Testing Claims (Dreamer)

[Richard Cabal]

Apparently, the Ram had the best ale in the land and Richard wanted to test the theory. He also wished to listen to gossip, perhaps gossip could lead Grace and he to their enemy.

The Ram's peak hour was ebbing as people wandered back to their jobs. Richard shouldered his way to the bar, hand on the hilt of the sword so that it angled out of the way of people passing by.

"Pint of ale," Richard ordered when one of the workers approached. He paid for it and sipped his drink. It was good. Leaning against the bar, his eye wandered over the crowd, looking individuals in the eyes to hopefully get someone to approach him.

[Jasen "Dreamer" Masters]

Dreamer set his violin down on his theigh and opened his eyes to look at the crowd. When he saw that people were starting to get more into their drinking, he figured hed take a break. He'd been playing for quiet awhile today, hense the stool. He got up and placed his violin back in his bag, safely tied in and cushioned with some spare clothing.

He departed from the stage and walked fairly easily threw the crowd. Ever since his first night playing people seemed to make it easier for Dreamer to move about. He wouldnt admit it, but it made him feel nice, special. He arrived at the bar and called smith over.

"A Milk please" he asked

Any other day and Smith, the bartender, would have tried to convince Dreamer to try their ale again. Dreamer had, and found the taste too strong for him. Dreamer waited for a minute before the glass was placed infront of him, despite the crowd growing aroung the bar. Smith had always been nice to Dreamer, a little over the top with his nagging and comedic jokes, but nice.

Dreamer smiled and guzzled the mug of milk down in three drinks, it was good.

[Richard Cabal]

Richard watched the entertainer as he left his stool. Entertainers seemed to hear the gossip, he supposed it was because people assumed the entertainer was not listening. After taking another swallow of his ale, it was not as bitter as he was used to, then walked up to the entertainer.

"How long have ye been playing for?" Richard asked, eyes direct on the blond man. "Not sure I've heard tha' tune before neither. Ye travel?"

[Jasen "Dreamer" Masters]

Dreamer heard a voice beside him talking to him and asking him questions. Dreamer set his glass down and turned to smile, and then looked up. Dreamer was about average height for his young age,but this man made him feel smaller.

Dreamer took a quick assessment of the mans appearance. The mans Dirty long hear was left hanging behind him and he noticed ale on his beard. Dreamer hoped the man didn't have too much to drink. Mainly because it looked like he had seen battle, from his big arms and scared flesh, Dreamer got goose bumps.

"Ive traveled for many years" he said, staring back into the mans pale eyes, "And played for most of them". Dreamer didn't know how to react with the man, so he just talked. "Ive only recently settled in Camelot..." Dreamer wanted to call the man something, but he figured stranger might have been offensive.

[Richard Cabal]

"My name is Richard," he answered when the young man's voice trailed off. "Originally from Surrey, close ta Hwicce. Terrible business tha', didja hear? Family killed, their lil' castle burned. I spose Mercia will swallow her. Where do ye hail from?" Richard stopped talking to drink his ale. This dishonest game weighed on his shoulders, but if it had to be done.

"So," he said when he had wiped ale from his mouth. "I'm new to Camelot, lookin' to settle down for the winter at least. Need work, all I can do is swing a sword but I don't fancy solderin' for his highness. Ye hear of anyone needin' a sword arm?"

[Jasen "Dreamer" Masters]

Dreamer nodded as the man finished his sentence, adding his name. His smile broke as the man talked about the fall of Surrey. He had heard about that, and felt a remorse for those lost that day. He turned and called smith, raising his glass for another warm milk. Smith nodded to him and moved to another customer. Dreamer didn't mind, he could wait his own turn.

Dreamer turned his head again as Richard asked him about a job. He explained his situation, and Dreamer felt he might actually be able to help him. He banished the thought of recommending the Brotherhood, the hidden order withing Camelot that dealt with the worst of the worst. Dreamer didn't want to damn this man to a life of Pain and misery, he would find him something else.

"Son of a...!"

Smack! Wack! Crash!

A man came flying in between Dreamer and Richard, landing against the bar. With a bruise the size of a fist on his cheek, Dreamer figured it was a quickly won fight for the man who punched him. Dreamer turned and saw the man, waving his hands around, Drunk.

