Talon explores a new town.

[talon]

"Then we have a deal. I will take him with me as soon as all of the papers can be finished"

Talon layed down the 85 crowns. It seemed like such a paltry amount for ones soul. He also found it ironic that bounties to kill people could be placed in the 10's of thousands, but to sell a life, only cost 85.

Talon didn't know what to expect when he took charge of the dwarf. He set it up with Hil so that he could wait til Mosh returned. It was somewhat silly to think that Talon actually wanted the presence of a little female hobbit to protect him from an axe wielding temperant dwarf! One thing Talon had learned in his limited travels, is that pride is no substitute for your life! He was also going to give Mosh the opportunity to explain things to the dwarf first, before he explained himself.

"Master Hil, I will be back shortly to take my charge and whatever papers you may have ready. Also, if any belongings of theirs are here, anything you may have confiscated, I would appreciate them. It would be less I must purchase before putting them to work. That is of course as long as you have no need for those items. We can discuss that when I return if you have found anything."

With the customary bows and pleasantries, Talon moved along, careful as to not go to far or fast that Mosh could not find him. He was worried he had been to forceful on her. Maybe the fear he saw was fear of returning to the slaver, or, was she really that good of an actress? He would just have to find out.

Talon paused for a moment in the street to take in his surroundings. What time was it anyway, he had been so occupied with the days events, he had lost track of time and needed to prepare for the night. Maybe there was enough time left to scare up some game for Krieger. Then she wouldnt be so grouchy in the morning.

[Game Master]

It was still 3 hours till sundown. Plenty of time to get a room at the Inn or set up camp out side of town. He had passed a waystation half way between the river and here. It would provide excellent shelter for him and his newfound companions at no charge. After purchasing the dwarf he would have to watch his coin till he could acquire more.

Talon found Mosh looking for him twenty minutes later and waved her over. She was dressed in a plain, beige, woolen smock cinched with a simple cord. She looked considerably cleaner as well and she held out the leather pouch filled with tea as she approached. "As you commanded Master." she curtsied.

[talon]

"Thank you my little friend, you keep the tea safe, that is your treasure to guard. I have made arrangements to add another to our party. And remember, YOU are your own master. I appreciate your sticking to your role, but remember, you are just playing the part of a servant. "

Talon then explained about the dwarf, and how he wanted Mosh to explain his motives. Talon believed the dwarf would take to Mosh's explanation much quicker than his own.

They both headed towards the pens, Talon had to remind Mosh or her "place" for he was afraid she would have too much "bounce" in her step carrying her new found treasure of tea.

Talon again went through all the pleasantries of greeting Hil. "Master Hil, i have returned for my charge. What have you for me?"

[Game Master]

"Ahh, welcome back my friend. Here are the papers." Hil handed Talon a thin leather roll bound with a leather thong. It was a standard roll used to protect valuable documents. "Alas the dwarf came to me with nothing so I have nothing of his to give to you. His last owner sold all of the possessions I believe to pay for the assault on his person. It was within his right." Hil opened the pen and motioned for the dwarf to come closer. "I'll be giving him to you shackled if you wish until you get him settled in. He can be dangerous if you let him get to close."

The proud dwarf walked up to the three persons and eyed Talon with visible disdain.

"Ohm halla val kiarn dal elflin madoralah kosh." Mosh spoke to the dwarf with head bowed respectively.

"Kai?" the dwarf replied in obvious questioning tone.

"Hakohm." Mosh replied.

"What's this? Stop that!" Hil barked at them both before turning to Talon. "Filthy language, dwarven. Eh? I've told them never to speak it but, they never listen. Best keep them apart if I was you. Take care Master Talon. Maybe we'll see each other again. Did you want him shackled then?"

[talon]

"Yes, Master Hil, that would be fine for now. I will remove them when the time is right."

Talon turned to Mosh with a stern look "And you, I dont want to hear another word until I ask. Understood?"

"Thank you Master Hil, I must know go explain these charges their role. This may take awile for them to understand their role, and they will soon find I am not a typical "master" and that their expectations will be quite unique."

