"If you're giving titles Senir, yes..." Friday mumbled in reply, though the truth was that the statement didn't bother him at all. He didn't take it as a compliment either, but he also didn't take it as an insult.
"We seem to be gaining a murder of maladjusted avians." he said as an aside to Valeria.
Xel let out an indignant "Hmph" at Friday's remark. "At least I am capable of intelligent conversation. Unlike that parrot or its owner."
Valeria wasn't too surprised that the new guy had identified her as the mage; who else would have a large book hanging from their waist by a sturdy chain? She was surprised that he hadn't commented on her heritage - she wasn't exactly hiding it, after all.
"As charming as ever, Gergo. And Shae is lots of fun when you get out of town, she just isn't in her element here." Haru smiles at her mentor.
"Greedy's the charming one" Gergo gave the grey feathered creature that sat on his shoulder sidelong look "Barely anyone gives me the time of day...well except when I have gold or I am beheading things" A toothy smile revealed itself on his scarred face.
"Maybe your right, maybe when we go out of town and she takes a few shots at some goblins she'll be..." His grey eyes shifted to Shalelu as a mental image of her laughing madly while standing on a mountain composed of goblin came to him. The wild man barely held back a laugh before refocusing on Haru.
"You look well Haru" Gergo moved his hand towards Greedy and scratched under his beak "The look of someone who just came into gold. I am glad you decided to share this little job with me. I won't forget this favor, I'll add it to the other one I owe you"
As you go about selecting the gear you want, Ven speaks up again. "Don't you try anything funny now, you hear me boy?" He grumbles. "Shayliss might be silly enough to be fooled by you, but I know better, trust me."
Shalelu smirks. "Haru has the right of it. I imagine I'll feel better once we're on the road."
"So... Gergo..." Ameiko sits up in her seat and looks the wild man over. "...how much has Shalelu told you about the trip?"
The gaze of the merc shifted towards Ameiko in an instant "North to Brinewall. You are expecting a fight and could use the extra muscle" He placed his forearm close to his left shoulder and his parrot made a short leap to it. Gergo turned his attention to the bird momentarily and began petting its head.
"She never told me who you are" He said in a neutral manner before looking back to the owner of the Rusty Dragon "But I think I've seen you around town...you don't look like a deputy, but I can't be too careful" A smirk escaped the blond as he returned his left hand to his side. Greedy in response flew back to his left shoulder, and gave a soft squawk.
The bardess chuckles. "Of course she didn't. I guess you just assume everyone knows me, eh, Shalelu?"
The ranger just shrugs.
"Anyway, I'm Ameiko. And we are indeed heading north to Brinewall--my grandfather left something of great value there, and I want to see what it is." She nods at Gergo. "Apparently, it was something so valuable, that his enemies were keenly interested in getting their hands on it."
"Oh she loves to assume things! I proved her wrong..." Gergo's look turned into one of contemplation and thought but then an embarrassed grin spread over his face "Damn...not once" A small chuckle escaped the wild man.
"But you hired the right sellsword for the job" He gave the black haired woman a massive toothy smile "If it's your enemies hands you want to keep away from what your grandfather left you, I'll make sure these hands will be far away from it and their arms" An equally massive laugh erupted as the rows of Gergo's teeth parted.
"Glad to hear it." Ameiko scratches her head. "Now, all I think we're waiting on is the other one..."
He thought about proclaming his innocence again, but decided against it. Instead he tried a different approach.
Is that venison jerky? You know you really ought to see about getting your dry rations like a nickname or something, its at least twice as good as the stuff in magnimmar.
He offered hoping to appease the surly shopkeep.
Ven wrinkles his nose. "Aye, it is."
"That'll be 35 gold and 5 silvers for the whole kit."
Gergo grabbed a nearby empty seat, dragged to the table that his new companions sat at and seated himself "Gimmie something cold to remind me of how its better to sleep under a roof and not the outdoors" He said to one of the servers. The wild man placed his right ankle over his left knee, and let his right arm rest on the table.
