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Post by wingfeather on Apr 7, 2024 17:18:14 GMT -8
He agreed heartily on that point a lot of things people said were just fake stories, ''my mother told me once that my father's parents were Haltijas, father never spoke of it, and it never really came up to ask. I honestly don't really know what to think about it though, honestly it'd be rather strange if I was, you don't exactly meet many fantasy type people every day,'' he shrugged, ''then again I did come from a more or less sheltered childhood.'' He didn't get any of the appearance of such a creature, his stature and ears were normal, and his his hair didn't grow in any abnormal way. He shrugged again, ''how big is the next town, or does that map not really show?'' He ran his hand lightly up the arm he had to stitch the other day, the humidity of the air was beginning to irritate it and the sweat was beginning to sting it as well.
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Post by mainehorse on Apr 7, 2024 17:28:36 GMT -8
"Never heard of that one myself... but it's possible. This world is full of many different kinds of people." Cass says. She would let him reach whatever conclusion felt right for him on that matter. Some people believed in these, for lack of a better term, creatures. And some didn't. Though she found being referred to as a 'creature' to be abhorrent. Lockian had treated her as a person though, if he had even realized she wasn't wholly human. "Next town appears to actually be a city, so quite large. We'll find out whether or not that is true when we get there. We can probably book a space in an inn to rest when we get there" she says, slipping the map into her pocket.
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Post by wingfeather on Apr 7, 2024 18:11:20 GMT -8
Lockian nodded, a big city, that would be interesting, and a rest at a hopefully comfortable inn would definitely be a pleasure. But then again, they could only afford so much, and who knows what the pricing would be in larger towns. Lockian had heard stories of how ridiculously overpriced city folk were. They would also have to rent a stable for Phantom as well... he hadn't thought about that before. They would probably need to collect a few more supplies and not to mention a proper halter and saddle for Phantom. He wondered wether or not the horse was fit enough to be used for war, he certainly had the size. But if he was unable to hold his cool in the midst of a fray then there would be no use for him. He appraised the horse once more, he wondered when he could give the horse a try.
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Post by mainehorse on Apr 7, 2024 18:20:17 GMT -8
Their journey wore on for most of the day, until finally they reached the city. The sun was just starting to dip lower in the sky. "Here we are... we'd best find a place to settle down for the night, one with an open stable for Phantom as well" she says as they walk down the busy city street. Peddlers were just trying to make a few last sales for the day as the shops began to close for the night. She could hear cries of "hot pies, hot pies!" and many others as people tried to make whatever final sales they could for the day. Her mismatched gaze scans the busy street as the horse continues to plod along placidly pulling the wagon. He was clearly tired after the long day on the road, but soon a warm stall and some fresh hay would be his reward for his cooperation. And for them, hopefully proper beds, a hot meal and if they were lucky hot baths as well. Though she knew that not all inns offered such amenities. She decidedly did not want to resort to trying to see if they could get two private rooms in a bathhouse since that was bound to be expensive given that most bathhouses didn't readily operate on privacy. She greatly valued her own privacy. But at the same time, she really did want a hot bath. River water could do the trick in a pinch, but it didn't leave her feeling clean and refreshed. She wasn't sure when she had last felt so fresh. She had been coated in dried blood when she had come to in the infirmary, so it had probably been some time.
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Post by wingfeather on Apr 9, 2024 11:34:48 GMT -8
Lockian's keen eyes swept in his surroundings at once, he was glad of the setting sun for it made the humidity in the air slightly more bearable and the evening breeze was helping to cool his wounds slightly. He noticed some of the children who were getting their last few games in before dark back away when they noticed his and Cassidy's grim and bloodstained appearance. He was rather sorry for this because he loved kids, their innocent and guileless nature always delighted him, but to see them back away and give each other side glances was not something he enjoyed or gloried in. He shook his head, there was not very much he could do about it at the moment but hopefully a bath and a change of clothes would help a little.
