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Arien jerked awake at the sound of the horn; and grabbed for his sword. But a look around showed him the threat wasn't anywhere here, and that they had reached town.

He smothered a yawn with his hand, and then stirred a little. He was stiff and sore from the cart ride alone; add into it his teleporting and his earlier combat injury, and he was in agony--not that it showed. He scowled a lot though, and winced.

"We're here, then?" He carefully balanced to take in the sights, his eyes bleary. The zeppelin took him completely by surprise however, and he overbalanced to fall back on whatever happened to be beneath him. "Ow," he muttered, looking up at the zeppelin. "That's fascinating."

The gnoll shot awake at the sound of the windhorn, his sharp ears picked up the sound better than his companions, not a very fun sound to wake up to. Flavio's jaw dropped immediately as he saw the magnificent sights before him. "All the tales I heard did it no justice at all..." The musketeer said to himself as he jumped off the cart to walk the rest of the way.

He had no eye for his companions, or the cargo. When he saw the zeppelin he jumped back with a loud whoop. "A ship that sails through the air! I though that surely had to be a myth, but look there." He blinked a few times, to make sure he was even really seeing it.

Bender Of Iron Will grinned at Flavio's comment."Aye lad. This be one o' the few cities to truly embrace technology." Bender explained."'N becuase o' that, it prospers. There's goin' to be war o' this lad. Sooner 'r later. Mark me words. Magical races 're goin' to feel threatened. But I plan on retirin' rich before that happens." He chuckles.

For now, the group could enjoy what the city had to offer as soon as Bender drove the cart up the platform and carried the group over a chasm that didn't seem to have a bottom. The horses did not seem to enjoy the ride though. They whinnied nervously and didn't move an inch until they were back on solid ground behind the wall.

Though now not much of city was visible, it was clear the group had reached the trading area. Even at sundown it was still blooming with business. Merchants were finishing their final trades before heading for their homes. Though the city had a steampunk feel to it, the houses were built in a more traditional way.

But most notable were the statues. Each statue represented Uxtos Kurin The Conqueror. A stout bald man in a golden armor with the symbol of Humanity encraved on his chest. Many years back n the days of Uxtos, each race had their own banner as they did not yet trust eachother. The sign of Humanity was were the faces of a man and a woman with long golden hair wearing a nasal helmet above a broadsword. This likeness of the two sexes stood symbol for the unity of the Human race. Only now each statue had some sort of a silly hat.

"Oh, right. I almost forgot the Festivities Of The Conqueror were goin' on." Bender said as he drove through the crowded streets.

Arien was utterly gobsmacked. His jaw hung loose but for once he was silent. Staring at everything was too much and when he finally caught a full on glare of the sun, he winced and his jaw snapped shut.

"Ow man, you should have warned us about this place!" The statues shone all the brighter, it seemed to him, with the sun beginning to set. Although he grinned at seeing the silly hats.

"I think I could get used to a place like this."

Being the only non-human of the two did not mean he was not equally enthralled by it all, although he didn't know the meaning of the symbols or who the recurring statue was supposed to be. "So how are we going to get rid of the cargo?" The gnoll finally asked Bender, turning his eyes away from the technological splendor. He cast a look upon the retiring merchants, then grinned back at the boxes. "I suppose we won't be dealing with the daytime merchants?

"if I had warned ya, ye wouldn't believe me 'nyway." Bender grins."No, lad. We're not meetin' any merchants. Tommorow's the deal. It's not safe at night for deals. The night shift is quite tenacious." As he said that, it was easy to see why.

A gigantic steel golem, adorned in buzzing crystal walked by. It stood at at least four meters high. It had no face. Its head was a large red crystal spinning around. The body underneath looked very simular to that of the jungle troll; big, wide, lumpy with short legs and very long arms."Kurin's Pride took technology a step further. It worked too. There's hardly any crime at night, 'cause these bots don't know mercy. 'N it's easy to 'mistakenly' kill a criminal." The old sea captain explained as if he had witnessed it before.

Soon the group would find the inn where they'd be staying; 'In bed with Chaeves.' Though the name might instigate this place was something more than an inn, alot of decent merchant folk walked in and out of the place."Here we are lads."

Arien frowned a bit at Flavio's mention of night merchants, or whoever came out after dark. He wasn't too keen on that idea, but he relaxed some when he heard Bender's decision.

