As the  walked into The Plank, Baku saw all manner of  folk at lest  half of them were  Humans, a couple  Dwarves , a couple elves. a one Lone Halfling that was  sitting off to the side..he was  eating a small dinner, most of the folks ignored her.

 There was a Black haired dwarf wearing a battered helmet, the helmet had one horn on the front, like some beast would have a horn, around the Dwarf's neck was a necklace of  Orc teeth.

  Fetcher  looks at Baku,theer is  an old saying in Iron Mound...'riding the Orc cart"... you die in a bar fight, or street fight, ..no people to take your body...they sell it to the Orcs who live in the Orc section..they take it  home to help feed the orcs...it is one of the few tribes in the lands that are allied with the ironmound...

 by this time the  reach Reedrick's table. Hey?  Boos... this fella  flaoted in just now?... thought he might be a recruit?..The  DArk Moon guy was there too....

 Reedrick laughs ,..Darkmoons?... good  thing he didn't go wit him...we'd had ta kill him one day...

 Baku Daeson..The red?...this is reedrick  OreBender...   he runs the Plank and the Crimson Arrows in Ironmound....

 Reedrick Looks at the dwarf,well?..least ways...you found  a fella  who's  better lookin' then most ye  bring in..Sit down Baku...

 One of the waitress  comes  Over   she  looks  toned  a tiny red  arrow  pin on her Bodice.Welocme to the Plank.... we have    Beef stew..we have  fried or grilled fish and we have chopped up ham silces... Dinners  come with Bread and a drink...

 Reedrick  motions to the waitress,...Go ahead..eat. relax..we don't begrudge  a fella  a meal..whether ye  join or not...

 ..um...Boss?

 Sit down fetcher..ye  can eat as well...

Baku walked over and took a seat at the man's table. Turning to the waitress he says "Thank you, its been a while since I had warm food, so stew, and I would love an ale.

Baku grins at Reedrick. "Now I hear you have work, truthfully I'm a bit low in coin, could only keep my boat docked a little over a week so I need the work. But, desperate or not I do like to know what I'm getting into, so who are these Darkmoons, and why would you have had to kill me if I went with them aye?"

  Reedrick is about to say something  when the  waitress bring over a  crock with a Ladle  and  three bowls , she takes   fine silver  spoons out of her apron and lays one in front of each of the men.

 Another , somewhat Younger girls  comes with a tray and a pewter Pitcher od ale..three puter  mugs,  The Mugs and Pitcher  are getting a film on as they warm up.

   Reedrick nods to them both and  they head off to other tables,Ale's Cold..so'd the pitcher and Mugs..we have Some Ice below..get some fresh every Month from the mountains... as he talks  he fills Baku and fetchers Bowls to the rim, then his.

 the younger  girl returns with a bowl of hot biskets wrapped in a clean bartowel.

 she place a jar of   Butter and some silver knives. As  Reedrick butters  a roll he says,..first off? we're the Crimson Arrows...some folks like us, some folks hate us...but ain't only one thing that matters...we get the job done...sometimes? it ain't anywhere near pretty..but we make sure   we do our jobs.

 fetcher  smiles as  he spoons the stews in his  mouth, dipping a roll in the bowl and eating that as well.

 We take almost any job, unless its what we thing is bad?....now? we have units  running around out there..the leaders, they'll pick up side jobs from the towns and such...bottom line is..we don't kill anyone that don't deserve ta be killed..but..boyo? we'll kill them dead if they are..

 ..now...no matter what compnay ya  sign with?...there is   some other company that don't like ya..some are just flat out  dark...they'll take a job ta kill an orge, and  a day later  take a job to steal some babies for a wizrad to make spells with..

 Those folks?..we  will kill..and they know it..so's they want to kill us...Ironmound...she's a free  city, anyone can come and go..which makes it damn hard to keep  spies out....but if yer a Slaver  or  Come from HArgen or maybe  work with them red Elves....River Pirates.. well..sooner or later  you'll do somethin' stupid and a price will be  put on yer head..or?..you get caught by the watch..then you'll end up in the arena.

