Here's the part where we bring it all together!

We get to put a bit more focus on Fahari as well, and that's a trend that's continued long after this one. It's quite nice to learn more about her. Aleena, Dash, and the bard Todd Blackpaws also make the co-write.

Nice twist in it, too.

 
Espanolola, Dash's horse, kept an excellent pace for its two riders, Sebastian Dash and Aleena, and they soon found themselves closing in on the bar and inn at a comfortably fast pace.

"Hope the ride isn't too rough for you," Dash called out, breaking the silence that had covered most of their ride.

"Quite the opposite; this has been a most pleasant ride, Dash." Aleena paused. "You did mean the ride to the tavern, I hope."

Dash steadied himself after the comment to ensure he didn't fall off of the horse, blushing ever so slightly at the comment. "Want some wat- ah, Boris condemn it. I had a leather pouch I was going to get some stream water in. Kind of forgot it in the rush."

They soon arrived at the inn. The Weeping Tree, as it's always been known. After finding a stable for long term care of Espanolola, Aleena and Dash made their way into the bar. "Hmm," Dash said, noticing a brawl in the distance. "Guess they finally remodeled."

Todd Blackpaws was standing there, watching the brawl and shaking his head. "They're gonna have to do it again after she's through."

Indeed- Dash could now see who the participants in this brawl were- and one of them was Fahari!

"Huh.." Dash watched, unsure if he should intervene. It quickly became obvious he wouldn't need to.. except to stop her from hurting someone too badly. "I'll assume this is your fault and blame you now. Will save me time later, Todd."

"Friends of yours?" inquired the elf.

Todd shook his head. "Nope- and I've been a good boy. Some lout comes up to us and starts pawing her. Said he wanted to see what was under those robes. She brushed him off a few times- He got insistent so she knocked him flat without getting up. That got his friends involved. No serious injuries yet- I think they're too drunk to feel pain."

Dash grinned. "Could you just knock them out with a little music, Todd?"

Todd shrugged. "Tried- they yelled out 'Freebird!' and tried to attack her all at once. That didn't end well."

Back at the brawl it was pretty much over- and was when Fahari kicked the last friend of her assailant in the head. She had given them what they wanted though, having dropped the robes as she fought- so the last kick gave all around an interesting view. She picked up said robe and put it back on again, coming over to the others as the thugs recovered and scurried out the door. "Ah. Mr. Dash. Ms. Aleena. I see you have..." She took the scent of the air, a knowing flash in her eyes. "...arrived."

"We have, and.. er.." Dash dug for an explanation. "We saw the craziest things on our ride down here?" Aleena gave a smirk but kept quiet, taking in the sights and of Dash's furry friends.

Todd was grinning from ear to ear- further than that, perhaps. "Yeah- I bet you saw alot of 'interesting things' on your ride. You'll have to tell me sometime- in detail."

"Shall we find a table?" asked Sebastian, hoping for a subject change.

"We grabbed one over there- Fahari kept the fight away from it." Todd pointed to the table then started walking toward it. His tail swished jauntily as that grin just wouldn't die. "OF course, if the two of you wanted to get a room and freshen up after your...heh.. ride I'd understand."

Dash sighed and let Aleena answer.

"Perhaps you should focus on business and not your typical tavern tousles?" Aleena asked.

"Agreed," said Dash. Unsurprisingly.

Todd laughed. "But that is my business! I'm a Bard, remember?"

Dash glared. "Todd.. let's just focus on how we're getting to Honorburg."

It was Fahari who answered, though. "Where is this 'Honorburg', if I may ask?"

"Overseas," Dash responded.

"Then perhaps a ship would be advantageous?" She said, with only the hint of a smile- but Todd grinned wide. "I think he wants to ride Lola there."

Dash looked to Aleena, then back to Todd, confused. "Wait, why'd you call her Lola?"

"You think I'm gonna call her 'Espanolola' every time?"

"Oh.. OH! The horse.. I think I'll be leaving her at the stables," Dash said, relieved the conversation wasn't going where he feared.

And then... Todd leaned into his friend and whispered so that the others wouldn't hear- well at least he hoped Aleena wouldn't. "So.. what was she like, man!" Aleena promptly blushed, then winked to Todd.

