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The next morning, Arilee could hear the Caravan waking up from over the hill. The group was ready and waiting for her. She was the last one up, again.

Looking down, the Elven Caravan was lively. Arilee was not expecting to see so many people. There were so many elves and dwarves. The wagons were circled: the elven wagons and carriages forming one half of the circle, the dwarves forming the other. In the middle were five rows of ten wagons in the middle. They filled the whole field.

Arilee noticed the Dwarves seemed to prefer earthy colors, browns, reds, and tans. The Elves wore much more vibrant colors. Green and bright yellows.

Idril clapped his hands and smiled,"Ah, it seems we are in luck. A Dwarven Merchant Caravan has stopped with the Elves.”

"Why is that lucky for us?" asked Chip.

"The Dwarves make the best armor and weapons in the world. This will be a good chance for you all to gear up."

"We all did make some money from the island," said Leela.

"I'm sure you'll be able to find some tasks to help with around the Caravan for some extra cash as well," replied Idril.

"That's a good idea!" agreed Chip. "We'll be able to meet more people that way as well."

"One thing though, I would keep word of the Dark Elves to ourselves for now. I have not visited this Caravan for a long time and I'm not sure who we can trust."

"Good to know," nodded Arilee. She was still only half listening. She couldn’t stop looking at all the different people.

As they entered the camp, Arilee was having trouble keeping track of everything. Almost every wagon was filled with all different vendors. Bands of merry young elves ran through the camp playing flutes and fiddles chasing Elven girls walking barefoot, humming and singing. Meanwhile the Dwarves were enjoying themselves in their own way, setting up small forges while tapping kegs of ale they brought from their mountain.Idril broke Arilee out of her staring when he called the group to gather round him.

Idril stopped the group before they progressed too far into the wagon circle. "It's easy to get lost at one of these. Try to stay close. Pick a buddy to always be with so that even if you get separated you still have someone. At the north-side of the circle is Elder of the Caravan. I need to check-in there and let him know I've arrived and that I've brought you along. Let's pick a meeting place for this afternoon. You all can wander and look around for now."

Idril paused and looked at the wagons surrounding them. "Let's pick that forge there, next to the turkey leg vendor."

The group nodded. Leela turned to Arilee and offered her arm to Arilee. "Will you be my caravan-buddy?" she smiled.

Arilee happily hooked through Leela's arm and nodded.

Chip looked at Slicks, smiled the biggest smile he could and offered his arm. "What do ya say buddy?"

Slicks hissed.

"Here is some extra coin for food. You must be hungry," said Idril, dropping a few coins into Arilee's hand.

"Thank you." said Arilee.

Idril walked off heading North, leaving the group to mind themselves.

"I'm starving, you all want to get some food first?" Chip asked the group.

"A turkey leg sounded good actually. I'm fine with that." said Leela.

"Slicks and I will grab the turkey legs, do you want two want to buy drinks for the group while we do that?"

"That sounds fair," agreed Arilee, sharing some of the coins Idril gave her..

Chip turned and got into the turkey leg line with Slicks.

Arilee looked around at the vendor stalls around them but didn't see any drink vendors.

"Strange, you would think they would put a drink vendor next to a food vendor." Arilee said to Leela.

A small strange voice from behind them responded. "That's what I've been tellin' Rorik here for the past two days. How can a person eat a salty smoked turkey leg without a good ale to wash it down."

Leela and Arilee turned around to see a small gnome emerge from the forge behind them. He was wearing a small blacksmith apron and a pair of spectacles that made his eyes appear to big for his head.

"Oh, hello there. Do you know where we can get drinks then?" asked Arilee.

"I do actually. There's an ale vendor about two aisles over, next to the herbalist. If I give you the money, do you think you could bring me back two tankards? "

"Sure that sounds fair." agreed Arilee, taking the coins from the little gnome. "What's your name?"

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"Tallas Bumont." said the gnome extending his hand. "At your pleasure."

"My name is Arilee, this is Leela."

"Pleasure to meet you both. Now if you excuse me, I have to get back to helping my friend back there. Just call for me when you get back. I'll hear you."

Arilee and Leela turned to find Chip and Slicks toward the middle of the Turkey Leg line.

"Hey Chip, and Slicks. The gnome at the forge said we have to go a few aisles over to find ales if we want them. We'll meet you back here in a few."

"Sounds good to us. See you then!" said Chip.

***

As Leela and Arilee walked through the Caravan, they couldn't help but stop in some of the shops as they passed.

"These dresses are so pretty!" said Leela, as she ran her hands over a green dress made from leaves and twine. It looked and felt like soft green felt. "They remind me of home. I've missed being in a caravan so much, Arilee. All the music and the joy. Not that I don't love you guys and the adventure is exciting and all. Just sometimes I miss home. You know?"

