The noise of the Dwarven Chicken dulled in Nimer's ears, turning to a low, nearly inaudible rumble. His mind disassociated, and he was instantly lost in his mind. "I'm sorry," he wanted to utter, but could not open his mouth. He stared at Katalena, frozen in time, with a guilty expression. He almost forgot to breathe, for fear struck him like lightning. The only other thought he could manage was wondering how she had gotten so tall. Was this her awakening?
Ray walked up beside Nimer and cleared her throat. Her voice beside him snapped him back to a sense of reality. "I told my friend here about you," she told Kat.
The tall giant blinked her eyes in response. "Oh," Kat said, holding a more friendly smile. "What's your name?"
Nimer turned away from her, frowning. "Nimer Caine, I'm the guide of this group. You should be more careful and watch where you're going," he grumbled, then leaned down, picking up a wooden mug from the ground and placing it gently on the table. "I'll go retrieve some rags."
He shuffled past Kat, weaving through the tables, heavy in his step. Nimer watched the floor as he hurriedly made his way toward the bar. He gritted his teeth, loathing the challenge he had faced, but he couldn't become vulnerable in front of Kat. He had reasons for erasing her memories, and he had to stand by those reasons. He couldn't let her become suspicious of him.
Kat watched him go, her shoulders dropping in guilt, thinking Nimer was mad at her for what she had done to him. "He doesn't seem very happy I spilled ale on him," she said, turning back to Ray.
"He's very hard to get along with and tends to be grumpy most of the time. I'm pretty sure he's not angry with you, though. Here, let's get you cleaned up." Ray started putting the mugs on the table and took the tray from Kat.
Nimer returned with the rags and started wiping down the floor. Kat watched helplessly, her hands cradled close to her chest, and her lip bit under her teeth. Nimer waved her off when she tried to interfere. Ray gave him a frown, but Nimer said nothing and didn't react to her scorn. Ray took one of the rags from Nimer and helped Kat wipe down her leather armor before helping her find a seat, and the giant girl sat next to Jex. Ray then joined Nimer, kneeling next to him on the floor, and both of them cleaned up the mess of ale that had spilled.
"Talk to her," she mouthed at him.
Nimer leaned away, scowled, and slapped his rag against the wooden floor stubbornly. "What do you want me to say?" he mouthed back.
Ray pointed toward Kat and glared at him, fire igniting in her eyes.
Nimer sighed heavily, rolling his blue eyes in his skull. He abandoned his rag and sat next to Kat at the table. It took him great effort to even look at Kat. "Are you alright?"
Kat had her hands folded in her lap like a punished child. She stared at the table and nodded slowly. "I'm sorry I ran into you. I didn't mean to cover you in ale. I'm so clumsy."
"I know - I mean," Nimer ran a hand over his face in frustration. "I know you are sorry. So don't be. It was an accident, nothing more."
Jex leaned out from Kat's other side and placed a comforting hand on the girl's arm. "Don't worry about spilling ale on him. He always smells like alcohol," he laughed.
Nimer tsked and crossed his arms over his chest. "I like ale, what of it?" he said, trying to be nonchalant.
The heavy thud of a battle ax being slammed on the table drew eyes to Kugruth as he sat down in one of the chairs across from Jex. "I'd like ta call a meetin' if ya dun mind. But first, where's the scotch?"
"I spilled it all over the floor," Kat said quietly.
"And it was an accident," Nimer said in her defense, then stood. "I'll go get some more from the bar."
"Here, at least let me pay for it," Kat said, frantically patting herself down, looking for her coin purse.
Nimer merely waved her off. "No need. I'll pay for our drinks." He then departed for the bar, returned moments later with new drinks, and placed them in front of everyone with nimble care, being careful not to spill them.
"Spillin' good ale, I can accept. Bathin' in it is a crime," Kugruth said to Nimer instead of a thanks. He only chuckled at the unamused look he received from the guide. Soon after returning the rags, Ray finally joined them at the table. "Keep yar voices low, because we've got much to discuss. I hear yar group is lookin' for the shards again, Nimer. How many have ya found?"
