The Barons' Game

[Magikeeper]

"The gruel is always cheap and filling, Monsieur. May I suggest, however, this week's special? The chicken and mushroom fricassee is half price and truly a pleasure for the senses." The waiter motioned towards the meal in question, the delightful smell within reach but sadly in the possession of another hungry diner.

"There's also the standard offer for one's meal to be on the house if they have any.. news of great interest to tell the bar master. If you are full of secrets it's the quickest way to become full of food instead." The water paused for the briefest of moments before remembering to add "Ah, please don't tell the bar master secrets that come with assassins. He's had quite enough of those."

[Darby]

"I may not have known anything useful for years, but this bar master sounds like someone I ought to meet. In the meantime, Yes, I'll have the Gruel AND the special, please, you sold me."

[Nathaniel]

"I'd like to have some Beef Stew if you have it. I've been traveling for a while, eating nothing but jerky and potatoes for the past few weeks." Nathan said, hoping to finally get some real food.

[Jebidiah]

Jebidiah wasl enjoying the exchanges. He filled away all the information and placed an order while they waited. "Surprise me good sir. Something flavorful and robust to eat, and something creamy to drink."

[Heulen]

Heulen, having been distracted from most of the conversation due to his ever increasing hunger, finally had found himself somewhere he could fill his pit of a stomach.

"Excuse me sir, do you sell meat by the animal? If so, I'd like three cooked chickens and a three tankards of your sweetest mead."

[Agnes]

"Someone mentioned gruel? That will be fine, otherwise I'll have whatever is easiest." Agnes said as she put a stack of silver coins on the bar. It was clearly worth more than a meal.

She unsheathed her blade and took out a dusty looking rag and began polishing it. After all, she had dug into the earth earlier and it wouldn't do to let that sit for too long.

[Magikeeper]

The waiter nodded towards Darby, and then answered each of the hungry patrons in turn.

To Nathaniel, "Imported Beef will be a little more expensive, Monsieur, as the water mages keep it fresh from Casawek. Will that be alright? If not, I recommend the our Tomato-Garlic Stew with Chicken."

To Jebidiah, "Ah, I know just the thing! It's a favorite of no less than two barons."

To Heulen, "We do indeed. Three lightly seasoned roast chickens and three tankards of Sweetcomb Mead should hit the spot."

To Agnes, the waiter nods and notes "It will be done."

Finally, to Bruce "The usual, Monsieur?"
"That would be delightful, thank you." is the man's reply.

Javier suddenly woke with a start. "We've found Mademoiselle Arielle and her mercenary friend Mademoiselle Tirica."

Bruce practically jumped out of his seat. "There's hardly a need fo- no, no, it is quite urgent." He sits back down. "Please continue"

Javier nodded, picking up a slate and writing on it before the group.

'A: What is it, Bruce? Tell me Hadrian hasn't pulled yet another trick!'

"Not so, my lady. I've met with Monsieur Nathanial and it turns out he arrived with a suitable group."

'A: Truly!? Quick, tell me their names and affiliations. Hadrian's given us a list of everyone he's secretly hired over the years.'

Bruce shared the name of those present, and, if given, any affiliations they may have as well.

'A: They aren't on the list. I'd like to say this is a genuine miracle.. but, and I sincerely request you don't take any offense, this feels a little convenient? An almost complete team made up of completely unrelated individuals, showing up ready and willing at the same time while avoiding every pitfall? I simply must see them in person.'

"Well, as soon as we-"

'A: We've already flagged down a carriage, I'll meet you either at the inn or while on the road as you prefer.'

"That's really not-"

'A: If this fails I might never leave the city again. This is Hadrian we're talking about, I half expect him to keep me in a glass showing box.'

"What? Mademoiselle, he's a scoundrel but there are laws-"

'A: Tirica and I have papers detailing the competition, to the extent such information is available. It is.. disconcerting. Few of these names ring a bell or have ANY history of mercenary work prior to three weeks ago, yet they all seem to be quite powerful! Of the ones with lengthier histories.. something.. something seems off. I think they've been fabricated, but I can't imagine Hadrian wouldn't have a team that truly met his own restrictions. He's a filthy cur but I wouldn't be in such dire straights if he was a dumb one.'

Bruce turned pale at the audacity of a proper mademoiselle calling a fellow noble a filthy cur! The feeling passed, however. She was referring to Monsieur Hadrian, after all. Javier, for his part, didn't look like he had thought anything of it at all.

'T: The carriage is almost here, Arielle. We should give our saviors a chance to ask any quick questions before we set off to meet them in person."

[Darby]

While waiting for his food, Darby approaches the bar master.

"Hello. I hear you're the one to tell secrets to. What's your name, and under what circumstances do you release that information to the wild?"

[Nathaniel]

To the waiter, "The Chicken Stew is fine." Nathan says, putting his order down before he gets swept into the conversation.

To Madam Arielle, "I'd like to know if there is a time limit for this game."

[Agnes]

"Be sure to bring those papers. I'd like to look over them." Agnes added.