Den of Thieves

Carr leans over trying to see where they went, but the tree is against the cliff rocks. As Toad leads his steed around the tree Carr sees there is a stone ramp hidden by an outcropping of rock wall; the tall tree obscures the difference in space.

Ascending to the ramp’s end Carr hears Burt speaking.

“Hey Ul. Afternoon Trai.”

A deep slow voice responds, “hey, Burt.”

Carr looks over to see a very large man with rounded features staring back.

The second sentry is an average sized Human with long stringy brown hair and unkempt facial hair. “Back early eh? I see the new apprentices are still alive. Who’s the fourth with the nice horse?”

Burt uses his thumb to point back. “He says his name is Carr. Says he wants to meet with Marten.”

“Oh yeah.” The rough male snaps his fingers, “Carr is it? What’s your business here?”

Nodding Carr humbly approaches, “refuge for at least a few days.”

The rough man laughs, “this ain’t a place of worship. What makes you think you’ll be welcome here?”

Burt tells the rough man, “get this Trai, he says he’s the one who ripped off King Darvel.”

“You don’t say,” Trai puts a finger to his lip looking Carr over. “Well, the boss will definitely want to hear your story.” Speaking to Burt, “secure your weapons and get Glar to get Marten.” He asks Carr, “have you ever been here before?”

“Many years ago,” Carr simply states, “my Pa brought me here to do some trading.”

“Very nice,” Trai sarcastically remarks, “a father and son outing. To a den of thieves.” He laughs.

The big sentry laughs with Trai joking along. “Did yous hold hands too?”

Humorously Carr responds, “yeah.”

Causing the whole group to laugh while Trai explains the rules, “okay, okay. No weapons in the lower levels. No cheating or stealing while inside. Plotting and scheming is kept to meetings. Oh, and fighting is only permitted if gambling is involved.”

“That’s easy to remember,” Carr attempts to joke with them, “same rules I grew up with.”

Chuckling more at his youth Trai comments, “growing up eh?” He nudges Ul, “I think he’ll be alright here. Whatcha think?”

“Dah,” Ul thinks Carr looks feminine, “are we sure he’s a he?”

Burt busts out laughing causing Cal and Toad to take a second look of Carr, which makes Trai laugh.

Turning red Carr comes up with, “well I do pee standing up.”

While chuckling away Trai adds, “so do some women I know.” Stretching back his arm towards the cave opening, “go on in boys.”

Burt and Toad walk in side by side still laughing, Cal follows wondering.

Remembering how to tell Carr lifts his chin pointing to his adam’s apple, “I just remembered this bump is only on males.”

Ul looks at it then for Trai’s, “is that true?” Briefly pointing at Trai’s neck.

With beard lifted up Trai feels his, “well I’ve got one.” Trying to show it to Ul, “I never really noticed on women. Must be looking at better bumps,” laughing drops the beard.

Ul feels his thick round neck speaking low, “hey Trai. I don’t got one.”

Seeing Trai with a raised brow looking at Ul searching for an Adam’s apple, Carr extends his hand for a shake, “it was good to meet you Trai. I’ll stay on my best behavior.”

Shaking hands Trai says, “I’m just a lookout. Glar is like our overseer. Discipline is up to him. And I think I know what you’re talking about. I’ll explain it to Ul later.”

Carr returns the gesture to Ul, “I’m Glad to meet you under friendly terms.”

Ul wraps his meaty fingers around Carr’s hand making it disappear, “it’s too bad you’re no girl. Pretty eyes, pretty face.”

“Ah thanks Ul. I think,” Carr takes his hand back.

“Hah. Ul you’re funny,” Trai pats Carr on the back, “few good fights and a little more fuzz on your face will help you out.” Stroking his shaggy beard, “the women really like that kind of thing.”

Nodding Carr rubs his sparse jaw hairs while entering the cave, “soon I think.” Ahead he can still hear the echoing laughter of Burt and Toad.

Ul points out. “Even his horse is pretty.”

With a big smile Trai says, “Ullie, my good-hearted man, you can’t feel the bump in your neck. Cause your neck’s too round. Actually, I wasn’t sure you had a neck.”

Leading Ebony in Carr follows the young bandits. Wide enough for three horses, the main passage slopes downward. The sedimentary shale rock of the land provides for reasonably flat floors and ceiling.

A few paces ahead the trio leads their horses left into a narrower tunnel.

Straight ahead a group of local scourges gather to see what all the laughter is about. All eyes fall on Carr making him nervous.

In another opening behind the group of men Carr glimpses a Hobgoblin standing beside a two legged being that’s taller than Ul.

“Down here,” Cal waves Carr to follow.

Carr nods to the group of men before following.

Walking about as far as the main tunnel they enter an opening. Two sentries sit off to the right in a nook.

Burt unlatches an iron gate at the narrow end of the opening.

“Hey,” a balding half Orc informs Carr, “we’re only responsible for horses.”

“Okay,” Carr pats the saddlebags on Ebony, “they’re empty anyways. But thanks for the warning.”

Opening the squeaky iron-gate Burt allows them to enter. Toad enters with his and Burt’s horses.

