Words to the Wise

[Thari(#31038)]
Midafternoon, and the landing is busy, mainly because the taverns and inn are so close. Right now a woman in red happens to be walking quickly down the stairs in the crowd. Thari doesn't continue down the stairs, however. She makes her way toward the basins of icy spring water and dips her hands into them.

[Bifur(#6709)] A short, mail-clad dwarf tramps through the crowd, not bothering to go around anyone. Though short in stature, most seem to have the sense enough to stay out of the way of this one. Yet one younger dwarf seems absorbed in some sort of calculations and bumps straight into Bifur. For a moment, it looks as though the old dwarf is about to unleash his raw, barbaric fury upon the poor, unsuspecting dwarf... but with a loud grunt, Bifur rather rudely shoves the dwarf out of the way, muttering, "Akh! Now I know why I tire of the mountain after a few weeks..."

"Well, I had wanted to see you and my wish is given," Hildis says in a soft baritone coming up beside Thari. The lanterns cast a rich glow in her iron red beard and hair and glint in the green jewels she has threaded her hair with.

"Mm?' Thari straightens, rubbing her wet and cold hands over her face. Her eyes go beyond Hildis to look distastefully at Bifur for a moment before returning to the redheaded lady. "Good day, Hildis," she says with a smile. "Haven't seen you in a bit. How are you?"

[Bifur(#6709)] The young dwarf looks at Bifur with a roll of his eyes, but the old dwarf has already moved on. The younger dwarf merely shakes his head and goes on his way. Having a good deal of grime on his face and hands, Bifur makes his way over to the basins and begins to scrub his hands as he speaks to no one in particular, "Orcs swarm in the foothills of the Misties. Raid ferther than ever from their strongholds. Fight in the light of the noonday sun. Threaten trade routes 'tween the east and west. And all here spend their time worryin' 'bout who said what ta who... and what they gonna have ta drink with dinner..."

"As well as can be expected," Hildis's eyes follow Thari's and widen when she is nearly pushed out of the way by an old dwarf. When he speaks as if to no one, she begins to smile and shake her head, "I need your advice, Thari," She lowers her voice without need as the dwarf next to them continues to hold forth.
Kael A dwarf, with small pit stains, arrives at the Great Stair and takes a look around. He nods in greeting to his fellow Dwarves.

[Thari(#31038)]
"Even some of the women of Erebor have killed some of those same goblins," Thari says in a firm voice, looking directly at Bifur. She moves a bit away from the older dwarf and murmurs to Hildis, "What about?"
Thari catches the nod of Kael and nods back to him.
Kael looks towards Bifur. "Nice looking cloak ye have there." Kael says with a smile. "So how are ye today?"

Kael bows to Thari. "Hail, name is Kael son of Daelar"

[Bifur(#6709)] The old war marshal looks around a bit as he splashes some water into his beard. Bifur nods slightly to Kael, and then glances over at Hildis and Thari, eyeing them for a moment before running his fingers through his wet beard. He scrubs at his face and shrugs to Thari, "Aye? What of it? As well they should." With a bit louder and harsher voice, the old dwarf adds, "Wealth and privilege given by the blood of others have made some under the mountain idle and unappreciative..." As almost an afterthought, he bows his head, but only slightly to Kael and says, "Thank ya, cousin... as ye may have noticed, a bit preoccupied with things of more import than local gossip."
Kael glances towards Bifur then to Thari. "Aye I see that. Sorry for any intrusion on my part, may I ask what ye are getting all your feathers ruffled about?"

Hildis remains silent while Thari replies, admiration in the nod of her head when she finishes. "Well, not here. Come to the Den and have a glass - it is about Ranor, you see."

Her eyes narrow at the dwarf and his booming voice. "Who does he think he is talking about?" she asks in an aside to Thari. Then nods deeply to Kael, searching his face quickly to place him.

[Siv(#24218)] Unnoticed for the moment, perhaps, Siv sits on one of the nearby benches, though partially obscured from the view of those gathered. She's listening, of course. And trying to appear as if she isn't.