"So you're hiring even more people eh?" He rapped his fingers on the table "Can never be too safe when you're handling things left over by family. Reminds me when I was merc and this noble hired us to walk him to his manor just so he could be there at the reading of the will without worrying about his brother killing him...funny man his brother, kept sweating whenever I looked his way"
His all blue eyes widened for a moment and his mouth did as well.
That seems steep, would the price go down if I mentioned I will be gone a few months at minimum perhaps a whole year?
He countered. He should have known better than to come here, perhaps it would have just been best to hope hunting was good.
"Tryin' to get my hopes up, now?" Ven arches an eyebrow. "Though... oh, fine. How much you got on ya?"
The sounds of footsteps, civil conversation, excited and at times agitated shouting, mixed in with the short chimes of tankards and plates landing softly on tables to completely dominate the hall of the Rusty Dragon. The customers were as varied as they were numerous; some were familiar to Gergo, and some he did not recognize at all. All the while the servers that worked at the Dragon moved from table to table; like butterflies or bees moving from flower to flower. It was his kind of atmosphere; constant movement, nothing ever seemed settled or slow, and if you listened hard enough you could be the audience to conversations both interesting and unbelievable.
After a while of eavesdropping from where he sat, Gergo turned his attention to the people at his table "What kind of people are you expecting to tangle yourself with? You think they have the coin to hire cutthroats? Maybe a band of sellswords or two? Or they the type to come in and do the job themselves?" He asked in probably the most sincere and semi serious tone you'd probably heard from him all day.
"I find it's always nice to know about the people you're about to split open...makes it easier to tell what kinds of tactics and tricks they'll use" A one-sided slightly unsettling smile crept up from the right side of his lips "And of course that makes the whole whole splitting open thing simpler too"
Friday blankly watches the talkative man speak his mind, if one didn't know any better you would think he was about to fall over asleep.
"Well in our excursion into the swamp we dealt with goblins, a creature capable of stealing another person's form, and the unliving... so expecting anything would be a safe hazard." He answers, his words as sleepy and languid as his eyes and body.
Haru looks at Friday. "You look exhausted, Fri. Why don't you get some rest, and Valeria and I will take care of selling the stuff at the market. Was there anything you wanted to keep, besides the Shrike?"
"Thank you, Miss Haru. But I don't really like sleeping so I'll be fine." he responds, still sleepily, but there was also a hint of mirth at Haru showing concern over him.
"Besides the Shrike? No, not that I can think of..." as he speaks his eyes glance ever so slightly up to the comb in the Kitsune's hair but he doesn't say anything about it.
barely half that amount, I might have left a purse with my gear in my room, I do try to keep some coin set aside for emergencies, how much just for the rations? I would assume the caravan perhaps would have ropes and chains and the like if they got stuck, im just trying to think ahead. Good sir.
He answered with a frown. Perhaps the prices in Magnimar were cheaper.
"Well, if it's just the rations you're looking for, it's going to be a lot cheaper--just 3 gold and 5 silvers." Ven's expression softens a bit. "Its the chains that are breaking your budget, from the looks of things--and since you're going on a caravan, perhaps it'd be for the best if you left that to the caravan master." He shrugs.
"What kind of people are you expecting to tangle yourself with? You think they have the coin to hire cutthroats? Maybe a band of sellswords or two? Or they the type to come in and do the job themselves?"
Ameiko snaps back to attention as Gergo addresses her, having been distracted by the chattering of the patrons. "I don't know, to be honest. I imagine if Grandfather was willing to send away his family and treasures so they wouldn't be targeted, they'd be inclined to get the job done themselves."
Her face pales a little. "Not the most comforting thought."
"By the way, Koya..." She asks as the old lady from the White Deer as she steps in the door. "...where's that other guy you were looking for? I thought he'd be here by now."
"He said he wanted to stop at the general store for some things before he came here." Koya shrugs. "Not sure what's taking him so long."
You are most likely correct, I do tend to worry over others too much. My thanks.
He said gladly paying the man.
With any luck you will not see me for quite some time.
He said with an easygoing smile. He returned to his room and gathered his things packing his gear as quickly as possible and then making his way to the dragon.
He paused in the doorway glancing about, it was hard not to see the glistening leather armor that was well oiled and the promenant holy symbol of Shelyn was on his chest. Spotting Koya, He offered a smile.
