~ PASSAGE 87 ~
A SMALL ADDITION

" Gailwind, meet Nanith." said the dwarf, introducing the halfling to the team sage. " I met him at the inn. He has been summoned to aid in the battle against the horde as well."

Gailwind studied the hobbit carefully " You met a delegate of the Warmarshall Federation at an inn? By himself?"
Nanith frowned slightly at the leery elf.
Oktavianus growled placidly " You were right about the bartender. He has no will or intention of keeping this town alive. We must find alternative solutions. What course of action do you propose?"

Nanith refreshed the awkward moment by walking forward with hand extended " Greetings, my name is Nanith. I'm one of the mercenaries hired by the council to assist in the extermination of the orcish horde." He then flashed the elf a sideway glance " Have we met somewhere before, sir?"

Gailwind paused; his loss of words rare in a time of need. " I did not know that we had secret mercenaries sent out to find us. No, I don't believe we met. Whom sent you on this mission, Nanith?"

The hobbit smiled " Why Warmarshall Kalavant, of course. Do you not know him?" Before Gailwind could respond, Nanith turned to Oktavianus " Have you a place to rest for the evening yet?" Nanith smoothed his clothing " I would rather sleep in a comfortable bed then on the streets. All the good rooms are taken in the afternoon and I'd rather find a nice spot where we can formulate our plans."

The lorist replied " I think we should return the mounts. It is time to prioritize things for once; not give in to any whim that strikes us." The words were intended to jolt the dwarf, but his lime eyes regarded the hobbit with a passive, yet tense expression.

" Fine, fine." mumbled the dwarf. " Let us return the mounts. That will surely lead us somewhere!" He kicked a small stone down the street. " Lead the way, elf."

Gailwind seemed displeased by the mannerisms of the dwarf, but kept any comments to himself. He neatly filed away his books before grabbing the reins of his equestrian. The trio led the two mounts down a street called 'Memoree Lane' and heard brief comments swirling about a murder that had taken place that day.

Nanith turned to the elf speaking in a calm tone " I suspect that you do not trust my intentions, sir. I assure you they are pure. If you do not believe me, you can go ask Warmarshall Kalavant himself. I'm sure he'll corroborate my story." Nanith gave him a sidewise smile as he skipped along.

The lorist responded flatly while monitoring his surroundings " I will."

5 PM: The three traveled down more streets directing east and found the stables they had visited two days prior. They turned in the horses and were told that Operation BeastBastion was about to commence.

" So the warmarshalls have found out about the orc invasion!" Gailwind spoke with rhetorical awe. A smile broke across his face " So we have been successful after all." But as fast as the smile came, a frown replaced it " But for the rest of StarPoint Raven we have had no account."

The dwarf seemed troubled at these thoughts while he stared at some stablehands stacking bales of hay next to a barn.

Nanith piped up " It is time to get a room so we can discuss our next plans! I have a great idea on where we can go; I just remembered!"

Gailwind seemed bothered by the incessant nature of the hobbit " Where are we to go then? I didn't know that young lads would push for a burrow so soon."
Nanith convinced the pair that a domicile that a cousin of a cousin's of his owned and he would lead them there for the night. When Oktavianus agreed, the halfling led them a mile south where they entered a high-scale neighborhood. True to his word, the boyish fellow presented them with a free night in this nestled home. They stood on the steps of a smaller than average house completely decorated in a homestyle decor.
He gave the elf a mock bow, " Is there anything else you would like to ask of me o' gracious of all species?"

The elf deferred to Oktavianus who now posed a deep irritation at the precense of the hobbit. " We should find Metlivon and Kalavant first, but I am as lost as you to where they could be."