[Thari(#31038)]
Thari bows toward Kael. "Good afternoon. I am Thari, daughter of Balur." She is still eyeing Bifur sidelong, but doesn't answer him. Instead she touches Hildis's arm. "Come on, then," she says, and walks toward the Longbeard Den.

[Bifur(#6709)] Throwing a hand up in the air dismissively, Bifur looks at Kael and says in a stony voice, "Akh! Nothin', I suppose. I come ta Erebor from the Blue Mountains with tales of raids and threats ta the realm and all I hear in return is matters of clan pride and personal insult. I'd almost think I was in Bywater among the hobbit-folk instead of the mountain..." With a smirk to Thari, he grunts loudly, "Seems some have fergotten what the success o' the House of Durin has always been built upon... but that ain't anythin' new."

[Siv(#24218)] On that far bench, Siv smirks at Bifur's words. "Indeed," she says, under her breath. But..oh uh....there's talk of the Longbeard Tavern, and if they move that way, they'll see her. She hastily jumps to her feet, straightening her skirts.

"One might introduce oneself," Hildis says in an imperious voice and then blinks in surprise at herself. When she looks around to see how the older dwarf reacts she spies Siv. "Thari," she hisses reaching for her.

[Kael(#21749)] "Well I sure don't know the whole story but it sounds like you should watch your temper.. insults like that are hard to blow off." Kael says, gto Bifur, ending with a grunt.

[Bifur(#6709)] The old dwarf blinks in... is it amusement or ire? Unsure. In any event, Bifur runs a hand through his hair, eying Hildis for a moment as if assessing the value of an object. With a smile that holds nothing but deadly seriousness, he speaks in a harsh, gravelly voice, "If'n I must intraduce meself in the Lonely Mountain, things be far worse than I might've imagined. The deeds of Thorin Oakenshield and his companions ought not be fergotten so easily..." With a glance to Kael, Bifur laughs, "Insults have little meaning but ta distract from important matters."

[Thari(#31038)]
Thari glances aside when Hildis hisses at her. Grey eyes land on Hildis and the Bundazanul lady's fists clench, but she looks away.
Thari leans her head toward Hildis. "That's Bifur, one of Thorin Oakenshield's companions," she whispers. "He hates the dwarves in the Lonely Mountain I think, and probably has had naught to do with a single dwarven woman since he was birthed." She pushes open the door to the Den and passes within.

[Siv(#24218)] Thari and Hildis slip inside the tavern just as Siv hurries the other direction, back to them. She walks quickly down the stairs.

Kael looks towards Siv as she makes an awkward movement near the benches, noticing the Dwarven lass. He seems to ignore Bifur for the moment at least, gand puts his arms above his head, streching his back in a large, sweeping motion. Any nearby with half a mind can hear the bones popping as he stretches. Kael sighs. "Silly Dwarves of the Blue Mountain coming in hear with anger issues." he says mostly to himself, as if Bifur could not hear him.

Sending another glance behind her Hildis's face holds a strange mixture of awe and disappointment at the figure of myth. "Thorin Oakenshield's compagnon - well, who would have known! Dislikes us, does he?" she asks following Thari into the tavern.

You head into the Longbeard Tavern.
Longbeard Tavern
A large, homey space opens up before you, a natural hollow in the rock turned into a tavern. Cloak and hood racks of cherry and brass are attached to the walls beside the doors. A long bar of mahogany wood lies along one side of the room, assorted cups, mugs and flagons neatly lining the wall behind it. At one end of the bar is a swinging door leading to the kitchens. Into the other wall is built a recessed fireplace, a shaft drawing most of the smoke up and out of the way. The fireplace is full of a fire that crackles and roars in the hearth, dispelling the eternal chill of the stone and filling the hall with ruddy light and leaping shadows. Across the floor are set tables, simple and sturdy, meant to be used daily. The slightly smokey atmoshere is pleasant, and the place gives an impression of simple comfort.

