Quest updated

Whispers

Infiltrate the Godsfather base to find out more about Raven’s past

I had gotten the notification shortly after confirming with Galahad and Raven that we were actually going to try and pull this off. Was it madness or desperation, I had been unsure but leaving wasn’t an option. We had an opportunity to find out more about Raven and we needed to take it, no matter the cost.

The task right now was a simple one, Galahad knew the layout of Willowshire but given his half drunk ramblings, we needed to see the town for ourselves. Geovana stuck to his guns about not getting involved. Not outdoors anyway, true to his word he had reiterated that we were free to use his tavern to meet up providing that we didn’t draw attention to it.

Geovana wasn’t adverse to trouble starting in his bar and would get involved in breaking them up but he explained that he needed to be seen as impartial. When it came to the Godsfather however, Geovani had said that he needed to be careful. If he was seen to be aiding any kind of rebellion then it would have catastrophic repercussions for him. Geovana had been white as a sheet as he had told us that his goons wouldn’t just trash his tavern but they would likely burn it down.

I understood where he was coming from and said that we could find another place to meetup but he had insisted that he wanted to help in whatever way he could, he just needed to be extra careful.

Myself and Galahad were walking down a cobbled street in Willowshire, the stones paving the ground surprisingly well kept and maintained. Horse and carts intermittently passed, the click clacking of hooves against the cobbled stone giving me a familiarity of home that I needed right now.

Men and woman of all shapes and sizes walked up and down the sides of the streets, their clothes something like you would expect from medieval times. I did draw occasional disapproving or curious eyes as we walked through the town which was funny given that I was walking with a fully armour suited knight yet it was me drawing attention with my dirt covered chinos and torn work shirt.

Raven was tucked away in my shadow, it had seemed like the sensible option given the hostility towards Reavers that Galahad and Geovana had explained to us. Although they remained suspicious of her, there was no way that I was going to turn my back on her, not after everything that we had been through.

I had always been brought up to judge people on their action and not on the words of others. It was something my dad had always said to me that didn’t make much sense until I had grown up. Jerry being a prime example of that very theory, people loved Jerry, my colleagues, our bosses. They didn’t see what he was like though, that was something only a couple of us that he used as stepping stones got to view.

“As I was saying if we start over here by the guards tower over there old boy, I can give you a tour of Willowshire.” Galahad, stumbled slightly, I couldn’t tell if it was the armour’s clunkiness making it harder for him to walk or the fact he had insisted on a couple more drinks which had likely topped him back up to being partially drunk.

“lead the way,” I said, ahead of us was the main gate where I had entered Willowshire with Gary and Vera, already that seemed like such a long time ago and only a few hours had passed. I wondered if they had already left or if they were still around here.

“As I was saying, this is the guards tower.” Galahad said, his voice elevated to a level that brought instant attention to us. The opposite of what we needed.

From this side I could see a large wrought iron gate, it was closed, a the metal was rusted on the criss cross design. Either side of it were two cylindrical towers that were built into the large stone wall that reached as far as I could see either side.

“Now these towers are where the guards are based, hence the term guard tower,” He said the last two words slower, as if he was talking to and idiot. Come to think of it, everything he was doing was over the top and the opposite of what we had discussed.

“Galahad,” I whispered under my breath, frustration and worry rising within me. Had I already made a mistake involving Galahad in all of this?

With a stumble Galahad stopped. "Leaning into me he said, “What is it old boy?”

“We’re meant to be keeping a low profile.”

“Trust me I know what I’m doing,” He said in a coherent way. “As I was saying these towers were erected by the founder of Willowshire, Per, Par, Pir,” He was speaking loudly and stumbling on the name that he was searching for. It took everything in me not to rush him and slap my hand over his mouth. All that would do would draw even more attention to us.

“Never mind,” he said moving on from the name he was trying to recall, a trying look on his face. You see the wall was built to keep the terrors out, frightful creatures, would murder anyone that gets in their way. As vicious as they are tiny, trust me if you ever come across these little blights, either run or dispatch the slippery little buggers before they come back with more of their kin. You see I’ve noticed that they will send one or two out to scout out an area before mounting a full fledged attack where the will swamp whatever village, camp or town they see fit the rapscallions.”

If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

“What’s going on here.” A gruff voice said, judging by their tone they were less than impressed. Galahad turned around, stumbling in his steps, seeing the guard that had stepped out of one of the towers he offered them a polite wave.

“Ah, hello old boy.” Galahad said, swaying slightly on the spot. “This chap is new to town, so I thought,” He paused for a moment as he hiccupped. “I would show him around, give him a little tour.” He turned back to face me waving his hands around in the air as he spoke. “As I was saying, the guards remain in the towers to keep watch from the terror’s should they wander a little too close to the towns boundaries.” He aimed at me with a fake crossbow in his hands and pretended to fire it at me.

With how crazy this place his I half expected a damn weapon to materialize in his hands and if he had, it wouldn’t have surprised me. “With expert precision they keep their crossbows trained on the blighters and are ready to fire at any moment.”

