The assembled company re-convene in the tavern of Buhr Tallanmoor...

 
 CAPTAIN HARMAL: With Mouse by his side, Captain Harmal nods once to the ladies, then clasps the hand of the newcomer, Ongas, slapping the man on his shoulder. “I pray that your presence here will lend us the wings we need to fly after the Szreldor Ongas? Please, make yourself at home. I need to survey my men and make plans for those who are too injured to accompany us.” He turns to the rest of those in the room. “Ongas will be our guide on the ‘morrow and if rumours speak true – he is worth at least as much as any of you – if not more so. Please show him all decency. I shall be back forthwith,” and he strides out of the door.

Lochan pauses for a moment, looking first at Arekhel and then at Billy, before coming to a judgement. He nods briefly to Ongas and follows the Captain outside, carrying some equipment. "I will be back as soon as I can. There are others who are wounded outside. I must do what I can for them to…”
 

While he is gone…

Sealvach leans towards Billy and speaks softly so that no one else in the room can hear. He then stands upright again, still keeping his pressure on the wound, and his eyes on Billy's as Arekhel assesses the damage done to the poor Hobbit.

BILLY:  Billy opens an eye drowsily and smiles at the two of them above, before closing it again. Through slack lips he drawls:
"Hello Mr Sealvach sire, Is be having a strange dream about 'e. In this dream 'e said 'e shot I with an arrow."
The brown haired Hobbit manages a weak chuckle before grimacing and putting his hands on the Elf’s. "Oooh, why does my stomach hurt Mr Sealvach sire and why is it hard to be staying awake?"
The Hobbit's face, already quite pale, turns whiter still as realisation hits him hard:
"B-b-b-but you did shoot I, didn't 'e?" He opens an accusing eye at the Elf. "Is didn't mean to annoy 'e Mr Sealvach, surely a kick up mine's arse would have done 'e?" He curls a bloodstained hairy hand around the arrow shaft and sighs heavily as he closes his eye again.
"Mother always told I the Big Folk were an unforgiving lot, Is should have listened to 'e." He doubles up as pain scythes through his body, the spasm passes quickly though and he looks down at the shaft protruding from his leather jerkin:
"Well Mr Goatsfoot look at the trouble you is in now, looking like a cheese and pickle snack at one of
Mrs Mellowbuns after dinner parties is I! That's the end of the lane for poor ol' Billy!" He speaks a little louder so those in the room can hear him… "Well before I go I'd like to announce that all my worldly possessions go to Raddish. Is wish 'e all the luck in your quest, and it was pleasant knowing most of 'e," he cocks an eye in Sealvach's direction. The Hobbit closes his eyes for what he thinks is a final time and waits for death to steal upon him....

RADDISH:  "NOOOO!"
"Billy, my friend!"
Raddish rushes to the side of his friend, sobbing loudly. "Do you have the courage to leave me among this High Folk without a friend to have some pipeweed with, without a laugh? Come on Billy, hold on!"

AREKHEL:  Arekhel, hearing Billy's words and seeing his blood slowly leaking from his body quickly makes a decision and starts rummaging in her bag. She says very quickly:
"Quick, there is no time to waste!" Addressing Grum's wife, the Elf shouts:
"I need some cloth and some boiling water immediately." Turning towards Billy, she whispers softly to him: 
"Do not panic little friend, you are not dead yet. We can trick Death together! Hold on, please, do not give up!"

RADDISH:  Turning to the others, Raddish says:
"Is it possible that you can heal poor Billy?"
Raddish then puts his head on the chest of his friend and starts to sob loudly. Sealvach sighs and waits for orders from Arekhel. She places a pad of herbs around the wound then with a nod to the Gambler, pulls out the arrow with one swift maneuver, glancing at the tip to check it has not broken off then tosses the bloodied weapon aside. While Sealvach presses down on the healing pad, Arekhel mutters in a strange dialect as if praying and touches Billy’s stomach lightly in places as if searching. Satisfied, she motions for Raddish to help her tie the linen pad around Billy’s waist, then steps back.

