Although the journey through the wastelands is long and difficult due to the biting cold which now nips at their scales and skin respectively, Akorrin and Locke finally make it to a large gathering of dead trees. Just beyond them, they hear the loud laughter and chatter of what are obviously the villains who live in the Bandits' Close. Akorrin grumbles before looking to Locke.
"Listen now, for this is very important. We must exercise great caution beyond these trees, for many bandits lurk beyond. If we appear as if we do not belong, I'm afraid we may not have a chance in infiltrating Lucio's mansion."
"I understand," Locke replies quietly with a nod.
Akorrin looks through the trees, straining to see beyond them before stating, "Before we can enter the mansion, we must do several things. We must find out if the Bandit King is within those walls at this moment as well as discover an excuse for us to be within his abode without suspicion. We must then find a way to enter the mansion inconspicuously."
"Sounds like a lot to do," Locke replies. "I guess we're ready for a busy night, huh?"
"Indeed."
"Well, if they think as poorly as they fight, we shouldn't have too much of a worry," Locke announces with a smile.
"That is my hope," Akorrin replies before parting aside some branches and motioning to Locke as he says, "Let's begin."
Preparing themselves for what may lie ahead, the two soon press onwards and through the dead trees which lead into the settlement of bandits. As they emerge, they find themselves in an area even shadier than the wastelands before. Decomposing garbage and filth litters the area as the smell wafts into their nostrils. The many bandits that surround them are made of many different races, from humans to Orcs, as they talk and fight – among other things. Randomly littered about the land are dirty and decrepit huts and shacks, as well as sturdier buildings for business and such. As they begin to make their way deeper into the area, they hear a loud cry from beside them.
"Hey, you two! Hold on a sec, there!" A large Orc bellows, stomping towards their position.
Although Locke notices Akorrin's scales stiffen as he becomes alert, the Dragonborn retains his cool; he simply turns to the creature and with a peculiar snarl, unlike any Locke had ever heard emit from his master before, he states, "Yeah, yeah, what is it? Whatdya want?"
The Orc simply stops in front of them, a large grin on his face as he exclaims, "Hey, hey, lizard! Don't get all grumpy! I just wanted to ask you lot if you wanted to buy some ale. Special Orc brew!"
". . . Ale?" Locke asks with an inquisitive tone in his voice. "Tell me more."
However as the Orc begins to speak, Akorrin raises his arm across Locke's chest in a motion for Locke to stand back and be silent as he responds, "Look, we ain't interested. Go find someone who cares!"
With a scowl, the Orc glares towards Akorrin before grumbling and marching back off. Locke looks up at Akorrin with a puzzled look on his face.
"I didn't realize you spoke 'bandit,'" Locke muses.
Akorrin clears his throat, shooting Locke a stern glare as he says, "Whatever you say, kid."
"Kid?" Locke echoes; after a moment, Locke sees Akorrin tip him a slight wink, which Locke smiles in response to and replies, "Ah, whatever, ya walking pair a' boots. Let's carry on. I've got a thirst on, and if I can't have that ugly Orc's booze, I'll find a tavern that'll gimme some. And you better not stop me this time, boss!"
A bemused smirk growing on Akorrin's face, he motions with his head towards their left where what appears to be a large tavern stands, "Let's go then."
Akorrin and Locke walk towards the large tavern, looking at all the filth and scum that make up the Bandits' Close as they stand around and outside the tavern – glasses of ale in their hands as they either drink, laugh or fight.
Locke looks up to Akorrin as they approach the tavern and mumbles, "You're quite the actor. Have ever thought about performing in plays?"
"Kid, you sure do talk a lot," Akorrin grumbles, and as he completes his sentence, he simply pushes forth the swinging tavern doors and steps in.
Locke follows close behind. As they observe their surroundings, they notice there are several tables and people scattered around. On their right stands a human female with long black hair, her back now turned to them. Past her on the right is an Orc talking to a Kobold, and to their left is a group of men consisting of a Dwarf, a Tiefling and a Halfing. Across from them at the bar sits an Elf, and finally, in the center of the room stands a single Lizardfolk male – suspiciously glancing about the room as he drinks from a mug of ale.
Locke looks to Akorrin after scanning the room, and with a grunt as he keeps in character, he announces, "Well, let's find a table, y'old lizard! My feet are tired from pilfering loot, and carrying your tail around all day!"
