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Papa wanders about. Noticing the dwarf is awake, he moves in his direction. Stopping about 4 feet away from Brusen, he laconically says, "Hey."

"Thank you," Elias says, taking a bite of the bread. He munches gently, considering the flavor.

Volrotti, who has been losing at penge-soldat is quick to allow Brusen to take the next game. Sliding in to Vlirotti's chair, Brusen quickly loses himself in the game. A penge-soldat board, beer and food, and the company of other dwarves is such a familiar feeling that, were he a more sensitive person, he might even shed a tear or two.

Seeing Papa looking on, Brekki also moves over one chair and offers the empty spot to Papa, "Have you played before? It's an easy game to learn, but it takes a long time to master. I'll give you a few pointers if you need them." Then he quickly explains the rules.

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"Happy bees" Griin says again. Are you headed east with the half-elf? I told her, but I'll tell you, too, watch the sky. There's a hard rain coming, maybe tomorrow night, maybe tomorrow afternoon."

Surprised by the offer, Papa grins. He looks briefly more handsome and younger, then he drops back to his usual detached and mature solemnity.

"Sure, I'll play." He sits. "But let me watch first what goes on. I don't want to jump in recklessly."

"My name is Quadratus, by the way. Nice to meet you."

"Grekki Brakkisborn," says the first dwarf, returning to the board and setting up the pieces.
"Vilrotti Hanisborn," says the second. "We're ironmongers, headed for Diotua. We heard that nobody is doing any cast-iron there."
The first game goes fairly quickly, Grekki is a good player, and respectful enough of Brusen to play competitively. After one game, the dwarf slides over one chair and allows Papa to move in. By this time, Fraso has taken an interest and has plopped down at the end of the table with his food, to watch more closely.

Papa plays conservatively, only with copper or (at most) silver. He seems more interested in the other players than the game, so his concentration is not what it could be.

Hearing the noises from inside the small building Angel puts her head in her hands... Her dirty blonde hair falling about her face.

"Why can't I do that?" She mutters to herself...

"Thanks for the heads up," Elias says, finishing the bread.

"That was good," he adds, gesturing at the bowl of honey. "Where does it come from?"

A shadow crosses in front of Angel. She looks forward, rather than up (so as not to be dazzled by the sun) and sees familiar clothing. Then Sallia plops down on the bench next to her. "I know how you feel. I am the only girl living in Master Fraso's house. He and my brother sometimes drink together at the house, or go to the pub or the fights, and leave me home. It's boring.
"I was so glad to see a woman on this trip. I thought I was going to have the spend the whole trip babysitting a dozen stuck-up warriors."

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"It's local. The man who runs this trading post keeps bees. I looked at his operation closely, strictly for the purpose of seeing that the bees are not being mistreated, mind you, and then decided to sample some honey, again, strictly for research purposes." the druid smiles mischieviously.

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After several games of penge-soldat have passed, with various folk taking turns at the table, including Fraso (who is terrible at it - all direct, persistent A and no D), Hiric enters the room and catches Fraso's eye.
Fraso rises. "I fear, folks, that we may have overstayed our luncheon. We had best be getting on the road, lest we find ourselves traveling in the dark before we reach next stopping point.

Angel attempts a smile at Sallia, its a rough approximation of one..

"Drinking, I have no problems, I can drink most men under the table, except Master Brusen, who has bested me many a time." She pauses, watching the girl's expression. "It..." She stammers.

"Forgive me, I do not talk so openly often, my skill is with my blade, not with my words." Pausing, she shrugs, "Oh... Conversation does not come easy to me, a habit of spending too much time in ones own company I guess." She gives a little laugh, one that is suprisingly danity. Her face begins to soften slightly,
the last few years of worry lift off, Momentarily.

"Yes you are not alone on this trip, although I would not seek out freedom from boredom so easily. You maybe suprised as to the outcome."

Seeing the others rise slowly she stands, slipping on her helm.
"We shall talk again, I will try to be more... friendly... " She pauses, "Un.... unless you wish to ride with me? Praesul can take us both.. "

Papa nods in silent agreement to Fraso and stands up. "We'll be going now. Thank you for your hospitality, Grekki, Volrotti."

Elias glances towards his employer.

"It seems it is time for me to go. It was good to meet you again. Be safe on your travels."

"More comfortable in the wagon, I think," Sallia says. "And I have to be available should Master Fraso need anything."

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The dwarves bid their fellow game players goodbye and begin setting the board up again.

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Griin smiles as Elias rises. "Be safe as well. The road is a more dangerous place than the deepest forest."

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Hiric is waiting beside the wagon when Fraso exits the roadhouse, and gives the man a leg up onto the wagon. Then he mounts up and waits for his escort to get organized.

[OOC] Anyone want to volunteer to put together a marching order for me? [/OOC]

"Yes, yes" Angel lowers her head "That is very true, it was nice talking, thank you, we will do it again." She shoulders her weapons and throws her cloak on the horse's back.

"We have a storm coming, lets move while we can. Oh, and check your things..."

[ooc] Order... hmm, just a suggestion...
Elias = Scout

Angel

Wagon = Papa, Fraso, Hiric, Sallia

Bastion / Brusen

I think it works.
[/ooc]

Bastian nods a farewell to the dwarves and thanks them for showing him the game. He makes his way to Gertrude and somehow manages to get to keep her complacent while he prepares for the journey.

[OOC: I was going to take up position behind the wagon, anyway. ]