The sun is high in the sky as the travelers near the city of Haven. It is strange to view the activity of what must be a major local city after the quiet and peace of the highland forests. Wagons enter the city in a ragged line on a well-traveled road, pointing out the entrance to the city from a long way off.
Ben_Mouse rides on Kibra's shoulder, looking a little green. "Where are we...?"
The surrounding fields gradually show signs of civilization, square lots of land devoted to the growth of food. Small herds of some sort of beasts can be seen in the distance. The ocean is visible from here, but too far away to tell how many ships are present.
Kibra says softly.."We appear to be approaching a city, Ben."
Zilvar smiles at Ben from nearby. "How are you feeling? You still look a trifle sick."
Ben_Mouse nods a little, clenching Kibra's fur a little. "Whatever was in or on that rope did -not- agree with me. I'm feeling much better though." The mouse halfsmiles. "Almost well enough to eat something. Was I really out for an entire day?"
Zilvar shifts his pack slightly and nods. "About that. Maybe a little more."
Kibra nods.."Do you want some water, Ben?"
Ben_Mouse is silent. o O { If that had happened to me and I was alone, I might be dead now. }
Ben_Mouse says, "Thanks for looking after me, you two."
Zilvar smiles a bit, eyeing the approaching city. "Well, we might have gotten to you sooner, had we not been distracted."
Ben_Mouse nods softly to Kibra. "Water, yes please..."
Ben_Mouse looks about, noting the farms.
Kibra looks out to the city. "What sort of people might we find there, I wonder." She uncaps her water bottle, pouring a little into the cap for Ben.
Ben_Mouse sips the cool water thankfully.
Zilvar looks at Kibra and grins again. "I am hoping you will be able to find out. Not to mention find us a place to stay. My feet are starting to get grouchy."
Ben_Mouse says, "It's a fairly large city. Note how far the farms go on, away from the city proper?"
Ben_Mouse bites his lip, his eyes twinkling. "Odd, Zil. My feet are fine..."
Zilvar sighs and shakes his head. "Ben...you're recovered.
Ben_Mouse's tummy complains a little at the cool water... and the mouse is silent for a bit.
Zilvar looks around and nods. "I agree though. Probably a decent population.
Kibra watches Ben for a moment. "You ok?"
Ben_Mouse grins at Kibra, handing her the cap back. "Just... a lingering tummy argument, Kibra."
Kibra nods, screwing the cap on and stowing the water.
Ben_Mouse thinks . o O { I only have the slightest memory of the past day. I remember a chill, and not being able to keep anything down... but that's it! }
Zilvar glances at Kibra. "How are you holding up?"
Ben_Mouse looks to the snow leopard and pats her neck, wondering that too.
Kibra smiles a bit.."I'm doing ok, thanks."
Ben_Mouse nods. "I've not ever had an implant. How does -that- feel?"
Zilvar nods and looks around, "Great. With any luck, we'll all be doing even better shortly, with some sort of warm food and lodgings."
Kibra nods.."I'd like that."
Ben_Mouse thinks . o O { A hot bath... a long soak... and no giant spiders. }
The city nears very quickly, and soon the three are standing just outside the gates, being scrutinized by one of the skunk guards.
The guard stands more or less at attention, watching the wagoneers and everyone else and making sure that the traffic flows smoothly.
Kibra tenses just a little at the sight of the guards.
Ben_Mouse watches the increasing bustle quietly, unmoving on Kibra's shoulder.
Ben_Mouse whispers "I hope we don't need papers." to Kibra.
The guard doesn't seem to be stopping anyone, but he does look curious at the strange fashions that the three travelers are wearing.
Kibra nods softly to Ben.
Zilvar steps closer to Kibra and walks inside the city. "I wonder if he'd know where the nearest inn is."
Ben_Mouse spends some time peering at the other travelers as well, noting there is little technology about the throng.
Kibra follows just behind Zilvar, taking in the scene quietly.
Once past the gates the streets widen a bit. Few of the buildings that are in sight are more that two stories tall, and most are only one. Zilvar sidles up next to a wall, out of the way of traffic and says, "Now, all we have to do is learn to read."
Ben_Mouse chuckles quietly.
Kibra leans on the wall, nodding and looking around.
Ben_Mouse says, "It's been my experience that 'Inn"
Ben_Mouse erps quietly as his tummy flipflops a little.."Er..It's been my experience that 'Inn' signs look alike, no matter where you are."
