Silver Peak, page 37
part #2 of Sky Realms Online Series
“The truth,” Hall said.
With an exasperated sigh, Timmin pulled at his bonds. His annoyed glare told Hall that the man wanted the ropes cut before speaking. Hall shook his head and made a ‘continue’ motion with his hands. Timmin glared.
“Fine,” he said with another sigh. “I am an administrator in the Councilor of Coin’s office.”
Hall smiled and chuckled.
“You’re Cronet’s forger, aren’t you?” he asked and saw the surprise in Timmin’s eyes.
The administrator’s eyes moved back and forth quickly, not focusing on Hall as the man tried to talk his way out of it.
“I do not know what you are talking about,” Timmin said, drawing out each word.
Hall sighed and stood up.
“Okay,” he said and started to walk away.
He got five feet before Timmin yelled out.
“Stop,” the thin man said with a drawn-out sigh. “Fine. Cronet was forcing me to forge the ledgers. I’ve worked with the Councilor of Coin for years and knew the shorthand used in the ledgers.”
Timmin stopped talking and held up his hands.
“Caryn,” Hall called out loudly before walking over to Timmin.
Drawing his dagger, Hall cut the bonds around the man and helped him to stand. Timmin stomped and lifted his legs, stretching his arms, working to get the circulation back.
“Thank you,” he said, voice filled with arrogance.
Hall just shook his head, wondering if he should have kept Timmin tied up.
Caryn came in and Hall pointed at the chest. She crouched down and started looking it over, holding her fingers an inch or so above it.
“Might want to move back a bit,” she said.
Hall did and grabbed at Timmin, who hadn’t moved. He pulled the thin man back. Timmin shot him a glare, but Hall just pushed him further back. Timmin tripped over his own feet, almost falling before regaining his balance.
Ignoring the man’s complaints, Hall watched as Caryn’s hands moved quickly. She pulled a long wire out of her pouch and inserted it into the lock. With a couple twists and turns, she moved the wire around as her other hand ran along the edges of the chest. Hall couldn’t follow everything that she did, but a minute later, she stood up and smiled.
“Done,” she said and stepped back. “Even got a couple Skill gains.”
She stood watching as Hall opened the lid. He stayed back at arm’s length, not that he didn’t trust Caryn, but just out of basic cautiousness. At the edge of his vision, Hall could see that Caryn had her fingers crossed.
The lid tipped over, the force shaking the small chest, causing it to rock a bit. Hall leaned forward, looking in, and smiled broadly. He reached down and pulled out a thick pouch. There was a loud clinking of metal on metal. Opening the drawstrings, Hall saw a large collection of coins and uncut jewels. There seemed to be a sizable amount of gold. Pulling the strings tight, he placed it in his pouch and began pulling out the other items.
There was not much in the strongbox. Cronet had to flee in a hurry so had only taken what he would need to restart his life elsewhere. Besides the pouch of coins, Hall saw small books that appeared to be journals and two more pouches of what he assumed to be more coins. Picking up a journal, he flipped through it quickly and let out a surprised whistle.
“What?” Caryn asked, the small woman coming close and looking around his arm at the book.
“Proof,” Hall replied. “Proof that Cronet was the Cudgel. The idiot kept a journal.”
QUEST COMPLETE!
You have found a journal penned in Cronet’s own hand and containing his thoughts and plans for the Silver Blades and his ascension to the Generalship of Silver Peak Keep.
THE BLADE’S CUDGEL III
Discover proof of The Cudgel’s identity 1/1
Reward: +50 Door Knocker Reputation
+50 PeakGuard Reputation
+100 Alliance Reputation with Sergeant Brient
+50 Experience
Sergeant Brient will be interested in the journals proving Cronet is the Cudgel as well as the other journals and what they may contain.
