Sunset: 1755
- No Greyhawk Events today
Preparing for the Future
The next day, Tar stops by the Blue Goose around 9:30 in the morning. He knocks without effect. Nobody answers. The small peephole door remains firmly shut. Unsurprised, Tar heads for Boover’s, which he knows will be open. There, he leaves a verbal message for Vathirril to meet him here at 5:00 to discuss a business arrangement. The bartender nods. Vathirril will get the message.
That business attended to, Tar heads for the Guild Hall. Upon entering, Hathori nearly immediately delivers a litter of kittens on the spot, so intense is his obvious (and near painful) nervousness. He bows very deeply.
Hathori:
S-s-sir Tar! ... W-w-we’re honored, of course. ... ah … Th-the guilmaster is … ah … available … naturally.
Tar returns the bow:
Wew med Hafori. I doan need ta see him now. Bud I wood like to make an appoin’men’ to see him an’ Crym ad the earliest oppordunity.
Hathori bows again:
At your … ah … convenience … Master … ah, I mean … Sir Tar.
Tar shakes his head and surrenders the bowing game:
Hafori. Do yoo remem’er da firs’ day I wass here? We had a conversation. Wew, we tried anyway. Yoo as’ed my name, an’ I sai’ “Dar”, an’ yoo said I had no appoin’men’. I hafen’ chan’d. I am stiw Dar.
Hathori:
I’m honored that you … ah … remember, Sir … Master Tar. Still, I am … obliged by my … ah … position to observe certain … ah … niceties…
Tar chuckles:
Ahh. yess, niceties. Wew, in any case, I shaw be ad da Silfer Spoo’ relaxin’ undil id can be sed up. OK?
Hathori pulls a book from a drawer in the podium and consults it:
If it’s quite convenient … ah … would noon be sufficient?
Tar:
Escellend. I wiw see dem den. Dank yoo Hafori. Ass yoosual, yoo are mos’ effectif.
Hathori pulls himself even more erect, standing even straighter than before, if that’s possible:
Many thanks, Master Tar. ... If you’ll forgive the formality. You … ah … were always very kind.
Tar:
Der’s nofing to forgif. Yoo haf a goot day.
Hathori bows again as Tar leaves, headed for the Silver Spoon. When he arrives, he sees that a sizeable crowd is present. It becomes silent and stares as he walks in. Tar orders a dark ale and looks for a quiet corner to sit (i.e., hide) in, but unfortunately, there are no quiet corners available downstairs in the common room. Since he doesn??????t want to go upstairs to the private dining room, he is forced to be content with finding the most out of the way place he can, which turns out to be a table nearer the center of the room. He sits to a deafening silence, and though gradually the conversation picks up around him, the stares do not lessen. The serving girl, of course, shows him great deference, and his drink shows up nearly immediately.
With little to do, Tar watches the crowd as he drinks his drink, then has another, ordered with an early lunch. There is really little to observe. Everyone pretty much leaves Tar alone, though he can’t help overhear the odd comment about not bothering the knight. He allows the comments to go unanswered, and waits patiently for the time to pass. It does, slowly, and after what seems to Tar to be far too long, the clock strikes a quarter to noon. It??????s time for him to head to the guild.
When he arrives at the guild, Hathori launches into a flurry of bowing and “This way”-ing. Amused, Tar follows him to the sitting room on the ground floor that he used for the meeting with Vathirril. As he enters, Keuoren sets down a teacup and stands, though he very much appears to be a man lost in thought, and a little preoccupied.
Keuoren:
Ah, Sir Tar. Master Tar. ?????? Which do you prefer?
Tar smiles:
Wew, I prefer Dar, bud, I’ve grown used to Mas’er Dar.
Keuoren smiles:
Well, then, Tar it is. Come in, Tar. Sit. Have a cup of tea. [He glances at Hathori, who scurries out.]
