Den of Thieves

Marten believes Carr doesn’t know anything about it, “they are sworn to protect waterways. From what you tell us, about the Orcs you found, it sounds like maybe she’s still in the area.”

Glar shares his thought on Swanmays, “foul creatures, worse than regular rangers. They kill anyone who disagrees with them. And like Sirens and Nymphs they seek out males for breeding only. When they’re done with them, they kill’em or force them to be slaves.”

Jesting to stay on their side Carr utters, “I think I’ll just stick with wenches. Pay‘em a few coins and you never have to see‘em again.”

That comment gains Glar’s trust as he grins pointing at Carr. “Now that’s the right idea.”

Satisfied that Carr isn’t a threat to the guild Marten stands collecting the parchments, “well Carr it would seem you have learned much from your father and life. We’ll leave you to get some rest. Tomorrow we’ll see about getting some supplies together for your search.”

Getting up Glar indicates, “I would like to travel with Carr as well. I need to get out anyway.” Also wanting to go for other reasons.

Still trying to win their trust Carr answers, “sure thing. A couple other trusted men would help make the search go quicker.”

About to suggest that Marten grins, “a very good idea. No need to waste time with cold weather on the way. Not to mention all the creatures that live out there.”

Crete opens the door for Marten and Glar.

Carr follows them to the door, “thanks again to the both of you. For your generous understanding.”

Leaving the room Marten holds up the rolled parchments, “thank you for these.”

Closing the door Carr listens to them moving back up the tunnel. Marten and Glar are smart enough to say nothing until they get to privacy.

All quiet Carr turns surveying the room once more. Seeing the term bird in a gilded cage in a different way. Free to come and go but most certainly to be watched.

As all thieves are greedy for more coin, he knows they will keep him alive for at least a couple nights. Feeling safe for now Carr runs at the bed jumping onto the many thick blankets and a real mattress.

Opening his backpack to take inventory of what’s at his disposal. Laying the items out on the bed finds three bandages, two vials of healing wrapped in a change of clothing. Two days of rations and an empty water canteen. The family lock pick pouch has inside a small pelt with a small knife and an old metal vial rolled up in it.

Taking the vial out Carr reads the Elven engraving on it, “Fade,” looking familiar can’t quite place it. Smelling the half full vial doesn’t help. Lying back on the bed, “Ma put it in here for a reason.” Recalling the first real outing with his father, “Oh, yes. Ma tucked this into Pa’s equipment. It’s an invisibility potion.” After rolling the vial back up Carr puts the things back into the pack.

Getting comfortable in the bed thinks about the job at hand. With limited time, searching for the anklet isn’t going to be easy. Where should he begin?

“Slam!” A door closing hard down the tunnel wakes Carr. Realizing he’s drifted off sees the torches on the walls still burning; they maybe the only way to gauge the time underground.

Out of the bed he opens the room door listening to the tunnel. Two sets of footsteps with distorted voices are heard near the start of the tunnel. Followed by two doors open and closing. Figuring it must be late at night Carr returns inside the room.

Thinking to wait a bit before beginning the search, readies his self. Adding the small knife and favored picks to the empty sheaths under the chest plate.

Passing time decides to investigate the room. Tapping along the walls, he listens for any hidden spaces. Circling the room finds the walls are solid rock. Just out of curiosity checks the furniture, under and over.

With nothing of interest to be found in the room, Carr takes one of the iron torches and heads into the hallway.

Carefully closing the door decides on searching the sub level. Turning left makes his way down the narrow and cobwebby passage.

Reaching the bottom sees what they meant as the narrow passage enters an old existing cavern. A ramp of crushed rock makes up the difference between the tunnel and the cavern floor.

Walking down there are three choices in directions to take; five paces in front of him a natural cavern seems to end not to far in. To his right a slight breeze is felt, he decides to save that for last. Turning left taps along the left side, slowly easing his way through the dark cavern.

Except for methodically tapping at the rock the only other sounds made are the occasional drip of water and scurrying insects.

The left cavern, the widest of the three areas, has a central group of stalactites and stalagmites. Carved into the rock are eight off shooting miners’ tunnels. Most just wide enough for Carr’s body, none are very long. In the tunnels he only finds bugs, molds, and slimes.

Ending up where he started Carr continues with the cavern that looked as it stops quickly. The cavern actually turns to the left. Checking four short mine tunnels he comes to a wider tunnel that’s collapsed. Not being able to go far he finds only two more short tunnels in the opened end of the cavern.

