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It had been good to see the Gnoll again, even if he did cut out soon after they saw the dwarf; though Arien was now conflicted. Go after the Gnoll and see what trouble they could get into? Or stay and chat with Alsillia?

His mind was more or less made up when Alsillia went on about the fight between her and the dwarf. "I see; well every fighter meets his match eventually." The look that crossed his face when Alsillia pointed out that his "boyfriend" left was...priceless. A cross between flustered and outrage.

"We're traveling buddies. Anyway, I should probably hurry after him to make sure he doesn't get into any trouble." He rolled his eyes exaggeratedly--because after all it wasn't like Arien never got into trouble. "Maybe I'll see you around?"

If Arien wanted to catch up with Flavio the man would have to hurry, the gnoll did not believe anyone but trouble would follow him so he certainly did not linger. Then again, trying to remember something always made him walk a little bit slower. He stuffed the thick bone of the troll leg in his mouth and with a loud crunch began eating it, his jaws more than strong enough to even crush troll-bones.

The gnoll knew he had to go back to Bender, tell him about this! The man would want to know Arien was still alive, and what had nearly transpired with the dwarf.

Alsillia grinned at Arien's reaction. It was quite amusing to see how he'd deal with a shattered ego."Sure, tough guy. Call it whatever you want." She said as she held her hand out for him."We'll meet again, I'm sure. I'm going to start traveling soon, and types like you are like a weed. I'll see you again."

Bender Of Iron Will had his spot in the busiest part of town, though he wasn't hard to find. The man was yelling his lungs out and getting his costumers riled up, as if he was holding an auction. He stood on top of his counter, which surprisingly didn't collapse under his weight, so the sign behind him that said "Isanian Goods and important stuff" was hardly readable. In his excitement he kicked multiple bottles and boxes over."Ma'am, ye can spend more than just two silvers on this dress, now can'tya?" He laughed as he held a long blue dress in front of him."Such a darlin' lass like yerself would look so good in it. Four silver, just for you. I want the finest people to wear the finest!"

Arien rolled his eyes. "There's nothing else to call it!" He did take her hand, and in a swift movement brought it to his lips to kiss the back of it. "Another time then, my fearless knightess." With a cocky grin, he turned and vanished--reappearing beside Flavio in an elaborate display of teleportation. He then promptly tripped and faceplanted.

"Ugh. Remind me to rest whenever we get to an inn," he told the Gnoll as he got to his feet again--too bad he was probably still in plain sight of Alsillia. "Did you find Bender yet?"

Flavio was a bit riled up, but the fact they were both clear and a quick glance behind didn't reveal anyone following them to the hyena his mood remained rather good. Besides, eating bones always calmed him down. "Not yet, he must be at the market.” The hyena said in a hurried voice. It might have been surprising to Arien to see how fast the musketeer could walk when he put his mind to it, it was not long before he reached the market and his sharp ears picked up a voice that could belong to only one grumpy old man.

Not to cause a scene or seem suspicious Flavio worked his way through the crowd until he was at the edge of them, there he waited until the old sea captain looked his way, at which point he would make the most distressed expression he could muster.

It took a while for Bender Of Iron Will to notice his two companions. But once most people moved on to the next stall, they became noticeable. The old pirate would cheerfully welcome them, but seeing Flavio's expression said enough. He had seen this expression before on his former crew. And they only had that expression when they were in trouble.

"We're takin' a five minute break, folks. I've gots me some important things ta talk about with some important people." He said as he hopped off of the counter and walked towards Flavio and Arien with open arms."Arien! I'm glad ta see yer alive! I knew a lil' kitty cat wouldn' be the end o' ya. Now what's got ye down, lads?"

Arien was hard-pressed to keep up with the Gnoll, the speed at which they went was taxing. Still, he was glad he found Flavio since he wasn't sure he could have zeroed in on Bender so easily, or quickly.

He chanced a glance at Flavio, catching the distressed look and couldn't help but be simultaneously amused and concerned. Then fortunately Bender was coming towards them at last.

He scowled briefly. "Yes, takes more than a monstrous sewer-tiger to take me down." Seriously, he was lucky to be alive. "So, what is the problem, Flavio?" He had been too distracted by flirting with Alsillia to really consider the immediate problems of, say, a goblin uprising.

