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*The group heads towards the sounds, led by McEwan and Kels, who seem to be the most drawn to the sound. The group travels for a half an hour very slowly and carefully, making sure to check for pitfalls and creatures that go bump in the night.*

*The wind is growing more chilly, whipping at the group's faces and stinging sharply. It becomes evident to everyone in the group that they are nearing a coastline of some sort. The group nears a clearing to a beach and a small hut is visible just out of reach of the tide's grasp.*

*Once Kels see's the hut he starts heading towards it.*

"How nice....shelter."

*He smiles, walks over and knocks on the door (if there is one)*

*Before anyone has a chance to stop him, Kels pounds on the door to the small seaside shanty. The group hears some muttering and clanging as at least one person is stumbling around in the dark. Shortly thereafter, a small glow leaks out from the crack of the door as someone inside apparently lights a candle. The light grows slightly brighter followed by a small thud and the creaking of the door as it swings open.*

*Before the group is a small, crooked man, balding badly with a carbuncle nose and gangly teeth. He mutters a bit more about "the little girl lost" and squints as his eyes attempt to adjust to the lack of light outside in the moonlit night. When he spots the hulking Kels in front of him, his eyes widen and he grins wide.*

"Aha! Let me guess... you need across the way," the little old man nods across the vast body of water, "and you've come for help? Seems a little late, most wait until sunrise at least, but ne'er you mind, it'll just be an extra riddle. Now then, you ready? Come in! Come in!"

*The old man ushers the group into the small shanty which doesn't appear to have enough room for the whole group, but he insists anyways with mad waving of his hands.*

*Kels give the man a slite bow*

"It is an honer, I am Kels Targon and these fine fellows are my friends,and who might you be?"

*Kels is the first though the door*

*The little old man has walked into his shanty and is too busy moving things around to make enough room for the group of people to hear Kels introduction.*

McEwan gives a dirty look to Kel's back, then heaves a great sigh as he moves to the door. As he passes Donovan he locks eyes with him, looks to the right side of the door, then locks eyes again before he takes position inside and to the left of the door.

"I'm a'thinkin' I would a'preferred the flashflood I was a'worried aboot...safer."

*The little old man perks up when McEwan begins speaking.*

"Flood?!?!? By Jones! Get in here, quickly! I don't want that blasted door open if it's flooding!!!"

*Once the entire group walks into the shanty, the little man rushes over to shut the door tight and bar it with a wooden slab. The man spins around mocks straightening out his long nightgown and looks up at all of the people.*

"Well, well, well... where now is it that you're going that is so important to wake me in the middle of the night?"

*The little old man looks around at the group feigning a sourpuss expression waiting for an answer. It seems obvious to most in the group that the little old man thoroughly enjoys the company and that it will be a task to keep the man focused on the group's mission.*

*Claude, looks about to see if anyone is going to take the lead on this... Not seeing any takers, he shrugs, steps forward and addresses their host.*

I cry you pardon good sir, I'm afriad we were a bit cold, confused and disoriented. We by no means meant to disrupt your nights sleep. I am Sir Claude du Sinjin of Deschaine. My companions (introduces each member of the party), and I are traveling to Frostfell from the area known as Haven.

I thank you for the warmth of your home and your hospitality. We have been traveling for long and long and know little of this region. Any information you can give us would be greatly appreciated. Including, this body of water outside, that apparently we need to cross.

*The little old man regards Claude closely as he speaks and smiles as he mentions "Frostfell." As Claude introduces the group, the old man looks from person to person, sizes each one up and nods when Claude is finished.*

"Well then... it appears that you are here needing my help." *The man smiles mercilessly at each.* "I'm not sure why I should help you across or give you any information, since you were all so wont to disturb me in the darkest of the eve." *The man surveys them again.*

"But... I am a bit lonely and it's not often that I get visitors. This makes twice in just over a week and the last young lady was no fun. She guessed all my riddles and promptly left, so I think I need to reconsider my approach. I think this time, I will select who gets to answer my riddles..."

*The little old man spins round on Kels.*

"You there! Kels is it? Well, you were so intent on waking me and I'm guessing that you're not too bright since you obviously didn't think before you knocked, so you get to answer the first riddle... on... your... own..."

