"I think we were just speaking about the barkeepers daughter. No new people whatsoever."
"Oh aye?" Dominic asked, "Billie doesn't even work here, she's a clothier! Made me this fine cassock, in return for services... rendered," here he winked at Karia before continuing, "So what brings you round here? You don't seem the sort to enjoy the same leisurely activities as I."

Desrik glared at the 'priest', but remained silent. He was content to let the others do the talking for now.

'No need to screw this up, if this guy can help...' He thought to himself, pushing away the desire to pound on the guy.

At that moment, the bartender strode over with three bowls of stew, using that trick that people who frequently handle plates seem to know. He lowered them onto the table in front of Karia, Vyran and Desrik, following them up with spoons from his apron pocket. He then sped off and returned bearing three rolls of bread.
An odour of broiled beef and vegetables rises from the stew, heartiness embodied... emstewed?
The bartender nodded, then headed back behind the bar.

Dom shrugged and bowed to them. "I'll let you eat then. Hope to be seeing you later," he added, winking once again to Karia. With a saucy grin he headed to the fireplace and sat down in a big armchair by the fire, opposite the grizzled old man.

Slowly blinking his eyes, Twig started to shift in his seat as his nose was attacked by the smell of cooked food. Opening his eyes fully he took in the view at the table he was at. Seeing three others there with food, Twig started to drool with his mouth agape. "C.. Can I have some?" Twig stared wide eyed at the others Hoping for someone to say yes...

" Well look who's finally up, Vyran said as Twig awoke, " Here you can have minne." Vyran slid his soup over to Twig. Vyran was famished, but he decided that it would be best to give the newcomer something to eat. Perhaps this newcomer knew something about waht happened. Even if he didn't Vyran was confident that four people were more likely to get buteerfingers to give them their stuff back. One way, or another. "So sir... what name do you have?"

Karia was surprised that the last member was awake. "Well met friend, I dont suppose you know any better then we do how exacly we all got here.. or who we are for that matter"
Karia took several sips of her stew then passed it along to Vyran "We all need our strength if we are going to figure out what happened and get back on our feet."

Karia found Dom more creepy then anyone she had met here, But she new he may have his uses as much as the thought repulsed her. But in hard times you need to do desperate things. The had few leads and fewer time but butterfingers was first on there.. to do list.

"Here in Cleft, money ain't any use, as it can't be melted down and used for weaponry. We barter in useful objects or services, or duels." those words kept ringing in her head, if that was the case then thier possessions wouldnt likely be sold yet seeing as it wouldnt be practical if there was no currency to be bartered with. Then trading in mass would require a mass trade in return.

Karia stood up and walked over to Dom, she sighed deeply as she walked slowly. Karia smiled as she greeted Dom "I have heard of you, I was the one inquiring about the tavern position, but Im at odds because I am owed a debt by Butterfingers but I just cant seem to find him.." She batted her eye lashes and made she her form was in full view of the old man. "I dont suppose you would be inclined to help, I would be very grateful."

"C.. Can I have some?"

"Well look who's finally up," Vyran said as Twig awoke, "Here you can have mine. So sir... what name do you have?"
As Twig responded, the bartender strode over with another bowl and roll to replace Vyran's. He winked and headed off once again.

Karia smiled as she greeted Dom, "I have heard of you, I was the one inquiring about the tavern position, but I'm at odds because I am owed a debt by Butterfingers.. I just can't seem to find him.." She batted her eyelashes and made sure her form was in full view of the old man. "I don't suppose you would be inclined to help, I would be very grateful."
Dom gave his best saucy grin and nodded to the young woman. "I'll happily help a demoiselle such as yourself, particularly so if you show yourself to be very grateful," he put stress on the word grateful, stretching it until the word itself seemed as well-defined and solid as porridge, before standing up to continue, "Butterfingers spends most of his time in a house next door to the smithy, labelled Number Ten in cast iron lettering. A little bird told me that he has a crossbow set up on a tripwire up the stairs, but the little bird was a tad... distracted... as she told me that. Now, would you like to continue this conversation... upstairs?" he finished, taking a couple steps closer to Karia, close enough for her to smell a slightly musty if not unpleasant odour of tanned leather.

Vyran wasn't directly watching Dom and Karia, but he didn't like where the conversation was heading. He wasn't sure exacly how to react; however, if they went upstairs, he'd try to assist her. Maybe Vyran didn't have to do anything at all though. Desrik seemed to like, or love, Karia, so maybe he'd do something. If Desrik didn't do anything, perhaps a lie would be all that was needed. Convincing Dom that Karia was a man killer might work. But first things first: see if Desrik would react." So Dom seems to be trying to...ah... do something with Karia," Vyran mumured quietly to Desrik.

