RR's Longform & Co
proudly presents:
The SONg of ICE on FIRE,
or
Hangatyr Gets Angry
"Expect the unexpected!"
JP
Scene 1. Hydlaa, Kada-El tavern.
(played Jul 13, 2010, said location)
Full cast in order of appearance
•Hangatyr, a middle-aged dwarf, crafter for the Way of the Hammer and owner of the legendary Icy-Fire magical axe. You know him.
•Eelin Everheart, a tall platemail-clad diabolo with rugged, less-than-handsome face and distinguished manners, that day still Councillor to the House of Trayus.
•Shiam Flamebeard, a young Stonebreaker, tired, drunk and a bit depressed... but about to meet a very good friend very soon.
•Eurac Hog, an elderly dwarf with a prominent belly, the well-known Host of the House of Games.
•Esorono Osuiger, a young klyros hunter from the Klyros Junction with very unusual wings.
•Perlan Cernun, a young-looking dermorian man, Grandmaster to the Masters of Move.
•Sulaika Letaza, a charming, mild-spoken dermorian woman, Council Member for the Enlightened Path.
•Zarre, an ylian woman, only stopped in for some water that day and ran into some old friends, which delayed her leaving immediately.
•Kirna Aestle, a very young and childish-looking nolthrir girl, just about to get a bit more than she ever wanted.
•The Villain, little known about him (or her? or kra?). You don't know... the Villain.
•Leras Hammerslagen, a kind-natured cider-loving dwarf.
•Chessire Eylis of the House of Trayus, a young nolthrir girl with a somewhat fearsome look and two crossed longswords on her back.
•Sacho Awotoha, a mild-mannered menki of the Corps Virtuoso, savvy about healing.
•Jesalor Dinere, a rather misterious character, very drunk and supposedly a klyros.
The Azure sun isn't dim yet, but Kada-El's tavern is already full of people. This cycle's Treman turned out to be exceptionally hot, so even those not much into booze, rush to Kada's to have a drink of water or see some friends where the hot azure rays cannot reach.
Inside, everything looks exactly as always. Somebody just broke a liquor mug, and the heavy wine odor wafts around the bar. Some other body is about to slide down on the floor from the chair it still occupies after having too many drinks; not much time will pass before one of the barmaids drags that body out, to lie somewhere in the shade and breathe fresh air. Thus quickening the recovery process.
From upstairs, where Jomed's sacred domain is located, the delicious odor of fresh fish being cooked with exquisite spices drifts down majestically, getting mixed with various kinds of smoke and vapor on its way: herbs in the customers' pipes, logs in the fireplace, candles on the tables, too much people talking and breathing in too small a space.
Allelia is busy serving wine, water and famous Kada-El's ale. It seems like water is in the highest demand this evening, so maybe what's stored won't be enough.
No one knows what's going to happen in less than an hour from now. No one expects the unexpected.
Hangatyr, the all-Dome famous Hydlaa smith, is relaxing in Kada's today, after another tiresome mining day.
Hangatyr leans his huge battle axe against the counter and orders a few pints which he tosses back with a remarkable speed .. "thats what me needed after t' work at t' anvil, ne .. Allelia, more beer here!" -- and waves with the empy tankard at Allelia, he turns around and gives the gathering a measuring look, reaches around and picks up the tankard of ale Allelia had placed on the counter behind him.
>Hangatyr salutes Eelin Everheart with respect.
>Eelin Everheart greets everyone.
>Eelin Everheart greets Hangatyr.
Shiam scratches his beard and gets the rhythm of a dance, and as he is a bit tipsy, he starts dancing a bit
Eelin says: Sir Hangatyr!
>Shiam Flamebeard begins to dance.
Eelin says: It's been a long time, friend. How have you been?
Eurac slurps his ale
Eelin dips his head respectfully
Hangatyr bows "Councillor .. indeed quite some time past since, and thanks for askin' me is doing well"
Eelin smiles "You certainly look well! Must be all that ale." he chuckles
Behind the tavern, where the empty barrels are stacked, something happens. Two figures emerge from the hole in the ground. One, slim and fragile-looking; another, tall and draped top to toe in a bright blood-red cloak with heavy hood lowered so as to cover the face completely. The smaller figure climbs up and takes a seat on the top barrel. It's a very young nolthrir girl; from the way her fingers twitch, one might say the child is either nervous or scared. But there's no one to see that yet, the tavern wall hiding the unusual pair from the guards and also from anyone that happens to be on the small plaza in front of Kada's. People inside keep drinking, smoking, eating and talking.
