fix: tweaking twenty-five

chapters/chapter-25.md

@@ -1,17 +1,16 @@
 ---
 title: Networking
-access: private
 teaser: >
   Linsan's new friends have an unexpected knowledge into the men they are hunting.
 summary: >
-  Linsan wakes up with a hangover. When she goes down, there are too many people and she is overwhelmed. However, Roal and Wendil call her over and they get to talking. Roal reveals he works at the mechanics Linsan and Brook were going to visit and gives some details about the three men the women were hunting.
+  Linsan wakes up with a hangover. When she goes down, there are too many people and she is overwhelmed. However, Ragon and Wendil call her over and they get to talking. Ragon reveals he works at the mechanics Linsan and Brook were going to visit and gives some details about the three men the women were hunting.
 ---
 
 > Knowing the right people can sometimes be more important than having the information on hand. --- Saul da Grasil
 
 Linsan woke up sprawled across her narrow bed, one foot hanging off the edge and her head pulsing with a headache that felt like one of her father's saws tearing into her forehead. With a groan, she planted her hand on the side table and levered herself up into a kneeling position.
 
-Something heavy slid off her thigh and tumbled toward the edge of the bed. Immediately, she thought about her violin and grabbed it before it could break. Her fingers bumped against the edges of her case but she managed to dig two fingers into the opening before it completely fell off the bed.
+Something heavy slid off her thigh and tumbled toward the edge of the bed. Immediately, she thought about her violin and grabbed it before it could break. Her fingers bumped against the edges of her case and she managed to dig her fingertips into the opening before it completely fell off the bed.
 
 Awake from fear, she rolled over and hauled her case back on the bed. Propping it between her bare thighs, she ran her fingers along the lid before opening it.
 
@@ -25,43 +24,49 @@ Linsan stared at the instrument for a moment and then snorted with amusement.
 
 Her laughter ended abruptly with another throb of her head. With a moan, she pressed her palm against her skull and looked around for clean clothes that weren't propped up on her musical instrument.
 
-A half hour later, she was dressed, hydrated, and ready to face the world again. With half-remembered memories of a night of dancing and singing in the back of her head, she headed straight for the main room. Her travel back bounced against her shoulder and she carried her properly repacked violin case with both hands.
+A half hour later, she was dressed and ready to face the world again. She had her travel pack slung over her shoulder and her case held with both hands. Memories danced across the back of her mind, a night of dancing and singing not to mention the applause. She slowed down with a smile. The audience loved her judging from their cheers and calls for more sets. Even with the haze of her hangover, she couldn't help but feel a quickening of her heart and a growing desire to bask in the attention again.
 
-Before she reached the main room, there was a press of people in the hallway. Most of them walked along the right side and she followed the same, instinctively joining the line that threaded past doors and toward her destination.
+Stirring herself, she headed straight for the main room. However, as soon as she came around a corner, she came up to a packed hallway. Surprised, she slowed down and joined a line that had formed that brought her closer to the main room.
 
 The noise was almost deafening. Her headache throbbed in pain as she saw far more people packed into the tight quarters of the relatively large room.
 
-Linsan stalled in the entrance but someone jostled her from behind. Overhwelming, she stepped into the room while searching for some place to look around without being in the way. Not even the main entrance to the pub looked safe with steady streams of people, luggage, and staff going in and out.
+Linsan stalled in the entrance but someone jostled her from behind. Overwhelmed, she stepped into the room while searching for some place to look around without being in the way. Not even the main entrance to the pub looked safe with steady streams of people, luggage, and staff going in and out.
 
-"Lin!" Ragon stood on a chair in the corner. He waved to her and called out her name. His dark hair was wild, sticking out in tufts and he had a scruff of a beard.
+"Lin!" Ragon stood on a chair in the corner. He waved to her and called out her name. His dark hair was wild, sticking out in tufts and he had a scruff of a beard. In one hand, he had a large glass that was only half-full of beer but he was splashing the contents in all direction with his waving. "Over here!"
 
