Flashback Murmurs of a Tower

[Irowyn]

70th of Fall 512AV

The Sharp Tongue was full of raucous noise. Other than the artisan wheat beer, it was the most striking thing about the pub, tonight. The small wooden halls were filled with shouting and laughter. Music had spontaneously erupted, about a bell ago, from various musicians who had thought to bring their instruments along.

Alex looked busy behind the bar but it was a industrious, profitable, ambitious sort of haste, not an unpleasant rush. Even amidst his impressive pacing behind the bar, Alex somehow seemed to have time to respond to witty jokes and familiar greetings, even offering a few, himself, every now and again.

Irowyn seemed out of place right at the front of the bar. Among his peers in the noisy and emotional pub, he seemed withdrawn and stoic. It wasn't that he was unhappy. In fact, he loved coming to the bar while the 'entertainment crowd' brought in its rush of Laats. But his enjoyment did not come from participating in the upheaval, it came from witnessing it. He had no passion for making loud, joyous noises his priority was to be surrounded by them, to be distracted by them.

He comfortably slouched in his barstool, planting his boots on the brass rail near the floor. He took a sip of what may have been the richest, most full bodied wheat beer that his memory could serve. It had a deeply rewarding taste, very characteristic of a wheat beer and yet just complex enough. It was hoppy and bold without being unpleasantly bitter. After his long sip Irowyn took a moment to notice that the bar had filled up. The only open seat at the bar was next to his own.

[Erekez]

And here he was again. Another pub, in another city. Travelling through the Wildlands had been tiring. Always having to be aware of your surroundings caused more mental fatigue than could've been thought. Even though Erekez had become use to always being on guard, the exertion was still no kinder to him. The noise was what he had come to expect of bars, the only exceptions were shady looking places that were probably used for 'on-the-side' jobs, due to the sheer lack of people around. Erekez had no love for bars, the noise, or the occasional drunk looking for a fight, but there was always something valuable to be gained from spending time in them. There was a saying about loose lips, and if alcohol could reduce a fully-grown man's walking abilities to less of that than a toddler's, then a drunk's lips were the loosest of them all. Erekez had made a habit of making his first point in any city the local bar or tavern, to catch up on the latest news, information, or anything that could help him survive in a city. Each was different, some were safer than others, but all cities had some form of danger. It was just working out which were how much of a threat. Erekez pushed his way into the thick of it all, weaving in and out of the crowd as if they weren't there, occasionally bumping shoulders with those who refused to move. Eventually, he arrived at a barstool at the front. He took the seat without thinking before someone else did. Calling over the bar, he got a questioning look when he only asked for water. It was a luxury when you avoided most cities. Fresh, clean water was difficult to come by, and it wasn't always guaranteed to find another source before you ran out. Erekez paid it no attention. He was paying, so they shouldn't care what he had. Erekez felt how cool the mug felt as he lifted it. He felt more alert as he let the water flow into his mouth and down his throat. It was refreshing, and the feeling was welcome. He inadvertently felt Lykata bringing images forth to him. He brushed them aside, only lingering on the feeling of joviality that Lykata had found on the mug. Erekez was about to call for another as he picked up on words from the conversation behind him. "Seriously, there is something not right about it. Everyone is aware of it, but nobody knows anything about it. There are so many rumours about that place it's creepy. I reckon there must be something worthwhile inside, being protected by something else. I don't think anyone would be able to discover the mysteries of the Tower of Klet." Erekez found himself smiling. This tower had managed to grab his curiosity, and the man's words only made it more of a challenge. "Is that so? Sounds like a place worth exploring. I just need to find someone to come along now." Erekez spoke to himself. He wasn't stupid. If the tower was as dangerous as the man made it out to be then, as much as he didn't trust people, he had a better chance of survival if he found a travelling partner. They could watch his back whilst he kept an eye on them.

OOCSorry it took me so long to add to this. Work had suddenly picked up, and it seems it might stay that way until April.