This was turning out to be harder to win than he expected. This cocky Halfling's initial effort was surprising. he must have really wanted the cake... Aww, Hell Naw! that was not going to happen as long as i have something to say about it. I can feel both the effort of the arm wrestle, and my distaste for the gall of this Halfling, distorting my facial features into a grimace. The cacophony of the noise in the room is beating against my ear drums as i focus on wrestling. Screw this, if he thinks he can get that delicious, extravagant, artfully made cake, he needs mind his own business or get crushed.
With one final push, Draken forces Maccus's lithe arm to the table with a solid thud. The halfling grimaces in annoyance, but loosens his grip and sits back, accepting the loss.
"Right then. Best laid plans," He mutters under his breath, rolling his now sore wrist. "So much for cake, eh boys?"
He hops down from the table, stretching his arm; his crew, obviously as disappointed as him, gathers round, whispering among themselves as the group starts to drift toward a table at the opposite end of the tavern.
Tagren, consummate professional that he is, stifles a laugh as he starts to return to the kitchen.
Hmmmm, what could that have been about? Is there some deeper purpose to this halfling's actions?
Curious.
"Tagren! Before you head off..." I beckon him closer, "Do you know if there is truth to the gossip about Maccus?"
Rolling my shoulders i get up from the Arm-Wrestling Table. Serves that halfling right for biting off more he could chew. One does not simply try and swindle others out of food, especially when the food looks as delectable as this here cake. As Edric calls out to Tagren i move towards him, and straddle the chair across from him."heh... i don't know about you edric, but i am more interested in (lower volume) the letters..." shadows of the past darken my features and sours my expression as i continue to look in edric's direction without entirely seeing it. "Though how long that may take to find answers to could be anyone's guess..." As the darker thought's roil their way through my mind, my hand reaches across and plates myself a slice of the cake.
Tagren glances at the retreating halfling band, then casts a knowing gaze at Edric, then Draken, motioning to the cake with a wink.. "Just make sure ye clean yer plate, boys...and be glad ye didn't lose that bet." he says under his breath.
Hmmmm, what could be so important about this cake?
I float a knife to cut the cake, then move the piece onto my plate. I lift the plate with my hand, picking at it and examining it with a hovering fork.
"Excuse my table manners. Tagren seems nice enough, but something seems off."
Heh, magic. does he really need smoke and mirrors to examine a slice cake? he does have point though, the past few events have been suspicious.... but cake. Lifting my slice of cake up, I take a bite out of it, and with my sweet tooth somewhat sated, i look up at Edric. Gulp. " do you seriously think someone would slip a sleeping potion into a cake? or even a message?" Wait. Cocking my head to the side, what i just said registers with how weird today has been." Though that is not entirely impossible..."
As Edric lifts the cake and peers at the dish beneath, he spies what looks like engravings in the smooth surface. Upon closer inspection, and upon removing a few more slices of cake, the engraving appears to be a map.
The drawings are of fair workmanship, and seem to depict a series of tunnels. One of the caves is marked with an X, and there is a small note written near the X: Take the job.
Seems a bit strange, but I'll bite.
Glad we didn't give him the plate then.
The locale doesn't strike any familiar chords with anyone at the table. All that's clear is that it is underground, and that there is something important at the X.
Your study is interrupted by a gust of wind as the tavern door is shoved open. In steps an armored figure, longsword at his side. He casts a stern gaze across the tavern, the marches hurriedly to Tagren, who is returning from the kitchen. He speaks in hushed tones, but his body language clearly speaks of restrained panic. Tagren's eyes go wide in alarm as the warrior turns to leave. "TORIS!" he bellows, dashing back into the kitchen. The two return a few moments later, with Toris rushing upstairs as fast as his thick legs will carry him; you hear him banging on doors with urgency. Tagren steps out in front of the bar, waving his arms to grab the attention of the remaining patrons.
"Time ta go, good folks! We've got inbound!" He yells.
The few stragglers still nursing their drinks exchange worried looks, down their mugs, tear off the last bites of food, and beat a hasty retreat.
