A/N: Disclaimer: Silvar, and the following residents: Efram, Anastasia, Carol, Erik Scarhead, Gary, Chuck, Krantz, and Jonathan, along with the nephilim; and Fort Avernum and most of its population belong to Jeff Vogel and Spiderweb Software. I'm just writing this for the fun of it, no pay. The adventurers and a few other residents are mine. (The guards are in the game, but in the game they don't care to talk.)
Morning came after a tolerable night in the inn's beds--private rooms that would have been no better than the common room of an inn on the surface, but these circumstantial companions were quickly learning that the best of Avernum was still rather poor compared to things on the surface.
"You know, I was thinking," said Jynx, "about this token we need--what if killing off those cat heads is enough to get us a token?"
"Good thought," said Ansel. "Guess we can drop in on the mayor before we go back to that fort and look up Warrick."
They quickly finished their breakfast, and started out on the street for the mayor's office, to find a fairly small room with a desk, behind which sat a middle-aged man wearing rather patched clothing and a sash which stood out by being in such relatively good repair.
"Good morning," he said pleasantly. "How may I help you?"
"Well, we're new here," said Ansel, stating the rather obvious, "and we've learned there's a government down here and all, and that the castle's looking for adventurers, but we'd need a token to get there."
"Ah," said the man, "well, now I'm sorry that I don't have any jobs that are worthy of a token for you. Name's Jonathan, by the by."
"But we killed a bunch of catheads out back of Carol's shop," said Ansel. "Ain't that something?"
"I heard about that," said Jonathan. "Sorry--that's everyday sort of stuff--if I gave out tokens for killing catheads--no matter how appreciated it is--why, they'd take me right off the council."
"I see," said Jynx, sounding rather disappointed. "Does Empire know about the government down here?"
"Don't know," replied Jonathan. "But I've got all the records here." He pointed to the door in the side wall of his office. "And someday, folks will want to know, and it'll all be right there. Now, you want to look through those records, I'm sure you'll find something useful." He gave the group an almost conspiratorial wink. "Oh, and I hear the mayor of Formello's got problems--seems she lost a necklace."
"Uh, thanks," said Jynx, looking to her companions, not sure whether they should take the time to go through all these records, or start off to reach that wayfarer's station on the return to Fort Avernum.
"Sounds right useful, that," said Brother Theo, "but we were thinking about heading off, a bit of family reunion to pull off, you see. Might we take a look at the records when we're back in town?"
"Of course," said Jonathan, "my office is always open to folk like yourselves."
They left the office then, and shortly thereafter the city of Silvar itself.
Once outside the gates, Brother Theo said, "I hope you don't mind that, Jynx--but I thought it was better to get on our way. Who knows how long it'd take to go through all that paperwork to find something useful."
"I understand," said Jynx. "Just didn't know we were on a timetable."
"We're not," said Ansel. "Just that it'd be better for you to go looking when the rest of us aren't hot to get on the road."
The day's journey passed quietly enough, and once more they reached the wayfarer's station, settling in and breaking out their rations once more. After a good rest, they made their way into Fort Avernum, surprised a little by how easy the journey had been.
As they entered the gates of the fort, Acacia happened to be on duty, and she recognized the group, and said, "Back so soon?"
"Well, we found that sister of Warrick's," said Ansel, "and we thought she might like to have the news."
"And offer to take her over there, where her sister and brother-in-law live," added Jynx.
"Hm--fellows around here might be a little upset at that," said Acacia, with a snort, looking over at the other guard, who flushed noticeably. "She's been drowning her sorrows in their beds."
"Silvar ain't that far," said Rudel, "they could always go visit."
"Hah--that'd be at least a four-day off duty," said Acacia, "not so easy to come by."
"That mean you're not going to let us in?" said Ansel.
"Nah," said Acacia, "go on. She's still hanging out at the inn."
They walked over to the inn, and after getting mugs of mushroom ale, came to the table where Warrick was sitting, still looking morose, though she brightened considerably at the sight of the men in the group.
"Hey, Warrick," said Ansel, sitting down opposite her, "how's it been?"
"The same as it's been since I got here," said Warrick, moving her shoulders back slightly to push out her bosom.
