Chapter 66: Nose of the Wolf

September 8th

A lot has happened since I last wrote and lots of it was pretty important so I want to write some of it down. Right now, I am in a side room of our inn, The Royal, as I wait for the rest of my guild and the Young Valorous to assemble. We are having a meeting after Chase and Meredith were attacked by some masked men in an ally. Not only them, but Seb, the thief of the Young Valorous guild was also attacked earlier today. We don’t know what’s going on but we are pretty sure that it’s Xemnara at work, and some of my guild is pretty scared.

Brent looked up from his journal. The side room the innkeeper had allowed them to use could sit well over 10 people comfortably, but right now only he, Claire, Thomas, Alex, and the mage of Meredith’s guild, Clark, were sitting around the table. Claire was flexing the hand she had broken fighting Dolores, which Clark had managed to heal despite his state. They had found Clark quite drunk when they returned, but seeing the condition of Meredith and Chase had sobered him up enough to heal Claire’s hand.

“Did you at least see me parry Dolores when she almost struck my head?” Claire said. She was looking at him with some disappointment in her eyes.

“Huh?” Said Brent. “Oh, yeah, I think we did. I wish we could have seen the entire thing. Sorry about that, Claire. Looks like you and me will still be fighting tomorrow.”

“Good job on your win, Claire,” chimed in Thomas. He was sipping some juice in the corner. “Sorry we couldn’t see the whole thing. We had to rescue Chase, after all. So if you’re mad we missed your fight take it out on him.”

“I’m not mad!” She said, anger rising in her voice. “Saving Chase is far more important than watching my fight.”

“Alright,” said Thomas, shrugging his shoulders. “Just letting you know.”

Brent could sense the frustration welling up in Claire, and decided not to say anything further. He was sure she was genuinely upset someone had attacked Chase, but of course had not seen the extent of the damage the masked men had done to him and Meredith like they had. She had only seen them after being healed.

He continued to write:

Claire is pretty upset we didn’t watch her beat Dolores. I mean, I would be too, but our guild was attacked. I hope she doesn’t mope around for days because of this. She already had been acting weird and I half thought she was going to quit the match in the first place. I miss the stoic Claire I knew back on the island.

“Where are those guys?” Mumbled Clark. Meredith had forbade him from drinking anymore and he was barely keeping his eyes open. “They said they would be here in ten minutes, but its been over an hour already.”

“They need to drink some potions, is what they said,” said Thomas. He patted his shirt pocket and winked at the mage. “You need another drink, friend? I stole some coins from an NPC at the arena today.”

“No, thank you,” said Clark, shaking his head. “I feel ashamed I was too drunk to protect my leader. I shall never drink another drop again as long as I live.”

Alex chuckled darkly. He was sitting opposite of Clark and could barely keep the disgust off his face.

“Pathetic, Clark,” said Alex. “Really a bad look being drunk during a time like this.”

“I healed your friend’s hand, didn’t I?” Bristled Clark. He burped then and sighed, the fire leaving him as quickly as it had come. “At least I managed that. I am a failure as a mage and a part of this group.”

Brent wanted to roll his eyes. Instead he bent over his journal and continued to write.

We all want revenge. No guild worthy of a name allows this to happen to one of their own. Astor Briggs told us these attackers may be connected to the Antagonista. If that is true, then she is targeting us. I think we need to send a message to all of Esem that no one messes with the Seven Banes. I know the others want to report the attack, and Alex even mentioned bringing it to Christie for some help. I hate that idea. It was only five people, but they snuck up on Chase and Meredith and nearly killed them. I have never seen a player so beat up before. They must have been beating them long before Daniel and Hackney showed up. Had I been there...

“Brent, what do you think?” Said Alex.

Brent stifled a frustrated sigh and towards his friend. Alex, Claire and Clark had been having a small argument while he wrote.

“It’s just one!” Said Clark, nursing a drink in his hands. “My head is killing me right now what with all the stuff that just happened. I’ll be no use to anyone if I start getting a...hic...a hangover,” he finished lamely.

Brent saw that Thomas had a mischievous grin on his face and was playing with a coin in his hand. Immediately Brent realized what the little boy had done.

“Thomas...,” said Brent. “Did you buy Clark another drink?”

“Yes, he did,” said Claire, shaking her head. “Said he needed the privy but then the innkeeper brought in another beer.”

“What? Even if it was me Clark clearly needs it.”

“You’re such a little nuisance,” began Alex. He was clenching his fists together and seemed to barely be keeping his voice down. “He clearly doesn’t deserve—.”

“Thomas,” interrupted Brent. “Get me one, too.”

The little boy raised his eyebrows and then grinned at Alex and Claire, who were staring at him.

“But, Brent,” said Claire. “Don’t we need to—.”

“We need to all relax,” said Brent. “And a beer after our wins today is exactly how we do it. Now be quiet while I write some. I am almost done. Thomas, go,” he added. The little boy scampered off but not without one last victorious look back at Alex and Claire.

