Lurel and his party (Lisette, Ford and Midge) have two objectives, both aimed to help Zorlon survive what appears to be a magical attack from another world. Somewhere in each of Zorlon's nine human dimensions is a gate that will lead to the farseers, people who have knowledge you need urgently. All have to be opened. Also you know that there are misplaced objects from every one of Zorlon's dimensions that need to be returned to counteract the effects of the alien magic. The Levdian item is an arrow. Amonst the collection of these artefacts is one no one can identify. Perhaps there is a dimension not yet discovered?

You have nothing more to go on.

Your Levdian friend Zekic, who grew up on a farm near Nurn, told you that although the sea was only a day's walk away, no one ever went there. He could not tell you why. It is a mystery and anything mysterious has to be worth examining.

Anyway, that is the current plan!

It is mid afternoon in Levdia. You arrived in the small town of Nurn two hours ago dishevelled and a bit out of sorts after a long hike through Branden Forest. The first action has been to visit the local shops to get some decent clothes. You also took advantage of the local bath house.

Now dressed in the new purchases and feeling much better you are ready to begin the next stage of your journey.

Nurn is an odd place, more of an overgrown village than a town proper. Its quaintness is both in the architecture and layout. There seems no logic to the place. Only the central square has any homogeneity. The buildings are old, wooden and ramshackle, all corners and gables, several tilting at rakish angles as if leaning in to talk to each other. One of these building is the tavern Zekic told you serves the best ale in Levdia!

It is warm outside but the surrounding buildings cut out much of the light and the tavern needs a large fire to keep it cosy.

Levdia is a diverse country without a typical 'type' and your mix would not normally attract attention. However your clothes are definitely too new and smart for everyday wear in Nurn and you are rather conspicuous.

You enter the tavern. It is too early to be full. A group of three farmers, all very drunk, are carousing loudly. Two buxom bar wenches look after the customers. One gives you an appraising glance as she walks over to the farmers, three foaming tankards in her hands.

The other girl is chatting desultorily to a lively youth who looks to be about twenty. He immediately turns his attention to Lisette and is clearly interested in pursuing her for more than mere conversation. As you walk up to the bar you overhear the bar wench say to him.

"If you end in the gutter again tonight, Padden Timberton, we'll ban you from this inn for good!"

Her irritation may have something to do with the way the boy is ogling Lisette.

OOC> Over to you!

Lurel was dismayed to find the tavern so empty - after the glances they had attracted in the street he had hoped to find somewhere where they would not attract quite so much notice. At least the farmers appeared too drunk to care much about the strangers. But he didn't like the way that youth was staring at Lisette, or the way the barmaid was snapping at him - he had an uneasy feeling about them.
He forced a smile as he walked up to the bar, self-consciously smoothed out a crease on the sleeve of his new shirt.
"A good day to you," he said to the barmaid. "A tankard of ale for me, please. I think we'll take that table over there, if that's all right? And do you serve food here?"
He indicated a table in the corner, as far from the youth as was possible.

Lisette sighs as she thinks "Not another one..."

She walk over to the barmaid and Padden and politely requests a glass of wine from her. Looking over the youth she says, " You can look all you want, neighbor, but if I was you, I'd return my attention to what you have right in front of you. I would be a passing fancy, while this lady (nodding to the barmaid) is a bit more within your reach. Plus, I wouldn't want to be responsible for you losing your drinking priviledges in this establishment..." 'Especially if I broke your jaw' she finishes to herself.


After receiving and paying for her drink, she proceeds to the table where Lurel pointed and sits down.

Ford looks around the tavern and walks up to the bar.

"I'll have a... um... small ale please."

He pays for his drink and goes to sit down with the others. He sits down and takes a sip from his ale, wiping his mouth on his sleeve.

"So, we stay over night here, then head to the beach?"

He looks to Lurel.

OOC> being a kid.. can i even drink? i mean drinking age restrictions and all.

