[DestyNova1]

Isabella looked at the elf who claimed to be an apothery with a wary eye. Another healer would undercut whatever skills she had to parlay into securing her position, but...being an elf she might be someone worth attaching herself to, getting away from her current master would be easier if perhaps an elf bought Isabella's services. Isabella pushed through the crowd to approach the woman.

[TheTatteredKing]

"Yes well," Fal'ruthiel cleared her throat and tried to arrange the correct order of words in her head from what she knew. Beyond asking if anyone needed medical help her grasp on the vernacular was shaky, "Chirurgeon. I am skilled in surgery and identifying ailments." Fal'ruthiel noticed the dwarf pushing through the crowd in her direction and moved out of the path, believing the dwarf was passing by instead of approaching her.

[DestyNova1]

Isabella approached the elf and looked up at her. Parden me, I heard that you are a chirurgeon and are perhaps looking to sign up with this caravan? I'm a sawbones meself, and am looking for new fields after working so long for my drow master. Perhaps we could talk about arranging the purchase of my contract from him? Joining this crew seems like I can get a fresh start.

[Kel_The_Oblivious]

It had been a long day of tending to his small fungal garden on the outskirts of Val'Raveran for Kel. Pushing mounds of decaying nightsoil around, neatly removing any unwanted weeds and pests, and fending off the rare wild life did wear him out. He returned to the city proper for a good meal, some fresh water, and a bath. The walk, a meager 15 miles, made his feet sore and he almost wanted to remove his armor.

This city had made him soft, and he hated it. Everything he could need was within his grasp. Traders came by like clockwork and at random as well. Food was always plentiful, water abundant and clear, and the beds soft. Soft like he had become.

Still, compared to these lot, I am made of stone and iron... He thought, passing by a pair of merchants, who laughed and talked about some business deal or another. They spared the strangely dressed dwarf a single glance and kept walking on.

Walking into the White Lion, considering it the best place to spend his hard earned coin peddling his more exotic plants to the hedonists of the city, Kel scanned the room quickly, his beetle head helmet concealing his features and eyes. For a moment he stood there, staring at a group of dwarves and a few other races around a table. They seemed to be from all creeds and clans, no two a like.

The primal hunter gather found a yearning deep in his gut, the true resting place of the soul, and knew, these were the people who would help lead his people back to greatness. He walked over quickly and found a spot close by to sit down at. He would listen for a moment, and decide what to truly make of this group, and to see if that gut feelinng was just some gas from something he ate.

[TheTatteredKing]

Fal'ruthiel was glad her veil hid the discomfort in her expression as Isabella started talking to her. She couldn't afford an assistant and wasn't sure if she would even want one. Though Fal'ruthiel was slow to dismiss what could be an opportunity even it was not clear what it was an opportunity for, "I am willing to discuss possibilities. I am new in city and curious for work, so yes I may accompany expedition if require services. Sounds dangerous, all medical skill available to expedition would be useful I believe.

[The Watcher]

Durin turned to the Dwarven and elven healers at the mention of financial needs. "That's the sort of thing I'm here for, ma'am. I could help you buy out your charter in exchange for having medical specialists along for the ride; the exchange is more than worth a few ada to ensure we all remain intact and in good health."

Turning to the elven surgeon, he continued with hardly a pause. "Insurance is always best of course, and two healers a most fortuitious asset; I would be willing to take on your services as well milady, though I must warn you, we venture to a place much harder on the lungs of elves than Dwarves such as ourselves. And one likely to lack much of your kind's precious 'mana,' as well," he mused.

[DestyNova1]

"Really now? Thats a fine offer there, friend. I'll be more than happy to lend my skills to this expidition, at a reduced cost even if there is the potential for me to set up my own healer hall. Isabella turned to the elf. Seems like there won't be any denting of your purse. My thanks for hearing me out in any event, perhaps we'll have the chance to work together. Turning to Durin, she tappoed her chin."Of course, getting this entire trip set up is going to take time, plus, we don't even have a spot to toss our tents yet. We'd better see about getting carpenters and stonesmiths so we have a good home to move into.

[The Watcher]

Durin nodded. "Aye, that we will. I myself know the working of stone and metal, but this is hardly a one-dwarf proposition. We should seek out as many with skill who wil join us as we can."

[Writeman]

Neraph, upon hearing the offer of money, felt his heart fall slightly. He didn't want this to be another den of dwarves working for wages. The last of his tiredness fleeing him, he spoke up at last- money was immaterial! This was a grand project, a real shot at a better life, and this dwarf- his fellow Dvergar- would cheapen that by having everyone working for money! Money that wouldn't even find much use in their fortress!

"I ain't interested in money." He declared eventually, shaking his head slowly at the merchant, "The rest of you are more than welcome to take his money- and he's more than welcome to do the trading for us with anybody else that passes by our new home. But me? I'm in this for the real reason- a new home, one without greed!" He smiled a bit, "But all the same, I say we get on our way. If anyone else was going to be joinin' us, they'd have done so already."

[The Watcher]

"I meant no offense, friend," Durin said, holding his hands up in a warding gesture. "I sought to bribe no-one aboard this caravan, and I honor your commitment. Nay, I merely thought, knowing my kin, that a small help in setting their affairs in order beforehand... but that says I have been thinking too much as a businessman these days, and not enough as a dwarf."

"The sides, in all honesty, providing the equipment we will need will likely be a bank-breaking task in and of itself.. so I withdraw the remarks that offended."

[DestyNova1]

I apoligise as well if I have offended. Isabella added. Let's have some drinks while we discuss this further, so we are able to make serious plans on thios trip. Isabella waves to the bartender to serve some drinks to the group.

[Kel_The_Oblivious]

Listening to Neraph, the blue shelled dwarf nodded in approval. "Aye. This task not be for makin' a pouchful o' ada. It be about returning some glory back to those who had it stolen from them by upstarts." He chewed slowly on his plump pod, wiping off the dribbling water from his chitin armor. "Now trade'll be required, 'cause I doubt we could bring everything we need or desire with us. Spitting out a couple of small, hard spores into his waiting hand, Kel quickly pocketed them in a pouch hidden beneath the carapace around his waist.

"Now, I don't wanna be intruding on you fine lads. I'm Kel Ragebrew. I'm a hunter/gatherer by trade. I figure my skills could be useful in the times to come for you, so I'm offerin' my services. He said, removing his helmet and tucking it under one arm, to better speak with his like minded fellows.

[The Watcher]

Durin offered the newcomer a firm handshake. "Welcome aboard, we can use a good stout-hearted fellow such as yourself."

The wealthy dwarf quaffed his ale, then set the stein down on a near table with a resounding thunk, before taking a seat and folding his hands before him. The table would easily accommodate the little group that had gathered, and Bergthalsson invited his companions to sit. "I agree, we have likely drawn all in this tavern who will come... So, to business, then?"

[TheTatteredKing]

Fal'ruthiel stayed quiet but listened intently, she intended to accompany the expedition but felt no need to pledge fealty to the endeavor.

[Kel_The_Oblivious]

"Thank ye." He quickly removed one of his gauntlets, not wanting to give Durin a punch of small pricks from the still sharp beetle claws, and took the merchant dwarf's hand, shaking it firmly. "Aye, to business. Kel took a chair for himself, sitting down with a fair bit of noise, the chitin plates covering his backside scrapping against the hard stone seat.