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The Tattooed Woman Volume 2 - Chapter 13: Hello Old Friend
Ashunara Varro, Captain of her own free Company, Dark Elf and swordmaiden, looked at the motley trio in front of her and could not but help grinning, for Muriah sulked mightily as was typical while the other two with her were so battered and bruised that they looked like they'd both been run over by a herd of angry centaurs and then dragged for a spell just for good measure.
Magda Bor had a spectacular black eye as well as a fat lip, while it looked like Gorsini's nose had been broken, again.
They all sat in the refectory of the Raven's Nest, a dining room off the scullery, where those patrons who found the company of the Common Room to be overly raucous or loud might have a bit of peace as they ate. The room was still in the midst of renovation and the wooden beams and panelled walls smelled of beeswax and linseed. Many of the small glass panels used to make up the sash windows had been cracked and broken over long years of neglect, and a couple of Gnomish glassblowers had been commissioned to conduct repairs. The work was still incomplete though, so the windows yet remained boarded up, which was fine with Ashunara, as it offered further protection from eavesdroppers, and still kept out any intruding cold drafts and drizzle from outside.
The room itself was large enough to accommodate her Company and kept cosy and comfortable by the fire set in the grange. Maggie had insisted on using coal as fuel today, claiming that true flame was somehow more hearty for an eatery and better suited than witchfire to warming the inglenook, and the Captain had to admit she did enjoy watching the fiery glow of the hot embers.
The chamber had stout tables and furniture enough to seat the gathering and given it was removed from prying eyes it was well suited to Ashunara's needs and so she had temporarily commandeered it for her purposes.
Maggie, Cassie and Ellén, who had merrily taken upon herself a role as barmaid, much to the delight of Iris who was glad of the help, and of many of the patrons who found the slender blonde more than merely easy on the eye, had bustled about serving drinks and food to those gathered, before settling themselves at a table near the kitchen door to listen to the Captain's spiel. Personally, Cassie was just a little more than curious to see what happened the first time an intoxicated patron slapped the girl on the posterior or attempted a sly grope as she went by. Though she was hoping the result would be merely humorous rather than cataclysmically fatal. She had considered telling Narissa that the pretty blonde was in fact a young Dragon, but she just couldn't think on a way to broach the subject that did not inspire a reaction of utter panic and fear, and so she had remained silent so far.
Ashunara had claimed the room to hold an impromptu council of war, in preparation for the upcoming campaign, and sellsword and slave alike lounged in the many chairs or leaned over the plates and platters that festooned the tables as they polished off the fine luncheon that had been laid out for them. Once again Maggie had done them proud, and there had been appreciative noises as they tucked into bowls of meaty pottage and mortrew, with hot fresh loaves and butter, washed down with a tankard of good dark Dwarven porter.
Though Gorsini and Magda were seated closest, she had gestured for the others to sit themselves as was their want while she nimbly perched herself upon a table near the front so she could address them easily enough.
She looked about and grinned at the somewhat eclectic group arrayed before her, and though she was concerned over a few of the logistical aspects the upcoming march presented she had no fears as to the internal fortitude or the mercenary and homicidal character of those in her Company.
Towards the back of the chamber sat Azure and Lashelle, with the Half-Elven girl Dana seated between them looking about with a mix of curiosity and apprehension clearly written in her expression. Lashelle seemed to be chatting amiably with the girl while Azure sat with a lazy, predatory smile curling her lips. Ashunara grinned as she noted how the ever-canny scout had turned the chair so that its wooden back protected her midriff. Seeing the grin Azure gave her Captain a sly wink.
Nyx and the swordsman Claíomh sat with Elsadore and Varoona and seemed to be arguing about beer, or swords, maybe both, you could never be sure with them. But from the laughter and Varoona's embarrassed blushes, it looked as though Elsadore may also have been relaying the story of how the younger Dark Elf had recently taken a crossbow quarrel to the buttocks, and she was clearly shaking her head in good-natured refusal to show off the offending wound, much to the obvious disappointment of the audience.
Quintus sat with Tallis and Lily, and Ashunara chuckled as she saw the young man staring at the silver-lined flask he had been given by Nyx.
The veteran had sought him out and presented the thing with a broad smile, "Here you go lad, I made promise to fetch you a bottle of best whisky when we made it to the city, and I'll not be accused of being a welcher."
The flask was beautifully engraved in silver, with a fine silver cup for a stopper and from its weight was clearly filled with some fiery liquor, and Nyx slapped the man on the back as he stared at the thing, "You saved my friend lad, that's not something to be forgotten lightly," she grinned as she moved back towards her seat, "enjoy the booze, but don't drink it all at once. The bloody stuff's enchanted and it'll probably knock a skinny runt like yourself on his arse for a week or more if you're no careful."
Ashunara passed over her own flask to Magda and Gorsini with a grin, "Did you do something to annoy the Overseer?"
Gorsini looked away while Magda blushed and muttered something barely intelligible.
Ashunara shook her head with a sigh, but her eyes glittered with cheerful mischief, "You know if this was foreplay, I'm fairly certain you're doing it wrong."
The Human woman grinned as she accepted the flask and took a swig, "It was more in the nature of a personal wager Captain."
"Who won?"
Gorsini winced as he felt his mangled nose, "I fink we called it a dwah."
Muriah couldn't help herself and burst out laughing.
"Fine, fuck it, I'll ask no further. When we're done here go see Lashelle and she'll sort you out with a healing draught. That should take care of your bruising and any other petty ailments, she'll likely want to reset your nose first Gorsini, but I know from personal experience she has a gentle enough touch, so you'll be in good hands."
He gave her a battered-looking grin, "I've had wurths."
"Even so, we march at dawn on the day after tomorrow, and I'd prefer no walking wounded this early."
The Captain eyed the three of them, "Right, let us get down to business, will you hear my offer?"
Magda frowned, "I did not think you needed to make any offer to us Captain. Are we not collared and bound to serve?"
Ashunara shook her head with a wry grin, "Fuck that noise. I'd sooner put my faith in Nyx's dice than trust an unhappy slave who's been forced to stand at my side with a blade. Besides, we're all sellswords are we not, we know the score. Let's leave such idiocy to others."
Gorsini's grin revealed a missing tooth, but he nodded nonetheless, "Leth hear your pitch then."
"T'is simple enough, I want you to fight for me. You're too good to waste on whatever fuckwittery they'd have you doing here, and I need good swords. So, you tell me, what's it going to take?"
Magda frowned, "Would the Overseer not have a say Captain, for she is the one who owns us after all?"
Ashunara held up the scroll in her hand with a vulpine smile, "Yes, she made mention of that in this missive. Here, I'll relate the pertinent passages for your enlightenment," she cleared her throat theatrically and read, "Captain, please get these two lovebirds out of my hair, if I am forced to watch them making moon-eyes at each other for very much longer I'm like to cut my own throat in despair at their sentimental antics. Should you find some use for them I would be obliged, they claim some small skill at arms, but I just watched them fight and I remain unconvinced."
Magda snorted in annoyance, but Gorsini simply chuckled and took a swig from the flask.
The Captain grinned and looked at Muriah as she continued, "As for Muriah, t'is true she's your problem and not mine, and she's vexing to boot, but if it please you Captain I would appreciate it if you would look out for her as circumstances and fortune allow. You need not feel obliged to tell her of my feelings on this matter, but in truth, I'd prefer to have her back in one piece. She's, well, you know... Do this for me and I will consider it a favour owed.