Zilvar looks around, scanning the signs in view. Most of them have some form of picture. He grins at bit, "Well, there is something to that."
Kibra chuckles softly.
Zilvar points down the street at a sign depicting a large bird standing on a table, head held high. "Perhaps that one? It looks like food at the very least."
Kibra hmms.."Well, we can but try."^
Ben_Mouse nods softly. "Yes... let's see what we shall, hmm?"
Zilvar smiles at Kibra, "Lead on, fair lady."
Ben_Mouse grins. "It's not good for me to hang about hungry wolves and cats for long."
Kibra chuckles and heads off toward the building under the sign.
Zilvar smiles at Ben. "I don't eat mice.
Zilvar follows after Kibra, dodging through the crowd.
Kibra reaches the door after some maneuvering through the crowded street. She stops at the door.
Ben_Mouse snugs against Kibra's neck, his tawny fur and light clothing mixing with her fur. o O { I don't see any mice. I never do. It's so odd. }
Zilvar stops behind Kibra and looks over her shoulder. "Mmmm. Something smells edible. And it's not Ben."
Ben_Mouse purses his lips, bemused. He peers forward. "I think it -is- an eatery, at least."
Kibra sniffs a bit.."Hmm..yes, it does..do we have enough to eat with, do you think?"
Zilvar shrugs. "You got a little bit of money from that village yesterday. Not that we had a lot to trade."
Kibra nods. "Should we skip eating for now?"
Ben_Mouse sighs a little, his tummy both hungry and hesitant. "I can if you two can."
Zilvar shrugs, leaning against the wall. "We've got some more trail rations. And we should probably save some money until we find a way to make some more."
Ben_Mouse nods softly.
Kibra nods.."Then let's not go in."^
Zilvar hmms. "We could at least ask about rooms. Whatever happens, we'll need a place to stay."
From across the street, a pair of swarthy looking raccoons eye the trio, and quietly mutter to themselves...
Kibra nods.."All right, then we go in."
Zilvar smiles a bit at Kibra. "After you, madam translator."
Ben_Mouse takes a breath and grins. "We can pretend to eat, hmm? At price the food at least."
Kibra nods and takes a deep breath, stepping through the door.
Zilvar looks around and follows Kibra inside, blinking as his eyes adjust to the dimmer light.
A wagon rumbles past, filled with produce and a young equine, eating an apple. The street sounds grow quieter, supplanted by the quiet murmur of the 'eatery.'
Kibra's eyes narrow as they adjust to the lower light.
The inside of the building is much darker than outside, lit by torches and light through the dirty windows. A few waitresses move through the crowd, keeping the patrons readily supplied with ale and food. A large red panda stands behind the bar, dirty rag in hand.
Ben_Mouse glances at the floor. o O { 'Earthy' place. Glad I'm up here. }
Kibra waits until her eyes adjust, then heads for the bar, looking at the red panda.
Some people near the door quiet and look over the three curiously.
The panda seems oblivious to Kibra's approach, his eyes wandering over the rest of his patrons, always alert.
After a brief lapse, one of the swarthy raccoons from outside enters the Inn, and steps into the shadows near the doorway.
Ben_Mouse whispers to Kibra "Ask about food prices." :>
As Kibra reaches the bar the panda looks at her and fires off, "Wha' kin I do for ya?"
Kibra chuckles softly to Ben and nods. She looks at the panda.."A room, barkeep, if you have one."
Zilvar stops a step behind Kibra, doing his best to look the part of a menacing bodyguard.
Ben_Mouse ums... tries looking like a pet.
A few eyes in the room turn to take in the newcomers. Wolves and felines are rare here.
The barkeep looks Kibra up and down, trying to gauge her wealth. "One piece per night."
Kibra regards the barkeep calmly. "I assume that such a price includes meals and a bath, barkeep. Per night, of course." She smiles winningly.
Ben_Mouse mimics Kibra's grin cutely.
Ben_Mouse thinks . o O { Ya big lug. }
The panda spares Ben a glance, then looks back to Kibra. "Piece-anna-half with meals. Bath's in th'room price."
The raccoon near the door thinks . o O { Smart she is. And wolf guards her. Money she has, yes? }
Kibra chuckles softly, leaning on the bar. "Then that must include break-fast and dinner, surely..else I am staying at a veritable palace. Or laundry service, perchance?"
