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[howandwhy99]

“Wait!” pleaded Ben. “I have not eaten all day.” Darius was in no mood to listen, but another thing had caught his eye. Four down on their luck mercenaries with weapons and armor sat on a couch in the back of the common room. Grog was actually sleeping on the floor in front of them. Darius let go and walked up to them. Seizing the opportunity, Ben grabbed a plate and began piling it high with food. He looked back at Darius and saw him staring suspiciously at three men and a woman. The rest of the team was still deep in discussion in the front of the room. “Greetings friends!” Ben called over while still grabbing food. “What business brings you to Kera? Why aren’t you at the Front fighting in the war?”

“We’re hired help,” said one man.
“We just came in on a two-wagon merchant caravan we were guarding from Adlerweg,” said the woman. Ben asked what was so valuable to guard.
“Merchant Urkwith…” the woman looked at her companions with a puzzled face. “Erkwith. He did not show or speak of his goods.”
“Fine, fine, I don’t mean to pry. I am Father Ben of the Goodly Gods. Who might you be?” He tried hard to ignore Darius who was staring at the four unabashedly. Ben decided it was best to wait before asking if they were believers.
“My name is Gwenna,” said the woman. “This is Hanz, Miklesh, and Ensler.” She pointed to each of the men in turn.

Darius gazed brutally at the mercenary band. They had overheard the conversation about Lavinia and the slavepits. He knew it. He sized up each one in turn. All four were human and wore similar green cloaks. Gwynna was a young female in chain. She carried spear, sword, and dagger. Miklesh was strong and tall, if a bit older. He had dark skin, curly grey hair, and functional human platemail. He carried sword, spear, and battered shield. Hanz was slimmest and looked weak to Darius. Barely out of his youth, he had studded leather, daggers, a shortsword, and shield as well. Enser was pasty faced. Average age, average human height, chainmail, and sword. Darius noticed a bow by his side. “The brains of the group,” he thought to himself. “And all are warriors. Hmmm…” He wondered what to do. “They know their way to Adlerweg,” he thought. “Maybe they’re just the help we need.”

The rest of the team walked across the room to find out what was going on. Dalin and Dram came last. They had each wrapped leather cord around the pommel and crosspieces of their swords to hide the dwarven mark thereon. Dalin went over to ask for Darius’s and woke him from his trance. “Are there any good places to ambush people along the road to Alderweg?” Darius asked the mercenaries. Hanz flinched.
“There may be,” said Gwenna noncommittally. Darius shifted his gaze to her.
“Do you go to Adlerweg often?”
“We know the road as well as anyone,” she responded.
“Do you know who Lavinia is?” The three men shifted in their seats. Hanz stood up and moved around Grog to the food tables. Gwenna did not break eye contact.
“We know of her,” she said. “We have seen her.”
“You have had business with her?”
”Never,” spat Gwenna.
That satisfied Darius. He offered the group a job, to take them to Keep Adlerweg. Gwynna agreed and the bartering began.

Dalin tapped Darius on the shoulder. “Maybe we should move to our rooms? For some privacy?”
“Maybe we should pay off the innkeeper so he doesn’t say anything?” said Dram sarcastically.
“GOLD! I’ll take Gold!!” the innkeeper shouted jumping up from behind the counter. Darius flipped him a goldpiece, which the man promptly bit into. Ben graciously led the four mercenaries upstairs to the bedrooms. Kayla stopped Darius before he could go up. She had made plans for Rose, Diedre, and herself.
“Okay,” said Darius. “Wherever you need to go, I trust you. Just be back before nightfall. It’s too dangerous in this city.” The three women left. Darius went to continue the bartering.