The Party awakens the day following the Goblin attacks. The air is filled with an aroma of various foods and ale. A faint sound of music and bustling people from downstairs can be heard from each room. Isabella and Kurayami awaken and find a pile of letters that have been shoved under their door. They seem to be a variety of love letters from various men (and a few women) of Sandpoint. A majority of them seem to be addressed to Isabella, but there are a few for Kurayami as well. Eventually Kurayami, Isabella and Idreas run into each other once again in the tavern of the Rusty Dragon. As they enter the tavern, they are each greeted by raised mugs and cheers from the other occupants. Ameiko is busy filling lines of mugs and dishing them out. Clearly too busy to chat, she greets them all with a smile and a nod.
Knowing he wasstill a wanted orc, despite the mayors pardon, Idreas didn't want to stay in Sandpoint any longer. He didn't know where he belonged, but he knew for certain that it wasn't in this sleepy sea-side town. But when he descended the stairs and was greeted by rousing cheers from the inn's patrons, he felt a sense of pride come over him. At least the villagers were happy to see him. He eyed their mugs in their hands. Ale. It was time for a splash of alcohol to start the morning off right. Sauntering up to the bar, he grunted at Ameiko. "Grog," he said.
Ameiko finished dishing out the last of the full mugs to her bar maids. She wiped some sweat from her brow and took a deep breathe as she surveyed the tavern to make sure everything was running smoothly. After a nod of approval she grabbed a mug and put it in front of Idreas.
"I'll have to charge you for this one. That okay with you? I appreciate what you did and all, but I've still got a business to run."
She held a bottle of Grog above the mug awaiting his response.
Idreas thought a moment, then gave a single nod, resting his large hands on the bartop. Idreas did not accept charity.
Ameiko poured the grog to the very top of the rim and smiled at Idreas
"I'll put it on your tab big guy."
She then looked over to Isabella and Kurayami.
"Hey you two. Sheriff Hemlock was here looking for you a moment ago. I figured you would want some rest after yesterday, so I lied and told him you went out shopping. You might want to consider a drink as well before you run into him. That man's more uptight than the Sandpoint Devil, I'll tell you what."
Please tell me why you insist on serving filth such as that.
Kurayami says to Ameiko just loud enough for Idreas to hear.
Surely, you have higher standards for your establishment.
Idreas gave another nod. He wasn't sure what a tab was, but the way Ameiko turned her attention elsewhere probably meant she was done doing business with him. Wrapping a large hand around the mug, Idreas lifted it to his lips and was about to take a drink when he heard a familiar, ever-obnoxious voice behind him. Turning, he eyed the blade-master Kurayami with narrowed, jet-black eyes.
"Hmph," he grunted, taking a big gulp of the alcohol. "Not so, if she let you in."
Ameiko let out a loud chuckle.
"You folks just say exactly what you're thinking don't you? I love it! I take back what I said big guy, drinks are on me for all three of you. Your admirer over there just put me in a good mood."
Kurayami looks at Idreas with the perfect gaze of someone who is better than an orc.
You will watch your tongue when speaking to me, lest I cut it off.
She looks at Ameiko.
Please Ameiko I don't need your flattery. Though I appreciate the offer of free drink, thank you.
She turns to Isabella and whispers into her ear.
Anger flared in Idreas' chest. Kurayami had successfully gotten under his skin, and the half-orc hated her with more intensity, if such a thing was possible. Knowing that pummelling her would only get him landed in prison once more, Idreas did his best to stifle the urge.
Unable to think of a witty response with his mind as clouded with rage as it was, Idreas only snarled a low, gutteral snarl.
Ameiko gave Kurayami a small smile and nod and continued on with her work.
With a single gulp, Idreas finished the bitter ale and slammed the mug down on the bar. Without a word, he turned and made his way to the exit of the Rusty Dragon, determined to put Sandpoint behind him.
Before Idreas was out of the tavern, a man dressed in a local town guards uniform walked through the front door of the Rusty Dragon. Immediately spotting Idreas, he marched up to him.
"You there! Orc! By order of Sheriff Belor Hemlock, you are to come with me immediately."
He then turned his attention and pointed in the direction of Isabella and Kurayami.
"And you two, Isabella and Kurayami is it? He has requested you as well. You have a choice, of course, but the sheriff said he would make it worth your time.
The bar grew silent. All of the tenants were now quietly nibbling their meals, or sipping their drinks as they watched the scene.
Stopped in his tracks, Idreas narrowed his eyes as he looked down on the man. "What now," he grumbled.
The guard moved behind Idreas and pushed him on the back firmly, urging him forward.
"Just get moving orc! You can open your filthy mouth for questions later."
