Fellowship of the Dice

Hartley listens in silence for a while, before responding. "It seems Watcher here can protect the merchants if the need arises. Why not take visit Saruman. Perhaps he can give us information about the maps to this colony of dwarves. Maybe if he has some sway over the Dunlendings, he can help us raise an army. But then again, why should he care about helping us?"

Telurin smiles at Hartley's comments. "Because we suddenly are a very convenient way for Saruman to deal with this A, who he probably already knows about (and may even know his identity), who with enough time and power, could become a thorn in his side. We and the people of Tharbad are not the only ones threatened by this mysterious figure."

"That our friend can watch over them, then I am inclined to leave, but to where?"

Aravule looks over at Blain and rubs the back of his neck.

Halleth says, "Well, I suppose that's not a bad idea--we could visit Saruman and pick his brain to see if he knows anything useful that would help us with finding the dwarven colony. We could do him some favors in return for that." He looks to Aravule to see what his liege thinks of that plan.

"I think by just the fact that we are opposing this A, Saruman will be disposed to help us. We aren't asking for more than information, at least for now, and he knows what we intend to do with it. Clearing up Tharbad before it becomes a real problem could prove valuable. And if we do truly turn Tharbad back to the Free Folk and under the rule of Cardolan, Saruman could be a powerful ally.

We elves do not usually get involved in the politics of men, but I know from my two hundred years, it is not a question of if Saruman will have a relationship with the governing power of Tharbad, but of when."

Watcher nods to Telurin, "You may be right, Saruman is a friend to all free people, and will want to know about what's happening in Tharbad, it is practically his back yard. Be warned however, he is a powerful man, one of the Wise, and do not trifle with him, or play games. He is an ally to all free folks, but he is a wizard, and one should not taunt him or test his patience." With that he glances at Aravule in particular.

"Perhaps it is wisest to go along with the dwarfs first, then we can visit Saruman. He is close enough to Duneldings, or even Rohirrim if they might be recruited." Aravule does not say that with any sort of confidence, "My elder brothers spend some time among the Horse Lords, but I know little of their ways other than what is commonly known." Aravule makes no obvious signs he has taken the Watcher's meaning about being careful around the wizard. "If Blain wants to write up the contract as his people might, we can get under way. Maybe Hartley should inform the merchants we are to leave for the time being. He is affable and they might take his words better than some others."

Hartley nods in agreement to Aravule. "I will go and tell the merchants that we are leaving for a time. It will be good to leave this town for a while. I long to get my feet back on the open road and see other places in this wide world. "

Later in the day, the hobbit does just that. He gives his farewell to the merchants, wishing them the best of luck. He then makes his way back to the jail and busies himself packing up what few possessions he has. He talks to Nob, his faithful pony, telling the beast that soon they will be out in the wide world adventuring together again. His hobbit heart is lighter than it has been in some time.

Bláin has been working diligently on his roll of parchment for a contract that would provide for an exchange of services to Aravule for his help in locating the lost colony. He spends several hours in consultation with the dwarves. Many bolls of pipeweed are put to use to stimulate thought.

The contract is as long and wordy as dwarf contracts go, with many stipulations and amendments and conditions, not for the sake of providing loop holes but for the dwarven need for thoroughness regarding all manner of "business". Bláin will never forget the time Bilbo showed the one his father and Thorin had drafted long ago for Quest for Erebor. He tries best to make it as fair as that one was, trusting it will be well received.

Without going into line by line detail Bláin explains to Aravule that any dwarf signatories will agree to do Aravule's bidding regarding the liberation and reconstruction of Tharbad provided that he and his company seek out Fundin's supposed people. Should there be no colony, the dwarves would agree to return to Tharbad to help as Aravule sees fit. Other provisions about if the colony is found and the attempted recruitment of said colony are also listed to the best of Bláin ability to forsee the actual circumstances.

Aravule has a bloody headache by the time he's finished reading the contract. He forces himself to read it again while rubbing his temples slowly to relieve the tension of such a long and painful document. He seems satisfied at the conclusion, however, and asks Blain for his writing utensils so that he might sign his name for Tharbad and Cardolan. "This will do," he says, ready to broker the deal with the dwarfs, and if successful, one that might supply trade for his budding kingdom for generations to come.