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Post by Daos on Oct 5, 2010 14:40:42 GMT -8
Reapember 9, 350 AC; Misham
It's a cool autumn morning when Kendra awakens that day; cool enough that she feels reluctant to abandon the warm linens of her bed. The sunlight streams through the window of her bedroom and cuts across the room. Branches, now in the process of losing their browning leaves, sway gently outside the window. From all appearances, it's just another day here up in the treetops of Solace.
But the young woman knows it's not so ordinary. In only four more days, her friends are scheduled to meet back at the Inn of the Last Home after five long years of travel and adventure.
Has it really been five years all ready? Kendra was only fourteen when they departed, nothing but a wisp of a girl. Now, she was a grown woman. Would she even recognize them? Would they recognize her?
Amala, Barlemus, Marcus, Marik, Gaf, Lirian, and Daos...what are they like now? Will they even make it back home in time? Only she and Gimak elected to stay here in Solace. Despite the length of time since their departure, the memory of them leaving was still quite fresh in her mind.
But that was the past. What will the future bring?
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Post by HorizonsDream on Oct 5, 2010 17:02:08 GMT -8
Kendra stretched lazily while still bundled up within the confines of her bed. The last thing she wanted to do was to introduce her skin to the cool air. Though, she knew sooner or later she would have to get up. Her mother would be up here shortly bugging her to get out to enjoy the beautiful autumn day.
With a reserved sigh, Kendra threw the blankets off her body, and got out of bed with a shiver. "Winter will be here shortly," she muttered to herself. It was her least favorite time of year, but she did enjoy the snow.
After cleaning up, getting dress, and making herself look more presentable to the public, Kendra walked down to the main sitting room to grab a bite to eat for breakfast before starting the rest of her day.
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Post by Daos on Oct 5, 2010 17:09:39 GMT -8
As Kendra sat down, her mother, Krista, set a plate of scrambled eggs, smoked ham, and warm bread before her with a glass of orange juice. "Here you are, Kendra. Any big plans for today?" she asked.
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Post by HorizonsDream on Oct 5, 2010 17:13:35 GMT -8
Kendra took a drink from the glass of orange juice before answering her mother. "It has been a couple of days since I visited Gimak, so I thought I would start there," Kendra said.
Sadly, Kendra knew this was probably the wrong thing to say. She knew how much her family didn't like the idea of her hanging out with Gimak, and the rest of the group. Though, she had explained many times before that most of the group was gone at the moment.
"Not that the old dwarf would show it, but I'm sure he's getting excited about his "kids" coming home in just four days! I know I am!" Kendra couldn't hide her excitement in the matter.
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Post by Daos on Oct 5, 2010 17:30:04 GMT -8
Kendra heard her mother sigh as she set a plate on the counter and it clattered loudly.
"Kendra...is this the best way to be spending your time? You're nineteen now and still unmarried. I had hoped that when those...'friends' of yours left five years ago, things would get better. But..," she trailed off.
Turning to face her, she said, "Oh, honey. I'm just worried you'll be an old maid at this rate."
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Post by HorizonsDream on Oct 5, 2010 17:41:07 GMT -8
"An old maid?!" Kendra exclaimed! "Mother, you're acting like I'm forty years old living with a bunch of cats," she pointed out with a shake of her head. "And it isn't as if I haven't tried to find someone in the past five years. All of the young men I brought home just...didn't work out."
Of course, Kendra had standards that were measured up with her various crushes within Gimak's group. There were some men that would have made her happy, but it wasn't what she wanted. Though, she knew better than to mention that to her mother.
"Besides," Kendra started while finishing up the rest of her meal. "I'm not going to let Gimak be all alone now that everyone is gone. That isn't right. He might say he likes being alone, but I know that his feelings would be hurt if I just left him alone."
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Post by Daos on Oct 5, 2010 18:15:13 GMT -8
"He's just...well, he's a dwarf. They're different from us, sweetie. You can never be sure, that's all I'm saying."
She approached Kendra and put a hand on her shoulder. "I just want you to be careful, that's all."
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Post by HorizonsDream on Oct 5, 2010 18:24:06 GMT -8
"Just because they're different doesn't mean that they should be treated as such," Kendra said. She had this argument once before, so there was no real fire put behind those words. "But I'm being careful," she promised as she placed her hand over her mother's.