"Good question, Todd," Dash said in a serious tone. "I'd say the distance from the nearest port to Honorburg would be.. about one and a half times the distance from the southern borders of the Kingdom to Aldara. That should take us to the outer islands. We'll want to avoid those, since they tend to be a nest of unsavory types, though."

Todd smirked and sat back. "Yeah- Gotta keep you away from any 'unsavory types' don't we?"

Dash just stared, waiting for someone else to take a turn with the mischievous bard while Aleena let him know in her own way that elves have rather good hearing, too.

Aleena grinned, ignoring Dash's attempt to change topics. "He was perfectly marvelous. I couldn't ask for a better partner."

"Er, thanks," Dash answered, sounding like he might be blushing, even though he wasn't.. yet.

Aleena let out a happy giggle and kissed Dash on the cheek. "Don't be so bashful, love. Affection is meant to be enjoyed and shared."

"Well, er, in that case thanks, and you were.. amazing yourself," Dash answered. "But ahh.. I'd hate to offend our new friend Fahari," Dash said, gesturing towards the Feline monk.

The elf smiled and turned her attention back towards the friends at the table. "Well then, may we finally get to business?"

"Please let's!" Dash answered. "We'll have to find a way to the city, first of all. And there's probably going to be complications along the way."

"You said you wanted to sail. How would we go about chartering a boat?" asked Aleena.

"Unless we can discover some way to upend your own ship, Aleena, that's probably our best bet," answered Dash. "But we'll need something capable of long distance travel over rough and possible hostile waters. Gotta say, Konall's fishing boat is probably out of the question for this one."

"I really would like to recover my ship. I can't do it alone. But we may not have time to salvage it out of the ocean."

Todd smiled. "Don't take this the wrong way, lass- but I hope the day you can is a long way off."

"I have to admit, I like having you around," said Dash with a slight nod.

"I won't take off the moment I get my ship back. I've still business on this world. Besides, I have been enjoying your company as well," Aleena answered.

"Some company more'n others, it seems." Todd smirked- then flinched as Fahari elbowed him gently.

"Heh," commented Aleena. "Our bodies are meant to be enjoyed. Pleasure is not wrong."

"Spoken like a true vixen, lass!" Todd took another swig of his drink.

"In moderation. All things in balance," Aleena finished.

"And you do have amazing balance," Dash said before catching himself. "Er.. flexibility. I mean.. Hey Daze.. nevermind."

Fahari nodded. "One needs to be flexible when dealing with the needs of others, I've found."

Aleena couldn't help but giggle, leaning back in her chair, teasing the gentlemen with a stretch that was subtle enough to look natural, but pronounced enough to highlight those dangerous elven curves of hers.

Todd's eyes widened at the elven display, feeling a sudden need for a looser wardrobe. He distracted himself by looking at Fahari- no big help but... "An' how would you be knowing about dealin' with a guy's needs, hon?" Yep - he was getting sloshed.

Fahari smiled. "I am Feline. Just because I hold it in check does not mean I do not feel- or act on- my nature from time to time. I just spent a week sequestered from my order for just that reason."

"Speaking of ships," Dash asked, though it was a futile attempt at this point, "does anyone have a lead on a boat?"

"All your order?" Todd looked intrigued. "For a whole week?"

Fahari just grinned again- a good look on her it seemed. "Well... the males in my order. The females tended to...commiserate." Todd's eyes darted to Aleena at that remark. The elf for her part wore a happy smirk, no doubt lost for a moment in the fantasy.

"Guess we could swim," Dash said sarcastically.

Fahari's expression suddenly soured as she narrowed her eyes at the front door. As she watched the four burly men that had accosted her- the ones she had so easily handled- were walking through that door and heading toward her! She tensed for whatever they were up to. Sensing possible trouble, Dash's hand subtly found the hilt to his longsword, ready to pull it out and- if needed- strike down one or more of them on the first swing.

One of the big men- the biggest and burliest of the lot- walked right up to the table. He then swept the bandanna off of his bald head and bowed it as he spoke in an accent that tickled Dash's memories.. "B-beggin' yer pardon, lass. But the lads an' me... well we was a wantin' to.. erm.. "

"Smartly now, Pete! If you don't apologize to her now I'm gonna have to take it before the Cap'n! And you know the keelhaulin' yer gonna get from him for showin' yer ass in town!" Standing over at the doors now was another figure- tall and very attractive, with long black hair flowing from under her bandanna, and her shirt tied up under an impressive bosom. The rest of her- if the men ever got that far- was clad in short shorts, that were held up by a sword belt.