"Yeah," said Ansel, his eyes traveling down to the bustline, and then back to Warrick's face, "well, it seems we found yer sister."
"You did?" said Warrick, the flirtatious postures dropping abruptly.
"And we're thinking to go back that way," said Jynx, "if you'd like to go with us--after we get some sleep."
"Is it safe?" said Warrick. "I always hear these lizard hisses, and people talk about goblins and bandits, and such."
"Well, maybe not alone," said Jynx, "but you'd be with us, and we've been to Silvar, and back--we're gonna get back there, just fine, and if you want to come with us, you'd be welcome."
"I'd like that," said Warrick.
As the meals were brought out, Warrick's flirtatious manner reasserted itself, and Jynx and Brynja were exchanging glances that suggested the two women were not thrilled about spending the next two days in Warrick's company.
Nevertheless, when a night's rest had been had by all, the seven set out from Fort Avernum. They had been traveling for some time, when a group of three men emerged from behind a stalagmite--one of them had a leather tunic with some metal studs that glinted in the green fungal light, while the other two wore simple leather tunics like those of the group other than Warrick.
"We're here to collect your traveler's toll," said the man with the studs in his leather.
"And if we don't pay?" said Ansel.
"Then you die," said the lead man of the group.
"Or maybe it'll be you," said Duncan, fingering the hilt of his sword. "Ain't no traveler's toll for this road."
"Stick close," muttered Jynx to Warrick.
"I should've stayed in the fort," wailed Warrick.
"You'll be fine," said Brynja, a little sharply, unfastening the case at her waist which held darts.
"We gave yeh yer chance," said the leader of the other group. "Get 'em."
"Other way around," said Jynx, as she collected herself, and arcane fire shot from her fingers to singe the man in the studded leather as Rudel brought his own arcane fire to bear against one of the men in plain leather who was squaring off against Ansel.
That bandit swung his stone sword, but the searing pain of the fire not only nearly incapacitated him, but spoiled his aim most thoroughly, and he struggled to keep his footing on the cave floor. Brother Theo, completing his chant, sent a blue bolt across the field to the man in studded leather, eliciting another yelp from the man.
Ansel swung his sword at the bandit that Rudel's flames had caught, gouging the man in the chest, and the bandit slid back to the ground, dead. Brynja, standing close to Warrick, took out a dart and flung it at one of the bandits, but it sailed harmlessly by, only to shatter against the stalagmites, while the as-yet-uninjured bandit made a furious swipe at Ansel, only to come up empty.
A clash of metal-on-metal, and then Duncan's sword opened the gut of his opponent even as the bandit's own sword bit into his arm--and though Duncan cried out in pain, the bandit leader fell to the ground, dead.
Though he was uninjured, the remaining bandit's face wore an expression of horror as he saw how easily this group had dispatched the others, and he began to stutter, "Uh, m-m-my m-m-m-mis-t-t-take. S-s-s-sorry."
He started to dodge off, but Ansel stuck out a foot, and the bandit went sprawling onto the cave floor, and then Ansel stepped on the sword arm at the wrist, his own sword point touching the neck of the now-downed bandit.
"I yield," said the bandit, terror in his voice.
"Yeah, and why shouldn't I kill you right here?" said Ansel, the anger of the fight still in his voice.
Jynx could see the man swallow hard, before he said, "You'd be in your rights to. Don't matter--you take me to town, they'll do it."
"And what are you hoping for?" said Jynx. "That we'd let you go?"
He turned his head to look at her, as Ansel stepped off the wrist, giving it a hard kick that sent the stone sword skittering away, while eliciting a cry of pain from the bandit, who otherwise did not make much protest. "Ain't gonna beg it," said the bandit, "got a little pride left."
"What do you guys say?" said Ansel, his sword point still resting on the bandit's neck, with just enough pressure to dent the skin.
"Why you waylaying travelers?" said Brynja. "Couldn't you find honest work?"
"Never been that honest," said the bandit. "Had a good run--four months, but . . . Well, you don't kill me now, I'm just walking dead."
Brother Theo said, "And are you sorry for the life of thievery? You can repent and be forgiven before execution--at least you'll escape hellfire."
