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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Dark_Jackalope" data-source="post: 3019580" data-attributes="member: 41706">Shark Tank Tavern, Port Verge (evening) – Doral, Morika, PartashDisonda yet again gave Morika a careful look, but Bertrand, his tongue loosened by drink, spoke before she could:“Oh, I don’t know much abou’ the fine workings of our Prince’s defenses, little miss, but I do have a few old boyhood friends who have entered his employ… and even more so didn’t make the cut.” Bertrand smiled wryly, though somewhat lopsidedly.  “Y’see, the Prince keeps only the best among sailors and fighters.  Those not good enough for ‘im will go work for the private merchant vessels.”  He tipped back a bit in his chair, inspecting the various weaponry and armor on the sturdily built woman.  Grinning, he said, “You, miss, by the looks of you, might be skilled enough to earn a job.  He pays well enough, especially to his closest men.  He pays to have those stay right here in town, up near his manor!  A good neighborhood, there—”There was a quick thud, and he was cut off by Disonda’s foot lightly kicking his shin to catch his attention.  “Wha—?” he started, but the gnome calmly said,“While you were explaining the local employment process, our companion here has grown quite ill.  I believe he shall need your assistance.”  All turned to look at Delluch, who indeed looked rather awful.  He swooned and swayed a little bit on his seat, eyes drooping and his mouth slightly open, panting from fever.  The poor man wiped the sweat from his temple, then muttered “I thin’ Ih needda go ou’side fer a mommen’… Fresh air an’, an’…” His words trailed off, as Bertrand rose quickly from his seat to guide the old man out of the tavern.“Looks like it’s just the three of us left in the running,” stated Disonda. “Barkeep, three more!  Something strong and sweet.”  The gnomish woman turned back to Morika, and said quietly, “Reacher, I don’t know what brings you to our city, or whose gold is hiring your blade… But be careful what questions you ask.  The Prince is a military man; he rules strictly—and punishes harshly.”  She smiled, seemingly imagining the shifter deliciously meeting one such end.Just then, Bertrand pulled out his chair again, and sat down, looking into the fresh mug to see what they were drinking this round.  “Jilted Nixie, is it?  Stuff’s thicker’n poison.”  Seeing Disonda still looking at Morika, eyebrows slightly arched, he stated the obvious “Delluch is no longer feeling well, and has folded from our drinking game.  We are getting to the final rounds, I think, ladies…”They all added their five copper to the catch, clicked mugs in a toast, and drink into the sixth round.  Bertrand only became more and more failingly suave, Disonda’s loosened up a little (though her disposition did not), and even Morika began to feel the first soaking of intoxication wash her mind.Dining Room, Sail and Scepter Inn (evening) – Vhir, Glasia, CarverThe meal continued, with still no sign of Dragen.  The kobold looked around the darkening room, at the faces lit by candlelight.The dining room was rather small, but what it lacked in size was made up for in tasteful decoration.  Throughout the room were many small, dark wooden tables, each with somewhere between two and four upholstered chairs pulled up to it.  Though it was the peak of suppertime, the room was by no means loud or crowded.  In total, there were only nine other people dining this evening.At the table nearest their’s sat three sharp-looking businessmen, most likely traveling merchants in town to inspect a possible new product, find some venue for their trade, or something of that nature.  They ate their turkey and drank their wine, chatting and occasionally laughing together, companionable and content.More in the center of the room, two tables were filled, the first with old-looking and finely dressed elven couple eating in silence, and the second an attractive but bored looking young woman and what appeared to be her mother.  They were talking, but not mirthfully like the businessmen.  Once again their dresses were expensive and fashionable, and they looked to be Audairian.Along the wall on the far side, near the door to the lobby, was a smug-looking halfling, sitting in a dignified stance regardless of the cushions stacked beneath him.  With them, he still was nowhere near comparable to the height of his human companion, with whom he was talking seriously but enthusiastically, like one who is having an enjoyable debate.   The two of them were less finely dressed than the others in the room, and seemed more to be travelers choosing to sleep on land while their ship was in port, rather than anyone here to do business or attend some lavish event.No other rooms could really be seen from where the kobold sat, and dusk had steepened, making it difficult to see out the windows.  Occasionally he would catch sight of the bellman striding past the door to the lobby, or the waitress would flit between the guests at their tables.</blockquote>

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