Dismal rain clouds steadily roll over the horizon, blotting the azure sky out of view as the threat of a heavy downpour looms closer. Yet despite the gloomy weather, the residents of York are anything but. It's hard to imagine that the local lumber community would be capable of orchestrating such a grand event, but today was to be a momentous occasion for the small township. On this windy, overcast day, a sister from the towns abbey was to be anointed and sent away to Judea, the 1st Hierarchical Realm and Capital City-State of Pandora, for ascension. Truly nothing would bring the people of York more pride than to have once housed an ascendant among them.
If there was to be a celebration, then no expense would be spared. Not the most wealthy community, the festival was looking to be quite tame in comparison to the lavish parties held in the three Capitals. Yet the citizens of York had pooled together their resources to create a rather impressive pavilion of food, games and performances. The various stalls covered the west side of the town center, with a spacious seating area directly across in front of the large gazebo which several chairs and a podium had been placed for special guests and the honorary sister. Behind the gazebo on the eastern side was the dance floor, as well as a little sparring arena mostly for kids to have some fun. Though no doubt there would be several adults wishing to have a bout with one another.
In the north lies the Deacon's Hall, where the honorable sister awaits a visit from some very prestigious members of the Library Hunters before the ceremony begins. To the south, a rustic tavern and inn known as
The Smiling Parrot sits in the most optimal business position for the festival. No doubt tourists come to witness the soon-to-be ascendant would gladly offer their coin for a room. Though the proprietress, an old mistress named Maude, would begrudgingly have to refuse them. Now, Maude's love of earning easy coin was known all across the Free Skies. Though lesser known about Maude, was that she once lived a life of piracy. In her later years, she has settled down in York to run her tavern; though she still keeps in touch with her old friend Captain Abrose Dahalag. It just so happens that the Pirate King, and Captain of the Sky Pirate Guild - Cloud Chasers, has called in a favor. Having caught wind of a few rogue mages looking to escape the clutches of the Librarium, the Chasers organised with Maude to meet their new crew mates in York.
Having landed a few days prior to the festival, concealing their ship in the thick canopy of the nearby Hillsprout Woods, the Chaser's Guild Members have been occupying all of the rooms in the Smiling Parrot. Despite not accounting for the festivities, they are determined to complete their objective as well as pick up some supplies. With a stern message of caution, Captain Ambrose has permitted his crew to attend the festival as well. Though the stakes continue to raise as members of the Library Hunters also roam the festival grounds. There's a storm coming; and there's no telling what chaos will ensue when it arrives.
The Smiling Parrot
The merry ruckus of the Smiling Parrot was commonplace among the citizens of York. Truly the best place to go and kick your feet up after a long day at the mill with a pint of Maude's home brew ale, there was rarely a night when the place wasn't packed with giddy drunks; both citizen and Cleric Knight alike. So it goes without saying, that the Cloud Chasers blended into the pub's rambunctious environment like a chameleon. Maude, who had very kindly allowed them to stay in the inn, was less than pleased. In particularly, her furious gaze shifted to a group of the good-fer-nothing pirates as one of them reached over the counter to procure a free pint. His smug grin was wiped off his face as the wooden pint splintered in their hand, a menacing dagger lodged straight through it.
"
Oi! Me grog's for paying customers ye free-loading shites!" Hand soaked in ale, the stunned pirate turned to face the menacing mistress of the Smiling Parrot. Betwixt her fingers lay two more daggers, her arm prepped for another mighty throw.
"
Ye ungrateful coves try that again and I'll nick ye grubby fingers off!"
"
Free-loading shites! Ungrateful coves!" A young voice chirped up eagerly from on top of the bar, a boy with a mop of brown hair and a wooden sword happily jaunting the humiliated pirates.
"
Nicholas!" The furious voice of a wench, whose likeness was similar to Maude's and Nicholas', startled the boy into jumping down from the counter and fleeing like a wanted criminal. Karla, Maude's daughter who helped run the tavern, shifted her glare over to her mother who innocently shrugged her shoulders before taking another swig of her ale. Finishing off her pint, Maude was quick to refill it at the tap along with throwing in another drink for the man who sat directly across from her.
"
Ambrose ye nasty bastard! Here I am, eagerly awaiting me purse to overflow with the coin of paying customers lookin' fer lodgings during the festival. Then ye come along, bringing yer lousy coves into me respectable establishment without so much as a copper piece to me name!" Furiously chugging the contents of her pint, Maude slammed it down onto the counter between her and Ambrose before leaning in close enough for him to catch a whiff of her ale ridden breath.
"
If me heart weren't so large, I'd have half a mind to kick ye out on yer arse!" Karla walked past with a tray filled with pints, heading straight for a table packed with Chasers.
"
Not a drop love! I swear on yer fathers grave these bastards ain't getting anymore charity than they already 'ave!" Now Maude was standing, but Karla wasn't afraid to dish it right back at her.
"
Ah, lighten up yer dried up ol' hag! Ye really gonna let some good men sit dry 'ere in the Smiling Parrot?" Karla turned back around to the group of pirates with a smile, setting the tray down before them. Maude threw her arms up in frustration before turning back to Ambrose.
