[Bloodstalker]

Bloodstalker sat quietly at a table in the Ladies Blessing. It wasn't a large establishment, but in tradeoff for it's size, it seemed to attract very little of the more more boistrous crowd that frequented the Hanging Door. Not to say that it lacked for entertainment however. As one could guess from the name, the owner fancied himself a gambling man of sorts, and a large roulette table dominated the center of the room, along with a couple of smaller gaming tables. While occasionally a gambler would become agitated, or some other trouble would break out, for the most part, it was generally a friendly atmosphere which was why BS kept a room here.

He had considered calling it a day after he'd gotten himself squared away, but it had been a long while since he'd been able to just relax and enjoy the atmosphere so he had decided to hang around for awhile. Besides, he had the sneaking suspicion that Delin would be around before too long, and he'd really prefer not being dragged out of bed to answer any questions.

No sooner had the thought crossed his mind than Delin appeared in the doorway, a look of contained amusement threatening his normally calm expression as he made his way over to the table, took a seat, and ordered his drink.

"What in the Nine Hells did you do to get Pensby's feathers so ruffled?"

BS glance over, trying to project the right amount of innocence into his voice. "We had a simple disagreement. He wanted to cut my pay for this last run, I disagreed, and after some civil discussion, he thought it better to pay, as he so eloquently put it, an arm and a leg figuratively rather than literally."

Delin laughed, trying to imagine BS in civil negotiations and failing miserably at it. Esp with such a pompous windbag as Pensby."I thought you always said you didn't care that much about money. What made you jack the price up for this trip that made him feel he couldn't pay?"

"I didn't" BS replied, looking suitably indignant. "I told him before I hired on he was offering too much for simple guard duty.He wouldn't hear of it. Swore my particular talents were vital. Seems he'd brassed off some wizard or other."

Genuine surprise lit Delins features." Pemsby? I don't believe it. The man starts sweating when he thinks there might be rats in his store. What could possibly have motivated him to do something that stupid."

BS shrugged his shoulders, showing he didn't particularly think it was much of a stretch to imagine. "Probably nothing. Likely walked on the wrong side of the street and got dust the wrong persons robes, or maybe he bought the last scrap of paper at the store and someone needed to make out a grocery list. You know, any one of the multitude of things some wizards can see as world ending tragedies. Not like it mattered anyway, like I told him, most likely it was all talk to get him to shut up and go away. Most of them like to do that sort of thing so they can get back to their tomes, but most of them never even think again about it afterwards. Still, he insisted he pay me a large sum, and I won't be cheated simply because his allpowerful demi-god spellcaster was a no-show."

"You do have a jaded veiw of mages, don't you?" Delin chuckled wryly.

"Not all of them."

"Ah, yes, I seem to remember you telling me about keeping company with a powerful group a few years back." Delin observed BS thoughtfully for a long moment before resuming in a teasing tone."Such a group could prove useful if anything comes of this orc rumor. Hope you have a few favors left to call in."

BS grinned a bit at that."It's only orcs, and you said yourself that you don't have any real leads. Besides, I haven't seen any of them for years. The could be anywhere by now, if they even stayed together."

"I always wondered why you never went back.It's not like you don't travel enough anyway."

"I've just never had the chance I suppose. After I left, things got...hectic for awhile. Since things settled, it just never seemed the right time to look up old aquaintances, even if I could have found them. Besides, I'm not entirly certain as to what such a meeting would mean. My life is a lot different than it was then. I realize some of the mistakes I made prior to leaving, and it's a bit embarrassing to think back on them honestly."

"And it's difficult to forsee how the old life would merge with the new. I know the feeling. Still, it's all speculation anyway." Delin commented, not wanting to seem like he was pushing. "So, how about another round? You pay of course, since you seem to have extorted a fortune today."

BS rolled his eyes in mock irritation and signaled for the drinks, not bothering to question what Delins excuse had been for the last twnety time BS had bought.