Flavio did not immediately respond, he looked around to the crowd in an almost paranoid way before he tried to lay a hand on Bender and Ariens arm to lead them somewhere behind Bender's cart. "Bad news Bender." whispered the gnoll as soon as he felt secure. "Me and Arien were at the arena, we saw that dwarf that was with the goblins. Apparently he's a big man, so to speak." For once Flavio didn't laugh at his own joke.

He glanced to the street, nobody seemed to be paying attention to them although the gnoll was clearly not aware that acting this afraid might potentially draw more eavesdroppers than just acting casual about it. "Perhaps it would be in our best interests not to linger. We still possess information they might not want to have leaked, and they probably have cronies that can move around in the city."

Bender couldn't help but grin at Flavio's fear."O' course the Sewer King would try 'n get known 'n respected men 'n women at 'is side. How else do ya think he can pull off a rebellion? Ya need more than angry goblins for such a feat, lad." He looked over the cart and his grin disappeared."In that case, we're bein' watched right now."

Having seen a couple of suspicious men around, looking at the cart, Bender seemed to realize the fun that was The celebration of Extos Kurin had ended sooner for him than expected."Alright, lads. I'll be takin' me leave. But the fact that ye came to me must mean ye're takin' up me offer o' joining me crew?" Bender asked, though he knew the answer."If that's the case, I'll pack me stuff up 'n we'll leave right away. If we hurry up, we'll reach Kurinsport at sundown!"

Arien for once listened, his own nerves set on edge. Not that he acted like it. He looked fairly relaxed, though when Bender agreed they were being watched, his hand fell to the sword at his side and he scanned their surroundings.

There were some suspicious lurkers, but they were simply lurking--they hadn't attacked just yet.

"Do you need help with packing?" Arien asked Bender; he was feeling eager to get away from the dwarf and the potential goblin uprising. If it came down to it though, he'd much rather face a goblin on the streets than under them in the sewers.

Bender never had to say that twice, he'd barely finished his sentance or Flavio began loading boxes that he then put onto the cart. He took no break, except to look around him and make certain none were sneaking up on him, or his companions.

Strangely enough he began to laugh ever so softly, a strange grunty laughter that did not sound altogether joyful, not even any laugh a human would ever make. Whatever the meaning behind it, the laugh intesified ever so slightly whenever he shot a glance at one of the 'suspicious lurkers'.

Bender ran back to his market stand."I'm sorry, ladies 'n gentlemen. Me purse's filled 'n me crew 's back. We're closed now. 'ave yerself a good day!" And with that, not waiting until the people left, Bender grabbed his chest of gold he got from the Sewer King and threw that in the cart. Afterwards he'd break the stall down and help putting his unsold goods into the cart so that they may find a new owner elsewhere.

When everything was packed, Bender Of Iron Will disappeared for a moment and returned with the white courser Arien had received from Alexander Delaborgio before his demise."I err... sorta lost the other one, lad." He spoke to Flavio."Ye'll have to ride next to me on me cart. Might not be such a bad thing, really. You've got better eyes than me. Ye'll know when a couple o' smellin' Goblins 're chasin' us from a higher vantage point."

Once everyone was seated and loaded, Bender moved his cart for the elevators that would take them beyond the chasm that separated the city from the rest of the world. Soon they found themselves passing the same blimp towers again and hasting down the road.

It was amazing how fast three individuals could pack up a cart, tear down a stall, and head back out on the road. Then again, with the fear of a goblin uprising at their backs, with them more than likely getting caught in the middle, they could do worse than make haste at getting out of town.

Arien cinched down the last of the supplies, making sure that they wouldn't jar loose or break during their journey before taking the courser that Bender offered him.

"There was a lot going on," Arien admitted; Bender and Flavio might not have gotten out otherwise if he hadn't distracted the sewer tiger. At any rate, he swung up on the horse to follow behind them and watch their backs. His sword was in place and he kept a watchful eye out as they headed for the port.

Flavio was not at all disappointed to learn his horse was gone, riding those things was awkward and made him hungry to boot, surely being on a cart would resemble the sway of a ship just a tiny bit more. With a leap the gnoll got into the cart and sat down next to Bender. The nervous giggling ceased when he unslung the rifle from his back and - when they passed through more quiet parts of the city - loaded it with a good shot.

"Perhaps they won't bother us if they see we're leaving, they could also prepare and ambush somewhere instead of course." The not-so-ex pirate said when he'd finished loading the gun. "Better keep our wits about us." He sniffed and swiveled his ears left and right. "If only we didn't all smell faintly of sewage." At that he chuckled, it was still nervous but it made him feel better at least.