Midge cautiously looks around him and sees that his three comrades have sat down, and the three drunken farmers seem a little strange.

Midge walks up to the barman and says:
"Toilet keys please"
"Not till you buy a drink"
"Then i'll have a glass of milk"

*Apon receiving the glass of milk and the keys, midge notices the milk smells rather off and the glass is kind of dirty. Midge drinks it none-the-less, knowing he would most-likely want such a thing later.

when he's finished Midge doesn't give the glass to the barkeep, rather walks past padden and the bar maid using the glass as a mirror so as not to stare at the man and cause arguement, Midge thinks to himself "i could take him easy, depends on what he has on him though".

Midge simply stare at the toilet of a toilet and walks back ot, handing the glass to the barkeeper and sitting at the table where the others sit.

Lisette's words appear to have had no effect on Padden. He comes swaggering up yelling at the barmaid. "Give us all a round of the special, Kit!"

He doesn't wait to be asked but sits at the table beside Lisette. "Don't often get visitors from the capital down here." He frowns trying to work out who is in charge. "I'm Padden Timberton, my ma has a farm along the ways. You don't look like farmers?"

The barmaid is with them at once. She hands mugs of ale to all, grunting at Midge. "You are over twelve, aren't you? Just a bit stunted like!"

She smiles at Ford, assuming him to be the leader as he is the tallest of the men. "You take his money off him! That ways he won't have any to spend on himself!"

She gives a wink at Lisette and a slight twitch of the head towards Padden as if to say - this one's all mouth no trousers. She bustles away.

Lisette feels Padden's knee nudging hers.

Ford blinks as the barmaid walks off and takes another sip of his ale. He makes sure the maid isn't watching and offers Midge a drink.

"Want to try some? It's good stuff."

Lurel relaxes a little - the youth seems harmless enough, and he has no doubts that Lisette knows how to deal with her new admirer. It's not likely that the youth has any information for them, but then you never know.

"Pleased to meet, you, Padden Timberton," he greets the youth, ignoring his question for now. "And thanks for the drink - it goes down a treat after the journey."

He takes a sip, wipes his mouth. "Good stuff, that - the best I've had for a while. So you're a farmer? It sure looks like good farming country around here, from what I've seen."

Lisette ignores Padden's knee for the moment, knowing that it would cause trouble for the group if she suddenly slammed his face into the table. Unwanted questions, maybe the stockade....definitely not worth the trouble. However, the insolent youth could know something.....

She takes another drink and looks at Padden. "So you're from a distant farm, eh neighbor? Coming to town for news? A good story? Have you heard anything worth retelling to us?" She nudges her knee back at Padden, encouraging him to talk.

Encouraged by what he assumes to be acceptance he moves his chair closer to Lisette so his thigh is pressed against her.

"It's about the only time of year I'm not working. Two weeks. A farm takes your life from dawn to dusk. What's it matter to them if I get drunk every night for two miserable weeks? I'm sober all the rest of the year!"

He is a little unsure of the group. Their relationships are unclear to him. In Levdia women are always in charge at home but tend to let the men take the lead when out and about. Lisette is older than the others but...

He turns to Ford. "Best ale in Levdia, that is. But you haven't just come here because of the ale, have you? We're a bit off the main road for it to be an accidental visit. Been nothing exciting around here since the disappearances and that was over a year ago. So what do you know that I don't?"

Whatever his amatory intentions, it is obvious that he is nobody's fool.

Ford turns to Paddon.

"Yeah, I wouldn't be surprised if it is. We're just passing through on our way down to the... hold on, what do you mean by 'disappearances'?"

(OOC: If there's a bit of the story about disappearances I'm forgetting here and my char is meant to know about let me know and I'll edit my post )

Padden seems irritated. "I said that was ages ago. A couple of families living around just weren't there any more. Nobody knows where they went. The Moldo's farm was burned out. The other was just abandoned. But, Zekic was my friend, if they'd been going anywhere he'd have told me!"

