Marcus point of view

I don't know who those two strangers where I ran into today. The one said his name was Jim. Ha! Like I’d fall for that crock. No self respecting parent would name their child Jim. That elf woman though, had I been ten years younger and unmarried. No, no point in thinking along those lines now. I remind myself with a grin. Shilo had been waiting at the crossroads right like I told him. In the time it took me to pull my boots on and hand off my pole, of course the wife showed up.

“What's this your boy has been saying about a stranger by the river?” She asked me. She always did get nervous anytime strangers where about.

“A couple of lost souls there, Mary.” I told her smiling up at her. She has aged since we first met, of course I have too. When we wake up most mornings, I’m not sure who's back pops more, hers or mine. Her long black hair is starting to show lines of silver in it nowadays. Her pale skin has tanned over the years working in our fields.

Her eyes are still as blue and bright as the first time I saw them. Yes, she might complain and yell at me now and then, but there's no way I’d trade this life for any other. Not if there was a chance I’d be apart from her. She's looking down at me with the look of concern in her eye as I pull on my boots. The soft leather fitting my feet like a second skin, oiled leather nearly reflective in the light. I know I spent way too much on the boots when I bought them, but it’s like my father said. “Good boots can be the difference between life and death, so don't cheap out!”

“And just where did these lost souls come from, huh?” Mary asks as her hands wringing in her faded blue apron. Oh, she's nervous. She never wrings her hands unless she's worried about something. Finishing with the boots, I lean back and look up at my wife. I should buy her a new dress this next gathering day. I know she hasn't complained, but her dress is getting to be more patches than dress. Same could be said for my pants, but I don't need much. I’d rather see her smile anyway.

“I don't know where they are from. The man didn't know the codes, either.” I say standing and donning my cloak. The roughspun cloth is dyed a deep brown and green, made to slip through the woods quietly and unseen.

“If he didn’t know the codes, then why are we helping them? You don't know, they could be murderers or thieves.” Mary says with worry showing on her face.

“All I said I would do is pass along that they needed help.” I say turning to face my wife. “The elf slave knew the codes, from what I can tell they just recently came together. I have to help if I can Mary. You know I can't just walk away.” I tell her pulling her in for a hug.

“Why do you always do this Marcus? Why can't you ever just walk away?” She asks me. I realize that she's trying not to cry as I stroke her back. Shushing her gently, I wait for her to calm down before replying. I look to her side and see my son’s confused face. He doesn't understand what his mother and I do. He does understand that it's dangerous at times. He’s never said anything, but I know he worries as much as his mother does.

“You remember Vulgar, don't you Mary?” I ask, knowing she does. “The stubborn dwarf drug the both of us out of that dungeon. We weren't even in his party at the time. He saved our lives a dozen times that next year, I know you remember.” I say releasing my hug and taking her chin in my hand.

“He was the best man at our wedding. Practically had to carry me down the aisle.” I say prompting a laugh from Mary. Of course, it was Valgur’s fault I could barely stand on my wedding day. Dwarvish beer is nothing to take lightly, only three pints and I was on my ass drunk.

“He was killed right after he was enslaved. Deemed too dangerous to keep around. I can't just do nothing as it would be a dishonor to his memory. We both agreed to this when we started helping Mary.” I say looking into her eyes.

I still remember the day we learned Vulgar died. Mary and I had just dropped Shilo off at her parents. He was barely the size of a head of cabbage when I held him in my arms. We had gotten word Vargus had been enslaved from a trader friend of ours. We immediately sold anything that had any value at all, saved one horse. Our plan was to buy Vargus and sneak him across the border.

Mary’s parents could watch Shilo while we saved our friend. At most we would have missed a few months of his life. Time we could easily make up for later if things had worked out. Before we made it out of town, another merchant told us the news. Vulgar had tried to escape on his own and was deemed too much trouble. He was killed that day. Mary cried for over an hour. For me, I was just numb.

We went and collected our son before heading to our empty house. I stayed up all night holding Shilo in front of the fire. Mary cried most of the night as the sound of her sobbs in that empty house broke my heart again. The next morning, we spoke for the first time since we got the news of Vulgar. We came to an agreement, we couldn't just stand by and do nothing. What the kingdom was doing was wrong, and we had to help those who needed it.

