A short side quest for Critical Role's "The Mighty Nein". Spoiler's for up to episdoe 37.

This story is dedicated to the cast of Critical Role. It might seem silly, but your joy, friendships, love, and dedication are infectious and keep me and thousands of other Critter's inspired and creative. Thank you for the time you have poured into making Critical Role what it is and the immense amount of joy you all spread. Thank you for keeping me inspired to keep striving to be the best creative artist I can be. Thank you for making me laugh and be joyful when I desperately needed it the most. A million thank you's isn't enough for all the work, fun and play that has gone into making the Critical Role and CR community what it is. So, from all the critter's out there, thank you!

For context, this story is set during the summer of 836 P.D. Since, canonically, The Mighty Nein are dealing with Captian Avantika and Fjord's Patron in the Menagrie Coast as of right now, I decided to place this short, fan-made adventure after all that pirating when the group will make their way back to the Empire and into Zadash. Critical Role is only up to episode 37 at the beginning of writing this adventure so a lot is still unknown about the Empire and the Cerberus Academy as of right now. This is my fun attempt/take on the mysteries that still lurk in the shadows. I hope you enjoy!

Rain wracked the windows of the Leaky Tap Tavern on an unusually stormy summers night. The clinking of glass, jingle of coin, sloshing of liquid, and hearty laughter filled the large main hall. Because of the rain, the tavern was full with patrons hiding from the winds and looking relief from the day. There wasn't a single free table in the room. It was the perfect place to hide, at least for tonight. Taking up one of the coveted stools at the bar, sat a Elven woman, her hood still pulled up around her, sipping on the cheapest ale that was on tap. While seemingly lost in her own thoughts, she was actually listening intently to the crowd around her. The tension held her shoulders and legs at attention, ready to bolt at the first sign of trouble. After many hours, however, it seemed as if she was in the clear.

Her eyelids felt heavy as she grew bored with the current conversation she was eavesdropping on. A group of younger human boys were busy trying to one up each other in their political argument while the two adults they were with were trying their best to just enjoy their card game. Most on the conversations were like this; petty, personal, uninteresting, and not of any importance. This was a good sign for her though, that meant that news hadn't spread or at least the public wasn't aware of anything wrong.

Her gaze focused on the reflection that looked back at her in the honey brown liquid. She looked exhausted, with heavy bags under her lavender eyes which made her look a decade older than her 32 years. She snorted and wiped her nose with the side of her sleeve, an action she was sure her mother would have been completely appalled with but that didn't matter… Her mother would be appalled with many things she had decided to do lately. A hefty sigh escaped her lungs as she cradled her head in her hands. What was she supposed to do now? Continue south? Go to the coast? Catch a boat and sail to anywhere but here? Cross the border? She couldn't run forever. She needed to give this information to someone! But who could she trust? Everyone she thought could be trusted were gone, fakes, devious. She could return to her family but she was sure that her Mother would probably return everything she worked so hard to obtain just to save her own skin. What about Father's? She didn't want to burden him or his new family with this though. They were but simple gypsy's who had nothing to do with the Empire. She really wish she had thought this plan through…

Her thoughts seemed to swirl around the black gemstone that decorated her finger she had been fidgeting with. She had been lucky, too lucky. So many of her friends had died during this plan of theirs. This stupid plan of theirs. They had all wanted to make a difference! To discover the secrets that had been buried away. It had seemed like such a good plan, but they were but a small group of 5 mages… too make matters worse, Hannah was the one with all the contacts! She should have this information! Not her… but Hannah was probably just a pile of ashes now…

How in the god's names she made it to Zadash was anyones guess, including her own. She had managed to steal from sleeping traveller's, hitch rides, slowly make her way through swamp, forest, and rain. She counted the blessing that she didn't have to scourge for food or look that hard for shelter even if she had to admit she was sick of berries for the rest of her years. It hadn't been easy, her feet probably unrecognizable as feet with all the cuts and calluses she had sustained after her shoes had been destroyed crossing the swamp. Yes, it had been lucky she could pickpocket unsuspecting sleepers on the road. She had enough coin to at least pay for a new set of clothes, and a place to stay for now.

