No Mead!

The early evening air is deathly cold. The path is obscured by thick snow and is marked with old foot, horse, and wagon tracks. The sky is clear, a crystalline eternity. You are upon a well-tended dwarf road just south of the Lonely Mountain. The River Running is just to the west, fordable at the road. To the northwest along a branch of the road one can see Dale and further, the waterfall and gates of Erebor. The path winds across the featureless plains that were once part of the Desolation of Smaug. The Winter\'s sparse grass is brown and brittle-looking around you, and the wind blows deathly cold from the north.

The guards open the postern and allowing you entry into the city of Dale.

Bain\'s Ring at the Promenade

The wide promenade continues from the west, where it meets the great Dale Archway, on east straight to the King\'s Garth and the heart of the city of Dale. Three permanent establishments have been raised along this stretch of the promenade, with brilliant fabrics of every color decorating the windows of the clothier, the sweet scent of fermented grapes flaoting to the streets from the wine shop, and flickering lights shining both day and night from the candleshop. All three buildings have closed their doors and shutters, but the smells of the day still hang heavy in the air.

Obvious exits:

Light Shop leads to House of Light.

Bain\'s Bridge leads to Bain\'s Ring near the Terraces.

Toward the Arch leads to The Great Archway of Dale.

South leads to Bain\'s Ring at the Markets.

Southeast leads to Bard\'s Ring at the Promenade.

[Arkenstone(#17999)->Hildis] ***** Erebor Time & Weather Service ******************************************

** Real time is: Thu Jan 29 19:41:49 2009, GMT -8 **

Elendor time is: Twilight (2000) on Hevensday, Day 25 of January 3046.

In the Winter sky, The new moon is like a black hole among the stars.

****************************************** Erebor Time & Weather Service *****

[Thari(#31038)]

Twilight has turned to darkness, and though the merchants have left their doors open later than usual in the hopes of attracting more customers during the festival, those doors are now shut. Lanterns bob around the town, attracting distant sparkle on the lake\'s surface.

Thari leaves the wine-merchant just as the door is shut behind her. She is, of course, dressed in the clothing of a man, but she still looks suspicously over the street before moving further.

A suspicious shadow watches her from the just outside of a circle of light thrown by a lantern. The light gutters in the evening breeze rising from the lake. The shadow is small for a Dale man - more the size of a barrel two green eyes flare as

they watch the dwarf leave the shop. Hildis steps out stroking her beard in a vain attempt to keep from smiling as she walks up behind Thari.

\"Well, been trying out the local wares, have you?\"

[Thari(#31038)]

Thari turns quickly and then smiles at Hildis. \"Oh, aye, aye,\" she answers in an off-handed way. \"But you know how it is with Dale.\" Her voice lowers. \"All of the best to be had is dwarvish-made anyway. Have you found anything?\"

Hildis shrugs and puts her hands in her pockets in a noncommittal way. She too is dressed as a male dwarf, high black boots pulled up over dark green pants covered by a bright tunic of yellow set her red beard off. \"The same here. If we don\'t bring it in then the folks here are not having anything to do with it. Not that I am complaining but,\" she shrugs again, \"folks are just not travelling.\"

[Thari(#31038)]

\"Good food, though,\" Thari counters, stroking her beard, which has grown once again to nearly her belt. \"You\'ll have to give them that. Markedly hard to make a carrot grow beneath the mountain, you know.\"

The dwarf rubs her brow where a bruise still darkens it. It is just old enough to have begun to slip down the side of her cheek into her beard line.

\"Speaking of which...know of someplace where we can get a bite and not run into any elves?\" A sudden grin makes her wince.

\"Last I saw of you at the banquet was you taking a tankard in the head. I have to say they can aim.\"

[Thari(#31038)]

Thari reaches up to touch her brow, where she has either healed or the shadows are masking the bruise. \"It\'s why they\'re archers,\" she grumbles. \"Can\'t face a foe up close.\" She looks down the street, then starts walking. \"Can\'t promise a lack of elves, but we\'ll see if we can find a bite to eat.\"

Hildis nods and takes a closer look at Thari. Pursing her lips she makes a soundless whistle. \"I can\'t complain. That is quite a bruise. Glad to be talking to you Thari since Ranol and all, it\'s...\" Her fists stuffed deeply into her pockets, the Barazin looks about her at a loss for words. \"Well, it has been awkward.\"

[Thari(#31038)]

\"What?\" Thari says in an exasperated tone. She moves closer to the center of the street, her voice remaining low. \"What now? Honestly, you two...\" she shakes her head.

