"Adventure, eh? Hmmm." The plump halfling leers suggestively at the women, "Two blokes and three gals, eh? I don't think our barges have that sort of adventure on 'em. Here in town, eh, well, once you go halfling, you never go back, y'know!"
Fleur laughs at the halflings jest. "I'm sure you're right, but that wasn't the sort of adventure we were seeking just now. Can you tell us who we would speak to to arrange passage on a barge?"
"Passage? Well, I'm not too sure who's in dock at the moment, but talk to Helena. She's the tall drink of water who's bossin' everyone around. She's the dockmistress and she'll know what's what. And as I said, no trouble." He smiles again and gives one last lustful glance at the ladies, then motions for them to enter town.
"Thank you kindly, sir." Fleur lofts a brow at the halfling, then gives him a wink and a little flirtatious smile back, then heads off to find Helena at the docks.
The road slopes downward slightly through the town to the docks. The town itself is mostly built to halfling size, save for a single inn that seems built to fit humans. Even so, you can hear the guttural voice of orcs from that inn. Otherwise halfling children run here and there, with goats and ponies penned in various places in town. A steady stream of water and other things runs in a gutter down the hill to the river, diverting off toward downriver of the town as you get closer to the river. The town is loud, with the sound of goats, children and a steady beat of the smithy.
As you approach the docks you can hear a flurry of voices, but one high piping voice dominates. The speaker is a thin halfling woman wearing a white blouse and trousers and ordering about the dock workers.
"You there! Pull that down gently! Gently you idiot! Did that look gentle to you?!? I'll have your nose if you don't be more careful!"
Xochtli walks up to who she assumes is Helena, "Hello ma'am, we were told you were the one to speak to about travel arrangements around here."
Israfel says, Ah, the sound of people working for a living. Give me my fields and sheep any day of the week
Fleur walks up the halfling woman at the docks and speaks to her. "Hello, you must be Helena, the dockmistress. We were told you would be the one to speak with to arrange passage on a barge. Would that be correct?"
The tall halfling woman looks at you warily. "Aye, I'm her. Passage? Where to?" She speaks in a clipped voice, not one to waste words when there's work to be done.
"We're headed north a ways... not sure how far it is by ferry... about three weeks journey on foot." Best be intentionally vague at this point in the negotiations, until we scopes out what the halflings' attitudes are toward such a trip. She watches the dockmistress carefully, without being overtly intent on her... and keeps an eye out for anyone who might be overly interested in overhearing their conversation.
Helena stares at you for a long moment before responding. "The Runciple's heading north in the morning. Up to Barrow-town by the mountains. That's as far north as the river will take you; rapids beyond there. Assuming you're not adverse to working, I could probably get you passage for 12 gp total?" She looks appraisingly at each of you, clearing sizing up your purse, working skills and gullibility.
After considering the offer for a few moments, Cilyanka says {b]Sounds like a fair deal. I am willing if the others are.[/b]
Alright, I guess we have a deal then. Passage for work and 12 gold. Steep but I think we can put that much together. Fleur looks to the others hoping they agree as well.
Cilyanka hands Fleur a platinum piece and two gold I think I can cover it.
Fleur takes the coins, then turns to Helena. "Do we pay you or directly to the captain of the Runciple? And where would be a good place to stay for the night, assuming there is a place in town that can accomodate humans?"
"You'll pay the Runciple. As for large folk, you'll need rooms at the Giant's Boot. It's the only large folk building in town. You probably passed it on the way in." With this, she turns and begins shouting orders at the dock-workers, who seem to have taken a break while she was occupied. With a groan they get back to work. Looking over her shoulder, she adds "The Runciple sails at dawn. Best not be late."
Fleur turns to the others. "Should we go see the captain of the Runciple first before we arrange rooms at the Giant's Boot? He might want us to stay aboard tonight so we don't miss the boat in the morning."
Fleur shrugs and nods back to Kers. Like the quiet man, she begins searching for The Runciple among the other vessels at the dock. When she finds the right one, she approaches, but does not board the vessel. I may not know much about boats, but I know enough not to board one without permission.