With a huge swig front her tankard, she polished off her ale and called the bar tender over. The portly Dragonborn came over, his wide smile lifting a bit of the clouds that darkened her heart. His Golden eyes met hers as he took her empty cup.

"Yes Miss? Another round for ya?"

"Please Wessek, that'd be fantastic." she replied, a small smile escaping the corners of her mouth as Wessek's smile infected her.

The dragon born nodded jovially as he ducked behind the counter to fetch a clean cup. As his snow white form re-emerged with a newly foaming beverage, she noticed his eyes scan over the clientele. Following suit, she stole a quick glance around the overflowing tavern. Most of the patrons were rough, hardworking people. Her best guess were that these folk were store owners, black-smithies, maybe even farmers.

"Always this crowded?" she asked lively as she turned back to Wessek's friendly face.

He shrugged in response as he kept cleaning her old cup, "It depends, lately it's been pretty lively but I think thats because the new graduates and their families are celebrating." He chuckled as he brought his gaze back down to the lithe Elf below him. "I guess when you're holed up in a building being forced to read and practice all day, one would be willing and ready to celebrate getting out of there."

She joined in his laughter as she brought the foaming cup to her lips, "I suppose so. You've never been one for schooling?" Her tone stayed jokingly, almost as if she was making fun of the idea of school.

At this, Wessek's chuckle darkened as some untold memories flashed in his eyes, "Naw, I've always been a hands on type of man myself."

She nodded and raised her cup in agreement. "I'll drink to that!"

Wessek raised the tankard he was still cleaning in response, giving her a broad smile. Their conversation was abruptly interrupted as the door swung violently opened again. She turned over her shoulder, joining with the rest of the crowd to see the new bodies to pack the tavern. A group of seven came lumbering through the door, soaked to the bone from the storm outside and tracking in some of the mud from their boots. The smallest of them struggled to close the door against the wind. Most of the patrons returned to their business after the door had shut but she kept her keen eyes on them as they lowered their hoods. They were a colorful group to say the least, nothing like she had ever seen, at least not all together. A circus array of a group to be sure; a giant grey firbolg with bring pink hair, a woman almost as white as Wessek with blackened hair and a giant sword slung across her back, a giddy bright blue tiefling in a girly dress, a green half orc who looked extremely uncomfortable being soaked, a manly looking girl dressed in loose blue robes sporting half a shaved head, what appeared to be a sick looking halfling girl, and a muddied man with relish brown hair but she couldn't tell if the brown was natural or from the dirt.

They were a motley crew to say the least.

"They do look a bit strange don't they."

She was pulled out of her investigation by Wessek's warm but gruff voice. She turned back face him, taking another swing from her cup.

"Ya they are." She shrugged while wiping away foam with her sleeve, "Haven't seen such a colorful display of folks. Think they're hired?"

Wessek didn't answer immediately which caused her to look up from the counter. He was still eyeing the newcomers, watching them as they searched around the tavern for a place. Is brows furrowed as if he was trying to remember something.

"What's wrong Wessek? Those guys peacock ruffians or something?" She didn't wait to see if her joke landed as she took another drink.

She had been staying at the Leaky Tap for a few days now, waiting for the weather to die down. Wessek was the only person she really talked to and became friends with and, as far as she knew, he had never been confused by customers. They weren't regulars, she would have seen them at some point. It was also unusual for Wessek to not remember good patrons. Her leg muscles tensed once more.

After a few seconds, the dragon born finally let out a sigh of realization and his grin grew wider.

"Ah! It's been a while since this lot was here!" He set down the now clean cup and got out 6 matching tankards and began filling them, almost expecting there order.

She took another sip.

"You know the circus over there?" she asked while slyly pulling her hood further up her head.

"Oh that's right! My apologizes, I should have known that you wouldn't know who they are. These fine folk," He nodded toward the group, "they call themselves The Mighty Nein. They're the champions of the Victory Pit of last years Harvest Close festival."

Wessek flashed his yellow dragon eyes at her as he kept filling, "But they do look like a bunch of circus performers don't they?" He flashed her a small toothy grin as he acknowledged her tease.

She returned the joking smirk as she stole another look at the group, who were now making they're way slowly through the thick crowd. With one more glance up and down, she turned her disbelieving eyes back to Wessek.

"Them? Champions?"

