The guards leave the Rangers at the open doorway of Hoskar's mother's house and upon entering the braves are met by the sight of Temush sat talking to a woman that both Hoskar and Grundar recognise.

The owner of the house and mother of Hoskar is eating, with food halfway to her mouth when she spies her son.

The far end of the meeting room is in total darkness.
This message was last edited by the GM at 11:55, Tue 20 Feb 2018.

At the door, Hoskar gladly gives the guards their two silver bonus for a quiet journey.

Stepping in, his eyes take a moment to adjust to the light. Then his jaw drops. A man trying to smile with a slack jaw looks extremely foolish, but it is unlikely he cares.

Mother! he exclaims eagerly, rushing further in. We thought... Jax didn't say... I mean Grundar said...

He takes a breath and tries again. He inclines his head, touching his fingertips against forehead a moment.

It is joy to see you. It is my hope my trades will do you and the god honour. My hopes are that you prosper in trade and life, as it was those seasons ago. Since you are talking to my friend, you are seeing I find a place to belong. Several places, in fact.
This message was last edited by the player at 14:52, Tue 20 Feb 2018.

Henal also gives the guards a couple of extra silver from the sack. "Good job there".

He acknowledges Temush, but waits for Hoskar to greet his mother before he speaks again.

When the reunion between mother and son is over and it feels appropriate, Grundar welcomes Becx back, Welcome home - I hope your trip was fruitful? As you can see, we have managed to keep things in one piece in your absence and welcome your son and his travelling companions. If I had known they were coming I would have made better preparations, but I have done my best to make them feel welcome. Their various steeds are stabled and arrangements have been made for the rest of their company.

Grundar steps back to allow the conversation to continue feeling he has discharged his duty, and drifts towards the back of the room to watch them. He ponders as he does so on the odd mix of stories that Melock has just told him. This is an unusual bunch of travellers, with much more to them than meets the eye. He definitely wants to get to know them better...

Temush gets up saying I will ask Jax to bring some more food, and steps out

Becx has risen and come out from behind her cloth-covered table, maybe half way across the room to where Hoskar had stumbled forward. She touches his face affectionately once, her pupils wide. I prosper well enough, my lad. It is good to see you back and in company.

My trip went as planned she answers Grundar and I will have a job for my lodgers later.

She looks shrewdly at the newcomers. When they are all here, that is. You seem to be short.

Turning back to her son, she takes his hands in hers seeming about to embrace him when she stops and looks closer. For a long space of heartbeats. Her expression hardens and she turns to the rest of the Rangers present with arms folded.

And now one of you will tell me who is getting my son killed.

Not your version either, my Two-Foot. Don't want it bargained off.
This message was last edited by the player at 08:23, Wed 21 Feb 2018.

As he moves to the shadowy back of the room Grundar stumbles over something unseen and falls into the lap of something very large...

He's grabbed between two very strong arms and deposited safely on the ground. Then, shaking off the shadows two Dark Trolls appear, heavily cloaked, armed and dangerous looking...

'Who's missing,' thinks Grundar, 'and what's this about someone trying to kill Hoskar? Just when I thought I'd started to get a grip on this bunch' Oww! What the blazes! Put me down!! Oh... As his eyes adjust and he realises who has lifted him up and their strength, his squealing stops. Becx, there appear to be two visitors back here. Can you ask them to put me down? Please? Thank you. He dusts himself off, straightens his clothes and tries to regain his composure. Good afternoon gents? It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance - sorry I did not see you there. Are you friends of Bartar by any chance?
This message was last edited by the player at 16:04, Wed 21 Feb 2018.

Melock nods his head towards Becx in greeting, "I'm Melock, unfortunately I wasn't there when Hoskar died as I was else where recovering from the same condition." While he talks, his eyes keep getting drawn to the darkness at the other end of the room and he's just about to ask about it when the trolls appear. Melock takes a half step backwards in shock, but he manages to stop himself before he draws a weapon, partly because he realises his knuckle dusters and dagger would be no use against trolls, but mainly because it dawns on him that if they are here, they are probably friends with Bexc. He relaxes even more when he sees how calm Grundar is.
This message was last edited by the player at 15:20, Thu 22 Feb 2018.

Hoskar takes a breath as if to speak when the Uz come into view, but catches the look in his mother's eye and thinks better of it.

He shows no signs of groping for weapons or tensing up.

