Dusk puts away her pan flute and then turns to ask, "Oh? And what might this local talk be?"

Perrin laughs as he makes his way back to the bartender, "Well, that sometimes happens when a couple of people that don't know each other play together. It's all about the cues, oh barkeep! But anyways," he leans in closer to the barkeep with a big smile, "What was some of the gossip around town?" 

The old dwarf sighs, moving to wipe down the bar as he speaks. "The same thing ye'd here in most towns. Old Widow Hastings is been seen leavin the house of Buruk the half orc that serves the mayor three times this month. I guess ya would rather hear about the goblins that attacked the tax wagons last week. They made off with a few hundred gold and are now being hunted by the Uthrak clan kobolds."

Dusk would blush slightly at the implications of the tale of Old Widow Hastings and Buruk, though you would not see it beneath her cloak. The old dwarf is right in that the other story interests her more, "Goblins attacked the tax wagon you say? Whereabouts did that happen? I'm surprised the goblins could take something that well guarded."

"About two or three miles out of town. From what I heard, one of the goblins was workin for the kobolds and got em drunk. Once they were out then the green buggers must of come in and made off with the coin." 

Jinsashi flags down a barmaid and orders a meal of meat and potatoes with a mug of ale. Having done that, he turns back to the half-elf. "Governments like their secrets. Even in my own state, which you would think would be more united with our history — only a few dignitaries ever really know what's going on. In some states, those in my line of work are consulted ... but not in Azrsurinyaneh. That's where I'm from," he says, leaning in a little. "In Azrsurinyaneh, a cleric is watched carefully by the governor and his office. Of course, with a name like Azrsurinyaneh (which, in Elvish, means no deity), what can you expect?" The dragonborn sighs. "But it is home, and we are not hassled too much so long as we never speak against the governor and pay our taxes like everyone else."

Nirrea wanders away from the stage after the lackluster song, her face stoic at the failure on her part to rouse the crowd. Overhearing the barkeep's tale of the goblins she butted into the conversation alongside her smaller co-entertainer. "Hmmm. And are goblins normally not much of a problem in these parts?"

Kiyo gives the musicians a friendly shoulder slap, "It's ok, everybody has an off day."

Perrin chuckles at the story of the widow and the half-orc, "Most excellent and juicy. Why would this widow, Hastings, visiting the house of the half-orc, Buruk, cause such a stir?" He chuckles again, then seeing as everyone is more interested in the goblins his smile fades, "Well, I suppose it's something we could look at later after we look into these goblins. Especially if they know how to take a tax wagon. Could be rather handy to know, don't you think?" He chuckles once again.

"That would be due to the fact that Burbuk is a servant that spends most of his time cleanin horse shite out of the mayor's stables and Widow Hastings' late husband was the second wealthiest man in town before he croaked." The bartender explained as he moved away to pour another tankard from the tap. "But with the goblins that would be a no. I think that the damned things went and got involved with one of the other kobold clans. The Uthraks have been in a feud with another clan. If I remember right they were called the Majiri clan."

The half elf nods, sipping straight from the bottle of wine he had procured. At first he seems to fidget a bit at the talk of government but once he has a bit more liquid courage he calms. "It almost sounds as if you are from one of the rebel groups that pop up every now and again. Even if you are not from here then it would be on your best interest to not talk about the government in such an open area..." He pauses and slides a key across the table to Jinashi, attached to it is a well folded note.

Dusk quietly asks the bartender, "Rival kobold clans you say? I had thought they would be all happy under one roof. I mean there could by people waiting to exploit such disunity am I right?

"There is unity enough but sometimes they go wantin more power. Ain't no different then one noble trying to upstage another. As long as Kalirathza get their taxes all is well.." The dwarf says, quieting a bit as he says this.

Dusk continues in a low voice, "And I hear there may be some looking to....shall we say change this?"

OOC: We should find out which faction is most benevolent and back them against the rest. 

"If tax collectors lose their money, they lose much of their power," Perrin chuckles quietly, "It can go two ways usually. They tax their subordinates once again, or they lose their grip as other rise up." Perrin scratches his chin a moment, then clicks his fingers. "We could just look at unbalancing the scales, just a fraction. With enough of a push, we may not have to do all the heavy lifting for someone else, and can walk away with a lovely little payday." A big grin shines forth as he thinks on this further, "I do love counting other's gold."

Jinsashi stares at the key and note, his mind quickly evaluating the various scenarios flooding his imagination. But when he sees the barmaid approaching with his meal, he quickly places a hand over the items and slides them off the table before she has a chance to notice them. Palming them both, he smiles at her, thanking her for the food. "How much?" he asks. (Let me know how much, DM.) He retrieves his purse and counts out the proper amount of coin while dropping the key into the cloth bag. He pays her, tipping her five copper as well. As she is walking away, he picks up his mug. "Should I read it here?" he asks just before placing the mug to his lips.

The dwarf goes quiet at this and turns away to return to his work behind the bar. It seems as though he is decidedly ignoring the comment made by Perrin.

The barmaid walks away with eight copper when all is said and done, the meal being hearty but rather bland on taste. 

"If that is what you wish to do. But you must excuse me. I am retiring to my room for a rest." 

(OOC: Did the bartender hear Dusk's question?)

Jinsashi gives the half-elf a silent nod and watches him leave, though out of the corner of his eye. He takes a moment to begin eating, waiting a good two minutes before unfolding the note and placing it on the table before him to read while he eats. He isn't being secretive, but will work to keep anyone else from reading it if it appears they are attempting to do so.

Nirrea's arms are crossed over her chest while one hand grips her chin, as she listens to the stories of kobolds and goblins, taxation and rivalries. "So if these goblins have already stolen the monies owed the dragon, what will befall the people who paid that tribute in the first place? Will they be forced to pay again? Surely the most helpful thing for these people right now would be retrieving their tribute from the thieves, in order to buy them time should they indeed wish to change the situation."