SEALVACH:  Seeing more competent healers than himself are now in charge of the wounded, Sealvach waits until Arekhel has no need of him further then leans towards her, and whispers "Thank you, Lady," in Sindarin, while clasping her shoulder. She answers both in the same language and a shade of surprise appears briefly on the Gambler's face as some unspoken word passes between them, and he nods pensively while his hand darts to his pocket. He stops his gesture with a start and smiles at her before leaving her to her task. He then retreats to a table in a corner of the room. He sits as comfortably as he can, easing his injured leg onto a nearby chair; and draws his cards. He shuffles them after wiping his hands of blood and spreads out some of them on the table - just by his dagger, darting a glance towards the others in the tavern from time to time.

MERAINA:  Meraina is standing to one side of the shuttered windows facing the street, occassionally looking out as if searching for something and clearly troubled by the frown she wears. She starts as the tall figure of Ongas appears then shakes her head as if dismissing the newcomer and returns to watch the night. For now she keeps to herself and says nothing.

The Gambler makes a discreet sign towards the Warleader, meaning him to join Sealvach at his table. Then, secretively he begins to speak softly with Relg.

ONGAS:  Ongas, seeing that he has a mixed reception from this band of individuals and that for the moment no-one he recognises is in evidence he strolls over to the bartop and raps a knuckle to alert Grum. The chubby tavern owner beams a wide grin. “Ah, Ongas sir. Glad to see more allies present with all these goings on. You wouldn’t believe what has been happening here this night…”

Ongas nods while watching the Gambler and Easterling from the corner of his eye. He notices easily that he appears to be at the heart of their quiet conversation so chooses to break in by wandering over towards the table where the Gambler sits, surveying the cards laid out with a smile. "Perhaps," he muses to himself, noting that the man’s dagger is close at hand, "they may indeed be ready for the task we are about to undertake." He waits for the seated men to notice him...

SEALVACH:  Sealvach raises his head and Ongas can only discern his eyes' glow from under his wide-brimmed hat. Another few seconds and the Gambler just says in his emotionless voice:
"You are interested in my cards eh? Perhaps you would wish a game? Well, perhaps another time. I feel... tired... right now. But if you can bring back two mugs of ale, you're welcome to a seat."

The foreigner makes a stately bow. "As you wish." Walking over to the bar, he motions to the barkeep. "Two of what he's having." Ongas points at the Gambler. In a lower, hushed voice, he whispers:
"And feel free to water them down!"

Grum looks shocked as if suggesting that he water’s down his ale at all is horrifying to imagine then spots the knowing wink that follows Ongas’ comment. He grins a little unsurely and hurries to do the other man’s bidding.

When Ongas comes back, Sealvach nods a thank you and sips his ale before putting the mug down on the tabletop. Then he recovers his cards back and shuffles his deck before putting them in an inner pocket of his brown coat. He settles back, takes the black-hilted dagger and have it disappear in a Flick of his slim wrist. He then crosses his arms on his chest, and looks at the newcomer from under his hat with expressionless eyes, clearly leaving to Ongas the choice to speak or to keep silent.

Relg takes a thorough look at the newcomer, trying to get an impression of the man who is said to have such an excellent knowledge of the nearby lands. He grabs the ale however and cheers to Ongas, but for now not saying anything.

HARMAL:  At that moment, the door opens to let in a chill wind once more and the battle stained Captain Harmal returns with Mouse and Lochan at his side. The Captain e looks grave. “Companions,” he begins. “It seems that for now we are alone in this village and for that I am grateful. Mouse has informed me that Ongas spied some horsemen fleeing north up the road – I can only assume that it was Megrin for his sudden absence has been noted these last few minutes. The ruffians who laid the trap appear to be outsiders and not from round here. Perhaps our prisoner here, Ranal is going to tell us all about that in a moment?” He grins towards the Easterling Maleg who guards the prisoner with a sharpened knife at the man’s throat. Captain Harmal continues:
“Either way - my men are accounted for and number a score and six, all able bodied men with fresh mounts each. Note that horses are also available for those of you who have none. The rest of the militia are either too badly injured to fight or have no surviving horses. We will have to rely on cavalry to reach the enemy warband before they cross the river Carnen and are lost to us.

