Wreynn walks up to the lodge of the Brotherhood of the Bladed Gavel and knocks politely on the door. "Garith, Kirell, Victor? Anyone here?" Wreynn shouts, hoping someone happened to be inside to speak with. "Berendor? Anybody?" Wreynn knocks again, and waits patiently for a reply.
Katerina straightened from the tree at the sound of the voice, giving another pat to the Ohren-bear's head. The little Uordeq offered the bear another cookie as she mentally examined the situation Her eyes rested on Wreynn as she moved toward the side of the building. There she would stand until he came around to take the lead to the back of the lodge. After all, it was little of her business. She had followed out of curiousity.
"Snowball? Oh, this should be fun." Wreynn laughs outloud. "Looks like we may need more than a few of Glimmer's cookies. Anyone got a steak?"
Wreynn walks around to the back of the lodge waiting for Kirell to show up with 'snowball'. Leaving weapons sheathed and taking up a rather non-commital stance, Wreynn snaps off a branch from a nearby tree and starts chewing on the end of it. "Hey Red, while you're in there, mind putting some water on for tea? There's a few of us out here, it would only be polite to offer us a drink."
Katri glides across the grass more to Wreynn's side than behind him. She was curious as to the reference to something called 'Snowball,' but said nothing. She had also recognized the voice as that of an Angori that she had seen with Glimmer a good few mests before hand. Though, for the life of her, she could not produce a name to match the voice and the face she knew went with it. Quietly, she resumed leaning against another near by tree. Assuming that Ohren would once again take place beside of her, she would scratch his ears and chuckle softly in her thick accent, "Are you going to just stay as a bear the whole time? It's awefully hard to understand you, you know."
Glimmer comes flitting out of the woodline behind the group and exclaims "SNOOOOOOOOOWBALL. Baby wants a cookie? I has a cookies! Lots of ems! Come play with Auntie Glimm-Glimm!" Glimmer seems to know exactly who, and what she is talking to and lays the cookies on the porch to the lodge. Glimmer nudges through the group and peers inside the lodge. "Dearest Kirell, tea would be lovely, my friend. I have plenty if you need assistance. I also have cookies. LOTS OF EM! But I'd really like some of that delicious red cold sweet fruit if you gots any. It's so numbly in my tummy! I'll wait out back with the rest!"
Glimmer flits to the back of the lodge quickly, after attempting to knock Wreynn over with a bear hug and popping three pieces of candy in her mouth. She wiggles her eyebrows and plops down, pulling at Katri and holding a pouch of cookies. "I so love a party! And Uncle, I should have a report for you soon as to what the Couriers have found."
Berendor paces out onto the back step and surveys the crowd. His stern face is framed by his carefully braided beard and his hand rests casually on the hilt of his sword.
One shaggy eyebrow rises as he glances from face to face.
"It's like a bloody family reunion gone bad out here."
He adjusts his armor slightly and then takes his seat, being careful to move his cape to one side. His armor seems to carry him a good deal further into the seat than would be expected and the beleagured chair groans under the pressure. His shield, ever present, is propped against his shoulder.
Berendor's eyes continue to scan the group with an irritated disinterest.
Katri calmly sinks to the ground, amused smile hidden by her mask, when Glimmer pulls on her. She laughs quietly at the fae, finally asking, "What exactly is a 'Snowball'?"
Wating on Glimmer's reply, her eyes land on the male that had come out on the porch. She shows no sign of having heard him, other than perhaps a slight narrowing of her eyes as she inspected him. Typical Dwarf it seemed, she noted as she took in his disinterested and irritated look.
She had been curious about the Brotherhood, having heard about them but never really met any of them. Though a mild dislike was already forming at the sight of the Dwarf, should he be any good indicator of what they would be dealing with. She said nothing as she pondered exactly how this particular meeting would go. She could almost pity the Corsairs- recalling that is what the female Empyrean had called the pirates- should Wreynn have too difficult a time aquiring the compas they craved. Of course, she also knew it would not be anywhere near as simple as the woman had thought it to be when she had spoken to Wreynn in such a sly and upperhanded manner. Nothing was ever that easy, especially not with an Uordeq. No, she thought, should this Brotherhood be willing to part with this compas, those pirates will far from have the upper hand in their agreement...
