We finally arrived back at the inn sometime in the late afternoon to find Elwin drinking a stein of ale at the bar. He gave us an insouciant smile before finishing one of his tall tales with Devon. They were both laughing with each other, trying to outdo the other with their tall tales of derring-do. Finally, once he was done, he turned from his drinking companion and greeted us.
“Finally! You lot are back? I see you are going for a new look. Hrmm, yes, very menacing. We were just talking about you. Why don’t you pull up a seat and let's exchange stories? I had a right old fine time today, I tell you!”
“Thank you, Elwin, but no. I think we should all retire to our room for a moment to catch a breath. We would of course be delighted to hear your good news there,” I answered, none too sarcastically, making sure to emphasize exactly what I wished to occur.
The earlier encounter with the local nobleman and his guards kept playing in the background of my mind. My thoughts kept replaying the scene, my mind grasping for something that kept floating out of reach. There was something missing, but I was distracted from my ruminations as Elwin finally answered me.
“Ahh, I see, of course, pardon me,” he replied, draining his drink and patting the old rogue Devon on the shoulder like an old friend, “was lovely talking to you, old pal.” Surprisingly steadily he got to his feet and followed us up the stairs to the room.
Upon entering our humble lodging, I resisted the urge to flop down on the bed in full armor, instead settling for the chair by the shutters, which I opened. Kidu chose a comfortable corner, his bulk completely filling it up, while Elwin sat on the bed, his hands steepled together as if deep in thought.
“Alright, let me start,” coughed Elwin as he began, “I was able to meet up with several fences, or merchants that didn’t ask too many questions. None of our pieces of loot was particularly special, but you never know, eh? Anyways, I was able to get together just a little over two gold pieces, how you lads do?”
Two gold pieces were a lot more than I had been expecting. I thought he would have gotten a few silver at most, so I couldn’t help praising the Rogue for a job very well done. Perhaps he was worthy of trust after all. I told him about my adventures of the day, minus my moment of raw intimacy with Cillis, which impressed him to no end. We split the proceeds of the sale among us and he offered to place a few silver on my bets in the future.
However, gambling could not be our main source of income. It would simply draw too many eyes, and if word got around that I was using magic to ease the odds in my favor, things would not end well for me. I decided to make my position on the matter clear.
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“There is no harm in gambling for the occasional bit of coin, but I would prefer it if we didn’t draw too much untoward attention. We’ll need a way to make some honest money. Now, I’m not much into the gig economy.” They both looked at me a little puzzled before I continued, “One-off odd jobs I mean. We’ll need something a little more stable. Remember, Taper downstairs? Didn’t he mention something about an adventurer’s guild or something?” I tried to suggest.
Kidu just shrugged, willing as always just to follow my lead, but Elwin, as always, had something to say. “Probably means we’ll have to head back there,” he pointed in the general direction of the forest, “The Grieving Lands are a dangerous place for adventurers. Hunting beasts to fill a rush order from a tanner, or to get ingredients for an eccentric alchemist is one thing, but monsters are well… it's in the name, isn’t it? They’re dangerous, I tell you!”
“What is the difference between an animal and a monster anyways?” I responded, a little confused. The pair looked at me dumbstruck before Elwin slapped himself on the head after he remembered my background.
“Of course, we have a budding scholar on our hands after all. An animal is a creature that is a natural product of nature, and more importantly, they all fear, or at least, interact with the races of man as nature intended. A monster is something that will purposefully go about to harm man, beyond the simple reasons of food and territory,” he said with great patience, as if talking to a child.
“You mean, just like mankind?” I flippantly commented, enjoying the reaction on his face.
I thought that, even then, the definition was still far too vague.
“A philosopher too. We’re actually the real monsters?” he snorted, waving both hands in the air in a mocking fashion. “You truly know nothing,”. He almost spat before continuing. “There are things out there that will give you nightmares for the rest of your life. But if you must know, they say that, somewhere in Quas, there is a book with all the known species in it, recorded before the first cataclysm. They say anything after that, anything that Iasis, in her twisted mind created is categorized as a monster.” He finished on a tired note, which put an end to my impromptu lesson, reminding me of just how little I knew of what was considered common sense in this world.
“Well, if it's good money, I say that we at least have a look, maybe even register,” I persisted. “At the very least, I would assume that being a member should provide some protection against possibly being enslaved after being lulled into a false sense of security by being plied with drinks in the late afternoon,” I said the last pointedly, but all too aware of my own little hypocrisy. Besides, something in my gut told me it was an avenue worth pursuing.
I made sure, however, to add something I knew would be dear to the Rogue’s heart. “There is bound to be treasure somewhere along the way!”
Elwin grinned up at me, and even the taciturn Kidu seemed to spruce up at the mention of treasure.
“Well, I guess a few nights in the rough can’t be too bad,” the Rogue considered, testing the waters.
“Where you go, I will follow. I am sure there will be worthy opponents to wet my spear,” intoned the giant man in a voice that rumbled like a big cat, loyal as always.
And so, it was decided. We would become adventurers.