Chapter 16: The Silver Bull

Two hours had past, upon checking the prison clock, which is now at four, when Kurgren and Solaina were released due to Ardent negotiation.

"Maybe I should become a negotiator if the knight doesn't work out," he joked as he healed Kurgren's broken nose.

"Ha ha." Kurgren groaned as he rubs his nose, the pain still lingering for a second.

"So why weren't the rest of you caught?"

"The guards thought I was an innocent man caught in the chase." Ardent replies.

"I was able to resist the flashbang and hide." Erhardt says, Kurgren could notice he smelled a bit like garbage.

Louise shrugs "I guessed I was lucky to recover in time and cast a camouflage spell before the guards came."

Kurgren then sighed, wishing he had such luck, before asking.

"So what about the thieves?"

The three of them then explained that they manage to disappear in seconds they were stunned. But they at least know the thieves were a Goblin with a neck tattoo, a gnome who knows magic and, by estimates, a red-haired Human.

"So, what now?" Solaina ask to Ardent.

Ardent sighs.

"I'm not sure. With all of our silvers gone we should probably find jobs and camp outside the city."

It was then where Kurgren told them to wait, having remembered a precaution he took, and quickly opens his bag and rummage through it.

And, in a secret compartment he'd sewn at the bottom, pulls out the gold coin they had during Brindel.

Ardent and the rest then light up in joy.

"Kurgren you genius!" Ardent shouts and pulls him into a hug.

"Now we should find an inn. Probably a cheap one as we're low."

It was then where Kurgren recalls what that hummingbird said.

"What about the silver bull?"

Ardent the looks to Kurgren with reddening cheeks.

"Ar-are you sure? There are better inns I know nearby." He quickly stammers.

"Why not. I heard from what the guards said that it has low price, about half a silver total, for rooms, good meals and dwarven brew."

"But surely there are better places."

"Are there such places that sells lager that cheap. Because even the cheapest ones cost about ten silver." Erhardt interjects.

Louise and Solaina agrees with Kurgren, as they heard that it is the only well-known it that has non-Human staff and treats it's guest; whether Human or not, well with some of the native even saying that it's a good place even if it caters to 'lesser races'.

Soon Ardent relents, his hands covering his red face, and explains why he doesn't want to go there as they walked.

Apparently, the silver bull inn is in Leona's seedier place, known by its entrances having red arches.

And upon entering it they see why.

Most of the buildings compose of brothels and mature cabaret with explicit signs, and the few shops sell items that can't be sold elsewhere with the inns being the only place that sells food.

Ardent quickly leads them to the inn, wearing his helmet to hide his embarrassed face, as the many workers, men and women in bright, skimpy attire, sends catcalls and promises of 'good times', mostly towards Ardent but Kurgren and the rest also receive a few from some Humans, much to their chagrin.

They then pass through the pink arch, a sign that their in the lodging area, where they then see the inn.

It's a three-story inn with a bull painted bright silver and the name emblazon above its entrance. Its wall made of wood and stone, bind by cement, with glass windows.

And upon entering are barraged by the sounds of laughter and drinks.

They see waiters, consisting mainly of Elves and Lapori, moving between tables, their uniforms covering less than the normal with females wearing a sleeveless top held by an underbust corset, followed by a miniskirt and black stockings with garterbelts finished in matching high heels; while the males wear bowties with sleeveless shirts that has a plunging v-cut that stops above the navel, with opaque tights that shows their muscular legs ending with dress shoes.

They also noted that most of the other staffs consist of the ten races.

They quickly went in to find a seat, the band in the corner playing jaunty music over the din, and find a table near the kitchen, the yells of instruction from a Halfing spilling out whenever the doors open.

A waitress, with brown hair and eyes, then walks towards them and hands them the menu. Her upright rabbit ears, small antlers, and a ring of fur poking out her stockings showing her a Lapori.

"When you're ready to order call one of us," she says before walking off to the other customers.

Kurgren briefly looks at the menu, impressed by its selection meals from porridge to roasted pork knuckle and dwarven lager to elven mead, before excusing himself, after ordering the porkchop, to directly see the drinks, and to also talk with the bartender.

He quickly seats himself on the bar counter and signals the bartender, a grey-haired Dwarf probably in his sixties with a long, braided, beard, who walks towards him and pulls out a pint glass.

"So, what's your order good sir."

"I'll have a tankard of ordenmul"

The bartender briefly flinched.

"And what about your sides. But I warn you it's two-hundred and fifty proof."

"With alkoh berries."

The bartender then briefly looks around then moves to Kurgren's ear.

"Follow me and be sure you're not followed," he quickly whispers.

"The bar will be briefly close for toilet break! Be back in a minute!" He announced before walking to the toilet.

Kurgren then gets up and follows him, looking behind to make sure, and opens the door where the Dwarf signals him to a stall.

"So. Do you truly have it?"

