Brightleaf gives a small smile and says "Pardon me ladies would it be okay to refill my waterskin? Or would that trouble this Duke of yours?" And goes to refill her waterskin then looks over to the bulletin board to see if anything of interest is posted there.

Alric exits Vaux's now a few coin heavier and heads to the clamor at the well. He listen's for a few moments and nods his head in agreement. Looking at the Bulletin board he takes notice of the Unsettled Graveyard bounty.

     He shakes his head ruefully thinking of all the deaths in these frontier towns and at least they should finally have some peace.

     Glancing over at the Wood elf he nods "Ma'aM" As she fills her skin. He moves his eyes along not wanting to be caught staring at her but he hasn't seen that many of the long eared folk and can't help his curiosity.

     He turns back to the notices and considers what should be done. Hunting is slim as the rush for silver has trampled much hunting grounds out here. Not much is left unspoiled.

"Oh honey, pardon us. Go on, dear. Don't mind our griping, our mayor is just a touch absent."

"... in the head. But you didn't hear that from me."

They all share a good laugh, shuffle over to give well access, and continue gossiping.

-------
Bulletin Board

Tailor - Bead your Deeds on your Shirt? Want latest Fringe? See M. Trouvier

Bounty - Robbed Mayor seeks Capture of Thieves! Lost Precious Valuables!

Bounty - Missing Claim Holder! Family seeking Justice! See Thistlegrass clan.

Sale - Dowry. Combs, blankets, tools, more. Broken Heart, Won't Need.

Reward - Closed mine shaft! Dangerous mystery! Need Gutsy Braves.

Reward - Oldest Graveyard has Weird Omens! Seek Holy Man and/or Braves.

Cook - Good ol' Greenvalley Lightfoot Home Cooking. Sticks to your Ribs!

Brightleaf looks down and gives the halfling a quick smile and asks "you from around here small one?"

Alric Turns back to the Elf maiden. "No Ma'am" He smiles charmingly "I'm a Hunter by trade and just in unloading some recent successes. The territory around here doesn't lend itself much to professional hunters" He gestures out beyond the town into the dusty plains. " I try not to tangle with anything too big like bison and buffalo, just smaller game."

He places his fingers in the corner of his mouth and lets loose a loud whistle. Not far away hiding in the shade of a nearby building is a large dog. He saunters over with his head swinging back and forth in a friendly manner.

"This here is Mal, my pack mule and boon companion on the road." He pats him on the head and rubs under his chin. "Say hello Mal."

Mal merely looks up to you and grins a big doggy grin.


Gesturing back over to the post board. " I don't like the sound of that disturbed grave yard." Alric shakes his head. "Sounds a bit un-natural" Drawing out the word slowly.

"I ain't neither of them things they want but doesn't mean I can't try to help"

kachank
kachank
kachank

A ruby-haired young lady carefully assesses the gathering at the well, the gentle jangling of her chainmail vest growing louder as she approaches. Hanalee Hondo's black cape swings behind her in the wind, and she scans the bulletin board with a serious and determined face.

She pauses and turns to look at those gathered, her face remaining stoic, until--

"Doggie!" she says happily, dropping to one knee at the sight of the impressive-looking mastiff. "You're a good boy, eh?" she coos, patting Mal's jowls.

She looks up at the halfling in the leather armor, then rises to greet him and the elf lady next to him. "Hm. Did you say the graveyard?" she wonders.

Brightleaf gives Mal a gentle scratch behind the ears while reading about the notice the halfling mentioned..."I'm not sure if I am suited for what may be needed for the job but never hurts to ask right? By the way I am named Brightleaf of the Bear Nation glad to meet you, do you want to come with me to find out more information on the matter?"

Edit: She nods affirmatively towards the new voice.

"...her story breaks my heart. Beau killed just before they are married."

"I best whip up a rancher's pie, with extra jackrabbit and sage how she likes it, and make a surprise visit."

"I've been visiting often to help with the chores and care of her elderly parents. Poor thing is like she's not there, going through the motions..."

"And to part with that stunning trousseau. What a bride she would have made!"

Among them some jostling to close in the conversation, making room for bulletin board newcomers. The gossip continues.

Caden strolls through the crowd gathered round the well. He stops before the bulletin board, shades his hawkish face with his hand, and looks the notices over. He mutters to himself about the various jobs listed, and then takes note of a small group that appears to be considering the board as well.

"No end of troubles round these parts eh?." He says to none of them in particular and all of them at once.

Brightleaf turns her eyes to the confident seeming man saying quietly "sure looks that way I'm think I'm going to find out more information about the disturbed graveyard it seems curious"....

"Oh you haven't heard the half of it --" a dwarf woman replies automatically, turns to the voice and stops... to look up, and up. Pauses, gives the once over, and gives a self-satisfied wry smile. "Well ain't you welcome shade in a sunny day. A big, strong man might make things right around here."

"Unless they're just another 'might makes right' man. All-Grandmother knows we've had our share of big, strong men here without a lick of sense, or shred of heart. Pardon my rudeness young man, but it's been a lonely time."

"And also we're all married too, remember. So get your heads out of the clouds." To Caden, "Apologies young man, things have been a bundle of activity for years now. It's a struggle to keep up a good home, it is."

Another to Caden, "I'm sorry too, dear. Don't mind us and our chatter. Lord knows we love a listening ear -- because we can't get anyone to listen at home!"

Laughter again seizes the gaggle of domestics, proper spouses one assumes. They return to their own private gossip mill.

Hanalee nods to the gruff newcomer. "Yes...it's quite lively. But I'm sure--from the looks of it--we could all handle out share of trouble."

She presses her finger upon the bulletin board, then taps her hand on a few listings. "I want to visit this sale, see what wares are available," she says enthusiastically. "It does me good to get a bit of shopping in before marching into unknown dangers!"

Caden studies the small group then gives a sort of half nod. "Well trouble gets less and less the more hands ya got working on it. Seems as if we could stand to make something of the situation if we have a go of it together." He turns to the dwarf woman "eh ain't nothin to be sorry of, I never seen a place that didn't have its share of trouble."

Brightleaf says in a soft voice "it's never a bad idea to be well equipped before rushing into the unknown".

Brightleaf turns to Hanalee and says...."come on let's check that sale out we may find something useful while we gather more information" and starts off in that direction.