A Worthwhile Trade
Yeah I made a better bad guy to help another with a plot, His name is Jedrick and he is a wildcat and he is evil, even if he has manners and smarts he is still evil =
The Black Gull - Tavern
An ever present combination of smells greets any new arrival upon entering the Gull. Various ales and grogs, rums and wines; of course, the scents and aromas of liquors would be there. It's a tavern. But along with those airs, the underlying odor of unwashed bodies and unclean boots can be detected. It is this joining of scents that gives the Gull a very well-loved and oft' visited personality.
That, and the state of the inner commons, as well.
The scuffed floorboards beneath ones footpaws will guide anybeasts' eyes to the simplistic layout that the Gull was designed in. The east wall opens, narrowly, its mouth for a well-lit vestibule to settle uncomfortably. Light, both from the outside, and the two lanterns hung there, casts a revealing glow upon the entrants, giving the patrons within a rather decent visual. Slipping further into the Gull, the light grows dimmer, and far less frequent. With no windows to the outdoors, the tavern is held in the palm of eternal dusk.
Across from the entrance, the bar has been placed upon a, slightly, raised platform. Being open on either end, it's not uncommon to see the tavern's wenches and 'tenders hustling about, passing one another as they go about their duties. Reflecting, poorly, the goings on about the bar is a large, dusty old mirror. A few beasts have traced various crude pictures in the gathered dust around the border, but for the most part the mirror (the middle of it, at least) remains clear. Cracks of time and stains from thrown drinks stripe the looking glass in a few places. Various racks and shelves with bottles, labeled and not, settle on either side of this mirror above casks. Two doors, abused and slightly battered, rest behind the bar; One faces the west and to the barn and paddock, while the other, North-facing, gives way to the kitchens. To the south is a platform consisting of drenched, copper-brown wood (mainly from spilled blood, one might assume).
With the season changing once again, the open hearth nestled against the northern wall, along with a staircase, has roared back into life. A steady fire can almost always be seen and heard crackling lazily over dead wood. A few run-down garlands are strung about the mantle; somebeast's attempt at making the Gull a little more festive, perhaps.
Exits: [Ki]tchen, [O]ut the [B]ack [D]oor, [O]ut to the [D]irt [R]oad, [U]pstairs
It was still fairly early and so the tavern didn't have many beasts yet. Some were eating breakfast and a couple were drunk in a corner of the tavern. The wildcat Jedrick sat at the far back as he sipped some ale.
Zurrgg enters the tavern and right away goes over and sits by the other wildcat "Brother, it is good to see you after many seasons. I do hope your travels have gone well"
Jedrick just takes a long drink and then nods "Fair enough, I had a couple vole slaves but I sold them as they can't do much and I want a slave or servant whom is strong and useful. Other than that Mossflower bores me as I much rather be in Halyard , much better trade there and rich foods I am use to. You sent a letter for me ta come is the only reason I came and I expect something for my troubles"
Zurrgg narrows his eyes "First the poison dear brother, who claim to be such an expert in poisons and the like. You said you would help me in this matter. I have a good trade, but only after you show and explain your work dear brother"
Jedrick takes a long drink of his ale and pulls out a vile of a simple powder, he then speaks “This is colorless...odorless...tasteless..It blends in well and only the keen eye of a skilled knower of such arts could possibly detect it and that’s even rare as well. It dissolves so well it leaves no reside behind to be found. The victim will not know they are to die till it’s too late"
Zurrgg folds his arms over his chest “I wish for a painful death for this one. They need to know I control their very life or death in my paws. I want to watch the life light leave their eyes and enjoy it. They need to suffer and know..." He smiles coldly "I have finally won. I have finally defeated them and they have no hope"
Jedrick listens as the other wildcat goes on and smirks "A painful death is not always needed, this poison acts within a minute or two and then things go downhill as they say quickly. It affects the throat and the lungs, it weakens the muscles..Including the heart. They find their breath fails them and then muscles lock up...the heart locks, it stops and they live no more. They can't alert others for help, nor move well. It be best to avoid a crowd...not that any beast will be able to save the victim if they were there as this poison is fatal 100%." He chuckles “This could even be placed in water if you so wished but ale is my favorite choice..now what is your payment ?"
Zurrgg listens and starts to like this more and more as he grins "Perfect.." He nods "I have a badger cub, he is strong and I have broken his will a fair amount. He will be yours along with 20 gold to leave the area. I will even get you supplies and maybe some good ale from Ferravale before I take it over as their new chieftain."
Jedrick nods "You bring this cub to here and you get the poison, but only after I have that cub is that understood? As well as the other things you mentioned"
Zurrgg ears flatten as he growls low but he nods as this is something he wants fairly badly "Of course I shall return tonight we can meet at the river"
Jedrick stands and pockets the vial he showed Zurrgg "We will meet in a room in the Gull...safer and less in the open for trouble. I do hope THAT is understood. I will see you after sunset." With that he walks out, he has things to do before tonight.
Zurrgg growls but will listen as he stands himself and heads back to his camp.
The Black Gull - Yellow Room
It has been totally redone, cleaned and refurnished. The honey colored drapes now seem to exude a deep golden color into the room, reflecting light from sun and candle alike to spread a glowing warmth to everything within. There is a large bed centered on the far wall, next to which is a small two drawer dresser and a round table. There is an oil lamp on the table, and some writing tools and paper upon the dresser. Over the dresser rests a rather large mirror, the old cracked one having been replaced. A small bowl rests on a table near the door, with a pitcher of water in it, for any beast who wishes to use it.
