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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Funeris" data-source="post: 2050846" data-attributes="member: 22792">Chapter 9: Death in the Family ContinuedSecond update for tonight.--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------The night passed quietly in the Inn, as quietly as could be expected.  Fitz woke the other party members an hour after dawn.  The gear was gathered quickly and quietly and they poured into the common room for a quick meal.Fresh eggs and bacon quickly disappeared from their plates.  No words were spoken about their plans.  All had decided the caves north of town were the best place to begin their search for the dwem.  Of course, four could probably do very little against an army of the deep dwarves but still this was an information gathering mission.  Only the nervous barkeep seemed off on the beautiful early summer morning.  The man was overweight and balding, as per the norm with barkeeps.  Yet, he seemed filled with anxiety as he bounced quickly to refill plates and mugs.  A slight tremor in his hands vibrated the platters of food while rushing about.He leaned in to slap more bacon onto Motega’s plate when the Rorn’s arm snapped out and grabbed his wrist.  The platter of bacon dropped onto the table, nearly overturning as the man tried to pull away.  “Ow…ow…ow!”  The man pulled back again.  “Uh…could you…um let go of my wrist?”  Motega glared at him.  “Uh…please?”  The Rorn retracted his grip cautiously.  The bartender snatched the bacon off the table and stepped backward.“What troubles you so badly this morning barkeep?”  Fitz did not bother to look up as he spoke, still cramming food down his gullet.“Well my good sirs, let me just say that I’m a man of small means.  And normally, normally I would ne’er do what happened last night.  But he was so persuasive.  And he gave me three silvers.  I really don’t usually accept bribes, you must understand…”“Grmm mmph blarm.”  Fitz paused to swallow his mouthful.  “Stop your prattling.  Just be direct.  We’re here, we’re listening.  What did this man want?”“Well…uh he wanted to know if you all were staying here.  And I couldn’t refuse him.  He slipped me three silvers just for a yes or no.  And then he promptly left.”“Well, it seems there was no harm done, uh…what’s your name again?”“Graham.”“Right, well, Graham.  You did right in telling us.  What did this man look like?”“Well, sirs, he looked like a farmer.  A large man, rough looking.  He looked like he hadn’t shaved or bathed in days.  And he carried a pickaxe.”  The Heroes finished their plates and stood, hefting their gear onto their backs.“You’ve done well Graham.  Breakfast was delicious.  The room was pleasant as ever.  We like your establishment.  And now we know we can trust you.  You can count on our business.”  Fitz beamed to try to put the man at ease.  “I don’t suppose you got his name?”“Well, no.  He didn’t give me his name.”“No matter.  For your trouble,” Fitz passed Graham five silvers.“No thank you, sir.  I feel bad enough as it is for troubling you so.  And as I said, I don’t take money for nothing.”“You’ll take it from us.  Consider it a deposit for our room next time we’re in town.”“Yes sir.”The Heroes turned to exit, Motega standing absolutely still by his chair.“Are you coming, Motega?”  “You go ahead.  Don’t wait for me.  I will catch up.”“Suit yourself.”  Fitz and the others walked out the door.Motega slapped another two silvers into the barkeep’s hand.  “If they bother you again, just let me know.”  The Rorn smiled viciously and after a few moments slipped out of the Inn.</blockquote>

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