Turn 26A -- Rendevous with Rannigan

Kersath's gaze follows the mage as he walks away, a bit surprised at the mage's mannerisms. "Well, what do you know. We seem to be starting to attract attention from people a bit higher in the chain of command. Judging by the way he introduced himself, he's a noble. Makes you wonder what a noble, who is both a mage and a stranger to this place, would travel all this way for, doesn't it?"

Snagger looks unspeakingly at where the mage just exited. Turning back to his mug he remarks, "Bah, mages." Dain takes a deep drought from his mug, savoring the honeyied sweetness of the aromatic mead and ignoring the comments of Snagger, his eyes staring past the scene before him. A sparkle returns to his eye as the reality of the situation reaches him.

"He reminds me of my mentor, Talimar. Only he possesses too much pride, I think, but such can be expected, I suppose. His offer may prove fruitful and may prove more costly than his reward, as well, but we'll never know until we investigate the matter."

Dain once again slips halfway into his dreamlike state while muttering, "Mage of the Third Order, utter rubbish...Just who does he think he's dealing with...Probably never carried water or copied books for hours on end either..."

Gnore huffs as his eyes remain locked on the stairs the mage climbed upon leaving. The glare he held has not softened in the slightest since the mage departed.

"Those o' us bound fer Shadowdale 'ave not time fer this. Besides, the gnomes await our return." Gnore huffs once more and drains his tankard dry. Placing the mug before him, he scratches his chin in frowning thought. "Still, I s'pose it wuldn't hurt if the elf and Dain talk ta the mage."

"Aye, ya speak good dwarf sense, kin Gnore," responds Druckner. "Ah'll be damned if Ah'll run up them stairs after that uppity wizardling."

Turning to address Dain and Talimar, he adds, "An' don't ferget, if he's trouble, ya can call on yer mates, good dwarven steel will bring even ta most stabbern magelings down ta size."

"Innkeeper! More ale fer me an' me friends, do ya want us ta die of thirst, by Moraddin's hairy toes!"

Garth sighs at the words and actions of his companions around him, "I believe we have a commitment to our current rescue attempt, however, we should at least hear him out. Perhaps his needs lie along a similar vein as ours or he would be willing to wait for our return?"

Shaken from his silent reverie, Dain begins with a deep frown etched upon his face, "I don't think it would be in our best interests if I were to be involved. The clash in personality is too great and I fear we would be at each other's throats before we were done."

Gnore's eyebrows arch upwards at Dain's words, "Eh? Now I'd pay t' see that!" Gnore jokes with a big smile. "What say you kin and Company? Ten gold wagers Dain drops the rude one in ten moments," Gnore roars with laughter at his own jest. The other dwarves, excepting Garth of course, appear to be the only ones who thoroughly enjoy Gnore's jest as they raise their tankards, drink to his health and order another round, all the while discussing the merits of the mage and the fantastical battle between sorcerers.

Beleg sits quietly as his companions comment about the behavior of teh now departed mage, occasionally nodding in agreement. As the conversation wanes, he adds his words, "I too am bound for Shadowdale and I agree with Gnore that the gnomes await our return, so there is little time to waste. Yet, as Garth says, the mage's goals and ours may not be mutually exclusive. Despire the superior attitude and ungracious behavior of this mage, it might be best if we did inquire as to his reason for searching us out. This mage's manner is not unlike that of Count Parlfray, not that a royal title or position excuse poor manners, and we were able to make an accommodation with him." He turns to Talimar and adds, "Since Dain is not interested, I would be pleased to accompany you Talimar, shall we?" Beleg then stands and awaits Talimar's decision.

Talimar shrugs, "We may as well see what he is after. He may be able to offer some help or information for our quest." The elf stands and gestures for Beleg to lead the way. The stout warrior starts toward the stairs, then stops. Flagging down one of the waitresses, he asks, "Can you tell me which room Rannigan Elderspire is in?"

The young waitress, a pretty young girl named Danielle blushes as she speaks to the Paladin before answering. "Yes, M'lord, his is the third room on your right at the top of the stairs." She curtsies awkwardly but deeply before blushing once again and hurrying away. Noticing the blush of the pretty maid, Beleg gives Talimar a sheepish grin before turning to move up the stairway. The elf quietly follows after his rather large companion.

Upong arriving at the mage's room, Beleg gives the door a solid knock and waits for a response. His wait is short as the door slowly opens before him, the image of Rannigan Elderspire's head coming into view around the edge of the door, his body quickly stepping around as he sees the companions. A broad smile appears on his face then.

"Greetings! Beleg Cuthalion and Talimar Silverblade. Welcome. Come in, gentlemen." The smiling mage turns to allow the two to enter the room as he moves across to a pitcher of wine on the table near the bed. "Would you care for some wine? It is an excellent vintage. I was rather surprised that Barthelew actually had it. It took some measure of persuasion and coinage, I might add, to convince him to let me have it. Have a seat please, gentlemen. Sorry for the inconvenience." Rannigan points to a couple of chairs on the other side of the room as he pours the wine into a trio of goblets before handling each of the companions one. Seeing their hesitation, he takes a quick drink of his wine, savoring the flavor before smiling to them.

"And what do I owe the honor of this visit?" he finally asks.