The Flight & The Fall

VII. Crows and Dragons

Leoric Mournstar threw open the doors of the Iron Crow like they were the grand hatchways of a palace, flourishing his arms wide as he tossed his head back and breathed in the musty tavern air.

"Oh ho, now this is what I missed about Bascara." The knight smiled, "Emerie! A mug of your finest ale, if you will my dear."Icarus bowed his head as he followed in Giselle's large shadow, the woman groaning as she followed her companion begrudgingly through the clutter of filled tables and chairs littering the floor. From the long bar, a half-elven woman with straw colored hair and a patch covering her left eye raised a thumb to Leoric's request, turning to gather a few cups that lined the cluttered shelves rimming the wall behind her. The tavern was crowded, with bodies filling what seemed like every inch of the good-sized room, standing if not occupying chair space. His attention was immediately snagged by the bard playing a giddy tune in the corner, where some of the tables had been pushed aside to form a small dance floor that a few townsfolk leapt and danced around in, clapping their hands and stomping their feet to the plucky strings and high, carrying voice of the aarakocran singer. His wings were a vibrant blue, similar to the fine satin clothing and broad hat that made up his costume-like outfit, currently placed on the floor at his feet so patrons could toss what coin they could spare into the pile.

He nearly lost Giselle as he mistakenly bumped shoulders with a passing orcish male, and he'd barely opened his mouth to muse apologies before the man spat, "watch it!" back at him.

The tavern was a mess of bodies, laughing and cheering and sharing stories that he caught only mid-sections and back-ends of. People of all races and walks of life celebrating the night together in good tidings in this small, peaceful place.

Miraculously, Leoric had found them a table shortly vacated by another group exiting for the night- yet another talent of the man, it seemed. He lowered himself into a seat, kicking his boots up on the back of an extra chair as he took in the scene.

They'd been able to hastily bathe at the inn down the road, changing out of their stained and bloodsoaked armor in turn for more common clothing. But each of them still wore their golden amulets of Yuna around their neck, pridefully tucked atop their shirts so that status of rank would not go unnoticed. And so that they would be permitted to keep their weapons on them in public.

Both Leoric and Giselle looked better having scrubbed the dirt from them, sprouting only a few visible cuts and bruises from the fight. And for Icarus, only a few small red lines remained down his neck from the claws of the final goblin. So little wounds for how hairy that fight had been- and he supposed that Yuna must have been keeping watch over them.

"Is there some sort of celebration happening?" Icarus said to Giselle as they took seats of their own.

But Giselle only scoffed. "No, drinking is just the only thing to do for fun here in this little backwater town."

"Isn't it really the only fun thing to do anywhere?" Leoric grinned. "Name one better thing to do in Veros rather than swim the river or find someone to warm our beds."

She said nothing, which seemed an answer enough for Leoric as he gave her a smug look. And with excellent timing, the half-elf barkeep from earlier appeared from the crowd and lowered a tray to their table.

"Well, well, if it isn't the mighty Knights of Yuna gracing our humble doorstep?" The woman, Emerie, jested as she placed mugs of frothing liquid before each of them. "It's good to see you again Sir Leoric. Dame Giselle." She nodded a greeting to the northwoman as well, but looked to Icarus. "And who is this?"

Leoric leaned over to clap a hand on his shoulders. "Sir Icarus Dawnguard, a newblooded recruit to the Order. Thought i would christen him with the best tavern in Bascara as a reward for a successful contract."