\"You two?\" Nonplussed, Hildis steps back shaking her head and then laughs. \"You mean those two, right? I don\'t know what has gotten into Frarin and Ranol but Ranol is like a cat with his back up at the mention of his name. Has Frarin mentioned anything?\"

[Thari(#31038)]

Thari nods her head. \"Oh, yes,\" she says easily enough with a glance aside at Hildis. \"He\'s upset with Ranol but doesn\'t want to talk about it. He\'ll talk when he\'s ready. What has Ranol said?\"

\"Nothing. You are a lot more patient about it then I am.\" She glances at her then walks with her head down. \"I...well, first he was very concerned about my wrist but distant and worried. Then, the day I mention some rumors I had heard in my clan about the cave in he practically bites my head off about the rumors and about Frarin. Then Braldor...Hildis nods significantly.

[Thari(#31038)]

\"Frarin said he was going to ask Ranol something about the cave-in.\" Thari pauses and slows as she walks. She looks sidelong at Hildis, then around at the street. She leans closer to the other lady and murmurs, \"I have no desire to say more, my friend. I wouldn\'t betray Frarin\'s confidences.\"

\"Ahuh.\" Shoulders hunched, chewing on the end of a moustache, a habit she has been trying to break herself of for a long time, Hildis frowns. \"So you shouldn\'t but there is something afoot here, Thari and I don\'t like being kept in the dark. There were dwarves killed...I have no need to tell you that,\" she adds darkly.

[Thari(#31038)]

Thari bows her head, too, and is silent for a long time. Finally she heaves a breath. \"I don\'t know what is happening,\" she admits, \"But Frarin is among the lords of his clan. I have trust in his ability to set things aright.\" Her head lifts a little. \"You could ask him?\"

Hildis rolls her eyes at the prospect. \"Ranol would be so happy about my talking to Frarin. Something that Ranol said to Frarin got him into trouble with Braldor. you probably know that though.\"

[Thari(#31038)]

\"Really?\" Thari\'s bristly brows raise. \"No, I didn\'t know that.\" Her lips set. \"But you can wager I\'ll be speaking to Frarin about Braldor now. I\'ve no interest in having a word with Ranol about this, though. You know better than anyone about what he\'s like to try to talk to.\"

Hildis takes a hand out of her pocket to pinch the bridge of her nose and nod. Sighing she says, \"Yes, yes I know. Please don\'t. You mean you didn\'t know that Ranol nearly may no longer be clan-karl for the Thane. He was that angry.\"

[Thari(#31038)]

\"Wait, what?\" Thari\'s brows lift even further. \"I thought he was only temporarily demoted. What has he done? That cousin of mine-- Durin! He\'s a great fool sometimes, begging your pardon, Hildis.\"

\"The thane did say a month. I suppose he told him this week but with the banquet and all. I haven\'t heard.\" Hildis looks about her as though hoping to run into the subject of their conversation. Something occurs to Hildis and she narrows her eyes. \"How did you know that?\"

[Thari(#31038)]

\"I -am- still a Bundazanul, Hildis,\" Thari says in a droll voice. \"If our huskarl is demoted and he\'s my family, I hear of it. I mean, his younger sister still lives with my own mother, you know.\"

Waggling her shoulders, Hildis gives her a \'well, please\' look but smiles wryly. \"Well, alright. What is it that we are all edging about? Our miners were saying that it was deliberate, Thari. And that\'s that.\" She shoots her a determined look but she swallows at her own temerity.

