Shadows on Water
"Good evening." you say. "i'd like to speak to a town elder, if I may."
They look at the arrow stump in your leg, and exchange meaningful glances with each other, the meanings of which you have no idea.
"Take 'im to Big Guo." one says to another.
"He's likely asleepin', 'avin 'ad a bellyful."
"Have to wake 'im up then," says the larger one.
"Won't like that," mumbles the shorter one.
This isn't sounding good. "Listen, I don't want to be any trouble.."
"You is trouble. And Big Guo is the one who sorts out trouble."
For want of a better plan, and shelter, you follow them. They take you to a large, dilapidated house in the centre of town. After some knocking and rousing a man appears who is fully a head taller than you, with a large greasy beard, and reaking of wine.
"Have you eaten?" he asks, in a voice that sounds like a complicated belch.
"Uh, no actually," you say, not having eaten since noon.
"Let us dispense with pleasantries then. Who are you, and why is there an arrow sticking out of you?" he asks, helpfully pointing at your leg.
"I'm Huan Tan, and I was attacked by bandits. I wish to speak to the man of importance around here, which looks like you."
"Huan Tan you say? Huan Tan is you?"
This is surprising, you had assumed your fame did not reach beyond certain court circles.
"The man of importance is in the pit, I will take you to him."
They look at the arrow stump in your leg, and exchange meaningful glances with each other, the meanings of which you have no idea.
"Take 'im to Big Guo." one says to another.
"He's likely asleepin', 'avin 'ad a bellyful."
"Have to wake 'im up then," says the larger one.
"Won't like that," mumbles the shorter one.
This isn't sounding good. "Listen, I don't want to be any trouble.."
"You is trouble. And Big Guo is the one who sorts out trouble."
For want of a better plan, and shelter, you follow them. They take you to a large, dilapidated house in the centre of town. After some knocking and rousing a man appears who is fully a head taller than you, with a large greasy beard, and reaking of wine.
"Have you eaten?" he asks, in a voice that sounds like a complicated belch.
"Uh, no actually," you say, not having eaten since noon.
"Let us dispense with pleasantries then. Who are you, and why is there an arrow sticking out of you?" he asks, helpfully pointing at your leg.
"I'm Huan Tan, and I was attacked by bandits. I wish to speak to the man of importance around here, which looks like you."
"Huan Tan you say? Huan Tan is you?"
This is surprising, you had assumed your fame did not reach beyond certain court circles.
"The man of importance is in the pit, I will take you to him."