Turn 97B -- Milbourne Turn 97B -- Milbourne Walking out of the Baron of Mutton, Garth makes his way to the stables to check in on Bucky. Sugar cube in hand, Garth nuzzles his faithful pony behind its ears with his right hand as Bucky nibbles at the treat in his left. Having seen to his pony, Garth decides to walk over to the Temple of Tyr instead of riding. Bucky neighs softly as Garth gives over the last sugar cube and leaves the stables.
Townspeople wave to Garth as he makes his way across town, stopping several times to speak to some of the less fortunate of Milbourne's residents. Hands clasped behind his back, Garth whistles a soft tune as he leaves the edges of town and starts toward the temple. A cool breeze blows in his face and he thinks on how the weather has warmed in the last month since he arrived in the valley of Haranshire.
As Garth reaches the outskirts of the Temple, he can see two priests out in the courtyard working on the beautiful flower gardens of the temple. Garth waves to them as he enters the modest temple. Kneeling at the altar inside is the young priest Semheis. Garth remains quiet as Semheis finishes his prayer before turning to greet Garth with a broad smile.
"Welcome, friend Garth," he exclaims as he moves forward with his hand outstretched.
Garth takes the proferred hand to shake and returns the greeting.
"What brings you to my modest temple?"
"I came ta check up on the lady Marlay."
"Ah, of course," replies Semheis. "By the way, I meant to thank you for the service for Brother Randor, a beautiful service."
Garth nods at the thanks from Semheis but says nothing more.
"It seems that I have nothing new to add on the condition of our charge, Marlay. Her insanity is still as strong as before. She has taken to our kitchen though and shown to be an excellent cook. She remains calm when working in the kitchen, but taken out she becomes quite animated and unbearable. We gave up long ago and allowed her to rule that domain," he laughs at his own little joke as Garth nods.
Walking through the sanctuary, the two priests make their way through the temple and into the residential areas. Through another corridor and past the dining area, they come into the domain of Marlay. Garth smiles as he sees the lady, now cleaned up despite the dirty apron around her waist.
"Greetings lady Marlay," says Garth as he enters the kitchen. The lady turns to look at him and for an instant there is no recognition in the eyes of the cook. After a moment or two, the look passes and realization dawns in her face.
"Garth!"
Marlay runs forward to take up Garth in a huge bear-hug. "It's so good ta see ya!" she says as she spins the laughing dwarf around. "Thank you so much fer me new kitchen." Making a sweep of the kitchen with her hand, she quickly moves around to show Garth all the wonders of her domain.
******
Back in town, Snagger has left the Baron of Mutton to join his uncle Grizzler at his house for a bit of afternoon drinking. Ras saddles his pony and heads out to the countryside around Milbourne to find a suitable place of residence for the company to possibly buy. Ortho heads over to the stables to speak with Nafton about a pair of donkeys to purchase. Having no donkeys of his own to sell, Nafton points Ortho to the direction of one Hammel Fairton, a local farmer who might have the animals to sell.
Getting the directions from Nafton, Ortho saddles his pony and heads out to the farm of Hammel. An hours worth of searching the countryside and Ortho finally rides up to the estate of Hammel. A modest farm that is worked by Hammel, his wife and his four sons, Garth rides up as Hammel's wife walks out of the house.
"'Hoy! Lady Fairton," calls Ortho as he sees her. Turning to face the approaching dwarf, the lady waves her arm and smiles, recognizing the the red feather prominently displayed on Ortho's cloak. As Ortho dismounts and walks over, the lady repeatedly bows despite the protestations of Ortho.
"Not necessary, my lady. What is yer name?"
"Esther, my lord. Esther Fairton," she replies happily. "What can I do fer ye?" she asks.
"I came ta see if'n yer husband might be inerested in selling some o' his fine mules?"
"Hammel? Why shore he would! I'll get 'im fer ye." Turning toward the fields, she takes a step or two before bellowing, "HAMMEL! HAMMEL FAIRTON!!!" Seeing no immediate response from the men working in the fields, she moves over to ring a loud bell at the front of the house. Ortho cringes at the noise of the bell and the sight of the five men come running toward the house with hoes and shovels in hand. The eldest of the men, Hammel no doubt, comes running up in front of Esther, his eyes warily on Ortho.
"What's the problem?"
"Hammel, this here is Ortho Pestkiller of the Red Feather Company and he came 'ere ta by some of yer mules! Our mules, can ye imagine?!"
Hammel extends his hand and shakes with Ortho as he looks the dwarven priest over. Hammel himself is a stout, middle-aged man with dark, thinning hair. His hand is callused and used to the rigors of life on a farm. Dark, penetrating eyes look out from his tanned face. Quickly appraising Ortho, he finally asks what he needs the beasts for. Ortho explains that the company will be needing them as packmules for an extended journey. He is thankful that Hammel takes that as an adequate answer and does not inquire further.
"Ah've got a couple," he says as he motions Ortho around to the back of the house. Hammel's sons watch Ortho and whisper among themselves and with their mother as Ortho and Hammel walk around the house. Once there, Hammel points to several mules that graze in the pasture.
After pointing out two mules that Ortho assumes will make good pack mules and could handle the rigors of the underdark, he inquires as to their cost.
"Twelve gold crowns each," replies Hammel.
"Twelve crowns!" exclaims Ortho, "By Moraddin's beard, that's outrageous! I could easily get those broken down beasts fer 6 crowns each in Arabel!"
"Well this ain't Arabel," says Hammel with a raise of his right eyebrow.