Jimmy hated Stonefishes. It certainly wasn't the inn he preferred, the Drunken Squirrel, but it did have certain 'services' that most respectable taverns did not support.
Jimmy hated the rickety crime ridden pier that the tavern was located on, he hated the stench of rotten seafood that washed over the air, he hated the grimy mugs and cutlery that the most likely disease ridden waitresses served with, and he especially loathed the dredges of Grom that patronized this place.
They were a dirty lot, murders, tieflings, half orcs, thieves, lowlifes, failed politicians, and even an adventurer or two. Unlike a proper tavern where people greeted newcomers with praise and cheer and everyone seemed to know your name, the people at this place kept to themselves, huddled in the corner or behind ratty veils in the tavern's various 'private' rooms, plotting their next criminal activity, or 'quest'.
Not so long ago Jimmy could have fitted in with this lot easily. In fact, he often did when following his mentor Martinez and his partners Raoul, Lady Stille, and Sir Jose. They would often meet at places like this for information about a demon, or following up a tip about some rare tome or text which often leaded to demons. While he was fully immersed in the criminal culture as a child, Jimmy did not feel a part of it. Back then he was there mainly on circumstance. He wasn't a criminal, he was someone trying to do the right thing.
Today however Jimmy loathed himself for stepping foot into that seedy dock tavern. He could no longer claim innocence anymore, because he was a full-fledged criminal now. He had engaged in extortion, robbery, and even murder. Though he always rationalized to himself that his victims deserved it, that he was only preying on the 'wolves' so to speak, deep down he knew he wasn't better than any of the scum here that he used to look down upon. There was no getting around it in his head, not only was he a criminal, he belonged to a criminal organization, was on an errand for a dwarven mob boss, and was even escorting the mob boss' daughter. He had truly become what he had most despised.
"So this is the legendary Stonefishes," commented Chloe as she surveyed the bar. While the stench hung like a mist around the place, the young girl didn't seem to mind it. "I think Hoaglie's Bar and Rib Grill is a classier place."
Jimmy shrugged in agreement. Hoaglie's headquarters wasn't much better if you measured it solely by criminal activity, but it had a measure of respectability about it at least. It actually attempted to resemble a legitimate business instead of wallowing in depravity like Stonefishes.
"So what's up with all these crooks running their businesses in bars? You'd think a cellar or even a dimensional portal would be less obvious," asked Chloe as Jimmy lead them into the infamous bar.
"I think it's mostly tradition. Though I must admit, many murders do take place here and the local constabulary can do nothing about it, because they blame it on the classic bar fight excuse. Also, while some of the 'guilds' do place themselves in sewers, caves, cellars, and even the dimensional portals that you mentioned, there's a bit of prestige about operating one's less that legal business activity in something so public and foreboding."
"Hmm, that makes sense. When I become guild mistress, I'm going to open up a bakery, maybe I'll even throw my victims in my pies," giggled Chloe morbidly.
Jimmy ignored her as he entered the bar, his eyes quickly sweeping and judging the patrons. There were four groups, and two loners, not counting the Gonziga the oily half orc bartender, seemingly a permanent fixture to this place, and a lithe dark elf waitress attired in a tattered skin tight black silk ensemble more suitable for the underdark than an urban setting. Two of the groups had members wearing heavy armour and were most likely adventurers. Another group was quite lively, it consisted of an obese man and some others wearing foreign clothes, mostly likely sailors, Vinraji if Jimmy got the accent right. The last group were hooded with dark and even reddish skin, Jimmy didn't even need to look for scales but he guessed they were Tieflings. One of the strangers was a tall bearded man with a staff. He was wearing a matching grey robe and pointed hat, and screamed of someone that was in search of someone to recruit for a quest. The last man was simply sipping his most likely watered down beer. He was dressed as a workman, but Jimmy could see leather bulging out from his clothes, and while the man's gaze didn't settle on him, it glanced at him long enough for Jimmy to make a note of the man.
"Do you and the….missus…need a table or a room?" asked the dark elf with a low seductive accent.
Jimmy ignored her and made his way to the bar.
The greasy half orc gave him a broken smile as he nodded. "James. It's been a while."
"I'm looking for Martinez," said Jimmy bluntly. He threw some coin towards Gonziga before the half orc could even begin his banter. "Alive."
Gonziga snorted at Jimmy even as he scooped up the coins. While Jimmy could never confirm it, it was popular belief that Gonziga was the 'Stonefish'. If you needed information in Grom, this was the place to barter for it and Gonziga was the man to talk to. "Besides the fact that Martinez can make himself more invisible than say…..even the infamous James the Blade, your old boss hasn't been seen around these parts for a few years now I reckon. Somethin about a failed romance. Trying to bed a lady above his station."
"Hey, that's Jimmy's story," giggled Chloe. Jimmy shot her a withering gaze which quickly silenced the girl.
"Well, I doubt anyone can find him, but I'll spread the word to the Grey Jesters, the Krakens, Crossed blades, White Shield, Horned Shadow, and even the Teamsters," said Gonziga. The big half orc motioned towards Chloe with his round scraggly chin, indicating he either suspected or knew of Chloe's station amongst the underworld.
