The guards at the gate stopped their wagon and asked Rodri a few questions. Another guard, a woman, came around to the back and looked in. She took one look at Vallendel and whistled appreciatively. "Well, well, what have we here. Merchant Rodri, did you know you had stowaways?" Rodri grunted from up front. "Not stowaways Guard, they are my helpers. Hunting, mending a few things, I'm just giving them a lift as payment." The woman glanced at the other two, barely out of adolescence and laughed. "Hunting? Mending? I think not, why are they here?"

                Vallendel narrowed his eyes and glared at her, "I hunt, they gather food, and you couldn't stitch leather faster then Martic can." He said coldly, wearing a mask of arrogant pride. He felt the numbness come unbidden and he welcomed it. He lifted his chin and glared at her defiantly. The guard glared at him fiercely then laughed again. "Fine, I see milord here doesn't want to be delayed from his pressing business." With a sarcastic remark to Rodri she and her partner backed off and let them pass.

              That night Rodri said he would find Val a job. Vallendel was skeptical about it but since the merchant insisted, and had been very nice to him, Vallendel finally agreed to it. They left the boys and Slim at the wagon and disappeared into the gloom of Trevale hold. Soon they came to a sign with a bright silver dragon painted on it. Rodri opened the door to the tavern and led Val inside.

             " This here tavern is run by my sister Ralle. She just lost her bartender and from the little you have told me you can mix drinks pretty well." Vallendel nodded slowly, taking stock of his surroundings. The 'tavern' was actually an inn with a very large common room and a bar. Two burly men sat by the fireplace, passed out from too much ale. An older woman tended the bar. Seeing them she came forward hugging Rodri and looking at Vallendel oddly. "What'cha got here brother? Pretty face, where are his parents?" Val glowered and looked into her eyes unflinching. "Gone, mother disappeared. Father, well Im eighteen and Ill leave it at that." He said coldly, not liking that the two drunks had woken up and where eyeing him oddly. Ralle was startled then smiled. " I see lad, no need to get all high nosed, I meant no harm. So what can you do?" Val considered saying 'nothing' but thought better.

       " I can make drinks, clean tables, my cooking isn't too bad, and I can easily throw out anyone not welcome." He said, watching the two men who had stumbled to their feet and walked out the door. Ralle nodded and turned to Rodri. " Ill take'im, any other scamps that need a place?" the tall merchant turned to Val. "Two, but they might just run off on their own now, but I'll ask, this one was the most promising." Vallendel stiffened and looked away. Promising eh? And what do you mean by that? Angry he turned to Ralle. "I won't need this job long miss, just to get on my feet if you don't mind." The keeper nodded. "That's what they all say, can't keep help for more then two sevendays these days." She sighed and waved her brother off. "Now boy, do you having any other clothing?" Vallendel shook his head. "No, this was all I was allowed to take, the stuff on my back." Ralle nodded at his words, her look indrawn. " I see, well I'll give you two uniforms to be worn here, the money you make should go to some better clothing. The weaverhall isn't to far from here so we always have apprentices around trying to sell their wares." Vallendel nodded again, not noticing when Rodri left.