(Archive) Of Spies and Men

Players: Gavving

Scampre (played by Lorthrain)

Korimeh

Fiery Flagon

The Fiery Flagon has long been a nexus for gossip and comradary in Esgaroth. The room is still scattered with evenly placed tables, each piece of furniture well smoothed and ready to provide a comfortable seat and a place for a mug to the inn\'s patrons. Against one wall, a large brick fireplace stands proudly, a number of iron tools and an extra pile of wood huddled on the hearth. To the side of the fireplace there is a large window with thick glass which looks out onto Bowman Street, the words \"The Fiery Flagon\" painted in common across the pane so they might be read from the road.

The bar occupies another wall of the room, standing as a stout guard before the neat rows of bottles, glasses, boxes and kegs. It is perhaps this piece of heavy, dark wood that shows the most evidence of a recent fire. The base of the bar still shows the scorchmarks from the flames, although the entire bar has been polished so much that it will neither chip nor flake ever again. Carved deeply into the center of the bar is the tavern\'s sigil: a mug overflowing with flame.

Behind the bar a doorway vanishes into a kitchen area, whee rumour has it a small courtyard can be found.

Contents:

Korimeh

Scampre

Brue, Jr.

Obvious exits:

Up the stairwell leads to Sleeping Quarters.

Swinging Door leads to Center of Bowman Street.

Back Door leads to The Market Square.

The morning sun spreads a cheerful glow over the famous Laketown, and so it is that business begins in Esgaroth\'s streets with gusto the townsfolk out and about in force to get the day\'s trading underway. But not everyone is engaged in selling their wares or seeking a fine deal this day there are those also for whom the morning has begun lazily, and of course even the street sellers need to take a break.

So it is that the Fiery Flagon, Esgaroth\'s premier ale-house, is busy this morn more than a few tables filled with those who have naught better to do today, or who are ducking in to escape their business for a spell. And then there are those to whom every day is a holiday, such as the fellow seated at the bar, enjoying some bread and cheese alongside the flagon of ale that sits before him.

Scampre muches happily upon his meal, keeping one eye trained upon the doors at all times.

Korimeh enters the Fiery Flagon from the streets, smiling at someone as he closes the door. Looking around then, he scans his surroundings, getting an idea of the people in the Flagon. Approaching the bar, he smiles softly, and sits beside Scampre, nodding to him as he waits for the bartender to come over.

The former pickpocket turns sly, twinkling eyes upon Korimeh as the young Guardsman seats himself, and after a moment\'s study he grins and wipes his mouth. Scampre waves then cheerfully to Korimeh, ere he greets him with: \"Well now, this is a fine to-do, isn\'t it? You\'re not that heroic new Constable, are you? The one the ladies are all talking about in the street?\"

Korimeh chuckles softly yet blushes rather intensely at Scampre\'s description of him. \"I am Constable Korimeh, if that\'s who you\'re talking about, though I\'d not call myself heroic- not at all. I was just doing my job.\" He shakes his head then, but smiles and looks to Scampre, \"But, a fine to-do it could be called. A pleasure to meet you, Sir!\"

With the morning sun already making her way across the the clear spring sky, the humble people of the town on the lake try and most the most of the glorious day. The constant opening of the door of the Flagon sheds a majestically light upon the otherwise dimly lit patrons.

Opening the doors to the Flagon and letting light cast its purifying gaze upon the patrons is no other than Gavving Tull. The prosperous merchant smiles and nods to those who quickly come and go within the Flagon\'s walls whilst looking for a place to sit. Finding a place at the bar, Gavving calls out \"Barkeep, your finest breakfast my boy\" Brue scowls at the word as he shouts back \"I told you don\'t call me a barkeep. I hate that word. I am your gracious host, not a barkeep\"

Gavving laughs as he takes a seat. \"That never gets old..\" says the merchant to a fellow sitting next to him. A plate of meat, eggs and bread appear before the merchant along with a pint of some unidentified drink. Gavving takes to the plate with vigor as he scans the room and slightly nods to fellow merchants and past customers.

Wiping his hand on his rather shabby clothing, Scampre then extends it amiably to the guardsman. \"Awwww,\" says he, almost seeming to fawn over the young man, \"don\'t be so modest, Constable. Why, I heard just this morning how the girls down at the Fishtale want to reward you handsomely for all your hard work. And as for myself, I\'m mighty pleased to see someone taking law and order seriously around here...\"

The rogue beams then, as winningly as his dishevelled appearance can manage, ere he takes a drink of his ale. But as Gavving enters the tavern, his sly eyes turn thither instead, and he watches the trader\'s plate with mild envy.

Korimeh takes Scampre\'s hand and shakes it firmly. He smiles at the man, but shakes his head at the mention of girls at the Fishtale. \"Thank you, friend, for your warm welcome.\" He then sees Gavving and his breakfast, and notices Scampre\'s eyes upon it. Smiling to Brue, he says, \"Gracious host, might I get a plate of your finest meat- I\'d like some eggs as well, and a loaf of bread, with cheese too. Also, some aged wine, too, please.\" He smiles then to Scampre, and winks. As the large plate comes a few moments later, he slides it over to Scampre beside him, and says, \"Enjoy, my friend.\" He looks to Scampre, wondering how he\'ll react, as well as how the merchant will react to his one-upping him.

