***** Erebor Time + Weather Service ******************************************

** Real time is: Thu Aug 05 19:22:12 1999, GMT -8 **
Elendor time is: Early Night (about 9 PM ) on Monday, 25 January 3018. In the
Winter sky, The waning crescent moon sails through the firmament fair unto a
gleaming ship. 

****************************************** Erebor Time + Weather Service *****

Great Dale Archway
The cobbled road of colored stone beneath your feet is smooth and seamless. It
stretches under a great, wide archway hewn directly through one of the rock
arms of the Lonely Mountain. The archway has been sculpted to appear like the
roots of an enormous granite tree and is a testimony to the craftsmanship of
the Dwarves of Erebor. Towering high above the road but subtly hidden within
the gnarled granite roots are lookouts and vantage points manned by the guards
of Dale. Access to these lookouts are stairways cunningly carved into side of
the roots and are hidden from the road.
The view southwest through the archway shows the color and splendor that is the
city of Dale. Rock towers of different hues and textures extend up the side of
the mountain, the famous waterways of Dale dominate the central and southern
sections of the city. In amidst the waterways and fountains is the magnificent
palace of the King of the Bardings.

Gilim

Gilim is a bit short even for a dwarf standing at almost 4 feet 2 inches. He is
a about 175 years old and shows his age well. His beard is neatly braided and
hangs just down to his belt. He wears a simple pair of black britches and a
long grey cloak that reaches the top of his boots. His boots are scuffed and
worn but comfortable.

Kalizor

This dwarf stands roughly four feet tall. He is stocky and short of limb. His
body gives the impression of massive, coiled sinew and hard muscle. He wears a
loose shirt of rough wool with laces across his chest. The long sleeves are
tucked into brown leather gauntlets that come half way up his forearms. A brown
leather vest covers his torso, fitting snuggly as it approaches his wide belt.
He wears form fitting brown leather pants and a wide belt from which hangs a
wicked looking dagger. His boots come well up on his calf, rough and dull
brown.

Looking closer, his hair is long and brown, and he wears it pulled back,
braided, and tied with a simple leather thong in the style of a warrior. From
another thong around his neck hangs a brown leather pouch which obviously
carries some small hard object. Eyes of black hold a clear, intelligent
expression giving away nothing, but missing little. A broad nose and wide mouth
give him a hardy, rugged expression.

This dwarf appears to be considering matters of some import. Though his
thoughts may be elsewhere at the moment, he misses little of what goes on
around him, and he reveals little by his expression.




Making his way from a nearby merchant wagon, Brican makes his way
down the steps. Looking about at the gathered dwarfs at the raging fire, he
turns and talks in that direction. He bends down as he arrives to pick up a
kettle and cup and poor himself a strong cup of coffee.

From the winter shadows in this early night, Gumbart approaches the dwarven
camp, arriving from the city. He leads his four ponies by the hand and looks
very tired. As he sees Brican amongst the dwarves, he waves. "Well met again,
Brican! As I promised, I am back." He laughs as he ties his ponies to a post.
Approaching the fire, he notes another face he knows, he grins, "Datain, well
met!"

Kalizor strides up the trail hurriedly, as if late for something. He pauses as
he encounters others and what must be their camp, considering the situation
and peering about to see if he recognizes anyone.

Seeing the figure of Gumbart slowly make his way from the town, Brican sits by
the fire expectantly waiting for his arrival. When at last long he arrives,
Brican smiles in his direction and gives him a warm smile, "Aye Gumbart, you
did promise, after the fright of this morning it sure better seeing your ugly
mug then that humans."

Not able to get his own little fire to light, Datain decides to join the group
and petularly Brican and Gumbart. "Well i guess I wouldn't be able to fend for
myself out here," Datain says with a smile, "What are you two up to?"

Gumbart grins, "I just brought wares from Buhr Mahrling and Emyn-Engrin to my
contacts here in Dale. The usual things, some wine from Dorwinion, some coffee
from the East, some nice gem-cutting tools from the Iron Hills. Nothing
special, in any case. This morning we had a weird encounter with some Esgaroth
warder and a crazy human merchant..."

