Love In The Time Of Dragons - A Fantastical Journey

Chapter 2 - Cut Throats & Coin

Jack ushered the adventurer into a back room behind the bar hissing between his teeth. "Quiet, How did you find me!" the adventurer replied dryly "You're not half as smart as you think you are, and not nearly as good at covering your tracks." The pair stared at each other for a time as if deciding what to do next before Jack broke the silence with a growl.

"Fine you've come all this way to find a ghost, lets have it..."

The adventurer took her time replying as if trying to find the right words, "there's this village not far from here where I grew up. All manner of horrible creatures have been showing up, stealing our livestock, all gleaming teeth and fangs. It's not normal even for the magical equinox and certainly not routine for a quiet day in the middle of summer." the girl seemed to drift off as if the months of fatigue and sleepless nights and fear had hit her all at once.

A crash sounded back in the main hall which seemed to break the intimacy of the conversation they were sharing, like sea foam bubbles bursting in a stream. "Look Jack said, I'm sorry you've come all this way but I can't help you, this is really a matter for the city guard." The adventurer rose to her feet, her face twisted in rage and frustration "Do you think I didn't try that! Those knights don't help people like us, they'd rather see those beasts slaughter us every man, woman and child."

The ruckus in the main hall was starting to become overwhelming, Jack cursed under his breath "what in god's name is it now!" dashing out of the back room he was ready to start cracking skulls. To his surprise his clientele had gone from unconscious drunken slobs, to a retenue of men cloaked head to toe, but the gleam of castle forged steel was plain to see. It seemed to Jack that this adventurer was no average girl and her complaints to the city watch were getting the wrong kind of attention.

The largest of the men strode forward and a massive morning star was gripped in his hand that looked like it could take it could tear a face off with a single swing. His voice echoed in his tavern, deep and dark like death itself. "Bring us the girl and we can forget about this little episode Jack the dragon slayer!" Seven hells Jack thought to himself, was he never going to get some peace and quiet today.

Jack knew he couldn't take down these men, maybe back in his prime, but not today he had barely stopped himself from getting his throat slit a mere moment ago from the peasant girl, he would need to bide his time and make an escape. "Why certainly my good man, why don't I pour you a drink and I'll see if I can find her." Jack spoke in a loud enough tone that he hoped the girl was listening as he slid the mug of ale over to the cutthroat.

A loud chinking sound announced the arrival of a massive coin purse landing in front of him, as the cut throat smiled. "Very smart Jack, have I ever told you that I like smart men like you?" Jack smiled as he grabbed the gold and stuffed it into his pocket, "Oh I think I remember seeing her in the back room let me grab the girl for you, the least I could do." Jack said with a wink. Walking quickly to not raise suspicion Jack noticed happily that the window in the back room was open and the girl was gone like a flash.

"Oh this day keeps getting better and better"