Chapter 10

[Solomoriah]

After a long pause, Grumm finally responds to Irena's question with, "Well enough - nobody died. Still, the money is scarce and I'm tired of being poor."

Irena nodded. "They say that money can't buy happiness, but I'd like a chance to try." Smiling, she stepped closer to Grumm and put her hand on his chest. "They also say a girl like me shouldn't fall for a man like you. But you're not the brute everyone thinks you are."

Timorel sits down at the table and respectfully addresses the Reeve, "There's seems to be quite a gathering this evening. What is the occasion?"

"Why, you, Sir Elf, you and your friends," said the Reeve, smiling. "It's been many long years since the Baron invited anyone to his castle." Noticing Elwegon, he continued, "I see the elven population of our village has doubled this night. Sit, there is room enough, and should our good Irena return, perhaps you too may be fed."

[Hywaywolf]

Shybolt finishes up the last of his grub, drains his mug then belches contentedly. "Now, that was some good eats. So what's next on the schedule?"

[Solomoriah]

"To bed, I imagine," said the Reeve. "You've a big day tomorrow."

[Blazeguard]

Rykken finishes his meal, "An excellent meal. Thank you, sir." He pauses, "Is there anything else you can tell us about the Baron?"

[Solomoriah]

"T'would be wrong of me to talk out of turn," the Reeve replied. "All I'll tell ye is that he's an honorable man who's lived a hard life. Whate're he's got to say to ye is his business, and I'll not pry into it." With that, he arose. "I'll be seeing you in the morning, if ye be still here when I drag m'self out."

[Hywaywolf]

"Night, sir," Shybolt says. "Time for me to turn in as well.

[Sir Bedivere]

Timorel will wait for dinner and catch up on elf news with Elwegon (assuming he's amenable to that).

OOC: Let's just assume they chat for a bit, unless you have other ideas. No need to play out the dialog. Let's get to the baron!

EDIT: I added the following after we added the flashback to Chapter 9.

Before retiring, Timorel asked Irena to put some water on to heat for him. When it was hot enough, he took a bucket of it to his room and cleaned up, dreaming of a steaming tub he could immerse himself in. He thought back over the last two weeks, and, after dressing, scribbled a brief synopsis into his spellbook.

The following morning he was up well before dawn, preparing Sleep and Charm Person, then he went to the market at dawn, munching bread as he walked, to purchase a few things.

EDIT 2: Timorel winced as he paid twice the normal rate for paper. But it was important. Returning to the inn, he wrote a letter in Elvish to his master describing the unusual things they had found beneath Redbluff and included copies of the scripts on the horn and throne room door to see if the elder wizard might be able to decipher them. He asked the wizard for any assistance he might provide in the way of translation or advice.

Alas, he had no way to send the letter, so he folded it carefully and put it in his jacket beneath his armor. Maybe he could send it once they reached the Baron.

[Solomoriah]

Those of you who have been with the game from the beginning, please apply 1,800 XP to your character sheets. That would be Shybolt, Timorel, and Grumm. Rykken has been with the party for a shorter period, and receives 400 XP. Grumm gets the usual 5% bonus.

If no one else has anything to say for the evening this morning, I'll move on to the next morning this evening. Confused yet?

[Hywaywolf]

(OOC: dang, that leaves me 200 xp from 4th level.

[Sir Bedivere]

OOC: Woohoo! 2nd level!