"Right..." you mutter, and take a look around yourself, it doesn't seem there is any such merchant at hand, but you can always ask someone. "Let us see if there are hunters here, otherwise I've been told such shops are located over the river. I'd rather go with them than the savages..."
"But we'll pick up the staff?" the stoat reminds you, and is acknowledged.
"Of course. We'll have to tell Flax anyway we're moving, so... The concern is just in which order."
This she finds chuckleworthy apparently, but you won't rub it in, better get on your way. As usual, there's plenty of guards around, surely they can help you navigate, knowing their station. You approach the closest one and inquire forthwith.
"Try the inn, I know there are orders placed on game..." he points at an edifice, marked by its abundance of windows. "Else not many to see in the square, stock the stores and off they go. The furriers up the lane could direct you, they should know..."
"I'll take a look, sir. Thank you!"
Swiftly you take a turn for the tavern, as advised. You spot Flax meandering by the great building, but agree with your companion, better not to meet up, until you have the weapon. At least you know where to find him...
As there don't seem to be any staff outside the resort, you proceed to slip inside.
Perhaps not more spacious necessarily than the last you've visited, though certainly more orderly. Even tables set to your left and your right, standing as sides to a lane that leads directly to the bar. The guests appear more distinguished, too, perhaps for a different reason however, those not nobler in appearance still draw attention by its merit.
There are folks of all kind gathered in the hall, likely travellers as you are, resting their gear by their feet, light but laden. Your hopes of finding a hunter rise, for many look the part, grim and brooding. Frequenters more jolly balance the humour, though you don't see getting much from them, they would blend with the usual street stock perfectly, save the inebriation. Another short man you witness, though different from the slave haggler, one profoundly stout and hairy...
And quickly you snap your head back to the target, when you spot the students from around Átux's place. They must have taken notice too, and you won't have any of it, better haste to the innkeep! At least the stoat is amused further, but that certainly doesn't make you feel any better now...
"Greetings, master!" you say when reaching the counter, and the master in question gawks back in disbelief. He does respond briefly, it is clear however your visit has quite dumbfounded the man, and not him alone.
"Bless you the Fair, traveler, how can I serve?" he utters as a matter of course, the wonder permeates his voice still.
"I seek hunters to barter with..." you explain, and the host starts to latch on. "Word has come to me, you have connections to some."
"Yes, yes!" he beams, and takes it from there. "I do have contacts, contacts and contracts! But mind you, they are rather busy, and their services limited, what is it you have in mind exactly?"
"Parts of the skeleton. Preserved, in good condition."
Such an answer made the man somewhat uneasy, yet he does not withhold.
"Eh, I do not think this mine can provide. Tell you what though, I am sure there are plenty in the town that will!"
You follow his eyes, and figure he's searching among the visitors.
"I'm all ears." you encourage, and he elaborates.
"Certain devotees of the god Gugir follow a rite, by which they keep the bones and fashion intricate trophies. If you got hold of such a follower, I am positive he'd have in store whatever one can harvest in these parts."
"Wouldn't I infringe on the sacred?"
"Nay, I don't think so! Mayhap it is once crafted from, but the materials they must have a wealth on in their possession! It's only there are few in the neighborhood as is, and even rarer these oddities... But burghers told me some live here, fortunately."
"How do I find them?"
"Look for the ornaments, they should wear such on the outside. Of where they live I know not, but there's always a chance you happen upon one at a shrine, that's where I'd stand on guard. Else you can ask some colleagues - Kul over there could know, but any should give better directions than me..."
"Very well then, thanks for the tip! I'll be on my way." you bow, and turn around, to a sight you had hoped to avoid.
It is one of the scholars pursuing, but before you can process that, the vagrant nudges you. Hence you first lower your ear and listen, what she has to say.
"Let me get this straight, now we're tracking a bunch of dotty poacher groupies to get our goods." she whispers, not as cheerful this time around. "I am not sure we have actually helped ourselves here..."
"Seems it's true." you nod. "Humans are strange this way, only a handful keeping bones, go figure."
"Why does it have to be a bird skull... We could pinch any old bones at just about every corner..."
"I have standards, and formulas. We better get going."
"Magician." the student dares to speak. "Sit down with me, I will help you. I can fetch you more than the map, be assured I have connections too!"
A glimpse at the stoat show, this doesn't do it for her. But you are in charge, whoever shall be approached you are to decide.
What do you want to do?
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Topic: Dwarf Fortress -Drawings- : Tales of the Deer Wizard (Read 152121 times)