Drachma stands up, “So, you wish for us to bring in some lizards, and they can wield magic too? The payment for this job should be rather large. My secret mission fee is around…” 

 “Drachma, your fee is your freedom from the pit of garbage I saw through those bars that you call a cell.” Lord Lomamantle cuts him off.  “Meadow here was given a recommendation by my wife Eleanora.” In shock, Drachma was about to raise his voice. But before he could, the door opens once more, revealing an elven female. She stands in front of the men with confidence in her presence.

“Iriel, I had told you not to enter this room. Leave us alone.”

She quickly says, “I wish to come on this mission. I want to help the house too. And it would also help keep the peace within the Empire.” with her head bowing to her father.

Aeren sits for a moment and thinks something. “Me and my compatriot are new to the area of Vada. Those bars don’t give much in terms of sightseeing.” Aeren sighs before retorting, “This seems to work for everyone. You have a ship to arrive at the docks. Speak to a man known as Elijah Featherbottom, experienced captain of his ship. That man can keep a secret or two. You are to leave within an hour.” The patriarch calls in the guards to escort them out.

“Wait, sir. Before we leave, I have a few questions.” Meadow speaks. “The idea of payment was brought up already. So, I want to know exactly how much are we…am I to expect for doing this job?”

The lord walks over to a small vault to reveal letters with the official seal of the house on them as he answers Meadow’s question, “These are allowances. They allow the user to officially have a spending amount from the house’s vault. Instead of carrying around large sums of currency in hand, these are rather more useful in terms of the payment you would receive otherwise. With more tasks completed you gain more access to the treasury. The starting amount is 50 Pieces of gold, without touching your own pockets.”

“That’s enough for some rounds of drinks for the entire night.” says Drachma.

“Pleasure working with you, sir.” Meadow says after hearing Aeren’s offer.

“I will make our house proud, father,” says the proud little girl, Iriel.

The three, with the mission they were assigned to, make their way to the dock. Drachma, while passing the local eatery by the name of Skinny Boys, says to his two companions, “I need to have my first real meal in about 21 years. Don’t mind me. Go ahead, I’ll be with you shortly.”

Drachma enjoys this feeling of tasting real alcohol for the first time in a long while. The sensation feels like heavenly nectar to him. A gentleman wearing the clothes of the capital city’s guard’s notices Drachma free and drinking his beverage. This takes the man by surprise and he walks over to the man with mane. “I thought your sentence was far longer?” The man holds an experienced and aged face. His ears are showing that of the Elven lineage. Looking at Drachma, with some level of respect in his voice, the man says, “Hear y’all, this man is Drachma, a warrior who took a conflict into his own hands and fought in a war with those southern beasts, and was given the title of the slaughterer of those over-grown Kobolds.”

Drachma smiles as the man walks over to him and pats him on his back. “I just came here for a drink. I’ll be on the way to Vada within a few minutes. Enjoying some sweet sauce.” Drachma speaks through his smile as he pours some more down his throat.

T.B.C.

Writer: Alejandro Faverzani.

Artist: Nayeli Zelaya.

Co-writer and art editor: adifferentway.