The Angori emerges from the back door, the ever present avalancher close on his heels.
"Lookie here Snowball. The Urdeq wasn't lieing, we do have a gaggle of guests."
Kirell strokes the head of his unlikely companion as he acknowledges those in attendance.
"Glimmer, please join your brothers on the balcony. We haven' any tea, but there is ale a plenty."
"Oren, it appears that your pet Urdeq has lost her horns."
"And Wyrenn, it's been some time since we've seen you. It's been plesent not to have to watch my back at every turn."
"Now to what do I owe this....pleasure."
Ohren grins at Kirell,
"Rar grr rawhh gruh grr grah rar."
He chuckles to at some unknown joke and plops down on the grass. He sniffs around a bit and decides to head over to gilmmer. He would plop down infront of her and open his mouth expectantly.
"Grah raw rooh raah!"
"The only reason you haven't seen me is you haven't been watching your back," Wreynn jests laughing with somewhat uncharacteristc ease. "And dear lord, look at what that whelp of a kitten has grown into while I wasn't paying attention. Have you been training it well? And how much does he eat?" Wreynn's interest seems to drift off to the spectacle of the juvenile avalancher.
He curiously paces around Kirell and the large cat making sure to keep a safe distance, showing no signs of malice allowing the cub to get a good look at him. Eventually he sits down and pulls a small leather vest out of one of his bags, rolls it up into a small ball and ties it up with some twine. Gently, he rolls it to Snowball to see if he's interested in playing.
Quirking her eyebrow at the word pet, Katri eyes the Angori and his young Avalancher. She noticed Wreynn seemed to take an interest in the fuzzy creature, not that she herself could do much more than barely prevent herself from fawning over it even at a distance. She much preferred animals to people, particularly of the feline variety. They were much less trouble, much cuter, and much pleasanter to deal with all around.
The little Uordeq curled her legs beneath her for more comfort as she sat on the ground at the base of her tree, and watched Snowball with great interest and without taking her attention completely off the others. She also continued to resist the urge to try and approach the creature in want to pet it. After all, she was only there to observe and quench the thirst of her curiosity, not interfere with any dealings with the Brotherhood, or to play with the pet of one of it's members. No matter how interesting, fuzzy, or pretty it was. Had her mask not covered the lower half of her face, her... squishy-ness around animals might have been more than apparent to all.
Glimmer flits to the balcony, eyeing the ball of leather Wreynn has rolled to Snowball. She looks extremely uncofortable and twitches as if she wishes to play herself, but rights her tutu and begins preparing cookies for the gathered group. "Kirrell dearest, Uncle Wreynn will want tea. Might a borrow your fire for a few to steep him a pot? I have the supplies necessary. I do so appreciate it." Glimmer awaits a reply and nods her head to Wreynn.
Ohren trots over to the Avalancher and seems to growl at it a feline chatter. [Commune Nature]. He moves to paw at the ball a bit and growls and meows at Snowball.
"Mrrawrr Grawr, mmmrrrrrr. Maaoorraahh Mrr maorawr."
He chuckles and blinks at Snowball expectantly.
Cail's eyes stopped moving and focused on Berendor then Kirell in turn as they both appeared in front of him. He looked at 'Snowball' and he quirked an eye a little bit. He had never seen an animal like that before so it also peaked his interest, but as time drew on, he became more and more impatient with the tangents that his comapny seemed to be taking away from the matter at hand.
As if told by the wind that there werent enough needless distractions from the important matter at hand, Idris walked up to the grouping preceded by a cloud of smoke. "I always thought there was at least one big pussy in the Brotherhood man" Idris mumbled to himself "Didnt think i'd be that right"
With a chuckle, Kirell glances at Snowball, who without hesitation, has snatched the vest and began to shred it.
"Sweet Glimmer!"
"The tower of the Brotherhood is as much yours as anyones"
"Please make yourself at home."
Turning his attention to Wyrenn.
"Training him...what an interesting concept."
"No, I wouldn't say I've been training him."
"But you haven't come to discuss Snowball, now have you?"
"What could YOU need from the Brotherhood?"
Wreynn stands up and dusts himself off from kneeling in the dirt, "You're right, I didn't come to discuss snowball, however, you might want to consider teaching it some manners. Perhaps a session in the woods with Glimmer and the bear here." Wreynn turns slightly and points at Ohren. "You might actually make that a useful companion instead of an oversized plaything."
