says as he begins to move forward.
Shhhhht!
Five swords leave their sheathes as the thugs draw their weapons. “Now I said you ain’t getting’ in and I meant it,” the red haired thug reiterates as he threatens them with his sword. The other four are close and their swords are less than a foot away.
Frustration and anger begins to get the better of him and he’s about to let loose the power when the door to the tavern opens. “What’s going on here?” a large balding man says as he steps out. This has to be Orlander. Big, scars covering most of his exposed skin, and an air of command no one can ignore.
“These fellows wanted to see you,” the red haired thug says.
“About what?” he asks.
“They wouldn’t tell me,” the red haired thug replies.
“What is this about?” Orlander asks.
“I’ll tell that to you inside when things are less public,” replies James.
Orlander considers it a moment and nods. “Very well,” he says as he returns inside the tavern.
James takes a step forward and ‘Red’ has to step aside to prevent from being walked into. Not even looking back at them, he follows Orlander inside.
The inside looks just like every other tavern except the clientele is a little more tougher looking. Seven people are seated at the various tables, four of whom are having a game of cards off to the side. One is seated on a stool by the bar with a loaded crossbow laid across his lap, most likely in case of trouble.
Following Orlander across the barroom, James feels the eyes of everyone in the room upon him. Ahead of him Orlander reaches a door on the far side and opens it. Passing through, he leaves it open for them to follow.
Two men with crossbows and another with two swords strapped to his back are already in the room as he enters and takes his seat behind a desk situated against the far wall. After James and Jiron enter, the man with the swords closes the door and takes position behind them.
“Now,” Orlander says, “what is all this about?”
“We’re here to recover some items which were stolen from us,” he says.
One of the three other men in the room chuckles at that and Orlander gets an amused expression on his face. “What makes you gentlemen think I would have anything to do about that?”
“Word on the street is that you would be the man to see about such things,” Jiron states.
“I have been known to expedite the return of certain articles,” he tells them, “for a price.”
“So you might be able to help us?” James asks.
“First I would need to know of what you are talking about,” he says.
“Two people, a man and a woman robbed me and my friends a few days ago,” James explains. “They took off with our horses and many of our valuables. We know they passed through Illion and left with less than they arrived with. The only items which we are truly interested in are three necklaces.”
Nodding, Orlander says, “It seems I recall such a pair passing through. Don’t know as what they may or may not have liquidated here in Illion. If those items were to turn up, say, what would you be willing to pay for their return?”
“What do you mean?” James asks.
“I mean,” clarifies Orlander, “how much gold would you be willing to give me to expedite their return?”
“We don’t have much on us right now I’m afraid,” admits James.
“Then why should I even bother with you?” he asks. Snickers can be heard coming from those around them.
“Because it’s the right thing to do,” James tells him.
Breaking out into a laugh, he says, “Get them out of here.”
“Let’s go,” the man with the swords says as he lays a hand on Jiron’s shoulder.
Spinning around fast, Jiron knocks the man’s hand off as the men with the crossbows take aim.
“We should leave,” James says to him. Then in a barely audible whisper he says, “Later.”
Swallowing his anger, Jiron backs down and the man with the swords gives him a grin and then precedes them from the room.
Following him across the barroom, they move to the door and are escorted outside. “Don’t come back unless you have gold,” the man says.
‘Red’ is there looking at them and their eyes lock for just a moment before James turns. Then he and Jiron move off down the street.
Once they’re out of earshot, Jiron asks, “Why didn’t we do anything?”
“I wasn’t sure if he had them or not,” he says. “I can’t just go around and indiscriminately kill everyone who crosses my path.”
“What are you going to do now?” he asks.
“Find out if our stuff is there or not,” he replies.
“And if it is?” prompts Jiron.
“We go back tonight and reclaim them,” he states.
Nodding, Jiron follows him down the road a ways until James ducks down a deserted side alley. Moving away from the entrance, he comes to a stop. Glancing around quickly to make sure no one is observing them, he creates his translucent seeking bubble which he has used before.
Letting it go, it begins floating through the air as it hunts for the medallion bearing the Star of Morcyth. Moving out of the alley, it’s barely perceptible as it drifts along through the people on the street. One young girl does a double-take as she takes notice of it but then her mother pulls her along and she dismisses it.
They follow it from a discreet distance, just far enough to be able to keep it in view. Even though they know exactly what they’re looking for they still at times lose it only to pick it up again a second later. It bobs around people as well as over and under wagons and carriages as it continues making its way through the street.
When it begins nearing the thugs outside of Orlander’s establishment, James watches it carefully. If it’s not in there, the bubble should go around the building. If it is, stop at the door. He made it so as not to go through walls, he was afraid he might lose it if it went through a building.
Sure enough, it floats toward the door to the tavern and comes to a stop. Just as the red haired thug begins to notice something there, James cancels the spell and the bubble disappears. ‘Red’ squints his eyes and with a shake of his head returns to his conversation with another of the thugs.
“So it is in there,” states Jiron.
“It would seem so,” replies James. They turn and move back further from the tavern, coming to stop in front of an ironsmith. The sound of the smith’s hammering creates quite a din.
“What are we to do?” Jiron asks. The hammering coming from the building next to them drowns out their conversation.
Glancing back down the street in the direction of the tavern he says, “Let’s find an inn and get some rest. Tonight we’ll pay them a visit.”
Grinning, Jiron says, “I like that plan.”
They return to collect their horses and then find an inn. Eating a quick bite, they retire to their room for some sleep before the coming of night.
“Doesn’t look as if anyone’s around,” Jiron says as they watch the tavern from across the street.
They waited until well past midnight until only a few hours were left before the dawn. James had thought the place would have some activity even at this hour, it was a tavern after all. But when they got there, the place was dark and no one was about.
The entire area around the tavern was deserted, not even a bum lying in the street. No one passing by or anything, altogether giving off the feel that something wasn’t quite right.
“Do you think they are waiting for us?” James asks.
“Maybe,” replies Jiron.
They stand near a building across the street for some time and still no one or anything makes an appearance. “Guess we better do this,” James whispers.
Sensing more than seeing Jiron’s nod in the dark, they begin making their way across the street toward the building. Nestled in James’ hand is a stone, one of many he acquired since his slug belt was stolen. The rest are in
