Standing Lu sketckes a quick but proper bow to Bodar.
Master Bodar, thank you for seeing me at such short notice. I appreciate your time. I promise that I will be out of your way shortly. If you please, I would like to hear everything you told my father. He has told me of the conversation you and he had, but oftentimes there are details lost in the translation. I am sure that one in a discipline such as yours understands the need for precision and detail.
Ever wary of propriety Lu remains standing, waiting for Bodar to sit, as a sign of her respect.

The smith simply nods. The ork was here a little over a month ago. 39 days to be exact. He had me examine the shield for him, and bought a few of my wares. He had five other orks with him, all wearing the same insignia of a red eye with a rune instead of the pupil. The orks with him also wore a seecond heraldric marc, that I take to be the ork Kraech Yelllowtusk. A poorly made patch of an ork with a large yellow tusk.

I could tell immediately that the shield was not ork made. The markings on the shield were made by elven tools without a doubt. The style was also elven make, and a very old technique. It had been 'decorated' upon with paints and bindings by the ork to make it look more 'authentic.' He wanted to know more of the items key knowledge so that he could increase his bond to the item.

The orks were headed out on a campaign, of that I'm sure. They needed weapons re-forged, bought a few new ones, axes and a pair of spears, and some armor. They had coin enough to pay for it all, which lends me to believe that they're sell swords.

I kept the shield for one week to examine it, then returned it as Ihad agreed. I knew the shield had not orignally been theirs, but few thread items are these days anyway. It wasn't until they'd been gone a week that I met your father Valandil. The shield came up in the normal course of discussion.

Did the orks mention at all where they might be going or give any clue as to their employer or the job?

No, but I can tell you what Inn they were staying at. They stayed for at least one week at the Burning Barrel. Mostly a gut rot shop that sells rooms out above. Most just pay for a few hours from what I hear.

You said that the ork was interested in bonding the shield. From what you could tell, had he already tied a thread to the item? I'm also curious, did he say how he came by the shield?

He didn't say and I didn't ask. But he wasn't certainly bonded to it already. Rather I think he was trying to strengthen his ties to it, and needed more knowledge of the artifact for that.

Under her breathThank the Passions for small favors.Speaking aloud again,"Thank you, Master Bodar. You have been most informative. Once again, thank you for taking the time to speak with me.
With another bow, Lu turns to go.

Bodar bows in return Mynbruje be with you Warrior.

With no particular direction in mind, Lu leaves the 'smith's shop. Bundling her cloak around her, she mulls over all that he told her. Trying to get into that tavern the smith mentions sounds like suicide... and I sent Quipp.Lu's shoulders slump as the realization of what she might have done hits her. Oh Mynbruje, help me to find the truth in all of this. Help me to find justice for Alesse. Guide my steps that I my walk the right path.Looking around, Lu changes direction, heading now back to the inn where Ky probably still sleeps.
Ky will want to know what Bodar said. We can decide where to go from there.

Who ever said that the Passions work in mysterious ways was apparently just making up excuses. Nothing miraculous occured on the long walk back to the Inn, except watching another of the great air ships leave the docks, sailing out against the moon light. It occured to Lu that sailors don't usually sail at night. But then again, what would they run in to?

The Inn was quiet. A dull murmer around the room as the locals talked amongst them selves, forgetting their days troubles over a pint with a friend. Nothing much pierced their perceptions of what should be, and so everything was proper for them.

The Inn keeper produced a small plate from the kitchens. Local meat this time. Beef. That was another new and wonderful thing. For some reason most people seemed to think that elves didn't eat meat. Simply ridiculous. But one of Kyla's first discoveries was this "beef", from an animal much to big to be able to live in a kaer. Many often wondered why any wildlife had survived at all out side during the Scourge. The Wonders of Jaspree most called it, and left it at that.

Surpisingly, Kyla wasn't in the room. Neither was her gear, save her traveling pack.

Finding the room empty, Lu returned downstairs. Approaching the bartender,
Excuse me, I was wondering if you had seen my sister. She's about... well, she looks like me.

The dwarf behind the bar blinked twice slowly then replied Well then how would I know if it were you or her? You gotta think about those kinds of things girl. I mean how am I supposed to tell you that I saw your sister leaving when it could have been you? Would make a liar out of me is what it would do. Now how could you be asking me to do that, lie to a nice elf girl like your self?

