You, Franz and Oolok are preparing to leave the city of Skelweerd...

Oolok and Franz went into one of the rooms of the pub. You also went inside the pub and waited for your friends on one of the benches. Soon Oolok returned to you.

You put on the elven chain mail that Franz gave you. The silvery metal of the elven chain mail could attract the attention of outside observers, so you put another cloth shirt on top of the chain mail. Now your chain mail has become almost invisible to an outside observer.

You then decide to talk to the half-orc Oolok.

The half-orc is packing some things into his large backpack. You notice a sword among these things.

Oolok looks gloomy. His gaze shows his determination to break the bones of anyone who irritates this muscular half-orc.

You fearfully ask him: “What exactly did you know, Oolok? Why do you look so gloomy? It can't all be that bad for us, can it? Look: Franz gave me elven silver chain mail and a magic spear! I’ve already had some practice using this spear!”

Oolok looks at you. The sight makes you swallow the lump in your throat.

Oolok says slowly: “You think good weapons and good armor are the things that guarantee survival?”

You mumble: “I... I don’t know...”

Oolok continues to say: “I took a walk through the streets of the city... I spoke with several old acquaintances of mine... And I have some disappointing news for you, Jerome...”

You say in a weak voice, “What do you mean?”

The half-orc says: “Apparently, the person who seeks to ensure your quick **** has paid a lot of money to each of the major gangs in the city of Skelweerd. Representatives of each of the major criminal organizations of this city will try to kill you. Many dangerous and insidious persons will lie in wait for you in the most unexpected places to gut your body like the carcass of a little pig. There will be so many of your enemies in this city that good weapons and good armor can only slightly delay the moment when some dirty criminal cuts off your head...”

You can only stammer in fear: “But you... You said that you have useful contacts in the criminal communities of the city of Skelweerd... Can't you eliminate this threat to me, Oolok? Won't you help me?"

Oolok grins: “Alas, the thieves guild, of which I was a representative a couple of years ago, also received a very lucrative offer from a mysterious rich man... The essence of this offer is to separate your beautiful half-elven head from your body and bring it to the customer in exchange for a substantial reward. Regarding your question about help, I can say that I am already helping you, Jerome. I’m already helping you, at least by getting this important information for you and by warning you about the danger.”

The half-orc's words make you feel feverishly terrified.

You say hysterically: “But what should I do?!” I don't want to die!

Oolok says: “I will answer your question about the necessary actions. First of all: you must not panic, you must act decisively and quickly. Franz and I will help you. But don't count on anyone to do everything necessary for your survival. You must make every effort to not die. Secondly: you must leave this city as quickly as possible. You, me and Franz will collect all our things, go to the port quarter and board the ship, which will soon sail to the elven island city of Tior-Faen. Of course, I don’t have much confidence in the captain of the city guard who bought a place for the three of us on one of the ships. However, Franz convinced me that we should take advantage of this opportunity due to the fact that we simply will not have time to find other options.”

Oolok continued to gather his things and supplies. He packed his things into a backpack. While he was doing this, you noticed that under the dirty shirt of the half-orc there was metal chain mail (judging by the appearance, it was quite worn out iron chain mail).

You also began to pack your things for the upcoming trip. You packed your things and supplies into your bag. You packed your small spear especially carefully.

Half an hour later, you, Franz and the half-orc Oolok left the pub. The three of you walk through the streets of the neighborhood. You are moving towards the port quarter of the city of Skelweerd.

While you are moving, the half-orc Oolok has to overtake you several times and hide in dark alleys. With such absences, Oolok returns after a couple of minutes of absence. You notice blood on the knuckles of his large fists.

Oolok grins and says, “Nothing serious... I just had to hang out a little with some petty criminals who were going to give you some nasty surprises on the way to the port. A few blows and a couple of broken limbs were enough for this trash to understand that they had no chance..."

Your group continues to walk through the city streets. You feel a cool breeze. Soon, light rain begins to drip from the evening sky. You put on the hood that is on your cloak.

