Where the Scattered Armor Lies (The Doctor & Saga)

[The Doctor]

The Gnawed Noble was mostly quiet that day. Not many people usually came in mid-afternoon, but it was less active than usual. There were only four, maybe five people there, excluding the staff, of course. Most of them were the usual type to come in there: nobles looking for a drink and maybe to coincidentally bump into a few acquantances. There was one man, or dwarf, rather, at the bar who was very out of the ordinary. While everyone else was dressed in fine clothes that looked very comfortable, this dwarf was clad in massive armor that was made of a metal that was not common enough for anyone in the tavern to be able to recognize it. He also had a longsword and roundshield made of the same metal strapped to his back. The sword occasionally crackled with electricity and the shield had the symbol of House Aeducan of the noble houses of Orzammar painted on it. At first glance, he seemed to have very long, earthy brown hair. Upon closer inspection, however, this is actually his beard, which he tossed over his shoulder so it doesn't get in his way while he eats or drinks. His helmet, sitting on the bar next to his drink, is made of the same metal as the rest of his equipment.

The dwrf was halfway through one meal and his fifth drink when he realized how quiet the place was. He was sure that the only words spoken since his arrival had been between the bartender and himself. The only sounds were the jingling of coins as he paid for what he bought and the sounds of glasses being put down after someone took a drink. For a time, he continued eating and tried to ignore the silence. Unfortunately, by the end of his meal and his tenth drink, he could do so no longer. Tucking his helmet under his arm, he hopped off the bar stool, put his beard back where it ought to be and said loudly "By my ancestors, you people are boring! Sitting around here, sipping your drinks without a word to one another! Back in Orzammar, there isn't an hour in the day that you can find the Tapsters half this quiet! When there's not someone doing some entertaining on stage, there's a bunch of drunken idiots singing their favorite drinking songs or telling stories! But look at you! Five people in here and not one talking to another, or even sitting with them! Have fun, make merry, get drunk! Come, I'll pay for everything! Bartender, a round of your strongest ale for everyone in the house!"

Strangely enough, the patrons of the Gnawed Noble joined the dwarf. They gathered together at one table and, after a round or two, began to talk. One of the young men pulled a lute from his pack and began to play. Rather badly, but play nonetheless. The dwarf immediately led the entire group in a few drinking songs, at the end of each one they would, of course, drink. Soon, they began sharing stories, as well. Stories of tricks played in their youths, stories of adventures they or their relatives had had. Anything funny, interesting or otherwise amusing they could think of. The dwarf proved to be the greatest source of amusing stories. He had grand stories of his own adventures, tales of incursions into the Deep Roads and of life in Orzammar before he left.

"...If it weren't for my bronto, I wouldn't have spent that year in the Shaperate!" He said, concluding his story just as he, along with the rest of the group, began roaring with laughter. One of them threw their arms up and nearly knocked the next round of drinks out out the arms of the woman bringing it to them.

[Alice]

The rain came down fairly quickly, amplifying the wet dog smell. Lucie absolutely hated Ferelden, and the smell was never on the top of her list of redeeming features. And to think the nobles of Orlais came here at any time! Disgusting. These Fereldans take pride in smelling this bad. She sighed. At any rate, there is no noble who would be out in this weather. She walked through the mud, trying to step on the driest mud she could until she got inside. She headed for the nearest establishment, the Gnawed Noble. Maybe the scent of alcohol will drown the dog. She laughed to convey to herself that she didn't believe it.

She opened the door to the Pub. She got a few strange looks, nothing she didn't expect. I'll have to blend in. I already look like a foreigner. I'll find the one that smells least like dog and... That was as far as her plan really went. She didn't see her target anywhere in the main room, so she'd have to find some way to check any other places. There was an open door to the left and a hallway to the right. An open door...probably a private room or banquet hall maybe. The hallway...probably rooms for rent by visitors. She smled. Afternoon. Likely not in their room right now. But it is raining. I'll have to explore a little.

Lucie looked at the occupants of the room. They all looked like typical people one would find in Ferelden, save for a dwarf. Exile. Maker, I hope he hasn't been outside long. She walked over to the group. "Excuse me. I apologize for interrupting your party, but I need to borrow your friend." She could tell already that this dwarf smelled less of dog than of dirt and alcohol, so he would be perfect for this. "I need help with something and it's something only a strong man like you can help with." She smiled and walked over to the corner leading to the rooms in the back. She leaned against the wall semi-patiently. I hope he doesn't prefer men...

