The Dungeon Inn - English

B01C34 - Bribery

I had already heard about the inn at the Adventurers' Guild. Aron had especially made sure, that everyone knew about it. Many were happy about it too. Otherwise they would have to set up camp further away from the forest, because you never knew, what the situation was in the Monster Back. Now they could pretty much relax in peace at the edge of the forest, before completing their dangerous task and didn't have to hurry so much on the way back. The guild also seems to be taking advantage of the inn and has delegated some of the guarding to them. They will definitely receive something in return. So if I don't find a little treasure in there, I'll be very disappointed. As far as I can tell, there are four people there. Someone who runs the whole thing, he's not supposed to be that experienced in battle, but he was the first, so it's better not to underestimate him. Then a demi bear, he probably sleeps soundly at night, so shouldn't be a problem. A woman, who should have withdrawn, so probably hardly relevant either. The last person is someone who is supposed to be skilled in combat, I should pay special attention to him. There is also a mutt, but as long as you prepare for them, they are not a problem.

There was a lot going on on the day of arrival. The master of the inn exhausted himself cooking and he, like the other two men, had to carry a lot. I'm sure they'll sleep particularly well today. So I should seize the opportunity. All that's left is the mutt, but just look at how greedily he sucks in the good air from the kitchen. Hehe, I'll take good care of you, buddy.

"Marco, gave me this for you. He said, all the good smells will definitely make you hungry."

"Grrr."

"Yeah, yeah, I know. The hallway is taboo. I'll put it here for you, enjoy it."

I moved away but stayed within hearing distance. Soon I could hear a smacking noise.

This is no longer a problem. The sleeping pill I put in it, has no smell or taste, so even a mutt like that won't suspect anything. It also doesn't take effect until later, so the others shouldn't become suspicious. So now I just have to wait and see.

I walked away and went about my own duties. When night fell and I was sure that everyone should be in bed and that the sleeping pill should be working, I went back to the cave. Since the camp was built around it, no one stood guard at the entrance. The somewhat strange door was also open, as they didn't know, when someone had to go to the medical cave. Both caves were also deserted. The medics and cooks had no reason to spend the night in the cave. I carefully looked into the side cave. As expected, the mutt was sleeping soundly. I cautiously crept past him. When I reached the bottom, I saw a large column of ice.

Not bad, so that's why they can cool the food. It's something special, but not something I could take with me and turn into money. Hmm, I don't want to use the supplies either. What are those strange stones in the wall? Doesn't seem like anything valuable to me. Let's move on.

I sneaked into the next room. Here I found three of the four residents sleeping. The woman was missing for some reason, her supposed bed was empty. But here too, there is nothing of value or at least I don't want to get too close to them. It shouldn't be something, you miss for the few days, we're here anyway. They shouldn't find out, until I'm out of the woods.

Hmm, it's pretty dark in here, but I think, I can vaguely make out a crack here.

I entered a corridor that led me even deeper. I slowly felt my way forward, no light came that deep anymore. I was in the pitch black area. When I reached the bottom, I could see small lights in the distance. I approached them carefully, scanning the ground in front of me, before taking a step forward. If someone catches me down here, it might be difficult to escape in the dark, so just don't make any unnecessary noise.

I had gotten pretty close to the lights when my instincts sounded the alarm bells. Instinctively I moved forward. A metallic sound echoed through the cave. Was I discovered? Huh? A skeleton? Where does that come from?

I couldn't see much through the lights behind me, but it was enough to see the silhouette and it was about to strike again. I quickly grabbed my faithful companion the dagger and parried the attack. The way he's moving, I should be able to overpower him.

"Oh, I hear the sounds of fighting. Forward Heinrich!"

"Damn!"

The voice came from behind the silhouette of the skeleton. I couldn't use another opponent, especially when there are two of them. Did the missing woman spot me? But why did she sound so old? Nobody told me anything about an old woman. And who was Heinrich? Argh, I don't have time to think about it, I should get out quickly.

The only way was deeper into the cave through the lights. I ran as fast as I could. As I slipped through the lights, laughter came from behind.

"Hihihi, there he is. He will make a good test sample. Grab him, Heinrich."

I continued running for a while and turned around, to see, who my pursuer was.

"What the!?"

Behind me was the skeleton, I had first encountered. But behind it, was another with an old woman on its back, who burst out laughing again, when our eyes met.

Who the heck was that and why was she riding a skeleton. I've never seen anything like this!

I ran as fast as I could. My feeling told me, that I shouldn't underestimate the old woman. Soon the lights stopped and I encountered a wall. I quickly found the way forward and followed it. The whole thing was repeated a few times, but fortunately the paths were often straight. However, I had no idea, where I was anymore. Things had become quieter behind me. The old woman probably couldn't see anything anymore. Maybe they were only able to spot me, because my body was blocking the lights?