OOC note: I decided to do a third-person storyline along with the usual updates. I'll finish my turn on Wednesday.
Chapter 1
THE LEADER
- Come in, guys, we shall start in a minute! - Monitor Lisard opened the door and lead everyone to the food storage. It was also used as a meeting hall, with makeshift chairs and flat stones scattered around the large room. The dwarves sat down in circle, grumbling about cramped conditions.
- Magni, Firecrazy, Rufus, Grim, Daria, Nuckles... Alright, everyone's in. Let's begin our meeting. - Lizard waved to the miner and he pulled a huge bag from under his seat.
- What is it? A bale of dry blade weed, I assume? - Nuckles chucled and looked at his teammates.
- Alright, crew. Show us the plan, pal.- FireCrazy opened the bag and laid a strange map on the floor. It looked more like a blueprint, with walls, bridges and mechanismes marked on it.
- Our miner suggests us to build a very special system of fortifications that will enables us to kidnap some of the traders that will come to us. It will also help us to fight goblin gangs and other enemies. - Monitor Lisard pointed at the map. - Shouldn't take wery long to build those... I think we shoulf add some underground passageways with cage traps to lure goblins in, and it will be enough. What's your opinion.
Everyone was appreciating the map exept Grim. He was staring at the map blankly.
- What's the problem, friend? - Lizard looked him in the face. Grim sighed:
- I do not approve of this. We've already done a lot... - He frowned - Look, I understand, you people like the idea but... Kidnapping someone... I've never done this before, and I'm not going to do this.
- Hey, I spent much time developing this plan! - FireCrazy shouted.
- Don't scream, FireCrazy. We heard you perfectly well. - Lisard grimased.
- I like the idea, actually. If we will be able to get a ransom for them, we might buy some new weapons. - Magni scratched his jaw. - Sounds pretty good.
- I'm not sure. Isn't it too much? - Daria said. - We've got enough problems with the law already.
- I don't know, guys. - Rufus rose to his feet. - I'm not much of a criminal tactician.
- Alright, I think we should build at least those fortifications. - Lizard pointed at the blueprint again. - Goblin warbads might be roaming nearby. We'll decide about the details later. Everyone may go... Wait, Grim. - Lizard turned to the broker - Mind if we talk a bit?
Everyone exept Grim left the room. The broker was sitting motionless, mumbling something to himself.
- What have I done... Why did I accept thad job...
- Don't blame yourself, Grim. - Lizard looked at him - It's not you fault. I know, you don't want to follow the path of a criminal anymore.
The broker looked at the expedition leader and nodded.
- The only thing they want is more money... - He said in a raspy voise.
- It's not true. - Lizard sat in front of the her teammate - And you know it. It's just how the society ripped or hopes apart. Look at Rufus. He's a honest, trustworthy and hard-working dwarf. And where is he now? He's with us.
- I know. I understand. - Grim roze on his feet and walked to the door. Then he turned to Monitor Lizard.
- Thank you. - He said quietly.
- You're welcome.