Den of Thieves

Rarely getting such a quick resolution to a problem Marten tells Toad, “you will take an escorted ride this evening back to Burt’s hiding spot. Return the stash and I’ll find the perfect crew for you and Cal to work with.”

“Thank you Marten sir,” Toad breathes a sigh of relief, “I won’t let you down sir.”

“Time will tell,” Marten states, “now go tell your brother. After, find and meet with Trai.”

“Yes sir,” Toad gets up backing away, “thank you.”

Glar waves him away.

All eyes fall on Burt, he feels as though the walls and ceiling are closing in.

After Toad leaves the dinning hall Marten speaks, “Burt we put time into you,” his tone becomes agitated, “we gave you your own crew. First time out and you rip us off. It’s one thing to take a little. But you took more.”

Burt blurts out, “sorry Marten. I’m sorry.”

Marten’s eyes seem to glow with anger, “there’s a group leaving tonight. They’ve asked for a few more men. You’re going and Viltor is in charge.”

Burt sighs, “Viltor?”

“That’s right.” Marten wants to make it clear to Burt, “it’s your last chance to actually prove your worth to the guild. Do it or die.”

Unhappy about it Burt speaks quickly, “I’ll do it.”

“Good,” with a hand Marten waves over one of the dark Elves, “Viltor here’s your last recruit. I think he’ll suit your needs.”

Looking over at the dark Elves, one gracefully stands and seems to glide across the floor, his long silvery white hair barely moves. Concealed under a long brown and black trimmed cloak, the Elf’s moving feet are almost unseen and unheard on the stone floor.

Viltor speaks with a pleasant tone, “yes Marten, I agree,” He stops beside Marten looking through Burt, “he is just the individual required to complete my party.”

Having regained some color Burt is still concerned for his life, “why? Where are we going?”

Motioning to Carr, Marten states, “we don’t discuss guild jobs to be done in front of non-guild members.” Slyly he grins, “Viltor will explain it along the way. I’m sure he’s ready to travel.”

“Indeed,” Viltor snaps his fingers, “we leave now.”

Carr didn’t even see Viltor’s fingers move.

Around the hall men get up from their tables, two are older Humans and one really old wavering Human and another dark Elf.

Exhaling loudly Burt gets up. He looks no one in the eye and barely looks at Marten, “I’ll do better.”

“Just go boy,” waving Burt away, Marten looks at Viltor, “good luck.”

Viltor bows to Marten before ushering Burt off with his odd party.

Sitting at the table across from Carr for intimidation Glar speaks, “next order of business. Son of Alfred seeks refuge.” Glar leans in closer, “his Monsteil job has effected our operations and tapped into our wealth.”

Marten waits to see how Carr reacts.

Throwing up his hands Carr apologizes, “I’m sorry. I had no idea King Darvel would come after you, in search of me. A large portion of his men saw me traveling south leaving the city. They even chased me across the Ildihom mountain range.”

Marten wishes to know more, “so you actually did break into Darvel’s Public Affairs building and removed his valued property.”

Listening carefully to them Carr nods, “yes sir.”

Marten queries, “you did this alone?”

Proudly Carr nods again, “yes sir, I did.”

“Hmm,” Marten points out the obvious to Glar, “even with a storm Giant’s belt, there is no way this young man with one horse could take what he’s being accused of.”

Glar queries, “hey, do you have a magic bag or one of those handysacks?”

“Handysack?” Never hearing of that Carr remarks, “I wish I had one at the time. I would’ve even taken the furnishings as well.”

Respecting the crazy statement Glar recollects a past heist with Marten, “do you remember that crafter’s hall?”

Chuckling, Marten nods, “Oh yeah. Even took the doors off the place.” He asks Carr. “So, what did you do with your haul?”

“That’s the thing,” Carr spins a bit of a tale, “as I was being chased through the mountains, I decided to send my horse in a different direction. You know to lose the King’s men. It almost worked too. As it got dark, I figured I’d lost them so I tried to get some sleep. Well two men caught me sleeping. As they went to bind my hands I took off. They chased me across the north face in the dark. I left the backpack with the treasure behind. Along with my bow and arrows. They ended up catching up to me and I had to fight for my life. Luckily, I killed them both.”

Marten inquires. “Where’s the backpack?”

Trying to point west Carr says, “somewhere in the mountains. If no one’s found it yet.”

Glar asks, “where did you get the coin for the new armor then?”

Turning to Glar, Carr tells him. “Hey, I crammed ever pocket and pouch with stuff. So, I still had plenty of gems. I headed for Halford’s city to hide out there. I was hoping things would quiet down enough to return to the mountains to search for the backpack. It’s full of gold and platinum. But Darvel’s men came through that city too in search of little ol’me.”

With a sly grin Glar is noticeable intrigued, “your backpack is just sitting in the mountains.”

“Hopefully,” Carr lies some more, “I was on my way back for it. I figured by now they wouldn’t be searching the mountains anymore.”

“They’ll always be looking for you.” Marten has a different thought picking at him, “did you say you were using gems in Halford?”

