As we stood there talking, a woman approached us. “Thank you! Those redbrands have been terrorizing us all. It’s time that someone stood up to them. I am Sister Galaele. I serve Tymora, goddess of luck and good fortune. Might I ask your names?” We introduced ourselves and she went on. “You seem like adventurers. I have a task that I could use your help with, if you would be willing.”
“Well, we have decided to rid this town of the threat of the Redbrands, but when we have finished this task, I might be able to help you. What is it you require?”
“There is a banshee that I need to visit.”
“A banshee?” Surprise filled my voice. “Are you sure that’s safe? It sounds dangerous. Have you done this before?”
“Oh, it’s completely safe”, she said dismissively. “I’ve made this trip before. It’s the getting there that I would like help with. However, I do have a schedule to keep. I can only wait three days before I have to leave. I would grateful if you could assist me. I would be willing to pay you for your services.”
“We will gladly help you once we’ve dealt with the Redbrands. I don’t think that it will take more than a day or so.”
“Thank you. I appreciate your willingness. Please remember, I only have three days. Tymora watch over you.” She turned and walked back to her shrine, a rock structure on the north side of the square.
“Let’s go see the Townmaster. Better to get ahead of this redbrand issue, considering that there are three dead bodies in front of his building and two of them don’t have heads.”
As we approached the front door, Vaneiros pointed off to the side. A posted notice written in common read, “REWARD – Orcs near Wyvern Tor! Those of a mind to face the orc menace should inquire within.” I read it out loud. “Sounds like what Lanar mentioned to us. We should ask about it.”
Xarus pulled the door open and we entered the Townmaster Hall. A man sat at the end of the hall, behind a wooden desk. Without looking up, he said, “I’m busy. Come back later.”
Xarus said, “We’re here about defeating the Orcs and the Redbrands. Are you the Townmaster?”
He glanced up from his paperwork. “Ahh, good to hear. Yes, I’m Harbin Wester. I’m the acting Townmaster. The Redbrands are nothing, merely a mercenary guild and not very much trouble. The Orcs, on the other hand, are a serious threat and need to be dealt with. If you’re willing to take care of them, there’s gold in it for you. One hundred gold.”
Vaneiros nodded. “We will handle this Orc problem for you. However, the Redbrands are a bigger problem then you realize. They’ve been terrorizing the town people and the woodcarver’s family has gone missing.” Fear momentarily fluttered across his face, and then a stony expression replaced it. “Really, I have no interest in them. Leave them be. I’m only willing to pay for the Orcs.”
The door behind us opened and I turned to see Sildar approaching. As he entered, Harbin stood. “You returned to us, Sildar. It’s good to see you again. I was just finishing up some business.” Turning back to us, he waved a hand dismissively. “You may leave now.”
“Good to see you as well, Harbin. And it’s good to see you all as well”, he said, nodding to us. “Please, stay.” Sildar walked around the desk and as he approached, Harbin stood and stepped to the side. Sildar took a seat.
Vitarri said, “Wait, you’re the Townmaster? I thought…”
“I said I was the “acting” Townmaster. Sildar actually holds the position.”
“Well, then, maybe we should be discussing the Redbrands with you instead, Sildar.”
“Redbrands? Who are they?” He turned to Harbin. “Harbin? What do you know about this?”
Fear returned to his eyes. “They’re nothing. Just a local group of mercenaries. We’ve been so busy with the Orcs that…that…I…” he trailed off.
Vanerios spoke up. “They’ve been harassing people all over town, picking fights with the locals and so on. Now the woodcarver and his wife have gone missing after fighting with them.”
Vitarri said, “We told this to him but he didn’t seem to care.”
“Harbin, is this true?” The old man’s gaze dropped to the floor and shame filled his face.
“I’ve heard enough, Harbin. You’re dismissed. I won’t be requiring your services anymore.”
“Wait…I’m fired?” he said incredulous.
“Yes, indeed. Now leave.” Without another word, the old man turned and stormed off, sputtering curses. The door slammed behind him.
“Now, as for the Redbrands, if they are a scourge on this town and you are willing to help, please do what you can to rid us of them. I don’t have enough resources here to deal with them on my own, what with the Orc attacks and so on.”
“After we handle the Redbrands, we will also deal with the Orcs. Any news about Gundren?”
“Unfortunately, no. His brothers have also gone missing. I will keep looking into this further while you handle the Redbrands. Come back and see me when you are done. But before you go, here.” He tossed a bag on the desk that clinked when it struck. “We had an agreement. Fifty gold each for safe passage to Phanadlin. Here you go.”
“Thank you. We’ll return soon.”
“Good hunting.”
We left the townmaster hall and stepped back out into the sunlight.
Scuttle asked, “What’s our next step?”
I replied, “I think we should go check on Pip. See if he’s okay and also ask for more information about what his friend Carp witnessed.”
He nodded and we made back over to the Inn. Stepping inside, I looked around. Pip stood next to his father. As we entered, his eyes went wide. “Hello,” I called out as I crossed the room. “We just wanted to make sure that Pip was okay. There was some unpleasantness earlier today in front of the Townmaster Hall. Some Redbrands started a fight. We were forced to defend ourselves and it got ugly.” I examined his face, judging whether he believed what I was saying.
“He told me about it. Thank you for standing up to them. But I’m afraid that they may retaliate. You all should be careful.”
“We are going to put an end to their tyranny. And we think that Pip may have some information that will aid us. Apparently his friend Carp saw them at the old rundown manor.”
Pip spoke up. “No, not at the manor, but under the manor. In the cave.”
“There’s a cave under the manor? Can you please tell me where?”
“I can do better than that. I can show you.”
“Is that alright with you, Toblen? We’ll send him right back after he points it out to us.”
“You’ll keep him safe?”
“We will.”
“Alright then. Pip, you come straight back, you hear me?”
“I will, papa.”
Pip ran to the door and disappeared outside. We followed as he made his way east out of town. Where the road curved up towards the manor, Pip stepped off the path and made his way down to a thicket of woods. At the base of the cliff, Pip pointed out the cave opening. “There.”
Vaneiros said, “Thank you, Pip. Please head straight home now. We’ll take it from here.”
We watched until he was out of site and then turned back to the cave entrance. “Let’s go.”