Whispers of the Dark Mother Chapter 1

[JMaytr]

Tiberius strolls past the assembling crowd on his way to the Inn. He passes by the fountain. It features a large dragon statue, sitting in a pool, surrounded by various glittering coins. He sees that an ornate compass has been carved into outer wall of the pool. Clear water sprays from the carved dragons nose, its face contorted by laughter.

VIEW CONTENT:

What knowledge's does Tiberius have?

Music comes from the double swinging doors leading into the Inn.
So does shouting.

[ewancummins]

Junia passes the crowd and moves towards the temple.

[VAN]

Terrik spots the barracks at the distance. He raises his eyes and looks up at the sky the sun. He is sure he cannot make it to Brighton before sunset. Still a bit afraid and shaken he gets closer with his arms up as sign that he comes in peace and checks for the closer guard.

[Adam]

Herman wheels the cart up next to the decapitated man, reaching down to grab a handful of his hair. "Good to see you went out with a smile on your face, mate," he says before tossing the head into the back of the cart with a thud. He turns and wheels it on toward the body. "We should all be so lucky," he mutters to himself while suppressing another giggle.

[Adam]

Herman grabs the man by the arm, slinging him over his shoulders like he's helping a drunk stagger home. "Going for a wee at the end of the alley when they got you, eh? Seems a shame. Hopefully they let you finish first." He gives a sniff. "Perhaps not."

He muscles the body into the cart next to the head. The scene is somehow more awful when the dead man's shoulder bumps his head and sends it rolling against the side.

[kintire]

The young cleric stiffens and looks outraged.

"Lynch him? Without trial? We'll have none of that!"

She picks up her pace to a rapid stride as she approaches the crowd, lifting her voice and trying to make it sound older and authoritative... with some but far from complete success.

"Now then! What's all this? Haven't you fellows got anything USEFUL to do? If there's been an incident here you lot blocking the guards from getting in won't be welcome!"

She heads into the crowd, trying to part them, by confidence and authority!

[JMaytr]

The crowd shrinks back and away from the cleric. Before her is death; a decapitated body is being loaded into a wooden cart by an unsavory looking chap. There is a shovel in the back of his cart.

Herman sees the woman enter the alley. She wears symbol similar to those found on shrines by the river.

[JMaytr]

Entering the Inn, Tiberius sees a woman with an over-sized great sword being shouted at by some other patrons. Apparently the weapon has knocked over some drinks.

[kintire]

Lyrana hangs on one foot as her stride pauses, eyes widening at the sight in the alley, but she recovers quickly. Still, having taken in the situation she turns to examine the crowd rather than continue to examine the scene, eyes sweeping the group for the lynch victim, and preparing to disperse the forming mob.

"I'm sure you all have business to attend to. You've seen what's to be seen, and more than you want I'll wager. Any reason you're still here?"

[Adam]

OGRE ALLEY

Herman throws a tarp casually over the dead man and walks over to the cleric. "No worries, my dear. It's just a group of common folk observing an uncommon situation. It's not often you see a man with his head removed so neatly. Surely, you've attended a beheading in your time and felt the morbid fascination of the living witnessing one of their own going to join the dead with one swift stroke of the blade?"

He sticks out a grubby hand. "Herman Whittle, undertaker, at your service. I don't believe I've had the pleasure of your acquaintance."

[kintire]

Lyrana stares at him for a moment then blinks and shakes the hand with only a hint of hesitation.

"It isn't my favourite day out I have to say. I am more into the arrival of new life by choice. I'm Lyrana. Pleasure to meet you."

She eyes him a little doubtfully and glances at the crowd.

"I heard they were going to lynch someone, and we can't have that!"

[RocEter]

Entering the Inn, Tiberius sees a woman with an over-sized great sword being shouted at by some other patrons. Apparently the weapon has knocked over some drinks.

"Relax boys, nothing another round can't fix." He says as he walks past them to the bar.

Motioning for the men to follow him, "Come on, next round is on me. Round after that too!" He says to them.

"Innkeep, drinks for me and friends there." Tiberius says to the innkeeper.

[steveflam]

"Relax boys, nothing another round can't fix." He says as he walks past them to the bar.

Motioning for the men to follow him, "Come on, next round is on me. Round after that too!" He says to them.

"Innkeep, drinks for me and friends there." Tiberius says to the innkeeper.

Amara exhales under her breath, glad the man has defused a possible situation. Keeping her eyes ahead of her, she walks over to the bar quickly,
and heads in Tiberius' direction. Making it there before the other men do, she nods at Tiberius. "Thank you. I am unaccustomed to Inns." She slides
15 silver coins into his hand, hoping it is enough to cover some part of the patrons' drinks.

"My name is Amara by the way. Nice to meet you."

He can tell she is nervous.

[RocEter]

The Laughing Dragoon Inn

As Amara approaches the man at the bar, she notices he large pole arm or spear like weapon tucked between his pack and his back. The top of it is wrapped in cloth to protect it from the elements. She can tell he is a foreigner, his accent is the biggest give away. His blonde hair and beard are in contrast with his sun baked skin, which starting to lose its color.

He offers her the faintest smile when he takes her coin. "Just be careful next time. Got to mind your equipment, just as much as you got to mind the folk, uh patrons, of any establishment." He says.

"Name is Tiberius, and I am glad I can be of assistance."

[JMaytr]

The crowd at Ogres alley circles a man with blood on his loose white tunic and breeches. His boots are muddy, but clean of scarlet. Two other men, one with a lazy blue eye, the other sporting a bushy beard that stretches to his chest hold the bloody man by the arms.

"We got im," the lazy eyed man says. Was out here doin the deed by the gods! Look at 'im."

The man with the beard roughly stands up their captive.

"I's....just checking on my mate....was the fuss?" the bloody man slurs. His eyes roll about in their sockets not focusing on anything.

The boy that ran towards Lyrana sobs loudly.

"Don't hurt my pa!"

The bloody man hears the lad and looks around.

"Ger? Ger is that you? I's told you not ta come inta' the barn when I'm shoeing up the horses."