While the village elders were comforted by these words in as much as the Mercs were still alive and unkilled. The thinly veiled recruitment drive right on the verge of the summer events angered some and the two free riders were sent away with sharp words not to bother the honest folk of the villages! Still you and a few of your fellows were vaguely disappointed, the daring life of a sell sword had some appeal to the youth of each village. But in the end the elders words were obeyed and with on ly a few hours delay the great wains of good and livestock headed out to the great Glade in the forest.

Setting up the gathering was an event in itself some three days long. Sweating along with most of the other apprentices and lesser trades folks you helped repair the great log lodge that had stood at the edge of the glade for many a year. While others dug the great fire pits for the feasting and others less salubriously were tasked to dig the great latrine trenches behind the Ale-sellers booths!

As you worked you saw the first of the other races arrive. A few Halflings drifted in offering to help with everything but not seemingly to be actually doing anything, but still they were welcomed. All the world knew that having a Halfling about somehow meant things would go smoother and there would be less cut fingers and mashed thumbs from the construction of the Tents and boothes for the ever arriving traders.

Six elves arrived next from the distant grove where it was said the silver birches there at it centre shed actual leaves of silver on each full moon that the elves picked up and fashioned into their curious coinage. Wistfully you wished you could see that even if it was but poetry instead of truth.

Ten dwarven crafters arrived on the second day of the set up. They perfunctorily acknowledged the rest then set about unlocking the stone cottages their Kind had erected years before and soon smoke was billowing from the small forge set into the side of the workshop building.