Relg gets to his feet. "Good. Finally we will be on our way. Let us come up with a plan." The ale in his hand, the Gargath walks over to join Captain Harmal.

ONGAS:  Ongas stays silent for a good, long while after the Captain has spoken. Then, just as the silence becomes uncomfortable, Ongas leans forward challenging the eye of the Gambler who sits across from him. He speaks loud enough for all those in the room to hear and says with his strange accent:
"Well, Gambler," Ongas puts an emphasis on the name. "I must say that I'm not overly impressed with what I see so far." Ongas leans further forward. "I came seeking a hardened band of adventurers who requested my aid against the Szreldor. But that is assuredly not what I found. We have no time for antics. We have no time and we are in grave danger, and I need you, ALL of you," <he gestures at the rest of the party> "to be at your peak, physically and mentally. Nothing less will suffice to defeat the Szreldor and rescue the prisoners they hold."

Ongas sits back, wrapping his cloak around himself, stony-faced, waiting to see the reaction of those around him.

AREKHEL:  Arekhel looks up from Billy's body and looks furiously at Ongas.  She gasps and declares in a very angry tone:
"Easy for you, to be at your 'peak, physically and mentally', great warrior! You arrive after the storm and you dare judging us! It is days since we have been on the road, escaping from greater dangers than you might even imagine! All those you see around us have had their share of bravery..."<she then goes back to her task, and mutters loud enough for Ongas to hear> "antics, antics, how dare he! Wait until he's wounded and I'll heal him in a nice way!!!" <Arekhel is clearly fuming>

RELG:  "Hear, hear!" The sarcasm in Relg’s voice cannot be overheard. "Watch your tongue, newcomer. You might loose it one day! How many battles have you fought to speak in such a proud voice? I am looking forward to listening to your stories!" There is no hostility in the Gargath’s eyes, but the warning is clear and Ongas is clever enough to catch it.

Anyone looking at Sealvach right now might notice a slight smile on his lips, as if appreciating in advance what will come to pass.

ONGAS:  "Trust me, Lady, I know hardship as well, if not better, than anyone present here, and I am sure that your healing skills are a valued asset to the party... I have, however, come to offer my assistance, not to bicker, so I would appreciate it if you would keep a civil tongue in your mouth while speaking to me."

Arekhel looks back and says quickly:
"If you do not like my way of talking, too bad. At least, I do not try to pretend or impress! And after all, you started this, not me. Now, excuse me for I am rather busy, but if you wish, we can talk later and I'll try not to offend the nice man you seem to be…" <she smiles strangely at him>

SEALVACH:  Sealvach stays impassive while the man speaks, only his eyes moving from Ongas' slanted eyes to his hands. At last he replies:
"You should tell what you think to Harmal, not to us. With or without you, the others will go nevertheless, and I might even join them..." His face is broken by a sudden lop-sided smile. "Nice cloak, though... nice colour. It would help the Szreldor notice us from miles, sure it would. Or is it to impress someone here? It might if we had time to admire it..." He gestures at the wounded in the room, and those attending them. The Gambler's hand sets back on the table, while the other is resting on his injured leg, and he leans back once more on the wall behind him.

Ongas stares, unsure what to make of this ‘Gambler’. Then, deciding that this man is merely jesting with him, he smiles in return. "Obviously, when I'm on the hunt, I wear something a little more toned down," he replies, indicating the pack he wears strapped on his back. "Admiration and respect are something that must be earned, though. You do not gain respect merely because of the clothes you wear; You gain it from your actions and your words. You'll do well to remember that." Ongas smiles.
Sealvach smiles back and answers:
"I will cherish your words, Wise One." Then his face sobers immediately after. "Each of these men and women here in this room has earned my respect. With their actions, with their words, with their courage, and with their blood. Do never, ever, underestimate them. " He flashes a grin at the foreigner: "You'll do well to remember that."

