The old dwarf ignored most of what Caelis said, but he smiled wide as Faith gave her his name. “Faith, faith…” He sang, “What a lovely name!”

The sudden silence of the inn put everyone into a state of curiosity and silence, and Rudolf found himself waddling behind Vordan as they entered the inn from the back.
Setna stood for a moment, hearing the sudden commotion but he looked back at Serna and sat down again. As much as he wanted to see what was going on, there was no way he was leaving his sister out here with strangers. He sat by her feet with a slight pout, his chin in his hand. 

Serna gently nudged her brother’s shoulder as an apology and went back to observing the newcomers. She wanted to ask them questions. She wanted to know more about the Desert Elf’s culture, and more about the little girl with pointy ears and a beautiful face. However, she kept quiet, more nervous and shy than anything else as they all waited for the return of the old dwarf.

-----

As soon as Rudolf saw that head of bright flaming hair, he lit up into a bright grin. 

“Rudolf you sure know how to smell a place up! How are you?”

“Tirian, my boy!” The dwarf embraced the young man with a few hearty claps on the back and a jolly laugh. “So good to see you! It’s been awhile!”

“I hope you still have room on that journey, I’d like to go Thialea. Again…”

The dwarf interrupted him before he could say any more. “Of course, of course! I told you you’d always be welcomed on a journey with me. Come along then, come, come.”
Rudolf waved his hand at Vordan as well to follow them and they all left the inn to the back again. The old dwarf looked around the rest of the group with scrutinizing eyes. 

“Now let’s see…” He mumbled to himself. “There should be one more….”

Sure enough, as soon as he said that, the back door to the inn opened wide and out came a female elf. Aaerynn Lightweld, squinted, and brushed her light hair away from her pointed ears.

The dwarf rushed her, spouting nonsense. “Oh Miss Aaerynn! Light of my life! Sun of the midday sky!”

He went to reach for her hand and instead felt the cross guard of an elven dagger jut into his jiggly belly. “You touch me with that hand, Rudolf VanKirtschein, and you will lose it.”

The dwarf gave a belly laugh but backed away from the elf with his hands up. Aaerynn grunted in displeasure and her blue eyes took in the crowd. A bunch of human men, a boy that had barely passed puberty, a girl with the same eyes as her brother, a short half elf and a dwarf. Absolutely disgusting. 

For a second her eyes flicked toward the Aavikkanian, she tilted her head slightly in respect and then continued to distance herself from the group as Rudolf began ushering them to all sit together. 

They sat in a circle, much like little children, except for a few who opted to stand as the old dwarf pulled out a crudely hand drawn map from his vest. He unraveled it and spread it across the grass in front of them. The two continents were drawn out and a trail had been left in red ink. It was easy to see that it was the route they would be taking for this journey.

“Now then.” Rudolf’s voice became booming as he looked at each of the strangers in the eyes. “My name is Rudolf VanKirtschein as some of you may know. My quest involves getting these carts.” He waved his hand at the oxen and then pointed at a dot on the map. “To the Novan City of the next continent. I have enough supplies to support you through this journey, and the city itself will pay you all handsomely upon reaching it safely with these carts intact. Now I think it is best that we introduce ourselves to one another. I ask not for your reasons on joining this journey, I know they are personal and your own. But perhaps enlighten us as to where you come from, or a weapon of choice.”

Rudolf wiggled and sat up right. “I will start. I am Rudolf, and I’m a dwarf of the North Mountains. I’ve always enjoyed being a trade merchant and have now begun making journeys between our two continents.” He finished and smiled and then looked at Aaerynn. “Since you are late miss elf, perhaps you’d like to go first.”

Aaerynn frowned and glared but she closed her eyes and sighed. “My name is Aaerynn Lightweld. I am a wood elf of the woods of Furus. I prefer my bow, but am skilled in the use of daggers.”

“Good, good!” The dwarf smiled and then pointed to the twins. “And the first to show! Come, come, and share your names young ones.”

Setna sat up pin straight as all eyes turned on him and his sister. He glanced at his sister before continuing. “My name is Setna Roan, and this is my twin Serna Roan. We are from…” He paused with uncertainty, glancing at the rest of the faces here. 

“We are from Syndarea…” He continued and quickly added. “I prefer sword and shield.”

Serna gently gripped her brother’s cloak as she also added. “I am…I don’t have m-much…experience.” Her dark eyes glanced away but quickly returned with some confidence. “I can cook though…and sew any clothing…” Her words came out more like a whisper and she slowly hid her face against her brother’s shoulder.

The dwarf lit up and nodded. “Well then who’s next?”