“Pale ale? Lager? Whiskey?”

Alex sighed and then just crossed his arms.

“I’ll have whatever Clark is drinking.”

“Me too,” said Claire, sounding defeated. As Thomas bounded through the door she gave a withering look to Brent. “You really shouldn’t encourage him like that.”

“Do I look like Chase?” Retorted Brent. He shook his head and went back to his journal.

Had I been there I would have killed them all. Daniel and Hackney said they drew some blood, but the masked men used a smoke bomb and escaped. Why was I not around? I could have killed them all I bet and we wouldn’t have the need to track these freaks down. Oh well, I am happy that we are going to get to really spill some blood.

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Brent read what he had written, and despite feeling somewhat foolish for the bold claims decided to keep the paragraph. He did want them all dead, so why not be honest?

As for the tournament, that can wait. Even after Christie showed up I wanted to stay and complete it, but now all I want is vengeance. If we can still compete that would be great, but I do not know whether Xemnara’s men are going to allow us to do that. Better to strike now, and strike fast.

“Better to strike now, and strike fast,” Brent told the room as the innkeeper placed a mug before him. The innkeeper cocked an eyebrow, and then quickly left. Brent took a sip of his beer and shuddered as the bitter taste touched his tongue.

“I agree,” said Alex. He had a beer mustache which contrasted with his serious look. “But, how?”

“Chase mentioned he and Meredith might have a plan,” said Thomas helpfully.

At Meredith’s name Clark sat up straight.

“Meredith...where?”

“Settle down, ya’ drunk,” said Brent. “We were just saying—.”

“We got a plan!” Announced Meredith. She had opened the door to the little room and appeared energized, her wounds completely healed. A haggard looking Amelie appeared behind her and as they filed in Chase followed behind them. Soon Daniel and Hackney were there as well and all were sat around the table.

“Great,” said Brent. He returned the pencil to his bag and then willed his journal to disappear. It vanished with a small poof. “What is it? I’m ready to—.”

Chase cut him off with a hand wave. The innkeeper had returned and was placing mugs of beer in front of everyone. The group was silent as he did so and Brent thought he saw Chase and Meredith looking suspiciously at the innkeeper.

“Can I get you guys anything else?” Said the innkeeper before he left.

“That will be all, Will,” said Chase. “Thanks.”

Without a word the NPC shut the door behind him and after a moment Meredith starting talking.

“First things first,” said Meredith. “We no longer trust anyone. This includes the NPCs, got it? As far as anyone is concerned, our guilds are the only ones who got attacked and so the only ones we can trust.”

“You really think one of the attackers was an NPC?” Queried Alex. “I find it hard to believe.”

“That’s what I heard,” said Chase. He took a sip of his beer and sighed. “Maybe I should have ordered a small whiskey.”

“Even if it wasn’t,” said Hackney, “We need to tread carefully. We have no idea who these Followers are really after, or what they want.”

“Oh, I think we know, Hackney,” said Meredith. Chase sighed but waved his hand, allowing her to continue. “They are after the ones who defeated the Antagonista. They are after The Seven Banes.”

“What?” Said Daniel, nearly rising from his seat. “You guys are the ones who beat her? The guild that’s in the papers?”

“It’s true,” said Chase. “Though they messed our names up, of course.”

Thomas nickered.

“I feel like the Seven Stains might have been an even better name than the one we have now. Could always change it if we wanted to.”

“No,” said Brent and Claire at once.

“Not a chance, Thomas,” added Alex.

“Anyway,” said Meredith, taking control of the room again. “We need a plan to correct what was done to us. It’s unknown whether they want you guys because of what happened with the Antagonista thingy...or for some other reason. But the bottom line is they messed with the wrong guild leader!”

She stood as she said this and pounded the table with her hand. Rage burned in her eyes and for all the world she looked like an avenging red headed angel ready for war.

“Leaders,” Chase grimly corrected. “Guys, we need to hit them hard. I imagine they are either still in Birchtown or nor far off. They spoke about delivering a message to us and seeing as that was only partly completed, I think we have a chance to get them back.”

“So you do have a plan then?” Said Brent.

“That we do,” nodded Meredith, coming back down to her seat. She removed her bag from her pocket and opened the drawstrings. After searching for a moment she withdrew a long piece of dark fabric and laced it upon the table. “Behold.”

“Very nice,” said Thomas. “A little bit more and we can make a shirt.”

Meredith glowered at Thomas. Chase spoke up.

“Meredith managed to rip this from one of our attackers,” he said.

The entire room just stared at him. Even Amelie, who had been nearly dozing in the corner and making a fine balance to Clark who was slowly blinking and trying to remain awake, looked confused. She slowly raised her hand.

“Chase?” Said Amelie hesitatingly. “How does that help us find them?”

“Did I never tell you?” Said Chase, looking surprised. “Both Meredith and I are level four hunters.”

“So?” Said Alex.

