Shaynen gasped as Timothy charged straight into him. The dagger slid into his side with no resistance. The pain kicked Shaynen into action. He punched Timothy, knocking him back but also pulling the dagger free. Shaynen made a sound of surprised pain. Cleatus had his bow out and an arrow flew over Shaynen’s head and passed Timothy’s shoulder. Odelia ran up, pushing her back up against Shaynen’s to keep him steady.

She swung her staff and hit him loudly in his side. Haagut reached out and pointed at Timothy.

“Drop your weapon!” He commanded. Timothy instantly dropped the dagger. Shaynen kicked out one of his feet and grabbed his own staff in the same movement. Hitting Timothy over the head and knocking him out cold. Shaynen fell into a chair holding his side in disbelief.

“We should tie him up and get some answers.” Haagut said.

“Oh, I uh. I have rope.” Shaynen held up a hand and pulled some rope out of his bag. He and Odelia pulled Timothy on to the chair and tied him up. Shaynen sat up on the table and looked down at his injury. It didn’t seem that bad. Odelia slapped Timothy around, trying to wake him up.

“You want some water?”Cleatus asked. Still from behind the bar.

“Yes. Hot if possible.” Shaynen slid off the table and walked to the bar. Cleatus dropped a tankard of lukewarm water in front of Shaynen. He took it and pulled a pouch of tea leaves from his bag. Timothy was woken up by Odelia.

“All right kid. You’re gonna tell me everything. Spill your guts.” She growled.

“There’s nothing to tell! You all have ruined everything. This town will die and it’s all your fault!” Timothy yelled.

“You don’t know that.” Shaynen said. “We’re trying to help here, but I don’t think you’re being very truthful with us.”

“Yeah.” Odelia nodded. “What’s all this about a cult?”

“What are you talking about? We’re just trying to eat!” Timothy yelled.

“Then what’s this?” Haagut stormed up and ripped the black antler pendant off of him. Shoving it in Timothy’s face. Timothy scowled.

“Well what are you going to do then?” He asked. “Go head and kill me, another will take my place.”

“We wouldn’t do that.” Shaynen insisted. Odelia and Haagut spared a skeptical look at him.

“If you aren’t going to kill me then let me go.” Timothy asked. “I’m trying to do the right thing for this town.”

“By doing what? Causing a riot?” Haagut asked. Getting up in Timothy’s face.

“No!”

“What does it matter really?” Cleatus asked. “Governor’s crooked. But let’s be realistic. There’s nothing more we can really do here. Cult and all that. It’s not our problem.” Shaynen turned to look at Cleatus betrayed.

“Claudius is right.” Haagut nodded.

“It’s Cleatus.”

“Right” Haagut shrugged. “We’ve made our coin. This is a bit above our scope of expertise.”

“What?” Shaynen snapped. “I did not just get stabbed for us to shrug and walk away!”

“Calm down Shannon.” Odelia stood up.

“Who?”

“Ophelia’s right,” Cleatus said calmly.

“Who?!”

“Does it really matter who’s name is whose?” Haagut snapped.

“I dunno Haggis, does it?” Shaynen raised an eyebrow at Haagut who scowled.

“Okay stop.” Odelia said. “We’ll get our names straight after we deal with Timothy.” Shaynen set down his tankard and stormed over to Timothy. Yanking a dagger free from Odelia’s belt. Shaynen slipped the dagger between the rope and cut it. Timothy was up and out the door before the rest of the party could react. Odelia ducked out the open door to watch him disappear down the street.

“I wouldn’t have suggested releasing him.” Haagut said.

“It’s not your problem.” Shaynen stuck his tongue out. Haagut shrugged.

“Fair enough.” He said. Shaynen scowled but quickly changed expression.

“Right. I promised I would be at the Governor’s this morning trying to HELP this town and that’s where I’m heading.” Shaynen announced. He marched out of the inn, doubling back for his mug of now cold tea.

The party all followed him. Barely a word muttered between them. Shaynen kicked open the door to the town hall with a loud call of good morning. The Governor jumped up from his desk, nearly throwing it over. The party entered and closed the door behind them.

“I thought you would be here earlier,” The Governor snapped.

“I got stabbed this morning!” Shaynen yelled. Lifting his shirt enough to show off the wound.

“Excuse me?” The Governor asked.

“We were accosted by a cultist.” Haagut explained. He pushed Shaynen to the side. “Sit down and let me deal with that.” Shaynen fell into a chair for Haagut to bind up his wound.

“Did you catch him?” The Governor asked. Shaynen stared at the ground awkwardly.

“No. He stabbed and ran.” Odelia lied. Shaynen looked over at her gratefully. She gave a discreet nod.

“Well. You find him and take care of him. I’ll match whatever he offered you to leave.” The Governor said.

“That would be a hundred gold each.” Cleatus said. The Governor shifted uncomfortably.

“All right. Hundred each.” He said. “But only if you bring proof he’s dead.”

“Of course.” Cleatus nodded. Haagut got back to his feet after finishing patching up Shaynen. Cleatus turned and everyone followed after. Except Shaynen. He looked toward the kitchen.

“I have more help coming to assist in the… whatever you called it.” The Governor reassured. Shaynen grinned and ran after the party.