Zelrius watched the drinking bounds of people leap and shout all about, murmuring at their own tables, telling loud jokes, sometimes one would stand up and try to start a bar wide song, and even fewer times the attempt would succeed. He sat a table with a few other drinkers, having no choice but to pick one of the few open chairs in the whole tavern, as the place basically was packed full of travellers and celebrators. This is what the commonfolk of Brisshal did in the Winter, so it seemed. Many of them had farms, and either were waiting for harvest season, or had immigrated to the nearest village, looking for work and finding nothing better to occupy their time than spend what little money they had at the nearest Inn getting shitfaced and just trying to enjoy themselves. Zelrius didn't think it was the best idea, but it wasn't something he was going to fault them for. Even going so far as to buy the occasional beggar a drink; his fancy all black cloak and matching clothes giving the impression of wealth. That impression wasn't entirely wrong, but what the golden haired man didn't tell them as his blue eyes counted out a few coins for each person who asked, was that he wasn't exactly swimming it. However, Zelrius told himself that he was here to help, and that's what he planned on doing.
Even if the original plan to 'help' wasn't to buy a drink or two for the occasional party'er. No, instead, it was to fend off the Goblins, hopefully diplomatically. It was something that Zelrius had resolved to do, for a myriad of reasons. Though the reason he told himself and would tell others outloud was that 'It was the right thing.' But it was deeper than that, and Zelrius knew it. Maybe he meant it as a fuck you to Falderen, or as a way of diverging from the path that Astor had taken. Perhaps it was to prove that everything can be reasoned through, and that those who slaughtered Goblins were in the wrong here. Or maybe he did it for the fame and glory of possibly being the man to bring the green creatures into the fold with Humans and Felis, the great peacemaker. Or maybe it was some combination, the answer, not even Zelrius himself knew.
He whipped open his menu, deciding that the hour or so of his being here was enough time. You might find it surprising that the golden haired man didn't just find himself at an inn, buying drinks for pour souls out of the kindness of his heart. No, what he was really here for was Information. See, as said, many of those who inhabited the Bar this early in the morning had little else to do. That meant that they were either festering, or filling in empty time. Most of them were local farmers, and most of those had had a goblin attack in the last month or so, at the very earliest. And so Zelrius listened, to the stories, the size of the groups, how often it happened, the actions taken, and most importantly, the general direction that they came from. See, a farmer would say his farmhouse was to the North, and general knowledge of the area told the swordsman that the road to the north bends and wraps, headed more Northeast. Therefore, if a Farmer along that route saw them coming say, from his backyard, either they were coming directly from the North, or from the East, in relation to the town. Narrowed it down to two. Another farmer from the east would fill in gaps and give his own story, saying they'd come from the other side of the road. That meant almost directly East, closer to the forest and shore, is where the bulk of the troops were coming from.
That information, along with much more, was what he needed, and with a grin on his face, Zelrius stood, leaving a full mug of ale behind, and stepped out of the Tavern. Another reason he was at this Tavern; it was the first one he had ever visited upon logging into the game, and more importantly, was the one he had met Mizuki and Kaede at before their first move against the Goblins. It seems then that it was a minor game of checkers, that felt like it had evolved into a game of Chess; In which the Goblins were now playing with no opponent. So, with a flick open of his palm, the slayer of snefrid began typing out a message to his Lupine friend.
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Zelrius
I am at the Tavern in Honeyhome whenever it is you want to meet up to do this Goblin thing. Try not to take too long, I don't know how long the sun will be out today, and i'd rather not hunt hulled up Goblins in the Snow and freezing cold. Let me know your status and whether or not you want me to go on with out you.
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Seemed forward and to the point, but the man worried if it came off as too assertive or pressing, and he considered deleting it. However, when he went to do exactly that, he bumped the send button, unable now to do anything about. I will have to apologize to her after she responds... He thought in exasperation. Now it'd be a waiting game, as he watched the ten o'clock sun slowly start to climb in the air, a few notches in the sky below being directly above his position. They had all day, though the increasing husts of wind told him that they'd be in for a cold night if it extended too long. He jingled the pack of flasks tied to his hip; that and some single pieces of meat was all he had in the way of supplies. The man debated whether or not to get more, deciding that it was better to wait here for Mizuki like he said he would, and converse with her about the matter. Afterall, that woman was a lot more resourceful and organized than he was, she'd know the right course of action regarding that.
