Completed Chasing Rumors

[Kel Ehmry]

18th of Spring 513AV With the newly found burnt atmosphere of Sunberth, something more than black smoke began circulating throughout the town. The town was talking about a recent fire that happened a day prior. It was the old rotting mansion that had been hit by the fire this time. At first Kel didn't think much of it, as fires were striking up all over town. Nothing new with some old mansion going up in flames too. But with all the talk about that specific fire, there was talk of a name. Robern Dalagnar... Kel had never seen him himself, but he had heard enough to get the gist of who he was. The self proclaimed ruler of Sunberth, Robern Dalagnar, took residence up in the old building. Of course he was just one of several who were vying for power in the town. He and his daggerhands were only part of a much larger and violent political landscape. That's all Kel really knew though. He wasn't in Sunberth to be making his mark in politics and gang warfare. But why did the town care about so much about just another house fire? Kel was sitting on a bench by the Pig's Foot Tavern when he heard a group of three women talking about the events he was pondering in his mind? Well no better time than now to find out what's happening, Kel thought. He sat quietly, eyes focused on the ground, but ears honed in on their conversation. "It's all awfully suspicious if you ask me" One said. "Oh yes. First his house goes up in flames, and then Robern just disappears with his daughter?" another asked. "They are gonna get get after him..." the final woman said before the three began walking in another direction. Kel grinned as he stood up from his seated position. He was sure the reward for finding Robern would be great. He looked up at the sign above him, and proceeded to enter the Pig's Foot Tavern. He would need more information to find this petcher.

[Kel Ehmry]

What better place to begin searching for a missing man than none other than the local tavern. It was a haven for conversation, secrets, rumors, and even the occasional fight. Not to mention Kel would be able to enjoy a drink before continuing his little expedition. The Pig's Foot Tavern would be fine starting place Kel reckoned as he entered through the door. Kel glanced around the brightly lit room. It was usually much dimmer but the morning sunlight was pouring in through the windows. Usually the tavern would have been relatively empty at this time a day, with only a few sad souls scattered around the room. But with the city in flames the tavern was quickly becoming a sort of safe haven. Alcohol, food, company, entertainment. What else could a sanctuary need? If the tavern was lit up there was no telling what the mob would do. Hell, Kel would likely join them in such an event. Luckily the only fire in sight was that of the hearth. Kel finally decided to sit among those at the bar where he could get a drink and talk with the tavern keeper directly. As he sat down on the wooden stool, the man behind the counter asked what Kel will have. "Just an ale Kel said as he reached into his pockets and grabbed the mizas. He layed the coins on the table and the bartender scooped them up. Kel sat quietly and looked around the room as the bartender filled his glass with the amber colored liquid. Kel thanked him when he returned with the drink, and Kel then got straight to asking questions. "Say, you wouldn't happen to know what the deal with this whole Robern situation is by chance would ya? I keep hearing about it but, I guess I'm uninformed" Kel inquired, playing dumb. "What you don't know!? Idiot" the man said in an annoyed tone. "Well, you know the old rotting mansion that was hit yesterday?" "Sure" Kel said. 'Well good ol' Robern has gone and disappeared, along with that pretty daughter of his." "But why would he just disappear?" Kel asked. "Who knows? If you couldn't tell Sunberth is going through a bit of a rough time right now" the man said sarcastically. "Yeah yeah, I noticed. But where would he even run off to? Wouldn't he have been caught by someone if he was trying to escape?" Kel took a big gulp of his ale and waited for a response. "You obviously don't know Robern" the man chuckled as he cleaned a glass with a dirty rag. "One of the most powerful men in town would find a way to get out I'm sure...Now I'd stop asking questions if I were you..." the man said cryptically before attending to other customers. Kel quickly gulped down the rest of his ale and wiped his mouth.

[Kel Ehmry]

Great, his investigation had barely even begun and he had already been threatened, by a barkeep no less. A sigh escaped his lips as he peered around the smoky room. The bartender swiped Kel's empty glass away and Kel slowly got up from his seat. As his eyes scanned the room, several dirty looks met his gaze. Kel wasn't sure if they were just upset at the current situation in town, or if he had already overstepped his boundaries. Kel calmly walked towards the door, ready to continue his search somewhere else. Obviously this wasn't the place to be asking questions. "Alright...I'll take the hint" Kel muttered to himself as the tavern door swung shut behind him. Kel wondered the streets for a bit and wondered what his next move would be. He tried listening in on the crowd, but the consensus was all the same, everyone agreed Robern had disappeared, and no one knew where he was. Beyond that, there was little information. So it seemed Kel would have to take matters into his own hands. He smirked, realizing his next move. Kel was bound for whatever was left of the rotting mansion. He walked through the streets at a brisk pace, effortlessly twisting his body as to avoid those travelling against him. He was focused, sure that the old mansion would yield some important information. After 15 chimes of determined walking, he had arrived at his destination. The old mansion was burnt to a charred ruin, and from a distance looked utterly destroyed. But Kel was still resolved to enter and see what he could dig up. Surely something of importance still remained, buried in the ash. And if there was, Kel was going to find it. But there was another problem beyond the fact the mansion was burnt to a crisp. That was the fact that there seemed to be guards, at least at the entrance. They were most likely Daggerhand thugs making sure no one got too curious... Well, I guess the front entrance wont do. I'll circle around to the back I suppose he thought as he casually entered an alley in an effort to find a back entrance.