Nothing wrong with that Carr tells them, “I was, for at least a week.”

Smiling at Glar with a knowing eye Marten utters, “we heard about you there as well.”

Sitting back Carr looks over Marten, “Oh yeah. What did you hear?”

Returning the look over Marten says, “Glar let’s see how good our information is.”

“Yes,” agrees Glar, enjoying people squirm is hoping for more amusement.

It becomes clear to Carr, “Oh, you have a crew there.”

“Only the best three get to go there.” Marten retells what was told to him, “who noted a young rogue entered the city on a rainy evening. And was also seen at the Slaughtered Lamb, where a group of males were finalizing plans to raid King Halford’s treasury.” He asks Glar. “Kapigorn was behind it? Right?”

Glar nods, “you got it right.”

Trying to remember if anyone was watching him there, Carr is astonished Marten knows so much.

“Anyway,” Marten continues, “this individual was seen leaving the city with a readied horse. Only minutes before the city gates were closed. I asked my men why they didn’t follow. They said the rogue never had a horse when he arrived but the stable hand had one ready for him. My men said they couldn’t get to a horse in time. My informants were in the middle of trying to figure out what the strangers were up too.”

Glar coughs, warning Marten not to go on.

Carr inquires. “Why didn’t they follow the group of strangers? They left before me.”

That’s what Marten asked them. “They said the town guards forced them to move along. When they returned the rogue was leaving. They checked inside the bar to find out the strangers had already left. So, they split up scouring the city. One went to the main stables to find the rogue picking up a horse. The strangers were never to be found.”

Certain who the spies were Carr surmises. “Your men were the Halflings.”

Marten nods, “as the rogue was you.”

Sinking a little in his seat Carr wonders how much else they know, “yes that was me. I too found out what they were up too.”

A burning question in Marten’s mind is brought out, “how did you, manage to return with Halford’s treasure and yet still remain alive and free?”

Unsure of how to answer the question Carr nervously looks about. The males still in the dinning hall have quietly moved a table or two closer. The dark Elves having impeccable, hearing, stay put.

“Ah,” Carr has but one question. “Where would you like me to start?”

Sitting back to getting comfortable Marten calmly suggests. “From when you encountered the strangers in the bar to why you’re still a free soul.”

“Alright. I just happened into the bar,” Carr tells the story as it happened up to leaving the city.

“Wait,” Glar interrupts, “didn’t I hear something about the city’s guards laughing at your riding skills?”

In awe such an antidote is becoming widely known Carr turns red of embarrassment. Depicting his befall when Bolt the horse lived up to its namesake. Leaving Carr sitting in the mud instead of saddle. Much like Halford’s soldiers who witnessed the spectacle, Marten, Glar and most of the males around laugh. Even the dark Elves smile at the thought.

Getting to the fight in the Ironwood forest Carr tells the initial conflict while keeping the hall intrigued.

Describing what happened after the first Orc died Carr struggles explaining what he saw. The hall listens carefully wondering of the truth to the story. Various theories are shared between listening guild members. The dark Elves have the closest assumption to what the red mist was about.

Talking about waking up the next morning alone causes Marten to question him, “you black out after seeing a red light. Waking up everyone is gone leaving everything behind including all the horses and their clothes and equipment?”

“And treasure all over,” Glar adds his thought, “plus you want us to believe you killed Lord Krang?”

“Yeah, I know it’s hard to believe,” Carr defends himself, “I didn’t even know it was Lord Krang until later that day,” he continues with collecting as much as he could and getting out of the forest.

Telling them about being caught in the open grasslands by Captain Avilo and his cavalry starts a debate. Glar and half the hall think he should have at least tried to flee. Marten and the older men agree, if you try to run and get caught risk your life right there.

Carr points out to the hall, Avilo didn’t kill him because he didn’t run. Also, that Avilo and his men did not believe the story either. Carr gets to the night they found out what happened.

“A Night-hag?” Marten utters, “I never met one. I hear it’s not good either.”

Oddly curious Glar is also a little envious of Carr, “yah? What did she look like?”

Painting a perfect picture of Tetra for Glar’s taste Carr goes on. He tells them about Avilo’s promise to look into it if King Halford is willing to help.

Wanting to know more about the Night-hag Glar queries, “so does she return night after night?” Almost sounding like a fantasy to the Hobgoblin.

Shaking a disgusted head at his partner Marten jests. “Easy Glar, I get the feeling you’d like to meet this Night-hag.” He points out to Carr, “we know you returned with Avilo and his men. In a hero’s welcome from what we were told. A couple nights later you were seen drinking with Halford’s wizard and a group of Dwarf mercenaries. The next day you left escorted by the good Captain and a wagon load of provisions.”

Thinking Marten may be concerned he has an allegiance with King Halford, “when I actually met with Halford. I found out he and my father had worked together many years ago. And the King also owed him a favor. Since my father had passed Halford let me go.”

Glar mumbles in disbelief, “Yeah, okay.”