The Family Cluck

"Bandit on you left!" Andrew cried, as Sparrow shot a fireball in that direction. He honestly didn't know how he'd gotten into this situation. One minute they're on their way to Bowerstone only to find out the road is closed. Theresa sends them off to find this Thag guy and they get jumped by a bunch of bandits. Another bandit tried to jump Andrew while he was lost in thought, and Sparrow's furry companion Monty pounced the guy and started tearing at the bandit with his teeth. "Thanks Monty, oi Sparrow is there any end to them?"

"Do we really have to discuss this now?" He said as he ran a bandit through.

"No, I guess not." Andrew replied as he shot a bandit in the head.

Monty went up to the door of the cabin as the last bandit fell and began to bark. A man burst through the door shattering it to splinters and kicked the dog away. He looked like an idiot with those antlers on his head, but it didn't matter because Sparrow had zeroed in on his next kill. "No one defies Thag the Impatient, I'll gut you myself!" He opened his mouth to continue, but I guess he hadn't accounted for Sparrow's love of his dog.

In three strides, Sparrow had closed the distance and with one swing the man's head, still with his mouth open to speak, fell to the ground with a thud. "Well done," Theresa chimed through their Guild Seals, "I will tell the guards of Thag's death; with the threat removed the road to Bowerstone can re-open. Meet me in Bowerstone Market by the clock tower; there is something you must see."

"Alright then, job well done and all that; CAN YOU GET US OUT OF HERE!?" The lady in the cage screamed. After 'negotiating' with the slaver, they freed the slaves and made their way towards Bowerstone. Upon arriving they met a bard, "You're the Heroes of Bower Lake! I'm a bard see, and I'm writing a song about it; my first one actually! Listen to this!" He opened his mouth to sing and Andrew stopped him there.

"Look, I'm sure it's a great song and all but we need to meet someone ok?"

The bard nodded and just followed them as they explored the town, telling them all about the historic landmarks. They arrived at the clock tower to see the odd man standing underneath it. "Theresa is going to be late, so I suggest you take this time to upgrade your equipment, take in the sights, and see if anyone needs help."

Andrew was a little frustrated, "What kind of hobbe squawk is this? We risk our necks AGAIN mind you to clear up the road and get here and she still won't show up?"

The man brought his face extremely close to Andrew's, "She will get here…when she gets here. In the meantime Sparrow, I hear the inhabitants of Knothole Island could use some help, Andrew please fix that pistol of yours before you kill someone, and Murgo's in town by the docks…I think he was looking for you Sparrow."

"Okay, we'll get right on it. Andrew, I think we should split up to cover more ground. I'll head over to Murgo while you see what you can about getting new gear." He handed Andrew money they had taken from Thag, "See what you can get with that."

He went to the blacksmith and browsed his wares. He was comfortable with the axe he had picked up in the Heroes Guild. It wasn't a battle axe like some people had; it was a simple single headed axe that was used to chop wood. But the man was right about his pistol, the old turret pistol had seen better days and he needed something that worked better. He browsed the shop until his eyes rested on a pistol of strange design. It looked like a clockwork pistol but it had the round chamber like a turret pistol. "Hey mister, what is this thing?"

"You like it? I bought it from a mercenary from Westcliff, he called it a revolver. Magnificent piece isn't it?"

It was, the handle was pearl and the gun itself was made from finely polished steel. He wanted a gun like that. "How much for it?"

"10,000 gold."

"Bloody hell!" He said jumping away from the gun as if it were going to bite him, he handed the blacksmith his rusty turret pistol, "How much for this?"

"300 gold."

"Damn…could I work for the pistol?"

"Sure, if you wanted to waste three years of your life for a single gun."

He pondered the thought, but brushed it aside knowing that Sparrow would need him. A young lady walked past them but stopped and turned to look at him. HIM! She was maybe 5'6 with beautiful snow white hair. Her eyes were a mesmerizing electric blue. She wore an elegant sky blue dress and had a dark blue jacket that he had seem noblemen wear. She smiled gently at his and opened her perfect lips to speak, "Would you like that gun?"

His mouth was wide open and his eyes were drooped in a drowsy stare, "Yeah." He said with a voice that made you think he was hypnotized.

"I'll buy it for you if you do something for me."

