First order of business for Alten - morning ablutions, prayers, and breakfast.

While he is eating, he looks over at Arxius and Rees

I guess the first question is - Are you staying or going?

Arxius is surprised when he speaks to them. Specifically her. She had expected most of the group to avoid her. Whatever it was she had experienced stays with her. A lingering sense of dread settled deep within her gut.

"We continue on," she says as though nothing has happened. They need the gold.

Anything we need to know? Is this Scientist and Combine showing up in the next couple of days and causing problems with this job?

"How should I know? I'm not psychic," she mutters. "I have slipped through their fingers countless times, they have yet to find me. Why should they do so here? As far as I'm aware the Guild does not operate in this land. The Scientist always seemed to be on her own."

So what do you know?

You thought they were coming last night. That wasn't psychic? Just a nighmare?

Now you talk about "the Guild". What Guild? Why do any of these people want you?

Rees scoots slightly closer to Arxius, frowning at Alten. "Bit early for the third degree, don't you think?" 

"I know you are very nosy," she shoots back.

"The Guild is what the Combine is. A collection of Simic Scientists who believe it is their Gods given right to tamper with creation," she huffs. Though deflates somewhat as she admits; "I do not know what last night was. I have not experienced anything like it. Perhaps it's the Citadel playing tricks."

"From my experances anyone or any group who has gained enough power to start thinking they can play "god" needs to be delt with and brought down a few pegs."
grom reaches into his pack and pulls out something to eat and takes a few bites...

"this guild seems like they might be a problem?"

"Whether the Guild bother with me, I cannot say, the Scientist I knew - she has children stolen for her research. She believes them her property. She is a problem, I can tell you with certainty, and she must meet her end."

To Rees, calmly

She came at me with the axe last night, in a very aggressive and accusatory manner. I think a few questions are more than fair. Plus, you already seem to know what's going on. The rest of us don't.

To Arxius, just as calmly

Look I'm happy to do this job with you, at least so far.

But - Yes. I am "nosy" as you put it. I don't know enough about Scientist, Combines, Simics, and Guilds to know how concerned I need to be.

Because being a warrior, being a leader of warriors is about knowledge. That's what wins the fight - knowing the enemies strengths, weaknesses, tendencies, desires. Understanding what you face. It's not about being biggest, strongest, fastest, or angriest.

That's what I'm trained to do. That's what I want to do. I don't plan to be on the losing end of a fight if I can help it. So I'll ask all the questions I can think of. Your choice to answer them or not. I can't force you to do so, or at least I won't. And I'm not looking to know all of your deep dark personal secrets. Just what I need to know to do the job.

If you don't like it or can't deal, door's that way. Like I said, your choice. 

Stealing children? That's something or someone I'm happy to wage war on.

[Is it obvious that Alten is a Half-Elf?]

{Yes, he is obviously half-elf - at least as obvious as it can be. I always imagine the half elves as having the not quite as long and pointy ears as full elves (more like a Vulcan's ears) and typically being bigger and stockier than the typical lithe, graceful elves}

"You will only ever know what the Combine wants you to know, good or ill," Arxius says, her tone a warning. "They'd probably like you, half breed. Picking apart every little thing you get from separate species. Then giving you new traits. But then we'd probably get lucky, as Talien would be more of an asset."

Alten chuckles ruefully.

Well , if we have degraded this conversation to the point of name calling, it's probably time to finish breakfast and move on.

Anybody have a preference for which door we tackle first?

Botting Chatra:

Chatra pipes up, “Hey Alten that’s great that you are trained to be war leader and all, but who died and nominated you leader of this party? We’re all mercenaries here.. not war machines. Well.. at least not all of us.” He thumbs at Talien.

Rees stayed close to Arxius during the conversation to offer silent moral support. While they spoke she took out one of the pies the barkeep had given her previously for her breakfast, leaving half for Arxius if she chose to partake. When she's done eating and the conversation seems over, she stands and goes to the door on the northwestern side of the wall and listen to see if she can hear anything and/or see anything then will repeat the process at the other door. 

Quote from RebelScum >>

Rees stayed close to Arxius during the conversation to offer silent moral support. While they spoke she took out one of the pies the barkeep had given her previously for her breakfast, leaving half for Arxius if she chose to partake. When she's done eating and the conversation seems over, she stands and goes to the door on the northwestern side of the wall and listen to see if she can hear anything and/or see anything then will repeat the process at the other door. 

You place an ear against each of the doors and listen for anything audible, but only hear the sound of your own breathing. Neither door seems extraordinary in any way.

"Maybe you should knock on it," Arxius says around a mouthful of pie as she watches Rees. She gives a shrug. "We've tried everything else."

"If you shrieking your head off didn't bring anyone around, I'm not sure knocking will either," she teased, smirking over her shoulder at Arxius.

Instead, she'll slowly and carefully try the south door and see if it opens.