Keepers Of Goreth Chapter 2 Merchants Silver followed behind the other three men at a discrete distace. The mood of the group was somber being dictated by Togear and Timium. Only Ferlick remained unaffected by the heavy atmosphere which clouded the group. He seemed contentto stride along in silece. Gazing at the passing buildings with a half hearted interest. Silver fidgeted as hefollowed the others, feeling uncomfortable in this new and unexpected environment. He had needed wor and had found it. He thought he had prepared himself for any eventuality, but never in his wildest dreams had he imagined that he would take up employment as a hired mercenary. What was he doing here? He was no mercenary. He was a performer, an acrobat who entertained the masses and spent their time disciplining their bodies. Mercenries slept on the ground and drank too much. He sighed wondering if it had really been wise to accept Togear's offer. "We are here." Togear announced standing outside a small tavern. He turned climbed a set of stairs leading the way up to the tavern door. A wooden sign, half rotten and split down the middle hung crookedly above the entrance. Anumber of characters were printed upon the sign but Silver was unable to understand them. He'd never been terribly good at reading, or writing for that matter. "Hmmm 'The Gypsie Bar', how quaint." Ferlick murmured before following the other two men into the Inn. Silver took a deep breath ad followed him through, pausing before descending down another flight of stairs into the Taverns common room. The Inn was large and clearly esigned to house a large number of Patrons. A number of tables were scattered about the floor to his left and to his right was asmall stage where I would be Artisan stood reciting poetry. "Oh dark night, Oh black night, Oh terrible night..." The artisan cried in a melodromatic and yet whiny voice. Full of confidence generated by his own pretentious self importance. Ferlick also watched the would be poet, a frown across his face. "He should try smething that rhymes with night. Might add a bit of variety." Silver whispered. Ferlick smirked before covering his mouth to hide a snort. "It is rather tedious isn't it." "I just got here and already I'm falling asleep." Ferlick nodded in mocking solemness. Their critique of the poet was cut short though as Timium interrupted. "Come, our employer awaits." Silver shrugged before nodding and falling into line behind the Semerin. Timium led the way to the bar where a slim man of Silver's height stood talking to Togear. He had long thick black hair pulled back into a ponytail with few if any stray hairs loose. It was an unusual style that many could mistake as effeminate. Yet his stance and sharp features dissloved any question as to his gender or personal preferences. He carried himself proudly and was clearly of good breeding. Standing in similar fashion to a nobleman with shoulders back chest out and chin high. He stood with both arms crossed nodding as Togear spoke. Frowning with intense concentration as he hung on every word. As the they approached, however, he smiled almost inperceptably and turned regarding the three men with intense blue eyes. He looked each up and down as if examining a horse or some other farm animal. His brows frowned when he turned to Silver, a look of surprise upon his face. Silver blinked, and looked himself up and down, feeling self concious all of a sudden. Becoming painfully aware off his own shoddy appearence when compared with the merchant. The man's clothes, although simple, were neatly worn to maximum effect and of an expensive cut. The cloth was clearly of a good quality, even to Silvers untrained eye. His trousers were pressed and he wore ankle high boots which were polished to a shine. His tunic was also black and tucked neatly beneath his belt. Silver's own clothes stank heavily of old dry sweat. The knees of his own trousers were ripped and stained with mud, dirt and rain. The result of numerous days of travelling by foot on the road. His tunic was was simple and tied together sloppily, tucked beneath his trousers in some places and hanging loose in others. It was also riddled with holes. He made a sorry sight in amongst his new companions. A fact that this merchant had clearly noted. "Greetings gentlemen." The merchant saidin a thick Palorthian accent. "I've heard much praise from your sponsor, Togear mon Ember. But I must confess, he spoke only of two of you, a Weaver and a Semerin. Who then is this third man?" He looked pointedly at Silver. Not disrespectfully, but rather with a curious stare. Silver took a deep breath before preparing tointrduce himself. Timium