Meanderings of an Elven wizard - Episode 3

First Impressions of Port Berathon
Episode 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 three entrances. 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 would invite 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 to treat 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 given that 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 who decided 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 gaze upon the wonders of the sky.

Roland bid the Elf farewell for the time being and told him he would be back at the inn sometime 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 breakfast and 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, yet radiated strength. Upon the lintel one could clearly see the golden trident, which 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, even though 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 to come 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 the inn 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 a smile. 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 should have 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!”

“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 skinny looking 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 and we 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?”
“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 this story, 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.