"As I will take your words to heart, my friend." Ongas replies and extends his hand, sensing that he has won over at least one member of the group.

Sealvach's head rises suddenly, locking his gaze into Ongas's eyes. " Now how did I earn that? Which of my words and actions, to quote you, did earn your friendship? I do not use such words lightly, and if I said that they had all earned my respect, only two of them I would dare to call my friends. Now, if you wish, I've had a full day, and an even fuller night." His left hand drops out of nowhere a Tarot card on the table top, and pushes it towards Ongas. The card shows the Hanged Man, and Sealvach raises a surprised eyebrow at the sight, as if he has drawn the card at random. "The gentlemen here wish to speak to you ", and he points towards Relg and Harmal who is conversing with Mouse at his side. "We'll speak again on the trail if chance wills it." Upon these words, Sealvach settles confortably in his chair and draws his hat upon his eyes, all the world looking as if already asleep, with his arms crossed again. 

Ongas shrugs and turns to speak to Relg who is studying the man intently from across the table. As he does so, he hears a last word from the Gambler that makes him look back in surprise:
"Ah... thanks for the ale. I'd thought that a man such as you would have liked it a bit stronger. You were right about appearances. "

RELG:  Relg finally introduces himself to the newcomer saying:
"You arrive in time, though too late for the battle we have just fought. I am called Relg of the Fist, and if you are familliar with this country then you might have heard this name before."

Ongas nods in confirmation. “I have heard of the one that wears a clenched red fist upon his warshield. Are you that man?”

Looking at Harmal, the Gargath Warrior nods then adds:
"We should sit down and talk about the day tomorrow.” Captain Harmal looks across, motioning for Lochan to join them. Relg carries on:
“Now that Ongas is here we can come up with a plan to catch up with the main Szreldor group."
As Mouse joins them at the table, as does Coru and behind them as always, Maleg, Captain Harmal speaks, addressing the group:
“Remember that thanks to Gwalchmai here, we have two prisoners. I have every faith in the skills of the Lady Arekhel in this manner, but let us hope that both can be questioned to find out the story of this night’s events. Gwalchmai, bring that man around but don’t knock him about any further, we want him to be able to speak clearly after all.”

Relg waves to Coru, saying:
"Coru, you should tell all the others about your encounter during the fight. I don't like the sound of what you have said, since I don't want to deal with witchcraft. But maybe someone else might have a clue what is behind all this." After a short pause, he adds:
"And it might be worth having a look behind the house, maybe we can find some tracks." <It is clear that he is addressing Mouse with this comment.>

Mouse shrugs, suggesting the possibility but Coru shakes his head. “I checked the area after I felt well enough again to stand but there was nothing to indicate someone was still there.”

“Tell us more of this encounter Coru,” says the Captain, leaning forward.

CORU:  Coru clears his throat and stands up from his seat behind Relg. He is still a bit dazed, but he hides it well, but a keen eye would notice that he rests his weight against the table to stay in balance.

"This evening, before any of the bloodshed, I went up to the hill guarding this village. Up there something quite mysterious happened. Suddenly, a voice spoke to me, and it was the coldest, most unnerving voice I've ever heard. I instantly turned around, and spied in the direction the voice came from. But then, and we are talking about a moment later, the voice came from a different
direction, teasing me with it's hissing voice. He must have moved with the speed of the grass lion's of home. The hairs on my back rose, and he seemed to have a great time, unnerving me. But that is not the worst part of it. He spoke of terrible things, he seemed to know a great deal of what was going on, and he also hinted that there is a traitor among us. If I remember correctly, his exact words were: "you are struggeling with enemies, both from the inside and the outside".... Then he disappeared, just as suddenly as he'd appeared. I ran down to warn you about this, < looking at Relg in particular> but then all the fighting had begun, and I had other things to think of for a while.