Kalizor picks a familiar face out of the group and nods, though he can't put a
name to Gumbart's features. He waits for an invitation to join the group,
poised to move on momentarily.

With a smile, Brican takes a long hard sip of his dark black coffee, "A good
strong coffee to start a evening meal, well it was very unusual to say the
least, here was this human, banging for all his worth on the side of my wagon.
I thought we were being invaded at first, grabbing the nearest thing I could
find to defend myself."

Arwin saunters from the caravan just in time to overhear the end of Brican's
comments about defending himself, "Aye, throwin' pots again?" he shouts with a
grin. "I thought I warned ye 'bout doin' that?"

Kalizor steps closer to better hear the conversation, since he is headed toward
Laketown himself.

Gumbart waves at the hesitant dwarf, "Be a welcome guest at our fire, cousin!"
he calls into the shadows. He turns back to Brican and laughs, "Aye, he was
quite a freak!" As Kalizor still hesitates he takes another look, "Are you not
part of this fine party of dwarves from Emyn-Engrin, cousin? Do come and sit by
the fire!"

Gumbart laughs again, mirth wrinkling his face, "Aye, Brican, quite a
formidable weapon you brought to bear against the intruder! Whoooo!"

Smiling back in the direction of Arwin, Brican says with a mild taste of mirth,
"Well as it turns out, not having warned the human that if he took one step
closer, he would see the revenge of my covered pot, that he was actually a
merchant from Esgaroth, came in demanding that he be shown to a silver
merchant, after already violating the circle of our camp."

Kalizor steps closer to the firelight so that he may be seen more clearly,
"Nay, cousin, I am Kalizor, apprentice smith of Erebor. I travel to Celebannon
to join my brothers in a bit of logging, if I be not to tardy."

Stumbling out of the wagon, the lace of Gilim's boot gets caught on the
splintered wood. Catching his balance just in time he yanks his foot breaking
the lace. He bends down and snatches the long lace that is caught on the wood.
Stomping towards the fire, Gilim stares at his boots and curses under his
breath, taking no notice anyone or anything else. Planting himself down on a
log in front of the fire he pulls his boot. Taking a moment to inspect the
broken lace he proceeds to try to tie the long piece to the little nub that's
left.

Gumbart gets up and takes a better look at Kalizor, "I know you not, that is
for sure. Join our fire anyway, fellow cousin. My name is Gumbart, son of
Oibart, Merchant of Erebor, at your service." He bows and turns to the other
arrivals, "Aye, so you have heard, my name is Gumbart, and I am always at your
service and your family's." He bows again.

Arwin stops behind Brican as he arrives at the fire. There is a frown on his
face as he slowly rubs his beard. "A merchant in our midst? And I didn't know
of it?" he looks at Brican with a look more inquisitive than surly, "And did
you say he was a silver merchant or wanted a silver merchant?"

Kalizor steps forward and takes a place near the fire, sitting carefully on the
log ocupied by Gilim. He rubs his hands together and eyes the hot coffee
pointedly. He leans toward Gumbart and motions with his hand as if drinking
from an imaginary cup, "Could ye spare a bit of that, cousin?"

Gumbart raises an eyebrow at Arwin and sends Brican a questioning glance. Then,
taken by surprise by Kalizor's request, he looks at Datain, "Pray Datain, I am
sure you can spare some of that coffee for my cousin? The coffee is not mine, "
he adds apologetically, "I arrived minutes before you, cousin."

Brican takes a long sip of his coffee, strong and black, before he turns his
attention back to Arwin and the others gathered at the fire, "Well Master
Arwin, he was looking for a silver merchant, and as you know this camp has no
silver merchant, it not be our business. He came in here like he own the camp,
saying that us being in the dale-lands gave him every right for blundering
across and almost damaging our wagons with him using the brute force of his
hand to break the sides of our wagons. Well I couldn't stand for this you
understand, and neither could Gumbart, we both suspected that he was only here
to try to beg for silver, by the looks of him. He said his name was Gwilim of
Esgaroth."