  We ain't all real good folks..we have some folks who are as near the the  dark as they are the lIght, but that  don't make  no nevermind...if ye  do your job, protect your  people ..yer good..

he takes  a  spoon full of stew and nods at the taste as he looks at the Bowl, his eyes  lips as he  chews,..oh?..an' we kill slavers..every chance we get..sorta the family business..that part is...

  now...we have a unit down river..just so happens  they took a Job from the Emperor hisself...ain't heard  from them, Cept  the  Little winged one came up and gave me an Update..they might be able to use  anything  body... If ye  want in, ye can start off tomorrow morning, take  a rom here tonight, on the house....

 ..ifin ye don't want ta sign with us?..you can take a room at half price fer the night, least we can do, since ye wasted the time ta talk.

Bade takes a few mouthfuls of stew as Reedrick talks, after hearing it all he sits back on his seat and takes a large gulp of ale. "Okay, it sounds good. If I play by the rules from here on, the past don't matter do it? If it don't than I say alls good. I'll join up, I'll head out first thing in the morning and I'll fight anybody you say. I'll kill any slaver I see too. I just got two requests. First, you pay for my boat's docking fees, take it out of any pay I should get." He takes another gulp of ale, "Second, I would like leeway to research history on a ship which either sank about 45 years ago, or at least lost a young dwarf when I'm in the city.

well..fer  your ship? You may just need  it to get to the Unit i was  talking about..when you don't  use it, we have a space at the   Far end of the Wahrf, we have  two ships Docked there, that are, ours..we got them as Prizes...We have another   one  Down river  that took the  team  a bit of the way...Ye  can secure  yer boat  with them, and follow the Ship's captain's  orders to  joint up with that lot...

 He looks to the   Bar  and holds up  the near empty Pitcher.

 As fer lookin' into that ship,  We might  be able ta get some  information from the ironmound  navy's  records..and I can get ye into the Sagwes  guild  ta ask  some stuff as well..the.."learning  quarter is in the Southwest corner..the  sages  and folks who mess  with  machines are there..Library..things like that...

Baku smiles, he downs the rest of his ale and takes a huge mouthful of bread. Swallowing, he holds out his hand for Reedrick to shake, "Excellent, thanks in advance but I guess all that's left is for me to get down and help your group out. First thing I'd head up the river and meet this captain. You have a map so I don't get lost on some tributary, or is it easy to keep a route to where the ship is?

  well... yer gonna  need this..., he reaches  in his  Tunic  and Pulls out  a drawstring pouch,  he Dumps  a few dozen Pins on the  table, some are red  Gems, some  metal that is read, even a few wooden  red  ones. He picks up a small ruby arrow,Now?..Out there? There as  as Many folks that Hate us, that5 love us...and the ones in between?..well ye  don't trust them, because they can go either way...That said? Ye  wear this in plain sight...we are a 'name' company..folks around  the whole of LAynak Know  us....

  He Opens  a Book that he takes from a little shelf behind his head and Writes in Baku's  Name...Time  comes  that you want out?..ye give  that Arrow to  the nearest  Arrow that ye  see  an' we'll take yer name from the rolls... ye walk away and Keep the Arrow?..well..we'll hunt ye down

  drawling something  Quick, as  if out of habit, he  tears a sheet from the back of the Book,..here's a rough  map...i keep a few handy , but i have ta write in some places... Now  somewhere  between Bowshot and Olant..ye  should find our ship... When ye approach the ship..You shout..." ARROWS OF RED.."...ye should get in return.." ARROWS OF MIGHT"..ye don't hear that part>..ye  keep sailing..if..fer some reason ye don't find out ship..ye havfta  go to Olant...Bad place that, The calls themselves free?..but they ain't..they are  lap Dogs  for the slavers and anyone esle who want's ta help  HArgen...You'll go there, and Follow the Furman's chain, ask about the Arrows who passed through...Now? if ye want..you can get some rest up stairs... don't know if ye should run  out right away?..but the choice is yours.