"I understand." said Arilee as she briefly touched a soft tunic that looked like one her mentor Faenor used to wear. "It's beautiful here. I can see why you would miss it. Why did you leave?"

"I was sent on a quest from my own mentor. The Priestess of our Caravan."

"I remember you telling me about that, but I don't think you ever told me the reason behind it."

"It's just not a story I like thinking about. Our Caravan was attacked one night by bandits. When our guards showed up to stop them, they tried to burn some of the wagons as they fled. We were able to drive them off but many of our own were injured in the fire. One night, I was praying to the Light Goddess for help, for any sign she was still even listening to us, and I don't know what happened. I just remember crying, and I heard a voice. The most calming serene voice whispered to me, "I am here." Then my world exploded in light and I collapsed. When I woke up, everyone was healed. Our priestess called me to her. She said that this was a sign that can not be dismissed and sent me on my journey."

"Oh Leela. I'm sorry you had to go through that." said Arilee, giving Leela a small hug of reassurement.

"There's just so much pain in the world sometimes. I wish I could heal it all."

"And that's why I think you're a real hero, Leela." said Arilee.

"I don't know. Thank you Arilee. You've been a good friend."

"Don't sweat it. Let's get these drinks and get back to the boys. Who knows what trouble Chip has gotten into without us there."

Leela giggled. "That poor boy. Whatever shall we do with him."

***

When Arilee and Leela arrived back at the Turkey Leg stand, there was a big circle of commotion going on.

Arilee spotted Chip on the outside holding four turkey legs, two in each hand.

"Hey Chip, where's Slicks? What's going on?"

Chip had a mouthful of turkey and pointed with a hand full of turkey legs towards the middle of the circle.

Arilee saw Slicks with his shirt off, scales glistening in the sun, fists raised. Across from him was a dwarf. His stout hairy chest on full display, with a bit of a beer gut.

"Come-on Snake, come slither ov' here so I can step-on-ye'." The dwarf slurred out.

Slicks hissed his tongue at the dwarf and prepared to charge . He dug his back foot into the dirt, and as he was about to press off, the little gnome from earlier came between them.

"Woah woah woah. Everyone wait. Rorik, how did you get out of the back? Get back there, you dumb drunk. You're causing trouble."

The angry dwarf looked at the gnome, and stumbled backwards for a second. Then he rocked his arm back and swung at the gnome's head. The clumsy, drunk punch sailed a few feet over his friend’s head and causing dwarf to lose his balance and fall flat on his face.

"Great." said the gnome looking up. He spotted Arilee as the crowd began to disperse. Slicks looked confused. Angry, and confused.

"Hey there, Arilee right?" said Tallas, the gnome. "Can you and your friends help me get him back to the shop? I can pay you?" Tallas looked tired and defeated as he asked.

Arilee walked forward and offered Tallas the two drinks he asked form. "Sure we can help."

"Oh thank the goddess. I needed these. What a day." The gnome said as he began taking large gulps from both tankards simultaneously.

"I uh, thought one of those was for your friend."

"Him? No. He's had enough. And I've had none, cuz' he drank it all."

Tallas quickly finished the tankards and put them on the ground in front of the stall.

Chip grabbed the dwarf's feet and called to Slicks, "Hey, you wanna grab his arms for me?"

Slicks hissed, giving the passed out dwarf a spiteful glare, and then grabbed his arms.

Chip and Slicks struggled to lift him but we're able to follow the gnome inside.

"Just put him on the cot in the back."

"Oh gosh, he's so heavy." groaned Chip.

"It feelssss like you're not even helping." hissed Slicks.

"He's... slipping." said Chip between breaths.

The dwarf made a loud thump as he fell on the floor.

"Good enough." said Slicks.

The gnome shrugged. "I don't blame ya, he's gotta learn to be nicer to people. Ya can't blame the drink if you're drinkin all the time."

"So what brings you two to the caravan?" asked Arilee.

"Well, me and the dwarf run this shop together. We're hoping to find some work in the Capital."

"What is it that you sell?" asked Chip.

"I make Scrolls. Rorik can repair gear faster than anyone you know. Our niche is adventures who don't want to waste any time. Just buy the upgrades you need, repair your gear, and get back out there. I call it, 'The Pit Stop Shop'."

Chip's ears perked up. "Scrolls? What kind of Scrolls?"

"Your basic level up scrolls, a few mage spells, priest heals, each priced accordingly."

"Do you think we could see them?" asked Chip.

"Sure thing, come by later and I will see what I can do for you.”

Chip nodded and the group left the stall.

“Let’s go wait for Idril before anything else happens,” said Arilee.

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