If Lucien is at all put out by Seirye and Lathan's proposal then he doesn't show it. As he begins he does make an observation to Seirye. "Perhaps cards are the wrong choice for you then. I know many games more reliant on the 'pure' forms of strategy if you would ever care to indulge." He deals enthusiastically for Anita and Albrecht as long as the pair of them are willing to play.

Since Albrecht seems unfamiliar with the rules of any game that Lucien can devise, he deals a new one every few hands and appears to be thoroughly enjoying himself. "One day Anita you will have to indulge me and detail exactly how many things are considered a sin by the light. Then again, perhaps mu soul is too far gone to save and I might as well save you the time." He chuckles at that.

Overhearing Seirye's question to Lathan, he offers a few of his own thoughts in the elven language. [Language unknown: "Viringven patoet Arttedugh na N winepl iouwheore na reove ssiong it e ai Ntou Wil ounsom'yinvor. Ourereour sanessee erchos e..." ] Surprisingly, Lucien's accent is perhaps not quite as clean as might be expected from a native speaker. He transitions back to common and looks at Anita. "What are your thoughts about what we ought to do next? If the decision is left to me, then I think we should see what we can find on the trail of the lost mage's apprentice and the orcs. Lathan and Albrecht in particular may be able to find clues where none were apparent before."

Antia thought for a moment while studying the cards "yes I agree with you my friend I think we should try to track the lost apprentice it would be unkind to leave then missing any longer... Hopefully our friends skills and the light will show us the way"

Lathan nods at Seirye and leans forward in his chair. He thinks for a moment, then says in common, "Aye, I've been with them for a while now. We met up working guard duty on a barge between here and Thurmaster. It's decent work. Pays well enough and is pretty easy. We've never really run into any troubles doing that. Antia and Lucien had somewhat of a reputation and Darius Carman, one of the wealthy folk here in Milborne, asked them to look into the waterlogged farmlands, the New Mire. Albrecht and I were hired alongside them. The reward for solving the problem was quite substantial, as you know..."

He sighs and looks at Antia and Lucien. "I'd be more than happy to help you track down a missing person," he says, nodding his head. "At least until something else comes along."

Albrecht holds up a card, looking utterly bewildered. "Now mate, is...is this the missing apprentice?  Which ones are the orce now?"

Seirye nods slowly at the additional information, running through it in her mind as the others add to Lucien's original statement. She works out an appropriate summary to add to the first page of the journal. Nothing flowery, she reminds herself, stick to the facts.

She glances back up at her companions and returns to speaking in Common, her tone initially quite neutral. "I would certainly relish the opportunity to see a little more... to experience a little more of the world in your company. It has been quite pleasant to this point and is a bit more exciting than studying scrolls in a dusty library, although that has its own delightful charms..."

And now she becomes a little wistful, a dreamy smile on her face. "...I mean, just think of the excitement you'd feel at finding a historical treatise on Drow illusary foci.. absolutely marvellous." She sighs.

Lucien makes no comment on his feelings in regards to treatises on Drow illusory foci, but instead deals another hand of cards. "Sorry Albrecht, I changed subjects on you. I was not talking about the game, but about the mission that Anita and I undertook just before we met you." He indicates his appreciation to Lathan. "Thank you. If the poor girl has in fact been taken by orcs, then we may be too late, but I will hold out hope awhile yet. At the least we can rid the area of a substantial menace." To Seirye he simply says: "Who better to track down a missing mage than another mage?"

Gallus hops off the back of the hay wagon he's been riding in for the last couple hours and waves to the old farmer who agreed to let him ride along as long as he strummed a pleasant tune on his lute during the journey.  Gallus was all too happy to do so and found he'd been able to compose a new song in that time.  Whether or not it was to the farmers liking he didn't know, but the man hadn't commented either way, so in that, he was thankful for the ride.  Now, standing in the booming mecca that was Milborne, he seemed to remember being here before.

Of course 'mecca' was a relative term and he grinned to himself as his eyes wandered over the town.  His eyes fell on the swinging board that signified his destination, and the memory was there with the name.

Baron of Mutton Inn, he muttered to himself.  He was fairly certain this was the place he'd heard of.  The place where he might pick up with a group of adventurers who could possibly use his skills, help put some coin in his purse, and perhaps inspire a ballad or two for his show.  But that wasn't the only memory.  It seemed there was another something lurking back in the recesses of his memory.  Something to do with a firey-haired maiden and an ogre-faced brute.  One had promised to remove all his teeth, and the other had promised... well.. he just seemed to remember leaving Milborne in a hurry after collecting his pay.

