image [https://i.imgur.com/plkRaZC.jpeg]

"And here I was beginning to think you wouldn’t show up."

An old pirate was sitting at the bar in a relatively empty section of the Drunken Horse, a local tavern located in the city of Duldond.

"It’s not nice to keep an old man waiting," he continued.

"My apologies. You couldn’t imagine the trouble I’ve had getting here," answered the man joining him with a huff.

He was a tall nobleman dressed in the finest furs. He wobbled to the bar where the pirate was waiting, panting with exhaustion and with sweat beaded against his carefully set hair. When he completed his journey, he rested his things on the floor and slumped onto a stool at the bar beside the pirate. Suddenly, he perked himself up, turned, and stuck his hand out.

"It’s a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Mr. Goin. Reagle Dormand, official representative of the Palian Theocracy, at your service," the nobleman said.

"Charmed. And call me Chip." He did not return Reagle’s gesture. "I think you will find it is I who am at your service, Mr. Dormand. You called me here anyway. We can skip the formalities. Your letter said you want to know about Renna; is that correct?"

This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.

Reagle was not used to being spoken to so bluntly, but his education and creed were such that he would never let this show. He did his best to answer pleasantly. "Ms Eilfir! Yes, yes. We have quite an interest in her. She is quite a phenomenal person, you know."

"I do know, yes. I was there with her, after all."

There was a pause in the conversation following this. Reagle’s deft ability to maintain social pleasantries seemed to waver when dealing with this pirate. 

Finally, Chip broke the silence. "Do you have the money?"

"Of course," answered Reagle as he reached into the breast of his gown and produced a small satchel of clicking silvers. "I think you will find everything is as previously discussed. 10 silvers, as promised. We at Duldond always keep our friends very close."

Chip took the satchel and regarded it keenly before depositing it in his own jacket’s breast pocket. "It is an honour and a privilege to assist the blessed scholars of Palia." He did a tip of his hat towards Reagle. 

"Yes, well. We appreciate your service greatly, Mr.-"

"Chip."

Reagle coughed awkwardly before rummaging in the bag by his feet to find a notepad, quill, and ink. "So then... Chip, where would you like to begin?"

Chip let out a heavy sigh and rested his glass down on the bar before him. Although he would have liked to say he was just doing this for the money, in reality, this was a difficult story to speak of, and this was perhaps the first time he had been able to tell it in its entirety.

"I suppose," he said, "the best place would be at the first time we... met, I guess you could say. You best pour yourself a drink. This is going to take a while."