“Oh, I had almost forgotten about it, but when I was guarding the back entrance of the ambush house, I was dreadfully reminded of my experience up on the hill. The voice was back, and now very near me. I could not see the man, but I felt his presence, and I can tell you, it was not a nice feeling, it was one of pure evil. I remember his words exactly, he said:
"Now, it is time... time for you and I to become friends." I drew my sword, and turned around in a hurry, but there was no-one there. And then my vision failed, and so did my feet. There had been nothing touching my body, but I was nevertheless beaten to the ground. Those of you who has gotten to know me know that I am not one who uses too strong words, rather the other way around, but I don't think I'm far off if I say it's the single most morbid event in my life..."

He then pauses to catch his breath, and adds:
"And what annoys me the most about the whole thing is that I cannot explain any of it...."

Coru lets the group digest what he has told them, and notices that a few of them at least begin to talk amongst themselves, as if confirming their own fears.

RELG:  Relg frowns and looks intensely at Coru. Seeing that for now no one is prepared to comment on this event the Gargath is first to speak out:
"Let one thing be said clearly - If there is a traitor among us, he or she can be assured to be discovered, and I do not need to say what we use to do with traitors." The Warseeker looks from face to face, staring obviously a little longer at Meraina than the others, but he shows no emotion.
"But we must not let some evil ghost tear our group apart. The witchcraft, which caused the voice to speak to you, Coru, is evil. And it didn't really say there would be a traitor among us. It just said that we would struggle with enemies from the inside and the outside. Anyway, if anybody experiences something similar, it is to be reported immediately!" Relg pauses for a second, then adds:
"Let us not forget about this, but we must not start by looking suspiciously at each other."

<Perhaps the Gargath wanted to say more but then he stops and doesn't speak further. Allowing others to comment.>

BILLY:  Billy looks around at the group and exclaims:
"By Eru friend Raddish, I thought Is a gonner!” says Billy, waking up once more. “Mistress Arekhel is skilled indeed!" He nods his head towards the rest of the group, "One of these big folk means to wrong us my friend, who do 'e think it is?"

BOLDOR:  Boldor sitting by the bar nursing a nice cold pint of beer, overhears Billy. With images from the fight still in his mind, of axes, and bodies, fear and surprise, Boldor is tempted to scare Billy a little. But right now he is not that playful, but instead wanders over to Billy and Raddish and says:
"Eh, Billy! Maybe I am that big person... Eh? What do you think?"  He then slumps into the last available chair by the fire, gazing into it and wandering alone in his thoughts.

The Hobbit looks suddenly guilty and his cheeks flush, "Ummm, err, Ummm, W-w-well.." He clears the frog from his throat, "Mister Boldor Sir, Is meant no disrespect to 'e." He shifts uncomfortably in his seat. "Dwarves are known to my folk as honest and not the instruments of evil. My Uncle Pigstroker, before 'e became a farmer, had dealings with your kind and he used to say, 'Billy stop picking your nose'" The hobbit still looks flustered, "Oh no, I mean he would say, 'Billy, a dwarf will never wrong you unless you wrong him first' I don't want to wrong 'e Mister Boldor sir, Is just be wanting to sleep easy in my bedroll and not be worrying about one of us sticking a blade in Is back," The Hobbit shudders at the thought. He looks at Boldor hopefully, "Do 'e know who it is?"

Boldor looks up again and grimaces his teeth a little - Billy recognizes it as a grin coming from Boldor - at the mild discomfort he has caused Billy. "Don't worry Billy, I was just doing a little light jesting... no I do not know who it is...If there is indeed someone in our group who is a traitor... for all we know, it may be the work of this evil being simply to sow dissension within our group and get us to start looking for traitors under every rock, stone and in every tunnel... we can almost go by process of elimination in some cases... for example... Froin is badly injured and unconscious...if he were the traitor, would he have been attacked as viciously? I for one think Froin is clean." Boldor sighs and takes a gulp of beer from his tankard.

LOCHAN:  Lochan has been helping as best he can with Froin - whilst Arekhel works wonders for Billy. He looks up from Froin’s side and adds: 
"I am no soothsayer but I think Boldor is right. There are no traitors amongst this company except our own doubts. We must not listen to them. No, it’s the malice of evil words".

