Home again, home again [PC] Firebug

[sfliegel]

Firebug stared at Halfhelm for a moment, "It would have to be something discreet. It would also be best if we weren't seen spending too much time together. What if you hung something in a window or on the door. Maybe, something red to say you need to talk, green to say stay away, and yellow to have that you have nothing one way or the other? It's a little convert but it's better then drawing unnecassary attention. What say you?"

[Game Master]

"Hmmm... Not bad at that. Alright that will do fine. Don't be total strangers now. If you need some good steel come see me." And with that the conversation was over.

"We should see how Lord Kursaville is doing unless you have another idea?" Siff mentioned as they exited the smithy.

[sfliegel]

Firebug glanced up and down the street, watching the locals go about their daily choirs, "No I think we've done enough for now. Let's head back toward the inn. Lord Kursaville should be back soon. We'll need to get working on the kidnapping before we lose any more time."

They moved slowly back toward the inn. Pausing by the door, Firebug looked inside to see that the inn was especially crowded this morning. The thought of being in a crowd of rough lokking strangers made Firebug feel uncomfortable so he motioned to Siff to cross the street, "Why don't we wait for Lord Kursaville other there in the shade."

Siff watched as Firebug moved across the street. She poked her head inside the doorway and saw an open table next to the door, "Wait, there's a table right there. Where are you going?"

Firebug motioned to Siff to follow. When she was close enough, "I'm sorry but I did see the open table. I also saw a room full of some rough looking, unfamiliar faces. It'll be safer to wait here."

Siff took a piece of wall next to Firebug and they waited.

[Game Master]

People of all races came and went from the Inn. Mid-day came before Lord Kursaville and the others sauntered up to Firebug and Siff.

Kursaville wasted no time in filling in his new friends.

"The Baron of this area is named Baron Brutus VonLeetee. He's a somber fellow. Brooding and distracted by what I could tell. He welcomed me and we discussed Timiro history and stately matters for some time over a meal. He introduced me to his dog Tidbit who he is greatly fond of. He's a breeder and loves dogs and hunting game. Anyway, I've been appointed as a constable and given full reign over this kidnapping business. After that I took a tour of the grounds and decided to stable my horse at the castle but to live here in town. I figured that would allow us all a place to meet and discuss things with privacy."

Reeks took over the conversation. "While the lord here chatted about dead kings and who's sleeping with who at the palace, (Kursaville snorted at this) Gaul and I snooped around a bit. I was able to get chummy with the Captain of the guard 'Hilvinar'. He's an elf but we hit it off rather well. His full compliment of soldiers is fifty strong. Ten Longbowman, ten light cavalry, twenty eight foot soldiers and two scouts. They are half green and half vets. A standard mix to be sure. They seemed well disciplined and loyal from what I gathered from Hilvinar. There are also a staff of forty on the grounds as well from stable boys to kitchen staff and even a priest and doctor."

Gaul picked up at this point. "Gaul act as Kursaville servant. Me ignored by most. Walls are good solid stone. twenty feet. Easy climb if guards no looking. many outer building line wall. Any one could hold tunnel." Gaul grinned wide.

[Game Master]

"Hold Tunnel?" Firebug asked not grasping what the orc was getting at?

Gaul just kept grinning. "Gaul think humans not bright as they think." He chuckled at his own humor before explaining to Firebug slowly.

"Smuggling done by Dwarves yes? Drunken man killed by dwarves yes? Gaul's Father fight Dwarves in great battle years ago. Dwarves love tunnels. Where Orcs find Dwarves, Orcs find tunnels. This no different Gaul thinks. Gaul look for tunnels."

"He's got a point Firebug." Reeks commented. "No respectable dwarf would involve himself in any kind of elaborate scheme such as this above ground if he could do it underground just as well. Its how we think. If dwarves are smuggling weapons out of this town or that castle you can be sure its being done in a tunnel. DAMN, I've been out thought by a smelly Orc!"

[sfliegel]

Firebug smiled wide and patted both on the shoulders, "That was great thinking, both of you. Since both of you are familiar with tunnels I leave this in your very capable hands. Bu this is recon only. If there are tunnels they might be well guarded. Keep on you toes and watch each others backs. Also, if you don't see anything in the out buildings around the perimeter, there might be something in the woods surrounding the castle. While you two are doing that the rest of us will start looking into the kidnapping."

