Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves

Chapter Six: Xenk Yendar

The villagers of Mornbryn's Shield all shouted at the chaos on the docks. A group of men pulled a giant fish that swallowed a child from the water as two women comforted a Tabaxi woman, for it was her child the fish swallowed.

Taking off his jacket, Xenk Yendar walked past the crowd before handing the piece of clothing to one of the men in the background. Walking up to the fish, he held out his hand and comforted the monster before kneeling to its level. He whispered Thayan words before reaching into the fish's open mouth and pulling the unharmed child free.

The crowd began to cheer as Xenk handed the Tabaxi mother her infant before walking away. The townspeople all thanked him as he put his blue coat back on and entered the village's threshold.

Unbeknownst to Xenk, an impressed Doric, Simon, Holga, Drordask, and an annoyed Edgin, had watched.

"He's interesting," Doric admitted.

"I've seen more interesting," Simon said, trying to sound cool.

"Ed, go talk to him," Holga said.

"You go talk to him," Edgin argued.

"I'll talk to him," Drordask said.

"You know, I've pulled cats out of fish," Simon said to Doric as the group entered the village, trying to find the Thayan paladin.

"Xenk?" Drordask asked as he and his friends caught up to the man in question. "Xenk Yendar?"

"That is a query I prefer not to answer without knowing to whom I am speaking," Xenk said.

"My name is Drordask Ironlance," the ranger answered. "These are my friends. Holga Killgore, Edgin Darvis, Simon Aumar, and Doric are back there."

"And what brings you to Mornbryn's Shield?" the paladin asked.

"You," Drordask answered. "We need your help. We need to find the Helmet of... what was it? Dysfunction?"

"Disjunction," Simon corrected.

"Many lives were lost in defense of that helm," Xenk said. "To speak of it would diminish their sacrifice." Pulling a coin out of his pocket, Xenk placed it in a blind dragonborn's cup.

"Janklee," the blind one said.

"Janklee to you as well, good sir," Xenk said kindly, much to the group's confusion, before continuing on his way.

"You're known as a man of honor and integrity," Simon said to the paladin, "and I can assure you, our reasons for wanting the helmet are entirely noble."

"Yep," Holga agreed. "We're gonna rob someone."

"Holga!" the sorcerer chuckled before turning back to Xenk. "Not just anyone. Forge Fitzwilliam. And the Red Wizard of Thay he's partnered with."

At that last sentence, Xenk stopped walking.

"Come with me," he said, guiding the party somewhere.

—

"What is this place?" Drordask asked Xenk once they entered the place he was guiding them. It appeared to have the interior of a temple with stone walls and lit candles, but a circular bookshelf surrounded a large table with open books and scrolls littering it.

"A Harper sanctuary," Xenk answered. "But surely your friend Edgin already knew that."

The bard stopped in his tracks as the paladin looked him in the eyes.

"How'd you know I was a Harper?" Edgin asked.

"You may have forsworn your oath, but your oath hasn't forsworn you," Xenk answered.