Tar has a seat:
Dank yoo. An’ dank yoo for inderuptin’ yoor schedule for me. I wanded do dalk do yoo aboud two fings.
Keuoren:
Ah, straight to the point as always. Old habits, eh? ... But unless I very much miss my guest, you requested that Crym be here at our little soir????e, no? She’ll be along presently. We have a little time to chat, if you have a mind to.
Tar:
Actuawy, yes. Da firs’ ding I wanded to dalk do yoo abou’ iss my new position. I … um … wew. Led me stard dis way. I am wey fanfkul of da Guil’. Id has helped me oud of my statio’ an’ allowed me do han’le animals. I certainwe appreciate id. Howefer, comin’ do Greyhawk, I wass ready do leaf da guil’. De onwy reason I wood haf stayed was yoo and da suppord yoo haf gifen me. I did not wand do insuld yoo by acceptin’ da knighthood dat wass offered me. I feld … wew … I fink I can doo more for yoo in my new row. I wiw nefer forget yoor support. Trus’ me on dat.
Tar seems to want to say more, but falls silent. Keuoren pauses as Hathori shuffles back in bearing a tea tray. After he sets is down and leaves, Keuoren stands and pours Tar a cup.
Keuoren:
How do you like your tea, Tar? Cream? Sugar? Honey? Lemon?
Tar:
Honey, please.
Keuoren adds honey appropriately then takes a few seconds to seat himself before speaking again:
Tar, you would have been a prime idiot not to have accepted that knighthood. [He looks directly at Tar.] And a prime idiot is one thing I am absolutely certain you are not. [Tar looks visibly relieved, which Keuoren accepts as a response.] You are without a doubt the best animal handler I have ever encountered. I’m glad to see you have outgrown that role. Not because the guild will be richer without you. We will not. Not because we … I … will not miss you. We will. I will. You see, Tar, there are people on this earth who are born to do great things. I believe you are one of those people. I also believe that while you would have achieved great things as an animal handler, you will have much greater opportunity to achieve much greater things as a knight. I flatter myself that you will drop by to see us when you get the opportunity. I would welcome the chance to relax for a few moments from the daily drudgery, for your visits, Tar, are never interruptions. More like homecomings.
Tar remains silent for a little while and then starts up:
I dank yoo and I haf a favor do ask of yoo. I fin’ myself in a bid of a spot. Yoo see I haf a new house. Wew I wiw. Bud I know nofing of houses. I wiw be leafin soon to ged my parends. I wiw need someone do look afder da house … to run it. I need a Steward. Oh, nod one to lif in da house, bud one that can advice and look in from time do time. Do you know someone?
Keuoren smiles again:
I believe we can find someone suitable. Fret not on that front. It will be taken care of. Is there anything else?
Tar:
Nod undil Crym arrifes. I do look forwar’ to gettin’ to know you bedder dan I haf.
A small knock sounds on the door, and Keuoren glances at it:
I believe that is our wayward halfling now.
Sure enough, the door is thrown open to reveal Crym’s round, red face smiling up at Tar. She executes a very theatrical, very deep bow.
Crym:
Sir Tar!
Tar busts out and then looks at her sternly:
Wew, da leas’ yoo can do for a knight is gif him some klatalas!
He can??????t maintain the stern look, however, and allows a huge grin to break out on his face. Crym reaches into her cloak and pulls out a small bag, which she throws to Tar.
Crym:
Oh, look!... Just a few left. Just a few. [Keuoren’s eyes light up.] Yes, Keuoren. You, too. [She pulls a second bag and throws it to him and shakes her head.] Boys.
Crym throws her cloak over the back of a nearby chair and makes herself comfortable on the couch, still smiling inanely, as Tar chuckles and takes one of the candies out of his bag and pops it in his mouth. Keuoren does likewise. Tar takes a few extra seconds to compose himself before leaping back into the conversation.
