Koron’s Cup was quiet that night, yet the innocuous townfolk, showed only mild surprise at the unexpected entrance of several of the Adventurers-Upon-Return, perhaps a bit jaded by the only too recent events, and the equally recent departure of the carnival of freaks.
Stares were cast at Talia and Vorodon, but the new “knight”, the group had in tow, garnered the most attention. At the moment, Kyrian was busy flirting with a cow-eyed bar maid, and ordering a seeming feast.
Only Aerex was somewhat inconspicuous, as he looked up from his mug, rushed over to the suddenly departing Talia, and then just as quickly returned to a dark corner of the creaking tavern.
A strong gust picked up outside, wailing, and threatening to tear down the decrepit drinking establishment with some fervor. Several of the regulars broke out into song, attempting to drown out the incessant wind. A crude miner’s chant, featuring heavy doses of raunchy lyrics and foot stomping bravado, picked up in volume as dusk turned into night.
Outside, her cloak wrapped tightly around her, Talia slowly, but steadily made her way down the lonely streets. A donkey cart laden with half-rotted turnips, most likely being brought forth from some winter cellar, made its way along the road, steered by a old woman. Talia briefly glanced the woman’s way, but the old crone ignored her. It was then, looking past the woman, that Talia noticed something along one of the street-side stores, and approached for a better look, the wind whipping around her, as she made her way.
There, flapping in the breeze, were several posters and signs, nailed into the side of a rickety pawnshop wall. One poster in particular caught her attention.
REWARD!
50 GP, for any information leading to the capture or whereabouts of one Aerex Matare, former partner and confidante of one, Jervoe, Gnoll-Lover.
The brazen thief stands barely five and a half feet, wears a hat of the empire, and carries a sabre. He may however be disguised. He was last seen leaving town, heading north, with his companions, a woman with striking white hair, and a gruesome barbarian ogre!
The list of crimes and offenses this imposter has perpetrated is lengthy and extensive. Among other offenses, the thief is hereby charged with banditry, murder, treachery, and theft. Be not swayed by the black-heart’s recent capture and delivery of Jervoe. The thief was in league with the bandit-lord, and merely betrayed his fellow, slew him, and came to Ganse to collect the reward. He is further charged with no less than breaking into the compound of the brave and noble Gansian Guard, and stealing from its coffers.
Approach the thief with great caution. A mindless brute, and the woman, who is most dangerous of all, serve him. She however, is not charged with any crime at this time. The ogre, as all good citizens know, is too stupid by half, and is most likely capable of only the most base of misdeeds, without the murdering thief’s direction.
Any information from you, good citizens of Ganse, will surely lead to the capture of this scoundrel, and you will thus be rewarded. Report any sightings to Sergeant Gruvett of the Nightwatch.
Talia read the strangely illogical notice, and wondered why the guards let the trio in so easily earlier. What exactly was going on here, she wondered?
As if on cue, a half-dozen guardsmen, their usual pike-clanging subdued by several inches of snow covering the thoroughfare, were making their way past her, in the general direction of Koron’s Cup. She had spied them from the corner of her eye, and did not turn at their passing. Hooded, against the night’s wind, she did not stand out or catch the guards’ attention. Slowly, they moved on.
