"I would love to get some berry bushes planted.  Maybe dual purpose plants that can provide cover and defense as well as food.  Maybe longterm we can devote some space to farming or an orchard."

"Puck did well for the first day on a new trick.  David as well."  She added with a smirk.  "Tough training those animals that aren't accustomed to you yet."  Zorah looked to those involved in the previous night of conversation with the last comment.  An inside joke shared among the group.  "I'm a little sore, landed on my hip a little hard at one point.  A horse ranch would be a nice addition as well.  Although all my thoughts would require large pieces of land."

David tried to hide a smile at Andalon's comment.  "I've been known to utter a prayer or two to Abadar."  He buried his head and focused on finishing his stew so as to avoid any other attention.

---

New Day

---

In reply to DM (msg # 53):

Zach finds a place at one of the big tables and, with a glance to Pru, pats the seat next him.

"Ah, you found your way here.  Excellent!  Let's say we sit down to a nice meal for once and discuss the recent changes in our environment."  David was more interested in getting everyone stuffed and groggy than discussion.  He seemed to have lots of little tricks he picked up on over the years, or rather fell prey to as a younger man.  They never seemed to help him as much as they had those who used them on him in his youth though.  David frequently blamed that on lady luck and not his own shortcomings.

Lex sat down at the table with a heaping bowl of stew and began eating quietly. Zach was eager to play cards and had convinced his friend to do so against her original judgment. Lex had intended on playing as well. He figured it would do well to learn games of chance. He thought it was odd that David asked about the recent changes, but Lex kept quiet. Crowds like this were intimidating to him.

So he ate his stew, kept to himself and waited for the card games to begin.

"I heard you done all right." Zach says grinning across at David.  "That nob getting you a forge and tools and all." Then he hunkers down, spooning stew as he waits for David's response.


OOC:  For those unaware of British slang -  Nob(le)  :)
This message was last updated by the player at 08:25, Sat 09 July 2016.

"Doesn't hurt to grease the wheels a bit.  As long as he thinks I'm a friend I can get a little wiggle room, not that I plan on conning him or anything.  We seemed to have hit the jackpot with these people.  I'm lucky to have gotten out of this with just a visual reminder."  David holds up the brand on his hand.

"I sold up my armour and sent off for some shoe making tools ..." he shrugs as he pulls a mug from his haversack and pours some of the Cider into it "..   Not that I am much good at it.  More likely I'll finish up working in a stable somewhere."
This message was last edited by the player at 08:29, Sat 09 July 2016.

Lex starts scratching his own hand when David shows off his mark. At the mention of a stable, Lex perks up out of the silence he had entered, "Miss Zorah is a great animal trainer and she mentioned a stable being one of her goals. Zach, I am sure she would love your help. Lex hopes David is being honest. He would hate for these newcomers to be conned and then refuse to work with them.

Lex really had hit the jackpot. He had a set of leather and woodworking tools on the way, two jobs, a saddle for Zorah and some studded leather for Pipre. He hoped that was just the start...

Pru retrieved herself some stew and then returned and took a seat in between Lex and Zach. She listened to the men banter a bit, eating her stew one bite at a time, and listening. Something about the way Zach spoke regarding their employers bothered her and she passed a look Lex's way, but said nothing. The stew was good and it easily kept her mouth occupied so there was no chance to say anything until it was finished.

"I have more than enough work to keep me busy for a good long while, though I admit it has been rather quiet with their absence. " she said, holding the empty bowl lightly in one hand as she looked towards the main entrance half expecting for everyone to return all at once. "You don't suppose they'll run into..." but she shook her head and rose, offering to take their empty bowls and clean them.

Whether he was correct or not David made assumptions about what Pru was about to say.  "If they come back, great.  We've secured our place in their new little village and have given them an excuse to keep us around for what may be a peaceful life.  If the Stag Lord takes care of them and returns, we have the brands and shackles to prove we stayed loyal to him.  Either way we have an excuse to not be expendable."  He puts it very matter of factly and shovels another spoonful of stew into his mouth.

