Chapter 2: Death to the Ageless

[Demonic Dream]

The girls stopped arguing long enough to agree with the Talyn. Keya didn't feel like being cooped up the rest of the day, and Nidora was still looking for some more fun. Nadara, however, agreed against her better judgement. There was still a lot going through her head, about the whole situation. About Arillic. and about Jerom. But, perhaps, the feast would help flesh out some of the situations, or at least, work themselves out through merriment. They all saw Talyn out of the room, as they went to clean up a bit before anything else. While Nadara was still the least dirty one, even she needed a change, as she had no time to change clothes being kidnapped and unconscious for a day.  

[Skry]

Talyn reemerged downstairs with the party company after his chat with the elves. He called it a chat in that he had spoken to them, albeit briefly, and convinced them to join the other party goers as soon as they were able. The sounds and smells of mirth greeted him as he saw everyone else there. Everyone that is except zhoa. Curious. The monk had left almost the same time he had. Perhaps he was in his room. The cleric thought for a moment if there was a way to locate their friend, and he had one up his sleeve should he need it.

Although cleaned up, some of his poorly done bandages were visible. He stopped for a second embarassed. He was after all the physician of the group and he had absolutely failed at his own application of bandages.  

[Chazzzzz]

Revien smirked back to the barbarian and immediately began eating without so much as a word in response. He knew the larger man likely had a larger appetite, but the elf wouldn't pass up the opportunity to win a challenge, no matter how small.

A plate each of chicken, rolls, potatoes and pork were emptied in minutes as Revien paused only to sip some of the fruity mixture before continuing to dig in. Others would enter the tavern and see the elf eating, but his attention would be focused on shoveling more food in. Feya, meanwhile, looked on disappointingly from across the room, anticipating an unguarded plate she could drag to the floor.  

[Demonic Dream]

The Barbarian was overjoyed to see that Elf would keep with him during the challenge. Allowing Revien to take the lead for a moment, Kraden took his time setting himself up a large plate, before chowing down as well. Brenna, still exhausted, noticed the Cleric find his way downstairs. The Female Barbarian gave him a smile, and offered him a plate of the feast. She didn't seem to notice, nor mind, the bandages that were poorly put on Talyn. He seemed fit enough to be walking around on his own, worrying about something like that, at a time of peace, would only annoy.

"Is there anything that looks appetizing?"

It would be a bit of time before the girls finished changing from their sweat, dirt and blood covered armor and made their ways down. Nadara seemed to stick around them for support and aid, as she was still in good condition, only a bit drained from the events. In good time, the Elven Ladies would make their entrance down as well. Nadara wore a simple purple robe, one of the many she seemed to have. Keya found another set of her red cloths, that covered little but seemed to be her style at hand. Because of it, the healing wounds could still be seen clearly, but the blood was cleaned at least. Nidora seemed to wear a fully covering, but tight, dark green outfit, still donning a few daggers. She never seemed to be too far from at least one, it seemed.

They greeted everyone as they came down, Nadara giving thanks to those she had not had time to do so before. Nidora checked around and seemed confused not to see Zhoa anyway. Revien seemed to have more than his hands, and mouth, full with whatever kind of challenge was happening with Kraden. She hoped that perhaps he was just upstairs cleaning. Keya took a seat of her own table, but it was not too far from the stairs, nor Talyn. As Nadara finished her rounds, she smiled towards Jerom, and approached.

"I hope you were not too harmed in my rescue."

Kraden seemed to enjoy the festivities, trying to out eat the Elf beside him. He didn't seem to be in a large rush, just keeping pace with Revien to see how far the Ranger could push himself. Some time would pass, allowing the group to be merry, and take part in the feast with their friends. The skies were dark now, as the moon shined above, lighting the path for those still busy outside. Candles were all lit, and the few that had been already, melted down. Finally, Zhoa made his way through the door. He's body was still injured from rescue mission, and he was now covered in sweat. The Monk didn't seem mad, angry, but annoyed, and serious. He looked around the room, as the festivities grew quiet from his entrance. Making his way toward the stairs, he grabbed a chalice from one of the tables, and drank deep whatever was within. Which happened to be wine, but it was all the same to him, he needed a refreshment. Tossing the cup to the side, to the floor, the Monk stopped at the stairs.

"... Jack says 'Thank you'. And that 'Our services will be needed in the future'."

