The man sighs. "I'm sorry for my abrasive demeanor. I've been having a lot of difficulty trying to get our respective friends freed. Truly, I'd love nothing more than a peaceful resolution to this conflict. I fear if it goes on much longer, both sides will have lost too much to truly win." He pauses for a moment. "Let's start over, shall we. My name is Dror. I am a general from House Sparrow and I have been tasked with diplomatic negotiations. I have a wife named Riva- she is of House Viper, sister to General Nagera, high commander of our operation- and a son named Liron. My father's name was Hed. He passed when I was eighteen, now a little short of half my lifetime ago. When Nagera is away, as he often is, I lead the city of Rendallas. I would like to be there now, with my family, but I am here." He turns away, resting his face in his hand. "I'd appreciate it if you told me a little about yourself now- your name, status, nothing more- but while you are with me I swear that no one will force you to say anything." To Xavic: "If you have anything to say to him, go ahead." To the soldiers: "Bring Broen, then leave." To the serving woman: "If he wants food or drink, bring it. I'm afraid we can't untie him yet, so you may have to feed him. I hope you're comfortable with that. If not, send someone who is."
The man sighs. "I'm sorry for my abrasive demeanor. I've been having a lot of difficulty trying to get our respective friends freed. Truly, I'd love nothing more than a peaceful resolution to this conflict. I fear if it goes on much longer, both sides will have lost too much to truly win." He pauses for a moment. "Let's start over, shall we. My name is Dror. I am a general from House Sparrow and I have been tasked with diplomatic negotiations. I have a wife named Riva- she is of House Viper, sister to General Nagera, high commander of our operation- and a son named Liron. My father's name was Hed. He passed when I was eighteen, now a little short of half my lifetime ago. When Nagera is away, as he often is, I lead the city of Rendallas. I would like to be there now, with my family, but I am here." He turns away, resting his face in his hand. "I'd appreciate it if you told me a little about yourself now- your name, status, nothing more- but while you are with me I swear that no one will force you to say anything." To Xavic: "If you have anything to say to him, go ahead." To the soldiers: "Bring Broen, then leave." To the serving woman: "If he wants food or drink, bring it. I'm afraid we can't untie him yet, so you may have to feed him. I hope you're comfortable with that. If not, send someone who is."
"My name is Valithor. I hail from the wastelands to the north, and I am the leader of the Shadow Warriors."
Dror smiles. "Thank you. If you will wait just a moment, I will escort you to one of the rooms. You won't be able to leave, but it should be as comfortable as anyone in your position could wish for."
"My name is Valithor. I hail from the wastelands to the north, and I am the leader of the Shadow Warriors."
Dror smiles. "Thank you. If you will wait just a moment, I will escort you to one of the rooms. You won't be able to leave, but it should be as comfortable as anyone in your position could wish for."
"How have you managed to seize control of this building without causing a riot? I know many of the patrons that frequent this tavern; they would not allow armed soldiers to take over their meeting place."
Dror smiles. "Thank you. If you will wait just a moment, I will escort you to one of the rooms. You won't be able to leave, but it should be as comfortable as anyone in your position could wish for."
"How have you managed to seize control of this building without causing a riot? I know many of the patrons that frequent this tavern; they would not allow armed soldiers to take over their meeting place."
"There's a war going on, Valithor; everyone's at home, with their families, trying not to be smashed. I arrived as a patron of the Tavern and took out a room some time before the war began as a base from which to conduct my business. When the army arrived and the fighting broke out, the Tavern was suddenly emptied save for me and the people who run it. Then the soldiers needed a place to keep Xavic and thought this would serve best. They faced virtually no resistance in taking over. It helped, of course, that the owners are being paid for their services."
The two soldiers return, flanking a short dwarf with a tangled beard and a dirty brown robe. The soldiers leave as the serving woman enters with a tray of food. Dror nods to the dwarf, "This is my good friend Broen. Broen, these are Xavic and Valithor, our unfortunate prisoners." To the serving woman, he says, "We're going to take Valithor to his room. Follow us up." He unties the knots holding Valithor down and reaches out to help him to his feet.
The two soldiers return, flanking a short dwarf with a tangled beard and a dirty brown robe. The soldiers leave as the serving woman enters with a tray of food. Dror nods to the dwarf, "This is my good friend Broen. Broen, these are Xavic and Valithor, our unfortunate prisoners." To the serving woman, he says, "We're going to take Valithor to his room. Follow us up." He unties the knots holding Valithor down and reaches out to help him to his feet.
The two soldiers return, flanking a short dwarf with a tangled beard and a dirty brown robe. The soldiers leave as the serving woman enters with a tray of food. Dror nods to the dwarf, "This is my good friend Broen. Broen, these are Xavic and Valithor, our unfortunate prisoners." To the serving woman, he says, "We're going to take Valithor to his room. Follow us up." He unties the knots holding Valithor down and reaches out to help him to his feet.
The two soldiers return, flanking a short dwarf with a tangled beard and a dirty brown robe. The soldiers leave as the serving woman enters with a tray of food. Dror nods to the dwarf, "This is my good friend Broen. Broen, these are Xavic and Valithor, our unfortunate prisoners." To the serving woman, he says, "We're going to take Valithor to his room. Follow us up." He unties the knots holding Valithor down and reaches out to help him to his feet.
There is a bed, large enough to comfortably fit one person, but not two; a small wooden chair; a small table by the side of the bed; and a sconce on the wall for an oil lamp, which is missing. The door appears solid, and the one small window is barred.
