"Carl"

With Larz and Blondung stuck in prayer and study respectively, Ceely heads around some of the other "camps", greeting and speaking to the various merchants and adventurers who are also sharing the Merchant's Hall.

She finds one group within which she actually recognises a face - though she hadn't actually met him before to speak to. It was someone she had seen several times before on the docks in Neverwinter. The group he is with arrived several days back, bringing a wagon of fresh shellfish, one of the local specialities of Neverwinter, and a wagon of exotic fruit - another result of Neverwinter's strange micro-climate. They are currently preparing to return to Neverwinter, leaving the following day, intending to transport a load of Nesmé Trollbrau to Triboar.

After discussing their shared memories and acquaintances from Neverwinter for a while, the man, named Carl, finally changes the subject. "So Ceely," he asks. "What brings you to Nesmé? After all, it's a bit out of the way!"

"What brings me so far away from Neverwinter? Adventure, of course." Ceely answers with a smile. "I am traveling to Silverymoon with some friends."

She sits near him, and remembering the discussion with the Harpels, she decides to keep to herself the real reason. "We heard they were hiring adventurers for a job. And since one of my friends knows a guy, who knows a guy...... " she winks as she finishes the sentence.

Carl's eyes widen as she mentions Silverymoon. "That's some journey!" he whistles. "Why didn't you go via Everlund?" he asks. "Or was it something to do with that 'Wizard weather' that someone mentioned." He shakes his head again. "It's a tough journey onwards from here to Silverymoon though. There isn't a good road like there is from Longsaddle to here. I've heard it is rough trails all the way, and that area of the world is known to be pretty hostile in places!"

He looks at Ceely with new respect and sips on his mug of broth.

"If you were coming the other way, it would be easier" he adds after a moment. "The river flows this way, and most of it is navigable by boat..." He stares into the warmth of the brazier, lost in thought for a moment as he contemplates the journey.

"Navigate a river. It would be something. Ceely looses herself in thought, remembering the feeling of having a boat beneath her, riding the waves. No matter the difference between river and open sea. Just to have a small boat would cheer her up, she gathers. "Well, let me get back to my fellows, we are waiting some officials. We met some goblins and road thieves along the way, and they seem to want more information on that. Great to find you here Carl."

Ceely stands and walks back to her "camp", so she can wait for any news from the riders, or from her loved one. She stays near her friends, looking to the entrance of the hall, thinking about the priest.