Jammers Summary: Chapter 3, Turn 37

----------- = Meanwhile, elsewhere...
*********** = Later...

Those playing and watching the game of Knights and Dragons consider the wager Crynar offered to Italapate, his helm and ship versus the company's helm.

Silently watching the game, Talus frowns as the stakes leap in value. He leans forward and murmurs quietly to Italapate, "Don't take the bet, the risk is too great." Standing back up, he closely scrutinizes Crynar.

"I am of.. uh.. like mind," Kain mumbles. "Though we are not bound by the contract, I believe Lady Moune would look favorably.. ah.. upon us should we continue to follow the terms in the agreement."

Crynar gives Italapate a challenging look, "Well? In or out?"

Billy looks at his hand and then back at Italapate. "If we win, we get a jump start on our contract with Ms. Moune in terms of satisfying our monetary obligations... I think that we should go for it..."

Moving over to the group, Robert watches and listens to what's going on. "It would be nice to have a ship again 'Pate." Robert says quietly. Turning a shade green, Robert excuses himself "shouldn't have tried that spicy gnome food" can be heard as he makes his way out of the room at a quick trot.

Italapate frowns deeply over his cards, then looks at the pot in the center. He shakes his head and throws down his cards. "I fold..... you win. I would take your bet, but in the unlikely chance I lost, I don't feel the rest of the party would feel obligated to honor the wager. I'll just take my winnings and leave you yours. It was a great game captain, and I admire that you have the balls my compatriots obviously lack..... Until next time." he scoops up his gold and grins broadly. "My compliments."

Billy sighs and looks at his hand again. "I fold too. Losing in cards isn't so bad. It's when you lose your friend's money that it hurts..."

"I'd skin you alive if you lost, were I your partners." Crynar says, grinning broadly. "Well played."

Nilaroo blows a sigh of relief as the card game comes to an end.

Rising from his seat, Crynar stretches, "Time to find tonight's companionship. 'Til next." He fades into the crowd, followed by the bald man.

"Good luck," wishes Billy. He stands and stretches looking at the remaining 8 gold and 6 silver in front of him. "I really gotta learn how to play cards," he mumbles. Scooping up the coins, he heads for his bunk for the night.

Date/time: 10:00 pm 15th day of the 6th Month, 5049 OC

***************

Early the next morning, Billy rises, after being wakened by the NewAndImprovedSteamOperated MechanicalRoosterThatSounds LikeARoosterButIsMuch MuchLouderAndMoreEfficient OperatedByTwinAlbinoGiantSpace HamsterFlatulenceClock. He still isn't used to that thing going off every hour. "Sounds more like a giant sick goat than anything," he mumbles.

Collecting his things, and careful not to wake any of his bunk mates, Billy leaves the inn, grabbing a loaf of day old bread and hard cheddar on his way. Billy passes through the merchant's quarter before heading for the HANALI'S SWORD. A dark grey hooded cloak catches his eye and is just the right size, too. After haggling with the gnome, Billy gives up in frustration at one gold piece. "ThankYouForYourBusinessAndPleaseComeAgain!" wishes the gnome. Sighing in resignation, Billy waves goodbye and heads for the SWORD, getting there shortly before the NewAndImprovedSteamOperated MechanicalRoosterThatSounds LikeARoosterButIsMuch MuchLouderAndMoreEfficient OperatedByTwinAlbinoGiantSpace HamsterFlatulenceClock strikes 10.

Grigree wakes early and joins Nilaroo to help assemble a crate for the SILENT STAR's last working component. When the helm's all packed, he helps move onto the dock near the HANALI'S SWORD.

After coming back from his walk about Ironpiece Ferric shakes his head when he hears of 'Pate's almost wager. Grabbing his gear Ferric leaves the Inn and spends the night chatting with Vais (Vais is very happy to see him, "I thought none would remember I was present.") and sleeping on the STAR's wreckage. Vais awakens him as Nilaroo and Grigree come to build the crate and Ferric leaves to have breakfast.

**************

Bright and early in the morning Leera and Deigatt go to 7 Ley Lane and knock again on the door of Grindlethorpe Academy. Immediately their knock is answered by the same kindly looking old white-haired gnome in blue robes as the day before.

"Excellent, you are on time." the gnome smiles, "Please come in."

"We happreciate your welcome," Deigatt says politely.

Leera smiles and enters. After Leera enters the academy, Deigatt ducks his head and enters as well.

Inside is a large dining room, easily twice the size of the towers apparent outside dimensions. Several doors open off of the room, and a gnome-height table laid out with food is in the center of the room. A single gnome sized chair sits at the tables head, but comfortable looking cushions are placed before the other settings. The food appears to be bacon, eggs, and fruit flavored oatmeal, all served on normal wooden plates with normal silver utensils beside them.

"Please, sit down." The old wizard sits in the chair and smiles, "So, who made your ship disappear?"

"Hit was no magic," Deigatt replies. "We were hattacked by two scro vessels, but truly we hourselves har responsible for the destruction hof hour ship. We were not ready to meet them."

"And you think you could have been, eh?" the old gnome answers. "No matter. What do you seek at my door now?"

Leera catches the gnome's eye and looks around the room. "This is a fine guild you have here... the illusion outside was wonderful. I'd bet *you* could make a ship disappear." She grins.

"Ahhh.... flattery is one of the more subtle deceptive arts when done well, child." the gnome smiles.

Leera continues: "We liberated some spellbooks from the scro. Having taken what we need from them we wouldn't mind parting with them. Have you an interest?" Leera describes the contents of the books.

The gnome looks very interested, "How does three thousand gold sound?"

"That his a very generous hoffer," Deigatt says quickly, then looks to Leera for her assessment.

Leera nods as well. The gnome pulls out three large diamonds, "These should cover the prices quite easily." He hands them to Leera.

Leera asks the gnome, "How much for membership in the guild? I like your flair for phantasm..."

"We normally do not accept tall folk, but if such a candidate were to offer items of value to the Academy as a gift, they might be offered the opportunity to take the Test and enter the Academy." he answers.

"We would not have time for such a thing, Leera," Deigatt interjects. Looking to the gnome, he adds, "Hour comrades have harranged for hour passage to Bral."

Leera and Deigatt take their leave and return to inn. After packing their gear, they join the rest of the company at the small galleon docked in the bay. A very handsome elf with long silver hair is watching Nilaroo and Grigree load a crate on his vessel. "Don't ship the paint now!" he calls good naturedly.

He turns to the other Silent Star folks congregating on the dock, "Care to come aboard? I'm afraid we've no passenger cabins. You can set yourselves up in the hold. It should be comfortable enough. I've had the extra hammocks set out for you. Make yourselves at home. We'll be lifting off soon."

Date/time: Noon 16th day of the 6th Month, 5049 OC