-Thankful for at least some place safe, she waved her pack over her head and made her way around the jostling folks and over a line of luggage before sitting down in a proffered chair. "Wow! I've never been anywhere so crowded."
+Thankful for someone familiar, she waved her pack over her head and made her way around the jostling folks and over a line of luggage before sitting down in a proffered chair. Looking around, all she could see was a press of travel dresses, luggage, and suits. "Wow! I've never been anywhere so crowded."
 
-Wendil, wearing a dark flowered hat pulled down to her eyebrows, picked up a glass of lager and sipped at it. "It's worse at the end of a weekend. Everyone is in a rush to head home."
+Wendil, wearing a dark flowered hat pulled down to her eyebrows and a simple flowered dress, picked up a glass of lager and sipped at it. "It's worse at the end of a weekend. Everyone is in a rush to head home. We usually wait for the noise to die down before heading out."
 
-Ragon dropped a glass of lager in front of Linsan. "Sometimes, there are fist fights. I like those. As long as I'm not the one swinging."
+Ragon dropped a glass of lager in front of Linsan. "Sometimes, if I'm lucky, there are fist fights. I like those. As long as I'm not the one swinging."
 
 Wendil glared at him. "You just like it when the women fight over their luggage."
 
-Ragon shrugged, his eyes sparkling. "Why not?"
+Ragon shrugged, his eyes sparkling. "Why not? Nothing like seeing a flash of ankles or a blush to keep me going in the long days of working."
 
 "How does anyone get out of here?" Linsan asked.
 
-Ragon gestured around and then toward the door. "Follow the lines back from there, you'll see it is actually really organized. Kuris and the others with the orange hats tell everywhere where to line up. Outside, Ganil and her gang wrangle the horses and wagons up and bring them according to the dance cards. Basic order is: food, check out, get in line and then get out."
+Ragon gestured around and then toward the door. "Follow the lines back from the exit, you'll see it is actually really organized. Kuris and the others with the orange hats tell everywhere where to line up. Outside, Ganil and her gang wrangle the horses and wagons up and bring them according to the dance cards. Basic order is: food, check out, get in line and then get out. As long as no one jumps line, this entire room will empty out in thirty minutes."
 
-Linsan looked around for Brook but couldn't see far. She lifted herself up and peered over the sea of hats, feathers, and faces but couldn't spot her travel companion. With a frown, she wondered if she was in the wrong place.
+Linsan's jaw opened with surprise. "If someone jumps the line?"
+
+Ragon chuckled. "Then I get to see someone get kicked out of the inn in a most agreeable manner. It's even better than the mouse fights."
+
+Linsan looked around for Brook but couldn't see far through the press of people. She lifted herself up and peered over the sea of hats, feathers, and faces but still couldn't spot her travel companion. With a frown, she wondered if she was in the wrong place.
 
 A young girl tugged on Linsan's shirt before setting down a full platter of food. "Breakfast for you, dame," she said before diving back into the crowds.
 
-Linsan looked down at the heaping pile of eggs, grilled sausages, and breads. There was even fresh fruit on the edge. Tucked under the other side was an envelop. "What is this?"
+Linsan looked down at the heaping pile of eggs, grilled sausages, and breads. There was even fresh fruit on the edge. Tucked under the other side was an envelope with her name on it. "What is this?"
 
 Ragon reached over to snatch up one of the fruits. "Best food in the city. I may not make a lot performing, but food is on the house for the entertainment."
 
-He tapped on the envelop. "Your cut of the night's proceeds. You probably want to count it later, that way you won't make us feel bad. You were stunning and eveyrone is going to be talking to you for months."
+He tapped on the envelope. "Your cut of the night's proceeds. You probably want to count it later, that way you won't make us feel bad. You were stunning and everyone is going to be talking to you for months." He leaned toward her and whispered loudly. "I made almost thirty six golden crowns last night."
 
-She smiled. "I wasn't that good."
+Wendil smirked. "Forty-two and that is because I don't insist on playing songs with asses."
 
-"You were and you know it. Once you get over the jitters, you are going to steal the show every time."
+Linsan smiled. "I wasn't that good."
+
+Ragon pointed at her. "You were and you know it. Once you get over the jitters, you are going to steal the show every time. You are beautiful, talented, and competent. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise."
 