With a growl, Idreas spun, throwing a fist at the guard.
His fist connected solidly with the man's chest. "Touch me again if you want to see your hand detached from your arm, pink-skin!"
The guard made a strange whooping sound before falling unconscious as the air left his body from the force of the punch. The Rusty Dragon was dead silent and still, as if time had stopped. Every tenant had a look of shock upon their face, including Ameiko.
Meanwhile, Bartholomew Cornelius Valiant III, son of Lord Valiant of Magnimar and his manservant Julie were arriving in Sandpoint from the southern bridge. A stone building stood ahead of them, bearing a sign with two knights interlocked in a sword fight. The sign read "Two Knights Brewery". The streets were very quiet. The only person in sight was a hairless Shoanti man adorned in a decorative breastplate. He was currently distracted with a parchment in his hand.
He and Julie walked down the streets of Sandpoint. They were a bit worse for wear after narrowly escaping a pack of gold thirsty dwarves. He stretched his arms over his head and opened his eyes for the first time. Seeing the town around him, Bartholomew's spirits raised a tad.
"Take a look around Julie! This town is were I will find a quest, and show my father that I am better than Perseus and his band of butt-f!#~ing Heroes Elite!" He finished too loudly. "With this blade upon my back and the love of beautiful women to gain. I will become the greatest sword-fighting man that ever swung a blade!" He finished with a cocky grin and and a clenched fist.
He strummed his lute idly. "Quite right, Your Grace! Your victories shall be renown through out all the lands, and I shall teach babes to sing praises of your fine self." There was a light skip in his step as he eagerly searched the streets for someone to share a tale of his masters greatness. His eyes set upon a tavern and his expression brightened. "Look, my Lord! It appears we can have a pint and speak with some miscreants about finding a job!" Turning to Bartholomew, his fingers plucked a merry tune, pleased at his own discovery.
"Julie." He stopped dead in his tracks and turned his head to Julie. "Singing to babies is the stupidest idea you have ever had." He let out a long sigh and then looked up to the breweries sign. "I would smash that lute into a million tiny pieces if you hadn't found a place that makes ale." Walking passed the man in the decorative breastplate, he whispered to Julie. "That man must be their best customer. Someone has drawn silly markings upon his bald head!" He finished smiling to himself.
As Bartholomew and Julie passed the man, he looked back at them and shouted.
"Hey, you two! Halt! Come back here for a moment!
He turned and looked back at the man. He immediately regretted his earlier comment when he saw the mans authoritative posture. "Hello sir we are just travelers from another land looking for a place to get a few drinks and ruffle few frocks. Pay no mind to us." He said very nervously and turned to make his leave.
The man put his hand on the hilt of his sword and walked up to Bartholomew.
"Wait there! We are not done talking. It is my job to pay mind to everyone right now. My name is Belor, but you two can call me Sheriff Hemlock, and this town is currently under investigation. What is this other land you speak of?"
With a flourish of his colorful cape, Julie bowed elegantly. "My dear Sheriff, May I have the pleasure of introducing my master, Bartholomew Cornelius Valiant III. We hail from the great city of Magnimar." Julie rose from his bow and strummed lightly upon his lute. "How may we be of service to you, Sheriff?"
The sheriff seemed to relax a little and took his hand of the hilt of his sword, though he still wore a very serious expression.
"Why would you say your from another land when you are from Magnimar? It is still in Varisia, just south of here. And what is your true business here? Magnimar has a much wider selection of taverns and entertainment, you wouldn't be wandering this far north for only that."
He eyed them both suspiciously.
"But we've been traveling for hours... " He complained. "If you must know we are on a quest to... Look for a quest." He finished with bravado, trying to recover from his earlier blunder.
The sheriff looked at Bartholomew with distaste.
"Why aren't you traveling by horseback? You have a manservant, yet you can't afford a horse?! Never mind that, that is beyond my business. If you are looking for a quest, then you may be in the right place. Have you heard of the goblin invasion that occurred yesterday?"
Idreas stood up straight, regarding the patrons of the bar with a fierce look. Stooping, the powerful orc grabbed the guard by his breastplate and lifted him off the ground in a fluid motion, sitting him with a thump in a nearby, vacant chair. Reaching into the pocket of his trousers, Idreas produced a gold coin, which he flipped to Ameiko. "For the mess," he said with a wide, toothy grin and a ferocious laugh as he stepped outside into the cool breeze of Sandpoint.
"Dear me... A goblin invasion?" Julie's knees shook slightly. "Dreadful creatures. What where they invading?"
Hemlocks expression turned grim.