The panda laughs aloud. "Laundry! HA! You take me for a maid-woman? You do not get those meals to your room for such a price, but you can have them, sure."
Targ, the racoon, smiles to himself and exits. His brother will be pleased with this information; newcomers, with money, in town.
Kibra's eyes twinkle and she bows. "At a piece and a half, correct?"
The panda looks surprised at Kibra's bow. "Aye. That's th'price."
Kibra smiles to the panda. "Done." She offers her hand.
Ben_Mouse grins and extends his hand too, cutely mimicking. "Meep."
With a slightly puzzled expression, the panda accepts Kibra's gesture and shakes. "Pay me first, then I'll have one of the girls show you up."
Zilvar suppresses a smile at Ben's act.
Kibra's eyes narrow.."One night in advance, then on a per night basis."
The barkeep looks at Ben, then to Kibra. He nods. "Agreed." He pauses. "Be sure that you clean up after your pet."
Kibra blinks.."My..? Oh!" She nods. "Of course."
Ben_Mouse cleans his face with tiny little paws, suppressing a giggle as well..
The panda nods and turns to the back wall, picking out one of the keys hanging there.
Kibra flicks her wrist and a piece and a half appears. She holds them,waiting for the panda to return with the key.
The barkeep turns around and holds out his hand, the key ring looped over his crooked thumb.
Kibra smiles, slipping the coins into the panda's palm.
The panda uncrooks his thumb, offering the dangling key to Kibra. "Enjoy th'room, missus. Dinner is at the sixth hour after the noon bells."
In one corner, someone begins playing a tune on a lute. There's some clapping and foot stomping.
Zilvar flicks an ear back at the music
Kibra takes the key.."Thank you, kind sir. How do we get the bath?"
Ben_Mouse thinks . o O { Earthy... and we'll have to watch ourselves... but not a bad place. }
The barkeep gestures up the stairs, "Bathin' room is at the end of the upper hall. Just pull the bell cord there and one of the girls will see to warming water."
Kibra smiles.."Thank you."
The bear playing the lute looks far too big for his instrument. Although his hands are scared and his clothes rough, the old bear has kind eyes...
Change clatters into a small spitoon at the bears feet.
The panda nods and turns his attention back to the rest of his bar, idly wiping at the shiny bar with his dirty rag.
Ben_Mouse grins. o O { Food! A Bath! }
Kibra smiles to the bear, slipping a half piece into his spitoon. "I'm sorry..I wish I had more to give."
The bear smiles, teeth missing. "Gods be with thee, mum."
Kibra bows. "And with you, sir." She looks around.."Now, which way to the room?" she asks Zilvar.
Zilvar shakes his head as he listens. "I assume up the stairs. Does the key have a number?"
Ben_Mouse chuckles and whispers. "Learn to read... and count."
Kibra looks at the key.."I think it says 2."
Zilvar glances at Ben. "I can't even understand the spoken language."
Zilvar nods to Kibra. "Then let's go up and see if we can find a match."
Kibra nods, starting up the stairs.
Zilvar follows, only a step or two behind.
Kibra stops at the match to the key in her hand, slipping the key into the lock. "Here we are."
The upper floor of the inn is a single hallway with several doors in sight. One, at the end, has a blue and yellow bellpull hanging from the ceiling.
Ben_Mouse relaxes and chuckles as the common room is left behind. "Clean up after your pet! HeeHee!"
Zilvar looks at Ben. "How much do you understand of what was said?"
Ben_Mouse says, "A little, Zilvar. I knew, for instance, that Kibra and the panda were haggling. But only just."
Ben_Mouse says, "I've heard a dialect of this language before... but I cannot remember where."
Zilvar mms, and nods. "Well, you're better off than I. I saw that the cost ate into our money. Now we need to figure out a way to get more."
Kibra smiles, tilting her head. She gestures to the now open door.."Shall we discuss this inside?"
Ben_Mouse eeps and nods. "Um... yes!"
Zilvar grins at Kibra and steps into the room. It's small, but not cramped. The bed looks clean and is big enough for one full sized fur. A small chair in the far corner and a lockable chest complete the furnishings.
Kibra enters into the room, stopping just inside the door to look around.
Zilvar hmms. "Homey."
Kibra drops her pack to the floor and closes the door. She drops into the chair, sighing with relief.
Ben_Mouse says, "Not bad at all..."
Zilvar settles to the floor and puts his back to the bed after tossing his pack down. "Well...I'm not sure if I feel like a runaway or a drifter. I can't remember the last time I stayed in an inn.