She looks for someone who seems to be in charge and asks sweetly, "Hello, I'm looking for the Captain of the Runciple."
A sweaty halfling hauling kegs of something that sloshes points you toward a rail thin halfling with a scar slicing down the right side of his face. He's participating in the unloading of a small barge that is moored at the docks.
When you approach, he nods at you and stops, wiping his hands on his pants before offering it to you. "I'm Captain Yarrish. Help you?" In the background a silent man with orcish features continues unloading the barge, hefting huge crates easily in his muscular arms.
Walking forward, Cilyanka says My name is Israfel, Helena said you were the man to speak to about purchasing passage.
"Depends on where you're headed. I leave at dawn for the North. Barrow-Town in the mountains. Bringing rye and returning with liquor and medicine. What price did Helena quote you?"
"Twelve gold for the trip for the lot of us." She pauses to encompass the party with a gesture. "Would it be acceptable to board tonight after we've eaten so as to be sure not to miss your departure in the morning?"
"Twelve, eh? No doubt that includes her markup. Aye, all the way to Barrow-town? I can take you. You bunk on deck, you help load and unload when we arrive and you take a turn at the pole if we hit shallows. Any trouble, you help out too, unless you caused it, in which case me and Mr. Lump there will knock you off our boat. You're welcome to bunk here tonight. Should be unloaded and reloaded by the time it's dark. I'll take your payment when you arrive to bunk. 10 gold for me and 2 to Helena. Might as well give it straight to her, less mess for me to deal with. Deal?"
Fleur looks at him and gives him a little smile. "Fair enough. Deal. We'll be back."
She turns to her companions. "Looks like we have passage arranged as well as a place to sleep for the night. Let's get something to eat."
On her way to the Giant's Boot for a meal, she drops 2 gold off with Helena for her cut.
Kers tries to size up the orcish looking man. He is not comfortable with "that sort" but tries to keep an apen mind.
Once at the Giant's Boot, he orders a large portion.
Israfel gestures towards the port, Try to find a semi-clean tavern then purchase supplies?
The Giant's Boot is a simple enough tavern: bar against a short wall, scattered tables throughout the room, which can be pushed to the side to allow sleeping on the floor, plus a couple plusher rooms on the second floor. The halfling barkeep and his wife run the place, and their children work the floor. When you enter the barkeep calls out to you to pick a place, he'll be there shortly. The special is half a chicken baked with vegetables and the beer is thick and dark, all for a silver. The food is surprisingly good and you are the only visitors, save for a few halfling locals and eventually, Mr. Lump, the orcish-looking man.
Fleur sits and orders the special and a beer. She nods to Israfel. "I suppose we can shop after eating... what supplies are we in need of?"
DammitKers thinks, if this is going to have to heappen, lets get it over with.
Ignoring Fleur, Kers growls something that sounds like, Watch my back.
He pushes back from his meal, reveals his full height, and stretches conspiciously. This done he walks straight toward Lump and does not take his eye from Lump's hoping Lump will look away. Without waiting to be asked, Kers pulls out a chair and sits down.
It seems we are to be working together in the near future, so I thought I might introduce myself. Kers puts his hand out and smiles. I am Kers and I have never worked on the river before.
Mr. Lump looks you hard in the eye. His face is a mask, watching you for a long moment before finally taking your hand. He grunts and when he speaks, his voice is raspy and dry. You notice a thin white scare across his neck that might explain his voice.
"Name's Lump. Havaseat."
Fleur watches Kers walk away toward the half-orcish looking fellow. To Israfel and Xochtli she speaks softly, "Well, that was abrupt... wonder what it's all about... " Under the table she fingers her blade just in case the 'watch my back' comment was warranted... However, so far it seems peaceful enough of an encounter.
Ordering the special and drinking water, Israfel will eat silently, with her back toward the wall.
Wincing at Kers actions, she answers Fleur I don't know what he thinks he's doing but the last thing we want is to make a lasting inmpression.
I was hoping we could quietly pick up supplies for several weeks in case we have to leave the beaten path and avoid patrols. Very soon we are going to be entering areas where we cannot readily explain our presence and a trail of dead patrols will certainly raise an alarm.
