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Post by jeanwitton on Oct 28, 2007 16:31:29 GMT -8
He had been given a grace period for the afternoon. At least, that's how he saw it, anyway. Many hours had he spent inside those chambers, deep in research. It had initially been an alluring challenge. He was eager to be a part of such a project; to get to work first hand with some respectable researchers. A wry smile crept upon him as he thought of how Reynaldo would relish such an opportunity. Unfortunate, he thought, for the man whose loyalties were to the jingle of coin. No, this was a task for himself. He couldn't allow others to partake. He would not.
The city was a familiar one to him. Even as far back as his days in Whitestone he would visit, from time to time. And it was not uncommon to any in the Salamin district to know he was outside of Lochling. In fact, any of his educated colleagues knew his lands were no where near Lochling. A cold but refreshing air filled his nostrils as he breathed in. The climate here was significantly cooler than in the south. Despite the chill, however, he didn't feel cold. For the past week there was a warmth that filled him. It wasn't something he could place, but a great power seemed to fill him. As his thoughts wandered on such a topic he caught his hand resting on the latch of a pouch to his side and his eyes staring intently on this same location. Blood pumped vigorously as he watched before regaining his composure and breaking from the trance.
A deep breath brought him back to the matters at hand. His eyes darted around and found the road he sought. He began walking down the city street, headed for a local tavern where he could better immerse himself in the culture of the city. Here, he hoped, he could hear the local rumors and amuse himself with the tales of the regulars. Already he was sick of the rules of etiquette. His heart would always be with the common man, even when his mind was with the upper class.
Before long he found such a place. A cut-out tavern which looked the same as any such other establishment might in this city. The colors of the royal army decorated a small signpost outside the front door and he grinned. For quite some time, he's been surrounded by members of the army of the southern duchy. It would be refreshing to engage with those of the royal army. Of course, there was no guarantee he'd even be welcome. That, he concluded as he walked in, would be something he'd have to find out for himself.
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Post by Antonius Dragonblade on Oct 28, 2007 21:08:29 GMT -8
A cold mug of ale tilted into the soldier's parted lips as he takes a long chug. The lieutenant and his platoon were off-duty for the moment and when time permits they frequent this tavern to release stress and allow wounds to heal. A soft smile comes across the young soldier's face as he finishes the mug. However, he makes certain to stay sober for duty would resume in just hours.
"I can handle just one more." he half-jokingly tells his soldiers with a smirk. Rising to his feet with the mug on hand, he made his way to the counter to help himself with another mug. The wenches seem to be occupied with a rowdy group and getting their attention for another drink would be a useless effort at the moment. Filling his mug halfway, he lifts the beverage to his nostrils to take in the aroma just before taking a sip. This brought another smile to the soldier's face as he made his way back to his table.
Another glance was given to the wenches amidst the chaos of the hardly sober group. Before reaching his table however, he his eyes came upon a familiar face. "Lord Jean Witton." He said under his breath just as he pauses. He then makes his way to the noble, bowing his head with his eyes close in respect as they meet. "My lord, a pleasure to see you here." He gestures towards his table with the other soldiers, opting Jean to join them.
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Post by jeanwitton on Oct 29, 2007 13:44:11 GMT -8
Upon his entrance to the tavern he seemed apprehensive. He had never been into this establishment before and he didn't expect to see any familiar faces. In fact, he was skeptical that he might not even receive much reception, but for a moment he was calmed by the presence of Antonius. He offered a smile to the lieutenant and approached him.
"Lieutenant Dragonblade. Fancy meeting you here."
Having no other plans, he takes Antonius's offer and approaches the table, nodding a respectful 'hello' to the men gathered there. He turns back to Antonius then as he speaks,
"I'm not interrupting anything, am I? If you have business, I won't come between it."
He looked through the corner of his eye to the men seated at the table, trying to pick up on their reactions before focusing back on Antonius for his reply.
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Post by Antonius Dragonblade on Oct 30, 2007 21:19:37 GMT -8
"We are actually off duty for a brief moment. Please, join us." The men overheard him referring to the noble, causing them to rise to their feet and bow as well. Antonius takes his seat, placing his mug on the table just before looking back to Jean. "It was generous of.. him.. to reward us after the result of that last quest. Seeing what I saw was enough reward." A sigh escapes his lips just before he wraps his hand around his mug to take another sip.
"I'm off to survey the other provinces again soon, so I should be back in Lochling for a day in a week or so." He shakes his head side to side. "Poor Mira. I have only met her husband once but he seemed like a good Sarr. If my duties did not hinder me, I would have stayed for his funeral." He takes yet another sip of the ale.