"Speak your mind then," Dash said, smiling at the familiar face of the female pirate, wondering if she'd remember him after the long months since their fateful encounter. Not likely she could forget something involving dragons and reflections of the past coming to life. "We've some matters to tend to."

Coconuts smiled. "Why..is that?" She moved over to the group- her smile growing as she recognized one of the people there. "Heya, Dash! Where's that sexy piece of tail you had with you last time?"

"Eh.. moved on," Dash said. "I'll tell you the tale later. Still sailing the seas, I see, Rebecca?"

Rebecca lit up a bit. "Shame- although does that mean you'd be..." She looked from Aleena to Fahari- as if wondering if he'd taken up with one of them.

"Looking for a ship?" Dash answered, clearly aware that wasn't at all what she was getting at. "We are, actually. We've some important Council business to deal with."

"Good thing we got one- if the Cap'n agrees. And knowing what he thinks about ye he will. Might be a bit cramped quarters, though. Might have to double bunk." The look on her face said it all about who she'd want to 'double bunk' with.

"Up for a trip all the way to Honorburg?" Dash asked, grateful to the fates.

Rebecca nodded thoughtfully. "Honorburg, ye say? Hmm... Sure we'll be able to make the trip. Of course, have to be findin' ways to pass the time on such a long journey." Again- she looked as if she already knew what she was going to be doing.

Aleena glanced between Dash and the piratess and smiled.

"What do you say, Todd?" Dash asked. "I know the captain. Good man. He can get us there.. but we should let him know the perils in person before we set sail. And talk payments."

Todd chuckled. "Beats swimming- and if the entire crew's as sweet as Rebecca, here I won't be minding doubling up the bunks, either."

Rebecca turned back to her crewmates. "That reminds me. We maybe needin' a new crew if someone doesn't speak up soon!" With that the big man- Pete- cleared his throat and looked at Fahari. "Like I was sayin' earlier, lass- me'n the lads.. well we're sorry for actin' like that to ya. We was drunk and.. well ma'am, if you don't mind me sayin' you are one fine looking wench!"

"I think he means that as a compliment," Dash interjected, sounding unsure. "... I think."

Fahari looked from Dash to Rebecca to Pete. She then nodded. "Apology accepted. As well as the compliment. But in the future you might try a gentler approach." She smirked. "You never know how far you might get on your own looks."

"No need to insult them," Dash said with a playful nudge.

Aleena turned to whisper in Dash's ear. "Manners might be appropriate when asking such a favour." The elf sat back in her chair, watching the exchanges and feeling unable to offer anything to the discussion.

Fahari looked at Pete- and Dash. "No insult intended. To know there is strength there- but held in tight control- is to wonder what would happen when that strength were put to a task." She purred, seemingly at that thought.

Dash seemed oblivious to the reference, his mind on business, as it so often was. "Then I guess our task at the bar is done? Though I have to admit.. this kind of coincidence really makes me wonder if.." Dash paused. "Nevermind."

Rebecca chuckled. "Last I heard he's been busy raising that dragonling of his. She's quite the handful; he needs all the help Moonbeam can give him."

"Urgh, Moonbutt," Dash laughed as he rolled his eyes. "At least she hasn't been eaten. Er.. right? Anyway, I was referring to another. We can get to that subject later. You're sure Captain Morgan's able to make this trip?"

Rebecca swatted Dash playfully. "That's MoonBEAM, silly! And you'll have to ask the good Cap'n yerself- but I'm sure as a favor to you he'd sail to the edge and back."

"Then we should probably get going, hm?" Dash smiled slightly. "I'm glad to hear she stuck it out with the dragon."

The others agreed, and thus, everything was afoot. Or a'boat..

Pending Captain Morgan's approval, of course.

A tad 'lucky' hmm? But it's a trip to Honorburg! And again, I liked the mix of the four characters, and especially the way they play off of each other. There's some solid roleplaying ahead, too.

Although we've got more from them ahead, let's take a look at another set of AiL mainstreams next.