Arwin shake his head, "Nay, not a name that I can recall." he pauses in
thought, "And I've been at this thing a long time. That is interesting though,
something that I might take up at the guild in Esgaroth when we get there." he
steps closer to the fire and begins searching for a cup of coffee.

Kalizor appears to ignore the converstaion about silver and humans going on
around him and raises an eyebrow, looking toward the indicated dwarf, Datain
speculatively. "Ye'd not begrudge a fellow traveler a spot of warmth for his
belly, would ye?"

Fighting with the lace, Gilim continues to mumble under his breath almost
oblivious to the conversations around him or the dwarf next to him. He finally
gets it tied in a knot and brings the nub end and bites it between his teeth.
While biting down on the nub he tugs hard on the other end trying to secure the
knot. Jerking his head towards Brican, he thinks he hears his name and calls
out to the dwarf "Aye thar lad, I neva said I's from Esgaroth! I'm from tha
Iron Hills same as you!" Shoving his boot back on his foot, Gilim takes each
lace and pulls them tight. Suddenly you hear a *snap* as the lace breaks again
and Gilim loses his balance falling backwards off the log.

Gumbart hearing Master Arwin's name, Gumbart jumps and shoots a look of
exasperation at Brican. "Forgive me for not introducing myself earlier, Master
Arwin." he says, "I actually wanted to travel with your party from Emyn-Engrin
to Dale, but as you got delayed I left before you. Your party has passed my by
the Dwarven Crossroads, a few days march east of Erebor. I came upon your camp
in the evening and had a long talk with yonder Datain; in the morning you had
broken camp, however, and left already. It is only this morning that I happened
upon Brican again, Master Arwin. Well met, indeed." Gumbart bows again.

Datain nods to the new arrival and pours him a cup. Noticing Arwin is serching
for some Datain pour another cup before taking some for himself.

Gumbart has to bite back a laugh as Gilim falls yet another time.

Kalizor takes a steaming mug from Datain and soflty blows the steam away before
taking a careful sip. He sits back and sighs heavily, relaxing for the first
time. "Aye, thank ye, cousin. 'Tis a fine brew and of a strength fit for
drinkin'"

Making sure everyone has there cup fulls, Brican continues the tale, "Aye, it
was the strangest thing, from the distance, from that other camp over there
another stranger comes walking over to our camp. He asked what was going on, a
natural question perhaps, but then he added what the little folk have been
doing to the poor merchant. Well of course I was going to take this, and sent a
few words of spite to this wanderer, he said his name was Brain Taze, an
Esgarothian Guard. He even had the nerve in our own camp to warn us against
harrasing the merchant, otherwise he said he had the power to throw us into the
local power. HE also said to watch our backs down in lake town, they push us
dwarfs into the water he said."

Arwin takes the cup from Datain and gives him a polite nod of his head,
"Thankee, lad." he says before turning his attention to Gumbart. "Why yer
certainly welcome to travel under our protection, and seeing 'ow we overtook
ye, I'll not charge ye dis time, but next..." his voice trail off as he takes a
drink of the dark hot coffee. His attention focuses back on Brican as he
relates the tale of harassment. The frown returning to his face. "Throw us in
the water indeed. Why they may think of it, but it'll take more than the men
there ta do it." he snaps with an angry tone.

From behind the log you hear Gilim cursing again. Crawling around on his hands
and knees he searches for his broken lace but the fire doesn't offer enough
light behind the log and he comes up empty handed. Dusting off his dirty knees
then rubbing his hands together he takes his spot back on the log and stares
down at his broken boot lace. Sighing loudly he looks like he just lost his
best friend. Leaning to Kalizor he whispers "Eva had a favorite pair o' boots?"
Not waiting for a response, Gilim folds his arms across his chest and continues
to stare down at his boots.

Gumbart shakes his head and mumbles something derisive about the men of
Esgaroth, "Always ready to cheat, and haven't heard of proper manners, either.
They either tried to provoke us, or else this Gwillim or what ever he was
called must be a known lunatic. Strange that I haven't seen him before, if he
was into the precious ore business, I would have heard."

