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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Brimshack" data-source="post: 4232522" data-attributes="member: 34694">...but nothing happened. The assassin was long gone. Some went out in search of him, but they found no signs at all. We never learned where the culprit had been when he fired the bolt.That morning we carried a host of weapons we had taken from various foes to the market - yes we were watching our backs the whole time - and we sold them. Using the money to replace our own lost and damaged items, we then turned to the next task of the evening. ***Oh! Wait, before I go on, I have GOT to tell you about my brand new dress. You see, we were replacing things, right? Well, my new dress was all bloodied up again, so I bought a new one. Only this time, it means something. I mean, this time it really means something. A white dress can be a very powerful item, at least to someone who knows the essence of that particular colour. I am so pleased with this, I just had to tell you about it. Okay, so I'll go back to the regular story.***Walking into the bar, I almost slipped on a puddle of liquid. I told myself it was just a someone's drink, but I feared worse. As we settled into a dingey table, I couldn't help noticing the number of eyes on us. Several thugs shifted positions about the smokey room. Within moments, someone stood near every exit. The manuevering wasn't too obvious, but it wasn't really that discrete either.Michael asked for a steak from a one horned steer and the waitress laughed out loud. She left nodding, chuckling to herself and nodding. A round of ale made its way to our table.After a good while someone came by and told us that we would have to leave, because our table had been reserved. This was of course met with a certain degree of incredulity, but the waitress insisted. Kristen asked if there was some place else we could go, and the waitress said that they might have a place for us in the back room. If we could just follow her, she suggested, she nodded towards and open door at the far side of the bar. Two of the ugliest, meanest, sweatiest men I have ever seen stood by the open door, apparently waiting for us to enter.We entered a small room without windows. Inside the room was a single table with enough chairs for each of us to have a seat, plus one more at the far end of the table. There was a single doorway on the opposite side of the room (making this a little too much like the old warehouse incident for my liking). One of the men gestured pulled a chair out for Kristen and gestured for all of us to take our seats. It seemed as much of an order as it was an invitation. When everyone was seated one of the thugs came by with several mugs of ale which he placed unceremoniously on the table. He then walked over to Carla and slapped a single gold coin on the table before walking out of the room.We all just stared at each other. After a pause Carla took the coin and stuffed it into her blouse. We passed around the mugs of ale.I should say that I was getting real thirsty, because I was not drinking any of this stuff. ...as much because of the dingy cups and mugs as a desire to stay sober. But seriously, ewe! This place was quite filthy.So, in walked a dingy brute of a man from the far side of the room. Predictably enough, he wore a patch over his left eye. Two more thugs took up positions near the far door, and the two others stood just outside the one we had come through. They left the door open just a little."Ballsy move, I'll give you that much.""Well, we were just in the neighborhood..." Carla was so cool, so non-challant. It occured to me that she would be quite at home in this very bar. ...probably happy to cut our throats if she had fallen in with Gable instead of us. I don't like to think such things about my friends, but sometimes you just see things. Well anyway, the conversation continued..."So what do you want?" Gable cut in."We want to know why?" Tom pushed his mug aside and leaned foreword to look Gable in the eye."Don't know myself. Don't care."I leaned foreword myself, and tried to phrase a question. Gable just looked exasperated. Speaking directly to me, he said, "the price was paid. That is all that matters." I leaned back in my chair. Looking around, I realized that I might have been the only one present who actually needed that one spelled out for me. Instinctively, I grabbed the mug and gulped down a swig of......gah! ...not water! It was really gross. I sat back and concentrated on keeping the contents of the drink down. I was now sure that wasn't a spilled drink I slipped on as we came through the doorway to the main bar. Fighting off a wave of revulsion, I resolved to let others do the talking from here on out."We can pay you to leave us alone." Patty winked."It doesn't work like that.""Honour among thieves." Bob nodded as if to say he had heard of this."Huh! I'm hurt." Gable chuckled. "But yes, you have the right idea. The price is paid, and I will not go back on my word. That may seem quaint, but it's the reason you'll walk out of here alive tonight."He took a moment to study me. I guess I was making a funny face, still trying to keep the drink down. Shaking his head, Gable turned to the others and continued, "Alright, you've already cost me more than the commission is worth, and as you may have heard we had a rough time on the North side of town a couple weeks back. That and crossbow bolts are becoming more expensive these days... (I didn't like the way Gable smiled as he said this part.) So, I'll tell you what. I'm going to see if you can pay off the original source. I don't know why he wants you killed, but if there is something you can do to make him call off the hit, then I will make the arrangements. No promises, but I will see what I can do.""Well you know where we live." Carla finished her drink. She appeared to want another."That I do."A moment of silence fell on the room as everyone took a moment to think. And to study one another."Very well, ladies and gentlemen, I wish you a good evening." Gable stood up and strode out of the room by the far doorway. One of the thugs opened the door to the main room and motioned us out. All eyes were upon us as we left the room and walked through the bar to the front door.Walking out of the bar, I could see the puddle that had greeted me on my entrance was still there, albeit tracked around a bit more in the interim. It was definitely not a spilled drink.</blockquote>

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