The Sgt doesn't look up from his paper as you salute so he misses it entirely. As you mention a prior history with the Daggerford militaty his expression still doesn't change but he does look up at you before turning back to the page and writing down your information. And you Miss? What's your name?

Nadia had been curious as to why there had been so much security about, wondering if this was how it always was for the city, but seeing how Zack had been... distracted, she would hold her questions for later had there came the time. The ranger watched as Zack had introduced himself under another name, which she could understand why, but she unsure if she should do the same. She snapped out of it when the sergeant asked for her name, her hands balling up into fists when she decided, '**** it'.

"Oh, uh, sorry about that, sir! Name is Dixie! Dixie Normous. A friend of Rex, here on similar business." She would give him a cheeky smile had he given her any mind.

Happy continues to remain an unassuming horse. A weird blue horse, but an otherwise unassuming one. As it wasn't as if one blue horse wasn't that strange. And thankfully, the sergeant didn't really appear to care all that much except to have the job done, likely the carriage searched at some point, and being on to the next one. Fortunately or unfortunately, on Rillex, who had taken to hiding behind Nadia during the dressing down, actually got the play on words and covered his mouth as if to suppress a chuckle.

The Sgt nods and writes the information down without so much as a second thought. Very good. Last question, what's in the cart?

Zack actually has to pause and think on that for a second. He knew they didn't have anything questionable Ah I hadn't really thought about it till you asked. Its mostly travel needs, and protective equipment to keep the bandits away, or to hunt some food. As well as general adventuring supplies. Food, rope, some training swords to keep our skills sharp. he'd say, pulling up one of his own and showing the recent scuff marks.

The Sgt quickly walks around back to glance in the cart and sees nothing of any real interest or anything that would warrant a search of the cart. With a quick scribble on the paper he gives an unseen figure a thumbs up and the gates rise slightly to allow your entrance. Very good. Welcome to Daggerford. If you're truly passing through I'd recommend picking up some more weapons. That or a faster looking horse not weighed down by the cart. Giant attacks have been more frequent up north. Never know when you'll need to make a quick getaway. Either way enjoy the stay and don't cause trouble. The guard waves you along through the gate. When you enter the gate slowly closes and you find yourself just outside of the market district and a decent sized tavern bustling with cavaraners and other out of towners. The sign out front reads "The Lady Luck Tavern".

Zack, from your time here you are pretty familiar with the city, you know this tavern to be popular with the caravans that regularly come through as it's the first rest stop you come across when entering the city and is just a stones throw from the market. The stables will be closer to the dock, further in the city. To your right is the Farmers Quarters which contains several inns, common housing and the market district and leads to the Farmers Gate which will take you north. Directly in front of you is the Caravan Quarter, near the Carvan gate, which has a few taverns, inns, rental houses and a shrine. Beyond that will be the Money Quarter which is where the more well to do people live and near the river is the River Quarter which is mostly taverns and homes occupied by the cities large sailing and fishing population and where the stables are kept.

Dominating the small city is the Ducal Castle, on the opposite side of the city from where you are now.and on top of the hill the city is built on. The Castle is a grand and beautiful thing while also sturdy and defensible. Zacks  mind starts to flood with memories of patrolling the Ducal grounds as well as the city in his earlier years as a soldier. These memories don't come back to him quite so violently as they have in the past.

(Gonna give others a chance to post before I do so it's not entirely me leading :P)

Nadia half expected the guard to pick up on her play on words and give her a pointed look, yet it never came, and she tries her best to suppress a giggle at her success, glad that even Rillex got it. If they had looked to her again, she would still be sporting her cheeky smile with her hands hidden behind her back, mostly just wanting to play an innocent looking act had it dawned on him later than it should have. "Great! Thank you, sir, and I promise to keep him in check." She says with a grin and wink, pointing her thumb at 'Rex' before waving the guard goodbye and following the group inside.

