Vampire: Dark Ages - Scene 1: In the Company of Strangers

[Taduz Illyannovich]

Yet more in Rom "Aye, we know what stories can lead to. But one who trucks with the dead, speaks poorly for his household. But I shall see for myself tomorrow. And if this group is any sign of his normal guests, let the stories tell what they may. We're already in folklore, what can it hurt?"

"Maybe even" Taduz snickers "The aged concubine of Christ will heal the leper, convert the saracen, and exorcise the dead"

"Whatever his story, it shall make for a good way to make the road pass fast, it may even earn us food and lodging if it's spun well enough. It sounds as if the thrashing is done, my hopes the northerner did beat him unmercifully. That cur, he needs watching. I know not what he did to the Lady's man, but it bodes ill for her, and mayhap the rest of us going to the castle. Ward yourself well, to keep the spirits at bay tonight. It seems the storm is showing no sign of relenting. Who knows what else will happen this eve."

Taduz looks about for the innkeeper, his son, someone to procure some items from the kitchen.

[Goatkiller666]

In the Dining Room
------------------

Bojan comes into the dining room, looks around for his mistress, then procedes to the rear door towards the back. He hears her in the bathing room with Sabine, and chooses not to intrude where there is nudity. He takes up a position by the door to the room and waits.

On seeing him go through the room, Pierre rises and checks the hallway. Seeing Bojan standing there, he goes down as well. No words are spoken, but Pierre's presence is somewhat comforting.

Sigismon'd son and the monk move away from the window then, the boy actually making an "Awwww, man!" noise before Roderigo and Lothar enter. In the better light of the hearth's blazing fire, all can see that Lothar's face is already showing a large bruise, testement to the size and strength of Olaf's fist. His hand is wrapped protectively around his torso, where it seems his ribs hurt him quite a lot. Every step he takes with his right foot, he winces and grips his ribs tighter.

Roderigo asks, "Where is the Countess? This one must tender his apologies." His voice doesn't betray the smile creeping across his lips as he speaks.

[Seska, check your PM.]

[Alína Nyárí]

Alína watches the exchange between Bojan and Lothar, shaking her head bemused that her Lady's man allows the eye contact once again. Perhaps the Influence this time will lead to calmer and wiser heads, she thinks to herself.

Humbly entering the dining room after everyone else, she observes Lothar's pain and hears Rodrigo ask after her own Lady. Making her way back to her corner table, she feels the kettle and finding the water still hot, unpacks still more packets of herbs and a length of linen bandage tightly rolled. Removing the kettle's lid, she adds pinches of herbs from the various packets, then unwinds the bandage and places it in the kettle to steep with the herbs, replacing the kettle lid to keep everything hot.

Her preparation ready, she makes her way to their host's two men, keeps her eyes on the floor and slowly speaks. "This one," with a slight head nod towards Lothar, "is in no shape to address polite company at the moment. Permit me to attempt to clean him up and address his aches while we await the Lady Karantanija's return."

[Taduz Illyannovich]

In the Dining Room
------------------
In the better light of the hearth's blazing fire, all can see that Lothar's face is already showing a large bruise, testement to the size and strength of Olaf's fist. His hand is wrapped protectively around his torso, where it seems his ribs hurt him quite a lot. Every step he takes with his right foot, he winces and grips his ribs tighter.

Taduz smirks to Synovea, "Mukhenpe te khan la lumia" and shakes his head.

[Goatkiller666]

In the Dining Room
------------------

"This one," with a slight head nod towards Lothar, "is in no shape to address polite company at the moment. Permit me to attempt to clean him up and address his aches while we await the Lady Karantanija's return."

Lothar glares at the old woman before him, then tells Sigismond's son "Go and fetch the Countess. I don't have all night." The boy runs through the rear door into the hallway.

Still in Rom, Synovea covers her mouth. "If they conquered the world, our days would be full of laughter."

Roderigo shakes his head at this, and replies to Alina, "That one" nodding at Olaf standing behind them, "is in no mood to allow this one to get out of here before an apology has been made. And I daresay after that, he'll just want to hide in his chambers to avoid the shame."

Lothar turns sharply. "Silence, curr. I am not in a forgiving mood."

Roderigo, snickers. "Of course, sir."

Synovea continues, with less mirth "Or our days would be very few."

After a moment, Bojan exits the hallway, with Sigismond's son behind him. Once clear of the door, the boy bolts for the kitchen. Bojan looks apologetically at Lothar, "Your pardon, sir. The Lady has already sought her bed for the night. She will not be disturbed." He struggles for a moment. "She suggests that you deliver your... uh... message tomorrow when you come to collect us for Lord Claudio's dinner." Bojan glances over Lothar's shoulder to Olaf, pleading for clemency in light of an honest attempt.

[So, since this seems to have played out, unless nobody objects, Lothar will depart shortly, and everyone can go to their beds.

In the Inn of the Shepherd
--------------------

Two men enter the inn's common room, the storm's noise waking Johann from his shallow sleep. The two struggle to shut the door behind them, and call up the stairs for the innkeeper. They're in worn travel cloaks, near soaked through. Not much else is visible beyond that.

