The junior partners of the Gold Goblin were successful in increasing business to the gambling hall and received an extra five gold to their usual payment. While it wasn't too much, it was enough to incentivise most of the group to work harder.
During the afternoon of the next day, Sarek was at the Goblin's Tankard, enjoying a cold drink before the Gold Goblin opened. One of the servers approached him to let him know that Saul wanted to meet him in his office. The sorcerer finished his drink and made his way upstairs. When he entered Saul's office, he wasn't surprised to find the rest of his companions present.
"Sorry to keep everyone waiting," Sarek said with a smile. "Did something happen?"
"I'm afraid so," Saul answered and frowned. "All of you can have the night off. I need you to do something. I'm afraid that something might have happened to Larur."
Madia gasped. "Really?"
"He was supposed to be at the Gold Goblin three hours ago," Saul explained. "Larur has always made it to work on time and I fear the reason why he's been delayed is because of a task I sent him on last night."
"And what task was that?" Ryland questioned, frowning.
"The truth of the matter is that I had to take several loans from moneylenders to finance the Gold Goblin's refurbishment," Saul revealed. "I've been struggling to pay the gold I owe back until recently. I sent Larur with the largest payment yet to Lymas Smeed but I haven't heard back from him since. When I sent someone to his home, they told me the front door was already open and his flat was robbed."
"That's terrible," Keya shook her head, not pleased by the new development. "Larur's been good to all of us."
"That he has," Sarek nodded. "It sounds to me like we need to pay Lymas Smeed a visit?"
"You can say that again," Belar said and cracked his knuckles. "Maybe we'll get him to drop this debt."
Tess frowned. "I agree we should visit Smeed but we shouldn't rule out that maybe one of the gangs in Riddleport made him a target."
"Perhaps," Saul said with a sigh. "But I've unfortunately heard rumors that Smeed works for Clegg Zincher. This could be him trying to drive me out of Riddleport."
"We'll find out," Keya said, determined.
"What does this moneylender live at?" Sarek asked.
"Rat Street," Saul answered. "It's the townhouse with 'Rat Street Loans' sign hanging above the front door. You can't miss it."
"Let's not waste any time," Ryland said, stepping out of the office without waiting to hear from the others.
Sarek and the other junior partners left with Saul nodding in approval. It wasn't right to call Larur a friend since none of them knew him personally but he treated all of the employees at the Gold Goblin well. No one wanted anything bad to happen to the floor manager, and if something had, they would ensure that whoever was responsible would pay.
Although Sarek hoped Larur lived, he had to be realistic. Anyone who disappeared in Riddleport often met a tragic end.
The group didn't have much problem finding the two-story townhouse but getting inside was another issue. Any moneylender in Riddleport invested in security given how dangerous the business was and Lymas Smeed was no exception. Both the front door and the back door were secured. The sign said only someone with an appointment was allowed in, and with the front door having a slot covered by metal, Lymas would be able to check who any visitors were before opening the door.
Even though it was unlikely to work, Lymas letting the group in was their first chance. Sarek knocked at the door three times and waited. Tess stood by his side and Belar leaned against the wall next to the door since he wasn't tall enough for the slot. Keya, Ryland, and Madia had circled around the townhouse to see what their options were for the backdoor.
After several seconds of waiting, the metal behind the slot slid away, revealing a pair of piggish blue eyes with the left one having a sty.
"Good day, sir," Sarek greeted. "We-"
"I recognize you!" Lymas declared behind the safety of his walls. "You and the elf work for Saul!"
"We just want to talk," Tess quickly said.
"No way! I know what this is! Tell Saul that what he owes me is gonna double if he sends you and any other thugs to my place again!"
And with that, Lymas slammed the covering shut to end the conversation before anyone else could get a word in.
"Told you knocking on the front door wasn't going to work," Belar shrugged.
"Always best to try the easiest option to see if it works," Sarek said. "Come on."
Sarek didn't want to risk Lymas eavesdropping on them so he was careful not to say where they were headed to. The trio walked around the alley between the townhouse and the neighboring building to join the rest of the group at the back door. When they turned around the corner, Keya was busy trying to break through the door's lock with a lockpick while Madia whispered words of encouragement. Sarek was glad Keya took the initiative to begin their backup plan. Ryland leaned against the door, one hand holding his sword and the other holding a piece of cloth.
