Scene 2, Hydlaa Arena, Hydlaa
(played Jul 2010, said locations)
Veja Pontor's ears twitch slightly as she strives to hear past the solitary hammer ringing in her smithy. Her sharp senses are alert. Was it footsteps?
It's too early in the morning, and the Arena hasn't awakened yet. Tiny draughts murmur throughout its stairs and passages, making Veja recall all her years spent in making weapons; countless steps, countless shields, countless faces. No, she isn't sorry for the path in life she had once choosen. It wasn't, by any means, easy. It was fruitful and fulfilling nevertheless.
Her gaze wanders upon the single user of her anvil this morning. A middle-aged dwarf, one of the best smiths on the Dome, Hangatyr. Veja feels relieved at the thought that she won't have to check upon him. Once he leaves, everything will be left in perfect order, every work surface cleaned, every tool in its proper place.
What was it again? Yes, this time for sure, footsteps. Too light for any of the bigger races. Another Enki, or maybe young Ylian or... or, probably, an elf.
A couple of minutes pass, and a slim figure approaches the smithy. A male elf, his young-looking countenance belied by the burden of wisdom in his bright eyes. The name escapes Veja's memory, but she had seen this one before. A honorable scholar from Hydlaa, one of those who fight with words. Hardly any business to be done here, but she answers his polite greeting sincerely, showing a good deal of respect to the newcomer. There is more to weapons than just metal, Veja knows that.
>Erelenga Karal greets everyone.
Erelenga says: Ah, Master Hangatyr! I see you have little time.
Hangatyr turns around slowly, to avoid damage done on the part he's working on
Hangatyr says: Ahh Master Erelenga, what a pleasure to see you again
Erelenga says: Indeed. If you agree, it would be nice to meet you somewhere where we can talk easily.
Erelenga says: When you are ready. Finish your work without pressure from me.
Hangatyr nods "yes, thank you, me'll be done in a second"
>Erelenga Karal takes a seat.
Hangatyr clears his gear and heads towards Erelenga
>Erelenga Karal stands up.
Upon making their bows to Veja and leaving the smithy, the two set out towards the Arena exit. Veja's senses feel some mistery there, but no time to dwell upon it more. Another apprentice just entered the smithy. Yet another working day begins.
Erelenga says: Where would you prefer to have a seat?
Hangatyr shrugs "hmm .. how about the plaza? as me'll meet Keella over there
Erelenga says: Good.
Hangatyr says: Lead on Sir
As soon as they're about to leave the last windy stone corridor which connects the Arena to the town, a small lithe female figure approaches from the other side. A dwarven woman smiles and waves as she notices Hangatyr and Erelenga.
Keella says: hello dear
>Erelenga Karal greets Keella.
Hangatyr hugs his love
>Keella greets Erelenga Karal.
Erelenga says: What a surprise.
Keella smiles
Erelenga says: We were just about to go to the plaza to meet you, mylady.
Hangatyr says: yes indeed as I thought you been at Harnquist waitin' for me
Keella chuckles "I wanted to surprise you dear"
Hangatyr smiles "it was honey"
Keella nods "shall we go now?"
Not far from Harnquist's smithy, the trio finds a suitable spot under the tree. Soot and smoke don't reach here, but at least two hammers can be heard already, piercing the quiet of the morning which is unusually hot, by the way, for the very beginning of Kravaan.
>Keella takes a seat.
>Erelenga Karal takes a seat.
Keella laughs
Erelenga says: So, how are you today?
Hangatyr inquires politely: "Are you talkin' to me? Well, if yes I am fine, a bit tired as of lots of work, but better than yesterday, tho"
Keella smiles "Not bad after a long day of work"
Erelenga says: Hmm... escaping into work somehow? I heard of a great loss you had recently.
Hangatyr folds his arms across his chest nodding slowly
Erelenga says: I hope I can help you somehow retrieving it back, by talking in detail about the happenings.
Keella sighs thinking of what happened
Hangatyr says: "Well anything that will help .. even answering questions, which I doubt would be helpful .. me will try"
Erelenga says: So, to summarise it, your axe got stolen?
Hangatyr frowns as he nods "Yes .. some coward had the guts stealing it."
Keella nods slowly taking her man's hand
Erelenga says: Every crime has its facts and details. All the right questions will reveal traces: what, where, when, how, who, why.
