After a bath and heading back to the Inn. I spent the rest of the afternoon getting ready for the Banquet at the Stronghold. I decide to wear the  pink( I think that was one of the colors) gown I had picked up from our travel. I have one the servants help me with my hair putting it up with curls cascading down from a single point.  I adorn my earrings and a necklace as well of gems to match the dress.

Once I'm all ready, Kelvin and I will head towards the Stronghold.

As there was no forewarning of the need for formal attire, I will make do with washing the clothes I have (as well as myself), a trim of the facial hair and accenting the clothes with a visible display of my amulet, 2 of my 3 rings, a soft black leather belt (tied in a gi knot) studded with what appears to be small silver crosses or X’s, and a hooded leather outdoor cloak. There is a metal chain made with small links wrapped around each bicep and held in place by a heavy metal clasp, while wrapped around each cuff of the shirt is a very fine chain (very similar to the chain holding the amulet) and held by a clasp that is also very similar in appearance to the amulet. Not displayed are 8 small metal spikes tucked in the sleeves of the shirt (4 each) and several small coin pouches containing a few ball bearings or rounded balls of metal, caltrops and fine sand.

Before heading to the keep, I will bind the twin sword handles to their scabbard with a white sash and tie the sash with a gi knot as well. Crossing the swords over my shoulders I seat them and head for the keep.

  I smile at the prospect of a banquet .   I close myself up in my room after taking a long bath.   I brush my hair out thoroughly and braid it.  Placing my silver lined headchain over my head I smile in pleasure.  I pull my foam green gown on and step into my new heels I purchased on our recent trip. Pulling at it delicately, I make just a little more cleavage visible.  There is never too much cleavage showing , I think.   Afterwards I walk to the keep with Caesar at my side.   I dont bother to take weapons with Caesar by me.  He stares at everyone intently as we pass by.  

I sigh after hearing about the formal attire dinner, muttering, "Maybe if I push someone else to take the lead I can skip more of these things... Thalica? Where did we put my nice shoes?"

Eventually, I step out of the guild hall with the beautiful young elf beside me, and make my way to the keep. Other than a simple belt knife I don't carry any arms.

After finishing his crafting of magical scrolls, reading books and feeding forage to his mare in the stable. Travis has a bath and gets dressed in his fine clothing which was purchased from the other lands. Which included a navy blue cotton tunic. Camel colored straight leg flax linen pants and short woolen burnt umber colored kaftan and dark leather boots. He sees no need to take any arms with him into the banquet. He looks out for the Ambassador from Fretha and gathers with the others. 

The dinner is served and the food is both plentiful and good.  On the end table is the Lord his wife as well as Sir Eklon, and Lywenta alng with the prince from Fretha.   The two tables leading down from the head table has importance to. The table to the lord's left has Sir Kelvin and Vickie at the top two places followed by Rachel, Jason and Thalca followed by Grant, Jonathan, Travis and Herschel.   On the left side table are the guard commander and her captains followed by lieutenants before both sides give way to the more common people.   The center isle between the tables is where young elves and halfelves as well as some of the older human children are serving the food and drinks.   

Once the meal is over some members of the lord's realm take up some intruments and begin to play.  Soon the hall is filled with music and people are able to gather about and chat about the latest that has been going on to include the group making it back and the new ambassador.   A few conversations can be heard about Vickie's pregnancy and Rachel's guards.

Behind the Lord dresses is a nice bright shiny full plate is the ever present Calvin. 

Finding a vintage to my taste I’ll mingle with the crowd, goblet in hand, spiraling closer to the Lords and out again unless I hear something interesting or my name is called/mentioned (or something is reference to me). Occasionally I’ll drift to the musicians and watch/listen to their playing.

Once the dinner is over and the music begins to play, Vickie along with Kelvin by her side will mingle around speaking with the Prince and the Lord as well as others who might address them.  She will also chat with the new comer some more and see how he is fairing at the Inn and here in this land so far. 

The evening passes and everyone heads back to their rooms around mid of night.  After falling asleep Herschel wakes up no longer in bed.  He looks around and can only see a low thick cloud covering the ground.  Around him are three elves.  These elves look to be very old but still looking for.  The look at him and tosses him a wooden weapon.  "Your trading begins now".  All three produce like weapons and attack him together.   The training goes on and on and when Herschel is beat down they heal and rejuvenate him to continue.  This goes on for almost a month.  In between getting beat a lot they tutor him in the ways of magic and how to perform it in various suits of armor without fail.   Yes the five him different armors to wear and still the training continues.   After the third month Herschel is standing there in the fog waiting for his session to begin.  One steps forward and says to him, "We have trained you in both combat and arcane ways.  Go forth now and live the life of a Duskblade.   May you ever be victorious against your does.   Herschel feels a deep sleep come over him and soon he is asleep.