Akorrin snorts and, now wearing a scowl, walks to the left side of the room just beyond the group of three men which now chat. Locke continues to look around the tavern, seeing the many people casually enjoying themselves.
He leans over to Akorrin and whispers, "If Maroco is quite influential here, then a lot of these people may know my name. Maybe we should give each other assumed names."
Akorrin, thinking for a brief moment, suddenly says, "Okay, Key."
Locke laughs slightly and replies, "It's a deal, Boots." Locke then looks over towards the bar, where a large Bugbear bartender has finished serving the lone Elf and begins to wipe an ale mug; opening his mouth, Locke yells over to the bartender and calls, "Oy! Barkeep! Two jugs of ale for me and my buddy here!"
The Bugbear, slowly looking towards Locke simply scoffs before growling, "Yeah, yeah, keep your shirt on."
Locke looks back to Akorrin as they wait for their drinks and says, "So Boots, shall we mingle?"
Akorrin snorts, "Yeah, sure."
Before our duo make a move, the large figure of the Bugbear approaches their table, slamming down two jugs before scoffing once more and reaching out with his hand extended. Locke looks at the Bugbear's palm and up to the Bugbear before reaching into Ike's coin pouch and pulling out not two, but three, gold coins.
"Here y'go, Chuckles," Locke announces. "Buy yourself a drink, or something nice, on me."
The bartender snarls slightly before gripping the coins tightly in his hand and walking back to the bar. Locke turns back to the table and immediately taking his ale jug, takes a large gulp from it.
He looks to Akorrin who simply glares about the room and asks, "Not thirsty?"
Scowling down at the murky liquid, Akorrin grumbles, "Help yourself, Key."
Hearing this, Locke looks to the ale jug and then turns around in his seat, remembering the human female he saw when they first entered the bar. He grins and looks back to his master before reaching with his free hand as he grabs the ale jug.
"Boots, there's a lovely lass over there. Excuse me while I introduce myself."
Akorrin nods and slinks down slightly into his seat as he continues to look for a possible lead. Locke meanwhile stands from the table and with both jugs in his hand moves his shoulders rhythmically, dancing slightly to the music that is played in the background of the tavern by a small band in one corner.
Finally reaching the dark haired woman and her table, Locke places the untouched jug of ale in front of her before he announces, "I thought you might be thirsty."
The woman simply looks to the ale and then to Locke with a raised eyebrow as she says, "Hmph. . . I ain't interested."
"Not interested in free ale?" Locke asks. "My, you do surprise me, madame. I mean, I just spent some hard earned gold on this jug for you. I mean, there's plenty gold in my pocket where that came from, but nonetheless, I thought a beautiful young woman shouldn't go thirsty in a place like this, should she?"
The woman now scowls as she snatches up the mug of ale and, to Locke's surprise, drinks it down in one gulp.
"Ah, I like it!" Locke says, watching the woman drink; immediately, Locke turns towards the bar and once again yells, "Oy, barkeep! More ale over here, when you're ready!" Locke then turns back to the woman and asks, "Good stuff, eh?"
With an exasperated sigh, she slams her mug down before glaring at Locke and saying, "Look. Get the message. I ain't got time for little boys and their games. I've got a big night coming up in the mansion and I ain't gonna waste my energies shooting the breeze with a little baby like you."
"Hey," Locke replies, "no need to waste any energy – just drink up. You know, you call me a baby, but I'm just baby-faced! The name's Key. Who are you?"
"That ain't none of your business, kid," the woman snarls. "Shove off and let me be! Besides, I'm saving room for the drinks later tonight."
"Ah, you're going there too, huh?" Locke asks. "Yeah, me and my buddy are off to the mansion too. Wanna go together? Better than going alone."
Flipping her hair over her right shoulder, she turns her head away, scoffing, "Huh. Who ain't goin'?"
"I dunno. Maybe that ugly munchkin behind the bar," Locke says with a grin. "But I'm sure goin', and so is my pal, Boots. C'mon, let me tell other people that I'm goin' with somebody else. Key, Boots and. . . ?"
"Say what you want, 'baby,' but I ain't goin' with ya."
"And I ain't makin' ya," Locke answers.