Reeks and Gaul looked at each other and shrugged, and Reeks asked, "If we should find something, how do we find ya?"

Firebug thought for a second then snapped his fingers, "Lord Kursaville, you said that you told the Baron that you were going to stay in town so we could have some privacy. Did he give you a place to stay?"

Lord Kursaville looked a little confused as he answered, "Yes actually he gave me cabin in town. Why?"

Firebug pulled the old map out of his pack and handed it to Lord Kursaville, "Could you please point it out on the map? We will meet there tonight to share our information."

Kursaville pointed to a cabin on the map in Firebug's hand, "That's the one right there. We can meet there and have some dinner. What's the point of an expense account if you don't use it?"

The rest chuckled. Reeks and Gaul headed back toward the castle. Siff and Firebug looked to Lord Kursaville for a moment when Firebug finally asked, "So which way to the house of the kidnapped girl."

Kursaville turned and pointed, "It's over this way, not far. Follow me."

[sfliegel]

After a long, well needed nights rest, Firebug, Siff, Reeks and Gaul met up at a table in the inn for breakfast. Reeks and Gaul looked exhausted as they pecked at their food. Firebug and Siff were refreshed and ready for the day.

Gaul and Reeks seemed to have little appatite this morning and played with their eggs while Siff and Firebug wolfed them down. "So how goes your kidnapping case?" Reeks stiffled a yawn.

Firebug quickly wiped his mouth, "well we can't say too much until the Constable releases his final report, but we found the girl and she's going to be alright. In fact, we almost our Lady Siff here during a cave in. But as you can see, she is still with us."

Siff continued, "it was your typical case of greed and self interest. Nilla stubled onto a literal gold mine and she was taken to keep it secret."

"When we finish here, I have a few stops to make this morning," Firebug paused to wipe his mouth again, "Now tell us, how did your search go?"

[Game Master]

Reeks stroked his beard wearily. "Orcs and Ogres my friend. We found Orcs and Ogres."

Gaul nodded in agreement to exhausted to speak.

"We think we found...hell we know we found the secret exit the dwarfs are using to smuggle out the weapons. Its about a half mile west of the castle walls just inside some woods. We saw a small contingent of Orcs and Ogres meet up with some dwarfs at the exit of some tunnel. We have no idea where the tunnel leads and no way to enter from the outside." Reeks continued.

"We try all night long. No open." Gaul added.

Reeks dragged his fingers through his matted beard attempting to untangle it. "We found nothing in the castle to lead me to believe there is an entrance on that side. I think the tunnel opens up somewhere here in town."

"Tell him." Gaul interrupted. "Tell him you no trust me." Gaul seemed more put out then upset. At Firebugs prompting Reeks elaborated.

"Well, you see we sort of had a chance to follow the caravan. The group of Ogres and orcs lead a wagon train, six in all out west. Gaul here wanted to pretend he was part of the caravan and tag along....but...."

"But he no trust Gaul! Reeks think Gaul run away and join Orcs!" Gaul did seem upset now, but lacked any energy to do anything about it. He slumped back into his chair, spent.

"Thats not exactly true Gaul. Fire bug wasn't here. I couldn't very well send you to Lord knows where with no idea of when you would return without permission from Firebug."

The way Reeks defended himself as if he'd rehearsed his lines and the look of disgust on Gauls face told Firebug that his two companions had had this argument many times already.

Would, Gaul leave the group if he got the chance to be with his own kind? Firebug mused.

[sfliegel]

Firebug couldn't contain his amazement. He glanced back and forth between Gaul and Reeks, "my friend I commend your dedication but need I stress the fact that Gaul is a member of our group, as are you, and each is welcome to leave when their path is to no longer travel with us. Gaul is always welcome to stay as long as he wishes but is also welcome to leave when he chooses. I understand the interest to visit with your own but I think we can trust Gaul to know that he has a better life with us then he would have traveling with a group of orcs. However, it would be easier for Gaul to move unnoticed amoung orcs and discover discover their plans. Was that what you wanted to do Gaul?"

Siff smiled softly at Gaul and Reeks, "we have also found a tunnel to who knows where. I just happens to be in Halfhelm's shop. I think we should start there to find out more about the mysterious exit. Unfortunitly, it is too dark for Firebug and myself to see and Firebug had a good point that torches or open flames would only give us away. We'll have to pick up some potions before we go down."