Tar:
I’ve dought alod aboud my future ofer da las’ couple of days. Ofer da course of da elecshun I haf made a few acquantainces. I’f mentioned dem before. I was dinkin’ dat I can make a new … um .. business arrangmen’ wif dem. I was dinkin’ of offerin’ dem a proposishun. Information for helpin’ da guil’ and Lor’ Aphic for a stipen’. Id cood haf a lod of benefid for bof of yoo.
Keuoren thinks long and deeply before looking up, all seriousness:
This will require a greater amount thought than I can devote to it at the moment. Let’s leave the question open. See if you can set it up. There may be avenues worth looking into, though for obvious reasons I fear to tie my guild too closely to Straph’s.
Tar nods:
Dat iss wad I esspected. I wiw be meetin’ wif dem tonigh’ One reason for Crym’s bein’ here is dat we wood need to haf some cudouds or similiar arrangemen’s.
Keuoren:
Be very careful what you promise them. They will assume you speak for the guild. I would hate to … dissapoint your friends.
Tar:
Hmmm … Goo’ poind. I wasn’ goin’ to mention anyone acsuawy. In realidy, I wass settin’ id up for myself, bud I need someone do run id while I’m away. Den I fought off da gui’d an dought dat id may hep eferyone.
Keuoren:
Tar, you are a Master Animal Handler. Every time you speak, you represent the guild. ... Well, now you speak for Greyhawk at least as much, but you are still and always will be, an animal handler. That pin you wear justifiably proudly will attest to that.
Tar:
Den I wiw haf do distance myself from da guil’ vewwy strongwy. [Keuoren raises an eyebrow but remains silent, thinking. Tar takes advantage of the moment to turn his attention to Crym.] I’m sure I wiw nod ged an answer tonigh’ from our fweins. Haf yoo any advice for dings dat I mus’ make cerdain off?
Crym:
Talk to Straph. Only to Straph. She has the reigns. Only her. Others are messengers. Nothing more. Messengers only. [She pauses for a second, then gets a mischevous twinkle in her eye.] And don’t drink the beer.
Tar chuckles:
De wine any bedder?
Crym:
Never know. Could be.
Keuoren:
You’ll want to be very careful, Tar. With your new position, many will be trying to take advantage of you. That gives you great leverage, but great vulnerability as well.
Tar nods:
I shall be as da fox and da owl.
Keuoren:
Be wary or Straph will become the eagle.
Tar smiles:
Oh, I borrowed some dogs a fortnigh’ ago. I dink I ought da redurn dem!
With that, the talk turns to inconsequential chat, and soon enough Tar is ready to leave. As he heads for the door, Keuoren stops him.
Keuoren:
Tar, one last thought before you go. No matter how many titles you accrue. No matter how many accolades they heap upon you, remember your roots. You are an Animal Handler. It’s not what you were trained to be. It’s who you are. No one will ever take that away from you. ... And you are always welcome in my Guild. In my house. In my life.
Tar bows a very reverential bow:
An’ yoo may nod by my liege, bud yoo wiw always be my king.
Keuoren:
A prouder monarch there never was. ... Go now. Do great things.
Tar bows once more, this time a more standard bow, and leaves. Since he has nothing on his schedule, he contents himself with wandering the streets and shops. Once, he drops in at the Silver Spoon, and once at the Crossed Keys, but finding none of his teammates there, he doesn????t stay long. He paces his steps to bring him to Boover????s around 5:00.
He is surprised to see when he gets there that Vathirril is already seated, and is deeply engaged in conversation with a young man or about 18 or 20. He goes to the bar and orders a dark ale, then leans his elbows on the bar and has a good look around.
The place is hopping. The city is still very busy. Maybe half the extra folks who came for the election have left, but that still leaves a lot of additional people milling about. Many of them seem to be in the immediate vicinity of the Low Market, and lots of those are buying hard-to-find goods to take home with them. He spies an extraordinarily attractive young lady wandering through the crowd, and is content to watch her for a time, along with a goodly percentage of the male half of the crowd.