He simply shrugged in response as he pushed the cups forward and asked a few patrons to scoot down to make some room at the bar, "I know right? It's a bit hard to believe but they indeed defeat many monsters in the victory pit last year. I was just as shocked as you are."

The group was approaching the bar and she didn't need to turn around to know this. They were loud. The blue one seeming to be the cheerleader of the group as she tried to keep talking to her companions.

"I promise you guys, this is a REALLY cool spell! The Traveller was teaching me it the whole way here and I promise, it's pretty amazing! I'll make sure to show you in our room!" Her voice was adorably pure. Full of joy, almost like a child who was just told they could have desert. She was a constant flow of information. She was a mage as well apparently with a 'teacher' named The Traveller. Interesting.

"Let's just make sure there are rooms left. This place seems pretty full." She wasn't sure who this voice belonged to but it was deep with a thick southerners accent. If she has to take a gander at the owner, it probably belonged to the firbolg or the half orc.

"Oh, I sure hope they do. It'd be nice to relax and have a hot meal." This voice was deep as well but more silky in nature. Soothing. Scratch her last assessment, this voice had to belong to the pink haired firbolg.

She didn't think it was possible to be even louder than the crowd but somehow this group was finding a way. Rolling her eyes in playful manner toward Wessek, she took another swig as he moved a bit to the side to greet them. When they reached the bar, she had to scoot to the side as the sheer volume of bodies swarmed the small area. Eavesdropping wasn't the most polite habit to form but as they were right next to here, it was hard not to pay attention to their conversation.

"Wessek!" The bubbly voice of the blue tiefling rang out as one of the cups disappeared from her view. As she continued to sip from her cup, Wessek was the only person as could really see. His eyes smiled kindly upon them as he scooted the cups towards the rest.

"Jester!" His low voice boomed out in joy, "Good to see you're all back in Zadash! I'm assuming you'll be needing rooms?"

"Ya. I'm not sleeping in the rain another night." A new, very agitated, voice piped up from the group. Still feminine in tone but it gravely and low. The manliest woman voice she had ever heard. Another cup disappears from her view.

The dragon born lets out a low laugh, "You all do look like you could use a good nap. Alright, how many rooms? The usual of 3?"

"That be great Wessek, thank you." The southern's accent once more as two drinks vanished from her sight. The jingling of metal joins the noisy air as Wessek began to thumb through his ring of keys, eventually pulling off the 3 that are closest to each other and passing them over to the group.

"Normal fee." he says with a smile. She watches his hand instinctively go up as if to silence an oncoming rebuttal, "I know your returning customers but we are under new management and the fee is the fee unless they say otherwise. I'm sorry."

A very disappointed, girly sigh followed by a moan came as a response.

"We understand. We don't want to give the new boss the wrong impression of us." The southern's voice once more, however he didn't seem to be fully talking to Wessek as his sound was now pointed slightly to the side. She could only assume he was throwing daggers down at the blue girl who, she could imagined, was pouting.

"Of course, of course. You're more than welcome to talk with them in the morning if you wish. Same office, same floor, different person." Wessek dipped his head in a quick nod as he bowed out of the conversation, moving onto other patrons who rudely barking for refills.

Water was now being splashed onto the floor as one of the group was ringing out their clothing, "Well, I don't know about the rest of you, but I'm beat. I could use a nice bath and a warm bed." The gruff woman's voice chided before taking a brief pause, "Care to join me, Yasha?"

Her voice sounded slightly hopeful as she heard one body move closer to another. Well this conversation was definitely more fun to eavesdrop on.

A slight sigh responded in turn, "I will return to the room in a bit, I want to enjoy the storm a bit more." A new voice, more gentle, soft-spoken. If she had to guess, this softer voice belonged to woman in blue robes while the gruffer one belonged to tall white one.

"Ok sure, ya, I get it. You're all about storms. You like watch 'em, being with 'em, becoming one with 'em. Alright, well then I'll see you when you get back. Night guys." The owner of the gruff voice began to walk off before pausing directly behind her, "Jester, you coming?"

"Oh, um… Nott and I were thinking about going to the Pillow Trove to see if… um… my mom had sent another package!" the bubbly, girly voice once more, but more methodical, almost as if she was choosing her words.

