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"You sleep nude!?" Dante exclaimed laughing as the door to the suite shut heavily behind them, his tail flicking the bolts into place as they looked around, "I nearly died on the spot when you came out with that one!"

Rena turned, a slight smirk on her face, "And who says I don't when I have a bed, and not a camp roll to sleep in?"

Dante's laughter stopped dead, and he stared at her until she broke down herself into most un-warrior like giggles, "Oh very funny, tease the dragon...Is that all you do these days apart from spend my horde?"

"Don't see you complaining. I personally think one of your pure silver pieces each, per night is very reasonable value for a couple of rooms like this, including your food. Charles is being well looked after in the stables as well. I even have a private bath if I want it filling..."

"If you are getting new clothes, I suggest you do get it filled," Dante interrupted.

Rena glared, "I'll have you know I am very clean..."

"But you are also sweaty and dusty after your fight...You do realise that Polomavit is likely to try and assassinate you after you humiliated him like that?" Dante pointed out.

"Let him, I will wear a Mage shield when I am out and about in the town. If someone does strike, his manor will be razed to the floor...Simple as that. Now, are you coming provisioning with me, or do you want to stay here?"

Dante smiled, "I will come with you...I want to find out what sort of trouble you get into next. I might put off any assassin too!"

"Me, trouble? The words do not associate with each other when in my presence..." Rena joked, and Dante just started chuckling, "You ain't going to fit in most of the shops you know."

"Then I shall just sit on the streets outside. Something tells me that you will get the shopkeepers full attention that way as well."

Rena covered her mouth, "I think so to. Come on then, let's see if Horsthwock is still around downstairs. I am fairly sure a few coppers will make him forget to report back straight away, and I could do with a guide so we are not just wandering around like a couple of moonstruck lovers for the rest of the day."

"He was heading for the bar after the fuss over my appearance had calmed down, and we were being shown up here. So he could well be. If not, well I am sure the innkeeper can loan us a page or someone...This place has a few from the look of it."

"I would prefer Horsthwock...I could do with asking him a few questions as we walk."

"Then I suggest you rinse some of the dust from your head fur and get changed into whatever good clothes you do have in your pack, and I will go and make the proposition." Dante turned and left before she could offer another retort.

The taproom fell totally silent, all eyes turning to him as the staircase creaked under his weight as he descended. "I do wish timbers wouldn't do that!" he exclaimed, "After all I weigh less than the average bear, even if my body is bigger..."

The conversation resumed, a few forced laughs at his curse heard as the innkeeper approached him cautiously, "May I be of assistance Sir...Is the room not up to your satisfaction...I fear it is the best I have..." the Lemur simpered, barely standing level with Dante's chest.

"The rooms are quite satisfactory Innkeeper, I was just wondering if our guide was still here in your fine establishment," Dante replied, lowering his head so it was level with the bobbing black and white one.

"He is I believe outside having a smoke, fine Sir," the relieved Lemur replied, bowing again, "Would you may that I fetch him?"

"That would be much appreciated...And may I suggest a couple of ale jacks to accompany him as well?"

The Lemur bowed, "Of course Sir...of course. The finest ale that I have..." he backed off, grabbing a serving wench with his long tail and whispering the order into her ear before wending his way through the tables and chairs towards the main door.

Dante chuckled, he could certainly get used to this. Sure beat having people try and kill him when they met him for the first time. He scanned the room, and having located a spot by the open hearth that was almost vacant, he eased his own way through to it. "Ahem, excuse me Sir, but would it be possible for you to find another seat while I discuss business with someone?" he asked the heavily scarred and aging otter that was staring deeply into the bottom of his tankard.

"Fuck off!" the old boy cursed, not looking up.

Dante smiled, "It would be much appreciated..."

"I said Fuck Off! Or I will run you thr..." he looked up finally at exactly who was addressing him, "Oh crap..." He started reaching for his sword.

"At ease Captain!" Horsthwock called across the room, "The dragon is a friend not an enemy!"

"No dragon is a friend of mine!" the otter growled, his blurry eyes focussing on the marten as he scrambled to close the gap between them.

"Sorry Dante, Sir. Captain Aspenall, retired has fought and killed a few of your kind in the campaigns." He turned to the otter, "Captain, he is accompanied and under bond with the barracks, he is no threat..." Horsthwock placed his hand on the old otter's where he was still fumbling with his sword handle, "At ease Sir...please."