THE BLADE’S CUDGEL IV
Give the journals to Sergeant Brient 0/1
Reward: +25 Door Knocker Reputation
+75 PeakGuard Reputation
+50 Alliance Reputation with Sergeant Brient
+100 Experience
ACCEPT REQUEST?
Before replacing the journals in the box, Hall noticed a pile of folded papers at the bottom. Pulling them out, he opened them partway and was confused by what he saw. From what little he could see, it appeared to be plans for an airship. Interested, but knowing he didn’t have time to review them now, he replaced the plans and the journals in the strongbox. Hall closed it and stuffed the chest into his pouch. There was a warping as the magic distorted the strongbox, twisting and shrinking it as he stuffed it into the pouch. Together, he and Caryn left the room. Timmin’s eyes followed them, as if he was waiting for more. When neither said anything or even noticed him, the administrator followed.
They walked out into the main room to find a collection of weapons and armor on the floor along with a couple of coin purses, a leather belt, and the Black Witch’s staff. The bodies were stripped almost naked, Keyley still in her satin robe, which had been practically ripped to shreds. Hall walked toward the pile but stopped, looking in the corner where Sabine was crouched down and staring at something.
Pike and Angus were hovering around her, the Witch kept leaning back and shooing at them. She made little kissing noises into the corner, holding out her hand.
Hall walked over and saw two glowing eyes in the shadows. The Minx Cat. It hissed at his approach, shrinking further back. Hall mentally told Pike to back away, the dragonhawk squawking but flapping up to land on Angus back. The cow made an annoyed moo and trotted back to Leigh.
The green cat, the purple stripes seeming to shift as its long form stretched, walked out to Sabine’s outstretched hand. It sniffed at her, the whiskers brushing against the fingers. Sitting down, giving Sabine’s fingers a lick, the cat started grooming itself.
Sabine stood up with a satisfied smile.
“Got your familiar?” Hall asked as he studied the cat. It ignored him.
“Yes,” she replied, the happiest Hall had seen her.
“What’s his name?”
“Salem,” she answered quickly.
Hall started to walk away but stopped, turning back to look at the Witch. She had her arm outstretched and the Minx Cat had jumped onto it, crawling up to lay across her shoulders.
“What?” Sabine asked, looking at Hall, confused at the smile he had.
“Salem,” he said with a chuckle. “The blond hair, the name.” He paused and laughed. “Sabine. Sabrina. You named yourself after Sabrina the Teenage Witch?”
Sabine glared at him, stalking past as he continued to chuckle. Hall just shook his head, laughing. Sabine was so serious all the time, but to find out she was such a fan of the old cult show and had modeled her Sky Realms Online avatar after the character, it was too much and so out of character.
His chuckle vanished as Berim and Ulysses entered, their eyes scanning the entire room. They stopped on the stripped bodies, focusing on Cronet. Berim’s eyes found Timmin and stopped, the thief smiling in recognition. The eyes looked predatory, like he had found his next meal. Glancing at Timmin, Hall saw the administrator take a step back, looking fearful.
“Our boys looted ta bodies outside,” Ulysses grunted, looking at the pile of weapons and armor.
Both Jackoby and Roxhard took a visible step closer. The small thief laughed.
“Hope ya donnut mind,” he added.
“I noticed the Hobs leaving the battle,” Berim said, eyes still fixed on Timmin. “Good job there. We could have handled them but was nice to not need to.”
QUEST COMPLETE!
Berim is glad that his Door Knockers did not need to waste time, energy, resources, or lives on the Hob Mercenaries.
“HOB”LESS FORCES II
Report to Berim for a reward 1/1
Rewards: +100 Door Knocker reputation
+10 Gold
+50 Experience
“This came off the leader you killed outside,” Berim said and tossed a small coin purse at Hall, who caught it easily. “Was probably part of the payment. Seems only fair you get to have it.”
Hall nodded and stuffed the purse into his pouch alongside the others.
Berim shifted his attention back to the administrator, who had moved up behind Hall, almost hiding.