A few minutes later, the man comes down the stairs in his nightshirt covered with a heavy robe. "Aye? We've no rooms left, lads. The best I can do is offer you a space by the fire, there."

One of them glances at Johann, resting in the best spot. "Anything to be out of that storm." Money changes hands, the innkeeper shows them where water can be found and then goes back upstairs.

[Goatkiller666]

In the Red Lamb Inn

The sound of the storm's fury continues well into the early morning. But by the time the sun rises, the rain is just a sprinkle. Within an hour of that, the skies are clear and blue. In spite of the noise outside, everyone slept comfortably and deeply. All rise to the sounds of Sigismond and his wife preparing the morning meal.

The smell of bread starts to permeate the inn, and everybody wakes hungry. Under that, the smell of cooked ham can be discerned. As people descend to the dining room again, Sigismond presents them with a bowl of warm bread with butter, and asks if they would like water or goat's milk. "Ham will be ready shortly, or lamb sausages."

When the nuns arrive, "As you've requested, there's oatmeal ready, sisters. Nothing too rich, though I've put by a bit of honey if you've a mind."

Sir Leopold and his men come down groaning in pain, though they help themselves to a large portion of ham, sausage, and bread. They even have Sigismond's wife find some bacon and the sound of sizzling starts to emenate from the kitchen.

Pierre is still in the common room, but the monk and Synovea are not to be seen.

[Lothar is set to arrive at sundown today, so people have the option of acting during the day if they'd like. Otherwise, let me know, and we can fast-forward to sundown.]

At the Inn of the Shepherd
---------------------

The innkeeper comes down the stairs, with his wife with him. As advertised, she is quite beautiful. As her husband goes into the kitchen, she takes a moment to lean against the door and appraise Johann and the two others in the room. Her gaze lingers over Johann as she follows into the kitchen. Breakfast is warm bread with heated stew from last night. Some of the congealed fat hasn't had a chance to melt, so it still floats on the top of the broth.

The innkeeper's wife serves Johann herself. But she is pulled away when the guests with rooms start to filter downstairs. Johann notices her glancing at him several times through the meal.

[Alína Nyárí]

In the Dining Room
------------------
Lothar glares at the old woman before him, then tells Sigismond's son "Go and fetch the Countess. I don't have all night." The boy runs through the rear door into the hallway.

Roderigo shakes his head at this, and replies to Alina, "That one" nodding at Olaf standing behind them, "is in no mood to allow this one to get out of here before an apology has been made. And I daresay after that, he'll just want to hide in his chambers to avoid the shame."

Lothar turns sharply. "Silence, curr. I am not in a forgiving mood."

Roderigo, snickers. "Of course, sir."

Keeping her eyes on the floor, Alína nods once with a muttered, "as you wish, sirs." Backing from the two men, she returns to her corner and extracts the bandage from the kettle, wringing it dry before packing it separately in her small duffel. Gathering her small sachets of various medicinal herbs, she arranges them neatly inside with the rest of her belongings, discretely sets a small coin next to the kettle, and then looks to Sigismond for help in locating her quarters for the night.

[Johann Von Braniff]

The innkeeper comes down the stairs, with his wife with him. As advertised, she is quite beautiful. As her husband goes into the kitchen, she takes a moment to lean against the door and appraise Johann and the two others in the room. Her gaze lingers over Johann as she follows into the kitchen. Breakfast is warm bread with heated stew from last night. Some of the congealed fat hasn't had a chance to melt, so it still floats on the top of the broth.

The innkeeper's wife serves Johann herself. But she is pulled away when the guests with rooms start to filter downstairs. Johann notices her glancing at him several times through the meal.

I grin at her as she sees to the needs of the other people in the common room. I set aside the empty stew bowl and nibble on a hunk of bread. Leaning back against the stone chimney, I glance around and notice the two men that came in late during the storm. They stare back. I begin to think that the time is fast approaching that I should be on my way.

And yet, the Innkeeper's wife keeps giving me the eye, so I sit still and watch as she moves about the room.

[Johann Von Braniff]

The presence of the newcomers in the common room causes me to sleep even lighter. I say nothing to them, and remain watchful, my hand clutching at my daggar tighter.

[Alína Nyárí]

In the Red Lamb Inn

As people descend to the dining room again, Sigismond presents them with a bowl of warm bread with butter, and asks if they would like water or goat's milk. "Ham will be ready shortly, or lamb sausages."

When the nuns arrive, "As you've requested, there's oatmeal ready, sisters. Nothing too rich, though I've put by a bit of honey if you've a mind."

Alína graciously accepts the bread and butter and replies to Sigismond's inquiry. "Goat milk would be welcome. I would relish a bowl of the oatmeal which was prepared for the sisters, as meat at this time of day would be a bit much in order for me to retain my girlish figure," she adds with a wink and small grin.

[Taduz Illyannovich]

Taduz nods, agreeing with Synovea's claims. Both of them.

Signaling for Sigismond "A plate, cinnamon, or sage if you lack that. And a bowl of wine, sir"

and to Synovea in Rom "Good night dear one, ward yourself against the evil spirits that are abounding tonight. Sleep well, and I hope to see you at morning repast."