Likely they were travelers like myself and not locals, he said to no one in particular and, shouldering his lute and brushing off the hay and chaff from his cloak, he strode to the inn.

Upon entering he went to the barkeep, not a face he remembered, and introduced himself.  I am Gallus Minx, traveling minstrel and storyteller, and I would like both some mead and some information if you have a minute.  Gallus produced a gold coin from a shirt pocket and placed it on the bar.

The venerable innkeeper squints at Gallus. "Eh? What's that? What kind of information are you lookin' for?"

Gallus slides the coin toward the innkeeper, eyeing the mead barrel and leans in conspiratorially.  _{I'm looking for a group of adventurers that might be coming through here.  Rumor has it that they may have stopped at your fine establishment.  Anything you could tell me about them or their whereabouts would be greatly appreciated.}

"Heh, the ones yer lookin' for are right over there, I think," the innkeeper chuckles, pointing to a table in the common area where five patrons are seated, talking and playing cards. "Go talk to 'em yourself."

Since it seemed no mead was forthcoming, Gallus quickly snatched up his gold coin and looked over his shoulder.  The first thing his eyes fell on was the tall, fire-haired female... and he quickly scanned the others to see if any of them resembled the brute who had promised to end him.  A couple males, but neither the beast he'd seen before, and both of them looked to be elves... in fact.. they all looked to be elves in some fashion.  Pointy ears abounded and, as was his lot, he would be the midget of the... oh wait, nope, there, playing cards across from the elf with the dark cloak was a dwarf.
Well, I suppose if I'm going to do it, he thought as he repocketed his gold piece, best get to it.

Crossing the room with his head held high and his chest puffed out, Gallus approached the group's table and cleared his throat.  Greetings.  My name is Gallus Minx, traveling minstrel and purveyor of magical/musical arts.  Here he drops his voice to a conspiratorial whisper and says, _{I understand you are on a quest of some importance and I would like to assist you, if possible.  My talents could prove very useful to a group such as yourselves.}

He eyes the mug the dwarf is working on and says, Is that mead?  I couldn't seem to get the bartender to fill one of those for me.  Did you get the last of it?

Lathan glances up at Gallus and smiles. "Sure, Gallus, have a seat," he says, patting on an empty chair. "I'm Lathan. Why don't you tell us a little about yourself? And, since you've apparently heard of us, I'd be curious to hear you tell us a little about us, too," he says with a chuckle.

From behind his hand of cards, Lucien regards the newcomer somewhat skeptically. He is less keen than Lathan to accept a newcomer at first glance. All he says aloud however, is: "I too would very much like to know something about you Mr. Minx."

Seirye glanced at the newcomer but intended to say nothing. In her mind she hadn't been part of the group long enough to justify questioning others about why they might want to travel together. Still, she put her pen down and carefully put the cap back into her bottle of ink. The newcomer, Gallus did he say?, described himself as a purveyor of the magical and mystical arts. She scoffed a little at that, making a peculiar little noise in her throat, and in hindsight realised that it might not have been the correct thing to do.

"Sorry," she mumbled apologetically, "some of this food must have gotten stuck in the throat. Terrible problem and the cause of many avoidable tavern-based deaths, much more so than fights." She reached for her wine and took a long sip. She coughed once more, much more cough-like than before. "Better now."

She closed her book and looked up at Gallus.

Antia smiled at the new comer "welcome and sit master minx may the light shine on you" she added her mesmerising eyes studying him from deep under her hood

Al is still staring at the cards in front of him, looking for orcs and apprentices. Many  a game idea passes through his mind and is discarded.
"Mead?" He responds without looking up. "Yeah mate, that's what them they tall un's call this. 'S good enough as tall folk drinks go. No real kick, mind."
Without taking his eyes off the cards, which seem to hold some great meaning, Al absentmindedly takes out a fist full of gold and plops it on the table. "Just give that man some o' these shinies and they just GIVE you the drinks, ye don't even have to bite no one!" Looking blearily around the table. "We gots any maps herebouts? We should look to where folk might been n might goin."
He then looks up at the newcomer, seeming to really notice him finally. "Mink lad! you hear any words bout orcs headin bouts? Real words, now, no stories from ancient yonder."