"Sleep would be fantastic," he murmured, though at seeing the name on the inn, he grinned far too wide for his weary, worn, and injured shape.

Indeed, almost a whole other persona swept over him; his worn look was replaced with a slightly more cocky, self-assured air. Women were bound to be wandering around, and he was looking forward to making more "friends".

"So, when and where are we meeting in the morning?"

Much like the zeppelins the golems seemed a thing of wonder to the gnoll, although they also made him a bit nervous. All in all, Flavio was eager to visit the inn, he was tired despite the nap he had taken, and so hungry he could eat a horse. "A meal, a drink and some sleep will all be welcome." He decided as he stomped towards the inn-door.

Flavio would not be easily halted, unless something hindered him the gnoll would head in a beeline for the counter and order himself a meal.

The impatient Gnoll would make a big first impression as the inn was quite busy, and pushing people aside would be inevitable. Most people inside weren't guests, though. They came in to have a final drink and brag to their friends of the huge sales they did.

The inn was alot bigger on the inside than on the outside. This building had three floors. The first floor was the common room where everyone could come in and drink and feast for as long as they wish. The second floor was exclusively for guests of the inn. It was much more quiet up there and there were plenty of free spots to enjoy a quiet dinner. The third floor was where the bedrooms were found. The entire building had the same old fashioned feeling like most of the other houses. Everything was adorned with curled shapes and made use of a dark type of wood. The inn was deffinatly a pretty one.

"For yer own good I won't answer that question." Bender answered Arien rather bluntly."Don't lose any sleep o'er it, lad. At the end o' the deal yer not goin' to be impressed 'nyway." As soon as he parked his cart he hopped off as well to rent three rooms. Luckilly there was vacancy.

Arien's wish came through. The inn was packed with a various amount of women, though most of them seemed to send the men away who dared talk to them. Not an easy crowd.

Arien shrugged. "Very well then. I'll see you around." He, much like Flavio, had his sights set on his own goal, and in spite of his hunger, wandered over to the group of women who seemed to be pestered by too many idiot-men.

He reached into his cloak as he went, drawing out one of the few remaining Tabasco vials, a smirk crossing his face as he "accidentally" bumped into one man who was doing his best to harrass the women.

"Oh my, I'm so sorry!" Arien said, dumping a liberal content of the sauce onto the man's food. Hopefully he wouldn't notice before he took a bit.

"Watch it!" the man said, taking a bite of his meal. Arien stepped aside as the man headed straight for the women...before veering off towards the bar and demanding something to stop the burning in his mouth.

Arien grinned and ambled towards the group of women. "Sorry about that," he told them, looking not at all apologetic. "Thought I'd save you gals the trouble."

Although Flavio would probably have counted as a guest, the gnoll didn't care much about that. As soon as he got his meal the gnoll wolfed it down, the fight had cost him a great deal of energy and he hadn't eaten in a while. A full turkey proved hardly enough to the gnoll, and some of the more squeamish folk took a bit of distance from what was currently more a beat than a man. Despite his civilised looks, Flavio was a gnoll of heart, and it was now more clear than ever.

After the rooms were hired, Bender Of Iron Will walked out of the tavern and grabbed Brenniken off of the cart, who attempted to escape, to not avail. Bender grabbed her with his steel arm and carried her over his shoulder."Ye 'n I 're goin' for a walk, puppet." Brenniken had stopped her usual tantrum. She realised this was the end and there was no use fighting it anymore. Instead she tried bribing him.

"Listen. If it's money you're after, I've got money. Alot of it! Let me go, and I promise you, you'll be a rich man. You wouldn't even need to share with those two other idiots. Make the right choice, you're obviously the smart one." Bender grinned."In any other case, I would've agreed. But I need to keep me reputation of an honest man, lass. At least in this city. Nothin' personal."

Luckilly the guard post was not too far away. And once Bender entered with the leader of the Crimson Crows, the guards were stunned. They gladly gave Bender his reward. Her bounty contained 50 gold coins and 70 silver coins. A very decent price for a bandit leader.

The guards who were about to get off duty wished to buy Bender Of Iron Will an ale or two. But the pirate knew that if he walked in the bar with a couple of guards giving him drinks Arien and Flavio would be suspicious. Thus he told them his two comrades helped in capturing Brenniken. They'd be treated as heroes as much as Bender would, though he would give them a share of 12 gold coins each, telling them the bounty was 36 gold coins.

