Post by reddaddy on Oct 14, 2015 2:51:37 GMT -5
It was early evening when Berry Kane and his friend and mentor Albert Lisenberry disembarked from Albert's small Caravel, dubbed "The Piper", onto the docks in the port of Shivre Mountain. The seas had become rough on approach to the island due to the cooling night air and after a long journey the two men were glad to drop anchor and get on dry land. The plan was the usual; Albert would stretch his legs, pay any port fees, gather some intel, and tend to the ship. With his affable nature and soft, old appearance Albert would talk to port authorities about the local commerce and get a feeling for the customs and culture of any given island so as to make business transactions without stepping on anyone's toes. Berry would be preoccupied with finding a hotel and keeping his ear to the ground about financial opportunities outside of standard mercantilism. If any such opportunities were to arise he was to report back to Albert to make possible arrangements to pursue said opportunities. Berry was a big man. Not tall, but big. Standing 5'9'' and being 250 lbs. of solid muscle could unnerve any possible robbers from approaching Berry in an attempt to prey on his ignorance about being in a new place. And if that wasn't enough the rifle slung over his shoulder sure helped. Berry would depart after Albert had a discussion with the port authority.
"Ok Berry, according to the gentlemen here, you can hitch a ride on one of the carriages up to the city. It's called "Shivre In". Once you reach the entrance you can show the guards your port pass and they'll let you through the gate. Almost right after you enter Shivre In there will be an inn a short ways up to your right called..."Shivre Inn"".
"That's kind of redundant isn't it?" Berry replied to Albert.
"I know it is. But if the place has a warm bed and a hot meal that's where we'll stay. The guards at the port highly recommended it and I'm too tired to travel more inland to find something better. It's supposedly got a bar where locals, tourists, and merchants like ourselves like to visit. The locals are nice people so long as you stay out of trouble and are willing to spend money. So while finding us a room do try to find us some work. And I'm NOT talking about building another house Berry. Find us some appraisal work, or some shipping work. I'm still sore from the last project you got us into. I'm too old for that stuff now."
"Jeez Al I know that already. It's all you talked about on the way here. "Oh I'm so sore. Why does it have to be so cold? My arthritis hurts." I get it. If this place earns its reputation I should have no problem bartering for some collectibles we can take to the next Blue for a good profit. Don't worry, there won't be anymore house building, I promise."
"Be careful Berry."
"I will Al. See you soon."
And with that the merchant hopped onto a departing horse-drawn carriage towards Shivre In. On the ride towards the city Berry could see small farms. The houses and fencing were interesting. The housing was mostly made of stone with the exception being the roofs which were made of wood. One particularly large home, which looked a little fancy even had a metal roof. It being evening there weren't any livestock to see, but the redhead could imagine with all the barns and fence lines there had to be some. Some properties couldn't even be seen due to corn or some other tall crop obstructing Berry's view. It wasn't until the natural slope of the path elevated that he could look back and see the properties within. After a short while and a descent climb he finally arrived at the gate. The traveler could not believe this city was literally carved from out of a mountain. The approach to the gate was only noticed because the carriage had to stop there, as he was amazed at the beauty of such a thing being done. The militiaman that took Berry's port pass was dressed in a kind of leather armor with iron plate on the outside. The design wasn't too ornate but definitely imposing. With a cutlass at his hip, a shield on his back, and a rifle in hand it was adequate to say he was well prepared for trouble. "He must be dressed like that to show visitors they'll be safe here" thought Berry.
By the time the large iron gates opened into the cavern city it was already dark and the wind was blowing hard. The temperature was dropping. The merchant departed the carriage, which immediately circled around to exit the entrance gate. The driver asked him,
"Do you want me to pick up your friend? The weather will get real rough this time of night outside the city so this has to be my last trip."
"Then yes, please do. I would appreciate that my good man."
"I appreciate your appreciation. I'll be on my way then. A word of advice though. Buy a nice, thick coat here. If your on the streets in an hour from now you'll be glad you did."
"Alright I will. Safe travels to you good sir."
