Ben's NaNoWriMo Log

Chapter 23 added Sep 23, 2005
The White Eagle Inn was just outside the Surian ghetto, an establishment that catered primarily to Kufriti travelers. Molly and Sarah let their eyes adjust to the relative gloom inside, looking around to see who else was there. There was no one in sight who appeared to be obviously one of the king's men; if there were any of them in Luni they would likely have sought accommodations at one of the finer places inside the city proper. Most of the folk had the look of merchants or tradesmen. They sat in small groups and kept mostly to themselves, unlike the more gregarious Midlanders who tended to mingle more with strangers. Molly pointed out a group seated around a large table in the center of the room to Sarah. "I'd bet my belt those are sellswords," she said. Sarah looked at the group of men and women drinking and laughing around the table. They were armed to a man with swords that were clearly more than decorative. Their gear was utilitarian and military, but they wore no obvious livery. She was inclined to agree with Molly's assessment. "What if they are?" "Well, it would be in our best interest to know what's going on back home, I think. These guys likely keep close tabs on events on the other side of the border; if there's fighting going on in Jal Kufri they'll want to know about it." "That sounds reasonable," said Sarah. She ran a hand through her ragged blonde locks. She felt uncomfortably exposed without the familiar fall of hair over the back of her neck. On the other hand, the missing weight gave her a sense of lightness and freedom that was refreshing. She followed Molly over to the soldiers' table. She tried not to wince as Molly offered to buy a round of drinks for them in return for news of their homeland. Their funds were scarce at this point, but the information they might gain would be worth it. As fresh mugs arrived, a man with short cropped brown hair sitting at the center of the table raised his drink in a salute. "The Wolf Pack thanks you." A few of the men who seemed well into their cups despite the relatively early hour howled in response. The man drained half the mug in a gulp, a few drops spilling onto his russet wool doublet. He kicked the bench across from him, and the men sitting there rearranged themselves to make room for the two women. As they sat down, the man introduced himself. "My name's Ethan Wolfe. I'm the captain of this little gang." Molly glanced sideways at Sarah, who held her eye for a moment before responding. "Sarah Caldwell," she replied. She wasn't going to hide behind a false name anymore. "This is Molly Tanner. We've been up north for the past few years, and we're a bit out of touch with what's been going on back home." "Pah," grunted Ethan, "you haven't missed much. King Stephen was assassinated -- which I'm sure you heard about even up in the north -- and William Arden was crowned Alfred IV. He managed to gain the throne without much of a fight; he had the backing of the Church and damn near everyone else one way or another. The Church brought down the Inquisition with the king's consent, and they had the run of the kingdom for just over a year. Even their most bloodthirsty supporters among the nobility had had enough of it after a year. There's no profit in an Inquisition, except for the Church and the Crown. By that point Alfred had married Lady Jane Delford, though, which solidified his power base in the west. He's not a popular king with the people, but he's got the nobles either placated or under his thumb, so he's remained unchallenged. "With no major conflicts going on, it's been a damned quiet couple of years, which is why we're seeking our fortunes on this side of the border. There's work to be had out here if you know how to find it." Sarah chewed her lip as she took in Ethan's information. It didn't sound like there was any easy way to strike back at the king. Even with what she knew it would take money, power, an army, or all three to make herself heard by the people who mattered. At the moment she had none of those. She looked around the table at the reveling soldiers. It wasn't exactly an army, but it might be a place to start. "I don't suppose you might be looking to hire on a couple more swords? We're between jobs at the moment." Ethan looked them over. "I'm inclined to like anyone who buys me beer," he said. "Are you any good with a sword?" "Molly, here, was at the top of her class at Silverwell, and she taught me everything I know." She neglected to mention exactly how little that was. "Silverwell, eh?" said the mercenary captain, tapping his thumb on the rim of his mug. "Well, I can't guarantee anything, but I'm willing to give you a chance. At half pay until you've proven yourselves, though I reckon that won't be too long, one way or the other."
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