[Nuu™™]

OoC: Shoo, vultures! This be my gazelle carcass!

IC: Drakien, coming the other way along the path, notices the light coming from the salty fellow's pocket, and speculates upon what it could be. 'Jewels? Gold? Well, whatever it is, I think I deserve it more than those salty water-pirates. Quick, Drakien, think of an excuse to engage them in conversation...' He continues to walk along, apparently not aware of the approaching couple. Then, when he is coming quite close to passing them, looks up, points at the salty fellow, and shouts:

'Oi! You there! Yes, you! Don't you think I don't recognise you, you damned...er...goat-rustler! You rustled at least two dozen goats off me, you swine!'

[Cspace]

*The two stop and look upon Drakien with puzzled faces.*

The privateer makes what is for all intensive purposes a half-smile, and laughs while replying, "Hey, have I met you before? I can't say that I'm always in the proper, hm, mindset to remember names, but I've been around. This isn't about the thing in the Fartides I hope."

[Nuu™™]

'The Fartides?' asked Drakien. 'Pray, remind me what happened in the Fartides.' Of course, Drakien could not recall anything about the Fartides, but it might pay to know about what sort of mischief is conducted by these lowly water-pirates.

[Cspace]

*The privateer appears relieved*

"Well, I guess it wasn't that incident if you don't remember the Fartides. That goes way back... Someday I'll actually find a crew that's willing to see what's on the other side.

About the goats, I don't know what happened. I'm sure if you hired a golem to watch over them, you wouldn't have a problem.

Anyway, name's Gero. This here is Ethan. What's your name, stranger?"

[Nuu™™]

'The name...the name's Drakien Odinson, soldier of the Ardent Squadron.' There wasn't much point in lying to this water-pirate, he seemed friendly enough.

[Cspace]

"I can't say I'm too familiar with the Ardent Squadron, but pleased to meet you."

*Gero tips his hat*

"I'm in a bit of a hurry I'm afraid, we need to get through the desert. I'd recommend that you don't follow us, because where we go, someone always seems to be shooting particle cannons at us."

[Nuu™™]

'Particle cannons? Pray tell me, why?' Drakien's hand went to his belt, where a Tesla Staff was concealed. This sounded like it was about to get personal.

[Cspace]

"Why particle cannons? Because the Corrorians are after us, and you don't want to get involved with them. When people outside Corroria get into Corrorian business, they have the habit of making those unfortunate few... Disappear. Well that's just what we're doing, but we'll disappear on our own terms, not theirs."

Out of frustration Ethan interjects, "Gero, stop telling him our problem. For all we know he could be one of them."

Gero sighs, "Ethan, you have a thing or two to learn about people.

I apologize, Drakien, but we'd better be off. Happy trails, bon voyage, let the sand skeeters stay a stride behind, all that good stuff. Maybe we'll see each other again."

*The two adventurers pick up their pace to the east. You notice once again a glow permeating through Ethan's pocket, but you feel that you've bothered them enough so you allow them to disappear as they desired.*

[Nuu™™]

'Er...but...' Drakien lashes out at a rock, annoyed that he missed an opportunity to get his hands on that glowing...thing. 'And the Corrorians are involved, too.' Drakien sighs, seats himself on a rock, and fishes out his Field Uplink Transmitter from his pocket. Perhaps someone at Exilium would know about this 'Gero'.

[Cspace]

*A brigand approaches on a brown horse. He appears to be quite drunk, and he points an empty bottle toward Drakien before stopping.*

"Who was thaat? You seen somthin, I know you did. Tell me and we will..."

*The brigand looks dazed for a moment, staring ahead with a distant look in his eyes.*

"split the profit! What say ye? I won't say nothin about you to no one."

[Nuu™™]

At the mention of the word 'profit', the dwarf looks up. He surreptitiously switches the FUT off, and stands up. 'Profit? Do explain.'

[Cspace]

*The brigand points his bottle toward the east... At least you think that's where he meant to point it, for he really pointed it more toward the south.*

"Them fellows gone that way. They have somethin of value, no?

Tell me what it is, and where they going, and I will do yer dirty work. We meet in Izkaldan to split the moneys. Ye can trust me..."

[Nuu™™]

'Who are you working for, my friend? The Corrorians?' This time he speaks, there wis a slight hostility in Drakien's voice, but it is well masked and he doubts the drunk brigand will notice.

[Cspace]

"Corrorians? You crazy? I work for meself! I answer to no one! You hesitate to follow the fellows, but I will do yer dirty work. Give me the information I require, and ye will get yer profit."

[Nuu™™]

Drakien looks at him suspiciously a little more, before finally speaking. 'They're heading for the desert. As for what treasure they are carrying, I know nothing.'