Exploring One’s World – Closed for Emstar303

[TirithIre]

“ Hey! Keep it down over there!”

Naruz yelled out over the din and noise of the Black Flagon. Naruz of course was the owner of the place, a tavern by all intents and purposes. There were tales that at one time Naruz had been in a group of Adventurer's known as the Keen Edge, a group of heroes who had helped to overthrow the mad tyrant at the time. Of course, no one REALLY knew if such tales were true, but it certainly helped to keep the peace. After all no one really wanted to find out if she was actually a fighter of great renown or not.

" Sorry Naruzzz!"

Girin growled it out from over one of the tables, though as he slurred his words it was clear that the older dwarf was very much drunk... again. The Dwarf was one of the finest miners in the city. Even with his blind eye, a result of an explosion that had caught him unawares when he was younger, Girin still brought out the best metals and gems from the mines just east of the city that anyone had ever seen.

Thus another night in the Black Flagon continued on. After all, life in Ajayib was always busy. With it being one of the main trade paths to all the different kingdoms and lands, there was no lacking of activity in the city. From the human cities in the northern lands, to the Elves of the east, there was always business to be had. While almost all races were welcome in Ajayib, Cassiel had always seemed to find that there was 'trouble'. The truth of the matter was that no amount of time passing nor peace accords between kingdoms would have people trusting of demons.

He supposed he couldn't blame them. Demons were usually malevolent beings who thrived on the pain and suffering of others. Or at least that's what the stories that were shared seemed to imply. For Cassiel it simply meant that he was always stopped at the gates to the city, given glares of distrust and the usual stern warning about not causing trouble before he was let in. He couldn't help but slightly chuckle in amusement.

If I wanted to cause trouble, I wouldn't be going through the gates now would I?

He thought it to himself, and thankfully kept such a comment safely within the confines of his own mind. Cassiel knew Ajayib like the back of his hand. After all he had grown up here. Of course it hadn't been easy, and for a time when he had grown strong enough he had left Ajayib in favor of exploring and seeing the world for himself. Yet after five years he had returned finally. Making his way into the city he made no pretense about what he was. The black horns sprouted from the sides of his head and curled back in a slightly flowing manner. The Black long coat which he wore was embossed with a bronze like thread and was smooth.

Unlike when he had left, young and inexperienced, Cassiel returned with confidence and no fear. He passed into the shadows of the city and headed for the Black Flagon. After all that was his favorite place to go both before he had left and still was. Unlike many, Cassiel knew that the tales about Naruz were true. How did he know it? Well his father had been in the same adventuring group that she had. Honestly however, Cassiel was looking forward to sitting down and getting a drink.

It had been far too long, and in his mind, it was good to be home.

 

[Emstar303]

Getting out of the castle was a challenge, always risky, but usually worth the reward. Ella hadn’t been caught yet, despite the obstacles to getting outside. Her father was a paranoid man, so there were guards in every hallway, around every corner. Really if the military knew the hoops she had to jump through just to get out of the castle without an escort they’d recruit her to be a spy. The quickest way out was to climb the vine on the wall in the garden and head down the rocky hill to the city. The guards were only at the entrances, so it was a straight shot, the problem was getting to that garden though. A few times she had been caught outside her room past curfew and had to make up some silly excuse about going for a moonlit walk in the gardens. Her pretty face was usually enough to sway the guards not to tell her father, thankfully.

Tonight, however, luck seemed to be on her side. Ella slipped past the guards like a ghost in the night and made it out through the garden and down into the city below with no incident, other than one very intense encounter with her housecat who seemed to be threatening a piercing meow.

Once in the town, Ella breathed easier. The hard part was over. She didn’t have to sneak around anymore, but she did keep her green cloak up as a precaution. No one would likely recognize her anyway, one benefit of her being sheltered meant she made few public appearances. Still, she wore a cloak and kept her long, dark brown hair tied up in a messy bun. She wore the plainest dress she owned, but it was still far fancier than most could afford.

This was only the 5th or 6th time she’d made it outside her castle’s limits. The first few times she hadn’t gone far. She’d just walked around the area outside her castle, eavesdropping on snippets of conversation, breathing in the various aromas of the city. The past few times she’d gone into a few shops, and one exciting evening she’d wandered upon a festival in the streets with drinking and dancing. It had been fun to dance around with the citizens, to be nobody important.

Tonight she’d worked up the courage to check out a tavern because she was craving more of that lively drinking and dancing again, so much more joyful than the castle balls. It just so happened that the tavern she stumbled into happened to be a rougher type of establishment. There wasn’t a band or any bards, no dancing to be had, just a lot of interesting, rowdy characters. The bartender was yelling at a group of dwarves hollering with laughter to keep it down.