Erelenga says: Let's start with "what". Tell me about your axe.
Hangatyr reaches for Keella's hand and squeezes it lightly
Erelenga says: Describe it in detail. What is so special about it?
Hangatyr says: "Erm .. the axe yes .. Icy-Fire .. long time ago me decided to craft an axe, an axe powerful and mighty. So I went down to Levrus and asked him if he's willin' to assist me in that task"
>Erelenga Karal listens intently to Hangatyr.
Hangatyr says: And as I'd been standing at the forge using the best steel, me forged an axe with care and precision
>Erelenga Karal dropped an Ink and Paper.
Erelenga takes notes.
Hangatyr gets lost in thoughts for a moment before he continues
Keella shakes Hangtyr's hand to encourage him and smiles
Hangatyr says: A battle axe unseen before. Two large blades, each one engraved with dwarven runes, and light weighted too, even though it is a two-hander it can be also wielded single handed
Erelenga nods respectfully
Erelenga says: So it is easily recognisable. Obviously a special one.
Hangatyr nods "ah ne, this one is a unique piece of art, there will be no second one, never"
Erelenga says: I see... How many people know about it? How many have seen it? I believe you are proud of it so much you'd shown it to many?
Hangatyr shakes his head "Nah .. even if it is strapped to me back, it's still covered with fine linen, not many have seen it, ne"
Erelenga says: That's an interesting point. And, uhm - it has magic abilities?
Hangatyr nods "Ohh yes it does. Soon as me was done me went back to Levrus again and he'd suggested to get Sharven's assistance as well. Erm .. not many do know but me is a mage too, so us three used all of our power to cast a spell over the axe and we did well"
Erelenga says: Impressive.
Hangatyr says: "The axe will upon command engulf its blades in icy-blue flames which both burn and freeze the opponents, ne"
Keella smiles
Erelenga says: Indeed unique. If many people knew about that, many would try to get it.
Erelenga says: Good. I believe we know now "what".
Hangatyr says: Well as none knows the command except me, it's useless
Erelenga says: Nevertheless, it is a sharp one.
Hangatyr nods in agreement "Sharp to cut a strain of silk lenghtwise, ne"
>Erelenga Karal greets Eurac Hog.
Erelenga says: Well, let's continue to the "where".
Hangatyr says: "uhmm the 'where' yes .. easy as it happened at Kada-El"
Erelenga says: Kada-El's, hmm.
Hangatyr says: Yes at Kada's, it's a fine place to stay and Allelia isn't responsible for the customers walking in and out, ne
Keella says: we like to hang out there
Erelenga says: Quite a big building. Where exactly have you been in there?
Hangatyr says: After I spend a whole day working at the mine me went down there to have an ale or two .. and as usual me dropped the axe right next to the counter and ordered a few mugs of her finest.
Erelenga says: So that goes to the "when" as well. It was in the evening?
Hangatyr nods to himself "Yes .. it was evening time, my lovely wife was at home running some chores and me planned to join her later on"
Erelenga says: You dropped the axe next to the counter...
Hangatyr nods "Yes I know it's a bad habit of mine"
Keella hugs her man and stands to leave "if you excuse me, I must leave you now"
Hangatyr returns the hug gently
>Erelenga Karal stands up.
>Keella stands up.
Erelenga waves goodbye: Mylady.
>Erelenga Karal takes a seat.
Erelenga says: Hmm - so we already get to the "how". Did anything unexpected happen?
Hangatyr says: Erm yes .. after speaking to some friends .. mainly to Counsillor Eelin .. a lass yelled for help, screamed she don't wanna die, ne
Erelenga says: So someone surprised you, and you possibly forgot about the axe?
Hangatyr nods "Yes, as soon as the lass yelled, Eelin and me went outside to see what's going on and to help"
Erelenga says: A lass... a woman, I assume. Try to remember, that's important.
Erelenga says: It is about the "who".
Hangatyr says: Erm .. yes if you wanna call it that way
Erelenga says: How did it sound? What kind of woman do you believe it was?
Hangatyr says: Sound what? The scream?
Erelenga says: Young or older? Which race - clear like an elf, or remarkable like a stonebreaker?
Erelenga says: Rolled like an enkidukai? Hissed like a klyros?
Hangatyr says: A poor little lass from the streets, a Noltrir
Hangatyr points at Esepy "A lass like her"
Esepy says: What about me?