"Name it, I'll do anything."

She giggled and leaned in, "Not here, there are too many people watching and listening." She placed the money on the table and handed him the pistol. He spent the rest of his money buying Sparrow a new sword and crossbow, and getting himself a turret rifle. He had sold his old pistol and sat there admiring his new one as Sparrow walked up looking a little off. "You ok there mate?"

"I just traveled inside a magic snow globe…"

"Yikes, are you alright?"

"I'll be fine," He saw the pistol, "How the hell did you afford that!?"

"Oh, um…a nice lady bought it for me." He said dreamily.

"Did she have a name?"

"No, she just said to meet her at the tavern later."

They entered the tavern and saw the girl in question, "What do you mean you won't help me!?"

She was arguing with a mercenary. He wore a jet black coat and trousers with black leather boots. He didn't wear a shirt and showed off his impressively muscled chest and abs. He had black hair with streaks of gray and a manly beard. He wore an eye patch over his left eye and a Witchspotter's Hat. "I mean I won't help you, the Hunter Clan is only focused on hunting balverines. I want nothing to do with your political power games." He walked out and she screamed after him.

"I don't need you anyway; I have two other Heroes to help me. The Heroes of Bower Lake!"

He eyed them as he left and muttered, "Amateurs…"

Andrew was upset, but it quickly changed when she walked up to them regaining her composure. She was their age which made the white hair thing a little weird, but he didn't bother arguing, "I'm sorry you had to see that, but lately my family has become desperate, and the Hunter clan has a good reputation for…solving problems. Where are my manners, I am Jessica Cluck, of the Six High Noble Families of Bowerstone."

Andrew's jaw dropped, "You…you…you're?"

She rolled her eyes, "Yes!" she exclaimed, "And my family needs Heroes help to get Fairfax castle back in the hands of Heroes. Bowerstone has long been the seat of power in Albion, and we believe that a Hero should seat on the throne instead of a pompous windbag. Unfortunately with Lucien Fairfax gone, the families have struggled for power and control. We need someone to unite them under one banner, are you with me?"

Sparrow's brow had furrowed at the mention of Lucien. "And why should we?"

"Because I know who you are little Sparrow, I know your ancestor was the Hero of Oakvale, and I know that you deserve to sit on that throne."

Andrew stared slack jawed at his friend. "Again, why should we help you?" He repeated.

"Because you need all the help you can get to stop Lucien Fairfax, and four of the noble families fighting us right now report directly to him." Sparrow's eyes widened, "Now do we have a deal?"

"I help you get on the throne, and you help me bring down Lucien Fairfax?"

"I'll do better than that, once Lucien is dead I will hand over the whole of Albion to you…how's that for generous?"

He was stunned, "You've got a deal Mrs. Cluck, we are at your service!"

"Please, call me Jessica."

"You seem to be having fun." a voice said from behind. They turned to see Theresa, "Hello Jessica, it is a pleasure to see you again."

Jessica bowed, "The pleasure's all mine."

"If you don't mind, I will be borrowing Sparrow. Andrew, I am leaving Warren here with you and Jessica to tell you what I want you to do next."

"Who's Warren?" Andrew asked as the strange cloaked man entered the tavern, "Oh…hello again."

He sat with them and ordered a beer; drinking it slowly from the pewter flask he was given. "Sparrow has a large task ahead of him; he must gather three Heroes of great power to put an end to Lucien's plan to rebuild the Tattered Spire."

"The Tattered Spire!" Jessica exclaimed, "The artifact that wiped out the Old Kingdom practically overnight?"

Andrew was invested now, "Yes, the very same…but unfortunately even if the Spire is destroyed, it will change nothing. Lucien's building an army…and if he succeeds in his scheme all of Albion will bow at his feet."

Andrew's face became like stone, "What can we do to stop him?"

"You must gather Heroes of your own, to destroy the army that Lucien has raised. Your first step is already done; you have met your first Hero and undertaken your first task. While Sparrow recruits the Hero of Strength, you will make sure that Bowerstone, and Albion are united under one banner…hers." He said pointing at Jessica. "She is Jessica Cluck, descendant of Thomas Cluck, the second Hero to be named mayor of Bowerstone. She is a Hero of Will."

He turned to look at her and she smiled faintly, "Well…it runs in the family."