Was it her imagination, or did everyone’s eyes snap to her when she entered? She wasn’t their typical customer, a woman, for one, and a pretty one at that. She was also dressed fancier than the rest of the tavern patrons. She wore a simple dark blue dress and green cloak with a simple pattern around the edges, but to the commoners in their drab-colored cloth, she might as well have been wearing a gown.

Perhaps she should have purchased something simpler before visiting this tavern, but she was already here and people were all starting to stare because she was lingering too long at the door, so Ella had no choice but to stick out in the humble establishment.

There were all manners of types in the tavern, mostly men, but there was a handful of strong, confident-looking women who could clearly hold their own present as well. There were humans like her, dwarves, orcs, and even… her eyes widened, a demon! Demons were a free race of course, but that didn’t mean people weren’t wary of them. That danger intrigued her, but she didn’t quite have the courage to approach him. Instead, she sat at the opposite side of the bar.

“What’ll it be, Princess?” the bartender asked, turning to her. The two humans sitting at a table to her right chuckled.

Ella almost panicked. How did she know who she was already?! But then she realized she was just making a joke about her pristine appearance.

“Just an ale, please,” she requested, her face a bit pink. Her eyes flashed to the man with the horns again, but he wasn’t looking at her.

Unfortunately, it was not the handsome stranger to approach but a pair of drunken human oafs.

“Haven’t seen you around ‘ere before,” the shorter one said, resting his hand on her shoulder.

“I’m just passing through,” Ella answered quickly, trying to get them off her back. She still had her hood up. She flashed her blue eyes at them briefly. “Heard the Black Flagon had the best ale in the city.” She was amazed at how confident and calm she sounded when inside she was very nervous, but it was a nervous excitement.

His friend sidled up beside her, leaned in. “You want us to show you around, baby?” His hand started rubbing her back.

“No, thank you, and please don’t touch me,” Ella said firmly.

“You don’t gotta be so polite here, honey,” the bartender said to Ella as she handed her her ale. “You can tell ‘em to fuck off.”

Ella laughed, the sound twinkling throughout the bar. She raised her mug to the bartender then turned to the humans. “Don’t fucking touch me.” The word sounded so naughty to her! She felt like such an imposter! But it was thrilling pretending to be someone else, some dangerous, confident adventurer type, and not a pampered, sheltered princess.

The humans seemed taken aback but were too inebriated to bother trying to convince her and headed back to their corner of the bar.

Ella thought she heard the bartender chuckle as she walked away to tend to her demonic customer.

 

[TirithIre]

Cassiel remembered the way to the Black Flagon… of course he did. If he had to count the number of fights that happened within the tavern when he was younger due to, well the fact that he was a demon Cassiel would have been hard pressed to recall. It didn’t really matter anyway, he still managed to survive and here he was, back home.

He knew Naruz probably hadn’t hired a bard for the night, she was a great bartender, but she certainly did need a bit of ‘help’ with the entertainment side of things. It also just so happened that Cassiel had been traveling with Aravice, a bard who had handled herself quite well out in the highlands, and as such Cassiel had invited to Ajayib in order to see the sights with promises of course with ale and tales to spread.

" This Black Flagon, it's got a stage?"

Aravice wasn’t intimidated by the area of the city, she herself had grown up in the east but had travelled to the north where she had met Cassiel during a job there hunting down a rather nasty necromancer who had been crypt diving. Once that nasty business had been completed he had talked her into coming to Ajayib for a break. It of course helped that Aravice had heard some good things about Ajayib, so it hadn’t been hard to convince her.

“ Oh yes, it’s not a big one, but with the right song they do push the tables aside and dance.

Cassiel grinned to his travelling companion and even as they arrived he of course recognized Girin. The dwarf had always been rowdy and if anything it made Cassiel chuckle at the fact that the dwarf clearly hadn’t changed. When he entered he had his traveling cowl up, and with no hesitation he lowered it revealing the black and curled horns.

Like usual he received a few glances, mostly from those who hadn’t been around before he had left, however as he approached the bar with Aravice in tow Naruz gave him a grin and before he knew it he was being yanked into a hug.

" Cass! you're back!"

Cassiel chuckled and patted Naruz’s back as he nodded easily, though the orc did whisper to him.

" I thought you were dead to be honest..."

She affixed him with a sharp look as well which if anything made the demon blush ever so slightly. He shook his head though as he broke away and smirked in that coy, almost sly way of his.