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Post by jeanwitton on Nov 4, 2007 15:45:29 GMT -8
He smiles, politely, and waves the men off, never having been comfortable with the formal greetings nobles are expected to receive. He takes a seat and looks to Antonius.
With a sense of solitude he nods. "Yes, Coaroo was good man. Bullheaded, at times," he grinned a bit, "but a strong warrior, in body and spirit. It is a shame for the people of Salamin to have lost him. It troubles me to know that I could have been there to help in that battle, but I recognize the chances we take in such a line of work."
His ears perk suddenly to the sound of footsteps behind him and he quickly turns to look. Old scouting habits, he assured himself as his eyes met those of the barmaid. Even in a military tavern he couldn't keep himself at ease. He had already caught her attention and thinking it best to make the situation seem purposeful he opts to order a stout. It wasn't much to his nature to drink, especially such a thick brew, but he was making something of the situation. Afterall, he figured one drink couldn't hurt.
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Post by Antonius Dragonblade on Nov 4, 2007 16:07:51 GMT -8
He changes the grim subject in an attempt to put Jean at ease. "The funniest thing happened to me the other day. I was coming back to the barracks and one of the guards told me that a lovely lady came by and dropped off some pie and milk in my quarters." He runs his forearm across his lips, wiping off a thin trail of ale. "So I said 'Truly so? It must be my lucky night then.' He then described the lady to me. Elderly yet beautiful, long black hair, a bit shorter than I am. So I ask him, did the lady have a name?" He pauses as the soldiers chuckled, holding back laughter. He shakes his head and continues. "So he said 'Yes, Annalyn I believe it was.' That's when I slapped the back of his neck, because that woman was my mother!"
Laughter erupted from the soldiers, and after shaking his head in shame, he joins in the laughter too. "Turns out it was my birthday. I nearly forgot! I shared the story and the rest of the pie with my platoon here." he says with a smile. "Your mother is pretty, Lieutenant!" exclaimed one of the soldiers who may have drank a little too many. He playfully pointed at the soldier with a threatening gesture, "Watch it!" He shakes his head again and shares another laugh.
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Post by jeanwitton on Nov 5, 2007 18:58:52 GMT -8
His eyes gazed upon the frothy head of his drink as the barmaid returned. With a quick smile, he broke his gaze and looked up to the barmaid as he accepted the drink and handed her a few coins he had previously prepared. As he allows her to leave he gives her a grin and offers his thanks. Taking the drink in hand he returns his attention to Antonius as he finishes his tale. All he can do is offer a polite chuckle as he sips at the stout. His eyes wander amongst the men and he grows amused with their bantering. It is peculiar to him, the sort of camaraderie the group shared. In his time as an adventurer, he has not been privileged enough to share such conversation with so many. In fact, it seemed a rare occasion that he'd ever even joke in such a manner. The jokes he had been known to make were always serious. Or, worse yet, they were part of a ploy. No, he concluded that it was very unusual to relax enough to engage in this sort of behavior. Of course, now was hardly the time. Besides, he wasn't sure how he'd go about it anyway. Instead he simply sipped at his drink, smiled on cue, and observed.
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Post by Antonius Dragonblade on Nov 6, 2007 8:31:51 GMT -8
After a few more minutes of sharing stories, he looks at the tavern's clock with a nod. Although he cherished breaks like this, it could only last for so long. His monthly duty of traveling the kingdom for purpose of surveying begins in a few days so much preparation would have to be taken.
"All right men, that's enough. Let's get ready to head back to the barracks." he says, adjusting himself as he rises to his feet. The rest of the soldiers follow the gesture, leaving a few coins on the table for the tavern. He turns to Jean and bows his head slightly. "Lord Witton, I head out to survey the other provinces again soon. I assume you'll be in Lochling when I make my stop to the Southern Duchy." He leans forward and spoke softly this time, "If you ever need aid regarding anything like that last mission, allow me to know." He beams a smile and leads the men out.
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Post by jeanwitton on Nov 7, 2007 14:56:53 GMT -8
As Antonius rises he stands, out of courtesy. He smiles and gives his farewells to the men with whom he shared the table. Turning then to Antonius he explains, "I wish you luck in Lochling, Lieutenant. I cannot be certain that I will be returning anytime soon, but understand it is a dangerous place for men like you and I. I trust you'll keep your head above it all, of course. Until our paths cross again, safe travels."
As Antonius moved his men out Jean returned to the table to finish the last of his stout. He relaxed, for a time, but then returned to his old habits, digging through papers and notes and burying himself in research. When the barmaid returned to collect his drink he placed a meal order and relocated himself to a corner table, where he could rest knowing his back was covered by tavern walls. He resigns to turn to his meal and his books and see what he might make of this short break from his duties.
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