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-----Seth smiles at Maime. "Thank you for that information. I shall go out directly and look for such mercenaries that may be in the town." As Maime hands the Dread Pirate the loofah, Seth's eyes widen in amazement. Now he understands the pirate’s fascination with the thing!
-----He asks Maime, "Do you still think they have those things in the market? I know someone in Hearthorn that would appreciate one of those at bath time."
-----He also thinks that a cartload of them in Hearthorn could make him some extra money as well. He could not really imagine anyone in this town being sophisticated enough to appreciate bathing more than once a year. Especially when no one wanted him to play in the tavern.
-----The Dread Pirate gravely accepts the loofah, then stares at it, apparently baffled as to what to do with it now that he has it in his grasp. He then shrugs, waggles it suggestively at Kazel, then tosses it in the bath tub. He then states, "I think I'll be waitin til nightfall to go out and hit the taverns, lookin fer our friend."
-----After Maime leaves, Seth nods and states, "If you like, I'll go out now and try and hire some mercenaries. I also want to find some young boys to act as scouts. When you find Voruna's friend he may have some young beggars or thieves we could use."
-----The Dread Pirate shrugs, "Aye, good luck. I'll see if Dalyor has some reliable friends he can persuade to follow our colleagues around town."
-----Seth then leaves through the door. The Dread Pirate curls up on the bed with the intention of napping until dusk.
-----Kazel says, "I'll be back at dusk. Going to check on that strange fellow we saw earlier. He was looking at some temples glowing with darkness, you know what I mean. Wonder how anyone can miss that. Anyway, who knows what might come up with that."
-----Out on the street once more Seth quickly merges in the crowds of people. Albert hops overhead from rooftop to rooftop occasionally cackling and chattering.
-----Just down two blocks, Seth intersects with the street that leads to the Keep of Oakwood. Directly across from him, the street opens out into the large Market area. Although it appears not to be as large as the Market area in Hearthorn, there seems to be a lot of activity with goods being bought and sold. It looks as though, as Seth browses, that pretty much what is available in Hearthorn is here also although in smaller quantities.
-----As Seth passes, he notices a somewhat large tent with a sign indicating the word ‘mercenaries’ on it. Just as he peeks in, a sturdy older man comes out and seeing the surprised musician starts into a talk that sounds like pure salesmanship. "Ey, ye lookin’ fer a few good men ta guard yer person o’ ye caravany?"
-----The oldster squints one eye at Seth as he awaits his answer.
-----Seth is a bit taken aback by the salesmen. This is not what he thought finding mercenaries would be like. He stares at salesman and then simply says, "Yes," in reply.
-----The old man ushers Seth into the tent with him. There inside the huge canopied structure, Seth sees fighters of all sizes relaxing, exercising, testing and sharpening weapons. The odor of sweat and smoke seems to permeate the tent.
-----"Most o’ ‘ese men served onced under me," the grizzled old man says. His curly gray hair seems to glisten in the greasy smoke. "I ‘ad me company o’ men wit’ me when we ‘trolled the plains o’ Redmarsh, I did." He pauses and then tells Seth, "Ave a look ‘round. Let me know ya gots questions ‘bout me men."
-----As Seth begins looking around the tent, two large oafs of men come over to the old man and clap him good-naturedly on the back. "Ow’s it goin’ there, Cap’n?" One of them slurs out with a laugh.
-----As before Seth sees the variety of men standing about, most of whom are humans. He does happen to see a young doughy dwarven fighter adjusting the studded leather vest he wears.
-----Oddly over to one corner sits a lean raggedy haired elf. He wears dark colored leather and a short sword rests on his knees. He watches the others around him with a look of disgust.
-----Just then two of the huge men roughly clear off a table and sit down opposite each other. They slam their elbows down and begin to vigorously arm wrestle. Some of the other men excitedly jump up shouting out wagers they wish to make.
-----Seth looks around at all of the warriors in the tent. He looks back at the captain and shrugs his shoulders. "Well Captain, they all certainly look like sturdy fighters, may we step outside while I ask you some questions?"
-----Seth steps outside the tent and waits for the captain to appear. When he does, he starts with his questions. "Well captain, why doesn't your lieutenant take over for you and keep the company together? If I take on some of your men, what are the terms? Am I paying you or do I pay the men direct?"
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