Dregs slammed his mug down, half his drink spilling onto his hand. "I don't think the bastard is gonna show, fellas. Its been a good time sharing stories and all, but the bastard ain't showing!" He said looking around the table at the others. Draolof puffed his pipe silently while the two twins looked at each other wondering if the dwarf was making sense or not. Volie sipped his drink carefully more worried about how it would dull his senses then thinking about the dwarf's complaint. "What say ya' elf?"
"I only just arrived, I am more then pleased to wait longer." Volieafel answered.
"Bah! Ya' elves love your patience!" Dreg exclaimed waving off the elf. "Halfies!" Dregs aimed his eyes on the twins. "What say we three find some other den of despair and then ya' help me hunt some orcs!"
"Yes-"
"No." Tarvus was cut off by Warren who quickly corrected his brother.
They didn't need to hear more of Dreg as the door opened to the windy night. Leaves blew in to the tavern as a figure wearing a cloak the table knew too well entered. The man strolled to the table and gave a knowing nod to Sable. He took his cloak off and sat beside the wizard.
"Very good to see you Master Gunkrate!" Draolof said as smoke trailed from his mouth.
"Finally ya' damned scullion!" Dreg said smacking the table. "'bout beat my record of booze while I waited!"
he aimed his ice blue eyes at Dreg who quickly grew silent. "I was finishing a job, left with a good bag on my hip. Apologies for the delay."
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"What is this about, Mr.Gunkrate?" Volie asked taking another small sip of his drink.
"On my way to DubHill, I came across a blind man on the road. He wore a cloth around his eyes and a cloak that hid a lot of his face. He had a small stick in one hand that was barely long enough to be used like a cane. He had a small cauldron that dangled on his side that was held by a worn out rope. He asked me for directions to Forthrock. I told him I had heard of no such place, but he told me he would see me there someday soon. I was too busy finding the Obsidian Stairs to think of it, but after I found Avario's book I found a page that spoke of a land in the west that carried the name. It didn't speak of where, but it told of plant life that does not grow anywhere else and wildlife with skin of gold."
"Sounds like shite to me!" Dreg laughed. "How many more fairy tales ya' gonna chase after?"
"Then I heard word on the way here of a women who claimed to be from a city called Forthrock, a princess of sorts lost in the east, roaming the roads surviving off of strangers kindness until suddenly no one had seen her."
"Why? Why do you want us to find this women, this place?" Sable asked in bewilderment.
"Tell me, a place like this, a story like this doesn't intrigue you." Cal said turning to Dreg "The loot alone." Dregs mouth shut quickly and a grin came upon his face. "The chance to work as a team." He said turning to the twins, Tarvus gripped Warren's arm tight with joy. "The artifacts to study." Draolof nodded with understanding. "There will be jobs along the way, detours to be had, but I need a company of heroes and all of you, for better or worse I trust. What say you all?"
A moment of contemplations took hold on the table. Cal waited patiently as the group pondered the task.
"The tracks maybe cold by the time we get there." Sable said with a hand to his chin.
"It maybe." Cal responded.
"If she is truly a princess this could spiral into a political hellscape!" Draolof added.
"It could." Cal answered.
"If there is loot or ore to be had for the Und-Murr, I'm in!" Dreg said raising his mug.
"I'd like a team." Tarvus added.
"If someone is in need, I would be happy to save them!" Warren tacked on to his brothers words.
"I am getting quite fond of your adventures, Mr.Gunkrate." Volie said.
Sable and Draolof were left. both looked at each other and back to Cal. Sable was the first to answer. "You are going to owe me one hell of a contract after this." He answered before gulping his ale.
"I suppose there is potential to learn, of course if this 'hidden land' has any merit to it." The old wizard said with a shrug.
Cal looked over the group and locked eyes behind the twins with Rendia who smiled proudly at him. "Then its settled." He grinned taking taking his mug of ale and taking a big gulp.
"To a company of heroes!" Tarvus boyishly raised his mug and yipped and hollered as the others played along and clanked his mug. They drank merrily into the night readying themselves to set off to the west.