"Anyone who tries to push in the lake is gonna die drowning as i pull the under
wit me," Datain grumbles at the comment that Brican made. Then he bends down
and grabs the broken lace of Gilim's and hands it to him, "Did you lose this,
cousin?"

Kalizor leans over and glances down at Gilim's broken boot lace. He slowly
shakes his head from side to side. "'Tis a shame about yer boot, cousin. Seems
things don't last like they used to." He shakes his head some more and returns
to sipping his hot coffee, apparently lost in some private speculation.

With a shake of his head, Brican attuitude is slightly more than annoyed, "If I
ever see a human behave in such a fashion before me again, he won't have to
wonder what a pot over his head feels like. I'll put him in the prison wagon so
fast he'll be wishing he never met a khazad."

Only listening to bits and pieces of the conversation around him, Gilim shows
some sign of frustration as he eyes Gumbart. In a slightly irritated tone he
calls out "Lunatic? I ain't no lunatic...heck I don't even know ya! And I ain't
provoked noone...I jes broke my boot lace!" Letting out a loud huff then a deep
sigh as he mentions his boot lace, he stares back down at the boots but
continues to mumble under his breath.

Gumbart grins at the company of dwarves and says, "But let us talk of something
else tonight as well. Never mind the crazy fellow, what can we do about these
men except for posting a sentry or two? Let us talk business, instead. You all
know what I brought here from the east, wine, coffee, tools. May I know what
you brought here?"

"Now now." Arwin pipes up, though is frown is not as severe as moments ago, his
voice is still quite businesslike. "Just be rememberin' yer manners as we mix
with these men." he wags his finger to the dwarves, "Aye they need us fer ore
and tools and weapons, but all the same we need them too.." he pauses and looks
sternly at all of the dwarves, "We need allies in these times, and foodstuff
and wool and the like. Nay, we don't wanna go and run our customers off, we
need their markets."

As the hand comes towards him, Gilim at first backs away...until he sees the
hand holding his lace. Could have been a handful of gold florins by Gilim's
reaction. Looking up at Datain and giving him a big toothy grin, he takes the
lace from Datain and says "Thankee cousin, much obliged. I'm in yer debt now."
He bows his head to the Khazad before pulling his boot off again and begins
struggling to get the two pieces knotted together.

Gumbart shoots an inquiring glance at Datain.

Kalizor moves a little further down the log as Gilim takes off his boot, giving
him plenty of room. Kalizor then goes back to concentrating on his hot coffee
and listening to the conversation around him.

Nodding towards Arwin with a reluctance, Brican turns his attention to the fire
as several of the cooks start dishing out a hearty stew and skewered mutton. He
immediately stands and walks over to where they are dishing and takes ample
quantities of both before returning to his place next to Gumbart. Taking
several bites of the stew and mutton, he decides it of quality enough and
starts munching down greedily, his fork like a shovel.

As the silence stretches, Gumbart starts to glance about nervously. He gladly
accepts the bowl of stew offered to him and follows Brican's example. A few
seconds later, he looks up at Kalizor, "Pray tell me, cousin, what news in
Erebor? I have been on a long trip to the East and I am quite out of date."

Datain notices Gumbart's glance and shoots one back as if to ask what he wants,
but doesn't wait for an answer because he notices Brican getting some food and
decides he wants some too. Datain grabs plenty to eat and gets griped out by
the cooks for getting so much, but keeps it anyway, and returns to his seat to
chow down.

Arwin eyes the surly merchant, Brican, for a moment and then finishes his
coffee. He stands quietly watching the dwarf with the boot problem for several
moments and simply listens to the jabber around the fire.

Fighting and tugging on his boot lace, Gilim finally has enough and stands
abruptly throwing the lace in the fire he raises the boot over his head to do
the same. He stops as Arwin eyes him and brings his arm down. Letting his head
fall in shame for his behavior, he bows to the Master Merchant and says "Evenin
Master Arwin. Fergive me behavior...I think I'll head back to tha wagon and get
some rest." Turning towards the wagon, Gilim doesn't bother putting his boot
back on but stomps off with a limp.

