Sewers Under Fastheld vvvvvvvvvv (Indoors) (Cover: Fair) It's too dark here. You can't see anything. ========

Forrest yells, "Anyone up there?"

Forrest yells, "Hello! Hello! I'm down here!"

You say, "Oh, for goodness sakes..."

Forrest yells, "Can Anyone hear me?"

Forrest yells, "I slipped! This muck is horrible! I'm in the sewers!"

Forrest yells, "Somebody at least throw some food down here! Or something, a torch maybe?"

Forrest gropes around in the dark, messing his shirt with sludge.

His voice carries from one end to the other of this tiny cramped space. Forrest tries to find the stairs up, but fails.

Forrest yells, "HELLO?!! ANYONE UP THERE??"

Forrest yells, "HELLO!"

Forrest yells, "SOMEBODY HELP!"

Forrest yells, "HELLO! SOMEBODY HELP! DOWN HERE!"

Forrest yells, "I know there are people up there! Wake up!"

Forrest yells, "HELLO! SOME HELP DOWN HERE!"

Forrest yells, "HELLO! ANYBODY OUT THERE?"

Forrest yells, "I'M LOSING MY VOICE I THINK!"

Forrest yells, "SOMEBODY HELP ME!"

Forrest yells, "HELP!"

Forrest coughs from the exertion.

Forrest yells, "IT'S NOT VERY NICE DOWN HERE! Can SOMEBODY GIVE ME A HAND?"

Forrest yells, "SOMEBODY PLEASE PLEASE HELP!"

Forrest yells, "COME ON, THERE'S GOT TO BE SOME NICE PERSON UP THERE WITH A HEART?"

Forrest yells, "PLEASE, SOMEONE HELP!"

You say, "Oi, this is difficult. Can't believe I got myself into this mess."

Forrest yells, "Look here, somebody up there can lower a rope? Just a citizen, fell in, IT WAS A MISTAKE!"

Forrest yells, "If you can hear me, please say something!"

Forrest scratches his head in bewilderment.

Forrest yells, "It's bloody dark down here!"

From Vozhdya Square, Lucius Nepos yells, ""Aye!"

Forrest yells, "Goodness! Thank the Light!"

From Vozhdya Square, Lucius Nepos yells, ""I can here ye. Hold yer horses, I'm gonna go get a torch."

Forrest yells, "I won't move, I promise you!"

Forrest pants, his voice nearly cracked.

Forrest arranges his clothes, trying to wring down of the soak out of them.

Forrest yells, "You'll prolly need a light or something! It's bloody dark down here!"

From Vozhdya Square, Lucius Nepos yells, ""Aye, gotta find me some flint."

Forrest yells, "Flint is good! Flint is good!"

Forrest yells, "Hold on! I think I found!..."

Forrest yells, "Ah, it's the stairs. Goodness me..."

You head into Vozhdya Square. Vozhdya Square -------- (Outdoors) (Cover: Fair) (Owner: Markus Kahar) Vozhdya, city of industry and commerce, is the provincial capital of the Vozhd dominions. Straddling three trade routes at the Aegis' major eastern gate, rolling hillocks and loamy plains give way to dense urban quarters and a skyline populated by brick smokestacks. Hundreds of stone chalets dot the rural lowlands, centered amid the great farm-estates of the landed gentry. The Eastwatch canal, a broad, glittering waterway, feeds surrounding fields with irrigable water and descends into the very heart of the city itself. Narrow cobblestone streets coil through the cramped city districts, yet inevitably lead to the expansive central square: the living heart of Vozhdya.

The sprawling marketplace is filled with carts and shanties; shops and stores; brightly coloured tarpaulins and independent merchantmen. Yet all are dwarfed under the two great industries of the region, embodied in their monolithic facades of stone and glass: the iron works and textile consortiums.

Like sentinels, these twin foundries flank the square at either end. Broad cobblestone avenues expand in all directions. To the west, a chain of forested mountains mark the provincial border; to the east, the Aegis itself, gargantuan and imposing. To the north, behind high walls, the battlements of Vozhd Keep can be seen, and to the south the precipitous towers of The Warren. A large sword stands outside the Loom and Spindle, melded into the ground.

