Eitylen successfully unlocks the padlock to the cage, although Lord Richard remains chained to the wall. As Eitylen approaches the animal to free him, Ayren shouts.
"WAIT!" he says. "Eitylen may be safe, but the beast is still not a fan of ours, how can we be sure it won't attack us? And how long does that spell last, anyway? We have at least a 2 hours walk back to the place where we are supposed to deliver it, and I'm not willing to trust a tiger's cordiality towards us and whoever else walks past us on the streets."
What do you proppose then?
"I don't know... You're the one who is friends with him. At very least, put him on a leash so he doesn't escape to devour a kid or something." says Ayren, who is obviously made very nervous by the idea of being near an unbound tiger.
come on lord richard, that grumpy man obviously do not understand your true heart - he wishper while putting the tiger on a leash.
The cat peacefully follows Eitylen, but growls to anyone who stays too close... Not that Ayren would do it anyway. The half-elf stays at least 20ft away from Lord Richard at all times.
"Lead the way, tiger whisperer." Leng says, following a safe distance behind and watching the tiger.
"Worst case scenario, I can probably keep you from being mauled to death for a few crucial moments Ayren." Brother Cyrus somewhat grimly jokes as he keeps close to Tai Leng in the event someone else needs to pick up the wand.
Ayren just stares nervously at Brother Cyrus, somewhat unsure if it was a joke.
The group manages to lead Lord Richard through the corridors. As your each the room with the stairs leading to the office, you notice there are no cats to be seen anywhere, the cages are now empty.
"I let them go before joining you in Lord Richard's cage room" says Ayren "I figure it'd be better to discourage pet smugglers from trying to steal animals again... Anyway, it's a 3h walk from here to the meeting point, so keep that wand ready to go in case the effect ends before that thing is returned to its mother."
In the warehouse, the shield warrior awaits and speaks as soon as he sees Lord Richard. You can hear multiple crossbows being cocked, and a quick look around reveals about 5 warriors on the catwalks you used to enter the warehouse unnoticed.
"I see you found the beast." says their leader "I made a deal with you and I'll honor it. There is no reason for us to be enemies, but know this: the next time you harm one of ours, be ready to lose two of yours."
He stands aside, and the crossbowmen lower their weapons.
"I like this one." Leng says to the rest of the group.
"Fair enough. May our paths never cross again."
An honorable man!, finally something worth to write about!
The elf was about to say something memorable in response but TAi leng spoke first.
"I'm glad you're making friends, but we got a tiger to deliver, so hurry up!" says Ayren with an impatient tone in his voice.
The trip to the place where Ayren's contacts were waiting goes on without any major incidents. It was necessary to use the wand of Charm Animal two more times along the way.
Ayren's knowledge of the streets of Blue Shell allowed the group to lead Lord Richard through rarely walked back alleys, the few people who crossed your path were either too drunk to believe what they saw or wise enough to not bother with question.
Eitylen was able to control and calm down Lord Richard whenever the tiger threatened to attack a passer-by.
-----
After 3 hours or so, you reach a small warehouse, where 2 guards wait for you. One of them waves while the other goes in, presumably to call someone.
Inside, a short man with a long mustache, noble-looking cerulean clothes and leather gloves waits.
"Hello, Ayren." says the man "Good to see you can at least still do your job. Lady Elena will be pleased"
"Hail, Kodan. I told you I would deliver. I-"
The man moves past Ayren before the half-elf can finish his sentence, then approaches Lord Richard with confidence, and for the first time, the tiger doesn't growl at the sight of someone getting close to him. The mustached man inspects the animal for a few moments, obviously looking for injuries.
"He is not wounded. Good." he says, before turning to you.
"And who are thee?" says the man "Mercenaries? Or just more of Ayren's slum-dog companions?"
Eitylen feel relieve - There was a Lady Elena after all
slum-dogs temporary companions, I... guess. Well, now that Lord Richard have been returned to its rightul owner I suppose the job is done.
"If you want to put such a label on it, I suppose I am somewhat of a mercenary, yes."
Brother Cyrus keeps his silence, simply shaking his head at a stranger referring to others in such a manner.
"Tsc... I bet you're all beginners too." says the mustached man. "Well, expecting Ayren to walk with more reputable company would be foolish."
He cross his arms behind his back and walks around Lord Richard one more time.
"Still, you fulfilled your duty. And for that, you shall be compensated.Let it be known that Wavebravers keep their word." he then nods his head to a young woman in grey armor, who throws a purse full of gold coins at Ayren's feet.
"If that's all..." he says, before leading lord Richard to a pompous wagon that would be fit for a count.
"Uh.. Sure! A deal is a deal!" says Ayren, as he quickly grabs the heavy purse. "See?" he says, now turning to the three of you "Just like I said,"
Ok...- say th elf not very excited. Eitylen just wait for the money to be divided and then return to the inn to get some sleep.