" So Dom seems to be trying to...ah... do something with Karia," Vyran mumured quietly. But the hint was unneeded. Desrik was already rising, teeth gritted.
Stepping up beside Karia, Desrik eyed Dom up and down.
In the calmest voice he could muster, he said, "You have given us information, and are due payment. And I hear tell one form of currency down here is a duel. Care to fill me in on any details of such an engagement before I begin to remove your limbs?"

Desrik's anger was obvious, and his mind clouded. Perhaps he was being brash, but he had wanted to hurt this man ever since he had laid eyes on him. (Not to mention, Desrik couldn't help but feel he had a connection to Karia, though that might just be his imagination.)
He wasn't exactly sure what he would do if Dom pulled a weapon. Desrik wasn't exactly a big guy. But he couldn't bring himself to stand another minute of the perverts lusty eyes on Karia. And besides, they had the information they needed. Even if Desrik fell right here, the others would be able to find Butterfingers. And Karia would be safe.....

"Name's Twig... and no, I don't really know what's going on but I'm hungry so yea..." Twig grabbed his spoon and started eating his stew happily, occasionaly glancing at his new friends until the girl stood up and walked to the other man whom she started talking to.

Throughout the conversation going on in front of him, Twig continued to quietly eat his stew. He looked up as one of the men at the table went and stood by the girl. He briefly wondered how fast he could jab the spoon into the eye of the man that seemed to be causing trouble for them. Glancing over at the other man who had given him the stew, Twig let a small chuckle at his thought.

"So what's your name, what are the names of our friends, is that one man eyeing the girl trouble, and how much do I owe you for the soup?" Twig grinned at the man still sitting with him after his bombardment of questions, Still staring, he went back to eating his stew.

"So what's your name, what are the names of your friends, is that man eyeing the girl trouble, and how much do I owe you for the soup?," Twig grinn as he asked Vyran.
In response, Vyran said," My name is Vyran. My male friend over there is Desrik, the girl is Karia. The man over there eyeing Karia... well that's. Dom. He's a priest in the loosest definition. I don't think we need to worry too much about him. Karia does but not us. And for the soup, it was free you don't owe me anything." Vyran grinned. "If anything starts over there, I may go break it up. So, do you know any skills you once had before you fell down here?"

Tears streamed from Karias eyes as painful memories came rushing back to her. "Shabyla..." was all she could muster up to say. What had her failure cost, how many lives were lost because of her, who did she leave behind. The scars she bore had meaning , she only hoped that her sacrifice was not in vain. She turned away from the two and walked for the door half rushed and half staggered. She turned as she exited the tavern tears streaming harder then before her emotions took over. She fell to the ground and clinched her hands in the dirt so hard she felt as if she would make diamonds. All she wanted was to know what happened to those she failed.


Her tears dried up and she took to her feet.. on day she will properly grieve but not today. She had another mission and more important things consumed her mind. She clinched her fist more tightly then ever before and with new found strength and form she struck the thickest wooden strut she found. The Connection was more solid then she ever thought possible the sound reverberated through the cleft and she heard a solid crack of snapping wood.

Now was the time for action and time to get back what was theres. Securing the future by forgetting the past.

"You have given us information, and are due payment. And I hear tell one form of currency down here is a duel. Care to fill me in on any details of such an engagement before I begin to remove your limbs?
Dom was just about to respond when Karia ran out of the tavern. He raised an eyebrow quizzically, but looked quite worried.
"Er... what just happened?" he asked Desrik, "Was it something I said? I don't seem to recall mentioning 'Shabbylar', whatever that is."
He glanced toward the door before continuing, "Hey, well, was nice meeting you, hope to see you around at some point. Bye!" he finished as he quickly headed in the direction of the exit, twirling past the old man in the armchair.

Desrik stared after the priest, teeth still gritted.
Moving to follow Karia, he shrugs to Vyran as he passes.

As he approached Karia, he noticed the strut.
'Damn... maybe she didn't need my help....' He thought to himself for a moment before kneeling beside her.
He considered placing a hand on her shoulder, but decided she might still be in an unsteady mood.
Rather he simply asked in a near whisper, "Karia... Are you alright, dear girl?"


He was very concerned, but even more curious...

Vyran leapt up as Karia dashed from the room. He considered going to help her, but when he noticed Desrik going, he decided not to. He was better of trying to help Twig at this second. Besides, if Karia or Desrik called, they would call him. Vyran was confident that they could. Handle themselves. Vyran wanted to keep an eye on Dom. Maybe he said something? Or was it something else?