<strong>Ada Stonewrought<br/>Sundon<br/>On the docks</strong><br/><br/>Ada Stonewrought gripped the railing of the boat until he feared he might crack it.  He was facing out to sea, into the west, where the last sliver of the Low Sun burned orange on the water.  The wind whipped at his shoulder length black hair and tugged at his cloak, a thick woolen garment decorated in the black and dark orange of the Banner of Alister.  It was one of the two badges of his Jarldom that he had left.  The rest had been stripped by the late King.  Not an unpleasant man, but Harold's death had opened up an opportunity for Ada to reclaim his title and lands.  However, his disloyal son Matthew refused his request!  All the better that the mongrel had been forced to flee into the backwaters!  Matthew's brother now sat on the throne.  Ada had missed his oppurtunity, but maybe this new King would be more merciful.  Maybe he could finally be reunited with his family.<br/><br/>He missed them dearly, of course.  But it was the knowledge that they sat in Sirra defenseless that tore at his heart.  Half of their army, and even their own Jarl were off fighting another man's war.  Were.<br/><br/>Ada released the railing, flexing his hands to work some feeling back into them.  He turned away from the beautiful sunset -- not an easy task -- and looked at Sundon.  "It's much... bigger than I remember," he murmured.  A true soldier town if he had ever seen one.  Inns, whore houses, and gambling dens.  They were still a little ways from the dock.<br/><br/>With a sigh, he sat on a barrel and drew his bow.  It was a fine piece of archery craftmanship, all curves and yew polished by centuries of use and magical repair.  It was the second badge of his office, the Bow of Alister.  Named for the mountain in who's shadow Sirra lay, the Bow had been constructed years ago by an ancient hero, and given to Sirra as a gift.  Since then, it has been wielded by every Jarl of Sirra.  More often than not, it was a scepter that lay forgotten behind the throne, but both Ada and his father had used it as a true weapon of war.  As the ship approached Sundon, he checked for any signs of damage.  Divots, off colored areas, and the like.  The wood was, as usual, flawless, but the string had lost some elasticity.  He deftly swapped it with a spare catsgut string as the boat docked.<br/><br/>Ada slung his bow and hefted a small backpack of supplies and personal belongings, following the soldiers off of the ship.  The briny, rotting stench of the dock filled his nostrils, but years of practicing composure kept him from wrinkling his nose.<br/><br/>Shrugging his backpack on, Ada started down the dock into town, shouldering past workers and veterans alike.  He had to find an inn, although most would be full up on a night like tonight.  The air was smoky with lanterns and torches, and the air echoed with the sound of a town celebrating.  A lot of soldiers must have arrived today.<br/><br/><em>"Rooms!  We got rooms!  Only place left in town with rooms!"</em><br/><br/>The caller's voice caught Ada's attention.  The inn was a rundown looking place bearing the doubtful name "The Sunset's Beauty."  All the other inns had been full though, and he didn't feel continuing to try his luck.  Maybe this place would be nicer on the inside.  Ada had been surprised before!<br/><br/>He stepped into the inn and looked around.<br/><div class="quoteheader"><div class="topslice_quote">Quote</div></div><blockquote class="bbc_standard_quote">Roll #1:  Perception Check (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/3640290/)  Result: 24</blockquote><div class="quotefooter"><div class="botslice_quote"></div></div><br/><br/><div class="spoiler_container"><div class="spoiler_header" onclick="hideSecond (this);" role="button">Character Stats</div><div class="spoiler_body"><strong>Ada Stonewrought<br/>Level 3 Sorceror</strong><br/>HP: 20<br/>Subdual: 20<br/>AC: 15<br/><br/><strong>Spell Slots Remaining</strong><br/>Cantrips- ∞<br/>1st - 1<br/>2nd - 1<br/><br/>Character Sheet (http://www.dndsheets.net/view.php?id=38840)</div></div>