A slightly overcast day in Haven. Cool, but not uncomfortable as the tail end of spring moves into summer. A rather nice day, if a bit brisk. The wind is enough to grab a hat or two, and keep the sails of the ships in the Big Serpent full. It's a few days before the Kumquat Festival, and things are getting ready.
Many new vendors have already shown up, and the first caravans from the outer regions have arrived, carrying their goods. And a few even contain kumquats.
Near one edge of the market is a mid-sized tent that has become somewhat more popular with the locals. The wind catches briefly at a small banner planted in front, a golden, winged staff entwined by a pair of serpents. The tent flap opens and a large wolf emerges and looks over the waiting line...one that never seems to get any shorter. In a rough voice that carries over the wind, he says "Next!", and escorts a small raccoon fem into the tent.
Kibra smiles as the raccoon female enters with Zilvar.
The inside of the tent is spacious, with room enough for Kibra to work...and Zilvar to stand out of the way when he's unable to be helpful. The thick cloth insulates the insides from the cool winds without, leaving the tent comfortably warm.
Zilvar directs the fem to go to Kibra and positions himself nearby to listen.
Kibra tilts her head reassuringly. "What seems to be the problem?"
The little raccoon chitters quickly, "I cut myself...a week ago, and it isn't healing well. Lyonie, next door, said that Friesha said that her boy got good healing from here and I should try it."
Kibra nods, smiling a bit.."I'm glad the little boy is better..may I look at your cut?"
Outside the tent, a young otter watches the tent for a bit.
The raccoon fem holds out her hand, which is shrouded in thick bandages. She winces, "It hurts to take the cloths off...I haven't tried since...well, for a couple days."
Kibra nods, turning a moment and taking a small cup.."This is a cold tea..it will numb the pain..please drink it."
The little raccoon smiles and takes the cup, sniffing at the tea and wrinkling her nose before sipping the tea, and then downing the rest in one gulp.
Kibra chuckles softly and begins to unwrap the bandages, a slight, unnoticed glow surrounding the fem's paw.
Samantha wanders around the booths, looking around for something, or things... and showing a great deal of pickiness about exactly what she gets. Much to the dismay of several overeager salesmen.
Acera grins as she tags along with Nalae, "Isn't this fun? In a few days my favorite festival will be here Nalae."
Kibra puts the bandages aside and carefully examines the cut.
The fem relaxes under Kibra's ministrations, flinching only a little in reflex when the last of the bandages is removed, showing the red and infected knife wound across her paw.
Nalae follows along, rather overwhelmed by the surroundings. "What's that?" she asks Acera, only half-paying attention as her eyes are drawn to the many garishly colored booths....
Acera grins, "The Kumquat festival. ;)"
Samantha says, "Acera, calm down and be nice..."
Kibra hms, gently poking at the injury. "I do not believe you will need stitches, but the infection must be removed."
Acera pouts, "Hey, it's not MY fault Ankhl is super allergic to em."
Nalae looks between Acera and Samantha, blinking slowly, then ohs softly as Acera explains. She smirks a bit as well.
The little raccoon nods. "You can help me then? I was afraid it was going to far to be helped."
Samantha sighs, and shakes her head. "No, but it is your fault that you keep rubbing it in. Literally."
The young otter, rather nicely dressed, seems to be asking questions of Kibra's patients.
Nalae looks over at Acera curiously.
Acera snugs Nalae, "Well sis, whatcha wanna do? Ma's got some more shopping to do, right ma?"
Kibra nods.."I can help you..or rather, I will give you a series of medicines that will help. First I'll drain the wound, then clean it and rebandage it."
Zilvar looks up at Kibra with the air of having done this before. "How long? I'll let the line outside know when to start looking organized again."
Samantha says, "Yes, I do. I've got to find some fake jewelry that matches an exact pattern."
Acera blinks, "Fake jewelry?"
Kibra smiles to Zilvar.."About 20 time units."