Over the next few months, we used more than a few of our old connections in the adventuring world. We managed to get ahold of an underground group that were freeing slaves. I was shocked at the local cell leader in our town. Our contact was a devout believer of human superiority over demi humans. At least, he was before the king had declared them less than human and only fit as property. Months later, I found out his superiority rants where just hot air and used to keep him safe from the royal auditors.

“If you don't want me to go Mary, I won't. I’ll stay home today and tomorrow. I’ll go tell them my contact isn’t coming.” I tell Mary as I look into her eyes. I can see the conflict in them. She doesn't want me to go, but knows I can help. She knows that I want to go, to do everything I can to help the demi humans held as slaves in Dolus.

“No. You need to go. I might not like it, but I know you need to do this.” She says wrapping her arms around me again. “Just please, promise me you will be safe.” She whispers to me. I kiss the top of her head and inhale deeply, my nose filled with the smell of sunshine and apples.

“You know I’ll be safe honey. I need to make sure I come home in one piece to you and Shilo.” I say drawing back with a big grin.

“And your soon to be child.” She says with a grin of her own. For a moment, her words don't register to me, then they hit me like a ton of stone. Looking down to her stomach where her hands are gently rubbing over it, I stare.

“You mean?” I ask barely wanting to believe my ears.

“Yes. I’m two months along, according to Aggitha.” Mary says her hands caressing her stomach. With a yell, I pick her up, spin her around as she laughs and swats gently at me.

“Put me down you big oaf.” She giggles, smacking me upside the head.

“Never.” I whisper as I lay my head on her chest. “How did I ever get so lucky to find a wife like you?” I ask her as I set her on the ground.

“If I remember right, I saved you from a Thuvian Ram’s poison. I wouldn't let you leave till you repaid me.” She says an evil glint in her eye.

“Thank the Goddess I’m terrible with money then. Or you might not have warmed up to me before I managed to pay you back.” I say giving her another kiss.

“You need to go.” She says slapping my shoulder as she draws back. “If you don't hurry, you won't be back for dinner.” She reminds me. “Hurry now, we will be at home waiting.” She says while giving me a gentle shove.

After glancing over my shoulder one final time, I start to head to town. I see my wife and son waving at me in the midday sun. As I pass the first curve, they fall out of my sight, leaving me with only the dirt road to stare at. The miles to town pass swiftly under my feet. I might not be as young as I was when I started adventuring, but I’m far from dead.

Soon, the stone walls of Rivertown are poking up from the treeline around me. When we first moved here, I had been curious about the name. I mean, Rivertown, there had to be a story behind that right? Turns out there was a story, it just wasn't a good one. The town was a crossroads of crossroads, and sat on a riverbank. So when the town sprang up, they called it Rivertown.

“Morning Garth.” I say as I shake my head, tossing a hand up at the guard sitting outside the gatehouse. Garth has been here longer than I have. In fact, if you ask certain members of the town, he’s been here longer than the walls. He never says much as I pass, or as anyone passes really. Just sits in his broken down rocking chair with the helmet pulled over his eyes. His long, gray hair messy and sticking out with his uniform shirt failing to hold in his gut.

On the off chance he’s not in front of the guardhouse, he’s in either one of the bars along river row, or the sole brothel tucked back into the end of river row. I asked one of the other guards where Garth lived once. The response was a grunt and vague wave tord the river. No matter what else, Garth was dependable, tossing a hand up at me as I pass his chair.

Making my way down the main street, I’m briefly distracted by a merchant hawking his wares. The blue cloth looks soft and smooth in his hands. Mary’s favorite color is blue. Mary, she is having a baby soon. A baby, the mere thought causes my mouth to crack into a wide grin. Soon, I’ll have another child, maybe a daughter to act like her mother. Or a son to drive her crazy like his older brother Shilo.

Waving off the merchant, I make my way on down the road. The hard cobbles beneath my feet causing the hard soles of my boots to click as I walk. Shilo is getting to be tall for his age now. He’s already started asking me to teach him how to use a sword. Turns out, filling his head full of stories from our adventuring days might not have been a good idea. Still, maybe it wouldn't be a bad idea to teach him to use a dagger for self defense. The world is a dangerous place to live nowadays.