Gallus smiles broadly and pulls out a chair to sit.  Well, as much as I dislike to be immodest, I can tell you my 'claim to fame' so to speak is that I am THE Gallus of The Battle of Deadtree Pass.  If it's a tale of Orcs you'd like Master dwarf, I have one of the best.  Our small town of mere farmers and miners was able to hold off an entire horde of northern invading orcs until our king was able to send reinforcements to drive them back.  It is a well known fact that my songs gave heart to those who wanted to flee and solidified the resolve of the men, and here he gives a nod to the ladies in the group, and not a few womenfolk to hold the town for three entire days with little less than pitchforks and torches.  Since then I've been traveling about, sharing my songs and helping those who are in need of courage and healing wherever I can.  Lately I've been playing in some taverns throughout Haranshire and Milborne was my next stop.  When I heard of a group doing the great deeds you have done, I said to myself, 'Gallus, these are likely some like-minded and talented adventurers that might take to having some songs written of them.  You should find them and see.'  So here I am.  Sounds like I might have some material already as you have time and desire to fill me in.  So far I've heard you have run off some brigands inclined toward kidnapping and have had to deal with that old pill Thurmaster.  And is it true you actually spoke to the Wild Woman of the Woods?  I'm guessing that in and of itself is quite a tale.  Then there was a merchant I met just yesterday who spoke of your amazing solution to the encroaching mire problem.  Yes, I would say your group and my skills with song and speech will almost guarantee your place in the books of legend.

If a barmaid comes by, Gallus will try once more to purchase a tankard of mead.  When Seirye mentions the food, Gallus replies, Oh you have no idea how right you are beautiful one.  I have traveled all across this land and eaten in taverns here and yon and I can tell you with firsthand experience there are many where you would do well to pray after you've eaten as well as before.  At this he barks a laugh at his own joke.  From anyone else this would seem pretentious, but from Gallus it is obvious that it comes from a genuine love of laughter.

To Antia he bows his head and replies, And may the grace of The Light shine on you as well for your hospitality lovely lady.  Now, I have given my name and Lathan his, but I would know the rest of you as well if I can.

To Albrecht he replies, Alas, I have no current information on the subject of orcs, goblins, gnolls, trolls or bugbears.  In fact, that is why I have come in search of you.

While Gallus talks fast, his voice is rich for someone so young and things that would put you off if others had said them seem to fit perfectly with the confidence and personality of this young man before you.

Suspicious might be too strong a word to describe Lucien's conception of the talkative newcomer, but he certainly has some reservations. He lays down his hand of cards and reclines in his seat as he listens to the man talk. He tries to catch Anita's eye to get her impression of this stranger. "You certainly seem to have the qualifications required to assist us with our next objective. Though if there are really to be song and tales, I have to insist that I be called Seliar Silversong. For our purposes here however, you can call me Lucien."

Seirye locked her gaze on Gallus, her cold silver eyes betraying little sign of emotion. She  replied to his question, speaking in Common but with the clear and carefully pronounced accent of a High Elf. In its own way her speech was as confident as Gallus' but a world apart. Her well-rehearsed greeting flowed easily off her tongue but the tone was neutral, very matter-of-fact, neither friendly nor hostile. "I am Sierye, second-born of Vaeril Lathilar, student of the arcane, sage, mystic detective, and sometime aspiring candidate for an associate professorship at the Vault of the Sages at Silverymoon. While your offer with regard to your," and for just the next word her tone became a little condescending, the articulation stretching the word out just a little, "songs... is amiable but I intend write myself into history in a story of verity and fact, without embellishment and without need for myth or legends... however, my colleagues deem you worthy of accompanying us and assisting in our endeavours. I trust their choices and so I welcome you."

The smile that followed was, like so many of Seirye's interactions, awkward.

Lathan listens to Gallus' story with a smile on his face. "Quite the story," he thinks. "I wonder how much of it is true."

"I don't have any objection to you accompanying us," he weighs in.

Antia smiled as she leaned forward her Hood moving back slightly to show her race to the young bard

"I am Antia, cleric of the light" she replied to his request for introductions all the while she watched his reaction to her being Tiefling

Before the adventurers retire for the night, they are offered another boat-courier job. In two days, a barge full of pots, pans, ceramics, and wood is headed for Thurmaster for delivery to Count Parlfray, and an escort is needed for the river travel and also overland to Parlfray's keep, though his men-at-arms will also escort the cargo for the overland part of the journey. They are offered 50 gold pieces each for this assignment.

Since they want to head for Thurmaster anyway, Lucien recommends that the group take the job. "It isn't the best pay we've seen, but it isn't terrible either and it will get us to Thurmaster even if we need to make the trek to the keep afterwards."

Seirye, hesitant until someone had said something, nodded slowly at Lucien's suggestion. As always her tone is neutral and her words just seem to run together. "I cannot fault your logic Lucien. I do not know the geography but if you deem that we are heading in the right direction with, at least what seems to me to be, the additional bonus of a relatively lucrative remuneration then this commitment has my support. It always makes sense if our traveling expenses are effectively covered by others." Somewhere in there you think that she is voting yes to the offer.

"Agreed. Let's take the job."