Redford writes Ikku a letter warning him that there have been reports of bandits in the area. He urges Ikku to return so he can take over seeing to the castle's defenses.
Later, Ikku visits the baliff to infiltrate the Thieves Guild in the city.
Anne seems hesitant, while Arlo nods approvingly.
"Are you sure you want to mess with the Thieves Guild?" asks Anne. "I hear they give out some high-paying contracts…"
Arlo shakes his head. "If we can infiltrate them, it'll only improve our reputation with the city."
That day, the group then manage to infiltrate the Thieves Guild and are able to relay a lot of information. Though the local law is happy with the progress, members of the Thieves Guild will seek to take revenge upon Ikku and his group.
During the afternoon, Ikku and Anne visit the Fighters Guild and see several fighters sparring with each other. There's also a nearby arena for members to spar in.
The head of the Fighters Guild greets them.
"Want to try and prove yourself in the fighting pits?" she asks.
Anne scowls and whispers to you, "Are you sure you want to waste your time here, Cap?"
Ikku responded, "It's a good way to increase my skill."
Anne shakes her head. "Fine."
Anne addresses the guild leader. "Let's fight your champion in the arena. How much would that pay?"
The guild leader shakes her head. "It doesn't work that way. You have to work your way up the ranks. First you start in the fighting pits, then if you're lucky, you fight in the arena. That is, if you're still alive by then…"
The guild leader explains the rules; killing is allowed but frowned upon, especially in the lower brackets. You're allowed to bring whatever gear you want, but poison and magic are forbidden.
For a fee of fifty Gold Pieces, she's willing to let you join so you can compete in arena battles and tournaments.
Anne seems eager to fight…mostly for the opportunity to earn some Gold. She's matched up against a knight in the Intermediate bracket. Arlo doesn't make a bet, but Ikku bet 200 gold on Anne.
Anne gets ready to fight her opponent…
They both attack each other, and their swords clash together. Neither lands a hit. Suddenly, the knight slashes at Anne's legs…
Anne manages to dodge the attack. The knight and Anne keep on fighting, seemingly evenly matched. Ikku cheered for Anne.
The knight and Anne keep on fighting, seemingly evenly matched. Suddenly, the knight attempts a feint on Anne…
The knight and Anne keep on fighting, seeming to be evenly matched. The knight and Anne keep on fighting, seemingly evenly matched. Anne lands a quick blow on the knight, then follows up with an overhead strike, and the knight falls to the ground. The knight has been defeated. Anne has won!
The group earn 200 Gold Pieces for betting that Anne would win. Soon, Ikku decided to purchase some healing ointment. The merchant tells him that he bought the last bottle.
Anne looks at it wearily. "Think this stuff actually works?"
"Only one way to find out…" Arlo replies.
Now it's time to get down to business - assassinate a high-ranking official.
Ikku gather everyone in the war room and announce his decision. Anne seems excited, mostly about the lucrative payday.
True to his word, Arlo remains quiet.
Anne speaks first. "So who's the unlucky bastard?"
Arlo half-smiles. "You assume it's a he…"
"We don't have a lot of details concerning this contract; as you would expect, the client is being rather secretive about the details. The client requested we send a single emissary to meet him at the Drunken Rat Tavern to discuss the details of the contract," Redford says.
Redford continues. "I suggest Ikku should meet the client and feel him or her out before we commit to anything."
Arlo and Anne nods in agreement.
Vera chimes in. "Can I come along?"
Before you can even respond, Arlo says, "Absolutely not. This type of contract isn't for a lady."
Anne raises her eyebrows.
Arlo continues. "I mean, for a proper lady…you don't count, Anne."
Anne narrows her eyes at Arlo.
"I know the time and place. There's a pass phrase you'll need to say." He looks over some paperwork. "Remark how nice the weather has been lately. If they respond that 'dark clouds are brewing overhead,' then say, 'hopefully no one will get caught in the rain.' The client will know you're there about the contract. Got it?"
Ikku head out with Arlo and Anne. It's difficult to find the tavern, which seems to be a hole in the wall that few people have heard of. How they've stayed in business this long, you aren't sure. When they find the tavern, Ikku walk in alone while Arlo and Anne remain outside.
The tavern is relatively empty. The bartender is polishing a mug and gives Ikku a nod. Inside the tavern, there are four people: the bartender, a man in the corner sharpening a knife, a drunk man near the center of the bar, and a lady reading a book.
The drunk man mumbles something about getting another drink. You notice several empty mugs around him.
Ikku said, "Nice weather we've been having lately, huh?"
"Eh…weather?" The man looks up at the ceiling. "Is it…hick!" He hiccups. "…nighttime…already? It's so dark…hick!…maybe the clouds are blocking the sun?", said the drunk man.
Ikku said, "Hopefully, no one will get caught in the rain."
The man replies, "You, sir…hick!…are drunk. You shouldn't ride your horse when you're drunk." He looks over at the bartender. "Bartender…hick!…get my friend here a new horse…his mount is drunk!"
The bartender shakes his head and sighs. "Drunks."
The drunk then passes out on the tabletop. Ikku walk over to the man, and he eyes you for a second before returning to sharpening his knife.
Ikku asked, "Nice weather we've been having lately, huh?"
The man looks up at Ikku. "Yeah, so?"
Ikku said, "Hope a storm doesn't come through."
The man narrows his eyes. "Leave, before I make you leave."
After a few moments of awkward silence, Ikku decide to leave.
Ikku approach the drunk man, but he appears to be passed out from drinking too much. After a few attempts at trying to wake him up with no success, Ikku leave and spots a lady.
The lady doesn't react to Ikku approaching.
Ikku said, "Hello there, what are you reading?"
