define('WP_CACHE', true); {"id":275,"date":"2014-02-21T03:00:38","date_gmt":"2014-02-21T11:00:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/crossed-paths.com\/logs\/?p=275"},"modified":"2014-01-29T22:22:26","modified_gmt":"2014-01-30T06:22:26","slug":"chapter-31-the-travelers-waypoint","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/crossed-paths.com\/logs\/archives\/275","title":{"rendered":"Chapter 31: The Traveler’s Waypoint"},"content":{"rendered":"

Chapter 31: The Traveler\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s Waypoint<\/b><\/em><\/p>\n

In Which\u00c2\u00a0The Inn Turns Out To Be Pretty Fancy.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Yazeth: \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcThe Traveler’s Waypoint\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 has a large foyer. To the side is a ‘mudroom’ with a shelf full of towels should any visitors be caught in the rain before entering. To the other side is an enclosed reception desk while the rest of the room is occupied with various configurations of tables, chairs and couches. A large fire place stands at the back, near the flight of stairs, and a door opens into what must obviously be the kitchen. The two are definitely in time for lunch.<\/p>\n

Arrin Woodgreen: He grins. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Shall I check us in?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Yazeth: The ferret nods. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Sure thing.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Arrin Woodgreen: He grins. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Okay, you’ll go get the food then?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Yazeth: \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Yep.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d She moves off to find a table and sets her pack in the chair before moving over towards the kitchen where a long table has been set up with plates full of lunch. Jozra carries two back to the table and waits for Soquan.<\/p>\n

Arrin Woodgreen: \u00c2\u00a0Soquan walks over to the front desk and waits for some beast to come over so they can be checked in, and he could eat.<\/p>\n

Yazeth: A rat quickly appears at the counter. His friend, who had been lunching with him, chuckles as the flushed rat hurriedly attends to the otter. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Er, sorry about that.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Arrin Woodgreen: He grins toothily. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Quite alright. I need a room for two if it’s possible.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Yazeth: The rat nods and flips through a ledger. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153What name shall I put you down for?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Arrin Woodgreen: He thinks a moment. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Er, put it under Woodgreen.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Yazeth: Nodding, the rat scribbles in the ledger and fumbles for a set of keys. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Lunch is on the house, dinner is an hour after sundown. I’m afraid we don’t do wake up calls,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d he shudders a little, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153had rather a bad experience with that. Breakfast is, well, you’ll know when. \u00c2\u00a0Fresh baked bread every morn’.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d He screws up his eyes in thought as he places the keys in Soquan’s paw. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Oh yes, and you pay upon checkout. We ask that you stop by the desk every evening that you are here, though.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Arrin Woodgreen: He nods. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Okay, thank you.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d He turns away from the rat and makes his way into the foyer to search for his friend.<\/p>\n

Yazeth: Jozra calls to Soquan. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Over here, mate. There’s nothing in your way.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Arrin Woodgreen: He grins as he hears the ferret and heads towards her. He arrives and sits down. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153The room’s under Woodgreen.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Yazeth: She nods and passes his plate over to him. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Eat up. It’s good stuff.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Arrin Woodgreen: He grins. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Alright.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d He does so, making delicious noises as he wolfs it down.<\/p>\n

Yazeth: The ferret quickly eats her own lunch as well.<\/p>\n

Arrin Woodgreen: He finishes quickly and leans back, sipping at his beverage.<\/p>\n

Yazeth: \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I suppose we should head off tomorrow. After breakfast, of course, if they’re breakfasts are as good as their lunches. That gives us plenty of time to restock our supplies too. Did they say when dinner was served?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Arrin Woodgreen: He sips again. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153An hour after sunset. \u00c2\u00a0Are you sure you don’t want to stay an extra day and rest up?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Yazeth: The ferret shrugs. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I’d rather we reach the more southern lands before it gets too late in the season. Do you know if we can cross the river here?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Arrin Woodgreen: He shakes his head. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I don’t remember much about this place I’m afraid.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Yazeth: \u00e2\u20ac\u0153That alright. I’m sure we can find out from somebody.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Arrin Woodgreen: He nods. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Okay. So do you want to drop off our things and go have a soak?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Yazeth: The ferret grins. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Yeah. Besides, we need to figure out what we need to get first before we go to market.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Arrin Woodgreen: He nods again, rising. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153C’mon then.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d He picks up the key and his pack.<\/p>\n

Yazeth: Jozra hefts her own pack. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Room A5? I’m guessing that’s on the second floor.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Arrin Woodgreen: He nods. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Okay, lead the way.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Yazeth: The ferret leads the way up the stairs and sure enough the first rooms that they find are labled ‘A’. A5 is near the end of the corridor on the right. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Here we are.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Arrin Woodgreen: He hands her the key. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153You better do this.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Yazeth: Jozra nods, takes the key and turns it in the lock. The door opens to a decent sized room – not too small but not overly large – with a window looking out onto the narrow street and over the building across the way. Two beds dominate the room, though a small washroom is near the door and a few pieces of other furniture are placed wherever they fit but don’t crowd the room.<\/p>\n

Arrin Woodgreen: He looks towards her. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Well? How is it?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Yazeth: The ferret grins in approval. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Quite nice, actually.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d She walks in and sets her pack down in a chair and stretches. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I don’t think I could describe it well enough though. You might just want to feel around a bit.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Arrin Woodgreen: He nods and does so, getting comfortable with the room.<\/p>\n

Yazeth: The ferret walks to the window and checks out the view, working out a knot in her shoulder in the meantime.<\/p>\n

