A relatively young female Uordeq with a large tattooon her neck of a crescent moon encircled by chains and tribal spikes- matching the emblem on the thigh of her tunic, lay stretched out on a bench in the tavern. She rested with one leg bent, foot on the bench, not far from the door.It was obvious Starling was awake, because, despite usually being closed, periodically bright green eyes would open to watch patrons enter the tavern. She seemed comfortable enough, even after her rough welcome in to town, with a slight smile playing around the corners of her mouth, and the air around her was welcoming to anyone who cared to try and speak with her.
Taklinn walks into the tavern, walking to a table after getting his food from the kitchen. Seeing the Drakna for the first time in mests, he nods to him and says "Seems ta me that ye be lookin' better with only one head lad. I hope ye didnt pay anyone to lop off the other one, me and me axe would have done it fer free.". As he smiles at him he notices what appears to be the newcomer he had heard about.
"Whats yer story Hoot? Ran from the shadelands when yer kind met their betters? Or are ye just here on business?" he says as he leans forward, taking in the details of the newcomer with the discerning glare of a craftsman looking at an object he had created; taking in all the little details that others would not be able to see. "I trust that ye find the town to yer likin'." he says as he continues to stare at the newcomer while he takes a drink of ale from a mug made of adamant, wiping the foam from his beard with his sleeve.
Raktilvenaesiix stood entirely confused as the dwarf spoke to him as if he knew him. His gaze was averted from Starling when Taklinn approached and is now glued and wide eyed. What was this speak of two heads? Of course he only had one head! What kind of audacious comment was that? These, and several questions stemming from them, swirled like a torrent in his mind. He wanted to ask them all but only one question fell from his lips.
"You... know me?"
The dwarf, not taking his eyes from the Uordeq, answers "Aye I know ye lad. Though last I saw ye, ye had two heads that were fighting each other fer control of yer body. Then there was a door as was sealed and barred us entrance into the chamber ye were in. I was one of the last to leave the chamber, pullin' that fool Stiers through the door just afore it closed. Ye mean to say that ye don't remember it boy?" he says as he finally takes his glare off of the Uordeq and meets the gaze of the Drakna.
He wasn't sure what to make of the Dwarfs story. It's happenings didn't sound the least bit likely, least not to his knowledge. A two-headed anything was unheard of to him aside from a hydra.
"iknil... et raknilfan sekam," he replied. Shock had gotten the better of him and he realized that he was speaking in his native tongue. "Sorry. I remember nothing," correcting himself. "I woke here," pointing to a spot on the tavern floor, "Everything still ash. None of this"
"Well lad, I know nothing of that. I can tell you that was what happened as best I remember it. Ye were acting strangely around that time, trying to hoard all of the magic ye could, takin' more to yer dragon heritage than usual. Not sure how ye ended up back here with no memory of it, an' without yer second head." he says, taking another swig from his mug and wiping his beard with his sleeve.
"Hello, Raktilvenaesiix. It sounds as if you've had quite the exciting time in this town, even if you can't recall it all," Starling smiled, sitting up once a break in the conversation between Dwarf and Drakna allowed. The story between the two was quite interesting and she had listened quietly and almost eagerly. "I know nothing of the Shadelands, Dwarf. My name is Starling Wraith of the guild Nox in the deserts of Sirison. My family was cast from the Shadelands two kings ago, when my grandparents were still young. It means nothing to me."
Her smile persisted as she continued, "This town is exceedingly reminiscent of home, at least in the terms of it's citizenry. Now, I've introduced myself, perhaps you have a name as well?"
He was happy, yet not, that he finally had some answers. He thought at first that the story was just some fabrication of a drunken Dwarf, but he spoke of it too clearly and with too much assurance for it to not be at least mostly true. He placed his hand on his neck, trying to feel for any signs that another head existed, but felt none.
Completely baffled and at a loss for words or actions, he slowly sat down beside Starling sometime after she had sat up. He had to figure out what was next.
"Don't be so hard on yerself Rak. Yer memories will come back in time, ye just have to be patient." he says comfortingly to the Drakna.
As Starling talks, Taklinn drains his mug of ale, belching loudly before he answers. "Aye I've got a name, and one thats easy to learn, if ye ask about fer it. I've heard about yer employer and know yer profession well enough not to trust ye. Ye've not shown no hostility that I know of yet, so ye have the benefit of the doubt." he says with a smile.
