That which was Carse

[Liam]

This thread is not closed, but I would ask all contributers to only establish their presence in the inn for the next three days until the base story for the thread develops.

Liam had known tonight would be busy...

What, with today being the Ali'ema festival, all the townsfolk, well fed and social, would descend on The Regal Thorn to speculate and pontificate on the days events.

Alean, the local blacksmith and one of the more respected councilors of Salimon, was well into his cups. Still enjoying the remembered pomp of his part in the days ceremony, he was espousing to any who would listen (and there were many) on what today meant, in his loud opinion, for the future of the town. He had a large group gathered around, more than willing to bask in the opiate of his positive views.

Amias, the mayor, sat not far away, his sobriety differentiating him from the crowd far more than his discarded torque of office, resting amongst the half full glasses of his own more subdued audience.

Owean, one of the local vinters was discussing business as usual with several merchants and his foreman at a more secluded table and interspersed at tables around the inn were a large portion of the local farmers, craftsmen and labourors wishing to continue the festivities into the night.

Still, as busy as he was, Liam couldn't escape the feeling that tonght would be different than other nights. He had no reason to feel this way, except some feeling of expectation that had been with him since he woke this morning.

He shruged at his foreboding, shaking his head slightly and instructed mirian to get one of the odd-jobs to bring another barrel of ale and wine both up from the cellars.

[Alean]

Alean leaned forward, perched precariously on his bar stool as he waved one arm taking in the group gathered around.

The most apprentice petitions since the First Sin," he accented the title with the emphasis all did in these times, but with a positive demeanor. "I tell you, even with all the troubles, Salimon is a town that will weather it all." He smiled as all his listeners nodded in aggreement.

"I myself took on two apprentices today. I could easily have just taken one youngster on and handled all the work needed but I have confidence we'll have more work coming in and I don't want to have to take on some untaught worker to bumble around with the forge. Brean and Scotten will learn their way around the place and I'll have some bright youngsters ready as the town gets bigger."

[Liam]

There was a subdued murmur at the door as Liam was breaching a new barrel of wine for the patrons. Glancing up at the new customers, Liam paused at the appearance of the four new arrivals.

This inn was known as a place for the locals, the quiet and peaceful townsfolk of Salimon, to socialise and make merriment. Soldiers in the area frequented The Tarnished Plate, the second inn in town, preferring the more bawdy entertainment to be found from Amon's girls and dancers.

These new arrivals had a distinct military bearing. All save one who apart from an aged and portly countenance also carried an array of musical instruments about his person. This caused a brief murmer of interest from the rest of the patrons, quickly subdued as his companions followed, each bearing several types of arms and several scars to accompany them.

A tall lithe fellow directed his companions to lay aside their weapons as they took a table against the wall. He layed down his own against the wall, divulging his back of his longbow and a broadsword, and pulling a dirk and long huntsmans knife from his belt, slowly, deliberately telecasting an intention for quiet.

Liam wove between the tables toward them, arriving as his companions finished disarming and took a seat.

He smiled suddenly, meaning it as he espied the tall mans clothing, specifically a faded purple and gold thorn adorning the man's worn tunic.

[Jason Kinesely]

The tall man nodded at the Barman's greeting, noting the man's smile of recognition.

"Liam you say? I am Jason, you have a nice busy place here." he said, looking around slowly, "and I must say it smells like you put on a good spread."

His three companions murmered their agreement as Liam nodded in thanks for the compliment. "Thanking you sir, I'll have the maid bring you large portions." He paused, his eyes hovering over the blazon on Jason's breast. "On the house of course for a Judge" he added excitedly.

Jason's eyes darkenned slightly and he leant forward hastily. "No!" he stated harshly, "None of that. We'll pay our way as always and you'll keep what you remember to yourself."

Jason's frown deepened as he caught the quick frown from his portly companion. Leaning back dismissively he focussed a sharp look on the barman. "You've obviously forgotten more than you remember anyway. Now, portions of that stew and ale for each of us." His tone made it an order and with that he turned a raised eyebrow to the portly man accross from him.

Liam, shut out from the table now turned somewhat stiffly and returned to the bar, gruffly sending Mirian into the kitchen for the men's meals.