Looking up from his meal, Gavving smirks at the guard in his feeble attempt to out do the merchant. Taking a drink from his mug, Gavving turns towards the officer \"Ahhh, yoiu must be the new Constable everyone is talking about. Trying to do right by the little guy the rumor is.\" Taking another drink, Gavving motions his head towards Scampre \"Be cautious around that one. He\'s tried to unburden me of some florins before.\" Getting up from his stool, Gavving reaching into his change purse and takes out several florins and tosses them Scampre\'s way. \"There we go. That should keep you an honest man for a day or two.\" Gavving nods to Scampre and looks back at the Constable before taking a seat back at the bar and resumes his meal.

A grin flashes across Scampre\'s lips at this, but swiftly he droops his features into the look of injured dignity, and he shakes his head sadly. \"Oh Master Gavving,\" says he, even as his hand sweeps out to collect the coins deftly, \"you do know how to wound a man. Suggesting I aint honest, and all that. Why, us poor folk have as much honesty and worth as any rich merchant or nobleman, yet here I am, attempting to enjoy a morning meal, when I have to suffer insults from my fellow patrons...\"

Sighing to Korimeh with an expression of \'what can one do?\', Scampre then, sniffs and stows the florins in his pocket, ere he raises his hand to Gavving. \"But see, I got me manners, at least...\" says he as he offers a handshake in return for the coins.

Looking to Gavving somewhat disgustedly, Korimeh says to him cooly, \"Lots of little friends will trump having one powerful ally in the end.\" He shakes his head slowly, a bit angrily. \"And I am proud to call this man friend.\" He looks to Scampre then and smiles softly, before nodding at him approvingly for offering his hand to the merchant to shake. He watches the merchant carefully, cautious to make sure that nothing ill comes of the handshake.

Finishing his meal, Gavving nods to the barmaid who quickly whisks the crumb-filled plate away. Finishing the contents of his mug, Gavving places the mug upon the table, which is quickly refilled by Brue. A quick wink and smile comes from the merchant towards the barkeep and he takes another drink while the Constable continues to talk about the virtues of not having powerful friends.

Seeing Sampre\'s extended hand, Gavving takes it with a smile on his face and says \"I meant no serious disrespect. I enjoy our repartee but remember Rule of Profit 285 No good deed ever goes unpunished.\" Gavving looks at the Constable as he withdraws his hand from Scampre as a flash of parchment quickly disappears \"Who is to say that this man isn\'t my friend Constable. Profit knows few enemies.\"

Hiding another grin, Scampre then straightens in his seat, and he turns to face Korimeh, smiling gratefully. \"But it does my heart the world of good to know you\'re looking after my dignity, Constable. Too many folk simply don\'t care about the little man, unless they\'ve been little men themselves.\"

As the meal ordered by the guardsman arrives, Scampre smacks his lips and winks to Gavving, ere he tucks in with gusto to let the others talk.

Korimeh notices the flash, but has no clue what it is, and decides to ignore it for a while as he looks over to Gavving and nods slowly. \"And is profit what dictates your every action?\" He asks, not incredulously but somewhat skeptically. Then, looks to Scampre as the man speaks to him, he nods slowly, smiling. \"I suppose I have been the little man- but that\'s a long story.\" Shaking his head, he chuckles and says to Scampre, \"Enjoy, my friend.\"

Seeing Scampre enjoy his meal, Gavving mouth turns towards a grin ever so slightly. Upon hearing the Constable\'s inquiry, Gavving takes another sip of his drink and gets up from his stool. Pausing to turn to walk towards the rest of the room, Gavving places his right hand on the Constable\'s left shoulder and says his a serious tone in his voice \"My dear Constable, anything worth doing is worth doing for money.\"

Gavving nods as he slaps the Constable\'s left shoulder. Walking towards a small table of patrons, Gavving turns back and says \"Rule 13..\" as he raises his mug and turns his attention to a couple of people sitting around the Flagon. Gavving shakes the hands of several people before sitting down with a small group and join in the conversation.

As Gavving moves away, Scampre finishes swallowing a particularly gluttonous chunk of meat, ere he smiles to Korimeh. \"Can\'t really argue with the man there. Money makes this town run, you know. That\'s why folks such as that Lord Norfred of Arathmor have so much pull they can afford it.\"

Korimeh grumbles, \"Could arrest the bastard for slapping me...\" Shaking his head, though, he visibly tries to control himself. \"What did he give you, by the way?\" He asks, then, curiously. He looks to Scampre with interest.

The conversation at the table continues, but the voices dim as to prevent any prying ears focused their way. This dim is then broken by a raucous laughter and the sound of mug being brought together. As a dock worker enters the Flagon, his eyes scan the room until they fall upon the merchant. He quickly makes his way towards him and with a quick bow hands his a piece of parchment.

