~ PASSAGE 67 ~
SOCIAL PONDERINGS

Oktavianus marched straight to the bar while the others settled at a nearby table. The dwarf climbed up on a stool signalling the bartender to bring him a mug of ale.
Aramil spoke casually " I will go chat with several of the townsfolk to get an idea of the commoner's look on things." He then slipped away heading for a group of farmers standing in the center of the tavern.

Erelis stated with a sigh " The dwarf sure has his mind made up on things don't he."
Leah furrowed her brow " He may have his tendacies for stubborness, but he is adding much more tension to the group by attacking our ranger with unkind words. Who better to lead us out of all this danger?!"

Teflar remained silent as he had an hour earlier. Along the road, Oktavianus had wished to part ways with the woodsman rather than to face much more erratic behavior from him.

Torynth spoke up after cueing a passing waitress for a drink " Maybe the cleric is angry that one of his own was hurt as well as the barbarian being killed in the company of Nerendil and Teflar. Mountain dwarf grudges run deep ya' know."
Gailwind waved off the pronouncement " Ahhh, Gulius chose what he knew. He was responsible for himself and no others should hold solely to one bad decision. He fought bravely when Hebron started a fight with that troll no matter what the outcome."

Teflar walked away towards the gaming area leaving the rest to ponder their social functioning.
" Seems a shame to have the bard missing." spoke Erelis sullenly
" It would be great to hear a story out of Phertic for once."

For the next fifteen minutes, the group watched the barfolk as they talked and laughed amongst themselves. Sparse groups sung reagle songs of kinship while others celebrated the roll of dice when they clattered in the far corner.

Oktavianus came back with his mug of ale and sat down hard on one of the chairs. Aramil did the same after getting the information he seemed to want from the cattlemen. The dwarf drank deeply from his frothy mug and asked "So, any news gathered here tonight?"
Before any could answer, Teflar came back to the table a bit stunned. Apparently, he didn't fare too well playing his game of darts.

Aramil lifted a glass of water, sipped and stated " Well, the cattle have been getting attacked by wolves and worse, I hear."  Looking over at Teflar " I am sorry to say I am not one of worldly knowledge, but there have been marks left;  needlelike clawmarks specifically.  Can you come up with something from that or would you perhaps like to go searching for these marks yourself?"

Teflar shrugged and downed a second ale he confiscated from a passing waitress " I feel like we should settle somewhere first."

Torynth responded " Where? You mentioned a church before, no?"
Erelis detracted " Let's get a room at an inn. I don't want to act odd in a town we need help in."

After the group agreed, Leah questioned curiously " Where were these cattle attacked, Aramil; did they say?" The mage shook his head " I figure they were meaning around the whole of Pinedroi. I never asked exactly where they herded their cattle."