Den of Thieves

Carr speaks the truth, “the King was just happy to have his treasure back. A good part of it was taken from the Kapigorn vaults. They even offered me assistance with the Night-hag.”

Accepting Carr’s statement on the King being content to get his treasure back Marten would also, “yes I can see that. So did they help you with the Night-hag?”

“Oh yeah,” Carr tells them parts of the conversation in Halford’s inner courtyard, as well as the dinner that evening.

Going on about his first portal jump to a plane in Hell, begins to captivate his audience. Wanting to stand to animate the story Carr restrains the urge.

The remaining guild members enjoy any new stories and listen quietly, as does Marten truth or fiction.

Glar appreciates the great details of the fight, picturing the Night-hag beating the snot out of a bunch of fancy pant Humans. Even cuffing Carr upside the head when he tells them about cutting off the Hag’s arm.

In awe that his partner is so drawn into Carr’s words Marten chuckles, “easy Glar, it’s a story. The Hag’s not related to you, is she?”

“No,” Glar pats Carr’s head, “sorry, go on.”

“It’s alright.” Carr replies, “I’ll take it as a compliment on my story telling.”

Smiling Marten points out, “yes, story telling. Please finish the tale.”

“Okay but Glar isn’t going to like it,” Carr picks up where he left off.

Sure, enough Glar huffs hearing the demise of the Night-hag. More upset by the death of a possible romantic encounter Glar inquires, “why would a King do so much for you? There’s got to be more to it that you’re not telling us.”

Agreeing Marten simply asks, “what do say you?”

Now reaching a point of trust in the guild Carr states, “I promised to help him out one day. The same you might ask of me, to help ease the tensions I created here because of the Monsteil job. Or is it a percentage of my take that interests you?” Saying exactly what Marten and Glar want to hear certainly helps him.

Glar speaks, “now that I can believe. How do we know you’re not working for the King right now?”

Carr shrugs, “there’s little I could say that would convince you. But the King has no interest in your guild that I know of. And If I was working for him, I wouldn’t even have mentioned going to his city.”

That statement makes Marten think Carr’s on the level, “son I hear your father in you. I’m assuming your word is as good as his. Which is difficult to say about people in our profession.

Carr smiles, “thank you for your kind words.”

Leaning forward Marten notifies, “your job cost the guild one thousand gold and a promise to keep members out of Monsteil. So, we figure adequate compensation is half of what’s in your lost backpack and the use of your services one day. And of course, you can stay here any time you need.”

Pretending to think over the offer Carr knows half of nothing is nothing. Seeing Marten has other concerns in the guild he hopes the search for the anklet will be easy. “I think what you purpose is reasonable.”

“Excellent,” Marten having other queries says, “Glar let’s show Carr our new hall.”

Standing Glar taps Carr’s shoulder, “yes, its very impressive, you must see.”

Figuring they wish to talk around fewer ears Carr stands, “sure, why not.”

The guild henchman with the scarred face leads them down a long passage. The other henchman brings up the rear.

As they walk Marten explains how a couple of fellow Dwarf members spent a couple years carving out the hall.

Rounding a right corner that opens into a larger passage, Marten tries to describe the detail work that was put into the new meeting hall. Noting that the work to the ceiling was his favorite part.

Passing a downward turning tunnel on the left they enter the new meeting hall. The lead henchman takes a lit torch to light a couple others within the hall.

Four rows of benches line the space from the back to a large raised stone stage. A dark purple curtain covers the north wall behind a raised stage.

The south wall has an opening in the middle to a dark room. Observing the detailed work throughout the hall Carr is impressed.

Pointing to the opening in the south wall Marten informs Carr, “I had to have a pisser included. Too many people wandered off during meetings.”

Slyly Glar says, “some never to return.”

Noticing there is no other exit Carr remarks, “well they won’t be sneaking out of here. It is a very nice hall.”

Making sure no one is following them Marten softly indicates his intentions, “what I’d really like from you is drawings of the inside of Darvel’s Public Affairs building. And perhaps since you’ve been inside, a drawing of Halford castle.”

With a squinted eye and raise brow Carr surmises, “ah, planning a little excursion of your own.”

Nodding Marten grins, “of course. That building in Monsteil has been a desired target for many years. A drawing of Halford castle would be the fruit inside a tasty pastry.”

Not wanting to provide information on Halford’s castle Carr realizes he’s seen little of it, “the building in Monsteil should be easy to recall. Halford castle? I only saw parts of the main level. No vaults or bed chambers.”

Still interested to know what Carr knows Marten says, “what ever you can recall could still be useful.”

Seeing the opportunity to gain further trust with them Carr complies, “I don’t see why not. I just need something to write on and with.”

Content with Carr so far, Marten grins, “very well then. There’s private bed chambers on the lower level. In each parchment and ink, we’ll set you up there, while you’re here.”

Curious what a mine’s guest room is like Carr remarks, “well lead on.”