Nalae regards Samantha curiously, listening.
Zilvar nods and slips out of the tent. He scans the crowd and calls out in the local tongue, "Next patient in 20"
The young otter notices Zilvar and stares right at him for a minute.
Kibra busies herself with the wound, gently treating the injury.
Acera shrugs, "Ma is weird sometimes. You've been kinda quiet Nalae, whatcha wanna do? We can get some food if you wanna? Or maybe visit the museum?"
Samantha nods. "There's a particular sap from a tree that grows in a forest several miles from here, that's used to create some fake gemstones. It's a lot easier to buy the costume jewelry that uses the right plant than to find one of the trees this far away."
Zilvar notices the otter's gaze, and calmly moves toward him.
Nalae shrugs a bit. "I dunno.. food would be good, I guess..."
The otter's eyes go wide as he realizes he's drawn the wolf's attention and runs off into the crowd.
The little raccoon fem is a very agreeable patient.
Kibra smiles to the little raccoon.."Please let me know if I hurt you."
Zilvar purses his lips and stops. "Great."
Acera grins, "Good. We can get some more of that meat onna stick. Hey ma, you got my coins?"
Nalae grins back at Acera.
Kibra's patient nods emphatically. "I'm sure that if you do then lots of people will know very quickly."
Kibra chuckles. She finished cleaning the wound, packs it with some herbs and rebandages it. "There, is that too tight?"
Zilvar walks back into the tent, looking a bit distracted.
Had Zilvar been able to find the otter, he would have seen him run into a nobles house, and minutes later emerge with two large bear morphs and be followed at a distance by someone in fancy clothes.
The little fem shakes her head, "Nono! That feels much better than I had done. Should I come back tomorrow?"
Samantha shakes her head. "Yes, dear, I have your coins. Just don't spend them all in one place, all right?" She hands Acera a small pouch.
Kibra nods.."Yes, I'd like to check it tomorrow. Also, here is a packet of tea. You should brew it with hot water and drink it with tonight's meal."
The fem takes the tea and puts it into her pouch. "I will! How much do I owe you for your help?"
Acera grins, "C'mon Nalae. We'll be over by the food vendors, ok ma?"
Kibra smiles.."One coin, please. That will cover tomorrow's visit as well."
Samantha nods. "All right, Acera. Take care of yourself, both of you."
Nalae nods quickly, reaching to take Acera's hand in hers.
The little fem is already in the process of reaching for her pouch when Kibra tells her the cost. She looks vaguely surprised, but pulls out the requested amount and places it in Kibra's hand. "Thank you so much!
Kibra smiles, taking the coin. "You are welcome. Take care of that hand, and I'll see you tomorrow."
Acera grins and chitters, "So, there's lots of good meat vendors this time. Want to sample a couple Nalae?"
Zilvar escorts the little fem out of the tent, but this time doesn't immediately bring someone else in.
Zilvar closes the tent flap and looks at Kibra. "I'm not sure, but we may have some trouble."
Kibra stands quickly.."What's happening?"
The otter shows up, with two large bear morphs towering over him. He motions towards the tent.
Zilvar jerks his head. "I saw someone outside. I think he was asking questions.
Kibra says, "Should we exit out the back?"
Nalae oohs and nods at Acera. "Okay! Sounds good!"
Zilvar grins a bit. "No. This is our source of income...and I could be wrong.
Kibra nods.."I'll be ready, just in case."
Samantha continues her trek around the vendors, trying to find someone selling exactly the right type of costume jewelry.
Acera snugs her ma and then bounds towards the food with Nalae.
Zilvar nods. "Good.
Zilvar turns back to the tent flap and opens it to call out for the next patient.
A figure stays in the shadows behind the otter as the otter sends the two bears towards the tent. The two bodyguards motion the crowd to move away as Zilvar comes out.
Zilvar steps fully out of the tent and crosses his arms. Bluntly, he says, "What?"