 A warm feeling filled her. She smiled and toyed with the edge of the table.
 
@@ -69,7 +74,7 @@ From the other side, Wendil gestured to the lager. "You going to drink that?"
 
 His mouth full, Ragon snorted. "Of course she'd want more of the piss that got her here."
 
-The idea of prolonguing the hangover didn't appeal to Linsan. She pushed the foaming liquid over and traded it for a glass of clear water in front of Ragon. After squeezing a bit of fruit juice into it, she wiped her hands and drank. "That's what I needed."
+The idea of prolonging the hangover didn't appeal to Linsan. She pushed the foaming liquid over and traded it for a glass of clear water from in front of Ragon. After squeezing a bit of fruit juice into it, she wiped her hands and drank. "That's what I needed. My mother always said don't drink spirits in the morning."
 
 "Bah," Ragon said grabbing Linsan's old lager to pour half of it into his own glass before returning it. "More for me. I'd rather not go to work sober, if you know what I mean."
 
@@ -101,33 +106,35 @@ Ragon's eyes lit up. "Oh, was she driving the pink Glasscoaster buggy?"
 
 "I don't know what type, but it has big wheels and it's pink."
 
-He grinned. "She is pretty. Married? Do I have to get rid of her betrothed? I'm a noble fighter."
+He grinned. "She is beautiful. Is she married? Do I have to get rid of her betrothed? I'm a noble fighter."
 
 Wendil reached over and smacked him before stealing the rest of his drink. "The car is probably registered with the Artificer Academy or the Mechanics and you are never going to get within miles of that tailpipe. Either of them," she finished wagging her finger.
 
-Roal sighed. "Yeah, sweet buggies like that always go with the Pistons anyways. No chance it will be driving into our garage."
+Ragon sighed. "Yeah, sweet buggies like that always go with the Pistons anyways. No chance it will be driving into our garage."
 
 Linsan almost choked on her food.
 
 Raul smacked her shoulders until she stopped coughing. "Are you okay?"
 
-"You're with the unaffilianed mechanics?"
+"You're with the unaffiliated mechanics in town?"
 
-Raol said nothing for a moment and then grinned broadly. "Dorsen and Sons, only unchained mechanic in thirty leagues. I'm neither Dorset or one of his four daughters."
+Ragon said nothing for a moment and then grinned broadly. "Dorsen and Sons, only unchained mechanic in thirty leagues. I'm neither Dorset or one of his four daughters."
 
 "Are you one of his sons?" Linsan asked.
 
-Raol grinned and winked. "No son. He had two but they both turned out to be girls. I blame him drinking on the job." Then he shrugged. "Not really. Everyone knew he had four daughters before he put up the sign, but he's a penny-pinching bastard and left it up. All five of them of them work the garage. I'm just their errand boy and do the little jobs."
+Ragon grinned and winked. "No son. He had two but they both turned out to be girls. I blame him drinking on the job for not seeing it earlier." Then he shrugged. "Not really. Everyone knew he had four daughters before he put up that sign, but he's a penny-pinching bastard and left it up. All five of them of them work the garage. I'm just their errand boy and do the little jobs around the shop."
 
 Wendil tapped the edge of her hat. "I own a hat shop in town, about five streets down."
 
-Linsan gulp adn wiped her hands. "I... we were going to be visiting you today."
+It was obvious that Wendil was feeling left out of the conversation but Linsan was too close to be pulled aside. She looked pleadingly at her for a moment and then turned back to Ragon. "I... we were going to be visiting you today."
 
-Roal blinked. "You were?"
+Ragon blinked. "You were?"
+
+Wendil almost choked on her drink. "You were?"
 
 "Yes. Have you seen a... a... 1842..." Linsan struggled to remember the car. "Deanglen Black Lighting?"
 
-Roal smirked.
+Ragon smirked. "No chance in the Seven Saints' Assholes that someone drove a Black Thunder into our shop. Why would they?"
 
