'I'm not wanted for any crimes,' Vala stated proudly. The warrioress leans in and examines the keg mark. 'Some brewers mark? A sign of good fortune? I don't know it sorry.'

He shrugs, "No reason you should know it, it Lord Thyrandas the thirds mark of approval.  Supposed to mean he really likes it, hard to say, but it does mean it gets sold for twice what one of the same quality sells for."

After a few bits of his own breakfast, he pulls the two corks and pours out four cups of the stuff.  It is a very tasty hard apple cider.   He takes a deep drink of it.

"Well, I've known the brewer of it a long time, knew his dad as well.  So how does a cider get such a fancy mark on it.  Lots of ways for sure, but in this case, let me speculate.  The niece of the third cousin, or something like that, let's just say a city girl with country tastes who happens to have some Thyrandas blood in her, marries an apple farmer. Now its good stuff, and he was a successful before the Seal, but since then, he's become a pretty wealthy brewer."

Tanyl looks at the mark, then takes one of the cups and takes a drink.

Vala looked at the bartender blankly, the barbarian warrioress obviously not quite following where he was going with this (though the hard cider was indeed delicious.)

Taking a small sip, the gnome swishes the cider around him her mouth, then sucks in some air around it. Swallowing she takes a sniff, and nods approvingly. It all meant nothing to her, apple cider is what it is, but she had seem fancy people do that at parties with various beverages and hoped it made her look savvy.

It is a most excellent cider, as far as you know.  The large man continues to scarf down his breakfast and takes another deep drink from his cup.

"So, why tell you all this?  Well, contracts have dangers, no one gets paid to do nothing, not in our level of the world.  Those three men are off to smash some rats, spiders, or whatnot, and they'll earn a handful of gold doing it, and be happy.  Still, it's not easy and there is a risk, to their lives. The reason for the story is, this job pays a lot, and I'm not sure there really is a job, but the risk is huge, to your reputation and your future, if you can't be, uh...tactful"

All of this is well over Delta's head. Focusing on her food, she waits to see what Vala has to say.

Vala looked at her companions, then back at the bartender. She leaned in, a wolfish smile on her face. 'Gold and danger are what I came here for. Let's hear some more.'

Through it all the elf has said nothing.  And other than eat and drink, he's done nothing.  But he's clearly attentive.

The barkeep unrolls the scrolls.

"One hundred gold for a week of your efforts, another one hundred if you succeed. Minus Thar's ten percent.  Includes a place to sleep and food.  Probably the barn or some such, nothing fancy."

"So, here's the story.  Over the past week, two of the Branch Farm's sheep have been killed while grazing on the hills.  They thought maybe a wolf, or wild dog and were going to just hire a trapper.  But two evenings ago, Lady Branch was strolling through the orchards, inspecting the trees as she likes to do in the cool evening air, and she came across it.  A huge wolf or dog.  It did not attack her, but she says it threatened her, and her husband.  Yeah, it spoke. Told her the land she was on was not theirs, and they should leave, or be killed.  She screamed and passed out, and Mr. Branch found her thus, in a deep sleep but unharmed. Some might say she took a fright and imagined the voice, but her being related to the Lord Mayor, well, they are taking no chances.  Might be easy as finding a rabid dog, but the key to success lies in treating it seriously in front of the Branch family, show respect."

The elf considers, but doesn't take long doing so.  Quickly realizing that payment-- of a substantial sum -- depends simply on spending a week looking into the matter, he is on board.

Besides, that sum could double . . .

"I accept," he declares.

Deep creases form on Delta's brow as she mulls over the story.
"What if the land really isn't theirs. The Branches I mean," Delta inquires. "I'm not one to assume someone is in the right because they are the ones paying. I'm only interested in finding the truth out here."

She doesn't meet anyone's eyes while she says this, uncertain if she is being a fool in their estimation or not. She Pauses, then starts eating again, but more slowly.

The keep produces a quill and ink bottle, and hands it to Tanyl, indicating where to sign.

Looking over at the gnome, he shrugs, "The contract says you get half for trying, the other half for succeeding.  Vague, but I guess if the rabid sheep eating dog owns the place, and you prove it to the Branch's, they will have to honor the contract."

"Wait, does the dog only eat rabid sheep? Seems a useful service." She pauses and takes another bite, pondering how the dog could tell the rabid ones apart from the not-rabid ones, and if eating a rabid animal was even safe.

"Well I guess I'm in, if Vala is." She already felt that she was on the dogs side, but her Da had always called her a contrary child.

Scrapping up the last of her hash, Delta savored the greasy flavor, while watching the large barbarian woman to see what her thoughts on the matter was.

Vala was looking thoughtful. Then after Delta's comment she smiles at her new friend and nods decisively. 'I am in. I'm better at swinging a sword than dealing with riddles but this does sound exciting. I guess we'll see the truth when we get there.'

Vala slowly and carefully makes her mark with the quill.

Seeing her new comrade sign the contract, Delta follows suit...

A flash of emotion appears on Tanyl's face as the quill is offered to the others.  It's just a flash, so it's hard to tell what it was.

"Fine then, done.  Let us finish this fine cider and toast you on your way!  I will write down directions to Branch's Farm for you, if you leave by noon by the East Gate, you should be there before sundown, even on foot. Ah, and give them this when you arrive."

He hands over a smaller scroll, sealed with a waxed hogs head.

Tanyl's hand darts out in an attempt to procure possession of the scroll.

Delta jerks away from the speed with which the emotionless man reached for the scroll.

Tanyl snags the scroll, as the barkeep rises and goes and unlocks and opens the front door. Taking in a deep breath of the still cool air outside.

Returning, he scratches out quick directions:

Leave by East Gate, follow the narrow way that follows the walls of Ravenskeep.  Take the third path to the right.  That will cut through farmland for many miles.

After seven miles, the farms will become hilly, and more trees.  You will cross four creeks in total, the last will have stone bridge.

After that bridge, the second road on the left will take you directly to your destination.


ooc: if you have any last minutes supplies you want, a few markets are open, not many this day. I will start a new thread soon to continue but feel free to continue here if you want to linger over breakfast or talk amongst yourselves at all.

Scroll secured, Tanyl endeavors to gather some of the remaining food for transport.  "I have no reason to delay; how soon will the two of you be ready to leave?"

I'm ready, everything I own is on my back."

Still she hesitates, looking to Vala to take the lead.

Vala has also polished off her breakfast. Having swallowed and washed it down with cider she stands up and smiles with confidence. 'I'm ready.'

Before leaving she raises her cup of cider in a toast. 'To adventure, gold and glory my friends!'

Tanyl is just about to walk from the table when Vala makes her toast.  He hesitates a moment, as if not knowing what to do.  He quickly recovers, however, grabs his cup and holds it out in a salute before taking a sip.

He puts the cup back down and looks at the others to confirm that they are ready.