The group of women Arien neared were with three. All of them pretty young and quite good looking as well. Two elves with hay colored hair and deep blue eyes and a tall human girl with short black hair. The human resembled Brenniken quite a bit when it came to her face. The skinniest of the two elves frowned as Arien came closer."Usually you men wait thirty minutes or so before approaching us right after we send another away." The human girl giggled though."Well, at least he's original, isn't he? Best icebreaker I've seen in a while." The shortest of the two elves nodded with a sly smile."What was that hot stuff you used to burn the poor sucker's mouth? I forgot the name... tapa sauce or something?"

The girl's train of thought got disrupted as Bender and a few guards walked through the door."Who of you are Arien Chase and Flavio the Gnoll?!" They yelled through the bar as everyone got quiet."Barkeep, give those two a round of ale! Those heroes as well as this man here have caught Dana Brenniken, leader of the Crimson Crows, and slayed her Half Giant!"

As soon as that was said, the entire bar cheered loudly and raised their mugs. Clearly they knew the Crimson Crows well, since most of them were merchants who must've ran into them at least once. The people who tried to stay as far away from Flavio as possible suddenly came closer. He was the only Gnoll in the tavern, so it was clear he was part of the group who got Brenniken. A fat bald man with thick mutton chops patted him on the back."Thank you, friend. I've lost my brother to that woman and her pet. Barkeep, give this man whatever he wants, my treat!"

Arien grinned lopsidedly at their comments. "You men? That's not me at all. I'm just your average guy with a penchant for flavor." At the elf's question he reached for another vial, well, the one that was remaining. He was running out.

"It's Tabasco sauce," he said with a grin. "Best stuff I've ever made with my own two hands. Even the toughest man will have a heck of a time quenching the fire." He was going to omit the part that he smothered his food with the sauce quite regularly and was thus immune to it.

And then suddenly he was being hailed as a hero even as Bender gave him the few coins. He took the coins readily enough, not bothering to give the man a suspicious look as he pocketed them; before looking around with wide eyes.

"What? No! Not me!" But his cheeks colored slightly. He wasn't used to being hailed a hero--only as a misfit who was more often than not hurled out of bars than welcomed in.

Carrying a ham in each hand, his second course, the gnoll had been heading towards Arien with a grin. When a few people suddenly busted in and called their names however he turned around and started towards a window. Luckily they stated their intent before Flavio could reach a window, and with a suprised and flustered expression he turned around again. "H-hero?" He paused for a moment, as if processing what was going on. "A-aye! I guess I am! To us!" Missing a drink at the moment he rose his ham high in cheers, then bit down on it.

He'd already finished one of his hams, depite their size, by the time the man with the mutton chops approached him. "Ahaha! Don't mind when I take you up on that sir." Flavio answered, throwing a look at the bar. The ideas of what he could all get now struck his funny bone, and before he knew he was cackling in his manic almost unsettling way.

Bender Of Iron Will too was going to enjoy his heroic status. Though that would only be for tonight. Tomorow all they'd get was a 'thank you' and a pat on the back, he knew. More reason to have a celebration now. After everyone's been given their share of the gold, Bender would throw himself in between his new guard friends and leaned his arms around their shoulders."Well, lads. I'll take ye on that ale now." He chuckles."Why're ya still in uniform, though? Ain't ye both off duty?" The larger guard with a mustache grinned."We are, but sometimes we get free stuff wearing this." Bender and the two guards laughed loudly enough for the whole bar to hear on their way to a table.

The black haired woman nodded."Oh, so it's not the sauce I had in mind. Remind me to never taste that. I can't handle spicy foods." When the guards proclaimed who had caught Brenniken, the girls looked around who else was part of the team that had helped accomplish that. It was only when Arien started to speak that they realised it was him."Oh, so you're Arien?" The grumpy elf confirmed. Though she didn't say it, her face was like an open book. She was impressed."Not many people can take on a half giant and live to tell the tale." When a salty smelling giant of a man passed by to give Arien some gold, and the women noticed Flavio, the black haired girl spoke again."You sure keep weird company. But anyway, I'm Lisette." She introduced herself."Hunter by trade. This is Alsilia, she's a local gladiator, and quite good as well." The elf nodded with a proud grin."Fair warning, I won't think twice to break your arm if you try something, hero." Lisette giggled softly."Don't let her get to you. Oh, and this is her sister, Lyphi. She's a mute, so don't expect her to say alot." That comment made Lyphi smack her human friend in her side with her elbow.

