After a while Duristan Silvio Ariesir appears in the trophy room too. This time not in armor, but in a fine and expensive looking garb made mostly of leather and fur. And the fur is obviously from a wolf.
Herm stands up from a chair as Duristan enters. "Wolf Pelt? I see you have a hate for wolves or a grand fascination"
"Just a worn statement." Duristan grins.
"Are you ready to throw your life away when no one else is ready to back you against these werewolves? You were ready to attack when everyone else was prepared to leave."
"You had merely a scratch. And you only said you didn't want to camp there for the night. That the ladies didn't want such a fight I get - but that you also chickened out in the face of evil - was a disappointment." Duristan replies.
There are some other guests who sit here and there in the open area on the first floor of the lodge. One of those is Markiza Welgory who sits at a table inthe trophy room over some coffee and snacks with a handsome young man, discussing good places for a fox hunt they plan for the next day.
She looks the part for a Markiza, and he seems to be of similar profession like Delgros Kroitzcer, organizing the hunting trips for her.
Corvin Tergsvor, a young noble with good looks and a sour mood occupies a table in the sitting room, with notebooks, quills and ink as well as with a bottle of absinth and a glass.
Biting back a retort that would be unkind Herm takes a few moments to prepare what he wants to say.
"I did not flee, I had no quarrel with the creature we had invaded its home, not the other way around. I was prepared to die so the others could flee and the creature again allowed us to leave. It would have been hot headed of me to merely attack the creature where it was." Herm says feeling confident in his thoughts.
"No one owns the woods. But I see we won't agree so let's change the topic." Duristan replies. He waves the maid over and orders a scotch.
"Beer please if you have it, something Dark." Herm smiles at the lady.
"You are of House Ariesir, what brings you out to this lodge, does your family not have hunting grounds?" Herm asks.
"I'm not here for sports. I'm here to free the world of this evil that werewolves are." Duristan replies.
"Who would that be?" Estovion inquires with sudden interest.
Kendra purses her lips for a moment, before remembering. "A person by the name of Vrood, who supposedly passed through here. Have you heard of him?"
"Vrood you say? Never heard that name." Estovion replies. "What kind of business do you have with him?"
"Did they Slight you in a way? I am not from this land so I am not sure if there is roving bands of werewolves that have caused great issues to your family." Herm says
"Ah, that's a pity. Well, I never expected it to be easy to track him down." Kendra answers, chosing to answer the statement, and not the question.
"Well then, if you need anything, please tell my porter. He is properly instructed now and no further inconveniences should happen." Estovion tells.
Jominda leaves to find Harrold and to enjoy some of the service. Finding Harrold in conversation over tea and Harrold aving a word duel with Duristan she instead searches the maid and demands to know how that coffee brew is made.
After a while she reappears in the trophy room with a cup of steaming coffee and stands next to Harrold. "Hello, I'm Jominda Fallenbridge." she introduces herself to the noble. "Would you mind me sitting with you?"
Herm waits for Duristan
"I fight evil where I see it. I don't wait for it to mess with my family or friends first." Duristan replies. "If you're fine with leaving evil alone if it stays in the area it declared as its own, I'm not."
"And I don't think the Inheritor is." Duristan adds out of spite.
"I have no objection." Harrold says standing, waiting for Graydon to indicate he is happy with Jominda joining them, before giving his chair to Jominda and moving across the room to fetch a third chair
"You are welcome to join us." Graydon replies.
Harrold sits on the new chair he brought over, "So I know some others have come here to hunt. Others simply to get away. For what purpose do you find yourself here?"
"Thank you." Jominda says and takes the offered seat.
"My condolences on the loss of your friend." she adds.
"Thank you." Graydon replie sto Joominda.
"I'm here for hunting and meeting my friend." he tells Harrold. "Deer, elk and such. Maybe a bear." he clarifies to point out the difference to the hunting goals of other guests of the lodge.
"I made my living from hunting in my youth." Harrold replies, "There is a unique thrill in a good hunt..." reminiscing about his youth
"I've never been hunting." Jominda comments.
Herm chews on what Duristan has said and how he is being baited.
"I do not know anything about the wolf that came, he was defending his home that we had invaded. The Inheritor doesn't condone unnecessary violence and asks that we give a chance for someone to surrender if necessary." Herm says
"To me it seems like someone didn't do their homework on werewolves. I suggest using the library here in the lodge." Duristan replies as the argument returns to its start.
"What are you after, if the evil in the woods is none of your concern?" Duristan inquires.
"You should try at some point." Harrold replies to Jominda
"Do you know a good hunting ground? You know, one without giant boars, werewolves and other monsters where it is not clear who is the hunter and who the prey." Jominda replies.
"Giant boars are good hunting so long as you remembered to bring a boar spear."
"I don't really like hunting boars at all. I'd rather hunt something that runs away." Jominda explains.
"Well you have lots of options for that... pheasant, deer, rabbit.. Most of your smaller herbivores. You have to be careful with things like giant elk, not that you are likely to find them in a forest."
"If you ask Kroitzcer, he'll lead you to some places to hunt where you only encounter that. He knows the woods really well." Graydon comments.
"Are some not stricken and not in control but good citizens none the less? You are right , werewolves are not my specialty, undead are more of what I plan to fight." Herm says
"Undead are also a worthy evil to fight." Duristan acknowledges.
"They are, so what can you tell me about the werewolves here? We are here searching after a man, His name starts with a V from what we are told."
"I don't know anyone here that has a name starting with V. And I never cared much about the werewolves names. But as I suggested, there is the library. It contains also a lot of local stuff." Duristan tells.
"I will have a look there thank you, When do you plan to go on your next hunt? May I join you?" Herm asks
"I don't know yet. First I need a hunting party. You can come along if you want. But it is still about killing werewolves." Duristan tells and turns to his drink.
"Are you still intending to go on your hunt?" Harrold asks Graydon
"Sure. I can't sit all day here and drink tea. I'll get rusty." Graydon answers "You want to come along?"
"I can't promise to be much good, but if you would have me..."
"Of course. And Lady Fallenbridge too." Graydon tells, nodding to Jominda. "I'll asks Kroitzer to organize a light-hearted hunt for some easy prey to get into it."
"That would be nice." Jominda replies.
"How do I get something to drink here?" she inquires.
"The maid takes care of that. If you join us for tea, I'll wave the maiden over to get you a set." Graydon explains.
He gestures as the woman comes in view and she hurries to bring a tea set for the new guest to the table.
"I would like to go and observe, I have never been on a hunting trip before. I realize your intentions and I can go to observe and protect if necessary." Herm says lifting his mug
"Better than nothing." Duristan replies.
Herm will excuse himself and go find the ladies and Harrold.
"Good evening everyone, and do you Mr. Graydon, I am sorry I left so abruptly before I had a matter to see to." Herm says apologetically
Graydon nods in reply. "How many more are to join us?" Graydon asks. "Maybe we should change tables and move to a table in the Grand Ballroom."