Everyone in Skyridge knows that when Tagren lets guests go without paying, it can only mean one thing: Orcs.
A pleasant mystery interrupted by savages. I let out an audible sigh, slouching with the exhale before bolting straight up off of the seat. My family home! My parents are capable mages, and my siblings fight for a living, but I don't want to cause them undue worry.
"Gentlemen! Let's meet back here and figure out this map after the raid."
I step out the tavern and look around, listening for the sounds of battle and searching for signs of clashing. Where are the orcs coming from?
The Cake! Since only two people had taken slices off of the cake, i move the remaining slices onto my spare plate, which would hopefully still be there when we get back. With careful and precise movements I store the plate with the map in my pack, and look around. Edric has already stepped away and is making his way out of the tavern, and the rest of the people here seem to be in a huge rush. Makes sense though since no one really likes orcs, whether they actually get into the city or not. I am just pissed that i still have yet to learn anything. Nothing has changed accept for the fact that now we have this map, though what this map has to do with THAT night is beyond me. i try to step away from the table as i notice edric actually step out of the tavern, but i can feel a prickling sensation almost tugging on my ear.
"Sigh ... Fine have it your way, Phili." I growl. reaching into my bag i grab 20 GP and slap it onto the table in some form of compensation for the map plate. i mean it is not guaranteed that we will be able to come back here, no matter what that magic user and i agree to do. That, and the fact that Phili would not have it anyother way if he were here. As i make my way outside i find edric standing outside. He is probably looking for the orcs as well, or he might just be trying to find out where they are so he can avoid them. I on the other hand would gladly correct a few orcs mistake in coming here, whether or not Edric decides to join. After all, this was definitely not as fruitful a visit at i wanted. " Now where are those unforgivable maggot-brained brutes?"
The sounds of guttural shouts and howling echo up from the mountain pass leading to town. You see guards, mostly Dwarves, heading to the gatehouse; there are militiamen guiding citizens away from the front gate. The last rays of the sun are fading, leaving the warm colors of day to drain into the greys of night.
At the command of a heavily armored Dwarf with a tower shield on his arm, the iron portcullis rattles loose from its divots in the ground, rising into its stone home. Guardsmen take places atop the gatehouse, crossbows loaded and pointed outward. The Dwarven juggernaut takes his place right in the center of the gateway, his platemail glowing in the torchlight. He hefts what looks to be a halberd in his right hand. He's joined by a small phalanx of his kinsmen, armed with longspears, all braced to defend the entrance to the town. He bellows out a challenge in Dwarven that even non-Dwarvish speakers could interpret as--
"LET THEM COME!!"
His troops roar in agreement. They are prepared to spill orc blood tonight.
What do you do?
"This is not good." Looking over at edric, i grimace. he would probably think me stupid for this but i have a hunch. If what my hunch is tellin' me is right, then none of us will be safe in this orc raid. Looking off in the direction of the gatehouse. "Oi' Edric, there might be more than just orc's with sticks this time. i got a feelin'" The question is do i go and fight the maggot ridden orc's, or do i look for this underground place on the map.
I never was one for runnin' though, and I REALLY want to bash these slobbering orcs faces in. It would be satisfyin' after all, since the questions have been left unanswered and the answers are just barely out of reach. Lookin' back to edric a bone chillin' smile spreads across my face as i think about the challenge before me. " You going to try and talk me outa going into the fray? Or are ya gonna join me in this fight?" He probably had loved ones, and people he cared about, unlike me. Riskin' life was one of the few ways to brighten up my days.
Hmm, perhaps the Efreet requires my assistance. My family can handle the orcs that make it to them, given the chance that they even reach our storefront. If I help alongside these capable soldiers now, it would be much easier than fighting alone in the cramped corners of the work district. I'm not going to perish.
"I hear you! And I hear them! I'll join you, but I'll be near the back." I flash a nervous smile intending to reassure this fearsome warrior that I can provide a modicum of assistance.