intervened, however, cutting him off completely. "This is Silver." He explained in means of introduction "My Valet." "VALET!?!" Silver cried in shock. He was about to protest further, but a pointed look from Togear silenced him. "Ah that explains it then." Sighed the Merchant, nodding as if he had not noticed Silver's outburst. "You must be the Semerin, Timium ap Starsword." Timium nodded, ignoring Silver's dirty look. "Which I suppose would make you Ferlick mon Weaver. I am Nirald mon Ops, I feel fortunate to find such esteemed company. A Weaver travelling with a Semerin is rare indeed." "Is it really true that you have befriended the Avian?" Ferlick burst out excidedly. Each of the other three men all panicked as one and moved to shush the Weaver. Silver merely stood grinding his teeth. "Silence you fool!" Timium scolded "Would you have the whole world know?" Ferlick gasped and bit on his lip guiltily, clearly chastised for his loose tongue. "My apologies, I forgot myself." He replied wincing. "Nethertheless my friend, you must watch what you say in future." Nirald added. "Discretion is the word of the day." He look around conspiritorily "Come let us adjourne to a quieter location. Where we might discuss the business at hand in more ease and dare I say comfort." "Very well then." replied Timium as the group moved as one to make arrangements fore a private room. Silver stood angrily in his place. Refusing to move. "I'm a bloody Valet now am I?" He seethed "Well we'll just see about that!" Togear turned noticing Silver's apparent reluctance to join the group. He nodded his head fiercly indicating that Silver should follow. Grumpliy Dilver obeyed walking with his hands in his pockets sulkily. "Master Timium, have your Vvalet stand guard. Then we might continue our discussion secure in our privacy." Nirald suggested t Timium, who nodded giving Silver a pointed look. Silver shook his head in disgust and threw his hands into the air. "That's it! I'm outta here!" But as he turned on his heel Togear grabbed him on the shoulder firmly. "Master Merchant," Togear interrupted "If you will excuse me, I have some personal matters to attend to. Besides the finer details of your contract don't concern me. I might have a few words with young Silver before I go though." Nirald looked from the Acrobat to the Houseleader silently before nodding. "I understand." He answered. "Good luck and good jouney to you Master Merchant." Nirald smiled almost condescendingly and again nodded. "And to you." He then led the way into the private room and shut the door. "You never said anything about being Timium ap bloody Starswords Valet!" Silver cried accusingly. "I thought you were hiring me as a mercenary!" The elder man stood impassively, matching Silver's glare calmly. "Perhaps we should have consulted you about it, but both Ferlick and Timium have trained for years and are better equipped for this position that you. The Palorthian wouldn't have acepted you into his company any other way." "So what, you think I've been wasting my time for the last nine years? I've trained hard too. Neither or them could do what I can. I can walk on my hands as well as my feet. I can balance on a rope at thirty feet above the ground, stretch my body into plaes you couldn't dream of." "All very impressive." Togear interrupted cooly "But how will that help you against the Avian, or the Shankin bandits?" Silver fell silent and dropped his head, unable to come up with a retort. "Look Silver, your skills have worth believe me I know. But I need more from you. Timium can teach you those things you need to know in order to join the Blue Embers if thats what you really want to do. But, there is another reason I want you to go with this merchant." Silver looked up curiously. "You toldme yourself that you have spent some time on the streets." "Yeah, almost two months." "Thats why I need you." "What because I've slept in garbage?" Silver frowned not really understanding what the elder man was getting at. "No, because you have a better idea of how the real world works. Ferlick despite being very smart is somewhat naive in the ways of the world and the code of ethics and sense of honour that Timium was brought up with will likely lead him to unestimate how devious some people can get." "So what you're saying is, your looking for a right scoundrel to watch their backs." Silver chuckled. "A bastard to protect them from the other bastards." "I didn't mean it exactly like that." Togear snorted "But basically thats the deal." Silver frowned thinking the proposal through. Despite the joke, he couldn't help but feel that there was something going on here that he didn't understand. Could it be that