Outside of Boltic: Chapter 1

Having set up camp (no fire - nighttime in these southlands are quite balmy compared to home) Urthask gives Arktos the haunch of the deer they caught the other day. He himself munches on the last of the bison jerky. After their meal the young rider strips off his armor but keeps his weapons at hand. He leans against the bear's warm flank and wonders for the thousandth time about Galazur and the Lost Riders. Where are they now? Have they found what it is that they seek? Urthask longs to hear their voices again. What tales they would tell!

With a bit of small talk and a possible job offer in the morrow Graddy was a bit out of options for topics. He could ask a bit about the lady's past but that might be a touché subject. Granted that means he'd have to cough up a bit of his past as well. After a side glance toward his new possible work associate he nodded and drank his mead and people watched. Being able to be quiet was oddly refreshing. Actually it was pretty easy to remain perfectly still when not drinking and look around the tavern.

OOC: Urthask didn't light a campfire. :-)

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Startled & angry, both bear and half-orc scramble to their feet and take defensive stance. "What?! Who goes there? How do you know of Urthask, son of Galazur?!!"

Instead of relaxing, Urthask tenses up. "Your name. Tell me, stranger. You know of Galazur's Riders?"

Urthask lowers his weapon but stays wary. "I'm listening."

Urthask takes the scroll and reads. "My people speak solemn oaths and those oaths we keep. I'll sign your paper, little man, but it means nothing to me. I will return your lost bauble to you." Urthask signs his name, then points up at the stars. "This I swear on the Great Bear and the ashes of my ancestors. Urthask, son of Galazur, swears this." He hands the contract back to Bane. "In addition to the promised reward you will tell me what you know of Graystone and of my lost clansmen."

After a pause he adds, "Also, I am low on supplies."

Urthask examines the gem briefly before pocketing it reverently, hoping his excitement isn't too obvious to the stranger. His people never cared very much for gold or silver. Gems, however...gems represented the celestial bodies. Outsiders often think of his tribe as brutish barbarians, hardly more civilized than animals, but his people are warrior poets, composing epic skalds and songs telling of mighty deeds and the beauty of the land they call home. Furthermore, the frostkin are astronomers. The tundra is littered with stone circles and monoliths, complex monuments built by his ancestors, that study the movements of the heavens, and tracking the journey of the sun across the sky, marking equinox and solstice. This star sapphire that this stranger Bane has just given him is precious. The renewed hope of finding the Lost Riders is even more so.

"You and the others you've contracted will find us here in the morning." Urthask says, his hand on Arktos' great neck.

"Either I showed up late or went to the wrong clearing I’m guessing, can’t say knowing my way around backwoods would be my strong suite." Graddy explained in an even tone, it wasn’t apologetic or accusing really before he paused and finished his mug,

"Lady here stated someone had a bit of work where more boots might be needed, I’m figure if the offer still stands as long as it’s not running around trying to find clearings in the forest I’m up for the job if it pays well. I’ve already meet the short wanker specializing in giving people the stink eye. If I’m hired I figure we’re headed off somewhere in the morning, do a task, get payment on completion. Then we’ll be ‘s right as rain mate." Graddy added eying the possible employer.

People with secrets weren’t really something Graddy got curious about, as long as they paid up and it didn’t lead to a double cross he didn’t really care if it was a group of intelligent forest creatures messing with them, just as long as they paid well in the end.

Graddy shrugged and took the parchment unfirling in and giving it a once over. "Right well isn’t it grand we could clear all that up…" Graddy stated giving it a once over, "looks propa so ‘ou want it signed ‘n blood o ink mate?" Graddy inquired tapping the scroll and the a aforementioned line, "Seemed to not bring a quill with me." he added.

(OoC: No idea if Graddy can actually read though... XD Ha!)

Graddy nodded and picked up the quill and dabbed into the ink scrawling out his mark. "Well with that done I'm off to bed contract won't complete itself. Boss... Blue.." he stated before standing and nodding back to the two before leaving. Graddy talked to the proprietor for a room for the night. Taking off his armor once in the room he crashed hard falling fast asleep with a knife still in his hand. Visions of riches after the job dancing through his mind.