“Did she really have to say that?”

  We had to have been loud for them to hear us over the tavern.

  “Never mind that,” Rook said with a laugh. “I’ve been thinking, if you pair Sap with a basic hip toss, you can easily overpower a much stronger opponent.”

  “I’m not strong enough,” she said.

  There she goes again with the self-doubt.

  “Can I show you a technique?” Rook asked, as she wiped the sweat with a handkerchief.

  She nodded, taking a swig from the water cup. “Don’t think it’s going to work though.”

  “This is just a basic hip toss,” Rook said, maneuvering himself to a place where Reina would fall on the bed. “First step is to know where to grab.” He trapped her arm, leveraging it to where Reina wanted to get up on her tippy toes with natural pain compliance. Then he released, grabbing her collar, and he raised his hips until she was off the ground. “These two are basic, and if I’m right, paired with Sap will end a fight really freaking fast.” He used the second method to throw her on the bed and then laughed at the stark surprise on her face. “Sorry, you have to learn it before you do it.”

  “You’re going to be sorry you did that,” Reina said playfully.

  For the next few hours, he was sorry. She used him as a training dummy, sapping and strengthening him until late in the night.

  * * *

  Rook awoke with the strong urge to piss. Rolling out of bed, he walked to the bathhouse. Damn, it feels like I’m about to burst.

  “I wonder if the training had anything to do with it,” he muttered. Once he exited the bathhouse restrooms, he heard muffled talking coming from down the hallway moments later. Where is that coming from? He walked down the stairs under the guise of getting a drink of water, much against his better judgment.

  The speaking grew louder as he made his way down to the tavern area. The conversation was between three people, he could tell. I really shouldn’t be here.

  “It’s late, Phane, you know he’s sleeping, and I nearly woke him coming here,” The female voice whispered.

  “It’s a Sentinel quest and I wouldn’t have brought this to your attention unless it needed doing,” a deep, unfamiliar voice said.

  “Right. I’m telling you, I know it’s late, but this needs to be done. The uldannish won’t work until the boy is found.” Phane’s voice hissed out. “We don’t want the Bloodstone back any sooner than necessary.”

  Uldannish? Rook turned the corner and faced a distraught Phane speaking to Brianna, who was wearing simple nightclothes. The third was a dwarf in a black cloak, with silver plate armor peeking out from beneath it. Phane and the dwarf looked haggard.

  “Hey guys, just getting some water. Hope I didn’t interrupt.” He walked to the corner of the bar where the water barrel was and poured a mug.

  Phane sighed, then gave him a tired smile. “No, Rook, it’s your right here to get water. Sorry if we woke you.”

  “It’s fine, I know I’m copper, but can I help with anything?” Rook asked. The question hung in the air for a while, long enough for him to sip on the mug a few times.

  “Matter of fact, Candidate, I’m glad you asked. You have a Sentinel quest; we need to deal with an uldannish situation down by the docks.” The dwarf answered vaguely, but handed him a parchment request.

  Sentinel quest? And who’s we? Is there a mouse in your pocket? Rook set the mug down on the bar top and opened the paper.

  “Phane,” Brianna protested. “This quest could be more than he can handle. No offense intended, Rook.”

  “None taken.” Rook half listened, busy trying to use the candlelight to read the quest.

  Bayside Situation

  My name is Chief Totoma Swiftscale. Please help me find my infant son. I do not trust the guard.

  Rook looked at Phane, disheveled, who came in the middle of the night. Obviously not guards like him. He continued reading.

  I am requesting that the Sentinels look into it.

  Rewards 500 experience

  +1 Core Attribute

  Ollar Reputation bonus

  The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.

  Do you want to accept the quest Bayside Situation?

  Y/N

  “Maybe I can help. I mean, I want to, but I need to speak to Reina first.” Rook focused on the skill increases and smiled.

  “I’m going to give you advice this once, candidate. You accept every Sentinel quest,” the dwarf said, before turning and taking a seat at an empty table. He gave a heavy sigh. “Since this is the first one, I’ll be here until you talk to your scribe.”

  “I’d also allow the use of a guard lieutenant during the mission,” Phane added with a pleading smile.

  The fight between Phane and the Lieutenants flashed in his mind. A mysterious stranger and a guard Lieutenant can’t wait. They thanked him for his time, and he returned to the room, falling into a restless dream of drowning.

  He awoke to the intrusive sunlight breaking through the room window. We got to get a curtain. Reina was still passed out, no doubt from the training the night prior. Who knew one person could practice hip tossing on a limp body that many times?

  Rook felt a slight wave of dizziness thinking about the ordeal. He stretched and took a pull from the mug set next to his bed. Never underestimate the good a glass of water can do.

  Looking down at the parchment again, he felt sorry for the Chief. To lose a child is bad enough, but to lose him in a city that was so well guarded seemed unfathomable to Rook. Then again, with the stonists, it makes sense. What a fucking time to be alive. He checked Reina’s nightstand and realized her mug was empty. It might be nice to hydrate after she wakes up. Downstairs in the tavern area, Rook regarded the quiet room. Basking in the lull before the normal adventurers busted through the doors and began raiding the quest board. Spotting the water on the countertop, Rook grabbed the water and returned to the room to see Reina stirring.

  “You’re up early,” she said with a yawn.

  He smiled. “I have a Sentinel quest too,” he said, handing her both her mug and the parchment.

  She perked up, the sleepiness fading from her eyes quickly as she scanned the quest request. Her eyes went wide as she reached near the bottom of the page. “This is terrible. What kind of person kidnaps a child?” The determination he was growing to love overtook her face. “Let’s do it.”

