Oh, no, it's...the comfy chair!
(clears throat) Sorry.
That looks like a really, really comfortable chair.
Open fires are so enchanting, romantic, and inspiring.
"O for a Muse of fire, that would ascend the brightest heaven of invention!". Shakespeare, I believe. If I am to find my muse, I guess it will have to be here in Arcadia.
It's a very comfortable chair.
Enchanting.
She looks like she works here.
She's the innkeeper.
They're definitely having fun.
It's their first date, I can tell. They're a cute couple. I wonder if romance is different here, or if the rituals are the same as back home. I mean, magic must play some part in it.
Cute couple.
What a strange creature.
They don't look so different from the farmers and craftsmen back home. It's a small world. Worlds. Small worlds.
Honest working men out for a pint or two.
Assorted bottles and herbs and spices.
There are two large rooms in the back, and they're both crammed with people.
Filled with ale, probably. They never have beer in these taverns, just ale.
I really am getting tired. I should find somewhere comfortable to sit down, rest my legs for a few minutes.
I wish I could sit down for just five minutes.
Seeing as I don't know the city, and I'm dressed in my underwear, I'd really feel better staying inside until tomorrow morning. If they let me.
I'll stay here until tomorrow morning, if I can.
Right now, I'm too restive to be able to sit still, even though that chair does look very inviting.
No, I'm still too restive to be able to sit down and relax.
Wh-what?
There is no time here, but there soon will be time for you and I. Time enough to be sure. You are speaking to me, April-Ryan. We have spoken.
I don't understand what you're...and how do you know my name? Who are you?
Have we not met yet? I was sorry, then, for confusing you. I will be Abnaxus of the Venar, ambassador to the Ayrede Council in Marcuria for...a time.
I think I would've remembered you if we'd met. Who told you my name?
You did. You are saying your name to me, April-Ryan. In this moment, you tell me your name, you question why I know your name, and you speak to me the blessings of the Balance for my long journey home.
Sorry, I-- I really don't know what you're talking about.
It is difficult for us too, April-Ryan, to understand you. We, the Venar, are not perceiving time like your people. In this moment we are everywhere. In this moment we are nowhere.
But there is a veil. Beyond this veil, we are not seeing, but you have. You will be seeing. You are seeing.
What veil?
The veil created in chaos, by chaos, with chaos. It is a dark presence in our...future? Yes, future. A dark veil which hides the things that have been and will be.
What's all this got to do with me?
It was late. You were tired. We have talked in the morning when you come to visit me. Now you understand everything. Thank you, April-Ryan. The blessings of the Balance to you too.
Did you just invite me to your home?
I will. I did. I invite you to my home, April-Ryan. My home was in the Marcuria city green, and you will find it. In the morning. Before chaos came. I am explaining everything, and you understood.
That is what you said. Good-night. You will sleep well.
It seems I've already accepted your invitation, so I guess I don't have a choice.
Thank you, April-Ryan.
Excuse me, hello?
Excuse me, ma'am?
Hi, hello. Do you work here?
Do I work here? Child, I am the owner. I own and operate "The Journey Man Inn".
Oh, I didn't know.
I'm very sorry, ma'am.
Really? You don't look like an innkeeper.
Of course you did not, child. But be careful -- others may not be as quick to forgive as I am when you address them disrespectfully.
Your apology is more than enough for me, child. What may I do for you?
And you do not look fit to be out of your crib in the eve without your mother's charge. What do you want?
Is there a party going on?
Is there a...why, child, do you not know? It is the Feast of the Balance! Have you never taken part in the celebration?
Unfortunately, no. I'm...not a party person.
For as long as I can recall, the feast has lasted three whole days -- and nights -- and everyone celebrated openly. But now, this year, there is great concern about the Vanguard and their supporters.
So this year, the Feast of the Balance is celebrated inside, behind closed doors, and for one night only. But there is still much food and drink. You are welcome to join, if you so please.
I don't think so. I don't know anybody here.
You are not with the Vanguard, are you?
No, I'm from...somewhere else. Far away.
So it would seem. If you feel up to it, child, you are welcome to join in the celebration.
Thanks.
What's your name?
Benrime Salmin. I am the owner and proprietor of this inn. I bought it with money earned through honest trade in the Southlands -- tobacco, wine, slaves. That is where I am from. The Southlands.
I'm April. April Ryan.
Well met, April Ryan. Have you come to meet someone? A handsome young suitor, perchance?
No such luck, I'm afraid. I'm here more by accident than anything else.
Ah, no accident, April. Fate. Fate delivered you here, tonight. You are strong in fate, are you not?
What do you mean by "strong in fate"?
Why do you celebrate the Feast of the Balance?
You are a stranger to our customs indeed. The Balance-- You do know about the Balance, do you not?
Sure. The Balance between magic and science. I know about the Balance.
The Balance of All, child. Everything is in Balance. And the Guardian watches over the Balance and us. We celebrate the Feast of the Balance to give our thanks to the Balance and to the Guardian.
If our devotion to the Balance falters, if we lose our faith in the Guardian, then we are inviting Chaos to destroy us. This is what the Vanguard is doing, inviting Chaos. They are dangerous.
What's the Vanguard doing to destroy the Balance?
They are not doing anything to destroy the Balance, but they destroy people's faith in the Balance. They speak to the people, telling them how the Sentinel -- the Fathers -- are holding our world back...
...that if we were to use the Balance to our advantage, we could return to the old ways, the ways of the ancient Earth, before the Divide.
You shape your own fate, and not the other way around. You are what the Dark People call a "wave".
How can you tell?
I am not only an innkeeper, child. I am a Seer, taught by my mother, who was taught by her mother before her, and so it goes back to the dawn of our world, to the dawn of magic.
What's a Seer?
A Seer is someone who can tell something about people, about events, about the past and the present and the future, just by looking at you. When I look at you I see...I see...
What? What do you see?
Most people are drawn along by events, by fate, like a carriage after a horse. But some people know how to steer the horse, to change paths at will. You are such a person. But there is more...
Tell me more about my future.
It is strange. I see many paths, but they are all dark. I cannot tell much, except that you are strong in fate, and strong in the Balance.
Magic? That can't be right. I'm not-- I don't know anything about magic.
You do not have to know about magic to be strong with magic. If you ever learn how to harvest your talents, you will be a strong Artisan.
Artisan?
Where have you been schooled, child? Have you forgotten your lore?
Thank you.
I am at your service any time, child.
Thanks.
My...lore. Yeah, well, I haven't really had much use for my...uh, my lore, lately.
As any child would tell you, the Artisan is the most powerful of magic users. She is able to shape magic, and to use it, by force of will alone. An Artist can use magic shaped by others, mould it into new art, new magic.
A Magician -- or Sorcerer, Witch, Warlock -- can read, and write, incantations, drawing spells from the power of words. And the Alchemist can create magic potions.
And you are strong in magic, too.
He is the least of the four. Anyone, with the proper education, can be an Alchemist. The other three require some form of talent for magic.
The Vanguard promise the people power, and wealth, and happiness. But they intend only destruction and death.
I am afraid I must go take care of my guests now. Enjoy yourself.