I hope you were not waiting on me, Sorry for the delays.
"Ah!" Koya turns and grins. "Well, speak of the devil--here he is."
"Folks, this here's Kavell. He's a holy man of Shelyn, dedicated to the healing arts." Koya waves to Kavell and beckons him forward.
Holy? As Koya announces the second newcomer Friday eyes him with the same sleepy and bored expression he had been wearing, which, among many other things, was how he showed suspicion. And boredom. And sleep-deprivation.
"Well in our excursion into the swamp we dealt with goblins, a creature capable of stealing another person's form, and the unliving... so expecting anything would be a safe hazard." He answers, his words as sleepy and languid as his eyes and body.
The scars of drowsiness and fatigue were not invisible to Gergo's eyes, but still he appreciated that the man could give him enough details even in such a state "I am surprised the goblins haven't packed up and left" He turned his face partly in Shalelu's direction "You'd think they'd get the hint after a thousand arrows...give or take."
Haru looks at Friday. "You look exhausted, Fri. Why don't you get some rest, and Valeria and I will take care of selling the stuff at the market. Was there anything you wanted to keep, besides the Shrike?"
"Thank you, Miss Haru. But I don't really like sleeping so I'll be fine." he responds, still sleepily, but there was also a hint of mirth at Haru showing concern over him.
Doesn't like sleeping eh? Goodbye keeping watch at night, hello restful sleep The mischievous upturn of the wild man's lips needed no words to translate that he planned to take advantage of one thing or another.
Ameiko snaps back to attention as Gergo addresses her, having been distracted by the chattering of the patrons. "I don't know, to be honest. I imagine if Grandfather was willing to send away his family and treasures so they wouldn't be targeted, they'd be inclined to get the job done themselves."
Her face pales a little. "Not the most comforting thought."
A rambunctious snicker left Gergo "If they want to get things done with their own hands that makes it simple" The blond began petting his feathered friend's head with his pointing finger "Once we take care of them we don't have to worry about anymore following after us" Gergo halted his interaction with his bird. Greedy swiftly squawked in defiance, which the wild man chuckled at and resumed petting the feather's atop the parrot's head.
I hope you were not waiting on me, Sorry for the delays.
"Folks, this here's Kavell. He's a holy man of Shelyn, dedicated to the healing arts." Koya waves to Kavell and beckons him forward.
Gergo turned fully along with his chair to face the newcomer, causing the piece of furniture to screech against the floor "You mean I already lost my 'new guy' perks?" Gergo gave a clearly false and exaggerated sigh of defeat.
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"Yes."
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He paused easily recognizing the man from the other inn, the one Shalelu had evidently recruited to join them. He looked to have seen more than his fair share of trouble, Kavell had little doubt he would be patching him up at some point on their trip, though he certainly hoped not too often, goddess willing.
He offered everyone there his most winning smile. and a good one it was too. "If you would like to step outside then back in and pretend you just arrived to retain that ...honorable title I will allow it friend. He offered in jest hoping to get something of a smile from the man.
Madam Koya, is a friend, and tells me you are seeking additional aid in a trip up north? I will gladly join you if so. He said not mentioning the promise he once made to Grammy Nishka, in truth because he would have gladly gone at Madam Koya's request alone promise or not.
Both Friday's comment and Kavell's jest took Gergo by surprise he couldn't help but release a barely contained laugh "I like him already!" He announced in a mirthful if rough tone "Have a seat!" Gergo craned his body towards a nearby table without leaving his seat, causing Greedy to change to a more stable position; in this case the table they sat at.
Without effort Gergo reeled in an empty chair and motioned for Kavell to sit down "You must guard that honorable title with your life, it is now your duty to keep it safe till another comes along and takes it from you" Said Gergo the smile on his face showing no signs of leaving any time soon "I've asked for something cold yesterday, make it two! Our new friend here looks to be thirsty!" He said in a slightly louder tone to the nearest inn employee.
"Right--on it." Ameiko gets up and goes to the bar to serve up the requested drinks.