“You work for the Councilor of Coin, do you not?” the dark-skinned thief asked, but it was more of a statement than question.
Timmin started to speak but stopped, trying to stand at his full height and normal arrogant bearing but kept melting under Berim’s amused gaze.
“We’re done here,” Hall said, drawing everyone’s attention. His eyes were locked on Berim’s, who appeared momentarily annoyed before the amusement returned.
“Not quite yet,” the thief started.
Hall raised a hand before Berim could continue.
“We are done here,” Hall said, more forceful, no hint of a question.
Ulysses stepped forward, hand hovering over his weapon’s hilt. Berim studied Hall, measuring.
“Have a problem with that?” Hall asked, almost daring.
Berim’s eyes flashed again. Anger. Before the normal amusement returned.
“Not at all,” he replied and took a step toward Timmin.
“You’re coming with us,” Hall said, glancing over his shoulder at the administrator.
“Yes, sir,” Timmin replied with a slight bow. “Of course, sir.” His eyes never left Berim.
With the others, Hall gathered up the loot, glad that they had all emptied out their inventory earlier. Even with most of the slots open, they still barely had room for the gear. Hall was glad they didn’t have to collect any from outside. He sighed at the thought of all the potential loot they had left behind across Silver Peak Keep and Peakdock. The last couple days had been so chaotic, there had barely been a chance to loot. He was sure that all of it had gone to the Door Knockers.
Hall noticed that neither Berim or Caryn said anything about her leaving with him and the others. The companions, along with their new Duelist, walked out the entrance, Berim’s eyes following. Timmin kept looking over his shoulder nervously.
“I believe that my days as a forger are not over,” he said fearfully.
“You said you were an administrator to the Councilor of Coins, correct?” Hall asked as the group walked across the yard. There were bodies everywhere. All dressed in black, it was hard to tell who was a Door Knocker and who was a Silver Blade. There didn’t appear to be any prisoners, the ones left alive had to be all Door Knockers. A dozen of them stood around, searching bodies or keeping watch on the treeline. “Have you ever thought about administering a village?”
“A village, sir?” Timmin questioned and looked at Hall. His eyes widened in surprise. “What do you mean, milord?”
Hall paused, confused at being addressed that way. He realized that Timmin must have used Identify on him and seen the title that being Lord of Skara Brae gave him.
“It seems you might need to leave town,” Hall pointed out.
“Yes, I think I might at that,” Timmin replied with a last look back at the main building and Berim standing in the entrance. “A village, you say. Yes, that does sound interesting.”
CHAPTER FORTY-ONE
Hall stood outside the Constable’s office. The sun was rising and he was tired. The others walked past, continuing to the Inn where they would gather their gear and look for an airship. Pike sat on his shoulder, talons digging in. Timmin stood nervously behind him.
“We can come back later,” Timmin said. “I’m sure there is no one awake.”
The hour was early but Hall didn’t care. He wanted this business in Silver Peak Keep done with. They had walked through the night from the forest, the rising sun chasing them. Crossing the river, they had cut through the fields, passing between the two farms and over the tunnel. Hall wasn’t sure if Brient, or some other Guard, was even in the office, but he intended to wait until the man showed up, if need be.
“Come on,” he said and pulled Timmin after him.
They walked up the stairs and knocked on the door.
“Enter,” a voice grumbled.
Walking in, Hall saw the same room as before, including Brient behind the desk. The Sergeant looked up, annoyed at first but mood quickly changing when he noticed Hall. His eyes flashed questions as they noticed Timmin hesitantly entering behind.
“Aren’t you—” he began but Timmin interrupted with a sigh.
“Yes,” the administrator said. “I work for the Councilor of Coin.”
“This should be interesting,” Brient said and leaned back in his chair.
Hall nodded and told him everything.
Brient leaned forward, gloved fingers tapping on his desk.
“I was right,” he finally said, after taking a couple minutes to digest everything Hall had said. “That was interesting.”
