Meeting up with Beren

While walking through Tix en route to your inn to meet up with Beren, you
notice a group of Gold Clan reptile men, one of whom catches your eye due to
his extreme age.  Looking a bit more closely, you notice that the three
young Clansmen warriors flanking him are his escorts, though they appear to
be trying to act inconspicuous.  Your familiarity with the Clan also leads you to
believe that the elder is a mage or shaman.  The group is walking toward you on the
opposite side of the street, apparently intent upon getting somewhere.  While
reptile men are fairly commonplace in Tix, it is somewhat rare to find a shaman away
from his tribe.

Seeing the escorted Jade Clan shaman Manon approaches the party and 
greets them. 

Switching to the native language of the Jade Clan Manon turns to 
the old clansman "Well met most honourable." turning towards the 
warriors "and well met you too" Keeping track of the young warriors 
that are more than willing to prove their worth in combat Manon turns 
again to the elder of the Jade Clansmen.

"I am Manon Ehron, son of Grantor Ehron from the castle of Han d'Or 
west of Thargard. May I ask for your advice in a matter 
regarding the desert?"

You impress yourself with your grasp of the difficult language, owed no doubt
to your emphasis on polite conversations and greetings.  You're certain that
you spoke fluently.

The Elder stops in front of you, and the three warriors flank you and begin to scan
the crowd for any threats while the two of you speak.  The Elder speaks to you in
your tongue, with a heavy accent, saying "Asssk what you mussst, sssir, but be
ssswift.  I am pressssssed for time."  And with that you notice the Elder glance at
the sun before returning his gaze to you.

Switching to Garian Manon continues "I am honoured of you taking time 
to speak to me."

"I will only ask you only a single question that is of great
importance to me and my people." Looking the elder clansman in the
eyes Manon continues "Have you knowledge of why the desert is
growing, or where I can gain such knowledge?" Here Manon makes a
brief pause. "I will try to repay the favour to you and your clan
whenever possible."

"Be careful, ssssir, what holes you poke your sssnout in - you never know
what you will find.  I cannot help you, I'm afraid, but this advice I give
you:  Go north.  Today.  Trouble is coming and you shall be caught up in it
if you are not ssswift.  I for one have no quarrel with your people, but I
mussst do my duty...  I sssay too much, and I mussst be going now.  Mark my
words, Human."

With that he turns to go, and he and his escorts hurry down the busy street.
Unless you wish to follow them, they disappear within a few moments.

Manon now hurries to fetch Beren and Thunder, Manon's horse. Arriving at the
Rusty Barrel In Manon tells Beren what have happened meeting the shaman and
instructs Beren to inform all he meets from the previous night in the cell.
Meeting group members Beren will ask them to come to the Old Dun Cow as fast
as possible. Beren is also sent to buy provisions for two men and two horses 
for a weeks travel in the desert.

Manon hurries towards Old Dun Cow and curses the fact that the Hawk is not in
his room. Walking down the stairs the count walks over to the innkeeper.

Addressing the innkeeper "Could you be so kind to tell me where I could 
hire a Jade Clan man to guide me through the desert? And could you 
please tell Kai Larsen, the huge red bearded man clad in black, that 
count Manon is looking for him. I will be here at noon."

"Very well, I'll let him know when he arrives.  As for a guide, there's a
fellow who's usually hanging around here after dinner, looking for groups to
guide through the desert.  Seems pretty reputable.  Calls himself Dax, he's a
Jade, carries a big pack, crossbow, warhammer.  You won't miss him.  At any
rate, most guides won't take you any time before dark."

Leaving the innkeeper two silver coins Manon now directs his steps towards a
tailor.

Manon finds a store that sells decent clothing and outfit yourself in high
quality(functional, not elegant) clothes for 60sp.  This takes you about
an hour, as the clothes must be fitted to you.  You now have everything
you need to travel except for a guide.

Manon now returns to the Old Dun Cow to meet up with Beren. "Hmm, 
I think I am getting hungry. Better to have a good meal now. You 
never know when that will happen again" thinks Manon.

You arrive a little bit after noon at the Old Dun Cow.  You spot Gwar already
sitting in a booth, nursing an ale.  Upon seeing you, the bartender motions
you over, explaining, "I'm terribly sorry sir, but I think the Mr. Larsen you
wanted me to give a message to arrived while I was in back.  I think he is in
his room now, though, if you wished to see him."

Thanking the bartender Manon proceeds to Kai's room. On his way he 
greets Gwar "Gwar, I will be with you shortly to perhaps share lunch 
with you?" Not really waiting for an answer Manon ascends the 
staircase leading to Kai's room.