"I have a single chunk of sky jink if someone can bring him back to me alive, or give me information so I can do the deed myself."
Chloe looked confused at first but then she looked at Jimmy with awe. "An Astral diamond? That's a fair bit of change."
"Aye, that should get the hounds on Martinez's scent," chuckled Gonziga. " Are you tired of living under his shadow? You two going to have it out? You two didn't part on the best of terms if I recall."
Jimmy shook his head, but the half orc was right, at least partially. If Martinez didn't want to give up the blade, was he capable enough to take it from him. The sword by itself was formidable enough, even in the hands of a novice. Jimmy didn't even want to think of what it could do in Martinez's hands. Though he had Chloe for spell support and the blade was a bit heavier than his mentor was used to, maybe that would give him the edge. Martinez had Rina as well, but he didn't think she would matter much when trouble started, that is if she hadn't wised up by now and left him.
"Pull up a seat for a bit. I'll get my urchins and touts on this right away. Something's gotta bite with an Astral diamond as a prize."
Jimmy and Chloe attempted to pick a clean table, but when that failed they simply picked the least filthy one to sit at while Gonziga waddled to the back room.
"Horned Shadow? Who the hell are the guys? I've heard of the Kraken and the Crossed Blades, those are our main competition. I think White Shields is a local guild, and Grey Jesters are more mercenaries than rogues, but who the hell are the Horned Shadow?" asked Chloe when they were out of earshot of anyone.
Jimmy shrugged. "We've crossed paths, but they're mostly harmless. They specialize in trading with ….well lower planar travellers. Grom City is a popular trading center, and not just in this plane of existence. With the….blessing….of the Demon King, lower planar creatures do business here, but not out in the open obviously. The Horned Shadow act as a kind of middleman to the goods above, as well as specializing in planar currency exchange, especially for those underworld denizens that don not have shape changing capabilities."
Chloe turned a bit pale. "umm…like Larvae sellers…." She said, almost gagging at the thought of the three foot human faced worms that demons used as currency.
"They deal mostly in gold, but yes some larvae selling is done there."
"Uggh…let's just stay away from them. Those worm faces give me the chills, especially when they cry for help."
Jimmy nodded in agreement. While as a Demon hunter, he had slain the most powerful of demons, the lowly worm like demon Larvae were still amongst the most repulsive and vile of that species. While the bar was certainly just as repulsive, the drinks had improved a bit since the last time Jimmy dared to drink here, and the waitress, while certainly not Jimmy's type, had a seductive charm to her as she sauntered back and forth across the bar.
"Was that one of Prince Vleda's servants?" asked Chloe after they had settled down a bit.
"Possibly, though I didn't get a good look. It was strange," responded Jimmy as he recalled what he thought to be the old man in yellow robes that appeared out of nowhere in front of them earlier.
"Like you wanted to run, but in an orderly fashion?"
"Yeah, something like that. Anyways, if Vleda wanted to rob us, he would have done so at the fishing village, not way out here in Grom City. "
"Maybe one of his boys had an ulterior motive?"
"Maybe, but we'll worry about that later. He didn't technically attack us, he just said some mumbo jumbo and then left. We have other concerns currently."
"We should check out some other bars than this one if the weapon shops are closed," suggested Chloe."I don't know if your drunk buddy stole the sword or not, but that's where he's gonna be, and that's where we're gonna have to do some of the rough stuff."
"You know, I've been thinking."
"Uh oh," chuckled Chloe.
"I'm serious. Maybe Martinez simply stole the sword out of the case out of my bag of holding thinking it has something valuable in it. Maybe he didn't steal the whole bag because that would be too noticeable…"
Chloe swatted Jimmy and clipped him on the head. He could have dodged but he knew he deserved that.
"Stop making excuses for your buddy," hissed Chloe. "The sword's gone and your old master's gone. He probably dragged poor Rina into the old mess as well because she doesn't know any better. If he wanted to steal gold, well he coulda have simply robbed us blind. Actually he could rob anyone blind. If he could pickpocket a sword case out of a bag holding, taken the blade, and then returned the case back to you, then he could have picked some less dangerous merchants to make a few coins on instead."
"Well, maybe the sword simply teleported to Martinez, possessed him, and then …"
Martinez stopped before Chloe swung again. He sounded ridiculous. If the sword had that kind of power Chloe or himself would have been possessed a while ago. He simply sat back in his seat while she drove the cart towards the noble quarters. The fact there weren't screams or people yelling about some crazed sword wielding lunatic meant that the blade was still literally under wraps by Chloe's enchantments and they had time to find him and Rina. While Martinez might have stolen the sword, they agreed that he wasn't cunning enough to lie low and would simply sell it at first opportunity.
"Okay, okay. I get it," sighed Jimmy. "Hopefully one of Stonefishes' informants gives us a lead. We confront Martinez and retrieve the sword, violently if need be. After that, we can go about our business."
"You're not going to hold back are you? Just cuz its your old buddy?"
"I said, violently if need be," stated Jimmy flatly. While he did not wish ill on Martinez, his master was far past his prime. He was a drunk now, possessed by shadow demons and possibly by a homicidal sword. If his master saw himself now five years ago, he would be begging to be put down.