Good to meet you Lump. Kers says, and grasps the extended hand firmly, but not crushingly.
What should I know about working on the river? he asks evenly.
Lump looks at you, then sips his beer. "Hard work."
Indeed, and how long have you done it? Kers relaxes some.
Lump frowns and tilts his head, his mouth moving as he counts off time. Finally he shrugs. "Long time."
Kers smiles. Good, well I shall be watching you to see what tricks I can learn. Kers says this with genuine good nature in his voice. Can I buy you a drink? he says and he motions the barmaid over. No matter what Lump says, Kers will order himself a drink, and one for Lump if he wishes. When she departs, he asks If there is trouble on the water, how do you handle it?
At your offer, Lump shrugs and nods. He sips his beer and at your question shrugs again. "Depends."
Fleur nods toward Israfel. "Good thinking about those supplies. I hadn't really thought of that, but you're right. After we eat we should go shopping. Hope Kers finishes up so he can join us too. If not, we'll surprise him."
Aye, it depends, but let me tell you with me it does not depend. It is. And quickly so. As I said, I will be watching you, just as you have been watching me. I think we have an understanding. Enjoy your drink and we shall see each other again in a few hours. Kers stands, waits a moment for the man to speak, and if he does not he smiles mirthlessly and goes back to his group.
Returning to the others he says nothing for a moment and sitting he offers only, Watch that one.
Kers is agreeable to the shopping, and willing to be helpful, but does not offer much by way of opinion.
Lump doesn't seem particularly moved by your words and goes back to slowly eating and sipping his beer.
After the meal you head out to purchase supplies. Not far from the tavern is a general store. It's halfling sized, but you can duck low and bend over and as long as you make no quick moves. The halfling woman behind the counter looks amused as you carefully enter. "May I help you folk?"
As she speaks a bell begins ringing in a clear steady tone. The halfling gasps and begins tidying things up rapidly.
A moment later you hear the heavy hoof beats of horses and the unmistakeable voices of orcs outside. "Out! Out, you damned curs! Izrador has some business with you!" A loud thump, followed by a series of gasps and screams echo. Through the small window you can see a leather sack has been thrown to the ground and out spill several heads. One of them you recognize: Captain Hawk, the sheriff of Fell-hallow.
Fleur speaks softly to the halfling proprietor of the shop. "We're not known in town. Mind if we stay here when you go out? We have no business with these orcs.... and if it proves necessary, is there a back way out of this establishment? She gives the halfling woman a brief smile but offers no further explanation, hoping she will be cooperative without a lot of story, since time is pressing.
The woman looks frightened and quickly points toward a doorway into a back room as she heads outside.
Outside the whole of the village seems to be assembled. Four orcs on heavy horse wait outside, bristling with weapons. The lead orc, a scarred man with one tusk broken, dismounts and draws his sword.
"We are seeking fugitives! Lately they were hidden by Fell-Hallow. Fell-Hallow is no more. It has been burnt to the ground and its people have been given to Our Lord Izrador in penance. May their souls find peace in His embrace," The orc spits at this, clearly not giving a cuss whether or not they find peace. In a loud clear voice that carries, he continues. "If you give us the fugitives, no further harm will come to your town. Defy us and you will all be put to the sword. Now, who's in charge of this mud hole?"
The plump halfling from the gate steps forward. "I speak for the town. Who are these fugitives you seek?" He stands bravely, looking the orc in the eye.
The orc stares at him for a moment, then his left hand shoots out and grabs the halfling by the throat, raising him gasping and choking off the ground. In a loud voice, undeterred by the choking halfling, the orc continues. "We're looking for three women and one man, humans. They travel with an elf. They are wanted for treason against our Lord Izrador." The orc gives a sudden squeeze and you hear a distinct crushing sound. He throws the halfling to the ground, dead and staring.
"Now give them to me or you will all suffer far longer than your 'speaker'."
This is no time to hide! Kers hisses, and starts for the front door. As always seeing the most obvious solution to a problem.
There is time to stop him if any want to.