The tavern was empty, or nearly so and there was a job posting on the board specifically saying it was a high paying job, seeking adventures of certain types and to meet the woman who posted it at exactly 7 p.m. that night, while the crowd was high in the tavern. Those who have read it would be curious though hearing about the princess missing, it was a wonder as to how high this woman would pay compared to finding the princess.
The girl looked up at Bara before looking towards the clock that she had borrowed from a local. She had paid the man to borrow it and she let out a sigh.
"Now we just have to wait for someone to show up," She said. The girl was wearing a pair of goggles that were specially made for her to hide her eyes, as her eyes were the marking tale of who she was. There were analysian but they were far and few between, mostly coming from Asala, the backwards country that it was.
While he was intrigued by the prospect of great rewards for finding the missing princess, his light coin purse needed filling sooner rather than later. Without delay, he went to the meeting displayed on the board. Reaching the meeting spot, he asked, "Am I late?"
Aoni looked up at him and smiled before shaking her head.
"No you're not late, you're just in time, it's a pleasure, what's your name?" She asked before she pulled out her coin purse.
"Now, we'll be doing some light traveling for a bit, we'll be heading to my home first before heading out on the roads. This job is a heavy paying job but it's a necessity," She stated.
She waved her hand to Bara.
"This is my guard Bara, my name is of no importance right now."
"Kaerzon's the name. And special acquisitions are the game. You need something I'll be sure to get it." The Half-orc replied.
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“Oh good, that’s something we always need right Bara?” She asked, looking up at her guard. She didn’t need a fighter and the other woman already knew what the reward was.
A tall masked man entered the tavern as the Half-orc spoke with his future employer. He approached the table slowly, paying attention to the conversation while remaining silent.
Bara looks down at Aoni, nodding. "Don't worry. With a posting like that, we are bound to get someone to come. I just hope they are up to whatever you have in mind..."
As Kaerzon and the young woman talk, Bara nods. "I assume as such, Ma'am." Looking up, the guard spots a masked person approaching. Stepping forward, they look them over before speaking up. "Here for the job offer?"
Aoni looks up at the tall masked man before looking to Bara who asked the newcomer if he was here for the job offer as well. She needed more than just one person for the job, that was a sure thing, probably around 3 more people, though she wasn’t sure, she was hoping for adventurers that would take up this quest of hers with her.
“Hello there, like my companion asked, are you here for the job offer?” she asked the masked man.
[1]
Before reaching the town where the tavern is located. Allion was in the middle of a small conversation
Yes I know this trip was a long one and you want to get home, but we really need some coin in order to make the trip.
Thorin
…
Yes yes I understand your option on the matter, but where here and I want to see what job I can find in short notice.
Thorin
…
Well if you’re going to be like that I’ll just leave you here, and I’ll pick you up after I find some work.
Pulls out a bag filled with dirt from his native lands he sprinkles it around the ground and “plants” the vine like flower there.
Dusts off hands
Maybe some alone time will get you to think more clearly. I’ll see you later tonight.
Heads off to town.
[2]
After getting to town Allion will head to the local tavern
Mmm not many people here that’s good let’s check the board
People inside can see a tall Elf with matted green hair, brown eyes. Wearing some leathers and using a walking stick. Currently looking at the board.
Nothing worth my time …. Ah here we go High pay. Seeking adventures? This might fit just right.
Rubs his chin in thought
"I am indeed" the masked man says in a hushed tone. "I apologize if I startled you, my masked figure tends to keep people on their feet. I assure you I mean no harm."
She nodded, smiling some before offering a seat to the man at her table, she had specifically gotten a table that would seat as many people as she would need, no more, no less, including herself and her companion.
"There is one stop we'll need to make before we head out on the road, it's an important stop and it has to deal with your pay," She stated.
"To which I'm curious, how high is it exactly?" Kaerzon asked while leaning back folding his hands behind his head.
“Let’s just say you’ll get enough to buy a town and rename it after you or buy enough land to build a town, have people build it and go from there. That’s the price of this quest I believe, my father is the one who will be paying you, I’m actually the messenger of this. You see, the princess’s return won’t cover the same amount, we’re looking at 1000 gold pieces versus the ability to have a town in your name? We're talking Thousands and thousands more than the reward for finding that princess. I’d say that’s a huge difference. But you also have to understand, this might take years to complete…” She stated in a whispered voice.
Bara, who had not been privy too much to Aoni's plan, has her own eyes going big at the payment being offered.
"Ma'am, is it... Wise to discuss such terms in a simple tavern?"
"No it's not wise, that is why I whispered it... Anyways, I think we should wait a little longer, no more discussion on payment until we're at my father's place, as he will be the one to further discuss payment. He is a very busy man though and we can't hold him up for too long. He'll be providing provisions for this quest as well so I'm not one to be discussing this... Just that I know the payment will be quite handsome," She stated.
Bara nods, looking up at the rest of the tavern. I wonder if anyone else will come?
"If the payment is high enough, I can wait years." The Half-Orc whispered back. "I'm in."
Pulls down the flier and sees the small group gathering
*ahem
Is this the face to face for the job?
Aoni looked up at Allion and nodded.
