During the time between getting her horse and venturing over to the gate Iris stopped to tell a story to anyone who would listen. She set a small bowl she had picked up somewhere on the ground and began her tale.

"Long ago, when humans lived near the Lake of King Myz, there was a hunter. This hunter supplied meat to the butcher in his town, and cherished his visits to the surly man, for the butcher had a lovely daughter whom the hunter had fallen for. Her hair and skin were fair, and her eyes a rich blue. He often saw her reading quietly when she was not working for her father. She was quiet, though, and seemed to prefer solitude, and he never really got a chance to speak with her. For years he admired her from afar. 

"One day, he finally got up the courage to tell her how he felt. She was flustered, and nearly dropped the water jug she had been carrying. 

"'For years I have watched you. You seem so sweet, so intelligent, so gentle. Would you permit me to court you, my dear?' the hunter inquired, taking the jug from her, setting it down, and cupping her hands in his. 'It would be an honor to be allowed to love you.'

"She pondered his proposition for a moment before replying, 'The next time I see you, the next time you deliver meat to my father, I shall be there, and I shall give you my answer.'

"With that he smiled, gleeful, and bowed. 'Thank you, my dear. I shall await your answer.'

"The next day, the hunter crept around the trees on the shore of the lake, his bow at the ready. He had been hunting a deer for a while and had been waiting for the perfect shot, but had lost the stag not moments before. Suddenly, he heard a snap of a twig, and without even looking, loosed his arrow in the direction of the noise. A cry erupted, and promptly died. There, upon the ground, lay the butcher's daughter, with her favorite book in hand, and an arrow in her throat.

"He held her as she died, and the corpse he delivered to the butcher that day was not one to be cut and sold, but one to be mourned."

[url=http://orokos.com/roll/161683]The crowd applauded and Iris bowed as they threw silver pieces into the dish.[/url] She counted them up as she headed towards the gate. In total she had gotten 1 gold and 10 silver pieces. A nice profit for a grim story. 

The group was all at the gate when she arrived. "Oops, sorry for being the last one to the party, guys," Iris chuckled, "Was having a little too much fun telling a story. Shall we go now?"

With that the group began their journey on to the palace.