The first bear turns to look at Zilvar, he growls, "You need to move your tent."
Nalae bounds along with Acera, smiling. "Is there lotsa good kinds of food here?" She does seem a lot more at ease in the town than she did before.. though she does seem a trifle easily startled, and frequently moves in close to Acera's side as strangers pass too near the two kits.
Zilvar keeps his gaze on the otter, "Why?"
Acera nodnods, "Lots of it. Ya saw those odd ships in the harbor? Traders bring in lotsa spices and stuff, to make the food taste better. Hey, there's a meat pie vendor."
Nalae smiles and nods, following along with Acera.
The otter seems to be trying to stay out of it as the second bear moves on the other side of Zilvar and the first growls, "Our boss told us ta move you out of here. That's all I need to know."
Zilvar halfsmiles, still not acknowledging the bear's existence beyond responding to his questions. "Then I wish to speak with your boss. I won't waste my time with you."
The bear looks at the otter who just nods and steps back. The bear behind Zilvar takes a swing at his head.
Acera grins and orders two meat pies, "Careful, still got the bones in em."
Kibra hears the commotion and peers out the tent flap.
Nalae nods slowly, blinking at the pies uncertainly.
The other bear swings at Zilvar's gut.
Samantha frowns at some of the commotion going on, and keeps an eye on things without directly intervening just yet.
The pies that they have are more like bread rolled over meat. They smell of meat and spices and a few vegetables.
Nalae sniffs at the meat pies dubiously, glancing over at Acera.
Zilvar ducks and steps in toward the bear swinging at his head. In the same motion, he strikes the bear in the chest with his fist.
Acera bites into the pie carefully, and comes up with a bone sticking out her mouth. ;)
The bear OOFS as the bear that was striking at Zilvar's gut switches his aim to the wolf's back.
Kibra jumps out the tent.."GENTLEMEN! What is this all about?!?!"
The bears ignore Kibra as they try to work Zilvar over.
Zilvar rolls around behind the bear he just struck, putting the large mass between him and the other. He snaps his elbow back, aiming for his unwitting shield's spine.
Kibra blinks as her shout as no effect. She leans on a tent pole, watching.
Nalae cautiously takes a small bite of her meat pie, and smiles at Acera.
The bear isn't quite as clumsy as his bulk suggests, and rolls so that Zilvar's blow impacts his less vulnerable side. The other bear pulls short on his blow and jumps at Zilvar.
The shadowed figure notices Samantha and walks over to her and purrs, "Samantha Beiter?"
Zilvar mphs and spins around, levelling a kick at the onrushing bear.
Acera notes the commotion and chitters, "Hey, I think it's a fight Nalae!"
Nalae blinks, turning towards the noise. "A.. a fight?"
To the amazement of the crowd, the bear's motion not only stops, but he flies about 5 feet backwards and lands on his back, holding his gut and groaning.
Samantha looks up. "Who wants to know?"
Kibra blinks a bit.
The figure with Samantha hmmms, "My name is Starling Dactyle the VI, but it looks like this is taking less time than I thought. One moment, I'll be back m'lady."
The remaining bear roars and leaps at Zilvar, fangs and claws bared.
Kibra gasps and steps back a bit.
Samantha looks mildly annoyed at all this. "I hope so."
Zilvar uses the force of his kick to roll away and to his feet some 5 or 6 feet from where he was standing. When he comes up he jumps to the side and grins at the bear. "I suggest, for your sake, that you stop NOW."
The deer walks up and nods, "Agreed. Jorge, take Leony home and fix him up. I'd like to talk to our friend here."
Acera aws, "It's already over Nalae."
Nalae looks a bit more relieved than Acera. ;)
The bear nods and goes over to help his prone friend, "Sure thing Mr. Dactyl."
Zilvar glances at the deer, but walks over to the tent where he murmurs to Kibra. "Sorry about that. I have problems with being pushed around by unnamed 'bosses'.
Kibra shakes her head to Zilvar.."Are you all right?"
