Klaudia took the starjewel. "Wait here," she said and left for the back room. When she returned she gave Marcus a money pouch, jingling with coins, a longsword, and a chainmail shirt.

"As far as I know the elves have left Pashin."

Julian shrugged at Marcus' reproach.  "Fine, save the world yourself then.  Don't use offered help."

The exchange of the pouch made him chuckle a little.

"Excuse me?" Klaudia said and looked at Julian.

"He was just very, you know, possessive of the jewel.  You know, it had to be his burden and all that - VERY not interested in any help carrying it - and then the thought of him getting a bunch of coins for it and what-not made me wonder if that was going to be his burden too."

He threw up his shoulders.

"Just wondering."

"How you divide your reward is up to you," Klaudia said. "But if you want to spend some of it here, I have an assortment of things that you might find useful."

Marcus gives Julian an amused look and answers, "I just thought that it would be advantagious for the jewel to make it all the way here, rather than being sold for ale halfway here because you were thirsty." He wordlessly devides the coins among his companions, and leaves the sword and armour for the others to fight over. He is quite content with the armour and sword that he was issued by the Order.

"It would have been a lot of ale, you know.  Maybe even the whole alehouse," Julian offered with a smirk and a wink.

"So, Marcus, seeing as how trouble, intrigue and excitement follow you like I do women, what's your plan at this point?  Leave town?  Catch an airship to Tarsis?  Another night in this boring town?"

He eyed the curios in the shop - he wanted a souvenir, something to remember the place by other than terrified beautiful acrobats.

"Boys will be boys," Gina said.

As Julian looked around the shop, he saw potions, alchemical goods of all varieties, and odd things like candles, and other light sources, and mistletoe and spell components and ink, as well as things to write on and write in, and containers and things.
This message was last edited by the GM at 17:48, Mon 14 July 2008.

Marcus sighs and answers, "The trail appears to be dead, and we are out of time. The caravan leaves tomorrow, and we, or at least I, must be with it. I doubt that Lord Brightblade would permit me to remain behind even if you all choose to, especially after the trouble I have been in since arriving. Do any of you have any suggestions?"

"If none of you want it," Dove said. "I'll take the sword and armor. I'll need it if I'm going to travel with you."

Marcus looks slightly startled at Dove's suggestion. "So you are deciding to accompany us then?" he asks.

"You've paid me to accompany you," Dove replied. "I'm just trying to make the best of it."

"I thought you would simply carry some equipment and act as a guide. I am pleased that you are willing to do more. And you see that, if money is your goal, this life can be more rewarding than the one you currently lead?" he says. She appears to be making some progress, and Marcus's hopes are somewhat renewed that she may change her lifestyle for a more fulfilling one.

"For the money," Dove said. "Today has been a good day. But you risk your life and have none of the rewards that I have. You should try it some time."

"You lead a dangerous life as well. And the best you can achieve is to snare the hand of a rich man, to be treated as his plaything. My line of work can be dangerous as well, but the rewards can be great. And you will have them of your own ability, not at the whim of another. And you will also be able to earn fame and respect, if those are things that you desire," Marcus says, unwilling to give up.

"We will see," Dove said and unabashedly removed her clothes to put on the armor. As she inspected herself in her new armor, she shook her head. “It doesn’t fit with the rest of my things.” She removed the armor and put on her courtesan outfit again. “I guess we’ll have to find something to complement that with.”

Marcus flushes as the young woman changes immodestly, and turns away with a wry smile at her wordless rebuttal. He looks to the innkeeper once more and says, "This armour is of fine make, but doesn't fit. Would you be willing to swap it for something similar that would fit the young lady?"

"I don't sell armor," Klaudia said. "And the shops will most likely be closed by now. So you'd have to look for something in the morning."

"I like the chain shirt," Dove said. "But it doesn't work with my regular clothes. So I need something else in addition."

Marcus stifles a sigh of frustration. This mission feels important, far more so than an expedition to buy horses. Yet they must head back in the morning, leaving this all behind. They have the key and the dream, but lack the time to allow them to progress any further. "Thanks you for your help," he tells Klaudia. "We should be able to get you what you need in the morning. But I am not sure if it will be any help, as the party is leaving town tomorrow," he says to Dove. He could always request leave from Lord Brightblade, but he is so far from the Lord's good books that he stands absolutley no chance of success. he will be lucky not to be cast out of the Order when he returns to the Keep.

"Sometimes one has to chose between what is right and what is easy," Gina said.

"Yes, what is right is to stay here and investigate further. But what is also right is to follow the commands of my superiors. What can I tell Lord Brightblade? That I had a dream and now want to stay here in enemy territory to look around? He will certainly refuse, and if I stay regardless then at best I will be executed, and at worst I will be cast out of the Knighthood," Marcus says in frustration.

"Is there anything else I can help you with," Klaudia asked. "It's about time for me to close the shop for the night. If there is anything you'd like to purchase, I will be at your service."

"I believe that we have everything we require for now, thank you Klaudia. You have been much help. Good evening," Marcus says. He leads the others out of the shop and back towards the inn.

Julian considered asking her what she was doing with the rest of the night but decided against it.  Ogre women could be... demanding, and Julian didn't really feel up to the task.

He gave a smile and a wave and followed Marcus out of the shop.

"Look, I think you ought to do whatever seems to be the right thing.  And I encourage you to do it with conviction, whatever that is.  Personally, I'd be scouring the land looking for the hot elf... oooo, that's your mom, isn't it?  Sorry.  I'd be looking for your mom.  Or whoever."

He rubbed the back of his neck and looked at the sky.

"Know any good songs?"