The next evening saw the pair seated behind a table in the inn's private dinning room. Kiri was stripping the last bits of flesh from a chicken bone with her teeth when the first party applicant knocked on the door. Wiping his hands on a napkin Aydan stood and opened the door. A tall fair haired woman strode into the room.

"You were on the same ship as myself and my companion" stated Aydan. The blonde woman nodded.

"My name be Arie Bloodaxe of the Cold Mountains. I heard in bar of magicman needing adventurers."

Kiri was impressed by the woman's sheer stature as much as by the heavy bladed axe that hung from her back. She was a good few inches taller than Aydan, and powerfully built. She was clothed in animal furs and dark leathers. If not the smartest tool in the shed she would provide the brute force needed.

Aydan glanced sideways at Kiri and he caught her small nod. He put on a welcoming smile that never reached his eyes. "We would be delighted to have you join our small party Mistress Bloodaxe. Details will be discussed later. If you could please wait in the bar, we will join you later." The barbarian grunted in response and walked out the door.

By the time night had fallen and the inns candles had been light Aydan had acquired a small elven druid with a wolf companion and a large half-orc whose stench preceded him to the party and his payroll. They would suit his needs, for the moment.

He bought a round of beer for his new party members, to show his good faith. That night Aydan discovered two things. Barbarians could drink a lot of ale and tables made good impromptu weapons. Kiri pushed him upstairs when the barbarian picked a fight with a dwarf. That was when the tables started being thrown.

Upstairs in their room the sounds of the bar fight could still be dimly heard. Kiri had consumed enough ale to be nicely warm inside. Aydan had barely touched his and now he was staring out the small window into the dark street. She crept up behind the sorcerer and placed her hand on his arm.

"You're going to have to tell me what all this planning is for Aydan. I can't do my job properly unless you do."

He looked down to where her hand lay on his arm then up into her emerald like eyes.

He sighed heavily, his shoulders sagging slightly.

"I will Kiri. Sit down and I'll tell you all."