[Thari(#31038)]

Thari\'s face turns carved in stone by Hildis\'s lantern-light, shadows plucking out hills and gulleys carved by the scars of old wounds. The healer swallows, too. Grey eyes shut. \"I\'ll ask Frarin about that,\" Thari says at last. \"And perhaps my father as well.\"

\"You do that,\" she snorts in indignation. \"But you won\'t get very far unless...\" Hildis stops in her tracks to look piercingly at Thari\'s back and then she hurries to catch up. \"You know, don\'t you?\"

[Thari(#31038)]

\"No, I don\'t know,\" Thari snaps all at once, turning to face Hildis. \"I\'ve been rather preoccupied with other matters. I wouldn\'t lie to you, brother.\"

[Mobeorn(#22365)] Off-key whistling can be heard before the man in question committing this musical crime can be seen: the man large, very large, brown-haired, with a face pleasant though scarred. He approaches the dwarves.

\"Brother,\" Hildis mutters. \"You needn\'t bite my head off. People talk and our miners are experts.\" She buttons down at the sight of the man accompanying the off-key whistle and nudges Thari.

[Thari(#31038)]

\"Accusing me of lying,\" Thari mutters until the nudge. Then the short healer looks up, taking a step or two-- and up again, at the tall Mobeorn. \"Ay!\" comes a rough call. \"How much mead did ye bring?\"

[Mobeorn(#22365)] \"Hail and well met, dwarven folk! Mead? Mead? You\'re the ones who should be supplying such, or at the very least, ale. But...\" Mobeorn studies the faces of the two dwarves before him as he approaches. \"There seems to be trouble afoot.\"

\"And why would that be?\" Hildis stands very straight and looks up at the tall man with as much assurance as if their eyes were on the same level.

[Thari(#31038)]

\"Explain yourself,\" Thari says right on the heels of Hildis\'s question. The healer\'s thumb sticks in the belt.

[Mobeorn(#22365)] \"Why, I carry no mead with me,\" Mobeorn grins, gesturing to his empty hands. From the man\'s good humor, it might be suspected that he carries no mead because he has already drank it all, though he is by no means drunk or even tipsy.

Just...happy.

\"And yet, in coming this way, I heard you speaking words to each other that seemed troubled in tone. So I was guessing there is trouble. It is not that difficult to determine these things. Clear as a bee on a flower.\"

[Mobeorn(#22365)] Which is to imply, perhaps, not so clear at all.

[Wynne(#16973)]

Dressed for court and not for the cold a young woman sighs as the winter seeps into her bones steeling away what little warmth her body had. Shivering she makes her way towards the tavern, anxious to be out of the way of the courtiers. Turning on to the street she quickens her pace.

Hildis\'s eyes narrow at the word trouble but the man\'s smile is engaging. The beginning of a smile might be seen under the long moustache. \"Mead is a good word. Trouble is not, friend. Let us forget our troubles perhaps in some good ale? My brother here was taking me to such a place.\"

[Thari(#31038)]

\"Aye, there\'s been trouble,\" Thari answers, tilting head slightly while looking up. \"Dwarven trouble.\"

And then, abruptly, the dwarven healer turns. \"I\'m going to go find Frarin,\" is left as an explanation as Thari walks away, in the opposite direction of Wynne.

[Mobeorn(#22365)] \"Dwarven trouble? I suppose that\'s none of my business now, is it?\" Mobeorn says, voice booming out. \"But if your brother is not goign to take you to an alehouse, then you may be on your own. Unless...\" his eyes travel to the woman poorly dressed for the weather. \"Unless this lass can help you?\"

\"Dwarven trouble is no ones business...\"Hildis\'s expression is pure bewilderment as his brother stalks off and he turns to watch him walk away. Turning back he eyes the big man and then the woman. \"Ale, eh? Why would the woman help? I mean...does she know a good spot.\" He lowers his voice slightly, \"Without elves?\"

[Ranol(#26812)] Another of the stout Khazad walks through the streets, guiding along a jet black pony as he walks. He\'s wearing a thick blue cloak over chainmail, and has a seemingly quiet disposition as he slowly approaches the small group that has gathered.

It\'s the towering Beorning that first gives Ranol pose, since the man is a giant amongst the others. A moment later recognition crosses his face and he grins. \"Mobeorn!\" The dwarf greets cheerfully. \"Good day to you.\"

[Wynne(#16973)]

\"I should.\" The woman replies with a laugh as she stops to exchange words with the others. \"There are two places here, what is your poison?\" Her teeth begin to chatter. \"Sorry I hurry to get out so I left my cloak.\"

[Mobeorn(#22365)] \"Miss, you should not be out in this weather without a cloak...but as I have none to lend...\" Mobeorn grins and shrugs, for he is wearing but a tunic and trousers, no cloak. And is not shivering. \"But perhaps one of these dwarven folk will lend you their cloaks. Ranol here...\" he nods his head to that dwarf, \"is a fine fellow now, and certainly has no need to stay warm. And...\" he grins again, voice conspiratorially low, \"if they make you pay for the cloak....take the payment to them out in the price of yoru showing them where the alehouses are.\" He winks.