"Yes, brother," said the bandit, "not sure it means much, knowing I'm only saying it 'cause I'm dead either way."
"The gods will be your judge," said Brother Theo, "but mercy can be had to temper their justice."
"Then, yeah," said the bandit. "I'm sorry for being a thief. And for killing. And north of here, there's a fortress--that's headquarters, but if you're careful, you'll be able to sneak up the hill. But the guy in charge, he slings spells like your lady there, and him." The bandit's hand moved slightly to point at Jynx and Rudel. "So's you know."
Brother Theo knelt down next to the bandit, as Ansel wasn't letting the man up, and there were a few more whispered words between the two men. Finally, Brother Theo stood up and moved away.
The bandit said, "I'm ready. And thanks if you make it quick." His jaw looked set, even though his eyes reflected terror.
"Turn over," said Ansel, his voice harsh.
The bandit complied, managing to keep his hands out to the side as he did, his feet hooked together at the ankle, while Ansel's sword point pressed just under the Adam's apple. A quick motion with the sword, and blood jetted upwards before subsiding to a quieter flow, the bandit's eyes taking on the glassy vacancy of death.
"Damn," said Ansel, looking away, as he stepped away from the last bandit. "Rather not do that again."
"It was necessary," said Duncan. "Couldn't let him go, you know."
"Yeah, well, I can still prefer to not do it when they're helpless, right?" said Ansel, his voice sounding a little angry.
"Of course," said Jynx. "Just remember--it was justice, not murder."
"Let's do something for them," said Ansel, wiping his blade clean.
Duncan said, "I'd like to have this one's armor."
"Go for it," said Jynx, "and then put them close."
Duncan stripped the studded leather armor, and put it on himself, and then they moved the three bodies together.
"Stand back," said Jynx, and when her companions were out of harm's range, she unleashed the arcane flames, which began to eagerly devour the dead. "Now, let's go."
The mood was somber for the rest of the journey to the wayfarer's station, and they made short work of getting the place secured for the night. The night seemed to pass quietly enough, at least until Jynx was awakened by a rhythmic creak-thump, and once lying awake in her bed, she recognized Warrick's voice unmistakably expressing pleasure.
"Keep it down," grumbled Jynx, not meaning to be quite so loud as to be overheard--or perhaps she had, she thought, indecisive between objecting to the racket and not objecting to companions finding comfort abed together, except perhaps for the fact that it wasn't her bed.
A masculine mumbled "sorry" and then the sound of bed-thumping paused, then resumed, followed by a groan that sounded like it had been half-muffled in a pillow, before the bed creaked, and some steps, indicating that the couple was splitting apart for separate beds for the remainder of the night.
The rest of the night had passed quietly, and then the group resumed their journey--this time reaching Silvar without further incident.
The guards greeted them at the gates again, inquiring about their intentions.
Ansel said, "Well, this lady here is sister to someone living in the city--imagine she's gonna want to stay. Rest of us are just here for the night."
"Who's your sister?" said the guard, looking at Warrick.
"Anastasia," replied Warrick, and Jynx noticed that the flirtatious flutter had returned.
"Ah, very good," said the guard, seeming not to notice the flirtation. "Go on, then."
Inside the gates, the group made the turn to head directly for Anastasia's shop.
"To think she was as close as that all along," said Warrick, "and you're so nice to have helped us get together."
"Least we could do," said Ansel, and Jynx thought she detected the slightest hint of red in his face.
Inside the shop, the two sisters squealed and embraced, their conversation seeming to be a spurt of catching up on all that had happened since they were separated. After a few moments of this, the six adventurers felt uncomfortably like intruders, and slipped out of the shop.
"I think it'd be a good time to go check out those 'records' at the mayor's," said Jynx. "Then we can go to the inn and figure where to go from here."
"I'd like to see if we find this bandit's fort," said Duncan. "Folk'd be a sight safer if that was taken out."
"We can talk about that tonight," said Ansel, "but I think she's right--let's go check over them records."
They walked down the street, passing the central park--almost sure that they heard humming despite the fact that most of the folk of Silvar weren't at the park at this hour. Jonathan, on the other hand, was in his office, and recognizing them, waved them off into the room with the records.