Failure and Ale

Erendriel is fully decked out in adventuring gear as she comes down tot he Market District. Approaching a specific stall, she waves and smiles "Hi, I was told you have a dangerous object you need taken care of?" The elderly dwarf nods to her. "That's right. My things were stolen from me. They were returned, in this chest here. But it is believed to be trapped with fairly strong magics. I need you to disarm it safely and open it up." The specific chest he points to is placed a good ways back from the street, with a wide clearning made around it.

It's been a few days. Seldan's hair has gotten longer still, and he pushes it out of the way as he looks around the market district. The only thing that is immediately visible as being different from his usual self is that the sword at his hip has changed, and this time, he wears no visible armor at all. The new sword has a very old, very ornately-carved pommel, but the leather grips look as if they have seen better days, and it is a leathersmith he now searches for, scanning shop signs for something that looks likely.

Hun'rar is wearing a simple tunic and breaches as he strolls through the market, a basket hanging from his arm as he searches the stalls for food. When he spots Seldan he nods in greeting "Got that thing sharp yet?" he notes right before he turns, hearing the dwarf talk to Erendriel "Dangerous magics?"

Erendriel waves to Seldan when she sees him arriving first. "You look... different somehow. Are you alright? Just taking a day off? I haven't seen you around since we gave our report of the tower..." Then to Hun'rar. "Hi. And... yeah let me try to figure this out." She approaches the chest carefully, and squats in front of it. Studying it for some time, she murmurs "This could be a fireball for all we know. Or worse."

Seldan looks up and around as Hun'rar greets him, breaking into a genuine smile. "Yes, although it took me near half the night. Why anyone would turn a blade that well-balanced into a wall ornament, I will never understand. The grips are nigh worthless, though. Have you a leathersmith you favor?" There's a second voice, though, one he hasn't heard in a while, and he turns, momentarily distracted, the smile abruptly fading. "I will tell you later. You seem busy," he nods to the chest, maintaining his distance from it and turning back to Hun'rar for his reply.

Hun'rar nods "The witch Alba might, she made my wyvern skin cloak. Especially if you want something exotic." he notes with a wink. To Erendriel he smiles though, "Well a fireball would be better than a lot of the alternatives. A few flames are survivable provided your not casting them."

Erendriel glances to Hun'rar. "Wyvern skin. Does that have fire resistance? Not that you of all people need it but.." then to Seldan. "Yes we should catch up. You were coughing. That sounded pretty bad. Alright, everyone, backup." She gestures, and the dwarf does. hopefully the adventurers do. "I am going to try to disable this safely." She then pulls out her picks, and starts moving them over with a mage hand. Biting her lip, focused intently. "This should work, as far as I know."

A convulsive shudder ripples through Seldan's body at the mention of the witch Alba, and he clears his throat. "I will - keep that in mind." His tone, though, says he has no mind to do any such thing. There's a story there, to be sure. He folds his arms across his chest, the sword forgotten for the moment as he turns to watch Erendriel work. "Perhaps, but I have no wish to see any such thing set loose in the market. Perhaps you or I might survive, but the good shopkeepers and their custom, perhaps not. Better to remove it without setting it off, no matter its nature." He had already been keeping his distance, but he takes a couple of steps further back. Just in case.

Hun'rar doesn't seem to care all that much about a prospective fireball. "Its not fire resistant, just a look I was going for. I figure if I am going to style myself the dragon knight I should have an appropriately fierce appearance when in full armor. Besides..." he says looking at Erendriel work "...I am perfectly confident she can do it." those standing near Hun'rar would notice an absence of fear.

Erendriel giggles. "I've never done it before. so, you know, just to be safe, we really do need everyone to back off." She stops, and paces off the distance between the chest and the nearest stall. "This is basically out of range.." But she takes one banner pole sticking out toward the chest, and pushes it so it goes the other direction. "That should do it." She then goes to stand with the others, as her pick lifts off of the ground, and slowly pushes into the lock. "All I need to do, is the normal way to disable the trap. Just with this." Jamming her teeth HARD into her lower lip a moment as it begins, she murmurs "Wyvern for a look is nice, Hun'rar. I had someone telling me dragon hide is a bad look, but I think she was just being rude on purpose. And Seldan, on this we're in agreement. Nobody should be at risk, everyone needs to stay clear." Her words flow mostly naturally, but are slow and quiet.

Seldan blinks in surprise. She actually agreed with him? He doesn't say anything, though, not wanting to distract her. Instead, he goes quiet, and simply watches.

Hun'rar will step back as directed to be polite, watching her work. "Well I have dragon scales, you can see how it looks on me. I can grow a lot more very quickly too. But Sandy is grumpy and contrary at her best, nothing to take personally." he notes with a shrug.

Erendriel takes a deep breath. She jams the pick in, then leaves it there. The Mage hand shifts to another pick,w hich lifts and pushes into a lock. "I don't," she whispers. Then making one more jam in, the chest EXPLODES in a fireball. And sure enough, the blast wave comes right up to the edge she paced out, without so much as singing anyone. Seldan, Hun'rar, Erendriel, and the dwarf all got a nice warm moment, though. Erendriel for her part sighs, staring at the pile of ash where the chest used to be, dropping to her knees.