"I need to talk to you about Stiers, and more importantly, an item that I hear that you've liberated from him. A small compass. I'd also like to," Wreynn coughs trying to maintain his composure, "extend an invitation to The Brotherhood of the Bladed Gavel to accompany me and several other members of town to Dragon's Cove where there's reliable rumors about a scorch sighting." Wreynn pauses for a moment before quickly continuing in a barely distinguishable garble, "And a kings randsom for a bounty."
"We could use all the muscle and talent that the town has to offer. I'm calling it my coming out of retirement party. What better way to say hello again than sticking it to the bastard that's stuck it to Jastrey on more than one ocassion, and making a hefty profit out of the venture at the same time. You interested?"
Berendor's face lights up at the mention of dragon hunting and gold, interrupting his stony features for only a moment before he regains his composure.
After a brief moment, he addresses Wreynn in a low rumble,
"And tell me uordeq, why we should trust you on this venture? It seems to me that a reliable rumour is akin to sturdy sandstone. Who are your sources and who be paying this king's ransom?"
The Angori narrows his focus on Wyrenn as the word Scorch escapes his lips.
He pauses along time before speaking, never removing his eyes form the Urdeq, seemingly waiting for it to drop it's bluff.
"As for the compass, I cannot speak for the Brotherhood, but as for Scorch, you will have to follow me there, if you but point the way."
Another long pause follows as Kirell watches the cat saunter back to his side, having finished it's business with the vest.
"I will meet with the full council of members to discuss your proposal regarding the compass."
Gaius flits in from overhead, noticing the crowd gathered outside the Brotherhood's lodge. He lands near Snowball and looks around at the rather strange gathering.
"Ooooo, I thought I heard something about Scorch and... a ransom? Did Scorch kidnap someone? Do we finally get to kill that evil lizard?"
"Why should you trust me?" Wreynn holds back a chuckle, "Why should I bother inviting a dwarf? I invite you because I need your shield, I'm not crazy enough to believe that I can fight the beast on my own. If you think that I'm going to walk you to the lair of the beast and then tuck you back into bed at night without as much of a singed beard hair, you might as well just stay here nice and cozy and keep chipping away in the mines."
Reaching into his pouch he pulls out an old flyer regarding the bounty on the dracolich and hands it to Berendor. "I don't know who's paying, and I don't frankly care. Likely enough there's more than enough booty under the rotten flesh of the dragon to tame my greed, but if we're getting paid on top of it, well sign me up. Doesn't matter who's gold, it all sounds the same jingling in my pocket."
Wryenn turns to Kirell and responds to him in turn, "I knew that I only needed to speak his name and you'd be on board. I could only hope that you'd grace us with one of your rousing performances while we're in route. I believe that I've secured us reliable passage to the cove. A ship may take us a while longer to get there than one of Thalenir's portals, but at least we can guarantee that we'll wind up there and not burried under the archival wing of the syndicate library. The compas is merely to find the lair of the beast. Speaking of, do you still have any of those books on dragons?"
Suddenly, Ohren's body shifts forms, his bones snaping and crackling as he once more becomes Angori. He looks to Wreynn.
"Can I comed too? I want to eated da dargolick. I can healsing or I can be a burr... Is gud fur you to hab a gud healins."
He grins widely at the Deki and the rest of the party.
Glimmer places her hand on Kirrell's shoulder at the mention of Scorch. As Wreynn finishes speaking, she leans into Kirell and whispers "I've sent 4 of my best Couriers on Uncle Wreynn's request for information. What he speaks is truth, you have my word on that. I would not knowingly send Fae after information I did not think or find valuable to us all. As for Snowball, he's welcome to come and play in the woods with me any day. My bow is but at his nudge for a command of a feast." Glimmer tosses a second pouch of cookies to the cat, and gigles with glee. She then turns to Wreynn.
"Dearest Uncle, I do believe we should have the information you've requested quite soon indeed. I've just assured Kirell that what you speak is truth to the best of all of our knowledgables!"
A roar of laughter escapes Berendor's beard as he snatches the poster with an eager spark in his eyes.
