Tomas nods and beckons to the ladies as he follows Mr Goatshearer. "Well, if you aren't concerned about employing someone less trustworthy then good for you. Hard work can atone for past wrongs. Now, to business. There were seven of us when we headed off. The barbarian went mad and left, but we came across two rangers who helped out greatly. Maybe later we will also be able to sell you some tools scrounged from the camp."
Out of Character: I included Ja'laron in the count, I'm not sure how you want to deal with the reward.
In Game:
Anntreen follows a real smile on her face the fist one in hours. She is thinking about the fact they managed there task to completion something she had feared before that the group might of not been skilled enough to do.
AT THE RANCH
The butler looks at Krusten with a sparkle in his eyes. "I don't know", he whispers answering to the girl's question, "She is missing since this morning".
Krusten, Tomas and Anntreen follow Simon Goatshearer upstairs, until the room where the first encounter with him and his daughter took place. The merchant closes the door behind the small group, apologizes briefly and disappears past a side door, leaving the group alone next to a small fireplace with a blazing fire in it. After a couple of minutes he comes back holding a red purse. "So, did you say you recovered my goods as well as solving the problem with the brigands?", he asks using a high tone of voice. "That makes an extra 50 gold on top of the 400 I promised for stopping the bandits. 450 gold. I put them in your hands, Brother Tomas. Is not my job to count how many helped you in your quest: divide them as you see fit".
Goatshearer makes a pause, slowly walks to the door and suddenly opens it. Not seeing anybody outside, he closes it back and adds: "I understood what you said downstairs but this is not the time or the place. Come visit me tomorrow and we will talk. You can stay here for the night, of course".
You are accompanied downstairs where the butler is waiting to bring you back to the carts.
OUTSIDE
"Those that you met are not my men", cuts short Captain Tomlin, not wanting to be associated with the thugs. "I thank you for your compliment", he adds then, more relaxed, "But I wish I could put my swordsmanship to a better use...". Carnosus can feel the regret in his voice.
Zachary seems to have achieved some result: the mob is now more quiet and a couple of farmers guard the main gate to make sure nobody will get in. Or out.
AT THE TAVERN
After some time, the old server comes back to your table bringing food and drinks for Mina. "Here, sweetie", she says in a motherly way. After putting the bowl and the mug on the table, she whispers to the druid, trying to repress a giggle: "You made him nervous. Look at him, pretending nothing but not knowing what to do". You look at the man behind the counter and you easily realize that the old woman didn't lie. He casts continuous glances at the stairs behind you with a worried and sad expression.
Suddenly the Inn's door gets open letting the cold air of the night inside the dinner room. A young man hurries inside, shivering. He is wet and feeling lost.
CEZA FEURO
Ceza Feuro opens the door of the inn, craving for a fire and some hot food. He traveled for more than two weeks along the Southern Road, headed to Loya in search of fame and adventure. The cold of the wintery night caught him still on the road and the light but continuous rain didn't help to make his travel a comfortable one.
A fire is burning by the western wall of the tavern and a man is nervously looking around from behind a long counter by the eastern side. There are four tables in the room: two small, by the entrance, and two bigger next to the northern wall. Two doors lead, respectively, to the kitchen and on the back, both on the northern side. A flight of stairs leads to the rooms, upstairs, just next to the small table where a woman and two men are sitting. They look tired and busy having a meal and some drinks.
The only other table with patrons is the large one on the left of the backdoor. Two guards and three commoners are sitting around it. Counting the number of empty mugs on the table, you guess that they are there since long time.
Carnosus looks at the captain and sighs. "I am sorry if I insulted you by calling them your men, I meant no disrespect, as for your swordsmanship...maybe we can find something for you, perhaps even a way to make up for your crimes, sound fair?" He places a hand on the man's shoulder and smiles to try and lighten the mood. "Just think good thoughts, any family or friends you haven't seen in a while? Any place you wish to see before you grow old and grey?" He chuckled.
Ceza walked to fireplace so he could dry his cloth. He felt upset, thanked to the continuous rain that ruined his plan. After a moment, his cloth was dried enough while his gaze was wandering around the room.
Firstly, his gaze wandered on five men sitting together "Male, male, male, male, and male." He muttered "It will be a long night. I guess I need to eat and then get some sleep through this boring night." Then he walked lazily to the counter to order some food and drink.
His gaze was wandering for the second time. This time to three persons who were busy eating their meal.
"A male, and another male." He muttered again.
After checked the first two, he checked the last one.
"And then a female!" He exclaimed to himself "At last. I think this night will not be that bad."
His lips gave a litte smiled. He rushed to take a seat near the woman.
"Hi, darling. I'm Ceza Feuro." He seduced "What's your name?"
Mina thanks the Bar Mother for the meal with a smile. She asks her, "Who is the woman that's caught his affections and made him so enamored, Ma'am?" After the question she takes a sip from her mug.
Before her lips taste the wetness of the drink, the stranger appears in a flourish, startling all, and rushes to the fireplace.
Mina attempts another sip at the drink with success, then reminds the Bar Mother her question about her son.
When the stranger quickly plops beside her and makes his introduction to her, Den flutters his wings in a protective way and squawks at the man. Mina looks at the man with uninterested eyes and responds, "Tired...tired and hungry. So if you do not mind, let me have my first and only meal of the day in peace, please. Stay seated there if you must, but let me have my meal, good sir.