Cultists in Locktuse, Adventurers Book 2

Chapter 2 ~ Kriv

What little trail Sariel had left, we manage to follow the path through the streets and near some neighboring trees. Though, everything seems rather quiet. There are no signs of fighting either. The grass is only disturbed in a line.

Down the path, a cave entrance about 10 feet high stands tall. Some sort of creature glides across the inside, quickly hiding from sight. Immediately, we both duck down, hiding from what possible eyes could've seen us.

Though, a hand quickly pulls us aside only to be greeted by Sariel hushing us, "We need to head back! That cave belongs to those cultists. We can come back another time with the rest of us."

"What's with the urgency?" I ask.

"Because they might retaliate. Who knows how many cultists dwell in that hive. Now let's go!"

~~~~~~~~~

The three of us return to the town, though it shouldn't be that hard to find our friends. Only 20 twenty people practically walk the street at once in the afternoon, most of which are humans or dragonborn. So, spotting some bird or walking skeleton in the crowd would be a lot easier.

Thankfully, a bony hand waves towards us from the shop we had left from. Last I checked, not a single other person we know has the same look as Perceval's.

Finally, we see his permanent grin smiling toward us, "It's good to see you three again. Any luck with the pursuit?"

Peep waves his taloned hands at as well from Mr. Drudge's side.

"Yes, actually," Kethra replies, "We found a whole compound dedicated to them. Problem is, it may as well be locked up tight."

"Indeed?" Perceval hums, brushing at his chin.

Peep glances towards his posture, then he too mimics him.

"Whatever the case, we'll find a way inside."

We step up on the wooden walkway. Our feet clop with each step as we near the doorway. Inside however, looks a little more fancier to Arthur's tastes no doubt. Every little odd trinket in here is neatly lined up like a row of soldiers. Even in his viewing cases, not one of those potion vials are tilted out of place.

Between Arthur and the similar-looking shopkeeper, we notice they are talking quite a lot between themselves, "Yet you hoped the Trinians would help you? You took quite the risk with your elvish appearance being the most evident." Arthur points out.

"It is the same with you when you tried your luck with the Rhine, is it not? Those dwarves and humans there would have happily used you as orc bait if given the chance." Oliver crosses his arms in protest, "I could very well have not seen my own brother again who practically sold his own soul to some upper deity just for his own benefit!"

The shop goes silent. Arthur never told me this! I don't even think he told anyone of us about it!

Arthur adjusts his tie when he looks over at us, "Let's not discuss this now..."

"Who did you give it to?" Sariel asks worriedly, "Who?"

Sweat seems to be pouring from Arthur's forehead now, "I assure you all that it will only come after me, for I am the only quarrel he has between us."

(InsightVSArthur Persuade DC 20: Sariel 17+3, Perceval 2+5, Peep Nat1, Kriv 18+2, Kethra 14+3, & Oliver 19+6)

I personally didn't like it. For all we know, there's something he isn't telling us about, "Who do you serve? Your last career was a politician after all, so why we should we trust a professional liar?" I point my sword toward him.

Peep rushes aside, quickly getting in between us and Arthur, "You're safe..." he mimics Kethra's soothing voice. Though, this one I've never heard before, "You're in safe hands, now."

Kethra joins at Peep's side, "He won't do anything harmful to anyone!"

Perceval sighs, "The darker side of magic helped bring me back into being before, so I'd imagine this deal can work just as well for us."

Relief overwhelms Arthur as he breathes out, "Thank you," he whimpers, "I assure you all, this pact I've made is only between me and my deity."

"For now, we can only hope," Sariel says, keeping her threatening tone minimal. She looks to Oliver who stands behind his counter, "For you, what would cultists possibly want from your shop?"

"I haven't the faintest idea, I'm afraid." Oliver leans on his shop's counter, "It was all such a rush.Those bird-masked heathens in their black cult robes, simply ran in here, grabbed a few of my items, then ran outside. At this point, I honestly think death wasn't such a risk with how urgent they were."

The first thing I would've done was shoot the shopkeeper then take the goodies. At least that way, the owner doesn't have the chance to retaliate. After all, killing that frail thing behind the desk shouldn't even be that difficult.

"What did they take? I doubt they walked in here and took the first things they saw." Perceval asks.

"I have yet to do a headcount on my inventory. I could see what I've lost once I have the time to take a look, maybe even getting Constable Kempt involved." Oliver nervously wrings his hands around.

"And we should probably take the time to find an inn." I suggest, feeling my legs getting tired from standing. Placing my foot on the floor alone feels like I'm stepping on a spike. "Come along, bonesy," I call out to Perceval, "I prefer we go find a place before the sun sets. There's no possible way I'm looking for a place to stay in the dark. The Nox could be even more active then."

"Let's go then, Peep." Perceval walks over to the door. Peep happily leaping forward to join him.

Once Perceval opens the doors, a bright, yellow light pierced into my eyes, "Oh sweet mercy, that burns!" I scream, covering my watery eyes. At least in the darkness where my eyes are closed, it feels a lot better, like putting ice to a burned hand.

"Oh, I had forgotten about your condition," Perceval said, "Peep, you wouldn't mind guiding him, would you?"

I clamp a hand over my eyes, reaching the other out, trying to feel for Peep's hand until he holds it.

Then came following his tugging. Which I swear, I stubbed my toe on something wooden, then bumped into a few people, and finally completely miss the door frame by smacking into the wall.

Something tells me this may very well be a long stay here...