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Post by mainehorse on Apr 9, 2024 15:36:38 GMT -8
"And... there they go." Cass says dryly as the group of children scattered. "If it's any consolation... they're probably more frightened of me than they are of you" she says as she wipes the back of her hand over her forehead to wipe away the sweat that had accumulated there. The evening air was chilly as autumn drew ever nearer, there was certainly a nip in the air tonight. But physical exertion would still cause one to run hot. Of course, she supposed there was also the likelihood of infection setting in, given what limited supplies they had to treat their wounds. They hadn't exactly had anything to disinfect their wounds with, only river water to wash the blood away as best possible before suturing the wounds closed. But she didn't feel feverish, at least not as far as she could tell. Though the way the children had been looking at her, one might think she was a walking corpse rather than merely a bloodstained adventurer. Perhaps she should have washed her clothes in the river as well? She mused glancing at her blood stained attire. No... if she did that, then they'd still be wet this morning. There was nothing that could have been done. Yet for some reason, she still felt guilty. Of course, even without the blood, her appearance probably didn't help. She was a grizzled fighter with a rather stern resting expression. But there was little she could do about that. She certainly couldn't get rid of the scars. The sooner they found an inn, the better she mused.
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Post by wingfeather on Apr 9, 2024 15:50:37 GMT -8
''That may be a possibility,'' Lockian joked before looking down ruefully at his own cuts and bruises, ''you know,'' he turned serious again, ''you are looking pale. Feeling alright?'' He sighed in exasperation as they continued through the city, ''you'd think that a town as large as this would be considerate to weary travelers such as we, and place an inn near its entrance.'' He was definitely getting tired and was starting to zone out a little but he still squinted at every shop sign they passed hoping to spy the most import word to him at the moment... inn. Suddenly he heard the droning of voices ahead of them, ''could that be one,'' he asked trying to make things out in the ever gathering gloom.
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Post by mainehorse on Apr 9, 2024 16:02:04 GMT -8
"Hmmm? I am?" Cass asks calmly, pulling off one her right glove to check the skin. Sure enough, the skin was looking a bit paler than she would have liked. Then again, she had been pale to begin with. Hadn't she? "Probably nothing to fret about... it's just been a long day I'm sure" she says as she slips her glove back on. She hadn't been feeling great to begin with when she had come too, almost as though she had been run over by a carriage. The fight the day before hadn't helped matters either she mused. But she wasn't on death's door or anything like that. If she were, she wouldn't be able to keep moving as she had been. And as long as she could keep moving, then she would be alright she supposed. There really wasn't other choice. She couldn't afford to be laid up in bed right now. They had a destination to reach, and they were only here for a night's rest. "One would think... but a bit more walking won't kill us" she says. Or at least, it never killed anyone before she mused. "It's worth a try... we can check it out and see. Hopefully they'll have an open stall and open rooms" she says.
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Post by wingfeather on Apr 9, 2024 16:41:38 GMT -8
Lockian nodded his agreement, as they approached the building was indeed an inn. Lockian was quite cheered by the yellow glow filtering through the latticed windows and his step lightened and quickened considerably as they got closer. He didn't know how it would be inside but at this point cleanliness and the food quality was not most important at the moment, all he wanted right now was a bed, yes a bit of warm water would be accepted with thanks, but a comfortable bed was on priority right now. But then again they could not know how this inn would really be, it could be a hole for thugs for all they knew. The innkeeper suddenly showed himself in the well lit doorway, he was a short man and a little pudgy he also had on a greasy apron and his sleeves rolled up to revel two burly and muscular arms, ''travelers I see,'' he said at their approach, ''are you in search of lodging?'' The innkeeper was apparently unfazed by either of them and stood with his arms folded.
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Post by mainehorse on Apr 9, 2024 16:52:01 GMT -8
"Aye... that we are. For two people and a horse." Cass says, slowing the gelding to a stop. Judging by the noise, the inn would be rather crowded. But hopefully they'd have at least one room available for the night. If one room was all they could get, then Lockian could take the bed. She would survive another night in a bedroll instead of an actual bed. Especially if the bedroll at least would benefit from the warmth of an actual room rather than a tent out in the open. If they had more than one bed available though, that would be ideal. But they'd just have to take whatever they could get at this point. Anything would be better than having to sleep outside though. There was definitely a chill in the air out here. Or at least, that was what she told herself. Autumn was approaching after all. It could be that she was a bit feverish, since apparently she had been pale enough compared to her norm that it had been noticeable. But for now she was going to brush that thought off. For now they had best focus on getting shelter for the night, and if they could a proper meal and baths as well. If nothing else, they could rest for the night without having to take it in shifts.
