IantheGecko wrote:
"Gnomish tea?" Marcus asked. "Never heard of it. I don't even think I've seen a gnome. Maybe..." Suddenly light dawned. "I must have seen one when I went to scout ahead!"
Marcus turned to Farnham. "Sir, can you take me to the Inn?"
Farnham said "In a moment, Marcus, but we have other business here first. Doctor, we hear tell that Dire Wolves are vulnerable to certain plants. Is this true."
Doctor Tebs thought about it for a moment and then said: "Well, yes. I'd have too look up the specifics for you, but I do recall reading about this in my research, and as I recall, the Dire Wolf has an adversion to a specific member of the Magnoliopsida family of plants. Buy why do you ask?"
Farnham grimly said: "We intent to kill a Dire Wolf, and we need something to protect us from it. Can you help us there?"
The Doctor was aghast: "I think so, but it will take some time. This isn't the sort of herbology I normal do, so I'm going to have to read up on it first. I normally do medicinal herbology and confectionery concoctions, not herbal wards and protective poltices. You'll have to give me a few days at least, and it won't be cheap. If I'm to do this for you I'll have to close up shop and devote all of my time to researching this project for you. That mean you'll be my sole sorce of income while I'm working on this."
Farnham asked "How much?"
The Herbologist said: "Three hundred gold as a retainer, plus ten per day, plus necessary expenses."
Farnham balked: "What do you think we are, keepers of the kings treasury?"
The Herbalist said "Two hundred and ninety, then, but that's my final offer."
Farnham was getting a bit angry, but he recovered his composure. "Come now, let's be reasonable..."
The herbalist cut him off: "I'm sorry, but that's the best I can do. I've built up a well-established well-respected shop in this town over the years, and If I'm to suddenly close up shop and start turning away customers just so I can service one special project you're going to have to make it worth my while. I'm sorry, but business is business. I'm sure you understand."
"But where are we to get that kind of money?" Said the amazed Farnham.
Doctor Tebs shook his head: "With all due respect Sir, I really don't care where you get it from. It's not my problem. Just get it, or I can't help you. Now, if there's nothing else, I really must be getting back to my work."
Franham was in shock. He didn't have three hundred gold to his name, much less on him. All the money he had, it had gone into financing this expedition, and the little he had left was needed to pay for expenses like food and lodging. Marcus's little run-in with the Gnomish tea hadn't helped his purse's weight either. Now what was he to do?