Samantha folds her arms across her chest and watches things get cleaned up.
Zilvar grins a bit. "I'm fine, Kibra. You can save a few herbs."
The deer flicks his ears amusedly. "I can see that you don't like being pushed around at all. And are very good at protecting you and your lady, though I had to be sure and I apologize if they were too...eager. But it looks like they were in more danger than you, as I thought."
Kibra chuckles to Zilvar, then turns to look at the deer.
The deer, with a bit of grey in his fur, nods to both and says, "I am Starling Dactyl the VI. I'd like to hire you two."
Zilvar turns around to look at the deer. "You have a strange way of attempting to do so."
Kibra nods, agreeing with Zilvar.."You said you had to be sure...sure of what?"
Starling nods, "I needed to make sure you could take care of yourself. A few bruises now are better than having your bodies on my conscience later."
Kibra raises an eyebrow. "What do you wish to hire us for?"
Zilvar hmphs softly, but lets Kibra speak.
Starling purrs, "Can we speak inside your tent? Or at a more convenient time later today after you've seen your patients? My apologies for disrupting your practice. I've heard good things about your work m'lady."
Kibra nods.."Perhaps later today."
Zilvar glances at the line. "If things progress as normal..and we get no more interruptions, then I'd expect her to be done by dinner."
Starling nods and offers Zilvar a gold piece, "For your troubles. You can do some work for these people for free if they can't pay, or consider it payment for our talk this evening. I'll be by later, right now I have another person to talk to, and I'll see you at dinner. You won't have any more interruptions. You have my word on that."
Kibra nods, taking the coin before Zilvar.."See you at dinner, sir."
Zilvar lets out a slow breath and puffs a lock of hair out of his eyes. "Right. After dinner."
Zilvar says, "Or at dinner. Or whenever."
The deer bows, his antlers showing some wear, but still impressive. "Thank you for being so understanding. I hope my reasons are sufficient later to have you forgive me. I have a feeling your friend isn't going to, but I don't blame him. After dinner then." At which point the deer turns around and walks back toward Samantha.
Kibra pockets the coin and chuckles softly.."We couldn't let him buy us dinner?"
Zilvar looks at Kibra, "Do I have to mention that I'm not happy with this?"
Samantha is standing exactly where she was before, watching the whole affair.
Kibra's eyes darken. "I know you're not. It won't hurt us to listen to him, Zilvar. And we need a steady source of income."
Starling pads back up to Samantha and says, "My apologies m'lady. I had to make sure my employees didn't get hurt. Can we talk somewhere?"
Samantha says, "Certainly. How long is this likely to take? I will want to make sure my daughter doesn't get worried about me."
Zilvar looks Kibra in the eyes for a few moments, chewing on his lower lip. Finally, he turns and looks at the crowd and yells, "NEXT!"
Kibra sighs softly and returns to the inside of the tent.
Starling grins, "Only a few minutes I hope. There is a bench over there, near the vendors that your daughters are harassing. You seem to have a thing for adopting cute minks for children."
Zilvar escorts the next patient into the tent and takes his customary position near the entrance.
Samantha smirks, shaking her head. "They're far less of a problem than mine own has been."
Starling nods, "Yes, my own son has been a thorn in my side. I think he was working with your son for a while. I've heard rumors something scared your son into giving up, at least for a while?"
Samantha nods. "He got in enough over his head that he actually recognized he was."
The elderly deer leads Samantha to a bench under a large tree, where they can watch the two mustelids cause minor mischief. He waits for Samantha to be seated first.
Samantha brushes her skirt out, then sits down. "Now..."
Starling sits and grins, "Now, I have a few questions of you. I understand that you were there when these..spacer creatures arrived?"
Samantha says, "I was, yes."
Starling nods, it looks odd as his antlers move. "Can you tell me your version of it? I already talked to your son."
Samantha leans back. "Where should I start?"
