The Nightingale, Act II: A Village By Night

[ewancummins]

Varian , now in full kit, makes for the stables, only to be told that he is forbidden to leave by the innkeeper.

"Oh, I can't leave? What madness is this? I'm a free man, not your lackey. I come and go as I please. How rude!”


He steps towards the older man.

"Speaking of rudeness, varlet, don't think that I haven't noticed how rudely you have treated the holy man. He's a priest of the Eternal Order and a servant of the great Azalin Rex! It's bad enough that you treat an unoffending young gentleman like me in such an unkind manner, but your condescension towards the priest is borderline blasphemous. You ought to get down on your knees and beg his forgiveness. Some of his order might have used that scythe on you by now, publican."

Advancing a step closer, he shakes his fist at the innkeeper.

"Since you have seen fit to threaten me with expulsion merely for wishing to check on the beasts-- a task an innkeeper with a pair of balls would be doing himself right now-- you leave me little choice but to me to quit your house. I paid for a room for the night. The night is not over-- so I'll be taking my refund now."

He holds out his hand, leaning on his spear with the other arm.

[Zilfer]

Ammanas was about to speak when the friend of the small gnome spoke up. Varian, continued to speak of the disrespect him and other's among the village had shown to Ammanas, taking forgranted the kindness he had awarded each of them.

"I suggest you give this man back his coin, and we'll be on our way to check the horses. I admit my patience is wearing thin with this inhospitable town, who sends for others for problems they have," said Ammanas slightly annoyed at how little faith this town seemed to have in him. "Be glad I am here, and am still willing to offer my protection, that is... if your village is willing to accept it."

Ammanas would wait for Varian to try and get his refund, but he would have to try and find a different place to sleep this night if there was any sleep to be had in this unnaturally quite place. He couldn't even hear the frogs, or crickets native to these woods.

[Trike]

Nicodemus stands close enough to the roiling tempers to act if there is a need. His eyebrows raise slightly at the harsh words. His hand rests lightly on his cane.

"Gentlemen, the point may be moot. I think I hear a horse approaching." He keeps his voice even and calm. "Perhaps the town's defenders are returning?"

[kintire]

Caitlin steps forwards as her uncle steps back, so that Varian finds himself confronting her instead

"Please, good sir, you misunderstand. It is the Mayor who has instructed that everyone should remain inside. There is of course no question of us giving you orders, we merely relay the commands of the town dignitary. If we disobey, or if we assist you in disobeying, we will suffer the appropriate punishment. Good sir, I have no desire to obstruct you in any way, but I have no desire to be whipped at a cart's tail either. Can you sympathise with our dilemma?"

She turns to Ammanas

"And I assure you mosy humbly master priest that we have no desire at all to offer any insult to yourself or your order. The looks you have seen are merely the appropriate fear. If any here have offended then as your appointed hostess I accept full responsibilty and will gladly accept any punishment you deem fitting"

She sinks to her knees in front of them both, eyes lowered.

[Zilfer]

"Rise child, If your family is implimented in any way I'll deny your family had any involvement with our decision to leave as will be apparent with our lack of absence from the Inn," said Ammanas putting a hand on her shoulder. "We are all a little on edge tonight and for good reason. The unknown has the tendancy to play tricks on people's senses. Know that I have the full intention to getting to the bottom of this situation and whatever may have caused that voice." With that he let his hand fall back to his side. There was no hostility in his voice, but there was grim determination at his proclamation.

[ewancummins]

Varian addresses the innkeeper in a cold, controlled voice--

"The Dread Brother commanded you to pay me. Everyone heard him say it. Yet you stand there in defiance of his word, as if he were of no authority. Truly, I marvel at his holy forbearance, as I dread the doom that must surely befall you if you persist in cheating honest men and mocking priests. Indeed, as the Order is sanctioned by no less a worthy that our Dread Sovereign—aren’t you and your mayor defying the King as well as the gods by thinking to order about and detain a priest? Is this town a nest of rebels—or heretics?”

[steveflam]

The gnome unslings his Hammer from his shoulder, eyes narrowing. "I would do as he says, sir. I am not adverse to using my hammer."

[Trike]

Nicodemus looks at the gnome pointedly. "There's no need for violence here. I'm sure the man will refund the money. And if he does not, your friend should just go to the authorities in the morning. It's what any good person would do, aye?"

[steveflam]

"We wish to exit now, not in the morning. I will not repeat myself again."

[ewancummins]

Nicodemus looks at the gnome pointedly. "There's no need for violence here. I'm sure the man will refund the money. And if he does not, your friend should just go to the authorities in the morning. It's what any good person would do, aye?"

''There won't be any call for that. The authority here has told him to repay us. He pays, we go. Now."

[VAN]

Not understanding a single word of what the others are saying and believeing that it is had nothing to do with him Boiros just waits patiently the argument to finish so he and Caitlin can fetch everyone's stuff at the common room.

[Le Noir Faineant]

The innkeeper crosses his arms before his chest, defiantly.

"So, that's your deal? To have this fake priest help you dine and dash?! - I am not afraid of you!"


The eyes of Caitlin's uncle are cold as steel.

"Criminal scum. Do your wo..."




Door.

Open.

Suddenly.

Splinters of wood.
Flying. Hitting. Cutting.


Smoke.

Fire.


And shadow.











The burning horse smashes through the inn's door, and will break and kill all in its way!

Defend yourselves!

[ewancummins]

Varian takes advantage of the shock and surprise in the room to escape out the back way.

[steveflam]

Xavril follows Varian.

[VAN]

"Holly Ezra! Poor animal."
Boiros seeing the flaming horse gets to the stairs that lead to the upper floor trying to put as more distance possible between him and the horse.