New Arrival

[Greenbroad]

The Dorin Greenbroad walked into the area. There were towers in the distance and the smell of lillies was in the air. As Greenbroad walked down an alley, a figure came to him. "Give me your crowns." He said in a demanding voice. "No." Greenbroad replied with an unmoving voice.

The man smiled and said, "Fine, i'll have to beat it out of you." Greenbroad pulled out his dagger and prepared for a fight.

[Malkaer Andares]

Even a generally peaceful town like Mystique was not entirely undone of people who cling to less honorable means of making a living. The brute that opposed Greenboard was a tall, rugged human. His long filthy hairs (which once had been blonde) were tied in a knot on the back of his head. The man’s face was contorted with anger because of the dorin’s refusal, and like his victim, the thug drew a long dagger.

“Bring it on, doggy”, he hissed whilst adapting a fighter stance. Though the mugger was underfed and as human probably weaker than the dorin, it looked like he knew how to use the weapon. It was not too late for Greenbroad to run off…

[Greenbroad]

"Hmm... if we must fight, tell me your name? Also... if it does come to a fight, you will direct me to a swordsmaster and i will take... um... how much gold do you have?" Greenbroad asked. The man looked at Greenbroad with bewildering eyes. "So, are you going to tell me or what?

[Malkaer Andares]

But apparently Greenbroad favored an entirely different approach to the problem. Instead of turning tail or descending upon the mugger with teeth, claw and dagger, the dorin possibly choose the strongest weapon of all: diplomacy. Whether he would be successful was to be seen, but it was clear that the filthy man had not expected it: his dark eyes bulged out in surprise and his aggressive stance lessened somewhat. Still, the point of his dagger was dangerously aimed at Greenbroad’s belly.

“Umm.. my name? It’s Umbar”, he said with a low voice. “What’s yours?” The thief said instinctively, apparently even he was not with some civility. Then he remembered what exactly he was doing. “No no, I take your gold, not the other way around; give your money and we don’t have to fight.” He nodded, as if confirming to himself that he had said it correctly, and waited for the dorin to hand over his valuables.

[Greenbroad]

"Hmm... he seems to be very gullible and easily confused... this could work in my favor." Greenbroad thought. "How about we make a deal. I give you, my services for a small fee. Let's say, a short sword? Umbar, if that isn't what you want how about, we just talk and make a deal. Tell me about your family. Also, my name is Greenbroad, one of the Dorin and simple traveler." He said.

[Malkaer Andares]

By now it dawned to Umbar that Greenbroad was not going to give him any money, which made him sad, because he had to provide for his family. He was not a real fighter anyway, he’d rather rob old, women with grey hair than actually risk his life in a fight with a dorin. The (once) blonde human scratched his head as he pondered on the dorin’s suggestion. Truth be told, he didn’t exactly know what the wofllike man was talking about, but not intending to show his lack of wit, Umbar tried to go with the conversation to the best of his ability.

“Well I don’t run this part of town… but I know someone who knows someone, who’s pretty high up ya know… what do you have to offer anyway?”

[Kibariano]

The youthful and agile Kibariano observed the conversation from a nearby small hovel he had managed to climb on top of. He wanted to jump down and join in because of his eager nature, but he chose to wait on top and listen unlike his usual routine. He loved to learn about creatures in town and this was a quite quaint conversation. So he just shook dirt out of his hair, let out a quiet yelp, and nudged his dagger out of his side and listened to the quaint conversation...

[Greenbroad]

Unaware of kibariano, Greenbroad said, "Listen, i'll give you 250 crowns if you direct me to him."

[Malkaer Andares]

Umbar’s jaw dropped upon being offered the magnificent sum of 250 crowns for what was a relatively easy task. “Two hundred and fifty crowns…?!” That was what he made in three months, if he was lucky. Caught up in the joy of possibly receiving such an amount of money he forgot about his guard and did not even contemplate the possibility that perhaps Greenbroad was lying to him; that the 250 crowns existed merely in his head. In the same line, he was oblivious to the other dorin, Kibariano.

The human smiled broadly, sheathing his dagger. “Why sir, let me escort you immediately to the neighborhoods’ boss, Mister Finnigan- who’s incidentally the husband of the friend of my wife’s sister”, the rather inefficient bugger said proudly. He started walking down the alley, looking whether the dorin would follow him.

[Greenbroad]

"Alright. Whatever you say." Greenbroad said. He looked up and thought he saw another Dorin. So... Greenbroad walked behind Umbar trying to make out the figure on a hovel.

[Malkaer Andares]

It was indeed another dorin, Greenbroad noticed as he looked more closely at the figure on the hovel. His race-kin was too far away to discern his features, but the dorin was unmistakably armed with a dagger, or short, pointy object. If Kibariano desired, he could follow the pair and if he retained sufficient distance, Umbar would not notice him. Perhaps the two dorin could help each other later, if the need arose.

The human walked down the alley and took Greenbroad (and possibly Kibariano) deeper into Mystique’s bad neighbourhood. These were the slums of the in general prosperous arcana city. Few city constables were to be found in these parts, where the different poor quarters were ran by small self-made bosses and ‘order’ maintained by their gang of thugs.

After a walk of five minutes through the web of streets Umbar stopped before a house that was clearly bigger and more sturdier than the others around it. A small group of humans was positioned before the entrance. The four men carried varying arms and one wore a studded leather armour and iron helmet. Umbar approached this one, a tall dark haired human who looked considerably tougher than Umbar, or anyone else they crossed during the walk. The strongest could take the limited food first, for the weak there was little, resulting in the balance shifting even more to the advantage of the strong.

“Hey Bob”, Umbar said to the tall man, “this one wants to see Mister Finnigan…” Greenbroad’s escort nodded at him. “That so, huh?” Bob replied with a harsh voice, peering at Greenbroad with mean eyes. “And what exactly do you want to see him for?”

[Greenbroad]

Greenbroad laughed. "Well, Bob, I'm new in town and i'm lookin' for a job to make a living." Greenbroad looked at Umbar. "Umbar, can i talk to you in private real quick." Greenbroad walked a meter away, looking at Umbar to see if he would follow.

[Malkaer Andares]

“A job huh? Well ya came to the right address.” Bob sized the dorin up. Members of the wolf like race were generally good fighters “Given your body, am sure the boss has a job for ya.” The guard frowned as Greenbroad called Umbar for a talk under four eyes, but allowed it. Umbar looked hopeful, hoping to receive his fee now and followed the dorin.

[Greenbroad]

"Umbar... thank you for the escort. Here's your 250 crowns. But... i will throw in another 25 crowns if you stay with me for a little while longer. You know... just in case somethin' happens... i'll have a friend to help me." Greenbroad said, hoping Umbar would accept his offer.

[Malkaer Andares]

Umbar pocketed the substantial bag of crowns with a broad smile. Scratching his head, he pondered on Greenbroad offer. He already had made a lot of money on the dorin, but his greed was not satiated yet. The thug nodded. “Alright, I’ll stay with ya a little while longer.”