Starling grins, "Wherever you feel comfortable m'lady. I have some time to kill before I have to convince a wolf not to kill something other than time."
Samantha snorts. "The actual summoning using the Holy Bacon was a bit rushed, as the people who had it wanted to get the beacon running before anyone else traced them down. We went down to a nice flat area to do it properly."
The deer chuckles, "Well, we can have the formal ceremonies later. The chipmunk actually solved some problems, even if the council doesn't want to admit it. ;)"
Samantha nods. "An executive decision is useful at times. Anyhow, we turned the thing on, and a ship came down from the sky very soon thereafter. They were apparently already in the area and heard what they saw as a distress signal."
Starling nods, "Can you describe what the spacers were like?"
Samantha says, "Hmm. Most of them were odd creatures; four legged, and then an upper body that had two arms as well. One of them was different, and actually changed his body while we were there."
With a nod the elderly deer grins and says, "Would you feel that these..creatures can be trusted for the most part?"
Samantha says, "I think that, despite coming from another world, they're fairly ordinary people. Some can be trusted, some can't. The one that seemed to be in charge seemed trustworthy."
This seems to reassure Starling, "So, decent leadership at least. Good. Now for my question to you. You know the regions outside of Haven, the wild areas, very well?"
Samantha nods. "I would say that, yes."
Starling asks, "Would you be willing to give advice and guidance for moving through some of those areas? In return for compensation of course."
Samantha thinks about this for a moment. "Yes, I would. If only to make sure you don't all go trampling through my garden on the way by."
Starling chuckles, "I'll make sure of that m'lady. Good, may I visit you at your home at a later date? Probably in a day or two?"
Business around Kibra's tent slows down as the evening shadows lengthen, though the crowds do not seem to be dispersing much, perhaps hoping for another show, like the fight against the ursines. Finally, the tall wolf steps out of the tent and waves his arms. "No more today. Come back tomorrow!"
Samantha nods again. "I think that would be doable. You know where it is and how to get there?"
Starling nods, "I was able to get directions out of Ankhl. I may try and hire him for some legitimate work, with your approval of course."
Kibra stands inside the tent, stretching. Her eyes are a bit dark and tired.
Samantha says, "If you can hold him to it, you have my permission."
Zilvar waits until the crowd moves on before slipping back inside the tent. He looks at Kibra in uneasy silence for a few moments before moving to her worktable to help with the cleanup.
Kibra packs her herbs and supplies, finishing fairly quickly.
Starling nods as he notes the motions at the healers tent. "I will, believe me. He'll be working with my son for a bit. They both need some work. Then good day, and good luck with your daughters Lady Samantha."
Zilvar sighs. "I guess we meet him here."
Samantha nods, and stands up again. "Good day to you as well, Sir."
Kibra tilts her head.."Zilvar, if you don't want to listen to this, you can go back to the lodging.."
Zilvar sighs, "No, I want to hear what he has to say. I just don't trust him, and I'm not inclined to like someone who would start a fight just to demonstrate a point."
Starling bows to Samantha carefully, "I need to now apologize to a wolf and his lady it seems. Good day."
Kibra pats Zilvar's shoulder. "I agree completely, Zilvar."
Samantha bows in return. "Later."
Starling pads over towards the tent, a serious look on his muzzle.
Zilvar looks at Kibra and relaxes a little, then nods. "OK."
Samantha picks up her things, and pads back over towards Acera and Nalae.
Starling stands outside the tent, and grins as the two little mustelids literally bounce towards Samantha. He sighs as he thinks of his own son. Finally, he shakes his head and says, "Are you ready for dinner? I can come back later at a more convenient ti me."
Zilvar glances at Kibra and nods, shouldering a small pack as he straightens.
Kibra nods, glancing briefly at Zilvar.
Zilvar steps out of the tent, "We're ready.
Kibra moves to stand beside Zilvar.^
Starling nods and says, "I would like to take you two out to eat, as part of my apology."