Kurgren opens his bandolier pocket and shows him the orb.

The Dwarf looks in shock. And quickly pulls out a pocketwatch and puts it into his hand.

"When both hands reach ten meet me in the kitchen, you can bring your group if you want," and exits back to the bar.

"Oh. And as a thank you all meals and lodging for you and your party will be free," he quickly said.

Kurgren briefly looks at the Dwarf dumbfounded before looking at the watch, it's short needle pointing seven and long needle pointing eleven.

He quickly pockets the watch and rejoins the group.

"About time." Erhardt grumbles as they order their dinner.

When the watch hands finally struck ten, he notifies the group and went down, armed with their weapons and armor, and enters the kitchen.

They then see the Dwarf and Lapori waitress that serve them in unusual outfits, a light blue gambeson and chainmail shirt with matching pants and boots with a longbow and shortsword for the Dwarf, and the same colored gambeson with an emerald necklace, shorts with stockings and padding, and a collapsible staff for the Lapori.

They quickly greet them and leads them to the back exit to a sewer grate.

It was then where the group eyes widen in horror as the Dwarf opens the grate.

"Go down here to see our base," he quickly said, amused at the group look of horror.

Kurgren nearly vomits, his enhanced smell picking up the stench.

After a few seconds of persuasion, the group agrees.

"Wait!" The Lapori quickly said as they near the entrance.

She then pulls out two strips of black cloth.

"Your gonna need to be blindfolded before we bring you to our base. A precaution."

With a grumble, Kurgren and Erhardt put on the blindfold, and after checking to make sure they can't see, tied a connecting rope to their waist and give a message to always stay on their left, and enters the sewers.

Kurgren then gags, nearly puking his dinner, as they walk on the stone pathway.

During their walk he heard the complaints of Solaina, whose sense of smell is slightly weaker than his, and Erhardt bragging about having a less sensitive nose followed by Ardent telling them to be quiet, also gagging from the smell, with the Dwarf and Lapori telling them they'll get used to it.

Kurgren then ask the duo their names, mainly to take his mind off the smell, which felt like dung mixed with rotten meat.

"Fair enough," the Dwarf replies.

"It's Wolfgang."

"Delilah." The Lapori said.

The group then give them their names in return.

An undetermined time passed when they finally stopped.

Kurgren and Solaina then barely hears a new voice utters something. And about a few seconds later they walk again.

Another undetermined amount of time passes, during which Kurgren noted that the smell of sewage slowly faded until he smelled clean air again.

"You may now remove your blindfolds." Wolfgang then announced.

They then remove them and see the area.

The base looked like it was made from an abandoned hub. With wooden platforms lining the floor and above gaps, where in the center lies a large table with twenty seats, with many people, wearing a variety of light armors and armed with small weapons resting or talking.

Wolfgang then looks to his wristwatch "I guess this is a brief goodbye."

The group was then briefly shocked, he didn't tell them anything, and when asked why.

"My job is to just find potential recruits, whether at the inn or other places, and be one of the eyes and ears on the outside. But Delilah will give you a tour along with three others."

He then went to a door and knocks.

"Piper, Sofia, Zarad! We got new visitors needing a guide!"

Upon which the door opens and a Goblin, a Human and a Gnome, a race that stands taller than an Elf with butterfly wings on their back and a pair of tiny antennas.

Upon which Kurgren gasp and grits his teeth. The girls hair being a familiar red in the room.

The others follow suit, recognizing the thieves.

And the thieves soon realize who they are, judging by their sudden nervous looks.

"YOU NOODLE-ARMED BASTARD!" Erhardt bellowed and charges to the Goblin, arm cocked.

But Wolfgang quickly intercepts. The Goblin, Piper, hiding behind his companions.

"What the meaning of this!"

"What's the meaning? THOSE BASTARDS STOLE OUR SILVERS!"

"WHAT!" Wolfgang gasp in shock. And turns to glare towards the three, their face reddening with forced smiles.

The group then explains how the three picked their pockets. Causing Wolfgang to reprimand them.

"By Gildre titanic tits. What were you thinking! Your not old enough to do that kind of job!"

"We're eighteen. That old enough!" Sofia replied.

Wolfgang then sighs "You may be old enough to work around here. But your still need experience before doing jobs that interacts with the outside! What if you pickpocket a noble? Whose guards can kill you in seconds. Or one of Leona's designated pickpocket. Whose coins are lace with tracking magic. We lost two bases and many soldiers due to those whom lacked knowledge to differentiate them! Or just pickpocket a noble merchant who can justify the lord to send his soldiers down the sewers!"

The three, upon realizing they could have jeopardize the base, hung their head low.

Wolfgang then pinched his nose.

"Listen. I'm not angry because you steal, frankly, I'm impressed that you managed to steal from them and escaped successfully. I'm angry because I worry about your safety. That caper success, to me, was mostly luck."

They then utter quick apologies as he leaves to the main door.

