Grabthar chuckles a little at the irony. The promise of gold tomorrow is an old dwarven saying, much akin to pie in the sky. Rather apt considering the fake deal being done here, he thinks.

Gavrael gives the boy a disapproving stare. "Since when do the Therans let pirates into their quarter? I'm talking about the hotel over on the East side on the main road into town. They're planning on slipping out with the crowds in the morning, taking their treasure with them. Second floor center, overlooking the road so they can see anyone coming, but not so high they can't jump out the window to escape. "

"Look," the boy says, "do you want us to pretend we buy your story or not?"

The girls shushes him, "well we can't pretend now dummy," she whispers.

Grabthar bursts out laughing.

"Ho, they're canny young'uns, for sure. Listen kids, how about you just show us where the thief is and we'll see you are well rewarded for helping us... and I mean today not tomorrow."

The pair assess Grabthar critically... evaluating whether he can be trusted to keep a promise.

"fair trading?" the boy asks, a faint spark of hope in his eye. The girl maintains her silent study of Grathar.

"They don't know the guy. But they do listen, so I'm sure they know some things."

The girl chimes in, "you want to find the thief in the snake skin boots, for your own reasons, and we want to be initiated as adepts. Kuper promised to initiate Deneven if we bring him a prize, but you," looking at Grabthar, "are offering something too, and seem less likely to try to avoid paying up..."

"is that about it?"

"You're right about him not paying up, but not the reasons why. You two want to get initiated, and become adepts. But the path of the Thief is not your calling. Don't get me wrong. If you apply yourselves and work very hard, you two might make passable thieves, but that isn't what is calling out to you. You, young lad are a manipulator and seem to be able to read people well. Your path is that of a Spy, filled with intrigue and betrayal." Gavrael sighs with a sadness in his eyes. "And you, Little One... Your path is a dark one. One that will leave you bitter with no friends, should you even survive. You would be happier and healthier if you did not heed that call, but instead road your brother's coat tails."

[Theran]"Maybe not a a Spy but an Investigator for the lad. He saw right through your lie right away, after all.


But, now we have a question: will they help us find our thief?"

"Fair trading," he replies, placing one hand upon the head of his hammer. "By Grabthar's hammer I swear it!"