With that small amount of news, yet bad as it was, the Monk departed from their sights, moving upstairs to clean himself up. Whether he would be returning had not been decided by Zhoa. Many of the group looked around, confused, as not everyone knew who Jack was, or what this meant for them.  

[Chazzzzz]

Revien paused his chewing as Zhoa entered the room and watched the Niraneth boy quickly down a chalice of wine and toss it aside. The ranger's own look of confusion was mirrored on the faces of most of the others who still feasted. With a raised eyebrow, he went to speak, only for Zhoa to beat him to it.

The monk spoke of Jack, whose message was of gratitude and a promise of future employment. This didn't settle well with Revien, as a vanishing beggar had previously warned him of Jack and some sort of connection to Nazaroth. The monk moved up the stairs after delivering Jack's words and left the room even more confused.

Revien decided to break the awkward silence himself.
"Well at least we're not out of a job yet!" he joked, slurring a syllable or two while raising his glass in celebration. He chugged the drink so as not to break the illusion of merriment and then took his leave, telling Kraden "Drink the rest of that keg and I'll put a king's bounty on your head!" jokingly.

As the ranger moved up the stairs, Feya was quickly behind him, barreling up the steps two at a time. Revien admired her loyalty and obedience. Knocking on the door to Zhoa's room, the ranger spoke quietly "If you've had your fill of gloominess, a feast awaits you downstairs ... so long as Kraden hasn't cleaned all the plates himself."  

[Demonic Dream]

Zhoa reached his room, closing the door behind him. As soon as he had entered, Fleet popped her head up from the dresser. It seemed the ration box he had left her was about half empty. The Monk was happy to see the dragon, and that she seemed well fed, and happy to see him in return. Giving her a small pet, he went to removing his blood and sweat stained shirt. Throwing it to the side, the Monk began to calmly wash himself. His wounds had started to heal, but he was still in not that great condition all around. It didn't bother him, however. That girl annoyed him. But above all else. Jack bothered him.

A light rapping came from his door, as Revien called from behind it. Zhoa tried to force a smile, even though no one could see it. The Ranger was trying to bring the brighter mood back, but Zhoa was still at his wits ends. Not only did the group seemed to be pulled along by not only Jack, but the Mercenaries. They all couldn't even agree for an end of their own mission. This was their first mission outside of North Haven, for the King, but they still found themselves bickering like children. Letting out a sigh, the Monk finished changing his clothes.

"Y-... Yeah... I'll be down in a second."

Opening the door to see his friend, Zhoa again tried and forced a smile. He was now wearing a more formal outfit, like one he wore on their first day of meeting the King. Long, and covering most of his body, it was something a Teacher of his former School. He left that ideal long ago, but was all that he had to wear at the moment.  

[Chazzzzz]

Zhoa exited his room and forced a smile, dressed in an older outfit from weeks ago. Revien smirked at the monk and slapped him lightly on the shoulder.

"We're not being knighted, you know." he joked, thinking about how he'd forgotten to even clean himself up after the whole ordeal. Then again, he'd been the luckiest of the group with very few wounds received. So aside from sweat and dirt, there was little point to cleaning himself up.

Turning his smile into a look of concern, he spoke more seriously. "You'll have to break words with us about your encounter with Jack, soon." The ranger could tell that the Niraneth wasn't in a particularly chatty mood, but perhaps in time that would change.

Feya had carried a bone in between her fangs, and waited patiently for Revien to decide where he was going next.

The elf looked to the wolf and his smile returned. Turning back to Zhoa, he spoke again. "Soon, but not tonight. We'll see that stomach filled and your sorrows drowned ... you really must try Kraden's special brew!"  

[Skry]

Talyn was contented to sit at his table by himself, partaking of the food and drink. He noticed that Brenna and Kraden both acknowledged him as he had entered the room. Brenna payed a little more attention as Kraden seemed resolute to beat Revien in some sort of drinking or eating contest, Talyn wasn't quite sure which.

The revelry did die down when Zhoa returned and spoke of Jack. There was clearly more to that conversation, but given the day they had had, he was sure Zhoa didn't want to tell them more, or else he would have. The cleric tried to put his last encounter with whatever it was that Jack was, and focus on the task at hand. His glass was only half empty as he had nursed the drink for a long time. He had a lot on his mind anyway, and was uncertain of what tomorrow would bring. Looking to his side, he caught Keya's gaze, causing him to shift uncomfortably and look away. It was true he felt a connection with the elf.

