Arka wakes up behind the Tavern. She is ravenous. Searching in her bag, all she finds is a rusty chisel. She recognises it at once as belonging to her father's ruined workshop. She must have been back to her village. But try as she might she has no recollection of that, nor anything that happened in the last few weeks. Or before that. Somewhere in the recesses of her mind she sees the image of a dwarf with a grey beard, and the letter 'E'. What can this mean?
The smell of cooking is wafting down from the Tavern kitchens. Food! She makes her way to the front of the tavern and painfully climbs the stairs.
Jomed recognises Arka at once, in spite of her dishevelled appearance. “Miss Arka! What has happened to you?”
“Arka? Who is Arka?”
“My, you are in a bad way! Have you eaten today?”
Arka shakes her head.
Jomed takes a fish from the pan and adds some potatoes and vegetables.
“Here. Get this down you.”
Arka looks in her purse, but all she can find is a scrap of paper.
“Don’t worry about paying; just eat.” Jomed smiles.
Finishing her meal, Arka hears voices downstairs. She climbs down the stairs to a groups of people. She is relieved to recognise Nikodemus with Peacer and Rhicora.
Arka says: Greetings friends. I have been wandering. An experiment of Hius' went wrong - I think. But I have no recollection of the last two weeks
Peacer says: good to see you again my friend
Rhicora says: Oh? Well, I have not seen you in some time...
Arka says: It's good to see people I recognise again
Nikodemus says: I feel it like being eternity
Arka says: Well, it may have been longer...
Arka shakes her head: I just can't seem to remember
Nikodemus says: who is that Hius?
Arka says: Hius?
Rhicora says: I would not know anything you have done in that time, though.
Arka says: Oh Hius!
Arka says: I haven't seen him
Rhicora says: What could I do, miss Arka?
Nikodemus says: you told about an experiment of Hius
Arka says: I hope he's alright. An experiment? Ah yes. Sorry - my memory is still a little fragile.
Nikodemus says: you seam to forget what you just said, doesnt sound ok
Arka says: It was the mugs - I think. Hmmm. Someone asked me about my guild.
Nikodemus says: maybe you wil remember with time?
Arka says: I didn't know I had a guild...
Arka says: Mugs?
Nikodemus says: don't you remember it?
Arka mutters to herself
Nikodemus says: you been in Knowledge seekers when we meet
Arka says: Guild...mugs...glyph..no
Rhicora says: Oh dear... you must have forgotten more than you thought.
Arka says: Knowledge Seekers! Ah yes!
Nikodemus says: or it is me again who forget something
Arka says: Hius is in the Knowledge Seekers
Nikodemus hits his head, i guess it happens to us all
Arka says: It's all a bit fuzzy just now
Nikodemus says: I been just telling about my brotherhood to Rhicora, when we heard you
Arka says: What would that be, Nikodemus?
Nikodemus says: in fact Rhicora did it, as I felt a sleep a bit, I guess because of the beer
Nikodemus says: Arka, dont you remember? Crimson Order!
Arka says: They have beer here?
Nikodemus looks at the mugs Arka has in her hands
Arka looks at her mugs too. Ah! Is this the Tavern?
Arka looks around
Rhicora says: Yes, Miss Arka.
Nikodemus says: yes, of course, and you were upstairs in room I suppose
Arka says: I must be dreaming
Rhicora gets a mischievous look. "Perhaps, that would explain why you have forgotten so much."
Arka gives Rhicora one of her 'looks'
Arka says: Nothing seems right any more
Rhicora shakes her head. "I'm sorry, miss Arka..."
Arka says: I need to find someone. Arka says: but I can't remember his name
Nikodemus says: You should look for a healer, or maybe if we see your guild friends
Arka says: I have a guild?
Nikodemus says: someone from your guild maybe?
Arka says: A dwarf
Nikodemus says: yes!
Arka says: I need to see a dwarf; has a grey beard
Arka shakes her head
Nikodemus says: Knowledge seekers, I told ya, you been in them when I meet you, at least its is how I remember it
Arka says: I'm a Knowledge Seeker?
Nikodemus says: I don't know that dwarf
Arka says: Hmm
Nikodemus says: I suppose so
Arka says: He was sick - with a bad glyph
Rhicora says: Perhaps sir Einnol?
Arka says: Einn..?
Rhicora says: But, that was a while ago.
Arka looks hopeful
Arka says: does he have a grey beard?
Rhicora nods. Do you think he will be able to help you?
Arka says: Is he... alright? I wanted to help him
Rhicora says: I believe he is fine, last I heard.
Arka sighs with relief
Arka says: Do you know where he might be?
Rhicora says: No, miss Arka...
Arka says: Aww. Then I must try to find him
Nikodemus says: i think I have seen him one or two times, i cant remember his face, but i should recall it upon seeing him
Arka says: I need to ask him something. I only wish I could remember what it was I need to ask him.
Rhicora takes out a piece of parchment and writes the name "Einnol" on it, then hands it to Arka. "Here... this way you won't forget who you're looking for."
Arka takes the parchment and looks at it: louui3?
Nikodemus sighs with disappointment..
Arka turns the paper over: Einnol!
Arka's face lights with a glimmer of hope: Thank you
Rhicora laughs.
Nikodemus says: that’s better, i was affraid, that....
Arka says: Now I must go and find him
Nikodemus says: good luck
Arka says: Plase excuse me
Arka stumbles out into the light
Outside the Tavern she bumps into Hokinon with a friend.
Hokinon bows to Arka
Arka says: Excuse me gentlemen, maybe you can help me
Arka hands Hokinon a piece of paper
Hokinon says: of course my lady
Hokinon takes the paper
Arka says: I'm looking for this dwarf
Hokinon says: ahh Einnol I haven't seen him for quite a while
Arka says: You know him?
Mesostel says: I don't know him.
Hokinon says: I have met him in passing once or twice
Arka takes back the piece of paper
Hokinon smiles "usually at weddings and such"
Arka says: If you see him, tell him I'm looking for him
Hokinon says: May I ask why you are looking my lady?
Arka shakes her head sadly
Arka says: That's just it
Arka says: I don't remember why - I just know he can help me
Hokinon nods "I shall tell him ma'am"
Arka says: Thank you
Arka bows stiffly and Hokinon notices how shabby Arka has become since he last saw her
Hokinon smiles and nods "anytime Lady Garam"
Arka hobbles off