Togear didn't trust this merchant? Or was he just saying just saying this to placate Silver. To convince him to undertake the quest if you will. Despite himself Silver felt intrigued by the air of mystery that surrounded this transaction. Before he knew it he found himself nodding quietly. "O.K I'll be Timium's bloody Valet." He said reluctantly. "Good lad" said Togear slapping him on the arm. "When you return from Kel Tarath visit me. We'll talk again then." "Sure." Silver shrugged rying to appear nonchalant about his decision. But in the back of his mind he couldn't help wondering if he would live to regret this decision. The two continued talking for a brief period of time. Togear offered some more words of encouragement along with further assurances that should he wish to jointhe Blue Embers upon his return there would be a place for him amongst the local militia. Soon though Togear excused himself and left to conduct his own business. Left to his own devises Silver leaned against the wall and absently watched the other members of the bar. His mind though was elsewhere as he thought overthe conversation he had just had. There was an element of truth to what Togear had said, but he couldn't help but be intrigued by the apparent cloud of mystery that surrounded what came down to -as he saw it- the establishment of a new trade route. He didn't know much about the Avian. Actually he had only heard their name in passing. A mysterious race of people who lived deep within the Shankin mountains, and had some sort of strange affinity with birds. They were an agressive and aloof race who tended not to mix with the other Gorethians. The only ones who would know anything about them would be the Shankin bandits. A band of cut throats led by the mysterious Bandit King. They were highly organised and well hidden within the mountains, who had been a constant thorn in the side of the Noblemen of the surrounding areas. The King had sent numerous patrols into the mountain range to try and flush them out but to date none had succeeded. They either failed to find them, or were attacked themselves by the bandits they sought, or the Avian. It was common opinion that the two groups must have some sort of alliance or at least an understanding. Otherwise one of the two (Most likely the Avian) would have wiped the other out. Or at least driven them out of the mountains. Silver reasoned that if he Shankin bandits could come to an understanding with the Avian then it was not inconceivable for this merchant Nirald to come to a similar arrangement. Silver was most curious to know what those arrangements might be. Before he could consider this further the door to the private room opened and the three men walked out. "So gentlemen the arrangements are to your satisfaction?" Nirald asked. "Yes they will be fine," Timium answered "However, about the woman. Are you sure that.." "She insists upon coming aloing and I have no objections." Nirald interrupted. "Still the Shankin mountains are not the sort of place..." "Rest assured she is capable of looking after herself. I thankyou for your concern, but I would suggest you look to your own affairs." Nirald retorted rudely. Timium watched as Nirald strode off a scowl upon his face. When the merchant had disappeared up the stairs to the exit he turned to face Silver. "So your still here then." Silver didn't reply. Timium took his silence as confirmation. "Very well then. In that case we will require provisions and you will need decent clothes, shoes and a weapon. Go to the market and purchase these goods. I will procure a sword for you myself. Something light I think. In the meantime use this silver to purchase these things. Remember the journey will take at least a week maybe two. There should be enough there to cover all our needs. I am staying at the Inn of the Lazy Wolf. Meet me there when you are finished" Timium threw a small pouch of money to Silver who caught it in one hand. He nodded once and then strode towards the exit. Half way there he stopped for a moment and half turned looking back at his new Valet. "Silver, I ah.. I'm glad you decided to stay." "Yeah." Silver replied dryly. Timium remained rooted to his spot for a few more moments as if he wanted to say more. But then he turned and without another word he turned and left. Silver shook his head in exasperation. Wondering if maybe he shouldn't just take the money and run. Before he could explore the idea further though he felt a tap on his shoulder and turned to see Ferlick beeming cheerfully at him. "Mind if I accompany you? I have a few herbs and other odds and ends that I need" Silver shrugged with a friendly grin and nodded his ascent.