\"Well met to all of your kind, but I am off on another matter. Perhaps on the morrow you dwarven folk can bring me some of that mead you promised.\" Again, the Beorning man grins, then picks up his mis-whistled tune again and makes on his way.

The smile lifting the corner of his moustache grows and Hildis flashes a brief grin at Ranol. \"Hail, Ranol, well met Brother!

And well met to you, good sir.\" Ranol has treated this man as a friend so Hildis, trader that he is, takes his lead.

\"We will charge the lady nothing for the use of Ranol\'s cloak, be sure of it.\" Hildis\'s green eyes are bright with mirth. \"And I, for one, shall be glad to lift a glass with you. But for now, perhaps Ranol will join us?\"

[Ranol(#26812)] As he reaches the group, Ranol chuckles. It wasn\'t difficult to hear the booming voice of Mobeorn, after all.

He unslings his shield from his back, then pulls off the thick blue cloak to offer to Wynne. \"Is is good to see you again,

Wynne.\" He says politely, still carrying the easy smile on his face. Hildis is given a nod. \"I could join you, aye. My evening is free.\" As Mobeorn leaves, Ranol offers a departing wave, but most of his attention is on the others.

[Wynne(#16973)]

\"Thank you good Sir.\" Wynne says gratefully as she takes the cloak. \"It is good to all of you as well.\" Quickly she dons on the warm cloak. Still shivering she motions for them all to follow her.

Hildis falls in behind the woman but speaks to her hurrying back, \"Wynne? Wynne of the ponies? It is Hildis if you remember me.\"

Ranol guides the pony along, a sturdy beast of fine breeding with a glossy coat and quality saddle and tackle. The dwarf is quiet as they walk, letting Hildis speak without interrupting. He seems unconcerned for the cold, wearing chainmail over a thick tunic, and carrying his sword and shield despite leading a mount behind him.

[Wynne(#16973)]

\"Of course I remember you Hildis, how is the dear doing?\" Wynne replies back as she leads them deeper into the city, she casts a glance over her shoulder at the pony. \"What is your Pony\'s name Ranol?\"

\"Fine, more than fine. It is a fine pony. I have him stabled here. Ah, Wynne?\" He clears his throat and shoots Ranol a look and settles his cloak closer about him. \"Are we going to a place the elves wouldn\'t? I haven\'t a mind to have a dust up with them this evening.\"

[Ranol(#26812)] \"This lad? Hrappi.\" Ranol answers with a smile, reaching to pat the pony\'s neck a couple of times. \"He\'s a good one.. Hrappi is.\" The dwarf says with some fondness for the beast. \"How are you, Wynne? Still tending all of Dale\'s horses?\"

[Wynne(#16973)]

\"I am very well, just tired of court. I have no idea where the elves may or may not go. Did they say where they were headed? It might give me and idea.\" Wynne laughs. \"I will be tending horses and other four legged creatures until the day that I die. He is a good looking pony, I like his conformation.\"

\"Tired and cold. Time for a good hot meal and an ale,\" he calls out heartily. More quietly to Ranol, \"How did it go the other day with Braldor? You are looking well.\"

Ranol smiles, nodding in appreciation of Wynne\'s words. As they reach the tavern, he draws to a stop, grinning. \"I remember this place. It had a lot of.. flavor.. if I recall. Let me see Hrappi settled and I will join you both inside.\" Before he moves off he answers Hildis. \"It went well. Things are back to normal, at least as far as my duties are concerned. The rest will take time.\" Then the khazad leads the pony off to be stabled out of the cold for a few hours.

\"Oh, right,\" Hildis says as the reach the Inn. \"But never mind, hot stew, cold ale, a good fire and fine company. I cannot ask

for more except for an absence of certain creatures. I will meet you inside Ranol and...thank you.\" He opens the door and walks into the Inn.

