... and well, it was a very interesting reading." She replies, winking at Valdar.
Jesse tries to break the mood set by Occa's departure by playing a more common, festive tune on his flute.
Scryte, watching everyone as he sits next to the little female halfling Who Knows looks over at Pharain and shakes his head. "So tell me my big hostile friend. Now that everyone has mentioned the dragons, Lord Valdar has said who he is, several different people have stated we are on a mission, all this said in the common room as well as in here....what was it that I wasn't supposed to say. One slightly attractive women walks in and everyones tongues start wagging."
"Among other things..." Valdar adds with a sheepish smile.
Pharian responds in a voice meant for everyone in the room to hear. "Enough's been said in public already-- far too much, by my token. As I said before, I cannot imagine that this town, close to the dragons' lairs at it is, is not watched by spies. Even though they must already suspect that we are coming for them, after the ambush at the pass, it is foolish not to be wary of what else we let them know."
Then he drops his voice and says to Scryte, "I was watching, and you were not prattling out there. So I may have misjudged you. I hope I did, for a chatty thief is a dead thief-- dead in a roadside ditch with a dagger in his throat. If you are learning to keep that mouth of yours shut, perhaps there is a little more hope for you than I thought."
"So, it was more than the swaggering talk of inebriated fools." Cat says with a smile.
"That is good to know. We have privacy here, as much as we can have I suppose. I'm sure you powerful mage types have extra protections. Shall we then discuss things?" She asks softly.
"Indeed, let us talk here in private." Pharian says. "I am not the one to speak for this group, since I am new to this world and to them. Valdar has told of our plans, since he is the only one who seems to know anything about them. But first, I want to know why a noble-born lady is doing here at the edge of the wilderness. Tell us your story."
Cat smiles, but her eyes are once again wary. " I'm a member of the Imperial Senate on a diplomatic mission to Alderaan..." She replies quietly, as if fearing to be overheard.
"Indeed." Jesse raises his eyebrow, "Are you the gate keeper ? I am the key master."
Cat smiles at Jesse. "That would depend on a great number of things."
"Perhaps we can discuss this interesting turn of events later?"
"I would enjoy that. I have missed intelligent conversation the most since I have been underway." Cat replies, all but purring.
"You honor me with your words. I thank you." Jesse goes back to his flute, improvising a tune.
Valdar looks at her blankly for a moment, then smiles.
"It is late, and I do not know of a safer place in this town to discuss matters than this private room," he says. "Perhaps tomorrow we can all go out into the woods...or...Orlon, did we not see a temple here devoted to one of your patrons, Idun? Perhaps that could provide us with a private, secure place to talk."
Orlon replies "Now that you mention it Valdar, I'll go talk to them first thing in the morning."
"That would suit me very well! I am a follower of Idun and that will provide me with an oppurtunity to make my offerings and such." Cat replies, pleased at the suggestion.
Orlon smiles at Cat, "I guess we have more in common than we thought. Maybe we can about it at a later date."
Caterina smiles and as you all finish your meals, rises. "Well then, until tomorrow. I will see you then. In this room, to break fast and then onward to the temple of Idun?"
She smiles at Jesse and beckons him to follow her to her room.
"Till tomorrow then ... may your dreams be sweet." She calls out, over her shoulder as she leaves.