Turn 15B -- More Work

After greeting Garyld, Talimar and Dain make their apologies and then find a 'quiet' table in a corner so that they can have a little privacy to discuss their respective art. "Perhaps one of you clerics could cast the detect magic on the items, I wish to spend some time with Dain going through our spells, another mage with a sleep spell would have been a help in the battle with the orcs," says Talimar before leaving the group. Talimar and Dain then move to their table with their spellbooks and are soon deep in conversation.

Dain orders a hearty helping of beef stew and a generous amount of wine for he and Talimar. Upon bringing the meal, the waitress refuses payment from the two saying, "As heroes of the battle of Thornwood, the barkeep Barthelew says that this meal is on the house with the appreciation of the people of Milbourne." With that she smiles and stumbles through a deep curtsy before leaving the two to their privacy.

"Heroes of the battle of Thornwood?" says Talimar with a smile. "Things do have a way of getting blown out of proportion now don't they?"

"Ha, that they do my friend," agrees Dain with a laugh, "But as long as the people wish to show their gratitude with free meals, I have no problem with it!"

Both enjoy the hot meal after the days journey and afterwards clear off the table and set about to scribing pages from each others spellbooks. After being engrossed in this activity for an hour or so, the two mages are approached by a man dressed in merchant garb who takes a seat at their table.

The man is rather portly-looking who appears to sweat in the room despite the cold weather outside. As he speaks, he seems to have an air of self-importance about him. "Pardon me gentlemen, my name is Kel, and I am a merchant new to these parts. I heard about the deeds of your group this evening and was wondering if you would be interested in escorting a cargo of mind on a barge down the river?"

Taking a cup from a tray offered by the waitress, Kel pours himself a glass of wine and takes a sip before continuing. "Surprisingly good vintage considering, don't you think?" Seeing no reaction from Talimar or Dain, he clears his throat and starts again, "Well I can see you are busy men so I will get right to the point. I have a valuable cargo of silks, spices, and such that I need to get down the river to Thurmaster and I would be glad to pay your party 15 gold crowns each to serve as guards for the trip. Fair offer, don't you say?"

Raising his cup to take a sip of the wine, Dain looks at Talimar before speaking, "That sounds like a fair price indeed for the trip in normal times, but considering the recent events here in Milbourne and the surrounding area, what with the orc attacks and all, I think we will have to ask for more than that. Thirty gold maybe?"

Kel puffs up at the mention of the thirty gold, "Why sir, surely you mean no insult by that offer?! Thirty gold indeed, are you trying to break me? The fifteen gold is a fair price."

"Maybe for the local farmers and toughs from the mines, but if you want professional help, if you want the services of the Red Feather Adventuring Company, Heroes of the Thornwood, then 30 gold crowns if the price," Talimar says as he inclines back in his chair.

"Well I never! This is highway robbery right here at the Baron of Mutton! Indeed!" answers Kel increduously. "Very well then, as I have no other choice, I shall pay your thirty gold, but there will be no provisions provided for the days journey. You will take care of that yourself!"

"Agreed," says Dain. "We will have to check with our companions but there should be no problem with us serving as escorts for your cargo. We shall meet with you here again in the morning."

"Agreed," answers Kel as he rumbles away from the table mumbling again about 'high thievery... highway robbery...cutting into profits..."

"Looks like we're headed back to Thurmaster again," says Talimar with a smile.

"Aye, back to see Tauster again," answers Dain with an even bigger smile.

The two continue their work and finish off their wine before finally heading off to their rooms for the evening, agreeing to wait until the morning to tell the rest of the group about the river duty to Thurmaster.

Forward to the next turn