“Meredith is only a level three, Chase,” muttered Clark. He hiccuped again and Meredith rolled her eyes.

“First of all, yes, I am only a level three. Second, Clark,” she punched his shoulder and he yelped. “No more drinking for you until these hellions are caught. Third,” she glared around the table. “Even being a level three I have the Nose of the Wolf ability, just like Chase. Between us we should be able to find these bastards and put an end to them.”

Brent searched his memories for what that ability entailed. He barely remembered Chase unlocking it as he never used it when fighting the goblins.

“Perfect!” Said Alex. He sounded excited which was very rare for him. “This just became much easier.”

“It sure did,” said Thomas sarcastically. “Brent, can you tell us what the ability does?”

“It, um,” Brent scratched his head. He was sure he wrote it down somewhere or had read about it on the island. He had memorized all the abilities of the Fighter, Warrior, and Knight class but never gave Hunter much thought at all.

“It’s rather self explanatory, isn’t it,” said Claire. “I assume you two can use that rag to locate them somehow?”

“Exactly,” said Chase. He held up the cloth and took a deep whiff. “Ew. Smells like mungy rat sweat. Meredith?”

The leader of the Young Valorous took the cloth and did the same. She took a deep breath and inhaled all the smell, barely flinching as she did so.

“Disgusting,” she muttered. She laid the cloth down and then sniffed the air.

“Can you smell them?” Said Brent.

“Faintly, yes,” said Meredith. “What about you, Chase?”

“Maybe if we go outside,” he said. “This ability will only last for an hour. We need to locate them within that time. If we do not find them within the window then we will have to wait for tomorrow for us to be able to use the Nose of the Wolf ability again.”

Brent stood up, hand on his sword.

“Got it! What are we waiting for?”

“Not so fast, lad,” said Meredith with a smirk. “We need to figure out who is going and who is staying.”

“What? I’m not staying!” Said Brent.

“Of course you’re not,” said Chase, shaking his head. “We are going to need all the Fighters we can manage. The thing is, both of our mages are down for the count.”

Clark was half asleep but at Meredith’s words he startled awake.

“Huh? Stay—.”

“I can go!” Interrupted Amelie. There were dark bags under her eyes and she looked even worse than Clark in a sickly way. “You’re gonna need me. What if you guys get hurt?”

“No good, dear,” Said Meredith gently. “I doubt you will be able to cast another spell until tomorrow, and even your Healing Light ability will count on you being able to focus. Something which I doubt you can do very well right now.”

“You’re staying here, Amelie,” said Chase before she could argue further. “And so are you, Thomas.”

“Fine,” said Thomas, crossing his arms with a huff. “Not like I wanted to go on an adventure and waste these masked fools anyway.”

“What about us?” Said Daniel, shifting uncomfortably. “You’re saying that both our mages and both our thieves are staying behind. But I know someone will have to remain to guard them. Whose it gonna be?”

There was a sudden commotion around the table as Alex and Hackney began to protest, which caused Meredith and Chase to begin to argue with both of them at once.

“Alex, Alex,” calm down, said Chase. “We have an idea—.”

“No way am I staying!” Said Alex furiously.

“Me neither!” Said Hackney. “I mean to avenge what happened to Meredith!”

“Shut up!” Yelled Meredith suddenly. “Look, one of the Fighters has to remain behind to guard the others. We don’t want these masked men circling back to find our most vulnerable members alone. This is a very important job, and who ever does it should be proud to get the job.”

“What’s the idea, Chase?” Said Claire evenly. She seemed ready to be told to remain behind. “You said something about that.”

“Right,” said Chase. “So, out of all our Fighters, two have lost their matches at the tournament.”

“Two?” Said Alex, sounding heated.

“Sorry,” said Chase, shaking his head. “It’s been a long day. Got beat up, you know? But Daniel lost his match—sorry, Dan—and Alex, well, you basically passed by default because Bellis had a back problem.”

“The plan is simple,” interjected Meredith. “Hackney and Alex do rock, paper, scissors to see who remains behind.”

The table was silent for a moment. Brent glanced over at Alex and saw his mouth slightly open.

“Do you think I am Thomas?” Said Alex.

“Really,” said Hackney earnestly. “There has to be a better way.”

“You wish you were me,” muttered Thomas. “Hey, Clark, need another drink?”

“Huh?” Clark sputtered. “Level 2 gotta be...level...hic!”

“Seems fair to me,” said Claire.

“Not me!” Raged Alex. “Why can’t we just—.”

“It’s been decided, Alex,” said Meredith. “The leaders have spoken.”

“On three!” Said Chase suddenly. “One..”

“I haven’t agreed to anything!” Said Hackney, starting to stand up.

“Two...” said Meredith, a grin on her face.

“Even if you say three it doesn’t matter!” Said Alex. “I’ll just—“

“THREE!” Said the whole room.

As fast as lightening, both Alex and Hackney slammed their hands onto the table, their choices made.