Master Grüber listens to your story. He nods. Noting that no one appears to be eating his feast, he grabs a piece of bread and tears off a hunk. He chews it and follows with another drink from his goblet.
I take it then that the caves once used by thieves in Skull Mountain are cleared out? I'm not sure about this dragon you claim to have slain, but it is an interesting story.He pulls a sheet of vellum from the stack. Regards it. Puts it back and leafs through the stack. He finds what he is searching for and pulls out another sheet. It is prepared already.
He rises and walks around his desk/table and hands it to
Dieter.
This is the deed we discussed. It covers a parcel of land between the road and Skull Mountain, including the entrance to the caves within. We don't have a "small fort" -- as you put it -- to hand out like this, only land. As I recall, you fellows were discussing using it as a fortress or base of operations, although it seems to me that you might want to either block off entrances to the deeper areas or something. Anyway, this is why I filled this deed for you, as I thought you were going to use that area for your operations. The land is mostly wooded, although part of it is prairie and should be suitable for farming if you decide to take that as your profession. There is a nice river that edges the property. It borders on mostly undeeded land held by Sir Taris, but there is a shared border with the old Erdea holdings. We need to fill out some paperwork but, as I mentioned before, this is Sir Taris' land and deeded to you. There will be taxes, of course, but that's true throughout the realm, he says with a smile.
As to gems of that value, we can have the banker make the trade with the central banks at the Capital. We have the amounts we discussed in gold or platinum, but most gem trading happens quite a way from here, in Sir Belvin's land. There's a clan of gnomes who produce excellent work: the gems on Lady Taris' coronet has a few of value up to 1500 in gold. However, sourcing gems of such value for 5000 would be quite difficult on such short notice. I had not realized you were so keen for stones, or we could have sent word with the traders that head to the capital earlier. You can take your gold now or wait a few weeks -- give or take depending on availability -- for gems instead. And your other holdings are still at our bank, as I recall.He leaves you with the paper: the deed to the holdings. He heads back to the table, spiking a piece of fowl from the stew with a two-tined fork, and eating it. He turns back to you, still chewing and smiles. After swallowing, he continues.
As for Aiden, he is likely at The Manor, that stately mansion in the center of town, not far from here. He was quite shaken up but after the resurrection ceremony, or whatever Father Dobrun calls it, he began hanging out with your tree-hugging friend and that sickly one, Maeglin or something? Anyway, the boy likes to call them his saviors and considers them his finest friends. It's driving his tutor Alexander quite crazy. Apparently he's trying to dissuade the boy from following the footsteps of the two: thievery is no profession for a Lord's child and Elves, even mixed bloods like Alexander, can't stand druids, at least in my experience. As he says, "It's a fine thing for humans to pursue if they fear the gods, but no Law-loving boy like Aiden should be caught up in their neutrality." Whatever, I suppose. I get enough religion when we meet at the Shrine of Saint Garth, I care not for the squabbles of belief systems. Far too much to do for that nonsense. He spears another bit of meat, this time with what looks like a turnip on the second tine, and eats it, partaking directly from the chafing dish.
Well, I'm glad that this affair is over. Sir Taris will be pleased as well. I'm sure he will appreciate more of the land being used and no more of the Black Heart fellows. We do have some extra work that might need doing, if you're so inclined, but I suppose you should rest.He takes another drink, from a different, closer goblet this time.
Jayson will arrange for a few nights stay at The Rat and Pig, or, if you somehow hate high living, The Pikeman. Hell, Rosco or Lucas might pay us for you to stay, local heros and all. You might be asked to tell a few stories, though I'd leave out that bit about a dragon. I'm not sure anyone would believe that part.He leans back on the table, and regards you.
Is there anything else you'd wish to talk about?Actions?