Hooligans: Adventures Recounted

Three: What the Fuck, Richard?

// Ahhh... the failures.

"What the hell do you mean you don't have it?" Aera yelled, "We gave it to your representative!"

"I told you he was lying," Richard grumbled behind him. Aera gave him a withering glare.

"We never sent anyone!" the man was saying. He stood atop the outermost wall that surrounded the Mages' College in Waterdeep. It was massive, made up of pale yellow stone and humming with magical energy. Two wooden gates stood guard at the entrance, decorated with golden fittings and ornate runes all across their front. Aera's neck was sore from craning it to yell up at the man who stood watch over the entrance. He turned back to his companions, shrugging.

"Let me try something," Richard said, shoving his way between Aera and Oswin, who recoiled.

"When did you-" Aera started. Richard cleared his throat.

"Excuse me, but would you happen to know of anyone that might seek to take the skull from you?" he called. The man peered over the edge and appeared to do a double take.

"You! What are you doing back here? You've been banned!"

Richard gave a nervous chuckle, "Oh, you... these silly games. I've never even been here before!"

"You were literally just kicked out of the Mages' College for trying to steal a tome and then setting the library on fire!" the voice above called down. The party looked at Richard with sullen expressions. He shrugged.

"I wanted to see if the spell worked. It did."

"Well if they don't have it, who would go to such lengths to get it?" Corus asked.

"Not sure... but I know where we can start," Aylin said, "I've got some friends in low places. Let's head down to the docks."

The party waved goodbye and left, a deflated wizard in tow. They passed through the richer sections of town, making their way into the Dock Ward. As they descended a flight of stairs into the ward, the air around them took on the scent of salt water and fish, coupled with the robust scent of ale and the reek of stale piss and vomit. Oswin wrinkled his nose, but Aylin took a deep breath.

"Home sweet home," she said, reaching the end of the stairs. She paused for a moment, looking around the docks. A few workers were scattered here and there, drinking and chatting over their lunch breaks or scrubbing the decks of their ships. Four humans were attempting to roll an enormous wooden barrel onto a ship not far from the party. Aylin scanned the faces around her, trying to see if anyone looked familiar. And then she spotted him, huddled into a corner among some fish barrels. Smiling, Aylin motioned for the party to follow and made her way over to the figure.

"Damon Saltrim," she called as they approached, "it's been a while, hasn't it?" He jumped to his feet in nervousness as he heard his name, looking around wildly until he spotted the approaching party. Recognition dawned on his face.

"Aylin!" he cried, opening an arm to welcome her to his nook, "Indeed, it's been several years." The party were able to get a good look at him now. He was a squat little dwarf man, who appeared to be quite young compared to the others who worked down in the docks. His long brown hair was braided so tightly that sections stood out at odd angles, accentuating his short beard. He had a large, round nose and tightly drawn lips. His brown eyes were squinted in suspicion, shooting glances over the whole party as though they were going to jump him.

Aylin leaned against the table he'd been sitting at, offering her kindest smile, "Aye, and I'll bet you haven't heard anything of my ship?"

Damon returned his attention to her just long enough to shake his head, "No, not recently." His eyes shifted back over to the bird man and the fish thing, both of which were shuffling their feet and looking at the ground. Sweat glistened on his brow. Aylin reached out and put her hand on top of his, making sure the top buttons of her blouse were undone. She locked eye contact with him, smirking attractively.