Prologue: Trouble in Paradise

I call over the bustiest barmaid I can find. "Three fine ales for myself and my two friends here!" I point towards the happiest drunks I can find in the place. "Whatever they're having!" I then turn back towards my peoples. "Looks like a fun place they've got here. Either of you looking to make some coin?"

Back at the caravan, Toshi tries to gauge how long it is til nightfall. As is his custom, he will do his exploring then. For the moment he remains perched atop one of the wagons and watches a pair of human children at play. A boy and his sister. Toshi's thoughts turn to his sister, Aki. They had been happy once, until they Aki had stumbled into a human boy and his gang of street urchins. Their parents had always warned them of the cruelty of the 'noble' races, but that was the day Toshi had learned just how cruel humans could truly be. Toshi shakes his head to clear it of painful memories. He stows his throwing knife and brings out a ball of twine. A favorite plaything of Aki's when she was alive. He holds it gently in his hand as he watches the children, sitting very still, as if afraid any movement might dispel the idyll of the moment.

Garn doesn't even sit before he smiles and says, "I'll be right back," before he wanders over to the arm-wrestling table, "Got time for one more challenger?" he asks, his huge arms crossed over his massive chest as he waits for a response.

Maia wanders over toward Garn as she sees the burly man sit at a table for gauche, uncultured, and possibly profitable competition. She leans down toward Garn as he sits. "Well friend, how confident are you feeling?"

Garn flexes the muscles in his massive arms and winks at her, "I feel pretty confident, not many are the men who can best me in a test of strength."

Dahlia, the priest in the dark robes turns to you and accepts your coin, placing it within a satchel that has Sarenrae's symbol embroidered upon it. With a chuckle, a melodious male voice comes out from behind the mask.

"I am not a priestess, child, but I will gladly ask my lady Pharasma to guard and protect your fate, that you and yours may find your way home in the end."

He places a gloved hand on your shoulder and mutters a prayer in a language that you don't understand, but sounds beautiful and fills your heart with peace.

Garn reaches into his pouch and slaps 10 gold coins onto the table, "Done! Now let's see what you've got!"

Maia stares back at Jim with as much withering contempt and disgust as she can muster. She then turns back to Garn and whispers low.

"I'll put up 5 Gold if you're willing to part with 25 of the winnings. Plus, I can give you some tips without him knowing, so perhaps I can give you a weakness on which you can lean."

Garn waves the offer away, "Nah, I got this covered, and you can have half the gold when I win. I'm just here for the challenge."

Maia moves away, satisfied. That's better than she'd hoped.

"If you insist on charity, I won't dissuade you." She gives a rare smile. "Just make sure you take him down then. I don't like the bile that escapes his face."

I smile pleasantly at the barmaid and drink with a practiced mirth as I watch my companions leave. It's yet another reminder that, in the end, I'll always be alone. I should be used to it by now.

The Halfling catches me eye, and I accept it for the invitation it is. What do I have to lose, really? I head over to the table, sloshing my drink as I do. "Double or nothing, you say? What's the wager?"

"Hmmm... I wonder why this 'Jim' is so confident..."

"20 gold you say? Hmmm..."