"An ale would be good right now. Count me in." Seldlron gathers up his javelins and heads down the stairs.
"I believe I could go for some refreshment as well."
The group gathers up whatever supplies they came with and those that have been found with in the ruined castle. Everyone descends the stairs to the second floor and take the rope back down to the ground.
After a few hours of walking you see the Eastern Gate of Absolam, as you approach the gate 2 guards stop you.
"Halt! What business have you in Absolam?"
As they left the tower, Seldlron threw his trogloloin into the debris outside knowing the starving dogs will find it.
Seldlron is in no mood for this reception. He begins to answer and shuts his mouth. Telling them he is here to see their wives would probably not end happily. He relies on the others for this passage.
"We're friends of Commander Lydia, kid, we're returning to report on a favor we did for her, cleaning an abandoned tower from a trog infestation.", Oskar says, with a tired voice. "We're also looking for a good tavern with good drinks, maybe some red ale, eh?", the dwarf has a coin in hand in case the guard gives him a recommendation.
"A red ale, when done properly is a fine thing. I do like browns. Sometimes a properly brewed stout is wonderful. And I like a good Imperial Pale. Have ye ever brewed yerself? I can say without doubt, you will soon be brewing better than anything you can purchase at any price. But alas, I have not done so for 5-6 years now. Moved from syrup to all grain. That took brew time from 2 hours to 5 or 6 hours. It is hard to go back to syrup once you do an all grain."
"And you get to give them creative names and labels. Some I did were Garment Remover, Wii Man Stout, Undiluted Arrogance...I don't recall them all. And a meade called Chick Waster. The label for that one was a kid in boots and diapers squeezing the life out of a chicken."
The guards look amused at the names that Seldlron is spouting off for names of ales.
"Just a few moments we need ta send a runner upstairs ta talk to the sergeant about this."
After waiting 10 minutes or so the runner returns, "Their good to go through." The guards relax their stance and open the man door to allow your group to go though, the notice that Barkley still has blood on his muzzle and give him a wide berth as he follows Oskar.
Seldlron must be in a bad mood as the amused look triggers him. He quietly mumbles to the guard "Your wife said she would meet me in the pub. You are welcome to join us when you finish yer shift."
"Don't worry, kids, we won't cause any problems.", he gives a tired smile at the guards and heads to the Eagle Watch headquarters. "Lets get this report over with, doing a drunken report would be a bad idea."
"You are a wise one, olde man." Seldlron looks back at the guard, making sure he did not trigger them.
Balenar smiles at the guards as he passes through following the group but stopping about 100 paces in.
"Thank you again for the rescue and I will be taking my leave and reporting to the Grand Lodge. I have some paper work to file, I will not forget to mention your names. Though I may change up my circumstances a bit."
Balenar smiles again and head off towards the Grand lodge, The party heads in the opposite direction towards the Eagle Watch HQ. Upon arriving the guards know who you are and allow you through with no issues. You wait almost an hour for Garrison Commander Lydia to arrive, once she does she hands you some paper work to file for your statements of what happened.
"Absalom thanks you and the Eagle Watch does as well. I can't imagine that the Trogs would have caused to much of an issue for the City but it is best to not allow them the change."
"You reward us with paperwork? Are we school children now? If so, may I be the pet?" Seldlron turns and whispers to to Oskar. "Oskar, you know this woman. Is this the reward we deserve? I think not."
GC Lydia looks Sternly at Seldlron, "Did I say that was your reward? I would like a debriefing of what you saw and did in there so I know what went on and how to clean up the place. I was going to give you some gold but I guess you just want to be my lap dog?"
Seldlron returns the commander's stern gaze and growls as he finds a spot to do his paper work.
Whilst struggling with the paperwork and charcoal, Seldlron glances up to check out the commander.
Seldlron grins briefly to himself and then with a serious expression addresses Lydia. "Commander, I have a question about this part of the paper work. May I approach?"
Lukas sits down and gets to writing. "Seldlron, my friend, it's just paperwork, not a death sentence. I daresay you will survive."
Once the paper work is wrapped up GC Lydia hands each of you a note that will pay you a cleaners sum of 200 gold each for the troubles. You will also be allowed to keep all the items you found inside of the Fort.
Seldlron asks Lukas "Is it that obvious? I do hate it. I have but one use for paper and it does not require charcoal nor ink." Seldlron was willing to approach the woman regardless of her beauty, but she does seem to be unapproachable. "To the nearest tavern! This gold doth burneth me trousers."
GC Lydia, leaves the room allowing you all to collect your things and head out.
You make your way down the the closets bar, "The Squealing Hog" inside is a group of towns folk who look like they just finished their work day. The bar tender looks up and then back down, having seen adventures before.
Seldlron greets the bartender. "What's on tap back there?" He says to Lukas "She gave us more paper and no gold."
Oskar fills his paper work without saying a word, he gives it back to Lydia alongside the wand of cure light wounds.
"We've spent a few charges, but this might still last another group of adventurers.", he nods and follows to the Squealing Hog.
As they enter, he waves to any customer that looks his way and aproaches the bartender.
"Greetings, i want a mug of your best ale."
Seldlron tells the bartender he will be paying for the party. He turns to the party "I have the gold we found in the fortress. Only fitting we should use it here and now. Paper....She gave us more paper and no gold! If Balenar was here, I bet he could read it and turn it into gold."
The bartender nods to Seldlron and Oskar coming over with a tray of ale, setting down 3 mugs on the table.
Seldlron raises his mug to Oskar and Lukas "To us! To the masters of the fallen fortress! harummph! He drains the mug and waves the bartender over, wiping his beard dry. "Best to keep an eye over here. Might get fast paced and coins will be dropping."
"To bureaucracy! May it digest our paperwork smoothly, and eventually excrete our payment!"
"To hemp rope! For making it possible to climb stuff without dying in the process!", he drinks all his ale in a few gulps and waves at the bartender for more.
"Well put, Lukas. If I ever lay eyes on the paper lady...hmph." Oskar, I expect Barkley to be a fine companion. Doubt he will ever hide your liquor, try to serve you tea." Seldlron has slowed his pace so that he can enjoy the craftsmanship of the ale. He checks the room for potential trouble and attractive females. He asks the bartender "Barkeep, will there be entertainment this eve?"
The bar keep comes over again with another tray of flagons for each of you.
"Aye there will be but it still be a bit late in the day, I can go wake up the bard that strolled through here last eve and tried to take off with 3 of me serving wenches."
The gruff looking man tottles off back to the bar then sends a boy up the stairs.
A tall Elf in a stained over coat and a wide brimmed hat enters the bars, he sits down at the bar and orders some food.
He takes a look around the room, turning back to the bar tender.
"Almost Noose Welday, You heard about all the disappearances?"
The bartender blanches a bit and turns from the Elf, going into the back to get his food then returning.
"Aye I remember, don't want ta talk about it here. Bring bad luck to me bar."
" Oskar whit dae ye hink ay th' ale?" Seldlron's interest is peaked by this elf. He approaches the elf. "Good day sir, my name is Seldron. Interesting words ye speak and even more interesting response from our barkeep. It seems my absence has left me ignorant to that of which ye speak. Would you mind educating me, sir. This evening the drinks are on me. We can move a slight distance if that is more appropriate."
"I don't speak drunkencommon, you'll have to be a bit clearer on your question, kid.", Oskar grumbles, staying in his chair while Seldlron walks up to the elf, but paying attention to the conversation.
Seldron smiles at Oskar's comment. He failed so badly at what he was trying to do there is just no explaining it now. Maybe another time.