Gumbart shoots a telling glance at one of the wagons. As nobody reacts, he
decides to let the matter go.

Kalizor nods slowly and clears his throat, "Well, the elves of Amon Thranduil
have found themselves in a fix. Seems some spiders from the forest have taken
over their mine area.

Looking across to Gumbart, the young merchant apprentice Brican makes a large
yawn in his direction, "Well my friend gumbart, perhaps tonight you'd care to
sleep in my wagon, I have a spare bunk, with some sheets and all the
pleasantries. I feel that I must get some sleep, as I can hardly keep these
eyes of mine open."

Kalizor shrugs and goes on, "At least that is the rumor in Erebor. Seems they
are willing to trade wood for ore, since they can't work their mines. A bunch
of our folks went to Celebannon a while back to do some loggin'." He rubs his
chin thoughtfully before going on. "I had some other business to attend to, and
I am trying to catch up to them now."

Gumbart laughs, "Aye, Brican, soon enough. It's getting too late to travel back
to Erebor! But let me hear some news from home, first. I'll join you later if
you want to go now." Relieved to finally hear some Erebor talk again, Gumbart
listens to Kalizor. He nods and grins to himself, staring into the dying
flames, "Aye, and what did they do? Did they come asking for help? I would not
have thought it possible."

Arwin's eyes perk up as Kalizor mentions the elves. He listens with some
interest as the tale is revealed before him, rumor or not.

Kalizor snorts a short laugh and rears back on his seat, raising his voice a
bit, "Aye, that they did, though not many were anxious to go risk life and limb
to solve problems not their own. It was more of a trade opportunity than a
rescue mission, I'm thinkin'"

"So yer kin have left the mountain and gone to their mines already?" Arwin
interjects with some interest.

Kalizor cocks his head to one side and shrugs again. "A bit of ore for a load
of wood...a good deal when the other party is in dire straights."

Gumbart grins widely, showing his brown teeth. He chuckles, "Aye, I can imagine
our brothers! Grab as much wood as they can before prices go up. Did they not
fear retribution? I wonder who rushed ahead and led this logging expedition.
There are some well-known elf-fiends in Erebor."

Shaking his head, and looking towards Kalizor as if he a small dwarven child,
"You should know better then to trust a elf, they sooner stab you in the back
then let you have the timber, you should know better then that."

Kalizor shakes his head, "Nay, they hied off to Celebannon straight away with a
bit of ore that was on hand. They wanted to strike while the iron was hot, they
did. I fear I'll be too late 'er I get there."

Kalizor holds up a finger as he remembers what had slipped his mind before.
"Aye, it was Thalin of Erebor that led the party. I suspect they are drinkin'
fine ale in that Celebannon pub this evenin'".

Kalizor looks around speculatively, "As fer meself, it apears I'll need a safe
place to bed down for the night 'er I make my way there tomorrow. Would ye be
averse to a cousin sharing yer camp fer the night?"

"Well, seems yer kin have the elves well cared for." Arwin states as he sets
his cup near the pot, "But all the same, I guess I have work to be doing, and
the rest of ye may start thinkin' the same." With that he turns and leaves his
place by the fire.

Gumbart shakes his head, "Ah, I expected Rogon to dash in one of his moods. I
don't know Thalin, I hope his is wiser than Rogon. Rogon is a well-known
elf-fiend in Erebor," he explains to the other dwarves.

You say, "I bid you good night, Master Arwin."

Kalizor chuckles, "In my memory, elf-friend and good sense usually aren't found
in the same place."

Gumbart grins, "Aye, on the other hand elf-fiend and good sense usually aren't
found in the same place, either. There is little good sense to be found
anywhere, in fact."

Kalizor tosses his last bit of coffee with a fair amount of grounds into the
fire and places his cup carefully on the rocks next to the fire. He slowly
stands and stretches, yawning mightily. "Then if there be no objections I'll
lay me bedroll out on the other side of this log and bid ye goodnight."
 
