Chapter 10
As the companions walked up to the Griffonwatch, the great granite keep of the Hulmaster family, Treks was amazed by the grandeur of the place. It was efficiently built to guard the whole populace through a siege yet it was carved exquisitely. The building was build against the cliffs at the rear of the town, yet it was a challenge to not notice the keep. The gray granite building, spanning across multiple floors and the high outer walls offered a sense of justice. The Dragonborn had never before seen such a sight. The tribe he had been raised in lived off the land. Everything he knew of hunting he learned from his tribe's chief. He was happy there; he considered every dragonborn as family. He never thought that he would leave, but after what he saw…
He shook his head, clearing these ugly thoughts. They were approaching the guards that were stationed outside the keep. Now was the time for Treks to be focused.
"Good day!" Orion called cheerily. "We come bearing news. We have put a stop to the plundering of local tombs. May we request an audience with Lady Kara Hulmaster?"
"No," was all the guard said. He offered no explanation, no follow up, but Orion stood patiently awaiting the guards next words. It was clear to the rest of the group that the guard was trying to get rid of them, but Orion just waited. After a long awkward silence, the guard started fidgeting nervously. Treks smiled, noting the similar way Vivificus fidgeted. He wondered if Vivificus would ever grow accustomed to the deva. Treks didn't mind Orion or his ways. Treks enjoyed the silence.
"Well, will she be available later?" Godric finally asked. The young druid wasn't bothered by the stoic deva, but she wasn't sure how comfortable her mother had gotten with Orion and didn't want Lafayette to snap. Godric doubted that Griffonwatch would survive Lafayette's temper, let alone Orion.
The guard was grateful for the interruption. "Not today, perhaps tomorrow. The captain of the Shieldsworn has her duties."
"Perhaps?" Orion asked. "We have a pressing matter that requi-"
"Pressing?" The guard interrupted rudely. "You did a job that the Harmach did not view pressing enough to assign the Shieldsworn. You will be granted a council when there is nothing more pressing happening to this town."
"But we found these scrolls," Lafayette started to say as Vivificus fell into a coughing fit, cutting the sorceress off midsentence. Lafayette spent enough time with the swordmage to know that he had no need for this; Vivificus simply did not see it wise to let out information of the scrolls yet. She fell silent, allowing the deva to speak once more.
"Then we shall return tomorrow to check in." He said simply. "If the chance arises, please inform Lady Kara that we have returned from our journey with news. We shall be staying at The World's End Tavern, owned by Bloody Jackie." With that, the warlord turned and headed back towards town, his companions close behind him.
***
"What did you do with my horses, you asses?" was the greeting the group received before they were finished passing through the door to Jackie's tavern. It was early afternoon, but already there was an assortment of townsfolk congregated, drinking away their sorrows. Such was life in ever rainy Hulberg.
Godric stared at the tavern keeper, her mouth wide open in shock. "How did you know we lost them?" she asked incredulously.
Jackie turned to face Godric. As she moved forward, limping around the bar, she descended upon the party the way vultures descend on carrion. "You'd be amazed at the things I know, Godric." The druid had no response, surprised that Jackie even knew her name. Lafayette stepped in-between her daughter and the intimidating red haired woman, who was unpredictable and perhaps dangerous as far as Lafayette could tell. She would protect her daughter from anyone, no matter how threatening they may seem. Lafayette's eyes caught Jackie and all those sitting around the bar looked over. The silent stare down between the two strong females made the light hearted room's spirit dampen, until Jackie scoffed at the sorceress, deeming her unworthy of precious time, and turned her attention back to Orion. "I asked where my horses are."
Orion looked at the barkeep, unflinching. "We were attacked by goblins and the horses ran off, fearing for their lives. You'll be relieved to hear that we all survived, unharmed." The deva replied.
Jackie starred down at the deva. She did not appreciate his attitude. Vivificus took this opportunity to intercede. The deva moved back, recognizing that dealing with people like this was more the swordmage's forte.
"How much for the horses," Vivificus asked. "We returned with two of the five, as I'm sure you already know." He knew not how Jackie got her information, but he had deep respect for her talent.
Jackie rubbed her chin, seemingly deep in thought. "Well, there's actually a job you could do for me instead, as payment." Vivificus smirked, knowing that this favor was planned out in advance. Probably even before they returned to town, Jackie knew she would be asking this of them. The lost horses were just the excuse she needed. He nodded at Jackie to continue.
"There are rumors of a treasure hidden in the sewers that run underneath my tavern and the majority of this town. I've sent some after this treasure, but they've always returned empty handed, or not at all… well that's not important!" Orion sighed mentally as Jackie spoke. Of course, money, what else could it be for someone like this? "Useless, the lot of them," Jackie continued. "When you're ready, you can enter the sewers from the entryway in my storage room." Without so much as waiting for agreement, Jackie returned to her bar. She had customers to serve, after all and even with all the magic in this world, no one mixed a drink better than Bloody Jackie.
***
The group heard nothing from the Harmach for the next couple days, despite Orion returning daily. The deva doubted that his message was ever given to Kara, she did not seem the type to ignore the people of her town.
Regardless, the group spent the next few days preparing for their "favor" to Jackie. They replenished the necessities and shopped around at Mirya Erstenwold's shop. Mirya was a very busty woman who gave more attention to the male's than was truly necessary. She was especially friendly to Treks, and the flirty woman obviously had an impact on the blushing Dragonborn, who had bought a French horn from the woman before he knew what was happening.