Lurel resigns himself to being ignored by Padden - and maybe that is not such a bad thing. Perhaps simply observing the conversation will reveal something.

He is interested to hear that Padden claims to be Zekic's friend. Should he mention that he, too, is a friend of Zekic's?

Lurel suppresses a sigh - in their relief at leaving the woods behind and reaching the town nobody seems to have remembered to come up with an explanation for their presence. What can they say that will sound credible?

"That sounds strange," he says, in the hope that it will encourage Padden to keep talking. "Farmers don't just leave their farms, do they?"

Padden shrugs. "People up and leave - sometimes. But two families without telling anybody? A month before, Zekic and I had been for a three week hike in Branden Forest. He was telling me about the girl he thought he'd marry."

He pauses. "Maybe something happened he was ashamed of. It just didn't seem like him..."

Padden is lost in the past for a moment. He pulls himself together. "Look, nothing ever happens here. So, what do you lot want with Nurn?"

Lurel wishes he knew whether Padden can be trusted. A friend of Zekic's who used to go hiking with him in the forest - maybe he might be able to tell them why they never went near the sea...

He uses his empathy skill on the youth - perhaps it will help him decide.

"Branden Forest?", he mutters meanwhile. "We've just come through there."

He takes another sip of his ale.

Lurel's empathy tells him that there is no malice in Padden. He is clearly fishing for something romantic with Lisette but apart from over-confidence he doesn't harbour any serious frustrations there. He is bored. He was certainly telling the truth there. Strangers in Nurn must be the high point of his year!

Lurel sets his tankard back on the table, though his hands remain clasped around it to stop from fidgeting. His mind is made up. They need information, after all - and he doubts that they will get much help from Padden without revealing a little about themselves.

"You've guessed right, Padden Timberton," he addresses the youth. "We did come here for a purpose, and maybe you can help us. I guess that you know this whole area pretty well?"

Lurel wonders, though, how the youth will react to this coming from him rather than Lisette or Ford whom he seems to regard as the leaders of their party...

Padden, slightly taken aback, looks from Ford to Lisette to see if they agree with the question.

Lisette nods encouragingly to Padden. "We here because I need to deliver some messages for my mother." she says cheerfully. "My friends are along to keep me company. It's so boring walking alone. "

She takes a sip of her drink. "...And the reason why we'd like to know about the area is because I don't want to be surprised by anything - you know, animals and such. That happened to me when I was a child and I still have nightmares. We just came through the forest and it seemed okay, but we were thinking of taking a route that led to the coast because Midge here has never seen the sea. I wouldn't mind seeing it myself."

She slips her hand onto his knee. "Can you help us, please, and tells about the area?"

OOC> sorry i've been so long.

Midge is sitting in his corner distracted for a moment by something he had heard, Pdden and... Zekic Ahah he says thinking, Zekic mentioned a man named padden so they are friends. But i think Lurel has already established that.. but what did Zekic say about him?

Suddenly, the mention of his name takes him out of thought, he puts on a face and tries to sound as young and innocent as possible
"that's right i've never seen the sea and would dearly like to.."
Midge keeps eye contact with Padden for a reply

Lisettes's hand is preventing Padden from really paying too much attention to what the other's are saying. Midge's high pitched voice cut's into his mind like the squeak of chalk on a blackboard.

The little boy has not touched his ale. "Look, I know you're not twelve, so does Kit but we drink it at home from when we're five or six. Not more than a glass, mind, but it's really good stuff. It gives you a bit extra to scythe the fields or pull up the root vegetables."

He stares around at the group. "I tried going to the sea once. It's a lot further than it looks. And once the path ends it's... We'd all fallen over a couple of times and Taffo twisted his ankle."

He looks at Lisette. "I can take you on some interesting walks into the forest if you like. But if you're set on the sea all I can do if take you to the end of the path. I'd like to do something. It's - well, you know, there's nothing much to do here but get drunk."

