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As soon as the food came Flavio only had eye and mouth for it. He listened to Bender and the merchant talking though, evidenced by his ears swiveling between the two, depending on who talked.

As soon as the word 'giant' fell though the gnoll started coughing loudly, and spat out the chicken bone he'd been devouring. "Ho, ho, hooo. Giants." The musketeer turns to Bender. "Alas, we may have to part ways soon my friend."

As soon as the food came Flavio only had eye and mouth for it. He listened to Bender and the merchant talking though, evidenced by his ears swiveling between the two, depending on who talked.

As soon as the word 'giant' fell though the gnoll started coughing loudly, and spat out the chicken bone he'd been devouring. "Ho, ho, hooo. Giants." The musketeer turned his green eyes on Bender, grinning his sourest grin. "Alas, we may have to part ways soon my friend."

Bender Of Iron Will chuckled as the merchant mentioned giants, though that soon dissapeared when Flavio told Bender that he was planning on leaving."Lad, use yer brain. Those're just rumours. I've yet to see a giant willingly work with anyone. All they want is food 'n a cave. It's probably a Half-Giant or a very tall man." He tried to reassure Flavio, not wanting to let him go just yet. He took a scoop of his mashed potatoes as he leaned back."Let's talk cash, Delaborgio." Bender said suddenly, hoping Flavio would take note.

Alexander sighed."twenty gold coins each." Bender grinned."Forty 'n no less." The merchant's eyes widened."Forty!? Are you out of your mind, old man!? I can hire a small army of ten men for that kind of money." Bender held his arms open."Look around, pal. Yer army is spoken for. Us three are all ya have. Yer always allowed to turn back o' course. But think o' all the business yer about to let go." The merchant looked desperate at this point. Roughart was chuckling."Thirty gold coins for each of you. That's the best I can do!" Bender nodded."Then that's a deal." He looked at Flavio with a wide grin."Thirty gold coins, lad. Are ya still runnin'?" He asked as he took the chicken leg and took a bite out of it.

Meanwhile Arien would have no problem grabbing one of the boxes with a much more horrid smell. As soon as the box got opened Arien could only see chunks of ice swimming in a black tar like liquid. The smell didn't come from the tar though. There was more to this box than appears on the first glance.

Arien wrinkled his face in disgust at the contents. Ice? In liquid? But he was in too far to call it quits now. He looked around for something to cover his arm, didn't see anything, and then grimaced further as he resorted to stuffing his hand into the liquid. It was disconcerting to say the least. He often liked pranks and if this was one of his, he'd have a ball seeing people's reactions to sticking their hands in an unidentifiable liquid.

Providing his hand didn't melt away, or that he didn't immediately touch anything sharp, he'd be working his hand gingerly through the thick liquid, trying to figure out if there was anything hidden in it.

Flavio picks up the bone he spat out and eats it in silence as he thinks the offer over. He didn't seem to believe Bender much, but 30 gold coins was a lot of money for a simple run... "Ehehe.." The gnoll laughed sheepishly as he finished up his meal by crushing the last bone between his teeth. "Perhaps not that soon..."

Bender Of Iron Will grinned and patted Flavio's back accidently with his steel arm."Atta boy. I knew I could count on ya." He grinned as he took a few more bites from his chicken leg before standing up."What's the lad doin'? His lunch is about to get cold." He said as he walked behind the tavern to go look for him. Roughart in the meanwhile got bored and walked over to Flavio and looked at him in a staring manner for a moment until he realised he was acting like a creep."Sorry, man. I haven't seen alot of Gnolls in my life. Where do you people come from anyway?"

Arien did well to be mindful as he put his hand on the liquid. It felt very cold and he could have punctured himself on the sharp ridges of the ice. As his hand probably reached the bottom he could feel what seemed to be fleshy tendrils. It was as if the bottom of the box was covered in muscle tissue. Bender of course saw what Arien was doing and he couldn't help but grin. He'd probably have done the same if he was in his possition, but none the less the boy had a lesson to learn when it comes to checking other people's cargo.

