Grundar recognises Melock's sudden awkwardness and in a unusual momentary lapse into thoughtfulness decides it would be good to save him from any further attention. This also helps him make up his mind and rather than waiting for some promised information, he dives in, opening his big mouth and probably shoving his sandaled foot right in it...

Thanks for the story Melock, that's quite a tale! I've got a story too, and I think I need your help. He looks around making sure he has everyone's attention. Before we met, I was involved in a little bit of fun at Goldfangs. It's a long story. As part of my drive to take over the Deadheads, I thought I'd show them that I was worth their following - long story - and so I got them to set up a game for me. At Goldfangs. With fighting fish. Using my famous skills to make friends, contacts and generally come out on top, I naturally had the best fish, caught all the other competitors by surprise and cleared them out. You should have seen it. Magnificent. He beams and looks around expecting to see looks of admiration returned. Of course, that did mean in a rather rapid departure so that they didn't extract back their coins. Of course I laid low for a while, avoiding the joint until the other day when, as you saw, Goldfang decided to have a chat. Inevitably, he sees things my way, and we're now in partnership - he recognises talent when he sees it!

But here's the thing. He things he's got me working for him. Couldn't be further from the truth. He want's me to acquire something from this duck, Goodfeather. But don't worry! I know he's a friend of yours. I'm most certainly not going to rob from a friend, that's not how it works. No, it's time for me to teach that smug little Mr Goldfang a little lesson of his own and drop him in it. And this is where I need your help, and a little inspiration, as I've not decided how to do it yet. I know I will do it and I know I will come out on top, and I'm sure if you help me, you will enjoy the benefits of that too! What do you think - are you in?

Hoskar half grins, but bites his lip at the same time.

Pointy's a smart customer, and he's said he'll sponsor me for Issaries initiation so don't expect me to try and 'tyrie him. But if it'll profit us and him, and amuse him into the bargain, we'll likely get somewhere. If that's the idea, I'm probably "in".

You did hear the Duck's off back to Fig Lane, didn't you?

In reply to Hoskar Two-Feather (msg # 243):

Excellent! I take it by Pointy you mean Goodfeather? Yes, I was told I would find him in Fig Lane and that some baboons around there would fill me in on what it is I'm supposed to be lifting for 'Mr Goldfang'. He also gave me this he flashes a gold tooth he's got pocketed away So that they'd know I was genuine. So, is everybody else in? Should be fun and bag us a profit to boot.

It will be good to have a thing that brings Becx to mind out in the wastes, but I fear it might not stand up to the way me may have to ride trial. Is it rude to ask you to find room for it for when I will be in town? The short time I am here has been good to me, there is an air of peace or ...I don't know what. I should like to come back,'  Temush smiles and raises an eyebrow and there are those here that may take a sketch or some pitch else from me.



Temush stares at Grundar head on one side (a posture Peevt mimics with knobs on) 'Are you sure you can tell black from gold Raven? you have a most Sun Hawk like way of drumming up a crew for your scheme. I will try to help you out, but do not ask me to lie, or to stretch the truth too far 'cross the gaps in this case.'

Can I tell black from gold? Of course, black is where I hide in order to get the gold! Gold is what I spend.


I'll take that as a complement. I think. Don't worry, he winks towards Melock, I won't ask you to lie, I'll leave that to the experts!

Melock grunts in reply to Grundar's comment and finishes off the kumis and burps loudly.

In reply to Temush Blinking-cloud (msg # 245):

Becx looks quizzically at Temush.

Not sure, but I think we might be on different scrolls.

I'm definitely keeping the picture with thanks. Hang it in my bargaining room, I expect. I'll even knock its likely value off an unusually modest finders fee for any orders from interested parties. Think I rather like you. Truth is so refreshing.

Just thought you might like the cushion you admired. Softer than a saddle.

She runs a hand through her hair. Years since I smoked anything. Even tobakeh. Should have known it would do my conversation no good.

Temush's other eyebrow mimics the first one.'Oh, I hope not' he says.
It was not a sketch done to sell and there is only one else to whom I might part with it - by your leave Hoskar...
He borrows Hoskars pipe for a drag and coughs a little more than the others before giving it back.
'The Old Man does like a peace pipe though... if you could take care of this boon from the east for me that will be more than fair. I want to take it with me but I fear it will come to grief in the wastes, and that will make me sad. As for the truth, it's not so great a load as some make out. It lays me by the heels at times it is true ha,ha, and it could be a flaw in the sales game but I may paint a scene or two and ask you to sell them if there is time while we are here.'

Becx's gaze briefly goes faraway, looking right past the company. Leave what you will Temush. We are understanding one another after all. Time passes. Seems I forget a moment what it is to be new-minted and storing things up for tomorrow instead of using or selling them today.

She gestures for and is passed the pipe again. This time she coughs twice. Not that I am ready for the long caravan to the bridge yet before some cheeky bugger suggests it.