The dark glances he aims at the bar girls suggests he had tried other diversions.

He adds "No good starting today. Where are you staying?"

Before the others answer his question, Midge cuts in again this time with his true deep voice and says through clenched teeth although unnoticable to the others while forcing a smile...

"I said i'm right" whilst nooding

Padden's question made Midge ponder... where ARE we staying tonight, wondering if this Grogery offered some accomodation, though probably not desirable when it becomes filled with drunken farmers.

"If you say we cannot make it, you may be right. Have you any suggestions as to where we should spend the night?"

Padden smiles. "You can get one room here. It'll be fine for three of you. The lady will need her own room."

He looks at Lisette. "I'm staying next door with Taffo. You could have my room - I can sleep on his floor."

Kit, who must be lip-reading, calls across. "Not one of our rooms is taken Padden Timberton, as you well know. All three are available at 2 gold pieces per bed. Each room sleeps three."

Padden is unfazed putting his hand on top of Lisette's and pressing it against his knee. "Yeah, but it'd be more fun next door!"

One of the farmers suddenly crashes out onto the table in front of him.

You overhear the loud exchange between the others.

"Better go and sober him up, his missis will kill him!

"She'll kill us too, boils and nettlerash, lets get him to the barn. We can all catch a couplr of hours there."

The two staggering farmers carry their drunken comrade out. The other barmaid follows them. It is suddenly very quiet.

Ford clears his throat.

"Sooo, uh, shall we stay here then? Sounds pretty cheap. And probably a lot safer than 'Taffo's'."

He smirks cheekily at Padden.

"I'm hungry," Lurel says as his stomach rumbles audibly. "And we should probably stock up for our trip to the coast as well."

He looks at Padden. "How far is it?"

Padden isn't interested in Ford's view of where Lisette should pass the night.

He answers Lurel. "If you really are going to go, I'll take you to the road's end. The lanes around the farms are a bit confusing. It'll take maybe a day to get there if we set out at dawn. I'd take provisions for a fortnoght. If you're not there in a week, you've enough to get back."

You had noticed the sea as you entered the town, it seemed quite close.

He yells across to the barmaid. "Another round of ale here, and some stew. These folks are hungry."

He looks at Midge and whispers to Lisette, "Is your kid sick? He's skinny as a run-away chicken! I've got some chocolate next door if he'd like it. Chocolate is good for fattening things up!"

He suddenly seems hyper. "I'll get it now." He dashes out trying to conceal his excitement at not spending the night alone.

Kit gives Lisette a pointed glance as if she has something important to say.

Lisette gives Kit a knowing glance after Padden flees. " You don't have to worry. I'm not going anywhere with that puppy. He's got his hopes up for naught." She takes another drink, before continuing.

"Midge, don't eat the chocolate from him. For some reason I'm not trusting him. Palm it and save it. And personally, I don't want him following us. We saw the sea as we were coming in; how hard will it be to find it again? I think we should leave earlier in the morning than dawn and leave Padden behind."

"I don't think he bears us any malice," Lurel says, thoughtfully. "And he claims that Zekic is his friend. But I don't like the way he is pestering you, Lisette."

He pauses briefly.

"A week to get to the sea does seem unlikely. But Zekic said he and his friends never went there - so maybe taking provisions for a fortnight wouldn't be such a bad idea." He grimaces as he thinks of the extra weight they'll have to carry.

"Perhaps the barmaids might be able to tell us something about the way to the sea," he suggests after another brief pause. "At the very least they might tell us where we can buy provisions."

As an afterthought, he adds: "If anything strange or out of the ordinary happens around here, they'll be the ones to hear about it - people talk more freely when they're drunk."

Lurel looks at Ford and Lisette. "Maybe such a question would look better coming from one of you two - you saw how taken aback that Padden fellow was when I asked him a serious question." He shrugs.