"Yes this is the face to face for the job, please all of you have a seat, drinks are on me," She stated with a grin.
Damian sat with several "friends" enjoying a drink, perhaps his second, he did not usually count. Seeing what was happening with the whispering crowd in the corner, and putting one and one together, he grabs the remainder of his drink and swaggers, waving a flier with a cheeky grin on his face.
"The employer here I presume? Such hushed talks in a crowded Tavern, do not leave us all out! Gold ever does intrigue me!"
Clad in leathers with a bow and long sword, his rough beard fairly unkempt but at least kept in check. His brown hair is tousled, and his skin worn and tanned. He holds himself confidently, if not pridefully.
Ah thank you I'll just have some clean water please
looks into his mug making sure there's nothing weird about it
if he finds nothing hell take a small drink while looking at the other applicants
Are we waiting for more before you go into the details?
"Nothing for me, thank you." the masked man says, finally taking a seat after hearing the payment.
"A glass of Elven Summer Wine if you please. Aged at least twenty years." Kaerzon requested.
She looks up at Damian and blinks noting the flier in his hand before nodding, she was the employer after all, her father was just the one paying them. The girl waved him over before looking to the rest of them.
"Alright, and I'm not too fond of alcohol myself, it fuzzes up the mind," she stated before getting up and asking the woman at the bar to send over the proper drinks for everyone, paying extra before she made her way back over to the table.
"Once we have our drinks, we should head over to my home. My father would still be awake as he is worried I might find some unfriendly characters to travel with me," She stated.
"Hey, I resemble that remark." Kaerzon replied with a grin.
As long as it's not too far I have a freind waiting for me
Grinning, the man takes a seat, finishing his current driknk, so as to make room for a new one.
"It is a good thing you found some friendly characters then eh?" he says with a grin towards Aoni, before winking at the half-orc in recognition of his previous quip.
Agreeing, Bara looks at Aoni. "The sooner we are where prying ears will not hear us, the better, ma'am." Turning to the new adventurers joining on with their mistress's plans, they nod. As the mugs and glasses arrive, Bara raises one up. "To glory!"
"And profit."
Raising his, Damian grins, looking around, "And women!"
Pausing for a moment, he adds, "And men if that is your fancy, eh?"
Umraeas calmly waits as the others finish their cheering, once they do he stands and acknowledges the group, "Shall we take our leave of this place then?"
"Indeed," She says, finishing off her drink and waiting for the others to stand up. Once they did she lead them on a path, towards the castle. Of course she entered the castle, taking off her goggles to reveal that she was indeed the missing princess. the girl lead them to the throne room where her father awaited.
Her father looked at the bunch who entered into the throne room before spotting his daughter and standing up.
"Greetings, I see you have returned my daughter, and in kind I thank you, but there is something else that is going on that must be taken care of, Aoni, could you explain it to them?" He asked.
She turned to face them, they could see her face fully now, seeing the dual colored eyes that was the mark of the 3rd and youngest of the nobility within the town. She was merely 16 years old and there was a look of worry on her face.
"The world is at stake, there are 7 crystals and 7 dragons each holding the crystal, we must collect the crystals before anymore damage is done, combined them and then destroy them as a whole. I have the ability to do this but I cannot do this on my own," She stated.
"Ahh yes, Dragons, I assumed it would be something along those lines after hearing the pay." Umraeas says, bowing.
Kaerzon's eyes went wide at the mention of dragons, then a glint of greed crossed his face. "Well that's certainly one way to make a profit." Crossing his arms, the Half-Orc added, "Are they different types of Dragons, or all the same?"
Oo
mmm what is the history behind these crystals, and what will happen if they stay in the hands of these dragons?
"The dragons are corrupted by the crystals, if they stay in the locations they are in, they will slowly decay each and every continent, we need to combined them and destroy them... The dragons get turned evil and think of the crystals as part of their hordes... And they're all different dragons, each their own kind but I don't know quite yet what dragon is residing on this continent, all I know is that it's a very young dragon," She stated and then looked to Allion.
"They were created by an evil magician of some sort to destroy this world we live on so he can become a god," She responded to Allion.
Scratching his chin, Damian thinks for a moment before speaking, "If these crystals are powerful enough to corrupt dragons, what will be of us? Should we not carry them in any special manner?"
Looking around the throne room further, studying the rest of the assembled individuals, he asks,"Also, about the rescue of a princess? Was that simply a farce to find a band of brave fools?"
nods head in agreement with Damian's point
The king chuckled some before standing up.
"I put the post out that my daughter is missing because we do not need the man who is trying to corrupt the world to know that the king knows about his plan," the king stated before shrugging.
"But I must admit, we are not looking for fools so much as brave men and women to take care of this business," the king stated.
"Believe me, if there was a better way to go about this I would do it, but there is not... And I will be carrying each of the crystals in a special bag that has been made to ensure their corrupting power does not afflict me," She says before nodding to Damian.
"Or the rest of us, I assume." Kaerzon added.
"Very interesting, where did you acquire such an item?" Umraeas says, "I would hope you aren't using the blessed gift of magic without the consent of Nethys, only the gods themselves should grant such power."