“Are you sure that he’s the person we need?” Zharilee questioned, suffering from centuries of ingrained prejudice and intolerance between dwarves and elves she was taken aback by the thought of adding one to their expedition. “Quite sure,” Coran retorted. He knew that given any choice, most elves would avoid the company of dwarves and most dwarves felt the same about elves, so he explained calmly; “Dwarves have a natural affinity for catacombs and tunnels, as well as the types of traps and hazards that likely defend the vaults… and he’s as skilled a rogue as I’ve ever met.” “I’m sure there must be an interesting tale there,” Tessele teased, realizing just how little she still knew about his past. “Those priests and warriors dedicated to Shaundakul that I mentioned earlier,” Coran began. “I met them on the road to Glen where they intended to trade treasure recovered from Myth Drannor for armor and weapons supposedly forged by the dwarves who live there… they operate what they call the ‘Deep Mine’, which is in truth an access point to the Underdark, through which they trade with subterranean dwarf communities. He thought that if he followed us back to the ruins, he could help himself to some of the treasure there, but, of course, things didn’t work out quite the way he intended when we ran afoul of some nasty critters. But in the end he proved to be a stanch friend, a brave warrior and a skilled thief… and did return to Glen with about as much loot as he could carry.” “So, if he already has a good deal of treasure, why would he want to risk his life to get more?” Zharilee asked skeptically, still not convinced that they needed to include a dwarf in their fellowship. “Because, knowing him… he’s probably broke by now, and as I said, likely in some kind of trouble with the local constabulary,” Coran replied with a sly smile. “In the meantime,” Tessele offered, knowing that the senseless prejudice between elves and dwarves was deeply ingrained in both races and something the moon elf would give up easily, “there’s a good deal we’ll need to do before setting out on such a journey… it’ll take nearly six days travel just to reach Myth Drannor, with a couple more for the detour to Glen and another couple to find the Morningstar estate, that’s a ten-day just to get there, and since its already the 9th day of Eleint, and the Autumn Equinox is in just 12 days from now, that doesn’t give us much time to prepare. You said you came here by a fae crossroad… but that you didn’t come on a whim, did you bring supplies with you?” “No,” Zharilee admitted with a sigh. “Since I was acting against my father’s wishes, I had to do so covertly. Therefore, I couldn’t gather or transport a large amount… just the bare essentials… my weapons, spell books and, of course, Nykodaemous… I couldn’t leave him behind.” The entire time she had been in their room, the winged feline had been curled up on her lap as she pet him affectionately. “Then we’ll need to take the day tomorrow to purchase what we’ll need… but we’ll need to travel light and be on the road the next day at first light.” Coran stated with the conviction of a seasoned adventurer. Then addressing the moon elf directly he asked; “Do you have lodgings here in Harrowdale town?” “Not yet,” she confessed with a coy smile, having been admiring both the breathtakingly beautiful red-head and the ruggedly handsome man since she first saw them in the tavern, “We arrived via the crossroad in the southern fringe of the Velarswood just this morning.” “Well than,” Tessele cooed with a knowing smirk and hungry glint in her eye, having appreciated the moon elf’s alluring beauty and knowing the effect of blessing from Sune that Coran bore, “why don’t you just stay here with us… I’m sure we can accommodate your needs.”