> Well to tell you the truth, I was pretty impressed by all the stuff that
> Elfiran brought out of the kitchen, I mean really 10 food packs, that's a
> lot of GP's
> at which I promptly started to look through my purse, assuming that at
> least 1 of those was going to be mine and I wanted to be ready and sure I
> had enough gold on hand, as I seem to be dealing with fairly well to do err
> ....citizens, I don't have that much you see, cause I've got a family back
> in Valenwood who need to eat to and with the price of enchanted armor these
> days a girl hasn't got much left, but I counted at least 53 gold so I
> should be save in regard to the food, the teleportation thing is something
> else all together, I've never been on one, I have no idea how much that
> would cost or if I'm eligible.
>

Although engaged in setting his magical wards for the Angry Porcupine,
the Dark
Elf warmage noted peripherally that Mea was surreptitiously checking her
funds.  The look of concern coupled with determination on her face
caused him
to smile inwardly, but he kept his expression carefully impassive to
avoid
seeming patronizing.  It was, after all, to her credit that she had
decided to
go along even though apparently short of funds, and that she evidently
intended
to pay her own way.  He would have to set her mind at rest on that
score.

> So I can tell you that my eyes nearly popped out of my head when I saw
> Balefire pull this huge emerald out of his pouch, glowing even.
>
> "Girl" I said to myself" you gotta stick close to this guy, he's loaded (
> with monies I mean) there could be a future in it for you".
>

Again Balefire stifled a grin.  Whether warrior, warmage, cleric, or
tavern
wench, a woman was a woman, it would seem.  Though she might try to
conceal her
reaction, it was clear that where the Archmage saw only a magical tool,
Mea saw
a beautiful jewel.

> In any case, I was going to help J'layah, cause that's the way I am, even
> if I had to ride like the wind to catch up on them, and believe me, my
> horse can do that, she is fitted with horse shoes of Notorgo, which can be
> very handy in some cases, if you get my drift.
>
> So I thought it prudent to at least tell Balefire about my financial
> situation, and inform him that whatever may come "Sacre Noir" was going to
> drink deeply from those detestable lowlifes and I was ready to leave.
>

So softly that no ears but hers could hear, Balefire whispered
reassurances.
"Mea, there is no need to worry about money.  I have been one of
Tamriel's most
successful mercenaries for rather longer than you have been alive.  Even
if I
were to live another couple of hundred years, I could never spend what I
have
already made...though I certainly try.  Even Twilight, who has been at
this
business a much shorter time, has made enough that she could probably
buy this
entire town did she care to.  What's more, have you forgotten that I am
a
prince?  Only of Ebonheart, 'tis true, and I have effectively abandoned
my
heritage, but I have more funds available than you could probably
imagine, and
little enough on which to spend them.  Besides, I should hold it an
honor if
you allowed me to indulge myself by treating you while we remain
together.  The
life of a mercenary is fraught with risks, but it can be a very
profitable one
if you live to spend your pay and your loot.  It fosters a desire to
spend
while you live, since he who dies with the most gold can hardly be
called a
winner.  Cease worrying about money, my dear.  Humor me."  The warmage
gave her
a by-no-means-brotherly squeeze and raised his voice.

"Are we ready, then, to seek out and destroy this one-eyed assassin and
rescue
J'layah's sister?  Methinks we must needs move quickly, as those
traitors are
sufficiently privy to our plans that we may already have lost the
advantage of
surprise."