powered by FreeFind index sitemap

Meeting Bruenor at the Inn of the Wayward Sage

Returning to the inn, the group meet Milo and Herod in the street, and were just informing the pair of what they had read, when Yvandel and Merrell arrived. Re-united, the entire group enter the inn, finding it fairly full, although the same two tables they had been sat at the night before and for breakfast were still free - apart from one familiar looking dwarf with a battered looking one horned helm. There is a slight hushing of voices as the group enter, and many eyes turn first from them, to the lonely dwarf - Bruenor Battlehammer. His eyes narrow as the group enter, and he stands, waiting for them as they approach.

Of Blondung and Larz, there is no sign.

When the group enters the inn, Herod looks around as the patrons become quiet. He is afraid that this might just be the quiet before the storm. He is not sure who should talk first, but knows it will not be him. He moves with the group to meet the dwarven king.

In Larz's absence Dorn takes the lead and bows to Bruenor. "My name is Dorn of Clan Fireforge, it is an honor to meet you. I am one of the group called The Unknowns."

"Another Fireforge eh?" exclaims Bruenor loudly.

Dorn puts on a brave face, but the look in his eye shows his true nervousness.

"We have news of Kheizar Dalan which should be shared with you." Dorn keeps his introduction short. Those who know him would think from the way his voice was slightly cracked that he was half nervous at seeing such a great dwarf in the flesh and half even more nervous with having the knowledge of what he had read about exploring KD without approval from the dwarves on his mind...

"Aye, I'm sure ye have!" retorted Bruenor. "I dinnae meet ye when I met ye cousin last, but he seemed mighty keen to join me and King Harbromm's kin when we returned, and yet I hear today ye've already explored the place!" Bruenor's voice rises as he speaks, and his eyebrows knit as his forehead creases in a scowl. "And just where is ye cousin Larz?" he asks brusquely. "I heard from Alustriel he'd got some ancient dead messenger's body!" The angry dwarf glared around at the party, though his gaze kept returning to Dorn. "Well?!" he demands. "Is someone going to tell me what in Moradin's name you lot found out about Kheizar Dalan and what this has to do with the dead dwarf Larz has brought back?"

Dorn bristles abit at being berrated but tugs on his beard to remind him to be respectful. "my cousin be off paying homage to The Father of Battle. We be stayin here since we returned. He will be here when he is finished. As for the fallen dwarf he be lying in the basement as we speak, Larz has prepared him for travel to Adbar. If you dont mind maybe we can sit down proper and more private so as I can tell you the tale of our exploration of Kheizar Dalan."

Bruenor hesitates for a moment, a scowl still on his face, then his expression relaxes slightly, and he nods. "Aye, but I'd like yer cousin to say his piece too..."

Outside, the faint tolling of the town bell can be heard, indicating the 6th hour of the evening. Bruenor glances up at the window, then back to Dorn, before glancing around at the various occupants of the inn, all conversation stopped and all eyes on the dwarven king and the Unknowns. "Mebbe it would be best if we can find somewhere more private, and when we've got more time!" He glances at the window again, and shifts slightly from one foot to another, obviously wracked by some dilema. With much of the previous anger suddenly gone from his voice, he continues. "Actually, I hadn't realised what the time was, and I need to be else where right now, but come to Alustriel's palace tomorrow morning..." He glances around the group. "with yer cousin and any of yer tall friends who might have something to say, and I'll meet with yer there at the 10th bell - yer can recant yer tale just the once that way" he adds.

Serena heaved a sigh of relief as King Bruenor decided to leave the Inn. She knew that Larz was the one who should be making the full report to the dwarven king. Dorn was a poor substitute in Larz'
absence. From what little she knew of dwarven ways, she felt that as a human -- and a female -- she herself would not be taken altogether seriously by the dwarf-lord. So she bit her lip and said nothing until Bruenor spoke again.

"Bring the dead ancient one, as Harbromm has sent a number of his high priests as part of the expedition... They may be able to do something".

So saying, Bruenor picks up his many notched battle axe, straightens his lopsided helm, and makes ready to leave.

Dorn looks at Bruenor with a confused look on his scraggly face. but when the great dwarf makes to leave Dorn speaks up.

"Aye, I am sure Larz would be wantin to have his say too. We will be honored to meet you and the Lady tomorrow at the 10th bell. it is unexpeced that you would bring with you what Larz was willing to travel to Abdar for, I be sure that he be happy to hear the news."

The dwarven king frowns for a moment, trying to figure out what Dorn is trying to say, then comprehension dawns. "Well, the damn priests weren't my choice, but Harbromm thought they were a good idea" he grumbles. He glances again at the window, then shakes his head sadly. "Ack, I'll be late!" he mutters almost to himself. Looking up at Dorn again, his visage turns stern again. "I hate to have to wait for yer story, but other matters be more pressin', so I'll have t' see ye at the Palace tomorrow. 10th bell mind! Don't be late!" The dwarf, ignoring the somewhat disappointed faces of the other patrons in the inn, who were perhaps expecting a more fiery confrontation with the dwarven king, stomps his way towards the exit, and pushes his way out into the evening.

Serena, peering through a window, sees the dwarf pause for a moment in the street, seeming to look up at the sky for a moment, then turn and stomp off towards the east.

Grabbing her own coat, she slips out after him.

***

Serena slips out of the inn and glances down the street in the direction that the dwarven king had walked. There are a number of people abroad still, and for a moment, she doesn't spot him, before suddenly she catches a glimpse of his distinctive helmet bobbing in the distance. Moving quickly to start with, she tails the dwarf, keeping fairly well back to remain out of his sight. He doesn't take any special precautions against being followed, and doesn't seems to suspect it either, and she finds herself crossing the large market area, most of the stalls now closed up for the night, and heading towards Lady Alustriel's palace. Sure enough, as Bruenor gets closer, he is hailed by a few Palace guards, by whom he is recognised, and then disappears into the palace.