by Matt » Mon Jun 12, 2006 8:52 am
With the warband's weapons secure, Sir Hearn deputized a couple of the inn staff as porters and upon learning of the group's mule, sees to it that the ostler Naradin of Othendel purchases the mule for 360d. He complains a bit, but Hearn says something to him under his breath and the ostler, a scowl on his face, walks away and argues no more.
Once all the warband's gear is assembled, Sir Hearn again leads the way through town, this time to the south of the cluster of buildings towards the docks. Skirting the market and its attendent orderly chaos, the group passes by a temple - Peoni it seems - a lexigrapher, several halls and tenements, and a few other guildsmen. At the northermost dock, Sir Maldan Harabor and a liveried escort of a ten heavily armed foot in mail hauberks await. Servants are directing longshoremen in the loading of trunks and barrels. The waiting river craft - a talbar - is a large one for its type at more than forty feet long. The boat is painted black along the gunnels and mast with the strakes daubed in a yellowish color. From the stern flies a gold pennant, charged with a black rampant lion with three red stripes cutting horizontally behind it. The longshoremen take the warband's gear aboard, and then, after Sir Hearn dismisses all the light foot save for two of them, Sir Hearn, the warband, Sir Maldan, the escort, and the servants board the talbar. Sir Maldan moves forward to the prow of the craft, and everyone else finds a place a best he can, trying to stay out of the way of the crew. The warband watches with a practiced eye, content that if trouble comes, they could lend a hand, or even work the boat themselves.
The current of the Kald flows south, and the crew - about a dozen men plus a pilot - make sail to take advantage of wind and current. Before very long, the talbar - called, they learn, the Lady Lesel - is sailing well down the river. Other craft, mostly small talbars and smaller fishing boats, ply the river though none are so foolish as to cut across the course of the Sheriff's craft. Eventually, Sir Maldan beckons a few members of the group forward.
"When we arrive in Tashal, I shall see about arranging an audience for you with the King. Meanwhile, you shall be lodged with the temple of Sarajin - they are noted for their hospitality towards you northmen, which is not always the case in the city. It may take several days for the audience to be granted, and sometimes, it helps to ease the way with a gift or two. I trust you've thought of that already?"