At the same shop, Godric surprised Lafayette by purchasing her an elegant necklace, claiming it was a thank you for allowing them to continue adventuring. Lafayette was light headed with delight as she clasped it around her neck, not because of its beauty, but because she knew that this necklace would end up being one of her most prized possessions. She did manage to keep her serious demeanor around the others, however. Her vulnerable side was not one she liked showing.
Orion returned to Bloody Jackie's that night, noticing three horses that looked suspiciously like the ones they had lost tied up in the stables. He did not feel like being alone this eve. He knew that Godric and Lafayette were off doing mother-daughter activities and Vivificus was who knows where, Orion didn't truly care. He knocked on Treks' door, sticking his head into the room to find the barbarian sitting on his bed, polishing his sword with pride.
"Feel like a drink, Treks?" Orion asked in draconic, catching Treks' attention easily. Treks nodded happily, standing and heading downstairs with the deva with his sword still in hand. Treks thought that perhaps he had found his new family after all.
Throughout the course of the night, Treks downed multiple jugs of ale, while Orion sat at the table with his one glass of pinot grigio untouched. Treks wasn't sure if Orion drank, but he didn't care, he was happy for the company tonight. The two of them traded stories. Treks' favorite was when Orion told him of the time the deva spent with dragonborns, worshiping the platinum dragon Bahamut. The dragon pantheon always fascinated Treks, even though the barbarian had not decided upon a faith of his own.
At one point, as Treks attempted to stand to order another drink, he stumbled, catching himself on the table. A concerned Orion asked if he needed to step outside to get some air. Treks agreed, and gladly took Orion's help leading him outside.
As the duo passed into a familiar alleyway, they were not alone. Matthias, the roughneck that Vivificus had battled with a few days ago stood waiting, watching them with angry eyes. His hands absently played with the chain that was wrapped around his hands and he ran through the orders that were given to him one more time. He was told that the item he needed to steal would be on the deva's person. He rummaged through Orion's room hours before and having found nothing in the room, he agreed. From what he was observed about the group and their personality, he couldn't see Orion letting any others hold onto these precious items.
He wished that Vivificus' would have had what he was after, he would have loved to pay back the scarred eladrin for picking a fight with him in the alley a couple nights before, but he would have to take pleasure in dealing with the Dragonborn that had jumped him for now.
***
"Look!" Godric exclaimed, pointing down the road. "Treks and Orion are outside." The two were returning from their own bonding experience. Lafayette was surprised to see the two of them outside and wondered what was wrong with the Dragonborn, he did not look well. She had not seen much of Treks in these couple of days, instead spending the majority of her time with Godric and Vivificus. She had been wondering when their adventures would start once more, but she was happy delaying as much as possible. Godric was safe as long as they were in town together.
Godric started to yell out a greeting, but gasped when she saw two men jump out from the alleyway. The tall one pushed Orion down and the deva fell into a mudpile, while the shorter one jumped on Treks' back. The barbarian swung quickly, throwing the small man from his back. He landed, sliding across the pavement.
"Go, go!" The tall one yelled running by his friend who was scrambling to his feet. "We got what we need!" By the time Godric and Lafayette got up to the bar, the two of them were long gone.
"What happened?" Godric asked, helping Orion stand.
Orion patted his pockets, checking his belongings. "They took my coin purse." The deva said scowling. "Damn thugs." He rummaged through his bag, making sure nothing else was missing. His Morningstar and shield were attached to his person as they should be, rations, a healing kit, some bandages. Everything appeared as it should except for, he rummaged through his bag a second time to make sure, and let out a long sigh.
"The scrolls are gone." He said, rubbing his forehead
"What!" Godric yelled. "You said it was imperative that we show those to Lady Kara! What if Bane's followers get them now? Everything we did would be for naught!" Godric rambled, fear evident in her voice.
The four were interrupted from a cackling behind them. They turned to see Jackie standing in the doorway, a smile spread across her face.
"You aren't very careful. Don't you know what this town is like at night?" She taunted.
"Please, not now." Orion said, his patience thin.
"No, now is the only time." Jackie yelled, walking out. "You have been delaying long enough, you need to do what I asked of you!"
"Jackie, please," Orion started to ask, but the tavern keeper reached out, grasping Orion by his ear. The warlord's eyes widened as Jackie marched back into her shop, dragging the deva with her. She marched behind the bar, passed a mystified Vivificus who was ordering at drink, and opened the hatch that lead down to her cellar.
"You'll find it, somewhere down there." She said as she pushed Orion down the hole, Orion wondering if she meant the scrolls or her treasure. He fell a couple of feet, landing hard on his back, staring up at the angry barkeep. Godric hurried down the ladder, Treks close behind. Vivificus had a smile on his face as he climbed down, chuckling under his breath at Jackie's display with Orion.
"How are we supposed to find it?" Orion called up.
"You look." Jackie asked. She dropped what looked like a stick down after. "Take this torch with you."
Orion caught the everlasting torch in his hand. He knew enough about these to know that it required an activation word to light. He started to ask what the word was, but the hatch slammed close behind them. Orion knew better than to not attempt to go back up there.
"Well." Lafayette said calmly. "She is a bitch."
With that last word, the torch in Orion's hand lit. How fitting. He turned down the dark tunnel, wondering what they would find awaiting them.