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"Eating, drinking is good. Some here having problem with merry, I think," says the big red-haired northerner. He does not indicate anyone in particular, but the message seems clear enough.

Galanis keeps his hand on the mug he offered Angel to steady her slight shakes. He looks somewhat worried at her. "No matter what the rumors are, clearly you have seen too much. I can tell grieve when I'm near it. It is written all over your pretty face." he says uncharacteristically seriously. "Don't be mistaken by our good mood. We don't underestimate danger and value life. You will be safe on the rest of the journey." his words sound like a promise he wish he could keep, and he quickly turns his eyes and returns to his casual mood.
Taking the opportunity of Calah's first words since morning Galanis quickly says to her, "Hey, that's nice, you found your tongue at last! Why won't you use it and tell us a little bit of your stories? You probably heard but for the sake of politeness I'm Galanis, and you too are welcome to what has left of the barrel of ale we have here."

"Like an ancient and evil version of elves" Liri throws in. "Easy to mistake for today's elves for those who do not have much contact with us."

Angel frowns as Galanis calls her pretty, she was a warrior, pretty did not come into it. "I doubt that will be the last time we will encounter those 'Elves', or anything worse.." Sipping her drink she squeezes Liri softly. "But that is a trouble for the morrow, tonight we can let our hair down " Swigging the drink in one motion she grins.

Calah looks over at Galanis. "You wish to hear my stories, do you?" she says in an easy, calm tone. Turning to speak to the rest more generally, she says, "My name is Calah, and that will suffice for introductions, for now. As for stories, there is only one story I wish to tell, and that is about a group of professionals providing escort for a given diplomat in the near future. If you are looking for pleasantries, you might consider looking elsewhere. But if you are looking for someone who is rather skilled at making themself unpleasant to selected individuals when the need arises, then I suppose I am your girl. In a manner of speaking, of course."

Bastian makes his introductions, draws himself a draught of ale and slouches in a chair at the table. When Calah makes her comment about one of her stories, he smiles a goofy smile, points his mug at her and simply says, "I like her!"

Unexpectedly he looks into his mug, frowns briefly, shrugs, and then begins drinking again.

Angel nods in response to Bastian. "Indeed."

Liri looks at Calah with one eyebrow raised. "Did i give you the impression of expecting pleasantries?" she asks.

Galanis is taken back by Calah response, but only momentarily. "Well... Err.. I really did want to hear your stories... Maybe some other time then?" He ask with a small smile. Facing the others once again, "Do you anything about what expecting us?"

"I expect we will encounter creatures the likes of which you have never seen.." Angel says with a frown, "Some might call it an adventure." Grinning she strokes Liris arm with the lightest touch, "I think food is in order."

Galanis returns to his casual talks with the other mercenaries.

After a short time the small talk is interrupted by a newcomer to the gathering. Matteo, the bouncer, walks out the back door of the Blue Bolt and into the yard with Fraso in tow, then heads back into the bar.
A few days in civilization have done wonders for Fraso's appearance. He appears freshly bathed, with his cheeks freshly shaven, and his clothes are clean and mended. He still looks drawn and awkward, but at least he no longer looks like a vagrant. He takes a seat next to Baratrus and places a glass of red wine on the table, then says: "I apologize for my tardiness. I had some difficulty finding this place. Shall we get to business?

"My associates in the capital are interested in receiving reports of certain events to which several of us have been witness over the past few weeks. This requires that we journey there presently. The information we carry is of considerable interest, and as such, a special unit of the Legions has been redirected from their present assignment to meet us on the way and escort us the rest of the way, so I suppose at that point you shall...

Baratrus interrupts: "In terms of contractual obligations, your services will be required for the entire journey from here to the capital, at which point you will be released and may pursue other postings. Pay is guild standard, plus bed and board for the duration, with a bonus for getting the subject to the destination safely."

"Yes. All of that. And I will tell you, we have encountered some strangeness so far on this journey. I am hopeful that we shall be able to make the rest of the trip undisturbed, but there is a real possibility of unusual activity."

Angel stands to the back, her eyes focusing on Fraso the whole time.

Galanis thoughts wonder off after the capital is mentioned. 'It's probably gonna be huge. I don't think I belong to such a place, but I might learn a lot there.' Hearing some of the other mercenaries shuffle their feet he gets only a fragment of Frasco's statement

Frasco wrote:"...the rest of the trip undisturbed..."

and thinks to himself smiling, 'Well, it's gonna be an easy task..."

"Although I am sure all of you are acceptable, and carry the endorsement of your Guild, I have, over the past several weeks, come to trust the judgment of my companions with respect to martial matters." Fraso says to the gathered mercenaries. Then turns to Angel, Bastian, Liri and Papa: "Would you be so kind as to vet these applicants, to determine if they are a good fit for our group?