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piosenniel · 04-26-2003, 10:06 AM

The X Phial's post

Bregand sat in his room at the Prancing Pony and took several deep breaths. The sun had set, effectively ruining his reading light. Unlike in his room at home, the lamps here in the inn were too dim to decipher the small writing on the ancient map without the aid of the sunlight. He moved his chair closer to the fire in hopes of finding a better position, but the firelight played tricks with the letters, turning words he knew well into a code his eyes refused to decipher. There was no use for it, he would have to join the group downstairs for food. It was far too early for sleep, and without his reading he had no excuse to avoid the gathering.

The young man rerolled the map, carefully tying it with the leather strap and making sure no ink was showing that could fade in the light. The map was of Elvish make and very valuable. Bregand had memorized it long before but nothing gave him greater pleasure than tracing the familiar, graceful lines with his eyes and soaking in the place names in their Tengwar script.

Taking one last, regretful look at his scrolls, Bregand closed the door to his room and headed down the hall to the stairwell. From the head of the stairs he could hear laughter and smell the combined odors of homely food and pipeweed. Suppressing a cough, he steeled himself and headed down to the main room. Closing his expression as he entered the crowded hall, he nodded to one of the little folk carrying dishes and hoped it was understood he would need some dinner. Like magic, a plate appeared before him a few minutes later. There were advantages to this inn after all. Looking about him from his isolated table he noticed quite a few worn travelers and the occasional bright clothing of a woman. Women, especially, made him feel self concious, aware of his untrained physique. He overheard one of the women asking about a man named Rangar who seemed to be as isolated as himself. He took a moment to study the man, glad that Rangar didn't seem to be aware of this scrutiny. Suddenly from directly behind him someone told a particilarly raunchy joke, and Bregand hid his blush behind a stern expression and applied himself to his dinner...wondering how long it would be before he could politely retire once again.

04-26-2003, 10:06 AM	#6
piosenniel Desultory Dwimmerlaik Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Pickin' flowers with Bill the Cat..... Posts: 7,779	The X Phial's post Bregand sat in his room at the Prancing Pony and took several deep breaths. The sun had set, effectively ruining his reading light. Unlike in his room at home, the lamps here in the inn were too dim to decipher the small writing on the ancient map without the aid of the sunlight. He moved his chair closer to the fire in hopes of finding a better position, but the firelight played tricks with the letters, turning words he knew well into a code his eyes refused to decipher. There was no use for it, he would have to join the group downstairs for food. It was far too early for sleep, and without his reading he had no excuse to avoid the gathering. The young man rerolled the map, carefully tying it with the leather strap and making sure no ink was showing that could fade in the light. The map was of Elvish make and very valuable. Bregand had memorized it long before but nothing gave him greater pleasure than tracing the familiar, graceful lines with his eyes and soaking in the place names in their Tengwar script. Taking one last, regretful look at his scrolls, Bregand closed the door to his room and headed down the hall to the stairwell. From the head of the stairs he could hear laughter and smell the combined odors of homely food and pipeweed. Suppressing a cough, he steeled himself and headed down to the main room. Closing his expression as he entered the crowded hall, he nodded to one of the little folk carrying dishes and hoped it was understood he would need some dinner. Like magic, a plate appeared before him a few minutes later. There were advantages to this inn after all. Looking about him from his isolated table he noticed quite a few worn travelers and the occasional bright clothing of a woman. Women, especially, made him feel self concious, aware of his untrained physique. He overheard one of the women asking about a man named Rangar who seemed to be as isolated as himself. He took a moment to study the man, glad that Rangar didn't seem to be aware of this scrutiny. Suddenly from directly behind him someone told a particilarly raunchy joke, and Bregand hid his blush behind a stern expression and applied himself to his dinner...wondering how long it would be before he could politely retire once again. __________________ Eldest, that’s what I am . . . I knew the dark under the stars when it was fearless - before the Dark Lord came from Outside.