The otter grumbled and dropped his sword hand down, taking another swig from his tankard, "Fucking dragons, fucking taking over everything, fucking drinking in the same Inn as me, fucking wanting my seat..." he continued cursing and grumbling.

"You wanted me for something Sir?" Horsthwock asked, directing it at Dante.

"Rena will be down in a bit, and we were wondering if we could buy your guide-ship around the townne to speed her provisioning up." A serving wench approached then, "Ahh...thank you love," Dante said as she placed two jacks on the table, "That is for you and I, if you can wait..."

"I am off duty at the moment, so I will be happy to be your guide," the marten replied, taking a seat.

"May I be as bold as to ask why Captain Aspenall is to be found in such a state?" Dante asked, pushing his jack across the table to sit next to the almost empty tankard of the otter. He turned and signalled for another jack with his paw, the wench nodding in response.

"Bastard, fucking, stinking, arse-wipe, snotty-nosed, shitty little foxy castrate fucking wanted a big bold fucking bear to front his force...retired me...me! Fucking veteran of twenty four campaigns! Fucking arse...I fought for the fucking king too...Fucking shitnose has his daddy in high places...Fucker...Thank you dragon..." he tipped the jack into his tankard.

Dante raised an eye-ridge at Horsthwock who was trying to keep his face straight. "Was he a good Captain?" he asked.

"The best...though Captain Frendrick is a good commander..." the marten replied.

"Mmm...does Aspenall have a drinking problem, or is this unusual?" Dante asked, as his jack was placed in front of him.

"Fucking drink to forget dragon, fucking drink to forget...No problem if I don't want to forget..." the otter interjected.

"Are you conscripted, or free to work?" Dante asked, turning his attention to the Captain.

"Free...on a pension, but free..."

"Then as long as my Oath-mate agrees, I think we may have a job for you. You would have to sober up though..." Dante glanced over at the stairs where Rena had descended, and was heading over in their direction, "We need a troop, around eight to twelve strong with a good leader...all proven fighters, all willing to be mage bound to protect us against bandits and scum as we continue on her quest..."

"Woman, bitch, female...I will not work under a fucking female!" the otter exclaimed.

Dante winked at Rena who had listened in on the last part of the conversation, "Doing my job for me now?" she asked, venom dripping from her voice as she laid a hand on Aspenall's shoulder, "Who is the old soak?"

She suddenly found herself flat on her back on the table with a loud thump that caused everyone to turn and stare at them. "The old soak is called Aspenall...Captain Aspenall if you will girl!" the otter said, releasing her wrist from the grip he had used to throw her, "And I could have followed that throw up with a dagger point."

"My apologies Captain," Rena said as she brought her shock and anger under control from being bested as she took a seat opposite, "Not that a dagger would have been of any use as I have a mage skinshield in place after pissing Polomavit off."

"Accepted...pup...Care to join me for a drink and maybe more?" he asked, gurning lasciviously.

"Call me pup or make that suggestion again Captain, and respected establishment or not, you will be drinking your teeth!" Rena suggested.

Aspenall chuckled, "A bitch with spunk...I like that. Well-proportioned too. Are you the one who wiped snotnose's face in the dirt earlier?" Rena nodded as he ran his eyes over her before turning to Dante, "She the oath mate you spoke of?" he asked.

"She is...Warrior princess, Rena Cresentstar. Travelling anonymously as a warrior and assassin only though," Dante said introducing her, getting a raised brow from Rena.

"Don't look like any Princess I have seen before, nor is the name familiar," Aspenall spat, "But I never judge on first impressions. So you want to put a mercenary troop together, and you need a Captain. I will be that Captain if you want, though I have never served under a woman...except in bed," he winked, "I have served under plenty of royalty though. You bested Flaughten in a fight, and that is enough proof of your skills to me as I couldn't have hoped to with a sword like yours against his shield and stabber. What are your terms and goals?"

Rena hesitated for a second.

"You will find no better in this townne, Ma'am," Horsthwock interjected.

"Terms are twenty four moons; six pure silver per injury free moon for you as Captain. I retain command unless injured or called upon to cast spells. Dante is my second and of equal importance to me, though he will probably stay out of any ground fighting as he is too big a target. If either of us die, the other follows by the magic that binds us. My goal is to avenge my master's murder, and to do that I will need to track down and kill the black dragon named Kalaw, wherever and in whatever land he may be in. Dante was mistaken for him by myself, but rather than kill me for nearly killing him, he offered blood oath for the duration of the quest, in return for my skills in attempting to solve a mystical issue of his. And he wishes to see his doppelganger dead so no more come after him."