I come to a stop in the center of town and look up, realizing I’ve reached my destination. The well worn, wooden walls of the two story building shine a dull golden brown in the light. Smoke bellows out of the wide chimney in the back of the building. A combination from a small forge in the back and a big kitchen. The sign over the door has a fresh coat of paint, showing off the crossed swords painted on it.

The black letters underneath look out of place next to the other signs in town. The other signs in town all have flowing letters and fine lines. The one on the sign above his head is filled with blocky letters and bold lines. “Rivertown Adventurer’s Guild” Pausing to catch my breath, I lean against the pole that is holding up the sign.

I probably should have came up with a reason to visit town before I ran all this way. Mary always likes to remind me that I can't plan for shit. Smiling, I realize that I actually have a great excuse to come to town. At least, I do with the news Mary had given me right before I left. Pushing open the door, I stroll inside the adventurers guild.

The inside hasn't changed since the last time I had been here. The light coming in from the open windows gives the room a bright feel. Tables are scattered along the open area of the room with a long bar along one wall. A doorway past the bar leads to the adventurer’s store and smithy. Where adventurer’s can buy basic gear, armor, and weapons at a slight discount.

The far wall is taken up by the job board pieces of parchment tacked up along the cork. When an adventurer accepted a job, they would pull one of them off the wall and take it to the reception desk. That is where the receptionist would explain anything not disclosed in the quest. They would then record the acceptance, success, or failure of it. Too many failures cause adventurers to drop in rank as the quest are monitored closely by the guild.

Speaking of the receptionist, today it’s Jessica. The cute little redhead that started working here over the winter. Walking over to the desk, I lean over giving her a wide grin. After a moment, she turns around and jumps slightly as she realizes someone is standing there.

“Oh sorry, I didn't hear you walk up.” She says with a voice like an angel. “Can I help you with something today Marcus? I’m sorry, but no one has taken the hunting quest for the Thuvian Ram yet.”

“Oh, that's fine. I actually managed to sort it out myself earlier. I’ll need to withdraw it when I can.” I tell her with a smile. “If you’re not too busy though, can you let Grizz know I would like to talk to him.” I say standing up and motioning to the bar. “I’ll be right over there when he has a minute.” I say walking to a nearby stool.

“Is something wrong?” She asks causing me to turn back with a grin.

“No, nothing’s wrong. In fact, I have some good news and wanted to share it with an old adventuring buddy.” I say with a smile. Jessica tosses a smile my way before jogging up the stairs behind her. I catch myself before I watch her rear bounce as she takes the stairs. Turning to the bartender, I notice he is watching Jessica instead of paying attention to his job.

“Hey, how about a drink here.” I say tapping a copper against the counter to get his attention.

“Yeah, sure.” The bartender says grabbing a mug from under the counter and filling it from the tap behind him.

“Come on Samuel, she's young enough to be your daughter.” I say as he keeps glancing at the stairs.

“She’s not, though. Besides, there's no law against looking. At least as far as I know.” He replies setting a mug of ale in front of me.

“Set another up here why don't you. I’m expecting Grizz here soon.” I say dropping the copper coin on the bar. Samuel slides the coin into his hand with a grunt, adding another ale in front of me.

“What are you looking for Grizz for anyway?” Samuel asks as he starts to wipe down the bar.

“Mary’s got another bun in the oven.” It may just be a cover story for seeing Grizz, but it feels good to say out loud.

“Congratulations Marcus. Here, have another, on the house.” Samuel says dropping another mug directly in front of me. Finishing off the first mug, I’m about to reach for the second when a loud booming voice fills the air.

“The Hell You Mean On The House!?” Yep, that’s Grizz. The man always sounds like he is about to charge a herd of orcs alone when he gets mad.

“His wife has another brat coming along.” Samuel says as he makes his way to the other end of the bar. He works his rag in a furious motion cleaning some imagined dirt or grime.

“That true, Marcus?” Grizz asks sitting down next to me. He's a big man. We used to say he was half tree when we were younger. Pulling his seven foot frame onto the stool beside me, he claps my back with a giant hand. His brown hair is wild, tangled in with his equally long and wild beard. Grizz got his name from his uncanny resemblance to a wild bear when he was younger.