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Post by wingfeather on Apr 9, 2024 17:23:41 GMT -8
The innkeeper nodded in thought, ''aye ye', we can arrange that for yeh,'' he said with a strong highlander's accent, ''we've got one small room unoccupied,'' he glanced at the both of them, ''but 'ere's none doubt aboot up fixen yeh two up. O' Course there's al'ays th' stables... 'ey're practically entirely open.'' Lockian glanced at Cassidy, she was definitely getting paler, ''we'll take it, and a stable... oh and tub filled with warm water,'' He told the innkeeper. He nodded and returned indoors to get the room and bath set up. Lockian turned to Cassidy again, ''Cassidy you really aren't looking too well, why dont you take the room and I'll stay in the stable with Phantom,'' he suggested, he wasn't nearly as badly wounded as she was and he knew that there was a definite slimmer chance of being accepted as a mercenary if she looked ill.
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Post by mainehorse on Apr 9, 2024 17:31:43 GMT -8
"I'm fine... it's just chilly out here is all. We can both make one room work if need be, no need for one of us to take the stables. We've got two bedrolls. One of us can take the bed, and the other can set up a bedroll on the floor. We'll just need to take turns waiting in the hall while we bathe." Cass says, straightening up slightly. Sleeping in the hay was bound to be uncomfortable, and cold as well without a fur coat to keep warm. She wasn't going to subject him to that when they had an alternative, albeit likely a crowded one. But there was no reason it had to be awkward. They had shared the tent the night before and they could work out privacy to bathe and change. Hopefully she would feel a bit better on the morrow. But for now, she was still standing, even if she didn't look all that well.
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Post by wingfeather on Apr 9, 2024 17:51:26 GMT -8
Lockian drew in a breath to argue but released it wordlessly, the night was getting cold and sleeping in a pile of dusty hay was definitely not appealing to him, he nodded. ''Alright then, you go and take a bath first while I tend to Phantom,'' he said grabbing the halter and beginning to lead him towards the stables, ''I shouldn't be too long,'' he called back. He led Phantom into the stables and unhitched him from the wagon, ''hopefully this will all still be here in the morning,'' he murmured to himself while he fumbled with the knots. After leading Phantom to a empty stall and giving him a measure of grain he rubbed the horse's neck as he placidly ate, ''hmm it doesn't seem that you have much character,'' he said aloud to himself, the horse just continued eating noisily, ''you gave us no trouble on the rode yet you couldn't handle the stench of blood,'' there was still no response from Phantom, not that Lockian thought there would be but he just remembered that to Grettir he was able to talk with him and the dog ''responded'' in his own canine way, but the horse just ignored him, ''maybe your just tired,'' Lockian said quietly.
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Post by mainehorse on Apr 9, 2024 17:59:08 GMT -8
Cass nods slightly, taking her backpack out of the wagon. It contained some basic first aid supplies and a change of clothes. She'd need to redress her wounds with fresh bandages after the bath. A hot bath definitely sounded awfully tempting at this time. And it would help ensure that if infection had set in, that it hopefully wouldn't get any worse. If she did have a slight infection, it wasn't affecting her too badly. She wasn't feeling feeble or like she'd collapse. So if anything was infected, then chances were she could fight it off on her own provided she caught it now. She'd just need to keep her wounds clean and bandaged until the stitches could come out. She finds their room up on the second floor of the inn and steps inside, shutting the door behind herself. Thankfully, it seemed the tub was separated from the main room by a door. So privacy wouldn't be an issue and neither of them would need to wait in the hallway. She steps into the room where she could see steam rising off the tub and shuts the door. She sets her backpack down on the floor, she'd get out her clothes and the medical supplies afterwards. There were already fresh towels in the room.
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Post by wingfeather on Apr 9, 2024 18:25:09 GMT -8
With a last pat to Phantom Lockian grabbed hold of the stall door and vaulted himself over, he winced at the pressure of his body weight thrown on his stitched up arm. ''Ah, probably shouldn't do that again for a while,'' he said between clenched teeth before turning around and making sure the stall door was shut. After grabbing his own bag of personal belongings from the wagon and striding towards the inn. He found their room rather easily and entered after checking to see if the door was locked. He figured that Cassidy was most likely in the adjacent room so he seated himself in an armchair near the window to wait for her. He hoped that she would be feeling better and stronger tomorrow, she really wasn't looking too well when he had last saw her. Well a good nights sleep would certainly do her good... hopefully.
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