Overnight Discussions and a Big Decision

After finishing my evening in the common room yesterday, I went back out to the suite that we've been given.  It's a warm and well furnished place.  I sat in the main chamber pondering what direction my life would lead next - I was mulling over whether the experience I had should lead to me taking a small break, or if, perhaps, I ought to throw myself into work, immerse myself to try and drive the memory of the Gurgam gaol from my mind.

I must have been mulling that over pretty deeply, as woke with a start when Daran and Kenner returned to the room.  I didn't know it but Barr was also resting in his bedroom, and he was woken by them too.  Kenner was quite merry.  Almost falling down merry.  But Daran was quite lucid, he seems to have been keeping an eye on his compatriot.  A moment after they returned, Mullory was back too.

Once Kenner was rolled into his bed (and the snoring started immediately) Daran asked if they'd woken me.  They had, but I said I was trying to think through my next options, and may have nodded off, I wasn't  intending to be asleep, so they'd done me a favour.  Mullory was next with the plans - they talked through some of what my formal day-job is, what I actually do, not what the title says.  They couldn't believe that someone so gifted with a sword could be contained so easily in a mundane job.  I told them it was vitally important to the safety of the delve - and it's the chance to preserve the lives of many of my kindred Dzarraf.

I told them I was considering my options, whether a month or two off would be a good thing, or whether I should throw myself into my work.  I couldn't decide.  I left that hanging, and after a few seconds Barr just said "Well, neither sound any good.  How about doing something else?"  I didn't understand, and I said so.

"Take the gold out of your purse", he said, "the stuff you got earlier today."  I obliged, it sat there in my palm, gleaming in the candlelight.  It felt good against my skin.  "Take a long look at it" he continued, "now, how does it make you feel?"  I closed my eyes here and wrapped my fingers around the coin.  "You told us earlier that you were well paid for the work you did.  Does your regular pay feel as good at that.  That's real gold."  It was warm and relaxing.  It stirred desires deep within me.

Then he knocked me sideways with his next comment.  "I think you're drastically underpaid.  If I'd been subjected to what you went through in that cell I'd want ten times the salary you were given.  From what I can see, you've been giving to your kin for far too long - it's time you rewarded yourself.  When you've earned your fortune, you can easily return and help your neighbours some more."

I looked at him; I could barely believe what I was hearing.  "You can come with us, you know.  We're mercenaries really, but we always try to do good works.  I'll be honest, your skills would be very useful to us, and likewise I think we can help you achieve your own goals in return."

It's a tempting offer.  After considering it for several minutes in silence I said I'd sleep on it.  As I headed to my bed and closed the door, I heard Barr saying "It's the gold, I never new one of them little buggers that weren't affected by it".  That was it, that was what made my mind up to go - 'little buggers' means he respects me, 'shortarse bastard, no offence' is how he referred to the Dzarraf soldiers that he didn't like.

I told them what I'd planned as soon as I awoke.  I only have to tell Harik now.  And I have to go home one more time, I'll be needing my proper armour and a new axe.  The others are coming with me this time, and we'll be heading out of the oriental entrance.