~ PASSAGE 82 ~
ADDRESSING THE ISSUE

MYCRAN 9 ~ 9 AM: After a night of constant drink and a restful morning, Oktavianus and Gailwind arose for their call on the courthouse. They ate breakfast back at the Jaded Mushroom. Oktavianus addressed the elf as they replenished themselves. " You have been quiet along the way, lorist. What are your thoughts on the starpoint's location? Do you believe we are heading in the right direction? Are we on the right path? Gailwind bit into a jellied roll as he gathered his thoughts before answering. It was true. Oktavianus was keen in noticing the Gailwind's budding depression. " I have no idea." answered the glum elf " Your guess is as good as mine." They went back to eating in silence wondering how their brethren had fared.

11 AM: After heavy knocking, the pair found the courthouse empty and locked. The dwarf grunted with despair " Arrrgghh, even in these times of peril, administrators take the liberty to a picnic with their family. Do they not care for the safety of the town!" Gailwind shrugged " Well, it is the weekend cessation. Perhaps we must call at the right hours."

The cleric knocked on the door again in frustration while the elf sat on the steps staring away down the street. After tempering his stubborness, the dwarf stepped over to Gailwind " We shall return back to the inn. Perhaps the bartender can provide us with the warmarshall's home address. This is an urgent matter that cannot be delayed any further."

Gailwind turned around " Which warmarshall? Anyways, addresses aren't made available to the public. Maybe we should return our steeds. I'd hate to be taken for ....well...horse thieves."

The dwarf frowned " You stay here then, elf. I need to get prime information and will be back shortly. Now is not the time to become pessimistic. Our adventure has only just begun!" With that, the dwarf left the lorist with the mounts and trotted down the avenues until he found his favored in; the Jaded Mushroom. Boy, was he thirsting for a drink.

" Ho there, sir!" a shrill cry rang out. Oktavianus turned around just before grabbing the doorhandle and saw a smiling halfling bounding towards him. Dark brown hair and deep blue eyes set on a boyish face skidded to a halt next to him.
The hobbit inspected the dwarf and nodded with satisfaction " You fit the description the council gave me perfectly. You must be Oktavianus?" The halfling stretched out his hand " Hi, my name is Nanith. I was hired by Pinedroi to assist you in the extermination of the orcish scum."

The cleric greeted the halfling with a short handshake � Assistance will not only be welcomed, but cherished. Welcome aboard Nanith!� He followed the hobbit inside the tavern and they found a small booth in which to discuss matters.

" I thought you were with a group. Where is the rest of your party?" The halfling looked around for the missing companions as if they had just suddenly vanished. He shifted his focus back to the dwarf " But come, let me buy you a drink. I really want to discuss your encounters with these orcish raiders."

Oktavianus immediately signaled the bartender for two mugs of ale. After measuring the halfing with his eyes, the dwarf spoke " We set out to the orcish fort as a team, but myself, along with a pity elf, were divided from the group. We are the only ones who have returned. I fear the others may not return.... not at all!� The bartender looked at the dwarf in amazement; apparently in regards to his incessant appetite. He sat the tall mugs of golden, frothy ale between them. Oktavianus drank half the contents in one turn and wiped his short, red beard.
He addressed the bartender " The orcs are on the move. We need to alert the officials quickly or the whole town will be burnt to ashes. I need to see the warmarshall; time is of the essence."

The bartender frowned " You were in here this mornin' I remember...with that thin fellow. What the heck are you doin' here if you carry this grave news!!?"