"Why does beardy-mammal want gauntlet so much? If beardy-mammal wins race, it can buy many gauntlets!" Scamper throws her hands in the air to emphasize how wealthy they could be. "What says pale-beardy-mammal-guide, would riding animals help us on our journey?" She looks around for Musharib.

Jobal whispers back to Henry

 "Moradin's Gauntlet? You people can't be trying to get that thing back? The firenewts have had control of the forges for quite a while."

Musharib has been listening to Jobal talk

"Big lizards be helpful if you be going long distances, but they do be loud. This gauntlet is not just any gauntlet, my scaly friend. It be sacred to all of dwarvenkind."

Henry's eyes light up at the mention of experimental projects, with a grin he says, "You have my attention, and possible interest." He then turns and walks over to Gimdir, where he bends down in a way that mocks the height difference in a slightly unsubtle way. "My stubborn friend, let me put it this way. If we spend a few days here, we will easily make that time back time back with the mounts we get as a reward. So in the grand scheme of things, we will actually get to the gauntlet quicker."

Scamper jumps into the air and throws her arms up jubilantly. 

"So it's settled! We will race and win ourselves a big lizard to ride to victory!"

Gimdir looks incredulously at Henry, "Do I be looking like I sit on beasts to be doing my walking for me?"

"Gimdir no one doubts that you can walk, these beasts will let you save your energy for more important matters. But I think, if you don't want to race, the rest of us can, no? And Jobal, I think we'll be needing to work out exact payment first. Could you tell us about the possible kinds of beasts we'll be riding and the rules of such a race? That would help us make our choice."

(Hey guys, I may be offline for the next 24-48 hours. I will try to get a post in but can't guarantee. In the interest of advancing the campaign, Henry is happy to participate in the races. Any required rolls, I am happy for Tarrasque111 to make them for me.)

(Got it. It's totally fine if anyone has to miss a day or two every once and a while.)

"I have a few lizards you could choose from. If you want to see them, I can take you to their pens.(he points to the east). I have four of them that you could choose from. My fastest lizard is a pretty small guy, so he might be best for you (pointing at Scamper). I also have a larger plant eater that would work for anyone. My most vicious one is Little Bob. He is fast, but he needs a strong rider. Finally, I have the classic ytepka."

Gimdir's eyes bulge out, "Lizards!?  You be not talking about horses... Lizards!?  Like the ones that be running us over yesterday?  Or be spewing out zombies?  What be wrong with your feet!?"

When Jobal points to the pens for his mounts, Scamper runs off to the East a ways, but then comes running back when she realizes she doesn't actually know the way. 

"We race! Jobal-mammal show us the scaled-like-us mounts?"

"Vicious but fast, I'd like to see this one. I could always work magic on a draft horse... let's see how this goes, ya. Off to the stables. Gimdir I'll make a friendly wager you can't beat me in that race. Loser pays for a whole night of ale?" 

 "Gimdir, I'd wager you can't beat me in that race. In fact, I'll bet a whole nights worth of ale on it. I want to see this fast, vicious lizard, ya. See if I can work the same kind of magic on these scaly beasts I can on draft horses. Off to the stables?"  

Gimdir leans back on his ankles, "You be a wagering cleric now, ya?  Well, I be a dwarf with a temper when things be not going my way.  I either be winning or killing the lizard and then what would we be owing the noble?"

Gimdir turns to the noble, "If the lizard be dying in the race, what be the rider owing you?"

(I am back)

Henry grins, "The Ytepka sounds unique just like me! I will ride that one if there are no complaints."

The noble is once again confused by the strange group before him

"Uh...I...just try not to kill the lizards, okay. I can take you to the stables now if you want. You can make your final choices there."

He begins to walk off through the destroyed gate before you answer him.

Scamper skips alongside the noble and tries to resist the urge to try to hold his hand.

Henry follows along silently

Jasuri tries to take note of which areas of the city they pass through as he follows the group.

Gimdir follows, not so silently.

The area of the city that you now walk through is much different from the area you were previously in. It is dirtier, smellier, and somehow noisier. This district looks to be populated by animal trainers, river folk, explorers who need inexpensive lodging, and other rough-and-tumble sorts. Unlike the other areas in the city, Tiryki Anchorage has no fortified temples or protective shelter. The noble leads you to a section of Tiryki Anchorage where you see many animals penned up. He shows you four dinosaurs. The first is a four-legged beast with a stocky build. Around its neck, it has a bony fringe. It is painted in vibrant blues and yellows. The second is much larger. It has a long neck, an even longer back, and two sets of bony ridges across it's back. This lizard is painted green. The third one is much smaller than the other two (a bit smaller than a regular horse). It is covered in feathers, and also has a small back ridge. The final lizard is a little smaller than an elephant. It has a bulbous shell and is painted bright red and stark white. 

"Here are your choices"