The Wandering Cleric: Chapter 3

"Welcome to Narshe boy!" Durgan yelled as the four travelers entered the sprawling city dominated by modest two story houses made of stone and mortar; their conical roofs sloped to allow snow and water to roll down and away from the base of the buildings.

Enialis marveled at the simple yet strong structures lining the snow packed streets, his eyes shimmered as the morning sun danced off of the icicles growing down from the overhanging roofs, each home had at least two chimneys, each chimney sent billowing grey smoke floating into the frosted morning air. Ahead of him Durgan tromped explaining in his hearty and gruff voice just barely quieter than a shout. "Some dwarves traveled up here because o' a legend lookin' for a great dwarven city. They still 'aven't found it but these mountain's got a great store o' ores, metals and gems. Eventually people started ta filter up from the south lookin' ta strike it big, they used the stones removed from tha minin' ta build their houses, and now Narshe is one o' tha biggest tradin' cities in tha whole world! Har har har!"

Flanking Enialis were Tara and Saturos each more concerned with the few vendors selling trinkets and baubles, than the history lesson given by Durgan but Enialis himself drank in every word as if it were a fine wine. Saturos nudged Enialis in the side and smiled, "Don't you pay any heed to Durgan's blustering Enialis, and he’s a mite proud of his home town. Isn't that right Durgan?!"

"Blusterin'?! Who do ya think yer talkin' to ya pointy eared wood chopper? I know this town's history better'n tha town leaders!" Durgan spun on his heels to yell at Saturos some more but the slippery street caused Durgan to lose his footing and fall crashing to the ground. "Eeeyah!"

At the sight of Durgan flailing about on the ground Tara broke out into a laugh as Saturos reached down to help their friend up. Enialis looked on with a concerned frown, "will you be okay Durgan?"

"Bah! It'll be a hot day in Narshe 'fore a stinkin' road'll put ol' Durgan down for tha count!"

Grabbing Enialis by the hand Tara nodded to Saturos and Durgan, "will you to be fine talking with the elder's by yourselves?"

"Go you two," Saturos commented, "but don't waster too much time, we've got to be off tonight so we can get to South Figaro before the changing of the seasons."

Giggling Tara led Enialis off calling back to Saturos and Durgan, "We'll meet you at the south gates in a few hours!"

~ ~ ~

"How did you meet Durgan and Saturos?" Enialis asked Tara as she pulled him through the streets towards the trader's circle.

"Me? Oh my parents paid them to rescue me from a kidnapping. I was to be ransomed off for my betrothed's wealth." Tara commented, "but my husband to be stylized himself to be quite the adventurer, and he went with them, and got himself killed. My parents said it was my fault that I couldn't help them get out of their pitiful life anymore now that the man I was supposed to wed was dead, so they kicked me out of their home. Saturos and Durgan took me in and helped train me and here I am. But that's enough about me what about you?"

Enialis looked at Tara with something between confusion and horror, causing her to laugh loudly and turn to face him. "Well?" she asked again, "What did you do before we saved your life?"

Enialis smiled, "well I was born in the monastery and I was raised there and just a few days ago the only family I knew sent me off to do the bidding of my Goddess. As my faith dictates I was duty bound to heed her call, and you found me a day after I left. Although not in the greatest of conditions I suppose."

"No, you were pretty banged up," Tara commented jabbing Enialis in the side lightly. Although he was more or less healed from his encounter with the four roadside brigands he still winced at the jab.

Tara's face became a mask of concern and worry as she saw Enialis wince, "Oh dear I'm sorry I didn't hurt you did I?"

"No, no you didn't I'm just not as tough as I look I suppose," Enialis said. The tap if his staff against the frozen road echoed in the suddenly silent street, "so where are we going?"

"Oh right we better hurry Saturos and Durgan won't wait much longer!" Tara shouted, and again grabbing Enialis' hand she led him into the circle. "I take it from your sheltered life you haven't experienced much of the city life. Thought maybe we could buy some food that wasn't made three seasons ago."

"What kind of food?" Enialis probed.

"Oh I don't know fruit or maybe some... Ah! That's what we want!" Tara shouted as she led Enialis to a small stall nestled in between a fur merchant shouting about fine mink scarves, and a young woman selling necklaces made from sea shells. "This is the best tasting thing you'll find anywhere in the world. We'll take two please."

Tara exchanged coins with the merchant and turned around holding out a quarter of a strange golden brown bird about the size of an apple, "these are pheasants, I had one when I first met my ex fiancé gods rest his soul. It's really, really good. Here take it."

Enialis took up the small bird in his hand and sniffed at it, "it smells kind of like pine needles."

"Oh that's how they cook it! See you gotta roast it over a fire made of maple and pine needles to give it that smoky flavor." Tara replied as she led Enialis south towards a tower standing a whole to stories higher than any other building in the city. "Than you catch the drippings in a pan that has some bacon in it and salt and some lemon juice. And you pour the juice from the pan over the bird and you keep doing that until it's all golden and crispy."

Enialis watched as Tara took a giant bite out of the breast of her bird and smiled at Enialis, again she urged him through a full mouth, "go ahead. It's good!"

Gingerly Enialis brought it to his mouth and took a small bite; his eyes brightened and grew in surprise at the wondrous taste of the bird, "It is good!"

Soon he was devouring the bird all the while smiling at Tara, the girl smiling knowingly, "see I told you!"

Tara and Enialis took a leisurely stroll towards the tower, stopping to give the rest of their birds to a pair of dirty looking children huddling together next to an empty and cracked barrel. As they neared the gate of the tower Tara yelled out, "oh there they are! Thanks for waiting guys!"

Saturos waved as he stood alongside Durgan who as usual had a great scowl on his face, "yer late! We picked up some more supplies for ye Enialis hope ye don't mind!"

"How can I ever repay you?" Enialis asked as he looked gratefully upon Durgan and Saturos.

Saturos smiled and nodded, "we take care of our own in this little group. We also picked you up some armor and a long sword. We can't have you walking around without any kind of protection."

"I ah... don't know how to use a sword." Enialis said embarrassingly.

Tara again nudged Enialis as she tossed, "don't worry Saturos and I can teach you. Did you get him a shield too Saturos?"

"Yep, just a wooden one, and a chain shirt, but it'll suffice until we find something better. Here try this on," Saturos said as he handed Enialis the heavy shirt of linked chains.

Puling it over his head Enialis grunted, "It's heavier than it looks."

"Yes you'll get used to it. Here you go get this around your waist, the sword was silvered, Durgan thought it fighting seeing as how you worship Luna, nemesis of Shuat."

Enialis made the half crescent sign at the mention of his god's most hated and feared enemy. "May the lord of Lycanthropes fear the coming of the moon."

Durgan nudged Saturos knowingly and handed Enialis the shield, which Tara helped him get it onto his back. "Now you look the proper adventurer," Tara commented with a smile as she stood back and circled Enialis.

Enialis blushed and shouldered the bag Saturos handed him and nodded to the others, "well I suppose it's time we headed off."