-----Sir Zantar opens his mouth and his face reddens at the Dread Pirate. As Kazel speaks, he pauses to listen and his expression changes to concerned interest. "Krondor? The traitor? Here in Redmarsh?" he gasps. He then falls silent for the first time since the rogues met him.
-----After a few quiet moments of thought and shifting eyes, the Knight of Redmarsh shakes his head as if to clear his head. The intense impatient expression returns and he commands, "I will hear more of this once the curse has been lifted from the town and the dragon is dealt with." He nods to Kazel and then commands a small detail of six soldiers to escort the rogues' party out.
-----Zantar and the rest of his troop exit behind them and once everyone gains the courtyard, the Knight and his troop head off for the stables.
-----As the rogues and their mercenaries are lead out through the keep's gate, the portcullis closes behind them.
-----Brandel appears visibly shaken and holds his hands out in front of him as if struggling for words. "Damn!" he finally exclaims, "This is what I pledged to myself that I would return to?" Turning and pointing back at the keep, he says, "I served in his troops and upheld his honor and this is how I shall be repaid?"
-----Krord steps up to Brandel and lowers his huge hand gently on the young mercenary's shoulder. Calming down somewhat, Brandel looks around at the trio of rogues and says in a sincere tone, "I'm sorry. I encouraged you to come here and I fear it was a waste of time." Looking around at the dire state of the town, Brandel adds, ". . . I did not expect this."
-----"I says we do's some real damage 'round here," growls an angry Runik.
-----Marast remains silent but glares intently at the walls of the keep.
-----"You wish to stop the curse on the town?" asks a voice in broken common language. As everyone turns, they see a thin man with a deep tannish complexion leaning against the castle wall. He wears the robes of a merchant although they appear worn and dirty. A tangle of rags is worn over his dark hair. A short stubble of a beard lines his chin and under his large wide nose. Dark circles are under his intense darkly blazing eyes.
-----Suddenly the keep's gate rises and from it rides Sir Zantar leading his mounted troop. Ignoring the people near the gate, the entire troop begins urgently riding down one of the streets toward the west.
-----Kazel looks puzzled at Brandel. "So you mean you've never actually seen Zantar in person before? Hard to believe you didn't expect this if that's what he's like."
-----Looking after the commotion of the riders, the strange man cryptically says, "Such a fool! They do not know what to look for."
-----Across the market, more beggars or citizens in various states of sickness are seen. Some crawl while others stagger, crying out their lament.
-----She stops as the strange man speaks and replies, "... and you do, mister?"
-----"I have seen Sir Zantar before," Brandel replies to Kazel, "I would guess he feels our troop betrayed him when our captain lead us to Oakwood when the area was overrun by humanoids." Brandel sighs somewhat defeatedly.
-----As Kazel glances at the strange man, he nods back to her. Hardly moving his mouth, he says, "You wish to speak in a more private place?"
-----Seth nods and adds for his own benefit in a very quiet voice, "Yes, a private place with a bath!"
-----He maneuvers himself over near Brandel and says, "Do not worry about Zantar. In my opinion the Lords of the land are a fickle bunch and not worthy of a man's respect. While they do have the management of the towns and municipals, there are others, such as ourselves that manage the people and the commerce. As you can see we are separate from the Lords, but from time to time they need our help. Generally we sell it to them, but give more than they purchase, because order and calm in the towns is good for business and our people."
-----He looks at Runik and then finally adds, "Your commander was near the end of his time, and he knew that by moving the troop to Oakwood it would be saved for later use. At the end of all this, if the four of you would like to keep serving our business consortium you will be appreciated!"
-----Brandel smiles weakly at Seth and says, "Thank you. I, for one, wish to stay on with you." Brandel gets a faraway look in his eye and adds, "This is strange, but even though this is the first time I have returned to Redmarsh in more than a month's time, this is the first time I truly feel as if I have lost my home."
-----"By Moradin's hammer," Runik growls, "Me n' me hammer's wit' ye!"