Chapter 1: The Enemy in Shadows

Sliding into the seat across from the man, the Grotnar gives an amused laugh. "2 schilling it is, deal em cards!. He'll look to Anders with a nod, as if to ask if he will be joining the game.

Grotnar will settles in with his drink, only slightly aware that the others are planning the next job. As the man deals the cards, he'll observe the man more closely, trying to get an idea how serious of a player the gentleman is. "So what brings you all the way out here, Mr....?

Disregarding the card players, Artur says to Agnes: "Well, I have been asked to go to Altdorf. If catching a few thieves is the best way to achieve this, so be it. But we need to secure our seats first, I guess." Acting on his own thought, he approaches the drunken coach, and, trying to take his most accommodating voice, he asks: "Hello there, fellas. My companions and I need to reach Altdorf, and you seem to be driving the only coaches going that way in days. Would there be any room left for us in one of your vehicles?"

Speaking to Agnes, "Mine purse is empty and it would do us no good to enter the city without money. I would see us—for it seems we are an us now—take that job first."

He pays no heed to the gambler. Though he has some practice at cards and dice, he was always luckiest against other dwarves, and drunk ones at that. Men tended to be far too clever for his liking.

"I am afraid we don't have that kind of money. Besides, I vowed to give my spare coins to the poor. It was nice talking to you." That said he turns around, takes one step.Then stops and turns back. "Are you sure you won't reconsider? After all, a few more drinks is far better than no more drinks, isn't it?"

He steps closer and lowers his voice before adding: "Plus my dwarven slayer friend there already killed a mutant today, and is in a very bad mood -- he doesn't like the rain so much, nor does he like waiting. It would be unfortunate if he learns that he won't be able to ride your coach because you are a bit too greedy, wouldn't it?" He points at Svegnir, with a forced grin.

Artur looks at the coachman, curious of his reaction.

Svegnir, who was very much not paying attention, is busy pulling some sort of bone fragment from his magnificent mohawk. Those mutants tended to end up everywhere.

Grotnar is only slightly taken back at the deftness of the man's ability to deal out cards. But he had come to play and relax, so he'll lean back and continue small talk without trying to read to much into the situation.

Ignoring the comment about the Emperor, Grotnar carries on while examining his cards. "A bunk, ya say? We're passing through as well. Had some caravan trouble just down the road. Name's Grotnar by the way, I don't believe I caught yours"

Anders getting the tacit approval he wanted will sit down and play into the card sharp's hand... Right until he reveals his own experience with gambling and takes a winning hand against his opponent. He had in fact played Scarlet empress before, picked it up in tavern similar to this one actually, lost quite abit of coin before getting the hang of it

Svegnir nurses his beer, a most undwarflike act. He had learned early that not every night was as flush with ale as it had been at home. With each sip, something indiscernible flashes across his face.

Artur nods at the coachman. "That is very gracious of you. I will talk with my friends to check if it is agreeable to them."

Moving to Agnes and Svegnir, the priest explains the arrangement with the coachmen in between the conversation with the inn keeper.

Then he progresses to the gambling table and says to the bretonnian, pronouncing the first sentence with a strong accent: "Bonjour monsieur, désolé de vous interrompre. May I have a quick word with my companions here?" Then he tells them about the arrangement as well. "Don't gamble everything if you want to be able to pay the fee. In any case, we might need to chase the bandit mentioned on the billboard." he concludes.