Chapter 17: Guild

Buildings towered over him along either side of the cobblestone street. There was no escaping the dull roar of the populous. The air was choked by more scents than Alidorim could identify. Straddling the river Neverwinter dwarfed every town and village he'd even been too. Its scale rivaled the port cities of Tymanther. A myriad of different species, mostly human, choked the lanes forcing the Dragonborn to carry Yulia. The city was far more then what Alidorim had anticipated. While one hand cradled the girl the other clutched at the hilt of his sword.

Alidorim made his way through the laneways pausing only to get directions from reluctant passersby's. Even in a place as diverse as Neverwinter, he was still an uncommon sight. Having plenty of time to think about it, Alidorim figured the best course of action would be to register as soon as possible. The sooner he did so the quicker he would garner work. It wasn't long before they found themselves outside the Guild Hall.

A few copper pieces covered the fee and after filling out some paperwork Alidorim Olkith was officially registered...as a Level One adventurer. A damn beginner. He did his best not to vent his frustration to the secretary. She was only doing her job, plus...Yulia was watching. All new registrants had to start as a novice, no matter how experienced they were. Unfortunately, that would limit his job choices.

"Clearing sewers," he grumbled making his way to the Guild's bar. Though his pride rebelled at the idea he knew he would have to start somewhere. He ordered food for both Yulia and himself. After selling some of his homebrewed medicines they could afford to binge a little. Yulia was beside herself with awe. Her head snapped left and right to take in everything she could. Triboar was nothing compared to Neverwinter in her eyes.

"We...home father?" she asked as the bartender set their plates down. The man sniffed at the Tiefling. He quickly departed at a growl from the Dragonborn. The girl paid no heed. She was engrossed in her food and new environment. While he wasn't set on establishing a residence in the city, Neverwinter would make a fine base of operations for the time being. At least until he gained rank in the guild.

"...need you to protect me while I harvest herbs near Thundertree."

Alidorim perked up at the words. Further down the bar sat a young man with long bangs, smartly dressed. He was speaking to four adventures: an elf, a human, a dwarf, and a halfling.

"...the catch, kid?" the elf asked. Wearing half-plate armor, and armed with a long-sword, Alidorim pegged him as a fighter.

"Thundertree has become inhabited by monsters since it was abandoned," the young man, their patron explained, "Twig Blights and Spiders." He visibly shuddered. "I hate spiders."

Getting a good look at the party, Alidorim noticed certain details. The human wore lightweight armor and carried a short bow, long knife, and a buckler. "A ranger." The fighter and ranger were as old as the young man if a bit more seasoned. The dwarf had almost a decade on the pair, with a beard and gut to match. His fur-trimmed robes and animal totems signified him as some sort of druid. The halfling, Alidorim was surprised to see, wielded a magician's staff. Their gear was modest at best but well used. Their silver tags still gleamed in the low light. "Level Five's." Alidorim glanced down at his copper tag in disgust.

After telling Yulia to finish eating he approached the group. "I hear you need an escort." The young man visibly flinched at the Dragonborn's presence but quickly recovered. Though he smiled pleasantly the party didn't look too enthused by his arrival.

"I am, sir but-."

"He was talking to us, scaly," the fighter growled rising to glare at the new arrival. Even at full height the elf barely came up to Olkith's chest. From his pointy ears to his conceded expression, he reminded Alidorim so much of... "that bitch." The Dragonborn maintains his composure despite old hatreds stirring within.

Ignoring the boisterous elf, Alidorim turned back to the young man. "Whatever you're paying these men collectively. I'll do by myself for half." Both the druid and mage sputtered indignantly while the fighter swore under his breath. For his part, the patron looked as if he was considering the offer, especially once he got a good look at Alidorim's equipment.

"That your kid?" The ranger asked. Alidorim stiffened, turning he saw Yulia was finished eating. She was sitting quietly while being mesmerized by the other adventurers. She gave her father a wave. Alidorim suppressed a growl and returned the wave with a nod. "You have a sitter or are you planning on taking her along," said the very shrewd human. "Wilds are no place for children, Dragonborn." He couldn't beat Alidorim's offer so he decided to play dirty. He looked neither smug nor snide. The man was simply making sure his crew got the job.

The Patron looked from Yulia back to the Dragonborn. "Do you intend on taking the child?" When Alidorim didn't answer right away the young man sighed in disappointment "I see, then I'm afraid I cannot hire you." Fists clenched Olkith attempted to negotiate but the patron forestalled him. "Your Guild Level aside," he said flatly and without remorse, "I can't trust you to protect me if you're too busy looking after the girl."

With that, the Patron and his newly hired escort departed. Alidorim was left in a state of frustration and anger. Growling he slammed a fist on the counter.

"Father?" Yulia stood at his elbow looking up at him with concern, "You okay?" While others stared at him with weariness, the Tiefling only showed him affection and kindness.

"I don't deserve you," he thought with a sigh. Nodding his head, he motioned for the door. "We'll need to find a place to stay." Still looking worried, Yulia nodded and followed him out of the Guild Hall. She didn't say anything, but Alidorim could sense she was still concerned with his wellbeing. Taking her hand, they made their way back out into the city.

With limited funds and a lack of stable income, there were very few places they could afford to stay. None of them respectable. If it wasn't for the entry toll Alidorim would've considered sleeping outside the city. Aside from the financial strain, he couldn't force Yulia to sleep outdoors. Her fever resurfaced whenever the nights turned especially chilly. Putting a roof over her head and a proper bed beneath her was as much a priority as finding work.