Following them Cal talks to Carr, “it’s a strange stable. There’s an underground spring running through it. The mossy stuff grows really fast. If it isn’t licked clean, it’ll be as long as a finger in two days.”

Burt notes. “It gives the horses gas. If you don’t want yours to be farting, take her outside.”

Carr recognizes the growth not the best source of food for horses but it won’t kill Ebony.

Inside the huge opening several horses wander about still saddled. Carr shakes his head knowing that’s not good for them. Not wanting to lose his saddle either hopes Ebony won’t get sores.

Adding the rope and grappling hook to his backpack, Carr notices the curved southern wall has many holes near the top allowing light in.

Taking his bow and arrows Carr sees the tiny hand deep stream. Entering the area through a small hole in the far northwestern corner, the spring follows a natural course along the west wall out a hole in the south wall.

“Come on let’s go,” Burt urges, “with all those guys standing around out there dinner ain’t ready yet.”

Excited Toad cuffs his brother in the back of the head, “come on. You’re holding up my mouth.” Jogging to the entrance with coin clinking saddlebags slung over his shoulder.

“Hey,” Cal rubs the back of his head walking beside Carr, “the food’s no good anyway.”

Toad glances back, “as long as its’ warm I’ll eat it.”

Burt snottily adds, “you’d eat it cold.”

“You bet.” Toad’s not a picky eater.

Leaving the cavernous stables Carr approaches the sentries handing them a copper each.

They take it but are insulted, “Ooo a copper. Thanks.”

“It’s just a gesture,” Carr states. “If my horse and gear are still here when I return, I’ll have something more worthy to give.”

Pocketing the copper they nod at Carr understanding, before returning to their conversation.

Back in the main passage Burt mutters, “Oh crap.”

Seeing the last of the thieves lined up across the way Toad says, “I told you we should have raced back.”

Reaching the area where all the men were, only four remain, in a niche off to the right. They sit amongst a group rickety tables and stools. Lit by five torches mounted on the cave walls.

To the left two narrow passages, divided by a triangular shale column, lead to a western tunnel. Cal points that way, “that’s where Toad and I sleep.” Pointing to an area ahead where the last of the men are lined up, “dinner’s ready and we’re at the back of the line.”

Moving to join the line up Burt huffs, “come on let’s turn in our shit.”

Straight ahead an iron bar wall, behind a man collects weapons from men in line. Writing in a book he hands something in return. After that the men approach an old lean Hobgoblin and the creature Carr has never seen before.

Standing as tall as a horse, a bear like beast, with a large yellowish beak. Its’ furry body has large patches of feathers. A long bushy bird tail touches the ground. Arms similar to a gorilla. The lower legs like a birds end in talons.

The creature bends over sniffing each man before allowing him to pass. The men follow a turning, torch lit tunnel, out of sight.

Approaching Burt and Toad, the pale orange skinned Hobgoblin takes the saddlebags talking with them.

Crossing eyes with the Hobgoblin, Carr knows he’s under investigation.

Cal whispers to Carr, “that’s Glar,” motioning with his eyes to the beast, “that’s Vis, an Owlbear. I’ve never seen anything like him before and only Glar seems to understand him.”

Whispering back Carr states, “I’ve never seen or heard of such a creature. An Owl bear you say?”

“Yah,” Cal warns him, “so you know Vis understands human speech.”

Patting Cal’s shoulder Carr says, “it’s a good thing you told me. I probably would have said something stupid.”

Intrigued by the Den’s new visitor Glar parts Toad and Burt like curtains, “these two tell me your name is Carr. Is that right?” He walks past them to confront Carr, “they say you want to seek refuge here. As it was you, alone, who burgled King Darvel.”

Toad recalls. “He said his father was the master thief named Albert.”

“Is that so?” Glar walks around Carr.

Taken by surprise Carr hesitates.

Cal corrects his brother, “no, he said his father’s name is Alfred.”

“That’s true,” Carr speaks but stays still, “my father was a master thief named Alfred. I am called Carr and you’re most likely wondering if I know what that means in Orc.”

“I was,” Glar gets a good look at Carr’s face, “I remember Alfred. I think I remember you too but half the size. But you Human’s all stink the same.” He sniffs Carr, “although you stink like skunk.”

“Hah,” Burt nervously laughs once, “he said it keeps the beasts away.”

Smiling Carr explains, “my father told me that. Years ago, he brought me here to sell some things.”

“Oh yes,” Glar recalls the day, putting his grimy hand on Carr’s shoulder leaning in whispering. A foul stench oozes from his mouth, “here’s something your father didn’t tell you. You Humans have a stink that already keeps the beasts away.” Chuckling to himself feels Carr’s armor under the cloak, “what are you wearing under there?”

“Scale,” Carr pulls up the bottom of the cloak revealing the leg coverings, “just had it made for me in Halford’s city a few weeks ago.”

“It’s Dragon scale,” Glar gives him a sly look and a Hobgoblin compliment, “it’s a good thing I’m bigger than you or I’d have to kill you and take it.”

Respectfully answering him in Orc Carr says, “you approve.” He removes the cloak to show it off.

Catching the eye of the man working behind the iron wall he hastily finishes with the last man in line.