"I'll think about it. See you later." Abomentolor states and leaves too.
Back at the little cottage with Jimmy, Gwenhwyfar and Fiona
___________________________________________
Happy that the subject of the conversation turns away from the relationship issue Gwenhwyfar explains "We think Jimmy is some kind of Paladin."
"The interesting thing is that I don't worship any god." Jimmy says smiling at Gwen
Fiona chuckles "You know, the only holy symbol I could imagine you with is with Caydan Cailean's mug in hand. And last time I checked he didn't have paladins in his ranks."
"Have you ever heard of a godless paladin?"
"I have heard of a paladin of Aroden once. Which is ridiculous, because all clerics of Aroden changed over to the Ineritor. They were cut off from Arodens power at the event of the starfall. But that paladin still does his paladin things."
"I think you should find some paladin of the classic kind to learn a few things about being a paladin." Fiona suggests.
"Are there any paladins in Sandpoint? Gwen said she had met some once but by the sounds of it there aren't any around here?"
"There is not much to do for paladins around here. If you get to a bigger town, like Riddleport or Magnimar you will propably find some. Or if you go to Lastwall or even closer to the Worldwound. There you find paladins. Paladins are the warriors of their respective gods. And luckily we have no war to fight here." Fiona explains.
"Paladin used to mean that, but what with me not having a god I think that might need rethinking."
"I don't think so. As I explained with that paladin of Aroden it's not necessary to have a god. I just said they are a warrior for their god. And only for good or lawful deities."
Musing a bit about it she almost snorts her drink with laughter over the table. Coughing a few times because she swallowed up. As she manages to breath normally again she states. "You are a normal paladin worshipping a deity like any other paladin too."
Making a dramatic pause she adds "Only you worship a minor goddess." pointing with her eyes at Gwenhwyfar.
"Minor goddess is an understatement when describing you daughter ma'am." Jimmy says with a grin, "But I don't think Gwen gives me magical abilities. Surely she would know if she did?"
Gwenwyfar facepalms herself. So much for changing the subject.
"I didn't say that. I think whom a paladin worships has nothing to do where he gets his power from. But for that you go ask another paladin."
"Luckily the Starstone is no longer on this world. Or you might talk her into taking the test."
.
"Do you know any paladins?"
Fiona finishes laying the table. She puts the pot with a good and solid stew on the table and a basket full of fresh bread.
Filling a bowl with it she puts it in front of Gwenhwyfar "A food offering to please the not minor goddess Gwenhwyfar." With a big grin on her face.
She then fills also Jimmy's and her own bowl "Enjoy your meal!"
"I know some. But that won't help you because I don't have the slightest idea where they are now." Gwenhwyfar throws in.
"I most certainly will, this looks absolutely amazing." Jimmy says with a smile, waiting for her to sit down and for both her and Gwen to start eating before he does
Gwenhwyfar indulges in her food offering.
As Gwenhwyfar finishes her bowl of stew she jumps up as she remembers something. Going to her bed she pulls out the book from under her pillow and hides it behind her back as she walks to her mum.
"I got you a present." Making a pause to build the tension. "You will love it." Making another pause she hands her the book. "What do you say?" she asks exitedly.
Fiona's jaw drops and she doesn't get a sound out. She takes the book out of Gwenhwyfar's hands. She flips through the pages her eyes wide at the beauty of the illustrations. Then she holds it close to her heart. "Thank you dear. This is beautiful." she says.
Jimmy just sits there and smiles, watching the two of them
"See. It's not about what you need." Gwenhwyfar says. She then hugs her mum.
"I'll take another bowl of stew. I don't need that. But as I prove already this is not important. So I will eat it anyway." She takes another helping and starts eating again.
Fiona sits down again and admires the book in detail. "Look how wonderful this drawing is, ... and the writing... wonderful.. and that leather have you felt it." her attention captured by this wonderful gift.
"Thank you for a fantastic meal ma'am. I was wondering what time you would need Gwen back if I stole her for a while?" Jimmy says smiling at Gwen
Looking up from the book she thinks for a moment and the replies "When I need her back? She is old enough to know herself. But I give you an advice. She needs to do her prayer time when the sun rises and she has to get at least eight hours of sleep before that."
