-3- NorthBound

The autumn sun hung low over the horizon as Bosch made his way into the small hamlet located just north of Waterdeep. It was his final stop on a long journey northward, where he would search out the future of the faction. His decision to search in the northern lands came rather spontaneously as he stood in the square in Waterdeep. The south was infested with trolls, and the east was a wilderness he would just as soon forget. The west had potential, but only after crossing the Sea of Swords, which would open up more options than he had time to consider. That left the north, of which little information was still known, and that was a definite selling point for his decision. While he had a long journey ahead of him, he knew that it would be much easier to manage if he rested up for the evening. Passing by several farms, he noticed a group of buildings set up in what he only guessed as being the center of the settlement. The Long Road passed directly through and opened up into a crude square with several water troughs and hay. A crude road stretched to the east across the fields and down into a swampy area below. Just a few paces from the road sat an inn which seemed to be doing quite well, as patrons frequented it more so than they did anything else. Bosch made his way in. At the front desk stood a stocky, middle-aged man who was busy with an angry patron. The patron, obviously drunk, was busy yelling at the innkeeper and beating his fist against the desk while rambling on about his room. When he grew tired, the innkeeper leaned forward and whispered in the patrons face, such that it became white with fear. In another instance, it was all over, with the patron stumbling quickly out the door, but not before setting down a few platinum pieces on the desk. "Greetings! What can we do for you here in the Sleeping Dragon?" Bosch was taken aback for a moment at the sudden pleasantness of the innkeeper, but it was only for a moment. "I've been on the road for several days without a decent place to rest. I was wondering if you had a room?" The innkeeper laughed. "You are fortunate. One just became available. The price will be 5 platinum, and that includes a meal and drink. Bosch counted out five platinum coins and placed them onto the desk. With one hand, the innkeeper slid the money towards him and tossed Bosch a key with the other. This switch happened so quick that Bosch nearly lost his bag trying to recover the flying key, causing the innkeeper to laugh. "You'll like this room. Breakfast is served within an hours of sunrise, so don't miss it. And losing that key will cost you much more than I think you can afford. Have a good night!" Bosch made his way through the tavern area toward the back where the rooms were. Opening his room number, he found the accomidations less than pleasant, with half eaten food still on the table and an unmade bed complete with beer stains. But Bosch never quite got used to beds again, having spent a decade sleeping on beds of leaves and soft earth. Pulling the straw mattress from the bedframe, he made himself a place to sleep and quickly settled in for the night.