Dark brown hues widen in amazement when she first sees the hustle and bustle of the city. Julkoun was nothing near as busy as this place was, nor was as huge (even if this place was considered a 'small' city), so the traffic about wasn't at all anything she was use to. She made sure to keep nearby Zack, subconsciously wrapping an arm around his as to not get lost within the crowd while as her gaze was drawn from sign to sign, person to person. Once she got her fill of sights, she looks up to the fighter, wanting to see if she could possibly get a sense of how he was feeling currently. "I hope this place is bringing back good memories for you, Zack..." She waits for a response, had their been any, and would respond had she needed to, but she does eventually move onto say; "Know of any good places to put a cart for the time being? I don't think Happy wants to be a horse forever."

Zack considered saying something to the guard, but thought better of it, as saying too much could ruin what they had already achieved. So instead, he opted to say Thanks for the info, We'll consider it while we're here, lets just hope no one here ever meets one. he said with some genuine sincerity towards the man. And as they're let into the gates, he looks inside like someone who hasn't been to a place in a long time, his eyes falling over nay new paint jobs, buildings, etc, as well as older, more familiar ones. After taking a breath and memories flooding in, it's interrupted by Nadia, suddenly noticing the leather armor and warm arms embracing one of his own, making him look down and offer a smile. 

Don't worry, it's not. I'm not scared or... nervous really, but I sense something I can't quite put my finger on. Something just feels off. And haha I dunno, I treat my horses pretty well, I may just groom him into the role! he said, chuckling. But in all seriousness... I think we should make a quick stop to one of the banks.. I still have some of those gems that need to be liquefied, before we meet with our friend. The shining place should be right around the corner.. so a quick trip to the money quarter and then... if we have any shoppign needs, we can take care of them and then I say we just get on with our business. But for now.. we can park the cart behind the Shining place, and pay a bit of a 'holders fee' to the stabeboy or stablemaster so that happy can lose the fur.

"Mm... Well I hope the feeling goes away soon, whatever it is." She returns his smile with a softer one of her own and gives his arm a light, reassuring squeeze. When he mentions heading to a bank to trade in the gems, she perks up. "Oh, right! I almost forgot about those, and the ones I have in my pack. That should bring in some good money for us for sure." She gives Happy the Horse an apologetic look. "Sorry, Happy! Just gotta stay like that for a little longer, okay?"

You all make your way towards the Money Quarter and pull up the the Sword Coast Traders bank. The building is a small two story brick building that looks relatively new compared to other buildings in the city, but Zack knows that's just do to constant repairs and upkeep to keep the place looking nice. Inside there are several tellers working around the bank, speaking to finely dressed customers and commoners alike. Everyone is speaking in a low voice and it feels almost as if you entered a place of worship just after mass. 

One free teller, a gnomish male, waves you over when he sees you enter. Welcome to Sword Coast Traders Savings and Loan. How might I help you today?

Zack clears his throat and apologizes to happy for the breif additional time, but assures him it will be swift. Feeling Nadias chest squeeze against his arm only makes the smile warm I'm sure it will, maybe it's just pent up nostalgia? Either way.. here we are. We'll be right back Happy, this shouldn't take long I'll make a quick exchange, maybe try to butter up the price a bit with some embellishments but I won't linger overlong. Hopping off the cart and heading inside, pulling out the sack with the three remaining gems, and taking just a moment to try to remember if he had anything else of value on him that would be worth trading, and remembering the bottle of fine alcohol the Dwarf had given him. And sifts through his backpack to find it still safely wrapped in his blanket within it, heading inside with it still entrapped. As much as I want to keep this for a special occassion... I think the money will be worth more than a single night of amazing drinks. 

