Kenneth scratched his head, a tad annoyed by the sternness of the knight's words. "This was a duel, and breaking the agreed upon rules will mark that man for long after the bruises fade away. Sir Knight here is a bit...curt, but correct nonetheless. In a real fight for your life, who knows what you'll do, what you'll be forced to do if you want to survive? But, I believe we must at least try, honestly try, to be better than monsters, to not let go of things like kindness, righteousness or nobility of character. Perhaps it's childish, but I think it's admirable that you don't want to see others hurt the way you do. You should hold on to that. The rest'll come in time if you do".

"I guess so...," Lily answered, twiddling with her thumbs as she did so. Although she still didn't quite agree with the two, she didn't feel like arguing about it at the moment; if only due to her apparent inability to explain how she felt. It wasn't that she didn't like fighting; she just didn't understand why people would conciously limit themselves whilst doing so just because of some kind of honour code, even if both parties would apparently agree on this. If you're responsible for the well-being of others, then isn't it incredibly selfish to hold yourself back just because it would make you feel better, even if that means this other person gets hurt as a result?
The Sprite shook her head, more in an attempt to clear her head than as a gesture of denial, before somehow summoning a forced smile on her face. The fact that her eyes didn't follow suit pretty much gave it away. "Maybe we should get back inside? I'm sure Gabriel is waiting on us."

"You're right." James agreed, pulling his hand away. He walked up to the tavern, and kicked the door in.

"Gabriel, it's time for us to hit the road!" he announced, walking towards the halfling. "That chef will slit our throats while we sleep if we stay here overnight."

Gabriel immediately glanced up at James. YOU WAITED TOO LONG! DAMN IT GABRIEL... Note to self, next maiden you see, make the point clear from the -start-. Not going to let this happen again, for I must have a maiden's most sensual embrace. Ah yes... make sure that you make it clear from the beginning.. Gabriel shook his head, "You remember the arrangement I made? He has to leave town. So he won't cut our throats you see. We can stay at town for a bit longer, after all, don't we still need to fetch supplies and such?"

"Hey, I know you're not happy with it, but chin up, alright? It's the rules and the codes that separate us from beasts and monsters. I'm sure you'll understand in due time, you're a big girl". Kenneth playfully pinched Lily's cheek before heading inside, nodding to Gabriel and the barmaid he'd fought for then immediately heading upstairs to grab his few belongings, which were still neatly packed and ready to go.

Gabriel nodded at Kenneth. He then paused for a moment, before glancing back at James. "Plus if that Chef would decide to break the deal and try to slit our throats on the night... I can only imagine what he'd try to do to..." Aha! Maybe you've found the answer Gabriel glanced at Crystal, "Fair Crystal, I personally extend an opportunity to come with the merry band. You are free to join or not, if you wish. I will make sure you have freedom in choice. Imagine it, having a chance to explore the unknown! I can assure you, I do make quite lively events, and adventuring never gets dull. There would be many songs and stories to be heard and new tricks to be learned." Wait what did you just do!? If she accepts, you can't get any other maiden and their embrace! But leaving her if the chef would break that deal... Is surely a death sentence. I mean you did fight for her freedom... You have to make sure she at least has more than a day of it! ... But those other maidens! Gwah! Well the rest of the party could decline it I suppose. Yes, they'll probably do that.

Gabriel stared into Crystal's eyes. "The choice is yours to make." Gabriel paused for a moment admiring her beauty. "I haven't composed a poem or song for you yet have I? I would have done it earlier but I had an opponent to BEAT, and I had to keep TEMPO during it. And I had to keep PITCHING the punches. Anyway I should get on that."

"I understand" she said with a heavy accent. "Go on with yer' friends. I think they need you more than I do- for now anyways. With daddy like that, I gotta watch the shop alone." she explained "and I still need a place to stay you know? Asides. If I don't stay here, I'll be dissapointin' momma too."

Well, at least she isn't a clingy type. That, is always a positive. Then again, hm, I still need to value the trade off of satisfaction but clingy, to no satisfaction but not clingy. Gah, I remember that one Drow... she was -really- clingy. Gabriel nodded at Crystal, "Well, I wish you the best. I am positive you will run this place better than he did." Now to find someone, who understands the life-style!

Gabriel glanced at James, "So ready to head out then, to continue our quest?"

"Suddenly you're so impatient." Rue said walking through the door. "Sir Hawthorne, I'm in need of someone with some upper body strength, can you accompany me while Mr. Knotts takes care of gathering the provisions?"

"What about the others? Aren't they also going to be gathering provisions?" Gabriel peered at Rue, before snapping his right fingers. "Think I may teach Taliesin a few tricks before we head off." Gabriel grinned ear to ear, as he threw both of his hands to the side, "Yes, there would be many tricks I will need to teach him. Also..."
Gabriel glanced at Crystal, "Is there someone in this town who deals with the musical arts? I feel that I need another musical instrument, besides the one I currently possess. But yes, ah patience. Well let us say, there is a wide dungeon to explore and many people to meet, along with stopping the most notorious of foes!" Gabriel heartily laughed as he kicked both of his feet forward off the stool. He quickly brought them back down onto the little bar there.