Tar waits and watches the lady for maybe 10 minutes, then suddenly looks up to see that Vathirril is alone once more, and if the direction his face is pointed and the look on it are anything to go by, he is focused on the same woman who until so recently occupied Tar’s own attention. Tar gets Vathirril??????s attention and raises his glass. Vathirril nods, points to his nearly empty glass, then motions Tar to come over.
Tar drains his glass, orders another round for himself and Vathirril, and heads on over. He wearing neither his Master????s badge nor any of his knightly regalia. If Vathirril notices, he doesn????t comment.
Vathirril:
‘Ail, yer Lordship. ‘Anks. Grab a seat. [something] been great ‘asn’t it?
Tar:
Ayup. Id hass.
Vathirril:
Boi th’ way, congrat’lations on th’ Knoigh’ood. ‘Em’s ‘ard t’ come by, ‘em is.
Tar:
I ‘ad da ged my face burned da ged mine!
Vathirril chuckles:
Way Oi ‘eard it, ‘twas yer arse, but ‘oose quibblin’?
Tar:
Somes say dey ‘ook da same!
Vathirril laughs out loud for about 30 seconds:
‘At’s rich, ‘at is. Look th???? same???? So, Oi ????eerd ye wanna ‘ave a cha????, eh? [something] proivate?
Tar:
Dat wood doo nicely.
Vathirril:
Yer place er moine? Ye bought me a drink, Oi’ll give ye yer choice! [He laughs out loud. Tar wonders if he’s not a little drunk.]
Tar:
I fink I bedder pour you out at yoor pace.
Vathirril:
Ye go’, it, goiant … er is??????t Sir Goiant, now?
Vathirril laughs, but doesn’t wait for a response before dropping a few bits on the table and rising to leave. Tar rises as well, and the pair exit. Vathirril sets a fairly fast pace, though Tar has no trouble keeping up. He is the victim of a lot of finger pointing, as various members of the crowd indicate the presence of the new Knight amongst them. Even though Tar is now an old hand at the twisty back streets of Greyhawk, he is quickly lost amongst those of the southern Hub. After about 15 minutes, at least 5 or 10 of which Tar is certain they covered the same ground at least twice, they arrive in a residential neighborhood. Vathirril opens a wooden door. From the outside, the building appears unoccupied, but it is easy to see that it has been used recently – and probably often. Vathirril trips over the threshold going in, but regains his balance long enough to throw himself into an easy chair.
Vathirril:
Grab a [something] seat.
Tar looks around and sees one other easy chair and a couch. He elects to sit in the easy chair.
Vathirril:
Now, ‘en. Whaddya ‘ave?
Tar:
I’m lookin’ for a business deaw. A wong term one.
Vathirril:
‘At’s innerestin’, ‘at is. Wha’ sorta [something] deal?
Tar:
Doo yoo dalk for her nibs?
Vathirril:
Not gen’lly. Thought might be toime t’ ... ‘ow d’ye say … stroike out on me own. ‘Is might be jus’ th’ opportun’ty Oi been lookin’ fer.
Tar:
Oh?
Vathirril:
Way Oi sees it, Oi pulls in coupla big [something], ‘er nibs got t’ notice. Oi’m a bloody ‘ero an’ all.
Tar:
Aye, a bloody hero. Maybe efen lifin da night out!
Vathirril looks confused:
‘Ow’s ‘at?
Tar:
Dink aboot id man! Doo yoo reawwy dink she’ll led yoo lif?
Vathirril:
Mebbe. Wi’ th’ roigh’ deal b’hoind me. Wi’ ye as [something].
Tar:
You dink I’ll in’ercede between yoo and her? I canna be aroun yoo eferyday and nigh’!
Vathirril:
Look, mate. Straph’s lookin’ t’ break int’ th’ nobility. Pull in a few big [something], th’ skoi’s th’ limit, roight? I’m thinkin’, ‘elp ‘er out a moite, she’s grateful, an’ Vathirril’s lookin’ a’ easy street.
