RuneScape Forum Archive | ~*~ TDT2: The Blood Debt ~*~

Crystal Smee

Posts: 7,994 Rune Posts by user Forum Profile RuneMetrics Profile

The warriors focused their attention on Port Sarim, and each drew a quick breath of amazement. Everything was different. Nothing could have prepared them for this.
They were used to the cheerful, happy Port Sarim, bustling and roaring with trade and people. Ships came and went at the docks like day and night, and away from the jostled piers would stream the people through the streets: Sailors on leave, merchants looking to buy and sell, and ordinary people going about their lives * talking, arguing, buying.
This was a whole new town. The harbor was almost empty, and the streets too, but for the travelers of Poverty and Disease. A few people wandered aimlessly, scrounging for food in the sewage and trash the smeared the uneven cobblestones. In front of the small general store, an old woman pleaded pitifully with the stout owner for food, but was firmly denied. In a nearby alley, two boys struggled over a rotten apple. A few merchants clinging by their fingertips to the good life swaggered along and advertised their wares, but there was no one to buy them.
One man, wearing the scarlet robes of a priest, had gathered a small crowd from where he perched on a rickety platform of crates and stone. Kzhahar led them closer so that they might hear his words. As they descended from the forest, along the streets toward him, a few glanced their way. The boys stopped fighting to stare, the woman abnegated her begging and turned, the merchants’ eyes widened at the glimmer of valuable steel in their belts, and even the preacher paused in his sermon. Such it was that travelers were an anomaly to the world now.
The adventurers melded into the crowd, and after a short silence, the man resumed his speech.

19-May-2007 19:14:22

Crystal Smee

Posts: 7,994 Rune Posts by user Forum Profile RuneMetrics Profile

“I tell ye good people, ‘tis the gods wrath be upon us!” he wailed. The people muttered to each other in agreement. “We’ve done the world a great wrong, and now we encounter consequences. ‘Tis Zamorak’s ill favor! Each day he sows another seed of his great chaos across the world! Repent, ye good people, and ye shall be forgiven!”
Kzahar snorted, attracting more than few stares. He turned to Lil beside him, murmuring, “It just seems ridiculous, you know? A couple weeks ago, I would have clouted this man across the head and told him the gods don’t exist.”
“He’s not far off…”
“Neither was the fisherman.”
”We have to be careful…” Lil sighed.
“And we have to act fast,” input Krystal from her other side. “We’re wasting time, we should get moving. We could reach Draynor by nightfall if we hurry.”
“How?” questioned Kzahar. “I don’t think these good people will have many horses to sell, and if they do, it’ll be a mighty high price. And we don’t have money.”
Bond had shouldered his way toward them, and dropped into the conversation with a grin. “I have one idea.” His eyes trailed towards the inn Gerald had pointed out. Krystal smiled as she caught on, remembering their first conversation. “Surely it’s been awhile since they had some good entertainment? I’ll bet I can wheedle them out of more than one pretty coin.”
“We can always sell a sword or two, then sell the horses and buy new weapons,” added Krystal.
“Let’s head to the inn, I’ve a few coins stashed away to order us some food, and then I’ll see if I’ve still got my touch,” he winked. He guided them out of the crowd and back down the street to the inn. Once inside the dimmer tavern, which was as uninhabited as the roads, they found a table and collapsed into the chairs.

19-May-2007 19:14:40

Crystal Smee

Posts: 7,994 Rune Posts by user Forum Profile RuneMetrics Profile

A serving maid approached, her apron dirt-stained and her face haggard. “How may I be of service to you sers?” she offered.
“Some drinks, perhaps?”
“Well…there’s water, though some’s sayin’ that be where the plague be from, don’t know as I’d trust that. But it** free. Then there’s the redberry juice, that’s a gold. Beer’s three, wine’s six.”
“Six?” echoed Kzahar in surprise. *It used to be two.”
“It’s dear these days,” she sighed. “Everythin’s dear.”
Bond was fumbling in his pockets, finally finding his purse of gold. It jingled happily as he withdrew it. Krystal laid a hand on his arm to stay him. “Save it for the horses,” she murmured. Turning to her tablemates, she declared, “Waters for all?”
There was a general consensus, but the serving maid tutted disdainfully. “Your funeral,” she sighed, and waddled off. Bond leaned back in his chair, wondering how to go about his business.
When the woman returned, slopping down eight mugs filled with a slightly discolored water, he asked, “I happen to be a singer, and storyteller, on occasion. You wouldn’t happen to have a guitar or flute, or any other instrument lying around, would you?”
“We have a guitar,” she replied slowly. “’Twould be grand if you’d care to entertain, ser, although there’s small company to hear. ‘Tis been a long time.”
He smiled charmingly. “It would be my pleasure.”
She disappeared to speak with the innkeeper, who agreed wholeheartedly, and minutes later returned with a small stool and guitar. She set them down towards the back of the inn, away from the door. A few heads turned at the sight.

19-May-2007 19:15:10

Crystal Smee

Posts: 7,994 Rune Posts by user Forum Profile RuneMetrics Profile

Bond rose and strode over, settling himself down. He plucked a few notes to tune the instrument, humming to himself. Finally, he began to sing.
“I set out on a narrow way,
Many years ago,
Hoping I would find true love,
Along the broken road…”
More heads turned now, watching with excited interest. Bond continued, his voice unsteady at first, but gaining in sureness. As he finished the occupants of the tavern cheered and applauded their approval. One tossed a gold coin toward the impromptu stage, and he picked it up with a grateful smile. “Many thanks!” he called.
“Another!” bellowed someone from the scattered audience. He grinned, searching his mind for another song. This might just work.

19-May-2007 19:15:21