Lu simply stared at the man dumbfounded. Uh, I,... you.. she... I. Ummm.. Let me try this again. I left earlier this afternoon, around 3 p.m. She would have left later then that. She carries a heavier sword then I do... and she would have been making eyes at any man in here. Does that ring a bell?
Lu couldn't quite wrap her mind around what the barman had said, or the fact that it had made some sort of bizarre sense.

Well ya see, I just got in an hour ago. So I might have served her a plate of beef and watched her go upstairs, but that's probably about it. Don't think I've seen you or her anymore than that. Or which ever.

Thanks. I think.Lu turned and faced the rest of the inn befuddled. Okay, so I think that was me. I left a note for her, maybe she left one for me.
Still confused, Lu returns to the room upstairs. Looking around, she searches for some sort of note.

there is a carefully folded note on the bed. It reads
Ky, you were fast asleep. The days' exertion must have finally caught up with you. I've gone on to question the Weaponsmith. If I'm not back soon, come looking for me. Love, Lu


You're pretty sure you left that one.

What? Ky... I swear, if I have to go fetch you out of some low-rent ale house... or worse, if you got yourself arrested... I will... ARGH!
Looking around the room, Lu tries to get an idea of what Ky took with her.

It appears that the only things that are missing is her purse, a set of clothes (thankfully she's dressed) , her armor, and weapons. Her pack and personal belongings all remain.

Okay, so I'll wait. Maybe she went looking for me. It's possible I was gone longer then she was willing to wait. I'll give her an hour and then... well, I'll look for her. Suddenly a horrifying thought strikes Lu.Kylatien Calaelen! If you got on that airship, I swear on whatever passion will let me hang you from your toenails... I will... well, it will be not pleasant!
With that Lu plopped herself onto the edge of the bed in a huff. Nervously biting her fingernails, Lu watched the door anxiously.

About forty minutes later, a familiar plodding footfall came towards the door.
How could a girl trained to be so graceful and fluid be such a clodder!? Never ceases to amaze.

There was the jiggling of the handle, and a key clumsily inserted. By the sound of it, she was drunk. Finally the door opened.

No, not drunk, wounded. She had half a dozen bandages, all with blood on them. Not a copious amount, but enough. How she made it to the inn without being arrested only Lochost could answer.

She walked in, limping a bit, tossed a few things down (her sword on the bed, a bandage from her arm), then plopped in the chair. There was a squishing noise.

Hey Lu. How was your dwarf meet? You help him polish his sword or something?

I'm sorry... what? How? Who did you? What did? I.... You are bleeding all over the floor. They'll charge us more for that you know.
Satisfied that her sister, albeit bleeding and wounded, was safe for the time being and not sailing blissfully away, Lu could turn her mind to more pressing concerns. Like the bleeding wounds on her sisters' body.
With a look of utter weariness, Lu pulled her healer's kit from her bag and kneeled in front of her sister.
Tell me what happened.Lu asked, and then began to strip and clean her sister.

Well I woke up and you were gone, so naturally I got bored. I wandereda bit, and eventually got around to finding my way to that ale house. Met a nice man along the way to. Big man, name was Borne. Real pretty.

Anyways, I get to the bar, and find that ork Gars. Touble was ,he didn't want to talk much. Mostly wanted to insult me in that gibberish the ycal la language. So naturally I put his head through a wall.

Well apparenlt in orkish that means "hey let's all get in a fight", so everyone in the bar started fighting. That Gars gets his head back out and starts coming at me with this hunk of metal he called a sword.

So we go at it for a bit. I tried asking him questions once I had him pinned to the ground with my sword through his leg, but really you know my dwarvish just ins't that good. So I asked one of the runts with him if he knew anything. Apparently he figured a sword through a leg was a good enough reason to learn mydwarvish, because he gave up a name real easy.

Anyway, once that Gars guy bled out, icouldn't find Borne any more. Too many big bodies on the floor. So I left, and on the way back, I foudn the most wonderful pastry shop! They fry this bread and fill it with these jellies and I got you one! They're the best, you should... Kyla reached behind her to grab the pastry out of her belt satchel, then stopped and blushed. Sorry Lu. Afraid I sort of sat on it. Don't think you're going to want it now. ... Oh well, we'll just get you another one in the morning. You bring up anything to eat? I'm starving!

Ky... I love you, but I'm going to kill you one of these days. What were you thinking? You should have waited for me. What if something had happened that you couldn't handle on your own?
Lu sat, defeated, on the edge of the bed. We're supposed to do this together Ky.
Inwardly, Lu felt terrible. Ky was ten times the warrior she was. Sometimes it felt like although they walked the same path, Ky was the one that truly felt it. Lu often felt that she was just going through the motions. Lu could fight, but she wouldn't be the first to raise her sword. Ky, on the other hand, was usually the first to raise her sword, and the first to put it back down.
HereLu said, offering the healers' kit.I'll go and get you something to eat and drink.
With that, Lu made her way out the door and down into the common room. She placed the order and waited, prefering the dull roar of the bar to the quiet of their room at that moment.