Ten minutes later you encounter a city guard patrol. Oolok becomes noticeably more irritated. You are afraid that he might grab a weapon.

However, Franz speaks to the guards and explains your situation to them.

As a result, the city guard patrol escorts you all the way to the main piers of the port quarter of the city of Skelweerd.

Near one of the piers you see a large group of city guards led by the captain of the city guard. The guards were clearly better armed than usual. And the number of these guards was atypically large.

Also on the water at the pier, the side of a large ship was rocking. A loading ramp ran from the side of this ship, along which one could get on board this ship. The ship was more than 40 meters long, it had two masts with large sails, along the sides there were small holes from which oars came out. You understand that such a ship can use sails and sail quickly due to the power of the wind, but in the absence of wind, such a ship can float due to the power of the rowers who will use oars. This ship had oak plating on the sides and at the front and rear ends there were platforms, which were probably intended to shelter soldiers with small arms. On the back platform of the ship, you noticed a mechanism that reminded you of a huge crossbow.

You quietly asked Franz: “Do you know what this type of ship is called?”

Franz answered you in a whisper: “This is an ordinary Orlanian dromon with a combat ballista on the stern platform. Please refrain from asking questions, Jerome. Now I need to talk to the captain of the city guard..."

You, Franz and the half-orc Oolok are in a large group of city guards who are standing on the pier. Franz steps forward. You see Franz approaching the captain of the city guard of the city of Skelweerd, whom you know.

The captain of the city guard grins and says: “Well, you finally managed to get to the piers of the port quarter! And your slutty half-elf even managed to survive! This is impressive! Now you three should board this ship and get away from my beautiful city. However, shouldn't the city guard do a final search of your luggage? What if you have some items the export of which is prohibited by the legislation of the Sacred Kingdom of Orlania?”

You hear how the half-orc Oolok clenched his teeth until they creaked and began muttering some curses in a whisper.

You hear Franz answering the captain of the city guard: “I have no doubt at all about your authority, dear captain... But this particular case is exceptional... Therefore, I assume that you will find it possible to refrain from the customs inspection procedure... I have strong arguments...”

Franz comes almost close to the captain. You don't see what exactly is happening.

However, an outside observer who was nearby could have noticed that Franz, with a quick movement of his hand, passed some kind of wallet into the hand of the captain of the city guard. The captain of the city guard deftly took this wallet and hid it.

After this, the captain of the city guard smiled and said: “Indeed, your arguments are very weighty, Franz. The customs inspection procedure requires considerable time. And in your situation you need to act as quickly as possible. You can occupy your cabin on the ship. I'm glad you're leaving town. The city will be much quieter without your stupid asses.”

You, Franz and the half-orc Oolok climb the ramp onto the ship. You meet many sailors who are finishing loading boxes of goods.

A lame human male, about 50 years old, comes towards you. He is dressed in leather pants, a white cloth shirt, and leather boots. Behind this man's belt you can see a falchion in a sheath.

This human male's head is completely bald, his goatee and mustache are covered with gray hair, his gray eyes look over the three of you. There is a sense of disdain in his gaze.

He turns to one of the sailors and says: “Malcolm, take these passengers to cabin number 4. And act quickly!”

The sailor says: “That’s right, Mr. Captain!”

The sailor then makes a hand gesture to you. You, Franz and the half-orc Oolok follow this sailor. The sailor takes you to cabin number 4. The sailor then quickly runs away.

You enter the cabin room. This room is quite cramped. There is only one bed that can accommodate only one person. In addition to the bed, there are several old, worn-out chairs, each of which makes a nasty squeak when you try to sit on it.

Oolok says: “Looks like me and Franz will have to sleep on the floor.”

You lie down on the bed.

Oolok and Franz set up sleeping areas on the floor.

Soon you feel the ship begin to move. The sea voyage has begun.

You are moving towards your goal. Mysterious city of elves. Free City of Tior-Faen. City-state in which you have a chance to find out at least something about your father.

You indulge in thoughts about your fate. And soon you fall asleep.