The Protector's Rest stood steadfast in the heart of the city of Morgrush. The Rest was the headquarters for the city's adventurers guild, and thus had become somewhat of a hub for hunters, sell swords, smiths, scollers and merchants. The large grey stone building was surrounded by a small outer wall fifty yards out, between which was perpetually filled with a few dozen wagons, hoping to get in on the business being drummed up by the The Rest.
Gideon dismounted at the entrance gate, at the small outer wall and handed the reigns to one of the guards. A young human with hair cut short, his sleeveless tunic as grey as the stone of the Rest itself, assured him that his and the rest of the horses are well kept and fed adiquitley in the stables around the side of the inner wall, well worth every penny of the eight copper the Halfling handed to him.
The Halfling could see why steeds were no longer allowed in the rest, he'd never seen the Rest so busy. Looking down from the roof, it would be difficult to see the cobbled walkway that led to grand entrance hall. The wagons nearest the outer wall sold grain, food and meats, although there were a lot of people in this area, not too many off them looked as though they were the typical clientèle of the Rest. However, as Gideon made his way closer to the main building, he could see more people who looked as though they knew how handle a difficult situation.
The wagons closest to the wall belonged to armourers and arms traders, the occasional smith at work out the back of a wagon. One Colossus girl sat cross-legged just next to the main path, she was sharpening a double sided axe whilst trying to brush off a heavily armoured dwarf who was insisting he could handle the weapon that had been designed specifically for a seven foot plus person.
Gideon squeezed his way through the throng of people, eventually making it to the open doors of the entrance hall. Adorning the high ceiling of the entrance hall were eight flags, one for each nation on the continent, the message was clear, all are welcome at the Protector's Rest.
To his right, he saw a small line of people queuing at the coffee bar, behind which an energetic goblin was pulling levers, turning gears and pouring water in what seemed like a blur to the aged paladin. To the right, four tables under a banner reading, 'Adventurer's Guild Registration.' Although not as busy as the rest of the hall, the half dozen soon-to-be adventurer's guild members were sat down over a couple of wooden tables intensely scribbling their details on to the provided paperwork. In the back corners either side were large staircases protected by a team of grey-clad guards.
To the back wall, another line for the large reception desk, manned by four staff members dressed in grey, they worked methodically in the shadow of a large portrait on the wall behind them.
Gideon looked at the portrait in amazement that it was still up. It had been around fifty years since he and his friends had to hold a pose for a week while one of Olorian's finest painters make sketch after sketch for reference. A few months later, the Rest's first receptionist, Tinks, unveiled the giant painting.
The Protectorate Under The Command of Gideon Tealeaf, depicted Gideon front and center, mid-sheathing his freshly cleaned sword. Next to him, Shakey Fizzlebang was awkwardly reloading her soul sucking gun whilst Hamish was just about to put on his mask, smoking pipe hanging from his mouth, his face tired. On the other side, Aramil was helping Salazar Mallar affix his chest plate and Pen was walking half dressed, his staff in one hand and robe in the other.
The painting didn't capture them in a heroic way, but it captured them preparing to do something heroic. Although he did not appreciate it at the time, as he grew older, the painting grew on him. No matter what heroic deed they did, be it killing demon princes, or ending generation long conflicts, it all started with them getting ready, he found the it humbling.
A bonny elf girl in a grey tunic, bounced over the distracted paladin near the centre of the entrance hall.
'Greetings, welcome to the Protector's Keep. Are you here for a job and are a registered member of the Adventurer's Guild?' She asked, in an upbeat and rehearsed manor.
'Is Pen around?' Gideon snapped out if his daze, looking up at the elf girl.
'Pen?' She cocked her head. 'Like for pigs?'
Gideon smiled, shaking his head. 'No, Pennance.' He pointed to the shirtless Tiefling in the giant painting. 'See him?'
'The skinny Teifling guy?.' She asked unsure, she'd been working here for a couple of months now and she'd had unusual questions but this was something else.
'Yeah him.' Gideon continued. 'He sent me a message to come here.'
'erm...that's not an enchanted painting.' She was so confused right now.
'Oh Gideon!' Called a familiar voice from the bottom of the nearby stairs. The guards parted making room for the elderly half-elf.
'Hamish, how's it going?' Gideon asked, closing the gap between them. They shook hands before Hamish pulled him in to a hug.
'I'm alright man.' Hamish patted his old friend on the back, it had been way too long. 'You here for Pen?'
'Yeah, came as soon as I got the message.' Gideon said taking a step back and looking closer at his old friend.
His face looked tired, but he was beaming. On his wrinkled forehead, a circlet of gold, a small amethyst stone in the centre. Hamish no longer wore his mask, that had long since become a symbol of peace for the Olorian people. His robes looked like they had been tailored by masters, however he could see they were fraying at the edges.
'Counsiler L'Asino, is he with you?' The elf girl asked, catching up with Gideon.
'Oh yes.' Hamish grabbing him and bringing him in for a shoulder to shoudler hug. 'This is Gideon Tealeaf, he's one of the founders.'
Her face dropped, turning a faint shade of red. 'Oh my god, I'm so sorry!'
'It's alright.' Gideon reassured her. 'I know I don't look as handsome as I used to.' Nodding to the painting.
'No it's not that!' Her face dropped, for a second time. 'Sorry it's just so many people.' She was taking deep breaths. 'And...and...I...er...'
'Hey, hey, Nicole, relax.' Hamish put a reassuring arm on her shoulder. Her breathing quickly returned to normal. 'I'm taking him up the the library, just mark him down in the log, alright?'
'Yes Counsellor.' She nodded and remained frozen as the two old friends made their way up the stairs.
'I'm such an idiot.' Nicole whispered to herself, before scribbling his name in the log book.
Pen sat at the central table staring blankly at the mountain of parchment scraps and empty coffee mugs. A couple dozen scraps were pinned to the nearby book shelves, with various words underlined.
Stir crazy is a term used to describe a mental breakdown due to incarceration, however since this had been a self imposed prolonged stay indoors, Pen only had himself to blame for his current state of stir-craziness. The library had slowly become off limits to outsiders as Pen increased his take over. His curiosity-turned-obsession had led him to turn the Celestial Fiction aisle into a make shift bedroom. At his demand, the Rest's guards made sure he had a constant supply of food, water and coffee.
Pen continued to stare at the paper filling the table until a clap broke his transfixion. The Teifling turned to the source of the sound, to his left Hamish, his arms lowering, and Gideon next to him.
'Oh! Gideon you made it.' Pen stated as matter of fact.
'It's nice to see you Pen.' Gideon paused for a moment taking in the sight of the dishevelled Tiefling. 'You actually look like shit.'
'Well it's nice to see...' Pen rose from his seat angrily.
'Pen, he's right.' Hamish interrupted.
Pen sat back down, leaned back and let out a long sigh. 'Yeah, he usually is.'
They remained in silence for a moment, before Gideon spoke up. 'Look, obviously you've been at work on this for a while. Maybe we should do this later?'
'It's OK, I can do this.' Pen rose to his feet, grabbing on the table's edge for support.
'You know about Baron Redbridges hoards?'
'That's what this is about?' Gideon's face had dropped. 'A bloody fairytale?!'
'It's not a fairy tale.' Pen stated bluntly, staring down the Halfling.
Gideon opened his mouth to retort, but threw out a hand. 'Go ahead.'