Marcus lowers his sword in shock at the familiar figure before him. "Regan? What are you doing here?"

[Private to GM: What does Marcus know about Regan? Is he an upstanding sort or a criminal sort, information like that.]

"Marcus!" said Regan in surprise.

Bisa, the grey-maned wolf beside him tensed slightly at the sight of so many strangers.  Regan sensed his companion's unease and patted him gently on the back of the head, "It's ok Bisa," said the druid reassuringly.

Turning back to the scene (and his kin), Regan continued.  "I'm not entirely certain exactly why I'm here but I understand that I am meant to find you!"

Regan was a little taken aback by the sudden meeting of a relative and it was this fact that made him appear a little startled.

As Digorye lead Dove back into the shadows, the thugs followed.

"We want the money," the speaking thug repeated.

"I haven't got it yet," Dove replied from behind Digorye's back.

Marcus looks in amazement at the dramatic changes in his nephew, but the movements of the thugs brings him back to the matter at hand. His sword blade flicks upwards to block the path of the thugs. "Gentlemen, leave the lady alone," he says in a cold voice that still promises swift death.

"All we want is the money," the thug said. "And we're not leaving without it."

Marcus turns his head slightly to address the young woman. "Do you owe these men money, miss?"

Regan dismissed the other matters for now because the scene he found could well turn ugly.  True, it was none of his concern and yes, he initially only came to Pashin to partake in some simple trading but this was more pressing.

Additionally, Regan's family were involved.

The druid stood silently, his visage partially hidden by the long shadows cast by the buildings.  By the same token, the glint from Bisas' eyes could not be mistaken and it was as if one word from Regan would allow Bisa to do what he wanted to do...

"I owe Blackbird 25 steel," Dove said. "But it’s been a bad week and I don't have the money."

Marcus looks at the girl for a long moment, then reaches down to his belt. He fumbles around for a moment as he counts something, then he pulls out a handful of coins. He throws them on the ground in front of the thugs. "The lady doesn't have the money. I do. Take it and begone, her debt to you is paid." The knight stands tall and proud, looking imposing in his brightly polished armour and carrying his razor edged sword with practiced ease, making the thugs think twice before causing a fight when they have already been paid. Marcus figures that saving unnecessary bloodshed is worth the loss of a few coins.

[Private to GM: Marcus throws 25 steel on the ground at the thug's feet.]

The thugs picked up the money and left with their mission fulfilled.

Having her debt paid, Dove left Digorye's arm and wrapped herself around Marcus' arm instead. "What do you want me to do," she asked Marcus.

[Marcus: 25 steel removed from your purse.]

As the thugs scamper off, Marcus sheathes his sword. He looks startled as the young woman entwines herself around his arm, but relaxes immediately and smiles slightly at her actions. "They shouldn't bother you again, I expect," he says gently to the frightened young woman. Ignoring the more lurid possible interpretations of the provocatively clothed lady's words, he says, "You said there are many things you can tell us. Do you know of a warm and friendly place where you would feel comfortable speaking?"

"The Hog's Head," Dove said. "As long as we make sure that Blackbird gets his money first."

Julian watched the entire affair with his mouth half-open.  It was clear that Marcus had handled the situation with appropriate deftness, but Julian was more than a little surprised.  Why would any whore owe an underworld figure money?  Was it drugs?  Her protection money for the week?  What exactly was Marcus paying for?

Whatever it was, Marcus' decision and generosity were relieving and, in their own way, joyous.  Julian's wide smirk emerged at her question: 'what would you have me do', since Julian was thinking of a few things, and erupted into a short laugh at Marcus' response.

Yes, they were going to bother her again unless during the course of this meal she decided to drop her profession and pursue a life more virtuous, and yes, Julian was absolutely sure that she knew a place that was warm and friendly.  Hells, she carried it with her everywhere she went.

Marcus should have been more specific with his request.

Now, Julian wasn't the type to judge a person on their vocation.  It's hard to make a living when you don't have luck or riches, and for a pretty girl it has to be easy to make the decision to be a whore.  In fact, at this moment he was considering indulging her life's choices and empowering her entrepreneurial spirit by putting her in his employ, but Marcus' presence put that thought to rest.