The barmaid comes over with the second round of ale, including one for the currently absent Padden.

"You could trust that boy with your life," she says to Lisette. "And I learned lip reading with my ma when she went deaf. Warning for us all, isn't it? You never know when you're overheard one way or another."

She stops by Lisette, "There were four of 'em who used to go around together. Zekic upped and left, Ketzo died and now Padden's stuck with Taffo who hasn't two words to say for himself. Do us all a favour, let him show you the path. It will save you time. And for once he'll be doing something. He works like a slave on that farm of his what with his ma being sick and all that. Just make sure he knows where he stands with you."

She stops and thinks. "Oh, you can eat his chocolate. His ma had a shop and used to make it. She still does a bit when she can. It used to supplement their income."

She seems to realise that Lurel has more to him that so far expressed. "He doesn't really have the money to spend here but he's been so bored since Zekic went away."

She turns to go.

Lisette looks thoughtfully after the barmaid and back to the group. "Wasn't that interesting? And she made a good comment about being overheard. We should heed her words and be careful when we talk of our plans."

She finishes off her drink in a long swallow. "Well, it looks like we have a guide to the sea."

"Yes, I suppose we've been a little careless." Lurel grimaces. He finally finishes his first round of ale and picks up his empty tankard.
"I'll take this over to the bar. There's something I want to ask anyway."

He sets the empty vessel onto the counter, accords the barmaid a brief smile.
"Have you ever been to the sea?" he asks innocently. "It doesn't look all that far, but I guess Padden would know better, being local."

Lurel hesitates before he continues. "It must have been pretty hard for him, losing his two friends."

Midge picks up his name being mentioned...

"Why does everybody keep mentioning chocolate?"

he thought for a moment, perhaps they know i.... no they wouldn't.

There is an influx of new arrivals. These are better dressed than the famers suggesting they may be involved in desk jobs rather than labouring. They are all in their late twenties and rather loud.

The barmaid says to Lurel. "Now we'll get no peace. I'll have to stew over in just a moment."

She eyes the crowd, some fifteen still coming in, without affection. "What would I want to go to the sea for? Only a few daredevils ever try it and they always give up. I'm not wasting my time. Look, Padden is okay if the woman makes sure she's not accepting anything other than his conversation. I'm not going to have a moment to myself now but I heard you saying you needed to stock up on provisions and fix somewhere to stay. Better do it quickly, things close here at sunset and that's not far off."

She turns to deal with the new comers who are demanding service in a very arrogant manner.

There is an influx of new arrivals. These are better dressed than the farmers suggesting they may be involved in desk jobs rather than labouring. They are all in their late twenties and rather loud.

The barmaid says to Lurel. "Now we'll get no peace. I'll have to stew over in just a moment."

She eyes the crowd, some fifteen still coming in, without affection. "What would I want to go to the sea for? Only a few daredevils ever try it and they always give up. I'm not wasting my time. Look, Padden is okay if the woman makes sure she's not accepting anything other than his conversation. I'm not going to have a moment to myself now but I heard you saying you needed to stock up on provisions and fix somewhere to stay. Better do it quickly, things close here at sunset and that's not far off."

She turns to deal with the new comers who are demanding service in a very arrogant manner.

"Thanks." Lurel, realizing that she won't be telling him anything more for the moment, returns to their table, and relays the conversation to the others.

"There's something odd about this," he murmurs, trying to mask his mouth with his hand by pretending to cough - the barmaid's lesson about discretion has not been forgotten. "The way they all seem to accept as a given that you can't get to the sea, but aren't even curious about it. But we'll talk about that later."

In a normal voice he continues: "But we'd better get on with our preparations before nightfall. I suggest we split up - two of us sort out our accommodation, the other two go and buy food." He looks at the others. "Lisette, Midge - if it's all right with you, would you stay here and negotiate with the barmaid about the rooms? And I suppose Padden will be back soon with the chocolate. Ford and I could go and buy food and whatever else we might need. Any special requests?"

