CH. 8: Proving Worth

[Haahque]

Haahqae notes the arrival of another woman, this one also has the air of being a capable warrior. "Woah Gobax, did you hire this one as well? You must have been busy."

Turning to Arulia he continues in a cheerful tone. "Hi, I'm Haahqae. Have I seen you before?"

[djhyland]

Arulia shakes her head and blushes. After looking back and forth between Pen and the gnome for a few seconds, she waves to the kender that she'll be okay and collects herself. "I don't think that you have. At least, I haven't met you before. My name is Arulia, and I apologize for intruding. It's just...well...a gathering like you and your friends are not a common sight in Haven, not even in these days." After a moment of chewing on her lip, she adds, "You asked that goblin if he'd hired me. Are you hiring?"

[Haahque]

"Yes yes, I know. In this outside world two gnomes tend to stand out in any city, or any small town, or anywhere else for that matter."
He pauses to consider her question. "Well, sure, why not? You look rather trustworthy and we might need one more person. The pay is your choice of five steel or a share of the loot for a one day job, starting immediately. How well can you fight?" Haahqae offers his hand to shake.

[TristenC]

Perhaps we should determine what she is interested in first, eh? he watches her reactions closely. What sort of work were you looking for? Or perhaps you'd rather name some saleable skills you are comfortable with. I must inform you, this is more of a single job and not an ongoing thing at the moment... He pauses a bit, before lowering hos voice, What are your feelings with regard to the Belzorites?

[JadedDM]

Kendra Greylock (2527 Market Street, Greylock's Gorgeous Gems)
"So the rumors are true," Norris replies, sitting down on the bed. "And I was right. You are being sent to kill the Qualinesti." He shakes his head. "Then they are doomed as we were. Perhaps more so, as I doubt they'll be willing to take any live prisoners or occupy the land. They'll likely just burn it to the ground."

[djhyland]

Bewildered, Arulia looks between Haahqae and the goblin. "I'm...I'm...fighting?" she stammers. "I...used to be a member of the Seeker guard, and I know how to fight. It's not the kind of work I was looking for, but I'll take what I can get. I've got my own weapon and armor, too, but...well, I don't want the army seeing me wearing them around town. I can bring them to where your job is, though. But first, what do you expect to be fighting?"

"The Belzorites?" muses Arulia. "I don't know much about them, but they're heretics, aren't they? Followers of a false god?"

[Haahque]

"Well heretics is one of those terms that everyone seems to have a different use for, but yes, they follow a false god and they are pretty stupid. Just, not quite stupid enough to fall for the ol' I'm disguised as one of you so tell me all your secrets trick. I imagine there will be fighting involved, likely of the secluded cultist or weird lizard-man-sort of thing kind. Would you like to meet us there or would you rather we escort you home? Do you live close by? How fast will you be?"

[djhyland]

Arulia considers for a moment. "It won't take me long to go back to my house and get my armor and weapon. Then, if the guards don't stop me and take them away, I'd be able to get back here just as quickly." She frowns. "Your group seems to be well armed...do the guards allow you to carry weapons? If so, maybe it'd be best if you came along. I don't live far away, just over on Three Forks."

Before Haahqae or any of his companions can respond, Arulia shakes her head as if suddenly remembering something. "Are you looking for as many people to fight for you as you can get? If you are, I think I might know someone, a former guardswoman like me. She might be willing to lend her sword for a share of the...uh...loot."

[TristenC]

Hmm, whatt's her name?

[djhyland]

"Sinclair. Um, Kendra Sinclair. She was in the guard with me, and I can vouch that she's good with her sword."

[TristenC]

Kendra, you say... he looks to Haahque. Could it really be the same person we were looking for yesterday?

[HorizonsDream]

"I don't have plans on killing anyone," Kendra admits. "I'm not sure how I can avoid it yet, but I want to help the Qualinesti." She speaks softly. "Which is why I joined in the first place. One woman might not be able to do much, but I can at least I can try. In the very least, I managed to get the tax lifted from you."

[Haahque]

"Umm, I think it might be. I think her name was Kendra Sinclair. She was a guardswoman before she joined up with me and my friends to clear out the demon... err... kobold and baaz mine. But we'd better not bring her along. Her husband seems very keen that she doesn't do anything, um, possibly a little itty bitty bit dangerous, so to say. Despite my assurances that she would be completely safe and well looked after in this fine company."

[TristenC]

I thought you had said she joined the army... I doubt this will be more perilous than that

[Haahque]

"Yep, but just between you and me, he doesn't seem like a completely rational man when it comes to taking care of her. Totally got his sense of peril all wrong."