Lyle threw the cowl of his cloak over his head, carefully hiding his face from view. The streets of Hapstown were much busier in the daylight hours, the Halfling having to bob and weave his way past traffic. Carts would travel in the same places as people, leading to numerous crashes and arguments. The chaotic nature of the town made Lyle shake his head in disappointment. The single redeeming aspect of the town in his opinion was the local police force. The eponymous Hapstown Militia functioned more like an organized military unit than a hastily amassed army of citizen soldiers.
Unfortunately for him, these same guards were searching for his party. Lyle pretended to drop a copper piece as he neared two guards interviewing a wounded but recognizable man with an ugly scar across his face.
"I'm telling you, there's a party led by an Orc in town! She was the one that through me into that woman's house!" Lyle turned away quickly as the mercenary caught his gaze, tucking his coin away before continuing on a little faster. The intoxicating smell of foods wafted in his direction, causing his mouth to water. His stomach growled a clear indication of the food they had all forgotten to purchase on their visit to the tavern. Lyle made his way past a large group of people on his way to the courtyard of the marketplace. The large fountain in the center-most part of the area was surrounded by a number of street vendors, cleverly selling food at a place most citizens gathered their washing, or in some cases drinking, water.
Lyle licked his lips. His friends could wait a few more minutes...besides, they were going to need food too. "But first things first, I gotta' eat! No sense in letting the eyes of our group go hungry." Before he got a chance to ask one of the vendors for a nice, roasted piece of meat, a hand firmly grabbed his shoulders. He turned around slowly, instinctively sliding one hand into his cloak to grab his dagger. He swore under his breath at the sight of the woman who had patched up Desmond.
"Where the hell have you been?"
"Grabbing food, nurse. Besides, you seemed to have everything under control."
"I thought you were scouting!"
Lyle shrugged, placing several coins on the vendor table and grabbing a meat on a stick. "I found out a lot of interesting things, miss..."
"Just call me Finch."
"Right, I saw a lot of things Finch, heard a bit too. For starters, our friends from last night are telling the guards all about our little party, which is a given considering the little problem we started. What I can't figure out is that amulet they keep mentioning. For some reason, they need that trinket pretty badly. So, are you going to tell me about it or not?"
Finch's eyes darted left and right. "It's none of your concern," she said. "Besides, your buddies are keeping it safe back at the 'camp'."
"Really now?" The woman's eyes opened wide as the Lyle pulled out a silver amulet, the lace tied around his dagger. "I swiped it before I left, figured it may be important."
"You have no idea what the hell that is, you little runt. Give it back!"
Lyle casually took another bite from his kebab, letting the juices drip as a positively furious woman stared vehemently at him. "What is it then," he said as he chewed. "And I hope you'll get it done before I trade it in for several more kebabs."
"You've never let a girl get in your head before, Flynn."
Desmond grunted as he pushed himself upright, propping himself on the wall beside Flynn. The fighter was nonchalantly lighting a pipe, using a magic-powered torch to set the tobacco ablaze. Desmond rolled his eyes. "I wish you would have a little bit more respect for magic, or your health."
"My old man's been smoking this stuff even before he met my mom. And look how healthy he is now." The grin on Flynn's face disappeared as he turned away from his friend. "Besides...there's something different about fox face."
"Who?"
"That girl who patched you up. I mean really, for as long as we've known each other Des, what girl has turned me down?"
Desmond stroked his chin. "Well there was that Half-Elf girl back in the Academy."
Flynn let out a sarcastic laugh. "Alright, well other than her and fox face, there's been no other woman I haven't been able to charm and it's pretty weird."
"Arrogant ass." The pair turned to see Kujin, eyes still closed but a toothy smile on her face. Flynn blew a smoke ring in her direction, chuckling as he unknowingly breathed it in and coughed. "What the hell that for!"
"For being an observant individual, Kujin. Not many times can a person say they've insulted Flynn the stupid hat wearing dolt." Flynn stuck his tongue out at his friends as they laughed. The moment ended abruptly as Desmond winced in pain, grabbing at his bandaged arm. "You don't think Lyle will come back with a healer do you?"
"Or food." Kujin chimed.
"Your wish is my command!"
The group smiled as the Hafling waltzed in, hands in the air holding a two small burlap sacks. Behind him was the fox face, an annoyed look on her face as she struggled to carry a large platter of food.
"Eat up guys," Lyle said with a cheeky grin. He looked to his side and urged the woman forward. "Alright Finch, let's hold up our end of the bargain, shall we?"
"Finch?"
The woman offered them a smile, though Flynn could see it was a forced one. "People call me Finch. Come on Prince Charming, help me out with this."
Lyle stared in confusion as Flynn, Desmond and Kujin exchanged looks. He was especially intrigued by the smile he almost never saw on Desmond's face.
"Like the Academy, eh Flynn?"