Taking on the last cavern it turns out to be the longest. The first side he checks turns far to the left; with only three short tunnels.

Past the third short tunnel he finds a second tunnel that has collapsed. Carrying on, one more, short tunnel is to be found.

The cavern gradually narrows in width and height with an increasingly stronger breeze.

Far ahead a bit of light appears to be coming in from the passage ceiling.

Half way to the illumination it becomes apparent the cavern floor is rising. The ceiling is also getting lower causing Carr to duck.

Bent over and close to crawling he reaches the point of illumination a hole in the passage ceiling. He pokes his head up into a circle of boulders, on the ravine floor. Leaving the torch below Carr climbs out to see to exactly where he is.

Peering around the boulders realizes he’s on the opposite side of the ravine from the den. An orange glow marks the entrance to the guild.

Content to have found an emergency exit, Carr returns back into the caverns.

Figuring that the caverns have no secret passages hastily checks the remaining walls. Quickly scanning ten spaced out miner’s tunnels.

Satisfied there’s nothing of interest or value returns to the gilded cage.

After placing a high back chair against the door, he latches it for peace of mind. With a real mattress to sleep on he strips down before going down.

“Bang, bang, bang.” Someone knocks on the room door.

Eyes open Carr’s in the pitch dark as the torch has burned out. Torchlight from the outer tunnel highlights the door. Looking to the gap at the bottom of the door two small feet are seen.

Rapping louder on the door a voice calls out, “hey, Carr. Are you in there?” They attempt to open the door.

Carr barks out. “Who is it?” Stopping them, while he gets out of the bed.

The reply is barely audible, “it’s me, Cal. Toad’s brother from the bridge.”

Carr mumbles, “yeah yah.” He searches the floor to find and put on his boots, “hold on.”

Sliding the chair and door latch aside Carr opens the door, having to shield his eyes from the tunnel torchlight, “come on in Cal.”

“Ah,” Cal hesitates seeing how dark the chamber is, “let me grab one of these torches.”

“Okay,” Carr returns to put his armor on, “there’s a lamp beside the bed.”

Spotting the candle lamp Cal lights it, “it’s really warm down here.”

Carr slips into the body armor, “yeah, it is. Hey what time of day is it?”

Cal returns the torch to the tunnel, “late afternoon, they’re just starting supper. Why have you been sleeping this whole time?”

Surprised but well rested Carr points to the bed, “I guess. The bed’s too comfortable.”

“Is it?” Cal closes the door, “I’ve never slept in a bed like that.”

Carr motions with his arm to the bed. “Go ahead guy. Give it a try.”

“Really?” Cal sits on the bed, “are you sure?”

“It’s not mine,” Carr replies tying the bindings.

Getting comfortable Cal lays in it, “wow, this is soft. Not crunchy like straw. Kind of like sleeping on a big furry beast all soft and warm. No wonder you slept all day.”

Looking at the arm and leg coverings Carr decides not to put them on, “yeah it’s cozy alright. I was also up late with Marten and Glar.”

Cal rolls on his side, “that’s why I’m down here.”

Sitting at the marble table Carr queries, “what’s that?”

Cal explains, “Glar wanted to know if I’d seen you. No body has seen you since last night.”

Shrugging Carr says, “I guess you just loose track of time down here.”

Sitting up Cal relays some information, “Glar wanted to make sure you were still here. And also if you were going to be ready to go out tomorrow.”

Stretching out Carr yawns, “sure.”

Bringing the candle lantern to the table Cal tells him, “Glar said he wasn’t going to pack any supplies if you’d taken off.”

“Understandable,” Carr looks at Cal, “is your brother back yet?”

“Not yet,” Cal’s curious to where Carr and Glar are going. “What are yous going out for?”

Not thinking it matters Carr replies, “looking for my backpack full of coin in the mountains.”

Sounding like a worthy venture to Cal, “can Toad and I come too?”

Realizing he’s said too much Carr answers with, “I believe Glar is choosing who gets to go. You should ask him. Tell ya what. Go back and find Glar. Tell him tomorrow is good. Meet me in the dinning hall after.”

Excited Cal smiles widely, “okay, I will. Then I’ll meet you in the hall.” He quickly exits the room.

Carr nods, “sure thing.”