"Not again..." Dreamer said out loud, "That's the third time this week, doesn't this guy know when to quit".

[Richard Cabal]

Richard grabbed the man who had been flung against the bar pulled him to his feet. The guy's eyes were unfocused from the shock of a blow and drink. He stumbled about on his feet.

"Stay there," Richard ordered calmly and then turned his attention to the drunk. He was a brute of a man, a heavy gut hanging over his pants and his arms and shoulders were thick. There was little scarring on his face and arms, it looked like he was just a brawler. Richard stepped up to the drunk who grinned like a cat.

"Hey," Richard's voice was still calm. "I think ye've proved yer point." Because of his height, Richard could step up and look down at the brute. The man's gaze was drawn to Richard's sword and then to the few shallow scars on his hands and wrists. Richard had got his scars from war and during war, he wore chain mail. The mail protected him from cuts on his chest and arms. A coif protected his neck but his legs remained unprotected.

"Why don't ye go out? Cool down a bit, eh?" Something in Richard's words must of offended the man because he glowered at Richard before snarling obscenities. As if being defiant, the brawler found himself a chair in the corner of the room, refusing to give up his territory. Richard turned to face the entertainer.

"So, do ye know of a job?" He prompted the entertainer quietly.

[Jasen "Dreamer" Masters]

Everyone in the room watched as Richard handled the drunkan man. They were at the edge of their seats,waiting for a fight to break out. When one didnt, they all sat back down, each with their own face to make. Richard had approaced Dreamer, and Dreamer didnt know what to say.

Then the boss came out.

The man stood tall as he approached Richard, sizing him up. He wasnt trying to intimidate richard, he was just naturaly tall. When he had made up his mind, the man turned to Dreamer and asked, "Can you vouch for him".

It was a simple question, but Dreamer was flustered under the pressure. He asked again, "Can you vouch for his honesty", a little rougher in the tone this time. "Yes!" he said so fast that peoeple turned their heads. Ok, more people turned there heads.

He looked richard up and down again before saying, "You work the night shift with Dreamer here, you do what you just did each night, and ill pay you a fair wage". He didnt even wait for Richard to answer, he just nodded to Dreamer and Smith, and retreated back to his backroom.

"Hm, thats wierd" Dreamer said, "I thought he would...".

"AND DONT BE LATE!!" his voice so loud that it could be hear throughtout the tavern. Everyone shook there heads and chuckled, they knew it was coming.

[Richard Cabal]

Richard remained impassive throughout, only lifting an eyebrow when his new boss ordered punctuality. Shaking his head when people's laughter trailed off, Richard let out his own grin and felt a weight lift from his shoulders. He had a job. Now he could properly provide for himself and Grace.

"My thanks," Richard murmured to Dreamer. "So our boss likes punctuality, what is his name? Anythin' I should be aware of?" There was only a few more swallows of ale left. Richard finished it off and put the tankard aside. He wondered absently if Grace would scold him for getting a job at an inn. Something he had expressively forbidden Grace from doing herself.

"An' stop dodgin' questions, Dreamer. Tell me something o' yerself."

[Jasen "Dreamer" Masters]

Dreamer smiled when Richard asked about their boss. It was a good thought, to have someone he worked alongside. Dreamer only ever talked with Smith, although the bar women tried to catch his attention. Dreamer wasn't good with women, so he kept his eyes up and his mouth shut.

"He loves punctuality, and he will expect nothing but the best from you on your job, although he tends to understand when you have bad days".

Dreamer had yet to have a day that hindered his ability to play well at the Ram. He saw the boss trying to comfort some of the other employees the best he could though, even if he wasn't good at it. Dreamer finally received his milk, and began to drink from it.

"An' stop dodging' questions, Dreamer. Tell me something o' yerself."

Dreamer didn't like being forced to answer something, if he was asked he would answer, but forcing him wasn't a good option. Dreamer set his mug down and turned to look at him, a gleam in his eye. "You want to know? I lived my life as a gypsy, where i played for trade and entertainment, traveling across many places".

He didn't stop there, although he probably should have. In a hush tone he continued.