Chloe was all smiles. "That's what I want to hear."
As Jimmy and Chloe chatted, the dark elf waitress practically slithered across the bar towards them. "More drinks or perhaps you are interested in something else," she asked as she leaned towards them her head inches from Jimmy while practically knocking Chloe over with her breasts.
"No thanks," said Jimmy as he stared into her oval violet eyes. While he recognized the proposition for what it was, he wasn't interested. Though this dark elf was certainly pretty and exotic enough for his tastes, he was running low on cure disease potions and he never mixed business with pleasure. Perhaps after Martinez and the sword were dealt with he could take her up on the offer.
"I'll sample whatever you have to offer," piped Chloe as she ducked her head to the side.
The dark elf ignored her and leaned closed to Jimmy. "Martinez isn't the only one with a bounty on his head," she whispered before she pulled back and slapped Jimmy across the face.
Jimmy saw the slap coming, but he didn't stop it even though he found it hard to admit the proper phrase was that he couldn't. He wasn't sure if the statement caught him by surprise or she was simply that fast.
"Nothings free here sugar," she declared loudly before storming off, leaving Jimmy still stunned from the blow.
"Hrrmm, that's one picky whore," sniffed Chloe as she waved a small sack of coins towards her to no avail. "You'd think she be a bit more open to women in her profession."
Jimmy rubbed his cheek, but he got the gist of what was going on. He motioned Chloe to follow him but was met at the door by the man that was attempting to appear not to be watching him earlier.
"You're James the Blade aren't you? "
"I've been called that."
"I was expecting someone more dolled up, but it doesn't matter. Handle's Gutter, and some say I'm pretty good too. Might even be faster and better than you," he said as he patted his rapier hanging loosely at his side.
Jimmy rolled his eyes. From the warning he expected Ulfie's boys and not some wannabe duelist. Unlike his opponent he had no visible weapons but it didn't matter. From the way he walked, and the way he carried himself he knew he was way better than this Gutter fellow. He was about to dismiss the man, when he noticed one of the band of adventurers he noticed earlier, began to take positions around them. Jimmy quickly glanced and counted a heavily armoured man slowly moving towards them, an archer or perhaps a ranger behind a table, a woman in black robes directly behind them, and an old man with a tonsure gripping an iron symbol hid behind the armoured warrior. The other group and the sailors appeared oblivious to the situation, while the tieflings and the old recruiter had left earlier.
"Look, let's drop this fake Western Freehold dueling banter," said Jimmy as motioned a signal to Chloe. "I'm in a hurry, and don't have time for this nonsense."
"Well, I think it's about time Gutter makes some tim…"
Gutter was in mid motion to draw his weapon but before the would be duelist finished, Jimmy flicked his wrists, dropping an impossibly hidden rapier into his right hand and a dagger into his left. He slashed at the man stylish weapon belt, severing it and dropping it clattering to the ground. He then gave the man a full on kick to the jaw, knocking him senseless, as he foolishly reached down to retrieve his weapon even as he spun around to face his other attackers ready to throw his dagger.
Chloe had already begun to warp the wooden boards of the tavern, causing the dead wood to burst with life. Tough sprout, shoots, and vines grabbed one of the heavily armored warriors, entangling his limbs.
Before the archer could loose an arrow, Jimmy threw the dagger and caught the man off guard. His aim was true, and it embedded in the man's throat.
Jimmy prepared to dive out of the way, ready for the magical onslaught that was to come. He would have threw his dagger at the sorceress instead but he reasoned that if she was competent she would have wards up against a simple dagger, and that if she wasn't he wouldn't have to worry about it. Instead of a magical attack, the woman in the black robes silently fell to the ground with a stunned look on her face. Crackling motes of energy shot out of her back, bathing the waitress that stood behind her with a bloodied scimitar in hand. While the energy destroyed a bar stool and several glasses, the waitress seemed unaffected by the magical display.
As quick as it began it was over. Chloe moved next to the entangle man, growing large claws on her hand and placing them playfully on his head to stop his struggles, the woman in black robes and the archer were dead or dying, Gutter was clearly unconscious in need of false teeth, while the man with the tonsure was too stunned to make a move.
"Err…I'm not with these fellows," said the man with the tonsure as he scurried out of the bar.
"Well that was disappointing. I was expecting to unwind a bit," sighed Chloe. While she didn't kill the armoured warrior, she did help herself out to his change purse.
"We should leave before more come," said the dark elf waitress, even as white hair turned to a dirty blonde, her skin changed to a lighter shade, and her ears became less pointed. Even her distinct purple eyes changed to a stark sky blue. He noted that they were slightly slanted like the people from the Emerald throne or one of the great Khanates.
Jimmy did not want to argue her command, but he did have to pull Chloe off the Gutter's allies as she picked through them for loot.
"That's quite impressive for a waitress," said Jimmy as he followed their mysterious benefactor, deeper into the streets of Grom.
"I'm pretty multitalented but then you have to be in my line of work," replied the woman. " Besides being a waitress, I've also been known to work as a Maid."