Firebug nodded, "absolutely, but I have a few other stops to make as well. I would like to stop by and see Nilla this morning, speak with Moonhaven, and stop by the Nexus. Finish your breakfast boys then we will get started."

Reeks pushed his plate away in disgust, "I'm done lad."

Gaul slurped down another runny egg and wiped his mouth with the back of his hand, "me done too."

[Game Master]

Reeks and Gaul agreed to meet up with the others in the afternoon after they got some sleep. Firebug and Siff soon found themselves at the D'encre's home.

"So good to see you Master FireBug and Lady Siff. Please, Please come in." Emmi coaxed the two heroes inside. "Cette was given the day off to spend with Nilla and I. Isn't that wonderful?"

[sfliegel]

Siff was the first to move toward the door, paused and hugged Emmi, "it's wonderful to see your smile." she then moved through the door.

Firebug smiled and bowed slightly, "thank you Emmi." Firebug then moved through the open door.

Inside Cette and Nilla were sitting in the middle of the floor partially encircled by books. It seemed each would pick a book and read it to the other. Firebug and Siff stood quietly watching father and daughter interacting.

Emmi came up behind them, Cette, Nilla, we have some visitors. Master Firebug and Lady Siff have come to visit." Nilla jumped to her feet and ran past Siff to Firebug and hugged him around the waist. Emmi teared up as she watched her daugther, "could I get either of you a cup of tea?"

Firebug and Siff both accepted. Nilla looked up at Firebug, "it's so good to see you mister Firebug. Thank you for helping me."

Firebug knelt down so he was eye to eye with Nilla and gave her a proper hug, "you are so very welcome little one, now I have heard some wonderful things about you too." Rummaging through a sack on his belt he produced a small wooden figure and handed it to Nilla, " I believe this belongs to you. Do you think you could tell me about this?" Firebug pulled his figure out from his shirt and held it beside her's, "I have one too and mine is very special to me too."

[Game Master]

She took the small figurine almost greedily and carressed it. "It was given to me by a traveling merchant. He was a kind man. I loved his carvings. They were all so detailed. He said I could pick one. He was so nice."

[sfliegel]

"I know what you mean," Firebug tucked his back into his shirt, "he must have been the same that I got mine from." Firebug rose slowly and patted Nilla on the head as she turned and bounced back to her father.

Emmi returned with the tea which Firebug and Siff both thanked her and sipped it slowly. Tears welled up in Emmi's eyes as she looked over Siff's shoulder as Nilla had begun pacing back and forth while reading from a new book like a school teacher would.

Siff tugged softly on Firebug's sleeve, it was time to go. They set their cups down on a large table next to the kitchen and thanked Emmi again and excused themselves. Siff again hugged Emmi, "the Lord has blessed you with a beautiful daughter and a loving family," Siff whispered into her ear.

They both waved to Cette on their way out who smiled wide then turned back to watch his daughter paraded back and forth with a heavy book in her arms.

Firebug thought to himself that there was more that Nilla wasn't telling but guessed that we all have our secrets.

Next stop on the list was The Nexus. Firebug and Siff were strangely quiet on the walk, they seemed content just with each others company.

[Game Master]

Siff and Firebug walked upto the Nexus Point Alchemy shoppe. The Nexus point looks like a small wooden shack in disrepair. The odd looking sign out front however glows a pale blue that changes to red and then green and finally back to blue again. When Firebug and Lady Siff first walk inside they tend to be stunned. For while the building is clearly only 30 square at most, the inside is as large as a palace. Great cathedral ceilings with flying buttresses greet those who enter the vast foyer. A Troll, decked out in a suit of studded leather and waring a nasty looking flail on his hip welcomes them both all to the Nexus point Alchemy shop. The Unnamed Troll states that,

"You are encouraged to wander the main hall and admire any item that fancies the eye. You are warned however that no touching is allowed. Items are clearly marked as to what properties they possess and the firm price is listed in neat, bold print. Please do not stray from the main hall as the rest of the establishment is off limits. Any questions may be directed to the Troll. If an appointment is made then an audience with Gardrex the Great may be secured for the following day. While it should be obvious it is important to realize that any attempt at thievery will result in a most unpleasant, painful and lingering demise. Have a nice day."

[sfliegel]

"Thank you sir," Firebug says to the troll, "however, I have an item that I really need to have examined by Gardrex the Great. To whom would I speak to arrange an appointment?"

Siff had always been a little curious about this store, so she strolled past Firebug and the troll and began window shopping.