"Nine silver per moon." Aspenall stated. *~*

"Seven."

"Eight."

"Seven and five coppers."

"Done."

"Then you have yourself a Captain...if you want me. What of the lads? You pay shit, and you get shit..."

"Four silver per moon..." Rena started.

"Too much...way too much...Offer four to the Lieutenant, two and eight copper to the soldiers, plus spoils split evenly on any who attack us, or you order us to attack. Offer an incentive to win," Aspenall stated.

Rena glanced at Horsthwock, who just nodded, "Half again what the crown pays...though rations are included..." he said.

"I will include rations, and tap floor accommodation for the men when we find inns that can hold Dante and I. If they want to drink, they pay for it...though if they are drunk the following morning, they answer to me. No spoils on the dragon hordes though...they are Dante's, as is his right, as it is his species," Rena replied, "I want them mounted and lightly armoured too..."

The otter snorted, spraying ale over everyone, "You ain't going have any luck here then pu...Princess. Men have their own armour, none keep their own horse around here. Horde is out of bounds, though greed is likely to cause issues."

"Then I will mount them..."

The otter snorted again, "I would rephrase that Princess..."

Dante and Horsthwock both chuckled as she blushed, "I shall provide mounts then...there is a horse market here, is there not?" she corrected.

"There is...Madam," Horsthwock replied when he had regained control.

"Greed will not be an issue...they will be mage-bound to me. Break it, and they die..." Rena replied coldly.

"What the hell do you need an escort for anyhow? The two of you are a good match for most bandits...And two travel more anonymously than a band."

"Dante carries my...ability to pay for the moment in those sacks around his shoulders. It limits his manoeuvrability in the air. We propose to pack them on a saddle tied and spell calmed horse that won't bolt if we are attacked. They are a target when on the ground..." Rena stated.

"And you think once word spreads, Kalaw will find himself free of his hunters?"

"Quite possibly," Rena replied, "Show him."

Dante reached a paw into one of the sacks and closed it around a single, reasonable sized diamond which he pulled out and shielded from the light as he placed it on the table...

"Bugger me... I see what you mean. Put that away before anyone else sees it. What if we find and kill this Kalaw before the contract is up?" The otter asked.

"Dante is stuck with me by blood-oath for the twenty four moons...the company will be cut free with full term payment. Even if Kalaw is found and killed in the next six..."

The marten whistled, as Aspenall raised his grey brows, "That is more than generous..." he paused for a minute, "Lieutenant!"

"Yes Sir?"

"Snotnose still as behind on his payments to the men?"

"Yes Sir."

"Then under the current land's laws, statute forty six I believe, they are not indentured as they are two moons in arrears, and therefore freemen and able to leave without notice. Report back to the barracks and give the option to only the ten best in absolute secrecy, we don't want a riot. You know who they are. You won't come will you? Got your kits and missus..."

"I would not survive coming with you Sir if she got her hands on me, much as I would like to..."

Dante and Rena both laughed as Aspenall smiled, "I am sorry, you are a good man. Give Flaughten the offer though of Lieutenant's position. If he won't take it, get an eleventh man and I will choose who gets promoted."

The marten glanced at Rena, who just nodded, "I want three who are skirmishers, and excellent shots. Don't need a field medic unless Dante gets injured," she stated flatly.

"Yes Sir, Ma'am...I will get straight on it..." he stood as if to leave, but Rena placed her hand on his arm.

"Forgetting something? I still need that guide. You any judge of horseflesh?" Rena asked.

"I am afraid I would be lying if I said yes," the marten replied.

"Shame...then I offer you two silvers to act as guide, and perform the service in secret that the Captain has asked of you. Call it compensation for not being able to come with us. Do that when you return to barracks at nightfall, we are likely to be here at least three days, so no rush."

"Thank you Ma'am...I would be honoured."

Captain Aspenall looked up across the table at them, "So where do you intend to travel?"

"Back to my master's house, and from there pick up Kalaw's trail. It is five years cold now, I was led on wild chases over several lands until I dropped on Dante here a few days back...As demonstrated by the bauble, we need to go via Gilensia as my ready coin is running a little short."