They paused in their search for an Inn to enter a shop that bought and sold a variety of items. The bald man behind the counter eagerly bought some of his ointments. Though friendly enough it was obvious he didn't care for non-humans. At least he was honest.

The owner of the Cooked Goose Inn & Tavern wasn't too enthusiastic either to find a Dragonborn and Tiefling at his counter. His attitude improved after Alidorim showed him his Guild tag and a gold coin. That earned them a bedroom with an adjoining office. Once they'd stowed their belongings and Yulia settled down they ate supper. Another teaspoon of her sleeping draft and the child was soon snoring away.

Alidorim didn't want to leave her alone but after so many miles and the rough day he needed a drink. Down in the Tavern he mulled over his situation over a tall pint. Selling homemade ointments wouldn't sustain them for long. He couldn't gain rank without taking high paying jobs. He couldn't take high paying jobs if it meant leaving Yulia alone. But he couldn't take care of Yulia without coin.

"I'm chasing my tail!" he thought savagely, slamming the empty mug down. "Another," he barked.

"Drinking like that, you either want to kiss a girl or kill someone," said a portly man further down the bar. "So, which is it?" he asked paying for the next round. He was dressed in gaudy merchant attire, and though he nursed a mug, the man looked annoyingly sober.

Despite being grateful for the free refill, Alidorim wasn't in the mood to chat with a stranger. "Neither," the Dragonborn growled. Though to be honest he had considered bodily harm to a certain elf he had no desire to recollect.

"Interesting," he went on disregarding Olkith's desire to be left alone, "I'd love to know what could get such a magnificent warrior such as yourself wound up so tight."

Maybe it was the buzz from the alcohol or the fact he was too frustrated to care Alidorim decided to give the plump man a rundown of his situation. The man listened, asking no questions but took in every detail. By the end though the merchant had an understanding if a disturbing smile.

"So, you could use some help," the merchant declared, "What luck. I have exactly what you need."

Alidorim sniffed and started to turn away, "Whatever your offering, I'm not interested."

"Truly?" the man chuckled shaking his head. "Heh, heh...What I'm offering you is a service I believe you'll find...convenient."

Scoffing he asked, "And that would be...?"

"If my offer interests you then I ask that you follow me to my office." He slid off his stool and began waddling toward the door. At the threshold, he paused and looked back at the warrior. "What do you think?" the man asked.

Sighing Olkith stood. "I'll hear you out." The man's smile grew. Before leaving Alidorim made sure his room was secure and Yulia was still asleep. An extra gold coin to the owner paired with a threatening look would ensure no one would enter while he was gone. He didn't like leaving Yulia alone, but the Dragonborn was desperate to find an answer to his predicament.

Once outside the merchant led Alidorim down a back alley towards the slums. The air was filled with aggressive shouts and the sounds of fragile things breaking. As they were eyed by scruffy, dangerous-looking men he gripped the handles of his weapons. More than anything, it smelled terrible.

The moon was rising, but there was no light where they were. Turning a corner and at the end of another alley stood a large warehouse draped in massive sheets of canvas. The merchant approached the building. His senses on edge Alidorim followed.

There was a metallic clank, and then a very heavy-looking door swung open. The interior was dim, and the smell of rot and animals hung faintly in the air. There were several cages in the room, and human-like shapes moved within them. Alidorim tensed, nostrils flaring.

"What exactly are you offering?" he asked in a low growl.

The man chuckled. "Heh, heh...Isn't obvious?" He gestured with his walking stick towards the cages where hopeless eyes stared back at them. "They're slaves, good sir."

"Your serious?" Alidorim's eyes narrowed, doing his best not to be drawn in by the groans around him.

"Always," The man gestured grandly about him in a pontificating fashion. "I run a slave market." The notion that such a forward-thinking place as Neverwinter would have such an operation within its walls, shocked Alidorim to his core. It seemed that at the heart of every jewel there was always a rotten core. Slavery or servitude was nothing new to him, he just despised being led on rather than be told upfront.

"Merchants; always working the sales pitch," his mind railed. And he'd fallen for it like a starry-eyed waif.

Irritated at himself for even entertaining the merchant Alidorim turned to leave. "What makes you think I would want a slave?"

"I dunno the fact that they can neither lie nor betray you," he answered with a wide toothy grin. The merchant's words halted him in his tracks.

The Dragonborn's fists clenched as he suppressed a growl. The merchant had actively listened to Olkith's tale and knew exactly what to say. "Why is that?" Alidorim demanded.

"Because our slaves are controlled by a magical seal." The master explained. "Any act of disobedience against the owner will result in pain." The Slave Trader was looking exceptionally pleased with himself. Olkith had a strong urge to punch his face in. "Continuous disobedience...heh heh." He slowly mimics crushing his own heart, "...well you get the idea."

Though disturbing, Alidorim would be lying if the idea didn't intrigue him.

If the slave disobeyed him, they'd die. In some ways, that was exactly what he needed: someone who wouldn't use him or get funny ideas about the girl.

Alidorim couldn't work and take care of Yulia at the same time. He needed someone to help him. But people lie and betray, so he couldn't afford to pay them. But he didn't have to pay a slave and they wouldn't betray him; betrayal meant death.

"So, what do you say?"

Somewhere deep in his mind, a voice decried the very notion of owning a slave. It was dishonorable and unethical, unworthy of a proud warrior. They were the criticisms of naivety; his younger self that hadn't known life's true hardships. It had never felt starvation and the cruelty of those he deemed friends. It knew nothing of desperation and the willingness to do a little evil for a greater good.

"Show me what you have..."