Arrin Woodgreen: After a few moments, he seats himself on the edge of the bed. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153C’mere.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d He pats the place beside him.<\/p>\n

Yazeth: Jozra quirks an eyebrow but complies.<\/p>\n

Arrin Woodgreen: He moves so he\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s sitting behind her and places his paws on his shoulders, working at the knots found there.<\/p>\n

Yazeth: The ferret relaxes as her muscles looses. She smiles. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153That feels wonderful.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Arrin Woodgreen: He grins. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Good.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d He keeps going, working at a particularly stubborn knot.<\/p>\n

Yazeth: Eventually most of the soreness is worked out of Jozra’s back and the ferret returns the favor.<\/p>\n

Arrin Woodgreen: \u00c2\u00a0Soquan makes a soft, pleased noise as the ferret’s paws work at his back. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153That feels great.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Yazeth: Jozra merely nods and grins.<\/p>\n

Arrin Woodgreen: His shoulders relax and his head lulls back slightly.<\/p>\n

Yazeth: Finding no more knots to work out, Jozra pats the otter on the head and then moves to unpack. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Best find out what we have so we know what we need.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Arrin Woodgreen: He nods and rises, opening looking through his pack as well.<\/p>\n

Yazeth: Soon the ferret’s spare set of clothing is set on the dresser and what remains of their provisions is spread out on a table.<\/p>\n

Arrin Woodgreen: He sets his extra clothing beside him and moves beside the ferret. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153So what do we need?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Yazeth: Jozra appraises what they have before them. The maple bars and fruit are long gone and the last of the rolls were eaten last night. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153We have a tiny bag of nuts, enough smoked salmon for maybe two more meals and enough Wandering Cakes to last a week if we rationed. Three days if we don’t.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Arrin Woodgreen: He nods. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I think a re-supply on everything will last us.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Yazeth: Jozra nods as well. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Shall we go restock then?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Arrin Woodgreen: He nods. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153We’ll re-supply first, then a trip to the bathhouses.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Yazeth: \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Alright.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d She grabs the key. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153You have the coins?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Arrin Woodgreen: He holds up a small bag. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Right here.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Yazeth: The two exit the room and Jozra locks the door behind them. She places the key safely in a pocket and leads the way back down the hall and down the stairs.<\/p>\n

Arrin Woodgreen: He follows, attaching the coin bag to his belt.<\/p>\n

Yazeth: Soon the pair are back in the thick of the market. Jozra leads Soquan to a bakery.<\/p>\n

Arrin Woodgreen: He sticks close, reaching for her arm again as they walk.<\/p>\n

Yazeth: They purchase a loaf of bread. Any more and it would be stale and hard by the time they ate it. Jozra allows Soquan’s nose to lead the way to the fish booth.<\/p>\n

Arrin Woodgreen: Still holding onto his companion, he leads her down the row of booths to the fish stall.<\/p>\n

Yazeth: The stall is selling nearly every variety of locally river caught fish – smoked, dried and fresh.<\/p>\n

Arrin Woodgreen: His whiskers twitch eagerly as he waits for his companion to order. He fumbles for his money pouch.<\/p>\n

Yazeth: \u00c2\u00a0Jozra selects a quantity of smoked salmon and trout.<\/p>\n

Arrin Woodgreen: He hands over the payment and turns to the ferret. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153What next?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Yazeth: Jozra thinks for a moment. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Some dried fruit would be good.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Arrin Woodgreen: He nods. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Aye, it would.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d He sniffs the air and takes her paw, leading her back up the isle of stalls.<\/p>\n

Yazeth: The stall next to the fruit stand is one that sells dried fruit. This isn’t lost on Jozra and she chuckles about the juxtaposition.<\/p>\n

Arrin Woodgreen: He orders this time, getting out the coin as the tender gets it all ready.<\/p>\n

Yazeth: Jozra looks to the otter. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Can you think of anything else we might need?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Arrin Woodgreen: He thinks. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Maybe some flour so we can make our own bread cakes?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Yazeth: The ferret nods. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Good idea.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Arrin Woodgreen: He smiles. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Bakery again?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Yazeth: Jozra grins. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Seems that way.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d She leads the way back to the bakery.<\/p>\n

Arrin Woodgreen: He follows, tucking the fruit under his arm.<\/p>\n

Yazeth: They quickly arrive back at the bakery, now that they know where it is, and purchase a small bag of flour.<\/p>\n

Arrin Woodgreen: He pays and turns to the ferret. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Is that all?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Yazeth: Jozra checks their packages. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I believe so.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Arrin Woodgreen: He grins. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Great, wanna drop them off at the room and head to the bathhouses then?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Yazeth: She nods. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Sounds like a good idea.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Arrin Woodgreen:\u00c2\u00a0 He walks back with her to the room and unlocks the door to their room himself this time. He places the fruit and flour on the counter and grabs his spare set of clothes.<\/p>\n

Yazeth: Jozra sets the other packages of food on the counter as well before grabbing her own extra set of clothing.<\/p>\n

Arrin Woodgreen: He grabs the key again and heads for the hallway. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Ready?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Yazeth: The ferret follows Soquan out. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Yes.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Arrin Woodgreen: He grins and shuts the door behind them, walking down the stairs. He nods a greeting to the desk beast before heading out the main door.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Chapter 31: The Traveler\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s Waypoint In Which\u00c2\u00a0The Inn Turns Out To Be Pretty Fancy. \u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d Yazeth: \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcThe Traveler’s Waypoint\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 has a large foyer. To the side is a ‘mudroom’ with a shelf full of towels should any visitors be caught in the rain before entering. To the other side is an enclosed reception desk while … <\/p>\n