It was all ready a tiring morning, one that Kendra was ready to be rid of. Kendra pushed herself up from her chair. "Thanks for breakfast. You never know. I might come back with some handsome man on my arm," she joked to bring some comfort to her mom before she walked out to face the rest of the day.
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Post by Daos on Oct 5, 2010 18:32:23 GMT -8
Stepping outside, Kendra's long golden hair was blown back behind her from a moderate gust of crisp, autumn air. She walked across one of the many bridges that connected each building up among the Vallenwood Treetops.
However, as she was heading toward one of the stairways that would take her down to the ground (where Gimak's home resided), she spotted a trio of creatures lounging about in her way.
These creatures were not human or dwarven. They were short with flat-noses and bright red skin. Goblins. Each one was armed and wearing the symbol of the Seekers on their armbands, indicating they worked for Hederick the Theocrat.
There was a time when the sight of goblins in Solace would have caused alarm and even panic. She could only imagine what Barlemus would say if he were here now. But a lot has changed in the past five years. The Seekers had since taken over Solace, and that pompous windbag Hederick, the self-proclaimed "Chosen One" of the Newgods was not above hiring shady people to help enforce order in town.
Too late, the goblins spotted her. One of them, smoking a pipe, grinned obnoxiously. The other two whistled and catcalled as she approached, jabbering merrily to each other in their own tongue while jabbing each other with their elbows.
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Post by HorizonsDream on Oct 5, 2010 18:48:59 GMT -8
Kendra let out a groan of disgust as her eyes fell upon the three goblins. Nearly everyday for a year now she had wished for nothing more than for Barlemus to come chop off these vile creature's heads. Though, this was also an annoying part of her morning that she had to deal with.
Kendra soldiered forward, ready to put up with whatever nonsense they came up with today. "Excuse me, but you're in the way," Kendra said. It was hard to hide her annoyance in this matter, but she was trying to be polite.
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Post by Daos on Oct 5, 2010 19:06:16 GMT -8
"Hey, baby," said one of the goblins, one with yellow eyes, "You gotta permit for them melons you smuggling in yer blouse?" he asks. Although the line was hardly original, all three goblins started chortling as if it was the funniest line ever invented.
The one with the pipe added, "Nice gold hair. Wonder if it's gold all over, yeah?" Again, with more obnoxious laughter.
Before Kendra could formulate a response, she felt the hem of her dress lift up as the third goblin attempted to take a peak and find out for himself.
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Post by HorizonsDream on Oct 5, 2010 19:18:29 GMT -8
Kendra spun around, and kicked at the goblin that was trying to lift up her skirt. "Get your grimy hands off me," Kendra ordered. This was quickly becoming a bad situation, but then again it usually turned into a bad situation nearly everyday. Of course, she normally didn't kick at these bastards, but that was going too far in her book.
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Post by Daos on Oct 5, 2010 19:22:15 GMT -8
"Whoa, whoa, whoa," the goblin with the pipe said. "Ya should calm down. We're 'fficial guards for the Holy Seekers, ya know. Should show some 'spect! Otherwise...might have to cart ya off to the jail."
The goblin who had tried to peek under her dress then added, "Yeah, after a uh...what's it called? Search an' seize her. Heh, heh, yeah." He rubbed his hands together eagerly.
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Post by HorizonsDream on Oct 5, 2010 19:31:39 GMT -8
"Well, I certainly wouldn't want that," Kendra said in all seriousness. "Forgive my...rudeness. It has been a long morning." This was all said with a monotone voice of course, but she didn't want to be carted off to jail and she certainly didn't want to be searched by these three perverts. "May I pass now?"
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Post by Daos on Oct 5, 2010 19:41:01 GMT -8
"Not so fast," the pipe goblin said, holding up a hand. "Ya gotta pay the toll."
"What's a toll?" asked the yellow-eyed one.
"That's one of those things that can grow back its arms, right?" said the peeping tom.
"No, morons!" the pipe goblin said harshly. "It means she has to pay us before she can pass."
"Ohhhh, right!" the yellow-eyed one said in understanding. "Pay us...with kisses!"
All three goblins yuk it up at this comment.
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