Chapter 1: Lady Luck's Curtsy

Catriona guesses the Baron's not-so-subtle meaning and shrugs. Well it doesn't sound like she's being arrested or sent home, and what the Baron is proposing certainly sounds better than trying to make it on her own. She turns away from the food and whatever Xavena was about to reply to her and approaches the noble. "Forgive me, Baron, but when you said you wanted my half-brother I was afraid you would turn me out or send me home. Please, if I may ask for one thing, don't tell my father you've found me, and I beg you not to tell anyone that I even exist." Catriona signs the contract in a practiced, elegant script. "My stepmother certainly wishes I never existed." she mutters under her breath.

Krieger has been sitting off to the side, somewhat amused by the circumstances, but once the rest of the group has signed, he joins in. He eyes Catriona with suspicion as he returns to his seat.

Baraq's wings rise up while her sharp beak opens in a hiss at Neraduin.

As she is already near, Baraq steps over to take a leather bag. Without judging its weight, she finds a suitable compartment on her harness to secure the satchel and hops back onto her overturned chair.

Rolen grabs a bag and returns to his chair, nodding to Yahvitz, slightly embarrassed about his outburst earlier. Reaching his chair, he takes a peek in side.

Krieger steps up and takes a satchel, taking a look inside before slinging it over his shoulder. "Thank you, Baron."

As he is glaring with discontent he is about to follow the baron's offer but Baraq suddenly spreads her wings and hisses. Neraduin jumps and takes a few steps back while trying to muffle a squeal. He swallows before trying to convey understanding and empathy to the winged creature. He is dearly hoping the dwarf has not seen him get flustered.

Well, err, my winged friend, if you do not know how to write... a signature like this - well it's perfectly understandable, you can't help it, really.

He is quite overwhelmed, and so he picks up one of the satchels absentmindedly, the names he was supposed to inscribe all but forgotten.

Aera moves forward and grabs the first satchel his hand finds, taking it to a seat before he peeks into it.

Rolen grits his teeth a bit before stuffing the satchel into his backpack, as well stuffing his greed to the back of his mind.

Catriona takes a satchel as well and peeks inside. She looks with apprehension at her companions. Some of them look quite formidable but she is determined not to be cowed by anyone. Still, she recognizes they know much that she has yet to learn and so she resolves to observe them all closely and learn as quickly as she can. She returns to Xavena's side, having already established a bond of sorts with the dragonborn.

Orseas lifts his own satchel and looks inside. He has already forgotten his rage, but stands on the other side of the room from wherever Rolen is.

Krieger sits, having obtained another mug of ale. "So, what is the first 'rumor' we're being asked to track down?" He would accept the task almost without question, but it would still be nice to know what he's getting into.