"Alas, yeh speak well for a dark-eye. I'd count myself unlucky if I came out without a scratch. Ye've not wronged me yet to my knowledge, and I'd be ashamed to miss a good scrap with ol' irontooth. I stand with Kirell on this matter."
After briefly running his eyes over the scroll to ensure its legitimacy Berendor hands the scroll back to Wrynn and settles back into his complaining chair, still chuckling softly to himself.
Katerina continued to sit quietly with legs curled beneath her and watch the scene unfold. Her eyes danced between the juvenile feline and the matter at hand. She wasn't sure that, all in all, she had expected any less. Nothing around the little town ever seemed to be simple. Of course, once her eyes had lighted on the dwarf her thoughts had shifted slightly on the out come of the inquiry about the compas. However, she was mildly surprised by the amount of cooperation- all hostilities aside. Those were always a given when beards ran in with her dark eyed kind.
Taklinn walks towards the group seemingly oblivious to the meeting at hand. To any that would look, he seems to be having a meeting with himself. He stands back away from the crowd, trying desperately to keep his attention on the discussions as they continue. Looking up to the gathered Brotherhood, he nods to the members when he makes eye contact. After a few minutes, he says loudly looking towards his right boot "Ye durned dolt! Pepperjack ain't even a respectable contender, and Bleu is only marginaly a better choice. I thought yer clan were respectable, and every clan knows that the only contenders to the crown be Stilton, Roquefort, Tallegio, and my personal favorite The Stinkin' Bishop. Fer a half hour, we've been over this, and I expected ye to be a little more refined! Now I'm fer ending this discussion, unless yer wantin' to really get me mad!" he says as his voice begins to rise and his tone takes on an angry edge.
Taklinn, upon hearing Berendor's comment, visibly blushes before saying "Bah! If that be true then I'll fit right in around here! Its a wonder I lasted this long afore goin' crazy. As fer the business at hand, count me in Wreynn, I have business with this worm, an' will see it done as soon as possible."
As Kirell stands and turns to return to the privacy of the tower, he addresses those gathered.
"It seems the Brotherhood is in. Discussion among the members at this point is a simple matter of formality."
"I would recommend you all spend the coming days preparing yourselves. That Wyrm will spare none of us his worst. I fear few will return. I only hope the Immortals see fit to count me among them."
Wreynn attempts to stop Kirell and Berendor prior to them retiring to the lodge. "I'm glad to hear that you're willing to lend your skills in the upcoming battle, but I believe you may have forgotten the other reason that we came to meet back here. I woudln't mind to get my hands on that compas. Let's just say I need it for.... insurance reasons." Wreynn crosses his arms and awaits a reply.
Glimmer looks to Wreynn and says "I must return to my post Uncle to await the arrival of the news you seek." Glimmer turns to leave, but turns back and shouts to Kirell. "Dearest Kirell, please allow my Uncle the use of the compass. I do swear he speaks the truth." Glimmer then flits off anxiously and out of sight.
Berendor pauses momentarily, casting a glance over his shoulder, then lifts a hand in resignition.
"It's not mine to give but I care not. If you return it then yer liable to earn a touch of trust."
He continues walking then adds with a hint of amusement.
"If yeh don't, then I get to go hunting uordeq."
He finishes with a quick grin before retiring to the tower.
The small Uordeq woman rose slowly, brushing leaves and other forest debris from her robes and cloak. Her dark gaze flitted from Glimmer to Ohren as they both took their leave, and ,whether or not it was noticed, she had given a slight incline of her head to them in farewell. She quietly observed the retreating backs of the pair of Brotherhood members and a small smirk began to form beneath her mask.
Folding her arms beneath her chest, she leaned on the tree she had been sitting at and looked a Wreynn. Her tone was light and amused and well balanced between sincere and sarcastic and was only just loud enough to be heard, "That went well."
"Then I'll take the compas and have my leave. And Berendor," Wreynn begins to chuckle, "I'm willing to play hide and go hide to first blood any day you're up for it. The day I let an unshaven, unwashed, gruff piece of forge slag like you get the better of me is the day I sprinkle myself in fairy dust, dress in iridescent colors and dance a jig in town's square."
Wreynn takes off his hat and begins to bow politely, leaving the pocket of the hat extended, waiting for Berendor to deliver the compas to him.
Berendor turns abruptly, his face turning a bit red as if he is holding in an outburst. before speaking.