"A Medicinal Herb Handbook, by J.D. Arthur." She continues reading. "Now if you'll excuse me, I need to concentrate." She turns away, and after a few moments of awkward silence, Ikku decide to talk to her more.
Ikku said, "Nice weather we've been having lately, huh?"
"I suppose…though we might get a storm. I heard dark clouds are brewing overhead."
Ikku said, "I hope no one gets caught in the rain."
She looks up at Ikku and puts the book down. "Wait here." She leaves. Ikku decide to sit down. After a few moments, a man in a hooded cloak sits down across from Ikku.
"Are you here for the contract?" he asks.
The man in the hooded cloak hands you a piece of parchment. Ikku examine it. It has a drawing of a middle-aged man. It lists information about him and where Ikku can find him. The payment is two thousand Gold Pieces.
Anne looks confused. "A stablehand…you want us to kill a stablehand?"
The hooded man nods. "Not just any stablehand…the one that works for Sir Robert. The man that tends to his prized horse, Midnight."
Anne rubs her head, still somewhat confused. "I'm sorry…I guess…I expected…well, someone of more importance. Why kill a stablehand?"
"My client has his reasons. You'll have to make it look like a robbery gone wrong."
"What exactly would we steal from a stablehand?" Ikku ask.
"If you steal the horse, my client is willing to throw in an additional two thousand," says the hooded figure.
Anne nods, then looks at you. "Not what I expected."
The hooded man leans in closer. "So…are you in?"
"We're in," Ikku say.
The hooded man nods, then flips a coin in Ikku's direction.
Anne examines it. "A bloody crown?"
"Leave this coin somewhere close to the body after the job is finished," says the hooded man. "The bartender will pay you once it's done. If I don't hear from you in twnety-four hours, I'll assume you failed and are dead."
Ikku nod, and the hooded man walks away.
Ikku and Anne leave the tavern. Onceoutside, Arlo speaks up.
"I understand why you said yes, because more than likely, he'd have tried to kill us if we refused the contract…"
"Is that why the Captain said yes, Arlo?" Anne asks seriously.
"Come on…" Arlo looks over at you. "Are you really going to kill this stablehand?"
Ikku said, "That's the job, isn't it?"
Arlo's eyes widen. "You can't be serious, Captain."
Anne interjects. "Hey Arlo, the Captain made the decision…plus, we could get four thousand Gold Pieces out of this."
Arlo frowns, unsure what to say.
Anne sighs. "Think about it, Arlo…if we don't do it, they'll just hire someone else. At the very least, we can make his death as painless as possible."
This doesn't seem to comfort Arlo very much.
Anne tracks the stablehand to a small town called Sutton. Apparently, the knight he works for, Sir Robert, is participating in a tournament there.
Arlo rubs his chin. "That name…it sounds familiar."
Anne raises her eyebrow. "You used to rub shoulders with plenty of lords and knights back when you were a royal guardsman. You've probably met him."
Arlo continues to rub his chin. "Maybe…"
Ikku watch the stablehand for the right moment to attack. He find that the night of the tournament provides the best cover. Apparently, half the town is drunk, and most of the guards are busy dealing with that.
Ikku approach the stable quietly. Anne pulls out her dagger.
"No…I'll take care of that. You focus on the horse," says Arlo.
"You're going to kill the stablehand?" Anne asks suspiciously.
Arlo grits his teeth. "I got this…now go."
Anne looks over at Ikku, and he nod.
She shrugs and puts her dagger away.
Arlo hides in the shadows while Anne goes to steal the horse. Unfortunately, the horse doesn't want to be stolen and starts making a lot of noise. The stablehand comes running, with what appears to be the end of a broom as a makeshift weapon.
"Thieves! How dare you try to steal the property of Sir Robert," says the stablehand as he attempts to swing the stick at Anne. He starts yelling for the guards at the top of his lungs.
Anne curses and is about to pull out her dagger when Arlo suddenly tackles the man. Arlo punches him hard in the face, then stabs him in the chest.
Ikku hear footsteps heading toward the stable; more than likely, the noise caught the guards' attention.
Arlo leaves behind the coin, and they all head out...
After they manage to get away, Anne looks at Arlo suspiciously.
Arlo ignores her.
She continues to stare.
Arlo has finally had enough and decides to bite. "What is it, Anne?"
"The way you stabbed that stablehand…pretty impressive."
Arlo frowns. "Thanks."
Anne moves forward. "It was impressive how you made sure to miss any vital organs."
"What are you implying?" asks Arlo.
"That you only wounded him."
Arlo doesn't say anything.
"I knew it…you don't have the balls to do something like that," says Anne.
"What…murder someone in cold blood?" asks Arlo seriously.
Anne looks over at you. "I should've been the one to do it, Cap. Now we're going to have to go back and finish the job."
Ikku shakes his head. "The area is probably crawling with guards right now. Arlo, answer honestly; did you strike to kill?"
Arlo doesn't say anything for a few seconds. "I might've made sure I missed his heart by a few inches…"
Anne scowls.
Arlo quickly continues. "That doesn't mean he won't die…I tried my best not to make the wound fatal…but you never know."
"How could you, Arlo? If you cost us two thousand Gold Pieces because of your morals, I'll—"
Before Anne can finish, a group of guards starts approaching your position.
"We'd better get out of here…and hope the wound Arlo gave the stablehand will be enough," you say.
They left.
They head to the bartender and tell him that the job is done. He shakes his head. "The stablehand survived. Besides, the client suddenly canceled the contract."
Anne looks upset. "We want our pay."
"For a job half done? If you even want to call it half done…"
Anne narrows her eyes but decides to leave rather than argue with the man.
The group head back to your castle.
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