***** Erebor Time + Weather Service ******************************************

** Real time is: Thu Aug 05 20:58:19 1999, GMT -8 **
Elendor time is: Midnight (about 1 AM ) on Monday, 25 January 3018. In the
Winter sky, The waning crescent moon sails among the sky like an iridescent
ship. 

****************************************** Erebor Time + Weather Service *****

Qara leaves the dwarven campsight.
Datain leaves the dwarven campsight.

Gumbart nods, sleepily. "Aye, Kalizor, this might be the best idea. It is
midnight, after all. May Aule guard your sleep." Gumbart keeps sitting at the
fire, though.

Kalizor nods, "And yers as well, cousin." He drops his backpack and unrolls his
blankets, using the pack as his pillow. He carefully lays his batle axe and
dagger close at hand, and crawls carefully into his blankets. He is soon
snoring softly, his hand on the shaft of his axe.

Gumbart stares into they dying embers as one after the other his friends and
aquaintances get up and leave. An unrest keeps him awake.

A human figure moves quietly out of the dwarven camp. Qara looks around warily
as if expecting some sort of attack. After a moment she sees the other dwarves
and makes her way towards the campfire.

Datain notices Qara emerging and motions her to join Gumbart and himself, as he
fetches some food for her from what little is left.

Gumbart is surprised and looks at Datain. As Gumbart notices that Datain is at
ease, he relaxes a bit. He watches the new arrival's carefull movements and he
realizes who the only human coming from the dwarven camp must be. "The
Easterling has come," he mutters, staring at the prisoner with mistrustfull
eyes.

Qara glances at Datain and relaxes a bit at seeing someone familiar. She sits
down near the campfire and looks towards Gumbart, though she doesn't offer any
introduction.

Gumbart hesitates, then says gruffily, "I am Gumbart, at your service. And pray
what is your name, woman?" nodding in Qara's direction.

Qara nods to Gumbart, "And I am Qara..." She hesitates and then adds, "of Buhr
Mahlring."

Datain offers the stew to Qara asking, "Are you hungry," and set the stew
beside her. Then he grabs the coffee pot and totes it along with a cup back to
his seat. Datain sits back on the log from which he came adds some coffee to
his cup and drinks some before offering any to the easterling.

Gumbart waits a long time before asking, "Well, Qara of Buhr Mahrling, what are
you doing in this camp? I was on that trip to Buhr Mahrling but I never got to
see you on our way back. I heard Bofa talk about you in Emyn-Engrin, however."

Qara takes the stew and nods, "I was hungry, thank you.." She tries a little of
the stew before responding. "I am heading back there with these dwarves." She
frowns thoughtfully, "Bofa? That was one of the guards? I don't think he liked
me all that much..."

Gumbart shakes his head, "Forget about Bofa. She's a mean warder back in
Emyn-Engrin. Why did they let you go again, Qara? Are you involved in that war
brewing in the south? Rumours are flying high amongst the dwarves."

"I've been trying to dodge most of the rumors, but it seems that I got cought
in the crossfire," Datain chuckles. "I just hope your kinsmen dont make an
attempt to fight us. A war is not what I desire right now."

Qara looks a little suprised, "She? Oh..." She shakes her head, "I didn't want
to stay in the south for that. Strange spirits telling our people to fight,
sometimes even against each other, or at least that's what they say..."

You say, "Maybe you can clear me up on something, Qara. There was another
Easterling on that trip to Buhr Mahrling, he said he prevented an assassination
attempt on an Easterling King or Princess or something. Is he connected to you?
I've always been wondering eversince I've heard about you."

A grin comes to Datain's face. "Maybe your people should find some new spirits
to follow," he says sarcastically. Datain then turns his attention to Gumbart
as he asks his question.

Qara shakes her head, "They kept asking me about someone... a fur trader or
something . But I didn't know who he was."

Gumbart shrugs, "And what about the war in the East, is that true?"

