The overtones of Marius' song brought the pub to life. Patrons and employees alike clapped along to the beat as the mood visibly shifted from dreary to hopeful. At some point, Mara and Miley even got up and joined Marius on stage, providing sultry interpretation of the tiefling's inspiring lyrics. When it was over, he received thunderous applause and several of the patrons tipped him heartily.
[[Marius receives 21 silver pieces]]
As Marius returned to the table and the acrobats reappeared on the stage, the feeling of courage lingered. The patrons were suddenly rowdier, but the waitresses were sassier and unafraid. The bartender had a perkiness in his step and even the owner seemed merry. Mara and Miley reclaimed their seats with added spunk, and each girl planted a big kiss on the cheeks of their respective neighbors (Mara to Roland and Miley to Marius).
Haze smiled at everyone. Her spirits felt lifted and strengthened as well, and she was all too eager to spend the next hour or so planning a route and discussing strategies for their meeting with the governor.
When at least the time came, Haze and the others made their way outside and she bid her farewells to the pub and it's denizens. The Verdant Leaf had indeed been a good source of information, but everyone had so little that she couldn't help but feel a bit disappointed. Those from New Emerald City didn't pay much attention to the rural farming communities outside the city walls, and the refugees were either too scared or still in shock and were of little help. There were a few bits that stuck out to Haze though, and she'd remember to mention them at the meeting, if she needed to.
The walk to the city center was uneventful this time. The sun was well past midday and many of the hollow faces were busy preparing whatever vermin they happened to catch for a meager meal. Those still out along the main road were the very old and very desperate. Most didn't even have begging pans because they weren't panhandling. A few would throw the coins back at their charitable owners in disgust, but the vast majority accepted whatever humble generosity came their way.
At the gatehouse, a new guard stopped the group in their tracks and demanded identification. Haze presented a small book and mentioned the meeting. Whether it was something seen in the book or the aforementioned rendezvous, the guard's demeanor did an about-face and he unlatched the gate with a smile. The Mansion grounds were modest, but entirely too rich for a city so young and ripe with problems. The estate loomed ahead, another 60 feet or so, but again the group was met by guards. This pair wielded one halberd each with an ease that hinted at many years of combat training. One guard took point while the other waited for the group to pass and brought up the rear.
Thusly, everyone was marched into the stately mansion, past the solid oak doors and into an ornate foyer just off the main entrance hall. There they waited for several minutes, with the halberd guards standing at the arched entryway to the foyer, until a
lovely young lady appeared and bid the guards farewell.
"Good afternoon. I apologize for your wait, but the Governor will see you now." She lead the group down the main hall past several other rooms where various servants and staff busied themselves with chores, all dressed in similar white or black gowns. At the end of the long hall, she paused in front of a tall oaken door and rapped lightly on it before turning the handle.
"Governor Matisse? They will see you now." As she opened the door further and allowed them entry, she stepped back and bowed her head with hands clasped in front of her.
The room was grandiose but lacking in appeal. A large rectangular table filled most of the space, with chairs enough for 16 people to sit. At the far end and what was likely the back wall of the mansion was a fireplace with an ornate mantle, but only a bronze timepiece rested on it. The rug under the table was exquisite, but threadbare in places. There were paintings hung on the walls, but all were old and chipping. At the head of the table sat
a middle aged man, with an unpleasant grin.
"Greetings, adventurers, Hazelthyst, and welcome to my humble abode. Nevermind the draft, damn thing is falling apart as we speak. So, I'll get straight to it. The trolls are a menace and I need someone to do something about them. They have ransacked nearly every settlement south of the Trollfen River, and all attempts at negotiation have failed. I have a standing reward for anyone willing to take care of them, but I need something done fast. New Emerald City is overburdened as it is. We can't take any more refugees and we're the only open city for miles. All the surrounding Lords and Ladies and barred their gates and are waiting out this storm. Please. We are desperate. My men know of two scout groups near the Emerald River, just north of town, and a large encampment at one of the bigger farms near there. The tribal chief is Ungrak. If you can find him and slay him, I'm sure his forces will scatter. If not.. well, then I fear the worst is yet to come."
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