"Yes, I suppose it is."
"A bit of a close shave, but I still have all my pieces so I can't complain."
The mustached man takes one last glance at you and then moves swiftly, sitting next to the conductor of the fancy wagon housing Lord Richard.
Outside the warehouse, you can see a couple mounted guards leading a few horses. The warriors still inside climb on their mounts and the convoy leaves. The wagons, as well as the uniforms, all display a cerulean shield with the image of a sea serpent wrapping itself around a trident that rises from an wavy ocean.
As soon as they leave, Ayren pours the content of the purse on top of an small table. The golden coins glimmer with moonlight as they bounce, causing Ayren to smile.
"800 pieces of gold. That's 200 for each of us. Aren't you glad you met me?"
Brother Cyrus collects his share, already planning out his donations and personal purchases.
"Any plans after this?" Cyrus idly inquires.
"800 pieces of gold. That's 200 for each of us. Aren't you glad you met me?"
The elf take his part of the reward without much entusiasm
Well, It is just gold, but I suppose it is good for my first adventure in human land, specially taking into account that unnecesary bloodshed was avoided.
- to identify the sea serpent+ trident stuff.
"Yes, very glad indeed." Leng says, looking at the gold happily.
The symbol sparks Eitylen's memory. He remembers learning about that particular coat of arms during his past travels, and was also able to expand his knowledge in his short time in the city.
The Serpent wrapping itself around a trident rising from a wavy ocean. That's an image too unique to forget. Eitylen remembers the family it represents.
The Wavebraver lineage is well known in Blue Shell for being one of the three grand families who founded the city. Specifically, they are respected and feared for their naval power and influence over sea trade. It's said that every ship, every cargo and every crew member who sails the shores of Blue Shell exist in the shadow of the Wavebravers, whether they know it or not.
At the center of the Golden Plaza lies an immense marble statue of three men, back to back, looking at different directions. The one staring south, towards the ocean is a depiction of Khoi Wavebraver, who was the head of his family 50 years ago.
"Any plans after this?" Cyrus idly inquires.
Looking for some more adventures, next time a more heroic one. BUt for now, some sleep will suffice to make me happy.
Ayren speaks without even taking his eyes off his coins.
"Heh... You guys did a good job. I'll contact you the next time I find myself in need of skilled help for a profitable work. Ciao."
He pockets his share of the coins and leaves, whistling an old sailor song...
"Try and get all the details straight next time, please."
"You know, I think we work pretty well together. We should do this again some time, eh?" he says to the rest.
Well, if you stumble upon some good quest then let me know it
Brother Cyrus leaves to retrieve his Longspear and heads back to the Mad Shark.
"Ill be staying at the Mad Shark if either of you need me or get into trouble. I intend to browse the markets at dawn and Id be more than welcome to company."
"I'll head back with you. My room is there as well."
Well, yeah, the inn. The next day Eitylen look for more aventuring jobs.
As you near the docks, silence starts to give place to a number of frantic voices shouting to each other.
A couple blocks from you, there are 4 men donning the now familiar uniform of the city guard. They seem somewhat impatient and nervous.
Brother Cyrus narrows his eyes at the scene and says to his compatriots, "Looks like we stumbled upon some operation, we should do something..."
Uhm, lets wait to see what happens
take 10 in stealth for 20
Leng nods in agreement and crouches down as well.
Cyrus stands inconspicuously near a building and uses it as cover for his stealth.
While two of the guards remain oblivious to your presence, one of them spots Borther Cyrus, and a second one even manages to notice Tai Leng as well.
"Y-You there! Halt!" shouts one of the guards, as he points a crossbow towards Cyrus. "Raise your hands!"
The other men guard quickly align their own weapons as well. One of them shouts.
"And tell y-your friend to do the same!"
"Oi now, since when do guards accost a couple of friends looking to grab a beer at the bar after a hard days work?" Cyrus nonchalantly inquires.
"Would you shoot an unarmed man, officer?"
Besides THESE GUNS *Pow* *Pow* HUH.
"WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE AT THIS TIME? WHY ARE YOU HIDING?" shouts the apparent leader of the squad, his voice burdened with anxiety. "SHOW ME YOUR PAPERS!"
Tai Leng alone notices a flowing silhouette of a cloaked figure moving on the roof of a nearby build, about as tall as a strong man, but twice as wide.
It leaps over to another building, and few drops of an unknown liquid glitter against the moonlight as they fall down into a dark alley.
The shadowy figure leaves.
I keep waiting.
Leng's brow furrows in confusion and he cocks his head to the side as he watches the unknown figure.
"Answer my question, strangers!" says the leading guard. His men visibly torn between looking around and aiming at you with their crossbows, as if they expect an ambush.