The woman sighs before stepping back from her table and shooting Locke a nasty glare as she says, "Thanks for wasting my time, kid. I'd better not see you 'round Lucio's mansion tonight at the meeting or you'll find one of them ale mugs shoved where the sun don't shine!"
With that, the woman storms away, her heeled boots clomping against the hard wooden floor.
"Love you, too!" Locke calls out through the crowd; he then stands from his table as the bartender walks over with two mugs of ale. "Eh, no need for those, barkeep. My woman had to go and powder her nose for the meeting later. But help yourself!"
The Bugbear scowls before placing the mugs down and reaching for Locke's collar in one smooth motion before extending his free hand forwards, "That's your first strike, insect. Now pay up!"
With a grin on his face, Locke sighs and once again pulls out three gold coins before placing them in the Bugbear's hand.
"I like you, man," Locke states. "Have another tip."
As he grasps the money in his hand, he shoves Locke back and lets go of his collar before stomping back to the bar. Locke drinks the ale he already had, before picking up the two mugs that have accumulated and quickly walks back over to where Akorrin still sits. He places the mugs on the table and leans forwards to him so that Locke can quietly talk to his master.
"I've found some information," Locke says quietly.
"So did I," Akorrin grumbles, shifting uncomfortably in his slouched state.
"You?" Locke asks surprised. "You haven't moved!"
"Yeah, but I got ears, ain't I?" Akorrin snaps, still in character, before slightly whispering, "Them three blokes – they've been talking. One of them says Lucio just gave them a good ear-bashing in the mansion for saying hello to one of the 'new girls.' That means the scum must still be in there."
"Yes," Locke replies. "I found out that Lucio is having some kind of party tonight. According to the woman I spoke to, she reckons that most of the bandits are going to be there. Maybe we've just found our ticket in."
Akorrin now grumbles, "Now we just gotta find our way in."
"I was thinking about that," Locke says. "I tried it with the lady, but she didn't wanna know. Maybe we can go with somebody from here."
Akorrin raises his brow as he mutters, "I was thinking more along the lines of finding. . . a back door, so to speak."
"Well, I thought if we tried sneaking in like that, we might get caught and that could be difficult," Locke replies. "If we go through the front door, it looks like we have nothing to hide. We'll just be another lowly bandit going for a drink at Lucio's expense. That'll get us in, anyway."
"Yeah," Akorrin mutters before leaning close in to Locke, whispering, "But if we're caught searching the mansion during this meeting, we'll be in for a whole mess of trouble. Better to go before this meeting starts, or else we may be too late and Lucio may be too well guarded."
"I guess we'd better find out when this meeting starts," Locke says, once again looking around throughout the tavern as he spies the Elf who still sits at the bar; he then takes one of the ale mugs and stands from the table, saying, "I'll be back."
He walks over to the bar and takes a seat next to the Elf, sliding one of the ale mugs over to him.
"Want one?" Locke asks.
Already grasping an empty mug in his hand, the Elf's face, which is for some reason twisted in anger, turns to face Locke and with a grumble he says, "Leave me alone. . ."
"Hey man, it's a free drink!" Locke replies. "Just trying to be friendly with ya."
"I said, leave me be!" The Elf yells, quite loudly and quite obviously intoxicated beyond his limits.
"Alright, jeez!" Locke says, before looking away and propping up the bar; he notices the bartender standing in front and notes, "Not too many people take kindly to a free drink, eh?"
The Bugbear simply glares at Locke before grumbling, "Hrm."
"You got a name?" Locke asks the Bugbear.
"Yeah. It's none of your business."
Locke grins, "Well, Mr. Business, it's a nice place you've got here. I'm surprised it's so full, considering Lucio's having his get together tonight. My pal Boots and I are going. Hm, what time was it again?"
The Bugbear clearly irritated, slams his fist down to the counter and growls, "You're starting to get on my last nerve. That's strike two, boy!"
Locke blankly looks at the Bugbear and casually sighs before picking up his mugs of ale.
"Suit yourself," Locke answers before he slips off the bar stool he was on and then tries another target.
He spies the Lizardfolk sitting alone at the table in the center of the bar. Despite remembering what Akorrin said about Lizardfolk being aggressive, Locke notices this Lizardfolk to be quite small in comparison to Forge and therefore decides to try his luck.
