[Location] The Gardens

[Aesha]

To accompany the new look building of the Crown Inn and Tavern, the gardens of the inn had also been redesigned, and were fast becoming a favourite spot for the citizens of Prime to take a walk and relax. The gardens surrounded the tavern on three sides, excluding the back of the tavern were more industrial buildings and pursuits were kept.

Consisting of various lawns, flowerbeds, and even an ornamental lake, the various parts of the gardens were joined together by one wide, winding gravel path that snaked its way in and out of the various features of the gardens. Dotted along the path and in some of the more secluded parts of the gardens were wooden benches, perfect for sitting down and enjoying the sun on a spring or summer day.

On the left side of the Crown, under the shade of two tall oak tress, stood the ornamental pond. This was also surrounded by two benches, and the pond itself was fed from a miniture waterfall that climbed up artifical rocks, that had almost certainly been set up by magical means. The pond itself contained a number of waterplants, and a big collection of lilypads. Goldfish and more exotic varieties of aquatic life could be seen swimming in the waters if looked for hard enough. Various flowerbeds that followed the gravel path around the lands of the Crown Inn added a rainbow of colours to the pond in the appropriate seasons of their budding.

On the right side stood a wide lawn, perfect for picnics. A number of trees, oak, fir and beech created shade for hot summer days. In the middle of the lawn stood a large, ornate sundial. The base of the sundial was carved with creepy ivy, the top surrounded by lifelike sculptings of butterflies in flight. As well as the sundial, in one corner of the lawn stood a statue of Diana, an image of the patron of the Empire created by one of the most skilled artists of Alleria.

The front of the Crown gardens was awash with colour. Since this part of the garden led up to the main entrance of the Empire's most famous tavern, no expense had been spare, and the path to the doorway of the crown was surrounded by flowers and plants of allsort that contained a myriad of different shapes and sizes, every colour of the rainbow.

Everyday people could be found in the gardens of the Crown Inn & Tavern, taking exercise, catching up with friends, or perhaps sharing a romantic picnic with a loved one.

[Keirron Ri'owa]

Month of Optia, Season of Summer, Era XII

Struggling through the city with her arms full of various parcels and bags, the white Katta, grumbled to herself as she was knocked into for the seventh time that day. Giving up on trying to reach the palace, she turned and headed for the Tavern, knowing the garden looked nice this time of year.

Finding a seat by the side of the ornamental pond, Keirron placed everything down carefully, scooping water into a cup from the pond and setting it beside her. Sifting through the array of packages, she selected a piece of paper and took out the hard board on which she rested her work. Fishing a pencil from her bag, the Katta’s green and hazel eyes flicked to the pond, focusing on a fish.

In a few moments, the rough shape of the fish was sketched, it had gone back into the water, but it did not matter, Keirron remembered exactly what it was like. Pulling out her small pots of paint, the white Katta set about mixing colours, painting in the individual scales and then filling the surrounding scene with its duller colours.

Setting down the palette, Keirron afforded the picture a Katta smile. The gold of the fish shone from the page, the shady colours of the pond emphasizing the fish even more. Picking out the ink pot and a fine brush, Keirron took to adding in small and fine details, making the painting seem all that much more real.