So Grundar. Itchy feet and moving on after...actually Goodfeathers used to find that being called Pointy got right up his bill...are you? Hope they've told you what you're getting into. I count three who have died and come back already and if Hoskar and friends are just mooching about without some purpose but in company with as powerful a spirit as has been in my house for some time then I'll be a baboon's aunt.
This message was last edited by the player at 22:19, Fri 11 May 2018.

Temush brow creases and he bows his head a bit, It seems as though he is going to say something but nothing comes out.

His voice still full of gloom, <Blue>'I've crossed that bridge both ways, and helped the Earth Goddess." Melock drops the empty skin on the floor, "but I'm not rushing to cross it again."

Temush sniffs and recovers his half smile 'My, my, we sure know how to throw a bash!' he says, inspecting his cushion in detail 'I hope we've brought you our full share of good cheer, Becx'

Waterday....

Midnight comes and with it a shower of rain to herald in the new day.

"You're right Temush." Melock shakes himself and stretches, "apologies Becx, normally I'm happier company, must be that lunar gin at Goldfangs." he looks to the sky when it starts to rain, "I think it's time to call an end to this day." Melock stands with a slight wobble, "Good night all." he walks slow down stairs and heads to his bedroll.

Clayday, Stasis Week, Dark Season.

The Rangers have been busy, collecting rumours, spreading coin and gathering help for the Troll Market on the following Freezeday, in five days time.

Amara had several Axe sisters who had promised to accompany her on the day, half a dozen vingan warriors eager to test their mettle against the dark folk and finally the Enlo of the Fire brigade.

Ohanzee had secured a bunch of Uroxi, who if they actually turned up might help or hinder the plan.

As for the others they were sat around the long table of the bar, explaining what they'd been up to.

That and commenting on the fact that their local friendly street gang had just renamed themselves the Blood Runners and seemed to have secured a pack of ferocious Rubble Runners that was now terrorising the neighbourhood.

At the mention of the Blood Runners and their new found pack there is a sound that is likely as close as a Rubble Runner could make to sniggering that comes from the below the table where Ohanzee's own new found friend, a jet black Rubble Runner is chewing on a bone.

"Really?" the Raven brave says in a surprisingly good impression of, well, surprise and he then changes the topic "Nice place the Stomp 'n' Brew, don't you think?"
This message was last edited by the player at 19:14, Tue 19 Mar 2019.

Hoskar winks broadly at Salen on hearing his comment. You get a decent kumiss and a sore head, for sure. he shakes his head a little keeps me confused on whether I'm in here or out there, of course. Ho hum.

Anyway, how's it going? Getting useful information out of mother's on what's going on in the old city is rather like extracting teeth from a live Rubble Runner, but I've more been trying to work out what to do about that vision of mine. You know. The harpy with the heads hanging down. Had a word with the greybeards...

Henal smiles at the sound of the rubble runner and asks "Not one of your fingers he's chewed off is it Ohanzee?"

Then he takes a drink and looks serious. "I was glad I went to the Greybeards to see what they could tell me about the troll's fortress"

Melock nods at Ohanzee's words and looks round the pub they are in, "Not bad, though I'm still not keen on the brick walls, I miss the bison hide tents, and don't get me started on the smell, worse than being at the back of the herd after the first rains." He smiles at Hoskar, "I didn't think she was that easy going."

In reply to Melock (msg # 261):

Having paused to take a pull on his drink, Hoskar's eyes widen. For a moment he struggles with indrawn breath then splutters, the local brew trickling from his nose as his eyes water too. Nothing but shaking coughs and laughter can be got from him for some time. Eventually, he wipes his eyes and husks Not your first day, is it. Tight as Pointy's arse usually.

At least with brick walls no-one is sneaking in with a handy knife through the tent and sticking it up you.
This message was last edited by the player at 21:40, Thu 21 Mar 2019.

Temush sips his kumis while the others report, frowning when Melock jokes about their host , and then adds "I asked my Dwarf pal if they had old maps of the Troll part of town but he says there are tests you have to pass to get the use of one, and I just start to learn the map arts from him, so no luck there. But I met a man in the main square, Durdath by name who asked about my shield. He works for the Sundown trader Thrandren and I traded him a sketch of a wall decoration from... a certain solar site, for some information"

"Well the nymph is at the Giant Finger Holes now, the water will be cleansed. Now I can get back to proper Rangering. What did the greybeards have to say? I remember the harpy from what you said before..."

Salen lights up a pipe, because there was never a bad time for a smoke.

"It'll make this local swill taste...well, less worse..."

"Well I hope Bisud'dha Pani doesn't take offence at the newcomer" Ohanzee remarks at Salen's words "'cos she's powerful enough to have survived the Chaos all this time and kept at least some of her water clean all that time."

He smiles "At least I can talk to her now, see how she can be freed."
This message was lightly edited by the player at 08:31, Tue 26 Mar 2019.

The Greybeards had shown uninterest in Hoskar's queries, mainly to do with his obvious ties to Praxians, but this soon changed with a combination of sharp words, coin and some clever name dropping.

Passed from apprentice to Sage and then gradually more senior ones, Hoskar at last found himself pouring over several old scrolls with an elderly Woman, whose beard was quite spectacular in it's tardiness.