"For me to be satisfied it is enough to bring her back safe and sound. So go have fun without me. I'll have fun of my own." she replies stroking her new book.
Gwenhwyfar finishes her bowl of stew and jumps up. "There are still a few hours left. Let's not hold off."
Taking her hand and walking out the door, "Where would you like to go tonight?"
"I don't know. But please something inside. One picnic a day is enough. And no more food." Gwenhwyfar replies.
"How about a drink at the inn of your choice?"
Thinking about it for a while she decides to play it safe and chooses something she knows. "Then the Rusty Dragon it is."
"Sure thing. I have never actually asked what your favourite drink is?" Jimmy says leading the way
Gwenhwyfar grabs Jimmy and pulls him to the door "Bye mum." Once outside she says "My favorite drink so far is the fruit juice I got in Riddleport. I usually only drink water. I don't like wine. So what would you suggest that I try out?"
"Well I enjoy a good ale, and I enjoy sangria, and I once had something called vodka which made me very drunk but had almost no flavor."
"So we try these in that order?" Gwenhwyfar asks feeling adventurous.
"I don't know if the Rusty Dragon will have sangria or vodka, sangria is easy to make so even if they don't know what it is we can teach them." Jimmy says casting a sideways glance at Gwen, wondering if she has ever actually been drunk.
"That sounds great." leading to the bar she takes a seat there and gives her order. "We would like two ales, two sangria and two wodka please."
The bar maid serves two ales first. Second she brings two shots of wodka. And then she mixes something together and serves two glasses with a red drink and a slice of orange.
She then looks deep into Gwenhwyfars eyes and says "And now you pay for these drinks while you are still able to do so. That would be six silver and eight copper."
Jimmy lays a gold coin on the table , "Bring us some water as well please."
Gwenhwyfar takes her mug of ale and to Jimmy she says "Skol!" and takes a swig. Then she makes the 'I bit in a lemon' face again.
"Why are all these drinks for grown ups so awful?"
"Because we are all bitter people and enjoy bitter drinks. You will probably enjoy the sangria more, but please drink some water between your drinks." Jimmy says taking a swig of his ale
"I drank water all my life." Gwenhwyfar says grabbing the sangria glass and takes a hefty swig. "That one is better." she smiles taking another swig.
"You really really need to slow down and drink some water or your head will kill you in the morning." Jimmy says finishing his ale and picking up a mug of water
Looking at Jimmy in disbelief she asks "You really schink scho." and looking around the tap room she adds "Noone elsch isch drinking water. But if you say so I'll do." She puts down her sangria and grabs her little water taking a swig.
Her face clenches again. "Ewww. That water is schpoiled." with a beet red head she holds her throat "And it burnsch!"
"I schink I want my fruit schuice back! Schis schtuff isch awful and makes my head feel funny inschide."
As Tariell comes down the stairs she sees Jimmy and Gwen at the bar. Walking over to them she greets them "Hello lovebirds."
"You missed todays highlight. We got an offer to sell our soul to the Pathfinder Society instead of getting paid." Tauriell says in her 'overly enthusiastic' way.
"But schelling your schoul isch bad!" Gwenhwyfar replies obviously caught flat footed by that statement.
Looking at Gwen and then Jimmy in disbelief she suggests "If you hope to accomplish anything besides holding her hair back while she pukes, you should make sure your kiddo here doesn't get any more drinks for grown ups."
To avoid getting involved in the mop job if this adventure fails she walks back to her original table, sits down with her bowl and stares at the guy who dared to take a seat there until he voluntarily searches himself another place.
As Niamh joins her she asks "What do you think of that offer? Are you going to accept?"
"That's because that isn't water, that was vodka. This is water, and perhaps you should slow down a bit." Jimmy says handing her her water. "You have never been drunk have you?"
"What isch thisch being drunk you speak of?" Gwenhwyfar asks courious and takes the offered water. This time sipping carefully.
"Yesch thatsch better."