Praisedlute, At The Sugary Cake, Inn and Tavern
As the soft patter of rain drenched the streets and roofs of the ancient city of Praisedlute and the moon shone at its zenith, a hooded unicorn strode through the streets and came to the famous Sugary Cake, a tavern and inn that had been sitting on that spot since time's beginning. The pony walked into the building and headed for a table on the far side of the crowded ground floor. As the pony sat down, a unicorn waitress approached and the pony ordered a glass of Strawberry wine.
For several long minutes the pony at in the dark back of the tavern drinking. As the patrons began to shuffle drunkenly out and the room grew less crowded the pony began to worry. He had taken a great risk to come here, but the information that was promised was worth it... if only it had come from a reliable source.
As the pony was beginning to think about leaving, another hooded figure approached and stopped in front of the seated figure and said, "By the Light of the Moon..."
The seated pony replied in a quiet voice, "Luna shall guide us."
The second pony seated herself and removed her hood, " I'm sorry for the wait Ryukan, bu I picked up a tail as I entered the city, had to shake them before I came here."
Ryukan removed his hood and gestured for the waitress, "I believe this conversation is one best held behind closed doors."
The Waitress came over and Ryukan whispered something in her ear and handed her a bag full of bits. "Right this way sir." The Waitress led them upstairs to a room at the back of the building and unlocked the door and showed them nto a moderate sized room with two beds, a couple of chests, a desk and a table with two chairs. "I hope you two
enjoy your stay" said the waitress as she smiled and closed the door.
"Okay, what the buck did you tell her?" fumed the second pony.
"Relax Avalon, I merely told her a cover story that wouldn't raise suspicion" said Ryukan as he sat at the table and took off his cloak. His sleek black coat accenting his straight and short white mane. His cutie mark of a white winged arrow shone with a faint white glow. Avalon removed her cloak to reveal a navy blue coat with a sky blue mane tied back into a ponytail. Her cutie mark was a column standing amidst a pile of rubble.
"I'll relax when we succeed in our task." Avalon muttered under her breath.
"Fair enough, now, did you find it?" Ryukan inquired.
Avalon took a seat across from Ryukan and produced an ancient looking scroll and handed it to the black unicorn, "It took me a while, but I found it in the mountains. A few yetis and mild frostbite later, here I am."
Ryukan unfurled the scroll slowly and looked at it. He took his time and as the moon slowly moved across the sky he studied it. After a long wile he spoke up, " So this is the summoning spell. It looks genuine. I thank you Avalon, if all goes well, the next time we meet, an Alicorn will walk this world again."
"Always a pleasure Ryukan," Avalon stood up and headed for the door, "Ryukan, be careful, the world is more dangerous than ever. If you die, I lose my primary employer."
Ryukan chuckled, "Well, if you insist, I'll try to not die too soon. Good bye Avalon."
"Good bye Ryukan," Avalon left the Inn and trotted through the wet streets with the rain continuing to pour down onto the already gloomy city. Back in the Inn, Ryukan sat at the table for a long while. Long he sat there thinking until he stod up and cast a few spells on his room and laid down and fell asleep.
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My story telling skills are finally put to use as I post this first real story part. I think you guys get the gist of my basic plot now. I have already started the fort and have completed the first year, but I wanted to post a little backstory first. And as always, fan art will be appreciated.