Ask The Locals

You would normally be averse to bringing attention to yourself, or to the princess. Despite the distance from home, it's still fully possible that someone could be on the lookout for you two. The time spent in Drez certainly provided enough opportunity for word to spread through the kingdoms and for the King and Prince to send mounted chargers out to apprehend you both. Right now, the risk feels necessary. Your only hope is that the intricacies of international politics and missing daughters doesn't drip down to the lower classes. You wander the streets aimlessly for a while, and with no luck, head to the first bar or tavern you can find, paying no attention to a name. You make a quick scan of the room, desperately hoping that Trevolia might be here. A foreign voice pulls you out of your search

"Why hello handsome" You look to see the bartender bidding you forward. She was a fellow Orc, like you. Seeing another orc outside the Stoneheart Kingdom or the various nomadic tribes is uncommon, and while it's a welcome sight for you, knowing there's still a sizeable gap in the life you lead compared to her makes you ill at east. Her scars paint that easy enough, and you start to worry that she right through to your soft, pampered core. "Come on in, let me know what I can get you. Stay, talk a while. Not often we get to catch up in our own kind. I've even got some Fangrot ale that I've been saving."

"Thanks, but I'm looking for someone,"

"Honey, everyone here is looking for someone." She said with a gentle smile as you slowly walk up to the bar "Myself included. Maybe just for a chat. Maybe to spend a lifetime with. Most, just for an evening. I don't have anyone hiding under this bar, more the pity, but I maybe I can help anyway."

"Thank you, but maybe another time" you've gotten into enough trouble already, you don't even want to consider getting involved with even more women. She can't hide her disappointment well, as her smile drops "I'm looking for someone specific."

"Well, It's been pretty quiet here sweetie. Sorry I can't do more for you. What's the story?"

"It's complicated. Looking for a princess. Well, former princess I guess." Your eyes look up at the ceiling for a moment "I messed all of that up, and now I've made things even worse."

The bartender chuckles as she shakes her head slightly "Men. So you got caught fucking and she got disowned. That doesn't sound complicated to me."

"No, I guess not when you put it that way" There's details she doesn't have, but you're comfortable with her missing all of the data "You don't seem particularly surprised."

"Alot of societies have issues with interspecies relationships. A lot of folks think it comes to loyalty and who belongs to what. I think people, especially royal types, have a problem with it because those relationships can never produce children."

"You're not bothered by it?" You ask, seeing as she's undisturbed by the implications of you with a human.

"I don't know you, it's none of my business who you consort with. I just pour drinks. Even still, I've been known to find the handsome in every species. I dated a halfling for a while. Things ended on a happy note, which seems better than the state you're in right now."

"Ya, you could say that." You say, hanging your head down as you lean both arms on the bar.

"Well, buck up. It's not the end of the world. Lucky you, you've got your new friend Drima to help out."

"You know where to find her?"

"What?" She let out loudly, perplexed by your naivete "No. I said I can help, not give you the answers. Now, I don't know the details, but I can put together a few things. She's going to be mad at you. She deserves to be, from the sound of it. Remember why she fell in love with you in the first place, because she's probably so wrapped up in emotion that she's forgotten. And by the God's be patient with her. I've seen too many idiots in this bar who think that simply saying 'I'm sorry' is going to fix things."

"Right" You nod gently, taking it in. Admittedly, you had been so focused on trying to find her you didn't think about what you would say if you found her.

"I would also strongly suggest you find this princess of yours quickly."

You squint, trying to peace things together "Well, ya. Sooner the better. Is there something I need to know?"

Her posture straightened as she grew silent for a moment "When folks are down they tend to gravitate to their own, to what they know. Find comfort in an uncomfortable moment, right? If she finds herself with the upper crust around here, that could be bad news."

"Are they dangerous?"

"Nothing that's ever been proven, but there's some weird stuff going on. Servants and workers go missing and noone asks about it. Gatherings that are kept in secrecy. More than just your normal noble hoiti toiti snobbery. It might be nothing, but I'd make sure she doesn't get too involved with them either way."

"Thanks" you respond slowly, worrying what might be going on. Trevolia is a wizard now, sure, but without her book of spells, she's ****, and can still be easily deceived. You pat the bar counter slightly as you start to make your way out the door.

"And hey, if you find her and she won't have you back, come and see me, okay? I'll help you feel better" You nod quietly, unsure why it seems that every woman you talk to nowadays wants to bed you, and whether you would even take up the offer.