Erelenga says: Just a sample, miss.
Erelenga says: Did you find her? Did you see her, Hangatyr?
Hangatyr says: Yes we did found her, laying in her own blood at the backside ot the tavern, ne
Erelenga says: Oh. So it was a serious case. That's even more concerning.
Hangatyr says: Yes, but the circumstances .. well let's call it strange
Erelenga says: I already agree. You believe it was put to distract you?
Hangatyr says: Eh lassie sheathe yer weapon please, unless ye wanna get in trouble with the guards
Esepy frowns
Hangatyr shrugs and continues his story
Hangatyr says: "Well you are right Sire, it was a set-up to distract me as the lass .. erm her name is believed to be .. " Hangatyr ponders for a moment: "Kirna .. yes Kirna. Well, she told us that someone paid her"
Erelenga frowns
Erelenga says: Paid to be killed? Hmm. People don't fear the Death Realm.
Hangatyr shakes his head "Nah not to be killed, he stabbed her in her thigh, just deep enough to make her bleeding hard and scream loud"
Erelenga says: So, that's the "how". Still there is a question "who". Someone has paid then.
Hangatyr says: yes, and it must be at least two involed, I guess. Someone at the outside and someone waiting to act as soon as me left the tavern
Erelenga says: Could it be that the second one already was in the tavern?
Erelenga says: And... not only. Someone might even have expected you doing it. Might have watched you over days. Recognised your habit leaving your axe at the counter.
Hangatyr runs a hand through his beard "Yes two .. erm what? Ohh can't tell as it was quite crowded that day"
Erelenga says: Someone might have watched you over weeks?
Hangatyr says: Hmm .. possible yes, but even if, me didn't noticed any, ne
Erelenga says: That's a pity!
Hangatyr says: "after me became aware that the axe is missing, me immediately asked around if any of the customers had seen the instance, but none did. Only some vague description about the thief. "All me knows by askin' around, it was a male"
Erelenga says: So we won't solve the "who" today, probably. What is still left? The "why".
Hangatyr says: "Well to be honest, I have no clue .. the axe without knowing the command is, beside it's a real piece of art, is like .. well unlike any other, but for the thief .. useless"
Hangatyr hunches his shoulders, feeling miserable inside
Erelenga says: Hmm. When no one except you can use its full powers... then maybe someone is going to blackmail you for buying it back?
Erelenga says: Or even worse, kidnap someone close to you to make you tell him the words?
Hangatyr nods slowly, a little hope sparkling in his eyes "You think so?"
Erelenga says: You never know. Evil minds have diverse ideas.
Hangatyr frowns "Hmm .."
Hangatyr says: "If me ever gets a hand on him, I will kill him." He growls in a deep, low tone that makes even Erelenga cringe. "Unworthy fool," he spits, "he don't deserve to live."
Erelenga says: Uhm, eh... I... can imagine, Sir. Still, the law is in the responsibility of the Octarchy.
Hangatyr says: "Ohh yes it is. Within its capabilities it is, but not outside the gates, ne"
Erelenga sighs
Erelenga says: Well, I hope you will see it more clearly soon.
Hangatyr says: Yes, I hope so too
Erelenga says: And I hope you won't do anything unexcusable.
>Erelenga Karal picked up an Ink and Paper
Erelenga says: I'd recommend you to have a sleep now. Your dreams might reveal something overseen.
Hangatyr says: Well maybe I don't kill him, maybe not. Instead I place a crazed, hungry, plague carrying diseased rat in his bed. Then sit back and watch the fun.
Erelenga says: You make me dream of it.
>Erelenga Karal stands up.
Erelenga waves goodbye.
Hangatyr nods slightly "Yes Sire Erelenga you are right .. and thank you for listening to my story"
>Hangatyr stands up.
>Hangatyr makes a bow to Erelenga Karal.
At Harnquist's, there are at least six hammers rising and falling now. The morning is nearly over, and Hydlaa is fully awakened, its numerous inhabitants being ready to yet another day of intense happenings. Everyone awaits something. A lucky chance? A little less heat? Or, maybe, something totally unexpected? I'm so sorry I can't tell you more, my gentle reader, as our three heroes just left the scene, and I'm needed in another place, far in the East. I promise to be back to you with more news as soon as I can. Till then, fare well!
