He takes a bite of the bread, chewing carefully before nodding. After swallowing, he looks to the barkeep. "I actually AM waiting on the Mercenaries. I wish to join them."
"Oh, well tough luck on that; their leader just stormed off.""...it's Dakob, sir. Dakob Recirrum. Would you...would you be okay if I came along with you guys?"
Dakob seemed mildly embarrassed as he asked the question, somewhat unused to being so blunt.
"Yeah, the more the merrier, meet up at the inn, The Blue Lagoon later.""Now if you'll excuse me I've got business to take care of."Geoffrey walked back to the gates and sat down outside them pondering what to do. He could try going himself but all he'd end up doing was getting himself caught. Or he could try to pressure Edward for details again but after that bizarre trick he didn't want to risk it at the moment. Everything seemed to lead to a dead end. He leaned back against the gate and stared into the cloudless sky, not thinking, just looking. Eventually the sky began to turn orange so he picked himself up with a sigh and headed back to the inn to hear what Mia and Garret had to say. He saw two unfamiliar faces and the lack of two familiar faces; apparently Sarrani's wind had guided her elsewhere. Maybe Hilde went with her to make sure she didn't die. Igor was there too, the mayor already stopped by and paid him and Dakob, which surprised Geoffrey but he was glad to see that he'd be joining him.
Mia and Garret didn't reveal anything new to him, Aneira or Edward about Leret but their reason for being there surprised probably everyone present. Apparently the owner of the mansion to north had hired them to raid the town for him but when they got there Garick and the mages ambushed them along with some of their men "defecting". It had been an attempt of the mansion's owner to raise his public image which was reportedly very low. When Godhand showed up Mia and Garret thought they were with Garick's bunch and it wasn't until Martyn spoke to her did she realize that they were just mercenaries however her pride made her want to fight him anyway. The pair left the inn after their tale, leaving Andala and Maxwell as the only non-Godhands.
"If you two wish to join us that's fine, just make sure you're up with the rest of us in the morning. We'll be going somewhere first thing." That said, Geoffrey headed up to his room and slipped out of his armor and into his sleepwear intending to head to bed early.
But he didn't get the chance, Edward had followed him up to his room after mulling over something for a few minutes.
"And where are we going oh esteemed leader?" Edward had a very good idea where, and it frustrated him greatly, but he needed to confirm it before doing anything.
"We're going to that mansion tomorrow, I don't care what you say about it. You can sit it out if you don't want to be involved but I'm taking everyone else with me and we're ousting that bastard. Leret too.""I see how it is. You're still strung up about Alexios' artifact aren't you? And you're going to use the excuse of liberating this town from a tyrant to get a shot at Leret." Geoffrey grit his teeth, Edward was right.
"I've got you all figured out, Geo." And I don't like how easy you are to read."But I won't try to stop you, you're no use to anyone in your current phase. Better to let you get it out of your system before you do something stupid.""So you'll help?""No, you're on your own." With that Edward left the captain to his own devices, he had preparations to make.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Chapter 2x: O Employer, Where Art Thou?
~~~
Geoffrey woke up much earlier than he intended, it was still pitch black outside and couldn't have been past midnight. He should've fallen back asleep but for some reason he didn't instead wandering downstairs. To his surprise George was still up though he had a worried look on his face. He tried to hid it when he saw Geoffrey but didn't do a very good job.
"Oh, you're up too? Shoulda figured he wouldn't be the only one...""What are you talking about?" Geoffrey asked, frustrated. He might've been up but he was still tired and therefore a bit cranky and didn't need to play twenty questions.
"That Edward kid left earlier, around the time I was locking the doors and closing up. I shouldn'ta let him go, I've been up with worry since but I can't leave the inn."Geoffrey was suddenly wide awake.
"Which way did he go?" Geoffrey asked as calmly as possible, he didn't want to worry George any more than he already was.
"Uh, north probably. I watched him until I couldn't see him from the window any more. Looked like he was heading for the northern gate.""Thanks," was all Geoffrey said before heading back up to his room.
Dammit dammit dammit! was the sole thought that went through his mind as he hastily put his armor on and grabbed his axes. Within minutes all of Godhand was woken up and within the hour all of them were dressed and, while sleepy, ready for combat.
Geoffrey didn't give them much explanation as they departed from the inn, just that it was very important. After an half an hour or so of marching in the darkness the company finally arrived at their destination, or so Geoffrey hoped. It was hard to tell what direction they had been going so he could only hope they went north. Besides, how likely was it that there would be another mansion in some random direction away from town?
"I'm sure you're all wondering why I dragged you out here at who knows what ungodly hour it is. To make a long story short, our employer got full of himself and is probably, at this very, moment either doing something extremely dangerous and stupid or has been captured or something. I'm sure he's in here, and since I'm sure we all like being paid we ought to rescue him."Map Start!
Enemy StatsMeet up with Edward and Investigate!
PCs:
Gorog: 20/20
Aneira: 27/27
Ekul: 21/21
Alexios: 25/25
Lian: 26/26
Martyn: 26/26
Aika: 21/21
Dahzel: 25/25
Igor: 25/25
Dakob: 23/23
Andala: 20/20
Maxwell: 27/27
Enemies:
Scholar A: 27/27
Scholar B: 27/27
Scholar C: 27/27
Scholar D: 27/27
Scholar E: 27/27
Scholar F: 27/27
Magus A: 24/24
Magus B: 24/24
Magus C: 24/24
Guard A: 30/30
Guard B: 30/30
Guard C: 30/30
Guard D: 30/30
Watchman A: 31/31
Watchman B: 31/31
Watchman C: 31/31
Watchman D: 31/31
Watchman E: 31/31
Maid A: 22/22
Maid B: 22/22
Captain: 33/33
Allies:
Geoffrey: 25/25
Other:
Edward: 26/26
Gate: 100/100 10 Def (10,15)-(11,15)
Door: 50/50 (21,10)
Door: 50/50 (16,10)
Door: 50/50 (16,4)
Door: 50/50 (7,10)
Sealed Door: Armed (3,7)
Sealed Door: Armed (13,1)
Sealed Door: Armed (15,1)
EXP:17/100