[Day 5, Late Morning] Rain of Arrows (Open-ish)

Edmund moved quickly along the streets of Riverton, a man clearly on a mission. A busy, busy day already.

The morning chill is finally gone from the air and the day is shaping up to be a fine one, a clear sky, with nary a cloud in sight. Riverton is humming with activity, not so much as the castle, but still the crowds are fairly thick with merchants, commoners and the like. He soon reaches his destination, a reasonable looking tavern and inn, the Drunken Huntsman.

Stepping inside, he sees that there is a small crowd of customers here already, most getting breakfast. A few chatting around the various tables. Standing at the doorway in his finery, he draws a few looks from the patrons who quickly go about the business. He ignores them, scanning the room as he is greeted by a young serving girl.

"
Good morning, m'lord."
the girl says politely. She gestures around the large room, "
Find yourself a seat, and Masha will be with you in a moment."


Edmund nods a complaisant smile and moves to sit at a table that gives him a view of the entire room. He sits, quietly scanning the room for anything of interest.

It isn't long before an older, gray haired woman, presumably the owner, approaches him wiping her hands on her apron. "
Morning, milord. Name's Masha, I run this lovely inn."
she says greeting him with a perfunctory smile that reveals teeth stained red, Hopefully, simply from chewing sourleaf, Edmund thinks to himself. "
'Ere for breakfast? she asks.

Casting his eyes side to side, Edmund leans in a bit and quietly says. "
Actually, Masha, I'm looking for someone."


She leans in as well, mocking him somewhat, "
And who might that be, milord?"


Giving her a bit of a look, he replies, "
A man that goes by the name Brandon Hill. I was told that he normally breaks his fast here."


She leans back and jerks her thumb over her left shoulder back towards the opposite corner of the tavern, "
Hill? Yeah, he's over there."
Brushing her hands off again, she adds,"
Give a holler if you need some food or drink."



Edmund thanks her and walks over to the table where Hill is sitting. He has a thin, craggy face, brown hair and a beard trimmed to a point at his chin. As he approaches, Hill takes notice of him and watches him curiously. Edmund gives a slight bow and clears his throat. "
Brandon Hill?"
, he asks.

Hill nods, "
Yeah. What do you need?"
he asks impassively, studying Edmund closely.

"
I merely seek time to offer a proposition that you might find profitable?"
He gestures towards the chair opposite Hill, who nods, and Edmund takes a seat.

"
I represent the interests of House Marsten, guests here for the Tourney."
he begins. "
In the Vale, both mine own house and that of the Marstens are dealing with increasingly bold and... costly raids by large numbers of bandits, clans really, that live in the surrounding mountains."
He pauses before continuing, he voice calm and confident. "
I am told that you captain a company of skilled archers and I would inquire as to your willingness to help us put an end to these raids."

[Reader]

Brandon Hill is a tall man with an archer's powerful body. He has closely cropped dirty yellow hair, rather than the gold of a Lannister.

Despite bearing a noble name, he is dressed commonly and several rough looking men from his company stand nearby. His accent is an unrefined as his appearance.

"
Ideal work for archers, by the sound of things my lord. My company is at its full strength of one hundred men, but sadly finds itself without contract.

"
A remedy may be close at hand however. Tell me more, and I shall weigh it against other offers and name our price."


[OOC: simple Intriuge TN 7, DoS matter as does the "
style"
used if he detects it]

[url=Doing deals][/url]: 7d6k6 21 Deception (Bluff) 3 DoS
He's going to lie about force size of bandits and try to lowball on price and length of campaign.

Edmund pursed his lips, appearing to calculate a moment, then says, "
Yes, one hundred skilled archers are precisely what is needed. In truth, there is little to tell beyond the obvious. Their force is large enough to cause some consternation, however... What we are looking for is some, well, finality with these bandits."

[Reader]

The veteran captain is dazzled as Edmund spins his tale.

The realities of campaigning are forgotten, replaced instead with visions of a swift victory and easy pickings against a disorganised rabble.

"
An arrows flight is finality enough for your foes, and so is my offer,"
he say with conviction, not realising that he's been talked in to a relatively poor deal by the crafty Edmund.

He offers a firm handshake to seal the deal.

[OOC: 3 DoS = Base price -1, share of loot -1.

Final price = food, provisions = handwaved (unless you hire a ludicrously large force, not at the level) + 1 point of wealth, plus 1 point of wealth from the spoils (if any) secures their service.

He may be irritated later, depending on how the campaign actually goes - such are the risks of bluff!]

Edmund extends his hand, shaking Hills'' firmly. "
It will be a great pleasure to see you on the field of battle."


He stands and bows, "
I will send a messenger soon. Thank you, Captain."


He motions towards the door, "
If you'll excuse me, I am due shortly at the tourney fields."


With a tight smile, he turns and takes his leave.

[Reader]

[OOC: /scene, as Brandon's company begins to toast its new contract. Sharp work.]

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