rrival n erendi

As Taymer's Pride tacked for the last time Trimus pointed out the pink and white coral palace of the current King and Queen.
"And do they do combat every year?", asked Grabthroat.
"Yes, but I don't think you stand much of a chance", chuckled Ako.
"One day, one day" mused the dwarf under his breath.
"Where to first?" asked Trimus shouldering his staff and pack.
"The Brightwater Inn" replied Aril looking at a scrap of paper "That's where Fedrin went - at least that's what he wrote in a letter to our mother before he disappeared."

The Brightwater Inn was not hard to find, its brightly painted sign and the freshly washed cobbles outside the door showed it to be a welcoming and wholesome establishment.
"Welcome travellers. Are you here long? Can I offer you food? A cool drink perhaps? Wine? A room - two rooms?", the garrulous inn keeper barely let Trimus through the door before assaulting him with a string of questions.
"5 beers would be most welcome barkeep" chuckled Darkhawk flinging himself and his pack down on a smoke stained bench.
"And for your friends...." smiled the barkeeper "and call me Otig".
"How much are your rooms Mr Otig" asked Trimus cautiously fingering his pouch as the barkeep deftly delivered 5 foaming tankards to their table.
"Just Otig, no mister, no sir, just Otig. And don't you worry young sir, 5 Sana a night or 3 Galeva a week, meals just a Sana for my guests.
"Then we shall stay for a week" announced Aril, "We have business here that may take some time."
"That's grand. Karel! show our new guests to their rooms."

"But where should we start, he could be anywhere." protested Trimus. "Didn't he leave any clues?"
"I suggest that we visit the North Wall of the castle. I've heard they post notices there - one may mention him." replied Grabthroat.
"That sounds as good an idea as any" said Darkhawk rising pushing away the remains of his breakfast, "And maybe we will find excitement as well."
"Yes our funds won't last forever even at the prices Otig charges." mused Aril "And finding my brother may be expensive."

The market place in Ierendi City is justly famous for the wide assortment of available merchandise and for the entertainment value of haggling with its merchants. Walking through the early morning bustle of bargain hunters and hawkers, pedestrians and peddlers was not easy and the temperature had risen with the sun by the time they had reached the castle wall. A small crowd of people were already there. Battle scared veterans rubbed shoulders with downy cheeked novices. The notice board had few flysheets pasted to it, none mentioning Aril's brother or his friends.

"That one looks interesting" said Aril pointing to a yellow piece of parchment after some time. "Let's go to the Town Hall and sign up for it.

The Town Hall, like the Palace, was a confection of pink and cream coral, all towers and cornices, more like a cake than a building. The entrance hall was inlaid with mosaics of sea shells and, hopefully, mythical sea creatures. Following the signs Aril and the others finally stood before a desk behind which sat a smartly dressed young man, by his skin tone a mainlander not a Makai.
"Good morning. I am Councillor Fren, How may I help you".
"We've come to sign up for this mission", replied Aril showing the councillor the parchment.
"Ah. The kobold bandits. Not very glamorous I'm afraid, still it has to be done. Bring back some evidence, 3-4 heads should suffice, and the reward of 200 Galeva along with any booty is yours. Their lair is purported to be in a wooded area off of the West Road. Good lucks Sirs. Next please". The councillor reeled of this monologue hardly looking up from a sheaf of papers on his desk.

As Grabthroat approached the Brightwater Inn he looked at the sky and declared, No time to start out today - a good meal and an early night for an early start tomorrow."
"There's Rintrah in the corner" said Trimus opening the door to the taproom "Perhaps he'll give us some help or advice."
"I'm sorry Trimus" sighed Rintrah after Trimus had sat down beside him and explained their mission, "I'm on an important mission with -er - an acquaintance. So I cannot offer you any physical aid. I will say this though, kobolds can be quite dangerous in numbers so keep your guard up at all times.

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