The Epic of Dalen Grey

I was ready early this morning. I was eager to meet with Delvori. I was very curious and very pissed off over the events last night.

I followed the directions as they were given. They twisted and turned but were easy to follow. By the end, I had found myself underground. I had gone through a passage and a secret door way to get here. It seemed to be an old sewer, but it was way to clean for that. I went where the directions lead. I had to, the other places where blocked in a way I could not get through. I walked into a small round cave like structure and I saw Delvori right before me.

"Close the door."

"If I don't get some answers out of you, I'm gonna..."

"Gonna what Dalen, kill me. Do you think we would allow a meeting that wasn't safe. The only way out of here has guards and traps that would give even you trouble. Fighting will get us no further. I take it you had some problems."

"My problems are with you. You lied to me."

"I don't lie Dalen. I admit however that I may have not told you everything."

I wanted so badly to run my sword through him. But I knew what he said was true. I had to get the upper hand on them so I could make the threats. If its one thing I hate, its being toyed with.

"That was a slave house, and you knew it."

"I did, but the information was true. They stole and exported goods."

"People."

"Thats one perspective yes."

This didn't seem to be getting me anywhere. I had to say I was being impatient, but I wasn't exactly in a friendly mood either. I had one hand on my sword in case I needed to strike at any time.

"I am about to get angry delvori, unless you start talking."

"Ok, straight to the point then. Slaves, and the trading of, has been outlawed in this section of city. Being legal in the empire and on a maJor trade road, we have allowed the temporary storing and transportion through the city. we found about this operation a few weeks ago and we investigated. We found out he was using temporary housing cover to run a slave trade in the city. Sometimes they were stolen from merchants. We also learned that the Dragon Foot clan was trying to expand control into the merchant District. You helped us shut down an illegal business and interrupted the clans business. We are grateful for this Dalen."

"And how do I know you aren't lying to me again."

"I can't offer any more reassurance then your own common sense."

I hate admitting it, as frustrated as I was. But this made sense and I had no other reason to believe him to be lying.

"Why was I not informed"

"Trust. I apologize. We are often suspicious and you have been more then trustworthy. I will not hide information on another mission, you have my word."

"Can we discuss how the mission went now?"

"The four men were spared death. If I was informed of there illegal business, I might of had them arrested. They are likely out of the city by now. The city guards collected all the captives."

"And the building is deserted."

"Its empty for now, but its mine now."

"You have no legal right to live there Dalen."

"Don't tell me I don't, I paid him for it."

I saw a distressed look on his face that I had never seen on his face before. He had always been so calm in the past and now his expression had changed.

"I will repay you the cost of the building."

I suddenly had an awakening to the nature of things. I knew what was at stake now.

"Thats why you sent me on the mission. You wanted that house. You couldn't legally take it until he was dead, gone or arrested. I am not your puppet, and I'm not selling it. I don't know why its so important, but I will find out."

His expression still looked stressed, but he calmly spoke in a matter I would expect from him "as you wish Dalen, its your house."

"According to our aggrement, you owe me one answer to my question."

"Yes Dalen, what do you want to know"

I wanted to know more about Delvori and Delick. I wanted to ask about the motivations behind there group. I wanted to find my father. My conscious makes me a slave to my duty however. I was on a mission and that is now my focus.

"How can I find Krin Tao Lin, the leader of the Dragon Foot clan?"

"You already found him, he is the man you face behind the Fireside Inn a few days ago. I can't say where he is right now, but I can give you clues. But he doesn't travel without guards and he isn't much easily bested in battle. You were lucky that night to only face him and four men."

He told me of several of his safe houses and some of his network. He told me information on his hideouts protections and they seemed excessive. He gave me a few leads on infiltrating there base, but he warned this was Just as dangerous and a all out attack. And with that he bowed before me.

"I can tell you now more Dalen. Its time for us to part. I will keep in touch in case we need you again."

I left without even a goodbye. I walked out toward the exit. On the stairs Just before the way out, a small sack of coins fell to the ground. It must have been thrown from a small hole in the wall. It came with a note. I read it once I got to sunlight.

"Here is payment for your service. You will find one wood coin, redeemable for one round at the Fireside Inn, we suggest you make good use of it."

And that was all. It was a fair payment and my displeasure had all but disappeared. I went back to my bed to catch on sleep I missed the night before. I still had a bar to protect. Tomorrow, I shall meet up with a certain musician. I hope I get from him alot more answers then I get questions.