Revien excused himself to follow the monk, his faithful wolf following in tow. Revien proposed a toast almost, raising his own glass before leaving mentioning that the group was at least not out of work yet.

"I'll drink to that day coming soon." he said under his breath, taking another sip from his drink.  

[Demonic Dream]

The Elves could hear the muttering of the Cleric, but could not make it out clearly. Keya, however, grew a bit worried, as Talyn took a drink after his quiet words for only for himself.

"... Th-thank you."

Was all the Monk could mutter. He knew the Ranger was doing his best to put on a happy act, playfully acting like the events were nearly as bad as they were. And it was needed. Right now, the Monk needed to break from the harsh reality, and just enjoy a night to themselves. While, it didn't seem so, their mission was done, and they were free from this contract. It just didn't feel like they did their job, correctly. Like something could have been done better, or differently. What, however, was lost to Zhoa. That was not for him to decide, as he did the best he could do.

Following Revien, he returned to the group below, seeing many friendly faces. Nodding to them all, with a better face than he originally had, thanking the workers and Barbarians for their aid in the feast. It looked amazing, and he was starving, but Zhoa had no idea where to start. Before he could, Nidora seemed to have jumped at the chance, and gathered him a plethora of food on a plate for him. Kraden smiled toward Revien, knowing what he had done for his friend, and gave him a nod of respect.  

[Demonic Dream]

The night would be filled with stories, laughter, and generally good vibes. Despite the actions that had happened, everyone seemed to do their best to clear their minds, and enjoy the night of peace. Once the food began to run out, and the wines no longer flowed, the group began to disperse. The workers began to clean the tables, and set for business the following morning, letting the guests rest. Kraden made his way out, leaving the group to their own, giving a friendly goodbye to everyone as he left. One by one, people would leave, and find their way to their rooms, and finding peace and quite on their beds.

Tomorrow would come too soon than some may have wished. While it was not shortened, in anyway, some just wished for more hours of darkness from such a long and painful day that had just ended. The sun was bright in the sky, shining down to those below, and inside the windows of the Inn, inviting them to wake.

Today was a new day, and it would prove to be an interesting one. Their mission was 'complete', to an extent. What would happen next?  

[Chazzzzz]

Revien grabbed his pack and belongings, signaled for Feya to follow, and left his room as neat as he'd arrived. Once downstairs, he ordered a bottle of wine and began to fill his waterskin with it. Who knew when they'd see another bar next?

Afterwards, he sat and waited patiently for the others to arrive. His head ached from the previous night's festivities, but mostly he was just stuffed from the feast. Revien would skip breakfast for the first time since he began living in a real house.  

[Skry]

Talyn found he was the second downstairs. His morning ritual had been troubled again, and there was little solace to be found in his meditations, try as he might. He had adjourned early from the festivities of the night before, but his colleague at the bar filling his waterskin with wine looked worse for the wear.

"I assume that Kraden won." he said, sitting at the bar, ordering a small plate of food and paying a few extra coins for it. His wounds had recovered some over the night but he still was not at his best. Eating his food slowly waiting for the others to emerge, and wondering what new joys this day would bring, he wondered if it would be entirely wrong to merely saddle his horse and take off towards the barbarian lands. He did not know exactly where they were, but he could guess at least. Deciding it would be best to at least wait for the barbarians to emerge, he wondered how long it would be as Kraden had definitely seemed well on his way to full enebriation last Talyn had seen him. Brenna would no doubt be better off today that Kraden, as she had seemed more reserved.  

[Tolias Sharp]

What had happened last night was a bit of a blur. It's not that Jerom had been drinking, he wasn't, but in order to enjoy any part of the night, he had to put away a lot of what he'd heard, seen, and felt. It caused a lot of stress on his mind, so when he woke up the next day, his memories were a bit altered. He remembered the mission, Nadara, and something about Jack. It was all jumbled up in his head. The rest did him good, but now all the lose ends needed to be tied. He got himself ready and headed down for breakfast. It was probably too early for it, but he dressed in his armor. He just felt safer that way. After eating he would go and find Nadara again. They'd partied, but they didn't "talk about things." The Paladin desperately wanted to figure out where they would go from here. It distracted him even as he ate. Also on his mind, Brenna's murders, Tayln's possession, Revien's dark past, and Jack... but mostly Nadara.