Longbeard Den
Firelit, this comfortable chamber above the Longbeard Tavern holds many amenities for the casual guest of The Mountain. While the light is perpetually dim and there is a faint haze of wood-smoke in the room, it seems rather large, perhaps big enough to comfortably hold a number of dwarf-sized sofas, easy chairs, and small tables. While the room is primarily used for relaxation away from the hubbub of the common room below, a large table in the center of the chamber for games and meetings is still available. Stately doors of mahogany and walnut at each quadrant of the chamber lead to private salons.

[Ranol(#26812)] Sitting off by himself, sipping quietly at a drink, is the Huskarl of Bundazanul, Ranol, Ranor's son. He has some parchments on the table in front of him and seems to be concentrating, a sharpened piece of graphite in his other hand that he's using to write with.

[Thari(#31038)]
"He's a hero!" Thari is murmuring quietly to someone following behind her as she enters the room. "We've built up what he won! If you ask me, if you spend too long on caravan without a single woman you'll go cracked after a bit and forget how normal society works." She doesn't notice Ranol yet.

"Well, you're the only one to say that...you would have thought I was asking my family if I could shave by the way they re..." HIldis does notice Ranol and nearly walks straight into Thari as she looks at him, head down concentrating on his work.
"Ah, Thari...I saw Siv," she says eyes still trained on Ranol.

[Thari(#31038)]
"Yes," Thari says cautiously to Hildis. She turns to face the other lady. "I saw her." Thari's fists are clenched and her voice tight. "Why, is she here?" She turns to glance where Hildis does.
"Hello Ranol!" she calls, voice snapping across the peaceful den.

"How should I know," the Barazin dwarf glances at Thari as though measuring her and says no more on the subject of Siv. The color creeping up from her beard would dignify the banners of Barazin in all their glorious red. She holds up a hand to Ranol, unsmiling, and grinds a toe in the floor to stop herself from turning around and leaving.

Ranol looks up curiously at his name and offers a soft smile to the two women. He's wearing his armor, but his blue cloak and helm are resting on an empty chair. "Good day, Thari, Hildis." The writing utensil is set down and he gestures for them to join him.

[Thari(#31038)]
Thari smiles at Ranol and looks aside at Hildis. The smile slowly dies as she looks up and down the Barazin maid. A bit of a snort. She jerks her thumb toward the stairs. "Should we talk down there instead?" she asks wryly.

Eyes still fixed in fascination on Ranol, the sick fascination of watching a puff of snow turn into an avalanche, Hildis nods her assent. "Um, unless you want to talk to him," she manages in a whispered aside.

Ranol watches the two speak quietly, and Hildis inparticular. Confusion touches his face when they don't approach his table. He lifts a brow for a moment, then shrugs and goes back to his work. Women.
Kael quietly enters the Den a bit after Thari and Hildis, overhearing them talking of going to a more private setting for some reason unkown to him. He takes a seat on a nearby chair, letting out a sigh, wiping some sweat from his brow - he has obviously been doing some sort of strenuous activity today.

[Thari(#31038)]
"What?" Thari replies to Hildis in confusion, still quiet but not quite as much as the other lass. "He--" Kael walks by and she nods to him but continues to speak to Hildis, thumb going now toward Ranol. "--he's Ranol! I live with him! He's not frightening! I happen to know that he likely had eggs for breakfast and, if he's bright, a muffin, for the cook makes a good muffin, she does."

Kael nods back towards Thari. As he takes his seat Kael withdraws a sort of flask from his pack. He removes the cap and a heavy alcoholic aroma drifts from the flask as he takes a large swig. "Yea.. good stuff." he mutters, leaning back in his seat, looking to the ceiling.

Brought up to respect the courtesies Hildis also nods at Kael as he walks by but she is distracted still. "He's not very bright," she says out of the side of her mouth and then laughs a bit crazily. "I still need to talk to you but," she gestures with her head towards Ranol as though he might explode at any second, "alright."

Ranol looks up again after a moment, noticing that Thari and Hildis are -still- speaking quietly. He runs a hand through his thick black beard, his blue eyes watching them keenly. "Is something wrong?" He finally asks, frowning. Kael is noticed, but Ranol doesn't know the fellow.