Gavving nods to the man and introduces him to the men at the table. The man nervously smiles and shakes thier hands before departing but not after gazing upon the merchant. Gavving nods as raises his mug before the man departs. The group resumes their raucous conversation with very brief periods of dim whispering.

\"How much did he give me?\" replies Scampre to Korimeh, wiping his mouth with his sleev and drinking from his tankard. \"Oh, who knows? I didn\'t count, but any gold is more than welcome, to a man in my position.\"

As the brief meeting between Gavving and the dockhand takes place, Scampre\'s eyes follow the worker out the door, ere he sucks his teeth thoughtfully and grins back to the Guardsman once more. \"But what about you, eh? You\'re earning from the public purse now, aren\'t you? How much of that fine prosperity the kingdom is enjoying trickles down to your hands, Constable?\"

Korimeh notices that Scampre avoided his question, and looks at him surprisedly. Then, replaying the scenario in his mind, he notices that Scampre and Gavving were both acting weird. Then he sees Scampre watching something, and looks towards the area he\'s watching- with Gavving and the dock hand. He notices something go between hands, and gets up instantly. Running towards the door, he opens it swiftly and looks around to spy the dock hand, before yelling, \"Gracious host- no one leaves the Flagon!\" He starts after the dock hand, and attempts to sling him onto the tavern\'s outside wall.

A loud sigh is heard from Gavving as he finishes his mug and wipes his mouth of with a clean cloth. Walking towards the Constable, Gavving shakes his head and says \"My dear boy, what has gotten into you? Why scare these people out of their appetites?\" Gavving motions for the Constable to join him \"come, let us relax and let me buy you a drink and you can join us.\"

Gavving sits back down and takes out a pipe and stuffs it with pipeweed and lights it using the candle on the table. \"Come Constable..there are people I\'d like you to meet.\" Gavving shakes his head and leans back in his chair as the men at the table resume their conversations. and motion for Gavving to share his pipeweed.

Watching as the Guardsman springs into action, Scampre does not budge from his seat, merely smiling to himself as he contonues to eat.

Meanwhile, Brue\'s head pokes around the corner of the cellar door, and his brow furrows as he scans the room in annoyance. \"What\'s going on out here? I heard raised voices.\" The portly landlord steps out behind the bar, glancing around the room expecting an answer, though only Scampre appears to pay him any attention.

\"You probably heard my stomach sighing at how wonderful yer food is, Master Brue,\" says the cheek rogue with a mouth full of bread.

Korimeh lets the dock hand go and follows Gavving hesitantly. Coming with him to the table, he sits down beside him slowly, looking at him suspiciously. He shifts his weapons so that they don\'t interfere with him and the seat. \"So...\" He starts slowly, \"I fear I may have overreacted.\" He looks to Gavving, then, and extends his hand, \"Truce?\" He asks, genuinely.

Gavving nods as he extends his hands and shakes the Constable\'s hands but gets a curious expression when he notices him check out his sleeve. A bit confused, Gavving pulls down his sleeve a bit to reveal nothing but his arm. \"Satisfied Constable?...\" Shaking his head and he takes another drink, Gavving quickly interrupts his swallowing \"Where are my manners?..Let me introduce you to some of the finest merchants this city has to offer...\"

As Gavving points to each one, they raise thier glasses \"Master Gybyrn, seller of trinkets. Master Syllyn, who trades in precious stones. And Master Carrin, seller of fine wines and ales\" Gavving lowers his glass and resumes smoking his pipe. \"We were talking the trade and sharing some rather bad and inappropriate jokes hence all the whispering. But you will not find a more honest bench of gentlemen.\" The group laugh and raise their glasses and take a long drink.

The dockworker quickly makes another appearance and walks up to the group and bows. \"My apologies Master Gavvin\', but the ships have arrived and are waiting for you.\" Gavving nods and excuses himself from the table. \"My apologies gentlemen, but duty calls.\" Gavving quickly shakes the hands of his fellow merchants and makes his way to the door. \"Until we meet again Constable..\" Gavving bows and turns to look at Scampre and gives him a quick nod before departing.

As Gavving departs, Scampre offers the man a cheery wave, ere he wipes his mouth once more with his sleeve. \"Well now, Master Brue,\" says he as he rises from his seat to pat his stomach. \"That were a fine meal and no mistake. I don\'t think I\'ve had better all week long.\"

As Brue nods grumpily but returns to the cellar, Scampre drains the rest of his tankard\'s contents ere he smacks his lips and glances anew to Korimeh. \"Thank you again, Constable. That were a real treat.\"

Korimeh nods to each of the merchants, smiling at them while blushing. He then looks to Scampre as he speaks. \"Of course, friend- any time.\" He says amiably, trying to play down what had just happened. Then he says to the merchants around him, \"Thank you, for your understandingness, my friends... I\'ll be off back to the Watch.\"