Lex helps Pru gather the bowls and do the dishes silently. He is losing interest in this game of cards by the moment, but he knows he shouldn't. Though David is right, he has no love for the Stag Lord and has found himself to be growing more and more loyal to the newcomers. He still bears a small grudge against Henry for the branding, but he has to admit that a small brand is better than hanging from a noose.

At one point, while he's washing the dishes he leans over to Pru and whispers something to her.

He works through his demons in some small way while doing the dishes and returns ready to play cards and see what the night holds.

While Lex and Pru wash dishes David helps clear off the table and shuffles the deck of old ragged cards he pieced together from a few partial decks he found.  The back were all the same so it would still be a fair game.

Pru passes a worried glance towards Lex, nodding slightly. She, too, is feeling a bit uncomfortable. She's never felt much love for the stag lord, and while she doesn't bare the mark the other's wear, she expected it. Before returning to the fire, she whispers something to Lex , and then smiles to make it appear as though it was her thanks before returning and sitting down once more.

"It seems so quiet tonight." Looking at her hands, she regrets the decision to leave her sewing behind, feeling lost without some sort of fluff to play with.

Lex nods to Pru as she finishes her dishes and as he finishes the work he had started and once it was complete, returned to the table. As he sat, he said to all, "Were we going to play a game or two? Would someone mind telling me the rules again?"

Zach looks across to David, the instigator who sits there shuffling his deck, to tell them what the game is.
This message was last updated by the player at 21:13, Fri 15 July 2016.

"Of course, my boy.  I think short deck seven would be a good choice.  Simple rules but still some strategy involved.  The deck has one through ten each four times.  The suits don't matter in this game, just the number.  The dealer gives each player seven cards.  You make two three-card hands and discard the last card.  We compare all the better of the two hands we have.  The best hand gets two points.  Then we compare the worse of the two hands we have and the winner gets one point."  David deals out a few example hands face up to demonstrate.

"Three of a kind is the best hand, higher numbers beat lower numbers.  Next is a run, like seven, eight, nine.  Then a pair, and finally a high card.  The game continues on until someone reaches seven points.  Each hand is a copper piece to play.  The first person to seven gets most of the pot.  The person with the second most points gets their share back.  Any questions?"

David's eyes glisten and he licks his lips a bit as he gets a little antsy to play.  His knee bounces up and down as he sits and waits for any questions.

"Sounds good to me. A copper anty per hand?"

Lex sensed that there might be something going on that he couldn't quite put his finger on. He'd have to keep a close eye on those cards...

Pru nodded her understanding, folding her arms across her lap and leaning forward. "Sounds simple enough."

Zach tosses his copper in.

"That was good stew." he comments  "And and some good bread to sop it all up with." he adds with a wink towards Pru.

Just as David starts dealing Zach continues  "So David, are you going to be doing general black smithing work with your new forge?"

David tosses his copper in the center of the table before dealing the cards.  "I'm open to sharing the forge if someone else has smithing experience.  I'm afraid my training was in armor specifically.  My father taught me as a young man, but I never had his skill.  Don't get me wrong, I can fashion typical armor well enough, probably even forge other items if need be.  My father was a master though, nobles traveled distances to hire him for ornamental pieces."  David watches the faces of the other players as they look at their own cards trying to gauge their reaction.  Only picking up his own cards after the others have checked theirs.

Prudence looks at her cards, shifting them around and casting confused glances about the fire. When the time comes to reveal their hands, Prudence looks at Zachs and gives him a hearty slap on the back, but upon realizing she placed second she gives a squeal of delight and claps her hands together. "Oh, beginners luck I'm sure! That was fun!" she admits, knowing she should gauge her reaction better.

"Armour, Eh?" Zach nods as he sorts through his cards and discards one.  "The best I can mange is simple shoes." he says holding up a moccasin covered foot by way of example.

Pru's congratulatory slap on the back surprises him, but he grins widely as she gets excited about second place.  "Drink?" he asks holding the cider jug out towards her.

"I work with wood and leathers, but not metals. I am sure your smithy will be of great use to the others. Perhaps you are still young enough to learn a few tricks, like how to win at cards." He says with a smile at David.

"I think I like this game. Let's keep playing." Lex says pushing another copper forward.