"There's plenty types o' people 'round, lad." He said out of nowhere as he walked over to him."And I'm easy goin', but I really don't like it when people snoop around in what belongs to me." His voice didn't sound too serious, but his eyes were glaring."Ya see, I'm a nice guy." He leaned against his cart with his arms crossed."I bring people their toys when some silly law says they can't have it. Yer not plannin' on rattin' me out, are ya lad?"

At Bender's voice, Arien jumped and jerked his hand out of the water. Caught cold-handed he made no attempt to deny what he'd found or felt. Not that he was sorry about investigating.

He shook his hand, returning sensation to his otherwise numb arm, and offered a smile. "Sorry, Bender. I meant no harm. It's just when a man comes along carrying such a heavy, mysterious load, I can't help but have questions. Like what I felt to be in the very bottom of the box. Besides that, toys are meant to bring joy, not death."

Arien's tone was carefully neutral, as he replaced the lid to the box.

The gnoll stared right back at the orc, a smile growing on his face for no particular reason. When the question came the musketeer shifted in his seat. "Ah. Well I myself am from the South. The far, far, faaaar south." Flavio picks up his mug of ale and empties it in one go. "But we're common enough, not regarded much better then you orcs." He scratches his chin. "From what I hear, alliances between our races are not rare."

Roughart nodded as he listened."Right, but I'm from the North. I'm a mountain Orc, I suppose. There's not alot of gnolls there." He said as he stretched his arms."30 gold coins." He muttered."Even I get payed less." Alexander heard that remark though."Then be a better protector and you might earn a raise!" He said in a frustrated manner.

Meanwhile Bender was hoping that Arien would feel alot more threatened, but the calm way he spoke was dissapointing. The old man was probably losing his touch."I can get why yer curious, lad. But remember that curiousity killed the cat." He said grinning."Some things're better left in the dark." He said as he looked at the box Arien closed."What you were touching were probably the guts of a Sparfish. Wash yer hands, lad. 'n leave the toys alone, regardless of how ya think 'bout them." The man told him in a calm manner."Now get to yer chair, yer lunch is gettin' cold." Bender pointed with his thumb over his shoulder towards the tavern.

Guts of a sparfish--lovely. "You have some weird clients," Arien muttered, heading off to wash his hands and then grab his waiting lunch.

He glanced back at Bender as he left him with the cargo. "Strange man, strange stuff, just what did I get myself into?"

Stepping foot into the bar he found Flavio with little trouble and proceeded to have his lunch--dousing it liberally as per usual--with Tabasco sauce.

Flavio raised his brows in surprise hearing that, and that surprise only seemed to grow at Alexander's remark. "He's paying us more, despite the fact we've not proven ourselves to him yet?" The gnoll asked in a voice so low only the orc should hear it, but it was a retorical question as with a grin he immediately added. "That's the recepy to mutiny it is, always does the trick..."

The sharpshooter gives Arien a respectful nod, but his attention is focused on the orc, wondering how he'll react to his notion.

Bender Of Iron Will made sure his cargo was carefully placed back at the back of his cart where no one could emmidiatly see them. He then walked back into the tavern, winking at the two elven maidens who shared a rather amused look with eachother. He took his seat again and finished his plate.

Roughart grinned."Not those two." He whispered as he stretched his legs."Alex, I have to go take a piss. Permission to go, your majesty?" Alexander glared at him."The name is Alexander, Roughart, and yes! Go pee." The Orc nodded as he walked over to the exit, looking over his shoulder and beckoning for Flavio to follow him.

Should Flavio have followed, Roughart was waiting at the side of the tavern."You're a great cook, Gnoll." Roughart grinned at him."Your recepy is exactly what'll sate my appetite. It's not fair you guys get more coins whilest I don't. The sisters won't leave his side, they're loyal, but I'm in a state of persuasion. You think anyone would mind if I were to tag along with you guys?"

Alexander's eyes widened as he saw Arien put his favourite sauce on top of his food."Won't that spoil the food?" He wondered out loud. Bender couldn't help himself."I reckon the right term is 'enhance the flavour'."

