After the heat, the next thing we noticed was the smell and also the noise. I couldn't personally smell anything. But the cacophony of street noises was such a change from the shadow realm. "Hallo, hallo, yes you sir. please, hallo, hallo!" But aside from some cursory phrases we could not understand the local language. Samba soon realised that he was the only one who was able to speak in the Souther tongue and had soon arranged a guide. "This guide will take us to his Uncle's tavern. He says it is a marvelous place with soft beds and delicious food. His rate is very good as well. I have managed to haggle his price down to a fair deal. We will follow him now, the place isn't far." We were led through the streets at a quick pace. "Very close, very close, Follow me, yes sir, follow me, very close now." The guide led us into a side street and then through a tight alley into a small courtyard. It was at that point that things started to feel wrong. Cloaked figures moved out from the edges of the yard. A man with a cloaked crows head pushed up to Samba and Wrendell. His croaky voice rasped out the words "You must now pay a toll to pass through this block. What value do you place on your lives, Northern infidels?" Samba turned to Wrendell. "I think this is a shakedown. Shall we indulge them Wrendell?" "They will have to be satisfied with indulging my wrath. I will not tolerate this petty hooliganism. Prepare yourself Samba." With a battle cry, Wrendell and Samba rose into the air. Nickolai and Eldon started throwing daggers and running for cover. I managed to climb the wall of the alley and get onto the rooftop for a better view. A gang of raven folk had us surrounded. With spears and bows they made their attacks and accompanied by a whole troop of thieving monkeys they put up a good fight. While I was busy bashing a few raven folk down off the roof, one nimble monkey managed to swipe my winding key. Just as it launched off the ledge I shot it with my blade launcher, killing it with a clean cut to the neck. Before I could retrieve my key I had to deal with more of the raven wolk warriors. Rejoining the battle I bashed a few more heads and healed wounded comrades. Seeing that their ambush had failed, the surviving raven folk thieves made a run for it with Samba and Nickolai chasing them out onto the streets. Out in the main street, the city guards soon noticed something wrong and Samba was arrested and taken to the watch-house. I tracked my key to an unscrupulous merchant who must have picked it up from the dead monkey. This was a great opportunity to try out some haggling. I bargained for the return of my key and a light robe for a few silver and some flasks of oil. I'm sure that I got the best deal but the haggling practice was most valuable. Soon Wrendell had negotiated with another traveller that spoke the Western tongue. He took us to his cousin's cantina where some of us were given the special VIP treatment. I was consigned to the storage closest to avoid drawing any unwanted attention. I did use the time wisely and repaired all of the damaged tools and kitchen wares.