Once I have the items, I seek to return to my room. Grinning wickedly at Olaf, nodding to show agreement with his unmerciful beating of the cur, and goes.

In my room, after locking the door, and jamming a dagger in between the doorframe (So that I can remove it, and not leave visible marks on the wood), preventing it from opening during the night. Then prepare the wine and spices as a sacrifice to the good spirits, to ward this room and help them drive out the malevolent spirits in the inn.

Paranoidly checking the room. Then settling down for bed.

[Seska Karantanija]

Bojan is the first of their group down the stairs and asks for goat's milk while accepting the bread. He gives a nod to Pierre and invites him to a table. He is already well into his meal by the time Seska, in a riding outfit, and Vida make their way into the main room and towards the waiting table. The Countess asks for water while Vida accepts the milk.

Addressing Pierre upon seeing him, "A pleasant morning to you, good knight. I would appreciate a few moments of your time before I take a ride. Bojan, have you talked with him about this yet?"

[Sabine]

I walk down the stairs. I'm very tired, and I've been crying, but not any more.

"May I have some bread, miss? And some oatmeal?"

[Goatkiller666]

At the Inn of the Shepherd
--------------------------

The innkeeper's wife finishes bringing food to the guests, and then wanders over to the fire, where Johann is leaning against the stones. She holds her hands out to the flames, as if warming herself, though she doesn't seem to be cold otherwise. "Welcome to the Inn of the Shepherd, stranger."



Before Johann can answer, the innkeeper comes out of the kitchen carrying more food for other guests. He glances around the room. "Ilsa! There's dishes stacking up in there. Quit lollygagging around and earn your keep, woman."

Ilsa pouts, but heads into the kitchen.

Johann notices the two men from last night continuing to glance in his direction, though they're trying not to be obvious about it.

At the Red Lamb Inn
-------------------

Sigismond brings out oatmeal to both Alina and Sabine. When he hands it to Alina, he gestures to his wife, who is also quite portly. "Around these parts, miss, the men appreciate the figure of a woman who knows how to cook, more than a girl's figure. Are you sure you wouldn't rather something more filling?"

Pierre looks at Bojan quickly, trying to suppress the hope in his eyes. Bojan replies, "No countess. We've only just broken bread, and I thought you should be the one."

[Alína Nyárí]

"Nie, dakujem. This is more than enough," Alína smiles back in response. "But I think perhaps I should be more alert to potential suitors than I have been then," she replies with a wink before placing the bowl in front of her and adding a little of the goat's milk to the bowl before commencing eating.

[Seska Karantanija]

"Ah, very well then." Seska gets a thoughtful look then begins, "Pierre, you saw at least some of the events of last night. While I would like to return home after what happened, I am still obligated to attend the dinner tonight." She sighs. "Having Bojan accompany me could also cause some problems..." She trails off.

"Last night you spoke of no longer having an interest in seeking the employ of the Count, however would you still consider acting as an escort? Having someone prepared to deal with that Cur should he overstep his bounds once more would bring me great comfort." She makes a rather unlady-like motion of running a sword through a man while recalling the previous evening. A sincere smile crosses her lips as she continues, "You would be well compensated for the evening's work. Enough to see to your needs for some time while you find something more permanent."

[Goatkiller666]

In the Red Lamb Inn
--------------------

Sigismond's wife spots Alina winking at her husband. "I don't think anyone around here will be very excited by a woman who eats steamed fish and outmeal. You'll have to be a little more adventurous."

Sigismond glares at her until she flees into the kitchen. "Pardon my wife, miss. She's a little protective of me, is all."

Pierre beams for a moment. Then says, "Gladly I'll serve as your escort, your Ladyship. Though, I think my welcome in Lord Claudio's lands will be up if I'm forced to act. I ask to be able to come with you to your lands then, until I can find something more permenant, elsewhere."

[Seska Karantanija]

"That would be acceptable. My husband would be appreciative of the extra protection on the return to our lands and the company of one of his fellows would do Bojan good," she says with some relief.

Her main concern for the morning finished, her attention turns to the young girl whom she gives a big smile. "Good morning, young miss," she says in a sing-song voice. Noticing the tell-tale signs of a good cry she frowns a little, "What's the matter, hmmm?"

[Alína Nyárí]

Alína's eyes open a bit wider as she realizes as her wink could have been viewed as flirting and she drops her gaze. "It is perfectly alright. She has every reason to be protective.

"My thanks for this more than adequate way to break my fast," she says, as the Innkeep moves on to welcome and offer breakfast to others.

Overhearing her Lady's inquiry of Sabine, Alína eats quietly and listens in to learn of whatever may have disturbed the rest of the young girl.

[Johann Von Braniff]

I reach for my overcloak and stand up. After eyeing the two men for a brief moment, I make my way into the kitchen. Leaning against the wall, I watch the Innkeeper's wife for a few minutes then clear my throat.

"Would it be possible to get a loaf of bread and some cheese for the road? I'll be leaving soon. I can pay." I smile as I notice that I startled her.