"I'll let Delilah lecture you about the rest. But for now just guide our guests. And Kurgren you can keep the watch, as a thank you."

And upon leaving Delilah stares at the three.

The three understands and Zarad and Sofia gives the coin pouches to Piper, who gulps with a betrayed look.

Slowly Piper unwinds his arm and give them to Erhardt with a nervous chuckle.

"Why don't we bury the hatchet," Piper said as Erhardt pass the pouch to the others and checks his.

After seeing that all of their silvers and coppers were in they forgive them, grudgingly with Kurgren and Solaina.

Afterwards they begin the tour.

During this Kurgren examined the trio.

Zarad is the shortest, standing about four-foot half, with orange eye's and hair, styled in a wolf-tail. Wearing a gambeson, which is the same shade of blue as Wolfgang and Delilah with the upper back cut out for his wings. And wields a wooden cudgel and wears a ruby ring, indicating him as a mage specializing in fire. And hovering beside him was his golem, which is interestingly small compared to the standard being the size of an Orc, in the shape of a biplane, with the gnomish letters, the source of it's power, on it's wing and "cockpit".

Pipers uniform lacked sleeves, due to his long arms, with his arms coiled like a spring to make it the length of a regular arm. With a belt holding an array of bombs and a short sword. And hazel eyes and short hair, and upon his nape a tattoo in the symbol of a sun.

Sofia, who stands at five foot half, wore a dark green gambeson that stops at mid-thighs held by a belt with a stiletto, the blade about a foot and a half long, on her left hip with black stockings held by garters under thigh-high boots of a with the shin reinforced with harden leather and metal plating's. But upon closer inspection found something out.

Her eyes are the shade of bright green, like leaves in spring, and a common eye color of Elves, and along with slitted pupils and green mark upon her cheeks. That and her ears were pointed, her shoulder-length hair barely covering them, led to a conclusion.

She's a half-Elf.

The group was then given a summary about the resting room, learning that most of the area used to be an underground warehouse before it was abandoned because of cost overrun; the rest was finished by earth magic with domes of silence, before being led to the training room.

Upon entering they see a large room with a circle in the center, where two men spars with sword and buckler. Weapons racks holding spears, clubs, and musket with rows of crossbow and musket infantry at a corner training to load and fire in sync. And next to them are rows of spearmen learns to quickly form and move in a phalanx. All wearing gambeson of varying states of wear and tear with a few rare ones wearing a chainmail shirt.

After a brief explanation on how the circle works, utilizing a combination of arcane and divine spells to simulates injuries without causing real harm, they are then led to the library.

"Admittedly it's less of a library then half a dozen shelves of books," Zarad said.

And he's right. The library is about wooden shelves nailed to the walls holding about a dozen or so books.

There they see a half-Dwarf, recognizable by his dwarven eyes but only having one stone nub on his forehead and normal nails, with a cleanly shaven chin and a large pair of muttonchops linked by an equally large moustache, with black hair and brown eyes sitting on a chair, reading a book with a pair of iron spectacles.

"Hey Ignatz!" Zarad shouted.

"GAAAH!" The half-Dwarf shouts as he fell off his chair.

He then gets up, reshuffling his tunic, and rubs his head.

"You don't have to shout."

Zarad sniggers "Sorry about it. But you are known to not hear when reading. Can you tell our new visitors about the library."

Ignatz then push up his glasses and looks towards them "Of course. Ignatz Augustus. Engineer and equipment manager of the rebels." He then brings his hand to shake, Kurgren noting his lack of a dwarven accent.

He then quickly surveys them before looking at Erhardt dagger.

"Pardon me but is that a ui'gefideof?"

"Yes. Why do you ask?" He replies.

He then smiles "I'm sorry about staring but I'm surprised to see a Dwarf from the Volksgard."

Kurgren then looks to him in surprise "Aren't you born there."

Ignatz chuckles.

"Only if you count my ancestors. I'm from Majapura, the island in the iron ocean, between the four nations."

He then began to brief about the books. Telling them that they were saved by them as the lord wanted to burn these, with some of them written in Vordkrif, Safris and Kaihos; Dwarf, Elf and Orc.

Afterwards they are shown the communal bath, the water purified and heated by a mage daily, then the dorms, a room where bunk beds line across like a barrack. Then the small dining hall and finally their personal rooms. A single room with a bed and makeshift toilet bowl and sink.

"Tomorrow you'll see our leader and the lab to learn about that orb, which we have taken. And the rest of your items will be brought down by morning" Sofia said before she leaves with the rest.

Kurgren then removes his armor and lay his weapons against the wall. Then cleans his teeth and shaves before cleaning his tools and lie in bed, wishing he had his bedroll for the thin, hard, mattress. But at least glad he slept in something more comfortable than a hard, muddy, floor.

He then closed his eyes, thinking about how bizarre his life became with that orb, and falls asleep.