As he makes his way forward and notices the odd air, he just shrugs, and puts it off as being some 'noble' quirk. And just as he had that thought, the gnome called him over, and he paused only long enough to take a good, long look at the label, to make sure he didn't get any information wrong in the negotiation.... Moving up then to the counter, he says Pleasure to meet you. I'ts been a while since I was last in here and I don't have any account, but I was looking to liquefy some assets from my most recent delve, to fund an even grander venture, worthy of bards! But I know you don't care about that. So I'll cut to the chase. I have three gemstones here that were liberated from the the underdark city of Menzoborenzan. As well as this fine reserve stolen away from one of their arch-mages, I forget his name... Baner.... Benir? Something like that, likely stolen from some unfortunate soul.... But now can be used to further our fight against the damned evil elves.... as I intend to go back down and reclaim more relics.

he says, pulling out the gemstones, all three of them, and setting them on the table delicately, showing just how great their quality truly was, all the while slowly.. teasingly pulling the bottle from its carriage in its pristine, and perfectly unopened condition, showing just how fine it truly was.... The label has a stylized drawing of a golden dragon flying over vineyard whilst releasing a torrent of flames into the air. The label reads "Wests Best Fire Brandy: Limited Reserve". The bottle itself is sealed and has clearly never been opened. Setting on the counter as if it were the most precious jewel in existence. And as much as I don't want to part with such a fine reserve... especially after all the work it took to liberate it... I feel you'll give me more than a fair deal on this considering the scope of my mission, won't you? he carefully turns  the bottle as if to display its perfection... to make it all the more tantalizing. And who's to say you won't drink a little yourself.... the last part said quietly enough that it was unlikely others would hear him, accentuating it with a wink. So... what sort of offer can you give me to whet my appetite?

Nadia watches the fighter off with a smile, her eyes lingering on his back for a second before slowly scanning downwards, her head tilting the lower she got. "Hmm... I hate it when he leaves, but I love watching him go..." The words pass her lips absentmindedly, and she doesn't realize it until her brain starts to actually work, reminding her that she had gems too, ones that she should have probably given to him. "Ah, mierda."

The ranger hops off the cart and heads inside, quietly making her way to where she sees Zack talking up the teller all the while getting the pouch of gems out of her bag. She creeps behind him, waiting for an opportune moment to put the bag down, and when he looked to be finished, she sets down the bag next to the brandy. "These too please." She says to the teller with a sheepish smile, looking up to Zack to give an explanation. "I forgot to give these to you. Mind was somewhere else it seems, heheh..."

15

The gnome looks at Zack suspiciously before looking down at the gems. It doesn't seem he is buying the story but the gems are real enough. When the bottle of fire brandy goes on the table his eyes betray some considerable interest but the maintains his composure. He looks as though hes about to speak before theres suddenly another bag full of gems on the table as Nadia arrive. The gnome clears his throat and pulls out a hand held device which he holds up to his eye and he closely inspects some of the gems. Hmmm. Good quality. Not great mind you but certainly not bad. He inspects each gem with meticulous care, jets, amethyst, pieces of amber and other precious gems fill the lot. Once he finishes examining the gems he sets them aside and looks at the bottle. He turns it's around, examines the label close with his hand held magnifying glass, inspects the cork seal, swirling the bottle in his hand and putting an ear to the bottle to listen. He finally puts the bottle down and places it aside. Snapping a finger another man comes and grabs each item and inspects them again in a similar manner.

You say you found all this in the city of Drow? To be frank sir, I find that highly unlikely. I would like to offer coin for your goods. But you come into our place, a respectable place, of buisness and offer these things under false pretenses. And don't try to defend yourself, you've clearly never been to the underdark let alone the city of drow. So I am thinking this might be stolen property you are trying sell me. Perhaps if you were to tell me the truth of how you came upon these gems and this bottle I might be willing to give you an offer.

Was both surprised and relieved when Nadia showed up, he'd been hoping she would follow him in but wanted to somewhat test the waters. besides, it gave him a chance to tease her.. just a bit.. bring back a little bit of 'normal' to their lives. Zacks little farce hadn't quite gone the way he'd hoped however. He'd been hoping to make the items before him sound more important than they were, except the brandy, which actually was. Watching the gnome do his thing, and making sure the man wasn't pocketing one or two in the process. Unfortunately his sole focus on the one, cost him seeing that brief glance. Zack still fully intended to butter up the bottle but now he didn't know just how much the man wanted it.