*The little old man says the last three words with much emphasis as he shoots an evil eye around at the rest of the group.*

"So Kels Bells, here you go... 'What am I?' 'When first I appear I seem mysterious, but when I am explained I'm nothing serious.' "

*The little old man waits for Kels' answer, but before Kels can answer the old man pipes up once more:*

"Oh, by the by... you only get one guess and there is a slight penalty if you answer incorrectly..."

*The man grins mischieviously.*

((OOG: I expect no cheating on this, no researching and honest roleplaying here...))

*Kels sorta stands there for a little while clearly not knowing what to say*
"Well, it could be anything really...."
*He thinks for a moment*
"I have no idea but, i will guess a shadow....."
*He stands and whats to see if he is right*

*The little old man regards Kels a moment and then leans his head back in uproarious laughter. When he is able to compose himself, he looks at Kels wiping tears from his eyes.*

"Ha! A shadow?!?!? You walk around explaining shadows??? Obviously you are not the thinker of the bunch."

*The old man shakes his head laughing and muttering about knocking on doors in the middle of night and answering questions without thinking first, then the man walks forward to Kels. The old man holds up both of his hands palms facing in, spits in one hand, rubs the hands together a bit and leans forward with an index finger extended, gently touching Kels smack dab in the middle of the forehead repeatedly.*

"You, sir, need to think a bit more..."

*As the little man turns, the rest of the group can see a bright blue spot, the size of a fingertip on Kels' forehead.*

"Now let's see... who's next...?"

*The old man surveys the room again, spots the dwarf standing next to the door, and makes his way over to him.*

"You there! You're the one muttering about safety and floods... you might appreciate this next one.. 'What is it that which goes up the hill, and down the hill, and of all yet standeth still?' "

*The old man waits for McEwan to answer, all the while rubbing his hands together and smiling greedily.*

McEwan closes his eyes and shakes his head as Kels answers and is repromanded for an incorect responce. when the question is posed to him, he spends several minutes stroaking his beard thinking. He then nods to the old man

"In the rhyming spirit of the evening...

Please forgive me
If I be waxin’ poetic
No bard I be
No bit prophetic

Though fun and mysterious
A riddle may be
‘tis a bit more serious
When there is a fee

So I’ll give ya your due
For inside I do dread
The color of blue
Set upon me head

For good or for ill
Rhyming in jest
Answer I will
An entertaining guest

From crest to vale
And a’carrying a load
When a’seakin’ me ale
I follow a road"

when done the dwarf bows slightly then stands stoicly awaiting judgement

*The little old man claps his hands together in jubilation when the Dwarf finishes. Grinning from ear to ear, the man speaks enthusiastically:*

"You're a man after my own heart!"

*The old man says impressed and looks around the rest of the room; the man points to McEwan and says to Kels:*

"Kels Bells, you might want to pay attention to this one... not only did he answer his own riddle, but answered yours, too! And all the while making me smile, he might just make up for the fact that you failed miserably at your task and ensure your group doesn't land on the coast of the Corsair Isles!"

*The man laughs heartily, walks over pours a deep red liquid into a goblet and walks over and offers it to McEwan.*

"Sit down for a bit, Dwarf, you've earned it. No sense in guarding the door, like I'm going to attack you... and it's a bit offensive, too. Now, let's see... one more riddle... who shall it be, who shall it be..."

*The old man looks around the room and catches the eye of the man who introduced the entire group.*

"Well, Claude, since you were so kind to introduce yourself and explain to me what you were doing here, and since the good Dwarf here has put me in such a good mood, I'll give you the final riddle, since you seem to be leading the group..."

*The little old man closes his eyes for a moment as if thinking of a tough riddle, then opens his eyes and claps his hands together.*

"I've got it! And appropo, considering the circumstances... 'What am I?' 'In marble walls as white as milk, lined with skin as soft as silk. Within a fountain crystal clear, a golden apple doth appear. No doors there are to this stronghold, yet thieves break in and steal the gold.' "

*The little old man eagerly awaits Claude's response.*

*Claude looks to their host and listens intently as the riddle is asked. His brow furrows as he ponders and thinks and after several moments seems to decide upon his answer.*

I must say, I do not think myself able to follow up McEwans clever display. I can merely do my best... but at riddles I have always been at best, fair. I was always taught to take my first answer and see how well it applies to the riddle at hand. I must say I'm not sure about this one, but it seems the best I can come up with. So, my answer shall be, what I hope to have for breakfast in the near future... an egg.

*Claude waits for the ol' mans response with a look of trepidation.*