 Oh..the Leader of the Unit is Kree Quickshadow..an Elf from Black Timber..and his dolt of a cousin, Ivy....But..they'er  like me brothers, so's you help them the best ye can...

Baku takes the small crimson pin and attaches it to the strap of his vest. He nods along as he hears the instructions, taking the map as its pasted to him. Okay between Bowshot and Olant, call out Arrows of Red, hear Arrows of Might. Follow Furmain's Chain or orders of Kree Quickshadow. Got it, and I better sleep, been on the sea alone for two long, just a few hours than I'll head out, thanks for the chance." With that he stands up and heads upstairs.

Glad ta have  ye aboard.. The  girls  will show you were he Arrow's sleep..Fetcher?..when yer  done, head back out, see if ye can find some more...

 Reerick passes   a couple  gold to him, Fetcher  Grins   as he pockets them.

 One of the Girls  show Baku up to the Very top floor of the 6  floor structure.  She opens  a door that is  right  above the  front of the Inn  tot he west side, a window  as a great view of the river.

 ..the Inn is op0ened al night, if you wish to get a drink or food, our understanding is, you stay and eat for free, since you have just signed on.

"Baku smiles at the girl, thank you." He walks on into his room and removes his weapons and armor, and lays down for a few hours sleep.

Baku wakes up just before light and gathers his things, ready to return to the water again. He gets a little grin as he thinks of the water, he has always been happier on the water than on dry land. He hums a short tune to himself, "Where its wave over wave, sea over bow, I'm as happy a man as the sea will allow."

He leaves the room and headed down stares, as he pasted the bar he asked for one last mug of ale before he left, downing it he headed to the front door. A new life was starting for him, and with a smile on his face he walked outside.

    Reedrick comes out  onto the  Docks, he has a Mug in his hand drinking the some Caffe.

 Standing at Baku's  Boat he hands him a Cloth  that is tied shut,Elf always does this?...don't know if its good luck, or comes in handy, but i know i liked it when we was on the road for a while... Aloaf of fresh break and  some  cut op cold  meats

 ..remember the PAss code when ye meet the ships..., ye most like have a day, maybe a day and half, depending on where the CAptain set his anchor...Ladies be with ye...

"Thank you Reedrick, I'll see you when our job is complete." Baku takes the items and hops onto his boat and prepares to travel. He knows his boat well though and in just a few short minutes and he is heading up the river at a good speed.

 As Baku slips into the  Storm River, he sees another  warship entering from the west. The   Massive  Porticullis-like gate s swing  slowly open... He can see the small figures on the top of the Gates, Huge Vats of Tar , smoking , incase they need to dose   an enemy ship.

  The West drawbridge  raises as well..stopping   traffic on the  South-West Way, people  look down at the ships passing through.

 Baku sees a few smaller  fishing Boats following in the warship's wake.. some have archers In them, trying to  hit a serpent that is kicked up by the passage of the Bigger vessel.

 About  15 minutes  or so, they  pass through the gates and the  grind and Clank can be heard as the GAtes begin to close and the drawbridge  comes down.

 Looking at his Map..he should see the Bowshot  Ferry to his left, and the other side to his right..the Warship begins to  loose its  sails as he heads swiftly  to the West

Baku works away on his boat, keeping an eye to the water, an eye to the weather, and any spare glaces to the boats or his map. He loved how busy this made him feel, but he found his mind starting to dwell. It had not been so long ago that he was a pirate, how would he fit in with this people, would things go south. Would they except the joy he found in the fight, or would that think him a madman. These were things he did not know but he knew he would find out soon, so he continued on to find the ship with his new crew.

  Kree and  Brie walked into the  Plank. Reedrick was sitting  by 'his table' going over  some contracts and MAps.

   The  elf  waved to  one of the  servers and sat down across from the Dwarf. Kree took out the  paper and slid it across the table,skinny merchant at the palace gave me this. Can they be trusted...