“Clear off,” The guard said, dismissively, he clearly did not had time for Galahad and I felt like this wasn’t the first time he had encountered him.

Galahad spun back around and staggered towards the guard, “Don’t be like that,” he said as he reached the guard, he wrapped his metal coated arm around the guard like they were best friends, the guard however looked less than impressed. The more Galahad moved the more his armour sounded like it needed a good oiling. Was that even a thing with a suit of armour?

The guard took a sniff before looking to his side at Galahad, a wave of repulsion came across his face as Galahad continued to talk to him, blissfully unaware of the ire he was causing.

“As I was as I was saying,” Galahad rolled his free hand around in the air as he was talking, making an exaggerated circle that moved in time with his words. “This young chap has just arrived in Willowshire and I was showing him around, telling him the rich history, then out you popped. Perfect timing or what.” He was expressive with his face, his eccentricity on full display. “Is there any chance that you can perhaps show him around the guard tower, it would be a fantastic experience.” He turned his head to align with the guards, a hopeful smile in tow. “Pretty please?”

“I said clear off!” The guard shoved into Galahad who put up little fight as he stumbled away, losing his footing and tumbling over in the mud.

He clattered to the ground and I kind of felt sorry for him, as he tried to clamber back to his feet.

“The only way you are getting a tour of the guards tower is if you take up residency in the cells, then it will be a quick walk to the gallows.”

I knew that Galahad was being a little full on but threatening him with the cells and the gallows was a little extreme. I went to take a step forward but caught a glimpse of Galahad who waved a hand at me to back down.

A second guard excited the guard tower, his hand firmly gripping the hilt of his sword. I had to double take, it wasn’t his sword he was gripping, it was mine, I could recognise the serrated pommel. It was the same guard that had comphescated my sword before I went to the tavern. The same guard who said I could collect it on my way out. “What’s going on here?” He growled, the other guard wiped at his shoulder like something nasty had spilt on him.

The guard that had taken my sword saw Galahad stumbling around in the dirt as he tried to get to his feet and groaned. “Not you again Galahad, I swear I can smell you before I see you. Do us all a favour and piss off.” He spat at Galahad and I couldn’t stand back.

“Hey,” I called out. “There’s no need for that.”

The guard marched at me without any hesitation, looking me up and down as he stood in my personal space. My berserker skill had cooled down but this was neither the time or the place for me to activate it. “I recognise you, I thought I told you to stay out of trouble.” The guard jabbed me in the chest, his whole demeanour completely different from the first time I had met him, I wondered if he perhaps had an evil twin, such was the contrast.

“He doesn’t mean any harm, “ I said leaping to Galahad’s defence. “Like he was telling your colleague here, he was just showing me a round as I am new here.”

Galahad managed to get himself back to his feet before dusting himself down. “That’s quite alright,” Galahad said walking back towards me, we don’t want any bother, we will be on our way.” He placed his hands on my shoulders to lead me away, stale and fresh ale smacked me in the face, it was grim to say the least.

"Piss off back to where you came from Galahad.” The other guard said, still wiping his shoulder as if it was contaminated.

The other guard kicked him in the backside and he stumbled forward. In a flash of a second there was a deep sadness in Galahad’s eyes, one filled with shame and embarrassment, then the next second it vanished as he continue to shepherd me away from the guards who stood glowering at the two of us.

“Well there goes my chance of getting my sword back.” I said as Galahad continued to lead me away.

When we got far enough he let go of me, allowing me to walk freely.

“What a dick,” I said, “Are you ok,? He didn’t need to treat you like that.”

“Being the town drunk comes with its own pitfalls,” he said. “Sooner or late people just accept you for what you are. A simple drunkard, chasing his next drink.”

“What was that all about?" Why do I feel like that isn’t the first time you have had dealings with them?”

Galahad laughed loudly, “Those guards are nothing more than cowards and their behaviour all but confirms what I have suspected for a long time. They are in the pocket of the Godsfather.

“How do you know that? I mean they were assholes but what. Makes you think they are in the Godfather’s pocket?”

“Because no one tasked with protecting towns or villages, treat people like that. They should patrol these streets with pride and honour, remembering the vows they swore.”

We passed a couple of shops while we walked, Galahad pointing out the varying positioning of the guards, they were posted at guard towers at different points around Willowshire, but they also had a continuous patrol on the streets. The more I watched their behaviour from a far the more I agreed with what Galahad had said.

These guards were here to protect them but as we looked around I saw guards hassling women, kicking the legs of people and even one pushing a man up against a wall as he extorted him for coin, or he would throw him in the cells for the night, probably with a beating for good measure.

“You see, guards who were true to their vows, to their allegiance wouldn’t behave like this. They would be duty bound, to keep Willowshire safe, but it seems they only have their needs that they wish to see to.” Galahad was frustrated, he had a bit of a power march going on as he showed me around town, continuing his tour.

“Come Silas, we need to keep scouting the area.”

“What then?” I asked.

“Then we need to increase our notoriety.”