On the way out the door, Lu heard Ky say Is this about the pastry?

Sitting at the bar, Lu ordered herself a drink.
On second thought, make it a big one.

The bartender smiled and nodded By the way, yer sister's lookin for ya. Got kinda flustered earlier.

Turning away from the bar keep, Lu listened to the stories of the sailors for a while.

At the barkeep's words, Lu's head hit the bar... and stayed there.

There was a tap on Lu's shoulder. It was Quipp. Apparently with the man he was supposed to watch dead, he had nothing to do.
Pardon if this is a bad time, but uh... what should I do next? I can check out that mercenary the ork in the bar mentioned. You know, the one your sister almost killed after she killed the other one.

Look at that... someone knows which twin I am. The Passions be praised.
Hello Quipp. Who is still alive?Lu picked up the plate of now rapidly cooling food and headed for the stairs. She walked slow enough for Quipp to follow but, moving out of the common room meant not drawing more undue attention to themselves.

The ork, the one your sister quesitoned.

Do you know where he is now?

The one she questioned? No clue... but I could find the mercenary .... Gafeg was his name .Him I could find for you. ... You gonna eat all that?

Find Gafeg. Watch him for me. If he makes a move to come for us. Move quickly and let us know. Here.Lu tosses him a silver piece.Get something to eat, but get it to go.

Moving up the stairs, Lu opens to door and steps into the room.

Quipp sketches a quick bow and actually scurries off.

Kyla is upstairs, mostly undressed, and wiping off some of the blood with a damp cloth. She arranged the squished pastry on a pretty little hanky, and set it out nicely on the table.

Here, Ky. Sorry it took so long. The inn is packed.Lu lied remarkably well.
Quipp's run off to keep an eye on Gafeg. The last thing we need is some idiot with a grudge breaking down our door. What now? The wizard?

yeah I guess. First thing in the morning? father always said it's not a ood idea to disturb a wizard in the late hours. Of course.... father was the wizard in question.... You think he might have jsut been saying that to get us to leave him alone?

Yes, well. I think it's sound advice either way. He was certainly irritable enough. Tomorrow morning will do. In the meantime, I think we should change rooms. It's safer then waiting for something to happen during the night.
What do you think?

You really think someone would find us here? how would they do that?

Immediately kyla snaps from "weird Ky" mode to "warrior" and starts looking about the room, looking for exits, entrances, defensible spots, her weapons, etc.

perhaps you're right. I'l lget us a new room and leave a message for that human boy. Another on the second floor?

That would be fine. I sent the boy to follow Gafeg, as you may recall, I mentioned it before. Go downstairs, get us a new room. I'll pack our things and meet you back on the landing. Make sure you're not followed.
Lu smiles as Ky rolls her eyes.
Anything else, Father?Ky says sarcastically.
I'm just taking care of you...like any big sister would.Lu winked and Ky threw a pillow at her.
Ducking, Lu laughed.
Ky stuck out her tongue and headed out the door. Lu quickly packed up their possessions, and moved to wait on the landing as she had said.

Soon enough, sitting in a new room down the hall, with a good view of the door to their precious room, Kyla sits to do some planning.

Well where ever this ork is, he doesn't seem to be in Travar any more. So we're going to need to travel. We'll ahve to see what this wizard has to say tomorrow, but we'll need to be ready to move.

If these orks we're chasing are plains raiders, they're going to be a lot more used to riding than we are. Maybe we should look in to hiring an airship or something? I can at least see what prices are like.

Of course, they are orks, so it's also possible they'll get side tracked on the way to where ever they're going. It might give us a chance to catch up.

I don't know, I'm just thinking out loud I guess. There's really not a lot we can do until we know what we're up against I suppose.
Any faith in this wizard? Aunt did recommend him. But could it be a trick? Do you still think Amrod could be racing us for the shield?

I almost wish we could catch Amrod in the act, then maybe we could follow him around. Either way, we need to follow any leads we have, and right now.. that's the wizard.
The airship idea is good. Check out prices, see what we can do. Make sure that we can transport Gwynnoheim and... Rockhead... I don't want to leave them stabled here.
Tomorrow, we'll check out of here and be ready to move when we talk to the wizard.
Lu sits, contemplating. All this planning, this waiting,... the Passions forgive me, but I could really use a stiff drink and a good fight.
I'm going downstairs for a drink, care to join me?