Eelin says: Can I buy you one?
Esorono says: Hi Eelin.
Eelin says: Hi Esorono
>Eelin Everheart greets Esorono Osuiger.
Hangatyr laughs "Ah ne .. thanks but be my guest please"
Eelin says: I surely will
Hangatyr hands over a mug "take this one, fresh from the keg"
Eelin says: Thank you!
Eelin says: Long days at the anvil still?
Eelin says: Oh
Eelin says: Is that an axe?
Eelin says: Looks like a work of perfection
Perlan says: what did you say again, you wanted to go somewhere quiet?
Sulaika nods to Perlan, "Perhaps that's better."
Shiam looks around him and pays attention to that no'one looks, then nods a bit in Eelin's direction, then attempts to make the grass on his boots to grow down the wooden planks, but as his dark nature corrupts it from within, it falls to the ground, dead... and black. He quietly sighs
Hangatyr nods "Aye .. still trying to improve my humble skills .. ohh yes it's my axe"
Icy-Fire, still leaned against the counter, silently gleams with arcane magic. It's as though the weapon can hear the creator's words and feels proud of itself.
Eelin says: It's fantastic!
Hangatyr says: "Thank you, it took a long time until finally done"
Eelin says: That looks like your finest work!
Sulaika says: Yes sure
Sulaika says: Where we go actually?
Perlan says: ladies first
Perlan says: you're the leader
Perlan says: sires, g'day
Hangatyr says: How is Lord Vilthis doing, if I may ask?
Eelin says: I haven't seen him in town lately. I think he's out doing some research.
Shiam pays attention to Eelin's and Hangatyr's conversation
>Eelin Everheart greets Shiam Flamebeard.
Hangatyr looks proudly at his axe and nods "Ohh research? Studying the Laws again?"
Eelin says: Hello friend
>Shiam Flamebeard makes a bow.
Eelin says: Eelin Everheart
Shiam says: Hello, i'm Shiam, Shiam Flamebeard
Eurac says: Excuse me but talking of axes?
>Hangatyr makes a bow to Zarre.
>Eurac Hog greets Zarre.
Eelin bows "A pleasure"
Hangatyr says: Lady Zarre, what a pleasure of seeing you again
>Zarre greets Eurac Hog.
Perlan shouts: my love!
Zarre cannot help but smile "Hangatyr..."
Eelin smiles, taking a long swallow from the mug.
Zarre says: It's been too long since our paths have crossed.
Kirna nods to the Villain, takes the dagger our of her sack and tries to scratch her slender thigh with it. Her hands shake, her face is pale. After a couple of tries more she turns to the Villain "By Talad, I can't. You do that! Quick!"
Zarre waves to Eurac
Kirna passes the dagger to the Villain, extends her leg and shuts her eyes tight.
The Villain reaches for the dagger; he grins widely, plunging the dagger deeply into the elf's leg.
Hangatyr says: yes indeed
Eurac says: Nice to see you again Zarre
Zarre says: And you as well my friend.
The Villain grins at his work, and races off
Kirna gasps
People in the tavern keep drinking and talking, unaware of what is happening behind the very wall of Kada's this very moment. Nobody can see the tall red-cloaked figure move fast but confident, diving back into the sewers after the foul deed is done.
>Eelin Everheart greets Eurac Hog.
Kirna shouts: Aaaaaaaa!
>Eurac Hog greets Eelin Everheart.
Kirna looks at the blood gushing from the deep wound on her leg
Kirna shouts: I DON'T want to DIE!
Hangatyr says: "Ahh Lady ... what's that shouting about?"
Kirna shouts: Heeeeelp!
Hangatyr looks up and around
Kirna loses blood quickly, her face turning pale
Eelin looks in the direction of the screaming
Hangatyr says: from the back side
Hangatyr and Eelin Everheart, accompanied by some other customers, rush outside, eager to help a child. A small crowd starts gathering around Kirna, covering the crime scene from Jefecra and Rabartus again. It's not unusual to hear some cries coming from the tavern, as drunken brawls and even violent fights are kind of a trademark thing for the place.
Kirna cries
Kirna says: I am...
Kirna says: I am too young to Die!
Hangatyr says: ma'am what's going on here?