He leans forward, putting his elbows on the table and stares at Starling, "Though should I hear that some harm has befallen any deer or chickens in town, me neutrality may come into question, if ye catch me meaning." he says seriously, the hint of his smile disappearing underneath his beard.
Starling rested a comforting hand on the Drakna's shoulder, a slight look of concern crossing her face. "I'm sure that, no matter what, things will be alright, even if you don't remember. They always have a way of working themselves out in the end."
She looked at the Dwarf again after his remark about names and knowing of her master and profession, "Then, if that's the case, what is your name, Mr. Dwarf? I also greatly appreciate your benefit of the doubt, being that I've shown no hostility because I have none. Your lack of trust is also understandable." As he continued her face betrayed her utter confusion. "Deer? Chickens? Jastreyians don't eat venison or chicken? I'm sorry, but I think we're on two different pages, if that's an analogy..."
"I know of yer master, and of his.....relationship with other citizens of this town. Should any of yer homelands quarrels find their way to this shard, well I've grown quite fond of the Angori, and the Ixifar helped me when I needed it most. I'll not see people hauled away to the chains of slavery against their will, nor see them harmed to put a jingle in yer purse. If ye think yer targets vulnerable, yer mistaken. Me name is easy enough to discern if ye ask about. An assassin shouldnt have a problem with garnerin' that information after all." he says seriously, almost spitting as his contempt came to the surface at the sound of the word "assassin". He reaches into his pack and pulls out a decanter that is seemingly empty and pours himself another mug of ale.
"I see. Well, I have never considered Lianna or Des as vulnerable, nor do I consider them as targets. I'm sent to kill targets. My job is a little more versitile than just assassination. I am a Hunter. Aside from being sent after targets, I'm also sent to retrieve runaways, but it seems you've figured that much, and check on... persons of interest to my master. The pair in question fall under the latter category." Her smile faded and her tone became serious and matter of fact. Her job was not to move quietly right now. It was to make the presence of Nox known and to make contact with and discern the wellbeing of her master's favorite Canary and Hound. If blunt truths (whether they were complete or not) would be what it would take to secure her place in the town of Jastrey until her orders came for her to move, then it is what she would use.
"Were I here for purposes nefarious, do you think I would come in openly and alone while proudly wearing the symbol of my master? It would be foolish." She continued after a brief pause.
"Well I don't know how good ye think ye are, and some people don't just look at things when they see them. I don't know nothin' about you, but I've learned enough of yer master to know that I ain't an admirer of his. Iffin ye are in the employ of him, then ye don't have ta' necessarily be of sound mind. I don't presume anything though, and just wanted to welcome ye to the neighborhood, so to speak. Speakin' of speakin', I see no other real reasons fer s to ever have to talk again, unless ye are daft and dont heed me words." he says threateningly before settling back and continuing his meal.
The big angori Zwey enters the tavern, looking for a place to be social. A new bearskin cowl adorns his head and shoulders, and a knot of four colored fabrics (green, red, gold and black) hangs from his belt. He spots his Drakna friends surrounded by a dwarf whom he had met in his first few days in Jastery, and the new urodeq. "Raktilvenaesiix, my friend, kenak dexezul tem vendranii" Zwey then joins the assembled .
Still shocked, he whisperingly responded, "ta, Zwey..." It would not be hard for one to see the discord on his face. He slowly turned to the Dwarf, hand still on his neck, and stared for a minute. He needed verification; the claim was just too wild.
"Proof," he finally said. "Others saw, klata? Want proof."
The front door of the tavern opens almost by itself and Rasiri steps in only to disappear in a puff of black smoke to reappear behind Taklinn. "Hello newcomer, well met and nice to see you again." Rasiri bows low to the Uordeq, then turns to Zwey. "And Zwey, my friend, looks as if you have acquired a new cowl! Looks good on you, quite fitting... Just don't let Ohren see." Rasiri then turns to the Drakna. "Would you look at that. The resident Drakna is back! Welcome back! Been a long time and an extra head since I have last seen you!" Finally last but not least Rasiri acknowledges Taklinn, "Very nice to see you sir dwarf and fellow Guardian. Even though I bet all this will get me is sputtered curses and you leaving."
Starling dipped her head in return to the other Uordeq, flashing a much more relaxed smile than the one she had just given the Dwarf. "It is nice to see you again, as well. Rasiri, was it?