As the carriage driver began to depart Berry could see him talking to himself "what a weird way of talking."
After the carriage left the merchant with a mission turned to take a look at the city. It was dark, and unfortunately there was no moon out tonight. However he could see a building lit up in the darkness. There was a lit lamp outside the structure, with men talking loudly in front of it and others coming and going. "That must be the inn. Time to get a room and EAT."
Berry walked towards the establishment. A sign posted above the door read" Shivre Inn." As he walked up the porch connecting to a well decorated patio he tipped his top hat as a way to pardon himself for having to squeeze his way past the crowd outside. There was music and laughter coming from inside as the businessman opened the door.
"Ok Berry, according to the gentlemen here, you can hitch a ride on one of the carriages up to the city. It's called "Shivre In". Once you reach the entrance you can show the guards your port pass and they'll let you through the gate. Almost right after you enter Shivre In there will be an inn a short ways up to your right called..."Shivre Inn"".
"That's kind of redundant isn't it?" Berry replied to Albert.
"I know it is. But if the place has a warm bed and a hot meal that's where we'll stay. The guards at the port highly recommended it and I'm too tired to travel more inland to find something better. It's supposedly got a bar where locals, tourists, and merchants like ourselves like to visit. The locals are nice people so long as you stay out of trouble and are willing to spend money. So while finding us a room do try to find us some work. And I'm NOT talking about building another house Berry. Find us some appraisal work, or some shipping work. I'm still sore from the last project you got us into. I'm too old for that stuff now."
"Jeez Al I know that already. It's all you talked about on the way here. "Oh I'm so sore. Why does it have to be so cold? My arthritis hurts." I get it. If this place earns its reputation I should have no problem bartering for some collectibles we can take to the next Blue for a good profit. Don't worry, there won't be anymore house building, I promise."
"Be careful Berry."
"I will Al. See you soon."
And with that the merchant hopped onto a departing horse-drawn carriage towards Shivre In. On the ride towards the city Berry could see small farms. The houses and fencing were interesting. The housing was mostly made of stone with the exception being the roofs which were made of wood. One particularly large home, which looked a little fancy even had a metal roof. It being evening there weren't any livestock to see, but the redhead could imagine with all the barns and fence lines there had to be some. Some properties couldn't even be seen due to corn or some other tall crop obstructing Berry's view. It wasn't until the natural slope of the path elevated that he could look back and see the properties within. After a short while and a descent climb he finally arrived at the gate. The traveler could not believe this city was literally carved from out of a mountain. The approach to the gate was only noticed because the carriage had to stop there, as he was amazed at the beauty of such a thing being done. The militiaman that took Berry's port pass was dressed in a kind of leather armor with iron plate on the outside. The design wasn't too ornate but definitely imposing. With a cutlass at his hip, a shield on his back, and a rifle in hand it was adequate to say he was well prepared for trouble. "He must be dressed like that to show visitors they'll be safe here" thought Berry.
By the time the large iron gates opened into the cavern city it was already dark and the wind was blowing hard. The temperature was dropping. The merchant departed the carriage, which immediately circled around to exit the entrance gate. The driver asked him,
"Do you want me to pick up your friend? The weather will get real rough this time of night outside the city so this has to be my last trip."
"Then yes, please do. I would appreciate that my good man."
"I appreciate your appreciation. I'll be on my way then. A word of advice though. Buy a nice, thick coat here. If your on the streets in an hour from now you'll be glad you did."
"Alright I will. Safe travels to you good sir."
As the carriage driver began to depart Berry could see him talking to himself "what a weird way of talking."
After the carriage left the merchant with a mission turned to take a look at the city. It was dark, and unfortunately there was no moon out tonight. However he could see a building lit up in the darkness. There was a lit lamp outside the structure, with men talking loudly in front of it and others coming and going. "That must be the inn. Time to get a room and EAT."
Berry walked towards the establishment. A sign posted above the door read" Shivre Inn." As he walked up the porch connecting to a well decorated patio he tipped his top hat as a way to pardon himself for having to squeeze his way past the crowd outside. There was music and laughter coming from inside as the businessman opened the door.