BILLY:  Billy visibly relaxes at Boldor's words. As he sighs in relief he hears Lochan's counsel but the Hobbit's pessimism comes to the fore. "Mr Lochan sire, I's wouldn't be so sure. How do 'e know Is not being under someone else's pay?"

Lochan looks up at the Hobbit and waits to see what he will say.

Billy moves his chair slightly so he has a trouble free run for the door… "What about 'e Mr Lochan son of Athlor? When 'e walked the dark trails of the north did 'e strike a deal to shame the father who threw 'e out? Do bounty hunters be having morals and what better bounty than this torc?"

Lochans expression darkens. "Billy, I warn you not to dishonour the name of my father. I understand what you're getting at but have a care."

The Hobbit nods, getting to his feet and addresses the party pointing at Sealvach:
"Is Mr Sealvach's aim so bad as to mistake the small torc bearer for a Big 'un? What do we really be knowing about Mr Sealvach other than 'e likes to keep himself to himself?"

He continues his point now gesturing towards Gwalchmai but taking an unconcious pace towards the door… "What about our sellsword from the borderlands? Is 'e forced to do their bidding because Liiva is their prisoner? Or was Liiva killed by the men of the west?"

He quickly moves on to Relg and Coru. "Mr Relg be no lover of the Szreldor, that we know, but what if his reward for capture of the torc is the command of the tribes of the east so that 'e may wipe out his enemies once and for all? Or Mr Coru, has 'e been duped by an imposter who claims to be Kher'Res and who be wanting the return of his 'sacred' torc?" He looks away. "Mistress Meraina. Some think 'e mad in these parts! Is Amthach or Gavlin an enemy contact perhaps or a prisoner held ransom like Gwalchmai's Liiva?"

Billy finishes up with Ongas. "And 'e Mr Ongas. What do we be knowing about 'e? Is suspect 'e has already made enemies in this group and maybe this be your plan?"

The Hobbit, surprised to be still breathing by now, looks at the furious faces of those who have only now just realised how much of their own secret pasts are on show to those willing enough to listen to the gossip of villagers. Billy sits back in his chair and looks deep into the crackling embers of the fire, "Nay, Mr Lochan these words of the enemy cannot be so easily discounted." The Hobbit falls silent as he allows his mind to wander...

HELADIL:  Heladil looks at Billy as he hears the small ones conversation.  "I don't mean to eavesdrop my friend. I noticed that you left me out of your little list of suspects, but we must be wary of too much internal suspicion.  I understand your feelings towards Sealvach, but understand that it was a mistake, an accident.  If he wanted to harm us, he could have done so. He could have killed me when we were out looking for Megrin and friends. Remember, his words are more than likely an attempt to cause dissension and suspicion among us.  The only one that is new to our band is Ongas and he has yet to prove himself one way or the other."  

With these words the Elven Scout gets two mugs of ale and sits next to Sealvach, offering him one and taking a sip from the other.
 

Meanwhile, Lochan responds to the Hobbit’s comments…

LOCHAN:  "You are a friend and a strange fellow indeed Mister Billy. That is a truth I understand NOW." He pats Billys shoulder briefly. " I do not know why any of us are here; but such is life! No one but a fool lives thier life through certainties. A brave Hobbit tries one of mother Chubbs pies before he knows that she's a great cook!"

BILLY:  Billy's face smiles in the orange flickering light of the fire as Lochan pats him on the back. He looks in surprise at the man as he uses an old Hobbit proverb and springs up off the chair. Bowing grandly he says, "Thank 'e Mr Lochan Sir, good words indeed, come sit by the fire and honour I by telling about the family of 'e, Is meant no malice in my words." 

The Ranger returns the bow, in his own ruff manner and chuckles gently. "I know you meant no harm and I'm glad you are with us for you're as remarkable fellow! I'm not sure we've the time for a chat now but I 'll make you a deal; if I tell you something about my family, you can share more of your Hobbit proverbs. What do you think to that, eh?"