With the death of that train of thought came also the demise of his desire to spend too much more time around them, what with Gabriel still running about trying to get killed.  Julian did what he could to try and catch up with his cousin.

Digorye is a little put off by how quickly she dumped his arm for another, but was used to his more muscular friends getting all the attention. "Lets make for the Hog's Head then, shall we?"
Although he was certainly admiring her ass-ets, he was more interested in what information she might have. She was, afterall, half-elven.

"Unless you want to go someplace more comfortable," Dove suggested.

"The Hog's Head will be fine," Marcus says, flushing slightly at Dove's directly suggestive words. He avoids looking at the others, knowing the expressions that will be on their faces. He particularly avoids that of Lady Gina.

"Shall we," Gina said and offered her right arm to Digorye.

"Marcus if you don't mind," Regan interjected, "I'd like to accompany you.  To be told to find my kin and then to stumble upon you like this is  somewhat fascinating...and quite strange!" he added.

"Paladine has plans for all of us. He doesn't always see fit to let us know the details, however. You would be most welcome among us, nephew. You have met all those here, have you not?" Marcus asks Regan. As descendants of Godsbringers, he feels it safe to assume that Regan has met all of the group at some point. "We are here on a mission for the Knighthood. A simple trading expedition, but as this area is ruled by the forces of Takhisis, we are under some level of secrecy."

"Paladine?"

Regan was somewhat surprised to hear the name of the leader of the 'good' Gods being mentioned but discussing such things in a back-street of Pashin - especially as Marcus noted the area was under Takhisis influence - was probably unwise.

"I will be happy to help," replied Regan simply.

Leaving the alleyways, you soon arrived at Hog's Head, the place where you went the first evening in Pashin. Only Regan hasn't been here before. As you walked there, Marcus and Dove walk very close together and speak softly to each other so that the rest of you cannot make out what they are speaking of.

Many male eyes were sent Gina's way, but the regulars just as quickly sent them elsewhere.

Dove led you to a table in the back where you could speak in relative secrecy.
This message was last edited by the GM at 17:40, Thu 06 Dec 2007.

Marcus smiles and clasps his nephew's hand warmly. He then starts to head towards the Hog's Head Inn, allowing Dove to lead him as she is entwined around his arm. Although he is curious about what has happened to Regan over the years since his disappearance, he decides that family business should be kept until a more private moment. He instead speaks quietly to the half-elven maiden on his arm, trying to learn more about her, so he can better judge her words when she tells her story at the inn.

[Private to GM: "Dove. A fitting name for one so delicate and beautiful. Tell me a little about yourself. How did you come to be travelling the back streets, running from a debt collector's thugs?" He gently runs a finger down the length of her forearm as he speaks. His melodious voice is warm while speaking to another of his mixed race heritage, and a pretty one at that.]

Digorye, Regan, and Gina joined Marcus and Dove at the back table [unless you want to sit somewhere else]. And one of serving girls came to take their order.

"What can I get you," she asked.

Gabriel entered the Hog's Head looking a little winded. He looked around trying to see his friends. He was able to follow mens eyes to the corner where Gina was sitting with the others. His made his way over casually and took a place next to Gina to give her cover from the prying eyes. Which he hoped made her more comfortable, it definately made Gabriel feel better. "Who is she?" Gabriel said looking at the woman with Marcus he turned his head towards the bald fellow "And who is he for that matter." Gabriel said looking closely at the shaven fellow.
This message was last edited by the player at 18:14, Thu 06 Dec 2007.

Not long after the others, Gabriel and Julian arrived at the Hog's Head. They saw the others in the back of the tavern, the serving girl still at their table.

But Julian also saw Blythe, the half elven acrobat who had invited him to join the trio he and his cousin had saved earlier in the day in this very tavern. And she saw him too and walked over to them.

"You came," Blythe said looking at Julian. "We're sitting over there," she continued, pointing in the direction of the barbarian and the afflicted kender.