Almi looked at the papers with a furrowed brow. Then she pursed her lips before slowly shaking her head.

"Most of this is just gibberish to me but one thing stands out to me. See here!" she said pointing with a slender finger.

T"his bit... about when both moons are full in the skies. It must mena when both Celene and Luna are full. It is said that is when magic is the strongest. I know this to be true for my vision is the clearest to me. I'm not sure but I can find out when this will be. As for the rest of this I can not help you. For that I am sorry."

"Mayhap the Priests o Tritherion will know what this bloody thing be. Thank ye fer havin a look, Auntie. Me mates and me av ta run en errand, then we be back fer our goods. if ye need anything from me,I be yer man."

Deverick gave her a quick hug, then returned to the common room. He resumed his seat with his companions.

" I av got me aunt ta agree ta watch our goods while we takes a stroll ta the High Quarter. We nay wants take go walkin round with so much coin, Every ruddy Thieve en Alley Basher would be following us, like dogs after a bone. Ye av me guarantee, yer goods be safe er."

Almi sighed and her face became quite bright!

"It's on the night of Midsummer's Eve, and important events for the Flanaess often begin, end, or climax on this night."

She nodded "If you put your faith in the gods Deverick, then Tritherion is known to be lawful and is as good as any. Have a care Deverick. Mind what the cards have said. Mayhaps you should take Tess along? She can be trusted and is quite resourceful. With all this strangeness going on one can use all the friends one can get. Do not forget about receiving important news from a man either. Now go and worry not about your coin, it will be safe here."
This message was last edited by the GM at 03:28, Sun 24 July 2016.

Ovo nodded a greeting and promptly belched upon Deverick's return. The big warrior saw that all the mutton and most of the cheese was gone now.

"Well now... " the dwarf said taking a pull of his ale. "... I trust ye n' yern Deverick. Tell yer Auntie I"ll give 'er ten orbs fer watch'n me gold n' fer this fine meal. IF I may do her ah gud turn in the future she must only name it!"
This message was last edited by the player at 03:29, Sun 24 July 2016.

Blossom shook her head and feigned a frowned! At last she couldn't hold it any longer.

"By Kord! I vould nay haff thought it possible but I haff heard it vith my oown ears. Da dwarf vill give his gold ah-vay? I don't believe it! Vell? I kan't let Ovo out give me!"

She dug into her pouch and produce two platinum plates!

"Dese are for her Deverick da Bold! Vith my danks!"

 When his two companions agreed to leave their money with his aunt,Deverick got to his feet. " Right, we leave our goods here,en head fer the High Quarter by way o the Black Gate, I av ta giv Tal his cut. Let's be off."

The gnome sauntered over to their table with a full tankard of ale and a piece of mutton between two pieces of bread. She bowed low to the dwarf and maiden in turn.

"Mayhaps I can help? I know my way around ya know. I also know some learned people over in Clerkburg that may be able to help you out... I mean if you should need something... mmmm... let say translated or symbols identify... all that kinda stuff."

She took a big bite of her... gnomewhich and then talked around the mouthful.

"The least... I could... do... is take... Tal's cut... to him. I... know him... well enough... ya know?"

Ovo sat smiling at the gnome but Blossom only scowled.

 Deverick scowled at the Gnome.Hehad shed blood with Ovo and Blossom,and he knew their measure for  the most part.But this Gnome, while his aunt vouched for Tess, she had yet to prove herself to Deverick.

 " Tess, we got off ta a bad start, It had been a bloody bad night,and then ye,a stranger, comes looking fer me. I was in nay mood to trust or be nice at that time. But since me Auntie thinks ye can be trusted, I will trust ye. So, I be offering me regrets fer acting like an arse towards ye. Nay hard feelings."

 Deverick trusted his aunt,so he would trust Tess,at least until she proved unworthy of it.

" But ye av ta understand one thing, if ye wants ta work with us,our business be our business. Wa we do, be not fer the ears o others. Me auntie be not counted in that,ye can tell er, but nay other. If ye can live with that, be welcome, if not, be well to ye."

 And again, Deverick was talking way more then he was used to doing. He suddenly wondered how he had been thrust into the role of de facto leader of this small merry band. Had there been an election,or something? He did not recall being asked to be the leader, it just seemed he was suddenly one. A nagging thought was that some practitioner of the arts arcane, with a sick sense of humor, might have cast some spell to make Dev look like he knew what he was doing.
This message was last edited by the player at 18:14, Sun 24 July 2016.

The gnome plopped down upon the available seat and sat her gnomewhich upon the table. She then dusted off her hands with a flourish and held a tiny paw out to Dev. She gave him a smile and wink.