” Not a chance Naruz, I’m still alive and kicking, and look! I brought the entertainment for the night!”

He of course motioned to Aravice who smiled kindly and shaking hands with the Orc they chatted a bit before the elf went over to the small stage which was in the corner. She was just setting up when the newcomer came to the door. By that time Cassiel had managed to wrangle himself away from Naruz and had found one of the rare empty corners of the bar. Sinking thankfully into the seat he sighed as he took in the sights and smells of the Black Flagon.

Damn it’s good to be home.

He smirked, though as the newcomer came to the door he glanced over, his gaze somewhat hesitating as he took in the quality of her clothes. One thing he had learned through his travels of the lands was the differences between clothing. Hers was certainly higher quality than normally graced the doors of the Black Flagon, but hey, who was he to judge?

He returned his look to Aravice just watching the elf set up for the night, she had her lute of course but she was also setting up some small boxes which she had made herself. Most wouldn’t know what they were for, however when she played her music the small boxes which she hung up would actually pick up the music and boost it’s volume over the room. It was always fun to see Aravice perform in Cassiel’s opinion.

“You can tell ‘em to fuck off.”

Cassiel heard Naruz’s words and chuckled to himself as he glanced back to the newcomer. Here here He thought to himself, though as the woman told the drunken men to fuck off even he on his end figured that would be the end of it as Naruz came over with his preferred drink. Many things had changed about Cassiel, he was no longer the scrawny little demon who had barely survived the streets, but rather now was a very handsome and ‘dangerous’ demon who could certainly handle himself. He still loved the Black Flagon’s best ale however, and unlike when he was young and had to beg Naruz even for a sip of the drink, he slipped her a full gold coin for the ale which of course raised her eyebrow but he simply nodded to her and she took it, the gold disappearing into her apron’s pocket where it would be safe before she returned to the bar.

At the next moment Aravice piped up and welcomed all there to a night of music before she began to play and tell tales of adventure, danger and excitement. She was a very good bard and though the rancor and din of the tavern didn’t die down too much, all except Cassiel hadn’t heard this bard nor seen her before… so well, she captured their interest very well!

Cassiel did glance again to the new traveler in the very nice outfit, but he didn’t really think too much of her. After all if she wanted a drink, she could have one just like anyone else provided she could pay!

 

[Emstar303]

After the encounter with the human men, Ella was left alone. She sat quietly at the bar sipping her ale, observing the actions of the patrons around her. The dwarves were still arguing in the corner, but Ella’s attention was drawn to the handsome demon and beautiful elf who were apparently friends with the orc bartender.

The elvan bard took her place on a small stage the Princess hadn’t even noticed before and began to set up for her performance. Soon, she had the room's undivided attention with tales of daring adventure sprinkled with humor. She was a captivating storyteller. Her stories reminded Ella of ones she’d read before in books, but Aravice put unpredictable spins on the tales and was a delight to watch.

So captivated was she with the tales the elf was telling Ella finished her ale before she knew it. As Aravice transitioned into song, Ella ordered another drink. She began to tap her foot along with the beat. She smiled as she watched the performance. This was lovely! Why did her father have to restrict her from leaving castle grounds? She knew if he ever found out she left he’d be livid. He'd insist he could hire any bard in the land and bring her to the castle for a private performance, and he would never understand how that would never be the same to Ella. Because being here now, smelling the rich aromas of food, sipping on strong ale, listening to wonderful music and simply enjoying the atmosphere, was something she could not relive cooped up inside the castle.

Ella's gaze did flicker over to the demon man seated at the other end of the bar once or twice, but never long enough to make eye contact. She was intrigued by him. She'd never seen one of the demon race in person. Though the kingdom was filled with diverse races, the royally in the castle were mostly humans.

The bartender handed Ella her second ale and Ella paid in full, being more than generous with 2 thick, gold coins. Naruz seemed hesitant to accept all of it at first, but she did, eyeing the princess carefully. "Thanks, but you should be careful flashing around such riches, especially in this part of the kingdom."

Her words unsettled Ella and she hastily closed her coin purse, then stuffed it back inside her cloak pocket. "Right, thank you," she told the orc. Unbeknownst to Ella, behind her, a group of thuggish men who were approaching the bar had noticed her fancy clothes, hefty coin purse, and the fact she was alone.

Ella shifted in her barstool to return her attention back to the music. She clapped along to the beat, trying to put what the bartender had said behind her. She would take her time sipping her ale then head back home. It was getting late, and more dangerous-looking types were entering the bar, which would have made her uneasy if not for the music, warm candlelight and strong ale.