A few other tavern visitors raised their foods as well as Flavio rose his ham. Though they mainly had turkey legs to do so. But when Flavio's laughter emerged once more, a few people went back to taking their distance from the Gnoll.

At Flavio's raucous laughter, Arien flinched. The hyena was definitely not what he'd consider typical company, but it would be nearly impossible to explain how and why they had partnered up.

Arien grinned and half-bowed to each of the women as they were introduced. "A hunter? You know, my best friend was a hunter. We did everything together." Well, before they had parted ways. "And as for the gladiator," his eyes flicked to Alsilia, "I'm not too shabby with a sword, maybe we could spar sometime?"

He laughed though at Lyphi's reaction to being proclaimed a mute. "Talking is overrated anyway," he told her with a wink. Yes, Arien was in his element, and loving every minute of it.

"So you gals want a drink? Maybe an appetizer? My treat." He was hungry, and having seen the hams that Flavio carried had awakened the primal need to eat.

Flavio quickly finished the two hams, bones included. His hunger seemed stilled now, as he used the large man's offer to get nothing more than a flagon of mead. He set himself at the counter to favor his mead, and listen in on Arien and Bender whenever able.

Alsilia seemed to be more interested in Arien now. She replied with a soft chuckle."Heh, if you're up for it. I'm called 'Queen Of Broken Bones' in the ring. Three guesses why." Lisette rolled her eyes."She asks everyone that." The sound of the word 'appetizer' made her stand up straight."Why yes, I think we'd all like one, right?" Alsillia nodded."Let's see how well you can hold your mead."

Lyphi was too busy trying to hide her blush. Most of the time when men learn she's a mute, they simply tell her they feel sorry for her and move on to the people who can talk. But not this one!

Lisette giggled once more when she noticed Lyphi."She'll want the usual. Barkeep, a flagon of honeyed mead, a glass of wine and some blue tea." If Arien offered alongside Lisette, the drinks would arrive soon, and they'd raise their glass to Arien."To the people who'se lives just got a bit easier, and to the capturer of the Crimson Crow's leader." The black haired girl toasted with a wide smile before taking a sip."So, you mentioned a friend of yours? Also a hunter? Does he live far from here?"

Meanwhile Bender Of Iron Will and the guards were having a jolly good time, but before the jests could continue, Bender had to ask something. Something Flavio might hear if he listened."Lad, we're friends, right? I need ta ask ya somethin'." The mustached guard sat up straight, trying to look professional."Shoot."

"How agressive have the Goblins been since o' late?" The guard was hesitant with his answer."Very. The king refuses to give these poor bastards refuge. They're forced to live in the sewers just to have a roof over their heads." Bender nodded."So I've heard. Poor sods." The guard took another swig of his half empty mug."Yes, but I know what you're going to ask. They stay away from the marketplace. Too many guards, especially during the festivities. They won't be a bother." Bender grinned."Good. Now how 'bout that drinkin' contest, eh?" The guard laughed loudly."You're on!"

Arien laughed at Alsilia's title. "Queen of Broken Bones...but not hearts?" He cocked his brow, that smarmy grin reappearing on his face.

"Appetizers it is, then!" he agreed, and threw in his order of an Ale along with the women. "To gorgeous women such as yourselves who shouldn't be plagued by unnecessary idiots."

He took a swallow of his ale and then looked at Lisette. "My friend? He lives a few towns away. We haven't seen each other for a couple of months." He shrugged. "I'm sure we'll run into each other again, though. Besides, he's kind of a party pooper. He doesn't know how to have fun."

He then smiled at Lyphi. "Actually, he's not much of a talker either, so you two would have something in common." And now he was playing match-maker. Hopefully Flavio wasn't eavesdropping, or he'd probably throw something at Arien. Assuming one of the women didn't smack him first.

Flavio's ears flitted around to pick up snippets of conversation from everywhere, Bender's question about the goblins was one of these snippets, and Flavio could not help but turn around a bit. He gave the old captain a shifty look, it was quite the strange question to ask. Still he doubted he'd get as much conversation out of the guards as Bender. He put the thought to rest and listened in on his other friend.

A short chuckle erupted from the gnoll, followed by a sigh. And for the first time the gnoll himself looked around for someone interesting to talk to. Sailors were usually not too shy of his kind, but these inland people wouldn't give him the time of day, but perhaps there was another monster still.