"I found this among the rubbish," Ryland held the cloth.
Tess gasped when she and the others recognized what it was. "Larur…"
Sarek couldn't help but frown at the realization that the green cloak Ryland carried belonged to Larur. It was covered in cut marks and blood that had yet to dry. It was obvious that the floor manager had been killed and that Lymas was careless in removing the evidence. Even though they had evidence to bring back to Saul about Larur's fate, Keya still tried to pick the lock into Lymas' home without any objections from Ryland or Madia.
Truth be told, Sarek didn't mind that at all.
"And we're through," Keya declared, standing up to open the door. "Let's rough up Smeed and see what he has to say for himself."
"Is that necessary?" Tess asked, the only one in the group who thought twice about breaking and entering. "As unfortunate as it may be, attacking Lymas won't bring Larur back."
"But it might convince him to drop the debt and send a message back to his boss," Belar told Tess, stepping inside after Keya. "Saul would like that."
"There's nothing we can do to stop the others," Sarek said. "Best we can do is make sure that they don't get carried away."
The group entered the townhouse to find themselves in a kennel. Sarek was caught by surprise to see Lymas in the room, tending to a baboon of all animals. This was the first time they met the moneylender in person and Sarek wasn't too surprised that he wasn't too appealing of a man. His beard was patchy and his forehead was covered in sweat. Lymas gasped when he finally noticed the group and pulled out a scimitar by his side.
"Get them, Otsk!"
The baboon screeched and it became apparent that it had been trained by Lymas. While it was an odd choice for a guard animal, Sarek knew that Otsk's sharp fangs would draw blood if the baboon bit someone. Belar ran after the baboon, trying his best to punch out the animal.
"This is for Larur!" Keya called out and ran at Lymas.
Although the half-elf tried to strike him with her shortsword, the most peculiar thing occurred when Lymas raised his scimitar to block the attack. The two blades pushed off of each other before they met. Sarek wondered if this was one of Lymas' tricks but saw the surprise in the moneylender. The sorcerer heard that the blot in the sky was acting funny throughout the days but he didn't expect something like this.
"I think those swords are magnetized," Sarek called out. "Maybe all metal is right now."
"Noted," Ryland said before rushing to join in the battle.
When Ryland moved to strike, he was careful to keep his blade away from both Keya and Lymas' swords. He struck true across the moneylender's thigh, earning a gasp of pain from the man. Sarek had no need to worry about the blot's magic and simply blasted Lymas with a missile of arcane energy that knocked the breath out of his air. Lymas looked throughout the fight for some opportunity, but when he moved to strike Keya, she blocked with her magnetized shortsword. Madia struck him across the knee, and when he fell, he saw Tess knock Otsk out with a swing of her quarterstaff.
Lymas raised both of his hands and dropped his scimitar to the ground.
"I surrender!"
"You have a lot to pay for, Smeed," Keya said and pressed the edge of her sword to his neck.
"Tell Saul that he doesn't owe me anything!" Lymas told her, panicking. "His debt is wiped clean!"
"We don't care about that debt anymore," Keya growled.
"You killed Larur," Belar advanced on the man.
"What?" Larur gasped.
"Show him the cloak, Ryland," Sarek said. "Maybe that'll remind him."
Larur held out the blood stained cloak. "You stand accused of murdering Larur Feldin, What do you say in your defense, Lymas Smeed?"
"I'm not a killer!" Lymas claimed while shedding tears. "I loan gold out to people! I don't know who Larur is!"
"He came to visit you last night to pay off part of Saul's debt," Madia told Lymas with a frown. "Lying won't get you anywhere."
"I'm not lying!"
"Maybe you didn't kill Larur but you're not innocent in his death," Keya shook her head. "It was one of Clegg Zincher's thugs who did the deed. You just made it possible."
"W-what?!" Lymas gasped. "I work for Croat, not Smeed!"
Sarek was surprised to see Ryland place his hand on Keya's forearm and even more shocked by what he had to say. "He isn't lying."
"Do you really think that?" Keya rolled her eyes. "You found Larur's cloak."
"That I did," Ryland nodded. "Yet I've looked into his eyes and watched his face. He hasn't lied to us. Lymas Smeed is innocent of Larur's death. Put your weapon away."
"I'm going to need more than your word to believe that," Keya snapped at Ryland.
"I don't," Tess said, stepping up. "I won't stand by and watch you kill this man, guilty or not."