Seldan nearly throws himself backwards in a reflexive move, but doesn't get all the way to the motion part before the fire is gone, and he straightens, surveying the ashes of the chest. There isn't much to say to that, really.

Hun'rar holds up a hand to his face, shielding himself reflexively. "Well drat, I sure you will do better on the next one." he says trying a reassuring smile. "This is how we learn."

Erendriel sighs and shakes her head slowly. Just kneeling there a moment, shoulders slumping. "It should have... I don't... I don't get it. I really don't."

Seldan nods to Hun'rar, clearly agreeing with the dragon knight. "Magic is an unpredictable thing, Erendriel. Expect the unexpected, and knowledge and learning is to be had in your mistakes." He sounds curiously as if he is speaking someone else's words, but it lasts only for a moment. "No one is perfect." A sigh and lowered eyes accompany that.

Hun'rar claps his hands together and smiles "Well no use in moping around I think. Perhaps a few drinks to cheer us all up?" he suggests. "All that is important is that we learn and get better for next time."

Erendriel rests her hands in her face, as the dwarf walks up, and pats Erendriel on the shoulder. "They're right. You should listen to both of them." he says gruffly. "I should let you know, Erendriel." Somehow he knows her name. "I'm an Inquisitor." He glances at the pair of Paladins, evaluating them quickly before he goes on speaking. "I travel in places where ordinary merchants go, and I root out those who would abuse magic against Eluna. I invited you here as a favor, who told me to rely a message to you."

He then clears his throat. "Erendriel, you lazy git. You cannae do this without working for it. This isn't like your magic. This is physical work, and you must submit to serious study and training, not your petty dilettantish prancing with picks and mage hands. It's going to take months before we whip your wee hide into shape, girlie. Now go, go drnk with your friends."

Erendriel snaps her head up when the dwarf delivers the message. Her face goes bright red, and she quietly nods "I know who sent that message. I... um... thank you." She sighs again, and slowly stands, nodding to Seldan and to Hun'rar.

Seldan's whole face lights up as the game is revealed, and he chuckles quietly. "Well-played." It's possible that the Inquisitor may have seen his fellow Elunan, at least in passing, but even if not, the fair man is clearly by his attire faithful to the Dreaming Goddess. "Magic is not a toy, Erendriel," he reminds her from where he stands, watching, next to Hun'rar.

Hun'rar grins "Ah well that makes a little more sense then. It's still far better than I could possibly do with a mage hand, most time so struggle just to pick anything up. Your doing well." he notes with smile "And you made sure nobody got hurt, that's properly responsible too."

Erendriel looks back and waves to the dwarf, who has already begun packing up his cart, adjusting the banner BACK into place after Erendriel pushed it aside, and setting his digger to start to move, pulling the cart with him. Erendriel then turns back to Seldan and Hun'rar. "Thank you. I'.. I don't even know how to train though."

Morgan comes out of the pub fixing a few bottle in her haversack. She gives the others that she knows here a hello wave but stops to a young lady selling flowers and buys one.

Seldan has lost none of his good humor, but the smile relaxes a little. He is not without sympathy. "That, I can teach you, if you would have me." His folded arms drop to his sides. "Still, a meal and a drink seems a reasonable idea." He looks around, and over at the Fernwood pub as Morgan emerges, He's seen the girl before, but never spoken to her, so makes no sign of recognition, instead making for the door.

Hun'rar nods "Training is like through mud at a brick wall, just keep tossing until it sticks." when he sees Morgan he grins "S0eak of the devil and provider of good drinks. Morgan! Pub selling anything good?" he calls out.

Erendriel sighs deeply once again, folding her hands behind her back as she goes to walk with Seldan and Hun'rar. "I'm sure it's something good. And um.. well... if you can teach me how to practice, that would be nice, thank you. I thought I could just DO ranged legerdemain like I do my other magic but... it seems not." Morgan gets a wave, though she's not in the cheeriest of moods at the moment.

Morgan comes back to the group as she fixes her hair with the flower "yes they get me a rare mead made by some Oru that add Menyal beladona in it. It gets thier kind drunk faster but that does not work on elven people, but it inhances the tast. Though it makes Humans sick and half sils like me its a 50 50 thing."

"Belladonna? Yes, that would make a good many people ill." Seldan frowns at that idea and pauses to face Morgan, pushing a lock of hair out of his face. His words are laced with a strong Myrrish accent. "Forgive me, I do not believe we've met. Seldan Padaryn, of Eluna's Silver Guard." He offers a hand in greeting to Morgan.

"It is one thing to do a thing, and another to do it well, Erendriel. Belladonna? Yes, that would make a good many people ill." Seldan frowns at that idea and pauses to face Morgan, pushing a lock of hair out of his face. His words are laced with a strong Myrrish accent. "Forgive me, I do not believe we've met. Seldan Padaryn, of Eluna's Silver Guard." He offers a hand in greeting to Morgan.