"Five years cold! You hold out a lot of hope Princess..." Aspenall scratched his head for a minute, "Gilensia shouldn't be an issue, and as you well know, that bauble is enough to fund the whole bloody quest for it's current duration. Did soldiers lead you on the wild chases?"

"I avoided the guard and mercenary companies. One is interested only in the fact that I am established assassin, the latter my body. I can maybe hold off and defeat six on my own, but walking into a nest is not a good plan if you catch my drift. I relied on tavern gossip and loosened tongues."

"Hmmmph...stupid, though I see your reasons. Well a lot of guardsmen owe me a lot of favours, both here and in other lands that I have banked over the years. I will see if I can get the correct information for you when we pass through any outposts. Lieutenant, recruit Wealdon if you can...he could be very useful. How far to the start point?"

"Three weeks on horseback..."

"Are you sure on Wealdon, Sir?" Horsthwock asked.

Aspenall nodded, "Yes, best damned sneak thief and spy in the guard. Little bastard can get in anywhere and away without being noticed. I will ride out with you when you leave. I am a judge of horseflesh. You wish to travel quickly?"

"Yes."

"Then give me...ten gold. Horse market is at first light tomorrow. That will be sufficient to purchase thirteen good, but not showy mounts, so one is spare, plus tack. Three pack mounts for me and the men, plus a forth for you and your 'supplies'. It should also stretch to four tents for the nights we have to make camp, three for the men, one for me. You want journey rations?"

Rena considered for a second, "A week's worth should be sufficient, we intend on stopping in any Inn big enough to take Dante. The men can hunt to supplement. Grain is more important for the horses, as forage could be thin."

"Give me another eight silver then...What of him?" he pointed to Dante.

"He is Dante, and is your commanding officer too Captain, don't forget that," Rena stated firmly.

"Apologies, Ma'am, Sir," the otter said, lowering his head.

"I will feed myself when outside of claimed lands, and will pay for a cow or sheep from shepherds as we pass when flocks are available. We propose not to gain any more enemies." Dante replied quietly.

Aspenall snorted, "Fair and sensible. I will stable the horses and supplies at the East gate. Meet me here tomorrow night Lieutenant and I will give you the claim chits for the men you recruit. As said, I will ride out with the Princess and the dragon when they depart. The men are to prepare and file their resignation papers claiming statute forty six on that morning, and then just walk, saddle up and follow...We will wait a league out for them. If we don't surprise Polomavit, he may just pay up and that scuppers the whole deal. This way they will be gone before he even sees the papers. Now, give me the coin I need, and I will enjoy my last jack for a while before I retire early so as to get the best pick of the horses in the morning. You go off and re-provision."

Rena glanced at Dante who untied and swung the bag off his shoulders that contained most of the gold and silver, passing it over to her so she could count out what was required. She then pocketed a few more gold and silver so she could buy without such a public display of wealth. She handed the ten gold and eight silver over the table to Aspenall, but kept her hand over it, "You going to take the mage-binding now?" she asked.

"You are learning Princess...I thought you had forgotten for a minute. Not that I would have run off now I have given my word...I value my reputation too much. Never been bound before, what is the procedure?" Aspenall replied with a sly smile.

"Pass me your dagger, I know you have one on you somewhere, soldiers always do."

The otter chuckled, reaching under the table to unsheathe the fine steel he carried opposite his sword, "Here...had her for nigh on twenty years. You are not going to damage her are you?"

Rena looked over the worn but finely maintained weapon with her eyes, testing the weight in her hand, "Good blade, but the handle is unbalanced for throwing," she commented.

"If a soldier throws his dagger, he may as well be dead Princess. We are not assassins, we are always seen by those we kill."

Rena nodded, and then closed her eyes, summoning her inner power up until it spilled from between her shuttered lids, "I imbue you dagger to hold your master by his own blood to protect and serve the best interests of Dante dragon and myself Rena Cresentstar for a period of twenty four moons, unless released early from this bond by the dissolution or death of the binding party. Should he fail to do his utmost or try and discard you, you are to turn on him of your own volition..." She paused, forcing her power down from behind her eyes and into the metal which took on a soft glow in the firelight, "Hold your hand out Aspenall, palm up. This will sting a bit," she instructed, opening her eyes and watching until the old otter did as she bid, holding out his left hand. Rena gently placed the pointed tip of the steel in the palm and pressed until with a slight hiss of pain, blood welled up around it, "Alligaveritis!" she commanded, the dagger flaring as the light poured from it into the Captain's hand, spreading across his fur until he sparkled all over, before the light went dark. Blood flowed up the cannelure to the quillion before melding with the steel in an indelible stain. "Done!"

