Continuing from Del in Ardent
Rowe in Ardent
Rowe arrived in Ardent on the last day of Autumn Rise. A city buzzed with excitement over the news of the campaign. The big news was the liberation of the city of Gulsh from the Hoarde, which happened two months ago. From there, things had only improved. A severe drought had struck upper Ilgylith, the breadbasket for the Hoarde, while major flooding had hit southern Ilgylith, and disrupted their supply lines from the more Eastern strongholds. With their grain storage in Gulsh captured, the Hoarde had been forced to retreat hundreds of miles Eastward, though not after ravishing the countryside in typical, if horrible fashion. A number of Counts remained with their men in Gulsh to hold the city over the winter.
The streets were bustling with activity. Barrels were loaded up onto carts, and wagon after wagon could be seen heading East into the mountains. They were loaded with supplies, rushing to get over the Northerly mountain pass and down into Ilgylith before the snows blocked the pass for the winter.
Rowe passed a dozen carts on the main street until he made his way up the hilly side streets and up a windy cobble stone street unto a thick walled villa with one small gate with two guards.
"State your business," one said, while the other remained motionless.
Rowe scowled. "I return from Ilgylith. I come to seek counsel from the crystal guild master who lives here."
"Who are you?"
Rowe scowled, but showed them his ring. "I am Count Rowe of Headwaters, last son of the late Count Marc of Headwaters."
The silent guard stepped inside the gate and disappeared. The talking guard remained expressionless until the silent guard returned a few minutes later.
"Wait here."
Rowe resisted the urge to make fun of their formality until thought of what Hauk would have said to them and chuckled aloud, then swiftly fell sullen again from missing his friend.
Another minute passed awkwardly until a brown robed young man appered. "Please, follow me."
Insistence
Rowe followed the man through a small corridor to the right. It was cool and dark, with a simple blue wall greeting them several yards in front. Ahead they entered a small court yard dominated by a noisy fountain. A dozen small tables were crammed into the space, most were occupied by at least three crystal smiths, though there were a few empty seats here and there. They all sat around chatting and eating a simple lunch of bread, butter, and various drinks. Rowe was the only nobleman here. The brown robed young man led him to a small empty table right next to the fountain. He politely motioned to the seat, and Rowe took it.
The young man also sat. "Are you hungry, Count?"
Rowe wasn't really hungry, "Just a small bite would be fine, I suppose."
They sat rather quietly for a few minutes until another one brought over two plates and a small basket of bread, and two small glasses of wine.
Rowe had heard that the crystal guild moved at their own pace, and it was best not to discuss business until they brought it up. So he ate with this man and chatted with him about pointless things like the changing of the seasons.
Rowe realized something important as they sat. The noise of the fountain drowned out all conversation, despite how packed they all were into this courtyard. It was really quite a clever design.
Finally the young man asked him, "What brings a fine nobleman such as yourself to our guild house on this day?"
Rowe paused. "I came to settle my account regarding Dalivunne."
The young man smiled. "Of course, of course. We are happy to settle your accounts at your pleasure. I might politely recommend that you can settle all accounts at our office on King street."
Rowe nodded. "I have another matter to discuss. Perhaps, I might be able to speak with Guildsman Foke."
The young man nodded. "It would be my pleasure. It may take me a few moments to locate him. Our guild masters are often quite busy. Would you mind telling me what sort of ... matter, you have to discuss?"
Rowe began to feel frustrated, he was used to people doing what he said without question, "This is a private matter between myself and Master Foke. He is an old friend of mine from Headwaters, and I would like to speak with him." Rowe cut himself off before complaining about having spent half an hour here eating bread with a stranger for no reason.
"Oh, sir, I understand. I simply desired to know to what reason I might be interrupting the good Master's work."
Rowe tapped his fingers impatiently. "Please tell Master Foke that I have a question about a magical .... relic ... I saw on the campaign this year that Master Dalivunne could not answer."
The young man nodded. "It would be my pleasure. One moment." He got up and left.
Rowe began to look around. Several of the people had left. One man across the way was staring at him. He got up and walked over. "Hello, nobleman, care if I sit with you?"
Rowe began to saw no, but the gentleman was already seated. "I'd prefer to be alone, honestly."
"Fanister," he said, reaching across the table. "And you are..."
"Nobody important," said Rowe.
"Yes, that's right. Nobody Important. Of Headwaters. That's an official title, correct?" he sneered. "Raider of evil temples..... thief of rare artifacts?" He sniffed the air. "I can smell the stench of that evil god on you like freshly cut onions. You don't look cursed. So I can only surmise that you must have on your person some vile relic."
Rowe clenched his teeth.
"Your silence tells me I am not wrong," Fanister added. "Let us wait then, for your friend to return."
....more to come.... For now, you can read other stories of the Adventuring Guild