 

[TirithIre]

Cassiel was certainly enjoying the smells, the rancor and even yes, the arguments of the dwarves. It had been far too long since he had been home, and yet the adventuring had done a lot to allow Cassiel to ‘find’ himself. After all even in a large city like Ajayib one could be shackled by being ‘known’ which as a demon Cassiel had found himself being as such. On the roads and in different situations, well Cassiel had simply been ‘the mysterious demon’ which had allowed him to develop himself through different situations.

Beyond just learning to fight, Cassiel had learned where to position himself within a room to be able to keep an eye on the situation. He had also learned what to look for when it came to trouble beyond just angry or intoxicated men. After all fights had been a regular part of his youth, however he now understood the subterfuge of differing situations. He now better understood why Naruz let such rancor happen in the Black Flagon, and yet as well as he nursed his ale he did notice the amount that the fancily dressed brunette had paid for a single ale.

hmm… perhaps she’s a noble…

His thoughts mentally did a shrug at the notion. This wasn’t an area of the city that most nobles would come to. However he also noticed that she was younger than most who came this way, so perhaps she was simply… naïve. He wasn’t one to judge her at all. As he finished his ale he did marvel at how well Avarice captured the attention of those within any tavern. He had travelled with the elf for a few months now, and it didn’t cease to amaze him.

It was his attention there that drew his attention to the newer one’s. They weren’t drunk and they certainly had taken notice of the things that Cassiel had as well, other than the gold which they had just entered so they wouldn’t be able to have seen. The heavy coin purse however was certainly enough to attract the ‘wrong’ type of attention. For Cassiel, he again somewhat mentally shrugged to himself. The girl wasn’t his responsibility, and many unsavory things could happen in this side of the city.

Yet Naruz did make her way over to his corner with a second ale and setting it down, she gave him one of her looks. Cassiel quirked an eyebrow towards her as if to say really?! You care about her? but Naruz’s firm look on him was enough to convey that yes, she wanted him to look after the girl and make sure she wasn’t accosted. Such a conversation was spoken without words, and even as she returned to the bar Cassiel let out a sigh as he kept an eye on the thugs. They were armed, which wasn’t unusual, but if they kept to themselves and let the girl be, well then Cassiel wouldn’t need to actually do anything.

His eyes narrowed on the thugs though, and had any been near to him they would have sworn that his eyes swirled with both brown and a deep crimson hue. His demon sight allowed him the ability to see much better than a human, so he was mostly looking to see where they headed, as well to pick up any hidden weapons or poisons. He figured if they were just thugs they’d be easy to handle if needed, but he wasn’t one to get into something he couldn’t handle… not anymore anyway!

 

[Emstar303]

Ella was really enjoying the atmosphere of the bar. Just to be somewhere that was so lively and active was wonderful. At the kingdom everything felt drab and dead. Her feather had seemed dead every since her mother had died. It was nice to be out of such an intense environment.

Ella ordered one more ale, unable to resist just one more round while she listened to the upbeat music and the bard's singsong. It was really enjoyable to sit back and enjoy and not be bothered. Ella wondered what her life would be if she were not a princess. She envied the regulars who called the bar their hangout spot.

Ella drank her last ale quickly, and when she stood from her barstool to depart, she nearly toppled over. Maybe she had drank too much. Ella grabbed the bar to steady herself and took a deep breath. It was definitely time to head home. Her head swirled with every moment. "Thank you," she said politely to the bartender as she passed. The orc woman smiled at her and gave her a curt nod. She was a lot warmer than her appearance would lead you to belive.

Ella made her way to the exit, dancing in time with the beat as she did so. When she exited the bar, she was surprised at how dark it had become. A lot more time had passed than she thought! She hoped it wasn't passed dinner time - she didn't want her father to get suspicious.

She quickened her gait as she headed back to the castle. She knew her servants checked on her around 10pm each night to ensure she was in bed safe and sound. urely she hadn't lost track of time to such an extent it was already 10pm, had she?

Ella rounded another corner and moved into a run. She was frantically trying to get back to the castle before anyone noticed. She was so intent on her speed she neglected to notice her surroundings, and the next thing she knew she was pulled into a narrow alleyway with a knife at her throat. Ella gasped in surprise as a man pushed her against the wall, a sharp knife digging into the tender flesh of her swan-like throat.

"Give us everything you've got. You left a big tip for the orc, girl. Surely there is more you can spare?"

Heart beating rapidly, Ella tried to shrink into the brick wall of the alleyway but couldn't. She was cornered by a group of dangerous-looking men. She fumbled in her bag. "Yes, yes, of course, I have more," she explained, eager to give them whatever they desired and get out of here!