[Thari(#31038)]
Thari gasps and puts her hand on her hip. "Yes he is!" she hisses at Hildis, though a thoughtful moment of silence ensues where she seems to consider the actual truthfulness of her statement.

"Everything's fine!" Thari starts to move toward Ranol briskly but on the way her skirts sweep into Kael's table and knock it for a moment. "Oh! I'm sorry!" She bows toward Kael.

"Sorry," is repeated mechanically to Kael with a bow as Hildis follows her with a doubtful expression still on her face. She hisses to Thari's back, "It is not!"

Kael is interuppted of his short dream-like state as Thari bumps into his table. He smiles and nods towards Thari. "Its all right, miss." Kael stands up, and glances at the other Dwarves. He looks towards Hildis. "'Aye, I don't think I caught your name," Kael says, bowing. "I am Kael, son of Daelar. I am sorry - if I am interupting anything here." He looks towards Renol with a nod.

Ranol doesn't seem convinced by Thari's reassurance, and Hildis's response only adds to his uncertainty. He stands up now, moving over towards the small group. "Is everything okay, Thari?" The black-haired dwarf asks, then he bows to Kael. "I am Ranol, son of Ranor. It is good to meet you."

Thari continues on her way as sure as mining car on its track. Hildis slows and with little of her usual grace murmurs, "Oh...ah, Hildis, daughter of Hilvar, sir," bowing her head once again to Kael and then glances with confusion at Ranol as he introduces himself. She picks up a handful of her gown and takes a few quick steps towards the two Bundazanul and shrugs a greeting of sorts to Ranol.

[Thari(#31038)]
Thari tosses an odd look over her shoulder at Hildis. "I have no idea. I don't know what's going on. I'm fine, however! Frarin and I haven't quite agreed on a new house yet. He's a kind soul, however," she says in a comfortable voice, face relaxing into happiness. "He grumbles and puts up a fuss but still it's clear that he'd move in to wherever I am happinest."

[Kael(#21749)] "Well met, Hildis and Ranol." Kael says, taking a slight swig of his flask. He puts his hand out to offer any others some of his alcoholic beverage. "Anybody want a swig? Its not the best but its whiskey." he says with a grin.

[Ranol(#26812)] "Thank you, but I have an ale at my table." Ranol looks back at Hildis and Thari with a queer look again, especially at his cousin's answer. "Hildis.. is something wrong?" He asks with concern on his face.

"No, thank you," Hildis murmurs at the offer from Kael shaking her head. She does not stop shaking her head but looks at Ranol. She pauses and studies his face seemingly puzzled at his concern. "How are you?" she essays after a moment of silence.

[Thari(#31038)]
"No, thank you," Thari says politely to Kael, bowing a little. As Ranol and Hildis speak, Thari rolls her eyes up to the ceiling.
Kael bows to the Dwarves. "Well then, I have to go tend to some private matters, until we meet again, aye?" Kaeldar says with a wave.

[Ranol(#26812)] "I'm fine?" Ranol voices the answer as a question, still confused. He shakes off the weirdness of it all and glances between the two of them. "So.. I was going to order dinner soon, did you want to join me? I was trying to figure out next weeks schedules. It's such a headache. There's no way to make everyone happy." Scheduling seems to be his least favorite aspect of his job.

 "Ah, I'm glad to hear that..."Hildis replies looking about her for other empty tables. Perhaps his bewilderment becomes clear to her or his ease, the ease of pure friendship and nothing more. Hildis nods with something approaching cheer saying, "If Thari will order something, I will."

[Thari(#31038)]
"Mmm. I don't know," Thari says in a dubious voice. "I mean, yes, I need to talk to Hildis, though I'm not sure what about, and Ranol needs to talk to Hildis, though I'm not sure what about, but me sitting at a table with the both of you while nobody talks about anything they want to talk about doesn't sound like a load of hearty good times to me."
She pauses to take a breath, now looking at Ranol. "What did you do?" she asks him. "I thought we'd gotten everything all sorted out with you!"