[The Doctor]

The rest of the group cheered and whooped as the dwarf tucked his helmet under his arm once again and stood up. He gave them one last look, a smile and raised eyebrows as if to say "The ladies always know what size is best." before waving goodbye to them and turning away from them to follow Lucie. Approaching her, he said "Now, what is this something that I can-" but he was cut off mid-sentence by more whooping and cheering from the group he had just left. He looked over his shoulder at them and a couple of them waved. He chuckled and waved back, then turned his attention back to Lucie. "Perhaps it's best if we go somewhere a little quieter, perhaps somewhere private." he said loudly so he could be heard over the group. Unfortunately, that meant that the group could hear it as well, which only caused them to get louder.

Now unable to talk to her without utright yelling at Lucie, the dwarf politely motioned for her to step into the nearest room, which he knew to be empty as he had seen the last person in it leave. Shutting the door behind them to drown out the now near-thunderous cheering, the dwarf sighed and said "There, that's better. Now that we can talk let me introduce myself. I am Thorin Aeducan, of House Aeducan." He bowed deeply, to the point where his beard touched the floor. Standing upright again, he waited for Lucie to return the introduction, to which he would reply with "Very nice to meet you." He then said "Now then, what is it that you needed my help with?"

[Alice]

The men of Ferelden are disgusting pigs as well, she thought while listening to the men cheer over such a simple proposition, but if this was Orlais and I wasn't already the plaything of Madame Genevieve, I'd be bent over with my face in feces by now. She followed the dwarf to the open room, keeping an eye on the barkeep. If this dwarf didn't know, she could always see what she could find out from him. Once in the room, upon watching the dwarf bow, she spoke plainly.

"You still smell of soil. This is the only reason I speak to you instead of one of them." Her tone was neither harsh nor friendly, like she was simply stating a fact. "I am Lucie. I would like to know what you have seen today, in particular a man named Fiacre. He is an Orlesian noble I...have...'relations' with. I lost track of him and would like any information you have." She made sure her face was a perfect I-really-miss-him-and-it-would-mean-the-world-to-me-if-you'd-tell-me-where-he-is expression. She had mastered it in the past few months. Unfortunately, it tended not to work as much in Ferelden, since it also mixed with an I-hate-your-pathetic-country expression, ending in something sort of like what-is-that-thing-growing-on-your-face. "I will gladly pay you for the information if it's true. Once he and I are together again, I will be sure to make him reward you handsomely."

[The Doctor]

Thorin was confused by many things tht Lucie told him, and he made it visible on what could be seen of his face behind his beard. He stood, thinking, for a few moments, hoping that Lucie would assume he was trying to recollect whether or not he had seen this "Fiacre" person. Eventually, when he decided he was taking too long and Lucie must be getting impatient, he said "So, let me get this straight first. You needed a strong man who still smelled like dirt to help you find this lover of yours. I don't mean to sound rude, or like I haven't seen him, which I'm not yet sure of because you haven't yet told me what he looks like, but it sounds to me a little like you were just looking for someone you might be able to pump information from without any chance of the news that you were looking for him getting back to him through some human noble that might be acquainted with. Now, I suggest you come clean, before I lose my temper." Thorin placed his helmet on his head, freeing up his hands for his sword and shield.

[Alice]

Lucie smiled calmly. "I needed a man who smelled like dirt because this country smells like wet dog and garbage and dirt is a much more pleasant scent. And," she thought quickly, "I needed a strong man because when we find him...he likes to fight sometimes. He has these...certain urges sometimes. He may offer time with his consort as payment and...last I checked, I am his consort." She smiled again. "Also, I could be making all this up. For all you know, I could be here to kill him. You either know much about Orlesian culture or are very untrusting. Either will save your life in Orlais."

She put her hands behind her head. "And if I am, in fact, here to kill him, don't you think I would have a reason? And if I was, there's always a chance that...he may realize...I won't deny that my feminine charms are my first weapon, but I wouldn't say I have any urge to kill someone if they haven't earned it." She stretched and smiled again. "And I was told that if something was to happen to him, I would be put into an improvised will, per se. If I was to get anything from him, I would be sure to pay you. Assuming, of course, that I'm not telling the truth about me being his consort."

[The Doctor]

Thorin stood, trying to understand what Lucie was saying as she talked. It was hard enough to understand her without her trying to confuse him with Orlesian double-talk. He had half a mind to tell her he couldn't help her and leave her to go back to the group, assuming they were still there, or just be on his way. The other half, though, was intrigued by her talk of time with the man's consort and the possibility of a good fight. "Knowledge of Orlesian culture, untrusting...for now, lets say it's a little bit of both. Until a time where I've gotten to know you better, if that time even comes, at least."

