<div class="floatright">(https://elliquiy.com/elluiki/images/b/b9/4d2d1e8c4eac65fc29dedecec733004c.jpg)<br/>Quarion Silverbough</div>Along the track down the hill on which sat the Silverbough Vineyards came a wagon, piled high with goods and drawn by a single draft horse. The aroma of freshly baked bread and newly finished goat's cheese rose from the goods. Quarion Silverbough, one of the family patriarch's many nephews, sat at the front of the wagon, with one hand on the horse's reins and the other resting lightly on the brake lever. While he kept a keen eye on the track ahead of the wagon, he was deep in conversation with the other elf sitting next to him - or, at least, he was definitely talking, and his sister Quelenna was definitely nodding her head and making noncommital grunts whenever Quarion stopped for breath.<br/><br/>"... and that's why I can't wait for last season's wine to finish aging," he finished breathlessly. "If my theory is correct, then the barrel I treated with those additives will turn into the best wine the Silverbough Vineyards have ever produced!"<br/><br/>Quelenna rolled her eyes and patted her younger brother's shoulder. "Of course it will, Quarion. I'm sure your creation will exceed the centuries of experience that Father and the rest of the family have in winemaking. No doubt about it. Come on, we've got work to do."<br/><br/>Quarion brought the wagon to a halt near the Silverbough family's allotted place in the village square, and gave the draft horse a gentle pat and word of thanks before he and his sister began the task of setting up their market stall, laying out fresh bread and cheese, as well as a few last bottles of wine and some more aged cheeses. Quarion let his sister do most of the talking with customers while he unloaded goods, but he missed no opportunity to press his latest creation, a freshly baked pastry folded with layers of ham and goat's cheese, on anyone who was willing to take a chance on his cuisine.<br/><br/>By early afternoon, much of the produce had been sold, and Quelenna let Quarion go free to roam the market. He quickly found himself browsing the fruits, vegetables and spices. He made some large purchases on behalf of his family, and some much smaller ones for his own endeavours. His pulse quickened when he came to the display of saffron stamens, flexing his fingers as he imagined what he could do with such an ingredient. "If I had the silver for that, I could make the most amazing dishes," he murmured, fingering his all-too-light purse.<br/><br/>"If you want your spices that badly, why not go hunt some bandits to get your silver?" came a voice from behind Quarion. He turned to see an elderly tiefling woman, leaning on a walking stick. "The Royal Court is offering five thousand silver coins for anyone who brings in the bandit Grey Eyes. He murdered ten Snow Rangers, did you hear? Young Master Erin is organising an army to go after him!"<br/><br/>Quarion's head swam with visions of what he could do with that much silver. Exotic spices, high quality liqueurs, his own personal oven, proper distillation equipment... the sky would be the limit! By the time he reached the militia barracks, more accurate rumours had corrected the numbers to a more reasonable scale, and of course he realised that the reward would be split among many people, but it was still a golden opportunity, and it would be good to get a chance to flex the blade and bow skills. And to protect people from a notorious bandit, of course.<br/><br/>He made his way into the barracks, seeking out Erin Bel-Hubal. On spotting him with Captain Rowan, he waved and pressed past the militia to catch their attention. "Erin, over here!" he called, waving his hand over his head. "It's Quarion. Quarion Silverbough. I want to join the bandit hunt!"