Zelda Universe Forums - View Single Post

Λύσις · #4 [ ] 07-05-2007, 09:20 PM

Introduction: Concerning Dawn's Rosy Fingers

In response to Sweet Simplicity I would like to say that I like that epithet as well, which is of course the reason I used it. I read it in one of Homer's famous works, The Odyssey, and decided to use it. Like I always say, Good ideas are worth using.

Chapter II: Thunder and Lightning, the Two Edged Blade

'Twas not the Sun that woke Kartaikian. Nor was it the thunder. It was, in fact, the lightning that woke him up. While he lay in the inn's bed, he saw it flash again, followed closely by the rumble of thunder. Outside he heard the sound of horses, panicking.

Kartaikian got out of bed. He was already fully dressed, and now all he had to do was get his pack on and strap his quiver to it, and put on his belt and scabbard. The first thing he did after that was go outside, to make sure his horse wasn't one of the panicking horses. Indeed it wasn't, and while the other horses in the inn's stable were frightened and apprehensive, Stormrider simply knelt in the corner, eating from a pile of oats, not the least bit concerned.

With that, Kartaikian went back inside the inn. He went to the inn's bar, and sat at a table. Also in the bar were a few other people, more than Kartaikian would expect for so early in the morning. At one table were three dirty looking men, who looked as if they'd been drinking all night. They were clearly drunk, and blabbering nonsense about sea monsters and ghosts. There weren't even any seas nearby.

At a table in the corner resided an old, gray haired man, who had a mug full of cold water. While most of the tables had lit candles on them, his did not. There were also a few men sitting right up at the bar. The younger one had a mug of ale and a chunk of bread with cheese spread on it. The oldest one had an apple, but no drink. The one who looked to be neither older or younger didn't have anything but a book, and was well absorbed in it.

Finally, a bartender attended to Kartaikian, asking for what he'd like to eat or drink. The bartender was actually a female, who seemed rather young for bartending, and had red hair. She was holding three mugs of beer, which must be for the three drunk men at the other table.

"I'll just take some black tea, thank you," Kartaikian told the bartender. She nodded her head, walked over to the other table and replaced the drunkards empty glasses, and then went to brew some tea. When she finally came back, she had a steaming teapot and a small mug (apparently they didn't have teacups) into which she poured the tea.

She walked off after taking his pay, and Kartaikian sipped the hot black tea. The tea didn't taste relatively fresh, and was probably brewed earlier and just reheated for Kartaikian now, but he didn't care much. As he drank his tea, he listened to the other people in the room.

The drunk men were the loudest, and also the hardest to understand as they slurred their speech. Kartaikian heard one of them say something about an evil spirit attacking a group of people and drowning them in a lake, but the other kept insisting that the lake was filled with blood. The third one was currently laying unconscious on the table, his beer spilling and putting out the candle.

Also talking were the two men at the bar who weren't reading. They were more intelligible, but not necessarily more reliable. The older one was telling the younger one about a ruined city that he'd been to years before. He said he was sure there was some kind of hidden treasure or ancient artifact there, and he planned on returning if he could ever remember where the town had been. The younger one just nodded and agreed with him, occasionally asking questions.

The old man in the back of the room wasn't talking, as he was alone. He just looked about the room suspiciously, drinking his mug of water. Kartaikian also noticed, which slightly surprised him, an unsheathed sword leaning against the wall next to the old man, point down.

By the time Kartaikian had finished his tea, he hadn't really learned anything. He was just about ready to leave when the unexpected happened. With a loud crash, someone kicked in the inn door. A man came in, wearing a hooded cloak that covered his face, and wielding two longswords, both with one serrated edge. The blades were bright, but had the appearance of being made from copper rather than steel.

Immediately recognizing the person (despite not seeing his face) Kartaikian quickly retreated to the darker areas of the bar. So far, the man hadn't noticed him, luckily. The man walked up the the bartender, and inquired in a loud voice, "I'm looking for someone who supposedly slept in this inn last night. I wonder if you might know where I can find him?"

The bartender backed away from the man before answering, "I wouldn't know unless he's been in the bar. You'll have to ask the innkeeper otherwise. What's his name?"

"He wouldn't have told you his name, I'm sure. He's tall though, and although he's young, his hair is completely gray." The man looked about the room. By now everyone was looking at him. Even the man who'd been reading a book looked up at the armed man occasionally.

Kartaikian was still far in the back of the bar, where there was no light. Somewhat close to him was the table at which the old man was sitting. He'd picked up the blade that had been up against the wall before.

The redheaded bartender spoke up. "Actually, I did see someone like that. I served him black tea half an hour ago. I thought he was still here..." she looked about the room, "...but apparently not."

"Do you know where I could find him?" the man asked.

"No, I don't. Wherever he is, he's probably hiding from you." She didn't know how true that was. "Who are you anyway?"

The man didn't answer. Instead he began to leave. Right before he got to the door though, the youngest man at the bar spoke up. "I don't think he left yet, sir. I saw him in here a couple minutes ago. Check the back maybe."

Kartaikian cursed under his breath.

Notes: That's About 79 Points in Scrabble, You Know!

Although this certain section isn't exactly the best, or at least I didn't think so, it is important to the story. Or at least, a few parts of it are. I decided to end on a cliffhanger, because I don't want any of the chapters to be too excruciatingly long. That might deter someone from reading it.

Postscript: The title of this note is referring to the only six syllable word in the note.