Meanderings of an Elven wizard - Episode 3

8/9/2019 Meanderings of an Elven wizard - Episode 3

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First Impressions of Port BerathonEpisode 3

After another day and a half of quick riding, the two companions arrived at Port

Berathon. Although not an extremely large city, Port Berathon still held about 2,000

inhabitants. Located on a hill overlooking the river Durwell, the fortified city had threeentrances. Two entrances east and west, and once entrance south leading to the docks.

Upon entering through the north gates Roland turned to Natiadar and said, “I wouldinvite you to my house in Port Berathon, but I’m afraid you would find it a little to

ragged. I live in lower Port Berathon, on the south end and quite frankly, with what we

picked up from these bandits you can easily afford almost any room in town.”

With Roland’s advice, the Elf quickly found a comfortable room at the Rust Monster Inn

in the Mercantile Quarters. The peculiar establishment had gained some fame in having a

large pit in the common room in which a Rust Monster dwelled. Any problematic

customer usually had his weapons and armor thrown into the pit for the rust monster totreat on. Of course the said customer was always given the alternative to be lowered in

the pit to fend off the rust monster in order to save his equipment. It was almost a giventhat one person should end up in the pit every night. The Inn was coincidentally build

right next to a smithy that sold weapons and armor for modest prices, and the Temple of

Osha wasn’t far up the street, which provided ample healing to the foolhardy whodecided to venture into the pit.

Natiadar welcomed a bath after over a week of being on the road. He was glad to have

picked a room with balcony, knowing that he could easily stand outside at night and gazeupon the wonders of the sky.

Roland bid the Elf farewell for the time being and told him he would be back at the innsometime on the morrow.

After a sleepless night Natiadar went down for an early breakfast. He noticed very few people were up and running this early in the morning, however the innkeeper, Edren, was

up and about his usual business. Natiadar did notice that the usual strong hands that

worked here in the evenings weren’t around this early either. He had a light breakfastand set out to explore a little bit of the mercantile quarters. As the sun rose storefronts

started to open and carts came riding into town, preparing to set shop at the marketplace.

Natiadar witnessed the waking of a city and marveled. Elves don’t really have this kind

of cycle. Their city never sleeps. There is always some activity, however calm it may be. But this was plain different! It was as if the sun brought life into this sea of

buildings, and as if humans required sun to move around.

After stopping at a bakery and purchasing a few warm sweet cakes, the Elf walked uphill

to the temple. He looked at the face of the white building. A large colonnade formed a

nicely shaded porch, which lead to the front doors. These bronze doors were plain, yetradiated strength. Upon the lintel one could clearly see the golden trident, which

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represented the symbol of Osha, the god of all waters shallow and deep, salty and clear,

calm and tempestuous, the protector of all seafaring beings, and healer of the wounded

ones. Port Berathon being a seaport had an affinity for the God of the Ocean, eventhough legend speaks of his true worshipers being the fabled Merfolks that no one has

seen for centuries.

Farther up the hill he noticed the entrance to Castle Berathon. By this time, the castle

gates were opened and many people were already streaming in and out going about the

affairs of the court. He chose to return to the Inn, just in case Roland would happen tocome and meet him. He did have a letter to deliver after all and he didn’t know if Roland

wanted to take part in the event.

Upon arriving at the Rust Monster he noticed a small gathering of people in front of theinn watching a man dressed in brightly colored clothes juggling with long knifes. Roland

was also there watching, or so it seemed.

After relieving a few people from their pouches Roland walked up to Natiadar with asmile. Pointing at the juggler he said, “A friend of mine, and a fine juggler mind you.

Probably the best in the city! He’s been in court a couple times to perform.”

Natiadar looked at him with a stern eye, “And these other people that you relieved of

their pouches… friends also?”

As Roland pushed the elf up the street he interjected, “Now, I know exactly what you are

going to say, but think about it. It’s not theft! Think of it more in terms of redistributing

the wealth. These people here don’t even realize how good they have it. Maybe I shouldhave taken you to the south quarters for the night. You would have gained a better

appreciation of the meaning of the word ‘poor’.”

“So this is how you justify your dodgy enterprise.”

“Well, yes! And a fine excuse it is in my opinion!”

They reached the temple of Osha just in time to see two Acolytes pull the doors open. A

beggar sat at the bottom of the stairs leading up to the entrance. His appearance was

rugged, and he seemed to be missing a few fingers from his left hand.

“Alms for the poor!” was all he said and repeated as he held a small wooden plate up

with his dirty hands.

Roland threw one of the pouches in the plate smiling; “Don’t go spend it all on wine!

Get some food and maybe a better coat. I heard the winter this year will be ferocious!”

“Oh thank you kindly you sir! A blessing from Osha upon you and your family!”

“See!” said Roland turning towards Natiadar, “I told you it’s just redistribution of wealth,

but you wouldn’t believe me!”

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“Yes, yes, for all I know this poor looking sod is just a friend of yours, and you had this

planned from the beginning.”

“Now that’s a great idea! I could have gotten some of that money back that way. Thanks

for giving me such imaginative ideas.” Natiada shrugged hopelessly “humans…”

Upon showing the seal on the letter they were ushered into an anteroom. A skinnylooking priest dressed in plain brown robes entered the room and greeted them,

“Greeting! May the waters of Osha carry to your proper destination! I am Brother Jethro,

I hear you are on an errand from Castle Faldwell? How is old father Tully?”

Natiadar stepped up to the priest, “He is well and I’m sure would have come here himself

to deliver this letter, but his gifts are needed at the castle. He bid us to hand this over to a

priest here in Port Berathon.”

After unsealing and reading the contents of the letter the priest looked concerned, “This

does not bode well. Father Tully is quite able and his faith is strong enough. If this was poison, Father Tully should have been able to cure it. But there is devilry of some kind at

work at Faldwell Castle. I will have to inform Father Guelden about this. He may have

something to say about this…”

Roland interrupted, “By the way we were told that another messenger had been sent to

you a couple weeks ago. Am I to assume he never reached you, seeing as you seem

concerned about this and are probably going to send someone back to deal with the problem?”

Brother Jethro gave a grave look at the rogue, “I will bring the matter to my superior andwe shall decide then what must be done. I thank you for your service and pray that you

may be blessed by Osha in return. I bid you farewell.”

As the priest exited the room, Roland looked like he was about to explode, “What! So

this is how we get treated after risking our lives to deliver a stupid message! This is why

I hate doing honest business. People just never seem to be satisfied!”

Natiadar interjected, “He seemed pleasant enough to me, straight to the point, doesn’t

waste time. My guess is the church will be swift in dealing with this problem. Humans

are always swift in everything they do anyway.”

Roland stormed out of the room followed by the Elf.

“Well this is not the end of the story for me. I have to return over there and find a little

more, or else I may end up in trouble.”

“In trouble with who?”

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“Oh nothing… I just can’t stand an unsolved mystery. I must return there and find out

more about this disease. We wouldn’t want it to spread would we?”

“We have no proof that it will spread. But seeing as you have intrigued me with thisstory, I will accompany you for the time being.”

“Oh you are too kind! OK, so you saved my life, but that doesn’t give you bragging

rights. Just keep that in mind alright?”

They stayed together at the Rust Monster for the night after buying the necessary supplies

for the trip back to Castle Faldwell.

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Meanderings of an Elven wizard - Episode 3