Cleo meets some other adventurers

Having deposited her armour with the armourer, and after asking directions, Cleo makes her way to a seamstress. Surprisingly, she finds there are a number of dresses already made, some hanging in the window of the first clothes shop she comes to. After entering, and spending some time talking to the proprieter, she finally exits, several bundles under her arm.

Eating a simple lunch sitting on the edge of a fountain outside a bakers, Cleo mused about her next plans. Deciding to see the sights of the city a little, Cleo wanders the streets further, finally ending up outside the impressive fortress like temple to Tyr.

On the steps outside, a group of adventurer's are sitting and standing, speaking animatedly between themselves, and gesturing as if with imaginary weapons. As Cleo gets closer, she realises they are reliving some past combat, in which they had fought various different types of undead. Spotting Cleo listening in, one of the group turns to include her, and smiles warmly.

"You don't look like you're from round these parts!" he says by way of greeting. He sits on one of the steps and gestures for her to approach. He is a rugged individual with a long scar traced across his chin, that somehow manages to enhance his looks rather than deface them.

"Interested in stories of courage, skill and determination?" he grins. Cleo nods, and approaches closer.

The group introduce themselves as most of an adventuring company known as "Thargdor's Fist". The man who had initially spoke introduces himself as Thargdor, the other three are Fredricks, William and Xabbu. Fredricks is a tall thin looking fellow with slick backed hair and calloused fingers. Seeing Cleo looking at them, he pulls his hands up to mock the drawing of a bow. William by contrast is short, though well muscled, and turns out to be fairly uncommunicative, preferring instead to simply listen. Xabbu is perhaps the most unusual of the group. In marked contrast to the other human party members, Xabbu is a halfling, who listens avidly to the others as they talk, interjecting in his high pitched voice his own enthusiastic contributions.

Upon realising that Cleo was herself a warrioress, the group talk animatedly with her for a while, and she eventually asks them if the would consider showing her some of their techniques. Thargdor pauses for a moment, and looks at her appraisingly. "If you want to learn something new, come to Helmer's Wall - the inn that is! - they have a sparring arena out the back that we could use." He grins at her. "We're staying there, and will be for the rest of the week." At that moment, another man steps out of the temple and makes his way towards the group on the steps. Looking up, Cleo is surprised to see Captain Glandril.

"Hi Locar" waves Thargdor. "Well met again Thargdor!" says the handsome paladin. Spotting Cleo, he does a slight double take, almost not recognising the young woman, now in more normal clothes and clean from the dirt and blood of the trail. "Well met again Cleo. You look a lot better than when I last saw you!"

"The lass was asking us to show her our techniques!" says Thargdor, with just a touch of innuendo. Captain Locar Glandril smiles. "Don't worry yourself Cleo" he says. "They have a fair bit of experience under their belts, and I'd ask any of them to join my Knights at the drop of a hat." He glances at Xabbu with a grin on his face, "well assuming they pass the height restriction!" They all laugh and Cleo gets the impression that this is an old joke between them.

Thargdor stands. "Well Locar mate, you've been in there far too long, and my throat is parched..." He turns again to Cleo. "Come by Helmer's Wall tomorrow morning and we'll see what you're made of."

So saying, they bid their farewells to Cleo and make their way off into the city. Glancing at the sky, Cleo realises that dusk is approaching, and decides to make her own way back to their own inn to find out what the others have done with their day.