With his round eyes, wild hair, and broad shoulders, I had to admit the nickname fit. When we were both ten years younger, neither one of us could stand each other. Honestly, if it hadn't been for the fact he was helping demi humans escape, I doubt I would talk to him today. He was always too damned cocky and he sure could handle anything for my liking. Now with the work we both do, as far as anyone knows, we are old friends.

“This one mine?” Grizz asks grabbing the mug of ale in front of him. Tilting it back, he downs half of it in a single swallow before slamming it on the bar.

“Let's get a few more started here, huh, and then piss off. Marcus and me gots some celebrating to do!” Grizz yells at Samuel. The bartender hurries to set a trio of ales in front of Grizz, then leaves the bar to check on the one occupied table in the corner.

“What really brings you in?” Grizz asks voice barely above a whisper as he brings his ale to his mouth. Grizz is the guild leader here at the Rivertown branch, which always made it hard for me to see him without raising suspicions. Thankfully, we pretend we are old friends which helps alleviate that, but it only goes so far.

“Met a couple of people while taking my boy fishing. Man gave me a fake name and didn't know the codes.” I say taking a sip of my ale.

“You kill him?” Grizz asks in a flat voice. Judging by the tone, you would think he had just asked if the sun was shining outside.

“No.” I say with a small shake of my head. “The elf he was with stepped between us. She actually knew the codes. I told them I would pass the info along, but with him not knowing, I’m not risking my family.” I say finishing my mug.

“More of a family to worry about now.” Grizz says sliding another mug to me.

“Found out about that after the fact.” I say blowing the foam off the mug. “I sent them to the old communal barn. Figured they could lay low and be out of sight there. At least while you decided if we are going to help them or not.” I say leaning back to stretch.

“You trust them?”

“I don't know.” I say scratching my head. “The man, he’s got a look like he’s a half step ahead of the executioner. The elf, I can't figure her out rightly. She seems to be high born, least by the way she looks. If she is, what is she doing with a man who won't even tell you his real name?” I say puzzling over the question in my head.

“Could be he was her first way out of town. She say anything about him to you?” Grizz asks while waving at the bartender. Samuel quickly refills the mugs, then makes himself scarce again. I don't know if Samuel knows what Grizz does, or if he just knows to stay out of his business.

“She said he can be trusted, and that he saved her life three times now. Seemed to me she was sweet on him honestly. I mean, you know how elves act. Always touching and having to be near the person.” I pick up one of the full mugs while I wait Grizz to make a decision.

“I don't like it.” He says with a huff. “The king is all bent out of shape already. I don't know what happened, but the garrison emptied out yesterday. The whole lot of them marched east. Got an order from the capitol to be on the lookout for a magic vehicle. One with four wheels and roars as it moves, painted all black. Huh, I’d say someone was pulling my chain if it didn't have the official stamp to the message.” Grizz says knocking back the rest of his drink.

“What was that about the magic vehicle?” I ask turning in my seat to look at Grizz.

“Apparently, some mercenary fled the capital after robbing the king. So his royal asswipe put out a bounty on the man and any information about him. Said he has a magic vehicle that can travel over twenty miles an hour and keep the pace up.” Grizz stops laughing heartily. “As if that wasn't ridiculous enough, the king claims the wheels are made of black stone not wood. That the man killed the court wizard in his escape.” Pausing to finish his ale, he continues.

“I might hate Magnus with a passion, but no one is going to kill that mage easy. He has that perfect barrier that blocks any magic attack. So I doubt the rumors are true. Does not change the fact that the king put out the request himself to all the guilds in the country. Came over the oculus this morning bright and early.”

The oculus is a magic item I had heard about many times, but never seen. One was placed in every branch of the adventurers guild. Most towns above a certain size, had one in the town hall as well. From my understanding, it didn't get the same reports as the ones in the adventurers guild. When someone placed a piece of parchment inside the oculus, instantly it would be copied and distributed to every oculus it is connected to. Letting important news travel across the country instantaneously. If the king had sent an oculus through the adventurers guild, he was pissed.