Becx doesn't miss a beat at all this.

And these two are your first rent payment. Couple of hours before curfew, they will need an escort to the Argan Argar temple.

So. Is someone answering my question now? Sounds like you boys have been in more danger than a mother likes to hear of.

The two trolls stand their ground waiting to see how the Rangers dealt with their sudden appearance. The largest of them radiates power and looks to be of some importance if his runes and cult trappings are anything to go by.

At Grundar's mention of Bartar he nods once in affirmative, before swirling his heavy cloak out of the way and sitting once more on the round cross legged. His companion stands just behind, one hand resting on a heavy mace hanging from his belt.

"Aye, we require an escort to the Temple" agrees the priest. The tunnels are too dangerous at the moment."

Even sitting the Troll's head is level with Henal's.

Well, seeing as I already have a connection with the Temple, I guess it makes sense for me to me part of the group offers Grundar.

Flashing a thankful glance at Grundar, Hoskar does finally speak.

And I bargained with them this morning - I at least know the way and have been here before. I'm in.

Yes. I'm sure you'll be in on it. Both of you. replies Becx. And the rest too unless you want to pay me rent some other way. Like money.

She looks round the room, intent on each in turn for a hard moment.

So it seems I need to wait for the others for my explanation. None too gabby a bunch, are you? I'll let you off the telling, Melock Raven, but I'll not forget to ask again. And if so much as a piece of string round my stock goes missing I will know who to see about it.

Next practical things. If you are looking to buy or trade, speak up - I was half way through a deal with your friend when you came in. And I need to know what sort of trouble are you bringing with you if any. You can at least say if I need more door guards. Or an alibi. At this last, she actually smiles.

In reply to Becx (msg # 15):

"Well with the addition of Grundar here, there are three Ravens on that list. For what it's worth, I don't steal from those I consider friends or family." He looks at the trolls then back to Becx, "I could do with a better one of these," Melock gets out his bronze knuckle dusters, "and maybe a decent blade that won't get me arrested. Does the alibi thing work both ways?" he asks with a cheeky grin. "If you need night time guards, I'm willing to stand a watch or two."

From outside comes the noise of Sables being ridden down the lane and stopping outside.

Temush reteners with a tray of dips and nibbles. The people in the next house seem to get a lot of visits from the Sables... he says Oh, hello. And who are these chaps then?

Henal speaks up "well as Hoskar doesn't seem to be doing much in introduction I am Henal. Maybe after my trade with the greybeards we might need a bit more security with some cash handy here. I think I need some local clothes so I don't stand out so much to the locals as some of them are pretty hostile."

Hoskar goes somewhat red-faced in embarrassment at Henal's words.

You are right. I neglect the introductions but when mother knows who is a raven I guess we are appraised already. Maybe I overdo the shutting up.

I think everyone knows names now, and while I am speaking he turns to face Becx I add that we bring no trouble with us. What trouble arises from our presence I cannot guess though it should be out of your hair as far as I know. Pointy and Hommi are back in town. Hire more guards for caravans as there's a new awful Basmoli spirit on the loose out there. The rest can wait.

He looks edgy, unsure of himself beyond normal, as two parts of his life collide.

In reply to GM (msg # 12):

Henal looks startled at the trolls appearance, but holds his tongue till Becx speaks.

"Things are different here, but it we want to stay we have to adapt".

Those present, sit down on the floor to partake of the food that Temush had brought in from outside, his question about who the trolls are left hanging in the air.

Becx seems relaxed with having so many strangers in her home and for the moment is keeping quiet about the Trolls and where she has been.

"No idea what you have planned for the rest of the day, but make sure you are all here ten o'clock sharp. We can talk more on the morrow....son, you can come with me now. You have some explaining to do."

Their host stands indicating that Hoskar should come with her further into the building for a private chat.

Hoskar looks distinctly sheepish. He moves hastily, turning his back on Becx a moment apparently to bow to his friends but silently mouthing the word "family" to them with an upward roll of his eyes.

He moves to follow Becx to her more private quarters, remarking back to the Rangers as he goes it's mostly import-export here. New clothes you need The Needle - Uleria temple and turn right. Weapons, look around the town square. But avoi...

His final words are cut short by a door closing behind him.

Looking round at those still in the room, Melock realises the trolls haven't left, so he take an over full plate of food to them and with a polite bow, "I am Melock, would you join us?" and he offers the food to the sitting troll.