Tales from the Grotto

The wind found the one crack in Goresh's scarf and sent a freezing finger down the back of his neck "Why in the nine hells did Shai agree to come to this damned place?" He grumbled as he fumbled to close the gap, only for the wind to send another finger up his coat sleeve.

The tall elf at his side rolled her eyes as a new string of expletives issued from her long time squad mate and friend "The same reason as always my crass friend, the promise of gold" Her lips tightened for a moment as the wind turned it's attention to her, a chill sliding up her leg making her realise that her trouser leg had come untucked from her thick socks.

"It better be enough gold to replace my toes after they freeze off" Goresh muttered

"Come now, we have arrived at the inn. Let us hope our esteemed captain managed to acquire us a spot by the fire, that will cease your complaining" she replied good naturedly.

A warm glow spilled out across the snow covered street as she opened the door, illuminating also the sign creaking in the wind which declared this the Golden Horn inn. Leaving behind the dark overcast sky outside, which promised yet another snow blizzard, the two entered the warm cosy inn.

The smell of pine, beer and woodsmoke hit them as they walked in and glanced around for their other companions. "Goresh, Nuala!" A chirpy voice called from a table near the fireplace. "We're over here"

"Oh put your hand down, Kett. There are only two other people in here besides us, it's not like we're hard to spot" The exasperated voice of Shai drowned out the small gnomes next words.

As Nuala and Goresh joined their friends at the table, Conrad - the barkeep - came over and placed two steaming mugs before them. The scent of spiced apples rose from the mugs as the two wrapped their cold hands around the warmth and inhaled deeply.

"Did you get it?" asked Shai impatiently. Goresh dropped a large leather pouch on the table with a thud. "Aye and it wasn't easy either.