A Dark and Stormy Night

[Ceutinde]

She patted his arm with her free hand. "It certainly has a ring to it. But we might want to solicit some help from our companions. See what they think - brainstorm, if you will. They might not want to be a sequel, but more of a...spinoff series."

[Nigel Thornheart]

“Maybe they write 5 best selling adventure books,” he bristled, but seemed to consider the notion. “Nigel Thornheart and the Terrific Ten,” he mused, before waving it off. “But when you attach a number to a group it limits recruiting and is inflexible for the high mortality rate of the adventuring lifestyle. Going with my first instinct had always served me well.”

[Ceutinde]

She leaned her head on his shoulder, talking quietly. "I'm sure it has, Nigel, but think back forty years. Would you have wanted to march under some elder statesman's banner, rather than your own? I'm sure many would rather make their own name - attached to yours, certainly! But not entirely displaced by yours."

[Nigel Thornheart]

"Elder?!?!" he bristled, deeply offended by the insinuation. "I am hale, hearty, vigorous, vibrant, and youthful as the day I first donned this armor." He puffed up his chest proudly. "And I marched proudly for 7 years under the Emperor's banner in the illustrious Imperial marines before venturing out under my own. My name lends credence to theirs, my legend serving as the bedrock for them to build their own. "

[Ceutinde]

"Certainly it does. But no one names a building after its foundation. No matter how hale, hearty, vigorous, and vibrant it may be." Ceutinde chuckled a little, rubbing his arm. "I'm not trying to start a fight, Nigel, just trying to get a different perspective in that very one-directional head of yours."

[Nigel Thornheart]

"You forgot youthful," he grumbled, as they finally arrived at the brothel.