Sitting down to a simple meal of grilled carp and diaboli wine, Xirius notices a stranger running quickly towards him on the rocky road from Solkhakhum to Hydlaa.
\"Hail good stranger!!!\" Xirius shouted.
The dwarf, as Xirius could now plainly see, slowed down with his call. Breathing deeply after stopping at Xirius\' camp, he lay his scruffy mining-worked hands on his knees, bending over for air.
Come sir, have a drink, you look tired, Xirius remarked.
\"No, thanks though\" the dwarf breathed out with more air than words. \"We dwarves are not meant for long distance running...sprinting, but not running.\"
\"Ah, well than may I ask where you are running in such a hurry?\"
\"Aye. I am going to Hydlaa, I was called upon by the town guard to help with security in case the Octarch election goes awry.\"
\"Ah, well good luck to you then. I myself am curious with the result, but have little interest in democracy.\" Xirius says smuggly offering a glass of water to the dwarf.
\"Thank you\" the dwarf said finally having fully caught his breath.
\"Well, could you please take a message for me? I\'ll pay you well, seeing as you are headed that way anyways.\"
\"I suppose that would be acceptable, except, how am I to find the deliverant?\"
\"He will find you\" Xirius said with a slight smile across his lizard-like lips. \"His name is Llyando, a Dermorian fire-mage, living in Hydlaa, managing our...ahem...organisation until I return.\"
\"Sure, it shouldn\'t be a problem then.\"
\"Good.\"
Xirius pulled out a scroll of tefusang hide, wrote down a message and gave it to the dwarf, along with two golden circles.
\"Ah, sir this is more than generous...\" The dwarf said surprised at the large sum of payment.
\"Please, I insist, the message is quite important. I have unfortunately been delayed in Solkhakhum with work, and this contains some important instructions for my Sentinel. Here is some water for the road as well,\" Xirius replied as he filled the dwarf\'s canteen.
The dwarf took one more sip and bid Xirius a good evening before returning to the road.
\"Excellent\" Xirius said to himself. \"I should be back in a couple days and all will be prepared.\"