A clear whistle pierced the air like a dagger. The cheerful tune was dissonant against the melancholy village. Beggars would raise their eyes, but once caught the source of song, quickly lowered their gaze once more. Not that Jespir minded. Keeping a low profile, a task he had trouble, was necessary at this time. The less odd looks the better. A sly smile was etched across the elf's face, accentuating his cocky stride. Though his ship had utterly crashed at the end his journey, he felt as if nothing could spoil his mood. After all, today was finally the day. The day he got rich! Well, at least the day he got a step closer to being rich. He was to meet someone at a Black Water Inn. Some would think the deal shifty, but hey, money was money.

Excitement blossomed in Jespir's chest as he caught sight of a the tavern. Its windows glowed warmly with dark silhouettes moving inside. There looked to be more than expected, but that was no bother. He could share, so long as he got what he wanted. As he neared the tavern, voices became more apparent.

[I]"...It was long ago that Kal'Draguraz fell, it will be six hundred years in a few weeks. Many of your people go searching for Kal'Draguraz because they want the treasure. What I want you to do is the impossible. You are to get into Kal'Draguraz and kill the black dragon known as Belthar the Corrupter. This task won't be easy, but if you complete it you will live the rest of your live as kings and queens,"[/I] a voice drifted towards the elf.

Jespir perked up immediately. Treasure? Though there was that bit with the dragon...but hell, if that meant living a life of luxury, he would fight five, no, ten dragons!

He entered the tavern with excite, but paused when he caught sight of the odd group gathered inside. Was that a talking ninja dog? And a goblin? And a dwarf? And that wasn't even mentioning the heavily armoured woman, a man who looked like he should have been with the beggars, and a girl with black skin and one arm. It was more of a surprise seeing this strange cluster rather than alarm. Jespir grinned. In fact, this just made the day a whole lot interesting.

The next words of the dwarf were enough to wipe the smile away.
[I] "Now then, if you are truly comitted to this cause you shall sign this document with your full name. This document is a commitment to complete your quest even if it means you have to die. Upon signing this document, you will hand your money to me so that you people can start anew."[/I]

But...Jespir liked money. And he liked living. And he liked living with money. But then again, he also like living like a king. The goblin's words were enough for Jespir to join the gathered group, though the scruffy-looking man's summary of the ridiculousness of the situation did manage to fill a bit of unease in him.

"Say it like that, boy, and we might not even reach the Spine," Jespir said to the boy with a returning grin as he reluctantly handed over his money and signed the document.