A new “delicate” task.

You say: "Thank you for generously paying me for my services, master Etario. I am ready to do whatever you deem necessary. What is the essence of your new assignment?"

Etario looks at you with a raised eyebrow, his eyes shining with greed.

“The new task... will not be easy...” he says, holding out the scroll.

He continues to say: “My competitors took away some valuable things... These things rightfully belong to me. I want you to eliminate them and return the stolen property to me. The scroll shows the approximate location of the warehouse you need. This warehouse is located in the port quarter. The items I'm interested in are packed in small wooden boxes (three boxes in total). The boxes are sealed with a wax seal with a bear symbol. Near the warehouse you will meet a couple of guys from our gang who will help you after solving the problem in the warehouse. The boxes will need to be loaded onto the boat. Your two assistants transport the goods to where they need to go. You are only required to eliminate all persons in the warehouse who will interfere."

You take the scroll in your hands. You carefully read the text and examine the diagram. This warehouse is located on the western edge of the port quarter. It's a long way to go there. Probably about two hours away.

You say goodbye to your employer, the moneylender Etario, and you go in the direction of your new goal.

As you make your way through the busy streets of the port quarter, you notice that the locals are giving you a wide berth and casting suspicious glances at you. You can feel their eyes on you, assessing you for any potential danger.

Most of the local passers-by look like poor people...

Dirty and torn clothes...

Tired and gloomy looks...

On these streets you see port laborers, sailors, fishermen...

Small groups of strangers (who obviously sailed from somewhere far away).

So, in the end, you almost reach the warehouse you need in the port quarter. The sun is just beginning to set, casting long shadows on the streets.

In the distance you can hear the sound of water splashing on the shore. You know that this is where you need to find the boxes.

You approach the warehouse, your heart beating with anticipation that the complexity of the upcoming task will require maximum effort from you.

A small detachment of city guards is on duty near the warehouse gates.

Five guys-guards, who are armed with spears and short swords and dressed in iron chain mail and mail coifs.

To get inside you have to bribe the head of this group of guards.

Two dozen silver coins.

This is a lot.

But you are **** to spend money. After all, a confrontation with the guards in such a crowded place in the city's port area would simply be a stupid indiscretion.

The fat guard-sergeant grins and takes your money, muttering: “Today is a lucky day for me... Another visitor...”

“Another” - this word only makes your anxiety worse.

Someone managed to enter the warehouse before your arrival. And it was someone who also bribed the guards.

Of course, you might assume that these were two persons who are subordinates of moneylender Etario Cross-Eyed. After all, Etario mentioned that two of his guys will help you “solve problems in the warehouse” and transport three boxes to the right place.

However, the thought that lingers in your mind is that the smarter option is to “assume the worst.”

You enter the warehouse area.

Extensive wooden shelves with goods…

Several stairs that lead to the second floor...

Port workers who are rushing about their business (they seem to glance fearfully at you and try to leave as quickly as possible).

You go to the sector of the warehouse where the cargo intended for immediate loading onto ships is located.

As you get closer, you notice something strange...

Not a single loader or dock worker is visible in this part of the warehouse.

It's like they all ran away.

Among the tall shelves, wooden boxes and many barrels, you notice a group of persons.

And this doesn’t look like a friendly meeting at all.

Short figures in hoods...

There are eight of them...

The focus of most of these persons is focused on something that is located on the floor...

Some of them look around.

They almost noticed you.