[center][url=https://fontmeme.com/celtic-fonts/][img]https://fontmeme.com/permalink/200725/aee0edecc11097c375c7ffdeee3596da.png[/img][/url][/center][hr][@Rune_Alchemist][@Cu Chulainn]

The large man held back a string of curses as the guard informed him that Mie wasn't available. Of course that damn fox was busy the moment he needed her more than ever! Regardless of whatever that conniving trader was up to this time, it wasn't that easy to dissuade Donovan from at least [i]trying[/i] to get ahold of the lass. Knowing he didn't have any sure means of getting Mie to see him, Don decided he'd try the next best option-- [i][b]bullshit the guards[/b][/i].

No sooner than Don had opened his mouth to speak, would a familiarly-voiced man with a bird mask suddenly interject before hastily dragging the larger man away and off to the side. Though he would normally protested what seemed to be a blatant attempt to shoo him away under these circumstances, this 'Nomura' fellow seemed awful familiar... Not to mention the odd sudden feeling that Don had to keep his family jewels protected at the masked man's approach.

Donovan would chuckle as Malphas revealed himself to be Nomura, [color=lightgreen]"So that's where yah been lad! Aye were startin tah wonder!"[/color]

Despite the ever-tightening timeframe, Don would patiently listen to what Malphas had to say; hoping to hear something that might help deal with the current roadblock on his path toward saving Dawn. When the shard was mentioned, Donovan raised a brow. Rather than refer to the payment for Enli's assassination as a whole-- Malphas had asked [i]specifically[/i] for the shard. 

Had Mie enlisted Malphas' help in locating the shard? Why ask only about the shard rather than the full payment? Was this shard more valuable that the gold that had accompanied it? Regardless of what the shard actually was, Don was certain of at least one thing...

It was a valuable bargaining chip.

After a few moments of quiet contemplation, Donavan rubbed his chin and put a proposal of his own on the table, [color=lightgreen]"Tell yah what Malphas-- aye got tha shard yer lookin for, an' aye'll happileh give et over to yah without fuss..."[/color] 

Donovan paused, and raised a single finger. [color=lightgreen]"But tah make sure that foxeh little boss ah yers don't try tah cheat meh-- yer gonnah do somethin' fer me first... All aye need is two damn sturdeh carts, some strong beasties tah pull em, a bit ah sturdeh rope, some large covers, few sheets ah that wood paper shite, ink, a quill, an' tah borrow th' dwarf lass that still owes meh ah favor... All ah which aye'll return tah Mie by sundown tomorrah. Aye get done what aye need tah, Mie doesn't get th' chance tah try nuthin' shadeh, you get tah take credit fer findin' the shard, mebbeh even make Mie ah decent bit ah coin on th' side, an most importantleh-- th village survives this whole damn mess... I ain't got th' time tag haggle or nahgotiate with yah at th' moment so yah gottah take et or leave et."[/color] 

The old architect extended his hand to Malphas, [color=lightgreen]"Weh got ah deal lad?[/color]

With a firm handshake the deal would be struck-- with the added condition that Donovan provide Malphas two fish when all was said and done. Without any further delay, the two men would gather the equipment that had been agreed upon at the edge of the camp before Donovan would give a final hollar into the camp to procure the last item on his list, [color=lightgreen]"Oi Eirhild-- aye need yer help fer sumthin' lass!"[/color]