Zilvar gestures, "Please. Lead the way."
Kibra tilts her head and looks at Zilvar.
The deer bows and leads the two over to the west side of town, to a small but fancy little place called "Creature Delights" in the woods.
Kibra curiously looks around as they walk through town.
Zilvar keeps alert as he follows Starling through the town.
The proprietor, a dashing young lady skunk swirls out and nearly purrs, "Mr. Dactyle. How good to see you, and you have brought ...friends?"
Zilvar stops a pace or so behind Starling.
Starling nods, "I hope Lady Hepzahl. My usual table please. We need to order drinks and our meal first."
Starling turns to Zilvar and Kibra, "What would you like?"
Kibra says, "Pasta, please, for me."
Zilvar looks around the place and shrugs. "Whatever is cooking, I suppose."
Starling hmms, "I'd have expected more of a carnivore's choice. Would your partner prefer some meat in his diet? I'm not one to look down on someone cause of what they eat."
Zilvar looks at the deer. "Steak. Cooked through, with a glass of tea to drink."
Kibra says, "Water for me to drink, please."
Starling nods and makes the order. After a moment a few maids come out and he says, "They'll lead us to our table. It's back amongst the trees, like most of them are."
Zilvar nods.
Kibra nods.
The maids lead them to a nice table out amongst the trees in an alcove. They quickly put the table cloth on, set up three places and put a picture of water and pot of steaming tea on it and light the candles. Then disappear. Starling grins, "After you m'lady."
Kibra slips into a seat.
Zilvar settles next to Kibra, across the table from Starling.
Starling pulls his own chair and sits down, he feels his glass and Kibra's with water. "So, I assume you have a few questions for me. First, introductions. I'm Starling Dactyle VI, one of the council members here, and in charge of an old trade route. And you two are?"
Kibra says, "I am Kibra."
Starling nods, "A lovely name. And your friend?"
Zilvar tilts his head to the side. "Zilvar."
Starling nods, "An interesting duo. I'm almost tempted to ask where you two are from, but right now I don't think I want to know. So, ask the questions on your mind."
Zilvar looks at Kibra and motions that she go ahead, being somewhat more diplomatic than he.
Kibra tilts her head.."Why are you so interested in us?"
Starling hmms, "At first I was just interested in you, Kibra. I have reason to need a healer. But when I got a good look at your friend, I figured you might be a good team. But now for the reason I had my men attack Zilvar. We've had some serious problems with our trade caravans lately. And with the recent contact with these spacers, the "Chirr'T'Thar" or whatever they call themselves, we need to protect those as best we can."
Zilvar speaks up. "I hardly think you were testing those ursines against me."
Starling blinks, "Oh but I was. They're just not overly bright. See, I've had two caravans attacked by raiders. Nearly everyone was killed. Another was ... we're not sure what happened. All we found were bloody bones left of the people on the caravan. I didn't want to send anyone into this without the ability to protect themselves."
Kibra says, "So you want to hire us as bodyguards?"
Zilvar purses his lips.
Starling grins, "Your mate as a bodyguard. You, for your healing talents, and your knowledge. Maybe you can help figure out what attacked that crew, and do something about it. Your skills are quite advanced for this area."
Zilvar coughs softly.
Starling blinks at Zilvar, "Something wrong with your tea?"
Kibra blinks a bit.
Zilvar shakes his head, "Ah..no. Nothing wrong with the tea."
Starling shrugs, "Well, it looks like they are bringing our food. I'll let you think about this for a bit."
Kibra tilts her head and then nods.
The maids pad in, and place a large steak in front of Zilvar, the pasta salad for Kibra and a large salad in front of Starling. They quietly disappear as quickly as they came, after refilling the water pitcher.
Zilvar nods, "All right. Know that we will probably wish to confer.
Kibra takes fork and knife, beginning to eat her pasta.
The elderly deer nods, "Oh of course. You need not decide today if you don't wish too. This is not an easy thing to ask. Had you not done so well against my body guards, I wouldn't even ask you. Despite my reputation, I don't want to see good people die."
