Snippet #1201706

"Alas." Vincent exclaimed. "I am afraid that we cannot join you. You see Caim and I have business of our own to attend to in and around Northwall. Business which may take some time to clear up." He explained, to which the knight simply nodded and the duo rose from their seats. Caim dashed a pile of coins atop the table, more than enough to cover the round. "However, I must say it has been a pleasure to have met you all. I am certain that our paths will cross in the future." Vincent continued as they made for the door. "After all, it is such a small world that we live in." He said with a goodbye wave. Caim nodded respectfully to Osefi and Vinsces before following the magus outside.

Once they were out of earshot Caim muttered angrily to Vincent. "Are you seriously going to let that unrepentant scoundrel remain free?" He was gritting his teeth with frustration.

"Now Caim, You of all people should know that being an outlaw is no indicator of character." Veincent corrected the larger man, who seemed to shrink back from his indignant anger. It was certainly true that he had needed to put aside more... 'conventional' definitions of virtue when dealing with their comrades. Many of their acquaintences were to some degree involved in the criminal underworld.

"I suppose. I just don't like him." Caim snarled. "Men who try to talk smoothly are often up to no good. He reeks of falsehood." He shook his head as though to banish the memories of the pirate.

***

Back in the tavern those who had heard Jack's confession eyed the man warily. It was not a wise move to admit to a bounty on one's head when in Northwall, a place where bounty hunters and mercenaries congregated en masse. And while many of them were criminals themselves, the mercenary profession lent itself particularly well to hypocrisy. Several of the men seemed to be attempting to make estimations of the man's strength and skill based on his appearance and behaviour. Others were shifting the hilts of their weapons nervously in their hands, fondling pommels and scabbards between gnarled and calloused fingers.

A grey cloaked woman burst through the door of the tavern, knocking past Jack and the others on her way into the back of the room.