"Keya, you might be going too far," Madia told her friend. "We don't gain anything from killing him."
Sarek crossed his arms but remained silent. He was of the opinion that there wasn't anything further to be gained. The sorcerer hadn't decided on if Lymas was innocent of Larur's death. It could be possible he was or it could be that someone tossed the floor manager's cloak outside of his home. There was too much to consider and he didn't think killing him was an option.
Keya looked to Belar for support but the dwarf shrugged. She sighed and pushed Lymas to the ground with a frown. Another second later and she holstered her sword, letting out a breath. Ryland nodded in approval and sheathed his own blade, letting go of Keya. The moneylender remained on the ground, groveling silently for his life.
"Belar, Madia, search the rest of his house," Keya ordered. "If you don't find anything, then maybe he's telling the truth."
The dwarf and halfling set about their task, heading further into the townhouse. Sarek thought about whether they would find any evidence linking Lymas to Larur's death, but seeing the man on the ground, he didn't think they would find anything.
The group returned to the Gold Goblin after Belar and Madia's search turned up without any evidence. Ryland told the group that they wouldn't loot anything and no one thought to object. Sarek couldn't be sure but he thought that Ryland didn't take breaking and entering a man's home lightly, a suspicion that was confirmed when he left the rest of the partners to pray to Iomedae for forgiveness. As such, he was absent when the others reported to Saul in his office.
Sarek and Keya didn't leave out any detail for their short investigation and offered up Larur's cloak as proof that the floor manager was gone. Although Saul wasn't sure of Lymas' innocence, he was relieved to hear that the moneylender was dropping his debt. He clasped his remaining hand over where his key met his arm, contemplating Larur's death.
"We can't spend anymore time looking into this," Saul finally declared. "As sad as it may be, our business must continue. It's what Larur would have wanted."
"We're going to need a new floor manager," Belar pointed out.
Both Sarek and Keya perked their heads up at Belar's words. The two both came to the realization that they were the best suited to replace Larur. It was tragic to think about taking his spot so soon after his death, but as Saul said, business must continue. Sarek glanced toward Keya before looking back at their boss. Both of them had contributed to the Gold Goblin's success and went beyond what was expected of them. A promotion would mean that he wouldn't be a greeter with Samaritha but he thought that she would be happy to hear of his success.
Ultimately, the decision came down to Saul's preference and he pointed out Larur's replacement.
"I'm naming you the Gold Goblin's new floor manager, Sarek."
The sorcerer grinned. "You won't regret this."
"Damn," Keya muttered under her breath.
"Don't worry, Keya," Saul reassured the half-elf. "I've also decided to make all of you, along with Ryland when he's done praying, full partners of the Gold Goblin. This comes with a raise, and if you work for me for another year or so, I'll cede ownership of this fine establishment to all of you for your service."
Belar whistled. "Good call, boss."
"That works for you, right Keya?" Madia asked.
Keya's disappointment faded away and she smiled. "I guess so. I won't complain about making more gold.
Tess smiled at Sarek to congratulate him silently before turning back to Saul. "Are you sure about passing over ownership to us?"
"The success of the Gold Goblin depends on new blood instead of an old man like me," Saul told Tess. "I won't leave Riddleport without changing it for the better but I need to consider retirement. Now, I won't keep you from enjoying the rest of your night any longer. Go out and have fun."
"Don't mind if I do," Keya grinned. "Anyone down for a game of Skiffs?"
"Sure!" Madia cheered with Belar nodding.
"You go on without me," Tess told the others. "I need to focus on my research into the blot and see if there is a connection between it and the magnetism we faced earlier today at Lymas' house."
"You do that," Sarek said. "I'll try to catch up with someone after I check in with Samaritha. She'll want to hear about what happened."
With Saul nodding in approval, his full partners left his office. Sarek didn't think too much about Larur's mysterious death for long. He knew that even though Lymas didn't have anything to do with it, someone else had to. Yet there was no point trying to investigate without a lead. For now, Sarek would enjoy his new promotion and responsibilities. If the others had an idea on how else to investigate, he would listen to them, but so far, no one else had a plan yet.
Sarek wasn't keen on how he became floor manager, but now, he wanted to see how far he could go at the Gold Goblin.
A/N: I'll admit the action wasn't too long in this chapter but bigger scenes are planned coming up.
Until next time.