A Journey to the Castle!

[Halbarad]

Patricia leans over the table to get a better look at Alex's orb. "Sure do," she agrees. "Could almost be identical - where'd you get yours?"

[Anastasia]

"I saved someone from a troll, and he gave it to me in gratitude," Alex says, putting the bag on the table. "Haven't gotten around to selling it. It was probably a gift from his grandchildren."

[Halbarad]

Patricia's face takes on an expression of mixed awe and excitement. "You fought off a troll that was attacking an old man? That's so heroic - I want to do something like that someday!"

You can practically see the stars in her eyes.

[Anastasia]

"It was a pain in the ass," Alex gripes. "Never got a good chance to relax until I cleared the southern desert." Shaking his head, "Being a hero is a good way to get yourself into a lot of unneeded work or if you're unlucky, dragged in a bag to the nearest White Mage."

[Halbarad]

The robed mage giggles. "Well, at least I'm a little bit ahead of the game on that one, at least. Is it really that hard to fight off big monsters like that? I've fought imps several times around Corneria and on my way here, but I know they're really not all that hard."

[Anastasia]

Leaning back in his chair and stifling a yawn - he really should have taken a nap this afternoon, on reflection - Alex just shrugs yet again. "They can be, the things that live up in the rivers and mountains near Crescent Lake are pretty nasty." His eyes go slightly distant at that, as if recalling.

"The best way is to surprise them - the troll wasn't much good when I'd hacked it's left arm off before it even saw me."

[Halbarad]

"That's what Father Maxwell taught me, too," Patricia  nods, dropping her voice into a somewhat gruff imitation. "'Patty girl, the only thing that matters in a fight is makin' sure you're the one walkin' away with all your parts attached,'" she says with a grin. "He taught me a lot about how to use a hammer to fight - and it's gotten easier the more I practice with it."

[Anastasia]

"Smart man," Alex murmurs in appreciation, taking his mug for a small sip. "Lucky you had someone to teach you that. Most people think it's charge in and hack honorably."

Actually laughing now, "Never met a monster who bothered with fair play."

...When's the last time I've talked this much. Not since....damn.

Probably shouldn't have anything to drink if only a cup is doing this. Especially if she tries to drag me along with them.

"Anyway," he says, glancing at the other two of the group idly. "Going to go tomorrow?"

[Halbarad]

The mage looks over at the other two as well. "Looks that way, doesn't it? I'll probably have to sneak out of the guild in the morning - there's no way the sisters would let me leave on something like this. Unless there are undead involved, white mages aren't supposed to go out and fight. But I know I can do it!" she says determinedly.

At least I hope I can, She studies Alex's face for a moment. Shame he's not coming with us - it's been nice to actually get to talk to someone who's willing to listen to me for a change. And he's not half bad-looking, either - at least when he doesn't look like he's about to fall asleep.

[Carthrat]

"That's the spirit!" says Helena, flopping into a seat nearby the two. "Whadda they gonna do to keep you in if you decide t'leave, anyway?"

[Halbarad]

"Probably lock me in my room, I'd guess," Patricia says with a shrug. "I'm already going to catch it tonight as it is - I was supposed to have these herbs back hours ago," she adds, patting her knapsack.

"But it's no big deal - if I can leave my stuff here, I'll just climb out the window in the morning."

[Carthrat]

"Why dontcha just stay here, and drop off the herbs before you leave tomorrow?" asks Helena, leaning back in the chair. "I mean, if you're going to break the rules anyway, may'swell make sure y'can't be caught."

[Halbarad]

"You have spare rooms?" Patricia asks. "I mean, I know this is an inn, but I can't afford to spend a lot of money on a night here - I spent most of what I had on supplies already."

[Carthrat]

"I told'ya y'can stay for free," replies Helena, raising an eyebrow. "'sno big deal. We got a couple nice rooms nobody can afford, and they're always empty, so y'can stay there."

[Halbarad]

"Then that's what I'll do!" says Patricia.

At least that'll make up for running me over earlier today, she thinks to herself.