Gwar simply stares at Manon, watching him as he leaves.

Knocking on the door Manon awaits Kai's answer. You hear Kai's voice announce 
"Enter" and you open the door and step inside.
You find Mac and Kai standing in a corner, apparently in the middle of a
conversation.  They both look up at you as you enter.

"manon  as I live and breathe" quoth Kai "how unexpected"

"Pleased to see you both here. And that even Gwar has made it here" 
Manon utters upon entering.

Closing the door behind him Manon takes two steps in Mac's and Kai's 
direction. "I have some news that puzzles me. I feel we need to leave 
town as soon as possible."

Manon starts to explain the situation. "In town I met an elderly Jade 
Clansman. Must have been a shaman or the like. He was in a hurry 
going somewhere or leaving town..."

Anyway I asked him about the expanding desert and this is what he 
told me: "Be careful, ssssir, what holes you poke your sssnout in - 
you never know what you will find.  I cannot help you, I'm afraid, 
but this advice I give you:  Go north.  Today.  Trouble is coming and 
you shall be caught up in it if you are not ssswift.  I for one have 
no quarrel with your people, but I mussst do my duty...  I sssay too 
much, and I mussst be going now.  Mark my words, Human."

"As far as I understand the elves are coming to avenge the Tixian's 
actions. Remember they took several elf soldiers as prisoners in this 
spy sweep."

"The innkeeper told me a Jade called Dax usually comes to this inn 
after dinner looking for people to guide through the desert. 
Personally I would like to get out of Tix as soon as possible, but 
still we need a guide. Hopefully we will be able to get hold of this 
Dax and get out before the gates closes this night"

"I have also told Beren to ask the ones from the group that he 
meets, to come here as soon as possible."

Manon eagerly awaits the reactions of the two other men.

Mac turns to listen to Manon then turns back to Kai.

"Kai thank you for listening, I hope that this will be a help to our quest."

Then Mac turns back to Manon.

"Manon, I think it would be a good idea to take our provisions and leave 
town now. We can find someplace outside the walls to rest until we can 
start travel across the desert at dark."

Mac looks at both men in the room and nods.

"Gentlemen, I shall see you at the north gate shortly."

Nodding towards Mac in agreement Manon says "Should we not seek to
inform the rest of the people that are going with us?. If they hear
nothing they will meet up at the gates an hour before dark." 

"We are still missing Kirion and Quill. Beren will arrive here
shortly, I hope"

"And may I suggest we have a last proper meal before we leave for the 
desert. I for one needs one after this dreadful night."

Manon turns his head looking for a chair to sit in but then decides 
to keep standing up. "I need your advice"

Yes Manon, quite right. I think that would be a good idea. Mac answers 
If I see anybody I will tell them. I still have a couple of items to acquire 
before we leave town. I will get Gwar and we will track down the other two. 
Then we will meet at the North Gate in about an hour or two then?

"I am thinking of writing the governor a letter warning him of the 
present situation. Stating that I, count Manon Ehron captain in the 
River's End army, suspect an imminent attack upon Tix."

Asking Kai and Mac for advice "Should I or should I not do this?"

Mac answers:
"By all means, Manon. If humanity wishes to survive, we must learn to band 
together even when it means that we must band together with those we call 
enemies. Write your letter, give it to a guard at the East Gate. Or give 
it to me and I will give it to a guard at the palace then slip away as I 
can." 

"While I think that it is a good idea to give the Governor a letter, I do 
not wish to get tangled up in the upcoming conflict, through politics."

Manon turns to Mac and says "I will write a letter of warning to the 
Governor and send it with a guard or a messenger. I and Beren will be 
ready to depart in two hours, waiting at the north gate."

Kai intones "take my horse and tack and exit the city  i will remain and
attempt to engage this dax in the counts name  should we not join you
ere the gates close proceed due northward at a good pace  i and the
guide or just myself if he is not as we believe will join you ere day
breaks" then turns to Manon and continues "if beren finds quill soon
enough send him first to me as he may be capable of speeding our
rejoining"

"Very well Kai" Manon concludes "I am sure you can handle the 
situation. I will take your horse and equipment with me when I leave 
with Beren in two hours for the north gate."

Turning to leave with Mac the count continues "I will now have a 
large lunch, as I expect not to be able to have a proper meal in 
several days"

"Until I see you outside this town, farewell Kai Larsen, may God be 
with you." With this the count leaves Kai's room and closes the door 
behind him.