Going Pear Shaped. A tale of wizards, lizards and galvanised tubing salesmen.

Chapter 6: 'Is he still alive, then?'

 Chapter 6: 'Is he still alive, then?'

The Workers Quarter was one of the oldest areas of the city.  If you wanted a service of any kind in Port Packham, this was the place to be.  Here, you could find the homes of most of the Leagues of Port Packham, including the official League of Thugs and Ruffians and the popular League of Taverners and Barmaids.  You could hire almost anyone to do almost anything, as long as you jingled a bag of coins under some noses first.

The Leagues came about as a result of the inevitable merging of all the various guilds, unions and factions that once proliferated around the Port.  Their power and influence now held the Port together in a loose cartel that was always on the brink of spilling over into street anarchy but never quite doing so. 

Around the larger League buildings were agencies of tradesmen.  These were crammed into the smaller side streets where you could usually hire someone to undertake the more unorthodox sort of jobs.  This included anything from hiring a Mad Ogre for a surprise party for someone you disliked, or a consultant to help design your own religion for those people that couldn't decide in which one to believe.

Father Bindweed, Cadmus and Norris were standing at the end of Dipstick Street, in the Workers Quarter. 

'Now, are you both clear as to what you're supposed to do?' asked Father Bindweed, warily.

'Perfectly clear,' replied Cadmus.

'I have to get back to the Priory.  I'm expecting a visit from Mother Lichen, from the Sisters of the Unexplained over in Sheepside Valley.  She's concerned about the approaching Xardanian hordes and thinks her town will be next on their list.'

Cadmus was examining a written note that Father Bindweed had given him.

'Are you sure this will be OK?' asked Cadmus.  'They may only accept hard groats.'

'Have faith,' said Father Bindweed.  He turned to Norris.  'And remember to come back up to the Priory before you go anywhere.  I've got something for you.'

With that, Father Bindweed wheeled round a corner and was gone.

'Humph!' exclaimed Cadmus, once he was out of sight.  'Thinks he knows it all!  I've met his sort before, you know.  These monks think they can boss every one around.  Well, we'll just see about that.  Come on!'

 'Where're we going?' asked Norris.

But Cadmus had already marched off down the street, peering at the notices and signs on the doors.

Norris trailed reluctantly after him, through the endless maze of side streets and alleys.  He couldn't help noticing that the area was becoming more run-down as they progressed.  Here, the paint peeled from old doors, and the rusty signs that hung over them did so by their fingertips.  Now and then, Norris noticed unsavoury characters hanging around in the dark alleyways and odd rustlings and movements from the piles of litter that filled the gutters.  It was when they found themselves at the end of a narrow lane in a decidedly grim part of the Workers Quarter that Cadmus gave a shout.

'Aha!  Just what we're after!'

They were standing at the top of some stone stairs that led downwards beneath the street level to a doorway at the bottom.

The crudely painted sign at the top of the staircase read:

FINDERS KEEPERS

- Treasure Hunters For Hire

- All Quests Undertaken

- Ancient Relics Located

- Tombs Raided While-U-Wait