"We've found two, one inlaid in a sword and one from an awakened soul of a dragon. I carry sixty on my person in an enchanted bag. The cult of Ravathor has three. They have Annabelle's shard necklace, the one given to Jex, and the one from Ray's bow," Nimer answered. "That leaves fifteen pieces to be found."
"Only fifteen?" Jex asked.
"Yes, but they could be anywhere. It is not likely that it will be easy to retrieve them," Nimer warned him.
"Well, there are five of us. We could work together and find them all," Ray suggested with a smile to Nimer.
He grew bitter. "I don't need to be responsible for more lives now. Just traveling with you and Jex makes for lighter work and fewer people to worry about protecting."
"I know how to protect myself," Kat spoke up. "And Kugruth is very good with his battle ax. I'm sure we won't slow you down. Being a guide is difficult, but we'll carry our weight."
"Aye, as an awakened god, I sure as the hells will not be slowin' ya down, ya can bet yer sickly arse. You need the protection in your condition," Kugruth said after a long sip of ale.
Nimer couldn't bring himself to tell Kat no, but even more so, he wanted to avoid putting her in danger because he couldn't hold his own with his necrosis as bad as it was. Kugruth was right. He needed more muscle in the group.
Running a hand over his face with a sigh, Nimer finally answered, "If you two can hold your own, we'll let both of you travel with us, but only because I'm not well now."
"It's for the best," Jex said, raising his mug and then swigging.
"Keep in mind," Nimer said, raising his finger to make a point. "We have the king's guard on our tails."
"Should we think about avoiding Qaspool?" Ray asked.
Nimer rubbed his chin. "I find that to be the most favorable option. If the guard finds us, we will be brought straight to Zinlar. I'd like to avoid him at all costs. We need to be smart about covering our trail."
"Dun worry bout tha, lad," Kugruth said. "The mountains are Talorak's domain. I'll find ways to keep us safe and keep my bird's eye on our blind spots."
"Good, we'll head out tomorrow," Nimer said. "Till then, we need rest."
"Are you two still missing something?" came a familiar voice, just joining the table. All heads turned to see Zesam and Lill approaching, their weapons over their shoulders. "Sorry, couldn't help but overhear you're leaving tomorrow."
"Missing something?" Jex asked cluelessly.
"Our horses, Jex," Ray commented.
Zesam laughed. "We rounded up your steeds for you when the goblins carried off you three. We were waiting for ya to return to town so we could give them to ya. Come with us outside."
The group filed into the busy streets into the brisk cold of the day. Sure enough, the two horses Jex and Ray had been riding thus far bobbed their heads in recognition to their riders, happy to see them as much as Jex and Ray were.
"Thank you for rounding them up for us," Jex said, taking hold of the lead on his horse while Ray took hold of hers. The horse gave him a small nudge with his nose.
"Oh, it was no problem at all," Lill said. "They are well-bred horses. We'd hate for you to lose them."
Ray rummaged through the saddlebags, finding everything where it had been. She noted this and felt a sense of trust toward Zesam and Lill. "Where are your other traveling companions?" she asked curiously, turning to the two partners.
"They parted ways to scout the road ahead. We are headed to Dijnor near Gallisdor Ports. A barge is headed across the Depths of Westwallow," Lill answered.
"Depth of Westwallow?" Nimer asked curiously. Considering their situation, the route sounded favorable to avoid the guards' arrest. "Have they gotten back to you with any information on who travels that path?"
"We have not received word yet by bird," Lill said. "But if you are headed that way, we would be happy for you to join us. We will be headed out in the morning."
Nimer glanced at his traveling companions. "Seven of us is quite a large party."
"A better party to take on a swarm of green men," Zesam bolted a laugh. "We fought them as frivolously as possible, and you three were taken so easily. We could learn to trust each other."
"We'd love for you to join us," Kat said finally, and the other four nodded their heads, sneaking a look at Nimer to urge him to change his mind.
Nimer sighed. "We can all go together, the seven of us," Nimer grumbled as Lill and Zesam started familiarizing themselves with the others.
"Jus' like old times?" Kugruth asked and patted Nimer on the back.
Nimer stared dismally at all the people now in his care. "Just like old times…"