They traveled through town on the way to the seashore, gathering supplies and information. On several occasions, they had to stop and rescue Dresden from an angry husband who discovered him and his wife together in compromising positions. Ever the diplomat, Endermon managed to smooth things over by apologizing and on a couple occasions, outright lied about Dresden's intelligence.
A couple of times, Rutus mentioned the use of armor because some of the husbands and significant others got too close with weapons or things they had on hand. Endermon had to agree, and finding alleys or out of the way places to get either chainmail or makeshift armor over their vital organs and shoulders.
The three of them looked like a group of misfits, but until they reached the cave where the treasure was supposed to be, they stuck together whether they liked it or not. But with the extra layer of thrown together armor, courtesy of Rutus, they felt braver and more ready to take on anything.
They had been doing a mixture of walking or riding the horses through town when the topic of resting for the evening came up. No one knew who brought it up, but no one denied it would be a good idea. Now, they just needed an inn that had a stable attached. Also one that wouldn't deny them on sight.
With the help from the animals, some light threatening from Rutus, and unabashed flirting from Dresden got them a decent place with little vermin activity. Honestly they were all just happy at the prospect of a real bed. They somehow managed to scrape together the cost of three rooms for one night. It was obviously a scam and the innkeeper took nearly all their money, but they didn't care, they could get money another day.
As they got comfortable in their rooms, a knock came at Endermon's door. It was Rutus. She was asking what came next. Endermon simply said she didn't know. All she knew was there was a lead to the treasure in a cave by the sea, but which cave and what secrets, she didn't know.
They talked for a while and decided that instead of planning out the entire journey, they would take it one day and one adventure at a time. Whether it was keeping Dresden from being killed by a jealous lover, or outscamming the vile men who were trying to put one over on them. They laughed, remembering the stolen horses. Then Rutus yawned, and said she should get some sleep.
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The empty space was soon filled by Shiloh holding a very full sack of money. Endermon didn't ask, but was sure it wasn't gotten legally. But since she was nearly broke, she didn't ask too many questions. The line between right and wrong was getting blurrier the longer she stayed with Shiloh. But damn if it wasn't satisfying to see those who wished to cheat her get cheated instead.
In order for her to feel she had a clear conscious, she laid down some boundaries. If she felt she had it under control, she'd leave a mark in the shape of a dragon, if not, it would be a bat. Shiloh took offense to that and told her so. So, she changed it to a check mark for no help and an x for help. They agreed it was the best plan and laid down as they had become accustomed to doing.
In the morning as usual, Shiloh was gone. But the money remained. A note said that the quickest way to the seashore was to follow the road on the outskirts of town until they got to a cemetery. They were to take the side with the names facing the street, and go left at the mausoleum with the giant sun on the wall.
Of course they were free to take an alternate route, but who knows what sort of people they might come across. Endermon rolled her eyes but kept on reading. The note said there was a pile of discarded armor along the fence of the cemetery. Nevermind the scorch marks and the dried blood.
Going down the stairs, the innkeeper distinctly avoided looking in Endermon's eyes. The other two noticed, but wisely didn't say anything til they were outside and a safe distance from the inn. When asked she said they had come to an agreement.
With their money safe with them and the horses loaded up, they made their way to the edge of town. Before they got there, they stopped at a place where they could get food to go. Eating as they rode, they discussed how to find the right cave once they got to the shore.