Exits: [H]allway
Jedrick was always patience for things; he was polite when he felt a beast deserved it. But the other wildcat was late so he was rethinking his plans.
Zurrgg knocks, at his side is the badger Xander, he has the badger ID hidden well but does go to remove the hood if he gets inside the room. “So are you here or not brother?”
Xander looks at the floor quietly and frowns. He has a hooded cloak on, least till the hood is removed but he still stays where he is. The cloak smells heavily of pine and sawdust.
Jedrick snorts and opens the door. He then hurries them inside n shuts the door behind the two as he glares at Zurrgg, “Trying to draw attention to ya self are you? That’s a fine way to start the day..now” He examines the badger cub for the usual health and wounds as he is a healer so he could tell such things easily.
Zurrgg only glares and looks around the room, ”Getting rid of the stripedog is one way to get attention off myself. I don’t have him anymore that way so not my problem…he is yours, its either you have him or my monitor Ripfang has him”
Xander gulps and shivers some. He has no wounds on him, just a little bruising on his knees and a cut on his face from training a lot. Otherwise he is healthy, but he clearly fears this Ripfang beast when they are mentioned.
Jedrick nods “He appears healthy and I don’t trust monitors and neither should you. They are hard to control and can get out of control easily he’d sooner eat the badger than anything else.” He says this so calmly it’s as if he could care less. He straightens up to his full height after checking the badger again and looks at the other wildcat ”Where is the other stuff?” His tone rises slightly towards Zurrgg.
Zurrgg pulls out the bag of gold, but it’s not 20…its 15 coins. He nods “You will find the best ale of Ferravale thanks to my trusted beast Kolur. Dove and wood pidgion, water, fruits and vegetables as well as fish. I also managed to have some infirmary supplies stolen from the village. You also have two foxes, archers I may ad at your command to help you get to Halyard. A boat as well found with no owner" Yeah cause he killed the owner " But just the right size for a small group and easy to move along the river. You also have the badger as your new slave..that’s my part of the deal so where is yours?”
Xander looks down, all the time remaining silent as he is too afraid to speak out of turn. He also wants so badly to go home and with it so close, it causes him to start to silently cry letting tears flow down his face.
Jedrick hisses as his ears go back but he takes out the promised poison and hands it over ”I shouldn’t even give you this. Now get out of my sight before I change my mind…on whether I want your head to make up for the last 5 gold!!”
Zurrgg knows when to leave and when to stay, he choices the wiser and leaves the room in quick order with the poison now in his own paws and is soon heading back to his camp…minus one badger cub.
Xander watches Zurrgg leave and slowly looks to Jedrick now as he gives him his full attention.
Jedrick folds his arms over his chest ”Now, first what is you name young one as you do have one, least I hope you do”
Xander answers “I am Xander sir.”
Jedrick nods “Good you can speak. Can you read and write? Do you know math? Any other skills?”
Xander seems surprised “My…my mother had started to teach me, as did a hare at the mountain near the sea coast and his name was Quinten. My birth mother died and it was the one who adopted me that further teached me and..and I don’t know if she is..a…alive or not. Zurrgg may of ki..killed her .”
Jedrick next move may seem odd for one who has just bought a beast, but he goes to wipe the badger’s tears “Yes well…so is life and we move on weather things told to use is true or a lie. Now I will explain this once and only once. You belong to me, you obey me and follow my orders. I will call you by your name and you can call me Jedrick, sir…or maybe Father if you wish, but I believe the other two is better. You will be feed well, given a bed, your have water and when needed a healer to tend to you. If you try to escape me then I will have to slay you and I rather not do that to a young one as I only kill when needed. You will keep that cloak hood up and we will avoid those we can. Our trip begins now. Do follow me”
Xander nods as he listens closely and places his hood up as he follows the wildcat closely.
Jedrick goes on” I will not chain you. So this is a test maybe as do not think I will not give chase or simple fire off a dart from my blow gun. They are poisons that can kill a beast your size if needed…one to slow you and one to finish the job, you might suffer a few minutes and then you would die. But I think you won’t try and escape, will you? “
Xander shakes his head “No sir” Besides Ripfang may be around and he also wants to live rather than die.
Jedrick nods “Good Xander, can keep up”
SS Salty Paw:Deck
This is the SS Salty Paw. A fine sailing ship if there ever was one. It’s not large, yet not small, and has a cozy below deck area to sleep in or relax. There is the steering wheel and of course the mast and sails to make the ship go down river or on the sea coast. The ship is a light black color with lines of blue and a picture of a paw on the side, above it reads ==SS SALTY PAW==
A couple hours later they are at the boat and he is inside with all his new belongs , including the badger cub. He lets the two archers keep an eye out for trouble…a sparrow is shot down and hits the water and a lone otter is shot and killed. Other than that the start of the trip seems to start off fairly well
Xander looks at the land as it passes from where he sits. He has not once tried to run away, he stayed close.
Jedrick watches the badger, “I must say Xander you are well behaved, now there is other things you will pay attention to” He drops beside him some books, paper, a quill pen, and nods “Lessons in reading, writing, math as well as training ta fight. I may own you but it doesn’t mean I want a beast with a poor education.”
Xander looks surprised and smiles a faint bit, he nods politely as he is unsure you tell your owner thank you or not or if he should even keep the smile or not
Jedrick simply nods, “You can one day be a powerful and unstoppable force and I bet I can do better than my fool brother could. We will be in Halyard in a little over a week’s time.”
Xander nods “Of course sir..learning is important and I do want to learn to be a warrior”
Jedrick grins, “Well one day your be a warrior with skill as well as knowledge. This journey has only just begun”
