To the Caves of Stench

“When do we leave?” You ask excitedly?

“Our provisions and horses are nearly ready, we’ll leave within the hour. But, first I think introductions are in order. Austell Moon, this handsome gentleman is Galin.”

“Gentlemen? You flatter me, Mokitha. I’m a sword master by trade. You point, I slay.”

He flexes and his muscles and they clearly strain the fabric of his shirt.

“This is Sabine, our lock pick, and master of the throwing dagger.”

The red head looks sheepish and lowers her head.

“And, as you probably have guessed, I’m Mokitha, former combat mage, turned adventurer.”

You grin. “Nice to meet you all.”

Mokitha orders another round, and by the time you finish, it’s time to go.

You pick up horse with packs at The Carrot Stables and begin your adventure. You are giddy.

Six hours on horseback and the giddiness has worn off. You are sore. You pull aside Mokitha and try to talk to her, but she is terse and standoffish. You drift back to Sabine.

“What’s with Mokitha’s attitude?”

“Oh that. She was quite close with our last healer. I think you remind her of her loss. It was quite a spectacular way to die.”

“How?”

“Let’s not talk about Feather, bad luck to talk about bad memories.”

“Fine, another time. What about you? How did you end up doing this?”

“Now that’s an easy one. I made the mistake of breaking into the keep of a nobleman to retrieve an item. I succeeded. However, it seems the assassins guild was watching me. They promised me an absurd sum and admission to the guild if I took a contract to kill the nobleman’s daughter. I never should have said yes. I couldn’t do it.”

“You broke the contract?”

“Yes.”

“It’s good you did. **** stains the soul.”

“Easier said when you don’t have a price on your head.”

“I suppose so. What’s Galin’s deal?”

“Well, he really is a sword master, the best I’ve seen. He’s the youngest son of some noble, I think.”

“Really?”

“Yes, but don’t get too friendly. He loves his money and he loves his whores. Personally, I think he’s seen too much.”

In the distance you see an ominous mountain. You catch an awful smell.