Throne
The barbarian guard at the gate looks over the party in a bored fashion. "Hrm. Lotta people wanna sell stuff to the boss. He ain't no master neither. He's a merchant." Though he does not say so, you can tell what he thinks of working for adepts.
"If you leave your name I'll see about lettin' him know you were here."
As you prepare arguments or bribes or think about leaving, a shout comes down from the wall, "Ho! Wait!"
Another guard, also a barbarian, but slightly more intelligent looking leaps down from the walkway behind the wall (Still inside the compound). He runs up to the gate and says, "Stand back, Brak. I'll handle this." He looks carefully at your party, particularly Vagrant, who spoke.
"I apologize for the rudeness of Brak." He glares at the warrior, who gives him back a venomous look but says nothing.
"I am Kar, in service of Throne. I will give your names to Merchant Throne. What are they and what sort of goods do you carry?"
I'll proceed with whatever names and goods you declare, but please post your response for the record, in case you are going under an alias or something.
He tells Brak to treat you with respect and runs off to the house, about forty yards distant across a large courtyard with an impressive fountain. A few minutes pass before he comes running back out, saying, "Merchant Throne says he is intrigued and wishes to see your goods."
You are escorted into the compound. There are gardens, statuary and fountains aplenty, and though there is still daylight left, you can see lumina lanterns on ornate posts. The only other people in evidence are a number of barbarian guards, and a few beast folk, three mice and a large heavyset dog.
Kar takes you to the front doors, which look to be heavy enough to stand awhile against a small battering ram. These he opens as he approaches and ushers you inside. He asks you to wait in an antechamber. It is finely furnished with furniture of a style unfamiliar to you, though strangely familiar to Vagrant. After a few minutes, Kar returns, saying, "Merchant Throne has just sat down for his evening meal and wishes you to partake with him." Kar's speech is decidedly eloquent for a barbarian.
You are ushered into a large dining hall. Musicians play softly from some hidden source. There is a long table at the head of which sits a hard-looking man. Not mean, but tough. His face is square and his bare arms show signs of combat scarring. He is in his fifties, perhaps, though in very good shape. He does not rise from his huge chair, but bids you to come to the table, where a meal of some large bird (goose or turkey) is sitting.
"Greetings," He begins in a deep bass rumble. It is a voice that would not be kind to music. He smiles. "Sit and eat and tell me your tale". He claps his hands once and immediately a serving girl appears from an alcove. She is barely clad and rather pretty. She pulls chairs for you and then prepares to pour wine.
The City of Adala
