Following my suggestion, Castille and I move downstairs of The Tricky Barracuda Inn to gather some intels from the labourers around here after we've changed to our regular clothes. Our best bet goes to the bar in the inn. That's the place where most laborers can be found after a day at work, savoring drinks and having fun chit-chat there.
Sadly, only a few laborers can be found in this bar. This bar itself is dim in lightning, but still being provided by outside's lights. Most of the chairs are empty. Seeking no other option, we look for the bartender. Usually, he is well-known of his patrons, which are the laborers.
"Uhm, excuse me," I begin to ask the bartender first, who is currently turning his back and is busy mixing drinks, "Does this bar have many patrons lately?"
"Aye, it's still early for them to gather here, mate," the bartender responds using pirate accent, "They're gonna be here in the evening, drink some ale, beers, rums, and brawl for fun if needed,"
"Ah, do you mind if we ask you some questions about your patrons?" he's still turning his back on me, drinking something, and his voice starts to get gibberish "Azz, and whoz do yoz thinkz yoz arz?? azking queztionz az if yoz haz thz plazz..." and he finally turns to face me. He looks young, roughly on his 20s. He has a bulky body with mildly untamed short hair.
"Oh waitz, yoz no mah matezz....," he proceed to grab my collar and pulling me closer to his face, "whoz arz yoz?? Jax thz laxgrzber??"
Castille grabs a glass of water and splashes it at the bartender's face, which makes him sober.
"Whops, aye. Sorry mate, I got drunk," he wipes his face from the water, "Now, what is your question again? Wait, who the hell are you? You're not my regulars,"
"Uhh, we're just wandering travelers, stumbled our way to Davenport, y'know?" I let out a nervous laugh. I glance at Castille who is also nervous, signing that I should just play along with this scenario.
"Wandering travelers at such young age, eh? Where'd you hail from?" he keeps asking questions. Why suddenly the table is being turned around?
"Prasil! Yes, we hailed from Prasil by ship, just arrived today," I try to sound convincing as possible
"Prasil is my birth place! How's that place going? Is Shark's Tears Bar still open?" he sounds very pleased. Too bad I don't share that feel, as cold sweats start to form on my forehead.
"Ahhh, yes it is! The bartender there is still crazy by the way! Ha ha ha ha," That was some dry laughs I could possibly have.
"Well met friend! I considered you my matey from now on!" he bursts into a pirate laughter, "Haa... Now that's a good laugh. How can I help you mate?"
Finally. "So, we heard from laborers in Davenport that they have a special 'gathering' at night. We're curious and want to join them. You ever heard about that?"
"Gathering? Hmm, I recalled that some of my patrons did indeed mention about a meeting... But that was last night," he explains.
"Ahh, is that so? That's too bad. Do you know anything about it or when the next meeting will be held?"
"Well, the truth is, I don't know mate. But I can ask them when they come here tonight if you want," he has a huge smile on his face which shows his yellow teeth from consuming too much alcohol, "The name is Jack, Jack Dimwash. Yours?"
"Jason Gregg. This is my friend, Castille Girard,"
"Aye, Jason. Is your friend is mute or something? He doesn't say a word since he got here,"
"No, no. He's still seasick from our trip," I turn to Castille, "Why don't you return to our room? Have a rest there? I'll return with food for you," Castille nods and move upstairs, while holding his head, pretending he has a headache.
After Castille has disappears from our vision, many laborers are coming in and the bar quickly becomes crowded. Jack pat on my shoulder to inform me that the group of laborers whom I searching for come and take a seat beside me.
"Jack! Give me some beers!" says the skinny one, followed by the rest of the group. They all drink heavily until their faces start to turn red.
"Hey mates, you see, There is someone here who is looking to join your meeting like last night," he points at me, "Here, meet Jason. He's a wanderer hailed from Prasir and is looking forward to join your group,"
"Join us? Hmm, well, what is your purpose then? And more importantly, how do you know about us?" the muscled guy then speaks. I should be very careful here.
"I heard that you guys have a gathering for laborers at night. I think I'm going to settle here for awhile, and I thinking about working as a laborer too. So I'm curious and want to join you," That's some bad lies, I'm sure of it.
"Heh, you're eager. Not bad, not bad. We're going to have a meeting again tomorrow night. You can join us tomorrow. But first, you have to work first at day, getting to know each other too. Meet us by the docks 2 tomorrow," the muscled guy says as he drinks another mug of beer. Note to self: Drunk people is easier to be lied to.
"Hey, since you're a new member, you should try Jack's special rums! Jack! Get him some of your rums," says the fat guy. Most of them are already drunk and the day is getting darker outside.
But wait. Rums? Alcohol? "Umm, Sorry guys, but I'm afraid I have to pass. See you to----,"
The skinny guy grabs my clothes and pulls me back, "Why so early? Your rums have just come. Don't worry, this night is on us," His breath is already foul with alcohol smell.
The rest are looking at me, waiting for me to drink the mug containing yellow-colored liquid. Looks like I have no choice. I take a sip from the mug. Just a sip, but somehow it burns in my throat. I think throwing it out will make them angry and destroys my chance. I proceed to drink the whole mug. When I place the now empty mug, the rest are cheering at me, but my sight is becoming dizzier than ever. "Another one!" a voice yells. I try to move away, but I can't move my legs. I try to say no, but someone proceed to pour the drink unto my head. And everything goes dark, only loud and rowdy voices remain. Singing, yelling, shouting, talking, it's all becoming less heard and then it goes completely dark and silent.
---------------
I wake up in the inn's room. My head is still ringing with headache. Castille is there, sitting beside me.
"What happened last night? You're lucky I found you down there laying on the ground before anyone else. Face reddened. I'm guessing you've made some wrong friends.." Castille shakes his head.
"Doesn't matter," I try to sit up. Castille hands me a potion for a headache, "There's another meeting tonight, and I'm welcomed to join. Given that I help the laborers' work today,"
"That's good news. But the problem is, how you're going to leave the cult then? You can't just leave them as simple as asking for permission," He is right. How am I going to do that?
"You'd better start to think the best way to escape from them. Right now, all I could do is to watch your back from afar. Don't worry, just keep up with the act of a wanderer, will you?" he sniggers.
Looks like I have no choice but to do this, "Would you mind reporting our progress to the mayor? We need his support if we want this plan to succeed,"
Castille sighs, "Alright, alright. Guess I have to face his wrath again today. Now then. Don't you have something to do?"
A day work at the docks with the 'wrong friends' while Castille reports to the wrathful mayor. Sounds like a plan.