  Do you want to accept the quest Bayside Situation?

  Y/N

  Yes.

  “I’m hoping they are with family, but before we can make any assumptions, we need to go and interview the Uldannish at the docks.” Rook grabbed the parchment back and placed it in his inventory, where it would be safe. I have to really dig into my investigation skills.

  The thrum of the conversation and raucous laughter vibrated through the floor as the normal crowd filled the tavern space. Lucky for Rook, he already had a jump on the quest.

  “Nice of you both to join us,” a voice said.

  Rook couldn’t see where it came from. What the hell?

  “Over here, ya tall bastards,” the voice came again from the bar, where the dwarf was sipping on an ale. “It pays to know how to blend in; even a dwarf can do it.”

  I guess it’s never too early to throw one back, huh? Rook gave him a nod.

  “Good morning, who are you?” Reina asked, narrowing her eyes slightly.

  He burped, set his ale down, and cleared his throat. “I’m your escort through the Sentinel quest, names Jody Ironsong. Sentinel Sergeant, at your service,” he said with a slight bow. “He’s Samuel Merrell, making you Reina Jax then?”

  Rook bit at the inside of his cheek. Of course, he’s calling me Samuel.

  “Rook, if you don’t mind, Sergeant,” Rook said.

  “Sure, if you never call me Sergeant again, it’s Jody.” He produced a pipe from his cloak and lit it.

  Besides being called Samuel, Rook was amused at the scene. Here we have a dwarf smoking a pipe, rocking a long braided beard, and a Celtic accent. I love it. What Rook didn’t love was the name Jody. In the military, Jody was the title given to a man who kept servicemembers’ wives warm while their spouses were deployed. The savory smoke filled the tavern, smelling of burning trees.

  “Pleased to meet you formally, Jody,” Rook said, extending his hand. The name came out sour.

  Jody took it, shaking it in his vice-like grip. “Sorry about my grumpiness. Early this morning, I needed a pick-me-up.” He smiled at the pipe before reaching out and shaking Reina’s hand next.

  “No worries,” Rook answered.

  “Get some breakfast, you’ll need it traveling with me,” Jody said, taking one final drag from his pipe.

  Jody tapped the ashes of the pipe into a small cup filled with water. “Nothing beats the haga shroom.”

  “I figured you were smoking dried mushrooms,” Rook said, glancing at Reina. “Just like Roran.” He was almost sad; it wasn’t tobacco.

  “It’s a popular product for smoking,” she responded with a shrug. “My father loves it. If you miss your cigarettes so much, maybe you can find an alternative.”

  “You’re a pipe man?” Jody asked.

  “Yeah, I’ve been craving it for a while now, I just can’t find something to smoke,” Rook said.

  Jody’s jovial face grew flat. “You’re going to remain smokeless for the remainder of your Sentinel training. I can’t have you altering your mind or killing yourself trying to smoke a poisonous plant.” He crossed his arms over a barrel chest. “Is that understood?”

  “Yes.” Rook swallowed and looked over at Reina.

  “Enough of that,” Brianna said, bringing over a basket of buttered rolls. “It weirds me out to see you so serious, Jody.”

  Jody chuckled. “Aye, now that my warning is done, let’s grab a bun and go.”

  After taking their on-the-go breakfast, they headed towards the doors.

  “Not questing today?” The voice of Borin asked. He was seated just near the door, with his hands interlaced and resting on his stomach.

  Rook regarded the dwarf, then scanned the room for the gnome. Before he was about to speak, Jody spoke up.

  “Sentinel quest, mind your business,” Jody coldly responded.

  His eyes narrowed until they were hidden lines underneath his bushy eyebrows. “Of course, Sentinel,” He responded, painting his face with a smile. A thick bead of sweat gathered on his brow. “Just curious, is all,” he said with a hearty laugh.

  Keep laughing, fat man. “Well, we best be off.” Rook opened the door for Reina and Jody, and they exited.

  “I told you they were scoundrels,” Reina said with the faintest hint of anger. “When is the last time you’ve seen the barbarian come back for a quest?” She asked.

  The big man with the thunder hammer flashed in his mind. Shit. “How are they doing it?”

  “They go on quests under the guise of helpful companions and betray the target.” Reina took a bite of her bread. “Then they sell to Ollar’s underground.”

  He ate his bun as they walked. How naive of me to think there wasn’t a criminal underground.

  “Know what? Maybe it’s best I get to know you both before hopping into a mission right away. Tell me about yourselves,” He pivoted on his armored heel and cut down an alley without warning.

  “Damn, he’s kind of fast,” Rook said, following behind. Glancing behind him at Reina, it was easy to tell that she thought the same thing. Looking forward, once again, shocked Rook as the dwarf was almost through the alleyway, into the next street.

  “Maybe he’s part horse,” Reina joked, jogging next to him.

  Rook lengthened his stride until they met the dwarf, who only smiled at them.

  “Good, I thought you both decided to stay in the Tavern. Thought maybe I offended you,” Jody said, with a cheeky grin. He took a deep drag from his pipe and blew a ring of smoke over the heads of a few passersby. “I’m from Berg, Born and raised in the Mountain forge itself. A city dwarf, unlike my brethren from Kazinmar. He cocked an eye toward Rook, no doubt waiting for him to explain where he was from.

  “Pineville Village, it’s deep and sequestered in the mountains of Centrulia,” he lied.

  Jody’s frown deepened. “I’ve never heard of it, and I’ve traveled most of Centrulia. Hells, a good portion of Yorthon as well. What’s the Village patriarch’s name?”