-7- Gathering (Pt. 1)
Three days and two airship rides later, the
three adventurers landed in a field just south of Waterdeep on a cold autumn
afternoon. It had been a slow and tiresome journey that they were only
halfway from completing. "Thanks again for
the ride," Dusk said as he hopped down from
the airship ladder. Vaishu and Blasko were already picking up their bags
they had tossed over just seconds prior. "Don't
mention it guys, and thanks for the beer!" The
pilot waved as he secured the hatch for takeoff. With Vaishu in the lead,
the three began their walk across the overgrown field as the highwind lifted
off behind them. "Do you know where we are
going?" Dusk asked Vaishu as they made the
turn onto the Trade Way road. "Well, Clausius
gave me instructions to meet up with some keepers in Waterdeep, though
he didn't say where or when." "This will be
interesting" Blasko said as he walked past the two without stopping. Dusk
shrugged at the notion as they continued northward. Three hours past sunset,
they reached the gates of the City of Spendors. The smell of burning wood
filled the air as the cold wind bore down upon the city. Vaishu led the
party along, not sure where he was going himself. They reached a large
square with a sign designated the names of streets. The larger road ran
north and south, while a smaller, darker road stretched west. They took
the latter, which wound around several of the lower district, ending them
conveniently at a tavern called 'The
Thirsty Throat.'
A shady titan character stood outside flipping a trinket in the air while
chewing on a length of dry leather. "Interest
you gentlemen in a game of trivia?" he asked
them as he looked up. "No thanks," replied
Dusk. "You might be able to help us though. We are looking for..." The
stranger lifted his hand. "I think you'll
like this game. All you need to do is guess the thing I will now describe."
Vaishu
sighed, looking up at the rising moon.
"It
is small, round, and bears the likeness of a ruined city inset with two
laurels and a single star. Seen anything like this before?" Vaishu
looked over at Dusk, who at the same time looked over at Vaishu. Almost
at the same time, the two reached into their pocket and produced their
tokens, which bore the resemblance that the stranger described. A few seconds
later, Blasko found his token and held it out for all to see. "C'mon
in fellows. We've been waiting for you," the
titan said as he looked up and removed his hood. "You
don't know how much of a relief it is to see you, Arrhenius," replied
Vaishu as the three followed the mercenary inside.