The Hobbit looks surprised that the Ranger should take such an interest in Hobbit lore. "Why Mr Lochan sir I'd be as pleased as a hobbit at a pie stall to share the proverbs Is know with 'e! Let I know when it is convenient for 'e." Billy takes his seat once again and starts to whistle a lively little tune whilst packing his pipe, his recent injuries now forgotten.

CORU:  Coru again opens his mouth to explain himself further:
"Good folk, I am not saying that there IS a traitor among us, I'm only retelling what this mystery man told me. He told me many strange things, among them that I already knew him, though I can swear I'd never heard his voice before - I know I would have remembered a voice that chilly." Coru pauses, looks around him and wraps his coat tighter, rather needlessly, since they're indoors. He then
continues:
"I agree with Lochan, to a certain degree... I felt toyed with, unnerved and he might have tried to make me believe there was a traitor among us. On the other hand though..." <he leaves the sentence unfinished.> Coru sits down again, and looks hawkishly around as he sips a mug of ale.

AREKHEL:  Arekhel shivers when she hears Coru's tale. She then says to him:
"You just heard a voice? Didn't you see any shadow or smoke perhaps? I wonder if it was not the Wraith again? After all, Sealvach and Relg encountered it earlier. It might still be around and trying another way to destroy us. I am sure this story of traitor is just a plan to weaken us."
Arekhel then retreats to one chair and starts rolling the leather band of her silver necklace between her fingers, lost in her thoughts. An expression of emotional pain crosses her face from time to time, as if recollecting some bad memories but she says no more. Getting to her feet with a sigh the Elven woman checks on the state of the injured again, more to have something else to dwell upon than her own memories. She crosses to Ranal and by poking around, she makes him awake with a start and a curse. She turns to Captain  Harmal nearby saying:
“He is badly wounded, and I cannot tell if his human constitution is up to the task of healing the damage. He has lost much blood and the damage goes deep. I cannot say if any organs have been punctured by Boldor’s attack but he is bleeding internally and there is not much I can do further. If you will question him, do it now.”

SEALVACH:  Shifting twice in his seat, Sealvach finally sits upright again unable to rest with all the gloomy muttering going on around him. Th Gambler comes to a decision. With a face to dissuade any casual approach from the others, he takes the ever-present deck, draws a long breath and closes his eyes. "Great Queen, " he prays almost silently, only the other Elves in the room making out the language in which he speaks, "I implore you. Evil is lurking close, and only Your eyes might devine who is ill-intended or where Evil is hidden. Great Queen, this I do not ask for me, but for the lives of many good people who are at stake here. I am but your tool, to be used as you see fit."

Drawing his Tarot deck, he chooses the arcane symbol of the Sun and goes on praying: 
"Great Ariadana, let your light forth, so that Evil stands marked in its beam." Sealvach concentrates on the markings of the card in his hands, beads of sweat begin to roll along his temples and cheeks, one of them falling just by the card which has now become the center of his world.

In avid concentration, the Gambler waits for a sign from the Goddess, but after five minutes, he has to admit defeat. Dropping the card onto the table, he wipes his forehead with his sleeve and sighs.
 

RELG:  Relg is the first to join Harmal by the man’s side, Ranal’s pale skin grey and glittering with sweat as the prisoner stares up at his capturers, pain an ever-present mask that leers from the scar upon his cheek. Relg tries first to trick him with words:
"So my friend, it seems as if your death is immanent. Are you prepared to die? I hope you are looking forward to it. But before that, I would like to know, why someone like you follows a man like Megrin? He is not of your kind, so, what makes you follow his orders? And don't think, I haven't recognised this foreigner." <Relg tries to look confident concerning the origin of the merchant, hoping that Ranal will mention it without thinking.>

“If I am to die anyway, rat-boil” Ranal spits, “what good is it telling you or your foul friends anything?” He leers then rolls over to cough up pink foamed spittle, hawking a great gobbet from his throat and spitting it onto the floor.

Relg barely controlling his temper, adds:
"He cannot hide his coloured skin and the moustache he tries to grow doesn't hide it either."