Koral

When not wearing his uniform,the four foot six-inch dwarf has a dark green
tunic draped across his body reaching from the midsection to the wrist of each
arm.An elaborate gold trim endows the cuff of each arm as it encompasses the
wrist as a crest appears on upper left brest of his body.His pants are a
reddish brown and extend to the ankles and has pockets on each side.A brown
leather belt surrounds his waist,the buckle and it's design made of gold and
steel.His leather boots reach midcalf and have the look of excellent
craftmanship.A blue hood the covers head and the tops of his shoulders.His face
is covered with his brown hair which reaches to the end of his below his
chest.A braid comes down the left side of his face almost as long as his
beard.His brown eyes are welcoming to his friends,kinsman,and customers.But the
look of hatered appears to those are his ememies and to who have crossed him.

Qara shrugs, "There is usually some fighting somewhere. The tribes are always
in search of more territory. And there was trouble a few months ago when one of
our clan chieftains died.."

Gumbart grins, "I see, Qara, you don't have much to tell about your little
tribes off in the East. I don't know if you understand the trouble Master Arwin
is heading into, you know. It might well cost him his head or the head of his
followers, including some friends of mine..."
Gumbart adds, "And I don't like that."

Qara nods, "I don't think you'll find much of an army between here and the Rhun
sea anytime soon... If that is what you worry about." She sighs, "besides I
doubt any there even expected me to survive, much less return."

With the sun just beginning to peak, a fat dwarf pushes open the flaps of his
tent as he crawls out with a grumble. Rubbing his eyes and looking around, the
dwarf stumbles over to his kinsmen. Looking like an unmade bed, the dwarf gives
the human a look over before speaking. Still grumbling, "Stupid ground, I can't
wait to be sleeping in me own bed." Turning toward Gumbart and turning his back
to the human, the dwarf gives a snarl as he asks, "And who be this human that
poisons my view?"

Datain frowns at the new dwarf, "And who might you be to desturb or
conversation with insults?"

Gumbart grins a brown-toothed grin, "That is Qara, an Easterling from Buhr
Mahrling. And yeah, who might you be, rising way to early as it seems?" Gumbart
appears unfazed.

Qara frowns at the dwarf who's just coming out of his tent. She holds back a
retort and shrugs, "The ground is not so bad a place... once you are used to
travelling."

Long Lake shimmers gloriously, heralding the coming of the morning.

Koral 's lips turns to a snarl as he glances over at his cousin. Giving him a
look over, Koral shakes his head and snarls, "Watch your tongue boy, before you
hold it. I be disturbing ye since you be waking me up with your useless babble.
I be Koral, leader of the Erebor Warders. I am here to make sure this area is
safe for my kinsmen travels. And who might you be? I know that you not be from
Dain's halls, only the honored may serve under him" He turns toward Gumbart and
his snarl relaxes a little as he says, "I have seen you in the Longbeard
kinsmen, who might you be and why are you conversing with such garbage as
these? 'Tis seen you among the merchant I have, might you be one?"

Gumbart grins, "Ah, are we in a bad mood, are we not?" He looks at the warder
and says, "Sit down, good warder. Sit down and drink something. And please do
not insult this prisoner or guest of Master Arwin's, I befits you not." Gumbart
points at a log by the fireplace and repeats, "Take a seat."

"I care not how high you rank it gives you no reason to be a brute, and I will
take no lip from you, or anyone who decides to give me some," Datain's eyes
flare with anger, but then as quickly as he was riled up he calmed. "Such words
usually dont cross my lips, I apposigize for the tongue lashing."

Qara looks a little tense now as Koral continues to speak angrily. She keeps
watching him cautiously in case his anger turns to her.

Koral grumbles as he walks over to the fire and plops down on a log. Resting
his arms on his legs, Koral reaches for his belt and pulls out a mug and a
leather jerkin filled with ale. He fills his mug and stares at the human. Koral
frowns, as he looks the human over. Speaking to his cousin, Koral speaks with
malice on his lips, "'Tis you like living dangerously boy, I've killed Khazad
for less than that." Koral sighs as he places his mug down and reachs in his
pouch and pulls out some trail rations. "You are lucky I haven't eaten yet, you
watch what you be saying and I might let you live." He turns back towards the
human and barks, "And what be your story?"

