Chapter9

Buc's Den was oddly quiet. The tavern sat directly across from the moongate, but as Kendrik and his sister arrived, there was no fighting, shouts, or other signs of activity from that direction whatsoever. It was early in the afternoon, but anytime was partytime in Buc's. A few shopkeepers stood outside their shops and homes chatting with one another... no one around to buy anything from them. The two travelers proceeded over the 1st bridge and then over the 2nd one before they saw the reason for the deserted town. An entire complement of British's guards were milling about, several Buc's denizens shackled and in custody. British and Krynn were getting much bolder than Kendrik had imagined. They had apparently sent the group of guards to clean up the Den... but as soon as they left, things would be right back to normal... at least so he hoped.

"Halt, there travelers. Who be ye and what be yer business in Buccaneer's Den?" An offensively odorous guard with a crooked nose and crooked nose helm to match stood in their path, halberd at the ready.

"I am Pobram, a monk of the Nujelmian Brotherhood, and this be my guide in these strange lands, Lily." Kendrik replied, accent in full swing. "We be seeking shelter, lad... we traveled for most o' the night..."

"Right... well then... this town be under siege by the king himself. Make sure the two o' you behave yerselves right... Move along." Pobram turned to Lily and nodded, then continued onwards to the bank. This would be the tricky part... getting his bank box without the banker realizing who he was and alerting the guards.

"Wait here, sis... watch Schmendrik for me..." Pobram dismounted and made his way into the bank.

"Afternoon, what can I do for ye?" The banker, a decrepit man with stringy white hair, called out.

"I wish to see my bank box, good sir." Pobram responded.

"Hmm... I don't think I've seen ya round these parts... you sure you got a box here?" The old man adjusted his eyepatch to get a better look.

"Aye, sir... I am sure of it." At this, Pobram produced his bank box key. It was clearly inscribed with the name of the bank.

"Hmph! Very well... right this way, sir..." The old man shuffled into the back room where the bank boxes were kept. Pobram obediently followed closely behind.

"What did you say yer name was again, lad?" The old banker bent down, peering at the names on the front of the chests.

"I didn't..." Pobram swung down hard with the hilt of his dagger, knocking the man sharply in the back of the head. The banker dropped to the floor like a sack of flour. "Sorry, old man..." Pobram whispered as he stuck his key into the lock and turned. The chest creaked open, revealing the treasures inside. A pouch of gold coins glittered in the sunlight which was streaming through the window. Gems and magical trinkets also sparkled here and there in the chest. His prized kryss and shadow ringmail leggings were tossed hurriedly into his pack, followed by a bag of purplish and yellow potions. Lastly, he grabbed a teleportation ring which he crammed onto his finger and his sash of invisibility which got looped around his belt. Trinkets like those always came in handy.

As Pobram finished packing, the old man had begun to stir. Pobram dashed out the door and mounted Schmendrik. "Let's roll, sis." he said as he made his way towards the mainland arch. It would teleport them to relative safety. Or so it would have had they not heard a frantic screaming behind them.

"Guards!! Thief!! Get him!!" Pobram looked back to see the crotchety banker holding his head with one hand and pointing at Pobram with the other. "Stop him!!"

Pobram and Kendra snapped into action, spurring their horses towards the arch. The guards, momentarily stunned, regained their senses and ran to their mounts. Pobram held his breath as they leapt through the teleporter, feeling cold tendrils wrap themselves around him. A moment later they were pounding down the road to Minoc, guards in hot pursuit.

"Alright, sis! We're not gonna shake em... we'll hafta fight them!" Pobram cried out as he looked back over his shoulder. Of the original ten men stationed in Buc's, five of them had broken off to give chase... and they were gaining fast.

"Ready?!" Kendra yelled.

"Now!" Pobram and Kendra halted their horses' advance and spun about simultaneously. Kendra took aim at the one nearest to her and dropped him from his mount with a well placed bolt to the shoulder. Another charged at her, huge, spiked war mace raised high above his head. As he swung his arm down, Kendra thrust upwards with her crossbow, deflecting the hit as he rode past her. Her bow cracked and splintered in two spots and she realized it was no longer useable. The mounted guard came around for a second pass, battle cry belting from his gut. Kendra spun to face him and tossed her broken bow to the ground. She reached for her reagent pack, chanting words of power from memory.