Arien chuckled and glanced sidelong at Bender, a smirk spreading across his face. "Spoil? My friend, this is Tabasco sauce; I make it myself. What it does is enhance the flavor. You should try some."

He didn't empty the bottle, saving a few drops for Alexander, and graciously offered it to him. "A few drops should do it." Nevermind that his own plate was swimming in the toxic red liquid. "Go on, try it."

The gnoll caught on with ease and, after a brief delay, stood up and went after the orc. Unlike him he needed nobody's permission, and he was glad for it. Flavio fought a grin, but it appeared at once when he met with the orc.

A bit paranoid the gnoll throws a look around him before he responds, voice grim but also amused. "You pick a few things up if you eat enough. But will he fall for it? I don't think he will." Flavio crosses his arms and leans against the wall. "He'll just not pay you more, we're not exactly in the employ of that stinky old cripple, Alexander offered to pay us, even if you were to 'join us', there really is no guarantee he will extend this offer to you."

Roughart smirked."Cripple? I haven't seen him limp. In any case, I think you've got me all wrong here. I've no idea where you're going, but I want to wet my whistle before my contract with Alex ends." His short pointy ears twitched as he looked around."I think you and I will get along. I've got a plan. After we drop Alex off, and the lazy sack of bones goes to rest, we take his goods and split the profits of what we can make of them." The Orc explained."I promise we'll be able to retire rich."

Meanwhile the merchant looked at the bottle suspiciously, but ended up grabbing the vial. He poured some of the liquid onto his meat."It smells pretty strong." He said as he cut his meat and took a bite. Alexander emmidiatly dropped his fork as he held his hand in front of his mouth. The two Orcs still stood there as statues whilest Bender was laughing loudly. The merchant grabbed his glass of water in an attempt to wash the burning sensation of the tabasco away."By the Gods, what manner of creature are you to put that liquid fire onto your food!?"

Arien smirked, taking a bite that was positively saturated in the same stuff that had Alexander gulping for water. He chewed and swallowed, seeming unfazed by the stuff. "Hmm, one with taste, I'd imagine. I think I'm losing my touch though; the spice isn't as strong as usual. It could be more potent."

He leaned on his elbow and cast a look around--noting that Flavio had vanished along with the orc. "So, Bender, was it decided that we would travel together?" He continued shoveling food into his mouth.

Flavio's mood dropped at what the orc suddenly proposed, part of him didn't like this idea, he wanted to stop with being a rogue and become a proper and honorable man. "I suppose.." The gnoll started, trying to keep a level of certainty in his voice. "He won't miss it anyhow. And it's his fault for underpaying you." The gnoll then decided with a nod.

"In any case, let us part for now and keep silent. Wouldn't want to raise suspicion, more then we likely have already raised." Flavio said in an even more hushed voice than before. Without another word the gnoll turned the corner and strode back towards the common room.

Bender Of Iron Will nodded."Aye lad. And we're bein' paid good money fer it too. Twenty gold coins for each o' us." He laughed as he finished what was left of his plate."We've just got to make sure our friend 'ere survives." Bender sounded enthousiastic. It was easy money to be made, though this meant that the likelyness of running into bandits has now drasticly increased.

The Orc smiled."I like the way you think, pal. But don't worry. Alex wouldn't get suspicious. He thinks he's got no enemies." Roughart grinned."And I still have to take my piss." He said as he walked towards a nearby tree.

Alexander might not find their absense suspicious, but Bender was."Where've ya been lad? We're 'bout to head back out again." He said as he stood up. Moments later Roughart walked back in as well."Come on, get yer horses ready, I want to get to the city whilest I can still carry a sword." He said as he walked out of the bar in order to get his cart ready.

Arien grinned. "Twenty gold coins? Sounds too good to pass up. So what's the catch?" He glanced at Alexander. "You don't happen to have someone after you, do you?" Not that it would stop him coming along.

"Well, I'm ready at any rate." He finished whatever was left on his plate, and then followed after Bender to get his mount.

"Went exploring a bit, this is quite the tavern." Flavio replied as he returned to the table. The gnoll followed after Arien and Bender as well, smiling as usual but awkwardly silent as he racked his mind.