"Yer insolent enough, I'll give ye that. I couldn't give a damn less for your thrice-blasted games and It's a point of pride I don't look like a stark naked mole babe with dirt in his eyes sporting a fancy hat."
Berendor continues muttering oaths under his breath and turns around to add,
"I don't have yer bloody compass. Like I say, it ent' mine to give."
He proceeds to slam the door.
Curses can still be heard, muffled by the stone walls.
Katri's eyebrows shot up at the exchange, dark eyes twinkling in amusement. She was unable to hold back the laugh that threatened to bubble from between her lips. So, laugh she did, quite sincerely at that. The sound was loud, clear and almost musical. It took her a couple minutes to stop so that she could catch her breath once more. Wiping a tear from her eye, she walked up and rested a hand on Wreynn's shoulder, still snickering a bit, "Well, I think that would be Dwarf: 2 and you: 1. Nice try, Reinholdt. Play again sometime."
Wreynn rubs his hand over his chin feeling for stubble before sitting down with his back to the lodge. "I'll be waiting right here when you're ready to come to your senses." he says loud enough to be heard inside. "I've never once asked for it without payment or barter, the least we can do is come to terms. If not, this is a nice shady spot you have here, I suppose it may be time to forge some solid race relations."
Gettting nice and comfortable, Wreynn pulls out his dagger and starts whittling away at a large piece of firewood. Quietly he begins to him a small dirge to himself, and old song passed down to him through his family about shaving dwarves and making rope from their beard hairs. He pauses partway through the song and says absentmindedly to himself while stroking his chin again, "I guess a quick shave woudln't hurt."
Kirell emerges from the tower to the balcony. Looking down at Wyrenn he begins to speak.
"You are welcome to camp in our court yard for as long as you like. The decision to utilize the compass to find our way to Scorch will be discussed by the council of the Brotherhood of the Bladed Gavel in due course, and is, as I have said, a simple matter of formality. The Idea of handing it to you is another thing entirely, and will not happen as long as I have a vote in the matter."
Another light round of laughter followed Kirell's comments from the balcony. The young Uordeq tugged down the brim of the other's hat playfully, eyes still glinting with good humor. Her tone clearly betrayed that she was grinning like a Cheshire Cat beneath her mask, "You know, I think I may change that scoreboard a touch. Brotherhood: 3, Wreynn 1. Today just does not seem to be your day, now does it? Losing your touch, I'd wager."
Akon, having followed along of course, was leaning against a tall tree in the shadow of it's leaves, ankles and arms crossed. At Barendor's comments, a soft smirking chuckle issued from her as she watched from a slight distance not offering nor wishing to offer any words to the conversation and negotations at hand. She merely watched on quietly as the events took place, an amused and calculating smirk easing its way across her features.
Smiling at his kinsmen's outbursts and arguments with the always difficult Wreynn, Taklinn moves towards the door to the tower to have his discussion with Berendor. "Have a nice camp out urdeks. Be sure to sit on those old logs there if yer legs be gettin' tired. Sometimes the best ways to defeat a foe is to flank them, rather than go straight at him. I would have figured ye'd know that, bein' "sneaksters" and all." He continues on into the tower, taking a wide berth of the gathered uordeq and semming to try to control a mounting rage within him as he goes past them.
"Oh yes, Taklinn. But its indecent to rub itchweed oils between the linens of townsfolk." Wreynn replies. "You may rest your head on a lump of iron, but poor Victor, I wonder how he'll do with a skunk's scent gland sewn into his pillow. Let me tell you now, that smell won't come out of a wooden bed frame. Kirell, well, I wouldn't mess with his stuff. For some strange reason, I actually like him."
Wreynn pauses for a moment trying to remember the next verse before calling back again. "Of course, I'd never do these things out of spite..... would I?"
Katri chuckled again, completely unphased by the fact her harmless mocking was earning no kind of response. With one last look to Wreynn, she wiggled her fingers in a gesture mocking one he, himself, had made to her not too long before. "Some brilliant string pulling there, maestro."
She gave a breif nod to Akon, turning to move off into the tree line.
The small cloaked and masked figure of Katri followed just behind Wreynn. She stops just a few steps back, leaning against a tree, and watches curiously as the older Uordeq knocks and calls out for those who apparently were supposed to live in the lodge.