“Supposedly, it has some kind of strange markings on the rear of it.” Grizz says pushing a sheet of parchment in front of me. “Now what the hell is that supposed to mean?” He asks stabbing at the paper. Under his finger, I see a rough sketch of markings I had seen just this morning. “4X4” I don't know what they mean, but they were on the thing behind Jim.

Realizing this, I choke on my drink and cough loudly trying to clear my lungs. Grizz slaps my back like he’s trying to beat me half to death. The whole time, he is cursing and yelling asking where I learned to drink.

“Who else has seen this?” I hiss which causes Grizz to fall silent immediately.

“So far you and me. I haven't been downstairs to post it yet. Why?” Grizz asks and giving me a look like he’s worried about my mental well being.

“That man, he had a thing behind him. Black wheels and body Sitting tall as a man and standing on the ground. Those marks were on the rear of it. Not all neat like that, but those were the symbols clear as day.” I say sucking down another drink. The hell did that man get me into? Should have listened to Mary and stayed away, but no I just have to help.

Grizz leans back on his stool, fingers combing through his beard. I've known him long enough to know he's thinking. The news we just gave each other is like a fireball spell going off in your lap. There is no way to prepare for that kind of shock, as I know from experience. Seeming to make up his mind, Grizz leans forward mouth barely off my ear.

“Tell me everything you know about this man, now!” He hisses in my ear. As I start to open my mouth to speak, the door swings open. I look up and see a group of young adventurers walking in, laughing and joking around.

“Wait, let's go to my office.” Grizz says standing and heading for the stars.

I finish my drink and rush to catch up to Grizz. Topping the stairs, we walk into his office with Grizz bolting the door behind us. He walks to the window and closes it, drawing the shades. Looking around the room as if he's expecting to see someone else there, he finally sits. He waves one hand and motions to the chair across from him.

“Now tell me about this man. Start with his name and go from there.” Says Grizz leaning over the desk.

“He says his name is Jim.” I say, figuring that I’ll start at the beginning. “From the way he spoke, I don't think he was from Dolus. I know he didn't like the king. I may have accidentally let my own feelings be known about him. He seemed kind of lost, like he had no idea where he was. They didn't even know how close the town was to where they stopped. He had some strange weapons on his side. It wasn't like any blade I had ever seen, and was too small to be a bow of any kind.”

“Shilo told him I used to be silver ranked. He nodded his head, but it seemed like he didn't know what that meant. The whole time he seemed on edge. The only time he relaxed was when that elf woman wrapped her arms around him. Add in that weird dog of his. The man is just strange.” I say in a rush. The ale has made me want to get all the words out quickly, nearly causing me to trip over my own tongue.

“Dog, what dog?” Grizz asks narrowing his eyes.

“This big black white and brown thing. Stayed right by the elf woman and always looking to him like it's waiting on a signal.” I say leaning back. Going over my memories of the encounter, I realize how close the dog was to me at the time. I feel a bead of sweat roll down my back as I realize I never even saw it as a threat.

“Happy looking dog, but big enough to take a man down. I didn't even realize it was a possible threat till just now.” I say feeling lightheaded.

Grizz is silent, leaning back in his chair. His hands stroking his beard again. After a moment, he looks to me and seems to be thinking. “Did you set up a code with him?”

“Yeah some really weird sounding riddle. I don't understand it, but he got a laugh out of it.” I say leaning back in my own chair. “‘How many roads must a man walk down?’ He then responds, ‘Forty-two’” I say a little more relaxed at Grizz as he asked for the code. Grizz repeats it under his breath a couple of times before speaking to me again.

“What would you guess they would need?” He asks pulling out a pad of paper and a quill.

“Bare minimum a map.” I say thinking. “He seems able to hunt fairly well. He actually took down a Thuvian ram with just him and his dog.” I say before I notice Grizz staring at me. “What?”

“They took down that ram?”

“Didn't I tell you that earlier?” I ask trying to remember the conversation.

“No! I think I would have remembered that part.” Grizz says with a growl. “So he can hunt and is strong enough to take on a ram? What other supplies did he have, what did they need?”

“Honestly I didn't see much. It looked like they had scavenged tarin fruit from the nearby bushes. I noticed the cores near the fire and a few more by the river bank.” I say as Grizz takes down notes furiously. “So are you planning on talking to them?” I ask as his quill stops.

