The loud babble of the tavern drowned out Erik's yawn as he and his two companions waited for their new employer. The woman beside him, Mana, was busy reading from an old scroll she had found on their last job, and the short halfling to her side, Mick, was busy carving something into the oaken table.
"You said the job sounded easy?" Mana asked, brushing dirt off her indigo robes. Erik nodded and gripped his sword-hilt.
"Ya, it sounded like a real simple thing, more of an errand, really."
"If it's an 'errand'…" Mick began. "…then why is the guy paying us so much? Twenty-thousand seems a bit much for someone to pay for a simple errand." The door to the tavern opened and a white-haired human came in, his dark clothes blending with the dim surroundings. A short, hooded figure was at his side, and the man looked around quickly. The small figure growled and tugged the man's shirt.
"Er, boss? Me thinks they bes there." He pointed to them and the man nodded, pushing his way through the crowd and sitting at their table.
"We were wondering when you'd show up." Erik growled, looking at the grandfather clock in the corner. It was two in the morning.
"I apologize for the delay." The man said quietly, rubbing his temples. "A few of the ko…kitchen workers contracted some sort of rotting sickness and I was forced to heal them to keep it from spreading." Mana frowned.
"You have servants? Sorry…you just don't look like the type." The man chuckled and looked at the short figure at his side, who was standing on a stool to see the others at their level.
"I am Ristvak, and this is Drek." Mick sucked his cheek and looked at him questioningly. "I know; strange names…"
"Get to the point." Erik said angrily, far too tired to chat. Drek growled animal-like at him and he growled back, brandishing a knife. The little servant yelped like a dog and looked away. "I want to figure this out so I can get some sleep."
"Very well." Ristvak rubbed his knuckles together. "I have run into some trouble with one of the local minotaurs, to the east of this city. The creature has intercepted many of my trade caravans and my horde's supplies are short. Much as I hate to admit it…my powers are not enough to remove him. I am forced to rely on a few others to help me destroy the creature."
"And you really want us to help you kill this minotaur?" Mana asked, raising an eyebrow. "Those beasts aren't easy to kill, you know."
"I most certainly know. And this one is one of the few magic-wielding ones in the land. I wouldn't risk going against him myself…he's powerful enough to slay most dragons. I need help, and you are the ones for the job."
"We are the best there is." Erik said, gripping his sword tightly. "And you're going to follow us to make sure the deed is done?"
"I will not, but Drek will." Drek gave a loud yelp and began babbling in some harsh language that none of them could identify. "Drek, you must do as you are ordered."
"…me understands, great one…" He said finally in his high, rasping voice.
"And you'll be greatly rewarded for your efforts."
"Besides the gold you promised?" Mick asked with a gleam in his eye.
"Much more besides that. I happen to have a few objects in my possession that I have no use for…but you could use them very well." The man stood up. "I take my leave. Drek here knows more; it's up to him to explain the details." As the man left the figure whimpered and looked around the table, red eyes gleaming from under his hood.
"Erm…me not wants this to end badly, so we do this right from the start." He said quietly. "Boss trust me, so we not make him mad. He get mad…me die."
"Sounds like a harsh master…" Mick muttered.
"He is good master, much better than white dragon me serve last!"
"You served a white dragon?" Erik raised an eyebrow.
"He was bad master…he kill kobolds for fun!" Mana stood and raised her hand, eyes ablaze. Drek yelled, yipping and shaking his head as her palm glowed red.
"Mana! He's a friend." Erik knocked her hand aside. "Alright, Drek, show us your face." The creature nodded and lowered his hood, revealing the draconic, reddish-brown head of a kobold. "I knew it…so we have to work with a kobold now?" Erik slammed his fist on the table and Drek covered his head again. "We can't back out because of one kobold…just no funny stuff."
"Me nots like that." Drek said quickly. "Drek is good friend to yous, but you must be good friend to Drek." Mana scowled and turned away and Erik put a hand on her shoulder.
"I know, Mana…" She closed her eyes and sighed. "I remember; you hate them more than anything else, but we have to work with him. It's all worth it."
"If he does anything…anything at all…I'll torch him." Erik sighed and turned to the kobold.
"Now, Drek; when is the best time to go?"
"Methinks the night would not be good…we may nots be seen, but we can't sees them!"
"He has a good point." Mick said. "Smart for a kobold."
"We'll go this afternoon." Mana said, ending the discussion. "And this minotaur will wish he had never been born."