"
That's the thing with ye lot!" She began, wagging her wrinkled finger in his face with a smoldering leer. "
Yer all a bunch of selfish bastards! Ain't ever occur to ye in the last twelve bleedin' years to write me? Nah, s'pose ye had little use for ol' Maude back then. But now! Now, ye need a place to stay so suddenly I'm worth talkin' to again? Well bugger that, and bugger you, Captain!" Having said her peace, Maud seemed to calm down a little. She took a seat on a stool before removing a bottle of well aged spirits and two small glasses. Pouring a shot for both herself and Ambrose, she stared him the eyes with a somber expression in her aged face.
"
The last time I saw ye, Karla was only a wee lass. Now times have changed, and I've built meself a life here. I always did wonder what ye and yer lot were up to. I miss those days; I truly do. The Chasers was me life, Ambrose. I fell in love on that ship. I gave birth to me only daughter on that ship. Me own husband died protecting that ship." Now Maude buried her face in her hands, sighing as she reminisced on painful memories.
"
I never thought I would be the one to be sitting 'ere in some stuffy old pub all day, while ye get to travel the skies dishin' out justice to the Librarium. Ah, those were the good ol' days." Downing her shot of spirits with a hefty swig, Maude cackled with joy. "
Ah! But enough about me sorry arse; I trust ye here to inquire 'bout the other lot of free-loading coves I've got 'ere in me pub. Strange bunch this time. Yer best keep an eye on the two for the first few weeks. Feels like they both hidin' something. Something big. Course, ol' Maude will never get to hear anythin' 'bout that." She said bitterly, pouring herself another shot before offering the bottle to Ambrose. Despite her hostility, Maude had a beaming grin plastered across her face as she sat and drank with her old friend.
The Deacon's Hall
Deacon Peters' office was kept immaculately clean. No doubt the result of obsessiveness, everything was neat and compact with barely a speck of dust to tarnish the well polished tile floors, marble walls and embroidered tapestries bearing the Librarium Insignia and Cleric Knight coat of arms. A steady oak desk was the only major thing to occupy the room, with a large velvet armchair sitting below an elegant portrait of the Deacon himself. A stubby, short man with a bald scalp and thick, bushy eyebrows, the Deacon didn't give off an intimidating appearance. Nonetheless, he was a meticulous man who was very by the book. He had never been known to be cruel to his citizens, but his tolerance for missed deadlines and poor quality lumber was slim to none. Now he sat nervously in his armchair, face to face with a beautiful young sister of the local abbey.
Elvira, garbed in the black robes of the Sisterhood, stared blankly ahead of her without uttering a single word. Her eyes were covered by an ornamental crown which her long, blonde hair had been neatly braided and tied back from. Whenever the Deacon had attempted to make conversation with her, he was met with a simple, concise answer.
"
So, uh, Sister. I suppose you must be quite nervous."
"
I am fine." The Deacon jolted at the certainty and speed of her response. The sisters face barely budged at all when she spoke, giving off an uneasy aura that made Deacon Peters quite uncomfortable. There was a certain lightness to her tone. Elvira only ever seemed to speak in a firm whisper. Thankfully the Deacon wouldn't need to endure her stifling presence alone for much longer. The two large doors of his office swung open to reveal the Mother Superior of the abbey ushering in two Library Hunters; a tall man in menacing armor and a vexing lizardman.
"
Oh we are just simply thrilled to have you here to celebrate our beloved Elvira's departure!" The Mother Superior's gaze was mostly fixated on Whirlwind; she was being painfully obvious in her attempts to avoid eye contact with Ulysses. Dressed in a similar garb to Elvira, only without the crown, the Sister humbly bowed before the Deacon before gently tugging Elvira up from her seat.
"
Come dear! These two very important Hunters have come to pay you a visit! Isn't that exciting?"
"
Yes." The Deacon wasn't convinced of Elvira's eagerness. Peter stood up and made his way from around the desk, clearing his throat before addressing the two hunters.
"
Yes, the town of York is thrilled to be hosting such honorable guests for this momentous occasion. We trust you and your comrades make yourselves at home." With that, the Deacon politely excused himself from the room with a strange earnest. Of course, the Mother Superior was rather disinterested in him. Right now she only hoped that these esteemed guests were satisfied with her soon-to-be ascendant.
Pushing Elvira forward a little, the Mother clapped her hands together with an obnoxious smile sitting on her face from ear to ear.
"
Now, the common folk will get a chance to speak to Elvira later and pass on their good fortunes to her after the ceremony. However we wouldn't be so uncouth as to make you wait to meet her with the rest of them! Please take your time and Elvira, remember your manners!" And with that, the Mother Superior practically skipped out of the Deacon's office; leaving Elvira behind with these two strange Hunters. She stood before them, her form delicate and unwavering.
"
I am most honored by your presence, kind hunters." She stated in her usual, empty tone, awaiting them to make the next move before she spoke again.
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