56 - Lost-n-Haunted Invite - It's a Quest - 536

Invitation to a Horse Show

The Wobbly Wyvern was busy tonight, packed with patrons of many species drinking, eating, belching, and some few were barfing the same on the sawdust-covered plank floor.  In a back corner booth a couple of orcs were having a quiet fight, refereed by a pair of goblins.  Alexiuss watched the goings-on with his usual dispassionate air, chewing slowly on a piece of hard bread softened a bit with gravy.

"Nothing like a bit of home cooking, eh?" he said to his companion with a slow grin as he watched an axe arc up and embed itself in one of the smoke-darkened timbers overhead.

"If by "home cooking" you mean food that actually was alive yesterday, yes," replied his companion.  The elf, red-gold armor glinting in the firelight, chewed busily as he chased a few morsels of peas around with his fork.  "It's a far cry from the moldy offerings in your home city, my friend."

The mage shrugged one bony shoulder.  "Well, it is hard to be too enthusiastic about cooking when most of your taste died along with your mortal body.  You must admit however, we do grow the most succulent mushrooms."

"Indeed, and only half of them are poisonous to the living," chuckled Aendimyon.  Swallowing the mouthful of food, he reached for his tankard, only to snatch his hand away with a low shout of alarm.

"Eh?"  Alexiuss glanced around the smoky room quickly, scanning for trouble and prepping a quick frost spell.  "Did that troll-lady find us?  Or is it – "  His gaze fell upon the paladin's mug, which had begun to glow a vile green.  From the foamy liquid, green-blue mist rose into the air, swirling and finally coalescing into a familiar image.  "Well, well, if it isn't Indre!"  The mage let his spell dissipate under the table, freezing an innocent roach to the floor.  

The small floating apparition seemed to see the undead mage and his friend.  She raised a hand.  "Hail Mage and Paladin."  Her elvish face was impassive as she spoke.

"Greetings, Death Knight," said Aendimyon, sounding none too gracious.  "Is there a good reason why you are spoiling a perfectly good mug of ale?
"Aye, Paladin, I believe there may be work afoot for someone of your talents."

"My talents?  You mean banishing demons and slicing up monsters?"
"Don't forget busting heads and trashing inns," murmured Alexiuss.

The corners of Indre's mouth turned up slightly.  "Precisely."  She waved an armored hand at something behind her.  "The people of this plane have been invited to an equestrian competition, with promise of great reward to the winners.  It is being held in a forest, but I suspect something more sinister lurks here.   While I have my own talents in terms of combat, I cannot consecrate ground, and I've a feeling we may require that before all is completed."  She glanced again behind her.  "I must go and see if I can find the others who were lured here.  If you require a steed familiar with this plane, see Saki of Harusame Meadows and she will provide for you.  She will be able to give you directions from her farm.  Good luck my friend, and bring a good sword."  The astral sending vanished in a final flare of green light, leaving behind the faint scent of rotten eggs.

Alexiuss sat back in his chair and steepled his fingers beneath his chin.  "Well, well, Paladin, are you going?"
Aendimyon waved the barmaid over for a fresh mug of ale while Alexiuss took the one that had hosted the apparition. "Of course.  How could I turn down a perfectly good adventure?  She had me at sinister lurking things." His mouth twisted in disgust as the mage hefted the mug and took a sip. "I can't believe you're drinking that."

"Waste not want not." Alexiuss shrugged again. A residual wisp of greenish smoke drifted from the mug.

"What about you? Care to join me?"

Alexiuss shook his head. "Not if there's consecrating involved. That kind of thing doesn't agree with my constitution. Since this is an equestrian event, have you considered what steed you will be riding?"

Aendimyon propped his chin on his fist, frowning. "Hmm.  No.  Poor Indigo is getting tired and long in the tooth. I don't think she'd be up to it. And it wouldn't hurt to have a steed who is familiar with that particular plane. Saki Harusame, did she say?"

"She did."

The barmaid appeared with the mug of ale he'd ordered, and the elf hoisted it high. "So before I take to the road again, a toast to the journey!"

The mage raised his mug as well. "Have fun storming the... forest."