Talon said this with a stern delivery, all for Hil's benifit. He could have sworn he heard a stiffled snicker from Mosh that was disguised as a hiccup.

"Thank you Master Hil. I feel we have done each other a great service, and you have not seen the last of me. I feel there is much to be gained through a working partnership."

Talon bid the tediouis farewell to the elf, and headed the party towards the waystation to set up camp.

As they approached the edge of town, Talon began wistleing for Krieger only to be shortly joined by a slightly irritated hawk.

"Mosh, you and our Dwarven friend should stick to the road, I will be on the edge here beating the brush for game. I do not wish for you two to be seen communicating infront of anyone for the time being, however it is quite alright if noone is around." Talon surved her face and was fairly certain she knew what she was supposed to do. He tossed her the keys to the shackles. "for when you feel it is appropriate."

Talon gave a nod, and moved to the side of the road where the brush began. He found a limb and moved along just inside the brush and treeline, intending to scare game out into the road. As much as he enjoyed a good chase, light was dissappearing and he was hoping to score more than one piece of game. If one were to show, he would always give Krieger first bite. Talon always gave the head and organs to her, he didnt care for eating them anyway. If they were lucky, dinner would be caught before they arrived at the camp.

Talon felt he could trust Mosh, he just hoped that her bond with this dwarf was strong enough to bridge the gap.

[Game Master]

The first critter Talon flushed was a squirl. He missed with his bow however so he retrieved the arrow and continued on. He was much more successful when a full grown Brown Hare darted out and was struck clean in a single shot before it managed to cross the road. It was a good five pounder. The wood elf was unable to scare up anything else before he spied the waystation. Both Mosh and the dwarf, (what was his name again?) were sitting by a fire pit.

Mosh began cooking the meat and preparing tea after Talon took what he needed for Krieger. Talon set the rabbit skin to dry though he had botched the skinning a bit. It tore at an unexpected place as he pulled it off. No matter. He wasn't planning on selling it anyway. Maybe one of his companions could sew it into a pouch or something.

The dwarf Thagin. Thagin? Yes, that was it. Thagin steelanvil just stared at Talon all the while.

[talon]

Talon wondered where the heck Krieger was, she was the one he was going to have catch the rabbit. They wouldnt have missed the first one that is for sure. Oh well, he always saved some for her, and so she was full and happy now.

"Master Dwarf, by what name are you known?" Began Talon. "The elf that held you said your name was Thagin Steelanvil I believe, but I put little stock in what someone in his buisness tells me."

Talon tried to keep the conversation light, but not to give the dwarf any room to be dominate. Humanoids, just like animals will often try to assert dominance any time they see an opening, and he was not about to give someone like this dwarf the chance to take control.

[Game Master]

The dwarf stood proudly before Talon. "I am Thane Thagin Steelanvil. Son of Harn, son of Dargin, son of Derik, son of Grom. I ruled my people in Karnak Darthholm for seventy two years before the greenskins ambushed my expedition to the Southeast. I and two others including my son escaped battered and bloody only to be waylaid yet again by bandits in our weakened state. We slayed the lot of them but, only I and my son Harlok survived. He died hours later from his wounds." The somber dwarf paused for a moment before continuing. "Alone, out of a company of twentyfour I traveled Southeast seeking refuge in the human lands of Timiro. There I drank away my sorrow in an ale house while planning how to return to my people. Unaccustomed to humans I was drugged and set upon by slavers. They took my armor and axe and sold me to a cruel man named Mohander. It did not matter. I am no slave and even had he been the nicest human in the world I would not obey him. Instead I defied him and struck him where upon he sold me to the slaver elf you purchased me from."

[talon]

"Well good sir dwarf, I have no intentions on expecting you to obey, nor do my bidding. I wish only to liberate those souls I can from the bondage of slavery. I do not believe in one being owning another, I even believe that animals deserve a great deal of respect, and it should be a working relationship. Master Steelanvil, I only expect you to do your fair share of the work, and simply request you pay me back what I have spent on your liberation as you are able."

Talon paused to give this a moment to sink in. He needs to make sure that the dwarf understands he is sincere.