The same henchman leads them out of the meeting hall turning right to the descending tunnel.

Marten tells him the lower rooms use to be theirs until a freak flood a few years ago. The upper level over the main level used to be chambers for private guests, now they reside there.

A few years back while in the mountains Carr inadvertently created a flood reading a scroll. “A freak flood you say?”

Just thinking Carr is worried about waking up under water Marten assures him, “that’s only happened once in the thirty plus years we’ve been here. We just didn’t want to have our things destroyed again.”

Thinking about how long Marten has occupied the mines Carr inquires, “the mine doesn’t appear to be very big as mines go. And there are a lot of wide openings. What did they mine here?”

“Silver,” Marten responds, “but over the years we’ve had spaces opened up to suit our needs.”

Many voices echo from below as they follow the descending tunnel.

Attracted to the possibility of living in his own mine Carr questions, “if you don’t mind me asking, how does one acquire a mine?”

Chuckling at the question Glar slaps Carr’s back, “you go in, kill everyone, it’s yours.”

Not his first choice Carr glances at Glar. “Sounds like too much work.”

That causes Marten to chuckle, “this mine sat empty for decades. Glar and I use to hide out here. We didn’t know about each other until one winter.”

Glar points to the level they’re going to, “I was down here, hoping he’d pack up and leave.”

“Yeah,” Marten reminisces, “we had three fights about it. Then a lot of gambling and scheming.”

Recalling the year that followed Glar grins, “that was a good spring after and a very prosperous summer.”

“That it was.” Reaching the bottom Marten points to the right, “the guest rooms are that way.” He points left to his favorite spot, “and this is our bar. Money from the booze pays for the meals and more booze. Gambling is always welcome here. In the winter the gypsies will stay here. They’re a great source of entertainment.”

Glar interrupts, “don’t forget about the wenches.”

“Can’t forget about that,” Marten surveys the crowd.

The patrons are all guild members including several of the guild guards. Two on duty with clubs sit at a table each, flanking a doorway on the north side. Accompanied by their comrades.

Taking in the room Carr likes the curved wooden stand-up bar to the left. Behind the bar, a Dwarf on stilts refills drinks, “this is a nice bar Marten. And you have wenches too?”

Directing Carr to the guest rooms Marten whispers, “not yet. We’ve got men out picking up some new slave women.” Walking into a large open area with a central stone support, “the winters are rather odd here. Some women end up dying for one reason or another. Strong willed ones end up running.”

Glarr notes, “those ones are too much trouble so we let them go. And by spring we’re sick of listening to the ones that remain.”

“And some are bought, won or traded,” Marten continues as they enter a wide tunnel, “by summer there are usually no women here.”

Carr queries, “what about female thieves?”

Laughing Glar answers, “sure there is the occasional female thief. But how good can they be? They can’t sneak anywhere because they’re always talking. Besides females are only good for doing and birthing.”

Marten points to an opening on the right, “another pisser here. Need one on every level.”

“Oh yeah,” needing to go Carr stops, “you must excuse me then while I investigate.”

Marten shrugs, “go ahead.”

“Thanks,” Carr slips into the opening.

The room has three alcoves in each a low wooden plank bench with two holes. Glancing to the right Carr sees a big nicely crafted washstand. There are many vials on top of its counter.

Untying his pants looks in the bench hole. Seeing no water, he spits waiting to hear it hit bottom. He can hear Marten and Glar talking with the guards but no sound of spit hitting bottom.

Shrugging Carr pees listening to the stream while thinking, “must be some sort of chasm or something.”

Finishing up Carr checks the vials on the counter. They contain many different perfumes. He wonders why thieves would want such things. Smelling the skunk on himself finds one to try out.

As Carr exits Glar jests, “we were starting to wonder if you fell in.”

Marten humorously points out. “If you did, we weren’t coming to get you.”

Thinking of the depth Carr replies, “I guess not.”

Wrinkling his nose, Glar comments. “What the hell? What did you put on in there? Pe yoo.”

Attempting to defend his action, “better than the skunk.”

“Not really,” Glar steps away from him.

Marten chuckles, “a little much, but it’s better.” He motions the henchman to lead on.

Ahead as the tunnel bends to the right a sentry nods to Marten and Glar as they pass. Heading back south the tunnel gradually gets smaller passing doorways built into the tunnel walls.

Passing each door Marten describes the bedchambers and how the furniture was acquired. Carr listens to most of it, thinking about using his bag of holding to collect furnishings for Mother and himself.

The tunnel turns east after the fifth room causing Carr to query, “how many rooms are down here?”

“Just five more,” Marten lets him know, “the last one will be yours.”

Glar tells Carr. “You’ll be able to hear people coming down the tunnel. Past your room is a tunnel to the second sub level. It was a mining tunnel that entered into existing caverns.”

Marten figures, “they must have been trying to find more silver unsuccessfully. There are many small tunnels carved into the rock but none too deep.”