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Chapter 7

Marcus raised an eyebrow at the dwarf's statement and looked over. “Does this happen often in Fendur?”

The dwarf looks over Marcus’ direction, “More than you’d think. The Captain of the Mithril Warhammer himself for this trick a couple of times. Ooh! Those were the good times following Beldraen Redhand to battle, slaying monsters and the like.”

Snort!

The Dwarf instantly glared at Drazdan. “Something funny, boy?” he asked menacingly.

Drazdan finishes a bite of his food before setting his tableware down, and looking over to the dwarf. “Oh, nothing serious, other than my past employment in Fendur and memories of Sir Redhand being no different from the scummy Nobles of your kingdom.”

“Care to run that by me again? Boy.” he asked menacingly.

“Sure, your, oh so amazing Captain was no different than your filthy upper class, no honor, no dignity and certainly not fair. He was as corrupt as the Underbuckle family, nothing but a money grubbing wimp. I don’t from when you tell these stories, but in my experience, the Mithril Warhammer have never been more than a glorified honor guard sitting on their asses all day and never lifting a finger to help the population. WE of the castle guard were the only ones doing the fighting! WE were the ones sallying forth to save towns from Brigands and bandits! Furthermore, WE of the guard protected the castle against the Necromancer of Dvaren!”

Drazdan takes a moment to calm himself and catch his breath.

“In short, the famous Mithril Warhammer have absolutely no worth. Just a bunch of old wimps who refuse to do any work, but still managing to steal all credit from others.” He finishes and all but chugging Marcus’ ale, before looking back at the dwarf.

The dwarf was now red as a tomato and if looks could kill the entire tavern would long be dead. His anger although justified wasn’t enough for him to go off the rail and neither could he refute Drazdans’ words because most of them were true.

Seeing this, Drazdan stood up and started walking to the door, upon reaching it he looked back at his party who were still dumbfounded by the conversation they were witness to. “Come on, let's turn in our quest and get our money.” he said before walking out.

Marcus, Xandarr and Thirza looked at each other and then at the now sorrowful dwarf for a second before each standing up and walking towards the door. Xandarr made sure to leave a fat sack full of coins on the bar for last night.

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As soon as they are out of the tavern, the group splits up as Thirza has to go and join up with her own party at the southern gate, leaving the boys to try and find Drazdan, who clearly did NOT wait for them. They decide to take the shortest path towards the Manor. As they weave through the tight alleys in the city they spot many party goers and husbands suffering the wrath of their wives, the Half-ling was even thrown out the window by his goliath wife flying over their heads and landing in a garbage can full of soft fabric.

“ ‘Till you get your shit together, Tarwick, you ain’t settin’ a foot in my house!” she yells out the window as Tarwick is climbing out of the trash can.

“Don’t even think of comin’ home without a fresh boar!” she yells again before throwing out a bow, a quiver and a spear that sticks into the neighbors’ house a couple inches away from Tarwicks’ head.

Xandarr and Marcus look at the half-ling before jumping after the goliath slammed the window shutters closed and scaring them. All 3 of them just sit there for a few seconds to calm down, anticipating a potential flying projectile coming from the house.

Xandarr looks over at the window making sure the goliath is no longer in ear shot before looking back to Tarwick who is now fully equipped to go hunting. “Hey… Tarwick was it? Do you… Do you need help? We can try and get you out of this city with a carriage…” he tried.

Tarwick who was now looking at the two men, responded with, “No, thank you.”.

Seeing the puzzled looks on the two, he explains. “Look, I’m glad y’all worry ‘bout me, but it's meaningless. Nomia and I get along great, she is the love of my life, and I wouldn’t leave her for anything in the world. Besides, she’s only upset because I drank without her, nothing to worry about. Now, if you’ll excuse me…” he says, parting a way between the 2 men, “That boar ain’t gonna hunt itself.” he finishes before walking off looking as if he’s ready for war.

“Married man can be scary.” Marcus notes, and Xandarr nods in agreement.

As the 2 men watch the half-ling leave the alleyway, they linger on that thought. Marcus eventually asks.

“Do you? With…” he stammers out before getting cut off.

“Nope! At least not yet.” Xandarr quickly corrects his answer in fear of a dagger being thrown at him.

“Got it.” Marcus acknowledges with a nod.

After that last bit, they both keep going on their way towards the Mayors’. And after a short walk, they spot Drazdan in front of the manor talking with the guards. As the two get closer to the gate, they get noticed and greeted by the guards, which is followed by a short exchange and meaningless chatter about the weather before being let in.

As they enter the manor, a rare gust of wind slams the door shut. The group dismissed this seemingly normal occurrence before moving on towards the Mayors’ office.