QUEST COMPELTE!
You have informed Sergeant Brient that the Silver Blades have been destroyed, preventing the impending Guild War.
RIVALS IN THE DARK
Prevent the Guild war 1/1
Reward: +100 PeakGuard Reputation
+500 Alliance Reputation with Sergeant Brient,
+50 Experience
Crafting Guild Exemption Writ
You are now Friendly with Sergeant Brient
Brient handed Hall the Writ. A single piece of paper with the Constable’s seal and signature on the bottom. Reading it quickly, Hall saw that it would allow any Guilded craftsman to work in Skara Brae and not have to pay the Guild tax for the duration of the project. Even with the unGuilded Duncant working for him, Hall knew that he would need the services of others from the city if he was to rebuild Skara Brae. This Writ would come in handy. He quickly placed it in his magical pouch.
“Thank you for stopping a Guild war,” Brient said once more, leaning back. “Of course you did kind of start it with the fires, murders, and some fighting in the streets,” he started and chuckled as Hall started to protest. “It stopped the fighting from spreading to the citizens. That’s all I care about. And you’re sure the Silver Blades won’t return with the Cudgel dead?”
“Positive,” Hall answered.
QUEST COMPELTE!
With the death of the Cudgel, the Silver Blades are no more and Sergeant Brient accepts your reassurances that the Guild will not return.
THE NEW BLOOD V
Inform Sergeant Brient of The Cudgel’s death 1/1
Rewards: +100 PeakGuard reputation
+100 Alliance Reputation with Sergeant Brient
+25 Experience
“The Cudgel, Cronet, was not using the Silver Blades to take over the cities’ criminal operations. He was using them as a means of becoming the General,” Hall told Brient, reaching into his pouch and pulling out the strongbox.
He placed it on the Sergeant's desk with a thud.
“Right,” Brient replied. “That makes sense, but without proof, it’s hard to pin any of this on Cronet.”
“My word is not enough?” Timmin asked, clearly shocked that anyone would doubt him.
“No, it is not,” Brient answered eyes on Hall.
Flipping open the lid, making sure to keep it turned away from Brient, Hall pulled out the journals. He placed them on the desk and closed the lid. He could see that Timmin had seen the remaining items but wasn’t saying anything to Brient about the purses or the plans.
Brient quickly flipped through the journals. One after the other.
“This will work,” he said finally.
QUEST COMPLETE!
With the journals in hand, Brient has the proof he needs to show that Cronet was the Cudgel and behind the plan to usurp power in Silver Peak Keep.
THE BLADE’S CUDGEL IV
Give the journals to Sergeant Brient 1/1
Reward: +25 Door Knocker Reputation
+75 PeakGuard Reputation
+50 Alliance Reputation with Sergeant Brient
+100 Experience
You have gained LEVEL 5!
You have gained +1 Attribute Point to spend.
You have accessed a new Class Ability: Leap Rank 2
See a Class Trainer to learn your new Ability.
Hall blinked in surprise as the level up notification flashed across his vision. He hadn’t realized he had been so close. Brient was talking so Hall didn’t bother bringing up his Character Sheet. It would have to wait.
“Thank you,” Brient said and stood up, holding out his hand.
Hall shook it.
“You have done a great service to Silver Peak Keep,” the guard said, sincere. “And I apologize for how I roped you into this.”
Hall had a sharp reply in mind but thought better of it. He understood the position that Brient had been in. Being blackmailed had not been the right way to do it, but Hall had received a lot of coin, some valuable experience, and a new companion as well as possibly someone to run Skara Brae. It had worked out.
“It’s okay,” Hall said instead of the first thought.
Brient nodded, thankful at Hall’s reply. He turned to Timmin.
“As for you,” he started but Timmin held out a hand.
“I am leaving Silver Peak Keep,” the administrator said.
Brient glanced down at the journals and nodded.