Star rested her head in her palms and listened to the talk of Rak at one point having two heads. It sounded as if it would, at the very least, lead to an interesting conversation, if not the story of what had actually happened. Though, it certainly seemed that the appearance of Rasiri and his greeting had answered Rak's question to the Dwarf. It indeed appeared that others could corroborate this story of the twin headed Drakna. Fascinating.
So it was true. Well, at least it seemed so. He doesn't know either of these two people nor does he think that they knew of him before now meaning they couldn't have conspired this story. Now this new information leads him to think that he was actually a resident here prior to losing his memory.
Then more thoughts flew into his mind. Did he always have two heads? Why did the Dwarf want to chop the other off? Did he not have control over both? Was the other one mean to others? The questions kept coming one after another, nonstop. Sometimes a question wouldn't even finish developing before another one ran it over. His eyes were darting from object to object in the tavern, hands scratching his forehead and touching his neck on both sides and sometimes he would wring his hands together so hard that some of his smaller purple scales came off with blood seeping through the pores in their places.
Then suddenly, everything came back to him in a sudden and vivid train of memories. His eyes rolled into the back of his head and he started seizing while standing. After 15 seconds, he stops. With his hands bleeding and his body sweating, he looked around to everyone. He failed to process each person's reaction.
"Taklinn... Rasiri..." He stuttered. "It was horrible... I remember the fight... the fusion. Then you guys left me. I cried out, but no one came... No one helped me..." he explained, shaking and having trouble with each word. "And then after that... ," He trailed off. His body started sweating even more. He was trying to mouth the words, but only incoherent noises and babble came out. He shook his head. Tears started flowing from his face. He started to reach forward to grab one of them, but fell to the floor completely silent and still.
Rasiri rushed over to Raktilvenaesiix's side as he falls. "It seems he got his memories back..." He says worriedly over the prone Drakna. "I would have come back if I could have friend. I promise. Should we take him to the healers den?" Rasiri says quietly as he rolls the Drakna over and picks his head up off the floor.
Starling quietly watched the Drakna as his reaction changed from confused, almost bewildered, to what looked like a sudden dawning of understanding just before he fell into a seizure. His words were clearly distraught when he could speak again, to her they held the taste of one who felt betrayed. The Uordeq was on her feet when Raktilvenaesiix collapsed, moving to kneel by him and Rasiri. "It may be a good idea. I can at least heal the wounds on his hands though, from the ripped scales. It'll at least make him more comfortable if he wakes between here and your healer's den," She replied quietly, as she muttered something and rested her hand on his shoulder. Her feathered necklace glowed brightly for a moment, before the glow spread down to the Drakna's bleeding hands [heal 4].
"I'll help you get him up and take him, if you'd like." She said to her fellow Uordeq.
The moment the healing light finished it job, Raktilvenaesiix took a gasp of air as if he hadn't breathed in years and shot up to sitting quickly. He looked around, seemingly afraid, at his company.
Seeing his friend he blurted, "Zwey! danan thalsiitor len et?" A purple glimmer caught his eye as he looked to him.
"et vendranii!" he shouted. His attention averted to his hands and he continued, "et zaelnii! DANAN THALSIITOR?!"
"Thank the Unknown Immortal" (heal 6) "You apparently had a flashback, you were able to speak in the perfect common tongue, and had remembered what had happened to you. You started to strangle yourself, its seems your body was trying to keep your from remembering. However, Starling patched you up, and the the bleeding seems to have stopped. All of this does have a bright side, I think being surrounded by so many of the people that were at the event following your memory loss has begun to bring the events leading to your disappearance back to your conscious mind." Zwey looks to Rasiri, "Who else was there that day? We need to gather them, and have each tell their memories of the Two headed day."
"Iknil, iknil," Raktilvenaesiix interrupted. He was not too keen on this idea. "et nilzanilan rake. et nilzakuan riie.
He turned to the rest of his company, clearly shaken, and pleaded, "Never again... Please."
With that he wearily stood up and sat on the bench, bringing his knees to his chest and placing his head face down on his knees.
The outburst of the upset drakna had reached the pointed ears of yet another Uordeq. Binx stepped quietly through the side door of the tavern, spotting the scaled man whom she had not seen in quite some time. In fact, the last time the masked woman had spotted him was when he had the dragon stone in his possesion. She did not know his name nor had she ever really spoken to him, but none the less, she leaned back against the wall next to the door to observe him and the gathering he had aquired with one pale hand resting on the pommel of her short sword.
