Working Title III: You Meddling Mortals

Chapter 3 - I Will Become A Chevalier

The doors to the tavern squeak as they rotate open. Standing in them is a man of average height, his blonde hair shining in the light that strikes the tavern entrance. His eyes are a cool blue. He walks into the tavern where our heroes sit idly.

"Gentlemen!" The blonde man exclaims. Aster looks up from his table where he sits next to Sinn, who is fiddling with his bow.

"Yes! There are gentlemen here." Aster replies. "I am a gentleman myself. How can I help you?"

"I understand that we here in our little town of ForestFall owe a debt to a private investigator."

Aster looked about the bar. The sad sack of a barman gave him a slow, deliberate wink and a smile.

"Uhhh...er...if I find him I'll be sure to let him know to collect!" Aster looks over at Patches and Bon Qui Qui. "Who might you be so I can let him know who to contact?"

"Look..." the blonde man approaches the table. "I saw everything. I know not who those men your friend killed..."

"We don't know them." Sinn interjected, motioning to the next table over where Patches and Bon Qui-Qui sat.

"You know them well enough that they owe you money." The blonde man leans over and places his weight on his arms, resting them elbows locked on the table.

"I am the mayor here. Despite the size of my little town I can't let people dying go unchecked, regardless of how evil they may or may not have been. Now save for Hafthor here..." He looks at the bartender. "I have no form any sort of real government."

"Does he hold office?" Asks Aster.

"He holds no office but he shows up for work every day, which is more than can be said for most around here. Now, you understand I need to conduct an investigation. A formal one. I must ask that you, as the Private Investigator, report your findings to the law enforcement personnel in Drywind. There's a parent temple there to {Sun God}, we must let them know of poor Charlene's passing."

"Very well. I'll make my way to Drywind in the morning and report my findings...mister...?" Aster's voice trails off.

"Rollings. Glen Rollings. I'm the Mayor here. I am also the Butcher."

"Mister Rollings, you have my word." Aster stands up and shakes Glen's hand. Sinn looks up from his bow remaining seated, Adeline's gaze follows his.

"Miss Patches you think that they're gonna accuse me of murder?" Bon Qui-Qui gives a low whisper, placing the back of her hand to her mouth.

"Of course not. We have witnesses, it was self defense. I saw it."

"But they ain't friendly to mah kind at these fancy towns."

Patches eyes met Bon Qui-Qui's. She stared.

"Oh. I suppose they ain't friendly to your kind neitha'."

"Correct..." mused Patches. She'd been thrown out of more stores than she'd care to remember. Most times even though she had good coin. Most times. "But, since we're all headed the same way, it would be wise to travel in a group. I worry of Brigands, Bon Qui-Qui." Patches shifted her eyes to Sinn and narrowed her gaze.

"Aw Miss Patches he ain't nuthin'. And his puppy dog is as sweet as pie!"

"That is not a dog, that is a wolf!"

"Incorrect!" exclaims Aster, "They're all puppies!"

Patches held her head in her hands. "Barkeep, please." The man behind the bar gives her a dumbfounded look.

"A glass of red wine...?"

"Oh!" The barkeep dives under the bar, pulling out a tome as thick as his fist.