Murder By the Wayside (Game Thread)

[Kendermage]

The barkeep smiles. "That would be my wife's famous Beef Stew," he says. "It'll be a bit fore she's ready to serve the evening meal. In the meantime, what can I do for you? A drink, perhaps? A bed in a cozy room?"

[Walton doesn't get the impression the barkeep knows the troubled man at the bar. ]

The man in black says nothing. He just stares at the bar, waiting patiently for the barkeep to refill his shot glass.

[The Shadow]

Jacob taps the snow off his hat and returns it to his head. He soaks up the warmth with an air of satisfaction - doesn't smile, though. He raises a hand in blessing and announces to the room in general, "Maker's skill be with this house."

Then he sallies up to the bar next to Walton and nods to the barkeep. "Evening, Mr. Wayside. Water, if you would be so kind."

[elf23]

"Don't know quite what you see in the stuff, Jacob" says Walton, climbing up onto a tall bar stool. He grins at his companion, "The Maker made ethanol too, you know. Why have lead when you can have gold?"

Turning back to the barkeep, "I'll have a shot o' what the gentleman in black's drinking, if you please."

As the barkeep pours out a shot, Walton mutters "Pure alchemical gold..."

[The Shadow]

Jacob drinks his water slowly, and answers patiently enough, "Of course the Maker made ethanol, along with everythin' else. But it's not the right fuel for the human machine - you can tell because it conks, right? Gold is fine stuff, but I wouldn't use it to shoe my horse. That's not the Way things are Made."

He plainly warms to his topic as he speaks, speaking with simple conviction. In a philosopher (which Jacob is), this could make for a fascinating evening of debate. Then again, in a preacher (which Jacob also is), things could also take a turn for the downright rhetorical.

[Kendermage]

A couple of the patrons raise their glasses and drink a toast to Jacob's blessing. They immediately go back to what they were doing.

The barkeep says, "Mr. Wayside is my father, call me Jon." He pours a glass of water for Jacob and a shot of bourbon for Walton. He excuses himself and pours another drink for the other man at the bar.

The door of the inn opens and another man walks in.

He sallies up to the bar next to you.

"Howdy," he says. He turns to the troubled man and says. "Rest easy Doc, I made sure your medical supplies were secured in the stage's lockbox. No one should mess with 'em around here."

"Thanks Mr. Lockwood," says Doc.

Lockwood looks a bit chilled and he makes his way over to a table in front of the fire.

A young woman about 15-16 summers old emerges from a door near the fireplace. Lockwood flags her down and several minutes later she returns with a steaming mug on a tray.

She sits the mug down in front of Lockwood then proceeds to check on some of the other patrons.

[The Shadow]

Jacob pauses amidst his building eloquence to touch the brim of his hat in acknowledgement of Lockwood. He then continues to Walton, "I reckon this fine member of the medical profession can back me up as to the effects of ethanol on the human machine? Dwarven too, I dare to say!" He gestures to draw the 'Doc' into the conversation.

[elf23]

"Sure, but it's those clanks and conks that make the ride interesting. Besides, a little finely distilled bourbon don't do the body no real harm," says Walton, holding up his glass to admire the amber color of his drink in the light of the fire. "Acts as a powerful disinfectant in fact, ain't that right Doc?"

[Kendermage]

"Ethanol does indeed make the body conk as you so elegantly put it," says the Doc draining his own glass. "Taken in moderation though a wee nip never hurt no one."

He gestures for his glass to be refilled.

Jon looks at the Doc and says, "Last one Doc. I think you should lay off a bit."

He pours one last shot for Doc and asks if Walton would like another.

Doc mumbles thanks, looks at Walton and says, "I don't know bout it being a good antiseptic; never could stand to waste the stuff on cleaning, but still..."

He drains the glass.

"It keeps me from taking ill so draw you own conclusion," he says.

Doc tips his hat to you and walk up the stairs located next to the bar.

[The Shadow]

Jacob does his best to salvage the situation. "Well, there you have it, Walton! You've imbibed enough by now to've pickled your insides - and ensured plenty of interestin' times - for the next couple centuries!"

[Kendermage]

An hour passes and two young women emerge from saloon style doors near the fireplace. One is about 16 summers old, the other 6 summers.

Together they set two big tables with bowls, silver ware, and pouring tankards of water.

An older woman about the same age as the barkeep emerges a few minutes later with a kettle and begins ladling wonderful smelling stew into the bowls. When she is finished she hangs the kettle over the fire and disappears back through the saloon doors nearest the table.

She returns a few minutes later with two trays piled with fresh baked bread and sets one on each table.

She then yells, "Come and Get it!"

There is a mad rush as the other patrons rush to be first to the tables.

After a few minutes everyone is seated at the tables; including the Waysides, except for the Doc.

The older woman yells, "Jenka!"

Seconds later, a wild elf girl about 13 summers old dressed in rags exits through the saloon doors.

"Yes, Lady Wayside," she says in heavily accented Karsonite."

"Go upstairs, and tell Doctor Stein that it is time for dinner," demands the woman.

"Yes, Lady Wayside," Jenka says.

She quickly walks away from the table and up the stairs.

[elf23]

Walton, interested to talk more with the Doctor, tries to sit in the vicinity of an empty seat.

[if there are any left!]

[Kendermage]

Walton and Jacob find empty seats at the table.

Several minutes later the elf girl comes back down the stairs; followed a few minutes later by the Doc.

The doc sits down at one of the empty seats; however, there is still one empty seat.

The barkeep notices and says, "Doc, Mr. Lockwood, have either of you seen the young lady who arrived with you earlier today."

Lockwood says, "Haven't seen hide nor hair of her since we got here."

Doc says, "Haven't seen her since we got in."

"Jenka," says Wayside. "Please go upstairs and check on the young lady."

The older Wayside mumbles something under his breath as the girl passes him.

The girl dutifully does as she is bidden.

She comes back down a few minutes later visibly shaken.

"Master Wayside," she says, "the young lady won't wake up. I think she's dead."

[The Shadow]

[Just to let you guys know, I'm up to my eyeballs with work right now. It should let up after Tuesday.]

[Kendermage]

[Take all the time you need. We'll wait.]

[The Shadow]

[The Week From Hell is finally over. :) It rolls around at the end of each term...]

Jacob sets to the food with a will. When he sees the slave girl, his face hardens but he holds his peace. For now.

When the electrifying news comes back and people are just starting to holler and carry on, he gets to his feet at once and announces in a commanding voice. "Hold on now! Everyone pipe down and let the Doc here do his work. When we know what's what, then y'all can panic if you're so inclined."

[I'll use Fascinate or Calm if necessary to keep people from coming apart at the seams.]