Back to Barrowden!

You wince, looking down at the trophy that you held in your hand. You hoped this would be enough, but the loud noises of the camp behind reminds you that all they need to do is see that the orcs are gone and you will have your gold. The notice did not exclude peaceful ends to the conflict after all! Giving a shrug, you begin walking back to Barrowden. Walking, however, is a lot harder than you remember. Mainly because of the massive pain in your ass. Wincing in pain and discomfort, each step feels makes your sensitive, recovering butthole twinge. But you are a strong paladin, and you can outlast such trivial concerns. Grimacing, you continue on the journey.

It took you 15 minutes to return to Barrowden, at least twice the time it had taken to get there, mainly because of the strange bowlegged walk you had been **** to adopt. There were two guards that stood at the gate, ones that you recognised. Kesten and Matteau. You see a glint in their eyes as you approach, and Kesten opens his mouth to speak, a despicable leer in her eyes, while Matteau stares at you with cold fury. Cutting off Kesten's words, you hold up the large axe, decorated with the orcish insignia. "I have driven off the orcish tribe and come to bring news to the Mayor. Stop me at your own peril." Kesten's mouth drops open at this, and studies it. Frowning, the guard turns to Matteau.
"Go and see if she's telling the truth. Don't report to me, report to the mayor." With a quick nod, and a final scowl at you, the guard runs of. "Go inside and talk to the mayor. If you're lying, I'll enjoy seeing you punished." A cruel smirk passed over his face. And with that, he let you pass.

You stride in, looking as confident as you can despite the odd feeling in your ass. The location of the manor, where you had been told the mayor lived, was obvious. It was simply the largest building in the town, towering over the rest. Walking towards it, you looked up to the sky. Hmm. It was night time. And the stars were out. That might be a problem. The mayor might not be around to accept the trophy. Shrugging slightly, you forge onward. For something like this, you reckon it's worth waking some stuffy noble from his beauty sleep.

Eventually you reach the large manor. You finger and rub the trophy over and over, worried about what the mayor would think. Maybe he wouldn't accept the trophy. Maybe he wouldn't believe you. Hopefully that Matteau would tell the truth... You rapped loudly on the large double doors. And waited. Frowning, you rap again with your free hand, this time louder. And you wait. Scowling at being **** to stand on ceremony, you raise your hand to rap loudly once again, but suddenly, the door opens, and a rather angry, bald head of a man pushes its way out. The wrinkled, aging old coot with his strange way of introducing himself reminds you of a tortoise's head emerging from its shell. The man, however, is not as kind and easygoing as those noble animals.

"What do you want?!" He hisses angrily, clearly trying to keep his voice down but also wanting to raise it due to his fury. "Don't you know the time? You'll wake Mayor Krenvich!" You scowl at his rudeness, but do not let it throw you off balance.
"I am Eleanor, paladin of Lucretia. I have solved your orc problem. Here is a token I took from the chieftain as tribute. The orcs are packing up now and will be moving before dawn. I have come to claim my reward." You bring up the large hatchet, rough and jagged, an obvious orcish weapon. The doorman stares at it, and then up at you. "Y-You think I will wake the mayor for this? You have no proof that they are gone! In fact I think you are simply trying to lie for the rew-" The crotchety old man is cut off as Matteau suddenly runs down the street, face white as a sheet.
"She speaks truly! The orcs are gone!" The young man said, keeping his distance from you, as if your mere presence will bewitch him. The old man frowns at the young guard, and then at you. Finally, he speaks. "I will... Wake the mayor and show him the trophy. But do not expect an audience!" The doorman, spits, holding out a hand. You quickly place the hatchet in his hand, and it is taken quickly, and you hear the sound of footsteps fading. Turning around, you see Matteau already running off down the street, clearly not wanting to spend a moment longer around you, clearly for fear that you'd bewitch him. A smile breaks out across your face, and you allow yourself a small giggle.

You lean against the door for about 15 minutes, humming softly and taking a few looks over the town. It's oddly peaceful, and the stars twinkle in the night sky. Finally, the tortoise pokes his head out again. This time, he is wearing a look of obviously **** courtesy. "T-The Mayor is happy with the trophy. Here is the gold." And a large purse is offered, which you swiftly take, a smile breaking over your soft features. You are about to turn to go, but the doorman stops you. "H-He also..." You can tell the old coot is struggling to say this, the look of **** courtesy twisting over his face. "T-That is, Mayor Krenvich would like to invite you to tea. Tomorrow, midday. Here. He wishes to meet the saviour of Barrowden." He after saying this, the doorman seems to relax, but his grimace of **** courtesy still twists his face in an ugly way.

You blink in surprise. The mayor himself wishes to see you? Well... You suppose you'd better, right? Better not insult the mayor of a place you want to stay. With a shrug, you nod. "I'll take the invitation. Expect me." The old tortoise nods quickly, and slams the door in an instant, leaving you standing alone in the street. Turning, you raise your eyebrows again. A dinner with the mayor? Well, you'll look the part with your armour at least.

Now, you need a place to stay the night. And you are thirsty.