Enemy's ire and friends anew

[Palandil]

OOC: Aye! To the Flo!

[sdrotar]

[OOC:] Do you all head to the Flo? Let me know...

OOC: Dirnhael most definitely will - immediately.

[GandalfOfBorg]

"Ah, 'tis well-earned.. thank you for the information.  This will serve you well at the end of the shift I dare say."

[tomcat]

The sentry smiled a big toothy grin, which he had done little to take care of, and took the coin. "I bids you good eve sirs!"

With that the companions began to walk towards the Ebb and Flo - the small tavern and inn near the river by the docks, in the more seedy area of town. They passed more dark shapes under sodden cloaks, as they went, until they finally made the turn south and could see the warm lights of the Flo.

That was not the only thing that caught their attention.

Outside the inn was a small crowd of people, gathered in what appeared to be a circle. As the Company approached, they began to hear over the rain the hoots and hollers and angry curses of the onlookers - some folk were even exchanging bids.

Inside the circle, two large men brawled. One man was surely having a worse time of it, for even in the meager light, it could be seen his nose was smashed and blood was coursing down over his lower face. Both men appeared to be inebriated as they staggered around each other, jockeying for the chance to land the winning blow. Edrahil shook his head in wonder at such people. The Sindar would never truly understand Men, or Dwarves for that matter, and their crude methods.

Beyond the crowd, the door to the inn stood open and Flo, the owner of the establishment stood under its eaves keeping dry, but very intrigued by the fights outcome.

[GandalfOfBorg]

Durgil smiled to himself thinking that bars, inns, and taverns don't change much between realms except the language or dialect.  He follows his elf companion into the comfort of the indoors.

[tomcat]

Ignoring the fight, the Company stepped into the doorway of the Ebb and Flo. Durgil smiled at the rotund hostess that stood between him and his goal of the common room.

"More of ya soft-witted men come to drink from my barrels?" asked Flo as she looked at the young Dúnadan. "The lot of ya should get on home to your women and your beds... it'd be the better for ya!"

Giving up, Flo turned to around to let the companions in from the rain. She mumbled to herself as she returned to her bar, "There's no stoppin' 'em."

The Flo's common room was smaller than that of the River Cross and much less clean. There was sawdust piled on the floor to soak up the spilt beverages and fragments of broken crocks, food, and unknowns littered the wood shavings. A fire burned in the hearth and gave both warmth and light to the room. Around them, a few shadowy figures sat - some in groups, some to themselves. The conversation of the room was quite subdued... that is until Flo called out to her new patrons.

"What will you have gents? And please don't start any quarrels in me room! I don't want me bouncers to have to haul out some more!"

[sdrotar]

Dirnhael ordered nothing from the barkeep, instead looking for a central place to sit down and attempt to eavesdrop on the clientèle; hoping that Patrel's identity would be revealed.

[Palandil]

Fengel was feeling pressed for time and thought he'd just come out with their need.  He turned eye to eye with the woman, "We haven't much time and are needing to speak with Patrel.  We're told this is where he comes most evenings."

[GandalfOfBorg]

Durgil chuckles.  "Good woman, if we had beds with wives in them, we wouldn't be very good husbands right now, would we?"

When she asks about their fare, "A bit o' crusty bread, cheese, a slab of mutton, and a mug of the good stuff to wash it down."

[tomcat]

Flo smiled back at the handsome young Dúnadan, "No wife back at home, eh?" She gave him a wink, "It'll be just a moment on that plate of food, love."

It was then that Fengel made his statement. The quiet folk in the room all turned to look at the warrior and one old timer spoke around his pipe, "Ay, ya might find him here most nights, but not the now. He's not been here this night."

Flo had even stopped in her task of preparing a platter for Durgil, "Yea, Patrel's not been 'round this eve... not sure where he is."

Suddenly a commotion was heard outside the bar. Voices were growing louder than the brawl's noise and a tall, bald man came running into the room. "FLO! COME QUICK! YA GOTTA SEE THIS!"

The man's urgency got everyone's attention and the whole common room quickly exited into the night. A bright glow could be seen on the western horizon.

"Someone set 'em afire!" yelled one voice.

"There's trouble to pay fer this!" said another.

"The whole lot is burnin'!" cried out yet another.

Dirnhael could not discern what it was exactly that burned, but it was not in the town proper... that meant a wagon caravan. He looked to Fengel and saw the same worried face, but then came a whispered swear, "The Sagath will raze the town."

With those words, the Éothraim's fears for his sister's safety was relieved. The companions looked again at each other and then each put the glow in relation to where they were and where the Easterling wains had been drawn up outside of town. Someone had set them ablaze.

[sdrotar]

"Patrel," Dirnhael almost whispered. It appeared they had an ally, all right - but a rash one.
"Quickly! Get to your homes," he shouted in the pub. "Protect your families, for the Sagath will exact swift revenge."

If there was one silver lining to this dark cloud, it was that every man-at-arms in the city would soon be ready for battle... and Dirnhael feared that they'd be needed.
"Perhaps our stand will not be made among Fengel's people, after all," Dirnhael said. "T'would seem that we are fated to make it here."

He made his way through the crowd toward the door of the pub. They needed to make ready - and Dirnhael bared his teeth as he thought of a second chance at the beast Koskas.
He vowed that one of them would never leave the cursed town of Ilanin.

[tomcat]

[OOC:] Nice post Shawn!

I will have more story to follow here soon... wanna get more character posts in first.

[GandalfOfBorg]

"It's seems, Lady Flo, that I will be taking this on the road with me."  He pays his tab and downs his mug, finishing it with a satisfied "Ahhhhh!  Likely the last one I have for awhile and it was worth it."  He adjusts himself, paying heed to the weapons at his side and making sure they were ready.  "Shall we meet their response on foot or horseback or both?"

[Palandil]

"Patrel," Dirnhael almost whispered. It appeared they had an ally, all right - but a rash one.
"Quickly! Get to your homes," he shouted in the pub. "Protect your families, for the Sagath will exact swift revenge."

If there was one silver lining to this dark cloud, it was that every man-at-arms in the city would soon be ready for battle... and Dirnhael feared that they'd be needed.
"Perhaps our stand will not be made among Fengel's people, after all," Dirnhael said. "T'would seem that we are fated to make it here."

He made his way through the crowd toward the door of the pub. They needed to make ready - and Dirnhael bared his teeth as he thought of a second chance at the beast Koskas.
He vowed that one of them would never leave the cursed town of Ilanin.

Fengel's worried look disappeared as a smug smile formed on his lips.  "I'd rather end it here and now anyway, enough of this waiting.  And so it seems that some of Ilanin feel the same."  Fengel finished his words, his thoughts and expression turning to Hariazan and vengeance.  As the two stood looking at the distant fire, the warm glow shown across their faces revealing their thoughts.