Author's Note
Please forgive our lack of posts for some time here. Things have been moving rather slowly, between that long wait for internet to return and we've still been sorting out some ISP issues with the new setup. There has also been some discussion about the future of QSW at the moment and we are unsure which direction (if any) we want to take it at this time. Some feedback from our readers might help though - send us an e-mail and let us know what you like, dislike, and what you might like to see here at QSW! We always love to hear from you!!Our Internet is currently offline. As in, no e-mail, nothing. In fact I am typing this through my cell phone instead. We are currently expecting to be back online on the 14th and will resume QSW shortly thereafter. Thanks for your patience.
RaynDragon
Author's Note
With the holidays and some other stuff going on right now, there may not be many posts over the next couple of weeks. As things settle down in the new year, we should hopefully get back on track with daily posts. Until then, please bear with us and have a Happy Holidays!!Rayndragon
"I don't really think bathing would have made the difference, Arshelle," he replied with a sigh.
"You should get yourself some food then," Ernon piped in. "The potatoes are good." He punctuated the sentence by waving one at Rickard and then popping it in his mouth.
"We've only just arrived, Rickard," Arshelle pointed out. "Rarely does anyone tell us anything in the first day. After lunch we can make some purchases to ingratiate ourselves with some of the merchants. We will find someone willing to talk. We always do."
"Usually you are more inclined towards the hunt," he told her. "I'm surprised to see you so complacent about this."
"Hardly," she replied. "I am merely conserving my energy for more useful pursuits. Besides, something here feels... different... than usual. I'm hoping we can pinpoint what it is before we encounter battle."
Rickard watched her as she took a large bite of the apple and then cleaned off the knife before putting it away. He still didn't really know what all Arshelle was capable of. She generally wasn't forthcoming about it.
Arshelle was already there, sitting with an early lunch. She had some wedge-shaped potato sections, a slice of ham, and an apple. She was trimming bad spots out of the apple with a knife, and did not immediately look up when he entered the room.
Ernon was walking towards her with a tray. His bore similar fare, except he had a tankard of something she did not. Rickard headed over and sat down just after Ernon.
"Well, something's definitely going on, but nobody's talking about it," he said quietly.
"You should have followed my suggestion of the bath," Arshelle commented.
He listened for a few moments more, but the conversation turned to smithing and there was nothing more that helped him gain insight as to what was happening here.
At least I've confirmed that there is something going on, he told himself as he slipped back around the building and into the road again. Now I just need some more specifics.
He wandered the town for a bit, watching the people moving to and fro. Most of the houses and shops were shuttered tight, as if winter had already arrived. The people themselves, did not pause in the streets to talk. While some acknowledged one another in passing, most just kept their heads down and hurried along to their destinations. He noticed that there were more men than usual carrying "walking" sticks or that had a knife sheathed on their boot.
Not that any of it seemed unusual for Rickard. To him, it was a sign that they were on the right track. Something was making these people afraid. And they were worried enough not to speak of it. Worried of strangers being part of it. He hoped that Darrak was seeing the warning signs too, or there could be trouble. There had been one town so paranoid that they'd nearly strung the group up before they realized the real source of danger.
He stopped by a bookstore and inquired about maps of the area. While he was able to purchase a map of the local lord's territory, the bookstore owner proved even more tight-lipped than the others he had been. After he was finished, he headed back to the inn, feeling frustrated.. He hoped that Darrak had had more luck.
Even trying to get back quickly, he missed part of their conversation. He crouched under the window a little awkwardly, worried that someone would come down the street. The other windows on the street were shuttered more tightly against the cold, so there was little risk of anyone peering out them.
"--For all we know he's part of it," the smith said.
"If he was, would they be traveling with a healer?"
"I'm not even convinced he has the crossbow. I think he was lying about the whole horse falling on it thing, so who knows what else he was lying about. I want you staying away from him, Luna, and that's that."
"Yes, Father."