Lurel looks at the others and waits for their response.

Ford nods to Lurel.

"Yeah, alright..."

He finishes his drink quickly and gets up from the table, waiting to hear people's requests, while straightening out any wrinkles in his tunic.

"Not a problem Lurel. Do you want to squeeze into one or should I get both? I don't mind sleeping on the floor. And after we secure the rooms, Midge and I can practice a bit before night falls. Sound okay to you, Midge? I promise I won't be too rough...." she grins over at him.

She puts her hand over her mouth to cover a "yawn" and speaks quietly threw it. "As for supplies, let's keep it simple. Travel rations and maybe some fresh fruit that in season. Dried grains for morning porridge and tea. And if you cold pick up a length of rope, 20-25 feet - lightweight but sturdy, I'd appreciate it. You never know when you might need a rope." She looks over to the other two. "Can you think of anything else we might need?"

"Get two rooms," Lurel replies. "It could well be the last good night's sleep we get for a while. We might as well be comfortable while we get the chance. Maybe you can haggle and see if they'll throw in some breakfast too."

Lurel grins in the direction of Kit, just in case she lip-read the last sentence.

"Well, we'll see what we can get in town. Maybe we'll think of other things we could use while we're at the shop. I don't think we'll be too long. Ready, Ford?"

Lurel nods to Lisette and Midge, and turns towards the door.

Lisette stands up and walks over to the bar, trying to catch the barmaid's attention. Knowing that it might take a few moments while she serves the new guests, Listte waits patiently - looking over the new crowd of customers and quietly listening to their conversations.

When the barmaid does come around to her she says, "My friends & I would like both those rooms if they are still available. And does the lodging include breakfast in the morning?"

Ford nods and follows Lurel out into the street.

"So uh... happen to know where the shops are? I've never been here before..."

He looks around.

"Ah well... shouldn't be too hard to find, it's a small town... what did we need? Some rope... porridge... and um... fruit?"

Lisette and Midge

Inside the tavern, the barkeep is swamped by her officious and arrogant customers. From what Lisette overhears she gathers that these are from Levdia's capital city Flen and are visiting to research the accuracy of the capital's census records. To them Nurn is the back of nowhere, whose inhabitants are next to idiots. Whilst not speaking directly to her they are also clearly laughing at Lisette's choice of clothes. Several of the men are wealthy and inclined to rub it into the noses of the locals. They are certainly not 'nice' people, though not criminals.

Snatching a moment to acknowledge Lisette, the barkeep nods. "No problem and we will supply a basic breakfast for one gold the four of you. The stew is on its way. Are your friends going to eat it cold or do they want me to keep it warm for them?"

Lurel and Ford

Outside the tavern the square is moderately busy. You notice the second girl who had been behind the bar washing the windows. A few doors away Padden is emerging from a rundown looking house. It is just beginning to get dark and candles are being lit in the premises still operating. The few market traders are on the point of closing up. You will need to be quick to get your fruit.

Lisette smiles gratefully. "If you could keep their meals warm until they return, I'd appreciate it. And I'll pay you for the rooms and breakfast when you bring the stew over for myself and the boy. But gets those other folk taken care of first though. We can wait a bit for our friends; we're not in a hurry. If they come back soon, we can all eat together."

She walks back to the table and seats herself with her back to the wall. She gets out her polishes and her sword and a silver dagger. "Midge, can you help me polish my equipment while we're waiting?"

"Looks like we need to hurry," Lurel says to Ford. "Why don't you go and see if the market traders have some of the stuff we need - I think one of the stalls looks like a fruit stall - and I'll ask Padden where the best place to go for anything else is. I'll meet you over by the market stalls, all right?"

Without waiting for an answer Lurel rushes towards Padden. "Padden!"

"Oh yeah sure..."

Ford says to himself as he heads over to the fruit stall.

"Excuse me, but how much for some fresh fruit?"