Kyla takes a long look at Lu first. You looking for a drink, or a fight? Well... either way I suppose I could use a drink. This human ale stuff is pretty good.

A little bit of both, I think. Actually, a lot of a drink, maybe a little bit of a fight. Lu winks and smiles. Sliding off her armor, Lu checks her reflection in the mirror. Supple doeskin pants, fine white linen shirt, leather boots...it wasn't the embroidered dresses she was used to, but it would have to do.
C'mon sister dear, let's get out of here.

The bar room down stairs isn't much for fighting, despite the number of sailors. The locals like to keep thigns relatively quiet. It is however a great place for a drink. The ale flows easly, and goes down smoothly. It's suprisingly strong as well. Lu quickly understands Kyla's affection for the drink. Within a few cups the pair are giggling and leaning in to each other for support.

Of course, being sailors, the men are quite aware of their surroundings, and the possibilities offered by drunken elven twins. Many drinks and enticing antics are offered.

Laughing over the last "enticing offer" from sailor #17, Lu orders another drink.
I think,... after this one. We should retire. I think if I have any more I won't make it up the stairs. I might just end up in a strange bed.
This leads to cheers from the surrounding men. Ky laughs and nods.

The morning brings the bane of every adventorous drinkers existance... the hang over and unsurity of what happened the night before.

Either way Lu is alone in her bed, in her bed. The head ache is perhaps a lesson of some sort.... but it's hard to care about what might have been learned when trolls are stepping on your brain.

Quipp,dear, sweet Quipp, is already on hand with cups of water, and a bucket, jsut in case it's needed. As well as a small shot of whiskey, and a marvelous smelling dark brown liquid. Dear, sweet Quipp.

At some point in the morning, three things occur to Lu. One, Kyla is not there. Two, How did Quipp get in? Three, perhaps if she's wandering aroung the room looking for her sister with Quipp giving her drinks of marvelous smelling dark brown liquids, she should be dressed.

Mornings are rarely a pleasant experience.

The three thoughts slam their way into Lu's brain with the force of a thousand thundering trolls. Looking down at her very nude, very exposed body Lu blushes. A brilliant red that somehow manages to match her hair. Grabbing a blanket of Ky's bed, Lu attempts to regain some sort of dignity.
Ahhh, good morning Quipp. Thank you for this... well, whatever it is. You're very much appreciated. .. ahem.. have you seen my dear sister this morning?.. and how did you get in my room?
Lu desperately tries to remember the end of the night before, had Ky made it upstairs with her? She seemed to remember that she had...did she?

I got in through the door miss. I thought you could use something to drink.And I haven't seen her this morning, no miss. I think she's in a different room.

Sighing and rolling her eyes, Lu looks around the room, still sipping the heavenly brown liquid.
You mean the door was unlocked? Wonderful. I'm so glad we took those extra precautionary steps yesterday. Very well, Quipp, would you mind bringing me up something to eat? After that, I need to find my sister.
Lu digs through her purs, pulling out a few coins. Here. Take these, and get something for yourself as well.
Once Quipp has gone, Lu hurridly dresses, taking the time to scold herself for last night's dalliances. It was a foolish thing to do, Luthielien. Who knows what trouble you could have gotten yourself into, not to mention that if Amrod was here, he's been given a night's head start on us. And now.. Ky's gone. Off enjoying herself most likely. Passions know, I probably wasn't even asked... *grumble*
Lu is soon dressed, waiting for Quipp Lu braids her hair. Staring at the brilliant strands for a moment Lu is lost. The smell of roses is overpowering, the sound of birds singing fills her ears. For one brief moment, the inn room is gone, replaced with an image of a clearing in dappled sunshine, large oaks stretching up into the skies, arching bridges curving here and there between them. For a moment, all of this is real.. and then in the next, it's gone. Tears are running down Lu's face. Confused and filled with a sudden longing, Lu wipes them away. The sensations are so real, but gone within minutes.

Quipp is back within fifteen minutes with a steaming plate. Breakfast, porridge, and biscuits with butter, as well as a tall glass of milk of all things. Apparetnly they believe in hearty breakfasts here.

The look of dissapointment is obviosu on Quipp's face, but he hides it quickly. Maybe he is older than he looks.

Your sister's awake, I brought her something to drink too. She said she'd be up in a minute. I think she meant more like twent minutes though.