“A mercenary that killed Magnus and escaped from the capitol. Yeah, I want to talk to him.” Says Grizz leaning back.

“Shit!” I scream sitting up in my chair. Grizz tosses his chair to the ground, standing and drawing a dagger before I realized he moved.

“What is it?” He asks, spinning around the room. I want to answer, but my jaw doesn't want to move. My hands are shaking as I remember what Thea had said about the man.

“The elf, she said something else. I just remembered it and I didn't believe it, but if he killed Magnus, it's possible it's the truth.” I say looking around. Grizz straightens his chair, sitting down and glaring at me.

“What might that be?” He asks obviously mad.

“The elf said thirty five knight’s brethren followed them yesterday. She claims all but one of them was killed by Jim. I didn’t want to believe it, but now ...” I trail off not knowing what to say. Grizz sits back in his chair, staring up at the ceiling above him. After a long moment, he lets out a long sigh.

“I’m going to regret this, I know I am.” He says before looking back to me. “Go home.” He says opening his desk and pulling out a small bag of coins, tossing them to me. “Get your family together and go visit your wife’s family. Leave tomorrow morning. If anyone asks, you are telling them the news about your second kid in person.” Grizz says leaning back again. Starting to get up, I figure I have to ask, so I go for it.

“What the hell is going on?”

“I’m not sure. I know it isn't good, and my gut is telling me its could go south. You and Mary have done a lot of good this last year and a half. If something happens to me, I want you to keep doing what you have been doing.” Grizz says rubbing the bridge of his nose. “When you get back and I’m not around, go to my hunting cabin. Tucked inside the chimney is a package. In it is my contacts down the road.” He looks into my eyes to make sure I understand what he’s asking. “Will you do that for me?”

“You don't have to ask. There's no need to worry though, you are too crazy to die.” I say with a laugh. As I head to the door, I hear Grizz whisper.

“I hope you are right as I feel like this might test that theory.” As I shut the door and start down the stairs, I think about what Grizz asked me. If something happens, he is basically asking me to be the leader of the chain in this town. I told him that I would without hesitation. The voice in my head is screaming for me to pray nothing happens to him. As I start to head to the house, I wave at Garth at the gate. Without raising his helmet, he waves back, no sign except his hand that he seen me at all.

Grizz’s point of view.

Fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck. Why does this shit have to fall in my lap all the Goddess damned time?! I think to myself as I pace my office back and forth. If it had just been the two, it would have been easy. Just point them the way, tell them who to look for. But nooo! They had to be running two steps ahead of the damned king’s orders.

The oculus had sent the job request, and I can’t not put it up without drawing attention. So I’ll have to post the job and today at that. Especially, if the people Marcus had found are the people on the request. Granted the request does not mention a dog, or an elf. The markings and description of the vehicle are pretty damning though. Opening my closet,I pull out my adventurers gear.

I check over my old armor, making sure the leather is still supple and oiled. Finding it free of cracks and rubbed spots, I lay it across my desk. I also check the void bag in the back of the closet to make sure its still there. Void bags are an adventurers staple, allowing people to carry many times the amount of gear they usually could. Time doesn't pass inside the bag, letting you store food or goods cold and keep them fresh. The downside being that everything has a tendency to get squished on the bottom.

Checking the bag is empty, I secure it to my belt, feeling the comforting weight. It's been years since I wore the bag, years since I left the town. Hanging my armor back in the closet, I start for the door. Best chance of helping these people means supplies and a map, a guide if I can swing it. Thinking over the adventurers in town, I try to work out who could maybe be a guide. As I hit the bottom of the stairs, I noticed a pair of reddish brown cat ears poking out from a mass of bright red hair.

“Stephan, can I talk to you a minute?” I yell out over the voices of the evening crowd that has started to gather. I start to grin as the short adventurer walks my way, pointing to the table as his red haired cat girl goes to grab him a drink. This might just work out. I think to myself as I take a seat across from him.

“What you need boss?” Asks Stephan taking the ale from the catgirls hand.

“That's a long story.” I say leaning in to explain what's going on to the shorter man.