Tar:
I fought yoo wanned on yoor own? If yoo leaf, den she won’ be geddin’ anyfing from yoo.
Vathirril:
Nah, ye misunnerstan’. Not startin’ me own [something], me. Start pullin’ [something] on me own. ‘At’s me. Make a name fer meself’.
Tar:
Stard pullin’ wad on yer own?
Vathirril:
Ya know, [something] ... clients … contracts … [something] ... Get it? [Tar nods thoughtfully and remains silent for a few minutes.] Way Oi sees it, yer me ticket t’ th’ insoide. Through ye, Oi gets t’ Lor’ Aphic. ‘At other new Knoight, what’s is name? [something] ... Anyways, ye got yer Defenders, contacts. Oi reckons yer th’ koinda guy ‘as lotsa contacts. Am Oi roight? [Tar nods.] So Oi gets on yer payroll, ye open a door’r two. Ye gets a discount. ‘Ow’s ‘at soun’?
Tar:
An’ ‘ow doo I know dad yoor venture iss approfed by Straph?
Vithirril:
Way Oi see’s it, yer clear either way. [something] got th’ goods, an’ no problem, roight? Anyway, ifn Oi’m wrong, she [something] me, roight? Ifn not, we’re both free. Free as birds, as ‘ey say.
Tar thinks about it for a second:
Maybe, wad if she dinks I’m dealin’ behin her back?
Vathirril:
Now, why would [something] that? We’s toight, ‘er an’ me. Ifn [something] wrong, ye say ye thought Oi [something] fer ‘er, no?
Tar thinks:
You haf some goo’ poin’s ‘ow doo I know yoo can delifer? ‘Ow many doo yoo comman?
Vathirril:
‘Eh? Oi don’ comman’. ‘Er nibs comman’s. Oi’m jess lookin’ at collectin’ th’ bleedin’ [something].
Tar:
So wad if yoo accep somedin’ dat she doesn’ wan doo to?
Vathirril:
Oi dunno, t’ be honest. Oi’ll be workin’ ‘ard t’ make sure ‘at [something]. Truth be tol’, ye don’ really care ‘ough, do ye? ‘At’s all on me. Don’ affec’ ye, do it?
Tar chuckles:
‘At’s troo, bud I care for yoo so much!
Vathirril laughs out loud:
‘Sall roight wi’ ye, Oi’ll no’ be swappin’ spit wi’ ye anytoime soon…
Tar guffaws loudly:
Quide awrigh’. OK, yoo confinced me.
Vathirril:
Oi loike ye, goiant. Oi do. An’ Oi b’lieve yer sommun Oi ken work wi’. Now ye’re talkin?????? long term [something]. At what terms?
Tar:
I wand a spy nedwork in da cidee dat wiw gif me info’mashun aboud dreats to myself, and so by extension do my employer.
Vathirril:
An’ Oi t’ought ye were talkin’ ‘bout sommat diff’cult. What’re ye offerin’?
Tar:
10 bennies per monf.
Vathirril:
M-hm. An wha’ koina network ye lookin’ at [somthing] with ‘at fee?
Tar:
Daiwy updates, ass broa’ as we ca’ go.
Vathirril:
10 pennies ain’ gonna buy ye many updates. Oi’ll cover th’ ‘Ub for 10 pennies a month. Weekly updates.
Tar nods:
Yoo god people in da Ifory tower?
Vathirril:
Few. Not ‘s many as Oi’d loike. ‘Ey’re o’erworked ‘ey are.
Tar:
So ‘ow much do unnerwork ‘em?
Vathirril:
Eh?
Tar:
I wan do be dop prioritee in der.??????s eyes light up:
Aye? We’ll ‘ave t’ see ifn ye ken afford ‘at!
Tar:
Aye, wee wiw.
