Nostrum: Tales of Valor

Crater's Crown

Stone walls line the outside of the city, forming a circular barrier that encapsulates everything within. At the face of the wall resides a great set of oak doors with a tower at either side of the entranceway. The group proceeds towards it with caution, unsure of how their presence will be taken. Yet, the twins do not carry the same weight on their shoulders. Instead, they approach the gates as if they own them and swiftly knock at the hardened surface.

"Hello? Anyone up there?" Samuel asks, looking up towards the towers overhead. "The Decwicks have arrived and we have brought some companions along with us."

"Decwicks you say?" Comes a voice from one of the towers, but which tower does not become clear until a face appears over the edge of the one at the right. "What business have you got within the great walls of Crater's Crown?"

"Communion with a tradesman and the delivery of rare goods." Samuel responds, lacking any further interaction with the guard.

"And what goods might that be?" The guards questions, now squinting down at the man.

Samuel lifts his coat and exposes several vials of gold-like liquid. As the guard comes to recognize the contents he swiftly motions for the gates to be opened.

"My apologies for intruding, Decwicks. Please, be on your way then. Offer the Tsar my greetings?"

"Of course." Samuel smiles at the guard and allows his coat to fall loosely at his side once more. "Come now, we mustn't waste any time."

"You were already prepared to meet with this Tsar?" Asks Lee, who reminds himself of their earlier conversation.

"Of course. Who wouldn't?" Samuel chuckles at himself and presses on through the gates. "Afterall, it would be wrong to neglect one's sister's wishes, would it not?"

Samara claps cheerfully as she too enters the gates.

"Oh, it has been such a long time that I have wished for what moment is to come!" She exclaims with glee. "Do you think he truly is as you say he is?" She asks, directing her question at Samuel.

"I am certain he is all that I say he is." He assures.

"You speak as if you already know the Tsar." Marne states, acknowledging Samuel's wording.

"In some essence, you could say that I do." The young man smiles cheerfully as he looks back at his companions. "After all, he is a relic, and I myself do enjoy researching such things just as much as I dislike traveling with barbarians."

"I take that to mean you like it quite a lot." Mumbles Lee with gritted teeth.

"Quite. Now, come! There is much to see and not enough time to see it all!" Samuel rushes off down the main road, where he takes Samara by the hand and guides her away from the others. "Enjoy your stay, Nostrum!" He shouts. "We'll meet back here come dusk, when our trade has been completed!"

"A strange pair, those two." Hael claims, watching as they disappear into an alleyway.

"A strange pair indeed." Admits Yuler.

"What do we do in the meantime?" Marne begins, looking about himself.

"Leave that to us, visitors." Everyone looks toward the unknown voice and finds a middle-aged woman to be approaching them. "Hospitality is a thing we prioritize in these parts."

"There will be no need for that-" Lee begins, but stops himself as the woman motions for the attention of the staff of a nearby vendor. Studying the vendor, he comes to realize that it is a kitchen with many pastries and assorted meats already out on display. "Perhaps I misspoke."