[Kel Ehmry]

After spending a few chimes of cutting through back alleys and avoiding anyone that looked like a Daggerhand thug, Kel finally found an alternative entrance in the back. He stood idly around the corner for a few chimes, peeking out to make sure he was alone. It seemed to be empty, so Kel darted towards the charred wall of the mansion, pressing his back up against it as he approached where a window had once been. He leaned over from his spot, and peered in through the window. It was clear for now. Kel firmly placed his hands on the windowsill and vaulted into one of the rooms. Burnt piles of rubble were scattered across the floor, and the smell of burnt wood hovered in the air. But it wasn't the good smell that would come from a campfire. It was that sort of stench that almost burned your nostrils. Kel covered his nose with his sleeves and clenched his eyes shut. Ugh. The things I get myself into... Kel crouched and began moving quietly through the ruin. Every few second he would rapidly blink, as the smell made his eyes water. He quietly moved from room to room, listening for anyone that may stumble upon him, and keeping his eyes open for anything that stuck out to him. Kel eventually moved into what looked like a bedroom, judging from the burnt bed that was in the center of the room. Kel also saw a dresser in the corner of the room that, while burnt, may be of some use. Kel sifted his way through the ash covered room and opened up each compartment of the dresser. The top one had nothing, Kel shut it and moved down one. Nothing again. The third one down? Nope, empty. How about the last one? Petch! Kel sighed and took a step back, ready to turn around and further explore. However his foot had stepped on something causing a small crack. Kel lifted his shoe up, and found small picture frame holding what a portrait of a man and a girl. They look pretty cheerful for violent crime lords Kel thought with a raised eyebrow. "Hey, hey you! What are you doing!?" a voice called out. Kel turned, seeing a vicious looking man peering in on him from a window. Kel quickly turned and pocketed the picture. He turned back to the man, who was now climbing in through the window. Kel knelt down and scooped up a handful of ash. He held his new found weapon behind his back while the man talked. "I said what are you doing here!" His tone was growing increasingly violent. "What? I'm sorry I seem to have gotten lost" Kel lied. "Oh I am sure you did, what is that you got behind your back?" the thug asked as he drew a dagger from his right side. He slowly inched his way forward. The man obviously wanted a fight. Kel clenched the ash tightly as the man neared, waiting for him to get into range. After he unleashed the cloud of ash, he would have to be quick about getting out of here. He would surely attract the attention of the rest of the thugs, but Kel was confident he could escape. It was time to act. "Kel oh it's just..." Kel didn't finish the sentence before throwing the clump of ash at the man's face. The man yelled as the ash entered his eyes and nose. "You little petcher. Everyone after this bastard!" he blindly called out to his allies. Kel had already bolted for the window he came in through.

[Kel Ehmry]

Kel was in a full sprint now as he desperately searched for that blasted window he had entered through. He could hear scurrying footsteps behind him as well as chatter among the rest of the guards. If they trapped him in this place he was done for. He gasped heavily, choking on the nauseating smell as he darted through the various rooms of the mansion. Finally he skidded into what was left of a long hallway, and at the end of it was the window he had come through. This was it, he turned toward it and ran as fast as his feet would take him towards the window. Kel heard more footsteps than his own coming from behind. He glanced back and saw one man with an axe in hand chasing after him. Kel's eyes widened and he started pushing himself even more. He was almost there. He just needed to get out of the house, and then losing these bastards in the city would be easy. Kel glanced again and was relieved at he was managing to outrun the man. Without breaking his momentum Kel leaped through the window and came crashing into the dirt ground in a roll. "He's escaping!" Kel heard from inside. Kel immediately hoisted himself up and made a break into the alley he came from. He couldn't go the way he came as that would take him to the front of the mansion. He had to improvise another route. He stood still briefly while he decided which way to go, hang a right here, or go straight and make it up as he went. 'He went into the alley!" a voice called out. Kel didn't have time to make an educated decision. He resumed his sprint and ran straight. At the end of that narrow street he went left, and then quickly rounded another corner on his left, reaching out with his left hand to stabilize him as he made the sharp turn. He ran straight for a bit after that, and finally took a right, which placed himself back onto the busy main street. He stopped his run and breathed deeply. Kel then nonchalantly dusted himself off and entered the crowd. They wouldn't be catching him today. After a few bells passed Kel returned to the Pig's Foot Tavern and sat in front of the same barkeep again. "What, you got more questions?" the keeper asked irritatingly. "No...no questions...just get me an ale" Kel responded.