Aspenall looked at his hand and dagger with interest, before he re-sheathed it, "That is an unpleasant but cannily worded spell, Princess..."

"It comes of signing up to work for someone who is a mage. I die, or Dante dies while under your protection, unless by overwhelming odds. Your dagger will turn upon you. I was such bound by my Kunai to my Master. It was only that I was out on an errand set by him when he was murdered, that stopped mine from turning upon me, as there was no possible way I could have saved him from where I was, though it was it that alerted me to the danger, alas too late." Rena sniffed.

Aspenall put his hand to cover hers for a moment, "We all lose those we love eventually... You will be binding the other men in a similar fashion?" he queried.

"Yes," she replied.

"Don't tell them the wording before you do. Horsthwock, that applies to you as well when you recruit them...just make sure that they understand they are being mage-bound before they sign up. Say that it is an irrevocable and unbreakable oath if any do not know what is involved."

"Yes Sir!"

"Good...now that is settled. You are losing the afternoon, and I am sure you want to at least place your orders with the armourer and the leather smith today. Go...I will contact you if there are any issues before we leave."

Rena and Dante nodded, "Very well Captain, welcome aboard."

Aspenall smiled, "I think I will enjoy this final jaunt...Thank you."

"One question though Aspenall," Dante said.

"Yes?"

"You were drunk, or at least appeared to be...how come you are not now?"

The old otter grinned slyly, "I said I drink to forget...I didn't want to forget this meeting, so it is as if I wasn't drinking...wasn't it? When you get to my age, you will find that you can hold your drink, and sober up in a hurry if you really want to."

"I am over two hundred and fifty years old Captain," Dante replied, a grin of his own on his face.

"Touché..."

"No...Dante..."

Aspenall laughed, "I think you and I may get on dragon in time...That is if I can override my urges to kill you whenever you make me jump!"