“Pfff! So what? Urdar all look weird to me. Megrin looks like any other, waxed moustache or not. So if you want to know, pig-flea… he’s from Urd, way up northeast. I don’t mind telling you ‘cos it makes no difference to me now.

Relg continues, trying to get more information but silently seething inside:
"Was it his idea, this foolish ambush? He should have known that you cannot keep us from following the group. We will catch up soon, and then it will be too late for the Szreldor dogs." Relg tries not to show, that he knows only little, and not to make any assumptions.

“Eh?” says Ranal, looking genuinely confused. “What have those yellow skulking bastards got to do with anything? I worked for Megrin ‘cos he paid well, better than that bloated toad of a merchant and his steaming carcass of a henchman Amthach anyway. As far as I know, Megrin has nothing to do with the Szreldor!” He pauses then suddenly burst out with a cackle of laughter that just as suddenly turns into a coughing fit that doubles him up, clutching his wounded chest and whimpering at the pain.. He looks up at the surrounding sea of surprised faces and chuckles once more. “So… you think that, we are somehow working for the Szreldor, Megrin? Ha ha ha, that’s a larf! Listen,” he points an unsteady finger at no-one in particular. “I wouldn’t be seen dead working for those bastards. No, Megrin I think works for some group, Urdar I think and if you haven’t found him, then I guess we’ve succeeded after all and he has fled with the handle. Ah hahahaha!” He cackles once more before groaning and holding onto the side of the table and Arekhel’s outstretched arm.

"Fool!" Relg bursts out. A deadly smile appears on his face. "The handle is still ours. You haven't succeeded at all. You will never succeed, since you cannot win without it. I don't need to tell you why we will never let Megrin have the handle!" <Relg continues bluffing, trying to make Ranal talk.>

AREKHEL:  Arekhel moves her head and motions with unspoken words towards Relg, while Ranal cannot see her, as if to warn him to cease for now and not to intervene. She then holds Ranal gently but firmly by the shoulders. She says in a sweet voice:
"Ranal my dear, do not think your death is that imminent. I have some ways to keep you alive, if you show yourself more cooperative...The choice is in your hands..."

The man coughs once more as he looks up at Arekhel. Faint drops of blood splatter onto the pale cream of her skin but she doesn't flinch and the man wipes his mouth across his sleeve. "Do you speak fair lady?" He growls in his throat. "No, you are n'Elf! They're supposed to be fair and innocent enough, I guess your tellin' the truth. Well, what you got or I aint lasting out longer'n five minutes from now and this grinning yellowbelly of a foreigner won't get nought from me."

Arekhel carries on with her sweet voice:
"I don't think you understand the bargain, either you tell us everything now and I can help you after, or I help you die straight away..."

“Huh, so your bargaining with MY life now, eh?” says the man. “What good is your healing me after when I might very well die before you get the chance. You gotta help me now Miss or I ain’t be around long enough to return the favour!” As if to mark the point he doubles up to cough more blood onto the floor. He doesn’t bother wiping away the mark on his lips anymore, just grins back at Arekhel through his broken teeth as if to say - See I told you so.

Captain Harmal whispers to Arekhel from just behind her. "Do what you can lady. That wound looks fatal, he might pass out for the last time at any moment."

Arekhel gives a quick look at Captain Harmal to make him understand the bluff she is attempting. He nods and looks back at the wounded man in the center of the circle. “The Lady here will do what she can while you speak, traitor. A traitor to his people forfeits all rights and for now, I am the law! Speak now and you might regain something with which to bargain for your life – you cannot help yourself if you are already dead!” He stares at Ranal with unflinching gaze and the wounded man eventually looks away. “Alright, do what you can. I’ll tell you what you want.” 

HARMAL:  Captain Harmal nods then cautions:
"Speak wisely and clearly traitor. Any lies that you try will be easily noticed by the Elves present here and then there will be no more deals." He motions with a clear gesture what will befall Ranal if this should happen. The man gulps and looks around. "Ok," he mutters. What do you want to know?"

Captain Harmal nods again. "I have my own questions but first I'll let the others here speak." He looks around for any takers...