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[howandwhy99]

After placing his order with the carpenter, Ben retraced his path back to the ironsmith’s. On his way he spotted Dram and Dalin hotfooting it into what looked like the town inn. Ben moved over to join them as Ormand the Redd and Pax came walking in behind. Inside Ben was completely shocked. “By the Gods!”
“Not quite” responded the ugly dwarven woman. “But we do serve any and all willing customers. Do you have a particular preference?” Dram, Dalin, and Pax stepped right up and ordered ale. Tossing a goodly amount of coin on a table each soon had two women on their laps.
“Come on, Ben. Live a little!” said Dram. Ormand quietly walked out the door.

“What is this place?” asked Ben stupidly.
“The Welcome Wench Inn”, said the dwarf. Turning back to Kayla, “perhaps you are interested? There are several good men available too?” Her gaze took in Ben as well.
“But…um… Wait a minute. That’s the name of the inn in Homlett?” Ben was still flustered.
“Yes, yes, so we call it the same thing. Who cares?” said the woman.
“Pardon me, but are you the owner of this establishment?” asked Kayla. At that moment Ben noticed Rose dancing with some of the other men inside. He quickly exited finding Ormand cowering outside the door.
“Grog is the owner. But he is sleeping now and I wouldn’t want to wake him.”
“Ahhh… So he the one who owns the sword above the mantle then?”, asked Kayla.

Outside Darius marched across the street and through the door before Ben could think to warn him. He had just finished stabling the horses and took a good long gaze at what was happening inside the brothel. Kayla took the chance to draw him aside and filled him in on what she suspected. Some large pimp ran the inn, but room prices were exorbitant. She suggested heading somewhere else before trouble started. Diedre was spotted across the room selling fortunes to some of the men and women. Darius decided they would stay awhile and try their luck.

“You are quite the fine specimen,” the dwarven madam said as she approached. “Do you care to practice some stonecutting while in town?” Darius laughed loudly. And then took her up on her offer. The two went upstairs in private. Alone again, Kayla determined to learn what she could about the town and ‘Grog’ while the others frivoled away the time. Outside Ben patiently explained to Ormand how not all women enjoyed places like this. “Rose isn’t like any other woman”, the red-haired man responded. Just then Dalin and Dram ran out and shoved two pouches in Ben’s hands. “Hold those” ordered Dram as he turned back inside.
“And don’t give ‘em back to us until tomorrow!” shouted Dalin as he followed. One bag was much heavier than the other. “I wonder whose is whose?” thought Ben. It occurred to him he should check on his special project and left Ormand to watch the door.

Time passed and Kayla noticed there was still no sign of Darius. She recalled that when he was determined little could get in his way. The men and women in the common room were easily won, however. Besides learning of another inn in Kustner, one where they could actually sleep the night, Kayla discovered a few juicy rumors. Apparently some ‘Skinny man’ was sneaking around during the night and scrawling bizarre messages on the outer walls of the Sleeping Dragon – the name of the other inn. The man was always shaking and scared of the townsfolk. Several of the men bragged about beating him whenever he came around town. In truth the whole town scared Kayla a little too. It was not like anywhere else in Margrave she had been.

One woman told her that the ogres from the mountains might be closer than she suspected. Only when the woman snarled and laughed as she told Kayla the information. Reflecting on it, Kayla guessed it had something to do with the sword and shield. Seeing her fellow companions had stopped drinking and looked somewhat in control of themselves she collected Diedre to leave. The young apprentice had actually made a fair amount of coin in the interim. Ben saw them leave and promised to watch over the others. Ormand had clammed up and with no one to talk to Ben was anxious. The carpenter was taking quite a bit longer than he expected.