3 Chapter 3

As the trio were sitting at their table waiting for the rest of the people to come, Thalgar looked at the dwarf. He was wearing just a chainshirt on top of his clothes, just like he did, and by the masterwork helmet that stood on the table, he assumed that whatever job he was doing, it was paying handsomely.

He looked at his brother's battered breastplate and thought that it had seen better days. The engravings and embroidery on the armor was starting to wear out by the many fights and the bad repairs the armor went through. He thought that in the future, it should be replaced by a better one or, Gods' willing, a magic one.

The song the bard in the corner was singing, was in its final crescendo. It was a famous mourning song about the now occupied country of Corecia, called the Lament of the Rose. The bard waved theatrically to the customers of the establishment and said he would continue his songs later this night, giving maybe the very last performance in this town.

Smiling to our table, he came and sat beside Drogar. The bard bore a darker skin than the frequenters of this place. I remember him wearing a leather vest, green pants, a white shirt and big brown boots going until his knee, which was the current fashion in Berthank.

He introduced himself as "Amnare Haikol, Bard extraordinaire" and smiled widely. In their turn, Thalgar and Thumior introduced themselves and Drogar announced that there was only one person missing so that they could start.

Suddenly the in's door opened wide and most of the frequenters turned to see the newcomer. One of the most beautiful women dressed in a half dress half pants, full black, entered the room. Most of the men stood gawking at her beauty and some were taken aback from the fierce look of her black, like the abyss, eyes.

She came to their table and with a stern voice said "Eloise the wizard, pleasure of making your acquaintance, I'm sure". As she was saying that, a little rodent came out of the hood of her dress.

He looked at the party seeming to have a sort of an intelligence beyond a common hamsters. "Oh, she said", revealing her happy face for a couple seconds for showing her favorite pet, before returning to the austere cold face she had before.

"So, gentlemen and lady", Drogar announced, "as you know, I called you here in order to ask you to help me in my current quest". "These last days, the Lord Mayor of this beautiful town asked me to look into the ever growing attacks from goblinoid creatures to the outskirts of the town, as you two gentlemen had a very recent encounter with them" mirthlessly smiling to the twins.

"But the thing is, these raids are not the only thing… Whole tribes are moving, fleeing from something. I don't know what would frighten them so much in order to act like that. And that is where we come in. A small close knit group would be more efficient than a military group. So, as I have been given the liberty of gathering the party."

Thalgar smiled and said "Of course! My heart bleeds for the harassment of this lovely town. But, nothing in this beautiful world is free, should we, perhaps, speak about the monetary reward of ours? And I should let you know that my and my brother's fee is a bit pricey as we are seasoned adventurers."

"Yes, yes, I know, consider that you will be reimbursed generously from the local lord of this fine town with 250 gold pieces. We will be given as an advance 50 gold each", he quickly added, having the twin brothers' eyes glowing at the promised gold. "If you agree, we shall leave the day after the next. Oh, and before thinking of taking the money and leaving, don't even think about it. The guard will keep a watch on you."

Thalgar gave a side to his brother eating his food silently. Thumior nodded silently and Thalgar said "We are in". Amnare stood up and with a courteous bow said "Sir, I would gladly accept" winking to Eloise. He got rewarded with a sour face that didn't make the bards face to change at all. Eloise mumbled something as "being stuck with you since her meister orders were to help you".

Four bulky pouches were thrown gently to each of them and Drogar smiled widely,

"See you again in this same table in the day after next morning". He then relit his pipe and started reading a book written in the dwarven language.

His brother asked the innkeeper if there were rooms available and after of a lot of haggling, he managed to get a discount for a room for the both of them. Amnare sat to his spot he was earlier and played his tunes again for the entertainment of the customers. And Eloise just nodded and left as silently as she has come.

Thalgar, when they finally went to their room, said to Thumior "what do you think about all this? It seems a bit sketchy but at least the money is decent". Thumior said "Well, it seems there is going to be trouble so we would better stock up with a few healing potions.Also, you might have to show them our secret weapons. Thalgar smiled and said "Yeah, but only if we get a bonus".

Amnare finished his show when the night was late and waved to the innkeeper. He started climbing the stairs to his room. "Hmm…, it is so dark that I can't see my nose". He whispered a few words and two light balls started flowing beside him. "Better" he said and went to his room. Drogar was still staying by his table, his eyes glowing in the dark.