"Dreadful indeed. Especially when there are over 50 of the pests! They attacked during the Swallowtail Festival yesterday, though we still aren't exactly sure why they did, or how such a large group of them got organized like that. Usually far too stupid to pull off an attack like that. We luckily only had two casualties. Would have been far more if it hadn't been for these two women from out of town. They took out half the invasion, including the leader all on their own! Anyways... follow me gentlemen. I'll take you for a drink and we can discuss what we can do for each other. I can honestly use all the help I can get right now."
He turned to lead them Northwest along the road.
Idreas' stomach was growling as he turned along the roads that he believed led out of Sandpoint. A flicker of movement caught his eye and he saw a rat trying to scuttle across the street at his feet. Idreas made an attempt to grab it.
"Garrhh!" Sniffing disappointedly, Idreas keeps walking. Oh well, goats aren't small enough to slip through his fingers, that's for sure.
Just as Sheriff Hemlock took his first step down the road, he spotted Idreas exit The Rusty Dragon in the distance.
"You there! Orc! I've been looking for you! Come here at once!"
The sheriff was shouting so loud, a red haired man peeked his head out of the front door of the Two Knights brewery to see what all the commotion was about. The sheriff waved a hand at Bartholomew and Julie.
"First quest of the day, back me up. This one can be quite a brute."
Hemlock marched towards Idreas, hand on the crossbow at his hip.
Idreas stopped, turning to face the sound of the angry voice shouting in his direction. He snarled. It was him. Squaring his shoulders, he stared warily at Sheriff Hemlock, but made no move towards him, instead standing his ground, defiantly. "What business have you with me, Sheriff," he shouted gruffly down the street to the approaching Shoanti. "I've been pardoned."
Hemlock smiled deviously at Idreas, marching forward till he was face to face with him.
"Funny thing about that. Me and the mayor didn't see eye to eye on that decision, so last night we came up with a compromise. You'll need to come with me."
A growl sounded deep in Idreas' throat, and he stood stock still. He eyed the Shoanti man warily, as if challenging him to 'make' him go.
He follow behind he sherriff as he walked. When the sherriff shouted he looked up and saw the orc. He leaned over and whispered to Julie, "That brute looks like he could rip my balls off.." he said, holding his crotch for emphasis.
On the contrary, my Liege! That Sheriff looks as brutish as the Orc. Perhaps if we just stay behind him the orc won't know we are here. Julie hoped desperately this was true. Hanging back from the quarreling warriors Julie ignored the situation studiously.
Hemlock, swapped his hand from his crossbow to the hilt of his sword as he glared at Idreas, inching his face closer to the orcs.
"The mayor said an arrest is not necessary if you cooperate, but believe me I would love to do this the hard way."
He wanted a chance to prove himself, to his brother and his father.... This was not that time. Absolutely intimidated by the beast, he hummed to himself, looking at the sky and generally trying to look casual as if he had no idea what was going on.
Julie drew a deep breath. It seemed his master was about to get himself into a world of pain. "Ah, um excuse me... If I may interject..." Julie spoke hesitantly. "Sorry... It seems that there is a bit of a conflict here. Perhaps if we all go speak to the mayor, we could clear this up in a more... peaceful manner?" He strove to keep his voice even, but fear choked the words in his throat.
Hemlock ignored Julies comment as if he had not even heard it. His eyes were locked on Idreas, awaiting his next move.
"As would I," Idreas barked, a challenging laugh issuing forth.
"But it seems you have brought friends, Sheriff. Too nervous to approach an orc alone, I see?" Idreas turned his gaze to the small man and overly rotund man, grinning largely.
When the Orc made eye contact with him, he decided he'd rather not die. he spoke up to defend himself. "We are not his friends, we are the greatest heroes in all of Magnimar! Julie, tell him all of the extraordinary things I have done of late."
Julie bowed graciously, and with a twirl of his cape began reciting, his fingers dancing over his lute in an oddly mesmerizing way. "You took a bubble bath, ate some toast, had a sleep for one hour, and commissioned a naked statue of your fine self."
Idreas laughed at the bard's petty attempt to charm him. "Not quite, small man." Idreas reached a hand up to scratch at his prominent chin. He looked from Julie to the Bartholomew. "A naked statue..mm.... that sounds like my kind of man. We should get drinks. But you see," he continued as he eyed the sheriff. "I am innocent, though I've experienced nothing but harassment since entering this town. And in fact, I did not enter on my own free will. I was arrested for no crime other than being an orc! Does your heroic deeds also entail fighting injustice? If so, we would make fine comrades in arms, and I would be in great need of your assistance."
The sheriff turned to face Julie, staring at him with a blank expression as he spoke.