To Con the Con-man

[HolyMan]

The trio continue to banter for another few minutes before the door to the inn opens forcefully and a group of well dressed men enter. The noise wakes the Padre out of his doze and startles the serving girl as she sets Alex's water before him.

"Looks like negotiations have not gone well," Tio sighs as he notices the men.

Two pot bellied men in white robes and bedecked in jewerly enter before two obvious warriors with swords showing over their shoulders. One of the two men nods to Tio the other sees him and dismisses him without pause. Both pass the table and head upstairs.

The warriors take a table near the trios and order drinks. As they wait they remove their helmets and one comments towards Tio.

"Be glad you only had to watch the rooms and the Padre today. Those two are in such a huff after talking to that half-elf I think we were going to have to cut are way out of town."

"HA HA!" the other laughs. "Would suit me just fine."

 

[Herobizkit]

Tio wrinkles his nose at the distraction, but quickly recovers and gives a sympathetic look to the warriors. "It's often said that elven blood begets a stubborn lot. Has there been any progress at all?"

 

[Axel]

Alden tried hard to hide his excitement and interest at the mention of a half-elf. You're supposed to be drunk you worthless lump! There must be a way to drag out more information from these guys...there aren't too many half-elves around these parts....

Agent provacateur! That's it. Just stir the pot and with any luck they're angry enough to come straight out with it.

"Did I 'ear you say there's a stinking knife-ear in these parts?!" Alden bellowed towards the two warriors, thumping his mug into the table for good measure. "Wha's intha nine 'ells does 'e think 'es upta? 'f I wasina bad mood I'd head ovathere and teach 'im and 'is filthy cous'ns whadi think of 'im!" he added, turning back to Alex and Tio.

Might as well throw one last hook out, he thought, turning back to the two warriors. "Wass this knife-ear call'iself anyways? Prancin' Moonlight or somethen girly I bets," Alden adds, laughs at his own joke.

 

[Zerith]

Alexander gave the waitress a slight, polite node as she brought his water glass.

Alexander did not agree with Alden’s method, far too much room to back fire, but all the same, regardless of if or if not it was Alden’s real sentiment, Alexander had minute difficulty in keeping his stance plane to see.
For a mere fraction of a moment Alexander’s cheeks quaked into the inklings of a grin while the quiver of a light chuckle was stopped short. Not even a brief moment passed before Alexander’s expression began and then faded away to nothing.
Regardless of his opinion on the elves he was not going to just turn around and say it, much to lose, little to gain from doing so just yet.

Alexander added yet an other question for Tio to answer, but also spoke just loudly enough so that either of Tio’s, friends, could naturally answer as well if they were paying the conversation any mind “Drunken murmurs aside, what are your principles negotiating that could cause you to need to cut your way out?” Alexander was honestly interested in this, but he was more interested in the half-elf’s name at the moment, but it would be suspect if he just asked for the name of the half-elf without first asking for the names of the two principles that had just huffed by. Meanwhile the odds were Alden’s question, the half-elf’s name, was about to be answered either way and even if it was not there was nothing stopping him from asking latter; Alexander was in no furry, he could take a day or two if he needed to.

 

[HolyMan]

"No progress, but at least the yelling only lasts for a half an hour now." one of the guards answers. Then listening intently to Alden he asks Tio, "Who are these men? Locals?"

"HA! Probably looking for a way out of this miserable town." the other says taking a deep drink of his ale.

"Well as to why we would need to cut our way out. Friton is not known for his ability to make friends. He was the lighter complexed man who went upstairs. If it weren't for Heneth I think we would have been fighting the town guard on day one."

"HA! I wish!"

"How he got to lead this expedition for ore rights I haven't a clue."

"His father has influence," Padre Gole says from his chair. "And money."

They sit in silence a moment drinking and then order more ale. "What was that about the elf's name? Not sure something odd but didn't pay much attention to it, sorry."

 

[Herobizkit]

Tio thought hard and tried to remember if the Padre or anyone else had told him the half-elf's name... or anything about him, for that matter.

 

[Zerith]

Alexander smirked when the man implied that he might be a local. He might not have been nearly as laden with jewelry as either Friton or Hemeth but his clothing was still infused with golden accents and was his hair, even his eyes, seemed to be at least in part made of the substance.


He gave a golden eyed glance back to the men who had just struck his funny bone relentlessly with hammer; he was trying, desperately, to stay composed, but it was simply too much, someone, somehow, managed to actually look at him without a cull of who he might have been? Not knowing exactly who he was, that was nothing, but thinking he might be a local in the backwater of the bear’s destitute barony? It was just to asininely amusing! Alexander attempted to give a reply to the accusation but instead found he could do little else then restrain himself from making bellowing laughter. He only partially succeeded as he instead gave a heartily chuckle at the comment; his face betrayed that he was holding off his laughter as best he could. The idea was so utterly preposterous that he raised his left hand to his chest and preset against it, as if he did not trust himself from bellowing out in delight; he then picked up his glass and attempted to drink some water soomthly.

Alexander had to pout effort to keep from chuckling even while he drank, the water in his glass quivered from the withheld chuckles while he attempted to clam himself with the action of drinking. When he finished his brief drink he resumed chuckling, albeit more calmly immediately. He raised his right hand slightly and held up his index finger, motioning to give him a moment to recompose himself. ; his chuckling quickly died down and he finally spoke still very much amused by the idea “Oh I know, I blend in every were I go, and while I know I look like some potato farmer” Alexander jested sarcastically before continuing after a chuckle “I am Lord Alexander Ravensworth, the fourth…” Alexander thought of just saying that little while he composed himself further, bu he just could not help himself from adding one last jab “…and he who looks like a common serf!” Alex gave a toothy grin as he withheld an other chuckle before he asked a question “And who might you be, Mister …?” Alexander did not think such a simple misconception could be so amusing; he was happily wrong.

 

[Axel]

"Alden Jahl be m'proper name gents. 'n we was seekingt' get 'ere. Nearly dinn't...got 'tacked by demons.... Tio saved us! Chased 'way a whooooole pack'a Gnolls by isself 'e did!! 'ave a drinkfa Teeo...'e issn't dringing..." Alden smiled beatifically at his latest offering to the room at large. These two hired muscles couldn't be any more obtuse if they tried...

 

[HolyMan]

Tio wasn't privy to any information about the meetings be held. He barely knew they were to meet a half-elf till they arrived in town and found out. Odd dealing with one was all that came to mind then, still is odd.

"Well been out adventuring and having a good old time while we watch to old priest?" the one starts to say.

"And one with a permanent sore tooth to boot, HA!" the other adds in.

"Right Sef, Friton is a bugbear of that there is no doubt. My names Ritter. This is Sef. Nice to meet you Alden. Your Lordship."

Sef just raises his tankard before taking a big pull in the way of greeting.

"Best you not let Brother Friton know you were out an about, Tio. I don't mind as I hardly need someone to babysit me while I sleep, but Friton might take it amiss." Padre Gole says before once more tucking his chin to his chest and closing his eyes.

"Right the Padre is Tio? What's this about gnolls? Are there marauders about? How many did you see? Sef you still have that bow?" Ritter asks business like and flexing his arms.

 

[Herobizkit]

Tio smiles warmly, glad to be among the 'working men' once more. He sums up the story as best he can to the two newcomers, adding, "A heroic tale to be sure, but the story feels... broken, like there are pieces missing. Alden here seems to know the score, but he's too drunk to fill in the blanks."