Vathirril:
Oi’m thinkin’ ye could pull ‘at off fer … dubloon a week?
Tar:
Quarter dubloo’ for da firs’ six monfs. I wan doo see if da produc’ is worf it.
Vathirril:
Hmm. Quarter dubloon’ll getcha one [something] in six months. Ye wan’ weekly updates, mebbe … dubloon a month, but yer [something] not prior’ty, unnerstan’?
Tar:
I’ll dake low prioritee for da firs’ six monfs at a quarter dubloon per. Bud If I don’ see falue id wiw nefer go up. Afder six monfs, if I loike da produc’, I’ go from quarter dubloon per monf to a dubloo’ a monf.
Vathirril gives it some thought:
Tell ye what. I’m so sure ye’ll loike what ye get [something] on’y ‘alf dubloon a month fer six months. Arter ‘at, yer at dubloon a month ‘til we get sick o’ ye. Deal?
Tar:
Deal. Half a dubloon for six months comes to dree dubloons. I wiw haf yoor condact gif you da dree duploons in day afder tomorrow.
Vathirril:
Excellent! A wise choice, par’ner. Now, ‘ow’s about we git back t’ Boover’s an’ ye buy me a drink t’ cel’brate?
Tar chuckles:
Buy a drink? Yoo sooul’ buy me one wif my dubloons. Bud nay, I fink I need to make arranshments. Where should a send da condac?
Vathirril:
Oi’ll send th’ girl. Th’ one wi’ th’ flow’rs. Make sure she gives ye roses ‘is toime fer ‘em ladies o’ yers.
Tar:
Roses are goo’.
Satisfied, Tar gets up and bows. Vathirril stands, spits on his palm and stretches out his hand. Tar looks at the hand with distaste for just a second before grasping it. Vathirril smiles, and the pair depart. When they split up, which they do a the Lord Mayor??????s Promenade, Tar heads for the Blue Goose.
When he arrives, Tar knocks on the door for what seems like the hundredth time. When the small door opens, he gives the last password he was given ?????? mutton. The door opens immediately and Brakh steps out of the way, blinking stupidly in the sudden (for him) sunshine. Tar nods to the half-orc and heads to the bar, looking around as he does.
This early, the place is nearly deserted. Llamidew is behind the bar. The bartender looks surprised to see Tar.
Llamidew:
Bit early, antcha? Just got in meself. What’ll it be?
Tar:
Dar???? ale. An???? I ????ave a muh-essage fer mah lady frien????.
Llamidew:
Lady friend’s yer bizness. When yer done, th’ boss wants ye.
Tar nods:
I’ll hole my messa’e. Where?
Llamidew cocks his head, not unlike a particularly intelligent dog might do when faced with a new situation:
Grab a seat. She knows yer ‘ere. She’ll be ‘long presently.
Tar nods and selects a particularly dark table. He doesn’t have long to wait. Within 15 minutes of his arrival, Straph sweeps in to the booth and without so much as a “by your leave” sits and initiates the conversation.
Straph:
So then, what brings you back so soon. Surely you don??????t miss me already?
Tar chuckles:
I miss yoor lo-ka-way-sush-ness.
Straph looks like she’s just received a sharp blow from a heavy object, and declines to return comment.
Tar smiles:
Ah wew. I jus’ wanded do fanf yoo for yoor suppord for Vaffiril’s endeavor.
Straph:
A meaningless gesture, but an important one.
Tar:
I agree. I hope we ca’ condinue in a profi’able vendure.
Straph:
I am always interested in … profitable ventures.
Tar:
As am I. As am I. Yoo haf yoorself a goo’ nigh. [He stands up.]
Straph:
Tar? Last time we met, you gave me a gift. Now I will give you one. [She pauses, but Tar simply listens.] Take care with your new partner. I’ve seen you. You mold people. Play to their strengths. Prey on their weaknesses. ?????? Don’t overplay Vathirril. He is simple, and can easily get ideas above his station. He plays a dangerous game. I do not suffer ambitious lieutenants overlong.
