Convince Mel to assist him

Dante returned to where he had left Mel. He found her fast asleep in the room, her clothing strewn about. He kindly closed the door, and found the guards. They smiled at him and said "Thank you. We owe you." Dante grinned and laughed. "Well, you can start paying me back by guarding this room and not letting anyone else in. I need her rested for tomorrow."

The guards nodded and Dante strolled off, finding another room to rest in himself. The next day he returned to Mel's room, and found she had woken up earlier that morning and taken the time for a long hot bath, and her red hair was still damp as Dante entered the room and spoke with her, a faint smell of lavender-scented soap in the air.

"Good morning, dear Melanie. How are you this fine morning? You look as lovely as always. I hope you weren't disturbed after I left." Mel blushed very slightly. "Ummm... the guards looked in on me, to make sure I was doing alright shortly after you left." Dante nodded. "I'm sure they take great pride in performing all of their duties at the castle with vigor and enthusiasm. But I come here on business, rather than pleasure, I'm afraid." Dante sat in a chair, watching while Mel dried her hair a little more with a towel.

"Oh, what business is that?" The bard looked over at him, smiling. "Well, you see, I have a .. lead on an associate of the lads who.. assaulted us back in that village where we met." Mel looked at him, her expression quite serious. "Really?" Dante nodded. "Oh, yes. And it is said that there is a clue to the whereabouts of those lads in the possession of this... associate. The associate is quite a large fellow, bulging muscles and all. Probably not very bright."

Melanie nodded, setting the towel down. "I see. And you want to pay this fellow a visit?" Dante nodded and continued. "And there-in is the issue. For you see, he is out of the public eye, shall we say. The location of his lair, and the clue, is a secret. However, I have a way I think we can flush him out." Mel listened while he spoke, then nodded. "What's the plan then? If it leads to them, then I'm in."

Dante smiled, thinking to himself that this was too easy. "Well, dear, this associate calls himself the Bandit King, and has an eye for a nice set ... of jewelry... and the ladies. I don't think he could resist the sight of you, let alone the sight of you wearing these." Dante opened a small pouch and poured out the necklace and bracelets on a small night stand. Mel's eyes lit up as she saw the jewelry. "Oh my, it will be my pleasure to wear those."

Dante grinned at the bard. "Well, then, here is my plan. You dress up and spend one day walking around the city, displaying the jewelry prominantly and letting it be known you plan to make a short trip north the next day. I'm sure this fellow will have eyes and ears watching the town, and he will make a move to capture you and the gems once you leave town. I shall be hidden in whatever cart or wagon you take north, and I'm sure he shall take both you and the wagon back to his lair. While inside, you will need to keep him occupied, until I find the clue. Once I find it, I shall come and fetch you, and off we shall go."

Melanie nodded. "I'll do my best. I'm sure he'll enjoy a good tale or song." Dante smiled slightly. "Yes, Mel, I'm sure he will enjoy experiencing all of your talents in action."

After Mel spent the remainder of that day wandering around town as per Dante' plan, they were ready to head out.