[Ranol(#26812)] "What -are- you talking about, Thari? I don't have anything that I need to speak with Hildis about.. I was getting my work done. You two came in here together.." Ranol scrubs a hand through his hair. "If the both of you don't want to have dinner with me.. that's fine. I was offering, that's all. I won't be offended." As if to illustrate the point, he moves back towards his table.

Hildis's head swivels between the two an unhappy crease between her eyes, she unconsciously smoothes her beard until she comes to a decision. "Right," she says, the frown becoming a frown of irritation, "let him have his dinner alone. Please, come talk to me, Thari, I need your advice."

[Thari(#31038)]
"I have no idea what I'm talking about, Ranol," Thari answers him with a tilted smile. She looks indecisively between the pair and reaches up to ruffle Ranol's hair as he moves away as if he were naught but a beardling. She then turns to follow Hildis, lips pressed shut almost with an air of disapproval about her.

 A table - far enough away for some privacy from Ranol but near enough for Hildis to keep an eye on him - is found. She gestures an invitation to Thari and waits for her before seating herself. "I'm sorry, but it is best to talk to you alone for the moment."

[Thari(#31038)]
Thari seats herself, looking across at Ranol and then up at Hildis. "About what?" she asks guardedly.
Hildis spreads her gown around her, bites her lips ,looks at Ranol and then looks at Thari levelly, "Ranor has left it seems. No punishment. Nothing. I am going to talk to Braldor and Lord Gimli. Why, if it was serious enough to put me in prison, is he free?"

[Thari(#31038)]
"I don't... know?" Thari answers. Her brows lower, bristle over her eyes. "I haven't really asked. Braldor and the House of Durin rarely share their governing views with me."

The Barazin shakes her head almost impatiently, "Of course, they don't but you have a good head. I am going to talk to your Thane myself. No one has explained to me...no one thinks that the maiden beardling as they are wont to call me deserves a word of explanation. But I would like your advice on how to talk to your Thane. I'm afraid that I am getting angrier by the hour...

[Thari(#31038)]
"Oh, Durin," Thari sighs. She works her hand into her hair. "I hardly know how to talk to him. The best way to get action out of him is to act like a maiden beardling who needs his protection." Her hand drops back into her lap. "Braldor is used to taking care of people and likes to help it, but don't expect to have a say in what needs done! He's a good lad, he is," she hastens to assure. "But he is very, very traditional."

The sigh elicits one from Hildis, she presses her lips together grimly as she listens to Thari. "Traditional. I have never talked to him more than a moment but he seemed upright...and traditional. Oh, Thari! Just as I thought perhaps I would be treated on some other footing than a young beardling I am dealing with clan elders and traditional huskarls." She shoots a half-hearted glare in Ranol's direction as she says that.

 "Some sort of deal has been made...it is the only thing I can imagine. How can they have no proof? And the worst of it is the damage this does to Ranol, "she says her voice descending to a sad whisper.

[Thari(#31038)]
"Braldor /is/ a good lad," Thari repeats firmly, eyes level on Hildis, "And his Huskarl just the same, and you mustn't think otherwise. Ranol is a better listener, too." She sighs. "The damage has been done to Ranol for some time," she murmurs. "If is father leaves for a long time, perhaps the damage might end at last."

"Aye, aye, it's so, though people will whisper, I am sure." Her face and tone are desolate. "And I want them to stop the father, stop him and imprison him for what he did."
 A silence ensues, eyes averted Hildis shakes her head. When she meets Thari's regard again her eyes flare with true anger, "Yet, he left me in that prison denying that the letter came from his hand. Were it not for the Lord Gimli I could be there still, Thari."

[Thari(#31038)]
"Mm. I don't doubt it," Thari says, pressing her lips together and leaning back. "That's my uncle for you." She folds her arms and shakes her head.

"So you would have me leave well enough alone?" Hildis glances at Ranol, "For Ranol's sake? Or would you have Frarin go with me?"

