Kevin's Watch

Roland looks a little disappointed that you've managed to determine the real value of the silver.

He still doesn't want to raise his offer though.

You use your diplomacy skills and manage to negotiate him up to 4500 gold. You're really proud of yourself and feel like you could drag him up even higher, so you keep going and manage to wheedle your way all the way up to 4750!

"Here, take it you rapscallion. I only pay so much because you did us a good turn in clearing out the mine. Know that we're even though. If you ever come back here again I owe you no favours."

Roland counts 475 platinum pieces from his pouch and then heads back into the guild hall.

[DM's note: This is kind of a strange situation. It's funny how Xavier's been failing all his dex-based rolls, but when it comes to diplomacy he just happened to roll really well and kick Roland's arse! Who would have expected to see a rogue doing the negotiations?]

The Rogue, feeling well pleased with himself, called his thanks to the Guildmaster, then turned to the party.

"95 platinum pieces each. And we earned every copper. Now, can we make it back to Tethil before dark if we leave now? Or are we doomed to another night in this dreary village?"

"I be in sore need of rest and prayer - but if it be our will, let us travel as far as we may today, then camp where night finds us. I pray just as easily under the stars as I do in a greasy inn bed."

Charn looks about, "Think you our silver thief was serious about his travel-plans to Tethil?"

"it is ok for me... but i need to wait for the little boy... i want bring him safe to Tethil"

Xavier glanced up at the sky and sighed.

"Well brother, it now seems certain that night will find us on the road, and anxious as I am to return, it's not so anxious that I relish sleeping outdoors when not necessary. If we agree on a very early start, then let us resign ourselves to another night of the innkeeper's hospitality, and hie us forth forthwith for a meal and something to drink."

Patting the Cleric companionably on the arm, he started to walk back towards the inn, asking him, "What silver-thief?"

Charn looks relieved to be on the way back to the inn. "While you sought the Guildmaster, Vargon stopped a desperate-looking boy from running off with a handful of silver from the mine cart. We lectured him, gave him a few gold to prevent him stealing from hunger... and Sir Vargon offered him a trip to Tethil, that he might find honest work. The boy be off gathering his things - or so he said when he ran off..."

"my friends, if you want to go to the taver, i will wait for the boy... untill i will have enough to wait"

Irian observed the exchange between Vargon, Charn, and the would be thief with a small smile upon her features. As the cleric and rogue headed towards the inn, she moved to Vargon and smiled gently up at him.

"That was kind, my friend. And wisely done. I do hope he returns."

Lying a hand softly upon Vargon's upper arm, she stretches up, and once again kisses him on the cheek. Then stepping back, she turns and addresses Caamora. "Come sister, let us find a room for ourselves again, then I must again go pay a visit to Gerald's for some supplies. I keep finding myself in need of items I did not realise."

And Irian also strode towards the inn.

Vargon was breathless for the kind touch of Irian's lips... he touched his cheek with his armoured hand. The cold iron was so different from the warm lips of Irian...

He glanced to the back of Irian then he shoke his head to free his mind... his eyes started to seek the boy on the road he toke to get gather his stuff.

"A vagrant waif huh?" The Rogue laughed as they pushed their way through the doors.

"One gets you five that he disappears with the gold." He grinned. "And perhaps more fool he if he doesn't, considering the way our luck has been running lately."

He shook his head cheerfully. Surviving the mine had put him in a better frame of mind, and so had getting well paid.

"Innkeeper," he called, "Lunch for us all, and a round of drinks. And rooms for the night. And a drink for yourself.

And directions to the adventurers shop if you'd be so good."

The innkeeper pours everyone a mug of ale, and has the serving boy fetch you all a bowl of stew. It costs you 3 gold and 5 silver altogether.

"I've given you the best rooms, with a view of the square. Enjoy your meals. Gerald's adventuring shop is just over there."

The innkeeper points to indicate the direction of the shop.

"You can't miss it. Annoying old bastard runs the place, has his name on the sign."

"Thank you." Xavier counted out 3 gold and 5 silver pieces, and laid them on the bar.

"This one is on me," he said to the rest of the party with a grin.

He sat down to his stew, and rapidly cleared the bowl, washing it down with his ale.

Then, rising, he said to the others, "I'll be back in a moment...just want a look at his inventory," and nodded in the direction indicated by the innkeeper.

He walked from the inn, quickly spotting the store, which he entered while looking around curiously.

Charn eats his fill, and as he works on his ale, he describes the silver thief to the innkeeper. "Know you this lad? What be your opinion of him?"

"Sounds like young Josias. Has he been causing trouble again?

He's been causing a lot of petty trouble around here, but because he's the son of a guildmaster he can get away with this kind of thing. I hope he didn't cause you too much trouble. I think he's harmless really. He's never hurt anyone, just gets up to mischief. He's probably bored."

[ooc]LOL [/ooc]

Irian slowly ate her stew, and listened to the conversation between cleric and innkeeper. Her eyebrows rose high at the unexpected response. She was starting to crave some berries and grains, instead of this constant influx of meat, but...no matter. She'll scavange in the forest on the way back to Tethil.

Leaning in towards the innkeeper she asked quietly, "Know you anyone in town who may have had experience with or knowledge of lycanthropes?"

"Lycanthropes? What are they? No, we're just a small mining community! All they talk about here is how much metal they mined today, or about the girl they're planning to... Well, I don't know what they plan to do, because there aren't any girls round here, Present company excepted of course, women are useless in the mines! 'Ooooh, I broke a nail!' Hah!

Anyway... What were we? Oh yes, I doubt any knows about anything like that around here."

"My thanks, kind sir. I am finding very little regarding my inquiry wherever I search.

"I think I best tell Vargon your news about the lad. Or I suspect he will wait the night in the square for him," Irian smiled towards the innkeeper. "May I take a bowl of stew and mug outside to him? Perhaps he will get over his disappointment easier if he is eating while I inform him..."

Laying a silver piece on the counter, Irian waits for the stew and ale for her escort.

"Stew and ale will be 3 silver and 2 copper. You're free to take it outside as long as you bring back the bowl and mug."

The Rogue entered the inn looking thoughtful, and retook his seat at the table.

"What are they up to?" he asked, indicating the square where Irian could be seen talking to her bodyguard.