"I have a bit of buisness to handle in town. I would like to know what items you might need, and i may be able to afford them. If we are to be seen together, we must keep up the guise that i am your master. We have two options, we can parade around together with you in these cuffs, or we may be able to send Mosh to run the errands.

What do you prefer? Mosh, would you mind running the errands for me?"

Talon offered the remains of the dinner to the dwarf, and awaited his reaction.

[Game Master]

"Certainly mi'lord." Mosh curtsied. "I am ever at your beck and call." The halfling was uncanny thought Talon. He truly had a hard time reading her as he did others. Was she serious or was that a hint of humor he detected. No matter he supposed.

Thagin bowed low, though not so low considering the royal nature of the fellow dwarf. "I am in your debt it seems elf. That is not a position I am accustomed too though I am grateful for your kindness. I agree to your fair terms. I need proper clean cloths as befit my station and a weapon if you will permit. Preferably an axe or hammer of dwarfen make though I will not turn away anything you shall provide. As for paying you back I need either return to my Home or...work it off I suspect is your intention."

[talon]

"master dwarf" began Talon with a tone that would be understood that he meant what he was about to say without being rude "remember your station is just a guise. There is no one here that is of higher position than anyone whether born royal, or holding a debt. Everyone's thoughts and input is equally of value. Should we not be in agreement, I expect either of you to respect my decision unless it is time for us to part."

Talon rummaged through his belongings looking for anything that may be of use to the dwarf.

[talon]

"I have these." Talon showed the hatchet and knife to Thagin. "I understand this is not the type of axe you are accostomed to by no means!" as talon chuckled a bit. "but if it makes you feel better, please take it. I was going to give the knife to Mosh unless you feel it would do you better. If you would rather, i am not bad with woodworking, and we may be able to fashon a hammer or club out of wood. As far as clothing, perhaps Mosh could sew up something half as cute as her tiny curtsy!" Talon grinned.

Whether or not she was being funny, he found it humorous. He saw no reason to hide honest feelings from others.

"Master Thagin, I have no place to go other than where you and Lady Mosh wish to head." Talon gave a courtly nod and half bow towards the halfling with a grin. "So, once we gather what we need, then we may be off. In the direction that suits you both best."

Talon set about readying for the night. Tomorrow he hoped that all of his items would be available, and they could set out.

[Game Master]

Talon rose well rested. The dawn was fast approaching as all three companions stirred to wakefulness. Thagin had agreed to take the hatchet while the halfling lass wore the dagger hidden within the folds of her garments. The direction that best suited the elf's traveling companions was discussed over bread and tea. Mosh needed desperately to head south to her husband at least to determine his fate, while Thagin had to get home quickly to rule his small kingdom. While they were both polite in responding to each other and swore adamantly that the company should take the 'other' home first, Talon could tell they were both waring within themselves between doing the polite thing and what they truly wanted. It was up to Talon to lead and make a decision. Lucky for him he had some time to figure out his course as Mosh headed to town with Talon's gold to retrieve his items from Jhessil's store.

[talon]

Talon felt like he had slept for ever. It seemed like weeks since he had readied for the night...

"Master Thagin, now that Mosh is away, I do wish you to speak honestly about your feelings and need to return to your home. It is a tough choice between your duty to others, and that to a loved one. I wish to know the degree of urgency of your return. Also, are you certain you will be readily welcomed."

Talon studied his face, and did all he could to encourage Thagin to speak his true feelings.

[Game Master]

Thagin stared at the elf before responding. "Truth is elf, the longer I am away from home the worse off my welcome will be. Sooner or later if it hasn't happened already I will be declared dead and someone will replace my seat on the throne. Once that happens I will have to fight to regain my rightful place as Thane. There could be war if my kingdom is divided. My people can not afford to fight among themselves with orcs and goblins growing in numbers. I fear for my people." the dwarf paused to sip his tea with a grimace. It obviously didn't agree with him. "Alas I am also indebted to help Mosh as I am you. For surely you would not have saved me if it were not for her kind words. True? No I fear no matter the state of my home we must escort the good lass Mosh to her home to discover the fate of her husband, wretch though he is."