Hun'rar raises an eyebrow "I will pass, I'm good on being sick for a while, I will pass on that mead. Sounds like one of those things that gets you regardless of how strong you are." he notes with a grin "He fancies himself a paladin and doesn't even wear plate." he says to Morgan as he gestures to Seldan, clearly joking.

Morgan nods and bows "I am Morgan, Loremaster of the arcanist guild and also for the Adventures guild for when then need for book smart." She then looks to Hun'rar "Well I dont see how any one can wear heavy armor like that. But the nice bodys men and women get from wearing it is nice to look at." she gives a wink and then looks back to Seldan and shakes the hand "I do come to the Eluna temple to help out when I have free time."

Erendriel will follow the others, and then gasps. "Ack.I have to... technically I should report back, even though the whole thing turned out to be.. you konw." Face going red again, she slowly stands. "Thank you all for being so nice."

Seldan laughs openly at Hun'rar's demurral, although it's a laugh with a dark tone to it in the way that says that he knows -exactly- where the dragon knight is coming from. He shakes the hand politely, then lets it drop. "As have I, Hun'rar. As have I. As for the armor ..." He pauses. "That is the other reason I sought a leathersmith. My honored father provided me with his old breastplate, and it is enchanted, better than the one that I had, but the straps are rotted through." A good reason to not wear it. "I fear that I will need to train heavily for a few weeks before we seek the tower." He pauses as Erendriel makes her excuses, but nods. "We should talk. In the meantime, walk in Her light."

Hun'rar grins "Morgan, come spend some time at the gym by the colosseum, you too Seldan. I bet I can get both of you in proper shape in no time. Either of you could have muscles as big as mine with a little work and good eating." he says flexing his bicep to show off a bit. He simply waves to Erendriel as she leaves.

Malik comes in just as Erendriel is making her exit, a satchel over one shoulder as he makes his way through the stalls, picking up various things. Not the least of which is some manner of exotic, red fruit from one of the local vendors, eyes brightening as he sees it. After some brief negotiation, he moves over to the others, drawing a knife and splitting the thing in half from top to bottom, revealing a flesh white inside with small, dark seeds and a pungent fragrance. Half of this is offered to Seldan, wordlessly, and he gives Morgan and Hun'rar a nod of greeting and a bright smile. "Afternoon," he tells the both of them, not that the sun has made itself readily visible through the clouds.

Morgan smiles "I am in good shape, and I keep up with the others when we travel even with out my boots."

"You sound like my father, Hun'rar." From Seldan's sour tone, that isn't a compliment. "But I shall come." Then, fruit is being pressed into his hand, and he looks up and over. "Malik, you wake so soon? Her blessings on you. What is this?" He examines the fruit half in his hand, sniffing appreciatively.

Overhead, the clouds are beginning to part, and blue sky is visible in small patches overhead.

Hun'rar eyes Seldan "Comparing me to your dad? Not sure I like that if what I hear is right. It's just training for your body, same as my time in the library is training for my mind. Although the dragons blood in my veins makes it exceptionally easier, I will admit." he adds with a shrug.

"Pitaya," Malik answers Seldan with a brighter grin, the word definitely not sounding like part of the Common parlance. His accent, though, makes it clear enough he's not from Alexandria. "Traders used to bring them through back home, though they would call them other things. They're wonderful." Though he does give a slight grin. "I don't sleep -that- late," he quips back with an easy laugh, then turns to Hun'rar with a curious raise of his eyebrows. "Training might not be a terrible idea. Or it might be a terrible idea." He shrugs a bit, thinking it over as he looks up to the clouds. He grabs a corner of the pink rind, pulling it back far enough to take a bite of the white insides, sighing contentedly. "I missed these."

Clearly intrigued, Seldan imitates Malik, peeling back the skin and taking an experimental bite. He waits until he has cleared his mouth to nod approval of the flavor. "That is quite something, Malik. They are native to ... where?" He shakes his head at Hun'rar. "No, you are quite correct. I have spent too much time on my back of late, and some time on the training grounds would do me good."

Hun'rar nods "Well come down to the colosseum and we can work on that. You too Malik, just because your more magic oriented doesn't mean you can't work on physical traits a bit." he adds as an invitation.

"Couldn't begin to tell you," Malik answers, wiping some stray juice from his lips and smiling grinning like a child with a bag full of candy. "Not the Vast. Most parts of it, anyway. Most days. But traders would often come through the safer passages." Glancing back to Hun'rar, he raises an eyebrow, looking intrigued. "Indeed," he muses, something in his smile meaning mischief. "I'll be sure to do that."

Seldan is more careful, though juice dribbles down his chin just the same. "I would look for these too, had I known of them." He offers some to Hun'rar, as well. "I should seek that leathersmith, though. If you both will forgive me...." With that, he takes himself down the street in search of the requirements that originally brought him here.

The sky continues to brighten, and sunshine spills on the cobblestones as the clouds part to a blue sky.

Hun'rar takes and fruit and waves to everyone "Well time for me to finish getting my shopping done." he says making his own way, basket in hand.