 Linsan realized her mistake. "Black Thunder. It isn't registered with any of the guilds and there were probably three guys in it. One of them had a guitar that did fire magic."
 
@@ -135,13 +142,17 @@ Wendil tapped the table frantically. She was draining the glass but kept going u
 
 Linsan's heart swelled. They had heard of the murderers.
 
-Wendil turned to Roal. "Do you think he's still hanging around Mayforn and Gabaw? Those three were always sticking together ever since Gabaw got fired by Dorsen."
+Wendil turned to Ragon. "Do you think he's still hanging around Mayforn and Gabaw? Those three were always sticking together ever since Gabaw got fired by Dorsen."
 
-Then she turned back to Linsa. "Stay away from those guys, Lin. They are trouble no matter what they are doing. Last I heard, they were blackjacking across the country."
+"Did they have fire powers too?" asked Linsan, her voice cracking.
+
+Wendil nodded. "Oh, but you better stay away from those three, Lin. They are trouble no matter what they are doing. Last I heard, they were blackjacking across the country."
 
 Linsan shook her head. "Blackjacking?"
 
-"Arson, stealing, robbing people. They hadn't gotten to murder but I doubt it would stay that way. They were always chasing after the next score. Gabaw got caught trying to filing off the registration numbers off of vehicles and selling them at Dorsen's."
+"Arson, stealing, and robbing people. They are just assholes on a good day but brigands in the middle of the night. They hadn't gotten to murder as far as I know but I doubt it would stay that way. They were always chasing after the next score."
+
+Ragon shook his head. "Gabaw got caught trying to filing off the registration numbers off of vehicles and selling them at Dorsen's."
 
 Linsan's stomach twisted violently. "Arson? Like setting someone's lands on fire?" Or killing Duncan?
 
@@ -149,40 +160,94 @@ Wendil shrugged. "Yeah, if someone wanted to ruin some trees, I guess. There had
 
 Linsan nodded slowly.
 
-Roal groaned. "Oh, that would be horrible. I'm still dreaming of hearing yours play."
+Ragon groaned. "Oh, that would be horrible. I'm still dreaming of hearing your play and it's only been a night. There is something about you and that instrument."
 
-"That would be Tiblin. He'd murder his father if someone paid him."
+"That would be Tiblin." Wendil shook her head. "He'd murder his father if someone paid him."
 
 "He killed his best friend's wife, remember. Nasty, nasty man. Be careful, Lin. Be really careful, he won't hestiate to hurt you if come up on him."
 
-Roal started to say something but then his eyes glanced up. Sharply inhaling, he stood up abruptly just as Brook slapped her hand next to Linsan.
+Ragon started to say something but then his eyes glanced up. Sharply inhaling, he stood up abruptly just as Brook slapped her hand on the table next to Linsan.
 
-"Get up! We need to get out of here!" she snapped.
+"Get up! We need to get out of this damn place and find my buggy!" she snapped.
 
 Linsan jumped before turning to look up at her. "Brook, I think---"
 
-Brook's face was twisted in a scowl. "I don't care. We need to get to Dorsen and Sons and see if they found those damn---" She cut herself off.
+Brook's face was twisted in a scowl. "I don't care about your stupid friends with the instruments. We need to get to Dorsen and Sons and see if they found those damn---" She cut herself off.
 
-Roal held out his hand. "Excuse me."
+Ragon stood up and held out his hand. "Excuse me."
 
 Brook settled a withering glare at him and his hand.
 
-He pulled his hand back and then set down. He gave Linsan a sympathic look. "I can see why you didn't want to spend the night with her. I bet she bites."
+He pulled his hand back and then set down. He gave Linsan a sympathetic look. "I can see why you didn't want to spend the night with her. I bet she bites in her sleep."
 
 There was a stunned silence.
 
-Linsan looked up to see Brook's cheeks were colored underneath her scowl. Then she turned away. "Raol, just tell her."
+Linsan looked up to see Brook's cheeks were colored underneath her scowl. Then she turned away. "Ragon, just tell her."
 
