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-----Seth looks a bit downcast at the news, "It was a bit frosty at the guild. They did not think we had enough money from the trip and really did not want to give us our share. Kazel, you are from this town, I think you know who we can really trust. Anyway I have some pork fat so I can cause a grease patch if we need it again tonight. I am not really a fighter, in fact I like to think of myself as a lover. But tonight I will try my best to be brave and follow you both as best I can. If you are going to see the dwarf about the stone I would like to come for I have a small question for him as well."
-----"Is that so?" Kazel looks annoyed. "Maybe we should just tell the assassins the guild now has the lead coins..." She leans back and thinks a bit. "What say we go see my jeweler friend Dofgar first to ask about this little stone, and maybe any other leads, then see if those beggars have anything to say at the well - one of them owes us from that fop a few nights ago. That is, with those drunk mercs coming along with us, of course. Or if you like, we can split up again and I'll meet you at the guild tower...?"
-----She purses her lips at this last idea, however, obviously not being her favorite option. She then mutters something to herself, "...shoulda killed her then, what with that low-cut dress and all alone..."
-----Gimplefwick shrugs his shoulders, "Nah, let's go see your jeweler friend, if you think it’s necessary. Maybe we'd best stick together as well." Gimplefwick stands and brushes himself off, giving his parrot an apprehensive glance as he wanders back into the bar area.
-----Seth nods, "Ok then, I am more than happy sticking together." He takes off his pack and stacks it somewhere out of sight, making sure he has what he needs in his pouches.
-----Gimplefwick scratches himself as he looks at the bar area and says to Kazel, "Let's hire a few of the mercs. They can escort us to Dofgar's and then to one of the areas near a guild entrance."
-----Moments later, the trio heads back down the street escorted by three slightly drunken mercenaries wearing leather armor and carrying short swords. The thieves nervously look around as their guards cough and laugh as the entire group, some slinking from shadow to shadow and some staggering, progress past the darkening shops. Kazel, Seth, and the Dread Pirate truly wonder if the mercs will be worth the single gold piece each man demanded for his services. Still, as alert as each thief is, they encounter nothing out of the ordinary and hear no fatal missiles hurling their way.
-----At the end of the block, they stop in front of the door to the jeweler’s shop. Giving their escort instructions to watch the streets and to guard the shop at all costs, the thieves enter the small shop. Dofgar looks up from his workbench at the sound of the shutting door and emits a gasp. Rising, a smile grows on his face as he approaches the trio with his arms ready for an embrace.
-----"Ah, girl," he says as he hugs Kazel, "ye had me worried, but yore back safe and sound like yore friend told ye was."
-----Seth has something he wants to show Dofgar but politely waits for others to go first, especially Kazel with her black stone.
-----Gimplefwick stares at the ceiling, idly tapping his fingers against his chin as Kazel talks to the jeweler. Occasionally, he glances outside to make sure the mercs are still there.
-----Kazel smiles at the dwarf's greeting, but then looks momentarily puzzled at his words. "My friend? Who are you talking about...?" She then produces the small black stone she mentioned earlier, holding it up against the candle light and wordlessly asks Dofgar to make what he can of it. "Any news of the town while we were out?" she asks idly as the jeweler examines the stone.
-----Dofgar, still smiling, looks toward the Dread Pirate and answers Kazel. "Your friend there came by the shop earlier." As the dwarven jeweler looks at the small black stone, a chuckle escapes him. "Why, by Moradin! Where are you and yore friends comin’ up with these ornamental stones?" Looking once again at Gimplefwick, he adds, "This is like the one ya brought me."
-----Taking the stone between his fingers, he eyes it closely. With a grunt of disappointment, he says, "Ah, what a shame! This one’s got a flaw. I reckon it’d fetch ‘bout five gold pieces."
-----"Ahem," he says clearing his throat, "Lemme see, like I told yore friend, the day after ya brought by the gold leaf paint, a ruckus started up with some of the merchants in the open market. Soon word was carried up the streets that a lot, and I mean a lot, of merchants had fallen prey to the bad coins circulatin’ through. Luckily, I’ve only seen two of the counterfeit coins, but prices all over town’s been going up! No one knows where they’re comin’ from and the Lord’s Court and even the priests and paladins from the Temple of Joren are investigatin’ it all. Say, by the way, I’ll give ya five gold pieces fer that gem’s ya brought."
-----When Kazel is finished with the stone, Seth pulls out his silver ring. "What do you think of this one Dofgar?" he says as he hands over the ring to be appraised.
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