"Yes! We must see if her mother sent another package! And I just thought the Pillow Trove was so beautiful I'd love to see it in the rain…" Again a new voice, small and a bit high pitched. She assumed this was the halfling girl, Nott, since the voice's direction came from below her stool.

A sigh from the gruff one, "You want to go now? It's raining like fuck outside?! Can't it wait till morning?"

An awkward pause, she could tell the duo were thinking hard, trying to find some excuse to still go on their mission. She had to agree with the gruff voice, why would they want to make the twenty minute trek to the Pillow Trove during this rain. Granted, the rain had let up from the buckets it was pouring earlier but it was still far from walking weather.

"I asked my mom for something special and I really can't wait to see if it got here! They know us Beau so it'll be fine! And, if the weather gets worse, I'll just get a room there!" There was an undeniable excitement in the bubbly ones tone. What ever was in this package must has been something pretty amazing.

"And I'm going to make sure she's not alone! We should always stick together!" The high pitch voice of Nott chimed.

Another pause, she could only imagine that the group was eyeing them with curiosity. Another sip. These two were hiding something, at least thats what she assumed. With only their voices to go off of, she couldn't be completely positive, but she knew people. She knew when someone was trying to hide. That's what they had trained her for.

"If you're so insistent," once more a new voice, this one coming from the man who was nearest to her. His tone was smooth as well but softer, more apologetic. But it was his accent that had caught her attention. Zemnian. She hadn't heard that accent in many moons. "Yasha, would you mind tagging along with them since you want to enjoy the weather anyway?"

"Ya, I don't see why not." the soft-spoken woman answered.

A dismissive noise came from behind her, "If you guys want to go get soaked go right ahead, but I'm heading up to bed. Deuces? Fjord? Caleb?"

"Ya, I'm going to retire myself. My muscles are aching real bad and, if you wouldn't mind Caduceus, I really need you to look over this bite from that wolf pack we encountered… It's been burning and I want to make sure it's not infected or some shit like that." The owner of the southern accent began to move behind her as well, heading for the stairs.

"Of course my friend, of course. I'll also make this really great herbal tea which will warm you right up." The soothing voice answered as the trio began their journey up to their rooms. As they passed behind her, she quickly stole a glance at them from under her hood. She could now properly see a handsome green half-orc giving a weaken smile up at the pink haired firbolg Caduceus, who, in turn, returned it with his own comforting one. Where she expected to see the pale woman, instead she saw the girl with blue robes and a half shaved head. Her lips curled slightly in surprised, she had been wrong. The gruff voice belonged to her then.

Interesting. She thought as she took another sip.

As they ascended the stairs, she couldn't help but notice that they all looked a bit bruised and worn. Almost as if they still hadn't fully recovered from a scuffle they had managed to win, or lose. Her attention was once again pulled to the remaining four as the Zemnian spoke once more.

"Are you sure you want to go out there? You know the danger…" His voice was now little more than a sharp whisper as it came from a lower placement than it had originally.

"I know, but I-" the halfling named Nott began but was cut off by the bubbly blue one. Jester being the name that Wessek had called her.

"Caleb she'll be fine! I'll protect her and so will The Traveller! We'll come straight back! Be gone no longer than an hour!"

A small grumble of worry came from the Zemnian man as another short pause over took the group. As she sipped some more, the rustling of clothes met her ears.

"Don't worry, I promise to bring them both back safely." The soft voice of the woman she deduced was named Yasha came to comfort the Zemnian now identified as Caleb. She still couldn't imagine such a soft hushed voice coming from a a huge mountain of a woman.

Another pause but this one was much shorter as Caleb straightened himself and finally took a cup from the counter. "Ok, just be careful ja? Keep you're head down and let these two take the lead. Keep your fingers to yourself…" His voice grew a bit darker and serious on his last statement and there was a rustle of fabric, what she could only imagine was the halfling nodding.

"I promise. I'll come right back and I'll make sure to protect these two."

"WOOHOO! Let's go, let's go, let's go! The sooner we go the sooner were back and then poor Caleb doesn't need to worry any longer than he needs too!" With that, a small 'oof' from Nott, Jester hurried out of the Leaky Tap Tavern in a flurry with Nott flailing behind her. Yasha sighed and, after taking a moment to readjust her straps that held her sword, patted Caleb on the shoulder before hurrying out into the rain.