He looks to the vendor.

Lurel

Padden waves you towards a small lop-sided building on the far side of the square from the tavern. He is in a hurry to get back to Lisette. "They do general provisions including dried food. Should be able to get all you want there but fresh stuff."

He disappears into the tavern.

Ford

The vendor gives you an odd look. "Depends on which fruit and how much of it you want. Apples are ten for a gold piece, pears the same, soft berries can be bought by weight. Bananas are two for a gold piece seeing as they are so hard to grow here. Grapes will go for one gold piece a bunch. They are big bunches."

He holds one up to show you.

Lisette and Midge

The public display of weaponry in the tavern causes a hush to settle over the loud Flennites. When their conversation resumes they have pointedly turned their backs to you. The barkeep brings over three plates of stew and mutters.

"You don't mind drawing attention, do you? Rooms are at the top of the stairs, use the two on the left. We don't have keys but you can push the bar across if you feel safer. We don't usually have many dangers here."

She eyes Lisette's armoury with unease. Her manner softens as she turns to Midge.

"Hey, kid, we don't have much around here for those like you. They stay on the farms, see. But one of the customers dropped this a couple of days ago, maybe you can find a use for it."

She pushes over a shiny silver whistle.

As she gets rudely called back to the bar, you notice Padden entering. He has no chocolate, indeed he looks a bit sheepish. When he sits beside Lisette he doesn't immediately say anything.

"Uhh... right..." Ford ponders wondering what fruits would be wanted. "Well I guess I'll take 10 apples and pears, aaand 3 grape bunches."

He puts the 5 gold pieces on the stall required for the goods (assuming he has this much money with him, I'll assume he has unless told otherwise ).

After the transaction he stuffs the fruit in his backpack and any that doesnt fit, in his pockets. He looks around the market, seeing if he can see any other stalls that might sell things they need.

Lurel waves to Ford, and points at the shop Padden has pointed out to him - he hopes Ford has noticed him.

As time seems to be running out, Lurel hastens across the square to the shop.

"Good evening," he greets the shopkeeper. "I need some provisions for a hike I'm going on with my friends." He lists the items Lisette specified, then adds: "I don't know the area round here very well. Is there anything you would recommend we take along?"

Making her point that she doesn't want to be disturbed by the Flenites, Lisette quickly finishes polishing her blade and puts her things away.

"Might as well eat while it's warm, Midge." she says. She smiles at Padden in welcome and begins to eat her dinner.

Lurel

The shopkeeper smiles, he reminds you of a small furry creature. "You're going to Branden Forest? You can get lodgings if you stay near the road. If you're going deeper you'll need bedrolls, a tinderbox, maybe walking sticks. Trees are easy to climb. Maybe water bottles too. Can't think of much else."

Ford

The market is packing up. There are two stalls still open. One sells cheese and the other dried foods.

Lisette and Midge.

Padden sits beside you. "That Taffo's eaten all the chocolate. Look, I made a promise so I'll go back to the farm to get some. I'll meet you outside at dawn."

He scoffs down his stew and throws the money to pay for all of you onto the table. Once he gets an idea in his head it seems it becomes a fixation. Before you know it he has gone again.

OOC> sorry i haven't been able to log onto this site for a couple of days something was wrong....

Midge says to Lisette as they both watch padden go off to wherever
"I wish he'd stop paying for us, i know he's trying to be nice but i feel kind of bad for him...
What's with all the weaponry Lissete? as a general rule i always thought if you take out your sword you always have to cut something, to sharpen or polish them, seems to draw a little more attention than we want"

Midge's attention turns to the stew it's light brownish and yelloish texture make it look creamy,
"I remember where i used to live, people had a saying, if it's brown, drink it down, if it's black, send it back"

And with that, he picks the meat out and eats it first then devours the rest of the stew. Midge then turns to the newly arrived crowd, and says quietly to himself,
"I could drop them all in a second..."