-----As Sarah accepts the small token from Dread, Seth cautions Sarah, "My dear Miss Night, and I am only assuming it is Miss Night, please correct me if I have made a dreadful mistake in ascertaining your marital status. I must warn you that the Dread Pirate is a ravenous beast and is quite partial to sweet things. I however am a paragon of virtue and am also interested in reading, especially magic. Maybe in some of the quieter moments I could give you advise on protection from the Dread Pirate’s boarding attempts and you could possibly teach me some of this sorcery thing!"
-----Gimplefwick grumbles softly to himself as Seth maligns him to Sarah Night, and adopts an injured tone, "Don't ye believe a word o' what he's sayin there. I'm the most honorable pirate that ever lived. My virtue is unquestionable and ye injure me very soul to listen to such scurrilous lies and falsehoods. Think to yerself now, would ye really want to listen to the obvious mendacities of a common lounge singer? Why look at the way he dresses. I expect he'll be drapin himself in velvet next and insistin we carry him from place to place. As for the piece of crystal, it’s just sort of happened into me possession one night, the exact details escape me fer the moment, but it gave off a bright flash of light and was then quiescent."
-----Without even looking at the pie, Kazel replies, "No thanks, Gimplefwick. Seeing as how... widely traveled your hands are."
-----Turning to Sethanales instead, she leans closer and says, "Seth, do you have enough pig fat this time around? We could be in for a long trip this time..."
-----She then perches cross-legged on one of benches in the hall and waits for the lords and nobles to speak.
-----Seth smiles during the banter about butchering and pirating, and catches The Dread Pirate's parrot's eye and gives it a knowing wink!!
-----When Kazel asks him about pig fat, he just taps his nose expectantly and when nothing falls out just winks and whispers back to her, "Why of course, my dear! My most excellent compadre the Fly has supplied me with a whole jar full, as well as a bag of lavender. Especially good for 'lavender pillows' to place on the head when one is not feeling so well. I am sure we shall need the 'lavender pillows' far more than my pig fat!"
-----During everyone's banter Sol is gazing at the gathering and muttering to himself, "Pig fat, pirates and pie. They're all crazy. I wonder if it's too late to go back to the farm. Even my family had more sanity than this."
-----Remembering something, he quickly looks up at the musician, "Sethanales, I've seen you perform at the Two Door Tavern. You played well. I mean ye were'nt covered in animal grease at the time, so obviously I missed an integral part of yer act." He smiles affably at the man.
-----Seth smiles at Sol, "Why, thank you, Sol. My shop is just two or so doors down from the Tavern and quite often the barkeep there, Mr Braddok, who is as fine a citizen as any to be found in the town, often pleads with me to cheer up his little watering hole with music." In a more conspiratorial tone, he continues, "The pig fat is not part of my act, it is in fact an essential part of life and without it, the three of us would not be the pirate, butcher or musician that you see before you."
-----Lord Chamberlain Sarius looks concerned as he interrupts and addresses the Dread Pirate, "Captain Wispybeard, you really must clarify yourself as to what you mean when you call yourself a pirate. I cannot, in good conscious, send someone on a highly important mission representing the Estate of Hearthorn that might put his companions or innocents in undue peril."
-----"Mistress Kazel has described you as a crusader of sorts. Therefore, Sir, I am asking you, on your honor," Here Sarius pauses and looks at everyone in the chamber, "and perhaps this question applies to all assembled. Can the good people of Hearthorn trust you to undertake this mission in good faith and bring justice to those who would do evil?"
-----Turning back to Gimplefwick, he continues, "We will see to your needs as best that we can, however, we cannot supply pegasi."
-----The Lord Chamberlain looks at each person for responses.
-----Gimplefwick coughs discreetly and then turns to address Sarius. "My lord, ye injure me to the quick. I've never undertaken a job that hasn't been successfully completed in one fashion or another. As for keepin things quiet, I am the very soul of discretion. I've never told anyone anythin that I didn't think they needed to know. Why, my very companions term me a crusader. I've also had some close ties to the church here in town. Now I'm willin to forgive the lack of pegasi, I suppose it was a bit of a long shot, and seein as how yer willin to recompense us fer our time and troubles, I'll even see me way clear to overlook yer doubts as to me character and reputation. I swear to Joren himself that I've never killed anyone nor anything that didn't need killin or would die soon enough on its own. Or was already dead and just needed some convincin to stay down and quit harassin decent folk. So what exactly is it that yer wantin us to do?"