[Thari(#31038)]
Thari frowns thoughtfully, beard bristling over her chin. "Well, were I in your shoes, I'd be marching straight to the Thane and demanding answers, though don't tell Braldor I told you that." A pause. "Mind you, he's likely to know." She gives a bit of a laugh, then quiets.

Thari leans forward again. "You can certainly ask Frarin for advice. He's a dear dwarf of course and nobody under the Mountain gives better advice than he. But I'm not sure if he went with you to Braldor if it would help. Frarin and Braldor dislike one another dreadfully. I /think/ that Frarin could keep his temper under control," she finishes doubtfully.

Hildis takes a long deliberate breathe then nods. "Then I will go on the morrow or as soon as the Thane will receive me." She fixes Thari with a tight smile, "That was good advice...now I have something else to ask you about...your cousin. But I don't know what I want to ask or how. He confuses me."

[Thari(#31038)]
"He does, does he?" Thari asks. Now she sends Ranol across the room a scolding look. "What's he done?"
"Did he tell you about the picnic?" HIldis follows her gaze to Ranol like iron filings to a magnet.
Ranol is totally eating. Alone.

[Thari(#31038)]
Thari only shakes her head. Her eyes drift from Ranol to Hildis.

"It seemed so wonderful. He brought a lovely basket that his sister packed, the stars were bright...and he barely talked to me."She has the wide eyed look of someone that has been told something important but in a foriegn language.

Ranol isn't paying them more attention than the occasional glance up. Perhaps it doesn't occur to him that they're talking about him. Maybe it does and he's wisely pretending to be absorbed in his work. Who can say with Ranol? He takes his job rather seriously.

[Thari(#31038)]
"Really?" There's a long, thoughtful pause. "Yes, he does that," Thari decides. "I myself either nag him to speak or, sometimes, have a standoff. He'll crack in a standoff," she says smugly.

"And, honestly," she continues, "Why are you telling me instead of him? Being direct never hurts. He's a considerate lad, after all."

"I will not chase the man. He... what does he want from me? Friendship, courtship...I hardly know. But ask him?" Hildis grins with humorless skepticism. '"He'll grunt at me, Thari!"

[Thari(#31038)]
"And you're going to get let him get away with that?" Thari demands, lifting a hand in an animated gesture. "He wants a courtship with you! You're going to let him behave like that? Terrible!"

"He does?" Hildis asks with a smile wavering between disbelief and silly. "He does?"

Ranol finishes the stew he had ordered some time ago, and his drink is empty, and his work is finally finished. Now he looks up at the two women again and toys with the end of his beard, trying to decide what to do.

[Thari(#31038)]
"Why do you suppose he goes to the trouble of arranging a picnic with you and then grunting the whole time?" Thari asks, nearly laughing. She taps her own forehead. "Think, woman," she orders.

"Think," Hildis repeats tapping her own forehead. "Think. I feel like I have to give him talking lessons. I...he can teach me to wield my war hammer (if I don't use it on his head first) and I will teach him how to talk?" She looks at Thari quizzically.

Ranol stands, pulling some coins from his pocket and setting them on the table to cover the bill. Next the huskarl collects up his papers, folding them and tucking them away. His blue gaze strays over to Thari and Hildis again, and maybe there's a shadow of hurt feelings, as if he's trying to understand what's going on with them ostracizing him.

[Thari(#31038)]
"Oh, he knows how to talk," Thari tells Hildis, jabbing a finger to the tabletop. "He's had quite a lot to say to me before. I think..." a pause. "I think... I think..." she gains a crafty look. "I think our mighty Huskarl is afraid of you."

"Afraid?" the Barazin echoes almost too loudly. She stands up as soon as Ranol does as though the two were puppets worked by the same master."Ranol?" she calls.

[Thari(#31038)]
Thari looks across to Ranol and throws him a bright smile, leaning back in her chair again. She gives a merry little wave to her cousin.

Ranol is -just- about to slink off, but Hildis stands and speaks to him. He seems surprised by this, but responds politely. "Yes?" He slowly approaches their table, almost wary in his movement.
 done for him!"

