-----Seth's eyes go wide and a large smile spreads across his face. "Well, well I never! Runik relax! It is two of our old traveling companions, which I am sure Dread could tell you the amazing story of later." Seth raises his hand and waves at Sir Nylan and Sir Slappy indicating they should join them.
-----He whispers under his breath, "Remember I am Nigel, and Dread and Kazel had other names as well. These two could aid us if we ever run into Sol and his terrifying horde of hair stylists again!"
-----He waits for the pair to come closer and when they are within earshot (without having to yell) he exclaims, "By Joren, miracles have occurred, you have found our dear Sir Slappy. Can he talk yet Sir Nylan?"
-----Quite possibly for the first time in his piratical life, the Dread Pirate is caught completely dumbfounded. A stupefied look crosses his face as the paladin and the orc approach. All he manages to say is, "Good God, what're the odds..."
-----As Seth speaks, Dread slowly regains his composure and chimes in, "Yes, it is truly a miracle. Joren has blessed us this day. We thought we'd never lay eyes on the noble Sir Slappy again. Let alone a knight as devoted and puissant as yourself, Sir Lotley. It must have been an epic quest fer ye to have found Slappy and brought him back to himself. Ye must tell us all about it, so that Nigel can regale the world with an appropriate ode. As ye might not have known, Nigel is the artistically talented member of our little merchant consortium." The Dread Pirate looks significantly at the accompanying mercenaries as he says this, as though to drive home the point that the trio of thieves are now merchants.
-----The Dread Pirate pauses for a moment, still gathering his wits, then looks skeptically at the orc and continues, "But he doesn't seem to recognize us. He must still be in the fearsome grips of that vile demon's enchantment. But I have faith that between the lot of us we can find a way to save him."
-----The Dread Pirate rubs his brow as though his head is overheating and motions to the bound and gagged Amdracks, laying in the belly of the wagon, "As ye can see, we ran into a bit o' trouble again. This ruffian was waiting by the side o' the road a few days back to waylay us. He had a group o' fellow bandits with him, that he had enchanted to follow his every command. Fortunately, we had these valiant guards with us and they managed to not only drive off the bandit scum, but capture the evil wizard as well. We're keepin him bound and gagged until we can deliver him into the proper hands. That way we don't incur any malicious enchantments. It is kind o' ironic though that every time we run into ye, we have somebody bound and gagged in our wagon."
-----Kazel's eyes bulge as she recognizes Nylan and Slappy approaching. She scrambles to put away the weapons scattered about and put on a broad smile at the knight as the others speak, hands folded in front of her. She then adds, "It is most important that this evil wizard is well guarded and prevented from causing more trouble and working his evil mind control magicks, noble Sir Lotley. He has shown that he is not above battling children in his mad conquests!"
-----Brandel and Krord's faces belie curious fascination at the two strangers who are acquainted with their employers.
-----At Seth's first question, Lotley quickly and excitedly dismounts biding the humanoid to do the same. The orc pauses momentarily before rolling its eyes and sighing in a defeated manner. Sir Slappy then follows suit and stands just a few feet from the paladin.
-----Sir Lotley then speaks with his arms outstretched totally caught up in the moment. "My friends, long have we tarried on the road and long have we searched for the answers that will restore noble Sir Slappy to his appropriate and original form that you and the family of Sir Slappy are so familiar with, a just and righteous soul who revels in the wisdom of the Holy Redeemer! However, in our search, what we have long sought has only frustratedly eluded us to no end. We have visited mage upon mage and Holy House upon Holy House but to no avail. But, take heart, my friends, for is it not said that the noblest part of a quest is the courage we display in the trials and tribulations one must endure?"
-----"In my own reflections and prayers, I have long sought council and while the quest shall nobly continue, it is my duty to provide our most worthy friend with daily instruction to help remind him of what the curse has cruelly taken from him. So it is, that we have spent many long hours in the Temples and when the writings weigh too heavily on Sir Slappy and he wails out in loss at his former life, we turn to meditation and prayer."
-----With a solemn expression, the paladin bids everyone to bow their heads. Sir Slappy swats at a pestering fly until he sees the patience watchful eye of his companion. The orc then slumps his shoulders and hangs his head.