"At any rate..." Shalelu folds her hands on the table and her face turns serious. "...yes, we are seeking aid in going north. We intend to journey to Brinewall, and see what it is that Ameiko's grandfather kept hidden from her for years."
"That's putting it simply, really." Ameiko says as she returns with two pints of drinks for Kavell & Gergo. "Now, Kavell, have you been practicing your healing enough for this?"
Trying to stay absent from the conversation and being drawn in regardless Friday had done his best to stay impartial nonetheless. Until he heard the loud man bark at Ameiko.
Then the boredom started to slip from his face as his eyes narrowed almost imperceptibly.
An honestly confused look possessed Gergo's face as he stared at Ameiko "You work here?" The word's came from lips that had their smile dashed away and instead settling into a partially open maw "The inn business must not be working out if you want to go off chasing treasures"
"It's worked out well enough. And I'm kinda tired of doing the same thing every day here." Ameiko shrugs.
"It's worked out well enough. And I'm kinda tired of doing the same thing every day here." Ameiko shrugs.
"I know exactly how you feel!" He exclaimed, his voice taking on a more excited tone and his hand pounding the table slightly causing Greedy to fly up in alarm "Seeing the same things and doing the same job everyday" He brought both of his hands to his blond mane and let them rest at the back of it "It can drive you mad!" The wild man gave a sidelong glance towards Shalelu and then turned back to Ameiko.
"Tell me the truth" He said in a whisper like voice that was loud enough for all at the table to hear "Shalelu went mad a long time ago hasn't she?"
"No. I haven't." Shalelu replies, her face expressionless. "Not sure I can say the same for Ameiko, however."
"Anyway, Sandru?" She looks over to a different table, where a sunburnt Varisian man dressed in leathers is busily scrawling something on a sheet of parchment. "When can you start getting the caravan together?"
"Eh? Oh, yeah--I was just finishing up a shopping list for the trip." Sandru stands up from his table and puts his parchment in his pocket. "I'll just... go get things ready now."
A short chuckle left Gergo "Oh, I have a good feeling about this group" Said the former mercenary. A small, mischievous half smile followed his comment soon after.
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I have a bad feeling about this.
The goddess has provided me with ways to sooth wounds with but a touch, I am no cleric yet, Shelyn's grace favors me in other ways.
He began offering a smile, And water if you dont mind, while I am not against a drink every now and again, its too early to start. All the more for your my friend. He added to show Gergo he meant no ill meaning, and was not judging.
One day, perhaps I will take deeper study into my prayer books, but for now I have been wandering, helping and healing where I may. I have traveled with a caravan or two, do you need any help with things?
He paused looking to Sandru. He too had been an often guest at Grammy Nishka's and while they werent friends he knew the boy the man had come from.
"A good man once said to me 'never say no to more'" Replied Gergo as he grabbed the mug Kavelll refused.
So far it seemed like he would get along with this new crew; Haru he already knew, Friday was on the quiet side but silence never bothered him, Kavell seemed friendly enough and didn't seem to have any trouble with being humorous, Valeria he didn't know much about.
Their employer Ameiko looked to be like fine company as well Maybe she'll even make Shalelu crack a smile Thought Gergo before his vision briefly went to Koya and Sanru the only ones he truly had no knowledge about A few days on the road shouldn't leave much mysteries between us.
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At the market with Valeria, Haru sells their adventuring loot, and answers all the questions the people who see them have about their thrilling defeat of the goblins and the undead.
"So, that's all the coin," she says, after dividing it up carefully into separate little bags, one for Friday, one for each of the Rivers brothers, and two lighter bags for her and Val. "What do you want to get? I'm going to see if I can find a stronger bow, this one is a little shaky at times." She finds a beautiful bow made of deep red wood that feels lighter, yet stronger than the one she had before.
"Might get a crossbow," she mused, "these combat cantrips I learnt don't seem to pack as much of a punch as I'd hoped and I don't have the magical endurance to go lobbing magic missiles and the like at every bad guy we run across. Think Ven'd have one in stock? Actually; probably best we don't, Shayliss has been giving me these looks lately and knowing her dad..." she made an exaggerated grimace, "keeping clear of that."