"Hey there," Locke says, placing the mug of ale on the table. "Mind if I join ya?"
The Lizardfolk male looks to Locke in acknowledgment before glancing suspiciously around the bar in a twitchy fashion, "Heh. . . Heh. . . You ain't from around here, are ya, stranger?"
"I've been around a little while," Locke replies as he motions to a chair, asking for permission to sit.
The Lizardfolk simply grunts, motioning for him to sit before he says, "Whatever. I don't care. Heh."
"Ah well," Locke says as he takes another drink. "That one's yours if you want it. I've had a few, and my buddy over there doesn't want it, so you can have it."
The Lizard doesn't hesitate as he snatches the mug and begins to down it. After a moment, he places the still half-filled mug on the table before glancing around once again with a twitch.
He then looks to Locke with a shifty-eyed grin and says, "Lucio. . . That guy has some loot, eh? Heh. . . And all the girlies you could ever want, heh."
"Yeah, tell me about it," Locke says. "Quite jealous of that. All that money and all those women. . . Jeez, makes you wish you were him. Speaking of Lucio, are you off to this big meeting tonight?"
"Heh. . . Not me. I ain't allowed in – after this one time when I snuck into master Lucio's. . . girly chamber, heh."
Locke grins and sits back in his chair, folding his arms, "Heh, someone after my own heart. Tell me, I dunno if that was recent, but I've heard about this one cracker of a wench in there. She's quite new and apparently quite stunning. Some Half-Elf with green hair? Ring any bells to ya?"
"Heh. . . I ain't been in for a few weeks, so I can't tell ya. But. . . I can give ya a good tip, if that's want, heh. It'll cost ya, though."
"Pal," Locke begins, leaning forward, "I've heard about this one girl and I'd give anything to just see her. All old Key wants is a chance to take one look at her and see if she wants to see a good time with me. Name your price."
Seemingly surprised that Locke is willing to pay up, the Lizardfolk now grins and says, "Heh, 10 gold pieces, up front."
Without thinking, Locke retrieves the ten gold and slams them down on the table, besides the Lizard's half full mug of ale.
"There ya go, pal," Locke answers.
The Lizard greedily snatches up the coins, placing them immediately into a bag on his belt; looking to Locke with a great grin, he hisses, "Heh. . . Heh. . . "
"You got a bit of a nervous twitch there, pal?" Locke asks casually.
Ignoring him, the Lizard finally continues, "I've done my bit of sneaking around to look at all them pretty girlies and I can tell ya your one sure way in, heh."
"Okay," Locke replies. "But just before you do. . . Hey Boots!" Locke cries from across the room. "C'mere!"
Akorrin rises from his table and stomps slowly over to Locke and the Lizard. He stands behind Locke's chair and gazes down at the Lizardfolk with narrowed eyes. Locke motions with his hand towards Akorrin and explains.
"This here's my old pal, Boots. We're lookin' for a couple of good women and a good time. Just so you know, if you're setting me up, you're setting up Boots. And Boots don't take kindly to people leading us astray," He then reaches for his bag that he placed on the floor beside him, before pulling out two items which he drops on the table as he continues, "All you need to do is spy the last guy that crossed him."
The Lizard looks down at the rotted Kobold feet that now sit on the table and then at Akorrin in many twitchy motions before slightly appearing on edge; he hisses, "Heh. . . I ain't aiming to swindle anyone – there's enough girlies for you both back at the mansion, heh. Look for some wooden boards near the hollow oak tree, heh. They'll take you where you wanna go, heh heh heh. . ."
Locke grins and once again leans forward, brushing the rotting feet aside, "Pleasure doing business with ya, pal. What's your name?"
"Heh. . . Heh. . . Name's Lemmy. When ya get to the girlies. . . Tell Lia that I says hello, heh."
"Will do, Lemmy," Locke says, before he presses his hands on the table and stands, pushing his chair out from under him. He picks his large ruck sack up, places it on his shoulders, and walks past Lemmy, stopping beside him and patting him on the shoulders before he leaves with Akorrin in tow.
"Help yourself to the drink!" Locke announces. "And you keep the feet. Maybe you'll find a use for them. Just remember what we said. If this a trick, we'll come and find you. If it's legit, we'll still come and find you, but I'll be back to shake your hand."