Eurac says: Seems I will never get my axes tonight.
Kirna points at the dagger sticking out of her thigh.
Eelin says: What happened, M'Lady?
Hangatyr says: who's going to die?
Zarre whispers to Eurac "Sounds like she is in pain. What goes on here?"
Kirna looks like she's ready to pass out any second now
Kirna says: The dag...
Perlan shouts: i hear thy call!
Hangatyr says: what dagger?
Eelin casts some crystal energy towards Kirna
Kirna shouts: IT HURTS!
Someone goes to Jefecra at last, to inform him about the happenings. Upon learning about the victim already being treated and the wound being not lethal, Lieutenant takes out a piece of parchment and a pen, and starts writing down more details for further investigation... using Rabartus' platemail back as a makeshift table. Thus, none of the two guards can see a tall figure, draped top to toe in a heavy cloak of a somewhat darkish, dried-blood color, with a hood lowered so as to cover the face completely, appearing from another side of the tavern. The figure rushes in, snatches up Icy-Fire, grinning under the hood, and dashes out, turning to its left right after exiting the tavern. Even Allelia, who just finished filling yet another mug with fragrant ale for yet another thirsty patron, has no time to fully realize what is... no, what was going on a split second ago.
Hangatyr says: come on down ma'am
Kirna says: Ahhh...
Eelin checks her pulse
Kirna screams out in pain, the blood still rushing down her leg, on the barrels, down to the ground.
Kirna says: The dag...ger
Hangatyr looks at Eelin questioning ".. and?"
Eelin says: Well, that should have stopped the bleeding
Kirna passes out
Perlan says: sires!!!!
>Zarre greets Perlan Cernun.
Kirna lies on the ground, unconscious
Hangatyr kneels down
Zarre smiles "Only sires?"
>Leras Hammerslagen takes a seat.
Perlan says: hast thou heared a cry for help?
Leras says: at the back of the tavern.
Eelin pulls the dagger from Kirna's leg
Hangatyr says: let me see ma'am
Zarre nods and points outside "The cry came from there."
Leras says: it was a lass i think.
Perlan says: i must look at it at once
Sulaika looks at Eelin and Kirna
>Perlan Cernun makes a bow.
Eurac says: Hmm! Hangy's axe seems to have gone
>Sulaika Letaza greets Hangatyr.
Perlan says: i heared thy cry!
Zarre says: I had no idea whose axe that was
Shiam's head starts banging with all the voices and impressions of the day, he puts the cup on the table and starts walking out
Perlan says: i arrived as soon as possible, areth thou alright?
Eelin says: It's an old dagger, looks like old bloodstains... and the letter "S" branded under a bamboo leaf
Leras unstrings a mug and a flask from his belt and fills the mug with a clear liquid
Eelin says: Is she still bleeding?
Eurac says: Did you see who took it?
Leras takes a gulp from the mug and then puts it down on the floor.
Eurac slurps his ale
Sulaika says: Can we help maybe?
Zarre says: Only out of the corner of my eye.
Shiam looks back at Eurac
Hangatyr says: -- and extends carefully the leg of the Noltrir -- "Ohh some serious wound, but .." -- Hangatyr makes a gesture with his hands casting a healing spell
Eelin studies the dagger "And a small blue crystal"
Perlan says: i track people, can i er, help? hehe
Eelin says: Let's get her inside
Shiam turns around and says "Some young lad ran in, took it, and ran out... i can't say who it was, i'm not from these parts...
Hangatyr says: Yes, Councillor Eelin
Eelin bends over the Nolthrir, picking her up in his arms
The diabolo man carries the wounded elf inside and upstairs in one of the rooms, accompanied by Hangatyr and several bystanders; some others return to the bar for more drinking and talking; someone leaves, someone walks over to the guards to add new vivid details of the crime to Jefecra's fast growing record.
Eurac slurps his ale
Perlan kisses Sulaika
Leras says: hmm...
Leras says: i know that lass!
Sulaika kisses Perlan back, "How about some place in winch?"
Perlan says: is this our business, or not?
Eelin lays Kirna carefully on the bed
Leras says: just remembered...
Sulaika says: I dont know, Perlan
Eurac says: I am not sure I understand what is going on at all tonight?
Zarre whispers to Eurac "I have a feeling she is in good hands...
Zarre says: All I know is that I saw blood on that woman.
Perlan says: sires, ladies!
to be continued...