As the three were safely on the dirt road back to the harbor, Bender threw a little bag of coin at Arien."Yer pay, mate. Ya did a good job. It wouldn' be fair to see ya go on 'n 'bout uncompensated." He spoke as he speeded down the road. There weren't many people leaving the city right now. It was clear why; the celebration didn't end until tonight, and the final days are usually the days when things get sold better.

Bender spat at Flavio's comment."Speak for yerself, mate. I actually got meself washed." He laughed loudly."Ya see, I'm a proper gentleman! But ta answer yer concerns, lad, ya may want ta keep an eye out lookin'. If I were them, I'd be more frightened 'bout leaving the city. Who knows to who'm well sell this 'ere information. Maybe our lil' Extos didn't realize that, but Swissk surely will. He's a smart bastard, that one."

The group rode on, seeing that there the marks of their battle were still on the road. Flavio's make-shift cover was still there, and the guards weren't able to carry off Stomp the Half-Giant, so for now they left his corpse off of the road.

Sooner than expected, they reached the same Inn where they met Delaborgio. Bender stopped his cart there."Anyone care for a drink? My treat! We're ahead on schedule!"

Arien caught the bag of coin with a grin. "Thank you, Bender; much as I like helping out a friend, money does sweeten the deal." He tied the bag to his sword belt, and then carried on, keeping a wary eye out.

He was exhausted by the time they reached the Inn and frankly he could use a bath. Still, caution took hold. "You think we have time for a drink?"

He looked around them warily, trying to determine whether it was worth the risk to linger. He caught himself here, wondering since when he was the one worried about safety when previously he didn't normally care. Since he almost got eaten by a sewer tiger, he reminded himself; a gigantic, goblin-owned sewer tiger. Yep, that would do it.

But he was already dismounting from the horse, his legs buckling just a little though his hold on the saddle kept him from winding up in the dirt.

The safe ride out of the town had raised Flavio's spirit again, Bender's grim ideas could not worsen it by the time they'd reached the inn. The gnoll hopped off the cart and took in the sweet foresty air, mixed with the smell of food and drink from the inn, it was refreshing to not smell the human town anymore. "Well?" He began as he turned to Bender. "Will we sell the information?" Flavio grinned. "It'd be what they deserve for trying to kill us, I dare say."

Not even Arien could bring the gnoll down by now. "If they wanted to ambush us, why wouldn't they have done it on the road? With the festivities the road is empty, it'd be the best." His ears flicked a bit. "Staying the night here would be a bad idea." He turned to Bender again. "A drink, a bite, and out again?"

The old pirate laughed."O' course, lad. There's always time for a quick break!"

Bender nodded to Flavio."Aye, lad, correct." He said as he opened the door to the inn."Just a lil' bit o' rest. Once me ship's fixed, it'll take a lot o' hard work to see it sailin' smoothly, but once we reach Giantsport, we'll get ourselves a proper crew. Always folk trying to get a job in Giantsport." He explained before he ordered three pints of ale and a hot meal.

Once seated, Bender was visibly pondering Flavio's earlier question."Y'know lad, I would if I knew, but ta be 'onest with ya, I've no idea to who." He answered before his meal arrived; sweet potatoes with string beans and two fat and juicy looking sausages."Once we leave the port, I doubt we'll reach anywhere in time before this uprisin' has already begun. Neither can I write, 'n even if I did, who'd believe me?"

The plan sounded good enough to Arien and he nodded his consent, keeping a wary eye out for those who might be more than just a little interested in what they were saying. With a mug of ale in his hand, however, he was content--and having seen what Bender ordered, ordered a similar tray of food.

He'd smother his in Tabasco sauce--if he had any left. "Well if it's writing you need, I can do that fair enough." Arien offered. "Really? We'll pick up a crew?" A new light entered Arien's eyes. He was excited by the prospect of going out to sea with a crew.

Flavio nodded and also ordered himself a meal, which he ate in surprising silence considering the situation. Something was nagging at him, so much was clear and eventually with a sigh he laid down the broken bone of a chicken-leg he'd been devouring and reached into his pack. "Before I join your crew. Perhaps I should tell you about my previous... captain." The gnoll said, sounding wry and with a nervous laugh.

He took out an old piece of parchment, a bounty poster and laid it in front of Bender. "Don't know if you can read." He said as he unrolled it, revealing the well drawn image of what seemed to be a lion, with a fierce mane that seemed to merge into his beard. "Since short I was part of this man's crew, do you know him?"