The Unlucky Crab

[The Raven]

The man behind the bar poured a mug of the same stuff, then pushed it aside. "No charge." Broad shoulders, long red hair to match his beard, probably Kyle's age. "You're, ehh... New to these parts, I presume. Consider this a friendly welcome."

[Ethan Flatrivers]

"New enough," Kyle agreed. "Friendlier than the official welcome," he said with a side of humor. "Nice to know which way the wind blows here." He shook his head. "Still better than King's Landing, though," he said, as though debating to divulge some sort of personal story. "That place turned to a damned necropolis." He extended a hand. "Name's Flex," he said, offering his old outlaw nickname.

[The Raven]

"Can't say I've ever seen the capital, but I think Hal might have."



The yellow bearded fellow nodded, and revealed a mouth of pearly white teeth. "Squired fer a knight who fought in a terney there. Like a fookin' dream, it was. Whores all over the place. Fat highborn just walking down the street. Ser Ralph didn't win shite, but I lived like the Archon of Pentos for a week!" He struck 'Flex' on the shoulder like an unwanted brother. "I betchoo got some great stories! Oy, ever seen Stranger's Hill? Maiden's Crossing? Givvim some of the good stuff, Robb!" He did indeed smell like old perfume.

Honeyspoon wasn't nearly as intrigued, but he poured a second, smaller cup.

[Ethan Flatrivers]

Kyle took the drink and shrugged. "I didn't see no maidens, that's for sure," he jested. "I spent most of my time in Flea Bottom and down at the port," he said, "seeing highborn ain't my idea of no good time...as ye just saw." He smiled. "Lowborn's better born from how I see it." He nodded to Honeyspoon. "So an angry knight watching everything here," he commented, "seems a bit of death to the festivities. What all kind of...work do you got going here?" He said. "I've been hungry a few more days than I'd prefer of late."

[The Raven]

"The Seven always provide work for those who seek it out, brother, and I don't mean fooking alms." Laughed the bandit. "Robb here can-"

"Hal." Robb shook his head sternly.

Hal's grin turned into a scowl, before standing up. "Forget Stingyspoon, Flex. We got some jerky we can spare, and some cheese. I know what it's like on the road. We all do." He pointed at his comrades, a few of who nodded at the newcomer. "Hell, most of us fought in the fooking war, eating scraps off the fooking floor. So it seems right we come back for the rest of the feast, if you ken my meaning..."

Hal lead him to the table, and dragged a plate of dried meat and cheese towards Kyle.

[Ethan Flatrivers]

Kyle had stolen his share, but let's a l,ok of gratitude cross his features. "A sight for sore eyes!" He exclaimed. "However can I repay the bounty of your table? I've never been afraid of work...so long as it ain't honest work," he jested.

He takes some of the dried meat and cheese. "Seven blessings on you all ad yours," he intoned.

[The Raven]

"What do you call a devout man who avoids honest work?" Asked a fellow who looked like he had once shaved with Valyrian steel while drunk. His voice was soft and Kyle had to strain slightly to hear it.

Another with mismatched eyes answered, "A septon, by my reckoning."

"Or a king." Laughed Hal, as he grabbed the rump of a passing barmaid who squealed at his touch.

The scarred man asked another question, this time directed at Flex. "You look fit enough, but you don't quite have the look of a veteran. Ever held a blade before?" The others, including the jovial Hal, became silent.

[Ethan Flatrivers]

Kyle shook his head. "Ain't never fought for a king's coin," he said, "or a noble's, either. Can't ever say I saw a need to. Down south the war sort of passed us over," he continued, "and by the time the dragons came to the Reach Redgrass had already happened and our lord saw little enough profit to be gained by bleeding his subjects out. It was too late to help the red dragons, and too late to profit from helping the blacks."

[The Raven]

The scarred man studied him with pale green eyes, before finally nodding. "Aye, that's close enough to the truth. Enough sin for our company." He stood, along with the rest of the table. "Hal, the rest is in your hands. Keep your dogs fed, but don't forget the huntsman. You know where I'll be." He wrapped scarf about his neck and chin, then moved towards the door. He was taller than either man beside him, and yet the floor beneath him never squeaked as he left.

After he was gone, Hal sat back down and restored his magnificent grin. "Welcome to the Red Eels, Flex."

[Ethan Flatrivers]

He tilted his drink as though toasting by himself, then took a drink. "Always slippery," he said. When he finished, he looked about and chuckled. "Do we all have a secret handshake?" He joked. "And what's the rate for a room and some company tonight?"

[The Raven]

"Honeyspoon keeps the women to himself, but the beds are free."

The man with brown and green eyes muttered, "I slept better when I was marching under Bittersteel"

Hal laughed. "Yes, but I wager your friends didn't."

A few of the others laughed too. Hal pointed at a door. "Down the hall, last four doors, whichever bed you like. We're already paid up for the month, so don't expect any bills from the owner."

[Ethan Flatrivers]

Kyle nodded and headed to the room. He looked about it for a moment and laid on the bed. He'd head back in the morning after he checked the place out in the darkest night. He'll keep an ear out for anything interesting going on but he'll go to sleep after the party dies down.

[The Raven]

Eventually, the party dies down a few hours before sunset, and Kyle thinks he can hear everyone shuffling to their own beds.

[Ethan Flatrivers]

Kyle lets the sounds fade and then gets up, heading to the area of the tavern near the offices, sneaking as quietly as he can. If he sees anyone awake he'll pretend he has to piss outside.

70 stealth.
42 Observation

[The Raven]

(Success on both counts. One point awarded to Observation.)

He encounters no one but a young man passed out on the floor, having failed to reach his bed. The tavern area is dark now, with a sole lantern near the bar, allowing to find the door nearby that hopefully leads to the rest of the holdfast.

The manor is quite large, though much of the ceiling and walls are in clear need of attention. As he explores, it becomes clear Honeyspoon has reserved the better parts for his own use, leaving the damaged areas for his supposed friends. Kyle finds silver plates and candleholders that could easily be pawned off for a moon's worth of innkeeping, and at least one painted vase that's probably worth the Lonely Ghost itself.

Down the hallway, Kyle sees two rooms with light coming from underneath. He can just faintly hear the sound of weeping from one of them.