Thorin relaxed himself just a little bit. Until now, he had been ready to draw his sword and strike Lucie down. He took a short moment to consider what Lucie had told him. Soon, he said "Well, perhaps I can help you. I see many things. It may just be possible that I saw this noble that you're looking for. If you'd just describe him for me, I'll tell you whether or not I've run across him lately. If I have, maybe we can track him down. If now, perhaps we can track down someone who has seen him. You did mention that there would be some kind of reward for helping you find him, didn't you?" For the last sentense, Thorin's tone became very strong and intimidating, as if subtly demanding a reward for his help.

[Alice]

After a deep breath and a sigh, Lucie nodded. "Yes, there is a reward. If something were to happen to him, I am to receive his personal effects as a...gift. I will share some of it with you if you help me." She sat down. "But first, you'd have to tell me if he was around here, wouldn't you? You could probably recognize him from his accent; there aren't too many Orlesians here. But he wouldn't be alone in public, so I see why you would need a description. He is taller than me by," she holds her hand in front of her with fingers extended, "about this much. He has brown hair, dark eyes. Nothing noticeable about him otherwise, but he'd be dressed better than the others. I couldn't tell you exactly what he was wearing, but his ego is his most recognizable feature...but that's the way it is with all nobles, isn't it?" She smiled.

"I know he is in Denerim somewhere, but I couldn't tell you exactly where he is here. But I'm not the one who needs to tell someone, am I?" She walked toward the wall and leaned against it. "I'm not sure exactly what he'll have that you'll want. His ego most certainly would lead to him challenging people to duels, with full armor...or some armor, at least. Not full armor. He wouldn't want to look like he wasn't graceful. I know he has at least two large chests worth of belongings with him. A good portion of it is probably worth a great deal." Lucie shrugged. "If not, I suppose I can pay you a little."

[The Doctor]

Thorin grunted, obviously in disapproval of something that Lucie had said. "That may be the way with all human nobles, but Dwarven nobles are most often noted for their bravery and skill in combat." he said crossly. "Their ego is at least their second or third most recognizable feature!" he added. After that, he began to pace, saying quietly "Now then, let me think..." He continued to pace and began stroking his beard, trying to recall if he had seen the man that Lucie was looking for. After a few minutes of this, along with a few quiet "Hmms", he finally said softly "No...no, I don't believe I've seen him, myself. I can't think of anywhere he could go to challenge people to duels, either. As far as I know, there isn't anything like that here in Denerim. If this were Orzammar, I'd suggest checking in the Provings. That isn't the case, though."

Thorin was silent for a few seconds. After not too long, he said "I'm sorry I couldn't be of more help. The only place I could think of for any kind of fight here in Denerim would be the back alleys. Lots of thugs out looking for someone to kill and rob, y'see. I doubt a noble would go looking for a fight there, though. If you manage to track him down and need some help getting to him, I'll be here until that blasted rain stops. A massive opening above my head is bad enough, but water falling from it for no reason? That's too much." Throin turned to leave the room. His hand was on the door handle when an idea struck him and he stopped. "Y'know...I once met a man in the market district here. He was a real shady character, I think his name was...uh...I can't remember, Slim something. Anyway, he made a proposition to a friend of mine who was, shall we say, not exactly on the right side of the law. He seemed to know when any rich noble was in town. I'll just bet he'd know where to find your friend. The only problem is I wouldn't know how to contact him...but the bartender might. He does some shady dealing, himself."

[Alice]

Lucie nodded apologetically at the mention of dwarven nobles; she'd never been to Orzammar, so she hadn't been accurate in her comment. "I'll try to be more precise when discussing generalities referring to humans." She watched him as he thought, hoping he'd come up with something she could use. Fiacre would stay inside. There is no way he'd venture into the rain, even for a duel. She was about to give up hope when the dwarf mentioned Slim. If he's as connected as he makes him sound, he will no doubt know where he is. "Thank you. Would you like me to walk out with you? I can act as a trophy, if you like. Though I suppose you seem more of the honorable type and wouldn't take credit for a deed you hadn't done. I'm sure those men at the bar will be disappointed if you tell them the truth." She smiled. He deserves something for that information, I suppose. I'll buy a round for them all to distract them while I talk to the bartender. "Regardless, here's two sovereigns for the information you provided."