"Heh, heh. . . No tricks. . . Just business, heh."
With that, Locke pats Lemmy on the back once more and with Akorrin casually leaves the tavern; once outside the tavern, Locke looks to Akorrin and asks, "How does that suit you for a way in?"
Akorrin grumbles as he glances around the settlement, "Perfect." He then pauses for a moment before continuing very quietly, "Now let's make haste. Soon the mansion will be filled with bandits and a stealthy infiltration will be denied to us."
"Okay, let's go," Locke replies eagerly. "I'm curious as to what Lucio has got Lil wearing. . ."
Akorrin slightly raises his brow and snorts, "Whatever, Key. Let's go."
Finally deciding that it may be best to begin their search for Lilanei and Lucio, they make their way into the busy wilderness known as Bandit's Close once more. Heading eastwards, they slowly approach the massive mansion belonging to Lucio, which towers above them ominously. Despite their suspicions, they follow the tip they were given in the tavern and move stealthily to the back of the mansion – which is very lightly guarded on the outside. Once in the back, they search for this mysterious entrance through the thin veil of darkness which lies behind the large structure and are actually surprised when they find it. Just as Lemmy said – in the ground beneath some foliage, just shy of a large, wooden oak tree, lies many wooden boards, bolted into the damp earth.
"Here we go," Locke says, pointing at the wooden boards. "It's our way in."
Akorrin nods, "I believe so."
"Wanna break the 'doors' down?" Locke asks. "We want to be in on the party too, right?"
Akorrin looks at the boards and says, "We'll have to break through somehow – but carefully, so we are not heard."
To both Locke and Akorrin's surprise, Locke then grips one of the large bolts that holds one of the planks into the ground and pulls on it before the bolt easily slides out of the ground – as the heavily waterlogged and muddied earth allows it to come free. Akorrin assists Locke in removing the bolts, until finally they are able to move the boards out of the way. After removing the boards, Akorrin places a hand on Locke's shoulder, motioning him to stay still. The two freeze in their positions and in the cover of the darkness look around to see if their presence has been noticed or if they were heard making an entrance for themselves. Satisfied after a couple of minutes, Akorrin looks down at the entrance and then nods to Locke.
"I hope we don't need invitations to this party," Locke notes with a grin and then says, "If Lemmy's right and we're going into the. . . girly area, be prepared to see some heavenly sights."
Akorrin blinks awkwardly before stating, "I'll go in first."
Locke chuckles, "Of course, master. I'd want you to have the first pick. It's only right."
Simply shaking his head, Akorrin wanders into the tunnel with Locke swiftly following behind him. Moving into the darkness of the tunnel, the duo move quietly as not to disturb any guards which may lurk in the void. All is silent, except for the shuffling of their feet against the dirt ground, until finally they see a glimmer at the end of the tunnel. Once reaching the end, Akorrin presses his hands against a heavy slab which now covers a pit over their head. With Akorrin's great strength, the slab easily shifts to the side with a heavy grinding noise. Their eyes are suddenly hit with brightness as light begins to seep into the tunnel from the opening and fill the darkness. After climbing from the pit, they find they are in a great hall – the slab they had pushed aside being one of the many heavy tiles which line the floor. Akorrin quietly pushes this slab into place as not to disturb the surroundings. Locke looks around the great hall and then to Akorrin.
"Nice digs," Locke whispers, although his whisper still carries as an echo through the hall. "Surely the party will begin in here, so maybe we should get moving."
As our duo observe their surroundings, they realize that the great hall in which they stand seems to be the first room in the front of the mansion – as two massive doors, most likely the entrance, stand before them. Looking around the brightly lit room, they see they are standing just under a staircase. The staircase curves around the left side of the room like a snake, while a similar staircase adorns the right side of the room. Directly behind them, under both staircases and in the middle of the wall, stands a double-doored room leading into another part of the mansion. The rest of the rooms, it would seem, lie above them on the next floor.
Locke looks to Akorrin and asks, "I want to find Lilanei. If you were the King of Scum, where would you put all your beauties, master?"
Akorrin thinks for a brief moment before saying, "I certainly wouldn't keep them near the entrance – where they could make an easy escape."
"The only way to go then is up," Locke replies, looking at the two staircases.
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