The Corruption Ensues
Dale was prompt to point out how lousy we looked this morning. I gave a wry smile, Cloudbreaker agreeing that he felt like crap. He then promised to show him the head of the creature we killed that has caused us to be in such a state.
As the four of us ate, the hour being late morning, a pair of guards walked in. We waved them down since it wasn’t unusual for them to be seeking us out. They informed us we had a meeting at noon with the Mayor. We agreed we’d be prompt to show.
Once breakfast was finished, we made our way toward Town Hall. As we approached, we had an entourage of guards waiting for us.
“I would think you have quite the reputation Cloudbreaker,” Abu whispered as we approached.
“I take pride in that. Means more pay,” the Goliath responded.
"Oh Cloudbreaker, I don’t think it works like that here,” Bal Vyr added.
We then greeted the guards who informed us that they were there to escort us to the Mayor. I thanked them for their service to be pleasant considering how nervous they looked.
As we walked through, it was clear that repairs were being made. It was a wonder how the building’s integrity held true.
“What happened here?” I asked.
“Oh, just one of the many things we are slowly getting around to fixing after the whole God Wars fiasco,” one of the men replied.
“Yes yes. We actually have the means now to build a grander Town Hall than this,” another enthused.
Cloudbreaker was less than pleased by the thought, stating they should use the money to build better homes for those in the slums. Bal Vyr explained to the Goliath how that would make it worse. Rent would go up and there’d be a homeless problem instead of there being poor people.
What I found most humoring was the mention of them rebuilding the Town Hall with wood. It would seem fire had been the main cause of destruction to the building we were in and now they were to rebuild it with wood again?
A great pair of doors was opened for us to which we entered into a large, dim room. There was a fire burning in the center, the smoke having no clear escape and created a hazy atmosphere. To the right of the fire was a platform, that was raised about a foot off the ground. On it was a desk. In front of the desk were two guards, one being the Guard Captain. Sitting behind the desk was an older man who from the way he was dressed and the pompadour hat, had to bethe Mayor. Behind him was a cloaked figure.
The doors give a soft echo as the guards closed them, leaving us to the company of the Mayor and his security.
“You’ll have to pardon the formalities,” the Mayor began with a slow tongue that emphasized the T’s and S’s, “We can of course take no chances with...” he trailed off.
“Mercenaries is fine,” Bal Vyr finished.
“Yes. Those of your repute.” The mayor then went on to explain he had another job for us considering the services we’ve rendered thus far and so efficiently according to the Guard Captain (whose name is Skawsdin). I was mildly surprised that he put a good word in for us.
Anyways, the Mayor reminded us in his slow and punctuated speech about the war they were dealing with with the Elves. Because of such war, resources were stretched thin. He then asked us if we’d take care of, no, slaughter some Goblins that had been raiding their outlying farmland. Already his form of talk and his dismissiveness to explain who the cloaked figure was, I wasn’t of high opinion of the Mayor. Then to request that we commit a massacre because some Goblins have been raiding them was more than I could bare.
Yet, it got worse... The incentive they had behind the murders wasn’t so they could spare their resources, but was out of greed for some magical orb that was rumored to be had by the Goblins. The men were as displeased by the job offer as I was and so to convince us otherwise, the Mayor ordered for them to bring someone out. Shortly after a guard presented Trickfoot.
If it wasn’t for the ominous presence of the cloaked figure, I might have acted right then and there. Instead I just looked on to the chained figure of Trickfoot, thankful he was alive, but livid at the condition he was in.
“Why is he in chains!?” I demanded.
“This is how we treat all our criminals,” the Mayor simply replied. I curled a lip not believing what the man said.
“And what crime might that have been?” Bal Vyr asked.
“That, among other things, I am not going to disclose with you. So go do this job if you want to see your friends safely returned.”
“You have Grendel too?” I blurted.
The Mayor made no conclusion to whether he did or didn’t have the crusader, but each of us felt certain that was the case. I laughed cynically to myself. This was the very thing I despised about authority. Using their power and influence to be cruel and unjust and to reign in darkness. If Grendel felt slighted by us and the wheat field, hopefully this debacle would smooth over that incident and reunite us. I would find great pleasure bringing his ‘justice’ to the Mayor and guards.
We agreed to the terms of the contract, the Major promising us a reward in addition to our friend’s well being. He then had Captain Skawsdin give us our reward for the vampire and demon we slew before ordering for our release.
Before getting on with the rest of our day, we discussed bitterly what we were to do. None of us wanted to do what the Mayor asked, but we had our friends to save. Yet chances were if we did fulfil this obligation, we’d likely get killed by the Elves for entering their woods in pursuit of the Goblins, or by the Mayor once we’ve delivered the orb. Either way, the task at hand placed a heavy weight on our shoulders.
The rest of the day was spent paying off our acquired debts and identifying our magic items that were collected from the crypt the night I was captured. At the temple of St. Cuthbert, as we paid the money we owed, Bal Vyr made mention of Grendel. The Priest sounded concerned, but made no effort to investigate the integrity of their Mayor since we had no tangible proof. Just assumptions.
Bal Vyr and I then went to the Chalice while Cloudbreaker and Abu went to the Wizard’s Guild to identify the items. Once done with our various tasks, it was decided we’d rendezvous back at the Inn.
After a few hours, Abu and Cloudbreaker finally returned to the Inn. They informed us of the items to which I was given an Elven cloak that helped with hiding and a masterwork chain shirt. The Goliath then removed a crystal from his great sword, passing it to me.
“Here,” he said as he proffered the gem, “Something as pretty as you.” Heat rushed to my cheeks as I took the gem and observed it.
“What does it do?” I asked, unsure if it was just a mundane crystal.
“When equipped to your weapon, it sucks the life from those you attack and heals you,” Cloudbreaker explained. I gave a small smile as I revelled in the gift. Anything that kept me alive that much longer was welcomed by me. And so I equipped it to my- well, Lash’s, scythe.
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