Ben_Mouse climbs off of Kibra, stepping onto the sill of the room's single window, overlooking the street.
Kibra leans her head against the chair back. She sighs softly, not saying anything.
Zilvar closes his eyes for a moment. "Anyway. How long can we stay here before we run out of money?
Ben_Mouse says, "I must be getting jaded. One town is starting to look like another. I've been d-hopping too long."
Ben_Mouse says, "Zilvar... Kibra... I've not had a chance to tell you..."
Zilvar looks up at Ben and smiles. "Hmm?"
Kibra hmms to Ben, not looking up.
Ben_Mouse works on getting something out of a pouch on his belt. "I had just enough time, when I knew that... I had to leave Genesis... to grab this."
Ben_Mouse pulls out a small emerald. "I offer this to the general fund."
Ben_Mouse says, "I have no idea if it's of any value here."
Zilvar's eyes widen a bit. "Well, if we can find an honest appraiser, it should be worth a few nights here at the very least."
Ben_Mouse sits... and then lays back in the sun that streams through the window. "There are times when I wish for a small farm, near a brook..."
Kibra nods.."Thank you very much, Ben. That is very generous of you."
Zilvar leans his head back again. "I remember you saying that once.
Outside, across from the Inn, a racoon is joined by another. The second carries information just purchased from the panda. He points to the window.
Zilvar nibbles on his lower lip. "If we can find a smithy, I can do some work for him. Maybe make us a bit of money. I'll have to have a translator, though. At least for a while."
Kibra says, "I can sell my services as a healer, if such a thing is needed here."
Zilvar nods. "That might work even better. I wonder what the going price on miracle cures is?"
Kibra shakes her head.."I don't know. I guess I'll go to the market tomorrow to find out."
Ben_Mouse grins...
Zilvar smiles. "I didn't see any real evidence of advanced technology. I imagine that some of the stuff in those medical kits would be flat out astounding to these people."
Ben_Mouse hmms. "Do we want to call attention to ourselves?"
Kibra hmms.."Probably not..but I think I can work it so we won't. I have more knowledge than just my magic."
Zilvar shrugs. "As long as we don't kill anyone, it shouldn't be too bad."
Ben_Mouse chuckles...
Zilvar hmms. "If I'm going to stay in character as a bodyguard, I'll have to go with you to the market. Probably for the best. We don't know enough to split ourselves up so much."
Kibra nods, rubbing her eyes a bit.^
Ben_Mouse says, "Bath and food first... and a nap?"
Ben_Mouse glances at the tired cat.
Zilvar hmms. "Was food included in the price of room?
Ben_Mouse says, "I think... so. Kibra?"
Kibra says, "Yes, two meals. He said dinner is at the sixth hour after the noon bells."
Ben_Mouse says, "I wonder what time it is now?"
Zilvar slumps to the side and looks up out of the window. "Hmm. Couple four hours until then, I'd guess. I think nap, and then food.
Ben_Mouse grins mischievously. "Dibs on the bed..."
Kibra chuckles a bit to Ben, slipping her cape off and throwing it to the floor. "Go right ahead, Ben."
Zilvar arches an eyebrow. "You'll share, I wager. I'll take the floor, myself."
Kibra smiles, curling up on her cloak. "Too late."
Zilvar grins a bit. "I'm not getting on the bed. Thing'd probably collapse."
Ben_Mouse jumps up and dives off the sill, tumbling onto the pillow. He hmphs. "I -was- kidding. I'd be fine with that hand towel."
Ben_Mouse hmphs and grins. The mouse closes his eyes and dozes.
Kibra stretches, standing.."That bed looks pretty solid, Zilvar, are you sure you don't want to sleep on it?"
Zilvar shakes his head. "Nope. I'll be fine down here."
Ben_Mouse blinks through sleep-warm eyes, grinning at the soft conversation. "Glad you two are here."
Kibra nods and curls up on the bed somewhat gingerly.
Zilvar chuckles softly and rests his head against his pack. "I'm glad I'm here, too. If I wasn't, I don't know where I'd be."
Ben_Mouse scoots to one side of the pillow, giving Kibra lost of headroom. He giggles at Zilvar's comment.
Ben_Mouse says, "I wonder where 'here' is."
Kibra smiles a bit. "Probably somewhere a lot fancier."
Ben_Mouse grins.