"[color=00a99d]Well.. 'n orders ta un'erstan' why I's 'ere, ya gotta knows not e'eryones in mys'ville's a to'al ass. 'Eres a' leas' 4 peoples in taown as ain't right asses-- Da inn keeper fellar, Da mage twins: Vanquis an' 'is sis'r Flo, an' da blacksmith lady.  In dis case, it'd be da mage twins, as runs da library. Vanquis a bit o' a tool-- Sharp a'a razor, but dumb a'a post. Real gif'ed, but always inna rush. Ne'er does i' righ', an' always blowed stuff up.  'Is si'er on 'e odder han'-- she real bookish. Real smar', and real careful.  Anyway-- Vanquis decided he wanna keep up wit' all da latest happ'nins, and set 'iself up some kin'a 'scryin pool' outta an ol' bird bath.  It blowed up acourse-- E'ery thang at fellar makes gets blowed up.[/color]"

Cedar made a dramatic motion with his paws to indicate just how big the explosions were, while making a "boooch!" sound.

"[color=7bcdc8]Anyhoo-- AFORE it blowed up, at fellar see'd a vision 'bout at fellar in da big stone house gettin' bumped off, an' a war breakin' out.  Made poor Vanquis right cross.  Res' o' da villagers was sure happy when I tooked up da man'le-- It were Aug'st 'en, an' da farmers was right busy-- an' da loggers was righ' happy ta sees me off-[/color]"

He huffed irritably.

"[color=7bcdc8]'Em Fellars--- got rocks fer brains, I swears..  E'er since da fores' stopped tryin' ta keel the lot o' em, 'ey been alls 'sup'r eag'r' ta chop doawn purdy much e'ery tree inna fores'. They's gunna kill it dead as hell if'n they keeps at shit up. 'Ey righ' cross a' me an' muh pappy fer keepin' em outta all bu' 'e new-grown parts a' da place.  Ah thin's 'eys was right 'appy ta sees me off 'n fact.  I showed up ou'side Rascade 'bout a month la'er, and ask'd da local birdies if'n 'eyed keeps an eye on at fellar, an' afore I knowed it, I's gettin whacked onna head while I's sleepin' ou'side- Woked up in chains, an' got beat a bunch af'er.[/color]"

Just then the door behind him opened, and Nina re-emerged, carrying the used toiletries.

"Your princess' freshened up now. I will send up some food and hot tea."

Cedar's head practically whipped around like lightning to take in the young woman.

"[color=7bcdc8]Oh! Thank'ye kin'ly miss Nina! How she doin'? She feelin' any' be'er?[/color]"

His words came about a bit too exuberant, but it was hard to suppress the palpable relief and thankfulness he was feeling.

"[color=7bcdc8]If'n ya need anythung, I'd be happy ta help yas 'nyways I can-- Hones'.[/color]"