The next morning arrives for everyone and breakfast is served at the inn.  Herschel awakes back in his room at the inn after a good night of sleep. He can feel the new ways of combat and can understand some spells in his head from all the training he has received.   When he enquires about the date he will find only seven hours has passed since he went to bed.   Congrats Herschel you are now a Duskblade.

Now that that is over how long does everyone want to wait until you venture out again?

The morning after the party, I get to work, hitting the markets for the materials I'd need.

OOC - I'm interested in one week, as well, helping on the builds and making the masterwork items mentioned previously. 

The next morning, and for several days thereafter, I roam the Keep from person to person, widening my skills with knowledge from various disciplines and professions, needing more flexibility in my own abilities. From mage to priest, warrior to scout, I eagerly exchange thoughts and training with everyone willing to help. In between my bouts of intellectual pursuits, I work my physical needs off with smithing , crafting and aiding Jason where I'm able.

After resetting my internal clock/calendar back to the correct day, I’ll break my fast in the common room and discuss cuisine with the cook, inquiring about how she spices food, what spices are available here, etc. After finding out Jason is hitting the market and the mages, I’ll let him know I’ll join him at the shop.

after that I’ll head to the practice yard to work on my new forms/fighting skills. Once done there, will clean up a bit, meditate on the new knowledge of spells for a bit then head to the shop. If I’ve beat Jason, will pitch in carrying in fuel and making sure water barrels are full and close to hand. If he’s already there I’ll ask what I need to do to help.

Some time in the mid afternoon, either while refilling the fuel or water or just catching a breath of air I’ll catch sight of the page waiting patiently by. After hearing his message I’ll nod and tell him to reply to the Lord I would be there within the hour. 
I’ll tell those in the shop I’ve bee summoned, will wash the grit off a bit and head out.

When Jason inquires after Lywenta she tells you to meet with her on the morrow after the mid day meal.   She will see what she can do to help you find the horde but warns you that if Merklin bad a hard time finding it then it could be a waste of time bus is willing to assist as she can.  Any info you can recall may be helpful.

Later in the day Herschel is summoned to the lord's private chamber. There he will meet with the Lord and together they will talk.  Meanwhile Calvin enters the inn and asks Vickie if she would be willing to assist him with some work down under the keep.    Once she is down with Calvin, Kelvin, Herschel and the Lord arrive at the inn.  They all go into the kitchen and they work with the cook.   

A couple hour later they come out of the inn and the Lord sends some of the teenagers to go tell everyone to come to the inn for a special surprise and to celebrate Herschel a assension to his powers.   Once people come into the inn they are greeted by a new smell. Those from Earth will recognize the smell of fresh baked pizza.

Hearing that the newcomer had his download, I am eager to see what skills the PTB bestowed upon him. It seems everyone that is chosen, is chosen for a reason. 

More interested in the details and result of Herschel's newfound abilities than the pizza, I listen to the story as it's relayed. Later on, I send some time recreating the scene mentally, seeing if his abilities can be copied by my own. With some basic success at the replication, I test that same cloning of talent on other known group member's demonstrated skills and powers, echoing them as best as I am able at this time. 

 I exclaim,  " Pizza!!" I will take a slice and savor the flavors of home.  " This is amazing! I feel like I'm home for a minute.  " I give a small slice to Caesar who sniffs at it suspiciously before swallowing it whole.  

"Man, this inn idea was a good one." I take  bite and savor the flavor, and then reflect. "I don't know if I told you guys before or not, but my family would have a pizza making contest every Christmas, we had a trophy and everything. Winning the trophy was only part of it though, you had to bring it with you to the next christmas too. My cousins all live in the same neighborhood and would steal it from each other thru-out the year," I say taking another bite. "Traditional pizzas never won, I know. I made some killer pizzas, but the judges were the Aunts, Uncles and Grandma and Grandma admitted, she didn't really like pizza so she pretty much voted for the one that was least like pizza. The first time we did it, we all used the same crust, but the judges rated the crusts from 1-5 for the different pizzas, I was like... It's the same crust! Anywho, who made this one?"

With a chuckle I’ll step up. “It’s actually a team effort between myself, cook and Lord Doug. After hearing that you’ve been here a bit, I thought it might be a nice treat to have a meal from our world once more. With the Lords help, we were able to teach cook and now you have a new house special.”

I grin, "Well, it is certainly much appreciated. Where in the world did you find tomatoes by the way?"