Zilvar slices into his steak and lifts the fork to his mouth. "If those are your bodyguards, I hope you aren't paying too much."
Kibra says, "And what is your reputation, sir?"
Starling grins at Zilvar, "Not too much. They are just muscle, not much skill or brain. My better men don't like to be so public. I have a reputation for being a hard person Kibra. Supposedly running Haven behind the scenes. And when younger, a competitor died mysteriously. I was implicated but no proof could be found. Since then, I've rarely used my hired help to keep order, but rumors still abound. And of course, the loss of the people on the caravan adds to that reputation, unfortunately."
Kibra nods, raising an eyebrow.
Zilvar slowly nods, working steadily on his steak.
Starling looks a bit wistful as he chews on his salad, a mix of leafy vegetables and fruit. Finally he says, "We all have to follow the paths we've started. I'd had higher hopes for my son. Ah well. And I do not want you two to add to my reputation. If you feel that this is too dangerous for you, or that I can't give you enough support, say so. I'd hate to have to ask these spacers to do this for me, but it's better than having more die."
Kibra says, "What kind of money are we talking about here?"
Kibra says, "Excuse me for my bluntness."
Zilvar halfsmiles and makes a mental adjustment about who can be more diplomatic.
Starling chuckles, "I prefer honesty m'lady. What kind of money do you think this would be worth?"
Kibra tilts her head.."Zilvar?"
Zilvar stops and taps his finger against the table. "How many have you lost?"
Starling sighs, "With the raiders, I lost 10 people out of 20. Several others were wounded. With the last one, we lost all 20. And no idea what the attackers were. Odd gnaw marks on their bones."
Kibra raises her eyebrow.."Gnaw marks?"
Zilvar shrugs and taps his clawtip against the wood. "If we make it back, at least the salary of those 20. If not, you haven't anything to worry about.
Kibra nods to Zilvar.."Sounds good."
Starling nods, "Quite reasonable. Double that if you can figure out what killed the last one and how to deal with it. Also, all the support you want."
Zilvar halfsmiles. "This may cost you a lot of money."
Starling looks at Zilvar, and a bit of the age in the elder deer's eyes shows for once. He quietly says, "I certainly hope so. I've buried enough good people. Maybe age does give you a better perspective on life."
Zilvar nods. "Perhaps so."
Zilvar looks at Kibra and shrugs. "I'm for it.
Kibra nods, looking at Zilvar.."Then let's do it."
Starling watches the two quietly.
Zilvar sets his fork down. "How big is the caravan?
Starling nods, "Then I wish you the best of luck. You may ask for whatever resources I can provide. And you can decide when to go make the next pick up. Normally it is three covered wagons pulled by Gambzars. We need to get at least two wagon loads from out there."
Kibra finishes her pasta.
Zilvar nods. "Give us directions to your business. We will stop by in the morning and tell you what we need."
Starling stands up and nods, "I'll have one of my men meet you at the Proud Falcon in the morning. You two can stay here and order some dessert possibly. Have a good evening. And again, the best of luck."
Zilvar nods. "Until the morning, then.
Kibra says, "Thank you for dinner."
Starling waves his hand at them, "Thank you for this. I truly hope you are as good as I think you are, I want this stopped. Now. Good night." And with that, the elderly stag walks off into the night, back towards town.
Zilvar looks at Kibra, "Unless you wanted dessert, I'm ready to go back to the room and do some thinking.
Kibra shakes her head.."No, I'm ready to go."
Zilvar stands up and offers the feline a paw. "Then let us off, before I start to get jealous of people who can afford this."
Kibra puts her paw into Zilvar's, standing.
Zilvar smiles and gestures toward the exit, heading back to the Proud Falcon, where he settles in for a goodly part of the night considering what it is that he just volunteered to do.
Kibra falls asleep almost immediately, tired from the days events.