[Ranol(#26812)] The khazad guard isn\'t long in seeing his pony taken care of, and soon enough he\'s inside the seedy tavern to join the others. As he settles into a chair he looks to Hildis again, \"Have you ordered, cousin?\"

\"No,\" he rumbles with an impatient shake of his head. \"And I am hungry even for the lamb stew here. Though I don\'t remember it as being bad.\"

A serving woman arrives, scantily dressed for a winter\'s evening but Hildis pays it no mind, she gives the dwarves a nod asking,\"What will it be? We have lamb stew tonight.\"

Without consulting with Ranol the trader orders, \"Ale all around and stew as well please.\" He settles back with a sigh as the warmth of the fireplace begins to penetrate. \"I am glad to hear that Braldor and you are on a good footing, Ranol.\"

[Ranol(#26812)] \"Aye.. well, we shall say. I cannot say the same for others.\" Ranol murmurs, his voice low as soft thunder on a summer night. \"Needless to say, I have learned to be more careful in the future.\" He makes no reaction when his kin orders the food and drink other than nodding in mild agreement with Hildis\'s choice.

[Wynne(#16973)]

Taking off the cloak Wynne hands it over to Ranol as the warmth of the Inn seeps into her bones. Finding a seat she places and order for mulled wine. \"If you do not mind me asking what happen with the elves?\" When she asks her question she leans in close to them.

\"Er, well.\" Hildis gives Ranol a look. \"Might say there was a bit of a fracus over a song.\"

[Ranol(#26812)] \"Aye.. that is what I heard as well. I was not present for the occasion. My duties required me elsewhere that evening.\" Ranol says, taking the cloak and draping it over the back of his chair.

The trader\'s hand goes to his bruised forehead and he frowns. \"Elves.\"

[Wynne(#16973)]

\"Over a song...Ahh... Well!\" Wynne looks flabbergasted for a moment as she notices the burises on the traders forehead. \"To each is own I guess. But please tell me that you were not reduced to using fist over this song?\"

Ranol notices the bruises as well, when Hildis brings attention to them. \"How did that happen, cousin?\" He asks softly, in concern.

\"Er, tankards,\" the trader says with an abashed grin.

[Wynne(#16973)]

\"I think you have a story to tell us my friend.\" Wynne says as she waits for the Trader to give more information.

With a smile, she reaches out and takes her mug of mulled wine. Delicately she takes a sip.

\"Nay, no story. And the bruise is worse looking than it feels, cousin. The elves sang, and an infamous song it was.\" Hildis\'s voice which had started as a soft rumble takes on a bass note as his ire rises. \"Funny they thought it - calling us misers and unwilling to help.\"

The server clanking down two tankards stops him and he lifts a tankard and takes a long quaff. \"If I say more I will get angry again. And I shan\'t do it.\"

Ranol has a small smile playing on his lips as the brief explanation is given. He reaches for the last mug and drinks slowly.

\"The elves have strange ways of sharing their opinions, I have found.\" The dwarf offers, seeming to neither support nor deny the incident in question.

[Wynne(#16973)]

\"Ahh, poor choice of a song on their part! I am sure they did not mean what they sang.\" Wynne adds as she takes another sip.

The trader chokes and nearly sprays the table with ale. \"Did not mean it? I should say not. They knew perfectly what they were singing. Infamy, I say.\"

[Ranol(#26812)] \"Aye, I must agree with my kin on this one. Elves are no fools, though they oft act foolishly. I have no doubt that they knew what they sang of. Us dwarves are not so unpredictable in our tempers on matters, I fear to admit.\" Ranol takes another drink, then sets down the mug. \"But I wonder if they only meant to test the mettle of our king. Time will tell.\"

[Wynne(#16973)]

\"I will not even pretend to understand what you two are talking about for I know very little of the elves, forgive me for my ignorance.\" Wynne replies back with another smile.

The stew is set down with an unceremonious thump by the server. That is a signal for Hildis to lift his spoon. Holding it in the air he admonishes the woman, \"Never you mind but be wary of those elves. They are pretty to look at but heed my cousin Ranol\'s words.\"

With that he tucks into his stew and has no more to say.