Heh, it's fine Dixie...  considering everything.  he was about to ask her where she got them from but .. all things considered... especially as the gnome  began to say his piece he chose not to. Zack listened carefully, and by the end of it he sighed. Leaning  forward, with his elbows on his spread legs like a tall dome, leaning in. You're right, I haven't been to the underdark nor have I ever fought a drow. But everyone, whether you admit it or not, always tries to make everything sound a little jucier. But you want the truth? This was all aquired by saving Nightstone from certain death in more ways than one. We took on some thugs trying to take advantage oft the city intentionally avoiding mentioning they were Zhents. Then rescued the townsfolk themselves from being eaten by goblins and ogres. And then, when all that was said and done, we finally did what we originally went there to do - We successfully negotiated peace between Nightstone itself, and the Elves that were harassing them for centuries. he would emphasize the point by placing the very missive they had all received on the table stating such. All this was after Nightstone had been attacked by Giants, mind you. 

And the wine was our reward from them, as some unfortunate losses meant they didn't exactly have much to give. The gems, were given to us by another, that much is true, but nothing here has been stolen sir. The part about us going on to a greater problem than the last, that much is true too. And we need the money to fund it. But.. if you'd rather I take my business elsewhere and they can have the wine and the gems, and they can be the ones to help us in the now, and be mentioned in the then when the bards actually are singing our praises, we can go.

Pers: 21

The gnome waits for the second man to finish his examination of the gems and finally the bottle. The human male looks to the gnome in disbelief before starting to inspect the bottle in much the same manor. The man places the bottle back down and whispers something to the gnome. The gnome returns the whisper and the man leaves to head towards the back. My associate will bring the gold for the gems. Gems are as good as gold in most places, albeit harder to break down in smaller amounts. We don't charge an exchange rate so we'll give you their value at 1,300 gold. The gnome clears his throat and speaks in a lower voice. The fire brandy however....we don't deal in alcohol...but...well I may be willing to take it off your hands. What's you're asking price?

Zack finally smiled, hearing the amount but it wasn't the smile of someone who was blinded but rater someone who liked what he was hearing. Pulling back the missive and re-pocketing it, as thus far, it had proven quite valuable in nearly every situation thus far. He licks his lips and breathes looking the bottle over. He had no great idea what some high-end alcohol was worth but he knew they could be pricey. he didn't want to over shoot, nor did he want to undershoot. And he had wanted to milk a bit more from the gems anyway. Well, I was thinking in the two-fifty range. But being as we're both meeting for the first time, as a sign of good faith.... I'm willing to drop down one hundred gold, to one hundred and fifty. If you're willing to add an additional fifteen percent to the gems... and consider it a keepers fee. I intend to be finding things like this if not yet more valuable things on my journeys, and I might just be convinced to - even if I have to go out of my way to do so - to make this my primary exchange service. What say you?

Persuasion: 24

The gnome smiles widely at the named price but pretends to mull it over in his head. 150 gold. Plus 15% on the total of the gems...so about..345 gold for the bottle. I think that can be arranged. 

The gnome snaps his fingers and the other male employee returns with several coins, a scale, and an empty sack. Removing the gems and the bottle from the counter and placing them behind the counter the Gnome asks How would you like that? How much platinum, gold and such. He waits fornanresponse before counting out the full 1645 in whatever demoninations you desire, places it in the sack and writes you a receipt. Handing both over to you he bids you both a good rest of your day before waving over the next customer in line.

Nadia shoots Zack a stern look when the gnome questions their methods in having obtained the gems and alcohol, her arms folding in front of her chest in hopes he would come clean about how it came to be in their possession. Thankfully, it didn't take much to get the fighter to explain himself and tell the truth, her expression softening as she listened. When it came to the negotiations, the ranger left it all up to Zack as she never found herself to be the best at haggling prices with people. Though, she did observe the tellers with interest when they went to whisper to one another about the alcohol, but she doesn't look more into it than necessary.

Her face looks to light up at the agreed final price on their treasures though, and when he asked them how they wanted it, she finally pipes up. "While I'm not picky on how most of it is distributed, would you at all mind separating, just, um... 50 gold for me in another bag, please?" Her eyes flicker onto Zack. "I-if that okay with you, of course."