As we head south east from the guild district we head through the commercial district. The streets are packed with shops, workshops and stalls. This is quite a busy town, and a lot bigger than I first imagined. The town has a lesser lord to oversee it. He along with all other noble authority figures in the region answers to the western duke. Lawra taught me during our late night chat. She didn't say where we are headed though, just that she wanted to handle it.

As we head out of the central commercial district we cross into a somewhat wealthier district in the south. Looks like mostly residential to me, but there are also some more affluent shops. Lawra is still leading the way, but she stops outside one of the residential buildings. After a few knocks with the doorknocker, the door opens. Judging by how quickly Lawra was embraced by the maid who opened the door, this must be her fathers house. So she, didn't run very far from her father, just across town to the guild.

As we are all directed to the lounge, I find myself weary of sitting down on the fine seating. With my rough and somewhat dirty looking clothes I might not make the best impression. Lawra stretches up to whisper in my ear; "Just stand there and look intimidating, and let me do the talking." Shortly after a small portly man dressed in fine clothes enter. He looks unsure as who to address first, looking at his daughter and at me. Probably the effect Lawra was looking for as she starts formal greetings and introduction of the group.

When she gets to me she elaborates on my exploits as a hunter. She is making me seem like a fierce strong barbarian that she managed to tame. She emphasis the last bit by stroking my hairy arms seductively. I am feeling a bit embarrassed by the introduction to my now father-in-law. What on earth, or this other world, is she thinking? How is this going to help me get along with her father? Is she just trying to antagonize him? She never spoke particularly badly about her father. If anything, she seemed more worried that she would disappoint her father by coming home.

Just as my last thought hits, the father responds with the same elaborate bootlicking I would expect from a crooked trader. Apparently he is pleased that she has married such a strong promising hunter. Not exactly what I had expected. Standing directly opposite me, he addresses me directly. "So tell me how many goblins did you save my daughter from? I know she has a tendency to exaggerate, but with your physique I suspect there is a strong element of truth to what she is saying." He doesn't seem to be testing me, but I still feel like I need to back up Lawra. "At the time there were 33 goblins left, but I had previously whittled them down from about twice that number. You can check with the guild if you like."

The look in his eye tells me he believes every word I told him. It is the truth after all, but that is no guarantee that it will be believed. Before either of us say anything further, Mari breaks into the conversation. "He is telling the truth. He rescued me from their nest before attacking their raiding party and saving your daughter." I am quite touched by her attempt to defend my credibility, even though it wasn't necessary. I need to thank her later in private.

"Of course I believe him. I was just fishing for some more details. Please excuse my curiosity. Please do join me for noon refreshments while we discuss your future." "Of course we will, father." Lawra has regained her position as the main spokesperson for the group. As we sit down, Lawra wastes no time addressing the main point why she wanted to see her father. "Father, do you still have that old derelict farm house just outside of town?" "Ah, is my daughter showing interest in my business so soon after returning?" "Father, don't tease." "If you most know, I sold off all the attached land, but the last plot that the farm house sits on don't seem to sell. The land is not much and the buildings are old. I have been thinking of fixing it up to increase its value."

"Well, it so happens that we are looking for a place to settle down, and my hubby has all sorts of handy skill. I have seen him build all kinds of things. If you let us live there, we can fix the place up." I get what she is doing now. I did mention to her last night that I wanted to establish a base here near the guild, and I didn't want us all to live cramped. I expected that we would need to live outside the town walls. We should be far enough away from any danger, but I can always fortify it. An old farm house would be perfect actually.

"What a great idea my dear daughter. I would love to have you stay there, but why not take this further. It would seem that I never got a chance to offer your husband a dowry for marrying my precious daughter. Why don't we make the farmhouse the dowry. I know the place is not in a good state at the moment, but let me also lend you the necessary tools." I am quite amazed at how well this is going. Best to leave it to Lawra I guess. I need to ask her later, why he is being so generous. I don't actually believe he loves his daughter this much, he seems too much like a greedy business man.

As we leave, a servant boy from the house leads us out of town to the derelict farm house. It isn't so much a farmhouse as a series of connected wooden buildings forming a horseshoe, with a fence at the end. The main building has two floors, but the stairs and floor look so worn out that I don't dare going upstairs at this point. "So what do you girls think?" For once Lawra stays quiet. I guess she wants to know as much as me. After all it was her effort that got us this place. "It is so big!" Lynne is clearly impressed by the size of the buildings. "Needs a bit of work, but this can become a great base." Kira seems to approve. Everyone turn to Mari, who just stutters out that she thinks it is great. She clearly would have been happy with a lot less.