Tar smiles broadly:
I fang yoo for da advise. Why doo yoo dink I’m here? I don’ play da fool, unless I wand to play da fool. If he fouls his game, I wand no part of id. I pray dat if he overprays his han’ yoo can fin’ me a new deawer.
Straph:
I know why you are here. You are protecting yourself. Don’t want to be seen as going behind my back. A wise move. Many who failed to make it no longer regret their lack of caution. You are no fool, though you play one well. ... Will you be leaving the city now that the election is over?
Tar:
I fink so. I haf to ged my parends. Dey haf suffered for too long in der life. Da leas’ dey can do is die in relatif comford. Howefer, I wiw be back. I don’ inten’ to come back do a citee dat I don’ know.
Straph:
Loved ones can be such a comfort, can’t they. But they can become a burden as well. Like most of life, as long as you maintain a balance, it shouldn’t prove overwhelming.
Tar:
Balance is fery impordant. One fing yoo learn as a han’ler is somedimes to safe da heard, yoo need do sacrifice da old.
Straph:
You know, I knew a dog once. A very old, blind dog. I almost got bitten several times before I realized my mistake. I was too quiet. I startled him. When I began to tread more heavily around him, he no longer cared that I was there. You see, he was aware. He was not surprised. Forwarning can be such a blessing to an old, blind dog.
Tar chuckles:
Wew, I dink dis ode blin’ dog needs to ged a goo’ supper before bed!
Straph:
Tar, that password is yours. It will allow you access to this haven as long as I allow it. I look forward to our next meeting.
Tar:
Yoo mean ????old dog?????? or ????mutton???????
Straph smiles:
Let it be ????old dog??????. It can be our little secret.
Tar returns the smile:
‘Nigh’ young pup!
Tar turns and walks out, headed for the Tap and Salmon for supper and a nightcap, and hoping to find Yalinari there. He is not, so Tar is forced to eat alone, though his old friend the landlady is particularly attentive tonight, without being stifling ?????? an attitude Tar appreciates.
After his nightcap, Tar heads home. It is nearly 8:00 before he reaches his front door. He reflects on the fact that tonight, for the first time ever, he really does have a front door. He fingers the key in his pocket with not a little wonder, marveling at the way the events of the past two weeks have unfolded. He arrived in Greyhawk with only Nyra for company, uncertain of employment, and with only minimal assets. Now he was a titled man of means, a leader, a man of influence, with an expanding circle of friends and acquaintances. He shakes his head to clear the thoughts ?????? he was never one to live in the past. Instead he opens the door and enters.
Walking through the rooms of the house ?????? his house, he reminds himself ?????? Tar feels a little deflated. He is feeling a bit let down. Although naturally a loner, he finds himself wishing for company this evening. Someone to chat with. Someone to share his thoughts with. More for something to do than to ward off the negligible chill of the evening he makes up a fire in the sitting room and settles into a soft, comfortable armchair. Sitting there, staring into the fire, he feels his sense of loneliness come creeping softly back. He briefly toys with the idea of visiting Nyra in her Grove, but realizes that she will be busy catching up with Lililira and doing her druidly duties. He could visit Firena ???? she is sure to be at the clinic, but she????s busy as well, preparing to turn it over to another. He has no idea where Yalinari is; likely in some tavern or other earning free drinks from the locals. He smiles briefly at the thought, but as a local clock tower strikes 9:00, he decides he has had enough of reflection for one evening. He douses the fire and heads for the bedroom.
The bed is softer, the sheets more luxurious, the comforter warmer than any he has ever slept in before. He grins at the thought that that is only partly due to their quality. It helps that they are his. His! He can????t suppress another grin. Again and again he plays over the previous fortnight????s events. What he could have done better, should have done differently. It is a comforting game. Sleep is a long time coming, but eventually of course, come it does.