"Your Aunt has done me favors in the past n' I have done for her. We're not just acquaintances Deverick... we've become friends of sorts. Friends help friends, that's what they do. Now you're right, we don't know each other very well. That goes both ways. I only offered ta help out because your Aunt asked me to. You seem ta be bit of grouch ta me but I accept your apology and give ya one o' me own. Only time will tell if we too become friends Deverick the Bold but I'm willing ta try, for Almi's sake if you are?"

Blossom sat back in her seat and shook her head.

"Dev's Aunt likes ya yah? It seems Ovo her likes ya too. But I don't trust ya. Nay vun bit. yet, if Borcarsen asks ya ta join us den I vill nay stand against it. Jus know, I vill be vatch'n ya yah?"

 Dev made a mental sigh when Blossom declared she trusted Tess about as far as she could throw a castle.  Deverick decided that having someone that was good as skulking, locks and what not, might come in handy. If they where going to try their fate in the bowls of Castle Greyhawk, Tess would be needed. But then another thought came to the fore about the Gnome.

 " Tess, I knows ye be a Thief, but be ye part o th Guild er in Greyhawk?"

Tess nearly spat out her ale as Dev so causally mentioned her being a thief and if she was apart of the great Guild of Greyhawk.

"Keep your voice low when speaking about that!" she whispered but sounded more like a hiss!

"Tomas Ratek is Master Thief o' the River Quarter n' he rules it wi' an iron hand. I am a free-lancer I suppose... using my skills for meself n' friends. I nay belong to that Guild nor would I ever join. For that reason I could be the next body in the Selitian ‎River face down if ya know what I mean." she continued in a low voice looking at each person at the table in turn.

"Why he's probaly got eyes n' ears in every other Guild in the quarter... not ta mention the Dockers' and Wharfmen's Union." at this she eyed those at the bar who by appearance probably plied that trade.
This message was last updated by the player at 19:35, Sun 24 July 2016.

Ovo's eyes nearly bulged out of his skull and his hand went involuntarily to his coin pouch!

"Yer ah Thief!" he nearly shouted!

At this Tess sighed loudly and rolled her eyes before burying her head under her arms!

Blossom smiled smugly and crossed her arms over her ample bosom. She gave Dev a curt nod and a knowing look as if to say I told you so!

 Deverick sighed, when Tess told him what he kind of suspected.

" Tess, This as nuttin ta do with what twas tween us afore. I meant wh I said, I trust ye on th trust o me Aunt. But this now be a different animal,we be talking bout. Greyhawk be a Guild city,everyone worthy o th name be in a Guild o some sort.They make this city run smooth. Even the bloody beggars av a guild,but calls it summthin else. Me da was Guild,as are me brothers, I twas an Apprentice in the Guild of Blacksmiths afore I joined th Miltia. We three be in the Mercenaries Guild. Ye av ta be in the Guild ta ply yer trade,Lass."

 And he was doing it again, his tongue was wagging more then a dog's tail in frot of a Butchers shop.But he felt strongly about what he was now telling the Gnome,Tess.

"Ye must be good, cause ye still be drawin breath. But they will catch ye in the end. I hears they offer ye ta join then chop ye, iffin ye refuse. Even Thieves av ta earn thier bread, Tess. Ye av ta join th Guild, otherwise ye can't work with our lot."

 The look on Deverick's face was most serious,and it was obvious be believed every word he was saying.
This message was last edited by the player at 20:49, Sun 24 July 2016.

Tess slowly rose from her seat and gave each member a curt nod, saving Dev's for last.

"Then I suppose I'm out. I could never serve a man like that... even though your Aunt wishes me ta join ya. Fare thee well Deverick the Tall... or the Bold, whichever you may be."

The gnome then turned on her heels and headed for the door, pausing only to hand an incoming dock worker her gnomewhich.

"You can have it. I hardly touched it n' the mutton is as good as ever. I suddenly lost my appetite."

The words... Heed the Cards Deverick came to mind.

But then she was gone...
This message was last edited by the player at 20:59, Sun 24 July 2016.

 Again, the large Warrior sighed and scratched his bald head. " Well, that be that,as they says. Lets get this er errand over with in th High Quarter, unless one o you lot av other ideas."
 He stood to his feet,and adjusted his mail and belts,while he waited for his companions.

Deverick and his companions left the Widow's Rest behind them. The sun, Sol, beat down on the group as they made their way first to Dim Lane and then up Cargo Street. Cargo Street took them all the way to The Processional which ran the length of Greyhawk City. The streets in the River Quarter had sparse traffic but once they hit the main artery, the crowds grew tenfold! Though usually Deverick would have headed north to reach the High Quarter, he had another stop first so south he went with Ovo and Blossom in tow.