Caleb sighed once more as he returned to leaning on the bar. He polished off his drink quickly and as he turned around, he grabbed for one of the two remaining drinks that Wessek had poured. Amongst all the glamour of the bustling tavern, Caleb spoke not a word. She found it nice to sit next to someone where she didn't have to be bombarded by their conversation. She could just be for the first time this evening. Lifting her head slightly to her left, her hood retracted just enough for her to gain a better look at the Zemnian.

His damp brownish-red hair clung to the sides of his smooth features. A small beard was beginning to unevenly grow from his chin. His clothes weren't worse for wear, a bit tattered and mud splattered but nothing she didn't expect from someone who had been camping out in the rain for an unknown amount of days. However, his coat defiantly had a northern's vibe to it with the dirtied wool that made up the lining. His hole-y grey scarf hung loosely around his neck and it hung to right above his knees. Following it's line she was able to get a look at the coats inner pockets as he leaned forward on the bar. There had to be hundred's of hidden pockets and pouches that lined the inside. Some spilling over with candy, herbs, sticks, small jars, and what looked to be a giant diamond, it was hard to tell for sure. A hefty buckle bound book hanging from his waist belt concealed the rest. She returned her gaze to his face which, like his friends, was covered in bruises. His ice blue eyes had deep bags underneath them, reflecting her own exhaustion. Even in his beaten and tired way, there was a handsome man hidden under that mud. As she sipped some more of her diminishing drink, she couldn't help but find his face familiar.

He seemed to feel her gaze on him for those icy eyes snapped onto her own lavender ones. As sudden as his movement was, she didn't look away immediately. She had seen much more off putting things to let a strangers gaze unsettle her, plus, she wanted to fully see him. They were steely, serious even with a fire light that burned within them. Again the exhaustion was creeping around the sides but then deeper she looked, past the protective gaze and even past his own silent interrogation, she found something dark. A deep raging inferno that threatened to consume. At this she casually turned her head back to staring into her, now almost gone, drink. A small sigh escaped her as she heard Caleb's head turn as well.

A few minutes passed with neither of the two saying anything. She had gone back to eavesdropping on other conversations after she decided not to be consumed by her own raging thoughts. At least listening to nonsense kept her mind off of the trouble she was in. Caleb just continued to polish off the drinks that were left over in silence.

After a few more minutes, Wessek finally was able to make his way back over to her. He greeted her with rolled eyes, nodding his head back to rowdy bunch of young men he had just been helping. She gave him knowing smile and she finished off her drink and pushed it away.

"That bad huh?" She asked in a joking manner.

"Just young ruffians, drinking a bit too much. But they are celebrating so I can't fault them. As long as they don't ruin my bar…" A low growl emitted from him during his last statement which made her giggle.

"I'm sure you won't let that happen!" She said through her small laughter.

Wessek just shrugged in amusement and took her empty cup.

"Anything else for you hun?"

"Just a small glass of water, Wessek and then I think I'm done for the evening. It's to loud down here for me."

"I understand that." He said as he placed the dirty cup under the bar while pulling out a new smaller glass. As he poured, his attention turned to the Zemnian sitting next to her.

"And for you sir? More drinks or maybe some food?"

"Food might be nice." Caleb said, his voice again quiet and apologetic nature, "I haven't decided yet."

"You're more than welcome to keep a tab open but I'll need a name. Or do you just want it to be under 'The Mighty Nein'?" The Dragonborn stated and she could tell by his tone he was trying to be help bring some spirit into the withered looking man.

"No, no that's not necessary. Just Caleb should be fine." he muttered while taking another drink.

"Any surname Caleb? Theres another tab open under that name and I don't think you'd want me confusing you for that group. You'd have one big bill coming your way." Wessek chuckled as he passed the water glass to her. She was planning on taking her time finishing it. She didn't want to be alone with her thoughts quite yet.

Caleb just smiled ever so slightly and let out a scoffing chuckle, "Um, yes. That would be unfortunate. Let's avoid that. Widogast."

At this, she froze. Widogast… Caleb Widogast. No wonder she recognized him. Her old classmate…

A/N;

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