Subject Salix and Surin

"Funny story actually, but don't reckon it'd make all that much sense, without a little bit of background information." He holds up a finger again, gesturing for Salix to wait a moment. "Estrella", he says, catching the elderly barmaid as she passes, "a little mutton to go with this bread and cheese, would you?"

He glances down at his nearly empty tankard. "And another round for both of us, I'm thinking."

He turns his attention back to Salix. "Now, where was I? Right, right, how I met Quarion. Well, I'm...in the wealth redistribution business, if you catch my meaning. I'm one of the ones works the crowd while it's busy watching my cousins up on stage. Few years back, though, it got to bothering me. Some of the people, spoiled nobles and the like, sure, no problem. They probably loose more in the cushions of their overstuffed couches every day than they loose to me. Okay, no problems there. Other folk, though, farmers and tradesmen and the like...well, I got to thinking that the coin I took from them probably made a real difference in their lives. They'd feel it if I cleaned them out, you know? Could be some might go to sleep hungry after I'd lightened their purses, and I'll tell you true, that thought bothered me. I'd have just stopped there and then when I got to thinking about it, but my family didn't see it quite the way I did, and I was too smart to think that there'd be a place for me in the wagons if I didn't earn my keep."

"Ah," he says, seeing Estelle heading their way with a platter piled with mutton, "just a minute". Once the barmaid has departed, he goes resumes his story. "As I was saying, I knew my family wouldn't have it if I were to tell them I was out of the thieving business. So, I didn't tell them. I just started taking my redistribution duties a little more serious. I'd pick a rich man's purse, the family would get a fair cut, sure, but I'd hold some for myself, not tell them about it. Created a little pool of coin for myself, used it to tide me over on days when there were too many in the audience needed their money worse than I did.

One day our friend Quarion came to see the show. Must've been in disguise, because he was dressed in rags, or near enough as makes no difference. Thought he was a beggar, to tell you the truth, and a bad one at that. Didn't look like he'd eaten in a week. I thought that I'd do him a favor, so I made my way over to him, started loading his purse with coin. He caught me though." Surin laughs and takes a pull at his Copperhead. You should have seen his face when he realized I'd been slipping money *into* his pouch. Ah, it was priceless. Only time I've ever seen him look surprised, I think. Anyway, he said he owed me a meal, and who am I to turn down food? I ended up liking him more than I thought I would, and every now and then one of us'll do the other one a favor."

Subject Salix and Surin

As Surin mentions working as a pickpocket, Salix feels a glimmer of disgust.

But as the Halfling continues, Salix finds himself warming more and more to his new companion, beginning to sympathize with him. He had met many on his travels who were born to a life lower than they were meant for. Perhaps he had met another one in Surin.

"Well, from the sound of it, Master Smith is asking for a bit more than most people would consider a 'favor'." Salix watches Surin's face carefully.

"But of course it's not my place to question your resolve. I'm just here to deliver the message and travel with you to Gorn, if you are willing." He pauses then continues, "If you *are* willing, we should leave with all haste. What loose ends have you to tie up here? If you could leave in an hour, we could gain a few miles before dark. If you need longer, we should depart at first light."