Fighting the crowds upon the Processional was both time consuming and frustrating as people bumped and jostled one another as they passed the best they could. The crowds worsen as they approached the throngs that had gathered at the Petit Bazaar. Remembering Tal's trick, they took several side streets and came out the other side with The Black Gate in sight! There they would find Tal and there they could give him Ren's own reward. The beggar had made plenty of coin in the last few days but he probably never held a gem worth a hundred orbs... till now!

Dev continued southward on the Processional for about a half mile and there was the lad... holding out his wooden bowl for all passerby to give alms for the poor. The young lad spotted the tall warrior, who stood nearly a half foot over most folk.

"Dev! Is it you then? You made it!" he cried out. "I'm glad to see you! I wasn't sure when we would meet again. I have news though!"

 The three of them fought the crowds along the Processional until they finally gained the Black Gate. Deverick looked for the Beggar boy,and finally saw Tal. Deverick walked up to the boy and grabbed him by the scruff of the Neck.

"There ye be, ye scruffy begger boy. I should box yer ears,be what I should do. Ye promised me a service ta show me ta th High Quarter. Be about it,Lad."

 While Dev had the boy close to him.

" Jus play along, Tal."

 The large Warrior shoved Tal toward the North along the Professional.
This message was last edited by the player at 01:35, Mon 25 July 2016.

Tal raised his slim hands above his head to ward off Dev's blows! Though when he faced the big warrior. his arms blocked the view of other so only Dev could see and he winked. He then clasped his hands before him!

"Please! Please sir! Nay beat me! I'll honor our bargain I will. Follow me!"

He led the three adventurers around the market with it's crowds of shoppers, merchants, traders, entertainers, and thieves who prayed on all of them. Tal led them to a side street that they had just used and then up an alleyway that ended in a cul-de-sac. Here the young beggar gathered the group and looked about to make sure they were alone.

"You learn fast Dev! Nice act out there! Yet, our time is limited and I have some important news. Gaspar asked me to seek you out. Word has trickled back to him about your success last eve. I think he means to offer you a position within the Union itself! As an enforcer... mayhaps his own bodyguard! There's coin enough. Some bad news though. The guard who fled... the one who was in the hag's service got caught by a street gang that owes allegiance to Gaspar. He's being brought to Gaspar today. I said nothing about Ren... I promise but if this bravo was privy to the cleric's plans, why he'll know it was Ren you freed. Speaking o' Ren? Did he enter Greyhawk wi' you all then?"

 When they reached the cul de sac,Deverick asked Ovo and Blossom to keep watch while he spoke with Tal.

" Go ahead en tell that bloated toad Gaspar it twas Ren, Tell em ye didn't know this till now. Tell em ye tricked it out o me. if that guard they av spills his guts, Gaspar will know anyways. At least ye can get th credit fer telling em first."

 Deverick reached into his belt pouch.

"I av suthin fer ye Tal, it be a reward fer yer part in rescue. Ye earned this Lad."

 Deverick took the youngs boys hand and placed the pearl on his palm.

"It be a pearl, worth I hears a hundred Orbs,mayhap more. But ye av ta hides it from Gaspar en his lot."

 Deverick closed Tal's hand over the pearl, then released him.

Tal's eyes nearly popped out of his head as he gazed upon the jewel. The young boy held it in a shaking hand and he looked at Dev with hero worship!

"Ya mean it Deverick? Ya mean its all mine? Oh! I'll hide it alright! You betcha! Thanks Deverick! You're the best! But you didn''t answer me question... did Ren enter the city wi' ya or no? I need to know. Cause I thought he was staying outside the walls... I could be wrong though."

In reply to Tal (msg # 59):

"Aye it be all yours, Lad. As fer where Ren be,I dunno, he nay tells me his comings en goings. Why do ye need ta know anyway?"

Tal swallowed hard and looked up to Dev with carefully.

"I need not know where he be. I know you are beholden to him. Yet if he nay suppose to be in Greyhawk proper he's been seen first in the Foreign Quarter and then they say he was seen in the High Quarter. Something else you should know. Negly Gasgal, deputy constable, is looking for ya. He's in the Old City right now so stay clear. I hear he is corrupt as the day is long. Gaspar has bribed him oft enough."

" Why in the bloody hells does the Deputy Constable want with th likes o me? It can't be over that there rescue. An Ren can't be in two places at once, Lad. But Gods truth, I  dont know where he be at. He be a bloody Oligarch after all"

 He tousled Tal's hair " Gotta go Lad.Av a care, en watch yer back. Fare well."

 Deverick rejoined his friends to continue on to the High Quarter.
This message was last edited by the player at 03:34, Tue 26 July 2016.