 The Dwarf looks up at Brie and kree  then takes the paper,..I hear we lost a few of the New ones we sent ya?

 ..the Dwarf with the Boat died  when  the ship picked us up..were were being chased by what is assumed..to be slavers...

 ..from what i hear?.. the other  two died  at the Ferry? his eyes looked over the paper at Brie.

from the red light thread

The walk from the Temple District was uneventful as things went. Reaching the Inn Justin openef the door quickly scanning the room then allowing Myranda to enter. Once inside he checked to see if Reedick was still up and about.

In reply to Kree Quickshadow (msg # 182):

Glancing around the common room Myranda spots Kree, Reedrick & Brie. Crossing the room she perches on an empty chair, briefly scans the maps before giving the Dwarf a friendly smile

  The Dwarf looks Up at the Arrows  coming in, with Diana already heading up stairs.

  So? how many of the ones ye start out  with, did ya bring back?

 Kree Looks at Justin,Two..picked  Up some others..Rolf.. been around awhile, rest either got  killed, or  moved on.... we even met a few, signed them up..but they thought better of it...

 ..where's yer cousin?

 right now?..bedding one of the Princerss's  hand maidens...

 ..Oh?..and... The Princess and her two hand maidians are Arrows now...

 The dwarf  almost choked on his ale, he  slammed his Mug down and quickly wiped the maps off,..Eta's bouncing breasts!.. are you mad?

 ..Seemed like the thing to do?.. they did  stand  with us we  it seemed there might be a Battle in the place...


 The dwarf looked at Kree...

 we...um..sorta  exposed some of the  people who helped get the pricness kidnapped....they  were elss then  happy, I am thinking we all are dead, if they would not have  draw steel with us...

 Reedrick takes a deep pull on his ale,..yer  father won't like that..not one bit....

 ..My Father is not an Arrow... I am...

 ..Best damn Arrow of the lot..well..next  ta me..'course ..

 brie had a fight with some poof..she won.. he was't too happy...

Diana slept for three hours, then awoke, with a start.  She was sweating, her heart was racing and her hands were shaking.  It had been a while since she had had THAT particular dream.  It always left her like that.

She woke up, sitting up in bed.  She got out of bed, and went over the wash basin, rinsing her face.  She went back to bed, but just lay there, her mind running, and unable to sleep.

Finally, she got dressed, and decided to go downstairs, and see what was going on.

She went to the bar, ordering some milk.  She wasn't in the mood for anything hard.

Then she went and sat at a table.

In reply to Plank (msg # 185):

Myranda giggled at Kray's comment, giving Brie a grin Was the fellow jealous of your association and though he could clear his path to Kray. she asked playfully.

In reply to Kree Quickshadow (msg # 182):

Brie had taken a seat next to Kree and cocked her head at him with a definitive look of unsatisfactory.

Absolutely! she said firmly under her breath.  Next time you send mercs after the Arrows without a better scrutiny of them, I'll be sending them your way with my own bounty instead.

She sat back in her seat and crossed her arms.  Who know whom their first target was?  Could have been me, Kree, Ivy, any of the Arrows, they were bat shit crazy, I tell ya.

In reply to Brestine Darksbane (msg # 188):

Mistress Darksbane Thee hath overreacted, mayhap resulting from Thy frustration at being denied satisfactory outcome from the duel Thee hath participated in.
As an Arrow Master Reedick faces similar dangers as any of us, save that he's location is fixed, which presents an additional complexity.

Brie raised an eyebrow at Justin. She spoke in a low softer calm tone. Were you there?  I was.  It was not an overreaction.  They were crazy.

She looked over at Myranda.  I could only hope that that buffoon learns his lesson, but I  seriously doubt it.

In reply to Brestine Darksbane (msg # 190):

Indeed... he commented before adding Mistress Darkbane, Thee are stating that Thy declaration and paraphrasing her original comment
Be an intentional threat unto our Arrow Companion Master Reedrick.