Hildis's mouth works without any sound, she narrows her eyes in desperation and then something of Thari's determination seems to animate her. "Won't you join us?"

[Ranol(#26812)] "I.. ahh.." Ranol looks sharply at Thari, her jolly wave putting him more on edge than the strange behavior of Hildis. "Okay." The huskarl sits down, his cloak and helmet bunched in his lap. The expression on his face is near bewilderment.

[Thari(#31038)]
Thari's smile only widens at Ranol's sharp look. Perhaps this is intended to put him at ease, and perhaps it makes her look crazy.

Hildis chooses to ignore the looks traded between the cousins. She says in her reasonable, sane manner neither gushing or chirping. "That was sweet of you to eat alone while we talked. Did you finish your work, Ranol? "

Ranol really isn't that dumb, and he knows something is up, but is also smart enough not to ask. "Yeah, I think I worked it out. Some of the boys aren't going to be happy, but I did the best I could. Did you two .. talk?"

[Thari(#31038)]
"We did!" Thari says cheerfully. She folds her hands over her sash. "Are you going to be at home for supper tonight?" she asks him.

Hildis is content to listen to the two cousins talk and sits back, a certain newfound serenity smoothes the crease between her eyebrows that has threatened to become a permanent fixture.

[Ranol(#26812)] "Yes.. I was planning on it. I told Panor I would try to be there." Ranol answers Thari's question, but his eyes keep drifting to Hildis. "My sister.." He adds, not recalling if Hildis has met her or not.

"I haven't met her...she packed the picnic basket," Hildis says.

[Thari(#31038)]
"You should meet her," Thari says, smiling again. "She's an interesting lass." The Bundazanul lady then makes to stand. "I should get going home then to make it in time for supper. I've some work at the office to do," she explains.

Ranol considers the possibility of the two meeting for a few moments, then shrugs. "You could, if you'd like. She's a bit younger, but she's sweet." He watches Thari stand, "Okay.. I'll be there later to eat, if Panor asks."

[Thari(#31038)]
"She's ready to be married," Thari says with a laugh and a shake of her head. "Good day to the both of you!" She bows and quickly moves to the stairs, soon down and gone.

"Farewell, Thari!"Hildis stands as Thari leaves and then sits back down. "I should like to meet her. If Thari says she is interesting than she must be. But why would she say she is ready to get married?"

Ranol waves when Thari leaves. His attention returns to Hildis and the dwarf chuckles at her question about his sister. "It's all she thinks about, most of the time.. meeting a fellow and getting married." He shrugs in good humor.

"Many dwarf maidens do," she says with an amused smile and as though it was of no concern of hers.

[Ranol(#26812)] "Do they?" Ranol grins. "My sister is a bit obsessive at times.. but.. I think it's just a phase. She means well." He's thoughtful, then adds, "She's never really found another path, career-wise, I mean. Maybe this is what she wants."

"Well, yes, they do." she answers thoughtfully, her head to one side. "And there are many maidens that think they will find all their fulfillment in children. I hope that I will have children but I hope that I will be a full-fledged trader as well, " she says simply.

Ranol grows quiet now, the mention of children send a spike of terror through him. It's not that he doesn't want to have any, someday, but the last time he had any conversation about kids was with Siv, and before that? Eirdis. Still, he forces a smile. "It's good that you know what you want.." The huskarl stands now, "I should probably be getting the schedule over to the office if I'm going to make supper on time.."

Something in his manner puzzles her and she frowns briefly and then shrugs. "Well, at the very least people need to know these things about themselves. It comes with a certain maturity of mind, I think. Have a good supper, Ranol."

[Ranol(#26812)] "Yes.. " Ranol smiles again, more genuine and fond this time. "I .. have tomorrow afternoon free. Now that my arm is up to speed again, maybe we could work on your training? I'll be in the practice hall, if you're interested." The huskarl slips away then, not forcing her to give him an answer.

Hildis smiles, the smile spreading over her face as does a certain pinkness to her cheeks. "Training," she whispers to herself. "Who I wonder?"