Mists over the Musarde, Chapter Five

[ewancummins]

The trader takes a close look at the silver coins.

''Hmmm, yes, one packet tabak for those. Here, you smell first.''

The bearded man snatches up a small leather purse and hands it to Dorgio. It's packed with dried tobacco leaves, twisted into a bundle. The odor is mild and sweet, with a hint of pine resin.

''This is the best stuff. Tinkers bring it.''

[Brock Marsh Runoff]

Dorgio gladly hands over the coins. Nearly as soon as the tobacco is in his hands, he produces a scrap of paper and begins to roll a hasty cigarillo. "It has been too long," he tells the man with a half grin. "I am Dorgio. We have been away for some days, friend. Are you having any news?"

[ewancummins]

''Ottokar is my name. Good to meet you, Dorgio. I have news, yes. The Tinkers have left the Moot again.''

The big hairy fellow leans in close to the priest and whispers-

''You have dealings with them, yes? What do you know of their movements? When will they return? ''

[ewancummins]

Jon- in another part of the great Moot-Hall, some distance away from the trader's corner




Jon has just finished dancing with a black-haired older woman much taller than he [his face has chest level on her], when another girl steps up for a dance. This one is only an inch taller than Jon. She is not only closer to his age than his last partner, but also quite lovely. The girl wears wildflowers atop her head of long auburn curls. A smile comes across her sweet face, and she moves closer to the boy.

''I am Nissa- will you dance with me?''

[JMaytr]

Something about the girl causes Jonathan's heart to begin racing. He puts a hand to his chest, surprised that it is thumping so quickly. He remembers his words to Norzak, and for a minute does think about kissing a girl.

"I'm a bit danced out I'm afraid. Thank you."

Jonathan leaves the dance area and then goes to sit by Norzak.

[steveflam]

Norzak watches the scene with interest. When Jon comes back he says "So ye all tuckered out, laddie? Tha lassie o'er there is quite good lookin, fer a human. Could use a bit of a beard, mind ye."

[Brock Marsh Runoff]

Dorgio refrains from blinking. <i>What is this man's game?</i>

"It is good to bee meeting you, Ottokar." He makes the sign of the Morninglord. "As for the tinkers," he says in a low voice, "We do not know. They love us not. Have there been . . . problems?"

[Adam]

Bennedict retrieves his things, but pauses for a moment before going through them, fingering the torn remnants of his shirt.

Grimacing in irritation, he turns and looks for any of the traders who may be selling some manner of shirt.

[ewancummins]

Dorgio refrains from blinking. <i>What is this man's game?</i>

"It is good to bee meeting you, Ottokar." He makes the sign of the Morninglord. "As for the tinkers," he says in a low voice, "We do not know. They love us not. Have there been . . . problems?"

Ottokar shifts to a trade tongue that includes quite a few Mordentish loan-words, making him easier for Dorgio to understand.

''No problems. I buy things from them: tabak, iron, cloth. I am the big trader here. It is good for me to know when the tinkers will come and go, and what they will bring with them. ''

Ottokar sits down, motioning for Dorgio to join him on a bearskin rug.

''Let us talk trade, Dorgio. What things do you need? Mayhap I can get them for you.''

Ottokar unseals a small clay jug of liquor and hands it to Dorgio.

''Let us drink while we speak. Shall we invite your friend, the metal-man?''

Ottokar gestures towards Cirdan, who is busy looking at the ironmongery on display [mostly knives and some axes].

[ewancummins]

Bennedict retrieves his things, but pauses for a moment before going through them, fingering the torn remnants of his shirt.

Grimacing in irritation, he turns and looks for any of the traders who may be selling some manner of shirt.

Benn finds a short old man selling clothing. Most of it is made from deer hide. Some of the items are trimmed with fox or raccoon fur. Other pieces are made of coarse, un-dyed wool [dirty gray in color]

The man sees Benn looking at the shirts and approaches, jabbering in the local dialect. The man's accent is very thick and his language is of course very archaic, but Benn [perhaps having a slightly easier time of it after having studied that old lexicon] can puzzle out that he's being offered a shirt - and asked what he has to trade in return.

[JMaytr]

Jonathan looks to Norzak as the moot dance goes on in the fire light behind him.

"I have been wondering about any kind of payment I might be receiving for my part in our take down of the witch and Van Dieks' mortal form. I was wondering because of the traders outside and what kind of food and drink they might have. I am so hungry for something other than thee boar meat we've had these last few nights."

Jonathan rubs his stomach.

[Le Noir Faineant]

Ciran will be obviously disappointed by the small offer.

When Ottokar asks, he gives a ghastly grin, and nods.

"If you can manage me a good sword, master Ottokar,
I shall reward you handsomely."

[ewancummins]

Ottokar's corner

''You are in luck. I have just one sword- old but good. ''

Ottokar shifts his bulk [he's not fat, just big and broad with a bit of a belly] and retrieves a long and skinny bundle from the stack of bags and baskets that sits behind him and against the wooden wall of the Moot-house. He unfolds the rabbit skins [several stitched together] he displays a plain but functional-looking long sword. It's free of rust, and has only a few nicks and notches on the three feet of blade. Seen by firelight, the light coat of oil imparts a dull gleam to the blue-gray metal.

'''This is a warrior's blade. I won't sell it to some cottar, just so he can use it to dig turnips.''

[Brock Marsh Runoff]

Dorgio nods at the sword, then motions Cirdan over. "Yes, let us be talking of trade. Perhaps other things as well." He finishes rolling his cigarillo, then lights it by striking a coin against his armor, sending the spark uncannily up towards the cigarillo's tip. He then takes a moment to enjoy the first drag. "Be forgiving me, as I said, it has bee some time."

With his head now somewhat more clear, he continues. "Several nights ago, some tinkers, they were murdered in the night. We've been searching for the man we think is the killer." He describes Van Diecks' physical appearance to Ottokar. "I am not supposing you have seen a man like this, have you?"

[steveflam]

Norzak hands over to Jon a few gold pieces [four] "Go n git yer fill, laddie. Imma git more ale meself." He downs his tankard and belches loudly, wiping his beard with the back of his arm. Then he goes off in search of more alchohol.