"Yes," Ahn said. "I remember. Now, what kind of favor would this happen to be? Do you need a spell done, or magical artefact, or..."
‘Babbling, as usual,' Sola chuckled. "No, nothing like that," she answered. "Why don't ye come an sit with me - my new ‘buddy' over there and I'll give ye the details."
Ahn followed her, keeping on his face a studied ‘bored-and-indifferent' expression, all the while cringing inside. ‘What could she want?' he wondered.
They arrived back at Sola's table where the nobleman had been waiting, obviously unsure whether or not he should stay.
"So where am I to be meeting these boys?" she asked as she and Ahn sat down.
"Ih- in front of the castle, madam, at first light two days from now."
Ahn snorted. "Madam?!"
"And," the nobleman continued, trying very hard to ignore Ahn, "we require complete secrecy." He said this with a sidelong glance at the elf.
"Of course, milord," Sola said with a grin. "Who do ye take me for?"
"That will be all," the nobleman said, changing the subject. "Be there on time, mind. And you will be paid at the gates upon your arrival."
He then rose from his seat, bowing to Sola and casting a doubtful glance at Ahn, and headed for the exit.
Their meeting thus concluded, Sola then turned her attention to Ahn.
"What was that all about, *madam*?" he asked.
"Oh, ‘tis just a job I picked up. Now, about that favor..." She grinned as Ahn once again got that uncomfortable look, thought no one but her would have noticed. "I be wanting *cough* want you to accompany me on this mission. I figure a magic-user like you could be of use."
She then proceeded to tell him what the journey entailed; secrecy doesn't count to a mercenary if they're trying to talk someone into being their partner.
"I'm interested," Ahn said once she had finished. "But I'm afraid I have some... business to attend to."
"Now just ye wait one minute there! Ye do be owin' me a favorin', Ahn. I'll no be lettin' ye get out o' it with that much ease!"
Ahn flinched as the onslaught continued. The other patrons all turned toward them, giving them odd looks and muttering amongts themselves. Desperately, he finally managed to get a word in edgewise:
"Calm down! I promise that when I'm through here, I'll join you on the road."
"You'd better," Sola said, flipping a strand of purple hair out of her face. "And how can I be sure of this?"
Inside, Ahn sighed with relief. But now he had to think fast. "Here," he said, handing her a plain leather bracelet. "This will act as a beacon, and it will allow me to locate you, no matter where you are."