Perhaps one of the individuals I meet will give me the treasure I seek! YES, IT WILL BE GLORIOUS! He thought to himself. Gabriel scratched his chin for a bit with his right hand. He stopped after a few seconds of it and rolled his shoulders back. "Anyway..."

"Upper body strength?" James questioned Rue. "Sure, just lead the way. What's the problem?"

"I've found a way down to the lower reaches of the dungeon." Rue said, she pounded her fist into her hand, recalling something important. "We're also going to need quite a bit of rope, it looks like quite the drop."

She lead him to the door, the inside of which was poorly illuminated as ever. "Going to need a few torches too." She mumbled before remembering herself. "Sir Hawthorne the way down is past this door, unfortunately I'm not strong enough to pry it open."

"A door. eh?" James examined it. "I don't have any rope, but I've got these." he lit his lantern, then drew his warhammer.

"This should only take a minute." the knight said, and drove the spike of his hammer into the crack between the door and the wall. He tested the hinge's strength, and gave a great yank.

Gabriel strolled outside of the tavern, as he walked over to his dear pet Taliesin, which stared at Gabriel for a moment. "Taliesin! Well, since I was unable to get well... Anyway! Let's teach you some tricks!" He moved over behind Taliesin as he took off the rope, and began putting it back in his bag. As soon as Gabriel was doing that, Taliesin was deeply sniffing the inside of the bag. "HEY! Taliesin!" Gabriel shouted as he waved his right and left hands frantically. Taliesin peered at Gabriel curiously, as he Gabriel began slowing down his arm movement. "Okay, we are going to start with something simple. Sitting."

Taliesin just stared at Gabriel, before peering at a small wandering creature. He opened his maw as he breathed out, and licked his chops, as he slowly approached the creature, as he passed Gabriel. "Wait, wai-" Gabriel glanced at the creature, as he rushed up to the thing as it stared at Taliesin and was in a paralyzed state of fear. He held it by the tail, as it tried to escape. "Alright Taliesin..." he said as Taliesin glanced at Gabriel while still standing up. Gabriel went behind Taliesin as he jumped up, and pushed down on Taliesin, who was curiously eying Gabriel, but in particular the little creature he was holding by the tail. Taliesin, now in a sitting position, continued glancing at Gabriel.

"Good boy! You are sitting!" He tossed the creature to Taliesin who quickly snapped it and swallowed it whole. Taliesin got back up as he peered at Gabriel. "Alright sit!" Gabriel said, as Taliesin just stared at him. Gabriel moved back behind Taliesin and pushed him again, as he got into a sitting position. "Good boy Taliesin!" he said as he began petting him.

"Alright, we are making a good start!" Gabriel eagerly declared. Taliesin just tilted his head a bit and moved towards Gabriel. He sniffed at Gabriel, while Gabriel was petting him. "You are a good boy Taliesin. And you will learn many fine tricks! Together we will travel far and wide, basking in the adoration of the crowd who scurried to our performance before it leaves! And it will be glorious, yes it will be most magnificent!"

Oh I hope I can get proper satisfaction for my heroic deeds later down the dungeon. Gabriel thought to himself. He paused for a moment as he tapped at his chin. "Well I suppose I should keep my performances up as well. I didn't get much practice with my juggling today." he said. Gabriel quickly took out two throwing knives from both sides. He began juggling at a slow spee at first, but quickly gained speed. As he was juggling his blades he began dancing a simple jig. Taliesin watched the performance with much curiosity as he sniffed the area around Gabriel.

Kenneth returned with his backpack strapped on. He'd waited a while to give Gabriel the chance to, well, get the typical bardic reward for heroic deeds, but it looked like it wasn't happening. He waved towards the barmaid on the way out, wishing her a long and prosper life, and stopped outside to observe Gabriel trying to teach his pet Killer Gorilla some tricks before starting a juggling act, complete with a little jig. "I'd throw you a coin but I'm afraid I gave the last of my money to pay for my room. Quite impressive".

Gabriel continued his dance as he juggled his blades. He glanced at Kenneth, "Ah most unfortunate, I always do enjoy some coin for my work. But it is quite good you enjoy it." Taliesin continued sniffing around Gabriel. "Now then, oh yes, I must also practice my song as well." Gabriel cleared out his throat as he began spoke. "Greetings, I the Laughing Scorpion, shall perform for you a song. This song I am about to perform for you is one performed by proud sailors, who trek the dangerous seas, avoiding all manner of ocean dwelling creatures, from the beautiful and seductive siren to the fierce and destructive kraken!"

Gabriel began singing. "What shall we do with a Drunken Sailor?/What shall we do with a Drunken Sailor?/ What shall we do with a Drunken Sailor?/Early in the morning?" Taliesin tilted his head in curiosity as he eagerly watched Gabriel.