Gumbart spits. "You are testing my nerves, young Koral of the Erebor warders.
What use is that bunch of do-nothing warders if all you do is insult your
fellow cousins and start threatening them just minutes after sunrise? Tell me,
o leader of the Erebor Warders," he sneers, "why we have lost so many wares to
bandits? Why are the roads not safe? I have faith in Dain our ruler, but it is
a sad day indeed when Merchants such as I must growel before such
short-tempered and short-sighted brutes such as you."

Qara hesitates and then replies, "Nori asked them to take me along with them
back to Buhr Mahlring.." She glances around, giving the impression of someone
looking for a good place to run to.

Anger flashes once again in Datain eyes hearing the threats from the grouchy
dwarf, "You must love living on the edge, for I count three here that dislike
you already and two of us just met you, maybe you should return to your bed
with hope to get up on the other side of it next time." The moment his words
left his mouth, Datain's eyes were filled with fear knowing what was to follow.

Koral quickly shift his stare to the young Khazad bold enough to taunt the
Erebor warrior. The snarl returns to his lips as his voice raises and he begins
to stand. He begins to lunge for the young Khazad but says with fire, "Watch it
boy, 'tis me in a bad mood already from you waking me from me slumber. You want
to waist your life that's fine by me." He points his finger at his cousin as
the anger mounts, "I could beat you that old man", pointing at Gumbart, "and
that human any day of the week. I have slain Uruk-Hai twice your size boy and
have not taken a single blow, I forced a Nasgul to retreat in fear, and have
killed five orcs in one blow. So you be trying me boy and you'll find your
rotting carcass spread all over the Dale." He turns his attention toward the
merchant sitting by the fire. "And you kinsmen, critizin' the way that I run me
warders eh? Perhaps I should call off all escorts with you merchants and see
how long ye last. Those weak bandits have not been seen around the mounting
since Toran,..err since I issued the order that there be constant patrols. If
you can't be defending your own goods, then ye shouldn't be leavn' the mountain
at all. Or perhaps I be chargin' ye for the warders I must sacrifice to protect
you merchants from the evils of the world. How many florins would ye be keepn'
if I charge ye for me warders' protection..eh? Still fuming, Koral quickly
turns toward the human present. "And what ye be starrin' at human, what you be
needn' two Khazad to escort ye back for, 'tis you no money to hire proper
protection? You be an important human at that Murh Barring? 'Tis who you be
anyhow?" Bahh.." Koral flops back down on the log and pours himself another ale
and quickly downs it. He snarls at the fire and he begins grumbling at the fire
and pours himself another ale.

***** Erebor Time + Weather Service ******************************************

** Real time is: Thu Aug 05 23:36:09 1999, GMT -8 **
Elendor time is: Mid Morning (about 9 AM ) on Trewsday, 26 January 3018. In the
Winter sky, Tonight the moon will be new. 

****************************************** Erebor Time + Weather Service *****

Gumbart spits again, but doesn't say a word. He stares at Qara for a long time,
then he says, without turning his gaze, "Datain, I think I'll be going back to
Erebor now. Will you be OK?" Other dwarves have started to stirr and are moving
through the camp. Many are eating breakfast and both humans and dwarves can be
seen entering and leaving Dale through the big gates.  As the tension slowly
subsides and the day-to-day noises take over, the shadow of death passes
on. Stiff and with joints cracking, Gumbart gets up. "Take care, Qara of Buhr
Mahrling. Keep close to Master Arwin." Without looking at the warder again,
Gumbart turns and goes towards the post he left his ponies at, yesterday
night. He saddles them and mounts his favorite sandy pony and waves to Datain
with his hat. Then he turns and rides off.

Qara blinks in surprise at the dwarf's question. She shakes her head and
suddenly she breaks into a grin, "Important.. no I haven't been called that
before..." She pauses to look over towards Gumbart as he leaves and nods,
"Thank you... I will do that.."