Lucius Nepos and Gavin are here. Kahar's Fury stands here. A biinwood sign is here. A Guard stands watch here. An Archer stands watch here. A well is here.

------- Also here: Nellom Shore (NPC Deedgiver), Vozhdya Healer, Directional Sign, Vozhdya Square News Post, Fastheld Courier Service, Merchant Marris Almond, East Aegis Stables

Squeezing the water from his clothes, Forrest collapses to his knees, gasping in for some fresh air. "That is... not... a good place to be. Not a good place."

Lucius Nepos stands by the entrance to the sewers, browridge quirked and a brass lantern hanging in one hand. It doesn't look like he's found any flint. "Bloody merchant doesn't have flint." He says, icily, looking in Marris' direction. Back to Forrest. "How'd you get down there, anyways?"

Gavin stands back from the edge of the sewers as a guy climbs out, stinking of the damp and funk that lies underground and helps him to move away from the edge a bit so he doesn't fall back in before saying, "Nay... nay it not be a place ye be wanting to be goin if ye not be havin a torch or light o' some kind. You ok there?"

The young man coughs, hacking out loudly. "Sorry about that... my voice has gone, I think, for the time being." He readjusts his gloves, and scratches his head. "You know, I've been running around this city looking for some sewing needles... Oh, by the Light..." He let's out a stream of curses.

Lucius Nepos's hands fall to his side, and then clasp eachother behind his back as he continues to stare idly at Forrest. "Didn't answer the question, young man. Why were ye in the sewers?"

Forrest grunts under his voice, "My parchment, my parchment... ruined." He takes out the soaking leather and parchment, his eyes being thrown to the ground as the ugly water drips to the pavement of the square. "I, uh... I slipped, sir, on the route to picking up some needles to finish my book. None of the bloody merchants around here carried any, though, but in my running, I slipped near and fell in, almost bludgeoning my head against the brickwork. Nasty fall." He pauses, and then looks at the two men. "Names Forrest Wineburn, of the newly opened Wineburn Bookshop, just opened in this fair town. Sorry our acquaintance had to be made this way, though, but I imagine it's a good enough excuse to visit sometime?"

Gavin looks to the well dressed man asking the question before looking back to the young man, apparently a seller of books and listening quietly.

"Fell into a covered hole? Interesting." Lucius lifts a hand up to his face and rubs at the side of his ear, his talking continuing. "Well, as long as it wasn't mischief, I s'pose. Good to meet you, master Wineburn. Warmaster Lucius Nepos." He quickly introduces himself, extending the /other/ hand.

Forrest looks a bit embarrased, bundling the wraps of leather and parchment together, sticking it under his arms. "I, uhh," Forrest says, smiling quickly, "Ah yes." He takes the hand of the warmaster strongly, and shakes it firmly. "Very glad to make your acquaintance, sir. Very glad." Forrest stands at the edge of the open sewer, his clothes soaking wet, his hair hanging down limply in waves across his forehead. "I, uh, would like to cordially invite you any time, to sit or peruse my shop, Warmaster."

Forrest glances over to the noblewoman on her horse, but turns back to the warmaster, his attention and smile glued to him.

From Glorymaker's saddle, Jahna Nillu guides the river trotter into the square. She's followed closely by another rider, a burly bearded man dressed in armor and and wearing livery emblazoned with the symbol of a large bear. She turns her head and motions him to ride forward to her side, he complies as she speaks, "We'll stop here Curtis, I need to figure out what to do next." The man nods and speaks gruffly, "Of course M'lady, I'll see what I can find out in the tavern."

Lucius Nepos smiles slightly, wiping said now wet hand on a small piece of dirty rag, which he then tosses into the open sewer to be swept away. "I think I will, and thank you for the invitation. Maybe it'll even improve my reading." Again, a smile curves his lips upwards.

Forrest breaks into an even wider smile. "You are a reader, warmaster? I am impressed, for one who holds the blade seems to have hardly the time to prop a book. In my case, it's been either the blade or the book, but never the twain shall meet." His eyes glitter as he speaks, as if he was thoroughly enjoying himself.

Gavin remains quiet.. standing to the side and watching the happenings... hears a pair of riders approaching and looks up to see another noble comming into the square with her escort.

