JP - News from the Keep

Rook rolled his eyes, it was obvious she's had some bad history with his people but then again dwarves had more enemies than allies. Still not every dwarf was cut from the same stone.

"The dwarf has a name" Rook grumbled, taking a drink from his stein "my name is Rook Ironbeard. I volunteered to come here as an emissary of my people to help rebuild the town."

Turning to Wulfsen he continued "I've taken a look at your request, you'll have plenty of tools and nails soon for your builders. That's for your tavern problem you might want to have a holy man or was it take a look at it could be enchanted or cursed."

Taken aback, Miyuki shifted in place and hugged her bag tightly. “Apologies, I didn’t mean…offense.” She murmured and glanced at the others. “I’ll come with you all to this Keep. I have no other places to be, so maybe I can help out this village for a bit. I don’t know if I’ll stay.” Her eyes glanced at Rook for a split second and she forced a kind smile to them all.

It wasn’t that she was judging Rook, but she was on guard. It wasn’t just them she feared, though. There were far more things she feared out there, but she could not let them see that.

"It's alright, I'm sure you've got your reasons. Stone knows my people have a habit of making enemies" Rook replied in a more calm tone. "The people here seem friendly enough to us other races."

Wulfsen nodded to Rook and Miyuki. “Thank you, as you can see we’re in need of all the help we can get. As for the tavern- I sent word back to the keep for a magic user who has some knowledge about these sorts of things. There is something unnatural about it.”

Lek had quietly watched and listened to the two newcomers talk to Wulfsen, He had not missed that Miyuki’s smile was forced. “We have an elf living with us at the Keep.” He offered as an example of how diverse they were. A token elf.

Just then a horse ridden by a small man came trotting over. The guy was less than five feet tall, mostly black hair with a flame red lock in the back. "Wow- I can feel the malevolence from here. You were right to send for me, but I wish it was a week ago or tomorrow because the timing is really bad, today of all days-" He trailed off as he looked at Miyuki. "You're a long way from home."
Turning her gaze on the newcomer, she shrugged. The more people she met the more uncomfortable she was becoming. “Maybe I should just…uh…go…” She murmured, that fight or flight response kicking in.

Bai nudged his horse a few steps back from the kitsune so as to not crowd her.

“Her name is Miyuki, the blacksmith here is Rook Ironbeard.” Wulfsen introduced quickly. “And this is Bai. What do you mean about timing?”

Bai frowned at Lek for a moment before turning back to Wulfsen. “Pinja has gone into labor.”

Lek’s eyes widened. “Wulfsen, can I go-”

Wulfsen held up his hand, cutting Lek off. “Isn’t it early?”

Bai nodded. “Yes, though Difyr says it’s not too early. I’m more worried about people like…” He shrugged, gesturing towards the Black Raven.

“I don’t understand,” Miyuki said as she looked at the Black Raven. “What is so bad about that place?”

“A lot of bad things have happened there, and it attracts a lot of bad people.” Wulfsen explained. “It’s supernatural too, it has been destroyed before the raid that razed the rest of the village and was not there a month ago- it sort of sprung up on its own.”

Lek was shifting his weight anxiously. “Can I go back to the Keep?”

“You aren’t going to be able to do anything.” Bai pointed out. “It’s not like she’d even let you in the room.”

“Still…” Lek looked expectantly at Wulfsen.

Wulfsen sighed, Lek had work to do here and he was not going to be able to do anything back at the Keep. But the boy was going to be fretting the whole time he was away.

“Difyr didn’t seem to think the baby would be born until tonight.” Bai added.

Lek’s violet eyes were pleading. Wulfsen did not think he should be encouraging this but the boy was going to be useless worrying about Pinja. “Fine.”

Lek instantly perked up.

Wulfsen turned back to Miyuki. “Do you want to go to the Keep with Lek now or wait until later?”

“I can wait until later…” Miyuki replied, uncomfortable and wanting to postpone her arrival. She had not missed Bai’s look when he saw her. Was it really so odd to see a kitsune?

Wulfsen nodded and stopped Lek before he could run off. “What did you manage to get done?”

“I got everything the girls would want from their rooms. The only thing worth salvaging in the shop is the mirror and… and I think Millie would not want it. I figured it could be sold in Portside and she could just buy a new one.” Lek explained.

Wulfsen understood what Lek meant about the mirror; he had been there when Pinja was found. He had seen some messed up stuff, but never anything so messed up as finding that poor girl alive and the mirror arranged like it was. He patted Lek on the shoulder and the boy took off for his horse and rode out of the village.

Meanwhile Bai had hitched his horse and was reluctantly approaching the cursed Tavern.

Wulfsen watched Bai, then turned back to Miyuki and Rook. “So… welcome to Buckley Village. It really is a nice place when it has buildings that aren’t… like that.”

Miyuki forced a smile that didn’t reach her eyes for Wulfsen’s sake. “Thanks…” She muttered and found a place to sit and assess her supplies while she waited on them all. “I’ll be here…” Or, she might go explore and get herself into some kind of trouble. Who knew?

Bai circled the tavern, slowly moving closer. He did not say anything, but it was clear from his face that he was not happy.

“Let me know if you need anything.” Wulfsen told Miyuki and Rook, then went with his men to help clear debris from what used to be the inn.