"..One of those places being the very Hwicce you spoke about.." he started with his own questions, "I have something to ask Richard, where did you get that sword of your's, i swear i saw it on a guard or two somewhere before...speaking of which, you don't exactly walk like anyone else do you? and the way you handled that drunkard so expertly...who did you serve as a soldier before coming here?"

His whole speech came out so quickly that he had lost his breath, and he had to breath in deeply. He watched Richard for a moment and began feeling remorse, "Look" he began saying in a hush tone, "I'm sorry, i didn't mean to come out like that, i just don't like people forcing me into things..." he let the sentence carry out quietly.

[Richard Cabal]

"Sounds like a good boss," Richard approved and turned around so his back was against the bench. While Dreamer spoke, Richard ran a careful eye over the building. Smith's standards seemed to show. There was the usual staining and chipped wood but that was to be expected in any establishment.

"I've served as a mercenary around the place and a guardsmen at Surrey," Richard answered Dreamer calmly. "Once ye've seen the kraken -- the heart o' a battle -- a drunk doesn't disturb ye much. Ye either keep calm or be killed." He tapped the hilt of his sword.

"This sword is standard supply at any weapons blacksmith. I'd be surprised if ye hadn't seen any similar elsewhere." Dreamer's apology caught Richard by surprise. He had registered the change in volume but had not thought the man was annoyed.

"Nah nah," he shrugged to indicate it was no issue. "I owe the sorrys. See, I took to story telling when my daughters were born. I like ta hear people's story's. Where they've come from, what they've seen. Nothing personal o' course, just what a person is willing ta share." Richard grinned at his new colleague and extended his hand.

"Peace lad. I'll have yer back when we do get a brawl. Would ye mind sharing some rumours?"

[Jasen "Dreamer" Masters]

Dreamer nodded and apologized again, he would still feel bad even if he was forgiven. Dreamer turned back to his milk and watched it as he moved it about his mug. He didn't feel like drinking anymore at the moment and set it down on the bar. "I don't know if i will get into any fights, at least none anyone will start with me" Dreamer's face pulled into a frown.

He knew his music had influence people, they enjoyed it so much that they didn't want him to stop. There was always danger in a bar brawl, anyone could bust a finger or two. That would be tragic for Dreamer, his life was owed to each finger he had. The people seemed to realize this, and wouldn't openly let him participate in the bar.

It meant he would be protected, which was good, but he wouldn't have any fun.

Which was baaaaaaaaaad

Dreamer looked back at richard and said, "I can give you no rumor at the moment, all i could say is that you should keep your ears open". Dreamer turned to look back at the crowd, waiting for Richard to say something .Dreamer knew a few rumors, but wouldn't give them away, seeing as it was either himself or others he was fond of that were involved in. That, or they were common talk that Richard would surely hear about after five minutes away from Dreamer.

[Richard Cabal]

Richard lifted his eyebrow at Dreamer's response. The lad must have never seen a brawl, where the fighters had ale and heat in their blood and a terrible anger for everything in the room. Things would be thrown, fists would flash and people knocked down. Anyone could be hit in a fight like that, accidentally or otherwise.

Again he was surprised when Dreamer said he had no rumours to give. The lad made it sound like he lived in his own little impenetrable bubble.

"Very well," Richard answered and finished his ale, placing the tankard on the bench for cleaning. "I should stop wasting yer time, I will be seeing you soon." Richard touched his forehead with his fingers respectfully and turned to leave.

[Jasen "Dreamer" Masters]

Dreamer raised his mug at the departing Richard, watching him as he left. Dreamer finished his milk and nodded to Smith, who grabbed his mug from the bar. Dreamer wiped the top of his lips, he needed a shave. He could feel tiny prickly hairs on the edges of his lips.

Shrugging it off, Dreamer turned to walk back to the stage. He withdrew his violin from its bag and sat back down on the chair. Dreamer didnt know if he would play quiet as long as last time, but he needed somthing to clear his mind of previous events. His discussion with Richard brought back agrivating memories that he didnt want to experience at the moment.

So after a short breather, Dreamer closed his eyes and brought his bow to the strings. Slinging along notes so fast and intricite, it caught the attention of the rest of the bar until the sun began to rise.

(Dreamer End)