From Glorymaker's saddle, Jahna Nillu stops her horse near the merchant stall. Her guard hops down and raises his hand to help her off her horse. Jahna grins at him as she takes the offered hand and lowers herself to the ground. "Thank you Master Curtis."

Jahna Nillu dismounts from Glorymaker.

"Yes, it is difficult, and I have not read much in my life time. Books are less useful than cold, hard experience - this is not to say that they aren't useful at all, though." The Warmaster's gaze now sweeps towards the Noblewoman, but from where he is - accross the Square - he says nothing, nor gestures.

Forrest leans forward, casting a glance over to the farmer for a moment, but reaffirming his gaze towards the warmaster. "Between you and me, sir, you are the second person I have had the opportunity to meet in this wonderful city, and it only goes to prove the worth of your citizenry here, that you extend such warm welcomes to newcomers. I myself just arrived from Silkfield, not a few days ago, taken residence here, and I have found the peace here most comforting." Forrest adjusts his bundle, and sweeps his gaze across the rooftops of the city.

Gavin listens quietly, not wanting to interrupt the nobleman as he speaks to the bookseller however he notices that the nobleman is distracted for a moment and asks the young man, "Ye say ye got a shop o' books ere? What kind o' books they be Sir?"

Jahna Nillu turns and unties the flap on one of her saddle bags speaking as she does, "Curtis I need several pieces of parchment and some wax for seals." Curtis nods, "I'll grab them." He walks over and converses with the merchant, who hands him the goods. He pays him, out a small pouch he carries tucked inside his belt.

Shifting the bundle again, Forrest turns to the farmer with delight. "Dear friend, they are the books of the realm! To tell the truth, it is a small endevour now, just being opened a few days ago, but I should tell you we shall be sparkling with the energy of all of Fastheld soon." He pauses, and then asks Gavin, "What are you interested, sir? What sparks your interests?"

Gavin listens to the young man as he answers and then says, "Hmmmm. Alright then." .. takes a deep breath before continuing his reply, "Oh well see I'm a farmer a bit north o' here an I'm always lookin to see 'bout new crops an such to be growing or readin on what diff'rent places like t' be eatin so's I can grow'em and sell'em what they be wantin."

Jahna Nillu pulls off her gloves, finger by finger and tucks them into the saddlebag. Curtis returns with the items, she takes them, folds each piece of parchment in three and slips them into a cloth pouch. "Now lets get these guys to stable and then we can rest. She smiles brightly and starts leading her horse across the square. The bearded man follows suit, his eyes flickering over its occupants as he walks. There line of travel takes them near the entrance to the sewers.

Forrest opens his eyes with astonishment. "Cookbooks! That's a brilliant idea! You have the mind of a genius! Say, who shall I dedicate it to?" His eyes sparkle like stars as he speaks to the humble farmer.

Forrest stares at the noblewoman, his eyes following her form across the square. He is entranced, although it is a strange enchantment, as if he was looking beyond the bodies on horseback, into a further realm.

Forrest sighs, and watches as the farmer seems to disappear among the afternoon crowds. "Aye, it will be to that unnamed farmer, for that idea.." He slings the bundle over his shoulder, casting a last glance at the noblewoman. His eyes seem to emenate some desire, some dream, but he clasps his hands together, and begins to walk off towards Broselov Circle, to where his bookshop is.

Jahna Nillu glances over at the conversing men and catches Forrest staring at her, she raises and eyebrow, and glances back at her guard.

As their eyes feet, Forrest stops with a jerk, as if frozen. His eyes move over the guard, over the weapons and the mighty horse, but then he relaxes as a soft wind brushes through the square. He nods curtly to the noblewoman, giving her a pleasant smile.

Jahna Nillu considers Forrest for a moment and then smiles back, much to the chagrin of her guard, she greets him in a friendly manner, "Good day, fair man. Is everything alright?"

The young man walks towards the noblewoman, and then stops, suddenly flushing into a bright red. "Ah, sorry for my appearance, my lady..." He smiles. "Indeed, everything is wonderful! I have escaped the dirges of this strange world once again. It is a joy. My name is Mr. Wineburn, my lady. Maybe I please to know of you?"