Rena laughed at that follow up, before standing and allowing Horsthwock to lead them out of the door, Dante unable to do anything but follow.

~~~~

The Lieutenant had declined the offer of an evening meal at the Inn, instead protesting that if he did indeed not go home, the threat perceived earlier that afternoon would materialize in the form of his mate and a rolling pin! The two of them took the booth near the hearth from earlier, the Captain being as good as his word, was no longer present, the Innkeeper confirming that he had left less than a quartermark after them.

How the kitchens had managed it, Rena was not sure. But she was served with the most delightfully prepared spiced chicken soup, followed by a tenderized beef steak that near fell off the bone when touched with her fork, despite it being rare. The dessert was extra special though, a saffron infused ice that must have been insulated in the deep beer cellar since the previous winter. What she couldn't quite work out, and nor for that matter could he, was that they had created exactly the same meal for Dante, only six times the portion size served to her...much to his delight. The wine served could have graced the king's table as well, though she did not really have anything to judge it against. Dante made a point of sticking his head through the serving door and issuing his personal thanks, though that caused a small panic and two of the cook's assistants to faint before he could open his mouth!

"Sir...much I appreciate your appreciation, as I am sure my cooks do too, but may I kindly request that you stay in the common areas for the rest of your stay...?" The Innkeeper asked as he was fanning one of the assistants with a piece of table linen until she revived.

"My apologies...I will do just that. Not used to being in society...my apologies again..." Dante sputtered, heading across to the stairs where Rena was leaning against one of the balustrades, laughing uncontrollably, "Very funny!" he commented as she switched her support to his shoulder and they ascended to their rooms.

"Oh trust me...it was!" Rena replied, "Just because you are now in polite society, does not mean that society will think you polite!"

"Speciesism!" Dante declared as he shut and bolted the suite behind them again.

"Your kind should have thought of that before eating our kind..."

"Your kind should have thought of the consequences of driving my kind out of your townnes and cities when they thought of us as being too big to fit in...I know the histories. When all worked as one and no wars were fought over two thousand years back, dragons lived alongside furs in the same cave dwellings without friction. It was only when you started building that you realized we were a little too large, and booted us out. And I have you know, dragons do not eat furs unless provoked!" Dante snapped back.

"You would have eaten the goat boy..."

"I would have eaten Charles...the boy would have been collateral damage if he had not jumped clear..."

"Explain Kalaw then?" Rena pressed as she entered the main bedroom, peeling off her top to reveal only her support clothing.

Dante averted his eyes, "Explain Polomavit...Every species has bad apples...Most would consider you to be one too if you think about it."

Rena turned to face him, dropping her leggings in a heap at her feet, nearly all of her fur now visible to him. She grinned as Dante was obviously still trying to answer, without looking at her directly, "You calling me a bad apple?" she provoked, spinning on the spot so every aspect of her athletic body was displayed to him.

"An old dragon once told me that sometimes the things that appear to be wholesome and good on the outside...can often be rotten in the core..." he stopped, the point of Rena's Kunai tickling the underside of his chin.

"I resent that description..." Rena pressed a little harder.

"But do you resemble it, is the question?" Dante continued, not backing down as he felt a trickle of blood run down his scales.

Rena dropped the knife back to her side, "I hope I don't," she replied after a second, a tear in the corner of one eye.

Dante stepped into the room and took her into a hug, "Sometimes it takes someone being on the outside of society to see and judge just what being in it involves. I have always been beyond the edge...you have been just skittering across it like a pond skater. To sink into it, you have to change you moral weight. As you so succinctly put it to the Captain, as an assassin you are tolerated, but treated as a criminal by the guard. Now you have money, the weight of the gold has pulled you into depths that you have only ever dived to before with your knives drawn. You may find it takes time for you to swim with the new currents. Personally, I think the rot has started, but the spore was the grief planted in your heart by Kalaw's actions...Now you must concentrate on healing it before it consumes you leaving nothing but a very, very pretty shell." He lowered his head and licked between her ears like a mother comforting a pup as she wept silent tears.

Rena looked up into his eyes, "What did I do to deserve finding you?" she asked after a quartermark.

"You tried to kill me for starters..." Dante joked as she ducked out from in his arms and waved the Kunai at him again.

"That could still be arranged..." she threatened, a grin gracing her muzzle again.

"Somehow I don't think that dying at the hands of a naked bitch would do the rest of my species' reputation any good..."

"How about sleeping in the arms of?" Rena asked after a second, throwing back the covers on the featherbed, "There is room..."

"Erm...I...Ahh..." Dante started spluttering.

Rena giggled childishly, "My Kunai will be under the pillow and is very sharp and able if something damp touches me...I need a comforter, not a lover...coming?" She sidled over to the far side of the bed, still holding the stuffed sheet back.

Dante hesitated, but then shrugged his shoulders, "This will be the first time I have ever slept in a bed," he pointed out, stepping gingerly on it as it sank to accommodate his weight.

"Lie on your side and face me, try tucking your wings back..."

He did as suggested, actually revelling in the comfort of the mattress enveloping him, "This is rather different..." he commented as Rena let the covers drop to cover him.

She laughed, "I will admit, this is the first featherbed I have slept in too." She was fiddling with something under the covers as he watched the sheets move.

"What are you doing?" he hesitantly asked.

"Proving that I did not lie to throw the guard off earlier..." She brought out her underclothes and waved them under his nose, before throwing them to land in the pile on the other side of the bed.

Dante's black scales turned darker in the candlelight as he did manage an excellent attempt at a flush, "A...A...A...Ahhhh..."

Another girlish giggle came from Rena as she turned away from him before scooting back to press herself tightly against Dante's scales... "Hold me Blood-Mate...hold me until I start to feel like a fur again..." she whispered, raw emotion still dripping from her voice.

"I will Rena...I will..." Was all he could manage to reply, his arms cradling her as she wept herself to sleep. It was in more ways than one that her grief helped him prevent another explosive confrontation, as her warm naked fur rubbed gently against his lower belly scales and what they concealed with each of her breaths...and well, if it didn't, the dampness that she had threatened to remove would certainly have made itself known...

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

*~* Currency convertor:

Ten Pure Copper = One Pure Silver.

Ten Pure Silver = One Pure Gold.

Ten Pure Gold = One Pure Platinum.

A Pure coin weighs two ounces, so seven Pure coins equal a pound in weight. This means that Platinum coins are the smallest, (about the size of a wolf claw's length) and they grade up to coppers which are around two inches across.

Coins are clipped when in use, or mixed with other metals by Alchemists. These are worth far less. Any merchant or inn keeper will have scales and measures to determine the worth of any coin passed to them, as the weight is what drives the value.