-Roal rolled his eyes. "Tiblin and his friends would never go to Dorsen's. Not after Gebaw got fired from there. Besides, if they were going anywhere, they would head straight for Geb's barn. It's only thirty five miles or so down the road and he has an entire set of tools he stole from Dorsen there."
+Ragon crossed his arms over his chest.
 
-The muscles along Brook's jaw tightened. "Thank you," she said in a forced tone.
+"Please?"
 
-"If you're nice and maybe have breakfast with us, I'll tell you where." Roal's eyes crinkled with his smile.
+He rolled his eyes and then sighed. "Fine." Rolling his head to the side, he stared at Brook. "Tiblin and his friends would never go to Dorsen's. Not after Gebaw got fired from there."
 
-Linsan looked at Brook sharply.
+"How would you know?" Brook's voice cut through the din.
 
-Brook trembled for a moment.
+"I work there, Snake Tongue. And if you closed your mouth and---"
 
-"Your check-out ticket isn't for another twenty minutes. You can wait. I promise."
+Wendil smacked Ragon.
 
-For a long moment, Brook said nothing. Then she pulled out the chair between Linsan and Wendil and sat down heavily. The ruffles of her dress tickled Linsan's arm as she settled into place. "Fine. I'll play."
+He glared at her but then continued. "Besides, if they were going anywhere, they would head straight for Geb's barn. It's about a day's walk off the main road leading to Moon Waters to one of the smaller villages."
+
+Brook glared at Linsan who ducked her head.
+
+"How far?" Brook asked.
+
+Ragon smiled. "Sit."
+
+"No."
+
+"Well, then I guess you're going to miss it." Ragon smiled. It looked cheerful but there was a hardness in his eyes.
+
+"Ragon," said both Wendil and Linsan.
+
+"No, if she's going to be a snake, why would I help her?"
+
+"I beg your pardon," Brook said, her back straightening.
+
+Ragon leaned forward. "You don't have a ticket which means you haven't checked out. Even if you got in line, you're going to be waiting at least a half hour before you get into that Glasscoaster of yours and head out."
+
+Brook's jaw tightened.
+
+"So, please sit and relax. Getting breakfast won't stop you since you don't have to talk to Dorsen or his daughters."
+
+"Sons," Brook said.
+
+"Daughters," said everyone else at the table. Linsan grinned at the private joke.
+
+Brook tensed for a moment. Then she looked around at the crowded room.
+
+"Come on, give me a chance," Ragon said, a bit of his charm rising in his voice.
+
+"I'd rather drink poison."
+
+He grinned and held up his empty glass. "A lager then? Or do you prefer something stronger."
+
+Brook made a face before she pulled out a seat between Linsan and Wendil. Primly, she sat down. "Tea, and black and strong as they'll make it."
+
+Wendil leaned forward. "Grabil or Tinkoil style. Or something more exotic like Asanogi?"
+
+"*Asanōgi*," Brook said prolonging the vowel, "with a lot of cream and sugar."
+
+Linsan looked at the two.
+
+Wendil grinned and tapped her hat. "I serve tea to my customers. They like to hear the exotic styles."
+
+Brook seemed to relax. "Millinery?" When Wendil nodded, Brook held out a gloved hand. "May I see?"
+
+Wendil seemed to glow as she took off her hat and handed it over.
+
+Inspecting it carefully for a moment, Brook relaxed even more before she handed it back. "Very well," she said, "I'll play. Tell me more."
+
+Linsan gently nudged her with an elbow.
+
+Brook's jaw tightened. "Please?"

language.json

@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 {
 	"knownWords": [
 		"Brunil",
+		"Dorsen",
 		"Dukan",
 		"Dukan's",
 		"Gainsburg",
@@ -20,6 +21,8 @@
 		"Melodol",
 		"Palisis",
 		"Penesol",
+		"Ragon",
+		"Ragon's",
 		"Ralonix",
 		"Salamin",
 		"Sian",
@@ -32,6 +35,7 @@
 		"Tisin",
 		"Tisin's",
 		"Valian",
-		"Wendil"
+		"Wendil",
+		"Wendil's"
 	]
 }