City of Orussus, The Red Dragon Inn X

[Boddynock]

""It certainly seems that your skills will complement those of Keldar Warbray. If I remember rightly, Rilithorne's assistant offered a minimum of 200 crowns apiece for a simple courier job - and more if we ran into trouble, which we certainly have done. And Thyrin will no doubt be grateful to be rescued. Some of us received a small advance, though not Sammy, but we will give her a reduced share, of course. But let's not get ahead of ourselves. Rapture and I have just a few questions, don't we, sweetness? Where do you see yourself in five years' time? What would you say your greatest fault is? If you were an animal, which one would you be?"

Tarag gazes steadily at the fellow. He sighs, says, "So, you're one of those who like the sound of your own voice, even when you've nothing to say," and turns towards the newcomer.

"So, given hazard pay, around 200 gold. That'd certainly be welcome. How far away is Grenton? How long will it take to travel there? If it's far, I'll have to buy a horse - and for that I'll need an advance on funds. What skills do the group have already - a mage, yes. What of you other two? And the fourth? Surely more than a 'manservant'?"

 

[Trouvere]

"Great wisdom may resemble foolishness," intones Keldar, "and he that lives without folly is not as wise as he thinks. I think I would probably be a cat. Grenton, my uncooperative friend, lies to the south-west, along the coast road to Allimon. We three set out from there this morning, two of us on foot, and it took us about seven hours. I should think we will set out again early tomorrow, before dawn. To be honest, I would be uncomfortable singing my own praises. Er, Tommy, Rapture, how would you describe Keldar?"

 

[Solange]

"I think he was quite accurate," Rapture says with a smile. "A healer is good, and a warrior healer is better. I think you will do just find m'lord," she says to Tarag.

"Galwynn and I are paladins, and despite what Keldar may say m'lord, Galwynn is certainly not his manservant. Unless I am misunderstanding his use of the word..." Rapture raises an eyebrow at Keldar.

 

[Boddynock]

Tarag snorts. "M'lord? No, I'm no lordling, lass. What I am is a Smith ... or at least a fledgling one. That's a position of respect in dwarven society, and it carries with it great responsibility, too - and that's all I would ever want for myself."

"M'lord." He chuckles softly.

 

[Solange]

"What would you have me call you then m'lord?" Rapture asks.

 

[Boddynock]

"Why, by my name - Tarag," says the smith, smiling at Rapture.

 

[covaithe]

"That's an exceedingly satisfied smile, Atomerasu," says Keldar. "What have you been up to? Rapture implied you were bidding Samina a fond farewell. I'm just interviewing Tarag here."

"I shall graciously ignore your ignoble suggestion and tell you a tale!" Tommy says grandly. "I exchanged a few friendly words of parting with Sammy, and left to make my way here, as did you. By happy chance, aided perhaps by a slight detour I happened to make, I espied that old Davian Blackthumb was not at his bookseller's stall, but that it was manned by a new face, a bare-faced apprentice!" Tommy appears completely oblivious to the fact that his own face has never showed any interest in hair production. "Thus I was able to get through three books and most of a fourth before he called the watch on me! Ha! Old Davian usually calls them as soon as he spots me, unless he's buttering up a customer. You would have liked one of the books, Keldar. It was a dashing adventure full of quips, ripped bodices and highly fictionalized boasting. There was some poetry too, but I couldn't tell you if it was any good. To be honest, when I got a few lines into it my eyes started to glaze over and I had to skip down the page before I fell over asleep right there in the marketplace."

 

[Trouvere]

"It wasn't the pseudonymous biography 'Raw Daybreak: the tale of a hero and the high priestesses of Ulura' by Barry Lakeward, was it?" asks Keldar Warbray. "I have heard that is very good."
"Rapture calls everyone m'lord and m'lady, Tarag, except Keldar - unless she is displeased with me, which is about half the time." He whistles a snatch of sad tune, which some of those present might recognise as bearing the words "For she feels nothing but disdain."

 

[covaithe]

"No, though if you know where to find it I'd love to read it. This was "Epicene Wildeblood and the Sword-Maidens of Riem", by Fineara Goldenbough, or some such. Anyway," Tommy rubs his hands together. "Are we ready to go? That tower's not getting any less fiery, you know."

 

[Trouvere]

"Epicene sounds like a bit of a girly-man compared to Lakeward," Keldar replies. "Ugh... we've only just got here. I was looking forward to a bath and a fine meal. But I suppose we can head half way back before we fall asleep on our feet, and thus arrive earlier tomorrow. Tarag, you're hired. Do you need to gather any belongings?"