"The poor man," Starling muttered under her breath. Smoothly, she shifted her weight back on to her feet and rose. She stretched, raising her arms above her head and rising up on her toes, before relaxing and resting her hands on her hips. She studied Rak for a few moments, before saying, "For him to behave that way, that must have been some ordeal. He probably needs quiet and rest. Should we try and see if we can take him home?"
Still shocked, only a few words made it in to comprehension for the Drakna. The only word that made any impact was "home."
Without looking up he said, "No home. Drink. Cheer. Forget." He proceeds to stand up and move to the bar, head still down. Once fully standing, he winced and grabbed his head as it started pounding. Swaying a bit, he quickly say back down.
"Ugh. Bad idea," he said laughing a bit as he looked around at his company. "Drink, please?"
This wasn't a good day, but it was about to be a great one; He was going to make sure of that.
Zwey waved his hand over the drakna, "Thank the Nameless Immortal" (heal 6), and then headed over to the bar, raised two fingers, indicating the number of drinks we would like, and returns to Raktilvenaesiix with the beverages. "Here ya go mate, its not mine, but i should serve while we are here."
When Zwey returned with the beverage, Raktilvenaesiix took it and immediately downed half of it. He winced a bit and exhaled; Not because the drink was strong but rather it's taste and strength were subpar to what he was used to from Zwey's makings. It would do the trick well enough for now, though.
He felt bad for causing the ruckus he did. None of it was his intention, but it still ruined the atmosphere and it was still his doing. He stared down at his mug for a bit contemplating how to best remedy the situation. He could leave, but that wouldn't make him feel any better in any way. A conversation, maybe? He might not be able to understand it all, but at least then he might could be around some merriment.
Looking up, he looked around to his company, glancing from face to face. He cleared his throat and began, "et kriiam dakezul Raktilvenaesiix. van hii tem viilkethkuan et, tiil et viilkethnilan tem. davii dakezul temnii?"
Zwey sips the drink that made the drakna wince, decides that it must be several years old, and mutters that gnomes can do better when it comes to alcohol. "Raktivenaesiix asks for your names, for he realizes that he seems to be well known, but he does not know you."
"That good sir is impressive." Leofrick looked over to the female uordeq with a look of confusion. "Your name escapes me, would you mind telling me what it is madam." Leofrick took his mask off and takes a sip of red wine and occasionally glancing over and watches the other townspeople walk in and out of the tavern.
When it seemed that whatever had been causing the distress had passed and the time had come for drinking and socializing, the masked woman quickly lost interest in the scene. Her owlish yellow eyes lingered on the somewhat familiar drakna for a moment longer, casting a brief glance towards the newest Uordeq in Jastrey before taking her leave through the front of the tavern.
Taklinn, upon finishing his meal, sits back and begins smoking his pipe, blowing smokerings as he listens to those gathered begin to talk and split up into groups. Upon seeing the ranger take her leave, he looks about the tavern for a moment, and then takes his leave; Filling his mug again from the Decanter, and packing away his belongings before exiting the Tavern without another word.
"Starling Wraith is my name." The woman replied, briefly eyeing yet another of her own race. The town appeared to be full of them. Had the whole bloody lot from the infernal Shadelands come here, when the Dwarves displaced them? No matter. "My name escapes you, because I daresay we have not met before. What is yours?"
He was enjoying the company but it seemed now that his dramatic event was over, the people around him lost interest and have done all but answered his question. Figuring here was marginally better than the solidarity of his cave, he stood up and took his leave, forgetting to bid anyone farewell as his mind started to storm with the recent happenings.
After Rak leaves, Zwey stands, places on hand on Leo's shoulder, "We should speak again soon, I saw your seal on the Gallimaufry posting." Zwey then waves to Rasiri, "I'll be sure to show this to Ohren, though I hope this one wasnt related." With that, he follows the Drakna out of the Shady Corner.
It was another day filled with monotony and the forecast seemed to call for more. Nonetheless, Raktilvenaesiix was hopeful, like everyday, that today was a day for answers. Well, that was what he wanted to think.
He entered the tavern and stood at the door waiting for his eyes to adjust to the light. At first glimpse, he only saw one person that was familiar to him. He stood a few seconds more waiting for results but only got impatient. He took off then towards the figure that he knew hoping for, even if possibly frustratingly difficult, a bit of conversation. Anything really to keep his mind off his problems and him away from alcohol. It would serve him no good purpose from here out.
He stopped about a stride away from Starling and stood there waiting for some sign of recognition. "'Lo," he said quietly.