[Dego Mernoff]

Again with the attacks, how long had they been going on, what was this little town’s history. The first night he had been in town Filius and he had talked about it, briefly, very briefly in fact. Just enough to stir up ill feelings, but these attacks seemed to be referenced at every turn. It made him wonder how long they had been going on, and made him feel like it wasn’t a recent development like the Herald had made them out to be. Dego wasn’t used to the small town mannerisms of everyone expecting you to just know. So far he had respected everyone, and not tried to rock the boat about it.

On a final inspection of the locket the young man found a few lightly scratched letters upon the lockets back that suddenly made him chuckle a bit as he got Bork’s joke from a moment ago. He should have realized as much with this man’s similarities to his old teacher. It did make since to him now though, if the gnome had in fact kept so much of the cities gold then it was a painfully obvious as to why the Aedile would want the mill inspected. This was especially true if nobody was sure of where the secret room was, or how to get into it. Another fact about the small town that he had been apparently expected to just know.

Finally after a quick scolding from Mila, it seemed his guide was ready. Dego gave a brief nod in agreement and gathered his things as well. Checking his sword and dagger, and insuring his quiver of arrows and composite war bow were still secure on his back, Dego slid his backpack full of food and supplies over his shoulders and followed the dwarf to the door with a final smile and thanks to Mila for her generosity about the room situation. Keeping a close distance to his ranger, Dego waited until they were in the seclusion of the early morning streets heading toward whatever destination they had before asking his final questions in a lowered tone just in case there were ears about.

“Bork, what are we going to do about the barrier, is there a shortcut or are you just going to wait out the candlemarks it takes me to pass through?” He paused for a moment waiting for a reply and then continued, glancing around one last time before speaking. “I haven’t really asked anyone about this because I know there are feeling of pain due to it, but as one man to another, and in respect to our mission, what in Jorel’s name happened to this town Bork, how long have these raids been going on, I’ve gathered it’s been longer then the summer season…”