Jahna Nillu looks him up and down, "Well yes you are a mite worse for wear." She inclines her head slightly, "Lady Jahna Nillu, pleased to make your acquaintance Master Wineburn."

Forrest smiles, stepping a little closer and unslinging his bundle. "Indeed, it is a pleasure. Have you an interest in books, dear lady?"

"Books?" Jahna replies curiously. Her horse snorts and steps to the side. Her guard, steps forward let me take him , "M'lady," "Oh of course," Jahna states in and offhand manner, her attention remaining fixed on Forrest. Curtis takes the reigns and leads the river trotter off to the stable. "What sort of books?," Jahna continues.

"I myself, am a writer of romances, my lady," Forrest states with an air of authority, "but I intend my bookshop to include all books, history, philosophy, poetry, and tales for all ages." He shows the bundle to the lady. "This is to be my first book, once I find a sewing needle. It does not look like much now, sheaves and leather straps, but one day it will shine on the shelves of Wineburn Bookshop, and it shall be read many times over."

Gavin watches the horses with an appreciative eye as the lady's escort leads it away to the stables... the looks about the square and sees that the farmers stall is not busy with customers and heads that way.

Jahna Nillu smiles amusedly and nods, "That's quite interesting Master Wineburn." She gestures at the papers, "Is that a romance?" Curtis returns and stands behind her and few paces to the side. He glances briefly at the sheaves in hand, before starting a survey of the square.

Forrest stares down at the empty pages, and blushes. "Well, my lady," he begins, "they are empty now, for I have not even a book yet. But if you refer to its state of being," he says, and gives a low chuckle, "It will be a history of the Imperial Bladesmen, that is, if my master the Duke will allow his works to be pressed to the public."

"Oh I see, "Jahna replies, her eyes twinkling. "So you are employeed by Duke Kahar. You do custom works then?"

Forrest lights up, his face suddenly bright. "Yes, I do in my time not at the Keep or governing over the bookshop here in town. Although by custom, do you mean writing or binding? Both are possible, of course, whatever you might desire."

Gavin steps back out of the farmers stall and nods to himself a bit as his steps carry him back into the square. He looks up and across to the people standing close to the entrance to the sewers and notes the noblelady and her escort as well as the young book seller who seems to be drying out nicely from the look of his clothes and the diminishing moisture under his feet. Gavin turns and heads across to the iron works at an easy pace, whistling a merry tune along the way.

"Both, I would assume." Jahna glances back at Curtis as speaks, "I believe I have a good yarn, that would deem well for a book. Quite historical in fact. Isn't that so Curtis?" The guard looks back at her, making no attempt to hide a scowl, "I suppose M'Lady." Jahna laughs lightly and looks back at Forrest, "I'm not sure he's convinced but I believe it would."

Gavin returns to the square from the iron worker's shop and finds a place to sit on the walkway infront of it to rest for a few moments in the warmth of the afternoon.

"That is very good, my lady!" Forrest exclaims. "If you have the desire, please do tell me of your wonderful adventure."

Gavin looks up to the sky and /hmmm's/ quietly to himself about the weather... looks around the various stall's and mutters to himself about not having a carpenter around when he need's one..

Jahna Nillu smiles and nods her head, "Well then. I have some things to settle first. I will send word to your shop and we can arrange a sitting. The yarn concerns the Keep of Moonspire which I have just recently taken ownership of. Perhaps, with the Dukes permission, you can meet with me there."

Forrest widens his eyes a bit at the name of the place. "Indeed? That is a most wonderful acquisition, I have heard. I will of course, send a message to the Duke immediately. Do send word to me when you come to a decision. I will be most eager to accompany you."

"Good then." Jahna says simply with small smile. "Now if you will excuse me I have some business to attend to."

Forrest steps back and gives a low flourish. "My lady."

"I wish you the best of days."

Gathering his bundle again, Forrest waits as the noblewoman passes him, and then he turns and walks down the street toward Brosolev Circle, a very eager step in his walk. He hums a tune to himself, and fades away into the crowd.

Jahna Nillu inclines her head at Forrest, "Light Keep," She turns to Curtis, "I wish to go down to the harbor. It's a nice place to write all these letters." Withe that she and the guard start strolling down the street.